Chronobiological variations of acute aortic dissection in a Northwest Chinese population.

Background: The prevalence of acute aortic dissection (AAD) has been gradually increasing in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the circadian variations of AAD onset in a northwest Chinese population and provide scientific insights for AAD prevention.

Methods: The clinical data of 1,145 AAD patients admitted to our hospital between January 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively collected, and the periodic features of AAD were analyzed.

Efficacy and safety of regorafenib in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy as second-line and third-line regimen for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study.

Background: Despite the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is an unmet need regarding subsequent treatments in patients that fail ICI. Regorafenib is a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitor, which could increase programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in tumors and increase intra-tumoral CD8 T-cell infiltration by normalizing the cancer vasculature and improving the efficacy of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody. Thus, we evaluated the combination of regorafenib and a PD-1 inhibitor for advanced HCC patients that had failed combined tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) plus ICI.

A predictive role of C-reactive protein in colorectal cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis from 780,985 participants and 11,289 cancer cases.

Purpose: This meta-analysis is aimed at understanding the potential role of circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) in the prediction of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and the potential effect of relevant variables, with specific concern to determine the incorporation of CRP into a CRC risk prediction model.

Methods: Relevant articles on the association between circulating CRP and CRC risk were searched from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews through August 2022. Random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled relative risk (RR) for the highest versus lowest CRP categories.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors plus capecitabine and oxaliplatin in unresectable or advanced biliary tract cancer patients: A retrospective study.

Objective: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently been increasingly used in cancer treatment, whereas their clinical application in biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients is uncommon. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICIs plus capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) in the treatment of BTC patients.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 26 unresectable or advanced BTC patients who received ICIs plus CAPOX.

-3 PUFA can reduce IL-6 and TNF levels in patients with cancer.

Current studies on inhibitory effects of -3 PUFA on pro-inflammatory cytokines have inconsistent results. Thus, a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was conducted to identify the effects of -3 PUFA administration on circulating IL-6 and TNF in patients with cancer. Studies that examined the effects of -3 PUFA administration on circulating IL-6 and TNF in patients with cancer were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE from January 1975 to February 2021.

The liver X receptor agonist T0901317 reduces the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells induced by polyhexamethylene guanidine through inhibition of the NFκB signaling pathway.

Background: As a kind of disinfectant, polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) can cause pulmonary inflammation. In addition to liver X receptors (LXRs) playing an important role in cholesterol and lipid metabolism, it has also been found to be involved in inflammation in recent years. This article explores the role of LXRs agonist T0901317 in the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells induced by PHMG.

Influence of different phytoremediation on soil microbial diversity and community composition in saline-alkaline land.

Soil salinization is one main environmental factor restricting plant growth and agricultural productivity. However, phytoremediation is one of the important means to improve saline-alkali soil by planting halophytes or salt-tolerant plants. In order to study whether there are differences among soil microorganisms in different phytoremediation, the effects of four plants, including alfalfa (MX), oil sunflower (YK), maize (YM) and ryegrass (HMC) on soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activity and microbial community diversity and composition were investigated in this study and the relationships between microbial community structure and soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activity were analyzed.

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Can Reduce C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

ABSTRACTSOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) possess anti-inflammatory properties. There is a lack of consensus regarding the effects of omega-3 PUFAs on C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, in cancer patients. Herein, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted to evaluate the effects of omega-3 PUFAs on CRP levels in patients with cancer.

One-stop hybrid surgery for treatment of complex Stanford type B aortic dissection.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and prognosis of one-stop hybrid surgery using the elephant trunk procedure for treatment of complex Stanford type B aortic dissection.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent surgical treatment from January 2014 to July 2019. The patients were divided into those who underwent the elephant trunk procedure (n = 10) and those who underwent one-stop hybrid surgery (n = 10).

High endemicity of alveolar echinococcosis in Yili Prefecture, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, the People's Republic of China: Infection status in different ethnic communities and in small mammals.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a life-threatening disease in humans caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. The tapeworm is transmitted between small mammals and dogs/foxes in the Northern Hemisphere. In this study 286 AE cases were reported from eight counties and one city in Yili Prefecture, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, the People's Republic of China from 1989 to 2015 with an annual incidence (AI) of 0.

Clinical characteristics of re-hospitalized COVID-19 patients with recurrent positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA: a retrospective study.

At present, it has been noticed that some patients recovered from COVID-19 present a recurrent positive RNA test of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) after being discharged from hospitals. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the clinical features of re-hospitalized patients with recurrent SARS-CoV-2 positive results. From January 12 to April 1 of 2020, our retrospective study was conducted in China.

In vivo bactericidal effect of colistin-linezolid combination in a murine model of MDR and XDR Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia.

Recently, paradoxical combinations of colistin with anti-Gram-positive bacterial agents were introduced as a treatment alternative for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) infection. We assessed the therapeutic efficacy of the colistin-linezolid combination regimen in vitro and in a murine model of Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia. A multidrug-resistant clinical strain (MDRAB31) and an extensively drug-resistant clinical strain (XDRAB78) were used in this study.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Stricto in Northern Xinjiang, China.

Echinococcus granulosus is an important zoonotic parasite globally causing cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans and animals. In this study, prevalence of CE and variation of cox1 gene sequence were analyzed with isolates E. granulosus collected from different areas in northern Xinjiang, China.

Survival of Patients with Primary Cardiac Tumors in an 11-Year Single Center Study.

Background: Primary cardiac tumors are rare, but few studies have examined the relationship between risk factors and the prognosis. The aim of this study was to provide a survival analysis and risk factors for mortality in patients with primary cardiac tumors.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 71 patients diagnosed with primary cardiac tumors from June 2006 to November 2017 in our hospital.

Left ventricular remodeling in patients with acute type B aortic dissection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair: Short- and mid-term outcomes.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) remodeling remains unknown in patients with acute Type B aortic dissection (aTBAD) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) during follow-up.

Methods: Between May 2004 and January 2016, 163 consecutive patients (136 males, mean preoperative age: 51.06 ± 10.

A rare case of biventricular myxoma.

Background: Cardiac myxoma is the most common primary cardiac tumor. Approximately 75-80% of myxomas are located in the left atrium. Occurrence of multiple myxomas is extremely rare.

Effectiveness of Secundum Atrial Septal Defect Occlusion with the Septal Occluder through Right-chest Small Incision: Clinical Analysis of 140 Cases.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of secundum atrial septal defect(ASD)occlusion with the septal occluder through right-chest small incision. Methods The clinical data of 140 secundum ASD patients (47 males and 93 females) aged 3-63 years who were treated in our center from August 2004 to July 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The diameter of ASD was 6 to 36 mm.

Endobronchial ultrasound versus conventional transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy: a meta-analysis.

Currently, whether endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is superior to conventional TBNA (cTBNA) in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy remains controversial. We undertook a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA versus cTBNA in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, both in benign and malignant etiologies. Computer-based retrieval was performed on PubMed and EMBASE.

Effects of yoga in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis.

Aims/introduction: A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of yoga in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials And Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched to obtain eligible randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was fasting blood glucose, and the secondary outcomes included glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and postprandial blood glucose.

Obstructive sleep apnoea and risks of all-cause mortality: preliminary evidence from prospective cohort studies.

Purpose: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was conducted to clarify the association between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and future risk of all-cause mortality.

Methods: Eligible studies were identified by searching the PubMed and EMBASE databases up to July 2015. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the association between OSA and risk of all-cause mortality.

Association between continuous positive airway pressure and changes in serum leptin in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: The role of leptin in the development of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been identified. However, the effects of OSA treatment using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on serum leptin levels remain controversial. To address this issue, a meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of CPAP therapy on serum leptin levels in OSA.

Effects of anabolic steroids on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Anabolic steroids are known to improve body composition and muscle strength in healthy people. However, whether anabolic steroids improve the physical condition and function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains undetermined. A meta-analysis was conducted to review the current evidence regarding the effects of anabolic steroids on COPD patients.

Lack of efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the lower limbs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a meta-analysis.

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) were carried out to investigate the role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, these studies have small sample size and different measures for evaluating outcomes, and convey inconclusive results. We carried out a meta-analysis to assess the effects of NMES to COPD patients.

Effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on systemic inflammation in obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: Our meta-analysis was performed to estimate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on systemic inflammation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and EMBASE was performed for literature published up to January 2013. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated to estimate the treatment effects of pre- and post-CPAP therapy.

Does roflumilast improve dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? A meta-analysis.

Introduction: Although several large studies showed roflumilast (Rof) has demonstrated efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the efficacy of Rof in dyspnea remains unclear. We therefore undertook a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of Rof in dyspnea for COPD patients.

Methods: A computerized search through electronic databases was performed to obtain randomized controlled trials (RCTs).