Objective To explore the efficacy of endoscopic therapy for esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding(EGVB),investigate the risk factors for rebleeding within 1 year,and establish a predictive model accordingly.Methods A retrospective study was conducted using the clinical and follow-up data of 120 EGVB patients who underwent endoscopy at our hospital between January 2021 and December 2022.The efficacy of endoscopic therapy was analyzed,and the patients were divided into a bleeding group and a non-bleeding group based on whether rebleeding occurred within 1 year after treatment.The factors influencing rebleeding within 1 year after treatment were analyzed,and a predictive model was established using logistic regression analysis.The model's goodness of fit was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,and its clinical value was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The hemostasis success rate within 72 hours after endoscopic therapy was 100％in all 120 patients.Four weeks after endoscopic treatment,endoscopic reexamination showed that the complete and partial disappearance rate of varices was 75.83％(91/120),with rebleeding occurring in 10 cases(8.33％).There were 34 cases(28.33％)of cumulative rebleeding at 6 months and 63 cases(52.50％)at 1 year after endoscopic therapy.Nine patients(7.50％)died within 1 year after endoscopic therapy,all of whom were rebleeding cases.A total of 63 patients with rebleeding were included in the bleeding group,and 57 patients without rebleeding were included in the non-bleeding group.Serum sodium＜135 mmol/L(odds ratio[OR]=3.837,95％confidence interval[CI]:1.095-13.445),Child-Pugh grade C(OR=3.835,95％CI:1.137-12.935),esophageal varices degree G3(OR=5.113,95％CI:1.565-16.707),and main portal vein diameter＞12 mm(OR=5.964,95％CI:2.295-15.497)were identified as risk factors of rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy in EGVB patients(P＜0.05).The risk prediction model for rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy in EGVB patients was shown as P=1/{1+e[-(-3.815+1.345×serum sodium+1.344×Child-Pugh grade+1.786×main portal vein diameter+1.632×esophageal varices degree)]}.The Hosmer-Lemeshow x2 was 3.158(P=0.856).The area under the curve(AUC)for predicting rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy in EGVB patients was 0.815,indicating good predictive performance.Clinical validation showed that the model had an accuracy of 82.30％,with sensitivity and specificity being 81.03％and 83.63％,respectively.Conclusion Endoscopic therapy for EGVB achieves a high rate of acute bleeding control,but patients remain at risk of rebleeding.Rebleeding is associated with serum sodium＜135 mmol/L,Child-Pugh grade C,main portal vein diameter＞12 mm,and esophageal varices degree G3.The logistic regression model can effectively predict the probability of rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy.

Objective:To observe the effects of Zhulian stimulant type Ⅰ acupuncture on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB and tissue homogenate cyclic adenosine phosphate (cAMP) in rats with diabetic bladder (DCP); To explore the mechanism of Zhulian stimulant type Ⅰacupuncture on DCP.Methods:Totally 50 SD rats were divided into control group, model group, Western medicine group, ordinary acupuncture group, Zhulian stimulant type Ⅰ acupuncture treatment group (acupuncture treatment group) according to random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. DCP rat model was prepared by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), except for the control group. The Western medicine group was given mecobalamine for gavage; acupoints of "Zhongji", "Sanyinjiao", "Liechou" and "Taichong" were selected. The ordinary acupuncture group was treated with ordinary acupuncture technique, and the acupuncture treatment group was treated with Zhulian stimulant type Ⅰ acupuncture, 1 time/d, 30 minutes/time. Samples were taken after 4 weeks of treatment. The maximum bladder volume, residual urine volume and wet weight of the bladder were detected. The morphology of rat bladder was observed by HE staining. The expression level of BDNF was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of cAMP was detected by Western blot. The level of TrkB was determined by ELISA. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expressions of BDNF and cAMP.Results:Compared with model group, maximum bladder volume, residual urine volume and wet weight of bladder in Western medicine group, ordinary acupuncture group and acupuncture treatment group decreased ( P<0.01), and those in Western medicine group and acupuncture treatment group were lower than those in ordinary acupuncture group ( P<0.01). The expressions of BDNF mRNA and protein, cAMP mRNA and protein in Western medicine group, ordinary acupuncture group and acupuncture treatment group increased ( P<0.05), and the level of TrkB increased, and the Western medicine group and acupuncture treatment group were higher than that in ordinary acupuncture group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Zhuliping stimulant type Ⅰ acupuncture has a protective effect on the bladder function of diabetic rats. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of BDNF and mRNA, TrkB, cAMP and mRNA expressions.

For Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA), surgical resection is the only effective way to cure this disease. However, it has high postoperative mortality and high recurrence rate. Domestic and foreign scholars have constructed statistics-based evaluation methods to predict patients′ postoperative survival and complications, such as nomogram, scoring system and other prognostic models. Based on these methods, clinicians can better select patients who can benefit from surgery and choose the optimal? treatment for more severe patients. Through the adoption of other treatments or some ways to ameliorate some preoperative condition, to improve the patient′s mortality and survival. This article reviews the prognostic risk factors and prognostic models of pCCA in order to provide a reference for clinicians to predict the prognosis about the surgery.

Objective:To establish and validate reference intervals of serum vitamin K for healthy children in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to May 2023, involving 807 healthy children aged 0 to 14 years, selected by stratified random sampling based on the population distribution of children in eastern, central, western, and northeastern China. Sample collection was carried out in 16 hospitals across 12 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. Basic information of the children was collected using a standardized self-design questionnaire. Serum levels of vitamin K 1 and vitamin K 2 (menaquinone-4 (MK-4), menaquinone-7 (MK-7)) were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The reference intervals was established by direct approach. The children were divided into different groups by age. Inter-group comparisons were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test, and the reference intervals ( P2.5- P97.5) were determined using non-parametric methods. Screening 40 healthy children for small sample validation based on age groups within the reference range(25 from eastern, 10 from central, and 5 from western regions). Results:The age of the 807 children was 5.00 (2.00, 9.81) years, and 495 (61.3%) were males and 312 (38.7%) females. Reference intervals were established for 795 children, of whom 303 children were aged 1 month to 3 years and 492 were aged 4 to 14 years. The reference intervals for serum vitamin K 1 were 0.09-4.54 μg/L for children aged 1 month to 3 years, and 0.10-1.73 μg/L for 4-14 years. For MK-7, the intervals were 0.07-1.42 μg/L for 1 month to 3 years and 0.19-2.03 μg/L for 4-14 years. The reference intervals for MK-4 in children aged 1 month to 14 years were 0-0.42 μg/L. The measured values of serum vitamin K 1, MK-4, and MK-7 in the validation samples did not exceed the reference limit in more than 2 samples. Conclusion:Reference intervals for vitamin K 1, MK-4, and MK-7 in healthy children aged 1 month to 14 years have been established and validated, and can be used to assess vitamin K nutritional status in children.

Gallbladder cancer is a common malignant tumor of the biliary tract, characterized by a stealthy onset, high invasiveness, and poor prognosis. The 5-year survival rate of gallbladder cancer patients is only 5%-20%. Currently, radical surgery remains the only potentially curative method for gallbladder cancer. Historically, gallbladder cancer was once considered a contraindication for laparoscopic surgery. In recent years, with the improvement of preoperative diagnosis level of gallbladder cancer, progress in surgical techniques and laparoscopic equipment, an increasing number of clinicians have explored and recognized the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of gallbladder cancer. This review summarizes the latest advances in laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder cancer.

Objective:To investigate the application of virtual reality (VR) technology on intraoperative pain in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related procedures with local infiltration anesthesia and the satisfaction.Methods:It was a single-center, prospective, concurrent controlled study. Patients were divided into two groups: VR group and control group. In the VR group, patients wore a VR headset to watch soothing audio and video content during surgery, while the control group underwent routine procedures. Intraoperative pain and satisfaction were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and a 5-point satisfaction scale within 30 minutes of surgery. In addition, tolerance of the VR experience in the VR group was assessed using the VR sickness questionnaire.Results:A total of 43 patients were included in the study, including 25 males (58.1%). Chronic glomerulonephritis [17 cases (39.5%)] and diabetic nephropathy [6 cases (14.0%)] were the main primary diseases. There were 23 cases in the control group and 20 cases in the VR group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex ratio, proportion of primary disease, diabetes, hypertension, distribution of operation methods, preoperative vital signs and operation time (all P>0.05). VAS pain score was significantly lower in the VR group than that in the control group (5.90±2.38 vs. 7.43±1.67, t=2.469, P=0.018). The percentage of patients who were satisfied was 89.5% (17/19) in the VR group and 78.3% (18/23) in the control group, but there was no significant difference (chi-square test for continuity correction, χ2=0.308, P=0.579). Three patients in the VR group withdrew from the study due to severe discomfort, while the remaining participants found the VR experience to be tolerable. Common adverse effects included fatigue and blurred vision. Conclusions:The application of VR technology in PD-related procedures has been effective in reducing intraoperative pain when combined with local infiltration anesthesia. Furthermore, the utilization of VR technology in PD-related procedures is associated with a safe and tolerable outcome, despite the observation of some adverse effects.

Objective:To observe the inhibiting effects of manual acupuncture(MA)on bladder cell apoptosis in rats with diabetic neurogenic bladder(DNB)based on the protein and mRNA expression of B-cell lymphoma-leukemia(Bcl)-2,Bcl-2-associated X(Bax)protein,caspase-3,and the protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),transforming growth factor(TGF)-β in the bladder tissue. Methods:A DNB rat model was established via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).The rats were randomly divided into a control group,a model group,and an MA group,with 10 rats in each group.For the MA group,MA was applied after modeling.The body mass,fasting blood glucose(FBG),bladder wet weight,and bladder histomorphology were observed.Protein and mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,and caspase-3 and the protein expression of α-SMA and TGF-β in the bladder tissue were determined.The apoptotic index of bladder cells was also evaluated. Results:After STZ injection,compared with the control group,the model group and the MA group both showed higher FBG from week 3 and lower body mass from week 9(P<0.05),and had a larger bladder wet weight(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the MA group showed a smaller bladder wet weight(P<0.05).The histopathological evaluation indicated that MA improved muscle fiber alignment and detrusor cell compensatory hypertrophy in the bladder tissue.In addition,compared with the control group,the apoptotic index increased significantly in the model group and the MA group(P<0.05);the protein and mRNA expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 and the protein expression level of TGF-β in the bladder tissue in the model group and the MA group increased significantly(P<0.05),while the protein and mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 and the protein expression level of α-SMA in the bladder tissue decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the apoptotic index of the MA group decreased significantly(P<0.05);the protein and mRNA expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 and the protein expression level of TGF-β in the bladder tissue decreased significantly(P<0.05),while the protein and mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 and the protein expression level of α-SMA in the bladder tissue increased significantly(P<0.05). Conclusion:MA can protect the bladder by inhibiting the excessive apoptosis of bladder cells,which may be related to the down-regulation of Bax and caspase-3 proteins and mRNAs and TGF-β protein expression,and the up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein and mRNA and α-SMA protein expression.

Intelligent responsive drug delivery system opens up new avenues for realizing safer and more effective combination immunotherapy. Herein, a kind of tumor cascade-targeted responsive liposome (NLG919@Lip-pep1) is developed by conjugating polypeptide inhibitor of PD-1 signal pathway (AUNP-12), which is also a targeted peptide that conjugated with liposome carrier through matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) cleavable peptide (GPLGVRGD). This targeted liposome is prepared through a mature preparation process, and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor NLG919 was encapsulated into it. Moreover, mediated by the enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR effect) and AUNP-12, NLG919@Lip-pep1 first targets the cells that highly express PD-L1 in tumor tissues. At the same time, the over-expressed MMP-2 in the tumor site triggers the dissociation of AUNP-12, thus realizing the precise block of PD-1 signal pathway, and restoring the activity of T cells. The exposure of secondary targeting module II VRGDC-NLG919@Lip mediated tumor cells targeting, and further relieved the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Overall, this study offers a potentially appealing paradigm of a high efficiency, low toxicity, and simple intelligent responsive drug delivery system for targeted drug delivery in breast cancer, which can effectively rescue and activate the body's anti-tumor immune response and furthermore achieve effective treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the problems in clinical radiotherapy planning for cervical cancer through quantitative evaluation of the radiotherapy plans to improve the quality of the plans and the radiotherapy process. METHODS: We selected the clinically approved and administered radiotherapy plans for 227 cervical cancer patients undergoing external radiotherapy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from May, 2019 to January, 2022. These plans were transferred from the treatment planning system to the Plan IQ^TM workstation. The plan quality metrics were determined based on the guidelines of ICRU83 report, the GEC-ESTRO Working Group, and the clinical requirements of our center and were approved by a senior clinician. The problems in the radiotherapy plans were summarized and documented, and those with low scores were re-planned and the differences were analyzed. RESULTS: We identified several problems in the 277 plans by quantitative evaluation. Inappropriate target volume selection (with scores < 60) in terms of GTV, PGTV (CI) and PGTV (V_{66 Gy}) was found in 10.6%, 65.2%, and 1% of the plans, respectively; and the PGTV (CI), GTV, and PCTV (D_98%, HI) had a score of 0 in 0.4%, 10.1%, 0.4%, 0.4% of the plans, respectively. The problems in the organs at risk (OARs) involved mainly the intestines (the rectum, small intestine, and colon), found in 20.7% of the plans, and in occasional cases, the rectum, small intestine, colon, kidney, and the femoral head had a score of 0. Senior planners showed significantly better performance than junior planners in PGTV (V_{60 Gy}, D_98%), PCTV (CI), and CTV (D_98%) (P≤0.046) especially in terms of spinal cord and small intestine protection (P≤0.034). The bowel (the rectum, small intestine and colon) dose was significantly lower in the prone plans than supine plans (P < 0.05), and targets coverage all met clinical requirements. Twenty radiotherapy plans with low scores were selected for re-planning. The re-planned plans had significantly higher GTV (D_min) and PTV (V_{45 Gy}, D_98%) (P < 0.05) with significantly reduced doses of the small intestines (V_{40 Gy} vs V_{30 Gy}), the colon (V_{40 Gy} vs V_{30 Gy}), and the bladder (D_35%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Quantitative evaluation of the radiotherapy plans can not only improve the quality of radiotherapy plan, but also facilitate risk management of the radiotherapy process.
Humans ; Female ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Rectum ; Colon ; Kidney ; Organs at Risk