ObjectiveTo investigate the liver-protecting and anti-liver fibrosis effects of astragaloside Ⅳ （AS-Ⅳ） in vitro and in vivo， as well as its mechanism of action in intervention against liver fibrosis. MethodsIn the animal experiment， C57BL/6J mice were divided into control group， model group， low-dose AS-Ⅳ （20 mg/kg） group， and high-dose AS-Ⅳ （80 mg/kg） group. The mice were given intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride for 6 weeks to induce liver fibrosis， and since week 3 of injection， the mice in the low-dose AS-Ⅳ group and the high-dose AS-Ⅳ group were given AS-Ⅳ by gavage at a dose of 20 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg， respectively. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were measured after 4 weeks of administration， as well as the serum levels of hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide （PⅢNP）， and collagen type Ⅳ （Col-Ⅳ）. HE staining， picrosirius red staining， and Masson staining were used to observe liver histopathology and collagen deposition； RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Acta2， Col1a1， and Col3a1 in liver tissue， and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， collagen type Ⅲ （Col-Ⅲ）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， phosphorylated PI3K （pPI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， and phosphorylated AKT （p-Akt） in liver tissue； transcriptome sequencing was performed for liver tissue to identify differentially expressed genes and perform a bioinformatics analysis. In the cell experiment， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） was used to induce the activation of LX-2 cells， and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and the PI3K activator 740 Y-P were used for intervention. The cells were divided into control group， model group， AS-Ⅳ group， LY294002 group， and AS-Ⅳ+740 Y-P group， and the cells were harvested after 36 hours of intervention. Changes in the protein expression levels of α-SMA， Col-Ⅲ， pPI3K/PI3K， and pAkt/Akt in LX-2 cells were measured， as well as changes in the relative mRNA expression levels of Acta2， Col1a1， and Col3a1. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsIn the animal experiment， compared with the model group， the AS-Ⅳ treatment group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT， AST， HA， LN， PⅢNP， and Col-Ⅳ （all P<0.01）， the mRNA expression levels of Acta2， Col1a1， and Col3a1 in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， and the protein expression levels of α-SMA， Col-Ⅲ， pPI3K， and pAkt （Ser473） in liver tissue （all P<0.05）. In the cell experiment， compared with the control group， the model group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of α-SMA， Col-Ⅲ， pPI3K， and pAkt （Ser473） after TGF-β induction （all P<0.05）； compared with the model group， the AS-Ⅳ group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of α-SMA， Col-Ⅲ， pPI3K， and pAkt （Ser473） （all P<0.05）， and both the AS-Ⅳ group and the LY294002 group had significant reductions in the protein expression level of pPI3K and the relative mRNA expression levels of Acta2， Col1a1， and Col3a1 （all P<0.05）. Compared with the AS-Ⅳ group， there were significant increases in the protein expression level of pPI3K and the relative mRNA expression levels of Acta2， col1a1， and Col3a1 after 740 Y-P intervention （all P<0.05）. ConclusionAS-Ⅳ can inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation and improve liver fibrosis， possibly by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of 46 Chinese pedigrees affected with Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) and provide genetic counseling and reproductive intervention. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were carried out on 87 patients from the 46 pedigrees to analyze the variants of EXT1 and EXT2 genes. Pathogenicity of the variants was assessed based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP). Prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) were provided for couples with identified pathogenic mutations. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: LL-SC-SG-2014-010). RESULTS: In total 17 and 22 pathogenic variants were respectively identified in the EXT1 and EXT2 genes, among which 5 EXT1 and 12 EXT2 variants were unreported previously. Three patients with no family history were found to harbor de novo variants of the EXT1 gene. Twenty nine couples had opted for PGT or underwent prenatal diagnosis following natural conception, and 17 healthy babies were born. CONCLUSION This study has clarified the genetic etiology of 45 HME pedigrees and identified 17 novel variants, which has enriched the mutational spectrum of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes. Reproductive intervention through PGT and prenatal diagnosis have prevented the recurrence of HME in these families.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Pedigree ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary/diagnosis* ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases/genetics* ; Adult ; Exostosin 1 ; Asian People/genetics* ; Genetic Testing ; Exostosin 2 ; Mutation ; China ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Pregnancy ; Genetic Counseling ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; Exome Sequencing ; East Asian People

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of sequential tenofovir alafenamide fumarate （TAF） therapy versus the regimen of entecavir （ETV） combined with TAF in chronic hepatitis B （CHB） patients experiencing low-level viremia （LLV） after ETV therapy， as well as their impact on virologic response， liver and renal function， and blood lipid levels. MethodsA total of 217 CHB patients with LLV after ETV treatment who were admitted to Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to December 2023 were enrolled， and according to the treatment regimen， they were divided into TAF group （180 patients receiving sequential TAF therapy） and combined group （37 patients receiving ETV+TAF therapy）. The propensity score matching （PSM） method was used to match the patients at a ratio of 1∶1， and finally 37 patients were included in each group to balance the baseline confounding factors. The two groups were compared in terms of hepatitis B virus DNA （HBV DNA） clearance rate， hepatitis B envelope antigen （HBeAg） clearance rate， liver and renal function parameters （liver stiffness measurement ［LSM］， platelet count ［PLT］， aspartate aminotransferase ［AST］， alanine aminotransferase ［ALT］， and creatinine ［Cr］）， blood lipid levels （total cholesterol ［TC］， triglyceride ［TG］， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ［HDL-C］， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ［LDL-C］）， and the incidence rate of adverse reactions. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the paired t-test was used for comparison within each group； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsAfter 48 weeks of treatment， compared with the TAF group， the combined group had significantly higher HBV DNA clearance rate （86.49% vs 59.46%， χ²=6.852， P=0.009） and HBeAg clearance rate （59.46% vs 35.14%， χ²=4.391， P=0.036）. After treatment， compared with the TAF group， the combined group had significantly lower levels of LSM （7.01±1.50 kPa vs 7.90±1.68 kPa， t=2.404， P=0.019）， AST （18.02±2.28 U/L vs 21.12±2.85 U/L， t=5.166， P<0.001）， and ALT （19.85±3.86 U/L vs 22.00±3.90 U/L， t=2.383， P=0.020） and significantly higher levels of PLT ［（218.35±42.60）×10⁹/L vs （192.82±44.13）×10⁹/L， t=2.532， P=0.014］ and Cr （70.92±6.54 μmoL/L vs 67.60±6.13 μmoL/L， t=2.253， P=0.027）. After treatment， there was a slight increase in the level of TC in both the TAF group （5.60±0.89 mmol/L vs 5.18±0.85 mmol/L， t=2.076， P=0.041） and the combined group （5.45±0.80 mmol/L vs 5.02±0.83 mmol/L， t=2.269， P=0.026）. There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the TAF group and the combined group （21.62% vs 18.92%， χ²=0.084， P=0.772）. ConclusionFor ETV-treated CHB patients experiencing LLV， compared with sequential TAF therapy， the ETV+TAF combined therapy can effectively increase virologic response rate， alleviate liver fibrosis， and improve liver function， whereas sequential TAF therapy has less impact on renal function. Sequential or combined therapy with TAF may induce a slight increase in the level of TC， which should be taken seriously in clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the application effect of cardiac respiratory arrest scenario simulation exercise combined with four-step disk method in the teaching practice of standardized nurses in the department of anesthesiology, and to provide teaching plan and reference for the training of core competence of standardized nurses.Methods:A randomized controlled study was conducted to select 127 standardized trained nurses in rotation anesthesia and intoxication department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University from July 2020 to December 2023 by cluster sampling method. A total of 64 first-year standardized training nurses from three batches of rotation anesthesiology department from July 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the control group, and the conventional teaching method was applied to their teaching practice. A total of 63 first-year standardized training nurses from three batches of rotation anesthesiology department in 2022 and from July to December 2023 were selected as the observation group. On the basis of routine teaching, the cardio-respiratory arrest scenario simulation exercise combined with four-step review method was implemented to carry out teaching practice. One week before leaving the course, the theoretical test scores, skill operation scores (6 operations including anesthesia machine, intravenous induration needle infusion, open sputum aspiration, defibrillation apparatus, simple respiratory sac ventilation and single cardiopulmonary resuscitation), post competency scores and teaching satisfaction scores of the two groups of standardized training nurses were assessed and compared.Results:The control group included 11 males and 53 females, aged (23.25 ± 0.78) years. In the observation group, there were 12 males and 51 females, aged (23.29 ± 0.81) years. The average score of skill operation in the observation group was (93.54 ± 0.92) points, which was higher than that in the control group (91.02 ± 1.08) points, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-14.10, P<0.01). The total theoretical score of the observation group (81.32 ± 3.84) points was higher than that of the control group (61.86 ± 2.05) points, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-35.69, P<0.01). The scores of self-evaluation of post competence and other evaluation and teaching satisfaction of the observation group were (95.81 ± 2.69), (94.22 ± 2.57) and (96.81 ± 2.75) points, which were higher than those of the control group (88.47 ± 5.56), (91.64 ± 3.10) and (91.52 ± 3.50) points. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t=-9.49, -5.10, -9.47, all P<0.01). Conclusions:The application of heart-respiratory arrest scenario simulation and GRAI repetition method in the teaching practice of standardized nurses can improve the theoretical mastery level of standardized nurses and their operational performance, enhance their post competency, improve their teaching satisfaction, enhance their self-confidence and self-awakening ability, improve their learning enthusiasm, and their theoretical connection with practice level. To promote the improvement of teaching program and teaching quality, it is worth applying and popularizing in teaching practice.

Objective:To explore the application effect of cardiac respiratory arrest scenario simulation exercise combined with four-step disk method in the teaching practice of standardized nurses in the department of anesthesiology, and to provide teaching plan and reference for the training of core competence of standardized nurses.Methods:A randomized controlled study was conducted to select 127 standardized trained nurses in rotation anesthesia and intoxication department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University from July 2020 to December 2023 by cluster sampling method. A total of 64 first-year standardized training nurses from three batches of rotation anesthesiology department from July 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the control group, and the conventional teaching method was applied to their teaching practice. A total of 63 first-year standardized training nurses from three batches of rotation anesthesiology department in 2022 and from July to December 2023 were selected as the observation group. On the basis of routine teaching, the cardio-respiratory arrest scenario simulation exercise combined with four-step review method was implemented to carry out teaching practice. One week before leaving the course, the theoretical test scores, skill operation scores (6 operations including anesthesia machine, intravenous induration needle infusion, open sputum aspiration, defibrillation apparatus, simple respiratory sac ventilation and single cardiopulmonary resuscitation), post competency scores and teaching satisfaction scores of the two groups of standardized training nurses were assessed and compared.Results:The control group included 11 males and 53 females, aged (23.25 ± 0.78) years. In the observation group, there were 12 males and 51 females, aged (23.29 ± 0.81) years. The average score of skill operation in the observation group was (93.54 ± 0.92) points, which was higher than that in the control group (91.02 ± 1.08) points, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-14.10, P<0.01). The total theoretical score of the observation group (81.32 ± 3.84) points was higher than that of the control group (61.86 ± 2.05) points, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-35.69, P<0.01). The scores of self-evaluation of post competence and other evaluation and teaching satisfaction of the observation group were (95.81 ± 2.69), (94.22 ± 2.57) and (96.81 ± 2.75) points, which were higher than those of the control group (88.47 ± 5.56), (91.64 ± 3.10) and (91.52 ± 3.50) points. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t=-9.49, -5.10, -9.47, all P<0.01). Conclusions:The application of heart-respiratory arrest scenario simulation and GRAI repetition method in the teaching practice of standardized nurses can improve the theoretical mastery level of standardized nurses and their operational performance, enhance their post competency, improve their teaching satisfaction, enhance their self-confidence and self-awakening ability, improve their learning enthusiasm, and their theoretical connection with practice level. To promote the improvement of teaching program and teaching quality, it is worth applying and popularizing in teaching practice.

Chronic hepatitis B is a public health issue worldwide. Nucleotide analogues and interferon therapy can effectively inhibit HBV replication, but they still have the shortcomings such as inability to achieve the clearance of HBV cccDNA and low HBsAg clearance rate. The academic viewpoint of "kidney-tonifying therapy for chronic hepatitis B" provides new ideas and methods for the treatment of hepatitis B. During long-term clinical practice, Department of Hepatology in Shuguang Hospital has identified that "deficiency of spleen and kidney with damp heat remaining" is the key pathogenesis of the continuous progression of chronic hepatitis B and has established the treatment regimen for chronic hepatitis B with the basic treatment method of tonifying the kidney, strengthening the spleen, and promoting diuresis. The clinical research of National Science and Technology Major Project from The 11th Five Year Plan to The 13th Five Year Plan has validated the clinical efficacy of this regimen and clarified that regulating the immune function of the body is the main mechanism of the kidney-tonifying, spleen-strengthening, and diuresis-promoting therapy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Objective: To investigate the effects of fiber surface deposited with silicon dioxide films by atomic layer deposition on properties of dental fiber-reinforced composites. Methods : SiO2 films were deposited on the surface of quartz fiber by atomic layer deposition(ALD). Then the quartz fiber was used to manufacture fiber resin composites, which were divided into four groups: A(no soaking agent removal), B(soaking agent removed), C(soaking agent removed and silanization), and D(soaking agent removed, 600 ALD cycles performed and then silanization). Scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle test, hygroscopicity test, CCK8 test and three-point bending test were used to investigate the properties of fiber resin composites. Results: The surface morphology of the quartz fiber treated by ALD was smooth and had no obvious change compared with that before treatment. Moreover, the quartz fiber showed hydrophobicity after silanization. The results of three-point bending test revealed that the mechanical properties of fiber-resin composites modified by ALD were significantly improved(P<0.05). When viewed by scanning electron microscopy, a good interfacial bonding could be seen between quartz fibers and the resin matrix in Group D. In addition, it was found that Group D had low absorbability, low solubility and good biocompatibility. Conclusion It is shown that deposition of SiO2 films on the quartz fiber by ALD can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Zhizi Dahuang decoction （ZZDHT） in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease （ALD） by improving oxidative stress in hepatic neutrophils. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was used to obtain the chemical components of ZZDHT and their corresponding action targets and analyze the potential targets and functional pathways of ZZDHT in the treatment of ALD. The non-target metabolomics technology was used to observe the changes in the metabolites of ZZDHT in mouse serum and liver. The mice were given ZZDHT at a dose twice as much as the middle dose concentration by gavage， and serum and liver samples were collected at six time points after gavage （10 minutes， 30 minutes， 1 hour， 2 hours， 4 hours， and 6 hours） and were then mixed for mass spectrometry （administration group with 18 mice）， while the 18 mice in the control group were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography was used for rapid isolation and identification of the metabolites of ZZDHT in serum and liver tissue， and the effective constituents of ZZDHT were validated. Male C57BL/6J mice， aged 8 weeks， were randomly and equally divided into control group， model group， and low-， middle-， and high-dose ZZDHT groups， with 10 mice in each group. All mice except those in the control group were used to establish a mouse model of ALD （NIAAA model mice）， and at the same time， the mice in the administration groups were given low-， middle-， and high-dose ZZDHT by gavage， while those in the control group and the model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， and triglyceride （TG） were measured； PCR was used to measure the gene expression levels of related inflammation， oxidative stress， and neutrophil indicators in the liver； ELISA was used to measure the levels of related inflammation and oxidative stress indicators in serum； superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） were measured to observe the level of oxidative stress in the liver； HE staining， myeloperoxidase staining， and oil red staining were used to observe liver injury， neutrophil infiltration， and lipid deposition. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsA total of 53 active components and 227 target genes were obtained for ZZDHT， and there were 8685 target genes of ALD， resulting in 222 common target genes between these two groups of genes. Core pathways included the interleukin-6 signaling pathway and the TNF signaling pathway. The non-targeted metabolic analysis of ZZDHT obtained 225 metabolites in mouse liver and 227 metabolites in serum， among which there were 126 common metabolites. The core pathways of liver metabolites included glycerolipid metabolism and inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels， and the core pathways of serum metabolites included the AMPK signaling pathway and oxidative phosphorylation， all of which were associated with oxidative stress- and inflammation-related pathways. Compared with the model group， the low-， middle-， and high-dose ZZDHT groups had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT， AST， and TG （all P<0.05）， and the middle-dose ZZDHT group had significant reductions in the levels of Ly6g， Ncf1， Ncf2， IL-6， TNF-α， IL-1β， MDA， 4-HNE， Gp91， and P22 in the liver （all P<0.05）， a significant increase in the level of SOD （P<0.05）， a significant reduction in the serum level of 4-HNE （P<0.05）， and a significant increase in the level of GSH-Px （P<0.05）. There were significant improvements in fat deposition and neutrophil infiltration in the liver of mice in the middle-dose ZZDHT group （both P<0.05）. ConclusionZZDHT significantly reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory response in NIAAA model mice.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the genetic characteristics of 671 Chinese pedigrees affected with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD). METHODS: Clinical data of the pedigrees were collected. Multiplex PCR, multiple ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA), next generation sequencing (NGS), Sanger sequencing and long read sequencing were used to detect the variant of DMD gene in the probands and their mothers, and prenatal diagnosis was provided for high risk pregnant women. RESULTS: Among 178 pedigrees analyzed by multiplex PCR, 44 variants of the DMD gene were detected, with the genetic diagnosis attained in 110 pedigrees. Among 493 pedigrees analyzed by MLPA in combination with NGS or Sanger sequencing, 294 pathogenic/possible pathogenic variants were identified, among which 45 were unreported previously, and the genetic diagnosis attained in 484 pedigrees. Structural variants of the DMD gene were identified in two pedigrees by long-read sequencing. Among 444 probands, 341 have inherited the DMD gene variant from their mothers (76.8%). Among 390 women with a high-risk, 339 have opted to have natural pregnancy and 51 chose preimplantation genetic testing for monogenetic disease (PGT-M). The detection rate of neonatal patients and carriers following natural pregnancy was significantly higher than that for PGT-M. CONCLUSION Combined application of MLPA, NGS, Sanger sequencing and long-read sequencing is an effective strategy to detect DMD/BMD. PGT-M can effectively reduce the risk of fetuses. Above finding has expanded the spectrum of DMD gene variants and provided a basis for reproductive intervention for pregnancies with a high risk for DMD/BMD.
China ; Dystrophin/genetics* ; Exons ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive accumulation of hepatic lipids and metabolic stress-induced liver injury. There are currently no approved effective pharmacological treatments for NAFLD. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to treat patients with chronic liver diseases without clear disease types and mechanisms. More recently, TCM has been shown to have unique advantages in the treatment of NAFLD. We performed a systematic review of the medical literature published over the last two decades and found that many TCM formulas have been reported to be beneficial for the treatment of metabolic dysfunctions, including Potentilla discolor Bunge (PDB). PDB has a variety of active compounds, including flavonoids, terpenoids, organic acids, steroids and tannins. Many compounds have been shown to exhibit a series of beneficial effects for the treatment of NAFLD, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory functions, improvement of lipid metabolism and reversal of insulin resistance. In this review, we summarize potential therapeutic effects of TCM formulas for the treatment of NAFLD, focusing on the medicinal properties of natural active compounds from PDB and their underlying mechanisms. We point out that PDB can be classified as a novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of NAFLD.