Objective To evaluate the changes in the number and activities of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from peripheral blood in patients with primary Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS),and to explore the possible mechanisms of BCS.Methods Eighty-two patients with BCS and 20 healthy subjects used as controls were recruited for this study.The EPCs from peripheral blood were counted by flow cytometry for CD34,CDl33 and KDR for positivity.The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and cultured for 7 days.Characterization of EPCs as adherent cells was done using double staining of FITC-UEA-1 and DiI-Ac-LDL binding.The proliferation,adhesion and migration activities were assayed by MTT chromatometry,adhesion activity assay and Transwell assay,respectively.Results EPCs (CD34+/CD133 +/KDR+) were depleted in the BCS patients as compared to the healthy controls [(0.020 ± 0.005) ％ vs (0.038 ± 0.007) ％].The proliferation activities (0.20 ± 0.04 vs 0.58 ± 0.07),adhesion activities (15.8 ± 1.6 vs 35.0 ± 2.5) and migration activities (16.1 ± 1.7 vs 23.9 ± 2.6) were significantly lower in the BCS group than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion EPCs from the peripheral blood in patients with BCS exhibited reduced numbers and impaired proliferation,adhesion and migration activity,which may be the key factors for vasculopathy formation in primary BCS patients.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of xiaoaiping combined with XELOX (oxaliplatin and capecitabine) regimen chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods This was a randomized, open label and parallel controlled study. Sixty-two advanced metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma patients with KPS score ≥60 scores and expected survival time≥3 months were enrolled. The patients were divided into experiment group and control group with 31 cases each. The patients in experiment group received xiaoaiping combined with XELOX regimen chemotherapy, and the patients in control group received XELOX regimen chemotherapy, 21 d was a cycle. The efficacy and adverse events were observed and compared. Results Twenty-nine patients in experiment group and 27 in control group completed treatment. The response rate and disease control rate in experiment group were significantly higher than those in control group: 48.3% (14/29) vs. 33.3% (9/27) and 89.7% (26/29) vs. 74.1% (20/27), and there were statistical differences (P＜0.05). The median progression-free survival time in experiment group was significantly longer than that in control group: 6.3 months vs. 5.1 months, and there was statistical difference (P=0.041). The median overall survival time in experiment group was significantly longer than that in control group: 9.6 months vs. 7.4 months, and there was statistical difference (P = 0.029). The most common adverse events in 2 groups were nausea vomiting, hand-foot syndrome, neutropenia thrombocytopenia, leucocytopenia, hepatic functional lesion, neurotoxicity, oral mucositis and diarrhea. The incidences of nausea vomiting, neutropenia thrombocytopenia, leucocytopenia and diarrhea in experiment group were significantly lower than those in control group, and there were statistical differences (P＜0.05). Conclusions Xiaoaiping combined with XELOX regimen chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma can obviously improve the short-term curative effect, prolong the patients′survival time, reduce the adverse reaction of chemotherapy, and bring clinical benefits to the patients.

Objective To study the safety and efficacy of accessory hepatic vein (AHV) stenting to treat primary Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS).Methods The clinical data of 20 BCS patients with AHV ostial stenosis or occlusion were retrospectively analyzed.These 20 patients underwent balloon dilation and AHV stenting.Thirteen patients underwent AHV stenting via the right jugular vein approach,5 patients via the right femoral vein approach,and 2 patients via the percutaneous transhepatic combined with the right femoral vein approach.On follow-up,patency of the AHV stent was evaluated by color Doppler ultrasound.The cumulative primary and secondary patency rates were assessed with the Kaplan-Meier curves.Results AHV stenting was successful in 20 patients.Angiography showed that the AHV was patent after stenting.The mean pressure gradient between the AHV and the inferior vena cava reduced from (19.2 ± 4.8) cmH2O (1 cmH2O =0.098 kPa) before treatment to (4.5 ± 1.9) cmH2O after treatment (t =7.119,P ＜ 0.01).During the procedure,rupture of the AHV caused by balloon dilation occurred in one patient.This was treated successfully by a covered stent placement.On follow-up from 1 to 80 months [(32.1 ±27.4) months]after treatment for the 20 patients,re-stenosis of the AHV were found in 5 patients.They were treated successfully with re-dilation.The cumulative 1-,3-,and 5-year primary patency rates were 100％,85.1％ and 74.5％,respectively.The cumulative 1-,3-,and 5-year secondary patency rates were 100％,90.9％ and 90.9％,respectively.One patient died of hepatic failure 3 years after the treatment.Conclusion AHV stenting was a safe and efficacious treatment for BCS and it provided good mid-and long-term results.

Objective To observe the expression of NOD2 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins in podocytes in high glucose environment,and explore the molecular mechanism of NOD2 involved in EMT.Methods The human glomerular podocytes were the subjects of study.α-SMA and Nephrin expressions were detected by immunofluorescence;the mRNA and protein expressions of NOD2,Snail and EMT related proteins (α-SMA,Desmin,E-cadherin,Nephrin) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting.The podocytes were stimulated by high-glucose after shRNA interfering the of NOD2 expression,and the expressions of Snail and subsequent EMT-related proteins were detected by Western blotting.Prior to the activation of NOD2 by muramyl dipeptide (MDP),shRNA was used to interfere with the expression of Snail.E-cadherin,Nephrin,Desmin,and α-SMA were detected by Western blotting.Results After 24 hours of high glucose stimulation,PCR and Western blotting results showed that the expressions of NOD2 and Snail were significantly increased;the expressions of epithelial phenotype proteins E-cadherin and Nephrin were down-regulated;and the expressions of interstitial phenotype proteins Desmin and α-SMA were increased (all P ＜ 0.05);while there was no significant change in the hypertonic control group.After interference with NOD2,the abnormal expression of Snail and EMT related proteins were all recovered.After interference with Snail expression,Compared with the MDP group,the protein expressions of E-cadherin and Nephrin were significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.05);the expressions of Desmin and α-SMA were significantly decreased.Conclusions High glucose can induce NOD2 expression in podocytes,and promote podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition by upregulating Snail expression.Gene intervention targeting the NOD2/Snail/EMT pathway can reduce high-glucose-induced podocyte injury and may provide new ideas for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective:To study the risk factors of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who underwent endovascular recanalization.Methods:The data of 340 patients with BCS who underwent endovascular recanalization at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between January 2015 and June 2021 were retrospectively collected. Using propensity score matching, a total of 57 patients (40 males and 17 females) were enrolled into this study, with the age of (50.4±8.7) years. Patients were divided into the hepatocellular carcinoma group ( n=19) and the control group ( n=38) according to whether occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after cardovascular recanalization. Preoperative indicators including gender, age, BCS type, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and postoperative indicators including alpha fetoprotein, intrahepatic nodule formation, vascular restenosis, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were compared between the two groups after propensity score matching. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of BCS associated with after endovascular recanalization in these patients. Results:There were no significant differences in gender, age, BCS type, MELD score and other preoperative data between the two groups (all P>0.05). The proportions of patients with postoperative alpha fetoprotein>9.0 μg/L, AST>40 U/L, ALT>50 U/L, intrahepatic nodules and vascular restenosis after endovascular treatment in the hepatocellular carcinoma group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed postoperative alpha fetoprotein >9.0 μg/L ( OR=46.778, 95% CI: 3.310-661.140), AST>40 U/L ( OR=36.307, 95% CI: 1.317-1 001.009), intrahepatic nodule formation ( OR=66.254, 95% CI: 4.225-1 038.974) and vascular restenosis ( OR=16.276, 95% CI: 1.712-154.773) to have an increased risk of being associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in these BCS patients (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Postoperative alpha fetoprotein>9.0 μg/L, AST>40 U/L, intrahepatic nodule formation and vascular restenosis were independent risk factors of BCS associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who underwent endovascular recanalization.

Objective:To describe the distributions of demographic and clinic pathological characteristics and relations with survival on female breast cancer patients in Guangzhou from 2008 to 2017.Methods:The baseline information of the subjects was obtained from the Guangzhou cancer registry and the outcomes were from the Cancer Follow-up System of Guangzhou. Kaplan-Meier was used to calculate the 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rates. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify the factors related to the overall survival.Results:Among the 12 465 breast cancer patients recruited in the study, the average age at diagnosis was 53.9 years old, with those aged 45 to 54 making up the largest proportion (43.9 %). Only 15.6 % of the patients had college or above degrees. Patients with normal BMI accounted for 78.2 %. Most of the patients (90.0 %) had received surgical treatment. Invasive ductal carcinoma appeared the most common histologic type, accounting for 82.3 %. Among the 2 640 patients diagnosed in the four large hospitals, clinical stages 0-Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ accounted for 35.0 %, 44.8 %, 17.2 % and 3.0 %, respectively. The proportions of ER-positive, PR-positive and HER-2 positive breast cancer were 79.5 %, 70.8 %, and 19.2 %, respectively. In terms of subtypes, Luminal B was the most common one, accounted for 53.3 %. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 99.0 %, 95.3 % and 92.1 %, respectively. Results from the multivariate analysis indicated that factors as: age over 55 years old at diagnosis, advanced TNM stage, ER negative, PR negative, Luminal B subtype and triple-negative subtype were associated with poorer prognosis. Conclusions:Compared with the previous hospital-based studies in China, this population-based study revealed that the proportions of patients with advanced age, early clinical stage or ER positive breast cancer were relatively high and the overall survival rate for breast cancer was higher than that in the previous studies. Relationships between characteristics and prognosis of breast cancer were consistent with the previous findings.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and Viabahn covered stent placement (CSP) for the treatment of delayed hemorrhage after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery (DH-HPS).Methods:The clinical data of 41 patients with DH-HPS at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2019 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among these patients, 27 were male and 14 were female, with an average age of (63.1±10.3) years. 22 patients who underwent TAE was in TAE group and 19 who underwent Viabahn CSP was in CSP group. The interventional treatment effect, blood biochemical indexes and complications were compared between the two groups.Results:In the TAE group, the success rate of hemostasis was 90.9% (20/22), and the rebleeding rate was 9.1% (2/22) after interventional treatment. In the CSP group, the success rate of hemostasis was 94.7% (18/19), and the rebleeding rate of was 5.3% (1/19) after interventional treatment. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of hemostasis and the rebleeding rate between the two groups (both P>0.05). The rate of liver function exacerbation after the procedure was 100% (20/20) in the TAE group and 58.8% (10/17) in the CSP group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=9.77, P=0.002). 37 patients were followed up (18.4±1.7) months, and no rebleeding occurred in all patients. Conclusion:TAE and CSP are both effective for DH-HPS, while CSP is superior to TAE in terms of liver function protection.

Objective To compare and analyze the application value of domestic Octoparms and imported Celect inferior vena cava filter(IVCF)in the interventional treatment of venous thromboembolism(VTE).Methods Forty patients with VTE were randomly divided into Octoparms group(experimental group)and Celect group(control group)according to the double-blinded method of the central random system.All the patients underwent filter placement,catheter-directed thrombolysis and filter retrieval.The primary end point was the success of filter placement and retrieval,and the secondary end point included indwelling complications such as the occurrence of pulmonary embolism(PE)and filter tilt and migration.Results Forty patients were enrolled in this study,22 patients and 18 patients were divided into the experimental group and the control group,respectively.Among them,11 cases were identified with right lower extremity deep vein thrombosis,29 cases with left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis,17 cases with PE,and 6 cases with inferior vena cava thrombosis.The success rate of IVCF placement was 100%in all participants.Immediately after filter place-ment,the angle of filter tilt was(3.8±2.3)° in the experimental group and(4.9±2.8)° in the control group(t=1.44,P=0.16).Filter retrieval was successful in 21 cases(21/22,95.5%)of the experimental group and 17 cases(17/18,95.5%)of the control group.There was no significant difference between the two groups(t=0.14,P=0.89).The mean indwelling time of filter was(8.0±2.1)days in the experimental group and(9.7±3.1)days in the control group(t=0.73,P=0.47).The angle of filter tilt was(5.3±3.4)° in the experimental group and(5.7±7.7)° in the control group(t=0.19,P=0.85).There was no significant difference for filter placement and retrieval between the two groups(t=0.48 and 2.00,P=0.06 and 0.64,respectively).There were no complications of filter migration,strut penetration or new PE in both groups.Conclusion The application value of domestic Octoparms and impor-ted Celect IVCF is similar in interventional treatment of VTE.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization （D-TACE） combined with infusion chemotherapy via superior mesenteric artery versus D-TACE alone in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） complicated by portal vein tumor thrombus （PVTT）. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the data of patients with HCC and PVTT who underwent interventional treatment in The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2022 to December 2023， among whom 15 patients received D-TACE combined with infusion chemotherapy via superior mesenteric artery and were enrolled as observation group， and after propensity score matching at a ratio of 1∶1， 15 patients who received D-TACE alone were enrolled as control group. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the upper abdomen was performed at 1， 2， and 3 months after surgery and every 3 months thereafter to evaluate the conditions of liver tumor and PVTT. Objective response rate （ORR） and disease control rate （DCR） were compared between the two groups. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the paired t-test or the Wilcoxon test was used for comparison of preoperative and postoperative data； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to calculate the cumulative survival rate， and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsBoth groups had a technical success rate of 100%， with no serious complications after surgery. The patients were followed up for 3-26 months （mean 10.5±6.7 months）. At 3 months after surgery， there were no significant differences between the observation group and the control group in ORR （73.3% vs 53.3%， χ²=1.292， P=0.256） and DCR （93.3% vs 80.0%， χ²=1.154， P=0.283） for liver tumors， and compared with the control group， the observation group had significantly higher ORR and DCR for PVTT （ORR： 46.7% vs 13.3%， χ²=3.968， P=0.046； DCR： 100% vs 73.3%， χ²=4.615， P=0.032）. The 3-， 6-， and 12-month cumulative progression-free survival rates were 93.3%， 86.2%， and 68.9%， respectively， for the observation group and were 80.0%， 62.2%， and 24.9%， respectively， for the control group （P=0.028）， and the 3-， 6-， and 12-month cumulative overall survival rates were 100%， 88.9%， and 88.9%， respectively， for the observation group and were 93.3%， 85.6%， and 70.0%， respectively， for the control group （P=0.340）. ConclusionCompared with D-TACE alone， D-TACE combined with infusion chemotherapy via the superior mesenteric artery shows better short-term efficacy in the treatment of HCC complicated by PVTT.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in very preterm infants(VPI), and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of BPD in VPI.Methods:A prospective multicenter study was designed to collect the clinical data of VPI in department of neonatology of 28 hospitals in 7 regions from September 2019 to December 2020.According to the continuous oxygen dependence at 28 days after birth, VPI were divided into non BPD group and BPD group, and the risk factors of BPD in VPI were analyzed.Results:A total of 2 514 cases of VPI including 1 364 cases without BPD and 1 150 cases with BPD were enrolled.The incidence of BPD was 45.7%.The smaller the gestational age and weight, the higher the incidence of BPD( P<0.001). Compared with non BPD group, the average birth age, weight and cesarean section rate in BPD group were lower, and the incidence of male infants, small for gestational age and 5-minute apgar score≤7 were higher( P<0.01). In BPD group, the incidences of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS), hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus, retinopathy of prematurity, feeding intolerance, extrauterine growth restriction, grade Ⅲ~Ⅳ intracranial hemorrhage, anemia, early-onset and late-onset sepsis, nosocomial infection, parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis were higher( P<0.05), the use of pulmonary surfactant(PS), postnatal hormone exposure, anemia and blood transfusion were also higher, and the time of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, oxygen use and total hospital stay were longer( P<0.001). The time of starting enteral nutrition, cumulative fasting days, days of reaching total enteral nutrition, days of continuous parenteral nutrition, days of reaching 110 kcal/(kg·d) total calorie, days of reaching 110 kcal/(kg·d) oral calorie were longer and the breastfeeding rate was lower in BPD group than those in non BPD group( P<0.001). The cumulative doses of amino acid and fat emulsion during the first week of hospitalization were higher in BPD group( P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NRDS, invasive mechanical ventilation, age of reaching total enteral nutrition, anemia and blood transfusion were the independent risk factors for BPD in VPI, and older gestational age was the protective factor for BPD. Conclusion:Strengthening perinatal management, avoiding premature delivery and severe NRDS, shortening the time of invasive mechanical ventilation, paying attention to enteral nutrition management, reaching whole intestinal feeding as soon as possible, and strictly mastering the indications of blood transfusion are very important to reduce the incidence of BPD in VPI.