Objective:Using Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the unidirectional causal effects of gut microbiota on gout and serum uric acid levels.Methods:The Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The gut microbiota was used as the exposure factor, with gout and serum uric acid levels as the outcomes, utilizing the MiBioGen Consortium, FinnGen GWAS, and CKDGen Consortium meta-analysis databases. The analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) approach. Additionally, sensitivity analysis was conducted by excluding heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. This study used RStudio 4.3.1 software for analysis.Results:The IVW results confirmed that 17 microbiota taxa were associated with gout, including class Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], family Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.161(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Akkermansia [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Collinsella [ OR(95% CI)=1.257(1.043, 1.516), P=0.016], genus Eubacterium hallii group [ OR(95% CI)=1.226(1.022, 1.471), P=0.027], genus Howardella [ OR(95% CI)=1.094(1.001, 1.195), P=0.046], genus Ruminococcaceae UCG010 [ OR(95% CI)=1.317(1.089, 1.593), P=0.004], order Clostridiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.182(1.007,1.387), P=0.041], order Verrucomicrobiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], class Melainabacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.894(0.804, 0.994), P=0.038], family Streptococcaceae [ OR(95% CI)=0.851(0.727, 0.996), P=0.044], unknown family [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Streptococcus [ OR(95% CI)=0.836(0.710, 0.983), P=0.030], unknown genus [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Victivallis [ OR(95% CI)=0.857(0.736, 0.998), P=0.046], order Gastranaerophilales [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800,0.989), P=0.030], and phylum Bacteroidetes [ OR(95% CI)=0.827(0.692, 0.989), P=0.037]. Additionally, 5 microbiota taxa were associated with serum uric acid levels: phylum Actinobacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.963(0.925, 0.992), P=0.027], family ⅩⅢ [ OR(95% CI)=0.965(0.932, 1.008), P=0.035], genus Escherichia Shigella [ OR(95% CI)=1.047(1.005,1.089), P=0.034], genus Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.974(0.941, 1.003), P=0.028], and genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.966(0.943, 0.995), P=0.018]. No abnormalities in SNPs were found in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusion:An increase in the levels of class Verrucomicrobiae, family Verrucomicrobiaceae, genus Akkermansia, and genus Escherichia Shigella is associated with an increased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels, while an increase in the levels of class Melainabacteria, family Streptococcaceae, unknown family, phylum Actinobacteria, and family ⅩⅢ is associated with a decreased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels.

Objective:Using Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the unidirectional causal effects of gut microbiota on gout and serum uric acid levels.Methods:The Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The gut microbiota was used as the exposure factor, with gout and serum uric acid levels as the outcomes, utilizing the MiBioGen Consortium, FinnGen GWAS, and CKDGen Consortium meta-analysis databases. The analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) approach. Additionally, sensitivity analysis was conducted by excluding heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. This study used RStudio 4.3.1 software for analysis.Results:The IVW results confirmed that 17 microbiota taxa were associated with gout, including class Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], family Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.161(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Akkermansia [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Collinsella [ OR(95% CI)=1.257(1.043, 1.516), P=0.016], genus Eubacterium hallii group [ OR(95% CI)=1.226(1.022, 1.471), P=0.027], genus Howardella [ OR(95% CI)=1.094(1.001, 1.195), P=0.046], genus Ruminococcaceae UCG010 [ OR(95% CI)=1.317(1.089, 1.593), P=0.004], order Clostridiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.182(1.007,1.387), P=0.041], order Verrucomicrobiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], class Melainabacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.894(0.804, 0.994), P=0.038], family Streptococcaceae [ OR(95% CI)=0.851(0.727, 0.996), P=0.044], unknown family [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Streptococcus [ OR(95% CI)=0.836(0.710, 0.983), P=0.030], unknown genus [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Victivallis [ OR(95% CI)=0.857(0.736, 0.998), P=0.046], order Gastranaerophilales [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800,0.989), P=0.030], and phylum Bacteroidetes [ OR(95% CI)=0.827(0.692, 0.989), P=0.037]. Additionally, 5 microbiota taxa were associated with serum uric acid levels: phylum Actinobacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.963(0.925, 0.992), P=0.027], family ⅩⅢ [ OR(95% CI)=0.965(0.932, 1.008), P=0.035], genus Escherichia Shigella [ OR(95% CI)=1.047(1.005,1.089), P=0.034], genus Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.974(0.941, 1.003), P=0.028], and genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.966(0.943, 0.995), P=0.018]. No abnormalities in SNPs were found in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusion:An increase in the levels of class Verrucomicrobiae, family Verrucomicrobiaceae, genus Akkermansia, and genus Escherichia Shigella is associated with an increased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels, while an increase in the levels of class Melainabacteria, family Streptococcaceae, unknown family, phylum Actinobacteria, and family ⅩⅢ is associated with a decreased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels.

Background and Aims:Postoperative intra-abdominal infection(PIAI)is a common postoperative complication in abdominal surgery and a challenging issue worldwide,with a treatment failure rate of 68.3％and an in-hospital mortality rate as high as 40.8％.The key to managing this condition is early control of the infection source,debridement and adequate drainage.Delayed control of the infection source is an independent risk factor for predicting treatment failure.Many PIAI lesions are located deep within the abdominal cavity,lacking optimal routes for percutaneous drainage,and the risks and difficulties of reoperation are significant.Thus,controlling the infection source in PIAI is a difficult task.Here,the authors report the management of 4 PIAI patients treated with nephroscopic debridement and catheter irrigation and drainage via the sinus tract,aiming to provide clinical insights and references. Methods:The clinical data of 4 patients undergoing nephroscopic debridement,catheter irrigation and drainage for PIAI from October 2020 to September 2022 in the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.Key techniques of nephroscopic management of PIAI were summarized and contextualized with relevant literature. Results:The 4 PIAI cases included a right-sided retroperitoneal abscess after catheter drainage for severe acute pancreatitis,a hepatic abscess at the liver raw surface after right hemihepatectomy,bile leakage and secondary duodenal fistula after laparoscopic choledocholithotomy and T-tube drainage,and a pancreatic abscess at the pancreatic raw surface after distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy.All patients underwent nephroscopic debridement and catheter irrigation and drainage via the sinus tract:guidewires were inserted into the drainage sinus tract,followed by a minimally invasive expansion drainage kit and nephroscopy;pus was irrigated out,and pus moss was clamped out with foreign body forceps under nephroscopy.Then,irrigation drainage tubes were placed under the guidance of the guidewire,and continuous irrigation and drainage were performed.The 4 patients underwent a total of 5 nephroscopic debridement and catheter irrigation and drainage procedures,with one case requiring two operations.The preoperative catheterization time ranged from 14 to 58 d,with an average of 38.4 d.One patient concurrently underwent choledochoscopy for stone extraction and biliary drainage via the T-tube sinus tract.The operative time ranged from 30 to 115 min,with an average of 67.4 min.Aside from one case of minor intraoperative bleeding,which stopped after injecting diluted norepinephrine solution into the sheath and blocking the sheath,there were no surgical complications in the other three cases.The postoperative drainage tube duration ranged from 7 to 30 d,with an average of 20.75 d.After treatment,all PIAI lesions disappeared,and no recurrence was observed during follow-up,which ranged from 16 to 40 months. Conclusion:Nephroscopic debridement and catheter irrigation and drainage via the sinus tract for PIAI is simple,feasible,and safe,allowing for direct visualization to avoid organ damage.It is effective in removing pus and necrotic tissue,replacing drainage tubes,and can be repeatedly performed with high efficiency and remarkable results.This method is particularly suitable for patients with postoperative abdominal drainage tube obstruction combined with encapsulated intra-abdominal fluid collections.

BACKGROUND:Scaffold materials serve as platforms that provide space and structure,playing a crucial role in the regeneration of cartilage tissue.Scholars from around the world are exploring different approaches to fabricate more ideal scaffold materials. OBJECTIVE:To review the design principles and preparation methods of cartilage scaffolds,and to further explore the advantages and limitations of various preparation methods. METHODS:Literature searches were conducted on the databases of CNKI,WanFang Data,PubMed,and FMRS from 1998 to 2023.The search terms were"cartilage repair,cartilage tissue engineering,cartilage scaffold materials,preparation"in Chinese and English.A total of 57 articles were ultimately reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The articular cartilage has a unique structure and limited self-repair capacity after injury.Even if self-repair occurs,the newly formed cartilage is typically fibrocartilage,which is far inferior to normal articular cartilage in terms of structure and mechanical properties.It is difficult to maintain normal function and often leads to degenerative changes.Currently,the design and fabrication of scaffold materials for cartilage repair need to consider the following aspects:biocompatibility and biodegradability,suitable pore structure and porosity,appropriate mechanical properties,and bioactivity.(2)Research on the preparation of cartilage scaffolds has made significant progress,continuously introducing new preparation methods and optimization strategies.These methods have their advantages and disadvantages,providing more possibilities for customized preparation and functional design of cartilage scaffolds according to specific requirements.

Depressive disorder ranks as a major bur-den of disease worldwide,yet the current antidepressant medications are limited by frequent non-responsiveness and significant side effects.The lateral septum(LS)is thought to control of depression,however,the cellular and circuit substrates are largely unknown.Here,we identified a subpopulation of LS GABAergic adenosine A2A receptors(A2AR)-positive neurons mediating depres-sive symptoms via direct projects to the lateral habenula(LHb)and the dorsomedial hypothalamus(DMH).Activa-tion of A2AR in the LS augmented the spiking frequency of A2AR-positive neurons leading to a decreased activation of surrounding neurons and the bi-directional manipula-tion of LS-A2AR activity demonstrated that LS-A2ARs are necessary and sufficient to trigger depressive pheno-types.Thus,the optogenetic modulation(stimulation or inhibition)of LS-A2AR-positive neuronal activity or LS-A2AR-positive neurons projection terminals to the LHb or DMH,phenocopied depressive behaviors.Moreover,A2AR are upregulated in the LS in two male mouse mod-els of repeated stress-induced depression.This identifica-tion that aberrantly increased A2AR signaling in the LS is a critical upstream regulator of repeated stress-induced depressive-like behaviors provides a neurophysiological and circuit-based justification of the antidepressant poten-tial of A2AR antagonists,prompting their clinical transla-tion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate culturing neural stem cells (NSCs) from rat embryos in vitro and to observe their growth and differentiation. METHOD: NSCs were isolated from hippocampus of SD rat embryos (P16-P18) and cultured in DMEM/F12 medium containing EGF, bFGF, B27. To observe process of cell proliferation by microscope and identify cell types by immunocytochemical analyses after differentiation. RESULT: NSCs grew well in serum-free conditional medium and their cell bodies present transparent with good refraction at about eighth day. After differentiation, the cells demonstrated NSE and GFAP immunoreactive. CONCLUSION NSCs were cultured well in serum-free conditional medium and they could be induced to differentiate into neurons and astrocytes in serum conditional medium.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Female ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; embryology ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley