Hispanic individuals' cervical cancer screening disparities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cervical cancer screening rates of Hispanic individuals compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals in the United States, whether a responsive surge in catch-up screenings occurred as society adapted to pandemic changes, and to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics between the study populations. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the All of Us Research Program, which incorporates electronic health record data and survey data from a demographically, geographically, and medically diverse participant group, we assessed the annual cervical cancer screening rates during 2019-2021 by race/ethnicity among eligible individuals ages 21-64. RESULTS: Among 116,052 unique individuals (78,829 NHW and 37,223 Hispanic), Hispanic individuals had lower annual cervical cancer screening rates than NHWI across the three years studied. They experienced a more significant decrease in screening from 2019 to 2020 (39.27 %) compared to NHWIs (21.15 %) and less of a rebound increase in the following year, 2021 (10.33 % vs 13.83 %). Hispanic individuals aged 50-64 experienced the sharpest decline in screening rates (-43.01 % from 2019 to 2020). Hispanic individuals also experienced greater adverse social conditions, including lack of insurance or employment, lower educational attainment, and lower household income. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic individuals experienced a more significant decrease in cervical cancer screening rates with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with NHW individuals and did not experience a robust rebound in cervical cancer screening rates in 2021. As a result, the disparity in cervical cancer screening rates between NHW and Hispanic individuals considerably worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Precise ablation zone segmentation on CT images after liver cancer ablation using semi-automatic CNN-based segmentation.

BACKGROUND: Ablation zone segmentation in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images enables the quantitative assessment of treatment success in the ablation of liver lesions. However, fully automatic liver ablation zone segmentation in CT images still remains challenging, such as low accuracy and time-consuming manual refinement of the incorrect regions. PURPOSE: Therefore, in this study, we developed a semi-automatic technique to address the remaining drawbacks and improve the accuracy of the liver ablation zone segmentation in the CT images. METHODS: Our approach uses a combination of a CNN-based automatic segmentation method and an interactive CNN-based segmentation method. First, automatic segmentation is applied for coarse ablation zone segmentation in the whole CT image. Human experts then visually validate the segmentation results. If there are errors in the coarse segmentation, local corrections can be performed on each slice via an interactive CNN-based segmentation method. The models were trained and the proposed method was evaluated using two internal datasets of post-interventional CECT images ( n 1 $n_{1}$ = 22, n 2 $n_{2}$ = 145; 62 patients in total) and then further tested using an external benchmark dataset ( n 3 $n_{3}$ = 12; 10 patients). RESULTS: To evaluate the accuracy of the proposed approach, we used Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), average symmetric surface distance (ASSD), Hausdorff distance (HD), and volume difference (VD). The quantitative evaluation results show that the proposed approach obtained mean DSC, ASSD, HD, and VD scores of 94.0%, 0.4 mm, 8.4 mm, 0.02, respectively, on the internal dataset, and 87.8%, 0.9 mm, 9.5 mm, and -0.03, respectively, on the benchmark dataset. We also compared the performance of the proposed approach to that of five well-known segmentation methods; the proposed semi-automatic method achieved state-of-the-art performance on ablation segmentation accuracy, and on average, 2 min are required to correct the segmentation. Furthermore, we found that the accuracy of the proposed method on the benchmark dataset is comparable to that of manual segmentation by human experts ( p $p$ = 0.55, t $t$ -test). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed semi-automatic CNN-based segmentation method can be used to effectively segment the ablation zones, increasing the value of CECT for an assessment of treatment success. For reproducibility, the trained models, source code, and demonstration tool are publicly available at https://github.com/lqanh11/Interactive_AblationZone_Segmentation.

Image Enhancement Using Bidimensional Empirical Mode Decomposition and Morphological Operations for Brain Tumor Detection and Classification.

Objective: The three steps of brain image processing - preprocessing, segmentation, and classification are becoming increasingly important in patient care. The aim of this article is to present a proposed method in the mentioned three-steps, with emphasis on the preprocessing step, which includes noise removal and contrast enhancement. Methods: The fast and adaptive bidimensional empirical mode decomposition and the anisotropic diffusion equation as well as the modified combination of top-hat and bottom-hat transforms are used for noise reduction and contrast enhancement. Fast C-means clustering with enhanced image is used to detect tumors and the tumor cluster corresponds to the maximum centroid. Finally, Ensemble learning is used for classification. Result: The Figshare brain tumor dataset contains magnetic resonance images used for data selection. The optimal parameters for both noise reduction and contrast enhancement are investigated using a tumor contaminated with Gaussian noise. The results are evaluated against state-of-the-art results and qualitative performance metrics to demonstrate the dominance of the proposed approach. The fast C-means algorithm is applied to detect tumors using twelve enhanced images. The detected tumors were compared to the ground truth and showed an accuracy and specificity of 99% each, and a sensitivity and precision of 90% each. Six statistical features are retrieved from 150 enhanced images using wavelet packet coefficients at level 4 of the Daubechies 4 wavelet function. These features are used to develop the classifier model using ensemble learning to create a model with training and testing accuracy of 96.7% and 76.7%, respectively. When this model is applied to classify twelve detected tumor images, the accuracy is 75%; there are three misclassified images, all of which belong to the pituitary disease group. Conclusion: Based on the research, it appears that the proposed approach could lead to the development of computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) software that physicians can use as a reference for the treatment of rain tumor. OBJECTIVE: The three steps of brain image processing ­ preprocessing, segmentation, and classification are becoming increasingly important in patient care. The aim of this article is to present a proposed method in the mentioned three-steps, with emphasis on the preprocessing step, which includes noise removal and contrast enhancement. METHODS: The fast and adaptive bidimensional empirical mode decomposition and the anisotropic diffusion equation as well as the modified combination of top-hat and bottom-hat transforms are used for noise reduction and contrast enhancement. Fast C-means clustering with enhanced image is used to detect tumors and the tumor cluster corresponds to the maximum centroid. Finally, Ensemble learning is used for classification. RESULT: The Figshare brain tumor dataset contains magnetic resonance images used for data selection. The optimal parameters for both noise reduction and contrast enhancement are investigated using a tumor contaminated with Gaussian noise. The results are evaluated against state-of-the-art results and qualitative performance metrics to demonstrate the dominance of the proposed approach. The fast C-means algorithm is applied to detect tumors using twelve enhanced images. The detected tumors were compared to the ground truth and showed an accuracy and specificity of 99% each, and a sensitivity and precision of 90% each. Six statistical features are retrieved from 150 enhanced images using wavelet packet coefficients at level 4 of the Daubechies 4 wavelet function. These features are used to develop the classifier model using ensemble learning to create a model with training and testing accuracy of 96.7% and 76.7%, respectively. When this model is applied to classify twelve detected tumor images, the accuracy is 75%; there are three misclassified images, all of which belong to the pituitary disease group. CONCLUSION: Based on the research, it appears that the proposed approach could lead to the development of computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) software that physicians can use as a reference for the treatment of rain tumor.

Hijacking of N-fixing legume albumin-1 genes enables the cyclization and stabilization of defense peptides.

The legume albumin-1 gene family, arising after nodulation, encodes linear a- and b-chain peptides for nutrient storage and defense. Intriguingly, in one prominent legume, Clitoria ternatea, the b-chains are replaced by domains producing ultra-stable cyclic peptides called cyclotides. The mechanism of this gene hijacking is until now unknown. Cyclotides require recruitment of ligase-type asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) for maturation (cyclization), necessitating co-evolution of two gene families. Here we compare a chromosome-level C. ternatea genome with grain legumes to reveal an 8 to 40-fold expansion of the albumin-1 gene family, enabling the additional loci to undergo diversification. Iterative rounds of albumin-1 duplication and diversification create four albumin-1 enriched genomic islands encoding cyclotides, where they are physically grouped by similar pI and net charge values. We identify an ancestral hydrolytic AEP that exhibits neofunctionalization and multiple duplication events to yield two ligase-type AEPs. We propose cyclotides arise by convergence in C. ternatea where their presence enhances defense from biotic attack, thus increasing fitness compared to lineages with linear b-chains and ultimately driving the replacement of b-chains with cyclotides.

Correction: Trinh et al. LMP1-EBV Gene Deletion Mutations and HLA Genotypes of Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients in Vietnam. Pathophysiology 2023, 30, 1-12.

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the paper published [...].

Randomized Controlled Trial of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols in Live Kidney Donors: ERASKT Study.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways represent a comprehensive approach to optimizing perioperative management and reducing hospital stay and cost. In living donor kidney transplantation, key impediments to postoperative discharge include pain, and opioid associated complications such as nausea, vomiting, and the return of gastrointestinal function. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, living kidney transplantation donors were assigned to either the ERAS or control group. The ERAS group patients received 15 preoperative, 17 intraoperative, 19 postoperative element intervention. The control group received standard care. The ERAS group received a multimodal opioid sparing pain management including an intraoperative transverse abdominis plane block. Our primary outcome measure was postoperative opioid consumption. The secondary outcome measures were postoperative pain scores, first oral intake, and hospital length of stay. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics between the 2 groups. The ERAS group had a statistically significant reduction in total postoperative opioid consumption calculated in intravenous morphine equivalents (24.2 ±â€…20.2 versus 71 ±â€…39.5 mg, P < 0.01). Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower (P < 0.001) from 1 h postoperatively to 48 h. Surgical time was 45 min shorter (P = 0.037). Intraoperative PlasmaLyte administration was lower (PlasmaLyte: 1444 ±â€…907 versus 2168 ±â€…1347 mL, P = 0.049). Time to tolerating regular diet was shorter by 2 h (P < 0.008), and length of hospital stay was decreased by 10.1 h. Conclusions: The ERAS group experienced superior postoperative analgesia and a shorter length of hospital stay compared with controls.

Essential Oil from Vietnamese Peperomia leptostachya Hook. & Arn. (Piperaceae): Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Cytotoxic Activities, and In Silico Analysis.

This study is the first to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of Peperomia leptostachya leaf oil. A yellow oil was obtained through hydro-distillation, with a yield of 0.1% (w/w). The GC-MS analysis revealed 66 compounds, constituting 99.6% of the oil. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons predominated (70.4%), followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons (13.2%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (12.4%), non-terpenic compounds (2.0%), and oxygenated monoterpenes (1.6%). Major constituents included germacrene D (25.1%), (E)-caryophyllene (17.4%), bicyclogermacrene (6.6%), α-pinene (6.2%), and ß-pinene (4.7%). The assessment of antioxidant capacity via 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay yielded a weak effect, with an IC50 value > 100 µg/mL. The inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells was quantified using the MTT assay, showing an IC50 value of 15.15 ± 0.68 µg/mL. Furthermore, cytotoxic effects on SK-LU-1 cell line growth were evaluated using the sulforhodamine B assay, resulting in an IC50 value of 37.45 ± 2.43 µg/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity was notable among the analyzed bioactivities of this oil. By employing a computational model, the predominant secondary metabolites in the essential oil were selected as candidates for interaction analysis with cyclooxygenase-2, an enzyme implicated in the inflammatory response. Our findings suggest that P. leptostachya leaf oil could serve as a potential source of natural compounds with prospective therapeutic effects in treating inflammatory conditions.

Hyponutrition among newly diagnosed gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the malnutrition status among Vietnamese patients newly diagnosed with gastric cancer (GC). BACKGROUND: GC remains the top rank of common and deadly diseases. With limited clinical manifestation, most GC patients were diagnosed at late stages when tumor is not radically resected. Malnutrition was associated with poor prognosis of GC, such as prolonged hospitalization, limited treatment efficacy and low survival rate. METHODS: The cross-sectional descriptive study recruited 77 patients newly diagnosed with GC and 90 healthy individuals (HC). The data used for this study were approved by the local Ethical Committee. The data were analysed on STATA 14.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0. RESULTS: We observed the male dominant distribution in GC cohort and over 65% of GC were firstly diagnosed at advanced stages (III and IV). Anemia was detected in about 50% of GC patients. Hyponutrition was prevalent in newly diagnosed GC. We found the decreased tendency of anemia related indexes from HC to early stages (I and II) and advanced stages (III and IV) of GC patients. CONCLUSION: Anemia and hypoproteinemia occurred frequently among Vietnamese newly diagnosed GC. The nutrition therapy would benefit GC patients (Tab. 4, Fig. 4, Ref. 20).

Characterization of innate lymphoid cell subsets infiltrating melanoma and epithelial ovarian tumors.

The innate lymphoid cell (ILC) family is composed of heterogeneous innate effector and helper immune cells that preferentially reside in tissues where they promote tissue homeostasis. In cancer, they have been implicated in driving both pro- and anti-tumor responses. This apparent dichotomy highlights the need to better understand differences in the ILC composition and phenotype within different tumor types that could drive seemingly opposite anti-tumor responses. Here, we characterized the frequency and phenotype of various ILC subsets in melanoma metastases and primary epithelial ovarian tumors. We observed high PD-1 expression on ILC subsets isolated from epithelial ovarian tumor samples, while ILC populations in melanoma samples express higher levels of LAG-3. In addition, we found that the frequency of cytotoxic ILCs and NKp46+ILC3 in tumors positively correlates with monocytic cells and conventional type 2 dendritic cells, revealing potentially new interconnected immune cell subsets in the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, these observations may have direct relevance to tumor microenvironment composition and how ILC subset may influence anti-tumor immunity.

Adult cancer patients' barriers to and satisfaction with care at a National Cancer Hospital in Vietnam.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the overall satisfaction with oncological care, including barriers to care, and identified its associated predictors among adult cancer patients in Vietnam. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 300 adult cancer patients receiving inpatient care at a large urban oncological hospital between June and July 2022. Multivariable linear regression analyses examined associations between patient experiences and overall satisfaction ratings with cancer care. RESULTS: The mean overall satisfaction with oncological care was 8.82 out of 10, with 98.0% recommending this facility to their friends and family. In an adjusted model, being female (ß = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.53), endorsing satisfaction with patient-nurse communication (ß = 0.33, 95%CI: 0.13, 0.53), patient-doctor communication (ß = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.11, 0.70), and psychoeducation about oncological medication management (ß = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.14, 0.45) were positively associated with overall ratings. In contrast, individuals with delays in treatment scheduling reported lower overall satisfaction with oncological care (ß = -0.38, 95%CI: -0.64, -0.13). Patients perceived health system, social/environmental, and individual barriers to care: worries about income loss due to attending treatment (43.3%); fear, depression, anxiety, and distress (36.8%); concerns about affordability of treatment (36.7%) and transportation problems (36.7%); and excessive waiting times for appointments (28.8%). CONCLUSION: This study showed high overall patient satisfaction with cancer care quality. Patient-centered communication strategies and psychoeducation about oncological medication management may be targeted to further enhance the cancer inpatient experience. Raising awareness about treatment options and services, and integrating mental health awareness into oncological care may ameliorate patient distress and facilitate greater satisfaction with oncological treatment processes.

Generation of an Inhibitory NK Cell Subset by TGF-ß1/IL-15 Polarization.

NK cells have been shown to exhibit inflammatory and immunoregulatory functions in a variety of healthy and diseased settings. In the context of chronic viral infection and cancer, distinct NK cell populations that inhibit adaptive immune responses have been observed. To understand how these cells arise and further characterize their immunosuppressive role, we examined in vitro conditions that could polarize human NK cells into an inhibitory subset. TGF-ß1 has been shown to induce regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo; we therefore investigated if TGF-ß1 could also induce immunosuppressive NK-like cells. First, we found that TGF-ß1/IL-15, but not IL-15 alone, induced CD103+CD49a+ NK-like cells from peripheral blood NK cells, which expressed markers previously associated with inhibitory CD56+ innate lymphoid cells, including high expression of GITR and CD101. Moreover, supernatant from ascites collected from patients with ovarian carcinoma also induced CD103+CD49a+ NK-like cells in vitro in a TGF-ß-dependent manner. Interestingly, TGF-ß1/IL-15-induced CD103+CD56+ NK-like cells suppressed autologous CD4+ T cells in vitro by reducing absolute number, proliferation, and expression of activation marker CD25. Collectively, these findings provide new insight into how NK cells may acquire an inhibitory phenotype in TGF-ß1-rich environments.

DrugMap: A quantitative pan-cancer analysis of cysteine ligandability.

Cysteine-focused chemical proteomic platforms have accelerated the clinical development of covalent inhibitors for a wide range of targets in cancer. However, how different oncogenic contexts influence cysteine targeting remains unknown. To address this question, we have developed "DrugMap," an atlas of cysteine ligandability compiled across 416 cancer cell lines. We unexpectedly find that cysteine ligandability varies across cancer cell lines, and we attribute this to differences in cellular redox states, protein conformational changes, and genetic mutations. Leveraging these findings, we identify actionable cysteines in NF-κB1 and SOX10 and develop corresponding covalent ligands that block the activity of these transcription factors. We demonstrate that the NF-κB1 probe blocks DNA binding, whereas the SOX10 ligand increases SOX10-SOX10 interactions and disrupts melanoma transcriptional signaling. Our findings reveal heterogeneity in cysteine ligandability across cancers, pinpoint cell-intrinsic features driving cysteine targeting, and illustrate the use of covalent probes to disrupt oncogenic transcription-factor activity.

Novel Adiponectin Receptor Agonist Inhibits Cholangiocarcinoma via Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has a poor prognosis and only limited palliative treatment options. The deficiency of adiponectin and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling was reported in several malignancies, but the alteration of these proteins in CCA is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the role of adiponectin and AMPK signaling in CCA. Furthermore, AdipoRon, a novel adiponectin receptor (AdipoR) agonist, was evaluated in vitro and in vivo as a new anti-tumor therapy for CCA. METHODS: The expression of AdipoR1 and p-AMPKα in human tissue microarrays (TMAs) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining (IHC). The effect of 2-(4-Benzoylphenoxy)-N-[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-acetamide (AdipoRon) was investigated in vitro with proliferation, crystal violet, migration, invasion, colony formation, senescence, cell cycle and apoptosis assays and in vivo using a CCA engineered mouse model (AlbCre/LSL-KRASG12D/p53L/L). RT-qPCR and western blot methods were applied to study molecular alterations in murine tissues. RESULTS: AdipoR1 and p-AMPKα were impaired in human CCA tissues, compared to adjacent non-tumor tissue. There was a positive correlation between the AdipoR1 and p-AMPKα levels in CCA tissues. Treatment with AdipoRon inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation and induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner in vitro (p<0.05). In addition, AdipoRon reduced the number of CCA and tumor volume, prolonged survival, and decreased metastasis and ascites in the treated group compared to the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AdipoR1 and p-AMPKα are impaired in CCA tissues, and AdipoRon effectively inhibits CCA in vitro and in vivo. Thus, AdipoRon may be considered as a potential anti-tumor therapy in CCA.

The interaction between magnesium intake, the genetic variant INSR rs1799817 and colorectal cancer risk in a Korean population: a case-control study.

Magnesium may have a significant impact on the development of cancer. However, the relationship between magnesium intake and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the association between magnesium intake and the risk of CRC, and we investigated how the insulin receptor (INSR) rs1799817 variant impacts this relationship. Data from 1,420 CRC patients and 2,840 controls from the Korean National Cancer Centre were analysed. A higher intake of magnesium was associated with a reduced risk of CRC in the total population (odds ratio (OR) = 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.52-0.81). We found that G + carriers of INSR rs1799817 with higher magnesium intake had a significantly lower risk of CRC (p for interaction = 0.003). Our findings indicated that high magnesium intake could be associated with a decreased risk of CRC, and this association could be modified by the INSR rs1799817 variant.

Synthesis of new DOPO derivatives and investigation of their synergistic effect with APP-PEI on the flame retardancy of epoxy composite.

Epoxy resin has been extensively used in many industrial and daily applications due to its unique properties. However, the high flammability of epoxy has limited its further development. DOPO derivatives, which are organophosphorus compounds, are highly effective components of flame retardant epoxy composites due to their good compatibility with the resin and their lower toxicity compared to halogenated compounds. This study synthesized sixteen new DOPO derivatives, characterizing their chemical structures with NMR spectroscopy. The combination of synthesized DOPO derivatives and APP-PEI (ammonium polyphosphate-polyethyleneimine) has shown a synergistic effect on enhancing the flame retardancy of epoxy resin with the UL-94 V-0 rating and the LOI value of 28.6%. Moreover, the epoxy composites displayed relatively high mechanical performance with the impact strength of 26-28 kJ m-2.

Conamonin A and dihydrochalcones from the whole plants of Conamomum rubidum (Lamxay & N.S.Lý) Skornick. & A.D. Poulsen showing anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities.

A new compound, conamonin A (1), was isolated from the whole plants of Conamomum rubidum with eight known dihydrochalcones (2-9). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods as well as by comparison with previously reported data. The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by TDDFT-ECD method. Compounds 1 and 8 showed inhibitory activity against LPS-induced NO production in the RAW 264.7 cells, with IC50 values of 58.29 ± 2.88 and 81.77 ± 5.99 µM, respectively. Compounds 3/4 and 5/6 exhibited inhibitory effects, with IC50 values of 28.76 ± 1.16 and 29.89 ± 1.79 µg/mL, respectively. Compounds 2, 7-9 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against human lung carcinoma (the SK-LU-1 cell line) with IC50 values ranging from 9.87 to 17.99 µM. This study offers valuable insights into the chemical constituents and biological activities of Conamomum rubidum, highlighting its potential as a source for discovering new anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic agents.

Helicobacter pylori-Negative Gastric Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma in a Girl.

Introduction: Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) arises in a number of epithelial tissues, including the stomach, salivary gland, lung, small bowel, thyroid, ocular adnexa, skin, and elsewhere. It has also been called low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). MALT lymphoma predominantly occurs in adults and is rare in children. Case Presentation: We report a case of MALT lymphoma involving the stomach, which is the most common subtype, in a 12-year-old girl. Initially, the patient relapsed after antibiotic therapy but achieved successful treatment subsequently through irradiation. Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy should be given to all patients with gastric MZL, irrespective of stage. In patients who do not respond to antibiotic therapy, treatment options such as irradiation and systemic cancer therapies should be considered, depending on the disease stage.

Adiponectin Receptor Agonist Effectively Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second lethal cancer. Short overall survival, low five-year survival rate, and unimproved treatment efficacy urge the need to improve HCC prognosis. Adiponectin is key protector against cancer and hepatic abnormalities. Hypoadiponectinemia occurs in and promotes carcinogenesis and hepatic diseases. Adiponectin reactivation by different methods showed impressive effect against cancer and hepatic diseases. Recently, AdipoRon, an adiponectin receptor agonist, can interact with both Adiponectin receptors. AdipoRon showed promising anti-cancer effect in some cancers, but no study on HCC yet. The in vitro effect of AdipoRon on HCC was investigated by cell viability, migration, invasion, colony formation and apoptosis assays. The signalling alteration was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The effect of treatment was interpreted by comparison between treatments and control. The difference between two cell lines was relatively compared. Our results showed significant in vitro anti-cancer effect of AdipoRon via AMPK- and dose-dependent manner. Huh7 cells showed a lower level of AdipoR1/2 and a superior proliferation and aggressiveness, compared to Hep3B. In addition, Huh7 cells were more sensitive to AdipoRon treatment (lower IC50, less cell growth, migration, invasion and colonies upon AdipoRon treatment) than Hep3B cells. In conclusion, AdipoRon effectively inhibited HCC growth and invasiveness in vitro. The deficient expression of adiponectin receptors affects efficacy of AdipoRon and aggressiveness of HCC cells.

Facilitators to cervical cancer screening in a minority, urban, underserved population.

Objectives: Cervical cancer has markedly declined due to widespread use of screening, but Hispanic women continue to bear a disproportionate amount of the cervical cancer burden due to under-screening. Previous studies have explored barriers to screening but have failed to identify targetable facilitators in this group. We aimed to assess facilitators to cervical cancer screening among a predominantly urban, Hispanic population who presented to a no-cost, community-based clinic. Methods: Patients completed demographic and health information, a validated social determinants of health (SDOH) screen, and a self-reported facilitators survey on factors which enabled them to present to clinic. Descriptive statistics were conducted to assess patients' sociodemographic characteristics, SDOH, and perceived facilitators. Results: 124 patients were included. 98 % were Hispanic, 90 % identified Spanish as their preferred language, and 94 % had no insurance. Median age was 41. 31 % of patients reported a history of abnormal screening. On SDOH, over 80 % of patients screened positive in at least one domain, with the most common being food insecurity (53 %) and stress (46 %). The most frequently reported facilitator was encouragement from a family member/friend (30 %). 26 % of patients reported time off from work and 25 % reported availability of child/elder care as facilitators. Conclusions: Identifying facilitators among patients who present for cervical cancer screening is critical to designing care plans to reach all populations. Our survey showed that the single greatest facilitator to patients presenting for cervical cancer screening was encouragement from a family member/friend. These findings suggest that increasing community involvement and awareness may help to improve cervical cancer screening in a minority, urban, underserved population.