OBJECTIVE To explore the APOA5 gene polymorphisms,serum lipase(LPS),soluble programmed death ligand 1(sPD-L1)and procalcitonin(PCT)in the severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)patients with secondary infectious pancreatic necrosis(IPN).METHODS A total of 122 patients with SAP who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from Jan.2020 to Nov.2023 were recruited as the research subjects and were divided into the secondary group with 31 cases and the non-secondary group with 91 cases according to the status of secondary IPN.The APOA5 gene polymorphisms were detected for the two groups of patients by means of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).The levels of LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT as well as Ranson score were compared between he two groups.The association of the serum LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT with Ranson score was observed by Spearman analysis.The value of the joint detection of LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT in diagnosis of secondary IPN in the SAP patients was analyzed by means of receiver oper-ating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS The frequencies of AA genotype and A allele at rs619054 locus of APOA5 gene were higher in the secondary group than in the non-secondary group(P＜0.05),and the frequency of G allele of the secondary group was lower than that of the non-secondary group(P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the levels of serum LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT as well as Ranson score between the secondary group and the non-secondary group(P＜0.05).Spearman analysis showed that the Ranson score was positively correlated with the levels of serum LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT(r=0.738,0.701,0.721,P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve(AUC)of the joint detection of the three indexes was higher than that of the single detection in diagnosis of secondary IPN in the SAP patients(P＜0.05),with the sensitivity 90.30％,the specifici-ty 84.60％.CONCLUSIONS The SAP patients with secondary IPN show the high expressions of LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT.The joint detection of the indexes may facilitate the diagnosis of the secondary IPN in the SAP patients.There is association between the levels of LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT and the Ranson score.The rs619054 locus of APOA5 gene may be involved in pathogenesis of secondary IPN in the SAP patients.

OBJECTIVE To explore the APOA5 gene polymorphisms,serum lipase(LPS),soluble programmed death ligand 1(sPD-L1)and procalcitonin(PCT)in the severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)patients with secondary infectious pancreatic necrosis(IPN).METHODS A total of 122 patients with SAP who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from Jan.2020 to Nov.2023 were recruited as the research subjects and were divided into the secondary group with 31 cases and the non-secondary group with 91 cases according to the status of secondary IPN.The APOA5 gene polymorphisms were detected for the two groups of patients by means of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).The levels of LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT as well as Ranson score were compared between he two groups.The association of the serum LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT with Ranson score was observed by Spearman analysis.The value of the joint detection of LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT in diagnosis of secondary IPN in the SAP patients was analyzed by means of receiver oper-ating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS The frequencies of AA genotype and A allele at rs619054 locus of APOA5 gene were higher in the secondary group than in the non-secondary group(P＜0.05),and the frequency of G allele of the secondary group was lower than that of the non-secondary group(P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the levels of serum LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT as well as Ranson score between the secondary group and the non-secondary group(P＜0.05).Spearman analysis showed that the Ranson score was positively correlated with the levels of serum LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT(r=0.738,0.701,0.721,P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve(AUC)of the joint detection of the three indexes was higher than that of the single detection in diagnosis of secondary IPN in the SAP patients(P＜0.05),with the sensitivity 90.30％,the specifici-ty 84.60％.CONCLUSIONS The SAP patients with secondary IPN show the high expressions of LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT.The joint detection of the indexes may facilitate the diagnosis of the secondary IPN in the SAP patients.There is association between the levels of LPS,sPD-L1 and PCT and the Ranson score.The rs619054 locus of APOA5 gene may be involved in pathogenesis of secondary IPN in the SAP patients.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of local recurrence(LR)of breast cancer after surgery.Methods Totally 82 female breast cancer patients with local hypoechoic in surgical area who underwent ultrasound follow-up were enrolled and divided into LR group(n=18)and non LR group(n=64)according to the local hypoechoic was LR or not.Clinical data and ultrasonic manifestations of primary lesion before operation and postoperative local hypoechoic were observed and compared between groups.Results Significant differences of surgical resection type,molecular subtype,status of smooth muscle actin,Calponin status,Ki-67 status,clinical staging,the maximum diameter and posterior echo of the primary lesion,as well as of involved tissue layer,location,long axis parallel to the skin or not,edge,internal echo,posterior echo,skin change and Adler blood flow grading of local hypoechoic in resection area were found between groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Ultrasonic manifestations of LR of breast cancer after surgery had certain characteristics.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of local recurrence(LR)of breast cancer after surgery.Methods Totally 82 female breast cancer patients with local hypoechoic in surgical area who underwent ultrasound follow-up were enrolled and divided into LR group(n=18)and non LR group(n=64)according to the local hypoechoic was LR or not.Clinical data and ultrasonic manifestations of primary lesion before operation and postoperative local hypoechoic were observed and compared between groups.Results Significant differences of surgical resection type,molecular subtype,status of smooth muscle actin,Calponin status,Ki-67 status,clinical staging,the maximum diameter and posterior echo of the primary lesion,as well as of involved tissue layer,location,long axis parallel to the skin or not,edge,internal echo,posterior echo,skin change and Adler blood flow grading of local hypoechoic in resection area were found between groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Ultrasonic manifestations of LR of breast cancer after surgery had certain characteristics.

Objective:To investigate the alteration of glymphatic system based on diffusion tensor image-analysis along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS)in bipolar disorder Ⅰ(BD-Ⅰ).Methods:A total of 44 BD-Ⅰ patients(BD-Ⅰ group) admitted to the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2012 to December 2017 were selected.In addition, totally 30 healthy controls (HC group) were recruited. The diffusion tensor image data were analyzed retrospectively, and along the perivascular space (ALPS) index was calculated. Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), 17-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-17), Young mania rating scale (YMRS) and global assessment function (GAF) were used to evaluate the severity of anxiety, depression, mania and social function respectively. SPSS 25.0 software was used for t-test, Z-test and chi-square test, and the differences in clinical data and DTI-ALPS index between the two groups were compared. The partial correlation test was used to analyze the correlations between DTI-ALPS index and the clinical indicators such as HAMA, HAMD-17, YMRS and GAF. Results:The DTI-ALPS indexes in left(1.69±0.17), right(1.44±0.15) and bilateral cerebral hemispheres(1.56±0.15) of BD-Ⅰ group were lower than those in HC group ((1.71±0.15), (1.46±0.13) and (1.58±0.12)), but the differences were not statistically significant ( t=-0.441, -0.545, -0.556, all P>0.05). After controlling for gender, age, years of education and course of disease, there were significant negative correlations between bilateral average DTI-ALPS index and somatic anxiety ( r=-0.334, P=0.038), as well as between right DTI-ALPS index and somatic anxiety( r=-0.349, P=0.030) in BD-Ⅰ group. Conclusion:The dysfunction of cerebral glymphatic system is not obvious in BD-Ⅰ patients, but their anxiety may be related to dysfunction cerebral glymphatic system.

Objective:To explore the impact of CACNA1C rs58619945 genotype on the cortical thickness of attentional networks in patients with Bipolar 1 disorder type (BD-Ⅰ). Methods:From August 2013 and August 2019, a total of 155 BD-Ⅰ patients were recruited from the outpatient and inpatient Departments of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, along with 82 healthy controls (HC) from the community and university. Genotype for the CACNA1C rs58619945 locus was determined for all BD-I patients and HC subjects, followed by 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging scans to measure the cortical thickness in the alert, orienting, and executive control subnetworks. General linear models (GLMs) were used to evaluate the impact of CACNA1C rs58619945 on the cortical thickness of attentional networks. Concurrently, attentional dimension functions were assessed using repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) and Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery rapid visual information processing (CANTAB RVP) test. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University(Ethics No. 2023-056). Results:Compared with the HC group, the BD-Ⅰ patients had shown reduced thickness in bilateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral posterior cingulate cortex, and bilateral superior temporal cortex( P<0.05). A significant interaction between the CACNA1C genotype and the cortical thickness(HC vs.BD) of right prefrontal cortex, right posterior parietal cortex and right superior temporal cortex was noted( P<0.05). Partial correlation analysis has demonstrated a significant correlation between CANTAB RVP and RBANS attention indices and cortical thickness in the right prefrontal cortex, right posterior cingulate cortex( P<0.05), and right superior temporal cortex predominantly among carriers of the BD-Ⅰ G allele. Conclusion:The G allele of CACNA1C rs58619945 is associated with cortical thickness of the right prefrontal cortex, right posterior cingulate cortex, and right superior temporal cortex in BD-Ⅰ, which are part of the alerting and orienting network.

Objective:To evaluate the value of bedside ultrasound in evaluating volume responsiveness of patients with septic shock.Methods:A total of 102 patients with septic shock admitted to ICU of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from April 2018 to February 2021 were selected. Patients were divided into response group and non-response group according to the value of stroke volume increase (ΔSV) after volume loading test (VE), and the hemodynamic parameters before and after VE were compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between ΔSV and hemodynamic indexes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of each hemodynamic index in evaluating volumetric reactivity in patients with septic shock.Results:Of the 102 patients, 54 responded and 48 did not. Before VE, the distensibility index of inferior vena cava (ΔIVC 1), espiratory variability index of inferior vena cava (ΔIVC 2), respiratory variability of aortic peak velocity (ΔVpeak AO), brachial artery maximum velocity variability (ΔVpeak BA) and respiratory rate of peak flow velocity of femoral artery (ΔVpeak CFA) in response group were higher than those in non-response group (all P<0.05), but there was no statistical significance in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and central venous pressure (CVP) between 2 groups (all P>0.05). After VE, the HR, ΔIVC 1, ΔIVC 2, ΔVpeak AO, ΔVpeak BA and ΔVpeak CFA in response group were significantly decreased, while MAP and CVP were significantly increased (all P<0.05). The CVP was significantly decreased in the non-response group ( P<0.05), while other indexes were not significantly changed. Before VE, the ΔIVC 1, ΔIVC 2, ΔVpeak AO, ΔVpeak BA and ΔVpeak CFA were positively correlated with ΔSV ( r=0.589, 0.647, 0.697, 0.621, 0.766; all P<0.05). There was no correlation between CVP and ΔSV ( r=-0.345, P>0.05). Before VE, the area under the curve of ΔIVC 1, ΔIVC 2, ΔVpeak AO, ΔVpeak BA and ΔVpeak CFA were all >0.7, indicating high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions:Bedside ultrasound monitoring ΔIVC, ΔVpeak AO, ΔVpeak BA and ΔVpeak CFA can better evaluate the volume response of patients with septic shock, and can provide a reference basis for clinical fluid resuscitation treatment.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that has become a major gastroenterologic problem during recent decades. Numerous complicating factors are involved in UC development such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and microbiota disorder. These factors exacerbate damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier. Spirulina platensis is a commercial alga with various biological activity that is widely used as a functional ingredient in food and beverage products. However, there have been few studies on the treatment of UC using S. platensis aqueous extracts (SP), and the underlying mechanism of action of SP against UC has not yet been elucidated. Herein, we aimed to investigate the modulatory effect of SP on microbiota disorders in UC mice and clarify the underlying mechanisms by which SP alleviates damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was used to establish a normal human colonic epithelial cell (NCM460) injury model and UC animal model. The mitochondrial membrane potential assay 3-‍‍(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,‍5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and staining with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) and Hoechst 33258 were carried out to determine the effects of SP on the NCM460 cell injury model. Moreover, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blot, and 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing were used to explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of SP on UC in C57BL/6 mice. In vitro studies showed that SP alleviated DSS-induced NCM460 cell injury. SP also significantly reduced the excessive generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevented mitochondrial membrane potential reduction after DSS challenge. In vivo studies indicated that SP administration could alleviate the severity of DSS-induced colonic mucosal damage compared with the control group. Inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress was associated with increases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the expression of tight junction proteins (TJs) post-SP treatment. SP improved gut microbiota disorder mainly by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and the expression of TJs in the colon. Our findings demonstrate that the protective effect of SP against UC is based on its inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine overproduction, inhibition of DSS-induced ROS production, and enhanced expression of antioxidant enzymes and TJs in the colonic mucosal barrier.
Animals ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Colitis/prevention & control* ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Colon/metabolism* ; Dextran Sulfate/toxicity* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Spirulina

Objective:To observe any effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horns of diabetics experiencing neuropathic pain.Methods:Eight rats were randomly selected from 30 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats as the normal group (N), and the remaining twenty-two rats were treated with a single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a neuropathic pain model. The rats modeled successfully were randomly divided into a model group (M, n=8) and an EA group ( n=8). In the EA group, electroacupuncture was applied at the bilateral Hou san li and Kunlun acupoints starting on the 15th day after the STZ injection. The daily sessions lasted 30 minutes for 1 week. Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were observed before the STZ injection and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days afterward. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the rats′ spinal cords was detected using western blotting. The count of p-CREB-positive cells in the dorsal horns and their co-localization with neurons was detected using immunofluorescence. Results:In comparison with the N group, the average BW of the M group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after the STZ injection was significantly lower, while the average FBG was significantly higher. There was no significant difference between the M and N groups in the average PWL on the 7th day after the STZ injection, but it had decreased significantly in the M group on the 14th and 21st days. Compared with the M group, the average PWL of the EA group was significantly longer on the 21st day after the injection. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB protein in the spines of the M group was significantly higher than in the N group. p-CREB positive cells were more numerous in the M group compared with the N group, while in the EA group they were fewer. P-CREB was co-located with neurons in the spinal dorsal horn.Conclusion:EA can alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, perhaps by inhibiting the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.

Objective:To investigate the psychology status and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) in China, and to analyze the influencing factors.Methods:From September 2021 to May 2022, 42 hospitals in 22 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) in China, the clinical data of 2 478 IBD patients were collected, which included age, gender, weight, first visit or not, disease activity, disease course, main clinical manifestations(diarrhea, abdominal pain, hematochezia, extraintestinal manifestations), complications, treatment medication(5-aminosalicylic acid, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive agents, and biological agents), and whether to have surgery. Anxiety, depression, sleep quality and quality of life of IBD patients were evaluated by generalized anxiety disorder-7 items, patient health questionnaire-9 items, Pittsburgh sleep quality index and inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire, and the related influencing factors were analyzed. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results:The average age of 2 478 IBD patients was 37.96 years old, and male counted for 62.43%(1 547/2 478). There were 61.82%(1 532/2 478) of the IBD patients in the active stage of disease, mostly mild or moderate(588 and 734 cases). There were 60.61%(1 502/2 478) of the IBD patients with different degrees of anxiety, 58.35%(1 446/2 478) of the IBD patients with different degrees of depression, and 48.87%(1 211/2 478) of the IBD patients had different degrees of sleep problems. The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that female, higher level of disease activity and longer disease course were independent risk factors of anxiety, depression and sleep quality in the IBD patients(unstandardized regression coefficient(95% confidence interval) 1.08(0.65 to 1.50), 0.45(0.23 to 0.68), 0.19(0.02 to 0.36), 0.83(0.33 to 1.32), 0.62(0.36 to 0.88), 0.28(0.08 to 0.47), 0.47(0.16 to 0.77), 0.39(0.23 to 0.55), 0.14(0.02 to 0.26); P<0.001, <0.001, =0.025 , =0.001, <0.001, =0.005, =0.003, <0.001, =0.027). The usage of biological agents was an independent protective factor of anxiety(unstandardized regression coefficient(95% confidence interval) -0.67(-1.17 to -0.17), P=0.008), and older age was an independent risk factor of sleep quality(unstandardized regression coefficient(95% confidence interval) 0.35(0.09 to 0.61), P=0.008). Higher level of disease activity, symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal pain, presence of extraintestinal manifestations, usage of 5-aminosalicylic acid and glucocorticoid, and with surgical treatment were independent risk factors of quality of life(unstandardized regression coefficient(95% confidence interval) -11.00(-12.24 to -9.76), -2.90(-5.26 to -0.55), -3.93(-6.25 to -1.61), -5.79(-9.87 to -1.71), -4.78(-7.79 to -1.76), -7.71(-11.07 to -4.35), -4.37(-8.00 to -0.73); P<0.001, =0.016, =0.001, =0.005 , =0.002, <0.001, =0.019), while the usage of biological agents was an independent protective factor of quality of life (unstandardized regression coefficient(95% confidence interval) 4.72(1.97 to 7.48), P=0.001). Conclusion:IBD patients generally have different degrees of anxiety, depression and sleep problems, which affect the quality of life of patients. Gender, disease activity and disease course are the influencing factors of mental disorders in IBD patients.