METHODS: This multinational retrospective study enrolled patients who received Atezo-Bev as first-line systemic therapy for unresectable HCC and reached complete response (CR) or PR. Patients were categorized into three cohorts: patients who underwent curative LRT after PR, patients with PR but did not receive curative LRT, and patients achieving CR without LRT. Curative LRT included surgery, ablation, and definitive radiotherapy with imaging evidence showing disease-free status afterward.
RESULTS: A total of 243 patients were enrolled from 8 countries or regions; 31 patients received curative LRT after PR, 180 patients obtained PR but did not receive curative LRT, and 32 patients achieved CR without LRT. The curative-LRT group, compared with patients who did not receive curative LRT after PR, exhibited significantly longer PFS (median, 44.4 months vs. 18.2 months, p = 0.004) and overall survival (OS) (median, not reached vs. 34.3 months, p < 0.001). The differences remained significant after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) adjustment. By contrast, whether before or after IPTW adjustment, the curative-LRT group did not exhibit statistically significant difference in PFS, OS, and recurrence-free survival from patients who obtained CR without curative LRT.
CONCLUSION: Curative LRT may consolidate the efficacy of Atezo-Bev in patients achieving a PR, potentially prolonging survival compared to systemic therapy alone.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male Wistar rats (R. norvegicus) were randomly divided into four groups: K1: blank, without treatment; K2: rats with an activated MEMF and PBS; P1: rats with an activated MEMF and HUCMSC-S; and P2: rats with an inactivated MEMF and HUCMSC-S. MEMF experimental animals was performed by applying a force of 0.42 N using a loop and observed for 28 days. The HUCMSC-S single dose was 2 x 106 cells (equivalent to 5 x 105 cells in 50 μl of aMEM) every two days application. After 28 days, the maxillary containing the midpalatal suture were harvested. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to quantify the positive expression of BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-7, VEGF, TGF-β, IGF-1 and FGF-2.
RESULTS: HUCMSC-S local application during active expansion (Group P1) significantly upregulated the expression of BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-7, VEGF, TGF-β, IGF-1, and FGF-2 in the midpalatal suture on day 28 compared to the control groups (P ≤ 0.05).
CONCLUSION: HUCMSC-S local application effectively stimulates osteoblastogenesis and angiogenesis markers in the midpalatal suture during MEMF.
METHODS: This was a 21-day pilot randomized controlled trial. Patients with MCI (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score: 18-25) were randomized to a MAP group (n = 17, 66.7 ± 6.6 years) receiving 30 min of daily guided practice, or a control group (n = 19, 69.2 ± 8.7 years) receiving familiar support. Serum kynurenines and inflammatory markers were measured at baseline (day 0) and post-intervention (day 21).
RESULTS: The MAP group showed significant decreases in serum tryptophan (p < 0.05) and kynurenine (p < 0.01), with an increase in pro-inflammatory interferon-gamma (p < 0.05). No significant changes were found for negative emotions, cortisol, or other kynurenines, including neuroprotective picolinic acid, neurotoxic 3-hydroxykynurenine, and quinolinic acid. Concurrently, the control group demonstrated similar changes, with significant changes in cortisol (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study highlights a complex relationship between short-term MAP, the KP, and the immune system in MCI. The findings suggest a need for longer durations or higher intensities of practice in the MCI cohort. Future longitudinal research with a larger sample size is strongly recommended to validate these preliminary results.
OBJECTIVES: To explore menopause-related information needs and challenges from the perspectives of menopausal women and healthcare professionals and to identify individual, healthcare-related and societal factors influencing menopause literacy.
DESIGN: A qualitative study informed by a constructivist paradigm was conducted using semi-structured interviews and conventional qualitative content analysis.
METHODS: Twenty-two peri- and postmenopausal women and 10 healthcare professionals were purposively recruited from healthcare settings in Southern Iran. Data were collected until data saturation was achieved, defined as the point at which no new codes or categories emerged from successive interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis following the approach of Graneheim and Lundman. Trustworthiness was enhanced through prolonged engagement, member checking, peer debriefing and established criteria for qualitative research.
RESULTS: Three interrelated themes were identified: understanding and accepting menopause, menopause management, and challenges of transition. Women described menopause as an unexpected and multidimensional transition affecting physical, psychological, cognitive, sexual, social and occupational well-being. Both women and healthcare professionals identified substantial gaps in menopause literacy and emphasised the need for timely education, evidence-based information and supportive healthcare. Symptom management strategies, lifestyle modification, family and peer support, and access to reliable information were perceived as important facilitators, whereas limited awareness, menopause-related stigma, insufficient provider engagement and difficulty identifying trustworthy information were reported as major barriers.
CONCLUSIONS: Menopause literacy is shaped by interacting individual, healthcare and societal factors. Strengthening evidence-based menopause education, improving healthcare support and developing accessible, person-centred information resources may enhance women's ability to navigate the menopausal transition and inform the design of future educational and digital health interventions.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Biofilm-forming capacity was assessed using crystal violet (CV) assays. SPHE was evaluated at sub-inhibitory and MIC concentrations to assess biofilm inhibition and the reduction of preformed biofilm. Structural changes were analysed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with quantitative image analysis. Expression of adhesins FimH (K. pneumoniae) and OmpA (A. baumannii) was assessed by Western blot, while cytocompatibility was tested in WRL-68 hepatocytes and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) via MTT assays. SPHE demonstrated stage-dependent activity. At sub-inhibitory concentrations, early biofilm formation was inhibited by 88% in P. aeruginosa and 74% in K. pneumoniae. For mature biofilms, the greatest reduction (78% biomass) occurred in A. baumannii. SEM revealed significant architectural disruption, with surface coverage reduced by up to 56% (p = 0.002). Cell viability remained > 90% in both cell lines at all tested concentrations.
CONCLUSIONS: SPHE exhibits species- and developmental-stage-dependent antibiofilm activity against tested MDR Gram-negative pathogens associated with VAP and induces substantial disruption of biofilm architecture. Together with preliminary cytocompatibility findings within the tested concentration range, these results support further investigation of SPHE as a potential antibiofilm candidate to limit biofilm-associated colonisation in mechanically ventilated patients.