Macrophage-induced integrin signaling promotes Schlemm's canal formation to prevent intraocular hypertension and glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Schlemm's canal (SC) functions to maintain proper intraocular pressure (IOP) by draining aqueous humor and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for glaucoma, the second-leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. However, our current understanding of the mechanisms governing SC development and functionality remains limited. Here, we show that vitronectin (VTN) produced by limbal macrophages promotes SC formation and prevents intraocular hypertension by activating integrin αvβ3 signaling.

Damage Evolution and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Sandstone under Freeze-Thaw Cycles.

The deformation and fracture characteristics of rocks under freeze-thaw cycles were investigated by using uniaxial compression tests with acoustic emission (AE) monitoring. The results showed that the sandstone peak stress and elastic modulus decreased with an increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles, and the strain increased significantly. The rates of increase in the total energy and elastic energy decreased with an increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles.

Chylomicrons Regulate Lacteal Permeability and Intestinal Lipid Absorption.

Background: Lymphatic vessels are responsible for tissue drainage, and their malfunction is associated with chronic diseases. Lymph uptake occurs via specialized open cell-cell junctions between capillary lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), whereas closed junctions in collecting LECs prevent lymph leakage. LEC junctions are known to dynamically remodel in development and disease, but how lymphatic permeability is regulated remains poorly understood.

A LASSO-derived clinical score to predict severe acute kidney injury in the cardiac surgery recovery unit: a large retrospective cohort study using the MIMIC database.

Objectives: We aimed to develop an effective tool for predicting severe acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients admitted to the cardiac surgery recovery unit (CSRU).

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-III database, consisting of critically ill participants between 2001 and 2012 in the USA.

Alkali-Induced In Situ Formation of Amorphous NiFe(OH) from a Linear [M(COO)]-Based MOF Template for Overall Electrochemical Water Splitting.

Amorphous and bifunctional electrocatalysts based on 3d transition metals tend to exhibit better performance than their crystalline counterparts and are a promising choice for efficient overall water splitting yet far from being well explored. A 3,6-net metal-organic framework (MOF) of [Ni(bpt)(DMF)(HO)]·1.5DMF (Ni-MOF), based on linear [Ni(COO)] as a node and [1,1'-biphenyl]-3,4',5-tricarboxylic acid (Hbpt) as a linker, was conveniently prepared via a hydrothermal reaction.

Restless legs syndrome and hypertension in men and women: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and hypertension in men and women based on a community-based cohort of middle-aged and elderly participants.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 4080 participants from the Sleep Heart Health study (SHHS). RLS was defined by positive responses on a self-administered questionnaire assessing the four diagnostic criteria, with symptoms occurring at least five times per month and associated with at least moderate distress.

Naples Prognostic Score as a novel prognostic prediction tool in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for early-stage lung cancer: a propensity score matching study.

Backgrounds: The Naples Prognostic Score (NPS) emerges as a novel prognostic scoring system in surgical oncology. We aim to assess the prognostic significance of preoperative NPS in patients undergoing completely video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

Methods: The present study was conducted on our single-center prospectively maintained database between January 2014 and December 2015.

Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction-mediated miR-767 inhibition suppresses tumor progression of non-small cell lung cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have important roles in tumor progression in various human cancers. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD)-mediated gene transfection has been considered a useful tool for improving cancer treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the role of miR-767 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and further analyze the effects of UTMD-mediated miR-767 inhibition on tumor progression.

Serum uric acid to lymphocyte ratio: A novel prognostic biomarker for surgically resected early-stage lung cancer. A propensity score matching analysis.

Backgrounds: This study aims to evaluate the prognostic impact of serum uric acid to lymphocyte ratio (ULR) in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through a propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis.

Methods: This study was carried out based on a prospectively-maintained database in our institution between January 2014 and July 2015. Survival analysis using a log-rank test was performed to distinguish the differences in both overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between the patients stratified according to an optimal cut-point of ULR.

Progression of the Ascending Aortic Diameter After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Based on Computed Tomography Images.

Objectives: The natural history of ascending aortic diameter after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has not been investigated. Our aim was to determine the progression of ascending aortic diameter in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods: We retrospectively included 134 patients undergoing TAVI for aortic stenosis at our institution from June 2012 to November 2016, including 79 patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and 55 patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV).

Albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio as a novel prognostic indicator for patients undergoing minimally invasive lung cancer surgery: Propensity score matching analysis using a prospective database.

Objectives: To evaluate prognostic significance of albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) for patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by a propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis.

Methods: This PSM study was conducted on the prospectively-maintained database in our institution between December 2013 and March 2015. Overall survival analyses and further subgroup analyses were both performed to distinguish the differences in postoperative survival between patients stratified by an optimal cutoff of AAPR.

Diabetes mellitus is an independent prognostic factor for mid-term and long-term survival following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Prior studies have proposed the unfavourable roles of diabetes mellitus (DM) in surgical populations. For patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation, the prognostic value of DM remains controversial. This review summarizes the effects of DM on short-term, mid-term and long-term prognosis in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Comparison of procedural, clinical and valve performance results of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with bicuspid versus tricuspid aortic stenosis.

Background: Limited date describing the procedural, clinical and valve performance results of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with bicuspid versus tricuspid aortic stenosis (TAV).

Methods: Procedural and clinical results were defined and reported according to VARC-2 criteria.

Results: Consecutive 87 patients with BAV and 70 patients with TAV were included.

The 'obesity paradox' does exist in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation for aortic stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Most recent studies have proposed the paradoxical benefits of obesity in surgical populations. For patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for aortic stenosis, the prognostic roles of obesity and high body mass index remain controversial. Therefore, the objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the 'obesity paradox' exists in patients undergoing TAVI.

Prevalence and Complications of Bicuspid Aortic Valve in Chinese According to Echocardiographic Database.

As transcatheter aortic valve replacement has become an alternative treatment for patients at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement, bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) draws our attention again. The reported frequency of BAV was 0.5% to 2% in western population.

Does the fissureless technique decrease the incidence of prolonged air leak after pulmonary lobectomy?

A best evidence topic in cardiothoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the fissureless technique can reduce the incidence of prolonged air leak (PAL) after pulmonary lobectomy. Altogether 18 papers were found using the reported search, of which 1 prospective randomized study and 4 retrospective cohort studies represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

The Prognosis of Patients With Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease Versus Normal Arteries Determined by Invasive Coronary Angiography or Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography: A Systematic Review.

Limited data exist regarding the outcomes of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) detected by computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) or invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Our aim was to compare the prognosis of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery plaques with that of patients with entirely normal arteries. The MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched.

The efficacy and safety of prehospital therapeutic hypothermia in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The benefit of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) to patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been well established. However, the effect of prehospital cooling remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of prehospital TH for OHCA patients by conducting a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

NBS1 Glu185Gln polymorphism and cancer risk: update on current evidence.

A number of studies have investigated the association between NBS1 Glu185Gln (rs1805794, E185Q) polymorphism and cancer risk, but the results remained controversial. Previous meta-analysis found a borderline significant impact of this polymorphism on cancer risk; however, the result might be relatively unreliable due to absence of numerous newly published studies. Thus, we conducted an updated meta-analysis.