Multifaceted roles of lymphatic and blood endothelial cells in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A comprehensive review

The tumor microenvironment is a complex network of cells, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules that plays a critical role in tumor progression and metastasis. Lymphatic and blood vessels are major routes for solid tumor metastasis and essential parts of tumor drainage conduits. However, recent studies have shown that lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and blood endothelial cells (BECs) also play multifaceted roles in the tumor microenvironment beyond their structural functions, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This comprehensive review summarizes the diverse roles played by LECs and BECs in HCC, including their involvement in angiogenesis, immune modulation, lymphangiogenesis, and metastasis. By providing a detailed account of the complex interplay between LECs, BECs, and tumor cells, this review aims to shed light on future research directions regarding the immune regulatory function of LECs and potential therapeutic targets for HCC.

[Clinical analysis of 102 cases of labor induction in the third trimester on twin pregnancy]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of induced labor in twin pregnancy and the related factors of induced labor failure. Methods: The clinical data of twin pregnant women who underwent induced labor in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2016 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether they had labor or not after induction, pregnant women were divided into the success group (pregnant women who had labor after induction, 72 cases) and the failure group (pregnant women who did not have labor after induction, 30 cases). Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of induction failure in twin pregnant women. Results: The parity and cervical Bishop score in the failure group were significantly lower than those in the success group, while the proportion of dichorionic diamniotic twins, assisted reproductive technology pregnancy and cervical Bishop score <6, postpartum hospital stay and total hospital stay in the failure group were significantly higher than those in the success group (all P<0.05). The proportion of induced labor by artificial rupture of membranes ± oxytocin intravenous infusion in the success group was 72.2% (52/72), which was significantly higher than that in the failure group (46.7%, 14/30; P=0.030). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the gestational age at delivery, the incidence of severe postpartum hemorrhage and blood transfusion, the amount of postpartum hemorrhage, the neonatal weight of two fetuses, the incidence of neonatal asphyxia, and the proportion of neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (all P>0.05). There were no severe perineal laceration and hysterectomy in all pregnant women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that primipara (OR=3.064, 95%CI: 1.112-8.443; P=0.030) and cervical Bishop score <6 (OR=5.208, 95%CI: 2.008-13.508; P=0.001) were the independent risk factors for induction failure in twin pregnancy. Conclusions: Elective induction of labor in twin pregnancy is safe and feasible. It is helpful to improve the success rate of induction of labor by strictly grasping the timing and indications of termination of pregnancy, choosing the appropriate method of induction according to the condition of the cervix, and actively promoting cervical ripening.

[Association between maternal plasma one-carbon biomarkers during pregnancy and fetal growth in twin pregnancies]

Objective: To characterize the relationship between the levels of plasma methyl donor and related metabolites (including choline, betaine, methionine, dimethylglycine and homocysteine) and fetal growth in twin pregnancies. Methods: A hospital-based cohort study was used to collect clinical data of 92 pregnant women with twin pregnancies and their fetuses who were admitted to Peking University Third Hospital from March 2017 to January 2018. Fasting blood was collected from the pregnant women with twin pregnancies (median gestational age: 18.9 weeks). The levels of methyl donors and related metabolites in plasma were quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the relationship between maternal plasma methyl donors and related metabolites levels and neonatal outcomes of twins, and the generalized additive mixed model was used to analyze the relationship between maternal plasma methyl donors and related metabolites levels and fetal growth ultrasound indicators. Results: (1) General clinical data: of the 92 women with twin pregnancies, 66 cases (72%) were dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies, and 26 cases (28%) were monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies. The comparison of the levels of five plasma methyl donors and related metabolites in twin pregnancies with different basic characteristics showed that the median levels of plasma choline and betaine in pregnant women ≥35 years old were higher than those in pregnant women <35 years old, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (2) Correlation between plasma methyl donor and related metabolites levels and neonatal growth indicators: after adjusting for confounding factors, plasma homocysteine level in pregnant women with twins was significantly negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight (β=-47.9, 95%CI:-94.3- -1.6; P=0.043). Elevated methionine level was significantly associated with decreased risks of small for gestational age infants (SGA; OR=0.5, 95%CI: 0.3-0.9; P=0.021) and low birth weight infants (OR=0.6, 95%CI: 0.4-0.9; P=0.020). Increased homocysteine level was associated with increased risks of SGA (OR=1.5, 95%CI: 1.0-2.2; P=0.029) and inconsistent growth in twin fetuses (OR=1.9, 95%CI: 1.0-3.7; P=0.049). (3) Correlation between the levels of plasma methyl donors and related metabolites and intrauterine growth indicators of twins pregnancies: for every 1 standard deviation increase in plasma choline level in pregnant women with twin pregnancies, fetal head circumference, abdominal circumference, femoral length and estimated fetal weight in the second trimester increased by 1.9 mm, 2.6 mm, 0.5 mm and 20.1 g, respectively, and biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference and estimated fetal weight increased by 0.7 mm, 3.0 mm and 38.4 g in the third trimester, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (4) Relationship between plasma methyl donor and related metabolites levels in pregnant women with different chorionicity and neonatal birth weight and length: the negative correlation between plasma homocysteine level and neonatal birth weight was mainly found in DCDA twin pregnancy (β=-65.9, 95%CI:-110.6- -21.1; P=0.004). The levels of choline, betaine and dimethylglycine in plasma of MCDA twin pregnancy were significantly correlated with the birth weight and length of newborns (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Homocysteine level is associated with low birth weight in twins, methionine is associated with decreased risk of SGA, and choline is associated with fetal growth in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency of six cases]

The clinical and molecular genetic data of 6 patients with genetically confirmed tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency(THD) diagnosed in Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from March 2017 to February 2022 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The 6 patients were from 5 families. Among them, 5 patients had persistent or paroxysmal abnormal walking posture, 4 patients had dystonia of head and face, including spasm of perioral and oculopharyngeal muscles, hyperactivity, and binocular upvision, 4 patients showed obvious morning light and evening heavy phenomenon, 2 patients had postural tremor of limbs, 2 patients had psychomotor retardation from childhood, 1 patient only had limb and cervical muscle weakness, 1 patient had epileptic seizures. Of the 6 patients, only 1 was adult-onset, and the rest were child-onset. Four patients had good response to low-dose dopa preparation, 2 patients from the same family had poor response to dopamine treatment, requiring extremely low dose initiation and multi-frequency titration treatment. However, the long-term treatment effect was poor with obvious abnormalities. Gene testing of 5 families revealed 8 mutations in the TH gene, with c.698G>A (p.R233H) being the hot spot mutation site. The clinical manifestations of THD are complex. Besides paroxysmal or persistent dystonia, it can also be accompanied by eye movement crisis, muscle weakness, epilepsy, and delayed mental and motor development. Most patients respond well to low-dose dopamine preparations, but a small number of patients require titration treatment with extremely low-dose dopamine preparations, and the long-term effect is not satisfactory.

[Clinical characteristics and analysis of risk factors for heart injuries in 55 patients with lightning injury on plateau in Tibet Autonomous Region]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with lightning injury on plateau in Tibet Autonomous Region, and to analyze the risk factors for heart injuries in these patients. Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted. From January 2008 to July 2023, 55 patients with lightning injury who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the General Hospital of PLA Tibet Military Area Command. The gender, age, ethnicity, time of injury, location of injury (average altitude), activity at the time of injury, the occurrence of thermal burns on the body surface, the occurrence of complication, the occurrence of combined injury, underlying disease or physiological process before injury, length of hospital stay, treatment outcome, and effective rate of treatment were recorded. The patients were divided into juvenile group (11 cases), young group (28 cases), middle-aged group (14 cases), and elderly group (2 cases) according to age bracket, then the gender and ethnicity distribution of patients in the 4 groups were compared. According to the occurrence of heart injuries at admission, the patients were divided into heart injury group (44 cases) and non-heart injury group (11 cases), then the gender, age, ethnicity, average altitude of location of injury, length of hospital stay, the occurrence of complication, the occurrence of combined injury, site of thermal burns on the body surface, and area of thermal burns on the body surface in patients were compared between the two groups. Data were statistically analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact probability test. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to screen the independent risk factors for heart injury in patients with lightning injury. Results: Among the 55 patients aged 10-68 years, 39 were male and 16 were female, including 47 Tibetans and 8 Hans. There were no statistically significant differences in gender or ethnicity distribution of patients among the 4 groups with different age brackets (P>0.05). Lightning injuries occurred from May to September, which mostly occurred in June and July. The incidence of lightning injury was higher in Chengguan District of Lhasa City (average altitude of 3 650 m) and Baqing County of Naqu City (average altitude of 4 500 m), being 20.0% (11/55) and 16.4% (9/55), respectively. A total of 96.4% (53/55) of the patients were engaged in outdoor activities when injured, such as grazing, digging Cordyceps, and harvesting highland barley. Among the 55 patients, 46 (83.6%) cases had thermal burns on the body surface, with burn area mainly being not more than 10% total body surface area and burn depth mainly being deep partial-thickness. Fifty-two (94.5%) patients had complications, with heart injury being the most common complication (44 cases, 80.0%). Twenty-two (40.0%) patients had 11 combined injuries, and traumatic brain injury was the most common combined injury. Seventeen (30.9%) patients had 11 underlying diseases or physiological processes before injury. The length of hospital stay of patients was 9 (5, 17) d. Among the 55 patients, 14 cases were cured and discharged, 40 cases were improved, and 1 case died, with effective rate of treatment of 98.2%. Compared with those in non-heart injury group, the proportion of complication occurrence (χ2=12.28), the proportion of trunk burns (χ2=5.15), and the average altitude of location of injury (Z=-2.38) of patients in heart injury group were increased significantly (P<0.05), while there were no significant changes in the other indicators (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the average altitude at the location of injury was the independent risk factor for heart injury in patients with lightning injury (with odds ratio of 3.28, 95% confidence interval of 1.35-7.99, P<0.05). Conclusions: Lightning injuries on plateau in Tibet Autonomous Region mainly occur from May to September, with an average altitude of 4 500 m at the location of injury. Patients with lightning injury are injured when participating outdoor activities, and the affected patients are mainly mainly young male Tibetans. Most of the injuries are mild burns. Lightning injuries are complex and have many complications, with heart injury being the most common one. The average altitude at the location of injury is the independent risk factor for heart injury in patients with lightning injury.

[Treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in very preterm infants in China]

Objective: To describe the current status and trends in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) among very preterm infants (VPI) admitted to the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) from 2019 to 2021, and to compare the differences in PDA treatment among these units. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on the CHNN VPI cohort, all of 22 525 VPI (gestational age<32 weeks) admitted to 79 tertiary NICU within 3 days of age from 2019 to 2021 were included. The overall PDA treatment rates were calculated, as well as the rates of infants with different gestational ages (≤26, 27-28, 29-31 weeks), and pharmacological and surgical treatments were described. PDA was defined as those diagnosed by echocardiography during hospitalization. The PDA treatment rate was defined as the number of VPI who had received medication treatment and (or) surgical ligation of PDA divided by the number of all VPI. Logistic regression was used to investigate the changes in PDA treatment rates over the 3 years and the differences between gestational age groups. A multivariate Logistic regression model was constructed to compute the standardized ratio (SR) of PDA treatment across different units, to compare the rates after adjusting for population characteristics. Results: A total of 22 525 VPI were included in the study, with a gestational age of 30.0 (28.6, 31.0) weeks and birth weight of 1 310 (1 100, 1 540) g; 56.0% (12 615) of them were male. PDA was diagnosed by echocardiography in 49.7% (11 186/22 525) of all VPI, and the overall PDA treatment rate was 16.8% (3 795/22 525). Of 3 762 VPI who received medication treatment, the main first-line medication used was ibuprofen (93.4% (3 515/3 762)) and the postnatal day of first medication treatment was 6 (4, 10) days of age; 59.3% (2 231/3 762) of the VPI had been weaned from invasive respiratory support during the first medication treatment, and 82.2% (3 092/3 762) of the infants received only one course of medication treatment. A total of 143 VPI underwent surgery, which was conducted on 32 (22, 46) days of age. Over the 3 years from 2019 to 2021, there was no significant change in the PDA treatment rate in these VPI (P=0.650). The PDA treatment rate decreased with increasing gestational age (P<0.001). The PDA treatment rates for VPI with gestational age ≤26, 27-28, and 29-31 weeks were 39.6% (688/1 737), 25.9% (1 319/5 098), and 11.4% (1 788/15 690), respectively. There were 61 units having a total number of VPI≥100 cases, and their rates of PDA treatment were 0 (0/116)-47.4% (376/793). After adjusting for population characteristics, the range of standardized ratios for PDA treatment in the 61 units was 0 (95%CI 0-0.3) to 3.4 (95%CI 3.1-3.8). Conclusions: From 2019 to 2021, compared to the peers in developed countries, VPI in CHNN NICU had a different PDA treatment rate; specifically, the VPI with small birth gestational age had a lower treatment rate, while the VPI with large birth gestational age had a higher rate. There are significant differences in PDA treatment rates among different units.

[Association between internet use and healthy lifestyles in urban adults in Hangzhou, China]

Objective: To explore the association between internet use and healthy lifestyles in urban adults. Methods: From May to August, 2022, a face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted in residents aged 18-64 years selected in the urban area of Hangzhou by integrated cluster stratified random sampling and Kish grid method. The information about internet use included the internet use time in the past 7 days and 12 kinds of internet use contents. Using factor analysis and K-means clustering, three types of internet use were summarized, i.e. general type, video game type and working/learning type. Healthy lifestyles were defined as active physical activity, healthy diet habit, non-smoking, non-drinking, healthy weight, and healthy waist circumference. The correlations between internet use and healthy lifestyles were evaluated by using binary logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 1 624 participants were included. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the longer internet use time group (≥8.5 h/d) was less likely to have healthy weight (OR=0.59, 95%CI:0.41-0.85) and 5-6 healthy lifestyles (OR=0.55, 95%CI: 0.32-0.96) compared with those with shorter internet use time group (<2.5 h/d). For different types of internet use, it was found that compared with working/learning type group, the general type group was less likely to have healthy diet habits (OR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.46-0.86), non-drinking (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.47-0.99), healthy waist circumference (OR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.42-0.84) and 5-6 healthy lifestyles (OR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.23-0.69), the video game type group was less likely to have active physical activity (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.55-0.97) and healthy diet habits (OR=0.79, 95%CI: 0.62-0.99). Conclusion: Too long internet use (≥8.5 h/d), general type and video game type of internet use were associated with unhealthy lifestyles.

A versatile control program for positioning and shooting targets in laser-plasma experiments

We introduce a LabVIEW-based control program that significantly improves the efficiency and flexibility in positioning and shooting solid targets in laser-plasma experiments. The hardware driven by this program incorporates a target positioning subsystem and an imaging subsystem, which enables us to install up to 400 targets for one experimental campaign and precisely adjust them in six freedom degrees. The overall architecture and the working modes of the control program are demonstrated in detail. In addition, we characterized the distributions of target positions of every target holder and simultaneously saved the target images, resulting in a large dataset that can be used to train machine learning models and develop image recognition algorithms. This versatile control system has become an indispensable platform when preparing and conducting laser-plasma experiments.

[Outcome analysis of pregnancy termination and expectant treatment in pregnant women with suspected invasive placenta accreta spectrum disorders in the second trimester]

Objective: To investigate the maternal and fetal outcomes of expectant treatment and early termination of pregnancy in pregnant women with suspected invasive placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS) in the second trimester. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 51 pregnant women with suspected invasive PAS (ultrasound score ≥10) evaluated by ultrasound with gestational age <26 weeks and confirmed as invasive PAS by intraoperative findings or postoperative pathology in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2015 to January 2022. According to the informed choice of pregnant women and their families, they were divided into expectant treatment group (37 cases) and mid-term termination group (14 cases). The general clinical data and outcome indexes of the two groups were analyzed by χ² test, Mann-Whitney U rank sum test, logistic regression and linear regression. Results: (1) General clinical data: among 51 pregnant women who were assessed as suspected invasive PAS by ultrasonography in the second trimester, invasive PAS was finally diagnosed by intraoperative findings and postoperative pathology, among which 46 cases (90%) were placenta percreta and 5 cases (10%) were placenta increta. (2) Outcome indicators: univariate analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the intraoperative blood loss (median: 2 200 vs 2 150 ml), the proportion of blood loss >1 500 ml [73% (27/37) vs 9/14], the hysterectomy rate [62% (23/37) vs 8/14], the rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission [78% (29/37) vs 9/14] between the expectant treatment group and the mid-term termination group (all P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the rate of intraoperative blood loss >1 500 ml (aOR=0.481, 95%CI: 0.017-13.958; P=0.670), hysterectomy (aOR=0.264, 95%CI: 0.011-6.569, P=0.417) and ICU admission (aOR=1.327, 95%CI: 0.048-36.882, P=0.867) between the two groups showed no statistical differences. (3) Outcome analysis: all 37 cases in the expectant treatment group had live births and no early neonatal death. Five pregnant women (14%, 5/37) in the expectant treatment group underwent emergency cesarean section in the course of expectant treatment. In the mid-term termination group, all pregnancies were terminated by operation, including 9 cases of hysterectomy and 5 cases of placental hysterectomy. There was 1 fetal survival (gestational age of termination: 27⁺⁴ weeks) and 13 fetal death in the mid-term termination group. Conclusions: Pregnant women who are diagnosed as suspected invasive PAS, especially those with placenta percreta, have the risk of uterine rupture and emergency surgery in the course of expectant treatment. However, early termination of pregnancy does not reduce the risk of intraoperative blood loss and hysterectomy.

Microsatellite instability as a marker of prognosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of endometrioid endometrial cancer survival data

INTRODUCTION

To investigate whether microsatellite instability (MSI) is an important prognostic biomarker for endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC).

METHODS

The PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Cooperative Library databases were searched from inception to July 2021. Overall survival, disease-free survival, progression-free survival, EEC-specific survival, recurrence-free survival, and the recurrence rate were pooled to analyze the correlation between MSI and EEC. In addition, Egger's regression analysis and Begg's test were used to detect publication bias.

RESULTS

17 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in our meta-analysis with a sample size of 4723, and the included patients with endometrioid cancer (EC) all were EEC. The pooled hazard ratios (HR) in patients with EEC showed that MSI was significantly associated with shorter overall survival [HR = 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.00-1.86), p = 0.048, I2 = 60.6%], shorter disease-free survival [HR = 1.99, 95% CI (1.31-3.01), p = 0.000, I2 = 67.2%], shorter EEC-specific survival [HR = 2.07, 95% CI (1.35-3.18), p = 0.001, I2 = 31.6%] and a higher recurrence rate [Odds ratios (OR) = 2.72, 95% CI (1.56-4.76), p = 0.000, I2 = 0.0%]. In the early-stage EEC subgroup, MSI was significantly associated with shorter overall survival [HR = 1.47, 95% CI (1.11-1.95), p = 0.07], shorter disease-free survival [HR = 4.17, 95% CI (2.37-7.41), p = 0.000], and shorter progression-free survival [HR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.05-5.54), p = 0.039]. No significant heterogeneity was observed in overall survival (I2 = 20.9%), disease-free survival (I2 = 0.0%), or progression-free survival (I2 = 0.0%) in patients with early-stage EEC. Meanwhile, publication bias was not observed, and the p-value for Egger's test of overall survival, disease-free survival, and EEC-specific survival were p = 0.131, p = 0.068, and p = 0.987, respectively.

CONCLUSION

MSI is likely an important biomarker for poor prognosis in patients with EEC, and this correlation is even more certain in patients with early-stage EEC.

[Analysis on the household secondary attack rates of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and the associated factors]

Objective: To evaluate the household secondary attack rates of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and the associated factors. Methods: A COVID-19 outbreak caused by the Delta variant occurred in Nanjing in July 2021. A total of 235 cases with current addresses in Nanjing were reported from 171 households. The subjects in this study were selected from household close contact(s) of infected cases. The information on household index cases and their contacts were collected, and the household secondary attack rate (HSAR) and the risk factors were analyzed by the multi-factor logistic regression model. Results: A total of 234 cases of household close contacts and 64 household secondary cases were reported from 103 households, and the HSAR was 27.4% (64/234, 95%CI:22.0% to 33.4%). The proportions of household size for 2 to 3, 4 to 5, and 6 to 9 were 64.1% (66), 26.2% (27) and 9.7% (10), respectively. A total of 35 cases of household cluster outbreaks were reported (35/103, 34.0%). The number of the first case in the household (FCH) was 103 and males accounted for 27.2% (28 cases), with the median age (Q₁, Q₃) of 49 (9, 56). The number of household close contacts was 234 and males accounted for 59.0% (138 cases), with the median age (Q₁, Q₃) of 42 (20, 55) and the median exposure period (Q₁, Q₃) of 3 (1, 3) days. The multi-factor logistic regression model showed that the higher HSAR was observed in the FCH with the features of airport staff (OR=2.913, 95%CI:1.469-5.774), detection from home quarantine screening (OR=6.795, 95%CI:1.761-26.219) and detection from mass screening (OR=4.239, 95%CI:1.098-16.368). Meanwhile, higher HSAR was observed in cases with longer household exposure (OR=1.221, 95%CI:1.040-1.432), non-vaccination (OR=2.963, 95%CI:1.288-6.813) and incomplete vaccinations (OR=2.842, 95%CI:0.925-8.731). Conclusion: The generation interval of the Delta variant is shortened, and the ability of transmission within the household is enhanced. In the outbreak in Nanjing, the associated factors of HSAR are occupation, detection route, vaccination and exposure period.

[Longitudinal correlation between cell phone use and sleep quality in college students]

Objective: To investigate the current situation of cell phone use and sleep quality among college students, establish a sleep quality trajectory model and explore the influence of cell phone use on the sleep quality trajectory. Methods: Based on data from the College Student Behavior and Health Cohort Study 2019-2020, a latent class growth modeling was used to establish a sleep quality trajectory model among college students. The baseline influencing factors of sleep quality trajectories among college students were analyzed by χ² test, and the effects of cell phone use on sleep quality trajectories were analyzed by binary logistic regression. Results: A total of 1 092 college students were included in the analysis. The detection rates of cell phone use and poor sleep quality were 24.5% and 13.3%. Latent class growth model identified two groups of sleep quality trend trajactories: an improved sleep quality group (86.0%) and a decreased sleep quality group (14.0%). The result of binary logistic regression showed that the cell phone use was a risk factor of sleep quality trajectories. Conclusion: The cell phone use during college period could increase the risk of poor sleep quality. Targeted intervention measures about cell phone use should be adopted to improve the sleep quality among college students.

[Clinical risk factors of cesarean scar pregnancies]

Objective: To explore the risk factors related to cesarean scar pregnancies (CSP). Methods: Among the patients during July 2016 to June 2021 in Peking University Third Hospital, 596 cases of CSP patients were included as study group, and 1 192 cases of intrauterine pregnancy(IUP) women with history of cesarean section(s) were chosen as control group through stratified sampling according to the civil year of previous cesarean section matched with CSP group. The correlation between the general situation of patients, the history of gravidity and parity, the history of surgeries in uterine cavity and the previous cesarean section and the occurrence of CSP was explored through multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The current age of 596 CSP patients was (34.6±4.4) years, and that of 1 192 IUP patients was (35.6±3.6) years (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors may increase the risk of CSP: age<35 years old (OR=2.306, 95%CI: 1.774-2.998), history of medical abortion (OR=1.629, 95%CI 1.102-2.407), pregnancy interval<2 years from the last cesarean section (OR=2.147, 95%CI: 1.237-3.726), pregnancy interval ≥8 years from the last cesarean section (OR=1.474, 95%CI: 1.110-1.957), history of surgeries in uterine cavity before the last cesarean section (OR=2.558, 95%CI: 1.809-3.615), history of surgeries in uterine cavity after the last cesarean section (OR=8.020, 95%CI: 5.966-10.781), previous cesarean delivery ≥2 times (OR=14.051, 95%CI: 9.699-20.356) and history of previous cesarean sections before labor (OR=2.683, 95%CI: 1.930-3.731)(all P<0.05). Conclusions: The occurrence of CSP is related to the age of patients, the history of medical abortion, pregnancy interval, the history of surgeries in uterine cavity and the previous cesarean section, among which previous cesarean delivery ≥2 times and history of surgeries in uterine cavity after the last cesarean section are the strongly associated risk factors.

[Analysis of China's influenza vaccine application policy based on the macro model of the health system]

This article uses the analysis framework of the macro model of the health system to analyze the influenza vaccine policy documents issued by the state and governments at all levels from three perspectives: structure, process and results, and provides a scientific basis for improving the application strategy of influenza vaccine. It is suggested that on the basis of continuing to strengthen publicity, mobilization and organizational guarantee, measures to promote the application of influenza vaccine in China by exploring multi-channel financing mechanisms, combining the experience of new crown vaccination to improve the convenience of influenza vaccination, and scientifically setting vaccination rate targets, improve preparedness for an influenza pandemic.

[Clinical features of vaginal trial delivery in twin pregnancy and factors related with failure]

Objective: To investigate the case characteristics and factors related with failure of vaginal trial delivery in twin pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of patients with twin pregnancy who underwent vaginal trial delivery in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2016 to June 2021. There were 109 cases in the successful group (vaginal delivery of both fetuses) and 28 cases in the failed group (cesarean delivery of one or all fetuses), the differences between the two groups were compared and the related factors of vaginal trial failure in twin pregnancy were analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in age between the two groups[(32.4±3.8) years vs (31.3±3.3) years, P=0.163].The proportion of conception through assisted reproductive technology and induced labor in the successful group was significantly lower than that in the failed group(36.7% vs 60.7%, P<0.05;35.8% vs 60.7%, P<0.05). The average gestational age [(35.5±1.9) weeks vs (36.7±2.1) weeks, P<0.05], the body weight of the first fetus[ (2 328.4±431.9) g vs (2 585.7±443.9) g, P<0.05], the body weight of the second fetus [(2 286.2±434.8) g vs (2 531.8±574.8) g, P<0.05] and the sum of the body weight of the two fetuses[(4 614.6±801.9) g vs (5 117.5±916.1) g, P<0.05] in the successful group were significantly lower than those of the failure group. Multivariate analysis showed that assisted fertility technique (OR=2.878, 95%CI:1.167-7.099) and the sum of the body weight of the two fetus ≥4 735g (OR=4.304, 95%CI:1.659-11.165) were independent risk factors for vaginal trial failure of twin pregnancy. Conclusions: Vaginal trial delivery in twin pregnancy is relatively safe. Vaginal delivery should be carefully selected for patients with twin pregnancy who concepted through assisted reproductive technology and the sum of the body weight of the two fetus ≥4 735g.

[Ocular biometry of infants and young children with congenital cataract]

Objective: To understand the developmental characteristics of early ocular biological parameters in patients with congenital cataract. Methods: Retrospective case series study. The ocular biometry data such as the axial length, corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth and central corneal thickness of 169 patients under 3 years old who were diagnosed with congenital cataract in Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Hangzhou Branch) from June 2016 to June 2020 were reviewed, and they were analyzed by 3 age groups. There were 87, 41, and 41 patients in three age groups, 1 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, and 13 to 36 months, respectively; 108 patients with bilateral affected eyes and 61 patients with unilateral affected eyes were included; 84 patients with partial opacity lens and 85 patients with total opacity lens were included. The right eyes of the patients with bilateral congenital cataract were selected for analysis. Statistical analysis of ocular biological parameters between groups was performed using the independent samples t-test and paired samples t-test. Statistical analysis of the relationship between age in months and biological parameters was performed using the Pearson's correlation test. Results: The axial length at the age of 1 to 6 months in the affected eyes of patients with bilateral cataract was (17.59±1.19) mm, it was shorter than the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract [(18.18±1.34) mm], and the axial length in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract were shorter than the healthy eyes [(19.01±0.93) mm]. At the age of 7 to 12 months, the axial length in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract [(19.89±0.74) mm] was shorter than the healthy eyes [(20.48±0.43) mm]. The differences were statistically significant (t=-2.06, -5.62, -3.47, all P<0.05). The axial length in the affected eyes with partial opacity at the age of 1 to 6 months was shorter than those with total opacity [(17.43±1.14) mm vs. (18.06±1.29) mm; t=-2.38, P=0.020]. The difference in axial length (affected eyes vs. healthy eyes) was significantly correlated with the age in months in partial cataract (r=0.53, P=0.001). The corneal curvature in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract was flatter than the healthy eyes at the age of 7 to 12 months [(42.41±1.82) D vs. (43.19±1.96) D; t=-2.29, P=0.038], but was steeper at the age of 13 to 36 months [(43.36±2.32) D vs. (42.55±1.88) D; t=2.17, P=0.043]. The anterior chamber depth in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract was less than the healthy eyes at the age of 1 to 6 months [(2.44±0.37) mm vs. (2.58±0.33) mm; t=-2.08, P=0.048].The central corneal thickness in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract was thicker than the healthy eyes both at the age of 1 to 6 months and 7 to 12 months [(555.26±46.95) μm vs. (541.85±40.78) μm, (542.93±27.63) μm vs. (530.93±30.36) μm; t=3.82, 2.26; P=0.001, 0.040]. Conclusions: Congenital cataracts maybe affect the early development of axial length, corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth and central corneal thickness. The degree of lens opacity maybe affecte the early axial length development. The axial length in eyes with partial opacity can be shorter than those with total opacity before the age of 6 months, and thereafter gradually outnumbered the latter.

[The short-term and long-term prognostic analysis in patients with chronic total occlusion acute non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction]

Objectives: To investigate the clinical impacts of chronic total occlusion (CTO) in acute non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 2 271 acute NSTEMI patients underwent primary PCI from China Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry were enrolled in this study and divided into the CTO group and the non-CTO group according to the angiography. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality and mortality during a 2-year follow-up. The secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including revascularization, death, re-myocardial infarction, heart failure readmission, stroke and major bleeding. Results: Thirteen-point four percent of the total acute NSTEMI patients had concurrent CTO. In-hospital mortality (3.6% vs. 1.4%, P<0.01) and 2-year mortality (9.0% vs. 5.1%, P<0.01) were significantly higher in the CTO group than those in the non-CTO group, respectively. Multiple regression analyses showed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 7.28, 95%CI 1.50-35.35, P=0.01) was an independent risk factor of in-hospital mortality, and advanced age (HR 1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1.07, P<0.01), and low levels of ejection fraction (HR 0.95, 95%CI 0.93-0.98, P<0.01) were independent risk factors of 2-year mortality. CTO (HR1.67, 95%CI 1.10-2.54, P=0.02) was an independent risk factor of revascularization, but not a risk factor of mortality. Conclusions: Although acute NSTEMI patients concurrent with CTO had higher mortality, CTO was only an independent risk factor of revascularization, but not of mortality. Advanced age and low levels of ejection fraction were independent risk factors of long-term death among acute NSTEMI patients.

[The effect of occupational stress on anxiety of nursing staff in a third-grade general hospital and mediating effect of job burnout]

Objective: To explore the mediating effect of job burnout of nursing staff in clinical departments on occupational stress and anxiety, and to provide scientific basis for the formulation of intervention measures to relieve anxiety. Methods: From November 2020 to January 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the basic situation, occupational stress, job burnout and anxiety of 653 nursing staff in a third class A general hospital in Hebei Province. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between occupational stress, job burnout and anxiety, stepwise regression and mediating effect model were used to verify the mediating effect of job burnout on the relationship between occupational stress and anxiety. Results: 551 valid questionnaires were collected with effective recovery of 84.38%. The incidence of high occupational stress was 68.06% (375/551) , the incidence of job burnout was 63.70% (351/551) [high, moderate and moderate were 11.07% (61/551) and 52.63% (290/551) respectively], and the incidence of anxiety was 55.72% (307/551) [mild, moderate and severe were 38.11% (210/551) , 8.53% (47/551) and 9.08% (50/551) respectively]. Occupational stress was positively correlated with job burnout and anxiety (r=0.545, 0.479) , and job burnout was positively correlated with anxiety (r=0.542, P<0.05) . The mediating effect analysis showed that occupational stress had a statistically significant effect on anxiety (c=0.509, P<0.001) , and the mediating effect of job burnout on the relationship between occupational stress and anxiety accounted for 44.99% of the total effect. Conclusion: The anxiety level of the nursing staff in this third-class A general hospital was relatively high. Job burnout has a mediating effect between occupational stress and anxiety, and anxiety of nursing staff can be alleviated by reducing occupational stress or job burnout.

Machine learning approach to predict acute kidney injury after liver surgery

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after surgery appears to increase the risk of death in patients with liver cancer. In recent years, machine learning algorithms have been shown to offer higher discriminative efficiency than classical statistical analysis.

AIM

To develop prediction models for AKI after liver cancer resection using machine learning techniques.

METHODS

We screened a total of 2450 patients who had undergone primary hepatocellular carcinoma resection at Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai City, China, from January 1, 2015 to August 31, 2020. The AKI definition used was consistent with the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes. We included in our analysis preoperative data such as demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, comorbidities, and medication, as well as perioperative data such as duration of surgery. Computerized algorithms used for model development included logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGboost), and decision tree (DT). Feature importance was also ranked according to its contribution to model development.

RESULTS

AKI events occurred in 296 patients (12.1%) within 7 d after surgery. Among the original models based on machine learning techniques, the RF algorithm had optimal discrimination with an area under the curve value of 0.92, compared to 0.87 for XGBoost, 0.90 for DT, 0.90 for SVM, and 0.85 for LR. The RF algorithm also had the highest concordance-index (0.86) and the lowest Brier score (0.076). The variable that contributed the most in the RF algorithm was age, followed by cholesterol, and surgery time.

CONCLUSION

Machine learning algorithms are highly effective in discriminating patients at high risk of developing AKI. The successful application of machine learning models may help guide clinical decisions and help improve the long-term prognosis of patients.

[Twelve-week of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir therapeutic regimen for chronic hepatitis C patients in northwest region of China: a real-world multicenter clinical study]

Objective: To study the real-world outcome of China FDA-approved Sofosbuvir (SOF)/Velpatasvir (VEL) in Northwest China. Methods: In this multicenter, prospective, real-world cohort study, we recruited patients from 10 sites from Northwest China, who were chronically infected with HCV GTs 1-6 from 06/2018 to 09/2019. Patients received SOF (400mg)/VEL (100mg) for 12 weeks, and with ribavirin 900-1200 mg for GT3 cirrhosis and for any genotype decompensated cirrhosis. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response at 12-weeks post-treatment (SVR12) and safety. The secondary endpoint was the change of liver function after the achievement of SVR12. Results: Totally, 143 patients were enrolled in the study, four patients were lost to follow-up and one died during the follow-up, 138 patients were included in per-protocol analysis. Of the 138 patients, the mean age 53 years, 53.6% male, 94.2% Han nationality, 53.6% liver cirrhosis, 10.1% HBsAg(+), 6.5% renal dysfunction, 5.1% treatment-experienced, and 16.7% patients received ribavirin treatment. The genotype distribution was as follows: 35.5% GT1, 42.8% GT2, 15.9% GT3, and 5.8% un-typed. The SVR12 rate was 96.5% (138/143, 95%CI: 93.5%-99.6%) for intention-to-treat analysis, and in per-protocol analysis, all 138 patients obtained SVR12 (100%). Compared with baseline, the serum total bilirubin, ALT and AFP levels decreased (all P < 0.05), as well as increased ALB and platelet count (all P < 0.001) at post-treatment 12-weeks. Overall adverse events (AEs) rate is 29.0%, and the most common AEs were anemia (14.5%) and fatigue (8.0%). Severe side effects (edema and fatigue) occurred in 2 patients, one of whom needed a short-term interruption of treatment due to fatigue. Conclusion: In this real-world cohort study, 12-week SOF/VEL regimen with or without ribavirin achieved high SVR12 rates (96.5%-100% overall) with excellent safety profile among patients with HCV GT1/2/3 infection including patients with GT3 and cirrhosis, and led to improvement of liver function.

Predictive value of GRACE score combined with BNP and glycosylated hemoglobin for in-hospital cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention

Purpose

To investigate the value of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score combined with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in predicting in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

A total of consecutive 675 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to June 2020, and finally, 319 patients treated with the percutaneous coronary intervenion (PCI) were enrolled. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization included cardiac death, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, recurrent ischemic chest pain and malignant arrhythmia. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of MACE during hospitalization.

Results

Among 319 patients, during hospitalization, 26 patients (8.15%) experienced the MACE. Compared to that of non-MACE group, there were more patients with previous history of heart failure (P&lt;0.001), lower in-admission systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P all&lt;0.05), and higher heart rate, GRACE score, BNP, and HbA1c levels in the MACE group (P all&lt;0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that history of heart failure (OR: 1.498, 95% CI: 1.144–2.249), GRACE score (OR: 1.040, 95% CI: 1.017–1.063), BNP (OR: 1.019, 95% CI: 1.012–1.026) and HbA1C (OR: 1.199, 95% CI: 1.043–1.378) were independent risk factors for MACE in patients with ACS after PCI (P all&lt;0.05). The AUC of GRACE score for predicting MACE in ACS patients after PCI was 0.758, while the AUC of BNP and HbA1C was 0.838 and 0.788, respectively. When GRACE score combined with BNP and HbA1c, the AUC was increased to 0.876, which was significantly higher than the GRACE score alone (Z=4.142, P&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

In this study, we reported for the first time, GRACE score combined with BNP and HbA1c significantly improved the predictive value of in-hospital MACE in ACS patients after PCI compared with traditional GRACE score, which can help clinicians identify high risk patients to improve their prognosis in the clinical practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Young and middle-aged talents in the XPCC Science and Technology Project (2020CB012); Key Science and Technology Project of Shihezi (2019ZH09) ROC Curve

[Incidence and trend of severe postpartum hemorrhage between 2016 and 2019 in China]

Objective: To investigate the incidence and trend of severe postpartum hemorrhage (sPPH) in China, and to provide basic data for the development and evaluation of sPPH prevention and control strategy. Methods: Obstetric data was extracted from annual national representative sampling surveys based on the National Clinical Improvement System. From 2016 to 2019, 2 978, 3 400, 4 576 and 4 594 maternity hospitals with sPPH cases were included for statistics. The annual incidence of sPPH was calculated according to province and type of medical institutions and generalized linear model was emplyed to identify the determinants affecting sPPH incidence. Results: In China, sPPH incidence increased from 0.62% in 2016 to 0.93% in 2018, and was 0.92% in 2019. Eighteen provinces had an inverted U-shaped trend of sPPH over time and most of them had the highest incidence in 2018; ten provinces had an upward trend of sPPH and 3 provinces had a U-shaped trend. In 2019, the top five provinces with the highest sPPH incidence were Yunnan (1.88%), Beijing (1.45%), Jiangsu (1.31%), Guizhou (1.26%), and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (1.22%); the top five provinces with the lowest incidence were Henan (0.55%), Jiangxi (0.60%), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (0.64%), Liaoning (0.64%) and Gansu (0.69%). In 2019, the sPPH incidence in different types of medical institutions were as follows: tertiary public general hospital (1.15%), tertiary public specialized hospital (1.02%), secondary public general hospital (0.81%), private hospital (0.61%) and secondary public specialized hospital (0.58%). sPPH incidence was positively associated with proportion of twin pregnancies, macrosomia, primipara, and puerpera aged ≥35 years in maternity hospitals (P<0.05). Conclusions: sPPH incidence generally showes an increasing trend from 2016 and is stable at a high level in recent two years in China. It is warranted to further strengthen the monitoring of postpartum hemorrhage, and improve the capability of hierarchical management and treatment in maternity institutions and regions, in order to reduce sPPH incidence and maternal mortality.

[Diagnosis, treatment and outcome of adnexal torsion at different gestational weeks during pregnancy]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of adnexal torsion at different gestational weeks during pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical data of 24 pregnancy patients with adnexal torsion, aged 21-38 (30.6±4.4) years old, who were admitted and delivered in Peking University Third Hospital from 2015 to 2019. According to the gestational age, all patients were divided into two groups:<28 weeks group (11cases) and ≥28 weeks group (13 cases), to compare the intergroup differences in clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome, and the differences of clinical data and outcome between two groups were compared. Results: The proportion of patients with twin pregnancy and assisted reproductive technology in the<28 weeks group was significantly higher than that in the ≥28 weeks group (5/11 vs 1/13, 8/11 vs 1/13, P<0.05). No significant differences between the two groups were recorded in terms of the size of the adnexal mass, the cycles of torsion and the duration from onset to operation. Compared with the≥28 weeks group, the adnexal removal rate of the<28 weeks group was lower (3/11 vs 6/13), but the difference was not statistically significant. The proportion of blood flow signals of ultrasound before operation, cases undergoing laparoscopic surgery and cases whose pathological findings were physiological cysts in the<28 weeks group were significantly higher than that in the ≥28 weeks group (8/11 vs 4/13, 8/11 vs 0, 8/11vs 4/13; P<0.05). Concerning the pregnancy outcomes, there was no difference in the mode of delivery, the delivery gestational age and the body weight of newborns between the two groups. Conclusions: The patients with adnexal torsion prior to 28 weeks(<28 weeks)of pregnancy were more likely to be conceived by assisted reproductive technologies, and the etiology was more likely to be ovarian physiological cysts. Both laparoscopy and laparotomy were safe and effective in the treatment of adnexal torsion with good outcome for mother and infant in the study.

[Comparison of the accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation formulas based on the new swept-source optical coherence tomography biometry]

Objective: To compare the accuracy of 6 intraocular lens power calculation formulas based on the new swept-source optical coherence tomography biometry and to analyze the prediction error. Methods: Retrospective case series study. Clinical data were collected from 599 patients (599 eyes) who had underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification and the IOLMaster 700 examination at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between November 2018 and November 2019. Among the patients, there were 208 males and 391 females with an age of (69±10) years. According to the axial length (AL), eyes were divided into the short AL group (≤22.5 mm, n=100), the normal AL group (>22.5 mm and<25.5 mm, n=375); and the long AL group (≥25.5 mm, n=124). Eyes were also grouped based on the mean keratometry (Km) as flat (≤42.00 D, n=47), normal (>42.00 D to<46.00 D, n=461), and steep (≥46.00 D, n=91), and by anterior chamber depth (ACD) as shallow (≤2.5 mm, n=71), normal (>2.5 mm to<3.5 mm, n=436), and deep (≥3.5 mm, n=92). The median absolute errors (MedAEs) of the Barrett Universal Ⅱ, Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay Ⅰ, Holladay Ⅱ, and SRK/T formulas in different AL, Km, and ACD groups were compared using the Friedman test. Results: The differences in MedAE among the 6 formulas of 599 patients (599 eyes) were statistically significant (χ²=120.549, P<0.001). The MedAE of the Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula was smallest (0.35 D), followed by the SRK/T formula (0.36 D). There was no significant difference between the MedAEs of the Barrett universal Ⅱ and Haigis, SRK/T formula (all P=1.000), but there were statistically significant differences among the other formulas (all P<0.01). In different AL groups, the MedAE of each formula was statistically different (χ²=38.307, 38.779, 112.997; all P<0.01).The Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula resulted in the lowest MedAE in the short AL group (0.40 D) and the long AL group (0.31 D). The MedAE of the SRK/T in the normal AL group was lowest (0.35 D). The 6 formulas showed significant differences in MedAE values in different Km groups (χ²=12.284, 90.924, 39.387; all P<0.05).The Haigis formula achieved the lowest MedAE in the flat Km group (0.26 D) and the steep Km group (0.34 D). The Barrett UniversalⅡ formula achieved the lowest MedAE in the normal Km group (0.33 D). The differences in MedAE values of the 6 formulas in different ACD groups were statistically significant (χ²=37.389, 57.643, 52.845; all P<0.01), and the MedAE values of the Barrett Universal Ⅱ in different ACD groups were smallest (0.46, 0.33, 0.31 D). Conclusions: The Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula perform the best over the entire AL range, followed by the Haigis and SRK/T formulas. The Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula result in the lowest prediction error in the short AL group, the long AL group, and all ACD groups. The Haigis formula may be more accurate when the Km was ≤42.00 D or ≥46.00 D. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 502-511).

[Integration of clinical significance and statistical significance on clinical study results categorization: a Meta-epidemiology study]

Objective: Statistical significance plays an important role in the interpretation of clinical trial results. However, on the basis of obtaining statistical significance, the assessment of clinical significance is often neglected. This study attempted to propose a simple and unambiguous new classification method for study results, focusing on studies with statistical positive findings to evaluate whether the results have clinical significance. Methods: Our study subjects were the clinical studies in 2019 ACC and ESC annual meetings. Meta-epidemiology methods were used to extract the characteristic variable from each study. The primary evaluation indicators included target effect-size and observed effect-size. Based on the difference between the two indicators, the studies that had statistical significance were subdivided to identify studies with possible insufficient clinical significance; Furthermore, the theoretical threshold based on power analysis was proposed, which was used as the basis for the interpretation of study results. Results: There were 12 clinical studies included in the final analysis. All of them were published on top journals. Those studies had relative high quality on both study design and reporting. The correlation coefficient between the observed and target effect-size was 0.892. Among the 7 studies with statistical significance, two of them were classified as insufficient clinical significance. The counts was 1 (1/3) and 1 (1/4) for the studies reported in ACC and ESC respectively. Conclusions: The achievement of clinical significance is critical even in the study with positive results. This paper proposes a new classification standard that combines clinical significance with statistical significance and further suggests a method to evaluate the reliability of clinical study results in order to assist researchers in identifying potential risks caused by insufficient clinical significance, and provide some reference and help for the reasonable interpretation of clinical study results.

[The acute and long-term outcome of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction concurrent with chronic total occlusion]

Objective: To evaluate the acute and long-term outcome of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) concurrent with chronic total occlusion (CTO) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: 11 905 STEMI patients from the China Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry were enrolled in this study and divided into CTO group and non-CTO group according to the angiography results of primary PCI. 1∶3 propensity score matching was used to match the patients between the two groups. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality and mortality at 1-year post PCI. The secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including death, re-myocardial infarction, revascularization, heart failure associated readmission, stroke and major bleeding at 1-year post PCI. Results: There were 931 CTO patients (7.8%) in this cohort (male=755 (81.1%), mean age (62.2±11.4 years)). The rest 10 974 patients were STEMI without CTO (male=8 829 (80.5%),mean age (60.0±11.8) years). After propensity score matching, 896 patients were enrolled in CTO group and 2 688 in non-CTO group. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the CTO group than in non-CTO group (4.2% vs. 2.4%, P=0.006). The ratio of all cause death, cardiac death, and MACE at 1-year follow up was also significantly higher in the CTO group than in non-CTO group (8.5% vs. 4.4%, P<0.001, 5.3% vs. 2.6%, P=0.001, 35.1% vs. 23.3%, P<0.001, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that CTO (HR=1.54, 95%CI 1.06-2.22, P=0.022), advanced age (HR=1.06, 95%CI 1.04-1.08, P<0.001), and previous heart failure history (HR=4.10, 95%CI 1.90-8.83, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of 1-year mortality. Conclusions: The in-hospital and 1-year mortality increased significantly in STEMI patients concurrent with CTO. CTO, advanced age and history of heart failure are independent risk factors of 1-year death among STEMI patients.

[Evaluation of safety of two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines in a large-scale emergency use]

Objective: To evaluate the safety of two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines in a large-scale emergency use. Methods: Based on the "Vaccination Information Collection System", the incidence data of adverse reactions in the population vaccinated with the inactivated COVID-19 vaccines developed by Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd and Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd, respectively, in emergency use were collected, and the relevant information were analyzed with descriptive epidemiological and statistical methods. Results: By December 1, 2020, the vaccination information of 519 543 individuals had been collected. The overall incidence rate of adverse reactions was 1.06%, the incidence rate of systemic adverse reactions was 0.69% and the incidence rate of local adverse reactions was 0.37%. The main systemic adverse reactions included fatigue, headache, fever, cough and loss of appetite with the incidence rates of 0.21%, 0.14%, 0.06%, 0.05% and 0.05%, respectively; the main local adverse reactions were injection site pain and injection site swelling with the incidence rates of 0.24% and 0.05%, respectively. Conclusion: The two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines by Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd and Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd showed that in the large-scale emergency use, the incidence rate of general reactions was low and no serious adverse reactions were observed after the vaccinations, demonstrating that the vaccines have good safety.

Further prenylated anthranoids from Harungana madagascariensis

Ten undescribed anthranoids, including three anthraquinone acetals as racemic mixtures, (±)-kenganthranol G-I, and seven prenylated anthranols, (±)-kenganthranol J-M and harunganol G-I, together with thirteen known compounds, were isolated from the stem bark of Harungana madagascariensis. The structures of (±)-kenganthranol G and (±)-kenganthranol J were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. (±)-Kenganthranol G was separated into (+)-kenganthranol G and (-)-kenganthranol G by chiral HPLC and their absolute configurations were established by electronic circular dichroism. (±)-Kenganthranol L displayed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ of 4.4 μM.

Merged hepatopulmonary features in hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the lung: a systematic review

This study aimed to provide diagnostic clues for patients with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the absence of liver tumors and rectify some previously confused concepts about hepatoid carcinoma of the lung through a systematic review on hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the lung (HAL). A thorough search for original articles on HAL published prior to November 2020 was performed using the PubMed, EBSCOhost, Embase, WanFang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Ninety-four patients from 88 studies met the eligibility criteria. HAL was rare and mainly occurred among male Asian smokers in their 60 s, presenting with cough, hemoptysis, chest pain, dyspnea and/or weight loss, as well as elevated serum AFP with a mass usually in the right upper lung lobe but no liver masses. Hepatoid differentiation regions, acinar or papillary structures in tumor tissues, and positive immunohistochemical expression of AFP, HepPar-1, and CK8/18 were crucial indicators for the diagnosis of HAL. Surgery-based strategies were recommended for stage I-III patients, while stage IV patients were mainly treated with chemotherapy-based strategy. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 40%, 35%, and 19%, respectively. The 1-year relapse-free survival rate was 58%. The postoperative monitoring of AFP contributed to the early detection of tumor recurrence, with a positive rate of 71.43%. In conclusion, patients with elevated serum AFP levels without any detectable hepatic lesions should be evaluated for the possibility of HAL.

[Effect of HBV infection pattern on prevalence of fatty liver disease in Jinchang cohort]

Objective: To investigate the influence of HBV infection on the prevalence of fatty liver disease in Jinchang cohort and provide theoretical evidence for the prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease. Methods: Epidemiological investigation, laboratory examination and abdominal ultrasound were conducted in the baseline population of Jinchang cohort to collect the basic data, the differences in the prevalence of fatty liver disease under different HBV infection patterns were described and compared and the influence of different HBV infection patterns on the prevalence of fatty liver disease were evaluated by using logistic regression analysis. Results: The baseline Jinchang cohort population totaled 45 605, including 27 917 males and 17 688 females. The male to female ratio was 1.6∶1. The mean age of the overall population was 46.49 years. Among the 8 common HBV infection modes in the Jinchang cohort, the prevalence of fatty liver was low in HBsAg, HBeAg and HBcAb positive, HBsAg and HBcAb positive, and HBsAg, HBeAb and HBcAb positive groups. For 4 serum markers of HBV infection, the prevalence of fatty liver disease in HBsAg and HBeAg positive groups was lower than that in HBsAg and HBeAg negative groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that being HBsAg and HBcAb positive (OR=0.61, 95%CI: 0.39-0.98) and HBsAg, HBeAg and HBcAb positive (OR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.30-0.89) could reduce the risk for fatty liver disease. Conclusion: Acute HBV infection reduces the prevalence of fatty liver disease, and the reason may be related to the disturbance of the body's fat metabolism by active HBV replication.

[Association of hyperuricemia-induced renal damage with sirtuin 1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in rats]

Objective: To investigate the association of hyperuricemia-induced renal damage with sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in rats. Methods: Using the random number table method, 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, model A group (the model was generated using oxonic acid potassium salt alone), model B group (hyperuricemia model was generated using oxonic acid potassium salt combined with uric acid) and resveratrol group, with 8 rats in each group. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Serum uric acid and cystatin C levels were monitored regularly. In week 12, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were measured, and the kidneys were extracted. The expression of SIRT1 and eNOS in renal tissues was measured and determined by immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Immunohistochemistry of alpha-smooth muscle actin combined with Masson staining was employed to evaluate the degree of renal fibrosis, and pathological changes were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: In week 12, the uric acid levels in both the model A and model B groups were higher than those in the control group [(316±43) μmol/L, (297±40) μmol/L vs (118±44) μmol/L, both P<0.05]. The levels of cystatin C in the model A, model B, and resveratrol groups were all higher than those in the control group [(156±20) ng/ml, (143±29) ng/ml, (128±26) ng/ml vs (62±18) ng/ml, all P<0.05]. Creatinine levels were higher in the model A and model B groups than those in the control group [(68.5±10.3) μmol/L, (64.5±13.9) μmol/L vs (43.2±10.6) μmol/L, both P<0.05]. The levels of uric acid, cystatin C and creatinine in the resveratrol group were lower than those in the model A group (all P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting for renal SIRT1 and eNOS showed that the expression in the model A and model B groups was inhibited, while the expression in the resveratrol group was not significantly inhibited, compared with that in the control group. Microscopically, obvious abnormalities were not found in the renal tissue of the control group. Renal inflammatory cell aggregation and edema occurred, and interstitial fibrosis was obvious in both the model A and model B groups, while these lesions in the resveratrol group were significantly improved. Conclusions: Hyperuricemia may cause renal injury by inhibiting the expression of SIRT1 and eNOS.

[Perinatal outcomes of dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy]

Objective: To analyze the perinatal outcomes in different methods of multifetal pregnancy reduction in dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplet pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 57 cases of DCTA triplets in Peking University Third Hospital from January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2020, including 27 cases in expectant pregnancy group and 30 cases in selective fetal reduction (FR) group. The selective FR group was further divided into 3 subgroups according to different FR methods:retaining monochorionic dichorionic (MCDA) group, retaining dichorionic dichorionic (DCDA) group, and retaining singleton group. The perinatal outcomes of expectant pregnancy group and 3 subgroups of selective FR group were compared. Results: The gestational weeks in selective FR group was (34.5±5.7) weeks, and full-term delivery rate was 53% (16/30), respectively higher than those of the expectant pregnancy group (29.9±6.0) weeks and 7% (2/27). The miscarriage rate of the selective FR group was 10% (3/30), lower than that of the expectant pregnancy group (33%, 9/27). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The ratios of pregnancy complications and newborn admission to neonatal ICU (NICU) in the selective FR group were lower than those of the expectant pregnancy group (all P<0.05). In the selective FR group, the gestational weeks in retaining MCDA group (6 cases), retaining DCDA group (13 cases), and retaining singleton group (11 cases) were (32.2±4.3), (33.0±6.3), and (37.4±4.7) weeks; the miscarriage rates were 1/6, 1/13, and 1/11; the premature delivery rates were 4/6, 7/13, and 0/11; the full-term delivery rates were 1/6, 5/13, and 10/11; pregnancies with at least 1 survivor rates were 5/6, 12/13, and 10/11; NICU occupancy rates were 6/8, 9/18 and 0/10, respectively. The retaining singleton group had the highest rate of full-term delivery and the lowest rate of NICU occupancy. Compared with other groups, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The full-term delivery rate was significantly higher in the retaining DCDA group than that of the expectant pregnancy group (P<0.05). Conclusions: The risk of DCTA triplet pregnancy is high. Reduction of the MCDA pair to singleton has the highest rate of full-term delivery and the lowest rate of NICU occupancy. For pregnant women who wish to retain twin pregnancy, the risk should be fully informed, and consider reduction of one fetus of the MCDA and retaining DCDA twins to continue pregnancy.

[Perinatal outcome of pregnant women with adenomyosis]

Objective: To analyze the effect of pregnancy with adenomyosis on perinatal outcome. Methods: From April 2014 to April 2019, singleton pregnant women complicated with adenomyosis in Peking University Third Hospital was selected and the perinatal outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The age of patients in the pregnancy with adenomyosis group (study group) was not different from that of the control group (median: 35 vs 34 years old, P>0.05); the body mass index was higher than that of the control group (median: 23.9 vs 21.8 kg/m², P<0.01); the rate of assisted reproductive technology was significantly higher than that of the control group [25.3% (64/253) vs 3.1% (8/257), P<0.01]. Compared with the control group, the gestational age at delivery was significantly lower in the study group (median: 38.0 vs 39.2 weeks, P<0.01); the rates of preterm birth [17.1% (44/257) vs 4.7% (12/257), P<0.01] and preeclampsia [13.7% (35/255) vs 5.8% (15/257), P=0.003] were significantly higher in the study group. The incidence of severe postpartum hemorrhage in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group [5.8% (14/241) vs 1.2% (3/257), P=0.004]. The incidence of cesarean section was higher in the study group [(57.0% (146/256) vs 31.5% (81/257), P<0.01]. Neonatal weight was lower in the study group than that in the control group (median: 3 140 vs 3 440 g, P<0.01); the incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) was higher in the study group [21.5% (55/256) vs 4.7% (12/257), P<0.01]. There were no significant differences in umbilical artery pH and 1-minute Apgar score between the study group and the control group (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Pregnant women complicated with adenomyosis has low fertility, and most of them need assisted reproductive technology to conceive. The pregnant women with adenomyosis has the poor perinatal outcome, including an increased incedence of preterm birth, preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean section and SGA, and low newborn weight.

Long-Term Running Exercise Delays Age-Related Changes in White Matter in Rats

Running exercise, one of the strategies to protect brain function, has positive effects on neurons and synapses in the cortex and hippocampus. However, white matter, as an important structure of the brain, is often overlooked, and the effects of long-term running exercise on white matter are unknown. Here, 14-month-old male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were divided into a middle-aged control group (18-month-old control group), an old control group (28-month-old control group), and a long-term runner group (28-month-old runner group). The rats in the runner group underwent a 14-month running exercise regime. Spatial learning ability was tested using the Morris water maze, and white matter volume, myelinated fiber parameters, total mature oligodendrocyte number, and white matter capillary parameters were investigated using stereological methods. The levels of growth factors related to nerve growth and vascular growth in peripheral blood and the level of neurite outgrowth inhibitor-A (Nogo-A) in white matter were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The present results indicated that long-term running exercise effectively delayed the age-related decline in spatial learning ability and the atrophy of white matter by protecting against age-related changes in myelinated fibers and oligodendrocytes in the white matter. Moreover, long-term running exercise prevented age-related changes in capillaries within white matter, which might be related to the protective effects of long-term exercise on aged white matter.

[Clinical characteristics and outcomes of monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twin pregnancy. Methods: The clinical data of 60 MCMA twin pregnant women who were terminated in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2011 to December 2019 were collected, and the general clinical data, prenatal examination and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The age of 60 MCMA twin pregnant women was (31.0±4.1) years old, among which 44 cases were primiparas (73%, 44/60) and 16 cases were multiparas (27%, 16/60). Fifty-eight cases were diagnosed as MCMA twin pregnancy prenatally and were confirmed after delivery. Median ultrasonic diagnosis of gestational age was 12 weeks (range: 8-30 weeks). In the 60 MCMA twin pregnancies, 6 cases were conjoined twins, 5 cases were complicated with twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAPS), and 10 cases were diagnosed as other fetal malformation by prenatal ultrasound examination. Among the 60 MCMA twin pregnant women, 19 cases had spontaneous abortion or induced abortion due to fetal malformation, fetal death or other reasons within 28 weeks of pregnancy, 41 cases entered the perinatal period, a total of 70 newborns survived. The main cause of perinatal fetal or neonatal death was fetal dysplasia. Conclusions: There is a high incidence of fetal abnormality and perinatal mortality in MCMA twin pregnancy. Accurate early diagnosis, enhanced management and monitoring during pregnancy, and individualized treatment are the keys to improve MCMA twin pregnancy outcomes.

[Determination of thallium in the urine with colloidal palladium as the matrix modifier by graphite furnace atomic absorption Spectrometry]

Objective: To instruct a method of determining thallium in the urine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry(GF-AAS) with colloidal palladium as the matrix modifier. Methods: Urine samples were first diluted and then determined by GF-AAS with colloidal palladium while using thermal sample injection. Results: The optimum volume of colloidal palladium was 6 μl and the best ashing temperature was 600-800 ℃ while the atomization temperature was 1700-1900 ℃ . This method showed a good linearity relationship when the concentration between 0.33 and 50.0 μg/L while the correlation coefficient of standard curve line was 0.9992, and the detection limit was 0.33 μg/L and the recovery rate was between 92.7% and 102.3% with the intra-day precision in the range of 2.55% to 3.66% and the inter-day precision in the range of 1.77% to 3.85%. Conclusion: This method has the advantages of low detect limit, high sensitivity and good precision, and it can be used in the biological monitoring and emergency detecting of workers exposed to thallium.

[Application of the superior thyroid artery peak systolic velocity in differentiating Graves' disease from autoimmune thyroiditis]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of the superior thyroid artery peak systolic velocity (STA-PSV) for the differential diagnosis of autoimmune thyrotoxicosis. Methods: A total of 301 patients with newly diagnosed thyrotoxicosis and without any anti-thyroid drug intervention were collected from the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University People's Hospital from Jan. 2015 to Oct. 2018. Among them, 241 patients were with Graves' disease (GD) and 60 patients were with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). STA-PSV, thyroid function and thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) were determined. A multiple linear regression was used to identify factors associated with STA-PSV. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the discriminating ability of STA-PSV to GD. Results: STA-PSV leves in GD group were significantly higher than those in AIT group [61.00 (41.00, 86.50) cm/s vs. 34.50 (25.25, 46.00) cm/s, P<0.001]. The ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC was 0.790 (95%CI 0.734-0.845), and 49.5cm/s was the optimal cutoff point for the diagnosis of GD, in which the sensitivity was 64.3% and the specificity was 83.3%. In all patients with thyrotoxicosis, multiple linear regression analyses showed free thyroxine (FT(4)) (β=0.371, 95%CI 0.005-0.010, P<0.001) and TRAb (β=0.138, 95%CI 0.001-0.014, P=0.035) were positively associated with STA-PSV. Conclusions: The STA-PSV is positively associated with FT(4) and TRAb levels, and it is a helpful marker in differential diagnosis between GD and AIT.

[Trend in proportion and clinicopathological characteristics of young women with stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer]

Objective: To analyze the 13 years trend in proportion, risks factors and clinicopathological characteristics of young women with stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer by using multi-center data of cervical cancer in China. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 46 313 patients with cervical cancer treated from 37 hospitals in China were obtained from January 2004 to December 2016. Using clinical and pathologic data, each patient's stage was reclassified by the 2018 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system. A total of 19 041 patients were selected according to the following criteria: FIGO stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2, underwent type B or C radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. All the patients were divided into two groups: the study group of 1 888 patients aged 35 years or younger and the control group of 17 153 patients aged over 35 years. The 13 years trend in proportion of young women with stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer, risks factors and clinicopathological characteristics of two groups were retrospectively analyzed. Results: (1) The total number of hospitalized patients with stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer increased annually. However, a downward trend of patients aged 35 years or younger was observed (P<0.01) . The constituent ratio of patients aged 35 years or younger was significantly greater during 2004-2010 than that during 2011-2016 [12.6% (820/6 484) and 8.5% (1 068/12 557) , respectively; χ(2)=82.101, P<0.01]. (2) Compared with patients aged over 35 years, patients aged 35 years or younger had an earlier age at menarche, a later age at marriage, lesser gravida and parity (all P<0.01). The positive rate of high-risk HPV infection was not statistically different between two groups (all P>0.05). (3) The proportions of stage Ⅰ, exophytic type and non-squamous histological type in patients aged 35 years or younger were clearly higher than those in patients aged over 35 years (83.4% vs 68.5%, P<0.01; 63.2% vs 56.2%, P<0.01; 13.9% vs 12.0%, P<0.05, respectively). Whereas the poor differentiation ratios of the two groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05). (4) As for the postoperative pathological risk factors, the rate of surgical margin involvement in patients aged 35 years or younger was lower than that aged over 35 years (1.1% vs 1.8%, P<0.05), and the rate of depth of stromal invasion >1/2 in patients aged 35 years or younger was lower than that in patients aged over 35 years (40.1% vs 50.9%, P<0.01). In addition, there were no significant difference in parametrial margin involvement, tumor size and lymph vascular space invasion between two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The trend in proportion among hospitalized patients for stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer in young women is decreasing yearly. Compared with cervical cancer in middle-aged and elderly women, cervical cancer in young women have an earlier age at menarche, a higher proportion of stage Ⅰ patients and non-squamous histological type. In terms of the postoperative pathological risk factors, the rate of surgical margin involvement and depth of stromal invasion >1/2 in young women with cervical cancer are lower than in middle-aged and elderly women.

P5314Albumin is a prognostic marker of long-term outcomes in patients with triple-vessel coronary artery Disease: a large data from China

Background

Hypoalbuminemia was reported to be associated with poor prognosis in severe diseases. Triple-vessel coronary artery disease (TVD) has high risk of death. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of hypoalbuminemia in TVD patients.

Methods

A total of 8,943 consecutive TVD patients were enrolled from April 2004 to February 2011. The primary endpoint was all-cause death and the secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction or stroke). Patients were divided into two groups according to normal serum albumin level (<4.0 g/dL and ≥4.0 g/dL).

Results

During the median of follow-up 7.5 years, 1365 deaths and 2354 MACCE occurred. Multivariate Cox regression indicated that hypoalbuminaemia (<4.0 g/dL) was an independent predictor of all-cause death (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.14–1.50, P<0.001) and MACCE (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07–1.32, P<0.001). Adjustment of the all-cause death risk estimated by albumin improved the predictive value of SYNTAX score (AUC from 0.585 to 0.602, P=0.002; IDI=0.005, P<0.001; NRI=0.205, P<0.001). For SYNTAX II score, improvement was shown for NRI and IDI but not for AUC (SYNTAX II for PCI: IDI=0.003, P<0.001; NRI=0.205, P<0.001; AUC from 0.711 to 0.713, P=0.257; SYNTAX II for CABG: IDI=0.002, P<0.001; NRI=0.205, P<0.001; AUC from 0.696 to 0.698, P=0.120).

Predictive value for all-cause death using the AUC, NRI and IDI AUC (95% CI) P value NRI (95% CI) P value IDI (95% CI) P value SYNTAX 0.585 (0.568–0.602) Ref. Ref. – Ref. – SYNTAX + albumin 0.602 (0.586–0.619) 0.002 0.205 (0.145–0.264) <0.001 0.005 (0.004–0.007) <0.001 SYNTAX II (for PCI) 0.711 (0.696–0.726) Ref. Ref. – Ref. – SYNTAX II (for PCI) + albumin 0.713 (0.698–0.728) 0.257 0.205 (0.145–0.264) <0.001 0.003 (0.001–0.004) <0.001 SYNTAX II (for CABG) 0.696 (0.680–0.711) Ref. Ref. – Ref. – SYNTAX II (for CABG) + albumin 0.698 (0.683–0.714) 0.120 0.205 (0.145–0.264) <0.001 0.002 (0.001–0.004) <0.001

Multi-factor adjusted KM analysis in TVD

Conclusions

For TVD patients, hypoalbuminaemia was a strong independent prognostic factor for long-term outcomes of death and MACCE. Albumin improved the prediction of death with the SYNTAX score and the SYNTAX II score.

Acknowledgement/Funding

CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (2016-I2M-1-002), Beijing Natural Science Foundation (7181008)

[Predictive value of cervical length measured by transvaginal ultrasound during the second and the third trimester of pregnancy for preterm birth in twin pregnancies]

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of cervical length (CL) measured by transvaginal ultrasound for preterm birth <32 weeks, <34 weeks in twin pregnancies in the second and the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: A total of 490 twin pregnant women with CL measured by transvaginal ultrasound during the second trimester of pregnancy (20-24 weeks) and the third trimester of pregnancy (28-32 weeks) delivered in Peking University Third Hospital, and Tongzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were collected, and 161 cases out of which were measured by CL during both the second trimester and the third trimester of pregnancy. Based on the measured gestational weeks, 427 cases were in the second trimester group and 224 cases in the third trimester group. The predictive value of CL for preterm birth was evaluated by calculating the optimal cut-off point with sensitivity and specificity. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between CL and preterm birth after adjusting for confounding factors (age of pregnant women, chorionic status, mulipara, assisted reproductive pregnancy and pre-pregnancy body mass index). Results: (1) The median CL of pregnant women in the second trimester group and the third trimester group were 36 mm (33-40 mm) and 28 mm (18-33 mm) respectively. In the second trimester group, 151 cases (35.4%, 151/427) were preterm birth and 276 cases (64.6%, 276/427) were full-term birth; the median CL of preterm and full-term pregnant women were 34 mm (30-37 mm) and 37 mm (34-40 mm), respectively, with significant difference (P<0.01). In the third trimester group, 100 cases (44.6%, 100/224) were preterm birth and 124 cases (55.4%, 124/224) were full-term birth; the median CL of preterm and full-term pregnant women were 22 mm (15-30 mm) and 31 mm (23-34 mm), respectively, with significant difference (P<0.01). (2) Prediction of preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks was performed with CL in the second trimester group. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve were 0.78 (95%CI: 0.70-0.86) and 0.71 (95%CI: 0.64-0.79), respectively. The optimal cut-off points were 36.5 mm and 33.5 mm, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, CL was inversely associated with preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks of gestation. (3) Prediction of preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks were performed with CL in the third trimester group. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve were 0.86 (0.75-0.96) and 0.75 (0.67-0.84), respectively. The optimal cut-off points were 17.5 mm and 18.5 mm, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, CL was inversely associated with preterm birth at <32 weeks and <34 weeks of gestation. Conclusions: CL measured by transvaginal ultrasound in the second and the third trimester is a good predictor for preterm birth of twin pregnancy. CL≤36.5 mm and ≤33.5 mm at 20-24 weeks of gestation could predict preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks respectively. CL≤17.5 mm and ≤18.5 mm at 28-32 weeks of gestation could predict preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks respectively.

[Evaluation and comparison of prognostic value of serum free light chain ratio/difference in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma]

目的

比较评估初诊时血清游离轻链比值（rFLC）及差值（dFLC）对多发性骨髓瘤（MM）患者预后的价值。

方法

收集整理2012年1月至2016年3月有FLC检测记录的479例初治MM患者的相关临床资料，采用四分位间距法将rFLC、dFLC进行分组。将rFLC分别为3组：≤14.828、14.828~364.597、≥364.597。将dFLC分为3组：≤112.85 mg/L、112.85~2 891.83 mg/L、≥2 891.83 mg/L。随后分别对不同分组进行预后分析比较。使用Kaplan-Meier进行无进展生存（PFS）和总生存期（OS）比较，使用Cox回归进行单因素、多因素预后相关性分析。

结果

不同截断范围rFLC或dFLC患者的OS及PFS差异均有统计学意义。rFLC≤14.828组OS明显优于其他两组（未达到对61个月对47个月，P=0.019）；PFS与rFLC 14.828~364.597组相比，差异无统计学意义（P=0.227），与rFLC≥364.597相比，差异有统计学意义（P=0.024）。dFLC≤112.85 mg/L组与其他两组相比PFS、OS差异均有统计学意义。单因素、多因素分析显示rFLC仅与患者OS显著相关，而dFLC与患者OS、PFS均显著相关。4年OS率比较，rFLC≤14.828组4年OS率达90.84%，明显高于其他两组（59.29%、62.26%）；dFLC≤112.85 mg/L组4年OS率达89.97%，明显高于其他两组（41.32%、71.95%）（P<0.05）。

结论

对于初治MM患者，不同截断范围的rFLC、dFLC对患者生存预后影响不同。其中rFLC≤14.828或dFLC≤112.85 mg/L，其生存预后差异更为明显，且具有更低的死亡风险，危险比也更低。以此截断值判断患者预后较为理想。

[Prognostic value of TIMI and GRACE risk scores for in-hospital mortality in Chinese patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction]

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) and global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) risk scores for in-hospital mortality in Chinese non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. Methods: Data of present study derived from the prospective, multi-center registry trial of Chinese AMI (CAMI). Among 31 provinces, municipalities or autonomous districts in China, at least one tertiary and secondary hospital was selected. From January 2013 to September 2014, 5 896 consecutive non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients who were admitted to 107 hospitals within 7 days of symptom onset were enrolled. For each patient, TIMI and GRACE risk scores were calculated using specific variables collected at admission. Their prognostic value was evaluated by the endpoint of in-hospital mortality. Results: Among 5 896 NSTEMI patients (age was (65.4±12.1) years old), 68.2% (n=4 020) were males. The in-hospital mortality was 6.0% (n=353) and the median length of hospital stay was 10.0 (7.0, 13.0) days. The incidence of pre-hospital cardiac arrest was 3.6% (n=213) among 5 896 NSTEMI patients. Six hundreds and forty five patients (10.9%) received primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and 6 patients underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (0.1%), and the median time of reperfusion was 529.5 (256.0, 1 065.0) minutes. The prescription percentage of statins, β-blocker, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers, and aldosterone antagonists were 94.8% (n=5 587), 71.7% (n=4 228), 65.5% (n=3 864) and 26.0% (n=1 533) respectively. The area under the curve of GRACE risk score for in-hospital mortality (0.7930 (95%CI 0.767-0.818)) was better than that of TIMI risk score (0.5588 (95%CI 0.532-0.586), P<0.001). Conclusion: GRACE risk score demonstrates better predictive accuracy than TIMI risk score for in-hospital mortality in NSTEMI patients in this patient cohort.

Low-temperature microstructural studies on superconducting CaFe2As2

Undoped CaFe₂As₂ (Ca122) can be stabilized in two slightly different non-superconducting tetragonal phases, PI and PII, through thermal treatments. Upon proper annealing, superconductivity with a T_c up to 25 K emerges in the samples with an admixture of PI and PII phases. Systematic low-temperature X-ray diffraction studies were conducted on undoped Ca122 samples annealed at 350 °C over different time periods. In addition to the diffraction peaks associated with the single-phase aggregation of PI and PII, a broad intermediate peak that shifts with annealing time was observed in the superconducting samples only. Our simulation of phase distribution suggests that the extra peak is associated with the admixture of PI and PII on the nanometer scale. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms the existence of these nano-scale phase admixtures in the superconducting samples. These experimental results and simulation analyses lend further support for our conclusion that interfacial inducement is the most reasonable explanation for the emergence of superconductivity in undoped Ca122 single crystals.