BACKGROUND: The effect of the interval between previous Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and rescue treatment on therapeutic outcomes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between eradication rates and treatment interval durations in H. pylori infections. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2023 at six tertiary hospitals in Shandong, China. We recruited patients who were positive for H. pylori infection and required rescue treatment. Demographic information, previous times of eradication therapy, last eradication therapy date, and history of antibiotic use data were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on the rescue treatment interval length: Group A, ≥4 weeks and ≤3 months; Group B, >3 and ≤6 months; Group C, >6 and ≤12 months; and Group D, >12 months. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori . Drug compliance and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed. Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare eradication rates between groups. RESULTS: A total of 670 patients were enrolled in this study. The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 88.3% (158/179) in Group A, 89.6% (120/134) in Group B, 89.1% (123/138) in Group C, and 87.7% (192/219) in Group D. The per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 92.9% (156/168) in Group A, 94.5% (120/127) in Group B, 94.5% (121/128) in Group C, and 93.6% (190/203) in Group D. There was no statistically significant difference in the eradication rates between groups in either the ITT ( P = 0.949) or PP analysis ( P = 0.921). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of AEs ( P = 0.934) or drug compliance ( P = 0.849) between groups. CONCLUSION: The interval duration of rescue treatment had no significant effect on H. pylori eradication rates or the incidence of AEs. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05173493.
Humans ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMQ) for alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. METHODS: Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into control group, DSS group and DMQ treatment group. In DSS and DMQ groups, the mice were treated with DSS in drinking water to induce UC, and received intraperitoneal injections of sterile PBS or DMQ (20 mg/kg) during modeling. The changes in body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, spleen weight, and colon histological scores of the mice were examined, and the percentages of Th17 and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen were analyzed using flow cytometry. The expressions of tight junction proteins (Occludin and ZO-1), proteins associated with inflammasome activation (caspase-1 and p20), IL-1β and TNF-α in the colon tissues were detected using Western blotting or ELISA. In the cell experiment, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) primed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were treated with DMQ, followed by stmulation with nigericin to activate the classical NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. In cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) treated with either LPS alone or LPS plus nigericin, the effects of DMQ on inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and cytokine release were evaluated via Western blotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: In DSS-treated mice, DMQ treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon shortening, spleen enlargement, and colon inflammation. The DMQ-treated mice showed significantly reduced percentages of Th17 cells and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, with increased occludin and ZO-1 expressions and decreased caspase-1 expression in the colon tissue. DMQ obviously inhibited classical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDMs and both the classical and alternative pathways of NLRP3 activation in human PBMCs, causing also suppression of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS DMQ ameliorates DSS-induced UC in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Dextran Sulfate/adverse effects* ; Male ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Benzoquinones/therapeutic use* ; Th17 Cells ; Caspase 1/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the correlation between remnant cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (RC/HDL-C) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in health check-up population.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 5 299 subjects who received physical examination in the Health Management Center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January to December in 2023 and met the admission criteria were selected as the research subjects. The subjects were examined by demography, anthropometry, laboratory tests and liver instantaneous elastography. The Chi-square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare the indexes between the subjects with and without MAFLD. The subjects were divided into 4 groups (Q1-Q4 groups) according to the RC/HDL-C ratio quartiles by quartile method, and the indexes in each group were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn using MedCalc software and compared to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the RC/HDL-C ratio for MAFLD. Results:With the increase of RC/HDL-C ratio, the detection rate of MAFLD (12.56% vs 43.48%), male proportion (55.68% vs 85.60%), total cholesterol (TC) [(4.63±0.82) vs (5.10±1.06) mmol/L], triglyceride (TG) [0.90(0.71, 1.15) vs 2.58(1.96, 3.50) mmol/L], alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [17.00(13.00, 24.00) vs 26.00(19.00, 38.00) U/L], aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [20.00(17.00, 24.00) vs 23.00(19.00, 29.00) U/L], and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) [(239.32±40.52) vs (274.60±44.98) dB/m] increased gradually, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [1.40(1.20, 1.64) vs 0.93(0.84, 1.04) μmol/L] decreased gradually (all P<0.05). ROC curves showed that the AUC value of RC/HDL-C ratio was significantly higher in identifying MAFLD when compared with TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, non-HDL-C and RC (AUC=0.676, P<0.05). Conclusions:The RC/HDL-C ratio is positively correlated with the risk of morbidity of MAFLD in health check-up population.

Objective:To identify and validate the key genes of ferroptosis in phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) associated membranous nephropathy through bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments, and to explore the potential role of ferroptosis in PLA2R associated membranous nephropathy (PMN). Methods:The GSE115857 dataset obtained by retrieving the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and the ferroptosis-related genes obtained by retrieving the FerrDb database were intersected. The intersected genes were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. The key ferroptosis genes associated with PMN were identified by intersecting genes selected using support vector machines-recursive feature elimination and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. The results were validate by real-time PCR, cell counting kit-8, Western blotting and immunofluorescence in human renal podocyte line AB 8/13 from both the control group and model group.Results:A total of 25 genes related to ferroptosis of PMN were obtained, and GO and KEGG analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in cell ferroptosis metabolism. The key ferroptosis genes of PMN obtained by machine learning method were activating transcription factor 3 ( ATF3) and coiled coil domain containing 6 ( CCDC6). The results of in vitro experiments showed that the human renal podocyte line AB 8/13 in the model group was significantly deformed and retracted compared with the control group. The surface area density of foot processes was significantly reduced, and the podocyte cytoskeleton was allosteric. The morphology of F-actin was disordered and the expression of synaptopodin was decreased. The cell proliferation activity was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The expression of PLA2R protein was increased ( P<0.05), and the expression of GPX4 protein was decreased ( P<0.01). The protein and mRNA levels of ATF3 and CCDC6 were significantly up-regulated (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Ferroptosis may be one of the key mechanisms in the occurrence and development of PMN. In vitro experiments show that ATF3 and CCDC6 are the key genes in the ferroptosis of PMN podocytes, which provides new insights and ideas for the pathogenesis of PMN.

Objective To investigate the effect of extracellular heat shock protein(HSP)22 on Toll-like receptor(TLR)4/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway in oxidative-low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)-induced inflammatory damage in coronary endothelial cells(HCAECs).Methods HCAECs were cul-tured in vitro and pretreated with ox-LDL to establish a model of high-lipid-induced endothelial cell injury.Re-combinant human HSP22(rhHSP22)was exogenously treated.The effects of rhHSP22 on the expression of inflammation-related proteins such as interleukin(IL)-8,vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM)-1 and NF-κB in endothelial cells and endothelial cell apoptosis were observed.The relationship between HSP22 and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway was investigated under the action of TLR4 inhibitor E5564.Western blot was used to detect the expression of IL-8,VACM-1 and NF-κB proteins,and flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of endothelial cells in each group.Results Compared with the CNT group,the relative expression levels of IL-8,VACM-1 and NF-κB protein in the rhHSP22 group,rhHSP22+ox-LDL group,rhHSP22+E5564 group and rhHSP22+E5564+ox-LDL group were significantly increased,and the differences were sta-tistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the rhHSP22 group,the relative expression levels of IL-8,VACM-1 and NF-κB protein in the rhHSP22+ox-LDL group were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the rhHSP22+ox-LDL group,the relative expression levels of IL-8 and VACM-1 in the rhHSP22+E5564+ox-LDL group were decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the CNT group,the apoptosis rate in the rhHSP22 group,rhHSP22+ox-LDL group and rhHSP22+E5564+ox-LDL group was significantly increased,and the differ-ence was statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the rhHSP22 group,the apoptosis rate in the rhHSP22+ox-LDL group was increased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the rhHSP22+ox-LDL group,the apoptosis rate in the rhHSP22+E5564+ox-LDL group was de-creased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion In ox-LDL-induced inflamma-tory damage of HCAECs,extracellular HSP22 induces the expression of IL-8,VACM-1 and NF-κB proteins by activating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway,and promotes endothelial cell apoptosis.

Objective To measure the three-dimensional(3D)motion of the knee joint in healthy people and patients after total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods The coordinate system for the tibia and femur of the knee joint was established,and the marking points were pasted at the bone landmarks.Then the 3D motion of human knee joint was measured by biplane high-speed photogrammetry,and the data were processed according to the coordinate transformation.Results The peak values of adduction and abduction,internal and external rotation,internal and external translation,and proximal and distal movement of the artificial knee joint were larger than those of the healthy knee joint(P<0.05),but there was no statitistic difference in posterior displacement between the artificial and healthy knee joints(P=0.05).Conclusions By measuring the knee joint motion,not only the difference in knee joint motion between the healthy volunteers and TKA patients was revealed,but also the effectiveness of biplane high-speed photography in knee joint kinematic measurement was demonstrated.

Objective:To adapt the Mindful Breastfeeding Scale (MINDF-BFS) into Chinese and assess its reliability and validity among breastfeeding mothers in China.Methods:Following the Beaton cross-cultural adaptation guideline, the original scale was translated, back-translated, discussed by experts, pre-tested, culturally adapted, and revised to develop the Chinese version of the MINDF-BFS. A convenience sampling method was used to select 305 postpartum women from Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, who visited between March and June 2024, as the study participants. The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of MINDF-BFS were evaluated.Results:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS consisted of nine items, with the item-level content validity index ranged from 0.900 to 1.000, and the average scale-level content validity index was 0.990. Exploratory factor analysis extracted one common factor, with a variance contribution of 73.290%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.923, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.915, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.926.Conclusions:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for assessing the mindful breastfeeding levels of Chinese postpartum women.

Objective To measure the three-dimensional(3D)motion of the knee joint in healthy people and patients after total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods The coordinate system for the tibia and femur of the knee joint was established,and the marking points were pasted at the bone landmarks.Then the 3D motion of human knee joint was measured by biplane high-speed photogrammetry,and the data were processed according to the coordinate transformation.Results The peak values of adduction and abduction,internal and external rotation,internal and external translation,and proximal and distal movement of the artificial knee joint were larger than those of the healthy knee joint(P<0.05),but there was no statitistic difference in posterior displacement between the artificial and healthy knee joints(P=0.05).Conclusions By measuring the knee joint motion,not only the difference in knee joint motion between the healthy volunteers and TKA patients was revealed,but also the effectiveness of biplane high-speed photography in knee joint kinematic measurement was demonstrated.

Objective:To adapt the Mindful Breastfeeding Scale (MINDF-BFS) into Chinese and assess its reliability and validity among breastfeeding mothers in China.Methods:Following the Beaton cross-cultural adaptation guideline, the original scale was translated, back-translated, discussed by experts, pre-tested, culturally adapted, and revised to develop the Chinese version of the MINDF-BFS. A convenience sampling method was used to select 305 postpartum women from Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, who visited between March and June 2024, as the study participants. The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of MINDF-BFS were evaluated.Results:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS consisted of nine items, with the item-level content validity index ranged from 0.900 to 1.000, and the average scale-level content validity index was 0.990. Exploratory factor analysis extracted one common factor, with a variance contribution of 73.290%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.923, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.915, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.926.Conclusions:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for assessing the mindful breastfeeding levels of Chinese postpartum women.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between remnant cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (RC/HDL-C) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in health check-up population.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 5 299 subjects who received physical examination in the Health Management Center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January to December in 2023 and met the admission criteria were selected as the research subjects. The subjects were examined by demography, anthropometry, laboratory tests and liver instantaneous elastography. The Chi-square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare the indexes between the subjects with and without MAFLD. The subjects were divided into 4 groups (Q1-Q4 groups) according to the RC/HDL-C ratio quartiles by quartile method, and the indexes in each group were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn using MedCalc software and compared to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the RC/HDL-C ratio for MAFLD. Results:With the increase of RC/HDL-C ratio, the detection rate of MAFLD (12.56% vs 43.48%), male proportion (55.68% vs 85.60%), total cholesterol (TC) [(4.63±0.82) vs (5.10±1.06) mmol/L], triglyceride (TG) [0.90(0.71, 1.15) vs 2.58(1.96, 3.50) mmol/L], alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [17.00(13.00, 24.00) vs 26.00(19.00, 38.00) U/L], aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [20.00(17.00, 24.00) vs 23.00(19.00, 29.00) U/L], and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) [(239.32±40.52) vs (274.60±44.98) dB/m] increased gradually, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [1.40(1.20, 1.64) vs 0.93(0.84, 1.04) μmol/L] decreased gradually (all P<0.05). ROC curves showed that the AUC value of RC/HDL-C ratio was significantly higher in identifying MAFLD when compared with TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, non-HDL-C and RC (AUC=0.676, P<0.05). Conclusions:The RC/HDL-C ratio is positively correlated with the risk of morbidity of MAFLD in health check-up population.