Objective     To evaluate the risk factors for postoperative in-hospital mortality in elderly patients receiving cardiac valvular surgery, and develop a new prediction models using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-logistic regression. Methods     The patients≥65 years who underwent cardiac valvular surgery from 2016 to 2018 were collected from the Chinese Cardiac Surgery Registry (CCSR). The patients who received the surgery from January 2016 to June 2018 were allocated to a training set, and the patients who received the surgery from July to December 2018 were allocated to a testing set. The risk factors for postoperative mortality were analyzed and a LASSO-logistic regression prediction model was developed and compared with the EuroSCOREⅡ. Results     A total of 7 163 patients were collected in this study, including 3 939 males and 3 224 females, with a mean age of 69.8±4.5 years. There were 5 774 patients in the training set and 1 389 patients in the testing set. Overall, the in-hospital mortality was 4.0% (290/7 163). The final LASSO-logistic regression model included 7 risk factors: age, preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, combined coronary artery bypass grafting, creatinine clearance rate, cardiopulmonary bypass time, New York Heart Association cardiac classification. LASSO-logistic regression had a satisfying discrimination and calibration in both training [area under the curve (AUC)=0.785, 0.627] and testing cohorts (AUC=0.739, 0.642), which was superior to EuroSCOREⅡ. Conclusion     The mortality rate for elderly patients undergoing cardiac valvular surgery is relatively high. LASSO-logistic regression model can predict the risk of in-hospital mortality in elderly patients receiving cardiac valvular surgery.

Objectives:To evaluate and predict the risk for in-hospital mortality in elderly patients receiving cardiac valvular surgery preferably,we developed a new prediction model using machine learning. Methods:Clinical data including baseline characteristics,peri-operative data and primary endpoint of 7 163 elderly patients aged 65 years or older undergoing cardiac valvular surgery from January 2016 to December 2018 from 87 hospitals were collected from the Chinese Cardiac Surgery Registry(CCSR).Patients from January 2016 to June 2018 were assigened to the training cohort(n=5 774)and patients from July to December 2018 were assigened to the validation cohort(n=1 389).The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality.Machine learning algorithms were used to analyze risk factors and develop prediction model. Results:Overall in-hospital mortality was 4.1%.Linear discriminant analysis(LDA),support vector classification(SVC)and logistic regression(LR)models in the training cohort all have high AUCs and low Brier scores,with good discrimination and calibration.In validation cohort,the AUC of LDA,SVC and LR were 0.744,0.744 and 0.746 respectively,which were significantly better than that of 0.642 using the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II(EuroSCORE II)model(P<0.05). Conclusions:The mortality rate for elderly patients undergoing cardiac valvular surgery is relatively high.LDA,SVC and LR can predict the risk for in-hospital mortality in elderly patients receiving cardiac valvular surgery with high accuracy.

Objective:To explore the biomechanical stability of a novel anchor-loop internal fixation system in the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation using cadaveric specimens.Methods:The acromioclavicular ligaments were severed in 12 complete shoulder joint specimens, in which the quasi-static non-destructive cycle experiment was performed until the coracoclavicular ligaments failed. The failure intensities of the coracoclavicular ligaments were recorded. Next, the 12 specimens were randomly divided into groups A, B, C and D ( n=3), in which 4 different internal fixation materials were used respectively to reduce and fix the acromioclavicular joint. Group A was subjected to 3.5 mm clavicular hook locking compression plate, group B to 5 mm soft tissue with wire anchor, group C to 10 mm Endobutton steel plate, and group D to the novel anchor-loop internal fixation system (5 mm soft tissue with wire anchor + 10 mm Endobutton steel plate). An X-ray machine was used to evaluate the reduction and internal fixation of the acromioclavicular joint. After the shoulder specimens were securely fastened by a homemade fixation jig to a 100 KN electronic universal mechanical testing machine, each experimental specimen was subjected to a destructive static tensile mechanic determination in the vertical direction at a loading speed of 100 mm/min. The load-displacement curves were recorded and drawn by a computer connected with the biomechanical testing machine. The failure strength and failure causes were recorded for each internal fixation. Results:The fracture strength of the coracoclavicular ligament in 12 cadaver specimens was (374.6±0.8) N. The mechanical load of internal fixation failure was (409.5±2.6) N in group A, (297.8±3.4) N in group B, (375.2±3.1) N in group C and (376.2±3.1) N in group D. The internal fixation failure was due to clavicular fracture in 2 specimens and to acromial fracture in 1 specimen in group A, to anchor protrusion in all the 3 specimens in group B, to coracoid base fracture in all the 3 specimens in group C, and to anchor protrusion in all the 3 specimens in group D. The mechanical loads of internal fixation failure were significantly different among the 4 experimental groups ( P<0.05). The mechanical load of internal fixation failure in group D was significantly different from that in groups A and B ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Our self-developed novel anchor-loop internal fixation system can effectively reposit the acromioclavicular joint to treat acromioclavicular joint dislocation, because it conforms to the biomechanical characteristics of the acromioclavicular joint, and is easy to handle. Therefore, its feasibility is high.

Objective To compare the outcomes of transplant kidneys and patient survival between simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation(SPKT)recipients and deceased donor kidney transplant(DDKT)recipients in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with end-stage renal disease(ESRD),and to analyze the risk factors affecting patient survival post-SPKT.Methods Clinical and prognostic data of patients who underwent kidney transplantation from January 27,2003,to January 1,2021,were retrieved from the United Network for Organ Sharing(UNOS)database.A total of 50 230 cases were selected based on inclusion criteria,with 48 669 cases in DDKT group and 1561 cases in SPKT group.Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to compare transplant kidney and patient survival between the two groups,and propensity score matching(PSM)was utilized to balance confounding factors between the groups.Cox regression model was used to analyze independent risk factors affecting patient survival post-SPKT.Results Compared with DDKT group,recipients in SPKT group had a younger median age(P<0.001),a higher proportion of males(P<0.001),lower BMI(P<0.001),shorter dialysis and transplant waiting times(P<0.001),a higher percentage of private medical insurance(P<0.001),a lower proportion of previous transplants(P<0.001),a younger age at diabetes diagnosis(P<0.001),and a lower incidence of peripheral vascular disease(P=0.033).Compared with DDKT group,the donors in SPKT group had a younger median age(P<0.001),a higher proportion of males(P<0.001),lower BMI(P<0.001),and a lower prevalence of hypertension and diabetes history(P<0.001).In terms of transplant-related factors,the SPKT group had a shorter donor kidney cold ischemia time(P<0.001),a higher degree of HLA mismatch(P<0.001),and a lower Kidney Donor Profile Index(KDPI)(P<0.001)when compared with DDKT group.The SPKT group had lower serum creatinine levels at discharge(P<0.001),lower rates of postoperative delayed graft function(DGF)and acute rejection(AR)(P<0.001),but longer hospital stays(P<0.001)when compared with DDKT group.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis curves,both original and after propensity score matching(PSM),consistently showed significantly higher transplant kidney and patient survival rates in SPKT group compared with DDKT group(P<0.001).Cox regression model analysis indicated that recipient age,recipient race,donor age,and donor kidney cold ischemia time were independent risk factors influencing patient survival post-SPKT.Conclusions For ESRD patients with T2DM,SPKT offers improved long-term graft and patient survival rates compared with DDKT.Recipient age,recipient ethnicity,donor age,and cold ischemia time for the donor's kidney are independent risk factors affecting post-SPKT patient survival.

Objective To analyze the factors affecting pathological complete response(pCR)of triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy,and construct a nomogram to forecast the pCR rate.Methods The clinical and pathological data of 348 TNBC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the Air Force Medical University-Affiliated Xijing Hospital from May 2018 to May 2021 were collected and set as modeling set.The clinical and pathological data of 69 TNBC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the Xi'an No.3 Hospital from May 2018 to May 2021 were collected and set as validation set.The clinical and pathological characteristics were compared between the modeling set and the validation set.In the modeling set,the independent risk factors of pCR in TNBC patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were screened by LASSO regression model analysis,and the nomogram model was constructed.Internal validation of the model was conducted using Bootstrap method,and the discrimination of the model was assessed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.The accuracy of the model was evaluated by the calibration curve and the clinical benefits and application value of the model were evaluated by clinical decision curve analysis(DCA).Results There were significant differences in surgical method and T stage between the patients in modeling set and validation set(P<0.05).The results of analysis of LASSO regression model showed that T stage,N stage,the use of platinum drugs and clinical efficacy evaluation were independent risk factors of pCR in TNBC patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy(P<0.05).Based on the above variables,the nomogram models were constructed.In modeling set,area under curve(AUC)was 0.811(95%CI 0.763-0.859);in validation set,AUC was 0.801(95%CI 0.727-0.928).The Bootstrap method showed the C-index for internal validation was 0.79,indicating the model has good discrimination in both the modeling and validation sets.The calibration curve analysis showed that model predicted pCR rates had a good consistency with the actual observed values,and the DCA showed that model can bring clinical benefit.Conclusion The nomogram can accurately predict the pCR rates of TNBC patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and provide scientific basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Narrative medicine,as an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of humanistic education and medical edu-cation,is an effective means of implementing medical humanities.It not only fosters deeper empathy and communication between doctors and patients but also plays an important role in clinical practice and the cultivation of humanistic qualities.This study starts from the core connotation of integrating narrative medicine into the doctor-patient relationship,focusing on the value logic of narrative medicine empowering humanistic care.Utilizing a typical case from a hospital in Tianjin that practices humanistic care based on narrative medicine,the study examines the organizational structure,practical activities,humanistic care initiatives,health education,supportive measures,and outcomes of the narrative medicine healthcare management team.The conclusion drawn is that exploring mechanisms for medical communication and the cultivation of humanistic qualities can facilitate the mutual transformation of narrative and empathy skills,the organic combination of narrative medicine with evidence-based medicine,and the complementary relationship between clinical medicine and humanistic education.This approach aims to alleviate the increas-ingly prominent conflicts between doctors and patients,bridge the gap between humanity and technology,and promote the imple-mentation of medical humanities in clinical settings.

Objective:To evaluate the screw placement assisted by robotic navigation in cannulated screw fixation for treatment of fracture of scapular coracoid process.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 24 patients with fracture of scapular coracoid process who had been treated by cannulated screw fixation at Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2020 to December 2023. According to whether the intraoperative screw placement was assisted by robotic navigation or not, the patients were divided into 2 groups. In group A of 11 cases, there were 6 males and 5 females with an age of (47.4±3.4) years whose screw placement was assisted by robotic navigation during the internal fixation with cannulated screws. In group B of 13 cases, there were 10 males and 3 females with an age of (43.5±4.9) years whose screw placement was assisted by conventional C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy during the internal fixation with cannulated screws. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, intraoperative adjustments of guide wire, Constant-Murley score of shoulder function at the last follow-up and postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). The follow-up time was (25.3±9.1) months for group A and (27.6±10.8) months for group B, showing no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss [(51.8±35.7) mL], intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency [(5.7±1.0) times] and intraoperative adjustments of guide wire [(1.6±0.7) times] in group A were significantly less than those in group B [(123.8±73.9) mL, (12.5±2.7) times, and (5.3±1.0) times] ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in operative time [(88.2±21.3) min versus (80.4±31.1) min], fracture healing time [(10.0±1.3) weeks versus (11.5±2.7) weeks] or Constant Murley score of shoulder function at the last follow-up [(86.7±6.1) points versus (91.1±10.0) points] between group A and group B ( P>0.05). No patient reported such complications as wound infection, fracture nonunion, or failure of internal fixation during the follow-up period. Conclusions:In the treatment of fracture of scapular coracoid process by cannulated screw fixation, robotic navigation can be used to assist screw placemen to achieve good efficacy comparable to conventional C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy. Moreover, assistance by robotic navigation can help reduce intraoperative blood loss and radiation, and improve surgical accuracy.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of the classified reduction based on CT two-dimensional images for the surgical treatment of single segment facet joint dislocation in subaxial cervical spine.Methods:A retrospective case series study was made on 105 patients with single segment facet joint dislocation in subaxial cervical spine admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2015 to October 2022. There were 63 males and 42 females, with the age range of 22-78 years [(47.5±3.6)years]. Preoperative American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) classification was grade A in 23 patients, grade B in 45, grade C in 22, grade D in 15 and grade E in 0. The classification of surgical approach was based on the presence or not of continuity between anterior and posterior subaxial cervical structures and the movability of the posterior cervical facet joint on CT two-dimensional images, including anterior cervical surgery if both were presented and posterior facet joint resection plus anterior cervical surgery if there was discontinuity between anterior and posterior subaxial cervical structures or posterior facet joint fusion. Reduction procedures were applied in accordance with the type of facet joint dislocation classified based on the position of the lower upper corner of facet joint, including skull traction or manipulative reduction for the dislocation locating at the dorsal side (type A), intraoperative skull traction and leverage technique for the dislocation locating at the top (type B) and intraoperative skull traction and leverage technique with boosting for the dislocation locating at the ventral side (type C). If the dislocation of two facet joints in the same patient was different, the priority of management followed the order of type C, type B and type A. The reduction success rate, operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The cervical physiological curvature was evaluated by comparing the intervertebral space height and Cobb angle before operation, at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The fusion rate of intervertebral bone grafting was evaluated by Lenke grading at 3 months after operation. The spinal cord nerve injury was assessed with ASIA classification before operation and at 3 months after operation. Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was applied to measure the degree of cervical spinal cord dysfunction before operation and at 3 months after operation, and the final follow-up score was used to calculate the rate of spinal cord functional recovery. The occurrence of complications was observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 3-9 months [(6.0±2.5)months]. The reduction success rate was 100%. The operation time was 40-95 minutes [(58.6±9.3)minutes]. The intraoperative blood loss was 40 to 120 ml [(55.7±6.8)ml]. The intervertebral space height was (4.7±0.3)mm and (4.7±0.2)mm at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up, significantly decreased from preoperative (3.1±0.5)mm (all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in intervertebral space height at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The Cobb angle was (6.5±1.3)° and (6.3±1.2)° at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up, significantly increased from preoperative (-5.4±2.2)° (all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in Cobb angle at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The fusion rate of intervertebral bone grafting evaluated by Lenke grading was 100% at 3 months after operation. The ASIA grading was grade A in 15 patients, grade B in 42, grade C in 29, grade D in 12 and grade E in 7 at 3 months after operation. The patients showed varying degrees of improvement in postoperative ASIA grade except that 15 patients with preoperative ASIA grade A had partial recovery of limb sensation but no improvement in ASIA grade. The JOA score was (13.3±0.6)points and (13.1±0.6)points at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up, significantly improved from preoperative (6.8±1.4)points (all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in JOA score at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The rate of spinal cord functional recovery was (66.3±2.5)% at the last follow-up. All patients had no complications such as increased nerve damage or vascular damage. Conclusion:The classified reduction based on CT two-dimensional images for the surgical treatment of single segment facet joint dislocation in subaxial cervical spine has advantages of reduced facet joint dislocation, recovered intervertebral space height and physiological curvature, good intervertebral fusion and improved spinal cord function.

Geographical and temporal weighted regression (GTWR) model is a local regression linear model, which indirectly reflects the spatio-temporal non-stationary characteristics of the study data by calculating the trends for changes in parameters with space and time. Recently, GTWR model has become one of the hot topics in the study on spatio-temporal heterogeneity of diseases. This review summarizes the basic principles and study methods of the GTWR model, and describes the applications of this model in epidemiology.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective and well-established intervention for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Nevertheless, late recurrences of atrial fibrillation (LRAF) occurring during 3 to 12 months are common, and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) in atrial tissue have been linked to the pathophysiological mechanisms and progression of PAF in a few studies. However, their expression patterns in peripheral blood and regulatory function in LRAF are not clear. METHODS: In the present study, the expression profile of circulating circRNAs in three paired nonvalvular PAF patients with or without LRAF was investigated by high-throughput sequencing and validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatics analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and circRNA/miRNA regulatory network, were performed to predict the functions and potential regulatory roles of differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs. RESULTS: A total of 12,834 circRNAs, comprising 5,491 down-regulated and 7,343 up-regulated circRNAs, were found to be DE in blood smaples from the two groups in peripheral blood between LRAF and non-recurrence control individuals. The most enriched GO categories in terms of molecular function, biological process, and cellular component features were catalytic activity, cellular metabolic process, and intracellular part, respectively. The KEGG enrichment study revealed that the most important metabolic process controlled by DE circRNAs is endocytosis. In the circRNA/microRNAs interaction network, four up-regulated circRNAs (hsa_circ_0002665, hsa_circ_0001953, hsa_circ_0003831, and hsa_circ_0040533) and one down-regulated circRNA (hsa_circ_0041103) were predicted to play potential regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of LRAF. CONCLUSIONS This investigation discovered the expression pattern of circulating circRNAs that is indicative of PAF late recurrence, which may serve as risk markers or therapeutic targets for LRAF after PVI.