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.

Aim To analyze serum exosome sequencing data from patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)and normal subjects by using bioinformatics-related methods to construct a competitive endogenous ln-cRNA-miRNA-mRNA(ceRNA)regulatory network,to mine the predicted potential Chinese medicines,and to perform preliminary validation of the biological processes and core Chinese medicines involved in the ceRNA network.Methods We used exoRbase data-base to obtain the expression matrix of differential genes,combined with the raw letter method to con-struct the ceRNA network,and performed GO analysis and KEGG analysis on the differential mRNAs in the network,and used COREMINE database to predict the biological processes and core target genes involved in the ceRNA network,and to screen the herbal medi-cines with potential therapeutic effects;AVECs oxida-tive damage cell model was constructed in vitro,and the cytoskeleton,tube-forming function,cell prolifera-tion,LDH leakage rate,ROS level and p-AKT,AKT,p-PI3K and AKT protein expression were examined to verify the action pathways and targets of the core Chi-nese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza for the treatment of coronary heart disease.Results Compared with nor-mal subjects,395 mRNAs,80 miRNAs,60 lncRNA differential genes,and 80 miRNAs were predicted in serum exosomes of coronary heart disease,and the constructed ceRNA sub-network,mainly consisted of 21 lncRNAs,80 miRNAs,and 82 mRNAs;AKT1,VEGFA,IL1B and other genes in the network.The abnormally expressed mRNAs were involved in biologi-cal processes such as oxidative stress and signaling pathways such as PI3 K/Akt,and Dan Shen,Chuanx-iong and Panax notoginseng were most closely related to exosome-mediated biological processes and core genes in coronary heart disease.The active ingredients of tanshinone ⅡA,the core Chinese medicine,could pro-mote vascular endothelial cell proliferation,tube for-mation,skeleton formation and repair,reduce LDH leakage rate and ROS level,and promote the expres-sion of p-AKT and p-PI3K protein.Conclusion There is a complex ceRNA regulatory network trans-duction in coronary artery disease serum exosomes,and traditional Chinese medicine can be used to treat CHD through multi-target intervention,and Dan Shen,Chuanxiong and Panax notoginseng are expected to be candidate sources of traditional Chinese medicine,a-mong which the active ingredient of Dan Shen,tanshi-none ⅡA,activates PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway to play a protective role against oxidative stress-injured cells,and treats CHD.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic effects of different inhaled medications on patients with frequent cough in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including changes in symptoms and acute exacerbation.Methods:This study was based on the RealDTC study, and the study subjects were stable COPD patients from the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from December 2016 to March 2023. The demographic characteristics, smoking status, history of biofuel exposure, history of acute exacerbation in the past year, lung function, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, modified British Medical Research Council Respiratory Difficulty Questionnaire (mMRC) score, and inhalation medication regimen of the patients were collected. Patients with frequent cough are defined as having a cough score of ≥2 in the first item of the CAT score. According to the type of inhaled medication, patients with frequent cough are divided into l long-acting muscarine anticholinergic (LAMA), long-acting β2 agonists (LABA)+ LAMA, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)+ LABA, and ICS+ LABA+ LAMA groups. At the 6th month follow-up, CAT scores were collected and symptom control was evaluated, including minimum clinical improvement (MCID) (defined as a decrease of ≥2 points from baseline in CAT scores at the 6th month) and improvement in cough symptoms (defined as a decrease of ≥1 point from baseline in cough scores). During a one-year follow-up, the number of acute exacerbations was evaluated. The relationship between different inhaled medications and prognosis in patients with frequent cough in COPD was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 653 patients with frequent cough in COPD were included, with a CAT score of (16.4±6.1) and a cough score of 3(2, 3). After 6 months of follow-up, 403 patients (61.7%) achieved MCID, and 394 patients (60.3%) had improved cough symptoms; During a one-year follow-up, 227 patients (34.8%) experienced acute exacerbation. After receiving inhalation medication treatment, the CAT scores and cough scores of four groups of patients with frequent cough, namely LAMA, LABA+ LAMA, ICS+ LABA, and ICS+ LABA+ LAMA, decreased compared to before treatment (all P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of △CAT score, MCID, and acute exacerbation among the four groups of LAMA, LABA+ LAMA, ICS+ LABA, and ICS+ LABA+ LAMA (all P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of △cough score and cough score reduction ≥1 point (all P>0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with patients treated with LAMA or ICS+ LABA drugs, patients with frequent cough in COPD treated with LABA+ LAMA or ICS+ LABA+ LAMA drugs were more likely to achieve MCID and less likely to experience acute exacerbation (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with LAMA or ICS+ LABA, patients with frequent cough in COPD who receive LABA+ LAMA or ICS+ LABA+ LAMA drug treatment are more likely to improve symptoms and have a lower risk of acute exacerbation.

Objective:To explore the impact of sleep disorders on the therapeutic effects of different inhaled medications in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A prospective observational study was conducted on 393 patients with stable COPD who visited the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from December 2020 to September 2021. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the sleep quality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and patients were divided into a non sleep disorder group and a sleep disorder group. The Berlin questionnaire was used to assess the risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in patients, and the hospital anxiety and depression questionnaire (HADS) was used to assess the presence of anxiety and depression in patients. The improvement of symptoms [minimum clinically significant difference (MCID)] and the deterioration of symptoms [clinical significant symptom deterioration (CID)] within six months of patient follow-up were evaluated. The moderate to severe acute exacerbation of the patient was recorded during the one-year follow-up period. The clinical characteristics of two groups of patients were compared, and multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between sleep quality and the prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as the impact of sleep disorders on the treatment efficacy of different inhaled drugs.Results:The average age of 393 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was (62.9±8.3)years old, with a median percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1%) of 53.7%(30.7%) and a mean PSQI score of (5.7±3.4)points. 186 cases (47.3%) of patients had sleep disorders. Compared with patients in the non sleep disorder group, patients in the sleep disorder group had a higher proportion of middle school education and below, lower FEV 1 and FEV 1/forced vital capacity (FVC), higher baseline COPD Assessment Test (CAT), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) scores, and a higher proportion of comorbid anxiety (all P<0.05). Compared with patients without sleep disorders, patients with sleep disorders had a lower incidence of MCID ( P=0.030) and a higher incidence of CID ( P=0.005). During the one-year follow-up period, patients with sleep disorders experienced a higher proportion of moderate to severe acute exacerbation ( P=0.001), severe acute exacerbation ( P=0.003), and frequent acute exacerbation ( P=0.009). The results of multiple regression analysis showed that patients with sleep disorders had a lower likelihood of developing MCID ( OR: 0.288, 95% CI: 0.145-0.379, P<0.001), and an increased risk of developing CID ( OR: 3.150, 95% CI: 2.011-4.388, P<0.001) and acute exacerbation ( OR: 1.659, 95% CI: 1.162-2.368, P=0.005). Compared with patients using long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) or inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)+ long-acting β2-agonist (LABA), patients in the sleep disorder group who used LABA+ LABA were more likely to develop MCID ( OR: 1.420, 95% CI: 1.021-2.751, P=0.010; OR: 1.976, 95% CI: 1.123-2.227, P=0.023). Conclusions:Compared with patients without sleep disorders, COPD patients with sleep disorders have a lower likelihood of symptom improvement, and a higher risk of symptom deterioration and acute exacerbation.Patients with COPD with sleep disorders are more likely to achieve symptom improvement by using LABA+ LAMA.

Evaluation on fetal brain malformations is the key focus and challenge of prenatal ultrasound.With the improvement of ultrasound equipment resolution and sonographers'understanding of central nervous system disorders,as well as the advancement of neurological ultrasound methodology,more and more brain abnormalities were detected prenatally.But the clinical phenotypes of functional brain abnormalities during fetal period,such as epilepsy,intellectual disability and motor dysfunction,remained not visible by prenatal ultrasound,which is expected to be inferred indirectly by evaluating the development of brain sulci through advanced neurological ultrasound methodology.The status of prenatal ultrasound for evaluating fetal brain were reviewed based on prominence of ultrasonic features,severity of structural or functional abnormalities and prognosis in this article.

Objective:To validate the morphological changes of the parieto-occipital sulcus on the transcalvarial axial plane between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation, simplify grade for assessing fetal parieto-occipital sulcus development, and confirm its clinical feasibility.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study analysis that included 550 cases of normal singleton fetuses between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation, who underwent routine ultrasound examinations at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from September 2019 to June 2022. The morphological changes of the bilateral parieto-occipital sulci on the transcalvarial axial plane were observed. The development of the parieto-occipital sulcus was classified into 6 grades based on the developmental features of angulation, progressive closure, and curvilinear growth: straight or shallow arcuate (Grade 0), shallow and wide V-shaped (Grade 1), deep and narrow V-shaped (Grade 2), Y-shaped (Grade 3), I-shaped (Grade 4), and curvilinear (Grade 5). The gestational age at examination and pregnancy outcomes were recorded. The distribution of gestational weeks for fetuses with different grades of parieto-occipital sulci on the left and right sides was analyzed. The symmetry between bilateral parieto-occipital sulcus gradings within individuals, as well as the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability were assessed using the Weighted Kappa coefficient. The gender differences in asymmetry of parieto-occipital sulci grades between the left and right sides was analyzed. Moreover, a model for predicting the grade of the parieto-occipital sulcus based on gestational week was established.Results:Grade for the left parieto-occipital sulcus was obtained for 549 fetuses, while grade for the right was obtained for 550 fetuses. From 20 to 32 weeks of gestation, the morphology of the fetal parieto-occipital sulcus was divided into Grade 0-5, progressing from low to high with gestational development. Grade 0 showed that the sulcus was not visible or only had a slight arcuate indentation, occurring at 20-22 weeks; Grade 1 presented as a shallow and wide "V" shape with an obtuse angle at the top, appearing from 20 to 27 weeks; Grade 2 was a deep and narrow "V" shape with an acute angle at the top, appearing from 24 to 29 weeks; Grade 3 appeared as a "Y" shape with the top part partially closed and the bottom still open, occurring between 26 to 30 weeks; Grade 4 was a fully closed "I" shape, appearing at 29-32 weeks; Grade 5 presented as a curved shape, indicating the parieto-occipital sulcus was approaching maturity, appearing from 31 to 32 weeks. There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of gestational weeks for bilateral parieto-occipital sulcus developmental grade ( P>0.05). Bilateral parieto-occipital sulcus grade could be assessed in 549 fetuses, of which 43 cases (7.83%) exhibited grade asymmetry with a one-grade difference between sides; such asymmetry showed no significant difference between male and female genders ( P=0.647). The weighted kappa coefficient analysis results indicated a strong consistency in the development of the parieto-occipital sulci on both sides within individuals, generally demonstrating symmetrical development ( P<0.001). The intra-observer and inter-observer weighted kappa coefficients were 0.92 and 0.75, respectively, with good consistency. Conclusions:Prenatal ultrasound via the transcalvarial axial plane enables a preliminary and rapid assessment of the development of bilateral parieto-occipital sulci, facilitating early evaluation of fetal cortical maturation.

Objective:To study the stability and morphological changes of the convexity sulci in normal fetuses between 20 and 32 weeks, and to explore the simplified grade for evaluating the convexity sulci development and analyzing its clinical significance.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional analysis. A total of 551 cases of normal singleton pregnancies between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation were retrospectively collected, who underwent routine ultrasound examinations at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from September 2019 to June 2022. The display of the far-field convexity sulci on the transcalvarial axial plane was observed as 0 for not displayed and 1 for displayed.Further, based on the morphology and number of convexity sulci, they were classified into five grades: no sulcus displayed (grade 0), one sulcus (grade 1), two sulci (grade 2), three sulci (grade 3), and four or more sulci (grade 4). The gestational age at examination and pregnancy outcomes were recorded. The distribution characteristics of gestational weeks for each grade of the convexity sulci were analyzed, and the gestational week distribution of the left and right convexity sulci was compared to analyze bilateral symmetry. The Weighted Kappa coefficient was used to analyze inter-observer and intra-observer consistency, and curve regression analysis was employed to establish a model for predicting grade based on gestational weeks.Results:Before 25 weeks of gestation, the convexity of the fetal cranial vertex was completely smooth.The central sulcus consistently appeared after 26 weeks, while the superior frontal sulcus, intraparietal sulcus, postcentral sulcus, and precentral sulcus consistently appeared between 28 and 31 weeks. Among these, the superior frontal sulcus had a lower display rate before 29 weeks. By 32 weeks, all convexity sulci of the cranial vertex should be visible. Three hundred and eleven fetuses were graded for the left, and 240 fetuses were graded for the right. The developmental grade of the convexity sulci increased from Grade 0 to Grade 4 as the gestational age progressed. Grade 0 appeared between 20-26 weeks, grade 1 between 25-28 weeks, grade 2 between 26-28 weeks, grade 3 between 27-30 weeks, and grade 4 between 27-32 weeks. The distribution of grade did not differ significantly between the left and right sides of grade 0, 1, 3 and 4 (all P>0.05), while there was a significant difference in the distribution of gestational age between the convexity sulci of grade 2 ( P<0.05). The Weighted Kappa coefficients for intra-observer and inter-observer consistency were 0.94 and 0.86, respectively, indicating strong consistency. Conclusions:The simplified grade for assessing the development of convexity sulci in normal fetuses on the transcalvarial axial plane via prenatal ultrasound can provide a preliminary evaluation of the maturation of convexity sulci in fetuses between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation.

Objective:To investigate the expression of N6-methyladenosine(m6A) modification-related genes and their possible roles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with primary gouty arthritis (GA).Methods:Forty-five patients each with acute gout (AG), intermittent gout (IG), and age-and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were collected from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Affiliated Hospital of Chuanbei Medical College between October and December of 2023. The expression levels of m6A modification-related genes (METTL3、METTL14、WTAP、FTO、ALKBH5、IGF2BP2、IGF2BP3、YTHDF1、YTHDC2) in PBMCs among the 3 groups were detected by RT-qPCR and correlation analysis with clinical indicators was performed. Measurements conforming to normal distribution were analyzed using ANOVA or t-tests, and data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Mann-Whitney U-test for data that is not-normaly distributed. The value of m6A modification-related genes for the diagnosis of GA was evaluated using subject characterization curve ROC. Results:①There were statistically significant differences in the expression of IGF2BP2 ( Z=-3.59, P<0.001)、WTAP ( Z=-5.25, P<0.001)、METTL14 ( Z=-3.62, P<0.001)、YTHDF1 ( Z=-2.12, P=0.034)and YTHDC2 ( Z=-2.00, P=0.045) in the disease group and the normal control group. Among them, the expression of IGF2BP2 in the GA group [28.08 (17.99, 47.06)×10 -4] was significantly higher than that in the HC group [19.23 (12.90, 25.78)×10 -4], and the expressions of WTAP、METTL14、YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 in the GA group [298.61 (213.61, 377.80)×10 -4, 9.94 (6.43, 13.46)×10 -4, 52.63 (28.22, 72.77)×10 -4, 40.24 (20.74, 73.32)×10 -4] were significantly lower than those in the HC group [398.45(339.88, 454.89)×10 -4, 13.27(11.07, 15.85)×10 -4, 64.43(43.61, 87.10)×10 -4, 53.11(36.37, 79.28)×10 -4]. Further subgroup analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the expression of IGF2BP2、WTAP、METTL14、YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 among the 3 groups ( H=19.62、31.73、13.14、16.64、28.90, all P≤0.001). The expressions of WTAP and METTL14 in the AG group [311.13(234.96, 426.67)×10 -4, Z=-3.27, P=0.001; 9.64 (5.21, 15.21)×10 -4, Z=-2.71, P=0.008] and IG group [272.27 (203.29, 347.95)×10 -4, Z=-5.78, P<0.001; 10.40(6.88, 12.88)×10 -4, Z=-3.54, P=0.003] were lower than those in the HC group [398.45 (339.88, 454.89)×10 -4, 13.27(11.07, 15.85)×10 -4]. However, there was no significant difference between AG and IG group ( P>0.05). Both YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 were significantly lower in the AG group [38.10(16.19, 56.78)×10 -4, 24.31 (14.35, 42.77)×10 -4] than those in the IG group [64.13 (48.28, 74.40)×10 -4(Z=-3.54, P<0.001, 65.49 (39.89, 91.23)×10 -4(Z=-4.96, P<0.001)] and HC group [64.43 (43.61, 86.92)×10 -4(Z=-3.51, P<0.001), 53.11 (36.37, 79.28)×10 -4(Z=-4.25, P<0.001)]. But there was no statistically significant difference between IG and HC groups ( P>0.05); IGF2BP2 was significantly lower in the AG group [25.32(16.40, 40.43)×10 -4, Z=-2.46, P=0.014] and HC group [19.23 (12.90, 25.78)×10 -4, Z=-4.54, P<0.001] than in the IG group [31.10(22.60, 49.58)×10 -4], but the comparison between AG and HC showed no statistically significant difference( P>0.05). ②Spearman correlation analysis showed that in GA patients, the expression of IGF2BP2、METTL14 and YTHDF1 was positively correlated with plasma glucose、blood uric acid(sUA) and total cholesterol level respectively ( r=0.22, P=0.037; r=0.38, P=0.003; r=0.23, P=0.034), and WTAP was negatively correlated with GLU ( r=-0.25, P=0.020). ③The ROC curve for the joint prediction of the five differential genes showed that the 95% CI for area under the curve in GA was 0.90 (0.84, 0.95). Conclusion:The m6A modification-related genes are abnormally expressed in GA and are correlated with clinical indicators such as GLU and UA, which are hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of GA and have a certain reference value for the evaluation of metabolism in GA patients.