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.

Literature related to children's adenoid hypertrophy was retrieved to form an expert questionnaire.According to the group standard writing rules of the China Association of Chinese Medicine,the peer consultation,quality evaluation and suitability eval-uation were completed through three rounds of Delphi expert questionnaire surveys and expert discussion meetings,and the Clinical Practice Guidelines for TCM in Children with Adenoidal Hypertrophy was finally formed.The guidelines have been formulated to clarify the scope of application of the guidelines,normative reference documents,terms and definitions,diagnosis,syndrome differentiation,treatment,prevention and care,and to provide an important reference for the clinical practice and diagnosis and treatment norms of tra-ditional Chinese medicine for children with adenoid hypertrophy.

Objective:To investigate the changing trends in cardiac function following xenogeneic heterotopic heart transplantation of multi-gene edited pig hearts and assess the impact of recipient immune responses on donor heart, laying experimental groundwork for the clinical application of gene editing technology.Methods:On December 16, 2023, xenogeneic heterotopic heart transplantation was performed between pigs and rhesus monkeys. Functional status of the graft under post-transplantation load conditions and recipient immune indicators were observed.Results:The recipient monkeys survived for 40 days with satisfactory functionality of both donor and recipient hearts, and no hyperacute or acute immune rejection reactions were observed.Conclusion:Multi-gene editing technology provides potential for xenotransplantation, yet further exploration is needed for its clinical application.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant radiohormonal therapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC), we conducted a 3 + 3 dose escalation, prospective, phase I/II, single-arm clinical trial (CHiCTR1900025743), in which long-term neoadjuvant androgen deprivation was adopted 1 month before radiotherapy, comprising intensity modulated radiotherapy to the pelvis, and stereotactic body radiation therapy to all extra-pelvic bone metastases for 4-7 weeks, at 39.6, 45, 50.4, and 54 Gy. Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy was performed after 5-14 weeks. The primary outcome was treatment-related toxicities and adverse events; secondary outcomes were radiological treatment response, positive surgical margin (pSM), postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA), pathological down-grading and tumor regression grade, and survival parameters. Twelve patients were recruited from March 2019 to February 2020, aging 66.2 years in average (range, 52-80). Median baseline PSA was 62.0 ng/mL. All underwent RARP successfully without open conversions. Ten patients recorded pathological tumor down-staging (83.3%), and 5 (41.7%) with cN1 recorded negative regional lymph nodes on final pathology. 66.7% (8/12) recorded tumor regression grading (TRG) -I and 25% (3/12) recorded TRG-II. Median follow-up was 16.5 months. Mean radiological progression-free survival (RPFS) was 21.3 months, with 2-year RPFS of 83.3%. In all, neoadjuvant radiohormonal therapy is well tolerated for oligometastatic prostate cancer.
Male ; Humans ; Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/therapeutic use* ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use* ; Prospective Studies

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of a novel liver fiducial marker implantation method for internal fixation and removal of rabbit livers, in order to use in Cyberknife tracking therapy.Methods:Experiments were conducted in vivo and in vitro. In the in vivo experiment, three fiducial markers were implanted percutaneously in each liver of ten rabbits under anesthesia, and the fourth fiducial marker with an external catheter and fixed thin wire was implanted ten days later. After the reference group (the first and the second maker), and the casing group (the first and the fourth marker) were respectively registered and tracked with the Cyberknife, the implantation success rate, registration accuracy, and removal safety of fiducial markers were assessed. The tensile test was performed using liver in vitro by measuring the resistance required to dislodge the spring coil fiducial markers and the fiducial markers without spring coil from liver. Results:The intrahepatic catheter implantation and removal of fiducial marker in rabbit liver had a success rate of 100% and no distant migration. The operation-related and postoperative complications were not occurred. All fiducial markers were successfully traced. Compared to the reference group, the casing group had slightly higher translational errors in supero-inferior and antero-posterior directions ( Z=-11.77, -4.57, P<0.05), and lower translational errors in left-right direction ( Z=-2.52, P<0.05). The dislodgement forces for spring coil fiducial markers was (2.23±0.85) N, significantly different with (0.81±0.13) N for fiducial markers without spring coil ( Z=- 2.31, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The spiral coil structure provides superior fixation in the punctured needle channel, the thin line limits the distant displacement of the fiducial marker outside the liver, and the catheter establishes a channel for the removal. The general operation is simple and easy.

Objective:To study the factors influencing repeatedly hospitalization in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), and to analyse the predictive value of triglyceride for repeated hospitalization.Methods:The clinical data of 1 958 patients with AP treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology from January 2012 to April 2022 were analyzed. Of 1 733 AP patients who were enrolled, there were 1 000 males and 733 females, with mean ± s. d age being (49.4±16.4) years. Patients were grouped based on their ID numbers to determine their number(s) of hospitalization. Those who were admitted only once were included in the initial hospitalization group ( n=1 030), and those who were admitted twice or more were included in the repeated hospitalization group ( n=703). The factors influencing repeated hospitalization were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The predictive value of triglyceride for repeated hospitalization was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertriglyceridemia ( OR=1.445, 95% CI: 1.144-1.825, P=0.002) and biliary causes ( OR=3.184, 95% CI: 1.978-5.125, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for repeated hospitalization. When triglyceride <10.9 mmol/L, the prediction of AP patients without repeated hospitalization was 90.6%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.589, and the Yoden index was 0.170. Conclusion:Hypertriglyceridemia was risk factor for repeat hospitalization in AP patients and the efficacy of triglyceride in predicting repeat hospitalization in AP patients was good.

BACKGROUND: Excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the main causes of restenosis (RS) in diabetic lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). However, the relevant pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood. METHODS: In this study, we introduced a "two-step injury protocol" rat RS model, which started with the induction of atherosclerosis (AS) and was followed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry staining were used to verify the form of RS. Two-step transfection was performed, with the first transfection of Lin28a followed by a second transfection of let-7c and let-7g, to explore the possible mechanism by which Lin28a exerted effects. 5-ethynyl-2΄-deoxyuridine (EdU) and Transwell assay were performed to evaluate the ability of proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to detect the expression of Lin28a protein and let-7 family members. RESULTS: Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments, we discovered that let-7c, let-7g, and microRNA98 (miR98) were downstream targets of Lin28a. More importantly, decreased expression of let-7c/let-7g increased Lin28a, leading to further inhibition of let-7c/let-7g. We also found an increased level of let-7d in the RS pathological condition, suggesting that it may function as a protective regulator of the Lin28a/let-7 loop by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. CONCLUSION These findings indicated the presence of a double-negative feedback loop consisting of Lin28a and let-7c/let-7g, which may be responsible for the vicious behavior of VSMCs in RS.
Rats ; Animals ; Down-Regulation ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Feedback ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Atherosclerosis

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 explore the feasibility of recoverable fiducial marker implantation guided using the intelligent navigation bronchoscopy technology in the Cyberknife Synchrony-based respiratory tracking.Methods:CT scans of an inflatable pig lung after anti-rot processing were obtained. Then, eight simulated tumor lesion sites were designed in the left and right lung lobes using intelligent navigation software, with four classified as the sputum bronchial environment group and four classified as the wet bronchial environment group. Based on the implantation principle of Cyberknife fiducial markers, 32 recoverable fiducial markers were implanted around various simulated tumor lesions via bronchus under intelligent guidance. Then, the end-expiratory state of the pig lung was simulated, the pig lung was scanned again to obtain CT images of the implanted recoverable fiducial markers, and the number of successfully implanted fiducial markers was recorded. Eight deliverable Synchrony treatment protocols were designed using the Cyberknife planning system (Multiplan v4.6), and then the pig lung with simulated respiratory movements was exposed to radiation. After radiation, the implanted recoverable fiducial markers were retrieved using the bronchoscopy technique, and the number of successfully retrieved fiducial markers was recorded. Moreover, the translational errors, rotational errors, and rigid body errors were extracted from the Cyberknife log file and analyzed.Results:No recoverable fiducial markers slipped or fell during the experiment. Thirty-two recoverable fiducial markers were successfully implanted and recovered under the guidance of intelligent navigation bronchoscopy, with implantation and recovery success rates of both 100%. Moreover, the tracking rate and rigid body errors of the fiducial markers were 100% and less than 5 mm, respectively. The data from the Cyberknife log file indicated that there was no significant difference between the sputum bronchial environment group and the wet bronchial environment group in the translational errors in the left-right direction, the rotational errors in the roll direction, and the rotational errors in the pitch direction ( P>0.05). Compared to the wet bronchial environment group, the sputum bronchial environment group had slightly higher translational errors in front-back ( Z=-3.57, P<0.01) and cranio-caudal ( Z=-2.53, P<0.05) directions, lower rotational errors along the yaw axis ( Z = -3.88, P < 0.01), and lower rigid body error ( Z=-3.32, P<0.01), and the differences were all statistically significant. Conclusions:The recoverable fiducial marker implantation guided using the intelligent navigation bronchoscopy technology is feasible. Recoverable fiducial markers are stable in the bronchus of the phantom, and the Cyberknife tracking precision can meet clinical requirements. Therefore, the recoverable fiducial marker implantation guided using the intelligent navigation bronchoscopy technology has promising prospects in clinical and teaching applications.