Clinical features of inflammatory arthritis in daily practice-China's perspective.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze and compare the proportion of patients with different types of inflammatory arthritis and investigate the clinical characteristics, including symptoms and signs, medication choices, and disease activity, in the daily clinical practice of China.

Methods: Patients with inflammatory arthritis were recruited from 16 Grade-A tertiary hospitals between August 2021 and April 2022. The medical profiles, encompassing sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory date, were collected.

Predicting Polymerase Chain Reaction Success: Integrating the K-Word Order Model, Physicochemical Properties Modeling of Double Bases, and Support Vector Machine.

Introduction: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has been a pivotal scientific technique since the twentieth century, and it is widely applied across various domains. Despite its ubiquity, challenges persist in efficiently amplifying specific DNA templates.

Method: While PCR experimental procedures have garnered significant attention, the analysis of the DNA template, which is the experiment's focal point, has been notably overlooked.

Mitochondrial disease and epilepsy in children.

Mitochondria is the cell's powerhouse. Mitochondrial disease refers to a group of clinically heterogeneous disorders caused by dysfunction in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, often due to mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or nuclear DNA (nDNA) that encodes mitochondrial proteins. This dysfunction can lead to a variety of clinical phenotypes, particularly affecting organs with high energy demands, such as the brain and muscles.

Targeted lipidomics analysis of possible molecular mechanisms of lipid changes in temporal lobe epilepsy models.

Background: Lipids are vital biomolecules involved in the formation of various biofilms. Seizures can cause changes in lipid metabolism in the brain. In-depth studies at multiple levels are urgently needed to elucidate lipid composition, distribution, and metabolic pathways in the brain after seizure.

Predictive factors for clinical cure in the treatment of HBeAg(-) chronic hepatitis B or compensated cirrhosis: a prospective observational study.

Background: Sequential or combined treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) and pegylated interferon alpha-2b (Peg-IFN--2b) can improve the clinical cure rate. However, its clinical application is limited due to the adverse reactions associated with IFN.

Methods: A multi-center prospective observational study was conducted involving 59 NAs-treated chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who were treated with a combination therapy of NAs and Peg-IFN--2b for 48 weeks.

TERT de novo mutation-associated dyskeratosis congenita and porto-sinusoidal vascular disease: a case report.

Background: Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genetic disease due to telomere biology disorder and characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations and severe complications. "Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease" has been recently proposed, according to new diagnostic criteria, to replace the term "idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension." TERT plays an important role in telomeric DNA repair and replication.

Mesenchymal stromal cell exosomes for drug delivery of prostate cancer treatments: a review.

Interest in prostate cancer as a research topic has gradually increased. As a result, a series of innovative treatment strategies have emerged with an in-depth understanding of the disease. Owing to their unique biological characteristics, mesenchymal stromal cell exosomes (MSC-Exos) have garnered significant attention for their potential to deliver targeted drugs and enable precise prostate cancer treatment.

Detecting mitochondrial hypochlorous acid and viscosity in atherosclerosis models via NIR fluorescent probes.

The assessment of early atherosclerosis (AS) via fluorescence imaging is crucial for advancing early diagnosis research. Abnormal inflammation biomarkers, including hypochlorous acid (HClO) and viscosity within mitochondria, have been closely linked to the pathogenesis of AS. However, current fluorescent probes predominantly rely on unimodal imaging that targets a single biomarker and lacks mitochondrial specificity, which can result in potential false signal readouts due to the complex intracellular environment.

Transanal vs Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision and 3-Year Disease-Free Survival in Rectal Cancer: The TaLaR Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Previous studies have demonstrated the advantages of short-term histopathological outcomes and complications associated with transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) compared with laparoscopic TME. However, the long-term oncological outcomes of transanal TME remain ambiguous. This study aims to compare 3-year disease-free survival of transanal TME with laparoscopic TME.

Anti-Scattering Perovskite Scintillator Arrays for High-Resolution Computed Tomography Imaging.

Computed tomography (CT) imaging has emerge as an effective medical diagnostic technique due to its rapid and 3D imaging capabilities, often employing indirect imaging methods through scintillator materials. Arraying scintillators that can confine light scattering to enable high-resolution CT imaging remains an area of ongoing exploration for emerging perovskite scintillators. Here an anti-scattering cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr) scintillator array embedded within a polyurethane acrylate matrix for CT imaging using a cost-effective solution-processed method is reported.

Participants' satisfaction with social security is closely associated with their acceptance of vulnerable groups: a nationwide cross-sectional study in China.

Introduction: Social security, as a core component of the national welfare system, has consistently played a crucial role in ensuring the basic livelihood of citizens and promoting social equity and justice. Against this backdrop, this study explores the association between social security satisfaction and acceptance of vulnerable groups.

Methods: This study involved 9923 participants.

First-line cadonilimab plus chemotherapy in HER2-negative advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

Programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitors plus chemotherapy have been the standard of care in the first-line treatment of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma; however, the survival benefits are modest in patients with low programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Here we investigated the efficacy and safety of cadonilimab (PD-1/cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) bispecific antibody) plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment in G/GEJ adenocarcinoma. The prespecified interim analysis is reported here.

Prevalence of malnutrition among adult inpatients in China: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Malnutrition substantially contributes to adverse clinical outcomes. However, no national survey has been conducted to characterize its epidemiology in hospital settings in China. We conducted the China Nutrition Fundamental Data 2020 project among a multistage stratified cluster sample of adult inpatients from 291 study sites across 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities (except for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan Province, and the Xizang Autonomous Region, please see MATERIALS AND METHODS for details of the causes) of China to generate reliable data on the prevalence of malnutrition and explore the associated risk factors.

Maternal Smoking Around Birth Is a Risk Factor for Gastrointestinal Diseases in Offspring: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: The effect of maternal smoking around birth (MSAB) on gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in the offspring is still not fully understood.

Aim: We conducted a rigorous Mendelian randomization (MR) study to examine the association between MSAB and 24 GI diseases in offspring.

Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with MSAB were obtained from a recent study.

Quantification and clinical performance of serum parathyroid hormone 1-84 via immunocapture coupled to LC-MS/MS in chronic renal failure.

Accurate measurement of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) is crucial for diagnosing and managing endocrine and osteological diseases. Conventional immunoassay methods struggle with cross reactivity issues between full-length PTH and truncated fragments or post-translationally modified forms. Both the standardization of PTH assays and the peptide's stability are concerning.

Results of Bioabsorbable Screws for the Fixation of Chevron Osteotomy in the Treatment of Hallux Valgus Deformities.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the safety and reliability of using bioabsorbable screws for the fixation of chevron osteotomy in the treatment of hallux valgus (HV) deformity.

Methods: Clinical cases of chevron osteotomy in the treatment of HV deformities in our hospital between December 2018 and August 2022 were retrospectively summarised to compare preoperative imaging indices with those at the final follow-up session, including the hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and tibial sesamoid position (TSP). The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale, short-form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) scale were used to assess therapeutic efficacy.

A real-world analysis of 1,823 hospitalized osteoporotic fractures in Northeast China.

Context: There are limited real-world data evidence assessing the clinical characteristics of hospitalized osteoporotic fractures in China.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of hospitalized major osteoporotic fractures in Northeast China.

Methods: We identified hospitalized fracture patients aged 50 and over from the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022.

Association of serum calcium level with periodontitis: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2009-2014.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between serum calcium levels and periodontitis in a U.S. adult population, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014.

The role of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in diagnosing and managing post-kidney transplantation infections.

Kidney transplantation (KT) is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease, but post-transplant infections remain one of the most significant challenges. These infections, caused by a variety of pathogens, can lead to prolonged hospitalization, graft dysfunction, and even mortality, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Traditional diagnostic methods often fail to identify the causative organisms in a timely manner, leading to delays in treatment and poorer patient outcomes.

Update on the treatment navigation for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: expert consensus 2.0.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements.

The Association Between Aspartate Transaminase to Alanine Transaminase Ratio and Perioperative Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Diabetes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Patients with diabetes are at a high risk for perioperative ischemic stroke (PIS). The use of biomarkers to identify high-risk patients and predict PIS may provide considerable reference value in clinical decision-making. The aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase ratio (De Ritis ratio) has been proven to be associated with specific diabetic complications.

Targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress: an innovative therapeutic strategy for podocyte-related kidney diseases.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a vital organelle responsible for protein quality control, including the folding, modification, and transport of proteins. When misfolded or unfolded proteins accumulate in the ER, it triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) to restore ER homeostasis. However, prolonged or excessive ERS can lead to apoptosis.

Oxidative stress and retinopathy: evidence from epidemiological studies.

Background: Previous studies have suggested oxidative stress may play a key role in the pathogenesis of retinopathy, while evidence from observational studies directly linking oxidative biomarkers to clinically relevant outcomes has been limited. This study aims to investigate the association between oxidative balance score (OBS) and prevalence of retinopathy in a nationally representative sample of U.S.

Autism screening tool validation for toddlers and young children: advantages and limitations.

Background: Early identification is crucial for children with autism. However, many children are diagnosed later due to the lack of specific assessment tools in primary care settings. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the STAT in screening autism across different age groups while assessing its advantages and limitations.