Emerging Photoacoustic Imaging Techniques for Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Purpose Of Review: Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) has emerged as a promising non-ionizing modality that leverages optical absorption contrast to provide both anatomical and functional insights into vascular health. This review examines recent advances in PAI technologies applied to the diagnosis, assessment, and management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The goal is to evaluate how emerging PAI techniques address current diagnostic limitations and to identify opportunities for clinical integration.

Smart-SNPer: Automated crRNA design for ultrasensitive RPA-Cas12a SNP detection.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection is critical for precision medicine but is often hindered by complex workflows in resource-limited settings. Here, we introduce Smart-SNPer (https://smart-crisprer.com), a one-click, structure-guided crRNA design tool that automates the development of highly specific RPA (Recombinase Polymerase Amplification)-Cas12a assays (CORDSv2).

Optical focusing into scattering media via iterative time reversal guided by absorption nonlinearity.

Guide star-assisted time-reversal enables deep optical focusing in scattering media such as biological tissue, overcoming the diffusion limit of light. However, in practice, guide stars formed using contrast agents or ultrasonic modulation naturally occupy regions much larger than the optical resolution, thus limiting their effectiveness. We propose and experimentally demonstrate a time-reversal focusing mechanism in scattering media that achieves focusing to a single speckle grain without the need for point-like guide stars.

Compared with assessment via endoscopic examination, assessment through the examination of resected regional lymph nodes can significantly reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer patients: a retrospective study of 222,563 participants from the SEER database.

Background: Lymph node assessment is essential for determining treatment and evaluating the surgical scope in patients with lung cancer, thus significantly impacting survival prognosis. Surgical resection and endoscopic biopsy are the primary methods for obtaining lymph node samples, yet it remains controversial to determine which approach can provide greater benefit. This study aims to analyze the prognosis and survival outcomes of lung cancer patients who undergo assessment through the examination of resected regional lymph nodes, assessment via endoscopic examination, or assessment based on imaging modalities.

Increased mortality in lung cancer patients with same-lobe, multi-lobe, or mixed nodules: a retrospective study of 166,097 participants from the SEER database.

Background: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with a particularly high burden in China and a poor prognosis mainly due to late-stage diagnosis and limited effective treatments. Large-sample survival analyses are lacking for patients with lung cancer who nodules of present with same-lobe, multi-lobe, or mixed nodules, as well as those with multiple separate nodules. This study aimed to assess the survival rates of patients with lung cancer by focusing on overall survival and disease-specific survival.

Physiological and psychological symptom management based on electronic patient-reported outcomes: the TD-WELLBEING randomized clinical trial.

Background: One-third of all lung cancer cases globally are reported in China. This study evaluated the symptom management efficacy of an electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO)-based intervention for postoperative symptoms like pain and psychological distress after lung cancer surgery.

Methods: We included lung cancer surgery patients (April 2022-October 2023; age, 18-75 years) with ECOG scores of 0-2 and expected survival of >6 months and randomized them into control and intervention groups.

Long-term outcomes after Ivor-Lewis versus McKeown esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy for resectable middle or lower thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare long-term survival outcomes between Ivor-Lewis and McKeown esophagectomy with two-field(thoracic-abdominal) lymphadenectomy in resectable middle or lower thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: Patients with resected middle or lower thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing Ivor-Lewis or McKeown esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy were enrolled and categorized into two respective groups. Propensity score matching was performed to minimize selection bias.

Panoramic photoacoustic computed tomography with learning-based classification enhances breast lesion characterization.

Breast cancer diagnosis is crucial due to the high prevalence and mortality rate associated with the disease. However, mammography involves ionizing radiation and has compromised sensitivity in radiographically dense breasts, ultrasonography lacks specificity and has operator-dependent image quality, and magnetic resonance imaging faces high cost and patient exclusion. Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) offers a promising solution by combining light and ultrasound for high-resolution imaging that detects tumour-related vasculature changes.

Single-shot two-dimensional nano-size mapping of fluorescent molecules by ultrafast polarization anisotropy imaging.

Molecular size plays a crucial role in determining the physical, chemical, and biological properties of substances. However, traditional fluorescence polarization anisotropy methods struggle to capture fast transient processes or provide plane-specific details. To overcome these limitations, we introduce Compressed Ultrafast Planar Polarization Anisotropy Imaging (CUP2AI).

Efficacy and safety of anlotinib plus EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in slow- or locally progressing non-small cell lung cancer after adjuvant therapy.

Background: Anlotinib, a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), suppresses angiogenesis and tumor progression. As the mechanisms underlying the resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-TKIs are complex and diverse, further exploration of new treatment strategies is necessary. Combination therapy with EGFR-TKIs and anlotinib targets multiple signaling pathways, enhancing efficacy in patients with EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Relaxin 2 Suppresses Tumor Growth in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma EC9706 Cells Through Modulation of the STAT Signaling Pathway.

Esophageal carcinoma is a highly aggressive cancer with limited therapeutic options. Relaxin 2 (RLN2) has been identified as a regulator of various physiological processes, but its role in cancer, particularly in esophageal carcinoma, is less understood. This study investigates the anticancer effects of RLN2 in EC9706 esophageal carcinoma cells and explores its involvement in the STAT signaling pathway.

Rotational ultrasound and photoacoustic tomography of the human body.

Imaging the human body's morphological and angiographic information is essential for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating medical conditions. Ultrasonography performs the morphological assessment of the soft tissue based on acoustic impedance variations, whereas photoacoustic tomography (PAT) can visualize blood vessels based on intrinsic hemoglobin absorption. Three-dimensional (3D) panoramic imaging of the vasculature is generally not practical in conventional ultrasonography with limited field-of-view (FOV) probes, and PAT does not provide sufficient scattering-based soft tissue morphological contrast.

Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in real-world practice: an analysis of the clinical outcomes and long-term survival, and the feasibility of using major pathological response as a surrogate endpoint.

Background: Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy is expected to become the standard treatment mode for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aims to analyze the clinical outcomes and long-term survival of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for locally advanced ESCC, and explore the feasibility of using major pathological response (MPR) as a surrogate endpoint.

Methods: This real-world retrospective study consecutively included eligible patients with stage II-IVA locally advanced ESCC who received neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and surgery between 2019 and 2022 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine.

Influence of Zhigancao decoction on chronic heart failure combined with depression.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) combined with depression represents a significant clinical challenge due to the mutual exacerbation of physical and psychological symptoms. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of Zhigancao decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine, in combination with conventional Western treatments in patients with CHF and depression. A total of 122 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: a control group receiving standard Western treatment, and an observation group receiving Zhigancao decoction in addition to conventional therapy.

[Surgical Perspective on Lung Cancer in 2024: Innovation and Challenges].

Lung cancer, a highly prevalent and deadly malignancy globally, poses a significant disease burden in China and is the leading cause of cancer death. Despite rapid advances in medicine, its incidence and mortality rates remain stubbornly high, making it a major challenge in public health. Against the backdrop of rapid progress in precision medicine, the paradigm of lung cancer treatment is shifting from single traditional therapy to multi-dimensional integration.

Efficacy of digital therapeutics for perioperative management in patients with lung cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Perioperative management and lung function recovery are vital for lung cancer patients. We conducted an open-label, single-center, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial in China to evaluate the efficacy of digital therapeutic (DTx)-assisted management vs. multidisciplinary management (MM) in the perioperative management of patients with lung cancer.

Fast aberration correction in 3D transcranial photoacoustic computed tomography via a learning-based image reconstruction method.

Transcranial photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) holds significant potential as a neuroimaging modality. However, compensating for skull-induced aberrations in reconstructed images remains a challenge. Although optimization-based image reconstruction methods (OBRMs) can account for the relevant wave physics, they are computationally demanding and generally require accurate estimates of the skull's viscoelastic parameters.

Efficacy of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in the treatment of stage III non-small-cell lung cancer with cancer driver gene mutations.

Background: Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cancer driver gene mutations are mainly treated with targeted therapy. Research into the application of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for these patients is active and ongoing. In this study, we assessed the feasibility and safety of immunochemotherapy as a neoadjuvant treatment in patients with stage III NSCLC with common cancer driver gene mutations.

Betulonic acid: A review on its sources, biological activities, and molecular mechanisms.

Pentacyclic triterpenoids represent a significant class of phytochemicals, categorized into oleanane, ursane, friedelane, and lupane. Among these, betulonic acid stands out as a lupane-type pentacyclic triterpenoid found in numerous plants. Its diverse biological properties, including anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and hepato-protective effects, have been extensively documented.

Two versus three to four cycles of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for stage IB-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer: a real-world study.

Background: No consensus exists regarding the optimal number of cycles of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for patients with stage IB-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of 2 cycles of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in stage IB-IIIB NSCLC with those of 3-4 cycles.

Methods: All patients with IB-IIIB NSCLC who received preoperative immunochemotherapy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from 2019 to 2022 were consecutively included in this retrospective study.

Associations of prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter and its constituents with small for gestational age risk: A twin study in China.

This study aimed to examine the impact of PM and its constituents on small for gestational age (SGA). We collected records of 8082 twin pairs and their mothers from 21 hospitals across China. Concentrations of PM and its constituents were from the Tracking Air Pollution dataset.

Transcranial Photoacoustic Tomography De-Aberrated Using Boundary Elements.

Photoacoustic tomography holds tremendous potential for neuroimaging due to its functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-like functional contrast and greater specificity, richer contrast, portability, open platform, faster imaging, magnet-free and quieter operation, and lower cost. However, accounting for the skull-induced acoustic distortion remains a long-standing challenge due to the problem size. This is aggravated in functional imaging, where high accuracy is needed to detect minuscule functional changes.

[Application Research of Narrative Care to the Management of Symptom Clusters and Post-traumatic Growth in Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Surgery].

Background: Narrative care is emerging as a new discipline to achieve high-quality nursing. It can be seen in clinical studies on improving the management of schizophrenia, depression and chronic diseases, but its application in surgical patients with lung cancer is rarely reported. The aim of this study was to study the effect on improving symptom cluster management and post-traumatic growth of surgical patients through narrative care model, and to explore its clinical advantages in promoting physical and mental rehabilitation of lung cancer patients.