[Clinical features of primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease].

Objective: To explore disease characteristics of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and compare the differences between PSC with and without IBD. Methods: Study design was cross sectional. Forty-two patients with PSC who were admitted from January 2000 to January 2021 were included. We analyzed their demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, concomitant diseases, auxiliary examination, and treatment. Results: The 42 patients were 11-74(43±18) years of age at diagnosis. The concordance rate of PSC with IBD was 33.3%, and the age at PSC with IBD diagnosis was 12-63(42±17) years. PSC patients with IBD had higher incidences of diarrhea and lower incidences of jaundice and fatigue than in those without IBD (all P<0.05). Alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total bile acid and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels were higher in PSC patients without IBD than in those with IBD (all P<0.05). The positive rates for antinuclear antibodies and fecal occult blood were higher in PSC patients with IBD than in those without IBD (all P<0.05). Patients with PSC complicated with ulcerative colitis mainly experienced extensive colonic involvement. The proportion of 5-aminosalicylic acid and glucocorticoid application in PSC patients with IBD was significantly increased compared with that of PSC patients without IBD (P=0.025). Conclusions: The concordance rate of PSC with IBD is lower at Peking Union Medical College Hospital than in Western countries. Colonoscopy screening may benefit PSC patients with diarrhea or fecal occult blood-positive for early detection and diagnosis of IBD.

[The 494th case: acute pancreatitis, acute acalculous cholecystitis and anaphylaxis].

A young male patient with abdominal pain and fever was diagnosed as acute hyper-triglyceridemicpancreatitis is clear. During the recovery of pancreatitis, the patient developed acute acalculous cholecystitis, as well as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter infection and Cytomegaloviremia, and had anaphylaxis for several times after the use of antibiotics, which cannot be completely explained by drug allergy. This paper analyzes the possible causes of multiple diseases in the same patient in detail.

[Value of the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in the prognostic evaluation of hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure].

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) for survival in patients with hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). Methods: 92 cases with HBV-ACLF who were admitted to the General Hospital of Western Theater Command from October 2014 to October 2017 were selected. Clinical indicators were retrospectively collected, and their survival condition was followed up for 90 days, with the end point as death or liver transplantation. MLR levels predictive value among patients after 90 days of involvement was compared by analyzing the differences between the survival and death groups and its correlation with various indicators of liver function for prognosis. Results: 92 cases were included in this study, with a 90-day survival rate of 52% (48/92), and a mortality rate of 48% (44/92). MLR for survival and death groups were 0.520 (0.310, 0.828) and 0.740 (0.440, 1.120), respectively. MLR level was significantly higher in the death than survival group (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval for the survival group was 0.640 (0.527-0.754). The cutoff value for MLR was 0.399 at which the sensitivity and specificity were 0.864 and 0.396, respectively. Survival analysis showed that the 90-day survival rate was significantly lower in the high MLR group than corresponding low MLR group (P=0.011). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that after adjusting for other factors, MLR level was an independent prognostic factor in patients with HBV-ACLF. Conclusions: MLR can be used as a potential prognostic indicator for patients with HBV-ACLF, and its clinical value needs to be verified by large-scale prospective randomized trials.

[Status of HVPG clinical application in China in 2021].

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.

[Clinicopathological characteristics of rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms].

Objective: Clinicopathological characteristics of neuroendocrine neoplasms are highly heterogeneous based on variable origins.Our study aims to explore the clinical features of rectal neuroendocrine neoplasm (RNEN). Methods: Patients with histologically diagnosed rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms were retrospectively analyzed between January 2012 and December 2020. Epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, complete blood count, endoscopy findings, and pathological features were recorded and analyzed. T-test was used for measurement data analysis, Chi-square test was performed for classification data analysis, and Binary logistic regression was applied for analyzing risk factors of metastasis. Results: Among 172 patients, the male to female ratio was 107 to 65 with an average age of (52±12) years (16-77 years). Altered bowel habit was the most common initial symptom (58/172, 33.7%), followed by abdominal pain (36/172, 20.9%) and loss of body weight (27/172, 15.7%). One hundred and sixty-one cases were neuroendocrine tumors, 9 were neuroendocrine carcinomas and 2 were mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms. Most endoscopic presentations were polypoid lesions (147/172, 85.5%), mainly limited to mucosa (48/172, 27.9%) and submucosa (96/172, 55.8%). Twenty-nine patients developed lymph node invasion or distant metastasis at diagnosis. There were statistical difference of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) among groups with different tumor size (<10 mm vs. 10-20 mm vs.>20 mm, mean NLR 1.79±0.55 vs. 2.27±1.23 vs. 2.95±0.66, P<0.01. Compared with non-metastatic group, the metastatic group presented higher NLR(2.61±0.81 vs. 1.89±0.80, P<0.01). Tumor size (<10 mm vs. 10-20 mm vs.>20 mm, OR 1.00 vs. 2.10 vs. 5.25×109, P =0.001), invasion to bowel wall (mucosa vs. submucosa vs. muscularis vs. serosa invasion,OR 1.00 vs. 3.26 vs. 14.11 vs. 39.42, P=0.008), and NLR (NLR<2.25 vs. NLR≥2.25, OR 1.00 vs. 5.19, P =0.024) were risk factors for metastasis. Conclusion: Metastasis of RNEN is related with tumor size, degree of bowel invasion and NLR. High NLR is a poor prognostic factor of RNEN.

[The incidence risk of elevated fasting blood glucose in people with fatty liver disease: a cohort study of 40 000 people over the past 10 years].

Objective: To analyze the time point when patients with fatty liver disease had a significantly higher risk of elevated fasting blood glucose than those without in the physical examination group in Karamay Central Hospital, factors affecting the incidence of elevated blood glucose in patients with fatty liver disease, and the influence of the number of influencing factors on it. Methods: Physical examination data from Karamay Central Hospital during September 2008 to April 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Combined with the survival analysis, the 1-,3-, 5-, and 7-year prevalence rates of elevated fasting glucose occurs in people with and without fatty liver disease were analyzed. Z-test was used to compare the survival rate difference at each time point. Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: 10 802 people were in the fatty liver group. The elevated fasting blood glucose incidence density was 61/1 000 person-years, and the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year prevalence rates were 2%, 16%, 28%, and 38%, respectively. 29 579 people were in the non-fatty liver group. The elevated fasting blood glucose incidence density was 23/1000 person-years, and the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year prevalence rates were 1%, 7%, 11%, and 16%, respectively. The short-term and long-term elevated fasting blood glucose incidence risk were significantly higher in fatty liver group than non-fatty liver group(P < 0.001). The elevated fasting blood glucose incidence risk was apparently higher in fatty liver group than that of non-fatty liver group from the first year onward (P < 0.001). Age≥50 year's old (HR = 1.954, 95% CI :1.792-2.132), elevated body mass index (HR = 1.397, 95% CI : 1.198-1.629), blood pressure (HR = 1.284, 95% CI : 1.181-1.397), triglycerides (HR = 1.171, 95% CI: 1.077-1.274) were independent risk factors, which promoted the elevated fasting blood glucose incidence risk in patients with fatty liver disease. Fatty liver combined with the above 2, 3, and 4 risk factors had apparently increased the incidence risk of elevated fasting blood glucose (P < 0.001). Conclusion: People with fatty liver disease had a higher risk of elevated fasting blood glucose from the first year than those without. Age≥50 year's old, elevated blood pressure, body mass index and triglyceride might increase risk of elevated fasting blood glucose in patients with fatty liver disease, combined with the above 2,3 or 4 risk factors can increase the risk of elevated fasting blood glucose.

[The Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (2020)].

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) are highly heterogeneous, and the management of pNENs patients can be intractable. To address this challenge, an expert committee was established on behalf of the Group of Pancreatic Surgery, Chinese Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association, which consisted of surgical oncologists, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists, and nuclear medicine specialists. By reviewing the important issues regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pNENs, the committee concluded evidence-based statements and recommendations in this article, in order to further improve the management of pNENs patients in China.

[The variation of serum uric acid levels among patients with myocardial infarction treated with ticagrelor and the association between serum uric acid and platelet reactivity].

Objectives: To compare the impact of ticagrelor or clopidogrel on serum uric acid levels among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and further evaluate the effects of variation of serum uric acid levels on platelet reactivity. Methods: STEMI patients who admitted to Fuwai Hospital from April 2017 to January 2020, and underwent primary PCI and discharged alive with aspirin and ticagrelor or clopidogrel were included in this study. Patients were divided into ticagrelor group and clopidogrel group. The baseline clinical data were collected. Serum uric acid and creatinine levels at baseline and 30 days post-PCI were measured. Light transmittance aggregometry was used to assess maximum aggregation rate induced by adenosine diphosphate and arachidonic acid. The changes of serum uric acid and creatinine were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate independent related factors for rise in the uric acid levels, and the effect of variation of serum uric acid level on platelet reactivity was analyzed. Results: A total of 967 patients were included, the age was (59.4±12.1) years, and 163 case were female. There were 550 cases in ticagrelor group (56.9%) and 417 cases in clopidogrel group (43.1%). Baseline serum uric acid and creatinine levels were similar between the 2 groups. At 30 days, the serum uric acid level [(347.2±96.5) mmol/L vs. (341.2±105.3) mmol/L, P=0.009] and absolute [46.4 (-2.4, 88.1) mmol/L vs. 25.0 (-21.9, 73.0) mmol/L, P=0.001] and percentage [13.2 (-0.01, 29.0) % vs. 7.9 (-5.7, 25.0) %, P=0.007] increase in the serum uric acid levels were significantly higher in ticagrelor group than in clopidogrel group. The level of serum creatinine at 30 days was significantly lower in ticagrelor group than in clopidogrel group [(89.7±21.3) µmol/L vs. (94.4±43.9) µmol/L, P<0.05], whereas there were no differences in absolute [8.0 (-1.4, 16.6) µmol/L vs. 7.8 (-2.0, 16.6) µmol/L] and percentage [10.5 (-1.7%, 22.6%) vs. 9.8 (-2.4%, 22.1%)] change in the serum creatinine between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for confounding factors, ticagrelor therapy was an independent related factor of serum uric acid elevation (OR=1.582, 95% CI:1.023-2.447, P=0.039). The variation of the serum uric acid levels did not affect platelet aggregation and the percentage of high platelet reactivity in both groups. Conclusions: Ticagrelor use is related to a significant increase in the serum uric acid levels at 30 days post-PCI in this patient cohort. The variations in the uric acid levels do not increase the percentage of high platelet reactivity in STEMI patients treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel.

Quantification of late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular MRI in patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusion.

AIM: To determine the most accurate and reproducible semi-automated greyscale thresholding technique for quantifying late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), by using positron-emission tomography (PET) as the reference standard in patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: LGE in CMRI, single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT), and PET were performed within 1 week in each of 63 patients with known CTO. The presence and quantity of LGE were determined with greyscale thresholds of 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 standard deviations (SDs) above the mean signal intensity for normal remote myocardium and full width at half maximum (FWHM). The infarcted myocardium was delineated by PET. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients and 1,008 segments were analysed. Based on patient analysis, with PET as the reference standard, the 5 SD method yielded the strongest correlation (r=0.85, p<0.0001) compared with the 2 SDs (r=0.42), 4 SDs (r=0.73), 6 SDs (r=0.81), 8 SDs (r=0.71), and FWHM (r=0.69; p<0.001 for all comparisons). The 5 SDs threshold quantification showed high interobserver and intra-observer agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.90, p<0.0001; ICC=0.93, p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Semi-automated LGE CMRI greyscale thresholding with 5 SDs above the mean signal intensity for normal remote myocardium yields the strongest correlation to the extent of LGE identified using PET and is highly reproducible in patients with CTO.

[Associations between postprocedural D-dimer, hs-CRP, LDL-C levels and prognosis of acute myocardial infarction patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To investigate the association between postprocedural D-dimer, high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C) and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI), in order to clarify the impacts of thrombotic, inflammatory and cholesterol risks on long-term prognosis. Methods: Patients with AMI who underwent emergency PCI from January 2010 to June 2017 in Fuwai Hospital with complete baseline data were enrolled. Patients were stratified into four groups according to quartiles of D-dimer, hs-CRP and LCL-C. Cox regression was used to analyze the relationship between these biomarkers and prognosis. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to characterize the continuous association between risk of all-cause death and biomarkers. The primary outcome was all-cause death. Results: A total of 3 614 patients were included in the analysis. The age was (59.2±12.0) years old, and 2 845 (78.7%) were male and 3 161 (87.5%) patients were diagnosed as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The follow-up time was 652 (414, 1 880) days. Survival analysis showed that postprocedural D-dimer and hs-CRP were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (all P<0.05). Cox regression with multiple adjustments showed that patients with D-dimer≥580 µg/L presented higher risk of all-cause death (HR=2.03, 95%CI 1.22-3.38, P=0.006), compared to patients with D-dimer<220 µg/L. RCS analysis showed that risk of all-cause death was stably high when D-dimer reached 500 µg/L. Multivariable Cox regression also showed that patients with hs-CRP<2.74 mg/L (HR=1.86, 95%CI 1.10-3.15, P=0.020)or hs-CRP≥11.99 mg/L (HR=2.14, 95%CI 1.35-3.40, P=0.001) presented higher mortality compared to patients whose hs-CRP was 2.74-7.18 mg/L. RCS analysis indicated a J-shaped relation between hs-CRP and mortality, as greater risk of death was observed when hs-CRP was lower than 2 mg/L or higher than 10 mg/L. LDL-C was not associated with outcomes (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Postprocedural D-dimer is significantly associated with long-term prognosis of AMI patients treated by PCI. Patients with extremely high or low levels of hs-CRP presents worse outcomes. Intensive and tailored antithrombotic or anti-inflammatory therapies should be considered for patients with increased thrombotic risk and those with extremely high or low inflammatory risk.

[Comparison of six-month follow-up results of primary percutaneous coronary intervention guided by optical coherence tomography or coronary angiography].

Objective: To compare the 6-month follow-up results of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) guided by optical coherence tomography (OCT) or coronary angiography (CAG) alone in a larger ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cohort. Methods: We enrolled 275 STEMI patients undergoing OCT-guided PPCI from March 2017 through December 2018. Two hundred and seventy-five propensity score matched STEMI patients undergoing CAG-guided PPCI served as control group. The 6-month clinical follow-up results were compared between the two groups. The demographic data, complications, coronary angiography and OCT characteristics were evaluated. Results: OCT evaluation showed that there were 151 patients (54.9%) with plaque prolapse and 113 patients (41.1%) with stent malposition. Proximal and/or distal dissection of stents occurred in 38 patients (13.8%), of which 3 patients (1.1%) had both proximal and distal dissection. Of the 38 patients, 2 patients received rescue stent implantation. Results of clinical follow-up at 6 months showed that there was no significant difference in cardiovascular death, repeat myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, stroke and hemorrhage endpoint events between OCT-guided PPCI patients and CAG-guided PPCI patients (P=0.682). Conclusion: Clinical events at 6 months are similar between OCT-guided PPCI and CAG-guided PPCI for STEMI patients.

Comparison of cardiac MRI with PET for assessment of myocardial viability in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion.

AIM: To compare cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography (PET) assessment of myocardial viability in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with coronary CTO underwent cardiac MRI and PET. Cardiac MRI images were analysed using a 17-segment model, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and wall motion were scored. PET was used to classify myocardial viability via myocardial perfusion and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, digital superscript uptake. RESULTS: With PET as the reference standard, the sensitivity of cardiac MRI in detecting myocardial viability was 95.3%, specificity was 87.5%, positive predictive value was 96.8%, negative predictive value was 84.2%, and accuracy was 93.8% on a per patient basis. The receiver operator characteristic curve was used to analyse the performance of cardiac MRI in the detection of myocardial viability on a per-patient basis and the area under the curve was 0.910 (95% confidence interval 0.805 to 1). Cardiac MRI had the highest sensitivity and specificity for differentiating viable and non-viable myocardium as defined by PET when the cut-off value of LGE was 50%. The motion consistency and correlation of cardiac MRI and PET were analysed and kappa was 0.788 (r=0.825; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with PET, cardiac MRI assessment of myocardial viability in patients with coronary CTO has high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Therefore, cardiac MRI can be used as an important method for evaluating myocardial viability in coronary CTO patients.

[Correlations between gastric Helicobacter pylori infection and colorectal polyps or cancer].

Objective: To investigate the correlations between gastric Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and colorectal polyps or cancer. Methods: Among patients who finished colonoscopy exams in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) between May 2012 and May 2017, 3 483 patients were diagnosed with colorectal polyps, 135 patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer. A total of 1 925 healthy subjects were enrolled as normal controls. Gastric rapid urease tests (RUT) were done in all patients. General clinical data, RUT results, sizes and numbers of polyps, cancer location were analyzed. Results: The proportion of Hp infection in patients with colorectal polyps was 31.5%, higher than that in healthy controls. The odds ratio (OR) of Hp infection in polyp group was 1.17 (95%CI 1.04-1.32) after age and gender were adjusted. The Hp infection rate in patients with polyps over or equal to 1 cm was significantly higher than that in patients with polyps smaller than 1 cm. Patients with more than 1 polyps presented a higher rate of Hp infection than patients with only 1 polyp. Hp infection rate in patients with colorectal cancer was 36.3%, with the adjusted OR 1.56 (95%CI 1.06-2.30). The location of colorectal cancer was not correlated with Hp infection. Conclusions: Gastric Hp infection is more common in patients with colorectal polyps than in healthy controls. Polyps ≥1 cm, multiple polyps and colorectal cancer are correlated with higher rates of Hp infection. Cancer location is irrelevant to Hp infection.

[The influence of probiotics and synbiotics on intestinal inflammation and microbiota in mice with acute colitis].

Objective: To investigate the effects of probiotics and synbiotics on inflammation and microbiota of acute colitis in mice. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups randomly. Each group had 10 mice and was given 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) drinking water for 5 days other than the blank control group. Except for model control group, other two groups were administrated with probiotics and synbiotics, respectively. Probiotics was composed of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis, while synbiotics was composed of the aforementioned probiotics, inulin and galactooligosaccharide. Feces of different periods and mucosa samples were collected to analyze the differences of enteric flora by 16s rDNA sequencing. Results: (1) Pathological scores in probiotics group and synbiotics group were 5.40±2.79 and 7.25±2.87, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the model control group with scores 27.00±7.94. Model control group, probiotics group and synbiotics group showed lower flora diversity, increased Bacteroides and decreased Faecalibacterium than blank control group. The mucosal microbiota was different from fecal flora in abundance and species for each group, and Mucispirillum was more common in mucosa. Conclusions: Probiotics and synbiotics alleviate the inflammation of acute colitis in mice. Imbalance of beneficial genera to harmful genera is the characteristic of acute colitis. Supplementation of probiotics and synbiotics contributes to regulating the balance of intestinal microbiota.

[Construction of swept source optical coherence tomography imaging system for root canal endoscopy and application in diagnosis of root fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To construct swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging system for root canal endoscopy, and to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing artificial root fractures. METHODS: An ultra-high-speed (40 kHz) swept laser source was developed based on the piezoelectric tuning filter and the Fourier domain mode locking (FDML) swept laser technology (patent number: 200620135940.2). Ultra-miniature gradient index lens technology (patent number: 201320241218.7) was used to create a thin endoscopic probe with a diameter of 0.86 mm for real-time image transmission. The SS-OCT light source had a wavelength of 1 310 nm and a bandwidth of 100 nm. The axial and transverse image resolutions were 15 µm and 25 µm, respectively. Artificial fractures were created on human mandibular premolars with single root and the premolar roots were prepared to 41 horizontal sections (1 mm thick). 27 root sections with fractures (width: 52-284 µm) and 14 the sections without fractures were observed under an optical stereomicroscope with a cold light source as the gold standard. The horizontal root sections were scanned by self-developed SS-OCT imaging system for root canal endoscopy with a central wavelength of 1 310 nm and bandwidth of 100 nm. The data were reconstructed with 30 µm thick slices at an interval of 30 µm. Two observers, a radiologist and an endodontist, were trained and independently evaluated all the reconstructed images blindly. The diagnostic performance of SS-OCT imaging system was calculated, and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: SS-OCT root canal endoscopic imaging system composed of high-speed swept laser source, fiber coupler, endoscopic probe, reference arm and differential detector. Root sections could be scanned by SS-OCT and imaged in realtime at a depth of 1 to 2 mm. The kappa value for interobserver agreement was 0.792, and the intraobserver agreement was 1.000 and 0.709 for two observers respectively. All of 27 fractured root sections and 12 of 14 root sections without fractures were accurately diagnosed while 2 unfractured root sections were misdiagnosed. The sensitivity was 1.000 and the specificity was 0.857 for diagnosis of artificial root fractures by SS-OCT. The positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the overall accuracy rate were 0.931, 1.000 and 0.951 respectively. CONCLUSION: The swept source optical coherence tomography imaging system for root canal endoscopy is a promising imaging method for observing root fractures．.

[Effect of triangular flap design and healing procedure on the sequelae after extraction of impacted lower third molars].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different triangular flap design and healing procedure on the sequelae after extraction of impacted lower third molars. METHODS: In this prospective, split-mouth study, 60 healthy patients with bilateral, symmetrically fully impacted lower third molars (LM3) were included, of whom 30 patients with totally bony impacted LM3 were allocated into group A, while the other patients with partially bony impacted LM3 were allocated into group B. All the teeth were extracted by the same surgeon. Triangular flap was used on one side, and the wound was primarily closed with two sutures (TF-P). On the other side, modified triangular flap was used with a triangular region of mucosa posterior to LM2 removed during operation, and a triangular soft tissue defect was left for drainage after suture (MTF-S). The patients were followed up on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7. Clinical parameters included postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus. Distal probing depth of adjacent second molar was assessed 6 months after extraction. Doctors responsible for the evaluation did not know the group and flap design. Paired sample t test was used to analyze the differences of postoperative sequelae between the two strategies. RESULTS: In group A, MTF-S strategy could reduce postoperative pain, ibuprofen consumption, and swelling significantly compared with TF-P strategy on the postoperative 1st and 3rd days (P<0.05). Besides, the trismus in the patients with TF-P strategy was more serious than that with MTF-S strategy on the postoperative 1st, 3rd and 7th days (P<0.05). However, statistic difference between the two strategies in pain, swelling and trismus was not detected in group B. Additionally, the VAS score in the patients with MTF-S strategy in group B increased slightly on the postoperative 4th day. The probing depth of the adjacent second molar was evaluated 6 months after extraction. Statistic difference was not detected between MTF-S strategy and TF-P strategy in the both groups. CONCLUSION: Modified triangular flap with secondary healing procedure could effectively reduce the postoperative complications of totally bony impacted LM3. However, the difference between the two strategies in the probing depth of the adjacent second molar was not statically significant 6 months after extraction.

[Effect of VSL#3 and S.Boulardii on intestinal microbiota in mice with acute colitis].

Objective: To investigate the effects of probiotics(VSL#3, S. Boulardii) on intestinal flora of mice with DDS-induced acute colitis. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were administered with 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium for 5 consecutive days to develop the acute colitis model except for the blank control group. Meantime,Mice were treated with drinking water (DSS model group),VSL#3 (1.5×10(9) CFU),or S.Boulardii(5×10(7) CFU) by gavage for 7 days respectively,and mice were sacrificed 2 days after the model of colitis was established. The fecal specimens before gavage (day 0),in the middle of experiment (day 4),and the end of gavage (day 7) and the intestinal mucosa after sacrifice were collected to analyze the differences between these four groups by 16s rDNA sequencing method. Results: Compared with the DSS model group, VSL#3 group showed a decrease in disease activity index (DAI) and histological scores, and there was no significant change in the S.Boulardii group. Fecal microbiota:in the middle of experiment,the alpha diversity of DSS model group,VSL#3 group and S.Boulardii group were lower than that of the blank control group(P=0.0135,P=0.0018,P=0.0151). After the end of gavage,the diversity of the VSL#3 group was lower than that of the blank control group(P=0.025), and the difference between any other two groups was not statistically significant. Mucosa-adherent microbiota:biodiversity of DSS model group,S.Boulardii group were lower than the blank control group(P=0.031,P=0.0437),while biodiversity of VSL#3 group was higher than DSS model group and S. Boulardii group(P=0.0394, P=0.0426). Compared with the blank control group, the DSS model group showed an increase in Bacteroides and a decrease in Lactobacillus. Abundance in the genus Turicibacter and Odoribacter increased in intestinal microbiota of mice with acute colitis, while VSL#3 inhibited them. Conclusions: VSL#3 alleviates inflammation in DSS-induced colitis of mice.Both VSL#3 and S.Boulardii can affect intestinal microbiota. Compared with healthy mice,mice with colitis showed a reduced diversity of microbiota both in feces and in intestinal mucosa. VSL#3 increases biodiversity of mucosal microbiota in mice with acute colitis,while it does not increase biodiversity of fecal microbiota. Genera such as Turicibacter and Odoribacter increase in mice with acute colitis, and these genera can be inhibited by VSL#3.

[Impact of cessation of antiviral therapy at delivery on postpartum liver function in mothers with chronic hepatitis B virus infection].

Objective: To investigate the impact of immediate cessation of antiviral therapy on postpartum liver function and the factors influencing postpartum abnormality in mothers with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. One hundred eighty-eight pregnant women with HBV DNA level > 2×106 IU/ml were enrolled from June 2014 to June 2018. Demographic information and clinical data of liver function and HBV DNA load during gravidity, intrapartum and postpartum period were collected. According to the antiviral treatment recommendations during pregnancy, the women were divided into three groups, namely, tenofovir (TDF), telbivudine (LdT) and control group. Liver function abnormalities among the three groups were compared within 6 months after delivery, and the factors influencing abnormal liver function were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression. Results: Of the 188 cases, 72 cases were in the TDF group, 80 cases in the LdT group, and 36 cases in the control group. Pregnant women in the TDF and LdT groups received oral TDF (300 mg/d) and LdT (600 mg/d) from 28 ± 4 weeks of gestation till delivery. Among the 188 patients, 30 (16.0%) had abnormal postpartum liver function abnormality. The incidence of postpartum liver function abnormality [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN)] in the TDF, LdT, and control groups was 19.4%, 12.5%, and 16.7%, respectively. The postpartum peak levels of ALT (median, range) in the three groups were 34.5 (12.0-946.0) U/L, 37.5 (12.0-733.8) U/L, and 39.0 (7.0-513.0) U/L, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two indexes among the three groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of postpartum liver function abnormalities between the three groups (P = 0.944). Most of the liver function abnormalities were mild to moderate (2 × ULN≤ALT < 10 × ULN), and usually resolved spontaneously or by treatment. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that baseline ALT level during pregnancy was an independent factor associated with postpartum liver function abnormality (OR = 1.031, CI 95%: 1.005-1.058; χ(2) = 5.340, P = 0.021), whereas age, antiviral therapy, HBeAg-positivity, baseline HBV DNA levels, gravidity, parity, preterm delivery and delivery mode were not significantly associated with postpartum liver function abnormality. Conclusion: Cessation of antiviral therapy after delivery did not significantly increase the risk of postpartum liver function abnormality in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. The ALT level during pregnancy is a factor influencing postpartum liver function abnormality.