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:To investigate the current status of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRO) wound infections in patients with autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs), and to analyze their risk factors.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, and inpatients with AIBDs accompanied by wound infections were collected from Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2020 to December 2022. A descriptive analysis was carried out to analyze the basic characteristics of these patients and pathogenic characteristics of MDRO. Univariate and binary logistic regression models were used to analyze independent risk factors for MDRO infections in patients with AIBDs. Differences between the MDRO infection group and common bacterial infection group were analyzed by using t test, Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test. Results:Totally, 271 patients with AIBDs accompanied by wound infections were included, including 159 males (58.7%) and 112 females (41.3%), and 142 patients (52.4%) were aged over 60 years. Most patients with AIBDs were diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris (131 cases, 48.3%), or bullous pemphigoid (99 cases, 36.5%). Bacterial culture was positive in all the patients, and 74 (27.3%) were infected with MDRO; a total of 108 strains of MDRO were detected, with relatively high detection rates of Staphylococcus (82 strains, 75.9%) and Enterobacter (15 strains, 13.9%). Significant differences were observed between the MDRO infection group and the common bacterial infection group in the duration of hospitalization, involved body surface area, proportions of patients self-modificating drug dosage, proportions of patients topically using antibiotic ointments, proportions of patients using immunosuppressants, duration of glucocorticoid use, maximum dose of glucocorticoids and the first albumin level at admission (all P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in the gender, age, proportions of patients at first hospitalization, types of AIBDs, duration of education, body mass index, disease duration, proportions of smoking patients, proportions of drinking patients, proportions of patients with comorbid chronic diseases, surgical history, prevalence of hypoalbuminemia, prevalence of mucosal involvement, proportions of patients receiving topical glucocorticoids, proportions of patients using biological agents, duration of antibiotic use, and the first total protein level at admission between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the use of topical antibiotic ointments, use of immunosuppressants, maximum dose of glucocorticoids, and self-modification of drug dosage were independent risk factors for MDRO infections (all P < 0.05) . Conclusions:The patients with AIBDs were prone to develop MDRO infections in wounds, and Staphylococcus infections were the most common. The use of topical antibiotic ointments, use of immunosuppressants, high dose of glucocorticoids, and self-modification of drug dosage may increase the risk of infections in patients with AIBDs.

G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 40, as one of GPRs family, plays a potential role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. To study the effect of GPR40 novel agonist SZZ15-11 on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and its potential mechanism, spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKA^y mice, human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and murine mature adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells were used. KKA^y mice were divided into four groups, vehicle group, TAK group, SZZ (50 mg·kg^-1) group and SZZ (100 mg·kg^-1) group, with oral gavage of 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 50 mg·kg^-1 TAK875, 50 and 100 mg·kg^-1 SZZ15-11 respectively for 45 days. Fasting blood glucose, blood triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), non-fasting blood glucose were tested. Oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were executed. Blood insulin and glucagon were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After mice′s execution, liver tissue was harvested to test TG and TC content. Then pathological morphology of liver was observed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the lipid metabolism relative signal pathway was analyzed by Western blot and RT-PCR. The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. At the same time, Akt phosphorylation level in HepG2 cells and adiponectin in 3T3-L1 cells treated with TNFα were measured with Western blot. The results show that SZZ15-11 not only decreased blood glucose and lipid, improved insulin sensitivity, but also increased fasting blood glucagon and promoted insulin secretion after glucose loading in KKA^y mice. Additionally, SZZ15-11 alleviated hepatic steatosis and liver dysfunction in KKA^y mice. In liver tissue, SZZ15-11 increased AMPKα phosphorylation level and cholesterol metabolism relative gene Abcg8 transcription. In HepG2 cells, SZZ15-11 increased Akt phosphorylation level. In adipocyte 3T3-L1, SZZ15-11 recovered the decreased adiponectin expression by TNFα. This study proved that GPR40 agonist SZZ15-11 could be a candidate compound for regulating glucolipid metabolic disorder.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

Objective:To analyze the immune microenvironment characteristics of human dental follicle tissues from the third molars and to explore the mutual communication and the effects of innate immune cells and adaptive immune cells within the dental follicle.Methods:Sequencing data(GSA-Human:HRA008022)in the GSA database were analyzed.Bioinformatics tools were employed for gene identification and GO enrichment analysis was performed to define the biological function of innate and adaptive immune cells.CellChat analysis was used for explaining intercellular communication among immune cell populations.Results:Using t-SNE dimen-sionality reduction analysis for immune cell populations,innate immune cell populations were obtained,including innate lymphoid cells,dendritic cells,mast cells and macrophages,and adaptive immune cell populations including T cells and B cells.Pearson corre-lation analysis showed that innate immune cells,specifically innate lymphoid cells and macrophages,had a strong correlation with adap-tive immune cell populations.GO enrichment analysis revealed mutual coordination among innate immune cell populations and regulato-ry effects on adaptive immune cell populations.Further CellChat analysis indicated biological signal transmission between innate and a-daptive immune cell populations,with CLEC,MIF,ADGRE5,COLLAGEN and MIF signaling pathways is the most significant.Con-clusion:Dental follicle tissues are rich in immune cells and innate immune cell populations interact with adaptive immune cells to regulate immune responses and participate in maintaining the homeostasis of dental follicle.

Objective To explore the feelings and needs of patients with pancreatic duct stones undergoing endoscopic treatment,and to provide a basis for formulating personalized methods.Methods Purposive sampling method was used to select 15 patients who were treated in the Department of Gastroenterology of a Class Ⅲ Grade A hospital in Shanghai from February to April 2023 for semi-structured interviews.Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used to code and summarize the data to refine the theme.Results The treatment experience and needs of patients were summarized into four themes.① Inadequate pain cognition and coping management before treatment:characterized by persistent or intermittent abdominal pain;The location of onset is hidden and easy to be misdiagnosed.Ineffective coping style;Affecting daily life and reducing the quality of life.② Changes of physiological comfort during the diagnosis and treatment period:abdominal soft tissue injury;Postoperative complications.③ Attitude changes after treatment:expectant treatment before diagnosis and treatment;Disappointment and doubt when expectations are not met;Belief after symptom improvement;④ Needs during treatment:professional guidance;Continuous nursing support.Conclusion Patients with pancreatic duct stones have insufficient knowledge of pain before endoscopic treatment.During the treatment,their attitudes may change and they may seek external support.Medical staff should pay attention to the dynamic changes of their physiological,psychological and social needs,and take corresponding measures to reduce pain,improve comfort and promote rehabilitation of patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral insulin resistance. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), a response to cellular stress, is activated across various tissues during the progression of T2DM, leading to disruptions in protein synthesis. Notably, epithelial and endocrine cells with hormone-secreting functions are particularly vulnerable to functional impairments induced by ERS. The gut-pancreas axis is essential for regulating metabolism and the progression of T2DM. Intestinal epithelial L cells, integral to the intestinal barrier, can secrete the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone promotes insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and plays a critical role in glucose metabolism. Importantly, ERS plays a critical role in regulating glucolipid-induced dysfunction of gut-pancreas axis. For instance, ERS is involved in regulating the intestinal barrier and the secretion of GLP-1 as well as insulin. Therefore, ERS can be a potential target for T2DM treatment. In this paper, we review the regulatory roles of ERS in the gut-pancreas axis during the development of T2DM, and summarize the therapeutic drugs and strategies targeting ERS for T2DM treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical phenotypes, genetic characteristics, and pathological features of children with disorders of sex development (DSD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on epidemiological, clinical phenotype, chromosomal karyotype, gonadal pathology, and genotype data of 165 hospitalized children with DSD at Children's Hospital of Hebei Province and Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from August 2008 to December 2022. RESULTS: Among the 165 children with DSD, common presenting symptoms were short stature (62/165, 37.6%), clitoromegaly (33/165, 20.0%), cryptorchidism (28/165, 17.0%), hypospadias (24/165, 14.5%), and skin pigmentation abnormalities/exteriorized pigmented labia majora (19/165, 11.5%). Chromosomal karyotype analysis was performed on 127 cases, revealing 36 cases (28.3%) of 46,XX DSD, 34 cases (26.8%) of 46,XY DSD, and 57 cases (44.9%) of sex chromosome abnormalities. Among the sex chromosome abnormal karyotypes, the 45,X karyotype (11/57, 19%) and 45,X/other karyotype mosaicism (36/57, 63%) were more common. Sixteen children underwent histopathological biopsy of gonadal tissues, resulting in retrieval of 25 gonadal tissues. The gonadal tissue biopsies revealed 3 cases of testes, 3 cases of dysplastic testes, 6 cases of ovaries, 11 cases of ovotestes, and 1 case each of streak gonad and agenesis of gonads. Genetic testing identified pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in 23 cases (23/36, 64%), including 12 cases of 21-hydroxylase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia caused by CYP21A2 pathogenic variants. CONCLUSIONS Short stature, clitoromegaly, cryptorchidism, hypospadias, and skin pigmentation abnormalities are common phenotypes in children with DSD. 45,X/other karyotype mosaicism and CYP21A2 compound heterozygous variants are major etiological factors in children with DSD. The most commonly observed gonadal histopathology in children with DSD includes ovotestes, ovaries, and testes/dysgenetic testes.
Male ; Humans ; Child ; Disorders of Sex Development/pathology* ; Hypospadias/complications* ; Cryptorchidism/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase