Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of mitral valve repair technique in the treatment of rheumatic mitral valve lesions. Methods The clinical data of patients diagnosed with rheumatic mitral valve lesions and undergoing mitral valve repair under extracorporeal circulation in our department from 2021 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 100 patients were collected, including 78 females and 22 males with an average age of 52 years. There were no secondary open heart or death in the whole group. Extracorporeal circulation time was 136.3±33.1 min, aortic cross-clamping time was 107.6±27.5 min, ventilator use time was 12.9±5.9 h, ICU stay was 2.6±1.4 d, and vasoactive medication use was 823.4±584.4 mg. Before and after the surgery, there were statistical differences in the left ventricular end diastolic diameter, left atrial end systolic diameter, effective mitral valve orifice area, shortening rate of left ventricular short axis, mitral E-peak blood flow velocity, mean mitral transvalvular pressure difference, mitral pressure half-time, and cardiac function graded by New York Heart Association (P＜0.05). While there was no statistical difference in left ventricular ejection fraction or left ventricular end-diastolic volume (P>0.05). Conclusion Overall repair of rheumatic mitral valve lesions can significantly improve the cardiac function and hemodynamics of the patients, and is a good choice for patients with rheumatic mitral valve lesions.

Objective To evaluate the intraoperative identification of ectopic parathyroid tissue in the central neck region using autofluorescence point-spectral analysis(AFPSA)combined with immune colloidal gold technique(ICGT),for guiding total parathyroidectomy(TPTX)or clean parathyroidectomy(CPTX)in the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism(SHPT).Methods Retrospectively collected and compared the clinical data of 64 patients with SHPT from October 2019 to June 2023.In the observation group,TPTX was performed as the initial procedure in 36 cases,followed by sampling of suspicious targets using AFPSA in the central neck area and subsequent detection through ICGT.CPTX was then conducted if a positive result was obtained.On the other hand,the control group consisted of 28 cases where only TPTX was performed without any additional tests during surgery.The surgical data,parathyroid hormone(PTH)levels,blood calcium levels,blood phosphorus levels,alkaline phosphatase(ALP)levels,regression of clinical symptoms,changes in parathyroid function and occurrence of hypocalcemia were compared between these two groups.Results In the observation group,there were 9 cases of AFPSA-ICGT positivity,including 2 left-sided cases,4 right-sided cases,and 3 thymic cases;among these posi-tive cases,there were a total of 10 locations with mildly hyperplastic or nonhyperplastic microscopic parathyroid tissue.The difference in the number of total parathyroid glands removed(including ectopic)between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).At both 3 and 6 months postoperatively,ALP levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively);at 6 months postoperatively,differences in PTH and blood phosphorus levels between the two groups were also statistically significant(P<0.05 and P<0.001 respectively).Joint bone pain and skin itching recurred in some patients within the control group at six months after surgery(P<0.05),whereas recurrence of SHPT was less frequent within the observation group compared to controls(P<0.05);however,no statistically significant differences were observed regarding postoperative hypoparathyroidism or hyperparathyroidism as well as hypocalcemia between either groups.Conclusion The AFPSA-ICGT intraoperative test can be utilized to guide surgery for SHPT,enabling accurate and efficient identification as well as safe targeting of parathyroid tissues that may not exhibit obvious hyperplasia in the central cervical region.

Objective:To discuss the effect of exosome(Exo)microRNA-761(miR-761)on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)process of the osteosarcoma(OS)cells by regulating tumor-associated macrophage(TAM)polarization,and to clarify its related mechanism.Methods:The miR-761 plasmid and negative control(miR-NC)plasmid were transfected into the HEK293 cells,and the non-transfected cells were regarded as control group.The transfection efficiency was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method.The Exo containing miR-761 was isolated,and the morphology of Exo was observed by transmission electron microscope.The concentration and size distribution of Exo samples were detected by nanoparticle analyzer,and the expression of Exo surface marker protein was detected by Western blotting method.The human monocyte leukemia THP-1 cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)to become the M0 macrophages,which were then treated with Exo containing miR-761 and co-cultured with the OS MG63 cells to establish the co-culture system.The experiment was divided into M0 group,TAM group,miR-761 NC group,and miR-761 Exo group.The M0 macrophages were collected from various groups,and the positive rates of M1 macrophage marker CD86 and M2 macrophage marker CD206 in various groups were detected by flow cytometry;the protein expression levels of M1 macrophage secreted factors interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and M2 macrophage secreted factors interleukin-10(IL-10)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)in various groups were detected by Western blotting method.The M0 macrophages were treated with Exo containing miR-761 and co-cultured with MG63 cells to establish the co-culture system.The experiment was divided into control group,TAM group,miR-NC Exo+TAM group,and miR-761 Exo+TAM group.The MG63 cells in various groups were collected,and the fluorescence intensities of E-cadherin and Vimentin in the MG63 cells in various groups were observed by immunofluorescence staining;the expression levels of E-cadherin,Vimentin,and EMT regulation-related transcription factors Twist1,Snail,and Slug proteins in the cells in various groups were detected by Western blotting method;the numbers of invasion and migration cells in various groups were detected by Transwell chamber assay.Results:The HEK293 cells containing miR-761 were successfully obtained by transfection experiments,and the Exo was isolated.Compared with M0 group,the positive rate of CD86 of the macrophages in TAM group was decreased(P＜0.05),while the positive rate of CD206 was increased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α proteins were decreased(P＜0.05),while the expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 proteins were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with TAM group,the positive rate of CD86 of the macrophages in miR-761 Exo group was increased(P＜0.05),while the positive rate of CD206 was decreased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α proteins were increased(P＜0.05),while the expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 proteins were decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the fluorescence intensity of E-cadherin in the MG63 cells in TAM group was decreased,while the fluorescence intensity of Vimentin was increased,the expression level of E-cadherin protein was decreased(P＜0.05),while the expression levels of Vimentin,Twist1,Snail,and Slug proteins were increased(P＜0.05),and the numbers of invasion and migration cells were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with TAM group,the fluorescence intensity of E-cadherin in the MG63 cells in miR-761 Exo+TAM group was increased,while the fluorescence intensity of Vimentin was decreased,the expression level of E-cadherin protein was increased(P＜0.05),while the expression levels of Vimentin,Twist1,Snail,and Slug proteins were decreased(P＜0.05),and the numbers of invasion and migration cells were decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The exo-delivered miR-761 can inhibit the EMT process of the OS cells,thereby inhibiting the cell migration and cell invasion;its mechanism may be related to regulating TAM polarization.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of modified Jichuanjian on senile patients with slow transit constipation of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and the influence on brain-gut peptide. MethodA total of 150 senile patients with slow transit constipation were randomized into control group （75 cases） and observation group （75 cases） with the random number table method. The observation group was given modified Jichuanjian （oral， 1 dose/day， 4 weeks）， and the control group was treated with Biantong Capsules （oral， 3 capsules/time， twice/day， 4 weeks）. Data before and after treatment were recorded， including the score of major constipation symptoms， score of Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life （PAC-QOL）， TCM syndrome score， spontaneous complete bowel movements （SCBM）， colonic transit test， serum 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， 5-HT 4 receptor （5-HT₄R）， somatostatin （SS）， and vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， and recurrence. ResultThe total effective rate of the observation group was 93.06% （67/72）， as compared with the 74.65% （53/71） in the control group （χ²=8.974 6， P<0.01）. After treatment， the scores of major constipation symptoms， scores of four dimensions of PAC-QOL， total score of PAC-QOL， and TCM syndrome score were lower than those before treatment in the two groups （P<0.01）， and lower in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. The SCBM in the observation group were more than those in the control group at the 2^nd， 3^rd， 4^th weeks after treatment （P<0.01）. The proportions of residual markers at 24， 48， 72 h after treatment were smaller than those before treatment in the two groups （P<0.01）， and smaller in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， the levels of serum 5-HT and 5-HT₄R were higher （P<0.01） and the levels of serum SS and VIP were lower （P<0.01） than those before treatment in the two groups. In addition， the levels of serum 5-HT and 5-HT₄R in the observation group were higher （P<0.01） and the levels of serum SS and VIP were lower （P<0.01） in the observation group than in the control group. The recurrence in the observation group was 29.85% （20/67） in comparison with the 58.49% （31/53） in the control group （χ²=9.932 4， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Jichuanjian is effective for senile patients with slow transit constipation of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome， which can alleviate clinical symptoms， improve quality of life， regulate the level of serum brain-gut peptide， improve the colonic transit function， increase SCBM， and reduce the recurrence.

Objective     To investigate the vaccination rate of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in patients undergoing cardiac mechanical valve replacement and to evaluate its effect on international normalized ratio (INR) value. Methods    We investigated 132 patients who had received cardiac mechanical valve replacement and followed up in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University from May to October 2021. There were 51 males and 81 females aged 26-72 (53.01±9.51) years. Results    The vaccination coverage rate was 53.8%. Among the 61 unvaccinated patients, concerns about heart side-effects were the main reason. The average INR of the first review after vaccination was higher than that of the last review before vaccination, with a difference of 0.40±0.72 (P<0.001). Conclusion    The vaccination rate of patients after cardiac mechanical valve replacement is low. At the same time, COVID-19 vaccine may increase INR value, and it is suggested that patients should increase the frequency of review and adjust warfarin dosage after vaccination.

Central venous stenosis is a common complication following long-term dialysis catheter placement in dialysis patients. Generally, percutaneous angioplasty is the treatment of choice, and venous stent implantation should be considered in different situations. However, the venous stent migrating into right atrium is a rare but fatal complication. We presented a patient whose superior vena cava stents migrated into right atrium, resulting in acute tamponade, and exploratory thoracotomy was proceeded.

Breathing pattern parameters refer to the characteristic pattern parameters of respiratory movements, including the breathing amplitude and cycle, chest and abdomen contribution, coordination, etc. It is of great importance to analyze the breathing pattern parameters quantificationally when exploring the pathophysiological variations of breathing and providing instructions on pulmonary rehabilitation training. Our study provided detailed method to quantify breathing pattern parameters including respiratory rate, inspiratory time, expiratory time, inspiratory time proportion, tidal volume, chest respiratory contribution ratio, thoracoabdominal phase difference and peak inspiratory flow. We also brought in "respiratory signal quality index" to deal with the quality evaluation and quantification analysis of long-term thoracic-abdominal respiratory movement signal recorded, and proposed the way of analyzing the variance of breathing pattern parameters. On this basis, we collected chest and abdomen respiratory movement signals in 23 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and 22 normal pulmonary function subjects under spontaneous state in a 15 minute-interval using portable cardio-pulmonary monitoring system. We then quantified subjects' breathing pattern parameters and variability. The results showed great difference between the COPD patients and the controls in terms of respiratory rate, inspiratory time, expiratory time, thoracoabdominal phase difference and peak inspiratory flow. COPD patients also showed greater variance of breathing pattern parameters than the controls, and unsynchronized thoracic-abdominal movements were even observed among several patients. Therefore, the quantification and analyzing method of breathing pattern parameters based on the portable cardiopulmonary parameters monitoring system might assist the diagnosis and assessment of respiratory system diseases and hopefully provide new parameters and indexes for monitoring the physical status of patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
Humans ; Lung ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Respiration ; Tidal Volume ; Wearable Electronic Devices

Objective:To investigate the application value of baseline MRI multi-parametric imaging radiomics in prediction of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCR) efficacy of rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (RMAC).Methods:Retrospective analysis was performed in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from August 2012 to October 2018. A total of 79 patients were included in this study, including 52 males and 27 females, aged 20-78 years (median age 52 years). According to the classification criteria of pathological regression, all patients were divided into NCR responsiveness group ( n=31) and nonresponsiveness group ( n=48). And 701 imaging features of T 2WI, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and enhanced T 1WI images of baseline MRI were extracted, and feature subsets were selected by repeatability analysis and feature dimensionality reduction to construct the radiomics prediction model. The tumor features from baseline MRI between the NCR responsiveness group and the nonresponsiveness group were compared, and the features of P<0.05 were combined with the radiomics to construct a model. Using pathology as the gold standard, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the prediction model, and the area under the curve (AUC), 95% confidence interval, sensitivity and specificity were calculated, and the DeLong test was used to compare the diagnostic efficacy of different prediction models. Results:By comparing the conventional tumor imaging characteristics of the NCR responsiveness group and the nonresponsiveness group, the differences in lymph node stage and mucinous nodule status between the two groups were statistically significant (χ2 =6.040, 5.870, P<0.05). The AUC of ROC curves based on T 2WI, DWI, and enhanced T 1WI radiomics were 0.816, 0.821, and 0.819, respectively, which were higher than those of conventional tumor characteristics (lymph node staging, mucinous nodule status) (AUC=0.607), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.391, -2.580 and -2.717, P<0.05). Among the joint prediction models of T 2WI, DWI and contrast-enhanced T 1WI radiomics and conventional tumor features, the DWI combined model had the largest AUC (0.843), and there was no statistically significant difference between the three combined models (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The baseline T 2WI, DWI, and contrast-enhanced T 1WI radiomics model can be used to predict the NCR efficacy of RMAC, which is better than the predictive efficacy of conventional features, and the combination with conventional features can further improve the predictive efficacy.

Aortic dissection during pregnancy is rare in clinics. Because the symptoms are lack of specificity, early diagnosis is difficult. However, the progression of aortic dissection is fast, therefore, the mortality of pregnant women and fetuses is high, and half of the death in pregnant women is due to aortic dissection. Although the development of medical condition is rapid, aortic dissection of pregnancy is still a great challenge for patients and clinicians, and is one of the most important diseases in obstetric medical disputes. In this paper, combined with the literatures published in recent years, we summarized the epidemiological characteristics and related treatment suggestions of the aortic dissection in pregnancy.

To build a CT-based radiomics predictive mode to evaluate the differentiation degree of the esophageal squamous carcinoma.
 Methods: A total of 160 patients with surgical pathology, complete clinical data and chest CT scanning before operation were retrospectively collected from January 2008 to August 2016. All patients were assigned randomly to a primary data set and an independent validation. Texture analysis was performed on CT images, while the carcinomas were performed by manual segmentation to extract the radiomics features. Radiomics features were extracted and 9 radiomics signatures were finally selected after dimension reduction. Radiomics features were extracted and established via Matlab. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to build the predictive model. A 10-fold cross-validation was used for selecting parameters in the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) model by minimum criteria. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and areas under ROC curve (AUC) were used to compare the model performance in the primary validation and the independent validation for evaluating the differentiation degree of esophageal squamous carcinoma.
 Results: Radiomics signature showed great effect in discriminating primary data set and independent validation. The predictive model had a good performance in primary data set. The AUC was 0.791, the sensitivity was 81.6%, and specificity was 72.3%. In the independent validation, the AUC was 0.757, the sensitivity was 70.0%, and the specificity was 73.0%.
 Conclusion: The predictive model can be used for evaluating the differentiation degree of esophageal squamous carcinoma efficiently, which can be helpful to clinicians in diagnosis and choice of treatment for esophageal squamous carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Humans ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed