Investigation on returning to work in liver cancer survivors in Taiwan: a 5-year follow-up study

Unemployment Status Subsequent to Cancer Diagnosis and Therapies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The purpose of our study is to examine whether cancer and treatments are associated with job loss or changes in employment status. Eight prospective studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, with a population aged 18-65 years, analyzing treatment regimen and psychophysical and social status in post-cancer follow-up of at least 2 years. In the meta-analysis, a comparison was made between recovered unemployed cases and cases from a standard reference population. Results are summarized graphically using a forest plot. We showed that cancer and subsequent treatment are risk factors for unemployment with an overall relative risk of 7.24 (lnRR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.32-2.63) or for change in employment status. Individuals undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment and those with brain and colorectal cancers are more likely to develop disabilities that negatively affect the risk of unemployment. Finally, variables such as low level education, female sex, older age, and being overweight before starting therapy are associated with higher risk of unemployment. In the future, it will be necessary for people with cancer to have access to specific health, social welfare, and employment support programs. In addition, it is desirable that they become more involved in their choice of therapeutic treatment.

Silicon Nanowires Length and Numbers Dependence on Sensitivity of the Field-Effect Transistor Sensor for Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Detection

Silicon nanowire field effect transistor (NWFET) sensors have been demonstrated to have high sensitivity, are label free, and offer specific detection. This study explored the effect of nanowire dimensions on sensors’ sensitivity. We used sidewall spacer etching to fabricate polycrystalline silicon NWFET sensors. This method does not require expensive nanoscale exposure systems and reduces fabrication costs. We designed transistor sensors with nanowires of various lengths and numbers. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was used as the sensing target to explore the relationships of nanowire length and number with biomolecule detection. The experimental results revealed that the sensor with a 3 µm nanowire exhibited high sensitivity in detecting low concentrations of HBsAg. However, the sensor reached saturation when the biomolecule concentration exceeded 800 fg/mL. Sensors with 1.6 and 5 µm nanowires exhibited favorable linear sensing ranges at concentrations from 800 ag/mL to 800 pg/mL. The results regarding the number of nanowires revealed that the use of few nanowires in transistor sensors increases sensitivity. The results demonstrate the effects of nanowire dimensions on the silicon NWFET biosensors.