prospective multicenter validation of preoperative plasma ceramides as novel predictive biomarkers for clinically relevant post-hepatectomy liver failure.

Background: Circulating ceramides (CERs) are associated with liver diseases and dysfunction. The utility of plasma CERs in predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of preoperative plasma CERs for predicting clinically relevant PHLF (CR-PHLF).

Ceramide(d18:1/18:1)-NDUFA6 interaction inactivates respiratory complex I to attenuate oxidative-stress-driven pathogenesis in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Oxidative stress driven by malfunctioning respiratory complex I (RC-I) is a crucial pathogenic factor in liver ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study investigated the role of alkaline ceramidase 3 (ACER3) and its unsaturated long-chain ceramide (CER) substrates in regulating liver I/R injury through RC-I. Our findings demonstrated that I/R upregulated ACER3 and decreased unsaturated long-chain CER levels in human and mouse livers.

4qA D4Z4 Methylation Test as a Valuable Complement for Differential Diagnosis in Patients with a Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy-Like Phenotype.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by pleiotropic contractions of the D4Z4 repeat array on chromosome 4q35 (FSHD1) or by mutations in repressive chromatin regulators of the D4Z4 loci (FSHD2), both resulting in epigenetic dysregulation at the D4Z4 array. DNA methylation of the D4Z4 repeat array has been proposed for diagnosis and prognosis of FSHD disease severity; however, further validation in larger populations is needed. Two hundred forty-seven clinically suspected FSHD cases were retrospectively analyzed with D4Z4 analysis by optical genome mapping or molecular combing and tested the DNA methylation levels for 75 patients and 49 healthy controls.

Radiological features and internal fixation strategies of atlantoaxial dislocation combined with atlas occipitalization.

Background: Patients with atlantoaxial dislocation combined with atlas occipitalization often present with variations in the anatomy of the vertebral artery and bone, posing potential risks during the implantation of the C2 pedicle screws during surgery.

Objective: Based on comprehensive preoperative imaging evaluation, this study investigates the blood supply, course, and relationship with bone of the vertebral artery in patients with atlantoaxial dislocation combined with atlas occipitalization, aiming to provide reference for safe implantation of internal fixation.

Methods: Imaging data of 77 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation combined with atlas occipitalization from October 2015 to December 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China were collected, including CT, CT angiography, and MRI.

Predicting colorectal adenomatous polyps in patients with chronic liver disease: A novel nomogram.

Background: Colorectal polyps are commonly observed in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and pose a significant clinical concern because of their potential for malignancy.

Aim: To explore the clinical characteristics of colorectal polyps in patients with CLD, a nomogram was established to predict the presence of adenomatous polyps (AP).

Methods: Patients with CLD who underwent colonoscopy at Tianjin Second People's Hospital from January 2020 to May 2023 were evaluated.

Age at onset mediates genetic impact on disease severity in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) patients exhibit marked variability in both age at onset (AAO) and disease severity. Early onset FSHD1 patients are at an increased risk of severe weakness, and early onset has been tentatively linked to the length of D4Z4 repeat units (RUs) and methylation levels. The present study explored potential relationships among genetic characteristics, AAO and disease severity in FSHD1.

Impact of Cooking Methods on Sensory Evaluation and Nutritional Properties of Caterpillar Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes).

This study addresses the alterations in nutrients [calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E (VC and VE, respectively)] and cordycepin content, alongside its sensory appeal in Cordyceps militaris, subjected to five distinct cooking methods: boiling, steaming, roasting, microwaving, and deep-frying. A comparative analysis showed the notable decline in nutrient content across most cooking methods excluding deep-frying. In notable contrast, the content of VE was substantially amplified during deep-frying, thereby emphasizing its value in preserving nutrients.

A separate-dural-incision method of extradural dumbbell spinal schwannoma resection: cumulative experience at a single center.

Objective: To present our experience in the surgical management of completely extradural dumbbell spinal schwannomas with a new surgical strategy.

Method: This study is a case series of patients treated at the Neurosurgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, between January 2018 and June 2021.

Results: 24 patients met the inclusion criteria, with cervical and lumbar spines being the most frequent locations.

Development of novel bisphenol derivatives with a membrane-targeting mechanism as potent gram-positive antibacterial agents.

Antibiotic resistance is becoming increasingly severe. The development of small molecular antimicrobial peptides is regarded as a promising design strategy for antibiotics. Here, a series of bisphenol derivatives with amphiphilic structures were designed and synthesized as antibacterial agents by imitating the design strategy of antimicrobial peptides.

Noninvasive tests maintain high accuracy for advanced fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients with different nomenclatures of steatotic liver disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a new nomenclature proposed in 2023. We aimed to compare the diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive tests (NITs) for advanced fibrosis under different nomenclatures in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 844 patients diagnosed with CHB and concurrent steatotic liver disease (SLD) by liver biopsy were retrospectively enrolled and divided into four groups.

Establishment and validation of an adherence prediction system for lifestyle interventions in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide, affecting about 1/4 of the global population and causing a huge global economic burden. To date, no drugs have been approved for the treatment of NAFLD, making the correction of unhealthy lifestyles the principle method of treatment. Identifying patients with poor adherence to lifestyle correction and attempting to improve their adherence are therefore very important.

Postoperative epidural hematoma as a rare complication after intracranial tumor resection: a case series report and causes analysis.

Background: To review the treatment and the causes of postoperative epidural hematoma (PEDH) after intracranial tumor resection.

Method: A retrospective case study was conducted to examine a series of patients who developed PEDH as a complication following intracranial tumor resection between January 2016 and June 2021. The study collected data from hospital charts, including clinical status at admission, imaging results, histopathologic findings, surgical management, complications, and outcomes.

Causal Effects of COVID-19 on the Risk of Thrombosis: A Two-Sample Mendel Randomization Study.

Background:  Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and thrombosis are linked, but the biomolecular mechanism is unclear. We aimed to investigate the causal relationship between COVID-19 and thrombotic biomarkers.

Methods:  We used two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the effect of COVID-19 on 20 thrombotic biomarkers.

Direct-acting antivirals failed to reduce the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in hepatitis C virus associated cirrhosis: A real-world study.

Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) revolutionized the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated disease achieving high rates of sustained virological response (SVR). However, whether DAAs can reduce the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis who are at high risk have not been concluded.

Aim: To investigate the effect of DAAs on the occurrence of HCC in patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis after achieving SVR.

Development of cannabidiol derivatives as potent broad-spectrum antibacterial agents with membrane-disruptive mechanism.

The emergence of antibiotic resistance has brought a significant burden to public health. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of cannabidiol derivatives by biomimicking the structure and function of cationic antibacterial peptides. This is the first report on the design of cannabidiol derivatives as broad-spectrum antibacterial agents.

Activation of Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase 3 in Liver Regeneration Impedes the Progression of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis Via Exosome-Bound Intercellular Transfer of Ceramides.

Background & Aims: The machinery that prevents colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) in the context of liver regeneration (LR) remains elusive. Ceramide (CER) is a potent anti-cancer lipid involved in intercellular interaction. Here, we investigated the role of CER metabolism in mediating the interaction between hepatocytes and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to regulate CRLM in the context of LR.

Retractorless Surgery for Petroclival Meningiomas via the Subtemporal Approach: A Try to Reduce Brain Retraction Injury.

Purpose: To present our experience with retractorless surgery for resection of petroclival meningiomas (PCMs) via the subtemporal approach with routine operative instruments.

Methods: Clinical data of patients with PCMs who received surgical treatments via subtemporal approach were retrospectively analyzed. Patient demographics, duration of operation, extent of resection, postoperative brain injury rate, postoperative complication, and surgical outcome were reviewed.

CircularLRRC7 is a Potential Tumor Suppressor Associated With miR-1281 and PDXP Expression in Glioblastoma.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are usually enriched in neural tissues, yet about 80% circRNAs have lower expression in gliomas relative to normal brains, highlighting the importance of circRNAs as tumor suppressors. However, the clinical impact as well as the pathways regulated by the tumor-suppressive circRNAs remain largely unknown in glioblastoma (GBM). Through bioinformatic analysis followed by experimental validation, we found that hsa_circ_0114014 (circLRRC7) was dramatically down-regulated in GBM when compared with normal brain tissues ( < 0.