[Frontal pole iron deposition is associated with cognitive decline in patients with carotid atherosclerosis stenosis: a quantitative susceptibility mapping study].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between brain iron deposition and cognitive function in patients with carotid atherosclerosis stenosis (CAS) based on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Methods: This single-center prospective study was performed at the Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2022 to June 2022. Patients who met the ataxation criteria were divided into the CAS group (n=16) and the CAS with mild cognitive impairment (CAS-MCI) group (n=17) according to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. All patients completed QSM imaging and whole-brain analyses were performed for absolute susceptibility values in cortical regions. Age, sex, education years, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were included as covariates in all analyses. Partial correlation analyses were used to determine the correlation between bilateral CAS degrees and cortical susceptibility values. Further, mediation analyses were performed to determine whether and how cortical susceptibility values affect cognition in CAS patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also performed to evaluate the predictive worth of differential brain region susceptibility values for cognitive decline. Independent sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare quantitative variables. The comparison of categorical variables was conducted using χ2 test, Fisher's exact test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: A total of 33 patients were included in the study, including 16 in the CAS group and 17 in the CAS-MCI group. There were 23 males and 10 females, aged (62.8±9.0) years (range: 48 to 88 years). CAS-MCI group showed higher right CAS grades (Z=-2.037, P=0.042). Whole-brain cortical QSM analyses showed higher susceptibility values in the frontal pole ((-0.210±0.080)×10-8 vs.(-0.130±0.120)×10-8;t=-2.187, P=0.037), superior frontal gyrus ((-0.604±0.243)×10-8 vs. (-0.428±0.203)×10-8;t=-2.223,P=0.034), and temporal pole ((-0.081±0.115)×10-8 vs. (0.054±0.190)×10-8;t=-2.417, P=0.022) in CAS-MCI group compared to CAS group. The susceptibility value of the frontal pole showed a positive correlation with the right CAS grade (r=0.424, P=0.009),while a quasi-significant positive correlation with the left CAS (r=0.313, P=0.070). The susceptibility values of the frontal and temporal poles were negatively correlated with the MoCA score (frontal pole: r=-0.391, P=0.027; temporal pole: r=-0.410, P=0.020). Mediation analysis showed the effect of right CAS on cognition was fully mediated by the susceptibility value of the frontal pole. The ROC curve revealed that the area under the curve of using hypertension combined with the susceptibility value of the frontal pole to predict cognitive decline was 0.882 (95% CI:0.763 to 0.989) with 82% of sensitivity and 83% of specificity. Conclusions: Multiple cortical regions show iron deposition in CAS-MCI patients. Right CAS plays an important role in cognitive decline, frontal pole iron deposition mediates the effect of right CAS on cognitive function. Quantified frontal pole susceptibility is useful for the diagnosis of cognitive decline in patients with CAS.

[Analysis of clinical manifestations and prognosis of primary systemic light chain amyloidosis with liver involvement].

Objective: To summarize the clinical manifestations and prognostic factors of patients with hepatic amyloidosis in a single center. Methods: The clinical data of 28 primary systemic light chain amyloidosis cases with liver involvement in our center from October 2012 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The main clinical manifestations and prognostic factors were studied. Statistical analysis were performed using the χ(2) test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank test, or Kaplan-Meier survival curve log-rank test according to the different data. Results: The main clinical manifestations of patients with liver involvement were abdominal distension, hepatomegaly, and edema. CD56 and chemokine receptor 4 protein expression accounted for 52% (13/25) and 56% (14/25). 64.3% (9/14) patients were combined with t (11,14), and 21.4% (3/14) patients were positive for 1q21 (+), and no patients were detected with del(17p). Univariate analysis showed that Mayo 2004 and 2012 stages and total bilirubin (TBil) ≥34.2 µmol/L were associated with progression-free survival and overall survival. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly inferior in patients with TBil≥34.2µmol/L group (0.178 years, 0.195 years) than with the TBil<34.2µmol/L group (0.750 years, 3.586 years) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Mayo stage and hyperbilirubinemia are inferior prognostic factors for patients with primary systemic light chain amyloidosis accompanied with liver involvement.

[To investigate the role of the AAC-8 scoring in predicting restenosis or occlusion of lower extremity arteries after dilatation and angioplasty with DCB].

Objective: To investigate the role of the Abdominal Aortic Calcification-8 (AAC-8) scoring system in predicting restenosis or occlusion of lower extremity arteries after dilatation and angioplasty with drug-coated balloon (DCB). Methods: In this retrospective study, 62 patients who underwent dilatation and angioplasty with DCB for lower limb atherosclerotic obliterans (ASO) were enrolled from September 2018 to June 2022 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School. Among them who aged (73.9±11.3) years, 37 were males and 25 were females. Patients were divided into two groups according to the condition of the lower extremity arteries after dilatation and angioplasty with DCB: recurrence group (n=26) and patency group (n=36). Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors associated with restenosis or occlusion of lower extremity arteries after dilatation and angioplasty with DCB. The predictive value of the AAC-8 score for restenosis or occlusion of the lower extremity arteries after dilatation and angioplasty with DCB was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC curves). Results: The postoperative follow-up was 16.30 (10.97, 24.10) months in the patency group and 9.03 (6.98, 15.31) months in the recurrence group. The results of multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that an elevated AAC-8 score (OR=1.388, 95%CI: 1.067-1.806, P=0.015) was an associated factor of restenosis or occlusion of the lower extremity arteries after dilatation and angioplasty with DCB. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the AAC-8 score for predicting restenosis or occlusion of the lower extremity arteries after dilatation and angioplasty with DCB was 0.687 (95%CI: 0.550-0.824, P=0.013), with a cut-off value of 5.5 points, a sensitivity of 65.4% and a specificity of 69.5%. Conclusions: Elevated AAC-8 score is associated with restenosis or occlusion of the lower extremity arteries after dilatation and angioplasty with DCB. When the cut-off value is 5.5, the AAC-8 score predicts restenosis or occlusion of the lower extremity arteries after DCB dilation and angioplasty with a sensitivity of 65.4% and a specificity of 69.5%.

[Correlation between C-reactive protein to albumin ratio and restenosis after femoral popliteal stenting in patients with lower extremity arteriosclerotic obliterans].

Objective: To investigate the study of the correlation between C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) and restenosis after stenting in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic occlusive disease(LEASO). Methods: The clinical data of 95 patients with LEASO admitted to the Department of Vascular Surgery of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from June 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 67 males and 28 females,aged (73.1±9.4) years (range:51 to 92 years). The patients were classified into the restenosis group (n=61) and the patency group (n=34) according to the CT angiography results. Independent sample t test,Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to compare the data between two groups. Risk factors for restenosis after femoropopliteal artery stenting in patients with LEASO were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression. The relationship between preoperative CAR level and restenosis after stent placement was analyzed. Subject operating characteristic(ROC) curves of CAR were plotted to assess the predictive value of CAR for restenosis after stenting,and the results were expressed as area under the curve (AUC). Results: The aortoiliac calcification grade,number of stents,length of stents,C-reactive protein and CAR levels in restenosis group were higher than those in the patency group,and the serum albumin level was lower than that in the patency group(all P<0.05). And the results of multifactorial Cox regression analysis showed that higher pre-procedure CAR level and lower ABI value was an independent risk factor for in-stent restenosis. The AUC of the ROC curve for restenosis was 0.737(95%CI:0.617 to 0.856),the AUC of the ROC curve for 12-month restenosis was 0.709(95%CI:0.602 to 0.815), and the AUC of the ROC curve for 24-month restenosis was 0.702(95%CI:0.594 to 0.811). Conclusion: Higher pre-procedural CAR levels in patients with LEASO is risk factor for in-stent restenosis,and CAR has a predictive value for restenosis after lower extremity arterial stent dilatation and angioplasty.

[Clinical analysis of surgical treatment of infection after interventional operation for major iliac artery disease in 6 cases].

Objective: To explore the surgical treatment strategy of stent graft infection after interventional treatment of major iliac artery related diseases. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 6 patients with secondary stent graft infection after interventional treatment for major iliac artery related diseases admitted to the Department of Vascular Surgery,Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital,Medical School of Nanjing University from November 2021 to August 2022.There were 5 males and 1 female,with a mean age of 64 years (range:49 to 79 years).The infection time was 53 to 3 165 days.All the 6 patients received surgical treatment,including 3 patients who underwent anatomic bypass grafting (axillary arterial-femoral artery bypass,femoral arterial-femoral artery bypass) using artificial vessels,and 3 patients who underwent in situ abdominal aorta reconstruction using bovine pericardium.The perioperative situation,postoperative infection and the occurrence of serious adverse events were recorded,and the safety of different treatment methods and materials was evaluated. Results: All patients successfully completed the operation and no death occurred during hospitalization.Intraoperative blood loss was 2 000~5 000 ml,and intraoperative blood transfusion was 1 600 to 5 350 ml.All the patients were followed up for 81 to 395 days after surgery,and the incision healed well,and no reinfection occurred.Postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 1 patient,secondary surgery (retroperitoneal hematoma removal) was performed in 1 patient due to postoperative bleeding at the vascular anastomosis,both lower limb amputations were performed in 1 patient due to postoperative lower limb ischemia,and intermittent claudication occurred in 2 patients.All patients were alive at the last follow-up. Conclusion: For patients with aortic stent graft infection,when the infection is not serious and there is enough space to block the proximal and distal aorta,in situ aortic reconstruction is an effective treatment,and different materials can achieve satisfactory results in a short period of time.

[Application of meandering mesenteric artery in vascular surgery].

In recent years, the therapeutic concepts and surgical methods of the meandering mesenteric artery involved in atherosclerosis have been reported in the literature, and the importance of this lateral branch circulation in the field of vascular surgery has received more attention. With the improvement of imaging techniques, the discovery rate of this collateral circulation increased. In the presence of major iliac artery occlusion, the meandering mesenteric artery may serve as an important collateral circulation to relieve ischemia in the visceral or lower extremities. The meandering mesenteric artery may also lead to type Ⅱ internal leakage after endovascular repair, while the embolization of inferior mesenteric artery may be performed through the meandering mesenteric artery. The role of meandering mesenteric arteries in vascular surgery needs further study.

[Effect of low density carotid plaque on the development of cerebral small vessel disease in patients with carotid stenosis].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and carotid low-density plaque on multi-slice spiral CT angiography (MSCTA) in patient with carotid stenosis. Methods: The clinical data of 221 patients with carotid stenosis who admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, from January 2016 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 195 males and 26 females, with the age of (70.0±8.4) years (range: 48 to 88 years). According to MRI, the patients were divided into carotid stenosis combined with CSVD group (the CSVD group) and carotid stenosis without CSVD group (the non-CSVD group). Lowest density in the carotid atherosclerotic plaque area (CAPALD) was analyzed by MSCTA. The t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used for comparison between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed on CAPALD and other clinical indicators with CSVD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of CAPALD and CAPALD combined with the demographics (sex, age and body mass index) were plotted for predicting CSVD, and the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results: There were 169 patients in the CSVD group and 52 patients in the non-CSVD group. In the CSVD group, 88.8% (150/169) were males and 11.2% (19/169) were females, with the age of (70.5±8.2) years (range: 48 to 88 years). In the non-CSVD group, 86.5% (45/52) were males and 13.5% (7/52) were females, with the age of (68.4±9.1) years (range: 51 to 85 years). CAPALD and the score of Montreal cognitive assessment were lower in the CSVD group than those in the non-CSVD group (21.0 HU vs. 35.0 HU, Z=-3.760, P<0.01; 22.6±3.9 vs. 24.8±3.3, t=-2.064, P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CAPALD was an independent factor for CSVD (OR=1.044, 95%CI:1.020 to 1.070, P<0.01). The AUC of the ROC curve for CAPALD predicting carotid stenosis with CSVD was 0.672 (P<0.01), with cut-off value of 34.5 HU, sensitivity of 82.8%, and specificity of 50.0%. The AUC of ROC curve for CAPALD combined with the demographics predicting CSVD was 0.733 (P<0.01), with sensitivity of 82.9% and specificity of 64.0%. Conclusions: The decreased CAPALD is a risk factor for CSVD in patients with carotid stenosis. The analysis of carotid plaque density by MSCTA may help to identify the patients at high risk of CSVD.

[Influencing factors for postoperative survival of patients with pneumoconiosis treated by lung transplantation].

Objective: To explore the influencing factors for postoperative survival of patients with pneumoconiosis (silicosis) after lung transplantation in order to improve their clinical outcomes. Methods: In August 2021, retrospective alalysis from December 2015 to July 2021, 29 patients with end-stage pneumoconiosis underwent lung transplantation at Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University. The survival, postoperative complications, and causes of death were analyzed. Life table and Kaplan-Meier method were used to draw survival curves, the log-rank test was used to compare the influence of each factor on survival rates, and the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the influence of each factor on survival. Results: All the patients underwent successful lung transplantation, with survival rates of 75% at 6 months, 70% at 1 year, 65% at 2 years, 50% at 3 years and 50% at 5 years. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that BMI, age and preoperative albumin level were influencing factors for postoperative survival rates (P<0.05) . The multivariate COX regression model showed that BMI≥18.5 kg/m(2) and the albumin level≥35 g/L were the protective factors (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Aging older, preoperative BMI<18.5 kg/m(2) and hypoalbuminemia are independent risk factors for death after lung transplantation. Survival rates are affected by preoperative BMI index, albumin level and age. Early intervention should be made before lung transplantation to promote the BMI index and albumin level to reach the standard.

[A prospective study on the associations between dietary intakes of energy and macronutrients before menarche and age at menarche among girls].

Based on the data from China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), 840 girls aged 6-15 years who had information about menarche and participated in dietary survey at least once within 1-5 years before onset of menarche between 1989 and 2015 were included in the study. The median age at baseline of the 840 participants was 10 (9, 11) years. The median age at menarche of the participants was 13 (12, 14) years. After adjusting for the age of birth, place of residence, body mass index Z-score, physical activity level and annual household income per capita, the average age of menarche was advanced by 0.036 (95%CI: -0.068, -0.004) years for every 10 g increase in daily fat intake before menarche. The average age at menarche was 0.008 (95%CI: -0.014, -0.001) years earlier for every 1% increase in the daily energy supply ratio of fat before menarche.

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 contributes to the cisplatin resistance of tongue cancer through the KCNQ1OT1/miR-124-3p/TRIM14 axis.

OBJECTIVE: Tongue cancer is a common malignant tumor in the oral and maxillofacial region, most of which is squamous cell carcinoma. Cisplatin (DDP) is one of the chemotherapy drugs for patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). However, DDP resistance has become a major obstacle to its clinical application. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) KCNQ1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) on DDP resistance of tongue cancer and the underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The levels of KCNQ1OT1, miR-124-3p, and tripartite motif containing 14 (TRIM14) were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The maximum size of tumor (MTS) assay was used to detect the cell survival rates. Furthermore, the cell proliferation was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Transwell assay was performed to detect the cell migration and invasion. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein levels of Vimentin, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and TRIM14. The functional targets of KCNQ1OT1 and miR-124-3p, miR-124-3p and TRIM14 were predicted by starBase 3.0 and TargetScan. The relationship between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-124-3p was confirmed by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down. Further, the relationship between miR-124-3p and TRIM14 was verified by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. Animal experiment revealed the effect of KCNQ1OT1 on DDP resistance of tongue cancer cells in vivo. RESULTS: KCNQ1OT1 was upregulated in DDP-resistant tongue cancer tissues and cells, and mainly expressed in cytoplasm. Functionally, the knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 inhibited the survival rate, proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of the DDP-resistant tongue cancer cells. Of note, miR-124-3p acted as a target of KCNQ1OT1 and KCNQ1OT1 could reduce the expression of miR-124-3p. Moreover, miR-124-3p targeted TRIM14 and the downregulation of TRIM14 reduced the DDP resistance of tongue cancer cells. Importantly, KCNQ1OT1 regulated the TRIM14 expression by targeting miR-124-3p. Furthermore, KCNQ1OT1 knockdown reduced the DDP-resistant tumor growth and weight through the miR-124-3p/TRIM14 axis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 promotes the DDP resistance of tongue cancer by sponging miR-124-3p to regulate TRIM14 expression.

[The association of pre-pregnancy body mass and weight gain during pregnancy with macrosomia: a cohort study].

Objective: To examine the association of pre-pregnancy body mass and weight gain during pregnancy with macrosomia. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2015, a total of 20 477 pregnant women were recruited by probabilistic proportional scale sampling with simple randomization in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces. Basic information of pregnant women, weight gain during pregnancy and weight of newborn were collected. A multiple logistic regression model was used to assess the association between the pre-pregnancy body mass and gestational weight gain indicators with macrosomia. Results: 20 321 mother-infant were included in the final analysis. 20 321 pregnant women were (30.09±4.10) years old and delivered at (39.20±1.29) weeks, among which 12 341 (60.73%) cases were cesarean delivery. The birth weight of 20 321 infants were (3 292.26±431.67) grams, and 970 (4.77%) were macrosomia. The multiple logistic regression model showed that after adjusting for the age of women, compared to the normal weight group in the pre-pregnancy, the overweight and obesity group elevated the risk of macrosomia, with OR (95%CI) about 1.99 (95%CI: 1.69-2.35) and 4.05 (95%CI: 3.05-5.39), respectively. After adjusting for the age, the pre-pregnancy BMI, delivery weeks, delivery mode and infant's gender, compared to the weight-gain appropriate group, higher weight gain rate in the mid-pregnancy and excessive total gestational weight gain elevated the risk of macrosomia, with OR (95%CI) about 1.99 (95%CI: 1.66-2.39) and 1.80 (95%CI: 1.55-2.08), respectively. Conclusion: The overweight before pregnancy, obesity before pregnancy, the rate of weight gain in the second trimester and the high total weight gain during pregnancy could increase the risk of macrosomia.

[Influence factors of carotid endarterectomy improving vascular cognitive impairment].

Objective: To investigate the influence factors of carotid endarterectomy(CEA) improving cognitive function in patients with carotid stenosis. Methods: The clinical data of carotid stenosis patients with cognitive impairment who underwent CEA in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang from December 2011 to July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. One week before operation, carotid CT angiography and cranial magnetic resonance imaging were performed, and the cognitive function of patients was evaluated with Montreal Cognitive Scale (MoCA). The magnetic resonance imaging and MoCA were reexamined 4 weeks after the procedure. The patients were divided into improved group (COI+) and un-improved group (COI-) according to whether the cognitive function score was improved or not after operation. The general data, carotid artery occlusiontime, surgical site, preoperative carotid calcification score (CS) and the Fazekas score, pre-operative and post-operative cerebral perfusion parameters, like mean transit time(MTT), time to peak(TTP) and arrivetime (T0), and any new infarcts after operation between the two groups were compared. Results: A total of 70 patients were selected, including 50 patients in group COI+ and 20 patients in group COI-. There were no significant differences in age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking and drinking habits, as well as in carotid artery occlusiontime and preoperative Fazekas score between the two groups (all P>0.05). The preoperative carotid artery calcification scores of the two groups were 469.75±50.86 and 393.51±77.41, respectively. The changes of pre-and post-operation perfusion parameters between the two groups were statistically significant, with ΔMTT were 7.79±9.51 and 3.03±6.40, ΔTTP were 5.83±8.98 and 1.17±4.77, T0 were 5.89±8.08 and 3.05±5.95, respectively(t=4.844, 2.053, 2.192 and 1.423, respectively, all P<0.05). Proportion of cases with new infarcts after operation(0.38 vs 0.65) or undergoing left CEA (0.66 vs 0.40)between the two groups was statistically different (χ(2)=4.197 and 9.677, respectively, both P<0.05). Conclusion: Higher preoperative CS score, undergoing left CEA, significantly improved cerebral perfusion and without new infarct postoperatively, are independent factors contributing to improving cognitive function through CEA operation.

Alteration of the phagocytosis and antimicrobial defense of Octodonta nipae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) pupae to Escherichia coli following parasitism by Tetrastichus brontispae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

Although parasites and microbial pathogens are both detrimental to insects, little information is currently available on the mechanism involved in how parasitized hosts balance their immune responses to defend against microbial infections. We addressed this in the present study by comparing the immune response between unparasitized and parasitized pupae of the chrysomelid beetle, Octodonta nipae (Maulik), to Escherichia coli invasion. In an in vivo survival assay, a markedly reduced number of E. coli colony-forming units per microliter was detected in parasitized pupae at 12 and 24 h post-parasitism, together with decreased phagocytosis and enhanced bactericidal activity at 12 h post-parasitism. The effects that parasitism had on the mRNA expression level of selected antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of O. nipae pupae showed that nearly all transcripts of AMPs examined were highly upregulated during the early and late parasitism stages except defensin 2B, whose mRNA expression level was downregulated at 24 h post-parasitism. Further elucidation on the main maternal fluids responsible for alteration of the primary immune response against E. coli showed that ovarian fluid increased phagocytosis at 48 h post-injection. These results indicated that the enhanced degradation of E. coli in parasitized pupae resulted mainly from the elevated bactericidal activity without observing the increased transcripts of target AMPs. This study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the immune responses of a parasitized host to bacterial infections.

[Research advances in the aortic remodeling after thoracic endovascular aortic repair therapy of Stanford type B aortic dissection].

Aortic dissection is one of the most common vascular emergent disease. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) therapy which created the new era of treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) has gradually replaced the surgical treatment and becomes the gold standard for treatment of TBAD. Aortic remodeling after TEVAR is the key factor to evaluate the mid-term survival rate and successful treatment of the aortic dissection victims. However, there are few studies on aortic remodeling and lack of unified criteria to evaluate it. This article was to summarize the domestic and abroad research advances which focused on the morphological changes, the regularity, and the evaluation criteria of aorta remodeling after TEVAR.

[Clinical effectiveness of pleural abrasion in video-assisted thoracic surgery for bullae resection].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of pleural abrasion in treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for bullae resection. Methods: The clinical data of 158 patients with initial spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent video-assisted thoracic wedge resections with or without pleural abrasion in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2010 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were assigned to two equal groups according to whether pleural abrasion was applied or not: experimental group (with pleural abrasion) and control group (without pleural abrasion); and there were 79 patients in each group.There were 62 males and 17 females aged 15-60 years (mean age 34 years) in pleural abrasion group. And there were 70 males and 9 females aged 18-60 years (mean age 38 years) in non-pleural abrasion group.After surgery, all patients were evaluated for postoperative pain, chest tube removal time, hospital stay and other complications.Independent samples t test was used to compare the data between groups. Results: Surgeries for 158 patients were performed successfully.No mortality occurred.There was no conversion to thoracotomy.Postoperative pain, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, chest tube removal time, pleural canals flowand average hospital stay in non-pleural abrasion group was significantly lower for 4.4, 19 minutes, 10 ml, 21 hours, 87 ml and 1.4 days respectively when compared with those in pleural abrasion group (t=32.478, 7.140, 11.093, 7.288, 10.246, 8.070, all P<0.05). There was no missing case with a follow-up of 30 months.No complications, such as pneumothorax, was observed. Conclusions: Postoperative pain, chest tube removal time and hospital stay in non-pleural abrasion group are all lower than those in pleural abrasion group.And there is no significant difference in the recurrence of pneumothorax between the two groups after VATS bullae resection.

Mode suppression of 53 dB and pulse repetition rates of 2.87 and 36.4 GHz in a compact, mode-locked fiber laser comprising coupled Fabry-Perot cavities of low finesse (F = 2).

Multiplication of the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of a compact, mode-locked fiber laser by a factor as large as 25 has been achieved with two coupled Fabry-Perot (FP) resonators of low finesse (F = 2). Reducing the FP finesse by at least two orders of magnitude, relative to previous pulse frequency multiplication architectures, has the effect of stabilizing the oscillator with respect to pulse-to-pulse amplitude, dropped pulses, and other effects of cavity detuning. Coupling two Fabry-Perot cavities, each encompassing a 3.3-3.6 cm length of fiber, in a hybrid geometry resembling that of the coupled-cavity laser interferometer has yielded side mode suppressions ≥ 50 dB while simultaneously doubling the laser PRF to 2.87 GHz. Pulses approximately 3.9 ps in duration (FWHM) are emitted at intervals of 27.5 ps, and in groups (bursts) of pulses separated by 350 ps. Thus, the PRF within the pulse bursts is 36 GHz, a factor of 25 greater than the free spectral range for a conventional mode-locked cavity having a length of 6.9 cm. Experimental data are in accord with simulations of the phase coherence and temporal behavior of the mode-locked pulses.

Investigation of rectangular shaped wave packet dynamics in a high-repetition-rate ultrafast fiber laser.

We identify a new regime where laser pulses represent the dynamics of rectangular-shaped wave packets (RSWPs) in a passively mode-locked Tm3+-doped fiber laser. In this regime the laser consists of a train of mode-locked pulses underneath a rectangular-shaped envelope. The density of pulses within a RSWP can be as high as 2.8 GHz, which is consistent with cavity fundamental repetition rate. The effects of small-signal gain value, pulse repetition rate, and net dispersion on the RSWP performance are analyzed. These results imply that this new regime particularly favors high-repetition-rate ultrafast lasers. We further reproduce the phenomenon from using numerical simulations and understand such behavior by referring to the nonlinear dynamics.

Feedback intervention to doctors improves patient satisfaction among outpatients in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

OBJECTIVES: The doctor-patient relationship (DPR) in China is known to be tense. We tested whether an intervention program providing individualized feedback to doctors by patients could improve patients' satisfaction in an outpatient setting. STUDY DESIGN: A non-randomized controlled prepost intervention study in a tertiary hospital. Six surgery clinics were chosen as the intervention group and eight internal medicine clinics as the control group. METHODS: Before the program started, patients attending each group of clinics were asked to fill in the Short-Form Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18). In the experimental period, patients attending the intervention clinics were requested to rate their perception of the doctor's quality of care in various domains on an 8-question feedback card immediately after exiting from the examination room and to drop the completed card into the feedback box for the particular doctor. The cards were then collected by the doctor confidentially at the end of each day. There was no feedback in the control clinics. After the experimental period ended, the doctors in both groups of clinics were reassessed by a new series of patients using PSQ-18. The PSQ-18 scores were compared within the same group of clinics over time, and the changes in satisfaction score compared between intervention and control clinics. RESULTS: There were 189 and 190 responders in the intervention group and 190 and 200 in the control group, before and after the intervention period, respectively. Scores in all domains increased significantly (P < 0.001) in the intervention group but not in the control group. Significant improvement in the patient satisfaction scores in the intervention clinics compared with the control clinics was confirmed by mixed-effects linear regression controlling for the effects of gender, age, marital status, education, and household income in the domains of general satisfaction, technical quality, communication, and accessibility and convenience. CONCLUSIONS: Timely feedback to doctors of patients' perception of quality of care received can improve outpatient satisfaction in a Chinese hospital.