Objective: To elucidate the differences in manual acupuncture effectiveness at sensitized points by investigating the mechanisms of local skin action at different sensitization points in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: Forty Sprague–Dawley rats were equally divided into control, model (1 mg of monoiodoacetate into the right knee joint cavity), sham operation, manual acupuncture at right Tianjing acupoint (MAR-SJ 10), and left SJ 10 groups. Safranine-O and fast green staining were used to assess the modeling. The morphological and functional changes in mast cells (MCs) were assessed during acupoint sensitization using toluidine blue and immunofluorescence staining. The levels of serotonin, histamine, substance P (SP), and tryptase at skin acupoints and serum levels of IL-β, IL-6, and TNF-α were detected using ELISA. Results: After 14 days of treatment, the number of MCs and their degranulation rates were statistically higher in the model group than in the control group (both P < .001). After applying acupuncture, the levels of 5-HT, HA, and SP at skin acupoints were lower than those in the model group (all P < .05), and tryptase level was higher (both P < .05). Tryptase level was higher on the skin at the MAL-SJ 10 acupoint than that on the MAR-SJ 10 acupoint (P = .004). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the MAR-SJ 10 and MAL-SJ 10 groups were lower (all P < .05). Conclusion Acupuncture at KOA-sensitized acupoints mitigates joint injury in KOA rats and may bidirectionally regulate local MCs of these acupoints. This finding not only enhances the reference value of sensitizing points in clinical diagnosis and treatment, but also contributes to the understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying acupuncture intervention at sensitizing points.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

Objective:To explore the correlation between clinical phenotypes and genotypes among 46 children with SCN1A-related developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Methods:Clinical data of 46 children with DEE and SCN1A variants identified at the Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center between January 2018 and June 2022 were collected. The children were grouped based on their age of onset, clinical manifestations, neurodevelopmental status, and results of genetic testing. The correlation between SCN1A genotypes and clinical phenotypes was analyzed. Results:Among the 46 patients, 2 children (4.35%) had developed the symptoms before 3 months of age, 42 (91.30%) were between 3 to 9 months, and 2 cases (4.35%) were after 10 months. Two cases (4.35%) presented with epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS), while 44 (95.7%) had presented with Dravet syndrome (DS), including 28 cases (63.6%) with focal onset (DS-F), 13 cases (29.5%) with myoclonic type (DS-M), 1 case (2.27%) with generalized type (DS-G), and 2 cases (4.55%) with status epilepticus type (DS-SE). Both of the two EIMFS children had severe developmental delay, and among the DS patients, 7 cases had normal development, while the remaining had developmental delay. A total of 44 variants were identified through genetic sequencing, which included 16 missense variants and 28 truncating variants. All EIMFS children had carried the c. 677C>T (p.Thr226Met) missense variant. In the DS group, there was a significant difference in the age of onset between the missense variants group and the truncating variants group ( P < 0.05). Missense variants were more common in D1 (7/15, 46.7%) and pore regions (8/15, 53.3%), while truncating variants were more common in D1 (12/28, 42.9%). Children with variants outside the pore region were more likely to develop myoclonic seizures. Conclusion:The clinical phenotypes of DEE are diverse. There is a difference in the age of onset between individuals with truncating and missense variants in the SCN1A gene. Missense variants outside the pore region are associated with a higher incidence of myoclonic seizures.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1(LOX-1)regulates hyperglycemic-induced myocardial fibroblast(CFs)fibrosis through the glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)pathway.Methods CFs were isolated,cultured and identified.LOX-1 RNAi lentiviral vector was constructed and infected CFs.The experimental groups were as follows:Normal control(NC)group,High glucose(HG)group,LV-LOX-1,LV-Con group,Hypertonic(HPG)group.After LV-LOX-1 and LV-Con were infected with CFs,adding 25 mmol/L glucose to culture CFs for 24 h,they were denoted as HG+LV-LOX-1 group and HG+LV-Con group.Cells in HG+LV-LOX-1 group and HG+LV-Con group were treated with 10 μ mol/L SB216763 and 10 μ mol/L STATTIC for 24 h,respectively,and then they were recorded as HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 group,HG+LV-Con+SB216763 group,HG+LV-LOX-1+STATTIC group and HG+LV-Con+STATTIC group.CCK-8 was used to detect the activity of CFs,and the expression levels of mRAN and protein of LOX-1,collagen type I(COL-I),thioredoxin 5(TXNDC5),GSK-3β,STAT3,p-GSK-3β and p-STAT3 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results CFs infected with LOX-1 RNAi lentiviral vector were obtained,which showed green under fluorescence microscopy.Compared with HG and HG+LV-Con groups,the mRNA expressions of LOX-1,COL-I and TXNDC5 were decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,mRNA expressions of COL-I and TXNDC5 were decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 and HG+LV-LOX-1+STATTIC groups(P<0.05).Compared with HG and HG+LV-Con groups,p-GSK-3β protein expression was increased in HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05),while LOX-1,p-STAT3,COL-I,TXNDC5 protein expression was decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,p-GSK-3β protein expression was increased in HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 group(P<0.05),while the protein expressions of p-STAT3,COL-I and TXNDC5 were decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 and HG+LV-LOX-1+STATTIC groups(P<0.05).Conclusion LOX-1,GSK-3β,STAT3,TXNDC5,and COL-I are involved in high glucose induced CFs fibrosis.LOX-1 promotes the expression of TXNDC5 and COL-I through GSK-3β/STAT3 pathway,and inhibition of LOX-1 can inhibit high glucose induced CFs fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1(LOX-1)in the regulation of high glucose induced phagocytosis dysfunction of mouse microglia(BV2 microglia).Methods BV2 cells were cultured in vitro,lentivirus LOX-1RNAi vector(LV-LOX-1)and lentivirusempty vector(LV-Con)were constructed and divided into normal control(NC)group,HG group,LV-LOX-1 group and LV-Con group.After infecting BV2 cells with LV-LOX-1 and LV-Con,the cells were cultured with 25 mmol/L glucose for 24 h,and then divided into HG+LV-LOX-1 group and HG+LV-Con group.After treatment of HG+LV-LOX-1 and HG+LV-Con infected BV2 microglia with 15 μmol/L FH535(β-catenin inhibitor)and AEBSF(ATF6α inhibitor)for 24 h,respectively,they were denoted as HG+LV-LOX-1+FH535 group,HG+LV-Con+FH535 group,HG+LV-LOX-1+AEBSF group,and HG+LV-Con+AEBSF group.Transfection efficiency was determined by fluorescence microscopy,RT-PCR and Western blot.Cell viability was detected b CCK-8.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of LOX-1,β-catenin,ATF6α and milk fat globular-surface growth factor Ⅷ(MFG-E8)in each group.Results After 72 h of LV-LOX-1 infection,the cells in LV-LOX-1 and LV-Con groups showed a lot of green fluorescence,but not in NC group.Compared with NC group,the mRNA and protein expression of LOX-1 and ATF6α were increased(P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression of MFG-E8 and β-catenin decreased in HG group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-Con group,the mRNA and protein expression of LOX-1 and ATF6α were decreased(P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression of MFG-E8 and β-catenin increasedin HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,the mRNA and protein expressions of MFG-E8 and β-catenin were decreased(P<0.05),and the mRNA and protein expressions of ATF6α and p-β-catenin and p-ATF6α were increased in HG+LV-LOX-1+FH535 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,the mRNA and protein expression were increased(P<0.05),ATF6α mRNA and protein expression and p-ATF6α protein expression were decreased MFG-E8 in HG+LV-LOX-1+AEBSF group(P<0.05).Conclusions LOX-1,MFG-E8,β-catenin and ATF6α are involved in the regulation of phagocytosis of BV2 cells.LOX-1 promotes the phagocytosis dysfunction of BV2 microglia induced by high glucose through β-catenin/ATF6α signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child featuring global developmental disorder with epilepsy. METHODS: A child who had presented at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center in July 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data was collected. Potential variant was detected by whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: The child, a three-year-old ethnic Zhuang Chinese girl, had presented with global developmental disorder and epilepsy, for which rehabilitation therapy was ineffective. Genetic testing revealed that she has harbored a homozygous c.821T>C (p.Leu274Pro) missense variant of the PIGW gene, for which both of her parents and sister were heterozygous carriers. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as variant of uncertain significance. CONCLUSION The homozygous c.821T>C (p.Leu274Pro) variant of the PIGW gene probably underlay the onset of disease in this child. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the PIGW gene.
Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Computational Biology ; Developmental Disabilities ; Epilepsy/genetics* ; Genetic Testing ; Homozygote

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of serological indicators and evaluate the diagnostic value of a new established combined serological model on identifying the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective multicenter study enrolled 263 compensated cirrhotic patients from 23 hospitals in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China between October 2021 and August 2022. Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected, and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated. Ammonia level was corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) by the baseline blood ammonia measurements/upper limit of the normal reference value. MHE was diagnosed by combined abnormal number connection test-A and abnormal digit symbol test as suggested by Guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis. The patients were randomly divided (7∶3) into training set ( n=185) and validation set ( n=78) based on caret package of R language. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model of MHE diagnosis. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve. The internal verification was carried out by the Bootstrap method ( n=200). AUC comparisons were achieved using the Delong test. Results:In the training set, prevalence of MHE was 37.8% (70/185). There were statistically significant differences in AMM-ULN, albumin, platelet, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, MELD score and education between non-MHE group and MHE group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AMM-ULN [odds ratio ( OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.05-3.14, P=0.038] and MELD score ( OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for MHE, and the AUC for predicting MHE were 0.663, 0.625, respectively. Compared with the use of blood AMM-ULN and MELD score alone, the AUC of the combined model of AMM-ULN, MELD score and education exhibited better predictive performance in determining the presence of MHE was 0.755, the specificity and sensitivity was 85.2% and 55.7%, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ( P=0.733). The AUC for internal validation of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.752. In the validation set, the AUC of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.794, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration ( P=0.841). Conclusion:Use of the combined model including AMM-ULN, MELD score and education could improve the predictive efficiency of MHE among patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Objective:To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test.Methods:This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results:After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea ( Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with thrombocytopenia and its effect on platelet count (PLT). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 83 CHC patients with thrombocytopenia (PLT < 150×10 9 /L) who received the DAA treatment regimen without interferon for 12-24 weeks in Tianjin Third Central Hospital from April 2018 to March 2019, and the changes in virologic response, liver function parameters, PLT, and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were evaluated at the end of treatment (EOT) and at week 12 after EOT. Quantitative data accord with normal distribution were compared by repeated measures ANOVA. Normal transformation was performed before the comparison between skewed data, then repeated measures ANOVA was carried out. A logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the predictive factors for PLT elevation, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the value of LSM in predicting PLT elevation after treatment. Results Among the 83 CHC patients with thrombocytopenia, 61.4% had liver cirrhosis, and the rate of sustained virologic response at week 12 after the end of treatment (SVR12) was 98.8%. From baseline to EOT and SVR12, the patients had significant reductions in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bilirubin, and globin, a significant increase in the serum level of albumin, and a significant reduction in LSM (all P < 0.05). For all patients, PLT at EOT and SVR12 was significantly higher than that at baseline [EOT vs baseline: (110.4±44.6)×10 9 /L vs (97.8±33.2)×10 9 /L, P < 0.01; SVR12 vs baseline: (109.0±47.7)×10 9 /L vs (97.8±33.2)×10 9 /L, P < 0.01]. At SVR12, there were significant differences in the proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis, baseline LSM, and baseline white blood cell count between the PLT elevation group and the non-PLT elevation group (all P < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LSM was an independent predictive factor for significant PLT elevation after DAA treatment (odds ratio=0.929, 95% confidence interval: 0.864-0.999, P < 0.05). Baseline LSM had an area under the ROC curve of 0.644 in predicting PLT elevation, with a sensitivity of 81.0% and a specificity of 48.6% at a cut-off value of 20.15 kPa. The patients with PLT > 100×10 9 /L at baseline had a greater increase in PLT( P < 0.05). Conclusion CHC patients with thrombocytopenia have significant improvements in liver function and LSM after receiving DAA treatment and obtaining SVR12, and baseline LSM is an independent predictive factor for PLT elevation. There is a significant increase in PLT from baseline to EOT and SVR12.

Objective:The investigation and research on the application status of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) is very important to understand the real situation and future development of this technology in China.Methods:This study comprehensively investigated the basic situation of HVPG technology in China, including hospital distribution, hospital level, annual number of cases, catheters used, average cost, indications and existing problems.Results:According to the survey, there were 70 hospitals in China carrying out HVPG technology in 2021, distributed in 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central Government). A total of 4 398 cases of HVPG were performed in all the surveyed hospitals in 2021, of which 2 291 cases (52.1%) were tested by HVPG alone. The average cost of HVPG detection was (5 617.2±2 079.4) yuan. 96.3% of the teams completed HVPG detection with balloon method, and most of the teams used thrombectomy balloon catheter (80.3%).Conclusion:Through this investigation, the status of domestic clinical application of HVPG has been clarified, and it has been confirmed that many domestic medical institutions have mastered this technology, but it still needs to continue to promote and popularize HVPG technology in the future.