Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is one of the most common complications of liver cirrhosis. The formation of PVT can increase the mortality rate of cirrhotic patients and adversely affect the successful implementation and prognosis of liver transplantation. A hypercoagulable state is a unique mechanism underlying PVT formation in cirrhotic patients. In recent years, the pathogenesis of PVT has gradually been elucidated, with specific mechanisms including the following aspects: systemic and local inflammatory responses lead to vascular endothelial cell dysfunction, thereby promoting the activation of the coagulation system; abnormal activation of the monocyte-macrophage system exacerbates local inflammation, enhancing platelet adhesion and aggregation, and facilitating thrombus formation; an imbalance between the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems results in a sustained hypercoagulable state; and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis induces inflammation and metabolic disturbances, thereby increasing the risk of PVT. This article summarizes the latest research progress on these key mechanisms and their interactions, providing new insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of PVT. It also offers directions for the early diagnosis of PVT and the exploration of novel intervention strategies in the future.

Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Objective To construct a diagnostic and prognostic model for malignant pleural effusion (MPE) in patients with non-M1b stage (AJCC 7th edition) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by machine learning. Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with NSCLC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2010 to 2015, excluding those in the M1b stage. Two sets of data were collected: data 1 (patients with non-M1b stage NSCLC, n=47 392) was used to construct the MPE diagnostic model; and data 2 (patients with M1a stage NSCLC and MPE, n=2 422) was used to construct a prognostic model. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was used to screen feature variables, with a training set and validation set ratio of 7:3. Models were built using eight machine learning algorithms, with evaluation metrics including accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, area under the ROC curve (AUC), decision curve, calibration curve, and precision recall curve (PR), with ROC-AUC as the main evaluation metric. Results The incidence of MPE in patients with non-M1b stage NSCLC was 5.12%, and the 1-year survival rate of patients with MPE was 32.5%. LASSO regression identified nine diagnostic-related variables and 12 prognostic-related variables. The AUC values of the models constructed by eight machine learning algorithms all exceeded 0.70. The random forest model performed the best in the diagnostic model (training set AUC=0.908, validation set AUC=0.897), and the XGBoost model showed the best performance in the prognostic model (training set AUC=0.905, validation set AUC=0.875). Other evaluation indicators showed good results and balanced distribution. SHAP feature importance analysis showed that tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and histological type were important influencing factors for the occurrence of MPE, and chemotherapy intervention was the most remarkably prognostic factor. Conclusion The random forest diagnostic model constructed in this study can effectively predict the risk of MPE in patients with non-M1b stage NSCLC, and the XGBoost prognostic model can predict the prognosis of M1a-stage NSCLC patients with concurrent MPE.

AIM: To observe the changes of corneal densitometry(CD)in patients with keratoconus after corneal cross-linking(CXL).METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 32 patients(43 eyes)with keratoconus in Ningxia Eye Hospital from April 2020 to April 2022 were selected. Pentacam analysis system divided the cornea into three layers: anterior 120 μm, middle layer and posterior 60 μm, and divides it into five regions with diameters of 0-2, 2-6, 6-10, 10-12 mm and full diameter according to the diameter, and measures the CD in different ranges. The changes of CD were compared before operation and at 1, 3 and 6 mo after operation.RESULTS: There were differences in uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure before and 6 mo after operation(all P<0.05), and there was no difference in corneal endothelial cells(P=0.477). CD reached its peak at 1 mo after operation, and decreased at 3 mo and 6 mo after operation, but it was still higher than that before operation. There is a significant positive correlation between CD and Kmax in the anterior layer and the whole layer(r=0.164, P=0.016; r=0.152, P=0.023).CONCLUSION: The values of CD peaked at 1 mo after CXL, then it gradually decreased, tending to become stable at 6 mo postoperatively.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the clinical phenotype and pathogenic variants in patients with Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME).Methods:Clinical data and results of genetic testing for 11 patients diagnosed with PME at the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from June 2017 to December 2022 were collected and analyzed.Results:All of the patients, including 4 males and 7 females, had predominant action myoclonus. Three patients had myoclonus as the initial manifestation, whilst eight were diagnosed through genetic testing, including three cases with NEU1 gene variants, two with EPM2A gene variants (1 was novel), one with MT- TK gene variant, one with ATN1 gene variant, and one with CSTB gene variant. No pathogenic variant was identified in the remaining three cases. Among the eight patients with a genetic diagnosis, three were diagnosed with sialidosis, two with Lafora disease, one with Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), one with Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD), and one with Myoclonic epilepsy with ragging red fibers (MERRF). Conclusion:Compared with pediatric patients, adult patients with PME represent a distinct subtype with slower progression and milder cognitive impairment.

【Objective】 To explore the relationship between the methylation level of CNR1 and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in order to provide a theoretical basis for the etiology of ASD. 【Methods】 A case-control study was conducted, recruiting 30 children with ASD from the Child Development and Behavior Research Center of Harbin Medical University and a rehabilitation facility, and 30 matched typically developed children from June 2017 to December 2018. The methylation levels of CNR1 in peripheral blood were measured by the Agena MassArray^® Mass Spectrometry System. A univariate conditional Logistic regression model was used to analyze the potential association between the methylation level of CNR1 and the risk of ASD with adjustment for age, BMI, body fat percentage and body fat. The correlations between the methylation level of CNR1 and the score of Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) were evaluated by Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis. 【Results】 The methylation levels of the average methylation (t=2.224), CpG_3.4 (Z=2.187), CpG_9.10.11 (t=2.308), and CpG_28.29 (t=2.943) of the CNR1 promoter region in ASD children were significantly higher than controls (P<0.05). The methylation levels of the average methylation (OR=1.117, 95%CI: 1.003 - 1.245), CpG_9.10.11 (OR= 1.072, 95%CI:1.006 - 1.142), and CpG_28.29 (OR=1.078, 95%CI: 1.018 - 1.141) of the CNR1 promoter region were positively correlated with the risk of ASD (P<0.05). The methylation level of CpG_28.29 in ASD children was positively correlated with the scores of social motivation in SRS (r=0.421, P<0.05). 【Conclusions】 The methylation levels of CNR1 in peripheral blood are abnormal in ASD children and might be correlated with the risk of ASD and social function. The underlying mechanism needs to be further explored.

Objective:To investigate the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical expression and molecular characteristics in fumarate hydratase (FH)-deficient renal cell carcinoma and to explore the potential application of immunotherapy in the patients.Methods:There were six patients with FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2020 and October 2022. The clinical data, histological morphology, immunophenotype, PD-L1 expression and next-generation sequencing results were tabulated and analyzed.Results:There were 6 patients, all male, age ranged from 37 to 72 years (mean 45.7 years). Four cases were high-grade (WHO/ISUP grade3-4) with 2 or more histologic patterns, including papillary (most common), glandular, tubular, vesicular, ethmoid, nest-like, cystic and solid structures. Two cases were low-grade which showed nest-like, glandular, or tubular arrangement with eosinophilic flocculent cytoplasm and small intracellular vacuoles. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong expression of 2SC in all 6 cases, negative expression of FH in 5 cases, and positive expression of GATA3 in 5 cases. In high-grade cases, the mean values of CD4 and CD8 positive T-lymphocytes in advanced tumor invasion were 180.3/mm 2 and 130.5/mm 2, respectively. PD-L1 combined positive scores (CPS) were 20, 50, 5 and 30, respectively. The Ki-67 proliferative index were 20%, 20%, 10% and 30%, respectively. In low-grade cases, the mean values of CD4 and CD8 positive T-lymphocytes were 123.0/mm 2 and 100.5/mm 2, respectively. The PD-L1 CPS score was 1, and the Ki-67 proliferation index was 3%. High-throughput sequencing showed FH gene somatic mutation in 3 cases, FH gene germline mutation in 2 cases, and FH gene mutation was not detected in one case. Conclusion:FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma is more commonly high-grade than low grade. FH and 2SC are immunohistochemical markers used in the diagnosis of FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma, and GATA3 positivity is supportive of the diagnosis. The tumor infiltration of high-grade FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma shows an increase in CD4 and CD8 positive T-lymphocytes, and high expression of PD-L1; thus, anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy can be used as a treatment option.

Objective:To retrieve, evaluate and summarize relevant evidence on home-based exercise management in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease, so as to provide reference and guidance for clinical healthcare professionals to construct and improve patient home-based exercise intervention plans.Methods:According to the top-down principle of the "6S" evidence model, UpToDate, BMJ, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Guidelines International Network, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Medlive, Clinical Guidelines Network, Joanna Briggs Institute, Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP and China Biology Medicine Disc were systematically searched for relevant literature on home-based exercise management in patients with Parkinson's disease, including guidelines, expert consensuses, systematic reviews, evidence summaries, clinical decisions, recommended practices and best practices. The search period was from the establishment of the databases to October 31, 2022. Two researchers independently evaluated the quality of the literature and extracted and integrated evidence.Results:A total of 27 articles were included, including three guidelines, five expert opinions and consensuses, three clinical practice suggestions, 15 systematic evaluations and one clinical decision. A total of 45 pieces of evidence were summarized from six aspects, such as organizational management, health education, exercise evaluation, exercise prescription, family and social support and monitoring guidance.Conclusions:This study summarized the best evidence of home-based exercise management for patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease, which can provide evidence-based basis for clinical staff to formulate home-based exercise management programs and standardize practice standards.

Objective To compare the effects of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 on depression-and anxiety-like behaviors in chronic unpredictable stress-induced rats.Methods Seventy male SPF grade SD rats were tested for sugar and water preference after 5 days of adaptation and divided into seven groups according to their preference index:a control group,model group,fluoxetine hydrochloride group,ginsenoside Rg1 24 mg/kg group,ginsenoside Rg1 48 mg/kg group,ginsenoside Rb1 33 mg/kg group,and ginsenoside Rb1 67 mg/kg group.All rats,except for the control group,were subjected randomly to one or two different stimulating factors every day for a total of 35 days.On the 36th day,behavioral experiments including sugar and water preference,open field,novel environment feeding inhibition,elevated cross maze,and forced swimming experiments were conducted to investigate the anti-depression and anti-anxiety effects of the treatments.Serum and hippocampal levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and serum corticosterone were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Compared with the model group,ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 significantly increased sucrose consumption in the sucrose preference test and decreased immobility in the forced swimming test.Ginsenoside Rg1(48 mg/kg)significantly reduced the latency to eat in the novelty-suppressed feeding test,and ginsenoside Rg1(24 and 48 mg/kg)significantly increased the percentage of open arm entries and time in the elevated cross maze test.Serum corticosterone levels were significantly decreased in the ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 groups,serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels were significantly decreased in the ginsenoside Rg1(48 mg/kg)group,serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly decreased in the ginsenoside Rb1(33 mg/kg)group,and IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels in the hippocampus were significantly decreased in the ginsenoside Rg1(48 mg/kg)and Rb1(67 mg/kg)groups.Conclusions Both ginsenosides can regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and inhibit neuroinflammation,improving depression-and anxiety-like behaviors in rats induced by chronic unpredictable stress.Ginsenoside Rg1 has a significantly better anti-anxiety effect than Rb1.