Background: A simple superoposterior approach to thoracic transforaminal epidural injections (TFEIs) under ultrasonographic guidance was proposed to reduce zoster-associated pain (ZAP) involving multiple thoracic nerves and the likelihood of transitioning to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled. Primary endpoints were the burden of illness (BOI) scores and epidural contrast spread. Secondary endpoints included number of needle insertion attempts, sensory blockade, hemodynamic changes, procedure time, radiation dose, adverse events, rescue analgesics, PHN incidence and EuroQoL 5-Dimension scores. Results: Thirty-five injections were performed in 27 patients. Median levels of cephalad-caudad epidural contrast spread were 3, 4, and 5 ml following injections of 2, 3, and 4 ml. Dorsal epidural spread was observed at levels 3, 4, and 5, whereas concurrent ventral spread was observed at levels 2, 3, and 4. BOI scores at 30–180 days significantly decreased (mean difference: −25.3, 95% CI [−57.4 to 6.6], P = 0.005), accounting for reduced rescue analgesic requirements and PHN occurrence and improved EuroQoL 5-Dimension scores. Median sensory blockade at 5 min post-procedure was at level 2, 3, and 4 after 2, 3, and 4 ml of therapeutic injectate. No significant hemodynamic changes were noted at 15 min post-injection. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions Spread of thoracic epidural contrast to all involved nerves was confirmed using this novel technique. Simplified needle placement reduced the technical difficulty and risk of complications. It might be a promising alternative approach for ZAP.

Background: A simple superoposterior approach to thoracic transforaminal epidural injections (TFEIs) under ultrasonographic guidance was proposed to reduce zoster-associated pain (ZAP) involving multiple thoracic nerves and the likelihood of transitioning to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled. Primary endpoints were the burden of illness (BOI) scores and epidural contrast spread. Secondary endpoints included number of needle insertion attempts, sensory blockade, hemodynamic changes, procedure time, radiation dose, adverse events, rescue analgesics, PHN incidence and EuroQoL 5-Dimension scores. Results: Thirty-five injections were performed in 27 patients. Median levels of cephalad-caudad epidural contrast spread were 3, 4, and 5 ml following injections of 2, 3, and 4 ml. Dorsal epidural spread was observed at levels 3, 4, and 5, whereas concurrent ventral spread was observed at levels 2, 3, and 4. BOI scores at 30–180 days significantly decreased (mean difference: −25.3, 95% CI [−57.4 to 6.6], P = 0.005), accounting for reduced rescue analgesic requirements and PHN occurrence and improved EuroQoL 5-Dimension scores. Median sensory blockade at 5 min post-procedure was at level 2, 3, and 4 after 2, 3, and 4 ml of therapeutic injectate. No significant hemodynamic changes were noted at 15 min post-injection. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions Spread of thoracic epidural contrast to all involved nerves was confirmed using this novel technique. Simplified needle placement reduced the technical difficulty and risk of complications. It might be a promising alternative approach for ZAP.

Background: A simple superoposterior approach to thoracic transforaminal epidural injections (TFEIs) under ultrasonographic guidance was proposed to reduce zoster-associated pain (ZAP) involving multiple thoracic nerves and the likelihood of transitioning to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled. Primary endpoints were the burden of illness (BOI) scores and epidural contrast spread. Secondary endpoints included number of needle insertion attempts, sensory blockade, hemodynamic changes, procedure time, radiation dose, adverse events, rescue analgesics, PHN incidence and EuroQoL 5-Dimension scores. Results: Thirty-five injections were performed in 27 patients. Median levels of cephalad-caudad epidural contrast spread were 3, 4, and 5 ml following injections of 2, 3, and 4 ml. Dorsal epidural spread was observed at levels 3, 4, and 5, whereas concurrent ventral spread was observed at levels 2, 3, and 4. BOI scores at 30–180 days significantly decreased (mean difference: −25.3, 95% CI [−57.4 to 6.6], P = 0.005), accounting for reduced rescue analgesic requirements and PHN occurrence and improved EuroQoL 5-Dimension scores. Median sensory blockade at 5 min post-procedure was at level 2, 3, and 4 after 2, 3, and 4 ml of therapeutic injectate. No significant hemodynamic changes were noted at 15 min post-injection. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions Spread of thoracic epidural contrast to all involved nerves was confirmed using this novel technique. Simplified needle placement reduced the technical difficulty and risk of complications. It might be a promising alternative approach for ZAP.

Background: A simple superoposterior approach to thoracic transforaminal epidural injections (TFEIs) under ultrasonographic guidance was proposed to reduce zoster-associated pain (ZAP) involving multiple thoracic nerves and the likelihood of transitioning to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled. Primary endpoints were the burden of illness (BOI) scores and epidural contrast spread. Secondary endpoints included number of needle insertion attempts, sensory blockade, hemodynamic changes, procedure time, radiation dose, adverse events, rescue analgesics, PHN incidence and EuroQoL 5-Dimension scores. Results: Thirty-five injections were performed in 27 patients. Median levels of cephalad-caudad epidural contrast spread were 3, 4, and 5 ml following injections of 2, 3, and 4 ml. Dorsal epidural spread was observed at levels 3, 4, and 5, whereas concurrent ventral spread was observed at levels 2, 3, and 4. BOI scores at 30–180 days significantly decreased (mean difference: −25.3, 95% CI [−57.4 to 6.6], P = 0.005), accounting for reduced rescue analgesic requirements and PHN occurrence and improved EuroQoL 5-Dimension scores. Median sensory blockade at 5 min post-procedure was at level 2, 3, and 4 after 2, 3, and 4 ml of therapeutic injectate. No significant hemodynamic changes were noted at 15 min post-injection. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions Spread of thoracic epidural contrast to all involved nerves was confirmed using this novel technique. Simplified needle placement reduced the technical difficulty and risk of complications. It might be a promising alternative approach for ZAP.

Objective:To evaluate the nutritional status of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and explore the correlation with malnutrition and the risk factors of depressed mood.Methods:190 cirrhotic patients admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology of the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from June to September 2023 were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible patients were divided into subgroups based on the presence or absence of malnutrition as determined by subjective global assessment (SGA). The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale was used to assess patients' propensity for depressed mood. Relevant clinical data were also collected and analyzed.Results:A total of 185 patients were included, of which 126 were in the non-malnutrition group and 59 malnutrition group. There were significant between-group differences in terms of CES-D results, age, body mass index, platelets, D-dimer, serum sodium, third lumbar skeletal muscle index, grip strength, triceps skinfold thickness, and upper arm muscle circumference (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that grip strength, triceps skinfold thickness, upper arm muscle circumference, serum sodium, and depressed mood tendency status were correlated with the development of cirrhotic malnutrition ( P<0.05). The diagnostic model for malnutrition in cirrhosis using these five indicators showed the area under the curve of 81.9%. Conclusions:Depression is closely related to the development of malnutrition in patients with liver cirrhosis. Independent risk factors for malnutrition in cirrhosis include serum sodium≤135 mmol/L, grip strength, triceps skinfold thickness, lower-than-normal upper arm circumference , and the tendency of depression , which demonstrate the combined contribution to the diagnosis of malnutrition in cirrhosis.

Objective:The study aims to analyze the problems faced in the clinical research and management of stem cells, explore the construction of the entire process of stem cells clinical research, and promote the healthy and orderly development of the clinical research of stem cells.Methods:By consulting the literature and retrieval of relevant policies and regulations, this study analyzed the problems faced by the supervision and management department, medical institutions and researchers, this study and discussed the countermeasures for strengthening the management of the entire process of clinical research of stem cells in medical institutions.Results:There were imperfect internal system and poor management process, insufficient quality control of cell products, low quality of project management, and insufficient clinical research consciousness of stem cell clinical research management in medical institutions.Conclusions:Combined with the current management measures, guidance principles and medical institutions, we should improve the internal system of medical institutions, promote the centralized management and informatization construction of projects, strengthen cell quality control in the hospital, cultivate talent echelons and improve academic and ethical review capabilities, actively explore the management model that is suitable for the entire process of stem cell clinical research for medical institutions in China.

Objective:To investigate whether radiotherapy should be delivered before the application of immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluate the effect of previous radiotherapy on the efficacy and pulmonary toxicity of PD-1 inhibitor.Methods:Clinical data of patients with stage Ⅳ NSCLC who received immunotherapy in Henan Cancer Hospital from March 2015 to September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The baseline data of patients, the status of radiotherapy and immunotherapy and the pulmonary toxicity were collected. According to whether radiotherapy was given before PD-1 inhibitor application, all patients were divided into the previous radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy groups. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan- Meier method. Results:A total of 90 patients were enrolled including 39 cases in the previous radiotherapy group and 51 cases in the non-radiotherapy group. The median follow-up time was 22.9 months. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) in the previous radiotherapy group was 7.5 months (95% CI 5.4-9.5 months), significantly longer compared with 4.1 months (95% CI 3.1-5.1 months) in the non-radiotherapy group ( P=0.003). The median overall survival (mOS) significantly differed between two groups[15.2 months (95% CI 12.3-18.1 months) vs. 9.3 months (95% CI 6.1-12.5 months)]( P=0.040). The incidence of pulmonary toxicity showed no significant difference between two groups ( P=0.154). Conclusions:Patients with stage Ⅳ NSCLC patients in the previous radiotherapy group obtain significantly better mPFS and mOS and similar pulmonary toxicity compared with their counterparts in the non-radiotherapy group. Nevertheless, the findings remain to be validated by subsequent investigations with larger sample size.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the clinical effect of cultured milk products as adjunctive therapy in the anti- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment.
 METHODS: The randomized controlled trials (RCT) and Quasi-randomized controlled clinical trials (Quasi-RCT), which were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eradicating H. pylori by fermented milk-based routine treatment, were searched and collected in Pubmed, Embase, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), CBM (Chinese BioMedical Literature Database), Wangfang Database, VIP (VIP Citation Database) from establishment of these database to February 2015. The combined relative risk (RR) of H. pylori eradication rate and the rate of side effects were analyzed. Sub-group and sensitivity analysis was performed, and the publication bias was also tested. 
 RESULTS: A total of 9 studies including 1 644 cases were identified. The H. pylori eradication rate was 79.5% in fermented milk products combined with routine therapy, and 67.0% in routine therapy. The combined RR of H. pylori eradication rate was 1.186 (95% CI 1.118-1.257), and the combined RR of total side effects was 0.706 (95% CI 0.373-1.340).
 CONCLUSION Cultured milk products as adjunctive therapy is effective in improving the eradication rate during eradication therapy for H. pylori. However, it could not effectively decrease the risk of side effects.
Animals ; China ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Fermentation ; Helicobacter Infections ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Milk ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Disposcope endoscope for tracheal intubation in patients with difficult glottis exposure.Methods Sixty adult patients of both sexes,aged 22-68 yr,scheduled for elective oro-tracheal intubation under general anesthesia,whose glottis was not visible under Macintosh laryngoscope (grade Ⅲ or according to Cormach-Lehane Grading of laryngoscopic view),were randomized into 2 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table:group Macintosh laryngoscope-assisted Disposcope endoscope (group DM) and group Disposcope endoscope (group D).The glottis exposure condition and time,intubation condition and time,assisted lifting mandible,laryngeal mucosa bleeding and postoperative sore throat and hoarseness were recorded.Results The success rate of intubation at second attempt achieved 100％ in the two groups.Compared with group DM,the incidence of assisted lifting mandible was decreased,and no significant changes were found in the success rate of glottis exposure,glottis exposure time,intubation time,success rate of intubation at first attempt,incidence of laryngeal mucosa bleeding,and postoperative sore throat and hoarseness in group D.Conclusion Disposcope endoscope can improve the condition for tracheal intubation significantly after lifting mandible in patients with difficult glottis exposure.

Objective To investigate the effects of repeated intraperitoneal dexmedetomidine on the cognitive function in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia.Methods Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 3-4months,weighing 250-300 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =12 each) ∶ sham operation group (group S),chronic cerebral ischemia group (group IS),dexmedetomidine treatment 1 group (group DXM1) and dexmedetomidine treatment 2 group (group DXM2).Dexmedetomidine 5 μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 30 min before occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries and 3,12,24 and 48 h after occlusion in group DXM1,and at 3,12,24 and 48 h after occlusion in group DXM2.The cognitive function was assessed by Morris water maze 2 weeks after occlusion.The apoptosis was examined by TUNEL.The expression of Bcl-2 protein in hippocampus was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group S,the escape latency was significantly prolonged from 2nd day to 5th day after the place navigation test in group IS and on 2nd day after Morris water maze test in groups DXM1 and DXM2,and the time of staying in 1 st quadrant was significantly shortened,the apoptotic rate was increased,and the expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated in groups IS,DXM1 and DXM2 (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group IS,the escape latency was significantly shortened from 3rd day to 5th day after the place navigation