Tegoprazan-based versus esomeprazole-based triple therapy plus bismuth for first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication: A nationwide, multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although triple therapy plus bismuth (TTPB), comprising a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), two antibiotics, and bismuth, is widely used to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), eradication rates have been suboptimal. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) offer stronger and more stable gastric acid inhibition compared to PPIs.

Cholecystectomy-related gut microbiota dysbiosis exacerbates colorectal tumorigenesis.

Cholecystectomy represents the most prevalent biliary surgical procedure for gallbladder abnormalities. Growing evidence suggests that cholecystectomy is associated with an elevated risk of colorectal cancer. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

The role of photobiomodulation in modulating neural activity and brain function: A systematic bibliometric analysis.

This systematic bibliometric analysis evaluates the scientific evidence, impact, and trends of photobiomodulation (PBM) for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Analyzing 150 relevant PubMed-indexed studies (including 46 clinical trials) up to September 2024, we demonstrate PBM's positive effects on the CNS. Key mechanisms include enhanced ATP synthesis, modulated nitric oxide signaling, improved neuronal excitability, suppressed oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory effects, and ion channel modulation.

Gut microbiome alterations and hepatic encephalopathy post-TIPS in liver cirrhosis patients.

Background: The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), a crucial tool for treating complications related to portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis, is often associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications such as hepatic encephalopathy. Accurate preoperative prediction of the risk of developing hepatic encephalopathy is critical for optimizing the rational clinical application of TIPS.

Methods: In this study, stool samples from 67 patients were collected preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively and metagenomic sequencing was performed to assess the composition of the gut microbiota.

Hydrochemical Characteristics, Controlling Factors, and High Nitrate Hazards of Shallow Groundwater in an Urban Area of Southwestern China.

Groundwater nitrate (NO) contamination has emerged as a critical global environmental issue, posing serious human health risks. This study systematically investigated the hydrochemical processes, sources of NO pollution, the impact of land use on NO pollution, and drinking water safety in an urban area of southwestern China. Thirty-one groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major hydrochemical parameters and dual isotopic composition of NO (δN-NO and δO-NO).

Metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma: an integrated omics study of lipid pathways and their diagnostic potential.

Metabolic reprogramming is an important cancer hallmark. Recent studies have indicated that lipid metabolic reprogramming play a potential role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood.

Hypoxia exposure impairs male fertility via inhibiting Septin2-mediated spermatogonial proliferation.

Study Question: What are the molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced male reproductive impairment?

Summary Answer: Hypoxia compromises Septin2 () transcription in spermatogonia, which impedes spermatogonial proliferation through protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-dependent AKT dephosphorylation.

What Is Known Already: Hypoxia is associated with impaired spermatogenesis and poor sperm parameters in men. Spermatogonia proliferation, a crucial early step in spermatogenesis, is essential for maintaining the spermatogenic cell population and ensuring sperm quality.

A Scoring System for Predicting the Cure Rate of Unilateral Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Background: Due to the clinical heterogeneity of unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, its prognosis is difficult to predict. This study aims to establish a system that could incorporate multiple factors for better prediction of the prognosis.

Methods: Seven hundred eighty-four adult patients with unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss who were hospitalised for treatment between Jan 2016 and Dec 2020 were included.

Bioinspired Smart Nanogels for Rapid Blue Laser-Activated Hemostasis in Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a critical condition that requires rapid and effective intervention. Although thrombin is a widely used hemostatic agent, its efficacy is limited in the harsh environment of the digestive tract, especially in patients with chronic liver disease or coagulation disorders. Current treatment techniques often fall short, particularly when faced with severe blood loss and coagulation challenges.

Effects of Gastric Juice Exposure on Structure and Function of Rat Eustachian Tube.

Objective: A rat model of reflux-induced secretory otitis media was constructed by injecting artificial gastric juice to investigate the effects of acidic reflux fluid on the structure and function of the mucosa of the rat eustachian tube (ET), and to explore the pathogenesis of reflux-induced secretory otitis media.

Methods: The ET pharyngeal orifice of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was exposed to the artificial gastric juice in the experimental groups. Then optical and electron microscopic examinations were performed to observe the differences in the histological structure of the rat ET, and high-speed video microscopy analysis was used to observe the beating frequency of the mucosal cilia.

Development and validation of a collaborative framework for assessment of peripheral facial paralysis using facial image regions of interest.

Background: While accurate evaluation of PFP is crucial for determining optimal treatment strategies, current clinical assessments rely heavily on subjective evaluations, leading to considerable variability between inter- and intra-observer ratings.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a collaborative framework for evaluating PFP based on regions of interest in facial images.

Methods: We developed and tested two approaches: (1) a collaborative framework integrating image interpretation techniques (representation learning CNN) with predefined handcrafted features based on regions of interest in facial images, and (2) a convolutional neural network (CNN) model trained exclusively on full-face patient images.

Cochlear inflammation in AAV-mediated gene therapy: serotype-dependent macrophage activation and promoter-driven immunogenicity.

Background: Recent clinical trials employing AAV (adeno-associated virus)-mediated gene therapy for hereditary deafness have demonstrated significant therapeutic potential. However, immune responses triggered by AAV delivery in the inner ear remain poorly characterized, despite their critical implications for treatment safety and efficacy.

Aims/objectives: This study systematically evaluates serotype-specific (AAV1 vs.

Minimizing hearing loss: A novel surgical approach for round window exposure in miniature pigs.

Background: A delicate operation for exposing the round window without affecting the hearing function is critical for auditory research. Despite the different surgical approaches proposed for miniature pigs, hearing protection during operation is still challenging. The efficient solution to this problem is significant for accurate auditory research.

Orlistat facilitates immunotherapy via AKT-FOXO3a-FOXM1-mediated PD-L1 suppression.

Background: The immunotherapy targeting cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) has achieved significant breakthroughs, but further improvements are still needed in cancer treatment.

Methods: We investigated orlistat, a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of obesity and found that it can enhance the efficacy of CTLA-4 blockade immunotherapy. We conducted both in vivo and in vitro experiments to explore the mechanism by which orlistat increased antitumor immunity.

Combined AAV-mediated specific Gjb2 expression restores hearing in DFNB1 mouse models.

Pathogenic mutations in the Gjb2 gene, encoding connexin 26, are the leading cause of autosomal recessive hereditary deafness. Gene therapy holds significant promise for treating this. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated therapeutic gene delivery has been shown to be safe and effective in restoring hearing in both animal models and human patients.

Conventional small-bowel capsule endoscopy reading vs proprietary artificial intelligence auxiliary systems: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Study Aims: Small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is the gold standard for diagnosing small bowel (SB) pathologies, but its time-consuming nature and potential for human error make it challenging. Several proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) auxiliary systems based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that are integrated into SBCE reading platforms are available on the market and offer the opportunity to improve lesion detection and reduce reading times. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate performance of proprietary AI auxiliary platforms in SBCE compared with conventional, human-only reading.

Nucleotide motif-guided selection of plasma microRNA biomarkers for organ injury prediction in trauma.

Background: Trauma remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in part due to secondary organ injury and infection. Yet, our ability to predict the downstream pathophysiologic responses leading to organ injury and adverse outcomes is limited. Extracellular microRNAs (ex-miRNAs) as a DAMP can drive innate immune response and organ injury.

Modeling charge collection in silicon pixel detectors for proton therapy applications.

Monolithic active pixel sensors are used for charged particle tracking in many applications, from medical physics to astrophysics. The Bergen pCT collaboration designed a sampling calorimeter for proton computed tomography, based entirely on the ALICE PIxel DEtector (ALPIDE). The same telescope can be used for in-situ range verification in particle therapy.

[Research status and future strategies for refractory inner ear disease].

Refractory inner ear disease refers to a spectrum of inner ear diseases that fail to achieve good therapeutic effects even after standardized treatment recommended by existing clinical practice guidelines. This disease spectrum is characterized by diverse etiological factors, high phenotypic heterogeneity, unclear subtype characteristics, unknown pathogenic mechanisms, and variable prognosis, making it difficult to define precisely. Refractory inner ear disease accounts for a significant proportion of the total population with inner ear diseases and has not been systematically summarized, refined, and deeply studied to date.

Appraisal of potential toxic elements pollution, sources apportionment, and health risks in groundwater from a coastal area of SE China.

Groundwater is a vital natural resource, but the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses significant risks to both groundwater safety and human health. This study collected 120 groundwater samples from a coastal area in southeastern China during wet and dry seasons to assess PTE levels, identify their sources, and evaluate pollution and health risks. Results showed that Mn, Zn, and Al had the highest average concentrations in both seasons, with Mn, Cd, and Zn frequently exceeding safe limits.

Gap-induced inhibition of the post-auricular muscle response in miniature pigs.

Background: Tinnitus, a persistent condition that significantly impairs the quality of life for patients, poses a substantial burden on society. Owing to its complex and poorly understood pathogenesis, the development of effective animal models for tinnitus is imperative to enhance our comprehension of this condition.

Objectives: The present study aims to establish a large animal model to delineate the mechanisms underlying the onset of tinnitus.

Machine Learning Approaches to Prognostication in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Purpose Of Review: This review investigates the use of machine learning (ML) in prognosticating outcomes for traumatic brain injury (TBI). It underscores the benefits of ML models in processing and integrating complex, multimodal data-including clinical, imaging, and physiological inputs-to identify intricate non-linear relationships that traditional methods might overlook.

Recent Findings: ML algorithms of clinical features, neuroimaging, and metrics from the autonomic nervous system enhance the early detection of clinical deterioration and improve outcome prediction.

Global burden of osteoarthritis from 1990 to 2019 attributable to high body mass index.

Introduction: The aim was to examine data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 to determine the global burden of osteoarthritis (OA) from 1990 to 2019 that is attributable to high body mass index (BMI).

Material And Methods: Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and age-standardized DALY rates, and their corresponding estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs), were used to compare estimated OA burdens between countries and regions. Moreover, a comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate the risks attributable to high BMI in terms of DALYs.

Helicobacter pylori CagA elevates FTO to induce gastric cancer progression via a "hit-and-run" paradigm.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection contributes significantly to gastric cancer (GC) progression. The intrinsic mechanisms of H.