Background: and Purpose Vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VBFAs) carry substantial morbidity and mortality, but optimal management for unruptured VBFAs remains unclear. We compared the safety and efficacy of conservative management (CM), stent-assisted coiling (SAC), and flow diverters (FDs) in patients with unruptured VBFAs, focusing on long-term prognosis. Methods: This study included data from a nationwide Chinese cohort of patients with vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced confounders across groups. The primary outcome was poor prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score >2). Secondary outcomes included aneurysm rupture, ischemic stroke, compression symptoms, and VBFA-related deaths. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Among 1,115 patients with unruptured VBFAs, 838 (median age, 54 years; 655 men) were included. After IPTW, baseline characteristics were balanced. Median follow-up was 54 months. FD was associated with a lower risk of poor prognosis than CM (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.77]; p=0.002), with no difference between CM and SAC. FD also reduced aneurysm rupture (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.60]; p=0.004) and compression symptoms (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.68]; p=0.004) versus CM. Time-to-event analyses further revealed significant differences in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, whereas no significant differences were observed in basilar or vertebrobasilar junction lesions or in Type III–IV VBFAs. Conclusions Compared with CM, FD was associated with improved long-term outcomes in unruptured VBFAs, particularly in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, although residual confounding cannot be excluded.

Purpose: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified. Methods: We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR. Results: The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046). Conclusion There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.

Purpose: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified. Methods: We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR. Results: The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046). Conclusion There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.

Purpose: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified. Methods: We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR. Results: The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046). Conclusion There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.

Objective To investigate the loci in the STRtyper-21G kit that are prone to tolerance mismatches when compared with the GlobalFilerTM kit and the PowerPlex? 21 kit,and to analyze the underlying causes.Methods A total of 5,870 database comparison reports involving STRtyper-21G profiles and other autosomal STR kits were examined for identity alignment.Samples showing mismatched loci were re-tested using the STRtyper-21G,GlobalFilerTM,and PowerPlex? 21 kits.For loci with mismatches,primers were redesigned and sequencing was performed.Results Eight mismatched samples(8/5 870)were identified,involving the loci D18S51,D8S1179,and D2S1338.Sequencing revealed that the allele dropout at D18S51 was due to a G→A mutation at the 79th base upstream of the core sequence;at D8S1179,a C→A mutation at the 4th base upstream;and at D2S1338,a C→T mutation at the 22nd base downstream.Conclusion All mismatches were attributable to mutations in primer binding regions.These findings provide reference for interpreting mismatch results in the STRtyper-21G database.When mismatches occur at these loci and the profiles are homozygous,exclusion conclusions should be made with caution.

Corneal neovascularization(CNV)is a pathological condition characterized by the invasion of new blood vessels into the normally avascular corneal area from the corneal periphery,leading to severe vision loss and potentially blindness.Currently,surgical,physical,and pharmacological therapies are the main clinical approaches for treating CNV.Surgical treatment aims to remove abnormal vascular tissue or perform corneal trans-plantation to inhibit angiogenesis;however,it carries a risk of postoperative rejection.Physical therapy involves the direct application of non-invasive modalities,such as laser treatment,to the neovascularized area to suppress vascular growth.Nevertheless,this approach may cause damage to surrounding healthy tissues.Pharmacotherapy has recently become a research hotspot in CNV treatment due to its convenient administration.Clinically,the drugs used for CNV treatment mainly include anti-inflammatory agents,anti-VEGF drugs,and immunosuppressants,which inhibit CNV progression by targeting angiogenesis-related signaling pathways.However,these drugs often lead to drug resistance and toxic side effects.Therefore,there is an urgent need to develop more effective and safer therapeutic agents for CNV.This article reviews the current clinical treatment status of CNV and highlights recent advances in the use of small molecule extracts from traditional Chinese medicine for CNV therapy,aiming to provide potential candidate drugs and a scientific theoretical basis for clinical management of CNV.

Objective To assess the accuracy and consistency of point-of-care testing(POCT)technology in detecting D-dimer(DDI),Procalcitonin(PCT),and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)in whole blood samples,as well as to validate its feasibility for rapid clinical diagnosis.Methods From July 8 to August 22,2022,a total of 104 paired DDI whole blood and plasma samples,496 paired PCT whole blood and serum samples,and 77 paired NT-proBNP whole blood and serum samples were collected.The consistency and accuracy of test results between whole blood and plasma/serum samples were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test,regression analysis,relative sensitivity,relative specificity,Youden's index,and Kappa value.Results The test results of DDI,PCT,and NT-proBNP in whole blood and plasma/serum samples demonstrated excellent consistency,with correlation coefficients of r2=0.951 2,r2=0.942 8,and r2=0.991 6,respectively,and all P-values exceeding 0.05.At the medical decision levels,for DDI(0.55 μg/mL),the relative sensitivity,rela-tive specificity,Youden index,and Kappa value were 94.3%,94.1%,0.88,and 0.87,respectively.For PCT(0.5 ng/mL and 2.0 ng/mL),the relative sensitivities were 97.4%and 89.0%,the relative specificities were 95.8%and 98.3%,the Youden indices were 0.93 and 0.87,and the Kappa values were 0.93 and 0.89,respectively.For NT-proBNP(125 pg/mL),the relative sensitivity was 94.1%,the relative specificity was 100%,the Youden index was 0.94,and the Kappa value was 0.87.These findings confirm the high accuracy of whole blood sample testing and the strong concordance between the two methods.Conclusions This study confirmed the efficacy of POCT technology for detecting DDI,PCT,and NT-proBNP in whole blood samples.The results showed a high level of consistency compared to traditional plasma/serum methods,thereby reinforcing the clinical applicability of POCT for rapid diagnosis.

Objective:This study aims to construct a quality evaluation index system for specialized disease databases. Through systematic assessment and optimization, it seeks to comprehensively enhance the quality and standardization of specialized disease cohort data. This initiative will provide more precise and reliable data support for disease research, the development of innovative drugs and medical devices, as well as policy formulation.Methods:By conducting a thorough analysis of domestic and international literature and policies related to clinical research data quality evaluation systems, preliminary quality evaluation indicators for specialized disease databases were established. Utilizing the Delphi method in two rounds, a quality evaluation system for specialized disease databases was constructed. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and YAAHP 7.5 software were then employed to calculate the relative weights of indicators at various levels and their composite weights.Results:The two rounds of expert consultation achieved a 100.00% valid response rate, with an expert authority coefficient of 0.81 in both rounds. In the second round, the Kendall′s coordination coefficients for the first-level and second-level indicators reached 0.311 and 0.218, respectively ( P<0.05), indicating a good level of consensus among experts. The final specialized disease database quality evaluation system consists of 3 first-level indicators, 10 second-level indicators, and 32 third-level indicators. The first-level indicators include database construction, data quality, and cohort development, with weight coefficients of 31.82%, 41.49%, and 26.69%, respectively. The scientific validity of the indicator system was confirmed through reliability and validity analyses. When applied to assessing 58 specialized disease database projects from 36 medical institutions in a certain city, the results showed significant improvements in scores for database construction, data quality, and cohort development, with the most notable improvement observed in database construction. Conclusions:This study successfully developed a scientific, practical, and rationally weighted quality evaluation system for specialized disease databases, demonstrating high expert consensus and broad applicability.Validation studies have shown that this system effectively enhances the standardization and data quality of databases, providing robust technical support and assurance for specialized disease research and data resource sharing.

Objective To analyze the trends of suicide mortality and disease burden among the elderly aged 60 and above in Chongqing from 2012 to 2023,providing evidence for targeted interventions.Methods Death cases of elderly aged 60 and above were extracted from death registration between 2012 and 2023 according to death records(International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems,10th version:X60-X84,Y87).The data were analyzed to calculate indicators such as the mortality rate,standardized mortality rate,years of life lost(YLL)rate,and average years of life lost(AYLL),and the composition ratio of different causes of death with using Excel 2010 and SPSS 26.0.The comparison of mortality rates between male and female,urban and rural area was conducted using the x2 test.The trend changes of the rates were expressed by the annual percentage change(APC)and the average annual percentage change(AAPC).Results From 2012 to 2023,the suicide mortality rate and standardized mortality rate of the elderly aged 60 and above generally showed a downward trend,decreasing by 3.54%and 4.02%,respectively(P<0.05).From 2012 to 2016,the suicide mortality rate increased by an average of 4.53%per year,and from 2016 to 2021,it decreased by an average of 8.91%per year,and both trends were significant(P<0.05).Only in 2020 and 2022,the male suicide mortality rate was significantly higher than that of females(P<0.05).From 2012 to 2023,the suicide mortality rate and standardized mortality rate of males and females decreased by an average of 2.86%,3.44%,4.21%,and 4.69%per year respectively,and the trends were significant(P<0.05).The suicide mortality rate of the elderly aged 60 and above in rural areas was significantly higher than that in urban areas over the years(P<0.05).From 2012 to 2023,the suicide mortality rate and standardized mortality rate in urban areas remained relatively stable(P>0.05),while the suicide mortality rate and standardized mortality rate of the elderly aged 60 and above in rural areas decreased by an average of 3.44%and 4.02%per year respectively,and the trends were significant(P<0.05).The YLL rate and AYLL caused by suicide among the elderly aged 60 and above decreased from 3.03‰ and 18.54 years in 2012 to 2.26‰ and 17.50 years in 2023 respectively,and the AAPC were-4.02%and-0.60%respectively,and the trends were significant(P<0.05).By comparing the composition of deaths by different suicide methods over the years,it was found that the proportion of deaths due to pesticide poisoning showed a downward trend,while the proportions of deaths by hanging,jumping from a height,and drowning showed an upward trend.Conclusion The suicide mortality rate of the elderly aged 60 and above in Chongqing is relatively high.Although demonstrating an overall downward trend,enhanced efforts toward early identification and intervention for elderly suicide should be enhanced.

Recent studies have shown that the physiological homeostasis of oral mucosal cells is regulated by the circadian clock.Dis-ruption or dysfunction of the circadian clock is closely associated with the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC).Research based on the circadian clock offers a novel perspective on the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for OSCC.However,there is current-ly limited research on this topic,and people generally have insufficient understanding and recognition of the circadian clock.Given the complexity and challenges of circadian clock which is the fourth dimension of medical research,we organize relevant experts based on summarizing the current research results of circadian clock in the pathogenesis and precision diagnosis and treatment of OSCC,combining the scientific principles of the circadian clock's role and their long-term research experience,then summarizes and recommends the con-sensus opinions for the research of circadian clock in the pathogenesis mechanism and precision diagnosis and treatment of human OSCC,with the hope of providing guidance for the basic research and clinical application of circadian clock or circadian rhythm in the pathogene-sis mechanism and precision diagnosis and treatment of oral and maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma.