Emerging biological treatments for asthma.

Introduction: Severe asthma is a chronic airway disease characterized by many pathomechanisms known as endotypes. Biological therapies targeting severe asthma endotypes have significantly improved the treatment of this disease, thus remarkably bettering patient quality of life.

Areas Covered: This review aims to describe current biological therapies for severe asthma, highlighting emerging ones.

Valvular heart disease and heart-related disease: a bibliometric and visual analysis from 2000 to 2023.

Background: Previous studies have shown that valvular heart disease (VHD) is closely related to the development of heart-related disease (HRD). However, the current research for the relationship between VHD and HRD is complex and poorly targeted. Meanwhile, these studies lack the support of bibliometric analysis results.

Efficacy and Safety of Different Acupuncture Treatments for Cancer-Related Pain: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Cancer pain is a prevalent and persistent issue, and while there have been some observations of the possible benefits of acupuncture in managing cancer pain, there is still debate regarding its safety and effectiveness. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of different acupuncture modalities in the treatment of cancer pain through a network meta-analysis.

Methods: Between the time each database was created and June 3, 2024, eight databases were queried: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and China Biomedicine.

Advances in the use of nanotechnology for treating gout.

Gout is a commonly occurring form of inflammatory arthritis caused by persistently elevated levels of uric acid. Its incidence rate rises with the increases of living standards and poor dietary habits, which has a considerable impact on the quality of life of the patients. Although there is a wide assortment of drugs available for the management of gout, the effectiveness and security of these drugs are limited by their poor chemical stability and insufficient targeting.

Nickel-Catalyzed Selective Reduction of Carbon Monoxide with Magnesium Alkyl Compounds.

Research on CO activation and homologation is pivotal for promoting sustainable chemistry and the construction of Cn molecular blocks. This work reports the nickel-catalyzed reduction of CO by magnesium alkyl compounds utilizing a bimetallic Mg/Ni synergistic strategy. The exposure of β-diketiminato ligand-supported magnesium monoalkyl compounds LMgR (L = [(DippNCMe)2CH]-, Dipp = 2,6-iPr2C6H3; R = nBu, CH3, C5H9) to 1 bar of CO in the presence of 10 mol% Ni(COD)2 (COD: 1,5-cyclooctadiene) selectively afforded the CO single-insertion product [LMg(CHO)C5H8], the dimerization product [(LMg)2(μ-C2O2)(CH3)2], and the linear trimerization product [(LMg)2(μ-C3O3)(nBu)2], respectively, depending on the R group.

Review of Associations of Diabetes and Insulin Resistance With Brain Health in Three Harmonised Cohort Studies of Ageing and Dementia.

Diabetes increases the risk of dementia, and insulin resistance (IR) has emerged as a potential unifying feature. Here, we review published findings over the past 2 decades on the relation of diabetes and IR to brain health, including those related to cognition and neuropathology, in the Religious Orders Study, the Rush Memory and Aging Project, and the Minority Aging Research Study (ROS/MAP/MARS), three harmonised cohort studies of ageing and dementia at the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (RADC). A wide range of participant data, including information on medical conditions such as diabetes and neuropsychological tests, as well as other clinical and laboratory-based data collected annually.

Quercetin, a natural flavonoid induced by the spider mite Tetranychus urticae or alamethicin, is involved in the defense of lima bean against spider mites.

Background: Phaseolus lunatus, commonly known as the lima bean, is a leguminous crop cultivated in various regions worldwide. It is native to tropical America and is extensively grown in both tropical and temperate climates. Lima beans are highly nutritious and versatile, serving not only as a food and vegetable, but also as a source of green manure.

Mixed-Bridging 2D Luminescent Coordination Polymer: Structure, Selective Sensing of Pollutants in Water, and Fabrication of Photoresponsive Electronic Device.

Pyrazine (tppz) and 5-sulfosalicylic acid (HSSA) mixed-bridging Cd(II)-CP, {[Cd(HSSA)(tppz)]} (), is highly luminescent, and the emission has been quenched selectively by Al in the presence of other cations, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 43.9 nM (1.18 ppb).

Modeling Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Organoids.

Background: The therapeutic armamentarium for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains notably constrained. A factor contributing to this problem could be the scarcity of in vitro models for HFpEF, which hinders progress in developing new therapeutic strategies. Here, we aimed at developing a novel, comorbidity-inspired, human, in vitro model for HFpEF.

Residual Mitral Regurgitation Interacts With Transmitral Mean Pressure Gradient to Modify the Association With Mortality Following Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

Background: The association, if any, between the transmitral mean pressure gradient (TMPG) after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair and 1-year mortality is controversial in patients undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair with the MitraClip system. We sought to estimate the association between intraoperatively measured residual mitral regurgitation (rMR) and TMPG and 1-year mortality among patients undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair to facilitate decisions on additional devices.

Methods: In patients with severe secondary (functional) MR, we analyzed registry data using generalized estimating equations.

Establishment and evaluation of a deep learning-based tooth wear severity grading system using intraoral photographs.

Background/purpose: Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist in medical diagnosis owing to its high accuracy and efficiency. This study aimed to develop a diagnostic system for automatically determining the degree of tooth wear (TW) using intraoral photographs with deep learning.

Materials And Methods: The study included 388 intraoral photographs.

Effectiveness of intra-articular vancomycin in preventing prosthetic joint infections in hip and knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCT's.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intra-articular vancomycin powder in reducing prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) in primary hip and knee arthroplasty through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: A research in Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed to identify randomized clinical trials comparing intra-articular vancomycin use to conventional antibiotic prophylaxis in total hip or knee arthroplasty patients, assessing postoperative infection rates, adverse drug reactions, and venous thrombotic events. Statistical analysis was performed using R (RStudio 2024.

Biological function of d-tryptophan: a bibliometric analysis and review.

Background: d-Tryptophan is recognised for its unique physiological properties. In this study, we aimed to explore the dynamic trends and emerging topics in d-tryptophan research to offer fresh perspectives for future studies.

Methods: Employing bibliometric analysis, we examined the literature on d-tryptophan indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from January 1987 to December 2023.

The Effect of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir on Short- and Long-term Adverse Outcomes From COVID-19 Among Patients With Kidney Disease: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Background: Patients with kidney disease are at high risk for adverse outcomes after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) despite vaccination. Because patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure were excluded from registrational trials, the impact of the protease inhibitor nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in patients with kidney disease is unknown.

Methods: This was a cohort study evaluating adverse outcomes in patients with kidney disease who developed COVID-19.

Analytical Validation of Wrist-Worn Accelerometer-Based Step-Count Methods during Structured and Free-Living Activities.

Introduction: Wrist-worn accelerometers can capture stepping behavior passively, continuously, and remotely. Methods utilizing peak detection, threshold crossing, and frequency analysis have been used to detect steps from wrist-worn accelerometer data, but it remains unclear how different approaches perform across a range of walking speeds and free-living activities. In this study, we evaluated the performance of four open-source methods for deriving step counts from wrist-worn accelerometry data, when applied to data from a range of structured locomotion and free-living activities.

Mechanical and functional characterisation of a 3D porous biomimetic extracellular matrix to study insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cell lines.

Background: Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a three-dimensional (3D) structure found around cells in the tissues of many organisms. It is composed mainly of fibrous proteins, such as collagen and elastin, and adhesive glycoproteins, such as fibronectin and laminin-as well as proteoglycans, such as hyaluronic acid. The ECM performs several essential functions, including structural support of tissues, regulation of cell communication, adhesion, migration, and differentiation by providing biochemical and biomechanical cues to the cells.

Chronic Severe Neutropenia Associated With Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Multifocal Motor Neuropathy.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is an immunomodulatory therapy derived from pooled donor immunoglobulins and used for treatment of various autoimmune conditions. Here we report the diagnosis and management of IVIG-induced chronic severe neutropenia with absolute neutrophil count <0.5×10/µL in a patient with multifocal motor neuropathy.

From gastroenteritis to myocarditis: a case series of Campylobacter-mediated cardiac involvement.

Background: While viruses remain the leading cause of infectious myocarditis, improved diagnostic methods have highlighted the role of bacteria as a possible cause. We report two cases of myocarditis as a complication of infection.

Case Summaries: Patient A, a 17-year-old Caucasian male with a history of asthma, presented to the emergency department (ED) after experiencing fever and nausea for four days, followed by 1 day of diarrhoea and chest discomfort.

Obsessive-compulsive Symptoms Prevalence among Medical Students in Four Major Universities, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 most disabling disorders globally. Characterized by recurrent and persistent thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions), it significantly disrupts an individual's daily life, impacting routine, education, career development, and social relationships. The disorder's prevalence varies worldwide, with studies in Saudi Arabia showing a higher rate of obsessive-compulsive symptoms among medical students.

Effectiveness of Anti-Inflammatory Agents to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) as one of the most significant complications of cardiovascular surgeries remains a major clinical challenge. We conducted a systematic review with network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, to identify the most effective and safe anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent new-onset POAF.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched without language or publication-date restriction on August 8, 2022 (updated on August 8, 2023).

Effects of Lupeol on Intestinal Anastomosis After Experimental Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

Background: Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury can occur in a wide variety of diseases and surgeries. If necessary, the blood flow should be restored, including re-anastomosis by removing the intestines with impaired circulation. In this process, anastomotic strength is as important as inflammatory responses and oxidative stress.

Targeted intra-tumoral hyperthermia using uniquely biocompatible gold nanorods induces strong immunogenic cell death in two immunogenically 'cold' tumor models.

Introduction: Hyperthermia is an established adjunct in multimodal cancer treatments, with mechanisms including cell death, immune modulation, and vascular changes. Traditional hyperthermia applications are resource-intensive and often associated with patient morbidity, limiting their clinical accessibility. Gold nanorods (GNRs) offer a precise, minimally invasive alternative by leveraging near-infrared (NIR) light to deliver targeted hyperthermia therapy (THT).

Exploring potential therapeutic targets for small cell lung cancer based on transcriptomics combined with Mendelian randomization analysis.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to explore and identify new genetic targets in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) through transcriptomics analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, which will help in the subsequent development of new therapeutic interventions.

Methods: In this study, we extracted the SCLC dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, processed the data, and screened out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using R software. Based on expression quantitative trait loci data and the genome-wide association study data of SCLC, MR analysis was used to screen the genes closely related to SCLC disease, which intersect with DEGs to obtain co-expressed genes (CEGs), and the biological functions and pathways of CEGs were further explored by enrichment analysis.

Top 100 most-cited articles on apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer over the past two decades: a bibliometrics analysis.

Background: Recently there has been an increasing number of studies have explored apoptosis mechanisms in lung cancer (LC). However, no researchers have conducted a bibliometric analysis of the most cited articles in this field.

Objective: To examine the top 100 most influential and cited publications on apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from 2004 to 2023, summarizing research trends and key focus areas.

Application of the market-ready NAVETTA electrodeposition chamber for controlled exposure with nano-scaled aerosols.

Exposure of lung epithelia to aerosols is omnipresent. Chronic exposure to polluted air is a significant factor in the development of pulmonary diseases, which are among the top global causes of death, including COVID-19, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and tuberculosis. As efforts to prevent and treat lung diseases increase, the development of pulmonary drug delivery systems has become a major area of interest.