WellBeing and Mind Wellbeing of scholars throughout the COVID19 Pandemic

Our results suggest that zinc may have a role in the pathogenesis of IBS. However, clinical trial studies are warranted to evaluate this finding.
KISS-1 is an established tumor suppressor that inhibits metastases in various malignancies. However, little is known regarding its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of the present study was to identify the possible mechanisms of KISS-1 in ESCC metastasis.
The expression levels of KISS-1 mRNA and protein in ESCC samples and cell lines were analyzed by qRT-PCR, IHC, and western blotting. Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) were used to analyze the methylation pattern of KISS-1 promoter in ESCC cells with or without 5-Aza-dC treatment. The role of KISS-1 in the progression and metastasis of ESCC was analyzed through in vitro functional assays.
KISS-1 mRNA and protein were markedly downregulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines compared to the respective controls. Hypermethylation of KISS-1 promoter correlated to its lower expression levels in ESCC, and KISS-1 demethylation inhibited tumor progression. Ectopic KISS-1 overexpression inhibited tumor cell metastasis in vitro. In addition, KISS-1 overexpression downregulated the matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP2 and 9) and inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Finally, KISS-1 downregulated phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) without affecting their total expression levels in the ESCC cells. MAPK/ERK and p38 MAPK agonists reversed the suppressive effects of KISS-1.
The hypermethylation of KISS-1 promoter partly contributed to its downregulation in ESCC. KISS-1 inhibits the metastasis of ESCC cells by targeting the MMP2/9/ERK/p38 MAPK axis.
The hypermethylation of KISS-1 promoter partly contributed to its downregulation in ESCC. KISS-1 inhibits the metastasis of ESCC cells by targeting the MMP2/9/ERK/p38 MAPK axis.This study examined the association between spiritual quality of life (QoL), spiritual coping, emotional distress, and personality during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in a convenience sample of Croatian adults (n = 2,860, 80.6% women). Participants completed an online questionnaire that collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, distress (the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21), spiritual coping and spiritual QoL (the WHO Quality of Life-Spirituality, Religiousness, and Personal Beliefs), and personality (the International Personality Item Pool). The hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that personality traits, especially emotional stability, were the most significant predictors of mental health outcomes. Spiritual coping styles were a predictor of worse, while spiritual QoL of better psychological outcomes. Results demonstrate the complex relations between different aspects of spirituality/religiosity with personality and emotional outcomes and suggest that distress motivates the engagement of spiritual coping in times of disaster.4α-Glucanotransferase (4α-GTase) is unique in its ability to form cyclic oligosaccharides, some of which are of industrial importance. Generally, low amount of enzymes is produced by or isolated from their natural sources animals, plants, and microorganisms. Heterologous expressions of these enzymes, in an attempt to increase their production for applicable uses, have been widely studied since 1980s; however, the expressions are mostly performed in the prokaryotic bacteria, mostly Escherichia coli. Site-directed mutagenesis has added more value to these expressed enzymes to display the desired properties beneficial for their applications. The search for further suitable properties for food application leads to an extended research in expression by another group of host organism, the generally-recognized as safe host including the Bacillus and the eukaryotic yeast systems. Herein, our review focuses on two types of 4α-GTase the cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase and amylomaltase. The updated studies on the general structure and properties of the two enzymes with emphasis on heterologous expression, mutagenesis for property improvement, and their industrial applications are provided.
To investigate the effectiveness of screening and subsequent intervention for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japan.
Best-case-scenario analysis using a Markov model.
The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening for AMD were assessed by calculating the reduction proportion of blindness and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The Markov model simulation began at screening at the age of 40years and ended at screening at the age of 90years. The first-eye and second-eye combined model assumed annual state-transition probabilities in the development and treatment of AMD. Data on prevalence, morbidity, transition probability, utility value, and treatment costs were obtained from previously published reports. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the influence of the parameters.
In the base-case analysis, screening for AMD every 5years, beginning at age 40years and ending at age 74years (reflecting the screening ages of the current Japanese legal "Specific Health Checkups") showed a decrease of 40.7% in the total number of blind patients. The screening program reduced the number of blind people more than did the additional AREDS/AREDS2 formula supplement intake. However, the ICER of screening versus no screening was ¥9,846,411/QALY, which was beyond what people were willing to pay (WTP) in Japan. Sensitivity analysis revealed that neither OCT nor AI improved the ICER, but the scenario in which the prevalence of smoking decreased by 30% improved the ICER (¥4,655,601/QALY) to the level under the WTP.
Ophthalmologic screening for AMD is highly effective in reducing blindness but is not cost-effective, as demonstrated by a Markov model based on real-world evidence from Japan.
Ophthalmologic screening for AMD is highly effective in reducing blindness but is not cost-effective, as demonstrated by a Markov model based on real-world evidence from Japan.
Although endovascular therapy (EVT) improves clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke, the time of EVT initiation significantly influences clinical outcomes and healthcare costs. This study evaluated the impact of EVT treatment delay on cost-effectiveness in China.
A model combining a short-term decision tree and long-term Markov health state transition matrix was constructed. For each time window of symptom onset to EVT, the probability of receiving EVT or non-EVT treatment was varied, thereby varying clinical outcomes and healthcare costs. Clinical outcomes and cost data were derived from clinical trials and literature. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and incremental net monetary benefits were simulated. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the model. The willingness-to-pay threshold per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) was set to ¥71,000 ($10,281).
EVT performed between 61 and 120 min after the stroke onset was most cost-effective comparing to other time windows to perform EVT among AIS patients in China, with an ICER of ¥16,409/QALY ($2376) for performing EVT at 61-120 min versus the time window of 301-360 min. Each hour delay in EVT resulted in an average loss of 0.45 QALYs and 165.02 healthy days, with an average net monetary loss of ¥15,105 ($2187).
Earlier treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients with EVT in China increases lifetime QALYs and the economic value of care without any net increase in lifetime costs. Thus, healthcare policies should aim to improve efficiency of pre-hospital and in-hospital workflow processes to reduce the onset-to-puncture duration in China.
Earlier treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients with EVT in China increases lifetime QALYs and the economic value of care without any net increase in lifetime costs. Thus, healthcare policies should aim to improve efficiency of pre-hospital and in-hospital workflow processes to reduce the onset-to-puncture duration in China.
While an association between esophago-gastric junctional adenocarcinomas (EGJACs) and obesity, especially visceral obesity, has been suggested in Western countries, the association remains unclear in Asia, including Japan. In this population-based case-control study, we investigated the association between EGJACs and obesity.
To perform near-population-based data collection for all early-stage EGJACs occurring in Akita Prefecture from 2014 to 2019, clinical data, including endoscopic and computed tomography (CT) findings, were collected from 11 cancer treatment base hospitals in the area. Age- and gender-matched controls were extracted at a case-to-control ratio of 12 from healthy subjects who received health checkups in the same area. find more The visceral fat area (VFA) was calculated using CT images. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations between EGJACs and obesity-related parameters.
In total, 74 EGJAC cases (62 males, median age of 70years old) and 148 controls were extracted. Multivariable analyses showed a significantly negative association between the BMI and EGJACs and a significantly positive association between the VFA and EGJACs with odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of 0.65 (0.53-0.80) and 1.01 (1.01-1.02), respectively. These findings were confirmed in another dataset (40 EGJACs and 80 controls). In addition, as a categorical variable, VFA ≥ 100 cm
showed a significantly positive association with EGJACs (OR [95% CI] 1.96 [1.02-3.76]).
We found paradoxical associations between EGJACs and obesity-related parameters (BMI vs. VFA) in a Japanese population, suggesting a potentially pivotal role of the VFA rather than the BMI as a risk factor for EGJACs.
We found paradoxical associations between EGJACs and obesity-related parameters (BMI vs. VFA) in a Japanese population, suggesting a potentially pivotal role of the VFA rather than the BMI as a risk factor for EGJACs.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by esophagectomy can improve the prognosis of locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC). However, LAEC reportedly recurred in 17-21% of patients within 6 months post surgery. Thus, current treatment strategies may be inadequate for LAECs with poor prognosis. Preoperative identification of patients with poor prognosis might aid in modification of treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the maximum standardized uptake value change rate (ΔSUV
) in predicting treatment effects on the primary lesion, prognosis, and LAEC recurrence.
This study involved 220 esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy after NAC at three facilities in Japan. The optimal cut-off point for ΔSUV
in predicting tumor regression grade (TRG) was calculated and used to assess the correlation between ΔSUV
and postoperative survival.
The optimal cut-off point for ΔSUV
was 0.5. The 5-year overall survival rate in patients with ΔSUV
 ≥ 0.5 was significantly higher than that in patients with ΔSUV
 < 0.5 (71.5% vs. 50.5%, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified ΔSUV
(hazards ratio, 0.496; P = 0.004) as an independent prognostic factor. Among 199 patients evaluated for recurrence, 24 (12.1%) showed recurrence within 6 months post surgery. Univariate analysis revealed ΔSUV
as the only predictor for early recurrence (odds ratio, 0.222; P = 0.004).
ΔSUV
before and after NAC is clinically useful as it could help predict TRG, survival outcome, and early recurrence within 6 months post esophagectomy and is easily obtainable in general clinical practice. We believe that it may also help determine suitable treatment strategies for LAEC.
ΔSUVmax before and after NAC is clinically useful as it could help predict TRG, survival outcome, and early recurrence within 6 months post esophagectomy and is easily obtainable in general clinical practice. We believe that it may also help determine suitable treatment strategies for LAEC.