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.

Background Anxiety and depression are common perinatal mental health issues that often occur together and can have serious negative effects on both maternal and infant health. Objective To examine the relationships between lifestyle factors and comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD) among pregnant women in Shanghai. Methods The study estimated the prevalence of CAD during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy using the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) based on data from the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC) embryonic-derived diseases with assisted reproductive technology (ART) sub-cohort. Information on demographics, sleep status, nutritional intake, and exercise during each trimester was collected through self-made questionnaires, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Lifestyle factors (such as sleep status, nutritional intake, and exercise during each trimester) were analyzed using logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to determine their impacts on the prevalence of CAD (yes or no) among pregnant women. Results A total of 2876 pregnant women were included in this study. The prevalence of CAD was 10.6% (305), 3.6% (103), and 5.5% (159) in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that poor sleep quality throughout the entire pregnancy were statistically associated with an increased prevalence of CAD, and the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 2.817 (1.845, 4.301), 2.840 (1.855, 4.347), and 9.316 (5.835, 14.876) for the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, when compared to good sleep quality. Additionally, compared to an intake frequency of 7 times per week, the frequency of egg intake ≤3 times per week in the first trimester (OR=2.025, 95%CI: 1.197, 3.425) and the frequency of egg intake of 4–6 times per week (OR=1.896, 95%CI: 1.117, 3.216) or ≤3 times per week (OR=1.906, 95%CI: 1.082, 3.357) in the third trimester were associated with an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). Moreover, when compared to a frequency of exercise >3 times per week, never or almost never exercising in the second trimester (OR=2.218, 95%CI: 1.220, 4.035) was associated with an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). The GLMM analysis also demonstrated a significant association between poor sleep quality, lower exercise frequency, or lower intake frequency of vegetables, eggs, or milk and an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of CAD among pregnant women in Shanghai follows a U-shaped distribution, with the highest rate occurring in early pregnancy and the lowest rate in mid-pregnancy. Factors such as poor sleep quality, inadequate intake of vegetables, eggs, or milk, and lack of exercise during pregnancy may increase the risk of CAD. Implementing lifestyle interventions during pregnancy could potentially reduce the risk of mental health problems and improve the overall health of both mothers and babies.

This study aims to investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza, on H9C2 cardiomyocytes injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) through regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion. The process of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was simulated by establishing OGD/R model. The cell proliferation and cytotoxicity detection kit (cell counting kit-8, CCK-8) was used to detect cell viability; the kit method was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), total glutathione (t-GSH), nitric oxide (NO) content, protein expression levels of mitochondrial fission and fusion, apoptosis-related detection by Western blot. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) detection kit and Hoechst 33342 fluorescence was used to observe the opening level of MPTP, and molecular docking technology was used to determine the molecular target of Sal B. The results showed that relative to control group, OGD/R injury reduced cell viability, increased the content of ROS, decreased the content of t-GSH and NO. Furthermore, OGD/R injury increased the protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusions 2 (Mfn2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase 3), and decreased the protein expression levels of Mfn1, increased MPTP opening level. Compared with the OGD/R group, it was observed that Sal B had a protective effect at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 μmol·L^-1. Sal B decreased the content of ROS, increased the content of t-GSH and NO, and Western blot showed that Sal B decreased the protein expression levels of Drp1, Mfn2, Bax and caspase 3, increased the protein expression level of Mfn1, and decreased the opening level of MPTP. In summary, Sal B may inhibit the opening of MPTP, reduce cell apoptosis and reduce OGD/R damage in H9C2 cells by regulating the balance of oxidation and anti-oxidation, mitochondrial fission and fusion, thereby providing a scientific basis for the use of Sal B in the treatment of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.

Objective To explore the value of serum stearoyl sphingosine(C18∶1-Cer)and 1-stearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-choline(LPC 18∶0)levels in pregnant women's serum samples during pregnancy in predicting gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM).Methods The clinical data and laboratory indicators of 126 pregnant women were retrospectively analyzed.The sub-jects were divided into GDM group(n=66)and control group(n=60)according to the GDM diagnosis results.Mass spec-trometry was used to detect the serum C18∶1-Cer and LPC18∶0 levels of the subjects in early and mid pregnancy.Logistic re-gression analysis was used to screen out the risk factors for GDM.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of C18∶1-Cer,LPC18∶0 and their combination for GDM.Results Compared with the control group,the serum C18∶1-Cer and LPC18∶0 levels of the subjects in the GDM group were significantly increased in early(18.92±2.77ng/ml vs 23.47±4.18ng/ml,41.32±17.55ng/ml vs 88.08±16.02ng/ml)and mid pregnancy(23.14±4.10ng/ml vs 18.76±4.05ng/ml,84.60±14.53ng/ml vs 40.50±17.79ng/ml),and the differences were statistically significant(t=7.127,15.637;-5.984,2.174,all P＜0.05)C18∶1-Cer was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose(FPG),fasting plasma insulin(FPI),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)and triglyceride(TG)(r=0.458,0.209,0.317,0.223,0.219,all P<0.05).LPC18.0 was positively correlated with FPG,FPI,HOMA-IR,HbA1c,total cholesterol(TC)and TG(r= 0.715,0.426,0.580,0.465,0.232,0.372,all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis results showed that C18∶1-Cer[OR(95%CI):1.522(1.136～2.039),P<0.05]and LPC18:0[OR(95%CI):1.198(1.102～1.302),P<0.001]were independent risk factors for GDM.ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of serum C18∶1-Cer,LPC18∶0 and the combination of the two indicators were 0.819,0.971 and 0.986,respectively.The predictive performance of the combination of the two indicators was better than that of the single detection.Conclusion Serum C18∶1-Cer and LPC18∶0 in early pregnancy were closely related to the occurrence of GDM.C18∶1-Cer combined with LPC 18∶0 has a certain predictive value for the early diagnosis of GDM.

Objective To explore characteristics of clinical parameters and cytokines in patients with drug-induced liver injury(DILI)caused by different drugs and their correlation with clinical indicators. Method The study was conducted on patients who were up to Review of Uncertainties in Confidence Assessment for Medical Tests(RUCAM)scoring criteria and clinically diagnosed with DILI.Based on Chinese herbal medicine,cardiovascular drugs,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),anti-infective drugs,and other drugs,patients were divided into five groups.Cytokines were measured by Luminex technology.Baseline characteristics of clinical biochemical indicators and cytokines in DILI patients and their correlation were analyzed. Results 73 patients were enrolled.Age among five groups was statistically different(P=0.032).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(P=0.033)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(P=0.007)in NSAIDs group were higher than those in chinese herbal medicine group.Interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)in patients with Chinese herbal medicine(IL-6:P<0.001;TNF-α:P<0.001)and cardiovascular medicine(IL-6:P=0.020;TNF-α:P=0.001)were lower than those in NSAIDs group.There was a positive correlation between ALT(r=0.697,P=0.025),AST(r=0.721,P=0.019),and IL-6 in NSAIDs group. Conclusion Older age may be more prone to DILI.Patients with NSAIDs have more severe liver damage in early stages of DILI,TNF-α and IL-6 may partake the inflammatory process of DILI.

The abuse of novel phenylcyclohexylpyridine drugs poses a significant threat to societal safety. The novel psychoactive substance 2-methyl-deschloroketamine (2-MDCK), belonging to the phenylcyclohexylpyridine class, has recently surfaced as a new compound. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding its metabolic pathways and the identification of suitable biomarkers. In this study, a human liver microsomal model was established, and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) technology was applied to investigate the in vitro metabolism and products of 2-MDCK. The results indicate that 2-MDCK undergoes various metabolic reactions, including dehydrogenation, deamination, hydroxylation, and demethylation, leading to the formation of eight metabolites. By conducting actual testing on hair samples from 2-MDCK abusers, the existence of six metabolites was confirmed. Comparing the metabolic products in the liver microsomal in vitro model, M3.1 and M4.1 were identified as biomarkers for 2-MDCK consumption. Five samples of abusers of 2-methyl-dechloroketamine were provided by the Anti-Drug Brigade of the Hangzhou Public Security Bureau. Negative hair samples were provided by laboratory volunteers, and all samples were obtained with the informed consent of the volunteers. These findings provide a scientific basis for the detection and identification of 2-MDCK and its metabolites, as well as crucial support for the study of the metabolic mechanisms of similar novel psychoactive substances in the phenylcyclohexylpyridine class. This research holds significant importance in addressing the issue of abuse of new psychoactive substances.

Objective:To explore the drugs and clinical characteristics causing drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in recent years, as well as identify drug-induced liver failure, and chronic DILI risk factors, in order to better manage them timely.Methods:A retrospective investigation and analysis was conducted on 224 cases diagnosed with DILI and followed up for at least six months between January 2018 and December 2020. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for drug-induced liver failure and chronic DILI.Results:Traditional Chinese medicine (accounting for 62.5%), herbal medicine (accounting for 84.3% of traditional Chinese medicine), and some Chinese patent medicines were the main causes of DILI found in this study. Severe and chronic DILI was associated with cholestatic type. Preexisting gallbladder disease, initial total bilirubin, initial prothrombin time, and initial antinuclear antibody titer were independent risk factors for DILI. Prolonged time interval between alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) falling from the peak to half of the peak (T 0.5ALP and T 0.5ALT) was an independent risk factor for chronic DILI [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)?=?0.787, 95%CI: 0.697~0.878, P ?

Objective To study the in vitro expression of three phenylalanine hydroxylase(PAH)mutants(p.R243Q,p.R241C,and p.Y356X)and determine their pathogenicity.Methods Bioinformatics techniques were used to predict the impact of PAH mutants on the structure and function of PAH protein.Corresponding mutant plasmids of PAH were constructed and expressed in HEK293T cells.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of the three PAH mutants,and their protein levels were assessed using Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Bioinformatics analysis predicted that all three mutants were pathogenic.The mRNA expression levels of the p.R243Q and p.R241C mutants in HEK293T cells were similar to the mRNA expression level of the wild-type control(P>0.05),while the mRNA expression level of the p.Y356X mutant significantly decreased(P<0.05).The PAH protein expression levels of all three mutants were significantly reduced compared to the wild-type control(P<0.05).The extracellular concentration of PAH protein was reduced in the p.R241C and p.Y356X mutants compared to the wild-type control(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference between the p.R243Q mutant and the wild type control(P>0.05).Conclusions p.R243Q,p.R241C and p.Y356X mutants lead to reduced expression levels of PAH protein in eukaryotic cells,with p.R241C and p.Y356X mutants also affecting the function of PAH protein.These three PAH mutants are to be pathogenic.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):188-193]