Fecal microbiota transplantation （FMT） has been widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders， particularly Clostridium difficile infection， while there are few reports of its application in the diagnosis and treatment of cirrhotic ascites. This article reports a case of a patient with cirrhotic ascites and chronic diarrhea who received FMT with oral capsules， demonstrating significant short-term efficacy without any adverse reactions， in order to provide a reference for the application of FMT in the treatment of liver diseases.

Preterm birth (PTB), predominantly induced by intraamniotic inflammation, stands as the foremost contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. Fetal inflammatory response syndrome, stemming from the activation of the innate immune system, signifies the occurrence of funisitis or chorionic vasculitis. Maternal-fetal complications associated with infection-related PTB encompass maternal sepsis, fetal demise, neonatal sepsis, neonatal neurological impairment, and chronic lung disease. The inflammatory cascade is initiated when Toll-like receptors present on immune cells within the fetal membranes and the female reproductive tract encounter pathogen-associated molecular patterns derived from infectious agents. Subsequently, the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells facilitates the transcription of cytokines. The accumulation of neutrophils compromises the tissue integrity of the fetal membranes, leading to membrane rupture via the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases. Elevated prostaglandin levels prompt uterine contractions and cervical remodeling, resulting in progressive cervical effacement and dilation, ultimately culminating in fetal delivery. The diagnosis of PTB should encompass three pivotal criteria: gestational age, uterine activity, and the consequences of that uterine activity. The diagnosis of chorioamnionitis is established through a combination of clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, identification of infectious microorganisms, and placental pathology. Fetal monitoring involves antenatal ultrasonography and non-stress testing. The management of infection-related PTB involves controlling and treating the infection, timing delivery to coincide with optimal fetal lung maturity, and optimizing outcomes for both the mother and neonate. Current preventive strategies for PTB primarily focus on inhibiting myometrial contractions that arise from the inflammatory cascade initiating PTB. An understanding of these pathways serves as the cornerstone for the development of therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing PTB.

Preterm birth (PTB), predominantly induced by intraamniotic inflammation, stands as the foremost contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. Fetal inflammatory response syndrome, stemming from the activation of the innate immune system, signifies the occurrence of funisitis or chorionic vasculitis. Maternal-fetal complications associated with infection-related PTB encompass maternal sepsis, fetal demise, neonatal sepsis, neonatal neurological impairment, and chronic lung disease. The inflammatory cascade is initiated when Toll-like receptors present on immune cells within the fetal membranes and the female reproductive tract encounter pathogen-associated molecular patterns derived from infectious agents. Subsequently, the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells facilitates the transcription of cytokines. The accumulation of neutrophils compromises the tissue integrity of the fetal membranes, leading to membrane rupture via the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases. Elevated prostaglandin levels prompt uterine contractions and cervical remodeling, resulting in progressive cervical effacement and dilation, ultimately culminating in fetal delivery. The diagnosis of PTB should encompass three pivotal criteria: gestational age, uterine activity, and the consequences of that uterine activity. The diagnosis of chorioamnionitis is established through a combination of clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, identification of infectious microorganisms, and placental pathology. Fetal monitoring involves antenatal ultrasonography and non-stress testing. The management of infection-related PTB involves controlling and treating the infection, timing delivery to coincide with optimal fetal lung maturity, and optimizing outcomes for both the mother and neonate. Current preventive strategies for PTB primarily focus on inhibiting myometrial contractions that arise from the inflammatory cascade initiating PTB. An understanding of these pathways serves as the cornerstone for the development of therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing PTB.

Objective:To explore the effects and possible mechanism of intestinal microbiota on lung injury in mice with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).Methods:The experimental mice were randomly assigned to normal control group (CON group), ANP model group (ANP group) and intestinal germ-free group (ABX group), with 6 mice in each group. The ANP mouse model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of caerulein (100 μg/kg, for 10 times) at an interval of 1 hour each time, followed by 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide injection. Mice in ABX group were treated by Abx solution (0.5 g/L vancomycin, 1 g/L neomycin, 1 g/L metronidazole, and 1 g/L ampicillin), 1 ml/100 g gavage for 28 days before preparation of the ANP model. The CON group was injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of PBS. Histopathologic examination of the pancreas, lungs, and terminal ileum was routinely performed. Serum amylase levels were measured using enzymatic kinetic chemistry, and serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were measured using ELISA assay. Expression of inflammatory factors, pyroptosis-related molecules in lung tissue and intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of the pyroptosis molecules caspase-1 and GSDMD in lung tissue, and intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins. Changes of bacterial distribution in lung tissue were measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results:The pathological scores of pancreatic tissue of CON, ANP, and ABX group were (0.67±0.26), (7.33±0.82), and (5.67±0.81); the pathological scores of lung tissue were (1.67±0.41), (5.67±0.41), and (3.58±0.58); the pathological scores of ileal tissue were (0.58±0.52), (3.83±0.75), and (4.33±0.82); the serum amylase levels were (403.95±93.11), (1037.24±126.77), and (647.32±145.90)U/L; the MPO levels in lung tissue were (0.23±0.03), (0.63±0.09), and (0.48±0.05)U/g. ABX group had significantly lower scores in pancreatic and lung tissues, serum amylase levels, and MPO levels in lung tissue compared to ANP group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P value <0.05). The expression level in pancreatis tissue from CON, ANP and ABX group of IL-1β mRNA was 1.84±0.90, 36.26±5.56 and 16.65±6.43, IL-6 mRNA was 1.07±0.15, 2.90±0.42 and 1.34±0.62, TNF-α mRNA was 0.47±0.11, 0.76±0.11 and 0.46±0.07, HMGB1 mRNA was 0.38±0.02, 0.72±0.22 and 0.44±0.08, caspase-1 mRNA was 1.07±0.18, 2.04±0.31 and 0.85±0.54, ASC mRNA was 1.24±0.19, 5.68±0.41 and 3.89±1.47, GSDMD mRNA was 0.79±0.17, 0.94±0.14 and 0.61±0.08, IL-18 mRNA was 0.83±0.27, 4.17±0.79 and 3.57±0.03, respectively. The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, HMGB1, caspase-1, ASC, and IL-18 mRNA in lung tissue was significantly increased in ANP group compared to the CON group; conversely, ABX group showed a significant decrease in the expression of these markers compared to ANP group; and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The protein level of caspase-1 in lung tissue of CON, ANP and ABX group was 1.59±0.51, 2.28±0.13, 1.38±0.47, and that of GSDMD was 1.90±0.09, 2.20±0.07 and 1.76±0.27, respectively, which in ANP group were significantly higher than in CON group, but in ABX group was significantly lower than in ANP group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The serum DAO levels of CON, ANP, and ABX group were (0.06±0.15), (0.52±0.11) and (0.58±0.11) ng/ml; the expression level of ileum tissue of claudin1 mRNA and protein was 0.98±0.26, 0.42±0.18, 0.32±0.24 and 1.05±0.08, 0.82±0.09, 0.19±0.04; occludin mRNA and protein was 0.91±0.07, 0.31±0.05, 0.32±0.14 and 1.03±0.07, 0.61±0.04, 0.64±0.11; ZO-1 mRNA and protein was 1.01±0.08, 0.80±0.28, 0.60±0.28, and 0.86±0.10, 0.99±0.30, 0.62±0.30. The serum DAO level was significantly elevated in both ANP and ABX groups compared to the CON group. The mRNA and protein expression of claudin-1 and occludin in both ANP and ABX groups were significantly lower than those in CON group; the expression of claudin-1 in ABX group was significantly downregulated compared to ANP group; and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The relative fluorescence intensities of lung tissue in CON, ANP, and ABX groups were 0.03±0.01, 0.06±0.01, and 0.04±0.01, respectively, which in ANP group was significantly higher compared to CON group, but in ABX group was significantly lower than ANP group; all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). Conclusions:Intestinal microbiota may attenuate acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury by inhibiting the pyroptosis pathway in lung tissue.

This article reports a patient with long-term ulcerative colitis (UC) who was initially diagnosed as eosinophilic gastroenteritis due to a increase in peripheral blood eosinophils. During the diagnosis and treatment process, acute myocardial infarction was repeatedly induced. The patient was eventually diagnosed as UC complicated by amoebic infection and improved after anti-infective therapy. Through case analysis and literature review, this article discusses the diagnosis and treatment strategies for UC complicated by rare opportunistic infections.

Objective To investigate the impact of various health education intervention strategies on the proper use of personal respiratory protective equipment (RPE) among workers exposed to dust. Methods Dust-exposed workers were recruited from 60 selected enterprises in Guangdong Province using cluster random sampling method. They were randomly allocated to the control, low-intensity intervention, and high-intensity intervention groups, with 358, 346, and 371 workers in each group, respectively. Workers in the control group received no designed intervention. Workers in the low-intensity intervention group received traditional plus mobile health education on the proper use of RPE. Workers in the high-intensity intervention group received all components of the low-intensity intervention, supplemented with peer education. The intervention lasted for six months. RPE usage was compared among the three groups of workers before and after the intervention. Results Workers in the control, low-intensity intervention, and high-intensity intervention groups showed higher rates of both RPE wearing and correct RPE wearing after the intervention than before it within their respective groups (RPE wearing rate: 94.1% vs 99.2%, 95.7% vs 100.0%, 94.6% vs 100.0%, all P<0.01; correct RPE wearing rate: 66.8% vs 91.1%, 67.3% vs 95.7%, 66.6% vs 96.5%, all P<0.01). Post-intervention correct RPE wearing rates were highest in the high-intensity intervention group, followed by the low-intensity intervention group, and the control group, with the percentage of 96.50%, 95.66% and 91.06%, respectively (P<0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis result showed that different intervention strategies affected the correct use of personal RPE among dust-exposed workers after adjusting for gender, age, and other confounding factors (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the rates of correct RPE use increased in the low-intensity intervention group and the high-intensity intervention group (odd ratio was 2.14 and 3.01; 95% confidence interval was 1.12 - 4.10 and 1.53 - 5.91, respectively). Conclusion The implementation of traditional plus mobile health education interventions on the proper use of RPE can promote correct RPE utilization among dust-exposed workers, and integrating peer education further enhances the intervention effectiveness.

This article reports a patient with long-term ulcerative colitis (UC) who was initially diagnosed as eosinophilic gastroenteritis due to a increase in peripheral blood eosinophils. During the diagnosis and treatment process, acute myocardial infarction was repeatedly induced. The patient was eventually diagnosed as UC complicated by amoebic infection and improved after anti-infective therapy. Through case analysis and literature review, this article discusses the diagnosis and treatment strategies for UC complicated by rare opportunistic infections.

Objective:To explore the effects and possible mechanism of intestinal microbiota on lung injury in mice with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).Methods:The experimental mice were randomly assigned to normal control group (CON group), ANP model group (ANP group) and intestinal germ-free group (ABX group), with 6 mice in each group. The ANP mouse model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of caerulein (100 μg/kg, for 10 times) at an interval of 1 hour each time, followed by 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide injection. Mice in ABX group were treated by Abx solution (0.5 g/L vancomycin, 1 g/L neomycin, 1 g/L metronidazole, and 1 g/L ampicillin), 1 ml/100 g gavage for 28 days before preparation of the ANP model. The CON group was injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of PBS. Histopathologic examination of the pancreas, lungs, and terminal ileum was routinely performed. Serum amylase levels were measured using enzymatic kinetic chemistry, and serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were measured using ELISA assay. Expression of inflammatory factors, pyroptosis-related molecules in lung tissue and intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of the pyroptosis molecules caspase-1 and GSDMD in lung tissue, and intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins. Changes of bacterial distribution in lung tissue were measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results:The pathological scores of pancreatic tissue of CON, ANP, and ABX group were (0.67±0.26), (7.33±0.82), and (5.67±0.81); the pathological scores of lung tissue were (1.67±0.41), (5.67±0.41), and (3.58±0.58); the pathological scores of ileal tissue were (0.58±0.52), (3.83±0.75), and (4.33±0.82); the serum amylase levels were (403.95±93.11), (1037.24±126.77), and (647.32±145.90)U/L; the MPO levels in lung tissue were (0.23±0.03), (0.63±0.09), and (0.48±0.05)U/g. ABX group had significantly lower scores in pancreatic and lung tissues, serum amylase levels, and MPO levels in lung tissue compared to ANP group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P value <0.05). The expression level in pancreatis tissue from CON, ANP and ABX group of IL-1β mRNA was 1.84±0.90, 36.26±5.56 and 16.65±6.43, IL-6 mRNA was 1.07±0.15, 2.90±0.42 and 1.34±0.62, TNF-α mRNA was 0.47±0.11, 0.76±0.11 and 0.46±0.07, HMGB1 mRNA was 0.38±0.02, 0.72±0.22 and 0.44±0.08, caspase-1 mRNA was 1.07±0.18, 2.04±0.31 and 0.85±0.54, ASC mRNA was 1.24±0.19, 5.68±0.41 and 3.89±1.47, GSDMD mRNA was 0.79±0.17, 0.94±0.14 and 0.61±0.08, IL-18 mRNA was 0.83±0.27, 4.17±0.79 and 3.57±0.03, respectively. The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, HMGB1, caspase-1, ASC, and IL-18 mRNA in lung tissue was significantly increased in ANP group compared to the CON group; conversely, ABX group showed a significant decrease in the expression of these markers compared to ANP group; and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The protein level of caspase-1 in lung tissue of CON, ANP and ABX group was 1.59±0.51, 2.28±0.13, 1.38±0.47, and that of GSDMD was 1.90±0.09, 2.20±0.07 and 1.76±0.27, respectively, which in ANP group were significantly higher than in CON group, but in ABX group was significantly lower than in ANP group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The serum DAO levels of CON, ANP, and ABX group were (0.06±0.15), (0.52±0.11) and (0.58±0.11) ng/ml; the expression level of ileum tissue of claudin1 mRNA and protein was 0.98±0.26, 0.42±0.18, 0.32±0.24 and 1.05±0.08, 0.82±0.09, 0.19±0.04; occludin mRNA and protein was 0.91±0.07, 0.31±0.05, 0.32±0.14 and 1.03±0.07, 0.61±0.04, 0.64±0.11; ZO-1 mRNA and protein was 1.01±0.08, 0.80±0.28, 0.60±0.28, and 0.86±0.10, 0.99±0.30, 0.62±0.30. The serum DAO level was significantly elevated in both ANP and ABX groups compared to the CON group. The mRNA and protein expression of claudin-1 and occludin in both ANP and ABX groups were significantly lower than those in CON group; the expression of claudin-1 in ABX group was significantly downregulated compared to ANP group; and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The relative fluorescence intensities of lung tissue in CON, ANP, and ABX groups were 0.03±0.01, 0.06±0.01, and 0.04±0.01, respectively, which in ANP group was significantly higher compared to CON group, but in ABX group was significantly lower than ANP group; all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). Conclusions:Intestinal microbiota may attenuate acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury by inhibiting the pyroptosis pathway in lung tissue.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.