Technical advances in laboratory diagnosis of bloodstream infections.

Introduction: Rapid and accurate laboratory diagnosis is essential for the effective treatment of bloodstream infection (BSI).

Areas Covered: This review aims to address novel and traditional approaches that exhibit different performance characteristics in the diagnosis of BSI. In particular, the authors will discuss the pros and cons of the blood culture-based phenotypic methods, nucleic acid-targeted molecular methods, and host response-targeted biomarker detection in the diagnosis of BSI.

Case report: A successful case of targeted immunotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer under non-surgical conditions.

Introduction: Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is a borderline unresectable malignancy that presents significant treatment challenges. The management of LAPC remains a complex issue, particularly in patients who are not eligible for surgical resection.

Case: Here, we report the case of a 60-year-old woman diagnosed with LAPC through pathological biopsy who subsequently underwent targeted immunotherapy following the failure of a gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and S-1 (G&S) chemotherapy regimen.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of aesthetic medicine practitioners towards laser and/or light therapy for hypertrophic scars.

This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of aesthetic medicine practitioners concerning laser and/or light therapy for hypertrophic scars. Conducted at Hebei Medical University Third Hospital from December 25, 2023, to January 7, 2024, the cross-sectional study utilized a self-administered questionnaire to gather socio-demographic data and KAP scores. A total of 424 valid questionnaires were collected, with 220 (52.

Postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery associated with perioperative gut microbiota dysbiosis: Evidence from human and antibiotic-treated mouse model.

Background: Research links gut microbiota to postoperative delirium (POD) through the gut-brain axis. However, changes in gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in POD patients during the perioperative period and their association with POD are unclear.

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study among patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, focusing on POD as the main outcome.

Identification of GBN5 as a molecular biomarker of pan-cancer species by integrated multi-omics analysis.

Introduction: We conducted a panoramic analysis of GBN5 expression and prognosis in 33 cancers, aiming to deepen the systematic understanding of GBN5 in cancer.

Materials And Methods: We employed a multi-omics approach, including transcriptomic, genomic, proteomic, single-cell cytomic, spatial transcriptomic, and genomic data, to explore the prognostic value and potential oncogenic mechanisms of GBN5 across pan-cancers from multiple perspectives.

Results: We found that GBN5 was differentially expressed in multiple tumors and showed early diagnostic value.

Neuroprotective Effects, Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Potential of the Kv7/KCNQ Channel Opener QO-83 in Ischemic Stroke.

Ischemic stroke is a worldwide disease with high mortality and morbidity. Kv7/KCNQ channels are key modulators of neuronal excitability and microglia function, and activation of Kv7/KCNQ channels has emerged as a potential therapeutic avenue for ischemic stroke. In the present study, we focused on a new Kv7/KCNQ channel opener QO-83 on the stroke outcomes and its therapeutic potential.

Robust and Long-Lasting Immunity and Protection in Mice Induced by Lipopolyplex-Delivered mRNA Vaccines Expressing the Prefusion Protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children. mRNA vaccines based on the lipopolyplex (LPP) platform have been previously reported, but they remain unapplied in RSV vaccine development. In this study, we developed a novel LPP-delivered mRNA vaccine that expresses the respiratory syncytial virus prefusion protein (RSV pre-F) to evaluate its immunogenicity and protective effect in a mouse model.

The rs1800012 polymorphism is associated with osteoporosis or fracture risk: a meta-analysis of 30 studies.

Objectives: Osteoporosis is a complex disease that is influenced by several genetic markers. Many studies have examined the link between the gene rs1800012 polymorphism and osteoporosis risk. However, the findings of these studies are contradictory.

Genetic evidence for the causal effect of clonal hematopoiesis on pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe and progressive cardiovascular disease. While potential links between clonal hematopoiesis (CH) and cardiovascular diseases have been identified, the causal relationship between CH and PAH remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the causal effect of CH on the risk of PAH using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Correlation analysis between epicardial adipose tissue and acute coronary syndrome.

To investigate the correlation between the density and volume of epicardial adipose tissue(EAT)and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study included 355 subjects (mean age: 60.65 ± 9.

The Review of Modified Intersphincteric Resection in the Treatment of Ultra-Low Rectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In China, the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer are increasing, in which low rectal cancer is more common. Ultra-low rectal cancer refers to rectal cancer where the distance between the tumor and the anus is less than 5 cm, it accounts for about 70%-80% of rectal tumors.

The influence of baseline platelet on mortality risk in stroke and cancer patients: a cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES database.

Background: Platelet count and function may be closely related to survival and prognosis of stroke and cancer. However, little is known on the impact of platelet count on the patients with a history of stroke and cancer. This study aimed to examine the association between baseline platelet level and all-cause mortality in this population using a cross-sectional analysis.

Creation of nomograms that combine clinical, CT, and radiographic features to separate benign from malignant diseases using spiculation or (and) lobulation signs.

Background: Distinguishing between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules based on CT imaging features such as the spiculation sign and/or lobulation sign remains challenging and these nodules are often misinterpreted as malignant tumors. this retrospective study aimed to develop a prediction model to estimate the likelihood of benign and malignant lung nodules exhibiting spiculation and/or lobulation signs.

Methods: A total of 500 patients with pulmonary nodules from June 2022 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.

Analysis of factors influencing the awareness of inpatients regarding hospital clinical pharmacy services and willingness to pay: a multicenter survey in Hebei Province, China.

Introduction: Pharmacists are increasingly adopting patient-centered roles, improving healthcare outcomes by reducing medication errors and costs. In China, recent healthcare reforms recognize and compensate for pharmacy services. However, patient awareness of these services and their willingness to pay (WTP) remain underexplored.

Cortical thickness correlated with peripheral inflammatory cytokines in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in muscle atrophy, spasticity, hyperreflexia, and paralysis. Inflammation plays an important role in the development of ALS, and associated with rapid disease progression. Current observational studies indicate the thinning of cortical thickness in patients with ALS is associated with rapid disease progression and cognitive changes.

Revolutionizing ESCC prognosis: the efficiency of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIIC) signature score.

Background: Patients suffer from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which is the ninth highly aggressive malignancy. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIIC) exert as major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), showing possible prognostic value in ESCC.

Methods: Transcriptome data and scRNA-seq data of ESCC samples were extracted from the GEO and TCGA databases.

Intentional peeling of the guidewire during endoscopic ultrasound hepaticogastrostomy to access the common bile duct.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided biliary drainage has become an effective drainage method for unresectable malignant obstructive jaundice, especially for patients after digestive tract reconstruction. We report a technique for assisting adequate guidewire biliary access during the drainage procedure.

Combined diagnosis of signet ring cell carcinoma of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by three endoscopes.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma is a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a high degree of malignancy, which rarely occurs in hilar bile duct. As far as I know, this is the third signet-ring cell carcinoma of hilar cholangiocarcinoma found so far. We used endoscopic ultrasound（EUS） and per-oral cholangioscopy（POCPS） to make a definite diagnosis.

Diagnostic value of lung function tests in long COVID: analysis of positive bronchial provocation test outcomes.

Background: Long COVID patients are prone to bronchial hyperresponsiveness and respiratory symptoms like coughing and breathing difficulties, often with positive bronchial provocation test (BPT) results.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of various lung function tests in patients with long-term COVID-19, explicitly focusing on positive BPT outcomes.

Methods: Our study analyzed the BPT outcomes and various pulmonary function parameters of all 9,406 COVID-19 patients who met the inclusion criteria and visited our hospital between February 24, 2022, and April 28, 2024.

Joint replacement for rheumatoid arthritis: When, why, and how! Insights from an orthopedic surgeon.

The past several decades have seen significant advancements in joint replacement surgery for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Joint replacement procedures have become vital options for patients with severe joint damage and functional impairment. There has been an increased emphasis on personalized surgical strategies that tailor joint replacement decisions based on a patient's unique clinical characteristics and the extent of joint damage.

Mitigating bias in AI mortality predictions for minority populations: a transfer learning approach.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the crucial role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting mortality and guiding healthcare decisions. However, AI models may perpetuate or exacerbate existing health disparities due to demographic biases, particularly affecting racial and ethnic minorities. The objective of this study is to investigate the demographic biases in AI models predicting COVID-19 mortality and to assess the effectiveness of transfer learning in improving model fairness across diverse demographic groups.

Bland-Altman plot to assess the consistency of arterial and venous blood lactate in the emergency room: a retrospective cohort study.

To measure the correlation and agreement between arterial and peripheral venous blood lactate in the emergency room and to assess the predictive value of lactate for the occurrence of cardiac arrest. This was a retrospective cohort study involving 784 patients from January 1, 2020, to July 31, 2021, in the Emergency Room of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. General information, vital signs, clinical symptoms, and laboratory findings of the patient were collected.

The predictive value of optic nerve sheath diameter measurement via ultrasound for intracerebral hemorrhage complicated by cerebral-cardiac syndrome.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical significance of ultrasound-based measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in predicting intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) complicated by cerebral-cardiac syndrome (CCS).

Methods: Patients with ICH and who were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Shijiazhuang People's Hospital between October 2021 and November 2022 were included in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: those with CCS and those without.

Molecular subtype of ovarian clear cell carcinoma: an analysis of 80 Chinese patients using the TCGA molecular classification of endometrial cancer.

Background: To assess the utility of the TCGA molecular classification of endometrial cancer in a well-annotated, moderately sized, consecutive cohort of Chinese patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC).

Methods: We performed DNA sequencing on 80 OCCC patients via a panel that contains 520 cancer-related genes. The TCGA molecular subtyping method was utilized for classification.