Improvement in Central Sensitization Following Total Knee Arthroplasty Is Associated With Severe Preoperative Pain and Affects Postoperative Quality of Life: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: Central sensitization (CS) is associated with quality of life (QOL) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, how CS changes after TKA and whether these changes have clinical relevance remain unclear. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify changes in CS after TKA and to assess the clinical significance of these changes.

Intervention of a Communication Between PI3K/Akt and β-Catenin by (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Suppresses TGF-β1-Promoted Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Invasive Phenotype of NSCLC Cells.

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) assists in the acquisition of invasiveness, relapse, and resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and can be caused by the signaling of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) through Smad-mediated or Smad-independent pathways. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a multifunctional cancer-preventing bioconstituent found in tea polyphenols, has been shown to repress TGF-β1-triggered EMT in the human NSCLC A549 cell line by inhibiting the activation of Smad2 and Erk1/2 or reducing the acetylation of Smad2 and Smad3. However, its impact on the Smad-independent pathway remains unclear.

A preliminary ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging study of distinct aortic morphologies.

Changes in the microstructure of the aortic wall precede the progression of various aortic pathologies, including aneurysms and dissection. Current clinical decisions with regards to surgical planning and/or radiological intervention are guided by geometric features, such as aortic diameter, since clinical imaging lacks tissue microstructural information. The aim of this proof-of-concept work is to investigate a non-invasive imaging method, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), in ex vivo aortic tissue to gain insights into the microstructure.

Nurses' Perceptions of the Relevance of Their Role and Responsibilities for Adopting Evidence-Based Feedback Into Practice: An Implementation Study.

Aims: To evaluate the implementation process of a novel program focused on improving interactive (dialogic) feedback between clinicians and students during placement.

Design: Quantitative cross-sectional hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation study driven by a federated model of social learning theory and implementation theory.

Methods: From June to November 2018, feedback approaches supported by socio-constructive learning theory and Normalisation Process Theory were enacted in four clinical units of a healthcare facility in southeast Queensland, Australia.

Alloanti-Hy in antenatal patients: A multi-case review.

Introduction: Introduction The Hy antigen is one of ten red cell antigens belonging to the Dombrock blood group system, with an antigen frequency of almost 100% in the majority of populations. Alloantibodies to high prevalence antigens cause difficulties with antibody identification and exclusion in serological investigations.

Case Presentation: This review describes the management of four antenatal cases where the presence of alloanti-Hy had been identified.

Altered medial temporal lobe subregion volumes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often presents with neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement, including cognitive impairment and depression. Past magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research in SLE patients showed smaller hippocampal volumes but did not investigate other medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions. Our study aims to compare MTL subregional volumes in SLE patients to healthy individuals (HI) and explore MTL subregional volumes in relation to neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) manifestations.

Incorporating Spatial and Spectral Saturation Modules Into MR Fingerprinting.

In this work, we introduce spatial and chemical saturation options for artefact reduction in magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) and assess their impact on T and T mapping accuracy. An existing radial MRF pulse sequence was modified to enable spatial and chemical saturation. Phantom experiments were performed to demonstrate flow artefact reduction and evaluate the accuracy of the T and T maps.

Interventricular septal dissection secondary to acute inferior myocardial infarction: case series and literature review.

Background: Interventricular septal dissection is a critical disease characterized by the separation of the intraventricular septum into two layers, forming an intermediate layer with a cystic cavity that communicates with the root of the aorta or ventricle. It has low morbidity and high mortality rates.

Case Presentation: Case 1: A 58-year-old male with a history of hypertension and smoking presented to a local hospital due to chest tightness and pain for 4 days.

Robotic-assisted costectomy using a Gigli saw for fibrous dysplasia.

Background: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is the most common benign tumor of the ribs, with surgical resection being the preferred treatment modality for rib FD, leading to enhanced quality of life and favorable outcomes. The complexity of surgical intervention varies depending on the location of costal FD, presenting challenges for both open surgical and thoracoscopic approaches. In this study, we present a novel technique for three-port robotic-assisted costectomy utilizing a Gigli saw, detailing our initial findings and outcomes.

Prolonged screen time is associated with increased severity of tic symptoms in children with tic disorders.

Background: Recent studies have emphasized the association between prolonged screen exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders, though its correlation with tic disorders (TDs) remains ambiguous. We thus conducted this study to investigate the association between screen time (ST) and the severity of tic symptoms in children diagnosed with TDs.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study with 342 cases of TDs and 270 controls, collecting data from March 2021 to December 2023.

Genetically and chemically intraspecific variations of Ficus hirta provide novel insights into its protection and utilization.

Background: Radix Fici Hirtae, the dry root of Ficus hirta, is a famous ethnomedicine and food that has been widely used by Yao and Zhuang nationalities in southern China for its potent antitumor, antifungal, and hepatoprotective effects. Recently, owing to over-exploitation and habitat destruction, F. hirta has been pushed to the brink of depletion.

Cardiovascular disease essential medicines listing by countries: changes over time and association with health outcomes.

Background: Since national essential medicine lists guide the procurement of medicines for populations in many countries, and cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, including cardiovascular medicines on these lists can significantly impact healthcare outcomes.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, national essential medicines' lists from 158 countries were analysed on whether or not they included medicines to treat ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertensive heart disease. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between countries' coverage scores and amenable mortality.

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for isthmus papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a prospective 2 years of follow-up study.

To explore the safety and clinical efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) located in the isthmus. This prospective study enrolled patients with single isthmus PTMC admitted to General Surgery Department of 983rd Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA from 2017 to 2022. After ablation, the ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) were performed to follow up the outcomes at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

Continuous PPI Treatment After Gastric Bypass Increases the Risk of Pathological PTH Levels at 10 Years Postoperatively.

Background: Apart from massive weight loss, metabolic and bariatric surgery, especially gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB]), can cause nutritional deficiencies. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI), relatively often used after RYGB, are associated with reduced calcium absorption. We have studied the long-term impact of PPI upon calcium homeostasis among RYGB patients.

Nutraceutical Impact of Pumpkin Seed Oil on Expression Levels of EZH-2 and KRT-14 Genes against DSS-induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Rat Model.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a collection of intestinal disorders that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Prolonged inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. The objective of this study was to fucus on gene expression levels of (KRT-14; associated with epithelial cell integrity) and enhancer of zeste homolog-1 (EZH-2; involved in cellular proliferation) in a IBD rat model in order to rule out impact of nutraceuticals (pumpkin seed oil; PSO) as a complementary approach to conventional treatments of IBD.

Association of liver fibrosis with aneurysm size and mortality risk in patients undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) poses a significant health risk due to its silent nature and high mortality upon rupture. The Fib-4 index, initially designed for liver fibrosis assessment, presents potential beyond its scope. This study aims to investigate the association of FIB-4 with aneurysm size and mortality risk, exploring its utility as a risk predictor for enhanced clinical management.

Association of dietary acid load with inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and clinical features in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent chronic condition characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress, particularly in individuals over 40. Dietary factors, specifically dietary acid load (DAL), may influence these pathological processes. However, the relationship between DAL and inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and clinical features in patients with KOA remains unexplored.

Mechano-gated iontronic piezomemristor for temporal-tactile neuromorphic plasticity.

In bioneuronal systems, the synergistic interaction between mechanosensitive piezo channels and neuronal synapses can convert and transmit pressure signals into complex temporal plastic pulses with excitatory and inhibitory features. However, existing artificial tactile neuromorphic systems struggle to replicate the elaborate temporal plasticity observed between excitatory and inhibitory features in biological systems, which is critical for the biomimetic processing and memorizing of tactile information. Here we demonstrate a mechano-gated iontronic piezomemristor with programmable temporal-tactile plasticity.

Synaptotagmin-1 attenuates myocardial programmed necrosis and ischemia/reperfusion injury through the mitochondrial pathway.

Programmed necrosis/necroptosis greatly contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiac disorders including myocardial infarction, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and heart failure. However, the fundamental mechanism underlying myocardial necroptosis, especially the mitochondria-dependent death pathway, is poorly understood. Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1), a Ca sensor, is originally identified in nervous system and mediates synchronous neurotransmitter release.

Isovitexin targets SIRT3 to prevent steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head by modulating mitophagy-mediated ferroptosis.

The death of osteoblasts induced by glucocorticoid (GC)-mediated oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SIONFH). Improving bone formation driven by osteoblasts has shown promising outcomes in the prognosis of SIONFH. Isovitexin has demonstrated antioxidant properties, but its therapeutic effects on GC-induced oxidative stress and SIONFH remain unexplored.

Quality of Life Study in Chronic Diseases: More Needed Than Ever.

Numerous thyroid diseases can impact patients' lives, one of which is Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Graves' ophthalmopathy is a progressive thyroid-related disease that causes eye symptoms due to an autoimmune reaction targeting thyrotropin/thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors in the orbital space. This condition can be easily recognized by the patient, including exophthalmos, pain, swelling, double vision, and impaired vision.

[Predictive model for ejection fraction improvement at one year in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction].

To develop a predictive model for improvement of ejection fraction 1 year after heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) following acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This nested case-control study included STEMI patients diagnosed with HFrEF from a prospective multicenter multimodality imaging cohort between August 2014 and March 2021. Based on the improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at baseline and 1-year follow-up, the patients were classified into the heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) group and the persistent HFrEF group.

Mucosal integrity and acid sensitivity predict proton pump inhibitor response in patients with heartburn and normal acid exposure.

Background: Patients with typical reflux symptoms and normal acid exposure time (AET) are classified as either reflux hypersensitivity (RH) or functional heartburn (FH), some of whom respond to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). We determined if esophageal psychophysiological parameters predict PPI response in symptomatic RH and FH patients.

Methods: We prospectively recruited adults with heartburn diagnosed with RH or FH on 24-h impedance-pH monitoring off PPI.

Subendocardial ischemia: does CMD really exist?

Patients with angina but without obstructive epicardial coronary disease still require a specific mechanistic diagnosis to enable targeted treatment. The overarching term "coronary microvascular dysfunction" (CMD) has been applied broadly - but is it correct? We present a series of case examples culminating a systematic exploration of our large clinical database to distinguish among four categories of coronary pathophysiology. First, by far the largest group of "no stenosis angina" patients exhibits subendocardial ischemia during intact flow through diffuse epicardial disease during dipyridamole vasodilator stress.