Prevalence and predictors of left atrial thrombus in patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Unlike non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation (AF), where left atrial thrombus (LAT) is predominantly confined to the left atrial appendage (LAA), a significant proportion of LAT in rheumatic AF occurs within the left atrial cavity (LAC). However, LAC thrombosis in rheumatic AF has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of LAT and its subtypes and identify potential predictors of LAT.

Impact of cancer-related fatigue on quality of life in patients with cancer: multiple mediating roles of psychological coherence and stigma.

Objective: The goal of this current research was to explore the impact of cancer-related fatigue on the quality of life among patients with cancer, as well as the multiple mediating roles of psychological coherence and stigma.

Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional design. A questionnaire was administered between November 2022 and May 2023 to 364 patients with cancer in two tertiary hospitals in Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, China.

Fractional CO Laser to Treat Surgical Scars: A System Review and Meta-Analysis on Optimal Timing.

Background: Surgical scars with textural changes can be disfiguring and uncomfortable for patients. Various laser therapies have shown promise in softening and flattening these scars. Therefore, the authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of fractional CO laser in treating surgical scars.

Biocompatible dually reinforced gellan gum hydrogels with selective antibacterial activity.

The poor mechanics and functionality of natural-polymer hydrogels from gellan gum (GG) prohibit their practical application, despite the intrinsic thermo-reversible gelation nature, structural and quality consistency, biocompatibility, biodegradability and sustainability of microbial fermentation-produced GG. Herein, a dual-reinforcing strategy, i.e.

Exploring genetic mapping and co-expression patterns to illuminate significance of Tbx20 in cardiac biology.

The transcription factor Tbx20 is integral to heart development and plays a significant role in various cardiac diseases. Despite its established importance, the regulatory mechanisms and functional significance of Tbx20 remain incompletely understood. To elucidate these mechanisms, we initially conducted eQTL mapping to identify genetic loci associated with Tbx20 expression in heart tissue from BXD mice.