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.

Distinct from the complementary inhibition mechanism through binding to the target with three-dimensional conformation of small molecule inhibitors, targeted protein degradation technology takes tremendous advantage of endogenous protein degradation pathway inside cells to degrade plenty of “undruggable” target proteins, which provides a novel route for the treatment of many serious diseases, mainly including proteolysis-targeting chimeras, lysosome-targeting chimeras, autophagy-targeting chimeras, antibody-based proteolysis-targeting chimeras, etc. Unlike proteolysis-targeting chimeras first found in 2001, which rely on ubiquitin-proteasome system to mainly degrade intracellular proteins of interest, lysosome-targeting chimeras identified in 2020, which was act as the fastly developing technology, utilize cellular lysosomal pathway through endocytosis mediated by lysosome-targeting receptor to degrade both extracellular and membrane proteins. As an emerging biomedical technology, nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras utilize nucleic acids as certain components of chimera molecule to replace with ligand to lysosome-targeting receptor or protein of interest, exhibiting broad application prospects and potential clinical value in disease treatment and drug development. This review mainly introduced present progress of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras technology, including its basic composition, its advantages compared with antibody or glycopeptide-based lysosome-targeting chimeras, and focused on its chief application, in terms of the type of lysosome-targeting receptors. Most research about the development of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras focused on those which utilized cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor as the lysosome-targeting receptor. Both mannose-6-phosphonate-modified glycopeptide and nucleic aptamer targeting cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor, even double-stranded DNA molecule moiety can be taken advantage as the ligand to lysosome-targeting receptor. The same as classical lysosome-targeting chimeras, asialoglycoprotein receptor can also be used for advance of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras. Another new-found lysosome-targeting receptor, scavenger receptor, can bind dendritic DNA molecules to mediate cellular internalization of complex and lysosomal degradation of target protein, suggesting the successful application of scavenger receptor-mediated nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras. In addition, this review briefly overviewed the history of lysosome-targeting chimeras, including first-generation and second-generation lysosome-targeting chimeras through cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor-mediated and asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated endocytosis respectively, so that a clear timeline can be presented for the advance of chimera technique. Meantime, current deficiency and challenge of lysosome-targeting chimeras was also mentioned to give some direction for deep progress of lysosome-targeting chimeras. Finally, according to faulty lysosomal degradation efficiency, more cellular mechanism where lysosome-targeting chimeras perform degradation of protein of interest need to be deeply explored. In view of current progress and direction of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras, we discussed its current challenges and development direction in the future. Stability of natural nucleic acid molecule and optimized chimera construction have a great influence on the biological function of lysosome-targeting chimeras. Discovery of novel lysosome-targeting receptors and nucleic aptamer with higher affinity to the target will greatly facilitate profound advance of chimera technique. In summary, nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras have many superiorities, such as lower immunogenicity, expedient synthesis of chimera molecules and so on, in contrast to classical lysosome-targeting chimeras, making it more valuable. Also, the chimera technology provides new ideas and methods for biomedical research, drug development and clinical treatment, and can be used more widely through further research and optimization.

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.

Sarin(GB)is a typical representative of nerve agents with high toxicity,and very low amount can cause death.GB can cause water and atmospheric environment poisoning,so the detection of GB in water and air is of great significance.In this work,a colorimetric sensor array(CSA)based on GB inhibition of cholinesterase activity was constructed to detect GB with high selectivity.A 4×4 colorimetric array was constructed using acetylcholinesterase(AChE),butyryl cholinesterase(BuChE)and the corresponding substrate acetylthiocholine iodide(S-ACh),butyryl thiocholine iodide(S-BCh),acetylcholine chloride(ACh),butyryl choline chloride(BCh)and 2,6-dichloroindophenol ethyl ester(DCIE).The linear curve of the sensor was Y=131.3×lgC+271.6(R2=0.997),where Y was the array response Euclidean distance,C was the concentration of GB(mg/L),the linear range was 0.03?0.32 mg/L,and the detection limit was 27.6 μg/L.The method could effectively distinguish chemical warfare agents(CWA)such as VX,Soman(GD),mustard gas(HD),Louie reagent(L),and had high anti-interference ability,sensitivity and good repeatability.It was successfully applied to the detection of GB in simulated water and simulated air samples,and the sample recovery rate was 97.2% ?100.9%.This method would be potentially applied to the field rapid detection of nerve agents.

Objective To evaluate the rehabilitative effect of targeted sonic vibration load brushing method in stroke patients with oral phase swallowing disorders.Methods A total of 60 stroke patients with swallowing disor-ders,who hospitalized in the rehabilitation department of a Grade Ⅲ Class A hospital in Nanjing City from October 2023 to May 2024,were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group,with 30 patients in each group.Both groups received the conventional swallowing function training.The experimental group received targeted sonic vibration load brushing therapy,while the control group received routine oral care with manual toothbrushes.After 30 days of intervention,the swallowing function(Gugging Swallowing Screen,GUSS),modified Beck oral score,incidence of swallowing disorder-related complications,Swallowing Quality of Life(SWAL-QOL)scores,and oral care satisfaction were assessed in both groups.Results No sample detachment.After the intervention,the GUSS score for the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group,with a statistical difference(Z=-4.239,P＜0.001).Additionally,the modified Beck oral score and the overall complications rate related to swallowing disor-ders in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(both P＜0.05).Furthermore,the SWAL-QOL score and the oral care satisfaction score were both higher in the experimental group compared to those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(both P＜0.001).Conclusion Targeted sonic vibration load brushing method significantly improves swallowing function,enhances oral cleanliness,reduces the occurrence of swallowing disorder-related complications,and effectively improves patients' quality of life and nursing satisfaction.

AIM To study the effects of total flavonoids of Dracocephalum Moldavica L.(TFDM)on reducing the inflammatory response of RAW264.7 macrophages induced by ox-LDL via the nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway.METHODS The RAW264.7 macrophages cultured in vitro were divided into the normal group,the model group(50 μg/mL ox-LDL),the TFDM group(100 μg/mL TFDM+50 μg/mL ox-LDL),the NF-κB inhibitor group(10 μmol/L Bay11-7821+50 μg/mL ox-LDL)and the TFDM+NF-κB inhibitor group(100 μg/mL TFDM+10 μmol/L Bay11-7821+50 μg/mL ox-LDL).The cells had their viability assessed by CCK-8 method;their ROS expression detected by the ROS kit;their mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-18 and IL-1β detected by RT-qPCR;their protein expressions of NF-κB p65,IκBα,NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,Caspase-1,IL-18 and IL-1β by Western blot;their protein expressions of NF-κB p65 and NLRP3 detected using immunofluorescence method.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group showed increased ROS expression(P＜0.01);increased mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-18 and IL-1β(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased protein expressions of IκBα and cytoplasmic NF-κB p65(P＜0.01);increased protein expressions of nuclear NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1 β and IL-18(P＜0.01);and increased fluorescence intensity of NF-κB p65 and NLRP3(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with either TFDM or TFDM+inhibitor displayed decreased ROS expression(P＜0.01);the groups administrated with TFDM or NF-κB inhibitor,or TFDM+inhibitor showed decreased mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-18 and IL-1β(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),increased protein expressions of IκBα and cytoplasmic NF-κB p65(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),decreased protein expressions of nuclear NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and decreased fluorescence intensity of NF-κB p65 and NLRP3(P＜0.01).There existed no significant group difference between the TFDM group and the NF-κB inhibitor group(P＞0.05).The TFDM+inhibitor group demonstrated decreased mRNA expressions of IL-1βand IL-18(P＜0.05),increased IκBα protein expression(P＜0.05),decreased protein expressions of nuclear NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1 β and IL-18(P＜0.05),and decreased fluorescence intensity of NLRP3 protein(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION TFDM can inhibit the ox-LDL-induced inflammatory response of RAW264.7 macrophages,and the mechansism may be associated with the reduced ROS expression and inflammatory factors due to the inhibited activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective:In alignment with the practical teaching objectives of Diseases of the Locomotor System and the competency requirements for graduates of military medical universities, this study conducted a multidimensional modification of the traditional objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to provide a novel training mode that enhances the effectiveness of practical teaching of this course.Methods:The traditional OSCE was modified from the four dimensions of integration, individuality, immersion, and intelligence. The first three stations were set as "diagnosis" and the last three stations were set as "operation" to reflect the "integration" of diagnosis and treatment. The last station of "operation" was set as "medical cares of combat and training injuries" to reflect "individuality" of military medical training. The method of situation creation was used to reflect "immersion", and the application of intelligent terminals reflected "intelligence". The study involved 50 trainees who were assigned to either a modified OSCE group or a traditional teaching group through a random drawing process. The teaching effectiveness was assessed through evaluation of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and participant satisfaction. The statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 22.0, with parametric data assessed by t-tests and non-parametric data assessed by chi-square tests. Results:Before entering the department, there were no statistically significant differences in theoretical ( P=0.832) and practical ( P=0.513) scores between the two groups of trainees. However, after the internship, the modified OSCE group demonstrated significantly enhanced scores compared to the traditional teaching group, both in theory assessment [(93.88±1.92) vs. (90.76±2.85), P=0.001] and skill assessment [(94.32±1.25) vs. (91.68±2.82), P=0.001]. Additionally, the self-assessment of clinical capability improvement by the modified OSCE group was markedly higher across all dimensions than the traditional teaching group ( P=0.001). Furthermore, the evaluation conducted by basic combat unit on the job competency of graduated trainees indicated that the modified OSCE group outperformed the traditional teaching group in basic clinical diagnosis and treatment [(4.72±0.46) vs. (3.44±0.71), P=0.001], emergency management of combat and training injuries [(4.72±0.46) vs. (3.52±0.71), P=0.001], application of information technology [(4.44±0.71) vs. (3.91±0.80), P=0.029], basic military qualities [(4.40±0.71) vs. (3.92±0.91), P=0.043], mental health and resilience [(4.36±0.70) vs. (3.68±0.85), P=0.003], and the capacity for continuous learning [(4.64±0.70) vs. (3.83±0.76), P=0.001]. Conclusions:The modified OSCE teaching mode can better meet the practical teaching requirements for Diseases of the Locomotor System in the military medical university and thus holds promise for further application.

AIM To study the effects of total flavonoids of Dracocephalum Moldavica L.(TFDM)on reducing the inflammatory response of RAW264.7 macrophages induced by ox-LDL via the nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway.METHODS The RAW264.7 macrophages cultured in vitro were divided into the normal group,the model group(50 μg/mL ox-LDL),the TFDM group(100 μg/mL TFDM+50 μg/mL ox-LDL),the NF-κB inhibitor group(10 μmol/L Bay11-7821+50 μg/mL ox-LDL)and the TFDM+NF-κB inhibitor group(100 μg/mL TFDM+10 μmol/L Bay11-7821+50 μg/mL ox-LDL).The cells had their viability assessed by CCK-8 method;their ROS expression detected by the ROS kit;their mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-18 and IL-1β detected by RT-qPCR;their protein expressions of NF-κB p65,IκBα,NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,Caspase-1,IL-18 and IL-1β by Western blot;their protein expressions of NF-κB p65 and NLRP3 detected using immunofluorescence method.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group showed increased ROS expression(P＜0.01);increased mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-18 and IL-1β(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased protein expressions of IκBα and cytoplasmic NF-κB p65(P＜0.01);increased protein expressions of nuclear NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1 β and IL-18(P＜0.01);and increased fluorescence intensity of NF-κB p65 and NLRP3(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with either TFDM or TFDM+inhibitor displayed decreased ROS expression(P＜0.01);the groups administrated with TFDM or NF-κB inhibitor,or TFDM+inhibitor showed decreased mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-18 and IL-1β(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),increased protein expressions of IκBα and cytoplasmic NF-κB p65(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),decreased protein expressions of nuclear NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and decreased fluorescence intensity of NF-κB p65 and NLRP3(P＜0.01).There existed no significant group difference between the TFDM group and the NF-κB inhibitor group(P＞0.05).The TFDM+inhibitor group demonstrated decreased mRNA expressions of IL-1βand IL-18(P＜0.05),increased IκBα protein expression(P＜0.05),decreased protein expressions of nuclear NF-κB p65,NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1 β and IL-18(P＜0.05),and decreased fluorescence intensity of NLRP3 protein(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION TFDM can inhibit the ox-LDL-induced inflammatory response of RAW264.7 macrophages,and the mechansism may be associated with the reduced ROS expression and inflammatory factors due to the inhibited activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Aim To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Qingjie Huagong decoction in modulating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway in inflammatory response of acute pancreatitis(AP)mice.Methods Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into Blank group,Model group,Ustekin group,and Qingjie Hua-gong decoction group,with six mice in each group.The AP model was prepared by using rain frogin.Serum α-AMS,PNLP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α lev-els were detected by ELISA;the pancreatic pathology was detected by HE staining;the expressions of PI3K,AKT,and NF-κB-related proteins and mRNAs were de-tected by immunohistochemistry,Western blot,and RT-qPCR.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed obvious pathological damage to the pancreas,with significantly higher serum α-AMS,PN-LP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α levels(P＜0.01),and significantly higher levels of PI3K,AKT,and NF-κB-related proteins and mRNA expression(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,both the Qingjie Huagong decoction group and the ustekin group improved the histopathological changes in the pancreas of AP mice,decreased the serum α-AMS,PNLP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α levels,and down-reg-ulated the expression levels of pancreatic PI3K,AKT,NF-κB-related proteins and mRNA(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Qingjie Huagong decoction may inhibit the inflammatory response and protect pancreat-ic tissues by regulating the expression of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.