Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

This article reports the clinical characteristics and treatment processes of three cases of mucormycosis occurring after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children, along with a review of relevant literature. All three patients presented with chest pain as the initial symptom, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) confirmed the mucycete infection early in all cases. Two patients recovered after treatment, while one succumbed to disseminated infection. mNGS has facilitated early diagnosis and treatment, reducing mortality rates. Additionally, surgical intervention is an important strategy for improving the prognosis of this condition.
Humans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Mucormycosis/etiology* ; Male ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods* ; Child ; Female ; Metagenomics ; Child, Preschool

CRISPR/Cas9-based therapeutics face significant challenges in penetrating the dense microenvironment of solid tumors, resulting in insufficient gene editing and compromised treatment efficacy. Current nanostrategies, which mainly focus on the paracellular pathway attempted to improve gene editing performance, whereas their efficiency remains uneven in the heterogenous extracellular matrix. Here, the nanoCRISPR system is prepared with self-cascading mechanisms for gene editing-mediated robust apoptosis and transcellular penetration. NanoCRISPR unlocks its self-cascade capability within the matrix metallopeptidase 2-enriched tumor microenvironment, initiating the transcellular penetration. By facilitating cellular uptake, nanoCRISPR triggers robust apoptosis in edited malignancies, promoting further transcellular penetration and amplifying gene editing in neighboring tumor cells. Benefiting from self-cascade between robust apoptosis and transcellular penetration, nanoCRISPR demonstrates continuous gene transfection/tumor killing performance (transfection/apoptosis efficiency: 1st round: 85%/84.2%; 2nd round: 48%/27%) and homogeneous penetration. In xenograft tumor-bearing mice, nanoCRISPR treatment achieves remarkable anti-tumor efficacy (∼83%) and significant survival benefits with minimal toxicity. This strategy presents a promising paradigm emphasizing transcellular penetration to enhance the effectiveness of CRISPR-based antitumor therapeutics.

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Objective To investigate the effect of miR-495-3p targeting budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles(BUB1)on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway on biological behavior of esophageal cancer(EC)cells.Methods The differentially expressed genes in EC tissues and normal tissues were screened by the cDNA microarray technique.The differentially expressed genes were analyzed by bioinformatics methods.The target genes of miRNAs were predicted by the TargetScan database and verified by a dual luciferase gene reporter assay.KYSE150 cells were divided into blank control group,NC mimics group and miR-495-3p mim-ics group.The activity of KYSE150 cells were detected by the CCK-8 method.Cell cycle and apoptosis were meas-ured by flow cytometry.The expression of BUB1 mRNA was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).The levels of BUB1,STAT3,phosphor(p)-STAT3,cyclin dependent kinase 1(CCNB1),cyclin dependent kinase 1(CDK1),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),cysteinyl aspar-tate-specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3)and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3(Caspase-9)were measured by Western blot.The migration and invasion abilities of the cells were measured by wound-healing and Transwell inva-sion assays.Results Differentially expressed genes were involved in biological processes,signaling pathways and network construction,which were mainly related to cell cycle.BUB1 is the key(Hub)gene,and BUB1 is the tar-get gene of miR-495-3p.In vitro experiments showed that overexpression of miR-495-3p could significantly inhibit the migration and invasion of EC cells and induce apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest.After treatment with overex-pression of miR-495-3p,the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in EC cells increased significantly(P＜0.01),while the expression of Bcl-2,BUB 1,CCNB1,CDK1 and p-STAT3 decreased significantly(P＜0.01).Moreover,the STAT3 signaling pathway might play an important role in this process.Conclusion miR-495-3p may influence the biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells by down-regulating BUB 1-mediated STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of proximal femoral nail antirotation(PFNA)assisted by robot navigation and PFNA guided by C-arm X-ray machine for the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture of femur(IFOF).Methods The 100 patients with unilateral IFOF in our hospital were selected as the study subjects.They were divided into the control group(50 cases)and the robot-assisted group(50 cases)according to random number table method.The control group was treated with PFNA internal fixation under C-arm X-ray machine fluoroscopy,and the robot-assisted group was treated with PFNA internal fixation assisted by robot navigation.Surgical indicators,fracture reduction and fracture healing,stress response indexes,hip joint function,quality of life score and incidence of surgery related complications were compared between the two groups.Results The operation time,total fluoroscopy time,nail placement time and fracture healing time of the robot-assisted group were shorter than those of the control group(P＜0.05);and the intraoperative blood loss,guide needle adjustment frequency,and fluoroscopy frequency of the robot-assisted group were less than those of the control group(P＜0.05).The fracture reduction and fracture healing in the robot-assisted group were better than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Two days after operation,the levels of serum norepinephrine(NE),angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in the two groups were higher than those before operation(P＜0.05),and the levels of serum NE,Ang Ⅱ and SOD in the robot-assisted group were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The Harris score and 36-item short-form(SF-36)score of patients 7 days and 3 months after surgery in the two groups were higher than those before surgery(P＜0.05),and the above scores 3 months after surgery were higher than those 7 days after surgery(P＜0.05).Harris score and SF-36 score 7 days and 3 months after operation in the robot-assisted group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of complications in the robot-assisted group was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared with the C-arm X-ray machine fluoroscopy,the treatment of IFOF with PFNA assisted by robot navigation can further shorten the operation time,reduce the surgical trauma and the incidence of complications,achieve better effect of fracture reduction and healing,reduce stress response of the body,and improve hip joint function and quality of life for patients.