Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of ALIGN, a Randomized Controlled Study of Atrasentan in Patients With IgA Nephropathy.

Introduction: Endothelin A (ETA) receptor activation is a driver of proteinuria, kidney inflammation, and fibrosis in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Atrasentan, a selective ETA receptor antagonist, has potential to reduce proteinuria and preserve kidney function in IgAN. ALIGN (NCT04573478) is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of atrasentan in patients with IgAN at high risk of kidney function loss.

Association of iron deficiency with kidney outcome and all-cause mortality in chronic kidney disease patients without anemia.

Background: Iron deficiency is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), even in those without anemia. However, the effects of iron deficiency on CKD progression and all-cause mortality in non-dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) patients without anemia remain incompletely understood.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective nationwide cohort study included adult patients with non-anemia NDD-CKD from 24 hospitals across China.

Exploring the link between serum uric acid and colorectal cancer: Insights from genetic evidence and observational data.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Urate, known for its antioxidant properties, may influence CRC risk and prognosis, but research on this is limited. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the causal relationship between serum urate levels and CRC risk.

PET Imaging of Solid Tumors with a G-Quadruplex-Targeting F-Labeled Peptide Probe.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a common imaging technique and can provide accurate information about the size, shape, and location of tumors. Recent evidence has shown that G-quadruplex structures (G4s) are identified in human oncogenes, and these special structures are recognized as diagnostic cancer markers and drug targets for anticancer therapies. Although a number of techniques for in vivo imaging of G4s have been developed, achieving sufficient sensitivity and selectivity in vivo remains challenging.

[Characteristics of type 2 inflammation in nocturnal asthma and evaluation of the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids combination therapy].

To investigate the characteristics of type 2 inflammation in patients with nocturnal asthma, and analyze the improvement of asthma symptoms after the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) combined with different long-acting bronchodilators. Data of 231 asthma patients who first visited the Respiratory and Critical Care Medical Clinic of Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from January 2020 to June 2023 and had positive bronchodilator tests (BDT), were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into nocturnal asthma group and non-nocturnal asthma group based on the presence or absence of nocturnal symptoms.

Identification of pyrimidine metabolism-based molecular subtypes and prognostic signature to predict immune landscape and guide clinical treatment in prostate cancer.

Background: We previously described the enrichment of plasma exosome metabolites in CRPC, PCa, and TFC cohorts, and found significant differences in pyrimidine metabolites. The PMGs is associated with the clinical prognosis of several cancers, but its biological role in PCa is still unclear.

Methods: This study extracted 98 reliable PMGs, and analyzed their somatic mutations, expression levels, and prognostic significance.

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR): A Strong Predictor of Disease Severity in Large-Artery Atherosclerosis (LAA) Stroke Patients.

Background: Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are novel inflammatory markers based on neutrophil, platelet and lymphocyte counts. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease. This study aimed to verify the predictive value of the clinical parameters such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for the severity in Large Artery Atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke patients.

Sovleplenib in patients with primary or secondary warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia: results from phase 2 of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2/3 study.

Background: Spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitors are potential treatment options for warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. This study aimed to assess the preliminary efficacy and safety of sovleplenib-an oral spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor-in patients with warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in China. Here we report on the phase 2 results.

Migrasome-related prognostic signature TSPAN4 correlates with immune infiltrates and metabolic disturbances in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: We aim to comprehensively analyze and validate the prognostic efficacy of tetraspanin 4 (TSPAN4) and several other migrasome-related markers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: The expression, diagnostic, and prognostic efficacy of five migrasome-related genes in HCC were analyzed using several databases. Five pairs of adjacent non-tumor tissues and HCC tissues were used to validate the expression.

Direct reprogramming of human fibroblasts into hair-inducing dermal papilla cell-like cells by a single small molecule.

Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are a crucial subset of mesenchymal cells in the skin responsible for regulating hair follicle development and growth, making them invaluable for cell-based therapies targeting hair loss. However, obtaining sufficient DPCs with potent hair-inducing abilities remains a persistent challenge. In this study, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library was utilized to screen small molecules capable of reprogramming readily accessible human skin fibroblasts into functional DPCs.

Refining Risk Stratification for B-cell Precursor Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated With a Pediatric-inspired Regimen by Combining IKZF1 Deletion and Minimal Residual Disease.

Minimal residual disease (MRD) is the most important prognostic factor for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) however nearly 20% to 30% of patients relapsed even when they achieved negative MRD, how to identify these patients is less addressed. In this study, we aimed to reassess the prognostic significance of MRD and IKZF1 in adult B-ALL patients receiving pediatric chemotherapy regimens. In the PDT-ALL-2016 cohort (NCT03564470), adult B-ALL patients were treated with a pediatric-inspired regimen; patients were redefined as standard (MRD-negative and IKZF1wild-type), intermediate (MRD-positive or IKZF1 deletion), and high-risk (MRD-positive and IKZF1 deletion) groups by combining IKZF1 deletion status and MRD.

AIE-Active Antibacterial Photosensitizer Disrupting Bacterial Structure: Multicenter Validation against Drug-Resistant Pathogens.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global challenge in treating bacterial infections, creating an urgent need for broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents that can effectively combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Despite advancements in novel antimicrobial agents, many fail to comprehensively cover common resistant bacterial strains or undergo rigorous multi-center validation. Herein, a cationic AIE-active photosensitizers are developed, ITPM, derived from a triphenylamine-pyridine backbone to address the MDR challenge.

Association Between Blood Urea Nitrogen/Albumin and the Incidence as Well as Progression of Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: An increased risk of multiple secondary diseases has been observed in individuals with diabetes, which contributes to the growing economic burden. Few studies have established the connection of blood urea nitrogen/albumin (BAR) with diabetes, and its link to subsequent diabetic complications and mortality remains unclear. We aimed to explore the association of BAR with the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its dynamic progression.

LINC01271 promotes fracture healing via regulating miR-19a-3p/PIK3CA axis.

Objective: Osteoporosis increases the risk of fragility fractures, impacting patients' lives. This study aimed to investigate whether LINC01271 was involved in the process of fragility fractures and healing, providing a new perspective for its diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: This study included 94 healthy individuals, 82 patients with osteoporosis, and 85 patients with fragility fractures as subjects.

Quantitative evaluation of two-way referral policies based on PMC index model.

Objective: Perfect policy system support is the key to effective work, and policy evaluation can provide theoretical basis for policy revision. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the two-way referral policy in China and thus improve the policy system of two-way referral.

Methods: This research focuses on 14 two-way referral policies published from 2007 to 2021.

Qwen-2.5 Outperforms Other Large Language Models in the Chinese National Nursing Licensing Examination: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Comparative Study.

Background: Large language models (LLMs) have been proposed as valuable tools in medical education and practice. The Chinese National Nursing Licensing Examination (CNNLE) presents unique challenges for LLMs due to its requirement for both deep domain-specific nursing knowledge and the ability to make complex clinical decisions, which differentiates it from more general medical examinations. However, their potential application in the CNNLE remains unexplored.

Effects of recombinant human growth hormone in severe neurosurgical patients: A single center, retrospective study.

Purpose: To explore the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) on inflammatory mediators, immune cells and prognosis in severe neurosurgical patients.

Methods: From August 2020 to June 2021, a total of 236 patients who admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into GH group (97 cases) and nGH group (139 cases) according to whether they received r-hGH treatment.

Comparative efficacy and safety of sitagliptin or gliclazide combined with metformin in treatment-naive patients with type 2 diabetes: A single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled, noninferiority study with genetic polymorphism analysis.

Background: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin versus gliclazide, combined with metformin, in treatment-naive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and glucotoxicity.

Methods: In this single-center, randomized, controlled noninferiority trial, 129 treatment-naive patients with T2DM with glucotoxicity (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] ≥ 200 mg/dL and glycated hemoglobin ≥ 9.0%) were randomized to receive sitagliptin plus metformin (n = 66) or gliclazide plus metformin (n = 63) for 12 weeks.

Artificial Intelligence for Predicting HER2 Status of Gastric Cancer Based on Whole-Slide Histopathology Images: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive gastric cancer (GC) shows a robust response to the combined therapy based HER2-targeted therapy. The application of these therapies is highly dependent on the evaluation of tumor HER2 status. However, there are many risks and challenges in HER2 assessment in GC.

Aging-induced Alternation in the Gut Microbiota Impairs Host Antibacterial Defense.

Older individuals experience increased susceptibility and mortality to bacterial infections, but the underlying etiology remains unclear. Herein, it is shown that aging-associated reduction of commensal Parabacteroides goldsteinii (P. goldsteinii) in both aged mice and humans critically contributes to worse outcomes of bacterial infection.

Ultra-low dose dual-layer detector spectral CT for pulmonary nodule screening: image quality and diagnostic performance.

Objectives: To investigate the image quality and diagnostic performance with ultra-low dose dual-layer detector spectral CT (DLSCT) by various reconstruction techniques for evaluation of pulmonary nodules.

Materials And Methods: Between April 2023 and December 2023, patients with suspected pulmonary nodules were prospectively enrolled and underwent regular-dose chest CT (RDCT; 120 kVp/automatic tube current) and ultra-low dose CT (ULDCT; 100 kVp/10 mAs) on a DLSCT scanner. ULDCT was reconstructed with hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), electron density map (EDM), and virtual monoenergetic images at 40 keV and 70 keV.

Retrospective analysis of the occurrence, potential risk factors and medical significance of pulmonary complications after total shoulder arthroplasty from the National Inpatient Sample database (2010-2019).

Background: In USA, total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) ranks amongst the top five surgeries that require hospitalization. As a result, the healthcare system in USA could face a considerable financial strain due to the emergence of subsequent pulmonary problems. This study aimed to conduct a thorough examination of the prevalence, influential factors and medical importance of pulmonary complications, with emphasis on pneumonia, respiratory failure and pulmonary embolism (PE) following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) procedures in USA.