Harnessing the tumor microenvironment: targeted cancer therapies through modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is integral to cancer progression, impacting metastasis and treatment response. It consists of diverse cell types, extracellular matrix components, and signaling molecules that interact to promote tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. Elucidating the intricate interactions between cancer cells and the TME is crucial in understanding cancer progression and therapeutic challenges.

Implementation strategies: lessons learned during an e-learning intervention to improve dietary behaviors and feeding practices in early childhood education and care.

Background: Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centers play an important role in fostering healthy dietary habits. The Nutrition Now project focusing on improving dietary habits during the first 1000 days of life. Central to the project is the implementation of an e-learning resource aimed at promoting feeding practices among staff and healthy dietary behaviours for children aged 0-3 years in ECEC.

The microenvironment cell index is a novel indicator for the prognosis and therapeutic regimen selection of cancers.

Background: It is worthwhile to establish a prognostic prediction model based on microenvironment cells (MCs) infiltration and explore new treatment strategies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods: The xCell algorithm was used to quantify the cellular components of the TNBC microenvironment based on bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) data. The MCs index (MCI) was constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox (LASSO-Cox) regression analysis.

RNA-Targeting CRISPR/CasRx system relieves disease symptoms in Huntington's disease models.

Background: HD is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of CAG repeats in the HTT. Silencing the expression of mutated proteins is a therapeutic direction to rescue HD patients, and recent advances in gene editing technology such as CRISPR/CasRx have opened up new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Methods: The CRISPR/CasRx system was employed to target human HTT exon 1, resulting in an efficient knockdown of HTT mRNA.

Histone demethylases in autophagy and inflammation.

Autophagy dysfunction is associated with changes in autophagy-related genes. Various factors are connected to autophagy, and the mechanism regulating autophagy is highly complicated. Epigenetic changes, such as aberrant expression of histone demethylase, are actively associated not only with oncogenesis but also with inflammatory responses.

Compliance with maternal HIV retesting for pregnant women attending care in selected health facilities in Namutumba district, Uganda.

Background: Retesting for HIV during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum is crucial for identifying new infections and ensuring timely interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). Uganda's national guidelines recommend that pregnant women be retested in the 3rd trimester or during labor/delivery. However, limited information exists regarding adherence to these guidelines, which may affect the effectiveness of PMTCT efforts.

Upregulated astrocyte HDAC7 induces Alzheimer-like tau pathologies via deacetylating transcription factor-EB and inhibiting lysosome biogenesis.

Background: Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type in the brain, will convert into the reactive state in response to proteotoxic stress such as tau accumulation, a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. The formation of reactive astrocytes is partially attributed to the disruption of autophagy lysosomal signaling, and inhibiting of some histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been demonstrated to reduce the molecular and functional characteristics of reactive astrocytes. However, the precise role of autophagy lysosomal signaling in astrocytes that regulates tau pathology remains unclear.

Characterizing the early relationship between covert narcissism and cognitive empathy in medical students: a cross-sectional study.

Background: In medicine, empathy refers to a predominantly cognitive attribute (rather than an emotional one), which is important as a foundation for positive physician-patient relationships. Physicians with a narcissistic personality trait have an assortment of characteristics that undermine their interpersonal functioning in clinical encounters with their patients. Evidence suggests an inverse relationship between empathy and certain characteristics of a narcissistic personality trait in general population.

Differences in the factor structure of the Eating Attitudes Test-26 in female adolescent patients with eating disorders before and after treatment.

Objective: The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is considered the screening instrument of choice to identify eating disorders (ED) symptoms in clinical and community populations, showing a classical three-factor structure. This study assessed whether the factor structure of the EAT-26 in patients with ED was stable at admission and discharge from inpatient treatment.

Methods: We administered the EAT-26 to 207 female adolescents with ED at both admission and discharge.

Integrin α8 is a useful cell surface marker of alveolar lipofibroblasts.

Background: Recent advances in comprehensive gene analysis revealed the heterogeneity of mouse lung fibroblasts. However, direct comparisons between these subpopulations are limited due to challenges in isolating target subpopulations without gene-specific reporter mouse lines. In addition, the properties of lung lipofibroblasts remain unclear, particularly regarding the appropriate cell surface marker and the niche capacity for alveolar epithelial cell type 2 (AT2), an alveolar tissue stem cell.

Finding the right dose: a scoping review examining facilitation as an implementation strategy for evidence-based stroke care.

Background: Despite evidence supporting interventions that improve outcomes for patients with stroke, their implementation remains suboptimal. Facilitation can support implementation of research into clinical practice by helping people develop the strategies to implement change. However, variability in the amount (dose) and type of facilitation activities/facilitator roles that make up the facilitation strategies (content), may affect the effectiveness of facilitation.

Trends in blood transfusion and causes of blood wastage: a retrospective analysis in a teaching hospital.

Background: Blood is a vital medical resource that is sourced from primarily nonremunerated donations. As Taiwan faces an aging population, increasing medical demands pose new challenges to blood resource management. Trend analysis can improve blood supply chain management and allocate blood resources more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9: an investigation using Rasch analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric conditions. Given its high prevalence and disease burden, accurate diagnostic procedures and valid instruments are warranted to identify those in need of treatment. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is one of the most widely used self-report measures of depression, and its validity and reliability has been evaluated in several languages.

Unveiling the ultimate advantage: a meta-analysis of 3D visualization and problem-based learning in orthopedic education.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) visualization has become increasingly prevalent in orthopedic education to tackle the distinct anatomical challenges of the field. However, there is a conspicuous lack of systematic reviews that thoroughly evaluate both the advantages and drawbacks of integrating 3D with problem-based learning (3D + PBL).

Methods: A rigorous search of English databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and Chinese databases (National Knowledge Infrastructure: CNKI, Chongqing VIP: VIP, and Wan Fang) were performed up to July 2024 to identify relevant studies.

Effect of depression and empowerment on medication adherence in patients with breast cancer: a descriptive survey.

Background: Given the global prevalence of breast cancer and its high mortality rate, adherence to long-term anti-hormonal therapy is crucial for preventing recurrence and improving survival outcomes. Previous research demonstrates how psychological factors including depression and empowerment impact medication adherence. However, comprehensive studies remain limited, especially in Korea.

Decomposition and comparative analysis of urban-rural disparity in attitude towards advance care planning among Chinese adults: A nationwide study.

Background: Examining urban-rural disparity in Chinese adults' advance care planning (ACP) attitudes is crucial for healthcare decision-making. A comprehensive understanding of contributing factors, especially through decomposition and comparative analysis, remains limited.

Methods: Data were derived from Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents (PBICR) including 19,738 participants, representative of Chinese adults.

Short-acting growth hormone supplementation for bone age and growth rate in children with idiopathic short stature: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To explore the effect of short-acting growth hormone (GH) supplementation on bone age and growth rate of children with idiopathic short stature.

Methods: The authoritative databases such as PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science were extensively searched through the systematic and comprehensive literature retrieval strategy to compile the clinical research data on the treatment of idiopathic short stature with short-acting GH. The study will be strictly screened to ensure that all enrolled research subjects are patients with idiopathic short stature, and the intervention method is defined as short-acting GH replacement therapy, and a reasonable control group is set, such as placebo treatment, to ensure the scientificity and comparability of research results.

High-risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the predictive usefulness of a habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for anticipating lateral neck lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and for pinpointing high-risk habitat regions and significant radiomics traits.

Methods: A group of 214 patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) between August 2021 and August 2023 were included, consisting of 107 patients with confirmed postoperative lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) and 107 patients without metastasis or lateral cervical lymph node involvement. An additional cohort of 43 patients was recruited to serve as an independent external testing group for this study.

Gut microbiota and kidney function in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease participants in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Hypothesis: Gut dysbiosis characterized by an imbalance in pathobionts (Enterobacter, Escherichia and Salmonella) and symbionts (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Prevotella) can occur during chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. We evaluated the associations between representative symbionts (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) and pathobionts (Enterobacteriaceae) with kidney function in persons with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 29 ADPKD patients were matched to 15 controls at a 2:1 ratio.

Preclinical and First-in-Human Study of a Compact Radionuclide Labeled Self-Assembly Nanomedicine for Chemo-Radio-Theranostics of Cancer.

The emerging combination of chemotherapy and radionuclide therapy has been actively investigated to overcome the limitations of monotherapy and augment therapeutic efficacy. However, it remains a challenge to design a single delivery vehicle that can incorporate chemotherapeutics and radionuclides into a compact structure. Here, a chelator DOTA- or NOTA-modified Evans blue conjugated camptothecin molecule (EB-CPT) nanoprodrug was synthesized, which could self-assemble into nanoparticles due to its inherent amphiphilicity.

Mindfulness-based interventions for improvement of lifestyle behaviors and body mass index in children with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: This study aimed to synthesize evidence from primary studies on the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for improving lifestyle behaviors and body mass index (BMI) in children with overweight or obesity. We conducted a meta-analysis or followed the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines to synthesize study findings. The analysis included both mindfulness-only interventions and comprehensive behavioral interventions incorporating mindfulness components.

Upregulated PCAT-1 predicts poor prognosis and reduced immune cell infiltration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through the miR-145-5p / FSCN-1 axis.

Background: LncRNA PCAT-1 is known to promote cancer proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. However, its significance in HNSCC is not fully understood. This research investigates how the PCAT-1 / miR-145-5p / FSCN-1 axis promote HNSCC.

Urolithin B suppresses phenotypic switch in vascular smooth muscle cells induced by PDGF-BB via inhibiting the PI3K-AKT pathway.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a prevalent cardiovascular condition, and the growth and phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a crucial role in its development. Studies have revealed that the activation of certain transcription factors and signaling pathways can trigger these cellular changes. Consequently, targeting these pathways and pivotal molecules has emerged as a promising strategy for AS treatment.

Prevalence and Temporal Trends of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Fills During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding in Denmark.

Background And Objectives: Females of reproductive age are increasingly using attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication, but its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is largely unknown. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of ADHD medication fills during pregnancy and breastfeeding, including characteristics of these females and cohort differences over time.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive study using Danish nationwide registers.

Small Fibre Pathology in Fibromyalgia: A review.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) presents a complex and challenging disorder in both the diagnosis and treatment, with emerging evidence suggesting a role of small fibre pathology (SFP) in its pathophysiology. The significance of the role of SFP in FMS remains unclear; however, recent evidence suggests degeneration and dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system, particularly small unmyelinated fibres, which may influence pathophysiology and underlying phenotype. Both skin biopsy and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) have consistently demonstrated that ~ 50% of people with FMS have SFP.