Search

Two of the primary features of Parkinson's disease (PD) are the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) and the depletion of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) in the brain. Beneficial effects of environmental enrichment (EE) have been reported on the activation of lysosomal function and the amelioration of PD symptoms. Furthermore, Reelin could be a novel therapeutic target in PD. Hence, in this study, we validated the effects of EE on the activation of LAMP1 via Reelin in PD. Heterogeneous α-Syn (A53T)-overexpressing transgenic mice (age 6 and 16 months) were exposed to EE for 8 weeks. After motor and cognitive tests, brain tissues were obtained from mice and subjected to immunohistochemistry and molecular analyses. EE ameliorated motor and non-motor symptoms, protected dopamine neurons, and reduced pathological α-Syn accumulation in the early stage of PD. Striatal Reelin levels were altered depending on the disease stage and regulated by EE in PD mice. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of the effect of EE on PD, we performed further molecular and cellular analyses using activated preformed fibril (PFF)-induced SH-SY5Y cells, an in vitro model of PD, which were treated with recombinant Reelin protein and a Reelin blocker, CR-50. The CR-50 increased pathological α-Syn accumulation and accelerated dopamine neuronal degeneration by decreasing LAMP1 in the PFF-induced PD model. Our results showed that Reelin increased LAMP1 after EE and decreased pathological α-Syn accumulation, thus protecting dopamine neurons from degeneration in the striatum and substantia nigra, and ameliorating neurobehavioral deficits. These results suggest that Reelin is a promising target in treating histopathological changes and improving behavioral symptoms associated with PD.

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation and deposition have been identified as a critical feature in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with a series of functional alterations including neuronal oxidative stress and apoptosis. N-feruloyl serotonin (FS) is a plant-derived component that exerts antioxidant activity. This study investigated the protective effects of FS on Aβ25–35-treated neuronal damage by regulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The radical scavenging activities increased with the concentration of FS, exhibiting in vitro antioxidant activity. The Aβ25–35-treated SH-SY5Y cells exerted neuronal cell injury by decreased cell viability and elevated reactive oxygen species, but that was recovered by FS treatment. In addition, treatment of FS increased anti-apoptotic factor B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2) and decreased the pro-apoptotic factor Bcl-2-associated X protein. The FS attenuated Aβ-stimulated neuronal apoptosis by regulations of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Moreover, activated CREB-BDNF signaling was observed by the treatment of FS in Aβ25–35-induced SH-SY5Y cells. These results demonstrate that FS shows potential neuroprotective effects on Aβ25–35-induced neuronal damage by attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis, and suggest that FS may be considered a promising candidate for the treatment of AD.

Deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the aging brain has been often observed and is thought to be a pathological feature of Alzheimer’s disease. The use of natural products for disease prevention and treatment is gaining attention worldwide. Carthamus tinctorius L. seed and Taraxacum coreanum have been used as traditional medicines in Asian countries, where they have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. It has been demonstrated that the combination of C. tinctorius L. seed and T. coreanum has an effect on cognitive enhancement, indicating a ratio of 5:5 synergistically enhancing learning and memory abilities in comparison with a single treatment. Here, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of C. tinctorius L. seed and T. coreanum mixture (CT) at different concentrations on cognition in Aβ25-35-infused mice. CT-administered mice showed significant cognitive improvement in the T-maze, novel object recognition, and Morris water maze tests. Moreover, amyloidogenesis-related proteins, such as β-secretase and γ-secretase, were detected and their protein levels decreased after treatment with CT. Our study shows that CT attenuates cognitive dysfunction by improving learning and memory capability and regulating Aβ-related proteins in Aβ25-35-injected mice. These findings suggest that CT might be a candidate for functional food on cognitive improvement.

We investigated the protective effect and mechanisms of apigenin against cognitive impairments in a scopolamine-injected mouse model. Our results showed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of scopolamine leads to learning and memory dysfunction, whereas the administration of apigenin (synthetic compound, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) improved cognitive ability, which was confirmed by behavioral tests such as the T-maze test, novel objective recognition test, and Morris water maze test in mice. In addition, scopolamine-induced lipid peroxidation in the brain was attenuated by administration of apigenin. To further evaluate the protective mechanisms of apigenin on cognitive and memory function, Western blot analysis was carried out. Administration of apigenin decreased the B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bax/Bcl-2) ratio and suppressed caspase-3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase cleavage. Furthermore, apigenin down-regulated the β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme, along with presenilin 1 (PS1) and PS2 protein levels. Apigenin-administered mice showed lower protein levels of a receptor for advanced glycation end-products, whereas insulin-degrading enzyme, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) expression were promoted by treatment with apigenin. Therefore, this study demonstrated that apigenin is an active substance that can improve cognitive and memory functions by regulating apoptosis, amyloidogenesis, and BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND/AIMSRegular surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients is essential to detect HCC earlier and to improve prognosis. This study investigated whether prescription of oral medication contributes to adherence to surveillance, early tumor detection, and overall survival (OS).METHODSA total of 401 CHB patients who were newly diagnosed with HCC were included: 134 patients received no medication (group 1), 151 received hepatoprotective agents such as ursodeoxycholic acid and silymarin (group 2), and 116 received antiviral agents (group 3) at two years before HCC diagnosis. The primary endpoint was OS, and secondary endpoints were compliance to regular surveillance and HCC status at diagnosis.RESULTSCompared to group 1, both group 2 and 3 had higher rates of good compliance to regular surveillance (defined as participation in >80% of imaging intervals being ≤6 months) (58.2%, 90.1%, and 97.4%, respectively; P100% in group 2 and 14.5% in group 3) rather than direct effect of medication itself.CONCLUSIONSPrescription of oral medication improves compliance to surveillance and enables early detection of HCC, which is associated with enhanced survival.

Insulin like-growth factor-1 (IGF-1) reflects hepatic synthetic function and plays a major role in the development and progression of various cancers. In the present study, we investigated whether baseline serum IGF-1 levels predict time-to-progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). A total of 155 consecutive treatment-naive patients with HCC who had undergone TACE as initial treatment were included from a prospective cohort. Baseline serum IGF-1 levels were analyzed with regard to their associations with disease progression and survival. During a median follow-up period of 41.8 months, patients with low IGF-1 levels showed significantly shorter TTP (median, 6.0 months; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5-7.6) than patients with high IGF-1 levels (median, 16.5 months; 95% CI, 4.9-28.1; p = 0.003). In the multivariate analysis, BCLC stage, serum vascular endothelial growth factorlevels, and IGF-1 levels were independent risk factors for disease progression. The hazard ratio (HR) of progression for each 10 ng/mL decrease in IGF-1 level was 1.072 (95% CI, 1.029-1.117; p = 0.001). Furthermore, together with tumor size, stage, and treatment response, IGF-1 levels were an independent predictor of poorer survival (for each 10 ng/mL decrease in IGF-1 level; HR, 1.057; 95% CI, 1.001-1.115; p = 0.045). In conclusion, low baseline IGF-1 levels independently correlated with shorter TTP and poorer OS in patients with HCC who underwent TACE.

Abstract Background Older adults with dementia in long-term care facilities often encounter challenges in self-feeding owing to cognitive and physical impairments. Although direct care workers play a crucial role in facilitating mealtime activities, they lack adequate and specific training. To develop an effective educational training program for this purpose, it is essential to understand the educational needs of direct care workers providing meal assistance. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the educational needs prioritized by direct care workers in long-term care facilities, regarding providing eating assistance to older adults with dementia. Methods Adopting a mixed-methods approach, this study combined quantitative analysis using Borich’s needs assessment and locus for focus models with qualitative insights from focus group interviews. Participants comprised 174 direct care workers and five nursing managers from various long-term care facilities in South Korea. Results This study identified four main educational priorities: enhancing knowledge regarding swallowing function, understanding institutional support mechanisms, applying multisensory stimulation techniques, and addressing food forgetfulness in older adults with dementia. These findings were aligned with the qualitative data that emphasized the necessity of training in these specific areas to improve the quality of meal assistance provided to this vulnerable population. Conclusion The findings underscore the critical need for focused educational programs that equip direct care workers with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively assist older adults with dementia during mealtime. This study advocates the implementation of continuous education and training initiatives led by nursing management to improve the meal assistance environment for older adults with dementia, thereby enhancing their overall care and quality of life.

Objective: The purpose of the current scoping review is to explore knowledge and gaps in the literature on the preparedness of health care providers (HCPs) to deliver cancer care that addresses the needs of sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients diagnosed with cancer between ages 15–39 years. Methods: We conducted two comprehensive searches on OVID MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL in February 2022 and June 2024; examined the empirical literature on HCPs who treat SGM AYA cancer patients; characterized existing research; and evaluated each contribution. Results: A total of thirteen articles were included in the final review. The reviewed studies varied widely in sample sizes (n = 6 to n = 1253), reflecting different methodological approaches: quantitative cross-sectional (n = 3), qualitative (n = 4), and mixed methods (n = 6). Innovation: The current scoping review piloted an innovative Quality Assessment (QA) Tool of Foundational Progress for SGM AYA Research to assess the quality of evidence, providing a new framework for evaluating and guiding future research. Conclusion: The existing literature on provider preparedness to care for SGM AYA cancer patients is limited. Future studies are critically needed to improve providers' ability to holistically respond to the unique health care needs and concerns of this population.

Abstract BackgroundSudden unexpected infant death (SUID) remains a leading cause of infant mortality; therefore, understanding parental practices of infant sleep at home is essential. Since social media analyses yield invaluable patient perspectives, understanding sleep practices in the context of safe sleep recommendations via a Facebook mothers’ group is instrumental for policy makers, health care providers, and researchers. ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify photos shared by mothers discussing SUID and safe sleep online and assess their consistency with infant sleep guidelines per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). We hypothesized the photos would not be consistent with guidelines based on prior research and increasing rates of accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. MethodsData were extracted from a Facebook mothers’ group in May 2019. After trialing various search terms, searching for the term “SIDS” on the selected Facebook group resulted in the most relevant discussions on SUID and safe sleep. The resulting data, including 20 posts and 912 comments among 512 mothers, were extracted and underwent qualitative descriptive content analysis. In completing the extraction and subsequent analysis, 24 shared personal photos were identified among the discussions. Of the photos, 14 pertained to the infant sleep environment. Photos of the infant sleep environment were then assessed for consistency with safe sleep guidelines per the AAP standards by 2 separate reviewers. ResultsOf the shared photos relating to the infant sleep environment, 86% (12/14) were not consistent with AAP safe sleep guidelines. Specific inconsistencies included prone sleeping, foreign objects in the sleeping environment, and use of infant sleeping devices. Use of infant monitoring devices was also identified. ConclusionsThis study is unique because the photos originated from the home setting, were in the context of SUID and safe sleep, and were obtained without researcher interference. Despite study limitations, the commonality of prone sleeping, foreign objects, and the use of both infant sleep and monitoring devices (ie, overall inconsistency regarding AAP safe sleep guidelines) sets the stage for future investigation regarding parental barriers to practicing safe infant sleep and has implications for policy makers, clinicians, and researchers.

Abstract Background Adolescent and young adult cancer patients (AYAs) who are sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are a rapidly increasing population that experiences unmet cancer‐related needs. Despite emerging awareness, little is known about cancer care and outcomes for this vulnerable population. The purpose of this scoping review was to explore current knowledge and gaps in the literature on cancer care and outcomes for AYAs who identify as SGM. Methods We reviewed empirical knowledge on SGM AYAs by identifying, describing, and critically appraising the literature to date. We conducted a comprehensive search on OVID MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL in February 2022. Additionally, we developed and piloted a conceptual framework for appraising SGM AYA research. Results A total of 37 articles were included in the final review. Most studies focused exclusively on SGM‐related outcomes as the primary aim of the study (81.1%, n = 30), whereas others included some focus on SGM‐related outcomes (18.9%, n = 7). The majority of studies included AYAs as part of a broader age range (86.0%, n = 32), and only a few studies examined exclusively AYA samples (14.0%, n = 5). Gaps in scientific evidence on SGM AYAs were seen across the cancer care continuum. Conclusion Numerous gaps in knowledge of cancer care and outcomes exist for SGM AYAs diagnosed with cancer. Future efforts should fill this void with high‐quality empirical studies that reveal unknown disparities in care and outcomes and are inclusive of the intersectionality of SGM AYAs with other minoritized experiences, thereby advancing health equity in meaningful ways.

Abstract Background In older patients with dementia, functional dependence on individuals affects their eating behavior, leading to difficulties with meals. In addition to individual factors, several social, cultural, and environmental factors influence mealtime difficulties in older individuals with dementia. Therefore, a measure is required to evaluate the difficulty of eating, considering the different interacting phenomena. Methods Mealtime Difficulties Scale for older adults with Dementia (MDSD) was developed through a literature review. A pilot test was undertaken to confirm the meaning of the items and the relevance of mealtime difficulties for older patients with dementia. A panel of six experts examined the content validity of the MDSD. Convenience sampling was used to recruit direct care workers from long-term care facilities, of which 150 were recruited for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and 208 for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results The final version of the MDSD included 19 items, with a Cronbach’s α of 0.91. The EFA identified three factors (“functional,” “caregiving,” and “behavioral”) that account for 54.6% of the total variance. The CFA confirmed the validity of the instrument. Conclusions Evidence to substantiate the validity and reliability of MDSD was found. While this tool has limitations in that it does not ensure convergent validity, it can be considered significant as it can assess the mealtime difficulty among older patients with dementia from different perspectives.

Abstract Background Internet technologies have become important for older adults to not only seek, understand, and evaluate information on health management but also apply and share acquired knowledge. Despite the disparity in e-health literacy among older adults, which affects health outcomes, its conceptual definition has not been distinctly clarified in previous studies. This study aimed to analyse the concept of e-health literacy among older adults and to identify its contexts in the nursing field. Methods We identified concepts, attributes, antecedents, and consequences of e-health literacy in older adults using Rodgers’ evolutionary approach to various fields of study, time, and cultural differences. A literature search was conducted using the National Assembly Library, Research Information Sharing Service, National Digital Science Library, DataBase Periodical Information Academic, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica database, and Cochrane. Results A total of 28 studies were included, and we categorised the following three attributes: active information seeking, two-way interactive communication, and information utilization/sharing. The antecedents included personal factors, health status, socioeconomic factors, cultural factors, and attitudes toward the Internet while the consequences included increased health interest, health behaviour promotion, and active decision-making. Conclusions As e-health literacy in older adults affects their health and quality of life, this study clarifies the concept and provides a conceptual framework for nursing practice and research. Further studies are needed to identify and expand the constantly evolving concept of e-health literacy in older adults.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains the single most common cardiomyopathy in cats, with a staggering prevalence as high as 15%. To date, little to no direct therapeutical intervention for HCM exists for veterinary patients. A previous study aimed to evaluate the effects of delayed-release (DR) rapamycin dosing in a client-owned population of subclinical, non-obstructive, HCM-affected cats and reported that the drug was well tolerated and resulted in beneficial LV remodeling. However, the precise effects of rapamycin in the hypertrophied myocardium remain unknown. Using a feline research colony with naturally occurring hereditary HCM (n = 9), we embarked on the first-ever pilot study to examine the tissue-, urine-, and plasma-level proteomic and tissue-level transcriptomic effects of an intermittent low dose (0.15 mg/kg) and high dose (0.30 mg/kg) of DR oral rapamycin once weekly. Rapamycin remained safe and well tolerated in cats receiving both doses for eight weeks. Following repeated weekly dosing, transcriptomic differences between the low- and high-dose groups support dose-responsive suppressive effects on myocardial hypertrophy and stimulatory effects on autophagy. Differences in the myocardial proteome between treated and control cats suggest potential anti-coagulant/-thrombotic, cellular remodeling, and metabolic effects of the drug. The results of this study closely recapitulate what is observed in the human literature, and the use of rapamycin in the clinical setting as the first therapeutic agent with disease-modifying effects on HCM remains promising. The results of this study establish the need for future validation efforts that investigate the fine-scale relationship between rapamycin treatment and the most compelling gene expression and protein abundance differences reported here.

Abstract A 10‐year‐old female spayed mixed breed dog was evaluated for diarrhea and vomiting. Diagnostic imaging demonstrated the presence of an intracardiac mass. A modified Seldinger technique was used to access the right jugular vein, and an endomyocardial biopsy forceps was introduced through a sheath to obtain several biopsies. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry demonstrated a paraganglioma. The dog underwent 1 fraction of radiotherapy and l‐asparaginase chemotherapy and was discharged. The dog developed a pulmonary thromboembolism 2 days after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and the owner elected humane euthanasia. Although long‐term assessment of treatment response was unable to be performed, this novel diagnostic option could be considered for similar cases due to success in obtaining a histopathologic diagnosis, which is essential in developing a disease‐specific treatment plan. This report also describes the use of radiotherapy for primary treatment of an intracardiac neoplasm, which can be a consideration in the future.

Objective: The aim of this study is (1) to describe the prevalence and correlates of unmet needs among esophageal cancer survivors (ECS) in Korea and (2) to identify the association between unmet needs and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods: We used a cross-sectional descriptive study design. Participants were 118 ECS from a hospital in Korea who received surgery at least 12 months before participating. We collected data including the Supportive Care Needs Survey-short form 34 and to measure HRQOL, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 with a self-report questionnaire. Results: Participants' mean age was 65.2 years, and 92.4% were male. Among five domains of supportive care needs, unmet need prevalence ranged from 0.8% to 50%. The most commonly reported domains of unmet needs were Health System and Information and Physical and Daily Living. Participants with unmet needs in Psychological Needs, Physical and Daily Living Needs, and Patient Care and Support Needs demonstrated significantly poorer HRQOL in almost all measured domains. Conclusions: Our finding suggests that Korean ECS had substantial unmet needs, especially in the Health System and Information domain. Psychological, Patient Care and Support, and Physical and Daily Living Needs were related to HRQOL. The study can advance understanding of priority issues in ECS.

Abstract Background Canine visceral hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a highly aggressive cancer of endothelial origin that closely resembles visceral angiosarcoma in humans, both clinically and histopathologically. Currently there is an unmet need for new diagnostics and therapies for both forms of this disease. The goal of this study was to utilize Chromatin run-on sequencing (ChRO-seq) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify gene and protein expression signatures that may be important drivers of HSA progression. Results ChRO-seq was performed on tissue isolated from 17 HSA samples and 4 normal splenic samples. Computational analysis was then used to identify differentially expressed genes and these factors were subjected to gene ontology analysis. ChRO-seq analysis revealed over a thousand differentially expressed genes in HSA tissue compared with normal splenic tissue (FDR

BackgroundGiven the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a better understanding of how nursing programs around the globe have implemented distance education methods and related initiatives to provide international collaborative learning opportunities as well as complementary aspects of practical education would be constructive for nursing students. It is expected that international collaboratives through web-based communication will continue to be increasingly utilized after the pandemic; therefore, it is time to discuss the effects and direction of these developments. ObjectiveWe aimed to examine the impact of an online international collaborative learning program on prelicensure nursing students’ international and global competencies in South Korea. MethodsWe conducted a mixed methods study (web-based surveys and focus group interviews). A total of 15 students participated in the study. The surveys were used to examine changes in participants’ global leadership competencies, and the focus group interviews were used to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and to identify opportunities for improvement. The online international collaborative program consisted of 7 synchronous web-based classroom sessions. Each session ran for 60 to 90 minutes. Faculty experts and nurses working in the United States discussed various topics with students, such as nursing education in the United States and evidence-based teaching and learning. The students gave presentations on the South Korean nursing education system. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, and content analysis methods. ResultsParticipants reported improvement in their global leadership competencies. Four main categories emerged from analysis of the focus interviews: (1) realistic applicability, (2) clarification, (3) expansion of perspectives, and (4) initiative. ConclusionsThe online international collaborative learning program had a positive impact on the development of students’ international competencies. The findings support the further development of international exchange programs through web-based meetings in the postpandemic era.

The efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is limited by the occurrence of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We have recently demonstrated that obesity results in exacerbated acute gastrointestinal GVHD in both mouse models and clinical outcomes due to increased pro-inflammatory cytokine responses and microbiota alterations. We therefore wanted to delineate the role of the various parameters in obesity, adiposity, effects of high-fat (HF) diet, and the role of microbiome on GVHD pathogenesis, by taking advantage of a mouse strain resistant to diet-induced obesity (DIO). Female BALB/c mice are resistant to DIO phenotype with approximately 50% becoming DIO under HF diets. The DIO-susceptible recipients rapidly succumb to acute gut GVHD, whereas the DIO-resistant recipient littermates, which do not become obese, are partially protected from GVHD, indicating that being on HF diet alone contributes to but is not the primary driver of GVHD. Microbiome assessment revealed restricted diversity in both cohorts of mice, but coprophagy normalizes the microbiota in mice housed together. We then individually housed DIO-resistant, DIO-susceptible, and lean control mice. Notably, each of the individually housed groups demonstrates marked restricted diversity that has been shown to occur from the stress of single housing. Despite the restricted microbiome diversity, the GVHD pathogenesis profile remains consistent in the group-housed mice, with the lean control single-housed mice exhibiting no acute GVHD and DIO-resistant recipients showing again partial protection. These results demonstrate that the deleterious effects of obesity on acute gut GVHD are critically dependent on adiposity with the HF diet also playing a lesser role, and the microbiome alterations with obesity instead appear to fuel ongoing acute GVHD processes.