Objective To compare the performance and efficacy of prognostic models constructed by different machine learning algorithms in predicting the survival period of lung transplantation (LTx) recipients. Methods Data from 483 recipients who underwent LTx were retrospectively collected. All recipients were divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 7:3. The 24 collected variables were screened based on variable importance (VIMP). Prognostic models were constructed using random survival forest (RSF) and extreme gradient boosting tree (XGBoost). The performance of the models was evaluated using the integrated area under the curve (iAUC) and time-dependent area under the curve (tAUC). Results There were no significant statistical differences in the variables between the training set and the validation set. The top 15 variables ranked by VIMP were used for modeling and the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) was determined as the most important factor. Compared with the XGBoost model, the RSF model demonstrated better performance in predicting the survival period of recipients (iAUC 0.773 vs. 0.723). The RSF model also showed better performance in predicting the 6-month survival period (tAUC _{6 months} 0.884 vs. 0.809, P = 0.009) and 1-year survival period (tAUC _{1 year} 0.896 vs. 0.825, P = 0.013) of recipients. Based on the prediction cut-off values of the two algorithms, LTx recipients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. The survival analysis results of both models showed that the survival rate of recipients in the high-risk group was significantly lower than that in the low-risk group (P<0.001). Conclusions Compared with XGBoost, the machine learning prognostic model developed based on the RSF algorithm may preferably predict the survival period of LTx recipients.

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of survival of patients with airway stenosis requiring clinical interventions after lung transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 66 patients with airway stenosis requiring clinical interventions after lung transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox’s regression models were adopted to analyze the influencing factors of survival of all patients with airway stenosis and those with early airway stenosis. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival and delineate the survival curve. Results For 66 patients with airway stenosis, the median airway stenosis-free time was 72 (52,102) d, 27% (18/66) for central airway stenosis and 73% (48/66) for distal airway stenosis. Postoperative mechanical ventilation time [hazard ratio (HR) 1.037, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.005-1.070, P=0.024] and type of surgery (HR 0.400, 95%CI 0.177-0.903, P=0.027) were correlated with the survival of patients with airway stenosis after lung transplantation. The longer the postoperative mechanical ventilation time, the higher the risk of mortality of the recipients. The overall survival of airway stenosis recipients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation was better than that of their counterparts after single lung transplantation. Subgroup analysis showed that grade 3 primary graft dysfunction (PGD) (HR 4.577, 95%CI 1.439-14.555, P=0.010) and immunosuppressive drugs (HR 0.079, 95%CI 0.022-0.287, P<0.001) were associated with the survival of patients with early airway stenosis after lung transplantation. The overall survival of patients with early airway stenosis after lung transplantation without grade 3 PGD was better compared with that of those with grade 3 PGD. The overall survival of patients with early airway stenosis after lung transplantation treated with tacrolimus was superior to that of their counterparts treated with cyclosporine. Conclusions Long postoperative mechanical ventilation time, single lung transplantation, grade 3 PGD and use of cyclosporine may affect the survival of patients with airway stenosis after lung transplantation.

Organ transplantation has become an effective treatment for multiple end-stage diseases. However, the recipients of organ transplantation need to take immunosuppressive drugs for a long time after operation, which leads to low immune function and relatively high incidence of bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Traditional microbial detection methods, such as pathogen culture, immunological detection and polymerase chain reaction, have been widely applied in infection detection, whereas these methods may cause problems, such as long detection time and presumed pathogens. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing has been widely adopted in infection prevention and control in organ transplantation in recent years due to high detection rate and comprehensive detection of pathogen spectrum. In this article, the application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the prevention and control of infection in solid organ transplantation was reviewed, aiming to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of transplantation-related infection.

Lung transplantation is an effective means of treating various end-stage lung diseases.However,compared with other solid organ transplants,the survival rate after lung transplantation is relatively low.The main reason is the numerous complications after lung transplantation,among which infection is one of the most common complications.Respiratory viral infections are an important type of infection after lung transplantation,which severely affect the survival time and quality of life of lung transplant recipients.Early identification,early prevention,and active diagnosis and treatment are of great significance in reducing the incidence and fatality of respiratory viral infections after lung transplantation.This article reviews the epidemiology,risk factors,prevention and treatment principles,and specific prevention and treatment progress of common viruses in respiratory viral infections after lung transplantation at home and abroad,in order to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of respiratory viral infections after lung transplantation in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of central airway stenosis after lung transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 155 recipients undergoing lung transplantation in Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from July 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the incidence of central airway stenosis following lung transplantation, all recipients were divided into the stenosis group (n=36) and control group (n=119). The incidence of central airway stenosis after lung transplantation was summarized. The risk factors of central airway stenosis after lung transplantation were assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Among 155 lung transplant recipients, 36 cases (23.2%) developed central airway stenosis. The average incidence time was (53±13) d after lung transplantation. Univariate analysis demonstrated that bilateral lung transplantation, grade 3 primary graft dysfunction (PGD), airway fungal infection, long cold ischemia time, long mechanical ventilation time and long intensive care unit (ICU) stay were the risk factors for central airway stenosis after lung transplantation (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that airway fungal infection, long cold ischemia time and long mechanical ventilation time were the independent risk factors for central airway stenosis after lung transplantation (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Airway fungal infection after lung transplantation, long cold ischemia time and long mechanical ventilation time probably lead to central airway stenosis after lung transplantation. Active preventive measures and intimate monitoring should be taken to improve the quality of life of the recipients after lung transplantation.

Lung transplantation is the only effective treatment of most end-stage lung diseases. Airway anastomotic complications are the main obstacles affecting the postoperative survival and quality of life of lung transplant recipients. Airway anastomotic stenosis is the most common airway anastomotic complication after lung transplantation. In recent years, improvements in the recipient selection, organ preservation, surgical techniques, postoperative intensive care management, immunosuppression, antifungal and endoscopic treatment have decreased the incidence of airway anastomotic stenosis and improved the surgical efficacy of lung transplantation and the survival of the recipients. In this article, the pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of airway anastomotic stenosis after lung transplantation were reviewed, aiming to provide novel ideas for clinical research, diagnosis and treatment of airway anastomotic stenosis following lung transplantation.

Objective:To compare the function and action pathways of VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC in VEGF family of mouse eye.Methods:Using the BXD mouse gene data in Genenetwork database as template to compare and study the similarities and differences of VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC molecular pathways or potential functions in the whole genome expression spectrum of BXD recombinant mouse inbred line population, with multiple analytical methods and statistical strategies were used, such as gene expression level, target genes comparison, top genes comparison associated to target genes, expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL).Results:Matrix comparison showed strong positive correlation between two probes of VEGFC ( r=0.732, P<0.01), weak correlation between VEGFA 1420909 and VEGFC 1440739, VEGFA 1451959 and VEGFC 1451803, VEGFC 1419417959 and VEGFC 1439766, VEGFC 1451803 and VEGFC 1439766 ( P<0.05); there was no correlation between VEGFA 1420909 and four other genes except VEGFC 1440739, VEGFA 1451959 and VEGFC 1440739, VEGFB 1451803 and VEGFA 1420909/VEGFC 1419417/VEGFC 1440739 ( P >0.05). In the comparative analysis of the relevant Top 50 genes of each VEGF gene, most of the genes in BXD mouse were not significantly correlated with VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC except for the weak association of individual related genes. The results of eQTL analysis showed that each probe of VEGF gene was located on different chromosomes. Conclusions:The expression levels and positive and negative correlations of VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC were different in the VEGF family of mouse eye, suggesting that these genes may play their role through different pathways.

Objective To analyze the risk factors that affect the early recurrence (recurrence occurring within 3 months after surgical resection) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to discuss the risk factors influencing the survival after hepatectomy. Methods The clinical data of 257 HCC patients, who were admitted to authors' hospital during the period from January 1, 2007 to March 31, 2014 to receive cTACE within 3 months after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma, were retrospectively analyzed. According to DSA findings (lipiodol CT scan was performed in part of patients with undetermined diagnosis), the patients were divided into recurrence group and non-recurrence group. By using univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis, the correlation of the clinical and pathological data with the early recurrence was analyzed. The patients were followed up, the survival time was recorded. The relationship between patient's clinical data and postoperative survival was evaluated. Results ① Of the 257 patients, early recurrence was detected in 150 patients (58. 4％, recurrence group) and no recurrence was observed in 107 patients (41. 6％, non-recurrence group). ②The presence of satellite nodules and the integrity of tumor encapsulation were two independent factors associated with the postoperative residual lesions. ③The maximum diameter of the tumor, Edmondson grade and the vascular cancer thrombus were the independent risk factors affecting survival. ④The median survival time of patients in recurrence group was markedly shortened than that of patients in non-recurrence group (39 months vs. 93 months). Conclusion The early recurrence (within 3 months after resection) of hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with the presence of satellite nodules and the integrity of tumor encapsulation. The survival of patients after hepatectomy is related to the maximum diameter of the tumor, Edmondson grade and the vascular cancer thrombus. The median survival time in patients having early recurrence is significantly shortened than that in patients having no early recurrence. (J Intervent Radiol, 2018, 27: 215-222)

Objective To investigate clinical features and therapeutic strategies of invasive tracheobroncial aspergillosis (ITBA) in donation after citizen's death (DCD) for lung transplantation.Methods From January 2015 to June 2016,137 patients underwent lung transplantation from DCD donors.The clinical data were reviewed retrospectively.The diagnosis of ITBA was made by typical bronchoscopy findings,bronchial biopsy or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid glactomannan test.Results Twenty cases (14.60％) were diagnosed as having ITBA.The time for diagnosis of ITBA was (22.45 ± 17.70) days (7-70 days) posttransplant.Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common pathogen (n =19).The risk factors of ITBA included immunosuppressive agents (n =20),hypoproteinemia (n =6),basiliximab (n =3),preoperative aspergillus colonization (n =3),neutropenia (n.=1),aspergillus infection of the sinus (n =1).Therapeutic strategies included intravenous caspofungin,micafungin,voriconazole,posaconazole,amphotericin B,nebulized amphotericin B or amphotericin B liposome,gargled mycostatin,combined with interventional bronchoscopy.Five cases developed anastomotic or airway stenosis,one of them died,and two died due to non ITBA factors.The rest 17 cases recovered after treatment.No patient suffered from severe complications including anastomotic dehiscence,anastomotic fistula and invasive pulmonary fungal disease.Conclusion Bronchoscopy is the most important diagnostic method for ITBA.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid glactomannan test helps to guide diagnosis.Safety needs to be taken into account in antifungal prophylaxis.Balloon dilatation should not be conducted prematurely as one important method of interventional bronchoscopy.

Objective To investigate the effect of paclitaxel drug-coated balloon (DCB) dilatation in treating coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR) occurring after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation,and to observe the long-term changes of the target vascular lumen area in order to clarify the curative effect of paclitaxel DCB in treating ISR.Methods Four patients with ISR whose clinical condition met the DCB indication were selected.According to the standard process,sufficient pre-expansion of ISR was performed first,then paclitaxel DCB dilatation was carried out to dilate the lesion segment of ISR,and no stent was implanted.Both coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were performed immediately after the treatment as well as 9 months to measure the minimum lumen area (MLA) and cross-sectional area (SA) of the stent,and the intimal hyperplasia was also been evaluated.Results In all 4 patients,angiography performed immediately after paclitaxel DCB dilatation showed that neither dissection of the dilated segment of the target artery nor obvious residual stenosis was observed.Angiography performed 9 months after the treatment revealed that all dilated segments of the target arteries were patent,and no pronounced restenosis of stent segment was seen.IVUS examination was indicated that MLA became enlarged,SA showed an increasing trend,and intimal hyperplasia showed a tendency to be inhibited.Conclusion For the treatment of ISR,pure paclitaxel DCB dilatation can obtain long-term lumen area enlargement,thus,repeated stent implantation can be avoided,which,in turn,can reduce the risk of ISR recurrence.Paclitaxel DCB dilatation can locally release paclitaxel,which has curative effect on the coronary artery wall to inhibit the excessive proliferation of intima.