Quantitative evaluation of gut microbiota composition in pancreatic cancer: a pooled study

Background: Prior research has demonstrated a positive association between the composition of gut microbiota and the incidence of pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, a thorough quantitative and systematic evaluation of the distinct properties of gut microbiota in individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer has yet to be conducted. The objective of this study is to examine alterations in the diversity of intestinal microbiota in individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Methods: Search for relevant literature published before July 2023 in 4 databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, without any language restrictions. Results: A total of 12 studies were included, including 535 patients with pancreatic cancer and 677 healthy controls. Analysis was conducted on 6 phyla, 16 genera, and 6 species. The study found significant and distinctive changes in the α-diversity of gut microbiota, as well as in the relative abundance of multiple gut bacterial groups at the phylum, genus, and species levels in pancreatic cancer patients. Conclusion: Overall, there are certain characteristic changes in the gut microbiota of pancreatic cancer patients. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanism of action and the potential for treatment

Regional variation in NAFLD prevalence and risk factors among people living with HIV in Europe: a meta-analysis

Background and Aim: Europe faces an elevated risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among people living with HIV (PLWH), contributing to the region’s highest global burden of NAFLD. However, the prevalence of NAFLD across various European countries and regions remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with NAFLD among PLWH across European countries. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across four databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Data on the prevalence of NAFLD, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and fibrosis, as well as the associated risk factors, were collected among PLWH in Europe. Results: Thirty-six studies from 13 European nations were included. The prevalence of NAFLD, NASH, and fibrosis were 42% (95%CI 37–48), 35% (95%CI 21–50) and 13% (95%CI 10–15), respectively. Male gender, BMI, waist circumference, Diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, ALT, AST, and years on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were found to be risk factors for NAFLD. High BMI and triglycerides were associated with NASH. Patients with high BMI and triglycerides are at increased risk of significant liver fibrosis. Conclusion: The high prevalence of NAFLD, NASH, and fibrosis among PLWH in Europe highlights the need for early screening, intervention, and increased research focus on adolescents living with HIV. Furthermore, the significant variations observed between countries and regions underscore the influence of related risk factors

Characterization and identification of the integrin family in silkworm, Bombyx mori

YesAs an important economic insect, Bombyx mori is also a useful model organism for lepidopteran insect. Integrins are evolutionarily conserved fromsponges to humans, and play vital roles inmany physiological and pathological processes. To explore their diverse functions of integrins in insect, eleven integrins including sixα and five β subunitswere cloned and characterized fromsilkworm. Our results showed that integrins fromsilkwormown more family members compared to other invertebrates. Among those α subunits, integrins α1, α2, and the other four subunits belong to PS1, PS2, and PS3 groups, respectively. The β subunits mainly gather in the insect βν group except the β1 subunit which belongs to the insect β group. Expression profiles demonstrated that the integrins exhibited distinct patterns, but were mainly expressed in hemocytes. α1 and β2 subunits are the predominant ones either in the embryogenesis or larva stages. Interestingly, integrins were significantly up-regulated after stimulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-E) in vivo. These results indicate that integrins performdiverse functions in hemocytes of silkworm. Overall, our results provide a newinsight into the functional and evolutionary features of integrins.National Basic Research Programof China (No. 2012cb114603), the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (20130182110003), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (cstc2013jcyjys0007), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (SWU111014)

Comparison of efficacy of anti-diabetics on non-diabetic NAFLD: a network meta-analysis

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of currently used anti-diabetic medications in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) without diabetes. DESIGN: The efficacy of various anti-diabetic medicines on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the absence of diabetes was evaluated by searching Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCT) only. The methodological quality was evaluated using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2), and the data were analyzed using Stata software (version 15.1). Results: All papers published between the time of the pooling and September 2022 were searched. There were a total of 18 randomized controlled studies with a total sample size of 1141 cases. The outcomes of interest included variations in alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). Rosiglitazone (SUCRA: 100%) and vildagliptin (SUCRA: 99.9%) were the best anti-diabetic medicines to improve ALT and AST, respectively, in patients with NAFLD without diabetes, according to the findings of this network meta-analysis. Conclusion: In accordance with the Network Ranking plot, Rosiglitazone was the best anti-diabetic medicine for improving ALT, and vildagliptin was the best for improving AST in patients with non-diabetic NAFLD

Regulatory NK cells mediated between immunosuppressive monocytes and dysfunctional T cells in chronic HBV infection

Background and aims HBV infection represents a major health problem worldwide, but the immunological mechanisms by which HBV causes chronic persistent infection remain only partly understood. Recently, cell subsets with suppressive features have been recognised among monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. Here we examine the effects of HBV on monocytes and NK cells. Methods Monocytes and NK cells derived from chronic HBV-infected patients and healthy controls were purified and characterised for phenotype, gene expression and cytokines secretion by flow cytometry, quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR, ELISA and western blotting. Culture and coculture of monocytes and NK cells were used to determine NK cell activation, using intracellular cytokines staining. Results In chronic HBV infection, monocytes express higher levels of PD-L1, HLA-E, interleukin (IL)-10 and TGF-β, and NK cells express higher levels of PD-1, CD94 and IL-10, compared with healthy individuals. HBV employs hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to induce suppressive monocytes with HLA-E, PD-L1, IL-10 and TGF-β expression via the MyD88/NFκ B signalling pathway. HBV-treated monocytes induce NK cells to produce IL-10, via PD-L1 and HLA-E signals. Such NK cells inhibit autologous T cell activation. Conclusions Our findings reveal an immunosuppressive cascade, in which HBV generates suppressive monocytes, which initiate regulatory NK cells differentiation resulting in T cell inhibition

Anomalous stopping of laser-accelerated intense proton beam in dense ionized matter

Ultrahigh-intensity lasers (10$^{18}$-10$^{22}$W/cm$^{2}$) have opened up new perspectives in many fields of research and application [1-5]. By irradiating a thin foil, an ultrahigh accelerating field (10$^{12}$ V/m) can be formed and multi-MeV ions with unprecedentedly high intensity (10$^{10}$A/cm$^2$) in short time scale ($\sim$ps) are produced [6-14]. Such beams provide new options in radiography [15], high-yield neutron sources [16], high-energy-density-matter generation [17], and ion fast ignition [18,19]. An accurate understanding of the nonlinear behavior of beam transport in matter is crucial for all these applications. We report here the first experimental evidence of anomalous stopping of a laser-generated high-current proton beam in well-characterized dense ionized matter. The observed stopping power is one order of magnitude higher than single-particle slowing-down theory predictions. We attribute this phenomenon to collective effects where the intense beam drives an decelerating electric field approaching 1GV/m in the dense ionized matter. This finding will have considerable impact on the future path to inertial fusion energy.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Energy loss enhancement of very intense proton beams in dense matter due to the beam-density effect

Thoroughly understanding the transport and energy loss of intense ion beams in dense matter is essential for high-energy-density physics and inertial confinement fusion. Here, we report a stopping power experiment with a high-intensity laser-driven proton beam in cold, dense matter. The measured energy loss is one order of magnitude higher than the expectation of individual particle stopping models. We attribute this finding to the proximity of beam ions to each other, which is usually insignificant for relatively-low-current beams from classical accelerators. The ionization of the cold target by the intense ion beam is important for the stopping power calculation and has been considered using proper ionization cross section data. Final theoretical values agree well with the experimental results. Additionally, we extend the stopping power calculation for intense ion beams to plasma scenario based on Ohm's law. Both the proximity- and the Ohmic effect can enhance the energy loss of intense beams in dense matter, which are also summarized as the beam-density effect. This finding is useful for the stopping power estimation of intense beams and significant to fast ignition fusion driven by intense ion beams

Target density effects on charge tansfer of laser-accelerated carbon ions in dense plasma

We report on charge state measurements of laser-accelerated carbon ions in the energy range of several MeV penetrating a dense partially ionized plasma. The plasma was generated by irradiation of a foam target with laser-induced hohlraum radiation in the soft X-ray regime. We used the tri-cellulose acetate (C$_{9}$H$_{16}$O$_{8}$) foam of 2 mg/cm$^{-3}$ density, and $1$-mm interaction length as target material. This kind of plasma is advantageous for high-precision measurements, due to good uniformity and long lifetime compared to the ion pulse length and the interaction duration. The plasma parameters were diagnosed to be T$_{e}$=17 eV and n$_{e}$=4 $\times$ 10$^{20}$ cm$^{-3}$. The average charge states passing through the plasma were observed to be higher than those predicted by the commonly-used semiempirical formula. Through solving the rate equations, we attribute the enhancement to the target density effects which will increase the ionization rates on one hand and reduce the electron capture rates on the other hand. In previsous measurement with partially ionized plasma from gas discharge and z-pinch to laser direct irradiation, no target density effects were ever demonstrated. For the first time, we were able to experimentally prove that target density effects start to play a significant role in plasma near the critical density of Nd-Glass laser radiation. The finding is important for heavy ion beam driven high energy density physics and fast ignitions.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 35 conference

Repair of a finger pulp or fingertip defect using a palmar rotatory flap pedicled with the perforating branch of the proper palmar digital artery: a retrospective study

Abstract Background Soft tissue defects in the hand may result from trauma, oncological procedures, or severe infections. This study aimed to introduce an innovative method for repairing soft tissue defects on the palmar side of the distal segment of the affected finger or fingertip. We explored this surgical method and its curative effect on the volar rotation pedicled flap base on a perforator of the palmar digital artery (VRPF-PPDA) for repairing ventral or fingertip soft tissue defects of the distal segment of the affected finger without impairing its main blood vessels. Methods Between June 2019 and January 2021, 13 patients with finger pulp or fingertip soft tissue defects were treated with VRPF-PPDA. Flap survival rate, complication rate, two-point discrimination (2PD), and patient satisfaction were used to evaluate the efficacy of this method. The function of the affected finger was evaluated using the upper limb function evaluation method issued by the Trial Standards for Evaluation of Partial Function of the Upper Extremity of the Chinese Society for Surgery of the Hand of the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Head (DASH) score, 6–12 months after the flap-based operation. Results Thirteen patients (18 fingers) achieved complete flap survival. The finger pulp flap was full, and no complications occurred. 2PD checks of the flaps revealed that all of them were 4–10 mm in length. According to the Trial Standards for Evaluation of Partial Function of the Upper Extremity of the Chinese Society for Surgery of the Hand of the CMA, hand function was excellent in 12 patients (17 fingers) and good in one patient, with a mean DASH score of 26.05 ± 0.45. Eleven patients selected “excellent” on the subjective satisfaction survey, while the other two selected “good.” Conclusion VRPF-PPDA surgery is a simple, effective, minimally invasive, and reliable method for repairing soft tissue defects in the distal finger pulp or fingertips. Optimal esthetic reconstruction and anatomical and functional repair can be achieved in fingers repaired using the VRPF-PPDA surgical approach