Postgraduate medical journal
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We aimed to investigate whether folate receptor α (FRα)-positive circulating tumour cells (CTCs) could be used as a noninvasive liquid biopsy approach in gastric cancer (GC). ⋯ FRα-positive CTC detection by noninvasive liquid biopsy is a useful and effective approach for screening of patients with GC.
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Research funding disparities contribute to clinical academic workforce inequalities. Hence, our study explores the association between student demographics and research grant application rates and outcomes among UK medical students. ⋯ What is already known on this topic Research funding for post-PhD researchers is believed to be a major driver of gender and ethnic inequalities in the clinical academic workforce.Students who receive research grants are more likely to receive postgraduate research grants.What this study adds Black students applied for more research grants than white students, but there were no ethnic differences in the odds of securing a grant.There were no gender differences in the research grant application rates. However, female students had greater odds of securing research grants compared to male students.How this study might affect research, practice or policy Medical schools should incorporate grant writing skills into the undergraduate research curriculum. Also, to sustain women's academic success post medical school, the NIHR and affiliates should provide research award extensions and childcare support for women when required.
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It has been reported that patients with cholelithiasis may have changes in levels of cytokines and growth factors, while their causal relationships were still unclear. ⋯ Four cytokines and growth factors, including interleukin 2 receptor alpha, interleukin 8, monocyte-specific chemokine 3, and stem cell factor, were proven to relate to cholelithiasis causally and unidirectionally.
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We aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of the Aitongping formula for treating cancer pain. ⋯ Aitongping patch could alleviate cancer pain via suppressing microglia activation, and the downregulation of miR-150-5p, as well as the upregulation of CXCL12 mRNA and protein, induced by tumor implantation or lipopolysaccharide stimulation, was restored by Aitongping treatment.