Objective:To study the risk and pattern of deaths caused by various diseases in the population and in the case of long-term occupational X-ray exposure.Methods:Using a combination of retrospective and prospective cohort research methods, an exposure group of medical X-ray diagnostic workers who worked in the radiology department of Jiangsu Provincial Hospital between 1950 and 1980 and a control group of medical workers from other departments who did not work with radiolog during the same period in the same hospital were selected to form a study cohort. The cumulative number of person years of observation in the cohort during 1950-2011 was calculated, and the Cox regression model was used to calculate the risk of deaths of medical X-ray diagnostic workers for various diseases through adjusting sex, attained age, birth age, and starting working age.Results:A total of 6 953 follow-up visits was completed to the cohort, including 3 649 in the radiation group and 3 304 in the control group, with a total of 347 362 person years of observation. There were 2 099 deaths in the cohort as of December 31, 2021. Cox regression results showed that diseases with a significantly higher risk of death in the radiation group compared with the control group were: all-cancer ( RR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.39, Z=2.56, P<0.05, including lung cancer RR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.17-1.98, Z=3.10, P<0.01, and pancreatic cancer RR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.11-3.46, Z=2.31, P<0.05); diseases of the circulatory system ( RR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.06-1.57, Z=2.58, P<0.01); endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases ( RR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.06-3.42, Z=2.14, P<0.05). Stratified analyses showed that, of male workers, the radiation group had an increased risk of death caused by all-cancer and lung cancer ( Z=3.50, 2.92, P<0.01); of the age group at starting ages 26 to 30, the radiation group had an increased risk of death distributed to circulatory diseases ( Z=2.06, P<0.05); and in the age group at attained ages elder than 61 years, the radiation group had an increased risk of death distributed to all cancers, lung cancer, and circulatory diseases ( Z=2.90-4.31, P<0.01). Conclusions:As has been shown, threre is an increasing risk of death distributed to lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and circulatory diseases in medical X-ray diagnostic workers in Jiangsu province. Further in-depth research in related areas may be conducted in the future.

Objective:To explore the application value of echocardiography in the management of pediatric mitral valve replacement.Methods:Thirty-three children who underwent mitral valve replacement at Union Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2009 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data and preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic data were collected. The differences in ultrasound parameters among preoperative，1-week postoperative，1-month postoperative and 1-year postoperative were compared.Results:Of the 33 children，there were 4 cases（12.12%）of mitral stenosis，33 cases（100%）of mitral regurgitation and 4 cases（12.12%）of mitral stenosis combined with regurgitation. Mechanical valve replacement was performed in 30 cases（90.91%）and bioprosthetic valve replacement in 3 cases（9.09%）. Compared with the preoperative period，the left atrial internal diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter were significantly reduced at 1-week postoperatively，1-month postoperatively，and 1-year postoperatively，respectively（all P <0.05）.The left ventricular mass was significantly reduced and the left ventricular end-diastolic sphericity index was significantly increased（both P < 0.05）at 1-month postoperatively compared with preoperatively. The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher at 1-year postoperatively compared with 1-week postoperatively（ P <0.05）. Conclusions:After pediatric mitral valve replacement，the left ventricular dimensions decrease，and cardiac function progressively recovers. Echocardiography is an essential tool for accurate preoperative assessment and postoperative follow-up in pediatric mitral valve replacement.

Objective:To evaluate the left ventricular（LV）function in heart transplant（HTx）patients with post-transplant diabetes（PTDM），and to examine the relevance of PTDM and LV function to the patient's prognosis.Methods:Two hundred and thirteen adult HTx patients who underwent echocardiography at Union Hospital，Tongji Medical College，Huazhong University of Science and Technology between January 2018 and January 2022 were prospectively included. The patients were divided into PTDM group（ n=86）and Non-PTDM group（ n=127）. LV function parameters were acquired using conventional and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography（2D-STE），and were compared between the two groups. The primary endpoints included all-cause mortality or transplant-related readmission. Results:Compared with Non-PTDM group，the LV mass of PTDM group was higher，the LV ejection fraction，LV global longitudinal strain（GLS），peak systolic global longitudinal strain rate，and early diastolic global longitudinal strain rate（dGLSr）were lower（all P＜0.05）. After a median follow-up period of 37.6（29.3）months，27 patients experienced clinical events. A multivariate analysis revealed that PTDM（ HR=2.198，95% CI=1.018-4.743， P=0.045）and low GLS（ HR=6.456，95% CI=2.889-14.426， P＜0.001）were independent predictors of adverse clinical events after adjustment for dGLSr，body mass index and age. After subdividing the two groups into 4 subgroups by the cutoff value of GLS（16.5%），the prognosis was worst for HTx patients with PTDM and low GLS. Conclusions:HTx patients with PTDM have worse LV systolic and diastolic function than those without PTDM. Management of HTx patients with PTDM may be improved using GLS guidance.

Objective To investigate the antitumor effect of genetically engineered bacterial vesicles loaded with the photosensitizer Ce6.Methods Genetic engineering techniques were used to overexpress interferon α(IFNα)in Escherichia coli Nissle 1917(EcN),and the corresponding bacterial vesicles(BVs-IFNα)were extracted.The photosensitizer Ce6 was loaded onto the surface of the bacterial vesicles via ultrasonication to obtain BVs-IFNα@Ce6 nanoparticles.The BVs-IFNα@Ce6 complex was characterized using dynamic light scattering,nanoparticle tracking technology,confocal imaging,and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy.The obtained BVs-IFNα@Ce6 nanoparticles were co-cultured with mouse melanoma cells(B16F10)and mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BMDC).The efficacy of photodynamic therapy was assessed using the CCK-8 method,and its ability to induce immune activation was verified using flow cytometry.Results The BVs-IFNα@Ce6 nanoparticles were successfully prepared with a stable particle size of around 180 nm.Under red light irradiation,BVs-IFNα@Ce6 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against B16F10 tumor cells and effectively promoted the expressions of immune-related molecules MHC-II,CD80/CD86 on the surface of BMDC cells,demonstrating its remarkable ability to induce immune activation.Conclusion The BVs-IFNα@Ce6 nanoparticles possess dual functions of enhancing photodynamic therapy efficacy and activating antitumor immunity,showing potential for clinical translation.

Organ transplantation has emerged as a therapeutic modality for children with end-stage organ failure.With advancements in surgical techniques,organ preservation methods,and immunosuppressive thera-pies,both the success rate of transplantation and the long-term quality of life of recipients have continued to im-prove.Initially applied primarily in cardiothoracic transplantation,extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)has gradually expanded its role in pediatric organ transplant recipients to include perioperative support for cardiopulmonary complications in abdominal organ transplants such as liver and kidney,as well as in the maintenance of deceased donors.With ongoing refinements in ECMO technology and equipment,its sig-nificance in supporting children with end-stage organ failure has become increasingly prominent,offering re-newed hope and survival for a growing number of pediatric patients with organ failure.

Objectives: This study investigated the associations between gait velocity and kinematic variables in the first half of the gait cycle according to stroke severity. We performed gait analysis in individuals with stroke, focusing on changes in the center-of-gravity (COG) position on the paretic side in the first half of stance phase.Methods: Gait data of 80 individuals (20 each in Brunnstrom recovery stage: III, IV, V and VI) with stroke acquired using a 3D motion analysis system was retrospectively analyzed. Associations of gait velocity with the COG positions in the anteroposterior directions and vertical increases in the first half of stance phase on the paretic side were compared according to stroke severity, using correlation analysis.Results: Gait velocity showed strong positive correlations with step length on the paretic side at initial contact, the rate of vertical increase in the COG during single-leg stance, and the proportion of single-leg stance time in the gait cycle. The associations between velocity and each kinematic variable differed according to stroke severity. Gait velocity was strongly correlated with the rate of vertical increase in the COG during single-leg stance and the proportion of single-leg stance in severe hemiplegia, while a strong correlation was observed with step length on the paretic side in mild hemiplegia.Conclusion: An upward shift of the COG during single-leg stance was an important factor in gait velocity, and the correlation between gait velocity and the rate of vertical increase in the COG during single-leg stance was stronger when hemiplegia was more severe.

In recent years, the relationship between healthy life expectancy and exercise has been shown, and the same is also reported for the disabilities. However, we have not yet found any reports on the effects of exercise in children with lower extremity amputations. In this study, we had followed a seven-year-old boy who had undergone right knee rotationplasty for the Ewing's sarcoma, and studied the changes in his athletic abilities, bone density, and body composition with the use of a running-specific prosthesis (RSP). After becoming independent on walking with a daily-use prosthesis, he started using the RSP during exercise such as running. We measured the above parameters before the introduction of RSP, then again after one year use of the RSP. The results showed positive changes in all measurements: increased motor strength around hip, longer time on one leg standing test, increased one leg jump, faster walking speed, wider stride, improved bone density, and improved body compositions. The use of RSP's along with daily-use prostheses for children in their growth period may have favorable effects on their athletic abilities, bone densities, and body compositions.

We report a case of mitral valve replacement without aortic cross clamp in a patient with MitraClip failure. The patient is an 83-year-old man with a history of coronary artery bypass surgery 31 years earlier. He developed heart failure due to severe mitral regurgitation. He underwent MitraClip, but it caused mitral stenosis and hemodynamic instability. Considering the severe calcification of the ascending aorta and previous bypass grafts, typical median sternotomy surgery with cross clamp had to be avoided. We performed mitral valve replacement via right thoracotomy under ventricular fibrillation. The postoperative course was favorable. Mitral valve surgery with ventricular fibrillation could be undertaken safely for a patient with difficulty in aortic cross clamp.

A 77-year-old woman presented three months after an inferior myocardial infarction with congestive heart failure, a 7-mm posterior ventricular septal rupture (VSR), moderate functional mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, and critical stenoses of the right coronary and circumflex arteries. To avoid a ventriculotomy, we repaired the defect through a trans-tricuspid right-atrial approach using a double 25×25 mm bovine-pericardial patch secured with eight 4-0 polypropylene vertical mattress sutures. Two-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting was completed on the beating heart, followed by mitral and tricuspid annuloplasty. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 231 and 113 min, respectively. The postoperative course was uneventful without mechanical circulatory support. Echocardiography confirmed complete closure of the VSR and elimination of both valvular regurgitations, and the patient was discharged home on postoperative day 30. This case illustrates that a trans-tricuspid double-patch technique can achieve secure closure of chronic posterior VSR while preserving ventricular function and permitting simultaneous valve repair and revascularization.

In recent years, the relationship between healthy life expectancy and exercise has been shown, and the same is also reported for the disabilities. However, we have not yet found any reports on the effects of exercise in children with lower extremity amputations. In this study, we had followed a seven-year-old boy who had undergone right knee rotationplasty for the Ewing's sarcoma, and studied the changes in his athletic abilities, bone density, and body composition with the use of a running-specific prosthesis (RSP). After becoming independent on walking with a daily-use prosthesis, he started using the RSP during exercise such as running. We measured the above parameters before the introduction of RSP, then again after one year use of the RSP. The results showed positive changes in all measurements: increased motor strength around hip, longer time on one leg standing test, increased one leg jump, faster walking speed, wider stride, improved bone density, and improved body compositions. The use of RSP's along with daily-use prostheses for children in their growth period may have favorable effects on their athletic abilities, bone densities, and body compositions.