Clinical comprehensive evaluation of [F]AlF-FAP-NUR PET: multi-time-point imaging, head-to-head comparison with [F]FDG.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the clinical feasibility of [F]AlF-FAP-NUR, including the pharmacokinetics, radiation dosimetry estimation, and the head-to-head comparison with [F]FDG. The head-to-head comparison study was designed to investigate the radiotracer uptake of [F]AlF-FAP-NUR, to detect the primary and metastatic lesions in patients with various solid cancers, and to compare the results with those of [F]FDG PET/CT. The correlation of FAP-expression (H-scores) and standardized uptake values (SUVs) derived from [F]AlF-FAP-NUR were also included.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Liver Cancer Treatment: Network Pharmacology Research.

Background: As one of the common malignant tumors nowadays, liver cancer has more risk factors for its development and is characterized by a high recurrence rate, high mortality rate, and poor prognosis, which poses a great threat to people's health. The specific efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine is based on clinical practice, which is a high degree of generalization of the characteristics and scope of the clinical effects of prescription medicines and a special form of expression of the medical effects of the human body within the scope of traditional Chinese medicine. Because of its multi-ingredient, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics, it has a great advantage in the treatment of liver cancer.

Robotic assistance for upper cervical instrumentation: report on accuracy and safety.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy and safety of C1 lateral mass and upper cervical pedicle screw placement assisted by the TiRobot II system.

Methods: Ten patients who underwent cervical spine surgery assisted by the TiRobot II system were included. Screw accuracy was assessed using the Gertzbein-Robbins scale and by comparing the final screw positions with pre-planned trajectories.

Causal effects of specific gut microbiota on spinal stenosis diseases: a two-sample mendelian randomization study.

Background: Although recent observational studies and clinical trials have indicated a strong association between the gut microbiota and spinal stenosis diseases, the causal relationship between them remains unclear.

Methods: Based on large-scale genome-wide association studies, we employed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to analyse the causal relationships between the gut microbiota (GM) and 3 spinal stenosis diseases: adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), lumbar spondylolisthesis (LS), and spinal stenosis (SS). MR analysis was performed using the inverse variance weighting (IVW) method as the primary approach, supplemented by MR‒Egger regression, weighted median, and weighted mode analyses.

Preclinical evaluation and first-in-human study of [F]AlF-FAP-NUR for PET imaging cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Background: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has gained attention as a promising molecular target with potential utility for cancer diagnosis and therapy. [Ga]Ga-labeled FAP-targeting peptides have been successfully applied to positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of various tumor types. To meet the applicable demand for peptide-based FAP tracers with high patient throughput, we herein report the radiosynthesis, preclinical evaluation, and the first-in-human imaging of a novel [F]F-labeled FAP-targeting peptide.

Network pharmacology-based investigation and experimental validation of the mechanism of metformin in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Metformin, a widely used anti-diabetic agent, has shown significant anti-cancer properties as reported in in various cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia. However, the detailed mechanisms by which metformin influences acute myeloid leukemia remain unrevealed. Employing a synergistic approach of network pharmacology and experimental validation, this study systematically identifies and analyzes potential metformin targets and AML-related genes.

Development of a mouse model of chronic ventral spinal cord compression: Neurobehavioral, radiological, and pathological changes.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to establish a mouse model of spinal ligament ossification to simulate the chronic spinal cord compression observed in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). The study also aimed to examine the mice's neurobiological, radiological, and pathological changes.

Methods: In the previous study, a genetically modified mouse strain was created using Crispr-Cas9 technology, namely, / (C57/B6 background), to establish the OPLL model.

Association between grip strength and walking pace with incidence of degenerative cervical myelopathy: a UK biobank observational study.

Purpose: This study investigates the association between handgrip strength, walking pace, and the incidence of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using the UK Biobank dataset.

Methods: We analyzed data from 364,716 UK Biobank participants without prior neurological conditions. Handgrip strength was measured with a dynamometer, and walking pace was self-reported.

[Cu]Cu-FAP-NOX, a N-oxalyl modified cyclic peptide for FAP PET imaging with a flexible imaging time window.

Background: The aim of the present study was to develop a novel Cu-labeled cyclic peptide ([Cu]Cu-FAP-NOX) that targets fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and may offer advantages in terms of image contrast, imaging time window, and low uptake in normal tissues.

Methods: The novel cyclic peptide featuring with a N-oxalyl modified tail was constructed and conjugated to NOTA for Cu labeling. Biochemical and cellular assays were performed with A549.

Identification of coagulation diagnostic biomarkers related to the severity of spinal cord injury.

Background: Blood always shows coagulation changes after spinal cord injury (SCI), and identifying these blood changes may be helpful for diagnosis and treatment of SCI. Nevertheless, studies to date on blood coagulation changes after SCI in humans are not comprehensive. Therefore, this study aims to identify blood coagulation diagnostic biomarkers and immune changes related to SCI and its severity levels.

The diagnostic value of [F]FAPI-42 PET/CT for pulmonary artery masses: comparison with [F]FDG PET/CT.

Objectives: To investigate the potential utility of [F]fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for evaluating pulmonary artery (PA) masses, and compare it with [F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT.

Methods: Participants with clinically suspected PA malignancy were prospectively enrolled and underwent dual-tracer PET/CT ([F]FAPI-42 and [F]FDG) imaging. Visual analysis and semi-quantitative parameters were compared between the two types of radiotracers.

[F]FAPI adds value to [F]FDG PET/CT for diagnosing lymph node metastases in stage I-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective study.

Background: This study investigates the value of fluorine 18 ([F])-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) for lymph node (LN) metastases in patients with stage I-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: From November 2021 to October 2022, 53 patients with stage I-IIIA NSCLC who underwent radical resection were prospectively included. [F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and [F]FAPI examinations were performed within one week.

Flexible sensors with zero Poisson's ratio.

Flexible sensors have been developed for the perception of various stimuli. However, complex deformation, usually resulting from forces or strains from multi-axes, can be challenging to measure due to the lack of independent perception of multiaxial stimuli. Herein, flexible sensors based on the metamaterial membrane with zero Poisson's ratio (ZPR) are proposed to achieve independent detection of biaxial stimuli.

Successful treatment of a B/T MPAL patient by chemo-free treatment with venetoclax, azacitidine, and blinatumomab.

B/T mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL), which represents only 2-3% of all MPAL cases, is classified as a high-risk leukemia subtype. Adults diagnosed with B/T MPAL have a notably low 3-year survival rate, estimated at 20-40%. The rarity and undercharacterization of B/T MPAL present substantial challenges in identifying an optimal treatment protocol.

Preclinical study and first-in-human imaging of [F]FAP-2286, and comparison with 2-[F]FDG PET/CT in various cancer patients.

Purpose: Fibroblast-activated protein (FAP) is highly expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) of many solid cancers, but low or absent in normal tissues. Our study aimed to develop a novel FAP-specific tracer, namely [F]FAP-2286, and evaluated its performance in comparison with well-established agents such as [F]FAPI-42 and [Ga]Ga-FAP-2286 in preclinical research, as well as 2-[F]FDG in pilot clinical study.

Methods: [F]FAP-2286 was manually synthesized in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

First-in-human study of PSMA-targeting agent, [F]AlF-P16-093: dosimetry and initial evaluation in prostate cancer patients.

Purpose: This is a first-in-human study to evaluate the radiation dosimetry of a new prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radiopharmaceutical, [F]AlF-P16-093, and also initial investigation of its ability to detect PSMA-positive tumors using PET scans in a cohort of prostate cancer (PCa) patients.

Methods: The [F]AlF-P16-093 was automatically synthesized with a GE TRACERlab. A total of 23 patients with histopathologically proven PCa were prospectively enrolled.

Effect of mechanical stimulation on tissue heterotopic ossification: an experimental study.

Heterotopic ossification of tendons and ligaments (HOTL) is a common clinical condition characterized by the absence of discernible features and a lack of effective treatment. experiments have demonstrated that mechanical stimulation can induce cell differentiation toward osteogenesis, thereby promoting heterotopic ossification. Currently, there are few experimental designs aimed at inducing ligament stretching in mice, and the mechanism of heterotopic ossification may not entirely mirror that observed in clinical cases.

Predictive value of intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound in functional recovery of non-traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of intraoperative CEUS to predict neurological recovery in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Methods: Twenty-six patients with DCM who underwent laminoplasty and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) were included in this prospective study. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scores and MRI were assessed before surgery and 12 months postoperatively.

An innovative approach to assess spinal canal expansion following French-door cervical laminoplasty by intraoperative ultrasonography.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of applying intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) to evaluate spinal canal expansion in patients undergoing French-door cervical laminoplasty (FDCL).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five patients who underwent FDCL for multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy were prospectively recruited. Formulae describing the relationship between laminoplasty opening angle (LOA) and laminoplasty opening size, the increase in sagittal canal diameter and the spinal canal area were deduced with trigonometric functions.

Identification of novel gene signatures and immune cell infiltration in intervertebral disc degeneration using bioinformatics analysis.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the leading cause of lower back pain, and an overall understanding of the molecular mechanisms related to IDD is still lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore gene signatures and immune cell infiltration related to IDD via bioinformatics analysis. A total of five expression profiles of mRNA and non-coding RNA were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.

On-skin biosensors for noninvasive monitoring of postoperative free flaps and replanted digits.

Severe soft tissue defects and amputated digits are clinically common injuries. Primary treatments include surgical free flap transfer and digit replantation, but these can fail because of vascular compromise. Postoperative monitoring is therefore crucial for timely detection of vessel obstruction and survival of replanted digits and free flaps.