Objective To evaluate the impact of an integrated management mode of prenatal diagnosis-postnatal treatment for congenital heart disease (CHD) on perioperative and long-term outcomes of the arterial switch operation (ASO), and to analyze the efficacy of ASO in a single center. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 183 children who underwent ASO at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from 2018 to 2024. The cohort included 106 (57.9%) patients of transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum (TGA/IVS), 61 (33.3%) patients of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect (TGA/VSD), and 16 (8.7%) patients of Taussig-bing anomaly (TBA). Perioperative indicators were compared between 91 patients in the prenatal-postnatal integrated management group (an integrated group) and 92 patients in the traditional management group (a non-integrated group). Long-term survival and reoperation rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results The overall perioperative mortality rate was 4.9% (9/183), showing a downward trend year by year. The primary cause of perioperative mortality was low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), which occurred in 12 patients (6.6% incidence) with a mortality rate of 75.0%. The integrated group had a higher proportion of males (89.0% vs. 72.8%, P<0.05) and lower body weight [3.1 (2.7, 3.3) kg vs. 3.3 (3.0, 3.7) kg, P<0.05] compared to the non-integrated group. The age at surgery was significantly earlier in the integrated group [7 (3, 10) d vs. 14 (9, 48) d, P<0.05], and all children in the integrated group underwent ASO within the optimal surgical window (100.0% vs. 82.6%, P<0.05). Intraoperatively, cardiopulmonary bypass time [173 (150, 207) min vs. 186 (159, 237) min, P<0.05] and aortic cross-clamp time [100 (90, 117) min vs. 116 (97, 142) min, P<0.05] were significantly shorter in the integrated group. Although the integrated group had longer postoperative mechanical ventilation time [145 (98, 214) h vs. 116 (77, 147) h, P<0.05] and higher 48-hour maximum vasoactive inotropic score [15 (10, 21) points vs. 12 (8, 16) points, P<0.05], there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of severe complications (LCOS, necrotizing enterocolitis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) or mortality rate (3.3% vs. 6.5%, P=0.51) between the two groups, despite earlier surgical intervention and a higher proportion of critically ill cases in the integrated group. The length of hospital stay in the emergency surgery group was significantly shorter than that in the elective surgery group [20 (15, 28) d vs. 25 (21, 30) d, P<0.05], suggesting that early surgery may be of potential benefit. A total of 163 patients were successfully followed up for a median of 4.7 years, with a 5-year survival rate of 95.1% and a freedom from reintervention survival rate of 95.1%. There were no late deaths, and the most common postoperative complication was pulmonary artery stenosis. Conclusion The integrated management model allowed critically ill children with lower body weights to safely undergo surgery, significantly optimizing the timing of surgery and shortening intraoperative times. The long-term risk of reoperation after ASO is primarily concentrated on pulmonary artery stenosis, necessitating long-term follow-up and monitoring.

Objective:To study echinococcosis in the population and canine Echinococcus infection in Yushu City, Qinghai Province, and to explore the current epidemic situation and main transmission species of Echinococcus. Methods:In June 2023, a multi-stage sampling method was used to select 2 villages each in Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, Yushu City, Qinghai Province. Each village included at least 100 permanent residents who had lived locally for at least 1 year and were 2 years old or older as the survey subjects. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum antibodies against Echinococcus larvae in the population, and B-mode ultrasound was used for abdominal organ scanning. Meanwhile, on the main roads of Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, canine feces were collected in designated areas at intervals. ELISA was used to detect the antigen of canine fecal Echinococcus, and PCR was used to detect the types of parasites ( Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus shiquicus). Results:A total of 511 residents were investigated in Yushu City, and the positive rate of serum Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population was 26.22% (134/511), and the detection rate of echinococcosis B-mode ultrasound was 1.37% (7/511). Among them, the detection rates of B-mode ultrasound for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) were 1.17% (6/511) and 0.20% (1/511), respectively. The positive rate of Echinococcus antigen in 543 canine feces detected by ELISA was 12.89% (70/543). PCR was used to test 497 canine feces, and the detection rate of Echinococcus was 3.02% (15/497). Among them, the detection rate of Echinococcus multilocularis was higher than that of Echinococcus granulosus [2.82% (14/497) vs 0.20% (1/497)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 11.44, P < 0.001). No Echinococcus shiquicus was detected. Conclusions:The positive rates of Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population and canine Echinococcus antigen in Yushu City, Qinghai Province are both relatively high. There is a mixed epidemic of CE and AE, with Echinococcus multilocularis being the main species.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of autologous umbilical cord whole blood(UCB) priming of the cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) circuit in neonatal cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease(CHD).Methods:This prospective non-randomized controlled trial included neonates undergoing CHD surgery at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from August 2024 to January 2025. The experimental group used autologous UCB for CPB circuit priming, while the control group used adult allogeneic blood(AAB) priming when UCB was unavailable. Preoperative characteristics, intraoperative CPB and aortic cross-clamping(ACC) times, postoperative ICU stay duration, mechanical ventilation time, and hospitalization length were compared.Results:There were no significant differences in preoperative baseline characteristics between the two groups( P>0.05). At the end of surgery, red blood cell count(RBC), hemoglobin level(Hb), and creatine kinase(CK) showed no significant differences between the groups( P> 0.05). Additionally, perioperative left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) demonstrated no statistically significant variations( P>0.05). At surgery completion, the UCB group exhibited lower hematocrit(HCT) and higher blood lactic acid(Lac) levels but these differences resolved by 6 hours postoperatively( P>0.05). The UCB group had higher maximum vasoactive-inotropic scores(VISmax) within 48 hours and longer ICU stays, though total hospitalization and mechanical ventilation durations showed no significant differences( P>0.05). Conclusion:Autologous UCB priming reduces AAB requirements and has minimal impact on postoperative cardiac and pulmonary function recovery, or homeostasis., which is safe and feasible. This study provides evidence supporting the clinical application of UCB priming in CPB circuits.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of autologous umbilical cord whole blood(UCB) priming of the cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) circuit in neonatal cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease(CHD).Methods:This prospective non-randomized controlled trial included neonates undergoing CHD surgery at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from August 2024 to January 2025. The experimental group used autologous UCB for CPB circuit priming, while the control group used adult allogeneic blood(AAB) priming when UCB was unavailable. Preoperative characteristics, intraoperative CPB and aortic cross-clamping(ACC) times, postoperative ICU stay duration, mechanical ventilation time, and hospitalization length were compared.Results:There were no significant differences in preoperative baseline characteristics between the two groups( P>0.05). At the end of surgery, red blood cell count(RBC), hemoglobin level(Hb), and creatine kinase(CK) showed no significant differences between the groups( P> 0.05). Additionally, perioperative left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) demonstrated no statistically significant variations( P>0.05). At surgery completion, the UCB group exhibited lower hematocrit(HCT) and higher blood lactic acid(Lac) levels but these differences resolved by 6 hours postoperatively( P>0.05). The UCB group had higher maximum vasoactive-inotropic scores(VISmax) within 48 hours and longer ICU stays, though total hospitalization and mechanical ventilation durations showed no significant differences( P>0.05). Conclusion:Autologous UCB priming reduces AAB requirements and has minimal impact on postoperative cardiac and pulmonary function recovery, or homeostasis., which is safe and feasible. This study provides evidence supporting the clinical application of UCB priming in CPB circuits.

Objective:To study echinococcosis in the population and canine Echinococcus infection in Yushu City, Qinghai Province, and to explore the current epidemic situation and main transmission species of Echinococcus. Methods:In June 2023, a multi-stage sampling method was used to select 2 villages each in Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, Yushu City, Qinghai Province. Each village included at least 100 permanent residents who had lived locally for at least 1 year and were 2 years old or older as the survey subjects. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum antibodies against Echinococcus larvae in the population, and B-mode ultrasound was used for abdominal organ scanning. Meanwhile, on the main roads of Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, canine feces were collected in designated areas at intervals. ELISA was used to detect the antigen of canine fecal Echinococcus, and PCR was used to detect the types of parasites ( Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus shiquicus). Results:A total of 511 residents were investigated in Yushu City, and the positive rate of serum Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population was 26.22% (134/511), and the detection rate of echinococcosis B-mode ultrasound was 1.37% (7/511). Among them, the detection rates of B-mode ultrasound for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) were 1.17% (6/511) and 0.20% (1/511), respectively. The positive rate of Echinococcus antigen in 543 canine feces detected by ELISA was 12.89% (70/543). PCR was used to test 497 canine feces, and the detection rate of Echinococcus was 3.02% (15/497). Among them, the detection rate of Echinococcus multilocularis was higher than that of Echinococcus granulosus [2.82% (14/497) vs 0.20% (1/497)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 11.44, P < 0.001). No Echinococcus shiquicus was detected. Conclusions:The positive rates of Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population and canine Echinococcus antigen in Yushu City, Qinghai Province are both relatively high. There is a mixed epidemic of CE and AE, with Echinococcus multilocularis being the main species.

Objective To investigate the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and potential influencing factors of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, so as to provide insights into the formulation of the echinococcosis control strategy in Qinghai Province. Methods The number of individuals screened for echinococcosis, number of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases, number of registered dogs and number of stray dogs were captured from the annual reports of echinococcosis control program in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was calculated. The number of populations, precipitation, temperature, wind speed, sunshine hours, average altitude, number of year-end cattle stock, number of year-end sheep stock, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and number of village health centers in each county (district) of Qinghai Province were captured from the Qinghai Provincial Statistical Yearbook, and county-level electronic maps in Qinghai Province were downloaded from the National Platform for Common Geospatial Information Services. The software ArcGIS 10.8 was used to map the distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province, and the spatial autocorrelation analysis of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was performed. In addition, the spacetime scan analyses of number of individuals screened for echinococcosis, number of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases and geographical coordinates in Qinghai Province were performed with the software SaTScan 10.1.2, and the spatial stratified heterogeneity of the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was investigated with the software GeoDetector. Results A total of 6 569 426 residents were screened for echinococcosis in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and 5 924 newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases were found. The detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline over years from 2016 to 2022 (χ² = 11.107, P < 0.01), with the highest detection in Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in 2017 (82.12/10⁵). There were spatial clusters in the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2018 (Moran’s I = 0.34 to 0.65, all Z values > 1.96, all P values < 0.05), and the distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared random distribution from 2019 to 2022 (Moran’s I = −0.09 to 0.04, all Z values < 1.96, all P values > 0.05). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed high-high clusters and low-low clusters in the detection of new diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and space-time scan analysis showed that the first most likely cluster areas of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022 were mainly distributed in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. GeoDetector-based analysis of the driving factors for the spatial stratified heterogeneity of detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province showed that average altitude, number of village health centers, number of cattle and sheep stock, GDP per capita, annual average sunshine hours, and annual average temperature had a strong explanatory power for the spatial distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases, with q values of 0.630, 0.610, 0.600, 0.590, 0.588, 0.537 and 0.526, respectively. Conclusions The detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline in Qinghai Province over years from 2016 to 2022, showing spatial clustering. Targeted control measures are required in cluster areas of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases for further control of the disease.

Objective Evaluation of the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for chronic disturbance of consciousness after severe craniocerebral injury based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Methods The clinical data of 106 patients with chronic disturbance of consciousness after severe craniocerebral injury from January 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into control group(conventional rehabilitation treatment)and observation group(high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment)by propensity score matching method(1∶1),with 53 cases in each group.Both groups were examined by magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)before and after treatment.The brain metabolic indexes[N-acetyl aspartate(NAA)/creatine(Cr)value,choline complex(Cho)/Cr value],Glasgow coma scale(GCS)score,electroencephalogram(EEG)grading,coma recovery scale(CRS-R)score,brainstem auditory evoked potential(BAEP)grading,upper limb sensory evoked potential(SSEP)grading and Cerebral blood flow perfusion index[cerebral blood volume(CBV),mean transit time(MTT),cerebral blood flow(CBF)]were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,the NAA/Cr values of the thalamus and brainstem in the two groups increased,while the Cho/Cr values decreased,and the levels of brain metabolic indexes in the observation group were signifi-cantly better than those in the control group(P<0.05).The two groups'GCS score and CRS-R score increased,and the improvement of the observation group was better than that of the control group(P<0.05).The BAEP grading,EEG grading,and SSEP grading of the two groups improved,and those of the observation group were better than the control group(P<0.05).The CBF and CBV of the two groups increased,and MTT decreased,and the level of cere-bral blood perfusion index in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion High frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has a significant effect on the recovery of patients with chronic consciousness disorders after severe craniocerebral injury.The mechanism may be related to improving the blood flow velocity of brain tissue and metabolism in the brain.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in small rodents around human residential areas in Yushu City, Qinghai Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into precision echinococcosis control. Methods One or two quadrats, each measuring 50 m × 50 m, were randomly assigned in Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Township, Yushu City, Qinghai Province on June 2023, respectively, and 300 plate-type mouse traps, each measuring 12.0 cm × 6.5 cm, were assigned in each quadrat. Small rodents were captured during the period between 10 : 00 and 18 : 00 each day for 4 days. Then, all captured small rodents were identified and dissected, and liver specimens with suspected Echinococcus infections were subjected to pathological examinations. The Echinococcus cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) gene was amplified using PCR assay, and the sequence of the amplified product was aligned to that was recorded in the GenBank to characterize the parasite species. In addition, a phylogenetic tree of Echinococcus was generated based on the cox1 gene sequence using the neighbor-joining method. Results A total of 236 small rodents were captured in Shanglaxiu and Longbao townships, Yushu City, including 65 Qinghai voles and 51 plateau pikas in Shanglaxiu Township, and 62 Qinghai voles and 58 plateau pikas in Longbao Township, and there was no significant difference in the constituent ratio of small rodents between the two townships (χ² = 0.294, P > 0.05). Seven plateau pikas and 12 Qinghai voles were suspected to be infected with Echinococcus by dissection, and pathological examinations showed unclear structure of hepatic lobules and disordered hepatocyte arrangement in livers of small rodents suspected of Echinococcus infections. PCR assay identified E. shiquicus DNA in 7 Qinghai voles, which were all captured from Shanglaxiu Township. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the cox1 gene sequence of Echinococcus in small rodents was highly homologous to the E. shiquicus cox1 gene sequence reported previously. Conclusion Plateau pika and Qinghai vole were predominant small rodents around human residential areas in Yushu City, Qinghai Province in 2023, and E. shiquicus infection was detected in Qinghai voles.

Novel coronavirus Omicron variant infection can cause severe illness and even death in certain populations. Omicron variant infection may lead to systemic inflammatory response, coagulation disorder, multi-organ dysfunction and other pathophysiological changes, which are different from other Novel coronavirus variants to a certain extent, so therapeutic strategies should not be the same. The National Medical Center for Major Public Health Events invited experts in fields of infectious diseases, respiratory medicine, intensive care, pediatrics and fever clinic to develop this quick guideline based on the current best evidence and extensive clinical practices. This quick guideline aims to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus Omicron infection, and to improve the disease management abilities of clinicians.

Objective    To analyze the effects of cardiovascular surgery on Williams syndrome (WS). Methods    The clinical data of 68 WS patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2010 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 48 males and 20 females with a median age of 2.8 years ranging from 3 months to 33 years. Except one patient undergoing the coarctation repair, the rest 67 patients underwent surgical interventions to correct supravalvular aortic stenosis (SAVS) and pulmonary artery stenosis with hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, concommitant with 3 patients of relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, 2 patients of relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, 2 patients of mitral valvuloplasty, 3 patients of ventricular septal defect repair and 1 patient of arterial catheter ligation. Results    Two (2.9%) patients died of sudden cardiac arrest on the next day after surgery. One (1.5%) patient died of cardiac insufficiency due to severe aortic arch stenosis 3 years after surgery. The effect of SAVS was satisfactory. Two (2.9%) patients progressed to moderate aortic valvular regurgitation during postoperative follow-up. A total of 5 (7.4%) patients were re-intervened after operation for arch stenosis or pulmonary stenosis. Conclusion    WS patients should be diagnosed early, followed up and  assessed for cardiovascular system diseases, and timely surgical treatment has a good clinical effect.