Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disease primarily influencing the synovial joints resulting in joint destruction. Systemic manifestations associated with RA have been implicated with recent evidence suggesting a pertinent role of RA in cardiovascular health. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the layer of fat surrounding the heart, has been found to be an emerging diagnostic marker for cardiovascular conditions associated with RA given its role in proinflammatory cytokine release. However, given the novelty of EAT, its utility required further appraisal. This review aims to evaluate the role of EAT as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for cardiovascular involvement in RA and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target to mitigate cardiometabolic risk.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5881.].

The Emergency Department (ED) is a critical, high-stakes environment where timely and accurate assessments of patient outcomes are essential for ensuring optimal care and effective resource management. This narrative review aimed to synthesise current evidence on machine learning (ML)-based predictive models used in the ED to forecast patient outcomes such as mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and discharge probability, whilst identifying key limitations and future research directions.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological cancer. Ferroptosis is a novel type of programmed cell death that is dependent on iron, and mounting evidence suggests that ferroptosis plays an important role in cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate ferroptosis; however, little is known about the involvement of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs (FerlncRNAs) in EC. This study aimed to determine a FerlncRNA-based prognostic signature associated with the overall survival (OS) and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with EC.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with carotid stenosis being a primary contributor. Therefore, stroke prevention would benefit from accessible carotid stenosis screening tools. Historically, acoustic stethoscopes were used to listen to the carotid artery, but this method is now outdated due to its subjectivity and inconsistent sensitivity and specificity in detecting stenosis. In contrast, electronic stethoscopes record audio, enabling precise and objective analysis. To overcome traditional auscultation limitations, our study introduces a signal analysis scheme to evaluate the electronic stethoscope as a potential screening tool for carotid plaques and severe stenosis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-1069.].

It is well known that patients with a pseudocholinesterase (PChE) deficiency will have an initial negative electromyography (EMG) signal during parathyroid surgery. However, the time to return to normal EMG signals in a patient with PChE deficiency who received succinylcholine combined with the common obstacles to EMG monitoring is yet to be described in the literature. Here we present the diagnostic challenges in a patient with unknown PChE deficiency undergoing parathyroidectomy.

At present, surgical bullectomy together with pleurodesis has the highest efficacy in terms of preventing the recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). There is still debate in the type of pleurodesis. In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy of polyglactin mesh covering comparing to the standard surgical pleurodesis.

Hypertension is a widespread global health issue that disproportionately affects certain populations, including self-identified Blacks, the older persons, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and kidney transplant recipients. Hypertension disproportionately affects self-identified Black individuals, with a prevalence of 57.1% compared to 43.6% in non-Hispanic White individuals. This disparity is linked to social determinants of health. Furthermore, APOL1 genetic variants found in self-identified Black individuals increase their susceptibility to kidney injury and CKD, which can subsequently contribute to hypertension. Although in the past thiazide diuretics and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were suggested to be more effective in Black adults, combination therapy is now generally required, with comparable efficacy across populations. In the older persons, hypertension affects approximately 70% of individuals over the age of 65 years, often manifesting as isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). Trials like the SPRINT study (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) have demonstrated the benefits of lowering systolic blood pressure (SBP) to less than 120 mmHg; however, treatment must take into account factors like orthostatic hypotension and frailty. Patients with CKD have a hypertension prevalence of 80-85%. The KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) 2021 guidelines recommend maintaining an SBP of less than 120 mmHg based on the SPRINT trial, although this goal may increase the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers are typically preferred for those with proteinuric CKD. Kidney transplant recipients also experience high rates of hypertension, with approximately 85% affected. The KDIGO 2021 guidelines suggest a blood pressure (BP) target of less than 130/80 mmHg in kidney transplant patients, with a focus on promoting graft survival. Dihydropyridine CCBs and angiotensin receptor blockers are commonly preferred treatments in kidney transplant patients, especially for patients with proteinuric kidney disease. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding the unique challenges and management strategies for hypertension in these specific groups. It examines the prevalence, underlying mechanisms, and treatment considerations while emphasizing the importance of individualized care to achieve optimal BP control and reduce cardiovascular risk.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-4819.].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-3583.].

Diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly type 2 diabetes (T2D), represents a significant global health crisis, often complicated by severe and progressive conditions such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Traditional diagnostic approaches frequently detect these complications at advanced stages, limiting the opportunity for early, effective intervention. This review aims to examine how recent advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), can transform diabetes management by enabling earlier detection and more personalized interventions.

In the United States (US), 80,000 strokes annually are attributed to carotid stenosis among the 140,000,000 people over age 40 years old. More than 300,000 people in the US have severe carotid stenosis. Most of those people have normal cerebral perfusion pressure to each portion of the brain because the circle of Willis (coW) provides collateral connection between the basilar artery and the two carotid arteries. In those cases, a reduction in flow through one carotid artery does not affect brain perfusion. However, about 75,000 people with severe carotid stenosis also have a disconnected coW resulting in a pressure reducing carotid stenosis and regional reduced cerebral perfusion pressure. Currently, in standard medical care, every carotid stenosis is treated aggressively without considering whether the coW is connected. Currently, the 240,000 patients reporting transient ischemic attack (TIA) and 550,000 additional patients suffering unheralded stroke are evaluated for carotid artery stenosis after the event resulting in 160,000 carotid stenoses diagnosed. Fewer than 10,000 strokes are prevented annually by 104,000 carotid revascularizations by endarterectomy or stent. Carotid stenosis contributes to 40,000 cases of cognitive impairment and dementia. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against carotid stenosis screening, although patients might benefit from medical treatment for atherosclerotic artery stenosis. A complete ultrasonic cerebral arterial examination in specialty care includes Doppler measurements from carotid, ophthalmic, and cerebral arteries. Could ophthalmic artery (OA) direction measurement alone in primary care be used for effective screening for pressure reducing carotid stenosis? The aim of this analysis is to determine whether OA flow reversal (OAr) is a specific marker of pressure reducing carotid stenosis indicating elevated risk of preventable stroke and/or cognitive deficit.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven virtual physiotherapy assistants (VPAs) are increasingly adopted in home-based rehabilitation, offering real-time feedback and personalised guidance through wearable sensors. These systems enhance treatment adherence, minimise clinic visits, and improve rehabilitation outcomes. However, challenges such as sensor accuracy, patient engagement, and affordability hinder widespread implementation. This review explores current applications, benefits, and limitations of AI-driven VPAs.

Studies on light-elicited endothelial period circadian regulator 2 (PER2) mediated cardioprotection revealed a critical role of PER2/hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A) regulated endothelial factor ANGPTL4 for endothelial barrier protection during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI). Based on these observations, we deepened our studies on light-elicited cardioprotective mechanisms.

Lymphatic interventional radiology is expanding in scope, with N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) being one of the only embolic materials currently in use. However, it has drawbacks such as catheter adhesion and non-target embolization. Although alternative agents are needed for lymphatic interventions, optimal substitutes remain unclear. This study aimed to develop a rat model to evaluate the efficacy of NBCA combined with Lipiodol and ethanol (NLE), sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS) combined with Lipiodol and air, and ethanol and Lipiodol (EL) in lymphatic interventions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-3345.].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-2717.].