Oral microbiome contributions to metabolic syndrome pathogenesis.

Comprising over 700 bacterial species, the oral microbiome is the second most diverse microbial community in the human body after the gut microbiome. Currently, existing review literature suggests that gut microbiome events may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, but the role of the oral microbiome in this disease has not yet been reviewed. The oral-gut microbiome axis refers to a bidirectional regulatory system that facilitates interaction between the oral cavity and the gut through microbial pathways.

Microbiome characteristics associated with lymph node metastasis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Lymph node (LN) metastasis is a key prognostic factor in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Emerging evidence implicates the role of the microbiome in cancer progression. This study aimed to investigate the microbial features associated with lymph node metastasis in LSCC and their potential for patient stratification.

Activation of lymphangiogenesis by platelet as novel therapeutic approaches for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

This letter comments on the recently published article in the , in which the authors demonstrated a strong link between lymphangiogenesis and the process of platelet adherence, aggregation, and activation by employing a rat model of liver cirrhosis caused by bile duct ligation (BDL). The authors applied both gain and loss of function approach by using platelet-rich plasma and vascular endothelial growth factor 3 receptor inhibitor MAZ-51 to activate and inhibit angiogenetic signaling in BDL rat model, respectively, to verify the crucial function of lymphangiogenesis in the development of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT). In clinical practice, platelet transfusion has been applied to improve liver function in patients suffering from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.

An advanced 10K SNP panel for genotyping tomato ( L.) via targeted genome sequencing.

Introduction: Recent breakthroughs in genomics have facilitated the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions-deletions (InDels). With the reduction in sequencing costs, a variety of genotyping tools have emerged for genetic analysis in plants. However, there is a significant need for an effective and affordable tool that combines both foreground and background sites.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveal the effects of chemoimmunotherapy on hypopharyngeal cancer and its tumor microenvironment.

Induction chemoimmunotherapy (ICIT) has emerged as a potential treatment option for resectable hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC), while its effectiveness remains limited to a significant portion of HPC cases, and a major challenge behind lies in the lack of reliable molecular markers to identify treatment-resistant patients. In this study, we analyzed biopsy samples of HPC patients collected before and after ICIT, classifying them based on treatment response. By investigating the tumor microenvironment (TME) at the single-cell level, we demonstrated that the heterogeneity within the TME is closely linked to different treatment outcomes.

Bacillus cereus is a key microbial determinant of intractable otitis media with effusion.

Background: Currently, the mechanisms by which otitis media with effusion (OME) progresses to intractable OME is unclear. Since crosstalk between microbiome and host contributes to many diseases, we hypothesized that similar interactions could occur in the middle ear effusion (MEE) samples from patients with OME and influence intractable OME pathogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the microbial profile of MEE samples and to determine whether there were microbial differences between the MEE microbiota of patients with intractable OME and those with rapidly cured OME.

The effectiveness and safety of therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the hepatic vein, inferior vena cave and/or right atrium: a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis.

Background: This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatic vein tumor thrombus (HVTT), inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVCTT), and/or right atrium tumor thrombus (RATT).

Research Design And Methods: A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Wanfang databases up to 22 August 2024, was conducted, focusing on overall survival (OS), progression -free survival (PFS), and adverse reactions.

Results: Seven studies involving 453 patients were analyzed.

Negative Pressure Tube Drainage for the Management of Pharyngocutaneous Fistulas in Patients Following Total Laryngectomy.

: The treatment of a pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is typically a lengthy and arduous process, often causing significant pain for patients. This study aims to introduce a new method of treating PCF, negative pressure tube drainage (NPTD). : A retrospective study was conducted on 43 patients who developed PCF after laryngectomy.

Rescue Tracheal Reconstruction via Platysma Myocutaneous Flap Following Necrosis of Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Myoperiosteal Flap.

A case of a 60-year-old male patient with thyroid cancer invading the trachea was presented in the current study. After the initial surgery via a sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) clavicular periosteal flap for tracheal reconstruction, the patient experienced flap necrosis. Subsequent debridement and tracheocutaneostomy were performed, followed by a successful repair of the tracheal defect using a platysma myocutaneous flap.

Mechanistic link between long noncoding RNA and stability of oncogene reveals stemness and chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma.

This letter comments on the recently published manuscript by Yu , in which the authors revealed a novel mechanism by which the m6A-modified long noncoding RNA kinesin family member 9-antisense RNA 1 promotes stemness and sorafenib resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through ubiquitin-specific peptidase 1-mediated deubiquitination of oncogene short stature homeobox 2. Given the high mortality rate and poor prognosis of HCC, the findings by Yu open a new avenue for overcoming HCC burden by focusing on kinesin family member 9-antisense RNA 1 and short stature homeobox 2 as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

[Research Advances in the Roles of High-Altitude Hypoxic Stress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most prevalent malignant tumors causing the highest mortality globally, imposes an especially heavy burden of disease in China. Individuals living in high-altitude areas have a lower incidence of and mortality resulting from HCC compared with those in low-altitude regions do, potentially due to adaptive evolution in responses to hypoxic stress. Notably, high-altitude hypoxic stress is associated with the development and progression of HCC.

Tumor-associated lymphatic vessel density is a postoperative prognostic biomarker of hepatobiliary cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether tumor-associated lymphatic vessel density (LVD) could predict the survival of patients with hepato-biliary-pancreatic (HBP) cancers after radical resection.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from the inception to July 31, 2024 for literature that reported the role of LVD in overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with HBP cancers after radical resection.

Results: Ten studies with 761 patients were included for the meta-analysis.

Regional adipose distribution and metabolically unhealthy phenotype in Chinese adults: evidence from China National Health Survey.

Background: The mechanisms distinguishing metabolically healthy from unhealthy phenotypes within the same BMI categories remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between regional fat distribution and metabolically unhealthy phenotypes in Chinese adults across different BMI categories.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involving 11833 Chinese adults aged 20 years and older.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the head and neck: comparison between integrated slice-specific dynamic shimming and simultaneous multi-slice readout-segmented echo-planar sequences.

Objectives: To compare integrated slice-specific dynamic shimming (iShim) and simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (RESOLVE) for diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of malignant head and neck tumours.

Methods: In this prospective study, 45 patients with malignant head and neck lesions underwent iShim- and SMS-RESOLVE imaging with two b-values (0, 800 s/mm2) at 3 T. Subjective image quality scores (lesion distortion, signal loss, fat saturation, and artefacts), quantitative lesion distortion, quantitative image quality [signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and SNR efficiency], ADC values, and total acquisition times of iShim- and SMS-RESOLVE imaging were evaluated and compared.

Tumor-associated lymphatic vessel density is a reliable biomarker for prognosis of esophageal cancer after radical resection: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To explore whether tumor-associated lymphatic vessel density (LVD) could be a biomarker for the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer after radical resection.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed through PubMed, EMBASE, Wanfang Data, and Cochrane Library from the inception of databases until March 19, 2024. The selected studies investigated overall survival (OS) and/or recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with esophageal cancer with different levels of LVD after radical resection.

Sex-specific associations between total and regional Fat-to-muscle Mass ratio and cardiometabolic risk: findings from the China National Health Survey.

Background: The fat-to-muscle mass ratio (FMR), integrating the antagonistic effects of fat and muscle mass, has been suggested as a valuable indicator to assess cardiometabolic health independent of overall adiposity. However, the specific associations of total and regional FMR with cardiometabolic risk are poorly understood. We aimed to examine sex-specific associations of total and regional FMR with single and clustered cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs).

Transoral Endoscopic Excision of Laryngeal Schwannoma.

Objective: Schwannomas originating within the larynx are rare and there is no clear consensus on the diagnostic workup or treatment. This study aims to explore the clinical features of laryngeal schwannoma and evaluate the surgical method of transoral endoscopic excision, especially with coblation.

Methods: Data from patients diagnosed with laryngeal schwannoma who underwent surgery at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2017 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.

Lithium carbonate-induced giant goiter and subclinical hyperthyroidism in a patient with schizophrenia: A case report and review of literature.

Background: Lithium carbonate is used to manage various mood disorders, but it can cause thyroid abnormalities, including goiter, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. In rare cases, it can lead to giant goiter and subclinical hyperthyroidism, which may require surgical intervention in severe cases.

Case Summary: This case represents a rare development of giant goiter and subclinical hyperthyroidism in a schizophrenia patient who was subjected to prolonged lithium carbonate treatment.

Associations of muscle mass, strength, and quality with diabetes and the mediating role of inflammation in two National surveys from China and the United states.

Aims: The evidence for joint and independent associations of low muscle mass and low muscle strength with diabetes is limited and mixed. The study aimed to determine the associations of muscle parameters (muscle mass, strength, quality, and sarcopenia) and sarcopenia obesity with diabetes, and the previously unstudied mediating effect of inflammation.

Materials And Methods: A total of 13,420 adults from the 2023 China National Health Survey (CNHS) and 5,380 adults from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in this study.

Effect of COVID-19 on the characteristics and outcome of patients who have otitis media with effusion: a case-control study.

Background: Few studies have examined the otologic symptoms of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The objective of this study was to identify the effect of COVID-19 on the characteristics and outcomes of patients who have otitis media with effusion (OME).

Methods: This case-control study compared the characteristics and outcomes of OME patients who did or did not have COVID-19.

Sleeve resection with end-to-end anastomosis in the reconstruction of tracheal defects exceeding six rings: a clinical feasibility study and safety assessment.

Objectives: Reconstruction is always required for tracheal defects and sleeve resection with end-to-end anastomosis is the most common used. The aim of the study was to present surgical techniques and evaluate the outcomes of sleeve resection with end-to-end anastomosis in the reconstruction of tracheal defects exceeding six rings.

Methods: The study included patients with primary or secondary malignancies and tracheal stenosis from 2014 to 2019, who were treated with sleeve resection exceeding six tracheal rings, and reconstructed with end-to-end anastomosis.

iFLAS: positive-unlabeled learning facilitates full-length transcriptome-based identification and functional exploration of alternatively spliced isoforms in maize.

The advent of full-length transcriptome sequencing technologies has accelerated the discovery of novel splicing isoforms. However, existing alternative splicing (AS) tools are either tailored for short-read RNA-Seq data or designed for human and animal studies. The disparities in AS patterns between plants and animals still pose a challenge to the reliable identification and functional exploration of novel isoforms in plants.

Natural aging and adsorption/desorption behaviors of polyethylene mulch films: Roles of film types and exposure patterns.

Polyethylene (PE) mulch films are an important source of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils, which may further affect the bioavailability of coexisting pollutants. In this study, white (WM), black (BM), and silver-black (SM) PE mulch films were aged on the soil surface and under soil burial to simulate the two exposure patterns of abandoned mulch films in the field. Results indicated that the soil-surface exposure induced more pronounced aging characteristics, and WM seemed the most susceptible.

T1 and T2 mapping for identifying malignant lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: This study seeks to assess the utility of T1 and T2 mapping in distinguishing metastatic lymph nodes from reactive lymphadenopathy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as a comparison.

Methods: Between July 2017 and November 2019, 46 HNSCC patients underwent neck MRI inclusive of T1 and T2 mapping and DWI. Quantitative measurements derived from preoperative T1 and T2 mapping and DWI of metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were compared using independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test.