An Intelligent Bio-Inspired Autonomous Surveillance System Using Underwater Sensor Networks.

Energy efficiency is important for underwater sensor networks. Designing such networks is challenging due to underwater environmental traits that hinder network lifespan extension. Unlike terrestrial protocols, underwater settings require novel protocols due to slower signal propagation. To enhance energy efficiency in underwater sensor networks, ongoing research concentrates on developing innovative solutions. Thus, in this paper, an intelligent bio-inspired autonomous surveillance system using underwater sensor networks is proposed as an efficient method for data communication. The tunicate swarm algorithm is used for the election of the cluster heads by considering different parameters such as energy, distance, and density. Each layer has several clusters, each of which is led by a cluster head that continuously rotates in response to the fitness values of the SNs using the tunicate swarm algorithm. The performance of the proposed protocol is compared with existing methods such as EE-LHCR, EE-DBR, and DBR, and results show the network's lifespan is improved by the proposed work. Due to the effective fitness parameters during cluster head elections, our suggested protocol may more effectively achieve energy balance, resulting in a longer network lifespan.

Nanoformulation Development to Improve the Biopharmaceutical Properties of Fisetin Using Design of Experiment Approach.

This study aimed to design an effective nanoparticle-based carrier for the oral delivery of fisetin (FST) with improved biopharmaceutical properties. FST-loaded nanoparticles were prepared with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) by the interfacial deposition method. A central composite design of two independent variables, the concentration of PVA and the amount of PLGA, was applied for the optimization of the preparative parameter. The responses, including average particle size, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency, and zeta potential, were assessed. The optimized formulation possessed a mean particle size of 187.9 nm, the polydispersity index of 0.121, encapsulation efficiency of 79.3%, and zeta potential of -29.2 mV. The morphological observation demonstrated a globular shape for particles. Differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that the encapsulated FST was presented as the amorphous state. The dissolution test indicated a 3.06-fold increase for the accumulating concentrations, and the everted gut sac test showed a 4.9-fold gain for permeability at the duodenum region. In conclusion, the optimized FST-loaded nanoparticle formulation in this work can be developed as an efficient oral delivery system of FST to improve its biopharmaceutic properties.

Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Image Based on (7, 4) Hamming Code and UnitSmooth Detection.

With the development of cloud storage and privacy protection, reversible data hiding in encrypted images (RDHEI) plays the dual role of privacy protection and secret information transmission. RDHEI has a good application prospect and practical value. The current RDHEI algorithms still have room for improvement in terms of hiding capacity, security and separability. Based on (7, 4) Hamming Code and our proposed prediction/ detection functions, this paper proposes a Hamming Code and UnitSmooth detection based RDHEI scheme, called HUD-RDHEI scheme for short. To prove our performance, two database sets-BOWS-2 and BOSSBase-have been used in the experiments, and peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and pure embedding rate (ER) are served as criteria to evaluate the performance on image quality and hiding capacity. Experimental results confirm that the average pure ER with our proposed scheme is up to 2.556 bpp and 2.530 bpp under BOSSBase and BOWS-2, respectively. At the same time, security and separability is guaranteed. Moreover, there are no incorrect extracted bits during data extraction phase and the visual quality of directly decrypted image is exactly the same as the cover image.

CCL4 is the only predictor for non-responder in GT-1 CHC patients with favorable IL28B genotype when treated with PegIFN/RBV.

BACKGROUND: Chemokines/cytokines play important roles in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, their clinical characteristics and implications in treatment responses to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment (PegIFN/RBV) have not been fully illustrated yet. In this study, we intended to investigate the possible predictability of serum chemokines/cytokines on the treatment response in Taiwanese of CHC, genotype-1 (GT-1). METHODS: 60 Patients with GT-1 CHC infection who had been treated with PegIFN/RBV were enrolled, including 27 (45%) with sustained virological response (SVR), 11 (18%) with relapse after 48 weeks of treatment and 22 (37%) non-response (NR). Clinical parameters, seven chemokines/cytokines, CCL3, CCL4, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, IL-10 and IFN-γ, and genotypes of rs12979860, the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin-28B (IL28B) were analyzed for their relationship to treatment response. RESULTS: Baseline serum levels of CXCL10, CXCL11, CCL3 and CCL4 were significantly higher in NR group while comparing with non-NR group. (CXCL10: p = 0.001; CXCL11: p < 0.001; CCL3: p = 0.006; CCL4: p = 0.005). However, only rs12979860 CC genotype was the independent factors for NR in GT-1 CHC infection (OR, 8.985; p = 0.008). In addition, baseline serum level of CCL4 was found to be the only independent factor for NR in GT-1 CHC patients with favorable IL28B genotype (OR, 1.134; p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: IL28B genotype is the predictor for NR in GT-1 CHC patients treated with PegIFN/RBV, while baseline serum level of CCL4 is the only predictor for NR in GT-1 CHC patients with favorable IL28B genotype.

Emerging trends in biomedical trait-based human identification: A bibliometric analysis.

Personal human identification is a crucial aspect of modern society with applications spanning from law enforcement to healthcare and digital security. This bibliometric paper presents a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in personal human identification methodologies focusing on biomedical traits. The paper examines a diverse range of research articles, reviews, and patents published over the last decade to provide insights into the evolving landscape of biometric identification techniques. The study categorizes the identified literature into distinct biomedical trait categories, including but not limited to, fingerprint and palmprint recognition, iris and retinal scanning, facial recognition, voice and speech analysis, gait recognition, and DNA-based identification. Through systematic analysis, the paper highlights key trends, emerging technologies, and interdisciplinary collaborations in each category, revealing the interdisciplinary nature of research in this field. Furthermore, the bibliometric analysis examines the geographical distribution of research efforts, identifying prominent countries and institutions contributing to advancements in personal human identification. Collaboration networks among researchers and institutions are visualized to depict the knowledge flow and collaborative dynamics within the field. Overall, this study serves as a valuable reference for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, shedding light on the current status and potential future directions of personal human identification leveraging biomedical traits.

Importance of age at 2nd implantation and interimplant interval to the outcome of bilateral prelingually deafened pediatric cochlear implantation.

BACKGROUND: In Taiwan, the number of cases of sequential bilateral pediatric cochlear implantation (CI) is increasing but data regarding its effectiveness and impact of the reimbursement policy are lacking. We examined the speech perception and quality of life (QOL) of bilateral prelingually deaf children who underwent sequential CI, considering the effects of age at the time of second implantation and interimplant interval. METHODS: We enrolled 124 Mandarin-speaking participants who underwent initial cochlear implant (CI1) in 2001-2019 and a second CI (CI2) in 2015-2020. Patients were followed up for ≥2 years and were categorized into groups based on age at the time of CI2 implantation (<3.5, 3.6-7, 7.1-10, 10.1-13, and 13.1-18 years) and interimplant interval (0.5-3, 3.1-5, 5.1-7, 7.1-10, and >10 years). We evaluated speech perception, device usage rates, and QOL using subjective questionnaires (Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing and Comprehension Cochlear Implant Questionnaire). RESULTS: Speech perception scores of CI2 were negatively correlated with ages at the time of CI1 and CI2 implantation and interimplant interval. Older age and a longer interimplant interval were associated with higher nonuse rates for CI2 and worse auditory performance and QOL. Among individuals aged >13 years with interimplant intervals >10 years, up to 44% did not use their second ear. Patients aged 7.1 to 10 years had better speech perception and higher questionnaire scores than those aged 10.1 to 13 and 13.1 to 18 years. Furthermore, patients aged 10.1 to 13 years had a lower rate of continuous CI2 usage compared to those aged 7.1 to 10 years. CONCLUSION: Timely implantation of CI2 is essential to achieve optimal outcomes, particularly among sequentially implanted patients with long-term deafness in the second ear and no improvement with hearing aids following CI1 implantation. For CI2 implantation, an upper limit of age of 10 years and interimplant interval of 7 years are essential to prevent suboptimal outcomes. These data can provide useful information to implant recipients, their families, and medical and audiological professionals, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and potential impacts of the timing of CI2 implantation.

A blind reversible robust watermarking scheme for relational databases.

Protecting the ownership and controlling the copies of digital data have become very important issues in Internet-based applications. Reversible watermark technology allows the distortion-free recovery of relational databases after the embedded watermark data are detected or verified. In this paper, we propose a new, blind, reversible, robust watermarking scheme that can be used to provide proof of ownership for the owner of a relational database. In the proposed scheme, a reversible data-embedding algorithm, which is referred to as "histogram shifting of adjacent pixel difference" (APD), is used to obtain reversibility. The proposed scheme can detect successfully 100% of the embedded watermark data, even if as much as 80% of the watermarked relational database is altered. Our extensive analysis and experimental results show that the proposed scheme is robust against a variety of data attacks, for example, alteration attacks, deletion attacks, mix-match attacks, and sorting attacks.

Balloon Dacryocystoplasty with Pushed Monocanalicular Intubation as a Primary Management for Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction.

Given the improvement in the instrument and techniques, novel surgical interventions emerged to avoid the osteotomy from the gold standard dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for treating primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO). This study's aim is to compare the surgical outcomes of antegrade balloon dacryocystoplasty (DCP) with pushed monocanalicular intubation (MCI) to balloon DCP alone in patients with complete PANDO. Adult patients with complete PANDO receiving balloon DCP followed by pushed MCI or balloon DCP alone from December 2014 to May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 37 eyes of 29 patients were treated with balloon DCP with pushed MCI for 1 month, whereas 35 eyes of 28 patients were treated with balloon DCP alone. The success rates at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation were 89.2%, 73.0%, and 70.2%, respectively, in balloon DCP with MCI group, and 62.9%, 62.9%, and 60.0%, respectively, in the balloon DCP alone group. The balloon DCP with pushed MCI group had a better success rate but only reached statistical significance at 1 month postoperatively (p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis was performed based on age. The success rate in those under 65 in the combined balloon DCP with MCI group was significantly higher than in balloon DCP alone group (72.7% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.004), whereas there was no significant difference between those aged at least 65 in the combined group and the balloon DCP alone group (69.2% vs. 83.3%, p = 0.2). Conclusively, there was no significant difference in the success rate between antegrade balloon DCP with and without pushed MCI in general. Nevertheless, the former procedure was associated with significantly higher surgical success rate than the latter in younger patients.

Trends in diabetic eye disorders and associated comorbidities in Taiwan: a 10-year nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In-depth analysis is needed to investigate trends in diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular oedema (DME) and associated comorbidities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) so that we can better understand their prevalence and incidence. METHODS: A retrospective population-based study was conducted using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2005 to 2015, and T2DM, DR and associated comorbidities were identified based on diagnostic codes. We used a standardised incidence rate with age and sex adjustment to estimate the prevalence and incidence of DR, proliferative DR (PDR), advanced PDR (aPDR) and DME, while the difference in each study period was calculated as the annual percentage change. We used the absolute standardised difference to analyse changes in related comorbidities in different periods. RESULTS: The population of patients with DM increased over 50% between 2005 and 2015, while the prevalence and incidence of DR decreased, as did the incidence of PDR and aPDR. However, the prevalence and incidence of DME increased over the course of 10 years, with an upward trend in all forms of DR. The percentage of patients with hyperlipidaemia in DME and all DR increased, and the percentage of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was also elevated in DME. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and incidence of DR, PDR and aPDR decreased with time in patientsT2DM, while the ratio of DME increased gradually. The incidence of hyperlipidaemia also increased in all forms of diabetic eye disorders, while ESRD increased solely in DME.

Combined Dynamic Alterations in Urinary VEGF Levels and Tissue ADAM9 Expression as Markers for Lethal Phenotypic Progression of Prostate Cancer.

Recent evidence has demonstrated that detection of changes in the levels of urinary vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tissue a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (ADAM9) is effective in determining prostate cancer progression. To evaluate the combined application of VEGF and ADAM9 as early progression markers of lethal phenotypic cancer, quantification of urinary VEGF and tissue ADAM9 expression was studied in patients with late stage prostate cancer. Tissue biopsies were collected during palliative transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) surgery, and urine samples were collected before hormone therapy and 3, 6 and 12 months post-TURP. We observed a nearly 100% correlation between increasing urinary VEGF levels over time and prostate cancer progression, but no correlation was observed when comparing urinary VEGF concentrations at a single time point and cancer progression. In addition, we also observed correlation of increasing ADAM9 nuclear positive staining and lethal phenotypic transition. Statistical analysis revealed that both the increase in urinary VEGF level and the presence of the tissue ADAM9 nuclear staining were significantly correlated with the risk of patients with relapse prostate cancer (P < 0.05). Thus, we suggest that combination of detection of changes in urinary VEGF and tissue staining of ADAM9 may be accurate for predicting the mortality of patients with prostate cancer during hormone therapy.

Case Report: Botulinum Toxin-A for Complication of Exposure Keratopathy Following Frontalis-Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Flap Shortening.

Background: Lagophthalmos with exposure keratopathy is a potential vision-threatening complication following surgery for blepharoptosis. We report three cases successfully treated with botulinum toxin-A (Botox®, Allergan, Irvine, USA) for this complication. Cases: Three patients presented with severe blepharoptosis after surgery for orbital and frontal base tumors. They obtained good appearances after frontalis-orbicularis oculi muscle (FOOM) flap shortening. However, exposure keratopathy developed after the surgery despite frequent use of topical lubricants and autologous serum eye drops. We injected 5-10 units of botulinum toxin-A around the central supra-brow area, which was near the origin of the FOOM flap. One week later, they developed ptosis and could close the eye completely. The corneal defect gradually resolved. They recovered from ptosis 3 months later and never required a second injection. Observations: Lagophthalmos with exposure keratopathy is a potential vision-threatening complication following FOOM flap surgery. In severe cases, surgical revision should be considered to partially or totally release the FOOM flap attachment, which also decreases its function permanently. In this case series, we demonstrated that injecting botulinum toxin-A may be a promising method to manage this complication without permanently affecting the function of the FOOM flap. Conclusions: A botulinum toxin-A injection may be an effective treatment for patients developing exposure keratopathy after FOOM flap surgery.

Immediate Ocular Changes After Light-Emitting Diode Displays Exposure-A Preliminary Study.

Purpose: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is one of the most frequently encountered problems among video display terminals (VDT) users, but little is known regarding the short-term effect after exposure to light-emitting diodes (LED). The purpose of this study was to determine if short-term exposure to LED leads to changes in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), lipid layer thickness (LLT), blink rates, partial blink ratio, and computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVS-Q) score. Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Methods: In this study, participants were recruited at the National Cheng-Kung University Hospital, a tertiary referral center in southern Taiwan, for examination. Participants were asked to complete the CVS-Q and undergo a series of ocular examinations, including CDVA, LLT, blink rates and partial blink ratio before and after watching an LED display for 15 min. Main Outcome Measures were changes in CDVA, LLT, blink rates, partial blink ratio, and CVS-Q measurements. Results: In total, 120 eyes from 60 participants (mean age: 35.7 ± 9.4 years) were included; 31 participants were men (51.7%), and 29 were women (48.3%). The CDVA, LLT, blink rates, and partial blink ratio did not change after watching the LED display. The CVS-Q score significantly improved after short-term LED exposure (P < 0.001). A subgroup analysis of subjects with a baseline LLT of <60 nm or ≥60 nm determined that LLT significantly decreased in individuals with a baseline LLT of ≥60 nm (P = 0.016). Conclusion: Short-term use of LED displays reduced LLT in individuals with a baseline LLT of ≥60 nm, despite the visual symptoms of CVS improved subjectively. Therefore, digital device users should be aware of the potential negative effects of LED exposure on the eyes.

Understanding the PEDOT:PSS, PTAA and P3CT-X Hole-Transport-Layer-Based Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of metal-oxide-based regular perovskite solar cells have been higher than 25% for more than 2 years. Up to now, the PCEs of polymer-based inverted perovskite solar cells are widely lower than 23%. PEDOT:PSS thin films, modified PTAA thin films and P3CT thin films are widely used as the hole transport layer or hole modification layer of the highlyefficient inverted perovskite solar cells. Compared with regular perovskite solar cells, polymer-based inverted perovskite solar cells can be fabricated under relatively low temperatures. However, the intrinsic characteristics of carrier transportation in the two types of solar cells are different, which limits the photovoltaic performance of inverted perovskite solar cells. Thanks to the low activation energies for the formation of high-quality perovskite crystalline thin films, it is possible to manipulate the optoelectronic properties by controlling the crystal orientation with the different polymer-modified ITO/glass substrates. To achieve the higher PCE, the effects of polymer-modified ITO/glass substrates on the optoelectronic properties and the formation of perovskite crystalline thin films have to be completely understood simultaneously.

Direct immersion solid-phase microextraction combined with ambient ionization tandem mass spectrometry to rapidly distinguish pesticides in serum for emergency diagnostics.

Despite the fact that carbamates and organophosphates cause acute poisoning via different mechanisms and require disparate management, they are indistinguishable by current clinical assays. Herein, direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) plus thermal desorption-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (TD-ESI/MS/MS) was developed to discern them. Both pesticides spiked in human serum were extracted by SPME and analyzed by TD-ESI/MS/MS. This is a promising emergency care platform as rapid analyses could be done in tiny sample volumes with satisfactory recovery (89.46%-116.32%), precision (covariance <20%), sensitivity (LOD <0.1 µg/mL), turnaround time (<5 minutes), and linearity (R2 = 0.9827-0.9992) within 0.1-100 µg/mL.

EV-A71 induced IL-1ß production in THP-1 macrophages is dependent on NLRP3, RIG-I, and TLR3.

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is an emerging enterovirus that can cause neurological complications. Enhanced serum IL-1ß levels were observed in EV-A71 patients with severe neurological symptoms. However, the roles of sensors in enterovirus-induced IL-1ß production are unclear. In this study, we identified that pattern recognition receptors, including RIG-I, TLR3, and TLR8, are implicated in EV-A71-triggered IL-1ß release in human macrophages. EV-A71 infection results in caspase-1 and caspase-8, which act as regulators of EV-A71-induced NLRP3 and RIG-I inflammasome activation. Moreover, knockdown of the expression of TLR3 and TLR8 decreased the released IL-1ß in an NLRP3-dependent manner. Since TLR3 and TLR8 ligands promote NLRP3 inflammasome activation via caspase-8, the alternative pathway may be involved. In summary, these results indicate that activation of the NLRP3 and RIG-I inflammasomes in EV-A71-infected macrophages is mediated by caspase-1 and caspase-8 and affected by TLRs, including TLR3 and TLR8.

Combined Airway and Bariatric Surgery (CABS) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients with Morbid Obesity: A Comprehensive Alternative Preliminary Study.

Although continuous positive airway pressure is the gold standard for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it does not improve obesity. By contrast, bariatric surgery significantly improves obesity but with sustained OSA in the majority of patients. This study proposes a comprehensive technique­combined airway and bariatric surgery (CABS)­to improve both obesity and OSA. The aims of the study are to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of CABS in morbidly obese OSA patients. The retrospective study enrolled 20 morbidly obese OSA patients (13 males; median age, 44 years; median apnea−hypopnea index (AHI), 63.2 event/h; median body mass index (BMI), 41.4 kg/m2). The study population was divided into two groups based on patients' volition after shared decision making. The bariatric surgery (BS) group included laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG, n = 8) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB, n = 2). CABS involved bariatric surgery­LSG (n = 8) and LRYGB (n = 2) in conjunction with airway surgery (concurrent nasal/palatal/lingual surgery [n = 8], concurrent palatal/lingual surgery [n = 2]). Patients received a home sleep apnea test at baseline and one year after surgery. The two patient groups were not different in age, sex, preoperative AHI or preoperative BMI. There was no airway compromise, wound bleeding or infection throughout the postoperative period. One year after surgery, patients in both groups achieved significant improvement in AHI and BMI. Furthermore, the improvement in AHI was significantly higher (p = 0.04) in the CABS group than in the BS group despite the insignificant change in BMI reduction (p = 0.63) between the two groups. In the CABS group, the BMI dropped from 40.4 to 28.4 kg/m2 (p < 0.0001) and the AHI decreased from 75.1 to 4.5 event/h (p = 0.0004). The classic success rate for OSA was 90% and the cure rate was 60% in the CABS group. A perioperative assessment of CABS group patients also revealed a significant improvement in the Epworth sleepiness scale, minimal O2 saturation, snoring index and heart rate. CABS is feasible and safe in treating OSA with morbid obesity. CABS achieves more reduction in AHI than BS alone with high success and cure rates for OSA. CABS can also significantly improve quality of life and general health and offers a comprehensive alternative for morbidly obese OSA patients.

Carotid arterial blowout after organ preserving chemoradiation therapy in hypopharyngeal cancer.

Laryngeal preserving concurrent chemoradiation has been advocated for hypopharyngeal cancers. The use of radiotherapy (RT) in the larynx could lead to increased rates of radionecrosis. In this study, we investigated a rare but disastrous complication, carotid blow-out syndrome (CBS), related with the persistent radionecrosis. Retrospective cohort study. This retrospective study enrolled hypopharyngeal cancer patients with biopsy-proven pharyngeal and laryngeal chondronecrosis (PLCRN), which was rated by the Chandler Grading System. From 2002 to 2018, a total of 346 hypopharygeal cancer patients received upfront radiation therapy, 13 PLCRN patients were identified in a rate of 3.8%. All PLRN patients received RT with a mean radiation dose of 70.81 ±â€…0.85 Gy. All patients had Chandler Grade IV at the time of presentation, which was a mean of 15.08 months (range: 5-109 months) from the time of cancer diagnosis to PLCRN diagnosis. In 5 of the 13 PLCRN patients developed CBS. Three of the CBS originated from superior thyroid artery, one from lingual artery and one from the carotid artery. Three (60%) of the 5 CBS patients expired due to loss of airway and hemodynamic instability. Two (40%) were rescued by emergent airway secure and emergent angiographic embolization. Persistent PLCRN could lead to disastrous vascular complications. CBSs were demonstrated to be more frequently originated from the branches of carotid artery rather than carotid artery per se. Clinical alert with early airway protection could strive for time to do interventions and prevent mortalities.

6M50LSG Scoring System Increased the Proportion of Adequate Excess Body Weight Loss for Suspected Poor Responders After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Asian Population.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the predictive tool, 6M50LSG scoring system, to identify suspected poor responders after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: The 6M50LSG scoring system has been applied since 2019. Suspected poor responders are defined by EBWL at 1 month < 19.5% or EBWL at 3 months < 37.7% based on the 6M50LSG scoring system. Our analysis included 109 suspected poor responders. Based on the date of LSG, the patients were separated into two groups: the 2016-2018 group (before group, BG, with regular care) and the 2019-2020 group (after group, AG, with upgrade medical nutrition therapy). RESULTS: At the end of the study, the AG group had a significantly higher proportion of adequate weight loss, which was defined as EBWL ≥ 50% at 6 months after LSG, than that in the BG group (18.92% in BG vs. 48.57% in AG, p = 0.003). The AG group demonstrated significantly more 3-months-TWL (BG: 15.22% vs. AG: 17.54%, p < 0.001) and 6-months-TWL (BG: 21.08% vs. AG: 25.65%, p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses and adjustments, the scoring system (AG) resulted in significantly higher chances of adequate weight loss in suspected poor responders (adjusted OR 3.392, 95% CI = 1.345-8.5564, p = 0.010). One year after LSG, suspected poor responders in AG had a significantly higher weight loss than those in BG (BG vs. AG: TWL 27.17% vs. 32.20%, p = 0.014) . CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that the 6M50LSG scoring system with upgraded medical nutrition therapy increased the proportion of suspected poor responders with adequate weight loss after LSG.

Bioinformatics Analyses Identify the Therapeutic Potential of ST8SIA6 for Colon Cancer.

Sialylation of glycoproteins is modified by distinct sialyltransferases such as ST3Gal, ST6Gal, ST6GalNAc, or ST8SIA with α2,3-, α2,6-, or α2,8-linkages. Alteration of these sialyltransferases causing aberrant sialylation is associated with the progression of colon cancer. However, among the ST8- sialyltransferases, the role of ST8SIA6 in colon cancer remains poorly understood. In this study, we explored the involvement of ST8SIA6 in colon cancer using multiple gene databases. The relationship between ST8SIA6 expression and tumor stages/grades was investigated by UALCAN analysis, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter analysis was used to analyze the expression of ST8SIA6 on the survival outcome of colon cancer patients. Moreover, the biological functions of ST8SIA6 in colon cancer were explored using LinkedOmics and cancer cell metabolism gene DB. Finally, TIMER and TISMO analyses were used to delineate ST8SIA6 levels in tumor immunity and immunotherapy responses, respectively. ST8SIA6 downregulation was associated with an advanced stage and poorly differentiated grade; however, ST8SIA6 expression did not affect the survival outcomes in patients with colon cancer. Gene ontology analysis suggested that ST8SIA6 participates in cell surface adhesion, angiogenesis, and membrane vesicle trafficking. In addition, ST8SIA6 levels affected immunocyte infiltration and immunotherapy responses in colon cancer. Collectively, these results suggest that ST8SIA6 may serve as a novel therapeutic target towards personalized medicine for colon cancer.