Objective To investigate the hemodynamic effects of enhanced external counterpulsation(EECP)on cerebral arteries with different stenoses.Methods Zero-dimensional/three-dimensional multiscale hemodynamic models of cerebral arteries with different stenoses were constructed.Numerical simulations of the EECP hemodynamics were performed under different counterpulsation modes to quantify several hemodynamic indicators of the cerebral arteries.Among them,the mean time-averaged wall shear stress(TAWSS)downstream of the stenosis was in the range of 4-7 Pa,a low percentage of TAWSS risk area,and high narrow branch flow were considered to inhibit the development of atherosclerosis and create a good hemodynamic environment.Results For cerebral arteries with 50%,60%,70%,and 80%stenosis,the hemodynamic environment was optimal in counterpulsation mode when the moment of cuff deflation was 0.5,0.6,0.7,and 0.7 s within the cardiac cycle.Conclusions For 50%stenotic cerebral arteries,the counterpulsation mode with a deflation moment of 0.5 s should be selected.For 60%stenotic cerebral arteries,the counterpulsation mode with a deflation moment of 0.6 s should be selected.For 70%or 80%stenotic cerebral arteries,the counterpulsation mode with a deflation moment of 0.7 s should be selected.As stenosis of the cerebral arteries increases,the pressure duration should be prolonged.This study provides a theoretical reference for the EECP treatment strategy for patients with ischemic stroke with different stenoses.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of ankle arthroscopy combined with closed reduction guide and conventional surgical incision in the treatment of trimalleolar fracture.Methods A total of 60 patients with ankle fracture were divided into two groups according to different surgical plans:the ankle arthroscopy combined with closed reduction guide surgery group(arthroscopy group)and the conventional incision surgery group(incision group),with 30 cases in each group.The operative time,intraoperative blood loss and complications of the two groups were observed and compared.Pain and functional recovery of patients were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot&Ankle Society(AOFAS)ankle and hind foot scores and Foot and Ankle Disability Index(FADI)scores.Results All 60 patients were followed up.Compared with the arthroscopy group,patients in the incision group had a longer surgical time,a shorter incision length in the medial malleolus,a reduced number of cases of skin numbness and reduced bleeding(P＜0.05).The AOFAS score and the FADI score at 12 months after surgery were higher in the arthroscopic group than those of the incision group(P＜0.05).After 12 months of surgery,the AOFAS score in patients without cartilage injury of the arthroscopic group were higher than those of patients with cartilage injury(P＜0.05),while there were no significant differences in pain and force line scores between patients with cartilage injury and patients without cartilage injury(P＞0.05).Conclusion The application of ankle arthroscopy combined with closed reduction guide in the treatment of trimalleolar fracture can achieve better postoperative results,but it has no obvious advantages in operation time and incision infection compared with the incision surgery.

Objective To investigated the effect of stenosis characteristics (vascular elasticity and plaque properties) on myocardial ischemia. Methods An ideal geometric multi-scale coronary stenosis model based on fluid-structure interaction was established, and the fractional flow reserve (FFR) was simulated to evaluate myocardial ischemia. The effects of vascular elastic wall (elastic modulus of 1 MPa) and rigid wall, plaque types (lipid-rich plaque and calcified plaque) and plaque volume on myocardial ischemia were considered separately. Results The FFRCT simulation result of vessels with elastic wall was larger than that with rigid wall under all stenosis situations. The FFRCT of vessels in lipid-rich lesions was higher than that of calcified plaque (P=0.001). The trapezoidal plaque volume was larger than the cosine plaque volume, and the FFRCT of vessels in trapezoidal plaque was smaller than that of cosine plaque (P=0.001). Conclusions Vascular elasticity is a critical factor to simulate vascular hemodynamics. In moderate stenosis, calcified plaques are more likely to induce myocardial ischemia due to the larger luminal deformation and dilation of rich lipid plaque. When the stenosis is constant, the smaller the plaque volume, the higher the FFRCT and the smaller the possibility of myocardial ischemia.

Objective:To investigate the surgical efficacy and prognosis influencing factors of hilar cholangiocarcinoma based on multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 91 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent surgery in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from April 2004 to April 2021 were collected. There were 59 males and 32 females, aged (61±10)years. Patients who were admitted from April 2004 to March 2014 underwent traditional surgical diagnosis and treatment, and patients who were admitted from April 2014 to April 2021 underwent multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment. Observation indica-tors: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) postoperative pathological examina-tions; (4) postoperative prognosis analysis; (5) influencing factors of postoperative prognosis. Follow-up was conducted using telephone interview and outpatient examination. Patients were followed up once every 6 months after surgery to detect survival. The follow-up was up to April 2023. Measure-ment data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve and calculate survival rate. The Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the COX proportional hazard model. Results:(1) Surgical situations. Of the 91 patients, there were 65 cases receiving hemi- or expanded hemi-hepatectomy, 13 cases receiving tri-hepatectomy, 9 cases receiving partial hepatectomy, 4 cases receiving extrahepatic bile duct resection. There were 24 cases receiving combined vein resection and reconstruction, 8 cases receiving combined pancreaticoduodenectomy, 6 cases receiving com-bined hepatic artery resection and reconstruction, including 24 cases receiving extended radical surgery (tri-hepatectomy, hepatic artery resection and reconstruction, hepatopancreaticoduodenec-tomy). The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss and intraoperative blood transfusion rate of 91 patients was (590±124)minutes, 800(range, 500?1 200)mL and 75.8%(69/91), respectively. Of the 91 patients, cases receiving extended radical surgery, the volume of intraoperative blood loss were 4, 650(range, 300?1 000)mL in the 31 patients who were admitted from April 2004 to March 2014, versus 20, 875 (range, 500?1 375)mL in the 60 patients who were admitted from April 2014 to April 2021, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=4.39, Z=0.31, P<0.05). (2) Post-operative situations. The postoperative duration of hospital stay and cases with postoperative infectious complications were (27±17)days and 50 in the 91 patients. Cases with abdominal infection, cases with infection of incision, cases with bacteremia and cases with pulmonary infection were 43, 7, 5, 8 in the 91 patients. One patient might have multiple infectious complications. Cases with bile leakage, cases with delayed gastric emptying, cases with chylous leakage, cases with liver failure, cases with pancreatic fistula, cases with intraperitoneal hemorrhage, cases with reoperation, cases dead during the postoperative 90 days were 30, 9, 9, 6, 5, 3, 6, 3 in the 91 patients. Cases with abdominal infection was 10 in the 31 patients who were admitted from April 2004 to March 2014, versus 33 in the 60 patients who were admitted from April 2014 to April 2021, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=4.24, P<0.05). Cases dead during the postoperative 90 days was 3 in the 31 patients who were admitted from April 2004 to March 2014, versus 0 in the 60 patients who were admitted from April 2014 to April 2021, showing a significant difference between them ( P<0.05). (3) Post-operative pathological examinations. Of the 91 patients, cases with Bismuth type as type Ⅰ?Ⅱ, type Ⅲ, type Ⅳ, cases with T staging as Tis stage, T1 stage, T2a?2b stage, T3 stage, T4 stage, cases with N staging as N0 stage, N1 stage, N2 stage, cases with M staging as M0 stage, M1 stage, cases with TNM staging as 0 stage, Ⅰ stage, Ⅱ stage, Ⅲ stage, ⅣA stage, ⅣB stage, cases with R 0 radical resection, cases with R 1 or R 2 resection were 15, 46, 30, 1, 9, 25, 30, 26, 49, 36, 6, 85, 6, 1, 7, 13, 58, 6, 6, 63, 28. Cases with R 0 radical resection, cases with R 1 or R 2 resection were 15, 16 in the 31 patients who were admitted from April 2004 to March 2014, versus 48, 12 in the 60 patients who were admitted from April 2014 to April 2021, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=9.59, P<0.05). (4) Postoperative prognosis analysis. Of the 91 patients, 3 cases who died within 90 days after surgery were excluded, and the 5-year overall survival rate and median overall survival time of the rest of 88 cases were 44.7% and 55 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 33.5% in the 28 patients who were admitted from April 2004 to March 2014, versus 50.4% in the 60 patients who were admitted from April 2014 to April 2021, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=5.31, P<0.05). Results of further analysis showed that the corresponding 5-year overall survival rate of cases without lymph node metastasis was 43.8% in the 16 patients who were admitted from April 2004 to March 2014, versus 61.6% in the 31 patients who were admitted from April 2014 to April 2021. There was a significant difference in the 5-year overall survival rate between these patients without lymph node metastasis ( χ2=3.98, P<0.05). The corresponding 5-year overall survival rate of cases with lymph node metastasis was 18.5% in the 12 patients who were admitted from April 2004 to March 2014, versus 37.7% in the 29 patients who were admitted from April 2014 to April 2021. There was no significant difference in the 5-year overall survival rate between these patients with lymph node metastasis ( χ2=2.25, P>0.05). (5) Influencing factors of postoperative prognosis. Results of multivariate analysis showed that poorly differentiated tumor and R 1 or R 2 resection were inde-pendent risk factors influencing prognosis after surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma ( hazard ratio=2.62, 2.71, 95% confidence interval as 1.30?5.29, 1.30?5.69, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with traditional surgical diagnosis and treatment, treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma based on multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment can expand surgical indications, reduce proportion of dead patients within 90 days after surgery, improve proportation of radical resection and long-term survival rate. Poorly differentiated tumor and R 1 or R 2 resection are independent risk factors influencing prognosis after surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an infectious disease caused by the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) that mainly produces respiratory symptoms in affected animals, resulting in great losses in the world's agriculture industry every year. Singledomain variable heavy chain (VHH) antibody fragments, also referred to as nanobodies, have high expression yields and other advantages including ease of purification and high solubility. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to obtain a single-domain antibody with good reactivity and high specificity against PPRV. Methods: A VHH cDNA library was established by immunizing camels with PPRV vaccine, and the capacity and diversity of the library were examined. Four PPRV VHHs were selected, and the biological activity and antigen-binding capacity of the four VHHs were identified by western blot, indirect immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses. ELISA was used to identify whether the four VHHs were specific for PPRV, and VHH neutralization tests were carried out. ELISA and western blot analyses were used to identify which PPRV protein was targeted by VHH2. Results: The PPRV cDNA library was constructed successfully. The library capacity was greater than 2.0 × 106 cfu/mL, and the inserted fragment size was approximately 400 bp to 2000 bp. The average length of the cDNA library fragment was about 1000 bp, and the recombination rate was approximately 100%. Four single-domain antibody sequences were selected, and proteins expressed in the supernatant were obtained. The four VHHs were shown to have biological activity, close affinity to PPRV, and no cross-reaction with common sheep diseases. All four VHHs had neutralization activity, and VHH2 was specific to the PPRV M protein. Conclusions The results of this preliminary research of PPRV VHHs showed that four screened VHH antibodies could be useful in future applications. This study provided new materials for inclusion in PPRV research.

Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an infectious disease caused by the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) that mainly produces respiratory symptoms in affected animals, resulting in great losses in the world's agriculture industry every year. Singledomain variable heavy chain (VHH) antibody fragments, also referred to as nanobodies, have high expression yields and other advantages including ease of purification and high solubility. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to obtain a single-domain antibody with good reactivity and high specificity against PPRV. Methods: A VHH cDNA library was established by immunizing camels with PPRV vaccine, and the capacity and diversity of the library were examined. Four PPRV VHHs were selected, and the biological activity and antigen-binding capacity of the four VHHs were identified by western blot, indirect immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses. ELISA was used to identify whether the four VHHs were specific for PPRV, and VHH neutralization tests were carried out. ELISA and western blot analyses were used to identify which PPRV protein was targeted by VHH2. Results: The PPRV cDNA library was constructed successfully. The library capacity was greater than 2.0 × 106 cfu/mL, and the inserted fragment size was approximately 400 bp to 2000 bp. The average length of the cDNA library fragment was about 1000 bp, and the recombination rate was approximately 100%. Four single-domain antibody sequences were selected, and proteins expressed in the supernatant were obtained. The four VHHs were shown to have biological activity, close affinity to PPRV, and no cross-reaction with common sheep diseases. All four VHHs had neutralization activity, and VHH2 was specific to the PPRV M protein. Conclusions The results of this preliminary research of PPRV VHHs showed that four screened VHH antibodies could be useful in future applications. This study provided new materials for inclusion in PPRV research.

Heart failure is one kind of cardiovascular disease with high risk and high incidence. As an effective treatment of heart failure, artificial heart is gradually used in clinical treatment. Blood compatibility is an important parameter or index of artificial heart, and how to evaluate it through hemodynamic design and
Heart Failure ; Heart, Artificial ; Heart-Assist Devices ; Hemodynamics ; Hemolysis ; Humans

Antimicrobial resistance is a common problem in both veterinary and human medicine. The increasing incidence of multi-drug resistance and even pan-drug resistance is posing serious threat to public health and food safety. This review aimed to present an updated overview on antimicrobial resistance, covering the transmission mechanisms and its potential controlling strategies.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of genetic and prenatal diagnosis for a family affected with pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD).

METHODSTargeted sequence capture and high-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect the exons and exon-intron boundaries of the PKLR gene in a clinically suspected PKD patient. Meanwhile, the genotype of the pedigree was validated by Sanger sequencing. Prenatal genetic diagnosis was performed by amniotic fluid sampling after genotype of the mother of the proband was determined.

RESULTSThe proband was found to harbor double heterozygous mutations, c.661G>A (Asp221Asn) and c.1528C>T (Arg510Ter), which resulted in amino acid substitution Asp221Asn and Arg510Ter. Such mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The mother and father of the proband were detected to have respectively carried c.1528C>T (Arg510Ter) and c.661G>A (Asp221Asn) mutation. The fetus was found to have carried the same mutations as the proband. Following selected abortion, analysis of fetal tissue was consistent with the result of prenatal diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONThe compound mutations of c.661G>A and c.1528C>T of PKLR gene probably underlie the PKD in the family. Prenatal diagnosis of the mutations analysis can facilitate detection of affected fetus in time.

Adult ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital Nonspherocytic ; embryology ; enzymology ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Pyruvate Kinase ; deficiency ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pyruvate Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; embryology ; enzymology ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of intratympanic dexamethasone injection for the moderate and severe sudden deafness with BPPV. METHOD: A total of 63 patients diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss with BPPV were treated through OPD. Patients were divided into three groups: 20 cases in intratympanic dexamethasone injection as initial treatment (group A); 18 cases in systemic hormone therapy group (group B); 25 cases in intratympanic dexamethasone injection as salvage treatment (group C). In addition, routine drugs were used to all patients. RESULT: The overall effective rate of group A, B and C in hearing recovery was 60.0%, 38.9% and 48.0%, respectively: (1) No significant difference of hearing recovery was observed among three groups (P > 0.05); (2) A significant difference of hearing recovery was evidenced between group A and C (P < 0.05); (3) A significant difference of hearing recovery was evidenced between group A and C (P < 0.05); (4) No statistically significant difference was found in the hearing recovery between group B and C (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Our data showed that intratympanic dexamethasone should be used as initial therapy for treating the moderate and severe sudden deafness with BPPV.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; complications ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; complications ; drug therapy ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; complications ; drug therapy ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Injection, Intratympanic ; Salvage Therapy ; Treatment Outcome