Assessing the Impact of Lymphedema Therapy Referral on Breast Cancer Survivors' Lymphedema Knowledge: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Lymphedema is a common problem that adversely impacts quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Although lymphedema risk is modifiable through behavior change, there is no standardized approach to educate survivors about risk-lowering strategies. Furthermore, misconceptions about lymphedema risk factors and risk-lowering strategies are common.

Are monocytes a preferable option to develop myeloid cell-based therapies for solid tumors?

In the last two decades, novel and promising cell-based therapies have populated the treatment landscape for haematological tumors. However, commonly exploited T and NK cell-based therapies show limited applicability to solid tumors. This is mainly given by the impaired tumor trafficking capability and limited effector activity of these cells within a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Global, regional, and national burden of kidney cancer and attributable risk factors in adults aged 65 years and older from 1990 to 2021 and projections to 2040.

Background: Identifying the past and future burden of kidney cancer (KC) and its temporal trends among older adults (≥ 65 years) at global, regional, and national levels is critical for effective prevention strategies.

Methods: The age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study from 1990 to 2021. These indicators were stratified by sex, age, and socio-demographic index (SDI).

Assessing aesthetic outcomes of different incision types for nipple-sparing mastectomy followed by radiation therapy in prepectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction: a retrospective study.

Background: This study analyzes the aesthetic outcomes associated with inframammary fold (IMF) incisions compared to radial incisions, with or without a periareolar component (referred to as periareolar/radial, PR), considering nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) followed by prepectoral direct-to-implant (DTI) reconstruction and subsequent post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT). We assessed changes in breast and nipple symmetry, nipple-to-IMF distance, and nipple Y-axis coefficients to understand how different incisions influence post-radiation aesthetic outcomes.

Methods: Forty patients who underwent NSM and prepectoral DTI reconstruction followed by PMRT between September 2019 and December 2022 in a single institution were included.

Predicting anastomotic leak in patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy using a nomogram based on CT radiomic and clinicopathologic factors.

Background: Anastomotic leak (AL) is a common complication in patients with operable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and radical esophagectomy. Therefore, this study aimed to establish and validate a nomogram to predict the occurrence of AL.

Methods: Between March 2016 and December 2022, ESCC patients undergoing NCRT and radical esophagectomy were retrospectively collected in China.

Effect of delayed isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells on cell viability and functionality.

Background: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are valuable biomarkers, providing crucial insights into the patients' immune system. Reliable biobanking of PBMCs is essential to minimize heterogeneity. In multicenter trials, blood sample transportation to central laboratories can increase the time between blood collection and PBMC isolation.

Long-term mortality impact of postoperative hyperactive delirium in older hip fracture surgery patients.

Background: Postoperative hyperactive delirium is a common and serious complication in older patients undergoing surgery, but the association between delirium and mortality remains controversial. Compared to other delirium subtypes, hyperactive delirium is characterized by more overt clinical manifestations, facilitating accurate detection and evaluation. This study aimed to clarify this association by comparing long-term mortality between patients with and without postoperative hyperactive delirium, using propensity score matching for robust analysis.

Risk prediction and early intervention strategies for persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) face heightened mortality and accelerated disease progression when persistently infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This critical situation underscores the urgent need to identify risk factors and establish early intervention strategies tailored to this vulnerable population. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in NHL patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy outcomes in peritoneal carcinomatosis: 11-year tertiary-center experience.

Background: Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are techniques developed for curative treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Studies have shown that CRS + HIPEC provides a survival advantage in PC, and long-term survival can be achieved in selected cases. This study aimed to evaluate CRS + HIPEC cases performed for curative purposes and to examine the prognostic factors.

Falls among geriatric cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and risk across cancer types.

Background: Falls represent a significant health concern among the older adults, particularly geriatric cancer patients, due to their increased susceptibility from both age-related and cancer treatment-related factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize global data on the prevalence and risk of falls in this population to inform targeted fall prevention strategies.

Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to October 2024.

Proteomics-driven discovery of LCAT as a novel biomarker for liver metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Background: This study aimed to identify molecular markers that influence liver metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC) and assess their clinical relevance.

Methods: Proteomic analysis compared differential protein expression between CRC patients with liver metastasis (CRLM) and those without (CRNLM). Bioinformatics and survival analyses identified key proteins and validated them using the TCGA database for expression and clinical significance.

Acceptability of risk-based breast cancer screening among professionals and healthcare providers from 6 countries contributing to the MyPeBS study.

Background: To evaluate the acceptability of a risk-based breast cancer screening (BCS) strategy among professionals involved in MyPeBS study in 6 countries.

Methods: After qualitative interviews, a questionnaire was built with a Delphi method: to evaluate professionals' basic understanding, satisfaction and reactions to each stage of the trial, opinions on BCS and its future. The questionnaire was distributed by emailing 698 investigators, who forwarded it to all categories of professionals involved in trial recruitment (physicians, medical secretaries, nurses, and mammography technicians).

Insulin resistance and cancer: molecular links and clinical perspectives.

The association between insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cancer is increasingly recognized and poses an escalating global health challenge, as the incidence of these conditions continues to rise. Studies indicate that individuals with T2DM have a 10-20% increased risk of developing various solid tumors, including colorectal, breast, pancreatic, and liver cancers. The relative risk (RR) varies depending on cancer type, with pancreatic and liver cancers showing a particularly strong association (RR 2.

Uncovering the genetic variation spectrum of colorectal polyposis from a multicentre cohort in China.

This multicentre study addresses the genetic spectrum of colorectal polyposis in China. We analyzed 120 patients with over 10 adenomas using a 139-gene next-generation sequencing panel and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Findings revealed that 89 patients carried pathogenic germline variants, primarily in the APC gene.

The membrane-proximal external region of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein trimers in A18-lipid nanodiscs.

During human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) entry, the metastable pretriggered envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer ((gp120/gp41)) opens asymmetrically. We present cryo-EM structures of cleaved asymmetric Env trimers in amphipol-lipid nanodiscs. The gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER) could be traced in Env protomers that remained close to the nanodisc despite Env tilting.

In vivo deletion of a GWAS-identified Myb distal enhancer acts on Myb expression, globin switching, and clinical erythroid parameters in β-thalassemia.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous genetic variants linked to human diseases, mostly located in non-coding regions of the genome, particularly in putative enhancers. However, functional assessment of the non-coding GWAS variants has progressed at slow pace, since the functions of the vast majority of genomic enhancers have not been defined, impeding interpretation of disease-susceptibility variants. The HBS1L-MYB intergenic region harbors multiple SNPs associated with clinical erythroid parameters, including fetal hemoglobin levels, a feature impacting disease severity of beta-hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia.

Pain classification using functional near infrared spectroscopy and assessment of virtual reality effects in cancer pain management.

Objective measurements of pain and safe methods to alleviate it could revolutionize medicine. This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and virtual reality (VR) to improve pain assessment and explore non-pharmacological pain relief in cancer patients. Using resting-state fNIRS (rs-fNIRS) data and multinomial logistic regression (MLR), we identified brain-based pain biomarkers and classified pain severity in cancer patients.

Body mass index modifies genetic susceptibility to high systolic blood pressure in adolescents and young adults: results from an 18-year longitudinal study.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in adults have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), but it is unclear whether the findings apply in youth. Further, the role of body mass index (BMI) in these associations is understudied. Our objective was to determine whether BMI modifies genetic susceptibility to high SBP in young people.

Novel immune drug combination induces tumour microenvironment remodelling and reduces the dosage of anti-PD-1 antibody.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective in clinical settings; however, they present immune-related adverse effects and financial burden. Although dose reduction of ICIs may mitigate these limitations, it could compromise therapeutic efficacy. Using two adjuvants (poly(I:C) and LAG-3-Ig) combined with three neoantigen peptides (Comb), we examined whether Comb could enhance the efficacy of reduced dose of αPD-1 monoclonal antibody (RD-αPD-1 mAb), which has limited efficacy.

LncRNA TERRA in hybrid with DNA is a relevant biomarker for monitoring patients with meningioma.

Telomeric repeat-containing RNAs (TERRAs) are expressed from subtelomeric regions, as long non-coding RNAs responsible for maintaining telomere length and stabilizing the genome. After TERRA is transcribed (f-TERRA) from subtelomere regions, it hybridizes (h-TERRA) into telomeres and intergenic regions to maintain genome and telomere stability. Here, we separately determine changes in two TERRA fractions, f-TERRA and h-TERRA levels in relation to telomere length (TL) in first time meningioma patients with preoperative and postoperative comparisons with the control group.

Genetic instability in HSPC subpopulations of umbilical cord blood from patients with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Preleukemic stem cells (PSC) containing preleukemic fusion genes (PFG) arise prenatally and represent the initial stage of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) development. Despite widespread efforts, the cell of origin of PFG is still unclear. For the first time, in order to identify the immunophenotype of the PSCs, different subpopulations of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) of umbilical cord blood (UCB) from ALL pediatric patients and control healthy children were sorted and analyzed for the presence of diagnostically-relevant PFGs by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

Optically tunable catalytic cancer therapy using enzyme-like chiral plasmonic nanoparticles.

Cascade enzymatic reactions in living organisms are fundamental reaction mechanisms in coordinating various complex biochemical processes such as metabolism, signal transduction, and gene regulation. Many studies have attempted to mimic cascade reactions using nanoparticles with enzyme-like activity; however, precisely tuning each reaction within complex networks to enhance the catalytic activity remains challenging. Here, we present enzyme-like chiral plasmonic nanoparticles for optically tunable catalytic cancer therapy.

Crohn's Disease-associated variant in laccase domain containing 1 (LACC1) modulates T cell gene expression, metabolism and T cell function.

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) identify many risks for Crohn's disease (CD), including a site near the metabolism gene laccase domain containing 1 (LACC1). We previously found this site near LACC1 was associated with decreased LACC1 expression in T lymphocytes, yet the mechanism affecting gene expression and its links to T cell function and inflammatory disease were unknown. Here we identify variants in the promoter region that influence transcription of LACC1.

Direct measurement of the male germline mutation rate in individuals using sequential sperm samples.

Mutations that accumulate in the human male germline with age are a major driver of genetic diversity and contribute to genetic diseases. However, aging-related male germline mutation rates have not been measured directly in germline cells (sperm) at the level of individuals. We developed a study design in which we recalled 23 sperm donors with prior banked samples to provide new sperm samples.