Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation versus cardiopulmonary bypass during transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a meta-analysis of survival benefits

Since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011,transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI)has rapidly evolved to become the preferred ultimate intervention for high-and intermediate-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.[1]This is due to its non-open-heart,minimally invasive and off-pump advantages.[1]Nevertheless,as a result of the frequent frailty and comorbidity profiles of patients undergoing TAVI,such as advanced cardiac dysfunction and extensive coronary artery disease,or technically difficult anatomy for the procedure itself,[2-4]it is common for these patients to experience critical circulatory collapse perioperatively.These factors are linked to elevated mortality rates,necessitating suitable mechanical circulatory support(MCS)to reverse the disastrous situations.[5]

Functional Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (F-RYGB), with Preservation of Duodenal Access: Report of Two Revisional Cases of Sleeve Gastrectomy

Objective: This case report aimed to demonstrate a possible neuromuscular effect of Latarjet nerves transection or truncal vagotomy, in association with sleeve gastrectomy plus antrojejunostomy, in order to reproduce a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) mechanistic principles, in patients with previous Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) who had had weight regain, with or without concomitant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most frequently performed bariatric operations worldwide. Nevertheless, weight regain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been consistently demonstrated, in association with this technique, which may require a revisional procedure. RYGB is an option in such a situation but, implies in gastrointestinal exclusions, which represents a shortcoming of this revision. Surpassing this inconvenient would be of great value for the patients. Methods: We describe herein two cases of SG revision for weight regain and GERD, with a follow-up of one year. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was evaluated by validated questionnaire, upper endoscopy, seriography, high resolution manometry (HRM) and impedance pHmetry (I-pHmetry), in the pre and postoperative periods. A re-Sleeve Gastrectomy with antrojejunal anastomosis was done in both cases, after informed consents. The Latarjet nerves were transected in one case, due to a bleeding in the left gastric vessels and a truncal vagotomy was required in the other, to appropriately treat an associated hiatal hernia. Results: In the postoperative evaluation it was observed a pyloric spasm in both cases, during seriography and endoscopy, kept until the one-year follow-up. There was unidirectional contrast flow to the gastrointestinal anastomosis, filling the jejunal limb, in radiologic contrast study. No contrast passed through the pylorus. Nonetheless, the duodenum was kept endoscopically accessible. In the one-year evaluation, weight loss was adequate and GERD resolution was obtained in both cases, confirmed by endoscopic and functional esophageal assessment, together with symptoms questionnaire. Conclusion: The association of Latarjet nerves sectioning or truncal vagotomy with re-sleeve gastrectomy plus gastrointestinal anastomosis (antrojejunal), in a revision for a failed sleeve, can represent a technical approach, to reproduce RYGB results, without exclusions and with duodenum endoscopic accessibility maintenance. It maybe could be applied for primary surgeries. Additional studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Implications of Elevated Serum Cortisol in the Onset of Postoperative Delirium Following Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Insights from a Bangladesh-Based Single Center Experience

Background: Following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), delirium emerges as a prevalent complication. This study aimed to assess the correlation between elevated serum cortisol levels and the occurrence of postoperative delirium subsequent to off-pump CABG. Methods: Conducted in the Department of Cardiac Surgery at BSMMU from October 2020 to September 2022, this comparative cross-sectional study included a total of 44 participants. Subjects, meeting specific criteria, were purposefully assigned to two groups based on off-pump CABG. Group A (n = 22) consisted of patients with normal serum cortisol levels, while Group B (n = 22) comprised individuals with high serum cortisol levels on the first postoperative day. Delirium onset was assessed at the bedside in the ICU on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th postoperative days using standard tools, namely the Richmond Agitation Sedation score (RASS) and The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM-ICU). Data were collected based on the presence or absence of delirium. Statistical analysis utilized SPSS version 26.0, employing an independent Student’s t-test for continuous data and chi-square and Fischer’s exact test for categorical data. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Group-A had a mean age of 54.50 ± 17.97, and Group-B had a mean age of 55.22 ± 15.45, both with a male predominance (81.81% and 86.36% respectively). The mean serum cortisol level was significantly higher in Group B (829.71 ± vs. 389.98 ± 68.77). Postoperative delirium occurred in 27.3% of Group B patients, statistically significant compared to the 4.5% in Group A. However, patients in Group B who developed delirium experienced significantly longer postoperative ICU and hospital stays (79.29 ± 12.27 vs. 11.44 ± 2.85, p ≤ 0.05). There was one mortality in Group B, which was statistically not significant. Conclusion: This study observed a significant association between elevated serum cortisol levels in the postoperative period and the occurrence of postoperative delirium after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Response characteristics of PWR primary circuit under SBLOCAs considering steam bypass discharging

Small-break superposed station blackout(SBO)accidents are the basic design accidents of nuclear power plants.Under the condition of a small break in the cold leg,SBO further increases the severity of the accident,and the steam bypass discharg-ing system(GCT)in the second circuit can play an important role in guaranteeing core safety.To explore the influence of the GCT on the thermal-hydraulic characteristics of the primary circuit,RELAP5 software was used to establish a numerical model based on a typical pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant.Five different small breaks in the cold-leg super-posed SBO were selected,and the impact of the GCT operation on the transient response characteristics of the primary and secondary circuit systems was analyzed.The results show that the GCT plays an indispensable role in core heat removal during an accident;otherwise,core safety cannot be guaranteed.The GCT was used in conjunction with the primary safety injection system during the placement process.When the break diameter was greater than a certain critical value,the core cooling rate could not be guaranteed to be less than 100 K/h;however,the core remained in a safe state.

Effects of sevoflurane on left ventricular function by speckletracking echocardiography in coronary bypass patients: A randomized trial

The present study aimed to dynamically observe the segmental and global myocardial movements of the left ventricle during coronary artery bypass grafting by transesophageal speckle-tracking echocardiography,and to assess the effect of sevoflurane on cardiac function.Sixty-four patients scheduled for the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly divided into a sevoflurane-based anesthesia(AS)group and a propofolbased total intravenous anesthesia(AA)group.The AS group demonstrated a higher absolute value of left ventricular global longitudinal strain than that of the AA group at both T1(after harvesting all grafts and before coronary anastomosis)and T_(2)(30 min after completing all coronary anastomoses)(P<0.05).Moreover,strain improvement in the segment with the highest preoperative strain was significantly reduced in the AS group,compared with the AA group at both T1 and T_(2)(P<0.01).The flow of the left internal mammary artery-left anterior descending artery graft was superior,and the postoperative concentration of troponin T decreased rapidly in the AS group,compared with the AA group(P<0.05).Compared with total intravenous anesthesia,sevoflurane resulted in a significantly higher global longitudinal strain,stroke volume,and cardiac output.Sevoflurane also led to an amelioration in the condition of the arterial graft.Furthermore,sevoflurane significantly reduced strain improvement in the segmental myocardium with a high preoperative strain value.The findings need to be replicated in larger studies.

Results of the First 10 Cases of Coronary Bypass Surgery in Senegal

This is a review of the first 10 coronary artery bypass surgeries performed by the local team. The mean age was 62 years old [45 - 74]. The patients were predominantly male, with a M/F ratio of 4:1. Cardiovascular risk factors were mainly myocardial infarction (MI) (60%), hypertension (50%), obesity (40%) and diabetes (30%), with at least two risk factors per patient. Angina was the main symptom (80%). The average time from presentation to surgery was 8 months. The mean Euroscore 2 was 2.92 ± 1.65 [1.33 - 6.60]. Coronary angiography revealed an average of 2 lesions per patient, with 3-vessel involvement in 70% of cases: the Interventricular artery (IVA) (100%), the right coronary artery (90%) and the circumflex artery (70%). On echocardiography, the mean Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 59% [33% - 76%]. All patients underwent median sternotomy with bypass grafting. The average duration of the cardiopulmonary bypass was 150 min [46 - 275 min];that of aortic clamping, 120 min [43 - 232 min]. The grafts used were internal thoracic artery (ITA) in 100% of cases (80% on the left and 20% on the right), and the great saphenous vein (GSV) in 60% of cases (50% on the left and 10 on the right). Double bypass was performed in 60% of cases, single bypass in 30% and triple bypass in 10%. The bypasses were performed on the IVA (100%), the middle lateral of the circumflex (30%) and the bisector (20%). The average time to extubation was 11 hours and the length of stay in the intensive care unit was 7 days [03 - 17 days]. One patient had a reoperation on Day 0 post-op. The average hospital stay was 13 days [06 - 27 days]. Complications occurred in nine of the patients (90%), with a predominance of infectious and neurological complications. Overall operative mortality was 3%, all in intensive care.

Abnormal ACT in a Patient with Prekallikrein Deficiency Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Prekallikrein deficiency is a disorder that often remains undiagnosed. Prekallikrein activates factor XII, which initiates the intrinsic coagulation pathway. Prekallikrein deficiency results in prolonged Partial Thromboplastin Time and Activated Clotting Time in absence of anticoagulants or active bleeding. This case report describes the anesthesia management of a patient with Prekallikrein deficiency who underwent cardiac surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass for correction of a congenital cardiac malformation. We highlight the importance of understanding the different tests available for the diagnosis of coagulation factors deficiency during administration of heparin in the setting of cardiovascular procedures under general anesthesia.

Predicting short-term thromboembolic risk following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass using supervised machine learning

BACKGROUND Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(RYGB)is a widely recognized bariatric procedure that is particularly beneficial for patients with class III obesity.It aids in significant weight loss and improves obesity-related medical conditions.Despite its effectiveness,postoperative care still has challenges.Clinical evidence shows that venous thromboembolism(VTE)is a leading cause of 30-d morbidity and mortality after RYGB.Therefore,a clear unmet need exists for a tailored risk assessment tool for VTE in RYGB candidates.AIM To develop and internally validate a scoring system determining the individualized risk of 30-d VTE in patients undergoing RYGB.METHODS Using the 2016–2021 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program,data from 6526 patients(body mass index≥40 kg/m^(2))who underwent RYGB were analyzed.A backward elimination multivariate analysis identified predictors of VTE characterized by pulmonary embolism and/or deep venous thrombosis within 30 d of RYGB.The resultant risk scores were derived from the coefficients of statistically significant variables.The performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating curves through 5-fold cross-validation.RESULTS Of the 26 initial variables,six predictors were identified.These included a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a regression coefficient(Coef)of 2.54(P<0.001),length of stay(Coef 0.08,P<0.001),prior deep venous thrombosis(Coef 1.61,P<0.001),hemoglobin A1c>7%(Coef 1.19,P<0.001),venous stasis history(Coef 1.43,P<0.001),and preoperative anticoagulation use(Coef 1.24,P<0.001).These variables were weighted according to their regression coefficients in an algorithm that was generated for the model predicting 30-d VTE risk post-RYGB.The risk model's area under the curve(AUC)was 0.79[95%confidence interval(CI):0.63-0.81],showing good discriminatory power,achieving a sensitivity of 0.60 and a specificity of 0.91.Without training,the same model performed satisfactorily in patients with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with an AUC of 0.63(95%CI:0.62-0.64)and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty with an AUC of 0.76(95%CI:0.75-0.78).CONCLUSION This simple risk model uses only six variables to assist clinicians in the preoperative risk stratification of RYGB patients,offering insights into factors that heighten the risk of VTE events.

Impact of specialized nursing outpatient case management on postcoronary artery bypass grafting patients

BACKGROUND Some patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease experience major adverse cardiac events(MACE)and require readmission after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting(CABG)surgery.This is often attributed to patients'unhealthy lifestyles and dietary habits,inadequate understanding of the disease,and poor disease management compliance.Thus,searching for more targeted nursing intervention models that can enhance patients'self-management abilities and reduce the risk of readmission after CABG surgery is significant.AIM To observe the impact of specialized nursing outpatient case management on patients after CABG surgery.METHODS A total of 103 patients who underwent CABG surgery in our hospital between April 2021 and April 2022 comprised the study sample.The patients were divided into two groups using an odd-even number grouping method.The control group received routine nursing care,while the case management group received specialized nursing outpatient case management.The differences in psychological status,adherence to medical treatment,self-care ability,knowledge mastery,quality of life scores,and the occurrence rate of MACE were compared between the two groups.RESULTS After the intervention,the case management group had lower scores on the selfrating depression scale and self-rating anxiety scale and lower MACE rate,as well as higher scores for adherence to a healthy diet,medication adherence,good lifestyle habits,regular exercise,and timely follow-up,higher scores on the Coronary Heart Disease Self-Management Scale,higher scores for managing adverse habits,symptoms,emotional cognition,emergency response,disease knowledge,general lifestyle,and treatment adherence,higher scores for understanding coronary heart disease,recognizing the importance of medication adherence,understanding selfcare points after CABG surgery,and being aware of post-CABG precautions,higher scores for physical well-being,disease condition,general health,social-psychological well-being,and work-related aspects(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Specialized nursing outpatient case management can enhance patient adherence to medical treatment,knowledge mastery,psychological well-being,and overall quality of life in patients after CABG surgery.

Duodenal-jejunal bypass improves hypothalamic oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic rats via glucagon-like peptide 1-mediated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is often accompanied by impaired glucose utilization in the brain,leading to oxidative stress,neuronal cell injury and inflammation.Previous studies have shown that duodenal jejunal bypass(DJB)surgery significantly improves brain glucose metabolism in T2DM rats,the role and the metabolism of DJB in improving brain oxidative stress and inflammation condition in T2DM rats remain unclear.AIM To investigate the role and metabolism of DJB in improving hypothalamic oxidative stress and inflammation condition in T2DM rats.METHODS A T2DM rat model was induced via a high-glucose and high-fat diet,combined with a low-dose streptozotocin injection.T2DM rats were divided into DJB operation and Sham operation groups.DJB surgical intervention was carried out on T2DM rats.The differential expression of hypothalamic proteins was analyzed using quantitative proteomics analysis.Proteins related to oxidative stress,inflammation,and neuronal injury in the hypothalamus of T2DM rats were analyzed by flow cytometry,quantitative real-time PCR,Western blotting,and immunofluorescence.RESULTS Quantitative proteomics analysis showed significant differences in proteins related to oxidative stress,inflammation,and neuronal injury in the hypothalamus of rats with T2DM-DJB after DJB surgery,compared to the T2DM-Sham groups of rats.Oxidative stress-related proteins(glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor,Nrf2,and HO-1)were significantly increased(P<0.05)in the hypothalamus of rats with T2DM after DJB surgery.DJB surgery significantly reduced(P<0.05)hypothalamic inflammation in T2DM rats by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and decreasing the expression of interleukin(IL)-1βand IL-6.DJB surgery significantly reduced(P<0.05)the expression of factors related to neuronal injury(glial fibrillary acidic protein and Caspase-3)in the hypothalamus of T2DM rats and upregulated(P<0.05)the expression of neuroprotective factors(C-fos,Ki67,Bcl-2,and BDNF),thereby reducing hypothalamic injury in T2DM rats.CONCLUSION DJB surgery improve oxidative stress and inflammation in the hypothalamus of T2DM rats and reduce neuronal cell injury by activating the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor-mediated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

An Analysis of Operational Efficiency of Agricultural Insurance Agency:Based on Three-Stage DEA Model

From the perspective of agricultural insurance agency,this paper focuses on the study of operational efficiency of agricultural insurance agency,and analyzes the operational efficiency of agricultural insurance agency and its influencing factors,in order to improve the operational efficiency of agricultural insurance agency,better supply agricultural insurance and achieve the policy effect of agricultural insurance.The results of this paper are as follows:( i) Either comprehensive operational efficiency or scale efficiency of Chinese-funded agency is higher than that of foreign-funded agency,but its pure technical efficiency is lower than that of foreign-funded agency,indicating that the managerial decision ability of Chinese-funded agency is weaker than that of foreign-funded agency,and needs to be improved;( ii) The operational efficiency of professional agricultural insurance agency is higher than that of comprehensive agricultural insurance agency,and the agricultural insurance agency is greatly affected by environmental factors;( iii) The operating time of agricultural insurance agency is proportional to its operational efficiency;( iv) The quality of employees is positively correlated with the capital and cost input difference,but negatively correlated with the difference in the number of employees. Therefore,it is necessary to pay attention to the improvement of employees' working efficiency while laying emphasis on employees' quality.

Contribution to the Optimization of the Transient Stability of an Electric Power Transmission Network Using a Universal Power Flow Compensator Controlled by a Three-Stage Inverter

The use of an electrical network as close as possible to its limits can lead to its instability in the event of a high amplitude disturbance. The damping of system oscillations can be achieved by conventional means of voltage and speed regulation but also by FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) devices, which are increasingly used in power networks. In this work, optimal control coordination between a hybrid power flow controller and a three-level inverter was used to improve the transient stability of a transmission line. The UPFC is a combination of a serial compensator (SSSC) and a parallel compensator (STATCOM) both connected to a DC-LINK DC bus. The SSSC acts as a voltage source for the network and injects a voltage that can be adjusted in phase and amplitude in addition to the network voltage;the STATCOM acts as a current source. The approach used is tested in the Matlab Simulink environment on a single machine network. Optimal controller tuning gives a better transient stability improvement by reducing the transport angle oscillations from 248.17% to 9.85%.

A Unique Orogenic System with Three-Stage Rapakivi Granites in the World：Proterozoic,Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Rapakivi Granites in the China Central Orogenic System

Objective Rapakivi granites,characterized by rapakivi texture,Atype granite feature and an anorogenic setting,commonly occur in the Proterozoic of the Northern Hemisphere（Fig.la）.Recently,more and more Phanerozoic rapakivi granite suites have been identified and some even occur in orogenic belts.Significantly,three-stage,Proterozoic.

Anesthesia with ciprofol in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass:A case report

BACKGROUND Ciprofol is a novel agent for intravenous general anesthesia.In February 2022,it was approved by the National Medical Products Administration for general anesthesia induction and maintenance.It has the advantages of fast onset,fast elimination,stable circulation,and few adverse reactions.However,the efficacy and safety of ciprofol in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass have not been reported.Here we describe a case where ciprofol was successfully used for anesthesia in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.CASE SUMMARY A 72-year-old man(height 176 cm;weight 70 kg)was diagnosed with coronary atherosclerotic cardiomyopathy requiring coronary artery bypass grafting and left ventricular aneurysmectomy.Ciprofol was administered for induction(0.4 mg/kg)and maintenance(0.6-1.0 mg/kg/h)of general anesthesia.During the entire operation,the bispectral index,hemodynamics,and blood oxygen saturation were maintained at normal levels.The patient recovered well after surgery,with no serious adverse events related to ciprofol.CONCLUSION Ciprofol is safe and effective for anesthesia in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

A Comparative Study on the Land Use Efficiency of Three Urban Agglomerations-Based on the Three-Stage DEA Model

This paper uses a three-stage DEA model to measure the land use efficiency of the three major urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Delta,Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei,and the Pearl River Delta from 2007 to 2018.The following conclusions are drawn through research:first,the urban land use efficiency of the three major urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Delta,Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei,and the Pearl River Delta all showed a downward trend,with the rates of decline being 6.06%,2.86%,and 24.34%respectively.In particular,the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration had the largest decline.Second,the overall urban land use efficiency of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration is relatively high,and the amount of redundancy is relatively small.The rate of decline is significantly lower than the urban land use efficiency of the two major urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta.The land use efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta urban agglomerations is in a state of continuous decline.Third,the proportion of cities with the effectiveness of returns to scale of urban land use efficiency in the three major urban agglomerations has decreased by 10.53%,10%,and 33.34%,respectively.The Pearl River Delta has the largest decline.Fourth,the land use efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration is quite different.The central-peripheral phenomenon is evident for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomerations and the Pearl River Delta urban agglomerations.

Effects of standardized three-stage rehabilitation combined with edaravone therapy on the neurotrophic state and oxidative stress injury in patients with cerebral infarction

Objective: To investigate the effects of standardized three-stage rehabilitation combined with edaravone therapy on the neurotrophic state and oxidative stress injury in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 90 patients with acute cerebral infarction who were treated in the hospital between May 2015 and April 2017 were divided into control group (n=45) and observation group (n=45) by random number table. Control group received edaravone therapy, and observation group received standardized three-stage rehabilitation combined with edaravone therapy. The differences in neurotrophic state and oxidative stress injury were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of neurotrophic indexes and oxidative stress indexes between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, serum neurotrophic indexes BDNF and NGF levels of observation group were higher than those of control group;serum oxidation indexes AOPPs, LHP and MDA levels were lower than those of control group whereas SOD, CAT and T-AOC levels were higher than those of control group. Conclusion:Standardized three-stage rehabilitation combined with edaravone therapy can effectively optimize the neurotrophic state and inhibit the oxidative stress in patients with cerebral infarction.

Two-Stage Inspection Model Based on a Three-Stage Failure Process

As the non-periodic inspections are common in practice,a two-stage inspection model based on a three-stage failure process is proposed. The two-stage inspection means that the system is inspected with the first inspection interval T_1 and the second inspection interval T_2. Because of the three color schemes commonly used in industry,three stages are divided by the system lifetime:normal, minor defective and severe defective stages. Upon the failure of the system,replacement is carried out. Maintenance is done once identifying the severe defective stage. However,when the minor defective stage is identified by the second inspection interval T_2,action of halving the subsequent inspection interval is adopted.Otherwise,no action is required. Our objective function is to optimize the inspection intervals so as to minimize the expected cost per unit time. Finally,a numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Transoral outlet reduction:Outcomes of endoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass revision in 284 patients at a community practice

BACKGROUND Transoral outlet reduction(TORe)is a minimally invasive endoscopic revision of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(RYGB)for weight recurrence;however,little has been published on its clinical implementation in the community setting.AIM To characterize the safety and efficacy of TORe in the community setting for adults with weight recurrence after RYGB.METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of argon plasma coagulation and purse-string suturing for gastric outlet reduction in consecutive adults with weight recurrence after RYGB at a single community center from September 2020 to September 2022.Patients were provided longitudinal nutritional support via virtual visits.The primary outcome was total body weight loss(TBWL)at twelve months from TORe.Secondary outcomes included TBWL at three months and six months;excess weight loss(EWL)at three,six,and twelve months;twelve-month TBWL by obesity class;predictors of twelve-month TBWL;rates of post-TORe stenosis;and serious adverse events(SAE).Outcomes were reported with descriptive statistics.RESULTS Two hundred eighty-four adults(91.9%female,age 51.3 years,body mass index 39.3 kg/m^(2))underwent TORe an average of 13.3 years after RYGB.Median pre-and post-TORe outlet diameter was 35 mm and 8 mm,respectively.TBWL was 11.7%±4.6%at three months,14.3%±6.3%at six months,and 17.3%±7.9%at twelve months.EWL was 38.4%±28.2%at three months,46.5%±35.4%at six months,and 53.5%±39.2%at twelve months.The number of follow-up visits attended was the strongest predictor of TBWL at twelve months(R^(2)=0.0139,P=0.0005).Outlet stenosis occurred in 11 patients(3.9%)and was successfully managed with endoscopic dilation.There was one instance of post-procedural nausea requiring overnight observation(SAE rate 0.4%).CONCLUSION When performed by an experienced endoscopist and combined with longitudinal nutritional support,purse-string TORe is safe and effective in the community setting for adults with weight recurrence after RYGB.

Calculation of Agricultural Production Efficiency Based on a Three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis Model and Analysis of the Spatial-temporal Characteristics: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Economic Belt

In response to the strategic call for the " Great Protection" of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and to fulfill the important historical tasks assigned by the state to the provinces and cities of the area,the Yangtze River Economic Belt is adjusting the agricultural industry structure,optimizing the input-output ratio,and ensuring stable and sustainable agricultural production. Based on the combination of the three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis( DEA) model and cluster analysis,this study examined the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2008 to 2018 to measure its agricultural production efficiency and to analyze its temporal and spatial characteristics. Studies showed that exogenous environmental factors significantly( P < 5%) impacted agricultural production efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Zone,and there were temporal and spatial differences. These included:(1) after excluding environmental factors,the overall agricultural production efficiency of the Yangtze River Economic Zone had improved. Sichuan Province and Jiangsu Province were at the forefront of efficiency,whereas the agricultural production efficiency of Shanghai had declined obviously.(2) The agricultural production efficiency of the Yangtze River Economic Belt varied year by year,with fluctuating development. The middle reaches of the Yangtze River had advanced agricultural production efficiency more than the upstream and downstream regions,and the agricultural production efficiency of the individual provinces did not match their economic and social development.(3) Increases in labor,land,irrigation,and other input factors increased agriculture production efficiency,and there was no correlation between fiscal investment,per capita gross domestic product( GDP) and agricultural production efficiency,while the disaster-affected area had a significantly negative impact on agricultural production efficiency.

Using Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Electronic Health Record Data to Predict Clinical and Safety Outcomes after Methylprednisolone Exposure during Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Neonates

Background:Infants undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)frequently receive intraoperative methylprednisolone(MP)to suppress CPB-related inflammation;however,the optimal dosing strategy and efficacy of MP remain unclear.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed all infants under 90 days-old who received intra-operative MP for cardiac surgery with CPB from 2014–2017 at our institution.We combined real-world dosing data from the electronic health record(EHR)and two previously developed population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models to simulate peak concentration(Cmax)and area under the concentration-time curve for 24 h(AUC24)for MP and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6)and interleukin-10(IL-10).We evaluated the relationships between post-operative,safety,and other clinical outcomes obtained from the EHR with each predicted exposure using non-parametric tests.Results:A total of 142 infants with median post-natal age 8(interquartile range[IQR]:5,37)days received a total dose of 30(19,49)mg/kg of MP.Twelve(8%)died,37(26%)met the composite post-operative outcome,114(80%)met the composite safety outcome,and 23(16%)had a major complication.Predicted median Cmax and AUC24 IL-6 exposure was significantly higher for infants meeting the composite post-operative outcome and those with major complications.Predicted median Cmax and AUC24 MP exposure was significantly higher for infants requiring insulin.No exposure was associated with death or other safety outcomes.Conclusions:Pro-inflammatory IL-6,but not MP exposure,was associated with post-operative organ dysfunction,suggesting current MP dosing may not adequately suppress IL-6 or increase IL-10 to impact clinical outcomes.Prospective study will be required to define the optimal exposure-efficacy and exposure-safety profiles in these infants.