AIM:This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle mitochondrial damage associated with decline in exercise function during high-altitude de-adaptation,using a mouse model.METHODS:Twen-ty-four healthy male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to two groups:a high-altitude de-adaptation group and a plain control group.The model group was exposed to a low-pressure,low-oxygen chamber simulating an altitude of 7 000 meters for two weeks,followed by eight days of rearing in a plain environment.The control group was maintained in a plain envi-ronment for the same duration.Grip strength and pole-climbing tests were conducted on the 1st,3rd,and 5th days post-re-turn to assess muscle strength and motor coordination.Treadmill exercises were performed on the 4th and 8th days to eval-uate exercise endurance.After the treadmill exercise on the 8th day,serum,liver,and skeletal muscle tissues were col-lected.Levels of lactic acid(LA),glucose(GLU),creatine kinase(CK),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),alanine trans-aminase(ALT),and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in serum,as well as glycogen levels in the liver and muscle,were analyzed.Additionally,the expression of proteins related to mitochondrial biogenesis,fission,fusion,and oxidative phos-phorylation in muscle tissues was assessed using Western blot.RESULTS:(1)The model group exhibited significant re-ductions in grip strength,increased pole-climbing T-turn and total times,and decreased total time and distance in the ex-haustion running test.(2)Serum levels of LA,CK,LDH,ALT,and AST were elevated,while GLU levels decreased,and glycogen levels in both the liver and muscle were reduced in the model group following the treadmill exercise.(3)Ab-normal indicators in the model group did not return to normal by the end of the de-adaptation period.(4)Western blot analysis revealed decreased expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation proteins(ATP6V1A and Mt-CO2)and mitochondrial biogenesis proteins(PGC-1α and FGF21),increased levels of mitochondrial fusion proteins(OPA1 and MFN1),and no significant changes in fission protein expression(FIS1 and DRP1)in muscle tissue from the model group.CONCLUSION:Exercise capacity in mice during the high-altitude de-adaptation period significantly declined,particu-larly in terms of muscle strength,motor coordination,and endurance.This decline is closely associated with abnormal pro-tein expression related to skeletal muscle mitochondrial energy metabolism and production.

Background and Aims:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)is a highly malignant liver tumor,with an increasing incidence worldwide,particularly in Asia.Although radical surgical resection is currently the only potentially curative treatment,the high recurrence rate and low postoperative overall survival(OS)rate of ICC remain major clinical challenges.Adjuvant therapy(AT)and neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)are important strategies to reduce postoperative recurrence and prolong OS.Several studies have shown certain efficacy of these treatments.However,the specific efficacy and safety of combined NAT and AT in ICC treatment require further validation.This study was conducted to evaluate the value of combining NAT and AT in improving the therapeutic outcomes of ICC patients through a multicenter retrospective analysis,so as to provide scientific evidence for optimizing treatment strategies.Methods:The clinicopathologic data of 576 patients with ICC who underwent radical resection and were pathologically confirmed from 13 hospitals in China between December 2011 and December 2017 were retrospectively collected.Patients were grouped based on their treatment modality:NAT+AT group,AT group,and non-NAT/AT group.The three patient groups were matched pairwise in a 1∶1 ratio using propensity score matching(PSM)to balance baseline data.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze OS and disease-free survival(DFS),and subgroup analyses were conducted according to the 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system.Results:A total of 395 ICC patients were included in the final analysis,with 42 patients(10.6%)in the NAT+AT group,62 patients(15.7%)in the AT group,and 291 patients(73.7%)in the non-NAT/AT group.Before PSM,significant differences were observed between groups in terms of CA19-9,liver function Child-Pugh classification,intraoperative blood loss,surgical margin,differentiation grade,vascular invasion,ECOG score,and lymph node dissection ratio(all P<0.05).After PSM,there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups(all P>0.05).After matching,the median OS and DFS in the NAT+AT group were significantly better than in the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in OS and DFS between the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P>0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that in TNM stage I patients,DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(P<0.05),but OS was not significantly different(P>0.05).In TNM stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,both OS and DFS in the NAT+AT and AT groups were significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(both P<0.05),and DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the AT group in TNM stage Ⅲ patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:NAT combined with AT provides better survival benefits for patients with locally advanced ICC,but its benefit for early-stage ICC patients is limited.However,the retrospective design and sample size limitations of this study may affect the stability of the results,and future large-sample,multicenter,prospective studies are needed for further validation.

Background and Aims:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)is a highly malignant liver tumor,with an increasing incidence worldwide,particularly in Asia.Although radical surgical resection is currently the only potentially curative treatment,the high recurrence rate and low postoperative overall survival(OS)rate of ICC remain major clinical challenges.Adjuvant therapy(AT)and neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)are important strategies to reduce postoperative recurrence and prolong OS.Several studies have shown certain efficacy of these treatments.However,the specific efficacy and safety of combined NAT and AT in ICC treatment require further validation.This study was conducted to evaluate the value of combining NAT and AT in improving the therapeutic outcomes of ICC patients through a multicenter retrospective analysis,so as to provide scientific evidence for optimizing treatment strategies.Methods:The clinicopathologic data of 576 patients with ICC who underwent radical resection and were pathologically confirmed from 13 hospitals in China between December 2011 and December 2017 were retrospectively collected.Patients were grouped based on their treatment modality:NAT+AT group,AT group,and non-NAT/AT group.The three patient groups were matched pairwise in a 1∶1 ratio using propensity score matching(PSM)to balance baseline data.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze OS and disease-free survival(DFS),and subgroup analyses were conducted according to the 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system.Results:A total of 395 ICC patients were included in the final analysis,with 42 patients(10.6%)in the NAT+AT group,62 patients(15.7%)in the AT group,and 291 patients(73.7%)in the non-NAT/AT group.Before PSM,significant differences were observed between groups in terms of CA19-9,liver function Child-Pugh classification,intraoperative blood loss,surgical margin,differentiation grade,vascular invasion,ECOG score,and lymph node dissection ratio(all P<0.05).After PSM,there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups(all P>0.05).After matching,the median OS and DFS in the NAT+AT group were significantly better than in the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in OS and DFS between the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P>0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that in TNM stage I patients,DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(P<0.05),but OS was not significantly different(P>0.05).In TNM stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,both OS and DFS in the NAT+AT and AT groups were significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(both P<0.05),and DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the AT group in TNM stage Ⅲ patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:NAT combined with AT provides better survival benefits for patients with locally advanced ICC,but its benefit for early-stage ICC patients is limited.However,the retrospective design and sample size limitations of this study may affect the stability of the results,and future large-sample,multicenter,prospective studies are needed for further validation.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle mitochondrial damage associated with decline in exercise function during high-altitude de-adaptation,using a mouse model.METHODS:Twen-ty-four healthy male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to two groups:a high-altitude de-adaptation group and a plain control group.The model group was exposed to a low-pressure,low-oxygen chamber simulating an altitude of 7 000 meters for two weeks,followed by eight days of rearing in a plain environment.The control group was maintained in a plain envi-ronment for the same duration.Grip strength and pole-climbing tests were conducted on the 1st,3rd,and 5th days post-re-turn to assess muscle strength and motor coordination.Treadmill exercises were performed on the 4th and 8th days to eval-uate exercise endurance.After the treadmill exercise on the 8th day,serum,liver,and skeletal muscle tissues were col-lected.Levels of lactic acid(LA),glucose(GLU),creatine kinase(CK),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),alanine trans-aminase(ALT),and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in serum,as well as glycogen levels in the liver and muscle,were analyzed.Additionally,the expression of proteins related to mitochondrial biogenesis,fission,fusion,and oxidative phos-phorylation in muscle tissues was assessed using Western blot.RESULTS:(1)The model group exhibited significant re-ductions in grip strength,increased pole-climbing T-turn and total times,and decreased total time and distance in the ex-haustion running test.(2)Serum levels of LA,CK,LDH,ALT,and AST were elevated,while GLU levels decreased,and glycogen levels in both the liver and muscle were reduced in the model group following the treadmill exercise.(3)Ab-normal indicators in the model group did not return to normal by the end of the de-adaptation period.(4)Western blot analysis revealed decreased expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation proteins(ATP6V1A and Mt-CO2)and mitochondrial biogenesis proteins(PGC-1α and FGF21),increased levels of mitochondrial fusion proteins(OPA1 and MFN1),and no significant changes in fission protein expression(FIS1 and DRP1)in muscle tissue from the model group.CONCLUSION:Exercise capacity in mice during the high-altitude de-adaptation period significantly declined,particu-larly in terms of muscle strength,motor coordination,and endurance.This decline is closely associated with abnormal pro-tein expression related to skeletal muscle mitochondrial energy metabolism and production.

According to the high failure rate and high maintenance cost of SIF-Q260 enteroscope in Endoscopy Center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University,the causes for the failure of SIF-Q260 enteroscope were analyzed by the Reason model from four aspects of environmental impact,unsafe supervision,unsafe behavior precursor and unsafe behavior.In view of the analyzed causes of failures at all levels,measures should be proposed from three aspects of regular training to standardize the decontamination and use of endoscopes,appointment of special personnel to manage endoscopes,regular supervision and evaluation of the standardization of endoscopic decontamination,and improvement of the supervision system of endoscopes to block the"loopholes"in the system and provide a basis for the formulation of endoscopic quality control measures,which can prevent and reduce the occurrence of endoscopic failures.

The sympathetic nervous system(SNS)plays a pivotal role in maintaining organ homeosta-sis and the pathogenesis of various ailments.Studies have unveiled a profound interconnection between sympathet-ic nerves and the development of liver cirrhosis,cirrhotic cardiomyopathy,and hepatorenal syndrome.Therefore,researchers have proposed SNS as a candidate therapeutic target for liver-related disorders.This article reviewed the research progress of sympathetic nerves in liver cirrhosis,cirrhotic cardiomyopathy,and hepatorenal syn-drome,aiming to enrich the knowledge about the roles of sympathetic nerves in cirrhosis and its complications and provide new ideas for the treatment of liver cirrhosis and its complications.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities in Chinese advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients.Methods:A total of 46 recurrent or metastatic ESCC patients selected from ESWN 01 trial were randomly assigned to irinotecan plus S-1 group [intravenous infusion of irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) on day 1 and oral S-1 (80-120 mg) on days 1-10, repeated every 14 days]. Peripheral venous blood at baseline was collected and genomic DNA was extracted. The genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities of patients with different UGT1A1 polymorphisms were observed. The correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the adverse effects was analyzed. Results:Among the 46 patients, the numbers of UGT1A1*6 wild type genotype (GG), mutant heterozygote (GA) and mutant homozygote (AA) were 30, 15 and 1, while those with UGT1A1*28 wild type genotype (TA6/6), mutant heterozygote (TA6/7) and mutant homozygote (TA7/7) were 36, 8 and 2, respectively. Only one patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype occurred grade 3 diarrhea, while one of the 2 patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 4 diarrhea. No neutropenia was observed in the patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype, however, both of the two patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 3-4 neutropenia. Patients with UGT1A1*28 genetic polymorphism (TA 6/7 or TA7/7) had a higher response rate compared with wild-type TA6/6 carriers. (55.6% versus 26.5%).Conclusions:The homozygous genotype of UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 are rare (<5%) in Chinese ESCC population. Not all homozygous AA and TA7/7 carriers occur severe dose limited toxicities (DLT) when treated with irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) plus S-1 regimen for 2 weeks. However, it′s still necessary torigorously observe the occurrence of severe diarrhea and neutropenia in patients with UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 and adjust the dose timely.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities in Chinese advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients.Methods:A total of 46 recurrent or metastatic ESCC patients selected from ESWN 01 trial were randomly assigned to irinotecan plus S-1 group [intravenous infusion of irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) on day 1 and oral S-1 (80-120 mg) on days 1-10, repeated every 14 days]. Peripheral venous blood at baseline was collected and genomic DNA was extracted. The genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities of patients with different UGT1A1 polymorphisms were observed. The correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the adverse effects was analyzed. Results:Among the 46 patients, the numbers of UGT1A1*6 wild type genotype (GG), mutant heterozygote (GA) and mutant homozygote (AA) were 30, 15 and 1, while those with UGT1A1*28 wild type genotype (TA6/6), mutant heterozygote (TA6/7) and mutant homozygote (TA7/7) were 36, 8 and 2, respectively. Only one patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype occurred grade 3 diarrhea, while one of the 2 patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 4 diarrhea. No neutropenia was observed in the patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype, however, both of the two patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 3-4 neutropenia. Patients with UGT1A1*28 genetic polymorphism (TA 6/7 or TA7/7) had a higher response rate compared with wild-type TA6/6 carriers. (55.6% versus 26.5%).Conclusions:The homozygous genotype of UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 are rare (<5%) in Chinese ESCC population. Not all homozygous AA and TA7/7 carriers occur severe dose limited toxicities (DLT) when treated with irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) plus S-1 regimen for 2 weeks. However, it′s still necessary torigorously observe the occurrence of severe diarrhea and neutropenia in patients with UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 and adjust the dose timely.

Objective To explore antiviral efficacy, safety and blocking of mother-to-infant transmission by administrating telbivudine in pregnant patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) throughout pregnancy. Methods Sixty-four cases of female patients were enrolled. The study participants were divided into the telbivudine treatment group (n = 31) and the control group (n = 33). Data were recorded from beginning of administration to ending pregnancy, as well as notation of any adverse reactions. The neonates and infants were evaluated in HBV infection, parameters of growth and development. Results The recovery rates of ALT, respectively, were 90.32% vs. 57.58% (P = 0.003), 93.55% vs. 62.50% (P = 0.003) at 24 weeks and ante partum and the HBVDNA-negative conversion rates, respectively, were 48.39% vs. 3.03% (P = 0.000), 83.87%vs. 6.06% (P = 0.000), 90.32% vs. 6.25% (P = 0.000) respectively, at 12, 24 weeks of pregnancy and at ante partum between the treatment and control groups. The HBsAg-positive and HBVDNA-positive rates of the infants, respectively, were 12.90% vs. 37.50% (P = 0.025) and 0 vs. 21.88% (P = 0.018) at birth, and respectively, were all 0 vs. 18.75% (P = 0.035) and 0 vs. 18.75% (P = 0.035) at 1, 6, 12 months old between the treatment and control groups. The treatment group showed lower incidence of intrauterine HBV infection (0 vs. 18.75%, P = 0.035). The gestational ages, fetal weights and Apgar scores were not significant different in the children born in the mothers from the two groups. Conclusions Telbivudine administration showed a good antiviral curative effect and effectively blocked mother-to-infant transmission in women with CHB. The treatment was safe and caused no obvious adverse reaction.

OBJECTIVETo explore the antiviral efficacy, safety and protective ability against mother-to-infant transmission of telbivudine in pregnant patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during the first trimester.

METHODSEighty four gravid women who were diagnosed with CHB, in their first trimester of pregnancy, and had refused to terminate their pregnancies were enrolled; all study participants were clinically classified as active hepatitis cases with positivity for both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), HBV DNA more than or equal to 107 copies/mL and serum level of alanine aminotarnsferase (ALT) of more than or equal to 4 ULN.Patients with YMDD mutations were excluded from the study. The study participants were divided into a telbivudine treatment group (n=43; administered in the first trimester of pregnancy) and a control group (n=41, consisting of patients who refused to take antivirals). All babies bom to the women in both groups of the study received standard immune prevention (anti-hepatitis B immunoglobulin plus hepatitis B vaccine) and artificial feeding.Data recorded for the women during pregnancy included clinical findings for tests of hepatic and renal function, myocardial enzymes, blood and urine clinical parameters, hepatitis B virus makers and HBV DNA, as well as notation of any adverse reactions. The neonates were evaluated for presence of HBV infection, parameters of growth and development, presence of complications, and Apgar score. At 6 and 12 months old, all infants were evaluated for HBV DNA level and HBsAg presence.

RESULTSThe genetic variant rtM204I was detected in one of the women in the treatment group at 36 weeks of pregnancy. One woman in the control group developed severe hepatitis at 28 weeks of pregnancy and was put on the telbivudine treatment The treatment group showed greater recovery rates of ALT than the control group at 12 weeks of pregnancy (62.8% vs.29.3%, P=0.002), 24 weeks of pregnancy (76.7% vs.46.3%, P=0.000), and at ante partum (88.1% vs.60.0%, P=0.004). The treatment group also showed greater HBV DNA-negative conversion rates at 12 weeks of pregnancy (20.9% vs.0, P=0.006), at 24 weeks of pregnancy (37.2% vs.0, P=0.001) and at ante partum (78.6% vs.0, P=0.000), and greater HBeAg seroconversion rates at 12 weeks of pregnancy (2.3% vs.0, P=1.000), at 24 weeks of pregnancy (9.3% vs.0, P=0.116) and at ante partum (2 1.4% vs.0, P=0.002). The HBsAg-positive rates and HBV DNA-positive rates among the infants born to the mothers in the treatment and control groups, respectively, were 2.4% vs.17.5% (P=0.027) at birth, 0 vs.17.5% (P=0.005)at 6 months old and 0 vs.17.5% (P=0.005) at 12 months old. The Apgar scores were not significantly different for the children born to the mothers from the two groups, and all the children showed parameters of growth development within normal limits.

CONCLUSIONTelbivudine administration in the first trimester had a good antiviral curative effect and effectively blocked mother-to-infant transmission in women with CHB. The treatment was safe, causing no obvious adverse reaction in the gravid women or developmental effects on the infants.

Antiviral Agents ; DNA, Viral ; Female ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Mother-Child Relations ; Mutation ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Thymidine ; analogs & derivatives ; Vaccines, Combined