Background The development of cardiac fibrosis involves the activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and their differentiation into myofibroblasts, which leads to the disruption of the extracellular matrix network. In the past few years, microRNAs (miRNA) have been described as potential targets for treating cardiac diseases. Although miR‐338‐3p has been shown to participate in the development of carcinoma, whether it affects cardiac fibrosis is unclear. Methods We examined the expression profiles of microRNAs in left ventricular samples of heart failure mice established by thoracic aortic constriction (TAC). Real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR‐338‐3p. CCK‐8 assay/Transwell migration assay was used to measure the proliferation rate/migration of CFs. Luciferase reporter gene assay was used to test the binding between miR‐338‐3p and FGFR2. Results This study demonstrated that miR‐338‐3p was significantly decreased in thoracic aortic constriction mice. Cardiac miR‐338‐3p amounts were also reduced in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Interestingly, miR‐338‐3p overexpression inhibited α‐SMA, COL1A1, and COL3A1 expression, as well as cell proliferation and migration in CFs. Bioinformatics analysis and dual‐luciferase reporter assays revealed FGFR2 was targeted by miR‐338‐3p, whose antifibrotic effect could be alleviated by overexpression of FGFR2. Moreover, in DCM cases, serum miR‐338‐3p levels were markedly elevated in individuals with worse outcomes. Conclusions The present study provides evidence that miR‐338‐3p suppresses cardiac fibroblast activation, proliferation, and migration by directly targeting FGFR2 in mice. Besides, serum miR‐338‐3p might constitute a potential prognostic biomarker of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of de novo lung neuroendocrine tumor (NET) after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method: Retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of the 1253 patients who underwent LT from 2013 to 2022 in our institute. Result: Out of 1253 recipients of LT 7 patients suffered de novo lung carcinoma, of these 2 patients suffered lung NET accounting for 28.6% (2/7) of de novo lung carcinoma both at extensive stage. New on-set lung lesions and hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy were found by imaging tests; and were diagnosed as lung NETs in both patients through pathological examination. The interval between LT and diagnosis of lung NET ranged from 5.9 to 44.7 months. Both patients received cisplatin and etoposide as first-line chemotherapy and achieved partial remission. The progression-free survival period ranged from 1.9 to 2.2 months. Survival after diagnosis of lung NET ranged from 7.0 to 10.9 months. One of the patients tried to cease immunosuppressants during chemotherapy and incurred graft rejection. Conclusion: Lung NET may have a higher proportional incidence of de novo lung carcinoma in LT recipients. Early diagnosis is vital for the treatment of lung NET, while predictive and timely biopsy based on imaging findings is crucial for making an early diagnosis.

BackgroundIn July 2017, the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-sen university carried out the world’s first case of ischemia-free liver transplantation (IFLT). This study aimed to evaluate the performance of medical services pre- and post-IFLT implementation in the organ transplant department of this hospital based on diagnosis-related groups, so as to provide a data basis for the clinical practice of the organ transplant specialty.MethodsThe first pages of medical records of inpatients in the organ transplant department from 2016 to 2019 were collected. The China version Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) were used as a risk adjustment tool to compare the income structure, service availability, service efficiency and service safety of the organ transplant department between the pre- and post-IFLT implementation periods.ResultsIncome structure of the organ transplant department was more optimized in the post-IFLT period compared with that in the pre-IFLT period. Medical service performance parameters of the organ transplant department in the post-IFLT period were better than those in the pre-IFLT period. Specifically, case mix index values were 2.65 and 2.89 in the pre- and post-IFLT periods, respectively (p = 0.173). Proportions of organ transplantation cases were 14.16 and 18.27%, respectively (p < 0.001). Compared with that in the pre-IFLT period, the average postoperative hospital stay of liver transplants decreased by 11.40% (30.17 vs. 26.73 days, p = 0.006), and the average postoperative hospital stay of renal transplants decreased by 7.61% (25.23 vs.23.31 days, p = 0.092). Cost efficiency index decreased significantly compared with that in the pre-IFLT period (p < 0.001), while time efficiency index fluctuated around 0.83 in the pre- and post-IFLT periods (p = 0.725). Moreover, the average postoperative hospital stay of IFLT cases was significantly shorter than that of conventional liver transplant cases (p = 0.001).ConclusionThe application of IFLT technology could contribute to improving the medical service performance of the organ transplant department. Meanwhile, the DRGs tool may help transplant departments to coordinate the future delivery planning of medical service.