Objective Chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)is often accompanied by intestinal flora disorder and intestinal symptoms,forming the phenomenon of"stomach disease involving intestine".This study explored the dynamic correlation between intestinal symptoms and qi-stagnation degree in patients with CAG qi-stagnation syndrome and analyzed the characteristics of gut microbiota from the perspective of"spleen-stomach system serving as the pivotal hub of qi movement"in TCM.Methods According to the syndrome element differentiation method,410 patients with CAG were divided into four groups:non-qi-stagnation group,mild qi-stagnation group,moderate qi-stagnation group and severe qi-stagnation group.Correlation analysis and 16S intestinal flora sequencing technology were used to analyze the correlation and differential flora between the degree of CAG qi-stagnation and intestinal symptoms.Results Patients with CAG qi-stagnation syndrome were often accompanied by intestinal symptoms such as frequent flatulence,poor defecation and alternating loose-constipated stools.The frequency of cases was significantly positively correlated with the degree of qi-stagnation"non-mild-moderate-severe"(P<0.05).There was a difference in the abundance of gut microbiota between the four groups of CAG qi-stagnation none,mild,moderate and severe.The relative abundance of Streptococcus,Subdoligranulum,Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Haemophilus was positively correlated with the degree of qi-stagnation.The relative abundance of Ruminococcus_torques_group and Butyricicoccus showed a negative correlation,and Haemophilus was statistically significant among the four groups(P<0.05).Conclusion This study can provide clinical evidence and micro-mechanism for the connotation of"gastrointestinal co-morbidities"and"different diseases with the same syndrome",which may open up new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the clinical and salivary metabolic component characteristics of patients with OSA combined with LPRD, and to investigate the potential co-morbid mechanisms of LPRD and OSA.Methods:A total of 98 adult patients with OSA (81 males and 17 females) who visited the Department of Otolaryngology of Peking University Third Hospital from March 2024 to May 2024 were consecutively included. The age ranged from 19 to 68 years (mean±standard deviation: 39.44±11.39 years). The severity of OSA was grouped according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) [mild group (29 cases), moderate group (26 cases), and severe group (43 cases)]. Patients with a reflux symptom index score (RSI)>13 points and/or a reflux sign score (RFS)>7 points were considered LPRD positive. Among the 98 OSA patients, 48 had LPRD and 50 did not. All patients were diagnosed with OSA through out of center sleep testing(OCST) or polysomnography (PSG), and general information, laryngoscopic examination images, and RSI scales were collected. The RFS was evaluated based on the laryngoscopic examination results. Saliva samples were collected from both groups for metabolomics analysis. Chi-square test was used for categorical variable comparison, and independent sample t-test or one-way ANOVA analysis of variance was used for continuous variable comparison.Results:Stratified analysis showed that the proportion of male patients in the mild OSA group was significantly lower than that in the moderate or severe OSA groups (58.6%, 92.3%, 93.0%, χ2=16.43, P<0.001), and the BMI was significantly lower in the mild OSA group [(25.80±4.41)kg/m 2, (27.53±3.88)kg/m 2, (28.99±3.65)kg/m 2, F=6.91, P=0.002]. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of LPRD among patients with different severity of OSA. The BMI of OSA patients with LPRD was higher than that of patients with OSA alone [(28.65±4.75)kg/m 2, (26.94±3.16)kg/m 2, t=-2.07, P=0.041], but there were no statistically significant differences in gender composition, age, AHI, and minimum blood oxygen saturation between the two groups. The metabolomics results of saliva samples from both groups showed significant differences in the levels of tryptophan pathway metabolites. The salivary serotonin metabolite level in patients with LPRD combined with OSA was significantly lower than that in patients with OSA alone (relative abundance 0.12±0.019 vs 0.22±0.046, t=2.04, P=0.045). Conclusion:Patients with OSA combined with LPRD have a greater BMI and significantly lower serotonin, a tryptophan metabolite component of saliva, which may be a potential co-morbidity mechanism between OSA and LPRD.

AIM: To review and summarize the current research and achievements in the field of diabetic cataract, with the aim of better identifying research hotspots and trends in this area.METHODS: Based on the relevant literature retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science databases, and Pubmed, a bibliometric analysis of the diabetic cataract was conducted by means of Microsoft Office Excel 2017 and CiteSpace 6.3R2. Research hotspots were subsequently synthesized after visualizations of author/country collaborations, co-citation networks of highly cited literature, keyword clustering, and emergence.RESULTS: A total of 815 Chinese and 572 English publications were finally included. Overall, this field had maintained substantial scholarly attention globally, though publications had progressively decreased since 2018. While inter-institutional collaboration in this area remained limited, a multinational collaborative network had emerged with the People's Republic of China, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Spain as central hubs. Core research priorities in diabetic cataract consistently encompassed surgical and pharmacological interventions, pathogenesis, associated ocular/systemic complications; while international and domestic research contents aligned fundamentally in these domains, but the domestic research was unique in nursing interventions and herbal medicine-based interventions. Recent analytical trends revealed that Chinese investigations prioritized the pathogenic mechanisms of diabetic cataract, whereas international efforts concentrated on clinical therapeutics.CONCLUSION: This bibliometric analysis of diabetic cataract research literature(2000-2024)synthesizes the current advancements, research priorities, and scholarly contributions in the field, and intuitively demonstrates significant academic merit and clinical relevance, which can provide evidence-based guidance for the future research trajectories.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei E6 for improving vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish. METHODS: The intestinal colonization of L. paracasei E6 labeled by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) in zebrafish was observed under fluorescence microscope. In a zebrafish model of vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression, the immunomodulatory activity of L. paracasei E6 was assessed by analyzing macrophage and neutrophil counts in the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT), the number of T-lymphocyte, and the expressions of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in L. paracasei E6 fermentation supernatant and the metabolites of L. paracasei E6 in zebrafish were detected by LC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics. The immunomodulatory effects of the SCFAs including sodium acetate, sodium propionate and sodium butyrate were evaluated in the zebrafish model of immunosuppression. RESULTS: After inoculation, green fluorescence of FITC-labeled L. paracasei E6 was clearly observed in the intestinal ball, midgut and posterior gut regions of zebrafish. In the immunocompromised zebrafish model, L. paracasei E6 significantly alleviated the reduction of macrophage and neutrophil counts in the CHT, increased the fluorescence intensity of T-lymphocytes, and promoted the expressions of IL-12 and IFN-γ. Compared with MRS medium, L. paracasei E6 fermentation supernatant showed significantly higher levels of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid, which were also detected in immunocompromised zebrafish following treatment with L. paracasei E6. Treatment of the zebrafish model with sodium acetate and sodium propionate significantly increased macrophage and neutrophil counts in the CHT and effectively inhibited vinorelbine-induced reduction of thymus T cells. CONCLUSIONS L. paracasei E6 can improve vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish through its SCFA metabolites acetic acid and propionic acid.
Animals ; Zebrafish/immunology* ; Acetic Acid/metabolism* ; Propionates/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ZG03 (L. plantarum ZG03) for ameliorating oxidative stress in zebrafish. METHODS: We evaluated the growth pattern of L. plantarum ZG03, observed its morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy, and assessed its safety and potential efficacy with whole-genome sequencing for genetic analysis. FITC-labeled ZG03 was used to observe its intestinal colonization in zebrafish. In a zebrafish model of 2% glucose-induced oxidative stress, the effect of ZG03 was evaluated by assessing the changes in neutrophils in the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics was used for analyzing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the zebrafish, and the antioxidant effects of the key metabolites (acetate, propionate, and caproate) were tested. RESULTS: On MRS agar, L. plantarum ZG03 formed circular, smooth, moist, and milky-white colonies with a rod-shaped cell morphology. Genomic analysis revealed abundant sugar metabolism gene clusters. After inoculation of FITC-labeled L. plantarum ZG03 in zebrafish, green fluorescence was clearly observed in the intestinal bulb, mid-intestine, and hind intestine. In zebrafish with glucose-induced oxidative stress, L. plantarum ZG03 significantly reduced ROS levels and the number of neutrophils in the CHT with increased SOD activity. L.plantarum ZG03 significantly increased the content of SCFAs including acetic acid, propionic acid, and caproic acid in zebrafish metabolites. In addition, sodium acetate, sodium propionate, and sodium caproate in the SCFAs significantly increased SOD activity in the zebrafish models. CONCLUSIONS L. plantarum ZG03 ameliorates oxidative stress in a glucose-induced zebrafish model through its metabolites, particularly the SCFAs including acetic acid, propionic acid and caproic acid.
Animals ; Zebrafish/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Lactobacillus plantarum/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Probiotics ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

Objective To explore the mechanism of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei E6 for improving vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish.Methods The intestinal colonization of L.paracasei E6 labeled by fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)in zebrafish was observed under fluorescence microscope.In a zebrafish model of vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression,the immunomodulatory activity of L.paracasei E6 was assessed by analyzing macrophage and neutrophil counts in the caudal hematopoietic tissue(CHT),the number of T-lymphocyte,and the expressions of interleukin-12(IL-12)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ).The contents of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in L.paracasei E6 fermentation supernatant and the metabolites of L.paracasei E6 in zebrafish were detected by LC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics.The immunomodulatory effects of the SCFAs including sodium acetate,sodium propionate and sodium butyrate were evaluated in the zebrafish model of immunosuppression.Results After inoculation,green fluorescence of FITC-labeled L.paracasei E6 was clearly observed in the intestinal ball,midgut and posterior gut regions of zebrafish.In the immunocompromised zebrafish model,L.paracasei E6 significantly alleviated the reduction of macrophage and neutrophil counts in the CHT,increased the fluorescence intensity of T-lymphocytes,and promoted the expressions of IL-12 and IFN-γ.Compared with MRS medium,L.paracasei E6 fermentation supernatant showed significantly higher levels of acetic acid,propionic acid and butyric acid,which were also detected in immunocompromised zebrafish following treatment with L.paracasei E6.Treatment of the zebrafish model with sodium acetate and sodium propionate significantly increased macrophage and neutrophil counts in the CHT and effectively inhibited vinorelbine-induced reduction of thymus T cells.Conclusion L.paracasei E6 can improve vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish through its SCFA metabolites acetic acid and propionic acid.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ZG03(L.plantarum ZG03)for ameliorating oxidative stress in zebrafish.Methods We evaluated the growth pattern of L.plantarum ZG03,observed its morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy,and assessed its safety and potential efficacy with whole-genome sequencing for genetic analysis.FITC-labeled ZG03 was used to observe its intestinal colonization in zebrafish.In a zebrafish model of 2%glucose-induced oxidative stress,the effect of ZG03 was evaluated by assessing the changes in neutrophils in the caudal hematopoietic tissue(CHT),superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity,reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels,and malondialdehyde(MDA)content.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics was used for analyzing short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in the zebrafish,and the antioxidant effects of the key metabolites(acetate,propionate,and caproate)were tested.Results On MRS agar,L.plantarum ZG03 formed circular,smooth,moist,and milky-white colonies with a rod-shaped cell morphology.Genomic analysis revealed abundant sugar metabolism gene clusters.After inoculation of FITC-labeled L.plantarum ZG03 in zebrafish,green fluorescence was clearly observed in the intestinal bulb,mid-intestine,and hind intestine.In zebrafish with glucose-induced oxidative stress,L.plantarum ZG03 significantly reduced ROS levels and the number of neutrophils in the CHT with increased SOD activity.L.plantarum ZG03 significantly increased the content of SCFAs including acetic acid,propionic acid,and caproic acid in zebrafish metabolites.In addition,sodium acetate,sodium propionate,and sodium caproate in the SCFAs significantly increased SOD activity in the zebrafish models.Conclusion L.plantarum ZG03 ameliorates oxidative stress in a glucose-induced zebrafish model through its metabolites,particularly the SCFAs including acetic acid,propionic acid and caproic acid.

Objective Chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)is often accompanied by intestinal flora disorder and intestinal symptoms,forming the phenomenon of"stomach disease involving intestine".This study explored the dynamic correlation between intestinal symptoms and qi-stagnation degree in patients with CAG qi-stagnation syndrome and analyzed the characteristics of gut microbiota from the perspective of"spleen-stomach system serving as the pivotal hub of qi movement"in TCM.Methods According to the syndrome element differentiation method,410 patients with CAG were divided into four groups:non-qi-stagnation group,mild qi-stagnation group,moderate qi-stagnation group and severe qi-stagnation group.Correlation analysis and 16S intestinal flora sequencing technology were used to analyze the correlation and differential flora between the degree of CAG qi-stagnation and intestinal symptoms.Results Patients with CAG qi-stagnation syndrome were often accompanied by intestinal symptoms such as frequent flatulence,poor defecation and alternating loose-constipated stools.The frequency of cases was significantly positively correlated with the degree of qi-stagnation"non-mild-moderate-severe"(P<0.05).There was a difference in the abundance of gut microbiota between the four groups of CAG qi-stagnation none,mild,moderate and severe.The relative abundance of Streptococcus,Subdoligranulum,Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Haemophilus was positively correlated with the degree of qi-stagnation.The relative abundance of Ruminococcus_torques_group and Butyricicoccus showed a negative correlation,and Haemophilus was statistically significant among the four groups(P<0.05).Conclusion This study can provide clinical evidence and micro-mechanism for the connotation of"gastrointestinal co-morbidities"and"different diseases with the same syndrome",which may open up new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the clinical and salivary metabolic component characteristics of patients with OSA combined with LPRD, and to investigate the potential co-morbid mechanisms of LPRD and OSA.Methods:A total of 98 adult patients with OSA (81 males and 17 females) who visited the Department of Otolaryngology of Peking University Third Hospital from March 2024 to May 2024 were consecutively included. The age ranged from 19 to 68 years (mean±standard deviation: 39.44±11.39 years). The severity of OSA was grouped according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) [mild group (29 cases), moderate group (26 cases), and severe group (43 cases)]. Patients with a reflux symptom index score (RSI)>13 points and/or a reflux sign score (RFS)>7 points were considered LPRD positive. Among the 98 OSA patients, 48 had LPRD and 50 did not. All patients were diagnosed with OSA through out of center sleep testing(OCST) or polysomnography (PSG), and general information, laryngoscopic examination images, and RSI scales were collected. The RFS was evaluated based on the laryngoscopic examination results. Saliva samples were collected from both groups for metabolomics analysis. Chi-square test was used for categorical variable comparison, and independent sample t-test or one-way ANOVA analysis of variance was used for continuous variable comparison.Results:Stratified analysis showed that the proportion of male patients in the mild OSA group was significantly lower than that in the moderate or severe OSA groups (58.6%, 92.3%, 93.0%, χ2=16.43, P<0.001), and the BMI was significantly lower in the mild OSA group [(25.80±4.41)kg/m 2, (27.53±3.88)kg/m 2, (28.99±3.65)kg/m 2, F=6.91, P=0.002]. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of LPRD among patients with different severity of OSA. The BMI of OSA patients with LPRD was higher than that of patients with OSA alone [(28.65±4.75)kg/m 2, (26.94±3.16)kg/m 2, t=-2.07, P=0.041], but there were no statistically significant differences in gender composition, age, AHI, and minimum blood oxygen saturation between the two groups. The metabolomics results of saliva samples from both groups showed significant differences in the levels of tryptophan pathway metabolites. The salivary serotonin metabolite level in patients with LPRD combined with OSA was significantly lower than that in patients with OSA alone (relative abundance 0.12±0.019 vs 0.22±0.046, t=2.04, P=0.045). Conclusion:Patients with OSA combined with LPRD have a greater BMI and significantly lower serotonin, a tryptophan metabolite component of saliva, which may be a potential co-morbidity mechanism between OSA and LPRD.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of the visceral leishmaniasis control srtrategy. Methods All epidemiological data of reported visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023 were retrieved from the National Notifiable Disease Report Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the epidemiological features and diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis cases were descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 93 visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023, with a male to female ratio of 2.58∶1, and including 2 imported cases from other provinces and 91 local cases. The number of visceral leishmaniasis cases peaked during the period between March and May, and between July and October. The reported visceral leishmaniasis cases had ages of 7 months to 74 years, with the largest number of cases found at ages of 0 to 9 years (26 cases, 27.96%), followed by at ages of 60 to 70 years (24 cases, 25.81%). Farmer (47 cases, 50.54%) and diaspora children (19 cases, 20.43%) were predominant occupations, and 91 local visceral leishmaniasis cases were found in 6 cities of Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Anyang, Hebi, Sanmenxia and Xuchang. The median duration from onset of visceral leishmaniasis to diagnosis was 20 days, and there were 25.81% (24/93) cases with 10 days and less duration from onset to diagnosis, 38.71% (36/93) cases receiving diagnosis at 11 to 30 days following onset, and 35.48% (33/93) cases receiving diagnosis for more than 30 days following onset. All cases were predominantly diagnosed in province- (60.00%) and city-level (28.89%) medical institutions. Conclusions The number of visceral leishmaniasis is on the rise in Henan Province, with a gradually expanding coverage. Intensified monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis cases, dogs, and vectors, dog management, sandflies control and improved individual protection are recommended to prevent the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.