Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

Objective: To explore the current status of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding tuberculosis(TB)prevention and control among high school students, and to compare differences between male and female students, so as to provide a scientific basis for targeted TB prevention and control measures in high schools. Methods: From April to May 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to conduct an electronic questionnaire survey among 1 912 students from 10 high schools using a compiled questionnaire on KAP towards TB prevention and control. The AMOS 26.0 software was utilized to construct structural equation modeling (SEM) and compared the difference among genders. Results: The overall awareness rate of core TB knowledge among high school students in Gongshu District was 76.62%. Additionally, core knowledge about TB (6.28±1.44), prevention attitudes (6.02±1.84), and prevention practices (6.38±2.11) scores of female students were higher than those of male students (5.96±1.74, 5.59±2.21, 6.15±2.23) ( t =4.31, 4.64, 2.25, P <0.05). The SEM showed that knowledge had a strong positive impact on practices and attitudes among boys, with total effect values of 0.963 and 0.819 , respectively; while the positive influence of attitudes on practices was relatively weak, with a total effect value of 0.186. Among girls, attitudes had a positive impact on practices and knowledge, with total effect values of 0.479 and 0.222, respectively. Conclusions The pathways and strengths of influence of KAP in the SEM of TB prevention and control differ between male and female high school students. Therefore, differentiated strategies should be implemented for TB health education targeting male and female high school students.

Bluetongue virus is an arbovirus that seriously harms ruminants such as sheep,this study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism of bluetongue virus infection and host cell interferon antiviral immune response.The study was conducted to characterize the mRNA expression of inter-feron pathway genes by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,as well as Western blot analysis of MDA5,TRAF3,RIG-Ⅰ,and TBK1 protein expression in BHK-21 cells induced by BTV with a multiplicity of infections(MOI)of 1 for 18,24,and 36 h.The results showed that the most pro-nounced changes in the expression of interferon signaling pathway genes were observed at 24 h of induction,the gene mRNA expression levels of the IFN-α,IFN-β,RIG-Ⅰ,TBK1,MDA5,VISA,and TRAF3 genes were upregulated.However,the mRNA expression levels of IKKε and TRAF6 genes were downregulated.At the protein level,MDA5 and TBK1 proteins were upregulated while RIG-1 and TRAF3 proteins were downregulated,which showed that BTV infection induces a typeⅠ interferon immune response in BHK-21 cells.This study lays the foundation for further exploring the antiviral immunity mechanism of IFN-Ⅰ signaling pathway regulatory genes in host cells infected with BTV infection.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and prothrombotic risk factors of postoperative venous thromboembolism(VTE) in Cushing′s disease and to further develop an assessment model to identify those at high risk of postoperative VTE events.Methods:A retrospective study was performed in 82 patients who were admitted to Huashan Hospital, Fudan University during January 2019 and January 2020 and diagnosed with Cushing′s disease. These patients underwent the evaluation about their clinical, hormonal, and coagulation parameters, as well as ultrasonography and pulmonary angio-CT when necessary. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO) regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors, and a nomogram model for postsurgical VTE risk assessment in Cushing′s disease was initially established, and Bootstrap method was used for internal verification. Finally, the predictive model was evaluated for calibration and clinical applicability in the study cohort.Results:Nineteen patients(23.17%) developed VTE events, with 14 cases occurring after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Compared to patients without VTE, those in the VTE group were older( P<0.001), had longer postoperative bed rest, higher rates of current infection, higher HbA 1C levels, and more severe glucose tolerance impairment(all P<0.05). Through LASSO regression analysis, two independent risk factors for postoperative VTE were identified: Age and current infection. Then a VTE risk assessment nomogram model was established to predict the patients at high risk of VTE. In the nomogram model for VTE risk assessment, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.868(95% CI 0.787-0.949), with the calibration curve closely aligning with the ideal diagonal line and the clinical decision curve exceeding the two extreme curves. Conclusions:Advanced perioperative assessment needs to be taken to screen those with high VTE risks in patients diagnosed with Cushing′s disease. Additionally, during the perioperative period, patients with Cushing′s disease should undergo mandatory physical activity or prophylactic anticoagulant therapy.

Connective tissue nevi (CTN) , a kind of benign skin hamartomas, can be classified into 3 types according to the excessive components predominating in skin lesions, including collagen type, elastin type and proteoglycan type, and each type of CTN includes various inherited and acquired diseases. Therefore, genetic, clinical, and histopathological features should be considered for the confirmation of diagnosis of CTN and its subtypes. According to the latest Chinese and international literature, this review elaborates clinical classification and histopathological characteristics of CTN, aiming to further strengthen the understanding of this disease.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of ixazomib combination treatment therapies for multiple myeloma (MM), and the influencing factors of prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 80 MM patients admitted to Yancheng Third People's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received 3 courses of ixazomib combination treatment therapies (28 d was 1 course). All combination treatment therapies included ID group (ixazomib + dexamethasone, 11 cases) and ID + immunomodulator group (ixazomib + dexamethasone + lenalidomide/thalidomide, 50 cases), ID + other chemotherapy drugs group (ixazzomib + dexamethasone + doxorubicin liposome/cyclophosphamide/bendamustine, 19 cases). The clinical efficacy of patients in different treatment regimens was compared, and the prognosis was followed up and recorded. The clinical characteristics between the survival and the dead patients were compared. Cox proportional risk model was used to make multivariate analysis of the overall survival of MM patients receiving ixazomib combination therapies.Results:The treatment was effective in 9 cases (81.82%) of the ID group, 32 cases (64.00%) of the ID + immunomodulator group, and 9 cases (47.37%) of the ID + other chemotherapy drugs group. There was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness rate of 3 ixazomib combination regimens ( χ2 = 0.62, P = 0.432). All patients were followed up for 5 to 20 months, with an average follow-up time of (15±4) months. There were statistically significant differences in immunoglobulin type, Durie-Salmon stage, early treatment line and therapeutic efficacy between the survival group (49 cases) and the death group (31 cases) (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the clinical effectiveness (effectiveness vs. ineffectiveness: OR = 0.242, 95% CI 0.103-0.567, P = 0.001) and the previous first-line treatment (the first-line vs. the other lines: OR = 0.577, 95% CI 0.452-0.736, P < 0.001) were independent protective factors for the overall survival of MM. Conclusions:The 3 ixazomib combination therapies have a certain efficacy in the treatment of MM; ID regimen has the best clinical efficacy and survival. The clinical effectiveness and the previous first-line treatment are independent protective factors for the survival of MM.

Objective:To investigate clinical and histopathological features of mucinous nevi.Methods:Clinical and pathological data were collected from 10 patients with clinically and histopathologically confirmed mucinous nevi in Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2014 to December 2019, and retrospectively analyzed.Results:All cases developed mucinous nevi in childhood, with an average age of onset being 6.5 years. Of the 10 patients, 7 had lesions on the trunk, among whom 4 had lesions on the back; the remaining 2 had lesions on the limbs, and 1 had generalized lesions on the trunk and limbs. The skin lesions were locally arranged in lines, bands or clusters, and skin-colored, reddish or yellow in color, with the texture varying from soft to hard. Histopathological examination showed that 10 patients presented with disordered arrangement of collagen fiber bundles in the dermis and mucin deposition at varying locations and to different degrees among them, 6 with thickened and red-stained collagen fibers in the deposition area, and the remaining 4 with sparse and decreased collagen; focal liquefaction degeneration of the basal layer was observed in 2 cases, and different amounts of mature adipose tissue in the dermis were seen in 3 cases.Conclusions:Mucinous nevus pathologically manifests as mucin deposition of varying degrees among disorderedly arrangd collagen fiber bundles in the dermis, which is similar to some other diseases, and is easily misdiagnosed. Close combination of clinical and pathological features facilitates confirmed diagnosis.

Objective: To investigate clinical and histopathological features of subcutaneous sarcoidosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed. Clinical and pathological data were collected from 8 patients diagnosed with subcutaneous sarcoidosis in Hospital for Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between 2012 and 2018, and analyzed retrospectively. Results: Out of the 8 patients, 1 was male and 7 were female, with an average onset age of 50.5 years. The main skin manifestations were multiple painless skin-colored subcutaneous nodules, with no history of trauma or ulceration. Other skin lesions included erythema in 1 case and dark-purple plaques in 1 case. Lung involvement was detected in 6 cases, and no other systems were involved. Histopathological findings were mainly non-caseating granulomas in the subcutaneous tissue with negative acid-fast staining. Of the 8 patients, 7 received short-term oral glucocorticoid treatment and achieved remission or subsidence of lesions, 1 patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusions Subcutaneous sarcoidosis initially manifests as painless skin-colored subcutaneous nodules, which can be complicated by erythema, plaques and so on. Histopathological findings are characterized by non-caseating granulomas. Chronic and mild systemic involvement, especially lung involvement, is common in patients with subcutaneous sarcoidosis, and the prognosis is quite favorable.

Malignant melanoma is the most common fatal skin tumor.Molecular targeted drugs effect on advanced and metastatic melanoma is remarkable,including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors,phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors,receptor tyrosine kinase (TKR) inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors.Vemurafenib and Dabrafenib,as the representative of the v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BARF) kinase inhibitors,play important roles for malignant melanoma.However,the primary or acquired drug resistance to this drug limits its clinical use.At present,some new molecular targeted drugs such as Trametinib,representative of mitogen-activated extracellular signalregulated kinase (MEK) inhibitors,have been used and patients can benefit from the treatment.Studies on the mechanism of drug resistance and the combination of multiple target drugs also provide more potential for individualized molecular targeted therapy of malignant melanoma.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of using somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) combined with event-related potentials (ERPs) to predict the prognosis of comatose patients in neurologic intensive care units (N-ICU).Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in 53 comatose patients enrolled from the Department of Neurology,Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from January 2011 to June 2014.Short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SLSEP),middle-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (MLSEP),N100,and mismatch negative (MMN) were recorded in these comatose patients in N-ICU within one week after coma onset.All patients were evaluated with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) in 3 months after onset.GOS grades 3 to 5 were considered the good outcome; while GOS grades 1 and 2 were considered poor.SLSEP,MLSEP,N100 and MMN were also recorded in 30 healthy controls.The consistency between SLSEP,MLSEP,N100,MMN,and prognosis,as well as the prognostic authenticity of SLSEP,MLSEP,N100 and MMN were analyzed.Results The amplitude was smaller and the latency became longer in comatose patients,compared with healthy controls.The latency of N20,N60,N100 and MMN in patients with good outcome was (21.73 ±2.91) ms,(68.67 ±7.60) ms,(114.81 ±21.60) ms and (194.10 ±55.31) ms,respectively.And the latency of N20,N60,N100 and MMN in patients with poor outcome was (20.74 ±2.05) ms,(64.20 ±5.29) ms,(109.74 ±21.30) ms and (181.00 ± 50.32) ms,respectively.The consistency between poor outcome and absence of evoked potentials for N20,N60,N100 and MMN was satisfactory (x2 =14.60,10.59,14.46,18.12 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).When combined SEPs with ERPs,the sensitivity was 85.2％,specificity was 74.2％,and general correct rate was 86.8％,respectively,for good outcome; the sensitivity was 74.2％,specificity was 85.2％,and general correct rate was 86.8％,respectively,for poor outcome.Conclusions The bilateral absence of N20 has a good power for predicting the poor outcome in comatose patients,while the bilateral existence of N60,N100 and MMN has a good power for predicting the good outcome.The combined use of SEPs and ERPs in evaluating and predicting the outcomes in comatose patients is suggested.