Prospective Study on the Association Between Blood Heavy Metal Levels and Pulmonary Function in University Students from a Medical College in Shandong Province, China.

Background: This study aimed to examine the blood concentrations of selected heavy metals, their corresponding pulmonary functions, and their interrelationship with university students.

Methods: This prospective study, conducted from September 2019 to September 2020, encompassed 593 university students. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires regarding demographic factors and underwent lung function testing and blood mercury analysis at two distinct intervals: an initial assessment and a follow-up examination.

Exendin-4 intervention attenuates atherosclerosis severity by modulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells and inflammatory cytokines in ApoE mice.

Objective: To investigate the impact of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist Exendin-4 on the proportion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in male ApoE mice, and investigate alterations in the concentrations of inflammatory factors in plasma and spleen tissues and assess their correlation with MDSCs.

Methods: Thirty male ApoE mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6 per group): control group (CON), model group (MOD), Exendin-4 intervention group (MOD/Ex-4), Exendin-9-39 intervention group (MOD/Ex-9-39), and Exendin-4 + Exendin-9-39 combined intervention group (MOD/Ex-4 + Ex-9-39). After 4 weeks of drug intervention, changes in aortic plaque were observed using Oil Red O staining and H&E staining.

Comparison of the Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Lumbar Degenerative Diseases: A Retrospective Matched Case-Control Study.

Objective: We compared the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Mis-TLIF) and endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent single-segment Mis-TLIF or Endo-TLIF between June 2016 and June 2019 at our hospital. The patients in each treatment group were matched 1:1 for sex, age, and type of lumbar degenerative disease, and their clinical outcomes were compared at discharge and at 1 and 2 years postoperatively.

Clinical and imaging manifestations of primary cardiac angiosarcoma.

Background: To investigate the CT manifestations of primary cardiac angiosarcoma.

Methods: The clinical and CT data for 9 patients with cardiac angiosarcoma were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The lesions in all nine cases were located in the right atrium.