A Pan-Cancer Patient-Derived Xenograft Histology Image Repository with Genomic and Pathologic Annotations Enables Deep Learning Analysis.

Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) model human intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity in the context of the intact tissue of immunocompromised mice. Histologic imaging via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining is routinely performed on PDX samples, which could be harnessed for computational analysis. Prior studies of large clinical H&E image repositories have shown that deep learning analysis can identify intercellular and morphologic signals correlated with disease phenotype and therapeutic response.

Emerging Perspectives in Zinc Transporter Research in Prostate Cancer: An Updated Review.

Dysregulation of zinc and zinc transporters families has been associated with the genesis and progression of prostate cancer. The prostate epithelium utilizes two types of zinc transporters, the ZIP (Zrt-, Irt-related Protein) and the ZnTs (Zinc Transporter), to transport zinc from the blood plasma to the gland lumen. ZIP transporters uptake zinc from extracellular space and organelle lumen, while ZnT transporters release zinc outside the cells or to organelle lumen.

Alginate Oligosaccharides Protect Gastric Epithelial Cells against Oxidative Stress Damage through Induction of the Nrf2 Pathway.

Gastric diseases represent a significant global public health challenge, characterized by molecular dysregulation in redox homeostasis and heightened oxidative stress. Although prior preclinical studies have demonstrated the cytoprotective antioxidant effects of alginate oligosaccharides (AOSs) through the Nrf2 pathway, whether such mechanisms apply to gastric diseases remains unclear. In this study, we used the GES-1 gastric cell line exposed to hydrogen peroxide (HO) as a damage model to investigate the impact of AOS on cell viability and its associated mechanisms.

A randomized, controlled, split-face, double-blind comparison of a multimodality pigment-correcting serum containing lotus sprout extract versus hydroquinone for moderate to severe facial hyperpigmentation, including melasma, in a diverse population.

Background: Hyperpigmentation results in uneven skin tone, with darker skin types disproportionately affected.

Objective: Assess efficacy and safety of a novel, hydroquinone (HQ)-free, multimodal pigment-correcting serum (Advanced Brightening Treatment [ABT]) versus 4% HQ in moderate to severe hyperpigmentation, including melasma.

Methods: In this split-face study, ABT and 4% HQ were applied topically on randomly assigned facial sides twice daily for 12 weeks.

COVID-19 on Food Insecurity in Hispanic/Latino Essential and Non-essential Workers.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic's economic fallout has further exacerbated the health and well-being among Hispanics/Latinos, who maybe overrepresented in essential job industries and are vulnerable to experiencing food insecurity. This study explores whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected food security status differently among Latino/Hispanic essential and non-essential workers in the United States.

Methods: The COVID-19 Latino health cross-sectional survey was conducted and administered in person and virtually.

Associations between diet quality, demographics, health conditions and spice and herb intake of adults with chronic kidney disease.

Scant literature has been able to demonstrate an association between dietary habits and spice and herb consumption, especially for those who have chronic kidney disease. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the frequency and quantity of spices and herbs consumed and 2) determine the associations between diet quality and its food components, demographics, and health conditions with spice and herb frequency and variety consumption of adults with chronic kidney disease. A cross-sectional online study was conducted with adults with various stages of chronic kidney disease (n = 71).

Examining the Relationship between Dietary Intake, Socioeconomic Status, and Systolic Blood Pressure of Adults on Hemodialysis in Quito, Ecuador.

Background: In Ecuador, the number of adults on hemodialysis (HD) continues to rise. Currently, the effect dietary habits and socioeconomic status (SES) have on blood pressure is not known for those on HD.

Objectives: The objectives of this study focused on adults on HD in Quito, Ecuador to ) assess the relationship between dietary intake and SES; ) compare dietary intake to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines; and ) explore the relationship between dietary intake and systolic blood pressure.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine perceptions on HPV vaccine hesitancy.

Objective: This study evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine perceptions on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy. Secondary endpoints included comparing COVID-19 and HPV vaccination trends regarding time, community of residence, and unmet social needs.

Methods: This was a survey-based, cross-sectional study that included 101 participants who were recruited through the Wyandotte County Public Health Department.

Biochar-MgO from Soursop Seeds in the Production of Biofuel Additive Intermediates.

The conversion of residual biomass from fruit seeds into biochar can be achieved using MgCl as an activating agent and calcining at 700 °C. The resulting MgO-biochars were employed in the aldol condensation reaction between furfural and acetone. This reaction is essential as the first step in the obtention of biofuels derived from biomass.

12-Week, Single-Center Study of a Targeted Pigment-Correcting Dark Spot Treatment for Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Solar Lentigines.

Purpose: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and solar lentigines are dark spots of skin from excessive melanin production due to injury or UV exposure. This 12-week single-center study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of a novel targeted pigment-correcting spot treatment gel suspension cream (Dark Spot Treatment) for improving mild-to-moderate PIH or solar lentigines.

Patients And Methods: Female participants (N = 41) aged 25-65 with mild-to-moderate facial dark spots applied Dark Spot Treatment daily for 12 weeks.

Restoration of Aging Body Skin: Evidence-Based Development of a Topical Formulation for Improving Body Skin Quality.

Background: Age-related changes in body skin are emerging as important therapeutic targets. A novel topical firming and toning body lotion (FTB) has been developed to target multiple pathways involved in body skin rejuvenation.

Methods: FTB was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, 12-week study in women (N=54) with mild to moderate lack of firmness on the upper arms and mild to moderate cellulite on the thighs.

Clinical assessment of the fetal right Quantitative Lung Index.

Objectives: We have previously described gestational-age-independent sonographic indices to assess fetal lung size in the right and left lungs: The Quantitative Lung Index for the right lung (QLI-R) and for the left lung (QLI-L), respectively. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical cutoff point of the QLI-R to predict pulmonary hypoplasia and neonatal death.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective assessment of the QLI-R in patients with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH-L) and other fetal conditions at risk for fetal pulmonary hypoplasia.

Effects of a spice-blended honey muffin on salivary inflammation markers in adults with obesity: a feasibility trial.

Background: Obesity is considered a low-grade chronically inflamed state that contributes to communicable chronic diseases. This inflammation may be modulated by consuming spices like turmeric daily. However, few studies have looked at the inclusion of spice within whole foods.

Evaluation of a retinol containing topical treatment to improve signs of neck aging.

Background: The neck region is an area that can be indicative of signs of skin aging. A novel topical product that combines multiple active ingredients including retinol, tripeptide and glaucine was formulated to specifically target neck aging correction and complement post-procedure as part of an integrated skincare regimen.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a topical neck treatment through clinical subject evaluation, in addition to ultrasound and biopsy assessment.

Social Determinant of Health Framework to Examine the Impact of COVID-19 on Latino Health.

Objectives: Evaluated how COVID-19 impacted Latino health across social, economic, and emotional dimensions and differentiated whether adverse COVID-19-related effects persisted across respondents.

Methods: In both English and Spanish, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in the USA from June 2021 to April 2022. Chi-square tests, Z-tests, and T-tests were used to test for significant differences between Spanish- and English-speaking respondents.

Distribution of fresh foods in food pantries: challenges and opportunities in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The charitable food system distributes free food to clients across the U.S., but many nutrition and health-focused efforts encounter barriers to success, which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eco-evolutionary trade-offs in the dynamics of prion strain competition.

Prion and prion-like molecules are a type of self-replicating aggregate protein that have been implicated in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Over recent decades, the molecular dynamics of prions have been characterized both empirically and through mathematical models, providing insights into the epidemiology of prion diseases and the impact of prions on the evolution of cellular processes. At the same time, a variety of evidence indicates that prions are themselves capable of a form of evolution, in which changes to their structure that impact their rate of growth or fragmentation are replicated, making such changes subject to natural selection.

Kinetic study of CO adsorption of granular-type activated carbons prepared from palm shells.

The adsorption kinetics of activated carbon (AC)-type adsorbent materials, which were prepared from a by-product of African palm (shells) processing by chemical activation with dehydrating metal salts at two different concentrations, was studied. N physisorption was performed in order to determine the textural characteristics of the adsorbent solids, obtaining materials with BET areas between 721 and 1334 mg and micropore volumes between 0.33 and 0.

Asphaltenes: Aggregates in Terms of A1 and A2 or Island and Archipielago Structures.

In this work several issues related to asphaltenes and asphaltene aggregates such as isolation of real asphaltene molecules and comparison of these with average structures obtained using regular analytics laboratory techniques are presented. Several molecular organic models were used to simulate asphaltene in solution and aggregates formation in the two solvents toluene and THF employed. The results, obtained from simulation calculations using molecular dynamics were compared with experimental chromatography results obtained using the micro gel permeation chromatography (μGPC), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectra (MS) combined technique (GPC ICP MS for short).

Development and evaluation of the Food Bank Health and Nutrition Assessment.

Objective: Efforts to improve the nutritional quality and health promotion in the charitable food system have been undertaken. Though methods exist to track these efforts in terms of food banks' inventory, there are not research-tested tools to assess, monitor and influence policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes. The study objective was to develop and evaluate a novel assessment tool that could be used to evaluate a food bank's efforts to improve the promotion of health and nutritious foods.

Exploring Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Knowledge in Incarcerated Men.

People who are incarcerated have a disproportionately high risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). While there is no known cure for HIV, there are biomedical approaches that can successfully manage the virus and prevent its transmission. A total of 267 men who are incarcerated completed a cross-sectional survey focused on cancer health, HIV prevention, and mental health in three state prisons.

PALB2 germline mutations in a multi-gene panel testing cohort of 1905 breast-ovarian cancer patients in Argentina.

Purpose: PALB2 variants have been scarcely described in Argentinian and Latin-American reports. In this study, we describe molecular and clinical characteristics of PALB2 mutations found in multi-gene panels (MP) from breast-ovarian cancer (BOC) families in different institutions from Argentina.

Methods: We retrospectively identified PALB2 pathogenic (PV) and likely pathogenic (LPV) variants from a cohort of 1905 MP results, provided by one local lab (Heritas) and SITHER (Hereditary Tumor Information System) public database.

Chemometric Classification of Colombian Cacao Crops: Effects of Different Genotypes and Origins in Different Years of Harvest on Levels of Flavonoid and Methylxanthine Metabolites in Raw Cacao Beans.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of chemical markers in raw cacao beans in two clones (introduced and regional) in Colombia over several years. Multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the flavanol monomers (epicatechin and catechin), flavanol oligomers (procyanidins) and methylxanthine alkaloids (caffeine and theobromine) of cocoa samples. The results identified genotype as the main factor contributing to cacao chemistry, although significant differences were not observed between universal and regional clones in PCA.

Unveiling soil temperature reached during a wildfire event using ex-post chemical and hydraulic soil analysis.

Wildfires affect different physical, chemical, and hydraulic soil properties, and the magnitude of their effects varies depending on intrinsic soil properties and wildfire characteristics. As a result of climate change, the frequency and intensity of wildfires have increased, and understanding their impact and predicting the temperature to which soils were exposed in previous events is becoming increasingly critical. Hence, the objectives of this study were to develop a soil-heating laboratory procedure to (a) identify changes in soil properties at different temperatures and (b) to infer the temperature ranges to which heated soils have been exposed.