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Survival outcomes (progression- free survival [PFS] and overall survival [OS]) were analyzed. Results Among the 49 patients who showed a clinical benefit during cisplatin- doublet therapy, 24 were maintained on the doublet regimen, 16 were switched to single-maintenance treatment, and chemotherapy was suspended until disease progression in nine patients. The single-maintenance chemotherapy group showed superior survival than the chemotherapy holiday and doublet regimen groups (median PFS 15.43 months vs. 8.37 and 10.67 months, respectively, p = 0.008; median OS 43.67 months vs. 22.17 and 22.33 months, respectively, p = 0.014). Conclusions Patients showing a clinical benefit during 6 cisplatin-doublet chemotherapy cycles may have a sustained survival benefit from single-maintenance chemotherapy.Background/Aims Despite increasing awareness of the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in women, knowledge regarding gender differences in COPD outcomes is limited. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether COPD outcomes, including exacerbations, lung function, and symptoms differ by gender. Methods We recruited patients with COPD from two Korean multicenter prospective cohorts. After propensity score matching, the main outcome, the incidence of moderate or severe exacerbations was analyzed using a negative binomial regression model. We also assessed changes in lung function and symptom scores including the St. George's respiratory questionnaire for COPD (SGRQ-C), COPD assessment test (CAT), and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score. Results After propensity score matching, 74 women and 74 men with COPD were included. The incidence rates of exacerbations in women and men were not significantly different (incidence rate ratio, 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88 to 2.54). There was no significant difference in the incidence rates adjusted for medication possession ratios of long-acting muscarinic antagonists, long-acting β-agonists, and inhaled corticosteroids during the follow-up period (incidence rate ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.86 to 2.52). Rates of decline in post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity did not differ between women and men during 48 months of follow-up. The changes in scores on the SGRQ-C, CAT, and mMRC Questionnaire in women were also similar to those in men. Conclusions We observed no gender differences in the rate of exacerbations of COPD in a prospective longitudinal study. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in the general COPD population.Background/Aims N-acetylcysteine (NAC) affects signaling pathways involved in apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell growth and arrest, redox-regulated gene expression, and the inflammatory response. However, it is not known how the signal mechanism for tight junctional protein claudin (CLDN) 18 is regulated in asthma patients. Methods To investigate the effects of NAC on CLDN18 expression in a mouse model of asthma, and to assess plasma levels of CLDN18 in asthma patients. A murine model of asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA) was established using wild-type BALB/c female mice, and the levels of CLDNs, phosphorylated-pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (p-PDK1), and protein kinase B (Akt) pathway proteins following NAC treatment were examined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the plasma levels of CLDN18 were evaluated in asthmatic patients and control subjects. Results NAC diminished OVA-induced airway hyper-responsiveness and inflammation. Levels of CLDN18 protein were higher in lung tissue from OVA mice than tissue from control mice, and were increased by treatment with NAC or dexamethasone. JNJ-64264681 nmr Treatment with NAC or dexamethasone decreased the OVA-induced increase in interleukin-1α protein levels. Although treatment with NAC increased OVA-induced p-PDK1 protein levels, it decreased phosphorylated Akt (pAkt)/Akt levels. Soluble CLDN18 levels were lower in patients with asthma than in controls and were correlated with the percentage of neutrophils, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity % (FVC%) and FEV1%. Conclusions CLDN18 plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma and NAC diminishes airway inflammation and responsiveness by modulating CLDN18 expression.Examination of possible pathways of how oxygen atoms can be added to a yttrium oxyhydride system allowed us to predict new derivatives such as hydroxyhydrides possessing the composition M2H3O(OH) (M = Y, Sc, La, and Gd) in which three different anions (H-, O2-, and OH-) share the common chemical space. The crystal data of the solid hydroxyhydrides obtained on the base of DFT modeling correspond to the tetragonal structure that is characterized by the chiral space group P 4 1 . The analysis of bonding situation in M2H3O(OH) showed that the microscopic mechanism governing chemical transformations is caused by the displacements of protons which are induced by interaction with oxygen atoms incorporated into the crystal lattice of the bulk oxyhydride. The oxygen-mediated transformation causes a change in the charge state of some adjacent hydridic sites, thus forming protonic sites associated with hydroxyl groups. The predicted materials demonstrate a specific charge ordering that is associated with the chiral structural organization of the metal cations and the anions because their lattice positions form helical curves spreading along the tetragonal axis. Moreover, the effect of spatial twisting of the H- and H+ sites provides additional linking via strong dihydrogen bonds. The structure-property relationships have been investigated in terms of structural, mechanical, electron, and optical features. It was shown that good polar properties of the materials make them possible prototypes for the design of nonlinear optical systems.Engagement of nursing professionals is related to their psychological wellbeing, and therefore, emotional intelligence acts as a predictor. The purpose of this study was to analyze the explanatory value of the dimensions of emotional intelligence in engagement in both sexes, as well as the conditional effect of interaction of sex as a moderating variable. The sample was comprised of 2126 nurses with a mean age of 31.66 years. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Brief Inventory of Emotional Intelligence for Senior Citizens (EQ-i-20M) were used for their evaluation. The results revealed the existence of significant differences in engagement depending on the sex of the nursing professionals. Furthermore, this study showed that the interpersonal component of emotional intelligence is the predictor of engagement of female professionals, while mood and the interpersonal dimensions have a higher predictive value of engagement in males. Finally, this study was able to emphasize the sex differences found along with the importance of the role emotional intelligence dimensions have in engagement levels, which must be taken into account when designing intervention programs to improve engagement and promote participation of nursing professionals in their workplace.