Objective To analyze the diagnostic process and clinical characteristics of autoimmune gastritis(AIG)in order to improve the awareness and diagnostic proficiency of this disease.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 114 patients diagnosed with AIG in Army Medical Center of PLA between January 2021 and June 2024.Comprehensive statistical analysis was performed on clinical data,including demographic characteristics(age,sex),clinical symptoms,comorbidities,diagnostic process,Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection and treatment history,laboratory indicators[results of routine blood test,anemia-related indices,thyroid function,anti-parietal cell antibody(APCA),intrinsic factor antibody(IFA)],and gastrointestinal endoscopic findings(frequency and endoscopic features).Results Among the 114 patients,males accounted for 28.1%(32/114)and females for 71.9%(82/114),and they were at a mean age of 56.3±8.4 years.Predominant symptoms included epigastric/upper abdominal pain(47.4%,54/114)and postprandial fullness(43.0%,49/114),while 24.6%(28/114)reported acid reflux or heartburn.Diagnostic delay occurred in 76.4%(87/114)of patients,with a median delay duration of 11.5 months.Primary diagnostic clues were endoscopic reverse gradient atrophy(significantly more severe mucosal atrophy in the gastric corpus/fundus versus antrum;53.5%,61/114)and repeated H.pylori eradication failure(≥2 attempts;22.8%,26/114).Positivity rate of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb)and thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb)was 56.9%(33/58)and 36.2%(21/58),respectively.APCA positive rate was 98.8%(81/82),IFA positive rate was 34.1%(28/82),and dual-antibody rate was 32.9%(27/82).Anemia was present in 25.7%(26/101)of the patients.Gastric neuroendocrine tumors(NET)were found in 12.2%(14/114),intraepithelial neoplasia in 5.3%(6/114),and gastric adenocarcinoma in 0.9%(1/114).Among colonoscopy-examined patients,tubular adenomas occurred in 25.0%(13/52)and colorectal malignancies in 3.4%(2/58).There were 18.4%(21/114)patients having gallbladder-related diseases,7.9%(9/114)having diabetes mellitus,and 1.8%(2/114)of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.Conclusion AIG is frequently associated with diagnostic delay.The reverse pattern of atrophy on endoscopy serves as a critical diagnostic clue,necessitating enhanced recognition in endoscopists.Patients with recurrent H.pylori eradication failure(≥2 attempts)should be evaluated for AIG.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of using the cell-free DNA(cfDNA)carrying tissue-specific mutations as biomarkers for assessing the severity of exercise-induced tissue injury.Methods Based on a public gene expression database,ten tissue-specific and highly-expressed genes were selected for each of ten different human tissues.A total of 34 young healthy volunteers were recruited,and their peripheral blood samples were collected after running 5 km per day for one week.Genomic DNA from leukocytes,plasma exosomal RNA,and plasma cfDNA were extracted and subjected to high-throughput sequencing respectively.Tissue-specific somatic mutations in plasma exosomal RNA were identified,and the relationship between cfDNA carrying these mutations and traditional protein biomarkers was analyzed.Results Tissue-specific cfDNA mutations related to five tissues(myocardium,skeletal muscle,intestine,stomach,and kidney)were detected in more than five volunteers.The correlation coefficients between total plasma cfDNA levels and the levels of tissue-specific protein biomarkers associated with these five tissues were less than 0.3(n=34,r=-0.51-0.28,P=0.0022-0.65).Notably,for each specific tissue,the levels of tissue-specific cfDNA mutations were positively correlated with the corresponding protein biomarker levels,and correlation coefficients were over 0.8(n=7-13,r=0.81-0.92,P=9.0×10-4-0.020).Conclusion Tissue-specific cfDNA mutations may serve as novel potential biomarkers for non-invasive evaluation of exercise-related tissue injury.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of Sechang Zhixie Powder(SCZXS)on mice with acute diarrhea caused by castor oil.Methods The mice were randomly divided into blank control group,model control group,montmorillonite powder group(1.4 g·kg-1),SCZXS-L group(0.9 g·kg-1),SCZXS-M group(1.8 g·kg-1)and SCZXS-H group(3.6 g·kg-1),10 mice in each group.After continuous administration of 7 days,the acute diarrhea model of mice was prepared by oral administration of castor oil(0.01 mL·g-1).The diarrhea of mice was observed within 4 hours of castor oil administration,and the rate of loose stool,degree of loose stool,and diarrhea index were calculated;the levels of DAO,D-LDH,VIP,and SS in the colon were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;The morphological changes in the colon tissue of mice were observed after HE staining and the thicknesses of the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon were quantified;AB-PAS staining was performed to observe the effect on mucin in the colon;and the expression of AQP3,Occludin,and ZO-1 in the colon were quantified by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the model control group,the rate of loose stool,degree of loose stool,and diarrhea index of the mice in the SCZXS groups tended to decrease,but the difference was not statistically significant.Compared with the model control group,the flat luminal surface of the mice in the SCZXS-M and SCZXS-H group were significantly thickened(P<0.01),and the amount of VIP in the colon was significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and that of DAO in the colon was significantly decreased(P<0.01),Occludin and ZO-1 expression were significantly increased(P<0.01),the mucin area ratio was significantly increased(P<0.05)in the SCZXS-M group,and AQP3 expression was significantly increased(P<0.05)in the SCZXS groups.Conclusions SCZXS can improve acute diarrhea induced by castor oil in mice.and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones and AQP3.In addition,SCZXS improves intestinal damage caused by diarrhea and protects the intestinal barrier.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of Sechang Zhixie Powder(SCZXS)on mice with acute diarrhea caused by castor oil.Methods The mice were randomly divided into blank control group,model control group,montmorillonite powder group(1.4 g·kg-1),SCZXS-L group(0.9 g·kg-1),SCZXS-M group(1.8 g·kg-1)and SCZXS-H group(3.6 g·kg-1),10 mice in each group.After continuous administration of 7 days,the acute diarrhea model of mice was prepared by oral administration of castor oil(0.01 mL·g-1).The diarrhea of mice was observed within 4 hours of castor oil administration,and the rate of loose stool,degree of loose stool,and diarrhea index were calculated;the levels of DAO,D-LDH,VIP,and SS in the colon were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;The morphological changes in the colon tissue of mice were observed after HE staining and the thicknesses of the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon were quantified;AB-PAS staining was performed to observe the effect on mucin in the colon;and the expression of AQP3,Occludin,and ZO-1 in the colon were quantified by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the model control group,the rate of loose stool,degree of loose stool,and diarrhea index of the mice in the SCZXS groups tended to decrease,but the difference was not statistically significant.Compared with the model control group,the flat luminal surface of the mice in the SCZXS-M and SCZXS-H group were significantly thickened(P<0.01),and the amount of VIP in the colon was significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and that of DAO in the colon was significantly decreased(P<0.01),Occludin and ZO-1 expression were significantly increased(P<0.01),the mucin area ratio was significantly increased(P<0.05)in the SCZXS-M group,and AQP3 expression was significantly increased(P<0.05)in the SCZXS groups.Conclusions SCZXS can improve acute diarrhea induced by castor oil in mice.and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones and AQP3.In addition,SCZXS improves intestinal damage caused by diarrhea and protects the intestinal barrier.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)positivity in the urban areas of Chongqing and its relationship with age,season,and gender.Methods A total of 4,836 patients who underwent 14C-UBT testing at our hospital from April 2023 to March 2024 were selected.The detection rate of H.pylori and the infection status of H.pylori in different age groups,genders,and seasons were analyzed.Logistic regression analysis was performed on factors related to H.pylori infection identified in the univariate analysis.Results The positive detection rate of H.pylori in the 4,836 subjects was 29.3％,with a higher rate in males than in females,showing a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).The highest positive detection rate of H.pylori was in the summer season,and the peak positivity rate for H.pylori was observed in the 30-39 age group.There was a statistically significant difference in the positive detection rate of H.pylori across seasons and among different age groups(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that gender,age,and season were all influential factors in the outcome of H.pylori infection(P＜0.05).Conclusion The prevalence of H.pylori infection in the urban areas of Chongqing is relatively low,and gender,age,and season are all influential factors for H.pylori infection.

Objective:To investigate the Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection of Tibetan families and individuals in the Western Sichuan Plateau region and explore the related factors which affected H. pylori infection. Methods:This was a single-center cross-sectional study. Questionnaires were collected from 50 Tibetan families including 155 individuals in Western Sichuan Plateau region during March to May 2023. The 13C-urea breath test was performed to confirm the current infection status of participants. Binary logistic regression were used to analyze the related factors associated with H. pylori infection. Results:Among the 50 Tibetan households, the individual-based H. pylori infection rate was 47.10%(73/155), with two out of nine children and 48.63%(71/146) adults infected. The age group of 18 to 40 years had the highest infection rate (55.00%, 11/20). The prevalence of infection based on family was 80.00%(40/50), of which 16.00%(8/50) had all family members infected. Of the 59 couples surveyed, 23.73%(14/59) were both infected, and 45.76%(27/59) had one person infected. Of the six families which had children and adolescents, two households had their children infected. Logistic regression analysis showed that size of the family was a factor related to H. pylori infection (odds ratio=3.038, 95% confidence interval 1.043 to 10.491, P=0.042). Conclusions:The family-based H. pylori infection rate is relatively high in Tibetan residents in the Western Sichuan Plateau, and larger family size is related with higher risk of H. pylori infection within the family.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and adverse reactions of whole-lung low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) in patients with severe/critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:Eight patients with severe/critical COVID-19 treated in the Jiangyin Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University from January to June 2023 who were treated with whole-lung LDRT after deteriorating or failing to improve post-medical treatment were enrolled in this single-arm phase I clinical trial. They received anterior-posterior penetrating radiation in a supine or prone position, with a total dose range from 0.5 to 1.5 Gy and a dose weight ratio of 1∶1. The oxygenation status, inflammatory markers, and imaging changes before and after radiotherapy were analyzed, and patients were followed up for acute radiation-induced adverse reactions.Results:One week after LDRT, the SaO 2/FiO 2 or PaO 2/FiO 2 indices increased in seven patients (87.5%), inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased in seven patients (87.5%), and chest CT/chest radiographs revealed a significant reduction in the extent of pneumonia involvement in 5 patients (62.5%). No evident acute radiation-related adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions:Whole-lung LDRT with a dose range from 0.5 to 1.5 Gy can reduce inflammatory markers, improve clinical symptoms, and promote inflammatory absorption in patients with severe/critical COVID-19 who responded poorly to medical treatment while not inducing acute adverse reactions.

Objective:To explore the clinical features of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) without Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection and its correlation with metabolic syndrome. Methods:From June 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, a total of 966 patients diagnosed with CAG at Army Medical Center of PLA (Chongqing Daping Hospital) were enrolled. All the patients underwent 14C-urea breath test and gastroscopy. The patients were divided into infected group (461 patients with H. pylori-positive CAG) and uninfected group (505 patients with H. pylori-negative CAG). Relevant data including age, body mass index, degree of gastric atrophy (Kimura-Takemoto classification), metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia were collected and compared between the 2 groups. Independent sample t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between relevant indicators and the degree of gastric atrophy in the uninfected group patients. Results:The proportion of patients aged 71 to 80 years old in the uninfected group was higher than that in the infected group (17.0%, 86/505 vs.10.4%, 48/461), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.62, P=0.002). The degree of gastric atrophy was compared between the 2 groups, the proportions of C1 and C2 patients in the uninfected group were higher than those in the infected group (53.5%, 270/505 vs. 46.4%, 214/461; 34.1%, 172/505 vs. 26.24%, 121/461), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.78 and 6.96, both P<0.05). The proportions of patients with metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and obesity in the uninfected group were higher than those in the infected group (31.2%, 20/64 vs.14.8%, 9/61; 33.5%, 62/185 vs. 21.5%, 34/158; 31.3%, 67/214 vs. 7.8%, 36/461; 36.7%, 22/60 vs.19.7%, 12/61), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.77, 6.08, 4.95, and 4.32, all P<0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood glucose, and body mass index were all correlated with the degree of gastric atrophy ( r=-0.15, 0.20, and 0.31, all P<0.05). Conclusion:CAG without H. pylori infection may be related to physiological aging, and the degree of gastric atrophy is C1 and C2, which is related to metabolic syndrome.

Background:There is no comparison of the current status of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection in different ethnic groups in terms of families and their individuals.Aims:To investigated for the first time the status of Hp infection in Tibetan and Han Chinese families at the household level.Methods:A questionnaire was used to investigate factors associated with Hp in 50 Tibetan families in Ya'an,Sichuan Province,and 50 Han Chinese families in Chongqing Municipality.13C-urea breath test was used to detect Hp infection.Results:The individual and household Hp positivity rates of the Tibetan population in southwest China were 47.10%and 80%,which were significantly higher than those of the Han Chinese,which were 27.81%and 58%(P<0.05).However,the difference between Han and Tibetan in individual and household infection rates was not statistically significant.There are differences between Han Chinese and Tibetans in terms of infection status,geography,economic conditions,living habits and levels of hygiene.Infection was concentrated in certain family groups rather than being evenly distributed in the population.Conclusions:The current detection rate of Hp infection in individuals and families of Tibetan residents is significantly higher than that of Han Chinese,while the proportion of infected individuals is not statistically different.Transmission of Hp is characterized by family aggregation.There are differences in infection status,geographical environment,economic conditions,living habits and hygiene levels between Chinese and Tibetan families.

The Ly-6 and uPAR (LU) domain-containing proteins represent a large family of cell-surface markers. In particular, mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1 is a widely used marker for various stem cells; however, its human ortholog is missing. In this study, based on a systematic survey and comparative genomic study of mouse and human LU domain-containing proteins, we identified a previously unannotated human gene encoding the candidate ortholog of mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1. This gene, hereby named LY6A, reversely overlaps with a lncRNA gene in the majority of exonic sequences. We found that LY6A is aberrantly expressed in pituitary tumors, but not in normal pituitary tissues, and may contribute to tumorigenesis. Similar to mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1, human LY6A is also upregulated by interferon, suggesting a conserved transcriptional regulatory mechanism between humans and mice. We cloned the full-length LY6A cDNA, whose encoded protein sequence, domain architecture, and exon-intron structures are all well conserved with mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1. Ectopic expression of the LY6A protein in cells demonstrates that it acts the same as mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1 in their processing and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring to the cell membrane. Collectively, these studies unveil a novel human gene encoding a candidate biomarker and provide an interesting model gene for studying gene regulatory and evolutionary mechanisms.
Humans ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Pituitary Neoplasms/genetics* ; Biomarkers