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Objectives: The potential utility of a novel microwave device for the treatment of a variety of superficial dermatologic indications is reviewed.

Materials and methods: The Swift^® microwave system applies low-dose microwave energy (8 GHz) noninvasively using a precision applicator to directly target lesional tissue, while modulating power setting and application time to maintain patient comfort during heat application. The device has been approved for general dermatology use, with some models labeled more-specifically for HPV-associated lesions and actinic keratosis. New case treatment data and published case reports were reviewed for viral skin infection, fungal nail infection, nodular cystic acne, neoplastic skin lesions, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and intractable plantar keratosis (IPK).

Results: Case reports demonstrate preliminary efficacy of microwave hyperthermia in viral skin infection, fungal nail infection, nodular cystic acne, and neoplastic skin lesions, with few reported adverse events. Microwaves additionally provided good pain control for the reviewed cases of HS and IPK.

Conclusions: The data support a possible role for the microwave device in the studied indications. Microwave treatment may be more tolerable for patients than cryotherapy or laser comparators. More systematic investigation of microwave hyperthermia is warranted to better define optimum dosing regimens and efficacy, as well as a wider safety profile.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between first-trimester maternal serum iodine concentration (SIC) and foetal ultrasound biometric parameters as well as neonatal size at birth in Chinese pregnant women.

Materials and methods: A birth cohort study of 1881 women from 2022 to 2024 in Zhejiang Province, China, was conducted. SIC in the first trimester was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Foetal biometric parameters in mid-pregnancy were measured using ultrasound scanning techniques. Neonatal anthropometric measurements were obtained immediately after delivery. Linear regression models were used to explore the association between maternal SIC and both foetal ultrasound biometric parameters as well as birth size indicators.

Results: Log-transformed maternal SIC showed a significant positive association with biparietal diameter (BPD) (β = 0.102, 95% CI: 0.029, 0.174), but significant negative associations with birth length (β = -0.337, 95% CI: -0.608, -0.066) and birth weight (β = -0.091, 95% CI: -0.171, -0.012). Further sex-stratified analysis revealed that among male foetuses, SIC was significantly positively associated with BPD (β = 0.158, 95% CI: 0.053, 0.263), head circumference (HC) (β = 0.414, 95% CI: 0.074, 0.754) and abdominal circumference (AC) (β = 0.490, 95% CI: 0.111, 0.870). but negatively associated with neonatal length (β = -0.402, 95% CI: -0.742, -0.062) and birth weight (β = -0.120, 95% CI: -0.234, -0.005). These associations were attenuated and non-significant in female foetuses. Maternal age stratification showed significantly stronger positive associations between SIC and foetal BPD in women aged <29 years (β = 0.150, 95% CI: 0.036, 0.265) compared to those ≥29 years.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that first-trimester maternal SIC shows a positive association with foetal BPD but a potential negative association with neonatal anthropometric measures, with these relationships appearing stronger in male foetuses and younger mothers.

Objectives: IL-17 inhibitors (IL-17i) and IL-23 inhibitors (IL-23i) are advanced treatments for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. This study aimed to assess the persistence of IL-17i and IL-23i in patients with plaque psoriasis in Taiwan, where a unique healthcare reimbursement policy makes biologic persistence highly reflective of real-world effectiveness.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in bio-naïve patients with plaque psoriasis in Taiwan using the Chang Gung Research Database. Persistence was defined as the duration from initiation to discontinuatin of a biologic agent. Patients who were diagnosed with plaque psoriasis and initiated an IL-17i or an IL-23i between January 2015 and December 2022 were included. Persistence rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods, using discontinuation as the event of interest.

Results: A total of 544 and 334 patients were included in the IL-17i and IL-23i cohorts, respectively. Numerically higher persistence was observed for IL-23i compared with IL-17i (p < 0.001). The 48-week and 96-week persistence rates were 71.3% (67.5-75.4%) and 55.2% (50.7-60.1%) for IL-17i, and 82.2% (78.1-86.6%) and 75.1% (70.1-80.5%) for IL-23i.

Conclusions: These findings may inform clinical decision-making by healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers. Further research integrating richer clinical information with extended follow-up will allow deeper investigation of biologic treatment patterns in real‑world settings.

Background: This study aimed to profile the molecular signatures of post-traumatic elbow heterotopic ossification (HO) to identify key regulators and potential therapeutic targets.

Methods: Total RNA from post-traumatic elbow HO tissues (n=4) and normal bone tissues (n=6) was subjected to high-throughput sequencing to identify differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs), microRNAs (DEMs), and lncRNAs (DELs). Bioinformatics analyses included Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction network construction, and transcription factor (TF)-microRNA-mRNA network analysis. The expression trends of four most upregulated and four most downregulated DEGs were validated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results: We identified 2,138 DEGs, 40 DEMs, and 905 DELs. DEGs were significantly enriched in biological process "bone mineralization," cellular component "plasma membrane," molecular function "integrin binding," and pathways including PI3K-Akt, NF-κB, JAK-STAT, and TNF signaling pathways. Hub genes with high connectivity included MMP9, IL6, MMP3, CTSK, and BGLAP. Integrated network analysis highlighted the transcription factor JUN and key microRNAs (hsa-miR-124-3p, hsa-miR-548c-3p, and hsa-miR-135b). The qRT-PCR results confirmed the expression trends of selected DEGs.

Conclusions: This study, for the first time, profiled the differentially expressed mRNAs, microRNAs, and lncRNAs in post-traumatic elbow HO using high-throughput RNA sequencing. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of HO following elbow trauma. The identified hub genes (MMP9, IL6, MMP3, CTSK, and BGLAP), key TF (JUN), and key microRNAs (hsa-miR-124-3p, hsa-miR-548c-3p, and hsa-miR-135b) may serve as potential therapeutic targets for preventing and treating post-traumatic elbow HO.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) remains a major global health concern, accounting for 11.7% of all cancer cases and ranking as the second leading cause of female cancer-related deaths worldwide. Increasing evidence highlights the interplay between gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis and obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction in BC progression. This review aims to elucidate the role of GM in obese patients with BC.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases for publications from July 2015 to January 2025. Search terms combined BC, GM, obesity, dysbiosis, immunity, and microbiome. Article selection prioritized studies investigating microbial alterations in BC patients, mechanistic links between obesity and cancer progression, and GM-targeted interventions. Both original studies and authoritative reviews were included, supplemented by manual reference screening.

Discussion: Obesity may trigger systemic inflammation, altered adipokine secretion, and disrupted steroid hormone metabolism via gut-derived β-glucuronidase activity, thereby exacerbating BC occurrence and recurrence. GM dysbiosis-driven metabolites such as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) can activate oncogenic signaling pathways and immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), fostering tumor immune evasion. Conversely, dietary interventions, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can alleviate dysbiosis, strengthen gut barriers, and restore anti-tumor immunity, improving chemotherapy response and reducing recurrence. However, challenges persist in deciphering BC subtype-related microbial signatures and optimizing microbiota-targeted therapies.

Conclusion: Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal relationships, validate microbial biomarkers, and translate preclinical findings into clinical applications. Addressing the gut-breast axis may offer transformative potential for precision oncology in obesity-driven BC.

Background: Nemolizumab, an anti-IL-31 receptor A antibody, is licensed for atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis; its role in other chronic pruritus (CP) syndromes is uncertain.

Objective: To synthesize efficacy, safety and strength of evidence for nemolizumab in CP beyond these indications. Methods: We conducted a PROSPERO-registered systematic review (CRD420251207054) of databases and trial registries to November 2025 for nemolizumab studies in CP outside AD/PN. Eligible reports were extracted and patients grouped as systemic, neurologic/neurogenic, dermatologic (non-AD) or primary CP/CP of unknown origin.

Results: Seventeen reports (one randomized trial, two cohorts, 14 case series/reports) describing 114 patients were included. In chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus, a phase II hemodialysis trial showed modest, statistically uncertain benefit versus placebo, contrasting with rapid, near-complete relief in dialysis and cholestatic case reports. Uncontrolled data in neuropathic itch/pain syndromes, non-AD inflammatory and papular dermatoses (notably amyloidosis and perforating disorders) and long-standing primary CP/CPUO described complete itch clearance. Across indications, nemolizumab was well tolerated, but certainty was low for CKD-aP and very low for other groups.

Conclusions: Nemolizumab shows plausible antipruritic activity across CP phenotypes, yet the evidence base remains fragile; these signals justify cautious experimental use and prioritize etiology-specific IL-31 receptor blockade trials beyond AD/PN.

Objective: To systematically review and evaluate published risk prediction models for perioperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA).

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception to May 31, 2025. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and applicability using the Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values were pooled via a meta-analysis using Stata 18.0.

Results: d Fourteen studies containing 36 prediction models were included. The incidence of blood transfusion among THA/TKA patients ranged from 3.2% to 30.8%. Preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level, tranexamic acid (TXA) use, operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and age were the most frequently incorporated predictors. Model sensitivity ranged from 58% to 94.5%, and specificity ranged from 71.3% to 94%. Meta-analysis showed that the pooled AUC value of the 13 validated models was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.85-0.90), suggesting good discriminatory performance. All models were rated as having a high risk of bias. The applicability of four studies was rated as unclear.

Conclusion: Although the included studies demonstrated promising discriminative ability of prediction models for blood transfusion in THA/TKA, all were assessed as having a high risk of bias using the PROBAST tool. Therefore, future research should prioritize the development of models with larger sample sizes, rigorous study designs, and multicenter external validation.

Background: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a major depressive disorder recurring in fall and winter due to daytime light deficiency. To investigate underlying mechanisms of SAD, we previously developed a diurnal model using Nile grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus), in which a winter-like dim daylight condition (dimLD) increased depression-like behaviors and neuroinflammation, while attenuating central orexinergic activity compared to grass rats housed in a summer-like bright daylight condition (brLD).

Materials and methods: The present study tested the hypothesis that the behavioral and neuroinflammatory responses induced by the winter-like dimLD condition are due to attenuated central orexinergic output. Male and female grass rats housed in dimLD or brLD received intracerebroventricular orexin A (OXA) or vehicle (aCSF) 6 h every morning for one week while sleep/wakefulness were continuously monitored. A saccharin-solution preference test was performed on the last infusion day to assess anhedonia, followed by brain collection for analyzing neuroinflammatory markers in the medial prefrontal cortex, dorsal hippocampus, and basolateral amygdala.

Results: OXA treatment promoted daytime wakefulness in females, improved nighttime sleep quality in males, and reduced anhedonia in both sexes of dimLD animals to levels comparable to brLD-aCSF controls. Additionally, treating dimLD animals with OXA increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, and reduced pro-inflammatory markers including IL-6, CD11b, and the number and inflammatory morphology of microgliadepending on sex and brain site.

Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that the orexinergic system mediates the effects of ambient light on sleep and affect, and may be a potential therapeutic target in SAD.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and impact of SMARCA4 mutations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: A total of 2,821 patients with NSCLC who underwent next-generation sequencing were retrospectively included. The frequency and types of SMARCA4 mutations and co-mutations were determined, and the clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results: SMARCA4 mutations were identified in 100 samples (3.54%), and 36% were missense mutations. The most frequent co-mutations were TP53 (67%) and EGFR (31%); 13% of SMARCA4 mutations occurred in samples carried EGFR and TP53 mutations. Notably, 63% SMARCA4 mutations did not present druggable driver mutations. SMARCA4 mutations were most prevalent in males and smokers. Patients with SMARCA4 mutant lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and EGFR mutations who received EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) as first-line therapy had a lower objective response rate (ORR, 52.94%). In SMARCA4 mutation and EGFR wild-type (wt) NSCLC cohort who received first-line chemotherapy, age (hazard ratio [HR], 3.090; p = 0.026) and performance score (HR, 5.848; p = 0.045) were identified as independent predictors of progression-free survival (PFS). Conversely, brain metastasis was an independent predictor of superior overall survival (HR, 0.188; p = 0.011). The patients with EGFR wt and SMARCA4 mutant Stage IV LUAD who received chemotherapy plus anti-angiogenic therapy significantly improved median PFS compared to chemotherapy alone (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: SMARCA4 mutations were predominantly males and smokers in NSCLC. SMARCA4 mutations conferred a poorer response for EGFR-mutant LUAD subgroups who received EGFR-TKIs. Additionally, chemotherapy plus anti-angiogenesis as first-line therapy may be more effective for Stage IV-SMARCA4 mutant LUAD with EGFR wt.