Application of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome

Nuclear accidents and terrorism present a serious threat for mass casualty.Accidental or intended radiation exposure leads to radiation-induced gastrointestinal(GI)syndrome.However,currently there are no approved medical countermeasures for GI syndrome.Thus,developing novel treatments for GI syndrome is urgent.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)derived from bone marrow are a subset of multipotent adult somatic stem cells that have the ability to undergo self-renewal,proliferation and pluripotent differentiation.MSCs have advantages over other stem cells;they can be easily isolated from patients or donors,readily expanded ex vivo,and they possess reparative and immunomodulatory properties.Moreover,MSCs have been shown to be powerful tools in gene therapy and can be effectively transduced with vectors containing therapeutic genes.Therefore,the therapeutic potential of MSCs has been brought into the spotlight for the clinical treatment of GI syndrome.In this review,we discuss the possible role of MSCs in radiation-induced GI syndrome.

Postpolypectomy syndrome without abdominal pain led to sepsis/septic shock and gastrointestinal bleeding:A case report

BACKGROUND Postpolypectomy syndrome(PPS)is a rare postoperative complication of colonic polypectomy.It presents with abdominal pain and fever accompanied by coagulopathy and elevated inflammatory markers.Its prognosis is usually good,and it only requires outpatient treatment or observation in a general ward.How-ever,it can be life-threatening.CASE SUMMARY The patient was a 58-year-old man who underwent two colonic polypectomies,each resulting in life-threatening sepsis,septic shock,and coagulopathy.Each of the notable manifestations was a rapid drop in blood pressure,an increase in heart rate,loss of consciousness,and heavy sweating,accompanied by shortness of breath and decreased oxygen in the finger pulse.Based on the criteria of organ dysfunction due to infection,we diagnosed him with sepsis.The patient also experienced severe gastrointestinal bleeding after the second operation.Curiously,he did not complain of any abdominal pain throughout the course of the illness.He had significantly elevated concentrations of inflammatory markers and coagulopathy.Except for the absence of abdominal pain,his fever,significant coagulopathy,and elevated inflammatory marker concentrations were all consistent with PPS.Abdominal computed tomography and superior mesenteric artery computed tomography angiography showed no free air or vascular damage.Thus,the diagnosis of colon perforation was not considered.The final blood culture results indicated Moraxella osloensis.The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit and quickly improved after fluid resuscitation,antibiotic treatment,oxygen therapy,and blood transfusion.CONCLUSION PPS may induce dysregulation of the systemic inflammatory response,which can lead to sepsis or septic shock,even in the absence of abdominal pain.

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome with esophagus involvement and sixyear follow-up:A case report

BACKGROUND Cronkhite-Canada syndrome(CCS)is a rare,noninherited disease characterized by gastrointestinal polyposis with diarrhea and ectodermal abnormalities.CCS polyps are distributed through the whole digestive tract,and they are common in the stomach and colon but very uncommon in the esophagus.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present a case of a 63-year-old man with skin hyperpigmentation accompanied by diarrhea,alopecia,and loss of his fingernails.Laboratory data indicated anemia,hypoalbuminemia,hypocalcemia,hypokalemia,and positive fecal occult blood.Endoscopy showed numerous polyps scattered throughout the digestive tract,including the esophagus.He was treated with nutritional support and glucocorticoids with remission of his symptoms.CONCLUSION Comprehensive treatment led by hormonal therapy can result in partial or full remission of clinical symptoms.Treatment should be individualized for each patient according to their therapy response.Surveillance endoscopy is necessary for assessing mucosal disease activity and detecting malignant transformation.

Sustained remission of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome after corticosteroid and mesalazine treatment: A case report

BACKGROUND Cronkhite-Canada syndrome(CCS)is a rare disease of unknown etiology.The optimal treatment for CCS remains unknown.Treatment with corticosteroids is considered the mainstay treatment because of its high efficacy,but the therapeutic strategy for steroid-resistant CCS is not yet established.CASE SUMMARY This is the case of an 81-year-old woman who was diagnosed with CCS.Given her severe diarrhea,nausea,vomiting,and hypoproteinemia,hormone therapy(40 mg/d)was administered,and the symptoms improved within 1 wk.After 3 mo,the patient had no obvious symptoms.The polyps were significantly reduced on review gastroscopy and colonoscopy,thus hormone reduction gradually began.The hormone level was maintained at 10 mg/d after 6 mo.Despite the age of the patient and the side effects of hormones,the patient had no obvious discomfort.However,hormone drugs were discontinued,and mesalazine was administered orally at 3 g/d.The patient's symptoms continued to improve after a follow-up of 5 years.CONCLUSION Corticosteroids and mesalazine are potential treatment options for CCS.

Association of symptoms with gastrointestinal microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:To investigate the correlations between selfreported symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) and the gastrointestinal(GI) microbiota composition.METHODS:Fecal samples were collected from a total of 44 subjects diagnosed with IBS.Their symptoms were monitored with a validated inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire adjusted for IBS patients.Thirteen quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were applied to evaluate the GI microbiota composition.Eubacteria and GI bacterial genera(Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus and Veillonella),groups(Clostridium coccoides/Eubacterium rectale,Desulfovibrio desulfuricans) and distinct bacterial phylotypes [closest 16S rDNA sequence resemblance to species Bifidobacterium catenulatum,Clostridium cocleatum,Collinsella aerofaciens(C.aerofaciens),Coprococcus eutactus(C.eutactus),Ruminococcus torques and Streptococcus bovis ] with a suspected association with IBS were quantified.Correlations between quantities or presence/absence data of selected bacterial groups or phylotypes and various IBSrelated symptoms were investigated.RESULTS:Associations were observed between subjects' self-reported symptoms and the presence or quantities of certain GI bacteria.A Ruminococcus torques(R.torques)-like(94% similarity in 16S rRNA gene sequence) phylotype was associated with severity of bowel symptoms.Furthermore,among IBS subjects with R.torques 94% detected,the amounts of C.cocleatum 88%,C.aerofaciens-like and C.eutactus 97% phylotypes were significantly reduced.Interesting observations were also made concerning the effect of a subject's weight on GI microbiota with regard to C.aerofaciens like phylotype,Bifidobacterium spp.and Lactobacillus spp.CONCLUSION:Bacteria seemingly affecting the symptom scores are unlikely to be the underlying cause or cure of IBS,but they may serve as biomarkers of the condition.

Low-grade inflammation plays a pivotal role in gastrointestinal dysfunction in irritable bowel syndrome

The pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered to be multifactorial and includes psychosocial factors, visceral hypersensitivity, infection, microbiota and immune activation. It is becoming increasingly clear that low-grade inflammation is present in IBS patients and a number of biomarkers have emerged. This review describes the evidence for low-grade inflammation in IBS and explores its mechanism with particular focus on gastrointestinal motor dysfunction. Understanding of the immunological basis of the altered gastrointestinal motor function in IBS may lead to new therapeutic stra- tegies for IBS.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome with gastrointestinal bleeding,splenic hemangiomas and left inferior vena cava

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a congenital vascular anomaly characterized by a triad of varicose veins,cutaneous capillary malformation,and hypertrophy of bone and(or)soft tissue.Gastrointestinal vascular malformations in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome may present with gastrointestinal bleeding.The majority of patients with spleenic hemangiomatosis and/or left inferior vena cava are asymptomatic.We herein report a case admitted to the gastroenterology clinic with life-threatening hematochezia and symptomatic iron deficiency anemia.Due to the asymptomatic mild intermittent hematochezia,splenic hemangiomas and left inferior vena cava,the patient did not seek any help for gastrointestinal bleeding until his admittance to our department for evaluation of massive gastrointestinal bleeding.He was referred to angiography because of his serious pathogenetic condition and inefficiency of medical therapy.The method showed that hemostasis was successfully achieved in the hemorrhage site by embolism of corresponding vessels.Further endoscopy revealed vascular malformations starting from the stomach to the descending colon.On the other hand,computed tomography revealed splenic hemangiomas and left inferior vena cava.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome case presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding,splenic hemangiomas and left inferior vena cava.The literature on the evaluation and management of this case is reviewed.

Unusual complication in patient with Gardner's syndrome: Coexistence of triple gastrointestinal perforation and lower gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report and review of literature

Gardner's syndrome(GS) is a rare syndrome with autosomal dominant inheritance, which is characterized by multiple intestinal polyps, dental anomalies, desmoid tumors, and soft tissue tumors. All gastrointestinal symptoms seen in GS are associated with the underlying familial adenomatosis polyposis and abdominal desmoid tumors, with the most common symptoms being anemia, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, obstruction, and mucous defecation. To our best knowledge, no case of GS that has presented with gastrointestinal perforation and bleeding has ever been reported in the English language medical literature. A 37-year-old male who had been diagnosed with GS five years earlier was referred to our clinic for lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Despite the absence of a bleeding focus on conventional angiography, the patient was operated on with laparotomy, due to the persistence of both signs and symptoms of mild peritonitis. On the laparotomy, the patient was noted to have areas of perforation in the duodenum, splenic flexura, and midrectum. The third and fourth part of the duodenum, the proximal 15 cm segment of the jejunum, a 10 cm segment of the terminal ileum, the whole colon, and the upper and middle rectum were resected, and duodenojejunal side-to-side anastomosis and terminal ileostomy were performed. The histopathological analysis of the large mass measuring 30 cm × 20 cm was reported as a desmoid tumor. The pathological examination of the tumor foci detected in the colonic specimen revealed poorly differentiated adenosquamous carcinoma.

Spectrum of gastrointestinal involvement in Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Stevens-Johnson syndrome(SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis(TEN) is a severe adverse drug reaction associated with involvement of skin and mucosal membranes, and carries significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Mucus membrane lesions usually involve the oral cavity, lips, bulbar conjunctiva and the anogenitalia. The oral/anal mucosa and liver are commonly involved in SJS or TEN. However, intestinal involvement is distinctly rare. We herein review the current literature regarding the gastrointestinal involvement in SJS or TEN. This review focuses mainly on the small bowel and colonic involvement in patients with SJS or TEN.

Treatment of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by Mallory-Weiss syndrome after primary coronary intervention for acute inferior wall myocardial infarction: A case report

BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB) after an acute myocardial infarction(AMI) is not an uncommon complication. Acute UGIB caused by Mallory-Weiss syndrome(MWS) is usually a dire situation with massive bleeding and hemodynamic instability. Acute UGIB caused by MWS after an AMI has not been previously reported.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old man with acute inferior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction underwent a primary coronary intervention of the acutely occluded right coronary artery. Six hours after the intervention, the patient had a severe UGIB,followed by vomiting. His hemoglobin level dropped from 15.3 g/d L to 9.7 g/d L. In addition to blood transfusion and a gastric acid inhibition treatment,early endoscopy was employed and MWS was diagnosed. Bleeding was stopped by endoscopic placement of titanium clips.CONCLUSION Bleeding complications after stent implantation can pose a dilemma. MWS is a rare but severe cause of acute UGIB after an AMI that requires an early endoscopic diagnosis and a hemoclip intervention to stop bleeding.

Structural and functional characteristics of microbiota in oropharynx of sub-healthy children with gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome differentiated by traditional Chinese medicine

Objective:To explore the structural and functional characteristics of microbiota in oropharynx of subhealthy children with gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome(GHRS)differentiated by traditional Chinese medicine,and screen the biometric operational taxonomic units(OTUs)to assist the clinical diagnosis.Methods:We recruited children according to the“GHRS diagnostic scale”,collected their oropharyngeal swabs,and sequenced the 16 SrDNA V4 region.We described the bacterial structure with alpha-indexes,beta-distances,and relative abundances;moreover,we screened the differential genera/OTUs with Wilcoxon rank-sum test,Metagenome Seq analysis,and linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEf Se)analysis,in which biometric OTUs were selected to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve to verify the diagnostic value.The bacterial function was predicted with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways according to 16S rDNA gene by using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States.Results:The study population was composed of 10 children with GHRS and 10 healthy control children.GHRS children were more likely to overeat(gluttony,P=.033).Alpha-indexes,such as Sobs,abundancebased coverage estimator,Bootstrap,and Qstat,were significantly higher in the GHRS group,while betadistances did not exhibit any significant intergroup differences.There were 9 differently distributed nonpredominant genera between the groups in Wilcoxon rank-sum test,as well as 13 non-predominant genera in Metagenome Seq analysis and 3 non-predominant OTUs in LEfSe analysis.OTU44 and OTU196 were used to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve,and the area under curve was 0.92.Predicted functions showed that pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and carbon metabolism were enriched in healthy control samples,while the pathway related to renin secretion was remarkably enriched in GHRS samples.Conclusion:Unique oropharyngeal microbial structure and function were identified in GHRS children.OTU44 and OTU196 were specific OTUs,which could be used as biomarkers of GHRS to assist clinical diagnosis.

Predictive factors associated with carcinoid syndrome in patients with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors

AIM To discover unknown factors associated with carcinoid syndrome(CS) with the goal of earlier diagnosis of CS.METHODS In this retrospective case-control study using United States administrative claims, patients(≥ 18 years) newly-diagnosed with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors(GI NETs) without CS(controls) were exactly matched to patients with CS(cases) based on NET diagnosis date at a 3-to-1 ratio. Study index date was first CS diagnosis(controls: same distance from NET diagnosis as cases). The most observed conditions, excluding CS-associated symptoms/diagnoses, during the year before index date were assessed. Forwardstepwise logistic regression models were used to derive predictors, and were validation within another claims database. RESULTS In the development database, 1004 patients with GI NETs were identified; 251(25%) had CS and 753(75%) were controls. In the validation database, 724 patients with GI NETs were identified; 181(25%) had CS and 543(75%) were controls. A total of 33 common diagnoses(excluding conditions already known to be associated with CS) in the development database were entered in forward step-wise logistic regression models. In the final, validated logistic regression model, three factors prior to CS diagnosis were found consistently associated with higher risks for CS, including liver disorder [odds ratio(95%CI): 3.38(2.07-5.51)], enlargement of lymph nodes [2.13(1.10-4.11)], and abdominal mass [3.79(1.87-7.69)].CONCLUSION GI NET patients with CS were 2-4 times as likely to have preexisting diagnoses(i.e., liver disorder, enlarged lymph nodes, abdominal mass) than non-CS patients.

A Study of Mallory-Weiss Syndrome Secondary to Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Background: In Mallory-Weiss Syndrome (MWS), vomiting causes the mucous membrane and submucosa near the esophagogastric mucosal junction to tear and bleed. Thus, MWS can arise after heavy drinking and as a complication of endoscopic upper gastrointestinal examinations or procedures. However, there has been no report of MWS secondary to upper gastrointestinal bleeding thus far. Case Subjects: Of 79 MWS cases over a 10-year period from 2002 to 2011, we identified and studied 6 cases, in which MWS was probably caused by another lesion causing upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Results: There were 2 cases, each of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and varicose veins. In 3 cases, MWS was discovered during treatment of the primary lesion and was simultaneously treated. In the other 3 cases, patients were treated for MWS according to endoscopic diagnosis, and the primary lesion was overlooked;in these cases, the primary lesion was identified and treated after the bleeding recurred. One patient with cirrhosis died of hepatic failure. Conclusion: Care should be taken when dealing with MWS because it can occur as a result of vomiting caused by hematemesis or as a complication of endoscopic examination and treatment. When assessing MWS, other hemorrhagic lesions may be overlooked.

Safety of gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with acute coronary syndrome and concomitant gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB)is a major concern in patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)due to the common use of both antiplatelet medications and anticoagulants.Studies evaluating the safety of gastrointestinal endoscopy(GIE)in ACS patients with GIB are limited by their relatively small size,and the focus has generally been on upper GIB and esophago-gastroduodenoscopy(EGD)only.AIM To evaluate the safety profile and the hospitalization outcomes of undergoing GIE in patients with ACS and concomitant GIB using the national database for hospitalized patients in the United States.METHODS The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried to identify patients hospitalized with ACS and GIB during the same admission between 2005 and 2014.The International Classification of Diseases Code,9th Revision Clinical Modification was utilized for patient identification.Patients were further classified into two groups based on undergoing endoscopic procedures(EGD,small intestinal endoscopy,colonoscopy,or flexible sigmoidoscopy).Both groups were compared regarding demographic information,outcomes,and comorbidities.Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with mortality and prolonged length of stay.Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables,while Student’s t-test was used to compare continuous variables.All analyses were performed using SAS 9.4(Cary,NC,United States).RESULTS A total of 35612318 patients with ACS were identified between January 2005 and December 2014.269483(0.75%)of the patients diagnosed with ACS developed concomitant GIB during the same admission.At least one endoscopic procedure was performed in 68%of the patients admitted with both ACS and GIB.Patients who underwent GIE during the index hospitalization with ACS and GIB had lower mortality(3.8%)compared to the group not undergoing endoscopy(8.6%,P<0.001).A shorter length of stay(LOS)was observed in patients who underwent GIE(mean 6.59±7.81 d)compared to the group not undergoing endoscopy(mean 7.84±9.73 d,P<0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that performing GIE was associated with lower mortality(odds ratio:0.58,P<0.001)and shorter LOS(-0.36 factor,P<0.001).CONCLUSION Performing GIE during the index hospitalization of patients with ACS and GIB was correlated with a better mortality rate and a shorter LOS.Approximately twothirds of patients with both ACS and GIB undergo GIE during the same hospitalization.

Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Injuries in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with Double Antiplatelet Therapy in One-Year Follow-Up

Background: The goal is to determine the incidence of symptomatic gastrointestinal (GI) injuries in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients receiving double antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The risk factors for serious GI complications are also evaluated. Methods: 603 eligible patients from the Department of Cardiology at Zhongda Hospital between January 2014 and August 2015 were enrolled and the occurrence of GI injuries within one year assessed. The risk factors for serious GI complications were identified using cox regression analysis. Results: After one-year follow-up, 108 (17.9%) out of 603 patients developed symptomatic GI injuries: 22 (3.65%) with serious GI complications and 86 (14.2%) with GI symptoms. Drinking habit (95% CI: 1.512 - 8.796;P = 0.004) and previous peptic injury (95% CI: 2.307 - 18.080;P = 0.001) are independent predictors of serious GI complications, while proton pump inhibitor (PPI) was protective (95% CI: 0.120 - 0.699;P = 0.006) per cox regression analysis. Additionally, GI injuries of both serious GI complications and GI symptoms peaked in the first three months. Conclusions: Symptomatic GI injuries were relatively common in ACS patients with DAPT, especially in the first three months. Previous peptic injury and drinking habit were significant independent risk factors for serious GI complications, while PPI played a protective role in ACS with DAPT.

Gastrointestinal microbiome and primary Sjogren’s syndrome: a review of the literature and conclusions

The recognition of the profound impact of the human gastrointestinal microbiome(GM) on human autoimmune diseases has gradually increased thanks to deeper research efforts. As a systemic autoimmune disease, primary Sjogren’s syndrome(pSS) cannot be completely cured. Human studies have revealed that GM species and diversity are altered in patients with p SS compared with healthy individuals. Animal studies have provided possible mechanisms for the association between pSS and GM. The potential role of GM in pSS is exerted through several mechanisms. GM dysbiosis leads to increased intestinal permeability, which increases the risk of GM antigen exposure and activates specific autoreactive T lymphocytes via “molecular mimicry”. In addition, GM antigen exposure and intestinal immune tolerance loss caused by GM dysbiosis together induce chronic local gut mucosal inflammation, which deteriorates to systemic chronic non-specific inflammation with the circulation of pro-inflammatory lymphocytes and cytokines. These factors eventually activate autoreactive B lymphocytes and lead to pSS. If GM plays a key role in the pathogenesis of pSS, clarifying the underlying mechanisms will be helpful for the development of new therapies targeting GM for dry eye associated with pSS. This review summarizes the latest knowledge about the relationship between GM and p SS,with the aim of contributing to future research and to the development of new clinical applications.

Effect of gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome on gut microbiota in children with upper respiratory tract infection and lung-heat syndrome

Objective:Gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome(GHRS)is associated with lung-heat syndrome and is related to recurrent respiratory infection.Upper respiratory tract infection(URTI)lung heat syndrome is common in children.The study will explore the effect of GHRS on the structure and function of gut microbiota in children with URTI lung-heat syndrome.Methods:Participants were divided into both groups using the self-developed URTI scale and the“GHRS Diagnostic Scale$Pediatric Part”:GHRS-positive children(LS group)and GHRS-negative children(L group).General information,clinical symptoms,and stool were collected.We used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing technology to determine the gene sequence of the V3eV4 region in feces and measure the gut microbiota of the both groups at the genus level.Results:A total of 23 children were included in the both groups.There were 12 cases in the LS group and 11 cases in the L group.There was no statistical difference between the both groups in age,gender,height,weight,and body mass index.The effective sequences shared by the both groups accounted for 85.66%of the total.In the gut microbiota,there was no difference in the a diversity and the b diversity between the both groups.Compared with the L group,the LS group had a significant increase in the relative abundance of the Ruminococcus gnavus group,Prevotella-9,Staphylococcus,and Actinomyces(P<.05).The functions of the both groups of microbiota primarily concentrate on metabolism,genetic information processing,and environmental information processing.The relative abundance of signaling molecules and interactions in the LS group were higher than that in the L group(P<.05).The redundancy analysis(RDA)showed that the URTI score had the greatest impact on the distribution of microbiota.Conclusion:GHRS may affect the development of URTI lung-heat syndrome by changing the relative abundances of gut microbiota.

Association between gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome and respiratory tract infections in children:A prospective cohort study

Objective:To explore the relationship between gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome and the incidence of pneumonia and recurrent respiratory tract infections(RRTIs)in children.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted in the pediatric outpatient department of Beijing Dongfang Hospital.Children without respiratory tract infections(RTIs)were consecutively recruited according to the selection criteria.A semi-structured questionnaire was used to record traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms and demographic and physiological characteristics.Gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome was considered to be a predisposing factor and was diagnosed according to a scale with reliability and validity.The participants were followed up for 12 months.Participants and their parents or guardians were contacted via clinical interviews and telephone every 6 months.Episodes of pneumonia and RTIs were recorded in detail.Results:A total of 420 children were included.Of participants,370(88.10%)were followed up for 12 months.The mean number of RTI episodes per participant was 5.37(95%CI:5.14 to 5.60).In total,186 participants in the gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome group and 184 participants in the nongastrointestinal heat retention syndrome group completed the 12-month follow-up period.The baseline of both groups was comparable.The incidence of RRTIs in children with gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome was 1.27(95%CI:1.01 to 1.59)times that in children without gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome.Logistic regression analysis revealed that abnormally increased appetite with frequent hunger,foul breath,dry stools,and dark red or purple fingerprints were positively correlated with the incidence of pneumonia.Irascibility and feverish feelings in the palms and soles were positively correlated with the occurrence of RRTI.Conclusions:Gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome is a risk factor for RRTIs in children.Studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up time are warranted to confirm the degree of causal risk associated with RTIs.

Exploring the association between gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome and adult chronic eczema: A caseecontrol study

Objective:To investigate the association between gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome(GHRS)and adult chronic eczema.Methods:This caseecontrol study compared GHRS/GHRS accompanied by damp-heat syndrome(GHRSDHS)and other patient characteristics between subjects with(cases)and without chronic eczema(controls)to identify potential factors associated with this condition.Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data via face-to-face interviews.Participants were recruited from Dongzhimen Hospital affiliated with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.A logistic regression analysis was performed on the collected data,and odds ratios(ORs)were calculated.Results:A total of 168 cases and 172 controls were recruited.Among the cases of adult chronic eczema,there were 79 subjects with GHRS and 68 with GHRS-DHS.Sex(P=.02,OR=0.54,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.32-0.91),GHRS(P=.04,OR=1.90,95%CI:1.02-3.51),GHRS-DHS(P<.001,OR=4.89,95%CI:2.36-10.15),high sweet food consumption(P=.04,OR=2.03,95%CI:1.03-3.97),and mental stress(P=.01,OR=2.37,95%CI:1.26-4.47)were each found to be associated with chronic eczema.Furthermore,GHRS had a weak positive correlation with eczema EASI severity as measured by the eczema area and severity index(EASI)(P=003).Conclusion:GHRS/GHRS-DHS may be associated with adult chronic eczema.In the future,prospective cohort studies with larger samples should be conducted to investigate the cause and effect association between GHRS and adult chronic eczema.

Enduring association between irritable bowel syndrome and war trauma during the Nicaragua civil war period:A population-based study

BACKGROUND Psychosocial and physical trauma are known risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome(IBS),including in war veterans,whereas war exposure in civilians is unclear.Nicaragua experienced two wars,1970-1990:The Sandinistas Revolution(1970s)and The Contra War(1980s).Our aim was to investigate the role of exposure to war trauma in the subsequent development of IBS in the context of an established health surveillance system(11000 households).AIM To investigate in a civilian population the relationship between exposure to war trauma and events and the subsequent development of IBS in the context of an established public health and demographic surveillance system in western Nicaragua.METHODS We conducted a nested population-based,cross-sectional study focused on functional gastrointestinal disorders based on Rome II criteria.1617 adults were randomly selected.The Spanish Rome II Modular Questionnaire and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire were validated in Nicaragua.War exposure was assessed with 10 measures of direct and indirect war trauma and post-war effects.Multiple exposures were defined by≥3 measures.RESULTS The prevalence of IBS was 15.2%[Female(F)17.1%,Male(M)12.0%],war exposure 19.3%(F 9.3%,M 36.7%),and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)5.6%(F 6.4%,M 4.3%).Significant associations with IBS in the civilian population were observed(adjusted by gender,age,socioeconomic status,education):physical and psychological abuse[adjusted odds ratio(aOR):2.25;95%confidence interval:1.1-4.5],witnessed execution(aOR:2.4;1.1-5.2),family member death(aOR:2.2;1.2-4.2),and multiple exposures(aOR:2.7;1.4-5.1).PTSD was independently associated with IBS(aOR:2.6;1.2-5.7).CONCLUSION An enduring association was observed in the Nicaragua civilian population between specific civil war-related events and subsequent IBS.Civilian populations in regions with extended armed conflict may warrant provider education and targeted interventions for patients.