Current Research in Medical Sciences

Advances in Machine Learning and Deep Learning Applications for Intracranial/Extracranial Atherosclerotic Plaques and White Matter Hyperintensities

Yimiao Luo — 2025-04-25

Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), as pivotal components of artificial intelligence (AI), are revolutionizing precision medicine through their robust learning capabilities and image recognition functions. These technologies have significantly impacted disease diagnosis, therapeutic evaluation, prognosis prediction, and survival analysis. This review synthesizes recent advances in ML and DL applications for intracranial/extracranial atherosclerotic plaques and white matter hyperintensities (WMH), while critically analyzing current challenges and future directions.

From Energy Dissipation to Information Density: Metabolic Rate in the Geometry of Aging

Jorge Barragán — 2025-05-26

We study the relationship between basal metabolic rate and weight throughout life in humans. Our previous work has yielded tables and graphs with specific data. In this article, we discuss its relationship to the geometry of biological systems. We also address its relationship to the holographic description of biological systems in general. This allows us to approach the fundamentals of the aging process through its determinants: the size, shape, and dimension of living beings.

Historical Concepts of Disconnection in the Pioneering Works of Bleuler and Wernicke

Entela Basha — 2025-05-26

The importance of terminology is a long-debated issue in psychiatry, and the original use of a term might give important clues to the following diagnostic notions and classifications. One of the pioneers of the modern psychiatry, Bleuler, has coined the term schizophrenia while in his extensive writings he speaks about several forms of splitting of the mental processes. Another major contemporary author to him, Wernicke, adopted another position but the final concept (sejunction) was another intriguing form of talking about disrupted mental processes. While considering the historical character of the work of both these renowned physicians, we have tried to lend some more perspective into the initial concepts of disconnection, as the modern neuroscience is calling it.

Synergistic Regulation of LDL Receptor Expression by PCSK9 Inhibitors and Statins: A Molecular Review

Eleanor J. Kim — 2025-05-26

Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is a central mediator of plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) clearance. Statins enhance LDLR expression through SREBP2-mediated transcription but also upregulate proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which targets LDLR for degradation. This feedback mechanism attenuates the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of statins. PCSK9 inhibitors, including monoclonal antibodies and siRNA-based therapies, prevent LDLR degradation and potentiate statin-induced LDLR upregulation. This review summarizes the molecular interplay between statins and PCSK9, explores their dual-axis impact on LDLR density, and evaluates outcome data from major clinical trials such as ODYSSEY, FOURIER, and ORION. The evidence supports a synergistic model wherein co-therapy enables profound LDL-C reduction and cardiovascular risk attenuation. Emerging approaches—including gene editing, antisense oligonucleotides, and integrative lipidomic-guided therapy—suggest a future of increasingly precise and durable modulation of LDLR activity.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Pediatric Medical Surgical Nurses on Breastfeeding: Basis for Capacity Building Plan

Liu Liyue — 2025-05-26

Breastfeeding in pediatric medical-surgical units has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of various complications in hospitalized neonates, including necrotizing enterocolitis, infections, retinopathy of prematurity, and chronic lung disease. Furthermore, breastfeeding lowers both the incidence and mortality rates associated with long-term neurological injuries, making it particularly crucial for vulnerable populations such as preterm infants. Pediatric medical-surgical nurses play an essential role as advocates and facilitators of breastfeeding practices for hospitalized newborns, directly influencing the quality of care provided in these settings. Despite the well-documented benefits of breastfeeding, the lack of standardized management guidelines for neonatal breastfeeding across hospitals has created challenges for nursing staff in both educating families and implementing consistent breastfeeding practices. These inconsistencies may hinder the overall effectiveness of breastfeeding initiatives in improving neonatal health outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pediatric medical-surgical nurses regarding neonatal breastfeeding. By utilizing comprehensive questionnaires, the study assessed the current level of understanding, attitudes toward breastfeeding, and practical application of breastfeeding practices among local pediatric medical-surgical nurses. The findings from this research provided valuable insights into the specific factors that influence nursing practices and guided the development of standardized protocols and training programs. These efforts were intended to improve the implementation of neonatal breastfeeding practices, thereby enhancing health outcomes for hospitalized infants.