Hydrogen Sulfide Promotes Postnatal Cardiomyocyte Proliferation by Upregulating SIRT1 Signaling Pathway.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been identified as a novel gasotransmitter and a substantial antioxidant that can activate various cellular targets to regulate physiological and pathological processes in mammals. However, under physiological conditions, it remains unclear whether it is involved in regulating cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferation during postnatal development in mice. This study mainly aimed to evaluate the role of H2S in postnatal CM proliferation and its regulating molecular mechanisms. We found that sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, the most widely used H2S donor, 50-200 µM) increased neonatal mouse primary CM proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Consistently, exogenous administration of H2S also promoted CM proliferation and increased the total number of CMs at postnatal 7 and 14 days in vivo. Moreover, we observed that the protein expression of SIRT1 was significantly upregulated after NaHS treatment. Inhibition of SIRT1 with EX-527 or si-SIRT1 decreased CM proliferation, while enhancement of the activation of SIRT1 with SRT1720 promoted CM proliferation. Meanwhile, pharmacological and genetic blocking of SIRT1 repressed the effect of NaHS on CM proliferation. Taken together, these results reveal that H2S plays a promotional role in proliferation of CMs in vivo and in vitro and SIRT1 is required for H2S-mediated CM proliferation, which indicates that H2S may be a potential modulator for heart development in postnatal time window.

Immobilising an acid-cleavable dimeric phthalocyanine on gold nanobipyramids for intracellular pH detection and photodynamic elimination of cancer cells.

An acetal-linked dimeric phthalocyanine has been synthesised and immobilised on the surface of gold nanobipyramids. The resulting nanocomposite serves as a highly sensitive probe for intracellular pH through its acid-responsive fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering signals. The phthalocyanine units released in the acidic intracellular environment can also effectively eliminate the cancer cells upon light irradiation, rendering this simple fabricated nanosystem a bimodal and bifunctional theranostic agent.

ABI3BP promotes renal aging through Klotho-mediated ferroptosis.

The aging process of the kidneys is accompanied with several structural diseases. Abnormal fiber formation disrupts the balance of kidney structure and function, causing to end-stage renal disease and subsequent renal failure. Despite this, the precise mechanism underlying renal damage in aging remains elusive. In this study, ABI3BP gene knockout mice were used to investigate the role of ABI3BP in renal aging induced by irradiation. The results revealed a significant increase in ABI3BP expression in HK2 cells and kidney tissue of aging mice, with ABI3BP gene knockout demonstrating a mitigating effect on radiation-induced cell aging. Furthermore, the study observed a marked decrease in Klotho levels and an increase in ferroptosis in renal tissue and HK2 cells following irradiation. Notably, ABI3BP gene knockout not only elevated Klotho expression but also reduced ferroptosis levels. A significant negative correlation between ABI3BP and Klotho was established. Further experiments demonstrated that Klotho knockdown alleviated the aging inhibition caused by ABI3BP downregulation. This study identifies the upregulation of ABI3BP in aged renal tubular epithelial cells, indicating a role in promoting ferroptosis and inducing renal aging by inhibiting Klotho expression.

Hydrogel forming microneedles loaded with VEGF and Ritlecitinib/polyhydroxyalkanoates nanoparticles for mini-invasive androgenetic alopecia treatment.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most prevalent clinical hair loss, lacks safe and effective treatments due to downregulated angiogenic genes and insufficient vascularization in the perifollicular microenvironment of the bald scalp in AGA patients. In this study, a hyaluronic acid (HA) based hydrogel-formed microneedle (MN) was designed, referred to as V-R-MNs, which was simultaneously loaded with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the novel hair loss drug Ritlecitinib, the latter is encapsulated in slowly biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) nanoparticles (R-PHA NPs) for minimally invasive AGA treatment. The integration of HA based hydrogel alongside PHA nanoparticles significantly bolstered the mechanical characteristics of microneedles and enhanced skin penetration efficiency. Due to the biosafety, mechanical strength, and controlled degradation properties of HA hydrogel formed microneedles, V-R-MNs can effectively penetrate the skin's stratum corneum, facilitating the direct delivery of VEGF and Ritlecitinib in a minimally invasive, painless and long-term sustained release manner. V-R-MNs not only promoted angiogenesis and improve the immune microenvironment around the hair follicle to promote the proliferation and development of hair follicle cells, but also the application of MNs to the skin to produce certain mechanical stimulation could also promote angiogenesis. In comparison to the clinical drug minoxidil for AGA treatment, the hair regeneration effect of V-R-MN in AGA model mice is characterized by a rapid onset of the anagen phase, improved hair quality, and greater coverage. This introduces a new, clinically safer, and more efficient strategy for AGA treatment, and serving as a reference for the treatment of other related diseases.

Development of rapid nucleic acid testing techniques for common respiratory infectious diseases in the Chinese population.

Background: Most respiratory viruses can cause serious lower respiratory diseases at any age. Therefore, timely and accurate identification of respiratory viruses has become even more important. This study focused on the development of rapid nucleic acid testing techniques for common respiratory infectious diseases in the Chinese population. Methods: Multiplex fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed and validated for the detection of respiratory pathogens including the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A virus (FluA), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Results: The assays demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity, allowing for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens in a single reaction. These techniques offer a rapid and reliable method for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of respiratory pathogens. Conclusion: The implementation of these techniques might contribute to effective control and prevention measures, leading to improved patient care and public health outcomes in China. Further research and validation are needed to optimize and expand the application of these techniques to a wider range of respiratory pathogens and to enhance their utility in clinical and public health settings.

An exploration on the machine-learning-based stroke prediction model.

Introduction: With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, machine learning algorithms have been widely applied at various stages of stroke diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, demonstrating significant potential. A correlation between stroke and cytokine levels in the human body has recently been reported. Our study aimed to establish machine-learning models based on cytokine features to enhance the decision-making capabilities of clinical physicians. Methods: This study recruited 2346 stroke patients and 2128 healthy control subjects from Chongqing University Central Hospital. A predictive model was established through clinical experiments and collection of clinical laboratory tests and demographic variables at admission. Three classification algorithms, namely Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and Support Vector Machine, were employed. The models were evaluated using methods such as ROC curves, AUC values, and calibration curves. Results: Through univariate feature selection, we selected 14 features and constructed three machine-learning models: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM). Our results indicated that in the training set, the RF model outperformed the GBM and SVM models in terms of both the AUC value and sensitivity. We ranked the features using the RF algorithm, and the results showed that IL-6, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-2 had high importance scores and ranked at the top. In the test set, the stroke model demonstrated a good generalization ability, as evidenced by the ROC curve, confusion matrix, and calibration curve, confirming its reliability as a predictive model for stroke. Discussion: We focused on utilizing cytokines as features to establish stroke prediction models. Analyses of the ROC curve, confusion matrix, and calibration curve of the test set demonstrated that our models exhibited a strong generalization ability, which could be applied in stroke prediction.

Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, vitamin D-binding protein levels, and diabetes mellitus: Two-sample Mendelian randomization.

Studies have suggested that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the occurrence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and that vitamin D-binding proteins (VDBP) are necessary for metabolic stress in pancreatic α-cells. However, the causal relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, VDBP, and the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear. Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate the causal relationship between 25(OH)D, VDBP, and DM. Relevant recent data were downloaded from the NHGRI-EBI Catalog of published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and filtered for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We used multiple MR methods, including inverse variance weighting (IVW), and performed sensitivity analyses to detect whether pleiotropy or heterogeneity biased the results. There was a causal relationship between genetically predicted VDBP levels and serum 25(OH)D levels, and serum 25(OH)D levels increased with increasing VDBP levels (IVW: ß = 0.111, OR = 1.117, 95% CI:1.076-1.162, P = 1.41 × 10-8). There was no causal relationship between the genetically predicted VDBP levels, serum 25(OH)D levels, and DM (VDBP: IVW ß:0.001, OR:1.001, 95% CI:0.998-1.003, P > .05; 25(OH)D: IVW ß: -0.009, OR:0.991, 95% CI:0.982-1.001, P = .068). Sensitivity analysis indicated that horizontal pleiotropy was unlikely to bias causality in this study. MR analysis results demonstrated a positive causal relationship between VDBP levels and serum 25(OH)D levels in the European population. The 25(OH)D and VDBP levels were not causally related to an increased risk of diabetes.

The association between neuropsychological impairment, self-perceived cognitive deficit, symptoms, and health related quality of life in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients.

Objective: To assess cognitive function in patients newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer (OC) before treatment and explore the relationship between neuropsychological impairment, self-perceived cognitive deficit, symptoms, and health-related quality of life in them. Methods: From May 2021 to February 2022, 105 women newly diagnosed with OC were enrolled in the Cancer Center of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Objective and subjective cognitive functions were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale and Perceptual Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ). Symptoms and quality of life were evaluated using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Ovarian Cancer (FACT-O), respectively. Results: This study included 105 newly diagnosed OC patients, with an average age of 49.73 (±8.48) years. Of these, 72.38% had impaired neuropsychological test scores, especially in delayed recall, abstraction, and visuospatial/executive function. Retrospective, and prospective memory were the most serious perceived deficits. The results of the MoCA test were not associated with PDQ (Rs = -0.180, P = 0.067) and significantly correlated with the distress index, physiological and total scores of the MSAS, and emotional well- being of the FACT-O. The PDQ positively correlated with all MSAS dimensions but not with the FACT-O. Conclusion: The incidence of neuropsychological impairment in patients newly diagnosed with OC was high, with no association with self-perceived cognitive deficits. It is recommended that healthcare providers include cognitive impairment in symptom management in this population, who may benefit from early assessment, prevention, and intervention.

Causal association of circulating metabolites with diabetic retinopathy: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.

Introduction: The retina is a highly metabolically active tissue, and there is a lack of clarity about the relationship between metabolites and diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study used two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to identify causal relationships between metabolites and DR. Methods: Genetic variants were selected from the open-access Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) summary database as proxies for the 1400 most recently published metabolites. MR analysis was performed to examine associations between these metabolite traits and DR. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data that were significantly associated with exposure were screened through association analysis. Validated instrumental variables (IVs) were obtained by removing SNPs with linkage disequilibrium (LD) and F-statistic values below 10. MR analyses were performed using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary approach. The robustness of the results was verified by sensitivity analyses, including assessments of heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and the leave-one-out method. Results: In the IVW approach and in the primary analysis of several sensitivity analyses, genetically determined glycolithocholate sulfate levels, androstenediol (3 beta, 17 beta) monosulfate (1) levels, 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPE (18:0/20:4) levels, 1-oleoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPE (18:1/20:4) levels, 1-oleoyl-2-linoleoyl-GPE (18:1/18:2) levels, X-26109 levels, N6-methyllysine levels, (N6,N6-dimethyllysine levels), and (N2-acetyl,N6,N6-dimethyllysine levels) were negatively associated with the risk of DR. 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furoylcarnitine levels and the glutamate-to-alanine ratio were positively associated with the risk of DR. No reverse causal association was found between DR and metabolites. Discussion: This MR study suggests that nine metabolites may have a protective effect in DR, while two metabolites may be associated with an increased risk of DR. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings. Supplementation with beneficial metabolites may reduce DR risk and could potentially be a novel therapeutic approach to DR treatment.

A Cascaded Multimodule Image Enhancement Framework for Underwater Visual Perception.

Underwater images usually exhibit severe color cast, hazy appearance, and/or dark regions because of the complex lighting absorption and scattering in water. How to increase the quality of these degraded underwater images has emerged as a key issue for various underwater application tasks. Recent efforts have been made to deal with single type degradation, however, it is still challenging to deal with multiple degradations that usually coexist in an underwater image with a general network. The degradations in underwater images can be divided into medium-agnostic (hazy or low-light which also encountered in in-air images) and medium-specific (color distortion caused by the specific light attenuation property in water) ones. According to this observation, this article proposes a cascaded multimodule underwater image enhancement (UIE) framework to address the coexisted multiple degradations. In the proposed framework, an in-air image enhancement module and a novel proposed adaptive color channel compensation network (AC 3 Net) are cascaded, in which the former focuses primarily on solving medium-agnostic degradations and the latter is for handling the medium-specific degradation. This framework has good flexibility by cascading different types of in-air image enhancement networks with AC 3 Net to achieve various UIE. The effectiveness of the proposed framework has been extensively validated on various degraded underwater images as well as different underwater visual perception tasks.

Effects of a Multicomponent Intervention With Cognitive Training and Lifestyle Guidance for Older Adults at Risk of Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: This study examined the effects of a multicomponent intervention program on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD).Methods: This was a 2-arm, randomized controlled trial in which a multicomponent intervention was applied. Participants were recruited from June 2020 to August 2020, randomization and intervention began in August 2020, and the entire program ended in January 2021. It included cognitive training (mnemonic strategy training) and lifestyle guidance (diet, sleep, and exercise guidance) for 7 weeks. A total of 123 Chinese community-dwelling older adults experiencing MCI or SCD were randomly divided into a multicomponent intervention group (n = 62) and a health education group (n = 61). The global cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The cognitive domains outcomes included memory functions measured using the immediate and delayed tests of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) and Logical Memory Test (LMT), and executive function and attention measured using the Digital Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Digit Span Test (DST). Data were collected at baseline and postintervention.Results: For cognitive outcome, the results of linear mixed-effect model showed significant time × group effects in the MMSE (Cohen d =0.63 [95% CI, 0.27 to 1.00], F = 10.25, P = .002). This study found significant time × group effects in AVLT-immediate (Cohen d = 0.47 [95% CI, 0.11 to 0.83], F = 8.18, P = .005), AVLT delayed (Cohen d = 0.45 [95% CI, 0.10 to 0.81], F = 4.59, P = .034), LMT-delayed (Cohen d = 0.71 [95% CI, 0.34 to 1.07], F = 4.59, P = .034), DSST (Cohen d = 0.27 [95% CI, -0.08 to 0.63], F = 4.83, P = .030), and DST (Cohen d =0.69 [95% CI, 0.33 to 1.05], F = 8.58, P = .004).Conclusions and Implications: The results support the feasibility and effectiveness of the multicomponent intervention program in improving cognitive function in community dwelling older adults at risk of dementia. The high adherence of this program shows its potential for promotion in the community and supports a larger and longer trial.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200061420).

Ultrasonic enhanced liquid-liquid interfacial reaction for improving the synthesis of Iron-doped carbon dots (Fe-CDs) for achieving superior photocatalytic performance.

The precise and controllable preparation of carbon nanomaterials under mild conditions poses a great challenge, especially for metal-catalysed multiphase preparation. This work proposes an efficient method that utilizing high-density ultrasound to enhance the liquid-liquid interfacial reaction system. Iron-doped carbon dots (Fe-CDs) are successfully synthesized in such a normal temperature and atmospheric-pressure reaction condition. It is shown that transient cavitation provides a high-temperature and high-pressure microenvironment for the preparation of Fe-CDs. Moreover, the size of the reactant droplets is reduced from 200.0 ± 17.3 µm to 8.1 ± 2.9 µm owing to the acoustic flow and cavitation effects, which increases the specific surface area of the two reacting phases and improves the mass transfer coefficient by more than 252.0 %. As a result, the yield increases by more than an order of magnitude (from 0.7 ± 0.1 % to 11.9 ± 0.2 %) and the Fe doping rate reaches 20.9 %. The photocatalytic oxidation conversion of 1,4-Dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) using the obtained Fe-CDs is as high as 98.2 %. This research gives a new approach for the efficient and safe production of Fe-CDs, which is promising for industrial applications.

Perceptions of Chinese women with a history of gestational diabetes regarding health behaviors and related factors: a directed qualitative content analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic disorders during pregnancy and is associated with adverse outcomes in both mothers and their children. After delivery, women who experience GDM are also at higher risk of both subsequent GDM and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than those who do not. Therefore, healthcare providers and public health practitioners need to develop targeted and effective interventions for GDM. In this study, we aimed to explore the perceptions regarding health behaviors and related factors during the inter-pregnancy period among Chinese women with a history of GDM through the lens of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). METHODS: Between December 2021 and September 2022, 16 pregnant Chinese women with a history of GDM were purposively recruited from a tertiary maternity hospital in Shanghai for face-to-face semi-structured interviews. They were asked questions regarding their health behaviors and related factors. The transcribed data were analyzed using a directed qualitative content analysis method based on the theory of TPB. RESULTS: The health-related behaviors of the women varied substantially. We identified five domains that influenced women's behaviors according to TPB constructs and based on the data collected: behavioral attitude (perceived benefits of healthy behaviors and the relationship between experience and attitude towards the oral glucose tolerance testing); subjective norms (influences of significant others and traditional cultural beliefs); perceived behavior control (knowledge of the disease, multiple-role conflict, the impact of COVID-19, an unfriendly external environment and difficulty adhering to healthy diets), incentive mechanisms (self-reward and external incentives); preferences of professional and institutional support (making full use of social media platform and providing continuous health management). CONCLUSIONS: The health-related behaviors of women with a history of GDM were found to be affected by multiple factors. Healthcare professionals are recommended to provide women with sufficient information regarding the disease and to take advantage of the power of the family and other social support networks to improve women's subjective norms and to promote the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

Advances in neuronal reprogramming for neurodegenerative diseases: Strategies, controversies, and opportunities.

Neuronal death is often observed in central nervous system injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. The mammalian central nervous system manifests limited neuronal regeneration capabilities, and traditional cell therapies are limited in their potential applications due to finite cell sources and immune rejection. Neuronal reprogramming has emerged as a novel technology, in which non-neuronal cells (e.g. glial cells) are transdifferentiated into mature neurons. This process results in relatively minimal immune rejection. The present review discuss the latest progress in this cutting-edge field, including starter cell selection, innovative technical strategies and methods of neuronal reprogramming for neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the potential problems and controversies. The further development of neuronal reprogramming technology may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Identification of co-expressed central genes and transcription factors in acute myocardial infarction and diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) are common clinical co-morbidities, but they are challenging to manage and have poor prognoses. There is no research on the bioinformatics mechanisms of comorbidity, and this study aims to investigate such mechanisms. METHODS: We downloaded the AMI data (GSE66360) and DN datasets (GSE30528 and GSE30529) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) platform. The GSE66360 dataset was divided into two parts: the training set and the validation set, and GSE30529 was used as the training set and GSE30528 as the validation set. After identifying the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in AMI and DN in the training set, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction were performed. A sub-network graph was constructed by MCODE, and 15 hub genes were screened by the Cytohubba plugin. The screened hub genes were validated, and the 15 screened hub genes were subjected to GO, KEGG, Gene MANIA analysis, and transcription factor (TF) prediction. Finally, we performed TF differential analysis, enrichment analysis, and TF and gene regulatory network construction. RESULTS: A total of 46 genes (43 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated) were identified for subsequent analysis. GO functional analysis emphasized the presence of genes mainly in the vesicle membrane and secretory granule membrane involved in antigen processing and presentation, lipopeptide binding, NAD + nucleosidase activity, and Toll-like receptor binding. The KEGG pathways analyzed were mainly in the phagosome, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, apoptosis, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. Eight co-expressed hub genes were identified and validated, namely TLR2, FCER1G, CD163, CTSS, CLEC4A, IGSF6, NCF2, and MS4A6A. Three transcription factors were identified and validated in AMI, namely NFKB1, HIF1A, and SPI1. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals the common pathogenesis of AMI and DN. These common pathways and hub genes may provide new ideas for further mechanistic studies.

The anti-hyperlipidemia effect of Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizome increased HDL via reverse cholesterol transfer.

Aim: Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizome (AM) has been used to treat hyperlipidemia for centuries, but its functional components and mechanisms are not clear. This research aimed to investigate the active components in AM and the mechanisms that underlie its anti-hyperlipidemia effect. Methods: SD rats were fed a high-sucrose high-fat diet in conjunction with alcohol (HSHFDAC) along with different AM extracts (AMW, AMO, AME, and AMP) for 4 weeks. AM's active components were analyzed using multiple databases, and their mechanisms were explored through network pharmacology. The relationship between AM's effect of enhancing serum HDL-c and regulating the expression of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT)-related proteins (Apo-A1, LCAT, and SR-BI) was further validated in the HSHFDAC-induced hyperlipidemic rats. The kidney and liver functions of the rats were measured to evaluate the safety of AM. Results: AMO, mainly comprised of volatile and liposoluble components, contributed the most significant anti-hyperlipidemia effect among the four extracts obtained from AM, significantly improving the blood lipid profile. Network pharmacology analysis also suggested that volatile and liposoluble components, comprise AM's main active components and they might act on signaling pathways associated with elevated HDL-c. Validation experiments found that AMO substantially and dose-dependently increased HDL-c levels, upregulated the expression of Apo-A1, SR-BI, and LCAT, improved the pathological changes in the kidney and liver, and significantly reduced the serum creatinine levels in rats with hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: The main anti-hyperlipidemia active components of AM are its volatile and liposoluble components, which may enhance serum HDL-c by increasing the expression of the RCT-related proteins Apo-A1, LCAT, and SR-BI.

Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Using meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, WanFang Data, VPCS Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure electronic databases for diagnostic studies on PTMC by CEUS from January 2013 to November 2022. Data were not available or incomplete such as case reports, nonhuman studies, etc, were excluded. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS in diagnosing PTMC. The quality of the evidence was assessed with the QUADAS-2 scale. This study is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42023409417. RESULTS: Of 1064 records identified, 33 were eligible. The results showed that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio of CEUS in diagnosing PTMC were 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.83-0.86), 0.82 (95% CI = 0.80-0.83), 3.90 (95% CI = 3.23-4.72), 0.21 (95% CI = 0.18-0.25), and 20.01 (95% CI = 14.97-26.74), respectively, and the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8930 (the Q index was 0.8239). The Deek funnel plot indicated publication bias (P ˂.01). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides an overview of diagnostic accuracy of CEUS in diagnosing PTMC which indicates CEUS has a good diagnostic value for PTMC. The limitations of this study are publication bias and strong geographical bias.

Gustatory dysfunction and long COVID in Chinese patients with COVID-19: A 6-month follow-up study.

AIMS: To evaluate long COVID of gustatory dysfunction and the associated risk factors regarding onset and recovery in Chinese patients. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection at Changxing Mobile Cabin Hospital in Shanghai, China, from March to May 2022. A prospective follow-up of patients with gustatory dysfunction was conducted at 6 months after discharge. RESULTS: In total, 18.48% (241/1304) reported gustatory dysfunction. The 6-month follow-up response rate was 89.63% (216/241) and 74.02% recovered their taste sense within 1-3 weeks. A total of 20.37% of patients (44/216) presented with long COVID. Symptoms persisted for 12 patients (5.56%) after 6 months. Having multiple taste impairments (OR, 2.364; 95% CI, 1.286-4.348; p = 0.006) was associated with a higher risk of gustatory dysfunction with long COVID. Having received a COVID-19 vaccine booster was positively associated with taste sensation recovery (HR, 1.344; 95% CI, 1.012-1.785; p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: About 20.37% of patients with COVID-19 might develop long COVID of gustatory dysfunction and 5.56% with persisting changes in their sense of taste. Most patients recovered taste sensations within 1-3 weeks after COVID-19 symptom onset and receiving a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine presented a protective effect on the taste sensation recovery.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Cerebellar Cortical Dysplasia: Case Report.

This was a study of 12 cerebellar cortical dysplasias (CCDs) fetuses, these cases were characterized by a disorder of cerebellar fissures. Historically, CCD diagnosis was primarily performed using postnatal imaging. Unique to this study was the case series of CCD for prenatal diagnosis using prenatal ultrasound, as well as we found that AXIN1 and FOXC1 mutations may be related to CCD.