The breast cancer genetic testing experience: probing the potential utility of an online decision aid in risk perception and decision making.

Background: Despite the association of pathogenic variants (PVs) in cancer predisposition genes with significantly increased risk of breast cancer (BC), uptake of genetic testing (GT) remains low, especially among ethnic minorities. Our prior study identified that a patient decision aid, RealRisks, improved patient-reported outcomes (including worry and perceived risk) relative to standard educational materials. This study examined patients' GT experience and its influence on subsequent actions.

Performance of Chest CT-Based Artificial Intelligence Models in Distinguishing Pulmonary Mucormycosis, Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis, and Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

In clinical practice, differentiating among pulmonary mucormycosis (PM), invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) can be challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of chest CT-based artificial intelligence (AI) models in distinguishing among these three diseases. Patients with confirmed PM, IPA, or PTB were retrospectively recruited from three tertiary hospitals.

Nomogram Model for Predicting Minimal Breast Cancer Based on Clinical and Ultrasonic Characteristics.

Purpose: To construct a nomogram prediction model on minimal breast cancer (≦ 10 mm) based on clinical and ultrasound parameters.

Methods: Clinical and ultrasound data of 433 patients with minimal breast lesions was conducted in this retrospective study. Patients were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set with a ratio of 7:3.

Disparities in kidney care in vulnerable populations: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, displaced people, and refugees, often encounter challenges in accessing healthcare. In this study, we used data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to describe kidney care access and delivery to vulnerable populations across countries and regions. Using data from an international survey of clinicians, policymakers, and patient advocates, we assessed the funding and coverage of vulnerable populations on all aspects of kidney replacement therapies (KRT).

Association between endogenous estradiol, testosterone, and long-term mortality in adults with prediabetes and diabetes: Evidence from NHANES database.

Aim And Introduction: Diabetes and prediabetes pose significant global public health challenges. Sex steroids, particularly testosterone and estradiol, play crucial roles in various metabolic processes. This study investigates the relationship between sex hormone levels and long-term mortality in adults with prediabetes and diabetes, as well as those without glucose intolerance.

Optimizing collagen-based biomaterials for periodontal regeneration: clinical opportunities and challenges.

Periodontal disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the teeth and their supporting tissues, ultimately culminating in tooth loss. Currently, treatment modalities, such as systemic and local administration of antibiotics, serve to mitigate the progression of inflammation yet fall short in restoring the original anatomical structure and physiological function of periodontal tissues. Biocompatible material-based tissue engineering seems to be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating PD.

Seasonal and spatial variability of dissolved organic nitrogen concentration and composition in Daya Bay, China.

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) has recently been recognized as an important nitrogen source for marine phytoplankton. However, the composition, sources, and biogeochemical cycling of DON in coastal ecosystems remain poorly understood. This study investigates the spatial distribution and seasonal variability of DON in Daya Bay, a subtropical semi-enclosed bay in the northern South China Sea.

How different body compositions affect the prognosis of HCC undergoing immunotherapy: the paradoxical phenomenon of BMI.

Purpose: Body mass index (BMI) is associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving immunotherapy. Body compositions are considered to account for this association, but this hypothesis has yet to be verified conclusively.

Material And Methods: Our study included 305 patients received immunotherapy at 3 centers between August 2018 and February 2022.

Activation of pregnane X receptor sensitizes alcoholic steatohepatitis by transactivating fatty acid binding protein 4.

Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) is a liver disease characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and necrosis of the liver tissue as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a xenobiotic nuclear receptor best known for its function in the transcriptional regulation of drug metabolism and disposition. Clinical reports suggested that the antibiotic rifampicin, a potent human PXR activator, is a contraindication in alcoholics, but the mechanism was unclear.

Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 Promotes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression via Regulating Fatty Acid Metabolism Through the AKT/RYR2 Signaling.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Previous studies have found that fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) plays a crucial role in tumor development and metastasis. However, the potential role and underlying mechanisms of FGFR4 in the progression of TNBC remain unclear.

Regional hotspots for chronic kidney disease: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) disproportionately affects certain populations as demonstrated by well-established subnational geographic hotspots of CKD in Central America and South Asia. Using data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA), we aimed to systematically identify sub-national geographic or population clusters with high prevalence of CKD. The ISN-GKHA survey was conducted from July to September 2022, and included questions regarding whether a regional CKD hotspot existed in the respondents' country and possible contributors.

Landscape of kidney replacement therapy provision in low- and lower-middle income countries: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

In low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), delivering equitable kidney care presents substantial challenges, resulting in significant disparities in disease management and treatment outcomes for people with kidney failure. This comprehensive report leveraged data from the International Society of Nephrology-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA), to provide a detailed update on the landscape of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in LLMICs. Among the 65 participating LLMICs, reimbursement for KRT (publicly funded by the government and free at the point of delivery) was available in 28%, 15%, and 8% for hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and kidney transplantation (KT), respectively.

Multiparametric MRI-based Machine Learning Radiomics for Predicting Treatment Response to Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Targeted and Immunotherapy in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Study.

Rationale And Objectives: To develop and validate multiple machine learning predictive models incorporating clinical features and pretreatment multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomic features for predicting treatment response to transarterial chemoembolization combined with molecular targeted therapy plus immunotherapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study involved 276 patients with unresectable HCC who received combination therapy from 4 medical centers. Patients were divided into one training cohort and two independent external validation cohorts.

Non-foreign body-associated risk factors for complications associated with esophageal foreign-body removal and timing of endoscopic treatment: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Complications from prolonged esophageal foreign body impaction are well-documented, yet the significance of non-foreign body factors has not been thoroughly explored. This study aims to investigate non-foreign body risk factors for complications during esophageal foreign-body removal and to evaluate the impact of treatment timing.

Study: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of patients diagnosed with esophageal foreign bodies requiring gastroscopic removal in our hospital between January 2019 and December 2020.

Metabolomic Profiling of Cerebrospinal Fluid Reveals Metabolite Biomarkers in Tick-Borne Encephalitis Patient.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) can cause life-threatening central nervous system infection. Changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolites may reflect critical aspects of host responses and end-organ damage in neuro infection and neuroinflammation. In this study, we applied an untargeted metabolomics screen of CSF samples to investigate the metabolites profile and explore biomarkers for TBEV infection.

Global Policy and Advocacy Initiatives for Improving Kidney Care: Report from the 2023 ISN-GKHA Study.

Background: National strategies to address chronic kidney disease (CKD) are crucial to support kidney health. Lack of political support in the form of policy decisions and funding leads to fragmentation of kidney care and catastrophic health expenditure. This study used data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to obtain a global overview of the existence and reach of national strategies for kidney care.

Multimodality deep learning radiomics predicts pathological response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and validate a deep-learning radiomics model using CT, T2, and DWI images for predicting pathological complete response (pCR) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).

Materials And Methods: Patients with ESCC undergoing nCRT followed by surgery were retrospectively enrolled from three institutions and divided into training and testing cohorts. Both traditional and deep-learning radiomics features were extracted from pre-treatment CT, T2, and DWI.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on respiratory and gut microbiome stability: a metagenomic investigation in long-term-hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the exploration of microecology has been essential for elucidating the intricacies of infection mechanisms and the recovery of afflicted individuals. To decipher the interplay of microorganisms between the intestinal and respiratory tracts, we collected sputum and throat swabs and feces from COVID-19 patients and explored the mutual migration among intestinal and respiratory microorganisms. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, we investigated intestinal and respiratory microorganism intermigration in two patients with severe COVID-19 during their hospitalization.

Comprehensive evaluation of clinical outcomes in hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma subsets: insights from SEER Database and departmental cohort analysis.

Background: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), is an uncommon, intermediate-grade malignant vascular tumor that can manifest in diverse organs, including the liver, lungs, and bones. Given its unique malignancy profile and rarity, there lacks a consensus on a standardized treatment protocol for EHE, particularly for hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE). This study aims to elucidate factors influencing the clinical prognosis of EHE by analyzing data from the SEER database, complemented with insights from a departmental cohort of 9 HEHE cases.

Exploring the patterns of China's carbon neutrality policies.

To achieve the ambitious carbon neutrality goal by 2060, the Chinese government has implemented a series of carbon neutrality policies. These policy documents are pivotal in facilitating the examination of policy substance, the scrutiny of policy evolution, and the dissection of the policy instruments involved. This study develops an analytical framework for assessing carbon neutrality through policy documents, applying text mining and network analysis to probe the intricacies of policy topics, interagency collaboration, and diffusion dynamics.