Analyzing the impact of acupuncture in conjunction with a Quantum lipid-lowering device on hyperlipidemic rats: insights into adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling, blood lipids, and gut microbiota.

We explored the impact of acupuncture (ACUP) in conjunction with a quantum lipid-lowering device (Quantum) on the blood lipids and gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats, focusing on the adenosine monophosphate- (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: Normal, Model, Acup + Quantum, Acup, and Quantum. Hyperlipidemic models were established in all groups except Normal. The Model group did not receive any intervention after modeling. The Acup + Quantum group received both treatments, the Acup group received only acupuncture, and the Quantum group received only the quantum lipid-lowering device. We used ELISA to measure serum lipid and liver enzyme levels, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for liver pathology, Western blot for protein expression, and 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze intestinal microbiota diversity in rats. Elisa results showed that compared with the model group, Acup + Quantum group could reduce the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate transaminase (AST) and aspartate transaminase (ALT) in rats with hyperlipidemia (P<0.01), and increase the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.01). HE staining results showed that compared with the model group, the hepatocytes of rats in the Acup + Quantum group looked round and full, the liver plates were arranged regularly and neatly, and there was no obvious abnormality in the liver sinusoids. Western blot results showed that compared with the model group, the Acup + Quantum group inhibited AMPK activation, increased P-AMPK/AMPK protein expression (P<0.05), and decreased phospho-acetyl-CoA carboxylases (P-ACC/ACC), Sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1C (SREBP-1C), and FAS protein expression (P<0.05; P<0.01; P<0.01), which resulted in lipid-lowering effect. The results of intestinal flora showed that Acup + Quantum group improved the intestinal microbial microenvironment of hyperlipidemic rats by regulating the structure of intestinal microflora, increasing the abundance of Firmicutes flora, and decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Acupuncture combined with quantum lipid-lowering device can improve the blood lipid and liver function levels and regulate the intestinal microbial microenvironment of hyperlipidemic rats. This therapeutic outcome is likely achieved through the activation of the AMPK pathway and the beneficial modulation of the intestinal microbiota of rats.

Development and validation of a nomogram to predict postsurgical intra-abdominal infection in blunt abdominal trauma patients: A multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal infection is a common complication of blunt abdominal trauma. Early detection and intervention can reduce the incidence of intra-abdominal infection and improve patients' prognoses. This study aims to construct a clinical model predicting postsurgical intra-abdominal infection after blunt abdominal trauma. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of 553 patients with blunt abdominal trauma from the Department of General Surgery of 7 medical centers (2011-2021). A 7:3 ratio was used to assign patients to the derivation and validation cohorts. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether intra-abdominal infection occurred after blunt abdominal trauma. Multivariate logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were used to select variables to establish a nomogram. The nomogram was evaluated, and the validity of the model was further evaluated by the validation cohort. RESULTS: A total of 113 were diagnosed with intra-abdominal infection (20.4%). Age, prehospital time, C-reactive protein, injury severity score, operation duration, intestinal injury, neutrophils, and antibiotic use were independent risk factors for intra-abdominal infection in blunt abdominal trauma patients (P < .05). The area under the receiver operating curve (area under the curve) of derivation cohort and validation cohort was 0.852 (95% confidence interval, 0.784-0.912) and 0.814 (95% confidence interval, 0.751-0.902). The P value for the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was .135 and .891 in the 2 cohorts. The calibration curve demonstrated that the nomogram had a high consistency between prediction and practical observation. The decision curve analysis also showed that the nomogram had a better potential for clinical application. To facilitate clinical application, we have developed an online at https://nomogramcgz.shinyapps.io/IAIrisk/. CONCLUSION: The nomogram is helpful in predicting the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infection in patients with blunt abdominal trauma and provides guidance for clinical decision-making and treatment.

The effect of neonatal maternal separation on short-chain fatty acids and airway inflammation in adult asthma mice

Background: To investigate neonatal maternal separation (NMS) effects on airway inflammation of asthma and potential mechanism using a mouse model. Methods: 80 Balb/c neonatal male mice were randomly assigned to NMS and non-NMS groups. Feces were collected on PND21, 28, 35 and 42 to analyze microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Non-NMS group were then divided into control (group A) and asthma groups (group B), while NMS group was assigned to NMS + asthma (group C) and NMS + SCFAs + asthma groups (group D). Inflammatory cells and eosinophils (EOS) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were assessed. Pathological changes and cytokines in lung tissue were observed. Protein expression of Occludin and E-cadherin in airway epithelial was examined. Results: The number of S', diversity index H′ and dominance index D', as well as content butyric acid in NMS group C were significantly lower than non-NMS group B (p<0.05). Mice in group C had a higher level of inflammatory cells and EOS compared with group A, B and D. EOS moderate infiltration was found in mice of group B, C and D. Mice in group C had significantly higher levels of cytokines and showed slightly increased bronchial epithelium goblet cells and a small amount of visceral secretions. Occludin and E-cadherin expression in lung in B, C and D groups was depressed, and protein level in group C was significantly lower than group B and D. Conclusions: NMS is associated with exacerbated inflammation of adult asthma by changing intestinal microflora resulting in butanoic acid decline and airway epithelial barrier damage

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Predicción de los resultados clínicos en el tratamiento personalizado con yodo radiactivo de la enfermedad de Graves, mediante gammagrafía tiroidea con 99mTc-pertecnetato / 99mTc-pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy predicts clinical outcomes in personalized radioiodine treatment for Graves' disease

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue, en primer lugar, la comprobación de la eficacia de la terapia con yodo radiactivo (TIR) en la enfermedad de Graves (EG) basándonos en un régimen de cálculo de dosis y, en segundo lugar, determinar el valor de la gammagrafía tiroidea con 99mTc-pertecnetato a la hora de predecir los resultados clínicos de la TIR. Métodos: Evaluamos retrospectivamente a 139 pacientes consecutivos con EG tratados mediante TIR utilizando un método de cálculo de dosis en nuestro hospital desde enero del 2015 hasta septiembre del 2015. La dosis de yodo radiactivo se calculó utilizando la fórmula de Marinelli. Se evaluaron la captación de 99mTc-pertecnetato, edad, sexo, masa tiroidea, duración de la enfermedad, tratamiento previo con antitiroideos, niveles séricos de TSH, FT3 Y FT4, tasa positiva de TPOAb y anti-TRAb, dosis de yodo radiactivo y seguimiento, como factores potenciales de interferencia para el éxito de la TIR. Resultados: El tratamiento fue exitoso en 108 pacientes con EG (77,7%), incluyendo 71 pacientes eutiroideos (51,1%) y 37 hipotiroideos (26,6%), aunque 31 pacientes (22,3%) siguieron siendo hipertiroideos (fracaso terapéutico). Encontramos diferencias significativas entre el grupo de tratamiento exitoso y el grupo de fracaso terapéutico en cuanto a captación de 99mTc-pertecnetato (p < 0,0001), duración de la enfermedad (p=0,0140) y tasa positiva de anti-TRAb (p=0,0103). La captación de 99mTc-pertecnetato es un factor de riesgo independiente para la predicción del fracaso terapéutico (p=0,0394). Utilizando un valor de corte del 18,4%, la captación de 99mTc-pertecnetato podría predecir el fracaso terapéutico con una sensibilidad del 84,3% y una especificidad del 80,6%. Conclusión: Nuestro estudio ha reflejado que el cálculo de dosis de yodo radiactivo es eficaz para el tratamiento de los pacientes con EG, lo que redunda en una tasa baja de hipotiroidismo. Un porcentaje de captación de 99mTc-pertecnetato superior al 18,4% constituye un factor predictivo significativo de fracaso terapéutico, por lo que los pacientes deberían recibir una dosis superior de yodo radiactivo en este caso

Objective: The aim of this study was, first, to ascertain the efficacy of radioiodine therapy (RIT) for Graves' disease (GD) based on a calculated-dose regime and, second, to determine the value of 99mTc-pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy in predicting the clinical outcomes of RIT. Methods: One hundred and thirty 9consecutive GD patients who underwent RIT using a calculated-dose method in our hospital from January 2015 to September 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. Radioiodine dose was calculated based on the Marinelli's formula. 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake, age, gender, thyroid mass, duration of the disease, previous antithyroid drugs treatment, serum levels of TSH, FT3 and FT4, a positive rate of TPOAb and Anti-TRAb, radioiodine dose and follow-up were evaluated as potential interference factors for RIT success. Results: One hundred and 8(77.7%) GD patients including 71 (51.1%) euthyroid and 37 (26.6%) hypothyroid were successful, but 31 (22.3%) remained hyperthyroid (treatment failure). Significant differences were found between the treatment success group and the failure group in 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake (p<0.0001), the duration of disease (P=.0140) and positive rate of Anti-TRAb (P=.0103). 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake is an independent risk factor for predicting treatment failure (P=.0394). Using a cut-off value of 18.4%, 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake could predict treatment failure with a sensitivity of 84.3%, and a specificity of 80.6%. Conclusion: Our study has shown that a calculated radioiodine dose is effective in treating GD patients with a consequent low rate of hypothyroid. A 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake above 18.4% is a significant predictor of treatment failure and these patients should receive a higher radioiodine dose in this scenario