Gastric variceal rupture and bleeding and hepatic encephalopathy are common and life-threatening complications in decompensated cirrhosis. As a minimally invasive interventional technique， balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration （BRTO） has made significant progress in the clinical management of gastric varices and hepatic encephalopathy in recent years. This article systematically reviews the technical principles， indications （e.g.， isolated gastric varices and refractory hepatic encephalopathy）， clinical efficacy （an acute hemostasis rate of 85% — 95%， a 1-year rebleeding rate of <15%， and an improvement rate of 60% — 80% for hepatic encephalopathy）， and safety （including complications such as renal impairment and elevated portal vein pressure） of BRTO. Meanwhile， this article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of BRTO and conventional treatment modalities （e.g.， transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and endoscopic treatment） and reviews the latest technological improvements in recent years， such as coil-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration and plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration. Future research should focus on the precision of patient selection （e.g.， stratification based on hemodynamic parameters）， the optimization of embolic materials （e.g.， application of new biodegradable embolic agents）， and the development of individualized treatment regimens， so as to improve efficacy and reduce the risk of complications.

Objective To verify the efficacy of a domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in detecting the total human DNA concentration,male DNA concen-tration in mixed male/female DNA samples,the degree of DNA degradation and inhibitor tolerance.Methods Samples with different concentrations,different male/female ratios,different concentrations of inhibitors,and different degradation degrees were tested using the domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.This kit was compared with a similar product on the market and was applied to the detection of DNA from real cases.Results This human DNA quan-tification kit can effectively detect human DNA as low as 0.001 65 ng/μL,and 6.25 pg/μL of male DNA in mixed samples with a male-to-female ratio of 1∶15 000.Even when the sample contains as high as 400 ng/μL of humic acid or 1 000 μmol/L of hemin alone,the DNA concentration can still be accurately detected.The degradation index can effectively characterize the degradation degree of the sample.This kit has been successfully applied in forensic practice.Conclusion This human DNA quan-tification kit is accurate and reliable in detection.It can accurately reflect the degradation of DNA and inhibitor tolerance.It has good performance in quantitative accuracy,determination of the male/female ratio in mixed samples,and inhibitor tolerance.It has application potential in forensic case examination.

Objectives:To analyze the risk factors of atrial fibrillation in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(NOHCM)and explore the relationship between left ventricular/atrial volume and atrial fibrillation.Methods:Consecutive NOHCM patients admitted at Fuwai Hospital from January 2023 to January 2024 with complete clinical data,satisfactory echocardiography imaging data were included in this analysis,patients were divided into atrial fibrillation group(n=28)and non-atrial fibrillation group(n=57).Left-sided volumetric and functional parameters were measured by one-beat real-time full-volume three-dimensional echocardiography,including left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left atrial volume(LAV).The left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDVi)index,left ventricular end-systolic volume index(LVESVi)and left atrial volume index(LAVi)were calculated.Other echocardiographic parameters including interventricular septum(IVSmax)thickness,left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPW),and left atrial diameter(LAD)were routinely measured.Mitral valve forward flow spectrum,tissue Doppler,tricuspid regurgitation velocity,and left atrial size were used to evaluate the left ventricular diastolic function of patients,and diastolic dysfunction was classified into grade I,II,and III.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of atrial fibrillation in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Results:Compared with the non-atrial fibrillation group,LVEDV([143.8±26.7]ml vs.[117.1±21.9]ml)and LVEDVi([79.4±11.9]ml/m2 vs.[64.2±10.6]ml/m2)were smaller in atrial fibrillation group(both P<0.001).Compared with the non-atrial fibrillation group,LAD([40.2±4.7]mm vs.[48.6±4.8]mm)and LAVi([37.3±8.9]ml/m2 vs.[64.4±17.1]ml/m2)were lager in atrial fibrillation group(both P<0.001).Compared with the non-atrial fibrillation group,the proportion of NYHA functional classification≥Ⅲ was higher(15.8%vs.50.0%,P<0.001),LVEF was lower([61.5±5.5]%vs.[57.6±5.0]%,P=0.002),and proportion of severe diastolic dysfunction was higher in atrial fibrillation group(P<0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with atrial fibrillation in NOHCM patients were LVEDVi(OR=0.744,95%CI:0.575-0.962,P=0.024)and LAVi(OR=1.602,95%CI:1.032-2.486,P=0.036).Conclusions:LVEDVi and LAVi are related factors for atrial fibrillation in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.LVEDVi is negatively,while LAVi is positively associated with the occurrence of atrial fibrillation in NOHCM patients.

Objectives:To analyze the risk factors of atrial fibrillation in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(NOHCM)and explore the relationship between left ventricular/atrial volume and atrial fibrillation.Methods:Consecutive NOHCM patients admitted at Fuwai Hospital from January 2023 to January 2024 with complete clinical data,satisfactory echocardiography imaging data were included in this analysis,patients were divided into atrial fibrillation group(n=28)and non-atrial fibrillation group(n=57).Left-sided volumetric and functional parameters were measured by one-beat real-time full-volume three-dimensional echocardiography,including left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left atrial volume(LAV).The left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDVi)index,left ventricular end-systolic volume index(LVESVi)and left atrial volume index(LAVi)were calculated.Other echocardiographic parameters including interventricular septum(IVSmax)thickness,left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPW),and left atrial diameter(LAD)were routinely measured.Mitral valve forward flow spectrum,tissue Doppler,tricuspid regurgitation velocity,and left atrial size were used to evaluate the left ventricular diastolic function of patients,and diastolic dysfunction was classified into grade I,II,and III.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of atrial fibrillation in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Results:Compared with the non-atrial fibrillation group,LVEDV([143.8±26.7]ml vs.[117.1±21.9]ml)and LVEDVi([79.4±11.9]ml/m2 vs.[64.2±10.6]ml/m2)were smaller in atrial fibrillation group(both P<0.001).Compared with the non-atrial fibrillation group,LAD([40.2±4.7]mm vs.[48.6±4.8]mm)and LAVi([37.3±8.9]ml/m2 vs.[64.4±17.1]ml/m2)were lager in atrial fibrillation group(both P<0.001).Compared with the non-atrial fibrillation group,the proportion of NYHA functional classification≥Ⅲ was higher(15.8%vs.50.0%,P<0.001),LVEF was lower([61.5±5.5]%vs.[57.6±5.0]%,P=0.002),and proportion of severe diastolic dysfunction was higher in atrial fibrillation group(P<0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with atrial fibrillation in NOHCM patients were LVEDVi(OR=0.744,95%CI:0.575-0.962,P=0.024)and LAVi(OR=1.602,95%CI:1.032-2.486,P=0.036).Conclusions:LVEDVi and LAVi are related factors for atrial fibrillation in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.LVEDVi is negatively,while LAVi is positively associated with the occurrence of atrial fibrillation in NOHCM patients.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) meningitis in children. Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. This study included 34 Hi meningitis patients who admitted to Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2023. Data on clinical presentations, laboratory tests, hearing assessment and outcomes at discharge were collected. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the outcome at discharge: favorable outcome group and unfavorable outcome group. Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test was used to estimate the risk factors for an unfavorable outcome at discharge. Results:Thirty-four patients were enrolled. There were 16 males and 18 females. The age at onset ranged from 3 months to 12 years. Fever (34 patients (100%)), convulsions (17 patients (50%)), and coma (21 patients (62%)) were the common clinical presentations. Twenty-four patients (71%) developed complications. There were 15 patients (44%) needed treatment in the intensive care unit, 5 patients (15%) received intubation, and 4 patients (12%) had developed shock. The favorable outcome group included 23 patients, and the unfavorable outcome group included 11 patients. Female, patients with limb movement disability, dystonia, ventriculomegaly or hydrocephalus, and a concentration of glucose in the initial cerebrospinal fluid lower than 1 mmol/L were risk factors of unfavorable outcome at discharge (all P<0.05). Among the 23 patients (68%) in favorable outcomes group, 13 patients (57%) had data available on their long-term follow-up results, including 12 patients with favorable long-term outcomes and 1 patient with unfavorable long-term outcome. Among the 11 patients (32%) in unfavorable outcomegroup, 1 patient died, the other 10 patients (91%) had data available on their long-term outcomes. Eight patients had unfavorable long-term outcomes and 2 patients with favorable long-term outcomes. Patients who had unfavorable outcomes at discharge were at a greater risk of experiencing unfavorable long-term outcomes ( P=0.001). Conclusions:It is common for patients with Hi meningitis to have intracranial complications or develop into critical conditions. Patients who have limb movement disability, dystonia, ventriculomegaly or hydrocephalus, and who exhibit a concentration of glucose in the initial cerebrospinal fluid lower than 1 mmol/L tend to have unfavorable outcomes; they need to be assessed for sequelae.

Objective:To explore the interrelationship between brain functional networks and features in functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)of patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD),and to construct mixed-function networks(MFN),and apply them in machine learning classification models to improve the accuracy of AD classification.Methods:102 AD patients and 227 healthy subjects in the Alzheimer's Neuroimaging Initiative(ADNI)dataset were retrospectively analyzed.The partial correlation brain network of the blood oxygen level dependent(BOLD)signal was calculated and fused with low-frequency wave amplitude(ALFF),fractional low-frequency wave amplitude(fALFF)and local consistency(ReHo)features to construct MFN.Network topology parameters were extracted,and a variety of machine learning classification models were constructed based on MFN topological parameters,accuracy,precision,recall and area under the curve(AUC)were used to evaluate the predictive efficiency of the models.Results:By constructed MFN and calculated intra group to inter group ratio(IIGR),35 features could be obtained from ALFF,fALFF and ReHo feature topological parameter analysis,after rank sum test and FDR correction,there were statistical differences among 28 features(P＜0.05).The classification results show that,all the five classifiers have high classification performance on the test data set.The accuracy,precision and recall rates of random forest(RF),adaptive lifting algorithm(AdaBoost),guided aggregation algorithm(Bagging)and support vector machine(SVM)were all 99.7％,and the AUC values were up to 100％,99.5％,99.1％and 99.5％,respectively.The accuracy(98.5％),precision(98.5％),recall(98.5％),and AUC(99.1％)of the multi-layer perceptron(MLP)were slightly lower than other models,but remained excellent.It was worth noting that RF has the highest AUC value of all models at 100.0％,while Bagging has the lowest AUC value(99.1％)in the integrated approach.The results of performance comparison show that,MFN classification model can significantly improve the recognition and classification of AD disease,and greatly improve the performance of various indicators of the classifier.The results showed that,MFN classification model was superior to intelligent classification based fusion,DBN-based multitask learning,PVT-TSVM,unsupervised learning and clustering,SVM and SVM of degree 3 polynomial kernel function in key indicators such as accuracy(99.13％),AUC(99.42％),recall rate(99.46％)and specificity(99.42％)with plasma proteins,machine learning algorithms.It was further proved that MFN classification model has good generalization ability and robustness in AD disease classification.Conclusion:The AD classification model constructed based on brain mixed function network topology parameters and machine learning can improve the accuracy of AD classification.

Objective To explore the feasibility and corresponding implementation methods of constructing a sample resource bank based on individual-level data of completed clinical trials and using it to construct external controls for drug/device clinical trials.Methods Taking the pre-marketing clinical trial of transcatheter active valve replacement(TAVR)for the treatment of aortic valve stenosis as an example,the individual-level databases of multiple trials were standardized to form a sample bank.The original data of any trial in the sample bank were selected as the experimental group,and the remaining samples were selected as the control group.The potential confounding was handled by using the propensity score matching and stratification methods to clarify the process of constructing external controls based on the sample bank of individual-level data of clinical trials.Results This study included individual-level data of single-group trials of 4 TAVR devices,with a total of 569 subjects(59.2%male).The number of subjects in Trials 1 to 4 was 120,120,163,and 166,respectively.Propensity score matching enabled the matching of 113,117,125,and 147 subjects with comparable or similar characteristics from individual-level data from other trials,respectively,demonstrating a high matching success rate.The PS score distribution plot after stratification showed that the proportions of subjects in the experimental and control groups in strata 1 to 5 in scheme 1 were 4/103,11/103,22/92,32/87,and 51/64,respectively.For all constructed external controlled trials,a certain number of control samples with similar baseline characteristics to the experimental groups were distributed within each propensity score stratum.The results of the simulation test also reflected the potential differences between different devices in the 12-month all-cause mortality rate.Conclusions The sample bank constructed with individual-level data from clinical trials,as a high-quality data source,can serve as a source of external control for single-arm trials in the same field,and as a useful supplement to the external control scenario of real-world evidence to support drug and device development.At the same time,targeted research on research methods and bias control measures in related fields is also needed.