Objective:To establish and evaluated a logistic regression model for predicting the acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) based on liver-injury related indexes.Methods:Clinical data of 210 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (AP) at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from October 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 113 males and 97 females, with a median age of 52 years (range, 43 to 58). Among these, 88 were diagnosed with ABP and 122 with acute non-biliary pancreatitis (ANBP). Additionally, a test cohort was created using data from 101 AP patients diagnosed between January and December 2023, including 60 males and 41 females, with a median age of 53 years (range, 43 to 63). Based on the original dataset, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors influencing ABP. A prediction probability formula (Pre) was then established based on the multivariate results. The effectiveness of each indicator in predicting ABP was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The ROC curve analysis determined the optimal cutoff value of Pre, which was subsequently used to diagnose ABP and ANBP in the test cohort.Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the factors influencing ABP include direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholinesterase (CHE), and fibrinogen (FIB). Based on the multivariate analysis results, the prediction probability formula (Pre) for ABP was established as follows: P=1/{1+ exp[-(4.807+ 0.134×DBIL-1.859×AST/ALT-0.0003×CHE-0.387×FIB)]}. ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) for Pre in predicting ABP was 0.858, with an optimal cutoff value of 0.56, at which the sensitivity was 69.3% and the specificity was 91.0%. Using the cutoff value of 0.56 for Pre, ABP was diagnosed when Pre≥0.56 and ANBP was diagnosed when Pre<0.56. This criterion was applied to diagnose patients in the test cohort, where the sensitivity and specificity of Pre for diagnosing ABP were 86.1% and 92.3%, respectively.Conclusion:The logistic regression model based on liver injury-related indicators is a valuable tool for clinically assessing the incidence of ABP.

Objective:To analyze the changes of serum metabolites in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) by non-targeted metabolomics method.Methods:Serum samples and clinical data of 15 AP patients hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from August to September 2024 were collected and included in the AP group, including 9 males and 6 females, aged (55.4±15.3) years. The serum and clinical data of 25 patients with colon polyps in the same hospital during the same period of time were collected, including 15 males and 10 females, aged (61.2±11.5) years, and were included in the control group. Serum metabolomic detection was performed using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem Fourier transform mass spectrometer. The modeling method was orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis, and principal component analysis was performed on the data matrix to screen the differential metabolites in serum of AP patients. The Kyoto Encyclopedia database of Genes and Genomes was used to annotate differential metabolites, and the pathway of differential metabolite enrichment was analyzed by software.Results:The principal component analysis showed that the contribution ratio of the first principal component was 15.1%, the proportion of the second principal component was 10.8%, and the total proportion of the two was 25.9%. In principal component analysis, two groups of samples can be clearly distinguished and show obvious clustering characteristics. According to the analysis of OPLS-DA model, there were significant differences in serum metabolic profiles between AP group and control group. There were 683 differentially expressed metabolites between the two groups, with 367 differentially expressed metabolites up-regulated compared with the control group and 316 differentially expressed metabolites down-regulated compared with the control group. It is mainly Phosphatidic Acid (Lte4/8: 0) (+ 218%), Omeprazole Sulphone (-38%), and 2-(Propylthio) Nicotinic Acid (2-propyl thionicotinic acid) (-58%), Gein (salicyricetin) (-47%) and so on. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the differential metabolites in AP patients were mainly concentrated in citric acid cycle, arginine biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways.Conclusion:Serum metabolites in AP patients change significantly, including citric acid cycle, arginine biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism.

Objective To explore the value of ZOOMit intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging(IVIM-DWI)technology in assessing renal function in diabetic kidney disease(DKD)and non-diabetic kidney disease(non-DKD).Methods Based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),50 DKD patients and 50 non-DKD patients were enrolled,with each group contained 21 mild cases(mild group)and 29 moderate to severe cases(moderate to severe group).All subjects underwent ZOOMit IVIM-DWI examination and the parameter values of the renal cortex and medulla were measured.The differences of IVIM-DWI parameters in renal cortex and medulla between DKD and non-DKD patients,and the correlation with eGFR,and diagnostic efficacy were compared.Results In the DKD patients,the f value of the medulla,the D value of the cortex,and the D* value of the medulla showed statistically significant differences between mild group and moderate to severe group(t=7.836,3.337,2.515,P<0.05),and all were positively correlated with eGFR(r=0.750,0.375,0.404,P<0.05).In the non-DKD patients,the f value of the medulla and the D* value of the medulla showed statistically significant differences between mild group and moderate to severe group(t=2.619,2.453,P<0.05),and were positively correlated with eGFR(r=0.425,0.360,P<0.05).In both DKD and non-DKD patients,the f value of the medulla showed the best efficacy in distinguishing between mild and moderate to severe DKD,with the area under the curve(AUC)=0.961(DeLong test P<0.05).Conclusion ZOOMit IVIM-DWI technology can be used for renal function in DKD and non-DKD,with the f value of the medulla being more suitable for the assessment of renal function in DKD.

Objective To observe the correlations of lumbar bone mineral density(BMD)with serum uric acid(SUA),hepatic fat and abdominal fat based on quantitative CT(QCT).Methods A total of 522 subjects who underwent lumbar QCT were retrospectively enrolled.Subjects with different genders were divided into hyperuricemia(HUA)group and normal SUA group according to SUA levels,and QCT parameters were compared between groups.Meanwhile,subjects with different genders were also divided into normal bone mass group(normal group),osteopenia group and osteoporosis(OP)group,and SUA and QCT parameters were compared among groups.Pearson correlation analyses were performed to explore the correlations of lumbar BMD with age,SUA,visceral adipose tissue(VAT),subcutaneous adipose tissue(SAT)and liver fat content.Results There were 325 males,with 105 ones in HUA group and 220 ones in normal SUA group.There were 197 females,with 26 ones in HUA group and 171 ones in normal SUA group.VAT,SAT and percentage of liver fat content in HUA group of different genders were all higher than those in normal SUA group(all P＜0.05).Among 325 males,there were 196 ones in normal group,105 ones in osteopenia group and 24 ones in OP group among males,and VAT increased successively in the above groups(all P＜0.05).Among 197 females,there were 147 ones in normal group,30 ones in osteopenia group and 20 ones in OP group,and VAT and SAT increased successively in the above groups(all P＜0.05).Lumbar BMD was moderately and weakly negatively correlated with age and VAT in males(r=-0.618,-0.286,both P＜0.001),which was moderately,lowly and weakly negatively correlated with age,VAT and SAT in females,respectively(r=-0.772,-0.451,-0.273,all P＜0.001).Conclusion Increased SUA levels resulted in increased abdominal and liver fat content,and the latter was negatively correlated with lumbar BMD.

Objective:To explore the high-risk factors affecting the severity of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Methods:This study involved 153 NEC patients admitted to the Neonatology Department of the Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2017, to December 30, 2023. Based on the severity of NEC determined by Bell's criteria, these patients were divided into two groups: mild group (Bell stage Ⅱ, n=70) and severe group (Bell stage Ⅲ, n=83). Clinical data including general conditions, clinical treatment and disease status before the onset of NEC, laboratory test results, and perinatal conditions of the mothers were retrospectively collected. Univariate analysis (rank-sum test and Chi-square test) and multivariate analysis (logistic regression analysis) were used to explore the risk factors affecting the severity of NEC. Results:The proportion of infants with gestational age<37 weeks or birth weight<1 500 g, the rate of antibiotic usage, sepsis or shock were higher in the severe group than in the mild group [91.6% (76/83) vs. 75.7% (53/70); 55.4% (46/83) vs. 34.3% (24/70); 85.5% (71/83) vs. 71.4% (50/70); 55.4% (46/83) vs. 17.1% (12/70); 30.1% (25/83) vs. 8.6% (6/70); with χ 2 values of 7.22, 6.84, 4.57, 23.64, and 10.91, respectively, all P<0.05]. Furthermore, the severe group had a late initiation of breastfeeding and longer durations of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement and parenteral nutrition [2.00 d (1.00-2.00 d) vs. 1.00 d (1.00-2.00 d); 0.00 d (0.00-18.00 d) vs. 0.00 d (0.00-7.50 d); 14.00 d (5.00-21.00 d) vs. 10.50 d (0.00-18.25 d), with Z values of -2.90, -1.98, and -2.09, respectively, all P<0.05]. (2) Within 48 h before the onset, the severe group had higher proportions of infants with decreased white blood cell count, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis than the mild group [53.0% (44/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70); 49.4% (41/83) vs. 10.0% (7/70); 38.6% (32/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70); 37.3% (31/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70), with χ2 values of 24.94, 27.38, 11.23, and 10.30, respectively, all P<0.05]. Besides, the levels of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein were higher in the severe group than in the mild group [2.31 ng/ml (0.26-11.71 ng/ml) vs. 0.22 ng/ml (0.00-2.19 ng/ml); 58.50 mg/L (14.34-125.25 mg/L) vs. 8.20 mg/L (0.23-34.56 mg/L), with Z values of -3.88 and -5.02, respectively, both P<0.05]. (3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged duration of PICC placement, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis, and concurrent sepsis were independent risk factors affecting the severity of NEC [ OR (95% CI) values were 1.104 (1.020-1.196), 5.364 (1.667-17.253), 4.047 (1.171-13.986), 4.333 (1.290-14.556), and 3.290 (1.005-10.774), respectively, with all P<0.05]. Conclusions:Prolonged duration of PICC placement, concurrent sepsis, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis in NEC patients are more likely to lead to severe cases. In clinical practice, attention should be paid to relevant indicators, and abnormal changes should be identified and intervened in a timely manner to reduce the occurrence of severe NEC.

AIM:To establish a cell model of visceral hypersensitivity and nerve hyperplasia in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)by conducting an in vitro co-culture of mouse P815 mast cells and N2a nerve cells and explore its possible mechanism.METHODS:Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)with three replicates was used to confirm the C48/80-induced P815 degranulation.The length of neurites was observed under bright field microscopy to determine the number of differentiated neurons,thereby selecting the concentration of retinoic acid(RA)for stimulating the differentia-tion of N2a cells,with four replicates.A co-culture system of P815 and N2a cells was established using Transwell cham-bers with four replicates.The following groups were established:N2a cells cultured alone,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells plus C48/80,and N2a cells plus RA group.After co-culturing,the num-ber of differentiated N2a cells was observed under bright field.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF),tyrosine ki-nase receptor A(TRKA),growth-associated protein-43(GAP43),neuron-specific enolase(NSE),synapsin(SYN),and postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD-95)at both protein and gene levels in N2a cells was detected using Western blot and polymerase chain reaction(PCR),with four replicates.RESULTS:The best condition for N2a differentiation was stimulation with 10 μmol/L RA for 24 hours,whereas the best condition for degranulation was stimulation of P815 cells with 20 mg/L C48/80 for 24 hours.Compared with N2a cells cultured alone,the differentiation ratio of the N2a+P815+C48/80 and N2a+RA groups was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein and mRNA expressions of NGF,TRKA,GAP43,NSE,SYN,and PSD-95 were significantly increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results revealed that mast cell degranulation enhances the level of nerve hyperplasia in enteric nerve cells and promotes changes in nerve structure and function.Synaptic remodeling regulated by abnormal expression of key proteins such as NGF,TRKA,and GAP43 is involved in the nerve hyperplasia induced by mast cell degranulation.

Objective:To explore the high-risk factors affecting the severity of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Methods:This study involved 153 NEC patients admitted to the Neonatology Department of the Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2017, to December 30, 2023. Based on the severity of NEC determined by Bell's criteria, these patients were divided into two groups: mild group (Bell stage Ⅱ, n=70) and severe group (Bell stage Ⅲ, n=83). Clinical data including general conditions, clinical treatment and disease status before the onset of NEC, laboratory test results, and perinatal conditions of the mothers were retrospectively collected. Univariate analysis (rank-sum test and Chi-square test) and multivariate analysis (logistic regression analysis) were used to explore the risk factors affecting the severity of NEC. Results:The proportion of infants with gestational age<37 weeks or birth weight<1 500 g, the rate of antibiotic usage, sepsis or shock were higher in the severe group than in the mild group [91.6% (76/83) vs. 75.7% (53/70); 55.4% (46/83) vs. 34.3% (24/70); 85.5% (71/83) vs. 71.4% (50/70); 55.4% (46/83) vs. 17.1% (12/70); 30.1% (25/83) vs. 8.6% (6/70); with χ 2 values of 7.22, 6.84, 4.57, 23.64, and 10.91, respectively, all P<0.05]. Furthermore, the severe group had a late initiation of breastfeeding and longer durations of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement and parenteral nutrition [2.00 d (1.00-2.00 d) vs. 1.00 d (1.00-2.00 d); 0.00 d (0.00-18.00 d) vs. 0.00 d (0.00-7.50 d); 14.00 d (5.00-21.00 d) vs. 10.50 d (0.00-18.25 d), with Z values of -2.90, -1.98, and -2.09, respectively, all P<0.05]. (2) Within 48 h before the onset, the severe group had higher proportions of infants with decreased white blood cell count, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis than the mild group [53.0% (44/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70); 49.4% (41/83) vs. 10.0% (7/70); 38.6% (32/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70); 37.3% (31/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70), with χ2 values of 24.94, 27.38, 11.23, and 10.30, respectively, all P<0.05]. Besides, the levels of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein were higher in the severe group than in the mild group [2.31 ng/ml (0.26-11.71 ng/ml) vs. 0.22 ng/ml (0.00-2.19 ng/ml); 58.50 mg/L (14.34-125.25 mg/L) vs. 8.20 mg/L (0.23-34.56 mg/L), with Z values of -3.88 and -5.02, respectively, both P<0.05]. (3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged duration of PICC placement, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis, and concurrent sepsis were independent risk factors affecting the severity of NEC [ OR (95% CI) values were 1.104 (1.020-1.196), 5.364 (1.667-17.253), 4.047 (1.171-13.986), 4.333 (1.290-14.556), and 3.290 (1.005-10.774), respectively, with all P<0.05]. Conclusions:Prolonged duration of PICC placement, concurrent sepsis, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis in NEC patients are more likely to lead to severe cases. In clinical practice, attention should be paid to relevant indicators, and abnormal changes should be identified and intervened in a timely manner to reduce the occurrence of severe NEC.

Objective To explore the value of ZOOMit intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging(IVIM-DWI)technology in assessing renal function in diabetic kidney disease(DKD)and non-diabetic kidney disease(non-DKD).Methods Based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),50 DKD patients and 50 non-DKD patients were enrolled,with each group contained 21 mild cases(mild group)and 29 moderate to severe cases(moderate to severe group).All subjects underwent ZOOMit IVIM-DWI examination and the parameter values of the renal cortex and medulla were measured.The differences of IVIM-DWI parameters in renal cortex and medulla between DKD and non-DKD patients,and the correlation with eGFR,and diagnostic efficacy were compared.Results In the DKD patients,the f value of the medulla,the D value of the cortex,and the D* value of the medulla showed statistically significant differences between mild group and moderate to severe group(t=7.836,3.337,2.515,P<0.05),and all were positively correlated with eGFR(r=0.750,0.375,0.404,P<0.05).In the non-DKD patients,the f value of the medulla and the D* value of the medulla showed statistically significant differences between mild group and moderate to severe group(t=2.619,2.453,P<0.05),and were positively correlated with eGFR(r=0.425,0.360,P<0.05).In both DKD and non-DKD patients,the f value of the medulla showed the best efficacy in distinguishing between mild and moderate to severe DKD,with the area under the curve(AUC)=0.961(DeLong test P<0.05).Conclusion ZOOMit IVIM-DWI technology can be used for renal function in DKD and non-DKD,with the f value of the medulla being more suitable for the assessment of renal function in DKD.

Objective To observe the correlations of lumbar bone mineral density(BMD)with serum uric acid(SUA),hepatic fat and abdominal fat based on quantitative CT(QCT).Methods A total of 522 subjects who underwent lumbar QCT were retrospectively enrolled.Subjects with different genders were divided into hyperuricemia(HUA)group and normal SUA group according to SUA levels,and QCT parameters were compared between groups.Meanwhile,subjects with different genders were also divided into normal bone mass group(normal group),osteopenia group and osteoporosis(OP)group,and SUA and QCT parameters were compared among groups.Pearson correlation analyses were performed to explore the correlations of lumbar BMD with age,SUA,visceral adipose tissue(VAT),subcutaneous adipose tissue(SAT)and liver fat content.Results There were 325 males,with 105 ones in HUA group and 220 ones in normal SUA group.There were 197 females,with 26 ones in HUA group and 171 ones in normal SUA group.VAT,SAT and percentage of liver fat content in HUA group of different genders were all higher than those in normal SUA group(all P＜0.05).Among 325 males,there were 196 ones in normal group,105 ones in osteopenia group and 24 ones in OP group among males,and VAT increased successively in the above groups(all P＜0.05).Among 197 females,there were 147 ones in normal group,30 ones in osteopenia group and 20 ones in OP group,and VAT and SAT increased successively in the above groups(all P＜0.05).Lumbar BMD was moderately and weakly negatively correlated with age and VAT in males(r=-0.618,-0.286,both P＜0.001),which was moderately,lowly and weakly negatively correlated with age,VAT and SAT in females,respectively(r=-0.772,-0.451,-0.273,all P＜0.001).Conclusion Increased SUA levels resulted in increased abdominal and liver fat content,and the latter was negatively correlated with lumbar BMD.

AIM:To establish a cell model of visceral hypersensitivity and nerve hyperplasia in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)by conducting an in vitro co-culture of mouse P815 mast cells and N2a nerve cells and explore its possible mechanism.METHODS:Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)with three replicates was used to confirm the C48/80-induced P815 degranulation.The length of neurites was observed under bright field microscopy to determine the number of differentiated neurons,thereby selecting the concentration of retinoic acid(RA)for stimulating the differentia-tion of N2a cells,with four replicates.A co-culture system of P815 and N2a cells was established using Transwell cham-bers with four replicates.The following groups were established:N2a cells cultured alone,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells plus C48/80,and N2a cells plus RA group.After co-culturing,the num-ber of differentiated N2a cells was observed under bright field.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF),tyrosine ki-nase receptor A(TRKA),growth-associated protein-43(GAP43),neuron-specific enolase(NSE),synapsin(SYN),and postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD-95)at both protein and gene levels in N2a cells was detected using Western blot and polymerase chain reaction(PCR),with four replicates.RESULTS:The best condition for N2a differentiation was stimulation with 10 μmol/L RA for 24 hours,whereas the best condition for degranulation was stimulation of P815 cells with 20 mg/L C48/80 for 24 hours.Compared with N2a cells cultured alone,the differentiation ratio of the N2a+P815+C48/80 and N2a+RA groups was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein and mRNA expressions of NGF,TRKA,GAP43,NSE,SYN,and PSD-95 were significantly increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results revealed that mast cell degranulation enhances the level of nerve hyperplasia in enteric nerve cells and promotes changes in nerve structure and function.Synaptic remodeling regulated by abnormal expression of key proteins such as NGF,TRKA,and GAP43 is involved in the nerve hyperplasia induced by mast cell degranulation.