Topical and Intralesional Treatments for Skin Metastases and Locoregionally Advanced Melanoma.

Cutaneous melanoma is a malignant neoplasm with local and distant metastatic potential. When feasible, surgery is the first line of treatment in locoregionally advanced disease. Topical and intralesional treatments can be an alternative second-line treatment.

The Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Stage at Diagnosis of Melanoma Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Background: This study addresses the lack of research on Medicaid expansion's impact on melanoma staging, treatment utilization, and outcomes by evaluating its effects under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), particularly focusing on staging at diagnosis, treatment use, and 3-year mortality outcomes. The objective is to determine whether Medicaid expansion led to earlier melanoma diagnosis and improved survival rates among non-elderly adults (ages 40-64) by analyzing data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Methods: A total of 12,667 patients, aged 40-64, diagnosed with melanoma from 2010 to 2020 were identified using the NCDB.

The IL-23R and Its Genetic Variants: A Hitherto Unforeseen Bridge Between the Immune System and Cancer Development.

IL-23R (interleukin-23 receptor), found on the surface of several immune cells, plays a key role in the immune system. Indeed, this process is not limited to the inflammatory response but also plays a role in the adaptive immune response. The binding between IL-23R and its specific ligand, the interleukin 23, initiates a number of specific signals by modulating both properties and behavior of immune cells.

Optimized Spheroid Model of Pancreatic Cancer Demonstrates Influence of Macrophage-T Cell Interaction for Intratumoral T Cell Motility.

Background: Most spheroid models use size measurements as a primary readout parameter; some models extend analysis to T cell infiltration or perform caspase activation assays. However, to our knowledge, T cell motility analysis is not regularly included as an endpoint in imaging studies on cancer spheroids.

Methods: Here, we intend to demonstrate that motility analysis of macrophages and T cells is a valuable functional endpoint for studies on molecular interventions in the tumor microenvironment.

Beyond the Burn: Leukemia Threats Following Radioactive Iodine Ablation Therapy for Thyroid Cancer.

Radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation therapy is a common minimally invasive treatment for patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Although previous studies have identified a link between RAI and the mortality from secondary solid cancers, the connection between RAI and leukemia remains under-researched. This study investigated the differential risk of leukemia and its subtypes in DTC patients following RAI treatment.

A Narrative Review of the Assessment and Treatment of Physical Impairments Commonly Seen in Sarcoma Cancer Survivors Using a Rehabilitative Approach.

Background: Sarcomas are a rare, complex group of malignancies characterized by numerous clinical and pathological features. Sarcomas originate from various tissues such as fat, muscle, bone, nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues. Typically, the treatment of sarcomas consists of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Cell Membrane Fatty Acids and PIPs Modulate the Etiology of Pancreatic Cancer by Regulating AKT.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the worst solid malignancies in regard to outcomes and metabolic dysfunction leading to cachexia. It is alarming that PDAC incidence rates continue to increase and warrant the need for innovative approaches to combat this disease. Due to its relatively slow progression (10-20 years), prevention strategies represent an effective means to improve outcomes.

Impacts of Copper Deficiency on Oxidative Stress and Immune Function in Mouse Spleen.

Introduction: Copper is an essential trace element crucial for enzyme synthesis and metabolism. Adequate copper levels are beneficial for maintaining the normal immune function of the spleen. Copper deficiency disrupts the metabolic processes within the spleen and impairs its immune function.

L11 and LR: Ameliorate Obesity via AMPK Pathway.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to find the potential mechanism of two Lactobacillus ( L11 and LR) on ameliorating obesity, including lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. The two isolates have been studied to have good characterization in vitro, but in vivo studies in modulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota were not studied.

Methods: In this study, mice with HFD supplemented with L11 or LR exhibited slower obesity progression, including reduced weight gain, abdominal fat accumulation, liver damage, inflammation, and adipose lesions.

Uncovering the Beneficial Role of E7 Exhibiting Antioxidant Activity in Ameliorating DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in a Murine Model.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal disease of growing global concern. Bacteria associated with fermented food or probiotics regulate immune and inflammatory responses, playing a key role in intestinal immune homeostasis.

Results: Five probiotics with relatively good antioxidant effects, namely H6, QC9, E7, D1, and Q13, were screened out from 30 strains of probiotics through in vitro antioxidant assays.

Synergistic Synbiotic-Containing and Fructo-Oligosaccharide Alleviate the Allergenicity of Mice Induced by Soy Protein.

Prebiotics and probiotics have key roles in the intervention and treatment of food allergies. This study assesses the effect of synergistic fructo-oligosaccharide (Lp-FOS) intervention using an allergic mouse model induced by soy protein. The results showed that Lp synergistic FOS significantly decreased clinical allergy scores, inhibited specific antibodies (IgE, IgG, and IgG1), IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17A levels, and increased IFN-γ and IL-10 levels.

Amelioration Effect of ZW3 on Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Symptoms in BALB/c Mice.

Previous studies have shown that supplementation with specific probiotics can be used to alleviate allergy symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-allergic effects of ZW3 (ZW3) in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic mice. The mice were divided into six groups: the food allergy group, positive group ( GG), low-dose ZW3 group, middle-dose ZW3 group, high-dose ZW3 group, and the control group involving healthy mice.

Sea Anemone Kunitz Peptide HCIQ2c1 Reduces Histamine-, Lipopolysaccharide-, and Carrageenan-Induced Inflammation via the Suppression of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators.

Inflammation is a physiological response of the immune system to infectious agents or tissue injury, which involves a cascade of vascular and cellular events and the activation of biochemical pathways depending on the type of harmful agent and the stimulus generated. The Kunitz peptide HCIQ2c1 of sea anemone is a strong protease inhibitor and exhibits neuroprotective and analgesic activities. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of HCIQ2c1 in histamine- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.

Lactoferrin Attenuates Pro-Inflammatory Response and Promotes the Conversion into Neuronal Lineages in the Astrocytes.

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive loss of neurons and persistent inflammation. Neurons are terminally differentiated cells, and lost neurons cannot be replaced since neurogenesis is restricted to only two neurogenic niches in the adult brain, whose neurogenic potential decreases with age. In this regard, the astrocytes reprogramming into neurons may represent a promising strategy for restoring the lost neurons and rebuilding neural circuits.

Nebulized Hybrid Nanoarchaeosomes: Anti-Inflammatory Activity, Anti-Microbial Activity and Cytotoxicity on A549 Cells.

The properties of two hybrid nanoarchaeosomes (hybrid nanoARCs) made of archaeolipids extracted from the halophilic archaea and combining the properties of archaeolipid bilayers with metallic nanoparticles are explored here. BS-nanoARC, consisting of a nanoARC loaded with yerba mate ( extract (YME)-biogenic silver nanoparticles (BSs), and [BS + BS-nanoARC], consistent of a BS-nanoARC core covered by an outer shell of BSs, were structurally characterized and their therapeutic activities screened. By employing 109 ± 5 µg gallic acid equivalents (GAEs) and 73.

Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Cancer: The Role of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Key Resistance Genes.

Drug resistance is a significant challenge in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), where stromal elements such as adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) contribute to a chemoresistant tumor microenvironment (TME). This study explored the effects of oxaliplatin (OXP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on PDAC cells (Capan-1) and ASCs to investigate the mechanisms of chemoresistance. While OXP and 5-FU reduced Capan-1 viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, ASCs demonstrated high resistance, maintaining > 90% viability even at cytotoxic doses.

Comparative Analysis of Serum BAFF and IL-17 Levels Pre- and Post-Antipsychotic Treatment for Acute Schizophrenia.

The interplay between the cytokine network and antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of psychotropic medications on serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, TGF-β1, IL-17, and BAFF, and to explore their relationship with psychopathological features. We recruited 63 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in the acute phase, all of whom were either drug-naïve or had been drug-free for at least three months.

Chemoprotective Mechanism of Sodium Thiosulfate Against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity Is via Renal Hydrogen Sulfide, Arginine/cAMP and NO/cGMP Signaling Pathways.

Cisplatin is a common and highly effective chemotherapeutic agent whose nephrotoxic side effect is well-characterized. Sodium thiosulfate (STS), an FDA-approved hydrogen sulfide (HS) donor drug, is emerging as a chemoprotective agent against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN). In this study, we investigated the chemoprotective mechanism of STS in a rat model of CIN.

Anticancer Plant Secondary Metabolites Evicting Linker Histone H1.2 from Chromatin Activate Type I Interferon Signaling.

Previously we discovered that among 15 DNA-binding plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) possessing anticancer activity, 11 compounds cause depletion of the chromatin-bound linker histones H1.2 and/or H1.4.

Association of Gene Polymorphism and Serum Level of α Klotho Protein with Different Tumor Grades, Overall Survival and Cytokine Profile in Glioma Patients.

Gliomas are the most common and lethal forms of malignant brain tumors. We attempted to identify the role of the aging-suppressor gene and Klotho protein in the immunopathogenesis of gliomas. We examined genetic variants by PCR-RFLP and measured serum Klotho levels using the ELISA method.

High mRNA Expression of 24 Dehydrocholesterol Reductase (DHCR24) in the Treatment of Doxorubicin-Induced Heart Failure in Rats.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of treating heart failure in rats by delivering mRNA of 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) into the body through lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).

Methods: We established a heart failure rat model using doxorubicin. The experiment was divided into blank, model, mRNA stock solution cardiac injection, mRNA stock solution intravenous injection, LNP-mRNA stock solution cardiac injection, and LNP-mRNA stock solution intravenous injection groups.

Neuroinflammatory Loop in Schizophrenia, Is There a Relationship with Symptoms or Cognition Decline?

Schizophrenia (SZ), a complex psychiatric disorder of neurodevelopment, is characterised by a range of symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, social isolation and cognitive deterioration. One of the hypotheses that underlie SZ is related to inflammatory events which could be partly responsible for symptoms. However, it is unknown how inflammatory molecules can contribute to cognitive decline in SZ.

Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Lipopolysaccharide-Treated Stem Cells from the Apical Papilla Modulate Macrophage Phenotypes and Inflammatory Interactions in Pulpal and Periodontal Tissues.

Inflammation significantly influences cellular communication in the oral environment, impacting tissue repair and regeneration. This study explores the role of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP) in modulating macrophage polarization and osteoblast differentiation. SCAPs were treated with LPS for 24 h, and sEVs from untreated (SCAP-sEVs) and LPS-treated SCAP (LPS-SCAP-sEVs) were isolated via ultracentrifugation and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, Western blot, and Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing.

Evaluation of the Anti-Amyloid and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of a Novel Vanadium(IV)-Curcumin Complex in Lipopolysaccharides-Stimulated Primary Rat Neuron-Microglia Mixed Cultures.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are bacterial mediators of neuroinflammation that have been detected in close association with pathological protein aggregations of Alzheimer's disease. LPS induce the release of cytokines by microglia and mediate the upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-a mechanism also associated with amyloidosis. Curcumin is a recognized natural medicine but has extremely low bioavailability.

Zinc Deficiency Exacerbates Lead-Induced Interleukin-2 Suppression by Regulating CREM Expression.

Lead, a prevalent heavy metal, impairs the immune system by affecting T cell function. Similarly, zinc deficiency adversely affects T cells, with zinc deficiency and lead exposure being linked to reduced interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. Zinc deficiency has been associated with increased expression of the transcription factor CREM 100 kDa, which downregulates IL-2.