Cancer-associated fibroblasts regulate mitochondrial metabolism and inhibit chemosensitivity via ANGPTL4-IQGAP1 axis in prostate cancer.

Introduction: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a critical component of the tumor microenvironment, being implicated in enhancing tumor growth and fostering drug resistance. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying their function in prostate cancer (PCa) remain incompletely understood, which is essential for devising effective therapeutic strategies.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to explore the mechanisms by which CAFs mediate PCa growth and chemoresistance.

Value of Carbon-Ion Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer.

To explore the challenges and future of carbon-ion radiation therapy (CIRT) in breast cancer, we summarized the progress of nonclinical and clinical studies on CIRT for breast cancer in this review. A total of 6 nonclinical studies have been reported, which demonstrated a better effect of Carbon-ion irradiation compared with X-ray in breast cancer cell lines (including triple-negative breast cancer and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-negative breast cancer). Combination with Hh inhibitor, dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and PARP inhibitor is promising as demonstrated in the in vitro studies.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote enzalutamide resistance and PD-L1 expression in prostate cancer through CCL5-CCR5 paracrine axis.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been shown to play a key role in prostate cancer treatment resistance, but the role of CAFs in the initial course of enzalutamide therapy for prostate cancer remains unclear. Our research revealed that CAFs secrete CCL5, which promotes the upregulation of androgen receptor (AR) expression in prostate cancer cells, leading to resistance to enzalutamide therapy. Furthermore, CCL5 also enhances the expression of tumor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), resulting in immune escape.

Pixel-by-pixel correction of beam hardening artifacts by bowtie filter in fan-beam CT.

. Beam hardening (BH) artifacts in computed tomography (CT) images originate from the polychromatic nature of x-ray photons. In a CT system with a bowtie filter, residual BH artifacts remain when polynomial fits are used.

Long-term prognosis and its associated predictive factors in patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

Background: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a chronic recurrent disease with abnormal eosinophilic infiltration in the gastrointestinal tract. Glucocorticoids remain the most common treatment method. However, disease relapse and glucocorticoid dependence remain notable problems.

The Experiences of Female Partners of Patients With Erectile Dysfunction Due to Prostate Cancer Treatment in China: A Qualitative Exploration.

Background: Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.

Interventions/methods: In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China.

Virtual computed-tomography system for deep-learning-based material decomposition.

Material decomposition (MD) evaluates the elemental composition of human tissues and organs via computed tomography (CT) and is indispensable in correlating anatomical images with functional ones. A major issue in MD is inaccurate elemental information about the real human body. To overcome this problem, we developed a virtual CT system model, by which various reconstructed images can be generated based on ICRP110 human phantoms with information about six major elements (H, C, N, O, P, and Ca).

Integration of an Intensive Care Unit Visualization Dashboard (i-Dashboard) as a Platform to Facilitate Multidisciplinary Rounds: Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Multidisciplinary rounds (MDRs) are scheduled, patient-focused communication mechanisms among multidisciplinary providers in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Objective: i-Dashboard is a custom-developed visualization dashboard that supports (1) key information retrieval and reorganization, (2) time-series data, and (3) display on large touch screens during MDRs. This study aimed to evaluate the performance, including the efficiency of prerounding data gathering, communication accuracy, and information exchange, and clinical satisfaction of integrating i-Dashboard as a platform to facilitate MDRs.

Physical density estimations of single- and dual-energy CT using material-based forward projection algorithm: a simulation study.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of physical density prediction in single-energy CT (SECT) and dual-energy CT (DECT) by adapting a fully simulation-based method using a material-based forward projection algorithm (MBFPA).

Methods: We used biological tissues referenced in ICRU Report 44 and tissue substitutes to prepare three different types of phantoms for calibrating the Hounsfield unit (HU)-to-density curves. Sinograms were first virtually generated by the MBFPA with four representative energy spectra ( 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 120 kVp, and 6 MVp) and then reconstructed to form realistic CT images by adding statistical noise.

kV-kV and kV-MV DECT based estimation of proton stopping power ratio - a simulation study.

Purpose: This study aims to estimate the proton stopping power ratio (SPR) by using 80-120 kV and 120 kV-6 MV dual-energy CT (DECT) in a fully simulation-based approach for proton therapy dose calculations.

Methods: Based on a virtual CT system, a two-step approach is applied to obtain the reference attenuation coefficient for image reconstruction. The effective atomic number (EAN) and electron density ratio (EDR) are estimated from two CT scans.

Review of Deep Learning Based Automatic Segmentation for Lung Cancer Radiotherapy.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality for males and females. Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the primary treatment modalities for lung cancer. While delivering the prescribed dose to tumor targets, it is essential to spare the tissues near the targets-the so-called organs-at-risk (OARs).

HHLA2 and PD-L1 co-expression predicts poor prognosis in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Although clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is well known as a highly immunogenic tumor, only a small subset of patients could benefit from current immunotherapy, which might be due to the heterogeneity of immune microenvironment in ccRCC. So, it is meaningful to explore novel immunotherapy or combination therapy for improving therapeutic efficacy. HHLA2, a newly discovered B7 family member, is prevalently expressed in numerous tumors, including ccRCC.

High Prevalence of HBV Lamivudine-Resistant Mutations in HBV/HIV Co-Infected Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy in the Area with the Highest Prevalence of HIV/HBV Co-Infection in China.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) drug-resistant mutations in patients co- infected with HBV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including both drug-naïve subjects and those who received antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Guangxi, where the prevalence of HIV/HBV co-infection is highest in China.

Methods: Two hundred and three subjects co-infected with HBV/HIV were recruited, including 123 drug-naïve patients (group 1) and 80 who received ART (group 2). The polymerase gene of HBV in the serum of all study subjects was analysed.

Des-γ carboxyprothrombin may not be a good biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma in those chronically infected with hepatitis B virus with basal core promoter double mutations (T^{1762}, A^{1764}), a prospective study.

Background: The accuracy of des-γ -carboxyprothrombin (DCP) in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in those infected hepatitis B virus (HBV) from cross-sectional or case-control studies is contradictory.

Objective: To resolve this contradiction using a prospective study.

Methods: Three hundred male individuals persistently infected with HBV were recruited from the Chinese cohort and followed up once per year from 2012 to 2015.

Higher prevalence of cancer related mutations 1762T/1764A and PreS deletions in hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolated from HBV/HIV co-infected compared to HBV-mono-infected Chinese adults.

In the era of combination therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are the major causes of death for patients co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV. However, the mechanisms remain obscure. We aimed to determine whether HCC-related HBV mutations including 1762T/1764A double mutation and pre-S deletions occur more frequently in HBV/HIV co-infected individuals compared to HBV mono-infected individuals.

Hepatitis B Virus Core Promoter Double Mutations (A1762T, G1764A) Are Associated with Lower Levels of Serum Dihydrolipoyl Dehydrogenase.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify serum proteins with differential concentrations between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and HBsAg asymptomatic carriers among individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) with basal core promoter (BCP) double mutations (A1762T, G1764A).

Methods: iTRAQ and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify differentially expressed protein, and an ELISA test was used for the validation test.

Results: The total number of proteins identified was 1,125, of which 239 showed statistically significant differences in their expression.

Occult HBV Infection May Be Transmitted through Close Contact and Manifest as an Overt Infection.

The importance of transmission of occult HBV infection (OBI) via transfusion, organ transplantation and hemodialysis has been widely recognized. However, data regarding the transmission of OBI through close contact remain limited. In this study, serum samples were obtained from a child and his parents.

Association of anti-acidic ribosomal protein P0 and anti-galectin 3 antibodies with the development of skin lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The specific autoantibodies and antigens that mediate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related organ injuries remain largely unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the antibody-mediated immune response that leads to SLE skin lesions.

Methods: The study included 85 SLE patients with lupus-specific skin lesions and 31 without skin lesions.

Correlation of cutaneous immunoreactants in lesional skin with the serological disorders and disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Detection of immunoreactants including IgG, IgM, IgA, and C3 by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) from skin is useful for distinguishing lupus lesions from other skin disorders. Despite their diagnostic value, the type and number of cutaneous immunoreactants as they relate to serological disorders and disease severity has been poorly studied. We examined 36 patients with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) with positive DIF (DIF+) and 28 patients with negative DIF (DIF-) tests performed on lesional skin.