Higher Preoperative Serum Neuropeptide Y Concentration May Be Associated with a Better Prognosis After Surgery for Colorectal Cancer.

Background: The early identification of patients at risk of peri-procedural complications and poor prognosis is particularly important. We conducted our study to determine whether serum orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentration is associated with nutritional status and prognosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Materials And Methods: A cohort study with a 3-month follow-up was conducted with 84 consecutive inpatients who underwent elective surgery in one center between 2016 and 2019 for primary CRC.

Creeping Fat-Derived Free Fatty Acids Induce Hyperplasia of Intestinal Muscularis Propria Muscle Cells: A Novel Link Between Fat and Intestinal Stricture Formation in Crohn's Disease.

Background & Aims: In Crohn's disease, wrapping of mesenteric fat around the bowel wall, so-called "creeping fat," is highly associated with strictures. The strongest contributor to luminal narrowing in strictures is a thickening of the human intestinal muscularis propria (MP). We investigated creeping fat-derived factors and their effect on mechanisms of human intestinal MP smooth muscle cell (HIMC) hyperplasia.

Evidence that extracellular HSPB1 contributes to inflammation in alcohol-associated hepatitis.

Background And Aims: Alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) is the most life-threatening form of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). AH is characterized by severe inflammation attributed to increased levels of ethanol, microbes or microbial components, and damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecules in the liver. HSPB1 (Heat Shock Protein Family B (Small) Member 1; also known as Hsp25/27) is a DAMP that is rapidly increased in and released from cells experiencing stress, including hepatocytes.

Mortality from Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in Australia from 1971 to 2021.

Unlabelled: The number of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) removed from Australians is increasing every year. The number of deaths from NMSC is increasing but so is the population. However, the population has greatly changed with many dark-skinned people migrating to Australia.

Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFGE8) prevents intestinal fibrosis.

Objective: Intestinal fibrosis is considered an inevitable consequence of chronic IBD, leading to stricture formation and need for surgery. During the process of fibrogenesis, extracellular matrix (ECM) components critically regulate the function of mesenchymal cells. We characterised the composition and function of ECM in fibrostenosing Crohn's disease (CD) and control tissues.

Monte Carlo calculated beam quality correction factors for high energy electron beams.

Purpose: As the dosimetry protocol TRS 398 is being revised and the ICRU report 90 provides new recommendations for density correction as well as the mean ionization energies of water and graphite, updated beam quality correction factors k are calculated for reference dosimetry in electron beams and for independent validation of previously determined values.

Methods: Monte Carlo simulations have been performed using EGSnrc to calculate the absorbed dose to water and the dose to the active volumes of ionization chambers SNC600c, SNC125c and SNC350p (all Sun Nuclear, A Mirion Medical Company, Melbourne, FL). Realistic clinical electron beam spectra were used to cover the entire energy range of therapeutic electron accelerators.

Is there a correlation between migraine and eating disorders? A systematic literature review.

Introduction: Migraine is a common primary headache disorder, which affects mainly young females, usually those with some specific personality traits including neuroticism and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Among many factors that may trigger headache are to be found those associated with eating patterns and behaviours. Eating disorders are psychiatric disorders of abnormal eating or weight-control behaviours.

Health behaviors and problems in Polish homeless men.

Introduction: Homelessness is considered to be a global problem, independent of the material situation of a given country and occurring in most societies around the world.

Aim Of The Study: Assessment of the preferred health behaviors of homeless people.

Materials And Methods: The study covered 153 men who are homeless and 312 men who are not homeless.

Stricturing Crohn's Disease Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Fibroblast Heterogeneity and Intercellular Interactions.

Background & Aims: Fibroblasts play a key role in stricture formation in Crohn's disease (CD) but understanding its pathogenesis requires a systems-level investigation to uncover new treatment targets. We studied full-thickness CD tissues to characterize fibroblast heterogeneity and function by generating the first single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) atlas of strictured bowel and providing proof of principle for therapeutic target validation.

Methods: We performed scRNAseq of 13 fresh full-thickness CD resections containing noninvolved, inflamed nonstrictured, and strictured segments as well as 7 normal non-CD bowel segments.

State of Confusion: Ohio's Restrictive Abortion Landscape and the Production of Uncertainty in Reproductive Health Care.

This study examines an underexplored source of medical uncertainty: the political context of care. Since 2011, Ohio has passed over 16 abortion-restrictive laws. We know little about how this legislation affects reproductive health care outside of abortion clinics.

Effect of various factors on energy drinks consumption, and their connection with alcohol consumption.

Energy drinks (EDs) have become widely popular among adolescents and young adults. Excessive consumption of EDs can lead to ED abuse and alcohol abuse. Therefore, this study has aimed to analyse the consumption of EDs in a group of patients suffering from alcohol dependence and among young adults, considering such issues as the amounts consumed, underlying reasons and threats arising from excessive consumption of ED and their mixing with alcohol (AmED).

Stricturing Crohn's disease single-cell RNA sequencing reveals fibroblast heterogeneity and intercellular interactions.

Background: Fibroblasts play a key role in stricture formation in Crohn's disease (CD) but understanding it's pathogenesis requires a systems-level investigation to uncover new treatment targets. We studied full thickness CD tissues to characterize fibroblast heterogeneity and function by generating the first single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) atlas of strictured bowel and providing proof of principle for therapeutic target validation.

Methods: We performed scRNAseq of 13 fresh full thickness CD resections containing non-involved, inflamed non-strictured, and strictured segments as well as 7 normal non-CD bowel segments.

Experimental and Monte Carlo-based determination of magnetic field correction factors in high-energy photon fields for two ionization chambers.

Background: The integration of magnetic resonance tomography into clinical linear accelerators provides high-contrast, real-time imaging during treatment and facilitates online-adaptive workflows in radiation therapy treatments. The associated magnetic field also bends the trajectories of charged particles via the Lorentz force, which may alter the dose distribution in a patient or a phantom and affects the dose response of dosimetry detectors.

Purpose: To perform an experimental and Monte Carlo-based determination of correction factors , which correct the response of ion chambers in the presence of external magnetic fields in high-energy photon fields.

The Lack of Influence of Homozygous Long Allele of the 5-HTTLPR Gene on the Severity of Alcohol Craving During 6 Weeks of Rehab Hospitalisation in Comparison to Not Homozygous and Homozygous Short Alleles - Preliminary Report.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess changes in the severity of alcohol craving according to allelic variants of the 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism during hospitalisation and their association with selected clinical variables in alcohol-dependent patients.

Patients And Methods: The study is exploratory. Participants were investigated at the 2nd and 6th week of alcohol-dependence therapy in the addiction treatment unit.

Unlimited Discretion: How Unchecked Bureaucratic Discretion Can Threaten Abortion Availability.

Previous research has assessed the impact of state regulations on abortion clinics and patients, but how bureaucrats implement them is less understood and is increasingly important as states arbitrate abortion regulation. The authors conducted a case study of how bureaucrats use discretion to implement state regulations on abortion, focusing on two abortion facilities in southwest Ohio from 2010 to 2022. Ohio abortion facilities are required to obtain a written transfer agreement, despite it offering no demonstrable health or safety benefits.

Confusion of Alcohol Craving With Food Hunger in Alcohol-Dependent Individuals Entering In-Patient Drug Treatment.

Aim: To identify the distinguishing characteristics of alcohol dependent patients who confuse alcohol cravings with pre-meal hunger.

Methods: Data were collected at interview on sociodemographic status, clinical status and anthropometry in 179 patients (163 men and 16 women) undergoing in-patient treatment for alcohol dependence.

Results: A comparison of the patient subgroups studied showed that patients who did not confuse, and those who did confuse, alcohol craving with pre-meal hunger differed significantly in terms of alcohol craving scale scores (9 vs.

Validation of an EGSnrc-based Monte Carlo model for a complex 2D-array for technical QA measurements of a linear accelerator.

Purpose: Multi-axis ionization chamber arrays can be used for quality assurance (QA) and measurement of linear accelerator (linac) specific data. In this work, the ability of the IC Profiler (Sun Nuclear Corp., Melbourne, Florida) detector array to measure the photon beam quality specifier %dd(10) and TPR was investigated.

Seeking abortion care in Ohio and Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Political and public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic changed provision of abortion care and exacerbated existing barriers. We aimed to explore experiences of individuals seeking abortion care in 2 abortion-restrictive states in the United States where state policies and practice changes disrupted abortion provision during the pandemic.

Study Design: We conducted 22 semistructured interviews in Texas (n = 10) and Ohio (n = 12) to assess how state executive orders limiting abortion, along with other public health guidance and pandemic-related service delivery changes, affected individuals seeking abortion care.

Human intestinal myofibroblasts deposited collagen VI enhances adhesiveness for T cells - A novel mechanism for maintenance of intestinal inflammation.

Objective: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) cause chronic intestinal damage and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The ECM may play an active role in inflammation by modulating immune cell functions, including cell adhesion, but this hypothesis has not been tested in IBD.

Design: Primary human intestinal myofibroblast (HIMF)-derived ECM from IBD and controls, 3D decellularized colon or ECM molecule-coated scaffolds were tested for their adhesiveness for T cells.

Investigation of Monte Carlo simulations of the electron transport in external magnetic fields using Fano cavity test.

Purpose: Monte Carlo simulations are crucial for calculating magnetic field correction factors k for the dosimetry in external magnetic fields. As in Monte Carlo codes the charged particle transport is performed in straight condensed history (CH) steps, the curved trajectories of these particles in the presence of external magnetic fields can only be approximated. In this study, the charged particle transport in presence of a strong magnetic field B→ was investigated using the Fano cavity test.

The fast calibration model for dosimetry with an electronic portal imaging device.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop an algorithm that corrects the image of an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) of a linear accelerator so that it can be used for dosimetric purposes, such as in vivo dosimetry or quality assurance for photon radiotherapy. For that purpose, the impact of the field size, phantom thickness, and the varying spectral photon distribution within the irradiation field on the EPID image was investigated.

Methods: The EPID measurements were verified using reference measurements with ionization chambers.

Monte Carlo calculated beam quality correction factors for two cylindrical ionization chambers in photon beams.

Purpose: Although several studies provide data for reference dosimetry, the SNC600c and SNC125c ionization chambers (Sun Nuclear Corporation, Melbourne, FL) are in clinical use worldwide for which no beam quality correction factors k are available. The goal of this study was to calculate beam quality correction factors k for these ionization chambers according to dosimetry protocols TG-51, TRS 398 and DIN 6800-2.

Methods: Monte Carlo simulations using EGSnrc have been performed to calculate the absorbed dose to water and the dose to air within the active volume of ionization chamber models.

Initial Study on COMT and DRD2 Gene Polymorphisms as Well as the Influence of Temperament and Character Trait on the Severity of Alcohol Craving in Alcohol-Dependent Patients.

The main aim of this work was to determine the impact of COMT and DRD2 gene polymorphisms together with temperament and character traits on alcohol craving severity alcohol-dependent persons. The sample comprised of 89 men and 16 women (aged 38±7). For the sake of psychological assessment various analytic methods have been applied like the Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire (SADD), Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) or Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) test.

The Molecular Basis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Genetics, Epigenetics, and Nutrition in AUD: An Amazing Triangle.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a very common and complex disease, as alcohol is the most widely used addictive drug in the world. This disorder has an enormous impact on public health and social and private life, and it generates a huge number of social costs. Alcohol use stimulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses and is the cause of many physical and social problems (especially liver disease and cancer), accidental injury, and risky sexual behavior.