Characterization of the immune cell profile in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cancer, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown efficacy in its treatment. The combination of chemotherapy and ICIs represents a new trend in the standard care for metastatic NPC. In this study, we aim to clarify the immune cell profile and related prognostic factors in the ICI-based treatment of metastatic NPC.

Epstein-Barr Virus BRRF1 Induces Butyrophilin 2A1 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma NPC43 Cells via the IL-22/JAK3-STAT3 Pathway.

Epstein-Barr virus is highly associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with genes expressed for tumor transformation or maintenance of viral latency, but there are certain genes that can modulate immune molecules. Butyrophilin 2A1 (BTN2A1) is an important activating protein for presenting phosphoantigens for recognition by Vγ9Vδ2 T cells to achieve antitumor activities. We have previously shown that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells achieve efficacy against NPC when BTN2A1 and BTN3A1 are upregulated by stimulating EBV gene expression, particularly LMP1.

Birth weight and head circumference for 22-29 weeks gestation neonates from an international cohort.

Objective: Size at birth is a key indicator of in utero growth. Our objective was to generate sex-specific percentiles for birth weight and head circumference in neonates born between 22 and 29 weeks gestation from pregnancies without hypertension or diabetes and assess differences between vaginal and caesarean births and between singletons and twins.

Methods: We used data from 12 countries participating in the International Network for Evaluating Outcomes in Neonates database from 2007 to 2021.

Engagement in moderate-intensity physical activity supports overnight memory retention in older adults.

Preserving the ability to vividly recall emotionally rich experiences contributes to quality of life in older adulthood. While prior works suggest that moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) may bolster memory, it is unclear whether this extends to emotionally salient memories consolidated during sleep. In the current study, older adults (mean age = 72.

Dynamic changes and prognosis value of plasma syndecan-1 and different microcirculatory parameters in sepsis: A prospective observational study.

Background: Glycocalyx degradation is implicated in endothelial damage and microcirculatory dysfunction in sepsis, whereas the effectiveness of plasma syndecan-1 levels and sublingual microcirculatory parameters in evaluating sepsis's prognosis has not yet been determined. This study aims to track their dynamic changes and investigate the prognostic utility of these indexes in sepsis.

Methods: In this prospective study conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, blood samples were collected from adult surgical septic patients within 2 days after intensive care unit admission measuring plasma syndecan-1 concentrations.

Determinants of depression and anxiety in informal waste pickers: a cross-sectional study of informal waste pickers in Hong Kong.

Background: There are growing global concerns about informal waste pickers and their health issues. This cross-sectional study drew on the structural violence theory to examine the mental health situation of informal waste pickers in Hong Kong and identified the determinants of depression and anxiety in them ranging from individual to societal and governmental levels.

Method: The data from the largest territory-wide study of informal waste pickers in 2023 was analysed.

The Impact of Genetic Mutations on the Efficacy of Immunotherapies in Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, primarily driven by genetic mutations. The most common genetic alterations implicated in lung cancer include mutations in , , , , , , , , , , , and . Targeted therapies have been developed to inhibit cancer growth by focusing on these specific genetic mutations.

Current Alberta radiation therapy care practices for patients with obesity and recommendations for improvement.

Introduction: Obesity has been associated with increased incidence of cancer thereby impacting the number of patients with obesity who may require radiation therapy (RT) treatment. Previous studies have detailed the impacts of obesity on RT treatment delivery including considerations when positioning, imaging, and communicating with patients. However, there is limited literature regarding best clinical practices used by Canadian RT departments when treating patients with obesity.

Artificial intelligence in pathologic diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of prostate cancer.

Histopathology, which is the gold-standard for prostate cancer diagnosis, faces significant challenges. With prostate cancer ranking among the most common cancers in the United States and worldwide, pathologists experience an increased number for prostate biopsies. At the same time, precise pathological assessment and classification are necessary for risk stratification and treatment decisions in prostate cancer care, adding to the challenge to pathologists.

Association between Congenital Anomalies and Late-Onset Bacterial Infections in Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Australia and New Zealand: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Introduction: Compromised neonatal intensive care unit neonates are at risk of acquiring late-onset infections (late-onset sepsis [LOS]). Neonates born with congenital anomalies (CAs) could have an additional LOS risk.

Methods: Utilising the population-based Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network data from 2007 to 2017, bacterial LOS rates were determined in very preterm (VPT, <32 week), moderately preterm (MPT, 32-36 weeks), and term (FT, 37-41 weeks) neonates with or without CA.

Non-invasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): an Australian NICU experience.

Background: Preterm infants often require non-invasive breathing support while their lungs and control of respiration are still developing. Non-invasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) is an emerging technology that allows infants to breathe spontaneously while receiving support breaths proportional to their effort. This study describes the first Australian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience of NIV-NAVA.

Intersections of Modifiable Risks: Loneliness is Associated with Poor Subjective Sleep Quality in Older Women at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease.

We examined the relationship between subjective and objective sleep outcomes and loneliness in older women at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our sample consisted of 39 participants (aged 65+) with mild cognitive deficits who completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and an at home sleep test, to determine presence of obstructive sleep apnea. Based on sleep quality scores, individuals categorized as "poor sleepers" had significantly higher loneliness scores than "good sleepers.

Retrospective evaluation of three types of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for upper limb vascular access.

Currently, three expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) prosthetic graft types are most commonly used for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who require long-term vascular access for hemodialysis. However, studies comparing the three ePTFE grafts are limited. This study compared the clinical efficacy and postoperative complications of three ePTFE prosthetic graft types used for upper limb arteriovenous graft (AVG) surgery among patients with ESKD.

An efficient, reliable and valid assessment for affective states during online learning.

The current study aims to develop an efficient, reliable and valid assessment, the affective states for online learning scale (ASOLS), for measuring learners' affective states during online learning using a sample of 173 young learners. The assessment consists of 15 items which assess five affective states, including concentration, motivation, perseverance, engagement, and self-initiative. To improve efficiency, five items (one for each affective state) are randomly selected and presented every 30 min during online learning.

Late-Onset Sepsis among Extremely Preterm Infants of 24-28 Weeks Gestation: An International Comparison in 10 High-Income Countries.

Introduction: Despite advances in neonatal care, late-onset sepsis remains an important cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Neonatal late-onset sepsis rates have decreased in some countries, while in others they have not. Our objective was to compare trends in late-onset sepsis rates in 9 population-based networks from 10 countries and to assess the associated mortality within 7 days of late-onset sepsis.

Activation of Nrf2 inhibits atherosclerosis in ApoE mice through suppressing endothelial cell inflammation and lipid peroxidation.

Background: Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor, is critically involved in the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the role of endothelial Nrf2 in atherogenesis has yet to be defined. In addition, how endothelial Nrf2 is activated and whether Nrf2 can be targeted for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis is not explored.

Impact of red blood cell transfusion and hemoglobin threshold on 1-year mortality among surgical sepsis survivors: A propensity score matching study.

Background: Despite the fact that red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is commonly applied in surgical intensive care unit (ICU), the effect of RBC transfusion on long-term outcomes remains undetermined. We aimed to explore the association between RBC transfusion and the long-term prognosis of surgical sepsis survivors.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on adult sepsis patients admitted to a tertiary surgical ICU center in China.