The Overlap Subgroup of Functional Dyspepsia Exhibits More Severely Impaired Gastric and Autonomic Functions.

GOALS: A combination of multiple tests was introduced to noninvasively investigate the differences in pathophysiologies among functional dyspepsia (FD) subgroups, including postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), and overlap. BACKGROUND: It has not been extensively evaluated whether different pathophysiologies are involved in FD subgroups. STUDY: This multicenter study included 364 FD patients fulfilling Rome IV criteria and 47 healthy controls. A combined noninvasive gastric and autonomic function test was performed: The electrogastrogram and electrocardiogram were recorded simultaneously in the fasting state and after a drink test. Symptoms after drinking were recorded using visual analog scale. RESULTS: (1) Compared with HC, FD patients showed a decreased maximum tolerable volume (MTV) ( P <0.01) and percentage of normal gastric slow waves [normal gastric slow waves (%NSW)] ( P <0.01), and increased postdrinking symptoms, anxiety ( P <0.01), and depression ( P <0.01). The drink reduced %NSW in both FD patients and HC; however, the effect was more potent in patients. (2) The PDS and overlap groups displayed a reduced MTV ( P <0.05). The overlap group exhibited a higher symptom score at 30 minutes after drinking, and higher anxiety and depression scores, and a higher sympathovagal ratio than the EPS ( P <0.05 for all) and PDS ( P <0.01 for all). (3) In the PDS subgroup, the MTV, postprandial sympathovagal ratio, and depression were associated with the overall dyspepsia symptom scale (DSS, P =0.034, 0.021, 0.043, respectively). No significant associations were found in the other 2 subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of multiple tests can detect pathophysiological abnormities in FD patients. Overall, patients with overlap symptoms display more severe pathophysiologies.

Characteristics and treatment strategies of aggressive angiomyxoma in women: A retrospective review of 87 cases.

Objective: Aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) is a rare kind of soft tissue tumor. The purpose of this study is to summarize the clinical manifestations and treatment strategy of AAM in women. Method: We searched the case reports on AAM in EMBASE, Web of Science and PubMed, China biomedical database, Wanfang database, VIP database, and China National Knowledge Internet from the start of database construction to November 2022 without any language restrictions in place. Then, the obtained case data were extracted, summarized, and analyzed. Result: A total of 74 articles were retrieved involving 87 cases. The age ranges of onset were 2-67 years. The median age at onset was 34 years. The size of the tumor varied greatly among individuals, and about 65.5% of them were asymptomatic. MRI, ultrasound, and needle biopsy were used for diagnosis. Surgery was the primary mode of treatment, but it was prone to relapse. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) might be used to reduce the tumor size before the operation and prevent recurrence after the operation. For patients who are unwilling to receive surgical treatment, GnRH-a alone could be attempted. Conclusion: Doctors should consider the possibility of AAM in women with genital tumors. For surgery, it must be ensured that the negative surgical margin is recommended and achieved for preventing recurrence, but we should not ignore the impact of the excessive pursuit for a negative margin on the patient's reproductive function protection and postoperative recovery. Long-term follow-up is necessary regardless of whether patients receive medical treatment or surgical treatment.

Assessment of dietary nutrient intake and its relationship to the nutritional status of patients with Crohn’s Disease in Guangdong Province of China / Evaluación de la ingesta de nutrientes y su relación con el estado nutricional de los pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn en la provincia de Guangdong de China

Background and objectives: to investigate the association between the dietary nutrient intake and nutritional status of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: sixty CD patients who had been diagnosed but had not begun treatment were enrolled. The dietary nutrient intake was recorded after three days of 24-hour recall and was calculated using NCCW2006 software. The nutrition levels were assessed using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Indicators included body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference, the circumference of the upper-arm muscle, triceps skinfold thickness, handgrip strength, and the circumference of both calves. Results: eighty-five per cent of CD patients did not meet the necessary energy requirements. Of these, the protein and dietary fiber intake in 63.33 % and 100 %, respectively, were below the standard of the Chinese dietary reference. Many patients had insufficient intake of vitamins, as well as other macro- and micronutrients. An inverse association was observed between the risk of malnutrition and higher levels of energy (1,590.0-2,070.6 kcal/d, OR = 0.050, 95 % CI: 0.009-0.279) and protein (55.6-70.5 g/d, OR = 0.150, 95 % CI: 0.029-0.773). Appropriate supplementation of vitamin E, calcium, and other dietary nutrients helped to reduce the risk of malnutrition. (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivos: investigar la asociación entre la ingesta de nutrientes y el estado nutricional de los pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn (EC). Métodos: se reclutaron 60 pacientes de EC que habían sido diagnosticados, pero no habían iniciado ningún tratamiento. La ingesta de nutrientes se registró tras 3 días de recordatorio de 24 horas y se calculó utilizando el software NCCW2006. El estado nutricional se evaluó mediante la valoración global subjetiva generada por el paciente (PG-SGA). Los indicadores incluyeron el índice de masa corporal, la circunferencia media del brazo, la circunferencia del músculo de la parte superior del brazo, el grosor del pliegue cutáneo del tríceps, la fuerza de agarre y la circunferencia de la pantorrilla. Resultados: el 85 % de los pacientes de EC no cubrieron las necesidades energéticas necesarias. De estos, las ingestas de proteína y fibra dietética en el 63,33 % y el 100 %, respectivamente, era más baja que lo que recominenda la norma de referencia dietética china. Muchos pacientes tuvieron una ingesta insuficiente de vitaminas, así como de otros macronutrientes y micronutrientes. Se observó una asociación inversa entre el riesgo de desnutrición y niveles más altos de energía (1590,0-2070,6 kcal/d, OR = 0,050, IC 95 % = 0,009-0,279) y proteínas (55,6-70,5 g/d, OR = 0,150, IC 95 % = 0,029-0,773). La suplementación adecuada de vitamina E, calcio y otros nutrientes dietéticos ayudó a reducir el riesgo de desnutrición. (AU)

Assessment of dietary nutrient intake and its relationship to the nutritional status of patients with Crohn's Disease in Guangdong Province of China.

Introduction: Background and objectives: to investigate the association between the dietary nutrient intake and nutritional status of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: sixty CD patients who had been diagnosed but had not begun treatment were enrolled. The dietary nutrient intake was recorded after three days of 24-hour recall and was calculated using NCCW2006 software. The nutrition levels were assessed using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Indicators included body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference, the circumference of the upper-arm muscle, triceps skinfold thickness, handgrip strength, and the circumference of both calves. Results: eighty-five per cent of CD patients did not meet the necessary energy requirements. Of these, the protein and dietary fiber intake in 63.33 % and 100 %, respectively, were below the standard of the Chinese dietary reference. Many patients had insufficient intake of vitamins, as well as other macro- and micronutrients. An inverse association was observed between the risk of malnutrition and higher levels of energy (1,590.0-2,070.6 kcal/d, OR = 0.050, 95 % CI: 0.009-0.279) and protein (55.6-70.5 g/d, OR = 0.150, 95 % CI: 0.029-0.773). Appropriate supplementation of vitamin E, calcium, and other dietary nutrients helped to reduce the risk of malnutrition. Conclusions: significant deficiencies in dietary nutrient intake were found in CD patients, and dietary intake was associated with the nutritional status of the patient. Appropriate adjustment and supplementation of nutrient intake may reduce malnutrition risk in CD patients. The gap between actual consumption and recommendation indicates a need for improved nutritional counseling and monitoring. Early relevant advice for the dietary guidance of CD patients may be beneficial for long-term effects associated with nutritional status.

Introducción: Antecedentes y objetivos: investigar la asociación entre la ingesta de nutrientes y el estado nutricional de los pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn (EC). Métodos: se reclutaron 60 pacientes de EC que habían sido diagnosticados, pero no habían iniciado ningún tratamiento. La ingesta de nutrientes se registró tras 3 días de recordatorio de 24 horas y se calculó utilizando el software NCCW2006. El estado nutricional se evaluó mediante la valoración global subjetiva generada por el paciente (PG-SGA). Los indicadores incluyeron el índice de masa corporal, la circunferencia media del brazo, la circunferencia del músculo de la parte superior del brazo, el grosor del pliegue cutáneo del tríceps, la fuerza de agarre y la circunferencia de pantorrilla. Resultados: el 85 % de los pacientes de EC no cubrieron las necesidades energéticas necesarias. De estos, las ingestas de proteína y fibra dietética en el 63,33 % y el 100 %, respectivamente, era más baja que lo que recominenda la norma de referencia dietética china. Muchos pacientes tuvieron una ingesta insuficiente de vitaminas, así como de otros macronutrientes y micronutrientes. Se observó una asociación inversa entre el riesgo de desnutrición y niveles más altos de energía (1590,0-2070,6 kcal/d, OR = 0,050, IC 95 % = 0,009-0,279) y proteínas (55,6-70,5 g/d, OR = 0,150, IC 95 % = 0,029-0,773). La suplementación adecuada de vitamina E, calcio y otros nutrientes dietéticos ayudó a reducir el riesgo de desnutrición. Conclusiones: se observaron deficiencias significativas en la ingesta de nutrientes en los pacientes con EC, y la ingesta dietética se asoció con el estado nutricional del paciente. El ajuste y la suplementación adecuados de la ingesta de nutrientes pueden reducir el riesgo de malnutrición de los pacientes con EC. La diferencia entre el consumo real y la recomendación indica la necesidad de mejorar el asesoramiento y el seguimiento nutricional. El consejo temprano pertinente para la orientación dietética de los pacientes con EC puede ser beneficioso para los efectos a largo plazo asociados al estado nutricional.

Effects of Bu Shen Hua Zhuo formula on the LPS/TLR4 pathway and gut microbiota in rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in gynecology. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used for the treatment of PCOS in China. The Bu Shen Hua Zhuo formula (BSHZF), a TCM decoction, has shown great therapeutic efficacy in clinical practice. However, the mechanism underlying the BSHZF function in PCOS remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the potential mechanisms of action of BSHZF in the treatment of PCOS. PCOS-model rats treated with letrozole were administered different doses of BSHZF, metformin, and 1% carboxymethylcellulose. Serum sex hormones, fasting blood glucose, and fasting insulin levels were measured, and the morphology of the ovaries was observed in each group, including the normal group. The structure and abundance of the gut microbiota in rats were measured using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and phospho-NF-κB p65 levels in the ovarian tissue of the rats were detected using Western blotting. Furthermore, the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in the serum of rats were detected by ELISA. The results showed that BSHZF administration was associated with a decrease in body weight, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and testosterone and changes in ovarian morphology in PCOS-model rats. Moreover, BSHZF was associated with an increase in the α-diversity of gut microbiota, decrease in the relative abundance of Firmicutes, and increase in Lactobacillus and short chain fatty acid-producing bacteria (Allobaculum, Bacteroides, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014). Furthermore, BSHZF may promote carbohydrate and protein metabolism. In addition, BSHZF was associated with a decrease in the serum level of LPS and TLR4 expression, thereby inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling-mediated inflammatory response in ovarian tissue. Therefore, the beneficial effects of BSHZF on PCOS pathogenesis are associated with its ability to normalize gut microbiota function and inhibit PCOS-related inflammation.

Overexpression of Bmi­1 promotes epithelial­mesenchymal transition in CD133+Hep G2 cells.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT) are critical factors contributing to tumor metastasis and recurrence. The BMI1 proto­oncogene (Bmi­1) promotes the development and progression of hematologic malignancies and of several types of solid tumors. The aim of the present study was to explore the mechanism by which Bmi­1 may promote invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma Hep G2 cells. CD133 antigen is a transmembrane glycoprotein and regarded as a cancer stem cells marker in hepatocellular carcinoma. CD133+Hep G2 cells were enriched by magnetic­activated cell sorting and exhibited greater viability compared with CD133­Hep G2 cells, as measured by Cell Counting kit­8 assay. Then, Bmi­1 was overexpressed in CD133+Hep G2 cells by transfection with the Bmi­1/pcDNA3.1(+) expression plasmid, and overexpression was confirmed by reverse­transcription­polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Overexpression of Bmi­1in CD133+Hep G2 cells resulted in the downregulation of E­cadherin and upregulation of Vimentin at the protein level. The invasion and migration abilities of CD133+Hep G2 cells were increased in the Bmi­1/pcDNA3.1(+)­transfected group, as measured by Transwell invasion and wound healing assays, respectively. In conclusion, Bmi­1 promoted invasion and migration of CD133+Hep G2 cells most likely through inducing EMT. The present findings may offer a potential novel target for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma therapies.

Bmi-1 promotes the invasion and migration of colon cancer stem cells through the downregulation of E-cadherin.

Metastasis and recurrence are the challenges of cancer therapy. Recently, mounting evidence has suggested that cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are critical factors in tumor metastasis and recurrence. The oncogene, Bmi-1, promotes the development of hematologic malignancies and many solid tumors. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms through which Bmi-1 promotes the invasion and migration of colon CSCs (CCSCs) using the HCT116 colon cancer cell line. Sphere formation medium and magnetic­activated cell sorting were used to enrich and screen the CCSCs. CD133 and CD44 were regarded as markers of CCSCs and they were found to be co-expressed in the HCT116 colon cancer cell line. Colony formation assay, cell proliferation assay and viability assay using the Cell Counting Kit-8, and transplantation assay using nude mice injected with CCSCs were used to examine the CCSCs. The CD133+CD44+ HCT116 cells exhibited greater cloning efficiency, an enhanced proliferative ability, increased cell viability and stronger tumorigenicity; these cells were used as the CCSCs for subsequent experiments. In addition, the invasive and migratory abilities of the CD133+CD44+ HCT116 cells were markedly decreased when Bmi-1 was silenced by small interfering RNA (siRNA). The results of RT-qPCR and western blot analysis suggested that Bmi-1 had a negative effect on E-cadherin expression. On the whole, our findings suggest that Bmi-1 promotes the invasion and migration of CCSCs through the downregulation of E-cadherin, possibly by inducing EMT. Our findings thus indicate that Bmi-1 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of colon cancer.

Effects of "Danzhi Decoction" on Chronic Pelvic Pain, Hemodynamics, and Proinflammatory Factors in the Murine Model of Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Objective. To evaluate the effect of Danzhi decoction (DZD) on chronic pelvic pain (CPP), hemodynamics, and proinflammatory factors of sequelae of pelvic inflammatory diseases (SPID) in murine model. Methods. SPID mice were randomly treated with high-dose DZD, mid-dose DZD, low-dose DZD, aspirin, and vehicle for 3 estrous circles. The Mouse Grimace Scale (MGS) was performed to evaluate CPP; blood flows of the upper genital tract, pelvic wall, and mesentery were used to assess hemodynamics in SPID mice; expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and osteopontin (OPN) were measured by Western blot and immunochemistry. Results. Treatment with dose-dependent DZD significantly decreased the MGS scores, accelerated blood flows of the pelvis, and reduced expressions of VEGF, Ang-2, and OPN in the upper genital tract. Conclusions and Discussions. DZD was effective in relieving CPP and improving hemodynamics of the pelvic blood-stasis microenvironment in SPID mice. There was a relationship between CPP and the pelvic blood-stasis microenvironment. Furthermore, DZD might play a positive role in the anti-inflammatory process.