Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.

Objective:To conduct a comparative analysis of the radiation damage to zebrafish embryos and the associated biological mechanism after ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) and conventional dose rate irradiation.Methods:Zebrafish embryos at 4 h post-fertilization were exposed to conventional and FLASH irradiation (9 MeV electron beam). The mortality and hatchability of zebrafish after radiation exposure were recorded. Larvae at 96 h post-irradiation underwent morphological scoring, testing of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and analysis of changes in oxidative stress indicators.Results:Electron beam irradiation at doses of 2-12 Gy exerted subtle effects on the mortality and hatchability of zebrafish embryos. However, single high-dose irradiation (≥ 6 Gy) could lead to developmental malformation of larvae, with conventional irradiation showing the most significant effects ( t = 0.87-9.75, P < 0.05). In contrast, after FLASH irradiation (≥ 6 Gy), the ROS levels in zebrafish and its oxidative stress indicators including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly reduced ( t = 0.42-15.19, P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in ROS levels in incubating solutions after conventional and FLASH irradiation ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:Compared to conventional irradiation, FLASH irradiation can reduce radiation damage to zebrafish embryos, and this is in a dose-dependent manner. The two irradiation modes lead to different oxidative stress levels in zebrafish, which might be a significant factor in the reduction of radiation damage with FLASH irradiation.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with spontaneous splenorenal shunt (SSRS) in liver cirrhosis, and to compare the effects and prognosis of different treatments.Methods:The data of cirrhotic patients with SSRS at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between 2016-2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into Group A receiving conservative treatment, Group B by simple embolization, Group C undergoing TIPS combined with embolization, and Group D given liver transplantation. Life status, liver function changes, incidences of adverse events, and survival between groups were compared.Results:SSRS diameter was positively correlated with blood ammonia ( R=0.478) and negatively correlated with portal vein diameter ( R=-0.301). SSRS diameter is a protective factor for gastrointestinal hemorrhage and ascites and a risk factor for hepatic encephalopathy; Blood ammonia decreased and prothrombin time prolonged after treatment in group A ( P<0.05), blood ammonia decreased and albumin increased in group B ( P<0.05). Hemoglobin and bilirubin increased in group C ( P<0.05), blood ammonia and bilirubin decreased and platelets and albumin increased in group D ( P<0.05); Survival analysis showed that the prognosis of groups A and C was related to liver function, and the survival rate of group D was the highest of all ( P<0.05). Conclusions:SSRS embolization is safe and effective, and liver transplantation improves patient survival. Individualized treatment should be selected based on patient symptoms, liver function, and shunt diameter.

Objective To investigate the value of serum microRNA (miRNA)-184 and miR-451a expression in predicting recurrent metastasis after radical resection of stage Ⅰ to ⅡA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A total of 203 patients with radical resection of stage Ⅰ to ⅡA NSCLC in the hospital from January 2020 to October 2021 were selected as NSCLC group. According to the recurrence and metastasis status during the 2-year follow-up, they were divided into recurrence and metastasis group with 30 cases and non-recurrence and metastasis group with 173 cases. Additionally, 87 healthy volunteers with physical examinations in the same period were selected as control group. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect serum expression of miR-184 and miR-451a. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting recurrence and metastasis after radical resection of stage Ⅰ to ⅡA NSCLC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of serum miR-184 and miR-451a expression in predicting recurrence and metastasis. Results Compared with the control group, the expression of serum miR-184 and miR-451a in the NSCLC group decreased significantly (P < 0.05). After 2 years of follow-up, the recurrence and metastasis rate of 203 patients with stage Ⅰ to ⅡA NSCLC was 14.78% (30/203). Compared with the non-recurrence and metastasis group, the expression of serum miR-184 and miR-451a in the recurrence and metastasis group decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The independent risk factors for recurrence and metastasis after radical resection of stage Ⅰ to ⅡA NSCLC were stage ⅡA, poor differentiation and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, while the independent protective factors were increased miR-184 and miR-451a expression (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the combined prediction of serum miR-184 and miR-451a expression for recurrence and metastasis after radical resection of stage Ⅰ to ⅡA NSCLC was 0.868, which was greater than 0.784 and 0.781 of serum miR-184 and miR-451a expression alone (P < 0.05). Conclusion The serum miR-184 and miR-451a expression in patients with stage Ⅰ to ⅡA NSCLC is low and closely related to recurrence and metastasis after radical resection. The combined detection of serum miR-184 and miR-451a has a high predictive value for recurrence and metastasis after radical resection of stage Ⅰ to ⅡA NSCLC.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the brain effect mechanism and the correlation between brain functional imaging and cognitive function in treatment of depressive disorder (DD) with transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) based on the resting-state functional magenetic reasonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: Thirty-two DD patients were included in a depression group and 32 subjects of healthy condition were enrolled in a normal group. In the depression group, the taVNS was applied to bilateral Xin (CO₁₅) and Shen (CO₁₀), at disperse-dense wave, 4 Hz/20 Hz in frequency and current intensity ≤20 mA depending on patient's tolerance, 30 min each time, twice daily. The duration of treatment consisted of 8 weeks. The patients of two groups were undertaken rs-fMRI scanning. The scores of Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) were observed in the normal group at baseline and the depression group before and after treatment separately. The differential brain regions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups and the value of degree centrality (DC) of fMRI was obtained. Their correlation was analyzed in terms of HAMD, HAMA and WCST scores. RESULTS: The scores of HAMD and HAMA in the depression group were all higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of HAMD and HAMA were lower than those before treatment in the depression group; the scores of total responses, response errors and perseverative errors of WCST were all lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). The brain regions with significant differences included the left inferior temporal gyrus, the left cerebellar peduncles region 1, the left insula, the right putamen, the bilateral supplementary motor area and the right middle frontal gyrus. After treatment, the value of DC in left supplementary motor area was negatively correlated to HAMD and HAMA scores respectively (r=-0.324, P=0.012; r=-0.310, P=0.015); the value of DC in left cerebellar peduncles region 1 was negatively correlated to the total responses of WCST (r=-0.322, P=0.013), and the left insula was positively correlated to the total responses of WCST (r=0.271, P=0.036). CONCLUSION The taVNS can modulate the intensity of the functional activities of some brain regions so as to relieve depressive symptoms and improve cognitive function.
Humans ; Depression/therapy* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Vagus Nerve Stimulation/methods* ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation/methods* ; Vagus Nerve

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Over the past half-century,the climate change,along with population growth,worsens the intensity and frequency of sand storms in China,and the environmental and health problems have become increasingly prominent.Sand and dust particles not only possess their own toxicity but also carry numerous pathogenic microorganisms and heavy metals.This can lead to high concentrations of local dust pollution,causing significant harm to the air environment and the health of residents in downwind areas during long-distance transportation sand and dust.Based on a comprehensive literature review on the health effects of dust storms,this paper aims to summarize the impact of various pathogenic factors presenting in dust storms on human health and the underlying mechanisms to provide a scientific foundation for the development of more effective control measures.In the future,amidst the backdrop of climate change,it is crucial to prioritize the research and analysis of dust source regions and dust control strategies in northern China.Additionally,there is a need to enhance the technology for simulating sand and dust environments in experiments,and to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the medical and toxicological aspects of sand and dust weather.

Objective:To verify the clinical efficacy and safety of Qufeng Tongxuan method in treating low- and moderate-volume intracerebral hemorrhage at acute stage.Methods:A prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed; patients with low- and moderate-volume intracerebral hemorrhage at the basal ganglia and/or thalamus accepted treatment in 16 hospitals from September 2019 to April 2022 were enrolled. These patients were divided into experimental and control groups with a block randomized method by SAS software. Patients in control group were given conventional western medicine treatment; those in experimental group accepted Qufeng Tongxuan method (sequential therapy of Shexiang Huayu Xingnao granules and Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu granules) besides conventional western medicine treatment. NIHSS was used to assess neurological function before treatment and on 7 th, 14 th, 30 th, and 90 th d of treatment. Prognoses of these patients were assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS) before treatment and on 180 th d of treatment. Brain CT was performed before treatment and on 7 th and 14 th d of treatment to calculate the hematoma volume. Before treatment and on 14 th d of treatment, changes of coagulation function, liver and kidney functions of the 2 groups were compared. Adverse reactions during treatment in the 2 groups were recorded. Results:No significant differences in NIHSS scores were noted between the 2 groups before treatment, on 7 th, 14 th, and 30 th d of treatment ( P>0.05); NIHSS scores in experimental group on 90 th d of treatment were signficantly lower than those in control group ( P<0.05); NIHSS scores in experimental group decreased gradually before treatment and on 7 th, 14 th, 30 th and 90 th d of treatment, with statistical significances ( P<0.05). No significant differences in mRS scores were noted between the 2 groups before treatment ( P>0.05); mRS scores in experimental group on 180 th d of treatment were signfciantly lower than those in control group ( P<0.05). No significant difference in hematoma volume was noted between the 2 groups before treatment and on 7 th and 14 th d of treatment ( P>0.05); both groups had gradually decreased hematoma volumes before treatment and on 7 th and 14 th d of treatment, respectively, with significant differences ( P<0.05); the volume difference of hematoma between 14 th d of treatment and before treatment in experimental group (6.42[4.10, 11.73]) was significantly higher than that in control group (4.00[1.25, 10.58], P<0.05). No significant differences in liver and kidney function indexes or coagulation function indexes were noted between the 2 groups before treatment and on 14 th d of treatment ( P>0.05). Adverse reaction incidence was 9.52% ( n=12) in experimental group and 10.34% ( n=12) in control group, without statistical difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Under premise of conventional western medicine treatment, Qufeng Tongxuan method can promote hematoma absorption and improve neurological deficit symptoms in low- and moderate-volume intracerebral hemorrhage at acute stage, without obvious adverse reactions.

Objective To analyze the research status and hotspot of occupational methanol poisoning at home and abroad. Methods ， The China National Knowledge Resource Database Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform and Web of Science were used as the data sources. The relevant literatures on occupational methanol poisoning published in domestic and foreign ， Results journals up to June 30 2021 were searched. The bibliometrics was used to analyzed the literatures. A total of 255 literatures were included in analysis. There were 187 Chinese articles and 68 English articles. Most of Chinese articles were ， ， published from 2001 to 2005 with an average of 26.7 literatures per five years until June 2021. Among them 72 literatures （ ）， ， were published in core journals 38.5% and 176 authors from 27 provinces autonomous regions and municipality directly ， under the central government published relevant literatures. The research contents mainly focused on the classification ， ， poisoning mode clinical manifestations visual impairment and poisoning prevention and treatment of occupational methanol - ， poisoning. Most of the English literatures were published in 2016 2020 with an average of 4.9 articles per five years until June ， （ ）， 2021. Among them 36 were published in SCI journals 52.9% and 57 authors from 11 countries published relevant ， ， ， literatures. The research contents mainly focused on the clinical diagnosis drug treatment intoxication mechanism visual Conclusion sequelae and brain injury of occupational methanol poisoning. The research on occupational methanol poisoning ， ， ， mainly focuses on clinical diagnosis clinical manifestations treatment and prognosis and pathogenesis. The focus of relevant research at home and abroad is different.

Objective: To observe the effect of lipid regulating therapy on carotid atherosclerotic plaque in diabetic patients. Methods: The REACH study, conducted between March 2009 and February 2012, enrolled asymptomatic patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed carotid atherosclerotic plaque, who had never taken lipid-lowering drugs. Patients were treated with a moderate dose of rosuvastatin for 24 months. Blood lipid levels were measured and carotid MRI was performed at baseline, 3 and 24 months after treatment. The volume of carotid wall and lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) were measured by image analysis software. This study retrospectively analyzed patients in the REACH study. Patients were divided into diabetes group and non-diabetic group. The changes of blood lipid level and MRI parameters of carotid atherosclerotic plaque were compared between the two groups and their correlation was analyzed. Results: A total of 38 patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque were included in this study, including 13 patients (34.2%) in the diabetic group and 25 patients (65.8%) in the non-diabetic group. Baseline parameters were comparable between the two groups, except higher HbA1c level in diabetes group (P<0.05). Compared with baseline, the total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly decreased at 3 and 24 months in both two groups (P<0.05). The change of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in diabetes group was not obvious, while it was significantly increased in non-diabetic group at 24 months ((1.38±0.33) mmol/l vs. (1.26±0.26) mmol/l, P<0.05). MRI results showed that the volume and percentage of LRNC remained unchanged at 3 months, slightly decreased at 24 months (64.86 (45.37, 134.56) mm³ vs. 75.76 (48.20, 115.64) mm³, P>0.05) and (15.84% (11.47%, 24.85%) vs. 16.95% (11.64%, 22.91%), P>0.05) in diabetic group. In non-diabetic group, the volume and percentage of LRNC were significantly decreased at 3 months (63.01 (44.25, 188.64) mm³ vs. 72.49 (51.91, 199.59) mm³, P<0.05) and (13.76% (8.81%, 27.64%) vs. 16.04% (11.18%, 27.05%), P<0.05) respectively. Both parameters further decreased to (55.63 (27.18, 179.40) mm³) and (12.71% (8.39%, 24.41%)) at 24 months (both P<0.05). Wall volume, lumen volume and percent wall volume (PWV) were not affected post therapy in both two groups(P>0.05). There were no correlations between the changes of plaque parameters including volume and percentage of LRNC, wall volume, lumen volume, PWV and the changes of blood lipid parameters (TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG) in 3 and 24 months (P>0.05). Conclusion: Lipid-lowering therapy possesses different effects on carotid atherosclerotic plaque in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, and the LRNC improvement is more significant in non-diabetic patients as compared to diabetic patients.
Carotid Arteries/pathology* ; Carotid Artery Diseases/drug therapy* ; Cholesterol, HDL/therapeutic use* ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Necrosis/pathology* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rosuvastatin Calcium/therapeutic use*