Objective To analyze the disease burden and trends of bladder cancer in China and globally from 1992 to 2021.  Methods Using the GBD 2021 database, the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates of bladder cancer in China and globally from 1992–2021 were analyzed. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) was calculated using Joinpoint regression. Subgroup analyses by sex and age were conducted, and a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to predict trends in age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) for the next 15 years.  Results In 2021, China reported 106 000 new cases (ASIR: 5.14/100 000), 571 000 prevalent cases (age-standardized prevalence rate, ASPR: 26.61/100 000), 43 000 deaths (ASMR: 2.34/100 000), and a DALY rate of 45.31/100 000. From 1992–2021, China showed upward trends in ASIR and ASPR but declines in ASMR and DALYs, while global ASIR, ASMR, and DALYs decreased overall with slow ASPR growth. The peak cases in China and globally were both concentrated in the 65-79 age group, with a significantly higher burden on males than females. In China, smoking-related ASMR and ASDR exceeded global averages and rose, whereas high glucose-related indexes were lower and declined. Projections for 2021–2036 indicated that the global incidence and mortality rates would be rising, but ASIR/ASPR would be declining, while in China, the incidence rate would continue to rise, and the mortality rate will stabilize, with a significant increase in ASIR and a gradual decrease in ASPR.  Conclusion From 1992 to 2021, the incidence of bladder cancer in China has shown a continuous upward trend and is projected to persist in the future, with significant gender and age differences. Particular attention should be given to elderly males aged 85-89. The disease burden of bladder cancer attributable to smoking continues to rise, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen tobacco control policies.

Purpose: Metastatic rectal cancer (mRC) is a highly lethal and complex disease that demands a multidisciplinary treatment approach. However, the clinical effectiveness of radiotherapy (RT) for de novo mRC remains controversial and uncertain. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined medical records from Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for patients with histologically confirmed de novo mRC diagnosed between January 2015 and December 2020. All patients received standard systemic therapy and radical surgery when feasible. The primary outcome, overall survival (OS), was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable analysis was performed using a Cox regression model. Results: Among 271 patients included in the analysis, 117 received RT and 154 did not. The median OS was significantly longer in the RT group compared with the non-RT group (27.8 months vs. 21.9 months; P=0.046). Multivariate analysis identified several independent predictors of OS: age ≥65 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–2.27; P=0.001), primary tumor resection (HR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.90–3.61; P<0.001), M1b or M1c disease (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.44–2.69; P<0.001), and receipt of RT (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02–1.94; P=0.036). Conclusion RT significantly improves OS in patients with mRC, underscoring its role in treatment strategies. These findings support its inclusion in therapeutic protocols and highlight the need for larger, multicenter trials to confirm and extend these results.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: To assess the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) for adhesive capsulitis (AC) by evaluating clinical outcomes and changes in inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone TAE between August 2020 and August 2023 for AC refractory to conservative treatments without any invasive procedures for more than 3 months, and had undergone baseline and 3-month post-AC follow-up contrast-enhanced MRI evaluations, were included. A suspension mixture of 500 mg imipenem/cilastatin in 10 mL of iodinated contrast agent was used for TAE. MRI results were analyzed to assess periarticular capsule/ligament inflammation. Clinical assessments included pain scores using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and functional scores using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Results: Twenty-five patients (female:male, 14:11; age, 54.9 ± 7.1 years) were included. Significant reductions in average NRS pain scores as well as improvements in Quick DASH scores and range of motion, including anterior flexion and abduction, were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAE (all P < 0.001). MRI analyses revealed that TAE significantly decreased the grades of axillary recess capsule enhancement, rotator interval (RI) capsule T2 signal intensity, and RI capsule enhancement (all P ≤ 0.004). Conclusion TAE may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for AC refractory to conservative treatments, alleviating pain and supporting functional recovery. The observed MRI findings suggest that the effectiveness of TAE for AC may be attributed to the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of angiogenesis.

INTRODUCTION: The rising rate of adolescent suicide, and the burden of self-harm and mental health disorders, pose significant threats to Singapore's future health outcomes and human potential. This study sought to examine the risk profile and healthcare utilisation patterns of Singaporean adolescents who presented to the emergency department (ED) for suicidal or self-harm behaviour. METHOD: A retrospective review of medical records for patients aged 10 to 19 years who visited Singapore's KK Women's and Children's Hospital ED for suicidal or self-harm attempts from January to December 2021 was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients were identified, with a predominance of female patients (85.5%) over males (14.5%). The mean age was 14.2 ± 1.4 years. Intentional drug overdose (52.0%) was the most commonly used method. Significantly more females presented for intentional paracetamol overdose (46.6% versus [vs] 28.1%, P=0.049), whereas jumping from a height was more common among males (18.8% vs 5.8%, P=0.022). The most frequently observed mental health challenges were stress-related and emotional coping difficulties (50.7%), followed by mood and anxiety symptoms (53.4%). A history of self-harm and suicidal behaviours were the most common psychosocial risk factors. Within the year prior to their ED presentation, 15.4% had accessed healthcare services for mild medical ailments, 19.5% for medically unexplained symptoms, and 17.2% for previous self-harm or suicide attempts. CONCLUSION Most cases involved psychosocial and emotional regulation difficulties, some of which displayed sex-specific patterns, rather than complex psychiatric disorders. The identified predictive factors can help inform Singapore's National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy, to guide targeted and transdiagnostic interventions in schools and community settings.
Humans ; Adolescent ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Suicide, Attempted/psychology* ; Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data* ; Self-Injurious Behavior/psychology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Young Adult ; Drug Overdose/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Acetaminophen/poisoning* ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Sex Factors

As a common neurological disease in China, stroke has an extremely high rate of death and disability, of which 80% is ischemic stroke (IS), causing a serious burden to individuals and society. Neuronal death is an important factor in the pathogenesis of stroke. Studies have shown that mitochondrial dynamics, as a key mechanism regulating intracellular energy metabolism and cell death, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IS. In recent years, targeting mitochondrial dynamics has become an emerging therapeutic tool to improve neurological impairment after stroke. This paper reviews the research advance in recent years in IS mitochondrial dynamics, summarizing and discussing the overview of mitochondrial dynamics, the role of mitochondrial dynamics in IS, and the studies on mitochondrial dynamics-based treatment of IS. This paper helps to explore the mechanism of the role of mitochondrial dynamics in IS and effective interventions, and provides a theoretical strategy for targeting mitochondrial dynamics to treat IS in the clinic.
Humans ; Mitochondrial Dynamics/physiology* ; Ischemic Stroke/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/physiology* ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia/physiopathology* ; Energy Metabolism

Medical equipment, as an important indicator of smart hospital evaluation, plays a vital role in hospital operations. To ensure the safe and efficient operation of medical equipment, a reasonable performance evaluation system is indispensable. This study introduces a platform based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology that connects medical devices and collects data, achieving standardized and structured data processing, and supporting online operational supervision. Through the Delphi method, a performance evaluation system for large medical equipment is constructed, including 4 primary indicators and 22 secondary indicators. DICOM data acquisition devices are used to achieve functions such as efficiency analysis, benefit analysis, usage evaluation, and decision-making support for medical equipment. The study is still in its early stages, and in the future, it is expected to integrate more types of equipment, achieve rational resource allocation, and significantly impact decision-making for the development of public hospitals.
Internet of Things ; Delphi Technique

Drug resistance is one of the key factors affecting the effectiveness of cancer treatment methods, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Its occurrence is related to factors such as mRNA expression and methylation within cancer cells. If drug resistance in patients can be accurately identified early, doctors can devise more effective treatment plans, which is of great significance for improving patients' survival rates and quality of life. Cancer drug resistance prediction based on artificial intelligence (AI) technology has emerged as a current research hotspot, demonstrating promising application prospects in guiding clinical individualized and precise medication for cancer patients. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the research progress in utilizing AI algorithms to analyze multi-omics data including genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, radiomics, and histopathology, for predicting cancer drug resistance. It provides a detailed exposition of the processes involved in data processing and model construction, examines the current challenges faced in this field and future development directions, with the aim of better advancing the progress of precision medicine.