Objective To explore the correlations of the severity degrees of coronary stenosis with cardiac function and exercise tolerance. Methods A total of 112 patients who underwent coronary angiography in Cardiology Department of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University between October 2024 and January 2025 were enrolled. According to the imaging results, the Gensini score was calculated, and the patients were divided into three groups based on the scores: mild group (＜20 points, n＝42), moderate group (20-40 points, n＝43), and severe group (＞40 points, n＝27). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and its abnormal elevation ratio, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and grip strength were compared among the groups. The correlations between Gensini score and various indicators were analyzed using multivariate linear regression. And the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of severe coronary stenosis. Results The 6MWD and LVEF values in the severe group were lower than those in the mild and moderate groups (P＜0.01), while the NT-proBNP level and its abnormal elevation ratio in the severe group were higher than those in the mild group (P＜0.05). The Gensini score was negatively correlated with 6MWD (β＝−0.965, P＜0.01), and positively correlated with NT-proBNP level and its abnormal elevation ratio (β＝0.015, P＜0.001; β＝0.003, P＝0.037). 6MWD and diabetes were independent related factors of severe coronary stenosis (OR＝0.956, P＜0.001; OR＝5.701, P＝0.038). Conclusions The cardiac function and exercise tolerance in patients with severe coronary stenosis decrease, 6MWD is helpful of recognizing severe coronary stenosis population.

Background/Aims: Belching can occur either independently or concurrently with reflux symptoms. This study aims to explore the relationship between belching and reflux and explore the underlying mechanisms involved. Methods: Firstly, patients with isolated belching symptoms or concurrent belching and reflux symptoms were retrospectively enrolled. High-resolution esophageal impedance manometry (HRIM) and 24-hour pH impedance monitoring were used to assess belching types and temporal relationship between belching and reflux. Secondly, subjects with belching disorder were prospectively recruited. Postprandial HRIM monitoring was used to clarify the relationship and underlying mechanisms between belching and reflux. Results: In the initial phase, 139 subjects were enrolled. Regardless of patients' symptom spectrum (with or without gastroesophageal reflux symptoms), the proportion of preceding-reflux belching was significantly higher in those with objective evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, compared to those without (both P < 0.05), which indicated that belching could trigger reflux events and led to more severe reflux burden. To clarify the potential mechanisms involved, 44 belching subjects were prospectively enrolled in the second phase of this study. HRIM analysis demonstrated that maximum intragastric pressure, gastric–lower esophageal sphincter pressure gradient and gastric–esophageal pressure gradient were significantly higher in preceding-reflux belching than those in independent belching. Conclusions This study demonstrated that belching might trigger reflux by increasing intragastric pressure, elevating the gastric-sphincter pressure gradient, which enables gastric contents to pass through the esophagogastric junction.These findings have crucial clinical significance, suggesting that reducing the occurrence of belching might be a potential treatment for refractory reflux.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

Objective To analyze the risk factors and effective predictive indicators for postpartum hemor-rhage(PPH)in pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia(sPE)in singleton pregnancies.The findings will serve as a valuable reference for the clinical prevention and management of PPH in these patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 932 pregnant women with sPE at two tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou from January 1,2016,to December 31,2022.Among these,95 cases were complicated by PPH.A comparative analysis was performed between the sPE group and the sPE with PPH group.Results(1)The incidence of assisted reproductive technology,intrapartum blood loss,placental abruption,elevated D-dimer levels,increased monocyte counts,and higher SIRI levels were significantly higher in the PPH group,whereas platelet counts were significantly lower(P<0.05).(2)The results indicated that intrapartum blood loss,D-dimer levels,and platelet counts were inde-pendently associated with PPH in pregnant women with sPE.(3)The area under the curve(AUC)for intrapartum blood loss,D-dimer,and platelet counts were 0.805,0.717,and 0.571,respectively.The optimal cutoff value for D-dimer was determined to be 2.295 μg/mL.The combined AUC for intrapartum blood loss and D-dimer was 0.859.(4)Intrapartum blood loss values were significantly higher in the PPH group for both vaginal delivery and cesarean section(P<0.001).The corresponding optimal cutoff values were 285 mL and 375 mL,respectively.Conclusions Intrapartum haemorrhage,D-dimer levels,and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for PPH in pregnant women with sPE.Specifically,pregnant women with sPE who experienced blood loss exceeding 285 mL during vaginal delivery or 375 mL during caesarean section,along with a D-dimer level greater than 2.295 μg/mL,demonstrated an increased likelihood of developing PPH.Therefore,it is crucial to enhance clinical monitoring of these relevant indicators in high-risk populations.

Excessive fat accumulation,viral infections and sustained inflammatory responses caused by non-alcoholic and alcoholic factors can contribute to liver inflammation,fibrosis and carcinogenesis,promoting the development of chronic liver disease.Gaining an in-depth understanding of the etiologic factors and underlying mechanisms that lead to chronic liver disease can help identify potential therapeutic targets for targeted therapy.Lactate,as an important substance in hepatic metabolism,has been found to be involved in the process of chronic liver disease through various pathways,and this review will provide a useful reference for the prevention and treatment of chronic liver disease.

Objective To develop a foot pad for arch support after plantar skin grafting and evaluate its rehabilitation effect on scar tissue in the arch area of postoperative patients.Methods The foot pad for arch support after plantar skin grafting was fabricated from medical-grade silicone and comprised a pad body and an arch support component.The pad body featured shock-absorbing convex patterns on its surface,precision-cut grooves in the metatarsal region and an upwardly convex arch section;the arch support component consisted of an arch-supporting portion with heel reinforcement and a heel-supporting portion,both peripherally integrated with vibration-damping through-holes.Totally 82 burn patients undergoing grafting using plantar skin were selected and divided equally into a control group and an experimental group with the random number table method.In the control group,anti-scarring care such as applying silicone gel and pressure therapy by rehabilitation nurses was carried out immediately after the healing of the plantar skin removal site.In the experimental group,the foot pad was used for rehabilitation care besides the routine treatment in the control group.The two groups were compared in terms of scarring and adverse reactions at the plantar skin removal site.SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results Within 1 week after healing,the number of patients in the experimental group who had subcutaneous bruising and rupture was less than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).At 3 months after healing,the experimental group behaved better than the control group in scarring,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The foot pad developed with simple structure and easy operation can be used for rehabilitation exercise of patients after plantar skinning.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):115-117]

Objective:This study aims to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing the safety and efficacy of endoscopic versus surgical treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Methods:Randomized controlled trials were identified through systematic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI. Both direct effect models and Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis were used to compare treatments directly and indirectly. The following types of studies were included : (1) RCTs involving endoscopic or surgical treatment for adult GERD patients aged ≥18 years with no previous history of gastroesophageal surgery; (2) studies comparing two or more treatment methods, including different endoscopic or surgical procedures, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, and/or sham surgery; and (3) articles published in Chinese or English. Review articles and conference abstracts were excluded.Results:A total of 47 randomized controlled trials were enrolled, and 43 studies were network meta-analyzed. Both endoscopic and surgical treatments significantly reduced postoperative PPI use compared to PPI therapy ( P <0.05). Among all treatment modalities, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF, SUCRA=0.84) demonstrated the highest efficacy, followed by laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF, SUCRA=0.71) and anterior partial fundoplication (APF, SUCRA=0.70). Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) demonstrated the best outcomes in relieving heartburn (SUCRA=0.87) and bloating (SUCRA=0.86) symptoms. The overall safety of surgical treatment was comparable to that of PPI therapy. However, LNF was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative dysphagia and gas-related symptoms, whereas TIF had a lower risk of postoperative complications. Conclusions:Both endoscopic and surgical treatments are effective for GERD. LNF provides the highest rate of medication discontinuation but carries a higher risk of postoperative complications. TIF offers better relief of heartburn and bloating with fewer complications.

A subset of patients with multiple myeloma(MM)present with reduced serum vitamin B12 levels at initial diagnosis;however,its clinical significance and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in hematopoiesis and immune regulation.This study aims to elucidate its association with extramedullary diseases,immune function,and prognosis in MM patients.A retrospec-tive analysis was conducted of 92 newly diagnosed MM patients,who received treatment at the Second Af-filiated Hospital of Soochow University between January 2020 and December 2023.Patients were classi-fied into a low vitamin B12 group(n=37)and a normal vitamin B12 group(n=55)based on their ser-um vitamin B12 levels.The findings revealed that the incidence of extramedullary infiltration was signifi-cantly higher in the low vitamin B12 group than in the normal group(26.5％vs.17.0％,P=0.031).Survival analysis demonstrated that patients with low vitamin B12 levels had significantly shorter overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)(OS:P=0.0123;PFS:P=0.0136).Additionally,these patients showed a decreasing trend in peripheral blood total T cell,CD4+T cell,and CD8+T cell counts,with serum vitamin B12 levels showing a significant positive correlation with the total T cell count(R=0.2717,P=0.0135)and CD4+T cell count(R=0.2175,P=0.0497).In conclusion,reduced serum vitamin B12 levels at initial diagnosis are significantly associated with poor prognosis in MM pa-tients and may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker.Furthermore,vitamin B12 deficiency may con-tribute to immune dysfunction,particularly impaired T cell immunity,and a higher incidence of extr-amedullary diseases.

Objective To analyze the risk factors and effective predictive indicators for postpartum hemor-rhage(PPH)in pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia(sPE)in singleton pregnancies.The findings will serve as a valuable reference for the clinical prevention and management of PPH in these patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 932 pregnant women with sPE at two tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou from January 1,2016,to December 31,2022.Among these,95 cases were complicated by PPH.A comparative analysis was performed between the sPE group and the sPE with PPH group.Results(1)The incidence of assisted reproductive technology,intrapartum blood loss,placental abruption,elevated D-dimer levels,increased monocyte counts,and higher SIRI levels were significantly higher in the PPH group,whereas platelet counts were significantly lower(P<0.05).(2)The results indicated that intrapartum blood loss,D-dimer levels,and platelet counts were inde-pendently associated with PPH in pregnant women with sPE.(3)The area under the curve(AUC)for intrapartum blood loss,D-dimer,and platelet counts were 0.805,0.717,and 0.571,respectively.The optimal cutoff value for D-dimer was determined to be 2.295 μg/mL.The combined AUC for intrapartum blood loss and D-dimer was 0.859.(4)Intrapartum blood loss values were significantly higher in the PPH group for both vaginal delivery and cesarean section(P<0.001).The corresponding optimal cutoff values were 285 mL and 375 mL,respectively.Conclusions Intrapartum haemorrhage,D-dimer levels,and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for PPH in pregnant women with sPE.Specifically,pregnant women with sPE who experienced blood loss exceeding 285 mL during vaginal delivery or 375 mL during caesarean section,along with a D-dimer level greater than 2.295 μg/mL,demonstrated an increased likelihood of developing PPH.Therefore,it is crucial to enhance clinical monitoring of these relevant indicators in high-risk populations.

Objective To evaluate the consumption of opioid and postoperative analgesia of intercostal nerve block(ICNB)and paravertebral block(PVB)for autologuous rib cartilage graft for auricular reconstruction in children with microtia.Methods A total of 120 patients scheduled for autologuous rib cartilage graft for auricular reconstruction were enrolled.According to randomized blocks,patients were allocated into three groups(n=40 in each group):general anesthesia group(GA group),ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve block group(ICNB group)and ultrasound-guided PVB group(PVB group).GA group only received general anesthesia,while ICNB group and PVB group received single-shot nerve block with lidocaine after induction of general anesthesia.All groups were received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)for 48 hours postoperatively.Intraoperative opioid requirement was recorded.Heart rate(HR)and mean arterial pressure(MAP)were recorded at different time points during surgery.Time of the first visual analogue scale(VAS)obtained and duration of postanesthesia care unit(PACU)stay were evaluated.The VAS scores of chest and ear during deep breath and at rest were recorded during 48 hours postoperatively.Opioid consumption and postoperative analgesia-related adverse events were compared among the three groups during 48 hours after surgery.Results Compared with those in GA group,intraoperative fentanyl consumption(P=0.02,P<0.01),time of the first VAS obtained(P<0.01,P=0.02),duration of PACU stay(P<0.01,P<0.01)and HR when harvesting the first rib cartilage(P=0.04,P<0.01)were statistically lower in ICNB group and PVB group than those in GA group,but no statistical difference was found between these two groups.There were no statistical differences in VAS scores,opioid consumption and analgesia-related adverse events among the three groups.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided single-shot ICNB and PVB with lidocaine provide similar efficacy of reducing intraoperative opioid consumption,maintaining intraoperative hemodynamic stability and faster awakening,but fail to alleviate postoperative pain.