Risk of infection due to airborne virus in classroom environments lacking mechanical ventilation.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the role of indoor environments on disease transmission. However, our understanding of how transmission occurred evolved as the pandemic progressed. Enclosed spaces where pathogen-laden aerosols accumulate were strongly linked to increased transmission events.

Understanding natural isotopic variations in cultured cancer cells.

Rationale: Natural variations in the abundance of the stable isotopes of nitrogen (δN) and carbon (δC) offer valuable insights into metabolic fluxes. In the wake of strong interest in cancer metabolism, recent research has revealed δN and δC variations in cancerous compared to non-cancerous tissues and cell lines. However, our understanding of natural isotopic variations in cultured mammalian cells, particularly in relation to metabolism, remains limited.

Community metabolic modeling of host-microbiota interactions through multi-objective optimization.

The human gut microbiota comprises various microorganisms engaged in intricate interactions among themselves and with the host, affecting its health. While advancements in omics technologies have led to the inference of clear associations between microbiome composition and health conditions, we usually lack a causal and mechanistic understanding of these associations. For modeling mechanisms driving the interactions, we simulated the organism's metabolism using genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs).

Non-canonical mRNA translation initiation in cell stress and cancer.

The now well described canonical mRNA translation initiation mechanism of mG 'cap' recognition by cap-binding protein eIF4E and assembly of the canonical pre-initiation complex consisting of scaffolding protein eIF4G and RNA helicase eIF4A has historically been thought to describe all cellular mRNA translation. However, the past decade has seen the discovery of alternative mechanisms to canonical eIF4E mediated mRNA translation initiation. Studies have shown that non-canonical alternate mechanisms of cellular mRNA translation initiation, whether cap-dependent or independent, serve to provide selective translation of mRNAs under cell physiological and pathological stress conditions.

Correlation between changes in nutritional status and tumor response in patients receiving immunotherapy for lung cancer (NUTIMMUNO study).

Malnutrition is a common condition in lung cancer, and it is an independent prognostic factor. The main objective of this study was to determine whether an early improvement at 3 months in the nutritional status (NS) of patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) is associated with a tumor response to treatment at 6-month follow-up. The clinical data of 106 patients initiating ICI for bronchopulmonary non-small cell lung cancer (NCSLC) were retrospectively reviewed.

Prospective results for 5-year survival and toxicity of moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in (very) high-risk prostate cancer.

Purpose: High-risk (HR) prostate cancer patients usually receive high-dose radiotherapy (RT) using a two-phase sequential technique, but data on a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) technique are lacking. We prospectively evaluated the long-term results of urinary (GU) and digestive (GI) toxicity and survival data for high-dose RT using a SIB technique in HR and very high-risk (VHR) prostate cancer.

Methods: Patients were treated using an SIB technique in 34 fractions, at a dose of 54.

Development of functional resident macrophages in human pluripotent stem cell-derived colonic organoids and human fetal colon.

Most organs have tissue-resident immune cells. Human organoids lack these immune cells, which limits their utility in modeling many normal and disease processes. Here, we describe that pluripotent stem cell-derived human colonic organoids (HCOs) co-develop a diverse population of immune cells, including hemogenic endothelium (HE)-like cells and erythromyeloid progenitors that undergo stereotypical steps in differentiation, resulting in the generation of functional macrophages.

Multi-disciplinary Insights from the First European Forum on Visceral Myopathy 2022 Meeting.

Visceral myopathy is a rare, life-threatening disease linked to identified genetic mutations in 60% of cases. Mostly due to the dearth of knowledge regarding its pathogenesis, effective treatments are lacking. The disease is most commonly diagnosed in children with recurrent or persistent disabling episodes of functional intestinal obstruction, which can be life threatening, often requiring long-term parenteral or specialized enteral nutritional support.

Genetics of enzymatic dysfunctions in metabolic disorders and cancer.

Inherited metabolic disorders arise from mutations in genes involved in the biogenesis, assembly, or activity of metabolic enzymes, leading to enzymatic deficiency and severe metabolic impairments. Metabolic enzymes are essential for the normal functioning of cells and are involved in the production of amino acids, fatty acids and nucleotides, which are essential for cell growth, division and survival. When the activity of metabolic enzymes is disrupted due to mutations or changes in expression levels, it can result in various metabolic disorders that have also been linked to cancer development.

Preoperative Radiotherapy with a Simultaneous Integrated Boost Compared to Chemoradiotherapy for cT3-4 Rectal Cancer: Long-Term Results of a Multicenter Randomized Study.

Background: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for T3-4 rectal cancer. Here, we compared image-guided and intensity-modulated RT (IG-IMRT) with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) (instead of concomitant chemotherapy) versus CRT in a multi-centric randomized trial.

Methods: cT3-4 rectal cancer patients were randomly assigned to receive preoperative IG-IMRT 46 Gy/23 fractions plus capecitabine 825 mg/m² twice daily (CRT arm) or IG-IMRT 46 Gy/23 fractions with an SIB to the rectal tumor up to a total dose of 55.

Curative high-dose reirradiation for patients with recurrent head and neck adenoid cystic carcinomas: outcomes and analysis of patterns of failure.

Background: To investigate the outcomes of patients who underwent curative reirradiation (reRT), with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or proton therapy (PT) for unresectable recurrent or second primary head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma (HNACC).

Methods: Ten patients, mostly KPS 90%, were reirradiated (3/10 with IMRT and 7/10 with PT) at a median maximum dose to the CTV of 64.2 Gy from July 2011 to November 2021.

Interaction between Radiation Therapy and Targeted Therapies in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Literature Review, Levels of Evidence for Safety and Recommendations for Optimal Treatment Sequence.

: Over the past twenty years, anti-HER2 targeted therapies have proven to be a revolution in the management of human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancers. Anti-HER2 therapies administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy have been specifically studied. Unfortunately, the safety of anti-HER2 therapies in combination with radiation remains largely unknown.

Key takeaways for knowledge expansion of early-career scientists conducting Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (TREC): a report from the TREC Training Workshop 2022.

The overall goal of the annual Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Training Workshop is to provide transdisciplinary training for scientists in energetics and cancer and clinical care. The 2022 Workshop included 27 early-to-mid career investigators (trainees) pursuing diverse TREC research areas in basic, clinical, and population sciences. The 2022 trainees participated in a gallery walk, an interactive qualitative program evaluation method, to summarize key takeaways related to program objectives.

Gut Microbiota Remodeling and Intestinal Adaptation to Lipid Malabsorption After Enteroendocrine Cell Loss in Adult Mice.

Background & Aims: Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and their hormones are essential regulators of whole-body energy homeostasis. EECs sense luminal nutrients and microbial metabolites and subsequently secrete various hormones acting locally or at a distance. Impaired development of EECs during embryogenesis is life-threatening in newborn mice and humans due to compromised nutrient absorption.

A Shigella sonnei clone with extensive drug resistance associated with waterborne outbreaks in China.

Antimicrobial resistance of Shigella sonnei has become a global concern. Here, we report a phylogenetic group of S. sonnei with extensive drug resistance, including a combination of multidrug resistance, coresistance to ceftriaxone and azithromycin (cefazi), reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones, and even colistin resistance (col).

[Distribution of mosquito species and associated viruses in Hami City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2019 to 2020].

Objective: To investigate the distribution of mosquito species and their associated viruses, and identify subspecies in Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Methods: Mosquitoes were captured using mosquito trapping lamps method in Yizhou District, Yiwu County, and Balikun County of Hami City in mi-July, 2019 and 2020. The species and subspecies of all captured mosquitoes were characterized.

Treatment related factors associated with the risk of breast radio-induced-sarcoma.

Background And Purpose: The Radiation Induced Sarcoma (RIS) is a rare but serious adverse event following radiotherapy (RT). Current RT techniques are more precise, but irradiate a larger volume at a low dose. This study aimed to describe radiation characteristics in a large series of patients suffering from RIS.

Cost and Toxicity Comparisons of Two IMRT Techniques for Prostate Cancer: A Micro-Costing Study and Weighted Propensity Score Analysis Based on a Prospective Study.

Background: Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has become the standard treatment for patients with high-risk prostate cancer. Two techniques of rotational IMRT are commonly used in this indication: Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and helical tomotherapy (HT). To the best of our knowledge, no study has compared their related costs and clinical effectiveness and/or toxicity in prostate cancer.