Cryptoccocal Neuromeningitis in Immunocompetent Infant in Bonassama District Hospital, Douala: A Case Report

Cryptococcosis is rare in children. We report a case of cryptococcal meningitis in an infant whose mother works as a poultry farmer (chicken farm). The infant was received in the context of fever with convulsions. We performed a lumbar puncture and started antibiotic treatment. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was performed including Indian ink staining. CSF results showed the presence of yeast and we replaced antibiotics with fluconazol-based treatment. After the loss of sight and the appearance of a motor deficit, a brain scan was performed showing cerebral edema. Several lumbar punctures were performed for 02 weeks until partial recovery of visual acuity and motor deficit. This case highlights the importance of taking into account the patient’s history when making the diagnosis. In our case, the working conditions and the employment of the mother guided the realization of the Indian ink coloring of the CSF. Treatment with fluconazol continued for 22 weeks with a completely regained visual acuity and gradual improvement in motor deficit despite limited resources.

Utilization of Postpartum Family Planning Services between Six and Twelve Months of Delivery at Ntchisi District Hospital, Malawi

This study examined factors that determine utilization of postpartum family planning services at Ntchisi District Hospital in Malawi. The study design was descriptive and utilized quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. A random sample of 383 postpartum women was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Chi-square tests were used to establish relationships between utilization of Post Partum Family Planning services and demographic variables. Knowledge about family planning services was almost universal at 94.3% among the women. About 75% of the women were using the contraceptives within the first year after delivery however they started taking the contraceptives after they had already resumed sex. There was a significant association (P < 0.05) between utilization of post partum family planning services and the following: clarity of family planning information given, level of education, period for resuming sex, husband’s approval of family planning method, counselling on fertility intention, duration of lactation amenorrhoea, maternal age and parity. There is therefore a need to promote these factors to increase uptake of postpartum services.

Clinical study on prevalence and social determinants of postoperative infection at Kiziguro District Hospital, Rwanda

Background:Cesarean delivery is the commonest surgical procedure carried out worldwide in maternity.Cesarean delivery is accompanied by many complications among which surgical site infection is the most frequent.Surgical site infection is the second cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the postpartum period after postpartum haemorrhage.Social factors,such as health insurance,may have an impact on different maternal morbidities and quality of care for pregnant women attending health facilities.The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and factors associated with surgical site infection following caesarean delivery at Kiziguro District Hospital.Methods:It was the facility-based retrospective cross-sectional study.The sample size of 414 women was simply and randomly selected from 1001 women who underwent caesarean section from January 2018 to December 2018.Results:The prevalence of surgical site infection was 7.7%and its associated factors were the absence of health insurance and meconium-stained amniotic fluid.Women with health insurance were 99%(adjusted odds ratio:0.01,95%confidence interval:0.001–0.201)less likely to develop surgical site infections compared to women without health insurance,while women with clear amniotic fluid were 98.6%less likely to acquire surgical site infections(adjusted odds ratio:0.014,95%confidence interval:0.002–0.128)compared to women with meconiumstained amniotic fluid.Conclusion:surgical site infections prevalence among women delivered by cesarean section at Kiziguro District Hospital was found to be significant and women without health insurance and those with meconium-stained amniotic fluid are most vulnerable thus,infection and prevention control policymaker at the facility and national level are advised to assess at large all social barriers to health service accessibility and include them in their infection and prevention control policy.Kiziguro District Hospital is advised to take infection and prevention control precaution for women without health insurance and women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

Mothers’ Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices on Causes and Prevention of Anaemia in Children Aged 6 - 59 Months: A Case Study at Mkuranga District Hospital, Tanzania

Aims: Anaemia in children aged 6 - 59 months is an important public health problem associated with increasing hospital costs, lengths of hospital stay, and development of complications later in life. Due to the significant caregiver roles of mothers, the level of mothers’ knowledge, beliefs and practices are important in addressing anaemia in children. This study investigated knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices of select mothers on anaemia and linked these with known factors for anaemia. Methodology: The case study was conducted at Mkuranga District Hospital, Paediatric Ward between December 2014 and April 2015. A cross-sectional design was used to recruit a convenience sample of 40 mothers whose children had a confirmed diagnosis of anaemia (through routine laboratory testing). Results: Within the sample, the majority of children were male (52.5%);aged 6 - 39 months (87.5%);and had a diagnosis of severe anaemia (75.0%) according to the World Health Organization’s definition. Over one third (35%) of mothers reported a prior history of anemia in their other children, and the majority (55%) had heard about anaemia prior to their child’s hospitalization. Maternal anaemia was reported by 67.5% of mothers. Mothers reported that maternal anemia (17.5%) and feeding practices (32.5%) are known contributing factors to anaemia in children. Mothers reported that anemia could be prevented (55.0%) and cured by herbal preparations (47.5%). In addition, some mothers indicated that anaemia was caused by witchcraft (22.5%) and eating lemons (2.5%). Conclusion: Severe anaemia was high among the studied population which aligned with their hospitalization status. Findings suggested potential gaps in control and management of anemia in children possibly related to low awareness or incorrect knowledge of the relationship between maternal and child anaemia. The findings also highlighted important cultural beliefs related to anaemia. There is an imperative for culturally and socially appropriate knowledge translation and exchange with mothers in order to impact on the prevention and control of anaemia in children in Tanzania.

Knowledge Practical Attitude of Health Professionals on Breast Cancer at the Hospital of the District of the Commune IV of Bamako

Introduction: The level of knowledge and attitude of health professionals about breast cancer are important determinants. General objective: To study the knowledge, attitude and practice of health professionals of the hospital of the district of the commune IV on breast cancer. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, prospective, descriptive, qualitative and quantitative study. The study period was from 01 October 2022 to December 2022. Results: In one week of survey, 110 health workers (intern, obstetrician nurse, general practitioners and specialists) received the survey sheet, 80 health workers informed it, a participation rate of 73%. The male sex was most represented at 63.75% with a sex ratio of 1.76. The average age was 39.59 years with extremes of 22 and 61 years. The clinical signs evoked by the participants were: breast nodule (81.25%), followed by breast discharge (48.75%). In relation to risk factors: interns and obstetrician nurses had no good knowledge, 51.72% of general practitioners had good knowledge, 43.48% of specialist doctors had good knowledge, and 5.88% of the wise had good knowledge. Conclusion: Breast cancer is a common pathology around the world, health professionals are at the forefront of the fight against breast cancer, and this fight cannot be effective without trained personnel.

Interleukin 6 and Bone Erosions in Rheumatoid Arthritis in an African Hospital

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, erosive and deforming inflammatory rheumatic disease. In the era of biotherapies and the arrival of biosimilars in sub-Saharan Africa, the objective of this study was to describe plasma IL-6 variations in RA patients at Cité Verte District Hospital (Cameroon). Material and Methods: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study from December 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022. We included patients over 18 years old suffering from RA (ACR/EULAR 2010). Patients with an infection were not included. The data collected were age, sex, smoking status, family history, disease duration, disease activity by DAS28, CRP, rheumatoid factor, and plasma level of IL-6. Bone erosion was sought on radiography and ultrasound. Result: We included 31 patients, 25 of whom were women (80.6%). The mean age was 47.27 ± 17.97 years. Disease activity was predominantly moderate (32.3%) and severe (32.3%). Mean IL-6 level was 15.29 ± 2.36 pg/ml (extremes: 11.26 pg/ml and 20.15 pg/ml). IL-6 levels were higher in patients with a history of smoking. Similarly, IL-6 levels were higher in patients with mildly active RA in remission than in moderately and severely active RA. Mean IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with erosive RA (16.3 pg/ml VS 14.6 pg/ml). Conclusion: IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in men, weaned smokers and patients with bone erosions.

Pregnancy and Obstetrical Outcomes Following Treatment for Cervical Intra-Epithelial Neoplasia (CIN) in Two Hospitals of a Low-Resource Country

Objective: In Cameroon, more than 80% of women suffering from cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are within the reproductive age. This study intended to analyze the pregnancy outcomes following cervical treatment in Cameroon. Methods: This was a cohort study with two years retrospective data collection involving 82 women who underwent cervical treatment for CIN in two Cameroonian hospitals from January 2015 to December 2017. Data were collected from CIN treatment to end of pregnancy where applicable. Data analysis was done using Epi Info software version 3.5.4. Results: We collected data from 82 patients aged 27 to 48 years, with a mean age of 36.5 (SD: 5.3) years. During the study period, 33 out of 82 participants became pregnant 40.2 [29.56 - 51.66]%. The factor associated with pregnancy occurrence after treatment was age less than 35 years (Odds ratio = 4.37 [1.7 - 11.2]. From the 33 pregnancies recorded, 17 (51.5%) ended in a delivery, amongst which 15 (88.2%) were vaginal. Conclusion: Pregnancy frequency over two years following cervical treatment for CIN was relatively good, and younger women (age 35 years) were significantly more like to have conceived compared to their older counterparts. Post-treatment delivery outcomes seem to be similar to those in the general population.

Knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 among healthcare workers at District 2 Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

Objective:To assess the knowledge and attitude toward coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)among healthcare workers at District 2 Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City(HCMC).Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed between January 2020 and February 2020 at District 2 Hospital.A systematic random sampling strategy was carried out and the data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire of the knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers regarding COVID-19.Descriptive analysis was reported to describe the demographic,mean knowledge and attitude score of healthcare workers.Inferential statistics including t-test,ANOVA and Spearman’s correlation were used to evaluate the relationship between study variables.Results:A total of 327 eligible healthcare workers had a mean score of knowledge and attitude of 8.17±1.3(range 4-10)and 1.86±0.43(range 1-5),respectively.They showed good knowledge and a positive attitude.However,approximately two thirds of the participants knew the mode of transmission,the isolation period and treatment(67.0%,65.8%,and 58.4%,respectively),and 82.3%and 79.8%,respectively,held positive attitude regarding the risk of personal and family members getting illness.There was a negative correlation between knowledge scores and attitude scores(r=-0.21,P<0.001).Additionally,healthcare workerspredominately used social media to inform themselves about COVID-19(91.1%).Conclusions:The majority of healthcare workers had good knowledge and positive attitude toward COVID-19.However,the level of some knowledge and attitude lower than that expected for their position level towards the virus.Additional education interventions and campaigns are required for healthcare workers.

Genotyping Characteristics of Human Fecal Escherichia coli and Their Association with Multidrug Resistance in Miyun District, Beijing

Objective To explore the genotyping characteristics of human fecal Escherichia coli(E. coli) and the relationships between antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs) and multidrug resistance(MDR) of E. coli in Miyun District, Beijing, an area with high incidence of infectious diarrheal cases but no related data.Methods Over a period of 3 years, 94 E. coli strains were isolated from fecal samples collected from Miyun District Hospital, a surveillance hospital of the National Pathogen Identification Network. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined by the broth microdilution method. ARGs,multilocus sequence typing(MLST), and polymorphism trees were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing data(WGS).Results This study revealed that 68.09% of the isolates had MDR, prevalent and distributed in different clades, with a relatively high rate and low pathogenicity. There was no difference in MDR between the diarrheal(49/70) and healthy groups(15/24).Conclusion We developed a random forest(RF) prediction model of TEM.1 + baeR + mphA + mphB +QnrS1 + AAC.3-IId to identify MDR status, highlighting its potential for early resistance identification. The causes of MDR are likely mobile units transmitting the ARGs. In the future, we will continue to strengthen the monitoring of ARGs and MDR, and increase the number of strains to further verify the accuracy of the MDR markers.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Icteric Newborns at the Essos-Yaoundé-Cameroon Hospital

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is an enzymopathy characterized by insufficient production of reduced glutathione (GSH), a molecule known for its antioxidant role. This lack of GSH leads to a deficit in the elimination of peroxide ions from the red blood cells, causing thereby hemolytic accidents, which can be fatal if not properly managed. In neonates, the clinical picture is most often that of neonatal jaundice. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the place of G6PD deficiency as a cause of neonatal jaundice at Essos Hospital Centre. Methods: We conducted a prospective descriptive study over three months. Blood samples taken from newborns aged 0 to 28 days were analyzed in the medical analysis laboratory of the Essos Hospital Centre in Yaoundé. We carried out a determination of the enzymatic activity of G6PD, a blood count and the determination of the bilirubin level. The results obtained were analysed using R statistical software version 4.1.1. Linear regression analyses were used to assess correlations between the variables of interest. Results: Sixty-nine icteric neonates constituted our study population, with a total of 40 boys (58%) and 29 girls (42%) with a sex ratio of 1.37 in favour of boys. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in icteric children was 50.72%. The mean hemoglobin was 15.3 ± 3.08 g/dL and the mean red blood cell count was 4.52 ± 1.01 × 106/mm3. The mean total bilirubin was 122 ± 48.3 mg/L with a maximum of 308 mg/L and the mean free bilirubin was 104 ± 46.6 mg/L with a maximum of 292 mg/L. Furthermore, after linear regression analysis, we obtained a positive and significant correlation between G6PD enzymatic activity and hemoglobin level (r = 0.33;p ≤ 0.001), G6PD red blood cell level (r = 0.26;p Conclusion: Neonatal jaundice in G6PD-deficient children is a real public health problem and the prevention of hemolysis in children requires an early diagnosis of the enzyme disorder and good follow-up of the children.

Traumatic Digestive Perforation in the Hospital of Sikasso: Epidemio-Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects

Traumatic digestive perforation is the pathological opening of the wall of a hollow organ of the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and extrahepatic bile ducts) following trauma. Injuries to the digestive viscera, especially from trauma, have been known since antiquity. Aristotle recognized that a slight blow can cause an intestinal injury. Perforation of a hollow organ of the digestive sphere results in peritonitis, which in this case is the consequence of an infection of the peritoneal cavity by spreading of the digestive contents. The aim of the work was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of traumatic digestive perforation. Patients and method: The study was retrospective and descriptive from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020, in the general surgery department of the hospital of Sikasso (Mali). Patients operated for traumatic digestive perforation were included. Results: The clinical records of 42 patients were collected. Traumatic digestive perforations represented 12.3% of patients hospitalized for abdominal trauma. The average age of the patients was 26.6 years, with a sex ratio of 6:1. The most frequent etiology was road traffic accidents with 38% of patients. The average delay of consultation was 5 days. Abdominal pain was present in 38 patients, vomiting in 17 patients. On physical examination, the most frequent signs were abdominal contracture in 61.9% of patients, and disappearance of pre-hepatic dullness in 54.7% of patients. On rectal examination, the douglas was bulging and painful in 21 patients. X-ray of the abdomen without preparation showed pneumoperitoneum in 54.1% of patients. Excision, suture and peritoneal lavage were performed in 31 patients. The postoperative course was marked by parietal suppurations in 5 patients, a digestive fistula in 2 patients and 4 cases of death (9.5%). Conclusion: Traumatic digestive perforation is a frequent pathology in surgery. Road accident was the main cause. The treatment is essentially surgical.

Problems of Contraception in Commune IV of the District of Bamako about 109 Cases

In Mali, the low utilization of reproductive health services in general and family planning (FP) in particular contributes strongly to illnesses or deaths of women during and/or after childbirth and of children under the age of one year. This situation is, among other things, the logical consequence of harmful practices, including closely spaced pregnancies, early pregnancies, clandestine abortions, access difficulties and the lack of adequate obstetric and neonatal care. Objective: The objective of our study was to study the difficulties of access to contraception in the health district of commune IV. Methodology: This was a descriptive and multicenter prospective cross-sectional study, carried out in the reference health center of commune IV in the district of Bamako, in the ten (10) CSCOMs and the RENEE CISSE maternity hospital (MRC). Study appalled from June 1 to December 30, 2019. Two subgroups of the study population were involved in the study: Service providers;Users (clients) made up of women of childbearing age (13 - 45 years old). The premises of the FP units, the service providers, the clients who answered our questionnaires constituted our sample;the interviewed providers were also evaluated for their capacity in Counseling with the different methods used. The variables retained for the analysis concerned: the provision of contraceptive products;as well as user files and their characteristics. Results: The result of our survey reveals that the method most used at the time of our survey was Norplant 49.5% and the least used is the pill 1.8;some products, such as the diaphragm, cervical cap, female condom and spermicide, are not available in the various FP units. Side effects were the cause of discontinuation for 17.9% of our clients;50% against the husband;10.7% for no reason;21.4% for desire for children. 87.2% of clients are satisfied with the service delivery compared to 12.8%. 79.8% of clients say that the cost of contraceptive products is affordable compared to 20.2%. Clients who attend the FP unit with their partner’s consent accounted for 21.1% versus 78.9%. All providers were female. They only resort to Doctors in case of tubal ligation and resection. The preference of the female provider was explained by: Religion: “For Muslims, it is preferable to have one provider”;Personal convenience: “some women don’t want to be examined by a man”;Convenience: “Women feel more comfortable with each other”. Providers who thought that the opposition of the husband prevents women from practicing FP were 50%;33.4% of the providers attribute it to the high cost of the products;8.3% of them attribute it rather to religion.

Anemarsaponin B mitigates acute pancreatitis damage in mice through apoptosis reduction and MAPK pathway modulation

Background:Acute pancreatitis(AP),known for its rapid onset and significant incidence and mortality rates,presents a clinical challenge due to the limited availability of effective treatments and preventive measures.Anemarsaponin B(ASB)has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent,demonstrating capabilities in reducing immune inflammation,positioning it as a promising candidate for AP treatment.Methods:We investigated the effects of ASB on AP in mice,induced by caerulein and lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Peripheral blood samples were collected 24 h post-induction with caerulein to assess of key biomarkers including lipase,amylase,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,SOD,and GSH-Px.A range of techniques such as immunohistochemistry staining,immunofluorescence staining,Western blotting,and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction(q-PCR),were employed to measure the expression of critical genes.Additionally,pancreas samples from the mice were harvested for microbiome and metabolome sequencing,with the data analyzed to understand the impact of ASB on AP.Results:Our study revealed that,compared to the sham group,the AP group exhibited significantly higher serum levels of lipase,amylase,and cytokines,while levels of SOD and GSH Px were notably lower.Treatment with ASB led to a substantial decrease in the levels of lipase,amylase,and cytokines,and an increase in SOD and GSH-Px levels.q-PCR analysis of pancreatic histiocytes corroborated these serum findings.Hematoxylin and Eosin(H&E)staining indicated significant alterations in the pathological changes in the pancreas,lungs,and small intestine of the AP model due to ASB.Immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that ASB alleviated the apoptosis of pancreatic histiocytes in the AP model.Western Blot and histological analyses showed that ASB reduced the phosphorylation of TAK,p38,JNK,and ERK proteins,as well as the levels of TRAF6 protein in the AP model.Furthermore,metabolomic and gut microbiota analysis identified 27 differential metabolites and 34 differential species.The combined metabolome and microbiome analysis suggested an association between certain microbes(e.g.,unclassified-Saprospiraceae and unclassified-Micavibrionales)and metabolites(e.g.,LysoPE(0:0/20:0),PC(DiMe(13,5)/PGJ2)),and Heptanoic acid,indicating potential pathways through which ASB may exert its therapeutic effects in AP.Conclusions:ASB exhibits therapeutic efficacy in treating AP induced by caerulein combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS),primarily through modulating the mitogenactivated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.This discovery offers fresh perspectives for AP drug development,underscoring the potential of targeting specific cellular pathways.Additionally,the intricate interplay observed between the gut microbiota and metabolites following ASB treatment highlights novel therapeutic targets,suggesting that manipulating the gut microbiome and metabolome could be a viable strategy in AP management.These findings pave the way for further research into comprehensive treatment approaches that incorporate both pharmacological intervention and microbiota modulation.

Anesthesia,Anesthetics,and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)remains a major issue that worsens the prognosis of elderly surgery patients.This article reviews the current research on the effect of different anesthesia methods and commonly utilized anesthetics on the incidence of POCD in elderly patients,aiming to provide an understanding of the underlying mechanisms contributing to this condition and facilitate the development of more reasonable anesthesia protocols,ultimately reducing the incidence of POCD in elderly surgery patients.

Primary thoracolumbar intraspinal malignant melanoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary intraspinal malignant melanoma is a very rare tumor that most often occurs in the cervical,thoracic,or thoracolumbar segment.CASE SUMMARY A rare case of primary thoracolumbar malignant melanoma is described.A 45-year-old female patient complained of low back pain with numbness and fatigue in both lower limbs.MR revealed an intradural space-occupying lesion at the thoracic 12 to lumbar 1 level.The tumor was partially excised,and a malignant melanoma was confirmed by histopathology.CONCLUSION Primary intraspinal malignant melanoma has rarely been reported,and surgical resection and related characteristics and diagnoses have been discussed.

Lung ultrasound score evaluation of the effect of pressure-controlled ventilation volume-guaranteed on patients undergoing laparoscopicassisted radical gastrectomy

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy(LARG)is the standard treatment for early-stage gastric carcinoma(GC).However,the negative impact of this proce-dure on respiratory function requires the optimized intraoperative management of patients in terms of ventilation.AIM To investigate the influence of pressure-controlled ventilation volume-guaranteed(PCV-VG)and volume-controlled ventilation(VCV)on blood gas analysis and pulmonary ventilation in patients undergoing LARG for GC based on the lung ultrasound score(LUS).METHODS The study included 103 patients with GC undergoing LARG from May 2020 to May 2023,with 52 cases undergoing PCV-VG(research group)and 51 cases undergoing VCV(control group).LUS were recorded at the time of entering the operating room(T0),20 minutes after anesthesia with endotracheal intubation(T1),30 minutes after artificial pneumoperitoneum(PP)establishment(T2),and 15 minutes after endotracheal tube removal(T5).For blood gas analysis,arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO_(2))and partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO_(2))were observed.Peak airway pressure(P_(peak)),plateau pressure(Pplat),mean airway pressure(P_(mean)),and dynamic pulmonary compliance(C_(dyn))were recorded at T1 and T2,1 hour after PP establishment(T3),and at the end of the operation(T4).Postoperative pulmonary complications(PPCs)were recorded.Pre-and postoperative serum interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS Compared with those at T0,the whole,anterior,lateral,posterior,upper,lower,left,and right lung LUS of the research group were significantly reduced at T1,T2,and T5;in the control group,the LUS of the whole and partial lung regions(posterior,lower,and right lung)decreased significantly at T2,while at T5,the LUS of the whole and some regions(lateral,lower,and left lung)increased significantly.In comparison with the control group,the whole and regional LUS of the research group were reduced at T1,T2,and T5,with an increase in PaO_(2),decrease in PaCO_(2),reduction in P_(peak) at T1 to T4,increase in P_(mean) and C_(dyn),and decrease in Pplat at T4,all significant.The research group showed a significantly lower incidence of PPCs than the control group within 3 days postoperatively.Postoperative IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-αsignificantly increased in both groups,with even higher levels in the control group.CONCLUSION LUS can indicate intraoperative non-uniformity and postural changes in pulmonary ventilation under PCV-VG and VCV.Under the lung protective ventilation strategy,the PCV-VG mode more significantly improved intraop-erative lung ventilation in patients undergoing LARG for GC and reduced lung injury-related cytokine production,thereby alleviating lung injury.

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty vs high tibial osteotomy for knee osteoarthritis:A comparison of clinical and radiological outcomes

BACKGROUND Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA)and high tibial osteotomy(HTO)are well-established operative interventions in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.However,which intervention is more beneficial to patients with knee osteoarthritis remains unknown and a topic of much debate.Simultaneously,there is a paucity of research assessing the relationship between radiographic parameters of knee joint alignment and patient-reported clinical outcomes,preoperatively and following HTO or UKA.AIM To compare UKAs and HTOs as interventions for medial-compartment knee osteoarthritis:Examining differences in clinical outcome and investigating the relationship of joint alignment with respect to this.METHODS This longitudinal observational study assessed a total of 42 patients that had undergone UKA(n=23)and HTO(n=19)to treat medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.Patient-reported outcome measures(PROMs)were collected to evaluate clinical outcome.These included two disease-specific(Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score,Oxford Knee Score)and two generic(EQ-5D-5L,Short Form-12)PROMs.The radiographic parameters of knee alignment assessed were the:Hip-knee-ankle angle,mechanical axis deviation and angle of Mikulicz line.RESULTS Statistical analyses demonstrated significant(P<0.001),preoperative to postoperative,improvements in the PROM scores of both groups.There were,however,no significant inter-group differences in the postoperative PROM scores of the UKA and HTO group.Several significant correlations associated a more distolaterally angled Mikulicz line with worse knee function and overall health preoperatively(P<0.05).Postoperatively,two clusters of significant correlations were observed between the disease-specific PROM scores and knee joint alignment parameters(hip-knee-ankle angle,mechanical axis deviation)within the HTO group;yet no such associations were observed within the UKA group.CONCLUSION UKAs and HTOs are both efficacious operations that provide a comparable degree of clinical benefit to patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.Clinical outcome has a limited association with radiographic parameters of knee joint alignment postoperatively;however,a more distolaterally angled Mikulicz line appears associated with worse knee function/health-related quality of life preoperatively.

Oleanolic acid inhibits colon cancer cell stemness and reverses chemoresistance by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

Background:Oleanolic acid(OA),a pentacyclic triterpenoid exhibiting specific anti-cancer properties and highly effective antioxidant activity,was isolated from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs.Conversely,the OA that impacts colon cancer(CC)cells and its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.Methods:The cytotoxic effect of OA alone or OA-5-Fluorouracil(5-FU)combination on normal and CC cells was analyzed by methyl thiazolyl diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide(MTT).Then,the impact of OA on CC cell lines(LoVo and HT-29)proliferation and stemness were measured using colon formation and tumorsphere formation assays.Octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4),Prominin-1(CD133),Nanog,and transcription factor SOX-2(SOX2)are cell stemness-related indicators whose expression was assessed usingfluorescence qPCR assay,Western blotting,and immunohistochemistry.The effect of OA on the proliferative potency of CC cells was evaluated using an in vivo model.Results:The stem-like characteristics and clone production of colon cancer cells were markedly reduced by OA alone or in combination with OA-5-FU.Moreover,OA increases the susceptibility of CC cells to 5-FU by blocking the cell stemness-related markers(CD133,Nanog,SOX2,and Oct4)expression levels both in vitro and in vivo,as well as by inactivating the activator of transcription 3(STAT3 signaling)and Janus kinase 2/signal transducer(JAK2).Conclusion:Thesefindings imply that oleanolic acid,both in vitro and in vivo,suppresses the JAK2/STAT3 pathway,which in turn reverses chemoresistance and decreases colon cancer cell stemness.Therefore,by reducing the recommended amount of 5-FU,this strategy may improve chemotherapeutic effectiveness and minimize undesired side effects.

Investigating the causal associations between five anthropometric indicators and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease:Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Although the etiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has not been thoroughly understood,the emerging roles of anthropometric indicators in assessing and predicting the risk of NAFLD have been highlighted by accumulating evidence.AIM To evaluate the causal relationships between five anthropometric indicators and NAFLD employing Mendelian randomization(MR)design.METHODS The Anthropometric Consortium provided genetic exposure data for five anthropometric indicators,including hip circumference(HC),waist circumference(WC),waist-to-hip ratio(WHR),body mass index(BMI),and body fat percentage(BF).Genetic outcome data for NAFLD were obtained from the United Kingdom Biobank and FinnGen Consortium.Genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms were chosen as instrumental variables.Univariable MR(UVMR)and multivariable MR(MVMR)designs with analytical approaches,including inverse variance weighted(IVW),MR-Egger,weighted median(WM),and weighted mode methods,were used to assess the causal relationships between anthropometric indicators and NAFLD.RESULTS Causal relationships were revealed by UVMR,indicating that a higher risk of NAFLD was associated with a perunit increase in WC[IVW:odds ratio(OR)=2.67,95%CI:1.42-5.02,P=2.25×10^(−3)],and BF was causally associated with an increased risk of NAFLD(WM:OR=2.23,95%CI:1.07-4.66,P=0.033).The presence of causal effects of WC on the decreased risk of NAFLD was supported by MVMR after adjusting for BMI and smoking.However,no causal association between BF and NAFLD was observed.In addition,other causal relationships of HC,WHR(BMI adjusted),and BMI with the risk of NAFLD were not retained after FDR correction.CONCLUSION This study establishes a causal relationship,indicating that an increase in WC is associated with a higher risk of NAFLD.This demonstrates that a suitable decrease in WC is advantageous for preventing NAFLD.

Research progress of ferroptosis regulating lipid peroxidation and metabolism in occurrence and development of primary liver cancer

As a highly aggressive tumor,the pathophysiological mechanism of primary liver cancer has attracted much attention.In recent years,factors such as ferroptosis regulation,lipid peroxidation and metabolic abnormalities have emerged in the study of liver cancer,providing a new perspective for understanding the development of liver cancer.Ferroptosis regulation,lipid peroxidation and metabolic abnormalities play important roles in the occurrence and development of liver cancer.The regulation of ferroptosis is involved in apoptosis and necrosis,affecting cell survival and death.Lipid peroxidation promotes oxidative damage and promotes the invasion of liver cancer cells.Metabolic abnormalities,especially the disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism,directly affect the proliferation and growth of liver cancer cells.Studies of ferroptosis regulation and lipid peroxidation may help to discover new therapeutic targets and improve therapeutic outcomes.The understanding of metabolic abnormalities can provide new ideas for the prevention of liver cancer,and reduce the risk of disease by adjusting the metabolic process.This review focuses on the key roles of ferroptosis regulation,lipid peroxidation and metabolic abnormalities in this process.