Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of dyslipidemia in Chinese diabetic Population: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In contemporary times, increased prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and elevated dyslipidemia levels present substantial public health challenges. However, the relationship between H. pylori and dyslipidemia remains inconclusive. No studies have yet conducted a population-based classification to investigate the impact of H. pylori infection on dyslipidemia in individuals with diabetes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on a total of 60,535 individuals who underwent health check-ups at the Health Examination Center in Taizhou Hospital from 2017 to 2022. Physical measurements, hematological markers and detection of H. pylori were gathered from all patients. The study population was further stratified into diabetic and non-diabetic groups for analysis. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was found to be an autonomous risk factor for dyslipidemia based on the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.24). However, no notable effect on dyslipidemia in the non-diabetic group was observed. Furthermore, at the follow-up, the group with persistent negative showed a significantly lower incidence ratio of dyslipidemia compared to the group with persistent infection (P = 0.006). The persistent negative group exhibited a significantly higher rate of improvement in dyslipidemia compared to the new infection group (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: In the diabetic population, the presence of H. pylori infection heightens the propensity for developing dyslipidemia. Therefore, the implementation of efficient eradication strategies for H. pylori infection could potentially lead to a decrease in the occurrence of dyslipidemia among individuals with diabetes.

Persistent Helicobacter pylori infection leads to elevated fasting plasma glucose level: A retrospective cohort study based on a nondiabetes Chinese population.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and fast plasma glucose (FPG) on nondiabetes populations is still inconclusive. Nowadays, not only the high infection rate of H. pylori but also the high FPG level is threatening the Chinese people. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study has been established to analyze the relationship between H. pylori infection and FPG level, 18 164 individuals performed healthy examination in Taizhou Hospital Health Examination Center from 2017 to 2022 were included, and hematological indicators, body parameters, and H. pylori detection by 13 C-urea breath test were collected from patients. The follow-up intervals were greater than 12 months. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was regarded as an independent risk factor for elevated FPG after multivariate logistic regression. Additionally, the average interval time were 33.6 ± 13.3 months. Mean changed FPG values in the persistent infection group were higher than in the subgroup of persistent negative (P = 0.029) as well as eradication infection (P = 0.007). The aforementioned changes began to appear after 2 years of follow-up. Similarly, when compared with the subgroup of persistent infection, mean changed triglyceride/high density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) values were much lower in the subgroup of persistent negative (P = 0.008) and eradication infection (P = 0.018), but the differences appeared after 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection is an independent risk factor for elevated FPG in non-diabetes mellitus (DM) individuals. Persistent H. pylori infection causes an increase in FPG level and TG/HDL, which may be a risk factor for diabetes mellitus.

Persistent Helicobacter pylori infection for more than 3 years leads to elevated serum homocysteine concentration: A retrospective cohort study based on a healthy Chinese population.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The relationship between the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and homocysteine is unclear. We evaluated the effect of H. pylori on serum homocysteine in a healthy Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 21 184 individuals aged over 18 years underwent 13 C/14 C urease breath test (13 C/14 C-UBT) and blood tests and 5042 individuals with follow-up intervals greater than 6 months. Homocysteine levels are classified according to the Chinese expert consensus. RESULTS: The rates of H. pylori infection of normal level, mild level, moderate level, and severe level were 40.9%, 43.8%, 45.8%, and 46.6%, respectively (P = 0.000). H. pylori infection increased the risk of higher homocysteine concentration (OR = 1.406, P = 0.000). In the case-control study, the rates of persistent negative, new infection, persistent infection, and eradication infection were 43.6%, 11.2%, 22.9%, and 22.3%, respectively. The percentage of changes in serum homocysteine levels varied significantly among the different H. pylori infection statuses only in mild level (P = 0.024). Mean changed homocysteine values were higher in the subgroup of persistent infection than in the persistent negative subgroup (P = 0.004) and the eradication infection subgroup (P = 0.034). Serum homocysteine values were elevated only in the subgroup with over 3 years interval time and persistent infection (n = 107, mean paired differences = 1.1 ± 4.6 µmol/L, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between H. pylori and serum homocysteine, and persistent infection leads to elevation of the latter.

Persistent infection of Helicobacter pylori affects weight loss in obese population compared with persistent negative: A case-control study based on healthy Chinese.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and body mass index (BMI) is still inconclusive. Not only the high rate of H pylori infection but also the increasing higher BMI levels are endangering Chinese today. METHODS: The aim of this research was to evaluate the association between different situations of H pylori infection and BMI values or levels in Chinese healthy population. A total of 39 091 individuals aged from 18 years to 80 years, performed healthy examination including a 13 C/14 C urease breath test (13 C/14 C-UBT), were included. Among them, 30 224 individuals only had one time of health examination, and 8867 had two or more times. A case-cohort data of 8752 with an interval time more than 6 months, collected by the first and the last time, were established from the latter. BMI groups are classified according to the China recommendation: low weight (<18.5 kg/m2 ), normal weight (18.5 ~ 23.9 kg/m2 ), overweight (24.0 ~ 27.9 kg/m2 ), and obesity (≥28.0 kg/m2 ). RESULTS: The rate of H pylori infection among low weight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity was 43.2%, 44.7%, 46.4%, and 48.0%, respectively (P = .000). H pylori infection increased the risk of higher level of BMI (OR = 1.077, 95% confidence interval = 1.036-1.119, χ2  = 14.048, P = .000) with adjustments for sex and age. In the case-control study, the rate of persistent negative, persistent infection, new infection, and eradicated infection was 39.5%, 25.8%, 15.8%, and 18.9%, respectively, with a median interval time of 13 months. The mean obesity BMI descend values in the persistent negative subgroup were lower than those in the persistent infection subgroup (-0.21 ± 1.19 kg/m2 vs -0.003 ± 1.01 kg/m2 , P = .021). But the change of BMI classifications had no difference between the subgroups of H pylori infection in different BMI levels. CONCLUSIONS: H pylori infection was positively correlated with higher BMI levels. And H pylori persistent infection had a negative effect on the fall of BMI values in Chinese obese population.

Metallothionein-1 suppresses rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis by shifting the Th17/Treg balance.

It is now well accepted that an imbalance between the Th17 and regulatory T-cell responses is closely associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the precise regulatory mechanism for the differentiation of Th17 and Treg in RA is not well characterized. The present study showed that metallothionein-1 (MT-1), which is a low molecular weight protein that is involved in the detoxification of heavy metals and scavenging of free radicals, was upregulated in RA. Furthermore, the synovial inflammation and pathologic symptoms in collagen-induced arthritis and collagen antibody-induced arthritis mice were significantly suppressed when MT-1 was expressed intraarticularly. Further investigation revealed that MT-1 inhibited the differentiation of Th17 cells but enhanced that of Treg cells. Furthermore, it markedly decreased both STAT3 and RAR-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) expression in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our studies demonstrated that MT-1 might manifest as a protein involved in immunosuppression of RA pathogenesis by shifting Th17/Treg balance and may prove to be a potential therapeutic target for RA autoimmune diseases.

Interleukin-37 is increased in ankylosing spondylitis patients and associated with disease activity.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-37 (IL-37) has been known to play an immunosuppressive role in various inflammatory disorders, but whether it participates in the regulation of pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has not been investigated. Here, we examined the serum levels of IL-37 and its clinical association in AS, and explored the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-37 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from AS patients. METHODS: The mRNA levels of IL-37, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 in PBMCs and their serum concentrations from 46 AS patients were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), respectively. The correlations between serum IL-37 levels with disease activity, laboratory values and pro-inflammatory cytokines in AS were analyzed by Spearman correlation test. PBMCs from 46 AS patients were stimulated with recombinant IL-37 protein, expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls (HC), AS patients and active AS patients showed higher levels of IL-37 in PBMCs and serum respectively. Strikingly, serum IL-37 levels were higher in AS patients with osteoporosis than those without. Serum levels of IL-37 were correlated with laboratory values as well as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17, but not IL-23 in patients with AS. The productions of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 in PBMCs from AS patients were obviously attenuated after recombinant IL-37 stimulation, but not in the HC. CONCLUSION: The higher levels of IL-37 were found in AS patients, which were correlated with disease activity and AS related pro-inflammatory cytokines. More importantly, IL-37 inhibits the expressions of the pro-inflammatory cytokines from PBMCs in AS patients, indicating the potential anti-inflammatory role of IL-37 in AS.

[Construction of Eukaryotic Expression Vector Containing ROP18-ROP12 of Toxoplasma gondii RH Strain].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid containing ROP18-ROP12 (encoding rhoptry protein 18 and 12) complex gene of Toxoplasma gondii, and examine its expression in eukaryotic cells. METHODS: Recombinant plasmids pVAX1-ROP18 and pVAX1-ROP12 were digested by restriction enzymes BamH I and Xba I . ROP12 gene was cloned into pVAX1-ROP18 to construct the eukaryotic expression plasmid pVAX1-ROP18- ROP12. After colony PCR, enzyme digestion and sequencing, the correct recombinant plasmid pVAX1-ROP18-ROP12 was transfected into HeLa cells. Along with it were groups of empty plasmid, pVAX1-ROP18 and pVAX1-ROP12. Total RNA was extracted from HeLa cells and reverse-transcribed to cDNA. RT-PCR was performed to evaluate mRNA expression of the housekeeping gene ß-actin and ROP18-ROP12 complex gene. Immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting were performed to determine the protein levels of ROP18-ROP12 fusion protein. RESULTS: Colony PCR in recombinant plasmid pVAX1-ROP18-ROP12 showed a specific band at about 2 373 bp, consistent with expectation. The extracted recombinant plasmids were confirmed by Hind III, BamH I and Xba I digestion. Sequencing results showed that the sequence of pVAX1-ROP18-ROP12 was 100% identical to that of T. gondii RH strain ROP18 gene (Accession No. AM075204.1) and 99% identical to that of T. gondii RH strain ROP12 gene (Accession No. DQ096559.1). Further, RT-PCR showed amplification products at 613 bp for ß-actin in all the groups, while only the pVAX1-ROP18-ROP12 transfection group showed amplification products for the ROP18-ROP12 complex at 2,373 bp. In addition, the indirect immunofluorescence assay showed yellow-green fluorescence in HeLa cells transfected with pVAX1-ROP18-ROP12, but not in control cells. Western blotting showed that the ROP18-ROP12 fusion protein was expressed in HeLa cells transfected with recombinant plasmid pVAX1-ROP18-ROP12. CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant eukaryotic plasmid pVAX1-ROP18-ROP-2 is constructed and can be expressed in eukaryotic system.

IL-37 inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: its correlation with disease activity.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-37 (IL-37), a new member of IL-1 family cytokine, is recently identified as a natural inhibitor of innate immunity. This study aimed to measure the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum levels of IL-37 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to investigate its role in SLE, including its correlation with disease activity, organ disorder and the regulation of inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: The expressions of IL-37 mRNAs in PBMCs and serum IL-37 levels in 66 SLE patients were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SLE patients PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant IL-37, levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-10 were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: IL-37 mRNAs and serum protein levels were higher in patients with SLE compared with healthy controls. Patients with active disease showed higher IL-37 mRNAs and serum protein levels compared with those with inactive disease as well as healthy controls. Serum IL-37 levels correlated with SLEDAI and inversely with C3 and C4. Serum IL-37 levels were higher in SLE patients with renal involvement compared with those without renal disease. In vitro, IL-37 inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in PBMCs of patients with SLE, whereas the production of IL-10 was unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: IL-37 associated with SLE disease activity, especially related with SLE renal disease activity. IL-37 is an important cytokine in the control of SLE pathogenesis by suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, IL-37 may provide a novel research target for the pathogenesis and therapy of SLE.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on body fat percentage in middle-aged and elderly populations.

Obesity, which is associated with excessive accumulation of body fat, is emerging as a new public health problem. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a non-invasive and straightforward method to analyze body composition, providing a more accurate estimate of obesity than the commonly used body mass index. The primary objective of this study was to examine the potential impact of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on body fat percentage in a population using cross-sectional and cohort studies. METHODS: A population of people who underwent physical examinations at Taizhou Hospital between 2017 and 2022 was included. The participants underwent various tests, including urea breath test, hematological examination, and anthropometric measurement, in addition, their body fat percentage was determined through the use of BIA. Univariate and multifactorial regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with excess body fat. RESULTS: There was a difference in body fat percentage between H. pylori positive and negative populations. The population was divided into young and middle-aged and elderly according to age, and H. pylori infection was found to differ only in the middle-aged and elderly population. Multifactorial logistic regression showed that H. pylori infection remained associated with excess body fat in the middle-aged and elderly population. A subsequent cohort study confirmed the association of persistent H. pylori infection with excess body fat in the population. CONCLUSION: H. pylori was negatively associated with excess body fat in middle-aged and elderly populations, and long-term H. pylori infection has a negative effect on body fat in people.

[Cloning and bioinformatics analysis of rhoptry protein 11 of Toxoplasma gondii].

Total RNA was extracted from tachyzoites of RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii. The open reading frame of ROP11 gene was amplified by using a pair of specific primers designed according to the coding sequence of ROP11 gene (Accession No. DQ077905). The RT-PCR product was digested by restriction enzyme EcoR I and Not I, and then ligated into a pGEX-6P-2 vector. The recombinant plasmid was transferred into E. coli XL-Blue. The positive clones was selected by colony PCR, and confirmed by the double restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The RT-PCR product was 1,548 bp. The recombinant plasmid was confirmed by colony PCR and double restriction enzyme digestion. Sequencing results showed that the obtained ROP11 gene was 1 548 bp (Accession No. KC456639). There was a high sequence consistency (99%) between the obtained ROP11 gene sequence and the Toxoplasma ROP11 gene from GenBank. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the ROP11 protein (Mr 57,020) consisted of the signal peptide (amino acids 1-26), 12 conservative domains, a serine/threonine protein kinase catalytic domain (amino acids 170-511), and two potential N-glycosylation sites.

Carbonated Beverages and Puffed Foods Cause Gastric Rupture.

INTRODUCTION: Carbonated beverages and puffed foods are popular among young people during leisure and entertainment. However, there have been a few death cases reported after ingesting large amounts of junk food in a short time. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with acute abdominal pain due to a bad mood and consumption of large amounts of carbonated beverages and puffed foods. Emergency surgery revealed a ruptured dilated stomach combined with severe abdominal infection, and the patient died after the surgery. CONCLUSION: We should keep in mind the possibility of gastrointestinal perforation in patients with acute abdomen with a history of heavy consumption of carbonated beverages and puffed foods. We need to evaluate the acute abdomen patients after taking large amounts of carbonated beverages and puffed foods in combination with symptoms, signs, inflammatory indicators, imaging and other examinations, and the possibility of gastric perforation needs to be considered, and emergency repair surgery should be arranged.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori and glycated hemoglobin: a cohort study.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has increasingly been shown to be related to extragastric diseases. Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), an indicator of glycemic control, is closely linked to the event of diabetes. The purpose of this research was to analyze the association between H. pylori and HbA1c through a cohort study. Methods: The population who underwent multiple physical checkups in the physical examination center of Taizhou Hospital was included. All of them underwent urea breath test, serological examination and physical parameter measurement. Multiple regression was used for analyzing the influencing factors of HbA1c. In addition, the result of HbA1c on H. pylori infection was studied by restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis. The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index represents the level of insulin resistance (IR) in the population. The population was classified on the basis of primary and last H. pylori infection, therefore, the variations of HbA1c and TyG index among totally different teams were investigated. Results: Multiple regression demonstrated that H. pylori was an influential factor in HbA1c. RCS analysis showed a nonlinear relationship between HbA1c and H. pylori infection. When HbA1c>5.7%, the chance of H. pylori infection was considerably enlarged. Additionally, long-term H. pylori infection increased HbA1c levels, while HbA1c levels decreased after H. pylori eradication. Similarly, long-term H. pylori infection also increased the TyG index. Conclusion: Prediabetes increases the danger of H. pylori infection, long-term H. pylori infection increases HbA1c and IR levels, and wipeout of H. pylori could have a positive impact for glycemic control in the population.

Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of carotid plaque formation: Clinical samples combined with bioinformatics analysis.

Objective: Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) may increase atherosclerosis, which can lead to carotid plaque formation. Our study examined the relationship between H. pylori infection and carotid plaque formation, and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: A total of 36,470 people who underwent physical examination in Taizhou Hospital Health Examination Center from June 2017 to June 2022 were included in this study. All people participated in the urease test, neck ultrasound, blood pressure detection, anthropometric measurement and biochemical laboratory examination. In addition, the GSE27411 and GSE28829 datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used to analyze the mechanism of H. pylori infection and atherosclerosis progression. Results: H. pylori infection, sex, age, blood lipids, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and body mass index were risk factors for carotid plaque formation. An independent risk factor was still evident in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, indicating H. pylori infection. Furthermore, after weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), we discovered 555 genes linked to both H. pylori infection and the advancement of atherosclerosis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed a strong correlation between these genes and immunity, infection, and immune disorders. SsGSEA analysis showed that H. pylori infection and atherosclerosis included changes in the immune microenvironment. Finally, three genes MS4A6A, ADAMDEC1 and AQP9 were identified to be involved in the formation of atherosclerosis after H. pylori infection. Conclusion: Our research affirms that H. pylori is a unique contributor to the formation of carotid plaque, examines the immune microenvironment associated with H. pylori infection and advanced carotid atherosclerosis, and offers fresh perspectives on how H. pylori infection leads to atherosclerosis.

PAK1 contributes to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating the blood-brain barrier integrity.

Globally, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and significant contributors to disability. Gaining a thorough comprehension of the underlying pathogenic processes is essential for stroke treatment and prevention. In this study, we investigated the role of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) in stroke by using oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (tMCAO/R) models. We reported that focal ischemia and reperfusion affect the PAK1 expression and activity levels. We further demonstrated that PAK1 is responsible for the endothelial hyperpermeability that occurs in the early stages of ischemia and reperfusion. Additionally, inhibition of PAK1 was discovered to alleviate blood-brain barrier disruption and protect against brain injury induced by tMCAO/R. Mechanistically, we provide the evidence that PAK1 regulates the formation of stress fibers and expression of surface junctional proteins. Together, our findings reveal a pathogenic function of PAK1 in stroke.

Diurnal Regulation of Leaf Photosynthesis Is Related to Leaf-Age-Dependent Changes in Assimilate Accumulation in Camellia oleifera.

In order to clarify the mechanism of diurnal changes in photosynthesis of leaves of different leaf ages in Camellia oleifera, current-year leaves (CLs) and annual leaves (ALs) were used as the test materials to analyze the diurnal changes in photosynthetic parameters, assimilate contents and enzyme activities, as well as structural differences and expression levels of sugar transport regulating genes. The rate of net photosynthesis in CLs and ALs was highest in the morning. During the day, there was a decrease in the CO2 assimilation rate, and this decrease was greater in ALs than in CLs at midday. The maximal efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (Fv/Fm) showed a decreasing trend as the sunlight intensity increased, but no significant difference between CLs and ALs was found. Compared with CLs, ALs showed a greater decrease in the carbon export rate at midday and the levels of sugars and starch increased significantly in ALs, accompanied by higher enzyme activity of sucrose synthetase and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. In addition, compared with CLs, ALs had a larger leaf vein area and higher leaf vein density, as well as higher expression levels of sugar transport regulating genes during the day. It is concluded that the excessive accumulation of assimilate is an important factor contributing to the midday depression of photosynthesis in Camellia oleifera annual leaves on a sunny day. Sugar transporters may play an important regulatory role in excessive accumulation of assimilate in leaves.

Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetic population.

Background: The effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the population is still controversial. Diabetes and NAFLD are both metabolically related diseases, and no studies have classified the population to study the effect of H. pylori infection on NAFLD in diabetics. Methods: A population of people who were examined in the Taizhou Hospital Health Examination Center from 2017 to 2022 was included, and hematological indicators, body parameters, ultrasound data, and H. pylori detection by urea nitrogen test were collected from patients. All physical examination populations were divided into diabetic and non-diabetic populations. Results: After multivariate logistic regression, H. pylori infection remained an independent risk factor for NAFLD in diabetics, but it had no significant effect on NAFLD in non-diabetic population. Additionally, there was a nonlinear relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin and H. pylori infection in diabetic population. Moreover, the incidence of NAFLD in diabetics increased with persistent H. pylori infection. Conclusion: In the diabetic population, H. pylori infection does increase the risk of developing NAFLD. Glycemic control and eradication of H. pylori infection may have positive implications for reducing the incidence of NAFLD in diabetic population.