Objective: To compare the clinical outcome between ministernotomy and standard median sternotomy in aortic root replacement. Methods: A total of 60 patients underwent aortic root replacement (ARR) between July 1999 and October 2001 in Fu Wai Hospital. 15 patients who underwent ARR by ministernotomy were defined as the MINI group. The comparable group was 45 patients who underwent ARR by standard median sternotomy (STD group). Results: There was no post-operative death in each group. Early postoperative complications occurred in 3 (20.0%) of the MINI group and in 5 (11.1%) of the STD group (P= 0.661). In the MINI group, both the mean opera ting time and the cardiopulmonary bypass time were significantly longer than that in STD group (P=0.027, P=0.015). There was no significantly difference in ao rtic cross-clamping time between two groups. In the MINI group, the mean intubation time, postoperative blood transfusion amount, the mediastinal drainage and duration of hospital stay were less than that of the STD group. But, they all showed no statistical significant differences. Conclusion: Both approaches for patients undergoing AAR resulted in acceptable morbidity. AAR by ministernotomy provides a potential benefit of less trauma and reduction of blood transfusion.

Objective To identify risk factors and preventive measures of nosoconial infections in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Methods Clinical data of 65 NHL patients admitted from January to December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Results According to WHO classification (2001), 58 patients were with B-cell lymphoma, 7 were with T-cell lymphorna. All patients received CHOP regimen as initial chemotherapy and 23 of them were with nosecomial infections. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, length of stay, pathological type, bone marrow involvement, levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), beta2-microglobulin and invasive treatment were identified as risk factors of nosocomial infections. Respiratory tract infections and infections with gram-negative microorganisms were the most popular. Conclusion High nosocomial infection rate is found in NHL patients, and control of risk factors may effectively prevent nosocomial infections in NHL patients.

Objective To detect the expression of interleukin (IL)-18 of the peripheral blood cells and IL-18 receptor α chain(IL-18Rα) on the surface of CD_3~+ cells in patients newly diagnosed as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) before medication and to explore the roles of IL-18 and IL-18Rα in the development of ITP. Methods Eighteen out-patients or inpatients with acute ITP accepting treatment in Qilu Hospital were enrolled in this study and 15 matching healthy subjects were taken as control. Plasma IL-18 level was detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression of IL-18Rα on CD_3~+ lymphocytes and total lymphoeytes were measured with flow cytometry; T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA were measured with reverse transcriptase polymcrase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The expression of IL-18 in acute ITP plasma was (468. 57 ± 141.62) ng/L and IL-18Rα on the surface of CD_3~+ cells and lymphocytes were (8.50 ±3. 16)% and (9. 16±2.98)% respectively. The levels of IL-18 and IL-18Rα were increased in active ITP patients as compared with those in the controls (P <0. 05). The levels of IL-18 mRNA (0. 12 ±0. 02) and T-bet mRNA (0. 07 ±0. 02) were significantly increased in patients with active ITP as compared with those in the controls (P <0.05), while GATA-3 mRNA (0.0039±0.0014) were significantly decreased in patients with active ITP (P < 0. 05). The balance between T-bet and GATA-3 was significantly disturbed in ITP. Conclusions Through the variation of the levels of gene and protein, our study showed that IL-18 and IL-18Rα might upregulate the expression of Th1-cytokines in ITP patients. It is also suggested that IL-18 has potential association with the development of ITP. Especially, it may provide a new treatment method for ITP by regulating the ratio of T-bet and GATA-3 and resuming the balance of Th1/ Th2.

Objective To investigate the role of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Methods (1)Serum FGF23 and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH)from 38 maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients were measured by ELISA and chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay respectively.(2) Parathyroid cells from six SHPT patients underwent parathyroidectomy with forearm autotrlansplantation were cultured for 24 h,then were induced by 0.1 mg/L FGF23.The supernatant was collected at 0.6,12,24 and 48 h respectively. The concentration of iPTH was measured by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay. (3)Protein expression of Klotho,FGFR1,FGFR3,GATA-3 and PCNA in parathyroid tissue from 33 SHPT eases and 3 healthy people were detected by immunohistochemistry SP and PV methods respectively. Positive cell rate and absorbance were calculated. Results (1) Serum FGF23 [(3901.85±2618.11) ng/L] was positively correlated with serum iPTH [(460.00±489.77) ng/L] in MHD patients. (2) 0.1 mg/L FGF23 suppressed iPTH secretion of parathyroid cells only at 24 h time point in vitro (P<0.05). (3) Expression of GATA-3, FGFR3, Klotho and PCNA was significantly increased and FGFRl was signiticantly decreased in parathyroid tissue of SHPT-patients as compared to healthy people. (4) Positive cell rate of GATA-3 was positively correlated with iPTH (r~2=0.1901, P=0.0425) and PCNA (r~2=0.2584, P=0.0025). Klotho was positively correlated with FGFRI and FGFR3 (r~2=0.2046, P=0.0082;r~2=0.2833, P=0.0014). PCNA was negatively correlated with FGFR1 (r~2=0.1292, P=0.0399) and positively correlated with FGFR3 (r~2=0.1226, P=0.0457). FGFR1 was negatively correlated with serum phosphate (r~2=0.2329, P=0.0044) and positively correlated with serum calcium (r~2=0.1422, P=0.0305). Conclusions FGF23 level is positively correlated with iPTH level in MHD patients. FGF23 can inhibit iPTH secretion of parathyroid cells in a weak and short way, which may be associated with the proliferation of GATA-3 positive cells and parathyroid cells, the up-regulation of FGFR3 and the down-regulation of FGFR1 expression.

Background: There is an urgent need to find reliable and rapid bovine tuberculosis (bTB) diagnostics in response to the rising prevalence of bTB worldwide. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) recognizes components of bTB and initiates antigen-presenting cells to mediate humoral immunity. Evaluating the affinity of antigens with TLR2 can form the basis of a new method for the diagnosis of bTB based on humoral immunity. Objectives: To develop a reliable and rapid strategy to improve diagnostic tools for bTB. Methods: In this study, we expressed and purified the sixteen bTB-specific recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. The two antigenic proteins, MPT70 and MPT83, which were most valuable for serological diagnosis of bTB were screened. Molecular docking technology was used to analyze the affinity of MPT70, MPT83, dominant epitope peptide of MPT70 (M1), and dominant epitope peptide MPT83 (M2) with TLR2, combined with the detection results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the molecular docking effect. Results: The results showed that interaction surface Cα-atom root mean square deviation of proteins (M1, M2, MPT70, MPT83)-TLR2 protein are less than 2.5 A, showing a high affinity.It is verified by clinical serum samples that MPT70, MPT83, MPT70-MPT83 showed good diagnostic potential for the detection of anti-bTB IgG and M1, M2 can replace the whole protein as the detection antigen. Conclusions Molecular docking to evaluate the affinity of bTB protein and TLR2 combined with ELISA provides new insights for the diagnosis of bTB.

Objective: To explore the treatment effect of pedicled myocutaneous island flap of anterolateral thigh muscle on the suprapubic defect caused by bladder exstrophy in children. Methods: The clinical data of 3 adolescents with bladder exstrophy were analyzed. All 3 cases underwent one-stage Kelly procedure and received the treatment using pedicled myocutaneous island flap of anterolateral thigh muscle to repair the suprapubic defect. The bladder expansion was performed with ileal sarcoplasmic layer graft, and the Cohen ureteral reimplantation was performed as well, for 1 case 1, 1 year after the first operation. The others 2 patients didn′t receive the second operation. Results: All operations were successful. The femoral donor regions were directly closed. Postoperative follow-up period was 1-7 years. The myocutaneous island flaps were survived and grew well. All incisions of the femoral donor region were primary healing without scar hypertrophy. Urinary continence was achieved in 2 cases, and partially achieved in 1 case. Recurrent urinary tract infection, recurrent fever or abdominal pain were not observed in all patients. Conclusions The pedicled anterolateral thigh myocutaneous island flap is an alternative way to repair suprapubic defect caused by bladder exstrophy.

Objective To investigate the expression and the relationship with angiogenesis of miR-195 and NLR family member X1 (NLRX1) in granulation tissue after negative-pressure wound treatment (NPWT).Methods Six patients were collected who received negative pressure treatment with refractory wound granulation.The levels of miR-195, NLRX1 mRNA and NLRX1 proteins were measured.The expression of NLRX1 and the micro-vascular density (MVD) of CD31 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC).Results MiR-195 and MVD were significantly higher in granulation tissue after 7 days negative pressure treatment (P＜0.05), and NLRX1 was significantly lower (P ＜0.05).In granulation tissue,the expression of miR-195 was negatively correlated with NLRX1 (r =-0.856, P ＜0.001), the expression of NLRX1 was negatively correlated with MVD (r =-0.618, P ＜0.05), and the expression of miR-195 was positively correlated with MVD (r =0.630, P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Negative pressure wound therapy can promote the formation of granulation vessels and the wound healing.The therapeutic mechanism may inhibit the expression of NLRX1 and upregulate the expression of miR-195 to promote angiogenesis.

Objective:To observe heart rate circadian rhythm in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 and to analyze the effects of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on heart rate circadian rhythm in severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) patients.Methods:A cross-sectional observation was performed in 213 patients with CKD stage 5 and 96 controls, and the patients were divided into those with severe SHPT (PTX group, n=70) and without severe SHPT (non-PTX group, n=143). Forty-six PTX patients were followed up prospectively. The baseline data were compared among these groups. Holter electrocardiogram was performed for each participant. Non-dipping heart rate was defined as night/day heart rate ratio greater than 0.9. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of heart rate circadian rhythm in patients with CKD stage 5. Results:The 24-hour, daytime and nighttime mean heart rate in patients with CKD stage 5 were all higher than those in controls, especially in PTX group (all P<0.05). The night/day heart rate ratios of controls and CKD stage 5 patients were (0.81±0.08) and (0.91±0.08) respectively ( P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed 24-hour and daytime or nighttime mean heart rate in patients with CKD stage 5 were positively correlated with serum levels of phosphorus and ln(alkaline phosphatase), while nighttime mean heart rate and night/day heart rate ratio were positively related with serum intact parathyroid hormone level. After adjusting with postoperative follow-up period (median time: 10.9 months), 24-hour and nighttime mean heart rate, and night/day heart rate ratio in PTX patients all decreased significantly (all P<0.01). Conclusions:Heart rate is increased and circadian rhythm is abnormal in patients with CKD stage 5, which are related with mineral and bone disorder. PTX significantly decreases 24-hour and nighttime mean heart rate in severe SHPT patients, and improves the heart rate circadian rhythm.

Objective:To explore the vasculopathy of central nervous system (CNS) infections in critically ill children.Methods:The clinical data of 43 children with CNS infections requiring mechanical ventilation admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Beijing Children′s Hospital from July 2017 to October 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.The peak systolic velocity and the pulsatility index of the bilateral middle cerebral artery in each child were detected by Transcranial Doppler (TCD), and the vasculopathy was explored by combining with the imaging manifestations such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.Results:TCD results were normal in 11 cases and abnormal in 32 cases.In the abnormal group, the cerebral blood flow velocity increased in 27 cases and decreased in 5 cases.Of the 27 cases with increased velocity, 15 cases met the criteria of vasospasm, and 4 of the 5 cases with decreased velocity showed shock waves.Among all patients, 21 cases (48.9%) had cerebral hypoxic-ischemic manifestations, 6 cases (13.9%) had cerebral hemorrhage (5 cases were accompanied with cerebral ischemia), and 2 cases (4.7%) were complicated with cerebral malacia during hospitalization.Twenty cases in all of them had completed magnetic resonance angiography, which was abnormal in 14 cases (70%). There were 32 cases (74.4%) with poor prognosis at discharge, including 10 cases of death or brain death (23.3%, 10/32 cases).Conclusions:Cerebral hemodynamic abnormalities and ischemic changes are more common in children with severe encephalitis.Patients with vasospasm or decreased flow velocity have the worst prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of abnormal heart rate circadian rhythm for all-cause mortality in stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD 5) patients.Methods:The retrospective study was performed in CKD 5 patients enrolled from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Jiangsu Province Hospital) and the Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from February, 2011 to December, 2019. A total of 159 healthy volunteers were enrolled as the healthy control group during the same period. The circadian rhythm of heart rate was monitored by 24-hour Holter. Related indices (including 24-hour, daytime and nighttime mean heart rate, night/day heart rate ratio, 24-hour maximum heart rate, 24-hour minimum heart rate and difference between maximum and minimum of 24-hour heart rate) were calculated. Non-dipping heart rate was defined as night/day heart rate ratio greater than 0.9. Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of all-cause mortality in CKD 5 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Log-rank test were used to compare the differences of cumulative mortality between high ratio group (night/day heart rate ratio>0.91) and low ratio group (night/day heart rate ratio≤0.91). The nonlinear relationship between night/day heart rate ratio and all-cause mortality was analyzed by restricted cubic spline plot. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of night/day heart rate ratio for all-cause mortality in CKD 5 patients.Results:A total of 159 healthy volunteers and 221 CKD 5 patients were included in this study. There were 123 males (55.66%) and the age was (52.72±13.13) years old in CKD 5 patients. The total median follow-up time was 50.0 months. Compared with controls, 24-hour, nighttime mean heart rate, 24-hour minimum heart rate in CKD 5 patients were increased (all P<0.05), furthermore, the night/day heart rate ratio was higher [(0.91±0.09) vs (0.81±0.08), P<0.001], showing "non-dipping heart rate". However, the 24-hour maximum heart rate and the difference between maximum and minimum of 24-hour heart rate in CKD 5 patients were lower than controls (both P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the increased night/day heart rate ratio (per 0.1 increase, HR=1.557, 95% CI 1.073-2.258, P=0.020) was an independent influencing factor for all-cause mortality in CKD 5 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the cumulative mortality of the high ratio group was significantly increased than that of the low ratio group (Log-rank test χ 2=7.232, P=0.007). From the restricted cubic spline plot, there was a linear effect between night/day heart rate ratio and all-cause mortality ( P=0.141), and when night/day heart rate ratio was above 0.91, the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly increased in CKD 5 patients. According to time-dependent ROC curve, the accuracy of night/day heart rate ratio in predicting all-cause mortality was 70.90% even when the survival time was up to 70.0 months. Conclusions:The circadian rhythm of heart rate in CKD 5 patients displays "non-dipping" state. High night/day heart rate ratio is an independent influencing factor for all-cause mortality in CKD 5 patients.