This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gallstones/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasms/etiology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new plasma radiofrequency generator and a disposable mucosal incision knife for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of gastrointestinal lesions.Methods:This study is a prospective, randomized, non-inferiority multicenter study (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry No.: ChiCTR2000041394). The inclusion criteria for cases are as follows: (1) being able to understand and voluntarily participate in this clinical trial, and voluntarily signing the informed consent form; (2) being 18-70 years old, regardless of gender; (3) having a gastrointestinal lesion and meeting the endoscopic treatment conditions for the indications of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The exclusion criteria are: (1) meeting the contraindications for ESD; (2) having a surgical contraindication due to coagulation dysfunction or still taking anticoagulants 1 week before surgery; (3) having coagulation dysfunction, that is, the prothrombin time is prolonged by more than 3 seconds (more than 5 seconds in patients with liver disease), or the activated partial thromboplastin time is prolonged by more than 10 seconds, and the platelet count is < 70×10?/L; (4) having severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency and being unable to tolerate the surgery; (5) being a reproductive-aged woman with a positive blood or urine pregnancy test or a lactating woman; (6) the investigator deems that there are other factors that are not suitable for inclusion or affect the subject's participation. Patients who underwent ESD treatment for gastrointestinal lesions from March 2019 to April 2023 at the Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, the Department of Gastroenterology of Minhang District Central Hospital in Shanghai, and the Department of Gastroenterology of Quzhou People's Hospital were prospectively included. The experimental group used a new plasma radiofrequency therapy instrument and a disposable mucosal incision knife, while the control group used a high-frequency electrosurgical system and a disposable mucosal incision knife. The primary efficacy indicator was the en bloc resection success rate, the secondary efficacy indicators included the coagulation success rate, and the operation stability of the plasma radiofrequency therapy instrument and the disposable mucosal incision knife; the safety indicators included the incidence of intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative perforation, and postoperative complications. Results:The study cohort comprised 194 patients, 95 in the experimental group and 99 in the control group. Analysis of the full set showed rates of en bloc resection of 97.89% (93/95) and 96.97% (96/99) in the experimental and control groups, respectively; the difference being 0.53% (-5.58%, 6.64%). Analysis of the compliance set showed rates of en bloc resection of 97.83% (90/92) and 96.88% (93/96) in the experimental and control groups, respectively; the difference being 0.58% (-5.79%, 6.94%). These data indicate that the rate of en bloc resection in the experimental group using plasma radiofrequency therapy and disposable mucosal incision was not inferior to that of the control group. The rates of achieving intraoperative coagulation in the experimental and control groups were 7.14% (5/70) and 5.97% (4/67), respectively; this difference is not statistically significant ( P=1.000). The control group had a significantly better rate of using the same instruments throughout the procedure than did the experimental group ( P<0.001). In the safety analysis set, the incidences of intraoperative and postoperative adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups (both P>0.05). Conclusion:Plasma radiofrequency therapy equipment and a disposable mucosal incision knife are safe and effective instruments for performing ESD of gastrointestinal lesions.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new plasma radiofrequency generator and a disposable mucosal incision knife for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of gastrointestinal lesions.Methods:This study is a prospective, randomized, non-inferiority multicenter study (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry No.: ChiCTR2000041394). The inclusion criteria for cases are as follows: (1) being able to understand and voluntarily participate in this clinical trial, and voluntarily signing the informed consent form; (2) being 18-70 years old, regardless of gender; (3) having a gastrointestinal lesion and meeting the endoscopic treatment conditions for the indications of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The exclusion criteria are: (1) meeting the contraindications for ESD; (2) having a surgical contraindication due to coagulation dysfunction or still taking anticoagulants 1 week before surgery; (3) having coagulation dysfunction, that is, the prothrombin time is prolonged by more than 3 seconds (more than 5 seconds in patients with liver disease), or the activated partial thromboplastin time is prolonged by more than 10 seconds, and the platelet count is < 70×10?/L; (4) having severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency and being unable to tolerate the surgery; (5) being a reproductive-aged woman with a positive blood or urine pregnancy test or a lactating woman; (6) the investigator deems that there are other factors that are not suitable for inclusion or affect the subject's participation. Patients who underwent ESD treatment for gastrointestinal lesions from March 2019 to April 2023 at the Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, the Department of Gastroenterology of Minhang District Central Hospital in Shanghai, and the Department of Gastroenterology of Quzhou People's Hospital were prospectively included. The experimental group used a new plasma radiofrequency therapy instrument and a disposable mucosal incision knife, while the control group used a high-frequency electrosurgical system and a disposable mucosal incision knife. The primary efficacy indicator was the en bloc resection success rate, the secondary efficacy indicators included the coagulation success rate, and the operation stability of the plasma radiofrequency therapy instrument and the disposable mucosal incision knife; the safety indicators included the incidence of intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative perforation, and postoperative complications. Results:The study cohort comprised 194 patients, 95 in the experimental group and 99 in the control group. Analysis of the full set showed rates of en bloc resection of 97.89% (93/95) and 96.97% (96/99) in the experimental and control groups, respectively; the difference being 0.53% (-5.58%, 6.64%). Analysis of the compliance set showed rates of en bloc resection of 97.83% (90/92) and 96.88% (93/96) in the experimental and control groups, respectively; the difference being 0.58% (-5.79%, 6.94%). These data indicate that the rate of en bloc resection in the experimental group using plasma radiofrequency therapy and disposable mucosal incision was not inferior to that of the control group. The rates of achieving intraoperative coagulation in the experimental and control groups were 7.14% (5/70) and 5.97% (4/67), respectively; this difference is not statistically significant ( P=1.000). The control group had a significantly better rate of using the same instruments throughout the procedure than did the experimental group ( P<0.001). In the safety analysis set, the incidences of intraoperative and postoperative adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups (both P>0.05). Conclusion:Plasma radiofrequency therapy equipment and a disposable mucosal incision knife are safe and effective instruments for performing ESD of gastrointestinal lesions.

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical symptom and parental origin of patients with MECP2 duplication syndrome in order to provide a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: Clinical symptoms of four patients who were diagnosed with MECP2 duplication syndrome by copy number variation sequencing (CNV-Seq) were reviewed. The maternal origin of the duplications were verified. RESULTS: All patients were males, and CNV-Seq revealed that they have all harbored a duplication in the Xq28 region spanning 0.32 ~ 0.86 Mb, which were derived from asymptomatic mothers. The clinical symptoms of three patients with three copies included delayed speech, intellectual disability, and muscular hypotonia, while the patient with four copies had died at 6 months after birth, with clinical symptoms including recurrent infections, seizures, and spasticity. CONCLUSION The four cases of MECP2 duplication syndrome have shown complete penetrance and have all derived from asymptomatic mothers. As a stable and reliable method, CNV-Seq can accurately detect the MECP2 duplication syndrome.
Chromosomes, Human, X ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Gene Duplication ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Retardation, X-Linked ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2/genetics* ; Phenotype

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is the most common thyroid dysfunction, and its relationship with blood pressure (BP) has been controversial. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between SCH and newly-diagnosed hypertension. Methods: Based on data from the Thyroid disease, Iodine nutrition and Diabetes Epidemiology (TIDE) study, 49,433 euthyroid individuals and 7,719 SCH patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled. Patients with a history of hypertension or thyroid disease were excluded. SCH was determined by manufacturer reference range. Overall hypertension and stage 1 and 2 hypertension were diagnosed according to the guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2017. Results: The prevalence of overall hypertension (48.7%), including stage 1 (28.9%) and 2 (19.8%) hypertension, increased significantly in SCH patients compared with euthyroid subjects. With elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level, the hypertension prevalence also increased significantly from the euthyroid to different SCH subgroups, which was more profound in females or subjects aged <65 years. The age- and sex-specific regression analysis further demonstrated the same trends in the general population and in the 1:1 propensity matched population. Similarly, several BP components (i.e., systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP) were positively associated with TSH elevation, and regression analysis also confirmed that all BP components were closely related with SCH in female subjects aged <65 years. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension increases for patients with SCH. SCH tends to be associated with hypertension and BP components in females younger than 65 years.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is the most common thyroid dysfunction, and its relationship with blood pressure (BP) has been controversial. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between SCH and newly-diagnosed hypertension. Methods: Based on data from the Thyroid disease, Iodine nutrition and Diabetes Epidemiology (TIDE) study, 49,433 euthyroid individuals and 7,719 SCH patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled. Patients with a history of hypertension or thyroid disease were excluded. SCH was determined by manufacturer reference range. Overall hypertension and stage 1 and 2 hypertension were diagnosed according to the guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2017. Results: The prevalence of overall hypertension (48.7%), including stage 1 (28.9%) and 2 (19.8%) hypertension, increased significantly in SCH patients compared with euthyroid subjects. With elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level, the hypertension prevalence also increased significantly from the euthyroid to different SCH subgroups, which was more profound in females or subjects aged <65 years. The age- and sex-specific regression analysis further demonstrated the same trends in the general population and in the 1:1 propensity matched population. Similarly, several BP components (i.e., systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP) were positively associated with TSH elevation, and regression analysis also confirmed that all BP components were closely related with SCH in female subjects aged <65 years. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension increases for patients with SCH. SCH tends to be associated with hypertension and BP components in females younger than 65 years.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prenatal diagnosis, parental verification and pregnancy outcome of 6 fetuses with 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome. METHODS: Copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq)and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were carried out for the fetuses. RESULTS: The fetuses were found to harbor 2.54-3.2 Mb microdeletions of the 22q11.2 region, among which one was maternally inherited and one was paternally inherited. Two parents opted to continue with the pregnancy, and 4 chose induced labor. One fetus was found to have tetralogy of Fallot, while two carrier parents and one fetus appeared to have normal phenotype. CONCLUSION 22q11.2 microdeletions identified upon prenatal diagnosis should be treated carefully, with ultrasonic scan and parental verification taken into account.
DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Microarray Analysis ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Objective To investigate the expression alteration and significance of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)by GWAS(Genome-wide association study)between Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and its adjacent normal esophageal tissues. Methods lncRNA and mRNA differential expression in 6 pairs of ESCC and matched non-cancerous tissues were screened by microarray assay. The target genes were predicted. Finally , GO(Gene Ontology)and Pathway analysis was used for the further research of lncRNA. Results A total of 680 lncRNA and 1472mRNA were differentially expressed at more than two-fold change(P ≤ 0.05,with 161lncRNA and 653mRNA up-regulated,519lncRNA and 819mRNA down-regulated between ESCC and its adjacent normal esophageal tissues. Gene ontology and pathway analysis results suggested that the differentially expressed genes were involved in 11 pathways.Theyare potentially associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ,including post-translational protein modification ,mucin type O-Glycan biosynthesis and sphingolipid metabolism pathways , which mainly related to the changes of molecular function ,cellular components and biological processes. Through cis and trans analysis,a total of 15 differentially expressed lncRNA had cis-and/or trans-regulated target genes in the database,with 13 lncRNA had cis-regulated target genes,3 lncRNA had trans-regulated target genes,and 1 lncRNA had both cis- and trans-regulated target genes. Conclusion Compared with adjacent normal tissues ,a large number of lncRNA were expressed differentially in ESCC in Xinjiang Han people.Aberrantly expressed lncRNA may play important roles in ESCC development and progression through some signaling pathways ,which are of great significance for further search of new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.