Objective To investigate the mid- to long-term follow-up results of ascending aorta (AAO)-descending thoracic aorta (DTA) bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision for the treatment of complex aortic arch coarctation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with complex aortic arch coarctation who underwent AAO-DTA bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision at the First Hospital of Tsinghua University from August 2004 to May 2017. Results A total of 7 patients were enrolled, including 4 males and 3 females, aged (13.3±4.6) years, and weighted (40.2±12.2) kg. Six (85.7%) patients had concomitant upper limb hypertension. Four patients were aortic arch coarctation combined with intracardiac malformations, two were post-operative restenosis, and 1 was post-operative restenosis combined with intracardiac malformation. All patients underwent surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. There were no perioperative deaths or major complications. The pre-operative upper-lower limb pressure difference was (39.3±19.2) mm Hg, which decreased to (2.9±2.7) mm Hg post-operatively (P<0.01). The follow-up period was (14.9±5.9) years. There were no long-term deaths or artificial graft-related complications. Except for one patient who still had mild hypertension, the blood pressure of the remaining patients returned to normal. Conclusion AAO-DTA bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision for the treatment of complex aortic arch coarctation can effectively reduce upper limb blood pressure and the upper-lower limb arterial pressure difference, has fewer complications, and demonstrates satisfactory mid- to long-term efficacy.

AIM:The paper is to explore a rapid and simple method for the culture of mouse primary thyroid cells.METHODS:Mouse thyroid cells were isolated by enzyme digestion and cultured with improved medium,and their morphology,characteristics and secretory function were observed within 14 d.RESULTS:In the cultures,the active pri-mary cells were obtained from the thyroid tissue after digestion for 25 min;adherent growth was observed on the 2nd day.And secondary follicles appeared from the 5th to 7th day.Over 95%cells were detected with thyroglobulin.The secretion of total triiodothyronine and total thyroxine maintains over 60%in 7 d.The expression levels of specific genes can still maintain more than 50%in 10 d.CONCLUSION:Mouse thyroid primary cells can be rapidly cultured by this method,and the cells can be used for studying thyroid endocrine secretion within 7 d and studying thyroid genes within 10 d.

Objective:To construct pancreatic cancer cell lines expressing luciferase and mesothelin (MSLN), and evaluate the feasibility of using them as target cells in analyzing the cytotoxicity activity of immune cells.Methods:Lentiviral vectors expressing luciferase and MSLN genes were constructed, and pancreatic cancer cell lines were infected after lentivirus packaging. Single-cell clones were obtained by limited dilution following antibiotic screening, and the stable expression of the target genes were verified. These cells were used as target cells to detect the cytotoxicity of immune cells by real-time cell analysis (RTCA) and luciferase activity. Besides, these luciferase-expressing cells were transplanted into B-NDG mice to establish the animal models of pancreatic cancer, and in vivo optical imaging technology was used to detect the expression of luciferase and monitor the tumor growth in mice. The cytotoxicity of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells was verified in these animal models. Results:Three pancreatic cancer cell lines, panc-1-luc, panc-1-luc-MSLN and capan-2-luc, that could stably express luciferase and MSLN genes were successfully constructed. The expression of the reporter gene in these cells were high, and positively correlated with the number of cells. There were 95.6% of panc-1-luc-MSLN cells expressing MSLN. MSLN-CAR-T cells had specific killing effect on MSLN-positive panc-1-luc-MSLN cells and capan-2-luc cells, with the minimum killing rates of (70.00±18.19)% and (57.00±5.29)%, respectively. But they had no cytotoxicity to MSLN-negative panc-1-luc cells. RTCA results showed that MSLN-CAR-T cells were able to lyse all three pancreatic cancer cell lines, and the minimum killing rates were (56.33±7.64)%, (93.00±2.65)% and (26.33±28.15)%, respectively. The killing of target cells by NK-92MI cells was not depended on MSLN expression. The cytotoxicity in the mice models of pancreatic cancer was consistent with the results in vitro. The in vivo and in vitro test results suggested that the expression of luciferase by target cells could reflect the cytotoxicity of immune cells. Conclusions:This study establishes three pancreatic cancer cell lines stably expressing luciferase, which can be used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of immunotherapy products targeting tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of preoperative γ-glutamyl transferase/lymphocyte count ratio (GLR) levels for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with liver cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 158 recipients who were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (hereinafter referred to as liver cancer) and received liver transplantation at the No. 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from January 2008 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. X-tile software, the Kaplan-Meier method, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and other statistical methods were performed. The predictive value of preoperative GLR levels for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with liver cancer and the risk factors for tumor recurrence in liver cancer patients post-liver transplantation were analyzed.Results:The X-tile software analysis confirmed that 96.8 was the optimal cutoff value for the preoperative GLR level to predict recurrence. The grouping threshold for survival analysis using the GLR cutoff value was 96.8. The tumor recurrence rates at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery in the low-level GLR group (90 cases) and the high-level GLR group were 19.3% vs. 44.2%, 31.8% vs. 60.0%, and 34.1% vs. 62.9% (68 cases), respectively, and the differences were statistically significant between the two groups ( P<0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis results showed that the overall postoperative survival rate and recurrence-free survival rate were significantly lower in the high-level GLR group than the low-level GLR group ( P<0.05). The univariate Cox analysis result showed that there were statistically significant differences in preoperative aspartate aminotransferase, alpha fetoprotein, surgery time, maximum diameter of a solitary tumor, presence or absence of microvascular invasion, presence or absence of portal vein tumor thrombus, and preoperative GLR levels between the two groups ( P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis results showed that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein ≥400 ng/ml, GLR≥96.8, and the maximum diameter of a solitary tumor ≥5.0 cm were independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with liver cancer ( P<0.05). Conclusion:GLR levels have a certain predictive value for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with liver cancer. Furthermore, the postoperative tumor recurrence rate is relatively high when the preoperative GLR level in liver transplant recipients with liver cancer is ≥96.8.

Background::Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) is a rare and complex congenital heart anomaly, and the effect of surgical treatment is not ideal. This study aims to introduce our experience in management strategies, surgical techniques, and operative indications for patients with Ebstein’s anomaly.Methods::A retrospective study of 258 operations was performed in 253 patients by the same cardiac surgeon in The First Hospital of Tsinghua University between March 2004 and January 2020. 32 patients had previously received cardiac surgery in other hospitals. The clinical data including diagnosis, operative indications, techniques, pathological changes, and survival rates were collected and analyzed.Results::Anatomical correction was performed in 203 (78.7%) operations, 1? ventricle repair in 38 (14.7%) operations, tricuspid valve repair only in four operations (1.6%), tricuspid valve replacement in ten (3.9%), total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) in two (0.8%), and Glenn operation in one operation (0.4%). Reoperation was performed in five patients (2.0%) during hospitalization. Among them, tricuspid valve replacement was performed in one patient, 1? ventricle repair in two patients, and tricuspid valve annulus reinforcement in two patients. Five patients died with an early mortality rate of 2.0%. Complete atrioventricular conduction block was complicated in one patient (0.4%). A total of 244 patients was followed up (four in the 253 patients lost) with a duration of 3.0-168.0 (87.6 ± 38.4) months. Cardiac function of 244 patients improved significantly with mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class recovery from 3.5 to 1.1. The mean grade of tricuspid valve regurgitation improved from 3.6 to 1.5. Three late deaths (1.2%) occurred. The survival rates at five and ten years after surgery were 98.6% and 98.2%, respectively. Reoperation was performed in five patients (2.0%) during the follow-up period.Conclusion::Based on our management strategies and operative principles and techniques, anatomical correction of EA is capable of achieving excellent long-term results, and low rates of TCPC, 1? ventricle repair and valvular replacement.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)can lead to changes in brain structure and function,increasing the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.The mechanism may be related to insulin resistance(IR),impaired insulin signal transduction,and cerebral vascular disease.Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs)are a class of new drugs in treating T2DM,which can lower blood glucose,delay gastric emptying,and increase satiety,thereby reduce body weight.In recent years,more and more researchers have conducted animal experiments and clinical trials to explore the effects of GLP-1RAs,especially Liraglutide and Exenatide,on cognitive function in patients with T2DM and related mechanisms.This review summarizes the effects of GLP-1RAs on cognitive function in patients with T2DM and their possible mechanisms.

Objective:To analyze the costs and effectiveness of five common screening modes and genetic screening for thalassemia in China in order to find the optimal way and provide evidence for the implementation of thalassemia prevention and control projects in Hunan Province.Methods:From June 2020 to April 2021, 12 971 couples from 14 cities and autonomous prefectures in Hunan Province were selected as the study population. The diagnosis of thalassemia was based on the results of genetic testing. Results of routine blood test and hemoglobin electrophoresis were collected and analyzed. The efficacy of five screening modes, at the cut-off value of <80 fl or 82 fl for the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), was analyzed by positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Jorden index and cost-effectiveness ratio. Sensitivity analysis was used to assess the feasibility of genetic screening at different costs after fixing the costs of routine blood and hemoglobin electrophoresis. The five thalassemia screening models are as follows: Mode 1: The woman had a blood routine test first. If the result was positive, the spouse required a blood routine test. If both results were positive, a thalassemia gene test should be offered to the couple. Mode 2: Both husband and wife were screened by blood routine and hemoglobin electrophoresis. If one or both of them were positive, both would be tested for thalassemia gene. Mode 3: The couple received blood routine tests initially. If either was positive, both should receive hemoglobin electrophoresis testing. If either was positive, both parties will conduct thalassemia gene testing. Mode 4: The woman was screened by blood routine and hemoglobin electrophoresis. If any one of them was positive, the woman would be tested for thalassemia gene. If the gene test result was positive, the spouse should receive thalassemia gene. Mode 5: Both spouses conducted a blood routine test. If either was positive, both would conduct hemoglobin electrophoresis test. If both were positive, both spouses should receive thalassemia gene testing. Gene testing mode: The woman would be tested for thalassemia, and her spouse would have thalassemia test too if her result was positive.Results:When using MCV<80 fl as the cut-off for diagnosing thalassemia, the Youden indices of the five prenatal screening modes in Hunan Province were 0.551, 0.639, 0.898, 0.555 and 0.356, while when using MCV<82 fl as the cut-off, the Youden indices were 0.549, 0.629, 0.851, 0.548 and 0.356. When the MCV cut-off value was <80 fl, the missed diagnosis rates of the five screening modes were 44.44%, 0.00, 0.00, 18.52% and 62.96%, and the cost-effectiveness ratios were 21 709, 250 939, 76 870, 138 463 and 92 860 yuan (RMB)/couple, respectively. When the price of genetic testing was lower than 55 yuan (RMB), the cost-effectiveness ratio of genetic screening was lower than that of Mode 3.Conclusions:MCV<80 fl can be considered as the positive criteria in blood routine screening for thalassemia in Hunan Province, and the cost-effectiveness ratio of Mode 3 (the couple received blood routine tests initially. If either was positive, both should receive hemoglobin electrophoresis testing. If either was positive, both parties will conduct thalassemia gene testing) is the best. Genetic screening has certain advantages with the decreasing price.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of 8E5 cells and CD19-CAR-Jurkat cells used as reference cells in the detection of lentiviral vector integration sites with different methods.Methods:Single clones of 8E5 cells and CD19-CAR-Jurkat cells were selected using limiting dilution method. Digital PCR was established to detect the copy number of HIV-1 in 8E5 cells and the copy number of CAR in CD19-CAR-Jurkat cells. High-throughput sequencing techniques (whole-genome resequencing, modified genome sequencing and probe hybridization capture) were used to detect integration sites in 8E5 cells and CD19-CAR-Jurkat cells, and optical genome mapping (OGM) technology was used for further confirmation.Results:Three clones of 8E5-D8 cells and six clones of CD19-CAR-Jurkat 2-6 cells were selected using the limiting dilution method. 8E5-D8 and CD19-CAR-Jurkat 2-6 were chosen as candidate cells based on their gene copy numbers detected by digital PCR and flow cytometry. These cells were then expanded and cryopreserved. Digital PCR showed that 8E5-D8 cells contained approximately 1 copy per cell, while CD19-CAR-Jurkat 2-6 cells contained approximately 13 copies per cell. High-throughput sequencing revealed one integration site in 8E5 cells and 13 integration sites in CD19-CAR-Jurkat cells, which matched the copy number detection results. All these integration sites were further confirmed at the submicroscopic level of chromosomes using OGM.Conclusions:Based on the insertion copy numbers and integration sites, 8E5-D8 cells and CD19-CAR-Jurkat 2-6 cells could be used as reference cells in further development of methods for detecting integration sites in CAR-T cell lentiviral vectors.

Objective:To provide epidemiological data and clinical evidence for cosmetic adverse reactions.Methods:A retrospective clinical analysis was carried out on a total 820 outpatients (23 males and 797 females) suspected to be with cosmetic adverse reactions from January 2014 - October 2017, and average age of these patients was 7~75 (32.66±8.09) years. Suspicious cosmetics patch tests were performed in some patients. Suspicious cosmetics patch tests were performed in 687 patients.Results:Among 820 patients with cosmetic adverse reactions, women accounted for 97.20% and men accounted for 2.80%. Age distribution was most common among young people aged 21-40 years, accounting for 71.34%. The highest level of education was higher education, accounting for 59.69%. Occupational distribution was most commonly concentrated in employees and unemployed persons, accounting for 28.54% and 18.66%, respectively. A history of cosmetics allergies accounted for 17.28%. Cosmetic contact dermatitis was the most common clinical type of cosmetic adverse reactions, accounting for 92.70%. A total of 1682 suspected pathogenic cosmetics were involved. The positive rate of the cosmetic original patch test was 42.39%. Among the cosmetics with a positive patch test, moisturizing, anti-wrinkle and whitening freckle cosmetics accounted for the highest proportion, 31.59%, 15.09%, and 12.68%, respectively.Conclusions:Cosmetic contact dermatitis is the most common type of cosmetic adverse reaction. Patch testing is helpful in identifying the contact allergens in cosmetic adverse reaction.

Objective: To explore the relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) level during the first trimester of pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A total of 1 276 participants, who underwent scheduled prenatal examination and normal singleton delivery at the Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai and Hospital of Intergrated Chinese and Western Medicine in Minhang District, from January 2016 to May 2018 were included. There were 99 cases of GDM (GDM group) and 1 177 cases of normal (control group) pregnant women.Based on the serum Hb level during the first trimester of pregnancy, participants were divided into three groups, 236 cases of low Hb level group (Hb<110 g/L), 868 cases of normal Hb level group (110 g/L≤Hb<130 g/L), and 172 cases of high Hb level group (Hb≥130 g/L). Maternal clinical data were collected, including Hb level during the first trimester of pregnancy, three-point blood glucose (BG) of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and fasting insulin during the second trimester of pregnancy. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and homeostasis model assessment of pancreatic β cell function index (HOMA-β) were used to evaluate insulin resistance and pancreatic β cell function. Results: (1) Hb level during the first trimester of pregnancy in GDM group was significantly higher than that in control group [(123±10),(119±11) g/L, P<0.05]. There were no significant difference in gravidity, parity, index of liver and renal function (all P>0.05). (2) Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), 1-hour BG and 2-hour BG of OGTT were significantly increased in the high Hb level group during the first trimester of pregnancy, which were (23±4) kg/m², (7.3±2.0) mmol/L, and (6.5±1.4) mmol/L (P<0.05), respectively. The pre-pregnancy BMI, 1-hour BG and 2-hour BG of the normal or low Hb level group were (22±3) kg/m², (6.7±1.6) mmol/L, (6.1±1.2) mmol/L; (22±3) kg/m², (6.5±1.5) mmol/L, (5.9±1.1) mmol/L, respectively. There were no statistically significant difference in levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β within 3 groups (all P>0.05). (3) In the high Hb level group, prevalence of pregnancy overweight or obesity and GDM were the highest, which were 37.2%(64/172) and 15.1%(26/172), respectively; the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (4) The serum Hb level in the first trimester was positively related with pre-pregnancy BMI (r=0.130, P<0.05), 1-hour BG (r=0.129, P<0.05), 2-hour BG (r=0.134, P<0.05), fasting insulin (r=0.096, P<0.05), and HOMA-IR (r=0.101, P<0.05).Logistic regression indicated that Hb≥130 g/L during the first trimester of pregnancy was an independent risk factor for GDM (OR=2.799, 95%CI: 1.186-6.604; P<0.05). Conclusion The high level of Hb (Hb≥130 g/L) during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with GDM.