Prognostic effect of DNA methylation of gene in Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: This study aims to develop a prognostic model for overall survival based on potential methylation sites within B-cell translocation gene 2 () in Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: This is a retrospective study. The beta values of nine CpG sites and RSEM normalized count values of gene were extracted from the Cancer Genome Atlas-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) (TCGA-LIHC) dataset, with the beta value representing the methylation level by indicating the ratio of the intensity of the methylated bead type to the combined locus intensity.

Molecular mechanism analysis of apoptosis induced by silk fibroin peptides.

Silk fibroin derived from silkworm cocoons exhibits excellent mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, and low immunogenicity. Previous studies showed that silk fibroin had an inhibitory effect on cells, suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis. However, the source of the toxicity and the mechanism of apoptosis induction are still unclear.

Rapid diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction through integrated microfluidic chips for detection of characteristic targets.

Myoglobin (Myo), creatine kinase-MB (CKMB), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) are crucial biomarkers for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) The accurate and rapid detection of these three targets can greatly improve the prognosis of AMI patients. Herein, this study developed a microfluidic immunofluorescence method that can detect all three targets in 10-15 min. Ultrasonic atomization and spray technology are used to modify the surface of the injection-molded microfluidic chip (MFC), which effectively solves the problem of biological cross-linking and antibody immobilization on the MFC surface.

Brain structural changes and molecular analyses in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.

Background: Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is a common childhood epilepsy syndrome, accompanied by behavioral problems and cognitive impairments. Previous studies of BECTS-related brain structures applied univariate analysis and showed inconsistent results. And neurotransmitter patterns associated with brain structural alterations were still unclear.

Comparison of NAFLD, MAFLD and MASLD characteristics and mortality outcomes in United States adults.

Background & Aims: Following the classification of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently been redefined again as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, the distinctions in characteristics and mortality outcomes between NAFLD, MAFLD and MASLD remain unclear.

Methods: We analysed data from 7519 participants in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of United States (US) and their linked mortality until 2019.

Habitual salt preference worsens blood pressure in hospitalized hypertensive patients with omicron infection under epidemic-related stress.

Background: We investigated the synergistic effect of stress and habitual salt preference (SP) on blood pressure (BP) in the hospitalized Omicron-infected patients.

Methods: From 15,185 hospitalized Omicron-infected patients who reported having high BP or hypertension, we recruited 662 patients. All patients completed an electronic questionnaire on diet and stress, and were required to complete morning BP monitoring at least three times.

Effect of Bevacizumab on traumatic penumbra brain edema in rats at different time points.

Traumatic penumbra (TP) is a secondary injury area located around the core area of traumatic brain injury after brain trauma, and is an important factor affecting the outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The main pathological change caused by TP is brain edema, including (cellular brain edema and vascular brain edema). The formation and development of brain edema in the TP area are closely related to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

The functional role of lncRNAs as ceRNAs in both ovarian processes and associated diseases.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted significant scientific attention due to their central role in regulating gene expression and their profound impact on the intricate mechanisms of ovarian function. These versatile molecules exert their influence through various mechanisms, including the coordination of transcription processes, modulation of post-transcriptional events, and the shaping of epigenetic landscapes. Furthermore, lncRNAs function as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), engaging in intricate interactions with microRNAs (miRNAs) to finely adjust the expression of target genes.

Azvudine reduces the in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study.

In our retrospective cohort study, we aim to explore whether Azvudine modifies the risk of death in COVID-19 patients. It was conducted on the medical records of patients, consecutively admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia to two hospitals in Chongqing, China. Based on Azvudine treatment exposure, the patients were divided into Azvudine group and non-Azvudine group.

A robust NIR fluorescence-activated probe for peroxynitrite imaging in cells and mice osteoarthritis models.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of joint disease, which is difficult to treat, but early standardized diagnosis and treatment can effectively alleviate the pain and symptoms of patients. Therefore, it is important to construct an effective tool to assist in the early diagnosis and evaluation of the therapeutic effect of OA. In this work, a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence-activated fluorescent probe, YB-1, was constructed for the evaluation of the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of OA via detection and imaging of the biomarker of ONOO in inflammatory cells and mice osteoarthritis models.

Low vitamin B levels may predict the risk of ischemic stroke: A cross-sectional study.

Background: To examine serum vitamin B concentrations in relation to the risk of ischemic stroke among hospitalized patients in the Department of Neurology.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study involving 2,212 inpatients discharged from the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, from January 2020 to January 2022. The results of laboratory assays such as serum vitamin B, homocysteine, and folate levels were measured.

The application of 3D-printed oral stents in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer and their dosimetric effect on organs at risk.

Background: This study investigates the accuracy of 3D-printed dental stents in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) and their dosimetric effects on normal tissues.

Methods: We selected 60 patients with OPC who underwent IMRT in the Department of Oncology, Special Medical Center of Army Medical University. These patients were randomly assigned into 3D-printed oral stent, simple glass bottle, and nonstent groups (20 patients/group).

Efficacy of treatment with N-acetylcysteine inhalation for AECOPD: A propensity-score-matched cohort study.

Introduction: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevents acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). However, the value of NAC inhalation in the treatment of patients with AECOPD is still poorly understood. The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of NAC inhalation in AECOPD patients requiring hospitalization.

Preparation of a modified silk-based gel/microsphere composite as a potential hepatic arterial embolization agent.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective method for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, chitosan (CS), sodium glycerophosphate (GP), and sodium alginate (SA) were used as the main raw materials to develop clinically non-degradable embolization microspheres (Ms). Chitosan/sodium alginate embolization Ms.

Case Report: Genetic and immune microenvironmental characteristics of a rectal cancer patient with MSS/PD-L1-negative recurrent hepatopulmonary metastasis who achieved complete remission after treatment with PD-1 inhibitor.

Currently, microsatellite high instability (MSI-H)/mismatch repair protein deletion (dMMR) has become a crucial biomarker for utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the proportion of MSI-H/dMMR in advanced patients is only about 5% and mCRC patients with microsatellite stability (MSS)/proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) exhibit poor responses to immunotherapy. Although diverse immune combination therapy regimens have been examined in patients with advanced colorectal cancer who demonstrate MSS/pMMR, these approaches have not yielded favorable efficacy and only a limited proportion of patients have benefited, especially for advanced colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases.

Liver function test indices-based prediction model for post-stroke depression: a multicenter, retrospective study.

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) was one of the most prevalent and serious neuropsychiatric effects after stroke. Nevertheless, the association between liver function test indices and PSD remains elusive, and there is a lack of effective prediction tools. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the liver function test indices and PSD, and construct a prediction model for PSD.

Bacterial co-infection raises in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study.

Background: We aim to explore whether the bacterial co-infection with COVID-19 will raise the in-hospital mortality.

Methods: COVID-19 patients' information were collected for analysis in our retrospective study. Neutrophil count and procalcitonin (PCT) were used to estimate whether there was a suspected bacterial co-infection.

The occurrence and development of radiation-induced lung injury after interstitial brachytherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy in SD rats.

Background: To compare the severity of radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) after the right lung of SD rats received interstitial brachytherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT).

Methods: RILI rat model was established using interstitial brachytherapy and SBRT methods, respectively. CT scan was performed to analyze the lung volume and the CT value difference between the left and right lungs in rats.

Development and validation of a predictive nomogram for the specific mortality risk of luminal B breast cancer patients: a competing risk model based on real populations.

Background: For clinical workers, disease-specific death is a better indicator of tumor severity. Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in women. Luminol type B breast cancer is one of the biggest threats to women's health, and few studies have paid attention to its specific death.

Lavender essential oil accelerates lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic wound healing by inhibiting caspase-11-mediated macrophage pyroptosis.

Chronic wounds seriously affect the quality of life of the elderly, obese people, and diabetic patients. The excessive inflammatory response is a key driver of delayed chronic wound healing. Although lavender essential oil (EO [lav]) has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and accelerate wound curative effects, the specific molecular mechanism involved is still ambiguous.

Development and validation of a novel model based on hand knob score and white matter injury on MRI to predict hand function in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Childhood hand function is considered to be one of the strongest predictors of the ability to participate in daily activities as children with cerebral palsy (CP) reach adulthood. The manual ability classification system (MACS) is currently the most widely used for grading hand function in children with CP. However, the MACS method is subjective and may be affected by the raters' experience.

Digital signal extraction approach for cardiotocography image.

Background And Objective: Cardiotocography, commonly called CTG, has become an indispensable auxiliary examination in obstetrics. Generally, CTG is provided in the form of a report, so the fetal heart rate and uterine contraction signals have to be extracted from the CTG images. However, most studies focused on reading data for a single curve, and the influence of complex backgrounds was usually not considered.

Diagnostic Performance of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging for Colorectal Cancer Detection: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves (radiofrequency energy) to make images, is one of the best imaging methods for soft tissues and can clearly display unique anatomical structures. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been developed for identifying various malignant tumors.

Aim: To investigate the diagnostic value of DWI-MRI quantitative analysis in colorectal cancer detection.

TNF-α induces AQP4 overexpression in astrocytes through the NF-κB pathway causing cellular edema and apoptosis.

Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is highly expressed on astrocytes and is critical for controlling brain water transport in neurological diseases. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a common cytokine found in disease microenvironment. The aim of the present study was to determine whether TNF-α can regulate the expression of AQP4 in astrocytes.