Immune checkpoint inhibitors plus taxane-based chemotherapy for patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC: a systematic review and meta-analysis across different PD-L1 expression levels.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are currently the primary approach for managing NSCLC. However, numerous combination therapies are currently under investigation. Our goal is to investigate the overall efficacy and safety of ICIs and taxane-based chemotherapy.

Use of Electronic Health Records to Identify Factors Related to Skin Changes in Terminal Patients.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of skin changes at life's end (SCALE) among hospice patients and identify associated factors.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of demographic data, medical history, Braden Scale assessment scores, Charlson Comorbidity Index, symptom records, and medical treatments of patients admitted to a local teaching hospital's hospice unit between May 2019 and April 2021.

Results: Most (79%) of the 300 hospice patients included in the study had cancer.

Evaluation of Oncology/Hematology Nurses' Proficiency in Assessing Lower-Extremity Skin and Edema in Patients with Cancer: An Observational Study.

Objective: To assess the competency of oncology/hematology nurses in evaluating the lower extremities of patients with cancer for skin conditions and edema.

Methods: This prospective and descriptive observational study was conducted with patients in a university hospital's 48-bed oncology/hematology service. Patients with cancer admitted to the oncology/hematology service were examined independently by three evaluators (two nurse researchers and the patient's primary nurse) daily.

Alarmin' lymphoid developments.

The alarmin cytokine IL-33 stimulates the formation of immune hubs within otherwise "cold" tumors.

Toll-like receptor 1/2 activation reduces immunoglobulin free light chain production by multiple myeloma cells in the context of bone marrow stromal cells and fibronectin.

Toll-like receptor (TLRs) activation in multiple myeloma (MM) cells induces heterogeneous functional responses including cell growth and proliferation, survival or apoptosis. These effects have been suggested to be partly due to increase in secretion of cytokines such as IL-6 or IFNα among others from MM cells following TLR activation. However, whether triggering of these receptors also modulates production of immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs), which largely contribute to MM pathology, has not been investigated in MM cells before.

A clinical study exploring the prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma through the use of combined enhanced CT and MRI radiomics.

Objective: To develop a predictive model for microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through radiomics analysis, integrating data from both enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 93 HCC patients who underwent partial hepatectomy. The gold standard for MVI was based on the histopathological diagnosis of the tissue.

Fertility before and after treatment of the patient with Leydig cell tumor - case report.

Even though Leydig cell tumor (LCT) represents the most common neoplasia among testicular sex cord-stromal tumors (SCSTs), it is a rare condition, comprising 1-2% of all testicular tumors, with a 10% risk of malignancy most commonly located in retroperitoneal lymph nodes. LCTs may demonstrate various clinical manifestations - from asymptomatic intratesticular swelling through nonspecific symptoms such as loss of libido, impotence or infertility, up to feminizing or virilizing syndromes due to hormonal activity of the tumor. This article presents a case of Leydig cell tumor that was associated with azoospermia what have rarely been reported worldwide.

Laparoscopic treatment of perineal hernia after previous abdominal perineal rectal resection due to cancer. Case report.

The aim of this study is to present a case of laparoscopic treatment of perineal hernia in a patient after abdominoperineal resection od the rectum. We present the case of a 63-year-old woman who was operated on laparoscopically with a mesh sewn in at the level of the sacrum, iliac vessels and pubic symphysis. And covered with a peritoneal flap above the urinary bladder.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of SOX-10 in patients with urinary bladder cancer.

Objective: Aim: To evaluate the expression levels of SOX-10 in tissues of bladder tumor and to prove the correlation between SOX-10 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of bladder tumors, including patient age, sex, tumor grade, and muscle invasion.

Patients And Methods: Materials and Methods: Forty formalin fixed paraffin embedded FFPE tissue blocks gathered by transurethral resection of bladder tumor are collected from teaching hospitals at Al-Najaf governorate. Those blocks were stained by hematoxylin and eosin.

Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic leaf extract of Cordia myxa and its anti-Inflammatory and cytotoxic activities.

Objective: Aim: Testing Cordia myxa extract on colon cancer cell line and caspase-3 gene and COX-2 protein expression.

Patients And Methods: Materials and Methods: This study used Cordia myxa ethanolic extract at various dosages on SW480 cells. Cell proliferation was measured using MTT, also examined effect of Cordia myxa extract on caspase-3 gene expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of GATA-3 in patients with urinary bladder cancer.

Objective: Aim: To analyze expression levels of GATA-3 in bladder tumor tissues and to prove a relation between expression of GATA-3 and clinicopathological characteristics of bladder tumors, including patient age, sex, tumor grade, and muscle invasion.

Patients And Methods: Materials and Methods: Forty formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks obtained from bladder tumor by transurethral resection are collected from teaching hospitals at Al-Najaf governorate. Those blocks are stained by using hematoxylin and eosin stain.

Deciphering the dose-dependent effects of thymoquinone on cellular proliferation and transcriptomic changes in A172 glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most prevalent primary malignant brain tumor in adults, exhibits a dismal 6.9% five-year survival rate post-diagnosis. Thymoquinone (TQ), the most abundant bioactive compound in Nigella sativa, has been extensively researched for its anticancer properties across various human cancers.

Association of preoperative body mass index with postoperative complications and survival for patients with gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The relationship among body mass index (BMI), postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate this association using a meta-analysis.

Method: We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to February 25, 2024.

Triethylamine-mediated protonation-deprotonation unlocks dual-drug self assembly to suppress breast cancer progression and metastasis.

Carrier-free nanomedicines exhibited significant potential in elevating drug efficacy and safety for tumor management, yet their self assembly typically relied on chemical modifications of drugs or the incorporation of surfactants, thereby compromising the drug's inherent pharmacological activity. To address this challenge, we proposed a triethylamine (TEA)-mediated protonation-deprotonation strategy that enabled the adjustable-proportion self assembly of dual drugs without chemical modification, achieving nearly 100% drug loading capacity. Molecular dynamic simulations, supported by experiment evidence, elucidated the underlying self-assembly mechanism.

Neomorphic leukemia-derived mutations in the TET2 enzyme induce genome instability via a substrate shift from 5-methylcytosine to thymine.

Ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes oxidize 5-methylcytosine (mC) in DNA, contributing to the regulation of gene transcription. Diverse mutations of TET2 are frequently found in various blood cancers, yet the full scope of their functional consequences has been unexplored. Here, we report that a subset of TET2 mutations identified in leukemia patients alter the substrate specificity of TET2 from acting on mC to thymine.

Assessing the influence of the modifiable areal unit problem on Bayesian disease mapping in Queensland, Australia.

Background: Spatial data are often aggregated by area to protect the confidentiality of individuals and aid the calculation of pertinent risks and rates. However, the analysis of spatially aggregated data is susceptible to the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP), which arises when inference varies with boundary or aggregation changes. While the impact of the MAUP has been examined previously, typically these studies have focused on well-populated areas.

CD19-CAR T-cell therapy induces deep tissue depletion of B cells.

Objectives: CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy can induce long-term drug-free remission in patients with autoimmune diseases (AIDs). The efficacy of CD19-CAR T-cell therapy is presumably based on deep tissue depletion of B cells; however, such effect has not been proven in humans in vivo.

Methods: Sequential ultrasound-guided inguinal lymph node biopsies were performed at baseline and after CD19-CAR T-cell therapy in patients with AIDs.

The Effectiveness of Nonpharmacological Interventions to Reduce Procedural Pain of Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Relieving procedural pain in pediatric oncology is an important facilitator of the cancer treatment process.

Objective: To synthesize the effect of nonpharmacological interventions on reducing the procedural pain of pediatric oncology patients in randomized controlled trials.

Methods: A meta-analysis and systematic review for randomized controlled trials.

Deciphering the interplay between SETD2 mediated H3K36me3 and RNA N6-methyladenosine in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays diverse roles in RNA metabolism and its deregulation contributes to tumor initiation and progression. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is characterized by near ubiquitous loss of followed by mutations in epigenetic regulators , , and . Mutations in , a histone H3 lysine 36 trimethylase (H3K36me3), are associated with reduced survival, greater metastatic propensity, and metabolic reprogramming.

Lobaric acid suppresses the stemness potential of colorectal cancer cells through mTOR/AKT.

Stereocaulon alpinum has been found to have potential pharmaceutical properties due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as usnic acid, atranorin, and lobaric acid (LA) which have anticancer activity. On the other hand, the effect of LA on the stemness potential of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells remains unexplored, and has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we examined the inhibitory activity of LA from Stereocaulon alpinum against the stemness potential of CRC cells and investigated the possible underlying mechanisms.

Silyl Triflate-Promoted Sulfonylations.

Sulfonamides are prevalent functional groups represented in both natural and pharmaceutical products. The synthesis of sulfonamides is often straightforward when using nucleophilic amines and electrophilic sulfonyl chlorides. When reactivity challenges arise for nontraditional substrates, harsh conditions or new synthetic routes may be required.

A Machine Learning Approach Using Topic Modeling to Identify and Assess Experiences of Patients With Colorectal Cancer: Explorative Study.

Background: The rising number of cancer survivors and the shortage of health care professionals challenge the accessibility of cancer care. Health technologies are necessary for sustaining optimal patient journeys. To understand individuals' daily lives during their patient journey, qualitative studies are crucial.

Selected plant extracts and female fertility: role in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis in normal and pathological conditions.

Female infertility, which affects 10-20% of couples worldwide, is a growing health concern in developing countries. It can be caused by multiple factors, including reproductive disorders, hormonal dysfunctions, congenital malformations and infections. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that plant extracts regulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone, kisspeptin, and gonadotropin expression and/or secretion at the hypothalamic-pituitary level and modulate somatic and germ cells, such as steroidogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress at the ovarian level.

Improved insulin sensitivity and reproductive profile in overweight/obese PCOS patients undergoing integrative treatment with carnitines, L-arginine, L-cysteine and myo-inositol.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a combination of carnitines, L-arginine, L-cysteine and myo-inositol on metabolic and reproductive parameters in PCOS overweight/obese patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective study analyzing information of a group of PCOS ( = 25) overweight/obesity patients, not requiring hormonal treatment, selected from the database of the ambulatory clinic of the Gynecological Endocrinology Center at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. The hormonal profile, routine exams and insulin and C-peptide response to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of a daily oral complementary treatment with L-carnitine (500 mg), acetyl-L-carnitine (250 mg), L-arginine (500 mg), L-cysteine (100 mg) and myo-inositol (1 gr).