ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the reproducibility of left ventricular strain assessed by CT feature tracking(CT-FT) and its correlation and agreement with speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).Methods:Thirty outpatients with suspected coronary heart disease who underwent whole cardiac cycle coronary CTA and transthoracic echocardiography within one week were prospectively enrolled in November 2019. Left ventricular volume and strain parameters were measured by CT-FT and STE, including left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), ejection fraction (EF), global longitudinal strain(GLS), global radial strain (GRS),and global circumferential strain(GCS). GLS included endocardial global longitudinal strain (EndoGLS) and myocardial global longitudinal strain (MyoGLS), GCS included endocardial global circumferential strain (EndoGCS) and myocardial global circumferential strain (MyoGCS). ICC was used to evaluate intra-and inter-observer differences in strain measured by CT-FT. The differences of measurements between CT-FT and STE were compared by paired-samples t test. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between CT-FT and STE measurements. Agreement between measurements of two modalities was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis. Results:There was a good consistency in EDV, ESV, EF, EndoGLS, MyoGLS, GRS, EndoGCS and MyoGCS measured by CT-FT between intra-and inter-observer (ICC was 0.775-0.964, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in EF measured by CT-FT and STE [(60.27±8.70) % and (61.22±5.64) %, P=0.443]. EndoGLS, MyoGLS, GRS and MyoGCS measured by CT-FT were (-20.47±4.01)%, (-18.06±3.75)%, (73.90±20.58) % and (-18.48±3.65)%, respectively, while the strain measured by STE were (-18.97±3.33)%, (-16.49±2.60)%, (18.56±3.06)% and (-20.26±4.45)%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant between CT-FT and STE ( t=-2.367, -2.945, 12.161, 2.459, P<0.05). The EndoGCS measured by CT-FT and STE were (-27.78±6.66)% and (-29.18±7.24)%, respectively, with no statistical significance ( P=0.223).The correlation coefficients of EndoGLS, MyoGLS, GRS, EndoGCS and MyoGCS measured by CT-FT and STE were 0.566, 0.629, 0.509, 0.606 and 0.539, respectively ( P<0.05). The average difference of EndoGLS, MyoGLS, GRS, EndoGCS and MyoGCS measured by CT-FT and STE was -1.5%, -1.6%, 55.3%, 1.4% and 1.8%, respectively, with 95% limits of agreement was -8.3%-5.3%, -7.3%-4.2%, 18.1%-92.5%, -10.7%-13.6% and -6.0%-9.5%, respectively. Conclusions:The left ventricular global strain evaluated by CT-FT was feasible, and the agreement of global strain between CT-FT and STE was good but not interchangeable. CT can be an alternative method for "one-stop" evaluation of cardiac anatomy and function in patients with poor echogenic windows and contraindications for MRI.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the classification and prevalence of simple congenital coronary artery anomalies (CCAA) in Chinese in a large samples of coronary CT angiography (CCTA), and briefly summarize the CT characteristics of "malignant" anomalies.Methods:The data of patients who had undergone CCTA from July 2009 to January 2017 and were diagnosed as simple CCAA were analyzed retrospectively. CCAA were classified according to the origination, number of orifices and termination, and the prevalence of various CCAA was statistically analyzed. Anomalous origin of coronary artery included the origin of coronary artery from the opposite coronary sinus, the non-coronary sinus, the aorta or around the primary sinus, the pulmonary artery, and left circumflex artery originated from the diagonal branch. Abnormal number of orifices included single coronary artery (SCA), right coronary artery and conus branch arising separately, and left anterior descending branch and circumflex branch arising separately. Abnormal termination was coronary artery fistula (CAF). Anomalous origin of coronary artery from the opposite sinus, anomalous origin of the coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, SCA, and multiple or large CAFs were defined as"malignant"anomalies.Results:Among 165 133 patients, 2 148(1.301%) had coronary anomalies, including 1 302 (0.789%) of origin anomalies, 298 (0.181%) of abnormal number of orifices and 548 (0.332%) of abnormal termination. There were 700 cases (0.424%) with coronary artery rising from the opposite sinus, 179 of which had opening or proximal lumen stenosis due to compression, 7 of which had subendocardial myocardial ischemia or infarction on CCTA without coronary artery disease (CAD). The coronary arteries originated from posterior sinus, the aorta or around the primary sinus were found in 48 cases (0.029%), 531 cases(0.322%), respectively. Coronary artery originating from pulmonary artery was detected in 20 cases (0.012%), all of which were left main trunk originating from pulmonary artery, showed tortuous dilation of coronary arteries. Five cases showed obvious subendocardial myocardial ischemia or infarction without CAD. SCA, right coronary artery and conus branch arising separately, left anterior descending branch and circumflex artery arising separately were detected in 102 (0.062%), 53 (0.032%) and 143 (0.087%) cases respectively. Only 1 of 102 cases with SCA showed myocardial ischemia without CAD. A total of 548 cases (0.332%) were diagnosed as CAF, of which the coronary-pulmonary fistula was most common with a highest prevalence of 0.277% (458 cases). Coronary artery-atrial fistula and coronary artery-ventricular fistula were detected in 22 (0.013%) and 60 (0.036%) cases. There were 6 cases (0.004%) of coronary artery-coronary venous fistula and 2 cases (0.001%) of coronary artery-superior vena cava fistula.Conclusions:The occurrence of CCAA is not uncommon, among which anomalous origin of coronary artery is the most common, and special attention should be paid to "malignant"anomalies.
ABSTRACT
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a chronic, obesity-related liver disease, which has become one of the most common liver diseases in children.NAFLD is also regarded as the liver symptom of metabolic syndrome in children, which is closely related with obesity, insulin resistance, abnormal lipid metabolism and even cardiovascular-related disease in children.Therefore, it is noteworthy to provide more concerns and efficiency strategies regarding prevention and treatment of NAFLD in children.Previous studies have shown that abnormal fructose metabolism could play an essential role in the physiopathological process of NAFLD.Here in, this study aims to perform the comparation of the similarities and differences regarding fructose metabolism in liver under physiological and pathological conditions, in addition, to clarify the problems and challenges that need to be overcome in clinical studies and bench work related to NAFLD.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the feasibility, image quality, and safety of low?tube?voltage, low iodine load iso?osmolar contrast comprehensive cardiac and aortoiliac CT angiography (CTA) for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) planning. Methods Ninety?eight consecutive TAVR candidates prospectively underwent combined contrast?enhanced CTA of the aortic root complex and vascular access route. Patients were assigned to group A (2nd generation dual?source CT, 100 kV, contrast 270 mgI/ml iodixanol) or group B (2nd generation dual?source CT, 120 kV, contrast 370 mgI/ml). Mean vascular attenuation, noise, signal?to?noise ratio (SNR), and contrast?to?noise ratio (CNR) of aorta including aortic root, aortic arch, descending aorta at level of diaphragm, abdominal aorta at level of renal artery and femoral artery were compared. Patient creatinine levels before the examination of CTA and during follow?up (24—48 h) were measured. Results The image quality score of aortic root and whole aorta was (4.2±0.7) and (4.3±0.4) respectively in experimental group, (4.3±0.6) and (4.3±0.3) in control group. No significant difference in subjective image quality score between two groups including aortic root image and whole aorta image (t=-0.130,-0.155,P=0.694, 0.822). The image noise of aortic root and femoral artery were higher in experimental group than that in control group (P<0.05). Radiation dose in experimental group was higher than that in control group [(6.1 ± 0.4) vs. (8.0 ± 0.4) mSv, t=-9.253, P=0.001]. There were no significant changes in creatinine levels among groups during the follow?up. Conclusion TAVR candidates can be safely and effectively evaluated by a comprehensive CTA protocol with low iodine load iso?osmolar contrast using low?tube?voltage acquisition.
ABSTRACT
Objective The study aimed to explore the reliability and validity of public health practitioners 'job satisfaction scale. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted with professional and technical personnel in the province engaged in the work of public health of investigation;they were enrolled through the multi?stage cluster random sampling method for establishing the scale 's internal consistency reliability and structur?al validity. Results The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total satisfaction scale was 0.900. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.896, 0.781,and 0.799 for career development and achievement,relationship and career retention,and income and promotion latitudes,respectively. Four principal components were extracted and the results showed that the cumulative contribution rate was 69.72%and the factor analysis results were basically consistent with the theoretical structure. Conclusion The scale is thus considered to be a reliable and effective measurement tool assessing public health practitioners'job satisfaction,as it had good reliability and validity.
ABSTRACT
Objective To understand the influencing factors of the post competency of health technical personnel in township hospitals in a prov-ince,so as to provide scientific reference for improving health professionals'post competency. Methods Using stratified cluster random sam-pling,1242 health professionals from township health centers and village clinics of 14 cities were extracted and then surveyed with questionnaire. Results The average score of the respondents'post competency was 3.43,which meant they could afford most of the work. Multiple linear re-gression analysis showed that the main influencing factors of the professionals'post competency included gender,age,specialty,and training. The female,senior,nursing and health-care professionals with training exhibited a better post competency. Conclusion To realize the further develop-ment of professionals'post competency,medical students should not only be early clinical and more clinical,but also actively participate in the training and continue the education after entering the clinic. On the other hand ,the government should define the function orientation of the town-ship healthy centers and explore human resource management mode based on the post competency.
ABSTRACT
The clinical practice in Pediatrics of Chinese medicine is the first step of the students to combine the theory with the clinical practice. The optimization teaching methods for clinical practice in Pediatrics of Chinese medicine was formed by using Delphi method of the extensive consultation from experts in colleges and universities of Pediatrics of Chinese medicine. We used this teaching method in students of Beijing University of Chinese medicine in 2011. Comprehensive evaluation to the implementation of effect was from assessment from students and analysis of exam results. The results showed that based on the survey of the students in the practice, the students in the experimental group give more positive evaluation than the control group on the necessity, satisfaction and harvest in the clinical practice in pediatrics of Chinese medicine.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship of the cytogenetic abnormalities detected by FISH in patients with MM and their clinical features. Methods FISH on bone marrow (BM) cells was performed in 57 enrolled MM patients. Relationships between cytogenetic abnormalities and clinical features were analyzed. Results By statistical analysis , both D13S319 deletion and RB1 deletion were associated with high level of serum LDH (P = 0.024; P = 0.018) and BM plasma cells index (P = 0.027; P = 0.013). 1q21 amplification was significantly associated with high level of LDH (P = 0.030 ) and the occurence of light chain type myeloma (P = 0.023). IgH rearrangement was associated with renal function damage (P = 0.009). There were correlations among D13S319 deletion, RB1 deletion, 1q21 amplification and IgH rearrangement (P<0.01). Conclusion The genetic abnormalities detected by FISH in patients with MM were correlated with various clinical poor prognostic indicators, which can evaluate the condition and prognosis of patients more efficiently.
ABSTRACT
Objective To intervene hand hygiene(HH)of health care workers (HCWs)in an intensive care unit(ICU)of a hospital,and evaluate HH compliance of HCWs and influencing factors.Methods 37 HCWs from an ICU of a teaching hospital were chosen as studied subjects,HH status before and after intervention was observed and analyzed by direct and indirect methods.Results In the first monitoring stage,HH rate in baseline and post-intervention survey stage was signifi-cantly different (46.96% vs 63.30%,χ2 =7.344,P =0.007);in the second monitoring stage,HH compliance rate in-creased from 57.85% to 88.58%.HH compliance rate was positively correlated with consumption of HH product per bed-day(r=0.725,P <0.001),but negatively correlated with incidence of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)and case rate of HAI(r=-0.983,-0.990,respectively,both P <0.001),HH rate to alcohol-based hand sanitizers was positively correlated with consumption of HH product per bed-day (r=0.391,P <0.001 ).Conclusion Long-term monitoring and intervention of HH compliance is necessary,combination of direct observation and indirect assessment of HH product con-sumption is helpful for effective monitoring and intervention of HH compliance among HCWs.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of miR-27a mimic and inhibitor on proliferation and apoptosis in melanoma cell line WM239. Methods The miR-27a mimic,inhibitor and its negative control were transfected into WM239 cells. The transfection efficiency was evaluated by fluorescence microscope. The expres-sion of miR-27a was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The proliferation of cells was detected by MTT. The cell apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The transfection efficiency in WM239 cells was 80% to 90%. The expression of miR-27a was markedly up-regulated in miR-27a mimic group (2-△△CT value is 26. 98 ± 0. 01),with statistically significant difference(t= -1 123. 67,P=0. 00);and the miR-27a inhibitor group showed lower expression of miR-27a(2-△△CT value is 0. 96 ± 0. 02),there was no statisti-cally significant difference compared with normal control group(t=0. 04,P=0. 06). The proliferation of cells was obviously inhibited in miR-27a mimic group,and there was statistically significant difference compared with normal control group[absorbance of 72 h(0. 45 ± 0. 02)∶(0. 72 ± 0. 01),F=129. 56,P﹤0. 05]. The percent-age of WM239 cells in G0-G1 phase was increased[(74. 83 ± 1. 46)∶(63. 73 ± 1. 25),F=30. 33,P﹤0. 05], and the percentage of WM239 cells in S phase and G2-M phase were decreased[(21. 33 ± 1. 75)∶(27. 50 ± 1. 25),F=14. 98,P﹤0. 05;(3. 90 ± 1. 31)∶(8. 80 ± 2. 10),F=3. 66,P﹤0. 05]. The apoptosis rate of cells was significantly increased in miR-27a mimic group compared with normal group[(29. 67 ± 0. 91)%∶(1. 44 ± 0. 85)%,F=530. 90,P﹤0. 01],but the inhibitor group had no obvious effect on cell cycle and cell apoptosis. Conclusion MiR-27a can suppress melanoma cell proliferation and act as a tumor suppressor gene,which is rel-evant to induce cell apoptosis and block cell cycle in G0-G1 phase.
ABSTRACT
Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) belongs to G protein-coupled receptor superfamily.It can induce immune cells-directed chemotaxis,thus keeping their homeostasis.CXCR4 expresses on a variety of tissues and cells.In different tumors and at different stages of tumors,CXCR4 expression is significantly higher than that in normal tissues.CXCR4 plays an important role in tumor progression since it is involved in tumor cell proliferation,adhesion,invasion and metasta.
ABSTRACT
Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) belongs to G protein-coupled receptor superfamily.It can induce immune cells directed chemotaxis and keep their homeostasis.CXCR4 expresses on a variety of tissues and cells.In different tumors and at different stages of tumor,CXCR4 expression is significantly higher than that in normal tissue.CXCR4 plays an important role in tumor progression since it is involved in tumor cell proliferation,adhesion,invasion and metastasis.
ABSTRACT
Objectives To investigate the characteristics of changes in serum metabolic profile before and after resection of carcinoma tissues to establish a disease distinguishing model,to analyze the changing trend of characteristic metabolites,and to determine the molecular mechanism and potential clinical value of characteristic metabolic markers for HBV-related liver cancer.Methods Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was used to analyze the serum metabolites of 15 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before and after partial hepatectomy and on 25 healthy volunteers.The pattern recognition method and nonparametric test analyzes were used to analyze the data and to identify the specific metabolites and their changes after resection of carcinoma tissues.Results We established the principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) disease distinguishing model for HCC patients before and after operation as against the healthy volunteers.To distinguish between the liver cancer group and the normal control group,27 characteristic metabolites were selected from the patients before and after resection of carcinoma tissues.Eight moved towards the normal control after resection of carcinoma tissues.This indicated that liver carcinoma was an important impacting factor for these metabolites.Finally,7 metabolites were identified,and these metabolites had high diagnostic value as shown on ROC curves.Conclusions Through serum metabolic profiling of patients before and after resection of carcinoma tissues,a high correlation between metabolism and hepatocellular carcinoma was found.Researches on endogenous metabolites and pathways in liver diseases will provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms and provide further directions for clinical diagnosis and treatment.