Nutritional scores predict the prognosis of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: Although malnutrition is associated with poor prognosis in Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) patients, no nutrition-based prediction model has been established for PTB. Herein, we explored the clinical utility of common nutrition scores in predicting the prognosis of PTB patients.

Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical baseline data from 167 patients with secondary PTB who had not previously received anti-TB treatment.

Diagnostic Value of Qualitative and Quantitative Endoscopic Ultrasound Elastography for the Evaluation of Lymph Nodes: A Meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: The differential diagnosis of benign and malignant deep lymph nodes (LNs) has been a significant challenge up until now. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) elastography is a real-time imaging technique evaluated in several studies with diverse results. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the performance of EUS elastography for the differentiation of benign and malignant deep LNs.

ZAG promotes colorectal cancer cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by promoting lipid synthesis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor characterized by a high degree of invasiveness, and since zinc-α2 glycoprotein (ZAG) has been implicated in the progression of several malignancies, this study was designed to investigate the role of ZAG in CRC. Its expression was assessed using the GEPIA database, and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference was conducted to create ZAG knockdown in CRC cell lines. We also conducted lipid synthesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) experiments to elucidate the effects of ZAG expression on CRC, as well as explored the potential underlying mechanistic pathways.

Identification of vessels encapsulating tumor clusters in solitary hepatocellular carcinoma via imaging biomarkers in preoperative contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The value of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) radiological features and tumor three-dimensional volumetric quantification in preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting the vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC) pattern of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. This study aimed to assess the value of these indicators for predicting the VETC pattern of solitary HCC.

Methods: In total, 36 patients with HCC were selected from a cohort containing 126 patients for further data evaluation.

Nanofiber-based Multifunctional Microspheres for Rapid Hemostasis and Microorganism Removal of Water.

Constructing hemostats capable of effectively controlling severe hemorrhage from irregular wounds presents significant challenges and imperatives. In this study, a novel approach is introduced using nanofibrous chitin microspheres (NCM) that are compressed to 60% strain (NCM-60%) to amplify their water-initiated expansion performance. This unique capacity allows NCM-60% to efficiently conform to and fill irregular bleeding cavities, even those of varying depths and curvatures, thereby promoting rapid blood coagulation at deep hemorrhage sites.

Relationship Between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Carotid Artery Calcification in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Diet may influence systemic inflammatory status, vascular calcification, and, therefore, the development of atherosclerosis. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is a measure of the inflammatory potential of diet. Although previous studies have examined the relationship between DII and cardiovascular diseases, its specific association with carotid artery calcification in ischemic stroke patients remains insufficiently explored.

A Delayed Postoperative Anastomotic Submucosal Abscess.

Delayed anastomotic submucosal abscess is a rare complication of rectal tumor resection. A submucosal tumor-like lesion near the anastomotic site was detected in a 57-year-old woman, and pus and sutures were found through spontaneously formed fistulas. Endoscopic ultrasound confirmed the presence of hyperechoic pus flowing out from the fistulas on compression of the lesion.

Exploring the active ingredients and mechanisms of Liujunzi decoction in treating hepatitis B: a study based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations.

Liujunzi decoction (LJZD) is commonly used to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV), though its active ingredients and mechanisms are not fully known. This study identified core targets and active components of LJZD for treating hepatitis B (HB) through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. Screening from databases yielded 533 active components, 2619 targets for LJZD, and 2910 for HB, with 891 intersecting targets.

Association between Arsenic Methylation in Early Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Cohort Study.

The metabolism of arsenic (As) plays a crucial role in its health effects. However, the impact of arsenic methylation during early pregnancy on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between As methylation in the first and second trimesters and the incidence of GDM by conducting a prospective cohort study in Chongqing, China.

The experience of surrogate decision-making and deciphering critically ill patient values: A qualitative study.

Background: Surrogate decision-makers (SDMs) who make decisions for critically ill patients often face great challenges. Although shared decision-making has been advocated, its implementation has been less than satisfactory.

Aim: To explore the experience of the surrogate decision-making process and determine how SDMs understand the values and preferences of critically ill patients.

Morphine-induced fever: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Morphine is widely used to treat moderate-to-severe cancer pain. However, it causes various adverse effects, with morphine-induced fever being an extremely rare and poorly understood symptom.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 58-year-old Chinese woman with advanced lung cancer.

Ultrasound Controllable Release of Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special subtype of breast cancer, which is highly aggressive and incurable. Here, we proposed an ultrasound activatable bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) release strategy for the first time for precisely controlled protein degradation in preclinical TNBC model. Through combination of PROTAC and ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technology, the present strategy also aims to concurrently solve the major limitations of poor loading capacity of microbubbles and undesirable targeting and membrane permeability of PROTAC.

Development of a Predictive Nomogram for Intra-Hospital Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Using LASSO Regression.

Background And Purpose: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally, necessitating accurate prediction of intra-hospital mortality (IHM) for improved patient care. This study aimed to develop a practical nomogram for personalized IHM risk prediction in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: A retrospective study of 422 ischemic stroke patients (April 2020 - December 2021) from Chongqing Medical University's First Affiliated Hospital was conducted, with patients divided into training (n=295) and validation (n=127) groups.

Metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma: a bibliometric and visualized study from 2011 to 2023.

Background And Aims: Metabolic reprogramming has been found to be a typical feature of tumors. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a cancer with high morbidity and mortality, has been extensively studied for its metabolic reprogramming-related mechanisms. Our study aims to identify the hotspots and frontiers of metabolic reprogramming research in HCC and to provide guidance for future scientific research and decision-making in HCC metabolism.

Developing and Validating a Nomogram Model for Predicting Ischemic Stroke Risk.

: Clinically, the ability to identify individuals at risk of ischemic stroke remains limited. This study aimed to develop a nomogram model for predicting the risk of acute ischemic stroke. : In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis on patients who visited the Department of Neurology, collecting important information including clinical records, demographic characteristics, and complete hematological tests.

Intramedullary fixation versus plate fixation in the treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the clinical efficacy of intramedullary fixation (IF) vs. plate fixation (PF) in the treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures.

Methods: We conducted a computerized search of the electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Medlineand Chinese Journal Full-text Database) from the establishment of the database to the end of November 2022.

Serum levels of vitamin B12 combined with folate and plasma total homocysteine predict ischemic stroke disease: a retrospective case-control study.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify and quantify the association and investigate whether serum vitamin B12 alone or vitamin B12 combined with folate and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels could be used to predict the risk of acute ischemic stroke.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted in the Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. It included 259 inpatients experiencing their first-ever acute ischemic stroke and 259 age-matched, sex-matched healthy controls.

Echinacoside activates Nrf2/PPARγ signaling pathway to modulate mitochondrial fusion-fission balance to ameliorate ox-LDL-induced dysfunction of coronary artery endothelial cells.

As a cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease (CHD) is characterized by poor prognosis and increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Echinacoside (ECH) can protect against multiple cardiovascular diseases due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the role of ECH in CHD remains unclear.

TRIP13 Plays an Important Role in the Sensitivity of Leukemia Cell Response to Sulforaphane Therapy.

Sulforaphane is one of the most characterized isothiocyanate compounds in cruciferous vegetables and shows anticancer effects, especially antileukemia properties. However, the molecular mechanism of the growth inhibition effect of sulforaphane in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has not been fully explored. In the present study, a proteomic analysis was performed on the AML cell line U937 responding to sulforaphane treatment to identify novel and efficient therapeutic targets of sulforaphane on AML cells.

New evidence: Metformin unsuitable as routine adjuvant for breast cancer: a drug-target mendelian randomization analysis.

Purpose: The potential efficacy of metformin in breast cancer (BC) has been hotly discussed but never conclusive. This genetics-based study aimed to evaluate the relationships between metformin targets and BC risk.

Methods: Metformin targets from DrugBank and genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from IEU OpenGWAS and FinnGen were used to investigate the breast cancer (BC)-metformin causal link with various Mendelian Randomization (MR) methods (e.

Antidote-controlled DNA aptamer modulates human factor IXa activity.

Thrombosis leads to elevated mortality rates and substantial medical expenses worldwide. Human factor IXa (HFIXa) protease is pivotal in tissue factor (TF)-mediated thrombin generation, and represents a promising target for anticoagulant therapy. We herein isolated novel DNA aptamers that specifically bind to HFIXa through systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) method.