Objective:To develop and evaluate the efficacy and safety of a three-dimensional (3D) digestive endoscope for gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) through animal experiments.Methods:Two Dutch pigs were utilized from the Zhengzhou University Animal Experiment Center for the study. ESD procedures were performed by two senior endoscopists, one using 3D glasses and the other utilizing a 3D high-definition head display. The success of ESD was assessed based on predefined criteria, including completion of surgical steps, complete detachment of the presumptive lesion, and effective bleeding control during and after the surgery. The number of successful procedures and incidences of perforation were recorded. The stereoscopic experience of the endoscopists, including both the primary endoscopist and the assistant, was also evaluated. Furthermore, the assessment encompassed any reported symptoms of eye discomfort, such as eye fatigue, ocular pain, and blurred vision. Additionally, the confidence level of the endoscopists in the mechanical aspects of the operation, as well as encountered issues during the endoscopic procedures, were documented.Results:Two ESD were successful and no perforation occurred. Feedback from endoscopists suggested that 3D digestive endoscopy offered clear images with enhanced three-dimensionality during surgery, clear sense of distance and layering, allowing for a precise judgment of bleeding points, which surpassed 2D capabilities. No eye discomfort was experienced by endoscopists or assistants during or after the procedures. While endoscopists exhibited high confidence in 3D digestive endoscopy, they noted issues with image blurring when the camera was positioned less than 10 mm from the gastrointestinal tract wall.Conclusion:Preliminary results show that 3D digestive endoscopes can provide excellent stereo imaging, improved positioning accuracy, and safety during live animal stomach ESD procedures, without significantly increasing endoscopists' eye discomfort. Nevertheless, efforts are needed to address image blurring concerns when the camera is close to the gastrointestinal tract wall.

Objective:To develop a robotic digestive endoscope system (RDES) and to evaluate its feasibility, safety and control performance by experiments.Methods:The RDES was designed based on the master-slave control system, which consisted of 3 parts: the integrated endoscope, including a knob and button robotic control system integrated with a gastroscope; the robotic mechanical arm system, including the base and arm, as well as the endoscopic advance-retreat control device (force-feedback function was designed) and the endoscopic axial rotation control device; the control console, including a master manipulator and an image monitor. The operator sit far away from the endoscope and controlled the master manipulator to bend the end of the endoscope and to control advance, retract and rotation of the endoscope. The air supply, water supply, suction, figure fixing and motion scaling switching was realized by pressing buttons on the master manipulator. In the endoscopy experiments performed on live pigs, 5 physicians each were in the beginner and advanced groups. Each operator operated RDES and traditional endoscope (2 weeks interval) to perform porcine gastroscopy 6 times, comparing the examination time. In the experiment of endoscopic circle drawing on the inner wall of the simulated stomach model, each operator in the two groups operated RDES 1∶1 motion scaling, 5∶1 motion scaling and ordinary endoscope to complete endoscopic circle drawing 6 times, comparing the completion time, accuracy (i.e. trajectory deviation) and workload.Results:RDES was operated normally with good force feedback function. All porcine in vivo gastroscopies were successful, without mucosal injury, bleeding or perforation. In beginner and advanced groups, the examination time of both RDES and ordinary endoscopy tended to decrease as the number of operations increased, but the decrease in time was greater for operating RDES than for operating ordinary endoscope (beginner group P=0.033; advanced group P=0.023). In the beginner group, the operators operating RDES with 1∶1 motion scaling or 5∶1 motion scaling to complete endoscopic circle drawing had shorter completion time [1.68 (1.40, 2.17) min, 1.73 (1.47, 2.37) min VS 4.13 (2.27, 5.16) min, H=32.506, P<0.001], better trajectory deviation (0.50±0.11 mm, 0.46±0.11 mm VS 0.82±0.26 mm, F=38.999, P<0.001], and less workload [42.00 (30.00, 50.33) points, 43.33 (35.33, 54.00) points VS 52.67 (48.67, 63.33) points, H=20.056, P<0.001] than operating ordinary endoscope. In the advanced group, the operators operating RDES with 1∶1 or 5∶1 motion scaling to complete endoscopic circle drawing had longer completion time than operating ordinary endoscope [1.72 (1.37, 2.53) min, 1.57 (1.25, 2.58) min VS 1.15 (0.86, 1.58) min, H=13.233, P=0.001], but trajectory deviation [0.47 (0.13, 0.57) mm, 0.44 (0.39, 0.58) mm VS 0.52 (0.42, 0.59) mm, H=3.202, P=0.202] and workload (44.62±21.77 points, 41.24±12.57 points VS 44.71±17.92 points, F=0.369, P=0.693) were not different from those of the ordinary endoscope. Conclusion:The RDES enables remote control, greatly reducing the endoscopists' workload. Additionally, it gives full play to the cooperative motion function of the large and small endoscopic knobs, making the control more flexible. Finally, it increases motion scaling switching function to make the control of endoscope more flexible and more accurate. It is also easy for beginners to learn and master, and can shorten the training period. So it can provide the possibility of remote endoscopic control and fully automated robotic endoscope.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems and organs throughout the body. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare clinical syndrome that can lead to multiple organ dysfunction and even threaten life. Clinically, SLE patients with TMA are relatively rare, especially in children, but the mortality of SLE patients with TMA is significantly increased. The article reports 2 cases of successful remission of SLE complicated with TMA after treatment with eculizumab, and discusses the diagnosis, clinical manifestations and treatment of SLE complicated with TMA in children, so as to provide clinical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of SLE complicated with TMA in children.

Objective:To evaluate endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy in treatment of children with acute uncomplicated appendicitis.Methods:Sixty children patients were admitted at the Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from Oct 2019 to Jun 2021 and were divided into ERAT group ( n=30) and LA group ( n=30). Results:All operations were successfully performed . ERAT children started oral feeding earlier [(6.8±2.0) h vs. (12.3±2.0) h, t=-10.636, P<0.001], postoperative hospital stay was shorter [(3.2±1.3) d vs. (5.0±1.3) d, t=-5.360, P<0.001]. After 14 months follow up, the recurrence rate in the ERAT group was 6%. The complication rate of LA was 10%. Conclusion:ERAT is a safe and effective therapy in treating children with acute uncomplicated appendicitis with low,acceptable recurrence rate.

Clinical data of 62 patients with gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (diameter ≥1 cm) who were treated with kissing suture by single-channel endoscope after endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFR) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2017 to May 2019 were analyzed retrospectively to evaluate the clinical value of kissing suture technique by single-channel endoscope in defect closure after EFR. All the post-EFR defects were successfully closed (100%). No postoperative anastomotic leakage or other serious complications occurred. The mean maximum diameter of lesions was 3 cm (ranged 1-7 cm), and 13 (21%) of them were greater than or equal to 5 cm.The mean number of clips used was 25.7 (ranged 7-78). The mean procedure time was 168 min (ranged 44-300 min), and the mean suture time was 63 min (ranged 13-211 min). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7 days (ranged 4-12 days). Endoscopic reexamination 3-6 months after operation showed that all wounds healed well. Kissing suture method by single-channel endoscope is a safe, effective, easy and feasible for closing gastrointestinal defect after EFR.

Objective:To study the correlation between liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS) category with tumor differentiation, Ki67 index, microvascular infiltration, and predictive prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiological data of 178 patients with HCC who were confirmed by histopathological studies after liver resection between January 2015 and September 2020 at Lishui Central Hospital and Lishui People’s Hospital. There were 156 males and 22 females, with age of (57±10) years old. These patients were assessed for LI-RADS categories according to the 2018 version of LI-RADS, and they were divided into 4 groups according to the assessment results: 12 patients with LI-RADS-3 (the LI-RADS-3 group); 26 patients with LI-RADS-4 (the LI-RADS-4 group); 102 patients with LI-RADS-5 (the LI-RADS-5 group); and 38 patients with LI-RADS-M (the LI-RADS-M group). The patients' general information, tumor markers, pathology and other clinical data were recorded. Correlation analysis between the LI-RADS category with pathology was performed by the Kendall's tau-b test. Survival analysis between groups was performed by the Kaplan-Meier analysis. The Cox regression risk model was used to analyze the relationship between these variables with the risk of death.Results:The Kendall's tau-b test showed that LI-RADS category was positively correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation ( t=0.204, P=0.002), but not with microvascular infiltration and Ki 67 index ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for 4.2 to 84.2 months (median follow-up 36.3 months). By the end of follow-up, 31 patients had died and 147 patients were alive. The cumulative 1-year and 3-year survival rates of the LI-RADS-5 group were 97% and 90% respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the LI-RADS-M group (81% and 63%), and the LI-RADS-4 group (96% and 81%), ( P<0.05). The cumulative 1-year and 3-year survival rates of patients in the LI-RADS-3 group were 100% and 67% respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference with the LI-RADS-5 group ( P>0.05). The Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that tumor glycoantigen 199 (>50 μl/ml) to be an independent influencing factor in survival of HCC patients ( HR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.24-0.76, P=0.004). Conclusion:The LI-RADS category of HCC was positively correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation, and patients with HCC meeting the LI-RADS-5 criteria had relatively better prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the enhancement characteristics in arterial phase and the prognosis of patients with massive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IMCC).Methods:The imaging and clinical data of 92 patients with IMCC who were pathologically confirmed and underwent enhanced MRI or CT in Central Hospital of Lishui from June 2004 to February 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the enhancement pattern of the primary lesion in the arterial phase, patients were divided into rich arterial blood supply group （17 cases） and deficient arterial blood supply group （75 cases）. The clinical data and imaging features of these patients were studied. Differences between measurement data and count data between the two groups were compared using t test and Fisher test. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to analyze overall survival. The Cox regression multivariate analysis was used to study the relationship between the variables and the risk of death. Result:The enlargement of lymph nodes, long diameter of the primary lesion, CA19-9, treatment and HPD around the primary lesion in arterial phase were statistically different in the two groups ( P<0.05), others were no statistical difference. CA19-9>200 U/ml, lymph node enlargement, HPD around the primary lesion in arterial phase and deficient arterial blood supply were independent factors for the prediction of prognosis in IMCC patients with surgery ( P values were 0.008, 0.002, 0.049 and 0.005, respectively). Lymph node enlargement and deficient arterial blood supply were independent risk factors for the prediction of prognosis in IMCC patients with surgery ( P values are 0.049 and 0.045, respectively). Conclusion:The blood supply characteristics of arterial phase are independent factors for the prognosis of patients with IMCC.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of different combination regimens of latanoprost combined with timolol in the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG). METHODS:By 2×2 self-cross controlled regimen,a total of 50 POAG patients were selected from Sanya Municipal People's Hospital during Jan. 2014-Nov. 2016,and then divided into group A and B according to random number tablet,with 25 cases in each group. Group A received traditional regimens (Latanoprost eye drops,once every night,one drop each time+Timolol maleate eye drops,once in the morning and evening,one drop each time);after 8 weeks of treatment and 48 h washout period,group A was given modified regimen(Latanoprost eye drops,once every night,one drop each time+Timolol maleate eye drops,once every morning,one drop each time)for 8 weeks. Group B was given modified regimen;after 8 weeks of treatment and 48 h washout period,then was given traditional regimen for 8 weeks. The 24 h average intraocular pressure,peak and trough intraocular pressure before and after medication,ocular hemodynamics [end diastolic velocity(EDV),peak systolic velocity(PSV),resistance index(RI)] and ADR were recorded in 2 regimens. RESULTS:After received two regimens,24 h average intraocular pressure,peak and trough intraocular pressure, intraocular pressure fluctuation and RI were significantly lower than before treatment,while EDV and PSV were significantly higher than before treatment,with statistical significance(P<0.05). There was no statistical significance between 2 groups(P>0.05). The total incidence of ADR in patients receiving modified regimen was significantly lower than those receiving traditional regimen(4.0% vs. 22.0%),with statistical significance(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:In traditional combination regimen of latanoprost combined with timolol,the frequency of timolol use was changed from twice in the morning and evening to once in the morning,which doesn't influence therapeutic efficacy but reduce ADR.