Recent research progress on the correlation between metabolic syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Globally, metabolic syndrome (MS) and Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, which have gained an epidemic status, are major challenges to human health, society, and medical professionals. Recent studies have demonstrated that MS is closely related to HP infection. Additionally, HP is an important risk factor for gastric cancer. However, systematic reviews on HP are lacking. This review aimed to summarize and analyze the potential correlation of HP infection with MS and its components, as well as the underlying mechanism, to provide reference and strategies for clinical prevention and treatment. Methodology: Previous studies examining the correlation between HP and MS since 1990 were retrieved from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. The potential correlation between HP infection and MS and its components was comprehensively analyzed. The keywords "Helicobacter pylori," "HP," "metabolic syndrome," "hypertension," "obesity," "diabetes," or "dyslipidemia" were used in all fields. No language restrictions were imposed. Results: MS was strongly correlated to HP infection. The inflammatory response and inflammatory factors produced during HP infection are important etiological factors for insulin resistance and MS. The co-occurrence of long-term chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction with MS may be the predisposing factor for HP infection. MS components, such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity were also correlated with HP infection in one or both directions. Conclusions: HP infection and MS may promote the pathogenesis of each other. The contribution of HP infection and MS to gastric cancer cannot be ruled out based on co-occurrence. The MS components diabetes and obesity may be bidirectionally correlated with HP infection.

Application of the Hoffmann, Bhattacharya, nonparametric test, and Q-Q plot methods for establishing reference intervals from laboratory databases.

BACKGROUND: Reference intervals (RIs) are vital for interpreting laboratory biomarkers and enabling clinical decision-making. Among various RI-estimation methods, we explored the application value of Hoffmann, Bhattacharya, nonparametric test, and Q-Q plot methods for estimating the RI of urea, creatinine, and uric acid (UA). METHOD: This cross-sectional study collected patient data recorded between January 2020 and April 2022 at the Chongqing University Central Hospital Laboratory Information System. The RIs of urea, creatinine, and UA levels were established using the Hoffmann, Bhattacharya, nonparametric, and Q-Q plot methods, and RI differences with different computational methods were verified using the reference change value (RCV%) of biological variability. RESULTS: We included 16,474 and 123,570 patients in the physical examination and clinical groups, respectively. In the clinical group, differences in the RI upper limit of analytes with the four methods (excluding the Q-Q plot method) were within the permissible RCV% range; only the nonparametric test produced an RI of urea with the lower limit within the permissible RCV% range. In the physical examination group, the relative RI differences among the four methods (excluding the lower limit of RI obtained using the Q-Q plot) were all within the acceptable RCV% range; the relative deviation of the RI of UA with the four methods was within the acceptable RCV% range (excluding the lower RI limit obtained using the Q-Q plot and nonparametric test). CONCLUSION: The Hoffmann and Bhattacharya methods may provide reliable RIs for indirect estimations of urea, creatinine, and UA based on laboratory datasets.

Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Relation to Hormone Replacement Therapy Use Among Postmenopausal Women: Results From a Prospective Cohort Study.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with increased risk of breast cancer (BC), but little evidence assesses the effects of potential effect-modifiers on HRT-related BC. We sought to examine the relationship of different HRT types/method use and risk of BC in US postmenopausal women. In total, 689 BC cases and 81 BC deaths were identified during 372,210 person-years of follow-up. Cox regression and competing risk regression were used to estimate multivariable-adjusted hazards ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) by HRT status (never, former, current) for risk of BC incidence and mortality. The total current HRT use was associated with an increased risk of BC (HR current vs. never, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.33, 2.11), but did not associate with risk of death from BC (HR current vs. never, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.40, 1.78). Furthermore, underweight women (BMI <20 kg/m2, HR current vs. never, 12.05, 95% CI, 1.46, 99.75) were more likely to take increased risk of BC from HRT use compared to the obese (BMI >30 kg/m2, HR current vs never, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.73, 1.97). This study suggests that HRT use was associated with an altered risk of the occurrence of BC in the US postmenopausal women, especially for underweight women.

Low intensity ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction assists MSCs delivery and improves neural function in brain ischaemic rats.

Background and purpose: The present study aimed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of the targeted non-invasive implantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) by low-intensity ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (LI-UTMD) assisted blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening and its improvement on neurobehavioural outcomes in brain ischaemic rats.Methods: A transcranial irradiation of low-intensity ultrasound by diagnostic devices was performed, and lipid microbubbles (MBs) and MSCs were simultaneously infused. Then, the MSC transmigration from brain vessels to parenchyma was demonstrated, and MSCs were statistically analysed on days 1, 4, 7 and 14. Behavioural function was statistically analysed.Results: The extra-vascular leakage of lanthanum and EB was observed at the brain ischaemic area receiving ultrasound. MSCs were observed at the ultrasound irradiated brain hemisphere, and the number of MSCs in LI-UTMD assisted MSCs group was significantly higher than that in the MSCs group (p < .01). The attachment, traversing and trans-migration of MSCs across the BBB were recorded. Neuro-behavioural function was improved with this approach.Conclusions: The transcranial irradiation of low intensity ultrasound targeted MBs destruction on brain ischaemic rats might be a safe and efficient BBB opening approach to prompt the successful delivery of MSCs into the targeted area of brain ischaemia, and ameliorate neurological function.