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 evaluate the consistency of individual iodine nutrition levels by serum iodine, plasma iodine and whole blood iodine, and to provide reference for iodine-related epidemiological investigation.Methods:Healthy adults aged 18 - 59 years were recruited from the Research Center of Environment and Health in Water Source Area of South-to-North Water Diversion of Hubei University of Medicine. Whole blood sample was collected and serum and plasma were separated. The content of iodine in serum, plasma and whole blood was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the linear relationship, precision and accuracy of the standard curve of the detection method were evaluated. The difference of three kinds of blood iodine levels was analyzed by variance analysis of compatibility group design, and Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman plot were used to evaluate the consistency between serum iodine and plasma iodine.Results:The linear range of iodine in serum, plasma and whole blood was 0.0 - 25.0 μg/L, and the correlation coefficients ( R2) were all > 0.999. The relative standard deviation of 8 mixed blood samples ranged from 1.9% to 4.3% ( n = 6), and the determination results of blood iodine certified standard substances were all within the reference range. The recovery rate of the added standard ranged from 99% to 106%. The iodine levels in serum, plasma and whole blood of 50 volunteers were (57.31 ± 8.06), (57.49 ± 8.50) and (33.89 ± 5.40) μg/L, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between serum iodine and plasma iodine ( P = 0.904). The results of Passing-Bablok regression showed that there was no statistically significant difference in bias between serum iodine and plasma iodine ( P = 0.538). The Bland-Altman plot indicated that the difference between serum iodine and plasma iodine was within the consistency limit. Conclusion:The results of plasma iodine and serum iodine are in good agreement, and plasma iodine can be used as an evaluation index of individual iodine nutrition level. But there is no consistency between whole blood iodine and serum iodine.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after non-cardiac surgery.Methods:Medical records of patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery with general anesthesia in our hospital from October 1, 2016 to March 31, 2021 were collected.AKI was diagnosed using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definition of AKI.Multi-factor logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors affecting AKI.Generalized linear regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the difference in serum creatinine before and after surgery.Results:A total of 2 214 patients were eventually enrolled, and the incidence of AKI was 5.15%.The results of multi-factor logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative hypertension, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification ≥ Ⅲ, intraoperative bleeding >300 ml, emergency surgery, and grade IV surgery were independent risk factors for AKI after non-cardiac surgery ( P<0.05). The results of generalized line regression analysis showed that preoperative hyponatremia, intraoperative bleeding >300 ml, emergency surgery, and duration of anesthesia were positively correlated with increased difference in serum creatinine before and after surgery ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Preoperative hypertension, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification ≥ Ⅲ, intraoperative bleeding >300 ml, emergency surgery and grade IV surgery are independent risk factors for AKI after non-cardiac surgery.

Objective:To study the real-world outcome of China FDA-approved Sofosbuvir (SOF)/Velpatasvir (VEL) in Northwest China.Methods:In this multicenter, prospective, real-world cohort study, we recruited patients from 10 sites from Northwest China, who were chronically infected with HCV GTs 1-6 from 06/2018 to 09/2019. Patients received SOF (400mg)/VEL (100mg) for 12 weeks, and with ribavirin 900-1200 mg for GT3 cirrhosis and for any genotype decompensated cirrhosis. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response at 12-weeks post-treatment (SVR12) and safety. The secondary endpoint was the change of liver function after the achievement of SVR12.Results:Totally, 143 patients were enrolled in the study, four patients were lost to follow-up and one died during the follow-up, 138 patients were included in per-protocol analysis. Of the 138 patients, the mean age 53 years, 53.6% male, 94.2% Han nationality, 53.6% liver cirrhosis, 10.1% HBsAg +, 6.5% renal dysfunction, 5.1% treatment-experienced, and 16.7% patients received ribavirin treatment. The genotype distribution was as follows: 35.5% GT1, 42.8% GT2, 15.9% GT3, and 5.8% un-typed. The SVR12 rate was 96.5% (138/143, 95% CI: 93.5%-99.6%) for intention-to-treat analysis, and in per-protocol analysis, all 138 patients obtained SVR12 (100%). Compared with baseline, the serum total bilirubin, ALT and AFP levels decreased (all P < 0.05), as well as increased ALB and platelet count (all P < 0.001) at post-treatment 12-weeks. Overall adverse events (AEs) rate is 29.0%, and the most common AEs were anemia (14.5%) and fatigue (8.0%). Severe side effects (edema and fatigue) occurred in 2 patients, one of whom needed a short-term interruption of treatment due to fatigue. Conclusion:In this real-world cohort study, 12-week SOF/VEL regimen with or without ribavirin achieved high SVR12 rates (96.5%-100% overall) with excellent safety profile among patients with HCV GT1/2/3 infection including patients with GT3 and cirrhosis, and led to improvement of liver function.

Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is an important assistant technique for complex cardiac surgery, which creates convenient operating conditions for surgery, and is also one of the measures to protect the brain during operation. However, the complications caused by this technique cannot be ignored, and it should be noticed that the occurrence of intestinal injury is relatively insidious, but brings great pain to patients and significantly reduces the quality of life after operation. Studies have shown that intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury is induced by DHCA. It causes mast cells to activate and release many inflammatory mediators that destroy the intestinal mucosal epithelium barrier, and eventually lead to intestinal injury. This article reviewed the research progress of mast cells in the mechanism of DHCA-induced intestinal injury.

Objective To investigate whether elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels could induce endothelial - to - mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and adipocyte transition in endothelial cells (ECs), and to determine the possible underlying mechanism. Methods (1) A rat model of secondary hyperparathyroidism and chronic kidney disease (CKD) was established. The adiposity in bone marrow was detected by oil red O staining. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression and localization of cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) and fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1). (2) The human umbilical vein ECs were cultured in vitro. Western blotting was performed to detect protein expressions of EndMT-related markers CD31, FSP1 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in interference groups with different PTH concentrations (0, 10-11, 10-9, 10-7 mol/L PTH for 48 h) and times (0, 12, 24, 48 h, 10-7 mol/L PTH), as well as the expression of β-catenin in interference groups with different PTH concentrations. The localizations of CD31, FSP1 and β - catenin were observed by cell immunofluorescence. Protein expressions of adipocytes markers peroxisome proliferator - activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBP-α) by Western blotting and the degree of adipogenesis by oil red O staining were detected after transformed ECs were cultured in adipogenic culture medium for one week. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was performed to silenceβ - catenin expression. ECs were divided into control siRNA group, β - catenin siRNA group, PTH +control siRNA group and PTH+β-catenin siRNA group. Protein expressions of CD31, FSP1 and PPAR-γby Western blotting and the degree of adipogenesis by oil red O staining were determined. Results (1) In vivo, compared with the control, CKD rats had increased adipocytes in bone marrow (P＜0.05), and the co-expression of CD31 and FSP1 in bone marrow ECs. (2) In vitro, PTH significantly inhibited the expression of endothelial marker CD31 and increased the expressions of mesenchymal markers FSP1 and α-SMA in concentration-and time-dependent manners. These indexes in 10-7 mol/L PTH group and 0 mol/L PTH group, in 48 h group and 0 h group showed statistical differences (all P＜0.05). In PTH group ECs with 10-7 mol/L PTH for 48 h showed FSP1 accumulation in the cytoplasm and reduced expressions of CD31, and ECs had higher expressions of PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α as well as the degree of adipogenesis than those in control group (all P＜0.05). Furthermore, PTH enhanced the nuclearβ-catenin protein levels in ECs in concentration-dependent. The expressions of β-catenin in 10-7 mol/L PTH group and 0 mol/L PTH group showed statistical differences (P＜0.05). β - catenin expressed in the cytoplasm in control group, while it enter into the nucleus in PTH group. Compared with those in PTH+control siRNA group, the expressions of CD31 and PPAR-γ as well as the degree of adipogenesis decreased in PTH+β-catenin siRNA group (all P＜0.05), while the expression of FSP1 increased (P＜0.05). Conclusions PTH induces ECs - to - adipocytes transition by the canonical Wnt/β - catenin signaling pathway, which might account for bone loss in CKD. Silenced β - catenin expression can inhibit PTH-induced EndMT and adipogenesis.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation for adult patients with atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 76 patients with AVSD aged more than 18 years in our hospital from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017. The patients ventilated longer than 24 hours were described as a prolonged ventilation group (n=27) and the others as a normal group (n=49). There were 9 males and 18 females aged 32.22±9.64 years in the prolonged ventilation group, and 16 males and 33 females aged 35.98±11.34 years in the normal group. Perioperative variables between the two groups were compared and selected, and then analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results The result of univariate analysis showed that there was a statistical difference in weight, preoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, the level of postoperative platelet, hemoglobin, blood glucose, lactic acid and serum creatinine, postoperative maximum heart rate and postoperative infection rate between the prolonged ventilated group and the normal group. Multivarable logistic regression showed that preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension (OR=1.056, 95%CI 1.005 to 1.110, P=0.030), prolonged duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (OR=1.036, 95%CI 1.007 to 1.066, P=0.016) and the low postoperative hemoglobin level (OR=0.874, 95%CI 0.786 to 0.973, P=0.014) were the risk factors of prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation. Conclusion Preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension, long duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative anaemia are the risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of peer support interventions on exclusive breastfeeding among primiparous women. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reportedthe effectiveness of peer support interventions on exclusive breastfeeding among primiparous women were retrieved in several electronic databases. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software after quality assessment and data extraction. Results A total of 9 RCTs which included 1435 patients were incorporated in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that peer support interventions could increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding(OR=2.84, 95％CI2.22-3.64, P<0.01), increase duration of exclusive breastfeeding(WMD=43.66, 95％CI28.04-59.27, P<0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that peer support increased the rate of exclusive breastfeeding atone month(OR=1.84,95％CI1.24-2.73, P<0.01), three months(OR=2.28, 95％CI1.67-3.12, P<0.01)and six months(OR=3.42,95％CI2.46-4.76, P<0.01) of postpartum. Conclusions Peer support interventions could increase exclusive breastfeeding rate and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. It is worth being popularized.