Objective:To examine the early to mid-term clinical outcomes of aortic valve repair in patients with bicuspid aortic insufficiency.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 124 patients with BAV insufficiency who underwent aortic valve repair from January 2017 to June 2023 in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Fuwai Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. There were 117 males and 7 females with an age of (38.1±12.7) years (range: 14 to 65 years). Depending on whether the aortic sinus was replaced or not, surgical approaches were divided into valve sparing root replacement (reimplantation, remodeling, modified remodeling) and isolated aortic valve repair (annuloplasty, isolated aortic valve leaflet repair). Perioperative and follow-up data were collected. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the curves of survival rate, free recurrence rate of massive aortic valve insufficiency and free re-operation rate, and Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups.Results:Among the surgeries, there were 47 cases of reimplantation, 8 cases of remodeling, 8 cases of modified remodeling, 48 cases of aortic annuloplasty (external annuloplasty in 22 cases, CV-0 annuloplasty in 26 cases), and 13 cases of isolated leaflet repair. Leaflet plication was the most used leaflet repair technique, used in 103 patients. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was (133.7±56.9) minutes (range: 48 to 461 minutes), and aortic cross-clamp time was (103.8±47.8) minutes (range: 25 to 306 minutes), with no surgical mortality. All patients underwent outpatient or telephone follow-up. The cumulative follow-up time was 340.3 person-years and the mean follow-up time was ( M (IQR)) 34.0 (25.5) months (range: 3 to 76 months). The 5-year survival rate was 98.4%, the 5-year freedom from significant insufficiency rate was 93.4% and the 5-year freedom from aortic valve reoperation rate was 95.6%. The subgroup analysis revealed a significantly better freedom from the significant insufficiency rate in the aortic valve annular reduction group compared to the non-reduction group ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Aortic valve repair in patients with bicuspid aortic insufficiency could obtain steady early to mid-term outcomes. Aortic annuloplasty can reduce the risk of recurrent aortic valve insufficiency in patients undergoing aortic repair.

Objective:To examine the early to mid-term clinical outcomes of aortic valve repair in patients with bicuspid aortic insufficiency.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 124 patients with BAV insufficiency who underwent aortic valve repair from January 2017 to June 2023 in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Fuwai Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. There were 117 males and 7 females with an age of (38.1±12.7) years (range: 14 to 65 years). Depending on whether the aortic sinus was replaced or not, surgical approaches were divided into valve sparing root replacement (reimplantation, remodeling, modified remodeling) and isolated aortic valve repair (annuloplasty, isolated aortic valve leaflet repair). Perioperative and follow-up data were collected. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the curves of survival rate, free recurrence rate of massive aortic valve insufficiency and free re-operation rate, and Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups.Results:Among the surgeries, there were 47 cases of reimplantation, 8 cases of remodeling, 8 cases of modified remodeling, 48 cases of aortic annuloplasty (external annuloplasty in 22 cases, CV-0 annuloplasty in 26 cases), and 13 cases of isolated leaflet repair. Leaflet plication was the most used leaflet repair technique, used in 103 patients. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was (133.7±56.9) minutes (range: 48 to 461 minutes), and aortic cross-clamp time was (103.8±47.8) minutes (range: 25 to 306 minutes), with no surgical mortality. All patients underwent outpatient or telephone follow-up. The cumulative follow-up time was 340.3 person-years and the mean follow-up time was ( M (IQR)) 34.0 (25.5) months (range: 3 to 76 months). The 5-year survival rate was 98.4%, the 5-year freedom from significant insufficiency rate was 93.4% and the 5-year freedom from aortic valve reoperation rate was 95.6%. The subgroup analysis revealed a significantly better freedom from the significant insufficiency rate in the aortic valve annular reduction group compared to the non-reduction group ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Aortic valve repair in patients with bicuspid aortic insufficiency could obtain steady early to mid-term outcomes. Aortic annuloplasty can reduce the risk of recurrent aortic valve insufficiency in patients undergoing aortic repair.

ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndromes of primary osteoporosis（POP） in China by using evidence-based medicine methods， and to understand the distribution law of the syndromes. MethodChina National Knowledge Infrastructure（CNKI）， VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database（VIP）， WanFang Data Knowledge Service Platform（WanFang） and China Biology Medicine（CBM） were searched to obtain representative literature， and each database was searched from the 1994 World Health Organization defined diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis until May 1， 2023. Two researchers independently screened literature according to the criteria， extracted data， and cross-checked them. Meta analysis was conducted using R4.1.3， and subgroup analysis was performed. ResultA total of 56 Chinese papers were included， involving 14 415 patients. After standardized classification of syndromes， 11 articles were excluded， and Meta analysis results of the ultimately included 45 Chinese articles showed that the distribution frequencies of liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome and kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in 12 723 patients were 27%［95% confidence interval（CI） 0.24-0.31］， 32%（95% CI 0.29-0.36）， 36%（95% CI 0.30-0.42）. Subgroup analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the three TCM syndromes in the north and south（P<0.05）. In addition， the incidence of TCM syndrome fractures in different types of POP was 15%（95% CI 0.09-0.24） for liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， 20%（95% CI 0.12-0.30） for spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome， and 31%（95% CI 0.25-0.39） for kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. ConclusionThe distribution of syndromes in POP patients is mainly kidney deficiency， accompanied by liver and spleen dysfunction. Liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome and kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome are all the main syndromes of POP and osteoporotic fractures， and kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is most closely related to the development of osteoporotic fractures. The reference standards for syndrome determination among the included studies are inconsistent， and in the future， it is necessary to focus on their determination standards to obtain consensus research results， at the same time， conduct large-scale syndrome research to obtain representative research results， providing a basis for clinical practice and research.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of critical burn patients complicated with invasive fungal infection.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. From January 2017 to December 2022, 88 critical burn patients combined with invasive fungal infection who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Zhengzhou First People's Hospital, including 61 males and 27 females, aged 26-74 years. Data on invasive fungal infection sites and the detection of pathogens in patients were recorded. According to the survival outcome within 28 days after admission, the patients were divided into survival group (63 cases) and death group (25 cases). The following data of patients were compared between the two groups, including the basic data and injuries of patients at admission such as age, sex, body weight, total burn area, combination of inhalation injury, combination of hypertension and diabetes, acute physiology and chronic health status evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, and admission time after burns, the levels of blood biochemical indexes within 24 h after admission such as white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, monocyte count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, glucose, creatinine, urea nitrogen, D-dimer, galactomannan (GM), 1,3-β-D glucan, and creatine kinase, the application of invasive procedures and vasoactive drugs during the treatment such as continuous renal replacement therapy, ventilator-assisted breathing, tracheotomy, deep vein catheterization, skin grafting >2 times, the levels of infection indicators on post admission day (PAD) 1, 3, 7, and 14 including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, lactic acid, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the detection of pathogens in the process of treatment. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Bonferroni correction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to screen the independent risk factors that affected death of critical burn patients complicated with invasive fungal infection. Results:The main sites of invasive fungal infection were the wounds (67 cases) and blood stream (46 cases), with Candida fungi (58 strains) as the main strain for fungi infection, and there were a total of 30 cases of infection with mixed pathogenic bacteria. Compared with those in survival group, the APACHE Ⅱ score, proportions of combination with inhalation injury and hypertension of patients in death group were significantly increased ( t=2.11, with χ2 values of 6.26 and 9.48, respectively, P<0.05), while the other basic data and injury condition had no significant changes ( P>0.05). Compared with those in survival group, the levels of D-dimer, GM, and 1,3-β-D glucan of patients in death group were significantly increased within 24 h after admission (with t values of 2.42, 2.05, and 2.21, respectively, P<0.05), while the other blood biochemical indexes within 24 h after admission, as well as the proportions of applying invasive procedures and application of vasoactive drugs during the treatment process were not significantly changed ( P>0.05). The levels of infection indicators of patients on PAD 1 and 3 were similar between the two groups ( P>0.05). The procalcitonin level on PAD 7 and the levels of CRP, procalcitonin, lactic acid, IL-6, and TNF-α on PAD 14, as well as the proportion of infection with mixed pathogenic bacteria of patients in death group were significantly higher than those in survival group (with t values of 4.69, 3.89, 6.70, 6.14, 4.65, and 3.26, respectively, χ2=12.67, P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that combination with inhalation injury, combination with hypertension, and infection with mixed pathogenic bacteria were independent risk factors for death of critical burn patients complicated with invasive fungal infection (with odds ratios of 5.98, 4.67, and 6.19, respectively, 95% confidence intervals of 1.42-15.39, 1.41-25.28, and 1.86-20.58, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions:The main sites of infection in critical burn patients complicated with invasive fungal infection are the wounds and blood stream, with Candida fungi as the main strain for fungi infection, and a large proportion of infection with mixed pathogenic bacteria. The combined inhalation injury, combined hypertension, and infection with mixed pathogenic bacteria are the independent risk factors for the death of those patients.

Objective:To study the differences in the cumulative dose between deformable image registration (DIR) and simple dose-volume histogram (DVH) summation in the fractionated brachytherapy of cervical cancer, and to analyze the feasibility of the application of DIR in the dosimetry assessment of targets and organs-at-risk (OARs) in the brachytherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for 13 cases with primary cervical cancer treated with four fractions of interstitial brachytherapy guided by CT images. The four CT images of each cases were registered using an intensity-based DIR. Then, the cumulative doses (the D2 cm 3, D1 cm 3, and D0.1 cm 3 of the bladder, rectum, intestine, and colon and the D90for targets) after DIR were calculated and compared to those obtained using simple DVH summation. Afterward, the correlation between the dose difference and dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was analyzed. With the dose difference (the remaining dose of OARs caused by the DIR) as limits, a new plan was made for the latest CT to calculate the dose increase to targets. Results:Compared to simple DVH summation, DIR allowed the cumulative doses of the D2 cm 3 and D1 cm 3 of bladder to be decreased by (2.47±1.92) and (2.82±2.73) Gy, respectively on average ( t=-3.65, -2.93, P < 0.05), those of the D2 cm 3, D1 cm 3, and D0.1 cm 3 of rectum to be decreased by (2.05 ± 1.61) Gy, (1.51 ± 1.58), and (3.21 ± 2.50) Gy, respectively on average ( t=-4.02, -3.02, -4.06, P < 0.05), and those of the D2 cm 3, D1 cm 3, and D0.1 cm 3 to be decreased by (1.42 ± 0.99), (1.55 ± 1.28) Gy, and (2.43 ± 1.95) Gy, respectively on average ( t=-3.52, -2.96, -3.06, P < 0.05). There was no significant statistical difference in the D90 of targets, the D0.1 cm 3 of the bladder, and the D2 cm 3, D1 cm 3, D0.1 cm 3 of the colon ( P > 0.05) between both methods, and there was no distinct correlation between DSC and dose difference ( P > 0.05). The DIR increased the dose to targets, with a median value of 150 cGy. However, the accuracy of the DIR should be improved. Conclusions:In clinical practice of multiple fractions of brachytherapy for cervical cancer, it′s still recommended to adopt the simple dose summation method to assess the doses to targets and OARs.

The follow-up treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation after drug resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have become a hotspot and difficulty at present. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy is a new and important choice for these patients, but many studies have shown unsatisfactory efficacy. However, some domestic and foreign studies have shown that ICIs combination therapy is still effective in some patients with positive driver genes and drug resistance after targeted therapy. So, in the era of immunotherapy, what are the differences in the efficacy of different combination immunotherapy strategies for different patients? What are the factors that affect efficacy? What are the interrelationships between these factors and other immunotherapy efficacy prediction biomarkers? All these problems have broad and important research value.
.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Mutation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Objective:To evaluate the short-term outcomes of aortic root repair using a pericardial autograft for acute type A aortic dissection.Methods:Between January 2020 and August 2021, 12 patients underwent aortic root repair using a pericardial autograft for type A aortic dissection. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 32.0 to 71.0 years, with a mean of (49.1±13.0) years, weight from 40.0 to 100.0 with a mean of (78.6±20.5) kg. Short-term outcomes were assessed by cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, circulatory arrest time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU time, postoperative stay time. The diameter of Valsalva sinus and aortic regurgitation were assessed before, after operation and during follow-up.Results:There were no postoperative and follow-up death. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was(256.4±60.6)min, ranging from 182.0 to 243.0 minutes; cross-clamp time was(195.0±52.5)minutes, ranging from 127.0 to 284.0 minutes; circulatory arrest time was(19.9±3.6)min, ranging from 15.0 to 25.0 min; mechanical ventilation time was (69.1±72.1)hours, ranging from 6.4 to 250.3 h; ICU time was (143.6±81.7) h, ranging from 56.9 to 288.0 h; postoperative stay time was (12.8±4.1) days, ranging from 8.0 to 20.0 days. One patient had transient paralysis (8.3%), and one patient needed hemofiltration due to acute kidney failure (8.3%), they all completely recovered before discharge. Follow-up time ranged from 10.0 to 21.0 months, with a median of 13 months. Heart function (NYHA) was I to II degrees. The mean diameter of aortic root was (36.7±5.8)mm(27.0-45.0 mm) preoperatively, (35.8±5.1)mm (25.0-44.8 mm) before discharge, and (35.7±5.9)mm (25.1-44.8 mm) during follow-up, respectively. There was no significant difference between them ( P>0.05). The preoperative aortic regurgitation was as follow: severe aortic regurgitation 2, moderate 1, mild to moderate 3, mild 1, trivial 1, none 4; postoperative aortic regurgitation: mild 2, trivial 2, none 8; follow-up aortic regurgitation: mild 3, trivial 1, none 8. Conclusion:Aortic root repair with a pericardial autograft is a safe and effective technique to treat acute type A dissection involving the sinus. Using this technique, residual dissection tissues could be significantly reduced, which subsequently decreases the risk of proximal bleeding, maintains the function of sinus, and increases long-term durability. Short-term results are satisfactory, and the long-term results need further follow-up.

Objective    To investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and durability of aortic sinoplasty in repairing aortic roots of patients with acute type A aortic dissection. Methods    From January 2014 to July 2017, 43 consecutive patients with acute type A aortic dissection underwent aortic sinoplasty to repair aortic root in our institution, including 34 males and 9 females, aged 32-65 (50.1±8.1) years. The perioperative and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed, and statistical analysis on the preoperative, postoperative and follow-up ultrasound indicators was performed. Results    Thirty-day mortality was 4.7%. Preoperative aortic regurgitation was corrected and false lumen was eliminated immediately after operation in all patients. There was no late death, or aortic root or valve re-intervention and two patients were lost during a follow-up of 18-45 (27.9±6.7) months. There was no residual dissection found. No patients had significant dilation of aortic root. No statistically significant difference was found when comparing the maximum of root diameter and aortic regurgitation grade between at discharge and follow-up. Conclusion    Aortic sinoplasty for aortic root repair in acute type A aortic dissection is a simple and reliable technique and demonstrates excellent early outcomes.

Objective:To compare the mid-term result of two different valve-sparing root replacement techniques in acute type A aortic dissection: including reimplantation and remodeling.Methods:From March 2009 to December 2019, 41 patients with acute type A dissection and root involvement, who underwent a valve-sparing root replacement using reimplantation(36 cases) or remodeling(5 cases) were retrospectively analyzed in current study. The average age was(44.63±11.34) years old, 36 males. The differences of perioperative variables, postoperative aortic insufficiency and postoperative survival were compared between the two groups.Results:Thirty-day mortality for two groups was 2.8% and 20%( P=0.23). Remodeling group was significantly inferior to reimplantation group in terms of blood consumption(red blood cells, plasma and platelets), postoperative mechanical ventilation time, reoperation for bleeding and hemofiltration for acute renal failure. The median follow-up time of 39 discharged survivors was 34.56(3-121) months, and the follow-up rate was 100%. There was no follow-up death, no bleeding or embolism events, and no cardiovascular reoperation. Grade 2 or sever aortic regurgitation in remodeling group was significantly higher than that in reimplantation group( P=0.02). A Cox regression analysis identified that the remodeling technique was the independent risk factors of postoperative aortic regurgitation. Conclusion:Compared with remodeling technique, reimplantation technique has better perioperative and mid-term results in patients with acute type A aortic dissection. The rate of reoperation for bleeding, the blood consumption and the postoperative aortic regurgitation are significantly reduced. The long-term results need further follow-up.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term outcomes of cuff wrapping technique using remnant aortic wall in modified Bentall procedure.Methods:Between January 2018 and December 2018, 23 patients underwent modified Bentall procedure with the remnant aortic wall as a cuff to cover the sewing area of composite valved graft and the aortic annulus for proximal hemostasis. After the sewing ring of the composite valved graft was sutured to the aortic annulus by continuous suture, the remnant aortic wall was sutured to the graft just distal to the sewing ring by continuous suture. There were 21 males and 2 females, aged from 22 to 72 with a mean of(50.96±13.23)years. Short-term outcomes were assessed by cardiopulmonary bypass time, clamp aorta time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU time, postoperative stay time, effusion drainage till the first postoperative day, Left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), and follow-up results.Results:There were no postoperative and follow-up death. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was(157.74±39.85)min, ranged from 114 to 275 min; clamp aorta time(122.61±30.25)min, ranged from 84 to 212 min; mechanical ventilation time(11.65±3.08)h, ranged from 7.87 to 20.33 h; ICU time(81.43±45.88) h, ranged from 15.18 to 184.77 h; postoperative stay time(8.73±2.80)days, ranged from 6 to 15 days. Effusion drainage was(336.82±117.65)ml, ranged from 200 to 670 ml till the first postoperative day. Follow-up was performed from 19 to 30 months, with a mean of(23.17±3.17)months. There were significant differences between preoperative LVEDD and postoperative LVEDD before discharge[(49.78±6.21)mm vs.(58.78±10.54)mm, P<0.05]; There were a little decrease of follow-up LVEDD compared with postoperative LVEDD, but no significant difference between them[(48.87±4.63)mm vs.(49.78±6.21)mm, P>0.05] . There were a little decrease of postoperative LVEF compared with preoperative LVEF, but no significant difference between them(0.57±0.07 vs. 0.59±0.05, P>0.05). There were significant differences between follow-up LVEF and preoperative LVEF(0.62±0.04 vs. 0.57±0.07, P<0.05), postoperative LVEF before discharge( P<0.05). Conclusion:Cuff wrapping technique using remnant aortic wall in modified Bentall procedure has got good short-term results. This modification may be a simple, effective way in controlling proximal bleeding.