Evaluating the influence of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy combined with IMRT on thyroid dysfunction in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Immunotherapy represents a major breakthrough in malignant tumor treatment in recent years. Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy has significantly prolonged Event-free Survival (EFS) in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC). However, its potent anti-tumor effects can also attack normal tissues and organs, leading to immune-related adverse effects (irAE), with the thyroid being one of the most commonly affected organs.

Factors influencing glycocalyx degradation: a narrative review.

The glycocalyx is a layer of villus-like structure covering the luminal surface of vascular endothelial cells. Damage to the glycocalyx has been proven linked to the development of many diseases. However, the factors that promote damage to the glycocalyx are not fully elaborated.

A bibliometric study on the impact of gut microbiota on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: analysis of the top 100 cited articles.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed oncological treatment by modulating immune responses against tumors. However, their efficacy is subject to inter-patient variability and is associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The human gut microbiota, a complex microbial ecosystem, is increasingly implicated in modulating responses to ICIs.

Compound Optimal Design for Online Item Calibration Under the Two-Parameter Logistic Model.

Under the theory of sequential design, compound optimal design with two optimality criteria can be used to solve the problem of efficient calibration of item parameters of item response theory model. In order to efficiently calibrate item parameters in computerized testing, a compound optimal design is proposed for the simultaneous estimation of item difficulty and discrimination parameters under the two-parameter logistic model, which adaptively focuses on optimizing the parameter which is difficult to estimate. The compound optimal design using the acceptance probability can provide ability design points to optimize the item difficulty and discrimination parameters, respectively.

Respiratory metrics of neonatal positive pressure ventilation on different ventilatory rates: A simulation study.

Background: Effective ventilation is the core of neonatal resuscitation (NR). T-piece resuscitators (TPR) and self-inflating bags (SIB) are the two most widely utilized resuscitation devices. Nevertheless, limited information is available regarding the respiratory metrics during NR with these devices.

Detection of multiple specific adventitious viruses in viral gene therapy products using multiplex PCR coupled with capillary electrophoresis.

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Advanced bioanalytical techniques for pharmacokinetic studies of nanocarrier drug delivery systems.

Significant investment in nanocarrier drug delivery systems (Nano-DDSs) has yielded only a limited number of successfully marketed nanomedicines, highlighting a low rate of clinical translation. A primary contributing factor is the lack of foundational understanding of processes. Comprehensive knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of Nano-DDSs is essential for developing more efficacious nanomedicines and accurately evaluating their safety and associated risks.

A review on the screening methods for the discovery of natural antimicrobial peptides.

Natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates for the development of a new generation of antimicrobials to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens. They have found extensive applications in the fields of medicine, food, and agriculture. However, efficiently screening AMPs from natural sources poses several challenges, including low efficiency and high antibiotic resistance.

Intrinsic gallium-68 labeling of nanoclays for tracking.

Intrinsic gallium-68 labeling of nanoclays was developed with high labeling yield and radiostability that did good for their tracking.Image 1.

Two new species of Latreille, 1796 (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Crabronidae) from China, with a key to species of China.

Two new species of the genus Latreille, 1796, namely and are described and illustrated from China. A key to the Chinese species of is also provided.

Preparation and evaluation of T4SS recombinant proteins in serodiagnosis of human brucellosis based on TMT-based proteomics technology.

Introduction: Brucellosis, a significant zoonotic infectious disease, poses a global health threat. Accurate and efficient diagnosis is crucial for prevention, control, and treatment of brucellosis. VirB proteins, components of the Type IV secretion system (T4SS) in , play a pivotal role in bacterial virulence and pathogenesis but have been understudied for their diagnostic potential.

Identifying key blood markers for bacteremia in elderly patients: insights into bacterial pathogens.

Background: This study aimed to assess the distribution of bacteremia pathogens in elderly patients, examine the impact of gender on pathogen distribution, and evaluate the predictive value of routine blood parameters for diagnosing bacteremia.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 151 elderly patients (≥60 years old) admitted to Fuding Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between October 2022 and June 2023. Comprehensive routine blood tests and blood cultures were performed.

Clinical evaluation of a multiplex droplet digital PCR for diagnosing suspected bloodstream infections: a prospective study.

Background: Though droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) has emerged as a promising tool for early pathogen detection in bloodstream infections (BSIs), more studies are needed to support its clinical application widely due to different ddPCR platforms with discrepant diagnostic performance. Additionally, there is still a lack of clinical data to reveal the association between pathogen loads detected by ddPCR and corresponding BSIs.

Methods: In this prospective study, 173 patients with suspected BSIs were enrolled.

Effect of invasive tests during pregnancy on perinatal transmission of hepatitis B infection: a scoping review.

Prenatal and intrapartum invasive tests are possible mechanisms of mother to child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The viral activity can affect the MTCT risk after invasive tests, but the evidence is scarce. This scoping review discussed the effects of prenatal or intrapartum invasive tests on the risk of HBV MTCT.

National Patient Satisfaction Survey as a Predictor for Quality of Care and Quality Improvement - Experience and Practice.

Background: Patient satisfaction is an important predictor of quality of care and hospital services. Patient satisfaction survey provides not only valuable insight into patient experience of care but also evidence that guides quality improvement in both system and organization levels. The paper aims to prove the value of system-wide satisfaction survey of patients and demonstrate whether data collected from a national patient satisfaction survey in three-year period can predict trends in patient experience of care.

Chiral polymer-induced hydroxyapatite for promoting bone regeneration.

Chirality is one of the basic characteristics of living matter, yet the effect of chiral polymers on osteogenesis is seldom studied. Thus, it is necessary to deeply recognize the behaviors of chiral polymers in osteogenic processes, which can be beneficial for the development of bone repair materials. In this work, chiral hydroxyapatite (HAP) was constructed simply using poly(levorotatory/dextral-tartaric acid) as the guest of the chiral transfer system.

Hydrogel inspired by "adobe" with antibacterial and antioxidant properties for diabetic wound healing.

With the aging population, the incidence of diabetes is increasing. Diabetes often leads to restricted neovascularization, antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, reduced wound perfusion, and elevated reactive oxygen species, resulting in impaired microenvironments and prolonged wound healing. Hydrogels are important tissue engineering materials for wound healing, known for their high water content and good biocompatibility.

Walnut oil prevents hyperlipidemia induced by high-fat diet and regulates intestinal flora and liver metabolism.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the preventive effect of walnut oil as medicinal food on abnormal lipid metabolism and its influence on liver metabolites and intestinal flora.

Methods: The rat model of abnormal lipid metabolism was established by feeding high-fat diet and administering a high-fat emulsion via gavage. The rats were randomly assigned to one of the five groups: the normal group (ND), the model group (HFD), and three walnut oil intervention groups differing in dosage [low-dose (OL, 2.

Protective effect and mechanism of Sufentanil on acute lung injury in septic mice.

This study was designed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Sufentanil on acute lung injury in septic mice based on network pharmacology and animal experiments, and to provide new ideas for clinical treatment. To this end, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for common targets was first constructed with Swiss Target Prediction Database, GeneCards Database, Draw Venn Diagram Software, STRING 11.5 Database, Cytoscape 3.

Astragaloside IV alleviates GDM via regulating gut microbiota and gut microbiota metabolomic.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a severe pregnancy disorder, is a temporary form of diabetes that occurs during gestation. Astragaloside IV (AS IV), a natural and effective composition of , shows pharmacological effects against diabetes. On the contrary, the effects of AS IV on GDM development are still not clear.

Hidden blood loss and risk factors after percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to assess the occurrence of hidden blood loss (HBL) and its associated risk factors in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF).

Methods: Sex, age, height, weight, body mass index, and medical history including hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis were recorded. The duration of symptoms, preoperative lumbar subcutaneous fat tissue thickness (measured using midsagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging), lumbar disc degeneration grade, and other basic patient information were also documented.

Effects of X-ray and electron beam irradiation on wine quality: Emphasizing phenolic compounds and aroma profiles.

The content of flavor compounds in wine is limited by factors such as climate warming and the resistance of cell walls to maceration. This study used X-rays (ionizing radiation) and electron beams (particle radiation) at 0.5, 2, and 7 kGy for grape pre-treatment before winemaking.

In situ quantification of fungicide residue on wheat leaf surfaces using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry imaging technology.

To overcome the time-consuming off-site limitations in conventional pesticide detection, this contribution presents an in situ quantitative analysis detection strategy for pesticides on leaf surfaces using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry imaging technology. Taking fungicide metrafenone as a representative, we initially screened seven commonly used matrices, and identifying α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid as the most effective one in positive mode. Subsequently, coating the matrix using sublimation spraying method resulted in the highest mass intensity.