Effect of a Web-Based Integrative Support Intervention to Improve Family Caregiver Positive Caregiving Experience and Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer caregivers experience significant stress due to their multifaceted role. Current support methods are limited by unidimensional assessments. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate a Web-based support system aimed at reducing caregiver stress and anxiety, and improving resilience, vigilance, and quality of life, using both subjective and objective measures. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with a single-center, 2-arm parallel design and longitudinal assessment was conducted in Taiwan. Caregivers of patients recently diagnosed with cancer were randomly allocated to either a standard care group or an intervention group that received enhanced nurse-led support. Metrics including psychological resilience, caregiver burden, anxiety, quality of life, stress levels, and vigilance were systematically evaluated on a monthly basis over a period of 5 months, starting from the initial baseline measurement. RESULTS: Following the intervention, participants in the intervention group exhibited statistically significant reductions in caregiver burden and anxiety, alongside a notable improvement in resilience. Objective evaluations revealed a significant reduction in stress levels within this group. However, there were no discernible differences in vigilance and quality of life metrics between the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSION: The Web-based program effectively reduced caregiver stress and burden, as indicated by multiple metrics. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This accessible and efficient Web-based support is beneficial for cancer caregivers facing diverse challenges.

Immobilization of recombinant Trametes versicolor aflatoxin B1-degrading enzyme (TV-AFB1D) with montmorillonite for absorption and in situ degradation of aflatoxin B1.

Aflatoxin B1 is a highly carcinogenic and teratogenic substance mainly produced by toxin-producing strains such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasitic. The efficient decomposition of aflatoxin is an important means to reduce its harm to humans and livestock. In this study, Trametes versicolor aflatoxin B1-degrading enzyme (TV-AFB1D) was recombinantly expressed in Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) 168. MMT-CTAB-AFB1D complex was prepared by the immobilization of TV-AFB1D and montmorillonite (MMT) by cross-linking glutaraldehyde. The results indicated that TV-AFB1D could recombinantly express in engineered B. subtilis 168 with a size of approximately 77 kDa. The immobilization efficiency of MMT-CTAB-AFB1D reached 98.63% when the concentration of glutaraldehyde was 5% (v/v). The relative activity of TV-AFB1D decreased to 72.36% after reusing for 10 times. The content of AFB1 in MMT-CTAB-AFB1D-AFB1 decreased to 1.1 µg/g from the initial 5.6 µg/g after incubation at 50 °C for 6 h. The amount of 80.4% AFB1 in the MMT-CTAB-AFB1D-AFB1 complex was degraded by in situ catalytic degradation. Thus, the strategy of combining adsorption and in situ degradation could effectively reduce the content of AFB1 residue in the MMT-CTAB-AFB1D complex.

Recombinant Expression of Trametes versicolor Aflatoxin B1-Degrading Enzyme (TV-AFB1D) in Engineering Pichia pastoris GS115 and Application in AFB1 Degradation in AFB1-Contaminated Peanuts.

Aflatoxins seriously threaten the health of humans and animals due to their potential carcinogenic properties. Enzymatic degradation approach is an effective and environmentally friendly alternative that involves changing the structure of aflatoxins. In this study, Trametes versicolor aflatoxin B1-degrading enzyme gene (TV-AFB1D) was integrated into the genome of Pichia pastoris GS115 by homologous recombination approach. The recombinant TV-AFB1D was expressed in engineering P. pastoris with a size of approximately 77 kDa under the induction of methanol. The maximum activity of TV-AFB1D reached 17.5 U/mL after the induction of 0.8% ethanol (v/v) for 84 h at 28 °C. The AFB1 proportion of 75.9% was degraded using AFB1 standard sample after catalysis for 12 h. In addition, the AFB1 proportion was 48.5% using AFB1-contaminated peanuts after the catalysis for 18 h at 34 °C. The recombinant TV-AFB1D would have good practical application value in AFB1 degradation in food crops. This study provides an alternative degrading enzyme for the degradation of AFB1 in aflatoxin-contaminated grain and feed via enzymatic degradation approach.

Overexpression of CD47 predicts poor prognosis and promotes cancer cell invasion in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

CD47 is an antiphagocytic signal that cancer cells employ to inhibit macrophage-mediated destruction. CD47 is overexpressed in various human malignancies. However, the expression and functional significance of CD47 in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) has not been completely understood. In this study, we reported that CD47 was commonly overexpressed in HGSOC. Higher CD47 expression was significantly correlated with poor prognosis of HGSOC patients. Functional investigations revealed that CD47 overexpression in ovarian cancer cells significantly promoted migration and invasion. Moreover, CD47 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through modulating E-cadherin and N-cadherin. Our findings suggest that up-regulation of CD47 is correlated with ovarian cancer progression and it might be a potential biomarker for predicting clinical outcomes.

Neferine induces autophagy of human ovarian cancer cells via p38 MAPK/ JNK activation.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. Patients usually have poor prognosis because of late diagnosis, relapse, and chemoresistance. It is pressing to seek novel agent for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Neferine is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the embryos of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). In this study, we investigated the antitumor effect of neferine on ovarian cancer cells. We found that neferine exhibited growth-inhibitory effect on human ovarian cancer cells, whereas showing less cytotoxic to non-malignant fallopian tube epithelial cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that neferine induced autophagy and inactivated the mTOR pathway. Finally, we found that both p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways were activated by neferine treatment and contributed to the induction of autophagy in ovarian cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings showed that neferine induced autophagy of human ovarian cancer cells via p38 MAPK/JNK activation. Neferine may be explored as a promising antitumoral agent in ovarian cancer.

Myeloid Antigen-positive T Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia with t(14;18) and Trisomy 10: Report of a Case and Literature Review.

The chromosomal translocation t(14;18)(q32;q21) is commonly associated with neoplasms of follicular center cell origin and has also been reported in cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, T cell acute lymphoblastic (or lymphocytic) leukemia (T-ALL) with t(14;18)(q32;q21) has been rarely reported. Here, we report a case of myeloid antigen-positive T-ALL (My+T-ALL) with t(14;18)(q32;q21) and trisomy 10. This is the first reported case of My+T-ALL (L2) with such chromosomal abnormalities. Other published de novo ALL cases, with t(14;18)(q32;q21) and without a documented history of lymphoma, are summarized and reviewed in this report. The patient in this study was treated with remission induction therapy and intensive chemotherapy, followed by maintenance therapy. As of this writing, he has remained in remission for more than 3 years and has presented a better clinical outcome compared with other reported adult ALL patients with t(14;18)(q32;q21).

Sleep disturbances and related factors among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep disturbances among family caregivers (FCs) are common in advanced cancer. The comprehensive factors for sleep disturbances among the FCs of patients with cancer have not been investigated in Taiwan. The purposes of this study were to investigate the sleep disturbances among the FCs of patients with advanced cancer and to determine predictors of sleep disturbance. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 172 FCs. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and wrist actigraphy. A linear regression model was used to identify the predictive factors for sleep quality. RESULTS: Seventy-six percent of the FCs experienced some sleep disturbances. Female gender, more fatigue, greater depression, more caregiving burden, and spending over 16 h per day on caregiving tasks were risk factors for sleep disturbances in caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disturbances were common among the Taiwanese FCs of patients with advanced cancer. FCs with risk factors for sleep disturbances should be identified and provided assistance.

The Burden of Caregiving and Sleep Disturbance Among Family Caregivers of Advanced Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbance may cause physical and psychological problems. The relationship between sleep disturbance and the burden of caregiving among family caregivers (FCs) has not previously been investigated. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to (1) assess subjective and objective information on the sleep patterns of FCs of advanced cancer patients and (2) identify the components of caregiving burden that are risk factors for sleep disturbance among these FCs. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study of 176 FCs was conducted. Subjective and objective tools measuring sleep quality and caregiver burden were used. A hierarchical regression model was applied to identify the predictive factors for sleep disturbance among FCs. RESULTS: Approximately 72.2% of FCs experienced sleep disturbance. The major sleep disturbance was frequent "wake after sleep onset" to provide patient care; a nap during the day was necessary. Correlations were strong between caregiver burden and sleep quality. The final regression model, which included subjective and objective burden, predicted 56.6% of the variance in sleep disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disturbance was common in FCs of advanced cancer patient, and our results demonstrated the relationship between sleep disturbance and caregiving burden. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Family caregivers with risk factors for sleep disturbance should be identified and be provided resources for sleep quality improvement.

[Clinical features of pure erythroid leukemia--case report and review of literature].

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of pure erythroid leukemia. METHODS: The clinical features, treatment and prognosis of a rare case of pure erythroid leukemia were reported, and the related literature was reviewed. RESULTS: The pure erythroid leukemia patient was diagnosed by 90.4% pronormoblasts in bone marrow, 99.5% for erythroid antigen CD71, 67.4% for glycophorin A were detected, while no differentiation antigen of myeloid, lymphoid and megakaryocyte lineages were observed. HAG (homoharringtonine + Cytarabine and G-CSF) regimen were administered with no effect. The patient developed multiple organ failure and died soon. CONCLUSION: Pure erythroid leukemia has a fulminant clinical course with poor response to chemotherapy and worse prognosis.

[Confocal Raman microspectroscopic study of human breast morphological elements].

Breast tissue sections were examined by means of confocal Raman spectroscopy with an excitation wavelength of 633 nm. Acquired using a microscopic mapping approach with the sample volume of -2 microm3, these spectra were compared with the ones of the commercially available actin, DNA, collagen (type I), triolein etc. Some spectra were distinguished and identified and characterize the morphological elements like cell cytoplasm, extracellular matrix etc. The cell nucleus spectrum was also obtained by K-means cluster analysis. The correlation analysis showed that the spectrum from a morphological element is highly correlated with that from the corresponding purified chemical. The spectroscopic characterization of these morphological elements was then investigated. This study is helpful to understanding the chemical/morphological basis of the Raman spectrum and designing the Raman microspectroscopic model of human breast tissue.

[Expression of alpha-tubulin and gamma-tubulin in premalignant lesion and carcinoma of breast and the significance thereof].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of alpha-tubulin and gamma-tubulin, 2 kinds of centrosome proteins, in premalignant lesion and carcinoma of breast and the significance thereof. METHODS: Forty specimens of premalignant lesions of breast, 40 specimens of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast, 40 specimens of intraductal carcinoma (IDC), and 30 specimens of normal breast tissues were obtained during operation. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the protein expression of alpha-tubulin and gamma-tubulin, and the percentages of ki67 positive cells. Western blotting was used to examine the mRNA expression of alpha-tubulin and gamma-tubulin. RESULTS: The protein and mRNA expression values of alpha-tubulin and gamma-tubulin in breast carcinoma were higher than those in the premalignant lesions and normal breast tissues with significant differences between the premalignant lesions and normal breast torques and without significant differences between infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast and IDC. The ki67 positive rates of the infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast group, IDC group, premalignant lesion group, and normal breast tissues group were 16.0%, 37.0%, 53.6%, and 67.8% (P = 0.001). A positive correlation existed between the expression of alpha-tubulin and the expression of gamma-tubulin in the same case and the same group (all P = 0.00) and there was no significant correlation between the expression of alpha-tubulin and the expression of gamma-tubulin in the same case and the same group (all P > 0.05). Both the expression of alpha-tubulin and the expression of gamma-tubulin were significantly associated with the prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Centrosome protein is one of the distinct phenotypes of breast cancer cells. Aberration of centrosome proteins may be used to screen high risk cases of breast carcinoma and to estimate the prognosis.