Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices since there is a high risk of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and to provide a basis for the early diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices. MethodsA total of 108 patients with significant portal hypertension due to compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis who attended Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to November 2023 were enrolled， and according to the presence or absence of esophageal and gastric varices under gastroscopy， they were divided into esophageal and gastric varices group （GOV group） and non-esophageal and gastric varices group （NGOV group）. Related data were collected， including age， sex， imaging findings， and laboratory markers. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups； the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of five scoring models， i.e.， fibrosis-4 （FIB-4）， LOK index， LPRI， aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI）， and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio （AAR）. The binary logistic regression method was used to establish a combined model， and the area under the ROC curve （AUC） was compared between the combined model and each scoring model used alone. The Delong test was used to compare the AUC value between any two noninvasive diagnostic models. ResultsThere were 55 patients in the GOV group and 53 patients in the NGOV group. Compared with the NGOV group， the GOV group had a significantly higher age （52.64±1.44 years vs 47.96±1.68 years， t=0.453， P<0.05） and significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase ［42.00 （24.00 — 17.00） U/L vs 82.00 （46.00 — 271.00） U/L， Z=-3.065， P<0.05］， aspartate aminotransferase ［44.00 （32.00 — 96.00） U/L vs 62.00 （42.50 — 154.50） U/L，Z=-2.351， P<0.05］， and platelet count ［100.00 （69.00 — 120.00）×10⁹/L vs 119.00 （108.50 — 140.50）×10⁹/L， Z=-3.667， P<0.05］. The ROC curve analysis showed that FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone had an accuracy of 0.667， 0.681， 0.730， and 0.639， respectively， in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices （all P<0.05）， and the positive diagnostic rates of GOV were 69.97%， 65.28%， 67.33%， and 58.86%， respectively， with no significant differences in AUC values （all P>0.05）， while APRI used alone had no diagnostic value （P>0.05）. A combined model （LAF） was established based on the binary logistic regression analysis and had an AUC of 0.805 and a positive diagnostic rate of GOV of 75.80%， with a significantly higher AUC than FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone （Z=-2.773，-2.479，-2.206， and-2.672， all P<0.05）. ConclusionFIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR have a similar diagnostic value for esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and APRI alone has no diagnostic value. The combined model LAF had the best diagnostic efficacy， which provides a certain reference for clinical promotion and application.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

OBJECTIVES: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition among women that severely impairs quality of life. Pelvic floor proprioceptive training (PFPT) has attracted increasing attention for its potential to enhance pelvic floor muscle function and alleviate SUI symptoms. This study aims to observe and compare the clinical efficacy of PFPT combined with electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback therapy versus conventional therapy consisting of electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback alone in women with SUI, and to explore the role of PFPT in improving symptom and functional outcomes. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 72 women with mild to moderate SUI were recruited from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between December 2021 and October 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=36) or a control group (n=36). Both groups received health education. The control group underwent electroacupuncture combined with electrical stimulation and biofeedback therapy, while the experimental group additionally received PFPT 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Secondary outcomes included pelvic floor muscle strength, bladder neck mobility, and balance ability. The ICIQ-SF was reassessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in all parameters after treatment (all P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in most measures (all P>0.05). The experimental group demonstrated longer single-leg stance duration with eyes closed than the control group (left leg: P=0.026; right leg: P=0.006), with a significant increase from baseline (P<0.001). At 6 months post-treatment, the cure rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS Conventional therapy effectively improves SUI symptoms, but adding PFPT provides notable additional benefits, including enhanced balance ability and sustained mid-term cure rates. These findings suggest that PFPT is a valuable adjunct to standard SUI management strategies.
Humans ; Female ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology* ; Pelvic Floor/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Adult ; Exercise Therapy/methods* ; Proprioception ; Electroacupuncture/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1α and circ-UBE2G1 mutually regulate and promote thyroid cancer(THCA)metastasis under hypoxic microenvironment.Methods The GEPIA database was used to analyze the expression characteristics and correlation between circ-UBE2G1 and HIF-1α in THCA.The relationship of circ-UBE2G1 and miR-330-3p with survival rate was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curve.After THCA cells were exposed to hypoxia,HIF-1α was silenced by transfection to analyze its regulation for circ-UBE2G1 transcription.The targeting relationship between miR-330-3p and either circ-UBE2G1 or HIF-1α was verified by sequence prediction and dual luciferase reporter assay.The effects of HIF-1α overexpression and circ-UBE2G1 silencing on THCA cell migration and invasion were analyzed after corresponding transfections.A tumor-bearing nude mouse model was established by subcutaneous injection of THCA cells with HIF-1α overexpression and circ-UBE2G1 silencing,respectively.THCA tissues and adjacent normal samples were clinically collected to analyze the expression levels and correlations of circ-UBE2G1,miR-330-3p,and HIF-1α.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that circ-UBE2G1 was positively correlated with HIF-1α(P<0.01),and its high expression was associated with a low survival rate in THCA patients(P=0.024).Inhibition of HIF-1α blocked the promotive effect of hypoxia on circ-UBE2G1(P<0.05).Silencing circ-UBE2G1 inhibited the migration and invasion of THCA cells(P<0.05),and reversed the promotive effect of HIF-1α on these processes(P<0.05).Dual luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that miR-330-3p targeted both circ-UBE2G1 and HIF-1α(P<0.05).Silencing circ-UBE2G1 led to increased levels of miR-330-3p(P<0.05),whereas increasing miR-330-3p inhibited the expression of HIF-1α(P<0.05).In clinical THCA samples,both circ-UBE2G1 and HIF-1α were increased and positively correlated(P<0.05),while miR-330-3p was lowly expressed and negatively correlated with both circ-UBE2G1 and HIF-1α(P<0.05).Conclusion Hypoxia promotes the transcription of circ-UBE2G1 by inducing HIF-1α expression,and circ-UBE2G1 promotes HIF-1α expression by targeting miR-330-3p,thereby promoting THCA metastasis.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients.Methods:The patients with moderate to severe pain (numeric pain rating scale ≥4) after abdominal surgery with general anesthesia from 14 hospitals between July 6, 2021 and November 9, 2021 were included in this study. The patients were assigned to either experiment group or control group using a random number table method. Experiment group received oliceridine, while control group received morphine, and both groups were treated with a loading dose plus patient-controlled analgesia and supplemental doses for 24 h. The primary efficacy endpoint was the drug response rate within 24 h after giving the loading dose. Secondary efficacy endpoints included early (within 1 h after giving the loading dose) drug response rates and use of rescue medication. Safety endpoints encompassed the development of respiratory depression and other adverse reactions during treatment.Results:After randomization, both the full analysis set and safety analysis set comprised 180 cases, with 92 in experiment group and 88 in control group. The per-protocol set included 170 cases, with 86 in experiment group and 84 in control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in 24-h drug response rates, rescue analgesia rates, respiratory depression, and incidence of other adverse reactions ( P>0.05). The analysis of full analysis set showed that the experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-30 min after giving the loading dose compared to control group ( P<0.05). The per-protocol set analysis indicated that experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-15 min after giving the loading dose than control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:When used for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients, oliceridine provides comparable analgesic efficacy to morphine, with a faster onset.

Objective:To analyze the distribution of pathogenic microorganisms of abdominal infection in patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy and the influencing factors of postoperative abdominal infection.Methods:The clinical data of 108 patients with pancreatic diseases, including ampullary tumors, pancreatic tumors, duodenal tumors, and malignant tumors of the common bile duct, who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University from May 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 65 were males, 43 were females, aged (59.28±17.88) years old. Patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy were categorized into two distinct cohorts based on the occurrence of abdominal infection within a 30-day postoperative period: the infected group ( n=37) and the non-infected group ( n=71).General data, laboratory test indicators, pathogen types and drug susceptibility test results of patients were collected. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative pancreaticoduodenal abdominal infection. Results:The postoperative abdominal infection rate was 34.26% (37/108), and a total of 105 pathogenic bacteria were detected, including 43 gram-negative bacteria (40.95%), 36 gram-positive bacteria (34.29%) and 26 fungi (24.76%). The top five pathogens were Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. The drug sensitivity results showed that no tigecycline and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium strains. The sensitivity rate of Candida albicans to amphotericin B was 100%, and the resistance rate to fluconazole was only 4.8%. The resistance rates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to cefoperazone-sulbactam and levofloxacin are 11.1% and 33.3%, respectively. The resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to imipenem and meropenem are 71.4% and 28.6%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative intra-abdominal bleeding ( OR=10.997, 95% CI: 1.995-13.840, P=0.004) and pancreatic fistula ( OR=16.832, 95% CI: 1.938-146.174, P=0.010) were risk factors for the occurrence of abdominal infection after pancreatoduodenectomy. Conclusion:Non-fermented gram-negative bacteria, enterococcus and Candida albicans were the main pathogenic microorganisms in abdominal infection after pancreatoduodenectomy, and postoperative abdominal hemorrhage and pancreatic fistula were independent risk factors.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of vascular involvement in Beh?et′s Disease (BD) to improve and provideunderstanding of insights for clinicians to better understand this condition.Methods:Clinical data from 220 BD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2012 to May 2022 were collected. Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were compared between BD patients with and without vascular involvement, as well as between those with improved conditions and those with progressive conditions. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors.Results:①The average age of the 220 BD patients was 36.5±15.3 years. Among them, 23 patients (10.5%) had vascular involvement, including 20 males (87.0%).②Compared to BD patients without vascular involvement, those with vascular involvement had significantly higher rates of smoking [6.1%(12/197) vs.34.8%(8/23), χ2=17.19, P<0.001], cardiac involvement [1.5%(3/197) vs. 13.0%(9/23), χ2=6.42, P=0.011], and elevated C-reactive protein(CRP) levels (78.3% vs. 56.3%, χ2=4.08, P=0.043).③ Among BD patients with vascular involvement, 11 cases (47.8%) had venous lesions, and 20 cases (87.0%) had arterial lesions, with 8 cases (34.8%) having both venous and arterial involvement. The most common type of vascular involvement was arterial dilatation (11 cases), mainly aneurysms (10 cases), and deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities (7 cases).④The 23 BD patients with vascular involvement were followed up for an average of 18.3 months. Among them, 16 patients (69.6%) showed stable improvement, while 7 patients (30.4%) experienced disease progression, including 4 deaths (1 male and 3 females). A total of 91.3% (21/23) of the patients received glucocorticoid therapy. Immunosuppressive therapy was administered to 82.6% (19/23) of the patients, with 65.2% (10/23) receiving with cyclophosphamide and 43.5% receiving with thalidomide. Additionally, 13% (3/23) of the patients were treated with cyclosporine and methotrexate, respectively, and 8.7% (2/23) were treated with received mycophenolate mofetil. Anticoagulant therapy was given to 21.7% (5/23) of the patients, using either warfarin or low molecular weight heparin. Biologic therapy was administered to 17.4% (4/23) of the patients, and surgical intervention was performed in 43.5% (10/23) of the patients. ⑤Binary logistic regression analysis identified male gender [ OR(95% CI)=5.70(1.60, 20.90), P=0.009] as an indepe-ndent risk factor for vascular involvement in BD. Conclusion:The incidence of vascular involvement in BD is 10.5%, with a higher prevalence in males. Arterial involvement is more common than venous involvement, with arterial aneurysms being the most common manifestation. Clinicians should pay attention to CRP and total cholesterol levels in BD patients.

Objective:To study the epidemiological and genetic characteristics of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) circulating in Guangdong Province from 2008 to 2021.Methods:This study collected the specimens of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases from 2008 to 2021 that were positive for other enteroviruses except for enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), and CVA6, as well as the specimens of herpangina and neonatal infection cases from 2020 to 2021. Enteroviruses in these specimens were detected and their types were identified. CVB3 strains were isolated and the entire VP1 sequences of CVB3 strains were amplified and sequenced. The genetic features of CVB3 strains were analyzed using DNAStar 7.1 and MEGA 6.06 software packages.Results:Among 3 484 HFMD cases positive for other enteroviruses from 2008 to 2021, CVB3-positive cases accounted for 1.6% (57/3 484); among 560 cases of herpangina from 2020 to 2021, CVB3-positive cases accounted for 2.1% (12/560); one neonatal infection case in 2021 was positive for CVB3. CVB3-positive cases accounted for 67.1% (47/70) in 2021 and 18.6% (13/70) in 2020, while there were less than five cases in other years. Forty-eight CVB3 strains were isolated and the entire VP1 sequences of 26 CVB3 strains were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the CVB3 strains could be divided into eight genotypes (A-H) and the strains of genotypes A, D and E were prevalent in the Chinese mainland. The 26 CVB3 strains isolated in Guangdong Province shared 80.2%-100.0% nucleotide homology, and belonged to two genotypes of D and E, with genotype D prevalent from 2008 to 2017 and genotype E prevalent from 2020 to 2021.Conclusions:CVB3 is prevalent sporadically in Guangdong Province from 2008 to 2017, but the epidemic intensity increased during 2020 and 2021. CVB3 strains of genotypes D and E are prevalent in Guangdong Province during 2008 to 2021, with genotype E being the prevalent genotype during 2020 and 2021.