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Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown favorable therapeutic effects in recurrent or metastatic or locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M/LA HNSCC). However, the effects of immunotherapy in HNSCC are still inconsistent because of complicating factors. This meta-analysis tries to provide a more precise assessment of the efficacy and safety of this integrated approach in HNSCC. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. The outcomes were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). A total of 8 out of 2445 articles were analyzed, including 5067 HNSCC patients, including 823 and 4244 patients with LA HNSCC and R/M HNSCC. Results: The combined data revealed that immunotherapy has an apparent difference in OS (HR 0.86 95% CI 0.77-0.98) compared with standard of care (Soc, like fluoropyrimidine, methotrexate, docetaxel, or cetuximab) but was equal with the other treatment in PFS (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.85-1.37). Furthermore, the occurrence of grade 3 or higher adverse events related to the drugs was lower than systematic therapy (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17-0.73). Conclusions: The study has provided compelling evidence that immunotherapy is a significant benefit in OS for HNSCC patients, either R/M HNSCC or LA HNSCC, immunochemotherapy may benefit more for these patients, but double-agent immunotherapy showed no more benefit for R/M HNSCC patients. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/ , identifier CRD42023471570. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aimed to explore the influence of Chinese culture and customs on the beliefs and health‐related behaviours of Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: This descriptive qualitative study conducted semi‐structured interviews with 15 Chinese women between November 2022 and January 2023. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three major themes are found: (1) beliefs in health, (2) beliefs in illness and GDM and (3) beliefs in health‐related behaviours. They worried about the negative effects of GDM on the infant and family, so they actively sought medical advice to maintain health. However, it is challenging for them to balance adhering to healthcare professionals' advice and avoiding practical difficulties in the impact of the Chinese sociocultural context. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the influence of Chinese culture and customs on the beliefs and health‐related behaviours of women with GDM. Healthcare providers should recognize the influence of Chinese culture, customs and beliefs on women with GDM and their families, in order to provide individualized education to help them maintain health‐related behaviours. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing in China and affects 14.8% of pregnant women.Some personal beliefs about illness and health can lead to inadequate self‐care behaviours and thus failure to achieve optimal self‐management and health goals.Factors of Chinese sociocultural content and Chinese traditional culture and customs may have different influences on Chinese married women's beliefs in health, illness and health‐related behaviours. What this paper adds? Influenced by Chinese culture and customs, Chinese women's perspectives on gestational diabetes are bidirectional. They fear the negative effects of the disease on infants' and families' health and actively seek help, while some try to balance following professional advice and practical difficulties, such as diet control and self‐glucose monitoring.The low‐risk self‐management awareness, lack of adequate healthcare knowledge, and self‐care practice in Chinese women with GDM are one of the factors that lead to practical difficulties in GDM management.Understanding the impact of traditional Chinese culture and customs on the beliefs and health‐related behaviours of women with GDM, well‐trained healthcare professionals can disseminate personalized health education to individuals, families and communities to improve GDM management in these women. The implications of this paper: Health providers need to constantly update the GDM guidelines with Chinese cultural characteristics based on the cultural acceptance and customs of Chinese women with GDM in order to offer them individualized care and scientific advice.The findings of this study could act as a clinical resource for health professionals to investigate the impact of differences in culture and customs across countries or regions on individual beliefs and health‐related behaviours in different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Aging in place (AIP) has been adopted as a key strategy to cope with the global public health challenge posed by population aging. The current study aimed to understand the association between older adult's AIP preference and various social and physical environmental factors at different scales. Research Design and Methods Following the ecological model of aging, this paper conducted a questionnaire survey of 827 independent-living older adults (60 years old and above) from four big cities in China's Yangtze River Delta region and employed a structural equation modeling method for analysis. Results Older adults from more developed cities exhibited a stronger preference for AIP than those from less developed cities. Individual characteristics, mental health, and physical health had a direct impact on AIP preference, whereas the effect of the community social environment was not significant. The perceived and objectively measured community-built environment indirectly affected AIP preference via mediation and chain effects. Discussion and Implications Complex paths affecting AIP preference were identified. At the city level, the social environment had a stronger influence than the physical environment on AIP, and the opposite pattern was observed at the community level. Mental health and physical health had opposite effects on AIP preference. Although physical health was negatively associated with AIP, age-friendly communities with compact, diverse, and accessible built environments have a positive impact on older adults' physical health and therefore should be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Secretory carcinoma (SC) represents a relatively new and less recognized subtype of salivary gland cancer among clinicians. The objective of our study was to shed light on this rare entity by providing an in-depth analysis of the clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, and treatment outcomes of five patients diagnosed with SC. We also sought to contribute to the understanding of the diagnostic criteria and prognostic factors associated with SC., Case Description: The patients, treated at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, were aged between 33 and 40 years, with an average age of 33 years. Notably, none of the patients reported pain or noticed a mass initially; however, the mass became progressively larger over time. Diagnostic imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), led to the classification of four cases as benign and one as a low-grade malignancy. We meticulously documented the diagnostic and treatment journey of these patients, including the clinical data, histopathological findings, and subsequent treatment responses., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that SC is associated with a favorable prognosis. Nevertheless, the clinical presentation of SC lacks distinct features, necessitating a comprehensive approach that includes immunohistochemistry (IHC) and genetic testing for an accurate diagnosis. This study underscores the importance of recognizing SC as a distinct pathological entity to ensure appropriate patient management and improve outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://gs.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/gs-24-422/coif). P.I.C. serves as an unpaid editorial board member of Gland Surgery from March 2023 to February 2025. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2024 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)