Objective To evaluate the efficacy and security of splenic artery ligation for severe hypersplenism during liver transplantation.Method Thirty-two liver transplant patients with preoperative hypersplenism were selected,including 17 cases (ligation group) treated by splenic artery ligation during liver transplantation,and rest 15 patients as non-ligation group.The fluctuation of white blood cells,platelets and volume of spleen were compared between these two groups.At the same time,splenic infarction,postoperative infection,recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding,splenic artery steal syndrome and other complications were observed in these two groups.Result All recipients were followed up for over 6 months.One recipient in ligation group died of multiple organ dysfunction caused by delayed recovery of liver donor with the survival rate being 94.1％ (16/17).The survival rate in non-ligation group was 93.3 ％ (14/15) (one recipient died of respiratory failure caused by pulmonary infection).There was no statistically significant difference in survival rate between these two groups (P＞0.05).Splenic necrosis wasn't detected in the ligation group.The splenic volume in ligation group was significantly less than that in non-ligation group (P＜0.01).The products of splenic maximum length and wide diameter shrunk 33.17-± 8.26 cm2 and 22.47 ± 7.25 cm2 in ligation group and non-ligation group,respectively.The platelet counts of ligation group were significantly greater than those of non-ligation group in all the observation points within 6 postoperative months (P＜0.01).The white blood cell counts of ligation group were greater than those of non-ligation group at the first week postoperatively (P＜0.01),whereas,there was no statistically significant difference between these two groups from then on (P＞0.05).The infection incidence of ligation group was lower than that of non-ligation group within 6 postoperative months (P ＜0.05).Statistically significant differences in recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and splenic artery steal syndrome weren't found between these two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Splenic artery ligation in liver transplantation is safe and effective.It can rapidly increase the counts of platelet and white blood cell in the earlier postoperative time,which is beneficial to patient's recovery.Besides,it adds no correlative complication.

Objective To investigate the impact of preoperative comorbidities on the abdominal complications after laparoscope-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) for gastric cancer.Methods The retrospective casecontrol study was conducted.The clinical data of 1 657 gastric cancer patients who underwent LATG at the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital between January 2008 and December 2015 were collected.There were 175 patients with postoperative abdominal complications,including 78 without preoperative comorbidities and 97 with preoperative comorbidities (52 with 1 comorbidity,30 with 2 comorbidities and 15 with more than 3 comorbidities).Analysis method and observation indicators:(1) risk factors analysis of abdominal complications after LATG;(2) risk assessment of abdominal complications after LATG:independent influencing factors of risk factors analysis were expressed as dependent variables,alignment diagram was built and then consistency index was calculated;(3) comparisons of abdominal complications among the patients with different kinds of comorbidities after LATG;(4) multivariate analysis of abdominal complications in patients with comorbidities after LATG;(5)follow-up situations.Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect postoperative survival of patients up to May 2016.The univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were respectively done using the chi-square test and Logistic regression model.The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.Results (1) Risk factors analysis of abdominal complications after LATG:results of univariate analysis showed that age,body mass index (BMI),number of preoperative comorbidities,operation time and estimated volume of intraoperative blood loss were related factors affecting abdominal complications of patients after LATG (X2 =4.487,16.602,10.361,4.567,7.482,P＜0.05).Results of multivariate analysis showed that BMI,number of preoperative comorbidities and estimated volume of intraoperative blood loss were independent factors affecting abdominal complications of patients after LATG [OR =1.966,1.204,1.423,95％confidence interval (CI):1.355-2.851,1.014-1.431,1.013-1.999,P＜0.05].(2) Risk assessment of abdominal complications after LATG:BMI,number of preoperative comorbidities and estimated volume of intraoperative blood loss were expressed as dependent variables,and the alignment diagram on risk prediction of abdominal complications after LATG was built,with a consistency index of 0.703.(3) Comparisons of abdominal complications among the patients with different kinds of comorbidities after LATG:numbers of patients without comorbidity,with 1 comorbidity,2 comorbidities and ≥3 comorbidities were detected in 21,8,13,3 patients with intra-abdominal infection and 13,10,9,5 patients with anastomotic leakage and 6,3,6,2 patients with intra-abdominal bleeding,respectively,with statistically significant differences (X2 =10.677,10.436,9.245,P＜0.05).(4) Multivariate analysis of abdominal complications in patients with comorbidities after LATG:BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and estimated volume of intraoperative blood loss ＞ 82 mL were independent risk factors affecting abdominal complications of patients with preoperative comorbidities after LATG (OR =2.104,1.771,95％ CI:1.307-3.387,1.146-2.738,P＜0.05).(5) Follow-up situations:of 1 657 patients,1 568 were followed up for 4-99 months,with a median time of 47 months.Ninety-seven patients with preoperative comorbidities undergoing LATG had postoperative abdominal complications and were followed up.During follow-up,5-year survival rate of patients was 58.1％,and 5-year survival rate of 97 patients with preoperative comorbidities undergoing LATG and with postoperative abdominal complications was 57.4％.Conclusion Preoperative comorbidities are independent factors affecting abdominal complications of patients after LATG.

In order to improve the resolution, contrast and frame rate of ultrasound imaging, it is necessary to design an adaptive beamforming method for plane wave ultrasound imaging. An optimized minimum variance algorithm that suits plane wave ultrasound imaging was proposed, based on the traditional minimum variance algorithm that combines with the subband beamforming as well as the forward-backward spatial smoothing method in the frequency domain. To verify the effectiveness of the improved algorithm, the matlab software was used. Simulation results showed that full width at half maximum and peak side-lobe level of Optimized MV, Conventional MV, DAS boxcar, and Linear scan methods were 0.08, 0.36, 0.92, 1.42 dB, and -41.1, - 37.3, -16.9, - 34.1 dB, respectively. The improved algorithm can significantly improve the image resolution and contrast, particularly applicable to plane wave ultrasound imaging, compared with the conventional minimum variance algorithm and traditional delay-and-sum method.
Algorithms ; Contrast Media ; Image Enhancement ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Microbubbles ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Ultrasonography ; instrumentation ; methods

Objective: To investigate the independent predictors of inguinal lymph node metastasis (LLM) in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCCP), and to establish a nomogram for predicting individual LLM risk. Methods: The data of patients with SCCP diagnosed at the department of urology, Xijing Hospital from July 2009 to June 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 101 patients were included in this study, with age of 55 (26-84) years. There were 25 (24.8%) and 76 (75.2%) patients with and without palpable inguinal lymph node enlargement, respectively. There were 47 cases (46.5%), 40 cases (39.6%) and 14 cases (13.9%) in T₁, T₂ and T₃ stages, respectively; there were 67 cases (66.3%), 21 cases (20.8%) and 13 cases (12.9%) in Broder 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The average value (or median) of fibrinogen was 2.84 (1.72-5.00)g/L; alkaline phosphatase was 80(32±214)U, hemoglobin was 147(81-180)g, platelet count was (193.74±65.68×10⁹/L, absolute value of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes were 3.98(1.19-11.85)×10⁹/L, 0.44(0.17-1.90)×10⁹/L and 1.68(0.58-4.13)×10⁹/L, respectively. The average (or median) value of PLR, NLR and LMR were 113.38(18.80-418.42), 2.42(0.59-10.22) and 3.84 (1.08-9.89), respectively. There were 26 cases (25.7%) with LLM and 75 cases (74.3%) without LLM. The independent predictors of LLM were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The R software was used to establish the nomogram by integrating all independent predictors, and the bootstrap method was used to internally validated our nomogram, where the value of AUC (area under the ROC curve) was calculated and the calibration plot was drawn. Results: Clinical inguinal lymph node status (P<0.006), T stage (P<0.021), Broder grade (P<0.017) and absolute neutrophil value (P<0.043) were independent predictors of LLM. The accuracy of our nomogram was 0.875 (AUC=0.875, 95%CI 0.859-0.891); Moreover, the risk of LLM predicted by nomogram was in good consistency with the actual LLM rate, and the errors of the nomogram-predicted LLM risks were all within 10%. Conclusions Clinical inguinal lymph node status, T stage, broder grade and absolute value of neutrophils were identified as independent predictors of LLM in patients with SCCP on the basis of single center data. A generic nomogram predicting LLM risk for Chinese patients was developed, which would be helpful to screen SCCP patients who need prophylactic inguinal lymph node dissection.

Objective To analyze the correlation of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)with the expression levels of regulatory T cell (Treg)and cytokines in peripheral blood. Methods A total of 56 patients who underwent liver transplantation in the 309th Hospital of People's Liberation Army from 2010 to 2014 were studied. According to the postoperative pathological data,all the patients were divided into the group of liver transplantation for HCC (HCC group,n=28)and group of liver transplantation for cirrhosis (liver cirrhosis group,n=28), of which the HCC group was further divided into non-recurrence group (n=8)and recurrence group (n=20)according to the situation of postoperative tumor recurrence. The expression levels of Treg and cytokines [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),interleukin (IL)-2,IL-10,IL-12,transformation growth factor (TGF)-βand interferon (IFN)-γ]in peripheral blood of the patients in various groups were compared. Results Compared with the liver cirrhosis group,levels of IFN-γand IL-12 in the non-recurrence group increased significantly (both P<0.05);levels of Treg%,VEGF,IFN-γ, IL-10 and TGF-βin the recurrence group increased significantly,while levels of IL-2 and IL-12 decreased significantly (all P<0.05). Compared with the non-recurrence group,levels of Treg%,VEGF,IL-10 and TGF-βin the recurrence group increased significantly,while levels of IFN-γ,IL-2 and IL-12 decreased significantly (all P<0.05 ). Conclusions Levels of Treg and cytokines can be used to predict the tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for HCC.

Objective To investigate the clinical value and experience of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for renal hi1 ar tumors.Methods We evaluated 48 patients who had partial nephrectomy for renal hilar tumor by robotic surgical syestem from January 2013 to March 2017.In those cases,35 were male and 13 were female,with an average age of 57.3 (range from 41 to 75 ),27 cases were ventral tumor and 21 cases were dorsal tumor.3 cases were totally confined to the renal parenchyma,the other 45 cases were partially confined to the renal parenchyma.18 cases were performed surgery by retroperitoneal route,the rest 30 cases were performed by peritoneal route.Results A total of 48 patients underwent successful robotic partial nephrectomy for renal hilar tumors.The mean warm ischemia time was 22 minutes (range from 16 to 33 minutes) and the mean estimated blood loss was 88 md (range from 50 to 350 ml).No bleeding-related complications were found.Histopathology confirmed 39 cases of ccRCC,7 cases of angioleiomyolipoma,2 cases of renal oncocytoma.There was one case in this review was positive surgical margin (2.1％) and found no sign of recurrence during the short term post-operation follow-up.All cases in this review are following up after surgery to date from 2 months to 4 years,no cases of tumor recurrence or metastasis were found.Conclusions The application of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal RAPN is the effective and safe way for renal hilar tumor resection,and it has a clear advantage of renal surgical incision stitching and tumor complete resection.The choice of surgical approaches depends on the size and location of tumor and the clinical experience of the surgeon.

Objective:To explore the effect and possible mechanism of normal temperature mechanical perfusion(NMP)plus bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs)on early endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERs)and cellular apoptosis after donation after cardiac death(DCD)donor liver transplantation.Methods:BMMSCs were isolated and cultured by adherence method.Sixty Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into five groups of sham operation(sham), static cold storage(SCS), NMP, BMMSC and NMP plus BMMSCs(BP)( n=12 each). Liver tissue and serum sample of each group were harvested at Day 1/7 post-operation.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was employed for observing pathological changes of liver tissue; TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNNEL)staining for detecting cellular apoptosis; immunohistochemistry for detecting the expression of hepatocyte transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP); Western blot for detecting the expressions of GRP-78, p-PERK, ATF4, CHOP and cleaved caspase-3. Results:Compared with SCS group, hepatic injury and inflammation significantly declined in NMP, BMMSC and BP groups and improvement of hepatic injury was the most pronounced in BP group.Cellular apoptosis lessened markedly in BP group at Day 1/7 as compared with SCS group and the difference was statistically significant.The expressions of ERs-related proteins GRP-78, p-PERK and ATF4 spiked in SCS group and the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins CHOP and cleaved caspase-3 were significantly elevated and declined markedly in BP group.And the difference was statistically significant.Conclusions:BMMSCs plus NMP can significantly improve hepatocyte apoptosis and inflammatory response after DCD donor liver transplantation.And its mechanism may be correlated with suppressing early endoplasmic reticulum stress of hepatocytes.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. China is still the country with the highest incidence of gastric cancer and most patients with gastric cancer are in locally advanced stage at the first diagnosis. Traditional radical surgery combined with post-operative adjuvant treatment is difficult to further improve the prognosis of patients. In recent years, the exploration and application of neoadjuvant treatment modes such as chemotherapy, radio-therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer have made continuous progress. However, there is still no consensus on the benefit population, regimen options, and efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy. The authors review and comb the research progress and controversy of neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced gastric cancer.

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the viability and safety of a novel defecator in managing rectal fecal impaction.Methods:In a descriptive case series, this new defecator was administered to constipated individuals among the ages of 18 and 80 years who met the diagnostic criteria for rectal fecal impaction and were identified with acute rectal fecal impaction through CT scans. The contraindications for this defecator included: (1) Anal stenosis, acute intestinal obstruction, and intestinal perforation; (2) Concomitant rectal malignant tumors; (3) Coagulation dysfunction, low platelet counts, gastrointestinal bleeding, or other bleeding risks; (4) Patients with severe underlying conditions affecting the heart, brain, lungs, or other systems; (5) Individuals with mental health disorders. Based on these criteria, clinical data from 42 patients with rectal fecal impaction who underwent treatment with the new defecator at Deyang People's Hospital between July 2020 and April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The defecator comprises three components: a head, a spiral rod, and a handle, constructed from disposable stainless steel wire. The treatment procedure involves the following steps: The patient assumes a flexed, supine position on their left side with their buttocks slightly protruding from the bed's edge. A transparent sealing bag is affixed to the buttocks, centered around the anus. With gloved hands inserted through the bag's entrance, a cotton ball soaked in liquid paraffin lubricates the anal canal and the head of the defecator's spiral rod. The defecator is then slowly rotated and inserted into the anus, with careful attention to any changes in resistance. Once the spiral rod is fully inserted, the patient is instructed to inhale and defecate while the defecator is slowly withdrawn, carrying the dislodged fecal matter, and depositing it into the sealed bag. This operation is repeated 2 to 3 times, followed by the injection of either 100 ml of 36°C normal saline or 60 ml of liquid paraffin into the rectum. After a 5 to 8-minute wait, the patient assumes a squatting position to expel any remaining feces from the rectum. The study assessed the operation time, single treatment success rate, pain levels during treatment, and the occurrence of complications.Results:All 42 patients successfully underwent treatment with the new defecator device, achieving a single treatment success rate of 100%. The average operation time was 11.0 minutes (range: 9.0 to 13.3 minutes). During treatment, 20 cases (47.6%) reported moderate to severe anal pain, with 1 case (2.4%) experiencing anal fissure bleeding, and 6 cases (14.3%) reporting discomfort such as palpitations and sweating. No serious complications, including rectal perforation, were observed in any case.Conclusion:The new defecator device demonstrates ease of use and safety, making it a feasible option for treating acute rectal fecal impaction.

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the viability and safety of a novel defecator in managing rectal fecal impaction.Methods:In a descriptive case series, this new defecator was administered to constipated individuals among the ages of 18 and 80 years who met the diagnostic criteria for rectal fecal impaction and were identified with acute rectal fecal impaction through CT scans. The contraindications for this defecator included: (1) Anal stenosis, acute intestinal obstruction, and intestinal perforation; (2) Concomitant rectal malignant tumors; (3) Coagulation dysfunction, low platelet counts, gastrointestinal bleeding, or other bleeding risks; (4) Patients with severe underlying conditions affecting the heart, brain, lungs, or other systems; (5) Individuals with mental health disorders. Based on these criteria, clinical data from 42 patients with rectal fecal impaction who underwent treatment with the new defecator at Deyang People's Hospital between July 2020 and April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The defecator comprises three components: a head, a spiral rod, and a handle, constructed from disposable stainless steel wire. The treatment procedure involves the following steps: The patient assumes a flexed, supine position on their left side with their buttocks slightly protruding from the bed's edge. A transparent sealing bag is affixed to the buttocks, centered around the anus. With gloved hands inserted through the bag's entrance, a cotton ball soaked in liquid paraffin lubricates the anal canal and the head of the defecator's spiral rod. The defecator is then slowly rotated and inserted into the anus, with careful attention to any changes in resistance. Once the spiral rod is fully inserted, the patient is instructed to inhale and defecate while the defecator is slowly withdrawn, carrying the dislodged fecal matter, and depositing it into the sealed bag. This operation is repeated 2 to 3 times, followed by the injection of either 100 ml of 36°C normal saline or 60 ml of liquid paraffin into the rectum. After a 5 to 8-minute wait, the patient assumes a squatting position to expel any remaining feces from the rectum. The study assessed the operation time, single treatment success rate, pain levels during treatment, and the occurrence of complications.Results:All 42 patients successfully underwent treatment with the new defecator device, achieving a single treatment success rate of 100%. The average operation time was 11.0 minutes (range: 9.0 to 13.3 minutes). During treatment, 20 cases (47.6%) reported moderate to severe anal pain, with 1 case (2.4%) experiencing anal fissure bleeding, and 6 cases (14.3%) reporting discomfort such as palpitations and sweating. No serious complications, including rectal perforation, were observed in any case.Conclusion:The new defecator device demonstrates ease of use and safety, making it a feasible option for treating acute rectal fecal impaction.