Objective To explore risk factors for cardiac valve calcification (CVC) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and evaluate its impact on cardiovascular events and mortality. Methods Retrospective selection of 223 patients with MHD admitted to the Department of Nephrology of Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2024, and enrollment completed within one week of June 30, 2019. Patients were divided into CVC and non-CVC groups. Baseline data and 5-year follow-up data were collected. The binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for CVC. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the survival rate of patients. Cox proportional hazard regression model was applied to evaluate the impact of CVC on the survival rates of MHD patients. Results Totally, 223 MHD patients with an average age of (58.4±13.5) years and an average dialysis duration of (64.0±55.4) months were involved. Among them, 136(61.0%) were males, 117(52.5%) were complicated with CVC. Age, dialysis duration, diabetic kidney disease (DKD), the serum corrected total calcium and phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) were independent related factors for CVC (P＜0.05). Both all-cause mortality (46.6% vs 28.7%) and cardiovascular mortality (33.3% vs 16.0%) were significantly higher in the CVC group than those in the non-CVC group (P＜0.01). Conclusions Age, dialysis duration, the primary disease, calcium and phosphate, and inflammation- and nutrition-related serum indicators are associated with CVC in MHD patients. CVC significantly increases mortality risk of MHD patients.

Objective To explore the correlation between serum fibroblast growth factor-23(FGF23),Klotho protein levels and cardiac valve calcification(CVC)in patients with maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods A total of 169 MHD patients in the Blood Purification Center of Jinshan Hospital,Fudan University from January 2022 to January 2023 were selected.The patients'CVC status was examined by color Doppler echocardiography.Results There were 111 CVC cases,accounting for 65.68%.Compared with the non-CVC group,the CVC group had significantly higher levels of FGF23,β2-microglobulin,brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),age,and the proportion of male,while significantly lower levels of Klotho,predialysis creatinine,hemoglobin,plasma albumin and iPTH(P＜0.05).Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficient analysis showed that FGF23,age,β2-microglobulin and BNP were significantly positively correlated with CVC(r=0.20,0.41,0.15,0.28,0.12),while Klotho,predialysis creatinine,hemoglobin,plasma albumin and iPTH were significantly negatively correlated with CVC(r=﹣0.16,﹣0.17,﹣0.16,﹣0.17,﹣0.16).Unconditioned binary logistic regression analysis showed that FGF23,Klotho,age and β2-microglobulin were independent risk factors for CVC in MHD patients.Conclusions MHD patients are prone to CVC.Serum FGF23 protein level is significantly positively correlated with CVC,while Klotho protein level is significantly negatively correlated with CVC.FGF23,Klotho,age and β2-microglobulin are independent risk factors for CVC in MHD patients.

Kidney organoids are induced and differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells(PSCs)or adult stem cells(ASCs)derived from tissue sources,primarily composed of nephron struc-tures.However,due to the absence of a supporting vascular network,kidney organoids often exhibit immature tissue structures and limited growth.Therefore,vascularization in kidney organoids remains a pressing challenge in this field.Currently,the methods such as transplantation into immunodeficient animals,alterations in induced differentiation protocols,utilization of microfluidic chips,and manipula-tion of extracellular matrix and oxygen concentrations may facilitate vascularization of kidney organoids,which provides a new perspective for the scientific study and clinical application of kidney organoids.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of different reconstruction points of intrauterine applicator on the source dwell positions and plan dosimetry in intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer.Methods:Clinical data of 43 patients with cervical cancer who had completed radical radiotherapy in Liuzhou Workers' Hospital from May 2020 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among 43 patients, aged 32-79 years, 40 cases were diagnosed with squamous carcinoma and 3 cases of adenocarcinoma. All patients received external irradiation for 50.4 Gy / 28 fractions and CT-guided intracavitary brachytherapy (45° intrauterine applicator) was 36 Gy / 6 fractions. Brachytherapy was performed by using Fletcher applicator, the curvature of intrauterine applicator were 15°, 30°and45°. Two sets of brachytherapy plans were simulated for each patient. One set of plans extracted the simulated CT positioning images and the original plan of the patient's brachytherapy. The reconstruction point of the curved part of the 45° intrauterine applicator was adjusted to slice-by-slice reconstruction. The plan was optimized to meet clinical requirements according to the prescription, which was called the slice-by-slice group. In the other set of plans, slice-by-slice group was used as a template. The reconstruction points of the curved section of the 45° intrauterine applicator were adjusted to 1, 3, 5, and 7, without modifying the applicator weights and other parameters, which was called the average group 1, 3, 5 and 7. The deviation analysis of 15°, 30° and 45° intrauterine applicator with different number of reconstruction points was carried out, the reconstruction deviation of 45°, 30° and 15° intrauterine applicator at different reconstruction points was compared. Paired-sample t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to compare the differences in high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) D 50%, D 90%, D 100%, V 100%, V 150%, V 200% and conformity index (CI) as well as D 2 cm3, D 1 cm3 and D 0.1 cm3 in bladder, rectum, and small intestine between two groups of 45° intrauterine applicator. Results:The reconstruction deviation in the average group was mainly from the vertical direction of the 45° intrauterine applicator. The mean reconstruction deviations of 45° (1, 3, 5, 7 reconstruction points), 30° (1, 3, 5 reconstruction points) and 15° (1, 2 reconstruction points) were 1.30 mm, 0.32 mm, 0.14 mm and 0.08 mm; 0.57 mm, 0.14 mm and 0.06 mm; 0.14 mm and 0.06 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference in the parameters of high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) in the slice-by-slice group compared with the average group 5 and 7 (all P>0.005), and no significant difference was found between the average group 5 and 7 (all P>0.005). There were no statistically significant differences in bladder and rectum doses between the slice-by-slice group and the average groups or within the average groups (all P>0.005). The parameters of small intestine in the slice-by-slice group were higher than those of the average group 1, the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.002,<0.001,<0.001). The dose of small intestine in the slice-by-slice group was not statistically significant compared with those in the average group 5 and 7 (both P>0.005). The dose of small intestine in the average group 5 was not statistically significant compared with that in the average group 7 ( P>0.005). The small intestine dose deviations of D 0.1 cm3, D 1 cm3 and D 2 cm3 in the average groups at 1 reconstruction point were 2.41%±1.70%, 1.95%±1.27% and 1.71%±1.10%, respectively. Conclusion:The number of reconstruction points is recommended to be no less than 1, 3 and 5 of the curved part of the 15°, 30°and 45° Fletcher intrauterine applicator, respectively, during intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Objective:To study the expression of microRNA (miRNA)-4783-3p in liver cancer tissue and its effect on the proliferation and migration of liver cancer Huh-7 cells.Methods:The cBioPortal database was used to analyze the expression of miR-4783-3p in liver cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. In strict accordance with the instructions of Lipofectamine? 2000 transfection kit, miR-4783-3p overexpression mimics or overexpression control mimics were transfected into Huh-7 cells respectively, namely overexpression group and control group. The proliferation of Huh-7 cells was analyzed by CCK-8 assay, and the migration of Huh-7 cells was analyzed by cell scratch method. The targeting relationship between miR-4783-3p and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 ( IGFBP2) mRNA was detected by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of IGFBP2 mRNA. Western-blotting was used to detect the expression of IGFBP2 protein and EGFR-STAT3 molecular pathway proteins. Results:The expression of miR-4783-3p in liver cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissues ( P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the proliferation ability of Huh-7 cells in the overexpression group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The scratch healing rates of Huh-7 cells in the control group and the overexpression group were (67.71±9.04)% and (29.58±10.51)%, respectively, and the scratch healing rate in the overexpression group was significantly lower ( P<0.01). miR-4783-3p targeted and bound to IGFBP2 mRNA ( P<0.01). The expression of IGFBP2 mRNA in the control and overexpression groups was 5.76±1.44 and 0.99±0.47, respectively, and miR-4783-3p negatively regulated the expression of IGFBP2 mRNA ( P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the expressions of IGFBP2 protein and EGFR-STAT3 molecular pathway protein were decreased in the overexpression group. Conclusions:miR-4783-3p is lowly expressed in liver cancer tissues. miR-4783-3p can attenuate the proliferation and invasion ability of liver cancer Huh-7 cells by inducing the low expression of IGFBP2 gene.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of open surgery and arthroscopic assisted surgery in treatment of knee dislocations.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 80 patients with knee dislocations admitted to Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from May 2013 to September 2019, including 59 males and 21 females, aged 18-66 years [(42.5±11.6)years]. Open multiple ligament reconstruction was performed in 49 patients (open group) and arthroscopic assisted multiple ligament reconstruction was performed in 31 patients (arthroscopic group). The postoperative hospitalization days, incidence of complications, time needed for recovery of knee range of motion (>0°, >90°, >120°), and time to complete weight-bearing were compared between the two groups. The Lysholm score, international knee documentation committee (IKDC) subjective knee form, Tegner activity level, score of the MOS item short-form health survey (SF-36), patient satisfaction and knee range of motion were compared between the two groups at the last follow-up.Results:All the patients were followed up for 1.2-7.4 years [(3.8±1.5)years]. There was no significant difference in postoperative hospitalization days or incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). No significant difference was found in time needed for recovery of knee range of motion (>0°, >120°) or time to complete weight-bearing ( P>0.05). The time needed for recovery of knee range of motion (>90°) was 90(60, 90)days in open group and 60(30, 90)days in arthroscopic group ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, there was no significant difference in Lysholm score, IKDC subjective score, Tegner activity level, SF-36 score, or patient satisfaction between the two groups ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the knee range of motion was 120°(90°, 130°) in open group and 135°(120°, 140°) in arthroscopic group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:For treatment of knee dislocations, open surgery and arthroscopic assisted surgery have similar results in the long-term effect, while arthroscopic assisted surgery has benefits in early rehabilitation and ultimately better knee range of motion.

Objective To investigate the effect of expression of Cullin 4B (CUL4B) on the prognosis of patients after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods The retrospective case-control study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 79 patients who underwent liver transplantation for HCC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 1,2014 and June 30,2015 were collected.The specimens of HCC tissues were collected and embedded in paraffin,and then were detected by immunohistochemistry staining.Observation indicators:(1) expression of CUL4B in HCC tissues;(2) follow-up and survival;(3) prognostic factors analysis after liver transplantation;(4) association between expression of CUL4B and recurrence and metastasis of tumor after liver transplantation.Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect tumor recurrence or metastasis and survival up to June 2018.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as (x)±s.The comparison between groups of count data was done using the chi-square test.The survival curve drawn using the Kaplan-Meier method,and the survival analysis was done by Log-rank test.The univariate and multivariate analysis were respectively done using the COX regression model.The association analysis was done using the Pearson test.Results (1) Expression of CUL4B in HCC tissues:immunohistochemistry staining showed that CUL4B was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm,with a powerful brownish-yellow staining.The high expression and low expression of CUL4B in HCC tissues were detected in 64 and 15 patients,respectively.(2) Follow-up and survival:79 patients were followed up for 38-56 months,with an average time of 46 months.During the follow-up,37 patients had no tumor recurrence and 42 had tumor recurrence (32 with tumor extrahepatic metastasis and 10 with intrahepatic metastasis);36 had survival and 43 died;the 1-and 3-year overall survival rates were respectively 86.84％ and 63.25％,and 1-and 3-year tumorfree survival rates were respectively 62.31％ and 51.27％.(3) Prognostic factors analysis after liver transplantation:① Results of univariate analysis showed that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP),Child-Pugh score,maximum tumour dimension,capsular invasion,intravascular tumor thrombus,Edmonson pathological grading and expression of CUL4B were related factors affecting the 3-year overall survival rate of patients after liver transplantation for HCC [Hazard Ratio (HR) =2.17,3.36,3.66,2.43,2.19,3.36,2.84,95％ confidence interval(CI):1.17-4.04,1.53-7.42,2.10-6.42,1.33-4.17,1.08-9.04,1.58-7.59,1.17-6.32,P＜ 0.05].The preoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP),Child-Pugh score,maximum tumour dimension,capsular invasion,intravascular tumor thrombus,Edmonson pathological grading and expression of CUL4B were related factors affecting the 3-year tumor-free survival rate of patients after liver transplantation for HCC (HR =2.06,3.72,3.16,2.36,2.83,3.21,1.69,95％CI:1.34-4.85,1.72-8.63,1.79-7.31,1.46-4.86,1.19-8.63,1.19-7.92,1.06-4.87,P＜0.05).② Results of multivariate analysis showed that maximum tumour dimension,intravascular tumor thrombus and expression of CUL4B were independent factors affecting the 3-year overall survival rate of patients after liver transplantation for HCC [Odds ratio(OR) =3.43,3.69,2.81,95％CI:1.16-6.02,1.96-9.38,1.04-9.63,P＜0.05].The maximum tumour dimension,intravascular tumor thrombus and expression of CUL4B were independent factors affecting the 3-year tumor-free survival rate of patients after liver transplantation for HCC (OR=2.25,4.72,2.74,95％C1:1.16-4.02,1.98-9.47,1.03-7.10,P＜ 0.05).The 3-year overall survival rate in patients with high-and low-expressions of CUL4B was respectively 66.7％ and 32.8％,with a statistically significant difference (x2 =5.69,P＜0.05).The 3-year tumor-free survival rate in patients with high-and low-expressions of CUL4B was respectively 73.3％ and 18.6％,with a statistically significant difference (x2 =4.63,P＜0.05).(4) Association between expression of CUL4B and recurrence and metastasis of tumor after liver transplantation:results of Pearson test showed that expression of CUL4B was significantly associated with HCC recurrence and metastasis after liver transplantation (r =0.62,P＜0.05).The further analysis showed that expression of CUL4B was significantly associated with extrahepatic metastasis after liver transplantation (r=0.84,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The expression of CUL4B is associated with HCC recurrence after liver transplantation,and it can be as a predictor for HCC recurrence and distant metastasis after liver transplantation.

Objective To evaluate the impact of cardiovascular risk factors on index of microvascular resistance (IMR)and coronary flow reserve (CFR) and to explore the characteristics of IMR and CFR and the relationship between IMR and angiographic features in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis and chest pain.Methods Fractional flow reserve (FFR),CFR,and IMR were measured in patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography with 40％-70％ stenosis by visual assessment.All patients with FFR＞0.75 were enrolled and grouped with the cut-off points of IMR≥25 and CFR≤2.0.Patients with IMR≥25 were group H,including two sub-groups (high IMR-low CFR,group H1 and high IMR-high CFR,group H2),while those with IMR＜25 were group N.The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame were counted.Results A total of 34 patients with FFR＞0.75 were enrolled with 61.8％(21 cases) of males and 38.2％ (13 cases) of females.The mean age was (57.3±8.1) years old.High IMR accounted for 47.1％ of all cases.There was significant difference between group H and N in TIMI frame (33.0 vs.20.8,P=0.031).There were significant differences between group H1 and H2 in homocysteine (17.8 μmol/L vs.12.0 μmol/L,P=0.005) and IMRcorr (58.0 vs.36.1,P=0.002).IMRcorrwas correlated to TIMI frame (r=0.40,P=0.012) for all cases.The sensitivity and specificity of inferring IMR≥35.3 by TIMI frame were 0.75 and 0.65 (P=0.049) with TIMI frame over 40.5.Conclusions High IMR may be one of the reasons for chest pain in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis.There is no correlation between vascular risk factors and IMR or CFR,while there is positive correlation between TIMI frame and IMR.The specificity is 65％ for inferring IMR rise with TIMI frame over 40.5.

Objective To explore the mechanisms of ligament of Marshall (LOM) initiat and sustain atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods The electrophysiologic properties of canine LOM were investigated using multipolar catheter mapping(normal canines,n =4,group A;AF canines,n =5,group B).The programmed stimulation were performed in the LOM,PV-left atrium(LA)junction and LA,respectively.Activations maps of LOM were analyzed from episodes of spontaneous onset of AF and initiation of induced AF by a single extrastimulus.The effectives refractory period of each part was compared and statistically analyzed among three parts in each group and between the two groups.LOM were cutted with surgical incision technology.The inducing rate of AF and the mapping rate of double potential and fragmented electrocardiogram were compared and statistically analyzed pro and post isolation of LOM.Results The incidence of abnormal potential of LOM in the two groups was significantly different(P ＜0.01),re-entry cycle(group A 25％ vs.B group 80％),tachycardia(group A 25％ vs.B 100％),double potential(group A 25％ vs.group B 80％),fragmentation potential(group A 25％ vs.group 80％).There was a significant difference in the rate of LOM tachycardia induction before and after LOM intervention in group B (P ＜ 0.05,before 100％ vs.after 20％).Conclusion There are two possible mechanisms of LOM involved in the occurrence and maintenance of AF:one is that LOM induces AF through spontaneous excitation,the other is that LOM participates in the reentry of left atrium and pulmonary vein in the form of bypass to induce and maintain AF.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficiency of domestic snare applied during retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions.Methods A total of 27 patients who underwent retrograde PCI for CTO and used domestic snare during the procedure were enrolled in our study from March 2012 to November 2016.Clinical data, angiographic characteristics and PCI details were collected.Clinical data, characteristics of CTO lesion, effect of the domestic snare and snaring time were retrospectively analyzed.Special complications related to the domestic snare and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were also documented.Results Domestic snare was used in all the procedures, which included facillitating the micro-catheter to pass through the CTO lesions in 6 patients and assisting the RG3/rotational guide-wire externalization in all the 27 patients.Mean snaring time was 3.5±5.4 minutes.Stents were successfully implanted in 26 patients except in 1 patient who failed to receive stent implantation for severe coronary calcification.No complications including coronary dissection, fracture of guide-wire and unreleased snare happened during the procedures and no MACE occurred during hospitalization.Conclusions Domestic snare facilitates retrograde micro-catheter crossing CTO lesions and retrograde guide-wire entering the guiding catheter and externalization.It is a simple, safe and efficient method.