Primary biliary cholangitis （PBC） is a cholestatic autoimmune liver disease characterized by the injury of small intrahepatic bile ducts， and at present， the pathogenesis of PBC remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that bile acid metabolism disorder and gut microbiota imbalance play a key role in the development and progression of PBC， and they form a complex and dynamic interaction network via the “gut-liver axis” and regulate core physiopathological processes such as immune response， metabolic homeostasis， and inflammatory response in a synergistic manner. This article systematically elaborates on the abnormal features of bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota in PBC， discusses their synergistic mechanisms in PBC， and then proposes a combined strategy of targeting bile acid receptors and modulating gut microbiota， in order to overcome the limitations of current treatment modalities and provide new insights and directions for the clinical management of PBC.

Objectives: Osteoporosis is a silent disease with low screening rates in many developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system to screen osteoporosis from pelvic and hip radiographs in Vietnam. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at a tertiary medical center in Central Vietnam in 2023. A total of 2000 consecutive pelvic and hip radiographs from patients aged ≥ 40 years were collected. After excluding poorquality images, 1987 radiographs were analyzed using an AI-based software designed to estimate bone mineral density (BMD) from plain radiographs and derive T-scores. Osteoporosis was defined as a T-score ≤ − 2.5. Patient characteristics, radiographic findings, and risk factors for osteoporosis were analyzed. Results: Among 1987 patients (mean age 66.4 ± 15.1 years; 41.3% men), osteoporosis was identified in 872 patients (43.9%). The prevalence increased with age and was higher in women than in men (58.7% vs 22.8%, P < 0.001). Osteoporosis was associated with femoral neck (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.7–5.2) and intertrochanteric fractures (OR = 7.0, 95% CI: 4.5–11.0). Patients with lower T-scores had a higher risk of hip fractures, especially those with T-scores ≤ − 3.0 (OR = 11.5, 95% CI: 5.5–24.5). Conclusions AI-based analysis of pelvic and hip radiographs is a feasible and effective tool for osteoporosis screening in Vietnam. The prevalence of osteoporosis in this hospital-based setting was high, particularly among elderly women.AI-assisted screening may offer an accessible strategy for early detection of osteoporosis in resource-limited settings.

Purpose: Metastatic rectal cancer (mRC) is a highly lethal and complex disease that demands a multidisciplinary treatment approach. However, the clinical effectiveness of radiotherapy (RT) for de novo mRC remains controversial and uncertain. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined medical records from Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for patients with histologically confirmed de novo mRC diagnosed between January 2015 and December 2020. All patients received standard systemic therapy and radical surgery when feasible. The primary outcome, overall survival (OS), was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable analysis was performed using a Cox regression model. Results: Among 271 patients included in the analysis, 117 received RT and 154 did not. The median OS was significantly longer in the RT group compared with the non-RT group (27.8 months vs. 21.9 months; P=0.046). Multivariate analysis identified several independent predictors of OS: age ≥65 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–2.27; P=0.001), primary tumor resection (HR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.90–3.61; P<0.001), M1b or M1c disease (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.44–2.69; P<0.001), and receipt of RT (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02–1.94; P=0.036). Conclusion RT significantly improves OS in patients with mRC, underscoring its role in treatment strategies. These findings support its inclusion in therapeutic protocols and highlight the need for larger, multicenter trials to confirm and extend these results.

Objective: To explore the relationship between snack consumption and depressive symptoms in first year junior high school students with different left behind experiences in Yunnan Province, so as to provide a basis for improving depressive symptoms among first year junior high school students with different left behind experiences. Methods: From October to December 2022,a cluster random sampling method was used to select 8 500 first year junior high school students from 11 ethnic minority areas (Fugong County, Longling County, Longyang District, Luchun County, Mojiang County, Nanjian County, Qiaojia County, Shuangjiang County, Tengchong City, Yuanmou County, Zhenyuan County) in Yunnan Province for a questionnaire survey. The Chinese version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 was applied to assess depressive symptoms in first year junior high school students, and snack consumption was collected by employing food frequency questionnaire. The generalized linear model was used to analyze the association between first year junior high school students snack consumption and depressive symptoms, and the analysis was stratified according to left behind experience. Results: The detection rates of depressive symptoms among firstyear junior high school students with and without left behind experience were 36.25% and 26.91%, respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, the generalized linear model analysis showed that sweet snacks ( β=0.16, 95%CI =0.07-0.25), fast food ( β=0.14, 95%CI =0.04-0.23) and carbonated drinks ( β=0.09, 95%CI =0.01-0.17) of first year junior high school students with left behind experience (all P <0.05). Compared with those without such behavior, the risk of depressive symptoms was higher in consumption of fast food ( β=0.13, 95%CI =0.07-0.18) and carbonated drinks ( β=0.10, 95%CI =0.06-0.15)among first year junior high school students without left behind experience (both P <0.05). Conclusion Snack consumption among first year junior high school students in Yunnan may increase the risk of developing depressive symptoms, while first year junior high school students with left behind experience may have a greater risk of developing depressive symptoms.

Background: Patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and an interrupted aortic arch (IAA) may present with small mitral valves (MVs) and a reduced left ventricular (LV) volume. Biventricular repair (BVR) in these patients is dependent on adequate size of the left cardiac structures.Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of the hemodynamic characteristics of atrial septal defects (ASDs) on MV growth following surgical repair. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients diagnosed with CoA or IAA between 2007 and 2024. The z score for MV size measured 6 months postoperatively (Z2) was compared with the preoperative MV size (Z1). The factors associated with MV growth were also studied. Results: A total of 161 patients with CoA or IAA were included. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess the MV and LV dimensions preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Of the cohort, 155 (96.3%) underwent initial BVR and 6 underwent single-ventricle palliation. MV z scores significantly increased following BVR (mean change: +0.45±1.35; P<0.001) but decreased after single-ventricle repair (-0.56±0.49, P=0.04). Multivariate analysis identified the initial MV z score and ASD pressure gradient as independent predictors of MV growth (R2=0.39). Conclusion Annular growth of the MV was not observed in patients who underwent single-ventricle palliation. In contrast, among patients who achieved BVR, those with a small preoperative MV annulus and low ASD pressure gradient demonstrated subsequent catch-up MV growth, suggesting that adequate left-sided preload is essential for MV development.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between long-term glycemic control and cerebral infarction risk in patients with diabetes through a large-scale cohort study. METHODS: This prospective, community-based cohort study included 12,054 patients with diabetes. From 2006 to 2012, 38,272 fasting blood glucose (FBG) measurements were obtained from these participants. FBG trajectory patterns were generated using latent mixture modelling. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess the subsequent risk of cerebral infarction associated with different FBG trajectory patterns. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age of the participants was 55.2 years. Four distinct FBG trajectories were identified based on FBG concentrations and their changes over the 6-year follow-up period. After a median follow-up of 6.9 years, 786 cerebral infarction events were recorded. Different trajectory patterns were associated with significantly varied outcome risks (Log-Rank P < 0.001). Compared with the low-stability group, Hazard Ratio ( HR) adjusted for potential confounders were 1.37 for the moderate-increasing group, 1.23 for the elevated-decreasing group, and 2.08 for the elevated-stable group. CONCLUSION Sustained high FBG levels were found to play a critical role in the development of ischemic stroke among patients with diabetes. Controlling FBG levels may reduce the risk of cerebral infarction.
Humans ; Cerebral Infarction/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Blood Glucose/analysis* ; Fasting/blood* ; Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Diabetes Mellitus/blood* ; Adult ; Proportional Hazards Models

Objective To explore the mechanism of Angong Niuhuang pill on the neurological function of rats with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage based on the tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB(TNF-α/NF-κB)signaling pathway combined with network pharmacology.Methods The targets for treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage with Angong Niuhuang pill were obtained using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),High-Throughput Experiment and Refeence-guided Database of Traditional Chinese Medicine(HERB).Key targets were screened for Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis and molecular docking.Then,rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,Angong Niuhuang pill group(administered by gavage at 270 mg·kg-1·d-1),and the Western medicine group(intraperitoneal injection of 4 500 mg·kg-1·d-1+furosemide 1.8 mg·kg-1·d-1),the dosage administered was the equivalent dose ratio calculated based on the body surface area for humans and animals.The intracerebral hemorrhage model was replicated by the autologous heart blood caudate nucleus injection method.After modeling,the neurological function behavior scores,brain tissue water content,pathological changes of brain tissue,blood-brain barrier permeability,and protein expression levels of NF-κB p65,tumor necrosis factor receptor 1(TNFR1),inhibitor NF-κBα(IκBα)and TNF-α in brain tissue of each group were observed.Results A total of 216 intersection genes were selected.The results of GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway annotation analysis predicted that the TNF-α/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway was one of the main regulatory pathways.The animal experiment results showed that at 72 hours after modeling,compared with the model group,the neurological function score,brain tissue water content,and blood-brain barrier permeability index evans blue(EB)content of the Angong Niuhuang pill group were significantly decreased[neurological function score:1.62±0.62 vs.2.23±0.58,brain water content:(77.7±0.49)%vs.(79.9±0.04)%,EB content(μg/L):490.50±100.79 vs.1 966.20±94.81,all P<0.05];the pathological observation of brain tissue showed that Angong Niuhuang pill could reduce the pathological damage of brain tissue around the hematoma,repair the blood-brain barrier,and alleviate brain edema;the Western blotting results showed that Angong Niuhuang pill could inhibit the protein expression of TNF-α,TNFR1,and NF-κB p65 in brain tissue[NF-κB p65 protein expresion(NF-κB p65/β-actin):2.27±0.52 vs.5.40±0.26;TNFR1 protein expression(TNFR1/β-actin):1.49±0.33 vs.2.52±0.04,TNF-α protein expression(TNF-α/β-actin):1.40±0.13 vs.2.29±0.18,all P<0.05],promote the protein expression of IκB-α(IκB-α/β-actin):0.78±0.02 vs.0.32±0.00,P<0.05).Conclusion Angong Niuhuang pill may regulate the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of TNFR1 and promoting the expression of IκB-α,exerting neuroprotective effects.

Objective:To explore the correlation between the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio during pregnancy and the onset of gestational metabolic syndrome (GMS), as well as its association with pregnancy outcomes.Methods:Clinical data of 153 pregnant women diagnosed with GMS in the third trimester admitted to Women′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 (observation group) were collected, and data of 153 healthy pregnant women (control group) were randomly selected for a comparative study. Indicators of the two groups were observed and compared. Multiple linear regression and restricted cubic spline analysis were used to analyze the correlation between TC/HDL-C in the first and second trimesters and metabolic indicators in the third trimester and GMS risk, respectively. According to the pregnancy outcomes of GMS pregnant women with different TC/HDL-C ratios, the association between TC/HDL-C ratio and preterm birth subtypes was analyzed.Results:There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, gestational week, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), weight gain during pregnancy, abdominal circumference in the third trimester, whether to deliver vaginally, history of preterm birth, history of cesarean section, history of abortion, neonatal birth weight, and neonatal length (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in blood pressure and BMI between the two groups in the second and third trimesters (all P<0.01). In the first trimester (gestational week <14 weeks), there were statistically significant differences in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C ratio between the two groups (all P<0.05). In the second trimester (gestational weeks 14-27) and third trimester (gestational week ≥28 weeks), the levels of FPG, fasting insulin (FINS), triglyceride (TG), TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and TC/HDL-C ratio in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, while HDL-C was lower (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in postpartum abnormal blood pressure, abnormal BMI, abnormal glucose metabolism, and abnormal lipid metabolism (all P<0.05). After adjusting for age, gestational week, and BMI, first-trimester TC/HDL-C ratio was correlated with third-trimester FPG, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, TG, TC, and HDL-C (all P<0.05); second-trimester TC/HDL-C ratio was correlated with third-trimester FPG, FINS, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C (all P<0.05), and both were linearly related to third-trimester GMS risk ( Pfor trend<0.01). The TC/HDL-C ratio was positively correlated with the preterm birth rate ( RR>1). Conclusions:An increased TC/HDL-C ratio is closely related to the occurrence of GMS, which is prone to cause preterm birth and affect fetal growth and development.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of two-point localized injection of the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle combined with pan-platysma microbotox injection of botulinum toxin type A for improving the aesthetic of mouth corner.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from patients who received concomitant DAO localized injection and pan-platysma microbotox of botulinum toxin type A for improving drooping mouth corners at the Facial and Neck Plastic Surgery Center and the Limb and Scar Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, between December 2022 and June 2025. Botulinum toxin type A was reconstituted to two concentrations: 40 U/ml and 20 U/ml for the combined injection. Patients were instructed to repeatedly perform upward puckering motions to identify the trapezoidal outline of the DAO muscle. Two injection points were uniformly marked slightly medial to the midline of the DAO muscle for dual-target injection (1.5 U each at the middle one-third and lower one-third of the muscle belly). The pan-platysma microbotox for the platysma muscle extended superiorly to a line parallel and 3-4 cm above the mandibular border, innerly to 1 cm beyond the lateral edge of the DAO muscle, inferiorly to the submental area and the anterior neck region above the clavicle, and laterally to the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The injection dose was 0.6 U per point, with 1 cm spacing between points, administered at the superficial subcutaneous layer. Complications were recorded. At 1-month postoperatively, efficacy was evaluated using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS, scores ranging from 5 to 1, representing "much worse" to "very much improved" ) and subjective patient satisfaction (categorized as very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied; satisfaction rate was calculated as the percentage of patients reporting very satisfied or satisfied among the total). Patients’ willingness to receive the same treatment in the future was also surveyed. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.Results:A total of 21 patients were included (1 male, 20 females), with a mean age of (37.1±3.2) years (range: 34-45 years). The treatment procedures were successful. Post-treatment, 4 cases experienced pain and swelling, 8 had neck ecchymosis, and 1 had temporary asymmetry in mouth corner movement, all of which resolved within 2 weeks. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 6 months (mean: 1.4 months). At short-term follow-up (4-6 weeks after treatment), patients reported a skin "tightening" sensation in the lower face and neck region, noting significant improvement in lower facial and neck contour, sharper bilateral jawlines, and reduced neck wrinkles. Drooping mouth corners were improved. The satisfaction survey showed that 17 patients were "very satisfied" and 5 were "satisfied", resultsing in a subjective satisfaction rate of 100%. Nineteen patients (90.5%) expressed willingness to undergo repeat treatment. The mean GAIS score was 1.45±0.69, with 14 patients achieving "very much improved", 5 patients "much improved", and 2 patients "improved" .Conclusion:The combination of two-point localized injection of the DAO muscle and pan-platysma microbotox injection of botulinum toxin into the platysma muscle effectively improve the aesthetic of mouth corners and lower facial contour through synergistic middle and superficial layer treatment. This approach aligns with anatomical and physiological merits and offers advantages such as minimal invasiveness and rapid recovery, making it applicable for patients with early signs of lower facial aging.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of two-point localized injection of the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle combined with pan-platysma microbotox injection of botulinum toxin type A for improving the aesthetic of mouth corner.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from patients who received concomitant DAO localized injection and pan-platysma microbotox of botulinum toxin type A for improving drooping mouth corners at the Facial and Neck Plastic Surgery Center and the Limb and Scar Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, between December 2022 and June 2025. Botulinum toxin type A was reconstituted to two concentrations: 40 U/ml and 20 U/ml for the combined injection. Patients were instructed to repeatedly perform upward puckering motions to identify the trapezoidal outline of the DAO muscle. Two injection points were uniformly marked slightly medial to the midline of the DAO muscle for dual-target injection (1.5 U each at the middle one-third and lower one-third of the muscle belly). The pan-platysma microbotox for the platysma muscle extended superiorly to a line parallel and 3-4 cm above the mandibular border, innerly to 1 cm beyond the lateral edge of the DAO muscle, inferiorly to the submental area and the anterior neck region above the clavicle, and laterally to the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The injection dose was 0.6 U per point, with 1 cm spacing between points, administered at the superficial subcutaneous layer. Complications were recorded. At 1-month postoperatively, efficacy was evaluated using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS, scores ranging from 5 to 1, representing "much worse" to "very much improved" ) and subjective patient satisfaction (categorized as very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied; satisfaction rate was calculated as the percentage of patients reporting very satisfied or satisfied among the total). Patients’ willingness to receive the same treatment in the future was also surveyed. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.Results:A total of 21 patients were included (1 male, 20 females), with a mean age of (37.1±3.2) years (range: 34-45 years). The treatment procedures were successful. Post-treatment, 4 cases experienced pain and swelling, 8 had neck ecchymosis, and 1 had temporary asymmetry in mouth corner movement, all of which resolved within 2 weeks. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 6 months (mean: 1.4 months). At short-term follow-up (4-6 weeks after treatment), patients reported a skin "tightening" sensation in the lower face and neck region, noting significant improvement in lower facial and neck contour, sharper bilateral jawlines, and reduced neck wrinkles. Drooping mouth corners were improved. The satisfaction survey showed that 17 patients were "very satisfied" and 5 were "satisfied", resultsing in a subjective satisfaction rate of 100%. Nineteen patients (90.5%) expressed willingness to undergo repeat treatment. The mean GAIS score was 1.45±0.69, with 14 patients achieving "very much improved", 5 patients "much improved", and 2 patients "improved" .Conclusion:The combination of two-point localized injection of the DAO muscle and pan-platysma microbotox injection of botulinum toxin into the platysma muscle effectively improve the aesthetic of mouth corners and lower facial contour through synergistic middle and superficial layer treatment. This approach aligns with anatomical and physiological merits and offers advantages such as minimal invasiveness and rapid recovery, making it applicable for patients with early signs of lower facial aging.