Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Neuroform EZ self expanding stent for severe symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(sICAS).Methods Retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients with severe sICAS who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting(PTAS)with a Neuroform EZ stent in the Department of Cerebrovascular Disease,Henan Provincial People's Hospital,from March 2020 to December 2022.Baseline demographic and clinical data were collected,including age,sex,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,coronary artery disease,dyslipidemia,hyperhomocysteinemia,transient ischemic attack(TIA)and ischemic stroke,smoking history,modified Rankin scale(mRS)score at admission,and National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score.Preoperative imaging data included target vessel(basilar artery,intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery,middle cerebral artery,and intracranial vertebral artery),lesion length,degree of stenosis,and vascular morphology according to the Mori classification(type A,lesion length＜5 mm with concentric or moderately eccentric stenosis;type B,lesion length＜10 mm with severely eccentric stenosis;type C,lesion length＞10 mm or arterial angulation＞90°).Technical success was defined as accurate delivery and deployment of the stent with complete coverage of the target lesion and immediate post deployment residual stenosis＜50%.Postoperative head CT was performed to detect intracranial hemorrhage.Periprocedural complications were recorded,including intracranial hemorrhage,arterial dissection,in stent thrombosis,and perforator occlusion occurring intraoperatively within 72 hours after the procedure.At one-month post-operation,patients were seen through outpatient follow-up for TIA,hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke,and all cause death.At 6 months after surgery,DSA or CT angiography(CTA)was performed to assess in stent restenosis(ISR,defined as＞50%stenosis within the stent or within5mm of its edges,or＞20%luminal loss).At 1 and 2 years postoperatively,ipsilateral ischemic stroke or TIA recurrence was assessed by outpatient visit or telephone follow up.Results A total of 76 patients with severe sICAS underwent PTAS with a Neuroform EZ stent(56 males,20 females,age 47-80 years,with a mean age of[61±10]years).(1)Within all patients enrolled,40 had middle cerebral artery,16 with basilar artery,6 with intracranial vertebral artery and 14 with intracranial internal carotid artery.The preprocedural lesion length was 2-15 mm,with a mean length of(6.2±2.5)mm,and stenosis severity was70%-99%,the mean severity was(83.2±6.9)%,with Mori type B being the most common type(57.9%[44/76]).(2)PTAS was successfully completed on all patients(technical success 100%).Pre dilation with a conventional balloon was performed in all cases(using balloon with diameter of 1.5-3.5mm,and stent with diameter of 2.5-4.5 mm and length of 15-30 mm).Immediate post procedural residual stenosis was(17.4±9.0)%,significantly lower than baseline(t=52.9,P＜0.05),with a mean difference of 65.8%(95%CI63.3%-68.3%).(3)Among all 76patients,one patient developed a flow limiting dissection post balloon angioplasty,which recovered after stent deployment.One patient with basilar artery stenosis experienced recurrent ischemic stroke at 5-day postoperatively,presenting with right sided weakness and coughing on liquids.Imaging showed an acute infarct in the left pons,considered perforator occlusion.The overall periprocedural complication rate was 2.6%(2/76).(4)No deaths occurred within 30 days after surgery.Sixty nine patients(90.8%)underwent 6 month imaging follow up with DSA(52 cases)or CTA(17 cases).ISR occurred in 12 patients(17.4%),including 6 asymptomatic and 6symptomatic cases.The ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence rate was 6.6%(5/76)at1 year and13.2%(10/76)at2years.Conclusions Neuroform EZstent assisted PTASappears safe and feasible for the treatment of severe sICAS.The long term effectiveness requires confirmation in large,multicenter,prospective studies.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Neuroform EZ self expanding stent for severe symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(sICAS).Methods Retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients with severe sICAS who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting(PTAS)with a Neuroform EZ stent in the Department of Cerebrovascular Disease,Henan Provincial People's Hospital,from March 2020 to December 2022.Baseline demographic and clinical data were collected,including age,sex,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,coronary artery disease,dyslipidemia,hyperhomocysteinemia,transient ischemic attack(TIA)and ischemic stroke,smoking history,modified Rankin scale(mRS)score at admission,and National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score.Preoperative imaging data included target vessel(basilar artery,intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery,middle cerebral artery,and intracranial vertebral artery),lesion length,degree of stenosis,and vascular morphology according to the Mori classification(type A,lesion length＜5 mm with concentric or moderately eccentric stenosis;type B,lesion length＜10 mm with severely eccentric stenosis;type C,lesion length＞10 mm or arterial angulation＞90°).Technical success was defined as accurate delivery and deployment of the stent with complete coverage of the target lesion and immediate post deployment residual stenosis＜50%.Postoperative head CT was performed to detect intracranial hemorrhage.Periprocedural complications were recorded,including intracranial hemorrhage,arterial dissection,in stent thrombosis,and perforator occlusion occurring intraoperatively within 72 hours after the procedure.At one-month post-operation,patients were seen through outpatient follow-up for TIA,hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke,and all cause death.At 6 months after surgery,DSA or CT angiography(CTA)was performed to assess in stent restenosis(ISR,defined as＞50%stenosis within the stent or within5mm of its edges,or＞20%luminal loss).At 1 and 2 years postoperatively,ipsilateral ischemic stroke or TIA recurrence was assessed by outpatient visit or telephone follow up.Results A total of 76 patients with severe sICAS underwent PTAS with a Neuroform EZ stent(56 males,20 females,age 47-80 years,with a mean age of[61±10]years).(1)Within all patients enrolled,40 had middle cerebral artery,16 with basilar artery,6 with intracranial vertebral artery and 14 with intracranial internal carotid artery.The preprocedural lesion length was 2-15 mm,with a mean length of(6.2±2.5)mm,and stenosis severity was70%-99%,the mean severity was(83.2±6.9)%,with Mori type B being the most common type(57.9%[44/76]).(2)PTAS was successfully completed on all patients(technical success 100%).Pre dilation with a conventional balloon was performed in all cases(using balloon with diameter of 1.5-3.5mm,and stent with diameter of 2.5-4.5 mm and length of 15-30 mm).Immediate post procedural residual stenosis was(17.4±9.0)%,significantly lower than baseline(t=52.9,P＜0.05),with a mean difference of 65.8%(95%CI63.3%-68.3%).(3)Among all 76patients,one patient developed a flow limiting dissection post balloon angioplasty,which recovered after stent deployment.One patient with basilar artery stenosis experienced recurrent ischemic stroke at 5-day postoperatively,presenting with right sided weakness and coughing on liquids.Imaging showed an acute infarct in the left pons,considered perforator occlusion.The overall periprocedural complication rate was 2.6%(2/76).(4)No deaths occurred within 30 days after surgery.Sixty nine patients(90.8%)underwent 6 month imaging follow up with DSA(52 cases)or CTA(17 cases).ISR occurred in 12 patients(17.4%),including 6 asymptomatic and 6symptomatic cases.The ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence rate was 6.6%(5/76)at1 year and13.2%(10/76)at2years.Conclusions Neuroform EZstent assisted PTASappears safe and feasible for the treatment of severe sICAS.The long term effectiveness requires confirmation in large,multicenter,prospective studies.

Objective:To investigate the optimal processing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata(char-coal-processed immature fruit of Sophora japonica)by integrating thermal analysis,response surface methodology(RSM),and intelligent sensory technology.Methods:The thermal analysis technology was used to simulate the processing process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the pyrolysis characteristics of Sophorae Fructus powder were studied,and the processing process was discussed by intelligent sensory analysis to determine the temperature range.Using the contents of genistein,kaempferol,and quercetin as comprehensive evaluation indices,the RSM was applied to optimize the processing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata.Results:The optimal process-ing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata was identified as:Stir-frying temperature was 290 ℃,Stir-frying time was 14 min.Conclusion:The integrated approach of thermal analysis-RSM and intelligent sensory technology has successfully established an accurate predictive model for active components in Sophorae Fructus.The optimized processing technology not only enhances the reproducibility of charcoal processing but also lays a foundation for the formulation of national quality standards for this TCM.

Objective:To understand the incidence rate of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in Beijing, and analyze the incidence trend of HZ and PHN from 2015 to 2022.Methods:Cases of HZ and PHN from 2015 to 2022 were retrieved from the Hospital Information Systems (HIS) of all primary and above hospitals/clinics in three districts representing the urban, inner suburban, and outer suburban areas of Beijing. After duplication screening, the first visit cases were screened, and the incidence characteristics were described. The incidence rate of HZ and PHN in each year by sex and age group and the age-standardized incidence rate were calculated. The annual percentage increase (APC) of incidence rate was calculated using the Joint regression model, and the change trend was analyzed.Results:The age-standardized incidence rate of HZ in Beijing from 2015 to 2022 ranged from 7.44‰ to 10.05‰, with an average annual incidence rate of 8.95 ‰, significantly increasing with age ( P<0.001). The Joinpoint regression model showed that the overall age-standardized incidence of HZ remained relatively stable, with no significant difference (APC=2.28%, t=1.56, P=0.170). However, the incidence rate among the 0-19-year-old group exhibited a trend of decrease (APC=-10.70%, t=-6.29, P<0.001). For PHN, the age-standardized incidence in Beijing ranged from 0.77‰ to 2.67‰, with an average annual incidence rate of 1.59‰ and a proportion of 9.48% to 26.86% among HZ cases. Both the incidence of PHN and its proportion among HZ cases increased with age ( P<0.001). The age-standardized incidence of PHN increased annually (APC=18.56%, t=9.02, P<0.001). Conclusion:The incidence rate of HZ and PHN in Beijing continues to be at a high level, and PHN shows an increasing trend over time.

Objective:To investigate the optimal processing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata(char-coal-processed immature fruit of Sophora japonica)by integrating thermal analysis,response surface methodology(RSM),and intelligent sensory technology.Methods:The thermal analysis technology was used to simulate the processing process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the pyrolysis characteristics of Sophorae Fructus powder were studied,and the processing process was discussed by intelligent sensory analysis to determine the temperature range.Using the contents of genistein,kaempferol,and quercetin as comprehensive evaluation indices,the RSM was applied to optimize the processing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata.Results:The optimal process-ing technology for Sophorae Fructus Carbonisata was identified as:Stir-frying temperature was 290 ℃,Stir-frying time was 14 min.Conclusion:The integrated approach of thermal analysis-RSM and intelligent sensory technology has successfully established an accurate predictive model for active components in Sophorae Fructus.The optimized processing technology not only enhances the reproducibility of charcoal processing but also lays a foundation for the formulation of national quality standards for this TCM.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trend of hospitalization of the patients with herpes zoster in Beijing from 2017 to 2022.Methods:In this retrospective study, the information of hospitalization of herpes zoster patients were collected from all medical institutions at the first level and above in Xicheng, Changping, and Miyun districts of Beijing. The age and gender specific hospitalization rates and age-standardized hospitalization rates were calculated. Joinpoint regression model was used to explore the trend of the hospitalization rates, and the influencing factors of the hospital stay length and complications were analyzed.Results:The age-standardized hospitalization rate of the patients with herpes zoster was 10.82/100 000-18.43/100 000 in Beijing from 2017 to 2022 [annual percent change (APC) =5.86%, 95% CI: -2.80%-15.98%]. The age-standardized hospitalization rate of the cases with herpes zoster as the main diagnosis showed an upward trend (APC=11.35%, 95% CI: 7.21%-16.23%). The age-standardized hospitalization rate showed an upward trend in women (APC=14.34%, 95% CI: 7.95%-22.37%). The hospitalization rate showed a downward trend in age group 30-39 years (APC=-24.92%, 95% CI: -48.56% - -1.85%) and showed upward trends in age group 70-79 years and 80-109 years (APC=23.18%, 95% CI: 13.53%-35.58%; APC=4.90%, 95% CI: 1.18%-9.19%). Complications occurred in 66.28% (680/1 026) of the patients. The median hospital stay length was 9 (5,15) days, and the patients with high age (≥80 years) and two or more complications had longer hospital stay, which were 12 (6, 23) and 14 (7, 27) days respectively ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The hospitalization rate in women and the elderly aged ≥70 years with herpes zoster as the main diagnosis showed upward trends in Beijing in recent years. The elderly aged ≥80 years usually had longer hospital stay, showing a relatively disease burden level. More attention should be paid to development of intervention strategies, such as vaccine, for this population.

Objective:To understand the incidence rate of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in Beijing, and analyze the incidence trend of HZ and PHN from 2015 to 2022.Methods:Cases of HZ and PHN from 2015 to 2022 were retrieved from the Hospital Information Systems (HIS) of all primary and above hospitals/clinics in three districts representing the urban, inner suburban, and outer suburban areas of Beijing. After duplication screening, the first visit cases were screened, and the incidence characteristics were described. The incidence rate of HZ and PHN in each year by sex and age group and the age-standardized incidence rate were calculated. The annual percentage increase (APC) of incidence rate was calculated using the Joint regression model, and the change trend was analyzed.Results:The age-standardized incidence rate of HZ in Beijing from 2015 to 2022 ranged from 7.44‰ to 10.05‰, with an average annual incidence rate of 8.95 ‰, significantly increasing with age ( P<0.001). The Joinpoint regression model showed that the overall age-standardized incidence of HZ remained relatively stable, with no significant difference (APC=2.28%, t=1.56, P=0.170). However, the incidence rate among the 0-19-year-old group exhibited a trend of decrease (APC=-10.70%, t=-6.29, P<0.001). For PHN, the age-standardized incidence in Beijing ranged from 0.77‰ to 2.67‰, with an average annual incidence rate of 1.59‰ and a proportion of 9.48% to 26.86% among HZ cases. Both the incidence of PHN and its proportion among HZ cases increased with age ( P<0.001). The age-standardized incidence of PHN increased annually (APC=18.56%, t=9.02, P<0.001). Conclusion:The incidence rate of HZ and PHN in Beijing continues to be at a high level, and PHN shows an increasing trend over time.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trend of hospitalization of the patients with herpes zoster in Beijing from 2017 to 2022.Methods:In this retrospective study, the information of hospitalization of herpes zoster patients were collected from all medical institutions at the first level and above in Xicheng, Changping, and Miyun districts of Beijing. The age and gender specific hospitalization rates and age-standardized hospitalization rates were calculated. Joinpoint regression model was used to explore the trend of the hospitalization rates, and the influencing factors of the hospital stay length and complications were analyzed.Results:The age-standardized hospitalization rate of the patients with herpes zoster was 10.82/100 000-18.43/100 000 in Beijing from 2017 to 2022 [annual percent change (APC) =5.86%, 95% CI: -2.80%-15.98%]. The age-standardized hospitalization rate of the cases with herpes zoster as the main diagnosis showed an upward trend (APC=11.35%, 95% CI: 7.21%-16.23%). The age-standardized hospitalization rate showed an upward trend in women (APC=14.34%, 95% CI: 7.95%-22.37%). The hospitalization rate showed a downward trend in age group 30-39 years (APC=-24.92%, 95% CI: -48.56% - -1.85%) and showed upward trends in age group 70-79 years and 80-109 years (APC=23.18%, 95% CI: 13.53%-35.58%; APC=4.90%, 95% CI: 1.18%-9.19%). Complications occurred in 66.28% (680/1 026) of the patients. The median hospital stay length was 9 (5,15) days, and the patients with high age (≥80 years) and two or more complications had longer hospital stay, which were 12 (6, 23) and 14 (7, 27) days respectively ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The hospitalization rate in women and the elderly aged ≥70 years with herpes zoster as the main diagnosis showed upward trends in Beijing in recent years. The elderly aged ≥80 years usually had longer hospital stay, showing a relatively disease burden level. More attention should be paid to development of intervention strategies, such as vaccine, for this population.

Objective To explore the potential pathogenic genes of intestinal metaplasia.Methods Twenty-one patients with intestinal metaplasia admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January,2022 to June,2022,and 21 healthy subjects undergoing gastroscopic examination during the same period were enrolled in this study.All the participants underwent gastroscopy and pathological examination,and gastric tissue samples were collected for transcriptome sequencing to screen for differentially expressed genes(DEGs).The biological functions of the DEGs were analyzed using bioinformatics analysis,and qRT-PCR was used to validate the results.Results Transcriptomic sequencing identified a total of 1373 DEGs,including 827 upregulated and 546 downregulated ones.The top 6 upregulated genes(AGMAT,CCL25,FABP1,CDX1,SPINK4,and MUC2),ranked based on their significance and average expression level,were selected for validation,and qRT-PCR showed significant upregulation of their mRNAs in the gastric tissues of patients with intestinal metaplasia(P<0.05).Conclusion AGMAT,CCL25,FABP1,CDX1,SPINK4,and MUC2 participate in the occurrence and development of intestinal metaplasia,and may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing intestinal metaplasia.

Objective To explore the best neoadjuvant treatment strategy for esophageal cancer and provide a theoretical basis for clinical formulation of neoadjuvant treatment plan. Methods PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched from inception to May 2022. Two researchers independently performed literature screening and data extraction. The quality of the studies was evaluated by the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and data analysis was performed in RStudio environment using R3.6.3 software. Results A total of 24 studies were included, covering 5 286 patients treated with surgery alone, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT), neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NRT), or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) followed by combined surgical treatment. The risk of bias of the studies was low. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that combined surgical treatments after NCRT [HR=0.77, 95%CI (0.70, 0.85)] and NCT [HR=0.89, 95%CI (0.81, 0.98)] were effective methods to improve patients' overall survival (OS) compared with surgery alone. In addition, NCRT could significantly reduce the incidence of local recurrence [OR=0.43, 95%CI (0.30, 0.58)] and distant metastasis [OR=0.71, 95%CI (0.52, 0.93)] in patients with esophageal cancer. However, NCRT [RR=1.30, 95%CI (0.77, 2.20)] increased the mortality rate of patients at 30 d after surgery. Conclusion The available evidence suggests that NCRT combined with surgery is the best option for treating patients with resectable esophageal cancer, but this treatment carries the risk of increased 30 d postoperative mortality. Future studies should focus on optimizing the NCRT regimen with the aim of improving patients’ OS while effectively reducing postoperative mortality. In addition, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to support the results of the study.