To review the clinical characteristics, short-term outcomes, and risk factors of patients with infective endocarditis(IE) who underwent surgical treatment at a single center, and to summarize treatment experience.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for patients with hypertriglyceridemia-related acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) developing into severe acute pancreatitis or experiencing organ failure.Methods:This retrospective cohort study collected clinical data from 2 429 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis from five hospitals in China between January 2019 and December 2023 using a pre-designed data collection form. The cohort included 1 516 males and 913 females,with an age of (50.2±16.5)years(range: 11 to 99 years). Among them,353 patients (16.1%) had HTG-AP,while 1 846 (83.9%) had non-HTG-AP. HTG-AP was defined as serum triglyceride levels>500 mg/dl with other etiologies excluded. Intergroup comparisons were performed using t-tests,Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 tests,respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess risk factors for severe acute pancreatitis after adjusting for potential confounders,and a predictive model was developed and validated. Results:Compared with other etiologies,HTG-AP patients had a higher risk of progressing to SAP ( OR=1.415,95% CI: 0.866 to 2.312, P=0.017) and organ failure ( OR=1.256,95% CI: 1.015 to 1.554, P=0.036). Among HTG-AP patients,risk factors for SAP included body mass index ( OR=1.856,95% CI: 1.742 to 1.987, P=0.033),fasting blood glucose ( OR=1.128,95% CI: 1.036 to 1.229, P=0.006),white blood cell count( OR=1.162,95% CI: 1.055 to 1.281, P=0.002),and the presence of pleural effusion ( OR=13.151,95% CI: 4.330 to 19.946, P<0.01). A nomogram prediction model for SAP in HTG-AP was constructed based on these risk factors,demonstrating good discriminative ability with area under the curve values of 0.877 in the training set and 0.894 in the validation set,along with satisfactory calibration. Conclusions:HTG-AP patients are at higher risk of developing SAP and organ failure. The risk prediction model incorporating body mass index,fasting blood glucose,white blood cell count,and pleural effusion shows good predictive value for SAP.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of adeno-associated virus vector 5 (AAV5)-mediated hepatic lipoprotein lipase (LPL) expression on serum triglyceride (TG) metabolism and hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) in mice.Methods:Ten male C57BL/6 Lpl+/- mice were randomly divided into two groups by a random number table: the Lpl+/- control group and the Lpl+/- gene therapy group, with five mice in each group. The Lpl+/- control group received a tail vein injection of AAV5 vector carrying the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene (AAV5-EGFP), while the Lpl+/- gene therapy group received a tail vein injection of AAV5 vector carrying the human LPLS447X gene (AAV5-LPLS447X). Oral fat tolerance tests were performed at 14, 28, and 56 days post-injection. Twenty wild-type ICR mice were randomly divided into a control group and a gene therapy group, with ten mice in each group. The ICR control group was injected with AAV5-EGFP, and the ICR gene therapy group was injected with AAV5-LPLS447X. Fourteen days after injection, the mice underwent intraperitoneal injection of P407 solution (0.5 g/kg) and caerulein (200 μg/kg) to induce HTG-AP. Serum TG, total cholesterol (TC), amylase, lipase levels, and plasma LPL activity after heparin injection were measured by microplate reader. Plasma LPL concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). LPL mRNA expression levels in the liver, heart, and adipose tissue of Lpl+/- mice were determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). LPL protein expression in the liver tissue of ICR mice was detected by immunohistochemistry at 28 days after gene therapy. Histopathological changes in the pancreas were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results:Compared to the Lpl+/- control group, the Lpl+/- gene therapy group showed a significant decrease in serum TG levels starting from day 21. After oral administration of olive oil, the increase and peak of serum TG levels were significantly lower than those in the control group. Furthermore, hepatic LPL mRNA expression levels were significantly higher (1.96±0.11 vs 1.02±0.12) with statistical significance ( P<0.05). Compared to the ICR control group, the ICR gene therapy group showed a significant decrease in serum TG and TC levels, and plasma LPL activity (0.17±0.05 mEq/L·h -1vs 0.06±0.02 mEq/L·h -1) was significantly higher at 28 days after heparin injection with statistical significance (all P value <0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed high expression of LPL protein on the hepatocyte membrane in the liver of ICR gene therapy group mice. Moreover, pancreatic edema, inflammatory infiltration, and acinar cell necrosis were significantly alleviated compared to the control group. Conclusions:LPLS447X treatment can promote LPL expression in the liver of mice, significantly reduce TG levels, and alleviate the severity of HTG-AP.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of adeno-associated virus vector 5 (AAV5)-mediated hepatic lipoprotein lipase (LPL) expression on serum triglyceride (TG) metabolism and hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) in mice.Methods:Ten male C57BL/6 Lpl+/- mice were randomly divided into two groups by a random number table: the Lpl+/- control group and the Lpl+/- gene therapy group, with five mice in each group. The Lpl+/- control group received a tail vein injection of AAV5 vector carrying the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene (AAV5-EGFP), while the Lpl+/- gene therapy group received a tail vein injection of AAV5 vector carrying the human LPLS447X gene (AAV5-LPLS447X). Oral fat tolerance tests were performed at 14, 28, and 56 days post-injection. Twenty wild-type ICR mice were randomly divided into a control group and a gene therapy group, with ten mice in each group. The ICR control group was injected with AAV5-EGFP, and the ICR gene therapy group was injected with AAV5-LPLS447X. Fourteen days after injection, the mice underwent intraperitoneal injection of P407 solution (0.5 g/kg) and caerulein (200 μg/kg) to induce HTG-AP. Serum TG, total cholesterol (TC), amylase, lipase levels, and plasma LPL activity after heparin injection were measured by microplate reader. Plasma LPL concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). LPL mRNA expression levels in the liver, heart, and adipose tissue of Lpl+/- mice were determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). LPL protein expression in the liver tissue of ICR mice was detected by immunohistochemistry at 28 days after gene therapy. Histopathological changes in the pancreas were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results:Compared to the Lpl+/- control group, the Lpl+/- gene therapy group showed a significant decrease in serum TG levels starting from day 21. After oral administration of olive oil, the increase and peak of serum TG levels were significantly lower than those in the control group. Furthermore, hepatic LPL mRNA expression levels were significantly higher (1.96±0.11 vs 1.02±0.12) with statistical significance ( P<0.05). Compared to the ICR control group, the ICR gene therapy group showed a significant decrease in serum TG and TC levels, and plasma LPL activity (0.17±0.05 mEq/L·h -1vs 0.06±0.02 mEq/L·h -1) was significantly higher at 28 days after heparin injection with statistical significance (all P value <0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed high expression of LPL protein on the hepatocyte membrane in the liver of ICR gene therapy group mice. Moreover, pancreatic edema, inflammatory infiltration, and acinar cell necrosis were significantly alleviated compared to the control group. Conclusions:LPLS447X treatment can promote LPL expression in the liver of mice, significantly reduce TG levels, and alleviate the severity of HTG-AP.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for patients with hypertriglyceridemia-related acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) developing into severe acute pancreatitis or experiencing organ failure.Methods:This retrospective cohort study collected clinical data from 2 429 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis from five hospitals in China between January 2019 and December 2023 using a pre-designed data collection form. The cohort included 1 516 males and 913 females,with an age of (50.2±16.5)years(range: 11 to 99 years). Among them,353 patients (16.1%) had HTG-AP,while 1 846 (83.9%) had non-HTG-AP. HTG-AP was defined as serum triglyceride levels>500 mg/dl with other etiologies excluded. Intergroup comparisons were performed using t-tests,Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 tests,respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess risk factors for severe acute pancreatitis after adjusting for potential confounders,and a predictive model was developed and validated. Results:Compared with other etiologies,HTG-AP patients had a higher risk of progressing to SAP ( OR=1.415,95% CI: 0.866 to 2.312, P=0.017) and organ failure ( OR=1.256,95% CI: 1.015 to 1.554, P=0.036). Among HTG-AP patients,risk factors for SAP included body mass index ( OR=1.856,95% CI: 1.742 to 1.987, P=0.033),fasting blood glucose ( OR=1.128,95% CI: 1.036 to 1.229, P=0.006),white blood cell count( OR=1.162,95% CI: 1.055 to 1.281, P=0.002),and the presence of pleural effusion ( OR=13.151,95% CI: 4.330 to 19.946, P<0.01). A nomogram prediction model for SAP in HTG-AP was constructed based on these risk factors,demonstrating good discriminative ability with area under the curve values of 0.877 in the training set and 0.894 in the validation set,along with satisfactory calibration. Conclusions:HTG-AP patients are at higher risk of developing SAP and organ failure. The risk prediction model incorporating body mass index,fasting blood glucose,white blood cell count,and pleural effusion shows good predictive value for SAP.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of rubber band-assisted endoscopic submucosal excavation (RB-ESE) for gastric submucosal tumors (SMT).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on data of gastric SMT patients who underwent ESE in Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from January 2017 to August 2022. A total of 48 patients were selected and divided into two groups: RB-ESE group ( n=20) and the conventional ESE (C-ESE) group ( n=28). The operation time, bleeding rate and perforation rate during operation, the retention rate of the mucosal cap, the number of clips, postoperative complications, and the hospitalization time were analyzed. Additionally, correlations between complications and tumor size/location and between bleeding and perforation were evaluated. Results:No significant difference was found in the general conditions between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time of RB-ESE group (14.82±2.31 min) was significantly shorter than that of C-ESE group (23.70±3.67 min) ( t=-9.539, P<0.001). The intraoperative bleeding rates were 20.0% (4/20) and 42.9% (12/28) in the RB-ESE group and C-ESE group respectively ( χ2=2.743, P=0.098), while the intraoperative perforation rates were 25.0% (5/20) and 46.4% (13/28) respectively ( χ2=2.286, P=0.131). Furthermore, the mucosal cap preservation rate was notably higher in the RB-ESE group at 60.0% (12/20) compared with 7.1% (2/28) in the C-ESE group ( χ2=15.777, P<0.001). The number of clips applied to close the wound was 8.05±1.40 and 10.43±1.96 in the RB-ESE group and C-ESE group respectively ( t=4.925, P<0.001). The postoperative hospital stays were 4.35±0.75 days and 5.00±0.86 days respectively in two groups ( t=2.724, P=0.009). No postoperative bleeding or perforation occurred in either group. The results showed that the occurrence of perforation and bleeding were associated with tumor diameter. Patients with tumor size ≥2 cm showed increased proportions of intraoperative bleeding [68.4% (13/19), P<0.001] and perforation [78.9% (15/19), P<0.001]. There was a correlation between intraoperative bleeding and perforation ( P<0.001). Conclusion:RB-ESE proves to be an effective and safe approach for managing gastric SMT, offering advantages such as reduced operation time and hospital stays, improved retention of the mucosal cap post-operation, and less clips use. The results suggest that RB-ESE could be widely adopted for treating SMT.

Central nervous system (CNS) injuries, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury, are leading causes of long-term disability. It is estimated that more than half of the survivors of severe unilateral injury are unable to use the denervated limb. Previous studies have focused on neuroprotective interventions in the affected hemisphere to limit brain lesions and neurorepair measures to promote recovery. However, the ability to increase plasticity in the injured brain is restricted and difficult to improve. Therefore, over several decades, researchers have been prompted to enhance the compensation by the unaffected hemisphere. Animal experiments have revealed that regrowth of ipsilateral descending fibers from the unaffected hemisphere to denervated motor neurons plays a significant role in the restoration of motor function. In addition, several clinical treatments have been designed to restore ipsilateral motor control, including brain stimulation, nerve transfer surgery, and brain-computer interface systems. Here, we comprehensively review the neural mechanisms as well as translational applications of ipsilateral motor control upon rehabilitation after CNS injuries.
Animals ; Spinal Cord Injuries/therapy* ; Motor Neurons/physiology* ; Brain ; Stroke ; Recovery of Function/physiology*

Objective:To explore the predictive values for mutation subtypes of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) based on machine learning and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT images. Methods:18F-FDG PET/CT images and pathological data of 238 patients with LUAD (126 patients (54 males, 72 females, median age 62 years) with EGFR mutation; 112 patients (68 males, 44 females, median age 61 years) with wild-type EGFR)) were retrospectively collected at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between April 2016 and May 2020. Volumes of interest (VOI) of PET and CT images were delineated respectively and three-dimensional-based and two-dimensional-based radiomics features were extracted from VOIs. Three machine learning classifiers of K-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM) and Adaboost were trained in training set with CT, PET and fusion PET/CT radiomics features respectively. Well trained classifiers were tested in test set. Each predictive model was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:A total of 126 patients were EGFR mutation including 3 patients with 18 exon mutation, 6 patients with 20 exon mutation, 42 patients with 19 exon mutation, and 75 patients with 21 exon mutation. Finally, patients with 18 exon mutation and 20 exon mutation were removed due to the scale was too small to be trained adequately by machine learning classifiers. Predictive performance of mean PET/CT feature-based model (Adaboost: area under curve (AUC)=0.87, 95% CI: 0.75-0.99) in EGFR mutation subtypes was better than PET feature-based model (Adaboost: AUC=0.64, 95% CI: 0.46-0.83; z=2.04, P<0.05) and CT feature-based model (Adaboost: AUC=0.64, 95% CI: 0.45-0.83; z=2.06, P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between predictive performance of mean PET/CT feature-based model (SVM: AUC=0.76, 95% CI: 0.56-0.96) and PET/CT concatenation feature-based model (SVM: AUC=0.75, 95% CI: 0.59-0.92; z=1.14, P>0.05). Conclusion:Machine learning and 18F-FDG PET/CT radiomics features can provide predictive value for EGFR mutation subtypes in patients with LUAD.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with the high morbidity and mortality in the world, and non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) is the most common type. The emergence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in recent years has provided new treatment option for NSCLC patients. The efficacy of EGFR-TKI is closely related to the EGFR mutation status, but the current detection methods for gene mutation have certain limitations. As a non-invasive method, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT shows a certain potential in the detection of EGFR gene mutation status. In this paper, the re-cent research and progress of PET/CT in predicting the mutation status of EGFR gene are reviewed.