Objective To explore the expression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway in cerebral injury resulting from DHCA ( deep hypothermia circulatory arrest ) as well as the effect of SACP ( selective antegrade cerebral perfusion). Methods Twelve pigs were randomly assigned to DHCA group (n = 6) or SACP group (n = 6) at 18 ℃ for 80 min. IL-6 was assayed by ELISA. Apoptosis and NF-κB proteins were detected by fluorescence TUNEL and Western blot, respectively. The level of TLR4 was determined through qRT-PCR and Western blot. Results Serum IL-6 level of SACP group was significantly lower at the end of circulation arrest and experiment and apoptotic index and NF-κB protein were apparently lower in SACP group (P < 0.05). The level of TLR4 protein and mRNA from SACP group decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusions TLR4/NF-κB pathway plays a critical role in pathogenesis of DHCA cerebral injury and attenuating TLR4/NF-κB cytokines probably contributes to neuroprotection of SACP. TLR4/NF-κB pathway may be a novel target for DHCA.

AIM:To observe the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and neuroglobin (NGB) in piglet cortex during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.METHODS:Wuzhishan piglets were randomly assigned to car-diopulmonary bypass group ( CPB group) , 40 min of circulatory arrest ( CA) at 18 ℃ without cerebral perfusion ( DHCA group) or with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion ( SACP group) .After 180 min of reperfusion, cortical tissue was har-vested for determining HIF-1αand NGB expression by HE staining, Western blot and real-time PCR.RESULTS:Severer cerebral injury was observed in DHCA group than that in SACP group.After 180 min of reperfusion, HIF-1αprotein and mRNA levels were significantly higher in DHCA group than those in CPB group (P<0.05).Accordingly, SACP animal had higher levels of HIF-1αprotein and mRNA than those in DHCA group (P<0.05).Simultaneously, higher NGB pro-tein and mRNA levels were found in DHCA group than those in CPB group after 180 min of reperfusion ( P<0.05) .The SACP animal had higher levels of NGB protein and mRNA than those in DHCA group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Up-regulation of HIF-1 and NGB are involved in the mechanism against cerebral injury resulting from DHCA in the cortex and possibly a part of cerebral protective effect of SACP.

Objective To evaluate the miRNA change between hypothermia circulatory arrest at different temperature and its impact on intestinal protection.Methods Sixteen piglets were randomly(n =4) divided into four groups:deep hypothermia circulatory arrest (DHCA,18℃) group,moderate hypothermia circulatory arrest(MHCA,24℃) group,cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) group and sham operation(SO) group.They were subjected to 80 min hypothermia circulatory arrest,305 min CPB or thoracotomy,respectively.Pick-and-mix custom miRNA real-time PCR panels were utilized to detect intestinal samples.miRNA expression between DHCA and MHCA were compared directly(DHCA vs.MHCA) and indirectly(DHCA/SO vs.MHCA/SO,DHCA/CPB vs.MHCA/CPB).Results Exposure to DHCA caused less intestinal miRNA dysregulation than MHCA.Besides,seven miRNAs(miR-122,miR-145-5p,miR-421-5p,miR-99a,miR-365-5p,miR-31 and miR-192)were differentially expressed between the two hypothermia circulatory arrest groups.Conclusion Better intestinal miRNA protection was provided by DHCA than MHCA.Intestinal miRNA were differentially expressed between hypothermia circulatory arrest at different temperature.

Background/Aims: There is less acid burden in Chinese gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients. However, the Lyon consensus proposed a higher threshold of acid exposure time (AET > 6%) for GERD. The aims are to apply the updated criteria in Chinese GERD patients and clarify its influence on clinical outcome. Methods: Patients who were referred for both esophageal high-resolution manometry and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring due to reflux symptoms were retrospectively screened. Those patients with AET > 4% was included and grouped into either AET 4-6% or AET > 6%. Their manometric profile, reflux profile, and response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were evaluated. Adjunctive evidence proposed in the Lyon consensus was added in patients with AET 4-6% for therapeutic gain. Another group of patients (n = 144) with AET < 4% were included as non-GERD patients. Results: In total, 151 patients (102 males) were included with 113 patients AET > 6% (74.9%). GERD patients with AET > 4% were with more male, older patients, and higher body mass index compared with non-GERD patients. Meanwhile, GERD patients were less competent in esophagogastric junction pressure. However, the manometric and reflux profile were similar between patients with AET > 6% and 4-6%. The response rate of PPI therapy was 64.6% and 63.2%, respectively, in groups of AET > 6% and 4-6% (P > 0.05). When adjunctive evidence was added in patients with AET 4-6%, no therapeutic gain was obtained. Conclusions The efficacy of PPI therapy was similar in patients with AET > 6% and 4-6%. The increase of the AET threshold did not influence the clinical outcome of Chinese GERD patients.

Background/Aims: Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is characterized by elevated integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and preserved esophageal peristalsis. The clinical significance of EGJOO is uncertain. This study aim to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients and to find out potential parameters to predict patients’ symptom outcome. Methods: Consecutive patients who received high-resolution manometry examination in our hospital in 2013-2019 and met the diagnostic criteria of EGJOO were retrospectively included. Motility and reflux parameters as well as endoscopy and barium esophagogram results were studied and compared. Patients were also followed up to record their treatment methods and symptom outcomes. Results: A total of 138 EGJOO (accounting for 5.2% of total patients taking high-resolution manometry examination in our hospital) patients were included. Only 2.9% of these patients had persistent dysphagia. A total of 81.8% of EGJOO patients had symptom resolution during follow-up. Patients with persistent dysphagia had significantly higher upright IRP (16.6 [10.3, 19.8] vs 7.8 [3.2, 11.5]; P = 0.026) than those without. Upright IRP can effectively distinguished patients with persistent dysphagia (area under curve: 0.826; P = 0.026) using optimal cut-off value of 9.05 mmHg. Conclusion EGJOO patients with persistent dysphagia and higher upright IRP (median > 9.05 mmHg) needs further evaluation and aggressive management.

Background/Aims: Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is characterized by elevated integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and preserved esophageal peristalsis. The clinical significance of EGJOO is uncertain. This study aim to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients and to find out potential parameters to predict patients’ symptom outcome. Methods: Consecutive patients who received high-resolution manometry examination in our hospital in 2013-2019 and met the diagnostic criteria of EGJOO were retrospectively included. Motility and reflux parameters as well as endoscopy and barium esophagogram results were studied and compared. Patients were also followed up to record their treatment methods and symptom outcomes. Results: A total of 138 EGJOO (accounting for 5.2% of total patients taking high-resolution manometry examination in our hospital) patients were included. Only 2.9% of these patients had persistent dysphagia. A total of 81.8% of EGJOO patients had symptom resolution during follow-up. Patients with persistent dysphagia had significantly higher upright IRP (16.6 [10.3, 19.8] vs 7.8 [3.2, 11.5]; P = 0.026) than those without. Upright IRP can effectively distinguished patients with persistent dysphagia (area under curve: 0.826; P = 0.026) using optimal cut-off value of 9.05 mmHg. Conclusion EGJOO patients with persistent dysphagia and higher upright IRP (median > 9.05 mmHg) needs further evaluation and aggressive management.

[Objective]Using CiteSpace software to visualize and analyse the literature related to acupuncture treatment of post-stroke dysphagia in China,to reveal the dynamics of frontiers and the evolution of hotspots in this field,as well as provide suggestions and references for future research.[Methods]By searching the three major Chinese databases,China National Knowledge Internet(CNKI),Wanfang Data and China Science and Technology Journal Database(VIP),the literature related to acupuncture treatment of post-stroke dysphagia was retrieved between the establishment of these databases and June 2023.Then the data issuance,authors,institutions,keywords clustering and keywords emergence were analyzed and presented in a visualization map or chart with CiteSpace 6.1.R6 software.[Results]After searching and screening,a total of 1 585 relevant literatures were included,and the overall trend of the number of studies within the field showed a steady increase in terms of the number of publications.However,links among study authors are scattered and mostly intra-institutional.At the same time,the connection among institutions for cross-regional collaboration is not close enough.Keywords clustering analysis showed that the type of research in the literature mainly consists overviews and clinical randomized controlled trial(RCT).In terms of treatment approaches,the use of combination of multiple therapies is common.The time zone map reflects the continuous process of refinement of acupuncture therapies,from which the creation of a series of new types of acupuncture therapies could be observed.[Conclusion]The field of acupuncture for the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia is becoming increasingly sophisticated.It is predicted that the combination of acupuncture with other common therapies for the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia will remain a hot research topic in the coming years.Meanwhile,there will be a new trend towards integrating resources and conducting high-quality clinical studies with multi-centre collaboration.

Objective: To explore two visual acuity standards for examining uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) to define poor vision in lower grade elementary school students, and to compare the difference of screening myopia rates when combined with non cycloplegic auto refraction (NCAR), so as to provide a scientific basis for standardizing UCVA examination methods using CAR as the gold standard of authenticity and reliability. Methods: From March 22nd to April 9th, 2023, a total of 549 first and second grade students aged 7-8 years from a primary school in Hefei City were selected for the study by convenient cluster sampling method. Two methods were employed for UCVA examination:the first method involved charts where the student could not make mistakes in identifying at least half of the characters per line (V1), and the second method used charts with character sizes ranging from 4.0 -4.5, 4.6-5.0 and 5.1-5.3, without allowing 1, 2 and 3 errors per line (V2). While NCAR was performed, then 187 students underwent CAR examination. Paired Wilcoxon rank-sum test and McNemar test were used to compare the differences between V1 and V2 methods in defining poor vision and screening myopia rates. Using CAR as the gold standard, the authenticity and reliability of defining screening myopia rates through the combination of V1 and V2 methods along with NCAR were evaluated. Results: The UCVA examination results for V1 and V2 showed statistically significant differences in both the right eye [5.0(4.9,5.0), 4.9(4.8,5.0)] and the left eye [ 5.0 (4.9,5.0), 4.9(4.8,5.0)] ( Z=-13.95, -13.34, P <0.01). The detection rates of poor vision for the right eye were 43.53% for V1 and 63.21% for V2, and the left eye with 44.08% for V1 and 62.11% for V2, with statistically significant differences ( χ 2= 106.01 , 95.09, P <0.01). When screening myopia rates were assessed for UCNA methods combined with NCAR, the right eye rates were 21.49% for V1 and 24.59% for V2, and the left eye rates were 21.31% for V1 and 23.13% for V2, with statistically significant differences ( χ 2=15.06, 8.10, P <0.01). Using CAR as the gold standard, the detection rates in the right eye and left eye were 16.58 % and 17.11%, respectively. The Youden indices for defining screening myopia in the right eye were 0.80 for V1 and 0.79 for V2, and the left eye with 0.85 for V1 and 0.83 for V2. The agreement rates for the right eye were 91.98 % for V1 and 89.30% for V2, and the left eye with 94.12% for V1 and 91.98% for V2. The Kappa values for the right eye were 0.73 for V1 and 0.67 for V2, and the left eye with 0.81 for V1 and 0.75 for V2. Conclusions Authenticity and reliability of two UCVA examination methods combined with NCAR in defining screening myopia are higher in V1 than V2 methods. It is recommended to unify the visual acuity examination methods by requiring the correct identification of more than half of the total number of visual markers in a row.