Intensive Ambulance-Delivered Blood-Pressure Reduction in Hyperacute Stroke.

Background: Treatment of acute stroke, before a distinction can be made between ischemic and hemorrhagic types, is challenging. Whether very early blood-pressure control in the ambulance improves outcomes among patients with undifferentiated acute stroke is uncertain.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients with suspected acute stroke that caused a motor deficit and with elevated systolic blood pressure (≥150 mm Hg), who were assessed in the ambulance within 2 hours after the onset of symptoms, to receive immediate treatment to lower the systolic blood pressure (target range, 130 to 140 mm Hg) (intervention group) or usual blood-pressure management (usual-care group).

Immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody/tyrosine kinase inhibitors with or without transarterial chemoembolization as first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (CHANCE2201): a target trial emulation study.

Background: The role of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unconfirmed. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) plus anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) antibody/tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with or without TACE as first-line treatment for advanced HCC.

Methods: This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study included advanced HCC patients receiving either TACE with ICIs plus anti-VEGF antibody/TKIs (TACE-ICI-VEGF) or only ICIs plus anti-VEGF antibody/TKIs (ICI-VEGF) from January 2018 to December 2022.

Recombinant Klotho protein protects pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells against sepsis-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 pathway.

Background: Inflammation-induced apoptosis of alveolar type II epithelial cells is a primary contributor to sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Klotho is a single-pass transmembrane protein with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. However, the role and mechanism of Klotho in the development of ARDS remains unknown.

Shared and distinct electroencephalogram microstate abnormalities across schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Background: Microstates of an electroencephalogram (EEG) are canonical voltage topographies that remain quasi-stable for 90 ms, serving as the foundational elements of brain dynamics. Different changes in EEG microstates can be observed in psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorder (BD). However, the similarities and disparatenesses in whole-brain dynamics on a subsecond timescale among individuals diagnosed with SCZ, BD, and MDD are unclear.

A review regarding the article 'Local versus General Anaesthesia for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI): A systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis of randomised and propensity-score matched studies'.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a promising treatment strategy for high-risk surgical patients, and trials investigating its effectiveness in intermediate- and lower-risk patients are underway. Data are inconsistent regarding the superiority of using local anesthesia with conscious sedation alone versus general anesthesia (GA) as the anesthesia management of choice for elderly frail patients. Historically, TAVI procedure is performed under GA with transesophageal echocardiography.

Altered individual gray matter structural covariance networks in early abstinence patients with alcohol dependence.

While alterations in cortical thickness have been widely observed in individuals with alcohol dependence, knowledge about cortical thickness-based structural covariance networks is limited. This study aimed to explore the topological disorganization of structural covariance networks based on cortical thickness at the single-subject level among patients with alcohol dependence. Structural imaging data were obtained from 61 patients with alcohol dependence during early abstinence and 59 healthy controls.

A review regarding the article 'Effectiveness of mechanical circulatory support devices in reversing pulmonary hypertension among heart transplant candidates: A systematic review.'.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) with high pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is a very often diagnosed contraindication for orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). It is a direct consequence of left ventricle failure characterized by high diastolic pressure obstructing the collection of blood from the pulmonary vessels. The occurrence of this situation grows with the increasing time of waiting for OHT, and with the progression of heart failure.

The relationship between heavy metals and metabolic syndrome using machine learning.

Background: Exposure to high levels of heavy metals has been widely recognized as an important risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS). The main purpose of this study is to assess the associations between the level of heavy metal exposure and Mets using machine learning (ML) method.

Methods: The data used in this study are from the national health and nutrition examination survey 2003-2018.

Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis and Machine Learning Validation for Identifying Major Genes Related to Sjogren's Syndrome.

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by dry mouth and dry eyes. Its pathogenic mechanism is currently unclear. This study aims to integrate weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning to identify key genes associated with SS.

Individualized prevention of proton pump inhibitor related adverse events by risk stratification.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used for gastric acid-related disorders, but their safety profile and risk stratification for high-burden diseases need further investigation. Analyzing over 2 million participants from five prospective cohorts from the US, the UK, and China, we found that PPI use correlated with increased risk of 15 leading global diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and chronic kidney disease. These associations showed dose-response relationships and consistency across different PPI types.

Comparison of chemotherapy and chidamide combined with chemotherapy in patients with untreated angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Background: Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is characterized by high recurrence rates and poor prognosis, and effective first-line treatment is lacking. Recently, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), such as chidamide, have been found to induce durable remissions in AITL patients.

Methods: Patients with untreated AITL from March 2015 to March 2023 were retrospectively collected and divided into chemotherapy (ChT) group and chidamide combined with chemotherapy (C-ChT) group based on the first-line treatment received.

Identify Potential Causal Relationships Between Cortical Thickness, Mismatch Negativity, Neurocognition, and Psychosocial Functioning in Drug-Naïve First-Episode Psychosis Patients.

Background: Cortical thickness (CT) alterations, mismatch negativity (MMN) reductions, and cognitive deficits are robust findings in first-episode psychosis (FEP). However, most studies focused on medicated patients, leaving gaps in our understanding of the interrelationships between CT, MMN, neurocognition, and psychosocial functioning in unmedicated FEP. This study aimed to employ multiple mediation analysis to investigate potential pathways among these variables in unmedicated drug-naïve FEP.

Emerging therapies: Potential roles of SGLT2 inhibitors in the management of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathophysiological disorder that may involve multiple clinical conditions and may be associated with a variety of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD) currently lacks targeted therapies, while Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), despite approved treatments, carries considerable residual risk. Metabolic dysfunction has been linked to the pathogenesis and prognosis of PH through various studies, with emerging metabolic agents offering a potential avenue for improving patient outcomes.

Distinct experiences and care needs of advanced cancer patients with good ECOG performance status: a qualitative phenomenological study.

Background: Advanced cancer patients with good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (score 0-1) are underrepresented in current qualitative reports compared with their dying counterparts.

Aim: To explore the experiences and care needs of advanced cancer patients with good ECOG.

Design: A qualitative phenomenological approach using semi-structured interview was employed.

Pulmonary Transit Time Assessment by CEUS in Healthy Rabbits: Feasibility, and the Effects of UCAs Dilution Concentration.

To evaluate the inter-observer variability and the intra-observer repeatability of pulmonary transit time (PTT) measurement using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in healthy rabbits, and assess the effects of dilution concentration of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) on PTT. Thirteen healthy rabbits were selected, and five concentrations UCAs of 1:200, 1:100, 1:50, 1:10, and 1:1 were injected into the right ear vein. Five digital loops were obtained from the apical 4-chamber view.

Comparison of safety and effectiveness of different sheaths in ablation of focal atrial tachycardia: a retrospective study.

Background: A novel visualized steerable sheath, referred to as the Vizigo sheath, has been utilized in clinical interventions. The objective of this study was to evaluate and contrast the efficacy and safety of the Vizigo sheath with other sheaths in the catheter ablation (CA) for focal atrial tachycardia (FAT).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on consecutive patients with CA for FAT from March 2019 to February 2022.

New role of platelets in schizophrenia: predicting drug response.

Background: Elevated platelet count (PLTc) is associated with first-episode schizophrenia and adverse outcomes in individuals with precursory psychosis. However, the impact of antipsychotic medications on PLTc and its association with symptom improvement remain unclear.

Aims: We aimed to investigate changes in PLTc levels following antipsychotic treatment and assess whether PLTc can predict antipsychotic responses and metabolic changes after accounting for other related variables.

Novel α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) potentiator LT-102: A promising therapeutic agent for treating cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the potential of a novel selective α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) potentiator, LT-102, in treating cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) and elucidating its mechanism of action.

Methods: The activity of LT-102 was examined by Ca influx assays and patch-clamp in rat primary hippocampal neurons. The structure of the complex was determined by X-ray crystallography.

Associations of education attainment with gestational diabetes mellitus and the mediating effects of obesity: A Mendelian randomization study.

We aim to assess the causal association between educational attainment and gestational diabetes mellitus, and the mediating effect of obesity on this association. We estimated the causal effects of educational attainment on gestational diabetes mellitus using European ancestry genome-wide association study summary data with two-sample univariate Mendelian randomization (UVMR) approach. Two-stage Mendelian randomization analysis was performed to assess the potential mediating role of obesity traits in this association and to calculate the mediating proportion.

Mertk Reduces Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier Permeability Through the Rhoa/Rock1/P-MLC Pathway After Spinal Cord Injury.

Disruption of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) is a critical event in the secondary injury following spinal cord injury (SCI). Mertk has been reported to play an important role in regulating inflammation and cytoskeletal dynamics. However, the specific involvement of Mertk in BSCB remains elusive.

Anxiety and depression status in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and outcomes of nintedanib treatment: an observational study.

Background: Anxiety and depression are common comorbidities in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) that impair health-related quality of life. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the mental disorder of IPF after antifibrotic treatment and their related predictive factors.

Methods: Patients with an initial diagnosis of IPF were enrolled.

Peripheral nerve injury associated with JEV infection in high endemic regions, 2016-2020: a multicenter retrospective study in China.

Previously, we reported a cohort of Japanese encephalitis (JE) patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. However, the evidence linking Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection and peripheral nerve injury (PNI) remains limited, especially the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome significantly differ from traditional JE. We performed a retrospective and multicenter study of 1626 patients with JE recorded in the surveillance system of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, spanning the years 2016-2020.

Visual Cognitive Assessment Test: Utility of the brief cognitive battery for early screening of cognitive impairment in Chongqing, China.

Objectives: Early detection of cognitive impairment is essential for timely intervention. Currently, most widely used cognitive screening tests are influenced by language and cultural differences; therefore, there is a need for the development of a language-neutral, visual-based cognitive assessment tool. The Visual Cognitive Assessment Test (VCAT), a 30-point test that assesses memory, executive function, visuospatial function, attention, and language, has demonstrated its utility in a multilingual population.