Enhancing biosensing of trace tau protein in clinical samples via emergence macroscopic directed aggregation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder that poses a significant risk to human health and well-being. The high cost and invasiveness of neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis underscores the necessity for accessible early screening via blood samples. In this study, we developed an ultrasound-based strategy for emergent macroscopic that enhances the acoustic response enrichment of specific proteins by introducing functionalized microspheres.

AFB1 consolidates HBV harm to induce liver injury and carcinogenic risk by inactivating FTCD-AS1-PXR-MASP1 axis.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been reported to synergize with hepatitis B virus (HBV) to induce development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Precise daily exposure to AFB1 and its contribution to liver injury have not been quantified and have even been disregarded due to lack of convenient detection, and the strong species specificity of HBV infection has restricted research on their synergistic harm. Hence, our objective was to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which AFB1 exacerbates HBV-related injury.

Urinary calculi composition and its correlation with sex, age, calculi site, urine pH and underlying diseases: a retrospective study.

Objective: To investigate the composition of urinary calculi and its correlation with sex, age, calculi site, urine pH, and underlying diseases.

Methods: The clinical data of 300 patients with urinary calculi admitted to Meizhou People's Hospital from January 2022 to October 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The composition of urinary calculi and its correlation with sex, age, calculi site, urine pH, and underlying diseases were examined.

Extraction of coronary thrombus-derived exosomes from patients with acute myocardial infarction and its effect on the function of adventitial cells.

Background: Type I acute myocardial infarction (T1MI) has a very high morbidity and mortality rate. The role of thrombus-derived exosomes (TEs) in T1MI is unclear.

Methods: The objective of this study was to identify the optimal thrombolytic drug and concentration for extracting TEs.

Global burden of bacterial skin diseases from 1990 to 2045: an analysis based on global burden disease data.

Bacterial skin diseases are a category of inflammatory skin conditions caused by bacterial infections, which impose a significant global disease burden. However, they have not been well assessed or predicted on a global scale. It is necessary to update the estimates and forecast future trends of the global burden of bacterial skin diseases to evaluate the impact of past healthcare policies and to provide guidance and information for new national and international healthcare strategies.

A "hand-held" polarimeter for on-site chiral drug measurement and chemical reaction monitoring.

A polarimeter is a common but critical instrument for measuring the optical rotation of chiral compounds, ranging from the pharmaceutical to chemical industry, or even employed in monitoring chemical reactions for research purposes. Developing a portable polarimeter helps to transfer the measurements from the laboratory to on-site detection. Herein, we design a new portable polarimeter with a "hand-held" scale.

Enhancing medical English proficiency: the current status and development potential of peer-assisted learning in medical education.

This narrative review investigates the current implementation and future potential of Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) in medical education, specifically emphasizing its role in enhancing medical English proficiency. The article analyzes the effectiveness of PAL across various medical education contexts, including primary medical courses, doctor-patient communication, and standardized residency training. The findings indicate that PAL positively impacts student learning outcomes and promotes professional development, highlighting the necessity of its application in medical English instruction.

Rare and common genetic variants underlying the risk of Hirschsprung's disease.

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a congenital enteric neuropathic disorder characterized by high heritability (>80%) and polygenic inheritance (>20 genes). The previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified several common variants associated with HSCR and demonstrated increased predictive performance for HSCR risk in Europeans using a genetic risk score, there remains a notable gap in knowledge regarding Chinese populations. We conducted whole exome sequencing in a HSCR case cohort in Chinese.

Cinacalcet Improves Erythropoietin Resistance in Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Receiving Dialysis Treatment.

Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is recognized as a major global public health problem. Dialysis is the mainstay of treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease and can prolong survival in patients with CKD. As patient survival increases, the treatment of complications becomes more important.

Effectiveness of the addition of visual aids to conversational preoperative education in glaucoma filtering surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative visual aids on anxiety and pain management in patients with low educational backgrounds undergoing glaucoma filtering surgery.

Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, single-center clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary eye hospital in Shantou, China. Patients scheduled for glaucoma filtering surgery were randomly assigned to either a conventional oral education group or a visual aids group.

The effect of low vision rehabilitation on the quality of life and caregiver burden of low vision patients - a randomized trial.

Background: The quality of life for low vision patients is a comprehensive concept that involves multiple aspects, including physical, psychological, and social aspects. Visual impairment is an important factor in the decline of patients' quality of life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact and feasibility of carrying out low vision rehabilitation nursing on the quality of life and nursing burden of low vision patients.

Impact of surgery versus follow-up on psychological distress in patients with indeterminate pulmonary nodules: A prospective observational study.

Purpose: To investigate whether surgery is more effective than follow-up in reducing psychological distress for patients with observable indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs) and to assess if psychological distress can serve as a potential surgical indication for IPNs.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 341 patients with abnormal psychometric results, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Of these, 262 patients opted for follow-up and 79 chose surgery.

Selective Gamma-Secretase Inhibition by CHF5074 Attenuates Inflammation and Neovascularization in a Murine Model of Choroidal Neovascularization.

Purpose: Chronic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). This study aimed to investigate the effect of the CHF5074, a γ-secretase inhibitor, on angiogenesis in a laser-induced CNV model and elucidate its possible molecular mechanism.

Methods: Male C57/BL6J mice aged between 6 to 8 weeks were employed to set up a laser-induced model of CNV.

Baseline and cumulative Chinese visceral adiposity index and diabetic kidney disease: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) makes up nearly half of all chronic kidney disease cases and is a major cause of mortality for people with diabetes. However, the study of the association of longitudinal Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) with DKD is still missing.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 7874 diabetes patients from the Kailuan study.

Chinese Visceral Adiposity Index Trajectory and Stroke in Prediabetes and Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Aims: Stroke is a common diabetic complication, by which the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) is confirmed as a better predictor of visceral fat. However, the relationship between CVAI change and the stroke risk among patients with diabetes and prediabetes remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association of CVAI trajectory with the risk of stroke.

Network Pharmacology Unveils Multi-Systemic Intervention of Panax notoginseng in Osteoporosis via Key Genes and Signaling Pathways.

Background: Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H.

CEST imaging combined with H-MRS reveal the neuroprotective effects of riluzole by improving neurotransmitter imbalances in Alzheimer's disease mice.

Background: The imbalance of glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter system plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Riluzole is a Glu modulator originally approved for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that has shown potential neuroprotective effects in various neurodegenerative disorders. However, whether riluzole can improve Glu and GABA homeostasis in AD brain and its related mechanism of action remain unknown.

Primary Care Physicians' Responses to Treatment Burden in People With Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Video Analysis in China.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the approaches general practitioners (GPs) use to respond to the treatment burden faced by people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 29 videos of GP-patient consultations in an academic general practice clinic in China. Thematic analysis and a framework matrix approach were used to identify patterns in GPs' responses to the identified issues.

Effects of POPs-induced SIRT6 alteration on intestinal mucosal barrier function: A comprehensive review.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are pervasive organic chemicals with significant environmental and ecological ramifications, extending to adverse human health effects due to their toxicity and persistence. The intestinal mucosal barrier, a sophisticated defense mechanism comprising the epithelial layer, mucosal chemistry, and cellular immunity, shields the host from external threats and fosters a symbiotic relationship with intestinal bacteria. Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), a sirtuin family member, is pivotal in genome and telomere stability, inflammation regulation, and metabolic processes.

MTHFD2 Enhances cMYC O-GlcNAcylation to Promote Sunitinib Resistance in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Sunitinib is a first-line targeted therapy for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but resistance represents a significant obstacle to the treatment of advanced and metastatic RCC. Metabolic reprogramming is a characteristic of RCC, and changes in metabolic processes might contribute to resistance to sunitinib. Here, we identified MTHFD2, a mitochondrial enzyme involved in one-carbon metabolism, as a critical mediator of sunitinib resistance in RCC.

Intra-Arterial Urokinase After Endovascular Reperfusion for Acute Ischemic Stroke: The POST-UK Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Persisting or new thrombi in the distal arteries and the microcirculation have been reported to limit the benefits of successful endovascular thrombectomy for patients with acute ischemic stroke. It remains uncertain whether intra-arterial thrombolysis by urokinase following near-complete to complete reperfusion by thrombectomy improves outcomes among patients with ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and adverse events of intra-arterial urokinase after near-complete to complete reperfusion by thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion.

Integrated Microneedles and Hydrogel Biosensor Platform: Toward a Diagnostic Device for Collection and Dual-Mode Sensing of Monkeypox Virus A29 Protein.

The outbreak of the monkeypox epidemic underscores the importance of developing a rapid and sensitive virus detection technique. Microneedles (MNs) offer minimally invasive sampling capabilities, providing a solution for the development of integrated extraction and diagnostic portable devices. Here, we report an integrated MNs and hydrogel biosensor (IMHB) platform, composed of an electronic device, an MN patch, and a hydrogel patch.

Tuberculous meningitis-related ischemic stroke: A retrospective study from a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) are at high risk of ischemic stroke, and stroke is a poor prognosticator of TBM. However, reports regarding the predictors of stroke in TBM patients are scanty. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and predictors of tuberculous meningitis-related ischemic stroke (TBMRIS).

Advancing Therapeutic Strategies with Polymeric Drug Conjugates for Nucleic Acid Delivery and Treatment.

The effective clinical translation of messenger RNA (mRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and microRNA (miRNA) for therapeutic purposes hinges on the development of efficient delivery systems. Key challenges include their susceptibility to degradation, limited cellular uptake, and inefficient intracellular release. Polymeric drug conjugates (PDCs) offer a promising solution, combining the benefits of polymeric carriers and therapeutic agents for targeted delivery and treatment.

Mesenchymal stem cells for osteoarthritis: Recent advances in related cell therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects the entire joint and has been a huge burden on the health care system worldwide. Although traditional therapy and targeted cartilage cell therapy have made significant progress in the treatment of OA and cartilage regeneration, there are still many problems. Mesenchymal stem cells from various tissues are the most studied cell type and have been used in preclinical and clinical studies of OA, because they are more widely available, have a greater capacity for in expansion, and have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties compared to autologous chondrocytes.