Characterization of biliary and duodenal microbiota in patients with primary and recurrent choledocholithiasis.

Purpose: To explore the biliary and duodenal microbiota features associated with the formation and recurrence of choledocholithiasis (CDL). Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with primary (P-CDL, n = 29) and recurrent CDL (R-CDL, n = 27) for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Duodenal mucosa (DM), bile and bile duct stones (BDS) samples were collected in P- and R-CDL patients. DM samples were also collected in 8 healthy controls (HC). The microbiota profile analysis was performed with 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: Short-course antibiotic application before ERCP showed no significant effects in alpha and beta diversities of the biliary and duodenal microbiota in CDL. Alpha diversity showed no difference between DM and bile samples in CDL. The duodenal microbial richness and diversity was lower in both P- and R-CDL than HC. The biliary microbiota composition showed a high similarity between P- and R-CDL. Fusobacterium and Enterococcus were higher abundant in DM, bile, and BDS samples of R-CDL than P-CDL, as well as Escherichia and Klebsiella in bile samples of R-CDL. The enriched duodenal and biliary bacteria in CDL were closely associated with cholecystectomy, inflammation and liver dysfunction. The bile-associated microbiota of R-CDL expressed enhanced capacity of D-glucuronide and D-glucuronate degradation, implicating an elevated level of ß-glucuronidase probably produced by enriched Escherichia and Klebsiella in bile. Conclusions: The duodenal microbiota was in an imbalance in CDL. The duodenal microbiota was probably the main source of the biliary microbiota and was closely related to CDL formation and recurrence. Enterococcus, Fusobacterium, Escherichia and Klebsiella might contribute to CDL recurrence. Clinical trials: The study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html, ChiCTR2000033940). Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13755-023-00267-2.

Anisotropic Scale-Invariant Ellipse Detection.

Detecting ellipses poses a challenging low-level task indispensable to many image analysis applications. Existing ellipse detection methods commonly encounter two fundamental issues. First, inferior detection accuracy could be incurred on a small ellipse than that on a large one; this introduces the scale issue. Second, inferior detection accuracy could be yielded along the minor axis than along the major one of the same ellipse; this leads to the anisotropy issue. To address these issues simultaneously, a novel anisotropic scale-invariant (ASI) ellipse detection methodology is proposed. Our basic idea is to perform ellipse detection in a transformed image space referred to as the ellipse normalization (EN) space, in which the desired ellipse from the original image is 'normalized' to the unit circle. With the establishment of the EN-space, an analytical ellipse fitting scheme and a set of distance measures are developed. Theoretical justifications are then derived to prove that both our ellipse fitting scheme and distance measures are invariant to anisotropic scaling, and thus each ellipse can be detected with the same accuracy regardless of its size and ellipticity. By incorporating these components into two recent state-of-the-art algorithms, two ASI ellipse detectors are finally developed and exploited to verify the effectiveness of our proposed methodology.

Sleep deprivation-induced anxiety-like behaviors are associated with alterations in the gut microbiota and metabolites.

The present study aimed to characterize the gut microbiota and serum metabolome changes associated with sleep deprivation (SD) as well as to explore the potential benefits of multi-probiotic supplementation in alleviating SD-related mental health disorders. Rats were subjected to 7 days of SD, followed by 14 days of multi-probiotics or saline administration. Open-field tests were conducted at baseline, end of SD (day 7), and after 14 days of saline or multi-probiotic gavage (day 21). Metagenomic sequencing was conducted on fecal samples, and serum metabolites were measured by untargeted liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. At day 7, anxiety-like behaviors, including significant decreases in total movement distance (P = 0.0002) and staying time in the central zone (P = 0.021), were observed. In addition, increased levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; P = 0.028) and decreased levels of uridine (P = 0.018) and tryptophan (P = 0.01) were detected in rats after 7 days of SD. After SD, the richness of the gut bacterial community increased, and the levels of Akkermansia muciniphila, Muribaculum intestinale, and Bacteroides caecimuris decreased. The changes in the host metabolism and gut microbiota composition were strongly associated with the anxiety-like behaviors caused by SD. In addition, multi-probiotic supplementation for 14 days modestly improved the anxiety-like behaviors in SD rats but significantly reduced the serum level of LPS (P = 0.045). In conclusion, SD induces changes in the gut microbiota and serum metabolites, which may contribute to the development of chronic inflammatory responses and affect the gut-brain axis, causing anxiety-like behaviors. Probiotic supplementation significantly reduces serum LPS, which may alleviate the influence of chronic inflammation. IMPORTANCE: The disturbance in the gut microbiome and serum metabolome induced by SD may be involved in anxiety-like behaviors. Probiotic supplementation decreases serum levels of LPS, but this reduction may be insufficient for alleviating SD-induced anxiety-like behaviors.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of autoimmune pancreatitis based on serum immunoglobulin G4 level: A single-center, retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) has been linked with elevated immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 levels. The characteristics and outcomes of AIP based on serum markers have not been fully evaluated. AIM: To compare clinical features, treatment efficacy, and outcome of AIP based on serum IgG4 levels and analyze predictors of relapse. METHODS: A total of 213 patients with AIP were consecutively reviewed in our hospital from 2006 to 2021. According to the serum IgG4 level, all patients were divided into two groups, the abnormal group (n = 148) with a high level of IgG4 [> 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN)] and the normal group (n = 65). The t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables. Categorical parameters were compared by the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were established to assess the cumulative relapse rates. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate potential risk factors of AIP relapse. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the abnormal group had a higher average male age (60.3 ± 10.4 vs 56.5 ± 12.9 years, P = 0.047); higher level of serum total protein (72.5 ± 7.9 g/L vs 67.2 ± 7.5 g/L, P < 0.001), IgG4 (1420.5 ± 1110.9 mg/dL vs 252.7 ± 106.6 mg/dL, P < 0.001), and IgE (635.6 ± 958.1 IU/mL vs 231.7 ± 352.5 IU/mL, P = 0.002); and a lower level of serum complement C3 (100.6 ± 36.2 mg/dL vs 119.0 ± 45.7 mg/dL, P = 0.050). In addition, a lower number of cases with abnormal pancreatic duct and pancreatic atrophy (23.6% vs 37.9%, P = 0.045; 1.6% vs 8.6%, P = 0.020, respectively) and a higher rate of relapse (17.6% vs 6.2%, P = 0.030) were seen in the abnormal group. Multivariate analyses revealed that serum IgG4 [(> 2 × ULN), hazard ratio (HR): 3.583; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.218-10.545; P = 0.020] and IgA (> 1 × ULN; HR: 5.908; 95%CI: 1.199-29.120; P = 0.029) and age > 55 years (HR: 2.383; 95%CI: 1.056-5.378; P = 0.036) were independent risk factors of relapse. CONCLUSION: AIP patients with high IgG4 levels have clinical features including a more active immune system and higher relapse rate. Several factors, such as IgG4 and IgA, are associated with relapse.

Eosinophilic esophagitis and esophageal microbiota.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an antigen-mediated chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus, the prevalence of which has steadily increased in recent years. The pathogenesis of EoE is not yet well-defined; however, recent studies have demonstrated that the esophageal microbiota is an essential regulator of physiological and pathological processes of EoE. Currently, research on EoE and microbiota is an emerging field of study that is receiving increasing attention. Here, we review existing EoE-related esophageal microbiota studies to explore the potential mechanisms underlying esophageal microbiota-mediated EoE. The esophageal microbiome is altered in patients with EoE. Although α diversity is usually not significantly different, an increase in Haemophilus and a decrease in Firmicutes were observed in EoE patients. The role of microbiota in initiating and perpetuating inflammation is not fully understood. Current evidence suggests that the penetration of microbiota leads to the activation of epithelial cells as well as innate and adaptive immune cells, with the subsequent release of cytokines, leading to immune responses and inflammation. The involvement of toll-like receptors in EoE also supports the potential role of the microbiota in the progression of this disease. While EoE-induced inflammation can also lead to alterations in the local microbiome. Moreover, dietary modifications, proton pump inhibitors, and corticosteroids can modulate the esophageal microbiota; however, definitive conclusions about the alterations of microbes after treatment cannot be drawn. These findings provide promising avenues for future studies.

Colorectal cancer and gut microbiota studies in China.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor worldwide. The incidence and mortality rates of CRC have been increasing in China, possibly due to economic development, lifestyle, and dietary changes. Evidence suggests that gut microbiota plays an essential role in the tumorigenesis of CRC. Gut dysbiosis, specific pathogenic microbes, metabolites, virulence factors, and microbial carcinogenic mechanisms contribute to the initiation and progression of CRC. Gut microbiota biomarkers have potential translational applications in CRC screening and early diagnosis. Gut microbiota-related interventions could improve anti-tumor therapy's efficacy and severe intestinal toxic effects. Chinese researchers have made many achievements in the relationship between gut microbiota and CRC, although some challenges remain. This review summarizes the current evidence from China on the role of gut microbiota in CRC, mainly including the gut microbiota characteristics, especially Fusobacterium nucleatum and Parvimonas micra, which have been identified to be enriched in CRC patients; microbial pathogens such as F. nucleatum and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, and P. micra, which Chinese scientists have extensively studied; diagnostic biomarkers especially F. nucleatum; therapeutic effects, including microecological agents represented by certain Lactobacillus strains, fecal microbiota transplantation, and traditional Chinese medicines such as Berberine and Curcumin. More efforts should be focused on exploring the underlying mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis of CRC and providing novel gut microbiota-related therapeutic and preventive strategies.

Geometric Remodeling of Nitrilase Active Pocket Based on ALF-Scanning Strategy To Enhance Aromatic Nitrile Substrate Preference and Catalytic Efficiency.

Nitrilase can catalyze nitrile compounds to generate corresponding carboxylic acids. Nitrilases as promiscuous enzymes can catalyze a variety of nitrile substrates, such as aliphatic nitriles, aromatic nitriles, etc. However, researchers tend to prefer enzymes with high substrate specificity and high catalytic efficiency. In this study, we developed an active pocket remodeling (ALF-scanning) based on modulating the geometry of the nitrilase active pocket to alter substrate preference and improve catalytic efficiency. Using this strategy, combined with site-directed saturation mutagenesis, we successfully obtained 4 mutants with strong aromatic nitrile preference and high catalytic activity, W170G, V198L, M197F, and F202M, respectively. To explore the synergistic relationship of these 4 mutations, we constructed 6 double-combination mutants and 4 triple-combination mutants. By combining mutations, we obtained the synergistically enhanced mutant V198L/W170G, which has a significant preference for aromatic nitrile substrates. Compared with the wild type, its specific activities for 4 aromatic nitrile substrates are increased to 11.10-, 12.10-, 26.25-, and 2.55-fold, respectively. By mechanistic dissection, we found that V198L/W170G introduced a stronger substrate-residue π-alkyl interaction in the active pocket and obtained a larger substrate cavity (225.66 Å3 to 307.58 Å3), making aromatic nitrile substrates more accessible to be catalyzed by the active center. Finally, we conducted experiments to rationally design the substrate preference of 3 other nitrilases based on the substrate preference mechanism and also obtained the corresponding aromatic nitrile substrate preference mutants of these three nitrilases and these mutants with greatly improved catalytic efficiency. Notably, the substrate range of SmNit is widened. IMPORTANCE In this study, the active pocket was largely remodeled based on the ALF-scanning strategy we developed. It is believed that ALF-scanning not only could be employed for substrate preference modification but might also play a role in protein engineering of other enzymatic properties, such as substrate region selectivity and substrate spectrum. In addition, the mechanism of aromatic nitrile substrate adaptation we found is widely applicable to other nitrilases in nature. To a large extent, it could provide a theoretical basis for the rational design of other industrial enzymes.

Chinese expert consensus on interventional diagnosis and management of acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas (second edition).

Acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas occur with abnormal communication between the respiratory tract and digestive tract caused by a variety of benign or malignant diseases, leading to the alimentary canal contents in the respiratory tract. Although various departments have been actively exploring advanced fistula closure techniques, including surgical methods and multimodal therapy, some of which have gotten good clinical effects, there are few large-scale evidence-based medical data to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. The guidelines update the etiology, classification, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas. It has been proved that the implantation of the respiratory and digestive stent is the most important and best treatment for acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas. The guidelines conduct an in-depth review of the current evidence and introduce in detail the selection of stents, implantation methods, postoperative management and efficacy evaluation.

Extensive heterotopic pancreas in a rare site: A case report and a review of literature.

RATIONALE: Heterotopic pancreas is a pancreatic tissue that occurs outside the normal anatomical site, the most common site is antrum. Due to the lack of specific imaging and endoscopic signs, heterotopic pancreas especially those occurring in the rare site, are often misdiagnosed, and leading to unnecessary surgical treatment. Endoscopic incisional biopsy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration are effective means for diagnosing heterotopic pancreas. We reports a case of extensive heterotopic pancreas in a rare site, which was finally diagnosed by this way. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 62-year-old man was admitted due to the presence of an angular notch lesion, which was suspected as gastric cancer before. He denied any history of tumor or gastric disease. DIAGNOSES: No abnormality was found in the physical examination and laboratory testing after admission. Computed tomography showed localized thickening of the gastric wall measuring 30 mm in the long diameter. Gastroscope revealed a nodular-like submucosal protuberance at the angular notch with size of about 3*4 cm. Ultrasonic gastroscope showed that the lesion was located in the submucosa. The lesion exhibited mixed echogenicity. The diagnosis can not be identified. INTERVENTIONS: 2 times of incision biopsy were performed to make a clear diagnosis. Finally, appropriate tissue specimens were obtained for pathology testing. OUTCOMES: The patient was diagnosed as heterotopic pancreas according to pathology. He was recommended to undergo observation and regular follow-ups rather than surgery. Then he was discharged home with no discomfort. LESSONS: Heterotopic pancreas occurring in the angular notch is extremely rare, the site is scarcely reported in the relevant literature. Therefore, it is easy to be misdiagnosed. In the cases of an vague diagnosis, endoscopic incisional biopsy or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration may be a good choice.

General Method for Selective Three-Component Carboacylation of Alkenes via Visible-Light Dual Photoredox/Nickel Catalysis.

A photoredox/nickel dual catalytic protocol for the regioselective three-component carboacylation of alkenes with tertiary and secondary alkyltrifluoroborates as well as acyl chlorides is described. This redox-neutral protocol can be applied to the rapid synthesis of ketones with high diversity and complexity via a radical relay process. Many functional groups, allowing for various commercially available acyl chlorides, alkyltrifluoroborates, and alkenes, are tolerated under these mild conditions.

Gastrointestinal microbiome and cholelithiasis: Current status and perspectives.

Cholelithiasis is a common digestive disease affecting 10% to 15% of adults. It imposes significant global health and financial burdens. However, the pathogenesis of cholelithiasis involves several factors and is incompletely elucidated. In addition to genetic predisposition and hepatic hypersecretion, the pathogenesis of cholelithiasis might involve the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome, consisting of microorganisms and their metabolites. High-throughput sequencing studies have elucidated the role of bile, gallstones, and the fecal microbiome in cholelithiasis, associating microbiota dysbiosis with gallstone formation. The GI microbiome may drive cholelithogenesis by regulating bile acid metabolism and related signaling pathways. This review examines the literature implicating the GI microbiome in cholelithiasis, specifically gallbladder stones, choledocholithiasis, and asymptomatic gallstones. We also discuss alterations of the GI microbiome and its influence on cholelithogenesis.

Analysis of growth resistance mechanisms and causes in tea plants (Camellia sinensis) in high-pH regions of Northern China.

Background: In tea plantations with high-pH (pH > 6.5) in Northern China, tea plants are prone to yellowing disease, albinism, and reductions in components that contribute to plant quality, which affect the scale and rate of tea plantation development in Northern China. Methods: To investigate the potential causes of these issues, Camellia sinensis cv. Pingyang Tezao and Camellia sinensis cv. Ruixue were planted in Shouguang city (a high-pH area, soil pH > 6.5) and Rizhao city (a normal-pH area, soil pH is 4.5-5.5), respectively; differences in growth morphology, pigment content, cell structure, quality-determining components, and element content of the two varieties in the two areas were analyzed. Results: The results showed that tea leaves planted in Shouguang had varying degrees of yellowing disease and albinism; the pigment content in both varieties was significantly lower when planted in Shouguang compared with Rizhao. The cell structure was severely damaged and the main quality-determining components were decreased. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) contents in the leaves of the two tea plant varieties were significantly lower when planted in Shouguang compared with those in Rizhao; the levels of these elements in Shouguang soil were significantly higher than in Rizhao soil. Calcium (Ca) contents in Shouguang soil was 9.90 times higher than that of Rizhao soil. Conclusions: We conclude that the soil in high-pH areas hindered tea plant uptake of N, Zn, Cu, and Mn, which had a detrimental effect on chloroplasts and reductions in chlorophyll synthesis, contributing to yellowing disease and albinism. In addition, excessive calcium (Ca) in Shouguang soil was also an important contributor to these negative effects. High-pH soil hindered tea plant uptake of P and K, resulting in reductions in tea polyphenols, amino acids, and other major quality components.

Comparison of the Therapeutic Effects of Iodine-125 Seed Implantation and Conventional Radiochemotherapy for Advanced Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility, safety and efficacy of iodine-125 seed implantation in the treatment of dysphagia of advanced esophageal cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with advanced esophageal cancer who underwent EUS-guided iodine-125 seed implantation or conventional chemoradiotherapy in our hospital. The propensity score match was used to reduce the baseline differences. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were enrolled, 17 patients received EUS-guided iodine 125 seed implantation (Group A), 31 patients received radiotherapy (Group B), 38 patients received chemotherapy (Group C) and 41 patients received chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy (Group D). At half month postoperatively, the dysphagia remission rate in Group A (100%) was better than that in Groups B (39.3%), C (20%), D (15.8%), respectively, in the original cohort (P < 0.01); At 1 month postoperatively, the dysphagia remission rate in Group A (86.7%) was better than that in Group B (57.1%) (P > 0.05), Group C (25.7%) (P < 0.05) and Group D (34.2%) (P < 0.05), respectively, in the original cohort. There was no statistically significant difference in median overall survival (OS) between Group A (16 months) and Group B (37 months) (P = 0.149), and between Group A (16months) and Group C (16 months) (P = 0.918) in the original cohort. The mean OS of Group D (54 months) was better than that of Group A (20 months) in the original cohort (P = 0.031). The incidences of grade ≥2 myelosuppression in Groups B, C, and D were 12.9%, 28.9%, and 43.9%, respectively; the incidence of grade ≥2 gastrointestinal adverse events in Groups B, C, and D were 12.9%, 15.8%, 12.2%, respectively. No serious adverse events were found in Group A. The radiation dose around the patient was reduced to a safe range after the distance from the implantation site was more than 1 m (4.2 ± 2.6 µSv/h) or with lead clothing (0.1 ± 0.07 µSv/h). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone, iodine-125 seed implantation might improve dysphagia more quickly and safely, further clinical data is needed to verify whether it could effectively prolong the OS of patients.

Regular fecal microbiota transplantation to Senescence Accelerated Mouse-Prone 8 (SAMP8) mice delayed the aging of locomotor and exploration ability by rejuvenating the gut microbiota.

Recent evidence points out the role of the gut microbiota in the aging process. However, the specific changes and relevant interventions remain unclear. In this study, Senescence Accelerated Mouse-Prone 8 (SAMP8) mice were divided into four groups; young-FMT-group transplanted fecal microbiota from young donors (2-3°months old) and old-FMT-group transplanted from old donors (10-11°months old); additionally, other two groups either adult mice injected with saline solution or untreated mice served as the saline and blank control groups, respectively. All mice were intervened from their 7-months-old until 13-months-old. The open field test at 9 and 11°months of age showed that the mice transplanted with gut microbiota from young donors had significantly better locomotor and exploration ability than those of transplanted with old-donors gut microbiota and those of saline control while was comparable with the blank control. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the gut microbiome of recipient mice of young donors was altered at 11°months of age, whereas the alternation of the gut microbiome of old-donor recipient mice was at 9°months. For comparison, the recipient mice in the blank and saline control groups exhibited changes in the gut microbiome at 10°months of age. The hallmark of aging-related gut microbiome change was an increase in the relative abundance of Akkermansia, which was significantly higher in the recipients transplanted with feces from older donors than younger donors at 9°months of age. This study shows that fecal microbiota transplantation from younger donors can delay aging-related declines in locomotor and exploration ability in mice by changing the gut microbiome.

Analysis of risk factors for post-endoscopic papillectomy bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) is an effective treatment for ampullary lesions but technically challenging because of anatomical specificities concerning the high rate of adverse events. Bleeding is one of the most feared complications and can be potentially life-threatening. AIM: To study the risk factors for bleeding after EP are presented with the goal of establishing preventive measures. METHODS: A total of 173 consecutive patients with ampullary lesions undergone EP from January 2006 to October 2020 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into a bleeding group and a non-bleeding group depending on whether postoperative bleeding occurred. Related factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistics regression. RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding was experienced in 33 patients (19.07%). Multivariate analysis also identified intraoperative bleeding (OR: 4.38, 95% CI: 1.87-11.15, p = .001) and endoscopic closure (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.10-0.58, p = .001) as independent factors significantly associated with bleeding after EP. Lesion size (≥3 cm) was shown as an independent factor significantly associated with intraoperative bleeding (OR: 4.25, 95% CI: 1.21-16.44, p = .028). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective evaluation found that endoscopic closure was associated with reduced risk and intraoperative bleeding with increased risk of bleeding after EP. Lesion size may indirectly influence the risk of postoperative bleeding by increasing the risk of intraoperative bleeding.

Oxidation of Membrane Lipids Alters the Activity of the Human Serotonin 1A Receptor.

Lipid oxidation has significant effects on lipid bilayer properties; these effects can be expected to extend to interactions between the lipid bilayer and integral membrane proteins. Given that G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activity is known to depend on the properties of the surrounding lipid bilayer, these proteins represent an intriguing class of molecules in which the impact of lipid oxidation on protein behavior is studied. Here, we study the effects of lipid oxidation on the human serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR). Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) containing integral 5-HT1AR were fabricated by the hydrogel swelling method; these GUVs contained polyunsaturated 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PLinPC) and its oxidation product 1-palmitoyl-2-(9'-oxo-nonanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PoxnoPC) at various ratios. 5-HT1AR-integrated GUVs were also fabricated from lipid mixtures that had been oxidized by extended exposure to the atmosphere. Both types of vesicles were used to evaluate 5-HT1AR activity using an assay to quantify GDP-GTP exchange by the coupled G protein α subunit. Results indicated that 5-HT1AR activity increases significantly in bilayers containing oxidized lipids. This work is an important step in understanding how hyperbaric oxidation can change plasma membrane properties and lead to physiological dysfunction.

A Multistrategy-Integrated Learning Sparrow Search Algorithm and Optimization of Engineering Problems.

The swarm intelligence algorithm is a new technology proposed by researchers inspired by the biological behavior of nature, which has been practically applied in various fields. As a kind of swarm intelligence algorithm, the newly proposed sparrow search algorithm has attracted extensive attention due to its strong optimization ability. Aiming at the problem that it is easy to fall into local optimum, this paper proposes an improved sparrow search algorithm (IHSSA) that combines infinitely folded iterative chaotic mapping (ICMIC) and hybrid reverse learning strategy. In the population initialization stage, the improved ICMIC strategy is combined to increase the distribution breadth of the population and improve the quality of the initial solution. In the finder update stage, a reverse learning strategy based on the lens imaging principle is utilized to update the group of discoverers with high fitness, while the generalized reverse learning strategy is used to update the current global worst solution in the joiner update stage. To balance exploration and exploitation capabilities, crossover strategy is joined to update scout positions. 14 common test functions are selected for experiments, and the Wilcoxon rank sum test method is achieved to verify the effect of the algorithm, which proves that IHSSA has higher accuracy and better convergence performance to obtain solutions than 9 algorithms such as WOA, GWO, PSO, TLBO, and SSA variants. Finally, the IHSSA algorithm is applied to three constrained engineering optimization problems, and satisfactory results are held, which proves the effectiveness and feasibility of the improved algorithm.

Endoscopic follow-up of mucosal defect after hot versus cold snare polypectomy in animal model.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) has received increasing attention in recent years, but few studies have assessed defect repair after polypectomy. Therefore, we compared the repair of mucosal defect after CSP and hot snare polypectomy (HSP) in a rabbit model. METHODS: Resection of normal colonic mucosa using both HSP and CSP were performed in 40 male New Zealand white rabbits by an experienced endoscopist. Follow-up colonoscopy was performed after 7 and 15 days by another endoscopist. We assessed mucosal defect repair, status of healing, scar formation, and intraoperative or delayed complications (including perforation and bleeding). RESULTS: Eight animals died of intraoperative or delayed perforation; follow-up colonoscopy was performed in 32 animals. On follow-up colonoscopy at 7 days after operation, 78.1% cases in the CSP group showed healing of mucosal defect compared with none in the HSP group (P < 0.001); mucosal repair score in the CSP group was significantly higher than HSP group (P < 0.001). On follow-up colonoscopy at 15 days, mucosal defect after CSP had completely healed in all cases (100%) versus 96.9% after HSP (P = 0.313). Among these healed defects, scar formation was observed in 2 of 32 cases in the CSP group compared with 19 of 31 in the HSP group (P < 0.001). Intraoperative perforation rate was significantly higher in the HSP group (15% vs 2.5%; P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Mucosal defect repair after CSP is quicker compared with HSP and is more likely to result in scarless healing. HSP is more likely to cause perforation in the thin colon walls.

[Cloning, expression and properties of trehalase from Pectobacterium cypripedii].

Trehalase is widely used in industrial fermentation, food, medicine and other fields. There is a lack of industrial varieties of trehalase with excellent performance in China. Moreover, the applied research on trehalase was not well conducted. In this study, a strain of Pectobacterium cypripedii was screened from nature, and the gene PCTre encoding an acidic trehalase was cloned and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3). The highest enzyme activity reached 4130 U/mL after fermenting in a 5 L fermenter for 28 h. The enzymatic properties study showed that PCTre hydrolyzed trehalose specifically. The optimum pH and temperature were 5.5 and 35 ℃, respectively. 80% of the enzyme activity was retained after being treated at pH 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0 for 8 h, showing good acid tolerance. Moreover, it has good tolerance to organic solvents, 60% enzyme activity was retained after being treated with 20% (V/V) ethanol solution for 24 h. Furthermore, trehalose could be completely hydrolyzed within 16 h in a simulated fermentation system containing 20% (V/V) ethanol and 7.5% trehalose, with 500 U/L PCTre added. This indicated a good application potential for industrial ethanol fermentation.

Factors related to stent patency and early elimination of jaundice using bile duct stent combined with iodine-125 seed implantation in malignant obstructive jaundice.

Purpose: Biliary stents combined with percutaneous or endoscopic ultrasound-guided iodine-125 seed implantation into primary tumor have been confirmed to relieve malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ), and prolong patient's stent patency. The aim of the study was to evaluate meaningful clinical application indications and better guide the application of this technology. Material and methods: Patients with MOJ, who have received bile duct stenting combined with iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation from October, 2010 to April, 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were adopted to indicate factors of stent patency in MOJ and influencing factors of jaundice reduction at one week after surgery. Results: A total of 90 patients were enrolled into the study, including 52 males (57.8%) and 38 females (42.2%), with a mean age of 68.66 ±12.53 years. The median stent patency was 8 months. No serious adverse events occurred during follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that Child-Pugh score (HR = 2.221, 95% CI: 1.081-4.562), biliary infection (HR = 1.901, 95% CI: 1.084-3.335), and pre-operative jaundice duration (HR = 1.977, 95% CI: 1.106-3.533) were the independent risk factors for stent patency. Child-Pugh B/C (OR = 4.647, 95% CI: 1.080-19.982) and bile duct infection (OR = 3.583, 95% CI: 1.095-11.725) were the independent risk factors for jaundice reduction at one week after surgery. Conclusions: MOJ patients treated with biliary stents combined with 125I seed implantation, and patients with better pre-operative liver function and no biliary tract infection, present not only longer biliary stent patency, but also better early jaundice reduction.