Diagnostic performance of dual-layer spectral detector CT in differentiating middle ear cholesteatoma from chronic suppurative otitis media.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic performance of dual-layer spectral detector CT (DLCT) in differentiating middle ear cholesteatoma and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM).

Materials And Methods: This prospective, institutional review board-approved study consecutively enrolled patients with suspected middle ear cholesteatoma or CSOM from January to July 2024. All participants underwent DLCT scanning before surgery.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of membrane-active cannabichromene derivatives as potent antibacterial agents.

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections underscores the urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents with distinct mechanisms. In this study, we present the rational design and synthesis of cationic amphiphilic cannabichromene (CBC, 1) derivatives that mimic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Structural optimization of CBC through the incorporation of quaternary ammonium cations improved hydrophilicity and expanded the antibacterial spectrum.

Self-propelled smart nanomotors for enhanced mild photothermal therapy of tumors through autophagy modulation.

Mild photothermal therapy (mPTT) holds significant potential as a minimally invasive strategy for tumor ablation. However, its clinical translation remains constrained by the uneven intratumoral distribution of photothermal agents and the induction of autophagy pathways. These limitations frequently culminate in suboptimal therapeutic efficacy, facilitating immune evasion by residual tumor cells and thereby elevating the risk of recurrence and metastasis.

Engineering a Multifunctional Nanozyme Platform for Synergistic Melanoma Therapy: Integrating Enzyme Activity, Immune Activation, and Low-Temperature Photothermal Effects.

Melanoma is characterized by rapid growth and high invasiveness, resulting in an exceptionally high malignancy and a significant propensity for metastasis. Current therapeutic modalities, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, exhibit limited efficacy due to severe side effects and immunosuppressive effects. Consequently, the development of precise and effective integrated therapeutic strategies is of paramount importance.

Correction: A size-shrinkable nanoparticle-based combined anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory strategy for enhanced cancer therapy.

Correction for 'A size-shrinkable nanoparticle-based combined anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory strategy for enhanced cancer therapy' by Zhengze Lu , , 2018, , 9957-9970, https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR01184B.

Total Synthesis of Auriculatin and Millexatin F and Discovery of Their Antibacterial Mechanism.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria necessitates the urgent development of novel antibacterial agents. This study reported the first total synthesis of two antibacterial isoflavones, auriculatin () and millexatin F (), derived from the tropical medicinal plant . Through evaluations, both compounds and possessed significant antibacterial activities (MICs = 0.

FOXP3+ T cells and immune dysregulation in canine pyometra.

Canine pyometra is a suppurative uterine infection associated with immune dysregulation. This study investigated the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and associated factors in the pus accumulation within the canine uterus. Sixteen client-owned intact bitches, eight diagnosed with pyometra and the other eight healthy animals undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy, were enrolled.

Bibliometric perspectives on inflammatory and immunological research in pediatric asthma.

Objective: Pediatric bronchial asthma, a prevalent chronic inflammatory respiratory disease, significantly affects children globally. However, bibliometric analyses focused on its inflammatory and immunological aspects are limited. This study aims to provide an overview of the field, identify key focus areas, and predict emerging trends.

HDL Nanodiscs Loaded with Liver X Receptor Agonist Decreases Tumor Burden and Mediates Long-term Survival in Mouse Glioma Model.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive primary brain tumor with a 5-year survival rate of 7%. Previous studies have shown that GBM tumors have a reduced capacity to produce cholesterol and instead depend on the uptake of cholesterol produced by astrocytes. To target cholesterol metabolism to induce cancer cell death, synthetic high-density lipoprotein (sHDL) nanodiscs delivering Liver-X-Receptor (LXR) agonists and CpG oligonucleotides for targeting GBM are investigated.

HDL Nanodiscs Loaded with Liver X Receptor Agonist Decreases Tumor Burden and Mediates Long-term Survival in Mouse Glioma Model.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is highly aggressive primary brain tumor with a 5-year survival rate of 7%. Previous studies have shown that GBM tumors have a reduced capacity to produce cholesterol and instead depend on the uptake of cholesterol produced by astrocytes. To target cholesterol metabolism to induce cancer cell death, synthetic high-density lipoprotein (sHDL) nanodiscs delivering Liver-X-Receptor (LXR) agonists and CpG oligonucleotides for targeting GBM were investigated.

Identification and characteristics of mutations promoting occult HBV infection by ultrasensitive HBsAg assay.

Unlabelled: The significance of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) has been increasingly recognized while the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to identify high-frequency OBI-related mutations in HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative samples tested by the ultrasensitive Lumipulse G HBsAg-Quant assay. OBI samples were collected from 32 blood establishments across 14 provinces in China.

Expression of AMPK and PLIN2 in the regulation of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in bitches with open cervix pyometra.

The pathogenesis of canine pyometra is multifactorial, involving hormonal imbalances, aberrant immune responses, and metabolic dysregulation includes lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. This study focuses on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress, revealing the key regulatory role of AMPK and PLIN2 in canine pyometra. Bitches with open cervix pyometra (n:8) and healthy bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy (n:4) were enrolled to the study.

Integration of Photodiagnosis and Therapy Guided by Micro/Nanorobots.

Micro/Nanorobots(MNRs)integrated with phototherapy represent an emerging approach to cancer treatment and hold significant potential for addressing bacterial infections, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and related conditions. By leveraging micro/nanoscale motor systems in conjunction with phototherapy, these robots enable real-time guidance and monitoring of therapeutic processes, improving drug delivery precision and efficiency. This integration not only enhances the effectiveness of phototherapy but also minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Cancer incidence and mortality estimates in 2022 in southeast Asia: a comparative analysis.

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in southeast Asia. We aimed to present and interpret cancer incidence and mortality statistics in the 11 constituent countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam to inform research priorities, health services, and cancer policy.

Methods: The number of new incident cases and deaths for all cancers combined and for leading cancers were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database developed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for the 11 countries in southeast Asia.

Combining pelvic floor ultrasonography with deep learning to diagnose anterior compartment organ prolapse.

Background: Anterior compartment prolapse is a common pelvic organ prolapse (POP), which occurs frequently among middle-aged and elderly women and can cause urinary incontinence, perineal pain and swelling, and seriously affect their physical and mental health. At present, pelvic floor ultrasound is the primary examination method, but it is not carried out by many primary medical institutions due to the significant shortcomings of training in the early stage and the variable image quality. There has been great progress in the application of deep learning (DL) in image-based diagnosis in various clinical contexts.

Examining racial disparities in counseling about sacral neuromodulation for men and women with idiopathic fecal incontinence.

Background: Black patients undergo sacral neuromodulation for urinary incontinence less than White patients. There is less known about racial disparities in fecal incontinence.

Objective: To determine if racial disparities in fecal incontinence care exist, specifically sacral neuromodulation education.

Development and Validation of Risk Assessment Model for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Based on A Retrospective Study with Machine Learning Algorithms.

Introduction And Hypothesis: We aimed to develop and validate a clinically applicable risk assessment model for identifying women at a high risk of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) based on a retrospective practice.

Methods: This study enrolled patients with and without POP between January 2019 and December 2021. Clinical data were collected and machine learning models were applied, such as multilayer perceptron, logistic regression, random forest (RF), light gradient boosting machine and extreme gradient boosting.

Type I congenital vaginal atresia with multiple organ malformations.

Background: Vaginal atresia (VA) is a rare female genital tract malformation characterized by the absence or incomplete development of the vagina, often leading to cyclic abdominal pain and menstrual blood retention in adolescent patients. Vaginal atresia is often accompanied by multiple organ malformations. The condition poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management, requiring a multidisciplinary approach.

mRNA-LNP vaccines combined with tPA signal sequence elicit strong protective immunity against .

is a prominent Gram-negative and encapsulated opportunistic pathogen that causes a multitude of infections such as severe respiratory and healthcare-associated infections. Despite the widespread anti-microbial resistance and the high mortality rate, currently, no clinically vaccine is approved for battling . To date, messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine is one of the most advancing technologies and are extensively investigated for viral infection, while infrequently applied for prevention of bacterial infections.

Total Synthesis and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Tectoridin and Related Isoflavone Glucosides.

The first total syntheses of four isoflavone glucosides, tectoridin (), tectoridin A (), tectorigenin 7--β-d-glucopyranosyl-12--β-d-glucopyranoside (), and isotectroigenin 7--β-d-glucopyranoside (), have been accomplished. Key steps in our synthetic approach include a regioselective halogenation reaction, followed by methanolysis to introduce the -OCH group into isoflavone frameworks and a PTC-promoted stereoselective glycosidation to establish glycosidic bonds. The synthesized isoflavone glucosides (-) and their corresponding aglycones ( and ) were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity against nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.

Missed Opportunities: A Mixed-Methods Assessment of Disparities in Treatment for Fecal Incontinence.

Importance: Previous work identified racial disparities in access to fecal incontinence (FI) treatments. However, less is known about patient perspectives of these barriers.

Objectives: This study assessed differences in FI symptom severity and treatment utilization between Black and White patients.