Objective To explore the construction of heart preservation model of empty beating donor based on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods From January 2022 to August 2023, 20 Guangxi Bama miniature pigs weighing 25-30 kg were selected, half male and half female. Under general anesthesia and heparinization, a midline thoracotomy was performed. The pericardium was cut after freeing the anterior and posterior vena cavae, and a perfusion needle was inserted near the brachiocephalic artery in the ascending aorta, connected to a blood collection bag to collect 500-600 mL of blood. The anterior and posterior vena cavae were ligated, the aorta was blocked and perfused with HTK solution to stop the heart beating. The superior and inferior vena cavae were cut off, the right pulmonary vein was decompressed, the aorta and left and right pulmonary arteries and veins were cut off, and the whole heart was removed. An ECMO device was used to continuously perfuse a cardioprotective solution mainly composed of oxygenated warm blood, maintaining the isolated pig heart beating for 8 hours, monitoring (once/hour) ECMO perfusion parameters, blood gas indicators, perfusate electrolytes, inflammatory factors, myocardial enzymes, myoglobin, and troponin levels. Myocardial tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe myocardial cell damage and evaluate the quality of heart preservation. Results Among the 20 isolated beating pig hearts, 17 successfully resumed beating, 3 experienced ventricular fibrillation, resuscitated after intracardiac electrical defibrillation, and all 20 pig hearts successfully beat for 8 hours. There was no statistical difference in ECMO perfusion parameters, blood gas indicators, perfusate electrolytes, and inflammatory factors at each time point (P>0.05). There were statistical increases in myocardial enzymes, myoglobin, and troponin levels (P<0.05). HE staining results suggested that there was no severe myocardial damage. Conclusion ECMO technology can be used for pig heart preservation with good results, and this study provides experimental evidence for improving heart preservation research in clinical heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To establish a novel in vivo and in vitro model of type 2 endoleaks (T2EL) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).Methods:In vitro model: Using 3Dmax (2022) software, models of AAA and T2EL were created. These models were fabricated using 3D printing technology, with quartz as the material. Fresh pig blood was injected into the models, and a circulation system was established using a peristaltic pump. The direction of blood flow was observed to confirm the establishment of the in vitro T2EL model. In vivo model: Six Bama miniature pigs were selected, each 10 months old and weighing 40-50 kg. After determining whether unilateral iliac artery occlusion could be permanent through experiments, an AAA animal model from the end of the abdominal aorta to the left common iliac artery was created using the patch formation method. EVAR was performed through the right femoral artery, completely occluding the left iliac artery. The T2EL model was established by using the retrograde blood flow from the left iliac artery. The formation of AAA and T2EL models in vivo was confirmed by color Doppler ultrasound, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and other methods. The measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and comparisons between groups were performed using the independent-samples t-test. The comparison between groups of count data was conducted using the chi-square test. Results:The successful establishment of the T2EL model was confirmed by observing the blood flow in the circulating drip flask. The weight of the Bama miniature pigs in the in vivo model was (41.33±2.21) kg, the diameter of the abdominal aorta was (7.45±0.15) mm, and the maximum diameter of the aneurysm was (16.67±0.61) mm. Through experiments, it was determined that the left iliac artery and umbilical artery of the experimental pigs could be isolated. Therefore, after the aneurysm from the end of the abdominal aorta to the left common iliac artery was established, a covered stent was implanted from the abdominal aorta to the right common iliac artery for EVAR treatment. The successful establishment of the AAA model and the T2EL model with the left iliac artery as the main "culprit vessel" was confirmed by color Doppler ultrasound and DSA.Conclusion:The in vitro models established through 3D printing technology and the T2EL animal model with the left iliac artery as the main "culprit vessel" have a high success rate and can serve as a model basis for the mechanism and treatment research of T2EL after EVAR for AAA.

Paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury is a serious neurological complication, for which surgery is currently the main treatment method. Due to different surgical approaches, patients are usually expected to maintain a passive prone position for a long time or switch between the supine and prone positions. Affected by multiple factors such as neurogenic sensory disorders, pathological changes in muscle tone and operative duration, the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) is significantly increased. Current clinical prevention strategies for IAPI in these patients predominantly focus on localized pressure relief during positioning, lacking systematic, standardized comprehensive prevention protocols or evidence-based guidelines. To address it, Department of Nursing, Orthopedics Branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, Spinal Trauma Professional Committee, Orthopedics Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Nursing Group of Spine and Spinal Cord Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine organized experts in relevant fields to formulate Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury ( version 2025), based on evidence-based medical evidence and latest research results and clinical practice at home and abroad. Eleven recommendations were put forward from the aspects of preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative prevention strategies, postoperative handover and monitoring, and supportive mechanisms for IAPI prevention, aiming to standardize the prevention measures and management strategies of IAPI in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of patients and improve the therapeutic effect.

Paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury is a serious neurological complication, for which surgery is currently the main treatment method. Due to different surgical approaches, patients are usually expected to maintain a passive prone position for a long time or switch between the supine and prone positions. Affected by multiple factors such as neurogenic sensory disorders, pathological changes in muscle tone and operative duration, the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) is significantly increased. Current clinical prevention strategies for IAPI in these patients predominantly focus on localized pressure relief during positioning, lacking systematic, standardized comprehensive prevention protocols or evidence-based guidelines. To address it, Department of Nursing, Orthopedics Branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, Spinal Trauma Professional Committee, Orthopedics Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Nursing Group of Spine and Spinal Cord Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine organized experts in relevant fields to formulate Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury ( version 2025), based on evidence-based medical evidence and latest research results and clinical practice at home and abroad. Eleven recommendations were put forward from the aspects of preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative prevention strategies, postoperative handover and monitoring, and supportive mechanisms for IAPI prevention, aiming to standardize the prevention measures and management strategies of IAPI in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of patients and improve the therapeutic effect.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of Xuebijing injection on inflammatory reaction during the preservation of isolated empty beating pig hearts with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Methods Twelve healthy Guangxi Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided into the Xuebijing group(n=6)and normal saline group(n=6).After the models were established in the Xuebijing group,Xuebijing injection was given at a dose of 5 mL/h through micropump in membrane oxygenator.In the normal saline group,an equivalent amount of 0.9％sodium chloride injection was pumped.Continuous pumping was performed for 8 h in both groups.The time of cardiac resuscitation and perfusion pressure,heart rate,perfusion flow rate after 8 h preservation were recorded in two groups.Pathological and ultrastructural changes of myocardial tissues in the left ventricular wall of hearts with cardiac arrest were observed after 8 h preservation.Serum levels of myocardial injury markers and inflammatory cytokines were detected in two groups at the beginning(T0),2 h(T2),4 h(T4),6 h(T6)and 8 h(T8)after model establishment,respectively.The expression levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC)messenger RNA(mRNA)in myocardial tissues were measured at T0,T2,T4,T6 and T8,respectively.Results There were no significant differences in the time of cardiac resuscitation and perfusion pressure,heart rate,perfusion flow rate after 8 h preservation between two groups(all P＞0.05).Compared with the normal saline group,the levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)at T4,creatine kinase(CK),LDH and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase(α-HBDH)at T6 and T8,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α at T4,T6 and T8,and interleukin(IL)-6,IL-18 and IL-1 β at T0,T2,T4,T6 and T8 were lower,and the mRNA relative expression levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 at T2,T4 and T6,and Caspase-1 and ASC at T8 were lower in the Xuebijing group,respectively(all P＜0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the degree of myocardial injury in the Xuebijing group was slighter than that in the normal saline group.Conclusions Xuebijing injection may effectively mitigate inflammatory response and exert certain myocardial protection effect during the ECMO preservation of isolated empty beating pig hearts.

Objectives: This study aimed to present the Asia-Pacific consensus on long-term and sequential therapy for osteoporosis, offering evidence-based recommendations for the effective management of this chronic condition.The primary focus is on achieving optimal fracture prevention through a comprehensive, individualized approach. Methods: A panel of experts convened to develop consensus statements by synthesizing the current literature and leveraging clinical expertise. The review encompassed long-term anti-osteoporosis medication goals, first-line treatments for individuals at very high fracture risk, and the strategic integration of anabolic and anti resorptive agents in sequential therapy approaches. Results: The panelists reached a consensus on 12 statements. Key recommendations included advocating for anabolic agents as the first-line treatment for individuals at very high fracture risk and transitioning to anti resorptive agents following the completion of anabolic therapy. Anabolic therapy remains an option for in dividuals experiencing new fractures or persistent high fracture risk despite antiresorptive treatment. In cases of inadequate response, the consensus recommended considering a switch to more potent medications. The consensus also addressed the management of medication-related complications, proposing alternatives instead of discontinuation of treatment. Conclusions This consensus provides a comprehensive, cost-effective strategy for fracture prevention with an emphasis on shared decision-making and the incorporation of country-specific case management systems, such as fracture liaison services. It serves as a valuable guide for healthcare professionals in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to the ongoing evolution of osteoporosis management.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical application of water-filling with "four-eyes" sign under the guidance of ultrasound in nasal-jejunum intubation for critical patients.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. Eighty patients who needed indwelling nasobenteric tube were selected from June 2021 to April 2022 in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. They were divided into control group ( n=40) and experimental group ( n=40) by systemic randomization. For the patients in the experimental group, the intubation was performed by water-filling with "four-eyes" sign under the guidance of ultrasound. For the control group, the traditional method was applicated under the guidance of ultrasound. Using abdominal X-ray as the gold standard of successful pylorus posterior catheterization, the result of catheterization, time of operation, efficiency of positioning in the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results:In the experimental group, 38 cases were successfully intubated, 2 were failed; in the control group, 27 cases were successfully intubated, 13 were failed, and all the failed cases in the control group were then successfully intubated again by using method of the experimental group. The success rate of tube placement in the experimental group was 95.0% (38/40), which was higher than 67.5% (27/40) in the control group ( χ2 = 9.93, P<0.05). The average time of operation in the experimental group was (45.2 ± 14.2) min, which was significantly lower than (70.2 ± 17.7) min in the control group, the difference was significantly different ( t=-5.51, P<0.05). The specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic rate of nasal-jejunum intubation positioning in the experimental group were 100.0% respectively, higher than 38.4%, 77.7%, 72.4%, 45.4%, 65.0% in the control group; the false positive rate, false negative rate in the experimental group were both 0, lower than 22.2%, 61.5% in the control group, with statistically significant differences( χ2 values were 4.69- 16.97, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Water-filling with "four-eyes" sign under the guidance of ultrasound in nasal-jejunum intubation was a new method which can shorten the operation time and increase the success rate for intubation. It has relatively high positioning accuracy and possess valuable clinical application.

Objective:To explore the best treatment for local ablation of colon cancer liver metastases (CRLM) by meta-analysis.Methods:The electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI and the Cochrane Library were searched from the establishment to August 22, 2022, and studies that report outcomes with comparison between microwave ablation (WMA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in CRLM treatment were selected by inclusion and exclusion criteria. Furthermore, the perioperative and survival data were statistically summarized and analyzed by Review Manager 5.3 software.Results:A total of 5 retrospective studies were included with a total sample size of 648 cases, including 316 cases (48.8%) in the WMA group and 332 cases (51.2%) in the RFA group. The results of meta-analysis showed that locoregional recurrence rate in WMA group was significantly lower than that in RFA group. The 1-year and 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) of the WMA group was significantly better than that of the RFA group with HR of 1.77 ( P=0.04, 95% CI: 1.04-3.02) and 1.60 ( P=0.02, 95% CI: 1.09-2.35), respectively. Conclusion:The local control rate and 1-year and 2-year DFS of WMA were superior to RFA.