Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a clinically rare, genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous condition characterized by chronic respiratory tract infections, male infertility, tympanitis, and laterality abnormalities. PCD is typically resulted from variants in genes encoding assembly or structural proteins that are indispensable for the movement of motile cilia. Here, we identified a novel nonsense mutation, c.466G>T, in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) resulting in a stop codon (p.Glu156*) through whole-exome sequencing (WES). The proband had a PCD phenotype with laterality defects and immotile sperm flagella displaying a combined loss of the inner dynein arm (IDA) and outer dynein arm (ODA). Bioinformatic programs predicted that the mutation is deleterious. Successful pregnancy was achieved through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Our results expand the spectrum of CFAP300 variants in PCD and provide reproductive guidance for infertile couples suffering from PCD caused by them.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; China ; Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics* ; Codon, Nonsense ; East Asian People/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Homozygote ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Kartagener Syndrome/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between physical activity and genetic risk and their combined effects on the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 318,085 biobank participants from the UK. Physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The participants were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-genetic-risk groups based on their polygenic risk scores. Multivariate Cox regression models and multiplicative interaction analyses were used. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 13 years, 9,209 participants were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For low genetic risk, compared to low physical activity, the hazard ratios ( HRs) for moderate and high physical activity were 0.853 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.748-0.972) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.727-0.950), respectively. For intermediate genetic risk, the HRs were 0.829 (95% CI: 0.758-0.905) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.764-0.914), respectively. For participants with high genetic risk, the HRs were 0.809 (95% CI: 0.746-0.877) and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.754-0.888), respectively. A significant interaction was observed between genetic risk and physical activity. CONCLUSION Moderate or high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease across all genetic risk groups, highlighting the need to tailor activity interventions for genetically susceptible individuals.
Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Exercise ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Risk Factors ; United Kingdom/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Adult

The Wnt signaling pathway includes both classical and non classical pathways,Wnt5a-Frizzled-2 pathway participates in the Wnt/Ca2+signaling pathway in the non-classical pathway,which is activated by the Wnt-related protein Wnt5a and its ligand Frizzled-2.It can regulate some key sites in cells to affect cell signal transduction,and is closely related to cell growth process.Activation of Wnt5a-Fizzled-2 pathway occurs in some tissues with abundant blood supply,such as heart and brain tissues,during ischemia-reperfusion.Activation of the Wnt5a-Frizzled-2 pathway causes these intracellular calcium overload,ultimately promoting apoptosis.This article reviews the abnormal activation of Wnt5a-Frizzled-2 signaling pathway in ischemia-reperfusion injury diseases and the induced calcium overload leading to apoptosis,in order to provide reference for the study of physiological mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective To compare the early predictive value of different scoring systems for the severity,organ failure and complications of acute pancreatitis(AP)in elderly patients under the newly revised Atlanta criteria.Methods Patients with acute pancreatitis treated was collected.After admission,complete the computed tomography severity index(CTSI),the bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis(BISAP),the pancreatis 3(PANC-3)and the harmlessness acute pancreatitis score(HAPS).The area under receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),sensitivity,specificity and Yordan's index of four scores for predicting SAP,local pancreatic complications and multiple organ failure were compared.Results The areas under the ROC curve predicted by the CTSI,BISAP,PANC-3 and HAPS scoring systems for SAP were 0.76,0.91,0.48 and 0.55;sensitivities of 75.87％,89.61％,61.18％and 78.38％;specificity of 80.29％,74.72％,67.48％and 69.69％;Yordan's index of 0.56,0.64,0.29 and 0.48,respectively.The AUC of CTSI,BISAP,PANC-3 and HAPS scoring systems for predicting local pancreatic complications were 0.94,0.82,0.59 and 0.64;sensitivity of 74.59％,68.23％,71.11％and 69.28％;specificity of 93.88％,83.01％,78.59％and 76.46％;Yordan's index were 0.68,0.51,0.50 and 0.46,respectively.The AUC of CTSI,BISAP,PANC-3 and HAPS scoring systems for predicting multiple organ failure were 0.60,0.84,0.64 and 0.80,sensitivities were 54.18％,74.82％,58.59％and 65.67％,specificity were 76.11％,77.20％,72.68％and 89.36％,Jordan's indices were 0.30,0.52,0.31 and 0.55,respectively.Conclusion BISAP score is higher than CTSI,HAPS and PANC-3 scoring system in predicting the accuracy of sap and the risk of multiple organ failure.

Objective To investigate the balance control abilities and cortical activation characteristics of elderly individuals under different sensory strategies. Methods From January to May,2023,19 healthy young adults and 20 elderly individuals were recruited in Changzhou as control group and experimental group,respectively.Both groups wore functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)caps and performed balance control tasks on a balance platform under three different sensory strategies.Test A was 40 seconds of standing on a stable surface with eyes closed,Test B was 40 seconds of standing on an unstable surface with eyes open,and Test C was 40 seconds of standing on an unstable surface with eyes closed.Before and after the tests,both groups performed 40 seconds of standing on a stable surface with eyes open.The overall stability index(OSI)and cortical activation β values of the regions of interest(ROI)were measured and compared between two groups.The ROIs included the left premotor cortex(LPMC),right premotor cortex(RPMC),left sensorimotor cortex(LSMC),right sensorimotor cortex(RSMC),left prefrontal cortex(LPFC)and right prefrontal cortex(RPFC). Results There was no significant difference in OSI and β values of each ROI in Tests A and B between two groups(P>0.05).In Test C,there was a lower OSI in the experimental group(Z=-2.056,P<0.05),and there were signifi-cant differences in the β values of RSMC(t=2.623,PFDR<0.05),LPMC(Z=-2.360,PFDR<0.05)and LPFC(t=3.202,PFDR<0.05)between two groups. Conclusion Elderly individuals experience a decline in balance control abilities,accompanied by increased activation in related brain regions,when both vision and proprioception are restricted.