Background/Aims: The shortage of donor liver hinders the development of liver transplantation. This study aimed to clarify the poor outcomes of functionally marginal liver grafts (FMLs) and provide evidence for the improvement of ischemia-free liver transplantation (IFLT) after FML transplantation. Methods: Propensity score matching was used to control for confounding factors. The outcomes of the control group and FML group were compared to demonstrate the negative impact of FMLs on liver transplantation patients. We compared the clinical improvements of the different surgical types. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we conducted bioinformatic analysis based on transcriptome and single-cell profiles. Results: FMLs had a significantly greater hazard ratio (HR: 1.969, P=0.018) than did other marginal livers. A worse 90-day survival (Mortality: 12.3% vs. 5.0%, P=0.007) was observed in patients who underwent FML transplantation. Patients who received FMLs had a significant improvement in overall survival after IFLT (Mortality: 10.4% vs 31.3%, P=0.006). Pyroptosis and inflammation were inhibited in patients who underwent IFLT. The infiltration of natural killer cells was lower in liver grafts from these patients. Bulk transcriptome profiles revealed a positive relationship between IL-32 and Caspase 1 (R=0.73, P=0.01) and between IL-32 and Gasdermin D (R=0.84, P=0.0012). Conclusions FML is a more important negative prognostic parameter than other marginal liver parameters. IFLT might ameliorate liver injury in FMLs by inhibiting the infiltration of NK cells, consequently leading to the abortion of IL-32, which drives pyroptosis in monocytes and macrophages.

With the extensive application of highly sensitive genetic techniques in the field of prenatal diagnosis, prenatal chromosomal mosaicisms including true fetal mosaicisms and confined placental mosaicisms are frequently identified in clinical settings, and the diagnostic criteria and principle of genetic counseling and clinical management for such cases may vary significantly among healthcare centers across the country. This not only has brought challenges to laboratory technician, genetic counselor and fetal medicine doctor, but can also cause confusion and anxiety of the pregnant woman and their family members. In this regard, we have formulated a consensus over the prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling for chromosomal mosaicisms with the aim to promote more accurate and rational evaluation for fetal chromosomal mosaicisms in prenatal clinics.
Consensus ; Female ; Genetic Counseling ; Humans ; Mosaicism ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods*

Objective    To explore the mechanism of volume-related mitral regurgitation (MR) from the anatomy of mitral valve. Methods    A total of 32 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) combined MR meeting inclusion criteria in West China Hospital from September 2018 to November 2019 were enrolled in this study. The direction relative to the cardiac axis: the deviation of the MR bundle along the left atrial wall was eccentric, otherwises it was central. There were 23 patients of VSD and eccentric MR (EMR, a VSD-EMR group), including 10 males and 13 females aged 21 (10, 56) months, and 9 patients of VSD and central MR (CMR, a VSD-CMR group), including 4 males and 5 females aged 26 (12, 87) months. Besides, 9 healthy children were enrolled in a control group, including 4 males and 5 females aged 49 (15, 72) months. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examination at 2 weeks before surgery and 6 months after surgery, respectively, The MR degree, end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), antero-posterior diameter (AP), annulus circumference (AC), commissural diameter (CD) were assessed. Results    Before operation, EDV, ESV, SV, AP, AC and CD in the VSD-EMR and VSD-CMR groups were significantly larger or longer than those in the control group (P<0.05); after operation, EDV, ESV, SV, AP and CD decreased compared with those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference compared with the control group (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, AC was slightly decreased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in EF between and within groups before and after operation (P>0.05). The improvement rate of MR was 78.9%(15/19) in the VSD-EMR group and 100.0% (9/9) in the VSD-CMR group. Conclusion    After unloading of volume, the valve structure is back to normal except AC. The improvement rate of MR in the VSD-EMR group is lower than that in the VSD-CMR group, which may indicate that the mechanism of VSD-EMR is more complicated.

In this study, the virtual simulation tutoring system was applied to the teaching of dental residents in the standardized training stage for the first time, including the curriculum preparation, curriculum design and teaching practice. Through the practice of the preparation of class Ⅱ holes and the tooth preparation of PFM (porcelain fused to metal) by the dental residents in the virtual simulation teaching system, the teaching arrangement of three courses as one term was explored. Each course adopted the matching interactive teaching mode. Finally, the transcripts would be given by the virtual simulation teaching system to comment and summarize. This study has laid a foundation for future promotion of virtual simulation teaching system in the standardized training stage of stomatology residents and found a new direction for improving the proficiency and accuracy of residents' clinical operation skills.

Chromosomal microdeletions and microduplications have been proven to be a significant proportion of genetic factors underlying birth defects. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and next generation sequencing-based copy number variation (CNV-seq) assay have been recommended as first-tier tests for prenatal evaluation of disease-causing CNV across the genome. With the broad application of such technologies in prenatal genetic diagnosis, there is a needed to enhance the consistency in interpretation and reporting of CNV results in clinical laboratories across China. In addition, a standard guideline for prenatal analysis and reporting of regions of homozygosity (ROH) is also required. To assist the classification, interpretation and reporting of CNV/ROH, the following recommendations have been developed, which may enhance a standard application of CMA/CNV-seq techniques in prenatal genetic diagnosis.

With the rapid development and adaptation of high-throughput sequencing in clinical settings, application of exome sequencing (ES) has been gradually expanded from pediatric to prenatal diagnosis in recent years. There is an urgent need to establish criteria for clinical grade ES in order to facilitate such a complex testing. The standardization of pre- and post-test consultation, quality control for sample processing process and validation of bioinformatics data analysis, and more importantly data interpretation and reporting, as well as appropriate reporting scope, is of great importance for health care stakeholders. To achieve this, a committee composed of a wide range of healthcare professionals has proposed an ES standard for prenatal diagnosis. This has provided expert opinion on the genetic counseling and reporting standards of prenatal ES for the purpose of applying ES technology in prenatal setting.

Objective: To investigate the effect of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion on T lymphocyte subsets and natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood of patients with gastric cancer during perioperative period. Methods: 50 patients with gastric cancer in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2017 were randomly divided into control group (n=25) and observation group (n=25). Perioperative allogeneic erythrocyte transfusion was performed in the observation group, while no allogeneic erythrocyte transfusion was performed in the control group. Blood samples were taken from two groups before and after operation 3 d, and serum T lymphocyte subsets (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ) and NK cell levels were measured. T cell subsets and NK cell levels of patients in observation group, control group and observation group at different clinical stages before and after operation were counted. According to blood transfusion volume, the patients in the observation group were divided into <4 U group and <4 U group. T cell subsets and NK cell levels before and after operation were compared between the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference in CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺, NK cells between the two groups before operation (P>0.05). The levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺, NK cells in the two groups after operation were lower than those before operation and CD8⁺ levels were higher than those before operation. The levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺, NK cells in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the levels of CD8⁺ in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺, NK cells in patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ had no significant difference before operation (P>0.05). After operation, the levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺, NK cells in the two groups were lower and CD8⁺ levels were higher than those before operation. The levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺, NK cells in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ patients were higher than those in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients, and CD8⁺ levels were lower than those in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients (P< 0.05); There was no significant difference in the levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺, NK cells between the <4 U group and <4 U group before operation (P>0.05). After operation, the levels of CD8⁺ in the two groups were higher than those before operation, while the levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺, NK cells were lower than those before operation; The levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD4⁺ /CD8⁺, NK cells in the <4 U group were higher than those in >4 U group, and CD8⁺ levels were lower than those in >4 U group (P<0.05). Conclusions Perioperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion can affect T cell subsets and NK cell content in peripheral blood of patients with gastric cancer, and there are some differences in the effects of different clinical stages of gastric cancer patients, which can cause the suppression of cellular immune function.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of MatrixRIB fixation system in the treatment of severe rib fractures.Methods A total of 131 patients with severe rib fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation using MatrixRIB fixation system in our department were enrolled.Data including demographics,injury characteristics,surgical procedure details and postoperative recovery were collected.The operation experiences were summarized,and complications,postoperative and follow-up data were analyzed.Results Totally 637 (637/891)rib fractures were fixed.No internal fixation disorder was found,but 1 case had displacement after internal fixation.The majority of patients were extubated immediately after surgery.The mean time of pressure-support ventilation after surgery was 47.6(7 143)hours.The chest instability and pain were improved in all patients after surgery.At 3 to 6 months after treatment,70 patients(70/102)returned to work,and 87 patients(87/89)recovered previous normal life.Conclusions MatrixRIB fixation system is easy to operate in the treatment of severe rib fractures and has good clinical outcomes with few complications.Patients' pain is significantly relieved with satisfactory rehabilitation.

Objective To investigate the effects of endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy on the treatment of hyperhidrosis palmaris(sweaty hands)and quality of life.Methods The clinical data of 62 patients with sweaty hands admitted from June 2010 to May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.The 62 patients were randomly divided into two groups:thoracoscopic sympathectomy was performed at T2-3 in the control group,while at T3-4 in the experimental group.The self-reports of quality of life(QOL)before and after the operation were collected as follows:the severity of sweaty hands assessed by hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS:the higher score the more severe hyperhidrosis),the improvement of QOL assessed by sweaty hands assessment scale(the higher score the more improvement)and surgical efficacy.Results The improvements of HDSS and satisfaction score were higher in the experimental group than in the control group(P＜0.05).The differences between pre-and post-operation in the five dimensions of social interaction,gestation,daily behavior,work and social psychology were better in the experimental group than in the control group(all P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Thoracoscopic sympathectomy at T2-4 and T3-4 is an effective treatment for sweaty hands.But surgery at T3-4 levels,which is associated with a larger improvement in quality of life and fewer complications,is recommended as a priority option for a surgical treatment.

Objective     To compare clinical outcomes between the performed titanium locking plate and nickel-titanium memory alloy embracing fixator for the treatment of multiple rib fractures, and to select a better internal fixator for multiple rib fractures. Methods     A total of 206 consecutive patients with multiple rib fractures were admitted to Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Beijing Luhe Hospital of Capital Medical University from October 2011 to September 2016. According to different treatment strategies, the patients were divided into 2 groups: a performed titanium locking plate group (a titanium plate group, n=105) and a nickel-titanium memory alloy embracing fixator group (an embracing fixator group, n=101). There were 82 males and 23 females with a mean age of 46.5±9.7 years ranging from 23 to 65 years in the titanium plate group, and 83 males and 18 females with a mean age of 44.7±10.3 years ranging from 19 to 63 years in the embracing fixator group. The preoperative data, curative outcomes, visual analogue scale (VAS) and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results     There was no statistical difference in the preoperative data between the two groups, and all patients successfully completed the operation. Compared with the embracing fixator group, the incision length and operation time were shorter, intraoperative bleeding and VAS score were less, and curative outcome was better in the titanium plate group. Conclusion     The performed titanium locking plate has a great advantage in the clinic, which can be preferred.