OBJECTIVES: To explore the correlation of hypertension with postoperative cognitive dysfunction and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Twelve-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were both randomized into control group and surgical group (n=8). In the latter group, the rats received carotid artery exposure surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia to establish models of postoperative learning and memory impairment. Postoperative cognitive function changes of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests. The hippocampus of the rats were collected for determining ATP level and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and for detecting expressions of UCP2 and astrocyte markers (GFAP and NOX4) using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Serum levels of ROS, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF‑α were detected using ELISA. Nissl staining was used to examine hippocampal neuronal loss in the CA1 region. RESULTS: The SHRs exhibited exacerbated learning and memory deficits following the surgery as shown by significantly reduced performance in novel object recognition tests and context-related and tone-related fear conditioning experiments. Compared with WKY rats, the SHRs had significantly decreased mitochondrial UCP2 expression and MMP in the hippocampus, increased hippocampal ATP level, and markedly increased serum levels of ROS and inflammatory factors, showing also increased activation of hippocampal astrocytes and microglia and reduced number of neurons positive for Nissl staining. CONCLUSIONS Hypertension can exacerbate major postoperative learning and memory impairment in rats possibly as a result of UCP2-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress damage, which further leads to astrocyte overactivation and neuronal damage.
Animals ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats ; Uncoupling Protein 2 ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Hypertension/physiopathology* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Down-Regulation ; Male ; Memory Disorders/etiology* ; Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism*

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of robot-assisted coronary artery bypass(RACAB).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes from 252 consecutive patients who underwent RACAB in our center between April 2021 and August 2023. The internal mammary artery(IMA) was harvested using the skeletonized technique with the assistance of the robotic system. Then, graft-to-target vessel anastomoses were performed via a 4-6 cm left fifth intercostal thoracotomy. Coronary angiography or coronary CTA was routinely performed before discharge.Results:149 patients(59.1%) underwent multi-vessel coronary bypass. 140 patients(55.6%) underwent total arterial bypass grafting, with 131 patients(52.0%) undergoing RACAB with in situ bilateral IMA. IMA harvesting failed in 6 patients(1.6%). One patient(0.4%) was assisted by extracorporeal circulation, and 5 patients(2.0%) underwent re-thoracotomy postoperatively. The patency rate of grafts was 96.6%(449/465). The 12-month and 24-month survival rate were 97.8% and 96.5% respectively; The 12-month and 24-month MACCE-free survival rate were 95.2% and 92.6%, respectively.Conclusion:RACAB is safe and feasible. With the assistance of the robotic system, in situ bilateral IMA can be obtained and bypassed to all target vessels territory. Extended follow-up is warranted.

Objective:To analyze the safety and efficacy of multi-vessel minimally invasive cardiac surgery-coronary artery bypass graft(MICS-CABG) through perioperative angiography results and complications.Methods:Clinical data of 1 073 patients who underwent multi-vessel MICS-CABG surgery at Peking University Third Hospital from December 2015 to June 2024 were collected using an ambispective cohort study. Among them, 745 were males(69.4%), with a median age of 65 years(58, 71), and a median ejection fraction of 0.66(0.56, 0.71). Double-vessel or triple-vessel lesions accounted for 932 cases(86.9%), while left main lesions were present in 449 cases(41.8%). The primary outcome was the evaluation of graft patency based on perioperative angiography or coronary artery computed tomography angiography results, while major cardiovascular adverse events during the perioperative period, surgical complications, and other surgical information were secondary outcomes. The clinical efficacy of multi-vessel MICS-CABG was evaluated.Results:In this study, the median number of grafts was 3, and complete revascularization was performed in 1 006 cases(93.8%); total arterial revascularization was performed in 308 cases(28.6%). Perioperative mortality was 11 cases(1.0%), and the main adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCE) was 50 cases(4.8%). Three cases(0.3%) had poor wound healing, and 79 patients(7.4%) required transfusion. Postoperative coronary angiography was performed in 907 patients(84.5%) and coronary CTA was performed in 52 patients(4.8%), for an overall review rate of 89.4%(959/1073). The overall patency rate of the bridge vessel was 96.9%, and the patency rate of the left internal mammary artery was 98.2%.Conclusion:Multi-vessel MICS-CABG demonstrates excellent perioperative safety and is capable of achieving complete revascularization for the 3 regions of the heart. The quality of the anastomosis and the postoperative patency rate of the grafts is satisfactory.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of robot-assisted coronary artery bypass(RACAB).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes from 252 consecutive patients who underwent RACAB in our center between April 2021 and August 2023. The internal mammary artery(IMA) was harvested using the skeletonized technique with the assistance of the robotic system. Then, graft-to-target vessel anastomoses were performed via a 4-6 cm left fifth intercostal thoracotomy. Coronary angiography or coronary CTA was routinely performed before discharge.Results:149 patients(59.1%) underwent multi-vessel coronary bypass. 140 patients(55.6%) underwent total arterial bypass grafting, with 131 patients(52.0%) undergoing RACAB with in situ bilateral IMA. IMA harvesting failed in 6 patients(1.6%). One patient(0.4%) was assisted by extracorporeal circulation, and 5 patients(2.0%) underwent re-thoracotomy postoperatively. The patency rate of grafts was 96.6%(449/465). The 12-month and 24-month survival rate were 97.8% and 96.5% respectively; The 12-month and 24-month MACCE-free survival rate were 95.2% and 92.6%, respectively.Conclusion:RACAB is safe and feasible. With the assistance of the robotic system, in situ bilateral IMA can be obtained and bypassed to all target vessels territory. Extended follow-up is warranted.

Objective:To analyze the safety and efficacy of multi-vessel minimally invasive cardiac surgery-coronary artery bypass graft(MICS-CABG) through perioperative angiography results and complications.Methods:Clinical data of 1 073 patients who underwent multi-vessel MICS-CABG surgery at Peking University Third Hospital from December 2015 to June 2024 were collected using an ambispective cohort study. Among them, 745 were males(69.4%), with a median age of 65 years(58, 71), and a median ejection fraction of 0.66(0.56, 0.71). Double-vessel or triple-vessel lesions accounted for 932 cases(86.9%), while left main lesions were present in 449 cases(41.8%). The primary outcome was the evaluation of graft patency based on perioperative angiography or coronary artery computed tomography angiography results, while major cardiovascular adverse events during the perioperative period, surgical complications, and other surgical information were secondary outcomes. The clinical efficacy of multi-vessel MICS-CABG was evaluated.Results:In this study, the median number of grafts was 3, and complete revascularization was performed in 1 006 cases(93.8%); total arterial revascularization was performed in 308 cases(28.6%). Perioperative mortality was 11 cases(1.0%), and the main adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCE) was 50 cases(4.8%). Three cases(0.3%) had poor wound healing, and 79 patients(7.4%) required transfusion. Postoperative coronary angiography was performed in 907 patients(84.5%) and coronary CTA was performed in 52 patients(4.8%), for an overall review rate of 89.4%(959/1073). The overall patency rate of the bridge vessel was 96.9%, and the patency rate of the left internal mammary artery was 98.2%.Conclusion:Multi-vessel MICS-CABG demonstrates excellent perioperative safety and is capable of achieving complete revascularization for the 3 regions of the heart. The quality of the anastomosis and the postoperative patency rate of the grafts is satisfactory.

Objective To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and Ki-67 in rectal cancer tissues and their predictive value for the sensitivity to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NAC).Methods The clinical data of 87 patients receiving chemoradiotherapy before rectal cancer surgery at Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine(the Second Hospital of Nanjing)from June 2021 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.In addition,40 normal rectal tissue samples were selected from the Department of Pathology of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine(the Second Hospital of Nanjing)as control.The expression levels of COX-2 and Ki-67 in tumor and adjacent tissues of patients with rectal cancer as well as in normal rectal tissues were detected by using the immunohistochemical method.The patients were divided into chemoradiotherapy-sensitive group(n=62)and chemoradiotherapy-resistant group(n=27)according to whether they were sensitive to chemoradiotherapy.The correlation between the expression levels of COX-2,Ki-67 in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues and the sensitivity to chemoradiotherapy was analyzed.The relative factors affecting the effect of chemoradiotherapy on rectal cancer patients were analyzed by using the logistic regression model.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn,and the area under the curve(AUC)was used to evaluate the predictive value of COX-2 and Ki-67 expression levels in tumor tissues of rectal cancer patients for the sensitivity to NAC.Results Among the 87 patients with rectal cancer,60 patients were sensitive to chemoradiotherapy,with a sensitivity rate of 68.97％.The positive expression rates of COX-2 and Ki-67 in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues were significantly higher than those in normal rectal tissues(x2=53.187,7.131,53.047,14.613;P＜0.05).The positive expression rates of COX-2 and Ki-67 in tumor tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues(x2=72.572,67.616;P＜0.05).The positive expression rates of COX-2 and Ki-67 in tumor tissues of patients in the chemoradiotherapy-sensitive group were significantly lower than those in the chemoradiotherapy-resistant group(x2=3.965,6.264;P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that the positive expression of COX-2 and Ki-67 in tumor tissues were factors affecting the efficacy of NAC in rectal cancer patients(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis results showed that the sensitivity of COX-2 and Ki-67 expression and their combination for predicting sensitivity of patients to NAC was 100.00％,100.00％,and 100.00％,respectively;while the specificity was 13.33％,20.00％,and 31.67％,respectively;and the AUC was 0.567,0.600,and 0.658,respectively.Conclusion The positive expression of COX-2 and Ki-67 in tumor tissues are factors affecting the efficacy of NAC in rectal cancer patients,and the combined detection of COX-2 and Ki-67 expression has a high predictive value for the sensitivity of NAC.

Objective:To explore the safety and effectiveness of axillary-coronary artery bypass (ACAB) of anterolateral incision multi-vessel coronary artery bypass surgery (MICS-CABG).Methods:Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in Peking University Third Hospital from May 2020 to December 2022 were included. 48 and 158 patients were included in MICS-ACAB and OPCABG group respectively. The mean age of the OPCABG group was (64.72±8.27) years old, and the male proportion was 77.2%(122 cases). The mean age of the MICS-ACAB group was (71.42±7.77) years old, and the male proportion was 79.2%(38 cases). Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE, including stroke, death, myocardial infarction and revascularization) and postoperative PCS scores of SF-36 were selected as the primary endpoint. The surgical complications and angiography patency rate of grafts were recorded to evaluate the clinical effects of MICS-ACAB.Results:The median number of bypass graft in two groups was 3. There were no significant differences in perioperative MACCE, re-operation rate, renal failure and lenth of postoperative hospital stay between two groups( P>0.05). 85.4% of patients reveived angiography assessment before discharge. There was no significant difference in graft patency between the MICS-ACAB group and OPCABG group (95.2% vs 88.8%, P=0.368). The results of propensity score matching analysis were consistent with the above conclusions. Both univariate analysis and multiple linear regression showed that MICS-ACAB could improve the PCS score of SF-36 at 7 days after surgery[(31.77±5.97) scores vs. (29.45±6.31) scores, P=0.025]. Conclusion:The safety of MICS-ACAB is satisfactory, which can achieve the completely revascularization and the patency rate of grafts is desirable. This procedure can significantly improve quality of life of patients in early postoperative period.

Objective To explore the correlation between CAE and the ratio of white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio(WMR)in elderly patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 238 patients who underwent coronary angiography(CAG)between January 2018 and January 2023 in Department of Cardiology of Tianjin First Central Hospital.According to the results of CAG and patient's age,they were divided into in elderly CAE group(age ≥65 years,100 cases)and non-elderly CAE group(age＜65 years,138 cases).Another 127 age-matched elderly individuals with normal coronary artery(age ≥65 years)served as normal con-trol group.The WMR levels were measured in all participants.Results The elderly CAE group had significantly higher WMR than the non-elderly CAE group and the normal control group(745.50±237.46 vs 672.43±194.52 and 610.11±144.22,P=0.000).Spearman correlation analy-sis showed that WMR was positively correlated with platelet count,neutrophil count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level(r=0.380,P=0.000;r=0.819,P=0.000;r=0.283,P=0.000).Multiple logistic analysis indicated that readmission,male,TC and WMR were significantly associated with CAE in elderly patients.ROC curve analysis revealed that the value of WMR to distinguish the presence of CAE in elderly patients was 0.604(95％CI:0.531-0.677,P=0.006).Conclusion Elevated WMR might be a cost-effective monitor in elderly CAE patients.

Objective:To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the inpatients who received ICIs therapy in Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2015 to December 2020. According to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition of AKI, patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group, and the patients in the AKI group were further divided into ICIs related AKI (ICIs-AKI) and AKI due to other etiologies. The clinical characteristics of the patients were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of AKI, and sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the influencing factors of ICIs-AKI.Results:A total of 279 cancer patients over 18 years old were included in this study, in which 175(62.7%) were males. There were 41 patients (14.70%) in AKI group, including 25 patients (8.96%) in ICIs-AKI group and 16 patients (5.73%) in AKI due to other etiologies group. Patients in the AKI group were characterized by higher proportions of hypertension, diuretics use and baseline eGFR<60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, extrarenal immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and a lower plasma albumin level (all P<0.05). The patients in the ICIs-AKI group had higher proportions of new aseptic leukocyturia, blood eosinophil count>500/ml, combined extrarenal irAEs, glucocorticoid use and discontinued ICIs treatment (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression results showed that hypertension ( OR=3.424, 95% CI 1.559-7.522, P=0.002), use of diuretics ( OR=4.620, 95% CI 2.111-10.112, P<0.001), baseline eGFR<60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 ( OR=3.668, 95% CI 1.336-10.070, P=0.012) and extrarenal irAEs ( OR=9.909, 95% CI 4.198-23.391, P<0.001) were associated with AKI in cancer patients receiving ICIs therapy. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the risk factors of ICIs-AKI included use of diuretics and baseline eGFR<60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, similar to the results of the above analysis, extrarenal irAEs ( OR=17.572, 95% CI 6.302-48.995, P<0.001) were also associated with ICIs-AKI independently. Conclusions:AKI is not uncommon in patients treated with ICIs. Concomitant hypertension, baseline eGFR<60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 and use of diuretics are independent risk factors for AKI in such patients. Patients should be alert to the risk of ICIs-AKI when appearing extrarenal irAEs. Distinguishing ICIs-AKI from AKI caused by other causes will present a frequent challenge to clinical practitioners.