Psychometric Evaluation of the Good Death Index from Patients with Terminal Cancer's Perspectives: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Patients with terminal illness often experience significant physical and mental suffering. This distress affects the patients themselves, as they endure the pain of their condition and their family members, who are affected by the patient's situation and medical decisions. Furthermore, exploring the patients' and their families' concepts of a "good death" is crucial for reflecting on the value of life and for planning treatment or care models (such as advance care planning).

Hypoxia-induced translation of collagen-modifying enzymes PLOD2 and P4HA1 is dependent on RBM4 and eIF4E2 in human colon cancer HCT116 cells.

Hypoxia is a critical microenvironmental factor that induces tumorigenesis and cancer progression, including metastasis. The highly dynamic nature of the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in metastasis. Collagens are the predominant component of structural proteins embedded within the ECM.

Deep learning for endometrial cancer subtyping and predicting tumor mutational burden from histopathological slides.

Endometrial cancer (EC) diagnosis traditionally relies on tumor morphology and nuclear grade, but personalized therapy demands a deeper understanding of tumor mutational burden (TMB), i.e., a key biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibition and immunotherapy response.

Protective effect of a novel smoke evacuation device during laparoscopic surgery: An experimental proof-of-concept study.

Background: Surgical smoke generated by energy devices poses health risks to medical staff. During laparoscopic surgery, the smoke aggregating around the camera obstructs the visual field, forcing surgeons to interrupt surgery, and may increase surgical risk. We propose a proximal smoke evacuation method to improve surgical quality by effectively eliminating surgical smoke.

Advancing Precision Therapy for Colorectal Cancer: Developing Clinical Indications for Multi-target Kinase Inhibitor BPR1J481 Using Patient-Derived Xenograft Models.

The large and rapid increase in the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) demonstrates the urgent need for new drugs with higher efficacy to treat CRC. However, the lack of applicable and reliable preclinical models significantly hinders the progress of drug development. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are currently considered reliable in vivo preclinical models for predicting drug efficacy in cancer patients.

The first attempt in synthesis, identification, and evaluation of SEPT9 inhibitors on human oral squamous carcinomas.

Septin 9 (SEPT9), a GTPase, known as the fourth cytoskeleton, is widely expressed in various cells and tissues. The functions of SEPT9 are partly similar to other cytoskeletons as a structure protein. Further, SEPT9 can interact with other cytoskeletons, participating in actin dynamics and microtubule regulation.

Early prediction of mortality upon intensive care unit admission.

Background: We aimed to develop and validate models for predicting intensive care unit (ICU) mortality of critically ill adult patients as early as upon ICU admission.

Methods: Combined data of 79,657 admissions from two teaching hospitals' ICU databases were used to train and validate the machine learning models to predict ICU mortality upon ICU admission and at 24 h after ICU admission by using logistic regression, gradient boosted trees (GBT), and deep learning algorithms.

Results: In the testing dataset for the admission models, the ICU mortality rate was 7%, and 38.

Abemaciclib Plus Fulvestrant in Advanced Breast Cancer Following Progression on CDK4/6 Inhibition: Results from the Phase III postMONARCH Trial.

Purpose: Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) combined with endocrine therapy (ET) are the standard first-line treatment for hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC); however, disease progression occurs in almost all patients and additional treatment options are needed. Herein we report outcomes of the postMONARCH trial investigating a switch in ET with/without CDK4/6 inhibition with abemaciclib after disease progression on CDK4/6i.

Methods: This double-blind, randomized Phase III study enrolled patients with disease progression on prior CDK4/6i plus aromatase inhibitor as initial therapy for advanced disease or recurrence on/after adjuvant CDK4/6i+ET.

Whole-Body and Segmental Phase Angles and Cognitive Function in the Older Korean Population: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background: Recently, the phase angle (PhA) has emerged as an essential indicator of cellular health. Most studies have examined its association with physiological conditions, such as sarcopenia, frailty, and physical function, in older populations. Simultaneously, growing attention is being paid to the clinical relevance of segmental PhAs for future applications.

Realizing Highly Stable Quasi-2D Blue Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes Using Energy Cascades Generated by Biomolecule-Derived Plasmonic Nanostructures.

Blue perovskite light-emitting diodes (LEDs) lag behind green and red LEDs, which have made considerable strides in efficiency and stability. The main disadvantage is its unmodulated phase domains and low energy transfer efficiency, which impede the efficiency, optical purity, and operational stability of the devices. Herein, we show that using biomolecule-derived plasmonic nanostructures can significantly promote defect passivation, van der Waals gap reduction, and cascade energy transfer through synergistic small-molecule interactions and localized surface plasmonic contributions, thereby improving the electroluminescence (EL) properties and operational stability.

The relationship between tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and KCNJ5 mutation in aldosterone-producing adenoma patients.

KCNJ5 somatic mutations in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) are linked to higher left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and worse diastolic function. We previously identified an association between plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and an aldosterone-induced increase in LVMI and diastolic dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence of KCNJ5 somatic mutation and plasma TIMP-1 in APA patients.

Characterization and Safety Evaluation of Autoclaved Gut Commensal RV-01.

Gut commensals play important roles in maintaining the homeostasis of human health. Previous studies indicated that the abundance of in animal hosts was increased by the administration of prebiotics such as polysaccharides purified from iconic oriental medicinal fungi. Subsequently, was found to exert beneficial effects on the amelioration of multiple chronic inflammation-associated diseases.

Application of Microwave-Assisted Water Extraction (MAWE) to Fully Realize Various Physiological Activities of Leaf Extract.

is widely grown in tropical areas worldwide. Studies have demonstrated that extracts of its buds, leaves, and branches obtained through hydrodistillation, steam distillation, or solvent extraction exhibit physiological activities, including anti-melanogenic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties; nevertheless, such extracts are mostly not effectively collected or adequately utilized. Accordingly, this study applied a rapid, effective, and easy-to-operate microwave-assisted water extraction (MAWE) technique for the first time to prepare leaf extract (MLE) with improved physiological activities.

Trajectories and Decline of Serum Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Predict Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: The kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels during long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy remains unclear. We delineated the kinetics of HBsAg and analyzed its association with long-term treatment outcomes.

Methods: We enrolled 912 treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who had received NA therapy for >12 months and analyzed the kinetic patterns through group-based trajectory models (GBTMs).

A deep learning approach for the screening of referable age-related macular degeneration - Model development and external validation.

Purpose: To develop a deep learning image assessment software, VeriSee™ AMD, and to validate its accuracy in diagnosing referable age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: For model development, a total of 6801 judgable 45-degree color fundus images from patients, aged 50 years and over, were collected. These images were assessed for AMD severity by ophthalmologists, according to the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS) AMD category.

Validation and clinical implications of higher intercostal space electrocardiography in the patient with Brugada syndrome in Taiwan (SADS-TW BrS registry).

Background: Diagnosis of Brugada syndrome (BrS) is based on type 1 morphology (coved type) in electrocardiograms from standard (4) or higher (2 or 3) intercostal spaces (ICSs). However, the clinical implications of being diagnosed only at higher ICSs remains poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of higher ICS leads in the Taiwanese Brugada syndrome population and clarify if there is any difference in clinical presentation.

The novel role of LOC344887 in the enhancement of hepatocellular carcinoma progression via modulation of SHP1-regulated STAT3/HMGA2 signaling axis.

Pseudogene-derived long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have become crucial regulators in cancer progression. Extensive research highlights the pivotal role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in promoting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. As a result, targeting aberrant STAT3 activation presents a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Long-acting injectable antipsychotic use in patients with bipolar disorder: Findings from the REAP-BD study.

Aims: This study aimed to assess treatment patterns and the effectiveness of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) across various Asian countries. The study focused on comparing the choices of LAIs, other psychotropic medications, and their psychotropic drug load to explore real-world usage and evaluate the potential benefits of LAIs in BD treatment across different countries.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with BD patients diagnosed according to ICD-10-CM codes F31.

Reduced Deltex1 expression in T cells indicates increased disease activity in Sjögren's disease.

Objectives: Deltex1 is a transcriptional target of NFAT that promotes T cell anergy. However, whether Deltex1 affects the properties of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are involved in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's disease (SjD), is unknown.

Methods: T cells were purified from peripheral blood using a negative selection method.

Search for violation in decays in proton-proton collisions at .

A search is reported for charge-parity violation in decays, using data collected in proton-proton collisions at recorded by the CMS experiment in 2018. The analysis uses a dedicated data set that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 41.6 , which consists of about 10 billion events containing a pair of b hadrons, nearly all of which decay to charm hadrons.

Signatures of lower respiratory tract microbiome in children with severe community-acquired pneumonia using shotgun metagenomic sequencing.

Background: Severe community-acquired pneumonia was associated with high morbidity and mortality in children. However, species-level microbiome of lower airway was sparse, and we used shotgun metagenomic next-generation sequencing to explore microbial signatures.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to recruit children under 18 who required admission to an intensive care unit for community-acquired pneumonia between December 2019 and February 2022.

Chemical characterization, neuroprotective effect, and evaluation of the petroleum ether extract of three palm tree species against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in rats.

The burden of neurological disorders is growing substantially with limited therapeutic options, urging the consideration and assessment of alternative strategies. In this regard, we aimed to elucidate the phytochemical profile of the petroleum ether extract (PEE) of three palm tree species: Burret, H. Wendl.