Objective To describe the clinical features of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)in China based on a nationwide multicenter patient cohort,and to investigate the risk factors for prognosis.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PSC based on the electronic medical record system of seven grade A tertiary hospitals across the country,and related data were extracted.The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups,and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate liver transplant-free survival,and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival rate between PSC patients with different features.The Cox regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for the prognosis of PSC patients and the interactions between key factors.Results A total of 107 patients were enrolled,among whom 55.6%(55/99)had large-duct PSC and 29.0%(31/107)had comorbidity with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).The positivity rate of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)was 32.9%(24/73),and 50.0%(40/80)of the patients had an increase in IgG/IgM.The median symptom-to-diagnosis interval was 1 year(<1-4.0),and 38.3%(41/107)of the patients had progressed to decompensated cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis.The median liver transplant-free survival time was 114 months(95%confidence interval[CI]:62-166),with a 5-year survival rate of 65.7%.The multivariate analysis showed that an increase in total bile acid(TBA)(hazard ratio[HR]=1.006,95%CI:1.002-1.010,P=0.001)and a prolonged symptom-to-diagnosis interval(HR=1.252,95%CI:1.059-1.480,P=0.009)were independent risk factors for prognosis.The interaction analysis showed that compared with the female patients with TBA<50 μmol/L,both male and female patients with TBA≥50 μmol/L had a significant increase in the risk of liver transplantation or death(male:HR=16.563,95%CI:2.103-130.449,P<0.001;female:HR=17.009,95%CI:2.113-136.934,P<0.001),and compared with the patients with an age of<45 years and a TBA level of<50 μmol/L,the patients with an age of≥45 years and a TBA level of≥50 μmol/L had a significant increase in the risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=10.729,95%CI:1.325-86.859,P=0.026).Compared with the female patients with an symptom-to-diagnosis interval of≤2 years,the male patients with a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of>2 years had an increased risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=4.825,95%CI:1.725-13.644,P=0.003),and compared with the patients with an age of<45 years and a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of≤2 years,the patients with an age of<45 years and a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of>2 years had an increased risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=4.983,95%CI:1.366-18.173,P=0.015).Conclusion Compared with the reports from Western countries,large-duct PSC is also the main type of PSC in China,but with a relatively low proportion,and there is also a relatively low proportion of patients with IBD or positive ANCA.An increase in TBA and a prolonged symptom-to-diagnosis interval are independent risk factors for prognosis,with significant interactions with age and sex.This suggests that early screening and intervention should be enhanced to improve prognosis.

Objective To describe the clinical features of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)in China based on a nationwide multicenter patient cohort,and to investigate the risk factors for prognosis.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PSC based on the electronic medical record system of seven grade A tertiary hospitals across the country,and related data were extracted.The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups,and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate liver transplant-free survival,and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival rate between PSC patients with different features.The Cox regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for the prognosis of PSC patients and the interactions between key factors.Results A total of 107 patients were enrolled,among whom 55.6%(55/99)had large-duct PSC and 29.0%(31/107)had comorbidity with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).The positivity rate of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)was 32.9%(24/73),and 50.0%(40/80)of the patients had an increase in IgG/IgM.The median symptom-to-diagnosis interval was 1 year(<1-4.0),and 38.3%(41/107)of the patients had progressed to decompensated cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis.The median liver transplant-free survival time was 114 months(95%confidence interval[CI]:62-166),with a 5-year survival rate of 65.7%.The multivariate analysis showed that an increase in total bile acid(TBA)(hazard ratio[HR]=1.006,95%CI:1.002-1.010,P=0.001)and a prolonged symptom-to-diagnosis interval(HR=1.252,95%CI:1.059-1.480,P=0.009)were independent risk factors for prognosis.The interaction analysis showed that compared with the female patients with TBA<50 μmol/L,both male and female patients with TBA≥50 μmol/L had a significant increase in the risk of liver transplantation or death(male:HR=16.563,95%CI:2.103-130.449,P<0.001;female:HR=17.009,95%CI:2.113-136.934,P<0.001),and compared with the patients with an age of<45 years and a TBA level of<50 μmol/L,the patients with an age of≥45 years and a TBA level of≥50 μmol/L had a significant increase in the risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=10.729,95%CI:1.325-86.859,P=0.026).Compared with the female patients with an symptom-to-diagnosis interval of≤2 years,the male patients with a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of>2 years had an increased risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=4.825,95%CI:1.725-13.644,P=0.003),and compared with the patients with an age of<45 years and a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of≤2 years,the patients with an age of<45 years and a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of>2 years had an increased risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=4.983,95%CI:1.366-18.173,P=0.015).Conclusion Compared with the reports from Western countries,large-duct PSC is also the main type of PSC in China,but with a relatively low proportion,and there is also a relatively low proportion of patients with IBD or positive ANCA.An increase in TBA and a prolonged symptom-to-diagnosis interval are independent risk factors for prognosis,with significant interactions with age and sex.This suggests that early screening and intervention should be enhanced to improve prognosis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a type of chronic idiopathic liver disease characterized by bile duct inflammation and concentric fibrosis. Currently, no drug therapy can change the natural progression of PSC. The mechanism by which PSC is accompanied by the occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still unclear. Oral antibiotic therapy with vancomycin being the most widely used has been shown to be effective for PSC combined with IBD. This paper analyzes case reports and clinical studies on the use of vancomycin in PSC, with the aim of providing a reference for clinical therapy and in-depth exploration of novel therapeutic directions.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic immune-mediated disease with uncertain causes. Malnutrition in IBD patients, attributed to factors such as inadequate intake, increased consumption, poor absorption, and bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, poses a prevalence of 23%–50%, elevating the risk of readmission and mortality while diminishing quality of life. Therefore, urgent implementation of personalized dietary interventions is crucial for enhancing adherence and rectifying malnutrition in IBD patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic immune-mediated disease with uncertain causes. Malnutrition in IBD patients, attributed to factors such as inadequate intake, increased consumption, poor absorption, and bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, poses a prevalence of 23%–50%, elevating the risk of readmission and mortality while diminishing quality of life. Therefore, urgent implementation of personalized dietary interventions is crucial for enhancing adherence and rectifying malnutrition in IBD patients.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a type of chronic idiopathic liver disease characterized by bile duct inflammation and concentric fibrosis. Currently, no drug therapy can change the natural progression of PSC. The mechanism by which PSC is accompanied by the occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still unclear. Oral antibiotic therapy with vancomycin being the most widely used has been shown to be effective for PSC combined with IBD. This paper analyzes case reports and clinical studies on the use of vancomycin in PSC, with the aim of providing a reference for clinical therapy and in-depth exploration of novel therapeutic directions.

Objective:To deepen understanding of IgG 4-related diseases (RDs), we analyzed the associated lymphocyte subtypes, and explored the pathogenesis and potential immunotherapeutic targets. Methods:Eighty-six patients with IgG 4-RDs were enrolled, and their clinical characteristics, peripheral lymphocyte subtypes, and disease course were analyzed. Results:The mean age of the participants was 36-87(62±11) years; 51 were male (59.3%) and 35 were women (40.7%); and 34.9% had a history of allergy. Follow-up lasted 4.8 (0.4, 14.1) months. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, and submandibular gland and lacrimal gland swelling (each 20.9%). Sixty-five (75.6%) participants had multiple organ involvement, and the most frequently affected organs were the pancreas (52.3%), submandibular gland (51.2%), and lacrimal gland (34.9%). A high eosinophil count; high IgE, IgG, IgG 1, and IgG 4 concentrations; and low complement C3 and C4 concentrations were present in 18.8% (16/85), 30.0% (24/80), 72.9% (62/85), 58.3% (28/48), 89.5% (77/86), 61.2% (52/85), and 50.0% (42/84), respectively, of the participants. In addition, 64.7% (55/85) were positive for autoantibodies, and the most frequent was anti-nuclear antibody (63.5%). The proportion of CD4 +T lymphocytes increased in 25.7% (9/35) of the participants, which was accompanied by an increase in the ratio of CD4 +/CD8 +T lymphocytes (22.9%, 8/35). Importantly, most participants (90.0%, 18/20) had a high proportion of regulatory T (Treg) cells. High interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-10 concentrations were present in 50.0% (11/22), 33.3% (10/30), and 16.7% (5/30), respectively, of the participants. Substantial lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, fibrosis, IgG 4-positive plasma cell infiltration, and lymphoid follicle hyperplasia or ectopic formation were present in 79.2% (42/53), 67.9%(36/53), 35.8%(19/53) and 30.2% (16/53), respectively, of the participants. Fifty-three participants with detailed pathologic data were also further evaluated, of whom 24.5% (13/53), 3.8% (2/53), and 67.9% (36/53) had definite, probable, and possible diagnoses; and 3.8% (2/53) could not be diagnosed. Compared with baseline, the percentage of eosinophils and the IgE, IgG, and IgG 4 concentrations decreased significantly; and the complement C3 and C4 concentrations had increased significantly after 6 months of treatment (all P<0.05). The IgG 4 concentration after 6 months of treatment negatively correlated with that of C4, and positively correlated with the baseline concentration of IgE and the IgG 4/IgG ratio. Conclusion:IgG 4-RDs are a group of diseases characterized by male predisposition; multiple organ involvement; a high eosinophil count; high IgE, IgG, IgG 1, and IgG 4 concentrations; and a low C3 concentration. Peripheral CD4 +T cells and Treg cells are also more abundant. The diseases can be controlled with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs in the majority of instances. The IgG 4 concentration after 6 months of treatment negatively correlates with the baseline complement C4 concentration and positively correlates with the IgE concentration and IgG 4/IgG ratio, which suggests that IgG 4/IgG, IgE, and complement should be closely monitored to evaluate disease activity and the efficacy of treatment in such patients.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli（ETEC）infection can induce watery diarrhea，leading to dehydration，electrolyte disturbance，and even death in severe cases. Recombinant B subunit/inactivated whole-cell cholera（rBS/WC）vaccine is effective in preventing ETEC infectious diarrhea. On the basis of the latest evidence on etiology and epidemiology of ETEC，as well as the effectiveness，safety，and health economics of rBS/WC vaccine，National Clinical Research Center for Child Health（The Children’s Hospital，Zhejiang University School of Medicine）and Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention invited experts to develop expert consensus on rBS/WC vaccine in prevention of ETEC infectious diarrhea. It aims to provide the clinicians and vaccination professionals with guidelines on using rBS/WC vaccine to reduce the incidence of ETEC infectious diarrhea.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of a single hydrogen-methane breath test (SHMBT) for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).Method:The current investigation was a cross-sectional study. Questionnaires and SHMBTs were administered to 162 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (case group) and 69 healthy volunteers (control group). Differences in SHMBT results between the two groups were assessed,and cut-off values of CH 4 (methane) and H 2 (hydrogen) were analyzed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Lastly,archived SHMBT data from 2 655 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (validation set) were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the SHMBT with respect to SIBO. The Chi-square test,the Mann-Whitney U test,Spearman′s Rank correlation analysis,and the Z test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Based on the international recommended diagnostic criteria for SIBO,which are fasting CH 4 ≥10 ppm (parts per million) or H 2 ≥20 ppm,the SHMBT-positive rate in the case group was significantly higher than that of control group (35.2% vs. 21.7%, χ2=4.08, P=0.043). Levels of CH 4 and H 2 were higher in the case group than in the control group [CH 4: 3(2,7) vs. 3(1,3) ppm, H 2: 11(4,22) vs. 10(5,15) ppm],and the difference in CH 4 levels was statistically significant ( Z=6.22, P=0.001). ROC curves were generated based on whether the subjects had gastrointestinal symptoms. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.633 for CH 4 alone,0.531 for H 2 alone, and 0.620 for CH 4 combined with H 2. The cut-off values were fasting CH 4≥4 ppm,fasting H 2≥13 ppm,and fasting CH 4 ≥5 ppm (or CH 4≥4 ppm and H 2≥24 ppm),respectively. Measuring CH 4 alone and CH 4 combined with H 2 was effective for determining the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms ( P<0.05). When CH 4 alone or CH 4 combined with H 2 were used as diagnostic indicators of SIBO, the respective SHMBT-positive rates in the validation set were 34.2% and 30.4%. These rates did not significantly differ from the SIBO-positive rate of 32.0% obtained via the international recommended diagnostic criteria ( P>0.05). The specificity of CH 4 alone was 79.9%,and the accuracy of CH 4 alone was 68.8%. The specificity of CH 4 combined with H 2 was 85.0%,and the accuracy of CH 4 combined with H 2 was 71.7%. Conclusion:Rapid one-time determination of CH 4 and H 2 in exhaled breath may a viable diagnostic method for SIBO, and using CH 4 combined with H 2 ( i.e.,fasting CH 4≥5 ppm, or CH 4 ≥4 ppm and H 2 ≥24 ppm) as cutoff values may be feasible.

Objective:To compare the difference between gas volume score (GVS) method and combination of computed tomography (CT) image and calculation formula method (hereinafter referred to as CT method) in the detection of gastrointestinal gas volume in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients.Methods:From December 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, 27 FD patients (FD group) who visited the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital were enrolled. At the same period, 30 healthy controls were selected from the database of check-up center as the healthy control group. All the participants of the two groups underwent erect plain abdominal X-ray and abdominal CT scan. The GVS and CT methods were used to calculate and compare gastrointestinal gas volume between two groups of patients, as well as patients with FD subtypes (postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), and PDS overlapping with EPS). Independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Results:Based on the GVS method, the gas volume of gastric cavity, small intestine and colorectum of FD group were 0.04±0.01, 0.06±0.01 and 0.06±0.01, respectively; and those of the healthy control group were 0.04±0.01, 0.05±0.01 and 0.05±0.01, respectively. The gas volume of small intestine and colorectum of FD group were higher than those of the healthy control group, and the differences were statistically significant( t=3.48 and 4.40, P=0.001 and <0.001). The gas volume of gastric cavity, small intestine and colorectum of FD patients with subtypes of PDS, EPS, and PDS overlapping with EPS were 0.04±0.01, 0.04±0.01 and 0.05±0.00, 0.06±0.01, 0.06±0.01 and 0.05±0.00, and 0.06±0.01, 0.06±0.01 and 0.06±0.01, respectively. There were no significant difference in the gas volume of gastric cavity, small intestine and colorectum among different subtypes ( all P>0.05 ). Based on the CT method, the gas volume of gastric cavity, small intestine and colorectum of FD group were (17 090.89±4 437.40) mm 3, (32 597.53±7 865.86) mm 3 and (49 010.20±12 972.42) mm 3, respectively; and those of the healthy control group were (13 424.43±5 211.86) mm 3, (33 567.93±9 157.23) mm 3 and (39 036.22±6 343.27) mm 3, respectively. The gas volume of gastric cavity and colorectum of FD group were higher than those of the healthy control group, and the differences were statistically significant( t=2.84 and 3.75, P=0.006 and 0.001). The gas volume of gastric cavity, small intestine and colorectum of FD patients with subtypes of PDS, EPS, and PDS overlapping with EPS were (18 464.03±4 088.57) mm 3, (14 560.97±3 771.26) mm 3 and (16 806.17±4 299.60) mm 3, (31 820.79±7 022.77) mm 3, (30 604.84±8 343.10) mm 3 and (37 140.05±8 276.58) mm 3, and (47 447.66±14 047.00) mm 3, (49 645.73±9 527.73) mm 3 and (51 181.96±16 836.97) mm 3, respectively. The gastric gas volume of FD patients with subtype of PDS was higher than that of FD patients with subtype of EPS, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.24, P=0.038). Conclusions:The volume of gastrointestinal gas of FD patients is higher than that of healthy controls. Gas accumulation in the gastric cavity of FD patients with subtype of PDS is more significant than that of FD patients with subtype of EPS. The CT method may assist physicians in calculating the gas volume in the gastrointestinal tract (especially in stomach) of FD patients more accurately.