[Management of complex renal stones by a novel ureterorenoscope with vacuum suctioning system combined with flexible ureteroscope].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of Sotn ureterorenoscope combined with flexible ureteroscope on managing complex renal stones. Methods: Patients treated with the Sotn ureterorenoscope combined with flexible ureteroscope between January 2010 and December 2019 were employed from the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Jiangmen Wuyi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. The patients' information of age, gender, comorbidities, stone characteristics (stone size, hounsfield units, stone composition, stone location, etc.), operative time and console time, stone-free rate (SFR), and perioperative complication rate were collected. The primary outcome was defined as primary SFR in 1 month of operation, and the secondary outcome was the perioperative complication rate. The differences in preoperative and postoperative data between patients with different kinds of stones were compared. Results: A total of 347 patients were included in the study, with 220 males and 127 females. The age [M(Q1,Q3)] was 51 (42, 58) years. There were 94 patients suffered from multiple renal stones and 253 patients with staghorn renal stones. The operative time and console time age [M(Q1,Q3)] for all patients were 87 (55, 115) min and 59 (27, 75) min, respectively. The primary SFR was 81.3% [83.8% for multiple renal stones and 74.5% for staghorn renal stones (P=0.048)]. Complications occurred in 80 patients (23.1%), of which 79 cases were classified as Clavien-Dindo grade 1-2, and 1 case (0.3%) was grade 3-4. For patients with multiple renal stone, compared with the residual stone group, the complete stone-free group had smaller stone size [15.5 (12.0, 21.0) vs 22.0 (17.5, 28.1) mm, P<0.001], and lower hounsfield units [920.0 (658.0, 1 172.5) vs 1 125.0 (944.9, 1 247.5), P=0.022]. Patients with complications had longer operative time than those without complications [60.0 (38.5, 90.0) vs 75.0 (51.3, 110.0) min, P=0.022]. The SFR was higher in patients with stones size ≤ 20 mm compared to those with stones size > 20 mm (91.8% vs 67.5%, P<0.001), while the difference in complication rate was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the staghorn renal stones group, compared with the residual stone group, the complete stone-free group had smaller stone size [35.0 (25.8, 45.3) vs 53.5 (39.3, 67.5) mm, P<0.001]. Patients with complications had larger stone size than those without complications [43.5 (34.8, 56.5) vs 36.0 (27.0, 50.0) mm, P=0.007]. Patients with stone size ≤ 40 mm had higher SFR (87.5% vs 55.3%, P<0.001) and lower complication rate(10.7% vs 31.6%, P=0.012) compared to those with stone size >40 mm. Conclusion: Sotn ureterorenoscope combined with flexible ureteroscope is an effective and safe choice for the treatment of complex renal calculi.

[Research progress in endoluminal treatment of urethral stricture].

Urethral stricture is regarded as a common disease in urology whose treatment modalities usually include open surgery and endoluminal treatment. Endoluminal techniques have gradually become one of the essential treatments in urethral stricture due to easier operation, less trauma, faster recovery, higher safety and fewer complications. The popularity of plasma knife and laser, and the application of new urethral stents and grafts, make endoscopic surgery easier and less invasive. However, due to its anatomical particularity and diverse etiologies of urethral stricture, the endoluminal treatment is still not satisfactory and a considerable number of patients still experience poor long-term treatment effect. Non-operative managements, such as intracavitary brachytherapy, intracavitary injection of drugs or stem cells and new urinary catheters are also being explored in treating urethral stricture, which would improve the effect of endoscopic surgery. This review summarizes the clinical application and new progress of various kinds of endoluminal treatments and pharmacotherapy in urethral stricture at home and abroad. More prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm its feasibility, effectiveness and optimal time of operation.

[Surgical treatment for type Stanford A aortic dissection with Kommerell's diverticulum].

Objective: To examine the outcomes of surgical treatment in patients of type Stanford A aortic dissection with Kommerell's diverticulum. Methods: From January 2009 to August 2017, patients of type Stanford A aortic dissection with Kommerell's diverticulum who underwent the Sun procedure were enrolled. Patient demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, early morbidity and mortality data were collected from medical and electronic patient records. Clinical follow-up data, including late morbidity and mortality, were obtained by telephone interview with the patient. Results: A total of 13 patients (11 males and 2 females; mean age 47 years) were included. The mean maximum diameter of Kommerell's diverticulum was (21.8±7.7) mm. The Kommerell's diverticulum was repaired by direct suture of the orifice in 3 patients, ligation of the aberrant right subclavian artery in 9 patients, and suture and ligation in 1 patient, respectively. No perioperative death occurred. One patient underwent a reexploration for bleeding. There were 2 late deaths: unknown reason in 1 patient and septic shock secondary to renal abscess in 1 patient. Reintervention was performed in one patient for a persistent type Ⅱ endoleak. Conclusions: The Sun procedure with femoral artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass, unilateral carotid artery cannulation for selective cerebral perfusion and ligation of aberrant right subclavian artery on the right side of the trachea is an appropriate therapeutic strategy for patients of type Stanford A aortic dissection with Kommerell's diverticulum.

[Experience of Sun's procedure for chronic type B dissection with aortic arch involvement].

Objective: To study the surgical treatment of chronic type B dissection with aortic arch involvement using Sun's procedure. Methods: Between February 2009 and December 2015, 29 patients [20 males, 9 females, with a mean age of (41±12) years, range 24-64 years] with type B dissection with aortic arch involvement underwent Sun's procedure. Sixteen patient had a history of hypertension. Marfan syndrome was observed in 9 cases, coronary artery disease in 3 cases, mitral regurgitation in 3 patients, cerebrovascular disease in one patient. Twenty-two patients suffered proximal aortic arch disease, 4 cases experienced history of aortic root procedure and 2 subjects had history of pregnancy. Four patients had aortic arch malformation. Results: One case suffered from massive cerebral infarction after surgery and died in another hospital. Concomitant procedures included mitral valve replacement in 3 cases, coronary artery bypass grafting in 3 patients, reconstruction of the right aberrant subclavian artery in one patient. Ventilator support exceeding 24 hours obseved in 2 patients. One of them recieved continuous renal replacement therapy and recovered before discharge. Spinal cord injury was obseved in one case, brain infarction in one patient and pericardial drainage in one case. Two patients required tracheotomy. During 12-94 (43±23) months' follow-up, thoracoabdominal aortic replacment was performed in 4 patients, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in 2 subjects and repair of perivalvular leakage in one patient. Conclusions: Sun's procedure obtained satisfactory results in patients with chronic type B dissection with aortic arch involvement. Concomitant repair of proximal aortic arch lesions and distal type B dissection can be adopted using Sun's procedure.

[Treatment strategies of complex lesions in patients with acute Stanford type A dissection of important branches involvement].

Acute Stanford type A aortic dissection with important branches involved is more complex, could lead to organ malperfusion syndrome even organ failure. The understanding of pathological anatomy, classification, staging, and the pathophysiological change has increasingly mature, but not complete. In addition, the treatment strategy for complex lesions is diversified, some questions may not reach consensus. Fully understanding of the anatomical and pathophysiology is very important for surgeons to choose reasonable treatment strategy. As the rapid development of the basic research, imaging techniques and the concept of surgery procedures, the manage technique of Stanfrod type A dissection and branch vessels at the same time is getting seriously, the related issues also need further discussions.

[An investigation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate some important issues for diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), such as standardized pre-operative assessment, initial pressure value of diverter pump, and pressure regulation during follow-up. METHODS: Twenty six iNPH patients (21 males) who treated in Department of Neurosurgery of 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from 2011 to 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The average age was 60.5 year. The analysis focused on the treatment process of iNPH, initial pressure value of diverter pump, choice of diverter pump, and pressure regulation during follow-up. RESULTS: As a result, 24 cases (92.3%) had a good prognosis based on their imaging and clinical manifestations. Based on the literature and their clinical experiences, this department established a diagnosis and treatment procedure of iNPH and a pressure regulation procedure for the follow-up of iNPH. Moreover, it is proposed that choosing an anti-gravity diverter pump and making an initial pressure value 20 mmH2O less than pre-surgical cerebrospinal pressure may be beneficial for the prognosis. CONCLUSION: This standardized diagnosis and treatment procedure for iNPH is practical and effective.

[Application of evoked potentials monitoring in total thoracoabdominal aorta aneurysm repair].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application value of evoked potentials (EP) monitoring in patients undergoing aorta-iliac bypass for total thoracoabdominal aorta aneurysm repair (tTAAAR). METHODS: A prospective study, with a total of 31 patients undergoing tTAAAR and intraoperative EP monitoring from June 2014 to April 2015 was carried out. The results of intraoperative evoked potentials, clinical outcomes and follow-up data of patients were collected for further evaluation. RESULTS: The EP wave disappeared [motor evoked potentials for (55.6±18.1) min, somatosensory evoked potentials for (50.3±18.7) min] after proximal descending aorta being clamped, and gradually recovered after the segment arteries of spine cord were reconstructed. The EP wave was restored to normal level at the end of operation in all the cases. The somatosensory evoked potentials remained unchanged in 2 cases (false negative). One case died after operation. No spinal cord injury occurred. The median follow-up after operation was 10 months (5-14 months). There was no delayed neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: EP provided an on-line monitoring of the condition of spinal cord function, which become an intraoperative protocol to avoid the irreversible injury of spinal cord.

[Expression and significance of EPCR in plasma and placenta of patients with early onset severe preeclampsia].

Objective: To investigate the expression of endothelial protein C receptor(EPCR)and its roles in plasma and placenta of patients with early onset severe preeclampsia. Methods: Sixty cases of severe preeclampsia women who delivered in Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from March 2014 to February 2016, were recruited, which included 30 cases with early onset severe preeclampsia(early onset group, gestational week <34 weeks)and 30 patients with late onset severe preeclampsia(late onset group, gestational week ≥34 weeks). Thirty cases of healthy late pregnant women at the same period(gestational week ≥34 weeks)were selected as control group. Immunohistochemistry SP method was applied to detect the expression of in EPCR placenta. Reverse transcription(RT)- PCR was used to detect the expression of EPCR mRNA in placenta. ELISA method was used to detect the levels of soluble EPCR(sEPCR)level in plasma of the pregnant women of the three groups. Results: The expression of EPCR in placenta mainly distributed in the membrane and cytoplasm of placental syncytiotrophoblasts and vascular endothelial cells, a few in the cell nucleus. The expression of EPCR in early onset group(57%, 17/30)was significantly lower than that in late onset group(93%, 28/30; χ2=25.165, P=0.001). The expression of EPCR in late onset group had no significant difference from that in control group(97%, 29/30; χ2=0.540, P= 0.910). The expression of EPCR mRNA in placenta of early onset group(0.40±0.07)was significantly lower than that in late onset group(0.91±0.06; t=-30.044, P=0.001), while there was no statistical difference of the expression of EPCR mRNA between the late onset group and the control group(0.92±0.07; t=-0.631, P=0.538). Plasma sEPCR level in early onset group, late onset group and control group were(231 ± 11),(124±6)and(121±4)µg/L respectively, which is higher in early onset group than that in late onset group(t=48.080, P=0.001). There was no statistical difference of plasma sEPCR level between the late onset group and the control group(t=2.534, P=0.100). Conclusions: The pathogenesis of early onset and late onset severe preeclampsia may be different. Decreased expression of EPCR in placenta may be associated with the pathogenesis of early onset severe preeclampsia.

Low levels of free testosterone correlated with bone mineral densities of femoral necks in aged healthy Shanghainese men.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of serum testosterone concentrations on bone mineral densities (BMDs) in healthy aged men in Shanghai area. Eighty-four participants, registered in the physical examination center of our hospital were included. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to measure concentrations of total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) in serum. BMDs of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, the trochanter major, and Ward's triangle were determined with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The correlations of TT and FT with BMDs at the different skeleton sites were analyzed; stratified analyses by age were performed with 10-year range groups and the changing trends of TT and FT with increasing age were further investigated. In addition, we performed a stratified quartile TT and FT analysis of their correlations with BMDs of different bones in each group. The average age of the participants was 71.8 ± 9.6 years (50-90 years). In a stratified analysis by age, no significant TT changes with increasing age was found, but there was a significant decrease of FT in men older than 80 years (p<0.05). In a stratified FT quartile analysis, FT in the first quartile group correlated significantly with BMDs of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and Ward's triangle; however, there was only a significant correlation between FT and BMD of the femoral neck after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI). FT blood serum concentrations decreased significantly in healthy men aged over 80 and positively correlated with BMDs of femoral necks.

Inflammatory factors mediated the effect of air pollution on ischemic stroke: a two-step, mediation Mendelian randomization study.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous investigations have indicated a correlation between air pollution (AP) and an elevated ischemic stroke (IS) likelihood. The existing literature does not provide a consensus about the possible link between AP and IS. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was utilized to systematically measure the causal link between AP and ischemic stroke. Furthermore, the mediating impact of inflammatory factors was also performed by a two-step MR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-sample MR analysis was utilized to examine the AP impact on the incidence of IS. Additionally, a two-step MR approach was carried out to account for possible mediating variables. The indirect impact was determined by employing the product approach, which included multiplying the AP impact on inflammatory factors by the inflammatory factors' impacts on IS. The MR effect was identified through inverse variance-weighted (IVW) meta-analysis of each Wald Ratio. Additionally, complementary studies were conducted using the weighted median and MR-egger approaches. RESULTS: The IVW method with random effects showed that the per unit increase in genetically predicted PM2.5 was linked to the 0.362-fold elevated ischemic stroke risk (OR: 1.362, 95% CI: 1.032-1.796, p=0.029). Furthermore, the IVM technique, incorporating random effects, demonstrated that the per unit increase in genetically predicted PM2.5 was related to an elevated Interleukin (IL)-1ß risk (OR: 1.529, 95% CI: 1.191-1.963, p=0.001), IL-6 (OR: 1.498, 95% CI: 1.094-2.052, p=0.012) and IL-17 (OR: 1.478, 95% CI: 1.021-2.139, p=0.038). IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-17 modulated the PM2.5 impact on ischemic stroke, while the proportion mediated by them was 59.5%. CONCLUSIONS: A positive correlation between genetically predicted PM2.5 levels and elevated ischemic stroke risk is mediated by IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-17.

[Incidence of postoperative complications in Chinese patients with gastric or colorectal cancer based on a national, multicenter, prospective, cohort study].

Objective: To investigate the incidence of postoperative complications in Chinese patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, and to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative complications. Methods: This was a national, multicenter, prospective, registry-based, cohort study of data obtained from the database of the Prevalence of Abdominal Complications After Gastro- enterological Surgery (PACAGE) study sponsored by the China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Union. The PACAGE database prospectively collected general demographic characteristics, protocols for perioperative treatment, and variables associated with postoperative complications in patients treated for gastric or colorectal cancer in 20 medical centers from December 2018 to December 2020. The patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were categorized and graded in accordance with the expert consensus on postoperative complications in gastrointestinal oncology surgery and Clavien-Dindo grading criteria. The incidence of postoperative complications of different grades are presented as bar charts. Independent risk factors for occurrence of postoperative complications were identified by multifactorial unconditional logistic regression. Results: The study cohort comprised 3926 patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, 657 (16.7%) of whom had a total of 876 postoperative complications. Serious complications (Grade III and above) occurred in 4.0% of patients (156/3926). The rate of Grade V complications was 0.2% (7/3926). The cohort included 2271 patients with gastric cancer with a postoperative complication rate of 18.1% (412/2271) and serious complication rate of 4.7% (106/2271); and 1655 with colorectal cancer, with a postoperative complication rate of 14.8% (245/1655) and serious complication rate of 3.0% (50/1655). The incidences of anastomotic leakage in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer were 3.3% (74/2271) and 3.4% (56/1655), respectively. Abdominal infection was the most frequently occurring complication, accounting for 28.7% (164/572) and 39.5% (120/304) of postoperative complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer, respectively. The most frequently occurring grade of postoperative complication was Grade II, accounting for 65.4% (374/572) and 56.6% (172/304) of complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers, respectively. Multifactorial analysis identified (1) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the gastric cancer group: preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.54, 95%CI: 1.51-4.28, P<0.001), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.42, 95%CI:1.06-1.89, P=0.020), high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores (ASA score 2 points:OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.23-2.07, P<0.001, ASA score ≥3 points:OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.25-0.73, P=0.002), operative time >180 minutes (OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.42-2.31, P<0.001), intraoperative bleeding >50 mL (OR=1.29,95%CI: 1.01-1.63, P=0.038), and distal gastrectomy compared with total gastrectomy (OR=0.65,95%CI: 0.51-0.83, P<0.001); and (2) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the colorectal cancer group: female (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.44-0.80, P<0.001), preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.73, 95%CI: 1.25-5.99, P=0.030), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.23-2.72, P=0.008), laparoscopic surgery (OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.30-0.72, P=0.022), and abdominoperineal resection compared with low anterior resection (OR=2.74, 95%CI: 1.71-4.41, P<0.001). Conclusion: Postoperative complications associated with various types of infection were the most frequent complications in patients with gastric or colorectal cancer. Although the risk factors for postoperative complications differed between patients with gastric cancer and those with colorectal cancer, the presence of preoperative comorbidities, administration of neoadjuvant therapy, and extent of surgical resection, were the commonest factors associated with postoperative complications in patients of both categories.

[Improvement of China's legal system for public health emergency management from the perspective of lifecycle management].

A crucial lesson gained through the pandemic preparedness and response to COVID-19 is that all measures for epidemic control must be law-based. The legal system is related not only to public health emergency management per se but also to all aspects of the institutional supporting system throughout the lifecycle. Based on the lifecycle emergency management model, this article analyses the problems of the current legal system and the potential solutions. It is suggested that the lifecycle emergency management model shall be followed to establish a more comprehensive public health legal system and to gather the intelligence and consensus of experts with different expertise, including epidemiologists, sociologists, economists, jurist and others, which will collaboratively promote the science-based legislation in the field of epidemic preparedness and response for the establishment of a comprehensive legal system for public health emergency management and with Chinese characteristics.

Hybrid lasing in an ultra-long ring fiber laser.

In this paper, we reported the realization of an ultra-long ring fiber laser (RFL) with hybrid emission related to both random lasing and cavity resonance. Compared with a linear random fiber laser (LRFL), the Rayleigh scattering (RS) inducting distributed feedback effect and the cavity inducting resonance effect exist simultaneously in the laser, which reduces the lasing threshold considerably and provides a hybrid way to form random lasing (RL). The laser output can be purely modeless RL when pump power is high enough. It is also discovered that the laser is insensitive to temperature variation and mechanical disturbance, this is unique and quite different from conventional RFLs which are environmentally unstable due to existence of the cavity modes.

[Standardized implementation of minimally invasive surgery for Siewert â ¡ esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma].

The incidence of Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) is increasing year by year. Due to its special anatomical location and biological behavior, the treatment of AEG is still controversial in terms of lymph node dissection, the esophageal resection margin, range of gastrectomy, and the choice of reconstruction modality for postoperative gastrointestinal tract. The advent of the minimally invasive era has brought the treatment of Siewert type II AEG to a stage of gradual improvement and standardization. Experts of China are also actively exploring the value of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of AEG through multicenter trials (CLASS-10, etc.). It is believed that based on the active development of many clinical studies, basic experimental studies and large prospective clinical studies, the strengthening of communication and cooperation among various disciplines and the innovative application of new technologies can bring greater survival benefits to patients.

Association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: a meta-analysis.

The aim of our study is to assess the association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases using a meta-analysis. We surveyed the studies on the association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes DD vs WW, WD vs WW, DD vs WW + WD, WD + DD vs WW, and D allele vs W allele in a fixed/random effect model. Seventeen studies (7312 cases and 6193 controls) were identified. When all groups were pooled, we found no association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In ethnic subgroup analyses, we found no association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in the Caucasian population. However, an association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases was found in the Asian population [D vs W: odds ratio (OR) = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.77-0.99, P = 0.03; WD + DD vs WW: OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.65-0.95, P = 0.01; DD vs WW + WD: OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.73-1.16, P = 0.11; DD vs WW: OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.62-1.03, P = 0.09; WD vs WW: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.65-0.95, P = 0.01]. In disease subgroup analyses, we found no association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis and Graves' disease. This meta-analysis suggests a possible association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in the Asian population, but not in the Caucasian population. This finding demands further investigation.

Synthesis of crystalline beta-FeSi2 under high-temperature and high-pressure.

In this paper, we report the synthesis of crystalline beta-FeSi2 via the reaction of Si and Fe powders under high-temperature and high-pressure. X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering results confirm formation of the beta-FeSi2 phase. Scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected-area electron diffraction patterns show that the beta-FeSi2 phase coexists with Si phase with small nanocrystal sizes. The formation of the beta-FeSi2 phase is a result of Si diffusion into Fe region. The obtained results suggest that the removal of Si phase can be reached through increasing Fe content and prolonging the duration of high-pressure thermal treatment.

Association of SUMO4 M55V polymorphism with susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to generate large-scale evidence on whether SUMO4 M55V polymorphism is associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases using a meta-analysis. We surveyed studies on the association of SUMO4 M55V polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in PubMed. Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes AG versus AA, GG versus AA, GG versus AA + AG, AG + GG versus AA and G allele versus A allele in a fixed/random effect model. We identified 16 studies (11, 407 cases and 10, 679 controls) using PubMed search. When all groups were pooled, we detected the association of SUMO4 M55V polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (G versus A: OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.03-1.19, P = 0.005; AG +GG versus AA: OR=1.17, 95%CI=1.06-1.28, P=0.001; GG versus AA+AG: OR=1.07, 95%CI=0.94-1.21, P=0.29; GG versus AA: OR=1.15, 95%CI=1.00-1.34, P=0.06; AG versus AA: OR=1.15, 95%CI=1.08-1.23, P<0.0001). In subgroup analyses, we detected the association of SUMO4 M55V polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in Asian population (G versus A: OR=1.18, 95%CI=1.08-1.28, P=0.0001; AG+GG versus AA: OR=1.30, 95%CI=1.16-1.45, P<0.00001; GG versus AA+AG: OR=1.04, 95%CI=0.78-1.37, P=0.80; GG versus AA: OR=1.20, 95%CI=0.99-1.45, P=0.07; AG versus AA: OR=1.32, 95%CI=1.18-1.49, P<0.00001). But the association was not found in Caucasian population. Meanwhile, an association of SUMO4 M55V polymorphism with autoimmune diabetes was found (G versus A: OR=1.18, 95%CI=1.08-1.30, P=0.0005; AG+GG versus AA: OR=1.22, 95%CI=1.13-1.32, P<0.00001; GG versus AA+AG: OR=1.15, 95%CI=0.96-1.38, P=0.13; GG versus AA: OR=1.32, 95%CI=1.08-1.60, P=0.006; AG versus AA: OR=1.23, 95%CI=1.13-1.33, P<0.00001). This meta-analysis demonstrates the association of SUMO4 M55V polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, especially in Asian population.

Early influence of valve-related anticoagulation on false lumen thrombosis in aortic dissection patients after stented elephant trunk surgery.

BACKGROUND: Aim of the study was to assess the influence of anticoagulation on the false lumen after a stented elephant trunk procedure with mechanical valve replacement for aortic dissection patients. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2008, 181 out of 232 aortic dissection patients undergoing stented elephant trunk procedure concomitant with arch and/or proximal surgery were enrolled in this study. Fifty-five patients received an aortic valve replacement (AVR) with mechanical prosthesis. Patients were divided into two groups: with and without AVR. The aorta was evaluated by CT, and the diameter ratios between the true lumen and the aorta were calculated and the extent of thrombosis of the false lumen was quantified. RESULTS: Follow-up CT study at one year showed a significant difference between groups, mainly in the diameter ratios of the stent and aorta at the same level (P=0.003, at the stent end). Accordingly, CT data after hospital discharge differed significantly with regard to the extent of false lumen thrombosis at the carina level (P=0.020, at one year). Over one year after surgery, the residual false lumen around the stent-graft achieved complete thrombosis obliteration in 87.3% of patients with AVR and in 98.4% without AVR (P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Valve-related anticoagulation is associated with delay in false lumen thrombosis around the stent-graft.

[Minimally invasive treatment with function preservation for submucosal tumors in the gastric cardia].

The detection rate of submucosal tumors in the gastric cardia increases year by year. Most of these tumors are benign or borderline tumors, among which leiomyoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor are more common. The functional preservation of the gastric cardiac region is closely related to the anatomical structure of the esophagogastric junction. The esophageal reflux is mainly evaluated directly or indirectly by upper gastrointestinal radiography, gastroscopy, CT examination and manometric measurements of the lower esophagus. For tumors at this specific region, the risk of lymph node metastasis is very low, and according to the tumor free principle, usually only complete removal of the tumor is required. We aim to introduce the minimally invasive and function preserving procedures, including endoscopic therapy alone, laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery, and totally laparoscopic surgery. The selection of this tailored treatment should be based on the tumor location, size, shape and growth pattern (intraluminal or extraluminal), and the experience of the surgical team, so as to improve postoperative quality of life of the patients.

MicroRNA-198 inhibits metastasis of thyroid cancer by targeting H3F3A.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the role of microRNA-198 in thyroid cancer (TCa) progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was carried out to examine microRNA-198 and H3F3A levels in tumor tissue specimens and paracancerous ones collected from 50 patients with TCa, and the interplay between microRNA-198 or H3F3A and some clinical indicators or prognosis of TCa patients was analyzed as well. MicroRNA-198 and H3F3A overexpression models were constructed using lentivirus in TCa cell lines TPC-1 and BHP2-7, and the impacts of microRNA-198 on TCa cell functions were evaluated by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), plate clone formation, and transwell assays. Finally, recovery investigations were conducted to explore the underlying mechanisms as well as the interaction between microRNA-198 and H3F3A. RESULTS: QRT-PCR indicated that in tumor tissues of TCa patients, microRNA-198 showed a remarkably lower expression than in adjacent normal tissue samples. Compared with patients with high expression of microRNA-198, those with microRNA-198 low expression had more advanced tumor stage, larger tumor size, higher lymph node metastasis rate, and lower overall survival rate. Meanwhile, the results of research on H3F3A were just opposite to the above observations on microRNA-198. In in vitro cell experiments, overexpression of microRNA-198 significantly weakened the proliferation and migration ability of thyroid tumor cells. Besides, Luciferase reporter gene experiment revealed that H3F3A was a specific target gene for microRNA-198. Moreover, qRT-PCR indicated that H3F3A and microRNA-198 were negatively correlated in thyroid carcinoma tissues. In addition, compared with NC group, overexpression of H3F3A markedly enhanced the migration and proliferative capacity of TCa cells. Lastly, recovery experiment revealed a mutual regulation between microRNA-198 and H3F3A, the two of which may together participate in the malignant progression of TCa. CONCLUSIONS: MicroRNA-198 is remarkably reduced in TCa and inhibits malignant progression of TCa by regulating H3F3A. Meanwhile, microRNA-198 is remarkably associated with pathological stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis of TCa.