Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of Euscaphis japonica from different habitats. METHODS The relative correction factors of gallic acid， protocatechuic acid， ellagic acid， isoquercitrin， astragalin and apigenin were calculated with quercetin as the internal reference； the relative correction factors of euscaphic acid， oleanolic acid， stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were also calculated with ursolic acid as the internal reference. The contents of 12 components in 18 batches of samples were calculated by QAMS method and were compared with external standard method. At the same time， the contents of water-soluble extract， alcohol-soluble extract， total ash and acid-insoluble ash were detected. The quality of E. japonica was evaluated by principal component analysis （PCA）， orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）， and weighted technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution （TOPSIS） method. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the results of QAMS method and external standard method for the 12 components in the 18 batches of samples. However， notable content variations were observed among different batches of samples. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA showed that S1-S7， S8- S12， and S13-S18 were clustered into one category respectively. Seven key characteristic components variable importance in projection values ＞1， euscaphic acid， ursolic acid， protocatechuic acid， apigenin， β-sitosterol， isoquercitrin， and oleanolic acid， respectively. The analysis results of the weighted TOPSIS method revealed that the relative closeness for evaluating the quality of 18 batches of samples ranged from 0.283 5 to 0.644 1， with the samples of E. japonica from Fengjie， Chongqing， demonstrating the highest quality. CONCLUSIONS The established method is accurate and feasible， which can be used for the quality evaluation of E. japonica combined with chemometrics and weighted TOPSIS model.

Objective:Operational efficiency and influencing factors of China's basic medical insurance system from 2020 to 2021 is conducted to provide reference for improving the operational efficiency and optimizing the input-output relationship.Methods:The super-efficiency SBM model based on unexpected output and the Malmquist index are used to measure the static and dynamic efficiency of resident medical insurance in 31 provinces in China,and Tobit regression analysis is employed to analyze the influencing factors.Results:The overall operational efficiency of resident medical insurance still needs improvement.The operational efficiency of resident medical insurance in the central and western regions is lower than that in the eastern region,and the gap is significant.Different levels and regions have differentiated main constraints on the operational efficiency of resident medical insurance.In terms of dynamic efficiency,the total factor productivity of resident medical insurance operation shows an increasing trend,mainly due to technological progress.In terms of influencing factors,the degree of aging,the level of medical expenses and the level of medical insurance supervision have a significant impact on the operational efficiency.Suggestions:Efforts should be made to bridge regional disparities,promote the equitable development of medical insurance,reasonably control the level of medical expenses,strengthen the supervision of medical insurance funds,and implement active aging policies.

AIM: To observe the changes of corneal densitometry(CD)in patients with keratoconus after corneal cross-linking(CXL).METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 32 patients(43 eyes)with keratoconus in Ningxia Eye Hospital from April 2020 to April 2022 were selected. Pentacam analysis system divided the cornea into three layers: anterior 120 μm, middle layer and posterior 60 μm, and divides it into five regions with diameters of 0-2, 2-6, 6-10, 10-12 mm and full diameter according to the diameter, and measures the CD in different ranges. The changes of CD were compared before operation and at 1, 3 and 6 mo after operation.RESULTS: There were differences in uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure before and 6 mo after operation(all P<0.05), and there was no difference in corneal endothelial cells(P=0.477). CD reached its peak at 1 mo after operation, and decreased at 3 mo and 6 mo after operation, but it was still higher than that before operation. There is a significant positive correlation between CD and Kmax in the anterior layer and the whole layer(r=0.164, P=0.016; r=0.152, P=0.023).CONCLUSION: The values of CD peaked at 1 mo after CXL, then it gradually decreased, tending to become stable at 6 mo postoperatively.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of 3D printing combined with O-arm navigation assisted posterior hemivertebrae resection and orthopedic fixation in the treatment of congenital cervicothoracic scoliosis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 14 patients with congenital cervicothoracic kyphosis caused by hemivertebra treated in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2015 to June 2021, including 9 males and 5 females, aged 8.9±3.2 years (range, 1-15 years). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss and fusion stage were recorded. Intraoperative O-arm scanning and postoperative CT scanning were performed to evaluate the accuracy of nail placement. The cervicothoracic scoliosis Cobb angle, compensatory scoliosis Cobb angle, local kyphosis Cobb angle, torticollis angle, T 1 tilt angle and clavicular angle were measured before operation, model design, 1 week after operation and at the last follow-up to evaluate the effect of surgical design, intraoperative orthosis and the correction loss at follow-up. The Society for Scoliosis Research-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire was used to evaluate the functional and treatment effect. At the last follow-up, the osteotomy fusion was evaluated by Eck criterion. Results:All patients successfully completed the operation, the operation time was 228.5±41.8 min, the intraoperative blood loss was 355.6±46.7 ml, and the number of fusion segments was 5.5±0.8. Follow-up duration was 35.5±13.2 months. A total of 140 pedicle screws were inserted, with an accuracy of 97.1% (136/140). The Cobb angle of cervicothoracic scoliosis was 53.9°±17.9° preoperatively, 11.3°±4.4° in the model design, 10.8°±2.6° one week postoperatively, and 14.5°±3.5° at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( P<0.001). The preoperative and postoperative one week difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) with a correction rate of 78.6%±6.7%. The Cobb angle of compensatory scoliosis was 33.1°±12.1° before surgery, 11.9°±2.4° for model design, 10.5°±3.4° for one week after surgery, and 14.1°±2.5° for the last follow-up, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.001). The postoperative correction rate was 65.2%±16.2%. The Cobb angle of local kyphosis was 27.8°±9.8° preoperatively, 10.1°±2.1° in the model design, 9.8°±1.9° one week postoperatively, and 12.7°±1.6° at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( P<0.001). The preoperative and postoperative one week difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) with a correction rate of 59.2%±18.9%. The preoperative and postoperative one week difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) with a correction rate of 78.6%±6.7%. The neck tilt angle was 20.6°±6.7° preoperatively, 6.2°±1.9° in the model design, 5.9°±2.1° one week postoperatively, and 7.1°±1.4° at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( P<0.001). The preoperative and postoperative one week difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) with a correction rate of 70.0%±11.1%. The T 1 inclination angle was 20.2°±5.8° preoperatively, 11.5°±3.1° in the model design, 10.2°±2.3° one week postoperatively, and 9.5°±3.0° at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( P<0.001). The preoperative and postoperative one week difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) with a correction rate of 53.2%±10.4%. There was no significant difference between preoperative design and actual measurement one week after surgery ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the scores of self-image (4.6±0.7), mental health (4.7±0.6) and treatment satisfaction (4.6±0.6)in SRS-22 scale were significantly improved compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The symptoms of hemivertebra ipilateral C 8 nerve root injury occurred in 1 patient, who was treated conservatively with dehydration, hormones and nutraceutical drugs, and recovered to normal at 3 months follow-up. At the last follow-up, the appearance of the head, neck and shoulders of the patients was improved compared with that before surgery, the bone grafts have achieved osseous fusion in all patients. All fusion were grade I by Eck criterion. No complications such as serious neurological or vascular injury occurred during perioperative period. No pseudoarthrosis formation, internal fixation loosening or fracture occurred during follow-up. Conclusion:The application of 3D printing combined with O-arm navigation assistance technology in posterior hemivertebra resection and correctional surgery for cervicothoracic hemivertebra deformities can display the deformities in advance, stereoscopic and real-time, accurately place pedicle screws and complete hemivertebra resection, improve surgical safety and deformity correction rate.

Objective We aimed to compare the efficacy and prognosis of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in complex and high-risk patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)combined with intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP)assistance,and explore the application value of combined use of mechanical circulatory support(MCS)devices in complex PCI.Methods A total of patients who met the inclusion criteria and underwent selective PCI supported by MCS at the Department of Cardiology,the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from January 2018 to December 2022 were continuously enrolled.According to the mechanical circulatory support method,the patients were divided into ECMO+IABP group and IABP group.Clinical characteristics,angiographic features,in-hospital outcomes,and complications were collected.The intra-hospital outcomes and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)at one month and one year after the procedure were observed.The differences and independent risk factors between the two groups in the above indicators were analyzed.Results A total of 218 patients undergoing elective PCI were included,of which 66 patients were in the ECMO+IABP group and 152 patients were in the IABP group.The baseline characteristics of the two groups of patients were generally comparable,but the ECMO+IABP group had more complex lesion characteristics.The proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation(6.1％vs.0.7％,P=0.030),left main disease(43.9％vs.27.0％,P=0.018),triple vessel disease(90.9％vs.75.5％,P=0.009),and RCA chronic total occlusion disease(60.6％vs.35.5％,P＜0.001)was higher in the ECMO+IABP group compared to the IABP group.The proportion of patients with previous PCI history was higher in the IABP group(32.9％vs.16.7％,P=0.014).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of in-hospital complications between the two groups(P=0.176),but the incidence of hypotension after PCI was higher in the ECMO+IABP group(19.7％vs.9.2％,P=0.031).The rates of 1-month MACE(4.5％vs.2.6％,P=0.435)and 1-year MACE(7.6％vs.7.9％,P=0.936)were comparable between the two groups.Multivariate analysis showed that in-hospital cardiac arrest(OR 7.17,95％CI 1.27-40.38,P=0.025)and after procedure hypotension(OR 3.60,95％CI 1.10-11.83,P=0.035)were independent risk factors for the occurrence of 1-year MACE.Conclusions Combination use of ECMO+IABP support can provide complex and high-risk coronary heart disease patients with an opportunity to achieve coronary artery revascularization through PCI,and achieve satisfactory long-term prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the association between congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and the adverse outcomes during hospitalization in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI).Methods:This prospective, multicenter observational cohort study was conducted based on the data from the Sino-northern Neonatal Network (SNN). Data of 5 818 VLBWI with birth weight <1 500 g and gestational age between 24-<37 weeks that were admitted to the 37 neonatal intensive care units from January 1 st, 2019 to December 31 st, 2022 were collected and analyzed. Thyroid function was first screened at 7 to 10 days after birth, followed by weekly tests within the first 4 weeks, and retested at 36 weeks of corrected gestational age or before discharge. The VLBWI were assigned to the CH group or non-CH group. Chi-square test, Fisher exact probability method, Wilcoxon rank sum test, univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between CH and poor prognosis during hospitalization in VLBWI. Results:A total of 5 818 eligible VLBWI were enrolled, with 2 982 (51.3%) males and the gestational age of 30 (29, 31) weeks. The incidence of CH was 5.5% (319 VLBWI). Among the CH group, only 121 VLBWI (37.9%) were diagnosed at the first screening. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CH was associated with increased incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) ( OR=1.31(1.04-1.64), P<0.05) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) of stage Ⅲ and above ( OR=1.74(1.11-2.75), P<0.05). However, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed no significant correlation between CH and EUGR, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ intraventricular hemorrhage, neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in stage Ⅱ or above, and ROP in stage Ⅲ or above ( OR=1.04 (0.81-1.33), 0.79 (0.54-1.15), 1.15 (0.58-2.26), 1.43 (0.81-2.53), 1.12 (0.70-1.80), all P>0.05). Conclusion:There is no significant correlation between CH and in-hospital adverse outcomes, possibly due to timely diagnosis and active replacement therapy.

Objective:To investigate the impact of ionizing radiation(IR)on the structure and function of the testis and pro-vide some strategies for the prevention and treatment of IR-induced damage(IRD).Methods:Using radiation dose simulation,se-men analysis,hormone testing,electron microscopy and single-cell transcriptome sequencing,we assessed and analyzed a case of IRD.We established a mouse model of IRD to validate the results of single-cell sequencing,and investigated the specific biological mecha-nisms of IRD and potential strategies for its intervention.Results:IR at 1-2 Gy significantly reduced sperm concentration and mo-tility,which gradually recovered after 12 months but the percentage of morphologically normal sperm remained low.It also caused im-balanced levels of various steroid hormones,decreased testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate,increased progesterone,prolac-tin,luteinizing hormone,and follicle-stimulating hormone.Electron microscopy revealed damages to the testis structure,including loss of germ cells,atrophy of the seminiferous tubules,nuclear membrane depression of the spermatocytes,mitochondrial atrophy and de-formation,and reduction of mitochondrial cristae.Single-cell sequencing indicated significant changes in the function of the Leydig cells and macrophages and disrupted lipid-related metabolic pathways after IRD.Administration of L-carnitine to the mouse model im-proved lipid metabolism disorders and partially alleviated IRD to the germ cells.Conclusion:Ionizing radiation can cause disorders of testicular spermatogenesis and sexual hormones and inhibit lipid metabolism pathways in Leydig cells and macrophages.Improving lipid metabolism can alleviate IRD to germ cells.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and precautions of O-arm combined with navigation-assisted steotomy and hemivertebra resection for congenital cervicothoracic hemivertebra.Methods:From February 2016 to October 2020, the clinical data of 12 patients with cervicothoracic hemivertebra admitted in Henan Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 5 males and 7 females, aged 9.4±2.6 years (range, 4-15 years). Intraoperative neural monitoring system was used to ensure the safety of surgical correction process and O-arm navigation system assisted the implantation of pedicle screws,hemivertebra resection, and scoliosis deformity correction. Postoperative CT was used to evaluate the accuracy of screw placement, and routine preoperative and postoperative X-ray films of the full-length spine in standing position were taken to measure the coronal and sagittal Cobb angles. The correction rate of scoliosis and kyphosis, internal fixation, shoulder height difference and bone graft fusion were calculated at the final follow-up.Results:A total of 108 pedicle screws were inserted in 12 patients, and the screw placement accuracy rate was 96.3% (104/108). The follow-up time was 37.9±10.2 months (range, 24-61 months). The number of fused segments was 5.4±1.1 (range, 4-7). One week after surgery, the correction rate of Cobb angle was 78.5%±3.2% for scoliosis and 70.1%±5.4% for kyphosis. There were statistically significant differences in side and kyphosis Angle and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 score between preoperative and 1 week after surgery ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the operation and the last follow-up ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, all the 12 patients achieved gradeⅠ fusion. SI was 2.4±0.8 cm before operation, 1.0±0.6 cm at 1 week after operation, and 0.7±0.5 cm at last follow-up, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=38.30, P<0.001). No pseudojoint formation, significant loss of correction Angle, or rupture of internal fixation relaxant occurred during the operation or during follow-up. Conclusion:O-arm combined with navigation-assisted steotomy and hemivertebra resection for the treatment of congenital cervicothoracic hemivertebra has the advantages of good orthopedic effect, reduced radiation exposure and fewer complications, and accurate pedicle screw implantation and hemivertebra resection.

In this study, untargeted metabolomics was conducted using the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) technique to analyze the potential biomarkers in the plasma of mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF) induced by a high-fat diet(HFD) and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor(Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, L-NAME) and explore the pharmacological effects and mechanism of Jiming Powder in improving HFpEF. Male C57BL/6N mice aged eight weeks were randomly assigned to a control group, a model group, an empagliflozin(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) group, and high-and low-dose Jiming Powder(14.3 and 7.15 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) groups. Mice in the control group were fed on a low-fat diet, and mice in the model group and groups with drug intervention were fed on a high-fat diet. All mice had free access to water, with water in the model group and Jiming Powder groups being supplemented with L-NAME(0.5 g·L~(-1)). Drugs were administered on the first day of modeling, and 15 weeks later, blood pressure and cardiac function of the mice in each group were measured. Heart tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining to observe pathological changes and Masson's staining to observe myocardial collagen deposition. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed on the plasma collected from mice in each group, and metabolic pathway analysis was conducted using MetaboAnalyst 5.0. The results showed that the blood pressure was significantly lower and the myocardial concentric hypertrophy and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were significantly improved in both the high-dose and low-dose Jiming Powder groups as compared with those in the model group. HE and Masson staining showed that both high-dose and low-dose Jiming Powder significantly alleviated myocardial fibrosis. In the metabolomics experiment, 23 potential biomarkers were identified and eight strongly correlated metabolic pathways were enriched, including linoleic acid metabolism, histidine metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, purine metabolism, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. The study confirmed the pharmacological effects of Jiming Powder in lowering blood pressure and ameliorating HFpEF and revealed the mechanism of Jiming Powder using the metabolomics technique, providing experimental evidence for the clinical application of Jiming Powder in treating HFpEF and a new perspective for advancing and developing TCM therapy for HFpEF.
Male ; Mice ; Animals ; Heart Failure/metabolism* ; Powders ; Stroke Volume/physiology* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Metabolomics ; Biomarkers ; Water