Systemic immune-inflammatory index predict short-term outcome in recurrent/metastatic and locally advanced cervical cancer patients treated with PD-1 inhibitor.

This study aims to assess the predictive value of certain markers of inflammation in patients with locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer who are undergoing treatment with anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) therapy. A total of 105 patients with cervical cancer, who received treatment involving immunocheckpoint inhibitors (ICIs), were included in this retrospective study. We collected information on various peripheral blood indices, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI).

Characterising immune-related adverse events in different types of cancer among Chinese patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved for monotherapy and combined therapy with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in China since 2018. The number of patients receiving ICIs has significantly increased in recent years, and the collection and analysis of this data are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their clinical outcomes and adverse effects. The effects of ICIs may vary among different ethnic groups, and there is a lack of such data in the Chinese population.

[Gly14]-Humanin ameliorates high glucose-induced endothelial senescence via SIRT6.

High glucose (HG) induced endothelial senescence is related to endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. Humanin, a member of mitochondrial derived peptides (MDPs), is thought to contribute to aging-related cardiovascular protection. The goal of the study is to explore the pathogenesis of HG-induced endothelial senescence and potential anti-senescent effects of Humanin.

Turning cold into hot: emerging strategies to fire up the tumor microenvironment.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex, highly structured, and dynamic ecosystem that plays a pivotal role in the progression of both primary and metastatic tumors. Precise assessment of the dynamic spatiotemporal features of the TME is crucial for understanding cancer evolution and designing effective therapeutic strategies. Cancer is increasingly recognized as a systemic disease, influenced not only by the TME, but also by a multitude of systemic factors, including whole-body metabolism, gut microbiome, endocrine signaling, and circadian rhythm.

Chimeric Free Flaps Based on End-to-Side Anastomosis for Complex Lower Extremity Reconstruction.

Background: Complex lower extremity defects are difficult to cover and often require multiple free tissue transfers. Chimeric anterolateral thigh free flaps (ALTF) and peroneal artery perforator free flaps (PAPF) have been designed specifically as an alternative for reconstruction with arterial end-to-side (ETS) anastomosis. We aimed to assess our institutional experience with this technique and to define its role in complex lower extremity reconstruction.

Mitochondrial transcription elongation factor TEFM promotes malignant progression of gliomas.

Gliomas are the most common tumors of the central nervous system, with glioblastoma (GBM) being particularly aggressive and fatal. Current treatments for GBM, including surgery and chemotherapy, are limited by tumor aggressiveness and the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms driving GBM growth is essential.

Longitudinal relationship between adverse childhood experiences and depressive symptoms: the mediating role of physical pain.

Background: This study explored the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), physical pain, and depressive symptoms, and examined the mediating role of pain in the correlation between ACE and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly Chinese (over the age of 45).

Methods: Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analysis the association between ACE, physical pain, and depressive symptoms. To assess the mediating role of physical pain in the relationship between ACE and depressive symptoms, mediation analysis was conducted.

Rationally Engineering Pro-Proteins and Membrane-Penetrating α‑Helical Polypeptides for Genome Editing Toward Choroidal Neovascularization Treatment.

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing holds great potential for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which however, is challenged by the lack of efficient cytosolic protein delivery tools. Herein, reversibly-phosphorylated pro-proteins (P-proteins) with conjugated adenosine triphosphate (ATP) tags are engineered and coupled with a membrane-penetrating, guanidine-enriched, α-helical polypeptide (GP) to mediate robust and universal cytosolic delivery. GP forms salt-stable nanocomplexes (NCs) with P-proteins via electrostatic interaction and salt bridging, and the helix-assisted, strong membrane activities of GP enabled efficient cellular internalization and endolysosomal escape of NCs.

The impact of the muscle mass-to-fat ratio on the prognosis of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer.

To evaluate the relationship between the muscle mass-to-fat ratio (MMFR) at the third lumbar spine (L3) and overall survival (OS) as well as related complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic cancer. Patients who underwent PD for pancreatic cancer between March 2017 and May 2023 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included. Muscle mass and fat content at the L3 were measured by computed tomography.

Development of anti-cancer drugs for tumor-associated macrophages: a comprehensive review and mechanistic insights.

This review provides an in-depth summary of the development of anti-cancer drugs for tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), with a particular focus on the development and tissue specialization of macrophages, and factors influencing the polarization of M1 and M2 macrophages, and mechanistic insights underlying the targeting therapeutic approaches. TAMs, pivotal in the tumor microenvironment, exhibit notable plasticity and diverse functional roles. Influenced by the complex milieu, TAMs polarize into M1-type, which suppresses tumors, and M2-type, which promotes metastasis.

Influence of renal function on blood pressure control and outcome in thrombolyzed patients after acute ischemic stroke: analysis of the ENCHANTED trial.

Background: The effect of renal impairment in patients who receive intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is unclear. We aimed to determine the associations of renal impairment and clinical outcomes and any modification of the effect of intensive versus guideline-recommended blood pressure (BP) control in the BP arm of the International Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke Study (ENCHANTED).

Methods: We conducted a analysis of the ENCHANTED BP arm, which involved 2,196 thrombolyzed AIS patients.

Preoperative Albumin to Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio and Inflammatory Burden Index for Rectal Cancer Prognostic Nomogram-Construction: Based on Multiple Machine Learning.

Purpose: Preoperative albumin to alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) and inflammatory burden index (IBI) are prognostic indicators for a multitude of cancers, and our study focuses on evaluating the prognostic significance of the AAPR and the IBI on rectal cancer (RC) patients to provide a more accurate guideline for patient prognosis.

Patients And Methods: This study enrolled patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery from January 2016 to January 2021. We utilized three machine learning approaches to select variables most relevant to prognosis in the training cohort.

A diagnostic signatures for intervertebral disc degeneration using TNFAIP6 and COL6A2 based on single-cell RNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq analyses.

Objectives: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a prevalent degenerative condition associated with a high incidence rate of low back pain and disability. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers and signaling pathways associated with IVDD.

Methods: Biomarkers were discerned through bulk-RNA and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) investigations of IVDD cases from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.

Midday napping duration and risk of stroke: A prospective study in China.

Background: Evidence on the potential effects of midday napping on risk of stroke in Chinese populations remains limited.

Objectives: We aimed to prospectively investigate the association between midday napping and risk of subsequent stroke and stroke subtypes in the Kailuan study.

Methods: Midday napping duration was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire.

A literature review of artificial intelligence (AI) for medical image segmentation: from AI and explainable AI to trustworthy AI.

Background And Objective: Medical image segmentation is a vital aspect of medical image processing, allowing healthcare professionals to conduct precise and comprehensive lesion analyses. Traditional segmentation methods are often labor intensive and influenced by the subjectivity of individual physicians. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed this field by reducing the workload of physicians, and improving the accuracy and efficiency of disease diagnosis.

Advancements in the Treatment of Atherosclerosis: From Conventional Therapies to Cutting-Edge Innovations.

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, driven by a complex interplay of lipid dysregulation, inflammation, and vascular pathology. Despite advancements in understanding the multifactorial nature of atherosclerosis and improvements in clinical management, existing therapies often fall short in reversing the disease, focusing instead on symptom alleviation and risk reduction. This review highlights recent strides in identifying genetic markers, elucidating inflammatory pathways, and understanding environmental contributors to atherosclerosis.

Integrative multi-omics and machine learning approach reveals tumor microenvironment-associated prognostic biomarkers in ovarian cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is a globally prevalent malignancy with significant morbidity and mortality, yet its heterogeneity poses challenges in treatment and prognosis. Recognizing the crucial role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in OC progression, this study leverages integrative multi-omics and machine learning to uncover TME-associated prognostic biomarkers, paving the way for more personalized therapeutic interventions.

Methods: Employing a rigorous multi-omics approach, this study analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from OC and normal tissue samples, including high-grade serous OC (HGSOC) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO: GSE184880) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) OC cohort, utilizing the Seurat package to annotate 700 TME-related genes.

Osteoblastic ferroptosis inhibition by small-molecule promoting GPX4 activation for peri-prosthetic osteolysis therapy.

Peri-prosthesis osteolysis (PPO) represents the most severe complication of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) surgery and imposes the primary cause of prosthesis failure and subsequent revision surgery. Antiresorptive therapies are usually prescribed to treat PPO, especially for elderly people. Nevertheless, the efficacy of anti-osteoporotic medications remains constrained.

Risk factors for hidden blood loss in unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion : a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Hidden blood loss (HBL) is often ignored unilateral biportal endoscopic interbody fusion surgery (ULIF). We investigated the amount and influencing factors of HBL in ULIF surgery in this study.

Methods: From October 2020 to November 2023, 100 patients' clinical and radiological data were retrospectively analyzed.

Blood lipid metabolic biomarkers are emerging as significant prognostic indicators for survival in cancer patients.

Background: Dyslipidemia is a common comorbidity in patients with cancer, yet the impact of abnormal lipid levels on tumor prognosis remains contentious. This study was conducted to synthesize the current evidence regarding the prognostic utility of blood lipid levels, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and apolipoprotein B (ApoB), in predicting overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in cancer patients.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across electronic databases to assess the associations between blood lipid levels and OS or DFS in cancer patients.

Engineering bacteria for cancer immunotherapy by inhibiting IDO activity and reprogramming CD8+ T cell response.

Inhibiting indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) for anticancer therapy has garnered significant attention in recent years. However, current IDO inhibitors face significant challenges which limit their clinical application. Here, we genetically engineered a high tryptophan-expressing (L-Trp CB) strain that can colonize tumors strictly following systemic administration.

Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B-Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Osteoporosis Therapy.

The dynamic balance between bone resorption and formation is critical for maintaining healthy bone homeostasis. However, the receptor activator of the nuclear factor B ligand (RANKL) primarily stimulates mature osteoclasts to resorb bone, and its upregulation leads to osteoporosis in patients. Here, we designed RANK-expressing extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells to maintain bone homeostasis in mice.