Associations of genetic polymorphisms with clinical response to tocilizumab in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective: To examine the associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within interleukin-6 (IL6) and IL-6 receptor (IL6R) as well as several potential SNPs revealed in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with clinical response to tocilizumab (TCZ) in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: A total of 23 SNPs were genotyped in 68 RA patients receiving intravenous TCZ, who were prospectively followed for 6 months to determine the clinical response based on several criteria, including clinical disease activity index (CDAI) low disease activity (LDA) and remission, disease activity score in 28 joint counts - erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) LDA and remission, European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) good response and change in DAS28-ESR (ΔDAS28-ESR).

Results: The patients were on average 51.

Primary ovarian insufficiency consequence of autoimmune diseases: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies suggest the risk of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is increased in autoimmune disorders (AIDs), but it is unclear whether there is a causal relationship. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the bidirectional causality between 20 AIDs and POI using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods: A bidirectional two-sample MR investigation was designed by using publicly accessible summary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

MiR-618 suppresses the proliferation, invasion, and migration of non-small lung cancer via the JAK2/STAT3 axis.

Objective: The regulatory role of the miR-618/JAK2/STAT3 axis in non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC) was investigated with the objective of identifying a target for the precise treatment of patients with NSCLC.

Methods: Initially, differential gene expression was identified in the GEO database, followed by a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. The tissue and cell levels of miR-618 were assessed using qRT-PCR, while the protein levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were determined through western blotting analysis.

SIRT5-mediated HOXA5 desuccinylation inhibits ferroptosis to alleviate sepsis induced-lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common and severe complication of sepsis with a high mortality rate. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, contributes to lung injury. Homeobox A5 (HOXA5) is involved in the regulation of septic acute kidney damage; however, its function on ferroptosis in septic ALI remains unclear.

Relationship between systemic immune-inflammation index and long-term all-cause and cause-specific mortality among adult asthma patients: a population-based study.

Background: Persistent inflammation in the airways is a hallmark of asthma, and researchers have extensively explored various inflammatory indicators that contribute to the condition. Despite this, there is limited research on the relationship between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), a novel marker of inflammation, and overall mortality rates as well as mortality rates due to specific causes in individuals with asthma.

Methods: We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) covering a 20-year period, from 1999 to 2018.

Prx5 overexpression protect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation via the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Background: The clinical application of Doxorubicin (DOX) is constrained due to its cardiotoxic side effects. Oxidative stress and inflammation are crucial mechanisms driving doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC). Peroxiredoxin 5 (Prx5) is central to these inflammatory responses.

New thermoplastic poly(ester-ether) elastomers with enhanced mechanical properties derived from long-chain dicarboxylic acid for medical device applications.

Recent advances in medical plastics highlight the need for sustainable materials with desirable elastic properties. Traditional polyester elastomers have been used as alternatives to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) due to their biocompatibility and adjustable mechanical properties. However, these materials often lack the necessary stability and toughness for reliable medical applications.

Molecular pathogen profiling of COVID-19 coinfections.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence, pathogen spectrum, clinical characteristics, and prognosis-related factors of other respiratory pathogens in COVID-19-infected patients, and to explore the application of molecular detection methods in the epidemiological investigation of multiple pathogen infections.

Methods: Respiratory samples and clinical data from 384 patients with outpatient and inpatient respiratory infections were collected and analyzed. Multiplex PCR and capillary electrophoresis were conducted to detect the distribution characteristics of 26 pathogen species, comprising 13 viruses, 13 bacteria.

Lycopene's therapeutic mechanisms in epididymitis: a network pharmacology and experimental study.

Background: Epididymitis, a common disease of the male reproductive system, is often caused by nonspecific infections. Antibiotics alone cannot reverse histopathological changes or prevent long-term reproductive issues. Lycopene (LYC), a potent antioxidant, has shown potential in alleviating epididymitis, yet its specific mechanisms remain unclear.

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor: a study of CT, MRI, PET/CT multimodal imaging features and their correlations with pathology.

Purpose: Exploring the computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/CT Multimodal Imaging Characteristics of Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT) to enhance the diagnostic proficiency of this condition.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data and multimodal imaging manifestations (CT, MRI, FDG-PET/CT) of eight cases of DSRCT. These findings were systematically compared with pathological results to succinctly summarize imaging features and elucidate their associations with both clinical and pathological characteristics.

Preliminary experience in using the lateral single-incision laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal approach for inguinal hernia repair.

To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the lateral single-incision laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (L-SILTEP) approach in patients with inguinal hernia who had contraindications to the midline approach. This study included 58 patients who underwent L-SILTEP. Data on their baseline characteristics and perioperative details were collected.

Efficacy and safety of switching to insulin glargine 300 U/mL in people with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on basal insulin in China: A post hoc subpopulation analysis of the INITIATION study.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) in people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (T2D) switching from another basal insulin (BI).

Materials And Methods: INITIATION was an interventional, single-arm, phase IV study conducted in China. In this post hoc subpopulation analysis, the efficacy and safety of switching to Gla-300 was investigated in individuals with uncontrolled T2D (HbA1c 7.

Integrating bioinformatics and machine learning to unravel shared mechanisms and biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type 2 diabetes.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are on the rise. While there is evidence of a link between the two diseases, the pathophysiological mechanisms they share are not fully understood.

Methods: In this study, the co-expressed genes of COPD and T2DM in Gene Expression Omnibus database were identified by bioinformatics method, and the functional enrichment analysis was performed.

Identification and validation of an immune-related miRNA signature for predicting prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

MicroRNAs play a significant role in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, their roles in immune regulation of HCC remain unclear. Our study aimed to identify an immune-related miRNA signature and explore its impact on the prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment HCC. Initially, we identified 48 differentially expressed immune-related miRNAs.

Molecular characteristics, clonal transmission, and risk factors of among hospitalized patients in a tertiary hospital in Ningbo, China.

Background: Nosocomial transmission of infection (CDI) has been documented in Ningbo, China. However, data on molecular characteristics, clonal transmission, and risk factors of CDI in this region remain limited.

Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled hospitalized patients with diarrhea during September to November 2021.

Enhanced therapeutic potential of a self-healing hyaluronic acid hydrogel for early intervention in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by symptoms such as abnormal lubrication function of synovial fluid and heightened friction on the cartilage surface in its early stages, prior to evident cartilage damage. Current early intervention strategies employing lubricated hydrogels to shield cartilage from friction often overlook the significance of hydrogel-cartilage adhesion and enhancement of the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM). Herein, we constructed a hydrogel based on dihydrazide-modified hyaluronic acid (HA) (AHA) and catechol-conjugated aldehyde-modified HA (CHA), which not only adheres to the cartilage surface as an effective lubricant but also improves the extracellular environment of chondrocytes in OA.

Effects of Continuous Erector Spinae Plane Block on the Postoperative Sleep Quality for Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Lung Lobe Resection Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of continuous erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on postoperative sleep in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung lobe resection surgery.

Patients And Methods: Eighty-six patients were randomly assigned into two groups: ESPB group (Group E) or control group (Group P). Group E received ESPB before induction, followed by continuous ESPB analgesia, while Group P received postoperative intravenous controlled analgesia.

Advances of New Extracellular Vesicle Isolation and Detection Technologies in Cancer Diagnosis.

Cancer is a global health issue threatening people's lives. Currently, cancer detection methods still have a lot of room for improvement in both efficiency and accuracy. The development and application of new technologies are urgently required for early cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Real-world safety of dapagliflozin plus metformin in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus in China: Post-hoc analysis of the DONATE study.

Aim: DONATE (NCT03156985) is a large-scale real-world study investigating the safety of dapagliflozin in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This post-hoc analysis aims to further evaluate the real-world safety of dapagliflozin plus metformin.

Methods: Safety outcomes were assessed in patients receiving concomitant dapagliflozin and metformin, with or without other antidiabetics.

Association between the triglycerides and glucose index and critically ill stroke in non-obese population: An observational study on eICU database.

Background: Both the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and stroke are associated with insulin resistance (IR). Studies have shown that TyG is associated with stroke. However, the relationship between TyG index and stroke in non-obese population remains unclear.

Case report: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis patient presented with a mass in the aortic root.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects small- and medium-sized blood vessels in the body, representing a rare entity. Cardiac involvement was identified as an independent risk factor for death in GPA patients, yet it has not been systematically elucidated in previous literature. Cardiac lesions in patients with GPA can manifest in various ways, such as pericarditis, myocarditis, coronary vasculitis, valvular abnormalities, conduction system abnormalities, and heart failure.

Trajectories of adherence to intravenous biological treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a longitudinal analysis.

Background: Long-term biological therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include infliximab and vedolizumab, which are administered intravenously. Although highly effective, non-adherence to these biologics is common and is associated with adverse sequelae and loss of response.

Objective: In this study, we aim to characterize long-term intravenous biologic adherence trajectories among IBD patients and identify the factors linked with these trajectories.

Detecting and localizing cervical lesions in colposcopic images with deep semantic feature mining.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of employing artificial intelligence models for the detection and localization of cervical lesions by leveraging deep semantic features extracted from colposcopic images.

Methods: The study employed a segmentation-based deep learning architecture, utilizing a deep decoding network to integrate prior features and establish a semantic segmentation model capable of distinguishing normal and pathological changes. A two-stage decision model is proposed for deep semantic feature mining, which combines image segmentation and classification to categorize pathological changes present in the dataset.