Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with the risk and phenotypes of cholelithiasis:A multi-center study and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)is a prevalent pathogen associated with various diseases.Cholelithiasis is also a common condition.H.pylori infection has been identified in the biliary system,suggesting its potential involvement in biliary diseases.However,the specific role of H.pylori in the development of cholelithiasis remains inconclusive.AIM To investigate the potential association between H.pylori infection and the development of cholelithiasis.METHODS We performed a retrospective study in more than 70000 subjects in health examination center from 3 institutions in the middle,northern and eastern China,from October 2018 to December 2021,to explore the potential association between H.pylori and cholelithiasis through univariate and multivariate analysis.Meanwhile,the influence of H.pylori on biliary-related parameters was investigated.A comprehensive analysis of previous studies concerned about H.pylori and cholelithiasis was also executed.RESULTS In our multi-center study,H.pylori was positively associated with cholelithiasis[odds ratio(OR)=1.103,95%confidence interval(CI):1.001-1.216,P=0.049].Furthermore,H.pylori patients had less total and direct bilirubin than uninfected patients,while the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were more in H.pyloripositive participants(P<0.05).In the published articles,the cohort studies indicated H.pylori was a risk factor of cholelithiasis(hazard ratio=1.3280,95%CI:1.1810-1.4933,P<0.0001).The pooled results of case-control and crosssectional studies showed positive association between H.pylori and cholelithiasis in Asia(OR=1.5993,95%CI:1.0353-2.4706,P=0.034)but not in Europe(OR=1.2770,95%CI:0.8446-1.9308,P=0.246).Besides,H.pylori was related to a higher choledocholithiasis/cholecystolithiasis ratio(OR=3.3215,95%CI:1.1034-9.9986,P=0.033).CONCLUSION H.pylori is positively correlated with cholelithiasis,choledocholithiasis phenotype particularly,especially in Asia,which may be relevant to bilirubin/cholesterol metabolism.Cohort studies confirm an increased risk of cholelithiasis in H.pylori patients.

Acute Coronary Syndrome of Young Subjects at the Luxembourg Mother-Child University Hospital in Bamako

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome is often the first event of coronary disease of young subjects. Objective: To study sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of acute coronary syndrome of young subjects. Patients and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective recruitment from October 01, 2020 to March 31, 2022. Were included all patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome whose age was less or equal to 45 years and who had undergone coronary angiography at the Mother-Child University Hospital on Luxembourg from Bamako. Results: During the study period, we collected 60 patient files out of 198. These 60 patient files met our inclusion criteria. Hospital frequency was 30.30%. Average age of patients was 40.43 ± 3.9 years. Sex ratio M/F was 5.3. Main cardiovascular risk factor was smoking tobacco (23.42%), followed by dyslipidemia (13.92%). Functional signs were dominated by angina 62% followed by dyspnea 25.3%. Persistent ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram was present in 76.4%. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was present in 26.5%. Time to first medical contact was more than 12 hours in 62.7% of cases. Radial approach was adopted in 94% of cases. Coronary angiography was pathological in 85% (n = 51) of cases. Lesions were single-vessel disease in 47.1% and culprit artery was anterior interventricular in 51% of cases. Dual anti-platelet aggregation was aspirin and ticagrelor in 91.8% of cases. Angioplasty was performed in all patients who had significant abnormalities at coronary angiography. In-hospital mortality was 3.9%. Conclusion: Acute coronary syndromes exist in young Africans with a male predominance. Main cardiovascular risk factor is smoking tobacco. Coronary lesions are single vessel disease in the majority of case. Most of patients meet medical team after 12 hours. Time to first medical contact is a main challenge in our country.

CLINICAL REPORT ON MULTI-CENTER RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE BY ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE AT QI■X■(丘墟GB40)

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of electro acupuncture at QIǖXǖ（丘墟GB40） for treating migraine and provide clinical study for Acupoints Dictionary of People＇s Republic of China. Methods Multi-center （3 First-Class hospitals） study was adopted, and the involved 3 hospitals did clinical observation according to the requirements of the project. The methods are as follows. All cases were randomized into treatment group and control group according to their sequence. QIǖXǖ（丘墟GB40） was selected in treatment group, while Tiānshū （天枢 ST25） was selected in control group. Both groups were performed electro acupuncture, and syndromes indexes of migraine and 5-HT were observed before and after treatment. All data were analyzed by statistic software SPSS11.5. Results There was significant difference of VAS margin between two groups in each center and the combined center （u= -3. 362, P=0. 001 ）. There was significant difference of therapeutic effect of 4-week treatment between two groups in each clinical center and the combined center. The therapeutic effect of 3-month treatment between two groups in No. 1 and No. 3 hospitals, showed significant difference, the treatment group was better; while that of No. 2 hospital had no obvious difference. The therapeutic effect of 6-month treatment between two groups in each center and the combined center had significant difference, the treatment group was better. Conclusion The therapy of electro acupuncture at QIǖXǖ（丘墟GB40） is effective for migraine.

Probing the structure of multi-center molecules with odd–even high harmonics

We study high-order harmonic generation(HHG)from multi-center asymmetric linear molecules numerically and analytically.Our simulations show that odd and even HHG spectra of the asymmetric multi-center system respond differently to the change of the molecular structure.Specifically,when the internuclear distances between these nuclei of the molecule have a small change,the odd spectra usually do not change basically,but the even spectra differ remarkably.Based on this phenomenon,a simple procedure is proposed to probe the positions of these nuclei with odd–even HHG.Our results shed light on attosecond probing of the structure of multi-center molecules using HHG.

Gastroprotection induced by capsaicin in healthy human subjects

AIM： To evaluate the gastro-protective effect of capsaicin against the ethanol- and indomethacin （IND）-induced gastric mucosal damage in healthy human subjects. METHODS： The effects of small doses （1-8 μg/mL, 100 mL） of capsaicin on the gastric acid secretion basal acid output （BAO） and its electrolyte concentration, gastric transmucosal potential difference （GTPD）, ethanol- （5 mL 300 mL/L i.g.） and IND- （3×25 mg/d） induced gastric mucosal damage were tested in a randomized, prospective study of 84 healthy human subjects. The possible role of desensitization of capsaicin-sensitive afferents was tested by repeated exposures and during a prolonged treatment. RESULTS： Intragastric application of capsaicin decreased the BAO and enhanced “non-parietal” component, GTPD in a dose-dependent manner. The decrease of GTPD evoked by ethanol was inhibited by the capsaicin application, which was reproducible. Gastric microbleeding induced by IND was inhibited by co-administration with capsaicin, but was not influenced by two weeks pretreatment with a daily capsaicin dose of 3×400μg i.g. CONCLUSION： Capsaicin in low concentration range protects against gastric injuries induced by ethanol or IND, which is attributed to stimulation of the sensory nerve endings.

Age related changes of the central lamina cribrosa thickness, depth and prelaminar tissue in healthy Chinese subjects

AIM： To investigate the variation in the central lamina cribrosa thickness（cLCT）, and the central anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth（cALCSD）, as well as the central prelaminar tissue thickness（cPLTT） related to age in healthy Chinese subjects.METHODS： A total of 96 eyes from 96 Chinese healthy subjects were recruited. According to age, the 96 cases were divided into three groups： the young group（YG, 18-39 y）, middle-age group（MG, 40-59 y） and older-age group（OG, 60 y and above）. Lamina cribrosa images were obtained from all participants using radial linear protocol by enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The cLCT, cALCSD and cPLTT were calculated from the average value of the lamina cribrosa thickness, anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth and prelaminar tissue thickness in the optic nerve head（ONH） centre point and paracentral points（150 μm from the centre point in the horizontal and vertical directions）. RESULTS： For the total subjects, the mean cLCT, c ALCSD and cPLTT were 235.18±41.27, 358.02±93.80 and 182.02±92.11 μm, respectively. No statistically significant differences in cLCT, cALCSD or cPLTT were found between gender and different eyes（P=0.27-0.92）. The cLCT of the OG was the thickest among the three groups, while the c PLTT of the YG was the thickest among the three groups（P〈0.05）. Age was positively correlated with cLCT（r=0.42, P〈0.001）, and negatively correlated with cPLTT（r=-0.24, P=0.02）. No significant correlation was found between the age and cALCSD（r=-0.06, P=0.55）. And no correlation has been found between axial length and cLCT, cALCSD and c PLTT（P=0.11-0.81）.CONCLUSION： The impact of age on the cLCT and the cPLLTT should be taken into account when analysing glaucoma and other diseases related to lamina cribrosa.

Fractal analysis of retinal vasculature in normal subjects on ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography

AIM: To evaluate the fractal feature of the retinal vasculature of normal eyes on a stereographic projected and montaged ultra-wide field(UWF) fluorescein angiography(FA).METHODS: Prospective, observational, cross-sectional study. Totally 59 eyes of 31 normal subjects were imaged using the Optos 200 Tx. Images obtained at different gaze angles stereographically projected and montaged. The early-phase UWF FA frames were processed to segment the retinal vasculature and the results were exported as binary masks. The fractal dimension(FD) was calculated using the box-counting method.RESULTS: The global FD for the entire retina was 1.6±0.04, with no difference between males and females(1.59±0.04 vs 1.61±0.04, P=0.084) or between right and left eyes(1.6±0.04 vs 1.6±0.05, P=0.61). FD was nonuniformly distributed among four quadrants(P<0.001) and decreased as the distance from the fovea increased(P<0.001). A negative association was observed between FD and age(R=-0.37, P=0.006), and this relationship was observed in the posterior and mid-peripheral retina(P<0.05) but absent in far-periphery(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Fractal geometry is non-uniformly distributed across the retina in normal eyes and decreases from the fovea to the far-periphery. Subjects with an older age tend to have a smaller FD, however, the FD in the farperiphery does not appear to be influenced by age.

Morphometric Analysis of the Brain Ventricles in Normal Subjects Using Computerized Tomography

Background and Aim: As ageing advances, the human brain undergoes many gross and histopathological changes with regression of the brain tissue leading to the enlargement of the ventricles. Knowledge of morphometric and size of normal ventricular system of brain is important to understand these changes. Methods: For the present perspective study, computerized tomography (CT) for 152 patients (Male-89 and Females-63) were studied for the measurements of fourth ventricle, third ventricle and lateral ventricle and it was statistically analyzed. Results: The anteroposterior extent of the body of the lateral ventricles on the right side was 74.89 + 9.86 mm and 70.06 + 8.83 mm in the males and females and on the left side was 74.89 + 9.89 mm and 69.56 + 11.42 mm in the males and females;the length of the frontal horns on the right side was 28.53 + 3.88 mm and 26.16 + 4.21 mm in the males and females and on the left side was 28.53 + 3.88mm and 26.17 + 4.237 mm in the males and females respectively. The width and height of the fourth ventricle were 12.54 + 1.90 mm and 9.66 + 2.12 in the males and 11.60 + 2.099 mm and 9.70 + 2.219 in the females respectively. The width of the third ventricle was 5.70 + 1.54 mm and 5.40 + 1.68 mm in the males and females respectively. Conclusion: The present study has defined the morphometric measurements of the lateral ventricles, third ventricle, and fourth ventricle of the brain which has clinical correlations in diagnosis and for further line of treatment.

Study on Ecological Compensation Policy among the Micro Subjects on Water Energy Resources Development

The subjects of ecological compensation involve the nation, society, development enterprises of wa-ter-energy resources, as well as the location of resource itself. This paper systematically studies on how to make “water energy sources market compensation policy”, “the economic compensation policy for relevant interest subjects” and “the ecological compensation policy of basin ecological water.” So, it is necessary to exert the complementary function between market compensation and government compensation by the means of economic compensation and to establish the ecological compensation policy of basin ecological water, which is beneficial to coordinating the stakeholders’ interests of cross-region or inter-basin. And it is important and significant to establish constantly perfected ecological compensation policy among the micro subjects on water energy resources development, so as to coordinate interest relationships among various subjects and finally reach the aim of sustainable use of water energy resources and environmental protection as possible.

Illegal Logging and Related Trade: Who Combat It as Legal Subjects?

Issue on illegal logging and related trade is a hot topic for the international community. It has brought the negative effects to the sustainable development on global society, economy and ecology, which is also one of the main objectives of international cooperation to combat with. At present, subjects of international law play a decisive role in combating illegal logging and related trade. The subjects of international law generally refer to states, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and part of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which can have an independent international legal personality, enjoy rights and assume obligations of international law. As a responsible big country of the international community and state member of intergovernmental organizations and international treaties of forest resources protection, China ought to fully perform the obligations of international law. In face of illegal logging and related trade around the world, China should rationally tackle with it, resolutely crack down on it, and finally choose the sustainable development strategy based on rule of law.

Effect of a disposable endoscope precleaning kit in the cleaning procedure of gastrointestinal endoscope:A multi-center observational study

BACKGROUND Precleaning is a key step in endoscopic reprocessing.AIM To develop an effective and economic endoscope cleaning method by using a disposable endoscope bedside precleaning kit.METHODS Altogether,228 used gastrointestinal endoscopes were selected from five high-volume endoscopy units and precleaned by a traditional precleaning bucket(group T)or a disposable endoscope bedside precleaning kit(group D).Each group was further subdivided based on the replacement frequency of the cleaning solution,which was replaced every time in subgroups T1 and D1 and every several times in subgroups Ts and Ds.The adenosine triphosphate(ATP)level and residual proteins were measured three times:Before and after precleaning and after manual cleaning.RESULTS After precleaning,the precleaning kit significantly reduced the ATP levels(P=0.034)and has a more stable ATP clearance rate than the traditional precleaning bucket.The precleaning kit also saved a quarter of the cost of enzymatic detergent used during the precleaning process.After manual cleaning,the ATP levels were also significantly lower in the precleaning kit group than in the traditional precleaning bucket group(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the number of uses of the cleaning solution(up to four times)has no significant impact on the cleaning effect(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Considering its economic cost and cleaning effect,the use of a disposable endoscope bedside precleaning kit can be an optimal option in the precleaning stage with the cleaning solution being replaced several times in the manual cleaning stage.

Impact of related subjects' behavior on agricultural products' quality safety

With the frequent occurrence of agricultural product safety incidents in recent years, the agricultural products' quality safety has become more and more concerned by the people. The relevant subjects are the direct relationship with the quality safety of agricultural products, and play a key role in ensuring the quality safety of agricultural products. This paper analyzes the behavior performance of production subject, circulation subject, consumption subject, supervision subject on agricultural products' quality safety, and puts forward the following countermeasures to improve the quality safety of agricultural products according to their behavior performance: to regulate the production of agricultural products, to strengthen the management and control agricultural inputs, to improve the safety supervision system of agricultural products, to accelerate the development of new circulation subject, to actively cultivate and develop new types agricultural business, to accelerate the process of agricultural scale management, to establish the multiple supervision subject, and to make up the regulatory loopholes.

Minimum MSE Weights of Adjusted Summary Estimator of Risk Difference in Multi-Center Studies

The simple adjusted estimator of risk difference in each center is easy constructed by adding a value c on the number of successes and on the number of failures in each arm of the proportion estimator. Assessing a treatment effect in multi-center studies, we propose minimum MSE (mean square error) weights of an adjusted summary estimate of risk difference under the assumption of a constant of common risk difference over all centers. To evaluate the performance of the proposed weights, we compare not only in terms of estimation based on bias, variance, and MSE with two other conventional weights, such as the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel weights and the inverse variance (weighted least square) weights, but also we compare the potential tests based on the type I error probability and the power of test in a variety of situations. The results illustrate that the proposed weights in terms of point estimation and hypothesis testing perform well and should be recommended to use as an alternative choice. Finally, two applications are illustrated for the practical use.

Comparison of point and two-dimensional shear wave elastography of the spleen in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND Few systematic comparative studies of the different methods of physical elastography of the spleen are currently available.AIM To compare point shear wave and two-dimensional elastography of the spleen considering the anatomical location(upper,hilar,and lower pole).METHODS As part of a prospective clinical study,healthy volunteers were examined for splenic elasticity using four different ultrasound devices between May 2015 and April 2017.The devices used for point shear wave elastography were from Siemens(S 3000)and Philips(Epiq 7),and those used for two-dimensional shear wave elastography were from GE(Logiq E9)and Toshiba(Aplio 500).In addition,two different software versions(5.0 and 6.0)were evaluated for the Toshiba ultrasound device(Aplio 500).The study consisted of three arms:A,B,and C.RESULTS In study arm A,200 subjects were evaluated(78 males and 122 females,mean age 27.9±8.1 years).In study arm B,113 subjects were evaluated(38 men and 75 women,mean age 26.0±6.3 years).In study arm C,44 subjects were enrolled.A significant correlation of the shear wave velocities at the upper third of the spleen(r=0.33088,P<0.0001)was demonstrated only for the Philips Epiq 7 device compared to the Siemens Acuson S 3000.In comparisons of the other ultrasound devices(GE,Siemens,Toshiba),no comparable results could be obtained for any anatomical position of the spleen.The influencing factors age,gender,and body mass index did not show a clear correlation with the measured shear wave velocities.CONCLUSION The absolute values of the shear wave elastography measurements of the spleen and the two different elastography methods are not comparable between different manufacturers or models.

Suppression of Radioactive Strontium Absorption by Sodium Alginate in Animals and Human Subjects

The effect of 23 sodium alginate preparations from different species of algae (Sargassum sp.) and kelp (Laminaria sp.) on reducing the absorption of strontium was studied in detail. A pilot production procedure has been established. Na alginate from S. siliquastrum was proven to be a potent agent for reducing Sr absorption, with high efficiency and virtually no toxicity. It reduced the body burden of strontium 3.3-4.2 fold in rats. Strontium absorption in human subjects was reduced by 78% ( ±8.9) or completely suppressed the increase of serum Sr at 2 h after ingestion of stable Sr in volunteers and decrease 24 h urine Sr to similar extent. No undesirable effects on gastrointestinal function was observed nor were Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn metabolism changed, both in the animal experiments and in human. It was concluded that alginate preparations derived from Sargassum species are a suitable antidote against radiostrontium absorption on a long-term basis, when added to bread at a 6% level. In cases of emergency, an alginate syrup preparation appears to be more suitable because of its rapid action.

Clinical use of low-dose aspirin for elders and sensitive subjects

The use of low-dose aspirin(LDA)has been a common preventive measure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.This is attributed to aspirin’s ability to inhibit platelet activation.On the other hand,the use of LDA in human subjects has been associated with the development of gastrointestinal injuries like ulcer and bleeding,especially for those sensitive subjects such as elder human subjects.This opinion review will summarize the recent clinical reports regarding the use of LDA and the development of gastrointestinal conditions in China.Based on these reports,it seems that the use of LDA is commonly associated with gastrointestinal injuries,and stopping its use leads to recovery in elderly subjects.Therefore,we would like to suggest that gastroduodenal health and conditions should be seriously taken into consideration when LDA is recommended to the elderly,or other alternative means to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as nutritional interventions should be suggested.

Influence of a Program Combining Amusement and Exercise on Subjective Well-Being: Six-Month Intervention Study with a Complex-Type Program for Community-Dwelling Elderly Subjects

Background: Health promotion for the elderly mainly targets improvements in physical function, and a lack of strengthening of subjective well-being as well as the creation of interaction-providing opportunities for activity and participation has been reported. Evaluations of positive and negative aspects for subjective well-being are needed. Elderly subjects were intervened through a 6-month complex-type program combining amusement and exercise and its influences on subjective well-being and physical and physiological functions were investigated. Methods: Subjects in this survey were 37 healthy elderly females living in M city, Hiroshima Prefecture (age: 69.7 ± 5.9 years old), and the survey was performed between September 2016 and March 2017. The complex-type program comprised amusement and exercise programs. The survey was performed at 4 time points during the intervention period: before the intervention and 1, 3, and 6 months during the intervention. Subjective well-being (Japanese version of the Subjective Well-being Inventory (SUBI): Mental health scores, Mental fatigue scores), salivary amylase levels, and the locomotive syndrome risk test (two-step test, stand-up test, and 25-question risk assessment) were surveyed at each time point. Regarding the duration of the intervention as a factor, changes in salivary amylase levels were analyzed using repeated measures one-way ANOVA and SUBI was tested using the Friedman test (EZR Ver 1.32). In addition, the relationship between the locomotive syndrome risk level and duration of the intervention was examined using Fisher’s test. Results: SUBI and the locomotive syndrome risk level significantly differed with time during the intervention. Slight changes were observed in salivary amylase levels during the intervention. Conclusion: The present results suggest that the complex-type program promoted interactions among community-dwelling elderly subjects and positively influenced the maintenance of and improvements in physical and physiological functions. These changes may be associated with favorable influences on the positive and negative aspects of subjective well-being.

Retinal Symmetry of Multifocal Visual Evoked Potential in Both Eyes of Normal Subjects

Purpose:.To analyze the retinal symmetry of multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) in both eyes of normal subjects. Methods: The monocular mfVEP in both eyes of 36 normal subjects (72 eyes) were tested with VERIS Science 4.0. The stimulus was the pattern reversal dart array consisted of 60 sectors each including 16 black-white reverse patterns. The visual stimulation was controlled by a binary pseudo-random m-sequence and subtended 25 degrees of retinal region. Results: The mfVEP patterns between left and right eyes of each subject were similar, and P1 latency and amplitude in correspondent visual field quadrants between left and right eyes had no significant difference(P>0.05). The latency of superotemporal visual field quadrant in right eyes was shorter than that of superonasal visual field quadrant in left eyes,and the amplitude of superonasal visual field quadrant in right eyes was longer than that of superotemporal visual field quadrant in left eyes(P<0.05). The P1 latency and amplitude among four visual field quadrants of each eye had significant difference(P<0.05). The P1 latency between the superonasal visual field quadrant and inferotemporal visual field quadrant or between the superonasal visual field quadrant and inferonasal quadrant visual field had significant differences in right or left eyes(P<0.05). Conclusion: The mfVEP of normal subjects exists retinal symmetry.

Selection Factors for Market Subjects of Agricultural Industrial Development

The paper firstly analyzes selection factors for market subjects of agricultural industrial development in China. From the political aspect, it is required to take account of features of subjects of agricultural industrial development at current stage. From economic aspects, we should adheres to the two-tier management system that integrates unified with separate management on the basis of household contract management in the countryside, and cultivate and foster subject enterprises according to features of most important market subjects in market economy. From natural aspects, it is proposed to consider features of agricultural industry and inherent advantages of agricultural resources in China. From social aspects, it is essential to draw on successful experience of developed countries in developing market subjects of agricultural industry.

Family Status and Dilemma of HIV Positive Subjects

Objective To understand the family status and dilemma of HIV positive subjects and provide some related suggestions. Methods Constructured questionnaire and in-depth interview were used to survey their psychological needs of the 111 HIV positive subjects and AIDS patients from 4 provinces in China. Results HIV positive subjects and AIDS patients had strong mental stress. All of them hope to get support from their families; the most difficulty the subjects faced was economic poor. Conclusion It is a highlight to promote AIDS education to establish a good social environment in which HIV positive subjects and AIDS patients can live quietly and happily. And psychological support from their families and the society is very important to HIV positive subjects and AIDS patients.