The iridoid glycosides from Veronica anagallis-aquatica L. alleviate heart failure by modulating the gut microbiota and influencing the production of two metabolites with potential antihypertrophic effects, HVA and 2OH-VA.Image 1.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on oral microbiota and metabolites in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in 47 MAFLD patients complicated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 48 MAFLD patients without CHB enrolled from November, 2023 to January, 2024. Fasting tongue coating samples were collected from the patients for analyzing microbial community structures and metabolites using high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics techniques, and their associations with clinical indicators and biological pathways were explored using correlation analysis and functional annotation. RESULTS: The levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and severity of fatty liver were all significantly lower in MAFLD+CHB group than in MAFLD group. Microbiota analysis showed that the abundances of Patescibacteria (at the phylum level), Hydrogenophaga, and Absconditabacteriales (at the genus level) were significantly increased, while the abundance of Megasphaera was decreased in MAFLD+CHB group. The differential microbiota were significantly correlated with TC, GGT and low-density lipoprotein (r=-0.68‒0.75). Metabolomics analysis revealed that 469 metabolites (including lipids and amino acids) were upregulated and 2306 (including organic oxygen-containing compounds and phenylpropanoids) were downregulated in MAFLD+CHB group, for which KEGG enrichment analysis suggested abnormal activation of the linoleic acid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Correlation analysis between microbiota and metabolites indicated that Patescibacteria and Megasphaera, which were positively correlated with lipid metabolites and negatively with fatty acid metabolites, respectively, jointly affected glycolipid metabolism and oxidative stress pathways. CONCLUSIONS Compared to patients with MAFLD alone, MAFLD patients with concurrent chronic HBV infection showed lower levels in some lipid metabolism indicators and the degree of hepatic steatosis, accompanied by alterations in oral microbiota structure and metabolic profiles. The precise mechanisms involved require further investigation to be fully elucidated.
Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Prospective Studies ; Microbiota ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/microbiology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Fatty Liver/microbiology* ; Middle Aged ; Mouth/microbiology* ; Metabolomics

【Objective】 To compare the efficacy of transurethral columnar balloon dilation of the prostate (TUCBDP) and transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) in the treatment of small volume prostatic hyperplasia. 【Methods】 A total of 96 patients with small volume prostatic hyperplasia diagnosed in our hospital during Jan.2019 and Jan.2021 were enrolled and divided into the observation group and control group,with 48 patients in either group. The observation group received TUCBDP while the control group TURP. The International Prostate Symptom score (IPSS),Quality of Life Score (QOL), international index of erectile function-erectile function (IIEF-EF),maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax),postvoid residual urine (PVR) and maximum detrusor pressure (MDP) of the two groups were compared before surgery and 24 months after surgery. The surgery-related complications and occurrence of new or aggravated sexual dysfunction were observed. 【Results】 Both groups successfully completed the treatment. The operation time and indwelling catheterization time were shorter in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of QOL,IPSS and IIEF-EF,the levels of Qmax,PVR and MDP of both groups 24 months after surgery were significantly improved compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The IPSS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group 24 months after surgery (P<0.05),while the IIEF-EF score and Qmax of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of surgery-related complications and new or aggravated sexual dysfunction were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 TUCBDP is significantly effective in the treatment of small volume prostatic hyperplasia,showing greater advantages than TURP in improving postoperative IPSS,IIEF-EF score and Qmax,with higher safety.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the clinical application value of the indication selection criteria for bi-pedicled deep inferior epigastric arterial perforator flap(DIEP) versus pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap(TRAM) combined with DIEP for breast reconstruction.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent delayed bi-pedicled abdominal flap breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery in the Department of Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery and Department of Mammoplasty, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2008 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the indications for each procedure, corresponding blood supply source was selected. Subsequently, patients were divided into two groups: bi-pedicled DIEP group and pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group according to the type of blood supply source. The indication selection criteria for pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap was as follows: lack of two groups of recipient vessels; no dominant perforator in the abdominal donor site; previous abdominal liposuction or abdominal surgery with large dissection range and severe scar; patients were unable to tolerate prolonged surgery or had high risk factors for microsurgery. A comparison of breast reconstruction surgery characteristics was conducted between the two groups. Independent-samples t-test, rank sum test, Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact probability method were used to analyze various data including age, body mass index (BMI), time interval between breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery, history of radiotherapy, history of chemotherapy, history of smoking, history of lower abdominal surgery, history of hypertension, original surgical incision type, length and width of flap, hospitalization length, preoperative and postoperative conditions, as well as postoperative complications. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05. Results:A total of 54 patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction were included in this study with a mean age of 42.2 years (range, 30-59 years). The pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 42.7 years (range, 33-56 years) while the bi-pedicled DIEP group comprised 33 patients with a mean age of 41.8 years (30-59 years). Out of the 54 patients, a total of 38 were eventually followed up, comprising 14 in the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group and 24 in the bi-pedicled DIEP group. The average follow-up duration for the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group was 42 months (range, 6-69 months). Abdominal bulge occurred in one patient, while another patient experienced abdominal hernia. The average follow-up duration for the bi-pedicled DIEP group was 47 months (6-179 months), with no reported cases of abdominal bulge or abdominal hernia. There were no statistically significant differences observed between the two groups regarding age, BMI, time interval between breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery, history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, history of smoking, history of lower abdominal surgery, history of hypertension, original surgical incision type, length and width of flap, hospitalization length or time to ambulation (all P>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference noted in duration of surgery between the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group and bi-pedicled DIEP group [6.0(5.5-6.5) hours vs. 8.5(8.0-8.8) hours] ( P<0.01). Comparison analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in terms of partial flap necrosis (0/21 vs. 1/33), abdominal incision dehiscence (2/21 vs. 2/33), abdominal bulge (1/14 vs. 0 /24) or abdominal hernia (1/1 vs. 0/24) between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients who needed bilateral vascular pedicled lower abdominal wall for breast reconstruction, utilizing a pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap did not increase surgical complication risks. The proposed indication selection criteria for using a pedicled TRAM + DIEP combined flap outlined in this study could serve as guidance when choosing methods for bi-pedicled abdominal flap breast reconstruction.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the outcome of fat grafting breast augmentation using filtration-adsorption technique.Methods:Patients undergoing autologous fat grafting (AFG) breast augmentation between July of 2020 and March of 2021 were retrospectively reviewed at Breast Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College. Patients with complete data who followed up for at least 3 months were included. The lipoaspirates were processed with filtration-adsorption technique and AFG breast augmentation were performed (filtration-adsorption group), and then sedimentation method which was commonly used clinically was set as the control group (sedimentation group). During the follow-up, breast palpation and ultrasound inspection were performed, and the breast volumetric change between preoperative and postoperative was quantitatively compared by three-dimensional scanning technique. Demographic and surgical details were statistically analyzed. Postoperative breast volume retention rates and complication rates were calculated and compared. Normally distributed continuous variables were described in the form Mean±SD, and t-test was used for analysis. Non-normal distributed continuous variables were described in the form of M ( Q1, Q3) and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. The classified data were analyzed by Fisher exact probability test. Results:A total of 20 female patients (40 breasts) were included, including 10 patients (20 breasts) aged (31.4±2.5) years in sedimentation group and 10 patients (20 breasts) aged (28.5±4.4) years in the filtration-adsorption group. The fat injection volume in the filtration-adsorption group was 151.1 (125.0, 175.0) ml, and 165.0 (151.3, 196.3) ml in sedimentation group, respectively, with no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The breast volume retention rate in filtration-adsorption group was (62.93±14.06)%, which was significantly higher than that in sedimentation group (24.97±11.02)% ( P<0.01). During postoperative breast ultrasound examination, 2 breasts in sedimentation group had palpable nodules (< 6 mm), 1 breast had ultrasonically detectable but clinically inaccessible nodules (< 4 mm), while only 1 breast in the filtration-adsorption group had an oil cyst (4 mm×2 mm). The complication rate in the filtration-adsorption group was lower than that in sedimentation group[5.0%(1/20) vs. 15.0%(3/20), P>0.05]. Conclusion:The filtration-adsorption technique is an ideal method for fat grafting, which would multiply the volume retention rate in large-volume AFG breast augmentation and reduce the rate of complications.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the clinical application value of the indication selection criteria for bi-pedicled deep inferior epigastric arterial perforator flap(DIEP) versus pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap(TRAM) combined with DIEP for breast reconstruction.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent delayed bi-pedicled abdominal flap breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery in the Department of Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery and Department of Mammoplasty, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2008 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the indications for each procedure, corresponding blood supply source was selected. Subsequently, patients were divided into two groups: bi-pedicled DIEP group and pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group according to the type of blood supply source. The indication selection criteria for pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap was as follows: lack of two groups of recipient vessels; no dominant perforator in the abdominal donor site; previous abdominal liposuction or abdominal surgery with large dissection range and severe scar; patients were unable to tolerate prolonged surgery or had high risk factors for microsurgery. A comparison of breast reconstruction surgery characteristics was conducted between the two groups. Independent-samples t-test, rank sum test, Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact probability method were used to analyze various data including age, body mass index (BMI), time interval between breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery, history of radiotherapy, history of chemotherapy, history of smoking, history of lower abdominal surgery, history of hypertension, original surgical incision type, length and width of flap, hospitalization length, preoperative and postoperative conditions, as well as postoperative complications. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05. Results:A total of 54 patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction were included in this study with a mean age of 42.2 years (range, 30-59 years). The pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 42.7 years (range, 33-56 years) while the bi-pedicled DIEP group comprised 33 patients with a mean age of 41.8 years (30-59 years). Out of the 54 patients, a total of 38 were eventually followed up, comprising 14 in the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group and 24 in the bi-pedicled DIEP group. The average follow-up duration for the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group was 42 months (range, 6-69 months). Abdominal bulge occurred in one patient, while another patient experienced abdominal hernia. The average follow-up duration for the bi-pedicled DIEP group was 47 months (6-179 months), with no reported cases of abdominal bulge or abdominal hernia. There were no statistically significant differences observed between the two groups regarding age, BMI, time interval between breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery, history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, history of smoking, history of lower abdominal surgery, history of hypertension, original surgical incision type, length and width of flap, hospitalization length or time to ambulation (all P>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference noted in duration of surgery between the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group and bi-pedicled DIEP group [6.0(5.5-6.5) hours vs. 8.5(8.0-8.8) hours] ( P<0.01). Comparison analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in terms of partial flap necrosis (0/21 vs. 1/33), abdominal incision dehiscence (2/21 vs. 2/33), abdominal bulge (1/14 vs. 0 /24) or abdominal hernia (1/1 vs. 0/24) between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients who needed bilateral vascular pedicled lower abdominal wall for breast reconstruction, utilizing a pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap did not increase surgical complication risks. The proposed indication selection criteria for using a pedicled TRAM + DIEP combined flap outlined in this study could serve as guidance when choosing methods for bi-pedicled abdominal flap breast reconstruction.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the outcome of fat grafting breast augmentation using filtration-adsorption technique.Methods:Patients undergoing autologous fat grafting (AFG) breast augmentation between July of 2020 and March of 2021 were retrospectively reviewed at Breast Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College. Patients with complete data who followed up for at least 3 months were included. The lipoaspirates were processed with filtration-adsorption technique and AFG breast augmentation were performed (filtration-adsorption group), and then sedimentation method which was commonly used clinically was set as the control group (sedimentation group). During the follow-up, breast palpation and ultrasound inspection were performed, and the breast volumetric change between preoperative and postoperative was quantitatively compared by three-dimensional scanning technique. Demographic and surgical details were statistically analyzed. Postoperative breast volume retention rates and complication rates were calculated and compared. Normally distributed continuous variables were described in the form Mean±SD, and t-test was used for analysis. Non-normal distributed continuous variables were described in the form of M ( Q1, Q3) and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. The classified data were analyzed by Fisher exact probability test. Results:A total of 20 female patients (40 breasts) were included, including 10 patients (20 breasts) aged (31.4±2.5) years in sedimentation group and 10 patients (20 breasts) aged (28.5±4.4) years in the filtration-adsorption group. The fat injection volume in the filtration-adsorption group was 151.1 (125.0, 175.0) ml, and 165.0 (151.3, 196.3) ml in sedimentation group, respectively, with no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The breast volume retention rate in filtration-adsorption group was (62.93±14.06)%, which was significantly higher than that in sedimentation group (24.97±11.02)% ( P<0.01). During postoperative breast ultrasound examination, 2 breasts in sedimentation group had palpable nodules (< 6 mm), 1 breast had ultrasonically detectable but clinically inaccessible nodules (< 4 mm), while only 1 breast in the filtration-adsorption group had an oil cyst (4 mm×2 mm). The complication rate in the filtration-adsorption group was lower than that in sedimentation group[5.0%(1/20) vs. 15.0%(3/20), P>0.05]. Conclusion:The filtration-adsorption technique is an ideal method for fat grafting, which would multiply the volume retention rate in large-volume AFG breast augmentation and reduce the rate of complications.

ObjectiveWe explored the protective effects of coenzyme Q₁₀ （CoQ₁₀） on hydrogen peroxide （H₂O₂）-induced platelet mitochondrial dysfunction and the underlying mechanisms. MethodsPeripheral venous blood from healthy volunteers was collected to prepare gel-filtered platelet suspension. Gel-filtered platelets were incubated with 100 μmol/L CoQ₁₀ for 50 min followed by 30 min incubation with H₂O₂ （n≥3 per group）. Mitochondrial membrane potential， phosphatidylserine （PS） exposure ratio and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species （mtROS） were measured by flow cytometry. Concentrations of total cellular ROS and ATP were measured by microplate reader. The phosphorylation level of platelet protein p53 and expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were detected by Western blot. ResultsIn resting platelets， CoQ₁₀ had no effect on mitochondrial function （mitochondrial membrane potential， PS exposure positive rate， intracellular ROS， mtROS， ATP levels， P>0.05）. In the oxidative stress model， H₂O₂ significantly decreased platelet mitochondrial membrane potential and increase PS exposure in platelets. CoQ₁₀ significantly inhibited the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential induced by H₂O₂ ［（35.76%±3.94）% vs. （21.04%±1.69）%，P <0.05］， without inhibitory effect on PS exposure （P >0.05）. Further mechanism study found that CoQ₁₀ directly inhibited the production of ROS and mtROS induced by H₂O₂ （P<0.05）， reduced the phosphorylation level of p53 and increased Bcl-2 family expression level （P<0.05） while having no effect on ATP content decrease （P>0.05）. ConclusionCoQ₁₀ inhibits H₂O₂-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in platelets， by reducing p53 phosphorylation and increasing the expression of Bcl-2 family survival protein.

Objective: To investigate the gene expression characteristics of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with high altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH) in Naxi residents living in Lijiang, Yunnan, and to explore the underlying pathogenesis and value for potential drug selection. Methods: This is a case-control study. Six patients with HPAH (HPAH group) and 4 normal subjects (control group) were selected from the Naxi residents who originally lived in Lijiang, Yunnan Province. The general clinical data of the two groups were collected, and the related indexes of pulmonary artery pressure were collected. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the subjects were collected for RNA sequencing. The differences on gene expression, regulatory network of transcription factors and drug similarity between the two groups were compared. The results were compared with the public data of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Biological processes and signal pathways were analyzed and compared between HPAH and IPAH patients. Results: The age of 6 patients with HAPH was (68.1±8.3) years old, and there were 2 males (2/6). The age of 4 subjects in the control group was (62.3±10.9) years old, and there were 2 males (2/4). Tricuspid regurgitation velocity, tricuspid pressure gradient and pulmonary systolic pressure in HAPH group were significantly higher than those in control group (all P<0.05). The results of RNA sequencing showed that compared with the control group, 174 genes were significantly upregulated and 169 genes were downregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HAPH group. These differentially expressed genes were associated with 220 biological processes, 52 molecular functions and 23 cell components. A total of 21 biological processes and 2 signal pathways differed between HPAH and IPAH groups, most of which were related to inflammation and immune response. ZNF384, SP1 and STAT3 were selected as highly correlated transcription factors by transcription factor prediction analysis. Trichostatin A and vorinostat were screened out as potential drugs for the treatment of HAPH by drug similarity analysis. Conclusions: There are significant differences in gene expression in peripheral blood monocytes between HAPH patients and normal population, and inflammation and immune dysfunction are the main pathogenic factors. Trichostatin A and Vorinostat are potential drugs for the treatment of HAPH.
Aged ; Altitude ; Altitude Sickness/genetics* ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension/genetics* ; Humans ; Hydroxamic Acids/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/genetics* ; Inflammation ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/pathology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transcription Factors ; Transcriptome/genetics* ; Vorinostat/therapeutic use*

Based on the field investigations in 91 investigation sites (counties) in southwest China between 2001 and 2019, the present paper reported the chigger mites on A. agrarius mice in southwest China for the first time by using a series of statistical methods. From 715 striped field mice captured in 28 of 91 investigated sites, only 255 chiggers were collected, and they were identified as 14 species, 6 genera in 3 subfamilies under 2 families. Of 715 A. agrarius mice, only 24 of them were infested with chigger mites with low overall prevalence (PM=3.4%), overall mean abundance (MA=0.36 mites/host) and overall mean intensity (MI=10.63 mites/host). The species diversity and infestation of chiggers on A. agrarius were much lower than those previously reported on some other rodents in southwest China. On a certain species of rodent, A. agrarius mouse in southwest China seems to have a very low susceptibility to chigger infestations than in other geographical regions. Of 14 chigger species, there were 3 dominant species, Leptotrombidium sialkotense, L. rupestre and Schoengastiella novoconfuciana, which were of aggregated distribution among different individuals of A. agrarius hosts. L. sialkotense, one of 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China, was the first dominant on A. agrarius. The species similarity of chigger mites on male and female hosts was low with CSS=0.25, and this reflects the sex-bias of different genders of A. agrarius mice in harboring different chigger species.