Mapping the evolution of liver aging research:A bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND With the increasing of the global aging population,healthy aging and prevention of age-related diseases have become increasingly important.The liver,a vital organ involved in metabolism,detoxification,digestion,and immunity,holds a pivotal role in the aging process of organisms.Although extensive research on liver aging has been carried out,no bibliometric analysis has been conducted to evaluate the scientific progress in this area.AIM To analyze basic knowledge,development trends,and current research frontiers in the field via bibliometric methods.METHODS We conducted bibliometric analyses via a range of analytical tools including Python,the bibliometrix package in R,CiteSpace,and VOSviewer.We retrieved publication data on liver aging research from the Web of Science Core Collection Database.A scientific knowledge map was constructed to display the contributions from different authors,journals,countries,institutions,as well as patterns of co-occurrence keywords and co-cited references.Additionally,gene regulation pathways associated with liver aging were analyzed via the STRING database.RESULTS We identified 4288 articles on liver aging,authored by 24034 contributors from 4092 institutions across 85 countries.Notably,the years 1991 and 2020 presented significant bursts in publication output.The United States led in terms of publications(n=1008,25.1%),citations(n=55205),and international collaborations(multiple country publications=214).Keywords such as“lipid metabolism”,“fatty liver disease”,“inflammation”,“liver fibrosis”and“target”were prominent,highlighting the current research hotspots.Notably,the top 64 genes,each of which appeared in at least 8 articles,were involved in pathways essential for cell survival and aging,including the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B,Forkhead box O and p53 signaling pathways.CONCLUSION This study highlights key areas of liver aging and offers a comprehensive overview of research trends,as well as insights into potential value for collaborative pursuits and clinical implementations.

Comparison of clinical and immunological profiles in coronavirus disease 2019 and influenza patients:a case control study

The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is still looming worldwide,and the pandemic has challenged health care delivery and health care systems internationally.[1]The epidemic of seasonal influenza would occur in the winter months.Since coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)and influenza share many clinical symptoms,[2]it is difficult to distinguish these two respiratory infections in the early stage.[3]Although nucleic acid testing was the gold standard to identify different virus infected diseases,false-negative nucleic acid results were reported frequently in COVID-19,[4]and its diagnostic sensitivity is less optimal.Therefore,the aim of our study is to explore and compare the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 and influenza,which could deepen the understanding of these two diseases and provide some guidance for clinicians to make a differential diagnosis.

Resistin does not down-regulate the transcription of insulin receptor promoter

Objective: To detect the effect of resistin on the transcription of insulin receptor promoter. Methods: Luciferase reporter gene was fused downstream of human insulin receptor promoter and the enzymatic activity of luciferase was determined in the presence or absence of resistin. The resistin expressed with plasmid was stained with antibody against Myc tag which was in frame fused with resistin coding sequence, and then imaged with confocal microscopy. Results: The treatment of pIRP-LUC transfected cells with recombinant resistin did not result in significant difference in the enzymatic activity of luciferase compared to the untreated cells. Cell staining showed that green fluorescence could be observed in the cytoplasm, but not in the nucleus. Conclusion: The results suggest that the endogenous resistin may functionally locate in the cytoplasm, but does not enter the nucleus and not down-regulate the transcription of insulin receptor promoter.

Multidisciplinary treatment of a patient with necrotizing fasciitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus: A case report

BACKGROUND Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe bacterial skin infection that spreads quickly and is characterized by extensive necrosis of the deep and superficial fascia resulting in the devascularization and necrosis of associated tissues.Because of high morbidity and mortality,accurate diagnosis and early treatment with adequate antibiotics and surgical intervention are vital.And timely identification and treatment of complications are necessary to improve survival of patient.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a patient using high doses of glucocorticoid and suffering from secondary diabetes mellitus.He was admitted to our hospital due to redness and oedema of the lower limbs.After admission,necrotizing fasciitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus was considered,and he was discharged after B-ultrasound drainage and multiple surgical operations.In the process of treatment,multiple organ functions were damaged,but with the help of multi-disciplinary treatment,the patient got better finally.CONCLUSION The key to successful management of necrotizing fasciitis is an early and accurate diagnosis.The method of using vacuum sealing drainage in postoperative patients can keep the wound dry and clean,reduce infection rate,and promote wound healing.Interdisciplinary collaboration is a vital prerequisite for successful treatment.

Effect of intensive multifactorial treatment on the intima-media thickness of large arteries in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: To quantify the changes in blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of large arteries in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus who received either intensive multifactorial treatment or conventional treatment. Methods: Two-hundred and ten patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned to two groups: an intensive treatment group (n=110) and a conventional treatment group (n=100). Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure, blood lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein C (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein C (HDL-C)], and IMTs of large arteries (carotid, iliac, and femoral arteries) were determined before and at one and two years after starting treatment. The patients in the conventional treatment group received routine diabetes management in our outpatient department. Targets were established for patients in the intensive treatment group. Their blood glucose, blood lipids, and blood pressure levels were regularly monitored and therapeutic regimens were adjusted for those whose measurements did not meet the target values until all the parameters met the established targets. Within-group and between-group differences were evaluated. Results: A significantly greater percentage of patients in the intensive treatment group had LDL-C levels that reached the target value one year after starting treatment than those in the conventional treatment group (52.04% vs. 33.33%, P<0.05). No significant differences were found be- tween groups for FBG, HbA1c, blood pressure, TG, TC, or HDL-C. The percentages of patients with TG (51.02% vs. 34.48%), TC (52.04% vs. 33.33%), and LDL-C (61.22% vs. 43.67%) who met the respective target values in the in- tensive treatment group were all significantly higher than the corresponding percentages in the conventional treatment group two years after starting treatment (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the percentages of patients with FBG, HbA1c, and blood pressure values meeting the respective targets between the groups at the two-year follow- up. One year after starting treatment, the LDL-C level, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the IMTs of the femoral and iliac arteries of the intensive treatment group were significantly lower compared to those of the conventional treatment group (P<0.05), although there was no significant difference in other metabolic parameters. Two years after starting treatment, the TC, LDL-C, blood pressure [systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP], and the IMTs of the carotid and femoral arteries of the intensive treatment group were significantly lower than those of the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). No significant differences in other metabolic parameters existed between the two groups two years after starting treatment. Conclusions: Early comprehensive and intensive treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus can delay or even reverse the increase in IMT of large arteries. Lowering blood pressure and blood lipid regulation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have great significance in decreasing the risk of diabetes-related macrovascular lesions.

Gut microbiota signatures in Schistosoma japonicum infection-induced liver cirrhosis patients: a case-control study

Background:Several studies have assessed the role of gut microbiota in various cirrhosis etiologies,however,none has done so in the context of Schistosoma joponicum infection in humans.We,therefore,sought to determine whether gut microbiota is associated with S.japonicum infection-induced liver cirrhosis.Methods:From December 2017 to November 2019,24 patients with S.joponicum infection-induced liver cirrhosis,as well as 25 age-and sex-matched controls from the Zhejiang Province,China,were enrolled.Fecal samples were collected and used for 16S rRNA gene sequencing(particularly,the hypervariable V4 region)using the lllumina MiSeq system.Wilcoxon Rank-Sum and PERMANOVA tests were used for analysis.

Chewing substances with or without tobacco and risk of cardiovascular disease in Asia:a meta-analysis

Objective:To assess whether people who ever use any form of chewing substance in Asia are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD).Methods:PubMed and ISI Web of Science were searched for relevant studies,with no limitation on language or study year.Studies were included if they provided quantitative estimate of the association between ever use of chewing substance and the occurrence of CVD.Two authors independently implemented inclusion criteria,abstracted study characteristics,and performed meta-analysis.Summary relative risks were estimated on the basis of a random effect model.We used Q statistic and Egger's test to examine heterogeneity across studies and potential publication bias,respectively.Results:Eight eligible studies were included.The relative risk of CVD for ever using chewing substances with or without tobacco was 1.26(95% confidence interval(CI) 1.12-1.40),which was unchanged when restricted to cohort studies [1.25(1.08-1.42)] or cohort studies in Taiwan [1.31(1.12-1.51)].The summary relative risk for ischemic heart disease was 1.27(1.02-1.52),and was lowered to 1.26(0.85-1.67) after exclusion of a cross-sectional study.The overall relative risk for cerebrovascular disease was 1.32(1.08-1.56).On the basis of the Taiwan data,the summary relative risk of CVD for betel(Areca catechu) chewing was 1.30(1.17-1.44).Data on dose-response were limited to betel chewing in Taiwan,suggesting a relationship between risk of CVD and cumulative exposure.Two large cohorts in Taiwan reported a greater risk of CVD with betel chewing than with smoking.Conclusions:An association was detected between betel chewing with or without tobacco and the risk of CVD.Betel chewing may impose a greater CVD risk than smoking.More effort is needed in developing betel chewing cessation programmes.The relationship between betel chewing and subgroups of CVD requires further investigation.

Comprehensive Management Strategies for Thrombolytics in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Based on the mobile Internet, Internet of Things, big data, cloud computing,“intelligentization” and other technologies, a safe and reliable management platform for integrating information about acute ischemic stroke (AIS) thrombolysis with unified standards should be established. The management platform should include intelligent screening of high-risk groups and servers for monitoring them, server analysis of patient medical records, a server for supervision and integrated management of patient education, an integrated system of healthcare records, and a clinical decision-support system for AIS emergencies. Such a system would constitute a standardized data capture and integrated intelligent analysis system for the key information necessary in thrombolytics. In this way a human-oriented prevention and intervention mechanism for continuous care and prevention of stroke would be formed to achieve the collection and intelligent analysis of key information in drug thrombolysis. It would provide data support for AIS thrombolytics management strategies that would improve the coverage of drug thrombolysis in primary hospitals, and also optimize AIS emergency processes to increase the success rate of thrombolysis.