ObjectiveTo explore the impact of the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement patterns in patients with spinal parenchymal tuberculosis.MethodsIn this study, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 42 patients diagnosed for the first time with spinal parenchymal tuberculosis at Kunming Third People’s Hospital between 2019 and 2024. They were divided into a homogeneous enhancement group and a ring enhancement group based on MRI characteristics and an analysis of their clinical presentations, imaging features and laboratory test results.ResultsA total of 42 patients were included in the study, with 30 in the ring enhancement group and 12 in the homogeneous enhancement group. The ring enhancement group exhibited a significantly higher proportion of fever, night sweats and limb sensory/motor dysfunction compared with the homogeneous enhancement group (p < 0.05). For laboratory tests, the ring enhancement group showed remarkably elevated peripheral blood neutrophil counts and NLR, along with markedly reduced lymphocyte counts and proportions (p < 0.05). Additionally, the incidence of perilesional oedema was substantially higher in the ring enhancement group than in the homogeneous enhancement group (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe NLR may serve as a potential indicator for assessing MRI enhancement patterns in spinal parenchymal tuberculosis, which is beneficial for identifying patients at different pathological stages of the disease. This study provides novel perspectives for clinical diagnosis and treatment while emphasising the need for further research on the application value of the NLR in tuberculosis.

Estimating the prognosis of people with newly diagnosed AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (AR-DLBCL) is challenging. We did a prospective, multicenter cohort study using data from 306 consecutive subjects, including training cohort (N = 215) and external validation cohorts (N = 91), to develop and validate a visual nomogram, termed the ARDPI model. Seven co-variates were independently correlated with survival, including age, LMR, CD5, blood EBV-DNA copy number, CD4/CD8, CNS involvement, and anti-HIV therapy (ART), were used to develop the ARDPI model. AUROCs of the model for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survivals were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.88), 0.78 (0.69, 0.87), and 0.77 (0.63, 0.91) in the training cohort and 0.85 (0.75, 0.95), 0.80 (0.66, 0.94), and 0.79 (0.61, 0.99) in the external validation cohort. The prediction accuracy of the ARDPI model was better compared with the IPI and NCCN-IPI models. Using the ARDPI model, we identified three risk cohorts with 3-year survivals of 88% (79, 98%), 35% (23, 54%), and 23% (12, 45%) in the training cohort (p < 0.001) and 93% (80, 100%), 46% (27, 78%), and 17% (5, 47%) in the external validation cohort (p < 0.001). The ARDPI accurately predicts the survival of newly diagnosed persons with AR-DLBCL and has clinical benefits. Accuracy is better compared with the IPI and NCCN-IPI prediction models. We also developed a web server to facilitate using our model.

To evaluate the survival outcomes of patients with intermediate to advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), patients who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone were compared with those who underwent a combination of TACE and ablation therapy. This study retrospectively evaluated 536HCC patients in our hospital from July 2016 to November 2022. All patients underwent TACE, with a subset also receiving ablation therapy. To ensure comparability, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. We then compared overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between these two groups. Survival outcomes were analyzed utilizing Kaplan-Meier curves and compared via the Cox regression. 200 among these 536HCC patients received TACE combined with ablation whereas the remaining 336 received TACE alone. With PFS analysis, the numbers were reduced to 176 in combination therapy group and 250 in TACE alone group. With and without PSM, the OS and PFS were consistently and significantly better in the former than the latter group. In patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B or C, those who received combination therapy demonstrated significantly higher OS compared to those treated with TACE alone. For stage B patients, PFS was also significantly longer in the combination therapy group, before and after PSM [hazard ratio (HR), 0.563; 95% CI: 0.360-0.879; P = 0.012, HR, 0.613; 95% CI: 0.382-0.985; P = 0.043]. However, after PSM, no statistical difference in survival outcomes was observed between the two groups for stage C patients (HR, 0.673; 95% CI: 0.395-1.146; P = 0.145). Our data suggested that for OS, the combination therapy has sustained benefits for both patients with stage B and C, But for PFS, the benefits of the combination therapy among the stage C patients, could not be persistently demonstrated by the current datasets.

The function of GCNT2 has been documented to act as an oncogenic driver or tumor suppressor in different types of tumor, but the role of GCNT2 and the epigenetic regulation mechanism in AML, however, has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to assay the expression and methylation profile of GCNT2 in AML, and further elucidate the clinical significance. Multiple datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas projects (TCGA) were used to explore the expression and methylation profile of GCNT2 in normal hematopoiesis and AML. A pan-cancer analysis was performed to define the survival implications of GCNT2 across multiple cancers including AML. The relationships between GCNT2 expression/methylation and clinicopathologic features were investigated using a TCGA-AML dataset. Correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between transcriptional expression and DNA methylation. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) on the KEGG pathway and GO terms were visualized using DAVID. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GESA) was carried out to assess the underlying mechanism. The relationship between methylation and immune cell infiltration was also examined. GCNT2 expression was highest in hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) but gradually decreased during the hematopoiesis differentiation, the monocytes, however, remained a high level of GCNT2 as an exception. In AML, GCNT2 was down-regulated as compared to normal hematopoiesis but was much higher in contrast to normal peripheral blood samples. Data from a pan-cancer analysis revealed that high-expressed GCNT2 contributed to a worse OS for AML. DNA methylation of GCNT2 showed a distinctive co-methylation pattern in AML and significantly negatively correlated with transcriptional expression. Methylation in the transcriptional start site of isoform A plays a critical role in the epigenetic regulation of GCNT2 expression. The silence of GCNT2 in AML was attributed to DNA methylation. Hypomethylation of isoform A significantly predicted poor survival in AML, linking to several cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities, such as t (8:21), inv (16), t (15;17), and genes mutations of DNMT3A, CEBPA, RUNX1, and WT1. Enrichment analysis disclosed that hypomethylation of isoform A was involved in the immune system, and it was further revealed that hypomethylation of isoform A was tightly associated with immune cell infiltration and could be served as a promising indicator for immunotherapy. Our comprehensive research demonstrated that GCNT2 acted as an oncogene in AML, and was epigenetically regulated by DNA methylation in isoform A. Hypomethylation of isoform A could be served as a promising indicator to identify the high-risk AML patients who might be responsive to immunotherapy.

Abstract Background Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high mortality and disability rates, which places a significant social burden. Robot-assisted neurosurgery with precise positioning and high stability has become an important advance in the development of minimally invasive surgery for ICH. Cognitive impairment is a common complication in patients with ICH, which seriously affects the stroke rehabilitation process. We are not sure about the medication treatment for cognitive impairment after robot-assisted neurosurgery treatment for ICH. In this CONPAIR trial, we will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Fufang Congrong Yizhi Capsules (FCYC) for cognitive impairment after robot-assisted neurosurgery treatment for ICH. Methods and analysis In this multicentrer, randomized, controlled trial involving patients with cognitive impairment after robot-assisted neurosurgery treatment for ICH, we assessed medical management. Two hundred patients will be randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group will receive conventional treatment and oral administration of FCYC for 12 weeks or the control group will receive only conventional treatment. The primary safety end point was death within 30 days after enrollment. Ethics and management The Case Report Form (CRF) will be completed and signed by well-trained researchers. We will monitor and promptly report adverse events throughout the trial. The privacy and data of the subjects will be safeguarded. Research Ethics Board approval has been obtained. ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT06673602

IntroductionHypertension (HTN) and diabetes frequently coexist. This study aims to elucidate the associations between HTN and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), as well as the connections between distinct forms of HTN and HbA1c.MethodsWe collected data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 in this study, including anthropometric tests and biochemical measures. The HbA1c levels were grouped by participants with diabetes, prediabetes, or no diabetes. Correlations between HbA1c and HTN, isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), and isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) risk were investigated by logistic analyses. A fitting curve has drown to describe the association between HTN and HbA1c.ResultsAmong the 10,503 enrolled participants, The prevalence of HTN notably increased with higher HbA1c levels (P < 0.001). In the adjusted model, compared to the lowest HbA1c group, the odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was 1.22 (1.07 ~ 1.39) for the highest HbA1c group. There was a significant increase in the risk of ISH with higher HbA1c levels in group 3 compared to group 1 (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 ~ 1.53).The adjusted model revealed no significant association between HbA1c levels and the risk of IDH.ConclusionThere is a independent influence of HbA1c on HTN risk in adults in the United States. Notably, the risk of developing HTN increases most rapidly when HbA1c levels approach 5.5%.

Animal models are indispensable for unraveling the mechanisms underlying post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). This review evaluates recent research on PASC-related perturbations in animal models, drawing comparisons with clinical findings. Despite the limited number of studies on post-COVID conditions, particularly those extending beyond three months, these studies provide valuable insights. Three hallmark features of PASC-lung fibrosis, hyperglycemia, and neurological sequelae-have been successfully replicated in animal models, paving the way for mechanistic discoveries and future medical interventions. Although most studies have reported post-COVID conditions within 14-60 days post-infection, they still offer critical reference for future long-term research. This review also explores potential mechanisms of persisting immune misfiring, a key factor in the chronicity of PASC symptoms. Moreover, challenges in modeling PASC are also discussed, including the limited genetic diversity in inbred animal strains and difficulties in accurately identifying PASC-affected individuals. To address these issues, we propose methodological improvements, such as comparing individual animal parameters with control averages and incorporating genetically diverse populations like collaborative cross models. These strategies will enhance the identification and characterization of PASC endotypes in animal studies. By integrating findings from animal models with clinical manifestations of PASC, future research can provide more valuable insights into its mechanisms and support the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Finally, we emphasize the urgent need for longitudinal studies in animal models to fully uncover the mechanisms driving PASC and guide interventions to mitigate its public health impact.

Studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the effects of tea drinking on serum uric acid (SUA) and hyperuricemia (HUA). Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association between tea drinking and SUA levels and HUA. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases for relevant articles published up to August 2024 that examined the association between tea drinking, SUA levels, and HUA. The types of tea were categorized as green tea and black tea. A random effects model was used to assess the combined effect sizes of the included studies and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Publication bias was assessed using the Egger test. We included 16 studies involving 285,221 participants that investigated the effect of tea drinking on SUA levels and HUA. Seven papers explored the association between tea drinking and SUA levels. The results showed that the highest and lowest tea consumption categories were associated with elevated SUA levels (WMD = 9.76μmol/L, 95% CI: 2.03, 17.49, P = 0.013). For the prevalence of HUA, 10 studies were included. There was no significant difference in the overall multivariate corrected ratio (OR) between the highest and lowest tea consumption categories (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.42, P = 0.097). The available data suggest that tea drinking may be associated with elevated SUA levels. However, the current evidence does not demonstrate an association between tea drinking and elevated HUA prevalence. Due to the limited number of studies, further well-designed prospective studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to elaborate on these issues.