ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue adhesive injection with the assistance of metal clips in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with gastric varices and gastric-renal shunt （GRS）. MethodsThe patients who attended Beijing Ditan Hospital， Capital Medical University， due to liver cirrhosis and gastric varices from February to June 2023 were enrolled， and all patients were confirmed to have GRS and received endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue adhesive injection with the assistance of metal clips. The primary evaluation index was alleviation or disappearance of varicose veins after surgery， and the secondary evaluation indices were surgical completion and complications. ResultsA total of 11 patients were enrolled in this study， among whom there were 7 male patients and 4 female patients， with a median age of 55 years. Of all patients， 1 had Child class A liver function， 7 had Child class B liver function， and 3 had Child class C liver function. The maximum （median） diameter of the shunt was 8 mm， and the minimum （median） diameter of the shunt was 4 mm. The median blood flow velocity of the target vessel was 11 cm/s before treatment and 5 cm/s after occlusion with metal clips. The median amount of tissue adhesive injected was 2 mL， and the amount of lauromacrogol used was 1 mL. Disappearance of blood flow signals was observed in all patients after surgery （100%）， and the success rate of surgery was 100%. No patient experienced rebleeding after follow-up for 6 weeks. Gastroscopy at 1 month after surgery showed that gastric varices were eradicated or almost disappeared in 9 patients and were alleviated in 2 patients. ConclusionEndoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue adhesive injection with the assistance of metal clips is a feasible， safe， and effective treatment method for cirrhotic patients with gastric varices and GRS.

Objective To analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of the clustered epidemics of common infectious diseases in primary and secondary schools and kindergartens in Hongshan District, Wuhan from 2015 to 2022, and to provide a basis for scientific development of control measures. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to describe events. Mean center method and standard ellipse method were used to reflect the overall distribution characteristics of the events, and hot spot analysis and nuclear density analysis were used to explore and analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of clustered epidemics at annual and seasonal scales. Results From 2015 to 2022, a total of 1563 clustered outbreaks of infectious diseases were reported in primary and secondary schools and kindergartens in Hongshan District of Wuhan. The top three clustered epidemic diseases were hand-mouth-foot disease (HFMD)/herpangina, influenza like cases, and varicella, respectively. Primary schools were prone to influenza like cases (76.00%), kindergartens were prone to HFMD/herpangina (92.06%), and primary schools and middle schools were prone to varicella (69.70% and 21.21% respectively). As the years grew, the clustered epidemics showed a trend of spreading towards the northeast and southwest direction. Compared with other places, Luonan Street and Hongshan Street had a higher incidence density of clustered epidemic events (21.81% and 15.86% respectively), which requires special attention. The areas with the highest nuclear density value in each season were mainly concentrated in the middle of Hongshan District. There were two clusters of HFMD/herpangina concentrated in Luonan Street, Liyuan and Heping Street, which was different from other diseases. Conclusion When deploying medical resources and epidemic prevention and control work in schools within the jurisdiction, more emphasis should be placed on key streets and places to achieve the best cost-effectiveness.

Exosomes are nano-sized phospholipid bilayer vesicles containing abundant and complex biomolecules, such as DNA, mRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), lipids, and proteins. Exosomes can be secreted and ingested by most types of cells to transfer information through intercellular transport. After uptake by recipient cells, exosomes release bioactive substances to regulate the biological processes of recipient cells, such as promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Changes of exosomes and their contents are associated with a variety of diseases. In recent years, the role of exosomal miRNAs in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) caused by viral hepatitis has attracted wide attention, and exosomal miRNAs from different sources play different roles in this process. This article briefly reviews the research on the role of exosomal miRNAs in the development and progression of viral hepatitis-related HCC and proposes that exosomal miRNAs may be the targets for immunotherapy for HCC microenvironment.

Objective To investigate the rebleeding rate after endoscopic selective variceal devascularization (ESVD) and the predictive factors for rebleeding in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB). Methods The patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and EVB who attended Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from October 2010 to December 2019 and underwent ESVD for the first time were enrolled, and a total of 442 patients were screened out based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Routine clinical indices, laboratory markers, imaging findings, and endoscopic findings were compared between patients, and the patients were followed up to observe rebleeding. The t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to describe rebleeding and survival status, and a Cox regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for variceal rebleeding. Results The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year cumulative rebleeding rates after first ESVD treatment were 25.11%, 33.94%, 39.82%, 42.08%, and 45.02%, respectively. The univariate analysis showed that age, systolic pressure, duration of antiviral therapy ≥1 year, ascites, white blood cell count, neutrophil, and direct bilirubin were associated with rebleeding (all P < 0.05), and the multivariate analysis showed that duration of antiviral therapy ≥1 year (hazard ratio [ HR ]=0.504, 95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 0.357-0.711, P < 0.001) and ascites ( HR =1.424, 95% CI : 1.184-1.714, P < 0.001) were independent influencing factors for variceal rebleeding. Conclusion ESVD has a low rebleeding rate in the treatment of hepatitis B cirrhosis with EVB, and presence of ascites and a short duration of antiviral therapy are independent risk factors for rebleeding after treatment.

Purpose: C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and integrin αvβ6 play important roles in the malignant progression of multiple cancers. However, it remains unclear whether the expression of one or both proteins in breast cancer (BC) is of clinical significance. In this study, we investigated the expression of CXCR4 and integrin αvβ6 in BC tissues and their correlation with clinicopathological characteristics, including survival. Methods: CXCR4 and αvβ6 expression in 111 BC tissues was examined by immunocytochemistry. Correlations between the expression of the 2 proteins and patient clinicopathological characteristic were investigated using the Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: CXCR4 and αvβ6 were overexpressed in BC tissue compared with normal breast tissue. Overexpression of both molecules was related to lymph node status (p = 0.013 and p = 0.022, respectively). αvβ6 overexpression was also associated with tumor size (p = 0.044). A positive correlation was detected between the expression of CXCR4 and αvβ6 (r = 0.649, p = 0.001), and co-overexpression of both molecules was associated with tumor size (p = 0.018) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.015). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that overexpression of CXCR4, αvβ6, or both molecules was associated with short overall survival (OS; p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.009, respectively) and disease-free survival (DFS; p < 0.001, p = 0.005, and p = 0.019, respectively). Multivariate analysis indicated that lymph node metastasis was an independent prognostic factor for unfavorable OS and DFS (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005, respectively), whereas co-overexpression of CXCR4 and αvβ6 was an independent prognostic factor only for OS (p = 0.043). Conclusion CXCR4 and αvβ6 may play synergistic roles in the progression of BC, and co-targeting of CXCR4 and αvβ6 could be a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of BC.

Objective To explore the technology and curative effect of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for Stanford type B aortic dissection.Methods The clinical data of 85 patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection,who were admitted to authors' hospital during the period from January 2010 to April 2016 to receive TEVAR,were retrospectively analyzed.Conventional left brachial artery puncture and straight incision of right femoral artery were employed in all 85 patients,and DSA of ascending aorta was performed to find out the position of rupture,the position of the true and false lumens,and their relationship with the vascular openings of important organs.Endovascular covered stent was implanted to seal off the primary rupture;reexamination of ascending aorta angiography was adopted to check the sealing-off condition of the proximal rupture and the changes of blood flow in the aortic branches as well as in the true and false lumens.Results Successful TEVAR was accomplished in 84 patients.One patient died of sudden rupture of aortic dissection during preoperative anaesthesia.The technical success rate was 100％.In 9 patients the covered stent partially overlapped the left subclavian artery,in one patient the left subclavian artery “chimney” stem completely obstructed both the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery,and bypass surgery between left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery was carried out in 2 patients.After the treatment,internal leakage of type Ⅰ was detected in 2 patients.No death occurred during hospitalization period.After the surgery the patients were followed up for 3 months to 3 years,and all patients survived.New rupture at the distal site occurred in 2 patients.Conclusion For the treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection,TEVAR is safe and effective.Strict observance of surgical indications,careful operative manipulation,and strengthening postoperative management after discharge from hospital are the key points to ensure a successful surgery as well as to improve the long-term survival rate.

Objeetive To investigate the effectiveness and safety of agomelatine for the treatment of elderly patients with post-stroke depression.Methods A total 80 elderly patients with post-stroke depression were randomly divided into either an agomelatine group or a sertraline group.The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD),National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Barthel Index were used to evaluate the patients before and after 1,2,4,and 6 weeks,respectively.Results HAMD,NIHSS,and Barthel index scores were improved significantly after treatment in the agomelatine group (n =38) and the sertraline group (n =42).There were significant improvement in the scores of HAMD,NIHSS and Barthel Index with time in both groups (all P ＜0.001).There were no significant difference in the scores of HAMD and NIHSS at different time points after treatment between the agomelatine group and the sertraline group,and the Barthel Index scores began to have significance difference from the fourth week after treatment (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The efficacy of agomelatine for the treatment of PSD is almost the same as sertraline,and the effect of improving activities of daily living is better than sertraline.The safety of both agomelatine and sertraline is good.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of agomelatine and paroxetine for the senile depression. Methods A total of 98 cases of elderly patients diagnozed with depression were randomly divided into two groups, one group were treated with agomelatine,the other group were treated with paroxetine,treated for 6 weeks, using Hamilton depression scale(HAMD), adverse reaction scale(TESS) to evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions. Results After 6 weeks of treatment, the HAMD scores showed that there were no significant differences in clinical efficacy of two groups, and the TESS showed the agomelatine had less adverse reaction than the paroxetine. Conclusion Agomelatine is a safe and effective antidepressant , suitable for elderly patients.

Herb-glycosides are main active elements of Zhongcaoyao (Chinese traditional medicines, Chinese medical herbs). However, the herb-glycoside structures are not optimal active structure for the human bodies. After orally taken up, the herb-glycosides of Zhongcaoyao could be changed into other more active structures by the digestive system such as enzymes and intestinal microorganisms; then degraded and absorbed in the human body and play the real role of pharmic effect; but only a small amount could be changed and controlled by circadian state of the human body. If this biochange of herb-glycosides to more active structures in vivo was finished in vitro, it is very useful for the development of the Chinese traditional medicines, new plant medicines, health food, and function cosmetics. To biotransformate herb-glycosides to more active structure, this paper introduced the studies of author's team on the new microorganism isolation of the special herb-glycosidases and enzyme fermentation, the special enzyme purification and characterization.
Bacteria ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fermentation ; Ginsenosides ; metabolism ; Glycoside Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Saponins ; metabolism