Maternal separation (MS) has been developed as a model for inducing stress and depression in studies using rodents. The concept of the gut-brain axis suggests that gut health is essential for brain health. Here, we present the effects of administration of a probiotic, Lactobacillus paracasei PS23 (PS23), to MS mice against psychological traits including anxiety and depression. The administration of live and heat-killed PS23 cells showed positive behavioural effects on MS animals, where exploratory tendencies and mobility were increased in behavioural tests, indicating reduced anxiety and depression compared to the negative control mice (P<0.05). Mice administered with both live and heat-killed PS23 cells also showed lower serum corticosterone levels accompanied by higher serum anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels, compared to MS separated mice (P<0.05), indicating a stress-elicited response affiliated with increased immunomodulatory properties. Assessment of neurotransmitters in the brain hippocampal region revealed that PS23 affected the concentrations of dopaminergic metabolites differently than the control, suggesting that PS23 may have improved MS-induced stress levels via neurotransmitter pathways, such as dopamine or other mechanisms not addressed in the current study. Our study illustrates the potential of a probiotic in reversing abnormalities induced by early life stress and could be an alternative for brain health along the gut-brain axis.
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were published in May 2024 and adapted in December 2025 according to previously established standard methodology to produce the Pan-Asian adapted ESMO consensus guidelines for the management of Asian patients with RCC. The adapted guidelines presented in this manuscript represent the consensus opinions reached by a panel of Asian experts in the treatment of patients with RCC representing the oncological societies of China [Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO)], Indonesia [Indonesian Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology (ISHMO)], India [Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology (ISMPO)], Japan [Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO)], Korea [Korean Society of Medical Oncology (KSMO)], Malaysia [Malaysian Oncological Society (MOS)], The Philippines [Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO)], Singapore [Singapore Society of Oncology (SSO)], Taiwan [Taiwan Oncology Society (TOS)] and Thailand [Thai Society of Clinical Oncology (TSMO)], coordinated by ESMO and the SSO. The voting was based on scientific evidence and was independent of the current treatment practices, drug access restrictions and reimbursement decisions in the different regions of Asia. The latter are discussed separately in the manuscript. The aim is to provide guidance for the optimisation and harmonisation of the management of patients with RCC across the different countries of Asia, drawing on the evidence provided by both Western and Asian trials. Attention is drawn to the disparity in drug approvals and reimbursement strategies between the different regions.
Persistent gaps in access to quality diagnostic tests undermine progress toward improved health outcomes and resilience to disease outbreaks in Africa. Furthermore, resources for strengthening laboratory systems have faced growing constraints owing to recent reductions in official direct financial assistance, highlighting an urgent need to identify investments that are high impact and minimally donor reliant. In this Perspective, we present a set of priority systems strengthening interventions based on expected impact and feasibility. These include the need for efficient and integrated testing networks, the establishment and implementation of national essential diagnostic lists, modernized procurement and supply chain practices, improved digital health standards and targeted strengthening of testing infrastructure for epidemic-prone diseases. These initiatives should be customized to local contexts and supported by reliable financing, enhanced national leadership and management capacity and updated policies. We propose that collective action focused on these priorities will improve health outcomes and be cost-saving-and will be superior to existing, more fragmented efforts to close gaps in testing. This also provides a pathway to self-reliance in health security and universal healthcare in the Africa region.