Objective:To compare and discuss the mid-to-long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair (MVP) versus biological mitral valve replacement (bMVR) in patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 765 patients aged 60 years and older, diagnosed with rheumatic mitral valve disease and who underwent MVP or bMVR at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to January 2023, were retrospectively included. Among them, 186 were male and 579 were female, with an age of (66.1±4.5) years (range: 60 to 82 years). Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical method: the mitral valve repair group (MVP group, n=256) and the bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement group (bMVR group, n=509). A 1∶1 propensity score matching was performed using a caliper value of 0.2 based on preoperative data. Paired sample t-tests, χ2 tests, or Fisher′s exact tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Kaplan-Meier method was employed to plot survival curves and valve-related reoperation rate curves for both groups before and after matching, and Log-rank tests were used to compare the mid-to long-term survival rates and valve-related reoperation rates between the two groups. Results:A total of 765 patients who completed follow-up were ultimately included, with a follow-up period ( M(IQR)) of 5.1(5.0) years (range: 1.0 to 12.9 years). After matching, each group consisted of 256 patients. The incidence of early postoperative atrial fibrillation (39.1% vs. 49.2%, χ2=4.95, P=0.026) and early mortality rates (2.0% vs. 6.2%, χ2=4.97, P=0.026) were lower in the MVP group. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates for the MVP group (92.54% vs. 83.02%, 86.22% vs. 70.19%, Log-rank: P=0.001). After adjustment with propensity scores, the Kaplan-Meier analysis still indicated higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates in the MVP group compared to the bMVR group (92.54% vs. 85.89%, 86.22% vs. 74.83%, Log-rank: P=0.024). There were no significant differences in the rates of valve-related reoperation between the two groups before and after matching (5-year and 10-year reoperation rates pre-matching: 1.75% vs. 0.57%, 5.39% vs. 7.54%, Log-rank: P=0.207; post-matching: 1.75% vs. 0, 5.39% vs. 9.27%, Log-rank: P=0.157). Conclusion:For patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease, mitral valve repair offers better mid-to-long-term survival compared to biological valve replacement.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided spinal nerve block (SNB) and paraverteral nerve block (PVB) in treating postherpetic neuralgia.Methods:A total of 52 patients with postherpetic neuralgia who visited the Pain Clinic of the Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from February 2020 to December 2022 were selected and randomly divided into an ultrasound-guided SNB group and a PVB group using a random number table method, with 26 patients in each group. Patients in the SNB group received ultrasound-guided spinal nerve block therapy; The PVB group received ultrasound-guided paraverteral nerve block treatment. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) scores, and total effective rate were observed in two groups of patients before treatment, 2 weeks after treatment, 1 month after treatment, 3 months after treatment, and 6 months after treatment. Complications during treatment were also observed.Results:The total effective rates of SNB group patients at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were significantly higher than those of PVB group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores of both groups of patients at each time point were significantly reduced compared to before treatment (all P<0.05); The VAS scores of patients in the SNB group were lower than those in the PVB group at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores between SNB and PVB groups before nerve block treatment (all P>0.05). The MCS and PCS scores of the two groups of patients were significantly higher than before treatment at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment (all P<0.05). The MCS scores of the SNB group were significantly higher than those of the PVB group at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment (all P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in PCS scores between the two groups (all P>0.05). Both groups of patients did not experience any serious complications related to the treatment in this study during the follow-up period. Conclusions:Both ultrasound-guided spinal nerve block and paraverteral nerve block can safely and effectively treat postherpetic neuralgia. The clinical effect of ultrasound-guided spinal nerve block in treating postherpetic neuralgia is better than that of paraverteral nerve block.

Objective:To compare and discuss the mid-to-long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair (MVP) versus biological mitral valve replacement (bMVR) in patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 765 patients aged 60 years and older, diagnosed with rheumatic mitral valve disease and who underwent MVP or bMVR at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to January 2023, were retrospectively included. Among them, 186 were male and 579 were female, with an age of (66.1±4.5) years (range: 60 to 82 years). Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical method: the mitral valve repair group (MVP group, n=256) and the bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement group (bMVR group, n=509). A 1∶1 propensity score matching was performed using a caliper value of 0.2 based on preoperative data. Paired sample t-tests, χ2 tests, or Fisher′s exact tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Kaplan-Meier method was employed to plot survival curves and valve-related reoperation rate curves for both groups before and after matching, and Log-rank tests were used to compare the mid-to long-term survival rates and valve-related reoperation rates between the two groups. Results:A total of 765 patients who completed follow-up were ultimately included, with a follow-up period ( M(IQR)) of 5.1(5.0) years (range: 1.0 to 12.9 years). After matching, each group consisted of 256 patients. The incidence of early postoperative atrial fibrillation (39.1% vs. 49.2%, χ2=4.95, P=0.026) and early mortality rates (2.0% vs. 6.2%, χ2=4.97, P=0.026) were lower in the MVP group. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates for the MVP group (92.54% vs. 83.02%, 86.22% vs. 70.19%, Log-rank: P=0.001). After adjustment with propensity scores, the Kaplan-Meier analysis still indicated higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates in the MVP group compared to the bMVR group (92.54% vs. 85.89%, 86.22% vs. 74.83%, Log-rank: P=0.024). There were no significant differences in the rates of valve-related reoperation between the two groups before and after matching (5-year and 10-year reoperation rates pre-matching: 1.75% vs. 0.57%, 5.39% vs. 7.54%, Log-rank: P=0.207; post-matching: 1.75% vs. 0, 5.39% vs. 9.27%, Log-rank: P=0.157). Conclusion:For patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease, mitral valve repair offers better mid-to-long-term survival compared to biological valve replacement.

Objective:To explore the correlation between carotid blood flow and the parameters derived by pulse oximetry Plethysmographic waveform in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, so as to provide a new index for carotid blood flow monitoring in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Methods:Seven male domestic pigs were utilized for cardiac arrest model through ventricular fibrillation induced by electrical stimulation. Eight minutes after cardiac arrest, artificial chest compression was given for 4 min, and epinephrine 20 μg/kg was injected intravenously at 2 min after chest compression. The compression frequency, compression depth, right carotid blood flow, pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveform, aortic pressure, right atrium pressure and end tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure were continuously monitored and recorded. From 30 s to 4 min after chest compression, the values of the mean right carotid blood flow, the area under curve (AUC) of pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveform, the mean perfusion index, the mean coronary perfusion pressure and the average end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure during 6 s before time point were calculated every 30 s. The correlations between right carotid blood flow and the AUC of pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveform and perfusion index were analyzed respectively.Results:Ventricular fibrillation was induced successfully in seven animals. There were no significant differences in the mean chest compression frequency and depth per min during 4 min of chest compression. Right carotid blood flow at 30 s after chest compression was (92.7±32.7) mL/min, and decreased to (48.5±23.5) mL/min at 1 min after chest compression ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in blood flow before and after epinephrine injection ( P>0.05). The AUC of the blood oxygen plethysmographic waveform and perfusion index showed synchronous change trends with right carotid blood flow. Both coronary perfusion pressure and end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure showed different change trends with right carotid blood flow. There was a positive correlation between the right carotid blood flow and the AUC of blood oxygen plethysmographic waveform ( r=0.66, P<0.01), and also a positive correlation between right carotid blood flow and perfusion index ( r=0.57, P<0.01). Conclusions:Carotid blood flow is positively correlated with the AUC of blood oxygen plethysmographic waveform and perfusion index in a porcine model of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Real-time monitoring of the two parameters derived by pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveform can reflect the changes of carotid blood flow to a certain extent.

Objective:To investigate the value of application of combined ultrasound and spinal CT/MRI-assisted lumbar puncture in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients with spinal deformities.Methods:Twelve SMA patients with spinal deformities were evaluated for combined ultrasound and spinal CT/MRI imaging-assisted lumbar intrathecal administration of nusinersen between November 2021 and September 2022.The degree of difficulty of lumbar puncture in SMA patients was graded according to the spinal imaging, and then different puncture methods were designed according to different puncture difficulty grades.The success rate, preparation time, operation time, the number of attempts, and complications of lumbar puncture were counted.Results:In this study, 48 lumbar punctures were performed in 12 patients with SMA, with a success rate of 100%.The average preparation time for puncture was 13.60 min, the average puncture time was 4.96 min, and the average number of attempts was 1.33. No complications such as injury to the spinal cord, nerve and viscera were found in all patients.Conclusions:Combined ultrasound and spinal CT/MRI-assisted lumbar puncture has high value when applied for SMA patients with spinal deformities.

Objective:To explore the effect of spinal interleutkin-33 (IL-33) on radicular pain in rats modeling non-compressive lumbar disc herniation.Methods:A total of 80 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a lentivirus negative control group, a low-dose IL-33 recombinant lentivirus group and a high-dose IL-33 group, each of 16. Non-compressive lumbar disc herniation was successfully induced in all except the rats in the sham operation group. Two days later, the model group was injected intrathecally with 10μl of enhanced infection solution. The lentivirus control group received 10μl of negative lentivirus, the low-dose IL-33 recombinant lentivirus group received 5μl of IL-33 recombinant lentivirus and the high-dose IL-33 recombinant lentivirus group received 10μl of IL-33 recombinant lentivirus. The 50% paw withdrawal threshold (50% PWT) was measured one day before the modeling and on the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th, 9 th, 11 th, 13 th, 15 th, 17 th, 19 th, and 21 st day afterward. On the 12 th day the expressions of IL-33 protein and mRNA were evaluated. Results:The average expression of IL-33 protein and mRNA in the model and the lentivirus negative control group increased significantly after the modelling compared with the sham group, while expression in the low- and high-dose IL-33 recombinant lentivirus groups was significantly lower than in the lentivirus negative control group. Compared with one day before the modelling, average 50% PWTs on the affected side decreased significantly in all of the modelling groups. From the 9 th to the 21 st day significantly increased 50% PWTs were observed on the affected side in the low-dose and high-dose IL-33 recombinant lentivirus groups compared with the other two modelling groups. Immunostaining showed significant increase in the expression of IL-33 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in the model group, compared with the sham operation group. Significant decrease in the average expression of IL-33 in the spinal dorsal horns was observed in the low-dose and high-dose IL-33 recombinant lentivirus groups. Conclusions:Intervertebral disk herniation may increase the expression of IL-33 in the spinal cord, and may cause radicular pain.

Objective:Intensive physicians have relatively insufficient knowledge and experience in treating patients with decompensated schistosomiasis cirrhosis (DSC) admitted in intensive care unit (ICU), but are relatively familiar with patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis (DAC). For this purpose, the clinical characteristics and prognosis of these patients were compared and analyzed.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed from January 2013 to May 2019 in our hospital and Quzhou People’s hospital. The demographic data, laboratory examination, liver function, Child-Pugh classification, complications of cirrhosis, ultrasonic imaging gastroscopy manifestations were recorded and analyzed. In addition, the treatments and prognosis were also compared.Results:A total of 30 patients (12 males and 18 females) with DSC (aged 57-88) and 31 patients with DAC (aged 41-75) were collected. Compared with patients with DAC, DSC patients were more likely to have coronary heart disease, lower proportion of hyponatremia and lower need of ventilator support. Although the incidences of jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy were significantly reduced ( P<0.05), but parameters of liver function and coagulation were no significant differences in both groups ( P>0.05). B-mode ultrasound of liver in patients with DSC displayed more proportion of patchy and diffuse echo changes and liver volume reduction ( P<0.05), whereas the manifestations of gastroscope in both groups were similar. No significant difference in main treatment measures like uses of somatostatin and three-chamber and two-capsule tube was observed. After treatment, the stop time of gastrointestinal bleeding was similar between groups of DAC and DSC [1.25 (0.5-4.125) days vs. 1.75 (1-2.375) days] ( P>0.05). In addition, the length of ICU stay in DAC group was similar to DSC group [(4.96±3.58) days vs. (3.82±1.99) days], so did the 28-day mortality [14.29% (2/14) vs. 18.18% (2/11)] (both P>0.05). Conclusions:In genenal, patients with decompensated schistosomiasis cirrhosis have the similar clinical characteristics, major biochemical indicators and accessory examination results like ultrasound and gastroscopic examinations to patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis. After timely treatments, both of these patients could achieve a good prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between preoperation hepatic function and mortality after heart transplantation using the Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC) cures and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Meanwhile determining the Optimal Operating Point(OOP) and doubtable value interval of the significant indicator for studing it with short to medium term survival analysis.Methods To collect statistical data of 91 cases with heart transplantation in the heart transplantation centre of Anzhen Hospital from January 2009 to June 2014,including the last preoperation hepatic function index.Containing alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),total protein (TP),albumin (ALB),ratio of albumin and globulin(A/G),serum total bilirubin(STB),connect bilirubin(CB),ratio of connect bilirubin and serum total bilirubin CB/STB,etc.Plotting the ROC curves for all variables in perioperation using SPSS 17.0 statistical software,firstly.Next,to determine the significant indicator according to the area under the ROC curve (AUC) (AUC ＞ 0.7),and to find OOP/Youden index and doubtable value interval of the significant index.And then,total cases were divided into three groups according to doubtable value points.Finally,using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to reveal the variation tendency of three survival cures for different groups.Results The ratio of albumin and globulin is the sole variable associated with mortality in perioperation,and AUC =0.825(SE =0.056,P =0.000,95％ CI =0.715～0.936).Paients whose A/G≤1.13 had significantly lower survival rates than the other two groups in short to medium postoperative term,P ＜0.001.But after 32 months,the variation tendency of three groups tended to stability.Conclusion The preoperative ratio of albumin and globulin of patient and postoperative mortality were related,but the correlation decreased with the increase of time.The short to medium term survival rates declined significantly for patients whose A/G≤ 1.13.So preoperative A/G could forecast the prognosis of paitents as reference indicator.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33),a novel member of IL-1 family,is a multifunctional cytokine.IL-33 can act as a transcriptional repressor.It can also bind to growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein (ST2) to induce the activation of some inflammatory cells.IL-33 is extensively expressed in nervous system.Some studies showed that the levels of IL-33 and ST2 were significantly changed in pain.Some reports demonstrated that the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway played critical roles in them.This present article will review the biological characteristics of IL-33/ST2 and their expressions in nervous system and significance of interventional pain related diseases.

Objective To investigate the effect of lipoxin A4 LXA4) on radicular pain caused by intervertebral disc herniation.Methods Non-compressive intervertebral disc herniation was induced into forty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,and they were divided into a sham group (sham operation + 10 μl normal saline),a control group (modeled + 10 μl normal saline),an LXA4 10 ng group (modeled + 10 ng LXA4) and an LXA4 100 ng group (modeled + 100 ng LXA4),with 12 rats in each group.The normal saline (10 μl) or LXA4 (10 μl) was administered intrathecally right after the operation and on each of the three succeeding days.General behavior was observed and the 50％ paw withdrawal threshold (50％ PWT) was measured.On postoperative day 7 all the rats were killed and the ipsilateral lumbar (L4~) segments of their spinal dorsal horns were removed for determination of the expression of p-JNK,t-JNK,p-ERK and t-ERK proteins using western blotting.TNF-α,IL-1β and TGF-β1 expression were determined using ELISA.Results There was no significant difference in the 50％PWT of the sham group before and after surgery,but the 50％ PWTs of the control group and the LXA4 10 ng group were significantly decreased after the operation compared with their values beforehand and significantly lower than the value of the sham group at all time points.Moreover,the 50％ PWT of the LXA4 10 ng group on postoperative days 3 and 5 was significantly higher than the control group;as was the value of the LXA4 100 ng group on postoperative days 2,3,4,5,6 and 7.The p-JNK and p-ERK expression in the control group,the LXA4 10 ng group and the LXA4 100 ng group were all increased significantly more than in the sham group,but their expression in the LXA4 10 ng group and LXA4 100 ng group were decreased significantly more in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group,with the LXA4 100 ng group showing the greatest decrease.There were no significant differences in t-JNK or t-ERK expression within each group.Conclusion LXA4 can alleviate radicular pain caused by non-compressive lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.The underlying mechanism involves inhibiting the activation of the ERK and JNK pathways,reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines.