Objective To compare the reflux characteristics between reflux esophagitis (RE) patients with Los Angeles (LA) classification grade A and grades B/C based on esophageal pH-impedance monitoring results. Methods A total of 74 RE patients at Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen Branch), Fudan University from June 2021 to June 2024 were enrolled, and were divided into the LA-A group (n＝46) and the LA-B/C group (n＝28) based on the endoscopic diagnosis results. The general clinical data, symptom questionnaire score, and esophageal 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring results were compared between the two groups. Results There were no statistically significant differences in demographic data and the response rate of acid suppression therapy between the two groups. 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in upright, supine, and total reflux indices, including reflux episodes, acid exposure time (AET), AET percentage (AET%), long acid reflux episodes, longest reflux duration, and total DeMeester score between the two groups. There were no statistically significant differences in distal reflux episodes, proximal reflux episodes, and high reflux (acid, weak acid, and non-acidic reflux) episodes, mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) between the two groups. The rates of pathological reflux (AET%≥6%) in LA-A group and LA-B/C group were 67.4% and 71.4%, respectively; there were no statistically significant differences in the ratio of AET% composition and the count of impedance reflux exceeding 80 during 24 h between the two groups. Conclusions LA-A grade RE based on the endoscopic diagnosis facilitates the identification of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the Chinese population

Objective:To investigate the causal relationship between intestinal flora and benign biliary diseases by genome-wide Mendelian randomization.Methods:This is a retrospective observational study. The data from the genome-wide association study of the gut microbiota from 18 340 samples from the MiBioGen consortium were selected as the exposure group,and the data from the genome-wide association study of biliary tract diseases were obtained from the FinnGen consortium R8 as the outcome group. There were 1 491 cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis,32 894 cases of cholelithiasis,3 770 cases of acalculous cholecystitis,and 34 461 cases of cholecystitis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were screened as instrumental variables,and the Mendelian randomization method was used to infer the causal relationship between exposures and outcomes. The inverse variance weighting method (IVW) was used as the main basis, supplemented by heterogeneity,pleiotropy and sensitivity tests.Results:Coprococcus 2 was associated with a reduced risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=0.88,95% CI:0.80 to 0.97, P=0.012) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=0.88,95% CI:0.80 to 0.97, P=0.011). Coprococcus 3 was associated with cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.15,95% CI:1.02 to 1.30, P=0.019) and acalculous cholecystitis(IVW OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.04, P=0.016) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.33, P=0.020). Peptococcus was associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.08, 95% CI:1.02 to 1.13, P=0.005) and cholecystitis (IVW CI=1.07, 95% CI:1.02 to 1.13, P=0.010). Clostridiumsensustricto 1 was associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.16,95% CI:1.02 to 1.31, P=0.020) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=1.16, 95% CI:1.03 to 1.30, P=0.015). Eubacterium hallii was associated with an increased risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (IVW OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.99, P=0.033). Eubacterium ruminantium (IVW OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.00, P=0.043) and Methanobrevibacter (IVW OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.98, P=0.027) were associated with a reduced risk of acalculous cholecystitis. Conclusions:Eight intestinal bacterial genera maybe play pathogenic roles in benign biliary diseases. Eubacterium hallii can increase the risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Peptococcus and Clostridiumsensustricto 1 can increase the risk of cholelithiasis and generalized cholecystitis. Coprococcus 3 have multiple correlations with biliary stones and inflammation.

Objective:To investigate the causal relationship between intestinal flora and benign biliary diseases by genome-wide Mendelian randomization.Methods:This is a retrospective observational study. The data from the genome-wide association study of the gut microbiota from 18 340 samples from the MiBioGen consortium were selected as the exposure group,and the data from the genome-wide association study of biliary tract diseases were obtained from the FinnGen consortium R8 as the outcome group. There were 1 491 cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis,32 894 cases of cholelithiasis,3 770 cases of acalculous cholecystitis,and 34 461 cases of cholecystitis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were screened as instrumental variables,and the Mendelian randomization method was used to infer the causal relationship between exposures and outcomes. The inverse variance weighting method (IVW) was used as the main basis, supplemented by heterogeneity,pleiotropy and sensitivity tests.Results:Coprococcus 2 was associated with a reduced risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=0.88,95% CI:0.80 to 0.97, P=0.012) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=0.88,95% CI:0.80 to 0.97, P=0.011). Coprococcus 3 was associated with cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.15,95% CI:1.02 to 1.30, P=0.019) and acalculous cholecystitis(IVW OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.04, P=0.016) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.33, P=0.020). Peptococcus was associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.08, 95% CI:1.02 to 1.13, P=0.005) and cholecystitis (IVW CI=1.07, 95% CI:1.02 to 1.13, P=0.010). Clostridiumsensustricto 1 was associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.16,95% CI:1.02 to 1.31, P=0.020) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=1.16, 95% CI:1.03 to 1.30, P=0.015). Eubacterium hallii was associated with an increased risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (IVW OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.99, P=0.033). Eubacterium ruminantium (IVW OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.00, P=0.043) and Methanobrevibacter (IVW OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.98, P=0.027) were associated with a reduced risk of acalculous cholecystitis. Conclusions:Eight intestinal bacterial genera maybe play pathogenic roles in benign biliary diseases. Eubacterium hallii can increase the risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Peptococcus and Clostridiumsensustricto 1 can increase the risk of cholelithiasis and generalized cholecystitis. Coprococcus 3 have multiple correlations with biliary stones and inflammation.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic factors for liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma beyond UCSF criteria but without macrovascular invasion.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of the hepatocellular carcinoma patients without macrovascular invasion beyond UCSF criteria who underwent liver transplantation at our center from Jan 2018 to Jun 2023. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the predictive power of potential prognosis factors.Results:With this criteria, the 1-, 3-year overall survival rates were 94.1% and 75.0%, respectively, and the 1-, 3-year tumor free survival rates were 82.4% and 38.1%, respectively. The maximum tumor size, number of tumors, AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ before transplantation, and whether undergo pretransplant down-stage therapy were significant prognostic factors ( P<0.05). Combining the above prognostic factors to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve yielded an area under the curve of 0.967, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.932, 0.952, respectively. Further, the differentiation, MVI and Ki-67 were significant prognostic factors ( P<0.05). Combining pathological factors to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve yielded an area under the curve of 0.927, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.769, 1, respectively. Conclusion:The maximum tumor diameter, number of tumors, AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ before transplantation, and pretransplant down-stage therapy and tumor differentiation, MVI and Ki-67 are all prognostic factors of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma without macrovascular invasion beyond UCSF criteria.

Humans ; Female ; Breast Neoplasms/genetics* ; Prognosis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics* ; Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism* ; Gene Regulatory Networks/genetics*

The portable light-weight magnetic resonance imaging system can be deployed in special occasions such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and ambulances, making it possible to implement bedside monitoring imaging systems, mobile stroke units and magnetic resonance platforms in remote areas. Compared with medium and high field imaging systems, ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging equipment utilizes light-weight permanent magnets, which are compact and easy to move. However, the image quality is highly susceptible to external electromagnetic interference without a shielded room and there are still many key technical problems in hardware design to be solved. In this paper, the system hardware design and environmental electromagnetic interference elimination algorithm were studied. Consequently, some research results were obtained and a prototype of portable shielding-free 50 mT magnetic resonance imaging system was built. The light-weight magnet and its uniformity, coil system and noise elimination algorithm and human brain imaging were verified. Finally, high-quality images of the healthy human brain were obtained. The results of this study would provide reference for the development and application of ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging technology.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods* ; Head ; Equipment Design ; Magnets

Stomatognathic system rehabilitation (SSR) is an important component of dental implant therapy, involving multiple disciplines and factors. This article focuses on the importance of clinical issues, such as mandibular position, vertical distance, occlusion and temporomandibular joint in SSR, in order to provide reference for dentists in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of the proximal tibial lateral locking plate with rafting screws combined with Jail screws in the treatment of collapse fracture of the lateral tibial plateau.Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed on clinical data of 36 patients with collapse fracture of the lateral tibial plateau admitted to Suqian Hospital of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group from January 2016 to January 2020, including 19 males and 17 females, aged 34-68 years [(48.6±5.8)years]. Schatzker classification was type II in 28 patients and type III in 8 patients. All patients were treated using the proximal tibial lateral locking plate with raft screws combined with Jail screws. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and fracture healing were detected. The distance of articular surface collapse of the tibial plateau, posterior inclination angle (PSA) of the tibial plateau, tibial plateau varus angle (TPVA) and Rasmussen anatomical score were compared before operation and at day 2 and 1 year after operation. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was used to evaluate knee function at day 2 and 1 year after operation. Complications were also recorded.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-32 months [(19.5±3.1)months]. The operation time was 56-82 minutes [(68.5±9.1)minutes]. The intraoperative blood loss was 40-100 ml [(75.6±10.2)ml]. The fracture was clinically healed by first-stage, with the healing time of 8 to 15 weeks [(12.5±1.3)weeks]. The distance of articular surface collapse of the tibial plateau was improved from (15.5±4.2)mm before operation to (0.7±0.3)mm at day 2 after operation and (1.0±0.2)mm at 1 year after operation (all P<0.01). The PSA was improved from (21.2±2.1)° before operation to (8.9±0.8)° at day 2 after operation and (9.2±0.6)° at 1 year after operation (all P<0.01). The TPA was improved from (100.2±3.7)° before operation to (88.9±1.8)° at day 2 after operation and (87.2±1.6)° at 1 year after operation (all P<0.05). The Rasmussen anatomical score changed from (7.8±1.8)points before operation to (17.1±0.9)points at day 2 after operation and (16.3±0.7)points at 1 year after operation (all P<0.01). There were no significant difference in the distance of articular surface collapse of the tibial plateau, PSA, TPVA and Rasmussen anatomical score at day 2 and 1 year after operation (all P>0.05). The HSS score was (92.8±3.2)points at 1 year after operation, significantly higher than (74.8±3.5) points at day 2 after operation ( P<0.01). Two patients sustained superficial wound infection after operation, which healed after debridement and dressing change. No deep infection occurred. Conclusion:For patients with collapse fracture of the lateral tibial plateau, the proximal tibial lateral locking plate with rafting screws combined with Jail screws can effectively prevent secondary collapse of the articular surface and obtain satisfactory anatomical reduction, good functional recovery and few postoperative complications.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of minimally invasive reduction through a bone tunnel combined with Jail screwing and those of posterolateral locking plating in the treatment of simple posterolateral tibial plateau fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the data of 48 patients who had been operatively treated and completely followed up at Department of Orthopedics, Suqian Hospital of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group for simple posterolateral tibial plateau fractures from October 2016 to October 2020. There were 26 males and 22 females, aged from 35 to 68 years. They were divided into a minimally invasive group (25 cases subjected to minimally invasive reduction through a bone tunnel combined with Jail screwing) and an incision group (23 cases subjected to posterolateral locking plating) according to their surgical methods. The operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, cumulative fluoroscopy time, hospital stay and posterior inclination angles of the tibial plateau and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee function scores at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after operation were compared between the 2 groups. Complications in the 2 groups of patients were recorded.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing comparability ( P>0.05). The 48 patients were followed up for 12 to 36 months (average 16.5 months). The minimally invasive group was significantly better than the incision group in operation time [(42.6±9.1) min versus (65.7±11.5) min], incision length [(4.0±0.4) cm versus (15.0±1.5) cm], intraoperative blood loss[(22.6±5.8) mL versus (31.5±8.8) mL], hospital stay [(7.6±1.4) d versus (11.1±2.4) d], and HSS score one month after operation [(84.8±1.9) points versus (72.9±4.1) points], but the cumulative fluoroscopy time in the incision group [(4.1±1.4) s]was significantly less than that in the minimally invasive group [(22.3±4.2) s] ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in fracture healing time, HSS scores at 3, 6, 9, or 12 months after operation, or posterior inclination angle of the tibial plateau between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). There were no such complications as wound infection, vascular injury, internal fixation failure, nonunion or malunion of fractures in either of the 2 groups. Two cases in the incision group presented with symptoms of common peroneal nerve injury but recovered 3 months after operation. Conclusions:Although both minimally invasive reduction through a bone tunnel combined with Jail screwing and posterolateral locking plating can achieve satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of simple posterolateral tibial plateau fractures, the minimally invasive technique is preferable because it shows the advantages of a smaller incision, less bleeding, shorter operation time, a lower operation risk, quicker postoperative recovery and shorter hospital stay.

Objective: This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) with those of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and healthy controls (HCs). Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 35 patients with PA, in addition to 35 age- and sex-matched patients with EH, and 35 age- and sex-matched HCs, all of whom underwent comprehensive clinical and cardiac MRI examinations. The analysis of variance was used to detect the differences in the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling among the three groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between left ventricular remodeling and the physiological variables. Results: The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 85.1 ± 13.0 mL/m2 for PA, 75.9 ± 14.3 mL/m2 for EH, and 77.3 ± 12.8 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.010), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVi) (mean ± SD: 35.2 ± 9.8 mL/m2 for PA, 30.7 ± 8.1 mL/m2 for EH, and 29.5 ± 7.0 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.013), left ventricular mass index (mean ± SD: 65.8 ± 16.5 g/m2 for PA, 56.9 ± 12.1 g/m2 for EH, and 44.1 ± 8.9 g/m2 for HC; p < 0.001), and native T1 (mean ± SD: 1224 ± 39 ms for PA, 1201 ± 47 ms for EH, and 1200 ± 44 ms for HC; p = 0.041) values were higher in the PA group compared to the EH and HC groups. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that log (plasma aldosteroneto-renin ratio) was independently correlated with EDVi and ESVi. Plasma aldosterone was independently correlated with native T1. Conclusion Patients with PA showed a greater degree of ventricular hypertrophy and enlargement, as well as myocardial fibrosis, compared to those with EH. Cardiac MRI T1 mapping can detect left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with PA.