Imaging findings of 14 cases of intestinal schwannoma / 复旦学报（医学版）

Objective To investigate the imaging features of intestinal schwannoma(IS)in order to improve the diagnostic ability of the disease.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 14 patients with surgically and pathologically confirmed IS were retrospectively analyzed,including the location,size,morphology,nature,growth pattern,CT density,MRI signal,PET/CT metabolism and other characteristics of the tumors.Results Of the 14 IS cases,the lesions of 3 cases were located in the duodenum,2 cases in the cecum,8 cases in the colon and 1 case in the rectum.The lesions were all round or oval,with an average maximum diameter of(2.4±1.1)cm.The lesions were solid in 13 cases,extraluminal growth in 10 cases,cystic degeneration in 1 case and myxoid degeneration in 1 case.Chronic inflammatory lymph nodes were seen around the diseased intestines in 9 cases,and the short diameter of lymph nodes was greater than 5 mm in 6 cases.All 14 cases of IS showed low attenuation on plain CT scan,and progressive enhancement after contrast injection,including 1 case of mild enhancement,2 cases of moderate enhancement,and 11 cases of obvious enhancement.Two cases of IS showed low signal intensity on T1WI,slightly high signal intensity on T2WI,significantly high signal intensity on DWI,and obvious progressive enhancement after contrast injection on MRI.Two cases of IS showed high metabolism on 18F-FDG-PET/CT,and the SUVmax was 9.4 and 8.8,respectively.Conclusion The imaging findings of IS were characteristic to a certain extent.They mainly manifested as solid nodules or masses derived from the intestinal submucosa,with uniform attenuation or signal intensity,obvious progressive enhancement after contrast injection,obvious hypermetabolism on 18F-FDG-PET/CT,and slightly larger homogeneous lymph nodes were common around the lesions.

Imaging of lung cancer with molecular beacons delivered by octreotide-modified chitosan nanoparticles / 天津医药

Objective To investigate the identification of octreotide(OCT)modified chitosan(CS)miR-155 molecular beacon nanoparticles(CS-miR-155-MB-OCT)and imaging of lung cancer cells for the early screening of lung cancer.Methods A nude mouse model of lung transplantation tumor was established by injecting A549 lung cancer cells into tail veins to establish lung xenograft models.Cre adenovirus was injected through nasal cavity,and mice were killed at 4,6,8 and 12 weeks after adenovirus injection to establish lung cancer models of atypical hyperplasia,adenoma,carcinoma in situ and adenocarcinoma of lung in LSL K-ras G12D transgenic mice at different pathological stages.Lung tissue samples were taken and observed by HE staining.Immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of somatostatin receptor 2(SSTR2).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect miR-155 expression levels in lung xenograft models and transgenic mice at different stages of lung cancer.Then CS-miR-155-MB and CS-miR-155-MB-OCT were injected via tail vein in lung xenograft models.CS-miR-155-MB-OCT was injected via tail vein in transgenic mice models.The fluorescence signals of lung in nude mice and transgenic mice at different disease stages were imaged by living imaging system.Frozen slices of lung tissue were made.The source of fluorescence signal was detected by laser confocal scanning microscope(CLSM).Results HE staining showed that lung transplantation tumor models and lung cancer models of atypical hyperplasia,adenoma,carcinoma in situ and lung adenocarcinoma at different pathological stages were successfully constructed.Immunohistochemical analysis showed somatostatin receptor 2(SSTR2)was expressed in transplanted lung tumor and tissue at different pathological stages.In transgenic mouse models,the expression of miR-155 was gradually increased as the disease progressed(P＜0.05).In lung xenograft models,the fluorescence signals were significantly higher in the CS-miR-155-MB-OCT group than those of the CS-miR-155-MB group(P＜0.05).In transgenic mouse models,the fluorescence signals gradually increased with the gradual progression of lesions(P＜0.05).After re-imaging the lung tissue,it was found that the fluorescence signal came from lung,and CLSM showed that the fluorescence signal came from cancer cells and some normal alveolar epithelial cells.Conclusion CS-miR-155-MB-OCT can dynamically reflect the occurrence and development of lung cancer according to changes of different fluorescence intensity,thus providing a new technology for the early diagnosis of lung cancer.

Fault maintenance of Senographe DS Digital Mammography System:2 case reports / 医疗卫生装备

The structural composition and working principle of Senographe DS Digital Mammography System were introduced.The causes and elimination of 2 cases of faults of the system in exposure and artifact were proposed.References were provided for treating similar faults.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):118-120]

Classification of GINS family members based on their expression levels in glioma tissues and its clinical significance / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：基于GINS家族成员在胶质瘤组织中表达水平对其分型，探究此分型预测胶质瘤患者的预后、免疫治疗疗效的有效性，采用TCMOI数据库虚拟筛选可靶向GINS的中药小分子。方法：数据库分析GINS基因组学、胶质瘤组织中差异表达基因与患者预后的关系，基于GINS家族成员基因表达对胶质瘤进行分型并分析各亚型的预后情况，数据库数据分析各亚型中的基因突变、基因富集、肿瘤纯度和免疫细胞浸润评分，以及与GINS2可能相互作用的中药小分子，最后用qPCR法检测中国人胶质瘤组织中GINS1~4 mRNA的表达水平以验证其与数据库数据的一致性。结果：GINS家族各成员间的基因、蛋白结构和功能相似，胶质瘤组织中GINS家族成员呈高表达且与患者不良预后密切相关（P<0.05），基于GINS家族成员在胶质瘤组织中表达水平的S1、S2亚型分类能较好地预测胶质瘤患者的预后，S1亚型主要突变基因为CDKN2A/B、EGFR、PTEN而S2亚型的突变基因为IDH1、TP53和ATRX，GINS家族可能通过调控免疫微环境影响胶质瘤患者预后，CD276和CX3CL1可能是S1亚型胶质瘤患者实施免疫治疗的潜在靶点，CHEMBL66033、266935、293914、436859、1594881可能是潜在的靶向GINS2的中药小分子。结论：基于GINS家族构建的胶质瘤分子分型有助于识别更适合免疫治疗的高风险患者，筛选出的中药小分子可为胶质瘤患者分子靶向治疗和免疫治疗提供参考。

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Neurodegenerative Diseases

A growing body of evidence has demonstrated an intricate association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and neurodegenerative conditions, expanding beyond previous foci of comorbidities between IBD and mood disorders. These new discoveries stem from an improved understanding of the gut-microbiome-brain axis: specifically, the ability of the intestinal microbiota to modulate inflammation and regulate neuromodulatory compounds. Clinical retrospective studies incorporating large sample sizes and population-based cohorts have demonstrated and confirmed the relevance of IBD and chronic neurodegeneration in clinical medicine. In this review, we expound upon the current knowledge on the gut-microbiome-brain axis, highlighting several plausible mechanisms linking IBD with neurodegeneration. We also summarize the known associations between IBD with Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia and ischemic stroke, and multiple sclerosis in a clinical context. Finally, we discuss the implications of an improved understanding of the gut-microbiome-brain axis in preventing, diagnosing, and managing neurodegeneration among IBD and non-IBD patients.

Alterations in the intestinal microbiota of preterm infants with neurodevelopmental impairments: a prospective cohort study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the difference in intestinal microbiota between preterm infants with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) and those without NDI.@*METHODS@#In this prospective cohort study, the preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from September 1, 2019 to September 30, 2021 were enrolled as subjects. According to the assessment results of Gesell Developmental Scale at the corrected gestational age of 1.5-2 years, they were divided into two groups: normal (n=115) and NDI (n=100). Fecal samples were collected one day before discharge, one day before introducing solid food, and at the corrected gestational age of 1 year. High-throughput sequencing was used to compare the composition of intestinal microbiota between groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal group, the NDI group had a significantly higher Shannon diversity index at the corrected gestational age of 1 year (P<0.05). The principal coordinate analysis showed a significant difference in the composition of intestinal microbiota between the two groups one day before introducing solid food and at the corrected gestational age of 1 year (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the NDI group had a significantly higher abundance of Bifidobacterium in the intestine at all three time points, a significantly higher abundance of Enterococcus one day before introducing solid food and at the corrected gestational age of 1 year, and a significantly lower abundance of Akkermansia one day before introducing solid food (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are significant differences in the composition of intestinal microbiota between preterm infants with NDI and those without NDI. This study enriches the data on the characteristics of intestinal microbiota in preterm infants with NDI and provides reference for the microbiota therapy and intervention for NDI in preterm infants.

Risk factors of systemic allergic reactions caused by subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions induced by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients undergoing SCIT injections in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Methods: This is a single center retrospective cohort study. Using the outpatient information system of PUMCH, the demographic information and injection-related reaction data of patients undergoing SCIT injection in Allergy Department of PUMCH from December 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to count the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions caused by SCIT. Mann-Whitney nonparametric test or chi-square test was used for single-factor analysis, and multiple logistic regression was used for multiple-factor analysis. Results: A total of 2 897 patients received 18 070 SCIT injections in Allergy Department during the four years, and 40 systemic allergic reactions occurred, with the overall incidence rate of 0.22%. The incidence of systemic allergic reaction was 0.37% when using imported dust mite preparation and 0.15% when using domestic multi-component allergen preparation. The risk factors significantly related with SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using imported dust mite preparation were age less than 18 years old (OR=3.186,95%CI: 1.255-8.085), highest injection concentration (OR value could not be calculated because all patients with systemic reactions were injected with highest concentration), and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=22.264,95%CI: 8.205-60.411). The risk factors for SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using domestic allergen preparation were 5 or more types of allergens (OR=3.455,95%CI: 1.147-10.402), highest injection concentration (OR=3.794,95%CI: 1.226-11.740) and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=63.577,95%CI: 22.248-181.683). However, SCIT injection in pollen allergic patients during the pollen season did not show a correlation with systemic allergic reaction. Conclusion: The incidence of SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions was low in the Chinese patient population of this study. Patients with one or more risk factors, such as multiple allergen injection, highest injection concentration, large local reaction in previous injection, should be given high attention and vigilance against systemic allergic reactions.

Risk factors of systemic allergic reactions caused by subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions induced by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients undergoing SCIT injections in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Methods: This is a single center retrospective cohort study. Using the outpatient information system of PUMCH, the demographic information and injection-related reaction data of patients undergoing SCIT injection in Allergy Department of PUMCH from December 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to count the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions caused by SCIT. Mann-Whitney nonparametric test or chi-square test was used for single-factor analysis, and multiple logistic regression was used for multiple-factor analysis. Results: A total of 2 897 patients received 18 070 SCIT injections in Allergy Department during the four years, and 40 systemic allergic reactions occurred, with the overall incidence rate of 0.22%. The incidence of systemic allergic reaction was 0.37% when using imported dust mite preparation and 0.15% when using domestic multi-component allergen preparation. The risk factors significantly related with SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using imported dust mite preparation were age less than 18 years old (OR=3.186,95%CI: 1.255-8.085), highest injection concentration (OR value could not be calculated because all patients with systemic reactions were injected with highest concentration), and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=22.264,95%CI: 8.205-60.411). The risk factors for SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using domestic allergen preparation were 5 or more types of allergens (OR=3.455,95%CI: 1.147-10.402), highest injection concentration (OR=3.794,95%CI: 1.226-11.740) and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=63.577,95%CI: 22.248-181.683). However, SCIT injection in pollen allergic patients during the pollen season did not show a correlation with systemic allergic reaction. Conclusion: The incidence of SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions was low in the Chinese patient population of this study. Patients with one or more risk factors, such as multiple allergen injection, highest injection concentration, large local reaction in previous injection, should be given high attention and vigilance against systemic allergic reactions.

Tumor immune checkpoint therapy and the drug delivery strategies / 药学学报

Tumor immune checkpoint therapy is a clinical treatment strategy developed based on the new principle of the inhibition of negative immune regulation. In this article, the tumor immune checkpoint therapy and the drug delivery strategies were reviewed, mainly including immunity and tumor therapy, tumor immune checkpoint therapy and its mechanism of action, clinical application of tumor immune checkpoint therapy and therapeutic drugs, immune resistance of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1) treatment and countermeasures, drug delivery strategies for tumor immune checkpoint therapeutic agents, etc. As a revolutionary new immunotherapy strategy, tumor immune checkpoint therapy has shown obvious superior therapeutic efficacy in a variety types of tumor. However, tumor immune checkpoint therapy is also faced with a big challenge, namely, immunotherapy resistance. With the discovery of new mechanism, the continuous development of new therapeutic drugs and delivery strategies, tumor immune checkpoint therapy is expected to further improve the clinical efficacy of tumor.

Evaluation and Current Clinical Progress of Invasiveness in Postoperative Residual Regrowth and Recurrence of Pituitary Adenoma / 肿瘤防治研究

Pituitary adenoma is one common type of intracranial tumors, accounting for about 10% of intracranial tumors. Although pituitary adenomas are benign tumors, the complete resection and recurrence prevention remain challengeable due to aggressive growth of tumor, limited equipment conditions and surgical techniques of the surgeon. The proportion of recurrent pituitary adenomas is rising year by year and the difficulty of treatment also increases. This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment of recurrent pituitary adenomas based on the summary data of invasive or recurrent pituitary adenomas cases in our center, including indication for the second transsphenoidal surgery, surgical techniques, and prevention and treatment of postoperative complications, to provide reference for clinicians in this field.

Assessment of 3 enzyme linked immunosorbent assays and 1 pseudotype lentivirus-based neutralization test in detecting serum antibody in convalescent plasma from COVID-19 / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To assess three severe acute respiratorysyndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and one pseudotype lentivirus-based neutralization test (ppNAT) in detecting the convalescent plasma antibody levles from COVID-19. 【Methods】 30 COVID-19 convalescent plasma samples were screened for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using three kinds of SARS-CoV-2 ELISA reagents and one ppNAT test in Shenzhen. The controls consisted of plasma samples from 32 healthy blood donors in February 2019. The diagnostic efficacy analysis of various SARS-CoV-2 ELISA reagents was performed using real-time fluorescent Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). We also analyzed correlation between different immunological reagents and the age, gender, hospitalization, and severity of illness. 【Results】 The positive yielding rate of ppNAT and three kinds of IgG ELISA was higher than that of IgM ELISA. The positive yielding rates of three kinds of IgG ELISA were 100%(30/30), 93.33%(28/30), and 96.67%(29/30) respectively, while the yielding rates in control group were all 0. The positive yielding rate of three IgM ELISAs were 93.33%(28/30), 70%(21/30)and 46.67% (14/30). All the cases from negative control group were negative for IgG and IgM. Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated; there was a strong correlation between ELISA reagent 2 IgG and ELISA reagent 3 IgG (r=0.765, P0.05). 【Conclusion】 In the convalescent plasma with nucleic acid confirmed covid-19, the yielding rates of different IgM antibodies varied greatly. Antibody levels were influenced by age to some extent.

Efficient measures for blood donor recruitment, under the COVID-19 epidemic / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To explore ways to recruit blood donors effectively, so as to ensure blood supply for hospitals in Shenzhen with good compliance with the requirements concerning COVID-19 prevention and control. 【Methods】 From January 31 to March 31, 2020, a recruiting vanguard lead by Party members aimed at "COVID-19 control, blood supply security" was established. Otherwise, the traditional recruiting (via telephone/SMS) and on-site(on the streets) recruiting were also enhanced. The effects of the above three recruitment methods during this period, relative to the same period in 2019, were counted and analyzed. 【Results】 A total of 19 752 blood donors were recruited, and more were recruited by on-site (15 643, 79.19%) than by telephone and SMS(4 109, 20.81%), as on-site recruitment was more persuasive than the traditional one. The success rates of telephone recruitment and SMS recruitment were 11.66% (2 034 / 17 448) and 3.92% (2 075/52 915), respectively, and both were significantly higher than that in the same period in 2019(7.55% and 2.36%) (P0.05). 【Conclusion】 In times of emergency, efficient recruiting method could be achieved by grouping a vanguard, conducting scientific measures, and carrying out effect evaluation. Besides, preference could be given to donors with local registered residence, middle-age (30~50 years old) and better educated background.

Effect of platelet donation frequency on iron, cooper, and zinc content and superoxide dismutase activity / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To study the effects of platelets donation frequency on iron, copper, zinc content and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in plasma of blood donors. 【Methods】 128 apheresis platelet donors from August 25, 2020 to August 25, 2021 in our center were divided into 4 groups according to the frequency of platelet donation: first-time donors(n=30) were enrolled as group 1, and donors with 2 to 7 donations(n=23), 8 to 14 donations(n=29), 15 to 24 donations(n=46) within the previous period were group 2, group 3 and group 4. All these donors were males, with the average age of 42 ± 8.3, and had not donated whole blood in the past two years. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was used to detect the content of copper, iron and zinc in plasma of different groups of platelet donors. The SOD activity was detected by WST colorimetric kit. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software. 【Results】 Significant differences in the content of iron and copper, but no in zinc, were noticed in donors of different groups(P0.05). There was no significant difference in zinc content between every two groups(P>0.05). The SOD inhibition rate of blood donors in different groups was not significantly different. 【Conclusion】 The content of plasma iron, copper, and zinc and the SOD activity were not significantly affected if platelet donations were less than 15 times within a year. For those donated platelets more than 15 times within a year, the content of iron was found to decrease and copper to increase. It is suggested that platelet donations more than 15 times is correlated with the content of iron and copper in plasma of blood donors. Therefore, the proportion of iron-rich food should be appropriately increased in the daily diet for high-frequency(≥15 times per year) apheresis platelet donors after blood donation.

Two-dimensional Nanomaterials against β-Amyloid in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent progressive neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly. In the scientific community, the β-amyloid (Aβ) hypothesis is currently a widely-accepted model for AD pathogenesis. Removing Aβ, inhibiting Aβ aggregation and depolymerizing Aβ fibrils are proposed to provide useful strategies for the treatment of AD. However, most current drugs used for anti-Aβ therapy usually have inherent drawbacks that may limit their clinical applications. With the rise of nanotechnology nowadays, the application of two-dimensional nanomaterials in medicine has rapidly attracted much attention from researchers. Two-dimensional nanomaterials not only have excellent physical and chemical properties, as well as good biocompatibility, but also can easily cross either the cell membrane or blood-brain barrier. Recently, it has been found that many two-dimensional nanomaterials can inhibit Aβ aggregation or depolymerize Aβ fibrils by intermolecular interaction, near-infrared photothermal effect, photocatalytic oxidation, chelation of copper ions, drug delivery and other mechanisms, implying its great potential in treating AD. This review will focus on the research of graphene and graphene-like two-dimensional nanomaterials such as molybdenum disulfide, graphitic carbon nitride, and black phosphorus used for anti-Aβ therapy in the treatment of AD.

A random forest model to predict acute kidney injury after acute myocardial infarction / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:Our study aims to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by establishing a random forest model.Methods:By using the clinical database from affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, a total of 1 363 AMI cases were included. Then, 75% of participants were analyzed as training subsets and the remaining 25% were testing subsets. The CARET package in R was used to filter variables and build random forest. The prediction ability of established model was evaluated by specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, relative operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) in testing subsets. In addition, the performance of random forest was compared with other 3 commonly used machine learning algorithms (Artificial Neural Network, Naive Bayes, and Support Vector Machine).Results:In this study, 30 variables including the demographic information, risk factors of cardiovascular disease, vital signs at admission, laboratory tests were identified and used to establish our random forest prediction model. The area under the curve of the testing subsets ROC was 0.893. The specificity and sensitivity of prediction model was 0.791 and 0.866, respectively. And the first creatinine, first blood urea nitrogen, and D-dimer after admission, age, mechanical ventilation were the top-five factors in this model. After comparing various machine learning algorithms, random forest model had a better performance.Conclusion:The random forest model would be used to predict the occurrence of AMI with AKI.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Survey of Gastroparesis in Asia by Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association

Background/Aims@#Gastroparesis is identified as a subject that is understudied in Asia. The scientific committee of the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association performed a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices survey on gastroparesis among doctors in Asia. @*Methods@#The questionnaire was created and developed through a literature review of current gastroparesis works of literature by the scientific committee of Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association. @*Results@#A total of 490 doctors from across Asia (including Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) participated in the survey. Gastroparesis is a significant gastrointestinal condition. However, a substantial proportion of respondents was unable to give the correct definition and accurate diagnostic test. The main reason for lack of interest in diagnosing gastroparesis was “the lack of reliable diagnostic tests” (46.8%) or “a lack of effective treatment” (41.5%). Only 41.7% of respondents had access to gastric emptying scintigraphy. Most doctors had never diagnosed gastroparesis at all (25.2%) or diagnosed fewer than 5 patients a year (52.1%). @*Conclusions@#Gastroparesis can be challenging to diagnose due to the lack of instrument, standardized method, and paucity of research data on normative value, risk factors, and treatment studies in Asian patients. Future strategies should concentrate on how to disseminate the latest knowledge of gastroparesis in Asia. In particular, there is an urgent need to estimate the magnitude of the problems in high risk and idiopathic patients as well as a standardized diagnostic procedure in Asia.

Comparison of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy for treatment of impacted proximal ureteral stones greater than 15 mm / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The optimal treatment for large impacted proximal ureteral stones remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and potential complications of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) and retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (RPLU) in the treatment of impacted proximal ureteral stones with size greater than 15 mm.@*METHODS@#A total of 268 patients with impacted proximal ureteral stones greater than 15 mm who received MPCNL or RPLU procedures were enrolled consecutively between January 2014 and January 2019. Data on surgical outcomes and complications were collected and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Demographic and ureteral stone characteristics found between these two groups were not significantly different. The surgical success rate (139/142, 97.9% vs. 121/126, 96.0%, P = 0.595) and stone-free rate after 1 month (139/142, 97.9% vs. 119/126, 94.4%, P = 0.245) of RPLU group were marginally higher than that of the MPCNL group, but there was no significant difference. There was no significant difference in the drop of hemoglobin between the two groups (0.8 ± 0.6 vs. 0.4 ± 0. 2 g/dL, P = 0.621). The mean operative time (68.2 ± 12.5 vs. 87.2 ± 16.8 min, P = 0.041), post-operative analgesics usage (2/121, 1.7% vs. 13/139, 9.4%, P = 0.017), length of hospital stay after surgery (2.2 ± 0.6 vs. 4.8 ± 0.9 days, P < 0.001), double J stent time (3.2 ± 0.5 vs. 3.9 ± 0.8 days, P = 0.027), time of catheterization (1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 3.5 ± 0.5 days, P < 0.001), and time of drainage tube (2.3 ± 0.3 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6 days, P < 0.001) of MPCNL group were significantly shorter than that of the RPLU group. The complication rate was similar between the two groups (20/121, 16.5% vs. 31/139, 22.3%, P = 0.242).@*CONCLUSIONS@#MPCNL and RPLU have similar surgical success and stone clearance in treating impacted proximal ureteral stones greater than 15 mm, while patients undergoing MPCNL had a lower post-operative pain rate and a faster recovery.

Non-pharmacological Approach in the Management of Functional Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common functional gastrointestinal disease which bears a significant burden on society and individuals. Despite the high prevalence of FD, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood and the treatment options are limited and unsatisfactory. In the absence of effective pharmacological treatments for FD, non-pharmacological approaches, including: reassurance, lifestyle modification, psychotherapy, dietary interventions, medical food, acupuncture, and electrical stimulation and modulation are sought after by many physicians and FD patients. In this article, we review clinical studies which investigate nonpharmacological therapies for FD. We will also discuss potential mechanisms involved in the therapeutic effects of these nonpharmacological approaches. Though the evidences to support the routine use of the non-pharmacological management is still lacking, the non-invasive nature and potentially minimal side-effects of these therapies may be attractive in the FD management. In order to confirm the clinical effectiveness of these non-pharmacological approaches, more well-conducted, methodologically rigorous, and large-scaled clinical trials are required.

Mental Disorders and Interferon Nontreatment in Hepatitis C Virus Infection-a Population Based Cohort Study

Objective@#This study investigates the association between mental disorders and interferon nontreatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a large national sample. @*Methods@#Using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, we conducted a nationwide population-based study. Each case was matched to five controls by age, sex, urbanization, and income. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess odds of HCV nontreatment in different mental disorders. @*Results@#From 1999 to 2013, we identified 92,970 subjects with HCV infection and 15,495 HCV cases (16.7%) had received IFN therapy. Other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the medical diseases and mental disorders were significantly different between IFN and non-IFN treated HCV patients. After adjusting for medical diseases, depressive disorder and anxiety disorder was positively associated with receiving IFN therapy. Patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and alcohol use disorders were significantly less likely to receive interferon. Antidepressant exposure (cumulative daily exposure or cumulative daily dose) was associated with lower odds of IFN treatment. @*Conclusion@#Our nationwide cohort study demonstrated that INF nontreatment rate was lower in certain mental disorders. Antidepressant exposure might lower the chance of receiving IFN treatment. Our results may help to identify and to overcome the obstacles for HCV treatment and further apply to DAAs regimen.