Objective:To explore the effects of a structured exercise intervention on the healthy physical fitness in patients with leukemia receiving umbilical cord blood transplantation.Methods:It was a randomized controlled trial, conducted from August 2022 to October 2023 at the Department of Hematology of the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital). Fifty leukemia patients undergoing umbilical cord blood transplantation were recruited and were randomly assigned to either the control group (24 cases) or the intervention group (26 cases) using a random number table method. The control group received routine nursing care, health education, and exercise guidance during hospitalization. The intervention group were given moderate-intensity structured exercise intervention, including aerobic, resistance exercises, and flexibility training, three times per week for 30 to 40 minutes per session, over a period of 6 to 8 weeks. During the study, 2 patients withdrew due to disease reasons, and finally, 22 patients in the control group and 26 patients in the intervention group were obtained. The paired t-test, Wilcoxon test, and covariance analysis were used to compare the indices of healthy physical fitness before and after the intervention between the two groups, aiming to explore the effects of a structured exercise intervention on the healthy physical fitness of leukemia patients undergoing umbilical cord blood transplantation. Results:Before the intervention, there was no significant differences in baseline characteristics, such as age, gender and disease status between the two groups (all P>0.05). During the hospitalization phase, the rate of exercise participation in the intervention group was 73.4%, the frequency of exercise was (2.20±0.41) sessions per week and the duration of each exercise session was (34.34±5.05) minutes, and the Borg′s rating of perceived exertion was (13.04±0.82) points. After intervention, the indicators including cardiovascular endurance, muscle fitness, and functional activity status in the two groups were all decreased, and the reduction degree of the indicators were all significantly lower in the intervention group when compared with those in the control group [6-minute walk distance (48.81±30.39) m vs (143.05±77.26) m, grip strength of left hand (2.57±1.30) kg vs (6.72±4.88) kg, grip strength of right hand (2.47±1.97) kg vs (6.34±5.70) kg, muscle strength of left upper limb (4.12±2.07) times vs (8.18±5.26) times, muscle strength of right upper limb (3.96±2.29) times vs (7.91±5.16) times, 30 second chair standing test (3.65±1.98) times vs (7.86±4.34) times, and timed-up-and-go test (0.65±0.53) s vs (2.35±1.79) s] (all P<0.05). The flexibility fitness was improved in the intervention group after the intervention [sit-and-reach 2.00(-4.75, 8.18) cm vs 0(-9.75, 6.43) cm] ( P=0.011), but no significant differences was found in the control group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The structured exercise intervention has advantages in reducing the decline of healthy physical fitness in patients with leukemia receiving umbilical cord blood transplantation, and exerts a protective effect on healthy physical fitness.

Objective To summarize our experience and the early and midterm outcomes of stented elephant trunk procedure for right-sided aortic arch (RAA) with Kommerell's diverticulum (KD). Methods From April 2013 to July 2020, patients with RAA and KD who underwent stented elephant trunk procedure at our center were collected. Surgery was performed under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest combined with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion via median sternotomy. Results A total of 8 patients were included, including 7 males and 1 female with a mean age of 51.88±9.61 years. All patients had an aneurysmal KD and aberrant left subclavian artery. Preoperative comorbidities included acute Stanford type B aortic dissection in 1 patient, aortic arch pseudoaneurysm in 1 patient, acute type B intramural hematoma in 2 patients, and coronary artery disease in 1 patient. Concomitant procedures included reconstruction of the left subclavian artery in all patients and coronary artery bypass grafting in 1 patient. The mean time of operation, cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamping, and selective cerebral perfusion was 6.25±1.16 h, 157.75±40.07 min, 77.75±33.10 min, and 28.50±5.55 min, respectively. No intraoperative death occurred. There was 1 in-hospital death. Follow-up was completed in all patients with a mean period of 3.58±2.08 years. No late death occurred. A persistent anastomotic leak of the proximal arch was detected in 1 patient, but reintervention was not performed because neither aortic dilatation nor symptoms of tracheal and esophageal compression were observed during the follow-up. The remaining 6 patients showed positive aortic remodeling with complete thrombosis of the aneurysmal KD, and neither aortic event nor tracheal and esophageal compression occurred. Conclusion Stented elephant trunk procedure is a safe and feasible technique for selected patients with RAA and KD, which can achieve favorable early and midterm outcomes.

Objective:To explore surgical strategies for acute type A aortic dissection involving severe stenosis or occlusion of the carotid arteries.Methods:From January 2019 to March 2023, a total of 29 patients with acute type A aortic dissection involving severe stenosis or occlusion of the carotid arteries were included in the study. All patients underwent emergency surgery, with simultaneous intraoperative neck incision and replacement of the unilateral or bilateral carotid arteries. Among them, there were 19 males with a mean age of(49.57±2.14)years old. Preoperative brain CT indicated abnormalities in 15 cases, transient neurological dysfunction occurred in 5 cases, and syncope in 1 case.Results:Procedures included ascending aorta replacement in 10 cases, Bentall procedure in 18 cases, and Wheat procedure in 1 case. Arch operations involved partial arch replacement in 3 cases and Sun’s procedure in 26 cases. Simple left carotid artery replacement was performed in 6 cases, simple right carotid artery replacement in 19 cases, and bilateral carotid artery replacement in 4 cases. Cerebral protection measures during circulatory arrest included unilateral cerebral perfusion in 24 cases and bilateral cerebral perfusion in 5 cases. The mean operation time was(7. 6±0. 3) h, with a mean cardiopulmonary bypass time of(196. 3±8. 7) min, aortic cross-clamp time of(113.2±6.4) min, ischemic time 12(5-16.5) min, and lowest temperature of(26.3±0.4)°C. One patient experienced in-hospital mortality. Postoperatively, new neurological dysfunction occurred in 2 cases, including 1 case with coma and permanent neurological deficit.Conclusion:In patients with acute type A aortic dissection involving severe stenosis or occlusion of the carotid arteries, simultaneous carotid artery replacement via neck incision during aortic surgery is a safe and reliable surgical approach.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the neoadventitia technique for root repair in acute type A aortic dissection(ATAAD).Methods:From January 2019 to February 2022, a total of 94 patients with ATAAD who underwent surgical treatment in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different treatment methods for the aortic root, the patients were divided into the neoadventitia technique group(58 cases) and the Bentall group(36 cases). The perioperative data and postoperative follow-up results of the two groups were compared, and the efficacy of the new adventitia technique in acute type A aortic dissection was analyzed.Results:There were no intraoperative deaths. The 30-day mortality was 3.4% and 5.6% in the neoadventitia group and Bentall group, respectively ( P=0.636). The cardiopulmonary bypass time[(154.3±29.8)min, P<0.001] and aortic clamp time[(94.7±20.6)min, P<0.001)]were significantly shorter in the neoadventitia group, compared with the Bentall group. Aortic regurgitation was significantly improved after the operation (0.33±0.50 vs. 1.02±0.80, P<0.001). No aortic root-related secondary intervention occurred during follow-up. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups( P=0.248). Conclusion:Neoadventitia root repair is a safe and feasible method for the treatment of ATAAD, which has good short-term and mid-term efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the safety and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic pro-ximal gastrectomy (LPG) for proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 385 patients with proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction who underwent LPG in the 15 medical centers, including the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University et al, from January 2014 to March 2022 were collected. There were 304 males and 81 females, aged (63±9)years. Of the 385 patients, 335 cases undergoing LPG were divided into the laparoscopic group and 50 cases undergoing open proximal gastrectomy were divided into the open group. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative and postoperative situations; (2) follow-up; (3) stratified analysis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Repeated measurement data were analyzed using the repeated ANOVA. Results:(1) Intraoperative and postoperative situations. The operation time, cases with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis, cases with postoperative pathological staging as stage 0?Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ?Ⅲ, duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with postoperative early complications were (212±96)minutes, 270, 65, 177, 107, 10(range, 8?14)days, 40 in patients of the laparoscopic group, with 51 cases missing the data of postoperative pathological staging. The above indicators were (174±90)minutes, 39, 11, 22, 28, 10(range, 8?18)days, 10 in patients of the open group. There were significant differences in the opera-tion time and postoperative pathological staging between the two groups ( t=2.62, χ2=5.93, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the reconstruction of digestive tract, duration of post-operative hospital stay, postoperative early complications between the two groups ( χ2=0.19, Z=0.40, χ2=2.50, P>0.05). (2) Follow-up. Of the 385 patients,202 cases were followed up during the post-operative 12 months, including 187 cases in the laparoscopic group and 15 cases in the open group. Cases with reflux esophagitis, cases with esophageal anastomotic stenosis were 48, 11 in patients of the laparoscopic group, versus 5, 2 in patients of the open group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( P>0.05). The body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (Alb) at postoperative 6 months and 12 months were (21±3)kg/m 2, (130±15)g/L, (40±4)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (132±14)g/L, (41±4)g/L in patients of the laparoscopic group, versus (21±3)kg/m 2, (121±19)g/L, (37±5)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (125±21)g/L, (43±6)g/L in patients of the open group. There were significant differences in postoperative Hb between the two groups ( Fgroup=5.88, Ftime=5.49, Finteraction=19.95, P<0.05) and there were significant differences in time effect of postopera-tive BMI and Alb between the two groups ( Ftime=9.53, 49.88, P<0.05). (3) Stratified analysis. ① Incidence of postoperative of reflux esophagitis and esophageal anastomotic stenosis in patients with different reconstruction of digestive tract. Of the 202 patients, cases with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis were 168 and 34, respectively. The incidence rates of postoperative of reflux esophagitis were 26.79%(45/168)and 23.53%(8/34)in cases with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.16, P>0.05). Cases undergoing esophageal anastomotic stenosis were 13 in patients with reconstruction of diges-tive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis. ② The BMI, Hb, Alb in patients with different reconstruc-tion of digestive tract. The BMI, Hb, Alb were (24±3)kg/m 2, (135±20)g/L, (41±5)g/L in the 168 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis before the operation, versus (23±3)kg/m 2, (130±19)g/L, (40±4)g/L in the 34 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophageal-jejunal anastomosis before the operation, showing no significant difference between them ( t=1.44, 1.77, 1.33, P>0.05). The BMI, Hb, Alb at postoperative 6 months and 12 months were (21±3)kg/m 2, (128±16)g/L, (39±4)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (131±16)g/L, (41±4)g/L in the 168 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis, versus (20±4)kg/m 2, (133±13)g/L, (43±3)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (135±12)g/L, (44±3)g/L in the 34 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophageal-jejunal anastomosis. There were significant differences in the group effect and time effect of postoperative Alb between patients with different reconstruction of diges-tive tract ( Fgroup=15.82, Ftime=5.43, P<0.05), and there was also a significant difference in the time effect of postoperative BMI between them ( Ftime=4.22 , P<0.05). Conclusion:LPG can be used to the treatment of proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction, with a good safety and short-term efficacy.

Objective:To summarize our experience and outcomes of surgical repair of type Ⅱ right-sided aortic arch(RAA) with Kommerell's diverticulum(KD).Methods:From May 2010 to August 2020, a total of 13 patients with type Ⅱ RAA and KD underwent surgery at our center. Mean age was(50.46±10.31) years, 10 were male, and 3 were female. All patients had an aneurysmal KD and aberrant left subclavian artery(ALSA). Preoperative comorbidities included type B aortic dissection in 1 case, aortic arch pseudoaneurysm in 2 cases, and type B intramural hematoma in 2 cases, respectively. Eight(61.5%) patients underwent stented elephant trunk procedures under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest combined with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion via median sternotomy, and all of them had ALSA reconstruction. Five(38.5%) patients underwent distal arch and descending thoracic aortic replacement through a right posterolateral thoracotomy, the ALSA was reconstructed or ligated in 1 each, and ALSA embolization was performed before surgery in the other 3 cases.Results:No operation deaths occurred. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred in 2 cases. There was 1(7.69%) in-hospital death. Follow-up was complete in 100 % at mean(5.28±3.84) years. No late death occurred. A persistent anastomotic leak of the proximal arch was detected in a patient who underwent stented elephant trunk procedure, but no aortic dilatation or tracheal and esophageal compression was observed during follow-up. Meanwhile, aortic events, limb ischemia, or symptoms of tracheal and esophageal compression were not observed in the remaining 11 patients.Conclusion:Surgical repair of type Ⅱ RAA with KD can achieve favorable early and midterm outcomes. Surgical strategies should be chosen based on the anatomy of the aorta and whether it is combined with compression symptoms.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of new arch-clamping technique in Sun’s procedure to repair acute type A aortic dissection.Methods:67 consecutive patients with acute type A aortic dissection who underwent total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk implantation(TAR+ FET) from Dec 2019 to Dec 2022 with using new arch-clamping technique during operation. Relative intraoperative and postoperative variables and complications were compared.Results:Cardiopulmonary bypass time was(166.66±32.81)min, the aortic occlusion time was(100.49±19.96)min, the circulatory arrest time was(3.97±1.63)min, the lowest nasopharyngeal temperature was(25.716±1.304)℃, and the lowest bladder temperature was(26.209±1.552)℃. The whole group died in hospital in 2 cases(2.98%), cerebral infarction in 3 cases(4.48%), transient neurological dysfunction in 4 cases(5.97%), paraplegia patients in 1 case(1.49%), renal failure requiring continuous dialysis in 4 cases(5.97%).Conclusion:New arch-clamping technique decrease postoperative complication, and is a safe and feasible innovative approach to effectively improve surgical outcome of Sun’s procedure for repair of acute type A aortic dissection.

Objective:To observe any effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horns of diabetics experiencing neuropathic pain.Methods:Eight rats were randomly selected from 30 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats as the normal group (N), and the remaining twenty-two rats were treated with a single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a neuropathic pain model. The rats modeled successfully were randomly divided into a model group (M, n=8) and an EA group ( n=8). In the EA group, electroacupuncture was applied at the bilateral Hou san li and Kunlun acupoints starting on the 15th day after the STZ injection. The daily sessions lasted 30 minutes for 1 week. Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were observed before the STZ injection and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days afterward. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the rats′ spinal cords was detected using western blotting. The count of p-CREB-positive cells in the dorsal horns and their co-localization with neurons was detected using immunofluorescence. Results:In comparison with the N group, the average BW of the M group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after the STZ injection was significantly lower, while the average FBG was significantly higher. There was no significant difference between the M and N groups in the average PWL on the 7th day after the STZ injection, but it had decreased significantly in the M group on the 14th and 21st days. Compared with the M group, the average PWL of the EA group was significantly longer on the 21st day after the injection. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB protein in the spines of the M group was significantly higher than in the N group. p-CREB positive cells were more numerous in the M group compared with the N group, while in the EA group they were fewer. P-CREB was co-located with neurons in the spinal dorsal horn.Conclusion:EA can alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, perhaps by inhibiting the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.

Objective:To analyze the long-term outcomes of hybrid arch repair(HAR) treating aortic arch pathologies.Methods:Between January 2009 and January 2018, 87 consecutive patients underwent HAR for aortic arch pathologies at Beijing Anzhen Hospital. 76 were males. 2 cases were in zone 0, 46 cases were in zone 1, and 39 cases were in zone 2. The zones of the aortic arch were defined following the Ishimaru classification.Results:Five(5.7%) operative death occurred. 13 patients(19.1%) died during the follow-up. The overall survival rate was 88.4%, 83.3%, 83.3%, 49.8% at 1, 3, 5, 10 year, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional risk analysis showed that stroke( HR=20.626, 95% CI: 2.698-157.685, P=0.004) was an independent risk factor for short-term death. Stroke( HR=16.234, 95% CI: 4.103-64.229, P<0.001) and spinal cord infury( HR=11.060, 95% CI: 2.150-56.893, P=0.004) were independent risk factors for long-term death. Conclusion:In conclusion, HAR could be an alternative procedure for the patients that are not suitable for open repair under the premise of strict control of indications. In the future, the risk assessment system and uniform operational indications for HAR should be further established.

Objective:To investigate the effects of TNF-α knockout on liver and spleen neutrophil responses to Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infection in a mouse model. Methods:(1) TNF-α-knockout (TNF-α -/-) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups with six in each group: uninfected WT group, infected WT group, uninfected TNF-α -/- group and infected TNF-α -/- group. The mouse model of bloodstream infection was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of Vibrio vulnificus CGMCC1.1758 (2×10 8 CFU/200 μl), while the mice in the uninfected groups were injected intraperitoneally with equal amount of PBS. (2) Liver immune cells and splenocytes were isolated 4 h after infection and subjected to analyze the percentages and numbers of neutrophils, and the changes in cell viability, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and phagocytosis by flow cytometry. In addition, effects of Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infection on mTOR signaling pathway in murine neutrophils were evaluated in vivo. Results:(1)Compared with the uninfected WT group, the percentages and numbers of neutrophils in liver and spleen tissues of the infected WT group increased significantly. The percentage and number of liver neutrophils were significantly higher in the infected TNF-α -/- group than in the infected WT group, but no significant difference in spleen neutrophils was detected between the two groups. (2) Compared with the infected WT group, the phagocytosis of liver neutrophils rather than that of spleen neutrophils was enhanced in the infected TNF-α -/- group. (3) The survival rates of neutrophils in both liver and spleen were decreased, while the cellular ROS level was significantly increased in the infected WT group compared with those of the uninfected WT group. Compared with the infected WT group, the infected TNF-α -/- group had increased survival rates of both liver and spleen neutrophils, but decreased level of ROS. (4) The levels of p-AKT (S473) in liver and spleen neutrophils of the infected WT group were lower than those of the uninfected WT group. Compared with the infected WT group, the infected TNF-α -/- group had lower level of p-AKT (S473) in liver neutrophils, but higher p-AKT (S473) level in spleen neutrophils. There were no significant differences in p-4E-BP1(T37/46) levels between the uninfected WT group and the infected WT group. The p-4E-BP1 (T37/46) level in liver neutrophils was lower in the infected TNF-α -/- group than in the infected WT group, but no significant difference in p-4E-BP1 (T37/46) levels in spleen neutrophils was observed between the two groups. Conclusions:TNF-α had different effects on the neutrophils in spleen and liver tissues of mice with Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infection. It played a critical role in regulating the recruitment, phagocytic function and mTOR signaling of liver neutrophils after Vibrio vulnificus infection in vivo.