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Chi-Chen Huang,1 Sheng-Feng Tsai,2,3 Shu-Cheng Liu,4 Mei-Chen Yeh,5 Hao-Chang Hung,5 Chu-Wan Lee,6 Ching-Li Cheng,6 Pei-Ling Hsu,7– 9 Yu-Min Kuo2,3 1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70403, Taiwan; 2Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; 3Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; 4Department of Anesthesiology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70403, Taiwan; 5Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, 71004, Taiwan; 6Department of Nursing, National Tainan Junior College of Nursing, Tainan, 700007, Taiwan; 7Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan; 8Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan; 9Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, TaiwanCorrespondence: Pei-Ling Hsu, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 80708, Tel +886-7-3121101 ext. 2144#16, Fax +886-7-3119849, Email plhsu@kmu.edu.tw Yu-Min Kuo, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 Ta Hsueh Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan, Tel +886-6-2353535 ext. 5294, Fax +886-6-2093007, Email kuoym@mail.ncku.edu.twIntroduction: Insulin, the key hormone for glucose regulation, has garnered attention for its role as an immune modulator. Impaired insulin signaling in the central nervous system is linked to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia, the resident macrophage-like immune cells in the brain, are key regulators of neuroinflammation. However, the mechanisms by which insulin influences microglial immune responses remain relatively unknown.Methods: This study aimed to assess the effects of post-treatment with insulin [30 minutes after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure] on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 microglial cells.Results: Post-treatment with insulin potentiated LPS-induced production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF and IL-6, through activation of the Akt/NF-κB pathway. Insulin also enhanced the ability of BV2 cells to phagocytose bacteria particles and β-amyloid fibrils. Conversely, insulin inhibited activation of NADPH oxidase and reduced intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species in LPS-treated BV2 cells.Conclusion: Insulin enhances microglial immune competence when challenged by endotoxins but mitigates oxidative stress in these cells. Keywords: β-amyloid, p47phox, phagocytosis, superoxide dismutase

Mei-Chun Yeh,1 Ben J Wu,1 Yue Li,1 Mina Elahy,1 Leonel Prado-Lourenco,1 Jim Sockler,2 Herman Lau,3 Ric O Day,4 Levon M Khachigian1 1Vascular Biology and Translational Research, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; 2Statistical Operations & Programming, Datapharm Australia Pty Ltd, Drummoyne, NSW, 2047, Australia; 3BJC Health, Chatswood, NSW, 2067, Australia; 4Department of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Therapeutics Centre, St Vincent’s Hospital, UNSW Medicine and Health, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, AustraliaCorrespondence: Levon M KhachigianVascular Biology and Translational Research, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, AustraliaTel +61 2 9385 2537Email L.Khachigian@unsw.edu.auIntroduction: Inflammation and bone erosion are processes key to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, a systemic autoimmune disease causing progressive disability and pain, impacting around 1.3 million people in the United States alone. However, many patients do not respond sufficiently to existing therapies or benefit is not sustained and alternate therapeutic approaches are lacking. We recently identified the dibenzoxazepinone BT2, which inhibits ERK phosphorylation, from a high-throughput chemical screen and identified its ability to inhibit angiogenesis and vascular leakiness.Methods: Here we evaluated BT2 for potential anti-inflammatory activity in in vitro models of human monocytic-endothelial cell adhesion, monocytic cell extravasation and collagen antibody-induced arthritis in mice.Results: BT2 inhibits human monocytic cell adhesion to IL-1ß-treated human endothelial cells and inhibits monocytic transendothelial migration toward MCP-1. In mice rendered arthritic, single systemic administration of BT2 prevented footpad swelling, bone destruction and TRAP+ cells in the joints. BT2 suppressed inducible circulating levels of IL-1ß, IL-2 and IL-6 to normal levels without affecting levels of IL-4 or IL-10 among other cytokines. BT2 also inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in arthritic joints. There was no evidence of toxicity following intraperitoneal, gavage or intraarticular administration of BT2.Conclusion: BT2 is a novel small molecule inhibitor of joint inflammation, bone erosion, pro-inflammatory cytokine and adhesion molecule expression. This suggests the potential clinical utility of BT2 as a new anti-inflammatory agent.Keywords: inflammation, pathology, bone erosion, rheumatoid arthritis, dibenzoxazepinone

African American (AA) individuals experience food insecurity at twice the rate of the general population. However, few patients are screened for these measures in the oncology setting. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate associations between food insecurity and dietary quality in AA patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. The secondary aim was to evaluate differences in dietary quality and the level of food insecurity between the participants at Temple University Hospital (TUH) vs. Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC). A single-arm, cross-sectional study was conducted, in which 40 AA patients with GI malignancies were recruited at FCCC and TUH between February 2021 and July 2021. Participants completed the US Adult Food Security Survey Module to assess the level of food security (food secure vs. food insecure). An electronic food frequency questionnaire (VioScreen TM ) was administered to obtain usual dietary intake. Diet quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015). Dietary quality and food insecurity were summarized using standard statistical measures. Overall, 6 of the 40 participants (15%) reported food insecurity, and the mean HEI-2015 score was 64.2. No association was observed between dietary quality and food insecurity ( p = 0.29). However, we noted that dietary quality was significantly lower among patients presenting at TUH (mean HEI-2015 = 57.8) compared to patients at FCCC (mean HEI-2015 = 73.5) ( p < 0.01). Food insecurity scores were also significantly higher in the TUH population vs. the FCCC population ( p < 0.01).

Eukaryotic ribosomal proteins contain extended regions essential for translation coordination. Dedicated chaperones stabilize the associated ribosomal proteins. We identified Bcp1 as the chaperone of uL14 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Rkm1, the lysine methyltransferase of uL14, forms a ternary complex with Bcp1 and uL14 to protect uL14. Rkm1 is transported with uL14 by importins to the nucleus, and Bcp1 disassembles Rkm1 and importin from uL14 simultaneously in a RanGTP-independent manner. Molecular docking, guided by crosslinking mass spectrometry and validated by a low-resolution cryo-EM map, reveals the correlation between Bcp1, Rkm1, and uL14, demonstrating the protection model. In addition, the ternary complex also serves as a surveillance point, whereas incorrect uL14 is retained on Rkm1 and prevented from loading to the pre-60S ribosomal subunits. This study reveals the molecular mechanism of how uL14 is protected and quality checked by serial steps to ensure its safe delivery from the cytoplasm until its incorporation into the 60S ribosomal subunit., (© 2024 Yeh et al.)

Deaths from liver cancer are on the rise and disproportionately affect minority racial/ethnic groups. In this study, we examined associations between physicians' recommendations for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among minority populations in the areas of Greater Philadelphia and New York City. Using Poisson regression with robust variance estimation, we evaluated potential associations for 576 Hispanic American (HA), African American (AA), and Asian Pacific American (APA) adults, using blood tests as an outcome measure, with adjustment for sociodemographic factors We found that APAs (34.2%) were most likely to have a physician recommend HBV and HCV screening tests (34.2% and 27.1%, respectively), while HAs were least likely to receive an HBV recommendation (15.0%) and AAs were least likely to receive an HCV recommendation (15.3%). HAs were significantly likely to have never received a blood test for either HBV or HCV (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.49). APAs were significantly more likely to receive a screening recommendation for HBV (RR = 1.10, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.20) and to have a blood test (RR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.33). Our findings show that, among HAs, AAs, and APAs, physician recommendations are strongly associated with patients undergoing blood tests for HBV and HCV and that minority populations should increasingly be recommended to screen for HBV and HCV, especially given their elevated risk., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: This study was designed to examine how glucocorticoids (GCs) induced by a long-term ingestion of high-fat diet (HFD) mediate the HFD-induced adipose expansion and obesity., Material and Methods: To address this goal, we used a unique L/L mouse model that fails to induce its corticosterone (CORT) level, a major type of GCs in rodents, after prolonged exposure to an HFD., Results: We found that, after receiving a 12-week HFD feeding, the L/L mice show less weight gain, milder adipose expansion, and higher plasma levels of triglycerides than the wild-type mice. These changes were reversed by replenishing CORT to L/L mice. When examining the expression levels of various molecules linked to lipid uptake and de novo lipogenesis in CORT-induced adipose expansion, we observed a reduction in the expression of adipose preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1), a key regulator in adipogenesis. In 3T3-L1 preadipocyte-like cells, dexamethasone, an agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor, also reduced expressions of Pref-1 and facilitated intracellular accumulation of lipids., Conclusions: Our results suggest that fat ingestion-induced release of CORT contributes to adipose expansion and development of obesity and highlight the pathogenic role of CORT-mediated downregulation of adipose Pref-1 in diet-induced obesity., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Previous investigations have shown a positive relationship between baseball pitching velocity and the kinetic chain involved in pitching motion. However, no study has examined the influence of finger characteristics on pitching velocity and rate of spin via a sensor-embedded baseball., Methods: Twenty-one pitchers volunteered and were recruited for this study. An experimental baseball embedded with a force sensor and an inertial measurement unit was designed for pitching performance measurement. Finger length and strength were measured as dependent variables. Spin rate and velocity were independent variables. Pearson product-moment correlations (r) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) determined the relationship between finger characteristics and pitching performance., Results: Finger length discrepancy, two-point pinch strength, index finger RFD (rate of force development), middle finger impulse, and force discrepancy had significant correlations with spin rate (r = 0.500~0.576, p ≤ 0.05). Finger length discrepancy, two-point pinch, three-point pinch strength, index and middle finger RFD, middle finger impulse, and force combination had significant correlations with fastball pitching velocity (r = 0.491~0.584, p ≤ 0.05)., Conclusions: Finger length discrepancy, finger pinch strength, and pitching finger force including maximal force and RFD may be factors that impact fastball spin rate and fastball pitching velocity.

Objectives: To test the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a mHealth intervention tailored for Chinese immigrant families with type 2 diabetes (T2D)., Methods: We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with baseline, 3-, and 6-month measurements. Participating dyads, T2D patients and families/friends from NYC, were randomized into the intervention group (n = 11) or the wait-list control group (n = 12). Intervention includes 24 videos covering T2D self-management, behavioral techniques, and family-oriented sessions. Feasibility and acceptability were measured respectively by the retention rate and video watch rate, and a satisfaction survey. Patients' HbA1c, weight, and self-management were also assessed to test potential efficacy., Results: Most T2D patients (n = 23; mean age 56.2±9.4 years; 52.2% male) and families/friends (n = 23, mean age 54.6±11.2 years; 52.2% female) had high school education or less (69.6% and 69.6%), annual household income < $25,000 (65.2% and 52.2%), and limited English proficiency (95.7% and 95.7%). The retention rates were not significantly different between the intervention and the control groups for both the patients (90.91% vs 83.3%, p = 0.589); and their families/friends (3-month: 90.9% vs 75%, p = 0.313; 6-month: 90.9% vs 83.3%, p = 0.589). The mean video watch rate was 76.8% (7%). T2D patients and families/friends rated satisfaction as 9.4 and 10 out of 10, respectively. Despite no between-group differences, the intervention group had significantly lower HbA1c (p = 0.014) and better self-management (p = 0.009), and lost 12 lbs. on average at 6 months (p = 0.079), compared to their baseline levels., Conclusions: A culturally-tailored, family-based mHealth intervention is feasible and acceptable among low-income, limited English-proficient Chinese families with T2D in NYC. Significant changes in HbA1c and self-management within the intervention group indicate this intervention may have potential efficacy. Given the small sample size of this study, a future RCT with adequate power is needed to test efficacy., Competing Interests: LH reports holding stock in Tencent Holdings Limited. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials., (Copyright: © 2024 Hu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background and Objectives : Fluid restriction commonly causes dry mouth in patients on hemodialysis (HD). The observed effects of chewing gum on the amount of saliva, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), and degree of thirst in patients on HD have been inconsistent. We investigated whether chewing gum can modulate these three parameters in patients on HD. Materials and Methods : We used purposive sampling to enroll 37 patients on HD who were then randomly divided into the chewing gum group ( n = 19) and the control (non-chewing gum) group ( n = 18). The degree of thirst was assessed using a self-rated visual analog scale (VAS) and a summated xerostomia inventory (SXI), respectively. Results : The degree of thirst after dialysis was significantly lower in the chewing gum group than in the control group. The amount of saliva was higher in the chewing gum group than in the control group before dialysis, but the saliva amount was comparable between the groups after dialysis. Furthermore, the amount of saliva was not associated with IDWG in patients on HD before or after dialysis. Conclusions : Chewing gum may alleviate the feeling of thirst but may not affect the amount of saliva and IDWG in patients on HD. Therefore, we suggest that chewing gum may be a useful approach to improve dry mouth and thirst in patients on HD.

Background: COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020 forced National Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs) to pause, cancel or reformulate. This qualitative study sought to (a) document if/how New York City(NYC) DPPs adapted and served participants during lockdowns, and (b) identify successes and challenges to operating programs during the lockdowns and restrictions on social gathering., Methods: Researchers contacted 47 CDC-registered DPPs in NYC. Eleven DPP directors, lifestyle coaches, and coordinators involved in program implementation completed 1-hour semi-structured virtual interviews and received a $50 gift card. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Grounded Theory (Dedoose, Version 9)., Results: Interviewees represented 7 organization types: public hospitals, weight loss programs, healthcare centers, community-based organizations, health insurance companies, faith-based DPPs, and federally qualified health centers. DPPs served participants in 4 of 5 NYC boroughs. Six organizations provided DPP services during lockdowns by going virtual. Successes and challenges related to staffing, resource allocation, virtual data tracking, and participant engagement. Most programs were successful due to resilient, dedicated, and extraordinarily innovative staff., Conclusion: The pandemic highlighted opportunities for successful virtual DPPs in urban settings, and the need for more robust funding, staff support, and technical assistance for sustainability and scalability of the DPP., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Vibrio α-hemolysins (αHLs) are β-pore-forming toxins secreted by Vibrio pathogens, crucial for the facilitation of bacterial infections through host cell lysis. These toxins are produced as inactive precursors, requiring proteolytic maturation and membrane association for activation within host tissues. Here, we investigate Vibrio campbellii αHL (VcαHL), and establish that its hemolytic activity is significantly stimulated by calcium ions, with an EC 50 that aligns with physiological calcium concentrations. Furthermore, we illustrate the vital contribution of calcium ions to the oligomerization of VcαHL on membranes. Using X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, we decipher both the immature and assembled structures of VcαHL and elucidate the conformational changes corresponding to toxin assembly. We also identify a calcium-binding module that is integral for VcαHL's calcium-dependent activation. These findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of VcαHL and have the potential to inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies against Vibrio infections., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

ATP-dependent RAD51 recombinases play an essential role in eukaryotic homologous recombination by catalyzing a four-step process: 1) formation of a RAD51 single-filament assembly on ssDNA in the presence of ATP, 2) complementary DNA strand-exchange, 3) ATP hydrolysis transforming the RAD51 filament into an ADP-bound disassembly-competent state, and 4) RAD51 disassembly to provide access for DNA repairing enzymes. Of these steps, filament dynamics between the ATP- and ADP-bound states, and the RAD51 disassembly mechanism, are poorly understood due to the lack of near-atomic-resolution information of the ADP-bound RAD51-DNA filament structure. We report the cryo-EM structure of ADP-bound RAD51-DNA filaments at 3.1 Å resolution, revealing a unique RAD51 double-filament that wraps around ssDNA. Structural analysis, supported by ATP-chase and time-resolved cryo-EM experiments, reveals a collapsing mechanism involving two four-protomer movements along ssDNA for mechanical transition between RAD51 single- and double-filament without RAD51 dissociation. This mechanism enables elastic change of RAD51 filament length during structural transitions between ATP- and ADP-states., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is mainly characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. It spans a spectrum of diseases from hepatic steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Brassica juncea is rich in glucosinolates and has been proven to possess many potential pharmacological properties, including hypoglycemic, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities. This study aims to investigate whether whole-plant Brassica juncea (WBJ) and its glucosinolates extracts (BGE) have hepatoprotective effects against a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD and further explore the mechanism underlying this process in vivo and in vitro. WBJ treatment significantly reduced body fat, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, liver injury, and inflammation; WBJ treatment also reversed the antioxidant enzyme activity to attenuate oxidative stress in HFD-fed rat liver. Moreover, WBJ and BGE enhanced the activation of AMPK to reduce SREBPs, fatty acid synthase, and HMG-CoA reductase but increased the expression of CPT-I and PPARα to improve hepatic steatosis. In addition, WBJ and BGE could ameliorate NAFLD by inhibiting TNF-α and NF-κB. Based on the above results, this study demonstrates that WBJ and BGE ameliorate HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury. Therefore, these treatments could represent an unprecedented hope toward improved strategies for NAFLD.

Evidence shows that older patients with advance directives such as a living will, or durable power of attorney for healthcare, are more likely to receive care consistent with their preferences at the end of life. Less is known about the use of advance directives between veteran and non-veteran older Americans. Using data from the decedents of a longitudinal survey, we explore whether there is a difference in having an established advance directive between the veteran and non-veteran decedents. Data were taken from the Harmonized End of Life data sets, a linked collection of variables derived from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) Exit Interview. Only male decedents were included in the current analysis (N = 4828). The dependent variable, having an established advance directive, was measured by asking the proxy, "whether the deceased respondent ever provided written instructions about the treatment or care he/she wanted to receive during the final days of his/her life" and "whether the deceased respondent had a Durable Power of Attorney for healthcare?" A "yes" to either of the two items was counted as having an advance directive. The independent variable, veteran status, was determined by asking participants, "Have you ever served in the active military of the United States?" at their first HRS core interview. Logistic regression was used to predict the likelihood of having an established advance directive. While there was no difference in having an advance directive between male veteran and non-veteran decedents during the earlier follow-up period (from 1992 to 2003), male veterans who died during the second half of the study period (from 2004 to 2014) were more likely to have an established advance directive than their non-veteran counterparts (OR = 1.24, p < 0.05). Other factors positively associated with having an established advance directive include dying at older ages, higher educational attainment, needing assistance in activities of daily living and being bedridden three months before death, while Black decedents and those who were married were less likely to have an advance directive in place. Our findings suggest male veterans were more likely to have an established advance directive, an indicator for better end-of-life care, than their non-veteran counterparts. This observed difference coincides with a time when the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) increased its investment in end-of-life care. More studies are needed to confirm if this higher utilization of advance directives and care planning among veterans can be attributed to the improved access and quality of end-of-life care in the VHA system.

Introduction: Intensive lifestyle intervention remains an effective modality to reduce diabetes incidence and delay the progression to type 2 diabetes. The primary aim of this study was to pilot-test the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally and linguistically tailored web-based DPP intervention among Chinese Americans with prediabetes living in New York City., Methods: Thirteen Chinese American participants with prediabetes were recruited to complete a 1-year web-based Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention. Quantitative and qualitative measures such as retention rate and data collected from web-based questionnaires and focus groups were collected and analyzed to assess study feasibility and acceptability., Results and Discussion: Participants were receptive to the program through high engagement, retention and satisfaction. Retention rate was 85%. 92% of participants completed at least 16 sessions out of 22 sessions. Post-trial surveys indicated high satisfaction of 27.2/32 based on Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) score. Participants expressed the program increased their knowledge and methods to prevent onset of type 2 diabetes such as incorporating healthy eating habits and increasing physical activities. Although not a primary outcome, there was a significant weight reduction of 2.3% at the end of month 8 of the program ( p  < 0.05). The culturally and linguistically adapted DPP via online platform successfully demonstrated feasibility and acceptability among Chinese Americans with prediabetes. Further evaluation of the web-based Chinese Diabetes Prevention Program in a larger trial is warranted., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Yeh, Lau, Keady, Horlyck-Romanovsky, Tung, Hu, Ma and Wylie-Rosett.)

Increasing evidence demonstrates that an online Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. However, little has been done for Chinese Americans. This study, using Community-Based Participatory Research and Intervention Mapping approaches, describes a formative research process in the development of a culturally and linguistically tailored online DPP program among Chinese Americans with prediabetes living in New York City. Using a triangulation approach, data were collected to inform the development of an online DPP curriculum through (1) a literature review, (2) three focus groups (n = 24), and (3) a community advisory board meeting among 10 key informants knowledgeable in community needs, diabetes care, and lifestyle interventions. Participants indicated online DPPs would be very useful and easily accessible. However, key barriers including low computer skills/literacy and technology self-efficacy were identified. In addition, taking meal photos and tracking pedometer steps daily were found to be acceptable self-motoring tools for sustaining a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, the integration of features such as text message reminders and the creation of social support groups into the online DPP curriculum was proposed to minimize attrition. This theory-based formative research to develop a culturally and linguistically appropriate web-based DPP curriculum was well-received by Chinese Americans and warrants testing in future intervention studies.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder due to defects in insulin secretion or insulin resistance leading to the dysfunction and damage of various organs. To improve the clinical evaluation of short-term blood glycemic variability monitoring, it is critical to identify another blood cell status and nutritional status biomarker that is less susceptible to interference. This study identifies the significance of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level among T2DM patients treated in outpatient clinics and investigates the relationship of LDH level with other variables., Methods: This study comprised 72 outpatients with T2DM over 20 years of age. Blood samples were collected followed by a hematological analysis of serum glycated albumin (GA), LDH, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, C-peptide, and insulin antibodies (insulin Ab)., Results: Serum LDH level was significantly correlated with GA (p < 0.001), C-peptide (p = 0.04), insulin Ab (p = 0.03), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (p = 0.04). Hence, we performed a linear regression analysis of hematological markers. GA (p < 0.001, r 2 = 0.45) and insulin Ab (p < 0.001, r 2 = 0.40) were significantly associated with LDH level. Then, we classified patients into low (<200 U/L) and high (≥200 U/L) serum LDH level groups, respectively. GA (p < 0.001), C-peptide (p = 0.001), and TSH (p = 0.03) showed significant differences in patients with high LDH levels compared with those in patients with low LDH levels., Conclusion: In conclusion, we suggested that LDH level was independent of long-term but associated with short-term blood glucose monitoring. The results indicated that changes in serum GA induced cell damage and the abnormal elevation of the serum level of LDH may occur simultaneously with glycemic variability. It has been reported that many biomarkers are being used to observe glucose variability in T2DM. However, LDH could provide a more convenient and faster evaluation of glycemic variability in T2DM., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Hsieh, Yeh, Lin, Weng, Hsu, Huang, Lin and Han.)

Dietary behaviors and alcohol consumption have been linked to liver disease and liver cancer. So far, most of the liver cancer awareness campaigns and behavioral interventions have focused on preventive behaviors such as screening and vaccination uptake, while few incorporated dietary aspects of liver cancer prevention. We implemented a community-based education initiative for liver cancer prevention among the African, Asian, and Hispanic populations within the Greater Philadelphia and metropolitan New York City areas. Data from the baseline and the 6-month follow-up surveys were used for the assessment of changes in dietary behaviors and alcohol consumption among participants. In total, we recruited 578 participants through community-/faith-based organizations to participate in the educational workshops. The study sample included 344 participants who completed both baseline and follow-up survey. The Hispanic subgroup was the only one that saw an overall significant change in dietary behaviors, with the Mediterranean dietary score increasing significantly from 30.000 at baseline survey to 31.187 at 6-month follow-up assessment (p < 0.05), indicating a trend towards healthier dietary habit. In the African Americans participants, the consumption scores of fruits and poultry increased significantly, while vegetables and red meats decreased. In Asian Americans, the consumption of non-refined cereals, red meats, and dairy products decreased. Alcohol consumption decreased significantly among Hispanics while it did not change significantly among the other two communities. This community-based educational initiative generated different impacts in the three populations, further highlighting the needs for more targeted, culturally tailored efforts in health promotion among these underprivileged communities.

Introduction: Recent epidemiological studies have suggested a trend of increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and certain types of cancer among adults under age 50. How MetS is associated with cancer in adults under the age of 50, however, remains unclear. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether associations between MetS and cancer vary by racial/ethnic group and whether modifiable lifestyle factors influence MetS-cancer relationships., Methods: We used data from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to define a case-control sample to examine potential racial/ethnic disparities associated with MetS and cancer of any type. We used a chi-square test and binary logistic regression to examine the MetS and cancer association., Results: From a total sample of 10,220 cases, we identified 9960 no-cancer cases and 260 cancer cases. Binary logistic regression results showed that MetS was significantly associated with a cancer risk among non-Hispanic whites (odds ratio = 1.48, 95% confidence interval = 1.00-2.19); however, it was not associated with a risk among non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latinos, or Asian Americans. We also found several significant predictors of cancer, including age, gender, tobacco use, and sleep duration, with their roles varying by racial/ethnic subgroup., Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that racial/ethnic differences are involved in the association between MetS and cancer, and highlight the potential mediating effects of lifestyle and behavioral factors. Future research should leverage the existing longitudinal data or data from cohort or case-control studies to better examine the causal link between MetS and cancer among racial/ethnic minorities.

Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of metformin-based dual therapy versus triple therapy on glycemic control and lipid profile changes in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)., Methods: In total, 60 patients were eligible for participation in this study. Patients received at least 24 months of metformin monotherapy, dual therapy, or triple therapy with metformin plus linagliptin (a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor) or dapagliflozin (a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor). Blood samples were collected from each patient, followed by evaluation of changes in their blood glucose control and lipid profile-related markers., Results: A combination of metformin and DPP4 and SGLT2 inhibitor therapy more effectively reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ( p = 0.016) than metformin monotherapy. A combination of metformin and DPP4 and SGLT2 inhibitor therapy more effectively improved total cholesterol (Chol, p = 0.049) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than metformin monotherapy ( p = 0.037). Metformin plus linagliptin dual therapy was more effective than metformin monotherapy in reducing glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C, p = 0.011). Patients who received a combination of linagliptin and empagliflozin showed a significant reduction in their fasting blood glucose ( p = 0.019), HbA1c ( p = 0.036), and Chol ( p = 0.010) compared with those who received linagliptin dual therapy. Furthermore, patients who received metformin plus dapagliflozin and saxagliptin showed significantly reduced Chol ( p = 0.011) and LDL-C ( p = 0.035) levels compared with those who received metformin plus dapagliflozin., Conclusion: In conclusion, dual therapy with metformin and linagliptin yields similar glycemic control ability to triple therapy. Among metformin combination triple therapy, triple therapy of empagliflozin and linagliptin might have a better glycemic control ability than dual therapy of linagliptin. Moreover, Triple therapy of dapagliflozin and saxagliptin might have a better lipid control ability than dual therapy of dapagliflozin., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Lin, Weng, Hsu, Huang, Lin, Yeh, Han and Hsieh.)

Background: Although Asian Americans make up 6% of the U.S. population, they account for 58% of Americans with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Yet, adherence to monitoring and antiviral treatment guidelines among Asian American CHB patients remains suboptimal., Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent intervention on adherence to CHB monitoring among Asian Americans with CHB. The intervention components included virtual patient education, patient navigation, and mobile health reminders delivered by bilingual community health educators. Chi-square test and t -test were used to compare demographic characteristics and two CHB measures: CHB clinical follow-up and CHB laboratory monitoring by the time of the 12-month follow-up assessment. A generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) was fitted to assess the effectiveness of the intervention., Results: The study sample consisted of 358 Chinese and Vietnamese Americans living with CHB, including 181 in the intervention group and 177 in the control group. The intervention group had a significantly higher rate of CHB clinical follow-up (86.2%) and CHB laboratory monitoring (79.0%) than did the control group (54.2% and 45.2%, respectively). Results of the GLMM showed significant intervention effects on CHB clinical follow-up (odds ratio = 7.35, 95% confidence interval = 4.06-13.33) and CHB laboratory monitoring (odds ratio = 6.60, 95% confidence interval = 3.77-11.56) at the 12-month follow-up assessment., Conclusion: The multicomponent intervention was effective in improving adherence to CHB monitoring among Asian Americans. Additional implementation research is needed to better understand and apply effective interventions to other underserved populations.

Background: Intensive care medical technology increases the survival rate of critically ill patients. However, life-sustaining treatments also increase the probability of non-beneficial medical treatments given to patients at the end of life. Objective: This study aimed to analyse whether patients with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order were more likely to be subject to the withholding of cardiac resuscitation and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in the ICU. Methods: This retrospective study collected data regarding the demographics, illness conditions, and life-sustaining treatments of ICU patients who were last admitted to the ICU between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2017, as determined by the hospital’s electronic medical dataset. Results: We identified and collected data on 386 patients over the two years; 319 (82.6%) signed a DNR before the end. The study found that DNR patients were less likely to receive cardiac resuscitation before death than non-DNR patients. The cardiac resuscitation treatments included chest compressions, electric shock, and cardiotonic drug injections (p < 0.001). However, the life-sustaining treatments were withdrawn for only a few patients before death. The study highlights that an early-documented DNR order is essential. However, it needs to be considered that promoting discussions of time-limited trials might be the solution to helping ICU terminal patients withdraw from non-beneficial life-sustaining treatments.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that a culturally and linguistically tailored Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) can be effective in reducing diabetes risk in Chinese Americans. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural and linguistic acceptability of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Prevent T2 curriculum in an online format in the Chinese American community in New York City (NYC)., Methods: Three focus groups among a total of 24 Chinese Americans with prediabetes and one community advisory board (CAB) meeting with 10 key stakeholders with expertise in diabetes care and lifestyle interventions were conducted. Each focus group lasted approximately 1 to 1.5 h. All groups were moderated by a bilingual moderator in Chinese. The sessions were audiotaped, transcribed and translated to English for analysis. Using Atlas.ti software and open coding techniques, two researchers analyzed transcripts for thematic analysis., Results: Five key themes were identified: barriers to behavioral changes, feedback on curriculum content and suggestions, web-based intervention acceptability, web-based intervention feasibility, and web-based intervention implementation and modifications. Participants with prediabetes were found to have high acceptability of web-based DPP interventions. Suggestions for the curriculum included incorporating Chinese American cultural foods and replacing photos of non-Asians with photos of Asians. Barriers included lack of access to the internet, different learning styles and low technology self-efficacy for older adults., Conclusion: Although the acceptability of web-based DPP in the Chinese American community in NYC is high, our focus group findings indicated that the major concern is lack of internet access and technical support. Providing support, such as creating an orientation manual for easy online program access for future participants, is important., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Diet and nutrition are important for cancer prevention. To investigate associations between dietary behavior, demographics, and risk of cancer, we assessed dietary behavior and urinary concentration of gallic acid, a polyphenol with anticancer properties found in various fruits and vegetables, in racial and ethnic minorities., Methods: Ninety-one (91) participants were recruited from senior centers in East Harlem, New York City, a racially diverse and underserved community. A National Institute of Health (NIH)-validated dietary survey questionnaire-was used to collect dietary fruits and vegetables consumption data. Demographic and cancer information were also collected. All 91 participants completed the survey and forty-five (45) participants provided urine samples for gallic acid analysis., Results: Gender differences were significantly associated with dietary behavior and urinary gallic acid concentration (UGAC). Female participants had a higher total daily intake of fruits and a significantly higher UGAC compared to male participants (p < 0.05). Age was negatively associated with the serving quantity of French fries/fried potatoes and white potatoes (p < 0.05), while positively associated with the daily intake frequency and daily intake of fruits (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Asian race was associated with higher daily intake frequencies of fruits and vegetable soup (p < 0.05), compared to other races. In a multivariate analysis, a significant association was observed between the serving quantities of fruits and other vegetables and UGAC (p < 0.05) after controlling for demographic characteristics., Conclusion: The observed differences in dietary behavior and UGAC in this study provide limited information on the association between demographic differences and cancer prevalence in elder racial and ethnic minorities. Future research should investigate this association further for potential implications in cancer prevention., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The pedal-based power meter has its advantages, so it has become a popular monitoring tool in cycling. This study aimed to examine the validity of the Favero Assioma Duo power pedal system (FAD) in comparison with the SRM, which is considered the gold standard under maximal-effort cycling conditions, and a widely used cycling test, the 20-minute Functional Threshold Test., Methods: Fourteen male adolescent cyclists completed a series of cycling intervals including 5, 15, 30, 60, 240, 600, and 1200 seconds (20-min Functional Threshold Test) with their maximal-effort performance on 2 separate days. Power output data were collected from the FAD and the SRM for analysis., Results: Extremely strong correlations and excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were found between the power output values registered with the FAD and the SRM overall (r > .999, ICC = .996) and each power test (r > .98, ICC > .91). A low bias was found in power tests of longer durations (-3.2% at 240-s test, -3.3% at 600-s test, and -3.1% at 20-min Functional Threshold Test), while the bias augmented in shorter intervals (-2.7% at 5-s test, -3.6% at 15-s test, and -2.6% at 30-s test and -3.3% at 60-s test). A regression equation was proposed as y = -2.943 + 0.976x to diminish the bias (-0.2 W) with increased r value (>.98) and ICC (>.98)., Conclusion: The FAD appears to be a valid tool for the measures of maximal-effort performance. The recorded power value reflects the true value with proposed regression equation.

Background: Compared to non-Hispanic whites, Asian Americans are 60% more likely to die from the disease. Doctor visitation for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection every six months is an effective approach to preventing liver cancer. Methods: This study utilized baseline data from an ongoing randomized controlled clinical trial aimed at improving long-term adherence to CHB monitoring/treatment. Guided by the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model, we examined factors associated with CHB monitoring adherence among Asian Americans with CHB. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to test the associations. Results: The analysis sample consisted of 382 participants. Multivariable logistic regression showed that HBV knowledge (OR = 1.24, p < 0.01) and CHB-management motivation (OR = 1.06, p < 0.05) are significant predictors of having a doctor’s visit in the past six months. Both factors were positively associated with the likelihood of having had blood tests for HBV in the past six months. Conclusion: We found that greater HBV-related knowledge and CHB-management motivation are significantly associated with performing CHB-monitoring behaviors in the past six months. The findings have critical implications for the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions for CHB monitoring and liver cancer prevention in the Asian American community.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) could be effective in engaging children and reducing childhood obesity risk. The purpose of this study was to test feasibility, fidelity, and potential impact of a pilot MBI in urban school youth. A two-group quasi-experimental study was conducted in a Harlem, New York school. Participants comprised 51 students (ages 9-12, 54% female, 85% African American/Black). The experimental (E) group ( n = 26) participated in a nine-session pilot MBI. Sessions were 90 min and offered weekly as part of afterschool programming. Children only attending during the school day comprised the control (C) group ( n = 25). Process evaluation (e.g., fidelity, reach) was performed. Interviews with the E group were conducted to determine program acceptability. Mindful eating and resilience measures were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Intervention feasibility was high as the retention rate was 100% and fidelity was good as nine out of ten sessions were implemented. Relative to baseline, significant improvements were observed in the C group compared to the E group in the resilience composite score ( p = 0.01) and its confidence domain ( p = 0.01). A MBI may provide a unique opportunity to engage youth. However, further research is warranted to determine if a MBI could promote health in urban, school-age children.

In this work we propose a novel method for impact position estimation during baseball batting, which is independent of impact intensity, i.e., force-irrelevant. In our experiments, we mount a piezoelectric vibration sensor on the knob of a wooden bat to record: (1) 3600 vibration signals (waveforms) from ball-bat impacts in the static experiment-30 impacts from each of 40 positions (distributed 1-40 cm from the end of the barrel) and 3 intensities (drop heights at 75, 100, and 125 cm, resp.), and (2) 45 vibration signals from actual battings by three baseball players in the dynamic experiment. The results show that the peak amplitude of the signal in the time domain, and the peaks of the first, second, and third eigenfrequencies (EFs) of the bat all increase with the impact intensity. However, the ratios of peaks at these three EFs (1st/2nd, 2nd/3rd, and 1st/3rd) hardly change with the impact intensity, and the observation is consistent for both the static and dynamic experiments across all impact positions. In conclusion, we have observed that the ratios of peaks at the first three EFs are a force-irrelevant feature, which can be used to estimate the impact position in baseball batting.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection disproportionately affects Asian Americans in the United States, while this population faces low adherence to HBV treatment. Using the information-motivation-behavioral skills model (IMB), the study aims to examine medication adherence and persistence among Chinese and Vietnamese people with HBV., Methodology: Study participants were recruited between March 2019 and March 2020 and were enrolled through multiple recruitment approaches in the Greater Philadelphia Area and New York City. The study is an assessment of the baseline data on medication adherence, HBV-related knowledge, motivation of HBV medication treatment, self-efficacy about HBV medication treatment, and socioeconomic status., Results: Among 165 participants, 77.6% were Chinese and 22.4% were Vietnamese Americans. HBV-related knowledge/information, motivation, and self-efficacy were all positively associated with having medium/high medication adherence. Multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear regression revealed that living more than 10 years in the U.S. (OR = 4.24; p = 0.028) and greater information-knowledge about HBV (OR = 1.46; p = 0.004) were statistically associated with higher odds of medium/high medication adherence. Moreover, greater HBV-related knowledge/information (OR = 1.49; p = 0.023) and greater motivation towards HBV treatment adherence (OR = 1.10; p = 0.036) were both associated with a higher likelihood of medication persistence., Conclusion: Our findings provided significant implications in designing behavioral interventions focused on self-efficacy, information, and motivation to promote better medication adherence among Asian Americans living with HBV.

Background: Dupilumab ameliorates the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) and improves the patient's quality of life. Multiple-dose regimens of dupilumab have been applied by clinicians, but the efficacy of some regimens remains unclear., Objectives: The aim of the study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of multiple dupilumab dose regimens in patients with moderate-to-severe AD in terms of comprehensive outcomes., Methods: We searched electronic databases and subjected the selected studies to risk-of-bias assessment and network meta-analysis (NMA). Efficacy and safety outcomes were compared using a random-effects NMA to estimate pooled relative risk ratio (RR) of direct and indirect comparisons among multiple dupilumab dose regimens. The Eczema Area Severity Index, Investigator's Global Assessment, and pruritus numerical rating scale were analyzed to assess the efficacy, while adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events to represent the safety., Results: Eight randomized controlled trials involving 3,679 patients were identified. Most patients received therapy for 16 weeks. Multiple dupilumab dose regimens, including 300 mg weekly (QW), 300 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W), 200 mg Q2W, 300 mg monthly (QM), 300 mg every 2 months (Q2M), and 100 mg QM were analyzed. All regimens, except 100 mg QM, had significantly better efficacy than placebo. 300 mg QW and 300 mg Q2W appeared to have similar efficacy. Notably, both 300 mg QW and 300 mg Q2W had no significantly better efficacy than 300 mg QM. As for 300 mg Q2M, significantly reduced efficacy was noted in only one efficacy outcome when compared to 300 mg QW and 300 mg Q2W. In terms of safety outcomes, AEs occurring with any of the regimens were comparable with the placebo. No significant inconsistency was noted within the network in all efficacy outcomes., Conclusions: Our NMA indicated that the administration of the following dupilumab regimens was effective for patients with moderate-to-severe AD: 300 mg QW, 300 mg Q2W, 200 mg Q2W, 300 mg QM, and 300 mg Q2M. Our data can improve the understanding of the relative efficacy and safety of multiple dupilumab dose regimens, which will help in shared decision-making between clinicians and patients., (© 2022 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The purpose of this research is to elucidate whether metabolic syndrome affects the rate of adoption of a new multiple cancer screening programme, based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory. The time to attend the screening programme, conducted in Keelung, Taiwan, within 10 years was assessed by innovativeness (innovators, early adaptors, early majority, late majority and laggard) using data from 79,303 residents, with the information on metabolic syndrome accrued from routine adult health check-ups. The median time of adopting the programme and the relative rates of early adoption by metabolic syndrome and its severity score were estimated. The results show that the estimated times to adopt the programme ranged from 3 months for innovators to 10 years for the laggard. The rate of early adoption was 34% higher for participants without metabolic syndrome than for those with the disease, and the gradient relationship of disease severity was noted. The adjusted median time to adopt innovativeness was 0.82 years earlier for participants who were disease-free than those with the disease. Meanwhile, the adjusted median time was wider by up to 2.25 years for those with severe disease. The study suggests that innovation should prioritise the potential risk of the metabolic syndrome population., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: We examined how neighborhood ethnic composition influences colorectal cancer (CRC) screening behavior in Asian American adults and explored whether associations between psychosocial predictors, including knowledge, self-efficacy, and barriers affecting CRC screening behavior, varied by level of neighborhood ethnic composition., Methods: Filipino, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans (N = 1,158) aged 50 years or older were included in the study. Psychosocial factors associated with CRC screening, CRC screening behavior, and sociodemographic characteristics were extracted from participants' data. Neighborhood ethnic composition was characterized as the census-tract-level percentage of Asian residents. Participants' addresses were geocoded to the census tract level to determine whether they resided in an ethnically dense neighborhood. Multilevel logistic regression models were run with and without interaction terms., Results: In mixed-effects logistic regression model 1, residing in an ethnically dense neighborhood was associated with lower odds of CRC screening (odds ratio [OR] = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45-0.93; P = .02) after controlling for age, sex, education, ethnic group, and neighborhood socioeconomic status. Greater perceived barriers to CRC screening (OR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.50-0.77; P < .001) resulted in significantly lower odds of obtaining a CRC screening, while higher self-efficacy (OR = 1.17, 95% CI, 1.11-1.23, P < .001) was associated with higher odds. In model 2, among those residing in a high ethnic density neighborhood, greater barriers to screening were associated with lower odds of having obtained a CRC screening (OR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30-0.96; P = .04)., Conclusion: We found that residing in an ethnically dense neighborhood indicated higher disparities in obtaining CRC screenings. Future studies should examine socioeconomic and cultural disparities, as well as disparities in the built environment, that are characteristic of ethnically dense neighborhoods and assess the impact of these disparities on CRC screening behaviors.

Background: Artificial intelligence approaches can integrate complex features and can be used to predict a patient's risk of developing lung cancer, thereby decreasing the need for unnecessary and expensive diagnostic interventions., Objective: The aim of this study was to use electronic medical records to prescreen patients who are at risk of developing lung cancer., Methods: We randomly selected 2 million participants from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database who received care between 1999 and 2013. We built a predictive lung cancer screening model with neural networks that were trained and validated using pre-2012 data, and we tested the model prospectively on post-2012 data. An age- and gender-matched subgroup that was 10 times larger than the original lung cancer group was used to assess the predictive power of the electronic medical record. Discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]) and calibration analyses were performed., Results: The analysis included 11,617 patients with lung cancer and 1,423,154 control patients. The model achieved AUCs of 0.90 for the overall population and 0.87 in patients ≥55 years of age. The AUC in the matched subgroup was 0.82. The positive predictive value was highest (14.3%) among people aged ≥55 years with a pre-existing history of lung disease., Conclusions: Our model achieved excellent performance in predicting lung cancer within 1 year and has potential to be deployed for digital patient screening. Convolution neural networks facilitate the effective use of EMRs to identify individuals at high risk for developing lung cancer., (©Hsuan-Chia Yang, Yu-Hsiang Wang, Hsuan-Chia Yang, Kuan-Jen Bai, Hsiao-Han Wang, Yu-Chuan (Jack) Li. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 03.08.2021.)

To understand the impact of social, financial, cultural capitals, negative culture, and socioeconomic status of families on educational aspiration in the senior high school student athletes, it will be beneficial to promote their career developments. The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of ethnicity, year of sport experience family income, the educational expectations of significant others, and the three aforementioned types of capital on educational aspiration among the senior high school student athletes. This study was conducted with a sample of 262 U-18 male baseball student athletes. Of the participants, 20.20% had attained the qualifications to play on the national team. The results showed that monthly family income positively affected social capital and positively indirectly affected educational aspirations through social capital, whereas monthly family income negatively affected negative culture and positively affected educational aspirations through negative culture. Moreover, social capital positively affected educational aspirations compared with negative culture negatively affected educational aspirations. The results serve as a reference for the formulation of educational policy as it relates to student athletes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Lee, Yeh and Hung.)

Recent reports have suggested the role of kallikrein-related peptidase 4 (KLK4) to be that of remodeling the tumor microenvironment in many cancers, including prostate cancer. Notably, these studies have suggested a pro-tumorigenic role for KLK4, especially in prostate cancer. However, these have been primarily in vitro studies, with limited in vivo studies performed to date. Herein, we employed an orthotopic inoculation xenograft model to mimic the growth of primary tumors, and an intracardiac injection to induce metastatic dissemination to determine the in vivo tumorigenic effects of KLK4 overexpressed in PC3 prostate cancer cells. Notably, we found that these KLK4-expressing cells gave rise to smaller localized tumors and decreased metastases than the parent PC-3 cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an anti-tumorigenic effect of KLK4, particularly in prostate cancer. These findings also provide a cautionary tale of the need for in vivo analyses to substantiate in vitro experimental data.

Vascular permeability and angiogenesis underpin neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. While anti-VEGF therapies are widely used clinically, many patients do not respond optimally, or at all, and small-molecule therapies are lacking. Here, we identified a dibenzoxazepinone BT2 that inhibits endothelial cell proliferation, migration, wound repair in vitro, network formation, and angiogenesis in mice bearing Matrigel plugs. BT2 interacts with MEK1 and inhibits ERK phosphorylation and the expression of FosB/ΔFosB, VCAM-1, and many genes involved in proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and inflammation. BT2 reduced retinal vascular leakage following rat choroidal laser trauma and rabbit intravitreal VEGF-A 165 administration. BT2 suppressed retinal CD31, pERK, VCAM-1, and VEGF-A 165 expression. BT2 reduced retinal leakage in rats at least as effectively as aflibercept, a first-line therapy for nAMD/DR. BT2 withstands boiling or autoclaving and several months' storage at 22°C. BT2 is a new small-molecule inhibitor of vascular permeability and angiogenesis., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).)

Inspired by the great success from deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for single-label visual-semantic embedding, we exploit extending these models for multilabel images. We propose a new learning paradigm for multilabel image classification, in which labels are ranked according to its relevance to the input image. In contrast to conventional CNN models that learn a latent vector representation (i.e., the image embedding vector), the developed visual model learns a mapping (i.e., a transformation matrix) from an image in an attempt to differentiate between its relevant and irrelevant labels. Despite the conceptual simplicity of our approach, the proposed model achieves state-of-the-art results on three public benchmark datasets.

Purpose: Chimeric antibody Miltuximab®, a human IgG1 engineered from the parent antibody MIL-38, is in clinical development for solid tumour therapy. Miltuximab® targets glypican-1 (GPC-1), a cell surface protein involved in tumour growth, which is overexpressed in solid tumours, including prostate cancer (PCa). This study investigated the potential of 89 Zr-labelled Miltuximab® as an imaging agent, and 177 Lu-labelled Miltuximab® as a targeted beta therapy, in a mouse xenograft model of human prostate cancer., Methods: Male BALB/c nude mice were inoculated subcutaneously with GPC-1-positive DU-145 PCa cells. In imaging and biodistribution studies, mice bearing palpable tumours received (a) 2.62 MBq [ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-Miltuximab® followed by PET-CT imaging, or (b) 6 MBq [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTA-Miltuximab® by Cerenkov imaging, and ex vivo assessment of biodistribution. In an initial tumour efficacy study, mice bearing DU-145 tumours were administered intravenously with 6 MBq [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTA-Miltuximab® or control DOTA-Miltuximab® then euthanised after 27 days. In a subsequent survival efficacy study, tumour-bearing mice were given 3 or 10 MBq of [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTA-Miltuximab®, or control, and followed up to 120 days., Results: Antibody accumulation in DU-145 xenografts was detected by PET-CT imaging using [ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-Miltuximab® and confirmed by Cerenkov luminescence imaging post injection of [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTA-Miltuximab®. Antibody accumulation was higher (% IA/g) in tumours than other organs across multiple time points. A single injection with 6 MBq of [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTA-Miltuximab® significantly inhibited tumour growth as compared with DOTA-Miltuximab® (control). In the survival study, mice treated with 10 MBq [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTA-Miltuximab® had significantly prolonged survival (mean 85 days) versus control (45 days), an effect associated with increased cancer cell apoptosis. Tissue histopathology assessment showed no abnormalities associated with [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTA-Miltuximab®, in line with other observations of tolerability, including body weight stability., Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the potential utility of Miltuximab® as a PET imaging agent ([ 89 Zr]Zr-DFO-Miltuximab®) and a beta therapy ([ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTA-Miltuximab®) in patients with PCa or other GPC-1 expressing tumours.

In this multidisciplinary study, we explored relationships between demographic factors, dietary habits, and gallic acid, a polyphenolic biomarker that correlates with self-reported dietary behaviors and negatively correlates with the incidence of cancer. Thirty-three (33) participants were recruited from a senior center in East Harlem, New York City, a racially diverse and underserved community. A National Institute of Health (NIH)-validated survey questionnaire was used to gather dietary behavior data, alongside demographic and cancer history information. Urine samples were obtained from participants for analyzing gallic acid content level. All 33 recruited participants completed the survey and 25 of them provided urine samples for gallic acid analysis. Associations between demographic factors and intake of certain foods were observed. Specifically, age was negatively associated with French fries/fried potatoes, cooked dried beans, and tomato soup intake (p < 0.05), and Black/African American race was associated with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables in comparison to Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (p < 0.05). No associations between urinary gallic acid levels and demographic information was observed. However, French fries/fried potatoes intake was significantly associated with urinary gallic acid concentration (p < 0.01). The small sample size limited the execution of meaningful statistical analysis. However, this study provided preliminary findings about the dietary behavior of older adults in East Harlem, New York City, which will serve as a basis for a future larger study to investigate nutrition/dietary education intervention on cancer prevention among diverse elderly residents in New York City.

The unprecedented time-dependent long-range supramol-ecular assembly of electron-deficient hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATN) core based on peripheral crowding with three out-of-plane cyclic ketals is reported. The single-crystal X-ray structure of the diethyl derivative provided detailed information as to how four molecules in a repeating unit were packed in order to avoid steric crowding of the out-of-plane cyclic ketal side chain, providing locking and fastening for stabilizing the self-assembled structure. The polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) did not instantaneously show any phase transition upon the cooling process. To our surprise, POM images showed a nucleation of spherulite up to 100 μm after 24 hour later. X-ray diffraction data further confirmed that these soft crystal formed a hexagonal-like crystal. The long-range self-assembly of the new material showed a slight red shift in the UV-vis absorption spectra and further substantiated by computational method., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The products used in nail care services contain toxic chemicals. This study aimed to characterize occupational health risk factors and chemical exposures among Asian nail salon workers on the East Coast of the U.S. for informing the development of more effective, culturally appropriate interventions. We conducted a community-based participatory research (CBPR) study to characterize occupational health risks. A face-to-face, self-reported survey was performed, and personal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was evaluated. Three VOCs, acetone, methyl methacrylate (MMA), and toluene, were measured using 3M 3500 organic vapor monitors. We collected data on 112 workers with 100 personal chemical exposure measurements from 25 nail salons. Self-reported health problems that emerged or worsened after participants started working in the nail salon industry included headaches (8%); lightheadedness (9.8%); and irritation to the nose, eyes, throat, and skin (21.2%). Approximately 70% of participants reported that they had been pregnant, 11.7% of whom had at least one miscarriage. The mean concentrations of acetone, MMA, and toluene were 18.51 parts per million (ppm), 39.45 ppm, and 0.09 ppm, respectively. Mean concentrations of acetone and MMA measured from salons in New York City were significantly lower than those measured in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey. CBPR proved to be as an efficient approach for recruiting hard-to-reach Asian immigrant nail salon workers. Adverse health symptoms and problems associated with providing nail salon services were identified in these workers. Further studies are needed to better understand the long-term health effects of chronic chemical exposures in nail salon environments.