Search Results (686)

Breast and prostate cancers remain among the most prevalent epithelial malignancies worldwide, and conventional treatments often lack tumor selectivity. Aloin, an anthraquinone glycoside derived from Aloe vera, has demonstrated promising anticancer properties. This study investigated the differential cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Aloin under in vitro conditions in MCF-7 (breast cancer) and PC-3 (prostate cancer) cell lines compared with normal prostate epithelial cells (PNT-A1). Cells were treated with Aloin (1000–1500 µg/mL); cytotoxicity was assessed by CCK-8 assay, apoptotic morphology by DIC microscopy, protein expression by immunofluorescence with quantitative CTCF analysis (BAX, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9), and gene expression by qRT-PCR (2^−ΔΔCt method). An integrated log₂ fold change heatmap, pathway enrichment analysis across three independent databases (KEGG 2026, Reactome 2024, WikiPathways 2024), and STRING v12.0-based protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed. Aloin exerted significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity in both cancer cell lines, while PNT-A1 viability exceeded 50% across all concentrations (Selectivity Index > 1.30 for MCF-7 at 48 h). Immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR confirmed significant upregulation of BAX (up to 6.14×), CASP8 (up to 15.51×), CASP9 (up to 9.27×), and CASP3 (3.03× in PC-3), indicating concurrent activation of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, while all genes remained unchanged in PNT-A1 cells. Pathway enrichment analysis confirmed that these genes are statistically central nodes in conserved apoptotic signaling networks (adj. p < 10⁻⁹). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in vitro characterization of Aloin-induced pro-apoptotic activity in prostate cancer cells, establishing a mechanistic foundation for further investigation of this phytochemical in epithelial-derived cancer models. Full article

While most ophthalmologists and medical oncologists are aware of the excessive tearing and canalicular and lacrimal duct blockage associated with docetaxel, there is lack of deeper understanding of the appropriate management of this side effect and what clinical settings justify surgical intervention as opposed to conservative management. In this review, we summarize the findings in the seminal original research studies that document the association between the frequency of administration of docetaxel and treatment duration and the frequency of excessive tearing as a subjective symptom versus canalicular and lacrimal duct blockage as anatomic findings seen during probing and irrigation. Based on the published literature to date, we note that excessive tearing is a common and important side effect of docetaxel and can be seen in breast cancer patients who are receiving docetaxel either weekly or every three weeks in metastatic or adjuvant settings. However, the anatomic findings of canalicular and lacrimal duct stenosis are almost exclusively seen in patients receiving weekly docetaxel or in patients with metastatic breast cancer who are treated with docetaxel for prolonged periods. Lacrimal duct blockage is much less commonly reported in patients with early breast cancer who are receiving docetaxel every three weeks for short durations and, to our knowledge to date, have not been reported in the literature in breast cancer patients receiving docetaxel in the adjuvant setting. Full article

In recent decades, conservation of local poultry breeds has gained relevance to preserve genetic resources adapted to low-input systems and to enhance their valorization. This study addresses a key knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive characterization of the endangered Murciana chicken breed, native to southeastern Spain. We jointly evaluate recent population dynamics, conservation framework, morphology and morphometrics, growth patterns, and reproductive and productive traits. Data includes census and pedigree records, standardized morphological assessments, growth modeling, and production data from the conservation nucleus. The population increased from fewer than 150 registered animals in 2017 to more than 550 in 2024, indicating stabilization. The breed showed characteristics of slow-growing dual-purpose Mediterranean genotypes, with marked sexual dimorphism, Gompertz relative growth rates of 0.020 d⁻¹ (males) and 0.023 d⁻¹ (females), and adult weights of 3.2 kg and 2.4 kg, respectively. Carcass yield was moderate (61.9%), with higher leg (36.7%) than breast proportion (16.9%). Reproductive (fertility 88.6%, hatchability 80.6%) and laying performance (116.6 eggs/hen/year) were consistent with local extensive systems. These results provide a robust baseline to support conservation, genetic management, and sustainable use of the Murciana chicken breed, contributing to its long-term preservation and valorization. Full article

Background: Cryoablation is a minimally invasive technique that is being investigated as an alternative to surgery for early-stage breast cancer. Its potential advantages include outpatient treatment under local anaesthesia, favourable cosmetic outcomes, and possible immunologic synergy. However, its oncologic efficacy and long-term effectiveness are yet to be determined. Methods: We conducted a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and the Cochrane Handbook, registered on PROSPERO (CRD420251137549). Databases searched were PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and CENTRAL, from inception to August 2025. Eligible studies included women with unifocal, node-negative invasive ductal carcinoma ≤ 2 cm treated with percutaneous cryoablation. Outcomes of interest were residual disease, ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence, procedural and late complications, and cosmetic or patient-reported outcomes. Results: From 1074 records, 15 unique studies (17 reports) were included, comprising cryoablation-only studies (n = 7), treat-and-resect studies (n = 6), and comparative studies versus surgery (n = 2). Studies containing overlapping pathology validation and comparative components were classified within a single category to avoid duplication. Across treat-and-resect cohorts, complete tumour necrosis was reported in 88–95% of cases, with residual invasive carcinoma (RIC) ranging from 5% to 12%. In cryoablation-only cohorts, IBTR rates ranged from 0% to 4.3%, with follow-up durations spanning 2 months to 8 years. The largest study (ICE3, n = 194) reported a 5-year recurrence rate of 4.3%. Procedural complications were infrequent and self-limiting, most commonly bruising, oedema, or superficial frostbite. No major adverse events were reported. Validated quality-of-life instruments reported high patient satisfaction, with favourable results in selected comparative domains. Most included studies were of moderate methodological quality. Conclusions: Cryoablation appears technically feasible, safe, and cosmetically favourable in well-selected low-risk early-stage breast cancers. Oncologic outcomes are encouraging, with reported local recurrence rates in carefully selected low-risk populations being low, although direct comparison with breast-conserving surgery remains limited by the small number of comparative studies and substantial heterogeneity across the evidence base. Rigorous multicentre randomised trials with long-term follow-up and validated patient-reported outcomes are needed before cryoablation can be considered for routine clinical adoption. Full article

Background: Thanks to its capacity to increase wound healing, NPWD (Negative-Pressure Wound Dressing) showed promising results in breast surgery. The authors developed the NDoCaSco system for select patients that may benefit the most from NPWD after breast oncologic surgery, aiming to improve outcomes in patients at risk for wound dehiscence and breast reconstruction failure. Methods: Patients scheduled for breast oncologic surgery were enrolled between 2022 and 2023. Surgical wound dressing was selected prior to assessing the risk for post-operative complications with the NDoCaSco. Low-risk patients (NDoCaSco score: 15–21) received traditional compressive dressing, while moderate- (NDoCaSco: 8–14) and high-risk (NDoCaSco: 0–7) patients received short-term or long-term NPWD, respectively. Results: Healing time and outcomes were compared to a retrospective control group that underwent the same surgeries between 2019 and 2021 and received traditional compressive wound dressing in all cases. The study population included 739 patients with an average age of 62.3 years (range, 29–95) and a mean BMI of 25.2 kg/m² (range, 16–46). Breast-conserving surgery was performed in 437 cases, and 302 received mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction. A total of 152 patients scored medium (140 cases) or low (12 cases) NDoCaSco and received NPWD. Post-operative complications’ incidence, healing time, and drain removal time were lower in the study group, while scar quality was consistently improved with NPWD when comparing the two middle-risk groups. Conclusions: NDoCaSco helped in identifying patients who benefit the most from NPWD, achieving faster healing and reduction in outpatient visits and hospital admissions, leading to a lower expenditure of resources. Full article

Background: MEIS proteins are essential homeobox transcription factors that play critical roles in development and have been increasingly implicated in oncogenesis, including breast cancer. Methods: In this study, we identified and characterized novel small-molecule MEIS2 inhibitors through in silico docking targeting the active region of the human MEIS2 homeobox domain. Lead candidates MEISi-2E, MEISi-3, and MEISi-4 were identified with binding energies ranging from −3.0 to −3.90 kcal/mol. The inhibitory potential of these molecules was validated in vitro using a species-conserved MEIS-Luciferase Reporter construct containing the TGACAG targeted locus. Results: Our results demonstrate that MEISi-2E, MEISi-3, and MEISi-4 significantly suppress MEIS-driven luciferase activity and downregulate the expression of Meis1, Meis2, and downstream genes such as IL17RB, CDH1, EGR2, PAX6, and SERPINE1 while upregulating negative regulator TGIF1 and SOX3. In breast cancer cell lines, these inhibitors exhibited potent growth inhibition, with MEISi-3 showing an exceptional IC50 as low as 0.1 μM in SK-BR-3 cells. Mechanistic studies using flow cytometry revealed that these inhibitors induce dose-dependent apoptosis and necrosis. Importantly, the novel inhibitors showed minimal toxicity to healthy human dermal and MRC5 fibroblasts, suggesting a favorable safety profile. Conclusions: These findings establish these small molecules as promising therapeutic candidates for targeting MEIS2-dependent pathways in breast cancer. Full article

Background/Objectives: The optimal surgical margin width after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains controversial; although current guidelines consider a surgical margin of ≥2 mm sufficient, the clinical safety of narrower margins is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between surgical margin width and ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR), with a focus on the 1 mm threshold. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective single-center cohort study, 107 patients with pure DCIS treated with BCS followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) between 1 January 2009 and 1 January 2025 were analyzed. Final surgical margins were categorized as <1 mm, 1–2 mm, and ≥2 mm. The primary endpoint was IBTR. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed. Results: The median age of the study population was 52 years (IQR: 46–61). High-grade DCIS was present in 48 patients (44.9%), comedo necrosis in 68 (63.6%), and estrogen receptor positivity in 87 (81.3%). Overall, 10 patients (9.3%) underwent re-excision for margin widening. Final surgical margin widths were <1 mm in 36 patients (34%), 1–2 mm in 18 (17%), and ≥2 mm in 53 (49%). IBTR occurred in seven patients (6.5%) during a median follow-up of 48 months (range, 12–217 months), with a median time to recurrence of 33 months. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed no significant difference in recurrence-free survival according to a 2 mm margin threshold, whereas margins < 1 mm were associated with significantly worse outcomes (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Margins < 1 mm were associated with increased IBTR risk, whereas margins < 2 mm did not appear to confer uniform risk. These findings suggest that margin widths between 1 and 2 mm may represent a heterogeneous group, and clinical decision-making in this range should be individualized. However, further studies are needed to validate these outcomes. Full article

The expansion of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) significantly alters the spatial configuration of surrounding trees, leading to dynamic shifts in the spatial distribution of coarse woody debris (CWD). Investigating the spatial patterns of CWD during bamboo expansion can reveal the dynamic mechanisms of forest communities in this process, thereby providing scientific insights for forest management and conservation. In this study, conducted within the Yangjifeng Biodiversity Monitoring Large Plot, all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm within the plots were tagged and important variables were measured, including DBH, tree height, and spatial attributes. Coarse woody debris (CWD) with a DBH ≥ 10 cm was also measured, including DBH, diameters at both ends, length, and spatial attributes. Based on the importance values of tree species in each 20 m × 20 m plot—where an importance value comprehensively measured a species’ relative abundance, frequency, and dominance in the community—the sample plots were divided into three continuous sample transects: evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBF), bamboo–broadleaf mixed forest (BMF), and Phyllostachys edulis forest (PEF). Ripley’s ‘g’-function was employed to analyze the spatial patterns and associations of CWD across these three forest types. A random sampling approach was used to collect CWD samples for the measurement and calculation of carbon storage. Three key findings emerged. (1) With the expansion of Moso bamboo, the biomass and carbon storage of standing dead trees both decrease. The biomass is highest in EBF, followed by BMF and PEF. However, carbon storage is greatest in BMF and lowest in PEF. (2) With the expansion of Moso bamboo, the distribution of CWD became increasingly uniform in PEF; analysis of the overall spatial pattern of CWD indicated that with increasing spatial scale, CWD changed from an aggregated to a random distribution across all three forest types, with a pattern scale of approximately 10 m. In EBF, the CWD of Moso bamboo exhibited a random distribution at all spatial scales. Additionally, CWD across different diameter classes, decay stages, and types changed from aggregated to random distributions as the spatial scale increased, with a reduction in aggregation intensity correlated with larger diameter classes. (3) Finally, we found an almost exclusively negative spatial association between living trees and CWD across all scales, and this negative correlation may be attributed to the absence of new tree growth following tree mortality. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that during Moso bamboo expansion, the spatial distribution of CWD changes from aggregated to random, while maintaining a significantly negative spatial association with living trees. This reveals the dynamic changes in the spatial patterns of CWD during community development, thereby providing a scientific basis for the forest management of subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests and bamboo management and control. Full article

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has increased rates of breast-conserving procedures and enabled the identification of patients with a particularly poor prognosis. Achieving a pathological complete response (pCR), an indicator of NACT efficacy, contrasts with residual disease (RD), which identifies patients at higher risk of recurrence. This review provides an overview of current evidence on the clinical and prognostic significance of pCR and RD in patients receiving NACT for breast cancer. The analysis is based on data from randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, and current clinical guidelines for contemporary systemic treatment. Pathological complete response varies according to tumor subtype, with the highest rates observed in triple-negative and non-luminal HER2-positive breast cancer. In HER2-positive disease, the combination of chemotherapy with HER2-targeted therapies increases pCR rates, while the presence of RD supports escalation of postoperative treatment with antibody–drug conjugates. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the inclusion of platinum agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors improves treatment efficacy. In HER2-negative breast cancer and germline BRCA1/2 mutations, adjuvant PARP inhibitors improve survival independently of pCR, highlighting the complex relationship between pathological response and prognosis. Immunotherapy and targeted therapies are used alongside standard chemotherapy and hormone therapy in perioperative treatment. Further research is required to refine response assessment, integrate new biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and optimize treatment selection, while clarifying the significance of reassessing hormone receptor and HER2 status in residual disease and its impact on subsequent treatment decisions. Full article

Background/Objectives: The clinical management of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains controversial due to its heterogeneous biological behavior and uncertain risk of progression. Standard treatment often includes surgery and radiotherapy, although the actual recurrence risk varies considerably among patients. This study aimed to evaluate recurrence patterns and associated clinicopathological factors in a large single-center cohort of patients with pure DCIS. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 403 patients with histologically confirmed pure DCIS treated with breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy between 2016 and 2023. Clinical, imaging, pathological, and treatment-related variables were assessed. Descriptive and exploratory comparative analyses were performed between patients with and without ipsilateral recurrence. Results: A total of 417 lesions were analyzed, with 21 ipsilateral recurrences (5%) observed during follow-up. Among recurrent cases, 57% were non-invasive recurrent DCIS and 38% were invasive carcinomas. Most recurrences occurred in patients treated with breast-conserving surgery, and 52% of recurrent patients had not received adjuvant radiotherapy. All recurrent cases were estrogen receptor–positive at initial diagnosis, whereas none had received endocrine therapy. No clear association between recurrence patterns and tumor grade or tumor size emerged in this exploratory analysis. No distant metastases or disease-related deaths were observed during follow-up. Conclusions: Recurrence after treatment for pure DCIS was relatively uncommon and frequently non-invasive. Traditional clinicopathological variables alone appeared insufficient to consistently identify recurrence patterns in this cohort. These findings support the need for more individualized risk stratification approaches integrating clinical, imaging, and molecular factors in order to reduce potential overtreatment in selected patients with DCIS. Full article

Breast cancer surgical management encompasses a spectrum of options that extend beyond oncologic control and carry substantially different cumulative surgical burdens. Although breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and mastectomy offer equivalent survival outcomes in many clinical scenarios, the downstream implications of these choices, including the number of operations, complication profiles, recovery timelines, and need for revision, are often underrecognized during initial treatment planning. This review aims to provide non-plastic surgeons with a practical framework for understanding the surgical burden associated with BCT compared with mastectomy and, when mastectomy is selected, the implications of subsequent reconstructive pathways. By discussing breast cancer surgery through the lens of cumulative surgical burden rather than isolated procedural choices, this review seeks to support more informed, multidisciplinary counseling and shared decision-making. A clearer understanding of reconstructive trajectories may help align surgical recommendations with patient values, optimize expectations, and reduce unanticipated downstream interventions across the continuum of breast cancer care. Full article

Palms of the genus Ceroxylon constitute a key component of Andean tropical montane forests; however, their internal structural integrity has been scarcely studied in Peru. The present study assessed the internal structural condition of natural populations within the Private Conservation Area (PCA) Bosque de Palmeras of the Taulía-Molinopampa (Amazonas, Peru) using sonic tomography. A total of 64 individuals distributed across four zones with differing degrees of anthropogenic disturbance—Mixed Forest (MF), Active Restoration (AR), Passive Restoration (PR), and Cattle Ranching (CR)—were analyzed, generating 256 tomograms across four vertical levels. Results revealed high levels of structural deterioration (mean = 63.58%), with significant differences observed among zones (p < 0.05). A linear mixed model (LMM) demonstrated that both study zone and diameter at breast height (DBH) are significant predictors of decay (p < 0.05), with the CR zone exhibiting a significant increase of 9.28% in damage compared to the MF reference. Furthermore, a significant positive relationship was found between DBH and structural damage (increase of 0.419% per cm), while fixed effects in the model explained 24.1% of the total variance. Structural deterioration exhibited a heterogeneous vertical distribution, being most sensitive to anthropogenic pressure at the basal level (10 cm). These findings demonstrate that areas under greater anthropogenic pressure and larger individuals are associated with higher structural deterioration, confirming the potential of sonic tomography as an effective tool for the monitoring and conservation of Andean palms. Full article

Backgrounds/Objectives: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a frequent complication of advanced cancer, and talc pleurodesis via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) represents a standard palliative treatment with high efficacy. However, evidence regarding synchronous bilateral pleurodesis in patients with bilateral MPE is limited. This study evaluates the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of a single-stage bilateral VATS talc pleurodesis approach. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing synchronous bilateral VATS talc poudrage between 2000 and 2025 at a single tertiary cancer center. Inclusion criteria included adult patients with bilateral MPE, expandable lungs, and suitability for surgery. Preoperative assessment involved imaging and multidisciplinary evaluation. Perioperative data, complications, mortality, and recurrence rates at 30 days and 3 months were collected. Survival and pleural effusion-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: Thirty patients were included (median age 63.2 years). The most common primary tumors were breast (43%), lung (30%), and ovarian cancer (17%). Mean operative time was 78.6 min, with no intraoperative complications. Mean hospital stay was 6 days. Postoperative morbidity included atrial fibrillation (13%) and respiratory failure (6.6%), both managed conservatively. Thirty-day mortality was 3%. Pleural effusion recurrence occurred in 6.6% at 3 months and 10% at 7 months. Mean follow-up was 9.7 months. Conclusions: Synchronous bilateral VATS talc pleurodesis is a feasible and safe procedure in selected patients with bilateral MPE with acceptable morbidity. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and refine patient selection. Full article

Background/Objectives: The main objective of the study was to determine the frequency of patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and those with modified radical mastectomy and to compare the clinical–paraclinical parameters between these groups. Methods: We conducted an observational, retrospective study, which included 101 patients diagnosed with breast cancer that had surgical interventions between January 2024 and April 2025. Results: The BCS category was represented by 36.6% cases, while 63.4% were in the mastectomy subgroup. Hemoglobin at the time of admission had an average of 13 g/dL, the difference between the two categories of patients being statistically significant. (13.7 vs. 12.7, p = 0.010). Conclusions: Although it has been a hotly debated topic in recent years, the choice of surgical technique for breast tumors still presents novelties and remains a subject of interest within surgical specialties. Selection criteria such as disease stage, histopathological subtype, and the intervention chosen by the surgeon may vary and oncological results may be comparable. Full article

Breast cancer is a critical global health challenge, and deep learning shows transformative potential for medical image classification. However, privacy regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR create barriers to centralized data aggregation across institutions. This paper presents an empirical evaluation of federated learning (FL) for breast cancer classification in ultrasound images, systematically comparing seven deep learning architectures (ResNet-50, VGG16, VGG19, DenseNet-121, MobileNetV2, Vision Transformer, CoAtNet) across three FL algorithms (FedAvg, FedProx, FedOpt) with client-side differential privacy (DP). Using a simulated federation of eight institutions, we evaluate three clinically relevant classification scenarios. Federated models achieve performance comparable to centralized baselines—98.52% accuracy for normal/abnormal screening, 89.53% for three-class classification—with ViT-small and DenseNet-121 exceeding their centralized counterparts in several configurations. Under strong DP constraints (noise multiplier $\eta =2.0$, yielding conservative privacy budget estimates of $\epsilon <1.0$ with $\delta ={10}^{-5}$), screening accuracy remains above 82%, though diagnostic tasks incur substantial degradation (best 68.42%). Our findings provide empirical guidance on architecture selection, FL algorithm choice, and privacy-utility trade-offs for privacy-preserving breast cancer diagnosis, while identifying key challenges for clinical deployment. Full article