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 summarize the liver biopsy and clinical features of patients with liver injury of unknown origin,and to investigate the value of ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy in the diagnosis of liver injury of unknown origin.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data and ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy results of 94 patients with liver injury of unknown origin who were admitted to Zhongshan Hospital,Xiamen University,from January 2018 to February 2023.According to the proportion of the patients with different final diagnoses,the patients were divided into autoimmune liver disease(AILD)group,metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)group,drug-induced liver injury(DILI)group,alcoholic liver disease(ALD)group,and unknown group.An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups,and the Bonferroni analysis or the Dunnett'T3 test was used for further comparison between two groups;the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups;the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between multiple groups.Results All 94 patients with liver injury of unknown origin underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy after admission,among whom 90 patients(95.7%)had a confirmed diagnosis based on liver biopsy and clinical features.There were 43 patients(45.7%)with AILD,21(22.3%)with MAFLD,15(16.0%)with DILI,6(6.4%)with ALD,1(1.1%)with AILD and MAFLD,1(1.1%)with hemochromatosis,1(1.1%)with Budd-Chiari syndrome,1(1.1%)with congenital hepatic fibrosis,and 1(1.1%)with idiopathic portal hypertension,while 4 patients(4.3%)still had an unknown etiology after liver biopsy.There were significant differences between the patients with top five diagnoses in age(F=4.457,P<0.05),body mass index(BMI)(F=3.245,P<0.05),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(H=11.128,P<0.05),gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)(H=24.789,P<0.05),alkaline phosphatase(ALP)(H=26.013,P<0.05),IgG(H=19.099,P<0.05),IgM(H=21.263,P<0.05),AMA-M2 positive rate(P<0.05),and ANA positive rate(P<0.05).Compared with the MAFLD group,the AILD group had significantly higher age,AST,GGT,and ALP and a significantly lower BMI;compared with the MAFLD group and the DILI group,the AILD group had significant increases in IgG and IgM;the AILD group had significant increases in the positive rates of AMA-M2 and ANA compared with the other four groups.Conclusion AILD,MAFLD,and DILI are the most common causes in patients with liver injury of unknown origin.Ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy plays an important role in determining the cause of liver injury of unknown origin,but it is still needed to make a comprehensive analysis based on clinical history,different types of liver injury,laboratory markers,and imaging data.

Objective:To discuss the correlation between homocysteine(Hcy)and inflammatory responses as well as oxidative stress,and to analyze its role in the occurrence and development of acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods:Thirty-eight patients with their first incidence of AIS were selected as AIS group,and according to the principles of case-control study,45 healthy individuals undergwent routine health examination during the same period were selected as control group.The levels of homocysteine and inflammatory cytokine interleukin(IL)-6,and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in serum of the subjects in two groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method;the level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)of the subjects in two groups was detected by immunoturbidimetry;the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)and activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)in serum of the subjects in two groups were detected by chemical colorimetry;Pearson's correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum Hcy level and levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress indicators of the AIS patients.Results:Compared with control group,the levels of Hcy,hs-CRP,TNF-α,IL-6,and MDA in serum of the patients in AIS group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the activity of SOD was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The level of Hcy in serum of the AIS patients was positively correlated with the levels of hs-CRP,TNF-α,IL-6,and MDA(r=0.615,P<0.05;r=0.632,P<0.05;r=0.598,P<0.05;r=0.612,P<0.05),and negatively correlated with the activity of SOD(r=-0.325,P<0.05).Conclusion:The Hcy level in serum of the AIS patients is closely associated with the inflammatory factors and oxidative damage.Hcy can promote the production of oxidative free radicals and inflammatory factors and cause damage to the endothelial cells and play a significant clinical role in the occurrence and development of AIS.

Objective To investigate the factors influencing the prognosis of complex intracranial aneurysms treated with pipeline flow-directed device(PED)and to develop a nomogram prediction model.Methods The clinical data of a total of 98 patients with complex intracranial aneurysm,who were admitted to the Anyue County People's Hospital or the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College of China from January 2021 to April 2023 to receive PED treatment,were retrospectively analyzed.The influencing factors that might affect the prognosis of patients with complex intracranial aneurysm were collected.According to the modified Rankin Scale(mRS)score,the patients were divided into good prognosis group(being defined as mRS ≤2 points)and poor prognosis group(being defined as mRS＞2 points).The clinical data were compared between the two groups,and a nomogram model was established and validated.Results In the 98 patients,poor prognosis was seen in 10(10.20％).The differences in age,history of hypertension,history of diabetes mellitus,clopidogrel resistance,Fisher classification,repeated aneurysm rupture,aneurysm location,aneurysm size,aneurysm neck,multiple lesions,and Hunt-Hess grade on admission between good prognosis group and poor prognosis group were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed that history of hypertension,clopidogrel resistance,repeated aneurysm rupture,aneurysm location,multiple lesions,and Hunt-Hess grade were the independent factors influencing the prognosis of patients with complex intracranial aneurysm after receiving PED treatment.The AUC of the nomogram model in predicting the prognosis of PED for complex intracranial aneurysms was 0.849(95％CI=0.758-0.939).The predicted curves of the model group and validation group were basically fitted to the standard curves.The results of the decision curve analysis showed that the net benefit to patients was greater than 0 when the probability threshold of the nomogram model for predicting a poor prognosis of PED for complex intracranial aneurysms was 0.10-0.90.Conclusion The factors causing poor prognosis of PED for complex intracranial aneurysms mainly include history of hypertension,clopidogrel resistance,repeated aneurysm rupture,etc.The nomogram model established in this study can predict the risk of poor prognosis in patients with complicated intracranial aneurysm after receiving PED treatment.

Objective:To explore the relationship between parental mediation and adolescents'tendency of online game addiction,and the effect of self-control in it.Methods:Totally 553 senior high school students were tested with the Chinese version of Parental Mediation of Online Activities Questionnaire,Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-form(IGDS9-SF)and Dual-mode of Self-control Scale for Adolescents(DMSC-S).Parental active me-diation,restrictive mediation,Internet game addictive tendency,adolescent self-control impulsive system,control system were evaluated respectively.SPSS macro program PROCESS was used to test the mediating role.Results:The scores of restrictive mediation of parents were negatively associated with the scores of adolescents'tendency of online game addiction(β=-0.14,P＜0.001).Self-control scores played an independent mediating role between parental active mediation scores and online game addiction tendency scores(indirect effect=-0.09,95％CI=-0.09--0.01)and a partial mediating role between parental restrictive mediation scores and online game addiction tendency scores(indirect effect=-0.04,95％CI=0.00-0.07).Conclusion:Parental active and restrictive medi-ation are related to adolescents'tendency of online game addiction.Self-control plays a partial mediating role.

Purpose To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder polypoid lesions(GPLs)(diameter≥10 mm).Materials and Methods A prospective enrollment of 229 patients with GPLs who underwent cholecystectomy in 17 hospitals from December 1 2021 to June 30 2024 was conducted to analyze the relationship between general data,conventional ultrasound,CEUS characteristics and the nature of GPLs.Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to identify independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps,the differential diagnostic value of different indicators was compared.Results Among 229 patients with GPLs,there were 108 cases of cholesterol polyps,102 cases of adenoma and 19 cases of gallbladder cancer.Age(Z=-4.476,P<0.001),polyp number(χ2=15.561,P<0.001),diameter(Z=-8.149,P<0.001),echogenicity(χ2=9.241,P=0.010),vascularity(χ2=23.107,P<0.001),enhancement intensity(χ2=47.610,P<0.001),enhancement pattern(χ2=6.468,P=0.011),vascular type(χ2=84.470,P<0.001),integrity of gallbladder wall(χ2=7.662,P=0.006)and stalk width(Z=-9.831,P<0.001)between cholesterol polyps and neoplastic polyps were statistically significant.Age,location,diameter,echogenicity,enhancement pattern,vascular type and stalk width between adenoma and gallbladder cancer were statistically significant(Z=-4.333,-3.902,-5.042,all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hyper-enhancement,branched vascular type and stalk width were independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps(OR=4.563,5.770,3.075,all P<0.001).The combination of independent risk factors was better than single factor and diameter in the differential diagnosis of cholesterol polyps and neoplastic polyps(all P<0.01).Conclusion CEUS can effectively identify the nature of GPLs and provide a valuable imaging reference for the selection of treatment methods.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and unilateral PKP combined with posterior medial branch block of the contralateral spinal nerve in the treatment of lumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 161 aged patients with newly developed lumbar OVCF, admitted to Xi′an Central Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2019 to January 2023, including 58 males and 103 females, aged 61-88 [(72.9±6.3)years]. All the patients were diagnosed with type II compression fracture based on acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture classification (ASOTLF). Seventy-eight patients underwent unilateral PKP (PKP group), while the other 83 patients underwent unilateral PKP combined with posterior medial branch block of the contralateral spinal nerve (PKP+contralateral block group). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospital stay were recorded. Beck index of the injured vertebra, Cobb angle of lumbar lordosis, Roland-Morris disability (RMD) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were evaluated before operation, at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months after operation, and at the last follow-up. The incidence of complications such as cement leakage was recorded as well.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-8 months [(6.7±0.6)months]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, or length of hospital stay ( P>0.05). The Beck index of the injured vertebra and Cobb angle of lumbar lordosis were not significantly different between the two groups before operation, at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months after operation, and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The RMD score of the injured vertebra, VAS score, and ODI were not significantly different between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). At 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months after operation, and at the last follow-up, the RMD scores in the PKP+contralateral block group were (11.23±1.05)points, (10.90±1.11)points, (10.10±1.06)points, (9.94±1.06)points, and (9.60±0.83)points respectively, which were all lower than (17.55±0.71)points, (15.78±0.86)points, (13.42±0.92)points, (10.67±0.78)points, and (9.78±0.72)points in the PKP group ( P<0.05 or 0.01); the VAS scores in the PKP+contralateral block group were (3.02±0.60)points, (2.96±0.55)points, (2.92±0.57)points, (2.88±0.61)points, and (2.70±0.51)points respectively, which were all lower than (3.60±0.57)points, (3.47±0.55)points, (3.32±0.46)points, (2.99±0.47)points, and (2.77±0.42)points in the PKP group ( P<0.05 or 0.01); the ODI values in the PKP+contralateral block group were 14.43±1.29, 14.54±1.24, 14.63±1.32, 14.37±1.31, and 13.42±1.45 respectively, which were all lower than 16.72±1.64, 16.09±1.49, 14.82±1.53, 14.74±1.46, and 13.69±1.75 in the PKP group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The bone cement leakage rate was 12.0% (10/83) in the PKP+contralateral block group, similar to 11.5% (9/78) in the PKP group ( P>0.05). No other complications such as neurovascular injury, pulmonary embolism or adjacent vertebral fracture were found in either groups. Conclusion:In the treatment of lumbar OVCF in the elderly, unilateral PKP combined with posterior medial branch block of the contralateral spinal nerve is similar to unilateral PKP in terms of the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, effectiveness of reduction, and incidence of complications, but it can achieve better pain relief and more satisfactory functional recovery.

Objective:To compare the safety of radial artery puncture in elderly patients aged 75 years and older who are undergoing neurointerventional procedures.Methods:A single-center retrospective study was conducted, involving 350 elderly patients aged 75 years and older who received neurointerventional treatment at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from June to December 2022.The participants were divided into two groups based on the puncture site: femoral artery puncture and radial artery puncture.The safety indicators compared between the two groups included puncture failure, changes in puncture site, general puncture complications(such as subcutaneous bleeding, puncture site hematoma, and vasospasm), severe puncture complications(including distal limb ischemia and pseudoaneurysm), and lower limb venous thrombosis.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of different puncture methods on the occurrence of complications.Results:Among the 350 patients, 280 underwent femoral artery puncture, while 70 underwent radial artery puncture.There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups(all P>0.05).The proportions of patients using antiplatelet drugs prior to surgery, puncture failure rates, rates of change in puncture sites, and the incidence of severe complications-including distal limb ischemia and pseudoaneurysm-were not significantly different between the two groups( χ2=2.051, 0.075, 0.588, 3.175; P=0.152, 0.784, 0.443, 0.075).In the femoral artery puncture group, 20.4%(57 cases)of patients experienced general puncture complications(including subcutaneous bleeding, puncture site hematoma, and vasospasm), whereas only 8.6%(6 cases)in the radial artery puncture group experienced such complications, revealing a statistically significant difference between the two groups( χ2=5.720, P=0.022).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that, compared to femoral artery puncture, radial artery puncture was associated with a reduced risk of all complications( OR=0.272, 95% CI: 0.139-0.532, P<0.001), general puncture complications( OR=0.375, 95% CI: 0.153-0.919, P=0.032)and lower limb venous thrombosis( OR=0.219, 95% CI: 0.050-0.954, P=0.043). Conclusions:In elderly patients aged 75 years and older who are undergoing neurointerventional procedures, radial artery puncture is associated with a reduced incidence of general puncture complications and lower limb venous thrombosis when compared to femoral artery puncture, indicating a superior safety profile.

Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage commonly presents in traumatic brain injury patients, and it may lead to complications such as meningitis, ventriculitis, brain abscess, subdural hematoma or tension pneumocephalus. When misdiagnosed or inappropriately treated, traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage may result in severe complications and may be life-threatening. Some traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage has concealed manifestations and is prone to misdiagnosis. Due to different sites and mechanisms of trauma and degree of cerebrospinal fluid leak, treatments for traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage varies greatly. Hence, the Craniocerebral Trauma Professional Group of Neurosurgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Neurological Injury Professional Group of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized relevant experts to formulate the " Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage in adults ( version 2023)" based on existing clinical evidence and experience. The consensus consisted of 16 recommendations, covering the leakage diagnosis, localization, treatments, and intracranial infection prevention, so as to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage and improve the overall prognosis of the patients.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of the expression of Ephrin A receptor 2(EphA2)and its promoter region DNA hypomethylation with the occurrence of pyroptosis in invasive breast cancer. Methods:The expression level of pyroptosis-related protein EphA2 in normal breast tissue,paracancerous tissues and cancer tissues from 42 breast cancer patients was examined by Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting.The expression level of pyroptosis related protein nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting.The expression levels of apoptosis related proteins Caspase 1 and inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β(IL-1 β)were studied by Western blotting.The DNA methylation level in the promoter region of EphA2 was investigated by nested methylation-specific PCR(nMS-PCR).The expression levels of DNA methyltransferase 1(DNMT1)and DNA methyltransferase 3a(DNMT3a)were examined by Western blotting.The correlation of the protein expression and methylation level of EphA2 in cancer tissues with the expression NLRP3,Caspase 1,IL-1 β,DNMT1 and DNMT3a was analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient. Results:Compared with normal breast tissues and paracancerous tissues,the expression level of EphA2 protein was significantly increased(P＜0.01),while that of NLRP3,Caspasel and IL-1 βwas significantly decreased(P＜0.05)in breast cancer tissues.Meanwhile,compared with normal breast tissues and paracancerous tissues,the DNA methylation level of EphA2 promoter in breast cancer tissues was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the expression level DNMT3a protein was significantly decreased(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),and the difference in the expression level of DNMT1 protein was not statistically significant.Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression level of EphA2 protein is negatively correlated with that of NLRP3(r=-0.651 2,P＜0.05),Caspasel(r=-0.571 2,P＜0.05),IL-1β(r=-0.654 6,P＜0.05)or DNMT3a(r=-0.537 4,P＜0.05),while the methylation level of EphA2 was positively correlated with the protein expression level of NLRP3(r=0.634 1,P=0.026 8),Caspase1(r=0.672 8,P=0.01 6 5),IL-1 β(r=0.694 0,P=0.01 2 3)and DNMT3a(r=0.687 1,P=0.01 3 6). Conclusion:The expression of EphA2 protein is upregulated in breast cancer tissues is negatively correlated with pyroptosis.DNMT3a may be involved in the process of DNA hypomethylation in the promoter region of EphA2.