Objective To investigate the efficacy of leaflet augmentation technique to repair the recurrent mitral valve (MV) regurgitation after mitral repair in children. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children who underwent redo MV repair for recurrent regurgitation after initial MV repair, using a leaflet augmentation technique combined with a standardized repair strategy at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from 2018 to 2022. The pathological features of the MV, key intraoperative procedures, and short- to mid-term follow-up outcomes were analyzed. Results A total of 24 patients (12 male, 12 female) were included, with a median age of 37.6 (range, 16.5–120.0) months. The mean interval from the initial surgery was (24.9±17.0) months. All children had severe mitral regurgitation preoperatively. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was (150.1±49.5) min, and the aortic cross-clamp time was (94.0±24.2) min. There were no early postoperative deaths. During a mean follow-up of (20.3±9.1) months, 3 (12.5%) patients developed moderate or severe mitral regurgitation (2 severe, 1 moderate). One (4.2%) patient died during follow-up, and one (4.2%) patient underwent a second MV reoperation. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was significantly reduced postoperatively compared to preoperatively [ (43.5±8.6) mm vs. (35.8±7.8)mm, P<0.001]. Conclusion The leaflet augmentation technique combined with a standardized repair strategy can achieve satisfactory short- to mid-term outcomes for the redo mitral repair after previous MV repair. It can be considered a safe and feasible technical option for cases with complex valvular lesions and severe pathological changes.

Two pediatric heart failure patients were treated with pulmonary artery banding(PAB)at Fuwai Hospital,from December 2021 to January 2022.In the first case,an 8-month-old patient presented with left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy(LVNC),left ventricular systolic dysfunction,ventricular septal defect,and atrial septal defect.The second case was a 4-month-old patient with LVNC,left ventricular systolic dysfunction,and coarctation of the aorta.After PAB,the left ventricular function and shape of both patients were significantly improved,without serious surgery-related complications.In these individual cases of pediatric heart failure,pulmonary artery banding exhibited a more satisfactory efficacy and safety compared to pharmacological treatment,especially for those with unsatisfactory medication results.Future clinical data are needed to promote the rational and broader application of this therapeutic option for indicated patients.

Objective To explore the effect of disposable electronic soft mirror and conventional repeatable soft mirror on the renal function and prostaglandin E2(PGE2),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)levels in patients with upper ureteral calculi and analyze the factors influencing recurrence after retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS).Methods 114 patients with upper ureteral calculi from March 2022 to March 2023 were selected and randomly divided into two groups,with 57 cases forming the observation group and 57 cases forming the control group.The observation group was administrated with RIRS via disposable electronic soft mirror,while the control group accepted RIRS via conventional repeatable soft mirror.The two groups were compared in the aspect of surgical data.Patients'serum renal function indicators[blood urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Cr),cystatin C(CysC)],PGE2 and 5-HT levels were tested preoperative and postoperative 24 h.Postoperative complications and recurrence were compared between the two groups after 6 months follow-up.The patients were grouped according to whether there was recurrence or not.The medical records of recurrence group and non-recurrence group were collected,and the risk factors of recurrence were analyzed statistically.Results There was no sxtatistically significant difference between the observation group and the control group in terms of surgical time,intraoperative bleeding,one-time stone removal rate,and hospital stay(P>0.05).After operation both groups saw much higher levels of BUN,Cr,CysC,PGE2 and 5-HT than they did before the operation(P<0.05),but no significant difference in the aforementioned indicators was seen between the two groups either before or after the operation(P>0.05).The incidence of complications and recurrence rate of the observation group were 3.51%and 15.79%respectively,seeing no big difference from 12.28%and 21.05%of the control group(P>0.05).The body mass index(BMI),postoperative residual calculi and urinary tract infections in the recurrence team were remarkably higher than those in the non recurrence team(P<0.05).The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors such as gender,age,course of disease,maximum diameter of calculi,number of calculi,location of calculi,and surgical method,postoperative residual calculi and postoperative urinary tract infections were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence of upper ureteral calculi after RIRS(P<0.05).Conclusion Both disposable electronic soft endoscopy and conventional repeatable soft endoscopy can achieve satisfactory results in the treatment of upper ureteral calculi,both can impact the renal function and serum PGE2,5-HT levels in patients to a certain extent,and both present a risk of recurrence after surgery.Residual postoperative calculi and postoperative urinary tract infections are independent risk factors inducing recurrence of upper ureteral calculi after RIRS.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of cerebral arterial vessel wall calcification in ca-rotid atherosclerosis(CAS)patients by applying random forest model and logistic regression model.Methods A total of 180 CAS patients admitted to Department of Neurosurgery of Heng-shui People's Hospital from August 2021 to February 2024 were enrolled,and divided into a train-ing set(126 patients)and a testing set(54 patients)in a ratio of 7∶3.The patients in the training set were divided into the calcification group(42 cases)and the non-calcification group(84 cases)according to the results of CTA for calcification in the cerebral arterial vessel wall.General clinical data were compared between the two groups to screen the variables with statistical differences,and these variable were taken into the random forest model and logistic regression model.Risk factors for CAS patients with cerebral arterial wall calcification were analyzed,and the predictive performance of the 2 models was compared with ROC curve analysis.Results The results of ran-dom forest algorithm indicated that the top 5 risk factors affecting cerebral arterial wall calcifica-tion in CAS patients were hypertension,diabetes,LDL-C,age,and homocysteine.Multivariate lo-gistic regression analysis model revealed that age,hypertension,diabetes,LDL-C and homocys-teine were risk factors for cerebral arterial wall calcification in CAS patients(OR=1.039,95％CI:1.009-1.075;OR=1.006,95％CI:1.001-1.023;OR=2.053,95％CI:1.341-3.172;OR=1.687,95％CI:1.116-3.304;OR=1.149,95％CI:1.007-1.291).The prediction indicators of random forest model were better than those of logistic regression analysis model,but the differ-ence between training set and testing set was greater than that of logistic regression analysis mod-el.The stability of logistic regression analysis model was better,and the prediction efficiency of combined model was better than that of single model.Conclusion The random forest model has a higher predictive efficacy,and the logistic regression model is more stable,so that the combination of the two models has a higher predictive value.

Background The current oil production determines oil workers’ occupational noise exposure. Without effective protection, noise will affect various aspects of worker’s body functions, including acting on the adrenal cortex system and resulting in renal function damage. Objective To evaluate the associations of noise exposure and its cumulative exposure level with renal function impairment of oil workers. Methods Oil workers from a collective medical examination in a hospital were selected as the study subjects. In accordance with the national standard Measurement of Physical Agents in the Workplace Part 8: Noise (GBZ/T 189.8—2007), noise exposure was measured three times at the oil workers' work site, and their average value was calculated to obtain the cumulative noise exposure (CNE). A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect general information such as socio-demographic characteristics, family history, lifestyles, and occupational history. All blood biochemical indicators were measured in the fasting state. Renal function impairment was judged based on the glomerular filtration rate. The relationship between CNE and renal function was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for workers with noise exposure. Results A total of 2 917 subjects were included in the study and their prevalence of renal function impairment was 14.2%. The univariate analysis results suggested statistically significant differences in the prevalence of renal function impairment among the oil workers grouped by having hypertension or not, gender, age, marital status, marital status, smoking, and alcohol consumption (P＜0.05); the prevalence of renal impairment was significantly higher in those with abnormal values of uric acid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and fasting glucose than in those with normal values (P＜0.05); the oil workers with noise exposure [n=1565, 53.7%, equivalent sound level ≥80 dB(A)] showed a higher prevalence of renal function impairment than those without (P＜0.05). The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that being female (OR=2.811, 95%CI: 1.960-4.030), age at 31 years and above (OR_31-40=3.502, 95%CI: 1.402-8.751; OR_41-50=4.255, 95%CI: 1.759-10.291; OR_≥51=7.179, 95%CI: 2.864-17.996), showing abnormal uric acid (OR=5.932, 95%CI: 4.486-7.843), having hypertension (OR=1.593, 95%CI: 1.230-2.063), alcohol consumption (OR=2.648, 95%CI: 1.346-5.212), and smoking (OR=1.816, 95%CI: 1.133-2.911) had higher risks of developing renal function impairment; besides, those exposed to noise had 1.351 times (95%CI: 1.073-1.702) higher risks of developing renal function impairment than non-exposed individuals. Noise-exposed oil workers in the renal impairment group had higher noise exposure intensity and CNE compared to the noise-exposed oil workers in the normal renal function group (P＜0.05), and the workers had an increased risk of renal function impairment when the CNE was >95.85 dB(A)·year versus CNE ≤ 95.85 dB(A)·year (OR=2.583, 95%CI: 1.956-3.411). Conclusion Exposure to noise, higher noise exposure intensity, and higher level of CNE may be associated with developing renal function impairment in oil workers. Oil workers with CNE above 95.85 dB(A)·year are at an increased risk of renal impairment.

Objective:To explore the value of aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and platelet (PLT)ratio index(APRI)in the prognosis of liver transplantation(LT)for hepatocellular carcinoma and establish a nomogram model for evaluating its clinical application potential.Methods:From January 2015 to December 2019, retrospective review was conducted for clinical data of LT for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)at First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Shulan(Hangzhou)Hospital(601 cases). They were randomized into two groups of modeling (399 cases)and validation(202 cases)and then divided into low and high APRI groups according to the APRI value at Month 1 post-transplantation. The independent risk factors of recurrence and prognosis post-LT were screened in modeling group using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and were further used for constructing a nomogram prediction model. The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)and survival curve were utilized for verifying the accuracy of nomogram prediction model.Results:Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that independent risk factors for the prognosis of HCC-LT included cold ischemic time(CIT) >8 h, beyond Hangzhou criteria, surgical bleeding volume >1 000 ml and APRI >1.5. The AUC of HCC-LT recurrence prediction model was 0.734(95%CI: 0.681~0.787)and 0.749(95%CI: 0.671~0.817)in modeling and validation groups; the AUC of HCC-LT mortality prediction model was 0.735(95%CI: 0.679~0.790)and 0.758(95%CI: 0.682~0.834)in modeling and validation groups.Conclusions:APRI>1.5 is an independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence and mortality after HCC-LT. The nomogram prediction model based upon CIT, Hangzhou criteria, intraoperative bleeding volume and APRI can effectively predict the recurrence and overall survival of LT for HCC.

Purpose: Reduced quality of life after cystectomy has made bladder preservation a popular research topic for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Previous research has indicated significant tumor downstaging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). However, maximal transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) was performed before NAC to define the pathology, impacting the real evaluation of NAC. This research aimed to assess real NAC efficacy without interference from TURBT and apply combined modality therapies guided by NAC efficacy. Materials and Methods: Patients with cT2-4aN0M0 MIBC were confirmed by cystoscopic biopsy and imaging. NAC efficacy was assessed by imaging, urine cytology, and cystoscopy with multidisciplinary team discussion. Definite responders (≤ T1) underwent TURBT plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Incomplete responders underwent radical cystectomy or partial cystectomy if feasible. The primary endpoint was the bladder preservation rate. Results: Fifty-nine patients were enrolled, and the median age was 63 years. Patients with cT3-4 accounted for 75%. The median number of NAC cycles was three. Definite responders were 52.5%. The complete response (CR) was 10.2%, and 59.3% of patients received bladder-sparing treatments. With a median follow-up of 44.6 months, the 3-year overall survival (OS) was 72.8%. Three-year OS and relapse-free survival were 88.4% and 60.0% in the bladder-sparing group but only 74.3% and 37.5% in the cystectomy group. The evaluations of preserved bladder function were satisfactory. Conclusion After stratifying MIBC patients by NAC efficacy, definite responders achieved a satisfactory bladder-sparing rate, prognosis, and bladder function. The CR rate reflected the real NAC efficacy for MIBC. This therapy is worth verifying through multicenter research.

Objective:To identify whether splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism has any impact on development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) among patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis.Methods:Patients who underwent splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension between January 2008 and December 2012 were included from seven hospitals in China, whereas patients receiving medication treatments for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (non-splenectomy) at the same time period among the seven hospitals were included as control groups. In the splenectomy group, all the patients received open or laparoscopic splenectomy with or without pericardial devascularization. In contrast, patients in the control group were treated conservatively for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with medicines (non-splenectomy) with no invasive treatments, such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, splenectomy or liver transplantation before HCC development. All the patients were routinely screened for HCC development with abdominal ultrasound, liver function and alpha-fetoprotein every 3 to 6 months. To minimize the selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the baseline data of patients among splenectomy versus non-splenectomy groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival and cumulative incidence of HCC development, and the Log-rank test was used to compare the survival or disease rates between the two groups. Univariate and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the potential risk factors associated with development of HCC.Results:A total of 871 patients with liver cirrhosis and hypertension were included synchronously from 7 tertiary hospitals. Among them, 407 patients had a history of splenectomy for hypersplenism (splenectomy group), whereas 464 patients who received medical treatment but not splenectomy (non-splenectomy group). After PSM,233 pairs of patients were matched in adjusted cohorts. The cumulative incidence of HCC diagnosis at 1,3,5 and 7 years were 1%,6%,7% and 15% in the splenectomy group, which was significantly lower than 1%,6%,15% and 23% in the non-splenectomy group ( HR=0.53,95% CI:0.31 to 0.91, P=0.028). On multivariable analysis, splenectomy was independently associated with decreased risk of HCC development ( HR=0.55, 95%CI:0.32 to 0.95, P=0.031). The cumulative survival rates of all the patients at 1,3,5,and 7 years were 100%,97%,91%,86% in the splenectomy group,which was similar with that of 100%,97%,92%,84% in the non-splenectomy group ( P=0.899). In total,49 patients (12.0%) among splenectomy group and 75 patients (16.2%) in non-splenectomy group developed HCC during the study period, respectively. Compared to patients in non-splenectomy group, patients who developed HCC after splenectomy were unlikely to receive curative resection for HCC (12.2% vs. 33.3%,χ2=7.029, P=0.008). Conclusion:Splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism may decrease the risk of HCC development among patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Objective:To identify whether splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism has any impact on development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) among patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis.Methods:Patients who underwent splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension between January 2008 and December 2012 were included from seven hospitals in China, whereas patients receiving medication treatments for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (non-splenectomy) at the same time period among the seven hospitals were included as control groups. In the splenectomy group, all the patients received open or laparoscopic splenectomy with or without pericardial devascularization. In contrast, patients in the control group were treated conservatively for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with medicines (non-splenectomy) with no invasive treatments, such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, splenectomy or liver transplantation before HCC development. All the patients were routinely screened for HCC development with abdominal ultrasound, liver function and alpha-fetoprotein every 3 to 6 months. To minimize the selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the baseline data of patients among splenectomy versus non-splenectomy groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival and cumulative incidence of HCC development, and the Log-rank test was used to compare the survival or disease rates between the two groups. Univariate and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the potential risk factors associated with development of HCC.Results:A total of 871 patients with liver cirrhosis and hypertension were included synchronously from 7 tertiary hospitals. Among them, 407 patients had a history of splenectomy for hypersplenism (splenectomy group), whereas 464 patients who received medical treatment but not splenectomy (non-splenectomy group). After PSM,233 pairs of patients were matched in adjusted cohorts. The cumulative incidence of HCC diagnosis at 1,3,5 and 7 years were 1%,6%,7% and 15% in the splenectomy group, which was significantly lower than 1%,6%,15% and 23% in the non-splenectomy group ( HR=0.53,95% CI:0.31 to 0.91, P=0.028). On multivariable analysis, splenectomy was independently associated with decreased risk of HCC development ( HR=0.55, 95%CI:0.32 to 0.95, P=0.031). The cumulative survival rates of all the patients at 1,3,5,and 7 years were 100%,97%,91%,86% in the splenectomy group,which was similar with that of 100%,97%,92%,84% in the non-splenectomy group ( P=0.899). In total,49 patients (12.0%) among splenectomy group and 75 patients (16.2%) in non-splenectomy group developed HCC during the study period, respectively. Compared to patients in non-splenectomy group, patients who developed HCC after splenectomy were unlikely to receive curative resection for HCC (12.2% vs. 33.3%,χ2=7.029, P=0.008). Conclusion:Splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism may decrease the risk of HCC development among patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

At present, the application of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still at an early stage. There were more reports of imaging diagnosis than pathology. Studies of imaging diagnosis mainly focused on using artificial intelligence to identify benign and malignant renal tumors and predict pathological types of RCC by computed tomography. However, there were no reports of artificial intelligence in diagnosing RCC by magnetic resonance imaging. Studies of pathological diagnosis were mainly about the classification of the nucleus. In the future, artificial intelligence has great development potential in the diagnosis of RCC, and further research is needed.