Objective To investigate the prognostic factors for patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure,and to provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods A total of 172 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure who were admitted to The First Hospital of Jilin University from January 1,2006 to January 1,2016 and had complete medical records and follow-up data were enrolled,and a retrospective analysis was performed for their clinical data and laboratory markers to determine prognostic factors.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups,the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups,and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for the indices determined to be statistically significant by the univariate analysis to screen out independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.Results The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for the indices determined to be statistically significant by the univariate analysis,and the results showed that the prognostic factors were total bilirubin (TBil),prothrombin time activity (PTA),Na +,total cholesterol (TC),Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score,age ≥50 years,the presence of liver cirrhosis,bilirubin-enzyme separation,and complications.The multivariate regression analysis was performed for the complications determined to affect prognosis by the univariate analysis,and the results showed that the complications as risk factors were hepatic encephalopathy,hepatorenal syndrome,and infection.Conclusion TBil,PTA,Na +,TC,CTP score,age ≥50 years,the presence of liver cirrhosis,bilirubin-enzyme separation,and complications are independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with HBV-related acute -on-chronic liver failure.Liver failure patients with hepatic encephalopathy,hepatorenal syndrome,and infection tend to have poorer prognosis.Therefore,early judgment of the prognosis of patients with liver failure is of great importance in the prevention and treatment of related complications.

Objective: To investigate the plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer (D-D) and fibrinogen (Fib) among patients with pneumoconiosis, so as to provide insights into the prevention of thrombosis among patients with pneumoconiosis. Methods: Ninety-six male coal workers with stable-stage pneumoconiosis admitted to China Pingmei Shenma Group Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Hospital from February 2019 to February 2021 were included in the pneumoconiosis group, and 43 male healthy volunteers in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. The plasma D-D, Fib, IL-6 and CRP levels were detected from subjects in the two groups. The associations of plasma D-D and Fib levels with IL-6 and CRP levels were examined using Pearson correlation analysis among pneumoconiosis patients. Results: Participants in the pneumoconiosis group and the control group had a mean age of (52.91±3.89) and (52.64±4.12) years, D-D of (1.28±0.91) and (0.44±0.11) mg/L, Fib of (4.41±0.98) and (2.88±0.61) g/L, IL-6 of (0.63±0.19) and (0.42±0.06) ng/L and CRP of (3.30±1.65) and (1.35±0.12) mg/L, respectively. Higher plasma D-D, Fib, IL-6 and CRP levels were detected in the pneumoconiosis group than in the control group (all P<0.05). The plasma D-D level correlated positively with IL-6 level among pneumoconiosis patients (r=0.347, P<0.001). Conclusion High plasma IL-6, CRP, D-D and Fib levels are detected among patients with pneumoconiosis, and the plasma D-D level correlates positively with IL-6 level among patients with pneumoconiosis.

Background and purpose: The previous work of this study has showed that the treatment of liver cancer cells with emodin could induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis. Given the cross-talk between ER stress and autophagy, this study aimed to investigate whether blockage of autophagy, a defense mechanism against environmental stress, could improve the killing effect of emodin on liver cancer cells. Methods: The CYTO-ID auto-phagy detection kit and Western blot were used to determine autophagy in liver cancer cells. After combined treatment with chloroquine (CQ) and emodin, cancer cell survival was analyzed by ATPlite assay and clonogenic assay. Apoptosis was detected by both flow cytometry analysis and Western blot. Results: Autophagy could be induced in liver cancer cells after treatment with emodin. Inhibition of autophagy significantly increased growth-inhibitory effect of emodin on both HepG2 and Huh7 cancer cells. The combination treatment with CQ and emodin promoted remarkable apoptosis in liver cancer cells, evidenced by the increase in the percentage of cells in sub-G1 phase and the higher expression lever of cleaved caspase-3. Conclusion: Therapeutically targeting autophagy is capable of enhancing cytotoxicity of emodin in liver cancer cell lines.

Mother-to-child vertical transmission is the main mode of transmission of chronic hepatitis B in China. The probability of failure in blocking vertical transmission is about 10% in pregnant mothers with a high viral load, and therefore, correct management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is of great importance during pregnancy. In addition, viral treatment during pregnancy should take into account the risk of vertical transmission, the health of pregnant women, and the safety of fetus, and each treatment method or prevention option needs to be carefully evaluated. Reasonable antiviral methods, drug selection, and drug withdrawal time can reduce the probability of mother-to-child transmission. This article summarizes the modes of mother-to-child vertical transmission of chronic hepatitis B and related blocking strategies, so as to provide a reference for improving the blocking rate of vertical transmission of HBV.

Objective:To observe the changes in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) after modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) relative to before treatment.Methods:A total of 105 patients with MDD who received treatment in Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital and Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine from June 2017 to June 2019 were included in this study. The brain MRI data pre- and post-MECT were collected. These patients were divided into study group (abnormal brain structure, n = 51) and control group (normal brain structure; n = 54) according to brain structure pre-treatment as shown on MRI. Clinical efficacy, scores of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety pre and post-treatment, and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. Results:MRI data revealed that 51 patients had abnormal brain structure, including 16 patients with hippocampal atrophy, 18 patients with brain volume reduction, 10 patients with intracranial cyst, and 7 patients with large occipital cistern. These patients had no obvious changes in brain structure after MECT compared with before MECT. The age of onset was lower in the study group than in the control group [(24.15 ± 1.64) years vs. (29.33 ± 2.71) years, t = -7.751, P < 0.05]. The proportion of female patients (57.4% vs. 47.1%), the proportion of patients with a family history of MDD (81.5% vs. 56.9%), and the proportion of patients with psychotic symptoms (55.6% vs. 35.3%) were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group ( χ2 = 4.96, 7.50, 4.33, all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that family history was a factor unrelated to MDD ( P = 0.997). Abnormal brain structure in patients with MDD was negatively correlated with age ( OR = 3.89, 95% CI = 2.083 - 7.281, P < 0.01) and it was positively correlated with sex and psychotic symptoms ( OR = 12.05, 0.08, 95% CI = 2.063 - 70.439, 0.010 - 0.698, both P < 0.05). The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety scores decreased after MECT in both groups (both P < 0.05). The proportions of patients having dizziness/headache (50.98% vs. 27.78%), vomiting (43.14% vs. 22.22%), muscle soreness (29.41% vs. 11.11%), delirium (23.53% vs. 7.41%), and memory impairment (64.71% vs. 33.33%) were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group ( χ2 = 5.93, 5.24, 5.49, 5.27, 10.33, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Most patients with MDD have an abnormal brain structure. Female patients at a low age of onset with psychotic symptoms tend to have an abnormal brain structure. MECT can greatly improve depressive symptoms and has no obvious impact on brain structure. Patients with MDD who have an abnormal brain structure are more likely to have complications.

Objective To study the changes of metabolites in chronic heart failure ( CHF ) patients of blood stasis pattern by applying nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR) . Methods Demographic data were collected from CHF patients of blood stasis pattern using cross-section survey. Their blood samples were also obtained and then magnetic resonance spectrum with pattern recognition techniques were used for in-tegral calculation and normalization based on chemical shift. All data were imputed into SIMCA-P soft-ware and the results were analyzed by using orthogonal projections to latent structures-discriminant analy-sis ( OPLS-DA) model. Results The OPLS-DA analysis of plasma samples could differentiate and pre-dict blood stasis pattern. Increased levels of lactate, alanine, and pyruvic acid with decreased levels of histidine, glycine, valineas, and other metabolites constitute the metabolomics profile of blood stasis pat-tern. Conclusion This study showed a profile of altered metabolites related to energy utilization and fat-ty acid metabolism in plasma samples of CHF patients with blood stasis pattern, which could offer a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of CHF.

Mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2) gene was isolated from a cDNA library derived from transformed mouse 3T3 cells, and was classified as an oncogene as it confers 3T3 and Rat2 cells tumorigenicity when overexpressed. It encodes a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling ubiquitin E3 ligase, with its main target being tumor suppressor p53, which is mutated in more than 50% of human primary tumors. Mdm2's oncogenic activity is mainly mediated by p53, which is activated by various stresses, especially genotoxic stress, via Atm (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and Atr (Atm and Rad3-related). Activated p53 inhibits cell proliferation, induces apoptosis or senescence, and maintains genome integrity. Mdm2 is also a target gene of p53 transcription factor. Thus, Mdm2 and p53 form a feedback regulatory loop. External and internal cues, through multiple signaling pathways, can act on Mdm2 to regulate p53 levels and cell proliferation, death, and senescence. This review will focus on how Mdm2 is regulated under genotoxic stress, and by the Akt1-mTOR-S6K1 pathway that is activated by insulin, growth factors, amino acids, or energy status.
3T3 Cells ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Cellular Senescence ; DNA Damage ; Energy Metabolism ; Feedback, Physiological ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Mutation ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 90-kDa ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; genetics ; metabolism

Somatostatin, also called somatotropin release-inhibiting factor (SRIF), is a kind of neurotransmitter, neuromodulator and neurotrophic factor, which participates in a variety of physiological functions in the central nervous system by activating the five G-protein-coupled receptors (sst 1-sst 5). SRIF and its receptors are extensively expressed and distributed in retina.Activation of SRIF receptors modulates voltage-gated K + and Ca 2+ channels, and regulates multiple intracellular signaling pathways in retinal cells, then influences neurotransmitter release and synaptic transmission, which plays an important role in the regulation of retinal visual information processing.In addition, SRIF and its receptors may provide protective effects against retinal injuries, such as retinal ischemia, excitotoxic injury and diabetic retinopathy.In this article, connected with related previous researches of our team, the distribution of SRIF and its receptor in retina, as well as the role of SRIF and its receptor in the physiological regulation and neuroprotection of retina were reviewed.

Objective:To understand the molecular evolutionary and genetic differences of South-East Asian dodeca RNA viruses (Seadornavirus).Methods:The homology, phylogeny, physicochemical properties, epitope prediction, tertiary structure and surface charge distribution were analyzed based on genome sequence of Seadornavirus capsid proteins.Results:The time of most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of Seadornavirus was estimated to be about 2 359 years ago, which were divided into three clusters. Their tMRCA were about 1 338, 499 and 253 years ago, respectively. And their mean substitution rate of Seadornavirus was 3.6×10 -4 n/s/y. The homology of nucleotide and amino acid was 31.3%-100% (μ=68.0%) and 11.9%-100% (μ=56.0%) respectively. Physicochemical properties and epitope analysis showed that the Banna virus (BAV) capsid protein is an acidic hydrophobic protein that there are 6 B cell epitopes and 2 Th epitopes, while Liaoning virus (LNV) and Kadipiro virus (KDV) are alkaline hydrophilic protein that there are 3 and 5 B cell epitopes, respectively. And there is only 1 Th epitope in the capsid protein of LNV, while KDV does not contain this epitope. The tertiary structure and protein surface charge analysis showed that the alpha helices and beta folds of Seadornavirus were different and the BAV contains two distinctly positively charged regions and two negatively charged regions, LNV has only one positively charged region, and KDV has two positively charged regions. Conclusions:Seadornaviruses had more rapid evolution and strong adaptability, and the genome sequences, protein epitopes, physicochemical properties and the tertiary structures between Seadornaviruses are different.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of using catheter fenestration technology in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)supplied by the right inferior phrenic artery(RIPA).Methods From March 2023 to May 2023,five HCC patients,whose HCC lesions were supplied by RIP A,received TACE by using catheter fenestration technology to accomplish the superselective catheterization of RIPA after the conventional microcatheter catheterization of RIPA failed.Results Superselective catheterization of RIPA and TACE were successfully accomplished in all the 5 patients,with a surgical success rate of 100％.The time spent for superselective catheterization of RIPA was(3.2±2.39)minutes.After TACE,the levels of the tumor indicators were decreased when compared with the pre-TACE values,while the liver function indexes showed no obvious damage.Based on the mRECIST criteria,PR was obtained in 3 patients and CR was obtained in 2 patients.None of the five patients developed serious adverse reactions.Conclusion In treating patients with HCC supplied by RIPA,the use of catheter fenestration technology can safely and effectively improve the success rate of superselective catheterization of RIPA during TACE.