Associations Between a Social Determinant of Health Summary Measure and Self-Reported Physical and Mental Health Among Cancer Survivors.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the associations between a social needs measure and physical, and mental health among cancer survivors in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey involving 16,930 eligible cancer survivors. The primary outcomes of interest were self-reported physical and mental health in the past 30 days. A social needs measure was our primary exposure of interest. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the associations of interest. RESULTS: Overall, 56% and 73% survivors with several days of poor physical and mental health, respectively, reported having two or more social needs. In multivariate analysis, those having at least one social need were more likely to report several days of poor physical (one need: OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.31-2.00, two or more needs: OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 2.84-4.35) and mental health (one need: OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 2.07-4.57, two or more needs: OR, 9.69; 95% CI, 6.83-13.74). Among survivors with two or more social needs, having exercised in the past 30 days were 41% and 59% less likely to experience poor physical and mental health, respectively (p-value < 0.05). However, having at least one chronic disease was associated with several days of poor physical/mental health among those with two or more needs (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Having social needs was associated with self-reporting of several days of poor physical and mental health among cancer survivors. Integrated care should include mental/physical health management addressing cancer survivors' various social needs.

Health expenditure trajectory and gastric cancer incidence in the National Health Insurance Senior Cohort: a nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and highly prevalent in South Korea. As one of the predictors of gastric cancer, we focused on health utilization patterns and expenditures, as the surrogate variables of health conditions. This nested case-control study aimed to identify the association between health expenditure trajectory and incidence of gastric cancer. METHODS: Data from the National Health Insurance Service Senior Cohort of South Korea were used. Individuals diagnosed with gastric cancer (N = 14,873) were matched to a non-diagnosed group (N = 44,619) in a 1:3 ratio using a nested case-control design. A latent class trajectory analysis was performed to identify the patterns of health expenditure among the matched participants. Furthermore, conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between healthcare expenditure trajectories and gastric cancer incidence. RESULTS: Seven distinct health expenditure trajectories for five years were identified; consistently lowest (13.8%), rapidly increasing (5.9%), gradually increasing (13.8%), consistently second-highest (21.4%), middle-low (18.8%), gradually decreasing (13.1%), and consistently highest (13.2%). Compared to the middle-low group, individuals in the rapidly increasing [odds ratio (OR) = 2.11, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.94-2.30], consistently lowest (OR = 1.40, 95% CI; 1.30-1.51), and gradually increasing (OR = 1.26, 95% CI; 1.17-1.35) groups exhibited a higher risk of developing gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that health expenditure trajectories are predictors of gastric cancer. Potential risk groups can be identified by monitoring health expenditures.

Effect of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 on irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract, negatively impacting patients' quality of life. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 (RH 3201) on irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 30 subjects with IBS-C were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 8 weeks of probiotics administration or placebo. Concerning bowel activities, both irritant bowel movements and discomfort caused by constipation showed significant improvement with RH 3201 at 8 weeks. Symptoms including severity of abdominal bloating, frequency of abdominal bloating, and satisfaction of bowel habits based on the irritable bowel syndrome-severity scoring system also ameliorated in the probiotic group. Analysis of the fecal microbiome revealed that the abundance of Bacteroides cellulosilyticus and Akkermansia muciniphila was higher during the period of RH 3201 administration compared to the placebo. Untargeted metabolome analysis further suggested a correlation between specific metabolites, such as N-acetylornithine, xanthine, and 3-phenylpropionic acid, and the improvement of clinical symptoms. These results indicate that RH 3201 was effective in ameliorating IBS-C, potentially by enriching beneficial microbes and associated metabolites in the gut environment.

Integrative Analysis of Probiotic-Mediated Remodeling in Canine Gut Microbiota and Metabolites Using a Fermenter for an Intestinal Microbiota Model.

In contemporary society, the increasing number of pet-owning households has significantly heightened interest in companion animal health, expanding the probiotics market aimed at enhancing pet well-being. Consequently, research into the gut microbiota of companion animals has gained momentum, however, ethical and societal challenges associated with experiments on intelligent and pain-sensitive animals necessitate alternative research methodologies to reduce reliance on live animal testing. To address this need, the Fermenter for Intestinal Microbiota Model (FIMM) is being investigated as an in vitro tool designed to replicate gastrointestinal conditions of living animals, offering a means to study gut microbiota while minimizing animal experimentation. The FIMM system explored interactions between intestinal microbiota and probiotics within a simulated gut environment. Two strains of commercial probiotic bacteria, Enterococcus faecium IDCC 2102 and Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301, along with a newly isolated strain from domestic dogs, Lactobacillus acidophilus SLAM AK001, were introduced into the FIMM system with gut microbiota from a beagle model. Findings highlight the system's capacity to mirror and modulate the gut environment, evidenced by an increase in beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium and a decrease in the pathogen Clostridium. The study also verified the system's ability to facilitate accurate interactions between probiotics and commensal bacteria, demonstrated by the production of short-chain fatty acids and bacterial metabolites, including amino acids and gamma-aminobutyric acid precursors. Thus, the results advocate for FIMM as an in vitro system that authentically simulates the intestinal environment, presenting a viable alternative for examining gut microbiota and metabolites in companion animals.

Cancer History and Social Support Impact Colorectal Cancer Screening Utilization by Race/Ethnicity.

This study examined the association among cancer history, social support, and up-to-date colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among four racial/ethnic groups. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data on respondents aged 45 to 75 years from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Our outcome of interest was CRC screening and exposures of interest were race/ethnicity, cancer history, and social support. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was performed. Among 73,869 adults, the CRC screening rate was 66.8% with the highest rate in non-Hispanic (NH), Whites (72.2%), and the lowest in Hispanics (52.6%). Screening rates were higher in adults with a cancer history (81.9%) and those having social support (69%). Hispanic adults with a cancer history had lower screening use (50.9% vs. 77.4% in the no cancer history group; P value < 0.001). Regardless of race/ethnicity, adults without social support had lower screening utilization (P value < 0.05). In effect modification, NH White adults who reported no cancer history and lack of social support were 12% less likely to have CRC screening than those with social support but without cancer history (OR, 0.88; 95% confidence intervals, 0.79-0.98). Similar results were observed among Hispanic adults without a cancer history and social support, with 37% less likely to have CRC screening than those with social support but no cancer history (OR, 0.63; 95% confidence intervals, 0.42-0.93). NH White and Hispanic adults without a cancer history and limited social support were less likely to have CRC screening uptake. By implementing culturally tailored interventions that address social support needs, greater CRC screening compliance may be increased among these populations. Prevention Relevance: Adherence to CRC screening recommendations reduces cancer incidence and mortality. Effective implementation of culturally tailored interventions that address social support needs and consider cancer history have the potential for improving CRC screening compliance among NH White and Hispanic adults without a cancer history.

Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301 (B. lactis Fit™) supplementation effects on body fat, serum triglyceride, and adipokine ratio in obese women: a randomized clinical trial.

Obesity is a common metabolic disease characterized by abnormal fat accumulation. It contributes to health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidemia, necessitating continuous management through diet and physical activity. Probiotics, particularly Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301 (B. lactis Fit™), have shown promise in positively regulating the gut microbiota. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of B. lactis IDCC 4301 (B. lactis Fit™) in obese women. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study was performed in 99 volunteers with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-30 kg m-2. The participants were randomly assigned to probiotics (n = 49, >5.0 × 109 CFU day-1) or placebo (n = 50) groups. Body fat, lipid profiles, and adipokine levels were assessed at baseline and at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, changes in total fat (placebo -0.16 ± 0.83 kg; probiotics -0.45 ± 0.83 kg; p = 0.0407), trunk fat (placebo -0.03 ± 0.50 kg; probiotics -0.22 ± 0.51 kg; p = 0.0200), and serum triglyceride concentration (placebo 13 ± 60 mg dL-1; probiotics -15 ± 62 mg dL-1; p = 0.0088) were significantly different between the groups. The difference in total fat mass change between groups among postmenopausal women was greater than that of all women. A significant positive correlation was found between the change in total fat mass and log leptin/adiponectin ratio (R = 0.371, p = 0.0112) in the probiotics group. In addition, BMI (26.6 ± 1.9 kg m-2 to 26.4 ± 2.0 kg m-2, p = 0.0009) and leg fat (42 ± 5% to 41 ± 5%, p = 0.0006) significantly decreased in the probiotics group after 12 weeks, but there was no difference in the placebo group. In conclusion, B. lactis IDCC 4301 (B. lactis Fit™) may be associated with body fat loss through changes in metabolic health parameters, such as serum triglyceride and adipokine levels. The clinical trial registry number is KCT0007425 (https://cris.nih.go.kr).

Rural-Urban Disparities in Telemedicine Use Among U.S. Adults with Cancer.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in health care delivery worldwide, including the widespread adoption of telemedicine. This study examines the prevalence of telemedicine use among cancer survivors in the United States based on rurality and investigates its association with telemedicine use. Methods: The 2021 National Health Interview Survey was used to analyze telemedicine use among cancer survivors during the pandemic. Telemedicine use was the primary outcome, and rurality was the main exposure. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association. Results: Out of 27,500 eligible cancer survivors, 51.6% reported using telemedicine in 2021. Telemedicine usage varied across rural areas, with 41.4% of rural cancer survivors using telemedicine compared with 57.5% of cancer survivors in large metropolitan areas (p < 0.001). Rural cancer survivors had significantly lower odds of using telemedicine during the pandemic compared with large metropolitan cancer survivors. Cancer survivors residing in rural areas were 0.56 times less likely (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.41-0.75), and those residing in medium and small metropolitan areas were 0.69 times less likely (OR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.56-0.86) to report telemedicine use compared with cancer survivors in large metropolitan areas. Conclusions: Substantial disparities in telemedicine use were observed between rural and urban areas among cancer survivors. Rural cancer survivors were less likely to utilize telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring equitable access to telemedicine requires continued reimbursement for telemedicine services, along with additional efforts to improve access to and utilization of health care for rural cancer survivors.

Dietary supplementation with probiotics promotes weight loss by reshaping the gut microbiome and energy metabolism in obese dogs.

Obesity and overweight among companion animals are significant concerns, paralleling the issues observed in human populations. Recent research has highlighted the potential benefits of various probiotics in addressing weight-related changes, obesity, and associated pathologies. In this study, we delved into the beneficial probiotic mechanisms in high-fat-induced obese canines, revealing that Enterococcus faecium IDCC 2102 (IDCC 2102) and Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301 (IDCC 4301) have the capacity to mitigate the increase in body weight and lipid accumulation in obese canines subjected to a high-fat diet and hyperlipidemic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) strain VS29. Both IDCC 2102 and IDCC 4301 demonstrated the ability to reduce systemic inflammation and hormonal disruptions induced by obesity. Notably, these probiotics induced modifications in the microbiota by promoting lactic acid bacteria, including Lactobacillaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and S24-7, with concomitant activation of pyruvate metabolism. IDCC 4301, through the generation of bacterial short-chain fatty acids and carboxylic acids, facilitated glycolysis and contributed to ATP synthesis. Meanwhile, IDCC 2102 produced bacterial metabolites such as acetic acid and butyric acid, exhibiting a particular ability to stimulate dopamine synthesis in a canine model. This stimulation led to the restoration of eating behavior and improvements in glucose and insulin tolerance. In summary, we propose novel probiotics for the treatment of obese animals based on the modifications induced by IDCC 2102 and IDCC 4301. These probiotics enhanced systemic energy utilization in response to high caloric intake, thereby preventing lipid accumulation and restoring stability to the fecal microbiota. Consequently, this intervention resulted in a reduction in systemic inflammation caused by the high-fat diet.IMPORTANCEProbiotic supplementation affected commensal bacterial proliferation, and administering probiotics increased glycolysis and activated pyruvate metabolism in the body, which is related to propanate metabolism as a result of pyruvate metabolism activation boosting bacterial fatty acid production via dopamine and carboxylic acid specialized pathways, hence contributing to increased ATP synthesis and energy metabolism activity.

Factors associated with HPV-associated sexual risk behaviors among sexually active college students.

High-risk sexual behavior is the primary risk factor for the acquisition and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of HPV-associated diseases including cancer. Incidence of HPV infection is high among individuals in their late teens and early 20s. Thus, college students represent a historically high-risk group for HPV infection yet are also a group with the ability to independently access HPV vaccination for HPV prevention. To inform future interventions, we examined factors associated with HPV-associated risky sexual behaviors among sexually active college students. Data (N = 741) were from an anonymous online survey distributed to students at a public Midwestern university in 2021. The outcomes were HPV-associated sexual risk behaviors-number of oral or vaginal sexual partners [high (≥ 5) or low (< 5)] and age of oral or vaginal sexual debut [early (< 18 years) or late (≥ 18 years)]. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association between HPV-associated risky sexual behaviors and several predictors including age, gender, relationship status, academic level, country of birth, and rural-urban status. Among sexually active students, approximately 47% and 41% had a high number of lifetime vaginal and oral partners, respectively. Among the same group, 60% and 64% had early vaginal and oral sexual debut. Students who were single and dating (aOR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.21, 3.08) or single and not dating (2.11; 1.28, 3.48) were more likely to have a high number of vaginal lifetime partners compared with married students. Single (vs. married) students were also about twice as likely to have a high number of oral lifetime partners. Relative to graduate students, freshmen/sophomores were more likely to have an early vaginal (2.44; 1.45, 4.11) and oral (2.14; 1.26, 3.63) sexual debut. Interventions tailored to college freshmen/sophomores and unmarried students should encourage students to receive the HPV vaccine for prevention of future HPV-associated diseases.

The relationship of cancer history and chronic disease status to colorectal cancer screening: A cross-sectional analysis of 2020-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

PURPOSE: We examined whether having a history of cancer and chronic diseases was associated with guideline-concordant colorectal cancer (CRC) screening utilization. METHODS: Self-reported data from the 2020 and 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in Oregon and West Virginia were used. Guideline-concordant CRC screening was the outcome of interest. The exposure was having a personal history of cancer, chronic diseases, or both. Multivariable logistic regressions were applied to assess the abovementioned association. RESULTS: Among 10,373 respondents aged 45-75 years, 75.5% of those with a history of cancer and chronic diseases had guideline-concordant CRC screening use versus 52.8% of those without any history (p-value < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, having a history of cancer (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.11-2.71), chronic diseases (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.14-1.59), and both cancer and chronic diseases (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.62-2.82) were positively associated with screening uptake compared to respondents without any history. Regardless of disease history, older age was associated with greater CRC screening uptake (p-value < 0.05). Among respondents with chronic diseases only or without any condition, those with a health care provider had 1.7-fold and 2.7-fold increased odds of receiving CRC screening, respectively. However, current smokers were 28% and 34% less likely to be screened for CRC among those with chronic diseases only and without any conditions, respectively. CONCLUSION: Having a personal history of cancer and chronic diseases appears to be positively associated with guideline-concordant CRC screening use. Effective implementation of patient-centered communication through primary care initiatives may increase adherence to CRC screening recommendations.

Prioritization of research engaged with rare disease stakeholders: a systematic review and thematic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although rare diseases (RD) are increasingly becoming a priority for healthcare activities and services around the world, developing research policy for investigating RD in public settings proves challenging due to the limited nature of existing evidence. Rare conditions require the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders in order to promote general awareness and garner political support. Consequently, it is critically important to identify trends in the various types of research focusing on rare disease stakeholders, including the specific topics or issues to be included in surveys and studies focused on RD stakeholders. This systematic review and thematic analysis analyses the existing literature based on RD surveys, including the stakeholders involved, and proposes potential research priorities and initiatives for policy-making related to RD. METHODS: Articles were downloaded and analyzed from across five electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and CINHAL) and 115 studies were included. RESULTS: Across 115 studies, the main research participants were patients and/or caregivers (n = 77, 67.0%), health professionals (n = 18, 15.7%), and the public (n = 7, 6.1%). The studies discussed RDs in general (n = 46, 40.0%), endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (n = 20, 17.4%) and other RDs. Experiences with RD were examined by more than half of the selected studies (n = 74, 64.3%), followed by the opinions of stakeholders (n = 24, 20.9%). Most of the studies used surveys in order to collect relevant data (n = 114, 99.1%). Additionally, the majority of the studies were conducted in high-income countries (n = 92, 80.0%) and rarely in middle and low-income countries (n = 12, 13.8%). CONCLUSION: Stakeholder research on RD reveals that there are significant instances of unmet needs and various challenges faced by the medical system in dealing with RDs. Furthermore, public awareness and support is critical to ensuring political feasibility of increasing national-level investments for RDs and development of medical products and treatment.

Predicting in-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes: CASPRI and GO-FAR scores.

It is important to predict the neurological prognoses of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) patients immediately after recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) to make further critical management. The aim of this study was to confirm the usefulness of the Cardiac Arrest Survival Post-Resuscitation In-hospital (CASPRI) and Good Outcome Following Attempted Resuscitation (GO-FAR) scores for predicting the IHCA immediately after the ROSC. This is a retrospective analysis of patient data from a tertiary general hospital located in South Korea. A total of 488 adult patients who had IHCA and achieved sustained ROSC from September 2016 to August 2021 were analyzed to compare effectiveness of the CASPRI and GO-FAR scores related to neurologic prognosis. The primary outcome was Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score at discharge, defined as a CPC score of 1 or 2. The secondary outcomes were survival-to-discharge and normal neurological status or minimal neurological damage at discharge. Of the 488 included patients, 85 (20.8%) were discharged with good prognoses (CPC score of 1 or 2). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of CASPRI score for the prediction of a good neurological outcome was 0.75 (95% CI 0.69-0.81), whereas that of GO-FAR score was 0.67 (95% CI 0.60-0.73). The results of this study show that these scoring systems can be used for timely and satisfactory prediction of the neurological prognoses of IHCA patients after ROSC.

Increased Amino Acid Absorption Mediated by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 in High-Protein Diet-Fed Mice.

The use of dietary protein products has increased with interests in health promotion, and demand for sports supplements. Among various protein sources, milk protein is one of the most widely employed, given its economic and nutritional advantages. However, recent studies have revealed that milk protein undergoes fecal excretion without complete hydrolysis in the intestines. To increase protein digestibility, heating and drying were implemented; however, these methods reduce protein quality by causing denaturation, aggregation, and chemical modification of amino acids. In the present study, we observed that Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 actively secretes proteases that hydrolyze milk proteins. Furthermore, we showed that co-administration of milk proteins and L. rhamnosus IDCC 3201 increased the digestibility and plasma concentrations of amino acids in a high-protein diet mouse model. Thus, food supplementation of L. rhamnosus IDCC 3201 can be an alternative strategy to increase the digestibility of proteins.

The complete chloroplast genome of Viola grypoceras (Violaceae).

We constructed and characterized the chloroplast genome of Viola grypoceras via de novo assembly of Illumina data. The complete circular chloroplast genome is 158,357 bp long and contains four parts: a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,764 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,345 bp, and two inverted-repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 27,124 bp each. Genome annotation predicted that this genome harbors 111 genes, comprising 77 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and four ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that V. grypoceras shares a close systematic relationship with V. mirabilis and V. websteri by forming a basal clade in the genus Viola.

Cera-Glow, ferment lysates of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201, improves skin barrier function in clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Ceramides are essential lipids in stratum corneum for skin permeability barrier function in that they retain the skin moisture and protect from the invasion of foreign pathogens. Previously, we demonstrated that ferment lysates of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 enhanced ceramide production in human epidermal keratinocytes. Furthermore, for comprehensive knowledge of this effect, in vitro experiments and multi-omics analysis were conducted to explore the underlying mechanisms. AIMS: This study was designed to identify whether a cosmetic sample (i.e., Cera-Glow) containing the lysates improves the skin barrier function in clinical trials. PATIENTS/METHODS: Twenty-four female participants (45.46 ± 9.78 years) had been enrolled in the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurement for 5 days and 21 female participants (50.33 ± 5.74 years) had undergone a skin hydration evaluation for 4 weeks. TEWL and skin hydration were evaluated using a Tewameter and the Epsilon Permittivity Imaging System, respectively. After applying the Cera-Glow sample, all participants recorded a satisfaction survey questionnaire (e.g., satisfaction, efficacy, and adverse reactions). RESULTS: Application of Cera-Glow significantly improved transepidermal water loss induced by 1% (w/v) sodium lauryl sulfate (p < 0.05-0.01) and increased skin hydration (p < 0.01). Metabolic analysis suggested that Cera-Glow should contain beneficial gradients for skin barrier function. According to the questionnaire, most of participants were satisfied with the skin hydration improvement and efficacy of Cera-Glow. CONCLUSIONS: Cera-Glow, ferment lysates of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201, can significantly improve skin barrier function.

Phenolic Compounds from the Fruits of Prunus davidiana (Rosaceae) and Their Antioxidant Activities.

This research was supported by Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (Project No. PJ014204032019) and the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2020R1A6A3A01100042).

Marijuana use among US adults with cancer: findings from the 2018-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of current marijuana use and to identify the factors associated with its use among US adults with cancer living in 17 US states and territories. METHODS: Data from the 2018-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Marijuana Use module were analyzed. The analytic sample included 13,174 adults with cancer. The primary outcome was current marijuana use. Weighted, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic, health, and healthcare factors associated with marijuana use. RESULTS: Overall, 9.2% of adult cancer survivors (n = 13,174; weighted 5.7 million) reported marijuana current use, 51.3% of whom used it for medical reasons only, with 65.2% reporting smoking as the main method of administration. Adult cancer survivors were significantly more likely to use marijuana if they were younger (odds ratio [OR] for 55-64 years old, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.38-0.93, vs. 18-44); male (OR for female, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.48-0.87, vs. male); non-Hispanic black (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.21-3.33; P < 0.01, vs. non-Hispanic white); living with depression (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.17-2.14); and current (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 2.20-4.74) or former tobacco smoker (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.70-3.38, vs. never smoker) and binge drinker (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.53-3.29, vs. non-binge drinker). CONCLUSIONS: Among a large cohort of US adults with cancer, marijuana use was commonly reported, and certain subgroups were at increased likelihood of marijuana use. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Health professionals should identify the risk factors for marijuana use, especially as more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana use.

College Students' Awareness of the Link Between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV-Associated Cancers.

We describe the level of awareness of the link between HPV and HPV-associated cancers and identify demographic and lifestyle factors associated with awareness. This was a cross-sectional study of college students (n = 862) at a public Midwestern university conducted between February and May 2021. The outcomes were student's awareness-accessed by asking students if they knew whether HPV was causally link with anal, cervical, vaginal, oropharyngeal, vulvar, and penile cancers. Logistic regression models estimated the association between sociodemographic and sexual behavior and awareness of the link between HPV and HPV-associated cancers. Approximately 70% were aware that HPV causes cervical, 53% were aware HPV causes vaginal, 40% were aware HPV causes vulvar cancers, 39% were aware HPV causes oropharyngeal, 38% were aware HPV causes penile, and 34% were aware HPV causes anal cancers. In multivariable analyses, men were less likely to be aware that HPV causes vaginal (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.30-0.59) or vulvar cancers (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.77) compared to women. Compared with sexually naïve students, those who had have oral and vaginal sex were more likely to be aware that HPV causes anal (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.17-3.34), penile (aOR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.11-2.97), vaginal (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.14-2.88), or vulvar (aOR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.24-3.40) cancers. Awareness of the link between HPV and HPV-associated cancers was low, except cervical. This underscores the need for more tailored interventions to increase knowledge about HPV and its association with cancer. Increasing students' levels of awareness may impact HPV vaccine uptake.

Investigation of phenyllactic acid as a potent tyrosinase inhibitor produced by probiotics.

Melanogenesis is responsible for skin pigmentation and the enzymatic browning of foods. Tyrosinases play a major role in melanin synthesis, and many attempts have been made to identify new natural tyrosinase inhibitors, but few have sought to do in microbes. Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by the metabolism of probiotics and have been reported to be safe and effective. In this study, we evaluated the tyrosinase inhibitory effects of culture supernatants of probiotics and discovered novel bacterial metabolites that can be used as a potent tyrosinase inhibitor based on metabolomics. Cultures of Bifidobacterium bifidum IDCC 4201 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IDCC 3501 showed effective anti-tyrosinase, reduced melanin synthesis, and altered protein expression associated with the melanogenesis pathway. Comparative metabolomics analyses conducted by GC-MS identified metabolites commonly produced by B. bifidum and L. plantarum. Of eight selected metabolites, phenyllactic acid exhibited significant tyrosinase-inhibitory activity. Our findings suggest that applications of probiotic culture supernatants containing high amounts of phenyllactic acid have potential use as anti-melanogenesis agents in food and medicines.

Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301 Exerts Anti-Obesity Effects in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice Model by Regulating Lipid Metabolism.

SCOPE: Chronic hypernutrition promotes lipid accumulation in the body and excessive lipid accumulation leads to obesity. An increase in the number and size of adipocytes, a characteristic of obesity is closely associated with adipose dysfunction. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that probiotics may prevent this dysfunction by regulating lipid metabolism. However, the mechanisms of action of probiotics in obesity are not fully understood and their usage for treating obesity remains limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301 is selected for its anti-obesity potential after evaluating inhibitory activity of pancreatic lipase and cholesterol reducing activity. Next, this study investigates the roles of B. lactis IDCC 4301 on lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. B. lactis IDCC 4301 inhibits cell differentiation and lipid accumulation by suppressing the expression of adipogenic enzymes in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, the administration of B. lactis IDCC 4301 decreases body and adipose tissue weight, improves serum lipid levels, and downregulates adipogenic mRNA expression in HFD-fed mice. Additionally, metabolomic analysis suggests that 2-ketobutyrate should be a possible target compound against obesity. CONCLUSIONS: B. lactis IDCC 4301 may be used as an alternative treatment for obesity.