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.

Objective:To investigate the techniques of digit-tip replantation with anastomosis of superior digital arch artery in children and to evaluate the clinical effects.Methods:From January 2020 to September 2022, 62 children (62 digits) with completely severed digit-tips were admitted to the Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital. All the injury planes were distal to the nail root. All arterial dissections were distal to the digital arterial arch with the vessel calibre from 0.15 mm to 0.35 mm. The superior arch arteries of the digital arterial arch were successfully anastomosed. After surgery, a significant blood flux to the replanted digit body were observed. Postoperative necroses or failures were analysed for the causes. All children with survived digit-tips were entered into scheduled follow-ups through a combination of visit of outpatient clinics or via WeChat and telephone reviews. Postoperative follow-up included digit body fullness, motion of distal interphalangeal joint, nail growth, scarring, and response of the replanted digit-tips to needling. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the evaluation criteria for finger replantation function.Results:Of the 62 replanted digit-tips, 56 survived after replantation. Two digits had wound infection after surgery, and survived by dressing change and applying sensitive antibiotics. Necrosis occurred in 6 replanted digit-tips, of which 2 necrotic digit bodies were amputated, and the stumps at the distal interphalangeal joint were repaired. The other 4 necrotic digits were healed after dressing change under the scab due to a smaller digit body. A total of 52 children (including 2 survivals from postoperative infection after dressing changes and 4 survivals with healing underneath-eschar after necrosis) and with 10 lost during follow-up (including 2 with stump repairs after necrosis). The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 30 months, with an average of 6 months. The shape and function of replanted digit-tips recovered well. According to the evaluation criteria for finger replantation function, 44 digits were of excellent, 6 of good, and 2 of fair.Conclusion:In children, the superior arch arteries of digital arterial arches of the digit-tips are small in diameter. However, the vessels in smaller calibres can be anastomosed, should proper surgical techniques are applied. Therefore, due to the satisfactory outcomes, microsurgeons should try the best efforts to replant a digit severed at the plane of digit-tip.

BACKGROUND:With the increasing number of tendon transplantation surgeries for tendon injuries,the demand for tendon tissue engineering scaffolds is increasing.Research has found that good pore size and porosity of implants contribute to tissue healing. OBJECTIVE:To review the types of materials currently published for tendon tissue engineering scaffolds and investigate the correlation between various tendon tissue engineering scaffold materials and pores. METHODS:Articles were retrieved on PubMed,Embase,and Web of Science databases,using keywords"tendon"or"ligament"and"tissue scaffold"as well as"porosity"or"permeability".A total of 84 articles meeting the criteria were included to summarize,discuss and anticipate future development directions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The materials used in the research of tendon tissue engineering are mainly divided into two categories:natural tendon scaffold materials and artificial synthetic tendon scaffold materials.Natural scaffold materials include autologous tendons,allogeneic tendons,and xenogeneic tendons.Autogenous tendons and allogeneic tendons have been used in clinical practice for many years.During the preparation of allogeneic tendons and animal experiments,it was found that the process of acellular disinfection resulted in an increase in the pore size and porosity of both types of tendons,but the specific reasons and mechanisms have not been further studied.There are many types of artificial tendon scaffold materials currently being studied,among which artificial ligament products such as Leeds Keio and LARS(Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System)are still in use in some countries.Other materials have not been promoted in clinical practice due to immature technology and other issues.The pores and porosity of artificial tendon scaffold materials also show different trends due to their different materials and preparation techniques.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy,safety,and potency ratio of microwave ablation(MW A)combined with percutaneous osteoplasty(POP)for the treatment of flat bone metastases.Methods A total of 57 patients with flat bone metastases complicated by intractable pain,who underwent MWA combined with POP(combination therapy)or only POP(pure POP therapy)at the Zhongshan Municipal People's Hospital of China between January 2016 and January 2023,were enrolled in this study.The combination therapy group had 36 patients and the pure POP therapy group had 21 patients.Visual analog scale(VAS),Oswestry Disability Index(ODI),quality of life assessment scale(QOL)were used to evaluate the preoperative and the postoperative different period efficacy,and the results were compared between the two groups.The procedure-related complications in both groups were recorded.Results The technical success rate in the 57 patients was 100％,and no serious postoperative complications occurred.The mean follow-up time was(4.7±1.3)months(range of 3.4-7.2 months).The preoperative and the postoperative one-day,one-week,one-month and 3-month VAS scores in the combination therapy group were(7.39±1.09)points,(6.53±1.17)points,(1.94±0.70)points,(1.11±0.66)points and(1.39±0.59)points respectively,which in the pure POP therapy group were(7.52±1.01)points,(6.81±0.66)points,(3.38±0.65)points,(2.33±0.56)points and(2.52±0.50)points respectively.One week after operation,the VAS scores in the combination therapy group and the pure POP therapy group were decreased by(5.44±1.32)points and(4.14±0.96)points respectively.The differences in the postoperative one-week(t=-7.62,P＜0.01),one-month(t=-7.28,P＜0.01)and 3-month(t=-7.58,P＜0.01)VAS scores between the two groups were statistically significant.The preoperative and the postoperative one-day,one-week,one-month and 3-month ODI scores in the combination therapy group were(44.33±2.91)points,(44.08±2.82)points,(15.92±3.04)points,(14.00±2.39)points and(16.08±3.61)points respectively,which in the pure POP therapy group were(45.67±3.03)points,(45.14±2.80)points,(22.38±3.09)points,(19.76±2.99)points and(22.10±3.10)points respectively.One week after operation,the ODI score in the combination therapy group was decreased by(28.42±4.23)points,which in the pure POP therapy group was decreased by(23.29±4.28)points.The differences in the postoperative one-week(t=-7.50,P＜0.01),one-month(t=-7.37,P＜0.01)and 3-month(t=-6.51,P＜0.01)ODI scores between the two groups were statistically significant.The preoperative and the postoperative one-day,one-week,one-month and 3-month QOL scores in the combination therapy group were(24.69±3.92)points,(26.06±3.05)points,(38.67±3.00)points,(40.25±3.42)points and(39.58±3.99)points respectively,which in the pure POP therapy group were(24.43±3.53)points,(26.76±3.05)points,(32.81±2.17)points,(33.95±2.68)points and(31.19±4.27)points respectively.One week after operation,the QOL score in the combination therapy group was increased by(13.97±4.88)points,which in the pure POP therapy group was increased by(8.38±4.50)points.The differences in the postoperative one-week(t=8.34,P＜0.01),one-month(t=7.56,P＜0.01)and 3-month(t=7.18,P＜0.01)QOL scores between the two groups were statistically significant.The mean operation cost in the combination therapy group was 10 480.43 Chinese yuan,which was higher than that in the pure POP therapy group.Conclusion For the treatment of flat bone metastases,both pure POP therapy and MWA combined with POP therapy are clinically safe and effective,which can significantly relieve pain and improve quality of life.Compared with pure POP therapy,the MWA combined with POP therapy is more effective but its medical cost is more expensive.

Objective:To explore the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with acute poisoning at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University in Jiangxi Province.Methods:Based on the electronic medical records management platform of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, a retrospective analysis was conducted on hospitalized patients with acute poisoning based on ICD-10 disease codes from 2014 to 2021. The gender, age, residence, poison type, etiology, route of exposure, illness severity, diagnostic and therapeutic processes, hospital stay duration, and prognosis of patients were collected.Results:A total of 1 953 cases of acute poisoning were included, comprising 871 males (44.6%) and 1 082 females (55.4%). The age was (42.7±20.0) years, with 113 fatalities (5.8%). Urban residents accounted for 706 cases (36.1%) and rural residents for 1 247 cases (63.9%). The highest incidence occurred in the 41-60 age group. Suicide was the primary cause, constituting 1 318 cases (67.5%), followed by accidental ingestion or contact, with overdose being less frequent. Oral poison way was the predominant route (1 681 cases, 86.1%), followed by inhalation and contact. Pesticide poisoning was the predominant type of poisoning in this study, with 847 cases (43.4%), followed by drug poisoning and foodborne poisoning. Pesticide poisoning predominated among rural residents (79.2%), while drug poisoning was more prevalent among urban residents (53.5%).Conclusions:In this study, patients with acute poisoning exhibited predominantly female gender, hailed from rural areas, and primary etiology of poisoning was pesticide ingestion for suicidal intent. Targeted education and control measures should be carried out for the above high-risk areas, populations and poisons.

Objective:To verify the therapeutic effect of Astragalus on mice with acute respiratory distress syndrome with sepsis and to explore its mechanism.Methods:Seventy SPF-grade C57 mice were divided into astragalus group ( n=30), control group ( n=30) and sham surgery group ( n=10) according to random number table method, and CLP surgery was performed on Astragalus group and control group to induce sepsis acute respiratory distress syndrome, and CLP sham surgery was performed in the sham surgery group. After surgery, the astragalus group was treated with astragalus decoction for gastric gavage, the sham surgery group and the control group were gavaged with normal saline, and the mice were sacrificed 12 hours and 24 hours after the operation, and the lung histopathology was observed, the ratio of dry to wet weight of lung tissue, the protein concentration of alveolar lavage fluid was determined, the alveolar lavage fluid and serum were analyzed proteomics, and the differential proteins were enriched and analyzed. Results:Astragalus reduced the total protein concentration of BALF in ARDS mice, reduced the dry-to-wet ratio of ARDS mice, and HE staining of lung tissues showed that Astragalus decoction improved acute alveolar injury in ARDS mice. Proteomic analysis of serum samples and BALF samples showed that there were certain differential proteins between astragalus group and control group, and enrichment analysis showed that it was mainly enriched in the pathway of inflammatory factors, confirming that astragalus decoction may play a role by inhibiting the activation and release of inflammatory factors.Conclusions:Astragalus decoction can effectively reduce the inflammatory exudation of lung tissue in acute respiratory distress syndrome of sepsis, and its mechanism of action may be to inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors.

Objective To explore the occurrence and influencing factors of delayed cerebral ischemia(DCI)after clipping surgery in patients with anterior circulation aneurysms.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 248 patients with anterior circulation aneurysms who underwent clipping surgery in our hospital from May 2018 to May 2023.The patients were divided into the DCI group and the non-DCI group based on the occurrence of DCI after surgery.A1∶1 propensity score matching method was used to match 54 patients in the DCI group with 54 patients in the non-DCI group.The random forest algorithm was employed to rank the importance of factors influencing DCI.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for DCI,and the E-value method was used to assess the sensitivity of model parameters.A DCI risk prediction model was constructed,and the discriminative ability and accuracy of the model were evaluated using ROC curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test.Results After matching,no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of gender,age,body mass index(BMI),smoking history,alcohol consumption,history of cerebral infarction,history of subarachnoid hemorrhage,aneurysm location,and maximum aneurysm diameter(all P＞0.05).Compared to the non-DCI group,the DCI group had a higher proportion of modified Fisher grade 3-4 and Hunt-Hess grade IV patients,higher levels of D-dimer(D-D),total bilirubin(TBIL),TNF-α,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),IL-6,and glutamate,and lower levels of immunoglobulin(Ig)G,IgM,and IgA(all P＜0.05).The random forest analysis showed that including Hunt-Hess grade,modified Fisher grade,D-D,glutamate,TB1L,IgA,and IL-6 in the multivariable regression analysis achieved the lowest out-of-bag error rate.Multivariable analysis revealed that Hunt-Hess grade Ⅳ,modified Fisher grade 3-4,D-D,glutamate,TBIL were independent risk factors for DCI,while IgA was a protective factor(all P＜0.05).The risk prediction equation was as follows:P=1/[1+e(3.142+1.307 Hunt-Hess grade+1.086 modified Fisher grade+0.976 D-D+0.748 glutamate+0.552 TBIL-0.524 IgA+0.487 IL-6)].A patient with a risk probability P＞0.65 was considered to have a postoperative occurrence of DCI.The ROC curve results showed that after internal validation,the AUC of the model was 0.869(95％CI:0.836-0.897),with sensitivity and specificity of 81.08％and 97.34％,respectively,indicating good discrimination of the model.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results showed that after internal validation,the goodness of fit of the model wasx2=4.219,P=0.561,indicating good fit of the model.Conclusions Hunt-Hess grade Ⅳ,modified Fisher grade 3-4,D-D,glutamate,TBIL,and IL-6 are identified as independent risk factors for DCI,while IgA is a protective factor.The predictive model constructed using these factors demonstrates high accuracy and discriminative ability.A risk probability P＞0.65 indicates a postoperative occurrence of DCI in patients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.04.013.].

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.

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.