[Correlation between postoperative microstructural changes in cerebral white matter and early postoperative cognitive function in patients undergoing meningioma resection].

Objective: To analyze the correlation between microstructure changes in cerebral white matter before and after surgery and early postoperative cognitive function in patients undergoing meningioma resection. Methods: A total of 17 patients who underwent their first meningioma resection at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from April 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively included as observation group, with 5 males and 12 females, aged (56.4±7.3) years. Another 15 age- and education-matched patients with cerebral benign tumor were recruited as control group during the same period, with 5 males and 10 females, aged (55.2±8.0) years. Neuropsychological tests (NST), mainly including auditory verbal learning test of Huashan version (AVLT-H), the Montreal cognitive assessment-basic (MoCA-B), clock drawing task-30 (CDT-30), shape trails test-B (STT-B) and animal fluence test (AFT), were conducted at 1 day before surgery, 1 day and within 3-4 days after surgery in the observation group. Simultaneously, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed to collect diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) images at 1 day before surgery and within 3-4 days after surgery. The same NST were conducted at 1 day, 3 days and 6 days after admission in the control group to adjust for learning effects from repeated tests. The microstructure changes of the whole brain white matter were evaluated at the group level by using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) technology, including changes of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusion (MD), axial diffusion (AD), and radial diffusion (RD). Then, correlation was performed between DTI indicators with statistically significant and cognitive function. Results: After adjusting for the learning effects, the AVLT-H (R), MoCA-B, and CDT-30 scores decreased, and the evaluation time of STT-B prolonged after surgery in patients with meningioma. And their perioperative decreased values were -0.78 (95%CI:-3.28--0.28) points, -2.22 (95%CI:-4.22--0.72) points, -2.74 (95%CI:-5.29--0.19) points, and 61.49 (95%CI: 5.71-117.27) seconds, respectively, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Group level analysis of TBSS based on DTI images showed decreased FA mainly in the right superior cerebellar peduncle, left posterior limb of internal capsule and genu of corpus callosum, and increased RD mainly in the left anterior corona radiata in patients undergoing meningioma resection, with statistically significant differences (all PFWE<0.05). Linear correlation showed that the perioperative decreased values of FA in genu of corpus callosum and right superior cerebellar peduncle were positively correlated with the perioperative decreased values of AVLT-H (L) after adjusting for learning effects (r=0.72, 0.52, all PFWE<0.05). Conclusions: Patients undergoing meningioma resection are at risk of postoperative cognitive decline. Perioperative decreased values of FA in genu of corpus callosum and right superior cerebellar peduncle based on DTI images are positively correlated with the perioperative decreased values of AVLT-H (L) after adjusting for learning effects.

[The ventilation efficacy and safety of new nasopharyngeal airway applied in left atrial appendage occlusion].

Objective: The present retrospective study aimed to analyses the ventilation efficacy and safety of new nasopharyngeal airway applied in left atrial appendage occlusion. Methods: A total of 37 advanced aged patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation(>65 years)who underwent left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from March 2021 to March 2022 were enrolled in this study. All patients received supplemental oxygen by a new nasopharyngeal airway to ensure intraoperative ventilation. The primary outcome was the occurrence of hypoxemia. The secondary outcomes included the incidence of hypotension after anesthesia, the incidence of body movement during surgery, significant fluctuations of the vital signs such as mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), saturation of pulse oxygen (SpO2) and respiratory rate (RR) at different time points (T1: pre-operation; T2: at the time of placing nasopharyngeal airway; T3: at the time of placing transesophageal echocardiography(TEE); T4: at the time of TEE intraoperative exploration; T5: end of the surgery; T6: at the time of patient woke up), and the incidence of postoperative adverse events. Results: There were 24 males and 13 females with a mean age of (73.8±7.7) years. The incidence of hypoxemia was 16.2% (6/37), which could return to normal after simple treatment. The incidence of hypotension was 27.0% (10/37), occurred after anesthesia induction mainly.32.4% (12/37) of the patients experienced movements, but no adverse events led to surgical termination. MAP at different time points was significantly different (P=0.001), but other vital signs of HR, SpO2 and RR were not significantly different(all P>0.05), without serious hemodynamic fluctuations. The incidence of postoperative adverse cardiovascular events was 10.8% (4/37), and delirium was 2.7% (1/37). All patients successfully completed the surgery and were safely discharged from the hospital. Conclusion: The new nasopharyngeal airway can meet the requirements of airway management during left atrial appendage occlusion under intravenous anesthesia without serious adverse events.

[Accelerating the transformation from anesthesia clinic to comprehensive anesthesia and multi-disciplinary evaluation, consultation, pre-rehabilitation and follow-up center in outpatient under aged society].

The acceleration of aging process in China bring challenges for the anesthesia management of elderly patients. The co-morbidity, decreased function and high risk of postoperative severe complications and mortality are the main reasons of resultant lower anesthesia and surgery rate,higher medical expenses for elderly patients. The transformation from anesthesia clinic service to comprehensive anesthesia and multi-disciplinary evaluation, consultation,pre-rehabilitation and follow-up center in outpatient is a new medical mode to resolve the problem, which depends on the collaboration among hospital, disciplines and government to undertake the task.

[The applications and challenges of combined monitoring of macro/micro-circulation and mitochondrial homeostasis in early warning of perioperative organ injury].

Perioperative organ injury is a leading risk factor for mortality in surgical patients. Given the current limitations in the timeliness and accuracy of markers for perioperative organ injury, this article proposes a comprehensive early-warning assessment system that jointly monitors the macro-circulation, micro-circulation, and mitochondrial homeostasis. Macro-circulation monitoring allows for real-time evaluation of key indicators such as blood pressure and cardiac output, while micro-circulation monitoring aids in assessing the status of microvascular perfusion. Monitoring of mitochondrial homeostasis provides timely insights into cellular energy metabolism. These three facets are interconnected and collectively determine the balance between tissue oxygenation and energy supply and demand. This article will elucidate commonly used monitoring methods and clinically valuable assessment models within this system, offering theoretical and technical guidance to deepen our understanding of the pathological processes of perioperative organ injury, enhance surgical safety and success rates, and improve patient prognosis and quality of life.

[Histological regression and clinical benefits in patients with liver cirrhosis after long-term anti-HBV treatment].

Objective: Our study aims to determine histological regression and clinical improvement after long-term antiviral therapy in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis patients. Methods: Treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients with histologically or clinically diagnosed liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Liver biopsies were performed after 5 years entecavir-based antiviral treatment. Patients were followed up every 6 months. Cirrhosis regression was evaluated based on Metavir system and P-I-R score. Clinical improvement was evaluated before and after the long-term treatment. Kruskal Wallis test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for continuous variables, Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Totals of 73 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Among them, 30 (41.1%) patients were biopsy proved liver cirrhosis and the remaining 43 (58.9%) cirrhotic patients were diagnosed by clinical features. Based on Metavir system and P-I-R score, 72.6% (53/73) patients attained histological regression. Furthermore, 30.1% (22/73) were defined as significant regression (Metavir decrease ≥2 stage), 42.5% (31/73) were mild regression (Metavir decrease 1 stage or predominantly regressive by P-I-R system if still cirrhosis after treatment) and 27.4% (20/73) were the non-regression. Compared to levels of clinical characteristics at baseline, HBV DNA, ALT, AST, liver stiffness(decreased from 12.7 to 6.4 kPa in significant regression, from 18.1 to 7.3 kPa in mild regression and from 21.4 to 11.2 kPa in non-regression)and Ishak-HAI score significantly decreased after 5 years of anti-HBV treatment, while serum levels of platelets and albumin improved remarkably (P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, only the pre-treatment liver stiffness level was associated with significant regression (OR=0.887, 95%CI: 0.802-0.981, P=0.020). Conclusions: After long-term antiviral therapy, patients with HBV-related cirrhosis are easily to attain improvements in clinical parameters, while a certain percentage of these patients still cannot achieve histological reversal.

[Campaigning the innovation and practice of anesthesia and perioperative management for elderly patients in China].

The aged population in China is rapidly increasing, but there is a relative lower anesthesia rate with surgical indication for elderly patients because of worry for higher morbidity and mortality. In past five years, Chinese anesthesiologists have made the tremendous efforts to change this situation in as follow aspects. Firstly, establishing the anesthesia and multidisciplinary evaluation system for elderly patients to improve preoperative functional status, and accelerating the postoperative rehabilitation process. Secondly, releasing the publications of perioperative experts consensus for elderly patients based on the high level clinical researches to highlight clinical practice in China. Thirdly, implementing online virtual MDT discussion of anesthesia and perioperative management for critical elderly patients to improve perioperative diagnosis and treatment level. Fourthly, making the innovation of clinical practice and management pathway to adopt to the ERAS' clinical requests for elderly patients, especially advanced aged patients.

[Clinicopathological analysis of 11 cases of hepatic amyloidosis].

Objective: Hepatic amyloidosis is a metabolic disease with a low incidence rate. However, because of its insidious onset, the rate of misdiagnosis is high, and it usually progresses to a late stage when it is diagnosed. This article analyzes the clinical features of hepatic amyloidosis by combining clinical pathology in order to improve the clinical diagnosis rate. Methods: Clinical and pathological data of 11 cases of hepatic amyloidosis diagnosed at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from 2003 to 2017 were summarized and analyzed retrospectively. Results: The clinical manifestations of 11 cases mainly included abdominal discomfort (4/11), hepatomegaly (7/11), splenomegaly (5/11), fatigue (6/11), etc. Biochemical test results showed that most patients' alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total bile acids, accompanied by hypoalbuminemia were elevated, while some patients' 24-h urinary protein, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were elevated. Conclusion: All patients had slightly elevated aspartate transaminase levels (within 5 times the upper limit of normal), and 72% had slightly elevated alanine transaminase. Alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase levels were significantly raised in all cases, with the highest result for γ-glutamyl transferase being 51 times the upper limit of normal. Damage to the hepatocytes has an effect on the biliary system as well, leading to symptoms such as portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia [(0.54~0.63) × upper limit of normal value, 9/11]. Amyloid deposits within the artery wall (54.5% of patients) and portal vein (36.4% of patients) were also indicative of vascular injury. A liver biopsy should be recommended for patients with unexplained elevated transaminases, bile duct enzymes, and portal hypertension in order to establish a definitive diagnosis.

[Considerations on pathological diagnosis of inherited metabolic liver disease].

A liver biopsy has an important suggestive role in the diagnosis of inherited metabolic liver disease (IMLD). This article introduces the IMLD pathological diagnosis considerations, five types of classification of liver biopsy based on the morphological characteristics (basic normal liver tissue morphology, steatosis, cholestatic disease, storage/deposition, and hepatitis), and a summary of the pathological characteristics of different injury patterns and common diseases in order to provide clues for the correct diagnosis.

[The low-dose opioids therapy of perioperative multi-mode analgesia is pivotal to the enhanced recovery after surgery for elderly patients].

The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery in elderly patients should be under the premise of adequate perioperative analgesia/anti-stress. The aims of perioperative multimodal low-dose opioids analgesia therapy are reducing opioid-related adverse reactions and the impact on process of postoperative recovery.

Meishan neonatal piglets tend to have higher intestinal barrier function than crossbred neonatal piglets.

Meishan pigs tend to have higher disease resistance than commercial breeds, although more studies are needed to confirm this difference. This study compared intestinal barrier function between Meishan and crossbred neonatal piglets to provide guidance for both the breeding and nutritional regulation of pigs. Six Meishan piglets and 6 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) crossbred neonatal piglets (all with normal birth weights) were obtained and allocated into the MEIS and CROSS groups, respectively. Intestinal morphology, goblet cell numbers, antioxidant enzyme activity, and cytokine gene and tight junction protein expression were assessed. The results showed that BW was lower in the MEIS group than in the CROSS group (P < 0.01). The relative lengths of the duodenum (P < 0.05), jejunum (P < 0.01) and ileum (P < 0.01) in the MEIS group were higher than those in the CROSS group. Compared with the CROSS group, the MEIS group exhibited shorter villus lengths in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.01), a shallower crypt depth in the ileum (P < 0.001) and denser and longer microvilli in the intestine. The numbers of GCs in the duodenum (P < 0.01) and jejunum (P < 0.001) and the activity levels of glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05) in the jejunum and of catalase (P < 0.01) and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) in the ileum were higher in the MEIS group than in the CROSS group. Compared with the CROSS group, the MEIS group exhibited higher gene expression levels of interleukin (IL) 4 and interferon γ (IFNγ) in the jejunum (P < 0.05); IL2 (P < 0.05), IL4 (P < 0.01) and IFNγ (P < 0.001) in the ileum; and mucin 2 (P < 0.01) and occludin (P < 0.05) in the duodenum. In conclusion, Meishan neonatal piglets showed lower birth weights but higher intestinal barrier function than crossbred piglets.

Value of sTNF-R1 and linc0597 as indicators for disease activity and diagnosis of lupus nephritis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether Soluble tumor necrosis factor-receptor 1 (sTNF-R1) and linc0597 can be used as indicators for disease activity and diagnosis of lupus nephritis (LN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty LN patients treated in our hospital were enrolled as the LN group, while 60 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients without nephritis were included in the SLE group, and 50 healthy subjects who conducted physical examination during the same period as the control group. After admission, 5 mL of venous blood was taken from all the study subjects to measure sTNF-R1 level and linc0597 expression by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and RT-qPCR respectively. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum sTNF-R1 and linc0597 for LN, and Spearman correlation coefficient was adopted for the correlation between sTNF-R1, linc0597, and LN clinical disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Moreover, the logistic multiple regression analysis was applied to analyze the independent risk factors affecting the complication of LN in SLE patients. RESULTS: The LN group presented significantly higher serum sTNF-R1 and linc0597 levels than the control group and the SLE group. Besides, ROC curve analysis revealed that sTNF-R1 and linc0597 had good clinical diagnostic value in LN and SLE. Furthermore, Spearman correlation coefficient indicated that serum sTNF-R1 and linc0597 were positively correlated with disease activity index SLEDAI (r=0.551, p<0.001; R =0.604, p<0.001). Moreover, multivariate Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age (p=0.001), fever (p=0.004), arthralgia (p=0.034), serum uric acid (p=0.019), decreased complement C3 (p=0.023), ANA peripheral type (p=0.007), anti-ds-DNA antibody (p=0.003), ANCA (p=0.002), sTNF-R1 (p=0.001), and linc0597 (p<0.001) were all independent risk factors affecting the complication of LN in SLE patients. CONCLUSIONS: STNF-R1 and linc0597 can be used as the indicators for disease activity and diagnosis of LN.

[A new classification of measured temporalities: based on the time axis in nature].

In causal inference, the concept of temporality (or directionality) has not been fully clarified. Starting from causal thinking, this paper divides the time axis in nature into three time domains and two time points by the occurrence timings of both a real cause and a real effect. This has anchored that causal inference can only be realized in the third domain. The measured temporalities can be divided into five types: cross-first-to-third-domain longitudinal (or experimental temporalities), cross-second-to-third-domain longitudinal, within-domain longitudinal, within-domain reversely longitudinal, and within-domain transversal (or observational temporalities). This new classification encompasses all measurement strategies, either for first or multiple measurements, or timely and delayed measurements. Except that the actual measurement for the cause occurs either before its occurrence (only in experiment) or within the second domain, all other measurements are similar to the act of historical reconstruction or "archaeology" , where the importance of measured temporalities may be inferior to the accuracy of the measurements. From the point of view that research design should integrate bias design, this new classification for measured temporalities based on the time axis in Nature, which has a clear meaning and helps to judge the possible biases in the observation methods, provides a basis for correct causal inferences.

[Clinicopathological analysis of 16 cases of pyrrolizidine alkaloids-associated hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome].

Objective: To observe the histopathological manifestations of liver biopsy in patients with hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) induced by pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA). Methods: Patients diagnosed with PA-HSOS from 2012 to 2017 were selected, and the general conditions, liver function indexes, medication history, liver biopsy time, histopathological slides of liver biopsy, and follow-up data of clinical prognosis after 6 months of onset were collected. Clinical staging with clinical data was used to observe the histopathological manifestations of patients at different clinical stages. Wilcoxon rank-sum test, unpaired t-test and univariate linear regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 16 cases were collected. Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase was 59.25 U/L and 25.50 U/L, 108 U/L and 45 U/L, respectively, after 6 months of onset and follow-up, and the differences were statistically significant. Moreover, total bile acids and albumin was 35 µmol/L and 36.15 µmol/L, and 32.45 g/L and 31 g/L, respectively, and the differences were not statistically significant. PA-HSOS pathological development process was divided into early, middle and late stages. In the early stage, the central lobular sinusoidal endothelium integrity was impaired and the entry of erythrocytes had interspersed thin reticular fibers and perisinusoidal space. In the middle stage (hemorrhagic zone), erythrocytes, reticular fibers and collagen fibers were lysed, densely collapsed and deposited. The cavity of the bloodstream was hyperemic and dilated, and the cavity was covered with sinus endothelial cells. The hepatic plate regenerated around the hemorrhagic zone and some of the hepatic sinuses were decompensated. In the late stage, deposited collagen in the hemorrhagic zone had formed a large fibrous scar, and most of the dilated cavity in the bloodstream was covered with vascular endothelium. The marginal zone hepatic cells were regenerated in two rows and gradually inserted into the fibrous septum. Different hepatic lobular lesions obtained from the same patients liver biopsy tissues were changed at different stages. Hepatic lobule injury proportion with severe internal bleeding in liver biopsy tissue had no relation with the prognosis of patients. Conclusion: In the early stage of PA-HSOS, erythrocytes in the central zone of lobules enter the perisinusoidal space through the damaged sinus endothelium, which is manifested as hepatic plate hemorrhagic necrosis. In the middle and late stage, liver plate regeneration and vascular remodeling occurred, so most of the patients' clinical course was self-limited. Pathological staging and liver biopsy time have an apparent correlation, but the prognosis of patients cannot be judged based on the extent of hemorrhage and injury of biopsy samples.

"All citizens of the world can save a life" - The World Restart a Heart (WRAH) initiative starts in 2018.

"All citizens of the world can save a life". With these words, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) is launching the first global initiative - World Restart a Heart (WRAH) - to increase public awareness and therefore the rates of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for victims of cardiac arrest. In most of the cases, it takes too long for the emergency services to arrive on scene after the victim's collapse. Thus, the most effective way to increase survival and favourable outcome in cardiac arrest by two- to fourfold is early CPR by lay bystanders and by "first responders". Lay bystander resuscitation rates, however, differ significantly across the world, ranging from 5 to 80%. If all countries could have high lay bystander resuscitation rates, this would help to save hundreds of thousands of lives every year. In order to achieve this goal, all seven ILCOR councils have agreed to participate in WRAH 2018. Besides schoolchildren education in CPR ("KIDS SAVE LIVES"), many other initiatives have already been developed in different parts of the world. ILCOR is keen for the WRAH initiative to be as inclusive as possible, and that it should happen every year on 16 October or as close to that day as possible. Besides recommending CPR training for children and adults, it is hoped that a unified global message will enable our policy makers to take action to address the inequalities in patient survival around the world.