Objective To identify core targets of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using bioinformatics and specific algorithms, explore their relationships with immune cells, and investigate the causal relationships between immune cells and HCC through Mendelian randomization. Methods Relevant genes associated with the development of HCC were screened using the GEO and TCGA databases. Immune infiltration analysis was conducted using GSVA and CIBERSORT algorithms. A bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis was then performed to explore the causal relationships between immune cells and HCC. Results A total of 284 HCC-related genes were identified, with 120 genes recognized within the protein interaction network. Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant correlations between key genes and immune cells. Mendelian randomization results indicated that HLA DR on CD33⁺ HLA DR⁺ CD14dim (OR=1.097, 95%CI: 1.002–1.201, P=0.045, P_Bonferroni=0.091) and CD8 on CD28⁺ CD45RA⁺ CD8⁺ T cell (OR=1.123, 95%CI: 1.027–1.228, P=0.011, P_Bonferroni=0.022) were the risk factors for HCC. Conversely, HLA DR⁺⁺ monocyte absolute count was identified as a protective factor for HCC (OR=0.812, 95%CI: 0.702–0.938, P=0.005, P_Bonferroni=0.139). Conclusion The occurrence and development of liver cancer may be related to CDK1, CCNB1, and CDC20, showing a high degree of correlation with Th2 cells, T helper cells, Th17 cells, and DCs. Mendelian randomization shows that HLA DR on CD33⁺HLA DR⁺ CD14dim and CD8 on CD28⁺CD45RA⁺CD8⁺T cells are associated with an increased risk of HCC. The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with a decrease in the level of HLA DR⁺⁺monocyte absolute count.

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.

Purpose To establish a nomogram based on conventional ultrasound combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)for predicting the probability of cervical central lymph node metastasis(CLNM)in clinical lymph node-negative(CN0)papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)patients.Materials and Methods A retrospective study was performed on 359 patients with single CN0 PTC,all of whom underwent thyroid surgery and prophylactic central compartment neck dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from September 2015 to March 2022.According to the postoperative pathological results,there were 116 cases with CLNM(+)and other 243 cases with CLNM(-).The indicators of gender,age,conventional ultrasound and CEUS were recorded,and multivariate stepwise Logistic regression was performed to screen out risk predictors to construct prediction models for CLNM in CN0 PTC.The receiver operating characteristic curves of prediction models were drawn,and the area under the curve(AUC)was further compared.The preferable prediction model was selected to establish the risk probability nomogram,and the prediction performance and clinical applicability of the nomogram model were assessed.Results Multivariate analysis showed that gender,age,the maximum diameter of nodule,capsule invasion and enhancement pattern on CEUS were risk factors for CLNM in CN0 PTC(all P<0.05).The AUC of prediction model 1 including the above five indicators was 0.753,and the AUC of prediction model 2 excluding CEUS indicator was 0.704.There were statistically significant difference in AUCs between the two models(Z=2.473,P=0.013).Prediction model 1 was selected to construct a risk probability nomogram for predicting CLNM in CN0 PTC.The nomogram had a C-index of 0.753 and showed well consistency on the calibration curve.Clinical decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram could achieve ideal net benefit when the threshold probability was between 10.7%to 81.5%.Conclusion Gender,age,the maximum diameter of nodule,capsule invasion and enhancement pattern on CEUS may be the risk predictors for CLNM in CN0 PTC.The nomogram model based on the above indicators can predict the probability of CLNM effectively,and the CEUS indicators can substantially improve the prediction performance of the model.

Objective:To investigate the effects of early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after thrombolysis.Methods:A total of 108 patients with STEMI treated in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were divided into early PCI following thrombolysis group ( n=65) and primary PCI (pPCI) group ( n=43). The general clinical data, and the parameters of routine echocardiography at 1 day after PCI and before discharge were compared between the two groups. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was used to evaluate myocardial perfusion at 1 day after PCI and before discharge. Results:There were no significant differences in general clinical data between the early PCI following thrombolysis group and the pPCI group (all P>0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group before discharge was significantly higher than that on the 1st day after PCI(both P<0.05). The difference of LVEF was significant between the early PCI following thrombolysis group and the pPCI group before discharge and 1 day after PCI ( P<0.05). Compared with 1 day after PCI, the global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) of left ventricle increased in early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group before discharge(both P<0.05). The difference of LVGLS between early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group before discharge and 1 day after discharge was statistically significant( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left atrial volume (LAV), ratio of mitral early diastolic velocity to late diastolic velocity (E/A), mean early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus (Em) and E/Em 1 day after PCI and before discharge between early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group (all P>0.05). MCE showed that the MCE score index of early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group before discharge was significantly lower than that of 1 day after PCI(both P<0.001). Compared to the 1 day after PCI, the early PCI following thrombolysis group showed a significant increase in the proportion of normal microvascular perfusion (nMVP) and a decrease in the proportion of delayed microvascular perfusion (dMVP) and microvascular obstruction (MVO) before discharge (all P<0.05). In contrast, the pPCI group demonstrated a significant decrease in the proportion of both nMVP and dMVP before discharge compared to the first day after PCI (all P<0.05). However, the decrease in the proportion of MVO was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Early PCI following thrombolysis and pPCI can enhance left ventricular systolic function and myocardial perfusion in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Early PCI following thrombolysis may offer additional advantages in improving left ventricular systolic function and myocardial perfusion.

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.

Objective:To explore the changes in the functional connectivity (FC) of hippocampal subregions in nicotine addicts after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) using resting-state FC.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. The clinical and imaging data from 20 male nicotine addicts at Zhejiang Hospital between 2022 and 2024 were analyzed prospectively. All participants received rTMS treatment and were assessed with nicotine-related clinical scales and resting-state FC analysis before and after treatment. The clinical scale evaluations included the Fagerstr?m test for nicotine dependence (FTND), smoking severity index, Minnesota nicotine withdrawal scale (MNWS), short tobacco craving questionnaire (sTCQ), and visual analog scale (VAS). Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare the differences in clinical scale scores before and after treatment. Ten subregions of the bilateral hippocampus (including the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, entorhinal cortex, hippocampus-amygdala transition area, and subiculum) were used as seed points, and paired t-tests were conducted to compare the FC differences in these subregions before and after treatment. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were used to assess the correlation between changes in resting-state FC in the rTMS group and clinical scale scores. Results:Compared to pre-treatment, the scores on the FTND, smoking severity index, MNWS, sTCQ, and VAS all significantly decreased after rTMS treatment in nicotine addicts (all P<0.05). Compared to pre-treatment, post-treatment FC was reduced between the left dentate gyrus subregion and the bilateral supplementary motor area and left middle cingulate gyrus, while it increased between the left entorhinal cortex subregion and the right middle and superior temporal gyri, and between the left hippocampus-amygdala transition area subregion and the bilateral calcarine cortex and cuneus (Gaussian random field correction, voxel-level P<0.01, cluster-level P<0.05). Negative correlations were observed between the FC difference in the left hippocampus-amygdala transition area subregion and the right calcarine cortex and the difference in sTCQ-impulse score before and after treatment ( r=-0.447, P=0.048). Negative correlations were observed between the FC difference in the left hippocampus-amygdala transition area subregion and the right cuneus and the difference in the sTCQ-expectation score ( r=-0.559, P=0.010). Negative correlations were observed between the FC difference in the left hippocampus-amygdala transition area subregion and the left calcarine cortex and the differences in sTCQ-emotion and sTCQ-expectation scores ( r=-0.516, P=0.020; r=-0.466, P=0.038, respectively). Negative correlations were observed between the FC difference in the left hippocampus-amygdala transition area subregion and the left cuneus and the differences in sTCQ-emotion and sTCQ-expectation scores ( r=-0.459, P=0.042; r=-0.501, P=0.024, respectively). Conclusion:Changes in FC in certain hippocampal regions are observed in nicotine addicts following rTMS treatment, suggesting that hippocampal subregions may serve as potential biomarkers for nicotine addiction withdrawal to some extent.

Objective To compare the positive rate ofthyroid autoantibodies in infertile women with different ovarian reserve function,and investigate the immune factors of diminished ovarian reserve.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on infertile women admitted to Department of Reproductive Medicine of Beijing Gynaecology and Obstetrics Hospital from June to December,2020.The levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH ),thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH ),thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb ) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb)were detected in the 526 enrolled infertile patients.According to their AMH level,they were divided into normal ovarian reserve group and diminished ovarian reserve group.After they were stratified according to their age,the differences of TSH,TGAb and TPOAb levels were compared in the different age groups to analyze the related factors for diminished ovarian reserve.Results Univariate analysis showed that the diminished ovarian reserve group had significantly higher positive rates of TPOAb (18.8％ vs 11.1％,P=0.024)and TGAb (18.8％ vs 8.0％,P=0.001 )than the normal ovarian reserve group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age and TGAb positivity were related to diminished ovarian reserve[OR=1.083(95％ CI:1.021～1.150),P=0.008;OR=1.159(95％ CI:1.034～1.301 ),P=0.011].Subgroup analysis suggested that the positive TGAb and TPOAb were significantly correlated with AMH level in the 36-～40-year-old group (P<0.05).Conclusion The infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve have higher TGAb and TPOAb levels,and the diminishment in those aged 36～40 years might be related to the positive TGAb and TPOAb.

To investigate the clinical assessment of dual-enhanced antiplatelet therapy after cerebrovascular intervention to reduce the risk of cerebral infarction recurrence, and to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction recurrence risk. 202 patients with cerebral infarction who underwent cerebrovascular intervention in Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital from January 2018 to October 2022 were selected as study subjects. The patients were divided into a treatment group ( n=104) based on randomized controlled single-blind method with 61 males and 43 females with a mean age of (62.33±2.57) years old and a control group ( n=98) with 56 males and 42 females with a mean age of (62.49±2.36) years old. The control group was given aspirin mono-antiplatelet therapy, and the treatment group was given clopidogrel doublet augmented antiplatelet therapy on the basis of the control group, and both groups continued the treatment for 2 months. Platelet counts, coagulation indexes and inflammatory factors were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the America National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was used to assess the neurological functions of the two groups before and after treatment, and the recurrence of cerebral infarction in the two groups was counted within 6 months after treatment. In addition, the patients in the treatment group were divided into the cerebral infarction recurrence group and the cerebral infarction non-recurrence group according to whether they had cerebral infarction recurrence within 6 months after treatment, and the clinical data of the patients in the treatment group were collected to analyze the influencing factors of the dual-enhancement antiplatelet therapy for the recurrence of cerebral infarction in patients with cerebral infarction after cerebral vascular intervention by multifactorial logistic regression. The results showed that after treatment, patients in the treatment group had an international normalized ratio (INR) of (1.76±0.38), a platelet activation rate of (39.52±4.79)%, a platelet aggregation rate of (48.54±5.21)%, a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) of (28.37±4.47)ng/L, an interleukin 6 (IL-6) of (24.77±3.52)ng/L, a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) of (7.39±1.53)mg/L and an NIHSS score of (6.11±1.39) were lower than those of the control group (2.32±0.41), (44.81±6.37)%, (51.39±5.58)%, (39.66±4.51) ng/L, (29.25±4.04) ng/L, (9.03±1.78) mg/L and (9.93±1.46) points (all P<0.05). At 6-month follow-up of all patients, cerebral infarction recurred in 16 (15.38%) patients in the treatment group and in 33 (33.67%) patients in the control group ( χ2=9.185, P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier results showed a statistically significant difference in the rate of recurrence without cerebral infarction in the treatment group compared with the control group(LogRank χ2=4.595, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking history, cervical vascular plaque, post-treatment NIHSS score, post-treatment stenosis score, post-treatment INR, post-treatment hs-CRP and CYP2C19 gene polymorphism were independent influences on the recurrence of cerebral infarction in cerebral infarction patients with cerebral vascular interventions followed by doublet augmentation of antiplatelet therapy (all P<0.05). In conclusion, dual-enhanced antiplatelet therapy may be an effective measure to reduce the risk of cerebral infarction recurrence after cerebrovascular intervention in patients with cerebral infarction, but it is still influenced by more factors.

To investigate the clinical assessment of dual-enhanced antiplatelet therapy after cerebrovascular intervention to reduce the risk of cerebral infarction recurrence, and to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction recurrence risk. 202 patients with cerebral infarction who underwent cerebrovascular intervention in Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital from January 2018 to October 2022 were selected as study subjects. The patients were divided into a treatment group ( n=104) based on randomized controlled single-blind method with 61 males and 43 females with a mean age of (62.33±2.57) years old and a control group ( n=98) with 56 males and 42 females with a mean age of (62.49±2.36) years old. The control group was given aspirin mono-antiplatelet therapy, and the treatment group was given clopidogrel doublet augmented antiplatelet therapy on the basis of the control group, and both groups continued the treatment for 2 months. Platelet counts, coagulation indexes and inflammatory factors were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the America National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was used to assess the neurological functions of the two groups before and after treatment, and the recurrence of cerebral infarction in the two groups was counted within 6 months after treatment. In addition, the patients in the treatment group were divided into the cerebral infarction recurrence group and the cerebral infarction non-recurrence group according to whether they had cerebral infarction recurrence within 6 months after treatment, and the clinical data of the patients in the treatment group were collected to analyze the influencing factors of the dual-enhancement antiplatelet therapy for the recurrence of cerebral infarction in patients with cerebral infarction after cerebral vascular intervention by multifactorial logistic regression. The results showed that after treatment, patients in the treatment group had an international normalized ratio (INR) of (1.76±0.38), a platelet activation rate of (39.52±4.79)%, a platelet aggregation rate of (48.54±5.21)%, a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) of (28.37±4.47)ng/L, an interleukin 6 (IL-6) of (24.77±3.52)ng/L, a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) of (7.39±1.53)mg/L and an NIHSS score of (6.11±1.39) were lower than those of the control group (2.32±0.41), (44.81±6.37)%, (51.39±5.58)%, (39.66±4.51) ng/L, (29.25±4.04) ng/L, (9.03±1.78) mg/L and (9.93±1.46) points (all P<0.05). At 6-month follow-up of all patients, cerebral infarction recurred in 16 (15.38%) patients in the treatment group and in 33 (33.67%) patients in the control group ( χ2=9.185, P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier results showed a statistically significant difference in the rate of recurrence without cerebral infarction in the treatment group compared with the control group(LogRank χ2=4.595, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking history, cervical vascular plaque, post-treatment NIHSS score, post-treatment stenosis score, post-treatment INR, post-treatment hs-CRP and CYP2C19 gene polymorphism were independent influences on the recurrence of cerebral infarction in cerebral infarction patients with cerebral vascular interventions followed by doublet augmentation of antiplatelet therapy (all P<0.05). In conclusion, dual-enhanced antiplatelet therapy may be an effective measure to reduce the risk of cerebral infarction recurrence after cerebrovascular intervention in patients with cerebral infarction, but it is still influenced by more factors.

Objective:To establish the gastrointestinal cognition behavior index(GCBI) scale and conduct a preliminary clinical study, to provide a scientific tool for assessing gastrointestinal related cognition and behavior among Chinese residents.Methods:The initial GCBI scale was formed through literature review and experts′ evaluation. From January 1 to December 31, 2022, 323 healthy participants who received medical treatment or check-ups at the First People′s Hospital of Changzhou were selected by convenient sampling method for the initial GCBI scale. A total of 307 valid scales of GCBI were collected, and 98 of them were selected by convenient sampling method for the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) scale test. A total of 50 participants of 307 were selected by random number table method for retesting the initial GCBI scale after 2 weeks. The principal component analysis was used for factor extraction to established the formal GCBI scale. From March 1 to May 31, 2023, at the First People′s Hospital of Changzhou, 40 patients with functional gastrointestinal disorder(FGID, FGID group) and 40 healthy individuals (healthy control group) were selected by convenient sampling method for formal GCBI scale test. Pearson correlation analysis and Cronbach′s α coefficient were used to evaluate the criterion validity and reliability of the scale. Rank-sum test was used to compare the total GCBI scale scores and factor scores between the FGID group and the healthy control group. Results:The results of principal component analysis showed that 2 factors and 7 items were finally extracted to establish the formal GCBI scale. The cumulative contribution rate of factor 1 and factor 2 was 84.30%, and the factor load values ranged from 0.721 to 0.913. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the total score of GCBI scale and each factor were negatively correlated with the total score and each factor of GIQLI scale (all P<0.001).The Cronbach′s α coefficient of the total GCBI scale, factor 1, and factor 2 were 0.90, 0.87, and 0.91, respectively. The test-retest reliability correlation coefficient r were 0.98, 0.97, and 0.99 (all P<0.001). The total score of GCBI scale, factor 1 and factor 2 scores of FGID group were all higher than those of the healthy control group(10.00(7.25, 13.25) vs. 2.00(0.25, 3.00), 5.00(3.25, 8.00) vs. 0.50(0, 2.00), 5.00(3.00, 6.00) vs. 0.50(0, 2.00)), and the differences were statistically significant( Z=7.42, 6.82 and 7.04, all P<0.001). Conclusion:The GCBI scale established in this study has good reliability and validity, and is suitable for evaluating the gastrointestinal-related cognition and behavior, and it is helpful for the diagnosis of FGID.