Effect of drainage versus no drainage after thyroid surgery on wound complications, a meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis study was used to assess whether not placing a drain after thyroidectomy reduces postoperative wound complications. A critical review of the comprehensive literature up to May 2023 was conducted using four databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the web of science. Fourteen interrelated studies were reviewed after passing the inclusion and exclusion criteria established by the study and assessing the quality of the literature.95% confidence intervals (Cl) and odds ratios (OR) were calculated using fixed effects models. The data were meta-analysed using RevMan 5.3 software. The results showed that the use of drains during thyroid surgery did not have a favourable impact on patients. Intraoperative placement of drains did not reduce postoperative wound haematoma formation in patients, (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.54, 1.36 p = 0.52). However, the incidence of postoperative wound infection was significantly higher in patients with drains used in intraoperative thyroid surgery, (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10, 0.45 p < 0.0001). As the sample size of the randomised controlled study used for this meta-analysis was limited, it is important to approach the findings with caution when interpreting the results.Conducting additional high-quality research with larger sample sizes is crucial in order to further confirm these results and reduce the likelihood of duplication.

Genetic polymorphism investigation of 16 X-STR loci in the Bai ethnic minority in Yunnan Province, Southwest China.

To investigate the genetic variation and forensic efficiency of 16 X-chromosomal short tandem repeat (X-STR) loci (DX6795, DXS9902, DXS8378, HPRTB, GATA165B12, DXS7132, DXS7424, DXS6807, DXS6803, GATA172D05, DXS6800, DXS10134, GATA31E08, DXS10159, DXS6789, and DXS6810) in the Bai minority, we calculated allele frequencies, forensic parameters, and haplotype frequencies in 424 (202 males and 222 females) unrelated, healthy Bai individuals from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, China. We observed a total of 132 alleles; 5-19 alleles were detected in each locus, and the corresponding allele frequencies ranged from 0.0016 to 0.7589. All of the loci detected were highly polymorphic in the Bai population in Yunnan Province, except DXS6800. The values for the combined power of discrimination in females (PDf) and males (PDm) were 0.999999999999996 and 0.999999997487061, respectively. According to a phylogenetic tree, neighboring populations and different nationalities in the same area appeared to have relatively close evolutionary relationships. This study provides and complements X-chromosome genetic polymorphism data for the Bai people in Yunnan Province, Southwest China, and enriches the available reference materials for this Chinese minority population.

Analysis of the N-Glycoforms and Immunoactivity of Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) Glycoprotein 30CYGP.

The major protein in Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) glycoprotein, 30CYGP, exhibits strong immunomodulatory activities. Research has identified the sequence and structure of 30CYGP; however, 30CYGP N-glycoform composition and immunoactivity remain unknown. We isolated and purified 30CYGP from Chinese yam and used that material to release the N-glycans contained within. The N-glycans were labeled with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone and analyzed via ESI-MS and online LC-MS. Additionally, the immunoactivities of 30CYGP and de-glycosylated 30CYGP in the RAW264.7 cell line were investigated. Six 30CYGP N-glycans were observed in total, in which three were modified with xylose (XM: 40%) and three with xylose and fucose (XFM: 60%). Furthermore, de-glycosylated 30CYGP had significantly weaker immunoactivity than 30CYGP. This study demonstrated that novel N-glycoforms may enhance 30CYGP immunoactivity. Further research on the role of varied glycosylation patterns in immunoactivity is needed.

Simultaneous Release and Labeling of O- and N-Glycans Allowing for Rapid Glycomic Analysis by Online LC-UV-ESI-MS/MS.

Most glycoproteins and biological protein samples undergo both O- and N-glycosylation, making characterization of their structures very complicated and time-consuming. Nevertheless, to fully understand the biological functions of glycosylation, both the glycosylation forms need to be analyzed. Herein we report a versatile, convenient one-pot method in which O- and N-glycans are simultaneously released from glycoproteins and chromogenically labeled in situ and thus available for further characterization. In this procedure, glycoproteins are incubated with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP) in aqueous ammonium hydroxide, making O-glycans released from protein backbones by ß-elimination and N-glycans liberated by alkaline hydrolysis. The released glycans are promptly derivatized with PMP in situ by Knoevenagel condensation and Michael addition, with peeling degradation almost completely prevented. The recovered mixture of O- and N-glycans as bis-PMP derivatives features strong ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ability and hydrophobicity, allowing for high-resolution chromatographic separation and high-sensitivity spectrometric detection. Using this technique, O- and N-glycans were simultaneously prepared from some model glycoproteins and complex biological samples, without significant peeling, desialylation, deacetylation, desulfation or other side-reactions, and then comprehensively analyzed by online HILIC-UV-ESI-MS/MS and RP-HPLC-UV-ESI-MS/MS, with which some novel O- and N-glycan structures were first found. This method provides a simple, versatile strategy for high-throughput glycomics analysis.

The ammonia-catalyzed release of glycoprotein N-glycans.

Despite the great significance of release and analysis of glycans from glycoproteins, the existing N-glycan release methods are undermined by some limitations and deficiencies. The traditional enzymatic protocols feature high N-glycan release specificity but are generally costly and inefficient for some types of N-glycans. The existing chemical methods require harsh reaction conditions or are accompanied by the remarkable formation of by-products. Herein, we describe a versatile chemical method for the release and analysis of N-glycans from glycoproteins. This method differs from the existing methods as only aqueous ammonia is used to catalyze the N-glycan release reactions. Optimization of reaction conditions was performed using RNase B as a model glycoprotein and the obtained results indicated a highest N-glycan yield in ammonia at 60 °C for 16 h. Comparison of this method with traditional enzymatic protocols and recently reported NaClO methods confirmed the good reliability and efficiency of the novel approach. We also successfully applied this method to some complex biological samples, such as Ginkgo seed protein, fetal bovine serum (FBS) and hen egg white, and demonstrated its great compatibility with various neutral N-glycans, core α-1,3-fucosylated N-glycans and sialylated N-glycans. This method is very simple and cost-effective, enabling convenient analysis and large-scale preparation of released reducing N-glycans from various biological samples for structural and functional glycomics studies.

Research progress on the relationship between bile acid metabolism and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Bile acids, which are steroid molecules originating from cholesterol and synthesized in the liver, play a pivotal role in regulating glucose metabolism and maintaining energy balance. Upon release into the intestine alongside bile, they activate various nuclear and membrane receptors, influencing crucial processes. These bile acids have emerged as significant contributors to managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, a complex clinical syndrome primarily driven by insulin resistance. Bile acids substantially lower blood glucose levels through multiple pathways: BA-FXR-SHP, BA-FXR-FGFR15/19, BA-TGR5-GLP-1, and BA-TGR5-cAMP. They also impact blood glucose regulation by influencing intestinal flora, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and bitter taste receptors. Collectively, these regulatory mechanisms enhance insulin sensitivity, stimulate insulin secretion, and boost energy expenditure. This review aims to comprehensively explore the interplay between bile acid metabolism and T2DM, focusing on primary regulatory pathways. By examining the latest advancements in our understanding of these interactions, we aim to illuminate potential therapeutic strategies and identify areas for future research. Additionally, this review critically assesses current research limitations to contribute to the effective management of T2DM.

Case Report: Identification of a novel NTRK3-AJUBA fusion co-existing with ETV6-NTRK3 fusion in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

NTRK fusions are validated oncogenic drivers of various adult and pediatric tumor types, including thyroid cancer, and serve as a therapeutic target. Recently, tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors, such as entrectinib and larotrectinib, display promising therapeutic efficacy in NTRK-positive solid tumors. Although some NTRK fusion partners have been identified in thyroid cancer, the spectrum of NTRK fusion is not fully characterized. In this study, a dual NTRK3 fusion was identified by targeted RNA-Seq in a 47-year-old female patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma. The patient harbors a novel in-frame fusion between NTRK3 exon 13 and AJUBA exon 2, co-existing with a known in-frame fusion between ETV6 exon 4 and NTRK3 exon 14. The dual NTRK3 fusion was validated by Sanger sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) but lack TRK protein expression as defined by pan-TRK immunohistochemistry (IHC). We supposed the pan-TRK IHC result to be falsely negative. In conclusion, we present the first case of a novel NTRK3-AJUBA fusion co-existing with a known ETV6-NTRK3 fusion in thyroid cancer. These findings extend the spectrum of translocation partners in NTRK3 fusion, and the effect of dual NTRK3 fusion on TRK inhibitor therapy and prognosis needs long-term follow-up.

Effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on related variables of obesity complicated with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is closely related to obesity, and weight loss can significantly improve the metabolic, endocrine and reproductive functions of obese individuals with PCOS. However, the efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for obesity with PCOS are unclear. AIM: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of LSG on related variables in obese patients with PCOS. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 32 obese patients with PCOS who received LSG treatment at the Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from 2013 to 2020. The changes in anthropometric indices, insulin, testosterone, estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), menstrual cycle and LH/FSH ratio before and 1 mo, 3 mo, 6 mo and 12 mo after the operation were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: At 1 mo, 3 mo, 6 mo and 12 mo after surgery, the anthropometric indices, such as body weight and body mass index, of all patients were lower than those before the operation. The percentage excess weight loss (EWL%) at 1 mo, 3 mo, 6 mo and 1 year of follow-up were 25, 40, 46 and 65, respectively. The PCOS-related indices, such as insulin, testosterone, estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and menstrual cycle, were improved to varying degrees. During the 1-year follow-up, the average serum testosterone decreased from preoperative 0.72 ng/mL to 0.43 ng/mL (P < 0.05), average fasting insulin level (9.0 mIU/mL, preoperative 34.2 mil, LH level, 4.4 mIU/mL, preoperative 6.1 mIU/mL). The level of FSH (3.8 U/L, 4.8 U/p0.05) and the ratio of LH/FSH (0.7, 1.3/p0.05) were more relieved than those before surgery. During the postoperative follow-up, it was found that the menstrual cycle of 27 patients (nasty 27) returned to normal, and 6 patients (18%) who intended to become pregnant became pregnant within 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: The weight loss effect of LSG is obvious and affirmative, and the endocrine index of obese patients with PCOS is also improved to some extent, although the mechanism is not clear. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is expected to become a backup choice for patients with polycystic ovaries in the future.

Overexpression of miR-100-5p inhibits papillary thyroid cancer progression via targeting FZD8.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most prevalent type of TC worldwide; however, its pathological process remains unclear at the molecular level. In the current study, we analyzed the microarray data of PTC tissues and non-neoplastic thyroid tissues, and confirmed miR-100-5p as a downregulated miRNA in PTC. Via bioinformatic approach, western blotting, and TOP/FOP-flash assay, miR-100-5p was observed to be involved in the inactivation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in TPC-1 and KTC-1. Frizzled Class Receptor 8 (FZD8), the coupled receptor for canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, was verified to be targeted and inhibited by miR-100-5p in TPC-1 and KTC-1. In the function assay, miR-100-5p mimic repressed PTC cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis of TPC-1 and KTC-1; meanwhile, transfection of full-length FZD8 attenuated the effect of miR-100-5p mimic. Moreover, in the collected samples, miR-100-5p was lowly expressed in PTC tissues compared with normal tissues, especially in those of advanced stage (Stage III/IV vs Stage I/II), while FZD8 was highly expressed in PTC tissues, which in PTC tissues was inversely correlated to miR-100-5p. Thus, we suggest that overexpression of miR-100-5p inhibits the development of PTC by targeting FZD8.

Metabolic bariatric surgery in the treatment of obesity complicated with hypertension: mechanistic insight.

The increase of dietary fat energy supply ratio has led to a gradual increase in obesity, and the risk of hypertension in patients with obesity is much higher than that in the normal population. Weight loss has become a popular method to control obesity and hypertension. Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS), which is also called weight loss surgery, can have significant effects on the weight and body metabolism of the patients. Recent studies have shown that the blood pressure of obese patients with hypertension is significantly improved after MBS. Therefore, in this review we will briefly describe the relationship between obesity and hypertension, summarize the effects of MBS on hypertension, and then focus on the mechanisms by which MBS achieves satisfactory efficacy to treat hypertension.

Effects of Antibiotics on Weight in Obese Patients after Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Obese patients can significantly reduce weight and have a positive impact on obesity-related diseases. However, the risk of infection complications in obese people is higher than that in normal people, especially the surgical site infection. This research investigates the effect of antibiotics on weight change of obese patients after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). A retrospective analysis was performed on 131 morbidly obese patients or obese patients with complications who received LSG treatment in the Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from 2013 to 2020. Patients were separated into the antibiotic group (59 cases) and the normal group (72 cases) according to whether antibiotics were used after surgery. The differences of postoperative weight-related indexes, inflammation-related indexes, and short-term complications were compared between the two groups. At 12-month follow-up, the % excess weight loss (%EWL) in the antibiotic group was statistically abated than that in the normal group (92.99 ± 28.60, P < 0.01). In addition, the percentage of total weight loss (%total weight loss (%TWL)) was abated in the antibiotic group than in the normal group, but it was not significant (P > 0.05). White blood cell count and neutrophil count in the antibiotic group were statistically raised than those in the in normal group (P < 0.05), but neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) showed no significant difference. Comparison of short-term postoperative complications between the two groups showed that the number of abdominal wall wound infection, body temperature > 38°C, and abdominal pain > 3 days in the antibiotic group were abated, but they were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Short-term antibiotic exposure after sleeve gastrectomy had an adverse effect on postoperative weight loss, with no significant improvement in short-term complications.

A versatile strategy for high-resolution separation of reducing glycan mixtures as hydrazones by two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography.

Glycomics analysis has been undermined by the lack of structurally defined individual glycans as model compounds. However, it is challenging to prepare individual glycans from natural resources, mainly due to separation difficulties caused by highly diverse structure, complicated mixture form and chromophore-free property of naturally-existing glycans. In this study, we report a simple, universal and low-cost glycan separation strategy, glycoselection, which allows preparation of individual reducing glycans from their mixtures through reversible chromogenic derivatization by hydrazide chemistry in combination with two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography (2D-HPLC). Investigations on reaction conditions using lactose and maltodextrin as model glycans showed the feasibility of reversible hydrazide labeling and one-pot hydrazone conversion under mild conditions, the good stability of hydrazone-form derivatives of glycans in solution and the difference among seven selected hydrazine-carrying chromogenic reagents in product yields during glycan labeling and post-column detagging. The 2D-HPLC separation conditions were established on maltodextrin, from which fourteen highly-purified individual reducing oligo-glucans were ultimately obtained. Using this strategy, we also successfully prepared and identified eleven individual neutral reducing N-glycans from chicken ovalbumin and thirteen individual neutral reducing oligosaccharides and eight individual sialylated ones from human milk, demonstrating its good applicability to different types of reducing glycans as well as biological samples. Given the compatibility of individual reducing glycans with almost all of glycan derivatization protocols and analytical techniques of glycans and the potential of the method for larger scale application, this work provides a universal approach to compound-specific analysis of natural glycans and has great significance for glycomics studies.

Functional characterization of a novel, highly expressed ion-driven sugar antiporter in the thoracic muscles of Helicoverpa armigera.

Sugar transporters (STs), which mainly mediate cellular sugar exchanges, play critical physiological roles in living organisms, and they may be responsible for sugar exchanges among various insect tissues. However, the molecular and physiological functions of insect STs are largely unknown. Here, 16 STs of Helicoverpa armigera were identified. A phylogenetic analysis classified the putative HaSTs into 12 sub-families, and those identified in this study were distributed into 6 sub-families. Real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated that the 16 HaSTs had diverse tissue-specific expression levels. One transporter, HaST10, was highly expressed in thoracic muscles. A functional study using a Xenopus oocyte expression system revealed that HaST10 mediated both H+ -driven trehalose and Na+ -driven glucose antiport activities with high transport efficiency and low affinity levels. A HaST10 knockout clearly impaired the performance of H. armigera. Thus, HaST10 may participate in sugar-supply regulation and have essential physiological roles in H. armigera.

A follow-up study of early interceptive treatment of primary anterior crossbites.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of early interceptive treatment of primary anterior crossbites with posterior occlusal acrylic resin blocks in combination with a 2 × 4 appliance, and to examine the differences in craniofacial morphology between the stable and relapse groups. Lateral cephalograms of 46 subjects (17 males and 29 females; average mean age 4 years 2 months ± 5 months) with a primary anterior crossbite were obtained before (T0) and immediately after (T1) treatment and at a 6 year follow-up (T2). The patients were assigned to either a stable (n = 35; 13 males and 22 females) or a relapse (n = 11; 4 males and 7 females) group according to the amount of overjet when the permanent incisors had erupted. The differences in craniofacial morphology between the groups were compared using a two-tailed t-test. The results revealed that the relapse subjects had a more forward position of the mandible relative to the cranial base and maxilla, a longer mandible and an increased gonial angle at T0. At T1, both groups had a positive overjet, but the treatment changes were different. Between T1 and T2, the maxillary length (A'-Ptm') increased less in the relapse group, the angle between the posterior border of the mandibular ramus and SN plane (Ram-SN) decreased and gonial angle increased and vice versa in the stable group. When posterior bite raising and 2 × 4 appliance therapy are used to correct primary anterior crossbites, all patients showed an immediate positive treatment response, whereas approximately one-quarter of subjects relapsed into a reverse overjet when the permanent incisors had erupted, mainly because of a more severe Class III craniofacial morphology at T1 and unfavourable growth during T1-T2.

The Choice of Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy for Patients Stratified by Diabetes Duration and Body Mass Index (BMI) level: Results from a National Registry and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine whether sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) should be the optimal choice in patients stratified by diabetes duration and body mass index (BMI) level. METHODS: Classification tree analysis was performed to identify the influential factors for surgical procedure selection in real setting. Meta-analyses stratified by influential factors were conducted to compare the complete diabetes remission rates between SG and RYGB. The cost-effectiveness analysis was performed when results from meta-analysis remain uncertain. RESULTS: Among 3198 bariatric procedures in China, 824 (73%) SGs and 191 (17%) RYGBs were performed in patients with T2DM. Diabetes duration with a cutoff value of 5 years and BMI level with 35.5 kg/m2 were identified as the influential factors. For patients with diabetes duration > 5 years, RYGB showed a significant higher complete diabetes remission rate than SG at 1 year: 0.52 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46-0.58) versus 0.36 (95% CI: 0.30-0.42). For patients with diabetes duration ≤ 5 years and BMI ≥ 35.5 kg/m2, there was no significant difference between 2 procedures: 0.57 (95% CI: 0.43-0.71) for SG versus 0.66 (95% CI: 0.62-0.70) for RYGB. The cost-effectiveness ratios of SG and RYGB were 244.58 and 276.97 dollars per QALY, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with diabetes duration > 5 years, RYGB was the optimal choice with regard to achieving complete diabetes remission at 1 year after surgery. However, for patients with diabetes duration ≤ 5 years and BMI ≥ 35.5 kg/m2, SG appeared to provide a cost-effective choice.

Purification of N- and O-glycans and their derivatives from biological samples by the absorbent cotton hydrophilic chromatographic column.

Mass spectrum (MS) is one of the most commonly used tools for qualitative and quantitative analysis of glycans. However, due to the complexity of biological samples and the low ionization efficiency of glycans, these need to be purified and derivatized prior to MS analysis. Existing purification strategies require a combination of multiple methods and are cumbersome to operate. Here, we propose a new method for the purification of glycoprotein N/O-glycans and their derivatives using a hand-packed absorbent cotton hydrophilic interaction chromatography column (HILIC). The method's reliability and applicability were verified by purifying N/O-glycans and the derivatives of standard glycoproteins, such as chicken albumin and porcine stomach mucin. Stable isotope labelling was used to compare the glycans' recovery following different purification methods. Absorbent cotton HILIC was also successfully applied for the analysis of human serum and fetal bovine serum glycoprotein N-glycans. Finally, testing revealed high binding capacity (9 mg/g-1 maltohexaose/absorbent cotton) and good recovery (average recovery was 91.7%) of glycans. Compared with traditional procedures, the proposed purification method offers considerable advantages, such as simplicity, high efficiency, economy, universality, and broad applicability for the pretreatment of glycans and their derivatives in biological samples prior to MS analysis.

Physicochemical properties and biological activities of polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum prepared by fractional precipitation.

Traditional separation and purification process of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) includes water extraction, alcohol precipitation, deproteinization and ion-exchange column chromatography, which is complicated and time-consuming. In our study, retentate LBP-I and dialysate LBP-O were obtained from LBP by water extraction, alcohol precipitation and deproteinization. LBP-I was separated by fractional precipitation and three fractions (LBP-I-1, LBP-I-2 and LBP-I-3) were obtained. The three fractions were further purified by gel permeation chromatography to LBGP-I-1, LBGP-I-2 and LBGP-I-3 with yields of 0.05%, 0.03%, and 0.19%, respectively, which are higher than yields by traditional method. The physicochemical properties, biological activities of LBGP-I-1, LBGP-I-2 and LBGP-I-3 were investigated. The results indicated that LBGP-I-1 (3.19 × 104 Da) consists of arabinose (21.95%), glucose (51.22%) and galactose (17.07%); LBGP-I-2 (2.92 × 104 Da) mainly consists of arabinose (19.35%), glucose (32.26%) and galactose (35.48%); LBGP-I-3 (9.12 × 104 Da) mainly consists of arabinose (48.15%) and galactose (44.44%). LBGP-I-1 and LBGP-I-2 were different from the components purified by traditional method. LBGP-I-3 could most significantly enhance macrophages NO, phagocytic capacity, and acid phosphatase. LBP-O exhibits the strongest anti-oxidant activities in vitro. These results provided a reference for applications of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides which would benefit the development of industry and agriculture.