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.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Chitosanases represent a class of glycoside hydrolases with high catalytic activity on chitosan but nearly no activity on chitin. Chitosanases can convert high molecular weight chitosan into functional chitooligosaccharides with low molecular weight. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the research on chitosanases. This review summarizes and discusses its biochemical properties, crystal structures, catalytic mechanisms, and protein engineering, highlighting the preparation of pure chitooligosaccharides by enzymatic hydrolysis. This review may advance the understandings on the mechanism of chitosanases and promote its industrial applications.
Chitosan/chemistry* ; Chitin ; Glycoside Hydrolases/genetics* ; Protein Engineering ; Oligosaccharides/chemistry* ; Hydrolysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of myosin heavy chain 7 gene-derived miRNA-208b-3p on the fibrotic phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts. MethodsmiRNA chip array was performed to detect the dysregulated miRNAs in the myocardium of diabetic db/db mice and db/m control mice. Neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes （NMVCs） and cardiac fibroblasts （CFs） were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and cultured. Real-time quantitative PCR （RT-qPCR） was conducted to determine the expression of miR-208b-3p in mouse CFs and NMVCs subjected to angiotensinⅡ（AngⅡ） and high glucose plus glucose oxidase （G/Go） treatment， respectively. Cell counting kit 8（CCk8） assay， flow cytometry and determination of fibrosis-related protein， including COL1A1， COL3A1and α-SMA， were performed in mCFs transfected with miR-208b-3p. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the interaction between miR-208b-3p and the 3'-UTR of metal response element binding transcription factor 2 （Mtf2） and progesterone receptor membrane component 1（Pgrmc1）， respectively. The expressions of Mtf2 and Pgrmc1 at the mRNA and protein levels in mCFs after miR-208b-3p mimic transfection were determined using RT-qPCR and Western blot assay， respectively. The small interfering RNA （siRNA） was used to inhibit Mtf2 and Pgrmc1 expression in mCFs， and the effects of Mtf2 siRNA， Pgrmc1 siRNA and miR-208b-3p on fibrosis-related protein expression in mCFs were investigated. ResultsResults of miRNA chip array and RT-qPCR assay showed that miR-208b-3p was up-regulated in the myocardium of the diabetic db/db mice. miR-208b precursor and the host gene of Myh7 were consistently increased in db/db mice. miR-208b-3p and Myh7 mRNA were expressed in mCFs and NMVCs， but the levels of miR-208b-3p and Myh7 mRNA in NMVCs were much higher than those in mCFs. miR-208b-3p was up-regulated in mCFs and NMVCs subjected to Ang Ⅱ and G/Go treatment， respectively. miR-208b-3p could significantly enhance fibrosis-related protein， including COL1A1， COL3A1 and α-SMA， in mCFs， without affecting the proliferation activity and cell cycle distribution of mCFs. Dual luciferase reporter assay revealed the interactions of miR-208b-3p with the 3'-UTR of Mtf2 and Pgrmc1. The results of RT-qPCR and Western blotting confirmed that miR-208b-3p inhibited Mtf2 and Pgrmc1 expression at the post- transcriptional level. Transfection with miR-208b-3p mimic， Mtf2 siRNA and Pgrmc1 siRNA could consistently enhance the fibrosis-related protein expression in the cardiac fibroblasts. ConclusionsmiR-208b-3p enhances fibrosis-related gene expression by targeting Mtf2 and Pgrmc1in mCFs.

Objective:To explore the application of analogical thinking combined with situational teaching method to create a happy learning situation in ophthalmic nursing practice teaching.Methods:A total of 90 nursing students who had practice in Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, from October 2020 to January 2022 were selected as the research objects. According to different teaching methods, they were divided into control group and observation group. The control group ( n=45) adopted conventional teaching, while the observation group ( n=45) adopted analogical thinking combined with situational teaching method. The two groups of nursing students were evaluated by comprehensive examination results, teaching effect questionnaire and students' overall satisfaction with their teachers. SPSS 22.0 was used for t-test and Chi-square test. Results:The test scores of theoretical knowledge [(85.39±1.57) vs. (84.41±1.34)] and nursing skills [(87.52±0.04) vs. (82.64±0.05)] of observation group were both higher than those of control group. In the observation group, the students' awareness of medication safety, professional interest and independent learning, cooperation and organization ability, independent thinking and independent learning ability, the purpose of multi-disciplinary knowledge integration, information and knowledge range improvement, clinical thinking communication ability enhancement, flexible application of theoretical knowledge, practical operation ability enhancement, and the cultivation of innovation consciousness were all improved. And all the scores were better than those of the control group. The satisfaction of teachers in the observation group on students' learning attitude, language expression, calling communication ability and independent problem-solving ability was higher than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:The combination of analogical thinking and the situational teaching method to create a happy learning situation can improve the average scores of nursing students and nursing skills, and significantly improve the satisfaction of students to the teachers.

Objective:To develop an improved wireless intelligent capsule cystoscope (WCE)for dynamic detection of bladder mucosa in a pig model.Methods:The WCE was introduced into a healthy experimental pig that under general anesthesia via urethra by applying an improved device. Multi-angle images of the bladder mucosa were then obtained by controlling the position of capsule cystoscope with an external magnetic field system. The shutter speed of the WCE was 2.5 fps and was automatically converted to 1.5 fps 30 minutes after initiation. The Vue software was utilized to download the shoot pictures which were former received by a computer via wireless transmission. The pig was roused and sent to the pigpen, without limitations in moving. The improved WCE was connected with a 2 cm thread. 12 hours later, the dilated sheath was inserted again, and the capsule was removed by a foreign body forceps under observation of a ureteroscopy.Results:The WCE was successfully placed and removed from the pig's bladder with the application of the improved devices. Over 20 thousand images that with 60K pixels of bladder mucosa were captured by the WCE at various angles within 12 hours, which revealed the process of urine filling and excreting in a time-dependent way. No notable adverse effects (bleeding, urinary tract injury, etc) were noted during the process of cystoscope placement, image acquisition, transmission, and removal.Conclusion:This study developed a novel WCE that could dynamically, intelligently and accurately monitor all aspects of the pig bladder mucosa, and has preferable application prospect.

Benign ureteral strictures refers to obstructive lesions caused by the narrowing of ureteral lumen,which may lead to severe renal function damage and even failure.It is related to the incarcerated stones,the ureteral lithotripsy,and the pelvic and abdominal surgery.The primary treatment of benign ureteral strictures is surgery,but the cure rate is closely related to the characteristics of the stricture.In the past,repair and reconstruction surgery has been used for treatment,although the cure rate is high,it is traumatic,risky and slow in postoperative recovery.At present,endovascular surgery treatment is widely used in the treatment of benign ureteral strictures with short stricture length,short disease course,good renal function,and non-ischemic stricture due to the characteristics of small trauma,low risk,and fast recovery.Meanwhile,long-term maintenance treatment of indwelling ureteral stents can also effectively protect renal function.Therefore,in the treatment of benign ureteral strictures,the most appropriate individualized treatment plan should be provided for the patients based on the patient's physical conditions and stricture characteristics.

OBJECTIVE To establis h the fingerprint of Cynanchum auriculatum，to conduct its chemical pattern recognition analysis，and to determine the contents of four components at the same time. METHODS High performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）method was adopted. The determination was performed on ACE UExcel C 18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1％ phosphoric acid solution （gradient elution ）at the flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. The determination wavelength was set at 210 nm，and the column temperature was 40 ℃. The sample size wa s 10 μL. Taking qingyang shengenin as the reference ，HPLC fingerprints of 16 batches of C. auriculatum medicinal materials were drawn and similarity was evaluated by using the Similarity Evaluation of Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2012 edition）， and the common peaks were determined. SPSS 26.0 software andSIMCA 14.0 software were used for cluster analysis ，principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares- discriminant analysis. The differential components affecting the quality of C. auriculatum were screened by taking the value of variable importance in projection （VIP）greater than 1 as the standard ；same HPLC method was used to determine the contents of syringic acid ，acyl asclepiadelenin ，baishouwubenzophenone and qingyang shengenin. RESULTS There were 29 common peaks in 16 batches of C. auriculatum ，with a similarity of 0.723-0.998. Four common peaks were identified ，namely syringic acid （peak 7），acyl asclepiadoidin （peak 9），baishouwubenzophenone（peak 13）and qingyang shengenin（peak 15）. The results of cluster analysis showed that 16 batches of C. auriculatum could be clustered into three categories ，among which S 1 were grouped into one category，S3 were grouped into one c ategory，S2，and S 4-S16 were grouped into one category. The results of principal component analysis showed that the cumulative variance contribution rate of the five principal components was 88.706％，and the classification results were consistent with the results of cluster analysis. The results of orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis showed that the common peaks （from large to small ）with VIP value greater than 1 were peak 20，peak 10，peak 25，peak 12， peak 15（qingyangshengenin），peak 21，peak 14，peak 16，peak 26，peak 22 and peak 17. The linear ranges of syringic acid，acyl asclepterin，baishouwubenzophenone and qingyangshengenin were 0.715 3-45.778 0，2.379 4-152.281 0，0.642 0- 41.085 0，14.541 6- 930.662 0 µg/mL respectively （all R 2＞0.999）. The quantitative limits were 0.357 7，0.475 9，0.642 0 and 2.423 6 μg/mL；the detective limits were 0.146 0，0.164 1，0.248 8 and 0.833 3 μg/mL，respectively. RSDs of precision ，repeatability and stability （24 h）tests were less than 3％；the average recoveries were 99.11％（RSD＝2.00％，n＝9），98.54％（RSD＝2.21％，n＝9）， 96.33％（RSD＝2.54％，n＝9）and 95.96％（RSD＝2.93％，n＝9）；the contents were 17.12-147.80，95.23-583.10（S8 below the quantitative limit ），16.91-210.88 and 211.68-3 587.15（S1 below the quantitative limit ）μg/g，respectively. CONCLUSIONS Established HPLC fingerprint and the method of content determination are stable ，reliable，accurate and reproducible. Combined with analysis of chemical pattern recognition ，it can be used for the quality control of C. auriculatum .