Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

In this experiment, self-assembled nanoparticles(SANs) were prepared by the pH-driven method, and Her-HCP SAN was constructed by using herpetrione(Her) and Herpetospermum caudigerum polysaccharides(HCPs). The average particle size and polydispersity index(PDI) were used as evaluation indexes for process optimization, and the quality of the final formulation was evaluated in terms of particle size, PDI, Zeta potential, and microstructure. The proposed Her-HCP SAN showed a spheroid structure and uniform morphology, with an average particle size of(244.58±16.84) nm, a PDI of 0.147 1±0.014 8, and a Zeta potential of(-38.52±2.11) mV. Her-HCP SAN significantly increased the saturation solubility of Her by 2.69 times, with a cumulative release of 90.18% within eight hours. The results of in vivo unidirectional intestinal perfusion reveal that Her active pharmaceutical ingredient(API) is most effectively absorbed in the jejunum, where both K_a and P_(app) are significantly higher compared to the ileum(P<0.001). However, the addition of HCP leads to a significant reduction in the P_(app) of Her in the jejunum(P<0.05). Furthermore, the formation of the Her-HCP SAN results in a notably lower P_(app) in the jejunum compared to Her API alone(P<0.001), while both K_a and P_(app) in the ileum are significantly increased(P<0.001, P<0.05). The absorption of Her-HCP SAN at different concentrations in the ileum shows no significant differences, and the pH has no significant effect on the absorption of Her-HCP SAN in the ileum. The addition of the transporter protein inhibitors(indomethacin and rifampicin) significantly increases the absorption parameters K_a and P_(app) of Her-HCP SAN in the ileum(P<0.05,P<0.01), whereas the addition of verapamil has no significant effect on the intestinal absorption parameters of Her-HCP SAN, suggesting that Her may be a substrate for multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 and breast cancer resistance proteins but not a substrate of P-glycoprotein.
Nanoparticles/metabolism* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacokinetics* ; Intestinal Absorption/drug effects* ; Animals ; Rats ; Particle Size ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drug Carriers/chemistry* ; Drug Compounding ; Cucurbitaceae/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of H ₂S against lipid peroxidation-mediated carbonyl stress in the uranium-treated NRK-52E cells. METHODS: Cell viability was evaluated using CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. Reagent kits were used to detect carbonyl stress markers malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and protein carbonylation. Aldehyde-protein adduct formation and alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, aldo-keto reductase, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) expression were determined using western blotting or real-time PCR. Sulforaphane (SFP) was used to activate Nrf2. RNA interference was used to inhibit CBS expression. RESULTS: GYY4137 (an H ₂S donor) pretreatment significantly reversed the uranium-induced increase in carbonyl stress markers and aldehyde-protein adducts. GYY4137 effectively restored the uranium-decreased Nrf2 expression, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2, accompanied by a reversal of the uranium-decreased expression of CBS and aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. The application of CBS siRNA efficiently abrogated the SFP-enhanced effects on the expression of CBS, Nrf2 activation, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2 and concomitantly reversed the SFP-enhanced effects of the uranium-induced mRNA expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. Simultaneously, CBS siRNA reversed the SFP-mediated alleviation of the uranium-induced increase in reactive aldehyde levels, apoptosis rates, and uranium-induced cell viability. CONCLUSION H ₂S induces Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation, which modulates the expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes and the CBS/H ₂S axis. Simultaneously, the Nrf2-controlled CBS/H ₂S axis may at least partially promote Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation. These events form a cycle-regulating mode through which H ₂S attenuates the carbonyl stress-mediated NRK-52E cytotoxicity triggered by uranium.
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Animals ; Hydrogen Sulfide/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects* ; Cell Line ; Uranium/toxicity* ; Antioxidant Response Elements ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） has become one of the critical chronic liver diseases requiring global attention， and the degree of hepatic fibrosis in these patients is closely associated with their prognosis. Therefore， control or even reversal of hepatic fibrosis is an indispensable part of the long-term management of MAFLD patients. A large number of studies have shown that the Wnt signaling pathway is involved in the development and progression of MAFLD. This article systematically describes the Wnt signaling pathway and elaborates on its mechanism of action in MAFLD-associated hepatic fibrosis， in order to provide a reference for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in patients with MAFLD.

Objectives:To explore the predictive value of angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance(Angio-IMR)for early prognosis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:This multicenter study enrolled 1 629 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful PCI at three grade A tertiary hospitals(The Second Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine;Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University;Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)from June 1,2017,to May 31,2020.According to postoperative Angio-IMR,patients was stratified into two groups:the Angio-IMR>40 group(n=508)and the Angio-IMR≤40 group(n=1 121).The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE;defined as a composite endpoint including cardiac death,heart failure rehospitalization,cardiogenic shock,malignant arrhythmia,cardiopulmonary resuscitation and stent thrombosis)within 1-month post-PCI was compared between the two groups.Results:The median Angio-IMR after PCI was 32.4(22.3,42.6).The cumulative incidence of early-term MACE was significantly higher in patients with Angio-IMR>40,compared to those with Angio-IMR≤40(5.5%vs.2.3%,log-rank P<0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Angio-IMR>40 was an independent predictor of early-term MACE(HR=2.07,95%CI:1.20-3.58,P=0.009).The addition of Angio-IMR enhanced the predicting performance of the clinical risk model to predict early adverse outcomes(AUC:0.820 vs.0.794,P=0.043).Conclusions:In patients with STEMI after PCI,Angio-IMR can predict the occurrence of early-term MACE.The incorporation of Angio-IMR to clinical models significantly improves the model ability to predict early adverse outcomes in these patients.

Objectives:To explore the predictive value of angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance(Angio-IMR)for early prognosis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:This multicenter study enrolled 1 629 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful PCI at three grade A tertiary hospitals(The Second Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine;Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University;Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)from June 1,2017,to May 31,2020.According to postoperative Angio-IMR,patients was stratified into two groups:the Angio-IMR>40 group(n=508)and the Angio-IMR≤40 group(n=1 121).The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE;defined as a composite endpoint including cardiac death,heart failure rehospitalization,cardiogenic shock,malignant arrhythmia,cardiopulmonary resuscitation and stent thrombosis)within 1-month post-PCI was compared between the two groups.Results:The median Angio-IMR after PCI was 32.4(22.3,42.6).The cumulative incidence of early-term MACE was significantly higher in patients with Angio-IMR>40,compared to those with Angio-IMR≤40(5.5%vs.2.3%,log-rank P<0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Angio-IMR>40 was an independent predictor of early-term MACE(HR=2.07,95%CI:1.20-3.58,P=0.009).The addition of Angio-IMR enhanced the predicting performance of the clinical risk model to predict early adverse outcomes(AUC:0.820 vs.0.794,P=0.043).Conclusions:In patients with STEMI after PCI,Angio-IMR can predict the occurrence of early-term MACE.The incorporation of Angio-IMR to clinical models significantly improves the model ability to predict early adverse outcomes in these patients.

Objective:To analyze the factors for low libido in male patients with sexual dysfunction and provide some evidence for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the condition.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 111 cases of sex-ual dysfunction(including disorders in erection,ejaculation or libido)treated in the Zhengzhou University First Hospital from June to September 2023.According to the patients'complaints of low libido or accompanied symptoms,we divided them into a normal libido group(n=68)and a low libido(n=43),obtained their scores on IIEF-5,Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool(PEDT),13-1-tem Self-Rating Libido Scale for Males(SRLS-M),Patients'Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)and General Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7),examined the levels of the sexual hormones FSH,LH,PRL,T,free testosterone(fT),E2,?insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1)and growth hormone(GH),compared the basic parameters between the two groups,and analyzed their correlation with the libido values.Results:The IIEF-5,PEDT and libido scores and IGF-1 level were significantly higher and the GAD-7 score remark-ably lower in the normal than in the low libido group(P＜0.05),but no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in the PHQ-9 score and the levels FSH,LH,PRL,T,fT,E2,T/E2 and GH(P＞0.05).The libido value was correla-ted positively with the I1EF-5(r=0.28,P＜0.01)and PEDT scores(r=0.29,P＜0.01)and IGF-1 level(r=0.23,P＜0.05),but negatively with the GAD-7 score(r=-0.21,P＜0.05).Conclusion:Low libido results from multiple factors,which cannot be fully explained by sexual hormone levels but is closely related to the decreased level of IGF-1 and severity of ED and anxiety.

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a unipolar, microaerobic, multiflagellar, spiral-shaped Gram-negative bacterium that survives and colonizes human gastric mucosa. As a classⅠcarcinogen associated with gastric cancer, long-term stimulation of gastric mucosa by Hp can cause atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. It has been reported that Hp can cause epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric epithelial cells, thereby inducing gastric cancer. We review the mechanism of Hp-induced EMT in gastric epithelial cells, in order to provide new insights for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of gastric cancer.

Objective:To investigate the current status of vocational training for pediatric clinical research coordinators (CRC), and discuss the construction of base-based pediatric CRC training, and to promote the ability of pediatric CRCs.Methods:From July 25 to October 16, 2023, an anonymous self-designed questionnaire survey was conducted through the Wenjuanxing platform to investigate the current situation of pediatric CRC vocational training and base training needs. The data were collated using Excel. Categorical data were described as numbers and percentages.Results:A total of 328 usable questionnaires were returned. Only 7.62% (25 people) believed that existing CRC training was sufficient and could meet actual work needs; 4.88% (16 people) responded that there was no training; 46.34% (152 people) believed that the training was insufficient to support actual work needs; 87.50% (287 people) believed that continuous CRC training was needed; 46.95% (154 people) preferred experienced CRCs for teaching, who should have at least 3 years of CRC work experience; and 46.95% (154 people) preferred a duration of 3 months for CRC training. The preferred training methods were: practice under the direction of experienced CRCs (90.85%, 298 people), step-by-step teaching of practical skills (88.41%, 290 people), case analysis and discussion (87.20%, 286 people), process simulation (83.23%, 273 people), and lecture-based teaching (76.52%, 251 people). The preferred post-training assessment methods were: case analysis (76.52%, 251 people), operation simulation (74.09%, 243 people), process simulation (73.17%, 240 people), written examination (66.16%, 217 people), and interview (63.72%, 209 people).Conclusions:The current pediatric CRC training is not enough to meet actual work needs. It is urgent to develop and promote a CRC training system that can meet work needs, laying the foundation for the construction of pediatric clinical research ecology in China.