OBJECTIVE: To explore the timing of weaning extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and analyze the risk factors that affect survival outcomes before weaning. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Patients who received ECMO treatment and were weaned according to physicians' orders at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2020 to June 2024 were enrolled as the study subjects. The general information, underlying diseases, indications and processes of ECMO, vital signs and arterial blood gas analysis 1 hour before weaning test, and biochemical indicators 24 hours before weaning test were collected through the hospital electronic medical record system. The primary outcome measure was the hospital mortality. The variables with P < 0.1 in univariate analysis and correlation analysis were included into binary Logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors. A nomogram model was constructed to predict the risk of weaning death in patients with ECMO, and receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) and calibration curve were drawn to evaluate the model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical net benefit rate of the model. RESULTS: A total of 32 ECMO patients were included, among whom 10 received veno-arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) and 22 received veno-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO). During the hospitalization period, 23 patients survived, while 9 died. The time from mechanical ventilation to ECMO activation in the death group was significantly longer than that in the survival group, and the time from ECMO cessation to discharge was significantly shorter than that in the survival group. The levels of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and albumin (Alb) before weaning were significantly lower than those in the survival group, and the level of procalcitonin (PCT) was significantly higher than that in the survival group (all P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that DBP, PCT, Alb, and thrombin time (TT) were correlated with the weaning outcomes of ECMO patients (r values were -0.450, 0.373, -0.376, -0.346, all P < 0.1). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the final indicators entering the regression equation included DBP [odds ratio (OR) = 0.864, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.756-0.982], PCT (OR = 1.157, 95%CI was 0.679-1.973), and TT (OR = 0.852, 95%CI was 0.693-1.049), and a nomogram model was constructed to predict the weaning outcomes of ECMO patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram model for predicting the weaning outcome of ECMO patients was 0.831, with a sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 65.2%. Its predictive value was better than that of single indicators DBP, PCT, and TT (AUC of 0.787, 0.739, and 0.722, respectively). The calibration curve showed that the prediction probability of the model was in good consistency with the actual observed results, the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed that, χ ² = 8.3521, P = 0.400, indicating that the model fits well. DCA showed that across risk threshold of 0-0.8, the net benefit rate was greater than 0, which was significantly better than that of single indicator. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram model constructed with DBP, PCT, and TT has certain predictive value for the weaning outcomes of ECMO patients and can be used as a screening indicator for ECMO weaning timing.
Humans ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Case-Control Studies ; Hospital Mortality ; Male ; Female ; Nomograms ; Logistic Models ; ROC Curve ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Ventilator Weaning ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors related to the timing of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) initiation and construct a risk prediction model for ECMO initiation timing. METHODS: Patients who received ECMO admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2020 to January 2024 were retrospectively collected. The case data mainly included physiological and biochemical indicators 1 hour before ECMO initiation. According to the outcome of the patients, they were divided into survival group and death group. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the predictors of mortality risk in patients with ECMO, and a nomogram prediction model was constructed. The discrimination, calibration accuracy, and goodness of the model were evaluated by the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve), calibration curve, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, respectively. Decision curve analysis (DCA) evaluated the clinical net benefit rate of the model. RESULTS: A total of 81 ECMO patients were included, including 59 males and 22 females; age range from 16 to 61 years old, with a median age of 56.0 (39.5, 61.5) years old; 20 patients received veno-arterial (V-A) ECMO, and 61 patients received veno-venous (V-V) ECMO; 23 patients ultimately survived and 58 patients died. Univariate analysis showed that age, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, D-dimer, arterial blood carbon dioxide partial pressure, and prothrombin time of the death group were all higher than those of the survival group, while albumin was slightly lower than that of the survival group. There was a statistically significant difference in the direct cause of ECMO initiation between the two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.069, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.015-1.125, P = 0.012], direct cause of ECMO initiation [with heart failure as the reference, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiopulmonary support (OR = 30.672, 95%CI was 1.265-743.638, P = 0.035), novel coronavirus infection (OR = 8.666, 95%CI was 0.818-91.761, P = 0.073), other severe pneumonia (OR = 4.997, 95%CI was 0.558-44.765, P = 0.150)], pre-ECMO serum creatinine (OR = 1.008, 95%CI was 1.000-1.016, P = 0.044), prothrombin time (OR = 1.078, 95%CI was 0.948-1.226, P = 0.252), and D-dimer (OR = 1.135, 95%CI was 1.047-1.231, P = 0.002) were entered into the final regression equation. A nomogram prediction model was developed based on these five factors. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the model was 0.889 (95%CI was 0.819-0.959), higher than the AUC of the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA; AUC = 0.604, 95%CI was 0.467-0.742). The calibration curve showed good consistency between the model predictions and the observed results. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that χ ² = 4.668, P = 0.792. DCA analysis showed that when the risk threshold was 0-0.8, the net benefit rate was greater than 0, which was significantly better than that of SOFA score. CONCLUSIONS The risk prediction model for the timing of ECMO initiation, constructed using five factors (age, direct cause of ECMO initiation, thrombin time, serum creatinine, and D-dimer), demonstrated good discrimination and calibration. It can serve as a pre-initiation assessment tool to identify and predict post-initiation mortality risk in ECMO patients.
Humans ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Logistic Models ; Nomograms ; ROC Curve ; Time Factors ; Risk Assessment

Objective To explore the effect of occupational skills relearning programme on hemiplegic arm motor function and ac-tivities of daily living(ADL)in stroke patients. Methods From February,2022 to August,2023,74 stroke patients in Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital were enrolled and randomly divided into control group(n=37)and experimental group(n=37).The control group received conventional rehabilitation training,and the experimental group received additional occupational skills relearning programme,for three weeks.They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremi-ties(FMA-UE),Functional Test for the Hemiplegic Upper Extremity-Hong Kong(FTHUE-HK),Motor Activity Log(MAL)-amount of use(AOU)and MAL-quality of movement(QOM),modified Barthel Index(MBI),and Stroke Impact Scale(SIS)-Hand and SIS-ADL before and after treatment. Results The scores in all assessments improved significantly in both groups(|t|>3.597,P<0.05)after treatment,while the scores of FMA-UE,FTHUE-HK,MAL-AOU,MAL-QOM were higher in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|>2.352,P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational skills relearning programme could promote the recovery of hemiplegic arm motor and activity,and facilitate the use of the hemiplegic arm in daily life in stroke patients.

Objective:To compare the performance of 11 glomerular filtration rate(GFR)equations in Chinese elderly hospitalized patients using dynamic renal imaging as the reference standard.Methods:The retrospective study involved patients aged 60 years and older who were admitted to Beijing Hospital between January, 2017, and January 2020.Glomerular filtration rate(GFR)was assessed through dynamic renal imaging for all participants.Estimated GFR(eGFR)was calculated using various equations based on serum creatinine and/or cystatin C levels, including All Age Spectrum(FAS), Berlin Initiative Study(BIS), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration(CKD-EPI), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study(MDRD), MDRD in China(MDRDc), and Xiangya..Results:A total of 691 patients, of which 383 were males, with an age range of 60 to 90 years(mean age 71.9±7.7 years), were included in the study.Among the different equations used to estimate glomerular filtration rate(GFR)in ml·min -1·1.73m -2, the smallest deviations were observed with FAScys(2.48), FAScr-cys(3.07), CKD-EPIcys(4.20), and BIScr-cys(7.42).Conversely, the most accurate estimations were found with BIScr-cys(10.38), FAScr-cys(11.94), FAScys(12.08), CKD-EPIcr-cys(13.21), and CKD-EPIcys(13.51).The highest P30 values, indicating the proportion of estimates within 30% of the true GFR, were achieved by FAScr-cys(68.97%), FAScys(68.96%), CKD-EPIcys(63.22%), and BIScr-cys(61.67%).The equations with the lowest root mean square errors were BIScr-cys(9.73), CKD-EPIcr-cys(10.98), FAScr-cys(11.27), CKD-EPIcys(11.52), and FAScys(11.53).Specifically, the FAS equation showed higher accuracy in men, while BIScr-cys and CKD-EPIcys were more accurate in women.Among patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD), the P30 values for BIScr-cys, FAScys, and FAScr-cys were 86.96%, 83.33%, and 80.95% respectively.Notably, for patients with mGFR ≥ 30 ml/min, MDRDc overestimated GFR the most, whereas for patients with mGFR<30 ml/min, Xiangya exhibited the most significant overestimation of GFR. Conclusions:Among the equations tested, BIScr-cys, FAScys, and FAScr-cys demonstrated the highest accuracy and are therefore recommended for use in Chinese elderly hospitalized patients.

A retrospective analysis was performed on one case of adult-onset type Ⅱcitrullinemia(CTLN2)caused by homozygous mutations of SLC25A13 genes.The patient,a 28-year-old male,had repeated limb convulsions for more than 4 years and worsened for 2 months.He usually liked to eat peanuts and meat.The brain MRI examination showed no abnormality,and anti-epileptic treatment was not effective.Further examination of blood aminotransferase,blood ammonia and citrulline were elevated,genetic testing showed that the SLC25A13 gene c.851_854del homozygous pathogenic mutation,the diagnosis was CTLN2,and the treatment was treated with a high-protein,high-fat,low-sugar diet and arginine,and there were no seizures followed up for half a year.Patients with recurrent seizures with special dietary preferences should be paid attention to the possibility of CTLN2,and genetic testing plays an important role in the diagnosis of CTLN2 and provides a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Yarrowia lipolytica is a non-conventional yeast with unique physiological and metabolic characteristics. It is suitable for production of various products due to its natural ability to utilize a variety of inexpensive carbon sources, excellent tolerance to low pH, and strong ability to secrete metabolites. Currently, Y. lipolytica has been demonstrated to produce a wide range of carboxylic acids with high efficiency. This article summarized the progress in engineering Y. lipolytica to produce various carboxylic acids by using metabolic engineering and synthetic biology approaches. The current bottlenecks and solutions for high-level production of carboxylic acids by engineered Y. lipolytica were also discussed, with the aim to provide useful information for relevant studies in this field.
Carboxylic Acids/metabolism* ; Metabolic Engineering ; Synthetic Biology ; Yarrowia/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the structural alterations in functional brain areas of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and to investigate the abnormal region of grey matter and its distribution in DPN.Methods:A total of 124 patients with DPN and 88 patients with type 2 diabetes without DPN (NDPN) diagnosed in Haikou Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University from June 2019 to December 2020 were selected as the study subjects, and 40 healthy volunteers matched with gender and age were included as the control group.All subjects underwent whole-brain MRI examination, and 3D-T1WI data were collected for post-processing and analysis based on voxel morphological analysis.Results:Compared with NDPN patients, decreased gray matter volume in DPN patients was observed in the bilateral anterior central gyrus and thalamus, with statistical signifcant difference ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two sides ( P>0.05). Compared with healthy control group, decreased gray matter volume in DPN was observed in the the bilateral anterior central gyrus, central posterior gyrus, superior frontal gyrus and thalamus, with statistical signifcant difference ( P<0.05) and there was no significant difference between the two sides ( P>0.05). Conclusions:DPN patients also have decreased volumes of the brain greymatter, suggesting that the occorrence of DPN patients may be caused by the of injury of central structure.

【Objective】 To explore B lymphocytes’ role and mechanisms in angiotensinⅡ/phenylephrine (AngⅡ/PE) induced cardiomyopathy so as to understand the role of inflammatory cells in myocardial injury. 【Methods】 AngⅡ/PE was administered to wild-type (WT) and B cells deficiency (μMT) mice for 14 days or 28 days. The mice were analyzed by blood pressure measurement, echocardiography imaging, flow cytometry, and histology. Cardiac fibrosis was evaluated by Masson staining. 【Results】 Compared with the control group, the left ventricular mass (P<0.01), heart mass/tibia length ratio (P<0.01) and cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes in AngⅡ/PE group were significantly increased (P<0.01). After 2 weeks of AngⅡ/PE treatment, B lymphocytes (P<0.05), CD45⁺ leukocytes (P<0.05), CD64^-Ly6C⁺ monocytes (P<0.05), CD64⁺Ly6C^-macrophages (P<0.05) and Ly6g⁺ neutrophils (P<0.05) were recruited in myocardial tissue. Compared with WT_AngⅡ/PE group, the heart weight/tibia length ratio (P<0.05), left ventricular weight (P<0.05) and myocardial cell cross-sectional area (P<0.05) of μMT_AngⅡ/PE mice were significantly improved. CD45⁺Ly6C⁺CD64^- monocytes (P<0.05) and CD45⁺Ly6C^-CD64⁺ macrophages (P<0.05) were significantly decreased. 【Conclusion】 B lymphocytes deficiency improves AngⅡ/PE induced cardiac hypertrophy by reducing the infiltration of CD45⁺Ly6C⁺CD64^- monocytes and CD45⁺Ly6C^- CD64⁺ macrophages.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of triangle flap from the nasal vestibule on correcting the minor form unilateral incomplete cleft lip.Methods 72 patients with the minor-form unilateral incomplete cleft lip were invloved in this study.Based on different surgical procedures,all the patients were divided into two groups:36 patients were treated with harvesting a triangle flap from the nasal vestibule,rotating,increasing lip height;other 36 patients were treated with Millard method as control group.The positive photographs of two groups of patients were taken one year after surgery.Lip height,lip width,nostril width,nostril circumference and visible scar area were measured and compared statistically.Results Good rate of the group of the triangle flap from nasal vestibule was 91.6％ (33/36),but that of the group of Millard method was 72.2％ (29/36) (P＜0.05).The ratios of unaffected to affected sides of lip height,nostril circumference and nasal width in the triangle flap from nasal vestibule were 1.077±0.015,1.083±0.005,and 1.083±0.005;those of other group of Millard method were 1.078±0.013,1.095±0.005 and 1.096±0.015,respectively,with no significant difference (P＞0.05).But there was significant difference in laberal scar between the group of the triangle flap from nasal vestibule (0.510±0.004) mm2 and the control group of Millard method (0.830±0.009) mm2 (P＜0.05).Conclusions The nasal vestibule triangle flap method can significantly decrease the visible scar on lip and achieve the same good result compared to traditional Millard method.