AIM:To investigate the efficacy of Shenxiankang(SXK)in mitigating renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)mice,and elucidate its regulatory mechanism targeting the differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA(DANCR)/TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis.METHODS:Mice were randomly assigned to:normal group(NC),model group(UUO),low,medium and high doses(1 500,3 000 and 4 500 mg·kg-1·d-1)of SXK group,and benazepril(10 mg·kg-1·d-1)group.Chronic kidney disease was modeled via unilateral ureteral ligation.Renal DAN-CR overexpression was induced using tail vein injection coupled with ultrasound microbubble technology.In vitro,human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2)were stimulated with TGF-β1;DANCR was either knocked down or overexpressed,followed by SXK intervention in both in vivo and in vitro models.Renal tissues were harvested for pathological assessment.DANCR expression and localization were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization.Fibrosis deposition was evaluat-ed by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Western blot quantified the expression of fibrosis markers(α-SMA,FN)and key components of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis(p-Smad3,Smad3,TGF-β1).RESULTS:UUO mice exhibited signifi-cant renal tubular dilation.SXK intervention ameliorated renal lesions and reduced fibrosis.In UUO mice with DANCR overexpression,levels of renal fibrosis markers(α-SMA,FN)and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis proteins(p-Smad3,Smad3,TGF-β1)were increased;these effects were reversed by SXK.In vitro,DANCR knockdown decreased the expres-sion of fibrotic proteins/mRNA and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis components.SXK treatment effectively counteracted the fibrotic injury and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis activation induced by DANCR overexpression.CONCLUSION:SXK ef-fectively mitigates renal fibrosis in UUO mice,potentially through regulation of the DANCR/TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis.

AIM:To investigate the efficacy of Shenxiankang(SXK)in mitigating renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)mice,and elucidate its regulatory mechanism targeting the differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA(DANCR)/TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis.METHODS:Mice were randomly assigned to:normal group(NC),model group(UUO),low,medium and high doses(1 500,3 000 and 4 500 mg·kg-1·d-1)of SXK group,and benazepril(10 mg·kg-1·d-1)group.Chronic kidney disease was modeled via unilateral ureteral ligation.Renal DAN-CR overexpression was induced using tail vein injection coupled with ultrasound microbubble technology.In vitro,human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2)were stimulated with TGF-β1;DANCR was either knocked down or overexpressed,followed by SXK intervention in both in vivo and in vitro models.Renal tissues were harvested for pathological assessment.DANCR expression and localization were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization.Fibrosis deposition was evaluat-ed by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Western blot quantified the expression of fibrosis markers(α-SMA,FN)and key components of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis(p-Smad3,Smad3,TGF-β1).RESULTS:UUO mice exhibited signifi-cant renal tubular dilation.SXK intervention ameliorated renal lesions and reduced fibrosis.In UUO mice with DANCR overexpression,levels of renal fibrosis markers(α-SMA,FN)and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis proteins(p-Smad3,Smad3,TGF-β1)were increased;these effects were reversed by SXK.In vitro,DANCR knockdown decreased the expres-sion of fibrotic proteins/mRNA and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis components.SXK treatment effectively counteracted the fibrotic injury and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis activation induced by DANCR overexpression.CONCLUSION:SXK ef-fectively mitigates renal fibrosis in UUO mice,potentially through regulation of the DANCR/TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and establish a nomogram model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted with 613 cases of neonatal asphyxia treated in 20 cooperative hospitals in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from January to December 2019 as the asphyxia group, and 988 randomly selected non-asphyxia neonates born and admitted to the neonatology department of these hospitals during the same period as the control group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for neonatal asphyxia. R software (4.2.2) was used to establish a nomogram model. Receiver operator characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, respectively. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that minority (Tujia), male sex, premature birth, congenital malformations, abnormal fetal position, intrauterine distress, maternal occupation as a farmer, education level below high school, fewer than 9 prenatal check-ups, threatened abortion, abnormal umbilical cord, abnormal amniotic fluid, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, emergency caesarean section, and assisted delivery were independent risk factors for neonatal asphyxia (P<0.05). The area under the curve of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia based on these risk factors was 0.748 (95%CI: 0.723-0.772). The calibration curve indicated high accuracy of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. The decision curve analysis showed that the model could provide a higher net benefit for neonates at risk of asphyxia. CONCLUSIONS The risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture are multifactorial, and the nomogram model based on these factors has good value in predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, which can help clinicians identify neonates at high risk of asphyxia early, and reduce the incidence of neonatal asphyxia.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Nomograms ; Retrospective Studies ; Cesarean Section ; Risk Factors ; Asphyxia Neonatorum/etiology*

【Objective】 Dyslipidemia has shown to be associated with cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between residual cholesterol and the risk of subclinical renal damage (SRD). 【Methods】 A total of 2 342 participants were recruited from the previously established Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort. According to estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) and urinary albumin-to-creatine ratio(uACR), the subjects were divided into SRD group and non-SRD group. The associations of residual cholesterol with eGFR, uACR, and the risk of SRD were analyzed by multiple linear and Logistic regression analyses. 【Results】 Residual cholesterol was positively correlated with uACR(r=0.081, P<0.001) but negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.091, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that residual cholesterol was an influencing factor of uACR (β=0.075, P<0.001) and eGFR (β=-0.027, P<0.001) after adjustment for gender, age, smoke, alcohol, exercise, BMI, hypertension, diabetes and serum uric acid. In addition, Logistic regression analysis revealed that residual cholesterol was significantly associated with the risk of SRD independently of potential confounders [OR(95% CI)=1.387 (1.113-1.728), P<0.001]. Further subgroup analysis showed that residual cholesterol was significantly associated with the risk of SRD in women but not in men. 【Conclusion】 Residual cholesterol is a contributing factor in the risk of subclinical renal damage with gender-specific association.

【Objective】 Corin, a transmembrane serine protease that can cleave atrial natriuretic peptide precursor (pro-ANP) into atrial natriuretic peptide with smaller bioactive molecules, participates in the pathophysiological process of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of Corin gene variation with blood pressure responses to sodium and potassium dietary interventions. 【Methods】 In 2004, we recruited 514 participants from 124 families in 7 villages of Baoji, Shaanxi Province, China. All the subjects received a 3-day normal diet, a 7-day low-salt diet, a 7-day high-salt diet, and finally a 7-day high-salt and potassium supplementation. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Corin gene were selected for final analysis. 【Results】 SNPs rs12509275 were significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) response to low-salt diet, while rs3749584 was associated with pulse pressure (PP) response to low-salt diet.SNP rs3749584 and rs10517195 were significantly associated with PP response to high-salt diet. In addition,rs17654278 were significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) response to high-salt and potassium supplementation, rs2271037 was significantly correlated with DBP responses to high-salt and potassium supplementation, and rs4695253, rs12509275, rs2351783, rs36090894 were significantly associated with PP response to high-salt and potassium supplementation. 【Conclusion】 Corin gene polymorphisms were associated with blood pressure response to sodium and potassium, suggesting that Corin gene may be involved in pathophysiological process of salt sensitivity and potassium sensitivity.

【Objective】 4-like protein with down-regulated expression and development in neural precursor cells (NEDD4L) plays an important role in blood pressure (BP) regulation and sodium homeostasis by regulating epithelial sodium channel protein. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship of NEDD4L gene polymorphisms with BP responses to sodium and potassium intake. 【Methods】 In 2004, 514 subjects from 124 families in Meixian County, Shaanxi Province, were recruited to establish a salt-sensitive hypertension study cohort. All the subjects received a 3-day baseline survey, a 7-day low-salt diet, a 7-day high-salt diet, and finally a 7-day high-salt and potassium supplementation. Their BP was measured and peripheral blood samples were collected at different intervention periods. The 14 gene polymorphisms of NEDD4L gene were genotyped and analyzed by MassARRAY platform. 【Results】 BP decreased on a low-salt diet, and significantly increased on a high-salt diet, and decreased again after potassium supplementation. NEDD4L SNPs rs74408486 were significantly associated with systolic BP, diastolic BP and mean arterial pressure responses to the low-salt diet. SNPs rs292449 and rs2288775 were significantly associated with pulse pressure response to the high-salt diet. In addition, SNPs rs563283 and rs292449 were significantly associated with diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure responses to high-salt and potassium supplementation diet. 【Conclusion】 NEDD4L gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with BP responses to sodium and potassium intake, suggesting that NEDD4L gene may be involved in the development of salt sensitivity and potassium sensitivity.

【Objective】 Based on our previously established salt-sensitive hypertension cohort, we aimed to examine the association of genetic variants in uromodulin with blood pressure(BP) responses to dietary interventions of sodium and potassium intake. 【Methods】 In 2004, 514 subjects from 124 families in Mei County, Shaanxi Province, were recruited to establish the salt-sensitive hypertension study cohort. Among them, 333 non-parent subjects were selected and sequentially maintained on a normal-diet for 3 days, low-salt diet for 7 days, then a high-salt diet for 7 days and a high-salt diet with potassium supplementation for another 7 days. Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in the uromodulin gene were genotyped on the MassARRAY platform. 【Results】 BP levels decreased from the baseline to low-salt diet, increased from low-salt to high-salt diet, and decreased again from the high-salt diet to the high-salt plus potassium supplementation intervention. SNPs rs77875418 and rs4997081 of the uromodulin gene were significantly associated with diastolic BP(DBP) and mean arterial pressure(MAP) responses to high-salt diet. In addition, SNPs rs77875418, rs79245268, rs4293393, rs6497476, rs4997081, rs13333226, and rs12917707 were significantly associated with systolic BP(SBP), DBP, and MAP responses to high-salt diet with potassium supplementation. 【Conclusion】 Genetic variants in uromodulin gene are significantly associated with BP responses to sodium and potassium supplementation, suggesting that uromodulin may be mechanistically involved in BP sodium-sensitivity and potassium-sensitivity.

【Objective】 M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor(M3 receptor), encoded by CHRM3 gene, is widely distributed in the cardiovascular system and plays an important role in cardiac regulation. The aim of this study was to assess the association of genetic variants in M3 receptor with blood pressure(BP) responses to controlled dietary sodium and potassium interventions. 【Methods】 A total of 333 subjects from 124 families were recruited from the rural areas of northern China. After a three-day baseline observation, they were sequentially on a seven-day low-salt diet, a seven-day high-salt diet, and a seven-day high-salt diet plus potassium supplementation. Thirteen CHRM3 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) were selected for analysis. 【Results】 SNP rs10802811 of the CHRM3 was significantly associated with diastolic BP(DBP) and mean arterial pressure(MAP) responses to both low-salt and high-salt diets while SNPs rs6429147, rs373288072, rs114677844 and rs663148 showed significant associations with systolic BP(SBP) and MAP responses to high-salt diet. In addition, SNP rs6692904 was significantly associated with SBP, DBP and MAP responses to high-salt diet with potassium supplementation. 【Conclusion】 Genetic variants in M3 receptor are significantly associated with BP responses to sodium and potassium intervention, suggesting that M3 receptor may be mechanistically involved in BP salt and potassium sensitivity.

Objective:To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) trajectories in children and adolescents and subclinical renal damage (SRD) in adulthood.Methods:4 623 participants aged 6-18 years old were recruited from the ongoing cohort of Hanzhong adolescent hypertension study in 1987, and the subjects were followed up in 1989, 1992, 1995, 2005, 2013 and 2017, respectively. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify distinct BMI trajectories in longitudinal analysis. Generalized linear model was applied to examine the association between different BMI trajectories and SRD incidence in adulthood.Results:A total of 2 678 subjects from childhood to adulthood were enrolled in this study. All subjects were divided into three groups according to three distinct BMI trajectories: low-increasing BMI group ( n=1 017), moderate-increasing BMI group ( n=1 353), and high-increasing BMI group ( n=308). Over follow up for 30 years, a total of 248 participants (9.3%) developed SRD. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) in low to high-increasing BMI group was 0.9(0.6, 1.4), 1.0(0.7, 1.7), 1.6(0.8, 3.2), respectively ( P trend<0.001), and estimated glomerular filtration rate was 98.5(87.6, 111.6) , 96.2(86.4, 109.7), 95.3 (87.5, 125.0) ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, respectively ( P trend=0.025). The generalized linear model analysis showed that uACR was increased linearly from low to high-increasing BMI group [ β=3.16(95% CI 1.02-5.31), Ptrend=0.004]. There was no correlation or linear trend between BMI trajectory and estimated glomerular filtration rate [ β=-2.30(95% CI-5.18-0.57), Ptrend=0.117]. Compared with the low-increasing BMI group, the high-increasing BMI group had greater odds of experiencing SRD in adulthood after adjusting for multiple confounders such as age, gender, medical history and lifestyle ( OR=2.83, 95% CI 1.84-4.36, Ptrend<0.001). Conclusions:Higher BMI trajectorie is correlated with higher level of uACR and risk of SRD in middle age. Identifying long-term BMI trajectorie from early age may assist in predicting individuals′ renal function in later life.

Objective:To apply self-directed learning-oriented multi-channel teaching to clinical digestive system integration course and explore its teaching effect.Methods:Seventy undergraduates of Batch 2015 majoring in clinical medicine in a medical college of Shandong Province were selected as subjects. In the clinical digestive system integration course, we designed and implemented multi-channel teaching methods including problem-based learning (PBL), integrated teaching of theory and practice, standardized patient teaching, group focus teaching and moral education. The scores of students' practice examination under the two teaching methods were compared, and the self-assessment of students' autonomous learning ability before and after the intervention was compared. SPSS 20.0 was used for t test. Results:The average total score of practical assessment in the intervention group was (86.10±6.01), which was higher than that (81.84±7.08) of the Batch 2014 students ( P<0.05). The total score of students' self-assessment of autonomous learning ability was (145.41±9.42) before the intervention. By comparison, the total score was (152.94±10.18) after the intervention. Except for the dimension of "self-innovation", the scores of self-directed learning ability in general and other dimensions were significantly different before and after the intervention ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Self-directed learning-oriented multi-channel teaching is a suitable teaching method for the integration curriculum of clinical digestive system.