Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Women Offered Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery as an Alternative to Mastectomy: ANTHEM Multicentre Prospective Cohort Study

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, with over 56,000 women diagnosed annually in the UK. Despite advancements in treatment, approximately 40% of patients still undergo mastectomy. While mastectomy effectively controls cancer, it profoundly impacts patients’ quality of life. Many women describe mastectomy as a “dis...

WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0: Responsiveness in Detecting Long-Term Functional Disability After Surgery

With advances in anesthesia, surgery, and intensive care management, the short-term perioperative outcomes of surgical patients have significantly improved. However, an increasing number of studies are focusing on long-term outcomes directly related to patient prognosis, such as functional recovery or functional disability. Functional disability is...

Multicentre Prospective Study on the Diagnostic and Prognostic Validity of Malnutrition Assessment Tools in Surgery

Academic Background Malnutrition is a significant risk factor for postoperative complications, particularly in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, where the incidence of malnutrition is high. However, there is currently no widely accepted tool for assessing malnutrition. Existing nutritional screening tools vary greatly in sensitivity and ...

Compatibility of Procreation, Pregnancy, and Early Parenthood in Female and Male Surgeons During Surgical Training in Switzerland: National Survey Study

Academic Background The lengthy training periods and high-stress work schedules of surgeons, particularly during their optimal childbearing years, often lead them to forgo part-time work or delay pregnancy, thereby increasing the risk of infertility and pregnancy complications. Women experience a significant decline in fertility after the age of 30...

Blue Carbon Cycling in the Coastal Areas of Qatar

Research Background Global climate change, particularly global warming, has exerted immense pressure on the global carbon cycle. As a significant carbon sink, the ocean absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂), leading to ocean acidification, which adversely affects marine organisms reliant on carbonate minerals. Coastal wetlands, such as inte...

Hydrogen Gas and the Gut Microbiota as Potential Biomarkers for the Development of Experimental Colitis in Mice

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily includes Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). The incidence of IBD has been increasing globally, imposing significant health and economic burdens on patients and society. Currently, the diagnosis of IBD relies mainly on endoscopy, but this method is exp...

GutBugDB: A Web Resource to Predict the Human Gut Microbiome-Mediated Biotransformation of Biotic and Xenobiotic Molecules

In recent years, the significant role of the human gut microbiota (HGM) in the metabolism of drugs and nutrients has gradually been recognized. The gut microbiota not only affects the bioavailability of orally administered drugs but also participates in the biotransformation of drugs and bioactive molecules through its metabolic enzymes, thereby in...

The Crucial and Versatile Roles of Bacteria in Global Biogeochemical Cycling of Iodine

Iodine (I) is a trace element of significant importance to human health and the environment. It is a major component of human thyroid hormones, such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), directly influencing thyroid function. However, approximately 1.9 billion people worldwide are affected by Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD), with symptoms i...

Megasphaera elsdenii, a Commensal Member of the Gut Microbiota, is Associated with Elevated Gas Production During In Vitro Fermentation

Flatulence is a common occurrence in daily life, often resulting from the fermentation of undigested food components by the gut microbiota. While flatulence is generally harmless, it can lead to discomfort, bloating, and even chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Certain foods, particularly those rich in dietary fiber like bean...

The Effects of Fermented Vegetables on the Gut Microbiota for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

In recent years, the role of gut microbiota in health and disease has garnered widespread attention. Research indicates that the diversity and composition of gut microbiota are closely related to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is one of the leading causes of death globally, and inflammation plays a significant ...