Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

ObjectiveTo investigate the awareness and clinical practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B （2022 edition） among clinicians. MethodsFrom July 19 to December 31， 2024， a self-designed electronic questionnaire was distributed via the WeChat mini program to collect related data from 1 588 clinicians nationwide， including their awareness and practice based on 18 questions regarding testing and referral， diagnosis and treatment， and follow-up. ResultsAmong all respondents， only 350 clinicians correctly understood all the updated key points of antiviral indications and treatment for special populations in the 2022 edition of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B， with an overall awareness rate of 22.0%. Only 20% ‍—‍ ‍40% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and an age of >30 years receive antiviral therapy， while 80% ‍—‍ ‍100% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and a family history of hepatitis B cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma receive antiviral therapy. The median follow-up rates at 1 year， 3 years， and 5 years were 67.5% 57.5% and 47.5%，respectively， showing a trend of gradual reduction， which might be associated with the influencing factors such as insufficient time for follow-up management by clinicians， insufficient awareness of the disease among patients， and poor adherence to follow-up. ConclusionThere is a gap between the awareness and practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B （2022 edition） among clinicians. It is recommended to further strengthen training and focus on the whole process of “detection， diagnosis， treatment， and management” for patients with chronic hepatitis B in healthcare institutions， in order to promote the implementation of the guidelines.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has a promising future in the treatment of ocular diseases due to its high efficiency, specificity, and low toxicity in inhibiting the expression of target genes and proteins. However, due to the unique anatomical structure of the eye and various barriers, delivering nucleic acids to the retina remains a significant challenge. In this study, we rationally design PACD, an A-B-C type non-viral vector copolymer composed of a hydrophilic PEG block (A), a siRNA binding block (B) and a pH-responsive block (C). PACDs can self-assemble into nanosized polymeric micelles that compact siRNAs into polyplexes through simple mixing. By evaluating its pH-responsive activity, gene silencing efficiency in retinal cells, intraocular distribution, and anti-angiogenesis therapy in a mouse model of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, we demonstrate the efficiency and safety of PACD in delivering siRNA in the retina. We are surprised to discover that, the PACD/siRNA polyplexes exhibit remarkable intracellular endosomal escape efficiency, excellent gene silencing, and inhibit retinal angiogenesis. Our study provides design guidance for developing efficient nonviral ocular nucleic acid delivery systems.

Objective:To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic microwave ablation and laparoscopic hepatectomy in the treatment of hepatic hemangioma.Methods:The clinical data of 98 patients with hepatic hemangioma admitted to the Hepatobiliary Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2019 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 78 females, aged 24-69 years. According to the surgical method, they were divided into two groups: laparoscopic microwave ablation group (ablation group) with 34 cases, and laparoscopic hepatectomy group (resection group) with 64 cases. The differences in intraoperative and postoperative recovery related indicators, follow-up and prognosis between the two groups were compared and analyzed.Results:The operative time and blood loss in the ablation group were (90.6±21.8) min and (60.3±40.8) ml, respectively, which were lower than those in the resection group (128.7±30.0) min and (165.8±212.7) ml, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-6.54, -2.86, P<0.001, P=0.005). There were 5 cases (14.71%) of residual lesions in the ablation group and none in the resection group, with a significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.01, P=0.003). The ablation group was superior to the resection group in hospital stay, drainage tube removal time and postoperative pain, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). On the 1st and 3rd day after surgery, the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin in ablation group were lower than those in resection group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In the ablation group, there were 14 cases of hemoglobinuria (41.2%), 2 cases of abdominal hemorrhage (5.9%), 0 cases of bile leakage and 6 cases of pleural effusion (17.7%), while in the resection group, these complications were 2 cases (3.1%), 18 cases (28.1%), 11 cases (17.2%) and 32 cases (50.0%), respectively, and there were statistical significance between the two groups (all P<0.05). In terms of prognosis, there was both one recurrence in each group (2.9% vs. 1.6%), with no significant difference ( χ2=1.00, P=0.653). Conclusion:Compared with laparoscopic hepatectomy, laparoscopic microwave ablation has obvious advantages in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative pain and complications.

Objective To explore the MRI characteristics of anatomy and injuries of the tendons and ligaments in the midfoot.Methods Twenty healthy volunteers and 46 patients with midfoot trauma were selected for retrospective analysis.All subjects underwent examination on MR T1WI and proton density-fat suppression(PD FS)scans on three planes,respectively.Then the MRI features of tendon and ligaments injury were compared.Results The tendons and ligaments of 20 healthy volunteers(40 lateral feet)showed homogeneous low signal intensity with varing thickness.The anterior tibialis tendons showed a thin linear shape,and the posterior tibialis tendons showed a slightly thick band with uniform low signal intensity,and the calcaneonavicular ligament showed thin linelike low signal in different directions.In the 46 patients with midfoot injuries,there were 16 cases of anterior tibialis tendons injuries,18 cases of posterior tibialis tendons injuries,and 12 cases of calcaneonavicular ligament injuries.According to the MRI findings,the degree of injuries of tendons and ligaments was divided into injury,partial tear,and complete rupture.Conclusion MRI can clearly show the anatomy and injury features of ligaments and tendons in midfoot,which is of important value for the early diagnosis and accurate treatment of the ligaments and tendons injuries.

Glaucoma is one of the most common optic neuropathies, featuring progressive retinal ganglion cell damage and visual field loss (Tham et al., 2014; Xu et al., 2020). Currently, the only effective treatment for this condition is the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) (Palmberg, 2001; Heijl et al., 2002). Canaloplasty is a proven bleb-independent surgery with good efficacy and safety profiles in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) (Gołaszewska et al., 2021). However, early transient postoperative IOP elevation has been reported in up to 30% of cases (Riva et al., 2019), similar to that commonly observed in other internal drainage glaucoma surgeries such as implantation using iStent (0%-21.0%), CyPass (10.8%), and Hydrus (4.8%-6.5%) (Lavia et al., 2017). This complication may be a predictor of poor reserve in the outflow system and is potentially associated with surgical failure. Nonetheless, the exact pathophysiology of glaucoma remains unknown, and studies clarifying the risk factors for postoperative IOP elevation have been scarce.
Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/surgery* ; Incidence ; Treatment Outcome ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Liver biopsy for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is limited by its inherent invasiveness and possible sampling errors. Some studies have shown that cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) concentrations may be useful in diagnosing NASH, but results across studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to identify the utility of CK-18 M30 concentrations as an alternative to liver biopsy for non-invasive identification of NASH. METHODS: Individual data were collected from 14 registry centers on patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and in all patients, circulating CK-18 M30 levels were measured. Individuals with a NAFLD activity score (NAS) ≥5 with a score of ≥1 for each of steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation were diagnosed as having definite NASH; individuals with a NAS ≤2 and no fibrosis were diagnosed as having non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). RESULTS: A total of 2571 participants were screened, and 1008 (153 with NAFL and 855 with NASH) were finally enrolled. Median CK-18 M30 levels were higher in patients with NASH than in those with NAFL (mean difference 177 U/L; standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.87 [0.69-1.04]). There was an interaction between CK-18 M30 levels and serum alanine aminotransferase, body mass index (BMI), and hypertension ( P  < 0.001, P  = 0.026 and P  = 0.049, respectively). CK-18 M30 levels were positively associated with histological NAS in most centers. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) for NASH was 0.750 (95% confidence intervals: 0.714-0.787), and CK-18 M30 at Youden's index maximum was 275.7 U/L. Both sensitivity (55% [52%-59%]) and positive predictive value (59%) were not ideal. CONCLUSION This large multicenter registry study shows that CK-18 M30 measurement in isolation is of limited value for non-invasively diagnosing NASH.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnosis* ; Keratin-18 ; Biomarkers ; Biopsy ; Hepatocytes/pathology* ; Apoptosis ; Liver/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child with facial dysmorphism and multiple malformations. METHODS: The child, born at 34⁺⁶ weeks' gestation due to premature rupture of amniotic membrane, dichorionic diamniotic twinning and gestational diabetes, was subjected to chromosomal karyotyping analysis and copy number variations sequencing (CNV-seq). RESULTS: The child was found to have facial dysmorphism, hypospadia, cryptorchidism and hypotonia. He was found to have a 46,XY,del(3)(p26) karyotype in addition with a 9.80 Mb deletion (chr3: 60 000-9 860 000) encompassing 33 protein coding genes. CONCLUSION The 3p26.3p25.3 deletion probably underlay the multiple malformations in this child. Continuous follow-up is required to improve his quality of life.
Humans ; Male ; Chromosome Deletion ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Quality of Life ; Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics* ; Phenotype