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 systematically evaluate the incidence rate of low-level viremia(LLV)in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients and related influencing factors,and to provide evidence-based medicine evidence for effective intervention and prevention of LLV in clinical practice.Methods This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline,with a PROSPERO registration number of CRD42023455304.CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP,SinoMed,PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,and the Cochrane library were searched for observational studies on LLV and related influencing factors in CHB patients published up to July 21,2023.Stata 16.0 software was used to perform the meta-analysis.Results A total of 12 articles were included,with a total sample size of 3408 cases,among whom there were 1181 patients with LLV.The meta-analysis showed that the incidence rate of LLV was 32.8%(95%confidence interval[CI]:27.6%—38.3%)in treatment-experienced CHB patients.High HBsAg quantification(odds ratio[OR]=2.107,95%CI:1.782—2.491,P<0.001),positive HBeAg(OR=3.258,95%CI:2.629—4.038,P<0.001),high HBV DNA level at baseline(OR=1.286,95%CI:1.157—1.430,P<0.001),and history of entecavir treatment(OR=3.089,95%CI:1.880—5.074,P<0.001)were risk factors for LLV;duration of antiviral therapy≥3 years(OR=0.175,95%CI:0.093—0.331,P<0.001)and high alanine aminotransferase level at baseline(OR=0.985,95%CI:0.978—0.992,P<0.001)were protective factors against LLV.The sensitivity analysis showed no significant change in effective value,suggesting that the results of the meta-analysis were relatively stable.The funnel plot of the studies included was basically symmetrical,and the results of the Egger's test and the Begg's test suggested that there was no obvious publication bias in the articles included.Conclusion Clinicians should guide decision making based on the influencing factors for LLV and related clinical evidence,so as to reduce long-term clinical risks and avoid adverse outcomes.

Objective To explore the value of quantitative chest CT in early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods The clinical data of 138 cases of COPD high-risk patients in Shanghai community and COPD high-risk respondents in outpatient clinic of Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from September 20,2013 to May 20,2014 were retrospectively analyzed.All high-risk participants underwent pulmonary function and chest CT examination at baseline and 1 year later.Chest CT images were imported into quantitative CT analysis software to collect quantitative CT data.These participants were divided into COPD group(n=40)and non-COPD group(n=98)based on their lung functions after 1 year.The differences in baseline lung function and quantitative CT measurements between the two groups were compared.Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the predictors of COPD in high-risk individuals after 1 year of follow-up,and the efficacy of the logistic regression model was evaluated by ROC curve.Results There were no significant differences in gender,body mass index(BMI),the percentage value of forced expiratory volume in 1 second predicted(FEV1%pred),airway wall area ratio(WA%),total airway count(TAC),and airway wall thickness(WT)between the two groups at baseline.Compared to the non-COPD group,the square root of the tracheal wall area at 10 mm from the inner circumference of the airway(Pi10),(3.43[3.30,3.54]vs 3.23[3.15,3.36],P＜0.001),and the percentage area of low attenuation regions below ﹣950 HU(LAA%﹣950),(2.06[0.32,6.29]vs 0.57[0.25,1.89],P=0.015)were significantly higher in the COPD group.The mean lung density(MLD)in the COPD group was lower than that in the non-COPD group([﹣799.89±35.62]vs[﹣783.60±43.52],P=0.038).Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that age and Pi10 were risk factors for COPD(P＜0.05),with an area under the ROC curve of 0.791(95%CI 0.714-0.868).Conclusions In the COPD high-risk population with normal lung function,patients with elevated Pi10 and LAA%﹣950 have a higher incidence of COPD one year later,suggesting that quantitative chest CT measurements such as Pi10 and LAA%﹣950 can assist clinicians in identifying early-stage COPD.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for about 13%~17% of primary bronchial lung cancer. Due to its rapid growth rate, aggressive behavior, early metastasis and poor prognosis, about 70% of patients were diagnosed with extensive-stage (ES) disease. Although most ES-SCLC patients are sensitive to initial chemotherapy, local recurrence and distant metastasis develop in the short term. Immunotherapy has brought the dawn to overcome it. At present, immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with chemotherapy has become an important strategy as first-line therapy for ES-SCLC. Nevertheless, patients are still at a high risk of chest lesion recurrence after initial systemic therapy. Whether the addition of thoracic consolidation radiotherapy (TRT) can reduce chest lesion recurrence rate remains to be determined. In this review, we summarized the latest research progress in the mode of first-line chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy followed by TRT in ES-SCLC, aiming to provide reference for clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the values of two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic parameters in predicting pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in chronic pulmonary thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).Methods:A total of 141 patients diagnosed with CTEPH in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from November 2015 to December 2022 were included. Two-dimensional echocardiographic indicators reflecting PVR were constructed according to the calculation formula of PVR: echocardiographic estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP Echo)/left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), echocardiographic estimated mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP Echo)/LVIDd. sPAP Echo/left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), sPAP Echo/left ventricular cardiac output (LVCO) were measured by three-dimensional echocardiography. The correlations between two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic ratios and invasive PVR were then analyzed using the Spearman correlation method. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, cut-off values for the ratios were generated to identify patients with PVR>1 000 dyn·s -1·cm -5. Pre- and postoperative hemodynamics and echocardiographic data were analyzed, as well as the correlation between the reduction rate of the echocardiographic index and PVR in 54 patients who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). Results:sPAP Echo/LVIDd, sPAP Echo/LVEDV and sPAP Echo/LVCO were moderately correlated with PVR( rs=0.62, 0.52, 0.63, both P<0.001). The ratio of sPAP Echo to LVEDV, when greater than or equal to 1.41, had a sensitivity of 0.800 and a specificity of 0.930 for determining PVR >1 000 dyn·s -1·cm -5 (AUC=0.860, P<0.001). Similarly, the ratio of sPAP Echo to LVIDd, when greater than or equal to 2.14, had a sensitivity of 0.647 and a specificity of 0.861 for determining PVR >1000 dyn·s -1·cm -5 (AUC=0.830, P<0.001). The sPAP Echo/LVIDd and mPAP Echo/LVIDd significantly decreased after PEA (both P<0.001). The sPAP Echo/LVIDd and mPAP Echo/LVIDd reduction rate (ΔsPAP Echo/LVIDd and ΔmPAP Echo/LVIDd) were significantly correlated with PVR reduction rate (ΔPVR), respectively ( rs=0.61, 0.63, both P<0.05). Conclusions:Two-dimensional ratio sPAP Echo/LVIDd and three-dimensional ratio sPAP Echo/LVEDV can be used to noninvasively estimate PVR in CTEPH patients. The conventional ratio sPAP Echo/LVIDd is convenient and reproducibly suitable for monitoring the improvement of PVR before and after treatment, and its ratio of 2.14 can predict the significant increase of PVR in CTEPH patients (>1 000 dyn·s -1·cm -5).

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for about 13%~17% of primary bronchial lung cancer. Due to its rapid growth rate, aggressive behavior, early metastasis and poor prognosis, about 70% of patients were diagnosed with extensive-stage (ES) disease. Although most ES-SCLC patients are sensitive to initial chemotherapy, local recurrence and distant metastasis develop in the short term. Immunotherapy has brought the dawn to overcome it. At present, immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with chemotherapy has become an important strategy as first-line therapy for ES-SCLC. Nevertheless, patients are still at a high risk of chest lesion recurrence after initial systemic therapy. Whether the addition of thoracic consolidation radiotherapy (TRT) can reduce chest lesion recurrence rate remains to be determined. In this review, we summarized the latest research progress in the mode of first-line chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy followed by TRT in ES-SCLC, aiming to provide reference for clinical practice.

Objective:To understand the real experience of occlusion therapy in caregivers for children with congenital cataract, and provide reference for visual rehabilitation of children with congenital cataract after surgery.Methods:This article adopts a qualitative research method, using the purposive sampling method, a total of 14 caregivers of children with congenital cataracts who visited Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center of Guangzhou Medical University from October 2022 to April 2023 were selected, and a semi-structured interview was conducted using phenomenological research methods. Transcription, coding, analysis and theme extraction of interview data was conduceted using Colaizzi 7-step analysis method.Results:A total of three themes and seven sub themes were extracted, namely emotional experience (obvious sense of shame and positive development), difficulties in responding (difficulties in initial occlusion therapy, lack of effective coping methods and impaired confidence in treatment) and lack of support from others (lack of professional support and lack of family support) .Conclusions:Caregivers of children with congenital cataract have obvious stigma, difficulties in occlusion therapy and lack effective coping styles and support from others. Medical staff should pay attention to the psychology of the caregivers, build a standard postoperative visual function rehabilitation program, make reasonable use of health education means, help them establish positive treatment beliefs, improve medical professional support and promote family support.

Brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) is a combined injury involving the central and peripheral nervous systems. Patients with BPA often experience severe neuropathic pain (NP) in the affected limb. NP is insensitive to the existing treatments, which makes it a challenge to researchers and clinicians. Accumulated evidence shows that a BPA-induced pain state is often accompanied by sympathetic nervous dysfunction, which suggests that the excitation state of the sympathetic nervous system is correlated with the existence of NP. However, the mechanism of how somatosensory neural crosstalk with the sympathetic nerve at the peripheral level remains unclear. In this study, through using a novel BPA C7 root avulsion mouse model, we found that the expression of BDNF and its receptor TrκB in the DRGs of the BPA mice increased, and the markers of sympathetic nervous system activity including α1 and α2 adrenergic receptors (α1-AR and α2-AR) also increased after BPA. The phenomenon of superexcitation of the sympathetic nervous system, including hypothermia and edema of the affected extremity, was also observed in BPA mice by using CatWalk gait analysis, an infrared thermometer, and an edema evaluation. Genetic knockdown of BDNF in DRGs not only reversed the mechanical allodynia but also alleviated the hypothermia and edema of the affected extremity in BPA mice. Further, intraperitoneal injection of adrenergic receptor inhibitors decreased neuronal excitability in patch clamp recording and reversed the mechanical allodynia of BPA mice. In another branch experiment, we also found the elevated expression of BDNF, TrκB, TH, α1-AR, and α2-AR in DRG tissues from BPA patients compared with normal human DRGs through western blot and immunohistochemistry. Our results revealed that peripheral BDNF is a key molecule in the regulation of somatosensory-sympathetic coupling in BPA-induced NP. This study also opens a novel analgesic target (BDNF) in the treatment of this pain with fewer complications, which has great potential for clinical transformation.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Hypothermia/metabolism* ; Neuralgia ; Brachial Plexus/injuries* ; Edema/metabolism*