Objective: To investigate the role of des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) in assessment of liver function and prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: From January 2013 to August 2016, a total of 137 patients with liver cirrhosis in Shanghai Changzheng Hospital were enrolled. The serum DCP level was measured, the clinical data was collected and the complication and survival situation was followed up. The 137 patients were divided into DCP negative group (DCP≤40 mAU/mL, 118 cases) and DCP positive group (DCP>40 mAU/mL, 19 cases). Forty-five patients with compensated liver cirrhosis were divided into high-level DCP group (DCP>16.5 mAU/mL, 32 cases) and low-level DCP group (DCP≤16.5 mAU/mL, 13 cases). Chi square test was used to analyze the difference in the positive rate of DCP in patients with different Child-Pugh classification. Spearman correlation test was performed to analyze the correlation between DCP and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the correlation between DCP and liver disease related mortality. Results: Compared to that of DCP negative group, albumin level of patients in DCP positive group decreased (35 g/L, 20 to 57 g/L vs. 29 g/L, 17 to 42 g/L), however, total bilirubin (TBil), prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio all increased (12.9 mg/L, 1.80 to 83.0 mg/L vs.22.2 mg/L, 6.4 to 169.0 mg/L; 15.5 s, 11.7 to 35.7 s vs.17.5 s, 13.9 to 33.4 s; 1.24, 0.96 to 3.72 vs.1.44, 1.09 to 3.22), and the differences were statistically significant (Z=-2.785, -2.891, -2.945 and -2.879, all P<0.01). The DCP positive (DCP>40 mAU/mL) rates of Child-Pugh A, B and C patients were 1.8% (1/55), 21.2% (11/52) and 23.3% (7/30), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=11.246, P=0.003). The DCP levels of patients with Child-Pugh class B and C cirrhosis were significantly correlated with MELD scores (r=0.259, P=0.021). There were 16 and three patients with ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) of DCP positive group, and the incidence was higher than that of DCP negative group (55.1%, 65/118 and 1.7%, 2/118), and the differences were statistically significant (χ²=5.744 and 97.636, both P<0.05). Patients in high-level DCP group had a higher proportion of clinical decompensation than low-level DCP group (53.1% (17/32) and two cases), the difference was statistically significant (χ²=5.397, P=0.024). The overall survival rate of DCP positive group (nine survival cases) were lower than that of DCP negative group (87.9%, 87/99), and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=5.442, P=0.020). Conclusions Serum DCP level is closely related to liver function, ascites and SBP in patients with liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, it is associated with occurrence of decompensation in compensated patients and liver-related mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. DCP may be a useful serum marker for evaluation of disease severity and prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis in clinical practice.

Objective:To summarize the experience and early outcomes of transapical mitral valve-in-valve procedure with J-Valve in patients with bioprostheses degeneration.Methods:The clinical data of 29 patients who underwent mitral transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation with J-Valve from April 2020 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were male 16 and female 13 patients with average age (72.0±11.6) years. Patients underwent previous mitral valve replacement with bioprostheses of Hancock Ⅱ in 17, Edwards SAV in 7, Edwards Perimount in 3, Balmedic in 1, Mosaic in 1. The size of mitral bioprostheses included 25 # for 8 patients, 27 # for 17 patients, and 29 # for other 4 patients. The operations were performed in the hybrid operation room. Under X-ray fluoroscopy and TEE monitoring, the retro-preseted J-valve was implanted into the mitral bioprosthetic valve via the intercostal space and apical puncture. Results:One patient was converted urgently to mediate sternotomy, and the transcatheter mitral valve was reset after opening left atrium on cardiopulmonary bypass due to the migration of transcatheter valve. twenty eight patients were successfully completed transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve procedure with technical success achieving in 96.6% . Among the 28 patients who successfully were completed valve-in-valve procedure, 1 died and 27 were discharged in well condition. The mean mitral transvalvular gradient was (7.6±2.2)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), no death or other major complications occurred during the follow-up.Conclusion:The application of J-Valve interventional valve in patients with bioprosthesis degeneration can achieve favourable early outcomes, even if the patient was replaced with a small bioprosthesis in the previous operation, the hemodynamic effect was still satisfactory.

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of ibutilide for AF and atrial flutter.Methods Thirty-two AF and atrial flutter patients with arrhythmia ≤3 months were randomly divided into ibutilide treatment group (n=17) and amiodarone treatment group (n=15).The patients in ibutilide treatment group were treated with 10 ml 5％ glucose injection containing 1 mg ibutilide,which was repeated after 10 min if it was ineffective and those in amiodarone treatment group were treated with 10 ml 5％ glucose injection containing 150 mg amiodarone,which was repeated after 10 min if it was ineffective.Results The total recovery rate of AF and atrial flutter was significantly higher in ibutilide treatment group than in amiodarone treatment group (64.7％ vs 40.0％,P＜0.05).The mean recovery time of AF and atrial flutter was significantly shorter in ibutilide treatment group than in amiodarone treatment group (29.28±12.57 min vs 70.59±16.83 min,P＜0.01).Conclusion Ibutilide can rapidly recover AF and atrial flutter with a high success rate and a reliable safety.The therapeutic effect of ibutilide is better than that of amiodarone for AF and atrial flutter.

Objective: To investigate the effect of nicorandil on ventricular arrhythmia in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 120 acute STEMI patients treated with emergent PCI in our hospital from January 2015 to June 2016 were randomly divided into control group and experiment group (n=60 each). Patients in both groups received conventional therapy.Patients in experiment group took 10 mg nicorandil orally before PCI and received oral nicorandil treatment (15 mg/d, three times daily) for 3 days.QT disperse(QTd), correct QTd(QTcd) and the occurrence rate of ventricular arrhythmia were compared between two groups. Results: QTd at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours((70.6±4.4), (67.2±5.3), (55.7±8.5), (48.2±8.2) ms, respectively) after PCI was significantly lower in the experiment group than those of control group ((77.1±7.1), (71.3±6.5), (65.1±8.1), (57.2±5.4) ms, all P<0.05). The level of QTd was also significantly lower in the experiment group at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours((77.5±7.7), (67.7±8.6), (61.2±7.5), (52.9±8.4) ms, respectively) after PCI comared to those of control group ((88.6±8.1), (79.2±7.8), (74.4±7.4), (69.6±8.6) ms, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmia during PCI procedure between the two groups.The prevalence of the ventricular premature beat in the experiment group (25/60, 41.7%) was significantly lower than in the control group(45/60, 75.0%) within 3 days after PCI(P<0.01), the prevalence of the no sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation in the experiment group(6/60, 10.0%) was also significantly lower than in the control group (18/60, 30.0%, P<0.01) within 3 days after PCI. Conclusions Nicorandil use prior and post PCI could decrease the occurrence rate of ventricular arrhythmia in STEMI patients undergoing emergent PCI, and this effect might be related with reduced QTd and QTcd post medication.

Objective To explore the effect of cytoglobin (CYGB) low expression on the proliferation of glioma cells and its mechanism.Methods Glioma samples were chosen from patients accepted glioma resection in our hospital from June 2012 to December 2015;primary glioma cells extracted from these samples were cultured and performed purity identification.The nominated cells were divided into transfection of 24 h group,transfection of 48 h group,transfection of 72 h group,and negative control group;cells,excepted from negative control group,were transfected by CYGB shRNA for 24,48 and 72 h,respectively,to inhibit the CYGB expression.CCK-8 assay was used to observe the proliferation of glioma cells after different transfection times (0,1,2,3,4 and 5 d after cell culture).The expressions of CYGB,phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K),total alanine aminotransferase (Akt) and phosphorylated (p)-Akt were detected by Western blotting,and the levels of interleukin (IL)-6,IL-10,tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α,transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined by ELISA.Results (1) The proliferation of glioma cells was enhanced at different times after CYGB shRNA transfection,and the optical density showed significant differences at different times after CYGB shRNA transfection (P＜0.05);as compared with those in the negative control group,the cell proliferative capacity and optical density in the transfection of 24 h group,transfection of 48 h group and transfection of 72 h group were significantly increased (P＜0.05).As compared with those in the negative control group,the CYGB protein expression was significantly d ecreased and PI3K and p-Akt protein expressions were significantly increased in the transfection of 24 h group,transfection of 48 h group and transfection of 72 h group,accordingly (P＜0.05),while no significant difference was noted in the total Akt protein expression (P＞0.05).The levels of IL6,IL10,TNF-α,TGF-β,and VEGF were successively increased in the transfection of 24 h group,transfection of 48 h group and transfection of 72 h group as compared with those in the negative control group (P＜0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the expression of CYGB in the glioma was negatively correlated with PI3K and p-Akt expressions,and IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,TGF-β,and VEGF levels (P＜0.05).Conclusion The effect of cytoglobin on proliferation of glioma cells may be related to the signal pathway of PI3K-Akt.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of minimally invasive surgery in patients with late severe tricuspid regurgitation after cardiac surgery, and to evaluate the role of leaflets augmentation technique in tricuspid valvuloplasty. Methods: From January 2015 to June 2019, 85 patients undergoing tricuspid valve repair procedure with minimally invasive approach at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong provincial People′s Hospital were enrolled. There were 22 males and 63 females, aging of (53.6±12.4) years (range: 15 to 75 years). The interval between the prior and current operations was (16.0±7.3) years (range: 0.2 to 35.0 years). The diameter of right atrium and right ventricle was (77.3±17.2) mm and (61.0±8.4) mm, respectively. Tricuspid regurgitation was severe or extremely severe, the tricuspid regurgitation area was (19.0±10.3) cm². All patients underwent minimally invasive tricuspid valvuloplasty or tricuspid valve replacement on beating-heart with totally endoscopic technique and port-access approach through right chest wall. The operations included tricuspid valve replacement and tricuspid valvuloplasty, the technique of tricuspid valvuloplasty including leaflets augmentation with patch, ring implantation, chordae tendineaes reconstruction, release of papillary muscle, edge to edge method, etc. Postoperative hospitalization days, the time of ICU stay, blood transfusion rate, ventilator time and the results of echocardiography were recorded. Follow-up was completed regularly by WeChat, telephone and outpatient visit. Results: Sixty-five patients underwent tricuspid valve repair, and 20 patients underwent tricuspid valve replacement because of prosthetic failure and plasty failure. Five patients died during hospitalization, with mortality rate 5.9%. One patient was transferred to local hospital for anti-infection treatment, the other 79 patients were discharged from hospital in well condition and followed-up. The postoperative hospitalization time was 7.0 (5.5) days (M(Q_R)) days, the mean ventilator time was 18.0 (16.2) hours, and the mean ICU stay time was 68.0 (75.5) hours. There were 35 patients without blood conduction transfusion, the transfusion rate was only 58.9% (50/85). Four cases of severe, 9 cases of moderate and 67 cases of mild to zero tricuspid regurgitation were examined before being discharged, with tricuspid regurgitation area of (2.8±3.5) cm² (range: 0 to 19.1 cm²). The follow-up time was 1 to 38 months. Two patients died during follow-up, one patient died from infective endocarditis and mitral perivalvular leakage, the other one died of intractable right heart failure. One patient was implanted with permanent pacemaker due to Ⅲ atrioventricular block. Valvular re-replacement was performed in 2 patients who were re-admitted for the artificial valve infection and mechanical valve obstruction. No re-operation of tricuspid valve. Conclusions Totally endoscopic minimally invasive technique provided satisfactory surgical outcomes for critically sick patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation following cardiac surgery. The application of leaflets augmentation technique achieved ideal repair effect for previously unrepairable lesions.

Even patients after standard surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy still have a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. With the success of immunotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the application of immunotherapy in locally advanced NSCLC has being investigated to reduce the recurrence and metastasis. Pre-clinical studies and several phase II clinical studies had provided theoretical support and clinical evidence for neoadjuvant immunotherapy for NSCLC. This review describes the mechanism of neoadjuvant immuno-chemotherapy, summarizes up-to-date clinical studies, and analyzes efficiency and feasibility of neoadjuvant immune monotherapy or immuno-chemotherapy. Results from four studies (NCT02259621, NEOSTAR, LCMC3 and ChiCTR-OIC-17013726) showed efficiency and feasibility of neoadjuvant anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) monotherapy. Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab achieved higher major pathological response rate than nivolumab monotherapy. However, the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab led to more severe adverse events as is seen in the NEOSTAR trial. Results from NCT02716038, SAKK 16/14 and NADIM studies suggest that the pathological response rate of neoadjuvant immune-chemotherapy is higher than neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy. This review also elaborates the mechanism of chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, and discusses the efficacy evaluation after neoadjuvant immunotherapy.
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Objective    To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of beating-heart minimally invasive approach and leaflets augmentation technique treating severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after cardiac surgery. Methods    From January 2015 to August 2017, patients undergoing reoperative tricuspid valve repair (TVP) with minimally invasive approach and leaflets augmentation were enrolled. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established via femoral vessels and the procedures were performed on beating heart with normothermic CPB. A bovine pericardial patch was sutured to leaflets to augment the native anterior and posterior leaflets. Other repair techniques, such as ring implantation and leaflet mobilization, were also applied as needed. Results    A total of 28 patients (mean age 55.6±10.1 years, 5 males, 23 females) were enrolled. One patient was converted to median sternotomy due to pleural cavity adhesion. Twenty-seven patients underwent totally endoscopic TVP with leaflets augmentation. No patients was transferred to tricuspid valve replacement. Two patients died in hospital. All patients were followed up for 7.4±5.0 months and there was no late death and reoperation. Regurgitation area was converted from 20.7±10.1 cm2 to 3.3±3.3 cm2 after TVP according to the latest echocardiography (P<0.001). Conclusion    Minimally TVP with leaflets augmentation is effective in treating severe isolated TR after primary cardiac surgery. It can significantly increase success rate of tricuspid valvuloplasty and decrease the surgical trauma.

Objective    To summarize the early outcomes of totally thoracoscopic minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (AVR) and double valve replacement (DVR). Methods    The clinical data of patients who underwent totally thoracoscopic minimally invasive AVR or DVR in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from April 2020 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into an AVR group and a DVR group according to the surgical method, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared. Results    Finally 22 patients were enrolled, including 14 males and 8 females with an average age of 50.0±11.2 years at operation. Eight patients were degenerative disease, 8 were rheumatic heart disease combined with valvular disease, and 6 were bicuspid aortic valve. Out of the 22 patients, 16 underwent AVR alone, and 6 underwent DVR. All patients completed the operation successfully, and there was no death. Perivalvular leakage during surgery occurred in 2 patients. The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 187.0±39.9 minutes, and aortic cross-clamping time was 117.0 (99.0, 158.0) minutes. Duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay was 9.5 (4.8, 18.3) hours and 41.0 (34.0, 64.0) hours, respectively. The volume of chest drainage at the first 24 hours after surgery was 214.0±124.6 mL, and the postoperative hospital stay was 5.5 (4.0, 8.3) days. The cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time in the DVR group were longer than those in the AVR group, and the volume of chest drainage at 24 hours after surgery was more than that in the AVR group, with a statistical difference (P<0.05). Echocardiography before hospital discharge showed paravalvular leakage in 1 patient. There was no death during follow-up of 5.9±3.0 months. Conclusion    The early outcome of totally thoracoscopic minimally invasive AVR and DVR is satisfactory, and the approach of surgery is worth exploring.

Objective    To compare the outcomes following emergency surgery or conservative treatment for patients with acute type A aortic intramural hematoma (IMH). Methods    Clinical data of consecutive patients diagnosed with acute type A aortic IMH in our hospital from September 2014 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who met our surgical indications received surgery (an operation group) and other patients received strict conservative treatment (a conservative treatment group). Results    Finally 127 patients were enrolled, including 112 males and 15 females with an average age of 53.6±13.0 years. Of 127 patients, 85 (66.9%) patients accepted emergency surgery and 42 (33.1%) patients accepted strict conservative treatment. There was no difference between the two groups in early mortality or complications (P>0.05). The 5-year survival rate was 90.4% in the operation group and 74.3% in the conservative treatment group (P=0.010). A maximum aortic diameter in the ascending aorta and aortic arch≥45 mm and maximum thickness of IMH in the same section≥8 mm were risk factors for IMH-related death in patients undergoing conservative treatment (P<0.001). Conclusion    The mortality associated with emergency surgery for patients with acute type A aortic IMH is satisfactory. In clinical centers with well-established surgical techniques and postoperative management, emergency surgical treatment may provide a better outcome than conservative treatment for patients with acute type A aortic IMH.