Clinical and research applications of natural language processing for heart failure.

Natural language processing (NLP) is a burgeoning field of machine learning/artificial intelligence that focuses on the computational processing of human language. Researchers and clinicians are using NLP methods to advance the field of medicine in general and in heart failure (HF), in particular, by processing vast amounts of previously untapped semi-structured and unstructured textual data in electronic health records. NLP has several applications to clinical research, including dramatically improving processes for cohort assembly, disease phenotyping, and outcome ascertainment, among others.

Dion-Jacobson Perovskites with a Ferroelectrically Switchable Chiral Nonlinear Optical Response.

Electrically switchable second harmonic generation (SHG) is highly valuable in electro-optic modulators, which can be deployed in data communication and quantum optics. Coupling circular dichroism (CD) with an electrically controlled SHG process is advantageous because it enhances the signal transmission bandwidth and security while enabling multiple modulation modes for optical logic. However, ferroelectrically switchable chiral second-order nonlinearity is rarely reported.

Evaluation of the validity of a perfluorooctane sulfonic acid exposure reconstruction using a measured serum concentration among workers with a wide range of exposure.

Background: Studies among workers with a wide range of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances inform risk assessments. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, was recently examined in relation to mortality and cancer incidence in an occupationally exposed population by Alexander et al. in 2024.

Evaluating the efficacy of low-kV X-ray intraoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with surgery have a high risk of local recurrence. Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) is a promising method for treating locally advanced solid tumors, but there is limited research on the efficacy of IORT in treating LARC. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of low-kV X-ray IORT in the treatment of LARC.

Exploring the optimal threshold of 3D consolidation tumor ratio value segmentation based on artificial intelligence for predicting the invasive degree of T1 lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: The assessment of lung adenocarcinoma significantly depends on the proportion of solid components in lung nodules. Traditional one-dimensional consolidation tumor ratio (1D CTR) based on ideal, uniformly dense solid components lacks precision. There is no consensus on the CT threshold for evaluating invasiveness using the threshold segmentation method.

A narrative review of acupuncture for sexual dysfunction: perspective of traditional Chinese medicine.

Background And Objective: Despite the growing popularity of acupuncture for sexual dysfunction (SD) in the Western world, many clinicians struggle to understand the exact therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture which is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This study aims to describe the fundamentals of acupuncture theory from TCM perspectives and its relevance to SD; evaluate the current state of acupuncture research within literature evidence; and critically analyze its therapeutic effects in premature ejaculation (PE), erectile dysfunction (ED), and female SD.

Methods: All published English-language SD clinical studies treated by acupuncture were searched in PubMed from database inception to 1 April 2024.

Exploring Angiopoietin-2: Clinical Insights and Experimental Perspectives in Kidney Diseases.

Angiopoietin-2, an important contributor to angiogenesis and vascular remodeling, is increasingly recognized in kidney research. This review explores clinical insights and experimental perspectives on angiopoietin-2 in kidney diseases. Traditionally seen as an antagonist of the Tie-2, which is a receptor tyrosine kinase of endothelial cells and some hematopoietic stem cells, angiopoietin-2 exerts both proangiogenic and antiangiogenic effects, making it a versatile and context-dependent player in kidney pathophysiology.

, a new beardfish from the western Pacific (Teleostei, Polymixiiformes, Polymixiidae).

A new species of beardfish, genus , is described based on three specimens collected in Taiwanese waters and off the Chesterfield Islands of New Caledonia. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: dorsal-fin rays IV-V, 35-37; gill rakers on outer face of first gill arch 3+1+6=10; scales row between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line vertically 6-8 (S1) and posteriorly 12-14 (S2); pyloric caeca 40; snout rounded, with its surface rough and gelatinous, its tip evidently protrude anterior margin of premaxilla; ctenii on body scales arranged in a wedge-shape, forming three rows; 4 anal-fin spine long, 1.0%-1.

Modeling monocular form deprivation in rabbits using a simulated-cataract intraocular lens.

Aim: To establish an animal model of form deprivation amblyopia based on a simulated cataract intraocular lens (IOLs).

Methods: Poly(dimethyl siloxane)-SiO thin films (PSF) with different degrees of opacity as IOL materials were prepared. The light transmission of the PSF-IOL was measured, and its biosafety was determined by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay using the HLEC-B3 cell line and ARPE-19 cell line.

Transcapsular scleral fixation of the standard capsular tension ring and in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation for severely subluxated lenses.

Aim: To present a technique of transcapsular scleral fixation of the standard capsular tension ring (CTR) through equatorial capsulotomy and in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in subluxated lenses.

Methods: This retrospective consecutive case series included patients with subluxated lenses by more than 180 degrees who underwent lens extraction, transcapsular scleral fixation of the standard CTR through equatorial capsulotomy, in-the-bag IOL implantation and with at least 6mo follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), complications, and postoperative IOL tilt and decentration were recorded.

The Intraoperative Use of a Drain Line for Gas-Insufflation One-Step Single-Port Transaxillary (GOSTA) Robotic Thyroidectomy.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the intraoperative use of a drain line for smoke suction during robotic thyroidectomy using a gas insufflation one-step single-port transaxillary (GOSTA) approach and its impact on surgical outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: University tertiary care facility.

cTBS over ventral cortex enhances depth perception.

Stereoscopic capacities vary widely across the normal population. It has become increasingly apparent, however, that mechanisms underlying stereoscopic depth perception retain a considerable degree of plasticity through adulthood. Here, we contrast the capacity for neurostimulation in the form of continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) over strategically-chosen sites in the visual cortex to bring about improvements in stereoscopic depth perception.

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a potential therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: modulation of the noradrenergic pathway in the prefrontal lobe.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental impairments, inattention, motor hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Currently, there is no effective intervention that can completely cure it. One of the pathogenic mechanisms of ADHD involves abnormalities in the norepinephrine (NE) pathway within the prefrontal cortex (PFC).

Identification of a novel mycovirus belonging to the "flexivirus"-related family with icosahedral virion.

The order currently comprises five viral families with positive-sense RNA [(+)RNA] genomes that infect plants, fungi, and insects. Virion morphologies within the order differ between families, with icosahedral virions in the and filamentous virions in the other families. Despite their different morphologies, these viruses are placed in the same order based on phylogenetic analyses of replicase-associated polyproteins.

A prospective pilot study of kidney-specific biomarkers to detect acute kidney injury after cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical morbidity after cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC).

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the use of kidney-specific biomarkers to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of post-HIPEC AKI.

Methods: Patients who received CRS/HIPEC were prospectively enrolled in this study.

[Prognostic value of albumin and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio in patients with acute liver failure in hyperacute phase of sepsis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study].

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (AST/ALT) in patients with acute liver failure (ALF) in hyperacute phase of sepsis which provided the basis for clinical evaluation and prognostic judgment and corresponding treatment options.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients with ALF in hyperacute phase of sepsis admitted to Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health College, Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Hospital, and Shanghai Oriental Hospital from January 2019 to February 2024 were enrolled.

Surgeon Adoption of Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery in the United States from 2018 to 2022: Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To assess 5-years trends in the rate of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) and surgeon characteristics associated with performing ISBCS.

Setting: 100% Medicare Fee-for-service beneficiaries from 2018-2022.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Tubulin-Based Microtentacles Aid in Heterotypic Clustering of Neutrophil-Differentiated HL-60 Cells and Breast Tumor Cells.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) travel through the vasculature to seed secondary sites and serve as direct precursors of metastatic outgrowth for many solid tumors. Heterotypic cell clusters form between CTCs and white blood cells (WBCs) and recent studies report that a majority of these WBCs are neutrophils in patient and mouse models. The lab discovered that CTCs produce tubulin-based protrusions, microtentacles (McTNs), which promote reattachment, retention in distant sites during metastasis and formation of tumor cell clusters.

Tim-3 pathway dysregulation and targeting in sepsis-induced immunosuppression.

Sepsis is a major medical problem which causes millions of deaths worldwide every year. The host immune response in sepsis is characterized by acute inflammation and a simultaneous state of immunosuppression. In the later stage of sepsis, immunosuppression is a crucial factor that increases the susceptibility of septic patients to secondary infection and mortality.

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells preferentially modulate macrophages to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a type of interstitial lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation due to persistent lung damage. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including those derived from the umbilical cord (UCMSCs) and placenta (PLMSCs), have been utilized in clinical trials for IPF treatment. However, the varying therapeutic effectiveness between these two MSC types remains unclear.

Gender differences in the association between the uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and diabetes risk: a mediation analysis of c-reactive protein, triglycerides, and insulin resistance.

Background: The uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) has emerged as a novel metabolic marker and is proven to be associated with diabetes risk. However, there is still a lack of systematic research regarding its role in gender differences and underlying mechanisms. This study aims to assess the association of UHR with diabetes risk in the context of gender differences and to investigate its mediation effects through metabolic and inflammatory pathways.

Improving the prediction of patient survival with the aid of residual convolutional neural network (ResNet) in colorectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases treated with bevacizumab-based chemotherapy.

Background: To verify overall survival predictions made with residual convolutional neural network-determined morphological response (ResNet-MR) in patients with unresectable synchronous liver-only metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with bevacizumab-based chemotherapy (BBC).

Methods: A retrospective review of liver-only mCRC patients treated with BBC from December 2011 to Apr 2021 was performed. Patients who had metachronous liver metastases or received locoregional treatment before the initiation of BBC were excluded.

Associations of care continuity and care coordination with the overuse of healthcare services: a nationwide population-based study.

Background: Care continuity and care coordination have received increased attention as important ways of decreasing overuse/low-value care. Prior research has verified an association between care continuity and overuse or an association between care coordination and overuse. However, little is known about the relative influences of care continuity and care coordination on overuse.

Application of deep learning in wound size measurement using fingernail as the reference.

Objective: Most current wound size measurement devices or applications require manual wound tracing and reference markers. Chronic wound care usually relies on patients or caregivers who might have difficulties using these devices. Considering a more human-centered design, we propose an automatic wound size measurement system by combining three deep learning (DL) models and using fingernails as a reference.