Objective To investigate the new-onset conduction block after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and summarize the relevant experience. Methods The perioperative data of TAVR patients in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2016 to February 2023 were collected, and the new-onset incidence of conduction block after TAVR was analyzed retrospectively. Results Finally 352 patients were included, including 225 males and 127 females, with an average age of (67.2±5.1) years, among whom 256 patients were treated with Venus-A valves, 69 patients with Vita-Flow valves, and 27 patients with J-Valve valves. There were 38 (10.8%) patients of new-onset postoperative block. There were 6 (1.7%) patients of new-onset postoperative grade Ⅲ atrioventricular block, including 5 (2.0%) patients of Venus-A and 1 (1.4%) patient of Vita-Flow. Conduction function was restored in 2 patients within 14 days after surgery, and failed to be restored in 4 patients, who then received permanent pacemaker implantation in the Department of Cardiology. There were 27 (7.7%) patients of new left bundle branch block after surgery, including 22 (8.6%) patients of Venus-A, 4 (5.8%) patients of Vita-Flow and 1 (3.7%) patient of J-Valve; and conduction function was restored within 7 days after surgery in 23 patients, and 5 (1.4%) patients developed new right bundle branch blocks after surgery including 4 (1.5%) patients of Venus-A and 1 (1.4%) patient of Vita-Flow. Conclusion New-onset conduction block is a common complication after TAVR, and the new-onset rate of left bundle branch block is the highest, followed by the grade Ⅲ atrioventricular block. Mastering reasonable methods and applying appropriate strategies can effectively reduce the new-onset rate of postoperative conduction block and improve the overall success rate of TAVR surgery.

Objective: To validate the analytical performance, operational performance, and process control measures of a domestic fully automatic nucleic acid testing (NAT) system, thereby ensuring an efficient and orderly blood screening workflow. Methods: The concordance rate and sensitivity of WanTag-Vortex Plus system were verified using WHO standard reference panels of HIV-1, HCV and HBV, while precision was assessed using weak positive samples of HIV-1, HCV and HBV. As for its operational performance evaluation, cross-contamination resistance was assessed using strong positive samples, and throughput and stress testing were conducted using negative samples. Reagent stability was verified using weak positive samples, and inter-system performance consistency was assessed using verification panels. In addition, the process control measures were verified using the laboratory quality control demand scale. Results: 1) Verification of concordance rate: The detection results of negative and positive samples of HIV-1, HCV and HBV by WanTag-Vortex Plus system were all consistent with expectations, and the concordance rate was 100%. 2) Precision verification: the repeatability and intermediate precision were extremely high, and the coefficient of variation was less than 5%. 3) Verification of analytical sensitivity: The detection limit of 95% for standard strains of HIV-1, HCV and HBV by WanTag-Vortex Plus system in our laboratory was consistent with the analytical sensitivity provided by reagent manufacturers. 4) Verification of cross-contamination resistance: Five strong positive samples and 87 negative samples were placed according to the actual working conditions and equipment operation design, and the test results were consistent with expectations, with no cross-contamination in the testing system. 5) Throughput and stress testing: Each system completed the individual donor-nucleic acid amplification testing (ID-NAT) of 276 samples in three batches within 12 hours, and successfully completed the ID-NAT test of 828 samples in three consecutive days. 6) Verification of reagent stability: After extreme storage (unsealed storage for 1 week with 4 freeze-thaw cycles), the reagents maintained 100% detection rate in the weak positive samples of HIV-1, HCV, and HBV, showing no significant differences from the control group (Kappa=1). 7) Verification of inter-system performance consistency: The system has stable operation performance, and the performance comparison results across the four devices were consistent (Kappa=1). 8) Process control measures: WanTag-Vortex Plus system software accurately controlled the equipment operation process with strict quality control measures, and correctly interpreted and safely reported the test results. Conclusion: The analytical and operational performance of the WanTag-Vortex Plus system complies with manufacturer design standards and essential laboratory workflow requirements. Integrated with laboratory information system (LIS), the system's control software meets standard process control requirements, yet requires further improvement.

Objective: To validate the analytical performance, operational performance, and process control measures of a domestic fully automatic nucleic acid testing (NAT) system, thereby ensuring an efficient and orderly blood screening workflow. Methods: The concordance rate and sensitivity of WanTag-Vortex Plus system were verified using WHO standard reference panels of HIV-1, HCV and HBV, while precision was assessed using weak positive samples of HIV-1, HCV and HBV. As for its operational performance evaluation, cross-contamination resistance was assessed using strong positive samples, and throughput and stress testing were conducted using negative samples. Reagent stability was verified using weak positive samples, and inter-system performance consistency was assessed using verification panels. In addition, the process control measures were verified using the laboratory quality control demand scale. Results: 1) Verification of concordance rate: The detection results of negative and positive samples of HIV-1, HCV and HBV by WanTag-Vortex Plus system were all consistent with expectations, and the concordance rate was 100%. 2) Precision verification: the repeatability and intermediate precision were extremely high, and the coefficient of variation was less than 5%. 3) Verification of analytical sensitivity: The detection limit of 95% for standard strains of HIV-1, HCV and HBV by WanTag-Vortex Plus system in our laboratory was consistent with the analytical sensitivity provided by reagent manufacturers. 4) Verification of cross-contamination resistance: Five strong positive samples and 87 negative samples were placed according to the actual working conditions and equipment operation design, and the test results were consistent with expectations, with no cross-contamination in the testing system. 5) Throughput and stress testing: Each system completed the individual donor-nucleic acid amplification testing (ID-NAT) of 276 samples in three batches within 12 hours, and successfully completed the ID-NAT test of 828 samples in three consecutive days. 6) Verification of reagent stability: After extreme storage (unsealed storage for 1 week with 4 freeze-thaw cycles), the reagents maintained 100% detection rate in the weak positive samples of HIV-1, HCV, and HBV, showing no significant differences from the control group (Kappa=1). 7) Verification of inter-system performance consistency: The system has stable operation performance, and the performance comparison results across the four devices were consistent (Kappa=1). 8) Process control measures: WanTag-Vortex Plus system software accurately controlled the equipment operation process with strict quality control measures, and correctly interpreted and safely reported the test results. Conclusion: The analytical and operational performance of the WanTag-Vortex Plus system complies with manufacturer design standards and essential laboratory workflow requirements. Integrated with laboratory information system (LIS), the system's control software meets standard process control requirements, yet requires further improvement.

Objective To analyze the short-term clinical outcomes of emergency conversion to surgery during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent emergency surgical conversion from TAVR in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, from 2018 to 2023 were collected. Postoperative follow-up results at 1 month were recorded. Results A total of 253 patients underwent TAVR, of whom 11 (4.3%) required emergency conversion to surgery. Among these 11 patients, 7 were male and 4 were female, with a mean age of (69.55±5.01) years. The primary cause for emergency surgical conversion was valve stent displacement (63.6%), followed by left ventricular perforation/rupture (18.2%) and significant perivalvular regurgitation persisting after a second valve implantation (18.2%). One (9.1%) patient died intraoperatively. Among the 10 surviving patients, postoperative complications included pulmonary infection in 8 patients, severe pneumonia in 7, pleural effusion in 3, liver dysfunction in 8, renal dysfunction in 3, upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 5, cerebrovascular complications in 1, atrial fibrillation in 1, ventricular premature contractions in 1, atrioventricular block in 1, and complete left bundle branch block in 3. At 1-month postoperative follow-up, one additional patient died, yielding a 30-day mortality rate of 18.2% after TAVR emergency surgical conversion. The quality of life improved significantly compared to preoperative status in 9 (81.8%) patients, and no patients were readmitted for cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion The incidence of emergency conversion to surgery during TAVR is low, but the rates of surgical complications and 30-day postoperative mortality are high. Nevertheless, when severe complications occur during TAVR, emergency conversion to surgery can still yield satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes for a majority of these patients.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of dandelion extract on intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)rats and its effect on nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling pathway.Methods Stereotaxic intracranial injection of type Ⅳ col-lagenase was used to establish rat ICH model.Then 48 ICH rats were randomly divided into mod-el group,dandelion extract group,Nrf2 inhibitor(ML385)group and dandelion extract+ML385 group,with 12 rats in each group.Another 12 rats served as sham operation group.After treat-ment,neurological deficits was evaluated and scored for all groups of rats.Blood-brain barrier(BBB)function,neuronal apoptotic rate in the hippocampus,serum levels of COX-2,IL-6 and iNOS,cerebral contents of CAT,GSH-Px,ROS and MAD,and protein levels of Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway were detected.Results Compared with sham operation group,the neurological deficit score,Evans blue exudation,appptotic rate of hippocampal neurons,serum COX-2,IL-6,iNOS levels,brain tissue reactive oxygen species(ROS)and malondialdehyde level in the model group were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of CAT,GSH-Px,Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with dandelion extract group,combination of dandelion extract and ML385 significantly increased the neurological deficit score(2.54±0.23 vs 1.43±0.19),Evans blue exudation[(22.15±3.61)ng/mg vs(6.54±1.24)ng/mg],apoptotic rate[(31.97±5.26)％vs(3.51±0.94)％],serum COX-2[(5.82±1.16)ng/ml vs(1.34±0.42)ng/ml],IL-6[(1.47±0.31)ng/ml vs(0.43±0.14)ng/ml]and iNOS levels[(59.91±10.36)U/ml vs(13.94±3.78)U/ml],brain tissue ROS[(4.70±0.45)U/kg vs(1.70± 0.51)U/kg]and MDA levels[(3.72±0.52)nmol/mg vs(1.17±0.34)nmol/mg],and decreased expression levels of CAT[(2.54±0.59)U/mg vs(5.68±1.04)U/mg],GSH-Px[(8.01±0.86)U/mg vs(16.97±3.03)U/mg],Nrf2(0.67±0.13 vs 1.07±0.19)and HO-1(0.55±0.07 vs 0.86± 0.10,P＜0.05).Conclusion Dandelion extract can enhance the antioxidant activity in ICH rats by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,prevent the progression of inflammation and oxida-tive stress,inhibit neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus,repair blood-brain barrier function,and thus improve nerve function.

Objective To analyze the short-term clinical efficacy and prognosis of one-stop transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)+percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the treatment of aortic valve disease with coronary heart disease. Methods The clinical data of patients with aortic valve disease complicated with coronary heart disease who underwent one-stop TAVR+PCI treatment at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2018 to June 2023 were retrospective analyzed. The preoperative and postoperative clinical data were compared, and 1-month follow-up results were recorded. Results A total of 37 patients were enrolled, including 22 males and 15 females, with an average age of 69.14±6.47 years. Thirty-six patients recovered and were discharged after the surgery, and 1 (2.7%) patient died during the surgery. Self-expanding TAVR valves were implanted through the femoral artery in all patients. One coronary artery was opened by PCI in 35 (94.6%) patients, and two coronary arteries were opened by PCI in 2 (5.4%) patients. All PCI opened arteries had a stenosis>70%. During the postoperative hospitalization, the complications included pulmonary infection in 11 (30.6%) patients, severe pneumonia in 10 (27.8%) patients, liver function injury in 14 (38.9%) patients, renal function injury in 5 (13.9%) patients, cerebral infarction in 1 (2.8%) patient, atrial fibrillation in 1 (2.8%) patient, ventricular premature beats in 2 (5.6%) patients, atrioventricular block in 2 (5.6%) patients, and complete left bundle branch block in 5 (13.9%) patients. The median postoperative ventilation assistance time was 12.0 (0.0, 17.0) h, the ICU monitoring time was 1.0 (0.0, 2.0) d, and the postoperative hospitalization time was 5.0 (4.0, 7.0) d. There was a significant improvement in the New York Heart Association cardiac function grading after surgery (P<0.001). After surgery, there were 21 (58.3%) patients had minor perivalve leakage, 6 (16.7%) patients had minor to moderate perivalve leakage, and no moderate or above degree of perivalve leakage. After one month of postoperative follow-up, 36 patients showed significant improvement in heart function. There were no patients with recurrent acute coronary syndrome, re-PCI, or cardiovascular system disease related re-hospitalization. Conclusion The one-stop TAVR+PCI treatment for patients with aortic valve disease and coronary heart disease can obtain satisfactory short-term clinical efficacy, which is worth further trying and studying.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), a core transcription factor responding to changes in cellular oxygen levels, is closely associated with a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. However, its differential impacts on vascular cell types and molecular programs modulating human vascular homeostasis and regeneration remain largely elusive. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of human embryonic stem cells and directed differentiation to generate HIF-1α-deficient human vascular cells including vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a platform for discovering cell type-specific hypoxia-induced response mechanisms. Through comparative molecular profiling across cell types under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, we provide insight into the indispensable role of HIF-1α in the promotion of ischemic vascular regeneration. We found human MSCs to be the vascular cell type most susceptible to HIF-1α deficiency, and that transcriptional inactivation of ANKZF1, an effector of HIF-1α, impaired pro-angiogenic processes. Altogether, our findings deepen the understanding of HIF-1α in human angiogenesis and support further explorations of novel therapeutic strategies of vascular regeneration against ischemic damage.
Humans ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Cell Hypoxia/physiology*