The effect of probiotics supplementation in postoperative cancer patients: a prospective pilot study.

PURPOSE: Microbiota manipulation through selected probiotics may be a promising tool to prevent cancer development as well as onset, to improve clinical efficacy for cancer treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate change in microbiota composition after-probiotics supplementation and assessed the efficacy of probiotics in improving quality of life (QOL) in postoperative cancer patients. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 30 cancer patients from February to October 2020 before (group I) and after (group II) 8 weeks of probiotics supplementation. We performed 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing to evaluate differences in gut microbiota between groups by comparing gut microbiota diversity, overall composition, and taxonomic signature abundance. The health-related QOL was evaluated through the EORTC Quality of life Questionnaire Core 30 questionnaire. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were noted in group II; increase of Shannon and Simpson index (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001), decrease of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria at the phylum level (P = 0.032 and P = 0.014, retrospectively), increased of beneficial bacteria such as Weissella (0.096% vs. 0.361%, P < 0.004), Lactococcus (0.023% vs. 0.16%, P < 0.001), and Catenibacterium (0.0% vs. 0.005%, P < 0.042) at the genus level. There was a significant improvement in sleep disturbance (P = 0.039) in group II. CONCLUSION: Gut microbiota in cancer patients can be manipulated by specific probiotic strains, result in an altered microbiota. Microbiota modulation by probiotics can be considered as part of a supplement that helps to increase gut microbiota diversity and improve QOL in cancer patients after surgery.

A facile template-free strategy for synthesizing hydroxymethyl-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanospheres.

Hydroxymethyl-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)(PEDOT-OH) nanospheres self-assembled using physical blowing method, which continually used a syringe, were successfully formed through aqueous solution polymerization under the oxidative initiators. The effect of blowing on the morphological properties of PEDOT-OH was precisely evaluated based on the different amount of initiator. The concentration of ammonium persulfate might be a driving force in the self-assembly process to create the PEDOT-OH nanospheres. The electrical and electrochemical properties of the resulting nanospheres were also characterized using four-point probe and cyclic voltammetry.

Significant elevation in serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 levels with torsion of the hydrosalpinx in a postmenopausal woman.

Isolated torsion of the fallopian tube in postmenopausal women is rare. In this case report, we detail the case of a 53-year-old patient who presented with adenomyosis and a left hydrosalpinx with high levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9. The isolated torsion of the left hydrosalpinx was observed during the operation. The serum levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9 were reduced from 129.62 and 348 to 58.2 and 12.41 U/mL, respectively, after total laparoscopic hysterectomy with salpingectomy. On radiologic evaluation, there were no other factors that may have influenced the increase in serum levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9 in this patient, which were reduced after operation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of association between perioperative changes in CA 19-9 levels and isolated torsion of the fallopian tube.

Development of self-compatible B. rapa by RNAi-mediated S locus gene silencing.

The self-incompatibility (SI) system is genetically controlled by a single polymorphic locus known as the S-locus in the Brassicaceae. Pollen rejection occurs when the stigma and pollen share the same S-haplotype. Recognition of S-haplotype specificity has recently been shown to involve at least two S-locus genes, S-receptor kinase (SRK) and S-locus protein 11 or S locus Cysteine-rich (SP11/SCR) protein. Here, we examined the function of S(60), one SP11/SCR allele of B. rapa cv. Osome, using a RNAi-mediated gene silencing approach. The transgenic RNAi lines were highly self-compatible, and this trait was stable in subsequent generations, even after crossing with other commercial lines. These findings also suggested that the resultant self-compatibility could be transferred to commercial cultivars with the desired performances in B. rapa.

Welfare reform and older immigrants: food stamp program participation and food insecurity.

PURPOSE: The welfare reform bill of 1996 severely constrained noncitizens' eligibility for the Food Stamp Program (FSP). This study examined the effects of eligibility restrictions on older immigrants' FSP participation and food insecurity. We paid special attention to household composition and household eligibility as well as older immigrants' individual eligibility. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 3,175 low-income older adults from the 1999 Current Population Survey. We used probit and tobit regressions. We compared three analytical models: two models using the differences-in-differences approach with two different measures of immigration status (individual and household status), and one using a summary variable of the percentage of FSP-eligible people in a household. RESULTS: Both household immigration status and older adults' individual immigration status were significantly associated with the probability of FSP participation. Living in a household with a higher percentage of eligible members significantly increased older people's FSP participation and benefit levels while significantly reducing their risk of food insecurity. IMPLICATIONS: Noncitizen eligibility restriction affects older immigrants' FSP participation and food insecurity by its relation to household composition. Experts should therefore consider household composition when developing social policies for older immigrants.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy plus large-balloon dilation versus endoscopic sphincterotomy for removal of bile-duct stones.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) to remove bile-duct stones is the most frequently used endoscopic technique. Few reports exist regarding application of large-balloon dilation (LBD) after EST for treatment of patients with bile-duct stones. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of EST plus LBD with that of EST alone. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A large tertiary-referral center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Two hundred consecutive patients with bile-duct stones were randomized in equal numbers to EST plus LBD (12- to 20-mm balloon diameter) or EST alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Successful stone removal and complications such as pancreatitis and bleeding. RESULTS: EST plus LBD compared with EST alone resulted in similar outcomes in terms of overall successful stone removal (97.0% vs 98.0%), large size (>15 mm) stone removal (94.4% vs 96.7%), and the use of mechanical lithotripsy (8.0% vs 9.0%). Complications were similar between the 2 groups (5.0% vs 7.0%, P = .767). Complications were as follows for the EST plus LBD group and the EST group: pancreatitis, 4.0% and 4.0%; cholecystitis, 1.0% and 1.0%; and bleeding (delayed), 0% and 2.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the similar rates of successful stone removal and complications, EST plus LBD should be an effective alternative to EST. EST plus LBD is a safe and effective treatment for endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones.

[A case of common bile duct stone developed due to a surgical clip as a nidus: an experience of successful management by endoscopy].

Surgical clips can migrate into the biliary tract and act as a nidus for stone formation. We report a case of common bile duct stone developed due to a surgical clip in a 48-year-old man. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram revealed a common bile duct stone a with metallic clip in it. He had laparoscopic cholecystectomy 10 years ago. The stone was removed endoscopically. The use of resorbable clips during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended to avoid this type of complication.