Exploring the association between socioeconomic inequalities in chronic respiratory disease and all-cause mortality in China: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

Objective: Research on the inequality of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) is limited, and the association between CRD and all-cause mortality is not well-established. Investigating the distribution of CRD and its associated mortality risks is essential for improving CRD conditions and developing targeted intervention measures. This study aimed to explore the relationship between inequalities in CRD and all-cause mortality in China.

Integrating deep learning in public health: a novel approach to PICC-RVT risk assessment.

Background: Machine learning is pivotal for predicting Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-related venous thrombosis (PICC-RVT) risk, facilitating early diagnosis and proactive treatment. Existing models often assess PICC-RVT risk as static and discrete outcomes, which may limit their practical application.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of seven diverse machine learning algorithms, including three deep learning and four traditional machine learning models, that incorporate time-series data to assess PICC-RVT risk.

Antimicrobial prescribing quality in Australian emergency departments: an analysis of the Hospital NAPS data set.

Objective: To analyze antimicrobial prescribing practices in Australian emergency departments (ED), identifying prescribing areas requiring improvement. This aims to inform antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies to enhance antimicrobial prescribing quality.

Design: Retrospective analysis of the Hospital National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS) data set.

Age-dependent phenotypes of cognitive impairment as sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Cognitive changes associated with PASC may not be uniform across populations. We conducted individual-level pooled analyses and meta-analyses of cognitive assessments from eight prospective cohorts, comprising 2,105 patients and 1,432 controls from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Greece, India, Italy, Russia, and the UK. The meta-analysis found no differences by country of origin.

Inclusion of hypocretin-1 improved performance of poor sleep quality prediction for elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Hypocretin-1 is a vital neurotransmitter in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and provides neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia. We aims to develop a poor sleep quality predictive model for elderly population with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 183 consecutively elderly patients were included in the prospective cohort study.

The relationship between anthropometric indices and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a widespread liver condition associated with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases, yet public awareness remains low. Early detection of risk factors is crucial, but liver biopsy, the diagnostic gold standard, is invasive and costly. Non-invasive anthropometric indices provide a safer alternative.

The relationship between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and bone mineral density: an NHANES study.

Background: The non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) is a newly developed lipid parameter. However, the current research has only explored the relationship with lumbar spine bone mineral density, lacking studies on bone mineral density at other sites, total body bone mineral density, and an analysis of risk factors. This study aims to determine the potential association between NHHR and lumbar BMD, increase awareness of the impact of lipid levels on bone health.

Determinants of school-going adolescent girls' health and nutritional status in district Malir, Karachi: a baseline cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Adolescence is a phase of life marked by rapid growth. Adequate nutrition is essential during this developmental stage, leading to significant physical performance, improved cognitive ability, and productivity. Improving adolescent girls' nutrition is crucial for breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, but research in Pakistan has largely focused on children under five and pregnant women, often neglecting this vulnerable group.

Associations of urinary caffeine metabolites with sex hormones: comparison of three statistical models.

Aims: The association between urinary caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones remains unclear. This study used three statistical models to explore the associations between urinary caffeine and its metabolites and sex hormones among adults.

Methods: We selected the participants aged ≥18 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data 2013-2014 as our study subjects.

Unveiling the Origin of Copper Accumulation in Plasma with Aging.

Aging is intricately linked to various diseases including cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic irregularities. Copper (Cu) overexposure has been found to be linked to many diseases during aging, particularly neurodegenerative diseases. Meanwhile, as an essential element, Cu has been implicated in key processes associated with aging, raising questions about its role in age-related health issues.

Metallomic Classification of Pulmonary Nodules Using Blood by Deep-Learning-Boosted Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Fluorescence.

Ambient air pollution is an important contributor to increasing cases of lung cancer, which is a malignant cancer with the highest mortality among all cancers. It primarily manifests in the form of pulmonary nodules, but not all will develop into lung cancer. Therefore, it is highly desired to distinguish between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules for the early prevention and treatment of lung cancer.

An automatic and real-time echocardiography quality scoring system based on deep learning to improve reproducible assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: Echocardiography can conveniently, rapidly, and economically evaluate the structure and function of the heart, and has important value in the diagnosis and evaluation of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, echocardiography still exhibits significant variability in image acquisition and diagnosis, with a heavy dependency on the operator's experience. Image quality affects disease diagnosis in the later stage, and even image quality assessment still has variability in human evaluation.

Artificial intelligence models assisting physicians in quantifying pancreatic necrosis in acute pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation of the pancreas, which can lead to complications such as pancreatic necrosis. The modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI) is a widely used tool for assessing the severity of AP, particularly the extent of pancreatic necrosis. The accurate and timely assessment of the necrosis volume is crucial in guiding treatment decisions and improving patient outcomes.

Thalamic functional connectivity on 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and its relation to motor signs in early-stage Parkinson's disease.

Background: It is well known that dysfunction of thalamocortical circuity generates the motor signs that lead to distinct disease processes and prognoses in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to leverage ultrahigh-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the connectivity alterations of thalamocortical circuity and clarify their relation to motor signs in early PD.

Methods: Patients with early-stage PD (n=55) and healthy controls (HCs, n=56) were recruited from March 2022 to July 2023.

Correlations of anterior and posterior corneal parameters in Chinese myopic patients: a retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Whether the correlations between anterior and posterior corneal parameters vary according to different conditions is unknown. We aimed to investigate the anterior-to-posterior correlations of corneal parameters according to different refractive status and anterior segment dimension.

Methods: A total of 8,365 myopic eyes undergoing refractive surgery between 2017 and 2019 from multiple ophthalmic centers were consecutively included in the study.

Blind spots in brain imaging: a pictorial essay.

Currently, radiologists must interpret large quantities of images and identify diseases on a daily basis. The minimization of errors is crucial for high-quality diagnostic imaging and optimal patient care. Brain imaging is frequently used in clinical practice; however, radiologists are prone to overlook some regions in brain imaging and make perceptual errors, thus leading to missed diagnoses.

Enhancement of the nontumor component in newly diagnosed glioblastoma as a more accurate predictor of local recurrence location: a multicenter study.

Background: Although the spatial heterogeneity of glioblastoma (GBM) can be clearly mapped by the habitats generated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the means to accurately predicting the spatial location of local recurrence (SLLR) remains a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to identify the different degrees enhancement of GBM, including the nontumor component and tumor component, and determine their relationship with SLLR.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed from three tertiary medical centers, totaling 728 patients with 109 radiation-induced temporal lobe necrosis (TLN) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and 619 with GBM.

Assessment of Vertebral Bone Marrow Perfusion, Fat/Water Content, and Trabecular Bone Changes Using Multimodal MRI and Micro-CT in a Rat Model of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Disturbances in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis resulting from chronic kidney disease (CKD) may lead to atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels, potentially altering bone marrow perfusion. Our study aimed to investigate vertebral bone marrow perfusion using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI with a pharmacokinetic model. We also measured possible changes in water and fat content and bony trabeculae using T2* quantification, MR spectroscopy (MRS), and microcomputed tomography (μCT).

Diagnostic Performance of Different Examination Types and Learning Curves of Radiologists for 5G-Based Robot-Assisted Tele-Ultrasonography: A Prospective and Large-Scale Study.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of remotely providing routine ultrasound (US) examinations to patients using a fifth-generation-based robot-assisted tele-ultrasonography (RATU) system in a real-world setting.

Methods: Between September 2020 and May 2021, we conducted a prospective and large-scale study using the RATU system to provide US examinations for patients on a limited-source island locate. An on-site radiologist on the island performed US examinations, which served as the reference diagnosis.

A double probe-based fluorescence sensor array to detect rare earth element ions.

There is a persistent need for effective sensors to detect rare earth element ions (REEIs) due to their effects on human health and the environment. Thus, a simple and efficient fluorescence-based detection method for REEIs that offers convenience, flexibility, versatility, and efficiency is essential for ensuring environmental safety, food quality, and biomedical applications. In this study, 6-aza-2-thiothymine-gold nanoclusters (ATT-AuNCs) and bovine serum albumin/3-mercaptopropionic acid-AuNCs (BSA/MPA-AuNCs) were utilized to detect 14 REEIs (Sc, Gd, Lu, Y, Ce, Pr, Yb, Dy, Tm, Sm, Ho, Tb, La, and Eu), resulting in the creation of a simple, sensitive, and multi-target fluorescence sensor array detection platform.

Unstructured Parental Feedback at A Tertiary Maternity Hospital: A Cohort Study Using Routinely Collected Health Data.

Background: Hospital care for neonates can be challenging for parents, and a negative parental experience can affect the well-being of the infant after discharge. A family-centred approach is the gold standard of care in neonatology.

Aim: This study aimed to identify common themes in voluntary unstructured feedback received from parents and caregivers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, special care nursery or postnatal ward or followed up by neonatal outpatient services at a tertiary Australian Women and Children's Hospital.

Bridging the gap: Evaluating ChatGPT-generated, personalized, patient-centered prostate biopsy reports.

Objective: The highly specialized language used in prostate biopsy pathology reports coupled with low rates of health literacy leave some patients unable to comprehend their medical information. Patients' use of online search engines can lead to misinterpretation of results and emotional distress. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT (OpenAI) could simplify complex texts and help patients.

Update on the treatment navigation for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: expert consensus 2.0.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements.

Synthesis, antifungal activity, and molecular simulation study of nootkatone-based thiazole-hydrazone compounds as novel succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor.

Background: Plant diseases cause huge losses in agriculture worldwide every year, but the prolonged use of current commercial fungicides has led to the development of resistance in plant pathogenic fungi. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new, efficient, and green fungicides.

Results: Twenty-three nootkatone-based thiazole-hydrazone compounds were designed, synthesized, and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), proton (H) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), carbon-13 (C) NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).

Amygdala-centered fusional connections characterized nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

The importance of nonmotor symptoms in understanding the pathogenesis of the heterogeneity of Parkinson's disease has been highlighted. However, the validation of specific brain network biomarkers in nonmotor symptom subtypes is currently lacking. By performing a new approach to compute functional connectivity with structural prior using magnetic resonance imaging, the present study computed both functional connectivity and fusional connectivity features in the nonmotor symptom subtypes of Parkinson's disease, one characterized by cognitive impairment with late onset and the other depression with early onset.