Long-term effects of radiofrequency ablation on symptom severity, depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation: a longitudinal observational study.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, significantly affecting patients' quality of life (QoL) and increasing the risk of complications such as heart failure, stroke and dementia. In addition to the physical burden, psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, is prevalent among patients with AF and can exacerbate clinical symptoms and worsen overall well-being. While radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used for rhythm control in AF, its long-term effects on both physical and psychological outcomes, including symptom severity, anxiety, depression and QoL, remain underexplored.

Soluble Sema4D From γδ T Cells Exerts Osteoblast Inhibition via Plexin-B/mTOR Signalling Contributing to Pathogenesis of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws.

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a severe complication in patients undergoing long-term bisphosphonate therapy, while our knowledge on the pathogenesis of BRONJ is far from sufficient. Gamma delta (γδ) T cells predominantly distribute in mucosal tissues and play an important role in both immune modulation and bone metabolism; however, the mechanism of γδ T cells in the pathogenesis of BRONJ has not been elucidated. Here, we induced BRONJ-like lesions in wild-type (WT) and T-cell receptor delta-deficient (TCRδ) mice via intraperitoneal zoledronate injection.

Association between free water and longitudinal dynamics of recent small subcortical infarcts: a study based on diffusion tensor imaging.

The mechanisms underlying the different morphological evolution of recent small subcortical infarcts (RSSIs)-ranging from cavitation to complete disappearance-remain incompletely understood. Free water (FW), derived from diffusion tensor image, has emerged as a sensitive marker reflecting various pathophysiological processes that may influence RSSI evolution. This study aimed to investigate whether baseline FW measures and their longitudinal changes are associated with the morphological evolution of RSSIs.

Association between stress hyperglycemia and pneumonia in patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pneumonia is a frequent complication post-stroke and stress hyperglycemia (SH) is a physiological response to stroke. Although some studies have provided data on the impact of stress hyperglycemia on pneumonia incidence, no study to date has exclusively focused on investigating the direct relationship between stress hyperglycemia and pneumonia.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang databases from inception to July 10th, 2024, to identify observational studies comparing the incidence of pneumonia between stroke patients with and without stress hyperglycemia.

CRISPR/Cas9-Engineered Triple-Fusion Reporter Gene Imaging System for Monitoring Transplanted Neural Progenitor Cells in Ischemic Stroke.

Background Neural progenitor cell therapy holds great potential for repairing brain damage induced by ischemic stroke, and molecular imaging plays a crucial role in evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of neural progenitor cell transplantation. However, the presence of the blood-brain barrier significantly limits the effectiveness of such imaging methods. Purpose To enable long-term monitoring of transplanted human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) in a rat model of ischemic stroke by combining a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-engineered triple-fusion (TF) reporter gene system with a noninvasive adenosine agonistic micelle (AM)-based probe delivery strategy.

Safety and efficacy of semi-dose venetoclax plus azacitidine in unfit acute myeloid leukemia patients in China: a real-world single-center study.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) carries a poor prognosis in elderly or medically unfit patients, with median overall survival (OS) of only 7-8 months for those ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. While venetoclax (VEN) combined with azacitidine (AZA) has become a standard therapy, real-world evidence indicates that Asian patients experience higher VEN exposure and toxicity with the standard 400 mg/day dose. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a reduced-dose regimen (VEN 200 mg/day + AZA) in frail/elderly Chinese AML patients deemed unfit for intensive therapy.

Osteoblasts in bone metastasis: Key players in the tumor microenvironment and therapeutic targets.

Osteoblasts, recognized for their role in bone formation and mineral metabolism, are emerging as pivotal, although underexplored, regulators within the bone tumor microenvironment (TME). Despite increasing evidence of their involvement, their precise contributions to metastatic progression remain underappreciated. Recent studies reveal that osteoblasts orchestrate metastasis through dynamic, stage-specific interactions.

Sugar-free chewing gum's effect on patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis: a meta-analysis of RCTs.

Objective: Thirst is a prevalent adverse effect in individuals undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), frequently precipitating complications that impair well-being and quality of life. While no gold-standard therapy is currently available for thirst management in MHD patients, sugar-free chewing gum has been proposed as a low-cost behavioral intervention, though its efficacy requires further validation. This meta-analysis evaluated its impact on thirst, xerostomia, and secondary outcomes (salivary flow rate, interdialysis weight gain [IDWG]).

Nascent liver proteome reveals enzymes and transcription regulators under physiological and alcohol exposure conditions.

The liver proteome undergoes dynamic changes while performing hundreds of essential biological functions. Dysregulation of the liver proteome under alcoholic conditions leads to alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), a major health challenge worldwide. There is an urgent need for quantitative and liver-specific proteome information in living animals to understand the pathophysiological dynamics of this largest solid organ.

E3 ligase RAD18 targets phosphorylated IRF3 to terminate IFNB1 transcription.

The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) initiates type I interferon transcription, which is required for host defense. Here, we identify RAD18 as a central E3 ubiquitin ligase that selectively targets phosphorylated IRF3 (p-IRF3) for autophagic degradation. RAD18 specifically promotes the dissociation of p-IRF3 from the IFNB promoter and in turn terminates its transcriptional activity.

Anti-PD-1 antibody plus anlotinib vs. anlotinib alone in patients with refractory chondrosarcoma: A multicenter, non-randomized phase 2 FLAIL-C trial.

Background: There is no standard systemic therapy for unresectable chondrosarcoma. The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy of combination therapy with an anti-PD-1 antibody and anlotinib in patients with advanced chondrosarcoma.

Methods: Patients with dedifferentiated or high-grade conventional chondrosarcoma were eligible.

Distinct Phosphorylation Patterns of AT1R by Biased Ligands and GRK Subtypes.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transmit through G proteins upon agonist activation, followed by phosphorylation by GPCR kinases (GRKs) to initiate β-arrestin signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying GPCR signaling regulation by distinct agonists, GRK subtypes, and phosphorylation patterns remain poorly understood. The angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (AT1R), a prototypical GPCR, serves as an ideal model for studying biased ligands and signaling.

Synthetic Mesh Reconstruction Improves Pelvic Floor Function and Quality of Life After Sacrectomy: A Preliminary Clinical Assessment.

Background: En bloc resection of the sacrum, whether in the form of total or partial sacrectomy, is the mainstay treatment for patients with primary malignant sacral tumors. However, these surgical procedures can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction, with symptoms such as incontinence and impaired rectal function that can severely impact patients' quality of life. Therefore, effective interventions to restore pelvic floor function would be helpful for affected patients.

Physiological Level of Eosinophils Is Essential for the Regeneration and Homeostasis of Murine Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Background: Eosinophils play a crucial role in host defense and immunity, yet their regulatory functions within the hematopoietic homeostasis remain poorly understood. Our prior investigations revealed that pathologically elevated eosinophil levels in asthma not only disrupt bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) quiescence but also establish a self-reinforcing cycle of eosinophil lineage commitment. Here, we further investigate the critical role of physiologically steady-state levels of eosinophils in maintaining HSC functions.

EGFR: New Insights on Its Activation and Mutation in Tumor and Tumor Immunotherapy.

The success of immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) has accelerated the clinical implementation of multiple single agents and combination immunotherapies, but the response rates vary. Reconsideration of immune-oncology therapeutic failures via perspective from tumor-intrinsic (such as oncogenic driver genes) and tumor-extrinsic (the complexity of immune cell-cancer cell interactions) may help to better design more effective anticancer drugs and treatment strategies. Herein, in this review, introducing the frequently mutated gene EGFR in tumors and its abnormal activation are mainly focused on, highlighting that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild-type and mutants respond differently to ICBs via tumor-intrinsic and tumor-extrinsic manners.

Dual roles and therapeutic targeting of tumor-associated macrophages in tumor microenvironments.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), derived from circulating monocytes recruited to tumor sites via chemotactic signals such as C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), are pivotal components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Functionally polarized into distinct subtypes, TAMs play dual roles: proinflammatory M1-type TAMs enhance antitumor immunity through the secretion of cytokines such as interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and direct tumor cell cytotoxicity, whereas M2-type TAMs promote tumor progression by facilitating angiogenesis, metastasis, and immunosuppression. This polarization is dynamically regulated by different cytokines, various signaling pathways, and metabolic cues within the TME.

Advances in Management of Subdural Effusion After Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Brain Injury.

Subdural effusion is a common complication after decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury. While many cases are asymptomatic and resolve with conservative management, some patients develop significant mass effect, leading to elevated intracranial pressure, midline shift, and clinical worsening, which may require surgery. Current treatment strategies vary widely, with no established consensus.

Eravacycline Treatment for Carbapenem-Resistant in Lung Transplant Recipients: A Real-World Retrospective Study.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) infections were associated with higher mortality and significant healthcare burden. Novel antibiotics provided a powerful weapon against CRAB. This study aimed to describe the effectiveness of eravacycline for the treatment of CRAB infections in lung transplant recipients.

Deacetylation of ATG16L1 is required for LC3-associated lysosomal microautophagy.

Microautophagy is a selective cellular process in which endolysosomes directly engulf cytoplasmic cargo through membrane invagination. The regulatory mechanisms governing microautophagy remain poorly understood. Here, we identified the deacetylation of ATG16L1 as a critical regulator of LC3-associated lysosomal microautophagy.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound improves diagnosis of cervical internal carotid artery pseudo-occlusion.

Objective: We aimed to assess the diagnostic effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for identifying pseudo-occlusion and to compare disease-free survival (DFS) or recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates between surgical and non-surgical interventions.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of 522 hospitalized patients with internal carotid artery occlusion diagnosed by cervical computed tomography angiography across four participating centers. In total, 149 participants who underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography were analyzed.

Proteomics and single cell profiling identify keratin driven preexisting immunity influences lung squamous carcinoma neoadjuvant therapy.

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) demonstrates heterogeneous responses to neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade, necessitating biomarkers for outcome prediction. Here, we identify tumor keratinization as a key determinant of therapeutic resistance. In 470 LUSC patients, elevated serum CYFRA 21-1 correlated with non-complete pathological response (non-CPR), while CK5/6 immunohistochemistry revealed strong association between keratinization and residual tumor burden.

Mycophenolate mofetil plus methotrexate versus cyclophosphamide with sequential azathioprine for treatment of Takayasu arteritis.

Objectives: Study the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) combined with methotrexate (MTX) compared to cyclophosphamide (CYC) followed by azathioprine (AZA) to treat active Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Methods: Adults with active TAK were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to receive oral MMF plus MTX or intravenous CYC followed by oral AZA. All subjects also received high-dose oral glucocorticoids with a predefined taper.

S-palmitoylation in bone biology: emerging insights and therapeutic potential.

S-Palmitoylation, the reversible covalent attachment of palmitate to cysteine residues, is a dynamic post-translational lipid modification that regulates the localization, stability, and function of a wide array of proteins. Although traditionally linked to membrane trafficking and signaling, recent preliminary studies have begun to reveal its potential role in bone biology, underscoring its significant research value. This review highlights current advances in detection methodologies-particularly the use of H labeling and acyl-biotin exchange (ABE) techniques-that have enabled more precise mapping of the palmitoyl-proteome.

Clinical Significance of Aging-Related Secretory Phenotypic Factors in Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus-Associated Peri-Implantitis: A Retrospective Analysis.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been reported as a critical contributor to peri-implantitis. Hyperglycemia and associated metabolic changes in diabetes promote cellular senescence. This study aims to investigate the significance of aging-related secretory factors, known as senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs), in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) in diagnosing type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated peri-implantitis (T2DM-PI).

Dependability of Large Language Models in Cardiovascular Medicine: A Scoping Review.

Background: The adoption of large language models (LLMs) in both clinical and consumer healthcare settings has surged exponentially. However, there remains limited evidence on their reliability and impact in cardiovascular practice.

Objectives: This scoping review was designed to consolidate the existing biomedical literature on applicability, reliability, and quality improvement strategies for the integration of LLMs into the cardiovascular domain.