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Purpose: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, negatively impacting treatment outcomes and quality of life. Evidence points to inflammatory processes as the underlying cause of chemotherapy-associated GI symptoms. Relatedly, omega-3 (n-3) has been linked to anti-inflammatory processes. The primary objective of this study was to examine the associations between baseline n-3, baseline inflammatory markers and GI symptom progression in early-stage breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: In this secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study, we analyzed baseline levels of inflammatory biomarkers (measured using a Luminex bead-immunoassay) and plasma levels of DHA, EPA, and FFA (measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). GI symptoms were assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire in Cancer Patients (EORTC QLQ-C30) symptom scale scores at baseline (T1) and at least 6 weeks after, during chemotherapy (T2). Inferential statistics were used to analyze associations between the variables of interest. Results: The analysis included 31 female breast cancer patients (mean age ± SD = 50.5 ± 8.8; 89.6% receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy). Higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) predicted increases in appetite loss. Similarly, higher IL-8 predicted worsened nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: Baseline IL-8 and DHA predicted GI symptom progression in early-stage breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Future studies are required to evaluate how therapeutic intervention targeting these biomarkers may mitigate gastrointestinal symptoms in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) improves cognitive function by stimulating neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. We hypothesize that higher plasma BDNF levels are protective against cognitive toxicity among adolescent and young adult cancer patients (15–39 years old). In a prospective, longitudinal study, we recruited 74 newly diagnosed cancer and 118 age-matched non-cancer controls who completed the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function questionnaire (FACT-Cog) and blood draws. Plasma BDNF was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Genomic DNA from buffy coat was genotyped for BDNF Val66Met. Most cancer participants were diagnosed with breast (24%) and head/neck (22%) cancers. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables (age, gender, race, marital status, education years), cancer participants had lower BDNF levels (ng/mL) at baseline (median: 10.7 vs 21.6, p < 0.001) and 6-months post-baseline (median: 8.2 vs 15.3, p = 0.001) compared to non-cancer controls. Through linear mixed modelling adjusted for sociodemographic variables, baseline cognition, fatigue, psychological distress, and time, we observed that among cancer participants, lower baseline BDNF levels were associated with worse attention (p = 0.029), memory (p = 0.018) and self-perceived cognitive abilities (p = 0.020) during cancer treatment. Met/Met was associated with enhanced executive function compared to Val/Val (p = 0.012). Plasma BDNF may serve as a predictive biomarker of cancer-related cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water contaminated with lead has adverse health consequences, particularly in young children. Water dispensed from point-of-use dispensers is generally regarded as drinking water instead of conventional tap water in Taiwan, and such dispensers are installed in all public facilities, including elementary schools. However, studies on drinking water quality are mainly focused on tap water, while dispenser water quality is less known. Hence, this study investigated lead concentrations in drinking water from point-of-use dispensers in elementary schools of Taichung, Taiwan. Water samples were collected between September 2019 and February 2021 from 86 schools across 24 districts utilizing a modified first draw sampling protocol to collect ten 100-mL sequential samples. Approximately 26% of the schools had at least one sample exceeding 10 μg/L (Taiwan EPA standard), with the highest level reaching 99.2 μg/L. Exceedance tendency varied with water use, seasons, and age of the schools. Samples collected over the weekends and during summer showed higher levels and frequencies of contamination. Lead levels surpassing the standard were observed in 14% of weekend and 17% of summer samples, compared to only 4% of weekday and 4% of winter samples. Similarly, while older schools (age > 40 years) exhibited higher contamination, young schools (age < 20 years) were also not entirely safe. This study reveals that point-of-use dispensers do not always provide safe drinking water. Findings also indicate the susceptibility of children in elementary schools to lead exposure through their drinking water. Therefore, a routine monitoring program for heavy metals, including lead, in drinking water is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a serious side effect that is highly prevalent among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. There is a growing use of cryotherapy (CryTx) and compression therapy (ComTx) to prevent CIPN at cancer centers worldwide. In this study, we examined the awareness and recommendation of these modalities and evaluated factors associated with awareness. In addition, we investigated the type of technology utilized, barriers to implementation, and perceived adverse events of CryTx and ComTx.Methods: Active members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care of Cancer (MASCC) were invited to complete an electronic survey that was sent via SurveyMonkey between September and October 2021. The survey assessed participants' awareness, recommendation, usage, barriers to utilization, and perceived adverse events of CryTx and ComTx. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were utilized to analyze findings.Results: Out of 184 participants, 70.1% were physicians, 73.4% had over 10 years of practice, and 49.5% were practicing in an outpatient setting. While more than half (63.3%) of participants indicated awareness of CryTx for taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy, less than a quarter (22.8%) indicated recommendation in their practice setting. Factors associated with higher awareness of CryTx for patients receiving taxanes include living in Europe (OR = 2.69, 95% CI [1.28-5.64], p = 0.009), not practicing in an inpatient setting (OR = 3.15, 95% CI [1.45-6.85], p = 0.004), and self-identifying as non-physician (OR = 2.40, 95% CI [1.03-4.37], p = 0.041). Commercial cooling (31.5%) and compression (16.8%) gloves and socks were the most used modalities for CryTx and ComTx, respectively. The most identified barriers to CryTx and ComTx utilization include insufficient evidence (53.5%), logistics (34.8%), and patient discomfort (23.4%). Redness/irritation of skin (27.7%) and numbness/tingling (24.5%) accounted for about half of the perceived adverse events associated with use of CryTx and ComTx.Conclusion: Results of our global survey illustrated that there are varying modes in the delivery of CryTx and ComTx among cancer centers around the world. Education of the utilization of CryTx and ComTx, in addition to efficacy and implementation studies, is needed to close the gap between awareness and implementation in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point-of-use (POU) dispensers, referring to those directly connected to the water supply lines, are widely used in public facilities such as schools and universities in Taiwan. These dispensers are equipped with filters that can remove contaminants, including heavy metals in drinking water. Assessment of water lead (Pb) levels rely heavily on sampling surveys that involve various sampling protocols. This study evaluated the effects of using first draw (FD), flush (FL) incorporating at least 20 s of flushing, and random daytime (RDT) sampling protocols on Pb level assessment in water samples collected from faucets and POU dispensers of a Pb pipe-free campus between March 2017 and July 2020. This was the first study to examine the influence of POU dispensers on different sampling protocols and their survey results. Pb levels in 19% of faucet and 11% of dispenser samples exceeded the Taiwan EPA standard of 10 μg/L. FL sampling produced the lowest Pb levels, followed by RDT and FD in the samples collected from faucets. Interestingly, all three sampling protocols exhibited similar Pb levels in samples collected from dispensers. Thus, any of the three sampling protocols can be employed to monitor Pb levels in water samples collected from dispensers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the limited information regarding potential sources of nickel (Ni) in drinking water, incidences of Ni contamination have not been well elucidated in the literature. However, in recent decades, Ni-containing plumbing materials such as stainless steel pipes, brass fittings, and chrome faucets have gained popularity in drinking water distribution systems. As a result of increased use of such materials, Ni levels in drinking water are expected to rise over time, posing long-term exposure risks to consumers. For the first time, this study employed an intensive sequential sampling, from October 2019 to July 2020, to assess Ni levels in drinking water samples collected from dispensers of elementary schools in Taichung, Taiwan. Of the total 580 sequential samples collected from 58 elementary schools, 45 samples from 17 schools exceeded the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) standard value of 20 μg/L for Ni. Total Ni concentration in 1 L sample, an average of the total Ni concentrations in 10 sequential samples, exceeded in 4 schools. This finding suggests minor Ni contamination in drinking water supplies across the city. The highest Ni concentration was measured in the 1st sequential sample reaching 154 μg/L. Weekend and summer samples exhibited a higher tendency to exceed the standard. Older schools with age above 50 years and schools with a higher student population (≥ 500) were more likely to have Ni contamination. This study showed that drinking water is a potential source of Ni. However, the identification of Ni source, whether within the dispenser or in the distribution system, warrants further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise plumbing materials such as pipes, valves, fittings, and faucets are made of various materials, including plastic, stainless steel, copper, and brass/bronze. Although lead pipe has been banned for its use in drinking water supply by most countries in the 1980s, lead is still commonly used as an additive in many plumbing materials for its flexibility and malleability. Certified leaching tests for plumbing materials are usually conducted using relatively mild solutions over short periods which may not reveal the true risk of lead exposure when these materials are used. The objective of this study is to investigate the extents of lead release from commonly used premise plumbing materials into drinking water. The maximum lead leaching potential for pluming material was operationally determined using high strength acidic EDTA solutions (pH 4, EDTA = 100 mg/L) for a stagnation time of 3 days for a total period of up to 1 month. Lead leaching from each plumbing material was also evaluated using reconstituted tap water. Brass- and bronze-based plumbing materials were found to release dangerous levels of lead. Surface lead weight percentage obtained using SEM-EDX and lead weight percentages of the material body obtained using strong acid digestion were found to positively correlate with lead release. A re-examination of the appropriateness of current certified leaching tests and a more stringent regulation on the use of lead as an additive for plumbing materials should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]