Objective: To explore the causal association between dietary components (carbohydrate, fat, protein, and sugar) and 119 genera of known gut microbiota using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for dietary components were collected from the DietGen, while GWAS data for gut microbiota were collected from the MiBioGen. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci associated with the four dietary components were used as instrumental variables, and 119 known gut microbiota genera were used as the outcomes. MR analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q test, horizontal pleiotropy and exclude outliers were tested using MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO test. Common genetic pleiotropic genes between dietary components and gut microbiota were identified by MAGMA and PLACO analyses. Results: The MR analysis revealed causal associations between carbohydrates and 4 gut microbiota genera, fats and 14 genera, proteins and 14 genera, and sugars and 11 genera (all P<0.05). The MR-Egger regression analysis showed no horizontal pleiotropy among the selected SNPs, and the MR-PRESSO test did not identify any outliers (all P>0.05). The MAGMA and PLACO analyses revealed that 74.42% (32/43) of the causal associations had pleiotropic genes, with 1 to 10 pleiotropic genes identified. Multiple causal association groups shared the same pleiotropic genes. Conclusion There are potential genetic and causal associations between dietary components and gut microbiota.

Objective: To investigate the association between childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as well as coronary artery heart disease (CHD). Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for childhood obesity were collected from the ECG consortium, encompassing information on children aged 2 to 18 years, including 18 613 cases and 12 696 controls. GWAS data for T2DM were collected from the DIAGRAM consortium, including 242 283 cases and 1 569 734 controls. GWAS data for CHD were collected from the CARDIoGRAMplusC4D consortium, including 10 801 cases and 137 371 controls. Pleiotropic genes associated with both T2DM and CHD were analyzed using the MAGMA, PLACO and conditional false discovery rate (cFDR) methods. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, exploring the causal relationships among childhood obesity, T2DM and CHD. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q test, horizontal pleiotropy and exclude outliers were tested using MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO test. The mediating variables among the three diseases were investigated by using a mediation analysis. Results: The results of MAGMA, PLACO and cFDR analyses identified 80 pleiotropic genes associated with both T2DM and CHD, primarily distributed on chromosomes 3, 17 and 19. The MR analysis revealed that childhood obesity increased the risk of T2DM (OR=1.151, 95%CI: 1.033-1.283) and CHD (OR=1.158, 95%CI: 1.068-1.255), T2DM increased the risk of CHD (OR=1.182, 95%CI: 1.139-1.227), and CHD increased the risk of T2DM (OR=1.124, 95%CI: 1.055-1.198). The MR-Egger regression analysis showed no horizontal pleiotropy, and the MR-PRESSO test did not identify any outliers (all P>0.05). Mediation analysis indicated that childhood obesity directly increased the risk of CHD (effect value=0.096, 95%CI: 0.012-0.180) and indirectly increased the risk of CHD through T2DM (effect value=0.023, 95%CI: 0.005-0.041), with the mediation effect accounting for 15.65% of the total effect. Conclusions There are potential causal associations between childhood obesity and T2DM as well as CHD, with a bidirectional causal relationship between T2DM and CHD. T2DM also plays a mediating role in the association between childhood obesity and CHD.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province from 2006 to 2024, so as to provide the evidence for the prevention and control of hepatitis E. Methods: Data on hepatitis E incidence in Shaoxing City from 2006 to 2024 were collected through the Surveillance System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. The epidemiological characteristics were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. The trend in hepatitis E incidence was analyzed using the average annual percent change (AAPC) and annual percent change (APC). The spatial-temporal clustering characteristics of hepatitis E incidence were identified using spatial-temporal scanning analysis. Results: A total of 2 408 hepatitis E cases were reported in Shaoxing City from 2006 to 2024, with an average annual reported incidence of 2.55/100 000. The overall trend was not statistically significant (AAPC=3.181%, P>0.05). Specifically, it showed an upward trend from 2006 to 2011 (APC=17.371%, P<0.05), a downward trend from 2011 to 2019 (APC=-12.497%, P<0.05), and an upward trend from 2019 to 2024 (APC=18.076%, P<0.05). The epidemic season of hepatitis E was from January to May, with seasonal indices of 122.09%, 118.60%, 145.02%, 129.57%, and 106.15%, respectively. The top three average annual reported incidences were identified in Zhuji City, Xinchang County, and Shengzhou City, with rates of 4.18/100 000, 2.85/100 000, and 2.74/100 000, respectively. The average annual reported incidence of hepatitis E was higher in males than in females (3.52/100 000 vs. 1.56/100 000, P<0.05). A relatively large number of hepatitis E cases were reported among individuals aged 40-<70 years, with 1 639 cases (68.06%). Among them, the group aged 60-<70 years had the highest average annual reported incidence of hepatitis E, at 4.92/100 000. Farmers constituted the predominant occupational group, accounting for 1 515 cases (62.92%). Spatial-temporal scanning analysis identified two clusters in Shaoxing City from 2006 to 2024. The class Ⅰ cluster was located in Shengzhou City, with aggregation time from January 1, 2011 to May 1, 2014. The class Ⅱ cluster was located in Xinchang County, with aggregation time from December 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013. Conclusions The reported incidence of hepatitis E in Shaoxing City from 2006 to 2024 exhibited a pattern of an initial increase, followed by a decrease, and then a subsequent rise. The disease demonstrated higher prevalence during the winter and spring seasons. Key populations for targeted control and prevention include males, individuals aged 40-<70 years, and farmers. Shengzhou City and Xinchang County were identified as high-risk areas.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effictiveness and safety of recombinant human endostatin combined with afatinib and teggio in the treatment of advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS A total of 25 patients with driver-negative advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma were included in this single-arm prospective study, and the enrolled patients were treated with recombinant human endostatin combined with afatinib and teggio as scheduled. Progression-free survival(PFS), overall survival(OS), disease control rate(DCR), objective response rate(ORR), and adverse reactions(AR) were observed and analyzed. RESULTS The 25 enrolled patients received at least 2 cycles of second-line treatment, and were followed up as of March 31, 2023. Among them, 4 patients had partial remission, 17 patients had stable disease, and 4 patients experienced progressive disease. The ORR confirmed by the researchers was 16%(95%CI, 4.5%−36.1%), DCR was 84%(95%CI, 63.9%−95.5%), and median PFS was 5.3 months(95%CI, 3.5−6.9 months). The median OS had not yet been achieved. The entire group of patients had good treatment tolerance, and the most common level Ⅲ or Ⅳ adverse events related to treatment were leukopenia(20%) and rash(12%), with no reported treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION Recombinant human endostatin combined with afatinib and teggio in the second line treatment of advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma can prolong the progression free survival period of patients and is relatively safe, which is worth further exploration and promotion.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.Methods This study included 46 patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who underwent TAVR and completed a six-month follow-up at the Heart Center of the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University between May 2020 and May 2023.All patients underwent a preoperative examination,mini-mental state examination(MMSE),the Montreal cognitive assessment scale(MOCA),and the following safety indicators of surgery,including immediate success rate of valve implantation,valve displacement,death,heart conduction block,perivalve leakage,coronary occlusion,stroke,approach vessel rupture,cardiac tamponade,aortic dissection,and massive bleeding.Effec-tiveness indicators included clinical symptoms,BNP,sST2,and cardiac color Doppler ultrasound preoperatively and one day,seven days,three months,and six months postoperatively.Cognitive function indicators(MMSE and MOCA),were used preoperatively and three and six months postoperatively.The efficacy of transcatheter aortic was evaluated using these indicators.Results The immediate success rate of valve implantation was 100％,with one case of valve displacement,four cases of new bundle branch block,two cases of perivalve leakage,two cases of stroke,one case of inlet vessel rupture,one case of major bleeding,and no deaths,coronary artery occlusion,car-diac tamponade,or aortic dissection.Clinical symptoms improved significantly postoperatively,with 30 cases of NYHA grades Ⅰ to Ⅱbeing significantly higher than the 18 cases preoperatively.The indicators of cardiac function,BNP,and sST2 significantly decreased,and the maximum aortic valve cross-valve flow velocity,aortic valve systolic cross-valve pressure difference,average aortic valve cross-valve pressure difference,and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter significantly improved.The MMSE and MOCA showed significant improve-ments three and six months postoperatively.Conclusion TAVR is a safe and effective method to improve cognitive function in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of serum neutrophils/lymphocytes(NLR)for first-line treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer using programmed cell death receptor 1(PD-1)inhibitors.Methods A total of 168 patients with advanced gastric cancer who were treated with immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in the Fourth Hospital of Qinhuangdao from January 2018 to January 2021 were selected as study subjects,and the follow-up period was terminated at January 2023.The patients'data were collected,hematological and tumor markers before the combined treatment were analyzed,and the optimal cut-off value of NLR was calculated using X-tile software.The effect of NLR expression on the survival rate of patients with advanced gastric cancer was analysed by the Kaplan-Meier survival curve.Receiver operating curve(ROC)was used to analyze the predictive value of NLR in patients with advanced gastric cancer.The related factors affecting the disease progression of patients with advanced gastric cancer were screened combined with Cox proportional risk model.Results Among 168 patients,the optimal cut-off value of serum NLR before treatment was 2.41.Patients were divided into high NLR group(NLR＞2.41,n=93)and low NLR group(NLR＜2.41,n=75).NLR was related to tumor differentiation,distant metastasis,composite positive scores of PD-L1,carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 125(P＜0.05);the effective rate in the low NLR group was significantly higher than that in the high NLR group(P＜0.05);the median progression free survival(PFS)and the overall survival(OS)of patients in the low NLR group were both longer than those in the high NLR group(PFS:P=0.006;OS:P=0.023);ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve of NLR for the prognosis of advanced gastric cancer patients was 0.740,sensitivity was 81.50％,and specificity was 69.70％;in multivariate analysis,except initial NLR value,tumor differentiation degree and distant metastasis were also independent predictors of poor prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer(P＜0.05).Conclusion Among patients with advanced gastric cancer who received first-line immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy,pretreatment NLR is correlated with efficacy and PFS/OS,and has high value in predicting the prognosis of immunotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.

Objective:To explore the impact of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) devices on mitral valve regurgitant flow convergence post-procedure using computational fluid dynamics(CFD), and to seek solutions for accurately measuring effective regurgitant orifice area(EROA) after TEER.Methods:Multimodal fusion was conducted based on preoperative cardiac CT images and intraoperative three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(3DTEE) of 33 patients with mitral valve regurgitation undergoing TEER at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2020 to August 2023. Using this data, CFD models of mitral valve regurgitation post-TEER, including with and without the TEER device, were constructed. The distance (D) from the midpoint of the mitral regurgitation orifice to the TEER device was measured. The proximal isovelocity surfice area(PISA) radius with and without the TEER device was measured, and the corresponding EROA1 and EROA2 based on this was calculated. The EROA correction factor CC=EROA2/EROA1 was calculated.Results:A total of 42 sets of CFD models with mild or greater residual mitral regurgitation, both with and without the TEER device, and 50 sets of PISA were obtained. Based on the relative position of PISA to the TEER device, four types of PISA were observed: Type 1: PISA away from the TEER device (D>R, 14 cases), with a CC of 0.93±0.07; Type 2: PISA adjacent to the TEER device (D

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanism of the alcoholic extract from Scabiosa comosa against hepatic fibrosis （HF）. METHODS Intragastrical administration of carbon tetrachloride was given to induce HF model. By observing the pathological changes in liver tissue， mRNA and protein expressions of HF indexes [α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， collagen type Ⅰ] and phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） pathway-related factors were detected， and the improvement effects and possible mechanism of low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose （50， 100， 200 mg/kg） of alcoholic extract from S. comosa on HF model rats were investigated. Drug-containing serum was prepared by intragastrical administration of alcoholic extract from S. comosa at a concentration of 1 800 mg/（kg·d） （calculated by the amount of raw material）. The effects of drug- containing serum of alcoholic extract from S. comosa on the expression of miRNA-21 were observed through the intervention of HSC-T6 cells with low， medium and high concentrations of drug-containing serum of alcoholic extract from S. comosa （diluted to 10%， 15%， 20%）. miRNA-21 mimics or inhibitors were used to transfect HSC-T6 cells， and the mRNA and protein expressions of factors related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were detected. RESULTS The results of in vivo experiments showed that low， medium and high doses of alcoholic extract from S. comosa significantly ameliorated the histopathological changes in liver tissue of HF rats， and the percentage of collagen was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）； mRNA and protein expressions of the indicators related to HF as well as PI3K and Akt were significantly reduced （P＜0.01）， and mRNA and protein expressions of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten （PTEN） were increased in liver tissue of rats （P＜0.01）. The results of in vitro experiments showed that drug-containing serum of alcoholic extract from S. comosa significantly inhibited the expression of miRNA-21 at low， medium and high concentrations （P＜0.01）； whereas after transfection with miRNA-21 mimics， it was found that miRNA-21 mimics significantly increased mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and Akt （P＜0.01）， while significantly decreased mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN （P＜0.01）； after transfection with miRNA-21 inhibitor， the changes of above indexes were opposite to the above results （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Alcoholic extracts of S. comosa may inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by affecting the expression of miRNA-21， so as to achieve the effect of anti-hepatic fibrosis.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in patients with Major Depressive Disorders.Methods Search the database for relevant literature published before April 15,2023.Select randomized controlled trial that meeting the enrollment criteria,evaluate the quality of the literature and classify before meta-analysis systematic evaluation.Results 15 RCTs are included in this study,with a total of 1077 patients.The results showed that acupuncture treatment,compared with antidepressants alone,The score of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)in patients with liver-qi depression disorder[MD=-0.73,95%CI(-1.22,-0.24),P<0.05],the score of TCM Syndrome Scale[MD=-1.89,95%CI(-2.35,-1.44),P<0.001],effective rate[RR=1.09,95%CI(1.03,1.153),P=0.001]and TESS score[MD=-2.76,95%CI(-3.68,-1.85),P<0.001]were statistically significant.Compared with fluoxetine hydrochloride,the effective rate of HAMD scale score was statistically significant[RR=1.07,95%CI(1.01,1.14),P<0.05].Conclusion Compared with antidepressants alone,acupuncture therapy has the advantages for the improvement of HAMD score in patients,the improvement of Traditional Chinese medicine symptoms,and significantly less adverse effects than those in the control group.Through this study,it is considered that acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment modality.However,due to the quantity and quality of the included literature,the above conclusions still need to be verified by more high-quality clinical trials.

BACKGROUND:Gold nanoparticles are of great significance in the development of multifunctional transdermal drug delivery systems.Smaller gold nanoparticles can penetrate the dermis through the intercellular pathway,but are limited to their easy agglomeration and colloidal morphology,which makes it difficult to exert effects on low delivery efficiency. OBJECTIVE:To develop an ultrasound-optimized hydrogel delivery system by combining phase change nanodroplets with bio-adhesive hydrogel for percutaneous delivery of gold nanoparticles. METHODS:The ultrasound-responsive nanodroplets loaded with gold nanoparticles were prepared by the emulsion solvent evaporation method and loaded into the polydopamine-modified methylacryloyl gelatin hydrogel to prepare a composite hydrogel scaffold.The structure and chemical composition of the ultrasound-responsive nanogold carrier were characterized.The microstructure,porosity,permeability,rheology,in vitro hemostasis,and antibacterial properties of the composite hydrogel were characterized.The cell compatibility of the hydrogel scaffold was evaluated by live/dead staining,and the optimization effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on the permeability,porosity,and mechanical properties of hydrogel were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy proved the successful construction of nanogold carriers.The particle size and potential results demonstrated that the synthesized nanoscaled ultrasonic responsive carrier had good stability.(2)Live/dead cell staining proved that the prepared composite hydrogel scaffold had certain biocompatibility.(3)Scanning electron microscopy exhibited that the prepared composite hydrogel scaffold had a porous network structure,and numerous pores of about 2 μm appeared inside the macropores after the addition of nanodroplets and ultrasonic irradiation.The permeability experiment displayed that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound could optimize the porosity and permeability of hydrogel materials.The hemostatic performance of the composite hydrogel scaffold was better than that of the hemostatic sponge and polydopamine@methylacrylylated gelatin hydrogel scaffold.Under the irradiation of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound,the composite hydrogel scaffolds had good antioxidant effects and antibacterial properties.(4)Thermal imaging results manifested that gold nanoparticles were encapsulated in ultrasound-responsive nanobubbles,and more uniform dispersion could be obtained under ultrasonic excitation.(5)The results of the mechanical property test demonstrated that the storage modulus of the hydrogel increased before and after loading gold nanoparticles-nanodroplets,which showed stronger mechanical properties.The elongation at break was 122%,and the ductility was better than that without gold nanoparticles-nanodroplets(P<0.05).(6)These findings indicate that the composite hydrogel scaffold has good biocompatibility,antibacterial property,oxidation resistance,and hemostatic effect.