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*

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of the modified VIALE-A regimen in the treatment of elderly (>75 years old) patients with intermediate or high risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted. Clinical data were collected from 7 MDS patients aged >75 years who were continuously treated with the modified VIALE-A regimen (azacytidine 75 mg/m 2 per day from day 1 to day 7 + venetoclax 200 mg per day from day 8 to day 28) from May 2021 to August 2023, and the patients were diagnosed according to the World Health Organization 2016 staging criteria and were determined to be at intermediate or high risk according to the revised International Prognostic Scoring System. The patients' efficacy and common adverse reactions were analyzed, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results:Of the 7 patients, 5 were female and 2 were male; the median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 84 years old (80 years old, 90 years old). One patient failed the initial treatment, and the remaining 6 achieved complete remission or complete remission in bone marrow after induction therapy with the modified VIALE-A regimen in 1-2 courses. By the follow-up cut-off date of December 31st, 2023, the median follow-up was 10 months (5 months, 18 months) and the median overall survival time was 18 months (95% CI: 0-39 months). Grade 3-4 myelosuppression occurred in all 7 patients during the induction phase, with granulocytopenia lasting 7-10 d; Of the 64 courses of maintenance treatment, 54 (84%) had grade 1-3 myelosuppression; non-hematologic adverse reactions were mild; no treatment interruptions occurred in the cumulative 73 courses. Conclusions:The modified VIALE-A regimen is moderately efficacious in elderly patients with intermediate or high risk MDS, with controllable adverse reactions.

Purpose To study the association between ultrasonography signs of midurethral sling(MUS)and postoperative bladder neck mobility,and urethral segmental mobility,to explore ultrasound parameters that measure the biomechanical effects of MUS and to analyze the relationship between them and the clinical outcomes.Materials and Methods This was a retrospective analysis of the clinical material and ultrasound imaging data of the patients who underwent MUS surgery and had postoperative clinic follow-up in the Second Xiangya Hospital,Central South University,from September 2017 to July 2022.According to the surgical outcome,all patients were divided into three groups:stress urinary incontinence(SUI)cure group,SUI recurrence group and postoperative voiding dysfunction(VD)group.Bladder neck mobility,urethral segmental mobility,MUS position,and sling-pubic gap(SPG)during maximal Valsalva manoeuvre were measured by pelvic floor ultrasound.Ultrasound results among the three groups were compared,respectively.The relationships between ultrasound signs of the sling(MUS position and SPG),bladder neck and urethral mobility,and the surgical outcomes were analyzed,respectively.Results A total of 117 women had valid data.The median follow-up interval was 10(6,18)months.On clinical examination and diagnosis,44 women(37.6％)had cured SUI,46(39.3％)had recurrence SUI,and 27(23.1％)had postoperative VD.The mean SPG of the 117 slings was(12.0±3.5)mm(range 4.7 to 23.0 mm),and the mean position of the MUS was the 53％(range 33％-75％).There was no significant difference in MUS position and SPG between the SUI cured group and the postoperative VD group(P＞0.05).The SUI recurrence group had farther MUS position[(56±11)％vs.(49±10)％,P=0.003]relative to the bladder neck and wider SPG[(13.9±3.7)mm vs.(11.2±2.7)mm,P＜0.001]than SUI cure group.No significant correlation was found between the ultrasound signs of MUS(MUS position and SPG)and bladder neck mobility(r=-0.138-0.205,all P≥0.05).MUS position and SPG were correlated with midurethral mobility(MUS position vs.point 2 and 3,r=0.322,0.322,both P＜0.01;SPG vss.point 3 to 6,r=0.288-0.434,all P＜0.01):the closer the MUS position was relative to the distal urethra,the higher the midurethral mobility.The wider the SPG,the higher the midurethral mobility.Logistic regression showed a positive correlation between SPG and SUI recurrence with an odds ratio(OR)of 1.401(95％CI 1.189-1.652,P＜0.001),and a negative correlation with postoperative VD with an OR of 0.755(95％CI 0.627-0.909,P=0.003).Conclusion SPG during the Valsalva manoeuvre can be used to measure the tightness of MUS.The larger the measured value of SPG,with the looser the MUS,the greater the likelihood of postoperative SUI recurrence,and the lower the risk of postoperative VD.

Objective To investigate the impact of statistical uncertainty per control point(SUpCP)on dose calculation on volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)for rectum cancer,and to analyze the accuracy and efficiency of calculation.Methods 19 patients with rectum cancer undergoing radiotherapy were selected.The initial VMAT plans were generated on Monaco TPS using SUpCP=3,then changed SUpCP in the dose calculation process as follow:10 SUpCPs(1～10)for each patient,and totally190 VMAT dose distributions were obtained.For plan evaluation,Dmax,Dmean,D95%,V50,homogeneity index(HI),conformity index(CI)of the planning target volume(PTV),dissymmetric variations of bladder,small intestine and femoral head,and time calculation(Time)were analyzed.Patient specific quality assurance(PSQA),dose deviation of isocenter(ΔDISO)and passing rate of three-dimensional dose distribution(γ33,γ32,γ22)between calculated and delivered radiation doses were measured.Results AsSUpC increased,Dmax and HI of PTV,Dmax of bladder were increased,but D95%and V50 of PTV,Time,γ32 and γ22 were decreased(P<0.05).Dmax and CI of PTV,Dmean of bladder,Dmax and Dmean of small intestine and femoral head,ΔDISO and γ33 showed no statistical significance(P>0.05).When ΔDISO<1%,gamma passing rate>90%for all VMAT plan.When SUpCP<6,Dmax of PTV<110%of the prescribed dose was obtained;while SUpCP>2,time for dose calculation was less than 5 min.Conclusion For VMAT plan of rectum cancer on Monaco TPS using XVMC algorithm,3%～5%of statistical uncertainty per control point for dose calculation,and 3%2 mm or 2%2 mm gamma criteria for three-dimensional dose verification is recommended.This study provides clinical application basis for precise dose calculation of VMAT plan of rectum cancer.

Objective:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a common metabolic disorder in overweight and obese children,and its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear,lacking effective preventive and therapeutic measures.This study aims to explore the association between whole blood copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium and iron levels and NAFLD in overweight and obese children aged 6 to 17 years,providing a scientific basis for the prevention and intervention of early NAFLD in overweight and obese children. Methods:A cross-sectional study design was used to collect relevant data from overweight and obese children who visited the Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 through questionnaire surveys.Fasting blood samples were collected from the subjects,and various indicators such as blood glucose,blood lipid,and mineral elements were detected.All children were divided into an overweight group(n=400)and a NAFLD group(n=202).The NAFLD group was divided into 2 subgroups according to the ALT level:A non-alcoholic fatty liver(NAFL)group and a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)group.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between minerals(copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium,and iron)and NAFLD,NAFL and NASH. Results:A total of 602 subjects were included,of whom 73.6%were male,with a median age of 10(9,11)years,and a body mass index(BMI)of 24.9(22.7,27.4)kg/m2.The intergroup comparison results showed that compared with the overweight group,the NAFLD group had higher levels of age,BMI,diastolic blood pressure(DBP),systolic blood pressure(SBP),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein(LDL),alanine transaminase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and lower level of high density lipoprotein(HDL).The NAFL group had higher levels of age,BMI,DBP,SBP,ALT,and AST,and lower levels of HDL compared with the overweight group.The levels of age,BMI,DBP,SBP,TG,LDL,ALT,and AST of NASH were higher than those in the overweight group,while the level of HDL was lower than that in overweight group(all P<0.017).After adjusting for a variety of confounders,the OR of NAFLD for the highest quantile of iron was 1.79(95%CI 1.07 to 3.00)compared to the lowest quantile,and no significant association was observed between copper,zinc,calcium,and magnesium,and NAFLD.The subgroup analysis of NAFLD showed that the OR for the highest quantile of iron in children with NAFL was 2.21(95%CI 1.26 to 3.88),while no significant association was observed between iron level and NASH.In addition,no significant associations were observed between copper,zinc,calcium,and magnesium levels and NAFL or NASH. Conclusion:High iron level increases the risk of NAFLD(more likely NAFL)in overweight and obese children,while copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium,and other elements are not associated with the risk of NAFLD in overweight and obese children.

Central venous catheterization plays an important role in the rescue of critically patients. Commonly used central veins in clinical practice include subclavian vein, internal jugular vein, and femoral vein. Serious complications after catheterization can endanger patients′ lives in severe cases. It is necessary to improve the understanding and treatment of serious complications of central vein catheterization in clinical work. A case of iliac vein dissection caused by right femoral vein catheterization was summarized in this article, and the catheter was successfully removed under digital subtraction angiography direct vision after the distal end of the catheter penetrated the vascular wall and reached the peritonea, which provided reference for the treatment of iatrogenic injury caused by central vein catheterization.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) during clopidogrel treatment in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods:Patients with ischemic stroke who received maintenance dose of clopidogrel (75 mg/d) in the Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to March 2021 were retrospectively included. The highest quartile (Q4) of the TyG index was defined as insulin resistance. Platelet reactivity was assessed by thromboelastogram and clopidogrel HTPR was defined as the clot strength induced by adenosine diphosphate (MA ADP) >47 mm. Multivariate regression model was used to analyze the independent correlation between TyG index and platelet reactivity. Results:A total of 83 patients were included. The TyG index showed a linear correlation with MA ADP. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the quartile of TyG index. The incidence of clopidogrel HTPR increased significantly with the increase of the quartile of the TyG index ( Ptrend=0.017). Multivariate analysis showed that there was a significant independent correlation between insulin resistance and clopidogrel HTPR (odds ratio 4.597, 95% confidence interval 1.285-16.446; P=0.019). Conclusions:In patients with ischemic stroke treated with clopidogrel, the incidence of clopidogrel HTPR gradually increases with the increase of the quartile of the TyG index. The insulin resistance assessed by the TyG index is independently associated with clopidogrel HTPR.

Objective:To study the agreements between transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) and endoanal ultrasound in assessing obstetrics anal sphincter injury (OASI), and to analyse the diagnostic efficacy of OASI in predicting AI relationship between OASI and anal incontinence (AI).Methods:A total of 217 women were prospectively recruited from the clinic in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2021 to May 2022. Symptoms of AI were determined using the St Mark′s Incontinence Score (SMIS). TPUS and EAUS were performed by the same operator with the same machine on every participant for detecting OASI: OASI grades 3a, 3b, 3c, and 4 were performed according to the extent of the injuries in the anal sphincter complex. The angle of the defect in the external anal sphincter (EAS) was measured. A "significant EAS defect" was diagnosed as a defect affecting at least 2/3 of the length of the EAS with a defect angle of ≥30° in each slice.Ultrasound findings were compared between the two methods. The diagnostic efficacy of "ultrasound OASI" in predicting AI was analysed by logistic regression.Results:Of 217 women, twenty-eight (12.9%) suffered from AI with SMIS ranging from 5~20(11.9±4.5). On TPUS, 79 (36.4%) cases were suspected of OASI, that was 50 OASI 3a, 13 OASI 3b, and 16 OASI 3c/4. On EAUS, 78 (35.9%) cases were suspected of OASI that was 23 OASI 3a, 22 OASI 3b, 15 OASI 3c, and 18 OASI 4. Twenty-four "significant EAS defects" were diagnosed by TPUS and twenty-eight by EAUS, TPUS had excellent agreement with EAUS (weighted Kappa=0.91, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that "ultrasound OASI" was associated with AI symptoms. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.92, 0.87, 0.89, 0.92 for TPUS OASI 3b+ , EAUS OASI 3b+ , TPUS "Significant EAS defect" , and EAUS "Significant EAS defect" for predicting AI, respectively. Conclusions:TPUS has good agreement with EAUS in detecting OASI. OASI 3b+ and "significant EAS defect" on TPUS and EAUS had good performance in predicting AI symptoms.

Objective:To explore the effect of Helicobacter pylori(HP)eradication on development of metachronous gastric cancer(MGC)after endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)in elderly patients with early gastric cancer.Methods:From January 2014 to December 2019, 748 early gastric cancer patients aged 60 years or older, receiving ESD in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, were included.According to the situation of HP infection and eradication efficacy within 1 year postoperatively, patients were divided into three groups.The patients with HP infection and successful HP-eradication were enrolled into successful eradication group, those without eradicating or with eradication failure were enrolled into eradication failure group, those with HP negative were enrolled into HP-negative group.And then the occurrence and risk factors of MGC after ESD among the three groups were statistically analyzed.Results:MGC were detected in 58 cases(7.7%)in elderly patients with early gastric cancer after ESD.The median follow-up time was 39 months.The multivariate regression analysis results of MGC showed that no HP-eradication or HP eradication of failure( HR=2.231, 95% CI: 1.054-4.722, P=0.036)and multiple lesions( HR=1.857, 95% CI: 1.076-3.204, P=0.026)were independent risk factors.Non-smoking was a protective factor for the occurrence of MGC( HR=0.409, 95% CI: 0.234-0.716, P=0.002). After adjusting for confounding factors, Cox proportional risk regression analysis showed that the incidence of MGC was significantly higher in group of no HP-eradicating or HP-eradicating of failure than in group of successful HP-eradicating group( χ2=37.877, P<0.001). Conclusions:HP eradication can effectively prevent MGC in elderly patients with early gastric cancer after ESD.Multiple lesions and smoking are independent risk factors for MGC.

Objective To investigate the impact of long non-coding RNA(LncRNA)taurine up-regulated gene 1(TUG1)on high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by regulating miR-181b-5p/programmed cell death protein 4(PDCD4)axis.Methods Diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM)cell model was established in vitro with high glucose(HG,25 mmol/L glucose).AC16 cells were divided into the NG(5.5 mmol/L glucose)group,the HG group,the HG+sh-NC group,the HG+sh-TUG1 group,the HG+miR-NC group,the HG+miR-181b-5p group,the HG+sh-TUG1+anti-miR-NC group,the HG+sh-TUG1+anti-miR-181b-5p group,the HG+miR-181b-5p+pcDNA group and HG+miR-181b-5p+pc-PDCD4 group.The Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)method was applied to detect cell viability.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)assay was applied to detect LDH release.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was applied to detect expression levels of TUG1,miR-181b-5p and PDCD4 mRNA.Flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptosis.Western blot assay was applied to detect levels of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X(Bax),activated caspase 3(cleaved caspase 3)and PDCD4 proteins.Caspase-Glo3 assay was applied to assess caspase 3 activity.Dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to verify the targeting relationship between TUG1 or PDCD4 and miR-181b-5p.Results Compared with the NG group,the cell activity decreased in the HG group,and LDH release,apoptosis rate,Bax,cleaved caspase 3 expression and caspase 3 activity increased(P＜0.05),which could be antagonized by TUG1 knockdown or miR-181b-5p overexpression(P＜0.05).Inhibition of miR-181b-5p was able to alleviate the impact of TUG1 silencing on cardiomyocyte viability and apoptosis under high glucose treatment(P＜0.05).The overexpression of PDCD4 attenuated the promotion effect of miR-181b-5p up-regulation on the viability of cardiomyocytes treated with high glucose and the inhibitory effect on apoptosis.TUG1 was able to increase the expression of PDCD4 through adsorption of miR-181b-5p(P＜0.05).Conclusion TUG1 promotes high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by down-regulating miR-181b-5p and up-regulating PDCD4.