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Background: Corrected QT (QTc) interval has been reported to be associated with type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to explore the relationship between different glucose tolerance and QTc intervals among middle-aged and older Chinese individuals. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis that included 9898 subjects (3194 men and 6704 women) in a Chinese population. Glucose tolerance was studied during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum lipids, hepatic transaminases and waist-to-hip ratio were assessed. The QTc interval was derived from ECG recordings, and the subjects were stratified based on different glucose tolerance. Results: QTc interval levels were increased significantly in the subjects with abnormal glucose metabolism compared with the normal glucose regulation group. Multiple regression analyses showed that the QTc interval was significantly associated with fasting plasma glucose, 2-h OGTT plasma glucose and HbA1c. The odds ratio of prolonged QTc was 1.396 for impaired glucose regulation (IFG)/impaired fasting glucose (IGT) (95% CI 0.126–1.730), and 1.342 for type 2 diabetes (95% CI 0.142–1.577) after all potential confounders were adjusted. Conclusions: Impaired glucose tolerance (IGR) and diabetes are associated with prolonged QTc intervals among middle-aged and older Chinese individuals. Abnormal glucose regulation can be used to monitor the QTc interval in the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence points to the indispensable function of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in normal lung development and tissue homeostasis. However, the importance of AMs in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has not been elucidated. Here, we identified a significant role of abnormal AM proliferation and polarization in alveolar dysplasia during BPD, which is closely related to the activation of the IL‐33‐ST2 pathway. Compared with the control BPD group, AMs depletion partially abolished the epithelialmesenchymal transition process of AECII and alleviated pulmonary differentiation arrest. In addition, IL‐33 or ST2 knockdown has protective effects against lung injury after hyperoxia, which is associated with reduced AM polarization and proliferation. The protective effect disappeared following reconstitution of AMs in injured IL‐33 knockdown mice, and the differentiation of lung epithelium was blocked again. In conclusion, the IL‐33‐ST2 pathway regulates AECII transdifferentiation by targeting AMs proliferation and polarization in BPD, which shows a novel strategy for manipulating the IL‐33–ST2‐AMs axis for the diagnosis and intervention of BPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Observational epidemiology studies suggested a relationship between the gut microbiome and primary liver cancer. However, the causal relationship remains unclear because of confounding factors and reverse causality. We aimed to explore the causal role of the gut microbiome in the development of primary liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods: Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted using summary statistics from genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of the gut microbiome and liver cancer, and sequencing data from a case–control study validated the findings. A 5‐cohort GWAS study in Germany (N = 8956) served as exposure, whilst the UK biobank GWAS study (N = 456 348) served as an outcome. The case–control study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from December 2018 to October 2020 and included 184 HCC patients, 63 ICC patients and 40 healthy controls. Results: A total of 57 features were available for MR analysis, and protective causal associations were identified for Family_Ruminococcaceae (OR = 0.46 [95% CI, 0.26–0.82]; p =.009) and Genus_Porphyromonadaceae (OR = 0.59 [95% CI, 0.42–0.83]; p =.003) with HCC, and for Family_Porphyromonadaceae (OR = 0.36 [95% CI, 0.14–0.94]; p =.036) and Genus_Bacteroidetes (OR = 0.55 [95% CI, 0.34–0.90]; p =.017) with ICC respectively. The case–control study results showed that the healthy controls had a higher relative abundance of Family_Ruminococcaceae (p =.00033), Family_Porphyromonadaceae (p =.0055) and Genus_Bacteroidetes (p =.021) than the liver cancer patients. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that Ruminococcaceae, Porphyromonadaceae and Bacteroidetes are related to a reduced risk of liver cancer (HCC or ICC), suggesting potential significance for the prevention and control of liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nitrogen isotope composition of plants (δ15N) can comprehensively reflect information on climate change and ecosystems' nitrogen cycle. By collecting common herbs and soil samples along the 400 mm isoline of mean annual precipitation (MAP) in the agro-pastoral zone of North China (APZNC) and measuring their δ15N values, the statistical characteristics of foliar δ15N of herbs and the responses of foliar δ15N to the MAP and mean annual temperature (MAT) were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) the δ15N values of all herbs investigated varied from −5.5% to 15.25%. Among them, the δ15N value range of C3 herbs (−5.5~15.00%) was wider than that of C4 herbs (−2.17~15.25%), but the average value (3.27%) of C3 herbs was significantly lower than that of C4 herbaceous plants (5.55%). This difference provides an important method for identifying plants of different photosynthetic types by nitrogen isotope technology. (2) Along the transect from northeast to southwest, the δ15N of both C3 and C4 herbs decreased with the increase in the MAP, but not significantly for C3 herbs. The inverse relationship between the nitrogen isotopic signatures of herbs and MAP is consistent with previous studies. However, the MAP in the APZNC is found to only explain a small amount of the observed variance in the δ15N herbs (C3 herbs: 10.40%; C4 herbs: 25.03%). (3) A strong negative relationship was found between δ15N of herbs and MAT across the transect (C3 herbs: −0.368%/°C; C4 herbs: −0.381%/°C), which was contrary to the global pattern and some regional patterns. There was no significant difference in the δ15N responses of two different photosynthetic herbs to temperature, but the effect of temperature on the variances of δ15N of C3 and C4 herbs was significantly greater than that of precipitation. This suggests that temperature is a key factor affecting foliar δ15N of herbs in this transect. The above findings may be of value to global change researchers studying the processes of the nitrogen cycle and gaining an insight into climate dynamics of the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lack of physical activity and excessive sitting time contributed to ectopic fat accumulation, especially in the liver. Previous studies have illustrated the harm of sedentary behaviour and the benefits of physical activity on fatty liver disease. We aimed to explore the association between the behaviour patterns and the risk of metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) using isotemporal substitution model to examine the effect of replacing one behaviour to another while keeping the total time and other behaviours fixed among Chinese middle‐aged and elderly population. Methods: This study included 161 147 participants aged ≥40 years old from the nationwide, population‐based cohort of the REACTION study. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure self‐reported time for sleeping, sitting, walking and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA). MAFLD was defined by evidence of fatty liver index (FLI) ≥ 60 in addition to one of the following three patterns, namely overweight/obesity, presence of diabetes, or evidence of metabolic dysregulation. Isotemporal substitution models using logistic regression models to evaluate the association of replacement of different behaviour patterns with each other and the risk of MAFLD. Results: Substitution of 60 minutes per day of sleeping, walking or total MVPA for sitting was associated with a 2%–8% reduction of MAFLD risk in overall participants. In employed individuals, replacing sitting time with occupational MVPA or nonoccupational MVPA both could bring benefits to liver steatosis. Stratified analysis found that replacing 60 minutes of sitting time with an equivalent time of other behaviour pattern could reduce approximately 8% of the risk among MAFLD participants with metabolic abnormalities. Such a relationship might be explained by the important mediated role of metabolic elements, such as waist circumference, body mass index, triglycerides and homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Furthermore, replacing sitting with MVPA showed a stronger association among participants who got enough sleep (sleep duration ≥7 hours per day). Conclusion: Replacing sitting with other behaviour patterns could reduce the prevalence of MAFLD, and such substitution effect was much remarkably in individuals with abnormal metabolic status. Observably, obese individuals were more likely to benefit from appropriate changes in behaviour patterns. Moreover, the analysis of sleep duration stratification appealed that the adequacy of individual sleep duration also had a significant impact on the substitution effect. It is worth noting that adjusting the time allocation of behaviour patterns might have a beneficial impact on liver‐metabolic health, and these findings might help us better recognize the importance of reasonable arrangement of behaviour patterns according to the individual's situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have shown that climatic and edaphic factors influence the variations in nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the relative importance of co-varying climatic and edaphic controls on plant δ15N remains somewhat unclear. To address this issue, regional-scale plant (L. chinensis) and soil samples were collected along a longitudinal transect across the temperate grasslands in northern China. The influences of climatic and edaphic factors on the plant δ15N were disentangled using the variable importance in projection (VIP) approach. We found that the climatic and edaphic variables explained 52.4% and 31.2%, respectively, of the variation in plant δ15N. The mean annual precipitation (MAP), soil N, and mean annual temperature (MAT) were the most important variables, but the soil water content (SWC), aridity index (AI), and soil clay content were also important variables. The soil pH and soil C: N ratios were identified as unimportant variables. Furthermore, a high-performance model for simulating plant δ15N values was constructed based on the important variables (VIP > 0.8). Further investigations should focus on the effects of the interaction between the climatic and edaphic variables on the N cycles in the temperate grasslands to provide more reliable predictions of plant δ15N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to investigate the associations between maternal serum aspartame/sucralose levels and metabolic health during pregnancy. Methods: A nested population-based case-control study was conducted in 109 women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Serum aspartame and sucralose levels were assessed using an ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometry system. Results: We detected the presence of circulating aspartame and sucralose in all participants at fasting. No differences in serum aspartame or sucralose levels were observed between GDM and non-GDM groups. In the fully-adjusted linear regression models, serum aspartame levels were positively associated with insulin resistance index, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. In the fully-adjusted logistic regression models, higher serum aspartame levels were positively associated with elevated HbA1c, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, and hyper-LDL cholesterolemia. In the GDM group, the significant associations between higher serum aspartame levels and elevated HbA1c, insulin resistance, and hypo-HDL cholesterolemia persisted, while positive associations were found between higher serum aspartame levels and insulin resistance and hyper-LDL cholesterolemia in the non-GDM group. Serum sucralose levels were negatively associated with HbA1c. Conclusions: The study found that maternal serum aspartame levels were positively associated with insulin resistance index, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol during pregnancy. This finding provides the different effects of specific NNS on metabolic health during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The Cortical Bone Trajectory (CBT) technique provides an alternative method for fixation in the lumbar spine in patients with osteoporosis. An accuracy CBT screw placement could improve mechanical stability and reduce complication rates.Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the accuracy of cortical screw placement with the application of implanted spinous process clip (SPC) guide.Methods and Materials: Four lumbar specimens with T12-S1 were used to access the accuracy of the cortical screw. The SPC-guided planning screws were compared to the actual inserted screws by superimposing the vertebrae and screws preoperative and postoperative CT scans. According to preoperative planning, the SPC guide was adjusted to the appropriate posture to allow the K-wire drilling along the planned trajectory. Pre and postoperative 3D-CT reconstructions was used to evaluate the screw accuracy according to Gertzbein and Robbins classification. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots were used to examine SPC-guided agreements for CBT screw placement.Results: A total of 48 screws were documented in the study. Clinically acceptable trajectory (grades A and B) was accessed in 100% of 48 screws in the planning screws group, and 93.8% of 48 screws in the inserted screws group (p = 0.242). The incidence of proximal facet joint violation (FJV) in the planning screws group (2.1%) was comparable to the inserted screws group (6.3%) (p = 0.617). The lateral angle and cranial angle of the planned screws (9.2 ± 1.8° and 22.8 ± 5.6°) were similar to inserted screws (9.1 ± 1.7° and 23.0 ± 5.1°, p = 0.662 and p = 0.760). Reliability evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman showed good consistency in cranial angle and excellent results in lateral angle and distance of screw tip.Conclusions: Compared with preoperative planning screws and the actually inserted screws, the SPC guide could achieve reliable execution for cortical screw placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy, immune inflammatory factors and hemorheology of patients with plaque psoriasis by using fire acupuncture combined with the theory of midnightnoon ebb-flow. Methods: Sixty-two patients with plaque psoriasis who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly divided into control group and fire acupuncture with midnightnoon ebb-flow, with 31 cases in each group. The control group was treated with carpotriol ointment for external use, while the fire acupuncture group was treated with fire acupuncture with midnightnoon ebb-flow on the basis of the former and selected points by the opening method through midnight-noon ebb-flow theory. The patients in both groups were treated for 8 weeks and followed up for 4 weeks. The levels of PASI, DLQI, PSQI, HAMA, hs-CRP, TNF-α and hemorheology indexes in 2 groups before and after treatment were observed, including the comparison of whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and hematocrit. Results: PASI, DLQI, PSQI, HAMA, hs-CRP, TNF-α, blood viscosity and hematocrit levels were significantly improved after treatment (P < 0. 05, P < 0. 01), and the group in fire acupuncture with midnight-noon ebb-flow was significantly better than control group after treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: fire acupuncture with midnight-noon ebb-flow can improve the sleep quality of patients with psoriasis, relieve anxiety and effectively improve the blood cell rheology and microcirculation, alleviate clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension caused by a high-salt (HS) diet is one of the major causes of cardiovascular diseases. Underlining pathology includes oxidative stress and inflammation in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). This study investigates genistein's (Gen) role in HS-induced hypertension and the underlying molecular mechanism. We placed male Wistar rats on HS (8% NaCl) or normal salt diet (0.3% NaCl). Then, we injected bilateral PVN in rats with Gen, vehicle, or nicotinamide (NAM) for 4 weeks. Tail cuff was used weekly to assess the systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Cardiac hypertrophy was analyzed by heart weight/body weight ratio and wheat germ agglutinin staining. ELISA kits, Western blot, or dihydroethidium staining determined the levels of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Western blot measured protein levels of Sirt1, Ac-FOXO1, Nrf2, NQO-1, HO-1, and gp91phox. Our result showed that PVN infusion of Gen significantly reduced the increase of systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and MAP induced by an HS diet. Additionally, there was a decrease in cardiac hypertrophy and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in PVN and plasma. Meanwhile, PVN infusion of Gen notably inhibited the levels of oxidized glutathione and superoxide dismutase and improved the glutathione level and total antioxidant capacities and superoxide dismutase activities. It also decreased the level of reactive oxygen species and gp91phox expression in PVN. Furthermore, Gen infusion markedly increases the Sirt1, Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 levels and decreases the Ac-FOXO1 level. However, PVN infusion of NAM could significantly block these changes induced by Gen in HS diet rats. Our results demonstrated that PVN infusion of Gen could inhibit the progression of hypertension induced by an HS diet by activating the Sirt1/Nrf2 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fallopian tube cancer that is characterized only by inguinal lymph node metastasis without intra-abdominal widespread is rare. Here we report a patient with primary Fallopian tube cancer with bilateral inguinal metastases as the first symptom. A 68-year-old patient with primary Fallopian tube cancer, with painless bilateral inguinal enlargement (7 × 6 cm on the right side, 3 × 2 cm on the left side) as the only manifestation, was confirmed by preoperative biopsy as metastatic high-grade serous denocarcinoma, consider the adnexal or peritoneal source. Pelvic MRI, abdominal CT and PET-CT showed irregular signal foci can be seen in the right adnexal area, with a maximum cross-section of about 7.5 × 7.0 × 4.0 cm, considering malignancy, ovarian cancer may be possible; bilateral pelvic wall, bilateral inguinal, right iliac vessels with hypermetabolic lymph nodes. Serum CA125 level was markedly elevated at 922.40 U/ml and HE4 at 394.50 pmol/L. No abnormality was found in gastrointestinal endoscopy. At exploratory laparotomy, the tumor was confined to the right rear of the uterus, and a solid tumor with a size of about 10 × 6 × 6 cm was seen. The surface was smooth and closely related to the uterus. There was almost no tumor spread in the pelvic abdominal cavity, but there was 50 ml of pale blood-colored peritoneal fluid. The right ovarian capsule was intact. Cytoreductive surgery was performed, postoperative pathology confirmed adenocarcinoma of the right fallopian tube, and the patient received six cycles of paclitaxel plus cisplatin combination chemotherapy were administered, with three 3-weeks intervals between cycles. And subsequent the patient participated in a clinical trial. The work has been reported in line with the SCARE criteria. Literature review indicates that inguinal lymph node as the first manifestation of fallopian tube cancer is not usual, and with no widespread lymphadenopathies and abdominopelvic cavity are even rarer. This case shows that rare cases with only inguinal lymph node metastasis may occur through the underlying lymphatic and/or hematogenous routes. The diagnosis of tubal cancer is sometimes complicated and delayed. For elderly women without nonspecific symptoms, especially those with obvious masses, detailed examinations, and imaging studies should be carried out in time. The treatment of tubal cancer is multi-modal. Due to the high risk of recurrence of fallopian tube cancer, the possibility of metastasis after the initial diagnosis is large, so it is very important to receive close and regular follow-up for patients with fallopian tube cancer after treatment. We suggest that more tumor centers study the possible mechanisms, metastasis patterns, biological characteristics, etc. of such patients, and at the same time efforts should be made to early differential diagnosis, and ultimately prolong the survival time of such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]