Causal relationship between genetically predicted uterine leiomyoma and cancer risk: a two-sample Mendelian randomization

PurposeStudies have demonstrated that hormonal imbalance, such as elevated level of estrogen or reduced level of progesterone, was the main inducing factor of uterine leiomyoma (UL) development and some cancers. UL has been reported to be associated with several cancers in observational studies. However, the causal associations between UL and cancers remain unclear.MethodsA two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to investigate the causal associations between UL and 16 site-specific cancers using the public databases. Four methods, namely, the inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode, were applied in our MR analysis. Sensitivity tests were also performed to evaluate the robustness of these causal associations.ResultsThe IVW analysis indicated that genetically predicted UL increased the risk of low malignant potential ovarian cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–1.40, p = 0.004], serous ovarian cancer (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.10–1.52, p = 0.002), invasive mucinous ovarian cancer (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.08–1.44, p = 0.003), clear cell ovarian cancer (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03–1.51, p = 0.023), breast cancer (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.11, p = 0.002), and brain tumor (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.06–1.42, p = 0.007). Conversely, genetically predicted UL reduced the risk of gastric cancer (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85–0.98, p = 0.008). The causal effects were consistent in the sensitivity analysis.ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that UL exhibits a causal relationship with high risk of several cancers. We suggest reinforcing the cancer screening in UL patients to enable the early detection of cancers

Analysis of microbial diversity and succession during Xiaoqu Baijiu fermentation using high‐throughput sequencing technology

Abstract In this study, high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) was used to compare and analyze the microbial diversity and succession during the brewing process of xiaoqu Baijiu. A total of 34 phyla and 378 genera of bacteria, as well as four phyla, 32 genera of fungi were detected. At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Ascomycota, and Mucoromycota were the dominant groups. During the brewing process of xiaoqu Baijiu, the dominant bacteria were Weissella and unidentified Rickettsiales within the first 2 days of brewing, followed by Lactobacillus at 3 days until to the end of brewing. The dominant fungi were Rhizopus, Saccharomyces, and Issatchenkia. The relative abundance of Rhizopus decreased with the extension of brewing time, while the relative abundance of Saccharomyces increased, and Saccharomyces became the dominant species at the second day of brewing. This study revealed the diversity and changes of the microbial community during the brewing process of xiaoqu Baijiu, providing theoretical support and laying a foundation for future study on the contribution of microbial metabolism during brewing of xiaoqu Baijiu, thereby promoting the development of xiaoqu Baijiu industry

MR-Guided Microwave Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): Is General Anesthesia More Effective than Local Anesthesia?

Abstract BackgroundPercutaneous MR-guided MWA procedures have traditionally been performed under local anesthesia(LA) and sedation. However, pain control is often difficult to manage, especially in some cases when the tumor is large or in a specific location, such as near the abdominal wall or close to the hepatic dome. Does different anesthesia methods could lead to different clinical outcomes? This study retrospectively compared the results of general anesthesia (GA) and local anesthesia (LA) for MR-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC≤5.0 cm).MethodsThe results of the analysis include procedure-related complications, imaging response, and the time consumed by the two sets of procedures. According to the type of anesthesia, the Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the local tumor progression (LTP) of two groups who underwent MR-guided MWA.ResultsAll patients achieved technical success. The mean ablation duration of each patients in the procedure of GA-group and LA-group were statistical difference(P=0.012). The both group have no difference in complications and LTP (both P＞0.05). Of note, the tumor location (challenging locations) and the number of lesions (2-3 lesions) could be the main factors affecting LTP (p = 0.000, p = 0.015). Univariate Cox proportional hazard regression indicated that using different anesthesia methods (GA and LA) were not associated with longer LTP( P = 0.632 and P = 0.633, respectively) , while tumor location (challenging locations) and the number of lesions (2-3 lesions) were all related to shorter LTP(P=0.000,P=0.020,respectively). Additionally, Multivariate Cox regression further revealed that the tumor location (regular locations) and the number of lesions (single) could independently predict better LTP (both P &lt;0.005).ConclusionsThere could be no correlation between GA and LA for LTP after MRI-guided MWA. However, tumor in challenging location and the number of lesions (2-3 lesions) seem to be the main factors affecting LTP.</jats:p

MR-Guided Microwave Ablation in T1 Renal Cell Carcinoma: Initial Results in Clinical Routine

Objective. Percutaneous tumor ablation is usually performed using computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound (US) guidance, although reliable visualization of the target tumor could be challenging. Magnetic resonance- (MR-) guided ablation provides more reliable visualization of the target tumors and allows multiplanar imaging of the treatment process, making it the modality of choice, in particular if lesions are small. Methods. From March 2016 to January 2018, 32 patients scheduled for percutaneous treatment of T1 RCC underwent MR-guided MWA. Complications were classified according to the Clavien grade. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were calculated to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS). Results. Technical success was achieved in all lesions. The mean energy and procedure duration were 61.6 ± 8.7  kJ and 118.2 ± 26.7  min, respectively. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) dropped rapidly after 1 month of treatment and slowly recovered within three months ( P &lt; 0.05 ). Postoperative pain and fever were the most common adverse events after treatment. Perirenal hematoma, thermal injury of the psoas muscle, and abdominal distension were common complications after MWA, and the incidence rates were 9.4% (3/32), 6.3% (2/32), and 6.3% (2/32), respectively. According to the Clavien grade classification, serious complications include hydrothorax, bowel injury, and renal failure, all of which have a probability of 3.1%. Of note, the three serious complications occurred in one patient. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates were 96.9%, 93.8%, and 83.9%, respectively. The mean PFS rates were 33.972 months (95% CI: 33.045, 35.900). Conclusion. Microwave ablation is feasible under MR guidance and provides effective treatment of RCC in one session.</jats:p

MR-guided microwave ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): is general anesthesia more effective than local anesthesia?

Abstract Background Percutaneous magnetic resonance-guided (MR-guided) MWA procedures have traditionally been performed under local anesthesia (LA) and sedation. However, pain control is often difficult to manage, especially in some cases when the tumor is large or in a specific location, such as near the abdominal wall or close to the hepatic dome. This study retrospectively compared the results of general anesthesia (GA) and local anesthesia (LA) for MR-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC ≤ 5.0 cm) to investigate whether different anesthesia methods lead to different clinical outcomes. Methods The results of the analysis include procedure-related complications, imaging response, and the time to complete two sets of procedures. According to the type of anesthesia, the Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the local tumor progression (LTP) of the two groups who underwent MR-guided MWA. Results All patients achieved technical success. The mean ablation duration of each patient in the GA group and LA group was remarkably different (P = 0.012). Both groups had no difference in complications or LTP (both P &gt; 0.05). Notably, the tumor location (challenging locations) and the number of lesions (2–3 lesions) could be the main factors affecting LTP (p = 0.000, p = 0.015). Univariate Cox proportional hazard regression indicated that using different anesthesia methods (GA and LA) was not associated with longer LTP (P = 0.237), while tumor location (challenging locations) and the number of lesions (2–3 lesions) were both related to shorter LTP (P = 0.000, P = 0.020, respectively). Additionally, multivariate Cox regression further revealed that the tumor location (regular locations) and the number of lesions (single) could independently predict better LTP (P = 0.000, P = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions No correlation was observed between GA and LA for LTP after MR-guided MWA. However, tumors in challenging locations and the number of lesions (2–3 lesions) appear to be the main factors affecting LTP. </jats:sec