ObjectiveTo establish a new noninvasive， simple， and convenient clinical predictive model by identifying independent predictive factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy in cirrhotic patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding （EGVB）， and to provide a basis for individualized risk assessment and development of clinical intervention strategies. MethodsCirrhotic patients with EGVB who were diagnosed and treated in The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University from September 2018 to October 2023 were enrolled as subjects， and according to whether the patient experienced rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy， they were divided into rebleeding group with 93 patients and non-rebleeding group with 84 patients. Clinical data were collected and analyzed. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Logistic model was established based on the results of the univariate and multivariate analyses， and the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve and the area under the ROC curve （AUC） were used to assess the accuracy of the model. R software was used to visualize the model by plotting a nomogram， and the Bootstrap method was used for internal validation of the model. ResultsThe multivariate analysis showed that red blood cell count （RBC）， cholinesterase （ChE）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， albumin （Alb）， thrombin time （TT）， portal vein trunk diameter， sequential therapy， and primary prevention were independent predictive factors for rebleeding. Based on the results of the multivariate analysis， a logistic model was established as logit（P）=-0.805-1.978×（RBC）+0.001×（ChE）-0.020×（ALP）-0.314×（Alb）+0.567×（TT）+0.428×（portal vein trunk diameter）-2.303×［sequential therapy （yes=1， no=0）］-2.368×［primary prevention （yes=1， no=0）］. The logistic model （AUC=0.928， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 0.893—0.964， P<0.001） had a better performance in predicting rebleeding than MELD score （AUC=0.603， 95%CI： 0.520—0.687， P=0.003）， Child-Pugh class （AUC=0.650， 95%CI： 0.578—0.722， P=0.001）， and FIB-4 index （AUC=0.587， 95%CI： 0.503—0.671， P=0.045）. The model had an optimal cut-off value of 0.607， a sensitivity of 0.817， and a specificity of 0.817. Internal validation confirmed that the model had good predictive performance and accuracy. ConclusionSequential therapy， implementation of primary prevention， an increase in RBC， and an increase in Alb are protective factors against rebleeding， while prolonged TT and widened main portal vein diameter are risk factors. The logistic model based on these independent predictive factors can predict rebleeding and thus holds promise for clinical application.

AIM To investigate the protective effects of verbascoside on D-galactose-induced liver injury in mice and its underlying mechanisms.METHODS C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the normal group,the model group,the vitamin E group(100 mg/kg),and the low-dose and high-dose verbascoside groups(40,80 mg/kg),with 10 mice in each group.Simultaneous administration of medicine and subcutaneous injection of D-galactose(600 mg/kg)went on among the groups except the normal group for 8 weeks.Serum ALT,AST,ALP activities,along with TBil levels were measured using biochemical kits.Hepatic GSH,MDA concentrations,as well as SOD and GSH-Px activities were quantified.Liver pathological morphology was evaluated by HE staining,while hepatic fibrosis area was assessed using Sirius red staining.Western blot analysis determined hepatic expression of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-ɑ,TLR4,NF-κB p65,IκBɑ and p-IKBɑ proteins.RESULTS Compared to the model group,the groups treated with vitamin E or verbascoside demonstrated significantly reduced body weight(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased hepatic index(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased serum activities of ALT,AST and ALP alongsided reduced TBil levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);attenuated pathological damage of liver tissue and fibrosis severity;reduced hepatic MDA level(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and elevated GSH level with enhanced SOD and GSH-Px activities(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Furthermore,the high-dose verbascoside group showed significantly decreased hepatic expressions of IL-6,IL-1 β,TNF-ɑ,TLR4,NF-κB p65,and p-IKBɑ/IKBɑ proteins(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Verbascoside improves D-galactose-induced liver injury through its antioxidant activity,anti-inflammatory effects,and suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture (for unblocking the obstruction in the governor vessel and regulating the spirit) on depression-like behavior and the hippocampal Endophilin A1/reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model rats, and explore the mechanism of this therapy for depression. METHODS: Forty-eight male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a normal group (n=12) and a modeling group (n=36). In the modeling group, CUMS was performed to establish depression model. The successfully-modeled rats were randomized into a model group, a Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group (referred to as the acupuncture group), and a fluoxetine group, with 12 rats in each group. In the acupuncture group, "Baihui" (GV20), "Shenting" (GV24), "Shuigou" (GV26) and "Dazhui" (GV14) were stimulated with acupuncture. This intervention measure was delivered once a day, continuously for 6 days; it was discontinued on day 7 and was completed in 28 days. In the fluoxetine group, intragastric administration was done with fluoxetine solution (2.1 mg/kg), once a day, and for 28 consecutive days. Before and after modeling, and after intervention completion, the body mass, sucrose preference rate and the total distance of movement and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the open field experiment were observed in each group. After intervention, using HE staining, the hippocampal neuron morphology was observed; using Nissl staining, the hippocampal Nissl body number was counted. The hippocampal mitochondria was observed under transmission electron microscopy. The average fluorescence intensity of ROS in hippocampal was determined using flow cytometry. With Western blot method, the protein expression of Endophilin A1, growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampal was detected; and with RT-qPCR method, the mRNA expression of Endophilin A1, GAP-43, and BDNF was recorded. Using the immunofluorescence, the average fluorescence intensity of Endophilin A1, GAP-43, and BDNF in hippocampal tissue was determined. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, in the model group, the body mass, sucrose preference rate, and the total distance of movement and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the open field experiment decreased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neuronal structure was unclear, the matrix was relatively loose, and the number of Nissl body decreased (P<0.01); mitochondrial structure was disarranged, the outer membrane was ruptured, mitochondrial cristae was irregular or missed; the average fluorescence intensity of ROS in hippocampal tissue, the protein and mRNA expression and the average fluorescence intensity of Endophilin A1 in hippocampal tissue increased (P<0.01), while the protein and mRNA expression of GAP-43 and BDNF and its average fluorescence intensity decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group and the fluoxetine group showed the increase in body mass, sucrose preference rate, the total distance of movement and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the open field experiment (P<0.05, P<0.01); the hippocampal neuronal structure became relatively clear, the matrix was relatively dense, and the number of Nissl body was elevated (P<0.01); mitochondrial structure got normal and disarranged slightly, the average fluorescence intensity of ROS in hippocampal tissue, the protein and mRNA expression and the average fluorescence intensity of Endophilin A1 in hippocampal tissue were reduced (P<0.01), while the protein and mRNA expression of GAP-43 and BDNF and the average fluorescence intensity rose (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the fluoxetine group, the acupuncture group presented the increase in the average fluorescence intensity of ROS, the protein expression and the average fluorescence intensity of Endophilin A1, the protein expression of GAP-43 and the mRNA expression of BDNF (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the decrease of the protein expression and the average fluorescence intensity of BDNF, the mRNA expression of Endophilin A1, and the average fluorescence intensity of GAP-43 (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Tongdu tiaoshen acupuncture alleviates depression-like behaviors in CUMS model rats and protects hippocampal neurons, which may be related to suppressing Endophilin A1/ROS signaling pathway and attenuating oxidative stress reactions.
Animals ; Male ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Depression/psychology* ; Humans ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Acupuncture Points

Objective:To assess the current status and influencing factors of cognitive function among the elderly in Hainan Province, providing a basis for developing future intervention strategies to enhance cognitive health.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2021 to June 2022.A total of 2, 059 elderly individuals were selected from 25 counties and cities in Hainan Province through convenience sampling.Data collection utilized the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)and the Activity of Daily Living Scale(ADL). Chi-square tests were conducted for univariate analysis of cognitive impairment, while binary logistic regression was employed to further investigate the factors influencing cognitive function.Results:Among the 2, 059 elderly participants, 609(29.6%)exhibited cognitive impairment.Statistically significant factors identified in the univariate analysis were incorporated into the binary logistic regression model.The results indicated that being female( OR=1.364, 95% CI: 1.091-1.704), aged 70 to 79 years( OR=1.410, 95% CI: 1.070-1.860), aged 80 to 89 years( OR=1.859, 95% CI: 1.386-2.493), aged 90 years or older( OR=2.369, 95% CI: 1.454-3.859), belonging to an ethnic minority( OR=1.405, 95% CI: 1.109-1.779), being widowed( OR=1.372, 95% CI: 1.049-1.794), residing in rural areas( OR=1.411, 95% CI: 1.074-1.856), having three or more chronic diseases( OR=1.887, 95% CI: 1.337-2.662), and experiencing mild( OR=1.695, 95% CI: 1.275-2.252), moderate( OR=2.326, 95% CI: 1.579-3.428), or severe disability( OR=2.873, 95% CI: 1.760-4.691)were identified as risk factors for cognitive impairment in the elderly( P<0.05). In contrast, higher educational attainment was found to be protective, with junior high school education( OR=0.622, 95% CI: 0.511-0.859), high school or technical secondary school education( OR=0.469, 95% CI: 0.327-0.675), and a college education or higher( OR=0.412, 95% CI: 0.264-0.642)serving as protective factors for cognitive function in the elderly( P<0.05). Conclusions:The prevalence of cognitive impairment among the elderly in Hainan Province is moderate.Elderly women, individuals of advanced age, ethnic minorities, those living in rural areas, widowed individuals, individuals with multiple chronic diseases, and those with disabilities are at a higher risk for cognitive impairment.Relevant health departments and healthcare professionals should prioritize these high-risk groups, conduct early cognitive assessments, and implement targeted interventions to enhance cognitive function.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and possible mechanisms of Xianglian Huazhuo Granules （香连化浊颗粒， XHG） in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia. MethodsA total of 140 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group， with 70 cases in each group. The treatment group received 12.5 g of XHG orally， twice daily. The control group received 12.5 g of placebo orally， twice daily. Both groups were treated for 6 months. The traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom scores， pathological types， serum tumor markers of the digestive system， and serum bile acids （TBA）， interleukin-23 （IL-23）， and Dickkopf-related protein 1 （DKK-1） levels were observed before and after treatment. Safety indicators and adverse events were recorded. After treatment， TCM syndrome efficacy and pathological types were evaluated， and patients were followed up for 18 months with gastric endoscopy and pathological results， which were compared with the results after treatment finished. ResultsTwo patients dropped out in the control group， and a total of 168 cases were included in the final analysis， 70 in the treatment group and 68 in the control group. The treatment group showed a significant reduction in TCM symptom scores， serum TBA， IL-23， and DKK-1 levels， and a significant increase in alpha-fetoprotein （AFP）， carbohydrate antigen 125 （CA125）， carbohydrate antigen 199 （CA199） levels； in the control group， carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA）， CA125， CA199 levels significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and carbohydrate antigen 242 （CA242） level in both the treatment group and the control group decreased significantly （P＜0.01）. The treatment group had lower TCM symptom scores and lower levels of serum TBA， IL-23， and DKK-1 compared to the control group （P＜0.05）. The effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy in the treatment group was 80.00% （56/70）， significantly higher than the 20.59% （14/68） in the control group （P < 0.05）. The effective rate for pathological classification in the treatment group was 72.73% （8/11） for mixed intestinal metaplasia， significantly better than 46.15% （6/13） in the control group （P＜0.05）. No adverse events were reported in either group. Among 40 patients who had a follow-up endoscopy after one year， 21 were from the treatment group， of whom 11 showed reduced intestinal metaplasia， 9 showed no significant changes， and 1 had worsened； while 19 patients in the control group had 4 with reduced intestinal metaplasia， 13 with no significant changes， and 2 with worsened conditions. No cancer was detected in either group. The treatment group showed significantly better improvement in intestinal metaplasia on follow-up gastric endoscopy pathology than the control group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionXHG can significantly improve the clinical symptoms in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia and reduce the degree of mixed intestinal metaplasia. The mechanism may involve lowering serum TBA， DKK-1， and IL-23 levles， thus delaying the progression from inflammation to cancer.

Objective To explore the relationship between PANoptosis and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI), and to screen the key genes of PANoptosis in HIRI. Methods PANoptosis-related differentially expressed genes (PDG) were obtained through the Gene Expression Omnibus database and GeneCards database. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to explore the biological pathways related to PDG. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed. Key genes were selected, and their diagnostic value was assessed and validated in the HIRI mice. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed based on the cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts. Results A total of 16 PDG were identified. GO analysis showed that PDG were closely related to cellular metabolism. KEGG analysis indicated that PDG were mainly enriched in cellular death pathways such as apoptosis and immune-related signaling pathways such as the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. GSEA results showed that key genes were mainly enriched in immune-related signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Two key genes, DFFB and TNFSF10, were identified with high accuracy in diagnosing HIRI, with areas under the curve of 0.964 and 1.000, respectively. Immune infiltration analysis showed that the control group had more infiltration of resting natural killer cells, M2 macrophages, etc., while the HIRI group had more infiltration of M0 macrophages, neutrophils, and naive B cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that compared with the Sham group, the relative expression of DFFB messenger RNA in liver tissue of HIRI group mice increased, and the relative expression of TNFSF10 messenger RNA decreased. Cibersort analysis showed that the infiltration abundance of naive B cells was positively correlated with DFFB expression (r=0.70, P=0.035), and the infiltration abundance of M2 macrophages was positively correlated with TNFSF10 expression (r=0.68, P=0.045). Conclusions PANoptosis-related genes DFFB and TNFSF10 may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HIRI.

Objective:This study aims to compare the efficacy on patients with severe coronary artery calcification(CAC)coronary heart disease(CHD)between common balloon predilation and spinous process balloon predilation and their effect on short-term incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE).Methods:This retro-spective study enrolled 110 severe CAC patients with CHD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in Beijing Pinggu District Hospital between January 2017 and January 2022.According to therapeutic pro-gram,they were divided into spinous process balloon group(n=55)and common balloon group(n=55),each group received corresponding balloon predilation before PCI.Application effect,perioperative complications and incidence of MACE within 6 months were compared between two groups.Results:Immediate surgical success rate in spinous process balloon group was significantly higher than that of common ballon group(92.73％vs.78.18％,P=0.031).Compared with patients in common balloon group,those in spinous process balloon group had signifi-cant lower times of balloon predilation[(2.79±0.14)times vs.(7.29±2.24)times],operation time[(1.24±0.29)h vs.(1.59±0.34)h]and incidence of perioperative complications(3.64％vs.14.55％),and significant larger lumen diameter after PCI[(3.79±0.26)mm vs.(3.29±0.24)mm](P＜0.05 or＜0.01).There was no significant difference in incidence of MACE within 6 months between two groups(P=0.428).Conclusion:The ap-plication of spinous process balloon predilation could significantly reduce times of balloon predilation,operation time,improve surgical success rate and reduce risk of short-term MACE in severe CAC patients with CHD.

In order to study whether there is a direct interaction between the key variant gene(AP-PV-YN-Mut)protein of atypical porcine pestivirus(APPV)Yunnan strain and the host protein signal sequence receptor subunit 4(SSR4),the physical and chemical properties,spatial structure and subcellular localization of SSR4 protein were analyzed and predicted using online software such as ProtParam,PredictProtein and TMHMM.The recombinant vectors pCMV-Tag4A-SSR4 and pET-GST-Mut were constructed for GST pull-down test in vitro.The recombinant vectors pBiFC-VN173-SSR4 and pBiFC-VC155-Mut were constructed and the bimolecular fluorescence comple-mentary test(BiFC)was performed in cells to verify whether there was direct interaction between APPV-YN-Mut and host protein SSR4 in vitro and in cells.The results showed that SSR4 protein was a hydrophobic stable protein with no transmembrane structure and signal peptide.The second-ary structure was mainly irregular curl,and the tertiary structure was stable,mainly located in the endoplasmic reticulum.GST pull-down and BiFC experiments showed that APPV-YN-Mut interac-ted directly with host protein SSR4 in vitro and in cells.

Objective To analyze the impact of sarcopenia on the efficacy and adverse reactions of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer.Methods Patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer confirmed by pathology who were not eligible for radical surgery were selected as study subjects.A body composition analyzer was used to measure the appendicular muscle mass of the patients and calculate the skeletal muscle mass index(SMI).Based on the SMI,the patients were divided into sarcopenia group and non-sarcopenia group.On the basis of nutritional intervention and comprehensive exercise therapy,the patients were administered immu-notherapy combined with chemotherapy.The efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated.The primary endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS),and the secondary endpoints were the objec-tive response rate(ORR)and treatment-related adverse reactions.Results A total of 52 gastric cancer patients were included,with 23 in the sarcopenia group and 29 in the non-sarcopenia group.The median PFS in the non-sarcopenia group was 9.8 months(95％CI,8.9 to 12.4),and was 5.4 months in the sarcopenia group(95％CI,4.9 to 8.1).The median PFS in the non-sarcopenia group was longer than that in the sarcopenia group,and the difference was statistically significant[HR(95％CI)=0.41(0.23 to 0.73),P=0.003].The results of the multivariate Cox propor-tional hazards regression model showed that comorbidities,treatment cycles,and sarcopenia were all independent prognostic factors affecting the PFS of gastric cancer patients(P＜0.05).The ORR in the non-sarcopenia group was 48.28％(14/29),and was 17.39％(4/23)in the sarcopenia group(x2=5.276,P＜0.05).Treatment-related adverse reactions with grading ≥3 in both groups were mainly hematological toxicities.In the non-sarcopenia group,the incidence of grading ≥ 3 treat-ment-related adverse reactions was 27.59％(8/29),and the incidence of grading＜3 treatment-re-lated adverse reactions(including those with no adverse reactions)was 72.41％(21/29).In the sarcopenia group,the incidence of grading ≥3 treatment-related adverse reactions was 56.52％(13/23),and the incidence of grading＜3 treatment-related adverse reactions(including those without adverse reactions)was 43.48％(10/23).The incidence of grading ≥3 treatment-related adverse reactions in the non-sarcopenia group was lower than that in the sarcopenia group(P=0.035).Conclusion For patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer complicated with sarcopenia,the median PFS of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy is shorter,the ORR is lower,and the incidence of treatment-related adverse reactions is increased.Therefore,ear-ly intervention for sarcopenia should be implemented to improve the quality of life of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Aim To evaluate the role of the glucose transporter protein 1(GLUT1)-dependent glycolytic in the attenuation of oxygen-glucose deprivation-reoxygen-ation(OGD/R)injury in HK-2 cells by dexmedetomi-dine(Dex).Methods C57/BL6 mice were random-ly divided into three groups(n=6),namely,sham operation group(Sham group),renal ischemia reper-fusion group(I/R group)and Dex group(I/R+Dex group).Serum creatinine(Cr)and urea nitrogen(BUN)were measured,while the levels of key glyco-lytic enzymes HK2,PFKFB3 and GLUT1 were meas-ured.HK-2 cells were cultured and randomised into seven groups(n=6),which was treated with OGD/R,overexpression or interference with GLUT1,Dex and glycolysis inhibitor 2-DG.CCK-8 and LDH activi-ty were used to detect cellular damage.Glycolysis lev-els were detected by lactate and ECAR.The inflamma-tory level was reflected by qRT-PCR for IL-6 and TNF-α.qRT-PCR and Western blot were performed to de-tect the levels of GLUT1,HK2,and PFKFB3.Results Dex significantly ameliorated kidney injury and HK-2 cell injury(P＜0.05).Dex inhibited the OGD/R-induced rise in lactate and extracellular acidification rate(ECAR),as evidenced by suppression of the ex-pression of GLUT1,HK2 and PFKFB3(P＜0.05).In vitro experiments showed that GLUT1 knockdown sig-nificantly improved OGD/R-induced cellular damage.Lactate,ECAR,glycolysis-related mRNAs and pro-teins were inhibited by GLUT1 knockdown(P＜0.05).Significantly,there were no significant differ-ences in above indexes after Dex treatment based on GLUT1 knockdown.Overexpression of GLUT1 abroga-ted the protective effects of Dex,while reversing the inhibitory effects of Dex on the expression of GLUT1,HK2,and PFKFB3(P＜0.05).Conclusions Dexmedetomidine attenuates OGD/R induced injury in HK-2 cells by inhibiting GLUT1-dependent glycolysis.