Generation of vascularized pancreatic progenitors through co-differentiation of endoderm and mesoderm from human pluripotent stem cells.

Background: The simultaneous differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into both endodermal and mesodermal lineages is crucial for developing complex, vascularized tissues, yet poses significant challenges. This study explores a method for co-differentiation of mesoderm and endoderm, and their subsequent differentiation into pancreatic progenitors (PP) with endothelial cells (EC).

Methods: Two hPSC lines were utilized.

Body mass index and waist-to-height ratio effect on mortality in non-alcoholic fatty liver: revisiting the obesity paradox.

Purpose: Emerging research indicates that individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) who carry excess weight have similar or even higher survival rates than their normal-weight counterparts. This puzzling "obesity paradox" may be attributed to underlying biases. To explore this phenomenon, we examined data extracted from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, which spanned from 1988-1994.

The hemodynamic responses to enhanced external counterpulsation therapy in post-PCI patients with a multi-dimension 0/1D-3D model.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is widely utilized in rehabilitating patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and has demonstrated efficacy in promoting cardiovascular function recovery. Although the precise mechanisms of the therapeutic effects remain elusive, it is widely postulated that the improvement of biomechanical environment induced by EECP plays a critical role. This study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism through a numerical investigation of the in-stent biomechanical environment during EECP using an advanced multi-dimensional 0/1D-3D coupled model.

Meteorin-like protein alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration by suppressing lipid accumulation in nucleus pulposus cells via PPARα-CPT1A activation.

Disturbances in lipid metabolism are closely related to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, the lipid metabolism characteristics of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells during IDD are unclear. Exercise protects against IDD and acts as a potent mediator of organ metabolism, in which muscle-secreted myokines actively participate.

Bioactive electrospun polylactic acid/chlorogenic acid-modified chitosan bilayer sponge for acute infection wound healing and rapid coagulation.

Acute severe trauma is often associated with rapid blood loss and a high risk of infection. Based on these concerns, this study successfully constructed a multifunctional dual-layer bioactive sponge PCCT with rapid hemostatic and infection-preventing ability. Its external surface is an electrospun poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofiber thin film layer, which ensures its high air permeability and effectively protects against external bacterial invasion.

Association of serum Klotho with the severity and mortality among adults with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome.

Background: Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is characterized as a systemic disease resulting from the pathophysiological interplay among metabolic risk factors, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Klotho protein may serve as a novel biomarker. However, the utility of serum Klotho levels as an indicator of severity and mortality risk in CKM syndrome remains uncertain.

Rapid and sustained response of stubborn guttate psoriasis to ustekinumab: A 52-week, two-center, one-arm, observational study.

Ustekinumab showed significant and prolonged efficacy in treating stubborn GP patients, particularly for those patients with SDD. The CARD14: rs11652075C>T may serve as a predictor of favorable treatment response.

Natural History and Prognosis of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in the Indeterminate Phase.

Background And Aims: In chronic hepatitis B (CHB), an indeterminate phase exists outside the typical predefined phases. Our study investigates this indeterminate phase's natural history and prognosis, focusing on antiviral treatment outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to compare the risk of transitioning to immune active phase between inactive and indeterminate CHB and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis between untreated patients with indeterminate CHB (at baseline and throughout follow-up) and those who received treatment, following standard AASLD 2018 guidance.

ROS-responsive quercetin-based polydopamine nanoparticles for targeting ischemic stroke by attenuating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Ischemic stroke (IS), a prevalent cerebrovascular disorder, is characterized by high morbidity rates and significant disability. However, relevant drug therapy for IS still suffers from limitations such as limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration efficiency, single therapeutic target, short half-life, and strong side effects. The development of multi-target neuroprotective agents using natural drug molecules with low toxicity and combining them with nanotechnology to improve BBB permeability and drug utilization is an important direction in the development of IS therapeutic strategies.

2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione mediates the effect of ROS-enhanced PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway on autophagy in breast cancer.

Several studies have suggested a potential antitumor effect of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD). To further understand the mechanism of action of this compound, we investigated its effect on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. We show that DMDD application significantly inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and ER-α positive MCF-7.

Comparative effectiveness of therapies for sleep-disordered breathing in heart failure patients: A comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: The prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with heart failure (HF) is a significant concern, leading to adverse outcomes. This network meta-analysis (NMA) is dedicated to evaluate the relative effectiveness of diverse therapeutic approaches for SDB treatments in the context of HF.

Methods: An extensive search up to May 19, 2023, was implemented in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Knockdown of integrin β1 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in bladder cancer cells.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common urinary tract malignancy. Identifying biomarkers that predict prognosis and immune function in patients with BC can enhance our understanding of its pathogenesis and provide valuable guidance for diagnosis and treatment. Our findings indicate that increased ITGB1 expression is associated with higher clinical grade and stage, establishing ITGB1 as an independent prognostic risk factor for BC.

Integrating scRNA-seq and Visium HD for the analysis of the tumor microenvironment in the progression of colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) development is a complex, multi-stage process, transitioning from normal to adenomatous tissue, and then to invasive carcinoma. Despite research, there's a knowledge gap on using high-resolution spatial omics to understand CRC's tumor microenvironment dynamics.

Methods: We used single-cell transcriptomics to study major biological changes and cell interactions in CRC progression.

Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis: clinicopathological study of 18 cases with emphasis on MET amplification and a review of the literature.

Background: Knowledge regarding adenocarcinoma of the rete testis (ACRT) is extremely limited due to its scarcity.

Methods And Results: This study enrolled 18 patients with ACRT from multiple institutions. Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features were investigated, together with a comprehensive review of 95 previously reported cases.

Noninferiority comparison of electromagnetic navigation-guided versus computed tomography-guided percutaneous localization of multiple small pulmonary nodules: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Background: Accurate preoperative localization is a challenge in thoracoscopic surgery for multiple pulmonary nodules. In this study, we aimed to assess the accuracy and feasibility of electromagnetic navigation (EN)-guided percutaneous localization.

Methods: We enrolled 50 patients with multiple pulmonary nodules for EN-guided (EN group) or CT-guided (CT group) localization.

Intelligent automatic registration: is it feasible and efficient for application of ultrasound fusion imaging in liver?

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and efficiency between the two intelligent auto-registrations (based on hepatic vessels or based on liver surface) and manual registration for US-CT/MR fusion imaging of liver tumours.

Methods: From May 2017 to December 2017, 30 patients with 30 liver tumours were enrolled in this prospectively study. Two intelligent auto-registrations (based on hepatic vessels or based on liver surface) and manual registration were randomly performed, the registration success rate and efficiency were compared.

Risk factors for symptom recurrence after microwave ablation of adenomyosis: a preliminary retrospective study.

Introduction: Microwave ablation (MWA) effectively treats adenomyosis, yet symptom recurrence remains challenging. Thus, our study aims to explore the independent risk factors related to symptom recurrence after MWA of symptomatic adenomyosis.

Material And Methods: Patients with symptomatic adenomyosis who received MWA treatment at our institute from June 2020 to June 2023 were retrospectively included.

In Utero/Childhood/ Adolescence Exposure to Tobacco Smoke and Elderly-Onset Cataract: A Large Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: Cataract remains the primary cause of blindness in middle-income and low-income countries, with a known association with environmental factors including smoking. However, the relationship between early-life tobacco smoke exposures, including in utero tobacco smoke exposure and early initiation of smoking, and the risk of cataract incidence remains unclear. We aimed to examine the associations of early-life exposure to tobacco smoke with the risk of elderly-onset cataract.

Curcumin-Loaded Gelatin Nanoparticles Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier to Treat Ischemic Stroke by Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation.

Background: Ischemic stroke is a medical emergency for which effective treatment remains inadequate. Curcumin (Cur) is a natural polyphenolic compound that is regarded as a potent neuroprotective agent. Compared to synthetic pharmaceuticals, Cur possesses minimal side effects and exhibits multiple mechanisms of action, offering significant advantages in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Chinese expert consensus on the management of hypertension in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Both hypertension and type 2 diabetes are attributable to premature death, cardiovascular and kidney diseases with largely overlapping population. Followed the GRADE approach, this expert consensus aimed to reduce the cardiovascular and kidney death and disability due to hypertension and minimize the treatment burden in adults with type 2 diabetes. Through online survey and discussion, a multidisciplinary team comprehensively prioritized seven key guideline questions.

CT-FFR by expanding coronary tree with Newton-Krylov-Schwarz method to solve the governing equations of CFD.

Aims: A new model of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based algorithm for coronary CT angiography (CCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) (CT-FFR) analysis by expanding the coronary tree to smaller-diameter lumen (0.8 mm) using Newton-Krylov-Schwarz (NKS) method to solve the three-dimensional time-dependent incompressible Navier-Stokes equations has been developed; however, the diagnostic performance of this new method has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of a novel CT-FFR technique by expanding the coronary tree in the CFD domain.