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Simple Summary: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are widely used in clinical practice and have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, their use is also commonly accompanied by immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and markers that are able to predict the onset of irAEs represent an urgent need. In this study, we found that the baseline level of peripheral CD8+ T lymphocytes was the independent risk factor of the onset of irAEs, and it was associated with longer survival in advanced NSCLC patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Furthermore, the study showed the combinational predictive value of baseline CD8+ T lymphocytes and the onset of irAEs for the clinical outcomes. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy has revolutionized the treatment patterns of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, patients treated with ICIs may experience immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Markers that could predict the onset of irAEs are still unclear. Here, we report the possible correlation of baseline peripheral lymphocytes with irAEs and clinical outcomes in advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs. A total of 109 advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICIs from April 2017 to January 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Logistic and Cox regression analyses was applied to evaluate independent risk factors for irAEs, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Among these patients, 55 (50.5%) patients experienced irAEs. The level of CD8+ T lymphocytes at baseline was the independent risk factor for the onset of irAEs (p = 0.008). A higher level of CD8+ T lymphocytes was associated with longer PFS (11.0 months vs. 3.0 months, p < 0.001) and OS (27.9 months vs. 11.7 months, p = 0.014). Furthermore, patients who had higher baseline CD8+ T lymphocytes and experienced irAEs had a longer PFS (18.4 months vs. 2.2 months, p < 0.001) and OS (32.8 months vs. 9.0 months, p = 0.001) than those who had lower CD8+ T lymphocytes and no irAEs. Our study highlights the value of baseline peripheral CD8+ T lymphocytes as a predictive factor for irAEs in advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs. In addition, patients who have higher baseline CD8+ T lymphocytes and experience irAEs would have a superior PFS and OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare acute severe necrotising infection of the kidneys in clinical practice. It is characterized by the presence of gas in the renal parenchyma, collecting system, or perirenal tissue. The prognosis is poor, with a high nephrectomy rate and a mortality rate of up to 20-40%., Methods: Retrospective analysis of 3 cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis with two different outcomes., Results: Three patients who we described were all female with diabetes mellitus, and their blood sugar was poorly controlled. One patient with the advanced age and poor general health died due to the patient's family choosing to terminate therapy. Two patients underwent surgical procedures achieved an excellent clinical recovery. Both of them underwent percutaneous nephrostomy and perinephric abscess puncture drainage before nephrectomy. Escherichia coli were the microorganisms implicated., Conclusion: EPN is a rare and severe urinary system infection. Computed tomography (CT) and microbiological culture confirmed the diagnosis. Control of diabetes, sensitive antibiotic therapy, fluid resuscitation and prompt surgical intervention are crucial., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zhang, Luo, Tan, Fei, Tang, Li and Lin.)

Background: The role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in Parkinson's disease (PD) has received increasing attention. Although gender differences are known to an essential role in the epidemiology and clinical course of PD, there are no studies on the sex specificity of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development and progression of PD., Methods: Fresh fecal samples from 24 PD patients (13 males, 11 females) were collected for metagenomic sequencing. The composition and function of the gut microbiota were analyzed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Gender-dependent differences in brain ALFF values and their correlation with microbiota were further analyzed., Results: The relative abundance of Propionivibrio , Thermosediminibacter , and Flavobacteriaceae&#95;noname was increased in male PD patients. LEfse analysis showed that Verrucomicrobial , Akkermansiaceae , and Akkermansia were dominant in the males. In female patients, the relative abundance of Propionicicella was decreased and Escherichia , Escherichia&#95;coli , and Lachnospiraceae were predominant. The expression of the sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis pathways was increased in male PD patients and was statistically different from females. Compared to the Male PD patients, female patients showed decreased ALFF values in the left inferior parietal regions, and the relative abundance of Propionivibrio was positively correlated with the regional ALFF values., Conclusion: Our study provides novel clinical evidence of the gender-specific relationship between gut microbiota alterations and brain function in PD patients, highlighting the critical role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in gender differences in PD., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Zhang, Zhai, Yang, He, Wang, Dai, Xue, Yang, Feng and Wang.)