OBJECTIVES: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition among women that severely impairs quality of life. Pelvic floor proprioceptive training (PFPT) has attracted increasing attention for its potential to enhance pelvic floor muscle function and alleviate SUI symptoms. This study aims to observe and compare the clinical efficacy of PFPT combined with electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback therapy versus conventional therapy consisting of electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback alone in women with SUI, and to explore the role of PFPT in improving symptom and functional outcomes. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 72 women with mild to moderate SUI were recruited from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between December 2021 and October 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=36) or a control group (n=36). Both groups received health education. The control group underwent electroacupuncture combined with electrical stimulation and biofeedback therapy, while the experimental group additionally received PFPT 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Secondary outcomes included pelvic floor muscle strength, bladder neck mobility, and balance ability. The ICIQ-SF was reassessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in all parameters after treatment (all P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in most measures (all P>0.05). The experimental group demonstrated longer single-leg stance duration with eyes closed than the control group (left leg: P=0.026; right leg: P=0.006), with a significant increase from baseline (P<0.001). At 6 months post-treatment, the cure rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS Conventional therapy effectively improves SUI symptoms, but adding PFPT provides notable additional benefits, including enhanced balance ability and sustained mid-term cure rates. These findings suggest that PFPT is a valuable adjunct to standard SUI management strategies.
Humans ; Female ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology* ; Pelvic Floor/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Adult ; Exercise Therapy/methods* ; Proprioception ; Electroacupuncture/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices since there is a high risk of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and to provide a basis for the early diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices. MethodsA total of 108 patients with significant portal hypertension due to compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis who attended Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to November 2023 were enrolled， and according to the presence or absence of esophageal and gastric varices under gastroscopy， they were divided into esophageal and gastric varices group （GOV group） and non-esophageal and gastric varices group （NGOV group）. Related data were collected， including age， sex， imaging findings， and laboratory markers. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups； the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of five scoring models， i.e.， fibrosis-4 （FIB-4）， LOK index， LPRI， aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI）， and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio （AAR）. The binary logistic regression method was used to establish a combined model， and the area under the ROC curve （AUC） was compared between the combined model and each scoring model used alone. The Delong test was used to compare the AUC value between any two noninvasive diagnostic models. ResultsThere were 55 patients in the GOV group and 53 patients in the NGOV group. Compared with the NGOV group， the GOV group had a significantly higher age （52.64±1.44 years vs 47.96±1.68 years， t=0.453， P<0.05） and significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase ［42.00 （24.00 — 17.00） U/L vs 82.00 （46.00 — 271.00） U/L， Z=-3.065， P<0.05］， aspartate aminotransferase ［44.00 （32.00 — 96.00） U/L vs 62.00 （42.50 — 154.50） U/L，Z=-2.351， P<0.05］， and platelet count ［100.00 （69.00 — 120.00）×10⁹/L vs 119.00 （108.50 — 140.50）×10⁹/L， Z=-3.667， P<0.05］. The ROC curve analysis showed that FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone had an accuracy of 0.667， 0.681， 0.730， and 0.639， respectively， in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices （all P<0.05）， and the positive diagnostic rates of GOV were 69.97%， 65.28%， 67.33%， and 58.86%， respectively， with no significant differences in AUC values （all P>0.05）， while APRI used alone had no diagnostic value （P>0.05）. A combined model （LAF） was established based on the binary logistic regression analysis and had an AUC of 0.805 and a positive diagnostic rate of GOV of 75.80%， with a significantly higher AUC than FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone （Z=-2.773，-2.479，-2.206， and-2.672， all P<0.05）. ConclusionFIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR have a similar diagnostic value for esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and APRI alone has no diagnostic value. The combined model LAF had the best diagnostic efficacy， which provides a certain reference for clinical promotion and application.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Objective:To analyze the distribution, drug resistance, and factors influencing pathogenic microorganisms in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) combined with intra-abdominal infection (IAI).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 282 cases with HBV-ACLF admitted to the Hepatobiliary Internal Medicine Department of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University from May 2019 to December 2022. Patients combined with IAI and positive pathogen culture were enrolled in the infection group (141 cases), and patients combined without IAI admitted during the same period were included in the non-infection group (141 cases). Patient's general clinical data, laboratory examination indicators, pathogen types, and drug sensitivity test results were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used for IAI occurrence risk factors in patients with HBV-ACLF.Results:A total of 204 pathogenic bacteria were detected in the infection group, including 115 strains of Gram-negative bacteria (56.37%), 74 strains of Gram-positive bacteria (36.28%), and 15 strains of fungi (7.35%). The most frequently detected bacterial genera were Escherichia coli (21.57%, 44/204), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.25%, 25/204), Enterococcus faecium (6.37%, 13/204), Staphylococcus aureus (5.39%, 11/204), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.90%, 10/204). The results of drug sensitivity tests showed that the resistance rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were over 50% (66.67%,26/39;61.54%,24/39)and 30% (34.79%,8/23;39.13%,9/23)respectively. The resistance rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to carbapenems ( meropenem and imipenem) was 60.00%. The resistance rates of Acinetobacter baumannii to meropenem and imipenem were 100% (4/4) and 50.00% (2/4) respectively. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis to penicillin were 100% (13/13) and 33.33% (1/3) respectively. The resistance rates of Staphylococcus aureus to penicillin (77.78%,7/9) and oxacillin (33.33%, 3/9) were relatively high. The results of the multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that puncture and drainage ( OR=17.90, 95% CI: 7.94-43.42, P<0.001), procalcitonin ( OR=3.23, 95% CI: 1.56-8.98, P=0.012), C-reactive protein ( OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.00, P=0.003), and age ( OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for IAI in patients with HBV-ACLF. Conclusions:The pathogenic microorganisms were mainly enterobacteriaceae and enterococci with varying degrees of drug resistance in HBV-ACLF patients combined with IAI. Early-stage intervention is an effective measure to prevent the occurrence of increase of inflammatory indicators in patients with intra-abdominal infection with HBV-ACLF.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1α and circ-UBE2G1 mutually regulate and promote thyroid cancer(THCA)metastasis under hypoxic microenvironment.Methods The GEPIA database was used to analyze the expression characteristics and correlation between circ-UBE2G1 and HIF-1α in THCA.The relationship of circ-UBE2G1 and miR-330-3p with survival rate was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curve.After THCA cells were exposed to hypoxia,HIF-1α was silenced by transfection to analyze its regulation for circ-UBE2G1 transcription.The targeting relationship between miR-330-3p and either circ-UBE2G1 or HIF-1α was verified by sequence prediction and dual luciferase reporter assay.The effects of HIF-1α overexpression and circ-UBE2G1 silencing on THCA cell migration and invasion were analyzed after corresponding transfections.A tumor-bearing nude mouse model was established by subcutaneous injection of THCA cells with HIF-1α overexpression and circ-UBE2G1 silencing,respectively.THCA tissues and adjacent normal samples were clinically collected to analyze the expression levels and correlations of circ-UBE2G1,miR-330-3p,and HIF-1α.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that circ-UBE2G1 was positively correlated with HIF-1α(P<0.01),and its high expression was associated with a low survival rate in THCA patients(P=0.024).Inhibition of HIF-1α blocked the promotive effect of hypoxia on circ-UBE2G1(P<0.05).Silencing circ-UBE2G1 inhibited the migration and invasion of THCA cells(P<0.05),and reversed the promotive effect of HIF-1α on these processes(P<0.05).Dual luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that miR-330-3p targeted both circ-UBE2G1 and HIF-1α(P<0.05).Silencing circ-UBE2G1 led to increased levels of miR-330-3p(P<0.05),whereas increasing miR-330-3p inhibited the expression of HIF-1α(P<0.05).In clinical THCA samples,both circ-UBE2G1 and HIF-1α were increased and positively correlated(P<0.05),while miR-330-3p was lowly expressed and negatively correlated with both circ-UBE2G1 and HIF-1α(P<0.05).Conclusion Hypoxia promotes the transcription of circ-UBE2G1 by inducing HIF-1α expression,and circ-UBE2G1 promotes HIF-1α expression by targeting miR-330-3p,thereby promoting THCA metastasis.

Objective:To analyze the distribution, drug resistance, and factors influencing pathogenic microorganisms in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) combined with intra-abdominal infection (IAI).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 282 cases with HBV-ACLF admitted to the Hepatobiliary Internal Medicine Department of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University from May 2019 to December 2022. Patients combined with IAI and positive pathogen culture were enrolled in the infection group (141 cases), and patients combined without IAI admitted during the same period were included in the non-infection group (141 cases). Patient's general clinical data, laboratory examination indicators, pathogen types, and drug sensitivity test results were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used for IAI occurrence risk factors in patients with HBV-ACLF.Results:A total of 204 pathogenic bacteria were detected in the infection group, including 115 strains of Gram-negative bacteria (56.37%), 74 strains of Gram-positive bacteria (36.28%), and 15 strains of fungi (7.35%). The most frequently detected bacterial genera were Escherichia coli (21.57%, 44/204), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.25%, 25/204), Enterococcus faecium (6.37%, 13/204), Staphylococcus aureus (5.39%, 11/204), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.90%, 10/204). The results of drug sensitivity tests showed that the resistance rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were over 50% (66.67%,26/39;61.54%,24/39)and 30% (34.79%,8/23;39.13%,9/23)respectively. The resistance rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to carbapenems ( meropenem and imipenem) was 60.00%. The resistance rates of Acinetobacter baumannii to meropenem and imipenem were 100% (4/4) and 50.00% (2/4) respectively. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis to penicillin were 100% (13/13) and 33.33% (1/3) respectively. The resistance rates of Staphylococcus aureus to penicillin (77.78%,7/9) and oxacillin (33.33%, 3/9) were relatively high. The results of the multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that puncture and drainage ( OR=17.90, 95% CI: 7.94-43.42, P<0.001), procalcitonin ( OR=3.23, 95% CI: 1.56-8.98, P=0.012), C-reactive protein ( OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.00, P=0.003), and age ( OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for IAI in patients with HBV-ACLF. Conclusions:The pathogenic microorganisms were mainly enterobacteriaceae and enterococci with varying degrees of drug resistance in HBV-ACLF patients combined with IAI. Early-stage intervention is an effective measure to prevent the occurrence of increase of inflammatory indicators in patients with intra-abdominal infection with HBV-ACLF.

Objective:To study the epidemiological and genetic characteristics of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) circulating in Guangdong Province from 2008 to 2021.Methods:This study collected the specimens of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases from 2008 to 2021 that were positive for other enteroviruses except for enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), and CVA6, as well as the specimens of herpangina and neonatal infection cases from 2020 to 2021. Enteroviruses in these specimens were detected and their types were identified. CVB3 strains were isolated and the entire VP1 sequences of CVB3 strains were amplified and sequenced. The genetic features of CVB3 strains were analyzed using DNAStar 7.1 and MEGA 6.06 software packages.Results:Among 3 484 HFMD cases positive for other enteroviruses from 2008 to 2021, CVB3-positive cases accounted for 1.6% (57/3 484); among 560 cases of herpangina from 2020 to 2021, CVB3-positive cases accounted for 2.1% (12/560); one neonatal infection case in 2021 was positive for CVB3. CVB3-positive cases accounted for 67.1% (47/70) in 2021 and 18.6% (13/70) in 2020, while there were less than five cases in other years. Forty-eight CVB3 strains were isolated and the entire VP1 sequences of 26 CVB3 strains were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the CVB3 strains could be divided into eight genotypes (A-H) and the strains of genotypes A, D and E were prevalent in the Chinese mainland. The 26 CVB3 strains isolated in Guangdong Province shared 80.2%-100.0% nucleotide homology, and belonged to two genotypes of D and E, with genotype D prevalent from 2008 to 2017 and genotype E prevalent from 2020 to 2021.Conclusions:CVB3 is prevalent sporadically in Guangdong Province from 2008 to 2017, but the epidemic intensity increased during 2020 and 2021. CVB3 strains of genotypes D and E are prevalent in Guangdong Province during 2008 to 2021, with genotype E being the prevalent genotype during 2020 and 2021.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features of epilepsy and (or) developmental delay associated with KCNB1 gene variants in children.Methods:A case series study was conducted on 24 children with KCNB1 gene variants associated with epilepsy and (or) developmental delay who were treated at the Children′s Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital and the Department of Neurology of Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from July 2015 to June 2024. The manifestations of seizures, electroencephalogram (EEG) and genetic test results of those children were analyzed.Results:All the KCNB1 gene variants were de novo, involving 20 different variation, including 15 missense variations, 3 frameshift variations and 2 nonsense variations. There were 7 novel variations. Among the 24 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy children, there were 14 boys and 10 girls. The last follow-up age ranged from 9 months to 13 years and 9 months. Seizures were present in 21 children (88%), with onset ranging from 1 month to 7 years, and 76% (16/21) began before 2 years of age. The seizure types included focal seizures in 15 children (71%), epileptic spasms, myoclonic seizures, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in 6 children respectively, atypical absence seizures in 4 children, and myoclonic atonic seizures in 1 child. Seventeen children (81%) had a cluster of seizures and 5 had a history of focal status epilepticus with impaired consciousness. All 24 children had varying degrees of developmental delay, with 3 presenting solely developmental delay. EEG abnormalities were present in all the 21 children with seizures, including focal or multifocal discharges in 20 children, generalized discharges in 10 children, hypsarrhythmia in 2 children, and electrical status epilepticus during sleep in 3 children. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were found in 5 of the 24 children. Among the 21 children with seizures, 57% (12/21) achieved seizure control.Conclusions:KCNB1 gene variants are predominantly de novo missense variation. Most affected children present with epilepsy, though some may exhibit only developmental delay. Epilepsy often begins before 2 years of age, with focal seizures being the most common type. About 80% of patients experience clustered seizures. Although most patients achieve seizure control, they still exhibit varying degrees of developmental delay, consistent with developmental epileptic encephalopathy.