OBJECTIVES: To analyze the differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) complicated by hyperuricemia (HUA) and explore their potential as novel diagnostic molecular markers and their target genes. METHODS: This study was conducted among 30 CHF patients with HUA (observation group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) enrolled between September, 2020 and September, 2023. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 6 CHF patients with HUA for analyzing exosomal miRNAs by high-throughput sequencing, and the results were validated in the remaining 24 patients using qRT-PCR. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to predict the the target genes of the identified differential miRNAs. We also validated the differentially expressed miRNAs by animal experiment. RESULTS: A total of 42 differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were detected in observation group by high-throughput sequencing; among them, miR-27a-5p was significantly upregulated (P=0.000179), and miR-139-3p was significantly downregulated (P=0.000058). In the 24 patients with both CHF and PUA, qRT-PCR validated significant upregulation of miR-27a-5p (P=0.004) and downregulation of miR-139-3p (P=0.005) in serum exosomes. When combined, miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p had a maximum area under the curve (AUC) of 0.899 (95% CI: 0812-0.987) for predicting CHF complicated by HUA. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that the differential expressions of miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p was associated with the activation of the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway to activate the autophagic response. We obtained the same conclusion from animal experiment. CONCLUSIONS Upregulated exosomal miR-27a-5p combined with downregulated exosomal miR-139-3p expression can serve as a novel molecular marker for diagnosis of CHF complicated by HUA, and their differential expression may promote autophagy in cardiomyocytes by activating the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.
Humans ; Hyperuricemia/diagnosis* ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Chronic Disease ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Animals

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the efficacy of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects who were previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extended or switched TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on virological, serological, biological parameters, and fibrosis staging. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, t-test, or Log-Rank test according to the data. Results:593 subjects from the initial TMF group and 287 subjects from the TDF group were included at week 144, with the proportions of HBV DNA<20 IU/ml at week 144 being 86.2% and 83.3%, respectively, and 78.1% and 73.8% in patients with baseline HBV DNA levels ≥8 log10 IU/ml. Resistance to tenofovir was not detected in both groups. For HBeAg loss and seroconversion rates, both groups showed a further increase from week 96 to 144 and the 3-year cumulative rates of HBeAg loss were about 35% in each group. However, HBsAg levels were less affected during 96 to 144 weeks. For patients switched from TDF to TMF, a substantial further increase in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate was observed (11.4%), along with improved FIB-4 scores.Conclusion:After 144 weeks of TMF treatment, CHB patients achieved high rates of virological, serological, and biochemical responses, as well as improved liver fibrosis outcomes. Also, switching to TMF resulted in significant benefits in ALT normalization rates (NCT03903796).

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the safety profile of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects that previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extending or switching TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Safety profiles of kidney, bone, metabolism, body weight, and others were evaluated.Results:666 subjects from the initial TMF group and 336 subjects from TDF group with at least one dose of assigned treatment were included at week 144. The overall safety profile was favorable in each group and generally similar between extended or switched TMF treatments from week 96 to 144. In subjects switching from TDF to TMF, the non-indexed estimated glomerular filtration rate (by non-indexed CKD-EPI formula) and creatinine clearance (by Cockcroft-Gault formula) were both increased, which were (2.31±8.33) ml/min and (4.24±13.94) ml/min, respectively. These changes were also higher than those in subjects with extending TMF treatment [(0.91±8.06) ml/min and (1.30±13.94) ml/min]. Meanwhile, switching to TMF also led to an increase of the bone mineral density (BMD) by 0.75% in hip and 1.41% in spine. On the other side, a slight change in TC/HDL ratio by 0.16 (IQR: 0.00, 0.43) and an increase in body mass index (BMI) by (0.54±0.98) kg/m 2 were oberved with patients switched to TMF, which were significantly higher than that in TMF group. Conclusion:CHB patients receiving 144 weeks of TMF treatment showed favorable safety profile. After switching to TMF, the bone and renal safety was significantly improved in TDF group, though experienceing change in metabolic parameters and weight gain (NCT03903796).

Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency in the treatment of overactive bladder(OAB).Methods:A prospective, multicenter, non-randomized controlled trial was conducted. Eligible patients were divided into test group and control group in Zhejiang Provincial People’Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, and Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine from March 2019 to June 2020. Inclusion criteria: patients diagnosed with OAB, and bladder capacity>100ml. Exclusion criteria: pregnant and lactating women; patients with secondary OAB symptoms such as urinary tract obstruction; patients with uncontrolled urinary tract infection within 1 week; patients in stable stage by using other treatment methods; patients implanted with any nerve stimulator, cardiac pacemaker or implantable defibrillator; patients with malignant tumors, serious cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases, renal insufficiency or received BTX treatment in recent 12 months. The patients were allocated to test group and the control group in a ratio of 2∶1 according to the time sequence of the visit. The patients in the test group were treated with radiofrequency treatment. After entering the group, they were treated for 4 times at the 1st, 2nd, 7th and 8th week respectively. In the control group, the energy was turned off during the radiofrequency treatment. The patients were followed-up every week until the end of the 12th week. The treatment success rate [the average frequency of urination in 24 h was reduced more than 50% from the baseline or returned to the normal (≤8 times/day) or the average frequency of urgent urination in 24 h was reduced more than 50% from the baseline], the frequency of urination, urgent urination and nocturnal urination before and after treatment, the residual urine volume of the bladder, the quality of life (QOL) score and the occurrence of catheter related adverse events in two groups were compared.Results:114 patients were enrolled in the study, including 76 patients in the test group and 38 patients in the control group. There were no significant differences in the age [(44.2±12.8) vs. (41.7 ± 12.1) years old], male female ratio (13/63 vs. 4/34), average course of disease [2.0(1.2, 5.0) vs. 2.0 (1.0, 4.0) years], the frequency of urination[12.8 (10.6, 16.8) vs. 12.8 (10.3, 17.0) times], urgency urination [11.8(9.3, 15.8) vs. 11.8 (9.0, 17.0) times], nocturia [2.7 (1.3, 3.7) vs. 2.3(0.7, 3.3) times], residual urine volume of bladder [12.0 (3.0, 28.0) vs. 14.0 (3.7, 20.0) ml ] and the QOL score [5.0(4.0, 5.0) vs. 4.0(4.0, 5.0)]before the treatment between the two groups ( P>0.05). The treatment success rate in the test group was 76.3% (58/76), while 26.3% (10/38) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.01). There were significant differences between the test group and control group in the frequency of urination [9.7 (7.7, 12.0) vs. 12.9 (9.6, 15.7) times], urgent urination [7.3 (5.0, 10.0) vs. 11.7 (7.3, 15.3) times], nocturia [1.3 (0.7, 2.0) vs. 1.7 (1.0, 3.0) times] and the QOL score of the patients[3.0(1.0, 3.0) vs. 4.0(3.0, 4.5)]after the treatment(all P<0.05). The frequency of urination, urgency urination, nocturia, the residual urine volume and the QOL score in the test group were significantly improved ( P<0.05) after the treatment.The frequency of urination, nocturia, residual urine volume and the QOL score in the control group were improved ( P<0.05) after the treatment. 13 (11.4%) patients had catheter related adverse events. In the test group and the control group, there were 7 cases of macroscopic hemorrhage caused by the placement of instruments (5/76 vs. 2/38), 5 cases of acute urinary tract infection within 3 days (3/76 vs. 2/38), and 1 case of instrument breakage (catheter breakage) (0/76 vs. 1/38). There were no significant differences in the adverse events between the two groups ( P> 0.05). Conclusions:Radiofrequency treatment of OAB can effectively improve the symptoms of patients, improve the QOL of patients, and has low incidence of adverse events, with good efficacy and safety.

Objective:To establish and verify a dynamic web-based nomogram for predicting futile recanalization after thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Three hundred and four acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from May 2017 to April 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. All these patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy and obtained successful recanalization. The eligible patients were randomly divided into training group ( n=216) and test group ( n=88) by 7∶3. The nomogram was established and internally validated with the data of the training group, and externally validated with the data of the test group. For the training group, multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed by including all variables with P<0.05 in univariate analysis, and the independent predictors of futile recanalization were screened out to construct a nomogram. In the training group and the test group, the performance of the nomogram was verified by C-index, calibration chart and decision curve analysis respectively. Results:No significant difference was detected between the training group and the test group in futile recanalization [134/216 (62.0%) vs 56/88 (63.6%), χ 2=0.07, P=0.794]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age ( OR=1.04,95% CI 1.00-1.08, P=0.033), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission ( OR=1.11,95% CI 1.04-1.19, P=0.001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio ( OR=1.19,95% CI 1.07-1.32, P=0.001), glycated hemoglobins ( OR=2.02,95% CI 1.34-3.05, P<0.001), poor collateral status ( OR=10.87,95% CI 4.08-29.01, P<0.001), postoperative high density ( OR=11.38,95% CI 4.56-28.40, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for futile recanalization. The C-index of this nomogram in the training group and the test group was 0.92 (95% CI 0.877-0.954, P<0.001) and 0.93 (95% CI 0.87-0.98, P<0.001), respectively. Conclusion:This web-based nomogram, including age, NIHSS score on admission, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, glycated hemoglobin, poor collateral status and postoperative high density, predicted individual probability of futile recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy with good discrimination and clinical utility.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of 100 units of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) intradetrusor injection in patients with overactive bladder.Methods:From April 2016 to December 2018, 17 tertiary hospitals were selected to participate in this prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Two phases of study were conducted: the primary phase and the extended phase. This study enrolled patients aged 18 to 75 years who had been inadequately managed by anticholinergic therapy (insufficient efficacy or intolerable side effects) and had spontaneous voiding with overactive bladder. Exclusion criteria included patients with severe cardiac, renal and hepatic disorders, patients with previous botulinum toxin treatment for 6 months or allergic to BTX-A, patients with urinary tract infections, patients with urinary stones, urinary tract tumors, diabetes mellitus, and bleeding tendency. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to BTX-A group and placebo control group in a ratio of 2∶1. Two groups of patients received 20 intradetrusor injections of BTX-A 100U or placebo at the depth of the submucosal muscle layer respectively under cystoscope, including 5 injections at the base of the bladder, 3 injections to the bladder triangle, 5 injections each to the left and right walls and 2 injections to the top, sparing the bladder neck. As a placebo control group, patients received same volume of placebo containing no BTX-A and only adjuvant freeze-dried preparations for injection with the same method. A combination of gelatin, sucrose, and dextran served as adjuvants. Average micturition times per 24 hours, urinary incontinence (UI) episodes per day, average micturition volume per day, OAB symptom score(OABSS), and quality of life (QOL) score were recorded at baseline and the 2nd, 6th and 12th week after treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in the average micturition times per 24 hours at the 6th week after treatment. The secondary efficacy endpoints included the change from baseline in the average micturition times per 24 hours at 2nd and 12th week, as well as the change from baseline in the OABSS, QOL score, average frequency of urgency and UI episodes per day, urgency score, average micturition volume per day at 2nd, 6th and 12th week after treatment. Patients were followed for 12 weeks to assess adverse events (AEs). After assessed at week 12, if the micturition times has decreased less than 50% compared to baseline and the patient is willing to receive retreatment, then patients could enter the extended trial phase. In that phase, patients in both groups were injected with 100 units BTX-A from 12th week onwards and then followed up the same indicators for 12 weeks.Results:216 patients were enrolled in this trial (144 cases in the BTX-A group and 72 cases in the placebo control group). Baseline characteristics such as age (47.75±14.20 in the BTX-A group and 46.39±15.55 in the control group), sex (25 male/117 female in the BTX-A group and 10/61 in the control group), and disease duration (0.51 years in the BTX-A group and 0.60 years in the control group) were balanced between the two groups( P>0.05). A marked reduction from baseline in average micturition times per 24 hours was observed in all treatment groups at the 6th week and the reduction of the two groups was statistically different ( P<0.001 and P=0.008 respectively). Compared with the baseline, the average micturition times per 24 hours at the 6th week decreased from baseline by 2.40(0.70, 4.60)times for the BTX-A group and 0.70(-1.00, 3.30) times for the placebo control group respectively, and the difference between the two groups was considered to be statistically significant ( P=0.003). The change rates of average micturition times per 24 hours from baseline at the 6th week of the two groups were (16±22)% and (8±25)% respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.014). Compared with the baseline, the average micturition times per 24 hours at 2nd and 12th week decreased by 2.00(0.00, 4.00)and 3.30(0.60, 5.03)for the BTX-A group, 1.00(-1.00, 3.00)and 1.70(-1.45, 3.85)for the placebo control group respectively. The difference between two groups was considered to be statistically significant ( P=0.038 and P=0.012); the changes of average urgency times per day for the BTX-A group and the control group at the 2nd, 6th and 12th week were 2.00(0.00, 4.30)and 2.40(0.30, 5.00), 3.00(0.30, 5.70)and 0.70(-1.30, 2.70), 0.70(-1.30, 3.00) and 1.35(-1.15, 3.50), respectively. There were significant differences between two groups at the 2nd, 6th and 12th week, ( P=0.010, P=0.003 and P=0.025, respectively). The OABSS of the BTX-A group and the control group at the 6th week decreased by 1.00(0.00, 4.00)and 0.50(-1.00, 2.00) compared with the baseline, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.003). 47 cases of BTX-A group and 34 cases of placebo control group entered the extended trial phase, and 40 and 28 cases completed the extended trial phase, respectively. The average micturition volume per 24 hours changed by -16.60(-41.60, -0.60)ml and -6.40(-22.40, 13.30)ml, (-35.67±54.41)ml and(-1.76±48.69)ml, (-36.14±41.51)ml and (-9.28±44.59)ml, (-35.85±43.35)ml and(-10.41±40.29)ml for two groups at the 12th, 14th, 18th and 24th week, and the difference between two groups was statistically significant at each follow-up time ( P=0.01, 0.006, 0.012 and 0.016, respectively). There was no significant difference in other parameters( P>0.05). However, adverse reactions after intradetrusor injection included increased residual urine volume (27 in the BTX-A group and 3 in the control group), dysuria (21 in the BTX-A group and 6 in the control group), urinary infection (19 in the BTX-A group and 6 in the control group), bladder neck obstruction (3 in the BTX-A group and 0 in the control group), hematuria (3 in the BTX-A group and 1 in the control group), elevated alanine aminotransferase (3 in the BTX-A group and 0 in the control group), etc. During the follow-up period, there was no significant difference in the other adverse events between two groups except the increase of residual urine volume( P<0.05). In the primary trial phase, among the 27 cases with increased residual urine volume in BTA group, only 1 case (3.70%) with PVR more than 300 ml; the PVR of 3 patients in the placebo group was less than 100 ml. The increase of residual urine volume caused by the injection could be improved or disappeared with the passage of time. Conclusions:Intradetrusor injection of Chinese BTX-A improved the average micturition times per 24 hours, the average daily urgent micturition times, OABSS, and average micturition volume per time, and reduced the adverse effects in patients with overactive bladder.Chinese BTX-A at dose of 100U demonstrated durable efficacy and safety in the management of overactive bladder.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become an important treatment strategy for advanced esophageal cancer in the first and second line. Currently, the use of ICIs in neoadjuvant therapy is very limited. However, neoadjuvant immunotherapy may bring better survival benefits for patients with early esophageal cancer or with resectable locally advanced esophageal cancer. The authors review relevant studies to discuss the current status and future of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for esophageal cancer.

Objective:To analyze the value of serum ceruloplasmin (CP) levels in predicting the outcome of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:The clinical data of 1 751 patients with HBV-ACLF treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2010 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to 30-day outcomes, 1 220 survival patients were classified into group A; 465 fatal patients and 46 patients receiving liver transplantation were classified into group B (total 531 cases). Risk factors associated with 30-day survival were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of CP on the 30-day outcome of patients with HBV-ACLF.Results:Multivariate analysis indicated that CP, albumin and alpha fetoprotein were independent protective factors for 30-day survival of HBV-ACLF patients ( P<0.05 or <0.01), while age, white blood cell count, AST, total bilirubin, INR, serum creatinine, HBV DNA, hepatorenal syndrome and hepatic encephalopathy were independent risk factors ( P<0.01). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CP was 0.570 (95% CI 0.540-0.599, P<0.01); while AUC of MELD score was 0.783 (95% CI 0.759-0.807, P<0.01) and MELD-Na score was 0.774 (95% CI 0.750-0.798, P<0.01). Compared with MELD score and MELD-Na score, the value of CP in predicting the 30-day prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients was lower ( P<0.01). The cut-off value of CP for predicting 30-day outcome of HBV-ACLF patients was 0.173 g/L, with the sensitivity of 69.4%, and the specificity of 41.6%. According to the cut-off value, the patients were divided into low CP level group (level of CP<0.173 g/L) and high CP level group (level of CP≥0.173 g/L); the 30-day cumulative survival rate of low CP level group was lower than that of high CP level group ( χ2=17.75, P<0.01). Conclusions:Serum CP level can predict the 30-day outcome of HBV-ACLF patients to a certain extent.

Objective:To Investigate the correlation of eosinophil count and stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Patients with acute ischemic stroke within 24 h after onset admitted to the Department of Encephalopathy, Suzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital from August 2016 to September 2018 were enrolled prospectively. Their general clinical data and eosinophil counts were collected. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to assess the severity of stroke. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for SAP. Results:A total of 521 patients were enrolled, including 106 (20.35%) SAP. Univariate logistic analysis showed that SAP was associated with the classification of eosinophil count (odds ratio [ OR] 0.37, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 0.20-0.68; P=0.001), and tended to be associated with eosinophil count ( OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01-1.01; P=0.051). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that both eosinophil count and eosinophil count classification were not the independent risk factors for SAP, and advanced age ( OR 1.077, 95% CI 1.045-1.109; P< 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( OR 6.931, 95% CI 1.295-37.106; P=0.024) and high baseline NIHSS score ( OR 1.148, 95% CI 1.003-1.314; P=0.045) were significantly independently associated with SAP. Conclusions:Eosinophil count was not an independent predictor of SAP in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Background: () (2n = 2x = 16) is genus of flowering plants belonging to the Gelsemicaeae family. Method: Here, a high-quality genome assembly using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture techniques (Hi-C) were used. Results: A total of 56.11 Gb of raw GridION X5 platform ONT reads (6.23 Gb per cell) were generated. After filtering, 53.45 Gb of clean reads were obtained, giving 160 × coverage depth. The genome assemblies 335.13 Mb, close to the 338 Mb estimated by k-mer analysis, was generated with contig N50 of 10.23 Mb. The vast majority (99.2%) of the assembled sequence was anchored onto 8 pseudo-chromosomes. The genome completeness was then evaluated and 1338 of the 1440 conserved genes (92.9%) could be found in the assembly. Genome annotation revealed that 43.16% of the genome is composed of repetitive elements and 23.9% is composed of long terminal repeat elements. We predicted 26,768 protein-coding genes, of which 84.56% were functionally annotated. Conclusion The genomic sequences of could be a valuable source for comparative genomic analysis in the Gelsemicaeae family and will be useful for understanding the phylogenetic relationships of the indole alkaloid metabolism.