Objective To summarize the clinical experience of the treatment for complex aortic coarctation with extra anatomic bypass and anatomic correction techniques. Methods The clinical data of patients with complex aortic coarctation treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Friendship Hospital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture between April 2012 and November 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results A total of 12 patients were enrolled, including 5 males and 7 females aged 11-54 (34.3±16.2) years. Extra anatomic bypass grafting was performed in 8 patients and anatomic correction was performed in 4 patients. The operations were successful in all patients. There was no perioperative death. The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 203.0±46.0 min (7 median incision patients), and the average intraoperative blood loss was 665.0±102.0 mL. The average postoperative ventilator support time was 32.3±7.5 h, and the average postoperative hospital stay time was 10.2±4.3 d. The mean drainage volume of median incision was 1 580.0±360.0 mL, and the mean drainage time was 9.3±2.7 d. The mean drainage volume of left thoracotomy was 890.0±235.0 mL, and the mean drainage time was 4.8±2.5 d. One patient had a transient hoarse after operation and recovered 6 months later. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 10 years with an average time of 81.0±27.0 months. All patients had a recovery of hypertension, cardiac afterload after 2 years postoperatively. One patient who received an artificial blood vessel replacement in situ was examined stenosis recurrence at the third year after discharge. Others were asymptomatic during the follow-up period. There were no death or other complications. Conclusion The treatment strategy for complex aortic coarctation should be individualized according to the anatomical features and concomitant heart diseases. Extra anatomic bypass technique is a safe and feasible choice.

Objective:To investigate the effects of ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) 7/47 inhibitor (Cat. No. 1247825-37-1) on the proliferation and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells with or without internal tandem duplications of the Flt3 gene (Flt3-ITD). Methods:ATP assay was used to detect the effects of 1247825-37-1 on the cell viability of two AML cell lines (MOLM13 and MV4-11) harboring Flt3-ITD mutation and one AML cell line (THP-1) without Flt3-ITD mutation as well as the primary Flt3-ITD-mutant and non-mutant AML cells from patient samples. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of AML cell lines treated by different concentrations of 1247825-37-1.Results:Compared with the control group, 1247825-37-1 was able to significantly inhibit the proliferation of MOLM13, MV4-11 and THP-1 cells ( P<0.000 1). Besides, the cell viability of primary AML cells was also inhibited by 1247825-37-1, and a stronger inhibitory effect on non-mutant AML cells was observed. The USP7/USP47 inhibitor 1247825-37-1 could inhibit the proliferation of AML cells in a dose-dependent manner and a low dose (2 or 4 μmol/L) of 1247825-37-1 would be effective. Moreover, 1247825-37-1 was also able to efficiently induce the apoptosis of above AML cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions:The USP7/USP47 inhibitor 1247825-37-1 significantly inhibits the proliferation of AML cells with or without Flt3-ITD mutation.

Objective:To investigate beam distribution characteristics through a phantom with conventional or extended collimators designed based on conventional collimators in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).Methods:By Monte Carlo simulation, we calculated the neutron beam distributions along the beam direction with a conventional collimator, 5 cm-extended collimator, and 10 cm-extended collimator; calculated the irradiation time and average depth using 10 cm-extended collimators with no air gap comprised of lithium fluoride (LiF)+ polyethylene or boron carbide (B 4C)+ polyethylene at different mass ratios; and calculated the irradiation time, advantage depth, and off-axis dose with conventional or extended collimators at without air gap or certain air gaps. Results:For the 10 cm-extended collimator without air gap, the thermal neutron flux density, gamma ray dose rate, and fast neutron dose rate were highest, and their peaks were 1.0×10 9 n/(cm 2·s), 5.3 cGy/min, and 9.1 cGy/min, respectively. Collimators comprised of polyethylene and LiF were superior to those of polyethylene and B4C in advantage depth and irradiation time. For five types of collimators made of polyethylene and LiF, the combination of 20 wt% polyethylene and 80 wt% LiF exhibited the greatest advantage depth (8.7 cm), but with a longer irradiation time (20.5 minutes); and the combination of 80 wt% polyethylene and 20 wt% LiF achieved the shortest irradiation time (19.0 minutes), with an advantage depth of 8.5 cm. Compared with the conventional collimator, the use of 5 cm- and 10 cm-extended collimators reduced treatment time by 26.4% and 40.3%, respectively, with small changes in advantage depth; and for the same collimator, the off-axis dose increased with the increase in the air gap. Conclusions:The use of 5 cm- and 10 cm-extended collimators can increase neutron beam intensity and reduce irradiation time, with a small impact on advantage depth and off-axis dose, which can solve the problem of prolonged treatment time caused by an air gap between patient's tumor surface and the beam aperture when head and neck movement is limited. BNCT can be equipped with appropriate extended collimators according to actual clinical needs.

To summarize the progress in BNCT dose verification method in the world and discusses their development prospects. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) utilizes the specific capture reaction between the neutrons and boron drugs enriched in tumor cells to selectively kill tumor cells. In order to verify the accuracy of the radiotherapy plan and ensure the therapeutic effect on patients, it is necessary to measure the dose before treatment and compare the experimental radiation dose with the planned dose. The current BNCT dose measurement method mainly include point dose measurement method based on ionization chambers, thermoluminescence dosimeters and activation foils, two-dimensional dose measurement method based on films, and three-dimensional dose measurement method based on gel dosimeters.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of serological indicators and evaluate the diagnostic value of a new established combined serological model on identifying the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective multicenter study enrolled 263 compensated cirrhotic patients from 23 hospitals in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China between October 2021 and August 2022. Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected, and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated. Ammonia level was corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) by the baseline blood ammonia measurements/upper limit of the normal reference value. MHE was diagnosed by combined abnormal number connection test-A and abnormal digit symbol test as suggested by Guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis. The patients were randomly divided (7∶3) into training set ( n=185) and validation set ( n=78) based on caret package of R language. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model of MHE diagnosis. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve. The internal verification was carried out by the Bootstrap method ( n=200). AUC comparisons were achieved using the Delong test. Results:In the training set, prevalence of MHE was 37.8% (70/185). There were statistically significant differences in AMM-ULN, albumin, platelet, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, MELD score and education between non-MHE group and MHE group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AMM-ULN [odds ratio ( OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.05-3.14, P=0.038] and MELD score ( OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for MHE, and the AUC for predicting MHE were 0.663, 0.625, respectively. Compared with the use of blood AMM-ULN and MELD score alone, the AUC of the combined model of AMM-ULN, MELD score and education exhibited better predictive performance in determining the presence of MHE was 0.755, the specificity and sensitivity was 85.2% and 55.7%, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ( P=0.733). The AUC for internal validation of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.752. In the validation set, the AUC of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.794, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration ( P=0.841). Conclusion:Use of the combined model including AMM-ULN, MELD score and education could improve the predictive efficiency of MHE among patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among residents at ages of 40 years and older in Qidong City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into COPD prevention and control. Methods: Permanent residents at ages of 40 years and older were sampled using a multistage stratified random sampling method in Qidong City in 2020, and subjects' demographics, history of environmental contact, and medical and family history of respiratory disorders were collected. Pulmonary function test was performed, and the forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio of <70% was defined as COPD. Factors affecting the prevalence of COPD were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 8 000 questionnaires were allocated, and 7 538 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 94.23%. The respondents included 3 104 men (41.18%) and 4 434 women (58.82%), and had a mean age of (62.40±14.68) years. The prevalence of COPD was 15.06%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male (OR=1.818, 95%CI: 1.712-1.940), age (50 to 59 years, OR=1.142, 95%CI: 1.111-1.181; 60 to 69 years, OR=1.176, 95%CI: 1.142-1.219; 70 to 79 years, OR=1.300, 95%CI: 1.249-1.361; 80 years and older, OR=1.582, 95%CI: 1.490-1.691), smoking (OR=3.760, 95%CI: 2.658-4.879), alcohol consumption (OR=1.213, 95%CI: 1.077-1.348), use of solid fuels (OR=1.676, 95%CI: 1.591-1.773), history of occupational exposure to dust (OR=1.859, 95%CI: 1.752-1.982), medical history of asthma or dyspnea (OR=2.068, 95%CI: 1.044-3.125) and frequency of persistent cough of more than four times annually (OR=1.225, 95%CI: 1.121-1.345) were statistically associated with the prevalence of COPD among residents at ages of 40 years and older in Qidong City. Conclusion The prevalence of COPD was 15.06%, and was associated with gender, age, smoking, use of solid fuels, occupational exposure to dusts, medical history of asthma or dyspnea and frequency of persistent cough among residents at ages of 40 years and older in Qidong City.

Objective:To investigate the safety and effectiveness of Willis covered stent in patients having carotid artery rupture during transnasal endoscopic pituitary tumor resection.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed. Six patients having carotid artery rupture during transnasal endoscopic pituitary tumor resection admitted to the 3 hospitals from May 2016 to December 2019 were chosen; their clinical data were collected. The surgical processes and complications were concluded, and the prognoses were evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS).Results:One patient was treated with intraoperative simple tamponade compression for hemostasis, and died for massive intracranial hemorrhage 2 weeks after surgery. Five patients were occluded by Willis covered stents; the occluded success rate was 100% but ophthalmic arteries were blocked in all. During the perioperative period, diabetes insipidus occurred in one patient and incomplete oculomotor paralysis occurred in one patient; 5 patients were followed up for 3-12 months: MRI indicated subtotal resection of tumor in 4 patients and total resection in one patient, no new bleeding or ischemic stroke events occurred in these 5 patients, and the prognosis was good.Conclusion:Willis covered stent is safe and effective in patients having carotid artery rupture during transnasal endoscopic pituitary tumor resection.

Objective:To evaluate the value of endovascular recanalization and hybrid recanalization for chronic internal carotid artery occlusion(COICA), and to evaluate its feasibility, safety, success rate, and clinical outcomes.Methods:Totally 35 patients who received endovascular recanalization or hybrid recanalization with symptomatic COICA were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2019 in Department of Cerebrovascular Disease,Zhengzhou University People′s Hospital. The clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, success rate, and major events of the patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Thirty of 35 patients were successfully recanalized. Among them, hybrid recanalization was performed in 3 cases, carotid endarterectomy was performed in 1 case, and endovascular recanalization was performed in 26 cases, 5 patients failed because they could not reach the distal true cavity. Among the successful patients, 5 patients had operation-related complications, 3 patients had embolism cerebral infarction, 1 patient had hyperperfusion cerebral hemorrhage, 1 patient still had transient ischemic attack after operation. All patients were followed up clinically, 2 patients had reoccurrence of obstruction, 2 patient had restenosis, the remaining patients had no hemodynamic stenosis or reocclusion.Conclusion:In highly-selected cases, intracavitary recanalization for symptomatic COICA is feasible, relatively safe and effective.

Objective:To investigate the morphological and hemodynamic stress characteristics of infundibular dilatation of the posterior communicating artery.Methods:From January 2018 to May 2020, 30 patients with infundibular dilatation of the posterior communicating artery (observation group) found by digital substraction angiography (DSA) for suspecting as having equivocal posterior communicating artery aneurysm in our hospital were selected. The angle between posterior communicating artery and internal carotid artery, and hemodynamics stress parameters at the infundibular dilatation of the posterior communicating artery (total pressure and shear force) were measured by DSA and quantitatively analyzed by computational fluid dynamics methods. Thirty patients without intracranial aneurysm and with normal posterior communicating arteries admitted to our hospital at the same period were used as control group.Results:The mean value of the bending angle between the posterior communicating artery and internal carotid artery in the control group was ([80.1±8.4]°), which was significantly higher than that in the observation group ([73.2±5.8]°, P<0.05). The shear force and total pressure of infundibular dilatation of the posterior communicating artery of the observation group ([8.32±0.70] Pa and [85.61±6.04] Pa), which were significantly higher than those of the control group at the same locations ([3.95±0.28] Pa and [25.72±7.18] Pa, P<0.05). Conclusion:There are significant differences in hemodynamic stress between the normal posterior communicating artery and the infundibular dilatation of the posterior communicating artery, which might play an important role in triggering the formation of aneurysms.

Objective To investigate the safety,efficacy and feasibility of endovascular recanalization in non-acute symptomatic occlusion of the ophthalmic segment of internal carotid artery,and analyze the factors affecting its success.Methods Fifty-four patients with non-acute symptomatic occlusion of the ophthalmic segment of internal carotid artery,underwent endovascular recanalization in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2017,were enrolled.Modified Rankin scale (mRS) and National institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) scores were compared before and after treatment;the prognosis results were analyzed after 2 years of follow-up.Independent factors influencing the prognoses were identified by Logistic regression analysis.Results Recanalization was achieved in 52 patients and failure was noted in two patients.The mRS scores and NIHSS scores before treatment (2.25±0.13,18.43±1.36) were significantly higher than those after treatment (1.44±0.05,11.81±0.71,P＜0.05).After 2 years of follow-up,good prognosis was noted in 42 patients,poor prognosis in 8 patients,and loss of follow-up in 2 patients.Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that history of hypertension and history of diabetes were independent risk factors for the prognoses of patients with non-acute symptomatic occlusion of the ophthalmic segment of internal carotid artery after endovascular reeanalization (OR=1.429,95CI:1.146-1.783,P=0.005;OR=2.597,95CI:2.364-2.854,P=0.005).Conclusion The curative effect of interventional therapy for non-acute occlusion of symptomatic internal carotid artery is reliable,and histories of hypertension and diabetes can affect the prognoses of patients.