Objective To compare the application value of direct arteriovenous fistula(AVF),after ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA)dilation of radial artery AVF formation and reverse"J"arteriovenous graft(AVG)in hemodialysis patients with small diameter vessels.Methods Totally 96 end-stage renal disease patients with distal radial artery＜1.5 mm and cephalic vein≥2.0 mm who planning to receive hemodialysis were retrospectively enrolled.The patients were divided into AVF group(n=30),PTA+AVF group(n=34)and AVG group(n=32)according to fistulization methods.The technical success rate,clinical success rate,primary patency rate and secondary patency rate were compared among groups.Results The technical success rate of AVF group,PTA+AVF group and AVG group was 80.00%,94.12%and 100%,respectively,and the clinical success rate was 30.00%,82.35%and 93.75%,respectively,with significant differences among 3 groups(both P＜0.05).The primary patency rate 1,3,6,9 and 12 months after fistulization in AVF group was 80.00%,30.00%,27.59%,27.59%and 24.14%,respectively,in PTA+AVF group was 94.12%,82.35%,78.79%,68.75%and 62.50%,respectively,while in AVG group was 100%,93.33%,83.33%,76.67%and 66.67%,respectively,all being significant different among 3 groups(all P＜0.05).The secondary patency rate 1,3,6,9 and 12 months after fistulization in AVF group was 83.33%,75.00%,75.00%,70.83%and 58.33%,respectively,in PTA+AVF group was 93.33%,93.33%,83.33%,83.33%and 80.00%,respectively,while in AVG group was 100%,100%,93.33%,90.00%and 80.00%,respectively,also being significant different among 3 groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared with direct and after ultrasound-guided PTA dilation of radial artery AVF formation,AVG formation was more valuable for hemodialysis patients with small diameter vessels.

Objective To investigate the impact and underlying mechanism of curcumin(Cur)on the aberrant proliferation and migration of VSMC.Methods VSMC was treated with Ang Ⅱ to establish a cell proliferation model.The experiment included blank control group,model group,and low-,medium-and high-dose Cur treatment groups(1.5,3.0 and 4.5 pmol/L,n=11).To explore the effect of Cur on the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway,VSMC was also assigned into blank control,Ang Ⅱ(10-6 mol/L),Cur(3.0 μmol/L)and Ang Ⅱ+Cur groups(n=3).Western blotting was employed to detect the expression of VSMC differentiation markers(α-SMA),dedif-ferentiation marker(OPN),autophagy-related proteins(P62 and Beclin-1),and proteins involved in the AMPK/mTOR pathway(AMPK,p-AMPK,mTOR,p-mTOR,p70S6K,p-p70S6K).Results Exposure to Ang Ⅱ enhanced the proliferation and migration of VSMC when compared with the blank control group(155％vs 100％,66％vs 48％,P＜0.05).When compared with the model group,the proliferative rate was significantly lower in the medium-and high-dose Cur groups,and the migratory rate was obviously decreased in the three Cur groups(P＜0.05).The α-SMA expression was increased in the medium-and high-dose Cur groups,and that of OPN was decreased in the three Cur groups when compared with the model group(P＜0.05).Enhanced Be-clin-1 and p-AMPK/AMPK and down-regulated P62,p-mTOR/mTOR,and p-p70S6K/p70S6K were observed in the Ang Ⅱ and Cur groups than the blank control group(P＜0.05).The Cur Ang Ⅱ and Cur+AngⅡ groups had notably higher Beclin-1 and p-AMPK/AMPK but lower P62,p-mTOR/mTOR,and p-p70S6K/p70S6K than the Ang Ⅱ group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Cur in-hibits the proliferation and migration of VSMC induced by Ang Ⅱ,potentially through its activa-ting the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and enhancing autophagy in VSMC.

Objective To explore the primary patency rate and impact factors of autogenous arteriovenous fistula success after preop-erative ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA)in patient with small-caliber artery on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods We included 128 end-stage renal disease patients with distal radial artery diameters＜1.5mm,treated with ultra-sound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA)to establish an arteriovenous fistula(AVF)at Guizhou Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital between January 1,2019 and December 31,2021.Patients were classified into failure and patency groups based on AVF patency.We assessed the surgical technical success rate,clinical success rate,and primary patency rate,and analyzed factors af-fecting AVF failure.Results In these patients,the technical success rate of AVF creation after PTA was 91.4％,the clinical success rate was 83.6％,and the 12-month primary patency rate was 54.4％.Female gender,diabetes,and a preoperative radial artery diame-ter ≤ 1 mm were independent risk factors for AVF failure after PTA(P＜0.05).Conclusion Establishing AVF after PTA dilation of ar-teries in patients with small-caliber arteries undergoing maintenance hemodialysis has a high technical success rate and primary patency rate.Diabetes,female gender,and preoperative radial artery diameter ≤1.Omm are independent risk factors for AVF failure in these pa-tients.

Objective:To investigate the impact of high-dose fractionated irradiation on NK cell function and immune checkpoint expression.Methods:A total of 10 female C57BL/6N mice aged 6-8 weeks were subcutaneously injected with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells on the right shoulder to establish a subcutaneous tumor model. Mice were randomly divided into two groups: the control (Ctrl) group and the radiation (RT) group, with five mice in each group. The RT group received fractionated irradiation of 8 Gy × 3 fractions, while the Ctrl group was not irradiated. Three days later, flow cytometry was performed to compare the numbers of NK cells and the expressions of immune checkpoints, including programmed death-1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), in the spleen, draining lymph nodes, and tumor tissue between the two groups. The activation state and cytotoxicity of NK cells were assessed by the expression of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (CD107a) on the NK cell surface. Additionally, a second experiment was conducted with 20 tumor-bearing mice divided into four groups: Ctrl, RT, anti-TIGIT (αTIGIT) treatment, and RT combined with αTIGIT treatment (RT+ αTIGIT), with five mice per group. The RT and RT+ αTIGIT groups received fractionated RT, while the αTIGIT and RT+ αTIGIT groups were treated with blocking antibody αTIGIT at 0.5 mg/kg every 3 days and the Ctrl group was treated with isotype control IgG. Tumor size was monitored during the experiment. On day 20, mice were euthanized, Ki67 immunohistochemistry and TUNEL immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.Results:Compared with the Ctrl group, fractionated high-dose RT resulted in a decrease in NK cell numbers in the spleen, tumor-draining lymph nodes, and tumor microenvironment in the RT group ( t=6.79-7.54, P<0.05), together with a significant upregulation of the mean fluorescence intensity of PD-1 and TIGIT ( t=4.16-5.65, P<0.05; t=6.12-21.13, P<0.05), and a decrease in CD107a+ expression ( t=5.64-8.99, P<0.05). Compared with the RT group, the RT+ αTIGIT group showed reduced tumor weight ( t=2.50, 9.12, P<0.05), decreased Ki67 expression ( t=12.10, P<0.05), and increased TUNEL expression ( t=5.42, P<0.05). Conclusions:The fractioned high-dose RT can impair NK cell function and upregulate immune checkpoint expression, thereby limiting the immune response. The combination of irradiation with anti-TIGIT antibody treatment can partially reverse this trend and improve tumor treatment efficacy.

Objective To explore the primary patency rate and impact factors of autogenous arteriovenous fistula success after preop-erative ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA)in patient with small-caliber artery on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods We included 128 end-stage renal disease patients with distal radial artery diameters＜1.5mm,treated with ultra-sound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA)to establish an arteriovenous fistula(AVF)at Guizhou Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital between January 1,2019 and December 31,2021.Patients were classified into failure and patency groups based on AVF patency.We assessed the surgical technical success rate,clinical success rate,and primary patency rate,and analyzed factors af-fecting AVF failure.Results In these patients,the technical success rate of AVF creation after PTA was 91.4％,the clinical success rate was 83.6％,and the 12-month primary patency rate was 54.4％.Female gender,diabetes,and a preoperative radial artery diame-ter ≤ 1 mm were independent risk factors for AVF failure after PTA(P＜0.05).Conclusion Establishing AVF after PTA dilation of ar-teries in patients with small-caliber arteries undergoing maintenance hemodialysis has a high technical success rate and primary patency rate.Diabetes,female gender,and preoperative radial artery diameter ≤1.Omm are independent risk factors for AVF failure in these pa-tients.

Objective:To investigate the impact of high-dose fractionated irradiation on NK cell function and immune checkpoint expression.Methods:A total of 10 female C57BL/6N mice aged 6-8 weeks were subcutaneously injected with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells on the right shoulder to establish a subcutaneous tumor model. Mice were randomly divided into two groups: the control (Ctrl) group and the radiation (RT) group, with five mice in each group. The RT group received fractionated irradiation of 8 Gy × 3 fractions, while the Ctrl group was not irradiated. Three days later, flow cytometry was performed to compare the numbers of NK cells and the expressions of immune checkpoints, including programmed death-1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), in the spleen, draining lymph nodes, and tumor tissue between the two groups. The activation state and cytotoxicity of NK cells were assessed by the expression of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (CD107a) on the NK cell surface. Additionally, a second experiment was conducted with 20 tumor-bearing mice divided into four groups: Ctrl, RT, anti-TIGIT (αTIGIT) treatment, and RT combined with αTIGIT treatment (RT+ αTIGIT), with five mice per group. The RT and RT+ αTIGIT groups received fractionated RT, while the αTIGIT and RT+ αTIGIT groups were treated with blocking antibody αTIGIT at 0.5 mg/kg every 3 days and the Ctrl group was treated with isotype control IgG. Tumor size was monitored during the experiment. On day 20, mice were euthanized, Ki67 immunohistochemistry and TUNEL immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.Results:Compared with the Ctrl group, fractionated high-dose RT resulted in a decrease in NK cell numbers in the spleen, tumor-draining lymph nodes, and tumor microenvironment in the RT group ( t=6.79-7.54, P<0.05), together with a significant upregulation of the mean fluorescence intensity of PD-1 and TIGIT ( t=4.16-5.65, P<0.05; t=6.12-21.13, P<0.05), and a decrease in CD107a+ expression ( t=5.64-8.99, P<0.05). Compared with the RT group, the RT+ αTIGIT group showed reduced tumor weight ( t=2.50, 9.12, P<0.05), decreased Ki67 expression ( t=12.10, P<0.05), and increased TUNEL expression ( t=5.42, P<0.05). Conclusions:The fractioned high-dose RT can impair NK cell function and upregulate immune checkpoint expression, thereby limiting the immune response. The combination of irradiation with anti-TIGIT antibody treatment can partially reverse this trend and improve tumor treatment efficacy.

Objective To compare the application value of direct arteriovenous fistula(AVF),after ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA)dilation of radial artery AVF formation and reverse"J"arteriovenous graft(AVG)in hemodialysis patients with small diameter vessels.Methods Totally 96 end-stage renal disease patients with distal radial artery＜1.5 mm and cephalic vein≥2.0 mm who planning to receive hemodialysis were retrospectively enrolled.The patients were divided into AVF group(n=30),PTA+AVF group(n=34)and AVG group(n=32)according to fistulization methods.The technical success rate,clinical success rate,primary patency rate and secondary patency rate were compared among groups.Results The technical success rate of AVF group,PTA+AVF group and AVG group was 80.00%,94.12%and 100%,respectively,and the clinical success rate was 30.00%,82.35%and 93.75%,respectively,with significant differences among 3 groups(both P＜0.05).The primary patency rate 1,3,6,9 and 12 months after fistulization in AVF group was 80.00%,30.00%,27.59%,27.59%and 24.14%,respectively,in PTA+AVF group was 94.12%,82.35%,78.79%,68.75%and 62.50%,respectively,while in AVG group was 100%,93.33%,83.33%,76.67%and 66.67%,respectively,all being significant different among 3 groups(all P＜0.05).The secondary patency rate 1,3,6,9 and 12 months after fistulization in AVF group was 83.33%,75.00%,75.00%,70.83%and 58.33%,respectively,in PTA+AVF group was 93.33%,93.33%,83.33%,83.33%and 80.00%,respectively,while in AVG group was 100%,100%,93.33%,90.00%and 80.00%,respectively,also being significant different among 3 groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared with direct and after ultrasound-guided PTA dilation of radial artery AVF formation,AVG formation was more valuable for hemodialysis patients with small diameter vessels.

Objective To investigate the impact and underlying mechanism of curcumin(Cur)on the aberrant proliferation and migration of VSMC.Methods VSMC was treated with Ang Ⅱ to establish a cell proliferation model.The experiment included blank control group,model group,and low-,medium-and high-dose Cur treatment groups(1.5,3.0 and 4.5 pmol/L,n=11).To explore the effect of Cur on the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway,VSMC was also assigned into blank control,Ang Ⅱ(10-6 mol/L),Cur(3.0 μmol/L)and Ang Ⅱ+Cur groups(n=3).Western blotting was employed to detect the expression of VSMC differentiation markers(α-SMA),dedif-ferentiation marker(OPN),autophagy-related proteins(P62 and Beclin-1),and proteins involved in the AMPK/mTOR pathway(AMPK,p-AMPK,mTOR,p-mTOR,p70S6K,p-p70S6K).Results Exposure to Ang Ⅱ enhanced the proliferation and migration of VSMC when compared with the blank control group(155％vs 100％,66％vs 48％,P＜0.05).When compared with the model group,the proliferative rate was significantly lower in the medium-and high-dose Cur groups,and the migratory rate was obviously decreased in the three Cur groups(P＜0.05).The α-SMA expression was increased in the medium-and high-dose Cur groups,and that of OPN was decreased in the three Cur groups when compared with the model group(P＜0.05).Enhanced Be-clin-1 and p-AMPK/AMPK and down-regulated P62,p-mTOR/mTOR,and p-p70S6K/p70S6K were observed in the Ang Ⅱ and Cur groups than the blank control group(P＜0.05).The Cur Ang Ⅱ and Cur+AngⅡ groups had notably higher Beclin-1 and p-AMPK/AMPK but lower P62,p-mTOR/mTOR,and p-p70S6K/p70S6K than the Ang Ⅱ group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Cur in-hibits the proliferation and migration of VSMC induced by Ang Ⅱ,potentially through its activa-ting the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and enhancing autophagy in VSMC.

Objective To determine whether Tanshinone ⅡA(Tan ⅡA)has an effect on angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-induced prolifera-tion and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs),phenotypic switching,or autophagy.Methods In this study,murine aortic smooth muscle cell lines were treated with Ang Ⅱ to establish a model of cell proliferation.Different concentrations of Tan ⅡA were added and effects on cell proliferation and migration were determined by cell counting using a CCK-8 assay and a cell scratch assay,respectively.Alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),a marker of contractile VSMCs,was detected by Western blotting.Expression levels of osteopontin(OPN)and the autophagy-related proteins(p62,Beclin-1,LC3A/B)were assayed to determine the effect of Tan ⅡA on VSMC phenotypic transformation and autophagy.Cells were treated with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(3-MA),combined with Tan ⅡA,and then cell proliferation,migration and expression levels of phenotypic markers and autophagy-related proteins were assessed.Results After Ang Ⅱ treatment,the proliferation and migratory capacity of VSMCs was significantly enhanced,and phenotypic transformation was sig-nificantly inhibited by Ang Ⅱ.Western blotting revealed that Ang Ⅱ reduced the expression of α-SMA,increased the expression of OPN,p62,Beclin-1,and LC3A/B,and that these effects increased with higher Tan ⅡA concentrations.After the addition of 3-MA to the treated cells,the proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by Ang Ⅱ was inhibited,the expression of α-SMA was increased,and the expres-sion of OPN,p62,Beclin-1,and LC3A/B was decreased,which was consistent with the effect of Tan ⅡA.Conclusion Tan ⅡA may have inhibitory effects on phenotypic transformation,proliferation,migration,and autophagy of Ang Ⅱ-treated VSMC,suggesting that the inhi-bition of the proliferation and migration may be regulated by autophagy.

Objective:To explore the current status of surgery for portal hypertension to grasp current status and future development of surgery in China.Methods:This study is jointly sponsored by China Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Specialist Alliance & Portal Hypertension Alliance in China (CHESS).Comprehensive surveying is conducted for basic domestic situations of surgery for portal hypertension, including case load, surgical approaches, management of postoperative complications, primary effects, existing confusion and obstacles, liver transplantation(LT), laparoscopic procedures and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS), etc.Results:A total of 8 512 cases of portal hypertension surgery are performed at 378 hospitals nationwide in 2021.Splenectomy plus devascularization predominated(53.0%)and laparoscopy accounted for 76.1%.Primary goal is preventing rebleeding(67.0%) and 72.8% of hospitals used preventive anticoagulants after conventional surgery.And 80.7% of teams believe that the formation of postoperative portal vein thrombosis is a surgical dilemma and 65.3% of hospitals practiced both laparoscopy and TIPS.The major reasons for patients with portal hypertension not receiving LT are due to a lack of qualifications for LT(69.3%)and economic factors(69.0%).Conclusions:Surgery is an integral part of management of portal hypertension in China.However, it is imperative to further standardize the grasp of surgical indications, the handling of surgical operation and the management of postoperative complications.Moreover, prospective, multi-center randomized controlled clinical studies should be performed.