Discovery of a heparan sulfate binding domain in monkeypox virus H3 as an anti-poxviral drug target combining AI and MD simulations.

Viral adhesion to host cells is a critical step in infection for many viruses, including monkeypox virus (MPXV). In MPXV, the H3 protein mediates viral adhesion through its interaction with heparan sulfate (HS), yet the structural details of this interaction have remained elusive. Using AI-based structural prediction tools and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we identified a novel, positively charged α-helical domain in H3 that is essential for HS binding.

Rare and common genetic variants underlying the risk of Hirschsprung's disease.

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a congenital enteric neuropathic disorder characterized by high heritability (>80%) and polygenic inheritance (>20 genes). The previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified several common variants associated with HSCR and demonstrated increased predictive performance for HSCR risk in Europeans using a genetic risk score, there remains a notable gap in knowledge regarding Chinese populations. We conducted whole exome sequencing in a HSCR case cohort in Chinese.

Activin A receptor type 1C single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma risk in Chinese population.

Background: Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis. Activin A receptor type 1C (ACVR1C) is a TGF-β type I receptor that is involved in tumorigenesis through binding to different ligands.

Aim: To evaluate the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ACVR1C and susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Chinese Han population.

Development and Validation of a Diagnostic Model for Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection Based on Proteomic Profiling.

Purpose: Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection (TBAD), a critical aortic disease, has exhibited stable mortality rates over the past decade. However, diagnostic approaches for TBAD during routine health check-ups are currently lacking. This study focused on developing a model to improve the diagnosis in a population.

Bioinformatics-based screening of key genes associated with gemcitabine resistance in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) ranks among the deadliest cancers globally. Despite gemcitabine being a primary chemotherapeutic agent, many patients with PDAC develop resistance, significantly limiting treatment efficacy. This study aims to screen and validate key genes associated with gemcitabine resistance in advanced PDAC using bioinformatics analysis and clinical sample validation, thereby providing potential noninvasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for overcoming chemoresistance.

Safety and efficacy of mecapegfilgrastim in preventing neutropenia in patients with head and neck cancer: a multicenter, prospective, observational, real-world study.

Background: Mecapegfilgrastim, a long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, is approved in China for neutropenia prevention. However, data on its safety and efficacy in patients with head and neck cancer remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mecapegfilgrastim in preventing neutropenia among these patients undergoing chemotherapy, particularly those receiving chemoradiotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy.

Layer-specific biomechanical and histological properties of normal and dissected human ascending aortas.

Recent studies have attempted to characterize the layer-specific mechanical and microstructural properties of the aortic tissues in either normal or pathological state to understand its structural-mechanical property relationships. However, layer-specific tissue mechanics and compositions of normal and dissected ascending aortas have not been thoroughly compared with a statistical conclusion obtained. Eighteen ascending aortic specimens were harvested from 13 patients with type A aortic dissection and 5 donors without aortic diseases, with each specimen further excised to obtain three tissue samples including an intact wall, an intima-media layer and an adventitia layer.

Characterization of Pancreatic Infections in Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Study from 2019 to 2023.

Objective: This study investigated the distribution and changes in pancreatic infections among patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) from 2019 to 2023, while exploring the impact of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections on the prognosis of patients with poor outcomes.

Methods: This study included patients diagnosed with SAP between 2019 and 2023 and collected the demographic and clinical characteristics of all participants. Based on routine clinical microbiological culture results, the distribution and drug resistance of pathogens associated with pancreatic infections were analyzed.

Indocyanine green fluorescence-guided robotic Boari flap-pelvis anastomosis for the management of long-segment transplant ureteral stricture: a case series of six patients.

Background: The treatment of transplant ureteral stricture (TUS) has been a great challenge, and there is limited experience with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence-guided robotic Boari flap-pelvis anastomosis to identify ureteral stenosis segments (especially long-segment) and their postoperative blood supply. We report case series of ureteral strictures treated with ICG fluorescence-guided robotic Boari flap-pelvis anastomosis in our center.

Case Description: We retrospectively collected clinical data of six patients diagnosed with long-segment even full-length TUS who underwent robotic Boari flap-pelvis anastomosis with the assistance of modified distribution of robotic ports and ICG fluorescence between June 2022 and June 2024, focusing on postoperative renal function, stenosis recurrence, and urinary fistulae.

Emerging role of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks among the top five most diagnosed cancers globally, with particularly high incidence and mortality rates observed in Asian regions. Despite certain advancements achieved through early screening and treatment strategies in many countries, GC continues to pose a significant public health challenge. Approximately 20% of patients infected with develop precancerous lesions, among which metaplasia is the most critical.

A ROS-responsive hydrogel encapsulated with matrix metalloproteinase-13 siRNA nanocarriers to attenuate osteoarthritis progression.

RNA interference (RNAi) and oxidative stress inhibition therapeutic strategies have been extensively utilized in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent degenerative joint disease. However, the synergistic effects of these approaches on attenuating OA progression remain largely unexplored. In this study, matrix metalloproteinase-13 siRNA (siMMP-13) was incorporated onto polyethylenimine (PEI)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified FeO nanoparticles, forming a nucleic acid nanocarrier termed si-Fe NPs.

Attitudes and knowledge for CBT-based psychotherapy among medical students and residents in China: a survey study.

Background/aim: Psychotherapy training for medical students and residents in China is still in development. To establish an appropriate training program, understanding medical students' and residents' current knowledge and attitudes toward psychotherapy is needed.

Methods: One hundred and forty-nine participants, including medical students, residents, and other health providers (HCPs), self-reported their understanding of 18 types of psychotherapy, negative attitude towards cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and their attitude towards psychological interventions and counseling in primary care (APIC-PC) through an online survey.

Deep Learning Radiomics Nomogram Based on MRI for Differentiating between Borderline Ovarian Tumors and Stage I Ovarian Cancer: A Multicenter Study.

Rationale And Objectives: To develop and validate a deep learning radiomics nomogram (DLRN) based on T2-weighted MRI to distinguish between borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) and stage I epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) preoperatively.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 279 patients from three centers, divided into a training set (n = 207) and an external test set (n = 72). The intra- and peritumoral radiomics analysis was employed to develop a combined radiomics model.

The efficacy and safety of thymosin α1 for sepsis (TESTS): multicentre, double blinded, randomised, placebo controlled, phase 3 trial.

Objective: To evaluate whether the immunomodulatory drug thymosin α1 reduces mortality in adults with sepsis.

Design: Multicentre, double blinded, placebo controlled phase 3 trial.

Setting: 22 centres in China, September 2016 to December 2020.

Electroacupuncture and Tongbian decoction ameliorate CUMS-induced depression and constipation in mice via TPH2/5-HT pathway of the gut-brain axis.

Depression is commonly associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, such as constipation, which can potentially intensify depressive symptoms. The interplay between these conditions is believed to be facilitated by the gut-brain axis, which suggests a complex bidirectional interaction. Current treatments, such as antidepressants and prokinetics, are often associated with side effects and high recurrence rates, highlighting the need for effective treatments targeting both depression and constipation.

Mechanistic insights into ferroptosis and apoptosis pathways: Synergistic effects of multi-organ toxicity and transgenerational effects induced by co-exposure of epoxiconazole and aflatoxin B1 in zebrafish.

Introduction: In the environment, mycotoxins and fungicides frequently coexist, potentially causing synergistic risks to organisms. Epoxiconazole (EPO) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are a common fungicide and mycotoxins, respectively, which are widely present in the environment and have toxic effects on multiple organs once entering the organism, but it is still unclear whether the co-exposure has a synergistic toxic effect.

Objectives: This study delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying the co-exposure to EPO and AFB1, emphasizing multi-organ toxicity in female zebrafish (F0 generation) and potential transgenerational impacts on the offspring embryos (F1 generation) through multi-omics approaches.

α-Actinin-1 deficiency in megakaryocytes causes low platelet count, platelet dysfunction, and mitochondrial impairment.

Cytoskeletal remodeling and mitochondrial bioenergetics play important roles in thrombocytopoiesis and platelet function. Recently, α-actinin-1 mutations have been reported in patients with congenital macrothrombocytopenia. However, the role and underlying mechanism of α-actinin-1 in thrombocytopoiesis and platelet function remain elusive.

Association between circulating inflammatory proteins and temporomandibular disorders: insight from a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Past studies have indicated links between specific inflammatory proteins in the bloodstream and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Nonetheless, there remains the need for further solid research pinpointing the exact causes behind these associations. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aims to examine the association between 91 circulating inflammatory proteins and TMDs.

Three-dimensional measurement of the depth of invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma samples using Lugol's iodine-enhanced micro-computed tomography: an original study.

Objectives: Depth of invasion (DOI) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) guides treatment and prognosis but lacks three-dimensional (3D) insight. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of Lugol's iodine-enhanced micro-computed tomography (CT) for the 3D measurement of DOI in OSCC samples.

Methodology: In total, 50 in vitro OSCC samples from Nanjing Stomatological Hospital (July 2022 to January 2024) were subjected to micro-CT imaging with a slice thickness of 50 μm following 3% Lugol iodine staining for 12 h, followed by pathological examination and staining.

Evaluating a clinically available artificial intelligence model for intracranial aneurysm detection: a multi-reader study and algorithmic audit.

Purpose: We aimed to validate a clinically available artificial intelligence (AI) model to assist general radiologists in the detection of intracranial aneurysm (IA) in a multi-reader multi-case (MRMC) study, and to explore its performance in routine clinical settings.

Methods: Two distinct cohorts of head CT angiography (CTA) data were assembled to validate an AI model. Cohort 1, comprising gold-standard consecutive CTA cases, was used in an MRMC study involving six board-certified general radiologists.

Impact of Cement Distribution on the Efficacy of Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation for Osteoporotic Fractures: Assessment with an MRI-Based Reference Marker.

Background: No studies have evaluated the impact of the cement distribution as classified on the basis of the fracture bone marrow edema area (FBMEA) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the efficacy of percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) for acute osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Methods: The clinical data of patients with acute, painful, single-level thoracolumbar osteoporotic fractures were retrospectively analyzed. The bone cement distribution on the postoperative radiograph was divided into 4 types according to the distribution of the FBMEA on the preoperative MRI.

Circadian Rhythms and Lung Cancer in the Context of Aging: A Review of Current Evidence.

Circadian rhythm is the internal homeostatic physiological clock that regulates the 24-hour sleep/wake cycle. This biological clock helps to adapt to environmental changes such as light, dark, temperature, and behaviors. Aging, on the other hand, is a process of physiological changes that results in a progressive decline in cells, tissues, and other vital systems of the body.

Hybrid hydrogels containing gradients in gold nanoparticles for localized delivery of mesenchymal stem cells and enhanced nerve tissues remodeling .

Currently, most peripheral nerve injuries are incurable mainly due to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in inflammatory tissues, which can further exacerbate localized tissue injury and cause chronic diseases. Although promising for promoting nerve regeneration, stem cell therapy still suffers from abundant intrinsic limitations, mainly including excessive ROS in lesions and inefficient production of growth factors (GFs). Biomaterials that scavenge endogenous ROS and promote GFs secretion might overcome such limitations and thus are being increasingly investigated.

Intermediate-dose immune tolerance induction outperforms with faster success, less bleeding, and no added cost in comparison with low dose: a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

Background: Low-dose (LD) or intermediate-dose (MD) immune tolerance induction (ITI) is effective in children with severe hemophilia A (SHA) with high-titer inhibitors (HTIs) and is attractive in countries with economic constraints. However, high-quality evidence of their use is lacking.

Objectives: This was a multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy, safety, and medication cost between LD-ITI and MD-ITI for SHA-HTI children.