Resveratrol reduces lactate production and modifies the ovarian cancer immune microenvironment.

Tumor cells show deregulated metabolism leading to an enrichment of lactate in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This lactate-rich environment has been reported to impair effector T cells. However, T-regulatory cells (Tregs) show metabolic advantages in lactate-rich TME that maintain a strong suppression of effector T cells, which leads to tumor immune evasion. Therefore, the glycolytic process of tumors could represent a therapeutic target, and agents that modify the energy metabolism of tumor cells have therapeutic potential. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol that has been confirmed to suppress tumor cells' glycolytic metabolism. In this study, we show that resveratrol induces metabolic reprogramming in ovarian cancer cells. Resveratrol increases oxidative and decreases glycolysis, in association with decreased lactate production both in vitro and in vivo. Lactate reduction in TME weakens the suppressive function of Tregs, and subsequently restores anti-tumor immunity. Significantly, combined resveratrol and PD-1 blockade promote anti-tumor efficacy. These data suggest that resveratrol's anti-tumor actions in ovarian cancer could be explained, in part, through modification of the anti-tumor immunity, and indicate a novel treatment strategy for improving immune checkpoint blockade therapy using resveratrol.

Comparison of Two Noninvasive Ventilation Strategies (NHFOV Versus NIPPV) as Initial Postextubation Respiratory Support in High-Risk Infants After Congenital Heart Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (NHFOV) and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) as the initial postextubation therapies on preventing extubation failure (EF) in high-risk infants younger than three months after congenital heart surgery (CHS). DESIGN: This was a single-center, randomized, unblinded clinical trial. SETTING: The study was performed in a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Between January 2020 and January 2021, a total of 150 infants underwent CHS in the authors' hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Infants younger than three months with a high risk for extubation failure who were ready for extubation were randomized to either an NHFOV therapy group or an NIPPV therapy group, and received the corresponding noninvasive mechanical ventilation to prevent EF. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcomes were reintubation, long-term noninvasive ventilation (NIV) support (more than 72 hours), and the time in NIV therapy. The secondary outcomes were adverse events, including mild-moderate hypercapnia, severe hypercapnia, severe hypoxemia, treatment intolerance, signs of discomfort, unbearable dyspnea, inability to clear secretions, emesis, and aspiration. MAIN RESULTS: Of 92 infants, 45 received NHFOV therapy, and 47 received NIPPV therapy after extubation. There were no significant differences between the NHFOV and the NIPPV therapy groups in the incidences of reintubation, long-term NIV support, and total time under NIV therapy. No significant difference was found of the severe hypercapnia between the two groups, but NHFOV treatment significantly decreased the rate of mild-moderate hypercapnia (p < 0.05). Other outcomes were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among infants younger than three months after CHS who had undergone extubation, NIPPV therapy and NHFOV therapy were the equivalent NIV strategies for preventing extubation failure, and NHFOV therapy was more effective in avoiding mild-moderate hypercapnia.

Impact of High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation Combined With Volume Guarantee on Lung Inflammatory Response in Infants With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome After Congenital Heart Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Congenital heart disease (CHD) after cardiopulmonary bypass can cause systemic inflammation, and its degree is closely related to the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) combined with volume guarantee (VG) in reducing systemic inflammation in infants with ARDS after cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart surgery. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Single-center study in a tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 58 infants with ARDS after congenital heart surgery were eligible and were randomized to the HFOV (n = 29) or the HFOV-VG (n = 29) between January 2020 and January 2021. INTERVENTIONS: Tracheal aspirate samples for the measurement of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were obtained on days one, two, and three of HFOV or HFOV-VG ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors found a significantly increasing trend in the HFOV group mean values of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α (p < 0.05 on days two and three v day one), and IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels were significantly higher on day three in the HFOV group versus the HFOV+VG group (p < 0.05). In addition, the incidences of hypocapnia and hypercapnia in infants supported with HFOV-VG were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the postoperative mechanical ventilation duration in the HFOV-VG group also was shorter than that in the HFOV group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with HFOV alone, HFOV-VG reduced proinflammatory systemic reactions after congenital cardiac surgery, decreased the incidences of hypercapnia and hypocapnia, and shortened the postoperative mechanical ventilation duration.

Effect of postoperative administration of inhaled nitric oxide combined with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in infants with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension after congenital heart surgery: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) combined with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in the treatment of infants with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) after congenital heart surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 63 infants with AHRF and PH after congenital heart surgery in our cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) from January 2020 to March 2021. A total of 24 infants in the A group were treated with HFOV combined with iNO, and 39 infants in the B group were treated with HFOV. Relevant clinical data were collected. RESULTS: Comparing the two groups, the improvement of the oxygenation index, PaO2 and PaO2 /FiO2 was more obvious for patients in the A group than for those in the B group after intervention (p < .05). Reexamination on the third day after the initiation of HFOV treatment indicated that the systolic pulmonary artery pressure in the A group was significantly lower than that in the B group (p < .05). In addition, the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of CICU stay in the A group were shorter than those in the B group (p < .05). However, complications between the two groups were not statistically significant. No important adverse effects arose. CONCLUSIONS: For infants with AHRF and PH after congenital heart surgery, iNO combined with HFOV is superior to HFOV alone to improve oxygenation, decrease pulmonary pressure, and shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of CICU stay, with no adverse effects.

Midazolam for conscious sedation in transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects guided solely by transthoracic echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety and feasibility of midazolam for conscious sedation in transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects guided solely by transthoracic echocardiography. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 55 patients who underwent transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects from October, 2019 to May, 2020. All patients received intravenous midazolam and local anesthesia with lidocaine to maintain sedation. A group of previous patients with unpublished data who underwent the same procedure with general anesthesia was set as the control group. The relevant clinical parameters, the Ramsay sedation scores, the numerical rating scale, and the post-operative satisfaction questionnaire were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: In the midazolam group, the success rate of atrial septal defect closure was 98.2%. Hemodynamic stability was observed during the procedure. None of the patients needed additional endotracheal intubation for general anesthesia. Compared with the control group, the midazolam group had no statistically significant differences in the Ramsay sedation score and numerical rating scale scores. Patients in the midazolam group experienced more post-operative satisfaction than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Conscious sedation using midazolam is a safe and effective anesthetic technique for transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects guided solely by transthoracic echocardiography.

WeChat-assisted health education and preoperative care improve the mental state of parents of children with ventricular septal defect.

Many studies have shown that parents of children with congenital heart disease have more stress, anxiety and depression. This study was aimed to explore the effect of implementing WeChat-assisted health education and preoperative care on parents of children with the restrictive ventricular septal defect to improve the psychological state. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in a provincial hospital in China. Participants were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group to explore the psychological state of parents of children with the restricted ventricular septal defect. Before surgery, the state-trait anxiety inventory scale score (STAI) of the WeChat group were 26.8 ± 8.2 and 27.3 ± 7.0, which were significantly higher than those of the leaflet group (37.6 ± 12.9 and 39.3 ± 11.7). Compared with the STAI score at the first visit, the WeChat group preoperative score was significantly lower (P < 0.05). The rate of loss to follow-up in the WeChat group (0%) was significantly lower than that of the leaflet group (14.3%). The complication of the leaflet group was significantly higher than that of the WeChat group. Health education and preoperative care for parents of children with restrictive ventricular septal defect through WeChat can effectively improve the parents' mental state and reduce the incidence of complications and the rate of loss to follow-up.

WeChat-assisted pre-operative health education improves the quality of life of parents of children with ventricular septal defects: A prospective randomised controlled study.

AIM: This study aimed to explore the effect of implementing pre-operative WeChat-assisted health education for parents of children with restrictive ventricular septal defects to improve their quality of life. METHODS: A prospective randomised controlled study was conducted in a provincial hospital in China. Participants were randomly divided into the intervention group (WeChat group, n = 35) and the control group (leaflet group, n = 35). The quality of life of parents of children with restricted ventricular septal defects was studied. RESULTS: Compared with the leaflet group, the WeChat group had a significantly lower score for the pre-operative Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) (P < 0.05). The pre-operative SAS score in the WeChat group was significantly lower than that at the first visit (P < 0.05). However, the SAS score in the leaflet group was similar at the time of preoperation and the first visit (P > 0.05). The pre-operative scores of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale in the physiological, psychological, social, and environmental fields and the total life quality score in the WeChat group were significantly higher than those of the leaflet group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Implementing pre-operative WeChat-assisted health education for parents of children with restrictive ventricular septal defects can effectively relieve their anxiety and improve their quality of life.

Evaluation of analgesic and sedative effects of remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic and sedative effects of remifentanil-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 62 children who underwent transthoracic device closure of VSDs from May 2019 to August 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on the anesthesia methods: group F was given remifentanil-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia, and Group C was given conventional anesthesia. Patient-related clinical data, postoperative analgesia scores, and sedation scores were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in intraoperative hemodynamic changes, bispectral index values, postoperative analgesia scores, sedation scores, or the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Compared with Group C, the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay in group F were significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia can be safely applied in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of VSDs, with acceptable postoperative analgesia and sedation effects and shorter mechanical ventilation times and ICU and hospital stays compared with conventional anesthesia.

Impact of Music Therapy on Preoperative Anxiety and Degree of Cooperation With Anesthesia Induction in Children With Simple Congenital Heart Disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of music therapy (MT) on preoperative anxiety and degree of cooperation with anesthesia induction in children with simple congenital heart disease (CHD). DESIGN: A randomized controlled clinical study. METHODS: Ninety children were randomly assigned to the MT and control groups. The MT groups underwent a preoperative 30-minute session of MT, whereas the control group did not listen to any music and had the same amount of quiet time. The modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale-Short Form (mYPAS-SF) was used to evaluate the patients' preoperative anxiety on entering the anesthesia waiting area (T1), 10 minutes after entering the waiting area (T2), and during the initiation of anesthesia induction (T3); the degree of cooperation with anesthesia induction was assessed using the Induction Compliance Checklist. The mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) at T1, T2, T3, and T4 (the time of successful anesthesia) were also recorded. FINDINGS: One child was excluded from the MT group, and one was excluded from the control group. No difference was found in the mYPAS-SF score, MAP, or HR between the two groups at T1. The mYPAS-SF scores of the MT group were significantly lower than those of the control group at T2 and T3. At T2, T3, and T4, the MAP and HR of the MT group were lower than those of the control group. A statistically significant difference was found in the Induction Compliance Checklist score between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: MT can reduce preoperative anxiety and improve the degree of cooperation with anesthesia induction.

Midterm postoperative prognosis of patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension treated with treprostinil.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the midterm postoperative prognosis of patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension (PAH) using subcutaneous injection of treprostinil. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 61 patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe PAH who had undergone mechanical mitral and/or aortic valve replacement from April 2018 to October 2018. The patients were divided into the treprostinil group and the conventional treatment group according to whether they received treprostinil. The patients were assessed by SwanGanz catheterization, echocardiography, the 6-min walk test (6-MWT), the Borg dyspnoea score and the SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Compared with the preoperative data, the mPAP measured by SwanGanz catheterization, the results of the 6-MWT and the Borg score were significantly improved in both groups during the 1 year follow-up (P < 0.05). Regarding the comparison between the groups, the results in group T were significantly better than those in group C, including the results of the 6-MWT and the general health, vitality and mental health of SF-36 during the 1 year follow-up (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous subcutaneous infusion of treprostinil was not capable of decreasing pulmonary pressures in patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe PAH during 1 year follow-up, although which some of our data suggest that might improve the symptoms and quality of life of these patients.

Application of the WeChat Platform to Implement Continuous Nursing for Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an effective treatment for coronary heart disease. However, a lack of cardiac rehabilitation and continuous nursing management leads to repeated patient hospitalizations. Long-term systematic rehabilitation and nursing management after discharge are key to ensuring quality of treatment and patient quality of life. This study aimed to explore the application of the WeChat platform in continuous nursing after PCI. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a retrospective case-control study. The clinical data of 63 patients in our cardiac center who underwent PCI between June 2017 and January 2018 were recorded. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the continuous nursing through the WeChat platform (intervention) group and the conventional nursing (control) group. The Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) were used as the evaluation tools. RESULTS The SAQ scores in all 5 SAQ dimensions in the continuous nursing group were significantly higher than those of the control group at the 1-year follow-up. Scores on the SAS and SDS scales at 1-year follow-up were significantly better in the intervention group than in the control group. The SAS and SDS scores in both groups were better at the 1-year follow-up, but the difference was statistically significant in the continuous nursing group and not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Using the WeChat platform can make continuous nursing more convenient and effective for patients after PCI. It may reduce the occurrence of complications, relieve patient depression and anxiety, and improve patient quality of life.

Music Therapy for Early Postoperative Pain, Anxiety, and Sleep in Patients after Mitral Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of music therapy on early postoperative pain, anxiety, and sleep quality in patients after mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR). METHODS: A total of 222 patients undergoing mechanical MVR were divided into two groups: the music group and the control group. The patients in the music group received 30 minutes of music therapy every day, whereas the patients in the control group had 30 minutes of quiet time. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of pain, and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used to evaluate the degree of early postoperative anxiety. We also recorded the sleep duration of the patients and used the Verran and Snyder-Halpern (VSH) Sleep Scale to evaluate the sleep quality of the patients. RESULTS: The VAS scores in the music group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and early postoperative anxiety in the music group was also significantly improved compared with that in the control group. The sleep duration in the music group was significantly greater than that in the control group. In the evaluation of sleep quality using the VSH Sleep Scale, the scores for sleep interruption, sleep length, sleep depth, degree of rest, and subjective sleep quality in the music group were significantly lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Music therapy can be an effective intervention to reduce early postoperative pain, relieve early postoperative anxiety, prolong sleep time, and improve the sleep quality of patients after mechanical MVR.

The Effect of Perioperative Administration of Treprostinil in Infants with Non-restrictive Ventricular Septal Defect and Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of intravenous treprostinil during the perioperative period in infants with non-restrictive ventricular septal defect (VSD) and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) undergoing surgical VSD repair. This was a retrospective study. There were 79 infants with non-restrictive VSD and severe PAH receiving surgical treatment from January to December 2019 in our cardiac center. The patients were divided into the treprostinil group and control group according to whether intravenous treprostinil was used during the perioperative period. There were no significant differences in the preoperative characteristics, including age, sex, weight, ventricular size, or preoperative pulmonary artery pressure, between the two groups. Although the pulmonary artery pressure in both groups was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively, the postoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure was significantly lower in group T than in group C. The postoperative mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay, and hospital stay in group T were shorter than those in group C. Treprostinil can be used effectively and safely to reduce the perioperative pulmonary artery pressure in infants with non-restrictive VSD and severe PAH undergoing surgical VSD repair.

A Comparative Study on Breast Milk Feeding and Formula Milk Feeding in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease After Surgery: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of breast milk feeding and formula milk feeding on infants after cardiac surgery in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Infants who underwent cardiac surgery in our ICU were divided into two groups, according to feeding type. Breast milk feeding and formula milk feeding were separately implemented in the two groups, and the remaining treatment regimens were the same. The related clinical data and feeding effects were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The prealbumin (147.3 ± 15.2 versus 121.5 ± 18.3mg/L) and albumin (46.4 ± 4.2 versus 40.5 ± 5.1 g/L) levels in the breast milk feeding group were better than those in the formula milk feeding group (P < .05). Infants in the breast milk feeding group achieved a better total enteral nutrition time (3.0 ± 1.2 versus 5.2 ± 2.1 d), average daily weight gain (19.0 ± 3.4 versus 14.4 ± 2.3 g/kg·d), length of ICU stay (6.0 ± 2.2 versus 8.1 ± 2.9 d) and length of hospital stay (13.9 ± 4.2 versus 17.8 ± 5.6 d) than those in the formula milk feeding group (P < .05). The incidence of complications such as feeding intolerance, anemia, dyspeptic diarrhea, and nosocomial infection was lower in the breast milk feeding group than in the formula milk feeding group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Breast milk feeding has a definite nutritional effect on infants after cardiac surgery. It is better than formula milk feeding, making it worthy of popularization and application.

Quality of Life in Adults Undergoing Percutaneous Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defect.

To assess changes in the quality of life in adult patients undergoing percutaneous device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD).We used a standard Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) that includes psychological and physiological aspects to assess and analyze the quality of life of 73 adult patients who underwent percutaneous device closure of ASD.Of the 73 patients who were investigated in this study, 67 completed questionnaires successfully. The following findings were revealed after analyzing the preoperative results and postoperative results. In some dimensions ( "physical functioning," "vitality," "general health" ), the postoperative perception was better than the preoperative status. Some differences were found in the quality of life feedback between the case group and the control group. Among the different subgroups, older patients scored lower than younger patients on most dimensions, and men seemed to perform better on "role-physical" factors than women. Unmarried people performed worse on "role-physical" and "bodily pain" than married people. Among people with different academic degrees, those with higher degrees demonstrated better scores on multiple dimensions ( "role-physical," "mental health," "social functioning," and "general health" ) than those with lower degrees.After percutaneous device closure of ASD, most adult patients feel that the quality of life is improved compared with that during the preoperative status. With the change of patients' own conditions, their quality of life seems to change differently. In order to better help patients integrate into life, psychological and physical support is still needed.

Comparison of Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults Undergoing Transthoracic and Transcatheter Device Closure for Ventricular Septal Defects.

This study aims to compare and analyze the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult patients with ventricular septal defects (VSDs) who underwent transthoracic or transcatheter device closure.The HRQoL data of 30 patients who underwent transthoracic device closure for VSDs and 30 who underwent transcatheter device closure for VSDs were retrospectively evaluated before and one year after the procedure. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a self-designed questionnaire were used as evaluation tools.After treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in SF-36 and HADS scores. After comparing the two groups regarding the SF-36, there was a significant difference in the two dimensions of vitality and mental health. There were no statistically significant differences in the HADS-A and HADS-D scores between these two groups. The results of the self-designed questionnaire also showed that the subjective feedback of the two groups was roughly the same. In the process of exploring the influential factors, we found that the scores of patients on most dimensions of the SF-36 in the two groups showed a significantly negative trend with increasing age. In terms of HADS scores, patients in both groups showed a tendency toward increasing scores with age.The HRQoL of adult patients undergoing transthoracic and transcatheter device closure for VSDs was similar, and the HRQoL was affected by the patient's own condition, so it is necessary to pay more attention to patients after device closure.

KPNA2 is a potential diagnostic serum biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer and correlates with poor prognosis.

This study aimed to determine whether serum karyopherin alpha 2 levels can be used as a diagnostic biomarker for epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Karyopherin alpha 2 protein was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples from 162 epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients and 48 healthy controls. Serum karyopherin alpha 2 levels in epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls ( p < 0.001). When a karyopherin alpha 2 serum level of 2.52 µg/mL was used as a cut-off, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay for diagnosing epithelial ovarian carcinoma were 71.4% and 81.2%, respectively. High serum karyopherin alpha 2 levels (>485 µg/mL) correlated with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage ( p < 0.0001), lymphatic metastasis ( p = 0.045), overall survival ( p = 0.001), and disease-free progression ( p = 0.006). Serum karyopherin alpha 2 represents a potential diagnostic biomarker for epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Construction of clinical research nurse training program based on position competence.

BACKGROUND: As one of the most important members in clinical trials, the number of clinical research nurses (CRN) can't keep up with the growth of experimental projects, so it is urgent to build clinical research training and strengthen the background knowledge of nurses. AIM: To construct CRN training program based on position competence, accelerate the construction of CRN talent pool, and provide scientific guidance significance for CRN training. METHODS: Based on the position competence model, combined with literature research and qualitative interview results, the first draft was prepared of the CRN training program. Two rounds of correspondence with 16 experts were conducted using the Delphi method to determine the training program. RESULTS: The effective recovery rate of the expert correspondence questionnaire was 100% and the authority coefficients of the 2 rounds of experts were 0.826 and 0.895. Finally, 4 first-level indicators and determine 15 s-level indicators of training objectives. The training program included 4 first-level indicators, training requirements, content, methods, assessment and evaluation, 15 s-level indicators, and 74 third-level indicators. CONCLUSION: The CRN training program based on position competence is scientific and extendable, providing a basis for participation in CRN training.

The Landscape of Exosome-Derived Non-Coding RNA in Leukemia.

Leukemia is a group of life-threatening hematological malignancies which is currently incurable and often accompanied by drug resistance or disease relapse. Understanding the pathogenesis of leukemia and finding specific therapeutic targets and biomarkers is of great importance to improve the clinical efficacy of leukemia. Exosome-derived ncRNAs have been demonstrated as critical components of intercellular communication and function as key facilitators in the leukemia biological process. This review outlines the current investigations of exosomal ncRNAs (including miRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA) as important mediators of leukemia and potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for leukemia treatment. Moreover, we generally analyze the prospects and challenges for exosomal ncRNAs from the aspects of research and clinical application.

Midterm Prognosis of Sexagenary Patients after Transcatheter Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defects: a Single-Chinese Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and midterm prognosis of transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) in sexagenary patients in China. METHODS: Forty-six sexagenary patients who underwent transcatheter device closure of ASDs in our hospital were included in this study. The patients' preoperative and postoperative clinical symptoms, echocardiographic results, and quality of life were investigated and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 46 sexagenary patients who participated in the study, 40 completed the study. After ASD closure, the clinical symptoms of the patients significantly improved, and the number of patients with dyspnea and palpitations significantly decreased after the operation. According to the echocardiographic results, few patients had a tiny residual shunt after closure, but the shunt disappeared completely at the three-month follow-up. The size of the right ventricular cavity was significantly smaller postoperatively compared with preoperatively. Regarding the patients' quality of life, their feedback in all dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (or SF-36) was significantly improved at the three-month follow-up, and it remained improved at the one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes and subjective quality of life of sexagenary patients with ASDs improved significantly after transcatheter device closure of ASDs. Therefore, we believe that for sexagenary patients with ASDs, transcatheter device closure is a favorable treatment.