The multiple mediating effects of cancer threat appraisal and quality of life on the association between mindfulness and depression for colorectal cancer survivors.

Objective: This study explored the multiple mediating effects of cancer threat appraisal, functional status, and symptom distress on the association between mindfulness and depression in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients at the transition stage after completing cancer treatments.

Methods: A total of 90 CRC survivors who received cancer treatments within 3 months participated in this cross-sectional study. The functional status and symptom distress (EORTC-C30 and EORTC CR29), dispositional mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire), cancer threat appraisal ( Constructed Meaning Scale), and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II scale) were collected.

Charlson comorbidity index predicts outcomes of elderly after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Background/purpose: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains the curative therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), but advanced age with multiple comorbidities limits the eligibility for allo-HSCT. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the comorbidities assessments and prognostic factors that predict outcomes for these patients.

Methods: Clinical data of patients older than 50 years who had received diagnoses of AML or MDS and underwent allo-HSCT were obtained.

The Financial Impact on Reimbursement of Moderately Hypofractionated Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer: An International Consortium Report.

Aims: Moderately hypofractionated breast irradiation has been evaluated in several prospective studies, resulting in wide acceptance of shorter treatment protocols for postoperative breast irradiation. Reimbursement for radiation therapy varies between private and public systems and between countries, impacting variably financial considerations in the use of hypofractionation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the financial impact of moderately hypofractionated breast irradiation by reimbursement system in different countries.

Amikacin Suppresses Human Breast Cancer Cell MDA-MB-231 Migration and Invasion.

(1) Background: Amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used for treating gram-negative bacterial infections in cancer patients. In this study, our aims are to investigate the migratory inhibition effects of amikacin in human MDA-MB-231 cells. (2) Methods: We used a wound-healing assay, trans-well analysis, Western blotting, immunostaining and siRNA knockdown approaches to investigate how amikacin influenced MDA-MB-231 cell migration and invasion.

Why Cannot BCLC 0- or A-Stage Patients Receive Curative Treatment?

Introduction: Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging has been an important clinical guideline for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). BCLC 0 and A stages (BCLC 0/A) have been designated as the early-stage HCC, and the curative treatment is recommended as the primary therapeutic modality. However, a recent study indicated that a significant number of BCLC 0/A patients were not initially managed with the curative treatment without knowing why.

Lenalidomide with dexamethasone to multiple myeloma patients relapsing from bortezomib-based induction therapies: A prospective, observational study.

Lenalidomide with dexamethasone (Len/Dex) is considered to be an effective and well-tolerated regimen to treat multiple myeloma (MM) patients relapsing after bortezomib induction therapy. With the increase in novel agents targeting refractory and relapsed MM, the identification of clinical or laboratory variables that can predict the appropriate candidates of Len/Dex is essential. To address this question, we prospectively assessed 38 adult MM patients who received bortezomib-based induction therapy and were administered Len/Dex for their first relapse.

The use of moderately hypofractionated post-operative radiation therapy for breast cancer in clinical practice: A critical review.

Post-operative radiation therapy (RT) reduces loco-regional recurrence rates and mortality in most patients with non-metastatic breast cancer. The aim of this critical review is to provide an overview of the applicability of moderately hypofractionated RT for breast cancer patients, focusing on factors influencing clinical decision-making. An international group of radiation oncologists agreed to assess, integrate, and interpret the existing evidence into a practical report to guide clinicians in their daily management of breast cancer patients.

Determinants of Breast-Conserving Therapy in the Asian Population: A Systematic Review.

Background: Treatment guidelines recommend breast-conserving therapy (BCT) for patients with early-stage breast cancer. However, Asian patients choose mastectomy over BCT, and the factors influencing this choice are unknown. This review aimed to identify the factors most frequently reported in the Eastern and Southeastern Asian population influencing the choice of BCT for treatment of early-stage breast cancer.

A panel of anti-influenza virus nucleoprotein antibodies selected from phage-displayed synthetic antibody libraries with rapid diagnostic capability to distinguish diverse influenza virus subtypes.

Immunoassays based on sandwich immuno-complexes of capture and detection antibodies simultaneously binding to the target analytes have been powerful technologies in molecular analyses. Recent developments in single molecule detection technologies enable the detection limit of the sandwich immunoassays approaching femtomolar (10 M), driving the needs of developing sensitive and specific antibodies for ever-increasingly broad applications in detecting and quantifying biomarkers. The key components underlying the sandwich immunoassays are antibody-based affinity reagents, for which the conventional sources are mono- or poly-clonal antibodies from immunized animals.

Perceptions and practices of spiritual care among hospice physicians and nurses in a Taiwanese tertiary hospital: a qualitative study.

Background: Spiritual care is frequently cited as a key component of hospice care in Taiwanese healthcare and beyond. The aim of this research is to gauge physicians and nurses' self-reported perspectives and clinical practices on the roles of their professions in addressing spiritual care in an inpatient palliative care unit in a tertiary hospital with Buddhist origins.

Methods: We performed semi-structured interviews with physicians and nurses working in hospice care over a year on their self-reported experiences in inpatient spiritual care.

The Induced Membrane Technique for the Management of Segmental Tibial Defect or Nonunion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To identify the predicting factors for union and infection after applying the induced membrane technique (IMT) for segmental tibial defects.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA guidelines. All databases were searched for articles published between January 2000 and February 2018 using the keywords "Masquelet technique" and "induced membrane technique.

DGM-CM6: A New Model to Predict Distant Recurrence Risk in Operable Endocrine-Responsive Breast Cancer.

To investigate the prognostic value of DGM-CM6 (Distant Genetic Model-Clinical variable Model 6) for endocrine-responsive breast cancer (ERBC) patients, we analyzed 752 operable breast cancer patients treated in a Taiwan cancer center from 2005 to 2014. Among them, 490 ERBC patients (identified by the PAM50 or immunohistochemistry method) were classified by DGM-CM6 into low- and high-risk groups (cutoff <33 and ≥33, respectively). Significant differences were observed between the DGM-CM6 low- and high-risk groups for 10-year distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) in both lymph node (LN)- ( < 0.

The Effects of Neoadjuvant Treatment on the Tumor Microenvironment in Rectal Cancer: Implications for Immune Activation and Therapy Response.

Background: Because more than one neoadjuvant treatment is available for advanced rectal cancer, the aim of this study was to compare the differential clinical and pathologic effects of different combinations of chemoradiation regimens, treatment sequencing, and timing to surgery on patient outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Between January 2015 and October 2018, 126 newly diagnosed patients with rectal cancer with magnetic resonance imaging-based cT3-4 or N+ rectal disease for curative-intent treatment received 1 of 4 neoadjuvant regimens, followed by immediate surgery or delayed surgery. Whole post-neoadjuvant surgical specimens were assessed by 3-dimensional digital whole-tumor microarray imaging and immunostaining in pathology to analyze the global tumor pathologic regression grades, residual tumor distribution patterns, the extent of lymphovascular permeation, lymph node positivity, and the overall density of lymphocyte infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.

Health state utilities for metastatic breast cancer in Taiwan.

Background: New developments in medications for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) can be of great benefit to patients, but unfortunately these medicines also increase expenditures. Cost-utility analyses (CUAs) are needed to allocate health resources properly, and health utility values are required to calculate quality-adjusted life years in those CUAs.

Objective: The aims of this study were to measure health utility values for several MBC-related health states and certain breast cancer treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

A new clinical-genomic model to predict 10-year recurrence risk in primary operable breast cancer patients.

This study aimed to validate the long-term prognostic value of a new clinical-genomic model, Distant Genetic Model-Clinical Variable Model 6 (DGM-CM6), developed in Asia as a prognostic panel for all subtypes of breast cancer. We included 752 operable stage I-III breast cancer patients representing all subtypes treated from 2005 to 2014 as the validation cohort. The median follow-up was 95.

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through the elevated level of IgA antibody against Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen: A mediation analysis.

Background: The study aims are to evaluate the associations between nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk and cigarette smoking and to explore the effects of cigarette smoking on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection for NPC risk.

Methods: 1235 male NPC cases and 1262 hospital-based male controls matched to cases were recruited across six collaborative hospitals between 2010 and 2014. Using a standardized questionnaire, information on cigarette smoking and other potential risk factors for NPC was obtained.

End-of-life care in cancer and dementia: a nationwide population-based study of palliative care policy changes.

Objectives: The National Health Insurance programme started providing coverage for inpatient care in palliative care (PC) units of acute care hospitals in 2000; however, initially, only PC provided to patients with terminal cancer was covered. A PC policy that enabled PC reimbursement for patients with dementia was implemented in 2009. However, the association of this PC policy with end-of-life care remains unclear.