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Background: Disease stability is an achievable goal in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. However, the clinical implications of disease stability in patients with COPD remain unclear.

Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study using the electronic medical records of treated patients with symptomatic COPD. Patients who had newly initiated inhaler therapy with long-acting β2-agonist/long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LABA/LAMA) or inhaled corticosteroid/LABA/LAMA combinations were included. Disease stability was defined over a one-year assessment period as meeting all of the following criteria: (1) symptom stability; (2) no moderate or severe exacerbations; and (3) no rapid decline in lung function. The outcomes included acute exacerbations and all-cause mortality.

Results: Of the 725 screened patients, 405 were eligible for inclusion in the study. Among them, 158 (39.0%) achieved disease stability. The proportions of patients who met each criterion were 70.4% for symptom stability, 63.7% for no exacerbations, and 71.4% for a non-rapid lung function decline. Only 5.9% met none of these criteria. During the follow up duration of median 62 (interquartile ranges, 30-90) months, disease stability was significantly associated with a reduced risk of moderate-to-severe (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.521, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.392-0.692) and severe (aHR 0.393, 95% CI 0.279-0.553) exacerbations after adjusting for confounders. It was also associated with a decreased mortality risk (aHR 0.345, 95% CI 0.135-0.883).

Conclusion: Disease stability was associated with a lower risk of exacerbation and mortality, suggesting its potential role as a treatment target and outcome measure for COPD.

Background: Pathogenic autoantibody subclass switch has been found in lots of autoimmune disease. However, the information on anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody subclass switch in membranous nephropathy (MN) is limited and controversial. Here, we aim to uncover the subclass change during the PLA2R-associated MN progression.

Methods: Biopsy-proven PLA2R-associated MN cases with sufficient tissue for light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy (October 2022 - March 2023) were included. Serum levels of PLA2R-IgG4 and PLA2R-IgG were measured by TRFIA. The correlation of the ratio with EM stage and other clinical parameters was analyzed.

Results: Among 116 enrolled patients, glomerular IgG1 (r = 0.15, p = .01; r = 0.18, p = .002) and IgG3 (r = 0.17, p = .005; r = 0.27, p < .001) intensities were positively correlated with C3 and C1q intensities, respectively. The PLA2R-IgG4/PLA2R-IgG ratio was significantly positively correlated with serum albumin (r = 0.26, p = .005) but inversely correlated with both the intensity of glomerular IgG1 (r = -0.20, p = .03) and IgG3 deposits (r = -0.24, p = .009), as well as with C1q staining intensity (r = -0.27, p = .004). The median PLA2R-IgG4/PLA2R-IgG ratio significantly increased with pathological stage (Stage I: 18.92%; Stage II: 39.74%; Stage III: 59.38%; Stage IV: 68.99%) and was strongly positively correlated with EM stage (r = 0.52, p < .001). Advanced EM stages were observed more frequently with higher PLA2R-IgG4/PLA2R-IgG ratio.

Conclusions: During the disease progression, EM stages were correlated with altered autoantibody IgG subclass profiles: early stages featured IgG1 or IgG3 autoantibodies, while late EM stages shifted to IgG4 predominance.

Background: Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) is a minimally invasive technique that yields larger specimens than conventional transbronchial forceps biopsies (TBFB) and demonstrates superior diagnostic rates for interstitial lung diseases. However, the efficacy of TBCB compared to TBFB in evaluating peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) is not well established. This study aims to examine the diagnostic performance of TBCB relative to TBFB in PPLs.

Material and methods: Between May 2021 and December 2023, patients with PPLs were enrolled and underwent TBFB followed by TBCB. These procedures were performed either in a hybrid operating room (HOR) or a standard bronchoscopy room without fluoroscopy. The study compared histopathology diagnostic yield between the two methods.

Results: The study included 84 patients. The median lesion size was 37 mm (interquartile range: 26, 54), with 16 lesions (19.0%) measuring less than 2.0 cm. Among the participants, 44 (52.4%) were diagnosed with lung cancer, and 28 (33.3%) had infectious diseases. TBCB yielded significantly larger tissue samples [60 mm³ (range: 30, 144) vs. 4 mm³ (range: 2, 6), p < 0.001] and higher diagnostic yields (94.0% vs. 77.1%, p < 0.001) than TBFB. The higher diagnostic yield for TBCB were consistent in both the bronchoscopic room (97.2% vs. 77.8%, p = 0.008) and HOR (91.5% vs. 76.6%, p = 0.033). The incidence of ≥ grade 3 bleeding was 7.1%.

Conclusion: TBCB significantly improves the diagnostic yield for PPLs, irrespective of fluoroscopic guidance, and is effective for both malignant and benign lesions. Furthermore, it is associated with minimal complications, affirming its safety and efficacy as a diagnostic procedure.HighlightsTBCB consistently provided a higher pathological yield compared to TBFB, independent of lesion size, use of fluoroscopy, or the nature of the pathology (benign or malignant)TBCB yielded larger tissue sample and had high successful rates for NGS testing.Combination of an ultrathin bronchoscope, augmented fluoroscopy, ROSE, and TBCB can lead to high diagnostic yields.

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is among the most widespread arboviruses and has become a seasonal threat in temperate regions. Sustained in an enzootic bird-mosquito cycle, with humans and horses as incidental hosts, its geographic range has expanded in recent decades due to ongoing climatic and ecological changes. While most infections are asymptomatic or mild, a minority progress to neuroinvasive disease with high morbidity and long-term sequelae. This review summarizes current knowledge on epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical spectrum, diagnostic challenges, therapeutic options, prevention, and research gaps.

Discussion: Lineages 1 and 2 co-circulate in Europe, where repeated large outbreaks highlight WNV adaptability to warmer summers, altered rainfall, and expanded mosquito habitats driven by recent ecological shifts. After inoculation, replication occurs in keratinocytes and dendritic cells, amplification in lymph nodes, and dissemination to visceral organs and the central nervous system. Neuroinvasion depends on viral proteins and host immune responses. Severe disease is associated with advanced age, immunosuppression, comorbidities, and genetic susceptibility. Clinical manifestations range from febrile illness to meningitis, encephalitis, or acute flaccid myelitis. Persistent neurological and functional sequelae are common, adding to disease burden. Diagnosis relies on molecular and serological tests, limited by short viremia and cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses. No approved antiviral therapy exists; management is supportive. Experimental antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, and interferon have shown mixed results. Vaccine candidates have progressed to phase 1-2 trials, but none are licensed for humans. Prevention relies on integrated vector control, veterinary surveillance, and donor screening, framed within a One Health approach.

Conclusion: WNV exemplifies the impact of global ecological change on zoonotic diseases. Strengthening surveillance, refining diagnostics, and advancing antivirals and vaccines through multidisciplinary collaboration are essential to mitigate future outbreaks.

Background: The lack of analysis methods and standardization are the core problems of serum free light chain (sFLC) detection in Multiple myeloma (MM). This study validated a new KHB sFLC assay through comparative analysis with conventional assays.

Materials and methods: Serum samples from 97 hospitalized MM patients were continuously collected. KHB, Freelite and N Latex assays were used to detect sFLC. The Bland-Altman and Passing-Bablok regressions were used for methodological comparison and bias evaluation. Spearman's test and Cohen's kappa coefficients were used to evaluate the correlation and clinical concordance.

Results: The sFLC results for KHB, Freelite, and N Latex showed a significant correlation. Passing-Bablok regression analysis revealed strong concordance between the KHB and N Latex for κFLC, and between KHB and Freelite assays for λFLC and FLC-ratio (κ/λ). When using N Latex and Freelite assays for sFLC determination, selecting iFLC/niFLC ≥ 20 or iFLC/niFLC ≥ 100 could lead to different clinical treatment decisions for approximately 9%∼12% of patients. When using KHB and Freelite assays for sFLC determination, selecting iFLC/niFLC ≥ 20 or iFLC/niFLC ≥ 100 could lead to different clinical treatment decisions for approximately 5%∼7% of patients.

Conclusion: KHB, as a sFLC detection method based on polyclonal antibodies and immunoturbidimetric principles, has a good correlation between its detection results and freelite and N Latex. The absolute difference in sFLC results among the three assays increased with increasing sFLC concentration, and selecting the same cutoff value for iFLC/niFLC may lead to inconsistent clinical treatment decisions in some patients.

Background: Hearing loss (HL) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with a particularly severe impact on low- and middle-income countries and causing a huge economic burden. While child HL prevention exists, working-age adults (WAP) struggle to avoid occupational and environmental risks.

Method: Using Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, this study analyzed global HL prevalence trends in the WAP (1992-2021). Analyses included age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR), estimated annual percentage change, and age-period-cohort (APC) modeling, stratified by gender, age, cause, severity, and Social Demographic Index (SDI).

Result: Global WAP HL prevalence significantly increased to 524 million in 2021 (a 56.9% increase since 1992), primarily due to population growth and aging. Age period cohort (APC) analysis revealed different patterns: as age increases, risk increases and cyclical effects generally increased (except in low SDI regions). The upward trend of birth cohorts in high to middle SDI countries was worrying. In addition, this study also observed that there was a gender difference in the prevalence trend of HL in WAP (male incidence rate was higher, but female growth was faster), and the patient population was gradually younger. Improved trends from 2017-2021 globally and regionally suggest a potential, albeit unexpected, positive influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on HL prevalence.

Conclusion: The global HL burden in the WAP is large and uneven, necessitating targeted interventions focusing on modifiable risks and SDI disparities. Further research is essential to understand the trends observed during the COVID-19 pandemic and to improve prevention strategies.

Background: Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) remains a critical global health challenge that requires continuous improvement in diagnostic strategies. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective reperfusion therapies such as intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, whose clinical benefits rapidly diminish with treatment delays. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers promising potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making in AIS. However, data fragmentation and strict privacy regulations limit the development of robust AI systems. Objectives: We aim to provide a perspective-style review that explores how collaborative AI can reshape AIS diagnostics by overcoming data access barriers, fostering cross-institutional model development, and improving diagnostic equity.

Methods: We analysed current challenges in developing AIS-related AI tools, particularly the limitations caused by restricted data sharing across healthcare institutions. The study highlights collaborative AI approaches, such as federated learning and privacy-preserving computation, which enable decentralised model training while maintaining patient confidentiality. Relevant literature and recent developments in clinical AI collaboration were reviewed.

Results: Collaborative AI enables multiple institutions to contribute to model training without exposing raw patient data. This approach improves data diversity, model generalizability, and fairness across healthcare settings. Evidence from multi-centre studies suggests that collaborative AI frameworks can produce more accurate and ethically compliant diagnostic models compared to isolated development efforts.

Conclusions: Collaborative AI presents a transformative pathway for AIS management by balancing data utility and privacy protection. It supports the creation of trustworthy, scalable, and inclusive diagnostic systems. As healthcare systems increasingly adopt digital solutions, collaborative AI provides a foundation for equitable and privacy-conscious innovation in stroke care.