High‑intensity focused ultrasound thermal ablation boosts the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced cancers with liver metastases: A single‑center retrospective cohort study.

High-intensity focused ultrasound thermal ablation (HIFU) is a novel non-invasive technique in the treatment of liver metastases (LIM) that allows focal destruction and is not affected by dose limits. This retrospective study aimed to explore the efficacy of HIFU in improving survival and the safety of the method in newly diagnosed patients with cancer with LIM who received first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Between January 2018 and December 2023, data from 438 newly diagnosed patients with cancer and LIM who were treated at Mianyang Central Hospital (Mianyang, China) were reviewed.

Intra-Arterial Tenecteplase Following Endovascular Reperfusion for Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke: The POST-TNK Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The impact of adjunctive intra-arterial tenecteplase administration following near-complete to complete reperfusion by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke is unknown.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and adverse events of adjunctive intra-arterial tenecteplase in patients with large vessel occlusion stroke who had achieved near-complete to complete reperfusion (defined as a score on the expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [eTICI] scale of 2c to 3) after EVT.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label, blinded outcome assessment trial implemented at 34 hospitals in China among 540 patients with stroke due to proximal intracranial large vessel occlusion within 24 hours of the time they were last known to be well, with an eTICI score of 2c to 3 after EVT, and without prior intravenous thrombolysis.

Acute skin failure knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst intensive care unit nurses in China: A multicentre cross-sectional survey.

Purpose: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses regarding acute skin failure (ASF) and analyse the influencing factors thereof.

Methods: From 22 December 2023 to 24 January 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted amongst ICU nurses from 21 hospitals in eight provinces in China. The ASF knowledge, attitude and practice scores were determined using questionnaires, and multiple linear regression was used for further analysis.

Exploring the correlations between six serological inflammatory markers and different stages of type 2 diabetic retinopathy.

To determine the correlations between six serological inflammatory markers, namely the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and various stages of type 2 diabetic retinopathy (T2DR). Additionally, the diagnostic value of these markers in T2DR was evaluated. Clinical data were collected from a total of 397 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited the ophthalmology department at Mian Yang Central Hospital and the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2023 to December 2023.

FLASH radiotherapy: mechanisms, nanotherapeutic strategy and future development.

Ultra-high dose-rate (FLASH) radiotherapy serves as an ideal procedure to treat tumors efficiently without harming normal tissues and has demonstrated satisfactory antitumor effects in multiple animal tumor models. However, the biological mechanisms of FLASH radiotherapy have not yet been fully elucidated, and the small number of devices delivering FLASH dose rate has limited its wide application. This review summarizes the possible biological mechanisms and antitumor effects of FLASH radiotherapy, its application in nanotherapeutic strategy, as well as its challenges and future development.

Application of low-intensity anticoagulation after On-X mechanical aortic valve replacement.

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of low-intensity anticoagulation in patients after On-X mechanical aortic valve replacement.

Methods: A total of 104 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement in Cardiac Surgery Department of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from December 2018 to December 2021 were randomly divided into low-intensity anticoagulant (INR:1.5-2.

Prognostic significance of albumin corrected anion gap in patients with acute pancreatitis: a novel perspective.

This study aims to explore the relationship between the albumin-corrected anion gap (ACAG) and short- and long-term all-cause mortality (ACM) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) managed in the intensive care unit (ICU). We conducted a retrospective analysis utilizing data extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) database. This study sought to investigate the correlation between ACAG and ACM among patients diagnosed with AP across various disease stages.

Machine learning Nomogram for Predicting endometrial lesions after tamoxifen therapy in breast Cancer patients.

Objective Endometrial lesions are a frequent complication following breast cancer, and current diagnostic tools have limitations. This study aims to develop a machine learning-based nomogram model for predicting the early detection of endometrial lesions in patients. The model is designed to assess risk and facilitate individualized treatment strategies for premenopausal breast cancer patients.

Case report: A variant of CRMP1 in an individual with a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Background: CRMP1 is a key protein involved in brain development.

Methods: We performed genetic testing through whole-exome sequencing (WES) in an individual with a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Results: We identified a heterozygous NM_001014809.

Impact of white matter hyperintensity location on outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients: a lesion-symptom mapping study.

Background: Studies on the impact of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) on function outcome have primarily concentrated on WMH volume, overlooking the potential significance of WMH location. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between WMH location and outcome in patients with their first-ever acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: Patients who underwent their first AIS between September 2021 and September 2022 were recruited.

MRI imaging characteristics of brainstem and midbrain aqueduct in patients with iNPH.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is frequently difficult to diagnose due to the absence of specific symptoms, yet early detection and surgical intervention are essential for preventing sequela such as irreversible dementia. This study explores the specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of the brainstem and mesencephalic aqueduct in patients with iNPH. Head MRI data of 50 iNPH patients and 30 healthy matched controls were compared for mesencephalic aqueduct length, diameter, and angle, structural features of the brainstem at the sagittal plane, brainstem component volume ratios, angle between the brainstem and spinal cord, and the area and morphology of the pontine cisterns.

Case report: Systemic sclerosis during neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer in a 59-year-old woman.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease with skin fibrosis being the first and most common manifestation. Patients with SSc have a higher risk of developing malignant tumors than the general population. However, the sequence and underlying mechanisms linking SSc to malignancy remain controversial.

Frailty may be a new predictive factor of recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation in elderly atrial fibrillation patients.

Background: Frailty and atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes require in-depth, multidimensional investigation. We aim to explore the association between frailty and factors such as hospital stay, quality of life, and recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in elderly patients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 195 hospitalized elderly AF patients.

The endothelial activation and stress index is a potential prognostic indicator for patients with acute pancreatitis managed in the intensive care unit: a retrospective study.

Background: The endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX) serves as a dependable and efficient surrogate marker for endothelial dysfunction, which plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis (AP). Hence, we investigated the prognostic value of EASIX in AP.

Methods: This was a retrospective study, using patient information obtained from the Medical Information Market for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) database.

Characteristics of Mortality After Endovascular Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Purpose: Despite significant advancements in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), post-EVT mortality remains a considerable concern. However, there is a lack of real-world epidemiological data delineating the characteristics of mortality for EVT, particularly in recent years following the widespread promotion of EVT treatment for stroke patients.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study collected data from 721 AIS patients who died following EVT across 33 hospitals in Sichuan Province, China, from January 2019 to September 2022.

Differential seasonal performance of C3-epi-D3 level and proportion on multiple metabolic disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background And Aim: Recent Mendelian randomization and meta analysis suggest a controversial causality between C3-epimer of 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (C3-epi-D3) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The clinical evidence regarding the impact of C3-epi-D3 on the progression of T2DM is currently insufficient. This study aims to investigate whether C3-epi-D3 has any effect on metabolic disorders of T2DM patients.

Left ventricular wall thickness discrepancies at end-diastole and mid-diastole: Reference values for cardiac CT.

Purpose: To investigate differences in left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) measurements between end-diastole and mid-diastole using cardiac computed tomography (CCT) and establish LVWT reference values stratified by phase, sex, and region.

Methods: Subjects who underwent CCT without a history of cardiovascular disease or risk factors were retrospectively included between 2021 and 2024. LVWT was manually measured in each segment according to the American Heart Association's 17-segment model at end-diastole and mid-diastole.

Early infarct growth rate is associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after endovascular thrombectomy.

Background: Time elapsed from stroke onset and baseline infarct volume is influential on endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) outcomes.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the utility of early infarct growth rate (EIGR) measured by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in predicting symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) of ischemic stroke patients after EVT.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients from the prospectively maintained stroke registry admitted between January 2019 and March 2023, presenting with large vessel occlusive stroke in the anterior circulation.

Case report: Splenic infarction secondary to asymptomatic atrial fibrillation, necessitating splenectomy.

Introduction: Splenic infarction caused by thrombi rarely causes abdominal pain in acute abdomen patients. This report describes a case of splenic infarction caused by thrombus detachment due to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which was successfully treated and discharged from the hospital.

Case Presentation: A 52-year-old woman walked into the emergency room with left upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting 12 h prior.

Radiotherapy-immunomodulated nanoplatform triggers both hypoxic and normoxic tumor associated antigens generation for robust abscopal effect and sustained immune memory.

Radiotherapy (RT) induced abscopal effect has garnered substantial attention, nevertheless, it is rarely observed in clinics, due to the tumor hypoxia-related radioresistance, inadequate immune stimulation, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Herein, we construct a radiotherapy-immunomodulated nanoplatform (THUNDER), which synergizes with RT and greatly triggers the generation of both hypoxic and normoxic tumor cells-derived tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), resulting in robust abscopal effect and sustained immune memory. THUNDER exhibits prolonged blood circulation and high tumor retention capacity.

Vitamin A is associated with all-cause mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease: a population-based cohort study.

Introduction: The association between serum vitamin A (VA) levels and outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients remains unclear.

Methods: This was a population-based cohort study. CKD participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database were included for analysis.

Evaluating pregnancy outcomes in women with uterine fibroids treated with high-intensity focused ultrasound: insights from a single-institution study.

Objective: This study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ablation on pregnancy outcomes among women with uterine fibroids wishing to conceive, focusing specifically on short-term pregnancy outcomes immediately following HIFU treatment.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 210 women who underwent HIFU treatment (Group I) at our institution between January 2018 and December 2022 and subsequently conceived. Pregnancy outcomes were compared with two control groups: 510 patients who delivered vaginally (Group II) and 278 who underwent cesarean sections (Group III) during the same period.

Association of neutrophil percentage to albumin ratio with gallstones: a cross-sectional study from the United States NHANES.

Background And Objective: The neutrophil percentage to albumin ratio (NPAR) is an emerging, costimulatory indicator of inflammation that is associated with a variety of diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between NPAR and gallstones (GS) has not yet been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association of the NPAR with the odds of GS and the age of patients at the time of their first GS surgery.

Sulfonium perchlorate based near-infrared fluorescent probe targeting lysosome for pH imaging in living cells and tumor-bearing mice.

Due to the accumulation of lactate and other acidic metabolites from insufficient blood supply and hypoxia, the acidic microenvironment of tumors not only accelerates tumor growth and spread but may also affect immune cell function, thereby aiding tumor development. Therefore, real-time monitoring of pH fluctuations in intracellular and living systems provides crucial insights into physiological and pathological processes. This research introduced a novel NIR fluorescent probe, termed SOH, for pH imaging in living cells and tumor-bearing mice.