Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Objective To explore the sex differences in drug metabolism of sufentanil in Chinese patients based on the mutation classification of cytochrome P450 3A(CYP3A)enzymes.Methods According to the possible effects of combined cytochrome P450 3A4 gene*1G locus(CYP3A4*1G)and cytochrome P450 3A5 gene*3 locus(CYP3A5*3)mutation groups on Chinese population,we added different weights to CYP3A4*1G and CYP3A5*3 polymorphisms and classified patients into 3 groups:GroupⅠ,patients carried either the CYP3A4*1G/*1G allele or both CYP3A4*1/*1G allele and CYP3A5*3/*3 allele;Group Ⅱ,patients with both CYP3A4*1/*1G allele and CYP3A5*1/*3 allele;Group Ⅲ,patients with either the CYP3A4*1/*1 allele or both CYP3A4*1/*1G allele and CYP3A5*1/*1 allele.A single-dose,double-blind,stratified random sampling was performed,and 255 patients undergoing endoscopic surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University were finally subjected.According to the results of genetic testing,an independent statistician,before operation,randomly selected 30 patients from each stratified group to form a study cohort(male-female ratio of 1∶1)and named each group A,B or C.Clinical investigators and subjects kept double-blind to the results of grouping and genetic testing.After entering the operating room,the subjected 90 patients received a single dose of sufentanil followed by collection of blood samples at 10 time points including 2 min before and from 2 to 120 min after administration.After the surgery,we determined the plasma drug concentration,calculated the pharmacokinetic parameters,and compared the metabolic differences between different genders in each group and unblinded the study.Results The cohort best fitted the two-compartment pharmacokinetic model,and groups A,B and C corresponded to group Ⅰ,Ⅱand Ⅲ,respectively.In different patient groups based on mutatron types of CYP3A enzymes the females had lower plasma drug concentration-time curves at each time point,higher systemic clearance(P≤0.01)and smaller area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity(P＜0.05)when compared with the males.In addition,in group Ⅰ,the elimination rate of central compartment and movement rate of drug from central compartment to peripheral compartment were obviously greater in the females than the males(P＜0.05),while the distribution half-life(P＜0.05)and elimination half-life(P＜0.01)were notably longer in the males than the females.In both group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ,the males obtained larger total area under the plasma concentration-time curve than the females(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are sex differences in the drug metabolism of sufentanil in Chinese patients.Women show faster distribution and higher clearance of sufentanil while men present greater drug exposure.Preoperative CYP3A genotyping and intraoperative personalized medication are of great significance to ensure the safety in clinical practice.

Objective To explore the pharmacokinetic characteristics of sufentanil in individuals with normal body mass index(BMI),overweight BMI,and different CYP3A4/5 enzyme genotypes.Methods The patients receiving laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from November 2020 to September 2021 were prospectively recruited in this study.Before the operation,the oral swabs were collected from all the patients for genotyping using the human CYP3A4/5 gene kit.Based on the potential impact of combination of their polymorphisms on sufentanil metabolism and the proportion of different genotype combinations of CYP3A4/5 enzymes,the patients were divided into groups I(3A4 homozygous mutation or 3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 homozygous mutation),II(3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 heterozygous mutation),and III(3A4 wild type or 3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 wild type).According to their BMI,they were also assigned into a normal body weight group(18.5～24.0 kg/m2)and an overweight group(24～<28 kg/m2),and the differences in drug metabolism parameters were statistically analyze between the 2 groups.After routine general anesthesia induction(sufentanil 0.5 μg/kg),venous blood samples were collected to detect the changes in its concentration using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS).The pharmacokinetic data of sufentanil were calculated between the normal BMI group and overweight group in all participants and between the 2 body weight groups among those with different genotype combinations.Results Among the 90 participants completing the blood drug concentration test,8 patients had their blood samples contaminated(including 1 case with an anesthesia duration of<2 h),and 3 were excluded due to low weight or overweight.Eventually,79 participants were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis on the normal body weight group and the overweight group.Compared with the normal body weight group,the central compartment volume of distribution in the overweight group was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while no obvious differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of peripheral compartment volume of distribution,total clearance rate,peripheral compartment clearance rate,distribution half-life,clearance half-life,and area under the blood concentration-time curve.In group Ⅰ(n=26),the overweight patients(n=13)had significantly reduced central compartment volume of distribution,peripheral compartment volume of distribution,and peripheral compartment clearance rate when compared with the normal body weight patients(n=13)(P<0.05),while no differences were observed in other pharmacokinetic parameters.In groups Ⅱ(n=25)and Ⅲ(n=28),the overweight patients and normal body weight patients had no statistical differences in all pharmacokinetic parameters.Conclusion Among the patients with the same genotype combination of CYP3A4/5 mutations,there was no difference in the metabolism of sufentanil between the overweight and normal weight patients.Additionally,in the population of 3A4 homozygous mutation or 3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 homozygous mutation,the overweight patients have smaller peripheral distribution range of sufentanil,and weakened metabolic process.

Objective:We aimed to develop a novel visualized model based on nomogram to predict postoperative overall survival.Methods:This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study, including participants with histologically confirmed gastric and colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery from 11 medical centers in China from August 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018. Baseline characteristics, histopathological data and nutritional status, as assessed using Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) score and the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, were collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and Cox regression were used to identify variables to be included in the predictive model. Internal and external validations were performed.Results:There were 681 and 127 patients in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. A total of 188 deaths were observed over a median follow-up period of 59 (range: 58 to 60) months. Two independent predictors of NRS 2002 and Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage were identified and incorporated into the prediction nomogram model together with the factor of age. The model's concordance index for 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival was 0.696, 0.724, and 0.738 in the training cohort and 0.801, 0.812, and 0.793 in the validation cohort, respectively.Conclusions:In this study, a new nomogram prediction model based on NRS 2002 score was developed and validated for predicting the overall postoperative survival of patients with gastric colorectal cancer. This model has good differentiation, calibration and clinical practicability in predicting the long-term survival rate of patients with gastrointestinal cancer after radical surgery.

Objective:To assess the predictive value of dosiomics in predicting the occurrence of bone marrow suppression (BMS) in patients with pelvic tumors during radiotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and radiotherapy planning documents of 129 patients with pelvic region tumors who underwent radiotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2019 to January 2023. The region of interest (ROI) was outlined for bone marrow in the pelvic region by Accu Contour software in planning CT, and the ROI was exported together with the dose distribution file. According to a stratified randomization grouping method, the patients were divided into the training set and test set in an 8 vs. 2 ratio. The dosiomic features were extracted from the ROI, and the two independent samples t-test and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm was employed to identify the best predictive characteristics. Subsequently, the dosiomic scores were calculated. Clinical predictors were identified through both univariant and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Predictive models were constructed by using clinical predictors alone and combining clinical predictors and dosiomic scores. The efficacy of predictive model was assessed by plotting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and evaluating its performance through the area under the ROC curve (AUC), the calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results:Fourteen dosiomic features that showed a strong correlation with the occurrence of BMS were screened and utilized to calculate the dosiomic scores. Based on both univariant and multivariate logistic regression analyses, chemotherapy, planning target volume (PTV) and V 5 Gy were identified as clinical predictors. According to the combined model, the AUC values for the training set and test set were 0.911 and 0.868, surpassing those of the clinical model (AUC=0.878 and 0.824). Furthermore, the analysis of both the calibration curve and DCA suggested that the combined model had higher calibration and net clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined model has a high diagnostic value for predicting BMS in patients with pelvic tumors during radiotherapy.

Portopulmonary hypertension(PoPH)represents one of complications occurred in patients with portal hypertension,which is characterized by high mortality rate and poor prognosis.The pathogenesis of PoPH remains unclear;it is believed to involve a complex interplay of factors including hyperdynamic circulation,imbalance of vasoactive substances,genetic factors and inflammatory responses.Up to the present,there is no specific treatment or medication for PoPH.However,medications such as endothelin receptor antagonists,prostacyclins and their ana-logues,phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and guanylate cyclase stimulants have been applied in the treatment of PoPH patients.The efficacy and safety of these treatment approaches still require further validation through large-scale,multicentered and randomized controlled trials.Liver transplantation may benefit a sub-group of patients but need a comprehensive assessment of individual cases.This article reviews the diagnosis,epidemiology,pathophysiology and current therapeutic performance of PoPH to further understand the pathogenesis of the disease and to improve diagnosis and treatment.Future research should focus on the development of new therapeutic drugs and evaluation of long-term effects of existing treatment methods,thereby providing more effective and safer treatment options to patients with PoPH.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (aspirin + clopidogrel) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for more than 12 months.Methods:1 900 patients who received CABG treatment in Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2019 to October 2020 were continuously included, and 1 528 patients were finally identified according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to whether the patients continued to take DAPT treatment 12 months after discharge, they were divided into the extended DAPT group and the standard DAPT group. Cox multivariate regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analysis were performed on major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events (MACCE) and clinically related bleeding events in the two groups during 12-24 months after discharge to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extended DAPT treatment for more than 12 months. Results:Of the 1 528 patients, 624 (40.8%) continued to take DAPT 12 months after discharge. Compared with patients receiving standard DAPT, patients receiving extended DAPT had a lower incidence of MACCE within 12 to 24 months ( HR=0.597, 95% CI: 0.399-0.892, P=0.012); ( HR=0.519, 95% CI: 0.338-0.798, P=0.003), and there was no significant increase in clinically relevant bleeding risk ( HR=1.209, 95% CI: 0.522-2.798, P=0.658), ( HR=1.112, 95% CI: 0.452-2.737, P=0.817). At the same time, prolonged DAPT treatment also brought a good net benefit. Conclusion:Prolonged DAPT treatment after CABG for more than 12 months significantly reduced the risk of ischemia at 12-24 months after surgery, and did not significantly increase the risk of bleeding at 12-24 months after surgery. It may be beneficial for patients treated with CABG to continue DAPT (aspirin+ clopidogrel) on the basis of intensive DAPT therapy for 1 year.

The latest epidemiological data suggests that the situation of adult diabetes in China is severe, and metabolic diseases have become significant chronic illnesses that have a serious impact on public health and social development. After more than six years of practice, the National Metabolic Management Center(MMC) has developed distinctive approaches to manage metabolic patients and has achieved a series of positive outcomes, continuously advancing the standardized diagnosis and treatment model. In order to further improve the efficiency, based on the first edition, the second edition guideline was composed by incorporating experience of the past six years in conjunction with the latest international and domestic guidelines.