Efficacy of Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant for Scalp Nerve Blocks to Prolong Analgesia: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Scalp nerve blocks (SNB) may significantly reduce post-craniotomy pain (PCP) but only for a short period of time. Dexamethasone, as an adjuvant to local anesthetics, was reported to prolong the analgesia duration of never block; however, the addition of dexamethasone to SNB is rare. We therefore tested the hypothesis that dexamethasone as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in SNB is positive after craniotomy.

Postoperative Apnea-Hypopnea Index Prediction of Velopharyngeal Surgery Based on Machine Learning.

Objective: To investigate machine learning-based regression models to predict the postoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) for evaluating the outcome of velopharyngeal surgery in adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) subjects.

Study Design: A single-center, retrospective, cohort study.

Setting: Sleep medical center.

Insights and perspectives of chitosan-based hydrogels for the removal of heavy metals and dyes from wastewater.

Water pollution has become an increasingly serious issue, necessitating the design and development of more effective wastewater treatment methods. Chitosan-based hydrogels, owing to their unique structural and chemical properties, have demonstrated high efficiency in removing contaminants. However, the application remains restricted by the scarcity of effective adsorption sites and limited environmental stability.

regulates mitophagy and 5-FU sensitivity in colorectal cancer via PINK1-Parkin pathway.

Background: Growing evidence demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely related with chemoresistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). Mitophagy serves as an essential factor to maintain the quality of tumor cells. However, it is unclear whether lncRNAs are involved in mitophagy regulation in CRC.

Multi-bioinformatics revealed potential biomarkers and repurposed drugs for gastric adenocarcinoma-related gastric intestinal metaplasia.

Biomarkers associated with the progression from gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) to gastric adenocarcinoma (GA), i.e., GA-related GIM, could provide valuable insights into identifying patients with increased risk for GA.

CD24 affects the immunosuppressive effect of tumor-infiltrating cells and tumor resistance in a variety of cancers.

Background: Cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24) is a highly glycosylated glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored surface protein, expressed in various tumor cells, as a "don't eat me" signaling molecule in tumor immune. This study aimed to investigate the potential features of CD24 in pan-cancer.

Methods: The correlations between 22 immune cells and CD24 expression were using TIMER analysis.

The PATCH trial: 5% lidocaine-medicated plaster for trigeminal neuralgia-Results of a multicentric, enriched enrollment, randomized withdrawal, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, parallel-group study.

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of 5% lidocaine-medicated plaster (LMP) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

Background: TN is an excruciatingly painful type of neuropathic facial pain. Anti-epileptics are the first-line treatment for TN; however, these oral drugs alone sometimes fail to achieve satisfactory analgesic effects.

The prognostic and immune significance of SLAMF9 in pan-cancer and validation of its role in colorectal cancer.

SLAMF9, a member of the conserved lymphocyte activation molecules family (SLAMF), has been less investigated compared to other SLAMs, especially concerning its implications across various cancer types. In our systematic pan-cancer investigation, we observed elevated SLAMF9 expression in various tumor tissues, which was correlated with reduced patient survival across most malignancies. Correlation analyses further revealed significant associations between SLAMF9 expression and immune cell infiltrates, immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor mutation load, microsatellite instability, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) scores.

[Verification of the peanut vitamin C synthesis-related gene and its role in stress resistance].

Vitamin C plays an important role in plant antioxidation, photosynthesis, growth and development, and metabolism. In this study, a gene , which is involved in vitamin C synthesis and responds significantly to low temperature, NaCl, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments, was cloned from peanut. An overexpression vector was constructed, and transferred to a peanut variety Junanxiaohong using the pollen tube injection method.

Visualization Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Literature in Forensic Research.

Objectives: To analyze the literature on artificial intelligence in forensic research from 2012 to 2022 in the Web of Science Core Collection Database, to explore research hotspots and developmental trends.

Methods: A total of 736 articles on artificial intelligence in forensic medicine in the Web of Science Core Collection Database from 2012 to 2022 were visualized and analyzed through the literature measuring tool CiteSpace. The authors, institution, country (region), title, journal, keywords, cited references and other information of relevant literatures were analyzed.

Reasons why women are more likely to develop primary biliary cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune disease of biliary stasis in which immune factors cause the gradual destruction of small bile ducts, biliary stasis, and eventually the development of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver failure. One of the main characteristics of PBC is that it primarily affects middle-aged women, but the precise cause is still unknown. This article analyzes the unique causes and mechanisms of the female predominance of PBC and summarizes the potential causes.

Combined Therapy of Paravertebral Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency and Subcutaneous Block for Acute/Subacute Herpetic Neuralgia: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of early combined therapy with CT-guided paravertebral nerve (PVN), pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), and subcutaneous block on acute/subacute herpes zoster (HZ).

Methods: A total of 98 medical records were analyzed. All patients underwent CT-guided PRF on PVN immediately followed by a single subcutaneous block with lidocaine and dexamethasone in acute/subacute phase.

Co-treatment with Oral Duloxetine and Intraarticular Injection of Corticosteroid plus Hyaluronic Acid Reduces Pain in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common form of arthritis in elders which can lead to reduced daily activity and quality of life. It is important to administer a proper treatment with high efficacy and low side effects. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of co-treatment with oral duloxetine and intraarticular (IA) injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) and corticosteroid (CS) in patients with knee OA.

Gaps between needs of patient and public involvement and interests of researchers on pancreatic cancer.

Objective: Identify whether there were gaps between needs of end-users and interests of researchers focusing on pancreatic cancer.

Methods: A questionnaire for end-users (patients, close family, others) and researchers was developed to measure value from the perspective of different stakeholder groups. Two separate literature analyses were conducted to assess the prevalence and impact of patient and public involvement (PPI).

Letrozole + Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Improves Ovulation-Induced Pregnancy Rate in Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: This study investigated the effect of letrozole with/without meridian-infusion percutaneous electrical stimulation on the rates of ovulation-induced pregnancy in patients with obese polycystic ovary syndrome (obPCOS).

Materials And Methods: Patients with obPCOS, ages 20-40, each with a body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg/m, and/or waist circumference ≥80 cm, and at least 1 side tubal patency were enrolled at the Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China. They were divided into 2 groups: ZLT [ + transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation] and control.

PROCESS Trial: Effect of Duloxetine Premedication for Postherpetic Neuralgia Within 72 Hours of Herpes Zoster Reactivation-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common chronic complication of herpes zoster (HZ) and results in severe refractory neuropathic pain. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of premedication with duloxetine in the prevention of PHN.

Methods: The PROCESS trial is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint trial used a 1:1 duloxetine:control ratio.

Pre-emptive infiltration with betamethasone and ropivacaine for postoperative pain in laminoplasty and laminectomy (PRE-EASE): a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Postoperative pain after laminoplasty and laminectomy occurs partially from local trauma of the paraspinal tissue. Finding a multimodal analgesic cocktail to enhance the duration and effect of local infiltration analgesia is crucial. Because of the rapid onset and long duration of action of betamethasone, the authors hypothesized that, a pre-emptive multimodal infiltration regimen of betamethasone and ropivacaine reduces pain scores and opioid demand, and improves patient satisfaction following laminoplasty and laminectomy.

Characterization of global research trends and prospects on sudden coronary death: A literature visualization analysis.

Background: Sudden coronary death is a major global public health issue that has a significant impact on both individuals and society. Nowadays, scholars are active in sudden coronary death all over the world. However, no relevant bibliometric studies have been published.

Effectiveness and safety of high-voltage pulsed radiofrequency to treat patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled study.

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating pain disorder that still lacks an ideal treatment option. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), especially with high output voltage, is a novel and minimally invasive technique. PRF is regarded a promising treatment option for TN patients who respond poorly to medical treatment; however, the available evidence still lacks high quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

The Sweet Potato K Transporter IbHAK11 Regulates K Deficiency and High Salinity Stress Tolerance by Maintaining Positive Ion Homeostasis.

The K transporter KT/HAK/KUP (K transporter/high-affinity K/K uptake) family has a critical effect on K uptake and translocation in plants under different environmental conditions. However, the functional analysis of KT/HAK/KUP members in sweet potatoes is still limited. The present work reported the physiological activity of a new gene, , in the KT/HAK/KUP family in sweet potatoes.

Neuroendocrine mechanism of gastric acid secretion: Historical perspectives and recent developments in physiology and pharmacology.

The physiology of gastric acid secretion is one of the earliest subjects in medical literature and has been continuously studied since 1833. Starting with the notion that neural stimulation alone drives acid secretion, progress in understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of this process has led to the development of therapeutic strategies for patients with acid-related diseases. For instance, understanding the physiology of parietal cells led to the developments of histamine 2 receptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and recently, potassium-competitive acid blockers.

Efficacy and safety of computed tomography-guided percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia secondary to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia.

Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) of Gasserian ganglion has been popularly used to treat trigeminal neuralgia (TN), one of the most painful syndromes in human experience. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a rare cause of TN and remains challenging to treat. To our knowledge, no study has reported the therapeutic outcome of PBC for VBD-related TN (VBD-TN).