Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of different myotomy procedures during peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia (AC).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted involving patients diagnosed as having achalasia and underwent POEM at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2020 to October 2023. Patients were divided into conventional myotomy group, short myotomy group and full-thickness myotomy group according to myotomy length and depth. Outcomes including operation duration, procedure-related complications, efficacy and incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis were compared between conventional vs. short, and conventional vs. full-thickness groups.Results:Among 70 patients, 26 underwent conventional myotomy, 19 short myotomy, and 25 full-thickness myotomy. The short myotomy group demonstrated significantly shorter procedure duration (72.89±20.57 min) compared to the conventional group (91.81±36.70 min, t=2.197, P=0.034). There were no statistically significant differences in procedure-related complications [26.3% (5/19) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.353, P=0.553], treatment efficacy [94.7% (18/19) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.052, P=0.820], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [50.0% (5/10) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.306, P=0.580] between the short and conventional myotomy groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between the conventional and full-thickness myotomy group in procedure duration (99.64±29.13 min VS 91.81±36.70 min, t=0.336, P=0.404), procedure-related complications [28.0% (7/25) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.259, P=0.611], treatment efficacy [96.0% (24/25) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.001, P=0.977], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [35.7% (5/14) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.022, P=0.883]. Conclusion:Short myotomy POEM achieves comparable efficacy to conventional myotomy with reduced operative time and no increased complication risk. Full-thickness myotomy demonstrates similar efficacy, operative duration, and safety to conventional myotomy.

Objective To explore the methods of continuing education for advanced endoscope operations by diges-tive specialists through the establishment and teaching effect evaluation of the ERCP(endoscope retrograde cholan-giopancreatography)introductory training mode.Methods A total of 26 trainees from 3 sessions of the ERCP intro-ductory training courses at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 2023 to September 2024 were in-cluded.The teaching effects of the training courses and its 5 modules were subjectively and objectively evaluated by questionnaires,on-site tests and evaluations by senior ERCP operators.Results Through the ERCP introductory training courses,the trainees'self-evaluated proficiency in duodenoscope structure(pre-training:2.4±2.4,post-training:8.2±1.5,P＜0.001),duodenoscope operation(pre-training:1.2±2.2,post-training:6.6±1.8,P＜0.001),papillary cannulation(pre-training:0.5±1.3,post-training:5.4±1.8,P＜0.001),intra-bile duct operation(pre-training:0.2±0.6,post-training:4.9±2.1,P＜0.001),and identification of intra-bile duct lesions(pre-training:1.7±2.1,post-training:6.0±2.0,P＜0.001)was significantly improved.The accuracy rate of the trainees'theoretical tests and picture recognition before training was 37.2％and then increased up to 62.8％after training.Before training,all trainees were considered by senior operators as not ready to start ERCP training on real patients,while after training,69.2％(18/26)of the trainees were considered ready to start ERCP training on real patients.Conclusions The multi-module ERCP introductory training courses have a significant effect in terms of laying a foundation for trainees to start ERCP training on patients and of providing a reference for the con-tinuing education mode of advanced endoscope operations for digestive specialists in China.

Background and Aims:Abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA)is a common arterial dilation disease in vascular surgery,with aneurysm rupture being its most serious complication,often leading to fatal hemorrhage and posing a severe threat to patients'lives.Endovascular aneurysm repair(EVAR),due to its minimally invasive nature,safety,and rapid recovery,has become the preferred treatment for AAA.However,endoleak,a complication unique to EVAR,remains a major clinical challenge.Persistent endoleak can lead to sustained high pressure within the aneurysm sac,increasing the risk of continued expansion and rupture.It is one of the main causes of the high reintervention rate following EVAR.In particular,the treatment strategy for type Ⅱ endoleaks remains controversial.This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical value of selective sac embolization via the iliac approach combined with standard EVAR in managing intraoperative immediate endoleaks.Methods:The clinical data of AAA patients with a risk of endoleak who underwent standard EVAR at the First Hospital of China Medical University between March 2023 and September 2024 were retrospectively collected.Patients were divided into an intervention group(n=42)and a non-intervention group(n=32)based on whether selective sac embolization via the iliac approach was performed during operation.General clinical data,preoperative anatomical characteristics of the AAA,surgical details,and postoperative follow-up results were compared between the two groups.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age,sex,anatomical features,rupture rate,or off-label use(all P>0.05).The technical success rate during surgery was 100%in both groups.One patient in the intervention group experienced transient sigmoid colon ischemia after operation,which resolved with conservative treatment.The mean follow-up period was(6.49±4.68)months.The proportions of aneurysm sac shrinkage,stability,and enlargement in the intervention group were 40.5%,57.1%,and 2.4%,respectively,compared to 59.4%,40.6%,and 0.0%in the non-intervention group,with no statistically significant differences(all P>0.05).The incidence of endoleak during follow-up was also comparable between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:For intraoperative endoleaks during standard EVAR,selective sac embolization via the iliac approach is a technically simple and safe method that provides short-term outcomes comparable to those in patients without intraoperative endoleaks.Its long-term efficacy warrants further investigation through extended follow-up.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

Background and Aims:Abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA)is a common arterial dilation disease in vascular surgery,with aneurysm rupture being its most serious complication,often leading to fatal hemorrhage and posing a severe threat to patients'lives.Endovascular aneurysm repair(EVAR),due to its minimally invasive nature,safety,and rapid recovery,has become the preferred treatment for AAA.However,endoleak,a complication unique to EVAR,remains a major clinical challenge.Persistent endoleak can lead to sustained high pressure within the aneurysm sac,increasing the risk of continued expansion and rupture.It is one of the main causes of the high reintervention rate following EVAR.In particular,the treatment strategy for type Ⅱ endoleaks remains controversial.This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical value of selective sac embolization via the iliac approach combined with standard EVAR in managing intraoperative immediate endoleaks.Methods:The clinical data of AAA patients with a risk of endoleak who underwent standard EVAR at the First Hospital of China Medical University between March 2023 and September 2024 were retrospectively collected.Patients were divided into an intervention group(n=42)and a non-intervention group(n=32)based on whether selective sac embolization via the iliac approach was performed during operation.General clinical data,preoperative anatomical characteristics of the AAA,surgical details,and postoperative follow-up results were compared between the two groups.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age,sex,anatomical features,rupture rate,or off-label use(all P>0.05).The technical success rate during surgery was 100%in both groups.One patient in the intervention group experienced transient sigmoid colon ischemia after operation,which resolved with conservative treatment.The mean follow-up period was(6.49±4.68)months.The proportions of aneurysm sac shrinkage,stability,and enlargement in the intervention group were 40.5%,57.1%,and 2.4%,respectively,compared to 59.4%,40.6%,and 0.0%in the non-intervention group,with no statistically significant differences(all P>0.05).The incidence of endoleak during follow-up was also comparable between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:For intraoperative endoleaks during standard EVAR,selective sac embolization via the iliac approach is a technically simple and safe method that provides short-term outcomes comparable to those in patients without intraoperative endoleaks.Its long-term efficacy warrants further investigation through extended follow-up.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of different myotomy procedures during peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia (AC).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted involving patients diagnosed as having achalasia and underwent POEM at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2020 to October 2023. Patients were divided into conventional myotomy group, short myotomy group and full-thickness myotomy group according to myotomy length and depth. Outcomes including operation duration, procedure-related complications, efficacy and incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis were compared between conventional vs. short, and conventional vs. full-thickness groups.Results:Among 70 patients, 26 underwent conventional myotomy, 19 short myotomy, and 25 full-thickness myotomy. The short myotomy group demonstrated significantly shorter procedure duration (72.89±20.57 min) compared to the conventional group (91.81±36.70 min, t=2.197, P=0.034). There were no statistically significant differences in procedure-related complications [26.3% (5/19) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.353, P=0.553], treatment efficacy [94.7% (18/19) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.052, P=0.820], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [50.0% (5/10) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.306, P=0.580] between the short and conventional myotomy groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between the conventional and full-thickness myotomy group in procedure duration (99.64±29.13 min VS 91.81±36.70 min, t=0.336, P=0.404), procedure-related complications [28.0% (7/25) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.259, P=0.611], treatment efficacy [96.0% (24/25) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.001, P=0.977], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [35.7% (5/14) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.022, P=0.883]. Conclusion:Short myotomy POEM achieves comparable efficacy to conventional myotomy with reduced operative time and no increased complication risk. Full-thickness myotomy demonstrates similar efficacy, operative duration, and safety to conventional myotomy.

Objective:To determine the carrier frequency and hot-spot variants of a custom-designed expanded carrier screening (ECS) panel with 216 diseases (216-ECS panel) within a Chinese population of childbearing age.Methods:Whole-exome sequencing data from a cohort of 3 097 unrelated healthy individuals (including 1 424 couples) from Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2013 and December 2023 were analyzed. Totally 220 genes which inherited in a recessive manner of 216-ECS panel were included in the analysis. The analysis included variant carrier rate, gene carrier rate, cumulative carrier rate, at-risk couple rates, and variant spectrum.Results:(1) Pathogenic variants were identified in 1 472 (47.53%, 1 472/3 097) individuals, with an average of 0.65 pathogenic variants per individual. The rate of at-risk couples was 3.93% (56/1 424). (2) A total of 180 genes were identified, with 16 genes exhibiting a gene carrier rate of ≥1% and 33 genes having a rate of ≥0.5%, most of which were associated with inherited metabolic diseases. Noteworthy genes with higher gene carrier rates and high-frequency variants included GJB2: c.235del, PAH: c.728G>A, ATP7B: c.2333G>T, SLC26A4: c.919-2A>G, GALC: c.1901T>C, POLG: c.2890C>T, SLC22A5: c.1472C>G, USH2A: c.2802T>G, SLC25A13: c.852_855del, GAA: c.761C>T and c.752C>T. Conclusion:This study offers a focused analysis of carrier frequencies and hot-spot variants of 216 diseases of the ECS panel constructed by our laboratory among the Chinese population, laying a foundation for the development of ECS programs tailored to the Chinese population.

Objective:To assess the efficacy of endoscopic transmural drainage, transpapillary drainage and their combination in reducing cyst recurrence in patients with disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted involving 22 patients diagnosed as having DPDS in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022. Patient data including clinical information, imaging characteristics, drainage technique, complications, and outcomes were extracted from the medical records and telephone follow-up.Results:There were 27 endoscopic treatments in 22 patients, which were categorized into 3 groups based on the procedural approach: transmural in 11 cases, transpapillary in 8, and the combination of both in 8. The combined drainage group exhibited a significantly higher drainage success rate (100.0%, 8/8) compared with the transpapillary group (50.0%, 4/8, P=0.012), with no significant difference compared with the transmural group [90.9% (10/11), P=0.621]. The one-year recurrence rate was significantly lower in the combined drainage group [0.0% (0/8)] than that in the transmural drainage group [55.6% (5/9), P=0.018], and transpapillary drainage alone [42.9% (3/7)] though it did not reach significance ( P=0.085). No significant differences were observed in treatment success rate [45.5% (5/11), 75.0% (6/8) and 87.5% (7/8), H=3.890, P=0.143], or complication incidence [54.5% (6/11), 75.0% (6/8) and 25.0% (2/8), H=3.909, P=0.142]. Conclusion:Transmural drainage combined with pancreatic duct stent placement results in satisfactory drainage of cystic fluid in the short term and significantly reduces one-year recurrence among patients with DPDS.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and mutation spectrum of monogenic diseases in Chinese population through a large-scale,multicenter carrier screening.Methods This study was conducted among a total of 33 104 participants(16 610 females)from 12 clinical centers across China.Carrier status for 223 genes was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing and different PCR methods.Results The overall combined carrier frequency was 55.58%for 197 autosomal genes and 1.84%for 26 X-linked genes in these participants.Among the 16 669 families,874 at-risk couples(5.24%)were identified.Specifically,584 couples(3.50%)were at risk for autosomal genes,306(1.84%)for X-linked genes,and 16 for both autosomal and X-linked genes.The most frequently detected autosomal at-risk genes included GJB2(autosomal recessive deafness type 1A,393 couples),HBA1/HBA2(α-thalassemia,36 couples),PAH(phenylketonuria,14 couples),and SMN1(spinal muscular atrophy,14 couples).The most frequently detected X-linked at-risk genes were G6PD(G6PD deficiency,236 couples),DMD(Duchenne muscular dystrophy,23 couples),and FMR1(fragile X syndrome,17 couples).After excluding GJB2 c.109G>A,the detection rate of at-risk couples was 3.91%(651/16 669),which was lowered to 1.72%(287/16 669)after further excluding G6PD.The theoretical incidence rate of severe monogenic birth defects was approximately 4.35‰(72.5/16 669).Screening for a battery of the top 22 most frequent genes in the at-risk couples could detect over 95%of at-risk couples,while screening for the top 54 genes further increased the detection rate to over 99%.Conclusion This study reveals the carrier frequencies of 223 monogenic genetic disorders in the Chinese population and provides evidence for carrier screening strategy development and panel design tailored to the Chinese population.In carrier testing,genetic counseling for specific genes or gene variants can be challenging,and the couples need to be informed of these difficulties before testing and provided with options for not screening these genes or gene variants.