Effect of Ageing on the Common Bile Duct Diameter.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine if the common bile duct (CBD) diameter increases physiologically with age and investigate whether gallstones lead to changes in CBD diameter.

Method: Our study is composed of 721 patients in 2 groups: 517 asymptomatic patients and 204 gallstones patients who underwent MRCP. Their CBD diameter was measured at its widest visible portion on MRCP.

Combined Signature of the Urinary Microbiome and Metabolome in Patients With Interstitial Cystitis.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a clinical syndrome characterized by frequency, urgency, and bladder pain or pelvic pain; however, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and diagnostic markers are unknown. In this study, microbiome and metabolome analysis were used to explain the urine signatures of IC patients. Urine samples from 20 IC patients and 22 control groups were analyzed by using 16S rRNA sequence and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Nrf2 Pathway Ameliorates Bladder Dysfunction in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis via Suppression of Oxidative Stress.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect and molecular mechanism of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in interstitial cystitis (IC).

Methods: We established a mouse model of IC by cyclophosphamide (CYP) in wild-type mice and Nrf2 gene knockout mice. We examined the histological and functional alterations, the changes of oxidative stress markers, and the expression of the antioxidant genes downstream of Nrf2 pathway.