OBJECTIVE To compare the short-term efficacy and safety of small-caliber polyvinyl alcohol （PVA） microsphere-based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） versus conventional iodized oil emulsion-based TACE in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）.METHODS Clinical data of 146 patients with unresectable HCC who underwent TACE at Gansu Provincial Second People’s Hospital （Affiliated Hospital of Northwest Minzu University） from June 1， 2024， to June 30， 2025， were retrospectively collected. According to the treatment strategy， the patients were divided into the control group （conventional iodized oil emulsion-based TACE， n ＝79） and the observation group （small-caliber PVA microsphere-based TACE， n ＝67）. One-to-one propensity score matching （PSM） was performed， and the matched cohort （62 patients in each group） was used for the primary analysis. The objective response rate （ORR） and disease control rate （DCR） at 1 and 3 months post-treatment， serum levels of tumor markers （alpha-fetoprotein， alpha-fetoprotein lectin-binding fraction L3， and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-Ⅱ） before treatment and at 1 and 3 months post-treatment， the occurrence of adverse events， progression-free survival （PFS）， and overall survival （OS） were compared between the two groups. Sensitivity and interaction analyses were also performed.RESULTS After PSM， the ORRs in the observation group at 1 and 3 months post-treatment were both 59.7%， and the DCRs were 91.9% and 93.5%， respectively， significantly higher than those in the control group （ORRs： 41.9% and 38.7%； DCRs： 77.4% and 75.8%； P ＜0.05）. At 1 and 3 months post-treatment， the serum levels of tumor markers decreased significantly from baseline in both groups， with significantly lower levels in the observation group than in the control group （ P ＜0.05）. No statistically significant differences were observed in the overall incidence of adverse events or the incidence of grade≥3 adverse events between the two groups （ P ＞0.05）. The median PFS was 10.6 months in the control group and 14.3 months in the observation group， with no statistically significant difference [hazard ratio （HR） of 0.69， 95% confidence interval （CI） of 0.44-1.09， P ＝0.111]. During follow-up， 8 and 9 patients died in the control and observation groups， respectively， and the median OS was not reached in either group. The 12-month OS rates were 88.8% and 87.3%， respectively， with no statistically significant difference （HR of 0.88， 95%CI of 0.35-2.24， P ＝0.790）. After adjustment for potential confounding factors in the original cohort， the ORR at 3 months post-treatment remained significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group （adjusted odds ratio of 2.67， 95%CI of 1.28-5.56， P ＝0.009）. Additionally， the interaction between treatment modality and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging had no statistically significant impact on the ORR at 3 months post-treatment （ P ＝0.391）.CONCLUSIONS For patients with unresectable HCC， compared with conventional iodized oil emulsion-based TACE， small-caliber PVA microsphere-based TACE demonstrates superior efficacy in terms of early radiological response and improvement in tumor markers， and the two regimens are comparable in terms of safety.

Objective To investigate the expression changes and clinical significance of serum pepsinogen(PG)and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1(TREM-1)in patients with reflux esophagitis(RE).Methods A total of 140 patients with RE who were treated from October 2021 to October 2023 were selected as the observation group,and 140 healthy adults who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.Serum PG(PGⅠ and PGⅡ)and TREM-1 were detected by ELISA.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of RE.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of serum PGⅠ,PGⅡ and TREM-1 levels for RE.Results The levels of interleukin(IL)-2,IL-6,Il-1β,PGⅡ,TREM-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group,while the level of PGⅠ was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).Serum IL-2,IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,PGⅡ and TREM-1 were risk factors for RE,while serum PGⅠ was a protective factor for RE(P<0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of combined detection of PGⅠ,PGⅡ and TREM-1 in the diagnosis of RE was significantly higher than that of PGⅠ alone(Z=5.940,P<0.001)and PGⅡ alone(Z=6.764,P<0.001)and TREM-1 alone(Z=6.791,P<0.001).Conclusion The expression levels of serum PGⅡ and TREM-1 in patients with RE are increased,while the expression level of PGⅠ is decreased.The combined detection of the three can improve the diagnostic efficacy of RE.

Objective This study aimed to adapt the data-driven Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration(PCOC)model to the local context and evaluate its feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in a palliative care unit in China,with the goal of informing its broader integration into national palliative care practice.Methods Based on international experience,a localized implementation protocol for the PCOC model was developed through expert con-sultations and a pilot study.The protocol incorporated key elements including organizational and managerial sup-port,team training and capacity building,information system integration,supervision and feedback mechanisms,pro-cess optimization,and data-driven decision-making.From June to December 2023,the protocol was piloted in the palliative care unit of a tertiary cancer hospital in Changsha,China.Implementation outcomes were assessed by comparing patients' urgent care response rates,symptom stability rates,and symptom improvement rates between the first 1～3 months and 4～6 months after implementation.Results During the study period,a total of 355 inpatients were enrolled,with the PCOC assessment achieving full coverage(100％)and a completion rate of 97.78％.There was no statistically significant difference in the urgent needs response rate between the first 1～3 months and the 4～6 months after the implementation of the PCOC model(P=0.533).However,compared to the first 1～3 months af-ter implementation,patients in the 4～6 months period showed significantly higher symptom stability rates for pain,psychological/spiritual issues,and family/caregiver problems,as well as a higher improvement rate for pain(P＜0.05).Conclusion The localized PCOC implementation protocol facilitates standardized assessment and symptom manage-ment,and its application can enhance the quality of palliative care.

Objective This study aimed to adapt the data-driven Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration(PCOC)model to the local context and evaluate its feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in a palliative care unit in China,with the goal of informing its broader integration into national palliative care practice.Methods Based on international experience,a localized implementation protocol for the PCOC model was developed through expert con-sultations and a pilot study.The protocol incorporated key elements including organizational and managerial sup-port,team training and capacity building,information system integration,supervision and feedback mechanisms,pro-cess optimization,and data-driven decision-making.From June to December 2023,the protocol was piloted in the palliative care unit of a tertiary cancer hospital in Changsha,China.Implementation outcomes were assessed by comparing patients' urgent care response rates,symptom stability rates,and symptom improvement rates between the first 1～3 months and 4～6 months after implementation.Results During the study period,a total of 355 inpatients were enrolled,with the PCOC assessment achieving full coverage(100％)and a completion rate of 97.78％.There was no statistically significant difference in the urgent needs response rate between the first 1～3 months and the 4～6 months after the implementation of the PCOC model(P=0.533).However,compared to the first 1～3 months af-ter implementation,patients in the 4～6 months period showed significantly higher symptom stability rates for pain,psychological/spiritual issues,and family/caregiver problems,as well as a higher improvement rate for pain(P＜0.05).Conclusion The localized PCOC implementation protocol facilitates standardized assessment and symptom manage-ment,and its application can enhance the quality of palliative care.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and medical costs of high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein,simple foam sclerotherapy,and high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy for treating varicose of great saphenous vein.Methods The clinical data of patients with varicose of great saphenous vein undergoing high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein,simple foam sclerotherapy,or high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy were analyzed retrospectively.The evaluation included efficacy assessment,quality of life evaluation,hospitalization days and costs,postoperative complications,and recurrence after surgery.Results There were no statistical differences in gender,age,disease course and clinical etiology anatomy pathophysiology(CEAP)grading system among the three groups(P＞0.05).The clinical efficacy assessments in all patients among the three groups showed significant effects at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.One patient in the group treated with high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy suffered deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity after operation.In terms of quality of life,there was no statistically significant difference in venous clinical severity score(VCSS)among the three groups at 3 months postoperatively(P＞0.05).The group treated with simple foam sclerotherapy showed significantly shorter hospitalization days compared with the other two groups.Additionally,the group treated with simple foam sclerotherapy showed lower hospitalization expenses,which was not statistically significant when compared to the group treated with high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein group(P＞0.05),but there was a statistical difference compared to the group treated with high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are no significant differences in clinical efficacy,postoperative pain,and quality of life evaluation among the three methods.However,simple foam scle-rotherapy may reduce the length of hospitalization stay and direct medical costs.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and medical costs of high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein,simple foam sclerotherapy,and high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy for treating varicose of great saphenous vein.Methods The clinical data of patients with varicose of great saphenous vein undergoing high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein,simple foam sclerotherapy,or high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy were analyzed retrospectively.The evaluation included efficacy assessment,quality of life evaluation,hospitalization days and costs,postoperative complications,and recurrence after surgery.Results There were no statistical differences in gender,age,disease course and clinical etiology anatomy pathophysiology(CEAP)grading system among the three groups(P＞0.05).The clinical efficacy assessments in all patients among the three groups showed significant effects at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.One patient in the group treated with high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy suffered deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity after operation.In terms of quality of life,there was no statistically significant difference in venous clinical severity score(VCSS)among the three groups at 3 months postoperatively(P＞0.05).The group treated with simple foam sclerotherapy showed significantly shorter hospitalization days compared with the other two groups.Additionally,the group treated with simple foam sclerotherapy showed lower hospitalization expenses,which was not statistically significant when compared to the group treated with high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein group(P＞0.05),but there was a statistical difference compared to the group treated with high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are no significant differences in clinical efficacy,postoperative pain,and quality of life evaluation among the three methods.However,simple foam scle-rotherapy may reduce the length of hospitalization stay and direct medical costs.

Objective To investigate the expression changes and clinical significance of serum pepsinogen(PG)and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1(TREM-1)in patients with reflux esophagitis(RE).Methods A total of 140 patients with RE who were treated from October 2021 to October 2023 were selected as the observation group,and 140 healthy adults who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.Serum PG(PGⅠ and PGⅡ)and TREM-1 were detected by ELISA.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of RE.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of serum PGⅠ,PGⅡ and TREM-1 levels for RE.Results The levels of interleukin(IL)-2,IL-6,Il-1β,PGⅡ,TREM-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group,while the level of PGⅠ was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).Serum IL-2,IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,PGⅡ and TREM-1 were risk factors for RE,while serum PGⅠ was a protective factor for RE(P<0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of combined detection of PGⅠ,PGⅡ and TREM-1 in the diagnosis of RE was significantly higher than that of PGⅠ alone(Z=5.940,P<0.001)and PGⅡ alone(Z=6.764,P<0.001)and TREM-1 alone(Z=6.791,P<0.001).Conclusion The expression levels of serum PGⅡ and TREM-1 in patients with RE are increased,while the expression level of PGⅠ is decreased.The combined detection of the three can improve the diagnostic efficacy of RE.

Objective To analyze the relationship between soluble α-Klotho(SKL)levels and continuous glucose monitoring(CGMS)-derived measures of glycemic management in diabetic kidney disease(DKD)patients.Methods A total of 140 T2DM patients admitted to the Department of General Medicine Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University from May 2020 to May 2022 were selected and divided into two groups according to the levels of UACR:T2DM group(UACR<30 mg/g,n=60),DKD group(UACR≥30 mg/g,n=80)and 45 healthy persons(NC group)who received physical examination in the hospital during the same period were the NC group.Results The SKL level of DKD group was lower than that of T2DM group and NC group(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that SKL was positively correlated with eGRF and TIR(P<0.01),and negatively correlated with Scr,UACR,CysC,β2-MG,FPG,HbA1c,MG,TAR and GMI(P<0.01).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that HbA1c and GMI were the influencing factors of SKL.Conclusion The level of SKL in DKD patients is correlated with HbA1c and GMI.

Objective To evaluate the effect of Internet-based psychosocial intervention for primary caregivers of patients with terminal stage cancer.Methods The relevant randomized controlled trials of Internet-based psychosocial intervention for primary caregivers of patients with terminal stage cancer were systematically searched from 10 databases,such as Chinese Biomedical Literature Database,CNKI,PubMed,Embase and CINAHL and etc.The search period was from the establishment to December 18,2023,and 2 investigators screened the literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted data.Cochrane Manual 5.1.0 was used to assess the quality of the literature.Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 software.Results A total of 9 pieces of the literature including 592 primary caregivers were included.Meta-analysis showed that Internet-based psychosocial intervention reduced the level of anxiety and depression for primary caregivers of patients with terminal stage cancer[MD=-1.64,95％CI(-2.68,-0.59),P=0.002]and the burden of care[SMD=-0.39,95％CI(-0.60,-0.18),P＜0.001],and improved quality of life[SMD=0.25,95％CI(0.01,0.48),P=0.040];further research is needed to explore the effect of reducing the level of distress[MD=-0.88,95％CI(-1.91,0.16),P=0.100].Conclusion The Internet-based psychosocial intervention is effective in improving the anxiety,depression and the burden of care of the primary caregivers of patients with terminal stage cancer,and it can improve the quality of life;further research is needed to explore the level of distress reduction.

Objective:To understand the cognition of the family caregivers of terminal cancer patients on digital health intervention, to clarify their actual needs, and to analyze the obstacles to their acceptance of digital health intervention, so as to develop a digital health intervention plan for the family caregivers of terminal cancer patients.Methods:From February 2024 to March 2024, the family caregivers of 16 patients with terminal cancer in Hunan Cancer Hospital Pain Hospice Ward were selected by objective sampling, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were interviewed in a semi-structured manner about the cognition and needs of digital health intervention, and the interview contents were sorted and analyzed using the Colaizzi7 step method.Results:A total of 16 family caregivers of terminal cancer patients, 4 males and 12 females, aged 26-55 years, were interviewed. Four themes were distilled from the interview results: family caregivers of terminally cancer patients agree on the importance of digital health interventions; lack of awareness of digital health interventions; expectations of digital health interventions; and possible confounders affecting digital health interventions.Conclusions:The family caregivers of terminal cancer patients had insufficient awareness of digital health intervention, but all showed affirmation of the development of digital health intervention services. It is recommended to actively improve the basic conditions of digital health services, strengthen publicity, raise the level of awareness of the family caregivers, and positively overcome the relevant interfering factors, so as to gradually promote the development of digital health services.