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.

A systematic review of advances in preparation, structures, bioactivities, structural-property relationships, and applications of polysaccharides.

(Pers.) Fries is an edible fungus species belonging to the Polygonaceae family. Polysaccharides, the predominant bioactive compounds in , have been widely used due to its abundant nutritional and medicinal benefits.

Successful treatment of a chronic myeloid leukemia patient with extreme thrombocytosis by a combination of imatinib and interferon‑α: A case report.

Chronic myeloid leukemia with extreme thrombocytosis (CML-T), defined by a platelet count >1,000x10/l is a rare leukemia subtype. The present case report described a 66-year-old female CML-T patient presenting with a platelet count of 3,798x10/l, but a consistently normal spleen size. Following treatment with imatinib combined with interferon-α, the patient achieved hematological remission within 2 months, with a platelet count reduction to 311x10/l and complete cytogenetic remission after 10 months.

Lindl. alkaloids improve lipid metabolism by increasing LDL uptake through regulation of the LXRα/IDOL/LDLR pathway and inhibition of PCSK9 expression in HepG2 cells.

Lindl. alkaloids (DNLA) are active ingredients that can be extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Lindl. DNLA exhibits hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemia effects.

Intrathecal transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells enhances spinal cord injury recovery: Role of miR‑124‑3p as a biomarker.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe condition that often leads to permanent functional impairments. The current treatment options are limited and there is a need for more effective treatments. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) have shown promise in promoting neuroregeneration and modulating immune response.

First insight into eosinophils as a biomarker for the early distinction of COVID-19 from influenza A in outpatients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and influenza A outbreaks have spread rapidly in China. It is difficult to accurately differentiate these two different respiratory tract infections on the basis of their similar early-stage symptoms and lymphocytopenia. In the present study, the age, sex and white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil counts, as well as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of 201 outpatients with confirmed COVID-19 and 246 outpatients with influenza A were investigated and compared.

Innovative therapeutic strategies for intrauterine adhesions: Role of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in rat models.

Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) represent a considerable impediment to female reproductive health. Despite ongoing debate regarding the optimally efficacious route of administration and dosage of stem cells for IUA treatment, human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) have emerged as a promising avenue for regenerative therapy. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of UCMSCs on IUAs and to further explore the most effective treatment route and dosages.

Laser localization with soft‑channel minimally invasive surgery in cerebral hemorrhage.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of laser localization combined with soft-channel minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage, and to develop stereotactic alternatives that are cost-effective, safe and precise for underdeveloped regions. To meet this aim, 60 patients with cerebral hemorrhage were randomly assigned to the control group (n=30) or the study group (n=30). The patients in the study group were treated with laser localization combined with soft-channel MIS to remove the hematoma, whereas the control group was treated with YL-1 needle puncture to drain the intracranial hemorrhage.

Development of a clinical-radiological nomogram for predicting severe postoperative peritumoral brain edema following intracranial meningioma resection.

Objective: The goal of this study was to develop a nomogram that integrates clinical data to predict the likelihood of severe postoperative peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) following the surgical removal of intracranial meningioma.

Method: We included 152 patients diagnosed with meningioma who were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery at the Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University between January 2016 and March 2023. Clinical characteristics were collected from the hospital's medical record system.

Directed evolution of peroxidase DNAzymes by a function-based approach.

Peroxidase DNAzymes are single-stranded, stable G-quadruplexes structures that exhibit catalytic activity with cofactor hemin. This class of DNAzymes offers several advantages over traditional protein and RNA catalysts, including thermal stability, resistance to hydrolysis, and easy of synthesis in the laboratory. However, their use in medicine, biology, and chemistry is limited due to their low catalytic rates.

PAX6 enhances Nanog expression by inhibiting NOTCH signaling to promote malignant properties in small cell lung cancer cells.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive form of lung cancer. The aberrant regulation of Paired box 6 (PAX6) expression has been proposed to play an important oncogenic role in several cancer types. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding its function in SCLC.

Associations between systemic immune-inflammatory index and visceral adipose tissue area: results of a national survey.

Background: Global health issues related to obesity are growing. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) significantly contributes to complications associated with obesity. Reducing adipose tissue accumulation can improves inflammation.

Clinical characteristics and predictive factors of pathological lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients with rectal cancer.

In recent years, selective lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) has been performed more frequently. The present study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics and predictive factors of pathological lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis (LPLNM), which may be helpful for pre-treatment decisions. The present study included 64 patients with rectal cancer and clinically suspected LPLNM who underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) and LLND between February 2019 and April 2024.