Timing of endoscopy in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: The optimal timing of endoscopy in liver cirrhosis with acute variceal bleeding (AVB) remains controversial in current guidelines and studies.

Methods: Consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and AVB were screened. The timing of endoscopy was calculated from the last presentation of AVB or the admission to endoscopy.

Development and validation of a prediction model based on comorbidities to estimate the risk of in-hospital death in patients with COVID-19.

Background: Most existing prognostic models of COVID-19 require imaging manifestations and laboratory results as predictors, which are only available in the post-hospitalization period. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a prognostic model to assess the in-hospital death risk in COVID-19 patients using routinely available predictors at hospital admission.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database in 2020.

Associations of gallbladder and gallstone parameters with clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis.

Background: Morphologic changes in the gallbladder and gallstones are common in cirrhotic patients, but their associations with outcomes of cirrhotic patients are unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 206 cirrhotic patients and measured their gallbladder length and width, gallbladder wall thickness, presence of gallstones, and gallstones' length and width in axial contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) images. X-tile software was utilized to calculate the optimal cutoff values of these parameters for evaluating survival and hepatic decompensation events in the cirrhosis group.

Treatment and outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors-associated colitis/diarrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved the outcomes of cancer patients. However, ICIs often lead to colitis/diarrhea. This study aimed to assess the treatment of ICIs-associated colitis/diarrhea and outcomes.

Identify optimal HAP series scores for unresectable HCC patients undergoing TACE plus sorafenib: A Chinese multicenter observational study.

Background: Hepatoma arterial-embolization prognostic (HAP) series scores have been proposed for prognostic prediction in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, their prognostic value in TACE plus sorafenib (TACE-S) remains unknown. Here, we aim to evaluate their prognostic performance in such conditions and identify the best model for this combination therapy.

Development of lactate-related gene signature and prediction of overall survival and chemosensitivity in patients with colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant tumor of the digestive system that contains high levels of immune cells. Lactic acid, a major metabolite, plays a crucial role in tumor development, maintenance, and therapeutic response. However, the prognostic potential and therapeutic biomarker potential of lactate-related genes (LRGs) in CRC patients remain to be elucidated.

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: how fast does it grow and which findings could have prevented diagnostic delay?-a case report.

Background: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare neoplastic disease of varied presentation and unspecific radiological signs in the early stages. The diagnostic delay can lead to metastatic disease, thus increasing the tumor burden and reducing the treatment options. HEHE is usually deemed a slow-growing tumor, but its speed of growth is poorly reported and still unknown.

U-shaped relationship between subcutaneous adipose tissue index and mortality in liver cirrhosis.

Background: Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues are important body components, but their effects on the mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis remain controversial based on the current evidence.

Methods: We retrospectively identified 372 eligible patients in whom subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI) and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) could be measured by computed tomography images at the third lumbar vertebra. The association of SATI and VATI with the risk of death was evaluated on a continuous scale with restricted cubic spline curves based on Cox proportional hazards models.

Characteristics, Long-term Survival, and Risk Assessment of Pediatric Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in China: Insights From a National Multicenter Prospective Registry.

Background: Registry-based studies of pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PPAH) are scarce in developing countries, including China. The PPAH risk assessment tool needs further evaluation and improvement.

Research Question: What are the characteristics and long-term survival of PPAH in China and what is the performance of the PPAH risk model in Chinese patients?

Study Design And Methods: Patients with PAH were enrolled in the national prospective multicenter registry from August 2009 through December 2019.

Identification of Hepatic Dendritic Cells in Liver Biopsies Showing Steatosis in Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) Associated with Obesity.

BACKGROUND Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is now the term used for hepatic steatosis in patients who are overweight or obese, have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), or evidence of metabolic dysregulation. The prevalence of MAFLD among morbidly obese subjects is 65-93%. Hepatic dendritic cells (hDCs) are antigen-presenting cells that induce T cell-mediated immunity.

Impact of insufficient doses of medications on eradication: a retrospective observational study.

Background And Aims: The doses of medications may influence the success of () eradication. This real-world observational study aimed to explore the impact of insufficient doses of medications prescribed for the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) regimen on successful eradication.

Methods: We retrospectively screened the patients who were diagnosed with infection and received BQT regimens for eradication at our department between January 2017 and July 2020.

Computed Tomography Images of Spontaneous Portosystemic Shunt in Liver Cirrhosis.

Spontaneous portosystemic shunt (SPSS) refers to collateral vessels that communicate between the portal vein system and systemic circulation. SPSS mainly includes esophageal varices, gastric varices, left gastric vein, recanalized paraumbilical vein, abdominal wall varices, and spontaneous splenorenal shunt. SPSS contributes to the development of hepatic encephalopathy caused by portal vein inflow bypassing and carries a higher risk of death in liver cirrhosis.

Association of endoscopic variceal treatment with portal venous system thrombosis in liver cirrhosis: a case-control study.

Background: The association of endoscopic variceal treatment (EVT) with portal venous system thrombosis (PVST) in liver cirrhosis is still unclear.

Methods: PVST was assessed by contrast-enhanced CT or MRI in 406 cirrhotic patients from our prospective database. Case and control groups, which are defined as patients with and without PVST, respectively, were matched at a ratio of 1:1 according to age, gender, Child-Pugh class, and MELD score.

[Consensus of experts on the medical risk prevention for the patients with cardiovascular diseases during dental treatment (2022 edition)].

With the aging process of population in the society, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in China is increasing continuously and the number of dental patients with CVD is increasing gradually too. Due to the lack of guidelines for dental patients with CVD in our country, how to implement standardized preoperative evaluation and perioperative risk prevention remains a problem to be solved for dentists at present. The present expert consensus was reached by combining the clinical experiences of the expert group of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association and respiratory and cardiology experts in diagnosis and treatment for CVD patients, and by systematically summarizing the relevant international guidelines and literature regarding the relationship between CVD and oral diseases and the diagnosis and treatment of dental patients with heart failure, hypertension and antithrombotic therapy.

Risk factors of young males with physically demanding occupations having accumulated damage of anterior cruciate ligament.

Objective: To present the clinical characteristics of accumulated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage among young male patients undergoing routine exercise, and to evaluate the related risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective study involving ACL-accumulated damage from June 2015 to December 2019 was conducted. Baseline characteristics, such as age, body mass index (BMI), training parameters, and clinical signs, were recorded.

Acute kidney injury defined by cystatin C may be superior for predicting the outcomes of liver cirrhosis with acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background & Aims: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is conventionally evaluated by a dynamic change of serum creatinine (Scr). Cystatin C (CysC) seems to be a more accurate biomarker for assessing kidney function. This retrospective multicenter study aims to evaluate whether AKI re-defined by CysC can predict the in-hospital outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis and acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Actively implementing an evidence-based feeding guideline for critically ill patients (NEED): a multicenter, cluster-randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Previous cluster-randomized controlled trials evaluating the impact of implementing evidence-based guidelines for nutrition therapy in critical illness do not consistently demonstrate patient benefits. A large-scale, sufficiently powered study is therefore warranted to ascertain the effects of guideline implementation on patient-centered outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, cluster-randomized, parallel-controlled trial in intensive care units (ICUs) across China.

Risk prediction in pulmonary hypertension due to chronic heart failure: incremental prognostic value of pulmonary hemodynamics.

Background: There is no generally accepted comprehensive risk prediction model cooperating risk factors associated with heart failure and pulmonary hemodynamics for patients with pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD). We aimed to explore outcome correlates and evaluate incremental prognostic value of pulmonary hemodynamics for risk prediction in PH-LHD.

Methods: Consecutive patients with chronic heart failure undergoing right heart catheterization were prospectively enrolled.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Portal Venous System Thrombosis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at risk of developing portal venous system thrombosis (PVST) with worse outcomes. This study aims to explore the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of PVST among patients with IBD.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched.

Prevalence and risk factors of infection in military personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Helicobacter pylori infection is prevalent and recognized as a major cause of gastrointestinal diseases in the world. Previous studies on the prevalence of H. pylori infection in military personnel have shown some conflicting results.

Regional Differences in Hospital Costs of Acute Ischemic Stroke in China: Analysis of Data From the Chinese Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Outcome Registry.

Studies on the regional differences in hospital costs of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are scarce in China. We aimed to explore the regional differences in hospital costs and identify the determinants of hospital costs in each region. Data were collected from the Chinese Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Outcome Registry (CASTOR), a multicenter prospective study on patients diagnosed with AIS and hospitalized from 2015 to 2017.