A Cascaded Segmentation-Classification Deep Learning Framework for Preoperative Prediction of Occult Peritoneal Metastasis and Early Recurrence in Advanced Gastric Cancer.

Purpose: To develop a cascaded deep learning (DL) framework integrating tumor segmentation with metastatic risk stratification for preoperative prediction of occult peritoneal metastasis (OPM) in advanced gastric cancer (GC), and validate its generalizability for early peritoneal recurrence (PR) prediction.

Methods: This multicenter study enrolled 765 patients with advanced GC from three institutions. We developed a two-stage framework as follows: (1) V-Net-based tumor segmentation on CT; (2) DL-based metastatic risk classification using segmented tumor regions.

Multifunctional applications of hydrogel materials in myocardial infarction treatment: from tissue repair to microenvironment regulation.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of heart failure and death worldwide. While conventional treatments have limitations in promoting myocardial repair and regeneration, hydrogel, as a multifunctional biomaterial, shows great potential in MI treatment due to its unique physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. This paper reviews the multifunctional applications of hydrogels in MI therapeutics, including drug delivery (miRNAs, exosomes, ), electrical conduction, immunomodulation, detection, tissue engineering, and microfluidic functions.

[Progress of scRNA-seq technology in nasopharyngeal carcinoma research].

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma（NPC） is a distinct type of head and neck cancer closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus（EBV） infection and exhibits significant geographic variations in its incidence. Despite recent advancements in radiotherapy techniques and precision medicine for NPC, the overall survival rate remains unsatisfactory due to tumor metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. Single-cell RNA sequencing（scRNA-seq） is an emerging technology that allows for the analysis of gene expression at single-cell resolution, providing a clearer understanding of tumor cell subpopulations, the evolutionary trajectory of tumor cells, and the functional roles and interactions of cells within the tumor microenvironment.

A 20-year research trend analysis of the artificial intelligence on scoliosis using bibliometric methods.

Background: This bibliometric analysis aimed to map the knowledge network of artificial intelligence in scoliosis.

Methods: Studies on artificial intelligence published from January 2003 to December 2024 are retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The contributions of countries, institutions, authors, and journals are identified using VOSviewer, Online Analysis Platform of Literature Metrology (http://biblimetric.

Near infrared-emitting persistent luminescent imaging-guided gene/optothermal synergistic therapy for enhancing tumor cell damage.

Conventional fluorescence-guided oncotherapy has high fluorescence background due to in situ excitation, which limits its clinical applications. Near infrared (NIR)-emitting persistent luminescent nanoparticles possess distinctive advantages, such as the ability to function without in-situ excitation, a high signal-to-noise ratio, and deep tissue penetration. These properties make them highly promising for in vivo bioimaging applications.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy via Sacral Ala-Transverse Process Approach for the Treatment of Far Lateral Disc Herniation at L5/S1:A technical note and case series.

Study Design: Technical note BACKGROUND: Far lateral L5/S1 disc herniations are challenging due to the high iliac crest and enlarged L5 transverse process blocking the transforaminal corridor. This study introduces a percutaneous endoscopic discectomy via sacral ala-transverse process approach to overcome these challenges while preserving spinal stability.

Methods: Patients with far lateral L5/S1 disc herniations underwent percutaneous endoscopic discectomy through sacral ala-transverse process approach under fluoroscopic guidance.

The impact of halo-pelvic traction on deformity correction and bone mineral density in patients with severe spine deformity.

Background: Severe spinal deformities require surgical intervention, with preoperative traction commonly used to improve spinal flexibility and surgical safety. However, the impact of traction on bone mineral density (BMD) and its relationship with correction outcomes remains poorly understood.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients with severe spinal deformities who underwent halo-pelvic traction before surgical correction.

miR-150-5p Regulates Merkel Cell Carcinoma Progression by Targeting FTO That Stabilizes CTNNB1 via mA Modification.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory molecules playing important roles in different physiological and pathological processes, but only several miRNAs were functionally characterized in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). We previously identified miR-150-5p as one of the differentially expressed miRNAs between MCC metastases and primary tumors. In the present study, we further investigated the functional role of miR-150-5p in MCC progression.

Ginsenoside Rb1 ameliorates post-doxorubicin treatment myocardial hypertrophy via CaN/NFATc4/GATA4.

Background: Myocardial hypertrophy is a crucial pathological change that occurs during post-anthracycline treatment cardiomyopathy. The effects of ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) on anthracycline-induced hypertrophy remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the antihypertrophic effect of Rb1 on post-doxorubicin (DOX) treatment myocardial hypertrophy and underlying mechanism.

A lithography-free approach to polaritonic Luneburg lenses.

Planar polaritonic lenses, achieved by precisely controlling interface polaritons, hold significant promise for subwavelength light focusing. While most existing designs rely on polariton interference or refraction, creating gradient-index polaritonic lenses remains a substantial challenge due to the lack of practical and cost-effective fabrication methods. Here, we introduce a lithography-free approach for producing polaritonic lenses with gradient effective refractive indices by engineering the dielectric environment of polaritons.

Neural network-based fixed-time practical attitude synchronization control for uncertain networked spacecraft systems.

This paper investigates the distributed neural network (NN)-based fixed-time practical attitude synchronization of the networked spacecraft systems (NSSs) with model uncertainties and external disturbances. A novel practical attitude synchronization scheme is proposed using the Lagrangian representation of spacecraft attitude dynamics for both leaderless and leader-follower cases. Fixed-time control is first employed to enhance robustness against model uncertainties, and the NN is then integrated to advance its adaptability.

Dietary Carbohydrates and the Intestinal Barrier: Emerging Insights into NF-κB Modulation and Health Outcomes.

The intestinal barrier is essential for maintaining mucosal homeostasis, and its dysfunction, often mediated by aberrant nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, is closely linked to chronic inflammation. Dietary carbohydrates modulate this barrier primarily through microbial fermentation and metabolite-mediated signaling. This review synthesized current evidence on how carbohydrate structure, including degree of polymerization, branching, and chemical modifications, influenced gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) production, and NF-κB regulation.

Low-density pedicle screw in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,762 patients.

Background: High-density pedicle screws provide satisfactory correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) but add to the operative time, blood loss, and cost; low-density constructs may mitigate these burdens and achieve similar correction results. Studies use inconsistent density cutoffs (most often <1.6 screws/level) and report conflicting results; therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the clinical, radiographic, and economic impact of low screw density in patients with AIS.

Glucose-functionalized redox-responsive dihydroartemisinin prodrug nanosystem for targeted malaria therapy.

Although malaria has been effectively controlled, it still poses a threat to global health. Artemisinins are the first-line antimalarial drugs. However, their therapeutic efficacy is significantly limited by poor solubility and short biological half-life.

Association of perioperative step count tracked by a wristband with surgical outcomes in minimally invasive lung cancer surgery: a prospective observational study.

Background: Physical activity has been reported to be associated with surgical outcomes, but most previous studies have focused solely on postoperative step counts. To better understand the relationship between step count at different phases and surgical outcomes, we prospectively recorded patients' step counts before and after lung surgery.

Methods: Step count data were collected from 244 patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery for lung cancer using Mi Band 5 to track preoperative and 3-day postoperative activity.

promotes the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma via the TNF-α/NF-κB axis.

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) represents the predominant form of kidney cancer. The Ras homology (Rho) GTPases family plays essential roles in several tumors. However, few studies have reported the function and clinical value of the Rho GTPases family in ccRCC.

Prognostic models for large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma: a machine learning and regression approach.

Background: Large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of lung cancer with high rates of lymph node metastasis (60-80%) and distant metastasis (40%) at diagnosis. This study aimed to develop and evaluate 5-year survival prognostic models for patients with LCNEC, comparing the traditional Cox proportional hazards regression model with machine learning approaches, including Gradient Boosting, XGboost, Random Survival Forests, Extra Survival Trees, and Neural Networks.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2000-2021), including 6,062 patients with pathologically confirmed LCNEC.

Comparison of subcutaneous tunnel-assisted periareolar incision versus conventional uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for pulmonary nodules: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Introduction: Recent investigations into subcutaneous tunneled periareolar incisions for thoracoscopic pulmonary resection have established procedural safety and feasibility. Nevertheless, a critical gap persists in prospective evidence. To address this, we conducted a prospective controlled trial comparing perioperative complications and incisional cosmetic outcomes between single-port pulmonary resection performed via subcutaneous tunneled periareolar approaches versus conventional lateral thoracic approaches.

The role of pathological response in predicting the benefit of adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy has demonstrated significant survival benefits in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the value of postoperative adjuvant therapy remains controversial. Tumor regression grade (TRG) serves as a crucial pathological indicator of response to neoadjuvant treatment, yet its role in guiding adjuvant therapy is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of TRG in postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Best Machine Learning Model for Predicting Axial Symptoms After Unilateral Laminoplasty: Based on C2 Spinous Process Muscle Radiomics Features and Sagittal Parameters.

Study DesignRetrospective study.ObjectiveTo develop a machine learning model for predicting axial symptoms (AS) after unilateral laminoplasty by integrating C2 spinous process muscle radiomics features and cervical sagittal parameters.MethodsIn this retrospective study of 96 cervical myelopathy patients (30 with AS, 66 without) who underwent unilateral laminoplasty between 2018-2022, we extracted radiomics features from preoperative MRI of C2 spinous muscles using PyRadiomics.

Intravesical delivery of mucoadhesive and tumor-selective-penetrating nanozymes for enhancing the PDT of bladder cancer.

Intravesical photodynamic therapy (PDT) emerges as a promising modality for bladder cancer treatment, yet its efficacy is often curtailed by weak muco-adhesion, poor muco-penetration, low tumor-targeting and intra-tumoral oxygen scarcity. In this work, we introduce a drug delivery system leveraging cerium oxide (CeO) nanozymes as the core, polyarginine peptides R11 as the tumor-targeting ligands, and indocyanine green (ICG) as the photosensitizers, with the latter two components assembled on the particle surface. Intravesical ICG@R11-CeO nanoparticles displayed enhanced mucoadhesive, mucus-penetrating and tumor-targeting properties, and effectively mitigated the hypoxia threat in the tumor microenvironment to improve the PDT sensitivity.

Cost-effectiveness of perioperative durvalumab plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer in the United States.

Background: The management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) remains challenging. The phase III NIAGARA trial showed that adding durvalumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly enhances event-free and overall survival for MIBC patients. However, due to the high cost of durvalumab, assessing its cost-effectiveness is crucial.

Observing one-step melting pathway in two-dimensional hard circular particle system.

The nature of two-dimensional melting remains a matter of debate. Based on Langevin dynamics simulation, we present a surprising observation that the melting pathway of hard circular-particles/disks is relevant to the dynamical properties of particles. Using hard circular-particles/disks, where particle friction is proportional to particle size, results show the melting pathway of small size particles obeys two-step scenario, consistent with previous reports on melting behavior of hard disks.

Comparative efficacy and safety of different tranexamic acid administration in spine surgery: a network meta-analysis.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used to reduce blood loss in spine surgery. Different administration routes, including intravenous (IV), topical, and oral, have been studied, but a comprehensive comparison of their efficacy and safety remains lacking. This network meta-analysis aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of various TXA administration methods in spine surgery, focusing on blood loss, transfusion rates and other perioperative parameters.