A protective role of nintedanib in peritoneal fibrosis through H19-EZH2-KLF2 axis via impeding mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Background: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF), a common complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis, accounts for peritoneal ultrafiltration failure to develop into increased mortality. Nintedanib has previously been shown to protect against multi-organ fibrosis, including PF. Unfortunately, the precise molecular mechanism underlying nintedanib in the pathogenesis of PF remains elusive.

HGF facilitates methylation of MEG3, potentially implicated in vemurafenib resistance in melanoma.

Background: Melanoma, a frequently encountered cutaneous malignancy characterized by a poor prognosis, persists in presenting formidable challenges despite the advancement in molecularly targeted drugs designed to improve survival rates significantly. Unfortunately, as more therapeutic choices have developed over time, the gradual emergence of drug resistance has become a notable impediment to the effectiveness of these therapeutic interventions. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-met signaling pathway has attracted considerable attention, associated with drug resistance stemming from multiple potential mutations within the c-met gene.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Ceftazidime-Avibactam in the Treatment of Infection: A Retrospective Analysis from a Hospital in China.

Background: Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) is a new cephalosporin/β-lactamase inhibitor combination that received clinical approval in China in 2019. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of CAZ-AVI in the treatment of (KP) infection in a hospital, and differences in efficacy among various infection sites and between monotherapy and combination therapy, providing valuable insights for its further application.

Methods: Patients who used CAZ-AVI between January 2019 and April 2023 were identified through the hospital information system.

Survival benefit of liver resection following complete response to transarterial chemoembolization for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective, multicenter, cohort study.

Background: High rate of tumor recurrence jeopardized the long-term survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with complete response to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). This study aims to evaluate the survival benefit of liver resection (LR) following the complete response to TACE for intermediate-stage HCC.

Methods: A total of 281 intermediate-stage HCC patients with complete response to TACE followed by persistent observation (TACE group) or LR (TLR group) from 01 January 2011 to 31 December 2021 from three institutions in China were included.

Identification of key genes and their correlation with immune infiltration in osteoarthritis using integrative bioinformatics approaches and machine-learning strategies.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease and is closely associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation. Regulating ferroptosis by targeting ferroptosis-related genes may be a fast and effective way to delay the degeneration of OA. However, the molecular mechanisms and gene targets related to ferroptosis in OA are still unclear.

Alterations and Significance of Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography-Derived Parameters in Older Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate changes of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA)-derived parameters in older adults with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Methods: According to the pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI), patients with APE were divided into the A1 (PAOI ≥30%, n = 57) and A2 (PAOI <30%, n = 40) groups. Participants without APE were placed in group B (n = 170).

Effects of metformin therapy on HMGB1 levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective: The traditional treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has some side effects. We aimed to explore the effect of metformin treatment on the expression of HMGB1, cytokines, T cell subtypes and the clinical outcomes in RA patients.

Methods: The present prospective cohort study recruited 124 RA patients (metformin group) who were treated with metformin and conventional therapy (methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine sulfate and sulfasalazine) and 98 RA patients (conventional therapy group) who were only treated with conventional therapy.

Deciphering the tumor-suppressive role of PSMB9 in melanoma through multi-omics and single-cell transcriptome analyses.

Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) poses a significant challenge in skin cancers. Recent immunotherapy breakthroughs have revolutionized melanoma treamtment, yet tumor heterogeneity persists as an obstacle. Epigenetic modifications orchestrated by DNA methylation contributed to tumorigenesis, thus potentially unveiling melanoma prognosis.

IGFBP2 from a novel copper metabolism-associated biomarker promoted glioma progression and response to immunotherapy.

Introduction: Copper metabolism encompasses all cellular metabolic processes involving copper ions and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases, including cancer. Furthermore, copper is intricately involved in various processes related to nucleotide metabolism. However, a comprehensive analysis of copper metabolism in gliomas remains lacking despite its importance.

Mechanisms underlying the changes in acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 1 in cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most recurrent malignant tumor found in the biliary system. It originates from the bile duct epithelial cells characterized by easy metastasis, high intermittent rate, and poor prognosis. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), a marker of cancer stem cells, the levels of which are particularly elevated in various of malignant tumors.

Real-world tobacco cessation practice in China: findings from the prospective, nationwide multicenter China National Tobacco Cessation Cohort Study (CNTCCS).

Background: Tobacco cessation is proven to be the most effective and cost-effective strategy for smokers to reduce their risk of smoking-related disease and premature death. Providing effective, efficient, safe, and patient-centred tobacco cessation treatment to reach those who need them is a significant challenge. To date, only a few nationwide studies in China have assessed the overall clinical care practice and treatment outcome of tobacco cessation.

Potential roles of HSYA in attenuating sepsis-induced liver injury through multi-omics analysis.

Liver injury is a strong independent predictor of mortality in patients with sepsis, in which gut dysbiosis plays a crucial role. Hydroxyl safflower yellow A (HSYA), an important component of safflower, has been used to treat liver injury in animal models. However, its role in sepsis-induced liver dysfunction and the specific molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Identification of key circadian rhythm genes in skin aging based on bioinformatics and machine learning.

Skin aging is often accompanied by disruption of circadian rhythm and abnormal expression of circadian rhythm-related genes. In this study, we downloaded skin aging expression datasets from the GEO database and utilized bioinformatics and machine learning methods to explore circadian rhythm genes and pathways involved in skin aging, revealing the pathological and molecular mechanisms of skin aging. Results showed that 39 circadian rhythm-related genes (CRGs) were identified in skin aging, and these CRGs were enriched in signaling pathways such as glucagon signaling pathway, insulin resistance, thyroid hormone signaling pathway, and adipocytokine signaling pathway.

NF-κB downstream miR-1262 disturbs colon cancer cell malignant behaviors by targeting FGFR1.

Despite substantial advancements in screening, surgery, and chemotherapy, colorectal cancer remains the second most lethal form of the disease. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling is a critical driver facilitating the malignant transformation of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. In this study, deregulated miRNAs that could play a role in colon cancer are analyzed and investigated for specific functions using cancer cells and using a subcutaneous xenograft model.

Experience of rehabilitation specialist nurses in providing bowel care for stroke patients: A qualitative study.

Aims: This study aims to explore the experiences of rehabilitation specialist nurses in providing bowel care to stroke patients and to identify the factors that either facilitate or hinder their practice.

Design: This was a descriptive qualitative design study.

Methods: Between May 2022 and October 2022, we conducted in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 12 rehabilitation specialist nurses from two tertiary hospitals in Changsha, China.

Analysis of distribution and antibiotic resistance of Gram-positive bacteria isolated from a tertiary-care hospital in southern China: an 8-year retrospective study.

Objective: Due to the severe drug resistance situation of Gram-negative bacteria, especially Gram-negative enterobacter, relatively little attention has been paid to the changes in Gram-positive bacteria species and drug resistance. Therefore, this study analyzed the prevalence and drug resistance of Gram-positive bacteria in a general tertiary-care hospital from 2014 to 2021, in order to discover the changes in Gram-positive bacteria distribution and drug resistance that cannot be easily identified, inform clinicians in their respective regions when selecting antimicrobial agents, and to provide the basis for the diagnosis of Gram-positive bacterial infection, and for the comprehensive and multi-pronged prevention and control of drug-resistant bacteria.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on Gram-positive bacteria isolated from patients presented to a general tertiary-care hospital from January 2014 to December 2021.

Decoding tumor stage by peritumoral and intratumoral radiomics in resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential application of radiomics in predicting Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage in patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: This retrospective study included 122 consecutive patients (mean age, 57 years; 27 women). Corresponding tumor of interest was identified on axial arterial-phase CT images with manual annotation.

Dose-response relationships of resistance training in Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Globally, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for approximately 90% of diabetes cases. Resistance training (RT) is frequently employed to diminish Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Fast Blood Glucose (FBG) levels in T2DM patients. Yet, the specific dose-response relationships between RT variables such as training duration, frequency, and intensity for T2DM remain under-researched.

Exploring the potential mechanism of Xuebijing injection against sepsis based on metabolomics and network pharmacology.

Sepsis is a major contributor to the death of critically ill patients globally, in which metabolic disturbance is observed. Xuebijing injection (XBJ), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, has received approval by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China owing to its satisfactory clinical therapeutic effect. Nowadays, it has been applied clinically to the treatment of sepsis, but its effect on metabolic disorders remains unclear.

IL-21 collaborates with anti-TIGIT to restore NK cell function in chronic HBV infection.

Available therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are not satisfying, and interleukin-21 (IL-21) and checkpoint inhibitors are potential therapeutic options. However, the mechanism underlying IL-21 and checkpoint inhibitors in treating chronic HBV infection is unclear. To explore whether IL-21 and checkpoint inhibitors promote HBV clearance by modulating the function of natural killer (NK) cells, we measured the phenotypes and functions of NK cells in chronic HBV-infected patients and healthy controls on mRNA and protein levels.