Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Objective:To investigate the value of nomogram based on intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and MRI-derived radiomics for predicting recurrence after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).Methods:Clinical data of 111 patients with ⅠB-ⅣA cervical cancer who underwent CCRT at Anhui Provincial Hospital from December 2014 to December 2019 and were continuously followed up were retrospectively analyzed. Pre-treatment IVIM-DWI parameters (ADC, D, D * and f) and pre- and post-treatment 3D texture parameters (from axial T 2WI) of the primary lesions were measured. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to filter texture features and calculate radiomics score (Rad-score). A Cox regression model was used to analyze independent risk factors for recurrence after CCRT in patients with LACC and construct a nomogram. Results:External beam radiotherapy dose, f value , pre-treatment Rad-score and post-treatment Rad-score ( HR=0.204, 3.253, 2.544, 7.576) were the independent prognostic factors for recurrence after CCRT in cervical cancer patients and jointly formed the nomogram. The area under curve (AUC) of the nomogram for predicting 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 0.895, 0.888 and 0.916, with internal validation C-indexes of 0.859, 0.903 and 0.867, respectively. The decision curves analysis showed that the nomogram has a higher net clinical benefit compared to other models, and the clinical impact curves further visualized its predictive accuracy. Conclusions:The nomogam based on IVIM-DWI and radiomics has high clinical value in predicting recurrence after CCRT in patients with LACC, providing reference for prognostic assessment and individualized treatment of cervical cancer patients.

Objective:To evaluate the application value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and dynamic contrast enhancement MRI (DCE-MRI) in the prediction of the early efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for cervical squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:Fifty patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma confirmed by pathology were included. Before CCRT, IVIM-DWI and DCE-MRI were scanned, and the values of quantitative parameters including ADC, D, D * and f of IVIM-DWI and K trans, K ep, V e and V p of DCE-MRI before treatment were measured for all patients. MRI reexamination was performed 1 month after the end of CCRT, and all patients were divided into the cure group and the residual group according to the tumor remission. The parameters of IVIM-DWI and DCE-MRI before treatment were statistically compared between two groups. The optimal predictive parameters and predictive thresholds were determined by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:Twenty-four patients were assigned into the cure group and twenty-six patients in the residual group. The ADC, D and V e values before treatment in the cure group were significantly lower than those in the residual group (all P<0.05), whereas the f and K trans values were significantly higher than those in the residual group (both P<0.05). The other parameters did not significantly differ between two groups (all P>0.05). The area under ROC curve (AUC=0.823) of D value was the largest, followed by K transvalue (AUC=0.754). The combined prediction efficacy of D and K trans (AUC=0.867) was higher than that of either D or K trans alone. The sensitivity was 88.5%, 85.8% and 88.8%, and the specificity was 70.8%, 66.7% and 79.2%, respectively. Conclusions:Quantitative parameters of IVIM-DWI and DCE-MRI before treatment have certain predictive value for the early efficacy of CCRT in cervical squamous cell carcinoma, among which the predictive efficacy of D value is the highest, and the combined application of D and K trans can improve the predictive efficacy.

PURPOSE: An older female predominance has been reported among chronic cough patients in Western countries, which is considered to be associated with a higher cough sensitivity in females. However, the characteristics of Chinese chronic cough patients remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the age and sex distribution as well as their relationship with cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin in Chinese chronic cough patients. METHODS: We analyzed the demographic features of 1,882 consecutive chronic cough patients who attended our cough clinic in Guangzhou, China. Cough sensitivity to capsaicin, which was defined as the lowest concentration of capsaicin causing 5 coughs or more (C5), was measured in 539 of the 1,882 patients and 68 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.0 ± 13.7 years and patients aged <50 years accounted for more than two-thirds of the study population. Around 87% of the patients were never-smokers. The proportion of females (51.5%) was almost equal to that of males (48.5%). The pattern of the age and sex distribution was consistently reflected within most common causes of chronic cough, while a female predominance was shown in patients with cough-variant asthma and patients aged ≥50 years. Female patients had higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin than male patients (log C5: 1.58 ± 0.84 vs. 2.04 ± 0.84 μmol/L, P = 0.001), and patients aged ≥50 years had higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin than patients aged <50 years. CONCLUSIONS: In China, patients with chronic cough have a roughly equal sex distribution and a middle-aged predominance, irrespective of a higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin in females and older patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02591550
Age Distribution ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Capsaicin ; China ; Cough ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Reflex ; Sex Distribution

Objective To study the spiral CT performance of tertiary silicosis by three-dimension thin-slice reconstruction.Methods Sixty patients with tertiary silicosis were selected in the research.All of the patients were given thin slice scan,and the images of patients with tertiary silicosis were reconstructed by workstation,the spiral CT performance was analyzed.Results In all patients,the pulmonary large shadow mainly distributed in the upper middle lung field,accounted for 93.33％ (56/60).Big shadow internal signs for calcification,containing air bronchogram,empty.Big shadow around with signs of more complex,with 40 patients with adjacent pleural thickening phenomenon,accounted for 66.67％ (40/60).15 cases complicated with tuberculous,accounted for 25.00％ (15/60) of the total number of patients.3 cases with lung cancer,accounted for 5.00％ (3/60) of the total number of patients.Conclusion The spiral CT performance of tertiary silicosis by three-dimension thin-slice reconstruction is diversified,which included pulmonary large shadows with symmetric distribution,pleural thickening,bullae of lung in subintima,lymph gland swelling and calcification in mediastinum and hilus pulmonis.It can provide reference for the diagnosis of tertiary silicosis.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of a myoelectricity-driven hand robot on the recovery of hand motor function early after a stroke.Methods Thirty stroke survivors were randomly assigned to either a control group (n=15) or an experimental group (n =15).Both groups received routine rehabilitation exercises,while the experimental group additionally received hand training using a robotic hand exoskeleton.Before and after 4 weeks of treatment,the motor function of the wrist and fingers in both groups were measured using the Fugl-Meyer assessment.Spasticity in the index,middle,ring and little fingers was quantified using the modified Ashworth scale.The muscle force of the fourth finger,thumb and all of the fingers during maximum voluntary extension and flexion were recorded using the robot's surface electromyography system.Results Significant increases in the average Fugl-Meyer scores in both groups were observed after 4 weeks of treatment,but the experimental group's average score was by then significantly higher than that of the control group.The experimental group's average Ashworth score and the average sEMG amplitudes were also significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusion Supplementing routine rehabilitation exercises with a hand robot can improve hand motor function and muscle force significantly,as well as relieving hand spasticity early after a stroke.

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of anemia in patients diagnosed with extranodal nasal-type natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma (NKTCL).Methods Clinical data of 1 225 NKTCL patients receiving the first course of treatment from 10 medical institutions in China were retrospectively analyzed.According to the diagnostic criteria in China,anemia was defined as the hemoglobin (Hb) level＜ 120 g/L for the male and＜ 110 g/L for the female from the sea-level area.The severity of anemia was classified into the extremely severe anemia (Hb ≤ 30 g/L),severe anemia (31-60 g/L),moderate anemia (61-90 g/L) and mild anemia (＞90 g/L).Results Among 1 225 patients,199(16.2％) were complicated with anemia,who had more adverse prognostic factors compared with their counterparts without anemia.Among NKTCL patients with anemia,the proportion of patients with stage Ⅱ-ⅣV,a median age＞ anemia,Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of 2-4 and NK/T-cell lymphoma prognostic index (NKTCLPI) ≥ 2 was relatively high.Patients with anemia obtained worse clinical prognosis than those without anemia.The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in NKTCL patients with anemia were calculated as 49.4％ and 35.4％,significantly lower compared with 63.3％ and 56.0％ in their counterparts without anemia (both P＜0.01).Single factor analysis demonstrated that anemia,age,ECOG score,group B symptom,lactate dehydrogenase,primary tumor site,primary tumor invasion and staging were the prognostic factors of OS and PFS.Multivariate analysis revealed that anemia was still the independent prognostic factor.Conclusions Anemia is not common in patients with NKTCL and these patients obtain poor clinical prognosis.Anemia is an independent prognostic factor for patients with NKTCL.

Objective To preliminary investigate the clinical efficacy of whole brain simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy ( SIB-IMRT ) in patients diagnosed with brain metastases ( BM) . Methods Fifty-two cases of BM admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were equally recruited and randomly divided into the observation and control groups. Patients in the observation group were treated with SIB-IMRT, and those in the control group received conventional whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT).The clinical efficacy and prognosis were statistically compared between two groups. Results The ORR in the observation group was 77％, significantly higher than 27％ in the control group (P=0. 00).The median survival in the observation group was 384 d,significantly longer compared with 211 d in the control group (P=0. 00).All patients in both groups successfully completed corresponding treatment. Acute adverse reactions were mainly 1-2 grade reactions. Conclusions SIB-IMRT is an efficacious and safe treatment of BM,which yields tolerable adverse events and deserves application in clinical practice.