Should adrenal incidentaloma patients be evaluated for muscle mass, function, and quality? A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Our study evaluated skeletal muscle mass, function and quality among mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) patients and non-functioning adrenal incidentaloma (NFAI) patients in comparison with the control group without adrenal mass.

Methods: 63 NFAI (49 female, 14 male) and 31 MACS (24 female, 7 male) patients were included in the study. As the control group, 44 patients (31 women, 13 men) who were known to have no radiological adrenal pathology on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging performed for other reasons were selected.

Dihydromyricetin Protects Against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in Cardiomyocytes by Activating miR-34a-Mediated Notch1 Pathway.

Dihydromyricetin (Dih), a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been identified to exert a protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigated the biological role of Dih in preventing hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in cardiomyocytes.

Comparing answers of ChatGPT and Google Gemini to common questions on benign anal conditions.

Introduction: Chatbots have been increasingly used as a source of patient education. This study aimed to compare the answers of ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini to common questions on benign anal conditions in terms of appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and language level.

Methods: Each chatbot was asked a set of 30 questions on hemorrhoidal disease, anal fissures, and anal fistulas.

Automated spinopelvic measurements on radiographs with artificial intelligence: a multi-reader study.

Purpose: To develop an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for automated measurements of spinopelvic parameters on lateral radiographs and compare its performance to multiple experienced radiologists and surgeons.

Methods: On lateral full-spine radiographs of 295 consecutive patients, a two-staged region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) was trained to detect anatomical landmarks and calculate thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Performance was evaluated on 65 radiographs not used for training, which were measured independently by 6 readers (3 radiologists, 3 surgeons), and the median per measurement was set as the reference standard.

ISCT MSC committee statement on the US FDA approval of allogenic bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells.

The December 2024 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Mesoblast's Ryoncil (remestemcel-L-rknd)-allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC(M)) therapy-in pediatric acute steroid-refractory graft-versus-host-disease finally ended a long-lasting drought on approved MSC clinical products in the United States. While other jurisdictions-including Europe, Japan, India, and South Korea-have marketed autologous or allogeneic MSC products, the United States has lagged in its approval. The sponsor's significant efforts and investments, working closely with the FDA addressing concerns regarding clinical efficacy and consistent MSC potency through an iterative process that spanned several years, was rewarded with this landmark approval.

Relationship Between Pre- and Post-Orchidectomy Serum Dihydrotestosterone and Prostate Cancer Severity in a Cohort of Nigerian Patients.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the commonest urologic cancer worldwide and the leading cause of male cancer deaths in Nigeria. In Nigeria, orchidectomy remains the primary androgen deprivation therapy. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the active prostatic androgen, but its relationship with PCa severity has not been extensively studied in Africa.

Demystifying the role of MMP9 and TIMP-1 as markers of lung imaging and functional abnormality of COVID-19.

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 as biomarkers for identifying lung anatomical and functional abnormalities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methodology: Adult COVID-19 patients hospitalized between October and December 2021 were included in the study. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were measured from the blood.

Guillain-Barré syndrome following falciparum malaria infection: a case report.

Background: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted to humans by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Five Plasmodium species infect humans: P. vivax, P.

Delineation of reduced CTV2 on the basis of the characteristics and distribution of cervical lymph node metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Introduction: The core objective of this study was to precisely locate metastatic lymph nodes, identify potential areas in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients that may not require radiotherapy, and propose a hypothesis for reduced target volume radiotherapy on the basis of these findings. Ultimately, we reassessed the differences in dosimetry of organs at risk (OARs) between reduced target volume (reduced CTV2) radiotherapy and standard radiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: A total of 209 patients participated in the study.

Warrick score in rheumatoid-arthritis interstitial lung disease: a promising tool for assessing the extent and progression of lung involvement.

Background: The clinical manifestations and course of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) exhibits considerable heterogeneity. In this study, we aimed to explore radiographic progression over a defined period, employing the Warrick score as a semi-quantitative measure in early RA-ILD, and to assess the associated risk factors for progression.

Methods: RA-ILD patients underwent consecutive Warrick scoring based on initial high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) at diagnosis and the first follow-up.

Amelioration of premature aging in Werner syndrome stem cells by targeting SHIP/AKT pathway.

Background: Pathogenic or null mutations in WRN helicase is a cause of premature aging disease Werner syndrome (WS). WRN is known to protect somatic cells including adult stem cells from premature senescence. Loss of WRN in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) not only drives the cells to premature senescence but also significantly impairs the function of the stem cells in tissue repair or regeneration.

Assessment of the validity and reliability of the nurses' professional values scale-revised in Persian version among nursing students.

Background: Evaluating professional values is crucial to developing effective strategies for integrating them into professional performance and clinical education. A standard questionnaire is an instrument that can be used to evaluate professional values. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Nurses Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R) among nursing students in the Persian language.

HDN-DDI: a novel framework for predicting drug-drug interactions using hierarchical molecular graphs and enhanced dual-view representation learning.

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) especially antagonistic ones present significant risks to patient safety, underscoring the urgent need for reliable prediction methods. Recently, substructure-based DDI prediction has garnered much attention due to the dominant influence of functional groups and substructures on drug properties. However, existing approaches face challenges regarding the insufficient interpretability of identified substructures and the isolation of chemical substructures.

Blood-based epigenome-wide association study and prediction of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for multiple diseases. It is typically assessed via self-report, which is open to measurement error through recall bias. Instead, molecular data such as blood-based DNA methylation (DNAm) could be used to derive a more objective measure of alcohol consumption by incorporating information from cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites known to be linked to the trait.

Efficacy and compatibility mechanism of bear bile powder in Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills for acute myocardial infarction treatment.

Background: Bear bile powder (BBP), a unique animal-derived medicine with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, is used in Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills (STDP), which is applied to treat cardiovascular diseases, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The efficacy and compatibility mechanisms of action of BBP in STDP against cardiovascular diseases remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the compatibility effects of BBP in STDP in rats with AMI.

Identification of novel cytoskeleton protein involved in spermatogenic cells and sertoli cells of non-obstructive azoospermia based on microarray and bioinformatics analysis.

Background: During mammalian spermatogenesis, the cytoskeleton system plays a significant role in morphological changes. Male infertility such as non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) might be explained by studies of the cytoskeletal system during spermatogenesis.

Methods: The cytoskeleton, scaffold, and actin-binding genes were analyzed by microarray and bioinformatics (771 spermatogenic cellsgenes and 774 Sertoli cell genes).

Clinical characteristics, complications and satisfaction of megameatus intact prepuce (MIP) hypospadias variant: a 15 year retrospective study.

Background: To analyze the clinical characteristics, complications and patients satisfaction of MIP hypospadias variant.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 31 patients with MIP admitted to our hospital from January 2008 to February 2023. All enrolled patients underwent telephone follow-up and a survey was conducted on the satisfaction of patients and their families.

Synergistic anticancer effects of cisplatin and phenolic aglycones of the aerial part of Rumex dentatus L. in tongue squamous cell carcinoma: insights from network pharmacology and biological verification.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) ranks as the sixth most common malignancy globally. Cisplatin is the standard chemotherapy for OSCC, but resistance often reduces its efficacy, necessitating new treatments with fewer side effects. Rumex dentatus L.

The relationship between intrinsic capacity and functional ability in older adults.

Introduction: Intrinsic Capacity in integrated geriatric care emphasizes the importance of a thorough functional assessment. Monitoring the intrinsic capacity of older individuals provides standardized and reliable information to prevent early disability. This study assessed the relationship between intrinsic capacity and functional ability in older adults.

Optimizing skull base defect repair: leveraging the reused nasoseptal flap as a reliable material.

Purpose: The escalating number of endoscopic skull base procedures necessitates exploring additional materials to reduce postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in revision or staged surgeries. This study evaluates the effectiveness of reused nasoseptal flaps (NSFs) in such clinical scenarios.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who previously underwent surgery involving NSFs and later had revision or secondary skull base surgeries via endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) at a tertiary medical center.

Unveiling the relation between swallowing muscle mass and skeletal muscle mass in head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose: Sarcopenia, characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and strength, often leads to dysphagia in the elderly. This condition can also worsen treatment outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, who are susceptible to swallowing difficulties. This study aimed to establish the correlation between swallowing muscle mass (SwMM) and SMM in HNC patients.

Ultra-high-resolution CT of the temporal bone before cochlear implantation for pre-operative prediction of chorda tympani nerve management and round window access.

Background And Purpose: To evaluate various anatomical parameters and their relationship to chorda tympani nerve (CTN) injury and round window (RW) access during cochlear implantation.

Materials And Methods: Ultra-high-resolution CT images of 66 patients were retrospectively reviewed and compared with operative reports. The facial recess and the round window were analyzed, mainly using the chorda-facial angle (CFA), the width of the facial recess, the CTN-tympanic annulus distance, the RW-mastoid portion of the facial nerve angle, and the type of RW.

Measurement and Assessment of Head-to-Helmet Contact Forces.

Purpose: To evaluate the population variation in head-to-helmet contact forces in helmet users.

Methods: Four different size Kevlar composite helmets were instrumented with contact pressure sensors and chinstrap tension meters. A total number of 89 volunteers (25 female and 64 male volunteers) participated in the study.

Unveiling the omics tapestry of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia: bridging genomics, metabolomics, and immunomics.

Acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a highly heterogeneous hematologic malignancy, characterized by significant molecular differences among patients as the disease progresses. While the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and metabolic reprogramming are known to play crucial roles in B-ALL, the interactions between lipid metabolism, immune pathways, and drug resistance remain unclear. In this study, we performed multi-omics analysis on different patient cohorts (newly diagnosed, relapsed, standard-risk, and poor-risk) to investigate the molecular characteristics associated with metabolism, signaling pathways, and immune regulation in B-ALL.

Effects of a 16-week dance intervention on loneliness and self-esteem in left behind children: a randomised controlled trial.

Loneliness and low self-esteem are among the more prominent mental health problems among left-behind children, but most of the current research stays in cross-sectional surveys, with fewer studies proposing specific solutions. In addition, although the effective impact of dance interventions on loneliness and self-esteem has been demonstrated, the impact in the group of left-behind children remains under-explored. Therefore, this study validated the effectiveness of a dance intervention on loneliness and self-esteem in left-behind children through a 16-week randomised controlled trial.