ABSTRACT
The portal vein system is the main blood supply system of the liver, and damage to the portal vein system caused by cirrhotic portal hypertension may be the second hit to the liver. Protection of the portal vein will ensure sufficient blood supply of the liver and maintain its structure and function. Starting from the physiological structure and pathological changes of the portal vein, this article elaborates on the adverse effect of portal hypertension on the liver from the three new perspectives of thrombosis of the portal system, abnormal angiogenesis, and disturbance of hepatic sinusoidal homeostasis. It is suggested to change the current status of passive treatment of portal hypertension complications and encourage scientific exploration to reduce portal hypertension from multiple angles as early as possible to avoid repeated endoscopic devascularization of collateral circulation and splenectomy, so as to reduce various factors for the damage of the portal system, maintain the homeostasis of the portal system, and protect the liver.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To develop an diagnostic equipment with artificial intelligence (AI) real-time assistance under endoscopy (endoscopic AI equipment) for the detection of gastrointestinal protruding lesions, and to evaluate its performance and safety.Methods:From January to December 2017, at Endoscopy Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, the endoscopic images of individuals who underwent routine gastroscopy and colonoscopy were collected. The model was established based on convolutional neural network and the endoscopic AI equipment was developed. From June to December 2019, a prospective, single center, blinded and parallel controlled study was conducted to compare the differences in evaluation of protruding lesions of the same patient under gastroscopy or colonoscopy between endoscopist and the endoscopic AI equipment and to evaluated the impact of lesion size (lesions <5 mm and ≥5 mm) on the detection of endoscopic AI equipment. The main outcome measure was the detection time difference in reporting the protruding lesion between endoscopic AI equipment and endoscopist; and the secondary indicator was the accuracy of endoscopic AI equipment in detecting the protruding lesion. Wilcoxon rank sum test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 71 582 white light endoscopy images were used for endoscopic AI equipment training, which included 41 376 images of protruding lesions. The endoscopic AI equipment was successfully developed and obtained the registration certificate of medical devices of the People′s Republic of China (Sichuan Instrument Standard, 20202060049). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of endoscopic AI equipment in detecting protruding lesions were 96.4%, 95.1% and 92.8%, respectively. The detection time of each protruding lesions under gastroscopy of endoscopic AI equipment was 1.524 seconds faster than that of endoscopist; but the detection time of each protruding lesions under colonoscopy was 0.070 seconds slower than that of endoscopist, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-5.505 and -4.394, both P<0.01). The detection time of each protruding lesions under gastroscopy or colonoscopy of endoscopic AI equipment was not inferior to that of endoscopist. The detection rate of protruding lesions under colonoscopy by endoscopic AI equipment was 89.9% (249/277) and the sensitivity was 89.9%; the detection rate of protruding lesions under colonoscopy was 87.0% (450/517) and the sensitivity was 86.9%. There were no statistically significant differences in the detection time difference, sensitivity and missed diagnostic rate between the lesions <5 mm and ≥5 mm detected by endoscopic AI equipment under gastroscopy (all P>0.05). The sensitivity of endoscopic AI equipment in detecting the lesions ≥5 mm under colonoscopy was higher than that of lesions <5 mm (96.8% vs. 84.9%), and the missed diagnostic rate was lower than that of lesions <5 mm (3.2%, 3/94 vs. 15.1%, 61/405), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=9.615 and 9.612, both P=0.002). No adverse events on patients and medical staffs occurred, and there were no cases of equipment electricity leakage, and abnormal work reported during the use of endoscopic AI equipment. Conclusions:The endoscopic AI equipment can report the protruding lesions simultaneously with endoscopists, and the accuracy is close to 90%, which is expected to be a practical assistant for endoscopists to avoid missed detection of protruding lesions.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the difference in the effects on liver function between transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) alone and the combination of TIPS and left gastric vein embolization (LGVE) in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods This research was a retrospective study.From September 2014 to September 2015,31 patients with liver cirrhosis underwent TIPS (TIPS group) and 29 patients with liver cirrhosis underwent TIPS combined with LGVE (TIPS+LGVE group) were enrolled.The data of the liver function of patients before and after operation were collected and the Child-Pugh score and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) were also calculated.Student's t test and chi-squared test were performed for statistical analysis.Results The preoperative portal vein pressures of TIPS group and TIPS+LGVE group were (28.48±2.77) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (28.38± 2.92) mmHg,respectively.And after operation,the portal vein pressures decreased to (17.81 ± 1.47) mmHg and (17.97 ± 2.04) mmHg,respectively,and the differences were both statistically significant (t=18.908 and 11.648,both P＜0.01).At 12 months after operation,Child-Pugh score of TIPS+ LGVE group was 5.69 ± 1.19,which was significantly lower than that before operation (7.03±1.76),and the difference was statistically significant (t=3.398,P=0.001),which was also lower than that of TIPS group at the same time point (6.52 ± 1.54),and the difference was statistically significant (t =2.303,P=0.025).At 12 months after operation,the component ratio of patients with Child-Pugh grade A of TIPS±LGVE group was 89.7％ (26/29),which was higher than that before operation (44.8％,13/29),and the difference was statistically significant (x2=13.228,P＜0.01).The component ratio of patients with Child-Pugh grade B was 6.9 ％ (2/29),which was lower than that before operation (41.4 ％,12/29),and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =9.416,P＜ 0.01).Conclusions TIPS significantly reduces portal vein pressure in patients with liver cirrhosis and it does not deteriorate liver function of patients in the long term.The combination of TIPS and LGVE is better than TIPS alone in improving liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis,especially in improvig long-term liver function in patients of Child-Pugh A and B grade.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate which is better for gastroduodenal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) between right lateral position and left lateral position of patients guided by nurses. Methods A total of 79 patients were randomly assigned to the left and right lateral position groups. Each patient received EUS examination in three parts, which were sinuses ventriculi, duodenal bulb and descendant duodenum. The operating time and the water volume of each patient were recorded in the procedure of EUS. Results Operating time in sinuses ventriculi, duodenal bulb and descendant duodenum of left lateral position group was (9.0±4.0) min, (6.5±3.2) min and (13.6±10.9) min, while (5.7±3.0) min, (3.6± 1.7) min and ( 6.6±5.7) min in right lateral position group, the differences were significant (t=3.098, 2.190, 3.210, P<0.05) . In the meantime, water volume was (892.0±169.5) ml, (898.6±145.9) ml and (1 012.0± 333.2) ml in sinuses ventriculi, duodenal bulb and descendant duodenum of left lateral position group, while (327.1±79.3) ml, (260.6±30.4) ml and (263.8±17.7) ml in three parts of right lateral position group, respectively. Significant differences were found in water volume among subgroups (t=13.798, 11.290, 4.930, P<0.01 or 0.05). Conclusions In the process of EUS for submucosal lesions at gastric antrum and duodenum, right lateral position instructed by nurses can shorten the operating time and make the procedure easier. This might reduce risks of regurgitation, aspiration, and other related complications.
ABSTRACT
Diarrhea is a common intestinal symptom in macaque.The corresponding intestinal lesions of macaque are mainly described at autopsy but less observed by colonoscopy.The aim of this study was to develop a colonoscopic technique and to obtain endoscopic images of the entire colon in macaques.Eight healthy adult macaques ( 5 males and 3 females) without diarrhea for 2 months, were fed Glauber’ s salt through nasogastric tubes.The colon cleanliness was well matched to the endoscopic observation of macaque colon.The procedure took 10-20 min for each animal.There was no obvious abnormality in the colon of four animals except some slight differences of mucosal structure from that of human beings.Small pieces of erosion and ulcer in the colons were observed in four macaques which presented mild diarrhea for less than 1 day, while a severe stenosis was observed in one of those four macaques.No animal died during and one week after the endoscopic procedure.Colonoscopy may safely performed in macaques.The images taken by colonoscopy may be important to establish diagnosis and treatment of colitis in macaques in time and to evaluate the efficacy of drug intervention as well.This technique is also helpful to provide qualified macaques for scientific researches.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the incidence of left-sided portal hypertension (LSPH) in chronic pancreatitis (CP) and other accompany conditions of CP and explore the diagnostic value of LSPH in chronic pancreatitis.Methods The clinical,pathological and imaging data of 125 CP patients received at least two imaging examination were retrospectively analyzed.The rates of abnormal pathologic findings,abnormal imaging findings and accompanying LSPH in CP were analyzed.The data were analyzed by chi-square test.Results Among 125 CP patients,29.6％ (37/125) received three or more than three kinds of imaging examinations.The pathological detection rates of pancreatic calcification or lithiasis,pancreatic ductal lesion,abnormal pancreatic morphology,pancreatic lesion and LSPH were 58.4％ (73/125),60.8％ (76/125),35.2％ (44/125),48.8％ (61/125) and 24.8％ (31/125),respectively.The sensitivities of imaging examination in those lesions were 68.5 ％(50/73),96.1％ (73/76),95.5％ (42/44),95.1％ (58/61) and 90.3％ (28/31),respectively.The detection rates of pancreatic calcification or lithiasis and pancreatic ductal lesion in pathological examination were significantly higher than those of the others,and differences were statistically significant (x2=33.764 and 37.932,both P＜0.01).The sensitivity of imaging examination in pancreatic calcification or lithiasis was lower than those of the others and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =36.526,P＜0.01).Among 125 CP patients with 223 pancreatic lesions detected by imaging examination,the rates of patients with 0,1,2,3,4 lesions accounted for pancreatic were 5.6％ (7/125),40.0％ (50/125),28.8％ (36/125),21.6％ (27/125) and 4.0％ (5/125),respectively.Of patients with pancreatic calcification or lithiasis,pancreatic ductal lesions,abnormal pancreatic morphology and pancreatic lesions detected by pathological examination,there were 23.7 ％(17/73),20.0％ (15/76),22.6％ (10/44) and 27.9％ (17/61) cases accompanied with LSPH,there was no difference between these groups (x2 =1.262,P=0.738).Conclusion LSPH may be a reference for CP diagnosis by imaging examination.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the incidence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (GEP-NEN) in Chengdu City in 2010 and summarize clinical characteristics of GEP-NEN.Methods The incidence of GEP-NEN was estimated with the data in 2010 from the databases of West China Hospital and Chengdu Health Information Centre.Results A total of 77 cases of GEP-NEN were diagnosed in West China Hospital in 2010.Ten cases from other hospitals or non-Chengdu citizenship were excluded,so a total of 67 cases were included in this study.In 2010,the incidence of GEP-NEN was 1.86/105 in Chengdu City.Among 67 GEP-NEN cases,most lesions were located in pancreas and rectum (38 cases,56.7％),followed by stomach (10 cases),esophagus (seven cases) and duodenum (four cases).Among 57 GEP-NEN cases which had pathotogial grading,26 cases (45.6 ％) had neuroendocrine carcinomas or mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas when diagnosed.Conclusions In 2010,the incidence of GEP-NEN in Chengdu City is similar to the reports from other countries.Pancreas,rectum and upper gastrointestinal tract are predilection sites of GEP-NEN.The diagnosis rate of early GEP NEN needs to be raised.
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the safety of the therapeutic DNA vaccine against the hepatitis B virus. Plasmid DNA was detected by PCR in tissues of BALB/c mice immunized with the plasmids combined with electrotransfer in doses of 10 and 50?g. In long term toxicity study, HBV DNA vaccine was administered by repeated intramuscular injections combined with electrotransfer of pDNA to NIH mice in doses of 30, 60 and 120?g, twice a week for four consecutive weeks. Morbid manifestations, behaviors, hematology, blood chemistry, anti nuclear antibodies, and histopathology were analyzed. Results showed that plasmid DNA was detected primarily in the muscle at the site of injection, where it remained for up to 8 weeks. Eight repeated intramuscular injections of HBV DNA vaccine showed no adverse effects on behaviors, hematology, blood chemistry, and histopathology. No evidences of autoimmune mediated pathology and anti nuclear antibodies were observed in the mice. These results suggested that the therapeutic HBV DNA vaccine was safe and well tolerated.