Objective To establish and validate a nomogram model for predicting the risk of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods The clinical data of patients without atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent isolated AVR in the General Hospital of the Northern Theater of Command from June 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected. Patients with AVR were divided into a POAF group and a non-POAF group according to whether POAF occurred within 7 days after surgery. The preoperative baseline data, blood indexes, color Doppler echocardiography and the heart rate variability (HRV) in 7 days before surgery were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to analyze the preoperative risk factors for POAF and R language was used to construct a nomogram to predict POAF. The results were compared with the established AF model (POAF-AF score). Results A total of 191 patients were enrolled in this study, and 66 (35%) of them developed POAF within 7 days after the surgery. The age of the patients in the POAF group was (60.97±8.41) years and 16 (24%) were female, while the age of the patients in the non-POAF group was (54.65±11.85) years and 59 (47%) were female. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, drinking history, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, plateletocrit and high frequency power were independently associated with POAF after the AVR. The nomogram of POAF was constructed by combining the above independent risk factors. We predicted the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC=0.812) in the nomogram of POAF after simple aortic valve replacement. The model was internally verified by a 10-fold cross-validation resampling (AUC=0.757, Kappa=0.438). Compared with the POAF-AF score, the nomogram had a superior discrimination performance. Conclusion Age, sex, drinking history, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, plateletocrit, and high frequency power are independent predictors for POAF after isolated AVR. The nomogram can be used as a practical tool to help clinicians predict the probability of individual POAF occurrence and take necessary preventive measures.

Objective To compare the mid- and long-term clinical results of mitral valve plasty (MVP) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods Patients with FMR who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2012 to 2021 were collected. The patients who underwent MVP were divided into a MVP group, and those who underwent MVR into a MVR group. The clinical data and mid-term follow-up efficacy of two groups were compared. Results Finally 236 patients were included. There were 100 patients in the MVP group, including 53 males and 47 females, with an average age of (61.80±8.03) years. There were 136 patients in the MVR group, including 72 males and 64 females, with an average age of (61.29±8.97) years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative hospital and ICU stay, intraoperative blood loss, or hospitalization death (P＞0.05), but the time of mechanical ventilation in the MVP group was significantly shorter than that in the MVR group (P=0.022). The total follow-up rate was 100.0%, the longest follow-up was 10 years, and the average follow-up time was (3.60±2.55) years. There were statistical differences in the left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and cardiac function between the two groups compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction in the MVP group was statistically higher than that before surgery (P=0.002), but there was no statistical difference in the MVR group before and after surgery (P=0.658). The left atrial diameter in the MVP group was reduced compared with the MVR group (P=0.026). The recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation in the MVP group was higher than that in the MVR group, and the difference was statistically significant (10.0% vs. 1.5%, P=0.003). There were 14 deaths in the MVP group and 19 in the MVR group. The cumulative survival rate (P=0.605) and cardiovascular events-free survival rate (P=0.875) were not statistically significant between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusion The safety, and mid- and long-term clinical efficacy of MVP in the treatment of FMR patients are better than MVR, and the left atrial and left ventricular diameters are statistically reduced, and cardiac function is statistically improved. However, the surgeon needs to be well aware of the indications for the MVP procedure to reduce the rate of mitral regurgitation recurrence.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common ophthalmologic procedures. Advances in technology and medical policies have made it more precise. Residual refractive errors and deviation of target diopters are a main cause of dissatisfaction among patients. Refractive enhancement after cataract surgery can correct or eliminate these errors, improving patients' visual quality of life. There are multiple options for correcting residual refractive errors. The best approach depends on factors like the cause of the error, degrees of residual refractive errors, type of intraocular lens, ocular comorbidities, and patient preference. This paper summarizes the incidence and types of residual refractive errors, advancements in refractive enhancement surgeries, and provides practical solutions for clinical practice.

Here, we report a previously unrecognized syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder associated with biallelic loss-of-function variants in the RBM42 gene. The patient is a 2-year-old female with severe central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities, hypotonia, hearing loss, congenital heart defects, and dysmorphic facial features. Familial whole-exome sequencing (WES) reveals that the patient has two compound heterozygous variants, c.304C>T (p.R102*) and c.1312G>A (p.A438T), in the RBM42 gene which encodes an integral component of splicing complex in the RNA-binding motif protein family. The p.A438T variant is in the RRM domain which impairs RBM42 protein stability in vivo. Additionally, p.A438T disrupts the interaction of RBM42 with hnRNP K, which is the causative gene for Au-Kline syndrome with overlapping disease characteristics seen in the index patient. The human R102* or A438T mutant protein failed to fully rescue the growth defects of RBM42 ortholog knockout ΔFgRbp1 in Fusarium while it was rescued by the wild-type (WT) human RBM42. A mouse model carrying Rbm42 compound heterozygous variants, c.280C>T (p.Q94*) and c.1306_1308delinsACA (p.A436T), demonstrated gross fetal developmental defects and most of the double mutant animals died by E13.5. RNA-seq data confirmed that Rbm42 was involved in neurological and myocardial functions with an essential role in alternative splicing (AS). Overall, we present clinical, genetic, and functional data to demonstrate that defects in RBM42 constitute the underlying etiology of a new neurodevelopmental disease which links the dysregulation of global AS to abnormal embryonic development.
Female ; Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics* ; Facies ; Cleft Palate ; Muscle Hypotonia

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of Sanhuang Xiexintang （SHXXT） in protecting stress gastric ulcer （SGU） in rats through network pharmacology， molecular docking， and animal experiments. MethodThe active ingredients and corresponding targets in SHXXT were collected and screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Database （TCMID）， Bioinformation Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine （BATMAN-TCM）， and Swiss Target Prediction database. SGU-related targets were screened from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， Therapeutic Target Database （TTD）， GeneCards database， and PharmGKB database. Herbal-ingredient-target （H-C-T） network was constructed by using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） of drug and disease intersection targets was analyzed by using the Protein Interaction Platform （STRING） database. Gene ontology （GO） enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway analysis were conducted through the Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery （DAVID）. The active ingredients and key targets were validated using AutodockVina 1.2.2 molecular docking software， and the experimental results were further validated through animal experiments. ResultThe 55 active ingredients were screened， and 255 potential target genes for SHXXT treatment of SGU were predicted. The PPI analysis showed that protein kinase B （Akt）， phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten （PTEN）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） are the core targets of SHXXT for protecting SGU. GO and KEGG analyses showed that SHXXT may affect the development of SGU by regulating various biological processes such as the phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/Akt signaling pathway and inflammatory processes. The molecular docking results showed that both the active ingredients and key targets had good binding ability. Animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the ulcer index （UI） of the model group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly increased （P<0.01）. The phosphorylation level of PTEN in gastric mucosal tissue was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. The phosphorylation levels of PI3K， Akt， and nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） were significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the UI of the treatment group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The phosphorylation level of PTEN in gastric mucosal tissue was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K， Akt， and NF-κB were significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe application of network pharmacology prediction， molecular docking simulation， and animal experimental validation confirms that SHXXT regulates the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway to regulate the inflammatory response of rats and thus protects the gastric mucosa of SGU rats.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Shuotong ureteroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope in the treatment of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi, and analyze the influencing factors.Methods:A total of 102 patients with lower calyceal calculi were treated in the Second People′s Hospital of Yulin from February 2019 to December 2022, and they were divided into the observation group and the control group, with 51 cases in each group. The patients of the observation group were treated with Shuotong ureteroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope, while the patients of the control group were treated with flexible ureteroscope. According to whether the stones were completely removed after operation, all patients were divided into non-stone removal group ( n=13) and stone removal group ( n=89). The operation time, hospitalization time, lithotripsy time, intraoperative blood loss, complication rate and stone clearance rate were compared between the observation group and the control group. Generalized Estimation Equation was used to analyze and evaluate the effects of treatment time, treatment scheme and their interaction on visual analogue scale (VAS), white blood cell (WBC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Cr), hemoglobin (HGB) and procalcitonin (PCT). Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of stone removal rate. Nomogram model was constructed based on risk factors and evaluate the model. Results:Compared with the control group, operation time [(118.72±9.61) min vs (136.65±11.27) min], hospitalization stay [(6.43±1.12) d vs (10.29±2.23) d] and the lithotripsy time [ (51.23±10.38) min vs (56.62±11.43) min] of the observation group were shorter, and the amount of intraoperative blood loss [(128.52±10.20) mL vs (157.53±15.31) mL] were significantly less than those of the control group ( P< 0.05). The results of Generalized Estimation Equation analysis showed that treatment time, treatment regimen and their interaction had significant effects on WBC, HGB, BUN, Cr, PCT and VAS ( P< 0.05). Compared with the control group, the incidence of complications (5.88% vs 19.61%) of the observation group was lower and the stone clearance rate ( 94.12% vs 80.39%) was significantly higher than those in the control group ( P< 0.05). The mode of operation, infundibulopelvic angle(IPA), caliceal pelvic height (CPH) and the maximum diameter of stones were all influencing factors of stone removal rate in patients with 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. The nomogram model constructed in this study has good differentiation, calibration and clinical practicability, and can better identify high-risk patients with incomplete removal of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. Conclusions:Shuotong ureteroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope is a safe, effective method for the treatment of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. It has the advantages of simple operation, less intraoperative bleeding, less postoperative complications and high stone clearance rate. IPA, CPH, the maximum diameter of calculi and the mode of operation were all independent factors affecting the stone clearance rate of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. The nomogram model constructed in this study can well identify the high-risk patients with incomplete clearance of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi.

Objective:To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of methyltransferase (Mettl) 3 in the process of angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ)-induced pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and renal fibrosis.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were used, in cell experiments, mouse renal pericytes were isolated and cultured using magnetic bead sorting. These pericytes were then induced to transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts with 1×10 6 mmol/L Ang Ⅱ, which was the Ang Ⅱ group, while pericytes cultured in normal conditions served as the control group. Successful transdifferentiation was verified by immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The levels of m6A modifications and related enzymes (Mettl3, Mettl14), Wilms tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), fat mass and obesity protein (FTO), ALKBH5, YTHDF1, YTHDF2, YTHDC1, YTHDC2, YTHDC3 were assessed by Dot blot, RT-qPCR and Western blot. Mettl3 expression was inhibited in cells using lentivirus-mediated Mettl3-shRNA transfection, creating sh-Mettl3 and Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 groups, while lentivirus empty vector transfection served as the negative control (Ang Ⅱ+sh-NC group). The impact of Ang Ⅱ on pericyte transdifferentiation was observed, and the expression of downstream phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway proteins, including PI3K, AKT, phosphorylated AKT at serine 473 (p-AKT (S473)), and phosphorylated AKT at threonine 308 (p-AKT (T308)), were examined. PI3K gene transcription was inhibited by co-culturing cells with actinomycin D, and the half-life of PI3K mRNA was calculated by measuring residual PI3K mRNA expression over different co-culture time. The reversibility of Mettl3 inhibition on Ang Ⅱ-induced pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation was assessed by adding the AKT activator SC79 to the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group. In animal experiments, mice were divided into these groups: sham group (administered 0.9% sterile saline), Ang Ⅱ group (infused with Ang Ⅱ solution), sh-Mettl3 group (injected with Mettl3 shRNA lentivirus solution), Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group (infused with Ang Ⅱ solution and injected with Mettl3 shRNA lentivirus solution), and Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3+SC79 group (administered Ang Ⅱ solution and Mettl3 shRNA lentivirus, with an additional injection of SC79). Each group consisted of six subject mice. Blood pressure was measured using the tail-cuff method before and after surgery, and serum creatinine, urea, and urinary albumin levels were determined 4 weeks post-surgery. Kidney tissues were collected at 28 days and stained using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson′s trichrome to assess the extent of renal fibrosis. Results:Primary renal pericytes were successfully obtained by magnetic bead sorting, and intervened with 1×10 6 mmol/L Ang Ⅱ for 48 hours to induce pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Dot blot results indicated higher m6A modification levels in the Ang Ⅱ group compared to the control group ( P<0.05). RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed upregulation of Mettl3 mRNA and protein levels in the Ang Ⅱ group compared to the control group (both P<0.05). In the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group, Mettl3 protein expression was lower than that in the Ang Ⅱ group, with reduced expression levels of α-SMA, vimentin, desmin, fibroblast agonist protein (FAPa) and type Ⅰ collagen (all P<0.05). Compared to the control group, PI3K mRNA expression level was elevated in the Ang Ⅱ group, along with increased p-AKT (S473) and p-AKT (T308) expressions. In the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group, PI3K mRNA expression and p-AKT (S473) and p-AKT (T308) levels were decreased (all P<0.05). The half-life of PI3K mRNA was shorter in the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group than that in the Ang Ⅱ+sh-NC group (2.34 h vs. 3.42 h). The ameliorative effect of Mettl3 inhibition on Ang Ⅱ-induced pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation was reversible by SC79. Animal experiments showed higher blood pressure, serum creatinine, urea, and 24-hour urinary protein levels, and a larger fibrosis area in the Ang Ⅱ group compared to the sham group (all P<0.05). The fibrosis area was smaller in the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group than that in the Ang Ⅱ group ( P<0.05), but increased again upon addition of SC79. Conclusion:Mettl3-mediated RNA m6A epigenetic regulation is involved in Ang Ⅱ-induced pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and renal fibrosis, potentially by affecting PI3K stability and regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Atopic dermatitis(AD)is a chronic,relapsing,inflammatory dermatosis.It is an inflammatory chronic dermatosis,often associated with other atopic manifestations,that can affect both children and adults.Multiple studies have shown that people with AD have a higher burden of disease,with important implications for public health.At present,a large number of studies at home and abroad have shown that the pathogenesis of AD involves skin immune inflammation,skin barrier and skin flora,proposing that the impaired epidermal permeability barrier function is an important link in the pathogenesis of AD,therefore,repairing and protecting the skin barrier function,and maintaining the skin microecological balance are particularly important for the treatment of AD.The treatment of AD involves a number of aspects such as basic treatment,topical medication,physiotherapy and systemic medication.For mild to moderate patients,on the basis of basic treatment,topical medications and oral antihistamines can be used.For moderate to severe patients,systemic therapy is an option.Some innovative therapies represented by biologic have made important progress,which can effectively inhibit type 2 inflammation and help patients achieve long-term disease control.Meanwhile,the mining and development of natural medicines is also receiving increasing attention and will provide more options for the treatment of AD patients.

Objective To evaluate the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after dexmedetomidine and diazepam in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the patients who underwent CABG in the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from October 2020 to June 2021. By propensity score-matching method, the incidence of POAF after dexmedetomidine and diazepam application in patients undergoing CABG was evaluated. Results Finally 207 patients were collected, including 150 males and 57 females, with an average age of 62.02±8.38 years. Among the 207 patients, 53 were treated with dexmedetomidine and 154 with diazepam before operation. There was a statistical difference in the proportion of hypertension patients and smoking patients between the two groups before matching (P<0.05). According to the 1∶1 propensity score-matching method, there were 53 patients in each of the two groups, with no statistical difference between the two groups after matching. After matching, the incidence of POAF in the dexmedetomidine group was lower than that in the diazepam group [9.43% (5/53) vs. 30.19% (16/53), P=0.007]. There was no death in the two groups during hospitalization, and there was no statistical difference in the main adverse events after operation. The ICU stay (21.28±2.69 h vs. 22.80±2.56 h, P=0.004) and mechanical ventilation time (18.53±2.25 h vs. 19.85±2.01 h, P=0.002) in the dexmedetomidine group were shorter. Regression analysis showed that age, smoking and diabetes were related to the increased incidence of POAF (P<0.05), and preoperative use of dexmedetomidine was associated with a reduced incidence of POAF (P=0.002). Conclusion For patients undergoing CABG, the incidence of POAF with dexmedetomidine before operation is lower than that with diazepam. Preoperative application of dexmedetomidine is the protective factor for POAF, and old age, smoking and diabetes are the risk factors for POAF.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of mitral valve replacement combined with cryoablation Maze surgery in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR). Methods From January 2014 to June 2020, patients with AFMR who underwent mitral valve replacement in our department were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, a cryoablation Maze group who received cryoablation Maze surgery during mitral valve replacement, and a non-cryoablation Maze group who did not receive cryoablation Maze surgery. The baseline data, surgical data, efficacy, and prognosis between the two groups were compared. Results Finally 85 patients were enrolled. There were 16 males and 24 females with an average age of 58.65±6.86 years in the cryoablation Maze group, and 24 males and 21 females with an average age of 61.29±8.30 years in the non-cryoablation Maze group. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). The aortic occlusion time and extracorporeal circulation time of the cryoablation Maze group were longer than those of the non-cryoablation Maze group with statistical differences (P＜0.01). There was no statistical difference in postoperative ICU retention time, ventilator assistance time, length of hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume on the first day or occurrence rate of complications (temporary pacemaker application, electrical cardioversion, thoracic puncture drainage, hospitalization death) between the two groups (P＞0.05). At the time of discharge, postoperative 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 24-month, the maintenance rates of sinus rhythm in the non-cryoablation Maze group were statistically different from those of the cryoablation Maze group (P＜0.001). Compared with the non-cryoablation Maze group, the decrease values of left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were statistically different (P＜0.05). Postoperative cardiac function grading of both groups was grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ, which was significantly improved compared with preoperative level, but there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse events during follow-up (P＞0.05). Conclusion Cryoablation Maze surgery combined with mitral valve replacement is safe and effective in the treatment of AFMR patients, which is conducive to the recovery and maintenance of sinus rhythm, and is beneficial to the remodeling of the left atrium and left ventricle, the reduction of pulmonary systolic blood pressure, and the improvement of life quality of the patients.