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This work presents the successful manufacture and characterization of bespoke carbon adsorbent microstructures such as tessellated (TES) or serpentine spiral grooved (SSG) by using 3D direct light printing. This is the first time stereolithographic printing has been used to exert precise control over specific micromixer designs to quantify the impact of channel structure on the removal of n-butane. Activated microstructures achieved nitrogen Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface areas up to 1600 m 2  g -1 while maintaining uniform channel geometries. When tested with 1000 ppm n-butane at 1 L min -1 , the microstructures exceeded the equilibrium loading of commercial carbon-packed beds by over 40%. Dynamic adsorption breakthrough testing using a constant Reynolds number (Re 80) shows that complex micromixer designs surpassed simpler geometries, with the SSG geometry achieving a 41% longer breakthrough time. Shorter mass transfer zones were observed in all the complex geometries, suggesting superior kinetics and carbon structure utilization as a result of the micromixer-based etched grooves and interlinked channels. Furthermore, pressure drop testing demonstrates that all microstructures had half the pressure drop of commercial carbon-packed beds. This study shows the power of leveraging 3D printing to produce optimized microstructures, providing a glimpse into the future of high-performance gas separation., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: Exposure to cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment may alter DNA methylation (DNAm) in breast cancer patients., Methods: We performed DNAm analysis in 125 breast cancer patients with blood drawn before and after chemotherapy, using the Illumina MethylationEPIC array. DNAm changes of 588,798 individual CpGs (including 41,207 promoter regions) were evaluated using linear regression models adjusted for monocyte proportion. Gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) were conducted to identify key Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes or Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways associated with chemotherapy. Results were validated in a separate cohort of breast cancer patients who were treated (n = 1273) and not treated (n = 872) by chemotherapy (1808 blood, 337 saliva)., Results: A total of 141 differentially methylated CpGs and 11 promoters were significantly associated with chemotherapy after multiple testing corrections in both the paired sample and single time point analyses. GSEA of promoter regions (pre-ranked by test statistics) identified six suppressed biological processes (p < 4.67e-8) related to sensory perception and detection of chemical stimuli, including smell perception (GO:0007606, GO:0007608, GO:0009593, GO:0050906, GO:0050907, and GO:0050911). The same six biological processes were significantly suppressed in the validation dataset (p < 9.02e-14). The KEGG pathway olfactory transduction (hsa04740) was also found to be significantly suppressed (p paired-samples  = 1.72e-9, p single-timepoint-blood  = 2.03e-15 and p single-timepoint-saliva  = 7.52e-56)., Conclusion: The enrichment of imprinted genes within biological processes and pathways suggests a biological mechanism by which chemotherapy could affect the perception of smell., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Singapore launched a population-based organised mammography screening (MAM) programme in 2002. However, uptake is low. A better understanding of breast cancer (BC) risk factors has generated interest in shifting from a one-size-fits-all to a risk-based screening approach. However, public acceptability of the change is lacking. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with 54 women (median age 37.5 years) with no BC history. Eight online sessions were transcribed, coded, and thematically analysed. Additionally, we surveyed 993 participants in a risk-based MAM study on how they felt in anticipation of receiving their risk profiles. Attitudes towards MAM (e.g., fear, low perceived risk) have remained unchanged for ~25 years. However, FGD participants reported that they would be more likely to attend routine mammography after having their BC risks assessed, despite uncertainty and concerns about risk-based screening. This insight was reinforced by the survey participants reporting more positive than negative feelings before receiving their risk reports. There is enthusiasm in knowing personal disease risk but concerns about the level of support for individuals learning they are at higher risk for breast cancer. Our results support the empowering of Singaporean women with personal health information to improve MAM uptake.

Routine mammography screening is currently the standard tool for finding cancers at an early stage, when treatment is most successful. Current breast screening programmes are one-size-fits-all which all women above a certain age threshold are encouraged to participate. However, breast cancer risk varies by individual. The BREAst screening Tailored for HEr (BREATHE) study aims to assess acceptability of a comprehensive risk-based personalised breast screening in Singapore. Advancing beyond the current age-based screening paradigm, BREATHE integrates both genetic and non-genetic breast cancer risk prediction tools to personalise screening recommendations. BREATHE is a cohort study targeting to recruit ~3,500 women. The first recruitment visit will include questionnaires and a buccal cheek swab. After receiving a tailored breast cancer risk report, participants will attend an in-person risk review, followed by a final session assessing the acceptability of our risk stratification programme. Risk prediction is based on: a) Gail model (non-genetic), b) mammographic density and recall, c) BOADICEA predictions (breast cancer predisposition genes), and d) breast cancer polygenic risk score. For national implementation of personalised risk-based breast screening, exploration of the acceptability within the target populace is critical, in addition to validated predication tools. To our knowledge, this is the first study to implement a comprehensive risk-based mammography screening programme in Asia. The BREATHE study will provide essential data for policy implementation which will transform the health system to deliver a better health and healthcare outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.