Hybrid hydrogels containing gradients in gold nanoparticles for localized delivery of mesenchymal stem cells and enhanced nerve tissues remodeling .

Currently, most peripheral nerve injuries are incurable mainly due to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in inflammatory tissues, which can further exacerbate localized tissue injury and cause chronic diseases. Although promising for promoting nerve regeneration, stem cell therapy still suffers from abundant intrinsic limitations, mainly including excessive ROS in lesions and inefficient production of growth factors (GFs). Biomaterials that scavenge endogenous ROS and promote GFs secretion might overcome such limitations and thus are being increasingly investigated.

Elevated serum FGF21 is an independent predictor for adverse events in hemodialysis patients from two large centers: a prospective cohort study.

We explored the relationship and the predictive value of serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) with all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and pneumonia in hemodialysis (HD) patients. A total of 388 Chinese HD patients from two HD centers were finally enrolled in this prospective cohort study (registration number: ChiCTR 1900028249) between January 2018 and December 2018. Serum FGF21 was detected.

Validation of the commercial coronary computed tomographic angiography artificial intelligence for coronary artery stenosis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The commercial coronary computed tomographic angiography artificial intelligence (CCTA-AI) platform has made great progress in clinical application. However, research is needed to elucidate the current stage of commercial AI platforms and the role of radiologists. This study compared the diagnostic performance of the commercial CCTA-AI platform with that of a reader based on a multicenter and multidevice sample.

Non-invasive brain stimulation for treating post-stroke depression: A network meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the antidepressant effects and tolerability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatments in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD).

Methods: We included randomized controlled trials comparing active stimulation with sham stimulation. Primary outcomes were the depression score after treatment, presented as standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals.

Fecal microbiota transplantation ameliorates type 2 diabetes via metabolic remodeling of the gut microbiota in db/db mice.

Introduction: Gut microbiome (GM) deregulation has been implicated in major conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Our previous prospective study indicated that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) successfully improved patients with T2DM. We hypothesized that FMT may be a potential therapeutic method for T2DM, but its precise mechanisms in T2DM remains to be elucidated.

Hybrid stent in management of malignant airway obstruction with carina esophageal fistula: A case report.

Rationale: Airway stents have been developed rapidly to treat airway stenosis and fistula caused by various reasons. Malignant conditions that lead to central airway obstruction, especially the invasion of trachea carina and formation of esophageal fistula, are still a challenge for clinicians.

Patient Concerns: A 61-year-old man presented with malignant airway obstruction and fistula between trachea carina and esophagus accompanied by severe respiratory failure.

Metabolomic analysis of serum from pure coronary artery ectasia patients based on UPLC-QE/MS technique.

Background: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a cardiovascular disorder characterized by abnormal coronary artery dilation and disturbed coronary flow. The exact pathophysiology of CAE is still unclear. We aimed to investigate differences in metabolomic profiles between CAE patients and healthy controls.

Genomic alterations in biliary tract cancer predict prognosis and immunotherapy outcomes.

Background: Recently, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has shown promising efficacy in biliary tract cancer (BTC), which includes gallbladder cancer (GBC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CHOL). Understanding the association between immunotherapy outcomes and the genomic profile of advanced BTC may further improve the clinical benefits from immunotherapy.

Methods: Genomic tumor DNA was isolated from 98 Chinese patients with advanced BTC and used for targeted next-generation sequencing of 416 cancer-related genes to identify the genomic alterations common to advanced BTC.

Non-contrast head CT alone for thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: analysis of the ANGEL-ACT registry.

Backgroud: The goal of this study was to determine if the choice of imaging paradigm performed in the emergency department influences the procedural or clinical outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods: This is a retrospective comparative outcome study which was conducted from the ANGEL-ACT registry. Comparisons were made between baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing MT with non-contrast head computed tomography (NCHCT) alone versus patients undergoing NCHCT plus non-invasive vessel imaging (NVI) (including CT angiography (with or without CT perfusion) and magnetic resonance angiography).

Management and Follow-Up Practices of Women With Recurrent Stress Urinary Incontinence Following Transobturator Mid-urethral Synthetic Sling Procedure: A 6-Year Retrospective Monocentric University-Based Study.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of management and follow-up practices in repeat retropubic mid-urethral synthetic sling (MUS) procedure after transobturator tape/tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TOT/TVT-O) failure, and to clarify the possible etiology of recurrent stress urinary incontinence. The charts of all women patients who underwent tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) slings after previous failed transobturator MUS procedures between February 2012 and November 2018 at a single center were reviewed retrospectively. The transperineal ultrasound was performed to assess the pre-operative or post-operative urethral mobility and location of the slings.

Therapeutic effect of integrin-linked kinase gene-modified bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for streptozotocin-induced diabetic cystopathy in a rat model.

Background: Diabetic cystopathy (DCP) is a chronic complication of diabetes mainly within the submucosal and muscular layers of the bladder due to the hyperglycemia-induced ischemia. As no effective therapies are currently available, the administration of optimized mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provides a potential treatment of DCP. Thus far, new strategy, such as genetic modification of MSCs, has been developed and has shown promising outcomes of various disorders.

[Large clinical registries for acute aortic dissection: interpretation and comparison of latest results].

Despite the improvements in the diagnosis and management during the past six decades, acute aortic dissection (AAD) remains a life-threatening condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Due to the relatively rare occurrence of AAD, several clinical registries have been established to gain insights into this lethal disease in a large number of patients, such as the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD), the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA), and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database Aortic Section. This review aims to interpret and compare the latest results of the IRAD, STS and GERAADA database.