Objective To investigate the correlation between methylation status and death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) in SiHa and Hela cell line of cervical carcinoma and intervention of DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine on the expression of DAPK1 and the proliferation of the cells. Methods DAPK1 methylation status was analyzed using methylation-specific PCR methods. The expression of mRNA and protein of DAPK1 were analyzed by RT-PCR and SABC methods after the treatment with 5-azacytidine. MTT assay was used to observe the changes of proliferation activity of the cells after 5-azacytidine treatment. Results DAPK1 genes were methylated and did not express in SiHa cells in the cervical carcinoma. Its expression could be restored by 5-azacytidine. MTT assay showed 5-azacytidine could weaken the proliferation of cancerous cells. Conclusion DAPK1 methylation plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of cervical cells and can reexpress after the treatment with 5-azacytidine which also restored its inhibitory function on carcinoma.

Objective To observe the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and swallowing trainging on dysphagia after stroke.Methods 60 stroke patients following dysphagia were randomly divided into neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (n=20), swallowingtraining group (n=20), and combined therapy group (n=20), which received neuromuscular electrical stimulation, swallowing training, orcombined treatment of the above respectively, on the basis of routine treatment. Swallowing function was assessed by Kubota test and videofluoroscopyswallowing study (VFSS). Results The scores improved significantly in three groups after the treatment (P<0.05), and combinedtherapy group improved best (P<0.01). Conclusion Neuromuscular electrical stimulation and swallowing training can improve swallowingfunction after stroke, and combined therapy was more effective.

Objective To explore the characteristics and influencing factors of cognitive dysfunction in patients with essential tremor (ET).Methods We recruited ET patients diagnosed by the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi`an Jiaotong University and healthy volunteers who matched the ET patients in age, gender and education level for the study.We recorded all the patients` demographic information, tremor degree, and family history based on the family tree.All the participants were tested by MMSE, MoCA, ADL, HAMD and HAMA.Results There were 88 ET patients and 63 normal subjects included in the study.According to MMSE, 31.82％ of the patients had cognitive dysfunctions, with orientation, short-term memory, calculation ability, language skills, retelling, reading comprehension, three-level command and drawing being significantly lower than those of the healthy volunteers (P<0.01);orientation was the most serious damage in cognitive function domain (K=0.624, S=0.726);three-level command was the least serious damage (K=0.274, S=0.319).According to MoCA, 86.36％ of the ET patients had cognitive dysfunction higher than normal people (P<0.05);visual space and execution, clock drawing task, naming, attention, 100-7, language skills, abstract thinking and orientation were significantly lower than normal people (P<0.01);the most serious damage in cognitive function domain was visual space and execution (K=0.651, S=0.786); the least serious damage cognitive function domain was “100-7” (K=0.406, S=0.484). Education level and age affected cognitive dysfunction (P<0.05). ADL scores showed negative correlation with cognitive function (correlation =－0.375 and －0.383, respectively; P<0.001). After the effects of anxiety and depression were excluded, onset age and tremor grading were correlated with cognitive dysfunction (P<0.05). When the above factors were put into binary Logistic regression model, education level was found to be contributed to the model (P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with ET widely suffer from cognitive impairment. Age, education level, daily life disability, age of onset, and tremor degree classification can affect cognitive dysfunction.

Objective To investigate and explore the awareness and willingness of breast cancer screening between Han and Mongolian women in Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and to analyze the influence factors. Methods The patients answered investigation questionnaires face to face, and the content of questionnaire included demographic information, breast cancer awareness and relevant affecting factors on the awareness and willingness. Results 11162 (88.2 %) Han women and 1495 (11.8 %) Mongolian women were enrolled in the survey, with the average age of (45.4 ±7.1) years old and (45.4 ±6.8) years old. The education level (high school and above) of Han women was lower than that of Mongolian women [4456 women (40.0%) vs. 750 women (50.2%), χ2= 57.041, P< 0.001]. The Main way to delivery information on breast cancer screening in Han and Mongolian women was from their family members or friends [5002 women (44.9%) vs. 688 women (46.1%),χ2=40.699, P<0.001]. The proportions of never attending screening in the Han and Mongolian women were 41.7 % (4640 women) and 45.9 % (683 women), respectively (χ2=14.075, P=0.001). The breast self-examination rate of Han women were higher than that of Mongolian [71.1 % (7926 women) vs. 58.5 % (872 women), χ2= 98.466, P< 0.001]. According to logistics regression analysis, the cognitive level of women with high education level and breast disease history was higher (all P<0.001). Conclusions The cognitive level of breast cancer screening in Han women is better than that in the Mongolian, however, the overall level are low. It is necessary to strengthen the propaganda and education, and to encourage women to actively participate in breast cancer screening.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics and change trends of electroencephalogram (EEG) in patients with drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).Methods:Twenty-five patients with DRE, admitted to our hospital from July 2016 to May 2019, were chosen; all patients accepted VNS and followed up for 12 months. Long range video EEG (VEEG) monitoring was performed before VNS, and 3, 6 and 12 months after VNS, and the tracing time of each monitoring was longer than 12 h. The EEG characteristics of these patients before and different times after VNS were analyzed.Results:In the VEEG monitoring before VNS, 25 patients showed sharp wave, spike wave, sharp slow wave, and compound spike slow wave in the interictal period; 3 patients (12%) could locate the brain region. The interictal EEG of 11 patients 3 months after VNS showed different degrees of improvement as compared with the preoperative one, which manifested as mixed rhythms: mono-spiking as sharp wave, sharp slow wave or spike wave; 8 patients had McHugh grading I-II. The interictal EEG of 18 patients 6 months after VNS showed different degrees of improvement as compared with the preoperative one; 11 patients had McHugh grading I-II. The interictal EEG of 21 patients 12 months after VNS showed different degrees of improvement as compared with the preoperative one; 15 patients had McHugh grading I-II.Conclusion:The EEG improvement effect of DRE patients after VNS is gradually improved with time; in some patients, the EEG improvement is earlier than improvement of clinical symptoms.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics and change trends of electroencephalogram (EEG) in patients with drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).Methods:Twenty-five patients with DRE, admitted to our hospital from July 2016 to May 2019, were chosen; all patients accepted VNS and followed up for 12 months. Long range video EEG (VEEG) monitoring was performed before VNS, and 3, 6 and 12 months after VNS, and the tracing time of each monitoring was longer than 12 h. The EEG characteristics of these patients before and different times after VNS were analyzed.Results:In the VEEG monitoring before VNS, 25 patients showed sharp wave, spike wave, sharp slow wave, and compound spike slow wave in the interictal period; 3 patients (12%) could locate the brain region. The interictal EEG of 11 patients 3 months after VNS showed different degrees of improvement as compared with the preoperative one, which manifested as mixed rhythms: mono-spiking as sharp wave, sharp slow wave or spike wave; 8 patients had McHugh grading I-II. The interictal EEG of 18 patients 6 months after VNS showed different degrees of improvement as compared with the preoperative one; 11 patients had McHugh grading I-II. The interictal EEG of 21 patients 12 months after VNS showed different degrees of improvement as compared with the preoperative one; 15 patients had McHugh grading I-II.Conclusion:The EEG improvement effect of DRE patients after VNS is gradually improved with time; in some patients, the EEG improvement is earlier than improvement of clinical symptoms.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of independent and combined subtests of the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) in mild hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) of patients with liver cirrhosis, so as to optimize the PHES.Methods:This was a prospective, multicenter and real-world study which was sponsored by the National Clinical Research Center of Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Consortium. Twenty-six hospitals from 13 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities countrywide participated in this study, induding Tianjin Third Central Hospital, the Fourth People′s Hospital of Qinghai Province, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, the Third People′s Hospital of Taiyuan, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital and so on. From October 2021 to February 2022, outpatients and hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis and no obvious hepatic encephalopathy were consecutively enrolled. All patients received 5 PHES subjects in the same order: number connection test(NCT)-A, NCT-B, digit symbol test(DST), line tracing test(LTT) and serial dotting test(SDT), and the scores were calculated. The total score of PHES <-4 was taken as the cut-off value for diagnosing MHE. Compare the differences in each subtest between MHE group and non-MHE group. Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) and area under the curve(AUC) was performed to assess the diagnostic value of independent and combined subtests in MHE. Mann-Whitney U test and DeLong test were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 581 patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled, 457 were diagnosed as MHE, and the incidence of MHE was 78.7%. The results of NCT-A, NCT-B, SDT, LTT, DST of MHE group were 60.00 s(47.01 s, 88.00 s), 90.45 s(69.32 s, 125.35 s), 74.00 s(57.65 s, 96.60 s), 74.72(60.00, 98.61) and 27.00(20.00, 36.00), respectively. Compared those of non-MHE group(34.00 s(29.15 s, 44.48 s), 50.00 s(40.98 s, 60.77 s), 50.00 s(41.07 s, 63.03 s), 46.23(38.55, 59.42) and 42.00(34.00, 50.75)), the differences were statistically significant( Z=12.37, 12.98, 9.83, 11.56, 10.66; all P<0.001). The AUC(95% confidence interval(95% CI)) of subtests of PHES NCT-B, NCT-A, LTT, DST and SDT alone in MHE diagnosis were 0.880(0.849 to 0.910), 0.862(0.828 to 0.896), 0.838(0.799 to 0.877), 0.812(0.772 to 0.851) and 0.788(0.743 to 0.832), respectively. The combination of 2 PHES subtests significantly increased the diagnostic efficacy. Among them the diagnostic efficacy of the combination of NCT-B and LTT was the best, the AUC(95% CI) was 0.924(0.902 to 0.947), the specificity was 91.9% and the sensitivity was 79.2%, which was better than a single PHES subtest (NCT-A, NCT-B, SDT, LTT and DST) and the combination of NCT-A and DST(AUC was 0.879, 95% CI0.847 to 0.910) which was recommended by guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis, the differences were statistically significant ( Z=3.78, 3.83, 5.57, 5.51, 5.38, 2.93; all P<0.01). Furthermore, compared between the combination of NCT-B and LTT and the combination of 3 subests of PHES, only the diagnostic efficacy of combination of NCT-B, LTT and SDT (AUC was 0.936, 95% CI 0.916 to 0.956) was better than that of the combination of NCT-B and LTT, the difference was statistically significant( Z=2.32, P=0.020). Conclusion:Based on the diagnostic efficacy and clinical feasibility of PHES subtests and their combinations, the combination of NCT-B and LTT is recommended for the diagnosis of MHE.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of serological indicators and evaluate the diagnostic value of a new established combined serological model on identifying the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective multicenter study enrolled 263 compensated cirrhotic patients from 23 hospitals in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China between October 2021 and August 2022. Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected, and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated. Ammonia level was corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) by the baseline blood ammonia measurements/upper limit of the normal reference value. MHE was diagnosed by combined abnormal number connection test-A and abnormal digit symbol test as suggested by Guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis. The patients were randomly divided (7∶3) into training set ( n=185) and validation set ( n=78) based on caret package of R language. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model of MHE diagnosis. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve. The internal verification was carried out by the Bootstrap method ( n=200). AUC comparisons were achieved using the Delong test. Results:In the training set, prevalence of MHE was 37.8% (70/185). There were statistically significant differences in AMM-ULN, albumin, platelet, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, MELD score and education between non-MHE group and MHE group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AMM-ULN [odds ratio ( OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.05-3.14, P=0.038] and MELD score ( OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for MHE, and the AUC for predicting MHE were 0.663, 0.625, respectively. Compared with the use of blood AMM-ULN and MELD score alone, the AUC of the combined model of AMM-ULN, MELD score and education exhibited better predictive performance in determining the presence of MHE was 0.755, the specificity and sensitivity was 85.2% and 55.7%, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ( P=0.733). The AUC for internal validation of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.752. In the validation set, the AUC of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.794, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration ( P=0.841). Conclusion:Use of the combined model including AMM-ULN, MELD score and education could improve the predictive efficiency of MHE among patients with compensated cirrhosis.