DeAF: A multimodal deep learning framework for disease prediction.

Multimodal deep learning models have been applied for disease prediction tasks, but difficulties exist in training due to the conflict between sub-models and fusion modules. To alleviate this issue, we propose a framework for decoupling feature alignment and fusion (DeAF), which separates the multimodal model training into two stages. In the first stage, unsupervised representation learning is conducted, and the modality adaptation (MA) module is used to align the features from various modalities.

FoxM1 knockdown enhanced radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer by inducing apoptosis.

Radioresistance is a main reason for local recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) is implicated in cancer progression and chemoresistance. This study aims to determine the role of FoxM1 in ESCC radioresistance.

The influence of axillary surgery and radiotherapeutic strategy on the risk of lymphedema and upper extremity dysfunction in early breast cancer patients.

Purpose: To explore the risk factors for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and upper extremity dysfunction (UED) in patients with early breast cancer after modern comprehensive treatment and to compare the toxicity of different treatment strategies.

Methods: From 2017 to 2020, a total of 1369 female patients with pT1-3N0-1M0 breast cancer who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy in our centre were retrospectively reviewed. BCRL and UED were identified by the Norman and QuickDASH questionnaires.

Universal two-dimensional labelled probe-mediated melting curve analysis based on multiplex PCR for rapid typing of Plasmodium in a single closed tube.

Currently, malaria is still one of the major public health problems commonly caused by the four Plasmodium species. The similar symptoms of malaria and the COVID-19 epidemic of fever or fatigue lead to frequent misdiagnosis. The disadvantages of existing detection methods, such as time-consuming, costly, complicated operation, need for experienced technicians, and indistinguishable typing, lead to difficulties in meeting the clinical requirements of rapid, easy, and accurate typing of common Plasmodium species.

Mechanism of regulation of the Helicobacter pylori Cagβ ATPase by CagZ.

The transport of the CagA effector into gastric epithelial cells by the Cag Type IV secretion system (Cag T4SS) of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is critical for pathogenesis. CagA is recruited to Cag T4SS by the Cagβ ATPase.

Tumor-intrinsic YTHDF1 drives immune evasion and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors via promoting MHC-I degradation.

The recently described role of RNA methylation in regulating immune cell infiltration into tumors has attracted interest, given its potential impact on immunotherapy response. YTHDF1 is a versatile and powerful m6A reader, but the understanding of its impact on immune evasion is limited. Here, we reveal that tumor-intrinsic YTHDF1 drives immune evasion and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) resistance.

Intraperitoneal 5-Azacytidine Alleviates Nerve Injury-Induced Pain in Rats by Modulating DNA Methylation.

To investigate the role of DNA methylation in modulating chronic neuropathic pain (NPP), identify possible target genes of DNA methylation involved in this process, and preliminarily confirm the medicinal value of the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) in NPP by targeting gene methylation. Two rat NPP models, chronic constriction injury (CCI) and spinal nerve ligation (SNL), were used. The DNA methylation profiles in the lumbar spinal cord were assayed using an Arraystar Rat RefSeq Promoter Array.

Male-specific, replicable and functional roles of genetic variants and cerebral gray matter volumes in ADHD: a gene-wide association study across KTN1 and a region-wide functional validation across brain.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with reduction of cortical and subcortical gray matter volumes (GMVs). The kinectin 1 gene (KTN1) has recently been reported to significantly regulate GMVs and ADHD risk. In this study, we aimed to identify sex-specific, replicable risk KTN1 alleles for ADHD and to explore their regulatory effects on mRNA expression and cortical and subcortical GMVs.

First-in-human phase I dose-escalation and dose-expansion trial of the selective MEK inhibitor HL-085 in patients with advanced melanoma harboring NRAS mutations.

Background: HL-085 is a selective, orally administered MEK1/2 inhibitor. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HL-085 in patients with advanced melanoma harboring NRAS mutations.

Methods: This was a multicenter phase 1 study.

Molecular underpinnings of exceptional response in primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus to anti-PD-1 monotherapy.

Background: Accumulating data suggest that mucosal melanoma, well known for its poor response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and abysmal prognosis, is a heterogeneous subtype of melanoma with distinct genomic and clinical characteristics between different anatomic locations of the primary lesions. Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) is a rare, highly aggressive disease with a poorer prognosis compared with that of non-esophageal mucosal melanoma (NEMM). In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of anti-programmed death (PD)-1 in patients with PMME and explored its molecular basis.

Association between PPARγ, PPARGC1A, and PPARGC1B genetic variants and susceptibility of gastric cancer in an Eastern Chinese population.

Purpose: Previous studies showed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and PPARγ coactivator1 family (PPARGC1A and PPARGC1B) gene single nucleotide variants (SNVs)were strongly associated with cancer susceptibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of PPARγ, PPARGC1A, and PPARGC1B variants with the risk of gastric cancer (GC).

Patients And Methods: We performed a case-control study of 490 GC cases and 1,476 healthy controls from eastern China.

Triceps skinfold-albumin index significantly predicts the prognosis of cancer cachexia: A multicentre cohort study.

Background: The fat mass and nutritional status play important roles in the onset and progression of cancer cachexia. The present study evaluated the joint prognostic value of the fat mass, as indicated by the triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), and the serum albumin level, for mortality in patients with cancer cachexia.

Methods: We performed a multicentre cohort study including 5134 patients with cancer cachexia from January 2013 to April 2019.

Flurbiprofen axetil alleviates the effect of formalin-induced inflammatory pain on the cognitive function of rats with mild cognitive impairment through the AMPKα/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as a prestage of dementia shares the most risk factors with dementia. In the present study, we explored the effect of flurbiprofen axetil on reducing the response of the central nervous system to inflammatory factors and anti-inhibiting apoptosis with the aim of developing a formalin-induced inflammatory pain model using MCI rats.

Methods: Rats were subjected to sham operation (Sham group) or formalin-induced inflammatory pain, with or without flurbiprofen axetil (10 mg/kg).

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With CAPOX Versus Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer With Uninvolved Mesorectal Fascia (CONVERT): Initial Results of a Phase III Trial.

Objective: To compare neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) with CAPOX alone versus neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) with capecitabine in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) with uninvolved mesorectal fascia (MRF).

Background Data: nCRT is associated with higher surgical complications, worse long-term functional outcomes, and questionable survival benefits. Comparatively, nCT alone seems a promising alternative treatment in lower-risk LARC patients with uninvolved MRF.

Age Related Cognitive Function Was Positively Associated with Diastolic Pressure and Negatively Associated with Antibody Expression in Chinese Oldest-Old and Centenarian Adults.

Purpose: Age related cognitive function (ARCF) is of increasing concern in an aging population. Few studies have examined the relationships between ARCF and antibody expression or blood pressure, particularly in older populations. Large sample sizes are needed to elucidate these relationships to inform better strategies for identification and prevention of cognitive decline.

Short-term efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in SCA3: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study.

Objective: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common autosomal dominant ataxia globally. No effective treatment is currently available for SCA3. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation, demonstrated to improve symptoms in patients with neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxias.

A predictive nomogram model for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer resection.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and to construct a nomogram capable of predicting the risk of LARS in patients who undergo rectal cancer resection.

Methods: About 538 patients who had undergone anterior resection were recruited as a development set. In addition, 114 patients with rectal cancer were analysed as a validation set to test the new nomogram.

Effect of Adjuvant Radiation Dose on Survival in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: For patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with surgery alone, the incidence of local-regional recurrence remains unfavorable. Postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) has been associated with increased local-regional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), although its application is limited by concerns of PORT-related toxicities. Methods: Among 3591 patients with ESCC analyzed in this study, 2765 patients with T3-4N0 and T1-4N1-3 lesions and specific local-regional status information were analyzed in a subsequent analysis of adjuvant radiation dose (aRTD) effect.

Increasing rate of hospitalization for severe peptic ulcer in digestive disease emergencies after the pandemic.

Since December 2019, the novel coronavirus has spread worldwide, affecting more than 510 million people, with more than 6 million deaths. However, some of the potential effects of the pandemic have not been thoroughly studied. We collected data from 2 regional emergency centers from May to November for the years 2015 to 2019, before the pandemic, and from May to November 2020, after the pandemic.