Interferon-ε loss is elusive 9p21 link to immune-cold tumors, resistant to immune-checkpoint therapy and endogenous CXCL9/10 induction.

Introduction: Copy-number (CN) loss of chromosome 9p, or parts thereof, impair immune response and confer ICT resistance by direct elimination of immune-regulatory genes on this arm, notably IFNγ genes at 9p24.1, and type-I interferon (IFN-I) genes at 9p21.3.

Student perspectives on interdisciplinary learning in public health education: insights from a mixed-methods study.

Interdisciplinary learning is essential for equipping future health professionals to tackle the complexities of contemporary public health. This mixed-methods study investigates the experiences and perspectives of undergraduate public health students in Singapore on interdisciplinary learning in higher education and employed a convergent parallel design by combining a cross-sectional survey with in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were used to assess the relationship between students' exposure to interdisciplinary learning and its perceived value, while qualitative analysis explored key themes related to facilitators and barriers.

Characteristics of a CCL21-gene modified dendritic cell vaccine utilized for a clinical trial in non-small cell lung cancer.

The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer has made major strides with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, but there remains a significant need for therapies that can overcome immunotherapy resistance. Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines have been proposed as a therapy that can potentially enhance the antitumor immune response. We have embarked on a phase I clinical trial of a vaccine consisting of monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) modified to express the chemokine CCL21 (CCL21-DC) given in combination with pembrolizumab.

In the shoes of junior doctors: a qualitative exploration of job performance using the job-demands resources model.

Background: This qualitative study aimed to explore the factors affecting job performance amongst junior doctors working for public healthcare institutions in Singapore. Within these institutions, junior doctors experience challenges with maintaining a balance in job demands and resources, leading to strain. Exploring the lived experiences of these junior doctors is essential when reviewing workplace and organizational factors that contribute to stress on an individual level, providing valuable insights to address these challenges effectively.

A Systematic Review: What Are the Impacts of Receiving Extrinsic Feedback on Health Professions Students in Higher Education?

Effective feedback is crucial for educating health professions students. This systematic review investigates the impact of extrinsic feedback on health professions students, encompassing medical, dental, and nursing fields. Through meticulous gathering and analysis of 37 studies, this review highlights verbal and visual feedback as predominant forms, often delivered immediately by instructors and supplemented by peer or simulated input.

Excision of Giant Cervicomediastinal Parathyroid Cyst: Case Report and Literature Review.

While excision for parathyroid cysts remains as the standard of management, surgical approach in the context of massive cervicomediastinal parathyroid cysts can be challenging. We report a rare giant parathyroid cyst in anterior mediastinum successfully resected from a simple standard Kocher's collar incision. Various surgical approach will also be deliberated.

A comparative analysis of Charlson's weighted index of comorbidity and perforated peptic ulcer scores in predicting postoperative mortality and high comprehensive complication index.

Background: Limited data exists on Charlson's weighted index of comorbidity (WIC) predictability for postoperative outcomes following perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) surgery. This study assesses the utility of WIC and other predictive scores in forecasting both postoperative mortality and morbidity in PPU.

Materials & Methods: Patients with PPUs operated between 2018 and 2021 in a Malaysian tertiary referral center were included.

CXCL9/10-engineered dendritic cells promote T cell activation and enhance immune checkpoint blockade for lung cancer.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition has revolutionized the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Durable responses, however, are observed only in a subpopulation of patients. Defective antigen presentation and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) can lead to deficient T cell recruitment and ICB resistance.

Are self-test kits still relevant post COVID-19 pandemic? Qualitative study on working adults' perceptions.

Background: Other than self-isolation measures, self-testing is likely to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and may become a valuable approach in future outbreaks of infectious diseases. This study delves into the perceptions and experiences of working adults who utilised COVID-19 self-test kits in Singapore during the post-pandemic period.

Methods: Employing a qualitative descriptive design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 working adults from diverse occupations, with a median age of 35 years.

CCL21-DC in situ vaccination in murine NSCLC overcomes resistance to immunotherapy and generates systemic tumor-specific immunity.

Background: Despite recent advances in immunotherapy, many patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) do not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Resistance to ICI may be driven by suboptimal priming of antitumor T lymphocytes due to poor antigen presentation as well as their exclusion and impairment by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In a recent phase I trial in patients with NSCLC, in situ vaccination (ISV) with dendritic cells engineered to secrete CCL21 (CCL21-DC), a chemokine that facilitates the recruitment of T cells and DC, promoted T lymphocyte tumor infiltration and PD-L1 upregulation.

Single-Cell Characterization of Pulmonary Nodules Implicates Suppression of Immunosurveillance across Early Stages of Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Unlabelled: A greater understanding of molecular, cellular, and immunological changes during the early stages of lung adenocarcinoma development could improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in patients with pulmonary nodules at risk for lung cancer. To elucidate the immunopathogenesis of early lung tumorigenesis, we evaluated surgically resected pulmonary nodules representing the spectrum of early lung adenocarcinoma as well as associated normal lung tissues using single-cell RNA sequencing and validated the results by flow cytometry and multiplex immunofluorescence (MIF). Single-cell transcriptomics revealed a significant decrease in gene expression associated with cytolytic activities of tumor-infiltrating natural killer and natural killer T cells.

A Systematic Review on the Effectiveness of Systems-Based Practice Curricula in Health Professions Education.

This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of systems-based practice (SBP) curricula from the perspective of health professions students and workers. A total of 8468 citations were sourced from six electronic databases and manual searches conducted independently by two researchers, of which 44 studies were eventually included. A meta-analysis using a random effects model and a meta-synthesis using the thematic synthesis approach were conducted.

Multi-organ landscape of therapy-resistant melanoma.

Metastasis and failure of present-day therapies represent the most common causes of mortality in patients with cutaneous melanoma. To identify the underlying genetic and transcriptomic landscapes, in this study we analyzed multi-organ metastases and tumor-adjacent tissues from 11 rapid autopsies after treatment with MAPK inhibitor (MAPKi) and/or immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and death due to acquired resistance. Either treatment elicits shared genetic alterations that suggest immune-evasive, cross-therapy resistance mechanisms.

Tumor heterogeneity in VHL drives metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Loss of function of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene is a hallmark of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The importance of heterogeneity in the loss of this tumor suppressor has been under reported. To study the impact of intratumoral VHL heterogeneity observed in human ccRCC, we engineered VHL gene deletion in four RCC models, including a new primary tumor cell line derived from an aggressive metastatic case.

Correlates, motivating factors, and barriers of engaging in regular self-reflection among public health students in higher education-A mixed methods approach.

Despite the wide implementation of self-reflection in higher education, the body of literature has predominantly focused on students from the clinical health sciences rather than public health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlates as well as to explore the motivating factors and barriers of engaging in regular self-reflection among public health students in higher education. We used a mixed methods approach (explanatory sequential design), comprising a cross-sectional survey (quantitative phase) followed by in-depth interviews (qualitative phase).

Effectiveness of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Involving Community-Based Intervention for Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Singapore.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of a community-based intervention on improving knowledge about diabetes, self-care behaviors, and glycemic control among older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Singapore, a country in Asia with a high prevalence of diabetes.

Methods: A 3-arm cluster randomized controlled trial involving community-dwelling older adults ages 55 to 99 with T2DM was conducted. Intervention group 1 and 2 participants received a 12-session intervention program designed to teach knowledge and practical skills in diabetes self-care with psychological techniques for behavioral change like problem solving, goal setting, and motivational interviewing.

Impact of an Interactive Health Corner Using the Culinary Education Approach in Promoting Long-Term Dietary Changes among Patients Who Seek Public Primary Care Services.

An unhealthy diet is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Although nutrition education and cooking demonstrations have resulted in favourable dietary changes, it is unclear whether this is sustainable for longer periods. This study aims to evaluate the long-term impact of a nutrition-led cooking intervention using the culinary education approach on dietary patterns based on My Healthy Plate (MHP).

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma in Malaysia - Pooled data from upper gastrointestinal centers in a multiethnic Asian population.

Background: Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide with considerable geographical histological variation There is a paucity of data in esophageal cancer in demographics, histology, and survival among the multi-ethnic Malaysian population. This paper is a review of esophageal cancer epidemiology and survival among esophageal cancer patients from data collected by the Malaysian Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Society.

Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective observational study of esophageal cancer patients from six upper gastrointestinal surgical centers in Malaysia between 2005 and 2019.

Effect of protein supplementation on fat-free mass among upper gastrointestinal surgical patients: A review of compliance.

Background & Aims: There is minimal data regarding the long-term effects of targeted daily protein intake and its role in nutritional restoration. This study aims to evaluate the effect of protein supplementation among upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgical patients, reviewing the effect on muscle mass and hand grip strength.

Methods: The records of 223 upper GI surgical patients from September 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed.

Post Laparoscopy Pain Reduction Project I (POLYPREP I): intraperitoneal normal saline instillation-a randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal normal saline instillation (INSI) of 15 mL/kg body weight on postoperative pain after a gynaecological laparoscopic procedure.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: University Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Emergency repair of blunt traumatic bronchus injury presenting with massive air leak.

Blunt traumatic tracheobronchial injury is rare, but can be potentially life-threatening. It accounts for only 0.5%-2% of all trauma cases.

Sociodemographic characteristics associated with self-care and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: To assess how well community-dwelling older adults in Singapore were coping with their diabetes, and the sociodemographic characteristics that were associated with their level of coping.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 257 older adults. Multiple regression was used to assess the associations between various sociodemographic characteristics and coping measures of present quality of life and level of self-care.

Response and recurrence correlates in individuals treated with neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy for resectable oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade may be efficacious in some individuals with high-risk, resectable oral cavity head and neck cancer. To explore correlates of response patterns to neoadjuvant nivolumab treatment and post-surgical recurrences, we analyzed longitudinal tumor and blood samples in a cohort of 12 individuals displaying 33% responsiveness. Pretreatment tumor-based detection of mutations and signature enrichment favors response, and high tumor mutational burden improves recurrence-free survival.

Genotoxic Treatment Enhances Immune Response in a Genetic Model of Lung Cancer.

Recent advances in immunotherapy have reshaped the clinical management of lung cancer, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now first-line treatment for advanced lung cancer. However, the majority of patients do not respond to ICIs as single agents, and many develop resistance after initial responses. Therefore, there is urgent need to improve the current ICI strategies.