Objective To investigate the expression changes in serum brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)in ventricular remodeling in elderly hypertensive patients with heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction(HFmrEF).Methods A total of 288 elderly hypertensive patients admitted to our department from January 2022 to January 2024 were enrolled,and then divided into heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)group(88 cases),HFmrEF group(54 cases),heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)group(62 cases),and control group(simple hypertension,84 cases).The BNP and NT-proBNP levels and ventricular remodeling indicators were compared among all groups.Ventricular remodeling indicators included left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),interventricular septum thickness(IVST),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),maximum mitral flow velocity in early left ventricular diastolic period(E)/maximum mitral flow velocity in late left ventricular diastolic period(A),left ventricle mass index(LVMI)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF).Results Significant differences were observed in the LVPWT,IVST,LVEF,LVEDD,E/A,LVMI,BNP and NT-proBNP levels among above four groups(P＜0.01).The LVPWT,IVST,LVEDD,LVMI,BNP and NT-proBNP levels were obvi-ously higher,and LVEF and E/A were notably lower in the HFpEF,HFmrEF and HFrEF groups than the control group(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BNP and NT-proBNP were risk factors for ventricular remodeling in patients with hypertension combined with HFmrEF(P＜0.01).Spearman correlation analysis indicated that BNP and NT-proBNP levels were positively correlated with LVPWT,IVST,LVEDD and LVMI(r=0.387,P=0.001,r=0.523,P=0.001,r=0.417,P=0.001,r=0.364,P=0.001;r=0.421,P=0.001,r=0.603,P=0.001,r=0.316,P=0.000,r=0.286,P=0.001),but negatively with LVEF and E/A(r=-0.437,P=0.001,r=-0.624,P=0.001;r=-0.687,P=0.001,r=-0.592,P=0.001).ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC value of BNP and NT-proBNP levels in predicting ventricu-lar remodeling in patients with hypertension combined with HFmrEF was 0.906 and 0.881(P＜0.01),their best cut-off value was 1205.07 and 2016.13 ng/L,the sensitivity was 96.8％and 90.3％,and the specificity was 92.3％and 87.0％,respectively.Conclusion Abnormal levels of BNP and NT-proBNP are associated with ventricular remodeling in elderly patients with hyper-tension combined with HFmrEF,and they can be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of ventric-ular remodeling in the patients.

Objective:To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test.Methods:This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results:After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea ( Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of serological indicators and evaluate the diagnostic value of a new established combined serological model on identifying the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective multicenter study enrolled 263 compensated cirrhotic patients from 23 hospitals in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China between October 2021 and August 2022. Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected, and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated. Ammonia level was corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) by the baseline blood ammonia measurements/upper limit of the normal reference value. MHE was diagnosed by combined abnormal number connection test-A and abnormal digit symbol test as suggested by Guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis. The patients were randomly divided (7∶3) into training set ( n=185) and validation set ( n=78) based on caret package of R language. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model of MHE diagnosis. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve. The internal verification was carried out by the Bootstrap method ( n=200). AUC comparisons were achieved using the Delong test. Results:In the training set, prevalence of MHE was 37.8% (70/185). There were statistically significant differences in AMM-ULN, albumin, platelet, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, MELD score and education between non-MHE group and MHE group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AMM-ULN [odds ratio ( OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.05-3.14, P=0.038] and MELD score ( OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for MHE, and the AUC for predicting MHE were 0.663, 0.625, respectively. Compared with the use of blood AMM-ULN and MELD score alone, the AUC of the combined model of AMM-ULN, MELD score and education exhibited better predictive performance in determining the presence of MHE was 0.755, the specificity and sensitivity was 85.2% and 55.7%, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ( P=0.733). The AUC for internal validation of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.752. In the validation set, the AUC of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.794, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration ( P=0.841). Conclusion:Use of the combined model including AMM-ULN, MELD score and education could improve the predictive efficiency of MHE among patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage commonly presents in traumatic brain injury patients, and it may lead to complications such as meningitis, ventriculitis, brain abscess, subdural hematoma or tension pneumocephalus. When misdiagnosed or inappropriately treated, traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage may result in severe complications and may be life-threatening. Some traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage has concealed manifestations and is prone to misdiagnosis. Due to different sites and mechanisms of trauma and degree of cerebrospinal fluid leak, treatments for traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage varies greatly. Hence, the Craniocerebral Trauma Professional Group of Neurosurgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Neurological Injury Professional Group of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized relevant experts to formulate the " Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage in adults ( version 2023)" based on existing clinical evidence and experience. The consensus consisted of 16 recommendations, covering the leakage diagnosis, localization, treatments, and intracranial infection prevention, so as to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage and improve the overall prognosis of the patients.

Background::To date, there is no effective medicine to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the antiviral efficacy of arbidol in the treatment for COVID-19 remained equivocal and controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of arbidol tablets in the treatment of COVID-19.Methods::This was a prospective, open-label, controlled and multicenter investigator-initiated trial involving adult patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Patients were stratified 1:2 to either standard-of-care (SOC) or SOC plus arbidol tablets (oral administration of 200 mg per time, three times a day for 14 days). The primary endpoint was negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 within the first week. The rates and 95% confidential intervals were calculated for each variable.Results::A total of 99 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled; 66 were assigned to the SOC plus arbidol tablets group, and 33 to the SOC group. The negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 within the first week in patients receiving arbidol tablets was significantly higher than that of the SOC group (70.3% [45/64] vs. 42.4% [14/33]; difference of conversion rate 27.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.7%-48.1%; P = 0.008). Compared to those in the SOC group, patients receiving arbidol tablets had a shorter duration of clinical recovery (median 7.0 days vs. 12.0 days; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.877, 95% CI: 1.151-3.060, P = 0.006), symptom of fever (median 3.0 days vs. 12.0 days; HR: 18.990, 95% CI: 5.350-67.410, P < 0.001), as well as hospitalization (median 12.5 days vs. 20.0 days; P < 0.001). Moreover, the addition of arbidol tablets to SOC led to more rapid normalization of declined blood lymphocytes (median 10.0 days vs. 14.5 days; P > 0.05). The most common adverse event in the arbidol tablets group was the elevation of transaminase (5/200, 2.5%), and no one withdrew from the study due to adverse events or disease progression. Conclusions::SOC plus arbidol tablets significantly increase the negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 within the first week and accelerate the recovery of COVID-19 patients. During the treatment with arbidol tablets, we find no significant serious adverse events.Trial registration::Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, NCT04260594, www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04260594?term= NCT04260594&draw=2&rank=1

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of independent and combined subtests of the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) in mild hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) of patients with liver cirrhosis, so as to optimize the PHES.Methods:This was a prospective, multicenter and real-world study which was sponsored by the National Clinical Research Center of Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Consortium. Twenty-six hospitals from 13 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities countrywide participated in this study, induding Tianjin Third Central Hospital, the Fourth People′s Hospital of Qinghai Province, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, the Third People′s Hospital of Taiyuan, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital and so on. From October 2021 to February 2022, outpatients and hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis and no obvious hepatic encephalopathy were consecutively enrolled. All patients received 5 PHES subjects in the same order: number connection test(NCT)-A, NCT-B, digit symbol test(DST), line tracing test(LTT) and serial dotting test(SDT), and the scores were calculated. The total score of PHES <-4 was taken as the cut-off value for diagnosing MHE. Compare the differences in each subtest between MHE group and non-MHE group. Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) and area under the curve(AUC) was performed to assess the diagnostic value of independent and combined subtests in MHE. Mann-Whitney U test and DeLong test were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 581 patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled, 457 were diagnosed as MHE, and the incidence of MHE was 78.7%. The results of NCT-A, NCT-B, SDT, LTT, DST of MHE group were 60.00 s(47.01 s, 88.00 s), 90.45 s(69.32 s, 125.35 s), 74.00 s(57.65 s, 96.60 s), 74.72(60.00, 98.61) and 27.00(20.00, 36.00), respectively. Compared those of non-MHE group(34.00 s(29.15 s, 44.48 s), 50.00 s(40.98 s, 60.77 s), 50.00 s(41.07 s, 63.03 s), 46.23(38.55, 59.42) and 42.00(34.00, 50.75)), the differences were statistically significant( Z=12.37, 12.98, 9.83, 11.56, 10.66; all P<0.001). The AUC(95% confidence interval(95% CI)) of subtests of PHES NCT-B, NCT-A, LTT, DST and SDT alone in MHE diagnosis were 0.880(0.849 to 0.910), 0.862(0.828 to 0.896), 0.838(0.799 to 0.877), 0.812(0.772 to 0.851) and 0.788(0.743 to 0.832), respectively. The combination of 2 PHES subtests significantly increased the diagnostic efficacy. Among them the diagnostic efficacy of the combination of NCT-B and LTT was the best, the AUC(95% CI) was 0.924(0.902 to 0.947), the specificity was 91.9% and the sensitivity was 79.2%, which was better than a single PHES subtest (NCT-A, NCT-B, SDT, LTT and DST) and the combination of NCT-A and DST(AUC was 0.879, 95% CI0.847 to 0.910) which was recommended by guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis, the differences were statistically significant ( Z=3.78, 3.83, 5.57, 5.51, 5.38, 2.93; all P<0.01). Furthermore, compared between the combination of NCT-B and LTT and the combination of 3 subests of PHES, only the diagnostic efficacy of combination of NCT-B, LTT and SDT (AUC was 0.936, 95% CI 0.916 to 0.956) was better than that of the combination of NCT-B and LTT, the difference was statistically significant( Z=2.32, P=0.020). Conclusion:Based on the diagnostic efficacy and clinical feasibility of PHES subtests and their combinations, the combination of NCT-B and LTT is recommended for the diagnosis of MHE.

Objective · To detect the vitamin D2 and D3 levels in the patients with moderate and severe depression. Methods · Eighty-five patientswho met the criteria for major depressive disorder were recruited (53 patients with moderate depression, 32 patients with severe depression). Fifty agematchedhealthy volunteers were recruited as controls. Serum 25 (OH) D2, 25 (OH) D3 and total 25 (OH) D2/D3 levels were detected by using liquidchromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The risk factors which might influence the severity of depression were screened by Logisticregression analysis. Results · The serum 25 (OH) D2, 25 (OH) D3 and total 25 (OH) D2/D3 levels in the case group was lower than those in the controlgroup (P=0.012, P=0.000, P=0.000). The patients with moderate depression presented significantly lower serum 25 (OH) D3 and total 25 (OH) D2/D3 levelsthan the controls did (P=0.000), although no significant difference in serum 25 (OH) D2 levels was found between these two groups. As well, the serum 25 (OH) D2, 25 (OH) D3 and total 25 (OH) D2/D3 levels in patients with severe depression were significantly lower than those in patients with moderate depression and controls (P<0.05). The body mass index of severe depression group was much higher than that of moderate depression group and control group (P=0.002). Both overweight/obesity and the concentration of vitamin D may be the major influencing factors of depression severity (P=0.034, P=0.011). Conclusion · Vitamin D2 and D3 deficiency in depressive patients, particularly in those patients with severe depression, was shown in the present study. In addition, overweight/obesity as well as the concentration of vitamin D may exert the significant influence on the severity of depression. Vitamin D supplementation and weight control may be needed to be considered in making therapeutic strategies of major depressive disorder.

Objective To explore the mediating effect of the regulatory emotional self-efficacy be-tween mindfulness and the level of anxiety in nurses. Methods A total of 1 124 clinical nurses were meas-ured with five facet mindfulness questionaire(FFMQ),regulatory emotional self-efficacy scale(RES),and Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS). Results The scores of mindfulness,regulatory emotional self-efficacy and anxiety were(118.75±10.70),(42.29±6.40)and(45.93±10.00)respectively.Mindfulness was positively correlated with the regulatory emotional self-efficacy(r=0.351,P<0.01)while negatively correlated with nur-ses' anxiety(r=-0.249,P<0.01).The regulatory emotional self-efficacy was negatively correlated with nur-ses' anxiety(r=-0.264,P<0.01).The regulatory emotional self-efficacy played a partial mediating role be-tween mindfulness and nurses' anxiety,which could explain 28.2% of the total effect.Conclusion The reg-ulatory emotional self-efficacy is a partial mediator between mindfulness and nurses' anxiety.

Objective:To explore the effects of problem-solving based telephone and texting interventions for medication adherence of discharged patients with schizophrenia.Method:A total of 178 discharged patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to telephone intervention (TI)group (n =63),text-messaging intervention (TMI)group (n =61),and control group (n =54).All patients were routinely treated,and patients in TI and TMI groups were given problem-solving based interventions.Medication adherence and psychotic symptoms were as-sessed by pill counting and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS)at baseline and the first,third, sixth,ninth and twelfth month.Results:Overall,patients with TI had higher medication adherence than those with TMI (P <0.001),and patients with TMI had higher medication adherence than that in control group (P <0.001). PANSS scores in TI and TMI groups were not significantly different (P >0.05),but significantly lower than control group (P <0.01).There was higher rate of re-admission in control group in comparison with TI and TMI groups (9.3% vs.[0% and 1.6%],P <0.05).Conclusion:It suggests that problem-solving based telephone and texting interventions are effective for improving medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia after their discharge from hospital,so as to reducing psychotic symptoms and lowering re-hospitalization risk.In comparison with TMI, TI has a better effect in improving medication adherence.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between dopamine D1 receptor ( DRD1 ) gene polymorphisms and clozapine efficacy in male schizophrenic patients. Methods:Totally 46 male schizophrenic patients were treated by clozapine for 6-8 weeks. The clinical response was determined by the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). DRD1 gene rs265981, rs5326, rs4532, rs1799914, rs686 and rs4867798 polymorphisms were detected by the gene sequencing, while plasma clozapine levels were monitored during the treatment. Results:The total clinical efficacy of clozapine response group and the non-response group was compared, the distribution of rs265981 genotype TT, TC and CC and allele T and C had statistically significant differences (P=0. 025;P=0. 005), and the distribution of rs686 genotype CC, CT and TC and allele C and T had statistically significant differences ( P=0. 044;P=0. 010). The negative symptom of the response group was compared with that of the non-response group, the distribution of rs4532 gen-otype GG, GA and AA and allele G and A had statistically significant differences (P=0. 034; P=0. 013). Conclusion: The poly-morphisms of DRD1 gene rs265981 and rs686 may have influence on the clinical efficacy of clozapine, and rs4532 may have influence on the negative symptom.