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.

Objective To explore the clinical features,imaging and pathological characteristics of the patients with congenital liver fibrosis(CHF).Methods The medical case data of 6 patients with pathological-ly diagnosed CHF in this hospital from January 2011 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed,and the clini-cal menifastations,laboratory indicators,imaging characteristics,pathological manifestations,treatment and outcomes were summarized.Results The clinical classification in 6 cases of CHF was mainly portal hyperten-sion(66.67％),and the most common clinical manifestations and signs were hepatosplenomegaly(83.33％),melena(50.00％)and abdominal distension(33.33％).Total bil irubin was normal,and only 2 cases(33.33％)were mildly elevated.The prothrombin time was in the normal range in 4 cases(66.67％),and mild abnormality in 2 cases(33.33％).Imaging showed abnormal liver morphology in 6 cases,spleen enlarge-ment in 5 cases(83.33％),portal vein widening in 3 cases(50.00％),diffuse dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts in 2 cases(33.33％),and complicating Caroli disease in 1 case(16.67％).The pathological manifesta-tions were normal liver parenchymal cells,periportal fibrosis,and manifold-manifold bridging-like fibrosis.Six cases received the conventional liver protection therapy,3 cases underwent splenectomy+pericardia vascular dissection,the median follow-up time was 68.2 months,1 case died due to liver failure,and 5 cases were rela-tively stable.Conclusion The patients with hepatic disease whose portal hypertension is inconsistent to the degree of hepatic function damage,especially those complicating polycystic kidney disease should perfect the liver puncture pathological examination and genetic testing to clarify the diagnosis,and conduct the genetic counseling and intervention treatment as soon as possible.

Objective To analyze the relationship between expression levels of long non-coding RNA(LncRNA)LINC00342 and microRNA-203a-3p(miR-203a-3p)in colorectal cancer tissue and the prognosis of patients within 5 years after surgery.Methods Samples of colorectal cancer tissue and paracancer tissue of 133 patients with colorectal cancer were collected.Expression levels of LncRNA LINC00342 and miR-203a-3p were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR.Survival and death were recorded after 5 years of follow-up.The LncRNA LINC00342 and miR-203a-3p expressions and clinicopathological parameters in patients under different conditions were compared.The correlation between expressions of LncRNA LINC00342 and miR-203a-3p in colorectal cancer tissue was analyzed,and their predictive value for the prognosis was also analyzed.Results The expression level of LncRNA LINC00342 was higher in colorectal cancer tissue than that in paracancer tissue,and the expression level of miR-203a-3p was lower in colorectal cancer tissue than that in paracancer tissue(P＜0.05).The expression levels of LncRNA LINC00342 and miR-203a-3p in colorectal cancer tissue were negatively correlated(P＜0.05).The proportion of patients with low tumor differentiation,TNM stage Ⅲ and lymph node metastasis were higher in the LncRNA LINC00342 high expression group and the miR-203a-3p low expression group than those in the LncRNA LINC00342 low expression group and the miR-203a-3p high expression group,respectively(P＜0.05).The 5-year overall survival rate after operation was lower in the LncRNA LINC00342 high expression group and the miR-203a-3p low expression group(P＜0.05).The proportion of patients with low tumor differentiation,TNM stage Ⅲ,lymph node metastasis,and higher expression level of LncRNA LINC00342 were higher in colorectal cancer tissue of the death group than those in the survival group,and the expression level of miR-203a-3p was lower than that in the survival group(P＜0.05).Low tumor differentiation,TNM stage Ⅲ,lymph node metastasis,high expression of LncRNA LINC00342 and low expression of miR-203a-3p were independent risk factors for death within 5 years after colorectal cancer surgery(P＜0.05).The combined predictive value of LncRNA LINC00342 and miR-203a-3p for prognosis was greater than that of individual prediction.Conclusion LncRNA LINC00342 is higher expressed and miR-203a-3p is lower expressed in colorectal cancer tissue,and the combined detection of the two is expected to become a clinical evaluation indicator for predicting postoperative survival.

Liver fibrosis is a necessary intermediate process from the progression of chronic hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. In recent years, breakthroughs have been made in the research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis. For the purpose of improving clinical outcome, multidisciplinary industry-university-research studies are conducted to explain the biological basis of TCM syndromes of chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis, and establishment and development of a non-invasive diagnostic model with TCM characteristics, optimization of TCM/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment regimens, and elaboration on the scientific connotation of TCM treatment can help TCM for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis to enter the global world.

In recent years, significant breakthroughs have been made in the research on the role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis. In terms of clinical research, several multicenter randomized double-blind controlled studies have been conducted with liver pathological changes as the main efficacy evaluation indicator, which have improved the level of evidence in clinical research on the TCM prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis. As for basic research, in-depth studies have been conducted on the mechanism of action of TCM in intervening against liver fibrosis at various levels, including the effect on HSC activation, apoptosis and autophagy, inhibition of liver inflammatory injury, immunoregulation, and inhibition of hepatic sinusoidal capillarization, thereby highlighting the advantages and research difficulties of TCM through "multiple components, targets, and pathways". Under the guidance of Implementation Plan for the Major Projects of Revitalizing and Developing TCM, it is crucial to conduct high-quality clinical and basic research on TCM in the treatment of liver fibrosis, produce high-quality industry achievements, and thus help TCM to be recognized around the world.

Based on the unique syndrome characteristics of metabolic associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） in Lingnan （岭南） area， this paper discussed the clinical experience of Huangqi （Radix Astragali） in the treatment of MAFLD in Lingnan area. It is summarized that spleen deficiency and yang weakness， and internal accumulation of damp-turbidity are the source of the disease， and at the early stage， Huangqi， commonly 15~30 g， could be used to fortify the spleen and warm the earth， thereby making the deficiency fire latent， as well as raise the clear and warm the exterior so as to inhibit damp-turbidity； medication needs to be progressively supplemented， and can be used together with Taizishen （Radix Pseudostellariae）， Baizhu （Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae）， Fuling （Poria）， and Fangfeng （Radix Saposhnikoviae） to back up the earth and inhibit dampness. Qi stagnation and blood constraint， yin dampness and heat accumulation are the pathogenesis of disease progression. Huangqi should be taken to invigorate the spleen and flourish the liver， unblock yang， and move stagnation. The dosage is often maintained at 30~60 g， to circulate the qi and unblock yang qi in the middle jiao （焦）， usually combined with Chaihu （Radix Bupleuri）， Baishao （Radix Paeoniae Alba） and Yujin （Radix Curcumae） integrating warm and cool medicinals. Stubborn turbid and fat condensing in the liver is a severe stage of the disease and may be concurrent with various pathogens such as dampness， phlegm， and heat， for which 60~90 g Huangqi should be used to invigorate blood and disperse fat， reinforce healthy qi and expel pathogens， often with medicinals that can disperse fat and direct the turbid downward such as Shanzha （Fructus Crataegi）， Juemingzi （Semen Cassiae）， Lulutong （Fructus Liquidambaris） and Zexie （Rhizoma Alismatis）. When prescribing， it is suggested to combine with other medicinals according to the season， thereby adjusting the ascending and descending of the property of Huangqi， thereby conforming to the nature of the four seasons.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic application and characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in exertional rhabdomyolysis (ERM).Methods:Three cases of ERM patients admitted to Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center of Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital in August 2019 were selected and clinical data of the patients were collected including medical history, serum muscle enzyme, electromyography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the thigh muscles within one week after onset.Results:All three patients had muscle soreness and dark urine after exercise and their serum muscle enzyme level exceeded five times of normal value which could be definitely diagnosed as ERM. Skeletal muscle MRI showed equal or slightly longer T 1, longer fat-suppressed T 2 weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery images, and high diffusion weighted imaging signal. In this group, one case of femur muscle MRI showed adductor longus and semitendinosus myopathy, other two cases showed quadriceps. All cases′ MRI score was grade one. Echogenic enhancement can be seen in normal ultrasound of diseased skeletal muscle. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed a dynamic strengthening process in which the central area was firstly strengthened, then strengthened in peripheral area. Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed characteristic changes in ERM with early and obvious enhancement in the central area and uneven enhancement in the central area. Conclusions:Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of ERM lesions has its characteristic changes. The enhancement of the central area of the lesion appeared early and obvious while the surrounding area appeared late and weak, showing the characteristic of "water ripple" concentric circle reinforcement. This enhancement characteristic suggested that ERM skeletal muscle was unevenly damaged and the central area was more obvious.

Objective To find out if there is any difference in intercondylar fossa width and notch width index (NWI) between tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fracture and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.Methods A retrospective study was conducted of the patients who had sought medical attention at Department of Sports Medicine and Adult Reconstructive Surgery,Drum Tower Hospital from June 2014 to May 2018.There were 10 patients with tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fracture (4 males and 6 females with an average age of 32.7 ± 9.2 years),13 patients with ACL injury (8 males and 5 females with an average age of 31.8 ± 10.9 years) and 22 patients with simple meniscus injury as controls (13 males and 9 females with an average age of 30.9 ± 10.6 years).They all had MRI examination of the knee before surgery.The width of intercondylar fossa and the width and height of bilateral femoral condyles were measured on high resolution images of MRI axial view.NWI was calculated.The 3 groups were compared in intercondylar fossa width and NWI.Results The 3 groups of patients were comparable because there were no significant differences in gender,age,height,weight or BMI between them (P ＞ 0.05).The intercondylar fossa width in the ACL injury group (17.4 ± 3.5 mm) was significantly smaller than that in the avulsion fracture group (20.8 ± 1.1 mm) or in the control group (20.2 ±2.6 mm) (P ＜ 0.05),but no significant difference was detected between the avulsion fracture group and the control group (P ＞ 0.05).NWI in the avulsion fracture group (0.301 ±0.011) was similar to that in the control group (0.280 ±0.039) (P ＞ 0.05) but significantly higher than that in the ACL injury group (0.25 ± 0.05) (P ＜ 0.05).NWI in the ACL injury group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Intercondylar notch stenosis may be a risk factor for ACL injury but may not be associated with tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fracture.The difference in pathogenesis between tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fracture and ACL injury may be associated with their difference in NWI.

Objective To investigate the antibiotic susceptibilities and the profiles of virulence genes of clinically isolated Salmonella enterica serovars Schwarzengrund ( S. Schwarzengrund) strains for bet-ter understanding the epidemiological trend of this type of non-typhoidal Salomonella and to provide guide-lines for the prevention and treatment of S. Schwarzengrund infection. Methods Stool samples and clinical data of patients with acute diarrhea who received treatment in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical Univer-sity during May, 2014 to October, 2014 were collected for this study. Enrichment culture and biochemical identification were used to isolate and identify the S. Schwarzengrund strains. The isolated strains were fur-ther analyzed with serotyping analysis, drug susceptibility test, pulsed field gel electrophoresis ( PFGE) and multiple locus sequence typing ( MLST ) . The representative genes carried by Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI) 1-5, SPI regulators and virulence plasmids were amplified by PCR. The coding genes of CdtB-islet, which were cdtB, pltA and pltB were amplified and sequenced. Results In total, 16 (14. 8%) out of 108 non-typhoidal Salmonella strains were identified as S. Schwarzengrund strains and all of them were sus-ceptible to 11 kinds of antibiotics such as fluoroquinolone, ampicillin, ceftriaxone and trimethoprim-sulfame-thoxazole. PFGE categorized the 16 S. Schwarzengrund strains into 3 clusters including A clone ( 14 strains), B clone (1 strain) and C clone (1 strain). The strains that isolated from 8 patients who ate the same food belonged to one cluster ( A clone ) , suggesting that it was an outbreak of infection. The 16 S. Schwarzengrund strains showed identical MLST type, which was ST241. The representative genes carried by SPI1-5 ( invA, sitC, hilA, sseL, sifA, mgtC, siiE and sopB) , the regulatory gene ( phoP) and the cytole-thal distending toxin islet (CdtB-islet) coding genes (cdtB, pltA and pltB) were positive, while the genes carried by virulence plasmids (pefA, prot6E and spvB) were negative. The similarities in CdtB-islet coding genes and amino acids sequences between Salmonella typhi and S. Schwarzengrund strains in this study were more than 97% and 98%, respectively. Conclusion In this study, polyclonal S. Schwarzengrund strains of ST241 type were isolated from the patients. They were susceptible to common antibiotics, but carried the virulence genes contained in SPI1-5 and CdtB-islet coding genes and might cause an outbreak of infection. Attention should be paid to the tendency and threat of clinical S. Schwarzengrund infection and continuous surveillance and investigation should be performed.

Objective To investigate antimicrobial resistance and ceftriaxone resistance mechanisms in clinically isolated nontyphoidal Salmonella(NTS),and provide evidence for the prevention and control of NTS infection and rational use of antimicrobial agents.Methods 108 NTS isolates were isolated from stool specimens of outpatients with acute diarrhea in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University and Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from May to October of 2014,NTS were performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing;non-ceftriaxone-susceptible isolates were typed by serological,multilocus sequence (MLST),and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)methods,extended-spectrumβ-lactamase (ESBL)detection and AmpC genes were detection.Results Among 108 NTS isolates,mono-drug resistance rate to 11 antimicrobial agents was 49.07% (n= 53),multidrug resistance rate was17.59% . Susceptibility rates to nalidixic acid,levofloxacin,ciprofloxacin,ceftriaxone,and ertapenem were 61.11% ,66.67% ,68.52% ,97.22% ,and 100.00% respectively. Three non-ceftriaxone-susceptible NTS isolates were detected,2 were ST11 Salmonellaenterica serotype (Sa8709,Sa8771),1 was ST34 Salmonellatyphimurium serotype(Sa8763). Cluster analysis of PFGE revealed that Sa8709 was highly similar to Sa8771 strains(91 .70% ), but the similarity to Sa8763 was low(55.80% );Sa8709 strain carried CTX-M gene,Sa8771 strain carried CTX-M and TEM genes,Sa8763 strain carried OXA gene. Conclusion Clinically isolated NTS in this area are low resistant to fluoroquinolones,multidrug resistant strains carrying ESBLs have emerged.