Impact of non-traditional lipid profiles on 1-year vascular outcomes in ischemic stroke patients with prior statin therapy and LDL-C < 100 mg/dL.

This study aimed to investigate the association between non-traditional lipid profiles and the risk of 1-year vascular events in patients who were already using statins before stroke and had admission LDL-C < 100 mg/dL. This study was an analysis of a prospective, multicenter, nationwide registry of consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke patients who treated with statin before index stroke and LDL-C < 100 mg/dL on admission. Non-traditional lipid profiles including non-HDL, TC/HDL ratio, LDL/HDL ratio, and TG/HDL ratio were analyzed as a continuous or categorical variable. The primary vascular outcome within one year was a composite of recurrent stroke (either hemorrhagic or ischemic), myocardial infarction (MI) and all-cause mortality. Hazard ratios (95% Cis) for 1-year vascular outcomes were analyzed using the Cox PH model for each non-traditional lipid profiles groups. A total of 7028 patients (age 70.3 ± 10.8years, male 59.8%) were finally analyzed for the study. In unadjusted analysis, no significant associations were observed in the quartiles of LDL/HDL ratio and 1-year primary outcome. However, after adjustment of relevant variables, compared with Q1 of the LDL/HDL ratio, Q4 was significantly associated with increasing the risk of 1-year primary outcome (HR 1.48 [1.19-1.83]). For the LDL/HDL ratio, a linear relationship was observed (P for linearity < 0.001). Higher quartiles of the LDL/HDL ratio were significantly and linearly associated with increasing the risk of 1-year primary vascular outcomes. These findings suggest that even during statin therapy with LDL-C < 100 mg/dl on admission, there should be consideration for residual risk based on the LDL/HDL ratio, following stroke.

Phase III randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety of amlodipine and candesartan cilexetil combination for hypertension treatment.

Effective antihypertensive therapy is essential for achieving optimal blood pressure (BP) control and reducing cardiovascular events. This double-blind, multicenter, randomized trial aimed to compare the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of a combination of amlodipine (AML) and candesartan cilexetil (CC) versus AML monotherapy in patients with essential hypertension (HTN). After a 4-week run-in period with AML 5 mg, patients whose HTN remained uncontrolled (diastolic BP [DBP]) ≥ 90 mmHg and < 120 mmHg) were randomized to receive either AML + CC or AML alone for 8 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by measuring changes in DBP and systolic BP (SBP). The primary safety measure was the incidence of adverse events (AEs). A total of 174 participants were included in the efficacy analysis. After 8 weeks, DBP decreased by -9.92 ± 0.86 mmHg in the AML + CC arm and - 2.08 ± 0.86 mmHg in the AML arm (p < 0.0001). SBP decreased by -14.27 ± 1.39 mmHg in the AML + CC arm versus - 2.77 ± 1.39 mmHg in the AML arm (p < 0.0001). AEs occurred in 11.24% of the AML + CC group and 5.62% of the AML group (p = 0.1773). AML + CC combination therapy demonstrated superior efficacy with good tolerance, making it a promising option for patients with inadequately controlled hypertension on amlodipine alone.

Prevalence and molecular characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from dogs in South Korea.

IMPORTANCE: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are emerging as a global public health risk. Therefore, assessing the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CRE) in both humans and animals is important. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to ascertain the occurrence and characteristics of CRE isolated from companion animals, dogs and cats. METHODS: E. coli strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the broth microdilution technique. Antimicrobial resistance genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis. The molecular characteristics of CRE were determined using multi-locus sequence typing, replicon typing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: In total, 13 CRE isolates (0.13%) were identified from dogs possessing blaNDM-5 along with ß-lactamase genes, mostly blaCMY-2 (92.2%) and blaTEM-1 (53.8%). The commonly observed mutations were S83L and D87N in gyrA, S80I in parC, and S458A in parE. CRE carried non-beta-lactam resistance genes, with the majority being tet(B) (100%), sul (84.6%), and aac(3)-II (53.8%). Nine different PFGE patterns (P1-P9), IncX3-type plasmids (69.2%), and ST410 (84.6%) were predominantly detected. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This investigation provides significant insight into the prevalence and molecular characteristics of blaNDM-5-carrying E. coli in dogs. The co-existence of blaNDM-5 and other antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli potentially poses severe health hazards to humans.

Allergen Sensitization and Its Association With Allergic Diseases in the Korean Population: Results From the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

PURPOSE: Allergen exposure is the most potent factor in allergen sensitization, which affects the exacerbation and severity of allergic diseases. Due to industrialization and climate change, the pattern of allergen sensitization has changed over time, and the incidence of allergic diseases has also increased. This study investigated the status of allergen sensitization in the Korean population and its effects on allergic diseases. METHODS: A total of 2,386 participants aged ≥ 10 years, who underwent 7 specific immunoglobulin E tests for aeroallergens (Dermatophagoides farinae [Der f], dog dander, cat epithelium, birch, oak, Japanese hop, and ragweed), were selected among the participants of the 2019 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We compared the demographic characteristics, combined allergic diseases, and sinusitis symptoms between the atopic and non-atopic groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of allergen sensitization in the general Korean population was 45%, and Der f was the most frequent cause of sensitization (39.9%). The prevalence of sensitization to indoor allergens was highest among teenagers and those belonging to the 20- to 29-year age group (P < 0.001). In contrast, there was a high prevalence of sensitization to outdoor allergens among individuals belonging to the age group of 60-69 years. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (odds ratio [OR], 2.559; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.689-3.878), allergic rhinitis (OR, 3.075; 95% CI, 2.426-3.897), and otitis media (OR, 1.481; 95% CI, 1.092-2.007) significantly increased by allergen sensitization. Patients with allergen sensitization were more likely to experience the symptoms of rhinitis and sinusitis. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings confirmed that allergen sensitization occurs in approximately half of the general Korean population and affects the prevalence and symptoms of allergic diseases. This suggests that active allergy tests and diagnosis of allergic diseases are necessary in Koreans.

Unique multidisciplinary approach in living donor liver transplantation to achieve total physiological revascularization in a patient with complete occlusion of portal vein system with combined chronic and sub-acute thrombosis.

Patients receiving liver transplantation in a setting of complete portal vein (PV) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis (Yerdel grade 4) experience lower outcomes after surgery; prognosis is independently influenced by the portal flow reconstruction technique, showing better outcomes in physiological surgical strategies. We describe a case of living donor liver transplantation in which the patient could not receive common physiological reconstructions pre-operatively due to multiple small collaterals and extensive thrombosis down to 1st branches of SMV. We performed thrombo-endo-venectomy of the portal vein and SMV first, but acute thrombosis developed recurrently even with interposition venous homograft between peri-choledochal collateral vein and proximal recipient portal vein. Immediate after surgery, intervention radiologist performed stenting insertion into 3 stenotic points. Through multidisciplinary approach, complete physiologic recanalization was obtained with normal liver function.

Epidemiology of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Finger in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and trigger finger are representative pathologic conditions of the hand. Although several studies have evaluated the epidemiology of these diseases as nationwide population-based research, they had several limitations including old data and short study period. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥ 20 years diagnosed with CTS or trigger finger between 2009 and 2019 using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. The annual incidence of these diseases was standardized based on age and sex. The proportion of patients who received corticosteroid injections or surgery within 1 year of their diagnoses was calculated annually. Results: The mean annual incidence of CTS was 360.26 per 100,000 person-years and that of trigger finger was 63.09 per 100,000 person-years. The annual incidence of CTS (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.979; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.972-0.985; p < 0.001) and trigger finger (IRR, 0.976; 95% CI, 0.967-0.985; p < 0.001) significantly decreased. The proportion of patients who received corticosteroid injections for CTS significantly increased (relative risk [RR], 1.025; 95% CI, 1.020-1.031; p < 0.001), while the number of surgeries significantly decreased (RR, 0.949; 95% CI, 0.940-0.957; p < 0.001). The proportion of patients who received corticosteroid injections for trigger finger significantly increased (RR, 1.021; 95% CI, 1.009-1.033; p < 0.001), while the number of surgeries did not change significantly (RR, 1.006; 95% CI, 0.988-1.023; p = 0.523). Conclusions: In the past 10 years, the incidence of CTS and trigger finger decreased. The portion of patients who received corticosteroid injections increased for both diseases, but the portion of patients who had surgery decreased for CTS within 1 year after diagnosis. This study provides insight into the epidemiology of these diseases in an Asian population and may inform estimates of healthcare costs.

Reliable and Robust Two-Dimensional Perovskite Memristors for Flexible-Resistive Random-Access Memory Array.

Two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskites have become a promising class of memristive materials due to their low power consumption, compositional versatility, and microstructural anisotropy in electronics. However, implementing high-performance resistive random-access memory requires a higher reliability and moisture resistance. To address these issues, component studies and attempts to improve the phase stability have been reported but have not been able to achieve sufficient reliability. Here, highly textured thin films grown perpendicular to the substrate in Ruddlesden-Popper 2D perovskites exhibited highly stable and reliable binary memory performance. We further built a flexible crossbar array to verify data storage capability, achieving a high device yield, robust endurance, long retention, reliability to operate under bending conditions, and moisture stability over a year. These device performances are attributed to preformed vertically oriented nanocrystals that allow the conductive filaments to operate reliably. Our finding provides the material design strategy that can be extended to the development of semiconductor materials for next-generation memory devices.

Pre-operative dual-time-point [18F]FET PET differentiates CDKN2A/B loss and PIK3CA mutation status in adult-type diffuse glioma: a single-center prospective study.

PURPOSE: While [18F]FET PET plays a complementary role in glioma imaging, it needs to be more comprehensively understood for improved characterization of glioma prior to surgery given the evolving landscape of molecular neuropathology. Thus, we investigated the utility of pre-operative dual-time-point [18F]FET PET in correlation with next-generation sequencing (NGS) data in patients with adult-type diffuse glioma (ADG). METHODS: Adult patients who were suspected to have primary glioma were prospectively recruited between June 2021 and January 2024. They underwent pre-operative dual-time-point static PET/CT at 20 min (early) and 80 min (delay) after [18F]FET injection. Semi-quantitative parameters of the hottest lesion (SUVmax) of tumour and the hottest lesion-to-normal brain ratio (TBRmax) were assessed from each summed image. Furthermore, the percentage changes (△) of SUVmax and TBRmax between two images were calculated. Histopathology of glioma was determined according to the 2021 WHO classification and NGS data. RESULTS: This study investigated a dozen genes in 76 patients, of whom 51 had isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wild-type glioblastoma, 13 had IDH-mutant astrocytoma, and 12 had IDH-mutant oligodendroglioma. Every tumour was [18F]FET-avid having TBRmax more than 1.6. Patients with CDKN2A/B loss had significantly higher values of SUVmax (5.7 ± 1.6 vs. 4.7 ± 1.3, p = 0.004; 5.0 ± 1.4 vs. 4.4 ± 1.2, p = 0.026) and TBRmax (6.5 ± 1.8 vs. 5.1 ± 1.7, p = 0.001; 5.3 ± 1.5 vs. 4.3 ± 1.3, p = 0.004) in both scans than patients without CDKN2A/B loss, even after adjustment for age, MRI enhancement, tumor grade and type of pathology. Furthermore, patients with PIK3CA mutation (16.2 ± 11.8 vs. 6.7 ± 11.6, p = 0.007) had significantly higher △SUVmax than patients without PIK3CA mutation, even after adjustment for age, MRI enhancement, tumor grade, and type of pathology. CONCLUSION: Among the dozen genes investigated in this prospective study in patients with ADG, we found out that CDKN2A/B loss and PIK3CA mutation status could be differentiated by pre-operative dual-time-point [18F]FET PET/CT.

A sexually transmitted sugar orchestrates reproductive responses to nutritional stress.

Seminal fluid is rich in sugars, but their role beyond supporting sperm motility is unknown. In this study, we found Drosophila melanogaster males transfer a substantial amount of a phospho-galactoside to females during mating, but only half as much when undernourished. This seminal substance, which we named venerose, induces an increase in germline stem cells (GSCs) and promotes sperm storage in females, especially undernourished ones. Venerose enters the hemolymph and directly activates nutrient-sensing Dh44+ neurons in the brain. Food deprivation directs the nutrient-sensing neurons to secrete more of the neuropeptide Dh44 in response to infused venerose. The secreted Dh44 then enhances the local niche signal, stimulating GSC proliferation. It also extends the retention of ejaculate by females, resulting in greater venerose absorption and increased sperm storage. In this study, we uncovered the role of a sugar-like seminal substance produced by males that coordinates reproductive responses to nutritional challenges in females.

Unveiling Cas12j Trans-Cleavage Activity for CRISPR Diagnostics: Application to miRNA Detection in Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

Cas12j, a hypercompact and efficient Cas protein, has potential for use in CRISPR diagnostics, but has not yet been used because the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12j is veiled. Here, the trans-cleavage behavior of Cas12j1, 2, and 3 variants and evaluate their suitability for nucleic acid detection is unveiled. The target preferences and mismatch specificities of the Cas12j variants are precisely investigated and the optimal Cas12j reaction conditions are determined. As a result, the EXP-J assay for miRNA detection by harnessing the robust trans-cleavage activity of Cas12j on short ssDNA is developed. The EXP-J method demonstrates exceptional detection capabilities for miRNAs, proving that Cas12j can be a pivotal component in molecular diagnostics. Furthermore, the translational potential of the EXP-J assay is validated by detecting oncogenic miRNAs in plasma samples from lung cancer patients. This investigation not only elucidates the trans-cleavage characteristics of Cas12j variants, but also advances the Cas12j-based diagnostic toolkit.

Pharmacokinetic comparison of subcutaneously administered CT-P13 (biosimilar of infliximab) via autoinjector and pre-filled syringe in healthy participants.

CT-P13, a biosimilar of infliximab, is used to treat inflammatory diseases that arise from immune system complications, resulting in excessive and persistent inflammation. The subcutaneous (SC) formulation of CT-P13 overcomes the drawback of prolonged administration associated with the intravenous (IV) infliximab biosimilar, necessitating autoinjector (AI) administration. This randomized, open-label, two-arm, parallel-group, single-dose clinical pharmacology study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of CT-P13 SC administration via AI compared with the existing pre-filled syringe (PFS) method. A total of 147 healthy participants were randomized into two groups, of which 139 completed the study. Blood samples were collected from before CT-P13 SC administration to 2016 h after the start of the administration. Serum concentrations were analyzed using the Meso Scale Discovery electrochemiluminescence method. Geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval) of the AUCinf (areas under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity) and Cmax (The maximum serum concentration) for CT-P13 SC AI versus CT-P13 SC PFS groups, were 94.15% (85.02%-104.26%), 92.48% (84.66%-101.01%), respectively. CT-P13 SC AI and CT-P13 SC PFS achieved comparable PK because the 90% CI was within the predefined equivalence margin. At the end of the study, immunogenicity results revealed that 70 (97.22%) and 73 (98.65%) participants tested positive for anti-drug antibody (ADA) in the CT-P13 SC AI and CT-P13 SC PFS groups, respectively. They were tested positive for neutralizing antibodies. No other significant safety differences were observed between the treatment groups. In conclusion, both administrations demonstrated PK equivalence and were both safe and well-tolerated.

Sexual Health and Quality of Life in Patients With Low-Risk Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: Results From GCIG/CCTG CX.5/SHAPE Trial Comparing Simple Versus Radical Hysterectomy.

PURPOSE: Simple hysterectomy and pelvic node assessment (SHAPE) is a phase III randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01658930) reporting noninferiority of simple compared with radical hysterectomy for oncologic outcomes in low-risk cervical cancer. This study presents secondary outcomes of sexual health and quality of life (QOL) of the SHAPE trial. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to receive either radical or simple hysterectomy. Sexual health was assessed up to 36 months postoperatively using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised and QOL using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and Cervical Cancer-Specific Module (QLQ-CX24) questionnaires. RESULTS: Among participants with at least one QOL measure, clinical and pathologic characteristics were balanced and with no differences in preoperative baseline scores for sexual health or QOL between groups. FSFI total score met the cutoff for dysfunction up to 6 months (P = .02) in the radical hysterectomy group. Group differences favored simple hysterectomy for FSFI subscales: desire and arousal at 3 months (P ≤ .001) and pain and lubrication up to 12 months (P ≤ .018). Both groups met the cutoff for sexual distress but was higher in radical hysterectomy at 3 months (P = .018). For QLQ-CX24, symptom experience was significantly better up to 24 months (P = .031) and body image better at 3, 24, and 36 months (P ≤ .01) for simple hysterectomy. Sexual-vaginal functioning was significantly better up to 24 months (P ≤ .022) and more sexual activity up to 36 months (P = .024) in the simple hysterectomy arm. Global health status was significantly higher at 36 months for simple hysterectomy (P = .025). CONCLUSION: Simple hysterectomy was associated with lower rates of sexual dysfunction than radical hysterectomy, with a lower proportion of women having sustained sexual-vaginal dysfunction. These results further support the benefit of surgical de-escalation for low-risk cervical cancer.

Effect of mutations in GDNV motif of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) L protein on polymerase activity, viral growth, and in vivo virulence.

Most Mononegavirales viruses have a GDNQ motif within the L protein, whereas Novirhabdovirus species feature a GDNV motif. This study examined the function of the GDNV motif within the L protein of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) by modifying its amino acid composition. Substituting the aspartic acid (D) with valine (V) completely abolished polymerase activity in a minigenome assay. Replacing GDNV with GDNQ showed no significant difference in luciferase activity. Further characterization using reverse genetically engineered recombinant viruses revealed that rVHSV-LGDNQ exhibited an accelerated replication rate and higher virus titer in EPC cells than rVHSV-wild. Olive flounder infected with rVHSV-LGDNQ experienced higher early-stage mortality but lower overall mortality than those infected with rVHSV-wild. These findings suggest that while the GDNQ motif may positively influence VHSV replication speed, it may not confer an overall advantage for the ultimate viral pathogenicity.

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and its association with kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease.

Introduction Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a potential indicator for cardio-metabolic risk. However, clinical implications of NAFLD in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are still elusive. We investigated to explore the association between NAFLD and adverse clinical outcomes among patients with CKD. Methods In this national population-based retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 816,857 individuals who underwent National Health Insurance Service health examinations and had an eGFR of 15-59 mL/min/1.73 m2. The main predictor was the fatty liver index (FLI), a surrogate marker for NAFLD. The primary outcome was a composite cardiovascular or kidney events, which were examined combined or separately. Results During a median follow-up of 7.7 (IQR, 6.4-9.6) years, the composite outcome events occurred in 74,266 (9.1%) individuals. Among these, there were 55,525 (6.8%) cardiovascular events and 22,961 (2.8%) kidney events, respectively. Compared to FLI of <30, the HRs (95% CIs) for the composite outcome were 1.16 (1.14-1.18) and 1.30 (1.26-1.33) for the FLIs of 30-59 and ≥60, respectively. The corresponding HRs for cardiovascular events were 1.21 (95% CI, 1.18-1.23) and 1.36 (95% CI, 1.31-1.40), respectively. Furthermore, FLIs of 30-59 and ≥60 were associated with an 11% (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.15) and 24% (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.17-1.30) increased risk of kidney events, respectively. Conclusions NAFLD was associated with higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes in individuals with CKD. These findings suggest that NAFLD, as assessed by the FLI, can serve as a predictor of cardiovascular and kidney events in CKD population.

Higher Microbial Abundance and Diversity in Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (BALT) Lymphomas than in Non-Cancerous Lung Tissues.

Purpose: It is well known that the majority of the extranodal marginal zone lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT lymphomas) are associated with microbiota, e.g., gastric MALT lymphoma with Helicobacter pylori. In general, they are very sensitive to low-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapeutic agents. The microbiota profile is not clearly elucidated in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) lymphoma, a rare type of MALT lymphoma in the lung. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the intratumor microbiome in BALT lymphoma using the third-generation NGS method. Materials and Methods: DNAs were extracted from 12 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues obtained from BALT lymphoma patients diagnosed between 1990 and 2016. 16S rRNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Amplicons were sequenced using a Nanopore platform. Next-generation sequencing analysis was performed to assess microbial profiles. For comparison, FFPE specimens from nine non-cancerous lung tissues were also analyzed. Results: Specific bacterial families including Burkholderiaceae, Bacillaceae, and Microbacteriaceae were associated with BALT lymphoma by a linear discriminant analysis effect size approach. Although the number of specimens was limited, BALT lymphomas exhibited significantly higher microbial abundance and diversity with distinct microbial composition patterns and correlation networks than non-cancerous lung tissues. Conclusion: This study provides the first insight into intratumor microbiome in BALT lymphoma using the third-generation NGS method. A distinct microbial composition suggests the presence of a unique tumor microenvironment of BALT lymphoma.

Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover Markers: A Meta-Analysis.

AIMS: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) may promote bone formation, but conversely, they could also weaken bones due to the reduction in mechanical load associated with weight loss. However, the clinical effects in humans have not been clearly demonstrated. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether GLP-1RAs affect BMD and bone turnover markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched on June 13, 2024. The eligibility criteria were: (1) human studies, (2) receiving a GLP-1RA for more than 4 weeks, (3) an untreated control group or a placebo group, (4) reporting of at least one BMD or bone turnover marker, and (5) an RCT design. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool. Fixed- or random-effects meta-analysis was performed according to heterogeneity. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. GLP-1RAs did not significantly change BMD in the femoral neck (mean difference [MD], 0.01 g/cm2; 95% CI, -0.01-0.04 g/cm2), in the total hip (MD, -0.01 g/cm2; 95% CI, -0.02-0.01 g/cm2), and in the lumbar spine (MD, 0 g/cm2; 95% CI, -0.02-0.02 g/cm2). C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX), a bone resorption marker, significantly increased after GLP-1RA treatment (MD, 0.04 µg/L; 95% CI, 0.01-0.07 µg/L). GLP-1RAs did not significantly change bone formation markers such as procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin. CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1RA did not affect BMD and bone formation markers. However, GLP-1RAs led to a significant increase in CTX.

[Current Status of Chemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer: Updated Treatment Strategies].

Colorectal cancer remains a significant health burden in South Korea, being the third most diagnosed cancer in the country. Despite advances in treatment, patients with metastatic colorectal cancer still face limited survival rates, with resection often deemed impossible for the majority. This review discusses the current state of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer treatment, focusing on both adjuvant chemotherapy post-surgery and palliative chemotherapy for metastatic cases. The article highlights recent updates in treatment guidelines, including the use of immunotherapy and the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in personalized medicine. The integration of these novel approaches aims to enhance treatment efficacy, improve patient survival, and reduce recurrence rates, paving the way for more tailored and effective therapeutic strategies in colorectal cancer management.

Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis AGMB00912 protects weaning mice from ETEC infection and enhances gut health.

Maintaining a healthy intestinal environment, optimal epithelial barrier integrity, and balanced gut microbiota composition are essential for the growth performance of weaning pigs. We identified Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis AGMB00912 (LA) in healthy porcine feces as having antimicrobial activity against pathogens and enhanced short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Herein, we assess the protective role of LA using a weaning mouse model with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection. LA treatment improves feed intake and weight gain and alleviates colon shortening. Furthermore, LA inhibits intestinal damage, increases the small intestine villus height compared with the ETEC group, and enhances SCFA production. Using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and other bioinformatic tools, including InterProScan and COGNIZER, we validated the presence of SCFA-producing pathways of LA and Lactiplantibacillus after whole genome sequencing. LA mitigates ETEC-induced shifts in the gut microbiota, decreasing the proportion of Escherichia and Enterococcus and increasing SCFA-producing bacteria, including Kineothrix, Lachnoclostridium, Roseuburia, Lacrimispora, Jutongia, and Blautia. Metabolic functional prediction analysis revealed enhanced functions linked to carbohydrate, amino acid, and vitamin biosynthesis, along with decreased functions associated with infectious bacterial diseases compared to the ETEC group. LA mitigates the adverse effects of ETEC infection in weaning mice, enhances growth performance and intestinal integrity, rebalances gut microbiota, and promotes beneficial metabolic functions. These findings validate the functionality of LA in a small animal model, supporting its potential application in improving the health and growth performance of weaning pigs.