Influence of Physical Attractiveness and Gender on Patient Preferences in Digital Doctor Consultations: Experimental Study.

Background: The rise of digital health services, particularly digital doctor consultations, has created a new paradigm in health care choice. While patients traditionally rely on digital reviews or referrals to select health care providers, the digital context often lacks such information, leading to reliance on visual cues such as profile pictures. Previous research has explored the impact of physical attractiveness in general service settings but is scant in the context of digital health care.

Niche stiffness sustains cancer stemness via TAZ and NANOG phase separation.

Emerging evidence shows that the biomechanical environment is required to support cancer stem cells (CSCs), which play a crucial role in drug resistance. However, how mechanotransduction signals regulate CSCs and its clinical significance has remained unclear. Using clinical-practice ultrasound elastography for patients' lesions and atomic force microscopy for surgical samples, we reveal that increased matrix stiffness is associated with poor responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, worse prognosis, and CSC enrichment in patients with breast cancer.

Tumor Cell-Intrinsic CD96 Mediates Chemoresistance and Cancer Stemness by Regulating Mitochondrial Fatty Acid β-Oxidation.

Targeting CD96 that originates in immune cells has shown potential for cancer therapy. However, the role of intrinsic CD96 in solid tumor cells remains unknown. Here, it is found that CD96 is frequently expressed in tumor cells from clinical breast cancer samples and is correlated with poor long-term prognosis in these patients.

Using Humor to Promote Social Distancing on Tiktok During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many humorous videos on how to practice social distancing appeared on social media. However, the effect of using humor as a crisis communication strategy to persuade people to conform to social distancing rules is not known.

Objective: Drawing on the literature on humorous message framing and crisis communication, this research explores the effectiveness of a humorous message in communicating social distancing rules in two crisis severity phases (low vs.

Macrophage mitochondrial fission improves cancer cell phagocytosis induced by therapeutic antibodies and is impaired by glutamine competition.

Phagocytosis is required for the optimal efficacy of many approved and promising therapeutic antibodies for various malignancies. However, the factors that determine the response to therapies that rely on phagocytosis remain largely elusive. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondrial fission in macrophages induced by multiple antibodies is essential for phagocytosis of live tumor cells.

Persuasive Effects of Message Framing and Narrative Format on Promoting COVID-19 Vaccination: A Study on Chinese College Students.

During a public health crisis, the provision and dissemination of health-related information are important for the relevant authorities to keep the public informed. By using different types of message framing, the authorities can effectively guide and persuade people to adopt health-related behaviors (such as vaccination). In this study, a web-based experiment using a 2 × 2 (message framing: gain framing versus loss framing) × (message presentation: narrative versus non-narrative) design was conducted to investigate the effects of different message frames on vaccination promotion.

A CD10-OGP Membrane Peptolytic Signaling Axis in Fibroblasts Regulates Lipid Metabolism of Cancer Stem Cells via SCD1.

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) consist of heterogeneous subpopulations that play a critical role in the dynamics of the tumor microenvironment. The extracellular signals of CAFs have been attributed to the extracellular matrix, cytokines, cell surface checkpoints, and exosomes. In the present study, it is demonstrated that the CD10 transmembrane hydrolase expressed on a subset of CAFs supports tumor stemness and induces chemoresistance.

Redox reactions between acetonitrile and nitrogen dioxide in the interlayer space of fluorinated graphite matrices.

The interlayer space of 2D materials can be a slit reactor where transformations not typical for the gas phase occur. We report redox reactions involving acetonitrile and nitrogen oxide guests in galleries of fluorinated graphite. Fluorinated graphite intercalation compounds with acetonitrile are treated with dinitrogen tetraoxide and the synthesis products are studied by a set of experimental methods.

Complement Signals Determine Opposite Effects of B Cells in Chemotherapy-Induced Immunity.

Understanding molecular mechanisms that dictate B cell diversity is important for targeting B cells as anti-cancer treatment. Through the single-cell dissection of B cell heterogeneity in longitudinal samples of patients with breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, we revealed that an ICOSL B cell subset emerges after chemotherapy. Using three immunocompetent mouse models, we recapitulated the subset switch of human tumor-infiltrating B cells during chemotherapy.

CDDO-Me Elicits Anti-Breast Cancer Activity by Targeting LRP6 and FZD7 Receptor Complex.

Aberrant activation of the Wnt/-catenin pathway leads to the development of multiple cancers, including breast cancer. Development of therapeutic agents against this signaling pathway is an urgent need. In this study, we found that 2-cyano-3, 12-dioxooleana-1, 9(11)-dien-28-oic acid-methyl ester (CDDO-Me) could inhibit Wnt/-catenin signaling mainly through targeting the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 6 and Frizzled (FZD) 7 receptor complex.

Salinomycin exerts anti-colorectal cancer activity by targeting the β-catenin/T-cell factor complex.

Background And Purpose: Salinomycin is a well-known inhibitor of human cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the molecular mechanism(s) by which salinomycin targets colorectal CSCs is poorly understood. Here, we have investigated underlying antitumour mechanisms of salinomycin in colorectal cancer cells and three tumour models.

Tumor promoter TPA activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in a casein kinase 1-dependent manner.

The tumor promoter 12--tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) has been defined by its ability to promote tumorigenesis on carcinogen-initiated mouse skin. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling has a decisive role in mouse skin carcinogenesis, but it remains unclear how TPA activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mouse skin carcinogenesis. Here, we found that TPA could enhance Wnt/β-catenin signaling in a casein kinase 1 (CK1) ε/δ-dependent manner.

Gigantol inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling and exhibits anticancer activity in breast cancer cells.

Background: Gigantol is a bibenzyl compound derived from several medicinal orchids. This biologically active compound has been shown to have promising therapeutic potential against cancer cells, but its mechanism of action remains unclear.

Methods: The inhibitory effect of gigantol on Wnt/β-catenin signaling was evaluated with the SuperTOPFlash reporter system.

Iron-filled multi-walled carbon nanotubes for terahertz applications: effects of interfacial polarization, screening and anisotropy.

Interface interactions in multicomponent nanoparticles can affect electromagnetic properties of an absorbing system. In this work, we investigate the electromagnetic response of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) filled with iron-containing nanoparticles (ICNs) in the terahertz frequency range. MWCNTs with different iron content have been synthesized by aerosol-assisted catalytic chemical vapour deposition method from toluene containing a certain quantity of ferrocene used as a catalyst.

CD10GPR77 Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promote Cancer Formation and Chemoresistance by Sustaining Cancer Stemness.

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant and heterogeneous stromal cells in tumor microenvironment that are critically involved in cancer progression. Here, we demonstrate that two cell-surface molecules, CD10 and GPR77, specifically define a CAF subset correlated with chemoresistance and poor survival in multiple cohorts of breast and lung cancer patients. CD10GPR77 CAFs promote tumor formation and chemoresistance by providing a survival niche for cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Creation of nanosized holes in graphene planes for improvement of rate capability of lithium-ion batteries.

Holes with an average size of 2-5 nm have been created in graphene layers by heating of graphite oxide (GO) in concentrated sulfuric acid followed by annealing in an argon flow. The hot mineral acid acts simultaneously as a defunctionalizing and etching agent, removing a part of oxygen-containing groups and lattice carbon atoms from the layers. Annealing of the holey reduced GO at 800 °C-1000 °C causes a decrease of the content of residual oxygen and the interlayer spacing thus producing thin compact stacks from holey graphene layers.

Prodigiosin inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling and exerts anticancer activity in breast cancer cells.

Prodigiosin, a natural red pigment produced by numerous bacterial species, has exhibited promising anticancer activity; however, the molecular mechanisms of action of prodigiosin on malignant cells remain unclear. Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade is associated with numerous human cancers. In this study, we identified prodigiosin as a potent inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

New cross-sections for production of 103Pd; review of charged particle production routes.

Production cross-sections of (103)Ag obtained by irradiating (nat)Pd and (nat)Cd with 70 MeV protons are presented and compared with ALICE-IPPE model calculations. Production of (103)Ag is of interest for the generation of (103)Pd widely used in brachytherapy. The investigated energy range of the (103)Rh(d,2n)(103)Pd reaction was extended up to 40 MeV and the results were compared with the curves of ALICE-IPPE, EMPIRE-II and GNASH theoretical codes.

Excitation functions of 3He- and alpha-particle induced nuclear reactions on natSb for production of medically relevant 123I and 124I radioisotopes.

Excitation functions were measured using the stacked foil irradiation technique from threshold energies to 28 MeV for (3)He- and to 21 MeV for alpha-particle induced nuclear reactions on natural antimony leading to the formation of (121,123,124)I radioisotopes. The measured excitation functions were compared with the contradicting results of the earlier investigations found in the literature and with the curves predicted by the ALICE-IPPE and EMPIRE-II codes. Integral yields were also calculated and compared with the experimental thick target yields reported in the literature.

Cross-section measurement of the 169 Tm p,n reaction for the production of the therapeutic radionuclide 169 Yb and comparison with its reactor-based generation.

The radionuclide (169)Yb (T(1/2)=32.0 d) is potentially important for internal radiotherapy. It is generally produced using a nuclear reactor.

Experimental study of the cross-sections of alpha-particle induced reactions on 209Bi.

alpha-particle-induced nuclear reactions for generation of (211)At used in therapeutic nuclear medicine and possible contaminants were investigated with the stacked foil activation technique on natural bismuth targets up to E(alpha)=39 MeV. Excitation functions are reported for the reactions (209)Bi(alpha,2n)(211)At, (209)Bi(alpha,3n)(210)At and (209)Bi(alpha,x)(210)Po. Results obtained from direct alpha-emission measurements and gamma-spectra from decay products are compared and correspond well with earlier literature values.

Activation cross-sections of long-lived products of proton-induced nuclear reactions on zinc.

In the frame of a systematic study of excitation functions induced by medium energy protons, the activation cross-sections on natural zinc were investigated for different applications. Excitation functions for production of 66,67Ga, 62,65,69mZn, 64Cu, 57Ni, 55,56,57,58Co and 52,54Mn radioisotopes were measured by the stacked foil technique in the energy range of 26-67 MeV. Results were compared with the earlier reported experimental data and theoretical calculations based on the ALICE-IPPE code.

Formation of short-lived positron emitters in reactions of protons of energies up to 200 MeV with the target elements carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.

Excitation functions were measured by the stacked-foil technique for proton induced reactions on carbon, nitrogen and oxygen leading to the formation of the short-lived positron emitters (11)C (T(1/2) = 20.38 min) and (13)N (T(1/2) = 9.96 min).

Experimental studies and nuclear model calculations on proton-induced reactions on (nat)Se, (76)Se and (77)Se with particular reference to the production of the medically interesting radionuclides (76)Br and (77)Br.

Excitation functions of the reactions (nat)Se(p,x)(75,76,77,82)Br, (76)Se(p,xn)(75,76)Br, (76)Se(p,x)(75)Se and (77)Se(p,xn)(76,77)Br were measured from their respective thresholds up to 40 MeV, with particular emphasis on data for the production of the medically important radionuclides (76)Br and (77)Br. The conventional stacked-foil technique was used. The samples were prepared by a sedimentation process.