Objective:To evaluate the viability and clinical effect of polyfoliate anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) in reconstruction of large soft tissue defect around ankle.Methods:From June 2019 to October 2022, large soft tissue defects around ankle of 11 patients were reconstructed with ALTPF in the Department of Orthopaedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. The causes of injury were traffic accident in 8 patients and heavy objects in 3 patients. All wounds were large defects (15.0 cm×14.0 cm-30.0 cm×20.0 cm) and combined with various degrees of infection. Intraoperatively, polyfoliate ALTPFs sized 16.0 cm×14.5 cm-23.0 cm×18.5 cm were used in reconstruction of the defects. Deep dead spaces were filled with antibiotic bone cement, and direct suture was performed to close the donor sites or by skin grafting repair. Postoperative follow-ups were scheduled at 1, 3 and 6 months, and 6 monthly thereafter at outpatient clinics and via telephone interviews. The appearance and colour of the flaps and healing of donor sites were recorded together with evaluation of the recovery of ankle motor function according to the ankle-hindfoot rating scale of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS).Results:All flaps survived. No haematoma or secondary infection occurred at the recipient site after surgery. All donor sites healed primarily. One patient had venous occlusion at the distal end of the polyfoliate ALTPF. The flap survived completely at 1 week after distal venous bloodletting. Postoperative follow-ups lasted 6-24 (15.27±5.21) months. All flaps had good blood supply with satisfactory appearance, similar colour and texture to the recipient sites, and without obvious bloat nor ulceration. Only a linear scar or few skin graft scar was left at the flap donor sites in concealed locations. The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (88.36±10.21) point. There were 6 cases of excellent, 4 cases of good, and 1 case of fair.Conclusion:A polyfoliate ALTPF is an ideal flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects around ankle by converting the length of a flap to the width.

The clinical features, examination findings and genetic testing results of a newborn with neurobehavioral developmental abnormality caused by the PAK3 gene mutation in the Department of Neonatology, Anhui Provincial Children′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed in November 11, 2021.The male 9-day-old newborn presented with the difficult-to-wean for 9 days after birth.The child had repeated startle reflexes, decreased muscle tension in the extremities, and partial primitive reflexes.Amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) showed the lower and upper boundary voltage of 10 μV and 40 μV, respectively.Obvious mature sleep-wake cycles were not found, and 2 electric seizures were recorded.The aEEG suggested the moderate-to-severe abnormal aEEG.Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the corpus callosum was slightly thinner.The family-centered diagnostic exosome sequencing showed a missense mutation of the PAK3 gene[c.1327 (exon18) G>A, p.G443R], which has not been previously reported at home and abroad.This case enriched the clinical phenotype of the PAK3 gene mutation and suggested the potential value of whole genome sequencing in clinical diagnosis and genetic guidance.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of early death after lung transplantation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) complicated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 134 patients with IPF and PAH who underwent lung transplantation at Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to December 2020 were collected. The donor's gender, age, duration of mechanical ventilation, and cold ischemia time, the recipient's gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, history of hypertension and diabetes, preoperative usage of hormones, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), cardiac echocardiography and cardiac function, serum creatinine (SCr), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as well as surgical type, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment, duration of operation, and plasma and red blood cell infusion ratio were collected. The cumulative survival rates of patients at 30, 60, and 180 days after lung transplantation were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the effects of donor, recipient, and surgical factors on early survival in donors after lung transplantation.Results:The majority of donors were male (80.6%). There was 63.4% of the donors older than 35 years old, 80.6% of the donors had mechanical ventilation duration less than 10 days, and the median cold ischemia time was 465.00 (369.25, 556.25) minutes. The recipients were mainly males (83.6%). Most of the patients were younger than 65 years old (70.9%). Most of them had no hypertension (75.4%) or diabetes (67.9%). The median mPAP of recipients was 36 (30, 43) mmHg (1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa). There were 73 patients with single lung transplantation (54.5%), and 61 with double lung transplantation (45.5%). The survival rates of 134 IPF patients with PAH at 30, 60, 180 days after lung transplantation were 81.3%, 76.9%, and 67.4%, respectively. Univariate Cox proportional risk regression analysis showed that recipient preoperative use of hormone [hazard ratio ( HR) = 2.079, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.048-4.128], mPAP ≥ 35 mmHg ( HR = 2.136, 95% CI was 1.129-4.044), NT-proBNP ≥ 300 ng/L ( HR = 2.411, 95% CI was 1.323-4.392), New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function classification Ⅲ-Ⅳ ( HR = 3.021, 95% CI was 1.652-5.523) were the risk factors of early postoperative death in patients with IPF complicated with PAH (all P < 0.05). In the multivariable Cox proportional risk regression analysis, recipient preoperative hormone usage (model 1: HR = 2.072, 95% CI was 1.044-4.114, P = 0.037; model 2: HR = 2.098, 95% CI was 1.057-4.165, P = 0.034), NT-proBNP ≥ 300 ng/L ( HR = 2.246, 95% CI was 1.225-4.116, P = 0.009) and NYHA cardiac function classification Ⅲ-Ⅳ ( HR = 2.771, 95% CI was 1.495-5.134, P = 0.001) were independent risk factors of early postoperative death in patients with IPF. Conclusions:Preoperative hormone usage, NT-proBNP ≥ 300 ng/L, NYHA cardiac function classification Ⅲ-Ⅳ are independent risk factors for early death in patients with IPF and PAH after lung transplantation. For these patients, attention should be paid to optimize their functional status before operation. Preoperative reduction of receptor hormone usage and improvement of cardiac function can improve the early survival rate of such patients after lung transplantation.

Objective To evaluate the effect of donor age on short-term survival of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) after lung transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 235 IPF donors and recipients of lung transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were employed to analyze the correlation between donor age and short-term mortality rate of IPF patients after lung transplantation. Kaplan-Meier was used to draw the survival curve. Results Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that donor age was correlated with the 1-year fatality of IPF patients after lung transplantation. The 1-year fatality of recipients after lung transplantation was increased by 0.020 times if donor age was increased by 1 year (P=0.009). Oxygenation index of the donors, preoperative oxygenation index, preoperative lung allocation score, preoperative N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide, pattern of transplantation, pattern of intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and intraoperative blood transfusion volume of the recipients were correlated with 1-year fatality after lung transplantation (all P < 0.1). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that there was no correlation between donor age and 30-, 90-, 180-d and 1-year fatality of IPF patients after lung transplantation (all P > 0.05). Sensitivity analysis showed that there was no significant difference in 30-, 90-, 180-d and 1-year fatality after lung transplantation among donors aged < 18, 18-33, 34-49 and ≥50 years (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Donor age exerts no effect upon short-term survival of IPF patients after lung transplantation. Considering the mechanical ventilation time, oxygenation index, infection and other factors of donors, the age range of lung transplant donors may be expanded.

Objective:To explore the effect of acute kidney injury(AKI)on near-term survival after lung transplantation(LT)in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF).Methods:Through consulting electronic medical records, anesthetic modes and Chinese Lung Transplant Registration System, clinical data are retrospectively reviewed for 275 IPF patients undergoing LT at Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to April 2021.According to the diagnostic criteria of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes(KDIGO), they are divided into two groups of AKI(169 cases)and non-AKI(106 cases).Perioperative findings of two groups are recorded.Then univariate and multivariate Cox regression models are employed for determining whether or not inter-group differences existed in survival rates post-LT.Also AKI is staged according to the KDIGO.And the effect of stage 1/2/3 AKI on near-term postoperative prognosis is examined.Results:The differences are significantly different in recipient gender, creatinine, 6-minute walking test, forced vital capacity(FVC), lung allocation score, oxygenation index, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-Pro BNP), preoperative hormone use and volume of crystal infusion( P<0.05).After multivariate Cox regression correcting for covariates, no statistical significance exists in effect of AKI stage 1 on near-term postoperative survival rate( P<0.05).AKI stage 2/3 still has statistical significance in risk of mortality at Day 30/90/180/365 post-operation( P>0.05). Conclusions:As a common complication post-LT, AKI significantly affects near-term postoperative prognosis of transplant IPF patients.Stage 2/3 AKI impacts near-term postoperative survival while stage 1 AKI is not associated with higher mortality.

Objective:To study the predictive value of the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) within 6 hours and 3 days after birth and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) on the adverse neurobehavioral development of asphyxiated preterm infants at the correction age of 6 months.Methods:From December 2017 to June 2019, 50 asphyxiated preterm infants who were delivered at the obstetrical department transferred to the division of neonatology in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were monitored by aEEG within 6 hours after birth, then once a day for at least 4 h. MRI was administered at 40 weeks of corrected age, neuromotor developmental function of the infants was assessed by the Geisel developmental diagnostic scale at 6 months of corrected age, then the infants were divided into good prognosis group and poor prognosis group according to the assessment results. SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis.The software of SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the data.Independent sample t-test and χ 2 test were used to analyze the difference between the two groups.The relationship between aEEG grading and MRI, and their predictive value for adverse neurobehavioral development were analyzed at 6 months of corrected age. Results:The degree of white matter damage( H=24.896) and intracranical hemorrhage( H=29.245) of premature infants with different aEEG clinical grades were different (both P<0.01) on MRI. The sensitivity of aEEG within 6 hours and 3 days after birth on predicting poor prognosis was 96.2% and 97.8%, the specificity was 56.2% and 62.5%, the negative predictive value was 98.2% and 99.0%, the positive predictive value was 37.8% and 52.3%, the correct index was 52.4% and 60.3%, respectively. The aEEG was combined with MRI, the sensitivity (90.0%, 97.0%), specificity (89.0%, 99.0%), negative predictive value (99.2%, 99.5%), positive predictive value (80.6%, 88.5%), and correct index (79%, 96%) were all improved. Conclusion:The combination of aEEG grading and MRI can improve the prognostic value on neurodevelopmental prognosis, and provide a better evaluation basis for clinical follow-up and intervention of asphyxiated premature infants with brain injury.

Objective:To explore the safety and nosocomial infection control measures of COVID-19 patients of end-stage respiratory failure after lung transplantation.Methods:Lung transplantation was performed for a COVID-19 patient with end-stage respiratory failure after a negative conversion of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. Before operation, all medical staff received simulated training on nosocomial infection. The procedures were performed in an operation room with a negative pressure environment. The three-grade preventive strategy was implemented and wearing positive pressure protective mask of electric air supply required. During operation, the patient was managed according to the in-hospital protection process. The environment and medical instruments were disinfected after operation.Results:The operation was completed successfully. The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid test was negative for many times after operation. Participants were placed in medical isolation for 14 days after surgery. During the period, nucleic acid test was negative twice.Conclusions:As an exploratory treatment, lung transplantation is a safe option for end-stage respiratory failure in COVID-19 in operation room with a negative pressure environment and implementations of three-grade preventive strategy.

Objective:To explore the effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)upon supporting during bilateral lung transplantation(BLTx)for different primary diseases.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed for 139 cases of BLTx. They were divided into non-ECMO and ECMO groups. The perieoperative data of two groups were compared.Results:BLTx was successfully performed in all patients. As compared with non-ECMO group, operative duration, mechanical ventilation time and ICU hospitalization time were significantly prolonged in ECMO group ( P<0.05). The proportion of patients with different primary diseases was statistically significant different between two groups( P<0.01). ECMO was employed intraoperatively in all IPAH patients. ECMO proportion was higher in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)patients but lower in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)counterparts( P<0.05). In terms of cardiac function indices, patients with a moderate/severe elevation of pulmonary artery pressure had a higher proportion of ECMO application( P<0.001). Moreover, the application of ECMO increased with the severity of tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR)( P<0.05). Conclusions:It is both safe and feasible to apply ECMO during BLTx. ECMO support should be given a high priority during BLTx for patients with primary diseases such as IPAH, IPF, severe preoperative PAP, tricuspid regurgitation and PVR. On the other hand, ECMO is sufficient as an alternative choice for COPD patients.

Objective: To investigate the impact of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) on brain development in neonatal rats of different sexes. Methods: From January 1 to December 31, 2018, 60 7-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into HIBI-F group (20 rats), HIBI-M group (20 rats), and control group (20 rats, 10 females and 10 males). The animal model of HIBI was established with Rice-Vannucci method, with the rats′ left common carotid artery double-ligated and severed. The rats were then placed in an incubator and exposed to a hypoxic gas mixture (8% O₂, 92% N₂) for 90 minutes. No intervention was given to the control group. Two weeks after HIBI, the motor development was evaluated by footprint analysis, the residual brain volume was measured by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the damage of synaptic ultra structure was analyzed by transmission electron microscope. One-way ANOVA or χ² test was used for inter-group statistical analysis, and paired sample t test was used to compare the bilateral step length and toe distance of rats in the same group. Results: The mortality rate of HIBI-F was significantly higher than that of HIBI-M (20%(4/20) vs. 10%(2/20), χ²=40.000, P=0.001). The right step length and toe distance in HIBI-M group and HIBI-F group were significantly shorter than those in control group ((7.5±0.3) cm and (7.9±0.5) cm vs. (8.2±0.5) cm, F=9.605, P<0.01, (0.9±0.1) cm and (1.0±0.0) cm vs. (1.1±0.1) cm, F=71.437, P<0.01). Besides, according to above data, the right step length and toe distance in HIBI-M group were significantly shorter than those in the HIBI-F group (both P<0.01). Furthermore, the right step length was significantly shorter than the left step length ((8.3±0.4) and (8.3±0.5) cm, t=5.289 and 10.580, P=0.001 and 0.010, respectively) and toe distance ((1.1±0.1) and (1.1±0.1) cm, t=7.953 and 6.435, respectively, both P<0.01) in both HIBI-M group and HIBI-F group. Similarly, the synaptic gap of the left precentral gyrus neurons was longer in HIBI-M group and HIBI-F group than that in control group ((23.4±1.3) and (19.7±1.6) nm vs. (18.9±0.6) nm, F=71.719, P<0.01), and also longer in HIBI-M group than that in HIBI-F group (t=7.645, P<0.01). Likewise, the residual brain volume in HIBI-M group and HIBI-F group was significantly less than that in control group ((67±4)% and (75±5)% vs. 100%, F=406.122, P<0.01), and the residual brain volume in HIBI-M group was significantly less than that in HIBI-F group (t=-5.281, P<0.01). Conclusions Male neonatal rats are more vulnerable to HIBI and have severer subsequent brain injury and hemiplegia. Different treatment strategies for HIBI patients of different sexes should be developed.

Objective To evaluate the effect of modified Huangqi decoction combined with routine western medicine on acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods A total of 84 patients with AECOPD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into 2 groups, 42 in each group. The control group was treated with conventional Western medicine, while the observation group was treated with Huangqi decoction on the basis of the control group. The TCM symptoms and signs of the two groups were scored from cough, sputum expectoration, shortness of breath, wheezing and moist rale. The forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and the percentage of FEV1 in FVC (FEV1％) of the two groups were measured by automatic lung function analyzer. The blood oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), arterial blood carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) and arterial partial pressure oxygen (SaO2) were measured by gas analyzer. The serum CRP was detected by ELISA, and the serum procalcitonin (PCT) was detected by immunoluminescence. Results The total effective rate was 90.5％ (38/42) in the observation group, which was 73.8％ (31/42) in the control group, with significant difference between the two groups (Z=-3.225, P=0.004). After treatment, the scores of cough, sputum expectoration, shortness of breath,wheezing and moist rale in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t values were 3.225, 3.587, 3.552, 3.421, 3.785, all Ps<0.05), and the levels of FEV1, FVC and FEV1％ in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t values were 3.586, 3.021, 5.026,all Ps<0.05). After treatment, the PaO2 and SaO2 levels in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t values were 4.022 and 4.251 respectively, all Ps<0.05), and PaCO2 levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t=4.572, P=0.018). The CRP and PCT in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t=4.635, 3.028, P<0.05).Conclusions The modified Huangqi decoction can improve the pulmonary function and clinical symptoms of AECOPD patients, reduce the levels of CRP and PCT, and improve the clinical efficacy.