BACKGROUND: The effect of the interval between previous Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and rescue treatment on therapeutic outcomes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between eradication rates and treatment interval durations in H. pylori infections. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2023 at six tertiary hospitals in Shandong, China. We recruited patients who were positive for H. pylori infection and required rescue treatment. Demographic information, previous times of eradication therapy, last eradication therapy date, and history of antibiotic use data were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on the rescue treatment interval length: Group A, ≥4 weeks and ≤3 months; Group B, >3 and ≤6 months; Group C, >6 and ≤12 months; and Group D, >12 months. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori . Drug compliance and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed. Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare eradication rates between groups. RESULTS: A total of 670 patients were enrolled in this study. The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 88.3% (158/179) in Group A, 89.6% (120/134) in Group B, 89.1% (123/138) in Group C, and 87.7% (192/219) in Group D. The per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 92.9% (156/168) in Group A, 94.5% (120/127) in Group B, 94.5% (121/128) in Group C, and 93.6% (190/203) in Group D. There was no statistically significant difference in the eradication rates between groups in either the ITT ( P = 0.949) or PP analysis ( P = 0.921). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of AEs ( P = 0.934) or drug compliance ( P = 0.849) between groups. CONCLUSION: The interval duration of rescue treatment had no significant effect on H. pylori eradication rates or the incidence of AEs. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05173493.
Humans ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

BACKGROUND: The profile and clinical significance of the oral microbiome in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (noHCM) and obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) remain unexplored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference of oral microbiome between noHCM and oHCM patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 18 noHCM patients and 26 oHCM patients from Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between 2020 and 2021. Clinical and periodontal evaluations were conducted, and subgingival plaque samples were collected. Metagenomic sequencing and subsequent microbial composition and functional analyses were performed. RESULTS: Compared to oHCM patients, those with noHCM had higher systolic blood pressure (138.1 ± 18.8 mmHg vs . 124.2 ± 13.8 mmHg, P = 0.007), a larger body circumference (neck circumference: 39.2 ± 4.0 cm vs . 35.1 ± 3.7 cm, P = 0.001; waist circumference: 99.7 ± 10.5 cm vs . 92.2 ± 10.8 cm, P = 0.027; hip circumference: 102.5 ± 5.6 cm vs . 97.5 ± 9.1 cm, P = 0.030), a greater left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (46.6 ± 4.9 mm vs . 43.1 ± 4.9 mm, P = 0.026), and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (64.1 ± 5.7 % vs . 68.5 ± 7.8%, P = 0.048). While overall biodiversity and general microbial composition were similar between the noHCM and oHCM groups, ten taxa displayed significant differences at the genus and species levels, with Porphyromonas gingivalis showing the highest abundance and greater enrichment in noHCM (relative abundance: 7.79535 vs . 4.87697, P = 0.043). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis identified ten distinct pathways, with pathways related to energy and amino acid metabolism being enriched in oHCM patients, and those associated with genetic information processing less abundant in the oHCM group. Metabolic potential analysis revealed ten significantly altered metabolites primarily associated with amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, porphyrin metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversion, and lysine degradation. CONCLUSIONS The higher abundance of Porphyromonas gingivalis , which is known to impact cardiovascular health, in noHCM patients may partially account for clinical differences between the groups. Pathway enrichment and metabolic potential analyses suggest microbial functional shifts between noHCM and oHCM patients, potentially reflecting inherent metabolic changes in HCM.
Humans ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/microbiology* ; Female ; Male ; Microbiota/genetics* ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adult ; Mouth/microbiology* ; Aged

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that predominantly affects the central face. It can impair appearance and cause various discomforts, thus negatively impacting patients' physical and mental well-being as well as their quality of life. Its pathophysiological mechanisms involve multiple factors. Studies have confirmed that ultraviolet radiation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of rosacea, affecting skin tissues, cells, DNA, and proteins, and inducing oxidative damage. Ultraviolet can lead to the occurrence and development of rosacea by up-regulating the expression of LL-37, matrix metalloproteinase, vascular endothelial growth factor, and reactive oxygen species, and influence their interactions, thereby triggering inflammatory responses, altering the dermal matrix, and promoting capillary dilation and neovascularization, which contribute to the onset and progression of rosacea. Exploring the role of ultraviolet in the pathogenesis of rosacea can provide new strategies for protection and treatment, and enhance awareness of ultraviolet protection among patients with rosacea.
Humans ; Rosacea/metabolism* ; Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects* ; Cathelicidins ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/metabolism* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Skin/metabolism*

Avian influenza H10N3 is a type of avian influenza virus that can occasionally infect humans and cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). On December 25, 2024, a 23-year-old obese female patient with H10N3 avian influenza complicated with severe ARDS was admitted to the Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning. The patient was transferred to our department due to "fever, cough, and shortness of breath for 13 days". Physical examination revealed moist rales in bilateral lungs. Chest imaging showed large areas of ground-glass opacity and consolidation in both lungs. Based on the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings, she was diagnosed with human infection of H10N3 avian influenza, severe pneumonia, and severe ARDS. Supported by mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), daily monitoring of airway peak pressure, plateau pressure (Pplat), driving pressure (ΔP), and lung compliance was performed to guide the adjustment of tidal volume (VT) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during invasive mechanical ventilation. Medications including anti-avian influenza virus agents, antibacterial drugs, and antifungals were administered. Eventually, the patient's condition improved gradually, and she was successfully weaned from ECMO. No ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) related to ARDS occurred during ECMO support. However, during the final stage of ventilator weaning after the restoration of spontaneous breathing, a right pneumothorax occurred. Closed thoracic drainage was performed, after which the ventilator was successfully discontinued. The patient was successfully transferred out of the intensive care unit (ICU), recovered fully, and was discharged from the hospital. In the invasive mechanical ventilation management of patients infected with H10N3 avian influenza complicated by ARDS, monitoring airway peak pressure, Pplat, ΔP, and assessing pulmonary compliance may facilitate more standardized management of such ARDS patients and help reduce VILI.
Humans ; Female ; Influenza, Human/complications* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/complications* ; Respiration, Artificial/methods* ; Obesity/complications* ; Young Adult ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Influenza A virus

OBJECTIVE To provide reference for basic analysis of the pharmacodynamic substance in Stahlianthus involucratus. METHODS Overall 24 SD male rats were randomly divided into blank group （purified water）， and administration group （ethanol extract of S. involucratus， 15.75 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， with 12 rats in each group. They were given drug liquid/purified water intragastrically， twice a day， every 6-8 h， for consecutive 3 days. After medication， the blood， urine and fecal samples were collected from two groups of rats. UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS technology was used to identify the chemical constituents in the ethanol extract of S. involucratus， and metabolites in the blood， urine and fecal of rats after intragastrical administration of the ethanol extract of S. involucratus. Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to screen various serum metabolites. Metabolic pathways were analyzed by MetaboAnalyst 5.0 platform. RESULTS A total of 38 chemical constituents were identified from the ethanol extract of S. involucratus， including fourteen prototype components and three metabolites identified from 5 urine samples， nine prototype components identified from fecal samples， and ten prototype components and one metabolite identified from serum samples. A total of 71 differential metabolites were screened from two groups of rat serum samples， of which 44 differential metabolites， such as ferulic acid， glycyrrhizin， were up-regulated and 27 differential metabolites， such as arachidonic acid， phenylacetylglutamine， were down-regulated. The 71 differential metabolites were mainly enriched in 11 metabolic pathways， including phenylalanine metabolism， linoleic acid metabolism， arachidonic acid metabolism， and tryptophan metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Ferulic acid， liquiritigenin， isofraxidin and formononetin may be the material basis that directly exert pharmacological effects of S. involucratus. S. involucratus may exert anti-inflammatory effects by affecting metabolic pathways， including arachidonic acid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism.

Population pharmacokinetics is a research technique based on computer simulation and data analysis, and it has been employed to investigate the dynamic behavior of drug metabolism in different populations. This approach could address practical challenges such as prolonged clinical trial durations, high costs, and increased difficulty in traditional clinical trials. By comprehensively analyzing differences in the internal drug metabolism processes across populations with varying physiological and pathological conditions, population pharmacokinetics has emerged as an effective method to optimize drug development and clinical applications. This article provides a preliminary overview of the essence of population pharmacokinetics, its application in clinical trials, and potential future trends. We hope to serve as a reference and guidance for the application of new technologies and methods in clinical trials.

Objective:To summarize the incidence of cerebral venous reflux (CVR) in patients with recent small subcortical infarct (RSSI) and explore its correlation with enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS).Methods:Patients with RSSI in the lenticulostriate artery admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to December 2022 were included. The baseline demographic data, medical history, and laboratory results of the patients were collected. CVR was assessed by time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on the presence (CVR group) or absence of CVR (non-CVR group), and baseline characteristics as well as laboratory test results were compared between the 2 groups. The location and number of EPVS were evaluated using a visual grading scale, with EPVS with higher scores defined as high-grade EPVS (HEPVS). Simultaneous evaluation of cerebral white matter hyperintensities and lacunar infarctions was conducted, followed by intergroup comparisons. The relationship between EPVS and CVR was studied using multiple Logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 571 patients with RSSI in the lentiform artery area were ultimately included, including 180 females (31.5%). Their age was (59.37±12.87) years. Among them, 73 patients (12.8%) exhibited CVR based on imaging findings, so the incidence of CVR was 12.8%. In comparison between the CVR group ( n=73) and the non-CVR group ( n=498), the proportion of females [21.9% (16/73) vs 32.9% (164/498), χ 2=3.578, P=0.059] was lower and the proportion of history of smoking [38.4% (28/73) vs 27.7% (138/498), χ 2=3.499, P=0.061] was higher in the CVR group, but without statistical significance. Additionally, the history of alcohol consumption [34.2% (25/73) vs 21.7% (108/498), χ 2=5.621, P=0.018] and the proportion of patients with concomitant HEPVS in the basal ganglia area [41.1% (30/73) vs 25.3% (126/498), χ 2=7.999, P=0.005] was higher in the CVR group with statistical significance. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that HEPVS in the basal ganglia region remained independently associated with CVR ( OR=1.988, 95% CI 1.190-3.320, P=0.009). Conclusion:EPVS in the basal ganglia region is significantly associated with CVR in the RSSI population, suggesting that venous dysfunction may be closely related to the formation of EPVS.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Taohong Siwutang （TSD） on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury （MIRI） in ovariectomized （OVX） female mice. MethodAfter the OVX model of female mice was established， the estradiol （E₂） level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） to verify the model. Sixty OVX mice were randomly divided into six groups： Sham operation group， model group， low， medium， and high dose groups （9， 18， 36 g·kg^-1） of TSD， and nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） inhibitor group， with 10 mice in each group. The MIRI model was verified by a laser speckle flowmeter. The pathological changes in myocardial tissue were detected by 2，3， 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum creatine kinase isoenzyme （CK-MB）， cardiac troponin Ⅰ （CTnⅠ）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） levels were detected by ELISA. The expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） were observed by immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， apoptotic B-cell lymphomato-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， inflammatory cytokines interleukin-18 （IL-18）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the serum levels of CK-MB， CTnⅠ， MDA， and IL-6 in the model group were increased （P<0.01）， and the levels of SOD and IL-10 were decreased （P<0.01）. The damage scores of TTC and HE staining in myocardial tissue were increased （P<0.01）. The expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in myocardial tissue by immunofluorescence were decreased （P<0.01）， and the protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 in myocardial tissue were decreased. The protein expressions of Bax， IL-18， and IL-1β were increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， serum levels of CK-MB， CTnⅠ， MDA， and IL-6 of TSD groups were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and SOD and IL-10 were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. TTC staining and HE staining damage scores of myocardial tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in myocardial tissue by immunofluorescence were increased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and those of Bax， IL-18， and IL-1β were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The effect of the high dose group of TSD was the most significant. The serum levels of CK-MB， CTnⅠ， MDA， and IL-6 in the Nrf2 inhibitor group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the levels of SOD and IL-10 were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The damage scores of TTC and HE staining in myocardial tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in myocardial tissue by immunofluorescence were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 in myocardial tissue were significantly decreased， and those of Bax， IL-18， and IL-1β were significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionTSD can alleviate MIRI in OVX mice， reduce oxidative stress response and the release of inflammatory factors， and inhibit apoptosis， playing a protective role in OVX mice with MIRI， which may be related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Objective Two-sample Mendelian randomization(TSMR)method was used to explore the potential causal association between Hashimoto thyroiditis(HT)and primary biliary cholangitis(PBC).Methods The genome-wide association study(GWAS)data of HT and PBC from different research sources were obtained through the IEU OpenGWAS project database.Taking HT as the exposure factor and PBC as the outcome,single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)significantly associated with exposure factor were selected as the instrumental variables(IVs),and inverse-variance weighed(IVW)was used as the main analysis method to explore the potential causal relationship between HT and PBC.Additionally,multiple sensitivity analyses such as heterogeneity test and horizontal multiple effect test were employed to evaluate the robustness and consistency of the findings.Results The results of random-effects inverse-variance weighted(rIVW)method indicated a significant association between HT and the development of PBC(OR=1.853,95％CI 1.241-2.768,P=0.003),and the results of the other four MR methods based on different assumptions were similar to the rIVW.Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were not affected by horizontal pleiotropy,and the robustness of the results was confirmed by leaving-one test.Reverse MR analysis,due to the presence of horizontal pleiotropy and failure to meet the criteria of the MR Egger test,could not establish a reverse causality of PBC on HT.Conclusions HT may be a risk factor for the occurrence of PBC,and there is no evidence to support reverse causality.This may potentially offer novel insights into the pathogenesis of both diseases,thereby providing avenues for further research,as well as clues for the prevention and treatment of these two conditions.