Objective To compare the clinical efficacies among three surgical approaches of small inci-sion in the lower segment of the sternum,small incision in the right axilla and thoracoscopic 3 incisions for re-pairing adult giant atrial septal defects(ASD).Methods The medical records of 112 patients with giant ASD undergoing surgical repair in this hospital from January 2018 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the different surgical approaches,the patients were divided into the group A(n=35,small inci-sion in the lower part of the sternum),group B(n=37,small incision in the right axilla)and group C(n=40,thoracoscopic 3 incisions).The general data,operation time,cardiopulmonary bypass time,blood transfusion volume,incision length,postoperative VAS score,postoperative mechanical ventilation time,ICU stay time,postoperative hospitalization duration,hospitalization cost and postoperative complications occurrence rates were compared among the various groups.Results There were no statistically significant differences in the operation time,cardiopulmonary bypass time,blood transfusion volume,postoperative mechanical ventilation time,ICU stay time and postoperative hospitalization duration among 3 groups(P＞0.05).The hospitalization cost in the group C was higher than that in the groups A and group B,the postoperative VAS score in the group B was higher than that in the group A and C,the incision size in the group C was shorter than that in the group A and group B,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).All patients were suc-cessfully repaired.The incidence rate of postoperative pulmonary infection in the group A and group C was lower than that in the group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion All three surgical approaches could safely and effectively repair adult giant ASD.Different surgical approaches should be selected based on the specific conditions of the patients.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of a "pericardial lining" modified Bentall procedure for the treatment of patients with aortic root aneurysm. Methods This was a retrospective study that consecutively enrolled patients treated at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, and the First People's Hospital of Guangyuan from January 2023 to February 2024. Preoperative clinical data, imaging findings (including echocardiography and CT scans of the aortic root and the entire aorta), details of coronary artery management, surgical outcomes, and postoperative follow-up results were collected. All patients underwent the "pericardial lining" modified Bentall procedure: the aortic valve was replaced, and an autologous pericardial patch was divided into three equal leaflets based on the circumference of the aortic annulus measured by a valve sizer. These leaflets were then sutured to the aortic annulus. Fenestrations were created in two of the pericardial leaflets for anastomosis with the left and right coronary ostia. The pericardial leaflets were sutured to the wall of the aortic sinuses to form an integrated structure, thereby narrowing the sinus portion. A prosthetic vascular graft was anastomosed to the proximal and distal aorta, and no aortic root-to-right atrium shunt was created. Results A total of 5 patients, aged 37 to 68 years, were included. The preoperative Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk scores ranged from 2.8% to 3.9%. The diameter of the ascending aorta was 40-73 mm, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was 45-71 mm, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 47%-64%. Intraoperatively, the aortic cross-clamp time ranged from 85 to 180 min, and the cardiopulmonary bypass time ranged from 110 to 302 min. Postoperative follow-up echocardiography revealed that the ascending aortic diameter was 27-35 mm, LVEDD was 39-57 mm, and LVEF was 43%-61%. All surgeries were completed successfully with satisfactory immediate outcomes and no intraoperative complications. During the follow-up period, there was no mortality or reoperation. Conclusion For patients with aortic root aneurysm, the "pericardial lining" modified Bentall procedure yields satisfactory preliminary results, and the technique is demonstrated to be feasible.

Objective:To explore the role of serum cholinesterase (CHE) levels in the prognosis of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).Methods:Total of 244 consecutive patients with ADHF who were admitted to the emergency department and were successfully discharged were prospectively enrolled from January 2018 to June 2020. Patients were divided into groups according to the first and third quartile of CHE level and the clinical data, laboratory tests and other nutritional indices were recorded after discharge, and then were followed up. The primary end points were the composites of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for worsening HF (composite end points). The secondary end points were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death. Cox proportional risk analysis, time-dependent Cox regression model or stratified cox regression were used to identify the risk of primary and secondary endpoints. Clinical, biomarker and the compound models of clinical and biomarker were constructed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curves of different groups and compare their differences. Receiver Operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to compare the area under the curve for CHE levels and other nutritional or prognostic indicators to identify composite end-point events.Results:During a follow-up period of 350(100,683) days, 158 patients reached the composite end points. In the multivariable Cox analysis, cholinesterase level was significantly associated with the composite end points after adjustment for major confounders. Cox proportional risk analysis or time-dependent Cox regression model showed that CHE level was significantly associated with the composite end points, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in both clinical, biomarker and composite models (all P< 0.05). A Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients with low cholinesterase levels had significantly greater risk of reaching the composite end points than those with middle or high cholinesterase levels (78.1% vs 66.7% vs. 46.7%, P<0.001); Cholinesterase level showed the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.736 (95% CI, 0.664-0.888) for prediction of the composite end points among other nutritional indices. The AUROC of the Global Meta-Analysis Group Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) Risk Score for prediction of the composite end points was increased from 0.704 to 0.762 ( P=0.038), when cholinesterase level was added. Conclusions:Cholinesterase may serve as a simple and effective prognostic marker for predicting adverse outcomes in ADHF patients.

This article reports one case of adult COVID-19-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy(ANEC).The patient developed disturbance of consciousness and seizure on the 12th day after SARS-CoV-2 infection.Imaging showed significant swelling and signal changes in the bilateral thalamus,brainstem,cerebral hemisphere and cerebellar hemisphere,which were consistent with the characteristic images of Acute necrotizing encephalitis(ANE).Although methylprednisolone shock therapy and high-dose human immunoglobulin therapy were given early,the patient died.ANEC often starts quickly and progresses rapidly,unconsciousness and seizure are the main manifestations.Imaging features of thalamic and subtentorial symmetry and multifocal lesions are specific for diagnosis,but the treatment and prognosis still face challenges and need further study.

OBJECTIVE: The current fertilization methods for Chinese yam are uneconomic and unfriend to environment. A rational one is very important to achieve desired balance of high yield of Chinese yam, economic and friend to environment. Here, we studied the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on the yield of 'Qinfeng' Chinese yam in shallow-groove directional cultivation. METHODS: The experiments were conducted in Dehua County, Fujian Province, China using a "3414" optimal design. Overall, three fertilizer factors (N, P, and K) were evaluated at the following four levels: 0, no fertilizer; 1, 0.5-fold the typical rate; 2, typical fertilization rate; and 3, 1.5-fold the typical rate. There were 14 different fertilization treatments. RESULTS: Treatment 6 (N₂P₂K₂) produced the longest (75.6 cm) and thickest tubers (4.9 cm) with the highest tuber fresh weight (1311.9 g) and yield (41 015.9 kg/hm²), whereas, treatment 1 produced the shortest (65.6 cm) and thinnest tubers (3.9 cm) with the lowest fresh weight (953.4 g) and yield (28 532.8 kg/hm²) among the 14 fertilizer combinations. The experimental data could be fitted to single-variable quadratic and binary quadratic models but not to a ternary quadratic polynomial model. Appropriate N, P, and K fertilizer application rates increased Chinese yam yield. However, excessive fertilization lowered the yield. Chinese yam yield was significantly and strongly correlated with the amounts of N, P, and K fertilizer applied. CONCLUSION Based on the single variable quadratic and binary quadratic models, we propose that the quantities of N, P, and K fertilizer used to grow 1 hm² 'Qinfeng' Chinese yam should be 360-388.3, 90-100.95, and 416.3-675 kg, respectively.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of intensive intervention on negative spouses in sero-discordant couples.Methods:From December 2019 to December 2020, all HIV sero-discordant couples in seven townships in Butuo County of Liangshan were enrolled and divided into intensive intervention group and routine intervention group. Both intensive intervention and routine intervention were conducted for one year. Baseline survey and follow-up were conducted respectively with a questionnaire survey and a serological testing in HIV sero-discordant couples in the two groups at 6 th month before and after the interventions. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model and difference-in-difference model were used to evaluate the effect of the intensive intervention. Results:A total of 899 sero-discordant couples were enrolled (393 of intensive intervention group and 506 of routine intervention group), in whom 806 completed the follow up survey (349 of intensive intervention group and 457 of routine intervention group). Compared with routine intervention, intensive intervention had no effect to improve the correct answer rate of an AIDS related question in negative spouses ( P>0.05), but could improve their awareness of AIDS related knowledge ( β=1.40, P=0.008). Compared with routine intervention, intensive intervention could reduce the frequency of sex between HIV sero-discordant couples ( β=-0.73, P=0.021), and increase the frequency of condom use ( β=0.19, P=0.007), but had no effect to decrease the positive conversion rate in negative spouses ( β=-0.61, OR=0.55,95% CI:0.18-1.66, P=0.294). Conclusions:The intensive interventions could improve the awareness of AIDS related knowledge in negative spouses in sero-disordant couples and promote their safe sexual behavior, but had no effect to decrease the positive conversion in negative spouses. It is necessary to continue the intensive intervention and follow up to evaluate the effects of the intervention.

Objective:To construct a bowel preparation assessment scale for patients undergoing enteroscopy based on Delphi method and provide clinical nurses with a scientific and convenient bowel preparation assessment tool.Method:The bowel preparation assessment scale for patients undergoing enteroscopy was constructed through literature review, Delphi expert correspondence and analytic hierarchy process. Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 1 988 patients who needed bowel cleansing due to enteroscopy in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from June 2020 to January 2022 were selected as the research objects. The patients who underwent enteroscopy from June 2020 to April 2021 were set up as the pre-application group ( n=980) and patients who underwent enteroscopy from April 2021 to January 2022 were set up as the post-application group ( n=1 008) . The qualified rate of bowel preparation in patients undergoing enteroscopy was compared between the two groups. Results:A total of 16 experts were invited for 2 rounds of correspondence. The effective recovery rates of the two rounds of questionnaires were respectively 100.00% and 93.75%, the expert authority coefficients were respectively 0.837 and 0.800, and the Kendall's harmony coefficients were respectively 0.207 and 0.280 (all P<0.01) . The final constructed bowel preparation assessment scale for patients undergoing enteroscopy included 4 first-level indicators, 18 second-level indicators and 47 third-level indicators. After the assessment scale was applied to the clinic, the bowel preparation qualified rate (82.24%) of patients in the post-application group was higher than that in the pre-application group (66.43%) , and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01) . Conclusions:The bowel preparation assessment scale for patients undergoing enteroscopy constructed based on the Delphi method is reliable, scientific and practical, which can effectively guide clinical nursing work.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that patients with hypertension infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are at increased risk of acute lung injury. However, it is still not clear whether this increased risk is related to the usage of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers. We collected medical records of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Hangzhou, China), and evaluated the potential impact of an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients with hypertension. A total of 30 hypertensive COVID-19 patients were enrolled, of which 17 were classified as non-ARB group and the remaining 13 as ARB group based on the antihypertensive therapies they received. Compared with the non-ARB group, patients in the ARB group had a lower proportion of severe cases and intensive care unit (ICU) admission as well as shortened length of hospital stay, and manifested favorable results in most of the laboratory testing. Viral loads in the ARB group were lower than those in the non-ARB group throughout the disease course. No significant difference in the time of seroconversion or antibody levels was observed between the two groups. The median levels of soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (sACE2) in serum and urine samples were similar in both groups, and there were no significant correlations between serum sACE2 and biomarkers of disease severity. Transcriptional analysis showed 125 differentially expressed genes which mainly were enriched in oxygen transport, bicarbonate transport, and blood coagulation. Our results suggest that ARB usage is not associated with aggravation of COVID-19. These findings support the maintenance of ARB treatment in hypertensive patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists/therapeutic use* ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/blood* ; Antibodies, Viral/blood* ; Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Biomarkers ; COVID-19/complications* ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/drug therapy* ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Transcriptome ; Viral Load

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the changes of ventricular repolarization index on ECG and its relationship between prognosis in patients with acute cerebral trauma.Methods:From January 2014 to January 2018, data of 289 consecutive patients with emergency traumatic brain injuries were prospectively collected and ultimately 219 cases were selected into the study group. Meanwhile, 220 healthy persons matched by age and sex served as the control group. ECG indexes such as P wave dispersion (Pd), corrected QT(QTc), Tp-e and Tp-e/QT were all measured and calculated in the 1st and 72th hour. The independent sample t test and paired t test were used to compare the changes of the above indexes on the 1st day and the control group, the 1st day and the 3rd day, respectively, and the association between ECG indexes and the illness severity or adverse events (MACE) of the trauma group during hospitalization. Results:QTc, Tpec and Tp-e/QT of the acute cerebral trauma group increased on the 3rd day compared with the control group and on the first day, the differences were statistically significant ( P all <0.05). Tp-ec and Tp-e/QT in patients with moderate to severe brain injury in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (150.48±16.58 vs 130.14±11.86, P=0.006). 0.29±0.04 vs 0.23±0.03, P=0.030). Tpec and Tp-e/QT were significantly increased in acute brain truma patients with MACE during hospitalization compared with those without MACE (149.76±12.52 vs 128.84±12.47, P <0.001). 0.30±0.04 vs 0.21±0.03,<0.001). Conclusion:Tp-e and Tp-e/QT in patients with acute cerebral trauma are correlated to the severity of the disease, which could be used as short-term prognostic indicators under certain conditions.

Objective Revascularization of the distal segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) using extracranial donors requires long interposition grafts.A novel bypass procedure which uses the two main branches of the superficial temporal artery (STA) to reach the A3 segment of the anterior cerebral artery with a single skin incision was designed.Methods Ten cadaveric specimens were dissected through a single skin incision to harvest the frontal and parietal branches of the STA from June,2017 to September,2017.An anterior interhemispheric approach provided access to the middle internal frontal artery (MIFA).The parietal STA was used as an interposition graft between the frontal STA and MIFA.Lengths and calibers of the distal branches of STA and MIFA were measured at the anastomotic sites.All data was statistical analysis by t-test.Results The average caliber of MIFA was (1.4±0.2) mm,which matched the caliber of both frontal and parietal branches of STA.The mean distance for an end-to-side bypass from STA to MIFA was (144.5±7.4) mm and the average harvested donor-graft complex length was (203.1±27.9) mm.This bypass construct provided around 140％ donor graft length.Conclusion Using the parietal branch of the STA as an interposition graft enabled a successful tension-free STA-MIFA bypass.The advantages of this technique over existing approaches include sufficient graft length,caliber match and relative technical ease.