肝硬化脾切除术后门静脉系统血栓形成的危险因素分析*

目的 分析影响肝硬化患者脾切除术后门静脉系统血栓形成（PVT）的危险因素。方法 2015年1月~2018年6月我院收治的肝硬化患者94例,接受脾切除联合食管下段周围曲张血管离断术,使用彩色多普勒超声检查门静脉系统。采用多因素Logistic回归分析影响术后PVT形成的危险因素。结果 术后1个月随访,经彩色多普勒超声检查,发现PVT形成30例,未发生PVT患者64例;PVT组有腹水者为56.7%,显著高于无PVT组的32.8%（P<0.05）,脾脏厚度为（75.8±9.4） mm,显著大于无PVT组【（69.1±8.8） mm,P<0.05】,脾脏体积为（141.7±18.1） mm2,显著大于无PVT组【（126.8±17.2） mm2,P<0.05】,门静脉内径为（16.2±2.1） mm,显著大于无PVT组【（14.1±1.9） mm,P<0.05】,门静脉血流流速为（12.2±1.5） cm/s,显著慢于无PVT组【（14.6±1.6） cm/s,P<0.05】;应用低分子右旋糖苷或低分子肝素抗凝干预患者所占比例显著低于无PVT组（P<0.05）;Logistic回归分析显示,未应用抗凝治疗（OR=0.503,P=0.023）、门静脉流速减慢（OR=0.491,P=0.014）、脾脏体积增加（OR=1.872,P=0.044）和门静脉内径增宽（OR=1.982,P=0.021）是肝硬化脾切除术患者术后PVT形成的独立危险因素。结论 肝硬化脾切除术患者术后可能存在PVT形成,了解一些危险因素并给予积极的干预可能减少PVT形成的发生,使患者获益。     

Analysis of mortality rates for pancreatic cancer across the world

Introduction. Pancreas cancer is the fourth commonest cause of cancer-related mortality across the world, with incidence equalling mortality. A recent study has suggested that both the incidence and the mortality of pancreatic cancer are falling in the UK. We investigated whether this trend was being seen all over the world. Methods. Age-standardized mortality (world) rates [ASR(W)] for pancreatic cancer were extracted separately for males and females from a database maintained by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for 51 countries across the world (Europe, 33 countries; Americas, 8 countries; and Asia, 10 countries) for the period 1992–2002; log-linear regression analysis was performed to analyse trends in the past decade. Results. In the period 1992–2002, the ASR(W) remained static across most countries for both sexes. The highest mortality rates (for both sexes) were seen in Central Europe [range: men (8–12), women (4.5–7)] with trends towards increasing mortality in Romania (p<0.001), along with Albania, Spain and Croatia (p<0.01). Korea in the Far East, too, demonstrated increasing mortality trends for both sexes (men p<0.001, women p<0.01). Increasing mortality trends were also observed among women in France (p<0.001). In Canada, there was a decline in mortality [men (7.5–6.4), women (5.9–5); p<0.01], while for men there was a downward trend in Ireland, the UK, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland [p<0.05]. Conclusion. The changes perhaps reflect standardization and consolidation of diagnostic tests for pancreatic cancer in the Western world and further in-depth analysis would be required.     

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: long-term follow-up

Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has seen a dramatic rise in the USA over the last 30 years. Unresectable disease is present in 80–90% of patients, for which radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an option. The aim of this study is to report the long-term survival after laparoscopic RFA. Methods. This is a prospective analysis of 104 patients who underwent 122 ablations for unresectable HCC from April 1997 to December 2006 at a tertiary care center. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated using Kaplan–Meier curves, excluding 11 patients who subsequently underwent liver transplantation. Patients were analyzed using Child-Pugh classification, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging and various clinical parameters. Results. Median (range) data: age 63 years (41–81), lesion size 3.5 cm (1–10), number of lesions 1 (1–5), AFP 26.5 ng/ml (3.7–43588.5) and time from diagnosis to RFA 2 months (mos) (1–42). The median Kaplan–Meier survival for all patients was 26 mos (OS) while DFS was 14 mos. Univariate analysis demonstrated improved OS for the absence vs. presence of ascites (31 vs. 15 mos, p=0.003), Bilirubin <2 mg/dl vs. ≥2 mg/dl (27 vs. 19 mos, p=0.01), AFP <400 vs. ≥400 (29 vs. 13 mos, p<0.0001) and Child-Pugh Grade (A = 28, B = 15, C = 5 mos, p=0.01). Significant factors for improved DFS: absence vs. presence of ascites (16 vs. 5 mos, p=0.02), Bilirubin <2 vs. ≥2 (14 vs. 5 mos, p=0.0278), AFP <400 vs. ≥400 (15 vs. 4 mos, p=0.0025), Child-Pugh Grade (A = 16, B = 10, C = 3 mos, p=0.03). Patient age, largest tumor size, number of lesions, INR and albumin did not reach clinical significance. Three and five-year actual survival rates are 21% and 8.3%, respectively. Conclusions. Our study suggests that RFA may have a positive impact on survival for unresectable HCC. It also determines which patients fare best after RFA, by determining predictive factors that improve their survival.     

腹腔镜食管胃底曲张静脉断流术联合脾切除或脾保留对肝硬化性门静脉高压症患者近远期预后的影响

目的 比较在行腹腔镜食管胃底曲张静脉断流术时联合脾切除或采取脾保留对肝硬化性门静脉高压症患者近远期预后的影响。方法 3 0例肝硬化性门静脉高压症患者接受腹腔镜下断流术联合脾切除术,另30例采取断流术和脾保留术。结果 术后2 w,脾切除组门静脉内径和血流量分别为（1.1±0.2） cm和（820.1±101.1） ml/min,明显低于脾保留组【分别为（1.3±0.2） cm和（941.0±188.1） ml/min,P<0.05】,平均血流速度为（19.2±3.1）cm/s,明显快于脾保留组的（16.2±2.5） cm/s（P<0.05）;术后3 m,脾切除组血清层粘连蛋白水平为（100.9±29.1） ng/L,显著低于脾保留组的（126.7±30.1） ng/L（P<0.05）;随访发现脾切除组门静脉血栓、消化道出血和腹水发生率分别为3.3%、0.0%和10.0%,显著低于脾保留组的16.7%、26.7%和33.3%（P<0.05）,脾保留组死亡2例（6.7%）。结论 对于肝硬化性门静脉高压症患者在行腹腔镜下曲张静脉断流术时要谨慎采取脾保留手术,可能带来不利的临床后果。     

Perioperative transfusion for pancreaticoduodenectomy and its impact on prognosis in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background and aims: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a major operative intervention performed most commonly for malignancy in the head of pancreas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utilization of blood transfusion for PD and to determine whether this had prognostic significance in a subset of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Material and methods: Data on blood transfusion requirement were retrospectively collected for patients undergoing PD from 1998 to 2005. Standard prognostic factors and survival data were also collected in patients with PDAC. Results: One-hundred-and-seventy patients underwent PD. Seventy-six patients (45%) received transfusion. The median (interquartile range) number of units of red cell concentrate (RCC) transfused perioperatively (intraoperatively and within 24 h of surgery) was 1.5 (0.5–2.5). The median preoperative haemoglobin (Hb) was 126 g/dl. The median number of units of RCC transfused perioperatively in patients with Hb <126 g/dl was 2 (1–3); for those with Hb ≥ 126 g/dl the median was 0 (0–1); p=0.003. Forty-nine patients who were resected for PDAC were subjected to survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that only posterior resection margin invasion was associated with an adverse outcome (margin positive 198 [143–470] days vs margin negative 398 [303–859] days; p=0.02). Perioperative RCC transfusion requirement was not a significant predictor of survival (transfusion 408 [214–769] days vs no transfusion 331 [217–391] days; p=0.18). Furthermore, RCC transfusion within 30 days of operation was not a significant predictor of poor survival (transfusion 331 [201–459] days vs no transfusion 317 [196–769] days; p=0.43). Conclusions: PD can be performed with a moderately low requirement for RCC transfusion; however, low preoperative haemoglobin is a predictor for the requirement of RCC transfusion. Administration of RCC transfusion does not appear to be a significant adverse prognostic factor in patients with resected PDAC.     

Clopidogrel resistance response in patients with coronary artery disease and metabolic syndrome: the role of hyperglycemia and obesity

Background Despite the proven benefits of clopidogrel combined aspirin therapy for coronary artery disease (CAD), CAD patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) still tend to have coronary thrombotic events. We aimed to investigate the influence of metabolic risk factors on the efficacy of clopidogrel treatment in patients with CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods Cohorts of 168 MS and 168 non-MS subjects with CAD identified by coronary angiography (CAG) were enrolled in our study. MS was defined by modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. All subjects had taken 100 mg aspirin and 75 mg clopidogrel daily for more than 1 month, and administered loading doses of 600 mg clopidogrel and 300 mg aspirin before PCI. Blood samples were taken 24 h after the loading doses of clopidogrel and aspirin. Platelet aggregation was measured using light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) and thrombelastography (TEG). Clopidogrel resistance was defined as more than 50% adenosine diphosphate (ADP) induced platelet aggregation as measured by TEG. Results Platelet aggregation inhibition rate by ADP was significantly lower in patients with MS as measured both by TEG (55% ± 31% vs. 68% ± 32%; P < 0.001) and LTA (29% ± 23% vs. 42% ± 29%; P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, elderly [OR (95% CI): 1.483 (1.047–6.248); P = 0.002], obesity [OR (95% CI): 3.608 (1.241–10.488); P = 0.018], high fasting plasma glucose level [OR (95% CI): 2.717 (1.176–6.277); P = 0.019] and hyperuricemia [OR (95% CI): 2.583 (1.095–6.094); P = 0.030] were all statistically risk factors for clopidogrel resistance. CAD patients with diabetes and obesity were more likely to have clopidogrel resistance than the CAD patients without diabetes and obesity [75% (61/81) vs. 43% (67/156); P < 0.001]. Conclusions CAD patients with MS appeared to have poorer antiplatelet response to clopidogrel compared to those without MS. Obesity, diabetes and hyperuricemia were all significantly associated with clopidogrel resistance.     

Association between subjective well-being and exceptional longevity in a longevity town in China: a population-based study

To examine the associations of cognitive and emotional facets (measured by life satisfaction [LS], positive affect [PA], negative affect [NA], and affect balance [AB]) of subjective well-being (SWB) with exceptional longevity (EL), we conducted a population-based study with 463 EL individuals (95+, EL group) recruited from a longevity town of Rugao, China (N = 755, with a response rate of 71.6 %), and 926 elderly individuals (60–69, elderly/control group). The population-based controls were sampled from the resident registry according to the gender ratio of the EL group. We found that the EL group had significantly higher levels of LS (30.74 vs. 28.93), PA (3.91 vs. 3.67), and AB (7.89 vs. 7.40) and a lower level of NA (1.02 vs. 1.27) than the elderly group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that higher levels of LS, PA, AB, and NA were significantly associated with EL, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.98 (95 % CI, 1.36–2.89), 2.35 (95 % CI, 1.59–3.48), 2.56 (95 % CI, 1.75–3.75), and 0.50 (95 % CI, 0.33–0.74), respectively. Stratification analysis showed that the associations were significant in the healthy subsample, with the following ORs: LS = 2.31, PA = 2.53, AB = 3.05, and NA = 0.39. In conclusion, SWB, with high cognitive and emotional facets, was associated with EL in the healthy Rugao population. The findings imply that interventions that aim to improve elderly individuals’ SWB may promote their quality of life and, ultimately, EL.     

Clinical significance of coronavirus disease 2019 in hospitalized patients with myocardial injury

BackgroundThe clinical significance of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) as an associate of myocardial injury is controversial.HypothesisType 2 MI/Myocardial Injury are associated with worse outcomes if complicated by COVID‐19.MethodsThis longitudinal cohort study involved consecutive patients admitted to a large urban hospital. Myocardial injury was determined using laboratory records as ≥1 hs‐TnI result >99th percentile (male: >34 ng/L; female: >16 ng/L). Endotypes were defined according to the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (MI) and COVID‐19 determined using PCR. Outcomes of patients with myocardial injury with and without COVID‐19 were assessed.ResultsOf 346 hospitalized patients with elevated hs‐TnI, 35 (10.1%) had laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 (median age [IQR]; 65 [59–74]; 64.8% male vs. COVID‐19 negative: 74 [63–83] years; 43.7% male). Cardiac endotypes by COVID‐19 status (yes vs. no) were: Type 1 MI (0 [0%] vs. 115 [100%]; p < .0005), Type 2 MI (13 [16.5%] vs. 66 [83.5%]; p = .045), and non‐ischemic myocardial injury (cardiac: 4 [5.8%] vs. 65 [94.2%]; p = .191, non‐cardiac:19 [22.9%] vs. 64 [77.%]; p < .0005). COVID‐19 patients had less comorbidity (median [IQR] Charlson Comorbidity Index: 3.0 [3.0] vs. 5.0 [4.0]; p = .001), similar hs‐TnI concentrations (median [IQR] initial: 46 [113] vs. 62 [138]; p = .199, peak: 122 [474] vs. 79 [220] ng/L; p = .564), longer admission (days) (median [IQR]: 14[19] vs. 6[12]; p = .001) and higher in‐hospital mortality (63.9% vs. 11.3%; OR = 13.2; 95%CI: 5.90, 29.7).ConclusionsCardiac sequelae of COVID‐19 typically manifest as Non‐cardiac myocardial injury/Type 2MI in younger patients with less co‐morbidity. Paradoxically, the admission duration and in‐hospital mortality are increased.     

Effects of a structured self-monitoring of blood glucose method on patient self-management behavior and metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) on patient self-management behavior and metabolic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

From January to June 2009, 30 patients with basic diabetes education were followed for a period of 90 days. To provide assessment of glycemic control and frequency of dysglycemia, patients, underwent 3 consecutive days of seven-point SMBG during each month for 3 consecutive months, using the ACCU-CHEK 360° View tool. Glucose profiles of the first and third month were used for comparison.

Results

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) improved significantly during the 90-day period in all patients [confidence interval (CI) 95%, 0.32–1.64%, p < .05] and those with poor metabolic control (group B; CI 95%, 0.86–2.64%, p < .05). Mean blood glucose (MBG) values decreased significantly in group B (CI 95%, 0.56–24.78 mg/dl, p < .05) and all cases (CI 95%, 1.61–19.73 mg/dl, p < .05). Meanwhile, there was an average decrease of 15.7 mg/dl in fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels in the whole subjects. Mean postprandial blood glucose levels (MPP) decreased by 19.3 and 11.3 mg/dl in group B and in all cases, respectively. However, there were no significant changes in HbA1c, MBG, FBS, and MPP in people with good metabolic control.

Conclusion

A structured SMBG program improves HbA1c, FBS, MPP, and MBG in people with poorly controlled diabetes. This improvement shows the importance of patient self-management behavior on metabolic outcomes in T2DM.     

Apolipoprotein E-related all-cause mortality in hospitalized elderly patients

The most common apolipoprotein E (APOE) allelic variation is implicated in many age-related diseases and human longevity with controversial findings. We investigated the effect of APOE gene polymorphism on all-cause mortality in elderly patients taking into consideration the functional disability, cognitive impairment, malnutrition, and the occurrence of common age-related diseases. APOE genotypes were determined in 2,124 geriatric hospitalized patients (46.5% men and 53.5% women; mean age, 78.2 ± 7.1 years; range, 65–100 years). At hospital admission, all patients underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment to evaluate functional disability, cognitive status, nutritional status, and comorbidity. The main and secondary diagnoses at hospital discharge were also recorded. Mortality status was evaluated in all patients after a maximum follow-up of 5 years (range, from 1.26 to 5.23 years; median, 2.86 years). During the study period, 671 patients died (32.0%). At hospital admission, these patients showed a significant higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (56.3% vs 53.4%; p = 0.007), neoplasias (32.3% vs 13.7%; p < 0.001), and lower prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases (17.7% vs 20.7%; p < 0.001) than survived patients. Moreover, they also showed an higher prevalence of disability (52.0% vs 25.6%; p < 0.001), cognitive impairment (31.0% vs 18.8%; p < 0.001), and malnutrition (74.0% vs 46.1%; p < 0.001) than survived patients. In the overall study population, the APOE ε2 allele was significantly associated to neurodegenerative diseases (odds ratio = 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37–0.94). No significant association between the APOE polymorphism and disability, malnutrition, co-morbidity status, and with all-cause mortality was observed. In patients with cardiovascular diseases, however, a decreased risk of all-cause mortality was found in the ε2 allele carriers (hazard ratio = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36–0.88). In this population, APOE allele variants might play a role on cardiovascular disease-related mortality.     

99mTc-MIBI Lung Scintigraphy in the Assessment of Pulmonary Involvement in Interstitial Lung Disease and Its Comparison With Pulmonary Function Tests and High-Resolution Computed Tomography: A Preliminary Study

The differentiation of active inflammatory processes from an inactive form of the disease is of great value in the management of interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aim of this investigation was to assess the efficacy of 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) scans in distinguishing the severity of the disease compared to radiological and clinical parameters.In total, 19 known cases of ILD were included in this study and were followed up for 1 year. Five patients without lung disease were considered as the control group. The patients underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography scans, followed by 99mTc-MIBI scanning. The 99mTc-MIBI scans were analyzed either qualitatively (subjectively) or semiquantitatively.All 19 ILD patients demonstrated a strong increase in 99mTc-MIBI uptake in the lungs compared to the control group. The 99mTc-MIBI scan scores were higher in the patient group in both the early phase (0.24[0.19–0.31] vs 0.11[0.10–0.15], P < 0.05) and the delayed phase (0.15[0.09–0.27] vs 0.04[0.01–0.09], P < 0.05) compared with the control group. A positive correlation was detected between the 99mTc-MIBI scan and the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scores (Spearman''s correlation coefficient = 0.65, P < 0.02) in the early phase but not in the delayed phase in patients (P > 0.14). The 99mTc-MIBI scan scores were not significantly correlated with the PFT findings (P > 0.05). In total, 5 patients died and 14 patients were still alive over the 1-year follow-up period. There was also a significant difference between the uptake intensity of 99mTc-MIBI and the outcome in the early phase (dead: 0.32[0.29–0.43] vs alive: 0.21[0.18–0.24], P < 0.05) and delayed phase (dead: 0.27[0.22–0.28] vs alive: 0.10[0.07–0.19], P < 0.05).The washout rate was ∼40 min starting from 20 min up to 60 min and this rate was significantly different in our 2 study groups (ILD: 46.61[15.61–50.39] vs NL: 70.91[27.09–116.36], P = 0.04).The present study demonstrated that 99mTc-MIBI lung scans might distinguish the severity of pulmonary involvement in early views, which were well correlated with HRCT findings. These results also revealed that 99mTc-MIBI lung scans might be used as a complement to other diagnostic and clinical examinations in terms of functional information in ILD; however, further investigations are strongly required.     

Consecutive laparoscopic gallbladder and spleen resections in cirrhotic patients

AIM:To evaluate the feasibility,safety,and effectiveness of consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)plus splenectomy(LS)in liver cirrhosis patients.METHODS:From 2003 to 2013,17(group 1)patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by hypersplenism and symptomatic gallstones were treated with combined LC and LS,while 58(group 2)patients with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism received LS alone.An additional 14(group 3)patients who received traditional open procedures during the same period were included as controls.Data were retrospectively collected and reviewed in regard to demographic characteristics and preoperative,intraoperative and postoperative features.Differences between the three groups were assessed by statistical analysis.RESULTS:The three groups showed no significant differences in the demographic characteristics or preoperative status.However,the patients treated with LC and LS required significantly longer operative time,shorter postoperative stay as well as shorter time of return to the first oral intake,and suffered less intraoperative blood loss as well as fewer postoperative surgical infections than the patients treated with traditional open procedures(group 1 vs group 3,P<0.05 for all).The patients treated with LC and LS showed no significant differences in the intraoperative and postoperative variables from those treated with LS alone(group 1 vs group 2).All patients showed significant improvements in the haematological responses(preoperative period vs postoperative period,P<0.05 for all).None of the patients treated with LC and LS presented with any gallstone-associated symptoms following discharge,while the patients treated with the traditional open procedures expressed complaints of discomfort related to their surgical incisions.CONCLUSION:Consecutive LC and LS is an appropriate treatment option for liver cirrhosis patients with gallstones and hypersplenism,especially for those with Child-Pugh A and B.     

Examination of Post-discharge Follow-up Appointment Status and 30-Day Readmission

BackgroundPost-hospital discharge follow-up appointments are intended to evaluate patients’ recovery following a hospitalization, but it is unclear how appointment statuses are associated with readmissions.ObjectiveTo examine the association between post-discharge ambulatory follow-up status, (1) having a scheduled appointment and (2) arriving to said appointment, and 30-day readmission.Design and SettingA retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized at 12 hospitals in an Integrated Delivery Network and their ambulatory appointments in that same network.Patients and Main MeasuresWe included 50,772 patients who had an ambulatory appointment within 18 months of an inpatient admission in 2018. Primary outcome was readmission within 30 days post-discharge.Key ResultsThere were 32,108 (63.2%) patients with scheduled follow-up appointments and 18,664 (36.8%) patients with no follow-up; 28,313 (88.2%) patients arrived, 3149 (9.8%) missed, and 646 (2.0%) were readmitted prior to their scheduled appointments. Overall 30-day readmission rate was 7.3%; 6.0% [5.75–6.31] for those who arrived, 8.8% [8.44–9.25] for those without follow-up, and 10.3% [9.28–11.40] for those who missed a scheduled appointment (p < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, patients who arrived at their appointment in the first week following discharge were significantly less likely to be readmitted than those not having any follow-up scheduled (medical adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.57 [0.47–0.69], p < 0.001; surgical aHR 0.58 [0.44–0.75], p < 0.001) There was an increased risk at weeks 3 and 4 for medical patients who arrived at a follow-up compared to those with no follow-up scheduled (week 3 aHR 1.29 [1.10–1.51], p = 0.001; week 4 aHR 1.46 [1.26–1.70], p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe benefit of patients arriving to their post-discharge appointments compared with patients who missed their follow-up visits or had no follow-up scheduled, is only significant during first week post-discharge, suggesting that coordination within 1 week of discharge is critical in reducing 30-day readmissions.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11606-020-06569-5.     

Atherogenic index of plasma and the risk of advanced subclinical coronary artery disease beyond traditional risk factors: An observational cohort study

BackgroundAtherogenic lipoprotein profile of plasma is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been suggested as a novel marker for atherosclerosis.HypothesisAIP is a useful marker of advanced subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in subjects without overt renal dysfunction.MethodsA total of 6928 subjects with estimated glomerular filtration rate > 60 mL/minutes/1.73 m² evaluated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for health check‐up were included. The relation of AIP to advanced CAD (heavy coronary calcification, defined as coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >100 or obstructive coronary plaque [OCP], defined as plaque with >50% stenosis) was evaluated.ResultsAll participants were stratified into four groups based on AIP quartiles. The prevalence of CACS >100 (group I [lowest] 4.7% vs group II 7.0% vs group III 8.8% vs group IV 10.0%) and OCP (group I 3.7% vs group II 6.4% vs group III 8.8% vs group IV 10.9%) (all P < .001) increased with elevating AIP quartiles. Higher AIP (per 0.1 unit increase) was associated with an increased risk of CACS >100 (odds ratio [OR] 1.057, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.010 to 1.106, P = .017; relative risk (RR) 1.048, 95% CI 1.009‐1.089, and P = .015) and OCP (OR 1.079, 95% CI 1.033‐1.127, P = .001; RR 1.069, 95% CI 1.031‐1.108, P < .001) after adjusting for age > 60 years, male sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, obesity, and proteinuria.ConclusionAIP is independently associated with advanced subclinical CAD beyond traditional risk factors.     

Short- and long-term outcomes of 486 consecutive laparoscopic splenectomy in a single institution

Since its introduction in 1991, laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has become the gold standard in elective spleen surgery in many centres. However, there still lack the report of long-term outcomes of LS with the large-scale cases. The aim of the present study was to analyze the short- and long-term outcomes of LS in a single institution over 16 years, and to compare the perioperative outcomes of totally laparoscopic splenectomy (TLS) and hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy (HALS) for splenomegaly.Between November 2002 and December 2018, 486 consecutive patients undergoing elective LS were enrolled in this study, including 222 TLS and 264 HALS. The intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed.The 5 most common indications were hypersplenism (71.0%), immune thrombocytopenia (14.8%), splenic benign tumor (4.5%), splenic cyst (2.9%), and splenic malignant tumor (2.9%). The mean operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of stay were 149.4 ± 63.3 minutes, 230.1 ± 225.1 mL, and 6.7 ± 3.2 days, respectively. The morbidity, mortality, reoperation, and conversion rate were 23.0%, 0, 0.4%, and 1.9%, respectively. Portal vein system thrombosis (PVST) was the most frequent complication with an incidence of 19.8%. The incidence of PVST in HALS was higher than that in TLS (23.9% vs 14.9%, P = .013). Compared with TLS, HALS had a shorter operative time (P = .000), lower intraoperative blood loss (P = .000), comparable conversion rate (P = .271), and morbidity (P = .922) for splenomegaly > 17.0 cm. During the follow-up period, the overall respond rate for immune thrombocytopenia was 77.8%, and the esophagogastric variceal bleeding rate was 6.9% in 320 patients with hypersplenism secondary to hepatic cirrhosis.LS is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure with satisfactory short- and long-term outcomes. HALS is a reasonable technique in patients with massive spleens.     

Original Article--Surgical site infections following pediatric cardiac surgery in a tertiary care hospital: Rate and risk factors

BackgroundSurgical site infections [SSIs] are the second most common type of healthcare-associated infections and leading cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality in pediatric cardiac surgery. This study aims to determine the rate of, risk factors for, and most common pathogen associated with the development of SSIs after pediatric cardiac surgery.MethodsPatients aged ≤14 years who underwent cardiac surgery at our tertiary care hospital between January 2010 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThe SSI rate was 7.8% among the 1510 pediatric patients reviewed. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection [CAUTI] [odds ratio [OR] 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3–13.8; P < 0.001], ventilator-associated pneumonia [VAP] [OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.4–7.2; P = 0.005], longer postoperative stay [≥25 days] [OR 4.1; 95% CI 2.1–8.1; P < 0.001], and a risk adjustment in congenital heart surgery [RACHS-1] score of ≥2 [OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2–5.6; P = 0.034] were identified as risk factors for SSIs. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen [32.2%].ConclusionsSSI risk factors were longer postoperative stay, CAUTI, VAP, and RACHS-1 score of ≥2. Identification and confirmation of risk factors in this study is important in order to reduce the rate of SSIs following cardiac surgery.     

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces the severity of ischaemia, preservation and reperfusion injury in a rat model of liver transplantation

Background

Approaches to increase organ availability for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) often result in the procurement of marginal livers that are more susceptible to ischaemia, preservation and reperfusion injury (IPRI).

Methods

The effects of post-OLT hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on IPRI in a syngeneic rat OLT model were examined at various time-points. The effects of IPRI and HBO on hepatocyte necrosis, apoptosis, proliferation, and sinusoidal morphology and ultrastructure were assessed.

Results

Post-OLT HBO therapy significantly reduced the severity of IPRI; both apoptosis [at 12 h: 6.4 ± 0.4% in controls vs. 1.6 ± 0.7% in the HBO treatment group (p < 0.001); at 48 h: 2.4 ± 0.2% in controls vs. 0.4 ± 0.1% in the HBO treatment group (p < 0.001)] and necrosis [at 12 h: 18.7 ± 1.8% in controls vs. 2.4 ± 0.4% in the HBO treatment group (p < 0.001); at 48 h: 8.5 ± 1.3% in controls vs. 3.4 ± 0.9% in the HBO treatment group (P = 0.019)] were decreased. Serum alanine transaminase was reduced [at 12 h: 1068 ± 920 IU/l in controls vs. 370 ± 63 IU/l in the HBO treatment group (P = 0.030); at 48 h: 573 ± 261 IU/l in controls vs. 160 ± 10 IU/l in the HBO treatment group (P = 0.029)]. Treatment with HBO also promoted liver regeneration [proliferation at 12 h: 4.5 ± 0.1% in controls vs. 1.0 ± 0.3% in the HBO treatment group (p < 0.001); at 48 h: 8.6 ± 0.7% in controls vs. 2.9 ± 0.2% in the HBO treatment group (p < 0.01)] and improved sinusoidal diameter and microvascular density index.

Conclusions

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has persistent positive effects post-OLT that may potentially transfer into clinical practice.     

The dominant human conjunctival epithelial CD8αβ+ T cell population is maintained with age but the number of CD4+ T cells increases

The conjunctiva is a highly specialized ocular mucosal surface that, like other mucosa, houses a number of leukocyte populations. These leukocytes have been implicated in age-related inflammatory diseases such as dry-eye, but their phenotypic characteristics remain largely undetermined. Existing literature provides rudimentary data from predominantly immunohistochemical analyses of tissue sections, prohibiting detailed and longitudinal examination of these cells in health and disease. Using recovered cells from ocular surface impression cytology and flow cytometry, we examined the frequency of leukocyte subsets in human conjunctival epithelium and how this alters with age. Of the total CD45+ leukocyte population within the conjunctival epithelium, 87% [32–99] (median) [range] comprised lymphocytes, with 69% [47–90] identified as CD3 + CD56- T cells. In contrast to peripheral blood, the dominant conjunctival epithelial population was TCRαβ + CD8αβ + (80% [37–100]) with only 10% [0-56%] CD4+ cells. Whilst a significant increase in the CD4+ population was seen with age (r = 0.5; p < 0.01) the CD8+ population remained unchanged, resulting in an increase in the CD4:CD8 ratio (r = 0.5;p < 0.01). IFNγ expression was detectable in 18% [14–48] of conjunctival CD4+ T cells and this was significantly higher among older individuals (<35 years, 7[4–39] vs. >65 years, 43[20–145]; p < 0.05). The elevation of CD4+ cells highlights a potentially important age-related alteration in the conjunctival intra-epithelial leukocyte population, which may account for the vulnerability of the aging ocular surface to disease.     

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Value of Programmed Cell Death 1 Expression in Hepatitis B Virus-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis

Background and AimsThe efficacy of targeted programmed cell death 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has been confirmed in many solid malignant tumors. The overexpression of PD-1/PD-L1 serves as a biomarker to predict prognosis and clinical progression. However, the role of PD-1 in patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) remains indeterminate. Given that HBV is the most important cause for HCC, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic and clinicopathological value of PD-1 in HBV-HCC via a meta-analysis.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Google Scholar up to January 2021 for studies on the correlation between clinicopathology/prognosis and PD-1 in patients with HBV-HCC. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to investigate the prognostic significance of PD-1 expression. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were determined to explore the association between PD-1 expression and clinicopathological features.ResultsOur analysis included seven studies with 658 patients, which showed that high PD-1 expression was statistically correlated with poorer overall survival (HR=2.188, 95% CI: [1.262–3.115], p<0.001) and disease-free survival (HR=2.743, 95% CI: [1.980–3.506], p<0.001). PD-1 overexpression was correlated with multiple tumors (OR=2.268, 95% CI: [1.209–4.257], p=0.011), high level of alpha fetoprotein (AFP; OR=1.495, 95% CI: [1.005–2.223], p=0.047) and advanced Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage (OR=3.738, 95% CI: [2.101–6.651], p<0.001).ConclusionsOur meta-analysis revealed that the high level of PD-1 expression was associated with multiple tumors, high level of AFP and advanced BCLC stage. It significantly predicted a poor prognosis of HBV-HCC, which suggests that anti-PD-1 therapy for HBV-HCC patients is plausible.     

Plantar fascia thickness is longitudinally associated with retinopathy and renal dysfunction: a prospective study from adolescence to adulthood

Aim

The aim was to study the longitudinal relationship between plantar fascia thickness (PFT) as a measure of tissue glycation and microvascular (MV) complications in young persons with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

Methods

We conducted a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 152 (69 male) adolescents with T1DM who underwent repeated MV complications assessments and ultrasound measurements of PFT from baseline (1997–2002) until 2008. Retinopathy was assessed by 7-field stereoscopic fundal photography and nephropathy by albumin excretion rate (AER) from three timed overnight urine specimens. Longitudinal analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations (GEE).

Results

Median (interquartile range) age at baseline was 15.1 (13.4–16.8) years, and median follow-up was 8.3 (7.0–9.5) years, with 4 (3–6) visits per patient. Glycemic control improved from baseline to final visit [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 8.5% to 8.0%, respectively; p = .004]. Prevalence of retinopathy increased from 20% to 51% (p < .001) and early elevation of AER (>7.5 µg/min) increased from 26% to 29% (p = .2). A greater increase in PFT (mm/year) was associated with retinopathy at the final assessment (ΔPFT 1st vs. 2nd–4th quartiles, χ² = 9.87, p = .02). In multivariate GEE, greater PFT was longitudinally associated with retinopathy [odds ratio (OR) 4.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–10.3] and early renal dysfunction (OR 3.2, CI 1.3–8.0) after adjusting for gender, blood pressure standard deviation scores, HbA1c, and total cholesterol.

Conclusions

In young people with T1DM, PFT was longitudinally associated with retinopathy and early renal dysfunction, highlighting the importance of early glycemic control and supporting the role of metabolic memory in MV complications. Measurement of PFT by ultrasound offers a noninvasive estimate of glycemic burden and tissue glycation.