Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, characterized by a lack of targeted therapies and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal ro Show more
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, characterized by a lack of targeted therapies and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in TNBC progression, with immune mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and immune checkpoints driving inflammation, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. We conducted a comparative analysis of 81 immune-related proteins in serum samples from 137 participants: 49 healthy controls (HC), 63 non-TNBC (NTNBC) patients, and 25 TNBC patients. Protein expression was quantified using multiplex immunoassays (ProcartaPlex and MILLIPLEX MAP® panels). Statistical analyses included principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering, receive operating curves (ROC), and pathway enrichment to identify diagnostic biomarkers and molecular networks associated with TNBC aggressiveness. Ou results revealed distinct immune dysregulation in TNBC, characterized by significant overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-8), chemokines (MIP-1α, Fractalkine), growth factors (VEGF-A, SCF), and immune checkpoints (LAG-3, PD-L1). ROC curve analyses identified LAG-3, Fractalkine, and VEGF-A as the top biomarkers distinguishing healthy controls from TNBC, while IL-5, IL-27, and TNF-β effectively discriminated TNBC from NTNBC. Cytokine network analysis highlighted TSLP, IL-12p70, and IL-17 A as central hubs coordinating Th1/Th17 inflammatory responses, stromal remodeling, and immune evasion, with strong interactions between IL-17 A-ENA-78-SCF and IL-3-IL-21 axes driving TNBC aggressiveness. Stratified analyses further demonstrated stage, grade, and metastasis revealed that IL-12p70, MIP-1α, and IL-18 were elevated in late-stage TNBC; IL-17 A, IL-5, and TWEAK were significantly overexpressed in high-grade tumors; and IFN-γ, IL-8, CTLA-4 and TSLP peaked in metastatic TNBC. Our findings identify immune mediator panels as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for TNBC. Show less
Psychological well-being among university students is often examined using variable-centered approaches that assume population homogeneity. Using Ryff's eudaimonic model and a person-centered analytic Show more
Psychological well-being among university students is often examined using variable-centered approaches that assume population homogeneity. Using Ryff's eudaimonic model and a person-centered analytic framework, this study examined latent profiles of psychological well-being among Ghanaian undergraduates, offering insight into how the Western-derived model functions in a non-Western cultural context. A cross-sectional design was employed to sample 574 regular undergraduate students from a public university in Ghana. Students completed the 18-item Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) followed by Chi-square tests were performed using JAMOVI statistical software. Four distinct profiles emerged: fully flourishing students (38.7%), harmonious life seekers (45.1%), purposeful self-actualizers (7.5%), and aspiring actualizers (8.7%). The profiles differed primarily in levels of autonomy, personal growth, and environmental mastery. Well-being profile membership was not associated with gender but varied significantly by age, although the effect size was small. The study findings suggest meaningful heterogeneity in eudaimonic well-being among Ghanaian undergraduates and highlight the importance of culturally sensitive, profile-based mental health interventions beyond demographic assumptions. Show less