Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of the CHESS endoscpic ruler (CHESS ruler), and the consistency between the measured values and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Methods:From January 2021 to January 2022, a total of 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension were prospectively enrolled from General Hospital, Xixia Branch Hospital, Ningnan Hospital of People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (29 cases), and the First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan (25 cases), General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (18 cases), Wuzhong People′s Hospital (10 cases), the Fifth People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (10 cases), Shizuishan Second People′s Hospital (6 cases), Yinchuan Second People′s Hospital (5 cases), and Zhongwei People′s Hospital (2 cases) 8 hospitals. The clinical characteristics of all the patients, including gender, age, nationality, etiolog of liver cirrhosis, and Child-Pugh classification of liver function were recorded. A big gastroesophageal varices was defined as diameter of varices ≥5 mm. Endoscopist (associated chief physician) performed gastroscopy according to the routine gastroscopy procedures, and the diameter of the biggest esophageal varices was measured by experience and images were collected, and then objective measurement was with the CHESS ruler and images were collected. The diameter of esophageal varices of 10 randomly selected patients (random number table method) was determined by 6 endoscopists (attending physician or associated chief physician) with experience or measured by CHESS ruler. Kappa test was used to test the consistency in the diameter of esophageal varices between measured values by CHESS ruler and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Results:Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, male 65 cases and female 40 cases, aged (54.8±12.2) years old, Han nationality 82 cases, Hui nationality 21 cases and Mongolian nationality 2 cases. The etiology of liver cirrhosis included chronic hepatitis B (79 cases), alcoholic liver disease (7 cases), autoimmune hepatitis (7 cases), chronic hepatitis C (2 cases), and other etiology (10 cases). Liver function of 32 cases was Child-Pugh A, Child-Pugh B 57 cases, and Child-Pugh C 16 cases. All 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were successfully measured the diameter of gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler, and the success rate of application of CHESS ruler was 100.0% (105/105). The procedure time from the CHESS ruler into the body to the exit of the body after measurement was (3.50±2.55) min. No complications happened in all the patients during measurement. Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension, 96 cases (91.4%) were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists. Totally 93 cases (88.6%) were considered as big gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler. Eight cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopist, however not by the CHESS ruler; 5 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the CHESS ruler, but not by the endoscopists; 4 cases were not recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler; 88 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler. The missed diagnostic rate of big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists experience was 5.4% (5/93), and the Kappa value of consistency coefficient between the measurement by the CHESS ruler and the interpretation by endoscopists experience was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.60). The overall Kappa value of consistency coefficient by 6 endoscopists measured by CHESS ruler in big gastroesophageal varices diagnosis was 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.93).Conclusion:As an objective measurement tool, CHESS ruler can make up for the deficiency of subjective judgment by endoscopists, accurately measure the diameter of gastroesophageal varices, and is highly feasible and safe.

Humans ; Consensus ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy* ; Neuroendocrine Tumors/therapy*

Background/Aims: Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancers (EBVaGCs) have unique molecular and clinicopathological characteristics. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway is recently recognized as the critical innate immunity against pathogens and tumors. STING is also a master regulator in the cancer-immunity cycle and targeting STING could synergize with existing immune-checkpoint therapies. However, the role of STING in GC, especially in EBVaGC, and its correlation with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) remain largely unclear. Methods: We collected 78 cases of EBVaGCs and 210 cases of EBV-negative GC (EBVnGC) from a total of 1,443 cases of GC analyzed by EBV-encoded small RNA in situ hybridization. We investigated STING and PD-L1 expression and their concomitant prognostic value in EBVaGCs and EBVnGCs using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. The effects of STING and PD-L1 expression on the overall survival of patients with EBVaGC or EBVnGC were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: We found that both STING and PD-L1 exhibited significantly higher expression in the EBVaGCs than that in the EBVnGCs. The expression of STING was positively correlated with that of PD-L1 in EBVaGCs. Simultaneous negative expression of STING and PD-L1, and positive expression of STING were independent prognostic risk factors for EBVaGC and EBVnGC, respectively. Conclusions This is the first prognostic retrospective study of STING and PD-L1 expression and the prognosis among EBVaGC and EBVnGC. The expression and prognostic value of STING and PD-L1 are different in the two types of GCs. STING and PD-L1 are promising prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for EBVaGC and EBVnGC.

The complexity of oral ulcerations poses considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to oral specialists. The expert consensus was conducted to summarize the diagnostic work-up for difficult and complicated oral ulcers, based on factors such as detailed clinical medical history inquiry, histopathological examination, and ulceration-related systemic diseases screening. Not only it can provide a standardized procedure of oral ulceration, but also it can improve the diagnostic efficiency, in order to avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
Consensus ; Humans ; Oral Ulcer/therapy*

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma (rsHCC).Methods:The imaging characteristics of CEUS were retrospectively analyzed in 132 lesions from 116 patients with rsHCC, including 59 lesions from 51 AFP-negative patients and 73 lesions from 65 AFP-positive patients. The hemodynamic parameters such as contrast-enhanced onset time, time-to-peak, isoenhancement start time, low-enhancement start time, and perfusion mode were compared between two groups.Results:The time-to-peak, isoenhancement start time, low-enhancement start time of AFP-negative group were significantly increased than those in AFP-positive group (23.22±5.08)s vs. (20.30±3.41)s, (59.44±39.75)s vs. (40.75±16.16)s, (102.89±44.45)s vs. (87.08±25.27)s (all of P<0.05). Meanwhile, the proportion of isoenhancement during the portal and late phases in AFP-negative group was significantly higher than those in AFP-positive group (59.3% vs. 37.0%, 16.9% vs. 4.1%; all of P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the enhancement start time (14.87±6.00)s vs. (14.35±5.30)s ( P>0.05) as well as isoenhancement proportion in the arterial phase (94.9% vs. 98.6%, P>0.05). Conclusions:The enhancement pattern of CEUS in AFP-negative rsHCC patients was "fast-in and slow-out" with a diverse and atypical trend. Recognizing its regular features will facilitate the early detection of AFP-negative rsHCC.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma (rsHCC).Methods:The imaging characteristics of CEUS were retrospectively analyzed in 132 lesions from 116 patients with rsHCC, including 59 lesions from 51 AFP-negative patients and 73 lesions from 65 AFP-positive patients. The hemodynamic parameters such as contrast-enhanced onset time, time-to-peak, isoenhancement start time, low-enhancement start time, and perfusion mode were compared between two groups.Results:The time-to-peak, isoenhancement start time, low-enhancement start time of AFP-negative group were significantly increased than those in AFP-positive group (23.22±5.08)s vs. (20.30±3.41)s, (59.44±39.75)s vs. (40.75±16.16)s, (102.89±44.45)s vs. (87.08±25.27)s (all of P<0.05). Meanwhile, the proportion of isoenhancement during the portal and late phases in AFP-negative group was significantly higher than those in AFP-positive group (59.3% vs. 37.0%, 16.9% vs. 4.1%; all of P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the enhancement start time (14.87±6.00)s vs. (14.35±5.30)s ( P>0.05) as well as isoenhancement proportion in the arterial phase (94.9% vs. 98.6%, P>0.05). Conclusions:The enhancement pattern of CEUS in AFP-negative rsHCC patients was "fast-in and slow-out" with a diverse and atypical trend. Recognizing its regular features will facilitate the early detection of AFP-negative rsHCC.

Objective To explore impacts of social support and coping styles on self-perceived burden of patients with spinal cord injury. Methods A total of 150 patients with spinal cord injury were investigated using Self-Perceived Burden Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire by cross-sectional survey method. Results The total score of self-perceived burden was at a moderate level and the average score was (33.98±10.76) points. Resignation of coping style had directly positive effect on self-perceived burden, path coefficient was 0.19, subjective support, support utilization had directly negative effect on SPB, path coefficient were-0.18,-0.21;objective support exerted directly negative influence on self-perceived burden through resignation of coping style. In other words, the resignation of coping style played a mediating role between social support and self-perceived burden, effect size was 0.034. Conclusions Most of patients with spinal cord injury suffer from moderate self-perceived burden. Objective support, subjective support, support utilization and the resignation of coping style are the important factors that affect self-perceived burden.

Objective To monitor and compare the breathing mechanics on PC,VC and PRVC during pneumoperitoneum,and to discuss the significance of the clinic use of PRVC.Method Ninety laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients were equally divided into 3 groups (PC,VC,PRVC).Levels of PES,PAWM,PAP,PaCO2,ETCO2,TV MAP and HR were detected before pneumoperitoneum,and at 5,10,15 and 20 minutes postpneumoperitoneum.Results Pneumoperitoneum made three respiratory patterns with different levels of PAWM,PAP,and PES.PES post-pneumoperitoneum in the VC model was obviously higher than that in the PC and PRVC group.At 10 min post-pneumoperitoneum,levels of PaCO2 and ETCO2 increased obviously in the PC and VC group(P ＜ 0.05).Levels of PaCO2 and ETCO2 were increased in the PC group,but TV level post-pneumoperitoneum was significantly lower than that in the other two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Level of PaCO2 and ETCO2 were increased in the PC and VC group post-pneumoperitoneum,along with increases of MAP and HR (P ＜ 0.05).Levels of MAP and HR in the PRVC group post-pneumoperitoneum were significantly lower than those in the PC and VC group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion PRVC mode can effectively reduce the increases of pneumoperitoneum-induced PAWM,PAP,PES,without the unusual increase of PaCO2 and ETCO2 during surgeries,contributing to the stability of vital signs of perioperative patients.

Objective: To study the epidemiological characteristics of tsutsugamushi disease, and to confirm the existence of the disease's epidemic foci in Taizhou. Methods: From 2013 to 2014, Dongxing town hospital and Xingqiao town hospital were selected as specimen collection sites in Jingjiang city. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from 40 patients with acute tsutsugamushi disease. A total of 59 rodents were captured with cage night method in the survey sites at 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11 months in 2013, from which, the spleen, liver, and kidney specimens were selected. Chigger mites were captured by small blackboard method and from the ears of the captured rodents. A total of 226 small blackboards were laid, 27 mites were captured, and the samples were grounded into suspension. Nested-polymerase chain reaction and cell and tissue culture techniques were used to test the specimen from the probable patients, host animals and chigger mites. Results: Among the 40 acute tsutsugamushi disease blood samples, 29 were found to meet the test requirements, 17 were positive for orientia tsutsugamushi nucleic acid with 59% of the positive rate, and 1 stran orientia tsutsugamushi was isolated. 59 rats were captured and the density of mice was 5.5%. Among them, there were 26 Mus musculus (2.4%), 18 Rattus flavipectus (1.7%) and 15 Smelly shrew (density 1.4%). 1 Smelly shrew was tested positive for orientia tsutsugamushi nucleic acid, and the negative results were found in the other rodent specimens. 27 Chigge mites were collected by small blackboard method and the density of mites was 0.12 for each blackboard, among which 3 larvae and 24 nymphs were found. 33 Chigger mites were collected from the ears of 3 Smelly shrew, and the density of the mite was 11 per mouse. All the captured Chigger mites were identified as Leptotrombidium scutellare and 1 group of specimens of Chigger mites from the external environment were positive for orientia tsutsugamushi nucleic acid. Conclusion There was a high density of mice in the epidemic area from May to November and the species of the chigger mites were Chigger mites in Taizhou. The nucleic acid of the oriental tsutsugamushi was detected in the patients with acute scrub typhus, rodents and vectors. According to the above-mentioned results, it was considered that the scrub typhus epidemic area of Taizhou city has the natural foci of scrub typhus.

Objective To evaluate the effects of long?term glucocorticoid administration on cisatra?curium?induced neuromuscular blockade in the patients undergoing laparoscopic operation. Methods Six?ty?four patients of both sexes, aged 40-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-22 kg∕m2 , of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, scheduled for elective laparoscopic operation under general anesthesia, were assigned into 4 groups ( n=16 each) according to whether or not glucocorticoid was used for a long?term period: control ( non?hormone and non?laparoscopic operation ) group ( group C ) , hor?mone + laparoscopic operation group ( group HL ) , non?hormone + laparoscopic operation group ( group NHL) and hormone +non?laparoscopic operation group ( group HNL) . Midazolam 0.03 mg∕kg was injected intravenously, 8% sevoflurane was inhaled by mask, and the concentration of sevoflurane was decreased by 2% every 30 s until the concentration of 4% was reached. After loss of eyelash reflex, remifentanil 2μg∕kg was injected intravenously over 1 min, and 30 s later sevoflurane inhalation was stopped. The patients were tracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol and remifentanil given by target?controlled infusion. Neuromuscular blockade was monitored with accelerograph TOF?watch
SX. At 20 min of pneumoperitoneum in NHL and HL groups or 20 min after intubation in C and HNL groups, cisatracurium 0. 15 mg∕kg was injected intravenously. The onset time, maximal degree of N?M block, clinical duration and recovery index of cisatracurium were recorded. Results Compared with group C, the onset time was significantly prolonged, the maximal degree of N?M block was decreased, the clini?cal duration was shortened, and the recovery index was decreased in HL and HNL groups ( P<0.05) , and the clinical duration was significantly prolonged, the recovery index was increased ( P<0.05) , and no sig?nificant change was found in the onset time in group NHL ( P>0.05) . Compared with group HNL, the clin?ical duration was significantly prolonged, the recovery index was increased (P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the onset time in group HL ( P>0.05) , and the onset time was significantly shortened, the clinical duration was prolonged, and the recovery index was increased in group NHL ( P<0.05) . Com?pared with group NHL, the onset time was significantly prolonged, the maximal degree of N?M block was decreased, the clinical duration was shortened, and the recovery index was decreased in group HL ( P<0.05) . Conclusion Long?term glucocorticoid administration can weaken cisatracurium?induced neuromus?cular blockade in the patients undergoing laparoscopic operation.