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Pancreatic adenocarcinoma represents one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, with dismal survival rates despite advances in therapeutic modalities. Immunotherapy, particularly vaccines, has emerged as a promising strategy to harness the body’s immune system in combating this aggressive cancer. This abstract reviews the trials and tribulations encountered in the development of vaccines targeting pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Key challenges include the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, the heterogeneity of tumor antigens, and a limited understanding of immune evasion mechanisms employed by pancreatic cancer cells. Various vaccine platforms, including peptide-based, dendritic cell-based, and viral vector-based vaccines, have been explored in preclinical and clinical settings. However, translating promising results from preclinical models to clinical efficacy has proven elusive. In recent years, mRNA vaccines have emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic strategy in the fight against various cancers, including pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We will discuss the potential applications, opportunities, and challenges associated with mRNA vaccines in pancreatic cancer treatment.

Introduction Facial trauma can cause damage to the facial nerve, which can have negative effects on function, aesthetics, and quality of life if left untreated.

IntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant cause of cancer related mortality. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is a m6A mRNA demethylase that plays an oncogenic role in various malignancies. In this study we evaluated the role of FTO in CRC tumorigenesis.MethodsCell proliferation assays were conducted in 6 CRC cell lines with the FTO inhibitor CS1 (50-3200 nM) (± 5-FU 5-80 mM) and after lentivirus mediated FTO knockdown. Cell cycle and apoptosis assays were conducted in HCT116 cells (24 h and 48 h, 290 nM CS1). Western blot and m6A dot plot assays were performed to assess CS1 inhibition of cell cycle proteins and FTO demethylase activity. Migration and invasion assays of shFTO cells and CS1 treated cells were performed. An in vivo heterotopic model of HCT116 cells treated with CS1 or with FTO knockdown cells was performed. RNA-seq was performed on shFTO cells to assess which molecular and metabolic pathways were impacted. RT-PCR was conducted on select genes down-regulated by FTO knockdown.ResultsWe found that the FTO inhibitor, CS1 suppressed CRC cell proliferation in 6 colorectal cancer cell lines and in the 5-Fluorouracil resistant cell line (HCT116-5FUR). CS1 induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase by down regulation of CDC25C and promoted apoptosis of HCT116 cells. CS1 suppressed in vivo tumor growth in the HCT116 heterotopic model (p< 0.05). Lentivirus knockdown of FTO in HCT116 cells (shFTO) mitigated in vivo tumor proliferation and in vitro demethylase activity, cell growth, migration and invasion compared to shScr controls (p< 0.01). RNA-seq of shFTO cells compared to shScr demonstrated down-regulation of pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation, MYC and Akt/ mTOR signaling pathways.DiscussionFurther work exploring the targeted pathways will elucidate precise downstream mechanisms that can potentially translate these findings to clinical trials.

Baicalein is a Chinese herbal compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis that has anti-tumor properties. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of action of baicalein against human colorectal cancer cell lines and to assess whether the anti-proliferative effects of baicalein may be amplified with autophagy inhibition. Human colon cancer cell lines (HT-29, HCT-116, SW480, and SW620) were treated with baicalein alone and in combination with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ). Baicalein reduced cell viability in all four colon cancer lines in a dose-dependent fashion. Combination treatment of baicalein and the autophagy inhibitor CQ significantly decreased cell viability compared with baicalein alone in HT-29 and HCT-116 cell lines. Western blot analysis of the HCT-116 cell line treated with both baicalein and CQ demonstrated increased expression of LC3-II, a component of autophagy. The combination of baicalein with CQ culminated in activation of caspase-3-mediated apoptosis. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of autophagy enhanced apoptotic cell death induced by baicalein treatment in colon cancer cell lines. Future work will assess other targetable apoptotic pathways activated by baicalein and autophagy inhibition.

This study reviewed the methodology and findings of 44 peer-reviewed studies on psychosocial risk factors associated with mental health outcomes among undocumented immigrants (UIs) in the United States. Findings showed a considerable advancement over the past seven years in the methods and measures used in the included studies. Nonetheless, there is a need for continued methodological rigor, innovative study designs, greater diversity of samples, and in-depth exploration of constructs that facilitate resilience. Identifying avenues to reduce risk in this population is essential to inform intervention and advocacy efforts aimed at overcoming distress from the current U.S. anti-immigrant and socio-political climate.

Trans-resveratrol establishes the planarity in its structure which makes it an interesting compound in both experimental and theoretical examinations. The current study, using the density functional method (DFT), attempts to compare the antioxidative capacities between hydroxyl (OH) and aromatic methine (CH) groups of this molecule. Becke’s exchange-correlation B3LYP functional together with 6-311++G(d, p) basis set was used to reveal the effects of structural geometry and electronic feature on the antioxidative results of OH and CH groups. The antioxidative action of trans-resveratrol has followed the HAT mechanism in gas, but the SPLET pathway in liquids. OH bond breaking is easier than CH bond disruption. 4-OH bond breaking induces the lowest BDE values of 74.4–77.9 kcal/mol in gas, acetone, methanol, and water, as well as the lowest PA values of 37.2–46.2 kcal/mol in acetone, methanol, and water. From the kinetic view, 4-OH is also an active center to capture laboratory radical DPPH, ROS radicals HOO• and CH3O•, and RNS radical •NO2.

Introduction: Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) has been accepted as a major treatment modality for early glottic carcinoma (T1, T2), with well-known advantages over Radiation Therapy (RT) and open partial laryngectomy. Aim: To evaluate the oncological outcomes in a consecutive series of early glottic carcinomas treated with TLM as a singlemodality therapy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using the medical records of 32 consecutive patients who underwent TLMs and postoperative follow-ups. We only evaluated the oncological outcomes for 1-year disease-free survival and the organ preservation rate. The prognostic values of the related clinicopathological factors were evaluated using univariate analysis. Results: Of the 32 patients, 31 were males and one was a female, with an average age of 61 years. The tumours were treated by cordectomy types IV (78.1%), Va (18.8%) and Vb (3.3%). The voice outcomes were assessed using the Voice Handicap Index scale, which showed that 8 patients had normal voices and 22 had mild changes. Only 2 had moderateto-severe voice changes. The mean hospitalization period was 4.4 days (range 3-7 days). For resection margins, as reported by the pathologist, 31 cases (96.9%) had negative margins and 1 case (3.1%) had a positive margin. Conclusion: Laser surgery has very good oncological outcomes for T1 and T2 glottic cancer with the highly proportion of negative margins and the voice outcomes is normal or mild changed.

Introduction: Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) causes respiratory diseases that lead to numerous deaths and an increased burden on the healthcare system. In 2014, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam reported that 4000 children under the age of 5 die because of CAP every year. Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the direct medical costs per case for CAP treatment from the hospital perspective and to evaluate the use of antibiotics at a public hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2016 at Trung-Vuong Hospital. Pneumonia episodes, identified by ICD-10 (J10–J18) and assigned to medical encounters, were validated through the hospital electronic database (n=1,854). Treatment costs consisted of costs of hospital beds, diagnostics, operations, laboratory tests, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and other services, which was calculated and .presented by using descriptive statistics methods. Results: The average cost per case (mean/SD) of all age groups was $795.1/$86.2; the highest cost was incurred by the group aged over 85 years, at $1253.7/$90.3. The average cost to treat CAP in male patients was $810.2/$85.5, which was higher than the treatment cost for females, at $778.6/$86.7, but the difference was not significant (P=0.450). The total burden of CAP in the period 2015–2016 was $1,474,052.9. The total costs of pharmaceuticals represented the largest proportion of the total costs (65.9%), at $971,646, and the cost of antibiotics was $380.5/$111.8 per episode. According to the sensitivity analysis, if the costs of the hospital beds were reduced by 20%, the total treatment cost for CAP would fall by 1.6%. Conclusion: The study contributed evidence of the high treatment costs of CAP in the Vietnamese context. Given the significance of the disease burden, the potential benefit of vaccination in adults is substantial.