Evaluation of an online Cardiometabolic and Weight Loss Program. A mixed methods study.

Risk factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) can be addressed through behavior modification, including changes in diet and physical activity. In 2021, The Wellness Institute (WI), located at Seven Oaks General Hospital, created a virtual cardiometabolic risk reduction program in response to COVID-19 pandemic public health restrictions, encompassing virtual health coaching and lifestyle education. The objective was to evaluate the acceptability, adherence, efficacy and engagement of the WI online cardiometabolic and weight loss program.

Preoperative Anemia as a Prognostic Risk Factor for Inferior Oncological Survival Following Resection for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: A significant proportion of patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are anemic at the time of resection. In these patients, blood transfusions are omitted due to their potential negative impact on oncological outcomes. The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic value of preoperative anemia in resected PDAC patients, irrespective of blood transfusion status.

Impact of under-assisted ventilation on diaphragm function and structure in a porcine model.

Background: Long-term controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) in intensive care unit (ICU) induces ventilatory-induced-diaphragm-dysfunction (VIDD). The transition from CMV to assisted mechanical ventilation is a challenge that requires clinicians to balance over-assistance and under-assistance. While the effects of over-assistance on the diaphragm are well known, we aimed to assess the impact of under-assistance on diaphragm function and structure in piglet model with pre-existing VIDD (after long-term CMV) or without VIDD (short-term CMV).

Opportunities and Challenges of a Cap-and-Trade System for Plastics.

Recently, the rapid increase in global plastics production has caused various ecological and economic issues, worsened by poor material and waste management. Among the market-based instruments that could help mitigate the environmental impacts of plastics throughout their life-cycle, we evaluate the advantages and limitations of incorporating a cap-and-trade (CAT) system into future policy mixes. Our aim is to inspire further investigation of CAT's feasibility rather than presenting it as the ultimate solution.

Observation of Robust Compressed CuO Octahedra and Exotic Spin Structure in CaCuFeO.

CuO octahedra usually show elongated distortion, leading to active orbitals and planar exchange interactions, while compressed CuO octahedra with active orbitals and unidirectional exchange interactions are exceptionally rare. Here, we design and synthesize a new frustrated antiferromagnet CaCuFeO through a high-pressure and high-temperature approach, in which robust compressed CuO octahedra are realized, separating the FeO sheets that comprise zigzag spin ladders. Magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements exhibit a long-range antiferromagnetic order below the Néel temperature of 165 K, which is further confirmed by neutron diffraction.

A Second Near-Infrared Window-Responsive Metal-Organic-Framework-Based Photosensitizer for Tumor Immunotherapy via Synergistic Ferroptosis and STING Activation.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) holds promise as a cancer treatment modality due to its potential for enhanced therapy precision and safety. To enhance deep tissue penetration and minimize tissue adsorption and phototoxicity, developing photosensitizers activated by second near-infrared window (NIR-II) light shows significant potential. However, the efficacy of PDT is often impeded by tumor microenvironment hypoxia, primarily caused by irregular tumor vasculature.

Solitary Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis From Ovarian Cancer on 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Solitary axillary lymph node metastasis from ovarian cancer is rare. A 74-year-old woman who had undergone hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for ovarian cancer 2 years ago presented to our hospital with enlarged axillary lymph node. 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed left axillary lymphadenopathy with an SUVmax of 8.

Rare Neoplastic Meningitis in Cerebellar Medulloblastoma Detected by PET/CT.

Neoplastic meningitis, also known as leptomeningeal metastases, is a rare clinical entity seen in less than 1%-2% of primary nervous system tumors. Diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastases is difficult and is achieved by cytologic evidence of malignant cells in cerebrospinal fluid, or demonstration of radiologic abnormality. 18F-FDG PET/CT can detect leptomeningeal metastases before anatomical changes.

Functional Characterization of Two Polymerizing Glycosyltransferases for the Addition of -Acetyl-d-galactosamine to the Capsular Polysaccharide of .

The exterior surface of the human pathogen is coated with a capsular polysaccharide (CPS) that consists of a repeating sequence of 2-5 different sugars that can be modified with various molecular decorations. In the HS:2 serotype from strain NCTC 11168, the repeating unit within the CPS is composed of d-ribose, -acetyl-d-galactosamine, and a d-glucuronic acid that is further amidated with either serinol or ethanolamine. The d-glucuronic acid moiety is also decorated with d-glycero-l-gluco-heptose.

Superconductor-Insulator Transition Induced by Precise Subtripled Vapor Chemical Gating.

Recent progress in superconductor-insulator transition has shed light on the intermediate metallic state with unique electronic inhomogeneity. The microscopic model, suggesting that carrier spatial distribution plays a decisive role in the intermediate state, has been instrumental in understanding the quantum transition. However, the narrow carrier density window in which the intermediate state exists necessitates precise control of the gate dielectric layer, presenting a challenge to in situ map the carrier spatial distribution.

Lewis Base-Enhanced C-H Bond Functionalization Mediated by a Diiron Imido Complex.

Herein, we investigate the effects of ligand design on the nuclearity and reactivity of metal-ligand multiply bonded (MLMB) complexes to access an exclusively bimetallic reaction pathway for C-H bond functionalization. To this end, the diiron alkoxide [Fe(Dbf)] () was treated with 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl azide to access the diiron imido complex [Fe(Dbf)(μ-NCHF)] () that promotes hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) from a variety of C-H and O-H bond containing substrates. A diiron bis(amide) complex [Fe(Dbf)(μ-NHCHF)(NHCHF)] () was generated, prompting the isolation of the analogous bridging amide terminal alkoxide [Fe(Dbf)(μ-NHCHF)(OCH)] () and the asymmetric pyridine-bound diiron imido [Fe(Dbf)(μ-NCHF)(NCH)] ().

Case Report: 18F-FDG PET/CT for FUO Due to Whipple Disease Infection.

We present the case of a 60-year-old man admitted to the hospital presenting with high FUO (fever of unknown origin), strong headache, face erythematous-desquamative cutaneous lesions, long history of abdominal pain, and diffuse myalgia. He was also previously treated with immunosuppressants and currently managed with corticosteroids for a seronegative rheumatic disease. Given the immunocompromised state, an infective etiology was suspected.

Detectability of Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH PET for Nodal Metastases in Patients With HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH and 18F-FDG for detecting nodal metastases in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer on PET/CT.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective study, 62 participants with HER2-positive breast cancer underwent both Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Participants were pathologically confirmed as HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+ with gene amplification on FISH).

Small Bowel Leiomyoma Mimics Neuroendocrine Tumor on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT.

A 57-year-old man with a 3-month history of lower abdominal pain and rectal bleeding with black stools underwent urgent abdominal CT, which revealed an ovoid hyperdense lesion in the ileum in the right iliac fossa. The prime differential was a midgut neuroendocrine tumor. Thus, the patient was referred for a 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scan, which demonstrated intense activity in this lesion with no evidence of somatostatin receptor expression elsewhere.

Prevalence and predictors of genitourinary syndrome of menopause: a population-based study in middle-aged Brazilian women.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in Brazilian women.

Methods: A cross-sectional population-based household survey was conducted among 749 women aged 45 to 60 years. The dependent variable was the presence of GSM, which was assessed using a pretested structured questionnaire.

Delta-Radiomics Using Machine Learning Classifiers With Auxiliary Data Sets to Predict Disease Progression During Magnetic Resonance-Guided Radiotherapy in Adrenal Metastases.

Purpose: Adaptive radiotherapy accounts for interfractional anatomic changes. We hypothesize that changes in the gross tumor volumes identified during daily scans could be analyzed using delta-radiomics to predict disease progression events. We evaluated whether an auxiliary data set could improve prediction performance.

Pertuzumab Retreatment for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Locally Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer (PRECIOUS Study): Final Overall Survival Analysis.

In the primary analysis of the open-label phase III PRECIOUS study, pertuzumab retreatment combined with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy of physician's choice (PTC) significantly improved investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) compared with trastuzumab plus physician's choice chemotherapy (TC) in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive locally advanced/metastatic breast cancer (LA/mBC). Here, we report final overall survival (OS) at the median follow-up of 25.8 months.

Perioperative Supportive Care Interventions to Enhance Surgical Outcomes for Older Adults With Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Older adults with cancer have unique needs, which likely influence surgical outcomes in the geriatric oncology population. We conducted a systematic review to describe the literature focused on perioperative supportive care interventions for older adults with cancer undergoing surgery.

Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we performed a comprehensive search using the Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase databases for literature published from January 2010 to October 2023.

Prevalence of FGFR2b Protein Overexpression in Advanced Gastric Cancers During Prescreening for the Phase III FORTITUDE-101 Trial.

Purpose: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 isoform IIIb (FGFR2b) protein overexpression is an emerging biomarker in gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC). We assessed FGFR2b protein overexpression prevalence in nearly 3,800 tumor samples as part of the prescreening process for a global phase III study in patients with newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic GC.

Methods: As of June 28, 2024, 3,782 tumor samples from prescreened patients from 37 countries for the phase III FORTITUDE-101 trial (ClinicalTrials.

Genomic Characterization and Prognostic Significance of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Low, Hormone Receptor-Positive, Early Breast Cancers From the BIG 1-98 and SOFT Clinical Trials.

Purpose: To investigate whether hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-low (HR+HER2-low) versus HR+HER2-zero early breast cancers have distinct genomic and clinical characteristics.

Methods: This study included HR+, HER2-negative early breast cancers from patients enrolled in the phase III, randomized BIG 1-98 and SOFT clinical trials that had undergone tumor genomic sequencing. Tumors were classified HR+HER2-low if they had a centrally reviewed HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 1+ or 2+ with negative in situ hybridization and HR+HER2-zero if they had an HER2 IHC score of 0.

Association of Germline Pathogenic Variants in and Other DNA Damage Response Genes With Lung Cancer Risk Among Non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans.

Purpose: Although lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies, the underlying genetics regarding susceptibility remain poorly understood. We characterized the spectrum of pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) germline variants within DNA damage response (DDR) genes among lung cancer cases and controls in non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) and African Americans (AAs).

Materials And Methods: Rare, germline variants in 67 DDR genes with evidence of pathogenicity were identified using the ClinVar database.

Intra- and interobserver agreement of proposed objective transvaginal ultrasound image-quality scoring system for use in artificial intelligence algorithm development.

Objectives: The development of valuable artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with ultrasound diagnosis depends on algorithms developed using high-quality data. This study aimed to test the intra- and interobserver agreement of a proposed image-quality scoring system to quantify the quality of gynecological transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) images, which could be used in clinical practice and AI tool development.

Methods: A proposed scoring system to quantify TVS image quality was created following a review of the literature.