Vitamin D Status Presents Different Relationships with Severity in Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Patients with or without Hepatitis B Infection

Whether the associations between serum vitamin D (VitD) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) vary with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection has not been well established. This study aims to investigate the relationships between serum VitD and metabolism, liver fat content (LFC) and fibrosis among MAFLD patients with and without CHB. Consecutive subjects (healthy controls: 360, CHB: 684, MAFLD: 521, CHB with MAFLD: 206) were prospectively enrolled between January 2015 and December 2021. Anthropometric, laboratory, imaging, and histological evaluations were conducted, with LFC measured via magnetic resonance imaging-based proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). Serum VitD levels were lower in MAFLD patients than in healthy controls and patients with CHB alone or overlapping with MAFLD (24.4 ± 8.1 vs. 29.0 ± 9.5 vs. 27.4 ± 9.6 vs. 26.8 ± 8.4 ng/mL respectively; p < 0.001 in one-way ANOVA test). After adjusting for confounding factors, including season, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, insulin resistance, liver stiffness measurements, sun exposure, exercise and dietary intake, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that VitD remained significantly negatively correlated with LFC in MAFLD patients (β = −0.38, p < 0.001), but not in CHB with MAFLD patients. Moreover, quantile regression models also demonstrated that lower VitD tertiles were inversely associated with the risk of insulin resistance and moderate–severe steatosis in the MAFLD group (p for trend <0.05) but not in the MAFLD with CHB group. VitD deficiency was associated with the severity of metabolic abnormalities and steatosis independent of lifestyle factors in MAFLD-alone subjects but not in MAFLD with CHB subjects.     

Catechins as a Potential Dietary Supplementation in Prevention of Comorbidities Linked with Down Syndrome

Plant-derived polyphenols flavonoids are increasingly being recognized for their medicinal potential. These bioactive compounds derived from plants are gaining more interest in ameliorating adverse health risks because of their low toxicity and few side effects. Among them, therapeutic approaches demonstrated the efficacy of catechins, a major group of flavonoids, in reverting several aspects of Down syndrome, the most common genomic disorder that causes intellectual disability. Down syndrome is characterized by increased incidence of developing Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and subsequent metabolic disorders. In this focused review, we examine the main effects of catechins on comorbidities linked with Down syndrome. We also provide evidence of catechin effects on DYRK1A, a dosage-sensitive gene encoding a protein kinase involved in brain defects and metabolic disease associated with Down syndrome.     

冠心病患者发生二尖瓣脱垂样改变超声心动图特点分析

目的 探讨冠心病患者发生二尖瓣脱垂样改变的超声心动图特点,并分析其对治疗策略的影响.方法 选取北部战区总医院收治的同时行冠状动脉旁路移植与二尖瓣手术的171例患者为研究对象.根据冠状动脉病变严重程度将其分为A组(病变支数≥3支,n=98)与B组(病变支数1～2支,n=73).另选取我院同期收治的二尖瓣脱垂无冠心病行二尖...     

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Titers Predict the Severity of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a wide spectrum of disease, ranging from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Some biomarkers may predict disease severity. Among them, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response has been related to severe disease. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the anti-SARS-CoV-2 serological response and COVID-19 outcome. Demographic, clinical, and biological data from nasopharyngeal-PCR confirmed COVID-19 hospitalized patients were prospectively collected between April and August 2020 at our institution. All patients had serial weekly serology testing for a maximum of three blood samples or until discharge. Two different serological assays were used: a chemiluminescent assay and an in-house developed Luminex immunoassay. Kinetics of the serological response and correlation between the antibody titers and outcome were assessed. Among the 70 patients enrolled in the study, 22 required invasive ventilation, 29 required non-invasive ventilation or oxygen supplementation, and 19 did not require any oxygen supplementation. Median duration of symptoms upon admission for the three groups were 13, 8, and 9 days, respectively. Antibody titers gradually increased for up to 3 weeks since the onset of symptoms for patients requiring oxygen supplementation with significantly higher antibody titers for patients requiring invasive ventilation. Antibody titers on admission were also significantly higher in severely ill patients and serology performed well in predicting the necessity of invasive ventilation (AUC: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67–0.9). Serology testing at admission may be a good indicator to identify severe COVID-19 patients who will require invasive mechanical ventilation.     

光学相干断层扫描血管成像在慢性肾脏病中的研究进展

肾小球与视网膜脉络膜微血管在发育及结构的相似性为通过观察视网膜血管来无创性研究肾脏微循环提供了机会,近些年来,光学相干断层扫描血管成像( OCTA)这一项眼底血管成像技术在慢性肾脏病( CKD)中的研究开展较多,并且取得了大量研究成果,现就 OCTA在 CKD研究中所观察到视网膜脉络膜微血管及神经参数等方面的特征性变化进行综述,以期对预测 CKD的病程和预后提供新思路,对 CKD病人进行及早干预和病情随访提供更多的帮助。     

Global,regional and national burden of gastroesophageal reflux disease, 1990–2019: update from the GBD 2019 study

BackgroundBecause trends in the epidemiology and burden of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are changing, reinvestigating the geographical differences and trend changes is essential. Here we evaluated the latest epidemiologic patterns and trends for GERD, using data from Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019.MethodsAnnual case numbers, age-standardized rates of prevalence, incidence, and years of life lived with disability (YLDs), and their estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) for GERD between 1990 and 2019 were derived from the GBD 2019 study. Association between GERD burden and socio-demographic index (SDI) was also investigated.ResultsIn 2019, there were 783.95 million cases of GERD globally. Between 1990 and 2019, the total number of prevalent cases, incident cases, and YLDs increased by 77.53%, 74.79%, and 77.19%, respectively. The global age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized YLD rate (ASYR) increased during this period (EAPC = 0.06 and 0.05, respectively). Tropical Latin America and East Asia had the highest and lowest age-standardiZed prevalence rate (ASPR), ASIR, and ASYR in 2019, respectively. From 1990 to 2019, prevalent cases, incident cases, YLDs, and their corresponding age-standardized rates of GERD were higher in females than males in all years. Higher SDI was associated with lower ASPR, ASIR, and ASYR of GERD in 2019.ConclusionsGERD will continue to be a major public health burden due to increasing numbers of prevalent cases, incident cases, and YLDs. In order to tackle this troublesome disease, it is crucial to understand the changes in both global and regional trends in epidemiology and the burden for policymakers and other stakeholders.

Key messages

• This is the most updated estimate on GERD epidemiology globally, including 204 countries, some of which were not assessed before.
• The overall burden of GERD continued to worsen with the prevalent cases increasing by 77.53% from 441.57 million in 1990 to 783.95 million in 2019.
• GERD is likely to remain a common reason for consultation in primary care, and our data may allow for health service provision planning.

     

鼻部相关手术对治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征的有效性

目的：探讨鼻部相关手术对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）治疗的有效性。方法：回顾性分析94例OSAHS合并鼻部相关疾病的患者,均经PSG、鼻内镜、鼻咽纤维镜检查确诊,因种种原因只行鼻部相关手术而未行其他任何治疗。鼻部相关手术包括鼻中隔矫正术,双下鼻甲等离子射频消融术,鼻息肉、慢性鼻窦炎患者行功能性鼻内镜手术。术后2个月、1年复查PSG。结果：94例患者鼻部手术后有效19例,术前AHI11．7±5．2,最低SaO287．6±2．7,平均SaO287．8±5．4,术后2个月AHI5．5±5．0,最低SaO292．5±5．3,平均SaO294．5±3．7,术后1年AHI6．1±4．2,最低SaO291．8±4．2,平均SaO292．8±4．1,有效率20．21％（19／94）,均为轻度Ⅰ型患者,占轻度患者的38．00％（19／50）,经PSG随访1年无复发。其余75例无效。结论：伴有鼻部相关疾病的OSAHS患者,单纯鼻部手术仅对部分以鼻部阻塞为主的Ⅰ型患者有效。     

Cardiovascular Medication Use and Risk of Acute Exacerbation in Patients With Asthma-COPD Overlap (CVACO Study)

PurposeCurrent clinical guidelines are unclear regarding the association of cardiovascular medication with the risk of acute exacerbation (AE) in patients with asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study by interrogating the claims database of Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Patients with coexistent fixed airflow limitation and asthma were enrolled as an ACO cohort between 2009 and 2017. Exposure to cardiovascular medications, including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), non-selective beta-blockers, cardioselective beta-blockers, dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and non-DHP CCBs, in 3-month period each served as time-dependent covariates. Patients receiving a cardiovascular medication ≥ 28 cumulative daily doses were defined as respective cardiovascular medication users. Patients were followed up until December 31, 2018. The primary endpoint was severe AE, defined as hospitalization or emergency department visit for either asthma, COPD, or respiratory failure. The secondary outcome was moderate AE.ResultsThe final study cohort consisted of 582 ACO subjects, with a mean follow-up period of 2.98 years. After adjustment, ARB (hazard ratio [HR], 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44–0.93, P = 0.019), cardioselective beta-blocker (HR, 0.29, 95% CI, 0.11–0.72, P = 0.008) and DHP CCB (HR, 0.66, 95% CI, 0.45–0.97, P = 0.035) therapies were associated with lower risks of severe AE. ARB (HR, 0.42, 95% CI, 0.30–0.62, P < 0.001) and DHP CCB (HR, 0.55, 95% CI, 0.38–0.80, P = 0.002) therapies were associated with lower risks of moderate AE. Cardioselective beta-blockers, ARBs, and DHP CCBs were associated with lower risks of severe AE in frequent exacerbators. ACEI, non-selective beta-blocker, or non-DHP CCB use did not change the risk of severe AE.ConclusionsARB, cardioselective beta-blocker, and DHP CCB therapies may lower the risk of AE in patients with ACO.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期炎性细胞因子与肺功能的相关性

目的 分析慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期炎性细胞因子水平变化及与肺功能的相关性.方法 对本院2019年3月—2020年3月收治的62例患者的炎性细胞因子进行检测,分析各项炎性细胞因子水平变化情况及其与患者肺功能之间的相关性.结果 62例患者的IL-6指标、IL-8指标和TNF-α指标均随着患者综合评估分级的增加而增加,且各...