Background/Aims: Obesity is associated with several gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and has been identified as a potential risk factor for various GI symptoms. Bowel frequency is an important indicator of bowel function. However, the causal link between obesity and gastrointestinal motility remains uncertain. This study aims to determine the causal effect of overall and central obesity on stool frequency. Methods: Four obesity-related anthropometric indicators–body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference (WC), and waist-tohip ratio (WHR)–were investigated. Individual-level baseline information from the UK Biobank was used to explore observational associations between obesity and stool frequency. Additionally, summary-level data from published genome-wide association studies were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to examine causal associations. Results: For all 4 indicators of obesity, higher levels of obesity were associated with more frequent bowel movements after adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary factors. After rigorous screening, 482 body mass index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 7 body fat percentage SNPs, 48 WC SNPs, and 287 WHR SNPs were identified as instrument variables for MR analysis. The MR results were generally consistent with observational findings, proving that the associations observed in the overall obesity indicators were causal. For central obesity, the association between WHR and stool frequency remained consistent in both analysis phases, whereas WC showed a multidirectional association. Conclusions Obesity-related anthropometric indicators were causally associated with increased stool frequency in the overall and central obesity groups. Weight loss could be a potential approach to improve gastrointestinal regularity in individuals with obesity.

Background/Aims: Obesity is associated with several gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and has been identified as a potential risk factor for various GI symptoms. Bowel frequency is an important indicator of bowel function. However, the causal link between obesity and gastrointestinal motility remains uncertain. This study aims to determine the causal effect of overall and central obesity on stool frequency. Methods: Four obesity-related anthropometric indicators–body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference (WC), and waist-tohip ratio (WHR)–were investigated. Individual-level baseline information from the UK Biobank was used to explore observational associations between obesity and stool frequency. Additionally, summary-level data from published genome-wide association studies were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to examine causal associations. Results: For all 4 indicators of obesity, higher levels of obesity were associated with more frequent bowel movements after adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary factors. After rigorous screening, 482 body mass index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 7 body fat percentage SNPs, 48 WC SNPs, and 287 WHR SNPs were identified as instrument variables for MR analysis. The MR results were generally consistent with observational findings, proving that the associations observed in the overall obesity indicators were causal. For central obesity, the association between WHR and stool frequency remained consistent in both analysis phases, whereas WC showed a multidirectional association. Conclusions Obesity-related anthropometric indicators were causally associated with increased stool frequency in the overall and central obesity groups. Weight loss could be a potential approach to improve gastrointestinal regularity in individuals with obesity.

Background/Aims: Obesity is associated with several gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and has been identified as a potential risk factor for various GI symptoms. Bowel frequency is an important indicator of bowel function. However, the causal link between obesity and gastrointestinal motility remains uncertain. This study aims to determine the causal effect of overall and central obesity on stool frequency. Methods: Four obesity-related anthropometric indicators–body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference (WC), and waist-tohip ratio (WHR)–were investigated. Individual-level baseline information from the UK Biobank was used to explore observational associations between obesity and stool frequency. Additionally, summary-level data from published genome-wide association studies were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to examine causal associations. Results: For all 4 indicators of obesity, higher levels of obesity were associated with more frequent bowel movements after adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary factors. After rigorous screening, 482 body mass index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 7 body fat percentage SNPs, 48 WC SNPs, and 287 WHR SNPs were identified as instrument variables for MR analysis. The MR results were generally consistent with observational findings, proving that the associations observed in the overall obesity indicators were causal. For central obesity, the association between WHR and stool frequency remained consistent in both analysis phases, whereas WC showed a multidirectional association. Conclusions Obesity-related anthropometric indicators were causally associated with increased stool frequency in the overall and central obesity groups. Weight loss could be a potential approach to improve gastrointestinal regularity in individuals with obesity.

Background::To date, there is still a lack of standardized management strategies for gastric low-grade dysplasia (LGD), which is a direct neoplastic precancerous lesion and requires specifically superficial destruction. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is expected to be an effective method for gastric LGD, but post-RFA pain may affect patients’ satisfaction and compliance. The current study aimed to evaluate the value of a submucosal injection prior to RFA (SI-RFA) for postoperative pain and treatment outcomes.Methods::Between October 2014 and July 2021, gastric LGDs without risk factors (size >2 cm, unclear boundary, and abnormal microsurface and microvascularity) undergoing regular RFA and SI-RFA were retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative pain scores, wound healing, and clinical efficacy were compared. Propensity score matching, stratified analysis, and multivariable logistic regression were performed to control the confounding variables.Results::One hundred and ninety-seven gastric LGDs in 151 patients received regular RFA. Forty-nine gastric LGDs in 36 patients received SI-RFA. Thirty-six pairs of patients were selected for the assessment of postoperative pain by propensity score matching. Compared to regular RFA, SI-RFA significantly decreased the degree and duration of postoperative pain (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.13-0.84; P = 0.020), improved wound healing rate (80.0% [36/45] vs. 58.9% [89/151], P = 0.012), increased the complete ablation rate (91.8% [45/49] vs. 86.3% [170/197], χ 2 = 1.094, P = 0.295), but correlated with higher rates of local recurrence and progression (25.6% [10/39] vs. 13.2% [18/136], χ 2 = 3.471, P = 0.062; 8.3% [3/36] vs. 0.9% [1/116], P = 0.042). The multivariable logistic regression model confirmed that submucosal injection was associated with local recurrence (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.13-7.58; P = 0.027). Conclusions::Submucosal injections prior to RFA may reduce postoperative pain and scar formation while ensuring complete ablation of gastric LGD. However, local recurrence and progression should be considered seriously.

Background::Biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) is relatively rare and comprises a spectrum of invasive tumors arising from the biliary tree. The prognosis is extremely poor. The incidence of BTC is relatively high in Asian countries, and a high number of cases are diagnosed annually in China owing to the large population. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the epidemiology and high-risk factors for BTC in China. The signs associated with BTC are complex, often require collaborative treatment from surgeons, endoscopists, oncologists, and radiation therapists. Thus, it is necessary to develop a comprehensive Chinese guideline for BTC.Methods::This clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed following the process recommended by the World Health Organization. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to assess the certainty of evidence and make recommendations. The full CPG report was reviewed by external guideline methodologists and clinicians with no direct involvement in the development of this CPG. Two guideline reporting checklists have been adhered to: Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) and Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT).Results::The guideline development group, which comprised 85 multidisciplinary clinical experts across China. After a controversies conference, 17 clinical questions concerning the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of BTC were proposed. Additionally, detailed descriptions of the surgical principles, perioperative management, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, and endoscopic management were proposed.Conclusions::The guideline development group created a comprehensive Chinese guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of BTC, covering various aspects of epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. The 17 clinical questions have important reference value for the management of BTC.

Objective:To analyze the trends in refractive error and ocular biological parameters in elementary school students over 5 years, and to investigate the patterns of change before and after myopia onset.Methods:A cohort study was adopted.A total of 1 986 first-grade students from the Anyang Childhood Eye Study were enrolled in this cohort study and their right eye data were taken for analysis, including 1 126 boys and 860 girls.Every year, cycloplegic autorefraction was performed with 1% cyclopentolate eyedrops to obtain the spherical equivalent (SE).The axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, mean corneal curvature (Km) and other parameters were obtained by ocular biometry.The lens refractive power (LP) was calculated using the Bennett formula.The subjects were assigned to persistent myopia group, non-myopia group and new onset myopia group.According to the age of myopia onset, the new onset myopia group was subdivided into the 8-, 9-, 10-, 11- and 12-year-old myopia groups to compare the differences in refractive error and ocular bioparameters among groups at different time points of follow-up.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University (No.TRECKY2018-030).Written informed consent form was obtained from the guardians of each subject.Results:All children had a gradual SE drift toward myopia and a gradual increase in the AL with age, and there were significant differences in SE and AL between adjacent follow-up ages within the three groups (all at P<0.05).The earlier the onset of myopia, the higher the myopia SE and the longer the AL of the eye at the same follow-up age, the differences in SE between adjacent groups were statistically significant (all at P<0.05), and the differences in AL between adjacent groups at the follow-up age of 8 to 12 years were statistically significant (all at P<0.05).In the nonmyopia group, SE drifted toward emmetropia at a slow and steady rate of (-0.23±0.27)D/year, and AL also increased slowly and steadily at (0.18±0.13)mm/year.In the new onset myopia group, the changes in SE in the third, second, and first years before myopia onset were (-0.32±0.25), (-0.45±0.33), and (-0.98±0.44)D, and the increases in AL were (0.25±0.12), (0.32±0.15), and (0.48±0.19)mm, respectively.Both SE and AL change rates began to accelerate before myopia onset and slowed down after myopia onset, with statistically significant differences in the overall comparison of SE and AL change rates at different time intervals before and after myopia onset (all at P<0.001).The AL at myopia onset in boys was (24.11±0.70)mm, which was longer than (23.60±0.66)mm in girls ( t=159.71, P<0.01).LP decreased with age in all groups, with a faster rate before the age of 9 years and a slower rate after the age of 9 years.The mean decrease rate in LP was (-0.48±0.19), (-0.44±0.20), (-0.49±0.16), (-0.51±0.18), and (-0.48±0.19)D/year in the persistent myopia group and 8~11-year-old myopia group, respectively, which were significantly faster than -0.42±0.17 D/year in 12-year-old myopia group and (0.37±0.15)D/year in nonmyopia group (all at P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in Km among groups at different follow-up ages (all at P>0.05). Conclusions:The AL begins to grow at an accelerated rate 3 years before myopia onset, and the increase rate of the AL slows down after the onset of myopia, but it is still significantly faster than that of non-myopic children.In this process, the decrease in LP plays a compensatory role; there is no significant change in corneal curvature.The AL of males at the onset of myopia is longer than that of females at the same age.AL is an important indicator for the prevention and control of myopia.It is important to consider gender differences and to pay more attention to the growth rate when assessing AL.

Glial cells in the mammalian retina include macroglia and microglia.The role of glial cells in the glaucomatous disease process involves morphological changes, dynamic migration, and secretion of reactive factors.Activation of retinal glial cells can regulate the progression of glaucoma at the molecular level and affect the extracellular matrix and structural mechanics.Integrative bioinformatics analysis has been used to discover three core gene modules of astrocytes for the effect of glaucoma with high intraocular pressure.Studies have confirmed that mutations leading to glial cell abnormalities can influence the progression of glaucoma-like lesions in the retina.In terms of imaging, the emergence of new technologies has provided new research directions for in vivo observation of the reactive activation state of glial cells.This article reviews the role of glial cell activation in glaucoma with the aim of providing new directions for the pathogenesis and treatment of glaucoma.

Animals ; Macaca mulatta ; Optic Disk ; Glaucoma ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Intraocular Pressure ; Low Tension Glaucoma

Xianfang Huomingyin is known as the first prescription of surgery， also known as Shenxian Huomingyin and Zhenren Huomingyin. The earliest one was from Renzhai Zhizhi in the Southern Song dynasty. It was composed of 13 mainstream medicines such as Angelicae Dahuricae Radix， Saposhnikoviae Radix， Paeoniae Radix Rubra， and three modified medicines such as Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， Momordicae Semen and Astragali Radix. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying， detumescence and ulceration， promoting blood circulation and relieving pain， and is mainly used to treat Yang syndrome. In this study， the bibliometrics method was used to systematically study the historical evolution， prescription composition， dosage， indications， decocting methods， administration methods， drug processing and ancient and modern applications of Xianfang Huomingyin. As for the drug origin， pangolin is consistent with the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， the origins of the remaining drugs are consistent with the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. According to the ancient and modern dosage conversion， the dosage of each drug is as follows：Angelicae Dahuricae Radix， Paeoniae Radix Rubra， Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Trichosanthis Radix， Olibanum of 4.13 g， Gleditsiae Spina and Myrrha of 2.07 g， Angelicae Sinensis tail（stir-fried with wine） and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium of 6.2 g， Saposhnikoviae Radix（removing reed） of 2.89 g， pangolin（stir-fried with clam powder） of 4.14 g， Lonicerae Japonicae Flos of 12.39 g， or adding Rhei Radix et Rhizoma of 4.13 g and Momordicae Semen（shelled） of 3.3 g， adding Astragali Radix of 4.13 g for body deficiency. The above medicines were decocted with 450 mL of yellow rice wine to 300 mL， 1 dose for each time， 3 doses for each day， and warmed before or 0.5 h after meals， 1-6 doses， and discontinue medication as soon as get effect. Because this formula is easy to hurt the spleen and stomach， it should not be taken more. In the follow-up， it should be used in conjunction with Tuoli Xiaodusan， and other related symptoms of patients can be further improved through dialectical addition and subtraction. This formula has the efficacy of disinfection and pus discharge， removing blood stasis and relieving pain. All carbuncle gangrene without ulceration at the beginning， and for the empirical and heat syndrome. Modern applications involve more than 200 kinds of diseases with heat syndrome， emergency and excess syndrome as the main syndrome differentiation points in dermatology， peripheral vascular department and other departments. In a word， this paper studies the literature of Xianfang Huomingyin in order to provide a basis for its wider and deeper clinical application and development research.

Objective:To analysis the necessity of additional surgical intervention for non-curative endoscopic resection patients with early gastric cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 73 patients with early gastric cancer who underwent additional surgical procedures after non-curative endoscopic resection at Chinese PLA General Hospital from July 2009 to May 2023. The main outcome measures included pathological classification, positive horizontal margins, positive vertical margins, invasion depth, vascular and lymphatic invasion, eCura grade, lymph node metastasis, and overall survival rate.Results:A total of 73 patients with early gastric cancer who were determined to have non-curative endoscopic resection underwent additional surgical procedures, including 58 males and 15 females with a mean age of 61 (53-67) years. In terms of the site of onset, 37 cases were located in the upper part of the stomach, 24 cases in the lower part, 11 cases in the middle part, and 1 case had multiple lesions. In terms of pathological classification, 43 cases were highly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, 16 cases were mucinous/signet ring cell carcinoma, 10 cases were poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, and 4 cases were high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. In terms of morphological classification, 22 cases were type 0-Ⅱa, 43 cases were type 0-Ⅱb, and 8 cases were type 0-Ⅲ. In terms of invasion depth, 17 cases were mucosal cancer, 23 cases had submucosal invasion less than 500 μm, and 33 cases had submucosal invasion more than 500 μm. In terms of vascular and lymphatic invasion, 8 cases had lymphatic vessel invasion and 8 cases had venous invasion. Among the 73 patients, 4 were diagnosed as having eCura A, 5 as eCuraB, 4 as eCura C1, and 60 as eCura C2. Among the 60 patients diagnosed as having eCura C2, only 2 cases (3.3%) were found to have lymph node metastasis around the stomach based on postoperative pathological evaluation. Among the 73 endoscopic specimens, 7 patients had positive horizontal margins, 21 had positive vertical margins, and 2 had positive margins in both directions, totaling 30 patients with positive horizontal or vertical margins. According to postoperative pathological evaluation, 9 cases (30.0%) had residual tumors in the original site. Among the 73 patients, 5 were lost to follow-up and 4 died, resulting in an overall survival rate of 94.12% (64/68) and disease-specific survival rate of 98.53% (67/68). The follow-up time of patients was 61.37 (10-166) months.Conclusion:For early gastric cancer patients with eCura C2 following non-curative endoscopic resection, additional surgery is feasible. However, the proportion of patients with actual lymph node metastasis is relatively low.