Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

The incidence of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)is in-creasing year by year,seriously affecting patients'health.Mes-enchymal stem cells are multipotent cells with multiple differen-tiation functions.The extracellular vesicles released by these cells can carry various"cargo"to corresponding cells and tis-sues,exerting biological functions.They have shown great clini-cal potential in the treatment of KOA.This study reviews the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of extracellular vesicles se-creted by mesenchymal stem cells from different tissues such as bone marrow,adipose tissue,and synovium in KOA.It is found that miRNA is an important biological component in exerting therapeutic effects.The study also discusses the research pro-gress of engineered extracellular vesicles in KOA,pointing out the current challenges in clinical application,such as standard-ized acquisition of extracellular vesicles and difficulties in targe-ted action,aiming to provide a certain reference for the basic re-search and clinical application of extracellular vesicle therapy for KOA.

Aim This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of Todda-lia asiatica in the treatment of ischemic stroke(IS),utilizing network pharmacology,molecular docking technology,and animal experiments.Methods To screen the chemical components of Toddalia asiatica and its targets related to IS,a database was utilized.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was con-structed,followed by KEGG pathway enrichment anal-ysis.Molecular docking was performed to investigate the interaction between the components and target pro-teins.Finally,the effects of the drug on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and autophagy were validated through animal experiments.We established a middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rat model and di-vided the rats into the model group,Donepezil hydro-chloride group,Toddalia asiatica group,and sham op-eration group randomly.Observed the pathological changes in neurons of the rat hippocampal and cortical regions induced by the drug,performed immunohisto-chemical analysis to detect and localize mTOR expres-sion,and used Western blot to assess the expression levels of PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,p-AKT,mTOR,as well as autophagy markers(LC3-Ⅱ and p62).Re-sults A total of 22 active ingredients from Toddalia asiatica,including AKT1 and MAPK3,were identified through screening.Additionally,194 signaling path-ways,such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK,were analyzed.The active compounds in Toddalia asiatica demonstra-ted stable binding affinity with targets associated with ischemic stroke.The results of the animal experiment indicated that,compared to the sham-operated group,the neuronal distribution in the hippocampal and corti-cal regions of the model group rats became sparser and more disorganized.There was a decrease in the number of Nissl bodies and cytoplasmic vacuolization.The ex-pression of mTOR-positive cells in the hippocampal and cortical regions was reduced.Additionally,the ex-pression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,mTOR,and p62 in the rat hippocampal tissue decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while the expression of LC3-Ⅱ increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the rats in the Toddalia asiatica and the Donepezil hydrochloride groups effectively improved the aforementioned indica-tors in rats.Conclusions Network pharmacology a-nalysis has revealed the promising potential of Toddalia asiatica in treating ischemic stroke,attributed to its di-verse components,targets,and pathways.The animal experiment showed that Toddalia asiatica can protect the neuronal structure in the hippocampal and cortical regions,which may be related to the inhibition of ex-cessive autophagy mediated by the PI3 K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Aim To examine the neuroprotective im-pacts of total saponins from Trillium tschonoskii maxim(TST)on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)in rats and delve into the mechanisms of ferroptosis.Methods The CIRI model was prepared by dividing male SD rats into the model group,TST(0.1 g·kg-1)group,Donepezil hydrochloride(0.45 mg·kg-1)group,and sham group.The cognitive functions of rats in each group were assessed through the Morris water maze test,the changes in neurological function were evaluated using the Zea-Longa method,the infarct area was observed via TTC staining,and the pathologi-cal alterations in brain tissue were analysed using HE and Nissl staining.To further investigate the underly-ing mechanism,the mitochondrial structural changes were examined using transmission electron microscopy,and the levels of GSH-PX,MDA,and SOD were ana-lyzed.Additionally,the expressions of GPX4 and Nrf2 proteins were evaluated through immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.Furthermore,the protein lev-els of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 and Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathways in rats were examined using Western blot-ting.Results The rats in the model group displayed diminished learning and memory capabilities in com-parison to those in the sham group,as well as a signifi-cantly increased cerebral infarction area and higher neurological function scores(P＜0.01),significantly increased cerebral infarct area,disordered and loosely arranged neurons,and reduced Nissl bodies.Addition-ally,mitochondria showed typical signs of ferroptosis.Changes related to ferroptosis included decreased activ-ities of SOD and GSH-PX(P＜0.01)and increased MDA levels(P＜0.01).The expression of GPX4 and Nrf2-positive cells was significantly reduced,along with decreased fluorescence intensity of GPX4.Further-more,the protein expression of Keap1,Nrf2,HO-1,GPX4,SLC7A11 in the hippocampus decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Following the administration of TST,these effects showed improvement.Conclusions TST has neuroprotective effects,enhancing learning and memory abilities while reducing oxidative stress levels.The mechanism may involve the inhibition of ferroptosis through the Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 and Nrf2/SLC7 A11/GPX4 pathways.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

The genomic characteristics and cellular tropism of a Mangshi virus(MSV)isolated in China were investigated,thereby establishing a robust foundation for further research on the evolution and pathogenicity of MSV.The genome sequence of MSV strain V301/YNJH/2019 was obtained by next-generation sequencing,followed by phylogenetic tree construction and rearrangement assessment using software IQtree,RPD4,and Simplot.Viral proliferation was assessed in C6/36(Aedes albop-ictus),Vero(African green monkey kidney),and BHK(baby hamster kidney)cells.An initial epidemiological investigation of MSV in local cattle and goats was conducted using the serum neutralization test.The genome of MSV strain V301/YNJ H/2019 was 20623 bp in length,encompassing 12 segments of double-stranded RNA(Seg-1 to Seg-12).Sequence analysis confirmed genomic rearrangement of the Seg-1 and Seg-11 sequences,ex-hibiting high similarity to MSV isolated from lake sediment in China in 2022,while Seg-2 to Seg-10 and Seg-12 were most closely related to a MSV strain isolated from mosquitoes in China in 2013.The virus efficiently proliferated and induced sig-nificant cytopathic effects(CPE)in both C6/36 and BHK cells,but limited replication and no observable CPE in Vero cells.No detectable neutralizing antibodies against MSV were detected in 20 goat serum samples collected in Mangshi,while 2 of 20 bo-vine serum samples were positive with neutralizing antibody titers of 1:128 and 1:54.Whole genome sequencing revealed re-assortment events of the V301/YNJH/2019 strain,which is capable of infecting C6/36,BHK,and Vero cells.MSV infection was confirmed in cattle in Mangshi.

Neuregulin 4 (NRG4) is a newly discovered adipokine,which plays crucial roles in many physiological processes such as energy balance,and glucose and lipid metabolism.The transcriptional regulation of NRG4 gene remains largely unknown.Our previous 5'RACE analysis showed that the tran-scription start sites (TSS) of chicken NRG4 gene were dispersed over a region of 200 bp,suggesting that chicken NRG4 gene possesses a dispersed promoter.In the present study,the promoter activity of the proximal exon and intron of chicken NRG4 gene was analyzed.Dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstra-ted that the genomic fragment (-122/+452) containing exon 1,intron 1,and exon 2 of chicken NRG4 gene had strong bidirectional promoter activity.Bioinformatics analysis showed that there was a putative binding site of the transcription factor CCAAT enhancer-binding proteinα(C/EBPα) in exon 2 of chick-en NRG4 gene.Reporter gene assay showed that both deletion and site-directed mutagenesis of the C/EBPα binding site abrogated the regulatory effect of C/EBPα on the promoter activity of the-122/+452 fragment of chicken NRG4 gene.Gene expression correlation analysis showed that C/EBPα and NRG4 gene expression were positively correlated in chicken adipose tissues.ChIP-PCR revealed that C/EBPα directly binds to the exon 2 of NRG4 gene in chicken adipose.In conclusion,the proximal exon and intron of chicken NRG4 gene has bidirectional promoter activity,and C/EBPα directly regulates NRG4 gene expression in chicken adipose via binding to its exon 2.

Objective:To analyze the occurrence of concomitant gene mutations in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia(CN-AML)patients with CEBPA mutation and its impact on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the patients.Methods:151 newly diagnosed patients with CN-AML in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from June 2013 to June 2020 were analyzed retrospectively.34 common genetic mutations associated with hematologic malignancies were detected by next-generation sequencing technology.The occurrence of concomitant gene mutations in patients with CEBPA positive and negative groups was compared,and the correlation between concomitant mutations in different functional groups and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of CN-AML patients with CEBPA mutation was analyzed.Results:In 151 patients with CN-AML,55(36.42％)were positive for CEBPA mutation(including 36 cases of CEBPAdm and 19 cases of CEBPAsm),of which 41(74.55％)had co-mutations with other genes.The main mutated genes were GATA2(25.45％,14/55),TET2(21.82％,12/55),FLT3(20.00％,11/55),NRAS(12.73％,7/55)and WT1(9.09％,9/55),etc.Some cases had two or more concomitant gene mutations.Grouping the mutant genes according to their functions showed that CEBPA+group had lower mutation rates of histone methylation(P=0.002)and chromatin modification genes(P=0.002,P=0.033),and higher mutation rates of transcription factors(P=0.037)than CEBPA-group.In 55 patients with CEBPA+CN-AML,the platelet count at diagnosis in signaling pathway gene mutation-positive group was lower than that in the mutation-negative group(P=0.005),the proportion of bone marrow blasts in transcription factor mutation-positive group was higher than that in the mutation-negative group(P=0.003),and the onset age in DNA methylation gene mutation-positive group and chromatin modifier mutation-positive group was older than that in the mutation-negative group,respectively(P=0.002,P=0.008).DFS of CEBPA+CN-AML patients in signaling pathway gene mutation group was shorter than that in signaling pathway gene mutation-negative group(median DFS:12 months vs not reached)(P=0.034).Compared with DNA methylation gene mutation-negative group,CEBPA+CN-AML patients with DNA methylation gene mutation had lower CR rate(P=0.025)significantly shorter OS and DFS(median OS:20 months vs not reached,P=0.006;median DFS:15 months vs not reached,P=0.049).OS in patients with histone methylation gene mutation was significantly shorter than that in the histone methylation gene mutation-negative group(median OS:12 months vs 40 months)(P=0.008).Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors showed that the proportion of bone marrow blasts(P=0.046),concomitant DNA methylation gene mutation(P=0.006)and histone methylation gene mutation(P=0.036)were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis.Conclusion:CN-AML patients with CEBPA mutation have specific concomitant gene profile,and the concomitant mutations of different functional genes have a certain impact on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the patients.