Short- (30-90 days) and mid-term (1-3 years) outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with esophageal cancer undergoing surgical treatments.

Background: The factors influencing the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer vary among studies and are still poorly known.

Aim: To determine the factors associated with survival in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with esophageal cancer admitted between January 2017 and March 2020 at Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College.

Impact of unintentional coronary angiography on outcomes of emergency surgery in acute type A aortic dissection: a retrospective study.

Background: This study investigated the impact of coronary angiography on outcomes of emergency operation in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients who were initially misdiagnosed as an acute coronary syndrome.

Methods: From October 2016 to April 2019, 129 patients underwent emergency operation for ATAAD in our institution, including 21 patients (16.3%, coronary angiography group) who received preoperative coronary angiography without knowledge of the ATAAD, and the rest 108 did not (Non-coronary angiography group).

High shear stress suppresses proliferation and migration but promotes apoptosis of endothelial cells co-cultured with vascular smooth muscle cells via down-regulating MAPK pathway.

Background: Early neointimal hyperplasia of vein graft may be ameliorated via enhancing intravenous surface shear stress. Cellular processes including proliferation, apoptosis and migration of endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) may play very important roles in the process of neointimal hyperplasia of vein graft; and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and p38 pathways play vital roles in regulating a large variety of cellular processes. This study evaluated the impacts of shear stress and MAPK pathways on cellular processes of ECs in a co-culture system with VSMCs, and aimed to test the hypothesis that high shear stress suppresses proliferation and migration but promotes apoptosis of ECs co-cultured with VSMCs via down-regulating MAPK pathway.

Besides an ITIM/SHP-1-dependent pathway, CD22 collaborates with Grb2 and plasma membrane calcium-ATPase in an ITIM/SHP-1-independent pathway of attenuation of Ca2+i signal in B cells.

CD22 is a surface immunoglobulin implicated in negative regulation of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling; particularly inhibiting intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i)signals. Its cytoplasmic tail contains six tyrosine residues (Y773/Y783/Y817/Y828/Y843/Y863, designated Y1~Y6 respectively), including three (Y2/5/6) lying within immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) that serve to recruit the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 after BCR activation-induced phosphorylation. The mechanism of inhibiting Ca2+i by CD22 has been poorly understood.

Impact of mild preoperative renal insufficiency on in-hospital and long-term outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a retrospective propensity score matching analysis.

Background: Mild preoperative renal insufficiency is not rare in patients receiving isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (OPCAB) surgery. However, there is less study aimed to evaluate the impact of mild preoperative renal insufficiency on in-hospital and follow-up outcomes after isolated OPCAB surgery. This single-centre, retrospective propensity score matching study aimed to evaluate the impact of mild preoperative renal insufficiency on in-hospital and long-term outcomes after first isolated OPCAB surgery.

Clinical efficacy of epicardial application of drug-releasing hydrogels to prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Postoperative atrial fibrillation is the most frequent complication arising after cardiac surgery, occurring in 40% of cases. The treatment of postoperative atrial fibrillation with epicardial amiodarone/corticosteroid hydrogel delivery can increase efficacy and reduce side effects. To further evaluate whether amiodarone hydrogel is superior to corticosteroid hydrogel or placebo, we performed a randomized prospective study in 150 patients with coronary artery bypass grafting to compare the effectiveness with different epicardial drug approaches in the postoperative period.

Impact of smoking on early clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Background: To evaluate the impact of persistent smoking versus smoking cessation over one month prior to surgery on early clinical outcomes in Chinese patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in a retrospective study.

Methods: The peri-operative data of consecutive well-documented patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery from January 2007 to December 2013 were investigated and retrospectively analyzed. All included patients were divided into either a non-smoking group or a smoking group according to preoperative smoking records.

On-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in high-risk patients.

This study aimed to evaluate on-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with a high-risk operative profile.The pre-, intra- and post-operative data of high-risk patients with additive European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (additive Euro-SCORE) over 6 undergoing isolated CABG from January 2008 to December 2011 in this center were investigated and retrospectively analyzed. Using the propensity score-matching method, those patients with similar pre- and intra-operative characteristics were selected and their early clinical outcomes were compared.

Protective effects of tight glucose control during cardiopulmonary bypass on myocardium in adult nondiabetic patients undergoing valve replacement.

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of tight glucose control during cardiopulmonary bypass on myocardium in adult nondiabetic patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement in a prospective and randomized trial.

Methods: Sixty-five adult nondiabetic patients undergoing selective isolated aortic valve replacement were enrolled and randomly assigned to an insulin group (patients received a continuous insulin infusion during surgery; n = 33) or a control group (patients were not administered insulin unless their blood glucose level exceeded 200 mg/dL; n = 32). Cardiac troponin I was assayed preoperatively, and then at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after aortic cross-declamping.

[Risk factors for failure of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis in the treatment of acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery].

Objective: To evaluate the independent risk factors for failure of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) in the treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery.

Methods: Adult patients without any prior pre-operative history of chronic renal disease suffering AKI following cardiac surgery and undergoing CVVHD at our center from January 2005 to December 2012 were recruited and divided into either a success group or a failure group. All pre-, intra- and post-operative data were collected and retrospectively analyzed.

High plasma D-dimer level is associated with decreased survival in patients with lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

An elevated plasma D-dimer level indicates the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Several studies suggested that high level of plasma D-dimer was associated with the prognosis of lung cancer. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between plasma D-dimer level and the prognosis of lung cancer based on larger sample size.

[Experiences of establishing an abdominal heart transplantation model in rats].

Objective: To review the experiences and key factors of establishing an abdominal cardiac transplantation model in rats at National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.

Methods: Dark Agouti rats served as donor while Brown Norway rats as recipient. Cardiac transplantations were performed with a modified version of heterotopic cardiac transplantation.

Risk factors for failure of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis in the treatment of acute renal failure following cardiac surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for failure of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) in the treatment of acute renal failure (ARF) after cardiac surgery.

Methods: Adult patients without any prior pre-operative history of chronic renal failure who underwent CVVHD after cardiac surgery in our medical center from January 2005 to December 2008 were divided into a success or a failure group. All selected patients' pre-, intra-, and post-operative data were retrospectively analyzed.

[Effect of atorvastatin on postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: A cohort of 140 consecutive patients without a history of documented AF or previous statin use, who were scheduled to undergo selective CABG, were enrolled. Included patients were randomly assigned to atorvastatin group (n = 71) who were administered atorvastatin 20 mg/d or to control group (n = 69).

Results of radiofrequency ablation for permanent atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.

Objectives: The study aim was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of radiofrequency ablation for the surgical treatment of permanent atrial fibrillation in patients with degenerative mitral valve disease.

Design: From August 2000 to August 2003, 40 consecutive patients (mean age 69.0 +/- 9.

[Effect of the valved stent on closure of patent ductus arteriosus in a miniswine model].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a valved stent on closure patent ductus arteriosus in a Chinese miniswine model.

Methods: Self-expandable nitinol stents were made of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy (9 mm in diameter). Bovine pericardium was shaped and sutured onto the stents.

[Coronary flow obstruction in percutaneous aortic valve replacement using self-expandable valved stent: an in vitro study].

Objective: To study the effects of self-expandable and orthotopically implanted percutaneous aortic valved stent on coronary artery flow in vitro.

Methods: Self-expandable valved stent was developed with nitinol stent and bovine pericardium. The ascending aorta of Chinese mini swine hearts was cut proximal to the brachiocephalic trunk.

[Depression before and after operation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and the effect thereof on quality of life].

Objective: To investigate the presence and severity of depression before and after operation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the effect thereof on the quality of life.

Methods: A validated Chinese version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used in 138 CABG patients that were divided into 2 groups according the fact if depression was present. 1 week before and 1, 3, and 6 months after operation, and SF-36 scale was used to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) one week before operation and 1 and 6 months after operation.

[Opportunity for treatment of acute renal failure after cardiac vascular operation using continuous blood purification].

Objective: To evaluate the effect and timing of continuous blood purification (CBP) in treatment of acute renal failure (ARF) following cardiac-vascular surgery.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with ARF following cardiac-vascular surgery were divided into systematic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) Group (n = 13) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) Group (n = 12) according to the illness state prior to CBP and were divided into Group A (n = 5, with the APACHEIII score prior to CBP 90). All of the 25 patients underwent continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH).

[Influence of pravastatin on blood lipids and serum high sensitive C-reactive protein in patients undergoing conventional coronary artery bypass grafting under on-pump: a clinical study of 81 cases].

Objective: To investigate the effect of pravastatin on blood lipids and serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP) in patients undergoing conventional coronary artery bypass grafting under on-pump bypass (CCABG).

Methods: Eighty-one patients underwent CCABG. Among which 40 took orally pravastatin 20 mg once daily to at least 28 days after operation, and 41 were used as control group.

Study on the relationship of APACHE III and levels of cytokines in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome after coronary artery bypass grafting.

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship and interpret the clinical importance of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation III (APACHE III) and levels of cytokines in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with or without cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) to see if they are beneficial for evaluating the seriousness of SIRS. The data suggested that the APACHE III score and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were significantly higher after conventional CABG (CCABG) than after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) (p<0.05).

[Comparative studies of the blood lipids and apolipoproteins A1 and B in patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting under on-pump and off-pump bypass].

Objective: To compare the influences of coronary artery bypass grafting under on-pump (CCABG) and off-pump bypass (OPCAB) on blood lipids and Apolipoproteins A(1) and B.

Methods: 41 patients underwent CCABG and 38 patients OPCAB. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL-C cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C cholesterol (LDL-C) and Apolipoproteins A(1) and B were monitored before and 24 h, 72 h, 7 d, 10 d, 14 d, 28 d after operation in all patients.

[Depression before and after operation in coronary artery bypass grafting patients].

Objective: To investigate the presence of depression in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients before and after the operation.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 72 CABG patients, 21 of which, aged 65.30 +/- 1.