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IntroductionGastric cancer ranks as the 5th most prevalent cancer and the 4th leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Various treatment modalities, including surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, are available for gastric cancer patients. However, disparities related to age, sex, race, socioeconomic factors, insurance status, and demographic factors often lead to delayed time to treatment.MethodsIn this retrospective study, conducted between 2004 and 2019, we utilized data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to investigate the factors contributing to disparities in the time to first treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy among gastric cancer patients. Our analysis incorporated several variables, and statistical analysis was conducted to provide valuable insights into these disparities.ResultsWe observed notable disparities in the timing of treatment for various demographic groups, including age, sex, race, insurance status, geographic location, and facility type. These disparities include longer time to treatment in males (32.67 vs 30.75), Native Americans (35.10 vs 31.09 in Asians), low-income patients (32 vs 31.15), patients getting treatment in an academic setting (36.11 vs 29.61 in community setting), significantly longer time to chemotherapy in 70+ age group (51.13 vs 40.38 in

Abstract Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, placing a significant burden on healthcare systems as well as the global economy. Rare cancers comprise a group of about 200 cancers that individually occur at extremely low frequencies. In the United States (US), their frequency is approximately 15 cases per 100,000 people, and it is even lower in Europe with approximately 6 cases per 100,000 people. However, combined their frequency of occurrence is much higher than any singular cancer. Cancer treatment and management has tremendously improved in the last decade, particularly with the administration of immune-based therapies. The four most prevalent immune-based therapies are (1) the use of immune-checkpoint inhibitors, (2) macrophage therapy, (3) Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, and (4) neoantigen-based therapies. In our review, we discuss these various aproaches and their implementation in the treatment of a variety of rare cancers. Furthermore, we discuss their limitations and potential strategies to overcome them to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of these approaches. Finally, our article presents the future directions and other additional immune therapies that may be incorporated into the treatment of rare cancers.

We aimed to review the molecular characteristics of metastatic melanoma and the role of surgery in metastasectomy for metastatic melanoma. We performed a systematic literature search on PubMed to identify relevant studies focusing on several mutations, including NRAS, BRAF, NF1, MITF, PTEN, TP53, CDKN2A, TERT, TMB, EGFR, and c-KIT. This was performed in the context of metastatic melanoma and the role of metastasectomy in the metastatic melanoma population. A comprehensive review of these molecular characteristics is presented with a focus on their prognosis and role in surgical metastasectomy.

The search for effective therapeutics to combat COVID-19 has led to the exploration of the biological activity of numerous compounds. In this study, hydrazones derived from oseltamivir intermediate, methyl 5-(pentan-3-yloxy)-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene-3-carboxylate have been investigated for their potential as drug candidates against the COVID-19 virus using computational methods, including density functional theory (DFT) studies, molecular docking, and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) analysis. The DFT studies provide information on the electronic properties of the compounds while the molecular docking results using AutoDock reported the binding energies between the main protease of COVID-19 and the compounds. The DFT results revealed that the energy gap of the compounds ranged from 4.32 to 5.82 eV while compound HC had the highest energy gap (5.82 eV) and chemical potential (2.90 eV). The electrophilicity index values of the 11 compounds ranged from 2.49 to 3.86, thus they were classified as strong electrophiles. The molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) revealed electron-rich and electron-deficient regions of the compounds. The docking results reveal that all the compounds had better docking scores than remdesivir and chloroquine, frontline drugs employed in combating COVID-19, with HC having the best docking score of -6.5. The results were visualized using Discovery studio, which revealed hydrogen bonding, pi-alkyl interaction, alkyl interaction, salt bridge interaction, halogen interaction as being responsible for the docking scores. The drug-likeness results showed that the compounds qualify as oral drug candidates as none of them violated Vebers and Lipinski’s rule. Thus, they could serve as potential inhibitors of COVID-19.

A microwave-assisted watermelon rind imprinted biosorbent polymer (MAWIMOS) was successfully synthesized and applied as an effective removal of malachite green (MG) dye from wastewater. The successful incorporation of imprinted cavities into the MAWIMOS was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A sequence of adsorption studies was carried out to evaluate the influence of operational parameters such as contact time, initial analyte concentration and temperature on MG removal by the prepared polymer. Equilibrium dye removal was attained within 60 min, giving a % removal of 95.2% at initial MG concentration of 200 mg/L. This value was much higher than 59.3% recorded with non-imprinted polymer (NIP). Thermodynamic studies revealed the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adsorption process. Kinetic and equilibrium data fitted better to the pseudo-second-order and Freundlich models, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) study suggested the main interaction mechanism to be by chelation through charge flow from the adsorbent to the MG in solution; and that MG and styrene monomer formed ordered complexes via π−π interactions when the molar ratio between MG and styrene was 1:5. The high quantity of malachite green removed by the MAWIMOS strongly positions the material as an efficient adsorbent for wastewater treatment.

The search for phytochemicals for their pharmacological effects cannot be over emphasized. 4′-O-galloy-3,3′-di-O-methylellargic acid 4-O-xylopyranoside (GEP) was isolated from the stem bark of Terminalia superba. The structural elucidation was carried out using spectroscopic techniques; IR, 1H-, 13C-, Dept135- and 2D NMR, and MS. Hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activities of the isolated compound were carried out in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The compound demonstrated better hypoglycemia and antidiabetic activities as against the reference compound, glibenclamide at tested doses. The DFT study of the isolated compound and the reference compound was carried out using the B3YLP model. And the results obtained in the DFT study complement the experimental.

While breast cancer is a common disease with many available treatment options, many patients still have limited responses, especially those with metastatic breast cancer. Surgery of the primary tumor or metastatic sites is often not part of the treatment regimen for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Cryoablation is a relatively non-invasive procedure that is being investigated for patients with breast cancer. Patients with metastatic breast cancer who are not surgical candidates may derive benefit from cryoablation through the abscopal effect. In this case report, we present a patient with stage IV breast cancer who was treated with cryoablation of the primary breast tumor and showed evidence of an abscopal effect in regional and distant metastases.

Background: The occurrence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy has been associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Objective: This study determined the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and its determinants among pregnant women in rural Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2021 and May 2023 among 400 pregnant women with no signs or symptoms of urinary tract infection. Demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires. Mid-urine samples were cultured using standard laboratory procedures. Bacterial colonies were isolated, and antimicrobial sensitivity was measured using the disc diffusion technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. The determinants of asymptomatic bacteriuria were measured using odds ratio and 95% confidence Interval (CI) with significant level ( p-value <0.05). Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 24.0% (95% CI = 18.2% - 30.5%). The determinants of asymptomatic bacteriuria were the absence of post-coital urination (AOR, 4.433; 95%CI: 1.462-7.116), diabetes mellitus (AOR, 2.468; 95% CI: 1.300 -- 4.684), and anaemia (AOR, 2.699; 95%CI: 1.042 -- 6.729). The most detected asymptomatic bacteriuria was E. coli 52/96 (54.2%). The cultured isolates were 100.0% sensitive to ceftriaxone and ceftazidine but were 100.0% resistant to ampicillin and erythromycin. Conclusion: Based on the urine culture and sensitivity results, the study suggests using ceftriaxone or ceftazidine as an empirical treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucokinase activators are considered as new therapeutic arsenals that bind to the allosteric activator sites of glucokinase enzymes, thereby maximizing its catalytic rate and increasing its affinity to glucose. This study was designed to identify potent glucokinase activators from prenylated flavonoids isolated from medicinal plants using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, density functional theory, and ADMET analysis. Virtual screening was carried out on glucokinase enzymes using 221 naturally occurring prenylated flavonoids, followed by molecular dynamics simulation (100 ns), density functional theory (B3LYP model), and ADMET (admeSar 2 online server) studies. The result obtained from the virtual screening with the glucokinase revealed arcommunol B (−10.1 kcal/mol), kuwanon S (−9.6 kcal/mol), manuifolin H (−9.5 kcal/mol), and kuwanon F (−9.4 kcal/mol) as the top-ranked molecules. Additionally, the molecular dynamics simulation and MM/GBSA calculations showed that the hit molecules were stable at the active site of the glucokinase enzyme. Furthermore, the DFT and ADMET studies revealed the hit molecules as potential glucokinase activators and drug-like candidates. Our findings suggested further evaluation of the top-ranked prenylated flavonoids for their in vitro and in vivo glucokinase activating potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThere is increasing evidence suggesting that adolescents are contributing to the populations at risk of malaria. This study determined the prevalence of malaria infection among the adolescents and examined the associated determinants considering socio-demographic, Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) usage, and hematological factors in rural Southwestern Nigeria.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2021 and September 2022 among 180 adolescents who were recruited at a tertiary health facility in rural Southwestern Nigeria. Interviewer administered questionnaire sought information on their socio-demographics and usage of LLINs. Venous blood samples were collected and processed for malaria parasite detection, ABO blood grouping, hemoglobin genotype, and packed cell volume. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. A p-value ResultsThe prevalence of malaria infection was 71.1% (95% CI: 68.2%-73.8%). Lack of formal education (AOR = 2.094; 95% CI: 1.288-3.403), being a rural residence (AOR = 4.821; 95% CI: 2.805-8.287), not using LLINs (AOR = 1.950; 95% CI: 1.525-2.505), genotype AA (AOR = 3.420; 95% CI: 1.003-11.657), genotype AS (AOR = 3.574; 95%CI: 1.040-12.277), rhesus positive (AOR = 1.815; 95% CI:1.121-2.939), and severe anemia (AOR = 1.533; 95% CI: 1.273-1.846) were significantly associated with malaria infection.ConclusionThe study revealed the prevalence of malaria infection among the adolescents in rural Southwestern Nigeria. There may be need to pay greater attention to adolescent populations for malaria intervention and control programs.