Background/Aims: Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial. Methods: A comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining. Results: Our study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth. Conclusions These findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.

Objective:To investigate the application value of risk prediction model for acute kidney injury (AKI) after donation of cardiac death (DCD) liver transplantation based on machine learning algorithm.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 001 pairs of DCD liver transplant donors and recipients at five hospitals, including The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine et al, in the Chinese Liver Transplan-tation Registry from January 2015 to December 2023 were collected. Of the donors, there were 825 males and 176 females. Of the recipients, there were 806 males and 195 females, aged 52 (range, 18-75)years. There were 281 recipients included using oversampling technique, and all 1 282 recipients were divided to the training set of 897 recipients and the validation set of 385 recipients by a ratio of 7∶3 using computer-generated random numbers. Seven prediction models, including Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic Regression (LR), Decision Tree (DT), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), were constructed for AKI after liver transplantation based on machine learning algorithm. Observation indicators: (1) comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between recipients with and without AKI and donors; (2) follow-up and survival of recipients with and without AKI; (3) construction and validation of nomogram prediction model of AKI after liver transplantation; (4) construction and validation of machine learning prediction model of AKI after liver transplantation. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, and comparison among groups was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or corrected chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and plot survival curves. Logistic regression model was performed for univariate and multivariate analyses. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to calculate area under curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval ( CI). The performance of prediction model was evaluated using DeLong test, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity. The calibration curve was plotted to evaluate the performance of predicted probability and actual probability. The interpretability analysis of machine learning algorithm and SHapley Additive exPlanations was used to explain the model decision separately. Results:(1) Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between recipients with and without AKI and donors. Of 1 001 recipients, there were 360 cases with AKI and 641 cases without AKI after liver transplantation. There were significant differences in body mass index (BMI), hepatic encepha-lopathy, hepatitis B surfact antigen (HBsAg), hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and donor diabetes, donor blood urea nitrogen, donor alanine aminotransferase, donor aspartate aminotransferase, mass of graft, volume of blood loss during liver transplantation, warm ischema time of donor liver, and operation time between recipients with and without AKI ( Z=-4.337, χ2=9.751, 9.088, H=11.142, χ2=5.286, Z=-3.360, -2.539, -3.084, -1.730, -3.497, -1.996, -2.644, P<0.05). (2) Follow-up and survival of recipients with and without AKI. All the 1 001 recipients received follow-up. The recipients with AKI after liver transplantation were followed up for 18.6(range, 0-102.3)months, and recipients without AKI after liver transplantation were followed up for 31.9(range, 0.1-105.5)months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 72.1%, 63.5%, and 59.3% of recipients with AKI, versus 86.7%, 76.7%, and 72.5% of recipients without AKI, respectively, showing a significant difference in overall survival between them ( χ2=26.028, P<0.05). (3) Construction and validation of nomogram predic-tion model of AKI after liver transplantation. Results of multivariate analysis showed that recipient BMI, recipient creatinine, recipient HBsAg, recipient HRS, donor blood urea nitrogen, donor crea-tinine, anhepatic phase and volume of blood loss during liver transplantation were independent risk factors for AKI of recipients after liver transplantation ( odds ratio=1.113, 0.998, 0.605, 1.580, 1.047, 0.998, 1.006, 1.157, 95% CI as 1.070-1.157, 0.996-1.000, 0.450-0.812, 1.021-2.070, 1.021-1.074, 0.996-0.999, 1.000-1.012, 1.045-1.281, P<0.05). The nomogram prediction model of AKI after liver transplantation was constructed based on the results of multivariate analysis. Results of ROC curve showed that the AUC of 0.666 (95% CI as 0.637-0.696). (4) Construction and validation of machine learning prediction model of AKI after liver transplantation. Based on the Lasso regression analysis, seven machine learning algorithm prediction models, including RF, XGBoost, SVM, LR, DT, KNN, and CatBoost, were constructed, with ROC curves of the validation set plotted. The AUC of above models were 0.863, 0.841, 0.721, 0.637, 0.620, 0.708, 0.731, accuracies were 0.764, 0.782, 0.701, 0.592, 0.605, 0.605, 0.681, sensitivities were 0.764, 0.789, 0.719, 0.588, 0.694, 0.694, 0.704, specificities were 0.763, 0.774, 0.683, 0.597, 0.511, 0.511, 0.656, respectively. Delong test showed that the RF model with the highest AUC of 0.863(95% CI as 0.828-0.899). Calibration curve analysis showed the predicted probability closest to the actual probability of RF model, indicating the model with a good validation value. Further sorting of SHAP of different clinical factors based on RF model showed that recipient BMI, donor blood urea nitrogen, volume of blood loss during liver transplantation, donor age had large effects on the output outcomes. Conclusion:The nomogram prediction model and seven machine learning algorithm prediction models for AKI after DCD liver transplantation are constructed, and the RF model based on machine learning has a better predictive performance.

Objective:To investigate the differences in clinical outcomes of septic children with varying serum zinc levels,and to analyze the relationship between reduced serum zinc levels and organ dysfunction as well as 28-day mortality in septic children.Methods:This study conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data from pediatric patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock in the Department of critical care medicine of the children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2017 and December 2022.Clinical characteristics,organ dysfunction,and prognosis were compared between two groups:children with low serum zinc levels and those with normal zinc levels.Results:The serum zinc level of septic children within 24 hours of admission was 9.60(5.52,13.80)μmol/L,with 50.54%(94/186)of the children exhibiting low serum zinc levels(<10.07 μmol/L).Compared to the normal serum zinc group,the low serum zinc group had a significantly lower Pediatric Critical Illness Score(PCIS)[(78.71±9.35)vs.(85.12±8.51),P=0.005]and higher 28-day mortality(46.80%vs.14.13%,P<0.001).The low serum zinc group also had a higher proportion of invasive mechanical ventilation(64.89%vs.47.82%,P=0.019),renal replacement therapy(15.59%vs.3.26%,P=0.003),and use of vasoactive drugs(56.38%vs.30.43%,P<0.001).The rate of underlying conditions in the low serum zinc group was significantly higher than that in the normal serum zinc group(57.44%vs.36.95%,P=0.005).Additionally,the low serum zinc group had a higher incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),respiratory failure,acute kidney injury,shock,and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)compared to the normal serum zinc group(P<0.05).Serum zinc levels had predictive value for 28-day mortality in septic children(AUC=0.813;95%CI:0.725～0.902;P<0.001).A serum zinc level of less than 6.950 μmol/L predicted the death of septic children with a sensitivity of 0.618 and a specificity of 0.902.Conclusion:Sepsis in children is commonly associated with low serum zinc levels,especially in those with underlying conditions such as hematologic and oncologic disorders.Sepsis patients hypozincemia with a higher incidence of DIC,respiratory failure,acute kidney injury,shock,and MODS.A serum zinc level below 6.95 μmol/L serves as a significant predictor of 28-day mortality in children with severe sepsis.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of shockwave therapy,acupuncture,hyperthermia,biofeedback therapy,elec-trical nerve stimulation,magnetotherapy and ultrasound therapy in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome(CP/CPPS),and to provide evidence-based support for clinical decision-making.Methods:Two researchers independently searched PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,Cochrane Library,CNKI,Wanfang,VIP and Chinese Biomedical Literature databases for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)on the effects of different interventions on CP/CPPS from the establishment of the databases to August 2024.We evaluated the quality of the included literature and extracted the relevant data according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions,followed by network meta-analysis using Revman 5.3,R 4.33 and Stata17 software.Results:A total of 25 RCTs involving 1 794 cases were included.The results of network meta-analysis showed that electrical nerve stimulation,shockwave therapy,biofeedback therapy,magnetotherapy,ultrasound therapy and acupuncture were significantly superior to conventional medication and placebo in the total NIH-CPSI scores(P＜0.05),and so were electrical nerve stimulation and shock-wave therapy to acupuncture and hyperthermia(P＜0.05),magnetic therapy to hyperthermia,and ultrasound therapy to placebo(P＜0.05).Shockwave therapy,biofeedback therapy,electrical nerve stimulation,magnetotherapy and ultrasound therapy achieved re-markably better clinical efficacy than conventional medication and placebo in the treatment of CP/CPPS,and so did shockwave therapy than electrical nerve stimulation,hyperthermia,ultrasonic therapy,magnetotherapy and acupuncture.Conclusion:For the treat-ment of CP/CPPS,electrical nerve stimulation is advantageous over the other interventions in improving total NIH-CPSI scores,and shockwave therapy is advantageous in relieving pain symptoms and clinical efficacy.This conclusion,however,needs to be further veri-fied by more high-quality clinical studies.

Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.

The ocean plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle,and base on the"dual carbon"goals,ocean carbon sinks have received widespread attention.Shellfish aquaculture is one of the most important sources of carbon sinks in fisheries,which has an important impact on the offshore carbon cy-cle.As global temperature rises and ocean acidification intensifies,the capacity of the ocean to absorb CO2 will change.However,the effects of high temperature on the physiology and transcriptome related to carbon metabolism in Mytilus coruscus are not clear enough.This study investigated the effects of high temperatures on the total carbon content,carbon metabolism,antioxidant-related enzyme activities,and the transcriptome of Mytilus coruscus.The results showed that high temperature significantly inhibited the activities of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase,increased carbonic anhydrase activity(P＜0.05),de-creased the ATP content of digestive glands(P＜0.05),and affected glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle,leading to a significant decrease in the mussel's ability to sequester carbon.High temperature re-sulted in significant(P＜0.05)increases in the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde,and enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase.Observations by transmission electron microscopy showed that high temperatures damaged the subcellular structure of the digestive gland in Mytilus coruscus,resulting in the shrinkage of the nucleolus,swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum,and a significant reduction in the mitochondrial cristae.Comparative transcriptomic analysis showed that the upregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum,antigen pro-cessing and presentation,and MAPK signaling pathway.The downregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in necroptosis,DNA replication,and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.In antioxidant-related DEGs,the upregulated DEGs include vitamin K epoxide reductase,peroxidases,heat shock protein 105 kD,heat shock protein 70 kD,and superoxide dismutase;The downregulated DEGs mainly included NADPH oxidase,glutathione reductase,cytochrome b-245,cytochrome P450,and quinone reductase.The up-regulated genes enriched in the carbon metabolism pathway included chitinase,phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase,phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase,galactokinase,and inositol trisphosphate 3-kinase.The downregulated genes included aldose-1-epimerase,carbonic anhydrase,galactose mutaro-tase,acyl-CoA synthetase,alcohol dehydrogenase,and hexokinase.In conclusion,high temperature has an inhibitory effect on the activities of enzymes and the expression of genes related to carbon metabolism in Mytilus coruscus.The results of this study are intended to provide a scientific basis for the healthy de-velopment of mussel aquaculture and the assessment of carbon sinks.

Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.

The ocean plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle,and base on the"dual carbon"goals,ocean carbon sinks have received widespread attention.Shellfish aquaculture is one of the most important sources of carbon sinks in fisheries,which has an important impact on the offshore carbon cy-cle.As global temperature rises and ocean acidification intensifies,the capacity of the ocean to absorb CO2 will change.However,the effects of high temperature on the physiology and transcriptome related to carbon metabolism in Mytilus coruscus are not clear enough.This study investigated the effects of high temperatures on the total carbon content,carbon metabolism,antioxidant-related enzyme activities,and the transcriptome of Mytilus coruscus.The results showed that high temperature significantly inhibited the activities of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase,increased carbonic anhydrase activity(P＜0.05),de-creased the ATP content of digestive glands(P＜0.05),and affected glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle,leading to a significant decrease in the mussel's ability to sequester carbon.High temperature re-sulted in significant(P＜0.05)increases in the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde,and enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase.Observations by transmission electron microscopy showed that high temperatures damaged the subcellular structure of the digestive gland in Mytilus coruscus,resulting in the shrinkage of the nucleolus,swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum,and a significant reduction in the mitochondrial cristae.Comparative transcriptomic analysis showed that the upregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum,antigen pro-cessing and presentation,and MAPK signaling pathway.The downregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in necroptosis,DNA replication,and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.In antioxidant-related DEGs,the upregulated DEGs include vitamin K epoxide reductase,peroxidases,heat shock protein 105 kD,heat shock protein 70 kD,and superoxide dismutase;The downregulated DEGs mainly included NADPH oxidase,glutathione reductase,cytochrome b-245,cytochrome P450,and quinone reductase.The up-regulated genes enriched in the carbon metabolism pathway included chitinase,phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase,phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase,galactokinase,and inositol trisphosphate 3-kinase.The downregulated genes included aldose-1-epimerase,carbonic anhydrase,galactose mutaro-tase,acyl-CoA synthetase,alcohol dehydrogenase,and hexokinase.In conclusion,high temperature has an inhibitory effect on the activities of enzymes and the expression of genes related to carbon metabolism in Mytilus coruscus.The results of this study are intended to provide a scientific basis for the healthy de-velopment of mussel aquaculture and the assessment of carbon sinks.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics associated with prenatal diagnosis of FBN 1 gene mutations in a family.This study explores the correlation between gene mutations and their corresponding clini-cal phenotypes,emphasizing the significance of prenatal diagnosis in providing a foundation for subsequent follow-up and intervention.Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from the amniotic fluid of the fetus and the peripheral blood of the parents for trio-whole exome sequencing.The candidate variant identified was subsequently validated using Sanger sequencing.Results The pedigree comprised four generations and nine family members,with four individuals exhibiting slender limbs and toes.Among these,three showed congenital lens dislocation or subluxation.No abnormalities in the cardiovascular system were observed.Genetic testing of symptomatic individuals revealed a heterozygous mutation(c.6158G>T)in the FBN 1 gene.Conclusions The FBN 1 c.6158G>T(p.C2053F)muta-tion was identified as the pathogenic variant responsible for the condition in this family,exhibiting autosomal domi-nant inheritance.To our knowledge,this is the first reported case of the FBN 1 c.6158G>T(p.C2053F)mutation in China.Prenatal diagnosis can facilitate early confirmation of the condition and provide a foundation for subsequent in-terventions and follow-up care.