Efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization-based multimodal treatment in patients with neuroendocrine tumors involving the liver.

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a group of heterogeneous diseases which have liver dominant involvement potency. The value of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment for NET patients in the era of somatostatin analogues (SSAs) and anti-proliferation agents needs further study. The study aimed to investigate the value of TACE-based treatment for NETs involving the liver.

A large language model digital patient system enhances ophthalmology history taking skills.

Clinical trainees face limited opportunities to practice medical history-taking skills due to scarce case diversity and access to real patients. To address this, we developed a large language model-based digital patient (LLMDP) system that transforms de‑identified electronic health records into voice‑enabled virtual patients capable of free‑text dialog and adaptive feedback, based on our previously established open-source retrieval-augmented framework. In a single‑center randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.

Comparison analysis of different doses bevacizumab plus ICIs and interventional therapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a real-world study.

Background: Bevacizumab, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), interventional therapy, either alone or in combination, have demonstrated promising anti-tumor activities in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the optimal dosing strategy for bevacizumab within combination regimens remains undetermined. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different bevacizumab doses in triple therapy combining bevacizumab, ICIs, and interventional therapy for unresectable HCC.

Efficacy comparison of atropine, orthokeratology and repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopia control in children: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of different interventions for myopia control in children, including 0.01% atropine (AP), orthokeratology (Ortho-k), and repeated low-level red-light therapy (RLRL), and their combinations by conducting a network meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase.

Clinically Relevant One-shot Learning Technique to Personalize Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment for Eyelid Scars.

Background: Hypertrophic and keloid eyelid scars cause functional and aesthetic problems. Traditional fractional CO₂ laser treatments require multiple sessions and use uniform parameters regardless of scar characteristics, limiting their effectiveness for complex eyelid scars.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Manual One-shot Learning Technique (MOST) with fractional CO₂ laser for personalized treatment of eyelid scars.

Matrix Stiffness Promotes Invasion and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via a New Mechanoresponsive SCD1/HMMR Pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) almost exclusively develops in the context of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, both of which are characterized by increased matrix stiffness. Matrix stiffness promotes HCC invasion and metastasis via upregulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). However, the downstream effector of the SCD1-dependent mechanoresponsive pathway remains unclear.

Trichaptum biforme (Pallidohirschioporus biformis) genome decoding provides insights into carbohydrate degradation and polysaccharide synthesis.

Trichaptum biforme is a white-rot fungus that plays a key role in the process of cellulose degradation. In this study, we employed a suite of techniques to sequence the genome of T. biforme, and achieved high-quality assembly and detailed annotation.

Utility of Portable Fundus Camera in Teaching Direct Ophthalmoscopy to Medical Students.

Background: Direct ophthalmoscopy (DO) an essential skill for junior doctors. DO allows for quick and effective fundus examinations to detect life- and vision-threatening diseases. However, medical students often find it difficult to master DO due to the challenges associated with fundus visualisation.

Impact of postoperative self-care on early outcomes in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: a retrospective observational study.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of standardized postoperative self-care protocols on short-term surgical outcomes in patients undergoing endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR).

Methods: This study evaluated the early prognosis (1 month) and personal care of 90 patients with 94 eyes who underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) for Chronic dacryocystitis (CD). Surgical outcomes were divided into ostium grade and operative effect.

Comparison analysis of ICIs and chemotherapy combined with or without lenvatinib as first-line treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Effective first-line treatments for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remain limited. This real-world study aimed to compare the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) plus chemotherapy combined with or without Lenvatinib as first-line treatment in unresectable ICC patients and identify predictors of treatment response and prognosis.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 58 patients with unresectable ICC received either dual therapy (ICIs plus chemotherapy) or triple therapy (ICIs plus chemotherapy and Lenvatinib) as first-line treatment.

Diabetes mediates an inverted L-shaped association between cardiometabolic index and kidney stones: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2007-2020.

Background: Kidney stones are a chronic metabolic disorder. The cardiometabolic index (CMI) is a new and easily accessible measure used to assess metabolic status. However, the relationship between CMI and the incidence of kidney stones remains unclear.

A glucose-enriched lung pre-metastatic niche triggered by matrix stiffness-tuned exosomal miRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Apart from the classic features, it is almost unknown whether there exist other new pathological features during pre-metastatic niche formation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous works have highlighted the contribution of increased matrix stiffness to lung pre-metastatic niche formation and metastasis in HCC. However, whether increased matrix stiffness influences glucose metabolism and supply of lung pre-metastatic niche remains largely unclear.

Improved analysis with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography for evaluating vascular damage in exfoliation syndrome.

Purpose: To assess microvascular damage in exfoliation syndrome (XFS) patients with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the correlations between OCT angiography (OCTA) parameters and systemic blood parameters in XFS.

Methods: Twenty-one XFS eyes and 23 healthy eyes were included in this cross-sectional study. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, vessel density (VD), thickness of the layers of the ganglion cell complex (GCC), homocysteine (Hcy) level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were compared between the two groups.

Metabolic Atlas of Human Eyelid Infiltrative Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: Eyelid infiltrative basal cell carcinoma (iBCC) is the most common malignant tumor affecting the ocular adnexa, but studies on metabolic changes within its microenvironment and heterogeneity at the tumor invasive area are limited. This study aims to analyze metabolic differences among iBCC cell types using single-cell and spatial metabolomics analysis and to examine metabolic environment at the tumor invasive area.

Methods: Single-cell transcriptomic data of human basal cell carcinoma (BCC) were clustered and visualized using Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection.

Comparative study on the reaction mechanism of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural on Pd(111) and Cu(111).

Context: In this work, a comparative study on the catalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) on precious Pd(111) and nonprecious Cu(111) was systematically performed. On the basis of the calculated activation energy (E) and reaction energy (E), the optimal energy path for the hydrogenation of HMF (F-CHO) into BHMF (F-CHOH) on Pd(111) is as follows: F-CHO + 2H → F-CHOH + H → F-CHOH; the minimum reaction path on Cu(111) is F-CHO + 2H → F-CHO + H → F-CHOH. On Cu(111), the formation of F-CHOH from F-CHO hydrogenation is the rate-determining step because it has the highest reaction energy barrier and the smallest rate constant.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting the need for concomitant endoscopic septoplasty during endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Background: Simultaneous endoscopic septoplasty is often required during endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) to improve access to the lacrimal sac and potentially optimize surgical success rates. In current practice, the decision to proceed to concomitant endoscopic septoplasty during En-DCR in patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) is determined by anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopic examination. However, none of these methods can be used to quantitatively assess the severity of septal deviation to determine the need for concomitant endoscopic septoplasty during En-DCR.

Cation Vacancy Strategy Activated Layered Double Hydroxides: Enhanced Electrochemical Performance and Longevity.

The defect design strategy has been extensively employed to enhance the reaction kinetics of layered double hydroxide (LDH) electrode materials. Furthermore, it is anticipated to improve the cyclic stability of LDHs through this approach, serving a dual purpose. However, the potential mechanisms of cation vacancies' impact on the electrochemical performance of electrodes at the atomic scale still need further clarification.

An Oxidative Stress-Related Prognostic Signature Predicts Treatment Response and Outcomes for Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Transarterial Chemoembolization.

Purpose: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in promoting tumor resistance to hypoxia and chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the prognostic role of oxidative stress-related genes (OSRGs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has not been fully explored.

Methods: We used transcriptome data from the GSE104580 cohort containing patients marked as responders or nonresponders to TACE therapy to identify differentially expressed OSRGs associated with TACE response (TR-OSRGs).

Nasolacrimal duct rhinostomy for low-level nasolacrimal duct obstruction:long-term outcomes and surgical selection paradigm.

Propose: This study aims to present long-term outcomes in a specific patient population experiencing epiphora due to low-level nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) following endonasal endoscopic nasolacrimal duct rhinostomy, and to propose a surgical selection paradigm for varying locations of NLDO.

Methods: Between September 1, 2017 and February 28, 2023, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 26 patients diagnosed with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) who underwent endonasal endoscopic nasolacrimal duct rhinostomy for low-level NLDO (defined as obstruction below the plane of the superior border of the inferior turbinate attachment). The study assessed surgical success through objective measures of anatomical patency and subjective measures of functional patency during a postoperative follow-up period of at least six months.

Deciphering the impact of aging on splenic endothelial cell heterogeneity and immunosenescence through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis.

Background: Aging is associated with significant structural and functional changes in the spleen, leading to immunosenescence, yet the detailed effects on splenic vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and their immunomodulatory roles are not fully understood. In this study, a single-cell RNA (scRNA) atlas of EC transcriptomes from young and aged mouse spleens was constructed to reveal age-related molecular changes, including increased inflammation and reduced vascular development and also the potential interaction between splenic endothelial cells and immune cells.

Results: Ten clusters of splenic endothelial cells were identified.