Background::An evidence gap still exists regarding the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) in China. This study aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan vs. esomeprazole in patients with EE in China. Methods::This study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel, active-controlled, non-inferiority phase III trial of patients with EE randomized 1:1 to tegoprazan 50 mg/day vs. esomeprazole 40 mg/day. This study was conducted in 32 sites between October 24, 2018 and October 18, 2019. The primary endpoint was the cumulative endoscopic healing rate at week 8. The secondary endpoint included endoscopic healing rate at week 4, changes in the reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) and gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) scores, and symptom improvement. Results::A total of 261 patients were randomized: 132 to the tegoprazan group and 129 to the esomeprazole group. The cumulative endoscopic healing rate at 8 weeks in the tegoprazan group was non-inferior to that of the esomeprazole group (91.1% vs. 92.8%, difference: -1.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -8.5%, 5.0%, P = 0.008). There were no statistically significant differences in the changes in RDQ (total, severity, and frequency) and GERD-HRQL scores between the two groups (all P >0.05). The percentages of days without symptoms, including daytime and nighttime symptoms based on patients' diaries, were similar between the two groups (all P >0.05). In the tegoprazan and esomeprazole groups, 71.5% (93/130) and 61.7% (79/128) of the participants reported adverse events (AEs), 2.3% and 0 experienced serious AEs, while 70.0% and 60.2% had treatment-emergent AEs, respectively. Conclusion::Tegoprazan 50 mg/day demonstrated non-inferior efficacy in healing EE, symptom improvement, and quality of life, and it has similar tolerability compared with esomeprazole 40 mg/day.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between postoperative spinal sagittal parameters and reinforced vertebral recompression fractures in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) who have undergone percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods:Data on patients with OVCFs treated with PKP at the Department of Orthopaedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from August 2020 to August 2024, were collected. Among these, 31 patients who underwent single-segment PKP experienced postoperative reinforced vertebral recompression fractures (recompression fracture group), comprising 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 73.74±8.76 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 23.83±1.87 kg/m 2, and a bone mineral density T-value of -2.29±0.55. The remission rate of the visual analogue scale (VAS) after surgery was 80.14%±4.86%, with a mean volume of bone cement used at 5.37±0.69 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 5 (1 case), T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (9 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (4 cases), L 3 (2 cases), and L 4 (2 cases). Following a 1∶1 matching principle, 31 patients whose vertebrae did not experience reinforced recompression fractures during the same period (non-recompression fracture group) were included. This group also comprised 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 74.88±8.31 years, a BMI of 23.15±2.04 kg/m 2, a bone mineral density T-value of -2.76±0.64, and a VAS remission rate of 79.75%±5.01%. The mean volume of bone cement used in this group was 5.41±0.72 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (8 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (5 cases), L 3 (2 cases), L 4 (2 cases), and L 5 (1 case). There were no statistically significant differences in the aforementioned indicators between the two patient groups ( P>0.05). A comparison of the postoperative spinal sagittal parameters between the two groups was conducted, focusing on the local kyphosis angle (LKA), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and the lumbar-pelvic matching value (PI-LL). Indicators that exhibited statistically significant differences were included in the binary logistic regression analysis to evaluate the impact of spinal sagittal parameters following PKP on the recompression of the reinforced vertebral. Results:The time to reinforced vertebral recompression fractures after PKP ranged from 35 to 184 d, with a median of 69 d. The TK in the recompression fracture group (46.56°±7.02°) was significantly greater than that in the non-recompression fracture group (41.95°±5.76°). Additionally, the LKA, PI and SS were all smaller in the recompression fracture group (9.84°±2.13°, 41.36°±4.27°, 22.69°±5.53°, respectively) compared to the non-recompression fracture group (12.37°±2.64°, 48.09°±6.33°, 28.41°±7.64°), with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the LL, PT, and PI-LL values ( P>0.05). TK, LKA, PI, and SS were included in the binary logistic regression analysis, which indicated that TK [ OR=1.533, 95% CI(1.47, 1.59)] after PKP was positively correlated with the occurrence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures. Conversely, LKA [ OR=0.882, 95% CI(0.80, 0.96)], PI [ OR=0.815, 95% CI(0.71, 0.91)], and SS [ OR=0.833, 95% CI(0.73, 0.93)] were negatively correlated. Conclusions:The incidence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures following PKP is associated with spinal sagittal parameters, including TK, LKA, PI, and SS. Specifically, a larger TK and smaller values of LKA, PI, and SS are correlated with an elevated risk of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between postoperative spinal sagittal parameters and reinforced vertebral recompression fractures in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) who have undergone percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods:Data on patients with OVCFs treated with PKP at the Department of Orthopaedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from August 2020 to August 2024, were collected. Among these, 31 patients who underwent single-segment PKP experienced postoperative reinforced vertebral recompression fractures (recompression fracture group), comprising 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 73.74±8.76 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 23.83±1.87 kg/m 2, and a bone mineral density T-value of -2.29±0.55. The remission rate of the visual analogue scale (VAS) after surgery was 80.14%±4.86%, with a mean volume of bone cement used at 5.37±0.69 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 5 (1 case), T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (9 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (4 cases), L 3 (2 cases), and L 4 (2 cases). Following a 1∶1 matching principle, 31 patients whose vertebrae did not experience reinforced recompression fractures during the same period (non-recompression fracture group) were included. This group also comprised 8 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 74.88±8.31 years, a BMI of 23.15±2.04 kg/m 2, a bone mineral density T-value of -2.76±0.64, and a VAS remission rate of 79.75%±5.01%. The mean volume of bone cement used in this group was 5.41±0.72 ml. The surgical segments involved included T 8 (1 case), T 10 (1 case), T 11 (4 cases), T 12 (8 cases), L 1 (7 cases), L 2 (5 cases), L 3 (2 cases), L 4 (2 cases), and L 5 (1 case). There were no statistically significant differences in the aforementioned indicators between the two patient groups ( P>0.05). A comparison of the postoperative spinal sagittal parameters between the two groups was conducted, focusing on the local kyphosis angle (LKA), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and the lumbar-pelvic matching value (PI-LL). Indicators that exhibited statistically significant differences were included in the binary logistic regression analysis to evaluate the impact of spinal sagittal parameters following PKP on the recompression of the reinforced vertebral. Results:The time to reinforced vertebral recompression fractures after PKP ranged from 35 to 184 d, with a median of 69 d. The TK in the recompression fracture group (46.56°±7.02°) was significantly greater than that in the non-recompression fracture group (41.95°±5.76°). Additionally, the LKA, PI and SS were all smaller in the recompression fracture group (9.84°±2.13°, 41.36°±4.27°, 22.69°±5.53°, respectively) compared to the non-recompression fracture group (12.37°±2.64°, 48.09°±6.33°, 28.41°±7.64°), with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the LL, PT, and PI-LL values ( P>0.05). TK, LKA, PI, and SS were included in the binary logistic regression analysis, which indicated that TK [ OR=1.533, 95% CI(1.47, 1.59)] after PKP was positively correlated with the occurrence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures. Conversely, LKA [ OR=0.882, 95% CI(0.80, 0.96)], PI [ OR=0.815, 95% CI(0.71, 0.91)], and SS [ OR=0.833, 95% CI(0.73, 0.93)] were negatively correlated. Conclusions:The incidence of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures following PKP is associated with spinal sagittal parameters, including TK, LKA, PI, and SS. Specifically, a larger TK and smaller values of LKA, PI, and SS are correlated with an elevated risk of reinforced vertebral recompression fractures.

Background::An evidence gap still exists regarding the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) in China. This study aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan vs. esomeprazole in patients with EE in China. Methods::This study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel, active-controlled, non-inferiority phase III trial of patients with EE randomized 1:1 to tegoprazan 50 mg/day vs. esomeprazole 40 mg/day. This study was conducted in 32 sites between October 24, 2018 and October 18, 2019. The primary endpoint was the cumulative endoscopic healing rate at week 8. The secondary endpoint included endoscopic healing rate at week 4, changes in the reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) and gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) scores, and symptom improvement. Results::A total of 261 patients were randomized: 132 to the tegoprazan group and 129 to the esomeprazole group. The cumulative endoscopic healing rate at 8 weeks in the tegoprazan group was non-inferior to that of the esomeprazole group (91.1% vs. 92.8%, difference: -1.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -8.5%, 5.0%, P = 0.008). There were no statistically significant differences in the changes in RDQ (total, severity, and frequency) and GERD-HRQL scores between the two groups (all P >0.05). The percentages of days without symptoms, including daytime and nighttime symptoms based on patients' diaries, were similar between the two groups (all P >0.05). In the tegoprazan and esomeprazole groups, 71.5% (93/130) and 61.7% (79/128) of the participants reported adverse events (AEs), 2.3% and 0 experienced serious AEs, while 70.0% and 60.2% had treatment-emergent AEs, respectively. Conclusion::Tegoprazan 50 mg/day demonstrated non-inferior efficacy in healing EE, symptom improvement, and quality of life, and it has similar tolerability compared with esomeprazole 40 mg/day.

Oxidative stress, due to the disruption of the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the antioxidant defense system, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Excessive ROS leads to the loss of biological molecules and cellular functions, release of many inflammatory mediators, stimulate the polarization of macrophages, and aggravate the inflammatory response, thus promoting osteoclasts and bone damage. Therefore, foreign antioxidants would effectively treat RA. Herein, ultrasmall iron-quercetin natural coordination nanoparticles (Fe-Qur NCNs) with excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were constructed to effectively treat RA. Fe-Qur NCNs obtained by simple mixing retain the inherent ability to remove ROS of quercetin and have a better water-solubility and biocompatibility. In vitro experiments showed that Fe-Qur NCNs could effectively remove excess ROS, avoid cell apoptosis, and inhibit the polarization of inflammatory macrophages by reducing the activation of the nuclear factor-κ-gene binding (NF-κB) pathways. In vivo experiments showed that the swollen joints of mice with rheumatoid arthritis treated with Fe-Qur NCNs significantly improved, with Fe-Qur NCNs largely reducing inflammatory cell infiltration, increasing anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotypes, and thus inhibiting osteoclasts, which led to bone erosion. This study demonstrated that the new metal-natural coordination nanoparticles could be an effective therapeutic agent for the prevention of RA and other diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.

Multi-species solid-state fermentation in a mud pit is one of the typical features of strong-flavor baijiu, in which archaea plays important roles, however, the archaeal community distribution and diversity during fermentation are still lack of research. The biomass, composition and succession of archaea communities in fermented grains and pit mud were analyzed by high throughput sequencing. The potential interaction between archaea and bacteria was analyzed by co-occurrence network. Results demonstrate that the average biomass of archaea in pit mud was about 200 times higher than that of fermented grains. There was no significant difference in archaeal community structure between fermented grains and pit mud (r=0.017, P=0.074), but succession patterns between them showed significant correlation (r=0.30, P=0.03). Methanobacterium was the most abundant archaea in fermented grains and pit mud, and other dominant groups included Methanosarcina, Methanocorpusculum, Methanoculleus, and Methanobrevibacter. The co-occurrence network analysis showed that Methanobacterium was positively correlated with most bacteria in fermented grains and pit mud, especially with Hydrogenispora and Caproiciproducens, the dominant bacteria in pit mud. Our results revealed the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and potential functions of the archaeal community in the mud pit of strong-flavor baijiu.
Alcoholic Beverages/analysis* ; Archaea/genetics* ; Bacteria ; Fermentation ; Taste

Esophageal variceal bleeding is a major complication of liver cancer and a major cause of death in patients with liver cancer.This article summarizes the current status of the treatment of liver cancer complicated by esophageal variceal bleeding, including drugs and endoscopic and interventional treatment, with an emphasis on treatment options for liver cancer complicated by esophageal variceal bleeding.