Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells: A novel approach to intervention of ovarian ageing.

Ovarian aging leads to endocrine disorders and systemic degeneration of tissue and organ structure and function, seriously affecting women's physical and mental health. Safe and effective treatments for this condition are lacking. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs), which have multidirectional differentiation potential, show strong self-renewal, secrete bioactive factors and release exosomes, can undergo homing, colonization, integration and differentiation into supporting and functional cells in tissues and organs through direct manipulation and can also improve the tissue microenvironment through paracrine action, promoting cell division, proliferation and microangiogenesis, inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis, reducing oxidative stress, and mediating two-way immune regulation. These processes activate dormant cells, repaired damaged cells, replace necrotic cells, and regenerate fresh cells, restoring the structure and function of the ageing ovary. Furthermore, with the increasing development of UCMSC research and technology, the therapeutic use of UCMSCs is expected to become an effective means for the treatment of ovarian ageing caused by tissue cell ageing, degeneration, and necrosis.

Men with a history of commercial heterosexual contact play essential roles in the transmission of HIV-1 CRF55_01B from men who have sex with men to the general population in Guangxi, China.

Background: There is increasing focus on HIV-1 CRF55_01B in China. However, there is limited information regarding the dissemination of CRF55_01B across different regions and populations in Guangxi. This study was performed to elucidate the evolutionary history of the introduction and dissemination of CRF55_01B in Guangxi. Methods: Molecular network and phylogenetic analyses were used to investigate the transmission characteristics of CRF55_01B in China. The analyses particularly focused on the cross-provincial spatial and temporal transmission patterns between Guangdong Province and Guangxi, as well as the transmission dynamics among different regions and populations within Guangxi. Results: In total, 2226 partial pol sequences of CRF55_01B strains sampled from 2007 to 2022 were collected, including 1895 (85.09%) sequences from Guangdong, 199 (8.94%) sequences from Guangxi, and 172 (7.59%) sequences from other provinces of China. Most people living with HIV in Guangxi were infected with HIV-1 through heterosexuals (52.76%). Among these, 19.10% had a history of commercial heterosexual contact (CHC) and 15.58% had a history of non-marital non-commercial heterosexual contact (NMNCHC). Overall, 1418 sequences were identified in the molecular network. Notably, the sequences from Guangdong Province were most closely linked to those from Guangxi. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CRF55_01B was first introduced from Shenzhen City to Nanning City around 2007. Subsequently, CRF55_01B established local transmission within Guangxi, with Nanning City serving as the transmission center from 2008 to 2017. After 2017, the CRF55_01B strain spread to other regions of Guangxi. Men who have sex with men (MSM) and men with a history of CHC have played a significant role in the transmission of CRF55_01B among different populations in Guangxi. Conclusions: This study provides evidence on the transmission trajectory of CRF55_01B among different regions and populations in Guangxi. Given the bridging role of men with a history of CHC in the dissemination of CRF55_01B from MSM to the general population, it is imperative to enhance surveillance among key populations to mitigate the secondary transmission of HIV-1.

A feasibility study on utilizing machine learning technology to reduce the costs of gastric cancer screening in Taizhou, China.

Aim: To optimize gastric cancer screening score and reduce screening costs using machine learning models. Methods: This study included 228,634 patients from the Taizhou Gastric Cancer Screening Program. We used three machine learning models to optimize Li's gastric cancer screening score: Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Distributed Random Forest (DRF), and Deep Learning (DL). The performance of the binary classification models was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) and area under the precision-recall curve (AUCPR). Results: In the binary classification model used to distinguish low-risk and moderate- to high-risk patients, the AUC in the GBM, DRF, and DL full models were 0.9994, 0.9982, and 0.9974, respectively, and the AUCPR was 0.9982, 0.9949, and 0.9918, respectively. Excluding Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody, pepsinogen I, and pepsinogen II, the AUC in the GBM, DRF, and DL models were 0.9932, 0.9879, and 0.9900, respectively, and the AUCPR was 0.9835, 0.9716, and 0.9752, respectively. Remodel after removing variables IgG, PGI, PGII, and G-17, the AUC in GBM, DRF, and DL was 0.8524, 0.8482, 0.8477, and AUCPR was 0.6068, 0.6008, and 0.5890, respectively. When constructing a tri-classification model, we discovered that none of the three machine learning models could effectively distinguish between patients at intermediate and high risk for gastric cancer (F1 scores in the GBM model for the low, medium and high risk: 0.9750, 0.9193, 0.5334, respectively; F1 scores in the DRF model for low, medium, and high risks: 0.9888, 0.9479, 0.6694, respectively; F1 scores in the DL model for low, medium, and high risks: 0.9812, 0.9216, 0.6394, respectively). Conclusion: We concluded that gastric cancer screening indicators could be optimized when distinguishing low-risk and moderate to high-risk populations, and detecting gastrin-17 alone can achieve a good discriminative effect, thus saving huge expenditures.

Application of 'CDC- Public Security Bureau-NGO' Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism Allied AIDS prevention and control in Guigang, Guangxi.

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS has emerged as a nationwide epidemic and has taken the forefront position as the primary infectious killer of adults in China. The control and prevention of the disease have been hampered by a weak link in the form of heterosexual transmission. However, conventional intervention measures have demonstrated suboptimal efficacy in reducing the incidence of new HIV infections. In light of the current epidemiological characteristics, we have developed and executed an innovative intervention model known as the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the 'CDC-Public Security Bureau-NGO'. The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of this model on the AIDS awareness, HIV infection rates, sexual behavior, and associated factors among female sex workers and elderly clients. Through the provision of robust evidence of the efficacy of this innovative model, we seek to advocate for its implementation in future interventions. METHODS: The research design of this study incorporates both a serial cross-sectional study and time-series analysis from 2014 to 2021, including a 4-year traditional intervention (2014-2017) and the 4-year 'CDC-Public Security Bureau-NGO' innovative intervention (2018-2021), was conducted to evaluate the effects of the new intervention. The GM(1, 1) model was performed to predict the proportion of HIV infection without implementing the innovative intervention in 2018-2021; P and C values were used to evaluate the performance of the model. Mann-Kendall test and descriptive methods were used to analyzed the trend of traditional and innovative interventions models on HIV positive detection rate in FSWs and elderly clients. RESULTS: The condom usage rates during the last commercial sexual encounter for FSWs and elderly clients improved from 74.9% and 9.1%, respectively, to 96.9% and 28.1%. (P < 0.05), newly reported cases of HIV have decreased by 15.56% yearly and the HIV positive detection rate among middle-aged and elderly people has dropped by 14.47%. The innovative intervention model has significantly reduced the HIV infection rates. CONCLUSIONS: The 'CDC-Public Security Bureau-NGO' innovative intervention has achieved beneficial effects on HIV/AIDS prevention and control and provides a good reference for Guangxi, China.

A TCM formula assists temozolomide in anti-melanoma therapy by suppressing the STAT3 signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Temozolomide (TMZ) is a first-line therapeutic medication for melanoma. Nonetheless, it exhibits a relatively elevated toxicity profile, and falls short in terms of both effectiveness and median survival rate. Clinical research has demonstrated that the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with chemotherapy in the treatment of melanoma can enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. A TCM formula (SLE) containing Lonicera japonica Thunb. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. has shown anti-melanoma properties through the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. In the genesis and advancement of melanoma, the STAT3 signaling pathway is essential. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SLE combined with TMZ (SLE/TMZ) in inhibiting melanoma, and to explore the contribution of inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway in this effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both A375 cells and B16F10 tumor-bearing mice were used for in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively. In vitro assays included CCK8, crystal violet staining, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting. Animal experiment indicators included tumor volume, tumor weight, mouse weight, and the proportion of mouse immune cells. RESULTS: SLE/TMZ inhibited the proliferation and growth of A375 cells, and also induced apoptosis. Additionally, SLE/TMZ synergistically inhibited tumor growth in the B16F10 melanoma mouse model and had immunomodulatory effects, increasing the proportion of Th, Tc, and NK cells and decreasing the proportion of MDSCs in the spleen of melanoma-bearing mice. qRT-PCR and Western blotting results confirmed that SLE/TMZ inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and regulated its downstream factors, including Bcl2, Mcl1, CCND1, MYC, MMP2, MMP9, VEGFA, and FGF2. The inhibitory effect of SLE/TMZ on melanoma cell growth was considerably lessened when STAT3 was overexpressed at the cellular level. CONCLUSION: Synergistic anti-melanoma effects of SLE/TMZ have been observed in animal and cellular models. One of the mechanisms of SLE/TMZ that underlies its anti-melanoma actions is inhibition of the STAT3 pathway. This work offers pre-clinical pharmacological backing for the advancement of SLE as a therapeutic agent to be used in conjunction with TMZ for the treatment of melanoma.

A target-triggered colorimetric sensor for ultrasensitive detection of miRNAs based on self-powered three-dimensional DNA walker.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the process of heart failure (HF) and are emerging biomarkers that can be used for the auxiliary diagnosis of HF. However, it is very challenging to accurately analyze the expression levels of trace miRNAs in complex clinical samples. Here, we developed an enzyme-free colorimetric sensor for the ultrasensitive detection of miRNA-423-5p (HF-associated miRNA) based on three-dimensional DNA walkers constructed from functional nucleic acids and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). DNAzyme with cleavage activity was specifically activated by miRNA-423-5p to sustainably cleave the substrate, thereby releasing the trigger sequence to initiate the subsequent mismatched catalytic hairpin assembly (MCHA) cycle. Then, as the MCHA cycle proceeded to continuously expose the G-quadruplex (GQ) sequence, the sequence bound with hemin to form a large amount of GQ/hemin DNAzyme on the surface of the AuNPs, which rapidly catalyzed the chromogenic oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine to yield an amplified colorimetric signal readout. The colorimetric sensor exhibited an ultralow detection limit (32 fM), showed excellent specificity and performed well in serum samples. The sensor was applied to detect miRNA-423-5p in clinical plasma samples from healthy individuals and HF patients, and the results revealed its good clinical application in HF diagnosis. Thus, the developed colorimetric sensor provides a convenient detection tool for early screening and diagnosis of HF, as well as for pathophysiological studies.

Structural and Mutational Analyses of Trehalose Synthase from Deinococcus radiodurans Reveal the Interconversion of Maltose-Trehalose Mechanism.

Trehalose synthase (TreS) catalyzes the reversible interconversion of maltose to trehalose, playing a vital role in trehalose production. Understanding the catalytic mechanism of TreS is crucial for optimizing the enzyme activity and enhancing its suitability for industrial applications. Here, we report the crystal structures of both the wild type and the E324D mutant of Deinococcus radiodurans trehalose synthase in complex with the trehalose analogue, validoxylamine A. By employing structure-guided mutagenesis, we identified N253, E320, and E324 as crucial residues within the +1 subsite for isomerase activity. Based on these complex structures, we propose the catalytic mechanism underlying the reversible interconversion of maltose to trehalose. These findings significantly advance our comprehension of the reaction mechanism of TreS.

Assessing causal association of circulating micronutrients and systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Previous studies showed the conflicting associations between circulating micronutrient levels and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, we aimed to clarify the causal association between circulating micronutrient levels and the risk of SLE by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: 56 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with 14 circulating micronutrients (vitamin A, B6, B9, B12, C, D and E, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and selenium) in published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were used as instrumental variables (IVs). And summary statistics related to SLE were obtained from the IEU OpenGWAS database. We used the MR Steiger test to estimate the possible causal direction between circulating micronutrients and SLE. In the MR analysis, inverse variance weighting (IVW) method and the Wald ratio was as the main methods., Moreover, the MR-Pleiotropy residuals and outliers method (MR-PRESSO), Cochrane's Q-test, MR-Egger intercept method and leave-one-out analyses were applied as sensitivity analyses. Additionally, we conducted a retrospective analysis involving the 20,045 participants from the Third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES III). Weight variables were provided in the NHANES data files. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the associations between circulating micronutrients and SLE. Results: The MR estimates obtained from the IVW method revealed potential negative correlations between circulating calcium (OR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.49, P = 0.009), iron levels (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.43-0.92, P = 0.016) and the risk of SLE. The results remained robust, even under various pairs of sensitivity analyses. Our retrospective analysis demonstrated that the levels of vitamin D, serum total calcium, and serum iron were significantly lower in SLE patients (N = 40) when compared to the control group (N = 20,005). Multivariate logistic regression analysis further established that increased levels of vitamin D and serum total calcium served as protective factors against SLE. Conclusion: Our results provided genetic evidence supporting the potential protective role of increasing circulating calcium in the risk of SLE. Maintaining adequate levels of calcium may help reduce the risk of SLE.

HIV knowledge, sexual attitudes, and PrEP-Eligible behaviors among college students in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reported cases among students in Southwest China. However, the data on HIV/sex-related knowledge, attitude toward sex, sexual behaviors, and correlates of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-eligible behaviors among college students in this area is still limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HIV/sex-related knowledge, sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and factors associated with PrEP-eligible behaviors among college students. METHOD: An online survey from 2020 to 2021 based on a multistage stratified and cluster sampling method was conducted among college students in Southwest China, and a well-designed questionnaire collected data. Propensity score matching (PSM), logistic, and log-binomial regression were used to identify the determinants of PrEP-eligible behaviors. RESULT: A total of 108,987 students participated in the survey, and 92,946 provided valid responses. 91.6% (85,145/92,946) had good HIV-related knowledge, while only 26.0% (24,137/92,946) reported awareness of sex-related knowledge. Furthermore, more than half of the participants (64.5%) held negative stances towards engaging in "one-night stand", and 58.9% (617/1,047) reported PrEP-eligible behaviors. Log-binomial regression analysis indicated that unaware of HIV-related knowledge (aPR = 1.66, 95% CI:1.22-2.26, P = 0.001), not discussing about sex with their parent(s) (aPR = 1.16, 95% CI:1.01-1.33, P = 0.021), not receiving sex-related education in school(aPR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.07-1.45, P = 0.005), not participating in HIV/AIDS prevention activities in the past year (aPR = 1.32, 95%CI:1.09-1.60, P = 0.004), experiencing forced sex (aPR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.19-3.63, P = 0.010), and having the drug abuse (aPR = 22.21, 95% CI:5.59-88.31, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased odds of PrEP-eligible behaviors. CONCLUSION: College students in Southwest China exhibited suboptimal HIV/sex-related knowledge, received limited sex education, reported conservative attitudes towards casual sex, and significant PrEP-eligible behaviors. These findings suggest that sexually experienced college students who were unaware of HIV-related knowledge, lacked sex education, experienced forced sex, and reported drug abuse were the key individuals for evaluating eligibility for PrEP initiation, and interventions aimed at increasing awareness of HIV/sex-related knowledge, promoting participation in sex education, addressing issues related to forced sex and tackling drug abuse could contribute to reducing the incidence of PrEP-eligible behaviors among college students.

Update on aquaporin-4 antibody detection: the early diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune-mediated primary inflammatory myelinopathy of the central nervous system that primarily affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. The aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) is a specific autoantibody marker for NMOSD. Most patients with NMOSD are seropositive for AQP4-Ab, thus aiding physicians in identifying ways to treat NMOSD. AQP4-Ab has been tested in many clinical and laboratory studies, demonstrating effectiveness in diagnosing NMOSD. Recently, novel assays have been developed for the rapid and accurate detection of AQP4-Ab, providing further guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of NMOSD. This article summarizes the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis for treating NMOSD based on a review of the latest relevant literature. We discussed current challenges and methods for improvement to offer new ideas for exploring rapid and accurate AQP4-Ab detection methods, aiming for early diagnosis of NMOSD.

Global, regional, and national burden of fungal skin diseases in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021: An analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021.

BACKGROUND: Fungal skin diseases are common skin diseases with a heterogeneous distribution worldwide. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyse the spatiotemporal trends in the burden of fungal skin diseases at global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: Based on the data obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021, we described the incident cases, prevalent cases, number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and corresponding age-standardised rates (ASRs) for fungal skin diseases in 1990 and 2021 by sex, age, socio-demographic index (SDI), 21 GBD regions, and 204 countries and territories. We used Joinpoint regression analysis to assess the temporal trends in burden of fungal skin diseases during 1990 to 2021. Spearman's rank test was used to analyse the relationship between disease burden and potential factors. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, the incident cases, prevalent cases, and DALYs for fungal skin diseases worldwide increased by 67.93%, 67.73%, and 66.77%, respectively. Globally, the age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardised prevalence rate (ASPR), and age-standardised DALYs rate (ASDR) for fungal skin diseases in 2021 were 21668.40 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 19601.19-23729.17), 7789.55 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 7059.28-8583.54), and 43.39 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 17.79-89.10), respectively. Between 1990 and 2021, the ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR for fungal skin diseases have modestly increased, with AAPC of 11.71% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.03%-12.39%), 19.24% (95% CI: 18.12%-20.36%), and 20.25% (95% CI: 19.33%-21.18%), respectively. Males experienced a higher burden of fungal skin diseases than females. The incident cases, prevalent cases, and DALYs for fungal skin diseases were highest at the age of 5-9, while the ASRs were highest among the elderly. At national level, the highest ASRs were observed in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Mali. Overall, SDI was negatively correlated with the ASRs, whereas Global Land-Ocean Temperature Index (GLOTI) was remarkably positively correlated with the burden of fungal skin diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1990 and 2021, the global burden of fungal skin diseases has increased, causing a high disease burden worldwide, particularly in underdeveloped regions and among vulnerable population such as children and the elderly. With global warming and aging of the population, the burden of fungal skin diseases may continue to increase in the future. Targeted and specific measures should be taken to address these disparities and the ongoing burden of fungal skin diseases.

Brainstem Dbh+ neurons control allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity.

Exaggerated airway constriction triggered by repeated exposure to allergen, also called hyperreactivity, is a hallmark of asthma. Whereas vagal sensory neurons are known to function in allergen-induced hyperreactivity1-3, the identity of downstream nodes remains poorly understood. Here we mapped a full allergen circuit from the lung to the brainstem and back to the lung. Repeated exposure of mice to inhaled allergen activated the nuclei of solitary tract (nTS) neurons in a mast cell-, interleukin-4 (IL-4)- and vagal nerve-dependent manner. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing, followed by RNAscope assay at baseline and allergen challenges, showed that a Dbh+ nTS population is preferentially activated. Ablation or chemogenetic inactivation of Dbh+ nTS neurons blunted hyperreactivity whereas chemogenetic activation promoted it. Viral tracing indicated that Dbh+ nTS neurons project to the nucleus ambiguus (NA) and that NA neurons are necessary and sufficient to relay allergen signals to postganglionic neurons that directly drive airway constriction. Delivery of noradrenaline antagonists to the NA blunted hyperreactivity, suggesting noradrenaline as the transmitter between Dbh+ nTS and NA. Together, these findings provide molecular, anatomical and functional definitions of key nodes of a canonical allergen response circuit. This knowledge informs how neural modulation could be used to control allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity.

Postextraction infections, prevention, and treatment.

Postoperative infection is one of the most common complications of tooth extraction. It may manifest as localized infection or develop to systemic infection. Clinically, oral surgeons can prevent postoperative infections by urging patients to strengthen oral hygiene, applying antibiotics in a rational and compliant manner, and choosing appropriate surgical methods for tooth extraction. For the treatment of infection, the oral surgeon should formulate a response strategy on the basis of different diagnoses. For local infections such as dry socket, delayed alveolar osteitis, gap infection, and marginal osteomyelitis of the jaws, the infection can be controlled by local debridement, therapeutic use of antibiotics, and incise and drain if necessary. For patients suspected of necrotizing fasciitis, timely extensive debridement should be made to reduce the area of tissue necrosis. For those who have received radiotherapy or anti-resorptive drugs, tooth extraction should follow the recommendations of the relevant clinical guidelines or expert consensus to minimize the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaws. For patients with poor systemic health or dysfunction of the immune system, attention should be paid to identifying infective endocarditis and intracranial infection to ensure the life safety of patients. In this study, the author intends to combine literature review and clinical experience to tackle postextraction infection and its prevention to provide a reference for colleagues on oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Excavation of Biomarker Candidates for the Diagnosis of Talaromyces marneffei Infection via Genome-Wide Prediction and Functional Annotation of Secreted Proteins.

Talaromyces marneffei is the third most common infectious pathogen in AIDS patients and leads to the highest death rate in Guangxi, China. The lack of reliable biomarkers is one of the major obstacles in current clinical diagnosis, which largely contributes to this high mortality. Here, we present a study that aimed at identifying diagnostic biomarker candidates through genome-wide prediction and functional annotation of Talaromyces marneffei secreted proteins. A total of 584 secreted proteins then emerged, including 382 classical and 202 nonclassical ones. Among them, there were 87 newly obtained functional annotations in this study. The annotated proteins were further evaluated by combining RNA profiling and a homology comparison. Three proteins were ultimately highlighted as biomarker candidates with robust expression and remarkable specificity. The predicted phosphoinositide phospholipase C and the galactomannoprotein were suggested to play an interactive immune game through metabolism of arachidonic acid. Therefore, they hold promise in developing new tools for clinical diagnosis of Talaromyces marneffei and also possibly serve as molecular targets for future therapy.

Single-cell sequencing and multiple machine learning algorithms to identify key T-cell differentiation gene for progression of NAFLD cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is closely associated with chronicinflammation, is the most common liver cancer and primarily involves dysregulated immune responses in the precancerous microenvironment. Currently, most studies have been limited to HCC incidence. However, the immunopathogenic mechanisms underlying precancerous lesions remain unknown. Methods: We obtained single-cell sequencing data (GSE136103) from two nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cirrhosis samples and five healthy samples. Using pseudo-time analysis, we systematically identified five different T-cell differentiation states. Ten machine-learning algorithms were used in 81 combinations to integrate the frameworks and establish the best T-cell differentiation-related prognostic signature in a multi-cohort bulk transcriptome analysis. Results: LDHA was considered a core gene, and the results were validated using multiple external datasets. In addition, we validated LDHA expression using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Conclusion: LDHA is a crucial marker gene in T cells for the progression of NAFLD cirrhosis to HCC.

Hybrid argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of Barrett's esophagus: A prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in China is lower compared to the Western populations. Hence, studies conducted in the Chinese population has been limited. The current treatment options available for BE treatment includes argon plasma coagulation (APC), radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation, all with varying degrees of success. AIM: To determine the efficacy and safety of HybridAPC in the treatment of BE. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of patients with BE who underwent HybridAPC ablation treatment. These procedures were performed by seven endoscopists from different tertiary hospitals. The duration of the procedure, curative rate, complications and recurrent rate by 1-year follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Eighty individuals were enrolled for treatment from July 2017 to June 2020, comprising of 39 males and 41 females with a median age of 54 years (range, 30 to 83 years). The technical success rate of HybridAPC was 100% and the overall curative rate was 98.15%. No severe complications occurred during the operation. BE cases were classified as short-segment BE and long-segment BE. Patients with short-segment BE were all considered cured without complications. Thirty-six patients completed the one-year follow-up without recurrence. Twenty-four percent had mild dysplasia which were all resolved with one post-procedural treatment. The mean duration of the procedure was 10.94 ± 6.52 min. CONCLUSION: Treatment of BE with HybridAPC was found to be a simple and quick procedure that is safe and effective during the short-term follow-up, especially in cases of short-segment BE. This technique could be considered as a feasible alternative ablation therapy for BE.

Comprehensive biochemical analysis and nutritional evaluation of fatty acid and amino acid profiles in eight seahorse species (Hippocampus spp.).

Seahorses are increasingly recognized for their nutritional potential, which underscores the necessity for comprehensive biochemical analyses. This study aims to investigate the fatty acid and amino acid compositions of eight seahorse species, including both genders of Hippocampus trimaculatus, Hippocampus kelloggi, Hippocampus abdominalis, and Hippocampus erectus, to evaluate their nutritional value. We employed Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to analyze the fatty acid and amino acid profiles of the seahorse species. GC-MS was used to detect 34 fatty acid methyl esters, while HPLC provided detailed amino acid profiles. GC-MS analysis demonstrated high precision with relative standard deviations (RSDs) generally below 2.53 %, satisfactory repeatability (RSDs from 6.55 % to 8.73 %), and stability (RSDs below 2.82 %). Recovery rates for major fatty acids ranged from 98.73 % to 109.12 %. HPLC analysis showed strong separation of amino acid profiles with theoretical plate numbers exceeding 5000. Precision tests yielded RSDs below 1.23 %, with reproducibility and stability tests showing RSDs below 2.73 % and 2.86 %, respectively. Amino acid recovery rates ranged from 97.58 % to 104.66 %. Nutritional analysis revealed significant variations in fatty acid content among the species. Female H. erectus showed higher levels of hexadecanoic acid and saturated fatty acids, while male H. abdominalis had lower concentrations of n-3 full cis 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Total lipid yields varied from 3.2491 % to 12.3175 %, with major fatty acids constituting 17.9717 %-74.6962 % of total lipids. In conclusion, this study provides essential insights into the fatty acid and amino acid composition of seahorses, supporting their potential as valuable dietary supplements. The differences between genders in specific fatty acids suggest a nuanced nutritional profile that could be exploited for targeted dietary applications. Further research is needed to explore the seasonal and environmental variations affecting seahorse biochemical composition.

Blood Lead Mediates the Relationship between Biological Aging and Hypertension: Based on the NHANES Database.

Hypertension remains a major global public health crisis due to various contributing factors, such as age and environmental exposures. This study delves into exploring the intricate association between biological aging, blood lead levels, and hypertension, along with examining the mediating role of blood lead levels in the relationship between biological aging and hypertension. We analyzed data from two cycles of the NHANES, encompassing 4473 individuals aged 18 years and older. Our findings indicate that biological aging potentially escalates the risk of hypertension and the incidences of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) abnormalities. Utilizing weighted quantile sum (WQS) and quantile g-computation (QGC) model analyses, we observed that exposure to heavy metal mixtures, particularly lead, may elevate the likelihood of hypertension, SBP, and DBP abnormalities. Further mediation analysis revealed that lead significantly mediated the relationship between biological aging and hypertension and between biological aging and SBP abnormalities, accounting for 64% (95% CI, 49% to 89%) and 64% (95% CI, 44% to 88%) of the effects, respectively. These outcomes emphasize the criticality of implementing environmental health measures.

A cross-sectional survey study on the correlation analysis of nutritional status and intestinal flora in patients with esophageal cancer.

Objective: This study aims to examine the nutritional status of individuals diagnosed with esophageal cancer and compare the nutritional indicators and intestinal flora between malnourished and non-malnourished patients. The findings aim to contribute to the early prevention of malnutrition and the development of interventions targeting the intestinal flora to treat esophageal cancer. Methods: An 80-patient sample of hospitalized individuals with esophageal cancer was selected from the radiotherapy department of our hospital between July 2021 and July 2022 to evaluate NRS2002 scores and PG-SGA scores. This cross-sectional analysis aimed to examine the disparities in dietary nutrient intake, blood indicators, body composition, and fecal intestinal flora between malnourished and non-malnourished patients with esophageal cancer. Additionally, we randomly selected 40 cases to predict and analyze the relationship between intestinal flora and malnutrition. Results: The incidence of nutritional risk and malnutrition in patients with esophageal cancer was 62.5% and 60%, respectively. The low intake of carbohydrates and dietary fiber in the malnutrition group was statistically significant compared to those in the non-malnutrition group (P < 0.05). The albumin (ALB) level was lower in the malnutrition group than in the non-malnutrition group, while the C-reactive protein (CRP) level was higher; these differences were also statistically significant (P < 0.05). The basal metabolic rate, phase angle, body cell mass, muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, and fat-free mass index in the malnutrition group all decreased compared to the non-malnutrition group. The extracellular water/total body water was higher than that in the non-malnutrition group, which was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). As shown by 16S rDNA sequencing of fecal intestinal flora, there was no significant difference in α and ß diversity between the malnutrition and non-malnutrition groups; at the genus level, significant differences were observed for Selimonas, Clostridioides, Dielma, Lactobacillus, and [Eubacterium]_siraeum_group. However, Dielma, Sellimonas, and Clostridioides were significantly lower in the malnutrition group than in the non-malnutrition group, while Anaerococcus, Atopobium, Eubacterium_siraeum_group, and Lactobacillus were significantly higher in the malnutrition group. Correlation analysis between different genera and clinical indicators showed that Lactobacillus was positively correlated with ALB, dietary energy, intracellular water/total body water (ICW/TBW), phase angle (PA), muscle mass (MM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), body cell mass (BCM), basal metabolic rate (BMR), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), total body water (TBW), fat-free mass index (FFMI), skeletal muscle index (SMI), fat-free mass (FFM), Weight, body mass index (BMI) (r > 0, P < 0.05), but negatively correlated with PG-SGA score, NRS2002 score, and extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW) (r < 0, P < 0.05). Based on PG-SGA, there was only a low accuracy for identifying nutrient deficiency (most areas under curve (AUC) values fell within 0.5 to 0.7, or even lower), with Lachnoclostridium's AUC being 0.688 (CI = 0.518-0.858) and Lactobacillus_salivarius_g_Lactobacillus's AUC being 0.257 (CI = 0.098-0.416). A KEGG functional analysis based on 16S data indicated potential differences affecting glucose metabolism pathways and the synthesis or division of DNA, influencing the onset, development, and prognosis of esophageal cancer patients. Conclusion: Esophageal cancer patients are more likely to be malnourished. The nutritional status of these patients is closely linked to the intake of carbohydrates and fiber, albumin levels, inflammation levels, and lean body mass. Furthermore, the patient's intestinal flora composition plays a significant role in their nutritional well-being. Consequently, modulating the intestinal flora holds promise as a potential therapeutic approach for addressing malnutrition in esophageal cancer patients. Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR2100048141.