Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age. Conclusions Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age. Conclusions Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age. Conclusions Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age. Conclusions Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.

Objective:To compare the outcomes of multiple scales, primarily the speech, spatial, and other qualities of hearing scale for parents（SSQ-P）, in children with ipsilateral vs. Contralateral cochleareimplantat ion（CRI）. Methods: A total of 69 children who received cochlear implantation surgery from April 1999 to June 2024 were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether the implantation was on the same side. General information such as gender, age, age at initial implantation and reimplantation was collected. The primary caregivers of the children were followed up by telephone using the categories of auditory performance（CAP）, speech intelligibility rating（SIR）, and SSQ-P questionnaires. Statistical methods including stepwise regression, linear regression, and permutation tests were employed to investigate if there were any statistically significant differences in the scores of CAP, SIR, SSQ-P total, SSQ-P speech perception, SSQ-P spatial hearing, and SSQ-P auditory quality dimensions between the ipsilateral and contralateral reimplantation groups. Results:Of the 69 children included, 62 were in the ipsilateral reimplantation group with a mean age of 11.1 years, and 7 were in the contralateral reimplantation group with a mean age of 11.7 years. Statistical analysis showed that patients in the contralateral reimplantation group had significantly lower SSQ-P total scores （P<0.05） and spatial hearing dimension scores （P<0.05） than those in the ipsilateral reimplantation group after controlling for the corresponding confounders. Conclusion:The effect of ipsilateral reimplantation of cochlear implants is superior to that of contralateral reimplantation in terms of overall auditory function and spatial hearing in daily life for children, but the mechanisms require further investigation.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Child ; Parents ; Speech Perception ; Male ; Cochlear Implants ; Female ; Hearing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Speech ; Child, Preschool

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of earthworm protein on the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （PI3K/Akt/Nrf2） pathway in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR） and explore mechanism of earthworm protein in treating hypertensive vascular endothelial dysfunction （VED）. MethodTen 10-week-old Wistar Kyoto （WKY） rats and fifty SHR rats were selected for a week of adaptive feeding. WKY rats were selected as the normal group， and fifty SHR rats were randomized according to body weight into model， valsartan （8×10^-3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （0.2， 0.1， 0.05 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） earthworm protein groups. The normal and model groups were administrated with equal volume of double distilled water by gavage. During the drug intervention period， the general situations of rats in each group were observed and their blood pressure was monitored at specific time points every other week before and after administration. After 8 weeks of drug intervention， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of angiotensin-Ⅱ （Ang-Ⅱ） and endothelin-1 （ET-1） in the serum of rats in each group. The corresponding kits were used to determine the levels of nitric oxide （NO）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the changes in the intima of the aorta. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to measure the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， Nrf2， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） in the aortic tissue. Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the thoracic aorta. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group had decreased body mass， increased irritability， severe endothelial damage， elevated blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， lowered NO level （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the aortic tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， drug intervention caused no significant change in the body mass， calmed the rats， alleviated the endothelial damage， lowered blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， elevated the NO level （P<0.05）， and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe earthworm protein can exert antihypertensive effects by ameliorating VED in SHR. Specifically， it may regulate the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress and ferroptosis.

Background The prevalence of malnutrition in older adults is high. Early use of appropriate screening scales for malnutrition risk and early intervention can effectively improve life quality of the elderly in communities. Objective To evaluate the risk of malnutrition among the community-dwelling elderly in a district of Shanghai and explore its influencing factors. Methods From October to December 2021, a total of 960 seniors aged 65 years and above in community committees (villages) of Minhang District were selected by stratified random sampling. Trained investigators conducted one-to-one interviews with included seniors using questionnaires. The questionnaires included the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL), and the malnutrition risk assessment for elderly adults. Height, weight, waist circumference, and calf circumference were measured. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze potential influencing factors of malnutrition in the elderly. Results Among the 960 community-dwelling seniors of Minhang District, 13 (1.35%) were malnourished and 311 (32.40%) were at the risk of malnutrition. There were statistically significant differences in nutritional status across different categories of age, sex, monthly family income, education level, marital status, waist circumference, dental health status, activity of daily living, nutrition knowledge, suffering from chronic diseases, having > 3 chronic diseases, taking > 3 long-term prescriptions, depression symptoms, sleeping duration, daily outdoor activity time, number of daily food species (milk/soy products/fish/meat/poultry/eggs), daily intake of vegetables and fruits, daily consumption of cooking oil, frequency of physical exercise, frequency of smoking, and living alone (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis results showed that poor dental conditions, insufficient daily intake of milk/soy products/fish/meat/poultry/eggs (<3 kinds), insufficient daily intake of vegetables and fruits (<500 g), excessive daily consumption of cooking oil (>25 g), insufficient daily outdoor activities (<1 h·d⁻¹), living alone, low educational level (primary school and below), suffering from chronic diseases, having > 3 chronic diseases, taking > 3 long-term prescriptions, and being single/widowed/divorced were the main risk factors for nutritional abnormalities in the elderly (P< 0.05). Conclusion The elderly in Minhang District of Shanghai have a high malnutrition risk, and their nutritional status is affected by multiple factors, including poor dental status, irrational dietary structure, insufficient time for outdoor activities, suffering from chronic diseases, having > 3 chronic diseases, taking > 3 long-term prescriptions, low educational level, living alone, and being single/widowed/divorced.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation at 530 nm,630 nm and 850 nm in the treatment of photoaged skin.Methods A total of 14 adults with photoaged extensor forearm were recruited in this study.Three areas were selected at the extensor forearm in each of these subjects and received LED irradiation at 530 nm,630 nm and 850 nm,respectively,thrice a week for 12 sessions.Dermoscopy was used to visualize these areas before and after the irradiation,the Corueometer CM 825 to measure stratum corneum (SC) hydration,Tewameter TM 300 to determine transepidermal water loss (TEWL),and CM-2600d spectrophotometer to measure L* value and melanin index (MI).Tissue specimens were obtained from these areas irradiated with LED at 530 nm (n =5),630 nm (n =5) and 850 nm (n =4) separately before and 6 weeks after the initial irradiation,and subjected to histopathological examination.Results Both skin texture and pigmentation were improved in 10 and 7 testees after 12 sessions of LED irradiation at 630 nm and 850 nm,respectively,but the skin texture became rougher and pigmentation was increased in 7 testees after LED irradiation at 530 nm.After LED irradiation at 630 nm and 850 nm,the testees experienced an obvious increase in SC hydration ((37.9 ± 7.7) au and (34.5 ± 7.1) au at 6 weeks after the initial irradiation vs.(33.1 ± 6.1) au and (32.0 ± 7.0) au before irradiation,both P ＜ 0.05),but a significant decrease in TEWL value ((9.8-± 2.5) and (10.9 ± 2.5) g·m-2·h-1 at 6 weeks after the initial irradiation vs.(14.0 ± 1.8) and (14.2 ± 2.6) g·m-2·h-1 before irradiation),with no significant changes in L* value or MI (both P ＞ 0.05).No evident alteration was observed in SC hydration or TEWL value (both P ＞ 0.05),while the L* value significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05) and MI increased (P ＜ 0.05) after LED irradiation at 530 nm.Histopathological examination showed photo-induced denaturation of collagen fibers and elastic fibers in the dermis of these subjects before irradiation,as well as nascent collagen fibers and elastic fibers in a more dense and regular arrangement after irradiation at the three wavelengths.Conclusions LED irradiation at both 630 nm and 850 nm can improve the appearance and barrier function of,and stimulate the proliferation and rearrangement of collagen fibers and elastic fibers in,photoaged skin,while LED irradiation at 530 nm increases skin pigmentation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in methylation levels of the promoters of the tumor suppressor gene Wilms' tumor gene on the X-chromosome (WTX) and its possible role in gastric cancer.

METHODSWTX promoter methylation levels were detected in 20 pairs of specimens of gastric cancer and matched normal tissues and in 3 gastric cancer cell lines (MGC803, SCG7901, and BGC823) using the Sequenom MassARRAY quantitative analysis system. The gastric cancer cell line BGC823 was treated with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) for demethylation and the changes in the level of WTX promoter methylation were investigated.

RESULTSWTX promoter methylation levels were very low and showed no significant differences among normal gastric tissues, gastric cancer tissues and the 3 gastric cancer cell lines. In BGC823 cells, treatment with 5-aza-dC did not obviously affect the promoter methylation levels of WTX.

CONCLUSIONHigh methylation levels of WTX promoters are rare in gastric cancer.

Objective To observe long-term follow-up results of in-stent restenosis by digital subtraction angiography(DSA) method after angioplasty and stenting with the Gateway-Wingspan stenting system in middle cerebral artery(MCA).Methods Consecutive patients with ischemic stroke and Wingspan stent placement were enrolled into our study.The proportion of in-stent restenosis and ischemic stroke associated with restenosis were evaluated by DSA after 6 and 12 months of stent placement.Results 30 patients with stenosis/occlusion of MCA underwent Wingspan Stent successfully.All of the patients finished follow-up except two patients(6.7％ ) who died in the first three months after stenting.At the sixth months follow-up,in-stent restenosis was observed in 7 patients( 23.3％ ) with average (69.0 ± 9.8 )％ in-stent restenosis degree.However,no additional in-stent restenosis was found at the twelfth month,two patients among the 7 with in-tent restenosis were suffered with artery occlusion in stent.Conclusion In-stent restenosis after Wingspan stenting in middle cerebral artery was more common during the first six months,and 85.7％ with ischemic stroke.It was worthy of paying attention to prevent in-stent restenosis at the first six months after stenting.