Strategic Scientific and Technological Capacity-Building in Clinical Medicine in China:Taking the Innovative Development of Reproductive Medicine at Peking University Third Hospital as an Example

Based on the macroanalysis of the unbalanced development of the"demand side"and the"supply side"of clinical medicine in China,this paper elucidates the stakeholders,resources,and ecosystem of the strategic scientific and technological capacity-building and calls for a larger coverage,smoother supply chain,and more sustainable ecosystem to ensure the development of clinical medicine.Furthermore,focusing on the establishment and development of clinical reproductive health in China,the authors introduce the strategic scientific and technological capacity-building of reproductive medicine in Peking University Third Hospital,with an attempt to inform similar efforts in other fields and even the whole clinical medicine in China.

Peking University Third Hospital score:a comprehensive system to predict intra-operative blood loss in radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy

Background:Radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy is the standard surgical procedure for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombus (TT). But the estimation of intra-operative blood loss is only based on the surgeon’s experience. Therefore, our study aimed to develop Peking University Third Hospital score (PKUTH score) for the prediction of intra-operative blood loss volume in radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy.Methods: The clinical data of 153 cases of renal mass with renal vein (RV) or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus admitted to Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital from January 2015 to May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The total amount of blood loss during operation is equal to the amount of blood sucked out by the aspirator plus the amount of blood in the blood-soaked gauze. Univariate linear analysis was used to analyze risk factors for intra-operative blood loss, then significant factors were included in subsequent multivariable linear regression analysis.Results: The final multivariable model included the following three factors: open operative approach (P < 0.001), Neves classification IV (P < 0.001), inferior vena cava resection (P = 0.001). The PKUTH score (0-3) was calculated according to the number of aforementioned risk factors. A significant increase of blood loss was noticed along with higher risk score. The estimated median blood loss from PKUTH score 0 to 3 was 280 mL (interquartile range [IQR] 100-600 mL), 1250 mL (IQR 575-2700 mL), 2000 mL (IQR 1250-2900 mL), and 5000 mL (IQR 4250-8000 mL), respectively. Meanwhile, the higher PKUTH score was, the more chance of post-operative complications (P = 0.004) occurred. A tendency but not significant overall survival difference was found between PKUTH risk score 0vs. 1 to 3 (P = 0.098).Conclusion: We present a structured and quantitative scoring system, PKUTH score, to predict intra-operative blood loss volume in radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy.

Features of colorectal cancer in China stratified by anatomic sites:A hospital-based study conducted in university-affiliated hospitals from 2014 to 2018

Objective:The clinical and biological characteristics of colorectal cancer have been found to differ depending on the anatomic site of the cancer.However,for Chinese patients,there is limited information on the proportion of cases at each site and the related features.In this study,we explored the location,distribution and other features of colorectal cancers at each anatomic site in Chinese patients.Methods:We conducted a hospital-based study using hospitalization summary reports from 10 Peking University-affiliated hospitals from 2014 to 2018;the reports covered a total of 2,097,347 hospitalizations.Incident cases were chosen as the study population,and their epidemiological features were further analyzed.Results:A total of 20,739 colorectal cancer patients were identified.Rectum was the most common location(48.3%)of the cancer,whereas the proportions of patients with distal and proximal colon cancer were 24.5%and18.6%,respectively.Patients with rectal cancer were predominantly male and were the youngest for all anatomical sites(each P<0.001).The highest proportion of emergency admissions,the longest hospital stays and the highest hospitalization costs were found in patients with proximal colon cancer(each P<0.001).The proximal colon cancer subgroup included the highest proportions of patients with medical histories of cholecystectomy,cholecystolithiasis and/or gallbladder polyps and appendectomy(P=0.009,P<0.001 and P<0.001,respectively).The distal colon cancer subgroup included the highest proportions of patients with medical histories of diabetes and hypertension(P<0.001,respectively).Conclusions:The patterns of colorectal cancer observed in this study differ from those reported for Western patients and show a significantly higher proportion of patients with rectal cancer.Different epidemiological features were also found based on anatomic sites.Further studies based on tumor location should be conducted to facilitate more accurate screening and treatment.

Prediction for risk of disease progression among hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Objective:The COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant threat to global health.Given the lack of studies on risk factors for COVID-19 progression at present,this study aimed to build a predictive model to predict the progression risk among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.Methods:We extracted data from 1074 mild and moderate COVID-19 patients from Electronic Health Records(EHRs)in a designated Wuhan hospital including demographic characteristics and clinical and laboratory information.Disease progression was defined as progressing to severe critical illness after admission.The LASSO regression was used to select the predicted variables and a logistic regression model was applied to build the predictive model.Nomogram was used to show the results.Results:Seven variables were included in the predictive model:age per 10 years(OR,1.15;95%CI,1.03-1.29),lactate dehydrogenase(OR,1.73;95%CI,1.14-2.62),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(OR,2.07;95%CI,1.42-3.02),eosinophil count(OR,2.10;95%CI,1.20-3.69),albumin(OR,2.37;95%CI,1.65-3.45),hemoglobin(OR,1.50;95%CI,1.10-2.05),D-dimer(OR,1.63;95%CI,1.19-2.23).The mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the predictive model was 0.72(95%CI,0.69-0.76).Conclusions:This study built a predictive model that could effectively predict the progression risk among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Latest assessment methods for mitochondrial homeostasis in cognitive diseases

Mitochondria play an essential role in neural function,such as supporting normal energy metabolism,regulating reactive oxygen species,buffering physiological calcium loads,and maintaining the balance of morphology,subcellular distribution,and overall health through mitochondrial dynamics.Given the recent technological advances in the assessment of mitochondrial structure and functions,mitochondrial dysfunction has been regarded as the early and key pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,Huntington’s disease,mild cognitive impairment,and postoperative cognitive dysfunction.This review will focus on the recent advances in mitochondrial medicine and research methodology in the field of cognitive sciences,from the perspectives of energy metabolism,oxidative stress,calcium homeostasis,and mitochondrial dynamics(including fission-fusion,transport,and mitophagy).

Influence of layer thickness on formation quality,microstructure,mechanical properties,and corrosion resistance of WE43 magnesium alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)of Mg alloys has provided tremendous opportunities for customized production of aeronautical and medical parts.Layer thickness(LT)is of great significance to the L-PBF process but has not been studied for Mg alloys.In this study,WE43 Mg alloy bulk cubes,porous scaffolds,and thin walls with layer thicknesses of 10,20,30,and 40μm were fabricated.The required laser energy input increased with increasing layer thickness and was different for the bulk cubes and porous scaffolds.Porosity tended to occur at the connection joints in porous scaffolds for LT40 and could be eliminated by reducing the laser energy input.For thin wall parts,a large overhang angle or a small wall thickness resulted in porosity when a large layer thicknesses was used,and the porosity disappeared by reducing the layer thickness or laser energy input.A deeper keyhole penetration was found in all occasions with porosity,explaining the influence of layer thickness,geometrical structure,and laser energy input on the porosity.All the samples achieved a high fusion quality with a relative density of over 99.5%using the optimized laser energy input.The increased layer thickness resulted to more precipitation phases,finer grain sizes and decreased grain texture.With the similar high fusion quality,the tensile strength and elongation of bulk samples were significantly improved from 257 MPa and 1.41%with the 10μm layer to 287 MPa and 15.12%with the 40μm layer,in accordance with the microstructural change.The effect of layer thickness on the compressive properties of porous scaffolds was limited.However,the corrosion rate of bulk samples accelerated with increasing the layer thickness,mainly attributed to the increased number of precipitation phases.

Minocycline in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Difficulty in obtaining tetracycline,increased adverse reactions,and relatively complicated medication methods have limited the clinical application of the classic bismuth quadruple therapy.Therefore,the search for new alternative drugs has become one of the research hotspots.In recent years,minocycline,as a semisynthetic tetracycline,has demonstrated good potential for eradicating Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection,but the systematic evaluation of its role remains lacking.AIM To explore the efficacy,safety,and compliance of minocycline in eradicating H.pylori infection.METHODS We comprehensively retrieved the electronic databases of PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,SinoMed,and Wanfang database as of October 30,2023,and finally included 22 research reports on H.pylori eradication with minocycline-containing regimens as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The eradication rates of H.pylori were calculated using a fixed or a random effect model,and the heterogeneity and publication bias of the studies were measured.RESULTS The single-arm meta-analysis revealed that the minocycline-containing regimens achieved good overall H.pylori eradication rates,reaching 82.3%[95%confidence interval(CI):79.7%-85.1%]in the intention-to-treat analysis and 90.0%(95%CI:87.7%-92.4%)in the per-protocol analysis.The overall safety and compliance of the minocycline-containing regimens were good,demonstrating an overall incidence of adverse reactions of 36.5%(95%CI:31.5%-42.2%).Further by traditional meta-analysis,the results showed that the minocycline-containing regimens were not statistically different from other commonly used eradication regimens in eradication rate and incidence of adverse effects.Most of the adverse reactions were mild to moderate and well-tolerated,and dizziness was relatively prominent in the minocycline-containing regimens(16%).CONCLUSION The minocycline-containing regimens demonstrated good efficacy,safety,and compliance in H.pylori eradication.Minocycline has good potential to replace tetracycline for eradicating H.pylori infection.

β-Receptor blocker enhances the anabolic effect of PTH after osteoporotic fracture

The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating bone metabolism,with sympathetic activation stimulating bone resorption and inhibiting bone formation.We found that fractures lead to increased sympathetic tone,enhanced osteoclast resorption,decreased osteoblast formation,and thus hastened systemic bone loss in ovariectomized(OVX)mice.However,the combined administration of parathyroid hormone(PTH)and theβ-receptor blocker propranolol dramatically promoted systemic bone formation and osteoporotic fracture healing in OVX mice.The effect of this treatment is superior to that of treatment with PTH or propranolol alone.In vitro,the sympathetic neurotransmitter norepinephrine(NE)suppressed PTH-induced osteoblast differentiation and mineralization,which was rescued by propranolol.Moreover,NE decreased the PTH-induced expression of Runx2 but enhanced the expression of Rankl and the effect of PTH-stimulated osteoblasts on osteoclastic differentiation,whereas these effects were reversed by propranolol.Furthermore,PTH increased the expression of the circadian clock gene Bmal1,which was inhibited by NE-βAR signaling.Bmal1 knockdown blocked the rescue effect of propranolol on the NE-induced decrease in PTHstimulated osteoblast differentiation.Taken together,these results suggest that propranolol enhances the anabolic effect of PTH in preventing systemic bone loss following osteoporotic fracture by blocking the negative effects of sympathetic signaling on PTH anabolism.

Clinical manifestation,lifestyle,and treatment patterns of chronic erosive gastritis:A multicenter real-world study in China

BACKGROUND Although chronic erosive gastritis(CEG)is common,its clinical characteristics have not been fully elucidated.The lack of consensus regarding its treatment has resulted in varied treatment regimens.AIM To explore the clinical characteristics,treatment patterns,and short-term outcomes in CEG patients in China.METHODS We recruited patients with chronic non-atrophic or mild-to-moderate atrophic gastritis with erosion based on endoscopy and pathology.Patients and treating physicians completed a questionnaire regarding history,endoscopic findings,and treatment plans as well as a follow-up questionnaire to investigate changes in symptoms after 4 wk of treatment.RESULTS Three thousand five hundred sixty-three patients from 42 centers across 24 cities in China were included.Epigastric pain(68.0%),abdominal distension(62.6%),and postprandial fullness(47.5%)were the most common presenting symptoms.Gastritis was classified as chronic non-atrophic in 69.9%of patients.Among those with erosive lesions,72.1%of patients had lesions in the antrum,51.0%had multiple lesions,and 67.3%had superficial flat lesions.In patients with epigastric pain,the combination of a mucosal protective agent(MPA)and proton pump inhibitor was more effective.For those with postprandial fullness,acid regurgitation,early satiety,or nausea,a MPA appeared more promising.CONCLUSION CEG is a multifactorial disease which is common in Asian patients and has non-specific symptoms.Gastroscopy may play a major role in its detection and diagnosis.Treatment should be individualized based on symptom profile.

The burden of upper motor neuron involvement is correlated with the bilateral limb involvement interval in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:a retrospective observational study

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by the involvement of both upper and lower motor neurons.Early bilateral limb involvement significantly affects patients'daily lives and may lead them to be confined to bed.However,the effect of upper and lower motor neuron impairment and other risk factors on bilateral limb involvement is unclear.To address this issue,we retrospectively collected data from 586 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset diagnosed at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2020 and May 2022.A univariate analysis revealed no significant differences in the time intervals of spread in different directions between individuals with upper motor neuron-dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and those with classic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.We used causal directed acyclic graphs for risk factor determination and Cox proportional hazards models to investigate the association between the duration of bilateral limb involvement and clinical baseline characteristics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.Multiple factor analyses revealed that higher upper motor neuron scores(hazard ratio[HR]=1.05,95%confidence interval[CI]=1.01–1.09,P=0.018),onset in the left limb(HR=0.72,95%CI=0.58–0.89,P=0.002),and a horizontal pattern of progression(HR=0.46,95%CI=0.37–0.58,P<0.001)were risk factors for a shorter interval until bilateral limb involvement.The results demonstrated that a greater degree of upper motor neuron involvement might cause contralateral limb involvement to progress more quickly in limb-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.These findings may improve the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset and the prediction of patient prognosis.

Bioengineered skin organoids:from development to applications

Signifcant advancements have been made in recent years in the development of highly sophisticated skin organoids.Serving as three-dimensional(3D)models that mimic human skin,these organoids have evolved into complex structures and are increasingly recognized as efective alternatives to traditional culture models and human skin due to their ability to overcome the limitations of two-dimensional(2D)systems and ethical concerns.The inherent plasticity of skin organoids allows for their construction into physiological and pathological models,enabling the study of skin development and dynamic changes.This review provides an overview of the pivotal work in the progression from 3D layered epidermis to cyst-like skin organoids with appendages.Furthermore,it highlights the latest advancements in organoid construction facilitated by state-of-the-art engineering techniques,such as 3D printing and microfuidic devices.The review also summarizes and discusses the diverse applications of skin organoids in developmental biology,disease modelling,regenerative medicine,and personalized medicine,while considering their prospects and limitations.

Effects and mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori infection on the occurrence of extra-gastric tumors

Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)colonizes the human stomach and many studies have discussed the mechanisms of H.pylori infection leading to gastric diseases,including gastric cancer.Additionally,increasing data have shown that the infection of H.pylori may contribute to the development of extra-gastric diseases and tumors.Inflammation,systemic immune responses,microbiome disorders,and hypergastrinemia caused by H.pylori infection are associated with many extra-gastric malignancies.This review highlights recent discoveries;discusses the relationship between H.pylori and various extra-gastric tumors,such as colorectal cancer,lung cancer,cholangiocarcinoma,and gallbladder carcinoma;and explores the mechanisms of extra-gastric carcinogenesis by H.pylori.Overall,these findings refine our understanding of the pathogenic processes of H.pylori,provide guidance for the clinical treatment and management of H.pylori-related extra-gastric tumors,and help improve prognosis.

Hydrogel dressings on neurotrophic keratitis in an experimental animal model

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of hydrogel dressings on neurotrophic keratitis in rats.METHODS:Male Wistar rats,aged 42–56d,were randomly divided into control,experimental,and treatment groups,each consisting of five rats.The experimental and treatment groups underwent neurotrophic keratitis modeling in both eyes.After successful modeling,biomedical hydrogels formed with polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were used in treatment group for 7d.Ocular irritation response and keratitis index scores,Schirmer’s test,tear film break-up time(BUT),sodium fluorescein staining,and hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.RESULTS:The neurotrophic keratitis model was successfully established in rats with severe ophthalmic nerve injury,characterized by keratitis,ocular irritation,reduced tear secretion measured by decreased BUT and Schirmer test values,corneal epithelial loss,and disorganized collagen fibers in the stromal layer.Following treatment with hydrogel dressings,significant improvements were observed in keratitis scores and ocular irritation symptoms in model eyes.Although the recovery of tear secretion,as measured by the Schirmer’s test,did not show statistical differences,BUT was significantly prolonged.Fluorescein staining confirmed a reduction in the extent of corneal epithelial loss after treatment.HE staining revealed the restoration of the structural disorder in both the epithelial and stromal layers to a certain extent.CONCLUSION:Hydrogel dressing reduces ocular surface irritation,improves tear film stability,and promotes the repair and restoration of damaged epithelial cells by maintaining a moist and clean environment on the ocular surface in the rat model.

Endoscopic and pathological features of neoplastic transformation of gastric hyperplastic polyps:Retrospective study of 4010 cases

BACKGROUND Hyperplastic polyps,which represent 30%-93%of all gastric epithelial polyps,are the second most common type of gastric polyps after fundic gland polyps.They were previously considered to have no risk of neoplastic transformation.Recently,an increasing number of cases of gastric hyperplastic polyps(GHPs)combined with neoplastic changes have been reported;however,the specific mechanism underlying their transformation has not been thoroughly explored.AIM To investigate the clinical,endoscopic,and pathological characteristics of the neoplastic transformation of GHPs and explore the risk factors.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on 4010 cases of GHPs diagnosed by gastroscopy and pathological examination at the hospital from 2005 to 2021.In total,3874,119,and 17 cases were in the group without intraepithelial neoplasia(IN),with low-grade IN,and with high-grade IN,respectively.The data analysis examined the association of endoscopic and pathological features with risk factors for neoplastic transformation.Factors with significant differences were entered into univariate logistic regression,followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Univariate analysis revealed diameter,multiple polyp presence,redness,rough surface,lobulation,erosion,Yamada classification,location,and gastric mucosa were risk factors for neoplastic transformation.Multivariate analysis showed that age>65 years[odds ratio(OR)=1.789;95%confidence interval(CI):1.227-2.609;P=0.003],male sex(OR=1.680;95%CI:1.158-2.438;P=0.006),multiple polyps(OR=1.851;95%CI:1.230-2.784;P=0.003),pedunculated or semi-pedunculated shape(OR=2.722;95%CI:1.689-4.388;P<0.001),and polyp diameter were significantly associated with GHPs that demonstrated neoplastic transformation.Compared with chronic superficial gastritis,autoimmune gastritis,atrophic gastritis,and gastritis with IN were independent risk factors for neoplastic transformation[(OR=2.672;95%CI:1.559-4.579;P<0.001),(OR=1.876;95%CI:1.134-3.103;P=0.014),and(OR=5.299;95%CI:3.173–8.849;P<0.001),respectively].CONCLUSION Male sex,age>65 years,multiple polyps,pedunculated or semi-pedunculated shape,polyp size>1 cm,and specific background gastric mucosa are key indicators for predicting neoplastic transformation of GHPs.

Insights and future directions in studying intestinal microbiota posttransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for hepatitis B virusrelated portal hypertension

The gut microbiota(GM)plays a major role in the progression and treatment response of liver diseases,with diverse compositions based on different etiologies.In China,hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is the leading cause of cirrhosis and affects the GM composition in patients with cirrhosis-related portal hypertension(PH).However,a few studies have been conducted on GM alterations after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)in patients with HBV-related PH.A recent study investigated the changes in the GM in these patients after TIPS.This study found an increase in potentially pathogenic bacteria and a decrease in beneficial bacteria post-TIPS,particularly in patients with hepatic encephalopathy(HE),indicating the potential role of the GM in HE prediction and management post-TIPS.Nevertheless,the study had several limitations,including a small sample size,limited follow-up,a single time point for sample collection,and inadequate analysis of the correlation between intestinal flora,HBV infection status,and clinical parameters.Future research should address these limitations by expanding the sample size,prolonging the follow-up duration,collecting samples at multiple time points,and conducting compre-hensive analyses to confirm the findings and evaluate the effectiveness of individualized microbiome-based therapies.

Association between Exposure of Rare Earth Elements and Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer in Beijing

Objective The study aimed to investigate the impact of rare earth elements(REEs)exposure on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)by analyzing samples from spouses.Methods A total of 141 couples were included.Blood and follicular fluid from the wives and semen plasma from the husbands,were analyzed for REEs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Spearman's correlation coefficients and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to assess correlations and compare REE concentrations among three types of samples,respectively.Logistic models were utilized to estimate the individual REE effect on IVF-ET outcomes,while BKMR and WQS models explored the mixture of REE interaction effects on IVF-ET outcomes.Results Higher La concentration in semen(median 0.089 ng/mL,P=0.03)was associated with a lower fertilization rate.However,this effect was not observed after artificial selection intervention through intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)(P=0.27).In semen,the REEs mixture did not exhibit any significant association with clinical pregnancy.Conclusion Our study revealed a potential association between high La exposure in semen and a decline in fertilization rate,but not clinical pregnancy rate.This is the first to report REEs concentrations in follicular fluid with La,Ce,Pr,and Nd found at significantly lower concentrations than in serum,suggesting that these four REEs may not accumulate in the female reproductive system.However,at the current exposure levels,mixed REEs exposure did not exhibit reproductive toxicity.

Application of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for premature ovarian insufficiency: Recent advances from mechanisms to therapeutics

The incidence of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)is increasing worldwide,particularly among younger women,posing a significant challenge to fertility.In addition to menopausal symptoms,POI leads to several complications that profoundly affect female reproductive function and overall health.Unfortunately,current clinical treatment strategies for this condition are limited and often yield unsatisfactory outcomes.These approaches typically involve hormone repla-cement therapy combined with psychological support.Recently,mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)therapies for POI have garnered considerable attention in global research.MSCs can restore ovarian reproductive and endocrine functions through diverse mechanisms,including controlling differentiation,promoting angiogenesis,regulating ovarian fibrosis,inhibiting apoptosis,enhancing autocrine and paracrine effects,suppressing inflammation,modulating the immune system,and genetic regulation.This editorial offers a succinct summary of the application of MSC therapy in the context of POI,providing evidence for groundbreaking medical approaches that have potential to enhance reproductive health and overall well-being for women.

Mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells in liver regeneration:Insights and future directions

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)are a prevalent source for stem cell therapy and play a crucial role in modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses.Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is characterized by the accumulation of triglycerides in liver cells and involves immune system activation,leading to histological changes,tissue damage,and clinical symptoms.A recent publication by Jiang et al,highlighted the potential of MSCs to mitigate in NAFLD progression by targeting various molecular pathways,including glycolipid metabolism,inflammation,oxidative stress,endoplasmic reticulum stress,and fibrosis.In this editorial,we comment on their research and discuss the efficacy of MSC therapy in treating NAFLD.

Microvascular structural changes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma pathology according to intrapapillary capillary loop types under magnifying endoscopy

BACKGROUND The intrapapillary capillary loop(IPCL)characteristics,visualized using magnifying endoscopy,are commonly assessed for preoperative evaluation of the infiltration depth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Japan Esophageal Society(JES)classification is the most widely used classification.Microvascular structural changes are evaluated by magnifying endoscopy for the presence or absence of each morphological factor:tortuosity,dilatation,irregular caliber,and different shapes.However,the pathological characteristics of IPCLs have not been thoroughly investigated,especially the microvascular structures corresponding to the deepest parts of the lesions'infiltration.AIM To investigate differences in pathological microvascular structures of ESCC,which correspond to the deepest parts of the lesions'infiltration.METHODS Patients with ESCC and precancerous lesions diagnosed at Peking University Third Hospital were enrolled between January 2019 and April 2023.Patients first underwent magnified endoscopic examination,followed by endoscopic submucosal dissection or surgical treatment.Pathological images were scanned using a threedimensional slice scanner,and the pathological structural differences in different types,according to the JES classification,were analyzed using nonparametric tests and t-tests.RESULTS The 35 lesions were divided into four groups according to the JES classification:A,B1,B2,and B3.Statistical analyses revealed significant differences(aP<0.05)in the short and long calibers,area,location,and density between types A and B.Notably,there were no significant differences in these parameters between types B1 and B2 and between types B2 and B3(P>0.05).However,significant differences in the short calibers,long calibers,and area of IPCL were observed between types B1 and B3(aP<0.05);no significant differences were found in the density or location(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Pathological structures of IPCLs in the deepest infiltrating regions differ among various IPCL types classified by the JES classification under magnifying endoscopy,especially between the types A and B.

Efficacy and safety of Usights UC100 illuminated microcatheter in microcatheter-assisted trabeculotomy

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Usights UC100 illuminated microcatheter in microcatheter-assisted trabeculotomy(MAT).METHODS:Totally 10 eyes of 10 patients with primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)who underwent MAT facilitated by Usights UC100(5 eyes)or iTrack(5 eyes)were reviewed.The success of this surgery was defined as intraocular pressure(IOP)<22 mm Hg with>30%reduction,without oral glaucoma medications,or additional glaucoma surgery.RESULTS:The mean pre-operative IOP was 25.38±10.22 mm Hg in the Usights UC100 group and 19.98±3.87 mm Hg in the iTrack group.MAT was achieved in all eyes in both groups.The success rates for the Usights UC100 group and iTrack groups were in all and 4 eyes,respectively.Both microcatheters produced a statistically significant reduction in IOP,and eyes using Usights UC100 achieved a lower IOP than the iTrack group at 3mo followup(12.58±1.52 and 14.84±1.89 mm Hg,respectively),but no statistical significance was there.No severe side effects were observed in either group.CONCLUSION:MAT using Usights UC100 or iTrack both achieve significant pressure reduction in cases of POAG,and Usights UC100 is as safe as iTrack.