Clinical effectiveness of endoscopic versus surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis: a meta-analysis / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To compare the efficacy of endoscopy and surgery in chronic pancreatitis.Methods:CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science were searched to compared endoscopy and surgery for the clinical efficacy of chronic pancreatitis. Literatures were searched from the establishment of the database to August 14, 2022. Compared pain relief, clinical response to initial treatment, complications, endocrine/exocrine insufficiency, length of hospital stay and mean number of procedures between the two groups. Manager 5.4.1 software was used for data analysis. Odds ratio ( OR) or weighted mean difference ( WMD) was calculated with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results:A total of seven studies were included, including three randomized controlled trials and four retrospective studies with 708 patients. There were 513 males and 195 females. Endoscopic interventions were performed in 364 patients and 344 patients underwent surgery. The results of meta-analysis showed that the total pain relief rate ( OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.24-0.59) and the complete pain relief rate ( OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.29-0.77), short-term (1-1.5 years) pain relief rate ( OR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.24-0.74), clinical relief rate ( OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.10-0.55) were better than the endoscopic group, and could significantly reduce the number of reoperation ( WMD=1.64, 95% CI: 0.89-2.40), and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in complications, new-onset endocrine insufficiency, new-onset exocrine insufficiency and length of hospital stay between the endoscopy group and the surgical group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Surgical intervention is superior to endoscopic treatment in controlling pain associated with chronic pancreatitis and in clinical relief after the first treatment, and can effectively reduce the number of reoperations.

Application of WeChat Platform in Midterm Clinical Follow-Up of Children Who Underwent Transthoracic Device Closure of VSD

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and superiority of using the WeChat platform for midterm clinical follow-up of children who underwent transthoracic device closure for ventricular septal defects (VSDs). Methods: Ninety children with VSDs who underwent transthoracic device closure were divided into a WeChat follow-up group (WFU group) and an outpatient follow-up group (OFU group). The patients were followed up via WeChat or at an outpatient clinic three months and one year after discharge. The incidences of adverse events, associated complications, costs and time spent, loss to follow-up rate, medication adherence, and overall satisfaction were recorded. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events or postoperative complications between the two groups. Also, the loss to follow-up rate was similar between them. Compared with the OFU group, there were significant statistical advantages in the WFU group regarding the total time and cost spent, medication adherence, and satisfaction. Conclusion: The use of the WeChat platform in midterm clinical follow-up of children who underwent transthoracic device closure for VSDs has the advantages of reducing financial and time burdens, facilitating high medication adherence, and leading to high satisfaction.

Application of Mivacurium in Fast-Track Anesthesia for Transthoracic Device Closure of Ventricular Septal Defects in Children

Abstract Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of mivacurium in the application of fast-track anesthesia for transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in children. Methods: The data of 108 children who underwent transthoracic device closure of VSDs from December 2018 to June 2020 were recorded and analyzed. All children were divided into group M (mivacurium group, n=55) and group C (cisatracurium group, n=53) according to the different muscle relaxant drug used. Results: No statistically significant differences in general preoperative data, intraoperative hemodynamic changes, or the incidence of adverse reactions were noted between the two groups (P>0.05). However, the intubation condition rating of children in group M was better than that in group C. The onset time, duration of clinical action and recovery index of the muscle relaxant, postoperative mechanical ventilation duration, and length of intensive care unit stay in group M were significantly lower than those in group C (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is safe and feasible to use mivacurium as a muscle relaxant in children undergoing fast-track cardiac anesthesia during transthoracic device closure of VSDs.

ANOS1 variants in a large cohort of Chinese patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective: Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a rare congenital gonadal dysplasia caused by defects in the synthesis, secretion or signal transduction of hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone. The main manifestations of CHH are delayed or lack puberty, low levels of sex hormones and gonadotropins, and may be accompanied with other clinical phenotypes. Some patients with CHH are also accompanied with anosmia or hyposmia, which is called Kalman syndrome (KS). ANOS1, located on X chromosome, is the first gene associated with CHH in an X-linked recessive manner. This study aims to provide a basis for the genetic diagnosis of CHH by analyzing the gene variant spectrum of ANOS1 in CHH and the relationship between clinical phenotype and genotype. Methods: In this study, whole exome sequencing (WES) was used to screen rare sequencing variants (RSVs) of ANOS1 in a Chinese cohort of 165 male CHH patients. Four commonly used in silico tools were used to predict the function of the identified RSVs in coding region, including Polyphen2, Mutation Taster, SIFT, and Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion (CADD). Splice Site Prediction by Neural Network (NNSPLICE) was employed to predict possibilities of intronic RSVs to disrupt splicing. American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines was used to assess the pathogenicity of the detected RSVs. The ANOS1 genetic variant spectrum of CHH patients in Chinese population was established. The relationship between clinical phenotype and genotype was analyzed by collecting detailed clinical data. Results:Through WES analysis for 165 CHH patients, ANOS1 RSVs were detected in 17 of them, with the frequency of 10.3％. A total of 13 RSVs were detected in the 17 probands, including 5 nonsense variants (p. T76X, p. R191X, p. W257X, p. R262X, and p. W589X), 2 splicing site variants (c. 318+3A>C, c. 1063-1G>C), and 6 missense variants (p. N402S, p. N155D, p. P504L, p. C157R, p. Q635P, and p. V560I). In these 17 CHH probands with ANOS1 RSVs, many were accompanied with other clinical phenotypes. The most common associated phenotype was cryptorchidism (10/17), followed by unilateral renal agenesis (3/17), dental agenesis (3/17), and synkinesia (3/17). Eight RSVs, including p. T76X, p. R191X, p. W257X, p. R262X, p. W589X, c. 318+3A>C, c. 1063-1G>C, and p. C157R, were predicted to be pathogenic or likely pathogenic ANOS1 RSVs by ACMG. Eight CHH patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic ANOS1 variants had additional features. In contrast, only one out of nine CHH patients with non-pathogenic (likely benign or uncertain of significance) ANOS1 variants according to ACMG exhibited additional features. And function of the non-pathogenic ANOS1 variants accompanied with other CHH-associated RSVs. Conclusion: The ANOS1 genetic spectrum of CHH patients in Chinese population is established. Some of the correlations between clinical phenotype and genotype are also established. Our study indicates that CHH patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic ANOS1 RSVs tend to exhibit additional phenotypes. Although non-pathogenic ANOS1 variants only may not be sufficient to cause CHH, they may function together with other CHH-associated RSVs to cause the disease.

Application of Remote Follow-Up Via the WeChat Platform for Patients who Underwent Congenital Cardiac Surgery During the COVID-19 Epidemic

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effect of WeChat-based telehealth services on the postoperative follow-up of children who underwent congenital heart surgery during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and family data of 108 children who underwent congenital heart surgery and underwent remote follow-up via the WeChat platform from December 2019 to March 2020 in our hospital. Results: During the follow-up period, the WeChat platform was used to refer 8 children with respiratory infection symptoms to local hospitals for treatment. Two children with poor incision healing were healed after we used the WeChat platform to guide the parents in dressing the wounds on a regular basis at home. Nutritional guidance was given via the WeChat platform to 13 patients with poor growth and development. The psychological evaluation results of the parents showed that the median (range) SDS score was 43 (34-59), and 7 parents (6.5%) were classified as depressed; the median (range) SAS score was 41 (32-58), and 12 parents (11.1%) were classified as having mild anxiety. Conclusion: The use of WeChat-based telehealth services was effective for the remote postoperative follow-up of children who underwent congenital cardiac surgery during the COVID-19 epidemic. Providing WeChat-based telehealth services can reduce the amount of travel required for these children and their families, which is helpful for controlling and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

A sufentanil-based rapid cardiac anesthesia regimen in children undergoing percutaneous minimally-invasive intraoperative device closure of ventricular septal defect

Abstract Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of fast-track cardiac anesthesia using the short-acting opioid sufentanil in children undergoing intraoperative device closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD). Methods: This retrospective clinical study included 65 children who underwent intraoperative device closure of VSD between January 2017 and June 2017. Patients were diagnosed with isolated perimembranous VSD by transthoracic echocardiography. Then, they were divided into two groups, group F (n=30), whose patients were given sufentanil-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia, and group C (n=35), whose patients were given conventional cardiac anesthesia. Perioperative clinical data were analyzed. Results: No significant differences were found between the preoperative clinical parameters and intraoperative hemodynamic indices between the two groups. In group C, compared with group F, the postoperative duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of stay in the intensive care unit, the length of hospital stay, and the hospital costs were significantly increased. Conclusion: In this retrospective study at a single center, sufentanil-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia was shown to be a safe and effective technique for minimally-invasive intraoperative device closure of VSD in children, which was performed with reduced in-hospital costs.

The use of laser speckle contrast imaging in clinical applications

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a useful device which is recruited for visualizing full-field microcirculatory images. The speckle pattern is produced as a consistent light illuminates a rough object, and the backscattered radiation is transformed into images and be shown on a screen. Movement within the object results in the fluctuation of patterns over time. Similar information can be attained by employing the Doppler effect, which needs to be scanned again. However, LSCI renders similar data without any further scanning procedure. Nowadays, LSCI has gained expanded consideration, in part because of its accelerated adoption for blood flow studies in the different surgical departments. Here we represent and review the application of LSCI methods of visualizing the field of microcirculation as medical applications from different clinical aspects and discuss the drawbacks that hinder its approval clinically

Retracted: A review of the clinical applications and performance of laser speckle contrast imaging

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a useful tool for visualizing full-field blood flow images. Speckle pattern is formed when a coherent light illuminates a rough object, and the backscattered radiation is transformed into images and be shown on a screen. Movement within the object results in the fluctuation of patterns over time. The same data can be obtained by employing the Doppler effect, yet producing a two-dimensional Doppler map needs scanning;speckle imaging renders the same information without the requirement to scan. Nowadays, LSCI has gained expanded consideration, in part because of its accelerated adoption for blood flow studies in the different surgical departments. Here we represent and review the application of laser speckle contrast methods to the field of perfusion visualization as clinical studies from various medical fields and discuss the limitations hindering clinical acceptance

Evaluation of a replanted finger and measuring its perfusion changes to predict its viability by laser speckle contrast imaging

Background:This research aims to monitor the microcirculation of the replanted finger, which was entirely severed by using laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI)for early detection and revision of vascular compromise for successful finger replantation. Methods:These six months of research was taken for a survey of 40 cases of replanted fingers of patients of distinct ages and sex. Scrutinizing was done postoperatively by LSCI, every hourly for seven days, to assess changes in blood perfusion both in replanted fingers and healthy ones and analyzed graphically.Results:Initially, from postoperative d=0 to d=2, the perfusion value was at baseline, which ranged 40±15 perfusion unit (PU), showing a wave-like curve, then gradually increased up to 350±50 PU or above in case of those which survived successfully, showing continuous peak slope. However, a gradual drop in perfusion, <35 PU from d=2 or d=3, was seen in those despite undergoing heparinized finger pin-prick bleeding therapy and failed to thrive, showing a downslope curve. Whereas some were under meticulous observation, which flourished lately. Concurrently, a comparison was made with the healthy fingers’ of the same patient, ranging from 200±50 to as high as 400±50 or above. Clinical correlation, as well as perfusion readings of LCSI, were done simultaneously.Conclusions:LSCI provides sensitive and reproducible finger microcirculation measurements and is reliable in predicting reductions in blood perfusion induced by venous or arterial occlusion. It is, therefore, an informative device to detect microvascular compromise during and after replantation surgery

The traditional Chinese medicine formulation Ruanjian Sanjie Decoction regulates the tumor matrix and improves the anti-tumor efficacy of TP-PEG-LPs

The Ruanjian Sanjie Decoction (RSD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation consisting of Spica Prunellae, Pseudobulbus Cremastrae Seu Pleiones, Concha Ostreae and Semen Coicis, and widely used as an adjuvant in anti-cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of RSD on the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tumors, and on the efficacy of anti-cancer nano-formulations in a tumor-bearing mouse model. The mice were treated with triptolide encapsulated in PEG-modified liposomes (TP-PEG-LPs), either alone or in combination with RSD. The combination treatment significantly retarded tumor growth relative to the untreated controls, indicating the potent adjuvant effect of RSD in targeted anti-cancer therapy. In addition, RSD also reduced the amount of total collagen and collagen I and increased that of collagen III in the tumor ECM, along with decreasing the expression of the pro-angiogenic VEGF. Finally, even high doses of RSD did not significantly affect the liver and kidney function or body weight, indicating low toxicity.

Growth responses of in vitro Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum to external supply of tannic acid.

Allelochemicals released from root exudates or decaying residues of plants play diversified roles in ecological interactions of plant-pathogen. The objective of this work was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of an externally supplied tannic acid on soil-borne in vitro Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.niveum. Results showed that the tannic acid decreased the growth of the fungus up to 9.5% at 800 mg l-1. Conidial germination was reduced by 52.3% in comparison with the control. However, sporulation and mycotoxin production by the fungus were stimulated. The activity of pectinase and proteinase were initially increased and finally decreased with increase in concentrations of tannic acid. Tannic acid served as an ecological allelochemical, repressing the growth of the pathogen.