BACKGROUND: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a classic chronic condition with multiple signs of peripheral and central neuropathy. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of PHN is not well defined, limiting clinical treatment and disease management.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the peripheral and central pathological axes of PHN, including peripheral nerve injury, inflammation induction, central nervous system sensitization, and brain functional and structural network activity.
METHODS: A bibliographic survey was carried out, selecting relevant articles that evaluated the characterization of the pathogenesis of PHN, including peripheral and central pathological axes.
RESULTS: Currently, due to the complexity of the pathophysiological mechanisms of PHN and the incomplete understanding of the exact mechanism of neuralgia.
CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to conduct in-depth research to clarify the origins of PHN pathogenesis and explore effective and comprehensive therapies for PHN.

This study aims to use patient feature and catheterization technology feature variables to train the corresponding machine learning (ML) models to predict peripherally inserted central catheters-deep vein thrombosis (PICCs-DVT) and analyze the importance of the two types of features to PICCs-DVT from the aspect of \"input-output\" correlation. To comprehensively and systematically summarize the variables used to describe patient features and catheterization technical features, this study combined 18 literature involving the two types of features in predicting PICCs-DVT. A total of 21 variables used to describe the two types of features were summarized, and feature values were extracted from the data of 1,065 PICCs patients from January 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022, to construct a data sample set. Then, 70% of the sample set is used for model training and hyperparameter optimization, and 30% of the sample set is used for PICCs-DVT prediction and feature importance analysis of three common ML classification models (i.e. support vector classifier [SVC], random forest [RF], and artificial neural network [ANN]). In terms of prediction performance, this study selected four metrics to evaluate the prediction performance of the model: precision (P), recall (R), accuracy (ACC), and area under the curve (AUC). In terms of feature importance analysis, this study chooses a single feature analysis method based on the \"input-output\" sensitivity principle-Permutation Importance. For the mean model performance, the three ML models on the test set are P = 0.92, R = 0.95, ACC = 0.88, and AUC = 0.81. Specifically, the RF model is P = 0.95, R = 0.96, ACC = 0.92, AUC = 0.86; the ANN model is P = 0.92, R = 0.95, ACC = 0.88, AUC = 0.81; the SVC model is P = 0.88, R = 0.94, ACC = 0.85, AUC = 0.77. For feature importance analysis, Catheter-to-vein rate (RF: 91.55%, ANN: 82.25%, SVC: 87.71%), Zubrod-ECOG-WHO score (RF: 66.35%, ANN: 82.25%, SVC: 44.35%), and insertion attempt (RF: 44.35%, ANN: 37.65%, SVC: 65.80%) all occupy the top three in the ML models prediction task of PICCs-DVT, showing relatively consistent ranking results. The ML models show good performance in predicting PICCs-DVT and reveal a relatively consistent ranking of feature importance from the data. The important features revealed might help clinical medical staff to better understand and analyze the formation mechanism of PICCs-DVT from a data-driven perspective.

BACKGROUND: The significance of tumor-secreted cytokines in tumor development has gained substantial attention. Nevertheless, the precise role of tumor-related inflammatory cytokines in prostate cancer (PCa) remains ambiguous.
OBJECTIVE: To gain deeper insights into the inflammatory response in the process of PCa.
METHODS: A total of 233 cases were collected, including 80 cases of prostate hyperplasia as disease control, 65 cases of postoperative prostate cancer and 36 cases of prostate cancer as PCa group. Additionally, 52 patients undergoing physical examinations during the same period were collected as the healthy control. The levels of 12 inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood samples were analyzed using flow cytometric bead array technology. The levels of total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) and free prostate-specific antigen (FPSA) in peripheral blood samples were analyzed using electrochemiluminescence technology.
RESULTS: Our findings revealed significant increases in serum IL-8 levels in PCa group compared to the healthy control group. Additionally, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-12p70 levels were markedly elevated in the PCa group compared to the disease control group (all p < 0.05). Conversely, the level of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A and IFN-α were lower in the PCa group compared to those in control group. Following surgery, the concentration of IL-6 decreased; whereas, the concentrations of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-12p70, and IFN-α increased, demonstrating significant differences (p < 0.05). The differential upregulation of IL-6 or downregulation of IL-17A in peripheral blood exhibited diagnostic efficacy in PCa patients. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in IL-17A levels, accompanied by decreased of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-a, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-12P70 in patients with distant metastasis.
CONCLUSIONS: The peripheral blood cytokines are closely associated with the occurrence and development of prostate cancer, especially the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-17A may be useful as potential predictors of PCa diagnosis.

Epicutaneo-caval catheter (ECC) has been widely used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). ECC line Knots in intravascular is an unexpected complication and has been reported in adults mostly. Few cases reported knot formation during ECC insertion and removal in neonates. In this case, we introduced a spontaneous knot formation during the insertion of the central catheter, which was finally successfully removed.

OBJECTIVE: Low-frequency oscillations (LFOs) observed in the periphery may reflect physiological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate these processes\' effects on LFOs and the differences between healthy subjects and those with peripheral arteriosclerosis disease (PAD).
METHODS: 14 PAD patients and 25 healthy controls were studied in resting (RS) and passive leg raising (PLR) states. We simultaneously measured LFOs at the peripheral left earlobes (LE), right earlobes (RE), left fingertips (LF), right fingertips (RF), left toes (LT), and right toes (RT), along with coherence and phase shift analysis processing.
RESULTS: The coherence coefficients in the PAD group were lower than those in the healthy group (p < .01), and the phase shifts in the PAD group were higher than those in the healthy group (p < .01) in a resting state. Mild to moderate PAD patients had greater coherence coefficients and smaller phase shifts than severe PAD patients. 0.05 Hz PLR LFOs originating in the LT can be observed in other peripheral positions. The proportion of occurrence times for 0.05 Hz PLR LFOs peaks observed at different peripheral positions was different in healthy subjects, patients with bilateral multiple lower limb arteriosclerosis, and those with left or right lower limb arteriosclerosis.
CONCLUSIONS: The coherence coefficient and phase shift characteristics of LFOs were different between healthy subjects and PAD patients. LFOs have the potential to provide valuable physiological process information associated with atherosclerosis in the periphery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a functional clinical nomogram for predicting 8-year overall survival (OS) of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) primary based on peripheral lymphocyte.
METHODS: Using data from a single-institutional registry of 94 patients with PCa in China, this study identified and integrated significant prognostic factors for survival to build a nomogram. The discriminative ability was measured by concordance index (C-index) and ROC curves (Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves). And the predictive accuracy was measured by the calibration curves. Decision curve analyses (DCA) was used to measure the clinical usefulness.
RESULTS: A total of 94 patients were included for analysis. Five independent prognostic factors were identified by LASSO-Cox regression and incorporated into the nomogram: age, the T stage, the absolute counts of peripheral CD3(+)CD4(+) T lymphocytes, CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) NK cells and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the predictive model for 5-, 8-, and 10-year overall survival were 0.81, 0.76, and 0.73, respectively. The calibration curves for probability of 5-,8- and 10-year OS showed optimal agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. The stratification into different risk groups allowed significant distinction. DCA indicated the good clinical application value of the model.
CONCLUSIONS: We developed a novel nomogram that enables personalized prediction of OS for patients diagnosed with PCa. This finding revealed a relative in age and survival rate in PCa, and a more favorable prognosis in patients exhibiting higher levels of CD4 + T, CD4+/CD8 + ratio and CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) NK cells specifically. This clinically applicable prognostic model exhibits promising predictive capabilities, offering valuable support to clinicians in informed decision-making process.

UNASSIGNED: Mycotic subclavian artery aneurysms (SAAs) are a very rare disorder.
UNASSIGNED: To provide an overview of current knowledge on clinical features, management strategies and outcome evaluations of mycotic SAAs.
UNASSIGNED: The study materials were based on comprehensive literature retrieval of publications of mycotic SAAs published between 2000 and 2023.
UNASSIGNED: Contaminated mechanical injuries and abscess erosions of the arterial walls are mechanisms of mycotic SAAs. The diagnosis relies on detection of pathogenic microorganisms by cultures or microbiological investigations of blood, other fluids and infected tissues as well as medical imaging visualization. The indications for an interventional therapy were poor general condition, high surgical risk, and rescue exclusion for a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. Three (9.1%) pre-treatment deaths were a result of sudden rupture of the mycotic SAAs and thus they lost the opportunity of treatment. All post-treatment deaths occurred in the interventional patient group, whereas the causes of death seemed to be unrelated to mycotic SAAs per se or to treatments of choice. Patient outcome evaluations revealed no significant difference between different treatments of choice. No significant predictive risk factors were responsible for patient outcomes.
UNASSIGNED: Once a diagnosis of mycotic SAA is made, sensitive antibacterial drugs are applied immediately to control the infection and control aneurysmal progression. Early treatment is conducted as soon as possible to avoid aneurysmal rupture. A decision on treatment of choice is made based on the patient\'s specific condition. Antibacterial drug use is continued for about 6 weeks after surgical or interventional therapy.

Intracavitary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) guidance is widely used for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement. The P wave variation has rarely been reported in persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). Here, we report a PLSVC case of P wave variation in PICC placement guided by IC-ECG. In this case, the P wave variation of the PLSVC was quite different from that of the right superior vena cava (RSVC). The tip of the catheter was located at the lower segment of the left superior vena cava according to postoperative radiography examination. PICC functioned normally, and no complications occurred.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1149511.].

This study sought to evaluate the impact of the subcutaneous tunneling technique on peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement. We randomized 694 patients who needed PICC placement to either the tunneled PICCs (experimental group) or the non-tunneled PICCs (control group) from August to December 2021. The cumulative frequency of complications was assessed as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes comprised of the amount of bleeding, catheter insertion time, self-reported pain score, and one-puncture success rate. After 6 months of follow-up, the tunneled PICCs group showed a significant decrease in the frequency of total complications, especially in infection (3.0% vs. 7.1%, p = .021) and catheter-related thrombosis (3.3% vs. 8.3%, p = .008), although approximately 0.5 ml bleeding and 3.5 min time were increased. This randomized multicenter study supports the efficacy of subcutaneous tunneling technology in reducing PICC-related complications, enhancing patient comfort, and encouraging using subcutaneous tunneling technology for PICC placement.