Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Objective To discuss the clinical safety,feasibility and efficacy of transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy(TAI)combined with lipiodol chemoembolization in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer(CRC).Methods The clinical data of 37 patients with advanced CRC,who received TAI combined with lipiodol chemoembolization at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University of China between June 2016 and December 2022,were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical efficacy was evaluated,the progression-free survival(PFS)and the serious complications were recorded.Results A total of 55 times of TAI combined with lipiodol chemoembolization procedures were successfully accomplished in the 37 patients.The mean used amount of lipiodol emulsion was 2.9 mL(0.8-10 mL).No serious complications such as bleeding and intestinal perforation occurred.The median follow-up time was 24 months(range of 3-48 months).The postoperative one-month,3-month,6-month and 12-month objective remission rates(ORR)were 67.6%(25/37),67.6%(25/37),64.9%(24/37)and 56.8%(21/37)respectively,and the postoperative one-month,3-month,6-month and 12-month disease control rates(DCR)were 91.9%(34/37),91.9%(34/37),89.2%(33/37)and 81.1%(30/37)respectively.The median PFS was 16 months(range of 2-47 months).As of the last follow-up,22 patients survived and 15 patients died of terminal stage of tumor.Conclusion Preliminary results of this study indicate that TAI combined with lipiodol chemoembolization is clinically safe and effective for advanced CRC,and it provide a new therapeutic method for patients with advanced CRC.

BACKGROUND:The activation of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome has been found to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of gouty arthritis,and the activation of NLPR3 inflammasome can be effectively inhibited by regulating the PTEN-induced kinas 1(PINK1)/Parkin signaling pathway. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction on the PINK1/Parkin/NLRP3 signaling pathway. METHODS:(1)Animal experiment:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,positive control group(Qiushuixian tablets 0.3 mg/kg),and low-,medium-,and high-dose Duhuo Jisheng Decoction groups(6.9,13.8,and 27.6 g/kg,respectively).A rat gouty arthritis model was constructed by injecting monosodium urate crystal suspension into the right hind ankle joint cavity of rats in all the groups except for the control group.(2)Cell experiment:Human monocytes(THP-1)were divided into blank control group,model group,Duhuo Jisheng Decoction-containing serum group,and PINK1 siRNA+Duhuo Jisheng Decoction-containing serum group.The cells in each group except the blank control group were stimulated with sodium urate to establish an in vitro gouty arthritis model.(3)The swelling degree,joint circumference,gait score,joint inflammation index and degree of pathological grading in the ankle joints of rats were observed.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of uric acid,C-reactive protein,NLRP3,and interleukin 1β.Immunoblotting assay was used to detect the levels of proteins related to the PINK1/Parkin/NLRP3 pathway.Tetramethyl azolidine blue assay was used to detect cell activity.Immunofluorescent double staining was performed to detect the level of mitophagy.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of NLRP3 and interleukin 1β. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,rats in the model group showed elevated ankle swelling and ankle circumference at 6-48 hours(P<0.05),elevated gait scores and joint inflammation indexes at 24 and 48 hours(P<0.05),elevated serum uric acid and C-reactive protein levels,degree of pathological classification,expression of PINK1,Parkin,and NLRP3 proteins,and interleukin 1β level in synovial tissues(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the protein expression levels of PINK1 and Parkin in all the Duhuo Jisheng Decoction groups were elevated,while the levels of the other indexes were decreased(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the model group,NLRP3 activity,interleukin 1β level and mitochondrial outer membrane translocator protein 20 protein level in the Duhuo Jisheng Decoction-containing serum group were decreased(P<0.05),while the proliferation inhibition rate,PINK1,Parkin and LC3B protein level were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the mitochondrial autophagy level of cells in the Duhuo Jisheng Decoction-containing serum group was elevated(P<0.05),while NLRP3 and interleukin 1β protein levels were decreased(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the Duhuo Jisheng Decoction-containing serum group,the mitochondrial autophagy level of cells in the PINK1 siRNA+Duhuo Jisheng Decoction-containing serum group was decreased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of NLRP3 and interleukin 1β were elevated(P<0.05).To conclude,Duhuo Jisheng Decoction inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by regulating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on gouty arthritis.

Objective To investigate renal expression level of STING in mice with renal ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)and its regulatory role in IRI.Methods C57BL/6 mice were divided into sham operation group,IRI(induced by clamping the renal artery)model group,IRI+DMSO treatment group,and IRI+SN-011 treatment group.Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen of the mice were analyzed,and pathological changes in the renal tissue were assessed with PAS staining.RT-qPCR,ELISA,Western blotting,and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of STING,KIM-1,Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-3,TLR4,P65,NLRP3,caspase-1,CD68,MPO,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α in the renal tissues.In the cell experiment,HK-2 cells exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation(H/R)were treated with DMSO or SN-011,and cellular STING expression levels and cell apoptosis were analyzed using RT-qPCR,Western blotting or flow cytometry.Results In C57BL/6 mice,renal IRI induced obvious renal tissue damage,elevation of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels and renal expression levels of KIM-1,STING,TLR4,P65,NLRP3,caspase-1,caspase-3,Bax,CD68,MPO,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α,and reduction of Bcl-2 expression level.Treatment of the mouse models with SN-011 for inhibiting STING expression significantly alleviated these changes.In HK-2 cells,H/R exposure caused significant elevation of cellular STING expression and obviously increased cell apoptosis rate,which was significantly lowered by treatment with SN-011.Conclusion Renal STING expression is elevated in mice with renal IRI to exacerbate renal injury by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and promoting inflammation and apoptosis in the renal tissues.

To investigate the initial experience of coated metal ureteral stent(CMUS)for treatment of pelvic lipomatosis induced hydronephrosis(PLH).The clinical and follow-up data of 8 patients who were diagnosed as PLH treated with CMUS in Peking University People's Hospital from August 2018 to February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Inclusion criteria included:Imaging evidence of excessive adipose tissue around the bladder in the pelvic cavity,bladder elevation in an"inverted pear shape",and bladder wall thickening;Cystoscopy indicated follicular hyperplasia of bladder mucosa and biopsy pathology indicated glandular cystitis;Unilateral or bilateral hydronephrosis and ureteromegaly.Exclusion criteria included:Ureteral atresia;Recurrent obstruction of the bladder outlet.Preoperative baseline data included age,gender,serum creatinine,pelvis width and ureteric stent symptoms questionnaire(USSQ)score.Intraoperative data included the location and length of ureteral stenosis observed by retrograde urography.Postoperative follow-up data included serum creatinine,pelvis width,and USSQ score.In the study,8 patients(11 sides)with PLH were all male,with an average age of(38.7±8.6)years.Uni-lateral hydronephrosis was found in 5 cases and bilateral hydronephrosis in 3 cases.Preoperative mean serum creatinine was(90.0±10.3)μmol/L,and the mean renal pelvis width was(3.0±1.5)cm.The lower ureteral stricture was found in all cases,and the mean stricture length was(1.9±0.9)cm.Before operation,3 patients had ureteral Double-J stents,with USSQ scores of 97.0,68.0 and 100.0,respectively.Five patients underwent retrograde CMUS stenting,and 3 patients retrograde and antegrade.At the last follow-up,the average serum creatinine was(82.0±11.1)μmol/L and the mean renal pel-vis width was(1.9±0.5)cm,which were significantly lower than those before operation(t=3.12,P=0.02;t=3.23,P=0.02).In the 3 patients with Double-J stent before surgery,the USSQ scores were 87.0,62.0 and 89.0,respectively,which were significantly improved after CMUS stenting.The average follow-up time was(10.0±6.3)months.During the follow-up,1 patient developed CMUS re-lated symptoms,and no stent-associated infection and stent encrustation were found.In one case,the stent migrated to the bladder 3 months after operation,and the hydronephrosis disappeared after 3 months follow-up.CMUS stenting for treatment of PLH has certain efficacy and safety,which can explore a new therapeutic method for the long-term treatment of PLH.

Objective To investigate renal expression level of STING in mice with renal ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)and its regulatory role in IRI.Methods C57BL/6 mice were divided into sham operation group,IRI(induced by clamping the renal artery)model group,IRI+DMSO treatment group,and IRI+SN-011 treatment group.Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen of the mice were analyzed,and pathological changes in the renal tissue were assessed with PAS staining.RT-qPCR,ELISA,Western blotting,and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of STING,KIM-1,Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-3,TLR4,P65,NLRP3,caspase-1,CD68,MPO,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α in the renal tissues.In the cell experiment,HK-2 cells exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation(H/R)were treated with DMSO or SN-011,and cellular STING expression levels and cell apoptosis were analyzed using RT-qPCR,Western blotting or flow cytometry.Results In C57BL/6 mice,renal IRI induced obvious renal tissue damage,elevation of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels and renal expression levels of KIM-1,STING,TLR4,P65,NLRP3,caspase-1,caspase-3,Bax,CD68,MPO,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α,and reduction of Bcl-2 expression level.Treatment of the mouse models with SN-011 for inhibiting STING expression significantly alleviated these changes.In HK-2 cells,H/R exposure caused significant elevation of cellular STING expression and obviously increased cell apoptosis rate,which was significantly lowered by treatment with SN-011.Conclusion Renal STING expression is elevated in mice with renal IRI to exacerbate renal injury by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and promoting inflammation and apoptosis in the renal tissues.

Objective:To assess health related quality of life(HRQOL)in patients with kidney stones and to predict risk factors for reduced HRQOL in the patients by the Chinese version of Wisconsin stone quality of life questionnaire(C-WISQOL).Methods:The patients with renal stones admitted to Peking University People's Hospital from July 2020 to June 2021 were prospectively enrolled.The inclusion cri-teria included the patients with renal stones aged 18-80 years and sufficient Chinese language founda-tion,and the exclusion criteria included the patients with internal ureteral stents,malignant tumors,sep-sis,etc.Demographic data and clinical data related to kidney stones were collected,and the C-WISQOL and the short form 36 health survey(SF-36)questionnaire completed by the patients was recorded.C-WISQOL included four domains(D):emotional impact(D1),social impact(D2),stone-related im-pact(D3)and vitality impact(D4).Cronbach's α coefficient was used to verify the internal consistency of C-WISQOL,Spearman's rho coefficient was used to verify the criterion validity between C-WISQOL and SF-36 questionnaire,confirmatory factor analysis was used to verify the structural validity,conver-gent validity and discrimination validity of C-WISQOL,and univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the risk factors leading to the decline of HRQOL in the patients with kidney stones.Re-sults:The study included 307 patients with kidney stones,of whom 212(69.1％)were male,with a mean age of(51.9±13.5)years,and a mean body mass index(BMI)of(25.4±3.6)kg/m2.160(52.1％)patients were complicated with metabolic syndrome(MS),202(65.8％)had history of cal-culi,217(70.7％)had calculi related symptoms,53(17.3％)had bilateral renal calculi,82(26.7％)had ureteral calculi,199(64.8％)had hydronephrosis,78(25.4％)had renal insufficien-cy,and urinary tract infection(UTI)was found in 168 patients(54.7％)with an average diameter of(15.6±5.9)mm.The mean total score of C-WISQOL questionnaire for all the patients was(94.9±13.7)points,D1 was(27.2±4.2)points,D2 was(23.8±3.7)points,D3 was(27.0±3.6)points,and D4 was(10.1±1.9)points.The Cronbach's α coefficient of the total score of C-WISQOL questionnaire was 0.968 and the four dimensions ranged from 0.860 to 0.898.The Spearman's rho co-efficient between C-WISQOL and SF-36 total score was 0.564,and the Spearman's rho coefficient between dimensions was 0.684-0.901,indicating that C-WISQOL had good internal consistency and criterion validity.Confirmatory factor analysis showed that C-WISQOL had good structural validity,convergent va-lidity and discrimination validity.Univariate analysis showed that the patients with MS(OR=1.607,P＜0.001),calculi related symptoms(OR=1.268,P＜0.001),bilateral kidney stones(OR=1.900,P＜0.001),combined with ureteral calculi(OR=1.018,P＜0.001),accompanied by hydronephrosis(OR=1.685,P＜0.001),and UTI(OR=1.275,P＜0.001)were risk factors for decreased HRQOL in the patients with kidney stones,and multivariate analysis showed that the patients with MS(OR=1.475,P＜0.001),calculi related symptoms(OR=1.546,P=0.043)and UTI(OR=1.646,P=0.005)were independent risk factors for HRQOL decline in the patients with renal calculi.The t-test re-sults showed that C-WISQOL scores were significantly higher in the patients without MS,stone-related symptoms and UTI than those in the patients with associated risk factors(P＜0.001).Conclusion:C-WISQOL the questionnaire can be used to evaluate the HRQOL of patients with kidney stones with good reliability.The combination of MS,stone-related symptoms and UTI were independent risk factors for HRQOL reduction in the patients with renal stones.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is one of the key precursors of coenzyme Ⅰ (NAD⁺). NMN exists widely in a variety of organisms, and β isomer is its active form. Studies have shown that β-NMN plays a key role in a variety of physiological and metabolic processes. As a potential active substance in anti-aging and improving degenerative and metabolic diseases, the application value of β-NMN has been deeply explored, and it is imminent to achieve large-scale production. Biosynthesis has become the preferred method to synthesize β-NMN because of its high stereoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, and fewer by-products. This paper reviews the physiological activity, chemical synthesis as well as biosynthesis of β-NMN, highlighting the metabolic pathways involved in biosynthesis. This review aims to explore the potential of improving the production strategy of β-NMN by using synthetic biology and provide a theoretical basis for the research of metabolic pathways as well as efficient production of β-NMN.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide/metabolism* ; NAD/metabolism*

Objective:To identify a strain isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient and to investigate its biological characteristics.Methods:The strain was analyzed by several methods including Gram staining, biochemical identification, 16S rRNA and recN gene sequencing, average nucleotide identity (ANI), antibiotic susceptibility testing and detection of drug resistance and virulence genes. Results:The strain was Gram-positive cocci and formed α-hemolytic colonies on the blood plate. It was identified as Streptococcus parasuis by 16S rRNA, recN gene and whole-genome sequencing. It was sensitive to multiple antibiotics and carried the genes encoding a variety of virulence factors such as adhesion. Conclusions:Streptococcus parasuis could cause human infection and be identified by whole-genome sequencing.