Improving postoperative outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer: Inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers.

This editorial assesses the prognostic value of preoperative inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers in patients undergoing surgical resection for pancreatic cancer. Lu evaluated the ability of seven biomarkers to predict postoperative recovery and long-term outcomes. These biomarkers were albumin-to-globulin ratio, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), systemic immune-inflammation index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, nutritional risk index, and geriatric nutritional risk index.

Unlocking the future: Mitochondrial genes and neural networks in predicting ovarian cancer prognosis and immunotherapy response.

Background: Mitochondrial genes are involved in tumor metabolism in ovarian cancer (OC) and affect immune cell infiltration and treatment responses.

Aim: To predict prognosis and immunotherapy response in patients diagnosed with OC using mitochondrial genes and neural networks.

Methods: Prognosis, immunotherapy efficacy, and next-generation sequencing data of patients with OC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma with the uvula as first affected site: A case report.

Background: Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) represents one of the rarer forms of plasma cell malignancies, capable of impacting a variety of tissues and organs throughout the body. The majority of EMP cases are predominantly found in the head and neck region, especially within the laryngopharynx, as well as in the gastrointestinal tract. While there have been documented instances of oropharyngeal involvement in EMP cases in the academic literature, it is important to note that EMP specifically affecting the uvula is exceedingly uncommon.

Cohort study on the treatment of mutant metastatic colorectal cancer with integrated Chinese and western medicine.

Background: Patients with mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) have a low incidence rate, poor biological activity, suboptimal response to conventional treatments, and a poor prognosis. In the previous cohort study on mCRC conducted by our team, it was observed that integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment could significantly prolong the overall survival (OS) of patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, we further explored the survival benefits in the population with mutant mCRC.

Sine oculis homeobox homolog family function in gastrointestinal cancer: Progression and comprehensive analysis.

The sine oculis homeobox homolog (SIX) family, a group of transcription factors characterized by a conserved DNA-binding homology domain, plays a critical role in orchestrating embryonic development and organogenesis across various organisms, including humans. Comprising six distinct members, from to , each member contributes uniquely to the development and differentiation of diverse tissues and organs, underscoring the versatility of the SIX family. Dysregulation or mutations in genes have been implicated in a spectrum of developmental disorders, as well as in tumor initiation and progression, highlighting their pivotal role in maintaining normal developmental trajectories and cellular functions.

Lightweight Retinal Layer Segmentation With Global Reasoning.

Automatic retinal layer segmentation with medical images, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, serves as an important tool for diagnosing ophthalmic diseases. However, it is challenging to achieve accurate segmentation due to low contrast and blood flow noises presented in the images. In addition, the algorithm should be light-weight to be deployed for practical clinical applications.

Irregular Pulse and Cardiovascular Disease From NHANES (1999-2018): A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aims: Pulse is an easily accessible life sign, while irregular pulse could be easily detected in daily life during blood pressure test. However, whether irregular pulse was associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or mortality has not been reported on a large population scale. Here, we investigated the association between irregular pulse, CVD, and CVD mortality, to explore the potential of irregular pulse as screening indicator for CVD and mortality, thus influencing health policy.

Case Report: Baricitinib improved alopecia areata in a pediatric patient with atopic dermatitis.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common non-scarring hair loss condition whose specific pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. In children, AA often co-occurs with atopic dermatitis (AD), complicating treatment. Here, we report the case of a child with myasthenia gravis who had severe AA and moderate AD.

Assessment of right ventricular endocardial fibroelastosis in fetuses with critical pulmonary stenosis and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.

Background: This study aimed to assess right ventricular (RV) endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) in fetuses with critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS) and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS) and to investigate the implications of RV EFE for circulatory outcomes.

Methods: Fetal echocardiographic data from July 2018 to January 2021 were collected. Three reviewers independently graded EFE based on the presence and extent of endocardial echogenicity.

Relationship between pregnant women's combined exposure to heavy metals and their offspring's congenital heart defects in Lanzhou, China.

Background: Previous research has demonstrated that exposure to individual heavy metals elevates the incidence rate of congenital heart defects (CHDs). However, there is a paucity of data concerning the relationship between combined exposure to multiple heavy metals and the occurrence of CHDs. This study seeks to investigate the association between combined heavy metal exposure in pregnant women and the incidence of CHDs in their offspring in Lanzhou, China.

Cardiovascular complications in chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease: a case report and literature review.

Background: Cardiovascular involvement is a rare but severe complication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections. Patients with chronic active EBV (CAEBV) are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications and have a poor prognosis. Here, we report the rare case of a pediatric patient with CAEBV and EBV- hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) complicated with a giant coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) and thrombosis, a giant Valsalva sinus aneurysm, and ascending aorta dilation seven years after the disease onset.

Case Report: Combination of sirolimus and endoscopic lauromacrogol sclerotherapy in the management of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome with gastric tract bleeding.

Background: Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare venous malformation disorder. Currently, there is no standard therapy for this disease. However, lauromacrogol, a sclerosant extensively utilized in the management of vascular malformations, has been applied in the treatment of BRBNS.

Phylogenetic studies on the genus (Psathyrellaceae, Basidiomycota) occurring in the bed of the Indus River, Punjab, Pakistan, reveal three new species.

During macrofungal surveys in 2019-2024, several specimens belonging to the family Psathyrellaceae were collected from the bed of the Indus River, Punjab, Pakistan. Phylogenetic analyses, based on ITS, LSU, and tef-1α sequences and morpho-anatomical study, confirmed the novelty and placement of three taxa in the genus . They are described as , , and .

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal two new species of the (Hypocreales, Nectriaceae) species complex in China.

The species complex (FFSC) encompasses a diverse array of more than 80 phylogenetic species with both phytopathological and clinical importance. A stable taxonomy is crucial for species in the FFSC due to their economical relevance. Fungal strains used in this study were obtained from and , collected from Beijing and Shaanxi Province.

Dopamine receptors and organ fibrosis.

Organ fibrosis, considered as a major global health concern, is a pathological condition often occurring after tissue injury in various organs. The pathogenesis of fibrosis involves multiple phases and multiple cell types. Dopamine is involved in various life activities by activating five receptors (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5).

Primordial black holes and their gravitational-wave signatures.

In the recent years, primordial black holes (PBHs) have emerged as one of the most interesting and hotly debated topics in cosmology. Among other possibilities, PBHs could explain both some of the signals from binary black hole mergers observed in gravitational-wave detectors and an important component of the dark matter in the Universe. Significant progress has been achieved both on the theory side and from the point of view of observations, including new models and more accurate calculations of PBH formation, evolution, clustering, merger rates, as well as new astrophysical and cosmological probes.

Case report: Multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome: a rare genetic cause of infantile interstitial lung disease.

Multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the gene, resulting in variable clinical manifestation and multi-organ dysfunction. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a rare phenotype of this condition. We describe a rare infant case of an 8-month-old boy who presented with progressively worsening dyspnea, along with intermittent episodes of respiratory distress and cyanosis since birth.

Assembly of ceria-Nrf2 nanoparticles as macrophage-targeting ROS scavengers protects against myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and mitigating oxidative stress is crucial in managing MI. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a critical role in combating oxidative stress and facilitating cardiac remodeling post-MI. Here, we engineered Cerium oxide (CeO) nanoparticle-guided assemblies of ceria/Nrf2 nanocomposites to deliver Nrf2 plasmids.

Interplay between energy metabolism and NADPH oxidase-mediated pathophysiology in cardiovascular diseases.

Sustained production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an imbalance in the antioxidant system have been implicated in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), especially when combined with diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and other metabolic disorders. Among them, NADPH oxidases (NOX), including NOX1-5, are major sources of ROS that mediate redox signaling in both physiological and pathological processes, including fibrosis, hypertrophy, and remodeling. Recent studies have demonstrated that mitochondria produce more proteins and energy in response to adverse stress, corresponding with an increase in superoxide radical anions.

Overweight and glucose/lipid metabolism abnormality associated with SSRIs: a pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA adverse event reporting system.

Background: In the past few decades, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) became widely used antidepressants worldwide. Therefore, the adverse reactions of patients after SSRI administration became a public and clinical concern. In this study, we conducted a pharmacovigilance study using the Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database of the US Food and Drug Administration.

Targeting the initiator to activate both ferroptosis and cuproptosis for breast cancer treatment: progress and possibility for clinical application.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Metal metabolism is pivotal for regulating cell fate and drug sensitivity in breast cancer. Iron and copper are essential metal ions critical for maintaining cellular function.

Clinical efficacy and safety evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine for nourishing yin and Replenishing qi in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of NSCLC patients: a meta-analysis.

To examine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in conjunction with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for nourishing yin and replenishing qi in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. A systematic search was conducted across seven electronic databases, namely PubMed, Cochrane Library, Excerpt Medica Database, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan-fang Database, to identify eligible studies from 2,000 to 2,023. This study includes a total of 14 randomized controlled clinical trials, with 514 patients in the TCM combo therapy group and 506 patients in the control group.

Genomic analysis reveals new species and subspecies of butterflies.

Large-scale genomic sequencing of butterfly taxa reveals new findings that are presented here. While we focus on detecting species by comparative genomics and define subspecies as groups of populations genetically differentiated from each other but not as strongly as species (i.e.

Changes in and Potential Mechanisms of Circulating IgA+CD27-Class-Switched Memory B Cells in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis.

Background: The role of memory B cells and their subgroups in allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergen immunotherapy (AIT) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of memory B cells in the circulation of patients with AR and those undergoing AIT, as well as their clinical significance.

Methods: This study involved a cohort comprising 32 healthy control subjects, 39 individuals diagnosed with AR, and 31 AR patients who had received AIT for over one year.