Vol 3 No 1 (2026)

• Exploring Gut Microbiota and Alzheimer's Disease: From Mechanisms to Interventions

  Rui Zhang

  Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by insidious onset and progressive development. Its core clinical manifestations include cognitive decline, memory impairment, and personality and behavioral changes. Currently, there are no curative treatments available clinically, and the underlying pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. In recent years, with the rapid advancement of microbiome technologies, the gut-brain axis has emerged as a prominent research focus in neurodegenerative diseases. Extensive studies have demonstrated that gut microbiota dysbiosis participates in the initiation and progression of AD through multiple pathways, including immune inflammation, metabolic disturbances, neural signaling, and blood-brain barrier damage. Modulating gut microbiota homeostasis offers a novel target for early prevention, control, and clinical intervention of AD. This paper systematically reviews the association mechanisms between gut microbiota and AD, summarizes the research progress of mainstream interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation, analyzes the current limitations and deficiencies in existing research, and looks forward to future research directions, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for the development of novel prevention and treatment strategies for AD.

  PDF

• The Effect of Ffree Gingival Graft on Keratinized Mucosa Width inThin-Gingiva Type Patients

  Zhen Zhang, Ru Wang, Hong Liu

  Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of free gingival graft (FGG) in increasing keratinized mucosa width (KMW) among patients with thin-gingiva type, and to provide evidence-based guidance for periodontal plastic surgery in patients with thin gingival phenotype. Methods: A total of 72 patients with thin-gingiva type and insufficient keratinized mucosa (KMW < 2 mm) admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group (36 cases, conventional periodontal treatment) and an observation group (36 cases, FGG on the basis of conventional treatment). All patients were diagnosed with thin-gingiva type (gingival thickness ≤ 1.0 mm). The observation group received standardized FGG surgery with palatal autogenous grafts. All patients completed 6 months of follow-up. The primary outcome was KMW at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included gingival thickness (GT), gingival recession depth (GR), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), patient-reported pain score (VAS), aesthetic satisfaction, and adverse events. Results: At 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, KMW and GT in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while GR, PI, GI, and PD were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The observation group showed stable soft tissue morphology and high graft survival rate (97.22%). Postoperative pain was mild and well-tolerated, with no severe complications such as massive bleeding, infection, or graft necrosis. Conclusion: For patients with thin-gingiva type, FGG can significantly and stably increase keratinized mucosa width, improve gingival phenotype, reduce gingival recession and inflammation, and show favorable safety and patient satisfaction. It is a reliable surgical method for keratinized tissue augmentation in thin-gingiva individuals and is worthy of clinical promotion.

  PDF

• Study on the Effect of Transitional Intervention Based on the Evolution Law of Safe Behaviors on Reducing the recurrence Risk of Patients after Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

  Jing-Xia Du

  Objective: To investigate the effect of transitional intervention based on the evolution law of safety behaviors on reducing the recurrence risk in patients after atrial fibrillation ablation. Methods: A total of 128 patients who underwent atrial fibrillation ablation and were admitted to our hospital from January 2025 to February 2025 were selected. All patients had simple atrial fibrillation without comorbidities. They were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 64 cases in each group. The control group received conventional nursing intervention, while the observation group received transitional intervention based on the evolution law of safety behaviors in addition to conventional care. The postoperative recurrence rate, quality of life scores, and psychological status improvement were compared between the two groups. Results: The postoperative recurrence rate in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group, the SF-36 quality of life score was significantly higher, and the improvement in anxiety and depression was superior to that of the control group (P

  PDF

• Analysis of 269 Cases of Uterus-Preserving U-Surgery for Diffuse Adenomyosis in Patients Outside Chinese Mainland

  Hong-Xia Wang, Ya-Qin Zhang, Yue-Yue Liu, Yao Jia, Bin Wang

  Objective: To analyze the clinical data of 269 patients with diffuse adenomyosis outside Chinese Mainland who underwent uterus-preserving U-surgery from 2006 to 2025, evaluate the safety, symptom improvement effect and long-term recurrence rate of the surgical procedure, and explore its international clinical application value. Methods: The clinical data of 269 patients with diffuse adenomyosis from 22 countries worldwide were collected retrospectively. The age, disease course, previous treatment history, surgery-related indicators, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score for dysmenorrhea, menstrual volume changes and recurrence were statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: The patients were aged 22 to 53 years, with a mean age of (37.5±6.2) years; the disease course was 3 to 22 years, with a mean of (8.6±3.5) years. A total of 222 cases (82.5%) had received conservative treatments such as GnRH-a and progestogens, and 33 cases (12.3%) had a history of recurrence after focal resection. The operation time was 58 to 196 minutes, with a mean of (102.5±28.6) minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 200 to 500 ml, with a mean of (320.5±85.2) ml, and all incisions achieved primary healing. The mean preoperative VAS score for dysmenorrhea was 8.6 points, which decreased to 1.5 points after surgery, with a highly statistically significant difference (P

  PDF

• Placental Malaria Parasitaemia and Neonatal outcome at Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

  Maria-Joannes K. Uzoma, Chukwudi O. Okani, Frank C. Akpuaka, Kingsley C. Madubuike, Peter Ughachukwu, Osita Chiaghanam, Ikechukwu V. Ogoke, Samson D Ejikunle, Agu Pius Okechukwu, Onughara Anderson, Onyegbula Onyema

  Introduction: Malaria remains endemic in many tropical African countries and continues to pose a significant public health challenge. Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable to malaria infection due to pregnancy-related immunological changes, with placental malaria being associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

  Objective: This study aimed to determine the correlation between placental malaria parasitaemia and neonatal outcomes among term babies delivered in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, Nigeria.

  Methodology: This was a descriptive correlational study conducted among consenting term parturients who delivered at the Labour and Delivery units of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri; the Claretian University of Nigeria Hospital; and the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy Hospital, all located in Owerri, Imo State. Women with pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension, cardiac or renal disease, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anaemia, retroviral disease, as well as preterm parturients, were excluded.

   

  Data were obtained using interviewer-administered questionnaires and patients’ case notes to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, parity, gestational age, antenatal clinic attendance, use of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Immediately after delivery, placental blood samples were obtained from the maternal surface of the placenta for malaria parasite detection. Neonatal heel-prick blood samples were collected for malaria parasitaemia. In contrast, cord blood samples were used to estimate neonatal packed cell volume. Neonatal outcome measures assessed included birth weight, Apgar scores, jaundice, malaria parasitaemia, packed cell volume, and perinatal mortality. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05.

   

  Results/Findings: Out of 431 term parturients initially assessed, 400 were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of maternal peripheral malaria and placental malaria parasitaemia were 69% (276/400) and 14.0% (56/400) respectively. Placental malaria parasitaemia showed a statistically significant correlation with neonatal malaria parasitaemia (p =0.0001), neonatal anaemia (p = 0.010), low birth weight (p = 0.0001) and neonatal mortality (p = 0.002). There was no significant association with Apgar scores (p = 0.425).

  Recommendations: Malaria prevention and control strategies should be further strengthened during pregnancy, with emphasis on consistent use of IPT and insecticide-treated nets, early antenatal booking, and routine screening for malaria to reduce placental infection and its adverse neonatal consequences.

  Contributions to Knowledge: This study provided local epidemiological evidence that placental malaria parasitaemia remains relatively common in Owerri and significantly affects neonatal outcomes. It reinforces the role of placental malaria as a contributor to neonatal morbidity. It adds to existing Nigerian data supporting intensified malaria control measures during pregnancy.

  PDF

• Comparison of Computed Tomography and 2D Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Assessment of Left Ventricular Functional Parameters

  Ayşegül Taşgüzen Turan, Ercan İnci

  Background and Aim：This study aimed to compare the results of 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of left ventricular function, and to determine the effectiveness of cardiac CT as well as whether it can serve as an alternative to TTE.

  Materials and Methods：A total of 29 patients who underwent cardiac CT for suspected coronary artery disease between June and August 2016 and also had TTE examinations were retrospectively analyzed. Measurements including ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and end-systolic volume (ESV) were obtained using the modified Simpson method with both modalities.

  Results: The mean EF (67.48 ± 7.79%) and EDV (128.06 ± 28.34 mL) values obtained by CT were significantly higher than those measured by TTE (63.64 ± 3.86% and 98.45 ± 27.98 mL, respectively) (p=0.018 and p<0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed between the two methods in ESV measurements (TTE: 36.13 ± 12.90 mL; CT: 39.96 ± 14.57 mL; p=0.430).

  Conclusion: Although TTE remains the primary method for the evaluation of left ventricular function due to its accessibility, cardiac CT provides a valuable alternative by offering functional data, particularly in patients with limited acoustic windows.

  PDF

• Therapeutic Applications of Alpha-Blockers: Pharmacology, Clinical Evidence, and Evolving Therapeutic Strategies

  Jean Paule Joumaa, Joe Abou Jaoude, Carine El Khoury, Tony Sadek, Leona Antoun, Bendy Boulos

  Background: Alpha blockers are alpha adrenergic antagonists commonly used in urology to treat many conditions; particularly benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), ureteric stones, lower urinary tract obstruction, and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). These drugs fall into three categories: nonselective, alpha-1, and alpha-2 blockers. They primarily act on alpha-adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system, thereby decreasing the vascular tone and leading to the relaxation of the smooth muscle. Despite their high effectiveness, these medications contribute to adverse side effects like hypotension, weakness, tachycardia, and even tremors.

  Discussion: This review analyzes the pharmacological properties, therapeutic uses, comparative therapies, and safety profiles of alpha blockers (both selective and non-selective). The article addresses the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the most commonly used agents like tamsulosin, silodosin, doxazosin, and alfuzosin. Additionally, a differential analysis of their therapeutic roles in monotherapies and combination therapies is presented, together with an evaluation of their clinical outcomes. Moreover, an interpretation of the determinants of treatment resistance is presented.

  Conclusion: Advances in precision medicine and therapeutic formulations point to potential development and highlight the limitations of current research in urology. Based on clinical evidence, this paper contributes to improved decision-making and appropriate therapeutic management with minimal invasive techniques.

  PDF