Objective:To investigate the establishment method, coordination points and safe transport management strategy of vena-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in patients with downtime difficulties during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods:A observation study was conducted. The patients admitted to the department of critical care medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital) from January 2020 to October 2022 were enrolled. These patients could not be separated from CPB and received VA-ECMO-assisted CPB surgery. The clinical data of the patients were recorded, including the basic information of the patients, the data of VA-ECMO establishment and transport process, the clinical indicators before and after VA-ECMO installation, the operation data of VA-ECMO and clinical outcomes. The experience was summarized from the aspects of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) establishment, transport process, team cooperation, and adverse events during transport. The clinical indicators before and after ECMO operation were compared. According to whether ECMO was successfully weaned, the patients were divided into a successful weaning group and a failure weaning group, and the clinical data between the two groups were compared.Results:Eighteen patients who underwent VA-ECMO-assisted CPB were enrolled, including 10 males and 8 females. The average age was (56.7±12.3) years old. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 0.46±0.10, and the main reasons for switching to VA-ECMO assistance included right ventricular systolic weakness in 6 cases, total cardiac systolic weakness in 5 cases, left ventricular systolic weakness in 4 cases, high pulmonary arterial pressure in 2 cases, and intractable ventricular fibrillation in 1 case. Among the 18 patients transferred from CPB to VA-ECMO, 10 cases were successfully weaned and 8 cases failed. In ICU, 8 cases survived, 5 cases died, and 5 cases gave up treatment and discharged. The average time for successful CPB to VA-ECMO establishment was (24.6±7.4) minutes, initial blood flow was (3.3±0.4) L/min, and transit time was (8.4±1.5) minutes. ECMO-assisted duration averaged (82.0±69.3) hours. Adverse events occurred in 9 patients during ECMO establishment and transfer. Post-ECMO onboarding for 4 hours, significant improvements were noted in blood lactic acid (Lac), pH value, mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO 2) as compared with pre-ECMO onboarding [Lac (mmol/L): 10.5±7.0 vs. 15.2±6.8, pH value: 7.38±0.92 vs. 7.26±0.87, MAP (mmHg, 1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 74.9±13.7 vs. 58.4±17.0, ScvO 2: 0.678±0.065 vs. 0.611±0.061, all P < 0.01], and vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) was also decreased (39.8±29.8 vs. 68.9±64.4, P < 0.01). Compared with successful weaning group, the patients in the failed weaning group exhibited higher pre-machine Lac (mmol/L: 18.8±7.8 vs. 12.3±4.3, P < 0.05), longer CPB time [minutes: 238.0 (208.8, 351.2) vs. 200.0 (185.8, 217.0), P < 0.05], and shorter ECMO-assisted time [hours: 19.5 (11.0, 58.8) vs. 94.5 (65.8, 179.8), P < 0.01]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in pre-machine pH value, ScvO 2, MAP, VIS score, and initial blood flow and establishment time of ECMO between the two groups. Conclusions:VA-ECMO is an effective circulatory aid for CPB surgery that cannot be weaned after CPB. The establishment and transfer of CPB "bridge" to ECMO aid depends on multi-disciplinary treatment (MDT) cooperation. The success rate of ECMO weaning is related to the Lac and CPB duration. If it is not possible to detach from the CPB successfully, VA-ECMO should be initiated as early as possible.

Objective:To investigate the value of serum gastrin-17 (G-17), pepsinogen (PG) I and II, and narrow-band imaging endoscopy in combination for identifying early gastric cancer.Methods:A total of 86 patients with suspected gastric cancer admitted to Zhoushan Hospital from January to September 2021 were included in this study. These patients underwent serum G-17, PG I, and PG II examination and narrow-band imaging endoscopy. PG I/PG II ratio (PGR) was calculated. Taking pathological results as a gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of serum G-17, PG I, PG II, and narrow-band imaging endoscopy in combination for identifying early gastric cancer were calculated.Results:Serum G-17 level and PGR in the gastric cancer group were (20.14 ± 4.59) pmol/L and (20.21 ± 4.50) μg/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than (17.06 ± 4.05) pmol/L and (17.15 ± 4.08) μg/L in the atrophic gastritis group ( q = 4.12, 3.77, both P < 0.05) and (12.35 ± 3.31) pmol/L and (10.82 ± 5.26) μg/L in the non-atrophic gastritis group ( q = 9.34, 10.39, both P < 0.05). PG I and PGR in the gastric cancer group were (63.90 ± 14.41) μg/L and (3.17 ± 2.08), respectively, which were significantly lower than (79.34 ± 16.25) μg/L and (5.04 ± 3.61) in the atrophic gastritis group ( q = 5.33, 3.44, both P < 0.05) and (106.42 ± 20.18) μg/L and (9.22 ± 4.06) in the non-atrophic gastritis group ( q = 13.16, 9.97, both P < 0.05). Among the 86 patients included, gastric cancer was determined by biopsy in 43 patients. Pathological results showed that 37 patients had early gastric cancer and 6 patients had gastric cancer involving the muscle layer or serous layer. Narrow-band imaging endoscopy results showed that 83.78% (31/37) of patients had early gastric cancer. Serum G-17, PG, and narrow-band imaging endoscopy in combination showed that 91.89% (34/37) of patients had early gastric cancer. Taking pathological results as a gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of serum G-17 combined with PG for screening early gastric cancer were 72.97% (27/37), 77.55% (38/49), 71.05% (27/38), and 79.17% (38/48), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of narrow-band imaging endoscopy for screening early gastric cancer were 83.78% (31/37), 85.71% (42/49), 83.10% (31/38), and 87.50% (42/48). The sensitivity and specificity of serum G-17, PG, and narrow-band imaging endoscopy in combination for screening early gastric cancer were 91.89% (34/37) and 91.84% (45/49), respectively. Conclusion:Serum G-17, pepsinogen, and narrow-band imaging endoscopy in combination can improve the diagnostic accuracy of early gastric cancer and is an effective method for screening early gastric cancer.

Background/Aims: The accuracy of endosonographers in diagnosing gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs) using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is influenced by experience and subjectivity. Artificial intelligence (AI) has achieved remarkable development in this field. This study aimed to develop an AI-based EUS diagnostic model for the diagnosis of SELs, and evaluated its efficacy with external validation. Methods: We developed the EUS-AI model with ResNeSt50 using EUS images from two hospitals to predict the histopathology of the gastric SELs originating from muscularis propria. The diagnostic performance of the model was also validated using EUS images obtained from four other hospitals. Results: A total of 2,057 images from 367 patients (375 SELs) were chosen to build the models, and 914 images from 106 patients (108 SELs) were chosen for external validation. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the model for differentiating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and non-GISTs in the external validation sets by images were 82.01%, 68.22%, 86.77%, 59.86%, and 78.12%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy in the external validation set by tumors were 83.75%, 71.43%, 89.33%, 60.61%, and 80.56%, respectively. The EUS-AI model showed better performance (especially specificity) than some endosonographers.The model helped improve the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of certain endosonographers. Conclusions We developed an EUS-AI model to classify gastric SELs originating from muscularis propria into GISTs and non-GISTs with good accuracy. The model may help improve the diagnostic performance of endosonographers. Further work is required to develop a multi-modal EUS-AI system.

Objective To observe the value of conventional ultrasound combined with ultrasonic elastography for evaluating the severity of active lesions of juvenile localized scleroderma(JLS).Methods Totally 27 JLS children with 46 active lesions were prospectively enrolled.The thickness,echo and blood flow of skin and subcutaneous tissue of JLS lesions and the paired sites were evaluated using conventional ultrasound,while the skin stiffness of all lesions and paired sites were assessed using shear wave elastography(SWE),and the strain ratio of lesions and surrounding skin were evaluated using strain elastography(SE).The thickness,echo and blood flow of skin as well as subcutaneous tissue,and the Young's modulus of skin were compared between JLS active lesions and the paired sites.The correlations of the individual sum total of each Young's modulus and the limited scleroderma activity index(LoSAI)or the limited scleroderma injury index(LoSDI)were explored.Results Compared with the paired site,no significant difference of the skin thickness was found among 46 JLS lesions(P＞0.05),but JLS lesions had thinner subcutaneous tissue(P＜0.05)and greater Young's moduli(all P＜0.05).The strain ratio of the lesions and surrounding skin were all larger than 2.For JLS children with active lesions,the individual sum total of Young's moduli had moderate rank correlations with LoSAI(rs=0.63-0.69,all P＜0.05),but there was no significant rank correlation with LoSDI(rs=0.27-0.33,P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with the paired site,JLS active lesions had thinner subcutaneous tissue and stiffer skin.The higher the lesion skin stiffness,the more severe the JLS lesion activity.

Objective:To summarize the treatment process of rapid decrease in blood flow due to centrifugal pump dysfunction during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and its related thinking.Methods:On September 25, 2021, the ECMO treatment of a 14-year-old boy with severe mycoplasma pneumonia, severe viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) admitted to the department of critical care medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College was analyzed.Results:Oxygenation of the child was difficult to maintain under invasive mechanical ventilation, and lung consolidation progressed seriously. After evaluation, venous-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO) was implemented, then oxygenation was improved. In the 120th hour after VV-ECMO establishment, the blood flow sudden decreased, the speed was 3 822 r/min, while the flow was only 0.2 L/min, more over there was no change in the flow when the speed was increased. Before that, the ECMO speed was 3 530 r/min, and the flow was up to 3.4 L/min and stable. After rapid screening, it was determined that the centrifugal pump was dysfunction. ECMO was successfully replaced and the flow was satisfactory.Conclusions:At present, most ECMO centers do not routinely monitor the pressure before and after the pump. There is a lack of visual and quantitative techniques or indicators to judge the pump's function, and there is also a lack of corresponding clinical experience in treatment. This paper summarizes the investigation and treatment process of ECMO pump dysfunction of this case to provide reference.

Objective:To investigate the effects of different connection schemes of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on arterial pressure (PA), venous pressure (PV), and transmembrane pressure (TMP), and to provide a theoretical basis for choosing a suitable connection scheme.Methods:① In vitro study: the different connection schemes of CRRT and ECMO were simulated and divided into 6 schemes according to the connection between CRRT and ECMO circuits at different positions. Scheme A: connected to the front and back points of the oxygenator; scheme B: connected to the points behind and in front of the oxygenator; scheme C: connected to the points in front of the oxygenator and in front of the centrifugal pump; scheme D: connected to the points behind the oxygenator and in front of the centrifugal pump; scheme E: connected to the points in front of the oxygenator and the return catheter; scheme F: connected to the points after the oxygenator and the return catheter. Each set of ECMO circuits was measured 5 times under each connection scheme and different flow rates (2, 3, 4, 5, 5.5 L/min). Six ECMO circuits for a total of 30 measurements, and the PA, PV, and TMP of the 6 schemes were compared. ② In vivo study: the patients who were treated with ECMO combined with CRRT in the department of critical care medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from August 2017 to August 2021 changed the connection scheme due to high PA or PV (from scheme A or B to scheme E or F) were retrospectively analyzed. The changes of PA and PV before and after changing the scheme were compared. Results:① In vitro study results: there was no significant difference in PA between schemes A and B, C and D, E and F under different ECMO blood flow (2-5.5 L/min). The PA of schemes C and D was the lowest, followed by schemes E and F. PV of scheme B was higher than that of scheme A under different ECMO blood flow (2-5.5 L/min). There was no significant difference in PV between schemes C and D, E and F under high ECMO blood flow (3-5.5 L/min), and the absolute value of PV was lowest in schemes E and F. Compared with schemes A and B [partial PA > 300 mmHg (1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa) at high flow rate], C and D (partial PV > 350 mmHg at high flow rate), schemes E and F were more reasonable connection schemes. TMP was negative in schemes C and D at ECMO blood flow of 5 L/min and 5.5 L/min (mmHg; 5 L/min: scheme C was -29.14±11.42, scheme D was -42.45±15.70; 5.5 L/min: scheme C was -35.75±13.21, scheme D was -41.58±15.42), which indicated the presence of dialysate reverse filtration. Most of the differences in TMP among schemes A, B, E, and F under different ECMO blood flow (2-5.5 L/min) were statistically significant, and the absolute value of mean fluctuation was 9.89-49.55 mmHg, all within the normal range. ② In vivo study results: a total of 10 patients who changed the connection scheme (from scheme A or B to E or F) due to high PA or PV were enrolled, including 8 males and 2 females; 7 cases of venous-arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) and 3 cases of venous-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO), all used continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) mode. After changing the scheme, both PA and PV decreased significantly as compared with those before changing [PA (mmHg): 244.00±22.58 vs. 257.20±21.92, PV (mmHg): 257.20±18.43 vs. 326.40±15.41, both P < 0.01], and PV decreased more significantly than PA [difference (mmHg): 69.20±6.55 vs. 13.20±5.45, P < 0.01]. Conclusion:For patients treated with ECMO in combination with CRRT, the scheme of connecting the access line of CRRT to the pre-oxygenator or post-oxygenator and connecting the return line to the point of the return catheter can significantly reduce PA and PV and maintains normal CRRT operation even running high-flow ECMO.

The main mechanisms of sepsis induced organ damage are microcirculation dysfunction, host immune response imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, etc. As one of the most metabolically active organs in the human body, the retina can be damaged in sepsis. Studies have shown that nearly 50% of patients with sepsis have changes such as slow retinal blood flow, exudation, hemorrhage, and retinal microaneurysm formation, which are far higher than clinicians' expectations. For individuals, the importance of the eyeball has always surpassed this organ itself. Even the slight deterioration of visual ability may be closely related to daily activities. However, the ICU physicians are mainly concerned with the dysfunction of the "large" organs, it is only noticed when the patient has an irreversible visual impairment. In addition, the eyes can also "reflect" the severity of the disease and predict the prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to re-understand and pay more attention to this organ in sepsis. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, possible pathogenic factors, pathogenesis, and treatment of septic retinal and optic nerve injury, to raise the concern about "eyeball" injury in septic patients.

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of splenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in sepsis-induced adrenal injury (SAI).Methods:Thirty male C57 mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into normal control group ( n = 5), sham operation group (Sham group, n = 5), sepsis model group [cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) group, n = 10] and sepsis+splenectomy group (CLPS group, n = 10). The sepsis model of mice was reproduced by CLP method. In Sham group, only the cecum was opened and separated, then closed, without CLP. In CLPS group, the spleen was removed before CLP. In normal control group, no challenge was given. After 24 hours, the rats were sacrificed by anesthesia, and peripheral blood, spleen, bone marrow, and bilateral adrenal glands were harvested. The pathological of adrenal gland was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining under optical microscope. The ratio of MDSCs in peripheral blood, spleen and bone marrow was determined by flow cytometry. The expressions of MDSCs surface antigen CD11b, Gr-1 and interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) mRNA in adrenal tissue were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western Blot was used to detect the expressions of mammalian rapamycin target protein (mTOR) pathway related proteins including total mTOR (T-mTOR), phosphorylation of mTOR (p-mTOR) and caspase-3. Results:The adrenal cortex and medulla of the normal control group and Sham group were intact and the structure was clear under optical microscope, while in the CLP group, the adrenal gland showed edema, cortical hemorrhage and cell edema. Compared with the CLP group, the adrenal tissue injury was significantly reduced in the CLPS group. Compared with the normal control group and Sham group, MDSCs ratio in the peripheral blood was significantly increased and significantly reduced in the spleen in the CLP group, but there was no significant difference in bone marrow, the expression levels of CD11b, Gr-1, IL-6, IL-1β mRNA and caspase-3 protein were increased significantly and p-mTOR protein expression was significantly decreased in adrenal tissue, there was no significant difference in the expression of T-mTOR protein. Compared with the CLP group, in the CLPS group, the MDSCs ratio in the peripheral blood was significantly decreased (0.143±0.011 vs. 0.324±0.023, P < 0.01), the expression levels of CD11b, Gr-1, IL-6 , IL-1β mRNA and caspase-3 protein in adrenal gland were significantly decreased [CD11b mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 2.90±0.56 vs. 5.74±0.13, Gr-1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 2.71±0.14 vs. 4.59±0.46, IL-6 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 2.44±0.64 vs. 5.17±1.04, IL-1β mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 3.58±0.52 vs. 4.44±0.26, caspase-3 protein (caspase-3/GAPDH): 0.05±0.01 vs. 0.13±0.02, all P < 0.01], the p-mTOR protein expression was significantly increased (p-mTOR/GAPDH: 0.61±0.11 vs. 0.27±0.04, P < 0.01). Conclusions:The spleen is the major source of MDSCs in SAI. Splenectomy can attenuate SAI by reducing mobilization of MDSCs and activating the mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective:To provide a reference for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) inter-hospital transport during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), based on the transport experience of 6 patients with severe H1N1 influenza virus pneumonia using ECMO.Methods:Clinical data of patients with severe H1N1 influenza virus pneumonia implemented by ECMO in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from October 2018 to December 2019 were retrospective analyzed, including general information, ECMO transport distance, time, clinical parameters before and after ECMO, including the patients' oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2), respiratory rate (RR), pulse blood oxygen saturation (SpO 2), arterial blood carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO 2), and pH value, various complications during transport, mechanical ventilation time, patients' prognosis and other indicators. Experience from the aspects of personal protection, transport process and equipment, team cooperation, mid-transit monitoring, quality control, etc., was summarized to provide suggestions for patients with severe COVID-19 using ECMO during inter-hospital transport and protection. Results:A total of 6 patients with severe H1N1 influenza virus pneumonia were transported on ECMO. All patients were transported to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College by the ECMO transport team after the establishment of ECMO in the local hospital. The transfer distance was 11 to 197 km, with an average of (93.8±58.6) km; the transfer time was 30 to 150 minutes, with an average of (79.2±40.6) minutes. Two patients experienced a drop in ECMO flow and SpO 2 during the process, and the main reason was insufficient volume, which was improved after fluid resuscitation and posture adjustment. All patients maintained SpO 2 above 0.93. Six patients survived and were discharged. ECMO assisted time was 4-9 days, with an average of (6.5±1.5) days; mechanical ventilation time was 7-24 days, and median time was 10.0 (8.0, 14.5) days. No H1N1 transmission occurred in medical personnel. To achieve good therapeutic effect, the main experience was to choose the proper timing and mode of ECMO; intact transportation vehicles and equipment to reduce or avoid mechanical complications; the effective management of respiration and circulation during the transportation to avoid ventilation-associated lung injury (VALI) and serious hypoxemia; the appropriate space for the transfer team to quickly handle various critical situations; and personal protection to avoid infection. Conclusion:With an experienced ECMO transport team, good transport equipment, comprehensive protection measures, reasonable transport procedures, and a perfect emergency plan, it is safe to use ECMO transport for COVID-19 patients.

Objective ToexploretheMRIfeaturesofgrowthhormonedeficiency(GHD)inchildrenwithshortstaturecausedby pituitarylesions,inordertoimprovethediagnosticlevelofthesediseases.Methods MRIandclinicaldataof624patientsofGHD withshortstaturecausedbypituitarylesionswereretrospectivelyanalyzed.Results Inshortstaturecausedbypituitarylesions,there were383caseswithanteriorpituitarydysplasia(61.4%);49casesofpituitarystalkinterruptionsyndrome(PSIS)(7.9%);16cases ofpituitaryhyperplasiaduetoprimaryhypothyroidism (2.6%);41casesofRathkecleftcyst(6.6%);74casesofemptysellasyndrome(11.9%);17 casesofpituitaryinvasionbyLangerhanscellhistiocytosis(2.7%);2casesofsellarregionalarachnoidcyst(0.3%);and42casesof craniopharyngioma(6.7%).MRIshowedtheheightofanteriorpituitarywaslessthannormal,andthelocation,sizeandsignalsof posteriorpituitaryandpituitarystalkwerenormalinanteriorpituitarydysplasia.Noorthinpituitarystalk,anteriorpituitaryhypoplasiawith ectopicposteriorpituitarywereseeninPSIS.Allofthepituitaryhyperplasiawerecausedbyhypothyroidism,inwhich MRIshowed anteriorpituitaryenlargement,upwardapophysis,obvioushomogeneousenhancement,nopituitarystalkinterruptionandabnormal signal,andthepituitaryglandreducinginsizeafterreplacementtherapy.Stalkhypophysialwasthickeningtogetherwithadisappearanceof hyperintenseoftheposteriorlobeofpituitaryglandonT1,andthesizeandsignalsofanteriorpituitarywerenormalinpituitarybeing invadedbyLangerhanscellhistiocytosis.AtrophyofanteriorpituitarywasseeninRathkecleftcyst,emptysellasyndrome,sellarregionalarachnoid cystandcraniopharyngioma.Conclusion MRIcanclearlyshowtheanatomyofpituitaryandsellarregion,whichcanprovideamorphological referencefortheearlydiagnosisanddifferentialdiagnosisofGHDinchildrenwithshortstaturecausedbypituitarylesions,andisof clinicallyimportantfortreatmentandprognosis.