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Computational Psychiatry (Cambridge,... 2024Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) typically hold altered beliefs about their body that they struggle to update, including global, prospective beliefs about their...
Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) typically hold altered beliefs about their body that they struggle to update, including global, prospective beliefs about their ability to know and regulate their body and particularly their interoceptive states. While clinical questionnaire studies have provided ample evidence on the role of such beliefs in the onset, maintenance, and treatment of AN, psychophysical studies have typically focused on perceptual and 'local' beliefs. Across two experiments, we examined how women at the acute AN (N = 86) and post-acute AN state (N = 87), compared to matched healthy controls (N = 180) formed and updated their self-efficacy beliefs retrospectively (Experiment 1) and prospectively (Experiment 2) about their heartbeat counting abilities in an adapted heartbeat counting task. As preregistered, while AN patients did not differ from controls in interoceptive accuracy , they hold and maintain 'pessimistic' interoceptive, metacognitive self-efficacy beliefs after performance. Modelling using a simplified computational Bayesian learning framework showed that neither local evidence from performance, nor retrospective beliefs following that performance (that themselves were suboptimally updated) seem to be sufficient to counter and update pessimistic, self-efficacy beliefs in AN. AN patients showed lower learning rates than controls, revealing a tendency to base their posterior beliefs more on prior beliefs rather than prediction errors in both retrospective and prospective belief updating. Further explorations showed that while these differences in both explicit beliefs, and the latent mechanisms of belief updating, were not explained by general cognitive flexibility differences, they were explained by negative mood comorbidity, even after the acute stage of illness.
PubMed: 38948255
DOI: 10.5334/cpsy.109 -
Theranostics 2024Over the past two decades, metronomic chemotherapy has gained considerable attention and has demonstrated remarkable success in the treatment of cancer. Through chronic... (Review)
Review
Over the past two decades, metronomic chemotherapy has gained considerable attention and has demonstrated remarkable success in the treatment of cancer. Through chronic administration and low-dose regimens, metronomic chemotherapy is associated with fewer adverse events but still effectively induces disease control. The identification of its antiangiogenic properties, direct impact on cancer cells, immunomodulatory effects on the tumour microenvironment, and metabolic reprogramming ability has established the intrinsic multitargeted nature of this therapeutic approach. Recently, the utilization of metronomic chemotherapy has evolved from salvage treatment for metastatic disease to adjuvant maintenance therapy for high-risk cancer patients, which has been prompted by the success of several substantial phase III trials. In this review, we delve into the mechanisms underlying the antitumour effects of metronomic chemotherapy and provide insights into potential combinations with other therapies for the treatment of various malignancies. Additionally, we discuss health-economic advantages and candidates for the utilization of this treatment option.
PubMed: 38948068
DOI: 10.7150/thno.95619 -
Genes & Diseases Sep 2024As the most prevalent and reversible internal epigenetic modification in eukaryotic mRNAs, -methyladenosine (mA) post-transcriptionally regulates the processing and... (Review)
Review
As the most prevalent and reversible internal epigenetic modification in eukaryotic mRNAs, -methyladenosine (mA) post-transcriptionally regulates the processing and metabolism of mRNAs involved in diverse biological processes. mA modification is regulated by mA writers, erasers, and readers. Emerging evidence suggests that mA modification plays essential roles in modulating the cell-fate transition of embryonic stem cells. Mechanistic investigation of embryonic stem cell maintenance and differentiation is critical for understanding early embryonic development, which is also the premise for the application of embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine. This review highlights the current knowledge of mA modification and its essential regulatory contribution to the cell fate transition of mouse and human embryonic stem cells.
PubMed: 38947741
DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.101199 -
Cureus May 2024Brain metastasis is a rare complication of ovarian cancer, always found at the advanced stage. Even though different multimodal approaches are available, including...
Niraparib Maintenance Therapy for Brain Metastasis in Ovarian Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma With Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: A Comprehensive Case Study and Literature Review.
Brain metastasis is a rare complication of ovarian cancer, always found at the advanced stage. Even though different multimodal approaches are available, including surgical intervention and radiotherapy, there are no official guidelines for handling this serious complication. Poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are a group of medications initially used for maintenance therapy in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Niraparib has shown some efficacy in patients with brain metastasis due to its unique properties of penetrating the blood-brain barrier. Here, we present the case of a 51-year-old patient with advanced ovarian cancer with no germline breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) mutations. Despite undergoing surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, the patient's condition worsened, culminating in brain metastasis. Given her neurological issues, radiotherapy was not an option, prompting the initiation of a 300 mg dose of niraparib. To date, only sporadic case reports in the literature have described patients with ovarian cancer treated with niraparib and complicated by brain metastasis. Our case is unique because it is the first case of a patient with the endometrioid type of ovarian cancer.
PubMed: 38947662
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61355 -
How well do antimicrobial mouth rinses prevent dysbiosis in an in vitro periodontitis biofilm model?Journal of Periodontology Jun 2024Periodontal diseases are associated with dysbiosis in the oral microbial communities. Managing oral biofilms is therefore key for preventing these diseases. Management...
BACKGROUND
Periodontal diseases are associated with dysbiosis in the oral microbial communities. Managing oral biofilms is therefore key for preventing these diseases. Management protocols often include over-the-counter antimicrobial mouth rinses, which lack data on their effects on the oral microbiome's ecology, bacterial composition, metabolic activity, and dysbiosis resilience. This study examined the efficacy of antimicrobial mouth rinses to halt dysbiosis in in vitro oral biofilms under periodontitis-simulating conditions.
METHODS
Multispecies oral biofilms were grown on hydroxyapatite discs (HADs) and rinsed daily with one of six mouth rinses. Positive and negative controls were included. After three rinses, biofilms were analyzed with viability quantitative polymerase chain reaction and visualized using scanning electron microscopy. Supernatants of rinsed biofilms were used for metabolic activity analysis. In addition, human oral keratinocytes were exposed to rinsed biofilms to assess their inflammatory response. All outputs were analyzed for correlation using Spearman coefficient.
RESULTS
Product-related changes were observed in the rinsed biofilms. Three of the six tested mouth rinses could significantly prevent dysbiosis with ≥30% reduction in pathobiont abundance relative to the control. These biofilms had lower metabolic activity, and the exposed human oral keratinocyte produced less interleukin-8. Interleukin-8 production correlated to both pathobiont quantity and the metabolic activity of the biofilms.
CONCLUSION
Some mouth rinses could support biofilm resilience and stop dysbiosis evolution in the biofilm model, with a clear product-related effect. Such mouth rinses can be considered for patients under maintenance/supportive periodontal therapy to prevent/delay disease recurrence. Others are more useful for different periodontal therapy stages.
PubMed: 38946115
DOI: 10.1002/JPER.23-0674 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) 2024Thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, renal dysfunction, and organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome is an inflammatory disorder with an unclear pathogenesis. We herein report a case...
Thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, renal dysfunction, and organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome is an inflammatory disorder with an unclear pathogenesis. We herein report a case of TAFRO syndrome in remission in a patient who experienced recurrent intracranial bleeding despite a normal platelet count and coagulation system. A further investigation suggested the presence of anti-glycoprotein VI (GPVI) autoantibodies in the plasma, which induced platelet dysfunction and bleeding tendency. No new bleeding or relapse of TAFRO syndrome occurred after immunosuppressive therapy was initiated. These findings may help elucidate the autoimmune pathogenesis of TAFRO syndrome.
Topics: Humans; Autoantibodies; Recurrence; Syndrome; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Thrombocytopenia; Fever; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Blood Platelet Disorders
PubMed: 38945933
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2799-23 -
Clinical Lung Cancer Jun 2024Third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have significant antitumor activity to advanced non-small-cell lung cancer...
The Design for a Phase II, Randomized, Multicenter Study of CtDNA-Guided Treatment With Furmonertinib Combined Therapy or Furmonertinib Alone for Untreated Advanced EGFR Mutant Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Patients: The FOCUS-C Study.
BACKGROUND
Third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have significant antitumor activity to advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with classic EGFR mutations. However, EGFR-TKI monotherapy shows poor efficacy in patients whose circulating tumor cell DNA (ctDNA) of EGFR mutations cannot be rapidly cleared.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
As a third-generation TKI, furmonertinib has shown superior antitumor activity and minor toxicity. The FOCUS-C study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (NCT05334277) to explore the efficacy and safety of furmonertinib plus pemetrexed-platinum doublet chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab versus furmonertinib monotherapy in untreated advanced EGFR mutant NSCLC patients without EGFR clearance after the induction therapy of furmonertinib. Patients with EGFR clearance will still receive furmonertinib as Arm A. Patients without ctDNA clearance will be randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio as Arm B1 (furmonertinib), Arm B2 (furmonertinib combined with carboplatin and pemetrexed for 4 cycles, and then furmonertinib and pemetrexed as maintenance therapy) and Arm B3 (Arm B2 regimen plus bevacizumab). The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) in Arm B2/B1. Secondary endpoints include PFS in Arm B3/B1, PFS in Arm A/B1, PFS in Arm B3/B2, objective response and disease control rate, overall survival and safety in all Arms. Exploratory endpoints are focused on the efficacy based on plasma NGS at different timepoints.
CONCLUSION
This study will evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of furmonertinib plus carboplatin and pemetrexed with or without bevacizumab verses furmonertinib alone in untreated patients with advanced EGFR mutant NSCLC without EGFR clearance.
PubMed: 38945800
DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2024.06.002 -
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation... Aug 2024Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex condition associated with a range of persistent symptoms including headaches, cognitive dysfunction, mental fatigue, insomnia,... (Review)
Review
Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Treating Headaches, Cognitive Dysfunction, Mental Fatigue, Insomnia, and Mood Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Comprehensive Review.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex condition associated with a range of persistent symptoms including headaches, cognitive dysfunction, mental fatigue, insomnia, and mood disorders. Conventional treatments for TBI-related symptoms can be insufficient, leading to interest in complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) approaches. This comprehensive article examines the existing literature on CIM modalities, including mind-body interventions, acupuncture/acupressure, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, biofeedback, yoga, and tai chi in the context of managing secondary complications following TBI. The article highlights potential benefits and limitations of CIM modalities, while acknowledging the need for further research to better establish efficacy and safety in this specific population.
Topics: Humans; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Mood Disorders; Complementary Therapies; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Integrative Medicine; Headache; Cognitive Dysfunction; Mental Fatigue
PubMed: 38945657
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2024.02.013 -
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment Dec 2024In the global phase 3 POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2 trials, significantly greater proportions of deucravacitinib-treated patients met the coprimary endpoints (PASI 75, sPGA... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
AIM
In the global phase 3 POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2 trials, significantly greater proportions of deucravacitinib-treated patients met the coprimary endpoints (PASI 75, sPGA 0/1) at Week 16 versus placebo or apremilast-treated patients. This analysis evaluated onset of action and maintenance of response in patients randomized to deucravacitinib and placebo only.
METHODS
Adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis at baseline were randomized 1:2:1 to oral placebo, deucravacitinib, or apremilast. Onset of action was determined through changes from baseline in mean PASI, BSA, BSA × sPGA, and DLQI. Maintenance of response was assessed using PASI 75, PASI 90, PASI 100, sPGA 0/1, and sPGA 0 response rates through Week 52 in patients who were treated continuously with deucravacitinib, crossed over from placebo to deucravacitinib at Week 16, or received deucravacitinib and achieved PASI 75 by Week 24.
RESULTS
Deucravacitinib showed significantly higher increases in mean percent change from baseline in PASI versus placebo by Week 1. Significant improvement versus placebo was observed in all other efficacy measures by Week 8. Efficacy with deucravacitinib was maintained through Week 52.
CONCLUSION
Deucravacitinib displayed efficacy as early as 1 week and clinical responses were maintained over 52 weeks in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Topics: Humans; Psoriasis; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Adult; Double-Blind Method; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Thalidomide; Cross-Over Studies
PubMed: 38945549
DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2024.2371045 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024Recent research has shown that Western-style diets have been associated with an increased risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Our aim was to examine the link...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Recent research has shown that Western-style diets have been associated with an increased risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Our aim was to examine the link between an anti-inflammatory diet and the maintenance of IBD remission, as well as to assess the potential therapeutic advantages of this dietary approach in preserving IBD remission.
METHODS
The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to a total of 189 individuals with IBD, with 21 individuals not meeting the criteria. Therefore, 168 eligible patients were enrolled in the study and allocated to either an anti-inflammatory diet or a regular diet, based on their personal preference.
RESULTS
A cohort of 168 IBD adult patients was recruited for the study: 88 patients with ulcerative colitis and 80 with Crohn's disease. The intervention group received an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of the removal of red and processed meat, fried foods, high-lactose foods, fast food, white bread, sugar, and vegetable oils rich in omega-6 for a period of 1 year. The clinical response was maintained in 80 patients (95.2%) in the intervention group and in 72 patients (85.7%) in the control group (p-value=0.036). Although not statistically significant, fecal calprotectin was higher in the control group than in the intervention group at follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients who adhered to an anti-inflammatory diet exhibited a higher rate of maintenance of clinical remission. Furthermore, improvement in inflammation tests was observed in the intervention group, reinforcing the proposition that IBD is a lifestyle-related disease.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Prospective Studies; Crohn Disease; Colitis, Ulcerative; Biomarkers; Recurrence; Middle Aged; Feces; Remission Induction; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Time Factors; Inflammation Mediators; Diet, Healthy
PubMed: 38944867
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5482