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This qualitative study explored the experiences of nursing students whose clinical practice in mental health nursing had been substituted with virtual simulation programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were ten nursing students who had undergone a virtual simulation program-centered practice, replacing the traditional clinical practice in mental health nursing and previous clinical practice in mental health nursing. The data were collected through in-depth individual interviews from January to February 2021. Following Braun and Clarke's method, the thematic analysis identified five themes and ten sub-themes. The five themes included the following: (1) lack of vibrancy in the actual clinical setting, (2) limited direct and indirect practical experience, (3) performing diverse roles in a virtual setting, (4) learner-directed practicum, and (5) sense of relief due to a safe virtual practicum environment. The participants recognized the limitations of the practice, particularly regarding communication with patients with mental disorders in the virtual simulation program. However, their perception of nursing underwent a positive change through the indirect clinical practice experience. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop a platform for the mental health nursing practicum that can easily interact with clients and to establish a hybrid practice that combines the clinical practice and virtual simulation practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to treat cancer using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy have made astonishing progress and clinical trials against hematopoietic malignancies have demonstrated their use. However, there are still disadvantages which need to be addressed: high costs, and side effects such as Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) and Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS). Therefore, recent efforts have been made to harness the properties of certain immune cells to treat cancer—not just T cells, but also natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages (Mφ), dendritic cells (DC), etc. In this paper, we will introduce immune cell-based cellular therapies that use various immune cells and describe their characteristics and their clinical situation. The development of immune cell-based cancer therapy fully utilizing the unique advantages of each and every immune cell is expected to enhance the survival of tumor patients owing to their high efficiency and fewer side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytical methods based on the mass balance approach were developed for the purity evaluation of tetracycline hydrochloride, a representative salt compound used in pure veterinary drug analysis. The purity assignment method was used to quantify individual classes of impurities via independent analytical techniques. The mass fraction of the free base or salt form contained in a high-purity organic compound with a hydrochloride salt can be determined. The chloride content by ion chromatography-conductivity detector (IC-CD) and general classes of impurities, including structurally related impurities by liquid chromatography–ultraviolet (LC-UV) detector, water by Karl Fischer (KF) coulometric titration, residual solvents by headspace sampler gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS), and non-volatiles by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), were considered to calculate the purity of the mass fraction. The chloride content of the salt compound can be considered the main impurity in the mass fraction of the free base in the salt compound. A purity assay using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (q-NMR) as a direct determination method was performed to confirm the results of the mass balance method. The assigned purities of the tetracycline free form and its salt form in mass fraction were (898.80 ± 1.60) mg/g and (972.65 ± 1.58) mg/g, respectively, which are traceable to the international system of units (SI). Thus, the procedure for evaluating the purity of the free base and salt forms in the salt compound is newly demonstrated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer, accounting for approximately 85–90% of all cases of liver cancer worldwide. The gut microbiome can serve as a potential non-invasive biomarker for early HCC detection and may also impact the effectiveness of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. This review examines the gut microbiome's role as a predictive and diagnostic marker for HCC and explores its potential as a novel therapeutic approach, particularly in the context of immunotherapy. The microbiome is pivotal in maintaining health and influencing disease by modulating essential inflammatory and immune responses. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranking as the third most common cause of cancer-related fatalities globally, is influenced by the gut microbiome through bidirectional interactions between the gut and liver, as evidenced in both mouse models and human studies. Consequently, biomarkers based on gut microbiota represent promising non-invasive tools for the early detection of HCC. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the composition of the gut microbiota may play a role in the efficacy of immunotherapy in different types of cancer; thus, it could be used as a predictive biomarker. In this review, we will dissect the gut microbiome's role as a potential predictive and diagnostic marker in HCC and evaluate the latest progress in leveraging the gut microbiome as a novel therapeutic avenue for HCC patients, with a special emphasis on immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycine max Merr. (GM) is a functional food that provides many beneficial phytochemicals. However, scientific evidence of its antidepressive and sedative activities is scarce. The present study was designed to investigate the antidepressive and calmative effects of GM and its biologically active compound, genistein (GE), using electroencephalography (EEG) analysis in an electric foot shock (EFS)-stressed rat. The underlying neural mechanisms of their beneficial effects were determined by assessing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), serotonin (5-HT), and c-Fos immunoreactivity in the brain using immunohistochemical methods. In addition, the 5-HT2C receptor binding assay was performed because it is considered a major target of antidepressants and sleep aids. In the binding assay, GM displayed binding affinity to the 5-HT2C receptor (IC50 value of 14.25 ± 11.02 µg/mL). GE exhibited concentration-dependent binding affinity, resulting in the binding of GE to the 5-HT2C receptor (IC50, 77.28 ± 26.57 mg/mL). Administration of GM (400 mg/kg) increased non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep time. Administration of GE (30 mg/kg) decreased wake time and increased rapid eye movement (REM) and NREM sleep in EPS-stressed rats. In addition, treatment with GM and GE significantly decreased c-Fos and CRF expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and increased 5-HT levels in the dorsal raphe in the brain. Overall, these results suggest that GM and GE have antidepressant-like effects and are effective in sleep maintenance. These results will benefit researchers in developing alternatives to decrease depression and prevent sleep disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a multipotent cytokine that maintains the homeostasis of the immune system. IL-7 plays a vital role in T-cell development, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as in B cell maturation through the activation of the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R). IL-7 is closely associated with tumor development and has been used in cancer clinical research and therapy. In this review, we first summarize the roles of IL-7 and IL-7Rα and their downstream signaling pathways in immunity and cancer. Furthermore, we summarize and discuss the recent advances in the use of IL-7 and IL-7Rα as cancer immunotherapy tools and highlight their potential for therapeutic applications. This review will help in the development of cancer immunotherapy regimens based on IL-7 and IL-7Rα, and will also advance their exploitation as more effective and safe immunotherapy tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many plants have been used in Korean medicine for treating insomnia. However, scientific evidence for their sedative activity has not been fully investigated. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the sedative effects of the extracts of medicinal plants, including Yukmijihwang-tang and its various modified forms through the 5-HT2c receptor binding assay, and to further confirm its sleep-promoting effects and the underlying neural mechanism in rats utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serotonin (5-HT) in the brain. The water extracts of modified Yukmijihwang-tang (YmP) displayed binding affinity to the 5-HT2C receptor (IC50 value of 199.9 µg/mL). YmP (50 mg/kg) administration decreased wake time and increased REM and NREM sleep based on EEG data in rats. Additionally, treatment with YmP significantly increased the 5-HT level in the hypothalamus. In conclusion, the sedative effect of YmP can be attributed to the activation of the central serotonergic systems, as evidenced by the high affinity of binding of the 5-HT2C receptor and increased 5-HT levels in the brain of the rat. This study suggests that YmP can be a new material as a sleep inducer in natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide with slow progress in the development of effective therapies. The breakthrough IMbrave150 trial established atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as the standard of care first-line therapy for patients with unresectable/advanced HCC, demonstrating improved overall survival. Radiation therapy (RT) is a locoregional treatment that may prevent morbidity from tumor-related vascular compromise and associated liver failure. There is no documented evidence yet describing the safety and outcomes of combination RT and atezolizumab/bevacizumab. In the retrospective review of our experience, we identified 21 patients with advanced HCC who underwent liver-directed RT with atezolizumab/bevacizumab. From our findings, the treatment is well-tolerated, safe, and does not potentiate liver failure. There were uncommon autoimmune or GI bleeding events in some patients, mostly unrelated to RT. Post-RT absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) improved more quickly with atezolizumab/bevacizumab than they did without, which may be a favorable treatment prognosticator. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab has become frontline therapy for unresectable HCC. The compatibility of atezolizumab/bevacizumab with liver-directed RT has not been reported. Methods: HCC patients treated with liver-directed RT and atezolizumab/bevacizumab between 1/2020–11/2021 were included. Toxicity and outcomes were retrospectively recorded. For ALCs, we matched the analysis to a previously cohort of RT-treated HCC patients who did not receive atezolizumab/bevacizumab. Survival and time-to-liver-failure were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier. Results: Of 21 patients, with a median follow-up of 9.5 months, the median OS was 16.1 months. Post-RT, all patients had reduced tumors or treatment response. There were no ≥Grade 3 RT-related toxicities. Autoimmune complications occurred in two patients (9.5%), and GI bleeding in three patients (14.3%). Liver function remained stable post-RT. There was a marked decrease in ALCs immediately post-RT (post-RT/pre-RT ratio 47.3%, p < 0.0001), restored by 1 month to pre-treatment baseline (1-month post-RT/pre-RT ratio 95.1%, n.s.). Compared to HCC patients treated with RT alone, post-RT ALC recovery was faster with atezolizumab/bevacizumab (p = 0.009). Conclusion: In this first reported experience of RT with modern systemic therapy for HCC, combination therapy is safe and well-tolerated. As a favorable prognosticator, there appears to be faster recovery of ALC among patients who received RT with atezolizumab/bevacizumab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topical application of minoxidil may achieve millimolar concentrations in the skin. We investigated whether millimolar minoxidil could induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a possible effector for minoxidil-mediated hair growth, and how it occurred at the molecular level. Cell-based experiments were performed to investigate a molecular mechanism underlying the millimolar minoxidil induction of VEGF. The inhibitory effect of minoxidil on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase-2 (PHD-2) was tested by an in vitro von Hippel-Lindau protein (VHL) binding assay. To examine the angiogenic potential of millimolar minoxidil, a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used. In human keratinocytes and dermal papilla cells, millimolar minoxidil increased the secretion of VEGF, which was not attenuated by a specific adenosine receptor antagonist that inhibits the micromolar minoxidil induction of VEGF. Millimolar minoxidil induced hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and the induction of VEGF was dependent on HIF-1. Moreover, minoxidil applied to the dorsal area of mice increased HIF-1α and VEGF in the skin. In an in vitro VHL binding assay, minoxidil directly inhibited PHD-2, thus preventing the hydroxylation of cellular HIF-1α and VHL-dependent proteasome degradation and resulting in the stabilization of HIF-1α protein. Minoxidil inhibition of PHD-2 was reversed by ascorbate, a cofactor of PHD-2, and the minoxidil induction of cellular HIF-1α was abrogated by the cofactor. Millimolar minoxidil promoted angiogenesis in the CAM assay, an in vivo angiogenic test, and this was nullified by the specific inhibition of VEGF. Our data demonstrate that PHD may be the molecular target for millimolar minoxidil-mediated VEGF induction via HIF-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously shown that ablative radiotherapy (A-RT) with a biologically effective dose (BED10) ≥ 80.5 Gy for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is associated with longer survival. Despite recent large-scale sequencing efforts in ICC, outcomes following RT based on genetic alterations have not been described. We reviewed records of 156 consecutive patients treated with A-RT for unresectable ICC from 2008 to 2020. For 114 patients (73%), next-generation sequencing provided molecular profiles. The overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate and multivariable Cox analyses were used to determine the associations with the outcomes. The median tumor size was 7.3 (range: 2.2–18.2) cm. The portal vein thrombus (PVT) was present in 10%. The RT median BED10 was 98 Gy (range: 81–144 Gy). The median (95% confidence interval) follow-up was 58 (42–104) months from diagnosis and 39 (33–74) months from RT. The median OS was 32 (29–35) months after diagnosis and 20 (16–24) months after RT. The one-year OS, LC, and intrahepatic DMFS were 73% (65–80%), 81% (73–87%), and 34% (26–42%). The most common mutations were in IDH1 (25%), TP53 (22%), ARID1A (19%), and FGFR2 (13%). Upon multivariable analysis, the factors associated with death included worse performance status, larger tumor, metastatic disease, higher CA 19-9, PVT, satellitosis, and IDH1 and PIK3CA mutations. TP53 mutation was associated with local failure. Further investigation into the prognostic value of individual mutations and combinations thereof is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Liver cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer worldwide, but unfortunately, current technology has a limited ability to detect it early in high-risk patients. This study investigates a machine learning algorithm based on protein levels in the blood that can be used to help with diagnosis. The test shows promising results, especially in patients with smaller tumors and compared to current blood detection tests. This research suggests an important role in the future for machine learning algorithm-based blood detection tests. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the fastest growing causes of cancer-related death. Guidelines recommend obtaining a screening ultrasound with or without alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) every 6 months in at-risk adults. AFP as a screening biomarker is plagued by low sensitivity/specificity, prompting interest in discovering alternatives. Mass spectrometry-based techniques are promising in their ability to identify potential biomarkers. This study aimed to use machine learning utilizing spectral data and AFP to create a model for early detection. Serum samples were collected from three separate cohorts, and data were compiled to make Development, Internal Validation, and Independent Validation sets. AFP levels were measured, and Deep MALDI® analysis was used to generate mass spectra. Spectral data were input into the VeriStrat® classification algorithm. Machine learning techniques then classified each sample as "Cancer" or "No Cancer". Sensitivity and specificity of the test were >80% to detect HCC. High specificity of the test was independent of cause and severity of underlying disease. When compared to AFP, there was improved cancer detection for all tumor sizes, especially small lesions. Overall, a machine learning algorithm incorporating mass spectral data and AFP values from serum samples offers a novel approach to diagnose HCC. Given the small sample size of the Independent Validation set, a further independent, prospective study is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we investigate the fundamental properties of coalgebras with coalgebra comultiplications, counits, and coalgebra homomorphisms of coalgebras over a commutative ring R with identity 1 R based on digital images with adjacency relations. We also investigate a contravariant functor from the category of digital images and digital continuous functions to the category of coalgebras and coalgebra homomorphisms based on digital images via the category of unitary R-modules and R-module homomorphisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, we explore digital homology modules, and investigate their fundamental properties on (pointed) digital images as one of the developments of symmetries. We also examine pointed digital Hopf spaces and base point preserving digital Hopf functions between pointed digital Hopf spaces with suitable digital multiplications, and explore the digital primitive homology classes, digital Pontryagin algebras on digital Hopf spaces as a symmetric phenomenon in mathematics and computer science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chitoglucan (CG) is a bioactive component obtained from Flammulina velutipes Sing, an edible mushroom, which is known to have an anti-obesity effect. However, its biological and hormonal activities in alleviating obesity through regulation of adipocyte-derived proteins have not been examined yet., Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of chitoglucan and its hormonal mechanisms in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice., Methods: The mice were fed either a normal diet (Normal group) or a high fat diet (HFD group) over 6 weeks. The HFD fed mice were administered with saline (HFD group), adipex (HFD + adipex group), chitoglucan 50, 150, or 300 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks (HFD + CG groups). The food consumption, body weight, fat contents, and the levels of serum leptin and resistin were assessed after treatment of chitoglucan., Results: the HFD produced a marked increase in body and fat weights after 6 weeks of feeding compared with the Normal group. Administration of chitoglucan for 3 weeks tended to reduce body weight and significantly decreased parametrical adipose tissues in HFD groups. The level of serum leptin in the HFD group was markedly higher than that in the Normal group, whereas the level of leptin in the chitoglucan treated groups was significantly decreased in comparison with the HFD group. In addition, the level of serum resistin in high-fat diet group tended to be more increased than Normal group. However, the serum resistin level was significantly reduced in HF diet groups after treatment with chitoglucan (50 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg)., Conclusion: Collectively, these data suggest that chitoglucan from the Flammulina velutipes may be useful in the treatment of high diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The topical application of minoxidil may achieve millimolar concentrations in the skin. We investigated whether millimolar minoxidil could induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a possible effector for minoxidil-mediated hair growth, and how it occurred at the molecular level. Cell-based experiments were performed to investigate a molecular mechanism underlying the millimolar minoxidil induction of VEGF. The inhibitory effect of minoxidil on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase-2 (PHD-2) was tested by an in vitro von Hippel-Lindau protein (VHL) binding assay. To examine the angiogenic potential of millimolar minoxidil, a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used. In human keratinocytes and dermal papilla cells, millimolar minoxidil increased the secretion of VEGF, which was not attenuated by a specific adenosine receptor antagonist that inhibits the micromolar minoxidil induction of VEGF. Millimolar minoxidil induced hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and the induction of VEGF was dependent on HIF-1. Moreover, minoxidil applied to the dorsal area of mice increased HIF-1α and VEGF in the skin. In an in vitro VHL binding assay, minoxidil directly inhibited PHD-2, thus preventing the hydroxylation of cellular HIF-1α and VHL-dependent proteasome degradation and resulting in the stabilization of HIF-1α protein. Minoxidil inhibition of PHD-2 was reversed by ascorbate, a cofactor of PHD-2, and the minoxidil induction of cellular HIF-1α was abrogated by the cofactor. Millimolar minoxidil promoted angiogenesis in the CAM assay, an in vivo angiogenic test, and this was nullified by the specific inhibition of VEGF. Our data demonstrate that PHD may be the molecular target for millimolar minoxidil-mediated VEGF induction via HIF-1., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Hybrid basalt fiber (BF) and Talc filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and co-extruded wood-plastic composites (WPCs) with different BF/Talc/HDPE composition levels in the shell were prepared and their mechanical, morphological and thermal properties were characterized. Incorporating BFs into the HDPE-Talc composite substantially enhanced the thermal expansion property, flexural, tensile and dynamic modulus without causing a significant decrease in the tensile and impact strength of the composites. Strain energy estimation suggested positive and better interfacial interactions of HDPE with BFs than that with talc. The co-extruded structure design improved the mechanical properties of WPC due to the protective shell layer. The composite flexural and impact strength properties increased, and the thermal expansion decreased as BF content increased in the hybrid BF/Talc filled shells. The cone calorimetry data demonstrated that flame resistance of co-extruded WPCs was improved with the use of combined fillers in the shell layer, especially with increased loading of BFs. The combined shell filler system with BFs and Talc could offer a balance between cost and performance for co-extruded WPCs.