Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

Background::Homoharringtonine (HHT) is an effective anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-tumor protein synthesis inhibitor that has been applied clinically. Here, we explored the therapeutic effects of HHT in a mouse heart transplant model.Methods::Healthy C57BL/6 mice were used to observe the toxicity of HHT in the liver, kidney, and hematology. A mouse heart transplantation model was constructed, and the potential mechanism of HHT prolonging allograft survival was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, immunostaining, and bulk RNA sequencing analysis. The HHT-T cell crosstalk was modeled ex vivo to further verify the molecular mechanism of HHT-induced regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiation. Results::HHT inhibited the activation and proliferation of T cells and promoted their apoptosis ex vivo. Treatment of 0.5 mg/kg HHT for 10 days significantly prolonged the mean graft survival time of the allografts from 7 days to 48 days ( P <0.001) without non-immune toxicity. The allografts had long-term survival after continuous HHT treatment for 28 days. HHT significantly reduced lymphocyte infiltration in the graft, and interferon-γ-secreting CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in the spleen ( P <0.01). HHT significantly increased the number of peripheral Tregs (about 20%, P <0.001) and serum interleukin (IL)-10 levels. HHT downregulated the expression of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway-related genes ( CD4, H2-Eb1, TRAT1, and CD74) and upregulated the expression of IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF) -β pathway-related genes and Treg signature genes ( CTLA4, Foxp3, CD74, and ICOS). HHT increased CD4 + Foxp3 + cells and Foxp3 expression ex vivo, and it enhanced the inhibitory function of inducible Tregs. Conclusions::HHT promotes Treg cell differentiation and enhances Treg suppressive function by attenuating the TCR signaling pathway and upregulating the expression of Treg signature genes and IL-10 levels, thereby promoting mouse heart allograft acceptance. These findings may have therapeutic implications for organ transplant recipients, particularly those with viral infections and malignancies, which require a more suitable anti-rejection medication.

Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective To campare biomechanical effects of different postural compression techniques on three-dimensional model of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)by finite element analysis.Methods Lumbar CT image of a 48-year-old female patient with LDH(heighted 163 cm,weighted 53 kg)was collected.Mimics 20.0,Geomagic Studio,Solidwords and other software were used to establish three-dimensional finite element model of LDH on L4,5 segments.Compression techniques under horizon-tal position,30° forward bending and 10° backward extension were simulated respectively.After applying the pressure,the ef-fects of compression techniques under different positions on stress,strain and displacement of various tissues of intervertebral disc and nerve root were observed.Results L4,5 segment finite element model was successfully established,and the model was validated.When compression manipulation was performed on the horizontal position,30° flexion and 10° extension,the annular stress were 0.732,5.929,1.286 MPa,the nucleus pulposus stress were 0.190,1.527,0.295 MPa,and the annular strain were 0.097,0.922 and 0.424,the strain sizes of nucleus pulposus were 0.153,1.222 and 0.282,respectively.The overall displace-ment distance of intervertebral disc on Y direction were-3.707,-18.990,-4.171 mm,and displacement distance of nerve root on Y direction were+7.836,+5.341,+3.859 mm,respectively.The relative displacement distances of nerve root and interverte-bral disc on Y direction were 11.543,24.331 and 8.030 mm,respectively.Conclusion Compression manipulation could make herniated intervertebral disc produce contraction and retraction trend,by increasing the distance between herniated interverte-bral disc and nerve root,to reduce symptoms of nerve compression,to achieve purpose of treatment for patients with LDH,in which the compression manipulation is more effective when the forward flexion is 30°.

AIM To investigate the effects of Xinyue Capsules on the expression of glycerophospholipid metabolizing enzymes in isoproterenol(ISO)-induced rat heart tissue and primary myocardial cells of neonatal rats.METHODS The SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the Xinyue Capsules intervention group and Xinyue Capsules control group,with 8 rats in each group.The rat model of cardiac hypertrophy was established by 14 days consecutive intraperitoneal injection of ISO(30 mg/kg).Prior to the modeling,once daily administration of 0.393 g/kg Xinyue Capsules was given by gavage from 3 days in advance to the end of the experiment.After the last administration,the procurement of blood from abdominal aorta,the left and right ventricles were processed.And the rats had their indices levels of the heart,the left ventricle and the right ventricle measured;their pathomorphological changes of myocardial tissue observed using HE staining;their expressions of cardiac hypertrophy-related myocardial embryonic genes ANP,β-MHC and α-SKA mRNA detected using RT-qPCR method;and their serum TC,TG,LDL-C and HDL-C levels detected by biochemical method.In in vitro experiment,the neonatal rat model of myocardial hypertrophy was induced by exposure to ISO 1 μmol/L for 24 h.The investigation of the effect of Xinyue Capsules 12.5 μg/mL on ISO-induced myocardial hypertrophy was conducted by detection of myocardial cell area,embryo genes related to cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial cells protein cuntent.The further anti-cardiac hypertrophy mechanism of Xinyue Capsules research was conducted using RT-qPCR and Western blot to detect the gene and protein expressions of phospholipase A2(PLA2G6),phospholipase A1 member A(PLA1A)and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase(LCAT)in left ventricle tissue and myocardial cells of each group.RESULTS The in vivo experimental result showed that compared with the normal group,the model group displayed increased indices levels of the heart,the left ventricle and the right ventricle and cross-sectional area of left ventricular myocytes(P＜0.05);and up-regulated expressions of ANP,β-MHC,α-SKA mRNA and PLA2G6,PLA1A and LCAT mRNA and proteins in the left ventricle(P＜0.05);and increased levels of serum TC,TG and LDL-C(P＜0.05);and decreased HDL-C level(P＜0.05).However,the intervention of Xinyue Capsules inhibited the changes of the aforementioned indices(P＜0.05).The in vitro experimental result revealed that Xinyue Capsules inhibited the ISO-induced increases of myocardial cell surface area and myocardial cell protein level,the up-regulation of ANP,β-MHC,α-SKA mRNA expressions and the PLA2G6,PLA1A,LCAT mRNA and protein expressions as well(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Xinyue Capsules can improve the ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats,and its mechanism may be associated with its regulation upon the expressions of glycerophospholipid metabolism-related enzymes PLA2G6,PLA1A and LCAT.

Objective:To analyze the relationship between CT attenuation value of pulmonary artery thrombi and the efficacy of interventional thrombolysis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).Methods:This was a single center cross-sectional study. The clinical and imaging data of 89 APE patients who underwent interventional thrombolysis in Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2018 to December 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) before and after thrombolysis, the CT attenuation value of pulmonary artery thrombi and ratio of CT attenuation value of thrombi to left subscapularis muscle CT value were obtained; and the difference of Qanadli embolism index (ΔQ) before and after thrombolysis was calculated. According to the median ΔQ, patients were classified as good efficacy group (ΔQ>50%) and poor efficacy group (ΔQ≤50%). The clinical characteristics and quantitative parameters of CT were compared between the two groups, and the factors associated with efficacy of thrombolysis were analyzed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The correlation between CT attenuation value of pulmonary artery thrombi and ΔQ was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.Results:The CT attenuation value of thrombi and ratio of attenuation value of thrombi to left subscapularis muscle CT value showed significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that compared with CT attenuation value of emboli≤53.47 HU, the value>53.47 HU might be associated with the good efficacy of thrombosysis ( OR=9.175, 95% CI: 0.937-89.846, P=0.057). There was a positive correlation between CT value of pulmonary artery thrombi and ΔQ ( r=0.365, P<0.001). Conclusion:The CT attenuation value of thrombi can predict the efficacy of interventional thrombolysis in APE patients, and patients with higher CT attenuation value would have a better treatment response.

Objective A HPLC-quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS)was established to determine 5 ingredients including uracil,uridine,hypoxanthine,inosine and guanosine in Periplaneta americana.Methods Separation took place on a Agilent ZORBAX SB-Aq column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)by gradient elution of methanol-0.01 mol·L-1 potassium dihydrogen phosphate at 20℃with a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1.The detection wavelength was 260 nm and the injection amount was 10 μL.The relative correction factors(fa/b)was calculated for the other four components with uridine as an internal standard.The content of 5 ingredients in 10 batches of Periplaneta americana was determined by QAMS.Results were compared with those of external standard method(ESM).Results Five nucleosides showed good linear relationships in their own ranges(r＞0.999 5),and the average recoveries ranged from 97.0%to 100.8%.The relative correction factors of uracil,hypoxanthine,inosine and guanosine were 0.908 0,1.005 3,1.969 5 and 1.303 4,respectively.Conclusion The established method is accurate and stable.It can provide theoretical reference for the quality control of Periplaneta americana.

Objective:To further improve the understanding of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), we retrospectively analyzed and summarized the clinical characteristics, treatment status, and survival status of patients with PNH in Zhejiang Province.Methods:This study included 289 patients with PNH who visited 20 hospitals in Zhejiang Province. Their clinical characteristics, comorbidity, laboratory test results, and medications were analyzed and summarized.Results:Among the 289 patients with PNH, 148 males and 141 females, with a median onset age of 45 (16-87) years and a peak onset age of 20-49 years (57.8% ). The median lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level was 1 142 (604-1 925) U/L. Classified by type, 70.9% (166/234) were classical, 24.4% (57/234) were PNH/bone marrow failure (BMF), and 4.7% (11/234) were subclinical. The main clinical manifestations included fatigue or weakness (80.8%, 235/289), dizziness (73.4%, 212/289), darkened urine color (66.2%, 179/272), and jaundice (46.2%, 126/270). Common comorbidities were hemoglobinuria (58.7% ), renal dysfunction (17.6% ), and thrombosis (15.0% ). Moreover, 82.3% of the patients received glucocorticoid therapy, 70.9% required blood transfusion, 30.7% used immunosuppressive agents, 13.8% received anticoagulant therapy, and 6.3% received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate was 84.4% (95% CI 78.0% -91.3% ) . Conclusion:Patients with PNH are more common in young and middle-aged people, with a similar incidence rate between men and women. Common clinical manifestations include fatigue, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, renal dysfunction, and recurrent thrombosis. The 10-year OS of this group is similar to reports from other centers in China.

Objective To explore the predictive factors of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer,and to provide a basis for clinical decision-making under the DIP payment mode of medical insurance.Methods A total of 715 patients with breast cancer were divided into the metastasis group(n=309)and the non-metastasis group(n=406)according to the postoperative paraffin pathological results.Data of age＞60 years old,menopausal status,body mass index(BMI)＞24 kg/m2,hyperglycemia(GLU＞6.1 mmol/L),high triglycerides(TG＞1.7 mmol/L),maximum diameter of the tumor,the distance between the tumor and nipple and the quadrant where the tumor located were compared between the two groups.The expression levels of estrogen receptor(ER),progesterone receptor(PR),nuclear proliferation antigen(Ki-67)and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(Her-2)in breast cancer tissue samples were detected by histological grading and immunohistochemistry.The consistency,sensitivity and specificity of chest CT and breast ultrasound were examined,taken the pathological diagnosis as the gold standard.Results Compared with the non-metastatic group,the proportion of maximum diameter of tumor＞2 cm,histological grade Ⅲ,high Ki-67 and high ER expression,tumor located in the outer upper quadrant,the distance＞3 cm between tumor and nipple were increased in the metastatic group,and the proportion of high level of TG was decreased in the metastatic group(P＜0.05).The consistency between chest CT and pathological diagnosis was better than that of breast ultrasound(Kappa was 0.493 and 0.353 respectively,P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that histological grade Ⅲ,high expression of ER,maximum diameter of tumor＞2 cm,and chest CT diagnosis were risk factors for axillary lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combined application of the predictive factors of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer could provide certain reference for clinical decision-making under the background of DIP payment mode of medical insurance.

Objective:To perform optical surface monitoring-based three-dimensional (3D) in vivo dose verification for patients with left breast cancer undergoing deep inspiration breath-hold surface-guided radiation therapy (DIBH-SGRT) and to investigate the dosimetric differences in the target volumes and related factors affecting γ pass rates. Methods:Totally 20 patients with left breast cancer who received DIBH-SGRT at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Women′s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University were selected. The optical surface monitoring-based intrafractional displacement deviations of the patients during DIBH were recorded. Meanwhile, electronic portal imaging device (EPID)-based in vivo dosimetry (EIVD) verification was performed for patients during the DIBH-SGRT, and γ pass rates were measured with the criteria of 2 mm/2%, 3 mm/3%, and 3 mm/5%. The dosimetric differences between planning target volumes (PTVs) and organs at risk (OARs) were analyzed based on dose-volume histograms (DVHs). Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis was employed to determine the correlation of three γ pass rates with dosimetric differences and displacement deviations. Results:The average pass rates with the criteria of 2 mm/2%, 3 mm/3%, and 3 mm/5% were determined at 73.43%, 86.00%, and 92.96%, respectively, and the average deviations between EIVD measured doses and planned doses in PTV_TB and PTV Dmean were proved to be 0.23% and 0.59%, respectively ( P > 0.05). Pearson analysis revealed that the γ pass rates exhibited a weak correlation with dosimetric differences in PTVs( R<0.7) but strong correlations with intrafractional displacement deviations in Lat and Vert directions during DIBH ( R > 0.7). Conclusions:EIVD verification can ensure the high accuracy of dose delivery in PTVs during DIBH-SGRT for left breast cancer. Additionally, the EIVD verification system has the potential to detect displacement deviations during breath holding.