Relationship between autism spectrum disorder and peripapillary intraretinal layer thickness: a pediatric retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often presents with atypical visual processing, prompting investigation into its connection with retinal features. This study aimed to (I) compare intraretinal layer thickness in the peripapillary region between ASD and neurotypical (NT) groups, (II) assess associations between intraretinal layer thickness and clinical parameters (social functioning and cognitive levels) in ASD subjects, and (III) evaluate the potential of intraretinal layer thickness as a biomarker for ASD.

Methods: Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from the Children's Mental Health Research Center at The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and the Department of Ophthalmology at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, between December 2019 and August 2023.

Challenges in magnetic resonance imaging-based detection of clinically significant prostate cancer in young patients: two alternative approaches.

Background: Addition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in prostate cancer screening remains controversial issue. Despite the increased utilization of MRI, several studies have revealed its potential suboptimal diagnostic efficacy in young patients. This study aimed to further substantiate the limited diagnostic efficiency of MRI positivity [defined as Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores ≥3] among young individuals aged ≤55 years suspected of prostate cancer, and more significantly, to evaluate two proposed approaches.

Evolutionary conservation analysis of human sphingomyelin metabolism pathway genes.

Sphingomyelin is an important member of the sphingolipid family and was first reported more than a century ago. It has been demonstrated that sphingomyelin plays a crucial role in compositing cell membranes and signaling pathways. Despite extensive functional studies on the sphingolipid metabolism pathway genes, one intriguing question remains: how does the emergence of these genes during evolution correlate with the acquisition of new functions in different species? By employing an evolutionary conservation analysis, the sequence of occurrence of biological processes during evolutionary history can be elucidated.

Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio as a predictor of the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) and the disease activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).

Methods: A total of 87 patients were classified into two groups based on clinical activity score (CAS) scoring criteria: high CAS group (=62, the CAS score was ≥3); low CAS group (=25, the CAS score was <3). In addition, a group of healthy people (=114) were included to compared the MHR.

Senolysis by GLS1 Inhibition Ameliorates Kidney Aging by Inducing Excessive mPTP Opening through MFN1.

Cellular senescence is a pivotal contributor to aging and age-related diseases. The targeted elimination of senescent cells, known as senolysis, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating these conditions. Glutaminase 1 (GLS1), a key enzyme in the glutaminolysis pathway, has been implicated in various cellular senescence processes.

Clinical scoring systems, molecular subtypes and baseline [F]FDG PET/CT image analysis for prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a highly heterogeneous hematological malignancy resulting in a range of outcomes, and the early prediction of these outcomes has important implications for patient management. Clinical scoring systems provide the most commonly used prognostic evaluation criteria, and the value of genetic testing has also been confirmed by in-depth research on molecular typing. [F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography / computed tomography ([F]FDG PET/CT) is an invaluable tool for predicting DLBCL progression.

Analysis of frequency changes in CD8 regulatory T cell subsets in peripheral blood of individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Background: This study aims to examine the alterations and clinical significance of CD8 regulatory T cell subsets in the peripheral blood of individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods: From January 2020 to December 2023, a study was conducted involving 40 individuals with T1DM, who visited the Department of Endocrinology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (T1DM group). For comparison, 40 healthy individuals who underwent routine physical examinations at the same hospital during this period were selected as the control group.

Single-cell transcriptomic and spatial analysis reveal the immunosuppressive microenvironment in relapsed/refractory angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a kind of aggressive T-cell lymphoma with significant enrichment of non-malignant tumor microenvironment (TME) cells. However, the complexity of TME in AITL progression is poorly understood. We performed single-cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-seq) and imaging mass cytometry (IMC) analysis to compare the cellular composition and spatial architecture between relapsed/refractory AITL (RR-AITL) and newly diagnosed AITL (ND-AITL).

Evaluation of gecacitinib vs hydroxyurea in patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis: final analysis results from a randomized phase 3 study.

To compare the efficacy and safety of gecacitinib (also known as jaktinib) with hydroxyurea (HU) in treating myelofibrosis (MF) patients. In this multicenter, randomized phase 3 trial (ZGJAK016), intermediate- or high-risk primarily JAK inhibitor naïve MF patients were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either gecacitinib (100 mg twice a day, BID) or HU (500 mg BID). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with ≥35% reduction in spleen volume (SVR35) from baseline at week 24.

Proteomic Composition of Acute Ischemic Stroke Thrombi Retrieved via Endovascular Thrombectomy Is Associated with Stroke Etiology.

The objective of this study is to investigate the protein components of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) thrombi using four-dimensional independent data acquisition (4D-DIA) proteomics and reveal the correlations between thrombotic protein components and AIS etiology. From April to September 2023, we enrolled a total of 30 patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy at our institute and were diagnosed in accordance with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA; n = 15) or cardioembolism (CE; n = 15). Thromboembolic material was collected for 4D-DIA proteomic detection.

RGD peptide-conjugated polydopamine nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin for combined chemotherapy and photothermal therapy in thyroid cancer.

Objective: To construct polydopamine (PDA)-based nanoparticles (NPs) for combined chemotherapy (CT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) of thyroid tumors by conjugating doxorubicin (DOX) via Schiff base reaction and decorating with RGD peptide.

Methods: PDA NPs were synthesized using dopamine hydrochloride (DA) as the raw material and reacted with DOX-PEG-NH to obtain PDA-DOX NPs. Subsequently, RGD peptide was coupled with PDA-DOX NPs for modification.

Urinary microbiome profiling as a non-invasive tool for identifying biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis.

Introduction: Bacteriome alterations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the relationship between SLE and the urinary microbiome remains underexplored. This study aimed to characterize the urinary microbiome of SLE patients using 16S rRNA sequencing and to investigate its correlations with clinical parameters through integrative analyses.

[Analysis of clinical features of ruccrent interstitial lung disease in patients with anti-EJ positive antisynthetase syndrome].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of 57 patients diagnosed with anti-glycyl tRNA synthetase (anti-EJ) positive antisynthetase syndrome (ASS), a subtype of anti-glycyl tRNA positive ASS, complicated by interstitial lung disease (ILD), and to investigate the factors asso-ciated with ILD recurrence.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 57 anti-EJ positive ASS patientswho were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024. The data collected included demographic information, clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, chest CT findings, and pulmonary function tests.

Delta corticomedullary apparent diffusion coefficient on MRI as a biomarker for prognosis in IgA nephropathy.

Objectives: To explore the association of the cortico-medullary difference in apparent diffusion coefficient (ΔADC) with clinicopathological parameters of disease activity at the time of biopsy, and with the prognositic risk stratification in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients.

Methods: We included 112 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN who measured ΔADC. Patients underwent a kidney biopsy and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging within one week of the biopsy.

Research on the influence of radiotherapy-related genes on immune infiltration, immunotherapy response and prognosis in melanoma based on multi-omics.

Background: Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a significant oncological challenge due to its aggressive nature and poor treatment outcomes. This study explores the comprehensive effects of radiotherapy (RT) in SKCM, focusing on cell signaling pathways, immune infiltration, immune gene correlations, immunotherapy response, and prognosis.

Methods: Using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SKCM patients undergoing RT were identified.

Genetic Risk, BMI Status, BMI Change Patterns, and the Risk of Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Enzyme Elevation in Chinese Adults.

Whether an increased genetic risk of steatotic liver disease (SLD) can be offset by maintaining a healthy weight remains unknown. We aimed to clarify the associations among the body mass index (BMI) and its change patterns with SLD and assess whether genetic susceptibility can modify these associations in Chinese people. A total of 10,091 and 6124 participants from the Health Omics Preventive Examination (HOPE) Program were enrolled in cross-sectional and follow-up analyses, respectively.

Ultrasound-Activated Precise Sono-Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer with Reduced Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated remarkable efficacy across various cancer types. However, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) pose a significant challenge in immunotherapy, particularly the associated pneumonia as the primary adverse reaction, which can lead to irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, monotherapy with programmed death ligand (PD-L1) inhibitors has shown limited effectiveness.

The Efficacy of Micro-Radiofrequency Therapy for Treating Non-Hunner Lesion Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The objective was to explore the efficacy of micro-radiofrequency (micro-RF) therapy for treating non-Hunner interstitial cystitis (NHIC).

Methods: Forty female NHIC patients were enrolled in this retrospective study from December 2021 to December 2023, with 20 receiving intravesical micro-RF therapy and 20 undergoing hydrodistension (HD). The primary evaluation index was the treatment success rate using the Global Response Assessment (GRA) scale.

A nomogram for individualized prediction for cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma plays a crucial role in the development of surgical strategy for thyroid patients. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of cervical lymph node metastasis based on ultrasound features of papillary thyroid carcinoma, and to develop and validate nomogram to help predict cervical lymph node metastasis.

Methods: Patients who underwent thyroid ultrasound examination in Department of Ultrasonography of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 1, 2021 and October 31, 2021 were selected.

Cordycepin ameliorates autoimmunity by promoting STING degradation via autophagy pathway.

Background And Purpose: Stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1 (STING), a central hub protein of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-STING signalling pathway, has a crucial role in regulating type I interferons (IFNs) production and response. Recent studies indicate that excessive activation of STING is strongly associated with autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Searching immunomodulators that negatively regulate STING might greatly contribute to the suppression of autoimmunity.

Neural circuits and therapeutic mechanisms of empathic pain.

Empathy is the capacity to understand and share the experiences of others. This ability fosters connections between individuals, enriching the fabric of our shared world. One notable example is empathy for the pain of others.

Broad-spectrum downregulation of inflammatory cytokines by polydopamine nanoparticles to protect the injured spinal cord.

Acute neuroinflammation, which is notably characterized by a significant elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, often rapidly develops following a traumatic spinal cord injury and exacerbates damage in the lesion area. This study addresses the limitations inherent in strategies that regulate only a single or a few cytokines, which are often insufficient to counteract the progression of secondary injuries. We explore the use of polydopamine nanoparticles as a broad-spectrum immunomodulator, capable of capturing by adsorption a wide range of cytokines and thereby effectively suppressing neuroinflammation.

X-ray triggered bimetallic nanoassemblies as radiosensitizers and STING agonists for a CDT/radio-immunotherapy strategy.

Radiotherapy (RT) is a cornerstone of cancer therapy, but its effectiveness is constrained by dose-limiting toxicity and inadequate systemic immune activation. To overcome these limitations, we have engineered an X-ray-responsive nanoassembly (sMnAu NAs) by cross-linking monodisperse MnAu nanoparticles (NPs) with radiation-responsive diselenide-containing linkers. MnAu alloy NPs not only provide Au NPs for radiosensitization, but also control Mn (0) release, which stimulates Fenton-like reaction for chemodynamic therapy and is transferred into Mn to activate the STING pathway for immunotherapy.

Comparing unilateral and bilateral cerebral perfusion during total arch replacement for acute type A aortic dissection.

Objectives: To assess the effects of unilateral versus bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (u-ACP vs. b-ACP) on postoperative complications and mid-term follow-up results in Asian patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) undergoing total arch replacement (TAR) + the frozen elephant trunk (FET).

Methods: Clinical baseline data and postoperative complications of 702 ATAAD patients undergoing TAR + FET at China Cardiovascular Centre Fuwai Hospital between January 2019 and December 2022 were collected.