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Although satisfying outcomes have been demonstrated in terms of autologous stem cell transplantation in the treatment of angiitis-induced critical limb ischemia (AICLI), few studies have systematically reported the recurrence conditions. In the current study, we aimed to investigate recurrence conditions of a relatively large AICLI cohort in our center during a long-term follow-up period. From May 2009 to August 2020, 181 patients with AICLI received peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) or purified CD34+ cells (PCCs) transplantation. The main outcomes included recurrence and new lesions. Patient demographic data, ischemic limb characteristics, interventional characteristics, etc., were identified and analyzed. A logistic multivariable regression was performed to identify the independent risk factors for recurrence by a stepwise selection of variables. One hundred forty-eight patients were enrolled in this study. The mean follow-up period was 62.3 ± 37.4 months (range 12-144 months). The 5- and 10-year recurrence-free rates were 88.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1%-82.6%) and 71.7% (95% CI 7.6%-58.2%), respectively. The 5- and 10-year new lesion-free rates were 93.2% (95% CI 2.2%-89.0%) and 91.7% (95% CI 2.7%-86.6%), respectively. The finding of multiple limbs involved (OR 1.322 95% CI 1.123-12.549, P = .036) and ischemia relief period ≥5 months (OR 3.367 95% CI 1.112-10.192, P = .032) were demonstrated to be independent risk factors for recurrence in patients with AICLI who underwent cell transplantation. For patients with AICLI who responded to cell transplantation, the durability of this therapy was satisfactory, with 5- and 10-year recurrence-free rates of 88.5% and 71.7%, respectively. Multiple limbs involved at admission and ischemia relief period ≥5 months were demonstrated to be independent risk factors for recurrence after transplantation.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of primary conservative treatment (PCT) for peritonitis-absent symptomatic spontaneous isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (S-SIDSMA) with severely compressed true lumen. Methods From January 2013 to December 2018, PCT was used in 26 cases of peritonitis-absent S-SIDSMA with severely compressed true lumen in our center based on our previous proposed treatment algorithm for S-SIDSMA. The demographics, duration from the onset to the admission, duration from the start of the conservative treatment to the alleviation of the symptoms, and in-hospital and follow-up clinical and angiographic outcomes were prospectively recorded and then analyzed. Results Among the 26 included patients, 84.6% were male. The mean age of the patients was 54.7 years. The mean duration from the onset to the admission was 3.1 days (range, 1–14 days). Symptoms in 22 patients were markedly or completely relieved during the first five-day medical treatment. Endovascular stent placement was attempted in the remaining four patients, which was successfully performed in three (75%) of them. The technical failure occurred in a patient whose compressed true lumen failed to be cannulated. Medical treatment was then continued in this patient, and his symptoms were relieved after a two-day medical treatment. During the mean follow-up period of 14.3 months, endovascular stent placement was performed in three patients due to the recurrence of the abdominal pain and the chronic intestinal ischemia. No patient showed dissection progression during the follow-up. The complete remodeling rate of the stent group was significantly higher than that of the medical group (83.3% vs. 25%, P = 0.021). Conclusions Based on our previous proposed treatment algorithm for S-SIDSMA, PCT could achieve satisfactory results both clinically and morphologically in peritonitis-absent S-SIDSMA with severely compressed true lumen.

BackgroundThe current scoring systems could not predict prognosis after endovascular therapy for peripheral artery disease. Machine learning could make predictions for future events by learning a specific pattern from existing data. This study aimed to demonstrate machine learning could make an accurate prediction for 2-year major adverse limb event-free survival (MFS) after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting for lower limb atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO).MethodsA lower limb ASO cohort of 392 patients who received PTA and stenting was split to the training set and test set by 4:1 in chronological order. Demographic, medical, and imaging data were used to build machine learning models to predict 2-year MFS. The discrimination and calibration of artificial neural network (ANN) and random forest models were compared with the logistic regression model, using the area under the receiver operating curve (ROCAUC) with DeLong test, and the calibration curve with Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, respectively.ResultsThe ANN model (ROCAUC = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68–0.89) but not the random forest model (ROCAUC = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.66–0.87) significantly outperformed the logistic regression model (ROCAUC = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.60–0.83, P = 0.01 and P = 0.24). The ANN model the logistic regression model demonstrated good calibration performance (P = 0.73 and P = 0.28), while the random forest model showed poor calibration (P < 0.01). The calibration curve of the ANN model was visually the closest to the perfectly calibrated line.ConclusionMachine learning models could accurately predict 2-year MFS after PTA and stenting for lower limb ASO, in which the ANN model had better discrimination and calibration. Machine learning-derived prediction tools might be clinically useful to automatically identify candidates for PTA and stenting.

Background Angiitis-induced critical limb ischaemia (AICLI) patients, who are usually young and have a high amputation rate, always lose their ability to return to the labour force. Return to work (RTW) not only indicates patients’ physical health, showing that they could undertake the work, but also demonstrates their psychological well-being. While cell transplantation showed satisfactory efficacy in limb salvage, few studies of AICLI patients’ RTW after transplantation have been reported. Methods From May 2009 to May 2021, AICLI patients who underwent cell transplantation and completed no less than 12 months of follow-up were retrospectively enrolled. The primary endpoint was RTW. Patient demographics and characteristics of the ischaemic limbs were reviewed to analyse independent risk factors for RTW. Results A total of 171 AICLI patients (170 males) were enrolled with a mean age of 41.9 ± 9.6 years (range: 20–57 years). The 12-month and 24-month RTW cumulative rates were 69.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 61.6–75.6%) and 70.1% (95% CI 62.3–76.2%), respectively. Age Conclusion AICLI patients who underwent cell transplantation usually had a satisfactory midterm RTW cumulative rate. AICLI patients

Background: Angiitis-induced critical limb ischemia (AICLI) patients are usually with young age and high amputation rate. While cell transplantation showed satisfactory efficacy for AICLI patients, few studies in terms of AICLI patients’ returning to work after transplantation were reported. Methods: From May 2009 to May 2021, AICLI patients who underwent cell transplantation and completed a 12-month follow-up were retrospectively enrolled. Primary endpoint was return to work (RTW). Patients’ demographic characteristics, characteristics of ischemic limb, etc. were reviewed to analyze independent risk factors. Findings: 171 AICLI patients (170 males) were enrolled with a mean age of 41.9±9.6 years (range, 20-57 years). The 12-month and 24-month RTW cumulative rates were 69.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 61.6%-75.6%) and 70.1% (95% CI 62.3%-76.2%), respectively. Age ≥40 years (OR 2.659, 95% CI 1.138–6.719, P = 0.029), perioperative limb infection of patients with ulcer or gangrene (OR 0.250, 95% CI 0.075–0.779, P = 0.019) and preoperative job as mental workers (OR 8.930, 95% CI 2.665–42.847, P = 0.002) were identified as independent risk factors for RTW. Interpretation: AICLI patients who underwent cell transplantation were with a satisfactorymid-term RTW cumulative rate. AICLI patients

Background: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) showed encouraging short outcomes in the treatment of angiitis-induced no-option critical limb-threatening ischemia (AICLTI) in pilot study. We aimed to demonstrate the long-term outcomes of this treatment. Methods: From May 2014 to December 2018, patients diagnosed with AICLTI and treated by autotransplantation of PBMNCs in our center were enrolled and analyzed. The primary endpoint was major amputation-free survival (MAFS), the secondary endpoints included peak pain-free walking time (PPFWT), Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale score (WFPRSS), labour recovery, ankle-brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous partial oxygen pressure (TcpO2), and SF-36v2 scores. Findings: A total of 58 patients were enrolled. During a minimal follow-up of 36 months, the MAFS was 93.1%, labour competence restored rate was 62.1%. The WFPRSS was decreased from 8.7 ± 1.6 to 1.6 ± 3.2, and PPFWT was significantly improved from 2.9 ± 4.2 minutes to 16.6 ± 6.9 minutes. The quality of life was also significantly improved at each follow-up point. Perfusion evaluating parameters, including ABI and TcPO2 were also significantly improved. No critical adverse event was observed during the treatment and follow-up period. Interpretation: The treatment of AICLTI by autotransplantation of PBMNCs demonstrated encouraging long-term results. It could not only restore the labour competence, improve the quality of life, but also significantly reduced the major amputation rate. Funding: National Nature Science Funds (81970407), the Training Program for Outstanding Academic Leaders of the Shanghai Health and Family Planning System (2018BR40); the Project of Outstanding Academic Leaders of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (19XD1401200). Declaration of Interest: All of the authors declare no conflicts of interest. Ethical Approval: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University.

For patients with angiitis‐induced critical limb ischemia (AICLI), cell transplantation, such as purified CD34+ cells (PCCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs), is gradually being used as a promising treatment. This was the first randomized single‐blinded noninferiority trial (number: NCT 02089828) specifically designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacies of the transplantation of PCCs vs those of PBMNCs for the treatment of AICLI. We aimed to compare the mid‐term safety and efficacy between the two groups and determine their respective advantages. From April 2014 to September 2019, 50 patients with AICLI were equally allocated to the two groups, except for 1 lost patient, 1 amputee, and 1 patient who died of heart disease. The other 47 patients completed the 36‐month follow‐up. The endpoints were as follows: major amputation‐free survival and total amputation‐free survival at 6 months, which were 96.0% and 84.0% in the PBMNCs group and 96.0% and 72.0% in the PCCs group, respectively. These rates remained stable at 12, 24, and 36 months. The PCCs group had a significant higher probability of rest pain relief than the PBMNCs group, whereas earlier significant improvements in the Rutherford classification were observed in the PBMNCs group. Accordingly, PCCs would be preferred for patients with significant pain, whereas PBMNCs may be a good option for patients with two or more critically ischemic limbs. Concerning cost‐effectiveness, PCCs are not more cost‐effective than PBMNCs. These outcomes require verification from long‐term trials involving larger numbers of patients., The two therapies demonstrated similar mid‐term safety and efficacy, while each cell therapy had its unique advantages and is recommended for certain conditions: for example, peripheral blood mononuclear cells for patients with two or more critical ischemic limbs and purified CD34+ cells for patients with significant pain.

Background Previous studies have demonstrated that no-option angiitis-induced critical limb ischemia (NO-AICLI) could be significantly improved by transplantation of peripheral blood-derived stem cells (PBDSCs). Additionally, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) recently conducted by us suggested that peripheral blood-derived purified CD34+ cells (PCCs) were not inferior to non-purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) at limb salvage in treatment of NO-AICLI. However, most of these clinical trials whether RCT or single-arm studies were characterized with a small sample size and absence of long-term outcomes. Methods To analyze long-term clinical outcomes of PBDSCs transplantation for NO-AICLI, we reviewed clinical data of patients with NO-AICLI receiving PBDSCs transplantation at our center during the past decade. Meanwhile, we first compared the long-term safety and efficacy of intramuscular transplantation of PCCs versus PBMNCs in a sizable number of patients with NO-AICLI. Results From May 2009 to December 2019, a total of 160 patients with NO-AICLI patients were treated by PBDSCs transplantation (82 with PCCs, 78 with PBMNCs) at our center. Baseline characteristics between two groups were similar. Up to June 2020, the mean follow-up period was 46.6 ± 35.3 months. No critical adverse events were observed in either group. There was one death during the follow-up period. A total of eight major amputations occurred. The cumulative major amputation-free survival (MAFS) rate at 5 years after PBDSCs transplantation was 94.4%, without difference between two groups (P = .855). Wound healing, rest pain, pain-free walking time, ankle-brachial index, transcutaneous oxygen pressure, and quality of life (QoL) also significantly improved after PBDSCs transplantation. Conclusions Autologous PBDSCs intramuscular transplantation could significantly decrease the major amputation rates and improve the QoL in patients with NO-AICLI. Long-term observation of a large sample of patients confirmed that the clinical benefits of PBDSCs transplantation were durable, without difference between the PCCs and PBMNCs groups.

We investigated the outcomes of endovascular repair for penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) with and without intramural hematoma (IMH).Patients with PAUs who had undergone thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) or endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR) at our center were enrolled. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, and anatomic characteristics were collected and analyzed to investigate the TEVAR/EVAR indications, perioperative complications, and mortality.We identified 138 patients with PAU. Of the 138 patients, 58 (42.0%) had also had IMH. Compared with the patients without IMH, the patients with IMH had had significantly greater emergency admission rates (P .01), a larger aortic diameter (P = .03), and a greater incidence of stent-induced new entry development (P = .02). No significant differences were found in mortality or freedom from reintervention between patients with PAUs with and without IMH during follow-up. However, the cumulative survival rates calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis for patients who had undergone TEVAR/EVAR during their first hospitalization were significantly greater than those who had undergone delayed TEVAR/EVAR during follow-up.TEVAR/EVAR was safe and effective, with encouraging outcomes for patients with PAUs with or without IMH, and can be used more aggressively for symptomatic patients. The presence of PAUs with IMH did not seem to adversely affect long-term mortality. However, but stent-induced new entry was more likely to develop.

Angiitis-induced critical limb ischemia (AICLI) patients constitute a remarkable proportion of no-option critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients. Stem cell therapy has become an innovative and promising option for no-option CLI patients. As one of these promising stem cell therapies, purified CD34+ cell transplantation (PuCeT) has shown favorable short-term results. However, the long-term efficacy of PuCeT has yet to be reported. This study evaluates the long-term efficacy of PuCeT in AICLI patients. Twenty-seven AICLI patients were enrolled from May 2009 to December 2011. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and enoxaparin sodium were administered for 5 days. On day 5, CD34+ cell isolation was performed, and cells were transplanted by intramuscular injection. The primary endpoint, major-amputation-free survival rate (MAFS), as well as secondary endpoints, such as peak pain-free walking time (PPFWT) and the Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale score (WFPRSS), were routinely evaluated during the 5-year follow-up period. The endpoints were as follows: the MAFS was 88.89%; PPFWT increased from 3 ± 3 to 17 ± 6 minutes; WFPRSS decreased from 7 ± 2 to 0.3 ± 1.7; the ulcer healing rate was 85.71%; the recurrence rate was 11.11%; and SF-36v2 scores were significantly improved at 5 years after PuCeT. The rate of labor recovery 5 years after PuCeT was 65.38%, and no severe adverse effect was observed during the treatment. PuCeT demonstrated long-term efficacy and durability as a treatment of AICLI not only in achieving limb salvage but also in recovering the labor competence and improving the quality of life of patients.

Early-phase clinical trials in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) have shown positive results of mononuclear cell therapy. The current meta-analysis investigated whether cluster of differentiation (CD) 34+ mononuclear cell therapy (CD34+MCT) is effective for no-option CLI. Ten randomized controlled clinical studies of CD34+MCT for no-option CLI with 479 patients were identified and analyzed for pooled results. Compared to control groups, the CD34+MCT was associated with lower total amputation (odds ratio (OR): 0.45, p=0.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24–0.85) and a higher complete ulcer healing rate (OR: 2.80, p=0.008; 95% CI: 1.31–6.02), but showed no advantage in major amputation (OR: 0.58, p=0.11; 95% CI: 0.29–1.14) and all-cause mortality (OR: 0.82, p=0.62; 95% CI: 0.36–1.83) . Studies with a high CD34+ cell dosage showed significant results in major amputation (OR: 0.38, p=0.002; 95% CI: 0.21–0.70), total amputation (OR: 0.31, p=0.0002; 95% CI: 0.17–0.57) and complete ulcer healing (OR: 7.58, p=0.0005; 95% CI: 2.40–23.88), which were not observed in the low-dose studies. However, inclusion of placebo-controlled studies showed no improvement of the CD34+MCT in total amputation (OR: 0.67, p=0.42; 95% CI: 0.25–1.79), major amputation (OR: 1.31, p=0.43; 95% CI: 0.67–2.54) or complete ulcer healing (OR: 1.52, p=0.27; 95% CI: 0.72–3.21), which were extremely significant in non-placebo-controlled studies ( p+MCT might not support its therapeutic benefit due to high placebo-effect risk and considerable heterogeneity caused by distinct cell doses. More sizable double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trials with higher CD34+ cell dosage are needed in the future.

Background Although the mononuclear cell (MNC) transplantation could theoretically induce therapeutic angiogenesis in the patients with no-option critical limb ischemia (NO-CLI), the clinical responses to this approach are inconsistent among different clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to identify the prognostic factors of responders and develop a predictive nomogram to guide patient selection. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive NO-CLI cohort who received peripheral blood-derived transplantation in our center. The patients who survived and achieved complete remission of CLI at 6 months post-transplantation were defined as responders. Logistic regression models were used to screen and identify the prognostic factors based on which predictive nomogram was developed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and a calibration curve were drawn to determine the discrimination level and predictive accuracy. Results The study ultimately enrolled 103 patients, including 58 responders and 45 non-responders. Based on the multivariate regression analysis, age ≥ 50 years (odds ratio [OR] 0.201, P = 0.004), blood fibrinogen > 4 g/L (OR 0.176, P = 0.003), arterial occlusion above the knee/elbow (OR 0.232, P = 0.010), the transcutaneous pressure of oxygen (TcPO2) (OR 1.062, P = 0.006), and the Log total transplanted CD34+ cell count (OR 3.506, P = 0.046) were identified as independent prognostic factors of the responders in the nomogram. An area under the ROC curve of 0.851 indicated good discrimination, and the calibration curve of the predicted probability showed optimal agreement with that of the observed probability. Conclusions Age, blood fibrinogen, arterial occlusion level, TcPO2, and the total transplanted CD34+ cell count were independent prognostic factors of the responders. A nomogram with high discrimination and accuracy was developed to provide individualized predictions. Trail registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR1800019401. Registered 9 November 2018—Retrospectively registered Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-1117-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Supplementary material. (DOCX 351 kb)

Supplemental material, VAS892751 Supplemental Material for Primary conservative treatment for peritonitis-absent symptomatic isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery with severely compressed true lumen by Gang Fang, Genying Xu, Yuan Fang, Jue Yang, Tianyue Pan, Xiaolang Jiang, Zhihui Dong and Weiguo Fu in Vascular

Background & Aim CD34+cells transplantation has shown therapeutic angiogenesis efficacy in treating critical limb ischemia. Hypoxic preconditioning can increase the proangiogenic ability. As the main component of the paracrine secretion of CD34+ cells, CD34+ cell exosome (CD34-Exo) plays an important role. In this research, we aim to investigate the proangiogenic mechanism of hypoxic preconditioned CD34 exosome (HCC34-Exo) at the level of exsosomal miRNA. Methods, Results & Conclusion RNAseq screen showed 3.40±2.85 (means±standrad deviations) folds (n=6) of mi-RNA-387a-5p in the HCC34-Exo than in the normoxic preconditioned CD34+ cell exosomes (NCC34-Exo), and this was validated by qRT-PCR. In vitro experiments such as transwell co-culture model, exosome secretion-blocked experiment, exosome tracking experiment demonstrated that miRNA-378a-5p was directly transferred from the CD34+ cells through exosomes of CD34+ cells to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Tube formation experiment demonstrated the enhancement of the HUVECs function, significant increase was observed concerning branching points in HCC34-Exo group, which equals to 2.15±0.46 folds of that in blank control group, 1.80±0.62 folds of that in anti-miRNA-378 HCC34-Exo group and 1.32±0.34 folds of that in NCC-Exo group (all p Our results have showed that HCC34 might promote therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic tissue through exosomal miR-378-5p. Identification of the mechanism will provide important theoretical evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of HCC34 and its exsosomal miRNA in treating critical limb ischemia and may offer a new idea for potential treatment strategies in the future.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and purified CD34A randomised single-blinded non-inferiority trial (Number: NCT 02089828) was performed. NO-CLI patients were 1:1 randomised to the PBMNCs and PCCs groups, and compared in relation to safety and efficacy outcomes. The primary efficacy outcomes included major amputation and total amputation over 12 months. The major amputation-free survival (MAFS) and total amputation-free survival (TAFS) rates were calculated.Fifty patients (25 per group, 47 with thromboangiitis obliterans and 3 with other angiitis) were enrolled, with a median follow-up period of 24.5 months (interquartile range: 17-34 months). One patient in the PCCs group was lost at 2 months and one major amputation occurred in the PBMNCs group at 3 months post-transplantation. The total amputation rates at 6 months post-transplantation were 28.0% in the PCCs group and 16.0% in the PBMNCs group (p = 0.343), and remained unchanged at 12 months. The groups did not differ regarding the MAFS and TAFS (Breslow-Wilcoxon test: p = 0.3014 and p = 0.3414). The PCCs group had a significantly higher probability of rest pain relief than the PBMNCs group (Breslow-Wilcoxon test: p = 0.0454).PCCs was not inferior to PBMNCs at limb salvage in the treatment of angiitis-induced NO-CLI and appeared to induce earlier ischaemia relief. Each cell type had specific advantages. These outcomes require verification from longer-term trials involving larger numbers of patients. FUND: Training program for outstanding academic leaders of Shanghai health and family planning system (Hundred Talent Program，Grant No. 2018BR40); China National Natural Science Funds (Grant No. 30801122); The excellent core member training programme at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China (Grant No. 2015ZSYXGG02); and Zhongshan Funds for the Institute of Vascular Surgery, Fudan University, China.This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 02089828).

Behcet's disease is an autoimmune vasculitis, which mainly manifests as aneurysm when arteries are involved. Treatments including graft interposition or stent-graft implantation are best performed after active inflammation subsides, otherwise there will be complications such as anastomotic pseudoaneurysms and graft occlusion. We report the treatment of a suprarenal abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm in a patient with Behcet's disease via multiple overlapping stent implantation combined with coil embolization which was performed in a subacute fashion because of impending rupture of the pseudoaneurysm. She was maintained on long-term immunosuppressive therapy and remained symptom free at 2-year follow-up.

Background & Aim Buerger disease (BD) is associated with a substantial risk of amputation and loss of labor ability, and the conventional reconstruction seldom yields satisfactory mid-to-long-term results for it. The current study is to assess the efficacy of autotransplantation of purified CD34+cells (PCCs) for critical limb ischemia (CLI) in patients with BD. Methods, Results & Conclusion Methods From 2009 to 2017, 49 CLI patients with BD underwent autotransplantation of PCCs. Mean age was 41±13years (range 20-55), and all patients were not eligible for surgical or endovascular revascularization. G-CSF was subcutaneously injected for 5 days before apheresis. Then CliniMACS system was used to isolate the CD34+cells which were intramuscularly injected into the limbs. Patients were telephoned for inquiry about the rest pain every week during the first 3 weeks and followed-up at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 months and yearly thereafter. Results The mean number of transplanted cells (6.8±2.7) × 105/kg [(4.1 × 105-2 × 106)/kg]. The follow-up was accomplished in 47 cases, ranging from 12-103M (mean 55±25M), while two patients were missed. Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale score significantly decreased from 9.0±2.0 (4-10) to 2.3±3.0(P Conclusions Autotransplantation of PCCs could achieve mid-to-long-term limb salvage, labor competence recovery and life quality improvement in patients with CLI caused by BD.

A 42-year-old man had intestinal ischemia 7 weeks after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair due to sacrifice of the inferior mesenteric artery, which had compensated for the intestinal blood supply because of the total occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and severe stenosis of the celiac artery (CA). He was diagnosed in the active phase of Takayasu arteritis, and an emergency endovascular treatment was performed. After the SMA failed to be recanalized, a stent was successfully placed into the CA; this choice was made based on the preexisting collaterals between them. The symptoms were relieved shortly after the operation. The Kirk arcade, the Barkow arcade, and the enlarged pancreaticoduodenal arcade were visualized on the follow-up computed tomography angiography. Based on this case, a short review of celiomesenteric and intermesenteric collateral circulations is presented.

Herein we present a simple, universal, efficient gene synthesis method based on sequential overlap extension polymerase chain reactions (OE-PCRs). This method involves four key steps: (i) the design of paired complementary 54-mer oligonucleotides with 18 bp overlaps, (ii) the utilisation of sequential OE-PCR to synthesise full-length genes, (iii) the cloning and sequencing of four positive T-clones of the synthesised genes and (iv) the resynthesis of target genes by OE-PCR with correct templates. Mispriming and secondary structure were found to be the principal obstacles preventing successful gene synthesis and were easily identified and solved in this method. Compensating for the disadvantages of being laborious and time-consuming, this method has many attractive advantages, such as the ability to guarantee successful gene synthesis in most cases and good allowance for Taq polymerase, oligonucleotides, PCR conditions and a high error rate. Thus, this method provides an alternative tool for individual gene synthesis without strict needs of the high-specialised experience.