ObjectiveTo investigate the microbiological characteristics of bile in patients with common bile duct stones alone or comorbid with juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula （JPDD）. MethodsA prospective study was conducted among 30 patients with common bile duct stones who were admitted to Department of Gastroenterology， Hebei General Hospital， from January to May 2024， and according to the presence or absence of JPDD， they were divided into JPDD group and simple common bile duct stones group （CBD group）， with 15 patients in each group. Bile samples were collected during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography， and 16S rRNA microbial sequencing was performed to compare the differences in microbial composition， diversity， and metabolic pathways between the two groups. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Pearson correlation analysis or Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between clinical indicators and microbial species abundance. ResultsClinical data showed that compared with the CBD group， the JPDD group had significantly greater maximum diameter of stones （10.87±3.42 mm vs 6.80±2.08 mm， t=3.94， P0.01） and common bile duct diameter （14.73±3.95 mm vs 9.67±2.64 mm， t=4.13， P0.01）. The microbiological analysis of the bile showed that Proteobacteria， Bacteroidetes， Firmicutes， and Actinobacteria were the most common phyla in both groups， and Proteobacteria was the dominate phylum in the JPDD group. At the genus and species levels， the JPDD group had higher relative abundances of Escherichia-Shigella， Enterococcus， and Escherichia coli. Alpha diversity was similar between the two groups， and there was a significant difference in beta diversity between the two groups （Adonis test， P0.05）. The LEfSe analysis identified 25 differentially expressed species （LDA2） between the two groups， and the JPDD group had enrichment of 7 flora such as Enterobacter， Enterococcaceae， and Klebsiella， while the CBD group had significant enrichment of 18 flora such as Peptococcaceae， Roseburia， and Alistipes （P0.05）. The correlation analysis showed that Enterococcaceae and Enterococcus significantly enriched in the JPDD group were positively correlated with the diameter of the common bile duct and the maximum diameter of stones （P0.01）， whereas Peptococcaceae， Acinetobacter， and Alistipes with reductions in expression were negatively correlated with the diameter of the common bile duct and the maximum diameter of stones （P0.05）. The enrichment analysis of biliary microbial metabolic pathways showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in 10 metabolic pathways such as cell growth and death， transportation and decomposition， nervous system， biosynthesis of valine， leucine， and isoleucine， and histidine metabolism （P0.05）. ConclusionThe presence of JPDD may lead to alterations in bile microbiota， such as an increase in Enterococcus and a reduction in Roseburia， and specific flora and metabolism can promote the formation of common bile duct stones.

Depression is a major cause of disability and has adverse effects.Despite the many types of anti-depressants,clinical treatments of depression remain poor.Therefore,novel anti-depressant mechanisms need to be explored.The beneficial effects of irisin on the nervous system are gradually being elucidated,and studies have found that irisin has an anti-depressant effect,which may become a new treatment for depression.This study explored the mechanism of irisin and its upstream and downstream anti-depressants by reviewing the existing studies explaining the link between irisin and depression,and proposes that SIRT1/PGC-1α may mediate FNDC5/irisin to regulate BDNF to promote neurogenesis and improve depression,which provides a new idea to study irisin and its upstream and downstream anti-depressants.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been recognized as a risk factor for developing dementia. Currently, around 69 million people worldwide suffer from TBI each year, while the overall incidence of TBI among Chinese residents is on a rapid rise. Such a large population of TBI patients may lead to a future surge in the number of dementia patients, bringing heavy burdens on families and societies. However, it seems to be suggested by numerous studies that not all TBI patients are associated with an increased risk of dementia. Dementia can result in disability as well as interfere with caregivers ′ normal lives. Therefore, it will be significant to clarify the relationship between TBI and dementia as well as explain the process of onset and development of post-TBI dementia. In this study, the authors summarize post-TBI dementia from aspects of influencing factors and pathogenic mechanisms, so as to provide relevant references for related studies, therapy, and prophylaxis of post-TBI dementia.

Induction of cancer cell ferroptosis has been proposed as a potential treatment in several cancer types. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key role in promoting tumor malignant progression and therapy resistance. However, the roles and mechanisms of TAMs in regulating tumor ferroptosis is still unexplored and remains enigmatic. This study shows ferroptosis inducers has shown therapeutic outcomes in cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo. TAMs have been found to suppress cervical cancer cells ferroptosis. Mechanistically, macrophage-derived miRNA-660-5p packaged into exosomes are transported into cancer cells. In cancer cells, miRNA-660-5p attenuates ALOX15 expression to inhibit ferroptosis. Moreover, the upregulation of miRNA-660-5p in macrophages depends on autocrine IL4/IL13-activated STAT6 pathway. Importantly, in clinical cervical cancer cases, ALOX15 is negatively associated with macrophages infiltration, which also raises the possibility that macrophages reduce ALOX15 levels in cervical cancer. Moreover, both univariate and multivariate Cox analyses show ALOX15 expression is independent prognostic factor and positively associated with good prognosis in cervical cancer. Altogether, this study reveals the potential utility of targeting TAMs in ferroptosis-based treatment and ALOX15 as prognosis indicators for cervical cancer.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis.Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis.Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is characterized by heterogeneity with respect to morphology, immune phenotype, molecular pathogenesis, clinical presentation and prognosis. With the development of genome and transcriptome sequencing, DLBCL was classified as four subtypes (EZB, BN2, MCD, and N1) or five subtypes (C1-C5). The new molecular pathological typing has a deeper understanding of DLBCL from the levels of genes and molecules which makes the judgment of prognosis more accurate and specific, and it is conducive to the clinical screening of more accurate targeted therapy.

Objective To observe the changes of serum lipid and liver enzyme after levothyroxine sodium treatment in patients with primary hypothyroidism.Methods Data from 104 patients with primary hypothyroidism together with increased serum lipid and liver enzyme were collected from August 2006 to November 2015.The date were compared of the changes of thyroid three triiodothyronine (T3),thyroxine (T4),free three triiodothyronine (FT3),free thyroxine thyroid (FT4),thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),total cholesterol (TC),glycerol triester (TG),high density lipoprotein (HDL-C),low density lipoprotein (LDL-C),alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) before the levothyroxine sodium treatment and after three month of the treatment.Results After three months of levothyroxine sodium treatment,thyroid function (T3,T4,FT3,FT4,TSH) gradually returned to normal levels [(2.02 ± 0.40) vs (0.96 ± 0.24) nmol/L,(95.76 ± 15.23) vs (24.31 ± 9.99) nmol/L,(4.79 ± 0.58) vs (1.96 ±0.57) pmol/L (15.15 ± 1.77) vs (4.70 ± 1.57) pmol/L,(3.05 ± 1.00) vs (82.41 ± 17.18) mU/L,t =-23.57,-44.13,-34.03,-46.48,48.07,P ＜ 0.01],TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,AST apparently decreased [(4.30 ± 0.67) vs (7.54 ± 1.26) mmol/L,(2.05 ± 0.34) vs (2.14 ± 0.47) mmol/L,(2.35 ± 0.49) vs (4.28 ± 0.88) mmol/L,(23.31 ±3.92) vs (46.27 ± 0.98)U/L,(26.63 ± 4.64) vs (55.33 ± 11.99) U/L,t =33.68,4.24,24.87,29.36,33.83,P ＜0.01],the decrease was less obvious than before treatment in HDL-C [(1.62 ± 0.36) vs (1.63-± 0.38) mmol/L,t =1.49,P ＞ 0.05].Conclusion Levothyroxine sodium treatment in patients with hypothyroidism can effectively reduce blood lipid and liver enzyme content.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the change of the aortomitral angle (AMA) with left ventricular systolic function in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) by echocardiography.Methods Thirty-one patients were enrolled in the ICM group,and 59 healthy subjects were selected as the control group.On the parasternal left ventricular long axis plane,AMA were measured at the R wave apex (R-AMA),J-point(J-AMA),ST-segment midpoint(ST-AMA),T-final wave (T-AMA)and P-final wave (P-AMA).The angle difference(⊿ θ) =AMAmax-AMAmin,the angle changing rate =⊿ θ/AMAmax.The global left ventricular longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were obtained by 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography.Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV) and left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV) were measured using Simpson biplane method.Results The J-AMA was the largest in the control group,while the ST-AMA was the largest in the ICM group.The levels of LVEDV,LVESV and AMA in ICM group were significantly higher than those in control group,while LVEF,GLS,GCS,⊿ θ/AMAmax and ⊿ θ were decreased (P ＜0.05).In the control group,there was a correlation between T-AMA and LVEF (r =-0.349,P =0.007),and ⊿ θ was negatively correlated with GLS (r =-0.372,P =0.004).In the ICM group,⊿1 θ/AMAmax and ⊿ θ were correlated with LVEF (r =0.424,P =0.018;r =0.490,P =0.005).Conclusions AMA in ICM patients is significantly increased.The angle difference and the rate of its change are closely related to the LVEF,which is a manifestation of three-dimensional structure change of the myocardial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dimensional accuracy of digital dental models obtained from the dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan of alginate impressions according to the time elapse when the impressions are stored under ambient conditions. METHODS: Alginate impressions were obtained from 20 adults using 3 different alginate materials, 2 traditional alginate materials (Alginoplast and Cavex Impressional) and 1 extended-pour alginate material (Cavex ColorChange). The impressions were stored under ambient conditions, and scanned by CBCT immediately after the impressions were taken, and then at 1 hour intervals for 6 hours. After reconstructing three-dimensional digital dental models, the models were measured and the data were analyzed to determine dimensional changes according to the elapsed time. The changes within the measurement error were regarded as clinically acceptable in this study. RESULTS: All measurements showed a decreasing tendency with an increase in the elapsed time after the impressions. Although the extended-pour alginate exhibited a less decreasing tendency than the other 2 materials, there were no statistically significant differences between the materials. Changes above the measurement error occurred between the time points of 3 and 4 hours after the impressions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that digital dental models can be obtained simply from a CBCT scan of alginate impressions without sending them to a remote laboratory. However, when the impressions are not stored under special conditions, they should be scanned immediately, or at least within 2 to 3 hours after the impressions are taken.
Adult ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Dental Models* ; Humans