Combination therapy of low-dose radiotherapy and immunotherapy in advanced metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

Background: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a common head and neck malignant tumor, which is difficult to treat at the advanced NPC due to its occult and high metastatic potential to the cervical lymph nodes and distant organs. Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) is increasingly being investigated for potential cancer treatment. When combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, LDRT has been shown to significantly improve the immune microenvironment of tumors, thereby promote the immune attack on tumor cells.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus Morphology Changes in Preterm Neonates Undergoing Transcatheter Device Closure.

Evaluate patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) morphology changes in the preterm neonate undergoing transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC). We propose the type F ductus is associated with lower corrected gestational age (CGA) and improved TCPC outcomes. Retrospective review of premature neonates undergoing TCPC at a large volume institution from November 2020 to November 2023.

Taiwanese fathers' experiences following the death of a child to cancer.

This study descried the experiences of fathers who had lost a child to cancer. The participants were eight fathers whose children died following cancer treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and content analysis identified six major themes: (1) accompanying their child on the final journey home, (2) stabilizing family life, (3) coping with unbearable grief, 4) maintaining the memory and continuing the bond, (5) reflecting on the regrets and contradictions of the treatment process, (6) finding new meaning, and cherishing the present.

Gastric Cancer Models Developed via GelMA 3D Bioprinting Accurately Mimic Cancer Hallmarks, Tumor Microenvironment Features, and Drug Responses.

Current in vitro models for gastric cancer research, such as 2D cell cultures and organoid systems, often fail to replicate the complex extracellular matrix (ECM) found in vivo. For the first time, this study utilizes a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel, a biomimetic ECM-like material, in 3D bioprinting to construct a physiologically relevant gastric cancer model. GelMA's tunable mechanical properties allow for the precise manipulation of cellular behavior within physiological ranges.

Interfacial Water Orientation in Neutral Oxygen Catalysis for Reversible Ampere-scale Zinc-air Batteries.

The neutral oxygen catalysis is an electrochemical reaction of the utmost importance in energy generation, storage application, and chemical synthesis. However, the restricted availability of protons poses a challenge to achieving kinetically favorable oxygen catalytic reactions. Here, we alter the interfacial water orientation by adjusting the Brønsted acidity at the catalyst surface, to break the proton transfer limitation of neutral oxygen electrocatalysis.

Injection of ROS-Responsive Hydrogel Loaded with IL-1β-targeted nanobody for ameliorating myocardial infarction.

The cardiac microenvironment profoundly restricts the efficacy of myocardial regeneration tactics for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). A prospective approach for MI therapeutics encompasses the combined strategy of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) to alleviate oxidative stress injury and facilitating macrophage polarization towards the regenerative M2 phenotype. In this investigation, we fabricated a ROS-sensitive hydrogel engineered to deliver our previously engineered IL-1β-VHH for myocardial restoration.

Fluid volume status detection model for patients with heart failure based on machine learning methods.

Backgroud: Fluid volume abnormalities are a major cause of exacerbations in heart failure patients. However, there is few efficient, rapid, or cost-effective clinical approach for determining volume status, resulting in inadequate or unsatisfactory treatment. The aim was to develop an early fluid volume detection model for heart failure patients utilizing a machine learning stratification.

The therapeutic potential of apigenin against atherosclerosis.

Apigenin is a natural flavonoid abundantly found in fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants. It possesses protective effects against cancer, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, etc. Atherosclerosis, a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease, is the underlying cause of coronary heart disease, stroke, and myocardial infarction.

Regulatory role of lnc-MAP3K13-3:1 on miR-6894-3p and SHROOM2 in modulating cellular dynamics in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent primary liver malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in therapeutic strategies, the 5-year survival rate for individuals undergoing curative resection remains between 10% and 15%. Consequently, identifying molecular targets that specifically inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells is critical for improving treatment outcomes.

Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening identifies ITGA8 responsible for abivertinib sensitivity in lung adenocarcinoma.

The emergence of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has improved the prognosis for lung cancer patients with EGFR-driven mutations. However, acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs poses a significant challenge to the treatment. Overcoming the resistance has primarily focused on developing next-generation targeted therapies based on the molecular mechanisms of resistance or inhibiting the activation of bypass pathways to suppress or reverse the resistance.

A prognostic survival model based on endocrine-related gene expression in acute myelogenous leukemia.

Accurate prediction of survival in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is challenging. Therefore, we developed a predictive survival model using endocrine-related gene expression to identify an endocrine signature for accurate stratification of AML prognosis. RNA matrices and clinical data for AML were downloaded from a training dataset (GEO) and two validation datasets (TCGA and TARGET).

Construction and validation of a nomogram prediction model for internal fixation failure after proximal femoral anti-rotation intramedullary nailing in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur.

The aim was to study the independent risk factors of internal fixation failure in proximal femoral anti-rotation intramedullary nailing for intertrochanteric femur fracture, and to build a nomogram prediction model accordingly. Clinical data of patients with intertrochanteric femoral rotor fractures admitted to the First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District from January 2018 to January 2023 were retrospectively collected. The occurrence of spiral blade cut out, internal fixation breakage, peri-internal fixation fracture, hip internal rotation deformity, and fracture nonunion within 1 year after surgery were included in the internal fixation failure group, and the rest were included in the internal fixation success group.

Peficitinib suppresses diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumor by targeting TYK2 and JAK/STAT signaling.

Diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumor (dTGCT) is a destructive but rare benign proliferative synovial neoplasm. Although surgery is currently the main treatment modality for dTGCT, the recurrence risk is up to 50%. Therefore, there is a great need for effective drugs against dTGCT with minor side effects.

FSD1 inhibits glioblastoma diffuse infiltration through restriction of HDAC6-mediated microtubule deacetylation.

The infiltration of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is predominantly characterized by diffuse spread, contributing significantly to therapy resistance and recurrence of GBM. In this study, we reveal that microtubule deacetylation, mediated through the downregulation of fibronectin type III and SPRY domain-containing 1 (FSD1), plays a pivotal role in promoting GBM diffuse infiltration. FSD1 directly interacts with histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) at its second catalytic domain, thereby impeding its deacetylase activity on α-tubulin and preventing microtubule deacetylation and depolymerization.

Deep Learning to Simulate Contrast-Enhanced MRI for Evaluating Suspected Prostate Cancer.

Background Multiparametric MRI, including contrast-enhanced sequences, is recommended for evaluating suspected prostate cancer, but concerns have been raised regarding potential contrast agent accumulation and toxicity. Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of generating simulated contrast-enhanced MRI from noncontrast MRI sequences using deep learning and to explore their potential value for assessing clinically significant prostate cancer using Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2.1.

Unveiling Microscopic Variations during Photodynamic Therapy via Polarity-Responsive Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging.

Photodynamic therapy is a highly promising method for cancer adjuvant treatment. However, the current research on the microscopic changes during the photodynamic therapy process is still quite limited, which seriously impedes the deep understanding of the procedure. For this purpose, a novel polarity-responsive probe, , with excellent mitochondrial targeting and anchoring capabilities has been rationally designed and synthesized.

The Protective Effects of Annexin A1 in Acute Lung Injury Mediated by Nrf2.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI), one of the most severe respiratory system diseases, is prevalent worldwide. Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is an important member of the annexin superfamily, known for its wide range of physiological functions. However, its potential protective effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI remains unclear.

Comprehensive analyses reveal the promising value of gasdermins as prognostic biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: In several studies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), the regulation of tumorigenesis and therapeutic sensitivity by pyroptosis has been observed. However, a systematic analysis of gasdermin family members (GSDMs, including GSDMA/B/C/D/E and PJVK), which are deterministic executors of pyroptosis, has not yet been reported in HNSC.

Methods: We performed comprehensive analyses of the expression profile, prognostic value, regulatory network, and immune infiltration modulation of GSDMs in HNSC on the basis of a computational approach and bioinformatic analysis of publicly available datasets.

Creating an extracellular matrix-like three-dimension structure to enhance the corrosion resistance and biological responses of titanium implants.

Background/purpose: Titanium (Ti) is extensively used in dental and orthopedic implants due to its excellent mechanical properties. However, its smooth and biologically inert surface does not support the ingrowth of new bone, and Ti ions may have adverse biological effects. The purpose is to improve the corrosion resistance of titanium and create a 3D structured coating to enhance osseointegration through a very simple and fast surface treatment.

Photo-curing hyaluronic acid-Janus antibacterial packs as O generator precisely modulate the infectious microenvironment for antibiotic-free periodontal therapy.

Periodontal disease stands the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. While scaling and root planning is considered the "gold standard" treatment, it is often insufficient in efficiently eliminating anaerobic bacteria from deep periodontal pockets. In this work, an antibiotic-free and photo-curing hyaluronic acid-Janus (H-Janus) antibacterial pack was developed to inhibit the growth and colonization of residual bacteria within the pockets for reducing the recurrence of periodontitis.

STAT6 deficiency mitigates the severity of pulmonary arterial hypertension caused by chronic intermittent hypoxia by suppressing Th2-inducing cytokines.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is frequently associated with increased incidence and mortality of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The immune response contributes to pulmonary artery remodeling and OSA-related diseases. The immunologic factors linked to OSA-induced PH are not well understood.

Efficacy and safety of indocyanine green fluorescence navigation versus conventional laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging technology is increasingly widely used in laparoscopic hepatectomy. However, previous studies have produced conflicting results regarding whether it is truly superior to traditional laparoscopic hepatectomy. This study investigated the clinical effect of laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using ICG imaging technology.

Coacervate vesicles assembled by liquid-liquid phase separation improve delivery of biopharmaceuticals.

Vesicles play critical roles in cellular materials storage and signal transportation, even in the formation of organelles and cells. Natural vesicles are composed of a lipid layer that forms a membrane for the enclosure of substances inside. Here we report a coacervate vesicle formed by the liquid-liquid phase separation of cholesterol-modified DNA and histones.