Association between haemoglobin levels and the risk of diabetic retinopathy in adults with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX network.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Although hyperglycaemia is the primary driver, other modifiable risk factors may contribute to DR development. This study investigated the association between haemoglobin levels and DR risk in adults with type 2 diabetes.

ctDNA detects residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and guides adjuvant therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

The diagnostic accuracy of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for detecting molecular residual disease (MRD) after multimodal treatment remains unclear. In a prospective cohort of 132 patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by clinical response evaluation and surgery, tumor-informed personalized-panel and fixed-panel ctDNA assays are applied to serial blood samples. Personalized ctDNA assay demonstrates a superior baseline detection rate (99.

Development of carbon black-percolated GaInSn liquid metal networks for high-sensitive electrochemical detection of diuron in environmental samples.

Diuron (DU), a widely used herbicide, is persistent and toxic, posing serious environmental and health risks. Therefore, the development of advanced sensor materials for the sensitive detection of DU is urgently needed. Here, we present a simple, cost-effective ultrasonic-assisted method to fabricate a high-performance nanocomposite of carbon black (CB) and Ga-liquid metal (GaInSn), which is utilized to modify a carbon electrode (CB/GaInSn/SPCE) for developing an electrochemical sensor for DU detection.

Prediction Model for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury Evaluation in the Emergency Department.

BackgroundThe diagnosis of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is challenging. In this study, a prediction model with a simplified scoring system for BTAI was developed for the primary evaluation of trauma patients in the emergency department.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included blunt chest trauma patients.

Design of a general type BSSO fixation plate integrating topology and parameter optimization for various severity levels of hemifacial microsomia.

Introduction: Patients with hemifacial microsomia exhibit varying degrees of mandibular asymmetry. The commercial plates used during bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) surgery are often not tailored to individual patients and may lack sufficient fixation stability, increasing the risk of mandibular relapse. This study proposes a patient-specific plate design by collecting CT images of 30 cases of hemifacial microsomia to statistically analyze mandibular asymmetry.

Double-bundle ACL and ALL reconstruction results in less femoral posterolateral bundle tunnel widening than outside-in double-bundle ACL reconstruction.

PurposeTo compare the clinical and radiological results of two double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) techniques. DB ACLR and anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR) with internal brace (IB), and outside-in (OI) DB ACLR.HypothesisWe hypothesized that DB ACLR and ALLR with IB wound yield less femoral tunnel, especially femoral posterolateral bundle tunnel complications, than OI DB ACLR without ALLR because of better rotational control.

Automated Kidney Tumor Segmentation in CT Images Using Deep Learning: A Multi-Stage Approach.

Rationale And Objectives: Computed tomography (CT) remains the primary modality for assessing renal tumors; however, tumor identification and segmentation rely heavily on manual interpretation by clinicians, which is time-consuming and subject to inter-observer variability. The heterogeneity of tumor appearance and indistinct margins further complicate accurate delineation, impacting histopathological classification, treatment planning, and prognostic assessment. There is a pressing clinical need for an automated segmentation tool to enhance diagnostic workflows and support clinical decision-making with results that are reliable, accurate, and reproducible.

Risk of Infective Endocarditis Following Invasive Dental Procedures in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: Invasive dental procedures (IDPs) may trigger infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). However, data quantifying this risk remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between IDPs and the risk of IE in CHD.

S100A16 knockdown reduces RPN2 expression and inhibits β-catenin/TCF signaling, leading to suppressed metastasis in cervical cancer cells.

S100 calcium-binding protein A16 (S100A16), the most recently identified member of the S100 calcium-binding protein family, has been implicated in various cancers. However, its specific role in cervical cancer remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that silencing the S100A16 gene inhibits the migratory ability of HeLa and SiHa cells without affecting their viability.

MicroRNA-29a attenuates inflammation and fibrosis in an animal model of NASH through MCJ inhibition and hippo pathway regulation.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in its development. Methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ), a negative regulator of mitochondrial respiration, promotes oxidative stress and lipid buildup, while its deficiency enhances mitochondrial function.

Microplastic exposure aggravates pneumococcus-induced inflammation in macrophages by activating ferroptosis.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants posing serious concerns owing to their potential health implications. MPs exert detrimental effects via the plastic particles, MP-bound chemicals, and MP-carrying pathogens. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a major pathogen causing bacterial pneumonia and respiratory inflammation.

The Causal Mechanism Between the Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4, Heart Failure, and Other Cardiovascular Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization and Mediation Study.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors are commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, the causality of it on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is controversial. This study aimed (1) to investigate the causal mechanisms of DPP4 gene expression at the mRNA level on CVDs, including all-cause heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in a European population; (2) to assess the direct effect of DPP4 at the mRNA level on CVD, which is independent of type-2 diabetes; and (3) to explore the causality of DPP4 inhibition on CVDs and type-2 diabetes.

Effectiveness of Communication Skills Training on Cancer Patients' Outcomes: A Case-Control Study in Taiwan.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of communication skill training (CST) from both physicians and patients' perspectives.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted at five hospitals across Taiwan using purposive sampling. Physicians were matched by gender, seniority, and department; patients were matched by age, gender, cancer type, and stage.

Macular Buckle, Vitrectomy or combined approach for the management of Macular Hole Retinal Detachment: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Topic: There is no consensus regarding management of macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD). Techniques such as trans pars plana vitrectomy (TPPV), macular buckle (MB), and combined approach have been described.

Clinical Relevance: To review anatomical and functional outcomes of different surgical interventions for MHRD.

The relationship between health literacy and medical decision conflict among parents of children newly diagnosed with central precocious puberty.

Purpose: Parents of children newly diagnosed with central precocious puberty often face emotional stress and time-sensitive treatment decisions, highlighting the importance of family-centered care. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between parental health literacy and medical decision conflict.

Methods: A total of 65 parents of children newly diagnosed with central precocious puberty were recruited.

Cumingianols G and H, new 14,18-cycloapoeuphane triterpenoids from the Taiwan C. DC.

Two new 14,18-cycloapoeuphane triterpenoids, cumingianols G (1) and H (2), along with 12 known compounds, cumingianol C (3), cumingianol A (4), cumingianol D (5), 3,3-ethylenedioxy-5α-cycloart-24-en-23-one (6), 24,25(,)-24,25-epoxy-20()-hydroxydammar-3-one (7), (3β,7α)-stigmast-5-ene-3,7-diol (8), 7α-hydroxystigmasterol (9), 7β-hydroxysitosterol (10), 7β-hydroxystigmasterol (11), ethylcholest-5-en-3-hydroxy-7-one (12), coniferaldehyde (13) and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-benzaldehyde (14), have been isolated from collected in Taiwan. The structures of these metabolites were determined through mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR analyses, combined with comparisons to reference data. The cytotoxic effects of these isolates were evaluated against human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC2095), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and human gastric adenocarcinoma (SCM-1).

A Naturally Occurring NS1 Variant with Effector Domain Deletion Gains Growth Advantages in Influenza Virus Infection.

High pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) poses major threats to both poultry health and public safety. The viral nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) plays a crucial role in counteracting innate immunity. NS1 typically consists of approximately 230 amino acids with two domains: an RNA-binding domain (RBD) and the effector domain (ED).

Investigation of Ca signaling induced by the flavonoid diosmin in glioblastoma cells and its potential implications in the treatment using the Ca chelating agent BAPTA-AM.

Flavonoids, found in fruits and vegetables, can potentially prevent brain diseases. Diosmin (diosmetin-7-O-rutinoside), a flavonoid, exhibits various pharmacological activities, but its impact on calcium ion (Ca) signaling and the associated mechanisms in human glioblastoma cells remain unclear. This study investigated the effect of diosmin on intracellular Ca levels ([Ca]), cell viability, and the participation of Ca-related pathways in DBTRG-05MG human glioblastoma cells.

F4/80, the Plasma Membrane Antigen of Mouse Macrophages, an historic journey.

As its discovery nears a half century, the widespread use of F4/80 antigen as a differentiation marker of tissue macrophages of the mouse, continues to raise questions in and beyond experimental cellular immunology. Its structure as a 7 transmembrane G Protein Coupled Receptor initiated the discovery of a diverse family of plasma membrane receptors. This review will trace milestones of research into the expression of F4/80, also known as Emr1, its value as a marker in formulation of the Mononuclear Phagocyte System and its function in a model of peripheral immune tolerance in the anterior chamber of the eye.

Red cell distribution width (RDW), RDW to albumin ratio (RAR), and long-term mortality in diabetic neuropathy: A NHANES analysis, 1999-2019.

Aims: We aimed to explore associations between Red cell distribution width (RDW), RDW to albumin ratio (RAR), and long-term all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in adults with diabetes and DN.

Methods: This study included adults aged ≥40 years with DN from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2004, followed through 2019. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess associations between RDW, RAR, and all-cause and CVD mortality.

Surgical treatment of insufficiency fractures after primary total knee arthroplasty.

Insufficiency periprosthetic fractures after total knee arthroplasty are uncommon, typically nontraumatic events; however, clinical outcome data on their surgical management remain limited. We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients (18 women, 3 men; mean age = 76 years) who sustained femoral or tibial insufficiency periprosthetic fractures between November 2016 and January 2022 and underwent revision total knee arthroplasty with stemmed components augmented by bulk femoral-head allografts and autologous bone graft. Five patients with preoperative valgus alignment presented medial condylar fractures, whereas sixteen patients with varus deformity exhibited ten lateral and 6 medial condylar fractures.

Hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome augments Estrogen synthesis through AR-FOXL2-mediated activation of the aromatase gene in granulosa cells.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder characterized by various reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine abnormalities. Hyperandrogenism is a key feature of PCOS that significantly impacts ovarian function. However, its effects on granulosa cells (GCs) function for estrogen production in PCOS remains limited.

More than pain and physical limitation: the declined cognitive performance associated with rotator cuff injuries.

Background: Rotator cuff (RC) injuries often lead to shoulder pain, physical limitations, sleep disturbances, and emotional distress. However, the relationship between these symptoms and cognitive decline remains unclear.

Methods: We recruited 150 patients with RC injury, who completed the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scale (ASES), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).