ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） on the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing emergency endoscopic therapy for esophagogastric variceal bleeding， as well as independent influencing factors for the prognosis of liver cirrhosis patients without HCC after emergency endoscopic therapy for esophagogastric variceal bleeding. MethodsA total of 117 liver cirrhosis patients without HCC and 119 liver cirrhosis patients with HCC who underwent emergency endoscopic therapy for esophagogastric variceal bleeding in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2017 to July 2023 were enrolled. Basic information including age and sex was collected from all patients， as well as the presence or absence of chronic diseases such as hypertension， diabetes， and coronary heart disease， the time of emergency endoscopy after admission， and liver function parameters including international normalized ratio， albumin， creatinine， sodium， total bilirubin， alanine aminotransferase， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous variables between two groups， and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous variables between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical variables between groups. The covariance analysis and the multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for comparison of outcome variables after control of baseline variables， and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted for each group. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for survival time in the non-HCC group to investigate the independent influencing factors for survival time， and then the Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and the log-rank test were performed to validate such independent influencing factors and analyze the independent influencing factors for secondary outcomes. ResultsCompared with the non-HCC group， the HCC group had significantly higher red blood cell transfusion units （6.00［2.00～9.00］ vs 4.00［1.75～7.00］， Z=-2.050， P=0.040， F=4.869， adjusted P=0.028）， a significantly shorter survival time （29.77±16.01 days vs 38.07±11.43 days， t=4.574， P<0.001， F=17.294， adjusted P<0.001）， and a significantly higher 5-day rebleeding rate （22.69% vs 6.84%， χ²=11.736， P<0.001， adjusted P=0.021）. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the risk of 42-day mortality in the HCC group was 3.897 （95% confidence interval ［CI］： 2.338 ‍— 6.495， P<0.001） times that in the non-HCC group. The multivariate Cox regression analysis of the non-HCC group showed that the total length of hospital stay （hazard ratio ［HR］=0.793， 95%CI： 0.644 ‍— ‍0.976， P=0.029） was an independent protective factor for 42-day survival. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that a length of hospital stay of >9 days was beneficial for the prognosis of patients （HR=4.302， 95%CI： 1.439 — 12.870， P=0.037）. Blood sodium level （odds ratio ［OR］=0.523， 95%CI： 0.289 ‍— ‍0.945， P=0.032） and MELD-Na score （OR=0.495， 95%CI： 0.257 ‍— ‍0.954， P=0.036） were independent protective factors against 5-day rebleeding， while AST level was an independent risk factor for 5-day rebleeding （OR=1.023， 95%CI： 1.002 ‍— ‍1.043， P=0.028） and in-hospital death （OR=1.036， 95%CI： 1.001‍— ‍1.073， P=0.045）. ConclusionLiver cirrhosis patients with variceal bleeding and HCC tend to have a worse prognosis， and for the non-HCC group， in-hospital mortality rate increases with the increase in AST level. The total length of hospital stay is an independent protective factor for survival time in the non-HCC group， and it is recommended to appropriately prolong the length of hospital stay for such patients.

BACKGROUND:It has been shown that Gushukang affects bone metabolism by regulating nucleotide and amino acid metabolism and immune mechanisms.Current research on the mechanism of Gushukang in the treatment of osteoporosis primarily focuses on osteoblast regulation and requires further improvement from the perspective of osteoclasts. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism by which Gushukang interferes with osteoclasts in the treatment of osteoporosis using RAW264.7 cells as the research model. METHODS:Twenty-four 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=6 per group):the three experimental groups were given 1,2 and 4 g/kg osteoporosis solution by gavage(2 times per day),and the control group was given an equal amount of distilled water by gavage(2 times per day).After 7 days of intragastric administration,aortic blood samples were extracted to collect serum samples using centrifugation,and serum samples from the same groups were combined to obtain the low-,medium-,and high-concentration Gushukang-containing and normal sera for the subsequent experiments.(1)RAW264.7 cells were cultured in six groups:normal serum was added to the control group;low,medium,and high concentration groups were added with low,medium,and high concentrations of Gushukang-containing serum,respectively;ML385,a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)inhibitor was given in the Nrf2 inhibitor group;and t-BHQ,a Nrf2 activator,was added in the Nrf2 activator group.Cell viability was detected using the cell counting kit-8 assay.(2)The 3rd generation RAW 264.7 cells were cultured and divided into five groups:the blank control group was added with normal serum,the osteoclast group was added with receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand(RANKL),and the low-,medium-,and high-concentration groups were added with low-,medium-,and high-concentration Gushukang-containing serum based on the addition of RANKL.Tartrate-resistant acid phosphate staining was performed after 5 days of culture.(3)RAW264.7 cells were cultured and divided into five groups:blank control group was cultured with normal serum,osteoclast group cultured with normal serum and RANKL,high concentration+osteoclast group cultured with RANKL+high concentration Gushukang-containing serum,osteoclast+Nrf2 agonist group cultured with RANKL+t-BHQ,and high concentration+osteoclast+Nrf2 inhibitor group cultured with RANKL+high concentration Gushukang-containing serum+ML385.Western blot assay and determination of reactive oxygen content were performed after 5 days of culture. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The cell counting kit-8 results indicated that Gushukang-containing serum,NRF2 inhibitor or agonist had no significant effect on RAW264.7 cell viability.Tartrate-resistant acid phosphate staining results demonstrated that Gushukang-containing serum exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation.Western blot analysis and determination of reactive oxygen species revealed that compared with the blank control group,Nrf2 protein expression was decreased in the osteoclast group(P<0.05),while c-Fos and NFATc1 protein expression and reactive oxygen species content were elevated(P<0.05);compared with the osteoclast group,Nrf2 protein expression was elevated and reactive oxygen species content was decreased in the high-concentration+osteoclast group,osteoclast+Nrf2 agonist group,and high-concentration+osteoclast+Nrf2 inhibitor group(P<0.05),while c-Fos and NFATc1 protein expression was decreased in the high concentration+osteoclast group and osteoclast+Nrf2 agonist group(P<0.05);compared with the high concentration+osteoclast group,Nrf2 protein expression was decreased(P<0.05)and reactive oxygen species content was elevated(P<0.05)in the high concentration+osteoclast+Nrf2 inhibitor group.To conclude,Gushukang reduces reactive oxygen species production by activating Nrf2,thereby inhibiting downstream of the c-Fos/NFATc1 pathway and suppressing osteoclast differentiation.

Objective To investigate the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (empagliflozin, EMPA) on myocardial remodeling in a mouse uremic cardiomyopathy (UCM) model induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, through the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT)/p65 signaling pathway. Methods The animals were divided into three groups: Sham group (n=6), UCM group (n=8), and UCM＋EMPA group (n=8). A UCM model was established in C57BL/6N mice using the 5/6 nephrectomy. Starting from 5 weeks post-surgery, EMPA or a placebo was administered. After 16 weeks, blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, 24-hour urine glucose and urine sodium were measured. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson trichrome staining were used to observe pathological changes in the heart and kidneys. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to evaluate myocardial hypertrophy. The real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related mRNAs. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of PI3K, AKT and p65 in myocardial tissues. Results After 16 weeks, UCM group exhibited significantly higher blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen than sham group (P＜0.01); UCM＋EMPA group exhibited lower blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and higher 24 h urine sodium and glucose than UCM group (P＜0.05). Echocardiographic results showed ventricular remodeling in the UCM group, evidenced by left ventricular wall thickening, left ventricular enlargement, increased left ventricular mass, and decreased systolic function (P＜0.05); ventricular remodeling was alleviated (P＜0.05), though there was no significant improvement in systolic function in UCM＋EMPA group. HE and Masson stainings revealed myocardial degeneration, necrosis, and interstitial fibrosis in UCM group (P＜0.01); the myocardial pathology improved with reduced collagen deposition in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). WGA staining confirmed myocardial hypertrophy in UCM group (P＜0.01), while myocardial hypertrophy was alleviated in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). RT-qPCR results showed myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related genes (NPPA, NPPB, MYH7, COL1A1, COL3A1, TGF-β1) were upregulated in UCM group (P＜0.05), but downregulated in UCM＋EMPA group. Western blotting showed PI3K, p-AKT/AKT ratio, and p-p65/p65 ratio were increased in UCM group, but decreased in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.05). Conclusion EMPA can improve myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in the UCM mouse model, and it may play the role through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/p65 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of 4-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsA total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (C), model (M), control plus HIIT (HC), and model plus HIIT (HM). Rats in groups M and HM underwent 8 weeks of CUMS to establish depression-like behaviors, while groups HC and HM received HIIT intervention beginning from the 5th week for 4 consecutive weeks. The HIIT protocol consisted of repeated intervals of 3 min at high speed (85%-90% maximal training speed, S_max) alternated with one minute at low speed (50%-55% S_max), with 3 to 5 sets per session, conducted 5 d per week. Behavioral assessments and tail-vein blood lactate levels were measured at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. After the intervention, rat PFC tissues were collected for Golgi staining to analyze synaptic morphology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were employed to detect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), lactate, and glutamate levels in the PFC, as well as serotonin (5-HT) levels in serum. Additionally, Western blot analysis was conducted to quantify the expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins, including c-Fos, activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1). ResultsCompared to the control group (C), the CUMS-exposed rats (group M) exhibited significant reductions in sucrose preference rates, number of grid crossings, frequency of upright postures, and entries into and duration spent in open arms of the elevated plus maze, indicating marked depressive-like behaviors. Additionally, the group M showed significantly reduced dendritic spine density in the PFC, along with elevated levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1 protein expression, and increased concentrations of lactate and glutamate. Conversely, BDNF and MCT1 contents in the PFC and 5-HT levels in serum were significantly decreased. Following HIIT intervention, rats in the group HM displayed considerable improvement in behavioral indicators compared with the group M, accompanied by significant elevations in PFC MCT1 and lactate concentrations. Furthermore, HIIT notably normalized the expression levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1, as well as glutamate and BDNF contents in the PFC. Synaptic spine density also exhibited significant recovery. ConclusionFour weeks of HIIT intervention may alleviate depressive-like behaviors in CUMS rats by increasing lactate levels and reducing glutamate concentration in the PFC, thereby downregulating the overexpression of NMDAR, attenuating excitotoxicity, and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

Objective:To analyze and summarize the medical security situation of the snowmobile,sled,and steel frame snowmobile tracks at the National Sliding Centre,and to provide experience for future event hosting and medical security work for mass ice and snow sports.Methods:Retrospective analysis of injuries and treatment of athletes participating in the International Training Week and World Cup for Ski,Sled,and Steel Frame Ski from October to November 2021(hereinafter referred to as"Inter-national Training Week"),as well as the Ski,Sled,and Steel Frame Ski events at the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022(hereinafter referred to as the"Beijing Winter Olympics").We referred to and drew on the"Medical Security Standards for Winter Snow Sports"to develop specific classification standards for analyzing injured areas,types of injuries,and accident locations.Results:A total of 743 athletes participated in the International Training Week and the Beijing Winter Olympics.During the com-petition,there were 58 incidents of overturning,prying,and collision,of which 28(28 athletes)were in-jured,accounting for 48.3％of the total accidents and 3.8％of the total number of athletes.Among them,there were 9 males(32.1％)and 19 females(67.9％),with an average age of(26.3±4.7)years.Among the 28 injured athletes,20 cases(71.4％)received on-site treatment for Class Ⅰ injuries,while 8 cases(28.6％)had more severe injuries,including Class Ⅱ injuries(7 cases)and Class Ⅲ injuries(1 case),which were referred to designated hospitals for further treatment.Among the 28 injured athletes,3 cases(10.7％)experienced multiple injuries,including 2 cases of 2 injuries and 1 case of 3 injuries.The most common injuries were in the ankle and toes(10/32,31.3％).Out of 28 injured athletes,one(3.6％)experienced two types of injuries simultaneously,with joint and/or ligament injuries being the most common(11/29,37.9％).The most accident prone point on the track was the ninth curve(18/58,31.0％).Conclusion:Through the analysis and summary of medical security work,it can provide better experience and reference for the future development of snowmobile,sled,and steel frame snowmobile sports in China,making the National Snowy and Ski Center truly a sustainable Olympic heritage.

The analysis of ammonia nitrogen in real water samples is challenging due to matrix interferences and difficulties for rapid on-site analysis.On the basis of the standard method,i.e.water quality-determination of ammonia nitrogen-salicylic acid spectrophotometry(HJ 536-2009),a simple device for online detecting ammonia nitrogen was developed using a sequential injection analysis(SIA)system in this work.The ammonia nitrogen transformation system,color reaction system,and detection system were built in compatible with the SIA system,respectively.In particular,the detection system was assembled by employing light-emitting diode as the light source,photodiode as the detector,and polyvinylchloride tube as the cuvette,thus significantly reducing the volume,energy consumption and fabricating cost of the detection system.As a result,the accurate analysis of ammonia nitrogen in complex water samples was achieved.A quantitative detection of ammonia nitrogen in water sample was obtained in 12 min,along with linear range extending to 1000 μmol/L,precisions(Relative standard deviation,RSD)of 4.3%(C=10 μmol/L,n=7)and 4.2%(C=500 μmol/L,n=7),and limit of detection(LOD)of 0.65 μmol/L(S/N=3,n=7).The results of interfering experiments showed that the detection of ammonia nitrogen by the developed device was not interfered by the common coexisting ions and components,therefore the environmental water could be directly analyzed,such as reservoir water,domestic sewage,sea water and leachate of waste landfill.The analytical results were consistent with those obtained by the environmental protection standard method(Water quality determination of ammonia nitrogen-salicylic acid spectrophotometry,HJ 536-2009).In addition,the spiking recoveries were in the range of 92.3%-98.1%,further confirming the accuracy and practicality of the developed device.

In recent years， the incidence of pulmonary nodules has kept rising. To give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of pulmonary nodules and identify the breakthrough points of integrating TCM with Western medicine， the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized medical experts in TCM and western medicine to carry out in-depth discussion regarding this disease. The discussion encompassed the modern medical advances， TCM theories of etiology and pathogenesis， the role and advantages of TCM in the whole course management of pulmonary nodules， contents and methods of research on pulmonary nodules， and science popularization work， aiming to provide a reference for clinical practice and scientific research. After discussion， the experts concluded that the occurrence of pulmonary nodules was rooted in the deficiency of the lung and spleen and triggered by phlegm dampness， blood stasis， and Qi stagnation. TCM can treat pulmonary nodules by controlling and reducing nodules， improving physical constitution， ameliorating multi-system nodular diseases， reducing anxiety and avoiding excessive diagnosis and treatment， and serving as an alternative for patients who are unwilling or unfit for surgical treatment. At present， the optimal diagnosis and treatment strategy for pulmonary nodules has not been formed， which needs to be further studied from multiple perspectives such as clinical epidemiology， biology， and evidence-based medicine. The primary task of current research is to find out the advantages， effective prescriptions， and target populations and determine the effective outcomes of TCM in the treatment of pulmonary nodules. At the same time， basic research should be carried out to explore the etiology and biological behaviors of pulmonary nodules. The expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules with integrated TCM and Western medicine needs to be continuously revised to guide clinicians to conduct standardized， scientific， and accurate effective diagnosis and treatment.

Humans ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Renal Dialysis ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Heart Valve Prosthesis

Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase) is widely distributed in various organisms. The first reported ENGase activity was detected in Diplococcus pneumoniae in 1971. The protein (Endo D) was purified and its peptide sequence was determined in 1974. Three ENGases (Endo F1-F3) were discovered in Flavobacterium meningosepticum from 1982 to 1993. After that, the activity was detected from different species of bacteria, yeast, fungal, plant, mice, human, etc. Multiple ENGases were detected in some species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Trichoderma atroviride. The first preliminary crystallographic analysis of ENGase was conducted in 1994. But to date, only a few ENGases structures have been obtained, and the structure of human ENGase is still missing. The currently identified ENGases were distributed in the GH18 or GH85 families in Carbohydrate-Active enZyme (CAZy) database. GH18 ENGase only has hydrolytic activity, but GH85 ENGase has both hydrolytic and transglycosylation activity. Although ENGases of the two families have similar (β/α)8-TIM barrel structures, the active sites are slightly different. ENGase is an effective tool for glycan detection andglycan editing. Biochemically, ENGase can specifically hydrolyze β‑1,4 glycosidic bond between the twoN-acetylglucosamines (GlcNAc) on core pentasaccharide presented on glycopeptides and/or glycoproteins. Different ENGases may have different substrate specificity. The hydrolysis products are oligosaccharide chains and a GlcNAc or glycopeptides or glycoproteins with a GlcNAc. Conditionally, it can use the two products to produce a new glycopeptides or glycoprotein. Although ENGase is a common presentation in cell, its biological function remains unclear. Accumulated evidences demonstrated that ENGase is a none essential gene for living and a key regulator for differentiation. No ENGase gene was detected in the genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and three other yeast species. Its expression was extremely low in lung. As glycoproteins are not produced by prokaryotic cells, a role for nutrition and/or microbial-host interaction was predicted for bacterium produced enzymes. In the embryonic lethality phenotype of the Ngly1-deficient mice can be partially rescued by Engase knockout, suggesting down regulation of Engase might be a solution for stress induced adaptation. Potential impacts of ENGase regulation on health and disease were presented. Rabeprazole, a drug used for stomach pain as a proton inhibitor, was identified as an inhibitor for ENGase. ENGases have been applied in vitro to produce antibodies with a designated glycan. The two step reactions were achieved by a pair of ENGase dominated for hydrolysis of substrate glycoprotein and synthesis of new glycoprotein with a free glycan of designed structure, respectively. In addition, ENGase was also been used in cell surface glycan editing. New application scenarios and new detection methods for glycobiological engineering are quickly opened up by the two functions of ENGase, especially in antibody remodeling and antibody drug conjugates. The discovery, distribution, structure property, enzymatic characteristics and recent researches in topical model organisms of ENGase were reviewed in this paper. Possible biological functions and mechanisms of ENGase, including differentiation, digestion of glycoproteins for nutrition and stress responding were hypothesised. In addition, the role of ENGase in glycan editing and synthetic biology was discussed. We hope this paper may provide insights for ENGase research and lay a solid foundation for applied and translational glycomics.

Humans ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Renal Dialysis ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Heart Valve Prosthesis