The effect of probiotics supplementation in postoperative cancer patients: a prospective pilot study.

Purpose: Microbiota manipulation through selected probiotics may be a promising tool to prevent cancer development as well as onset, to improve clinical efficacy for cancer treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate change in microbiota composition after-probiotics supplementation and assessed the efficacy of probiotics in improving quality of life (QOL) in postoperative cancer patients.

Methods: Stool samples were collected from 30 cancer patients from February to October 2020 before (group I) and after (group II) 8 weeks of probiotics supplementation.

A facile template-free strategy for synthesizing hydroxymethyl-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanospheres.

Hydroxymethyl-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)(PEDOT-OH) nanospheres self-assembled using physical blowing method, which continually used a syringe, were successfully formed through aqueous solution polymerization under the oxidative initiators. The effect of blowing on the morphological properties of PEDOT-OH was precisely evaluated based on the different amount of initiator. The concentration of ammonium persulfate might be a driving force in the self-assembly process to create the PEDOT-OH nanospheres.

Significant elevation in serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 levels with torsion of the hydrosalpinx in a postmenopausal woman.

Isolated torsion of the fallopian tube in postmenopausal women is rare. In this case report, we detail the case of a 53-year-old patient who presented with adenomyosis and a left hydrosalpinx with high levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9. The isolated torsion of the left hydrosalpinx was observed during the operation.

Development of self-compatible B. rapa by RNAi-mediated S locus gene silencing.

The self-incompatibility (SI) system is genetically controlled by a single polymorphic locus known as the S-locus in the Brassicaceae. Pollen rejection occurs when the stigma and pollen share the same S-haplotype. Recognition of S-haplotype specificity has recently been shown to involve at least two S-locus genes, S-receptor kinase (SRK) and S-locus protein 11 or S locus Cysteine-rich (SP11/SCR) protein.

Welfare reform and older immigrants: food stamp program participation and food insecurity.

Purpose: The welfare reform bill of 1996 severely constrained noncitizens' eligibility for the Food Stamp Program (FSP). This study examined the effects of eligibility restrictions on older immigrants' FSP participation and food insecurity. We paid special attention to household composition and household eligibility as well as older immigrants' individual eligibility.

Toxic effects of carbendazim and n-butyl isocyanate, metabolites of the fungicide benomyl, on early development in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis.

We investigated the toxic effects of carbendazim and n-butyl isocyanate (BIC), metabolites of the fungicide benomyl, on development in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. To test the toxic effects, frog embryo teratogenesis assays using Xenopus were performed. Embryos were exposed to various concentrations of carbendazim (0-7 microM) and BIC (0-0.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy plus large-balloon dilation versus endoscopic sphincterotomy for removal of bile-duct stones.

Background: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) to remove bile-duct stones is the most frequently used endoscopic technique. Few reports exist regarding application of large-balloon dilation (LBD) after EST for treatment of patients with bile-duct stones.

Objective: To compare the effect of EST plus LBD with that of EST alone.

[A case of common bile duct stone developed due to a surgical clip as a nidus: an experience of successful management by endoscopy].

Surgical clips can migrate into the biliary tract and act as a nidus for stone formation. We report a case of common bile duct stone developed due to a surgical clip in a 48-year-old man. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram revealed a common bile duct stone a with metallic clip in it.

The fungicide benomyl inhibits differentiation of neural tissue in the Xenopus embryo and animal cap explants.

The toxic effect of benomyl on the embryogenesis of Xenopus laevis was investigated, and the tissues most affected by benomyl were identified. The toxicity of benomyl at various concentrations (5-20 microM) was tested with the Xenopus frog embryo teratogenesis assay (FETAX), used with slight modification. All test embryos subjected to 20 microM of benomyl died, and exposure to 10 and 15 microM benomyl produced growth inhibition and 11 types of severe external malformations.