OBJECTIVE To analyze the pathogenic characteristics and clinical features of patients with invasive pul-monary aspergillosis(IPA)and summarize the risk factors for poor prognosis.METHODS The clinical data of 89 patients diagnosed with IPA based on microbial identification of Aspergillus from sputum or bronchoalveolar lav-age fluid cultures and diagnostic criteria,who were admitted to Zhongda Hospital Southeast University from Aug.2022 to Jul.2024 and were queried by electronic case system,were analyzed retrospectively.The distribu-tion of Aspergillus pathogens and clinical features of patients with IPA were analyzed,and the risk factors for poor prognosis were summarized.RESULTS A total of 107 Aspergillus strains were isolated from 89 cases,including 55 strains of Aspergillus fumigatus(51.40％),30 strains of Aspergillus flavus(28.04％)and 10 strains of As-pergillus niger(9.34％).There were 63 m ale patients(70.79％),and 34 cases had poor prognosis.Baseline pe-ripheral blood lymphocyte count(＜0.645×109)(OR=6.653,95％CI:2.013-21.990,P=0.002)and ICU admission(OR=8.303,95％CI:1.283-53.741,P=0.026)were identified as risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with IPA.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cut-off point for baseline pe-ripheral blood lymphocyte count in predicting prognosis in patients with IPA was 0.645 ×109/L,with a sensitivity of 85.22％and a specificity of 69.67％.CONCLUSIONS Baseline peripheral blood lymphocyte count and ICU ad-mission are risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with IPA.The alert value for baseline peripheral blood lym-phocyte count is 0.645 × 109/L,which has good predictive value for the occurrence of poor prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of 177Lu-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid- D-Phel-Tyr3-Thr8-octreotide (DOTA-TATE) in patients with advanced pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). Methods:Sixteen patients with metastatic PPGL, treated with 177Lu-DOTA-TATE in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University between April 2020 and December 2023, were retrospectively included. Among these patients, nine were male and seven were female, with an a median age of 44.5(26.5, 51.0) years. Treatment response was assessed based on changes in blood catecholamine level and 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT imaging. Evaluation criteria included the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and the modified PET response criteria in solid tumors (PERCIST) 1.0. Treatment-related adverse events were graded according to the common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) 5.0. All patients received long-term follow-up after treatment, with endpoints including disease progression and death. Paired t-test was used to compare laboratory parameters before and after treatment. Results:The median number of treatment cycles of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE was 3(3, 4) per patient, with an average dose of (7.51±0.67) GBq per cycle. Grade 1 hematologic toxicity was observed in 4 patients (4/16), while grade 2 hematologic toxicity occurred in 2 patients (2/16), primarily manifesting as leukopenia and anemia. A slight decrease was noted post-treatment in PLT ( t=4.06, P=0.001) and Hb levels ( t=2.85, P=0.012), while WBC counts showed no statistically significant change ( t=1.57, P=0.137). No grade 3 or 4 hematologic, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed. The glomerular filtration rate ( t=-0.29, P=0.778), creatinine ( t=0.04, P=0.697), alanine transaminase ( t=0.08, P=0.938), aspartate transaminase ( t=0.08, P=0.463), and total bilirubin ( t=-0.37, P=0.719) after treatment were not significantly different from those before treatment. According to RECIST 1.1, 13 patients achieved stable disease, 2 patients showed partial response and 1 had progression disease. Based on the modified PERCIST 1.0, stable disease was observed in 11 patients, partial response in 3 patients, and progression disease in 2 patients. Among 9 patients with catecholamine-secreting PPGL, 8 showed reduction in blood norepinephrine level. The median follow-up duration was 21.5(21.1, 42.6) months, with a median progression-free survival of 8.6(6.0, 14.6) months, and no mortality reported during the follow-up period. Conclusion:177Lu-DOTA-TATE appears to be a safe and promising therapeutic option for patients with advanced PPGL demonstrating elevated somatostatin receptor expression.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of elevated calprotectin S100A9 (S100A9) concentration during living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for early acute lung injury (ALI) in children with biliary atresia.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 280 pediatric patients with biliary atresia who underwent LDLT using hyperreduced left lateral segment grafts at Tianjin First Central Hospital between January 2019 and January 2021. Based on intraoperative serum S100A9 levels at 30 minutes after graft reperfusion, patients were divided into the high S100A9 group (≥9.05 μg/L, 141 cases) and the low S100A9 group (<9.05 μg/L, 139 cases). General clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the correlation between S100A9 levels and early postoperative ALI. The predictive value of risk factors was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) .Result:A total of 280 eligible children were included in the study, with 141 in the high S100A9 group and 139 in the low S100A9 group. The incidence of ALI was significantly higher in the high S100A9 group (31.2%) compared to the low S100A9 group (10.8%). Multivariate regression analysis identified elevated preoperative creatinine levels ( OR=1.191, 95% CI: 1.069~1.321, P=0.002), increased intraoperative S100A9 concentrations ( OR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.272~1.599, P=0.021), and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volume ( OR=0.985, 95% CI: 0.973~0.997, P=0.017) as independent risk factors for postoperative ALI in pediatric LDLT. The predictive value of intraoperative S100A9 levels for ALI was significant, with an AUC of 0.816 (95% CI: 0.758~0.874), a sensitivity of 80.5%, a specificity of 73.7%, and an optimal cutoff value of 9.49 μg/L. Furthermore, preoperative albumin and creatinine levels were found to be correlated with increased intraoperative S100A9 levels. Conclusion:Elevated intraoperative S100A9 levels, increased preoperative creatinine levels, and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volumes are independent risk factors for early ALI following pediatric LDLT. S100A9 levels have strong predictive value for ALI occurrence, highlighting the need for perioperative monitoring and intervention strategies to improve postoperative outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the role of calcium-binding protein S100A9 in acute lung injury induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) in mice, and to explore its relationship with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).Methods:A total of 12 specific pathogen-free (SPF) male wild-type (WT) and 12 S100A9 knockout (S100A9 KO) C57BL/6J mice aged 6~8 weeks and weighing 20-25 g were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table: WT+Sham group, S100A9 KO+Sham group, WT+HIR group, and S100A9 KO+HIR group ( n=6 per group). The HIR model was established by clamping the portal vein and hepatic artery of the left and median liver lobes for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion. At 6 hours post-reperfusion, mice were anesthetized again, and blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava. Both lungs were harvested. The lung wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio was measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess histopathological changes and calculate lung injury scores. The levels of inflammatory markers—S100A9, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) —as well as oxidative stress indicators including myeloperoxidase (MPO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum and lung tissue were measured. Western blotting was used to assess the expression levels of nuclear and cytoplasmic Nrf2, and cytoplasmic HO-1. Results:Compared with the WT+Sham group, both the WT+HIR and S100A9 KO+HIR groups showed significantly increased lung injury scores, W/D ratio, TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, MPO, and MDA levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the WT+HIR group, the S100A9 KO+HIR group exhibited significantly reduced levels of these indicators (all P<0.05). Moreover, the S100A9 KO+HIR group showed elevated nuclear Nrf2 expression and decreased cytoplasmic Nrf2 expression, accompanied by increased expression of HO-1, Gclm, Gclc, and Nqo1 (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Upregulation of S100A9 is involved in the development of HIR-induced acute lung injury, possibly through inhibition of Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the pathogenic characteristics and clinical features of patients with invasive pul-monary aspergillosis(IPA)and summarize the risk factors for poor prognosis.METHODS The clinical data of 89 patients diagnosed with IPA based on microbial identification of Aspergillus from sputum or bronchoalveolar lav-age fluid cultures and diagnostic criteria,who were admitted to Zhongda Hospital Southeast University from Aug.2022 to Jul.2024 and were queried by electronic case system,were analyzed retrospectively.The distribu-tion of Aspergillus pathogens and clinical features of patients with IPA were analyzed,and the risk factors for poor prognosis were summarized.RESULTS A total of 107 Aspergillus strains were isolated from 89 cases,including 55 strains of Aspergillus fumigatus(51.40％),30 strains of Aspergillus flavus(28.04％)and 10 strains of As-pergillus niger(9.34％).There were 63 m ale patients(70.79％),and 34 cases had poor prognosis.Baseline pe-ripheral blood lymphocyte count(＜0.645×109)(OR=6.653,95％CI:2.013-21.990,P=0.002)and ICU admission(OR=8.303,95％CI:1.283-53.741,P=0.026)were identified as risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with IPA.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cut-off point for baseline pe-ripheral blood lymphocyte count in predicting prognosis in patients with IPA was 0.645 ×109/L,with a sensitivity of 85.22％and a specificity of 69.67％.CONCLUSIONS Baseline peripheral blood lymphocyte count and ICU ad-mission are risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with IPA.The alert value for baseline peripheral blood lym-phocyte count is 0.645 × 109/L,which has good predictive value for the occurrence of poor prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of 177Lu-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid- D-Phel-Tyr3-Thr8-octreotide (DOTA-TATE) in patients with advanced pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). Methods:Sixteen patients with metastatic PPGL, treated with 177Lu-DOTA-TATE in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University between April 2020 and December 2023, were retrospectively included. Among these patients, nine were male and seven were female, with an a median age of 44.5(26.5, 51.0) years. Treatment response was assessed based on changes in blood catecholamine level and 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT imaging. Evaluation criteria included the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and the modified PET response criteria in solid tumors (PERCIST) 1.0. Treatment-related adverse events were graded according to the common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) 5.0. All patients received long-term follow-up after treatment, with endpoints including disease progression and death. Paired t-test was used to compare laboratory parameters before and after treatment. Results:The median number of treatment cycles of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE was 3(3, 4) per patient, with an average dose of (7.51±0.67) GBq per cycle. Grade 1 hematologic toxicity was observed in 4 patients (4/16), while grade 2 hematologic toxicity occurred in 2 patients (2/16), primarily manifesting as leukopenia and anemia. A slight decrease was noted post-treatment in PLT ( t=4.06, P=0.001) and Hb levels ( t=2.85, P=0.012), while WBC counts showed no statistically significant change ( t=1.57, P=0.137). No grade 3 or 4 hematologic, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed. The glomerular filtration rate ( t=-0.29, P=0.778), creatinine ( t=0.04, P=0.697), alanine transaminase ( t=0.08, P=0.938), aspartate transaminase ( t=0.08, P=0.463), and total bilirubin ( t=-0.37, P=0.719) after treatment were not significantly different from those before treatment. According to RECIST 1.1, 13 patients achieved stable disease, 2 patients showed partial response and 1 had progression disease. Based on the modified PERCIST 1.0, stable disease was observed in 11 patients, partial response in 3 patients, and progression disease in 2 patients. Among 9 patients with catecholamine-secreting PPGL, 8 showed reduction in blood norepinephrine level. The median follow-up duration was 21.5(21.1, 42.6) months, with a median progression-free survival of 8.6(6.0, 14.6) months, and no mortality reported during the follow-up period. Conclusion:177Lu-DOTA-TATE appears to be a safe and promising therapeutic option for patients with advanced PPGL demonstrating elevated somatostatin receptor expression.

Objective:To investigate the role of calcium-binding protein S100A9 in acute lung injury induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) in mice, and to explore its relationship with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).Methods:A total of 12 specific pathogen-free (SPF) male wild-type (WT) and 12 S100A9 knockout (S100A9 KO) C57BL/6J mice aged 6~8 weeks and weighing 20-25 g were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table: WT+Sham group, S100A9 KO+Sham group, WT+HIR group, and S100A9 KO+HIR group ( n=6 per group). The HIR model was established by clamping the portal vein and hepatic artery of the left and median liver lobes for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion. At 6 hours post-reperfusion, mice were anesthetized again, and blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava. Both lungs were harvested. The lung wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio was measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess histopathological changes and calculate lung injury scores. The levels of inflammatory markers—S100A9, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) —as well as oxidative stress indicators including myeloperoxidase (MPO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum and lung tissue were measured. Western blotting was used to assess the expression levels of nuclear and cytoplasmic Nrf2, and cytoplasmic HO-1. Results:Compared with the WT+Sham group, both the WT+HIR and S100A9 KO+HIR groups showed significantly increased lung injury scores, W/D ratio, TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, MPO, and MDA levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the WT+HIR group, the S100A9 KO+HIR group exhibited significantly reduced levels of these indicators (all P<0.05). Moreover, the S100A9 KO+HIR group showed elevated nuclear Nrf2 expression and decreased cytoplasmic Nrf2 expression, accompanied by increased expression of HO-1, Gclm, Gclc, and Nqo1 (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Upregulation of S100A9 is involved in the development of HIR-induced acute lung injury, possibly through inhibition of Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of elevated calprotectin S100A9 (S100A9) concentration during living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for early acute lung injury (ALI) in children with biliary atresia.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 280 pediatric patients with biliary atresia who underwent LDLT using hyperreduced left lateral segment grafts at Tianjin First Central Hospital between January 2019 and January 2021. Based on intraoperative serum S100A9 levels at 30 minutes after graft reperfusion, patients were divided into the high S100A9 group (≥9.05 μg/L, 141 cases) and the low S100A9 group (<9.05 μg/L, 139 cases). General clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the correlation between S100A9 levels and early postoperative ALI. The predictive value of risk factors was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) .Result:A total of 280 eligible children were included in the study, with 141 in the high S100A9 group and 139 in the low S100A9 group. The incidence of ALI was significantly higher in the high S100A9 group (31.2%) compared to the low S100A9 group (10.8%). Multivariate regression analysis identified elevated preoperative creatinine levels ( OR=1.191, 95% CI: 1.069~1.321, P=0.002), increased intraoperative S100A9 concentrations ( OR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.272~1.599, P=0.021), and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volume ( OR=0.985, 95% CI: 0.973~0.997, P=0.017) as independent risk factors for postoperative ALI in pediatric LDLT. The predictive value of intraoperative S100A9 levels for ALI was significant, with an AUC of 0.816 (95% CI: 0.758~0.874), a sensitivity of 80.5%, a specificity of 73.7%, and an optimal cutoff value of 9.49 μg/L. Furthermore, preoperative albumin and creatinine levels were found to be correlated with increased intraoperative S100A9 levels. Conclusion:Elevated intraoperative S100A9 levels, increased preoperative creatinine levels, and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volumes are independent risk factors for early ALI following pediatric LDLT. S100A9 levels have strong predictive value for ALI occurrence, highlighting the need for perioperative monitoring and intervention strategies to improve postoperative outcomes.

Objective:To explored the clinical characteristics and risk factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by vancomycin combined with piperacillin sodium and tazobactam sodium (VPT) in adult patients with severe infections.Methods:Clinical data of adult patients with VPT-related AKI (AKI group) hospitalized at the Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College and People′s Hospital of Hengshui from January 2022 to August 2023 due to severe infections were collected. The occurrence time, severity, and prognosis of AKI in the AKI group were descriptive statistically analyzed. According to the ratio of 1∶1, patients in the control group were randomly selected from those who did not develop AKI after using VPT in the same period. The general information, disease status, baseline laboratory tests results, and the application of VPT and combined drugs, etc. in patients of the 2 groups were collected. The influencing factors of AKI caused by VPT were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results:A total of 1 547 adult patients with severe infections were treated with VPT, of which 175 (11.3%) developed AKI. Among the 175 patients, 81 (46.3%) were male and 94 (53.7%) were female, with an age of (55±22) years; the time from VPT treatment to the occurrence of AKI was (4±1) days, and the severity of AKI was staged as grade 1, 2 and 3 in 97 (55.4%), 54 (30.9%), and 24 (13.7%) patients, respectively. After drug withdrawal, the renal function gradually recovered in 169 (96.6%) of the 175 patients with AKI, and 6 (3.4%) patients needed continuous renal replacement therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the trough concentration of vancomycin >20 mg/L [odds ratio ( OR)=2.105, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.427-3.105, P=0.022], the duration of vancomycin treatment ≥11 days ( OR=1.518, 95% CI: 1.232-1.871, P=0.014), the duration of piperacillin sodium and tazobactam sodium treatment ≥14 days ( OR=1.826, 95% CI: 1.152-2.894, P=0.029) and longer duration of combined vasoactive drugs ( OR=3.315, 95% CI: 1.428-7.695, P=0.005) were independent risk factors for VPT-related AKI. Conclusions:VPT-related AKI in adult patients with severe infections mostly occurs within one week of combination therapy, and the severity was mostly stage 1 and 2. The trough concentration of vancomycin >20 mg/L, longer course of VPT treatment, and longer time of combined vasoactive drugs can increase the risk of VPT-related AKI.

Background::Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) is a rare and complex congenital heart anomaly, and the effect of surgical treatment is not ideal. This study aims to introduce our experience in management strategies, surgical techniques, and operative indications for patients with Ebstein’s anomaly.Methods::A retrospective study of 258 operations was performed in 253 patients by the same cardiac surgeon in The First Hospital of Tsinghua University between March 2004 and January 2020. 32 patients had previously received cardiac surgery in other hospitals. The clinical data including diagnosis, operative indications, techniques, pathological changes, and survival rates were collected and analyzed.Results::Anatomical correction was performed in 203 (78.7%) operations, 1? ventricle repair in 38 (14.7%) operations, tricuspid valve repair only in four operations (1.6%), tricuspid valve replacement in ten (3.9%), total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) in two (0.8%), and Glenn operation in one operation (0.4%). Reoperation was performed in five patients (2.0%) during hospitalization. Among them, tricuspid valve replacement was performed in one patient, 1? ventricle repair in two patients, and tricuspid valve annulus reinforcement in two patients. Five patients died with an early mortality rate of 2.0%. Complete atrioventricular conduction block was complicated in one patient (0.4%). A total of 244 patients was followed up (four in the 253 patients lost) with a duration of 3.0-168.0 (87.6 ± 38.4) months. Cardiac function of 244 patients improved significantly with mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class recovery from 3.5 to 1.1. The mean grade of tricuspid valve regurgitation improved from 3.6 to 1.5. Three late deaths (1.2%) occurred. The survival rates at five and ten years after surgery were 98.6% and 98.2%, respectively. Reoperation was performed in five patients (2.0%) during the follow-up period.Conclusion::Based on our management strategies and operative principles and techniques, anatomical correction of EA is capable of achieving excellent long-term results, and low rates of TCPC, 1? ventricle repair and valvular replacement.