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.

ObjectiveTo establish a rapid and stable liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry（LC-MS） for simultaneous analysis of 17 chemical components in Gnaphalium affine aboveground parts with flowers， so as to provide experimental basis for improving the quality standard of this herb. MethodUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS） was used for the quantitative analysis of 17 constituents in 15 batches of G. affine from different origins， the separation was performed on an ACQUITY UPLC^® BEH C₁₈ column（2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.7 μm） with the mobile phase of methanol（A）-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution（B） for gradient elution（0-1.0 min， 8%A； 1.0-4.0 min， 8%-26%A； 4.0-9.0 min， 26%A； 9.0-14.0 min， 26%-34%A； 14.0-14.5 min， 34%-45%A； 14.5-15.0 min， 45%-60%A； 15.0-18.0 min， 60%-90%A； 18.0-19.0 min， 90%A； 19.0-19.01 min， 90%-8%A； 19.01-20.0 min， 8%A）， the flow rate was 0.3 mL·min^-1， the column temperature was 40 ℃ and the injection volume was 2 μL. And the electrospray ionization was used with full scanning in both positive and negative ion modes， and the scanning range was m/z 100-1 000. ResultThe established method has been verified by the methodology and could be used for the simultaneous quantification of 17 components in G. affine. The content ranges of the 17 components（quinic acid， gallic acid， protocatechuic acid， neochlorogenic acid， chlorogenic acid， cryptochlorogenic acid， caffeic acid， 1，3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid， isochlorogenic acid A， isoquercitrin， 1，5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid， apigenin-7-O-glucoside， astragalin， isochlorogenic acid C， luteolin， apigenin and hispidulin） in 15 batches of G. affine samples was 39.60-179.12， 0.17-0.84， 2.41-8.38， 4.33-31.50， 13.63-180.38， 2.43-14.75， 1.16-19.68， 0.49-5.63， 55.77-445.16， 0.23-10.26， 62.04-530.10， 1.11-18.01， 11.36-90.61， 12.22-65.98， 7.22-69.84， 3.37-45.65， 0.30-2.59 μg·g^-1， respectively. The content of organic acids was higher than that of flavonoids in G. affine， and the contents of 1，5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid， isochlorogenic acid A， quinic acid and chlorogenic acid were higher. Meanwhile， the content of flavonoids in the samples from Guizhou was higher than that from Jiangsu， while the content of organic acids in the samples from Jiangsu was higher than that from Guizhou. ConclusionThe established method can be used for the rapid and accurate determination of 17 components in G. affine， which clarifies the content range of the main components in this herb， and can provide a reference for the selection of quality control markers of G. affine.

ObjectiveBased on the nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） signaling pathway， this paper explores the effect of Sinisan （SNS） on liver oxidative stress injury in cholestatic hepatitis rats and its mechanism. MethodThirty 6-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group， model group， low and high dose groups of SNS （2.5 and 5 g·kg^-1） and ursodeoxycholic acid group （UDCA， 63 mg·kg^-1）， with six rats in each group. Rats were administrated for seven consecutive days. On the 5th day， the control group was given olive oil of 10 mL·kg^-1， and the other groups were given alpha-naphthalene isothiocyanate （ANIT） of 80 mg·kg^-1. The serum biochemical indicator levels of cholestasis and the content of antioxidant factors in rat liver were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in liver tissue. The relative mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1） in liver tissue were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed a significant increase in the serum biochemical indicator levels of cholestasis and the content of antioxidant factors in liver tissue （P<0.01）. There were obvious pathological changes in the model group such as the disordered arrangement of hepatocytes， obvious congestion and necrosis in the portal area， infiltration of inflammatory cells， and destruction of the interlobular bile duct. The relative mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and NQO1 in liver tissue were significantly down-regulated in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the groups of SNS showed a significant decrease in the serum biochemical indicator levels of cholestasis and the content of antioxidant factors in liver tissue （P<0.01）， and the pathological liver injury was obviously improved. The necrotic area was reduced， and the infiltration of inflammatory cells was decreased. In addition， there was a small amount of extravasated blood in the interlobular vein. The relative mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and NQO1 in liver tissue were significantly up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSNS can significantly improve liver injury in cholestatic hepatitis rats， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress response mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To understand the infection status of mycobacterium tuberculosis among health workers in tuberculosis designated medical institutions and explore the risk factors of infection.Methods:From September 2021 to June 2022, a questionnaire survey was conducted among health workers in relevant departments of 4 tuberculosis designated medical institutions by cluster stratified sampling, including the implementation of hospital infection control measures in medical institutions and occupational exposure of medical staff to mycobacterium tuberculosis. Peripheral blood interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) and lung imaging examination were performed to determine the mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Factors with statistical significance in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression to analyze the risk factors of mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.Results:A total of 657 people completed the lung imaging examination and questionnaire, of which 654 people had peripheral blood IGRAs detection, and the latent infection rate of tuberculosis was 39.45% (258/654) . Univariate analysis showed that age, sex, marital status, economic income, occupational category, professional title, length of service, and other variables had statistical significances in tuberculosis latent infection ( P<0.05) . In terms of personal health status, there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of health workers in terms of their tuberculosis history, tuberculosis history of their immediate family members, previous tuberculin skin test (TST) ( P<0.05) . Multivariate analysis showed that there were four risk factors related to tuberculosis, including professional title ( X1) , years of tuberculosis related works ( X2) , tuberculosis history ( X3) and previous TST ( X4) . The regression equation of the probability of tuberculosis among health workers was y=-1.920+0.246 X1+0.046 X2+1.231 X3+0.478 X4. Conclusion:The latent infection rate of tuberculosis among health workers in tuberculosis designated medical institutions is high. It is necessary to strengthen the management of infection control, carry out regular screening, enhance the self-protection awareness of health workers, and reduce their exposure to mycobacterium tuberculosis and infection risk.

Objective To explore the predictive value of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1(sFlt-1)and leukotriene B4(LTB4)in patients with intracranial aneurysms for cerebral vasospasm(CVS)after interventional embolization.Methods A total of 98 patients with intracranial aneurysms admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to September 2023 were regarded as the observation group,and were divided into the CVS group(32 cases)and the non CVS group(66 cases)according to whether CVS occurred or not within 3 to 5 days after surgery;102 healthy examinees in our hospital were selected as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4;the influencing factors for CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis;the predictive value of serum sFlt-1 and LTB4 levels for the occurrence of CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4 of patients in the observation group were obviously higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4,and the proportions of patients with postoperative blood pressure fluctuation range≥30 mmHg and Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ in the CVS group were obviously higher than those in the non CVS group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).SFlt-1(OR:2.985;95%CI:1.684 to 5.291)and LTB4(OR:2.868;95%CI:1.581 to 5.204)were the independent risk factors for CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of sFlt-1 and LTB4 alone and in combination for predicting the occurrence of CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms were 0.839,0.825,and 0.915,respectively,with sensitivity of 84.44%,87.59%,and 81.36%,and specificity of 74.26%,75.87%,and 90.98%,respectively.The AUC of the combination of the two was higher than those of sFlt-1 and LTB4 alone,and the differences were statistically significant(Z=2.150,2.546,P<0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4 in patients with CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms are increased,and the combination of the two can serve as the important indicators for predicting CVS.

Objective:To evaluate the characteristics, clinical management and clinical outcomes of type 2 intestinal failure (IF).Methods:A descriptive case-control study was carried out. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) the diagnosis of IF was performed according to the European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN) consensus statement. (2) using a requirement for parenteral nutrition (PN) of 28 days or more as surrogate marker. (3) a multidisciplinary team (MDT) included surgeons, nutritionist, pharmacist, stoma therapists, and critical care physicians. (4) complete laboratory data. Patients with type 1 and type 3 IF and those who do not cooperate with follow-up. All the data of 67 type II IF were collected from the database in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from Jan 2016 to Dec 2023. The pathophysiology, clinical management, and outcomes of type II IF were analyzed.Results:A total of 67 type II IF were included. The median age was 54 (15-83) with 43 males and 24 females. The body mass index was (17.5±3.8) kg/m 2, the incidence of malnutrition was 67.2% (45/67), the incidence of sarcopenia was 74.6% (50/67), the median number of previous surgeries was 2.0 (1-13), and the median duration time of PN was 2.1 (1-12) months. The underlying disease of type 2 IF included 36 Crohn`s disease, 2 ulcerative colitis, 3 radiation enteritis, 2 intestinal Behcet's disease, 4 mesenteric infarction, 1 aggressive fibromatosis, 5 abdominal cocoon syndrome, 5 gastrointestinal perforation, 1 hernia, 4 intestinal dysmotility, and 4 other reasons (gastrointestinal tumor, trauma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). According to the pathophysiology of IF, there were 33 intestinal fistula, 12 intestinal dysmotility, 6 mechanical obstruction, 13 short bowel syndrome, and 3 extensive small bowel mucosal disease. After treatment with MDT, 67 patients with type 2 IF received nutritional support therapy for intestinal rehabilitation treatment, of which 36 patients recovered with oral diet or enteral nutrition, 31 patients underwent reconstructive surgery after intestinal rehabilitation treatment failure. The median duration time of reconstructive surgery was 2.7 (1-9) months. 24 patients recovered intestinal autonomy after surgery, with 7 deaths, including 6 deaths due to abdominal infections and 1 case of intestinal dysmotility with abiotrophy and liver failure. Conclusion:Standardized multidisciplinary treatment plays an important role in type II intestinal failure, and it promotes patients with intestinal failure regain enteral autonomy.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory role of RNA m 6A methyltransferase (METTL14) in ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation-induced skin injury, and to preliminarily explore the potential of targeted inhibition of METTL14 for treating UVB-induced skin injury. Methods:A UVB radiation-induced skin injury model was established by exposing C57BL/6J mice to 150 mJ/cm 2 UVB, and was assessed and scored with HE staining and Masson staining. UVB radiation-induced cell injury models were established by exposing human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human skin fibroblasts (WS1) to 10 and 30 mJ/cm 2 UVB, respectively. The m 6A levels in the mouse skin and cell models after UVB exposure were quantified by colorimetric assay, and m 6A-related enzymes in cells were measured by Western blot. HaCaT and WS1 cell lines overexpressing METTL14 were constructed using recombinant adenoviral vectors, and the overexpression effects were tested by Western blot. The METTL14 overexpression cells were examined for their m 6A levels, proliferative abilities after UVB exposure (by clone formation assay), and changes in apoptosis (by flow cytometry). The model mice with UVB-induced skin injury in the treatment groups received subcutaneous injection of the METTL14 inhibitor S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) solution (1 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg) twice consecutively before and after irradiation; and the mice were assessed and scored for skin injury with HE staining and Masson staining. Results:On the 4th day after 150 mJ/cm 2 UVB irradiation, the mice showed remarkable skin injury, pathologically featuring inflammatory infiltration, tissue structure disorganization, and collagen fiber degradation, reaching the maximum score; and the m 6A level in the skin was significantly downregulated ( t = 3.07, P < 0.05). At 24 h after 10 and 30 mJ/cm 2 irradiation, HaCaT and WS1 cells showed significantly reduced survival rates ( t = 7.64, 7.15, P < 0.05), significantly downregulated m 6A levels ( t = 4.78, 4.36, P <0.05), and significantly time-dependent downregulation of METTL14 protein expression ( t = 6.39, 4.76, P < 0.05). In HaCaT and WS1 cells, METTL14 overexpression significantly up-regulated m 6A levels ( t = 7.66, 3.67, P < 0.05), significantly inhibited the clone-forming ability of cells after UVB irradiation ( t = 6.29, 3.84, P < 0.05), and significantly increased the rate of cell apoptosis ( t = 3.48, 9.54, P < 0.05). Compared with those in the normal saline group, the model mice with UVB-induced skin injury in the SAH treatment group (5 mg/kg) showed significantly decreased pathological scores of skin injury ( t = 3.21, 4.27, 5.81, P < 0.05), with milder inflammatory infiltration, more orderly tissue structure, and less collagen fiber degradation. Conclusions:METTL14 can increase the sensitivity of skin cells to UVB radiation, and targeted inhibition of METTL14 can effectively alleviate UVB radiation-induced skin injury, which may be a potential new target for the treatment of UVB radiation-induced skin injury.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy of patients with hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma(RCC) syndrome-associated RCC (HLRCC-RCC) in China.Methods:The clinical data of 119 HLRCC-RCC patients with fumarate hydratase (FH) germline mutation confirmed by genetic diagnosis from 15 medical centers nationwide from January 2008 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 73 were male and 46 were female. The median age was 38(13, 74) years. The median tumor diameter was 6.5 (1.0, 20.5) cm. There were 38 cases (31.9%) in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱand 81 cases (68.1%) in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ. In this group, only 11 of 119 HLRCC-RCC patients presented with skin smooth muscle tumors, and 44 of 46 female HLRCC-RCC patients had a history of uterine fibroids. The pathological characteristics, treatment methods, prognosis and survival of the patients were summarized.Results:A total of 86 patients underwent surgical treatment, including 70 cases of radical nephrectomy, 5 cases of partial nephrectomy, and 11 cases of reductive nephrectomy. The other 33 patients with newly diagnosed metastasis underwent renal puncture biopsy. The results of genetic testing showed that 94 patients had FH gene point mutation, 18 had FH gene insertion/deletion mutation, 4 had FH gene splicing mutation, 2 had FH gene large fragment deletion and 1 had FH gene copy number mutation. Immunohistochemical staining showed strong 2-succinocysteine (2-SC) positive and FH negative in 113 patients. A total of 102 patients received systematic treatment, including 44 newly diagnosed patients with metastasis and 58 patients with postoperative metastasis. Among them, 33 patients were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), 8 patients were treated with bevacizumab combined with erlotinib, and 61 patients were treated with TKI monotherapy. Survival analysis showed that the median progression-free survival (PFS) of TKI combined with ICI was 18 (5, 38) months, and the median overall survival (OS) was not reached. The median PFS and OS were 12 (5, 14) months and 30 (10, 32) months in the bevacizumab combined with erlotinib treatment group, respectively. The median PFS and OS were 10 (3, 64) months and 44 (10, 74) months in the TKI monotherapy group, respectively. PFS ( P=0.009) and OS ( P=0.006) in TKI combined with ICI group were better than those in bevacizumab combined with erlotinib group. The median PFS ( P=0.003) and median OS ( P=0.028) in TKI combined with ICI group were better than those in TKI monotherapy group. Conclusions:HLRCC-RCC is rare but has a high degree of malignancy, poor prognosis and familial genetic characteristics. Immunohistochemical staining with strong positive 2-SC and negative FH can provide an important basis for clinical diagnosis. Genetic detection of FH gene germ line mutation can confirm the diagnosis. The preliminary study results confirmed that TKI combined with ICI had a good clinical effect, but it needs to be confirmed by the results of a large sample multi-center randomized controlled clinical study.