Objective:To systematically analyse the blood coagulation features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.Methods:An electronic search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMbase, and CNKI to collect studies related to the blood coagulation features of COVID-19 patients from 1 January 2020 to 1 May 2020. Two reviewers independently screened literatures, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, the platelet count, D-dimer value, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen of patients with different types of diseases were analyzed by using Stata12.0 software.Results:Thirty-nine retrospective studies involving 6 994 COVID-19 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:(1) compared with severe group, the platelet count (Weighted mean difference; WMD=20.11, 95% CI 11.53 to 28.69, P<0.001) and APTT (WMD=1.30, 95%CI 0.31 to 2.30, P=0.01) were found to be higher while D-dimer (WMD=-0.41, 95%CI-0.58 to-0.24, P<0.001), fibrinogen (WMD=-0.58, 95% CI-0.76 to-0.39, P<0.001) and PT (WMD=-0.51, 95%CI-0.92 to-0.10, P<0.001) were lower in mild group; the platelet count (WMD=-14.75, 95% CI-29.73 to-0.23, P=0.044) was found to be lower while D-dimer (WMD=1.06, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.47, P<0.001) was found to be higher in critical ill patients. (2)Compared with the survival group, the patients in death group displayed elevated levels of D-dimer (WMD=6.86, 95% CI 4.15 to 9.57, P<0.001) and PT (WMD=1.37, 95% CI 0.73 to 2.02, P<0.001) while platelet count (WMD=-36.40, 95% CI-63.23 to-9.58, P=0.008) remained low. Conclusion:Coagulation dysfunction was common in severe, critical ill and dead COVID-19 patients. Platelet count, D-dimer and PT levels were associated with the severity of the disease, and thus could be used as early warning indicators for the deterioration of the disease during hospitalization.

Objective: To analyze the association between the self-rated health (SRH) status and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among the middle-aged and eldly Chinese. Methods: Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), which enrolled 21 133 participants by using the probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling from 150 counties/districts of 28 provinces in China from 2011 to 2012. A total of 11 701 participants were included in the study. Basic information and SRH were obtained in the baseline survey via questionnaires. Information of CVD was self-reported during the follow-up. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to analyze the association between the baseline SRH and risk of CVD. Subgroup analyses were performed by age, sex and body mass index (BMI), and their interactions with SRH for risk of CVD were examined by using the likelihood ratio test. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of the association. Results: Participants were (57.9±9.7) years old, and men accounted for 48.1% (5 626). SRH was reported as the excellent, very good, good, fair and poor among 4.2% (n=487), 13.5% (n=1 583), 33.6% (n=3 932), 35.4% (n=4 147) and 13.3% (n=1 552), respectively. During 42 104 person-years of followed up, 590 cases of CVD were identified. Cox regression analyses showed that compared with the excellent/very good SRH, the HR (95%CI) of CVD risk for the good, fair and poor SRH was 1.36 (1.02-1.80), 1.66 (1.26-2.19) and 1.89 (1.38-2.59), respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that compared with the excellent/very good SRH, HR (95%CI) of CVD risk for poor SRH in the group of 45-59 years old, equal to or over 75 years old, men, women and normal BMI were 2.00 (1.32-3.04), 3.87 (1.04-14.46), 1.76 (1.07-2.91), 1.92 (1.27-2.91) and 2.30 (1.42-3.72), respectively. There were no interactions between age, sex, BMI and SRH (P>0.05). Conclusion SRH is associated with risk of CVD among middle-aged and elderly Chinese. The CVD risk for good, fair and poor SRH is higher than that for excellent/very good SRH.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for unresectable malignant biliary strictures.MethodsA total of 12 patients with malignant biliary obstructions,who were unsuitable for surgical resection,were prospectively selected for this study.During ERCP,when successful biliary cannulation achieved,a bipolar radiofrequency probe was introduced into bile duct over a guidewire.RFA was given to the tumor lesion under fluoroscopy,followed by stent placement.The patients were closely observed and followed up after the procedure.ResultsSuccessful RFA was achieved in all patients before stents insertion ( plastic and metal stents in 6 respectively,additional pancreatic stents were given to 3).Mild complications of cholangitis and pancreatitis occurred in 1 patient respectively,which were cured with short-term management.Jaundice was promptly controlled in 7 patients (58.3％ ).During the mean follow-up duration of 3.4 (range 0.5-5.5) months,one patient died of cardiocerebral accident and others survived without obvious disconffort.The 1- month and 3- month stent patency was 100％ (12/12) and 80％ (8/10),respectively.ConclusionIt is technically feasible and safe to perform endoscopic intraductal RFA for the palliation of biliary malignancies.The short-term outcome is satisfying,however,long-term result and the better therapeutic schedule need further evaluation.

Objective To evaluate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for diagnosis and management of biliary cast syndrome after orthotropic liver transplantation. Methods A total of 71 consecutive patients with abnormal liver function and MRCP findings after liver transplantation underwent ERCP for diagnosis and management. Their data were retrospectively reviewed. Results A total of 188 sessions of ERCP were carried out on the 71 patients, most of whom were found to have stenosis of anastomotic stoma and/or bile duct. Bile sludge was found and removed in all patients diagnosed within 3 months after liver transplantation, while pigmentoid stones were found and removed in patients diagnosed within 3-6 months and biliary casts in patients diagnosed at more than 6 months. Each patient underwent 2.6 sessions averagely. Biliary casts were formed at an average time of 22. 7 ± 15.6 months after transplantation. PostERCP complications included 2 cases of pancreatitis and 3 cholangitis, with an occurrence rate of 2. 6%(5/188), which were all controlled with conservative treatment. The follow-up data was available in 56 patients showing improvement in liver function after ERCP, among who 42 met the endoscopic criteria of cure,1 0 received second liver transplantation because of progressive sclerosing cholangitis and 4 died from diseases other than liver transplantation. Conclusion Therapeutic ERCP for the biliary cast syndrome after liver transplantation is feasible, safe and effective, and can be performed repeatedly with good short-term effect.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a newly designed anti-reflux metallic stent (ARMS) for malignant extra-hepatic biliary obstruction. Methods A total of 23 patients with unresectable biliary malignancy in the middle or lower part of common bile duct underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and ARMs placement. The success rate, early complications, stent patency and patients' survival were recorded. Results The ARMSs were successfully placed in all patients and no procedure-related complication was recorded. The average operation time was similar to that of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMs). In 22 patients completing the follow-up, the total serum bilirubin dropped to normal within one month in 20. ARMs dysfunction occurred in 6, including tumor in-growth in 1, overgrowth in 2, and stent dislodgement in 3. Other patients were free of biliary symptoms until death or at the end of follow-up. The average stent patency of ARMs was 14 months. Patency rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 95%, 74% and 56%, respectively. The mean patient survival was 7. 9 months ( 1-14 months).Postoperative survival rates at 3,6 and 12 months were 91.0%, 81.3% and 17. 2%, respectively. Conclusion Endoscopic placement of novel ARMs in patients with extra-hepatic biliary tumors is feasible,safe and effective.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of needle-knife fistulotomy (NKF)for difficult cannulation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Methods Data of patients, who received NKF on the back of major papilla when bile duct could not be accessed by conventional cannulation and/or other pre-cut methods during ERCP, were retrospectively reviewed. The success rate of deep cannulation and its complications were observed and analyzed. Results NKF was performed in 108patients due to difficult cannulation, which succeeded in 97 (91.2%) in access to the bile duct and failed in 11 patients with malignant biliary strictures. The failure rate in patients with distal malignant obstruction was higher (25. 8%, 8/31) than those with proximal lesions (5.3%, 3/57) (P = 0. 014, χ2 = 5. 983).Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 5 cases (4. 6%), with the incidence significantly higher in NKF-failure group (18. 2%, 2/11) than that in NKF-suocess group (3.1% ,3/97) (P = 0. 006, χ2 = 7.418). Intestinal perforation occurred in 1 patient and cholangitis developed in 4 others, which all recovered after conservative managements. Conclusion NKF for difficult cannulations in ERCP is safe and effective, especially in hands of experienced operators, but cannulation success rate is relatively low in distal malignant biliary obstruction.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of simultaneous endoscopic bilateral placement of self-expandable metal biliary stents. Methods A total of 9 patients with hilar malignancy of Bismuth type Ⅱ to Ⅳ were enrolled in the current study, with a mean serum bilirubin at 162. 8 ± 193. 8 μmol/L before the procedure. Two guide wires were selectively inserted into the left and right intrahepatic ducts and kept in site. After aggressive dilatation for beth sides, the metal stents were deployed one by one bilaterally. Success rate of the procedure, remission of jaundice, early complications, and short-term clinical outcome were ob-served. Results The procedure was succeeded in all patients with Y type stent in 2, plastic stent transition in 1 and parallel stenting in 6, which took an average time of 38. 1 min. The most convenient way was the parallel method with both distal ends of the stents remaining at outside of papilla. The serum bilirubin re-turned to normal level within 3 weeks in all patients except 1, and no major complications were observed. Conclusion Simultaneous endoscopic bilateral metal stent placement is technically feasible and safe, with the benefit of prompt and effective control of jaundice and infection, caused by hilar tumors. A better method is to place specially designed endoprotheses in parallel and leave the distal ends outside papilla.

Objective To investigate an effective endoscopic management of biliary anastomotic stric-tures (AS) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and to evaluate the factors which may effect the ontcome. Methods Sixty-five patients, who were diagnosed as AS 3 months after OLT, underwent ERCP. Af-ter adequate dilation of the narrowing bile ducts, plastic stents, as many as possible, were inserted across the strictures and kept in place for at least six months. Results A total of 90 consecutive endoscopic procedures were performed in 65 patients. Before stents placement, the strictures were dilated by catheter or balloon (di-ameter range: 6-10 mm), or not dilated, according to the status of the bile ducts. An average of 3 (ranging from 2 to 6) plastic stents were placed with mean total size of 22.8 F (range 14-42 F), and the stents were kept for 8. 0 months on average (range 0.2-37.8 months). Of 90 procedures of stents placement, 54 (60%) were followed by stents removal and cholangiography, which confirmed stricture resolution in 26 (48.1%). The stricture resolution rate was 81.0% (17/21) in patients who underwent balloon dilation followed by more than 3 stents (> 21 F) for at least 3 months. Stricture re-occurred in 3 patients after stents removal, in whom stents were kept less than six months. Conclusion Endoscopic sequential intervention is effective for post-OLT biliary strictures according to the stage and grade. Radical dilation with maximal stenting can lead to complete resolution of AS. To achieve better result, if possible, balloon dilatation followed by three or mere endoprothe-ses (of at least 21 F) sustaining for more than 6 months is necessary.

ObjectiveTo retrospectively investigate the clinical features of the biliary tract complieations after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and the efficacy of endoscopy.MethodsThe LDLT patients with hiliary eomplieations were given endoscopic retrograde eholangiopanereatography (ERCP) and endoscopic therapies were carried out according to the result of eholangiogram.ResultsTwenty-one patients,among whom 43.8% were at early postoperative stage,underwent 28 endoscopic procedures.Nineteen patients (90.4%) had biliary anastomotic strictures with angled malformation.Bile leakage was found in 9 patients (42.9%).The success rate of endoscopic therapy was 85.7% ,including nose-bile drainage in 5,stent placement in 10,balloon dilatation and/or multiple stents placement in 9 and bile collection drainage in 2.During follow-up,leak heal was confirmed in 3 patients and stricture resolution was achieved in another 2 eases. ConclusionBiliary complication is relatively common in the early stage after LDIX,and severe anastomotie stricture with angled malformation is most frequently seen, usually associated with bile leakage. Series of endoscopic interventions with the strategy of "leak first,and then stricture"might achieve satisfactory outcome.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the protective effect of therapy with different combined neuroprotectant agents was better than that of single agent on focal cerebral ischemia.

METHODSThe right middle cerebral artery in the rats was occluded with suture occlusion technique. The rats were divided into five groups treated with FDP (50 mg/kg, n = 10), MK-801 (1 mg/kg, n = 10) and NAC (150 mg/kg, n = 10) singly, or in combination, respectively, by intraperitoneal infusion 30 minutes after vessel occlusion. The rats were weighed and assessed neurologically, based on a 5-point scale, six and 24 hours after focal cerebral ischemia. The expression of anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 was observed with SDS-PAGE protein electrophoresis and Western blot technique.

RESULTThe optical density of bcl-2 increased more distinctly in the rats treated with combined neuroprotective agents than that with any single agent six and 24 hours after cerebral ischemia, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTreatment with combined neuroprotectant agents could un-regulate the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 more distinctly than that with any single agents. Combined use of neuroprotectants might be more effective than that of single agent in protecting rats' brain from ischemia.

Acetylcysteine ; administration & dosage ; Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Fructosediphosphates ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Molecular Weight ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar