Identification of the Key Genes of Immune Infiltration in Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of heart failure. In this study, we screened the immune infiltration-related genes associated with DCM to explore the potential molecular mechanisms and provide a basis for the early diagnosis and development of new immunotherapeutic targets. A dataset related to DCM was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. R software was applied to the genetic differential analysis of patients with DCM and healthy individuals, and the obtained differential expressed genes (DEGs) were screened for differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs) after comparison with the immune microsatellite database. Gene functional analysis established a protein interaction network (PPI). The immune infiltration in patients with DCM versus normal controls was assessed using the CIBERSORT algorithm, the hub genes were screened using the MOCDE app, and the hubs were validated in multiple datasets. A total of 246 DEGs were screened (adj. P < 0.05 and |logFC| > 0.3), and a total of 170 DEIRGs were compared. Gene Ontology analysis showed significant (adj. P < 0.05) Biological Process entries of 591, Cellular Component of 10, and Molecular Function of 39; Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes showed 20 significant entries, mainly focused on cytokines involved in immune-related response, etc. A protein interaction network comprising 28 hub DEGs was constructed in combination with the PPI network interactions. DEIRG was mainly distributed in the T-cell receptor pathway by immune infiltration detection analysis, and significant changes in central memory T-cells were found by analyzing T-cell-related subpathways, where INSR, HLA-B, IFITM1, and HBEGF were significantly differentially expressed. We selected 632 hospitalized patients for validation and found that INSR and HLA-B expression were associated with DCM development by Nomogram. The expression of HLA-B in peripheral blood T-cells was higher in DCM patients than in the normal group, as verified by qRT-PCR. However, the detailed mechanism needs to be further explored.

[Clinical study of facial artery island flap for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial tissue defects in 96 consecutive patients].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effect of facial artery island flap for immediate reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. METHODS: From March 2007 to August 2015, the clinical data of 96 patients with facial artery island flap for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects were recorded and analyzed, including 46 patients undergoing anterograde facial artery flap and 50 patients undergoing reversed facial artery flap. The short-term and long-term clinical effect, including receipt site, flap survival, facial appearance and function, and postoperative complications were investigated． RESULTS: The overall success rate for facial artery island flap was 96.9%(93/96), 95.7% for anterograde flap (44/46), and 98.0% for reversed flap (49/50). All patients were followed up for six months to 6 years. The facial appearance and flap texture were satisfied. The speech and swallowing function was ideal. The scar was concealed. One patient had cervical recurrence, three had contralateral cervical lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The facial artery island flap of submandibular area can be used to repair maxillofacial defects of medium and small sizes. The operation is simple. The reversed facial artery flap is suitable to repair upper one-third of maxillofacial defect, the survival rate is high and cosmetic outcome is ideal.

[Application of autogenous artery to repair parotid duct defect].

PURPOSE: To use autogenous artery to repair parotid duct defect, and to investigate the clinical effect. METHODS: Anesthesia epidural catheter was used to support the parotid duct and a segment of superficial temporal artery was harvested to reconstruct the defect of the parotid duct. The patients were asked to revisit 1 month, 3 months, half a year and one year postoperatively. RESULTS: No swelling and salivary fistula was noted. The parotid ducts were successfully reconstructed with good patency and normal secretion. CONCLUSIONS: Using anesthesia epidural catheter to support the parotid duct, autogenous artery is excellent for repair of parotid duct defect.