Prognostic Value of Coronary CT Angiography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve in Non-obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Myocardial ischemia may occur in patients with normal or non-obstructive CAD on invasive coronary angiography (ICA). The comprehensive evaluation of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) integrated with fractional flow reserve derived from CCTA (CT-FFR) to CAD may be essential to improve the outcomes of patients with non-obstructive CAD.

Retinoic acid promotes formation of chicken (Gallus gallus) spermatogonial stem cells by regulating the ECM-receptor interaction signaling pathway.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the basis of spermatogenesis. Systematically exploring the critical factors associated with the formation of SSCs will provide new insight to improve the formation efficiency, and their practical application. Here we explore the regulatory mechanism of the ECM-receptor interaction signaling pathway and related genes during differentiation of SSCs in chicken.

Comparison of diagnostic value of SWE, FNA and BRAF gene detection in ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 thyroid nodules.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic value of shear wave elastography (SWE), fine needle aspiration (FNA) and BRAF gene detection (BRAFV600E gene mutation detection) in ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 thyroid nodules.

Methods: SWE images, FNA cytological results and BRAF detection results of ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 thyroid nodules confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to determine the best cutoff value of SWE Emax.

Comparison of thyroid nodule FNA rates recommended by ACR TI-RADS, Kwak TI-RADS and ATA guidelines.

Objectives: To compare the differences among the thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) proposed by American College of Radiology (ACR TI-RADS), TI-RADS proposed by Kwak (Kwak TI-RADS), and American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines in the specificity, sensitivity and the unnecessary FNA rate (the UFR, the false positive rate) of recommended fine needle aspiration (FNA), and to observe the changes of the UFR in the KwakTI-RADS and ATA guidelines with the recommended FNA nodule size threshold.

Methods: The specificities, sensitivities and UFRs of recommended FNA in the ACR TI-RADS, ATA guidelines and Kwak TI-RADS were calculated and compared. The nodule sizes for recommended FNA of ATA guidelines and Kwak TI-RADS were systematically varied to establish new FNA thresholds.

Oral Administration of Nanoiron Sulfide Supernatant for the Treatment of Gallbladder Stones with Chronic Cholecystitis.

Cholelithiasis with chronic cholecystitis is prevalent and threatens human health. Most cholecystitis caused by bacterial infection or biofilms is accompanied by gallstones in the clinic, making gallbladder removal the only effective solution. Here, we provide a strategy to eliminate gallstone biofilms and dissolve gallstones by oral administration of a supernatant derived from nanoscale iron sulfide (nFeS supernatant).

N-Acetyl-Cysteine-Loaded Biomimetic Nanofibrous Scaffold for Osteogenesis of Induced-Pluripotent-Stem-Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Bone Regeneration.

To regenerate bone tissues, we investigated the osteogenic differentiation of induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iPSC-MSCs) and bone regeneration capacities using N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)-loaded biomimetic nanofibers of hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin (HAp/SF). The addition of HAp and NAC decreased the diameters of the electrospun fibers and enhanced the mechanical properties of the silk scaffold. The release kinetic curve indicated that NAC was released from NAC/HAp/SF nanofibers in a biphasic pattern, with an initial burst release stage and a later sustained release stage.

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 (potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1) aggravates acute kidney injury by activating p38/NF-κB pathway via miR-212-3p/MAPK1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 1) axis in sepsis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), a common complication of sepsis, is characterized by a rapid loss of renal excretory function. A variety of etiologies and pathophysiological processes may contribute to AKI. Previously, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) was reported to regulate cellular processes in various sepsis-associated diseases.

Role of Immune Cell Diversity and Heterogeneity in Corneal Graft Survival: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Corneal transplantation is one of the most successful forms of solid organ transplantation; however, immune rejection is still a major cause of corneal graft failure. Both innate and adaptive immunity play a significant role in allograft tolerance. Therefore, immune cells, cytokines, and signal-transduction pathways are critical therapeutic targets.

Altered Functional Connectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens Network Between Deficit and Non-deficit Schizophrenia.

Deficit schizophrenia (DS), which is marked by stable negative symptoms, is regarded as a homogeneous subgroup of schizophrenia. While DS patients have structurally altered nucleus accumbens (NAcc) compared to non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients and healthy individuals, the investigation of NAcc functional connectivity (FC) with negative symptoms and neurocognition could provide insights into the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. 58 DS, 93 NDS, and 113 healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance (rsfMRI).

Biomechanical study of two alternative methods for the treatment of vertical femoral neck fractures - A finite element analysis.

Background: No consensus has been reached for the treatment of vertical femoral neck fractures (vFNFs). Recently, two alternative methods were invented to treat vFNFs, one of which is a new plate with a sliding groove, which was designed as a substitution of the medial buttress locking plate to combine with cannulated compression screws (CCS) for reducing the breakage possibility of the proximal locking screw during the bone healing. Another one is the femoral neck system (FNS), which was believed with biomechanical superiority.

Alzheimer's disease in elderly COVID-19 patients: potential mechanisms and preventive measures.

Advanced age correlates with higher morbidity and mortality among patients affected with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Because systemic inflammation and neurological symptoms are also common in severe COVID-19 cases, there is concern that COVID-19 may lead to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, we summarize possible mechanisms by which infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, may cause AD in elderly COVID-19 patients and describe preventive measures to mitigate risk.

The altered functional modular organization in systemic lupus erythematosus: an independent component analysis study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the abnormities in functional connectivity (FC) within each modular network and between modular networks in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Twelve meaningful modular networks were identified via independent component analysis from 41 patients and 40 volunteers. Parametric tests were used to compare the intra- and intermodular FC between the groups.

IFN-α-2b Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Fibroblasts via the TGFβ/Smad Signaling Pathway to Reduce Postoperative Epidural Fibrosis.

Epidural fibrosis after lumbar laminectomy refers to a serious complication, and excessive proliferation of fibroblasts is considered the major factor. Interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-α-2b) can exert antiviral and antiproliferative effects, which has been suggested to effectively prevent several fibrotic diseases. However, the effect of IFN-α-2b on the prevention of epidural fibrosis (EF) and its possible mechanism remain unclear.

Dynamic Observation of Autophagy and Transcriptome Profiles in a Mouse Model of Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a group of progressive, fibrotic, and fatal lung diseases, and the role of autophagy in pulmonary fibrosis is controversial. In the current research, we dynamically observed a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model after 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days and investigated the expression of autophagy markers. We found that autophagy markers were not significantly changed on the indicated days in the mouse lung tissue.

The combination of radiofrequency ablation and vertebroplasty shows advantages over single vertebroplasty in treating vertebral neoplastic lesions.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of the combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and vertebroplasty versus single vertebroplasty in treating spinal metastases.

Materials And Methods: The data of 35 patients with vertebral neoplastic lesions who received RFA combined with vertebroplasty (group A, 15 patients with 17 lesions) or single vertebroplasty (group B, 20 patients with 24 lesions) from March 2016 to June 2019 were retrospectively compared. The data of patients' Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores prior to the treatments, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the treatments, injected cement volume, ratios of cement leakage were compared between the two groups.

A comparison between deep learning convolutional neural networks and radiologists in the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules on CT images.

Introduction: We designed 5 convolutional neural network (CNN) models and ensemble models to differentiate malignant and benign thyroid nodules on CT, and compared the diagnostic performance of CNN models with that of radiologists.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively included CT images of 880 patients with 986 thyroid nodules confirmed by surgical pathology between July 2017 and December 2019. Two radiologists retrospectively diagnosed benign and malignant thyroid nodules on CT images in a test set.

Edaravone Dexborneol Versus Edaravone Alone for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Comparative Trial.

Background And Purpose: Edaravone dexborneol, comprised of 2 active ingredients, edaravone and (+)-borneol, has been developed as a novel neuroprotective agent with synergistic effects of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in animal models. The present clinical trial aimed at testing the effects of edaravone dexborneol versus edaravone on 90-day functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, comparative, phase III clinical trial was conducted at 48 hospitals in China between May 2015 and December 2016.

Comparison of ACR TI-RADS, Kwak TI-RADS, ATA guidelines and KTA/KSThR guidelines in combination with SWE in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic efficacy of ACR TI-RADS, Kwak TI-RADS, ATA guidelines and KTA/KSThR guidelines in combination with shear wave elastography (SWE) for thyroid nodules.

Methods: The retrospective study included 566 thyroid nodules with maximum diameter≥5 mm which confirmed by FNA cytology or/and surgical pathology. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, Youden index of diagnosis of thyroid nodules by ACR TI-RADS, Kwak TI-RADS, ATA guidelines, KTA/KSThR guidelines and SWE were calculated.

Artesunate Suppresses the Proliferation and Development of Estrogen Receptor-α-Positive Endometrial Cancer in HAND2-Dependent Pathway.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common leading cause of cancer-related death in women, which is associated with the increased level of estrogen in the body. Artesunate (ART), an active compound derived from L., exerted antitumor properties in several cancer types.

Collagen and chondroitin sulfate functionalized bioinspired fibers for tendon tissue engineering application.

Functional tendon tissue engineering depends on harnessing the biochemical and biophysical cues of the native tendon extracellular matrix. In this study, we fabricated highly-aligned poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibers with surfaces decorated by two of the crucial tendon ECM components, type 1 collagen (COL1) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), through a coaxial stable jet electrospinning approach. Effects of the biomimetic COL1-CS (shell)/PLLA (core) fibers on the tenogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro were investigated.

Impact of Radiotherapy on Prognosis in Patients Diagnosed with Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: It has been reported that compared with no local therapy (NLT), patients treated with local therapy (LT) using radiotherapy (RT) possess higher survival rate in metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of RT on prognosis in patients with mPCa.

Methods: We retrieved the literature in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases until June 2019 using structured search terms.