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.

Objective:To explore the regulation and mechanism of human placental extract(HPE)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced BV2 microglial cell inflammation.Methods:Microglia cell lines(BV2)were cultured in vitro and divided into PBS group,HPE group,LPS group and LPS+HPE group.BV2 cell viability was measured by CCK-8 analysis.A fluorescent probe targeting reactive oxygen species(ROS)was to detect the level of intracellular ROS.The mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by RT-qPCR.The supernatants of different treatment groups were collected.The content of nitric oxide(NO)was detected by the Griess method,and the secretion levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by the flow magnetic bead microarray(CBA)method.The indirect contact co-culture system between BV2 and mouse hippocampal neurons cell line HT22 cells was established to evaluate the neurotoxicity of HPE by the assessment of the cell viability and apoptosis of HT22 cells using CCK-8 or flow cytometry.The potential signaling molecules of NF-κB signaling pathway was detected by flow cytometry.Results:Compared with the PBS group,1.2 μg/ml LPS and 50 ng/ml HPE significantly inhibited the activity of BV2 cells.Compared with the PBS group,the mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in BV2 cells of the LPS group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the secretion levels of NO,TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6 in the supernatant were also significantly upregulated(P<0.05).The expressions of related signaling pathway molecules Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),pIκBα and pNF-κB p65 were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in BV2 cells,the secretion levels of NO,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6,the neurotoxicity and neuronal apoptosis induced by microglial conditional medium,and the expressions of TLR4,pIκBα and pNF-κB p65 in the LPS+HPE group were significantly downregulate(P<0.05).Conclusion:HPE may alleviate the microglial inflammation,possibly through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the regulation and mechanism of human placental extract(HPE)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced BV2 microglial cell inflammation.Methods:Microglia cell lines(BV2)were cultured in vitro and divided into PBS group,HPE group,LPS group and LPS+HPE group.BV2 cell viability was measured by CCK-8 analysis.A fluorescent probe targeting reactive oxygen species(ROS)was to detect the level of intracellular ROS.The mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by RT-qPCR.The supernatants of different treatment groups were collected.The content of nitric oxide(NO)was detected by the Griess method,and the secretion levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by the flow magnetic bead microarray(CBA)method.The indirect contact co-culture system between BV2 and mouse hippocampal neurons cell line HT22 cells was established to evaluate the neurotoxicity of HPE by the assessment of the cell viability and apoptosis of HT22 cells using CCK-8 or flow cytometry.The potential signaling molecules of NF-κB signaling pathway was detected by flow cytometry.Results:Compared with the PBS group,1.2 μg/ml LPS and 50 ng/ml HPE significantly inhibited the activity of BV2 cells.Compared with the PBS group,the mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in BV2 cells of the LPS group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the secretion levels of NO,TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6 in the supernatant were also significantly upregulated(P<0.05).The expressions of related signaling pathway molecules Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),pIκBα and pNF-κB p65 were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in BV2 cells,the secretion levels of NO,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6,the neurotoxicity and neuronal apoptosis induced by microglial conditional medium,and the expressions of TLR4,pIκBα and pNF-κB p65 in the LPS+HPE group were significantly downregulate(P<0.05).Conclusion:HPE may alleviate the microglial inflammation,possibly through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate potential mechanisms of Niclosamide,a calcium-binding protein S100A4 inhibitor,in regulating inflammatory response of bronchial epithelial cells.Methods:Human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B were cultured in vitro and stimulated by LPS or Niclosamide-pretreatment.Inflammatory cytokines and potential signaling molecules expressions were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Intracellular ROS level was quantified by fluorescent probe.Results:Increased ROS level was observed in LPS-stimulated and Niclosamide-pretreatment cells(P<0.05).Compared with control group,mRNA and protein expressions of S100A4 were increased(P<0.05),TLR4/STAT3,MAPK1/3/SIRT1,NF-κB/IKKβ/p65 mRNA expressions were increased(P<0.05),inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6,tight junction Occludin and ZO-1 mRNA expressions were increased after LPS-treatment(P<0.05),whereas these genetic expressions were downregulated by Niclosamide-pretreatment(P<0.05),except for TLR4/MAPK1 and NF-κB/IKKβ/p65(P>0.05).Western blot showed that compared with control group,LPS-stimulation promoted protein expressions of S100A4,STAT3,MAPK3/SIRT1,IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05),while downregulated protein expression of Occludin.Compared with LPS group,niclosamide-pretreatment downregulated protein expressions of S100A4,STAT3,MAPK3/SIRT1,IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05),while restored protein expression of Occludin(P<0.05).Conclusion:Calcium-binding protein S100A4 inhibitor Niclosamide can alleviate S100A4 expression and inflammatory response of bronchial epithelial cells,which is poten-tially related to STAT3 or MAPK3/SIRT1 signaling.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which Colony Stimulating Factor-1(CSF1)inhibits apoptosis in neurons subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD).Methods Primary rat cortical neurons were divided into the OGD damaged neuron model group(OGD group),the rh-CSF1 intervention group(rh-CSF1 group),and control group.The sample size for each group was 3.After intervention with recombinant human CSF1(rh-CSF1),neuronal apoptosis rate and intracellular ATP content,reactive oxygen species levels,mitochondrial membrane potential,and mitochondrial DNA copy number were measured.The content of malondialdehyde within mitochondria and the activity of superoxide dismutase were also assessed.Results Intervention with rh-CSF1 increased mitochondrial membrane potential(0.55±0.03 vs.0.43±0.06,P<0.01),mitochondrial DNA copy number(0.88±0.05 vs.0.72±0.06,P<0.05),ATP content[(15.70±0.99)mmol/mg vs.(11.70±1.00)mmol/mg,P<0.01)],and superoxide dismutase[(18.47±1.38)U/mg vs.(14.78±1.81)U/mg,P<0.05)]activity in neurons injured by OGD.It also reduced levels of rectivereactive oxygen species(3.64±0.21 vs.4.45±0.33,P<0.05)and malondialdehyde within mitochondria[(2.13±0.19)mmol/mg vs.(2.78±0.20)mmol/mg,P<0.05)],and inhibited neuronal apoptosis(10.12±0.78 vs.17.04±1.23,P<0.01)Conclusion rh-CSF1 may alleviate the damage in neurons induced by OGD by improving mitochondrial function,reducing oxidative stress,and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between food-specific IgG (sIgG) antibodies and phenotypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) .Methods:Serum samples were collected from outpatients with active CSU, symptomatic dermographism (SD) , or acute urticaria (AU) , and healthy controls from 5 third-grade class-A hospitals such as the First Hospital of China Medical University between April 2014 and March 2015. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to detect serum levels of 90 food-sIgG antibodies and total IgE, Western blot analysis to detect levels of 20 allergen-specific IgE antibodies, and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay to detect levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase IgG antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin IgG antibodies. Comparisons of normally distributed quantitative data between two groups and among several groups were performed by t test and one-way analysis of variance, respectively; comparisons of non-normally distributed quantitative data between two groups were performed by Mann-Whitney U test; for comparisons of proportions, chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test were used. Results:A total of 248 patients with CSU, 22 with SD, 15 with AU and 13 healthy controls were recruited. The cut-off level for sIgG positivity was 100 U/ml (at least 2+) , and the positive rate of food-sIgG antibodies was slightly higher in the patients with CSU (176/248, 70.97%) , SD (15/22, 68.18%) and AU (11/15) than in the healthy controls (7/13; χ2 = 1.80, P = 0.615) . Among the 248 CSU patients, the proportion of patients with family history of allergic diseases was significantly higher in the sIgG-positive group (71/176, 40.34%) than in the sIgG-negative group (19/72, 26.39%; χ2 = 4.30, P = 0.042) , while no significant difference was observed in the 1-day urticaria activity score (UASday) between the two groups ( Z = 0.18, P = 0.859) . Totally, 177 CSU patients completed 12- to 40-week treatment; their condition could be completely controlled by second-generation H1-antihistamines, and there was no significant difference in the required dosage of second-generation H1-antihistamines between the sIgG-positive group (128 cases) and sIgG-negative group (49 cases; Z = -1.06, P = 0.298) . Conclusions:The prevalence of family history of allergic diseases was relatively high in food-sIgG-positive patients with CSU. However, food-sIgG could not be used as an indicator to reflect the disease activity of CSU and treatment response.

Objective:To explore the clinical and imaging characteristics of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) caused by mitochondrial DNA 14453G>A (m.14453G>A) mutation.Methods:A case of MELAS caused by m.14453G>A mutation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University on October 12, 2021 was reported. At the same time, the reported cases of MELAS and Leigh syndrome (LS) caused by the m.14453G>A mutation were reviewed. This enabled a comprehensive summarization, analysis, and comparison of these cases.Results:The patient was a female. She has suffered from the disease since 13-year old with seizures, accompanied by the disturbance of mood and the loss of memory. Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings consisted of lesions in frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal lobe and cerebellar. The patient was initially considered with autoimmune encephalitis and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Since direct sequencing of the complete mitochondrial genome from blood of the patient revealed m.14453G>A mutation in ND6 gene, and the mutation rate was 17.0%, the patient eventually diagnosed with MELAS based on clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, and genetic testing results. Using "m.14453G>A" as the search term, the relevant literature in China and abroad was retrieved and those with complete clinical data were identified. A total of 11 cases of m.14453G>A mutation including this case were reported, of whom 5 patients were diagnosed as MELAS, and 6 patients were diagnosed as LS. Among the 11 patients, those being adolescent or adult and with lesions in the cortex and subcortical white matter were probably be MELAS; those being infant or young child and with lesions in basal ganglia, thalamus and brainstem could be LS. Conclusions:Mitochondrial disease caused by m.14453G>A gene mutation shows a great heterogeneity, which can cause MELAS and LS. The clinical phenotype of the m.14453G>A mutation may be related to the age of onset and lesion′ s location.

Objective:To investigate associations between clinicopathological characteristics and mutations in susceptibility genes in cutaneous melanoma (CMM) .Methods:A total of 94 patients with confirmed CMM were collected from People′s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January to December in 2019, and their clinical and histopathological characteristics were retrospectively analyzed. In 48 paraffin-embedded melanoma tissue specimens, Sanger sequencing was performed to detect mutations in the BRAF, NRAS, c-KIT genes and the promoter region of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene, and the association between gene mutations and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. Measurement data were compared using t test, and enumeration data were compared using chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:Among the 94 patients with CMM, there were 46 (48.9%) males and 48 (51.1%) females, with the age being 58.5 ± 16.0 years; 41 (43.6%) patients were of Han nationality, and 53 (56.4%) were of ethnic minorities. Skin lesions were located at the acral sites in 50 (53.2%) patients, including 27 (28.7%) of Han nationality; non-acral skin lesions occurred in 44 (46.8%) , including 14 (31.8%) of Han nationality; there was a significant difference in the nationality distribution between the acral CMM group and non-acral CMM group ( χ2 = 5.25, P = 0.022) . Histopathological examination showed CMM of Clark grades Ⅳ or Ⅴ in 41 (43.6%) cases, ulcers in 52 (55.3%) cases, and lymph node metastasis in 32 (34.04%) cases at the first clinic visit. Gene sequencing revealed BRAF gene mutations in 11 (22.9%) of 48 cases, including c.1799 T>A (p.V600E) , c.1790 T>A (p.L597Q) and c.1394 C>T (p.S465F) ; NRAS gene mutation c.182 A>G (p.Q61R) was identified in 5 (10.4%) cases; c-KIT gene mutations were identified in 6 (12.5%) cases, including c.1727 T>C (p.L576P) and c.1669 T>C (p.W557R) ; mutations in the promoter region of hTERT gene were identified in 7 (14.6%) cases, including 4 cases with a mutation at 124 bp upstream of the ATG start codon (C228T) and 3 cases with a mutation at 146 bp upstream of the ATG start codon (C250T) . Among 26 patients aged < 60 years, BRAF gene mutations were found in 9, and the incidence of BRAF gene mutations was significantly higher in the patients aged < 60 years than in those aged ≥ 60 years (2/22, P < 0.05) , but significantly lower in the patients with acral CMM (3/27) than in those with non-acral CMM (8/21, P < 0.05) ; the incidences of the NRAS, c-KIT and hTERT gene mutations were all significantly higher in the patients with lymph node metastases (3/10, 4/10, 4/10, respectively) than in those without (2/38, 2/38, 3/38, respectively, all P < 0.05) . Conclusion:CMM lesion locations significantly differed among different ethnic groups; the BRAF gene mutation was associated with the age of patients and lesion locations of CMM; NRAS, c-KIT gene mutations and hTERT promoter mutations were closely related to lymph node metastasis.