Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and gallstones: an analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: The weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) is a novel obesity index, and gallstones are associated with obesity. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between WWI and gallstones. METHODS: The datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2020 were used in a cross-sectional investigation. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the linear connection between WWI and gallstones incidence. Fitted smoothing curves and threshold effect analysis were used to describe the nonlinear relationship. RESULTS: The study comprised 8004 participants over the age of 20, including 833 reported with gallstones. Participants in the higher WWI tertile tended to have a higher gallstones prevalence. In the final adjusted model, a positive association between WWI and gallstones prevalence was observed (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.20‒1.49). Participants in the highest WWI tertile had a significantly 71% higher risk of gallstones than those in the lowest WWI tertile (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.35‒2.17). A nonlinear correlation was found between the WWI and gallstones prevalence, with an inflection point of 12.7. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that higher WWI levels connected with increased prevalence of gallstones. However, more prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Exenatide Versus Metformin in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects women of childbearing age, resulting in reproductive dysfunction, hyperinsulinemia, and obesity. While several drugs are currently approved for use in these patients, their relative effectiveness remains controversial. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the reproductive efficacy and safety of exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, versus metformin, an insulin sensitizer, in the treatment of patients with PCOS. Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, comprising 785 PCOS patients, of whom 385 received exenatide and 400 received metformin. Compared with metformin, exenatide was significantly more effective in treating these patients, as demonstrated by increased pregnancy rate (relative risk (RR) = 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28 to 2.92, P = 0.002), greater ovulation rate (RR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.80, P = 0.004), decreased body mass index (mean difference = - 1.72 kg/m2, 95% CI - 2.27 to - 1.18, P = 0.00001), and improved insulin resistance (standard mean difference = - 0.62, 95% CI - 0.91 to - 0.33, P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse events (gastrointestinal reactions, hypoglycemia, etc.) between the two therapies. However, given the moderate to high quality and possible bias of the included studies, the available evidence is inconclusive. More high-quality studies are needed to assess the effects of exenatide in order to provide stronger evidence for its use in this patient population.

Oreocharisguangwushanensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Sichuan Province, China.

A new species of Oreocharis, O.guangwushanensis from the Sichuan Province of south-western China, is described and illustrated here. This new species has a pink corolla that is different from other species of Oreocharis in southwest China and, although it is morphologically similar to O.ronganensis and O.reticuliflora, it has significant differences in the colour and shape of the corolla, the apex of the corolla limb, shape and indumentum of the filaments and a shorter pistil. A detailed description, colour photographs, distribution and habitat, as well as the IUCN conservation status, are also provided.

[Clinical analysis of modified Chaiping decoction in treating HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B].

To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Chaiping decoction for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B under DaBianZheng theory(syndrome differentiation theory) guidance with understanding of purgative detoxing and modern pharmacology research of traditional Chinese medicine. The patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B(n=119) were randomly divided into treatment group(n=69) and control group(n=50). The patients in treatment group were treated with the modified Chaiping decoction(6 doses per week, one dose every day in two times by oral administration), and the patients in control group were treated with lamivudine(LAM) (100 mg/time, once a day). All of patients were treated for 48 weeks. The liver functions, levels of DNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV-DNA) and clinical symptoms were observed at weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48 in both groups. The levels of ALT and HBV-DNA in serum were also observed 24 weeks and 48 weeks after treatment in two groups. There was no significant difference in total effective rate between treatment group and control group at week 24, but the total effective rate in treatment group was higher than that in the control group at weeks 12, 36 and 48(P<0.05); the improvement of liver functions in the treatment group was superior than that in the control group at weeks 12, 36 weeks and 48(P<0.01 or P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at week 24; the improvement of serum HBV-DNA in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group at week 12(P<0.01), but there was no significant difference at weeks 24, 36 and 48; the negative converse rate of serum HBV-DNA in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group at weeks 12, 24 and 36(P<0.01 or P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at week 48; the improvement of fatigue, lassitude, abdominal distension and hypochondriac pain in treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group at weeks 12 and 24(P<0.01 or P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the improvement of fatigue and hypochondriac pain at weeks 36 and 48; the abnormal rate of ALT in treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group 24 weeks and 48 weeks after drug withdrawal(P<0.01); there was no significant difference in abnormal rate of serum HBV-DNA 24 weeks after drug withdrawal, but it was significantly lower than that in the control group 48 weeks after drug withdrawal(P<0.05). Modified Chaiping decoction with combination of long term medication and intermittent administration showed better clinical efficacy on HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Its prescription compositions shall be further optimized and consummated under guidance of disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation, and its clinical research on hepatic fibrosis and living quality shall be carried out.