Objective To explore the association between oral microbiota and esophageal carcinogenesis. Methods A case-control study design was employed. A total of 309 subjects were recruited, consisting of 159 healthy controls, 32 cases of esophageal basal cell hyperplasia, 32 cases of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 14 cases of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 72 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Tongue swab samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing. The α-diversity and β-diversity of the microbiota were analyzed, and the characteristics of the microbial communities at different stages of esophageal carcinogenesis were compared. The strength of the association was expressed by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results α-diversity analysis indicated significant differences in the observed species number (Sobs) index across various stages of esophageal cancer progression (P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption, the Simpson index was positively correlated with carcinogenesis (P=0.006). β-diversity analysis revealed differences in microbiota structure among the groups. After ordered multinomial logistic regression analysis and adjustment for multiple confounding factors, the relative abundance of Peptostreptococcus (OR: 2.06, 95%CI: 1.22–3.60), Patescibacteria (OR: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.04–1.67), Capnocytophaga (OR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.05–1.54), and Bacteroidota (OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 1.00–1.05) was positively correlated with carcinogenesis. The relative abundance of Stomatobaculum (OR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.30–1.00) and Actinobacteriota (OR: 0.95, 95%CI: 0.92–0.98) was negatively correlated with carcinogenesis. Conclusion Specific oral microbiotas are significantly associated with esophageal carcinogenesis, and synergistic or antagonistic interactions may be observed among the microbiota.

Objective To analyze risk factors of acute respiratory failure(ARF)in patients with hypertriglyceridemia acute pancreatitis(HTG-AP)and construct a risk prediction model.Methods A total of 222 HTG-AP patients were included in this study and divided into the non-ARF group(176 cases)and the ARF group(46 cases)according to diagnostic guidelines for ARF.Clinical data of the two groups were compared and the predictive factors were screened.These selected factors were then utilized in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis to construct a Logistic regression model.Subsequent evaluation of the model′s predictive ability,accuracy and clinical utility was conducted through ROC,curve analysis,calibration plot examination and decision curve analysis(DCA),respectively.Results Compared with the non-ARF group,the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL)-C and albumin(ALB)were decreased in the ARF group(P＜0.05),while the levels of creatinine(Cr),urea nitrogen(BUN),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and C-reactive protein(CRP)were increased,and the incidence of pleural fluid and ascites was also increased(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that higher levels of Cr and AST,lower levels of ALB,HDL-C and ascites were independent risk factors for HTG-AP complicated ARF(P＜0.05).Based on these results,a column-line prediction model for HTG-AP complicated ARF was established.After internal verification,the area under curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of the nomogram model was 0.952(95%CI:0.923-0.981),the Youden index was 0.808 and the sensitivity and specificity were 93.33%and 87.43%,respectively.The calibration curve showed that the probability of HTG-AP concurrent ARF predicted by the model was in good agreement with the actual probability.The DCA curve showed that the model had certain clinical value.Conclusion The nomogram prediction model combined could provide a scheme for the clinical prevention of HTG-AP complicated with ARF.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is the most common thyroid dysfunction, and its relationship with blood pressure (BP) has been controversial. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between SCH and newly-diagnosed hypertension. Methods: Based on data from the Thyroid disease, Iodine nutrition and Diabetes Epidemiology (TIDE) study, 49,433 euthyroid individuals and 7,719 SCH patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled. Patients with a history of hypertension or thyroid disease were excluded. SCH was determined by manufacturer reference range. Overall hypertension and stage 1 and 2 hypertension were diagnosed according to the guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2017. Results: The prevalence of overall hypertension (48.7%), including stage 1 (28.9%) and 2 (19.8%) hypertension, increased significantly in SCH patients compared with euthyroid subjects. With elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level, the hypertension prevalence also increased significantly from the euthyroid to different SCH subgroups, which was more profound in females or subjects aged <65 years. The age- and sex-specific regression analysis further demonstrated the same trends in the general population and in the 1:1 propensity matched population. Similarly, several BP components (i.e., systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP) were positively associated with TSH elevation, and regression analysis also confirmed that all BP components were closely related with SCH in female subjects aged <65 years. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension increases for patients with SCH. SCH tends to be associated with hypertension and BP components in females younger than 65 years.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is the most common thyroid dysfunction, and its relationship with blood pressure (BP) has been controversial. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between SCH and newly-diagnosed hypertension. Methods: Based on data from the Thyroid disease, Iodine nutrition and Diabetes Epidemiology (TIDE) study, 49,433 euthyroid individuals and 7,719 SCH patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled. Patients with a history of hypertension or thyroid disease were excluded. SCH was determined by manufacturer reference range. Overall hypertension and stage 1 and 2 hypertension were diagnosed according to the guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2017. Results: The prevalence of overall hypertension (48.7%), including stage 1 (28.9%) and 2 (19.8%) hypertension, increased significantly in SCH patients compared with euthyroid subjects. With elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level, the hypertension prevalence also increased significantly from the euthyroid to different SCH subgroups, which was more profound in females or subjects aged <65 years. The age- and sex-specific regression analysis further demonstrated the same trends in the general population and in the 1:1 propensity matched population. Similarly, several BP components (i.e., systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP) were positively associated with TSH elevation, and regression analysis also confirmed that all BP components were closely related with SCH in female subjects aged <65 years. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension increases for patients with SCH. SCH tends to be associated with hypertension and BP components in females younger than 65 years.

Objective To evaluate the radiosensitization effect and micro CT imaging of multifunctional gold nanoparticles in lung adenocarcinoma A549 tumor-bearing mouse models.Methods The tumor-bearing mice were injected with gold nanoparticles and irradiated with different energy levels of 160 kV and 6 MV X-ray.The tumor volume changes were measured.Intra-tumoral injection of gold nanoparticles was administered and micro CT scan was performed at different time points to observe the imaging and retention time of gold nanoparticles in the tumor tissues.Results The tumor volume did not significantly differ between the control and gold nanoparticles groups (P=0.941).The tumor volume in the 6 MV X-ray combined with gold nanoparticles group was slightly reduced compared with that in the 6 MV X-ray group with no statistical significance (P=0.730).The tumor volume in the 160 kV X-ray combined with gold nanoparticles group was significantly smaller than that in the 160 kV X-ray group (P=0.026).Micro CT scan demonstrated that gold nanoparticles could be deposited in the tumors for 30 d and yielded excellent imaging effect.No gold nanoparticles-induced toxicity was observed.Conclusions Multifunctional gold nanoparticles exert significant radiosensitization effect in the lung adenocarcinoma A549 transplanted tumors irradiated with 160 kV X-ray.Stable CT imaging of the gold nanoparticles-injected tumors can be used as a potential method for mapping and delineating the target area in tumor-guided radiotherapy.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive posterior reconstructive plating by parallel Kirschner wires in the treatment of unstable posterior pelvic fractures.Methods From January 2013 to December 2016,29 patients with unstable posterior pelvic fracture were treated at Trauma Center,Liuzhou Workers' Hospital.They were 22 men and 7 women,aged from 19 to 65 years (mean,44.2 years).By the Tile classification,10 cases were classified as type B and 19 as type C.The delay from injury to surgery ranged from 4 to 14 days (mean,8.7 days).All the patients received minimally invasive posterior fixation with a U-shaped reconstructive plate and parallel Kirschner wires.The length of incision,intraoperative bleeding,operation time,quality of fracture reduction,curative effects and complications at the last follow-up were recorded.Results The length of intraoperative unilateral incision ranged from 2.3 to 3.4 cm (average,2.99 cm);the volume of intraoperative bleeding ranged from 47 to 88 mL (average,69.9 mL);the average operation time ranged from 17 to 34 min (average,25.2 min).One patient was lost to the follow-up.The other 28 patients were followed up for 14 to 26 months (average,18.3 months).The fracture healing time ranged from 8 to 15 months (average,10.1 months).According to the Matta criteria for fracture reduction,17 cases were rated as excellent at the last follow-up,9 as good,one as fair and one as poor,giving an excellent to good rate of 92.9％.According to the Pohlemann functional scoring,14 cases were rated as excellent,11 as good,2 as fair and one as poor,giving an excellent to good rate of 89.3％.Conclusion In the treatment of unstable posterior pelvic fractures,minimally invasive posterior reconstructive plating by parallel Kirschner wires presents advantages of high security,limited surgical trauma,good curative effects and limited postoperative complications.

Chemotherapy outcomes for the treatment of glioma remains unsatisfactory due to the inefficient drug transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and insufficient drug accumulation in the tumor region. Although many approaches, including various nanosystems, have been developed to promote the distribution of chemotherapeutics in the brain tumor, the delivery efficiency and the possible damage to the normal brain function still greatly restrict the clinical application of the nanocarriers. Therefore, it is urgent and necessary to discover more safe and effective BBB penetration and glioma-targeting strategies. In the present study, menthol, one of the strongest BBB penetration enhancers screened from traditional Chinese medicine, was conjugated to casein, a natural food protein with brain targeting capability. Then the conjugate self-assembled into the nanoparticles to load anti-cancer drugs. The nanoparticles were characterized to have appropriate size, spheroid shape and high loading drug capacity. Tumor spheroid penetration experiments demonstrated that penetration ability of menthol-modified casein nanoparticles (M-CA-NP) into the tumor were much deeper than that of unmodified nanoparticles. imaging further verified that M-CA-NPs exhibited higher brain tumor distribution than unmodified nanoparticles. The median survival time of glioma-bearing mice treated with HCPT-M-CA-NPs was significantly prolonged than those treated with free HCPT or HCPT-CA-NPs. HE staining of the organs indicated the safety of the nanoparticles. Therefore, the study combined the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine strategy with modern delivery technology for brain targeting, and provide a safe and effective approach for glioma therapy.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of a Yiqi Huatan Quyu formulation on liver injury in chronic intermittent hypoxia rats.Methods Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into 3 groups:Group A(normoxia and normal saline gavage),Group B(chronic intermittent hypoxia and normal saline gavage)and Group C(chronic intermittent hypoxia and Yiqi Huatan Quyu formulation gavage)(n =10 in each group).After 8 weeks of treatment,the liver tissue was extracted for protein and RNA.Western blot was used to test the protein levels of B-cellymphoma-2 associated X protein (BAX) and B-cellymphoma-2 (BCL-2),and Realtime PCR was used to test gene expression of BAX and BCL-2.Transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling(TUNEL)was used to assay the apoptotic rate of liver cells.Results The expression of the BAX protein and BAX gene was higher and the expression of the BCL-2 protein and BCL-2 gene was lower in Group B than in Group A(t =13.490 and 16.480,P =0.005 and 0.002;t =5.142 and 9.776,P =0.036 and 0.001,respectively).The levels of the BAX protein and BAX gene were lower and the levels of the BCL-2 protein and BCL-2 gene were higher in Group C than in Group B(t =6.088 and 15.240,P =0.026 and 0.005;t =5.296 and 16.380,P =0.034 and 0.004,respectively).The apoptosis rate of hepatocytes was higher in Group B than in Group A(t =7.698,P =0.002),and was lower in Group C than in Group B(t=4.345,P =0.012).Conclusions The Yiqi Huatan Quyu formulation may alleviate the apoptosis of liver cells in chronic intermittent hypoxia rats by upregulating BCL-2 and down-regulating BAX levels,thus exerting protective effects on the liver.

Objective To evaluate the value of 3.0T dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI)quantitative parameters for the diagnosis,pathological classification,clinical staging and lymph node status of cervical cancer.Methods The DCE-MRI data of 41 cases with cervical cancer and 1 5 cases with normal cervix were analyzed retrospectively.The quantitative parameters including Ktrans,Kepand Ve were obtained by Siemens Tissue 4D software.Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 22.0.Results The Ktransand Kepvalues of cervical cancer group were significantly higher than normal cervix group(P<0.001),and there was no statistical difference in Vevalue between the two groups(P>0.05).The Ktransvalue of squamous carcinoma was significantly higher than adenocarcinoma(P<0.05),while Kep and Vevalues showed no statistical differences(P>0.05).The Ktransvalue of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)for early cervical cancer was significantly lower than that for advanced cervical cancer(P<0.05),while Kepand Vevalues showed no statistical differences (P>0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in Ktrans,Kepand Vevalues between cervical cancer with or without lymph node metastasis(P>0.05).Conclusion The quantitative parameters of 3.0T DCE-MRI can be used for the diagnosis, pathological classification and clinical staging of cervical cancer,and it is also of great significance for the rational formulation of the clinical treatment plan.

Objectives: To evaluate the tumor-infiltrating PD-1 positive lymphocytes and regulatory T cells (Treg) as prognosis predic-tors of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), and investigate the expression of PD-1 and Treg cells in mRCC and elucidate their corre-lation with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. Methods: A total of 269 mRCC patients from June 2007 to June 2017 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, were included in the study. The expression of PD-1 and Tregs in mRCC samples were detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the expression of PD-1 and Tregs was analyzed. Results: PD-1 positive expression in mRCC was 31.60% (85/269) and it was positively correlated with the tumor Fuhrman grade and negatively correlated with progno-sis. Tumor infiltration of Tregs in mRCC was 36.80% (99/269), and it was also positively correlated with the tumor Fuhrman grade and negatively correlated with prognosis. Univariate analysis showed that PD-1 positive lymphocytes and high Treg infiltration numbers were negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) rates. Thus, PD-1 positive lymphocytes and high Treg infiltration numbers are independent prognostic indicators of OS and PFS and when combined, they can render a better pre-diction for prognosis. Conclusions: Intra-tumoral infiltration of PD-1 positive lymphocytes and Tregs can be used as significant prognos-tic indicators of mRCC, and the combined predictive effect is better than the individual predictive effect. Therefore, evaluating the number of PD-1 positive lymphocytes or infiltrating Tregs in mRCC is helpful in clinically estimating mRCC prognosis in patients.