Objective Alzheimer’s disease(AD)presents a significant global health challenge with a steadily increasing prevalence and impact.This comprehensive review aimed to delve into the epidemiology,pathophysiology,pharmaco...Objective Alzheimer’s disease(AD)presents a significant global health challenge with a steadily increasing prevalence and impact.This comprehensive review aimed to delve into the epidemiology,pathophysiology,pharmacological therapies,emerging research,challenges,and future directions of AD.Major findings from recent studies were synthesised,encompassing insights into the global prevalence,molecular pathology,high-risk factors,and therapeutic interventions,including cholinesterase inhibitors,glutamate receptor antagonists,and antibodies against Aβand tau proteins.Additionally,emerging research areas such as gene therapy and lipid nanoparticles were highlighted.This review emphasised the urgent need for ongoing research on novel therapeutic avenues and addressing the challenges in AD diagnosis,treatment,and care.Future perspectives underscore the potential of disease-modifying treatments,personalised medical approaches,and holistic interventions to alleviate the growing burden of AD on individuals,families,and healthcare systems worldwide.By fostering collaboration and innovation,we can strive towards a future where effective prevention,early detection,and personalised treatments enhance the lives of millions affected by AD globally.展开更多
The treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),especially those with severe or refractory disease,represents an important challenge for the clinical gastroenterologist.It seems to be no exaggeration to...The treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),especially those with severe or refractory disease,represents an important challenge for the clinical gastroenterologist.It seems to be no exaggeration to say that in these patients,not only the scientific background of the gastroenterologist is tested,but also the abundance of“gifts”that he should possess(insight,intuition,determ-ination,ability to take initiative,etc.)for the successful outcome of the treatment.In daily clinical practice,depending on the severity of the attack,IBD is treated with one or a combination of two or more pharmaceutical agents.These combin-ations include not only the first-line drugs(e.g.,mesalazine,corticosteroids,antibiotics,etc)but also second-and third-line drugs(immunosuppressants and biologic agents).It is a fact that despite the significant therapeutic advances there is still a significant percentage of patients who do not satisfactorily respond to the treatment applied.Therefore,a part of these patients are going to surgery.In recent years,several small-size clinical studies,reviews,and case reports have been published combining not only biological agents with other drugs(e.g.,immunosuppressants or corticosteroids)but also the combination of two biologi-cal agents simultaneously,especially in severe cases.In our opinion,it is at least a strange(and largely unexplained)fact that we often use combinations of drugs in a given patient although studies comparing the simultaneous administration of two or more drugs with monotherapy are very few.As mentioned above,there is a timid tendency in the literature to combine two biological agents in severe cases unresponsive to the applied treatment or patients with severe extraintestinal manifestations.The appropriate dosage,the duration of the administration,the suitable timing for checking the clinical and laboratory outcome,as well as the treatment side-effects,should be the subject of intense clinical research shortly.In this editorial,we attempt to summarize the existing data regarding the already applied combination therapies and to humbly formulate thoughts and suggestions for the future application of the combination treatment of biological agents in a well-defined category of patients.We suggest that the application of biomarkers and artificial intelligence could help in establishing new forms of treatment using the available modern drugs in patients with IBD resistant to treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND Perception is frequently impaired in patients with Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Several patients exhibit visual or haptic hallucinations.CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old Chinese man presented with visual and haptic h...BACKGROUND Perception is frequently impaired in patients with Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Several patients exhibit visual or haptic hallucinations.CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old Chinese man presented with visual and haptic hallucinations he had been experiencing for 2 weeks.The clinical manifestations were the feeling of insects crawling and biting the limbs and geison.He looked for the insects while itching and scratching,which led to skin breakage on the limbs.He was treated with topical and anti-allergic drugs in several dermatology departments without any significant improvement.After admission,the patient was administered risperidone(0.5 mg)and duloxetine(2 mg/day).One week later,the dose of risperidone was increased to 2 mg/day,and that of duloxetine was increased to 60 mg/day.After 2 weeks of treatment,the patient’s sensation of insects crawling and biting disappeared,and his mood stabilized.CONCLUSION This patient manifested psychiatric behavioral symptoms caused by AD brain atrophy.It was important to re-evaluate the patient’s cognitive-psychological status when the patient repeatedly went to the hospital for treatment.Follow-up attention to cognitive function and the consideration of perceptual deficits as early manifestations of AD should be considered.展开更多
BACKGROUND The incidence of Barrett’s esophagus(BE)in China is lower compared to the Western populations.Hence,studies conducted in the Chinese population has been limited.The current treatment options available for ...BACKGROUND The incidence of Barrett’s esophagus(BE)in China is lower compared to the Western populations.Hence,studies conducted in the Chinese population has been limited.The current treatment options available for BE treatment includes argon plasma coagulation(APC),radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation,all with varying degrees of success.AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of HybridAPC in the treatment of BE.METHODS The study cohort consisted of patients with BE who underwent HybridAPC ablation treatment.These procedures were performed by seven endoscopists from different tertiary hospitals.The duration of the procedure,curative rate,complications and recurrent rate by 1-year follow-up were recorded.RESULTS Eighty individuals were enrolled for treatment from July 2017 to June 2020,comprising of 39 males and 41 females with a median age of 54 years(range,30 to 83 years).The technical success rate of HybridAPC was 100%and the overall curative rate was 98.15%.No severe complications occurred during the operation.BE cases were classified as short-segment BE and long-segment BE.Patients with short-segment BE were all considered cured without complications.Thirty-six patients completed the one-year follow-up without recurrence.Twenty-four percent had mild dysplasia which were all resolved with one post-procedural treatment.The mean duration of the procedure was 10.94±6.52 min.CONCLUSION Treatment of BE with HybridAPC was found to be a simple and quick procedure that is safe and effective during the short-term follow-up,especially in cases of short-segment BE.This technique could be considered as a feasible alternative ablation therapy for BE.展开更多
Treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn’s disease(CD)represents,in the majority of cases,a real challenge to the gastroenterologist’s abilities and skills as well as a clinical test concerning his/her levels of...Treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn’s disease(CD)represents,in the majority of cases,a real challenge to the gastroenterologist’s abilities and skills as well as a clinical test concerning his/her levels of medical knowledge and experience.During the last two decades,our pharmaceutical arsenal was significantly strengthened,especially after the introduction of the so-called biological agents,drugs which to a large extent not only improved the results of conservative treatment but also changed the natural history of the disease.However,colectomy is still necessary for some patients with severe UC although smaller compared to the past,precisely because of the improvements achieved in the available conservative treatment.Nevertheless,surgeries to treat colon dysplasia and cancer are increasing to some extent.At the same time,satisfactory improvements in surgical techniques,the pre-and post-operative care of patients,as well as the selection of the appropriate time for performing the surgery have been noticed.Regarding patients with CD,the improvement of conservative treatment did not significantly change the need for surgical treatment since two-thirds of patients need to undergo surgery at some point in the course of their disease.On the other hand,the outcome of the operation has improved through good preoperative care as well as the wide application of more conservative surgical techniques aimed at keeping as much of the bowel in situ as possible.This article discusses the indications for surgical management of UC patients from the gastroenterologist’s point of view,the results of the emerging new techniques such as transanal surgery and robotics,as well as alternative operations to the classic ileo-anal-pouch anastomosis.The author also discusses the basic principles of surgical management of patients with CD based on the results of the relevant literature.The self-evident is emphasized,that is,to achieve an excellent therapeutic result in patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease in today’s era;the close cooperation of gastroenterologists with surgeons,pathologists,imaging,and nutritionists is of paramount importance.展开更多
Cadmium sulfide(CdS)is an n-type semiconductor with excellent electrical conductivity that is widely used as an electron transport material(ETM)in solar cells.At present,numerous methods for preparing CdS thin films h...Cadmium sulfide(CdS)is an n-type semiconductor with excellent electrical conductivity that is widely used as an electron transport material(ETM)in solar cells.At present,numerous methods for preparing CdS thin films have emerged,among which magnetron sputtering(MS)is one of the most commonly used vacuum techniques.For this type of technique,the substrate temperature is one of the key deposition parameters that affects the interfacial properties between the target film and substrate,determining the specific growth habits of the films.Herein,the effect of substrate temperature on the microstructure and electrical properties of magnetron-sputtered CdS(MS-CdS)films was studied and applied for the first time in hydrothermally deposited antimony selenosulfide(Sb_(2)(S,Se)_(3))solar cells.Adjusting the substrate temperature not only results in the design of the flat and dense film with enhanced crystallinity but also leads to the formation of an energy level arrangement with a Sb_(2)(S,Se)_(3)layer that is more favorable for electron transfer.In addition,we developed an oxygen plasma treatment for CdS,reducing the parasitic absorption of the device and resulting in an increase in the short-circuit current density of the solar cell.This study demonstrates the feasibility of MS-CdS in the fabrication of hydrothermal Sb_(2)(S,Se)_(3)solar cells and provides interface optimization strategies to improve device performance.展开更多
The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)mortality rate in 55 African countries is almost 4.5 times lower than in the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)despite Africa having over 4.2 times more people.This mortality para...The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)mortality rate in 55 African countries is almost 4.5 times lower than in the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)despite Africa having over 4.2 times more people.This mortality paradox is also evident when comparing Nigeria,a heavily populated,poorly vaccinated and weakly mandated country to Israel,a small,highly vaccinated and strictly mandated country.Nigeria has almost 4 times lower COVID mortality than Israel.In this Field of Vision perspective,I explain how this paradox has evolved drawing upon my academic,clinical and social experience.Since April 2020,I’ve developed and been using the Egyptian immune-modulatory Kelleni’s protocol to manage COVID-19 patients including pediatric,geriatric,pregnant,immune-compromised and other individuals suffering from multiple comorbidities.It’s unfortunate that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is still evolving accompanied by more deaths.However in Africa,we’ve been able to live without anxiety or mandates throughout the pandemic because we trust science and adopted early treatment using safe,and effective repurposed drugs that have saved the majority of COVID-19 patients.This article represents an African and Egyptian tale of honor.展开更多
Objective:To analyze the clinical effects of sodium oligomannate combined with memantine hydrochloride in the treatment of senile Alzheimer’s dementia.Methods:Sixty-eight cases of Alzheimer’s dementia treated at the...Objective:To analyze the clinical effects of sodium oligomannate combined with memantine hydrochloride in the treatment of senile Alzheimer’s dementia.Methods:Sixty-eight cases of Alzheimer’s dementia treated at the Second People’s Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2020 to March 2022 were selected as the study subjects.The patients were divided into two groups based on different treatment methods:the control group(treated with memantine hydrochloride,34 cases)and the treatment group(treated with sodium oligomannate+memantine hydrochloride,34 cases).Cognitive function,activities of daily living,neurotransmitters,serum intestinal flora metabolic markers,inflammatory factors,neurotrophic factors,and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:The treatment group showed better cognitive function,quality of life scores,and levels of relevant metabolic markers in the body compared to the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(treatment group:2%;control group:4%)was not statistically significant(χ^(2)=0.731,P=0.393).Conclusion:Sodium oligomannate combined with memantine hydrochloride has better efficacy than the control group for treating senile Alzheimer’s dementia.It significantly improves and restores cognitive function and daily living abilities,benefits neurotransmitter secretion and internal regulation,upregulates the expression of neurotrophic factors,and has fewer adverse reactions,making it a treatment worthy of further clinical promotion and application.展开更多
Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is believed to develop via a complex interaction between genetic,environmental factors and the mucosal immune system.Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two major clinical forms ...Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is believed to develop via a complex interaction between genetic,environmental factors and the mucosal immune system.Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two major clinical forms of IBD.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are a class of small,endogenous,noncoding RNA molecules,and evolutionary conserved in animals and plants.It controls protein production at the post-transcriptional level by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or degradation.MiRNAs are important in many biological processes,such as signal transduction,cellular proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis.Considerable attention has been paid on the key role of miRNAs in autoimmune and inflammatory disease,especially IBD.Recent studies have identified altered miRNA profiles in ulcerative colitis,Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel diseaseassociated colorectal cancer.In addition,emerging data have implicated that special miRNAs which suppress functional targets play a critical role in regulating key pathogenic mechanism in IBD.MiRNAs were found involving in regulation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B pathway(e.g.,miR-146a,miR-146b,miR-122,miR-132,miR-126),intestinal epithelial barrier function(e.g.,miR-21,miR-150,miR-200b)and the autophagic activity(e.g.,miR-30c,miR-130a,miR-106b,miR-93,miR-196).This review aims at discussing recent advances in our understanding of miRNAs in IBD pathogenesis,their role as disease biomarkers,and perspective for future investigation and clinical application.展开更多
CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films were prepared by thermal crystallization of co-sputtered Cu-In alloy precursors in S/Se atmosphere. In-depth compositional uniformity is an important prereq- uisite for obtaining device-qualit...CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films were prepared by thermal crystallization of co-sputtered Cu-In alloy precursors in S/Se atmosphere. In-depth compositional uniformity is an important prereq- uisite for obtaining device-quality CuIn(S,Se)2 absorber thin films. In order to figure out the influence of heat treatments on in-depth composition uniformity of CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films, two kinds of reaction temperature profiles were investigated. One process is "one step profile", referring to formation of CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films just at elevated temperature (e.g. 500 ℃). The other is "two step profile", which allows for slow diffusion of S and Se elements into the alloy precursors at a low temperature before the formation and re-crystallization of CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films at higher temperature (e.g. first 250 ℃ then 500 ℃). X-ray diffrac- tion studies reveal that there is a discrepancy in the shape of (112) peak. Samples annealed with "one step profile" have splits on (112) peaks, while samples annealed with "two step profile" have relatively symmetrical (112) peaks. Grazing incident X-ray diffraction and en- ergy dispersive spectrum measurements of samples successively etched in bromine methanol show that CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films have better in-depth composition uniformity after "two step profile" annealing. The reaction mechanism during the two thermal processing was also investigated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of early infliximab use for induction and maintenance therapy in pediatric Crohn’s disease. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 36 patients with Crohn’s diseas...AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of early infliximab use for induction and maintenance therapy in pediatric Crohn’s disease. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 36 patients with Crohn’s disease. Ten patients (group A) were treated with mesalamine after induction therapy with oral prednisolone, and 13 patients (group B) were treated with azathioprine after induction therapy with oral prednisolone. Thirteen patients (group C) received infliximab and azathioprine for induction and maintenance therapy for the first year, and were treated with azathioprine after 1 year. All patients were followed for at least 24 mo. Efficacy was determined by the relapse rate using the pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index score in each group at 12 and 24 mo. RESULTS: At the 1 year follow-up, the relapse ratee, Mi Jin Kim, Hae Jeong Lee, Yon Ho Choe (23.1%, 3 of 13 patients) in group C was lower than that (61.5%, 8 of 13 patients) in group B (P = 0.047). At the 2 years follow-up, the relapse rate (38.5%, 5 of 13 patients) in group C was lower than that (76.9%, 10 of 13 patients) in group B (P = 0.047). Adverse events in group C were fewer than in groups A and B. CONCLUSION: Early induction with infliximab at diagnosis, known as "top-down" therapy, was effective for reducing the relapse rate compared to conventional therapies for at least 2 years.展开更多
Crohn’s disease(CD)is a kind of intestinal inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and the incidence rate of CD is gradually increasing worldwide.Acupuncture and moxibustion have u...Crohn’s disease(CD)is a kind of intestinal inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and the incidence rate of CD is gradually increasing worldwide.Acupuncture and moxibustion have unique curative effects on gastrointestinal diseases and can be new options for the treatment of CD.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate fecal calprotectin (FC) as a surrogate marker of treatment outcome of relapse of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and, to compare FC with fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO) and fecal eosinophil protei...AIM: To evaluate fecal calprotectin (FC) as a surrogate marker of treatment outcome of relapse of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and, to compare FC with fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO) and fecal eosinophil protein X (EPX). METHODS: Thirty eight patients with IBD, comprising of 27 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 11 with Crohn's disease (CD) were investigated before treatment (inclusion), and after 4 and 8 wk of treatment. Treatment outcomes were evaluated by clinical features of disease activity and endoscopy in UC patients, and disease activity in CD patients. In addition, fecal samples were analyzed for FC by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and for MPO and EPX with radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: At inclusion 37 of 38 (97%) patients had elevated FC levels (〉 94.7 μg/g). At the end of the study, 31 of 38 (82%) patients fulfilled predefined criteria of a complete response IUC 21/27 (78%); CD 10/11 (91%)]. Overall, a normalised FC level at the end of the study predicted a complete response in 100% patients, whereas elevated FC level predicted incomplete response in 30%. Normalised MPO or EPX levels predicted a complete response in 100% and 90% of the patients, respectively. However, elevated MPO or EPX levels predicted incomplete response in 23% and 22%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A normalised FC level has the potential to be used as a surrogate marker for successful treatment outcome in IBD patients. However, patients with persistent elevation of FC levels need further evaluation. FC and MPO provide superior discrimination than EPX in IBD treatment outcome.展开更多
Rectovaginal fistula(RVF) continues to be the most difficult perianal manifestation of Crohn's disease to treat.This devastating and disabling complication has a significant impact on patients' quality of life...Rectovaginal fistula(RVF) continues to be the most difficult perianal manifestation of Crohn's disease to treat.This devastating and disabling complication has a significant impact on patients' quality of life and presents unique management challenges.Current therapeutic approaches include many medical therapeutics and surgical treatments with a wide range of success rates reported.However,current evidence is lacking to support any recommendation.The choice of repair depends on various patient and disease factors and basic surgical tenets.In this article,we review the current options to consider in the treatment of Crohn's-related RVF,and try to evaluate their effects on fistulae closure and quality of life.展开更多
There are four steps in the interaction between intestinal microbes and mucosal inflammation in genetically predisposed individuals from the viewpoints of basic and clinical aspects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD...There are four steps in the interaction between intestinal microbes and mucosal inflammation in genetically predisposed individuals from the viewpoints of basic and clinical aspects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The first step is an interaction between intestinal microbes or their components and intestinal epithelial cells via receptors, the second step an interaction between macrophages and dendritic cells and mucosal lymphocytes, the third step an interaction between lymphocytes and vascular endothelial cells, and the fourth step an interaction between lymphocytes and granulocytes producing proinflammatory cytokines or free radicals and mucosal damage and repair. Recent therapeutic approaches for IBD aim to block these four steps in the intestinal inflammation of patients with IBD.展开更多
This retrospective cohort study from a single clinical practice enrolled patients with evidence of calcified Peyronie's disease (PD) plaques detected on penile ultrasound at the time of initial presentation. The pr...This retrospective cohort study from a single clinical practice enrolled patients with evidence of calcified Peyronie's disease (PD) plaques detected on penile ultrasound at the time of initial presentation. The primary objective was to describe the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) treatment on subtunical calcifications in men with PD. A PD-specific questionnaire was administered and sonographic evaluations were performed at baseline and follow-up visits. Descriptive statistics and X2 analysis were used to characterize the effect of PTX on calcified tunical plaques. In all, 71 men (mean age: 51.9 years) with PD and sonographic evidence of calcification were identified. Of them, 62 of these men were treated with PTX for a mean duration of I year, and nine with vitamin E or no treatment. Improvement or stabilization in calcium burden at follow-up was noted in 57 (91.9%) of men treated with PTX versus four (44,4%) of those not treated with PTX (P〈0.001). PTX users were much less likely to have a subjective worsening of their clinical condition (25.0% versus 78.3%, P=0.002). Treatment with PTX appeared to stabilize or reduce calcium content in PD plaques. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to further explore this effect.展开更多
Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors are biological agents introduced in the late 1990s for the treatment of different immune-mediated diseases as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid a...Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors are biological agents introduced in the late 1990s for the treatment of different immune-mediated diseases as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The most commonly used TNF-α antagonists are infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol, and though highly effective in lowering inflammation, the efficacy must be weighed against the potential for adverse events. The treatment-induced immunosuppression is suspected to increase the risk of infections, including the risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis, as the TNF-α cytokine plays an important role in the immune function. In this topic highlight a short overview of the infection risk associated with TNF-α inhibiter therapy is outlined with a focus on the overall risk of serious infections, mycobacterial infection and latent viral infections.展开更多
Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)incidence has been increasing steadily,most dramatically in the Western developed countries.Treatment often includes lifelong immunosuppressive therapy and surgery.There is a critical ne...Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)incidence has been increasing steadily,most dramatically in the Western developed countries.Treatment often includes lifelong immunosuppressive therapy and surgery.There is a critical need to reduce the burden of IBD and to discover medical therapies with better efficacy and fewer potential side-effects.Repurposing of treatments originally studied in other diseases with similar pathogenesis is less costly and time intensive than de novo drug discovery.This study used a treatment repurposing methodology,the literature-related discovery and innovation(LRDI)text mining system,to identify potential treatments(developed for non-IBD diseases)with sufficient promise for extrapolation to treatment of IBD.By searching for desirable patterns of twenty key biomarkers relevant to IBD(e.g.,inflammation,reactive oxygen species,autophagy,barrier function),the LRDI-based query retrieved approximately 9500 records from Medline.The most recent 350 records were further analyzed for proof-of-concept.Approximately 18%(64/350)met the criteria for discovery(not previously studied in IBD human or animal models)and relevance for application to IBD treatment.Many of the treatments were compounds derived from herbal remedies,and the majority of treatments were being studied in cancer,diabetes,and central nervous system disease,such as depression and dementia.As further validation of the search strategy,the query identified ten treatments that have just recently begun testing in IBD models in the last three years.Literature-related discovery and innovation text mining contains a unique search strategy with tremendous potential to identify treatments for repurposing.A more comprehensive query with additional key biomarkers would have retrieved many thousands more records,further increasing the yield of IBD treatment repurposing discovery.展开更多
The advanced treatment using integrated Fenton's reaction and coagulation process was investigated in this study. Before the advancement, the pharmaceutical wastewater containing lincomycin hydrochloride was pretreat...The advanced treatment using integrated Fenton's reaction and coagulation process was investigated in this study. Before the advancement, the pharmaceutical wastewater containing lincomycin hydrochloride was pretreated by UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge bed) and a SBR (sequencing batch reactor) process. The residual recalcitrant compounds, measured by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS), mainly consisted of alcohols, phenols, and nitrogenous and sulfur compounds. The experimental results indicated that when the Fenton's reaction was conducted at pH=3.0, H2O2CODOcr=0.27, H2O2/Fe^2+=3:1 and 30 min of reaction time, and the coagulation process operated at a sulfate aluminum concentration of 800 mg/L and pH value of 5.0, the color and COD in the wastewater decreased by 94% and 73%, respectively; with a finale COD concentration of 267 mg/L and color level of 40 units, meeting the secondary standard of GB8978-1996 for industrial wastewater.展开更多
文摘Objective Alzheimer’s disease(AD)presents a significant global health challenge with a steadily increasing prevalence and impact.This comprehensive review aimed to delve into the epidemiology,pathophysiology,pharmacological therapies,emerging research,challenges,and future directions of AD.Major findings from recent studies were synthesised,encompassing insights into the global prevalence,molecular pathology,high-risk factors,and therapeutic interventions,including cholinesterase inhibitors,glutamate receptor antagonists,and antibodies against Aβand tau proteins.Additionally,emerging research areas such as gene therapy and lipid nanoparticles were highlighted.This review emphasised the urgent need for ongoing research on novel therapeutic avenues and addressing the challenges in AD diagnosis,treatment,and care.Future perspectives underscore the potential of disease-modifying treatments,personalised medical approaches,and holistic interventions to alleviate the growing burden of AD on individuals,families,and healthcare systems worldwide.By fostering collaboration and innovation,we can strive towards a future where effective prevention,early detection,and personalised treatments enhance the lives of millions affected by AD globally.
文摘The treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),especially those with severe or refractory disease,represents an important challenge for the clinical gastroenterologist.It seems to be no exaggeration to say that in these patients,not only the scientific background of the gastroenterologist is tested,but also the abundance of“gifts”that he should possess(insight,intuition,determ-ination,ability to take initiative,etc.)for the successful outcome of the treatment.In daily clinical practice,depending on the severity of the attack,IBD is treated with one or a combination of two or more pharmaceutical agents.These combin-ations include not only the first-line drugs(e.g.,mesalazine,corticosteroids,antibiotics,etc)but also second-and third-line drugs(immunosuppressants and biologic agents).It is a fact that despite the significant therapeutic advances there is still a significant percentage of patients who do not satisfactorily respond to the treatment applied.Therefore,a part of these patients are going to surgery.In recent years,several small-size clinical studies,reviews,and case reports have been published combining not only biological agents with other drugs(e.g.,immunosuppressants or corticosteroids)but also the combination of two biologi-cal agents simultaneously,especially in severe cases.In our opinion,it is at least a strange(and largely unexplained)fact that we often use combinations of drugs in a given patient although studies comparing the simultaneous administration of two or more drugs with monotherapy are very few.As mentioned above,there is a timid tendency in the literature to combine two biological agents in severe cases unresponsive to the applied treatment or patients with severe extraintestinal manifestations.The appropriate dosage,the duration of the administration,the suitable timing for checking the clinical and laboratory outcome,as well as the treatment side-effects,should be the subject of intense clinical research shortly.In this editorial,we attempt to summarize the existing data regarding the already applied combination therapies and to humbly formulate thoughts and suggestions for the future application of the combination treatment of biological agents in a well-defined category of patients.We suggest that the application of biomarkers and artificial intelligence could help in establishing new forms of treatment using the available modern drugs in patients with IBD resistant to treatment.
文摘BACKGROUND Perception is frequently impaired in patients with Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Several patients exhibit visual or haptic hallucinations.CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old Chinese man presented with visual and haptic hallucinations he had been experiencing for 2 weeks.The clinical manifestations were the feeling of insects crawling and biting the limbs and geison.He looked for the insects while itching and scratching,which led to skin breakage on the limbs.He was treated with topical and anti-allergic drugs in several dermatology departments without any significant improvement.After admission,the patient was administered risperidone(0.5 mg)and duloxetine(2 mg/day).One week later,the dose of risperidone was increased to 2 mg/day,and that of duloxetine was increased to 60 mg/day.After 2 weeks of treatment,the patient’s sensation of insects crawling and biting disappeared,and his mood stabilized.CONCLUSION This patient manifested psychiatric behavioral symptoms caused by AD brain atrophy.It was important to re-evaluate the patient’s cognitive-psychological status when the patient repeatedly went to the hospital for treatment.Follow-up attention to cognitive function and the consideration of perceptual deficits as early manifestations of AD should be considered.
文摘BACKGROUND The incidence of Barrett’s esophagus(BE)in China is lower compared to the Western populations.Hence,studies conducted in the Chinese population has been limited.The current treatment options available for BE treatment includes argon plasma coagulation(APC),radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation,all with varying degrees of success.AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of HybridAPC in the treatment of BE.METHODS The study cohort consisted of patients with BE who underwent HybridAPC ablation treatment.These procedures were performed by seven endoscopists from different tertiary hospitals.The duration of the procedure,curative rate,complications and recurrent rate by 1-year follow-up were recorded.RESULTS Eighty individuals were enrolled for treatment from July 2017 to June 2020,comprising of 39 males and 41 females with a median age of 54 years(range,30 to 83 years).The technical success rate of HybridAPC was 100%and the overall curative rate was 98.15%.No severe complications occurred during the operation.BE cases were classified as short-segment BE and long-segment BE.Patients with short-segment BE were all considered cured without complications.Thirty-six patients completed the one-year follow-up without recurrence.Twenty-four percent had mild dysplasia which were all resolved with one post-procedural treatment.The mean duration of the procedure was 10.94±6.52 min.CONCLUSION Treatment of BE with HybridAPC was found to be a simple and quick procedure that is safe and effective during the short-term follow-up,especially in cases of short-segment BE.This technique could be considered as a feasible alternative ablation therapy for BE.
文摘Treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn’s disease(CD)represents,in the majority of cases,a real challenge to the gastroenterologist’s abilities and skills as well as a clinical test concerning his/her levels of medical knowledge and experience.During the last two decades,our pharmaceutical arsenal was significantly strengthened,especially after the introduction of the so-called biological agents,drugs which to a large extent not only improved the results of conservative treatment but also changed the natural history of the disease.However,colectomy is still necessary for some patients with severe UC although smaller compared to the past,precisely because of the improvements achieved in the available conservative treatment.Nevertheless,surgeries to treat colon dysplasia and cancer are increasing to some extent.At the same time,satisfactory improvements in surgical techniques,the pre-and post-operative care of patients,as well as the selection of the appropriate time for performing the surgery have been noticed.Regarding patients with CD,the improvement of conservative treatment did not significantly change the need for surgical treatment since two-thirds of patients need to undergo surgery at some point in the course of their disease.On the other hand,the outcome of the operation has improved through good preoperative care as well as the wide application of more conservative surgical techniques aimed at keeping as much of the bowel in situ as possible.This article discusses the indications for surgical management of UC patients from the gastroenterologist’s point of view,the results of the emerging new techniques such as transanal surgery and robotics,as well as alternative operations to the classic ileo-anal-pouch anastomosis.The author also discusses the basic principles of surgical management of patients with CD based on the results of the relevant literature.The self-evident is emphasized,that is,to achieve an excellent therapeutic result in patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease in today’s era;the close cooperation of gastroenterologists with surgeons,pathologists,imaging,and nutritionists is of paramount importance.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22275180)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2019YFA0405600)the Collaborative Innovation Program of Hefei Science Center,CAS,and the University Synergy Innovation Program of Anhui Province(GXXT-2023-031).
文摘Cadmium sulfide(CdS)is an n-type semiconductor with excellent electrical conductivity that is widely used as an electron transport material(ETM)in solar cells.At present,numerous methods for preparing CdS thin films have emerged,among which magnetron sputtering(MS)is one of the most commonly used vacuum techniques.For this type of technique,the substrate temperature is one of the key deposition parameters that affects the interfacial properties between the target film and substrate,determining the specific growth habits of the films.Herein,the effect of substrate temperature on the microstructure and electrical properties of magnetron-sputtered CdS(MS-CdS)films was studied and applied for the first time in hydrothermally deposited antimony selenosulfide(Sb_(2)(S,Se)_(3))solar cells.Adjusting the substrate temperature not only results in the design of the flat and dense film with enhanced crystallinity but also leads to the formation of an energy level arrangement with a Sb_(2)(S,Se)_(3)layer that is more favorable for electron transfer.In addition,we developed an oxygen plasma treatment for CdS,reducing the parasitic absorption of the device and resulting in an increase in the short-circuit current density of the solar cell.This study demonstrates the feasibility of MS-CdS in the fabrication of hydrothermal Sb_(2)(S,Se)_(3)solar cells and provides interface optimization strategies to improve device performance.
文摘The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)mortality rate in 55 African countries is almost 4.5 times lower than in the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)despite Africa having over 4.2 times more people.This mortality paradox is also evident when comparing Nigeria,a heavily populated,poorly vaccinated and weakly mandated country to Israel,a small,highly vaccinated and strictly mandated country.Nigeria has almost 4 times lower COVID mortality than Israel.In this Field of Vision perspective,I explain how this paradox has evolved drawing upon my academic,clinical and social experience.Since April 2020,I’ve developed and been using the Egyptian immune-modulatory Kelleni’s protocol to manage COVID-19 patients including pediatric,geriatric,pregnant,immune-compromised and other individuals suffering from multiple comorbidities.It’s unfortunate that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is still evolving accompanied by more deaths.However in Africa,we’ve been able to live without anxiety or mandates throughout the pandemic because we trust science and adopted early treatment using safe,and effective repurposed drugs that have saved the majority of COVID-19 patients.This article represents an African and Egyptian tale of honor.
基金Clinical Special Project of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(Project Number:XB2023027)。
文摘Objective:To analyze the clinical effects of sodium oligomannate combined with memantine hydrochloride in the treatment of senile Alzheimer’s dementia.Methods:Sixty-eight cases of Alzheimer’s dementia treated at the Second People’s Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2020 to March 2022 were selected as the study subjects.The patients were divided into two groups based on different treatment methods:the control group(treated with memantine hydrochloride,34 cases)and the treatment group(treated with sodium oligomannate+memantine hydrochloride,34 cases).Cognitive function,activities of daily living,neurotransmitters,serum intestinal flora metabolic markers,inflammatory factors,neurotrophic factors,and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:The treatment group showed better cognitive function,quality of life scores,and levels of relevant metabolic markers in the body compared to the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(treatment group:2%;control group:4%)was not statistically significant(χ^(2)=0.731,P=0.393).Conclusion:Sodium oligomannate combined with memantine hydrochloride has better efficacy than the control group for treating senile Alzheimer’s dementia.It significantly improves and restores cognitive function and daily living abilities,benefits neurotransmitter secretion and internal regulation,upregulates the expression of neurotrophic factors,and has fewer adverse reactions,making it a treatment worthy of further clinical promotion and application.
文摘Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is believed to develop via a complex interaction between genetic,environmental factors and the mucosal immune system.Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two major clinical forms of IBD.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are a class of small,endogenous,noncoding RNA molecules,and evolutionary conserved in animals and plants.It controls protein production at the post-transcriptional level by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or degradation.MiRNAs are important in many biological processes,such as signal transduction,cellular proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis.Considerable attention has been paid on the key role of miRNAs in autoimmune and inflammatory disease,especially IBD.Recent studies have identified altered miRNA profiles in ulcerative colitis,Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel diseaseassociated colorectal cancer.In addition,emerging data have implicated that special miRNAs which suppress functional targets play a critical role in regulating key pathogenic mechanism in IBD.MiRNAs were found involving in regulation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B pathway(e.g.,miR-146a,miR-146b,miR-122,miR-132,miR-126),intestinal epithelial barrier function(e.g.,miR-21,miR-150,miR-200b)and the autophagic activity(e.g.,miR-30c,miR-130a,miR-106b,miR-93,miR-196).This review aims at discussing recent advances in our understanding of miRNAs in IBD pathogenesis,their role as disease biomarkers,and perspective for future investigation and clinical application.
文摘CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films were prepared by thermal crystallization of co-sputtered Cu-In alloy precursors in S/Se atmosphere. In-depth compositional uniformity is an important prereq- uisite for obtaining device-quality CuIn(S,Se)2 absorber thin films. In order to figure out the influence of heat treatments on in-depth composition uniformity of CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films, two kinds of reaction temperature profiles were investigated. One process is "one step profile", referring to formation of CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films just at elevated temperature (e.g. 500 ℃). The other is "two step profile", which allows for slow diffusion of S and Se elements into the alloy precursors at a low temperature before the formation and re-crystallization of CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films at higher temperature (e.g. first 250 ℃ then 500 ℃). X-ray diffrac- tion studies reveal that there is a discrepancy in the shape of (112) peak. Samples annealed with "one step profile" have splits on (112) peaks, while samples annealed with "two step profile" have relatively symmetrical (112) peaks. Grazing incident X-ray diffraction and en- ergy dispersive spectrum measurements of samples successively etched in bromine methanol show that CuIn(S,Se)2 thin films have better in-depth composition uniformity after "two step profile" annealing. The reaction mechanism during the two thermal processing was also investigated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra.
文摘AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of early infliximab use for induction and maintenance therapy in pediatric Crohn’s disease. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 36 patients with Crohn’s disease. Ten patients (group A) were treated with mesalamine after induction therapy with oral prednisolone, and 13 patients (group B) were treated with azathioprine after induction therapy with oral prednisolone. Thirteen patients (group C) received infliximab and azathioprine for induction and maintenance therapy for the first year, and were treated with azathioprine after 1 year. All patients were followed for at least 24 mo. Efficacy was determined by the relapse rate using the pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index score in each group at 12 and 24 mo. RESULTS: At the 1 year follow-up, the relapse ratee, Mi Jin Kim, Hae Jeong Lee, Yon Ho Choe (23.1%, 3 of 13 patients) in group C was lower than that (61.5%, 8 of 13 patients) in group B (P = 0.047). At the 2 years follow-up, the relapse rate (38.5%, 5 of 13 patients) in group C was lower than that (76.9%, 10 of 13 patients) in group B (P = 0.047). Adverse events in group C were fewer than in groups A and B. CONCLUSION: Early induction with infliximab at diagnosis, known as "top-down" therapy, was effective for reducing the relapse rate compared to conventional therapies for at least 2 years.
基金Supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China,No.81774405 and No.81873372.
文摘Crohn’s disease(CD)is a kind of intestinal inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and the incidence rate of CD is gradually increasing worldwide.Acupuncture and moxibustion have unique curative effects on gastrointestinal diseases and can be new options for the treatment of CD.
基金Grants from the Medical Faculty, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
文摘AIM: To evaluate fecal calprotectin (FC) as a surrogate marker of treatment outcome of relapse of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and, to compare FC with fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO) and fecal eosinophil protein X (EPX). METHODS: Thirty eight patients with IBD, comprising of 27 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 11 with Crohn's disease (CD) were investigated before treatment (inclusion), and after 4 and 8 wk of treatment. Treatment outcomes were evaluated by clinical features of disease activity and endoscopy in UC patients, and disease activity in CD patients. In addition, fecal samples were analyzed for FC by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and for MPO and EPX with radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: At inclusion 37 of 38 (97%) patients had elevated FC levels (〉 94.7 μg/g). At the end of the study, 31 of 38 (82%) patients fulfilled predefined criteria of a complete response IUC 21/27 (78%); CD 10/11 (91%)]. Overall, a normalised FC level at the end of the study predicted a complete response in 100% patients, whereas elevated FC level predicted incomplete response in 30%. Normalised MPO or EPX levels predicted a complete response in 100% and 90% of the patients, respectively. However, elevated MPO or EPX levels predicted incomplete response in 23% and 22%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A normalised FC level has the potential to be used as a surrogate marker for successful treatment outcome in IBD patients. However, patients with persistent elevation of FC levels need further evaluation. FC and MPO provide superior discrimination than EPX in IBD treatment outcome.
文摘Rectovaginal fistula(RVF) continues to be the most difficult perianal manifestation of Crohn's disease to treat.This devastating and disabling complication has a significant impact on patients' quality of life and presents unique management challenges.Current therapeutic approaches include many medical therapeutics and surgical treatments with a wide range of success rates reported.However,current evidence is lacking to support any recommendation.The choice of repair depends on various patient and disease factors and basic surgical tenets.In this article,we review the current options to consider in the treatment of Crohn's-related RVF,and try to evaluate their effects on fistulae closure and quality of life.
文摘There are four steps in the interaction between intestinal microbes and mucosal inflammation in genetically predisposed individuals from the viewpoints of basic and clinical aspects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The first step is an interaction between intestinal microbes or their components and intestinal epithelial cells via receptors, the second step an interaction between macrophages and dendritic cells and mucosal lymphocytes, the third step an interaction between lymphocytes and vascular endothelial cells, and the fourth step an interaction between lymphocytes and granulocytes producing proinflammatory cytokines or free radicals and mucosal damage and repair. Recent therapeutic approaches for IBD aim to block these four steps in the intestinal inflammation of patients with IBD.
文摘This retrospective cohort study from a single clinical practice enrolled patients with evidence of calcified Peyronie's disease (PD) plaques detected on penile ultrasound at the time of initial presentation. The primary objective was to describe the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) treatment on subtunical calcifications in men with PD. A PD-specific questionnaire was administered and sonographic evaluations were performed at baseline and follow-up visits. Descriptive statistics and X2 analysis were used to characterize the effect of PTX on calcified tunical plaques. In all, 71 men (mean age: 51.9 years) with PD and sonographic evidence of calcification were identified. Of them, 62 of these men were treated with PTX for a mean duration of I year, and nine with vitamin E or no treatment. Improvement or stabilization in calcium burden at follow-up was noted in 57 (91.9%) of men treated with PTX versus four (44,4%) of those not treated with PTX (P〈0.001). PTX users were much less likely to have a subjective worsening of their clinical condition (25.0% versus 78.3%, P=0.002). Treatment with PTX appeared to stabilize or reduce calcium content in PD plaques. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to further explore this effect.
文摘Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors are biological agents introduced in the late 1990s for the treatment of different immune-mediated diseases as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The most commonly used TNF-α antagonists are infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol, and though highly effective in lowering inflammation, the efficacy must be weighed against the potential for adverse events. The treatment-induced immunosuppression is suspected to increase the risk of infections, including the risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis, as the TNF-α cytokine plays an important role in the immune function. In this topic highlight a short overview of the infection risk associated with TNF-α inhibiter therapy is outlined with a focus on the overall risk of serious infections, mycobacterial infection and latent viral infections.
文摘Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)incidence has been increasing steadily,most dramatically in the Western developed countries.Treatment often includes lifelong immunosuppressive therapy and surgery.There is a critical need to reduce the burden of IBD and to discover medical therapies with better efficacy and fewer potential side-effects.Repurposing of treatments originally studied in other diseases with similar pathogenesis is less costly and time intensive than de novo drug discovery.This study used a treatment repurposing methodology,the literature-related discovery and innovation(LRDI)text mining system,to identify potential treatments(developed for non-IBD diseases)with sufficient promise for extrapolation to treatment of IBD.By searching for desirable patterns of twenty key biomarkers relevant to IBD(e.g.,inflammation,reactive oxygen species,autophagy,barrier function),the LRDI-based query retrieved approximately 9500 records from Medline.The most recent 350 records were further analyzed for proof-of-concept.Approximately 18%(64/350)met the criteria for discovery(not previously studied in IBD human or animal models)and relevance for application to IBD treatment.Many of the treatments were compounds derived from herbal remedies,and the majority of treatments were being studied in cancer,diabetes,and central nervous system disease,such as depression and dementia.As further validation of the search strategy,the query identified ten treatments that have just recently begun testing in IBD models in the last three years.Literature-related discovery and innovation text mining contains a unique search strategy with tremendous potential to identify treatments for repurposing.A more comprehensive query with additional key biomarkers would have retrieved many thousands more records,further increasing the yield of IBD treatment repurposing discovery.
文摘The advanced treatment using integrated Fenton's reaction and coagulation process was investigated in this study. Before the advancement, the pharmaceutical wastewater containing lincomycin hydrochloride was pretreated by UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge bed) and a SBR (sequencing batch reactor) process. The residual recalcitrant compounds, measured by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS), mainly consisted of alcohols, phenols, and nitrogenous and sulfur compounds. The experimental results indicated that when the Fenton's reaction was conducted at pH=3.0, H2O2CODOcr=0.27, H2O2/Fe^2+=3:1 and 30 min of reaction time, and the coagulation process operated at a sulfate aluminum concentration of 800 mg/L and pH value of 5.0, the color and COD in the wastewater decreased by 94% and 73%, respectively; with a finale COD concentration of 267 mg/L and color level of 40 units, meeting the secondary standard of GB8978-1996 for industrial wastewater.