Correlation between Pancreatic Duct Variation and Related Diseases: An Effective Method Observing the Dual-Energy CT with Low-keV Monoenergetic Images.

Purpose: Pancreatic duct variation can affect the secretory function of the pancreas. We aimed to explore the pancreatic duct variation, observed using low-keV monoenergetic images [MEI (+)] of dual-energy CT (DECT), and its relationship with related diseases. We further sought to compare pancreatic duct imaging using low-keV MEI (+) of DECT and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).

Antenatal corticosteroid administration-to-birth interval and neonatal outcomes in very preterm infants: A secondary analysis based on a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Despite the prevalent use of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) to prevent preterm infants' adverse neonatal complications, there is currently no consensus on administration-to-birth intervals of ACS. International guidelines broadly agree that the administration of antenatal corticosteroids should be within 7 days prior to preterm birth. However, there is little evidence to support narrower optimal ACS administration-to-birth interval time.

A novel model for predicting prolonged stay of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a 13-year (2010-2022) multicenter retrospective case-control study.

Background: Length of stay (LOS) is an important metric for evaluating the management of inpatients. This study aimed to explore the factors impacting the LOS of inpatients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and develop a predictive model for the early identification of inpatients with prolonged LOS.

Methods: A 13-year multicenter retrospective study was conducted on 83,776 patients with T2DM to develop and validate a clinical predictive tool for prolonged LOS.

Use of NHFOV vs. NIPPV for the respiratory support of preterm newborns after extubation: A meta-analysis.

Objectives: This meta-analysis evaluated and compared the efficacy and safety of noninvasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (NHFOV) and nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) for preterm newborns after extubation.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases from inception to August 28, 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated and compared the efficacy and safety of NHFOV and NIPPV in newborns were included in the review and meta-analysis, which followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines.

Platinum drugs-related safety profile: The latest five-year analysis from FDA adverse event reporting system data.

Background: With the widespread application of platinum drugs in antitumor therapy, the incidence of platinum drug adverse events (ADEs) is always severe. This study aimed to explore the adverse event signals of Cisplatin, Carboplatin and Oxaliplatin, three widely used platinum-containing drugs, and to provide a reference for rational individualized clinical drug use.

Methods: The adverse event report data of the three platinum drugs from the first quarter of 2017 to the fourth quarter of 2021 were extracted from the FAERS database, and the data mining and risk factors for the relevant reports were carried out using the reporting odds ratio (ROR) method the proportional reporting ratio (PRR)and the comprehensive criteria (MHRA) method.

Twenty-eight-day in-hospital mortality prediction for elderly patients with ischemic stroke in the intensive care unit: Interpretable machine learning models.

Background: Risk stratification of elderly patients with ischemic stroke (IS) who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) remains a challenging task. This study aims to establish and validate predictive models that are based on novel machine learning (ML) algorithms for 28-day in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with IS who were admitted to the ICU.

Methods: Data of elderly patients with IS were extracted from the electronic intensive care unit (eICU) Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD) records of those elderly patients admitted between 2014 and 2015.

Coronary artery disease in a patient with Addison's disease: a case report and literature review.

Background: Addison's disease which is due to dysfunction of the adrenal gland, with abnormal secretion of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, is rare. By inducing inflammation and disorders of water and electrolyte metabolism, Addison's disease may accelerate progression of co-existed cardiovascular diseases. Addison's disease combined with cardiovascular disease is infrequent, only 10 cases in the literature.

Predictive model for diabetic retinopathy under limited medical resources: A multicenter diagnostic study.

Background: Comprehensive eye examinations for diabetic retinopathy is poorly implemented in medically underserved areas. There is a critical need for a widely available and economical tool to aid patient selection for priority retinal screening. We investigated the possibility of a predictive model for retinopathy identification using simple parameters.

Integrated bioinformatics-based identification of potential diagnostic biomarkers associated with atopic dermatitis.

Introduction: In-depth analysis of the rambling genes of atopic dermatitis may help to identify the pathologic mechanism of this disease. However, this has seldom been performed.

Aim: Using bioinformatics approaches, we analysed 3 gene expression profiles in the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database, identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and found out the overlapping DEGs (common DEGs, cDEGs) in the above 3 profiles.

Therapeutic effect of postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization based on the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an index to guide postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (PA-TACE) in patients with liver cancer.

Methods: We recruited a total of 166 patients with liver cancer who underwent surgery alone or surgery plus PA-TACE between January 2013 and June 2017 and compared the 1, 2, and 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) between patients with high and low NLRs, surgery and surgery plus PA-TACE groups, and relevant subgroups using the Kaplan-Meier method. We also evaluated the independent factors affecting the prognosis of liver cancer after surgery using a Cox risk ratio model and correlation between NLR levels and high-risk recurrence factors of liver cancer with logistic regression analysis.

IL-6 Accelerates the Proliferation and Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer Cells via the miR-455-5p/IGF-1R Axis.

Pancreatic cancer (PaC) is a highly malignant gastrointestinal tumor with invasive and metastatic characteristics. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a negative prognostic marker, contributes to PaC progression. However, the mechanism of IL-6 in PaC is not yet fully understood.

Mediation of PKM2-dependent glycolytic and non-glycolytic pathways by ENO2 in head and neck cancer development.

Background: Enolase 2 (ENO2) is a crucial glycolytic enzyme in cancer metabolic process and acts as a "moonlighting" protein to play various functions in diverse cellular processes unrelated to glycolysis. ENO2 is highly expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissues relative to normal tissues; however, its impact and underlying regulatory mechanisms in HNSCC malignancy remain unclear.

Methods: Molecular alterations were examined by bioinformatics, qRT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and ChIP-PCR assays.

Risk-factor model for postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery: a retrospective study based on 3498 patients.

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of patients with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after cesarean delivery (CD) and to develop a risk-factor model for PPH after CD. Patients were selected from seven affiliated medical institutions of Chongqing Medical University from January 1st, 2015, to January 1st, 2020. Continuous and categorical variables were obtained from the hospital's electronic medical record systems.

Immunotherapy for combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema with advanced lung cancer: two case reports and a concise review.

Background: It is unclear whether immunotherapy for combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) with advanced lung cancer (CPFE-LC) is safe.

Case Description: We reported on two cases of primary CPFE-LC, where the initial focus was on the lung cancer and not on the CPFE. The two patients underwent surgical resections of the lung cancer, and were placed on a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy after progressive lung cancer was observed.

A paraventricular thalamus to central amygdala neural circuit modulates acute stress-induced heightened wakefulness.

Heightened wakefulness in response to stressors is essential for survival but can also lead to sleep disorders like insomnia. The paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is both a critical thalamic area for wakefulness and a stress-sensitive brain region. However, whether the PVT and its neural circuitries are involved in controlling wakefulness in stress conditions remains unknown.

Clinical experiences of final-year nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to qualitatively synthesise existing literature to examine the clinical nursing experiences of final-year nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide recommendations for the effective management of clinical placement of nursing students.

Design: A qualitative systematic review was conducted and reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Data Sources: Five electronic databases were searched and qualitative studies were included for analysis if they focussed on the clinical nursing experiences of final-year nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inhibition of cGAS ameliorates acute lung injury triggered by zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Purpose: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have been widely used in various industrial and biomedical fields. Occupational or accidental inhalation exposure to ZnONPs might lead to acute lung injury (ALI). Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) are critical for the initiation and expansion of inflammation and contribute to tissue injury; however, the role and mechanism of the cGAS-STING pathway in ALI-induced by ZnONPs are unclear.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Practice Patterns in Atrial Fibrillation: A Multicenter Clinician Survey in China.

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted healthcare systems worldwide. This study investigated cardiologists’ opinions on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted clinical practice patterns in atrial fibrillation (AF). A multicenter clinician survey, including demographic and clinical questions, was administered to 300 cardiologists from 22 provinces in China, in April 2022.

Detection of carcinoembryonic antigens using a wavy gold-silver alloy nanoplate enhanced surface plasmon resonance imaging biosensor.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is regarded as a promising broad spectrum tumor biomarker for clinical diagnosis, progression, and prognosis. Surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) was considered as one of the powerful tools for immunoassay with advantages of label-free, real-time detection with high-throughput. Herein, wavy gold-silver alloy nanoplates functionalized with anti-CEA antibodies providing high protein loading capacity and high mass are used as signal enhancers for CEA detection through SPRi sandwich assay.

Molecular profiling of core immune-escape genes highlights LCK as an immune-related prognostic biomarker in melanoma.

The tumor microenvironment is complicated and continuously evolving. This study was devoted to the identification of potential prognostic biomarkers based on the tumor microenvironment associated with immunotherapy for melanoma. This study integrates a couple of melanoma single cell and transcriptome sequencing datasets and performs a series of silico analyses as nicely as validation of molecular biology techniques.

A web-based novel prediction model for predicting depression in elderly patients with coronary heart disease: A multicenter retrospective, propensity-score matched study.

Background: Depression is associated with an increased risk of death in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to explore the factors influencing depression in elderly patients with CHD and to construct a prediction model for early identification of depression in this patient population.

Materials And Methods: We used propensity-score matching to identify 1,065 CHD patients aged ≥65 years from four hospitals in Chongqing between January 2015 and December 2021.

Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells promote endometrium regeneration in a rat model of intrauterine adhesion.

Human amniotic transplantation has been proposed to improve the therapeutic efficacy of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs). Human amniotic mesenchymal stem stromal cells (hAMSCs) can differentiate into multiple tissue types. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which hAMSCs transplantation promotes endometrial regeneration.

Validation studies on migraine diagnostic tools for use in nonclinical settings: a systematic review.

Background: Migraine underdiagnosis and undertreatment are so widespread, that hence is essential to diagnose migraine sufferers in nonclinical settings. A systematic review of validation studies on migraine diagnostic tools applicable to nonclinical settings can help researchers and practitioners in tool selection decisions.

Objective: To systematically review and critically assess published validation studies on migraine diagnostic tools for use in nonclinical settings, as well as to describe their diagnostic performance.