Evaluating the efficacy of percutaneous puncture biopsy guided by contrast-enhanced ultrasound for peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Background: The incidence and mortality of lung cancer have increased annually. Accurate diagnosis can help improve therapeutic efficacy of interventions and prognosis. Percutaneous lung biopsy is a reliable method for the clinical diagnosis of lung cancer.

Prediction of Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft From Preoperative Serum Uric Acid.

Objective: To examine the association of an elevated level of uric acid (UA) in the bloodstream with an increased likelihood of acute kidney injury (AKI) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

Design: Retrospective cohort study using a multivariate logistic regression model.

Setting: Single institution.

[Improvement effect of Shegan Mahuang Decoction on rats with cold-induced asthma based on TRPV1/NRF-1/mtTFA pathway].

This study investigated the therapeutic effect of Shegan Mahuang Decoction(SGMHD) on cold-induced asthma in rats and explored its underlying mechanism. Seventy-two healthy male SD rats of specific pathogen free(SPF) grade were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a positive control group(dexamethasone, 0.4 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-, medium-, and high-dose SGMHD groups(3.

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia and surgical site infections after liver resection.

Background: In the overall surgical population, inadvertent perioperative hypothermia has been associated with an increased incidence of surgical site infection (SSI). However, recent clinical trials did not validate this notion. This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between inadvertent perioperative hypothermia and SSIs following liver resection.

Persistent postoperative hypotension caused by subclinical empty sella syndrome after a simple surgery: A case report.

Background: Empty sella is an anatomical and radiological finding of the herniation of the subarachnoid space into the pituitary fossa leading to a flattened pituitary gland. Patients with empty sella may present with various symptoms, including headache due to intracranial hypertension and endocrine symptoms related to the specific pituitary hormones affected. Here, we report a female patient who developed persistent postoperative hypotension caused by subclinical empty sella syndrome after a simple surgery.

Can Velopharyngeal MRI be Used in Individuals with Orthodontic Devices?

Objective: To evaluate the influence of common pediatric orthodontic appliances on velopharyngeal (VP) MRI and to compare MR image sequences to determine if sequence parameters impact the visibility of key VP structures commonly assessed in clinical VP MRI.

Design: Participants undergoing orthodontic treatment completed a VP MRI study. Level of distortion caused by orthodontic devices on 8 anatomical sites of interest and using variable MRI sequences was evaluated.

Quantification of ectopic fat storage in the liver and pancreas using six-point Dixon MRI and its association with insulin sensitivity and β-cell function in patients with central obesity.

Objectives: To assess the association of ectopic fat deposition in the liver and pancreas quantified by Dixon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with insulin sensitivity and β-cell function in patients with central obesity.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study of 143 patients with central obesity with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes (PreD), and untreated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was conducted between December 2019 and March 2022. All participants underwent routine medical history taking, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory tests, including a standard glucose tolerance test to quantify insulin sensitivity and β-cell function.

Combination of ultrasound-guided percutaneous A1 pulley release and intra-tendon sheath injection improves the therapeutic outcomes in adult trigger finger patients.

Aim: This study aimed to use high-frequency ultrasound guidance to compare the efficacy of percutaneous release combined with intra-tendon sheath injection (PR-ITSI) and percutaneous release only (PR-ONLY) in the treatment of adult trigger finger (TF) patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 48 patients were randomly divided into PR-ITSI group and PR-ONLY group. The thickness of the A1 pulley was measured prior to surgery and 1-year after surgery.

[Research progress of Shegan Mahuang Decoction and predictive analysis on its Q-markers].

Shegan Mahuang Decoction has been used in clinical practice for thousands of years, and is a classical formula for treating asthma and other respiratory diseases, with the effects of ventilating lung, dispersing cold, and relieving cough and asthma. This paper summarized the history, clinical application and mechanism of Shegan Mahuang Decoction, and predicted its quality markers(Q-markers) based on the "five principles" of Q-markers. The results suggested that irisflorentin, tectoridin, tectorigenin, irigenin, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, asarinin, methyleugenol, shionone, epifriedelanol, tussilagone, 6-gingerol, trigonelline, cavidine, schizandrin, and schizandrin B could be used as Q-markers of Shegan Mahuang Decoction, which provided a basis for the quality control and subsequent research and development of Shegan Mahuang Decoction.

Analysis and validation of diagnostic biomarkers and immune cell infiltration characteristics in pediatric sepsis by integrating bioinformatics and machine learning.

Background: Pediatric sepsis is a complicated condition characterized by life-threatening organ failure resulting from a dysregulated host response to infection in children. It is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, and rapid detection and administration of antimicrobials have been emphasized. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic biomarkers of pediatric sepsis and the function of immune cell infiltration in the development of this illness.

A signature of immune-related genes correlating with clinical prognosis and immune microenvironment in sepsis.

Background: Immune-related genes (IRGs) remain poorly understood in their function in the onset and progression of sepsis.

Methods: GSE65682 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The IRGs associated with survival were screened for subsequent modeling using univariate Cox regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator in the training cohort.

Expert consensus on the monitoring and treatment of sepsis-induced immunosuppression.

Emerged evidence has indicated that immunosuppression is involved in the occurrence and development of sepsis. To provide clinical practice recommendations on the immune function in sepsis, an expert consensus focusing on the monitoring and treatment of sepsis-induced immunosuppression was developed. Literature related to the immune monitoring and treatment of sepsis were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure to design items and expert opinions were collected through an online questionnaire.

Altered intrinsic brain activity and connectivity in unaffected parents of individuals with autism spectrum disorder: a resting-state fMRI study.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a juvenile onset neurodevelopmental disorder with social impairment and stereotyped behavior as the main symptoms. Unaffected relatives may also exhibit similar ASD features due to genetic factors. Although previous studies have demonstrated atypical brain morphological features as well as task-state brain function abnormalities in unaffected parents with ASD children, it remains unclear the pattern of brain function in the resting state.

Human Neutrophil Defensins Disrupt Liver Interendothelial Junctions and Aggravate Sepsis.

Human neutrophil peptides 1-3 (HNP1-3), also known as human -defensins, are the most abundant neutrophil granule proteins. The genes that encode HNP1-3, , exhibit extensive copy number variations, which correlate well with their protein levels. Human and mouse studies have shown that increased copy numbers of worsen sepsis outcomes.

Human defensin-inspired discovery of peptidomimetic antibiotics.

SignificanceWe report the development of peptidomimetic antibiotics derived from a natural antimicrobial peptide, human α-defensin 5. By engaging multiple bacterial targets, the lead compound is efficacious in vitro and in vivo against bacteria with highly inducible antibiotic resistance, promising a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

TREM2 Dictates Antibacterial Defense and Viability of Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages during Bacterial Infection.

Macrophages undergo profound metabolic reprogramming to join key immunoregulatory functions, which can be initiated by pattern recognition receptors. TREM2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2), a macrophage phagocytic receptor, plays pivotal roles in sepsis by enhancing bacterial clearance, which is associated with regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, how intracellular ROS participate in TREM2-mediated bactericidal activity remains unclear.

Lateral position intubation followed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided angiotherapy in acute esophageal variceal rupture: A case report.

Background: Massive esophageal variceal bleeding can be catastrophic, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Patients experiencing massive esophageal variceal bleeding are at high risk of aspiration and hemorrhagic shock in acute episodes. Intubation and bleeding control are the two essential steps for resuscitation of these patients.

Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-2 Protects Aged Mice Against Sepsis by Mitigating the IL-23/IL-17A Response.

Background: Advancing age is an independent predictor of mortality in septic patients. Recent animal studies were unable to reflect this clinical pathophysiological process, largely hampering the development of new efficacious therapies. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM-2) is a novel immune regulator with multiple activities.

Application of Chinese Medicine in the Management of Critical Conditions: A Review on Sepsis.

Critical care medicine is a medical specialty engaging the diagnosis and treatment of critically ill patients who have or are likely to have life-threatening organ failure. Sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body responds to infection, is currently the major cause of death in intensive care units (ICU). Although progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of sepsis, many drawbacks in sepsis treatment remains unresolved.

Sarcomatoid intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma mimicking liver abscess: A case report.

Background: Sarcomatoid intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (SICC) is an extremely rare and highly invasive malignant tumor of the liver. To our knowledge, the imaging findings of sarcomatous cholangiocarcinoma have been rarely reported; and radiological features of this tumor mimicking liver abscess have not yet been reported.

Case Summary: We present a case of SICC mimicking liver abscess.

Characterization of breast lesions using diffusion kurtosis model-based imaging: An initial experience.

Objective: To investigate the characterization of breast lesions using diffusion kurtosis model-based imaging.

Methods: This prospective study included 120 consecutive patients underwent preoperative DCE-MRI examinations and multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Among them, 88 malignant lesions and 44 benign lesions were detected, 56 normal fibroglandular breast tissue were selected as normal control.

Single-lung transplantation for pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: A case report.

Background: Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare idiopathic lung disease characterized by the accumulation of innumerable microliths. Currently, effective therapeutics for PAM are not available, and the only treatment for end-stage lung disease is lung transplantation (LuTx). Further, there are few reports that focus on LuTx for the treatment of PAM, and the follow-up reports of postoperative imaging are even rarer.

Airway Epithelial Hepcidin Coordinates Lung Macrophages and Immunity Against Bacterial Pneumonia.

Background: Hepcidin is a liver-derived master regulator of iron metabolism through its molecular target ferroportin, the only known mammalian iron exporter. Accumulated evidence has shown the important roles of hepatic hepcidin in host defense and infections. Hepcidin is also expressed by airway epithelial cells.

Clinical use of low-dose aspirin for elders and sensitive subjects.

The use of low-dose aspirin (LDA) has been a common preventive measure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. This is attributed to aspirin's ability to inhibit platelet activation. On the other hand, the use of LDA in human subjects has been associated with the development of gastrointestinal injuries like ulcer and bleeding, especially for those sensitive subjects such as elder human subjects.