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As the relationship between the gut microbiome and allergies becomes better understood, targeted strategies to prevent and treat allergies through gut microbiome modulation are being increasingly developed. In the study presented herein, we screened various probiotics for their ability to inhibit mast cell degranulation and identified Lactiplatibacillus plantarum HD02 and MD159 as effective candidates. The two strains significantly attenuated vascular permeability induced by mast cell degranulation in a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) model and, in the MC903-induced murine atopic dermatitis (AD) model, demonstrated comparable preventive effects against allergies, reducing blood levels of MCPT-1 (mast cell protease-1) and total IgE. In the house dust mite (HDM)-induced murine AD model, both L. plantarum HD02 and MD159 showed therapeutic effects, with L. plantarum HD02 demonstrating superior efficacy. Nevertheless, L. plantarum MD159 better suppressed transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Furthermore, L. plantarum HD02 and MD159 significantly increased the number of splenic Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, with L. plantarum MD159 having a more pronounced effect. However, only L. plantarum HD02 achieved a reduction in immune cells in the draining lymph nodes. Our findings highlight L. plantarum HD02 and MD159 as promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of allergies, demonstrating significant efficacy in suppressing mast cell degranulation, reducing the number of allergy biomarkers, and modulating immune responses in experimental models of AD. Their distinct mechanisms of action suggest potential complementary roles in addressing allergic diseases, underscoring their therapeutic promise in clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We aimed to investigate the significance of lymph node metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma and the efficacy of local treatment. Methods: We included patients diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma with lymph node metastasis. The pattern of lymph node metastasis was evaluated based on imaging examinations and stratified by three locations: regional (group A), beyond regional intra-abdomen (group B), and extra-abdomen (group C) lymph node metastasis. Results: Among 14,474 patients, 852 (5.8%) were identified as having lymph node metastasis. Regarding the location of presentation, group A showed the highest incidence, followed by groups B and C. The 1-year overall survival of patients was 31.7%. The survival significantly differed according to the location of lymph node metastasis. The 1-year overall survival rates were 39.8%, 25.5%, and 22.2% in groups A, B, and C, respectively. All patients underwent systemic treatment, with others receiving additional local treatment. Local treatment yielded superior overall survival compared with no local treatment. After propensity score matching, local treatment was associated with improved survival. Additionally, patients were stratified based on disease status at the time of diagnosis of lymph node metastasis: lymph node alone and combined extra-nodal metastasis. The survival benefits of local treatment were observed in both groups. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated the clinical significance of lymph node metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma, which was well discriminated according to location, favoring regional metastasis. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma presenting lymph node metastasis, active application of local treatment for lymph node metastasis can improve oncologic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulsed electric field (PEF) is a non-thermal food processing technology that induces electroporation of the cell membrane thus improving mass transfer through the cell membrane. In this study, the drying and rehydration kinetics, microstructure, and carotenoid content of carrot (Daucus carota) pretreated by PEF during convective drying at 50 °C were investigated. The PEF treatment was conducted with different field strengths (1.0–2.5 kV/cm) using a fixed pulse width of 20 µs and at a pulse frequency of 50 Hz. The PEF 2.5 kV/cm showed the shortest drying time, taking 180 min, whereas the control required 330 min for the same moisture ratio, indicating a 45% reduction in drying time. The rehydration ability also increased as the strengths of PEF increased. PEF 2.5 kV/cm resulted in 27.58% increase in moisture content compared to the control after rehydration (1 h). Three mathematical models were applied to the drying and rehydration data; the Page and Peleg models were selected as the most appropriate models to describe the drying and rehydration kinetics, respectively. The cutting force of the sample was decreased as the strength of PEF increased, and a more homogeneous cellular structure was observed in the PEF pretreatment group. The reduction in drying time by PEF was beneficial to the carotenoid content, and PEF 2.5 kV/cm showed the highest preservation content of carotenoid. Overall, these results suggested that the pretreatment of PEF and the drying and rehydration rate influence the quality of products, functional components, and cellular structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to assess the effects of a customized three-dimensional (3D) printed writing and typing assistive device in patients with cervical spinal cord injury who presented with severe hand dysfunction. Three patients with cervical spinal cord injury who presented with severe hand dysfunction were included in the analysis. The patients' writing and typing abilities were evaluated after using the silicon assistive device made from a 3D-printed frame for 4 weeks. Patient discomfort and issues were evaluated. Customized 3D-printed writing and typing assistive devices were developed. The Korean Western Aphasia Battery (K-WAB), particularly the writing part, and the word practice program of Hangeul were utilized to assess device effects. All patients with cervical spinal cord injuries (SCIs) performed writing or typing using a customized assistive device. Patients 2 and 3 had better typing and writing accuracies based on the word practice program of Hangeul and the K-WAB, respectively. However, patient 3 had increased time, which was associated with the process of adapting to the use of the customized device. Nevertheless, he was highly satisfied with the device. The patient's typing and writing speed and accuracy improve with the customized 3D-printed device, which can lead to a better performance in the activities of daily living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tumor metabolism changes in mid-radiotherapy is useful predictor for treatment response and recurrent in patients with esophageal cancer. • The early response evaluation obtained from mid-radiotherapy 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is significantly associated with prognosis of patients. • Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) is significantly parameter associated with both locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis. Metabolic parameters evaluated by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) are known as prognostic markers in various cancers. We aimed to validate the predictive value of mid-radiotherapy (RT) FDG PET/CT parameters in esophageal cancer. Eighty-three patients treated with RT with or without chemotherapy between 2015 and 2020 were included. PET parameters including metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis, and mean (SUV mean) and maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) were analyzed. Locoregional recurrence-free rate (LRFR) and distant metastasis-free rate (DMFR) were analyzed. The median follow-up period was 10.5 months. Mid-RT SUV max was significantly associated with LRFR (HR 1.07, p = 0.009) and DMFR (HR 1.13, p = 0.047) while mid-RT MTV was associated with DMFR (HR 1.06, p = 0.007). Treatment response after RT was associated with overall survival (HR, 1.52, p = 0.025). Further, treatment response was significantly associated with mid-RT SUV max. The optimal cutoff value for mid-RT SUV max in predicting LRFR and DMFR was 11 while cutoff value for mid-RT MTV was 15. The patients with mid-RT SUV max ≤ 11 showed superior LRFR and DMFR compared to SUV max > 11 (1-year LRFR; 73.4% vs. 48.4%, p = 0.028, 1-year DMFR; 74.6% vs. 40.7%, p = 0.007). The 1-year DMFR was significantly different between patients with mid-RT MTV ≤ 15 and >15 (1-year DMFR; 78.2% vs. 31.9%, p = 0.002). Tumor metabolism changes during RT can be a useful predictive tool for treatment response and recurrence in patients with esophageal cancer. Clinicians may consider early response evaluation with PET during RT for predicting prognosis information about prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2000 South Korea has implemented discontinuous local cultural and creative industry (CCI) cluster and development policies, especially in non-capital regions. The number of CCIs has increased, but to different extents in different regions, and labour productivity has improved. Disparities between the capital and non-capital regions have, however, increased notwithstanding the goal of balanced regional development. Challenges therefore remain. In future, more attention should be paid to cultural genre and local cultural specificity and to research and development and innovation capacity with a new policy scheme based on a quadruple helix approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lymphopenia was associated with poor OS and poor PFS in pancreatic cancer. • Lymphocyte recovery compensates for poor prognosis of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. • Large PTV and low baseline lymphocyte count were associated with both occurrence and recovery of lymphopenia. Radiation-induced lymphopenia is associated with poor prognosis in resected pancreatic cancer and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. However, whether lymphocyte recovery contributes to pancreatic cancer prognosis has not been well-investigated. We evaluated 497 locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Complete blood counts of patients were obtained before, during, and after CCRT until the 12-month follow-up visit. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the development of and recovery from acutte severe lymphopenia (ASL): no ASL (group A, n = 198), recovery from ASL (group B, n = 141), and no recovery from ASL (group C, n = 89). Prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined using Cox regression analyses. In groups A, B, and C, the 2-year OS rates were 40.4%, 31.9%, and 14.6%, respectively, and the 2-year PFS rates were 23.7%, 18.4%, and 10.1%, respectively. OS and PFS were comparable between Groups A and B, while group C had poor OS and PFS (p < 0.001). Recovery from ASL was associated with superior OS (HR 0.42, 95% CI: 0.32–0.55, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.41–0.70, p < 0.001). The baseline lymphocyte counts and target volume independently predicted development and recovery from ASL. Recovery from ASL was associated with both superior OS and PFS in patients who received CCRT for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Baseline lymphocyte counts and target volume were associated with both the development of and recovery from treatment-related ASL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sarcopenia, systemic inflammation, and low muscularity significantly impact the survival of cancer patients. However, few studies have investigated how sarcopenia and systemic inflammation affect the prognosis of biliary tract cancer with distant metastasis. In this study, we investigated the association between sarcopenia with systemic inflammation and prognosis of metastatic biliary tract cancer. Materials and Methods: Data collected from 353 metastatic biliary tract cancer patients from 2007 to 2016 were analyzed. To evaluate the skeletal muscle mass, computed tomography images at the upper level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) were used. Sarcopenia was defined using the Japan Society of Hepatology guideline; L3 muscle index <42 cm2/m2 for male and <38 cm2/m2 for female patients. Systemic inflammation was evaluated using the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Patients with NLR > 3 were categorized into the inflammatory category. The overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed on those who received gemcitabine/cisplatin (GP) chemotherapy and depending on the presence of sarcopenia and inflammation. Results: Patients with sarcopenia showed lesser 1-year OS than those without (25.5 vs. 38.2%, p = 0.019). The patients with high NLR (NLR > 3) were associated with a shorter OS than were those with a low NLR (NLR ≤ 3) (21.0 vs. 52.8%, p < 0.001). Based on these results, we categorized the patients into three groups; sarcopenia accompanied by high NLR, no sarcopenia and low NLR, and either sarcopenia or high NLR. The OS of patients was well-stratified according to this grouping (1-year OS; 18.3 vs. 30.3 vs. 55.8%, p < 0.001). Concordant with OS results, the PFS was well-stratified based on the presence of either sarcopenia or high NLR (Sarcopenia; 9.5 vs. 19.4%, p < 0.001, NLR; 10.0 vs. 23.4%, p < 0.001). The PFS was significantly associated with high NLR and sarcopenia (1-year PFS; 7.8 vs. 13.0 vs. 27.9%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Sarcopenia with inflammation was associated with inferior OS and PFS. In addition, sarcopenia accompanied by inflammation was associated with poor prognosis. Conservative treatments such as nutritional support, exercise, and pharmacologic intervention could help metastatic biliary tract cancer patients to overcome sarcopenia and the inflammatory status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is one of the most severe toxicities experienced by patients with breast cancer after radiotherapy (RT). RT fractionation schemes and techniques for breast cancer have undergone numerous changes over the past decades. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of RP as a function of such changes in patients with breast cancer undergoing RT and to identify dosimetric markers that predict the risk of this adverse event. Methods and Materials: We identified 1,847 women with breast cancer who received adjuvant RT at our institution between 2015 and 2017. The RT technique was individually tailored based on each patient's clinicopathological features. Deep inspiration breath hold technique or prone positioning were used for patients who underwent left whole-breast irradiation for cardiac sparing, while those requiring regional lymph node irradiation underwent volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Results: Of 1,847 patients who received RT, 21.2% received the conventional dose scheme, while 78.8% received the hypofractionated dose scheme (mostly 40 Gy in 15 fractions). The median follow-up period was 14.5 months, and the overall RP rate was 2.1%. The irradiated organ at risk was corrected concerning biologically equivalent dose. The ipsilateral lung V30 in equivalent dose in 2 Gy (EQD2) was the most significant dosimetric factor associated with RP development. Administering RT using VMAT, and hypofractionated dose scheme significantly reduced ipsilateral lung V30. Conclusions: Application of new RT techniques and hypofractionated scheme significantly reduce the ipsilateral lung dose. Our data demonstrated that ipsilateral lung V30 in EQD2 is the most relevant dosimetric predictor of RP in patients with breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locoregional recurrence (LRR) is the predominant pattern of relapse after definitive breast cancer treatment. The present study aimed to develop machine learning (ML)-based radiomics models to predict LRR in patients with breast cancer by using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Data from patients with localized breast cancer that underwent preoperative MRI between January 2013 and December 2017 were collected. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to adjust for clinical factors between patients with and without LRR. Radiomics features were obtained from T2-weighted with and without fat-suppressed MRI and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted with fat-suppressed MRI. In the present study five ML models were designed, three base models (support vector machine, random forest, and logistic regression) and two ensemble models (voting model and stacking model) composed of the three base models, and the performance of each base model was compared with the stacking model. After PSM, 28 patients with LRR and 86 patients without LRR were included. Of these 114 patients, 80 patients were randomly selected to train the models, and the remaining 34 patients were used to evaluate the performance of the trained models. In total, 5,064 features were obtained from each patient, and 47–51 features were selected by applying variance threshold and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The stacking model demonstrated superior performance in area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), with an AUC of 0.78 compared to a range of 0.61 to 0.70 for the other models. An external validation study to investigate the efficacy of the stacking model of the present study was initiated and is still ongoing (Korean Radiation Oncology Group 2206). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The loss of skeletal muscle mass is known to be associated with poor treatment outcome, treatment-related toxicity, and high mortality. The association between loss of skeletal muscle mass and the response to treatment is not well-defined yet. In this study, we evaluated the impact of loss of skeletal muscle mass on responsiveness to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer. The prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy could be helpful to guide the treatment direction. There are no means to predict patient response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC); the impact of skeletal muscle loss on the response to NAC remains undefined. We investigated the association between response to chemotherapy and skeletal muscle loss in breast cancer patients. Patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer who were treated with NAC, surgery, and radiotherapy were analyzed. We quantified skeletal muscle loss using pre-NAC and post-NAC computed tomography scans. The response to treatment was determined using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. We included 246 patients in this study (median follow-up, 28.85 months). The median age was 48 years old (interquartile range 42–54) and 115 patients were less than 48 years old (46.7%). Patients showing a complete or partial response were categorized into the responder group (208 patients); the rest were categorized into the non-responder group (38 patients). The skeletal muscle mass cut-off value was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve; it showed areas under the curve of 0.732 and 0.885 for the pre-NAC and post-NAC skeletal muscle index (p < 0.001 for both), respectively. Skeletal muscle loss and cancer stage were significantly associated with poor response to NAC in locally advanced breast cancer patients. Accurately measuring muscle loss to guide treatment and delaying muscle loss through various interventions would help enhance the response to NAC and improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]