Objective To explore the efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy(UBE)for lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis combined with lumbar disc herniation through Sublamina approach.Methods From October 2021 to June 2022,7 elderly patients with typical symptoms of lumbar disc herniation in the intervertebral foramen area accompanied by spinal stenosis were retrospectively analyzed.There were 6 patients with lumbar disc herniation and nerve root canal stenosis at L4/5 and 1 patient at L5/S1.The mean course of disease was(8.6±2.5)months.All the patients were treated by UBE through Sublamina approach.Results Postoperative limb radicular symptoms of 7 patients were relieved.The visual analogue scale(VAS)of limb pain was significantly decreased from preoperative(8.6±1.3)to(2.1±1.1)at 2 d after the surgery(P<0.05),the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score was significantly increased from preoperative(10.1±2.4)to(17.3±1.8)at 2 d after the surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion UBE for lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis combined with lumbar disc herniation through Sublamina approach has a satisfactory therapeutic effect,providing a new idea for the surgical treatment of this disease.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is divided into cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic PVTs. The incidence rate of PVT varies greatly among different clinical stages of cirrhosis, with an overall incidence rate of about 13.92%, and the prevalence of cirrhotic PVT following splenectomy is as high as 60%. The pathogenesis of cirrhotic PVT is still unclear. However, the activation of Janus kinase/signal transduction and activator transcription signaling pathways, the rise in the expression of von Willebrand factor, and the gut microbiota along with its metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide play an important role in the injury of vascular endothelial cells and the formation of PVT in cirrhosis. Therefore, these could be a new target for cirrhotic PVT prevention and treatment.

Background/Aims: Existing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prediction models are derived mainly from pretreatment or early on-treatment parameters. We reassessed the dynamic changes in the performance of 17 HCC models in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during long-term antiviral therapy (AVT). Methods: Among 987 CHB patients administered long-term entecavir therapy, 660 patients had 8 years of follow-up data. Model scores were calculated using on-treatment values at 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5 years of AVT to predict threeyear HCC occurrence. Model performance was assessed with the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC). The original model cutoffs to distinguish different levels of HCC risk were evaluated by the log-rank test. Results: The AUROCs of the 17 HCC models varied from 0.51 to 0.78 when using on-treatment scores from years 2.5 to 5. Models with a cirrhosis variable showed numerically higher AUROCs (pooled at 0.65–0.73 for treated, untreated, or mixed treatment models) than models without (treated or mixed models: 0.61–0.68; untreated models: 0.51–0.59). Stratification into low, intermediate, and high-risk levels using the original cutoff values could no longer reflect the true HCC incidence using scores after 3.5 years of AVT for models without cirrhosis and after 4 years of AVT for models with cirrhosis. Conclusions The performance of existing HCC prediction models, especially models without the cirrhosis variable, decreased in CHB patients on long-term AVT. The optimization of existing models or the development of novel models for better HCC prediction during long-term AVT is warranted.

Objective:intrahepatic portocaval shunt (TIPS) in the treatment of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 27 patients with HSOS who were treated with TIPS in our center from July 2018 to July 2020. The changes of portal vein pressure (PVP), portal vein pressure gradient (PPG) and liver function were observed, so as to evaluate the efficacy. Paired t test was adopted to evaluate the quantitative parameters, while χ2 test was used to analyze qualitative parameters, with P < 0.05 as statistical difference. Results:PVP decreased from (4.41 ± 0.18) kPa before shunt to (2.69 ± 0.11) kPa after shunt ( t = 82.41, P < 0.001), PPG decreased from (3.23 ± 0.18) kPa before shunt to (1.46 ± 0.23) kPa after shunt ( t = 32.41, P < 0.001). The liver function improved significantly after operation. After 24 months of follow-up, 3 patients developed stent restenosis and recanalized after balloon dilation. Three patients developed hepatic encephalopathy, which was improved after drug treatment. One patient underwent liver transplantation due to liver failure. Conclusion:TIPS is effective in the treatment of HSOS in the short and medium term, and can provide time for liver transplantation patients to wait for liver source.

Objective:By using balloon occlusive hepatic angiography in cirrhotic portal hypertension to evaluate contrast doses on the detection rate of intrahepatic venous-lateral branch shunt (HVVC), and the effect on hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and portal vein pressure gradient (PPG).Methods:From Jan 2018 to Jun 2021, 131 patients received transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) at Beijing Shijitan Hospital.Results:A positive correlation between PVP and weged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) ( r=0.241, P=0.001) was found when only by right hepatic vein approach. Ten ml of iodine contrast medium when compared to 5ml doses found more cases of intrahepatic venous-venous lateral branch shunt. The mean PPG of patients with HVVC was significantly higher than the mean of HVPG( P<0.05).The right hepatic vein was the only reliable vein by which WHVP was measured. Conclusions:Right hepatic vein manometry,adequate ballon occlusion and using 10ml of iodine contrast help get reliable WHVP and found HVVC; HVVC can affect the consistency of HVPG and PPG.

Objective:To study the efficacy and influencing factors of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of cholesterol gallstone, so as to provide reference for the treatment of cholesterol gallstone by internal medicine.Methods:From March 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, at outpatient department of gastroenterology of 9 Beijing medical centers including Peking University People′s Hospital, the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing Huaxin Hospital, PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Peking University Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing Youan Hospital of Capital Medical University and Beijing Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, and Beijing Shijitan Hospital of Capital Medical University, the data of patients with cholesterol gallstone treated by UDCA were collected. The inclusion criteria were that the largest diameter of stone was ≤10 mm and the stone was not detected under X-ray. The treatment plan was taking UDCA orally for 6 months at a dose of 10 mg·kg -1·d -1. The basic information of patients, the ultrasound examination results before treatment and 6 months after treatment, and scores of biliary abdominal pain and dyspepsia symptom were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of the efficacy in gallstrone dissolution by UDCA, and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 215 patients were enrolled. The complete dissolution rate of gallstone was 19.5% (42/215) and partial dissolution rate was 50.7% (109/215), and the total effective rate was 70.2% (151/215). The complete dissolution rate of sandy stone was significantly higher than that of lumped stones (37.0%(17/46) vs. 14.8%(25/169); OR=3.377, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.621 to 7.035, P=0.001). In lumped stones, the complete dissolution rate of the stones with diameter ≤5 mm was significantly higher than that of the stones with diameter >5 mm (37.5%(9/24) vs. 11.0%(16/145); OR=4.837, 95% CI 1.823 to 12.839, P=0.002). The complete dissolution rate of patients with higher body mass index ( OR=0.872, 95% CI 0.764 to 0.995, P=0.043) and longer disease course ( OR=0.942, 95% CI 0.912 to 0.973, P<0.001) was low. The results of multivariate logistic analysis indicated that long disease course of gallstone ( OR=0.940, 95% CI 0.908 to 0.974, P=0.001), rough gallbladder wall ( OR=0.438, 95% CI 0.200 to 0.962, P=0.040) and lumped stone ( OR=0.236, 95% CI 0.101 to 0.550, P=0.001) were independent risk factors of influencing the efficacy of stone dissolution by UDCA. As for lumped stones, the independent risk factors included long disease course of gallstone ( OR=0.926, 95% CI 0.877 to 0.978, P=0.006) and stone diameter >5 mm ( OR=0.142, 95% CI 0.043 to 0.470, P=0.001). After 6 months of UDCA treatment, score of biliary abdominal pain decreased from 0 (0 to 6) to 0 (0 to 0) and the score of dyspepsia symptom decreased from 1 (0 to 2) to 0 (0 to 0), and the differences between before treatment and after treatment were statistically significant ( Z=-8.50, and -9.13, both P<0.001). Conclusions:UDCA has a certain efficacy in cholesterol gallstone dissolution and can ease biliary abdominal pain and dyspepsia symptom. Long disease course of gallstone, rough gallbladder wall and stone diameter >5 mm are independent risk factors of poor efficacy in gallstone dissolution by UDCA.

Objective:The investigation and research on the application status of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) is very important to understand the real situation and future development of this technology in China.Methods:This study comprehensively investigated the basic situation of HVPG technology in China, including hospital distribution, hospital level, annual number of cases, catheters used, average cost, indications and existing problems.Results:According to the survey, there were 70 hospitals in China carrying out HVPG technology in 2021, distributed in 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central Government). A total of 4 398 cases of HVPG were performed in all the surveyed hospitals in 2021, of which 2 291 cases (52.1%) were tested by HVPG alone. The average cost of HVPG detection was (5 617.2±2 079.4) yuan. 96.3% of the teams completed HVPG detection with balloon method, and most of the teams used thrombectomy balloon catheter (80.3%).Conclusion:Through this investigation, the status of domestic clinical application of HVPG has been clarified, and it has been confirmed that many domestic medical institutions have mastered this technology, but it still needs to continue to promote and popularize HVPG technology in the future.

Objective:To explore the correlation between portal vein pressure gradient (PPG) and hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG) in patients with portal hypertension (PHT).Methods:752 cases with portal hypertension (PHT) who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and met the enrollment criteria between January 2016 to December 2019 were analyzed for hepatic vein, inferior vena cava and portal vein pressure. Paired t-test was used for analysis. Pearson correlation test was used to estimate correlation coefficient and coefficient of determination. P<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results:Wedged hepatic vein pressure (WHVP), portal vein pressure (PVP), correlation coefficient, and coefficient of determination were 27.98±8.95 mmHg, 33.85±7.33 mmHg, 0.329 ( P<0.001), and 0.108, respectively. HVPG, PPG,correlation coefficient, and coefficient of determination were 16.84±7.97 mmHg, 25.11±6.95 mmHg ( P<0.001), 0.145, and 0.021 ( P<0.001), respectively. The difference between HVPG and PPG was greater than 5 mmHg in 524 cases, accounting for 69.7%. The difference between HVPG and PPG was within 5 mmHg or basically equal in 228 cases, accounting for 30.3%. The correlation coefficient between free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP) and inferior vena cava pressure (IVCP) was 0.568 ( P<0.001), and the coefficient of determination was 0.323. According to the presence or absence of hepatic venous collaterals after balloon occluded hepatic angiography, they were divided into two groups: 157 (20.9%) cases in the group with hepatic venous collaterals, and 595 (79.1%) cases in the group without hepatic venous collaterals. The parameters of the two groups were compared: WHVP (15.73±3.63) mmHg vs. (31.22±6.90) mmHg, P<0.001; PVP (31.69±8.70) mmHg vs. (34.42±6.81) mmHg, P<0.001; HVPG (7.18±4.40) mmHg vs. (19.40±6.62) mmHg, P<0.001; PPG (24.24±8.11) mmHg vs. (25.34±6.60) mmHg, P<0.001; free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP) (8.58±3.37) mmHg vs. (11.82±5.07) mmHg , P<0.001; inferior vena cava pressure (IVCP) (7.45±3.29) mmHg vs. (9.09±4.14) mmHg, P<0.001. Conclusion:The overall correlation is poor between HVPG and PPG. HVPG of most patients is not an accurate representation of PPG, and the former is lower than the latter. Hepatic venous collateral formation is one of the important reasons for the serious underestimation of HVPG values.

Objective:To verify Baveno VI criteria, Expanded-Baveno VI criteria, liver stiffness×spleen diameter-to-platelet ratio risk score (LSPS), and platelet count/spleen diameter ratio (PSR) in evaluating the severity value of esophageal varices (EV) in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH).Methods:111 cases of NCPH and 204 cases of hepatitis B cirrhosis who met the diagnostic criteria were included in the study. NCPH included 70 cases of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) and 41 cases of nontumoral portal vein thrombosis (PVT). According to the severity of EV on endoscopy, they were divided into the low-bleeding-risk group (no/mild EV) and the high-bleeding-risk group (moderate/severe EV). The diagnostic value of Baveno VI and Expanded-Baveno VI criteria was verified to evaluate the value of LSPS and PSR for EV bleeding risk severity in NCPH patients. The t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the measurement data between groups. Comparisons between counting data groups were performed using either the χ2 test or the Fisher exact probability method. Results:Considering endoscopy was the gold standard for diagnosis, the missed diagnosis rates of low/high bleeding risk EVs in INCPH/PVT patients with Baveno VI and Expanded-Baveno VI criteria were 50.0%/30.0% and 53.8%/50.0%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in platelet count (PLT), spleen diameter, liver stiffness (LSM), LSPS, and PSR between low-bleeding-risk and high-bleeding-risk groups in INCPH patients, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of LSPS and PSR was 0.564 and 0.592, respectively ( P=0.372 and 0.202, respectively). There were statistically significant differences in PLT, spleen diameter, LSPS, and PSR between the low and high-bleeding risk groups in PVT patients, and the AUCs of LSPS and PSR were 0.796 and 0.833 ( P=0.003 and 0.001, respectively). In patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, the Baveno VI and Expanded-Baveno VI criteria were used to verify the low bleeding risk EV, and the missed diagnosis rates were 0 and 5.4%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in PLT, spleen diameter, LSM, LSPS and PSR between the low-bleeding-risk and high-bleeding-risk groups ( P<0.001). LSPS and PSR AUC were 0.867 and 0.789, respectively ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Baveno VI and Expanded-Baveno VI criteria have a high missed diagnosis rate for EVs with low bleeding risk in patients with INPCH and PVT, while LSPS and PSR have certain value in evaluating EV bleeding risk in PVT patients, which requires further clinical research.

PURPOSE: Details of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in mainland China are lacking. To improve disease control and reduce economic burden, a large sample survey among this patient population is indispensable. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of such patients.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in 29 hospitals of 29 regions in mainland China during the period 2013 to 2014. Demographic features, pre-admission conditions, exacerbation details, and outcomes were summarized. Risk factors for exacerbation severity were analyzed.RESULTS: There were 3,240 asthmatic patients included in this study (57.7% females, 42.3% males). Only 28.0% used daily controller medications; 1,287 (39.7%) patients were not currently on inhaled corticosteroids. Acute upper airway infection was the most common trigger of exacerbation (42.3%). Patients with severe to life-threatening exacerbation tended to have a longer disease course, a smoking history, and had comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and food allergy. The multivariate analysis showed that smoking history, comorbidities of hypertension, COPD, and food allergy were independent risk factors for more severe exacerbation. The number of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation varied with seasons, peaking in March and September. Eight patients died during the study period (mortality 0.25%).CONCLUSIONS: Despite enhanced education on asthma self-management in China during recent years, few patients were using daily controller medications before the onset of their exacerbation, indicating that more educational efforts and considerations are needed. The findings of this study may improve our understanding of hospital admission for asthma exacerbation in mainland China and provide evidence for decision-making.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; China ; Comorbidity ; Disease Progression ; Education ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Medication Adherence ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Self Care ; Smoke ; Smoking