Novel research model for in vitro immunotherapy: co-culturing tumor organoids with peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Tumor organoids have emerged as powerful tools for in vitro cancer research due to their ability to retain the structural and genetic characteristics of tumors. Nevertheless, the absence of a complete tumor microenvironment (TME) limits the broader application of organoid models in immunological studies. Given the critical role of immune cells in tumor initiation and progression, the co-culture model of organoids and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) may provide an effective platform for simulating the interactions between immune and tumor cells in vitro.

Combination of Compound Kushen injection with first-line treatment versus first-line treatment alone for advanced colorectal cancer: a study protocol for a multicenter, openlabel, randomized controlled trial.

Background: The treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) has progressed slowly, with chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy being the first-line treatment for the disease, but the improvement in efficacy is not satisfactory. Compound Kushen injection (CKI) is one of the representative drugs of anti-cancer Chinese herbal injection drugs, which has been widely used in the adjunct treatment of cancer in China. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CKI combined with first-line treatment of advanced CRC.

Acute communication between microglia and non-parenchymal immune cells in the anti-Aβ antibody injected cortex.

Anti-Aβ immunotherapy use to treat Alzheimer's disease is on the rise. While anti-Aβ antibodies provide hope in targeting Aβ plaques in the brain there still remains a lack of understanding regarding the cellular responses to these antibodies in the brain. In this study we sought to identify acute effects of anti-Aβ antibody on immune responses.

High Body Roundness Index Is Associated With Unhealthy Sleep Patterns: Insights From NHANES (2007-2014).

Background: Substantial evidence suggests an association between obesity and sleep. However, research investigating sleep patterns in relation to novel anthropometric indices is limited. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2014 to examine the relationship between the body roundness index (BRI) and unhealthy sleep patterns.

State and territory immunization program activities and their association with human papillomavirus vaccine initiation in the United States of America: A multilevel approach.

This study evaluates the association between immunization program (IP) activities aimed at increasing HPV vaccination among adolescents and their impact on initiation rates. Our data sources are: (i) 2016 AIM Annual Survey and (ii) 2019 National Immunization Survey-Teen. We estimated the prevalence of HPV vaccine initiation using a multilevel Poisson model, combining state-level IP data and individual characteristics of adolescents.

Enhancing the Immunotherapeutic Effect by IP-001 and Irreversible Electroporation in Mouse Oligometastatic Models of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the immunotherapeutic effect of irreversible electroporation (IRE) and IP-001 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma with metastasis.

Methods: Orthotopic models of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with hepatic oligometastasis were established by implantation of tumor tissues (derived from Pan02 or KPC cells) size 2 mm into the pancreas and left liver lobe in C57BL/6J mice. One week after implantation, the tumor-burden mice were subjected to saline control, IRE, IP-001, and IRE+IP-001.

Understanding and Addressing Morally Injurious Events of Healthcare Chaplains in Texas: Insights for Health and Well-Being.

Healthcare chaplains may be at heightened risk of encountering potentially morally injurious events. The purpose of the current study was to explore potentially morally injurious events for healthcare chaplains and to identify strategies to enhance health and well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare chaplains (n = 26) across Texas.

Quality of Cancer Recurrence Data in the National Cancer Database: A Reappraisal of Reporting Readiness.

Background: This study evaluated the quality of cancer recurrence data in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to determine if missingness and reporting consistency have improved enough to support national research.

Methods: This multi-methods study included NCDB analyses and a cancer registry staff survey. Trends in recurrence data missingness from 2004 to 2021 and multivariable analyses of factors associated with missingness from 2017 to 2021 were evaluated for 4,568,927 patients with non-metastatic cancer.

The efficacy of an embryonic stem cell-based vaccine for lung cancer prevention depends on the undifferentiated state of the stem cells.

Based on the antigenic similarity between tumor cells and embryonic stem cells (ESCs), several recent studies report the use of intact murine ESCs or exosomes from murine ESCs as cancer vaccines. Since the capacity for self-renewal is one of the most specialized properties shared between ESCs and a subset of tumor cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), we investigated whether the undifferentiated state of murine ESCs is essential for the prophylactic effectiveness of an ESC-based vaccine. The undifferentiated state of ES-D3, a murine ESC line, was essential for their anchorage-independent growth potential.

Effectiveness of Internet-Based Personalized Normative Feedback Among Individuals Experiencing Problem Gambling: Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to examine whether fully automated and Internet-based personalized normative feedback (GAMCHECK) improves problem gambling symptoms and behaviors. We used a randomized parallel-group superiority design to examine whether GAMCHECK would be more effective than an assessment-only (AO) condition at 12-week follow-up. This study was conducted online using questionnaires and the LINE app.

Identifying Factors that Influence Pediatric Echo Lab Image Quality: Development and Validation of a New Assessment Tool.

No method of evaluating transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) image quality (IQ) has been validated. Furthermore, structural echo lab elements impacting IQ are unknown. We sought to develop and validate a TTE IQ grading tool and determine patient and echo lab features associated with IQ.

Dissociated response and treatment outcome with immune checkpoint blockade in advanced cancer.

Immune-related dissociated response (DR) has been recently recognized and have become a subject of ongoing interest. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the frequency, treatment outcome, and predictors of DR in cancer patients with immune checkpoint inhibitors. We retrospectively collected clinicopathological data from a cohort of patients with cancer who received PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based monotherapy or combination therapy at a single institution (developing cohort).

Fetal Characteristics and Perinatal Outcomes in Tetralogy of Fallot Without a Ductus Arteriosus.

Absence of the ductus arteriosus (DA) is common in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), occurring in up to 30% of cases. Yet, the clinical course and fetal echocardiographic features are not well described, limiting prenatal counseling. This study examines the fetal echocardiographic characteristics and perinatal outcomes in children with TOF absent DA (TOF/ADA), comparing them to those with a DA (TOF/DA).

Haplotyping-based preimplantation genetic testing for inherited cardiovascular disease: a multidisciplinary approach.

Given the high morbidity, mortality, and hereditary risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), their prevention and control have garnered widespread attention and remain central to clinical research. This study aims to assess the feasibility and necessity of haplotyping-based preimplantation genetic testing for the prevention of inherited CVD. A total of 15 preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic defect (PGT-M) cycles were performed in 12 CVD families from January 2016 to July 2022.

Investigating grouting body nonuniform expansion in anisotropic underground soil mechanics.

An improved method tailored for anisotropic soft soils is presented, integrating theoretical models and field data to calculate the grouting quantity required for tunnel foundations. Given the complexities of soil interactions, particularly under variable geological conditions, this approach incorporates nonlinear behaviors and empirical field data to improve accuracy. Our findings reveal that integrating these theoretical frameworks significantly enhances the understanding of stress-strain behavior during grouting, enabling precise calculations of both axial and vertical expansion.

Regulation of Paneth cell-specific genes in COVID-19 patients and SARS-CoV-2-infected mice by quantification of mRNA from exfoliated cells in stool samples.

The Paneth cell, a secretory cell of the small intestine, expresses numerous host defense proteins, and is hypothesized to play an important role in host defense against infection. However, studying gene expression in this cell requires invasive procedures. To test the hypothesis that we could observe Paneth cell-specific gene regulation from exfoliated cells in infectious conditions, we obtained stool samples from patients with COVID-19 and uninfected controls.

Human respiratory organoids sustained reproducible propagation of human rhinovirus C and elucidation of virus-host interaction.

The lack of a robust system to reproducibly propagate HRV-C, a family of viruses refractory to cultivation in standard cell lines, has substantially hindered our understanding of this common respiratory pathogen. We sought to develop an organoid-based system to reproducibly propagate HRV-C, and characterize virus-host interaction using respiratory organoids. We demonstrate that airway organoids sustain serial virus passage with the aid of CYT387-mediated immunosuppression, whereas nasal organoids that more closely simulate the upper airway achieve this without any intervention.

Grain engineering for efficient near-infrared perovskite light-emitting diodes.

Metal halide perovskites show promise for next-generation light-emitting diodes, particularly in the near-infrared range, where they outperform organic and quantum-dot counterparts. However, they still fall short of costly III-V semiconductor devices, which achieve external quantum efficiencies above 30% with high brightness. Among several factors, controlling grain growth and nanoscale morphology is crucial for further enhancing device performance.

Downregulation of semaphorin 4A in keratinocytes reflects the features of non-lesional psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a multifactorial disorder mediated by IL-17-producing T cells, involving immune cells and skin-constituting cells. Semaphorin 4A (Sema4A), an immune semaphorin, is known to take part in T helper type 1/17 differentiation and activation. However, Sema4A is also crucial for maintaining peripheral tissue homeostasis and its involvement in skin remains unknown.

Global, regional and national burden due to retinoblastoma in children aged younger than 10 years from 1990 to 2021.

Background: Retinoblastoma (RB), an aggressive intraocular malignancy, significantly adds to the global disease burden in early childhood. This study offers insights into the global burden of retinoblastoma (RB) in children aged 0-9 years, examining incidence, mortality, and DALYs from 1990 to 2021, across age, sex, location, and SDI levels. It aims to inform health policy, resource allocation, and RB combat strategies.

Comparing combined paravaginal repair with pubocervical fascia plication versus standard anterior colporrhaphy for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is prevalent among women, often occurring alongside anterior vaginal wall prolapse. This study compares the efficacy and safety of an improved vaginal wall repair technique with pubocervical fascia fixation versus standard anterior colporrhaphy for treating SUI in women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Methods: A single-centre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial was conducted between September 2021 and June 2024.

Deep learning radiomics on grayscale ultrasound images assists in diagnosing benign and malignant of BI-RADS 4 lesions.

This study aimed to explore a deep learning radiomics (DLR) model based on grayscale ultrasound images to assist radiologists in distinguishing between benign breast lesions (BBL) and malignant breast lesions (MBL). A total of 382 patients with breast lesions were included, comprising 183 benign lesions and 199 malignant lesions that were collected and confirmed through clinical pathology or biopsy. The enrolled patients were randomly allocated into two groups: a training cohort and an independent test cohort, maintaining a ratio of 7:3.

Development and validation of a nomogram for failure to collect oocytes in POSEIDON Groups 3 and 4 undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.

This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for failure to collect oocytes in the Patient-Oriented Strategies Encompassing Individualized Oocyte Number (POSEIDON) Groups 3 and 4 during their first in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycle. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients in POSEIDON Groups 3 and 4 who underwent their first IVF/ICSI cycle at our center from January 2016 to December 2023. A total of 2,373 patients were randomly assigned to the training or validation cohort at a ratio of 6:4.