Objective To summarize the clinical efficacy of modified Morrow surgery in the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy treated with modified Morrow surgery at Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from 2020 to 2023. Results A total of 318 patients were enrolled, including 156 males and 162 females, with an average age of (55.6±13.1) years. Preoperative echocardiography showed a mean interventricular septal thickness of (18.1±3.8) mm, peak left ventricular outflow tract pressure difference of (86.4±24.9) mm Hg. The surgery time was (162.3±51.0) min, extracorporeal circulation time was (80.9±31.0) min, and aortic occlusion time was (44.8±20.8) min. After the surgery, transesophageal echocardiography showed that the interventricular septal thickness was (11.0±1.8) mm and left ventricular outflow tract peak pressure difference was (9.4±5.1) mm Hg. The incidence rate of postoperative complete left bundle branch block was 45.3%, Ⅲ° atrioventricular block was 3.8%, and postoperative newly developed atrial fibrillation was 3.1%. The postoperative hospital stay was (6.6±4.9) days, and one perioperative death occurred, with a mortality rate of 0.3%. The follow-up time was (10.3±9.4) months, during which the transthoracic echocardiography revealed a ventricular septal thickness of (12.9±2.9) mm and a peak left ventricular outflow tract pressure difference of (13.9±10.0) mm Hg. Conclusion The modified Morrow procedure for the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is safe and effective, with good results in the short and medium term.

Objective:To determine the safety and efficacy of the modified off-pump biatrial mini-maze procedure to treat isolated atrial fibrillation.Methods:This study retrospectively included isolated atrial fibrillation patients who underwent the modified off-pump biatrial mini-maze procedure at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2021 to December 2023. These patients underwent a mini-maze procedure using the Dallas lesion set protocol. A purse-string suture was then performed on the right atrium, and 4 ablation lesions were made to the superior vena cava, the inferior vena cava, the appendix of the right atrium and the tricuspid valve annulus from the purse-string suture point using the bipolar radiofrequency clamp. After the operation, the patients were followed up at 3, 6 and 12months and every year thereafter.Results:A total of 301 patients were followed up. There were no deaths or strokes. A follow-up at intervals of 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months showed that the cumulative success rate free from isolated atrial fibrillation was 96.0%、91.0%、85.9%、79.5% and 72.7%.Conclusion:The modified off-pump biatrial mini-maze procedure is safe and effective and can be considered as an off-pump ablation option for patients and cardiac surgeons.

To investigate the association between obesity-related metabolic indices and the risk of knee osteoarthritis(KOA) in middle-aged and older Chinese adults(≥45 years) using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS).

Objective:To determine the safety and efficacy of the modified off-pump biatrial mini-maze procedure to treat isolated atrial fibrillation.Methods:This study retrospectively included isolated atrial fibrillation patients who underwent the modified off-pump biatrial mini-maze procedure at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2021 to December 2023. These patients underwent a mini-maze procedure using the Dallas lesion set protocol. A purse-string suture was then performed on the right atrium, and 4 ablation lesions were made to the superior vena cava, the inferior vena cava, the appendix of the right atrium and the tricuspid valve annulus from the purse-string suture point using the bipolar radiofrequency clamp. After the operation, the patients were followed up at 3, 6 and 12months and every year thereafter.Results:A total of 301 patients were followed up. There were no deaths or strokes. A follow-up at intervals of 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months showed that the cumulative success rate free from isolated atrial fibrillation was 96.0%、91.0%、85.9%、79.5% and 72.7%.Conclusion:The modified off-pump biatrial mini-maze procedure is safe and effective and can be considered as an off-pump ablation option for patients and cardiac surgeons.

Objective The CRISPR/Cas9 system was utilized to generate an Apoe knockout mice model to support further investigations of the role of Apoe in lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis.Methods Two single guide RNAs designed for Apoe in C57BL/6J mice were co-injected with Cas9 mRNA into fertilized eggs,followed by transplantation into ICR recipient mice to obtain F0 generation mice.KO mice were identified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)screening of tail DNA.Apoe mRNA expression in various tissues was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and lipid indexes were measured in serum samples.Lipid accumulation in the inner lining of aortic vessels was detected by oil red O staining.Results PCR and sequencing confirmed the successful construction of Apoe KO mice(C57BL/6-Apoeem1/Nifdc).Apoe mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the liver,brain,spleen,kidney,and lung tissues of Apoe KO homozygous mice(Apoe-/-),as shown by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR.Serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased in Apoe-/-mice,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were decreased in male Apoe-/-mice.Extensive lipid plaques were observed in the inner lining of the arteries in Apoe-/-mice compared with WT mice,under normal chow consumption conditions.Conclusions This study successfully established an Apoe KO mice model exhibiting a typical abnormal lipid metabolism phenotype with arterial lipid accumulation,even without a high-fat diet intervention.This work provides background data for the Apoe KO mice resource and a new model for the study of abnormal lipid metabolism.

Objective We generated ob mice(C57BL/6N-Lepem1/Nifdc)with Lep gene knockout(ob/ob)using the CRISPR/Cas9 system,to establish a suitable animal model for preclinical drug evaluation for clinical diseases such as diabetes.Methods According to the principle of CRISPR/Cas9 target design,single guide RNA targeting the mouse Lep gene was designed for transcription in vitro,and microinjected with Cas9 mRNA into mouse zygotes.Mouse tail DNA was extracted and detected by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing,followed by mating of positive and wild-type mice.Blood biochemistry and liver pathology were assessed in homozygous ob mice.Results Eight positive mice were identified and a stable mouse strain was selected for further breeding.Serum triglycerides,total cholesterol,and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly higher in homozygous ob mice than in wild-type mice,and liver pathology showed inflammatory infiltration and lipid vacuolar transformations.Conclusions We successfully established a Lep gene knockout mouse model,which will provide an important addition to the national rodent experimental animal database and an animal model for preclinical drug evaluation.

CRISPR/Cas9 technology has driven the development of various fields in life science.With continuous deepening of its understanding,researchers have made multiple improvements and optimizations to adapt to various application scenarios.The optimization of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has also provided breakthroughs in the establishment of genetically modified mouse models.This article briefly reviews the development process of CRISPR/Cas9 technology and summarizes optimization strategies of CRISPR/Cas9,establishment of conditional knockout/knockin gene-modified mouse models,and delivery systems for CRISPR/Cas9 elements and HDR templates.

Background::Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the primary cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China. The target population for HCC screening comprises individuals who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). However, current data on the prevalence of HBV infection among individuals who are eligible for HCC screening in China are lacking. We aimed to assess the seroepidemiology of HBV infection among Chinese individuals eligible for HCC screening to provide the latest evidence for appropriate HCC screening strategies in China.Methods::Questionnaires including information of sex, age, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, source of drinking water, as well as smoking and alcohol consumption history and serum samples were collected from females aged 45–64 years and males aged 35–64 years in 21 counties from 4 provinces in eastern and central China between 2015 and 2023. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used to detect the serum HBV marker HBsAg.Results::A total of 603,082 individuals were enrolled, and serum samples were collected for analysis from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2023. The prevalence of HBsAg positive in the study population was 5.23% (31,528/603,082). The prevalence of HBsAg positive was greater in males than in females (5.60% [17,660/315,183] vs 4.82% [13,868/287,899], χ 2 = 187.52, P <0.0001). The elderly participants exhibited a greater prevalence of HBV infection than younger participants (χ 2 = 41.73, P <0.0001). Birth cohort analysis revealed an overall downward trend in HBV prevalence for both males and females. Individuals born in more recent cohorts exhibited a lower prevalence of HBV infection as compared to those born earlier. Conclusions::The current prevalence of HBV infection remains above 5% in populations eligible for HCC screening in China.

Background::Liver cancer remains the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, causing a heavy burden globally. An updated assessment of the global epidemiology of the liver cancer burden that addresses geographical disparities is necessary to better understand and promote healthcare delivery.Methods::Data were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database, including the number, crude, and age-standardized rates of incidence and mortality at the global, country, continent, and human development index (HDI) regional levels. Age-standardized rates (incidence and mortality) per 100,000 person-years were adjusted based on the Segi-Doll World standard population. The mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIR) for each region and country were calculated. The HDI and gross national income (GNI) for 2022 were obtained, and a Pearson correlation analysis was conducted with the incidence, mortality, and MIR.Results::In 2022, approximately 866,136 new liver cancer cases and 758,725 related deaths were recorded worldwide, with a global MIR of 0.86. Males had a disproportionately higher burden than females across all levels, and the highest burden was observed in the elderly population. Geographically, the regions with the highest incidence rates included Micronesia, Eastern Asia, and Northern Africa, and the regions with the highest mortality rates included Northern Africa, Southeastern Asia, Eastern Asia, and Micronesia. Notably, Mongolia had a strikingly high burden compared to other countries. The highest MIR was observed in North America and the lowest in Africa. Negative associations of HDI and GNI with liver cancer mortality and MIR were identified, irrespective of sex.Conclusions::The current liver cancer burden underscores the presence of remarkable geographic heterogeneity, which is particularly evident across countries with varying HDI levels, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize health accessibility and availability to achieve health inequities.

Objective To overcome the limitations of existing human respiratory syncytial virus(hRSV)animal models,such as semi-permissiveness and short duration of infection,this study established an IL2rg gene knockout(IL2rg-/-)rat model using TALEN gene editing technology.Methods The animal model was infected with hRSV intranasally.Clinical characteristics,body weight,and temperature changes were observed over the infection period(0～35 days).The total viral loads in respiratory organs,such as the nasal tissue,trachea,and lungs,were measured at various time points(4,11,20,and 35 days post-infection).Pathological analysis was conducted on target organs at the endpoint of observation(35 days post-infection).Changes in peripheral blood T,B,NK,and NKT cells and various cytokines were assessed at various time points(4,20,and 35 days post-infection).Results(1)IL2rg/-knockout rats sustained high viral loads in the nasal cavity upon intranasal inoculation with hRSV.The average peak titer rapidly reached 1 × 1010 copies/g in nasal tissue and 1 × 107 copies/g up to 5 weeks post-infection.(2)However,no significant pathological changes were noted in nasal,tracheal,or lung tissues.(3)An increase was observed in the content of peripheral blood B cells in hRSV-infected IL2rg--rats.(4)IL-6 and MCP-1 were increased in the early stage of infection and then decreased at the end of the observation period.Conclusions This study established a new IL2rg-/-rat model using TALEN technology and found that this model effectively supported high-level replication and long-term infection of hRSV,providing a good basis for antiviral drug screening and in vivo efficacy evaluation of anti-hRSV antibodies.