SCC Group Research Articles

Impact of select actionable genomic alterations on efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundNeoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved survival outcomes compared with chemotherapy in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the impact of actionable genomic alterations (AGAs) on the efficacy...

AROMHA Brain Health Test: A Remote Olfactory Assessment as a Screen for Cognitive Impairment.

Cost-effective, noninvasive screening methods for preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurocognitive disorders remain an unmet need. The olfactory neural circuits develop AD pathological changes prior to symptom onset. To probe these vulnerable circuits, we developed the digital remote AROMHA Brain Health Test (ABHT), an at-home odor identification, discrimination, memory, and intensity assessment. The ABHT was self-administered among cognitively normal (CN) English and Spanish speakers (n=127), participants with subjective cognitive complaints (SCC; n=34), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n=19). Self-administered tests took place remotely at home under unobserved (among interested CN participants) and observed modalities (CN, SCC, and MCI), as well as in-person with a research assistant present (CN, SCC, and MCI). Olfactory performance was similar across observed and unobserved remote self-administration and between English and Spanish speakers. Odor memory, identification, and discrimination scores decreased with age, and olfactory identification and discrimination were lower in the MCI group compared to CN and SCC groups, independent of age, sex, and education. The ABHT revealed age-related olfactory decline, and discriminated CN older adults from those with cognitive impairment. Replication of our results in other populations would support the use of the ABHT to identify and monitor individuals at risk for developing dementia.

Outcomes of astigmatic correction with and without two different cyclotorsion compensation methods in small incision lenticule extraction surgery

PurposeTo compare the astigmatic correction outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery with or without two different cyclotorsion compensation methods. MethodsThis is a prospective randomized clinical trial. Patients with myopic astigmatism that underwent SMILE surgery were randomly divided into static cyclotorsion compensated group (SCC group), slit-lamp group and control group. In the SCC and slit-lamp groups, the intraoperative cyclotorsion was manually compensated with different limbal marking methods. In the control group, the cyclotorsion was not compensated. Visual acuity and manifest refraction were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Astigmatic outcomes were estimated with vector analysis. ResultsA total of 94 eyes from 94 patients were analyzed postoperatively at the 3-month follow-up. Their mean preoperative cylinder was -1.56±0.86 D (range: -4.25 to -0.25 D). The mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -5.95±1.72 D (range: -10.50 to -2.75 D). All groups showed favorable results in the correction of myopic astigmatism. No statistically differences were found among three groups in postoperative visual acuity, refractive outcomes or vector parameters. ConclusionCyclotorsion compensation with two different manual limbal marking methods was helpful in aligning the surgical position in SMILE, but it was not as effective as expected for the correction of myopic astigmatism under well controlled surgical positioning.

Study on the relationship between Methylation of Neuregulin (NRG) Gene and Cervical Carcinoma.

To investigate the relationship between the DNA methylation state of NRG1 promoter and its expression changes, and to analyze the clinical significance of its regulatory mechanism of DNA methylation in cervical carcinoma. This was a retrospective study. One-hundred and twenty patients from the Department of Gynecology of Cangzhou People's Hospital from September 2017 to September 2019 were selected, including 40 cases of cervical SCC, 40 cases of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HSIL) and 40 cases of control cervical tissues. RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry and DNA methylation-specific PCR(MSP) were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of NRG1 and DNA methylation status in different tissue types. Immunohistochemical results showed that the positive protein expression rate of NRG1 gene in the SCC group was lower than that in both HSIL and Control groups. RT-qPCR results showed that the mRNA gene of NRG1 gradually decreased in expression with the increase of cervical tissue lesions, with a statistically significant difference. Similarly, it also found that the mRNA expression level of NRG1 in the SCC group was independent of patients' age (p>0.05), but significantly correlated with tumor pathological staging, surgical pathology staging and lymphatic metastasis (p<0.05). Furthermore, methylation-specific PCR results revealed a significantly higher DNA methylation rate of NRG1 gene in the SCC group than in both HSIL and Control groups, with a statistically significant difference. Moreover, the methylation degree of NRG1 gene in SCC tissues was negatively correlated with its mRNA expression (p<0.05). Abnormal DNA hypermethylation of NRG1 gene inhibits the expression of mRNA and protein in the progression of cervical tissue from normal to cancerous state, which is involved in the occurrence and development of cervical carcinoma.

Prognostic risk factors of buccal squamous cell carcinoma: A case-control study.

To describe the clinicopathologic presentation of buccal squamous cell carcinoma and identify risks factors for recurrence and overall survival. This is a retrospective case-control study of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) treated at a single tertiary care center between 2010 and 2022. All patients with buccal subsite OCSCC treated during this time frame were included and paired with a randomly selected age and gender matched patient with non-buccal OCSCC. Relevant data was collected via chart review. Seventy-seven patients with buccal SCC were matched with 77 non-buccal OCSCC controls. The median follow-up time was 27 months (IQR 14-61). Median age was 67 years (IQR 57-75) and 53% of the cohort was female. Twenty (26%) buccal SCC patients experienced a recurrence versus 19 (25%) in the controls. Age ≥65-years-old increased odds of all-cause mortality in the buccal SCC group, but not in the control group. Perineural invasion and positive margins increased odds of recurrence in the buccal group only. Overall survival and progression-free survival did not differ between the groups, despite a greater number of T2 buccal tumors and T1 non-buccal tumors. Buccal SCC presents at a higher T stage than other oral cavity SCC subsite and may exhibit variance in the pathologic risk factors that predict poor outcomes versus non-buccal OCSCC. Despite these relatively minor differences, however, oncologic outcomes between these groups were similar.

Evaluation of Mir-1290 as a Possible Diagnostic Factor in the Serum of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients with Qualitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.

This study aimed to determine the incidence of microRNA (miRNA; miR-1290) in the serum of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients compared to a control group using the qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Blood serum samples were obtained from patients diagnosed with OSCC and confirmed through biopsy. The samples were collected from patients referred to the Mashhad Dental Faculty and Ghaem Hospital. The OSCC group consisted of 17 patients, while the healthy group included 15 individuals. RNA was extracted from the patient samples, and samples with an A260/280 ratio between 1.8 and 2.0 (indicating acceptable RNA quality) were immediately converted into complementary DNA (cDNA) using albumin and cDNA reference genes. The SYBR green real-time reverse transcriptase PCR method was used to measure the presence of miR-1290 in the blood samples. A total of 32 patients were examined in this study, including 17 women (53.1%) and 15 men (46.9%). The mean age was 46.7 years in the healthy group and 54.6 years in the SCC group, indicating a significant difference (P<0.05). The expression level of the miR-1290 gene was higher in patients with SCC compared to the healthy group (P=0.000). While the expression level of miR-1290 was higher in grade 3 and advanced stage than in grades 2 and 1 and early stage, the differences were not statistically significant (P=0.173 and P=0.564 for grade and stage, respectively). The expression level of miR-1290 may increase in SCC patients compared to healthy individuals, making it a potential circulating biomarker. Further investigations for diagnostic utility would be warranted.

CETP gene polymorphisms and haplotypes are explanatory variables for HDL cholesterol level in sickle cell disease.

Variations in lipid profile have been observed in sickle cell disease (SCD) and understanding their relationship with disease severity is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the association of polymorphisms of the CETP gene and laboratory markers of disease severity with lipid profile in a pediatric population with SCD. Biochemical and anthropometric analyses and CETP and alpha-thalassemia genotyping were performed. The study included 133 children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA) or hemoglobin SC disease (SCC), in steady-state. The SCA and no hydroxyurea (no HU) groups had higher values of ApoB, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) compared to the SCC and HU groups. However, there were no significant differences in ApoA1 and HDL-C levels between the groups based on genotype. Furthermore, the groups with altered levels of ApoA1, HDL-C, and the triglyceride/HDL ratio exhibited lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels and higher white blood cell counts. Hb level was associated to HDL-C levels. Analysis of CETP gene variants showed that the minor alleles of rs3764261 (C>A), rs247616 (C>T), and rs183130 (C>T), as well as the TTA haplotype, are explanatory variables for HDL-C levels. These findings suggested that dyslipidemia in SCD, specifically related to HDL-C levels, may be influenced by individual genetic background. Additionally, further investigation is needed to determine if clinical manifestations are impacted by CETP gene variants.

SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE CONCERNS AND 5-YEAR NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TRAJECTORIES IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Abstract Subjective cognitive concerns (SCC) are often associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related cognitive declines in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals. However, it is unknown whether the same is true for CU individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Therefore, this study examined relationships between SCC and 5-year neuropsychological trajectories in CU individuals with newly-diagnosed PD (mean age=60.45 years; 35.2% female) in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) cohort. Participants were classified as having SCC (n=52) or no SCC (n=204) based on participant or caregiver report for item 1 on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, part 1. First, baseline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers were examined by SCC group. Next, linear mixed effects models, adjusting for age, education, sex/gender, APOE genotype, psychiatric factors, and motor symptoms examined 5-year trajectories of individual neuropsychological measures by SCC status. Relative to participants without SCC, those with SCC had worse levels of CSF tau (p=.011), p-tau (p=.016), and p-tau/amyloid ratio (p=.003), but not amyloid or alpha synuclein. SCC was associated with faster rates of decline in learning (β=-.059, p=.018), memory (β=-.050, p=.035), and processing speed (β=-.052, p=.031), but not in semantic fluency, visuoperceptual abilities, working memory, or on a global cognition screening measure. Overall, SCC was associated with learning/memory and processing speed declines, but not other measures that may be more PD-specific (e.g., working memory, visuoperceptual). Given the elevated AD biomarkers, SCC may be particularly related to early changes due to co-occurring AD and PD pathology. Future work should investigate longitudinal AD and PD-related biomarker trajectories by SCC status.

Management of periocular keratinocyte carcinomas with Mohs micrographic surgery and predictors of complex reconstruction: a retrospective study

BackgroundSkin cancer is the most frequent cancer worldwide and the most frequent periocular tumor. Keratinocyte Carcinomas (KC) located in periorificial areas, such as periocular tumors, are considered high-risk tumors. Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) is considered the first line for the treatment of high-risk KC, providing a lower recurrence rate than conventional wide excision. ObjectiveTo describe the clinical-pathological features of periocular KC treated with MMS in a tertiary university center in Chile. MethodsA single-center, retrospective study of patients with KC located on the periocular area, that underwent MMS between 2017‒2022. MMS details were recorded. ResultsOne hundred thirteen patients with periocular carcinomas were included. The mean age was 59 ± 13 years; 52% were women. The most frequent location was the medial canthus (53%), followed by the lower eyelid (30.1%). The most frequent BCC histology was the nodular variant (59.3%). Regarding MMS, the average number of stages was 1.5 ± 0.7, and 54% of the cases required only 1 stage to achieve clear margins. To date, no recurrence has been reported. Tumors larger than 8.5 mm in largest diameter or 43.5 mm2 were more likely to require complex reconstruction. Study limitationsRetrospective design and a relatively low number of patients in the SCC group. Possible selection bias, as larger or more complex cases, may have been referred to oculoplastic surgeons directly. ConclusionThe present study confirms the role of MMS for the treatment of periocular KCs. Periocular KCs larger than 8.5 mm might require complex reconstruction. These results can be used to counsel patients during pre-surgical visits.

Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of cervical cancer and its correlation with the differentiation process of cervical cancer

PurposeThis study seeks to evaluate the value of MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) diffusion weighted images (DWI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in the diagnosis of cervical carcinoma.MethodsSeventy-nine cases of cervical cancer (CC group) (39 cases of squamous carcinoma (SCC group) and 40 cases of adenocarcinoma (ACC group)) and 30 cases of healthy controls (HC group) were included in this study. All the subjects were informed of the purpose of this study. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beihua University Hospital, Jinlin, China. In this study, images were acquired based on a 3T MR scanner (Ingenia; Philips, Best, the Netherlands) and measured the imaging parameters by DWI, IVIM and DKI techniques. The parameters were obtained by Philips post-processing workstation, DKE and IVIM. These ROIs (region of interest) were manually drawn on each parameter mapping image by MRI physicians. Finally, SPSS 23.0 statistical software was used for data analysis.ResultsThe ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) value of M group was lower than that of N group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The D (true diffusion coefficient) value, D*(pseudo diffusion coefficient) value, f (perfusion fraction) value, MD (mean diffusivity) value, and ADC value in the SCC group were lower than those in the ACC group with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The MK (mean kurtosis) value was higher than that of the ACC group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the HC group, the ADC values, D values, MD values of group CC group were lower, and the D* values, f values, MK values were higher; all the parameters were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The higher the differentiation degree of cervical cancer, the higher ADC values, D values, MD values, and the smaller D* values, f values, MK values. The difference of ADC values, D values and MK values was statistically significant (P < 0.05). MK value had the best diagnostic efficiency in the differential diagnosis of cervical cancer with low and medium differentiation, high and low differentiation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the f value between high and low differentiation cervical cancer (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the MD value between low and high differentiation cervical cancer (P > 0.05). The strongest correlation between MK values (r = 0.796) and the degree of pathological differentiation of cervical cancer is positively correlated. The D values, MD values, and ADC values are negatively correlated with the degree of pathological differentiation of cervical cancer.ConclusionThe ADC value of DWI parameters has important diagnostic value for different menstrual states of cervical cancer. The parameter values of DWI, IVIM, and DKI can be used to differentiate cervical cancer from normal cervical tissue, and thus have important diagnostic value for differentiating pathological types of cervical cancer. This means that these parameter values may have great significance in the differential diagnosis of cervical cancer with different degrees of pathological differentiation. The pathological differentiation degree of cervical cancer is significantly positively correlated with the MK value in the parameter values of DWI, IVIM, and DKI, while negatively correlated with the D value, MD value, and ADC value.

Association of subjective cognitive complaints with poor sleep quality: A cross-sectional study among Chinese elderly.

Subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) are the earliest symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Increasing evidence shows an association between poor sleep quality and SCC, but the current conclusions regarding the association between poor sleep quality and SCC in older adults are contradictory. Here, we aimed to explore the correlation of SCC with poor sleep quality among older adults without dementia living in nursing home and community in China. A cross-sectional survey on sleep and psychosomatic health of older adults was conducted in Guangdong, China, between November 2020 and March 2021. Socio-demographic, health-related information, psychological factors, sleep quality and SCC of participants were evaluated through a face-to-face interview. A 9-item Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire (SCD-Q9) was used to measure SCC; SCD-Q9>3 was defined as SCC. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality; PSQI > 7 was defined as poor sleep quality. The relationship between SCC and sleep quality was evaluated using logistics regression analysis. The study involved 730 participants (mean age 74.14±8.246years). The total SCC prevalence was 59.59%. The SCC group had poor sleep quality than the reference group (p<0.05). Adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis revealed an association of poor sleep quality with SCC (OR=1.841; 95% CI, 1.267-2.647; p=0.001) after controlling for age, sex, residence, education level, marital status, income, smoking, alcohol consumption, tea drinking, multimorbidity, waist circumference, napping duration, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms. Hierarchical logistics regression analysis showed an association between sleep quality and SCC among community older adults (OR=2.872; 95% CI: 1.787-4.615; p<0.001), but not in nursing home residents (OR=0.845; 95% CI: 0.437-1.637; p=0.619). Poor sleep quality is associated with SCC in community older adults. Therefore, medical staff should take measures, such as earlier cognitive intervention, to postpone cognitive decline in older adults, in the meantime, earlier management and treatment of sleep disorders should be taken into consideration.

Immunostaining of βA-Activin and Follistatin Is Decreased in HPV(+) Cervical Pre-Neoplastic and Neoplastic Lesions.

The activin-follistatin system regulates several cellular processes, including differentiation and tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that the immunostaining of βA-activin and follistatin varies in neoplastic cervical lesions. Cervical paraffin-embedded tissues from 162 patients sorted in control (n = 15), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1 (n = 38), CIN2 (n = 37), CIN3 (n = 39), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; n = 33) groups were examined for βA-activin and follistatin immunostaining. Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and genotyping were performed by PCR and immunohistochemistry. Sixteen samples were inconclusive for HPV detection. In total, 93% of the specimens exhibited HPV positivity, which increased with patient age. The most detected high-risk (HR)-HPV type was HPV16 (41.2%) followed by HPV18 (16%). The immunostaining of cytoplasmatic βA-activin and follistatin was higher than nuclear immunostaining in all cervical epithelium layers of the CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, and SCC groups. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the cytoplasmic and nuclear immunostaining of βA-activin was detected in all cervical epithelial layers from the control to the CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, and SCC groups. Only nuclear follistatin immunostaining exhibited a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in specific epithelial layers of cervical tissues from CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, and SCC compared to the control. Decreased immunostaining of cervical βA-activin and follistatin at specific stages of CIN progression suggests that the activin-follistatin system participates in the loss of the differentiation control of pre-neoplastic and neoplastic cervical specimens predominantly positive for HPV.

Associations between Somatic Cell Count and Milk Fatty Acid and Amino Acid Profile in Alpine and Saanen Goat Breeds.

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the relation of different SCC levels in goat milk with goat milk yield, milk composition, FA, and AA profiles. Whereas the investigated herd was composed of Alpine and Saanen goats, the influence of breed on milk parameters and milk yield was also assessed. The research was carried out in 2022 at a Lithuanian dairy goat farm with 135 goats (Saanen = 66 and Alpine = 69) without evidence of clinical mastitis. The current research revealed a relationship between SCC with goat milk yield and composition. Goats with a high SCC had significantly lower milk yield (p < 0.001), lower content of lactose (p < 0.01), fat (p < 0.001) and higher protein content (p < 0.05) in their milk. The increase in most AA was significantly associated with increased SCC. The higher quantity of Asp, Glu, Ala, Met, His, Lys, Arg, EAA, NEAA, and TAA (compared with the low SCC group) (p < 0.05-0.01), Leu, Tyr, and BCAA (compared with the low and medium SCC group) were found in the milk of the high SCC group (p < 0.05-0.01). The distribution of the main FA groups was also related to SCC and showed a significant decrease in SCFA (p < 0.01-0.001) and an increase in LCFA, PUFA, and BCFA in the high SCC group (p < 0.05). All individual AA and their groups (EAA, NEAA, TAA, BCAA) were significantly lower in the milk of the Saanen goat breed (p < 0.001). The most individual FA ranged between goat breeds, while the total amount of SFA, UFA, and MUFA wasn't affected by breed (p > 0.05). The research revealed a statistically significant relationship between SCC, AA, and FA, suggesting that these traits may be used as a biomarker in the goat selection process.

Clinical-Pathological Characteristics of Adenosquamous Esophageal Carcinoma: A Propensity-Score-Matching Study.

There are few studies on esophageal adenosquamous carcinoma (ADSC). Our study intended to investigate the clinical and survival features of ADSC. We included esophageal cancer (EC) data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program database to explore clinical and survival traits. Propensity score matching (PSM), the multivariate Cox regression model, and survival curves were used in this study. A total of 137 patients with ADSC were included in our analysis. The proportion of ADSC within the EC cohort declined from 2004 to 2018. Besides, results indicated no significant difference in survival between ADSC and SCC groups (PSM-adjusted HR = 1.249, P = 0.127). However, the survival rate of the ADSC group was significantly worse than that of the ADC group (PSM-adjusted HR = 1.497, P = 0.007). For the ADSC group, combined treatment with surgery had a higher survival rate than other treatment methods (all P < 0.001). Surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were independent protective prognostic factors (all P < 0.05). The proportion of ADSC has been declining from 2004 to 2018. The prognosis of ADSC is not significantly different from that of SCC but is worse than that of ADC. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy could improve the prognosis of patients. Comprehensive treatment with surgery as the main treatment is more beneficial for some patients.

Is concomitant cholecystectomy at the time of bariatric surgery justified? a retrospective study

Nowadays, sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) has become a cornerstone in treating morbid obesity, a condition that has turned into one of the most important health concerns worldwide. Nonetheless, gallbladder (GB) disease remains a frequently seen problem after weight loss. The performance of concomitant cholecystectomy with SG (SCC) is yet still controversial. The study's aim is to assess the safety of performing SCC, the operative time, length of hospital stay (LOS) and the postoperative complications. This is a retrospective case-control study, conducted in Lebanon, comparing patients treated with SG, as control group A, to patients who underwent SCC (group B). Out of 120 patients included in the study, 100 underwent SG and 20 underwent SCC. Those who underwent SCC had an abnormal abdominal ultrasound (US) preoperatively. Out of the patients who had a SG, 40 patients (13.7%) underwent a subsequent cholecystectomy due to GB disease. Eight out of 40 patients (20%) suffered from complications, mainly related to common bile duct stone migration, requiring endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The mean time until presentation for cholelithiasis post bariatric surgery was 13.03 (±10.01) months and the mean weight loss achieved was 29.9 (±8.8) Kilograms. The mean operative time was increased by 29.9 min (min) for SCC (146.7 min) compared to SG alone (116.8 min). Our study results showed that the incidence of symptomatic GB disease post bariatric surgery (BS) was relatively high and cholecystectomy at that time was not straightforward. Also, SCC performance was highly dependent on the result of the preoperative US.

Simplifying carb counting: A randomized controlled study - Feasibility and efficacy of an individualized, simple, patient-centred carb counting tool.

The purpose of this study was to introduce and test a simple, individualized carbohydrate counting tool designed for persons with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in order to determine whether the tool improved A1C levels for participants with age, education or language barriers. In a randomized controlled trial, 85 participants were offered six diabetes instructional sessions free of charge over a six-month period. Forty-one received guidance using the regular carbohydrate counting (RCC) method. Forty-four received guidance using an individualized 'Simple Carb Counting' (SCC), involving two customized tables prepared for participants. The simple, individualized SCC tool for carbohydrate counting was non-inferior to the standard method of RCC. The SCC tool was more effective among participants aged 40 and older, while no differences were found when comparing participants by education level. Irrespective of intervention group, all participants improved their A1C level (9.9%=13.2 mmol/L vs 8.6%=11.1 mmol/L, p=.001). A greater improvement in A1C level was seen in newly diagnosed participants (-6.1 vs -0.7, p=.005, -3.4 vs 0.9, p=.032) in both the RCC and SCC groups. All participants expressed improved emotional level per their PAID5 questionnaires (Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale-PAID), (10.6 (±5.7) vs 9.5 (±5.7), p=.023), with women reporting greater improvement than men. SCC is a simple, individualized, feasible, low-tech tool for carbohydrate counting, which promotes and enables accurate insulin dosing in people with T1DM. It was found more effective among participants aged 40 and older. Additional studies are needed to corroborate these findings.

Psychological morbidity and chronic cough: which is predominant? A comparison of clinical characteristics.

The clinical characteristics of chronic cough with pre-existing psychological co-morbidity (PCC) and chronic cough with secondary anxiety and depression (SCC) were compared to provide a basis for diagnosing and treating psychological co-morbidities in people with chronic cough. A prospective study was conducted to analyze the general clinical data between the PCC, SCC, and the chronic cough without anxiety and depression (CC) groups. A total of 203 patients with chronic cough were enrolled in the study. The final diagnosis was made in all cases using a combination of psychosomatic and respiratory diagnoses. The three groups' general clinical data, capsaicin cough sensitivity, cough symptom score, Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ), and psychosomatic scale scores were compared among the three groups. The diagnostic value of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ)-9 and general anxiety disorder (GAD)-7 in patients with PCC and the follow-up information were analyzed. Compared with the SCC group, the duration of cough in the PCC group was shorter (H = -3.54, p = 0.001), the night cough symptoms were milder (H = -4.60, p < 0.001), the total LCQ score was lower (H = -2.97, p = 0.009), and the PHQ-9 (H = 2.90, p = 0.011) and GAD-7 scores (H = 2.71, p = 0.002) were higher. When using PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores for the combined prediction and diagnosis of PCC, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.88, and the sensitivity and specificity were 90.0% and 73.85%, respectively. After 8 weeks of psychosomatic treatment, cough symptoms improved in the PCC group, but the psychological improvement was not significant. The psychological status of the SCC group improved after cough symptoms were ameliorated by etiologic or empirical treatment. The clinical characteristics of patients with PCC and SCC are different. The evaluation of psychosomatic scales is of value to distinguish between the two groups. Chronic cough patients with psychological co-morbidity benefit from the combined diagnosis of psychosomatic medicine in a timely fashion. PCC requires more attention in psychological therapy, but for SCC, targeting etiological treatment of the cough is preferred. The protocol was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trials Register (http://www.chictr.org.cn/) [ChiCTR2000037429].

The gut microbiota composition in patients with right- and left-sided colorectal cancer and after curative colectomy, as analyzed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing

BackgroundGut pathological microbial imbalance or dysbiosis is closely associated with colorectal cancer. Although there are observable differences in molecular and clinical characteristics between patients with right- and left-sided colon cancer, differences in their gut microbiomes have not been thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, subsequent changes in microbiota status after partial colectomy remain unknown. We examined the human gut microbiota composition to determine its relationship with colon cancer and partial colon resection according to location.MethodsStool samples from forty-one subjects (10 in the control group, 10 in the right-sided colon cancer [RCC] group, 6 in the sigmoid colon cancer [SCC] group, 9 in the right colon resection [RCR] group and 6 in the sigmoid colon resection [SCR] group) were collected, and DNA was extracted. After terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, the samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and the metabolic function of the microbiota was predicted using PICRUSt2.ResultsT-RFLP analysis showed a reduced ratio of clostridial cluster XIVa in the SCC patients and clostridial cluster IX in the RCC patients, although these changes were not evident in the RCR or SCR patients. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing demonstrated that the diversity of the gut microbiota in the RCC group was higher than that in the control group, and the diversity in the SCR group was significantly higher than that in the RCR group. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed significant differences according to the group. Analyses of the microbiota revealed that Firmicutes was significantly dominant in the RCC group and that the SCC group had a higher abundance of Verrucomicrobia. At the genus level, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) revealed several bacteria, such as Ruminococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, Clostridiaceae, Gemellaceae, and Desulfovibrio, in the RCC group and several oral microbiomes in the SCC group. Metabolic function prediction revealed that cholesterol transport- and metabolism-related enzymes were specifically upregulated in the RCC group and that cobalamin metabolism-related enzymes were downregulated in the SCC group.ConclusionGut microbial properties differ between RCC and SCC patients and between right hemicolectomy and sigmoidectomy patients and may contribute to clinical manifestations.

Gut Barrier Disruption Secondary to Radiofrequency-Assisted Liver Parenchyma Resection in a Porcine Model

BackgroundRadiofrequency-assisted liver resection (RF-LR) techniques minimize intraoperative blood loss, while avoiding the Pringle maneuver. Both surgical excision and radiofrequency ablation of liver parenchyma compromise gut barrier function with subsequent bacterial translocation. The present study sought to investigate in a porcine model the impact of two RF-LR techniques on the integrity and inflammatory response of the gut barrier. MethodsTwenty-four pigs were subjected to either (a) partial hepatectomy (PH) employing the “sequential coagulate-cut” technique using a monopolar electrode (SCC group), the one using the bipolar Habib-4X device (group H), or the “crush-clamp” technique (group CC) or (b) sham operation (group Sham). At 48-h post-operation, ileal tissue was excised to be subjected to histopathologic examination, histomorphometric analysis, and immunohistochemical assessment of the mitotic and apoptotic activities and the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and nuclear factor-κB (NFκΒ). ResultsHistopathologic score increased in all PH groups, being higher in group SCC, while lower in group H. Villous height decreased in group SCC only. Mitotic index decreased, while apoptotic index increased in all PH groups. An increase in tissue expression score was noted for IL-6 in group CC, for TNFα in all PH groups, being lower in group H compared to group CC, and for NFκB in all PH groups. ConclusionsThe Habib-4X technique for liver resection proved to preserve the integrity of gut barrier, being less injurious in the intestinal mucosa compared to the SCC and CC techniques.

Effects of dietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth, intestinal and liver health, intestinal microbiota and disease resistance of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Probiotics are an eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics and play an important role in ensuring the sustainability of aquaculture. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth, intestinal and liver health, intestinal microbiota, and disease resistance of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Channel catfish were randomly allotted into two treatments, control group (basal diet) and SCC group (basal diet with 2% Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture), and fed for 12 weeks. The results showed that the weight gain of SCC group was significantly increased (P < 0.05) and FCR was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) when compared with the control group. SCC diet significantly improved the intestinal structural integrity of channel catfish and increased the number of intestinal goblet cell. The expression of intestinal gene HIF1α was increased in SCC group, while the expressions of NF-κB in the intestine and liver were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Firmicutes tended to increase, while Proteobacteria had a tendency to decrease (0.20 > P > 0.05). In addition, the survival rate of channel catfish was significantly increased in SCC group after being challenged with mixture of A. veronii HM091 and A. hydrophila NJ-1. In conclusion, the supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture improved the growth, intestinal and liver health and disease resistance of channel catfish.