Newly found variations of the right posterior portal vein identified radiologically in 1,003 Chinese patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The anatomy of the right posterior portal vein (RPPV) plays an important role in planning hepatic resection, living transplantation and interventional radiological procedures, yet the incidence of variations of RPPV without a common trunk in Chinese persons is still unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study and discussed its clinical implications. Methods: A retrospective analysis of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans was performed in 1,933 patients with various abdominal pathologies between September 28, 2018 through May 23, 2019. After excluding 930 patients, a total of 1,003 patients were included in this study. Variations of the RPPV without a common trunk were classified according to classification standards. Results: A total of 1,003 patients were included. RPPV without a common trunk was found in 216 (21.54%, 216/1,003) patients. Among them, we identified three variations of the origin from the right portal vein (RPV): first separate origin of P6, P7, or simultaneous separate origin of P6 and P7, and the incidences of these three variations were 1.50% (15/1,003), 6.58% (66/1,003) and 13.46% (135/1,003), respectively. Among 1,003 patients included in this study, 787 patients (78.46%, 787/1,003) showed that RPPV normally divided into P6 and P7 branches. Conclusions: Variations of the RPPV without a common trunk were not rare in Chinese population. Knowledge of this anatomic variation of the RPPV is extremely important for hepatic and transplant surgeons and interventional radiologists.

Triage by PAX1 and ZNF582 Methylation in Women With Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 3: A Multicenter Case-Control Study.

Background: The colposcopy-conization inconsistency is common in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3). No adequate method has been reported to identify the final pathology of conization. In this study, we explored the ability of PAX1 and ZNF582 methylation to predict the pathological outcome of conization in advance. Methods: This was a multicenter study and included 277 histologically confirmed CIN3 women who underwent cold knife conization (CKC) from January 2019 to December 2020. The methylation levels of PAX1 (PAX1m) and ZNF582 (ZNF582m) were determined by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (qMSP) and expressed in ΔCp. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate predictive accuracy. Results: The final pathological results in 48 (17.33%) patients were inflammation or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 190 (68.59%) were high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and 39 (14.08%) were squamous cervical cancer (SCC). PAX1m and ZNF582m increased as lesions progressed from inflammation/LSIL, HSIL, to SCC. PAX1 and ZNF582 methylation yielded better prediction performance compared with common screening strategies, whether individually or combined. A 4.33-fold increase in the probability of inflammation/LSIL was observed in patients with lower ZNF582 methylation levels (ΔCpZNF582 ≥ 19.18). A 6.53-fold increase in SCC risk was observed in patients with elevated ZNF582 methylation (ΔCpZNF582 < 7.09). Conclusions: DNA methylation would be an alternative screening method to triage and predict the final outcome of conization in CIN3 cases.

The treatment strategy of patients with positive margins after cervical cold knife conization-A 7-year retrospective study in China.

OBJECTIVE: To explore treatment strategies for patients with positive margins after cervical cold knife conization (CKC) by estimating the risk of residual or recurrent CIN2 or worse (CIN2+). METHODS: A retrospective study included 569 patients receiving CKC for CIN3 in Xiangya Hospital from January 2013 to December 2017. Demographic characteristics and test results were obtained before CKC, after CKC, at 6, 12, and 24 months, then annually thereafter. The primary end point was residual/recurrent CIN2+ post-CKC. RESULTS: Fourteen (2.46%) patients had residual/recurrent CIN2+ with a median time of occurrence at 12 months post-CKC. Taking the average age and hrHPV viral load tested by Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) as thresholds, the risk of residual/recurrent CIN2+ was higher in women aged over 40 years or with a baseline HC2 of 300 or more for the ratio of relative light units to positive cut-off values. Patients with positive margins were at higher risk of residual/recurrent CIN2+ (hazard ratio 3.66, 95% confidence interval 1.25-10.71), especially when endocervix was involved. A total of 536 (94.20%) patients received HPV testing within 6 months after CKC. Patients with both positive HPV testing results and positive margins were at the highest risk of residual/recurrent CIN2+. CONCLUSION: Patients with positive endocervical margins are at high risk for residual/recurrent CIN2+, independent of the severity of margins. HPV testing within 6 months after CKC may be a feasible triage strategy for these patients.

Similar Midterm Clinical Outcomes and Aortic Remodeling in Bifurcated and Straight Aortic Stent Grafts Used to Treat Isolated Abdominal Aortic Dissection.

PURPOSE: The optimal treatment for isolated abdominal aortic dissection (IAAD) is currently unknown. We compared the effects of straight and bifurcated aortic stent grafts on postoperative aortic remodeling in patients with IAAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2012 to December 2019, 57 patients with IAAD were treated using endovascular methods, including either a bifurcated or a straight aortic stent graft. The clinical features, risk factors, computed tomography angiograms, midterm follow-up results, and aortic remodeling of these patients were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 44 (77%) patients were treated with a bifurcated graft and 13 (23%) patients were treated with a straight graft. Patients treated with straight grafts had fewer common iliac arteries involved (38% vs 73%, p=0.023), the dissection length was shorter (76.3 ± 40.0 vs 116.2 ± 56.7 mm, p=0.011), and the preoperative aortic diameter (26.0 ± 5.6 vs 35.2 ± 12.1 mm) and the false lumen diameter (13.1 ± 5.2 vs 21.2 ± 11.3 mm) were smaller. During the procedure, there were 3 (5.3%) type I endoleaks, 1 (1.8%) surgical conversion and 1 (1.8%) partial renal artery coverage without perioperative mortality. Patients with straight grafts had shorter operative time (96.5 ± 24.4 vs 144.2 ± 49.0 minutes, p<0.0001). The median follow-up duration was 37.6 ± 21.0 (range = 3-89) months with 1 (1.8%) aortic-related death. Type A aortic dissection occurred in 1 (1.8%) patient. New descending aortic dissection occurred in 3 (5.3%) patients, and 1 patient advanced to type A aortic dissection 3 months later. Two (3.5%) patients had limb occlusion. There was no significant difference in aortic remodeling, survival, and freedom from all adverse events between the 2 treatment strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment provides a safe, minimally invasive treatment for IAAD in midterm follow-up. Compression of the true lumen at the aortic bifurcation is the main concern after treatment with a bifurcated graft. Straight grafts are an excellent alternative for some patients, with the benefit of reduced procedural time, effective aortic remodeling, and excellent clinical prognosis. More experience is needed to offer clear recommendations for making treatment decisions as well as determine long-term effectiveness and durability.

Angiographically evident atherosclerotic stenosis associated with myocardial bridging and risk factors for the artery stenosis located proximally to myocardial bridging.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of coronary angiographically evident atherosclerotic stenosis associated with myocardial bridging (MB) and to explore related risk factors of coronary artery stenosis located proximally to MB. METHODS: Overall, 603 patients with MB-mural coronary arteries (MB-MCAs) diagnosed by angiography initially were enrolled in this observational study during May 2004 to May 2009. One-way ANOVA, t-test, Pearson correlation test and stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed to explore related risk factors. RESULTS: Totally 644 MB-MCAs were examined. Prevalence of lesions located distally to MBs was significantly lower than those proximally to MBs [36 (5.9%) vs. 382 (62.4%), p<0.001]. Diastolic vessel diameters in MB segments were significantly smaller than reference segments p<0.001. Ulcer-like lesion was found in MB-MCA in 1 patient. Multivariate analysis suggested that vascular bifurcation lesions, the degree of narrowing and the number of diseased coronary vessels of non-MB-MCA arteries, age, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), male, course of diabetes, and systolic narrow rate (SNR) of MB-MCAs were positively related with the narrow degree of the first coronary artery stenosis (FCAS) located proximally to MBs (all p<0.05). Vascular bifurcation lesions, the degree of narrowing and the number of diseased coronary vessels of non-MB-MCA arteries, age, LDL-C/HDL-C, male, diabetes and dyslipidemia were positively related with the narrow degree of the most severe coronary artery stenosis(MSCAS) located proximally to MB (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The intramural and distal portions of a bridged artery are not the forbidden zone of artery atherosclerosis formation. SNR of MB-MCA may be one of the important decision factors to coronary artery stenosis located proximally to MB.

[Imaging and clinical characteristics of patients with coronary artery stenosis located proximally to myocardial bridging].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the imaging and clinical characteristics and related risk factors of patients with coronary artery stenosis located proximally to myocardial bridging. METHODS: This study enrolled 603 patients with angiography evidenced myocardial bridging-mural coronary artery between May 2004 to May 2009. Angiographic and clinic data were collected according to uniform protocol and standard questionnaires were used to obtain patients' demographic and clinical information. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to explore related risk factors. RESULTS: Chest pain was present in 247 cases (41.0%). Dynamic ST-T changes were found in 229 cases (38%). A total of 644 myocardial bridging-mural coronary arteries were detected including 382 (62.4%) segments located proximally to myocardial bridging. Diastolic vessel diameters in the myocardial bridging segment were significantly smaller than reference segments (all P < 0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis suggested that vascular bifurcation lesions, the degree of narrowing and the number of diseased coronary vessels of non- myocardial bridging-mural coronary arteries, age, LDL-C/HDL-C, male gender, diabetes, and systolic narrow rate of myocardial bridging-mural coronary arteries were positively related with the narrowing degree of the first coronary artery stenosis located proximally to myocardial bridging (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Vascular bifurcation lesions, the degree of narrowing and the number of diseased coronary vessels of non- myocardial bridging-mural coronary arteries, age, LDL-C/HDL-C, male, diabetes and dyslipidemia were positively related with the narrowing degree of the most severe coronary artery stenosis located proximally to myocardial bridging (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial ischemia is common in patients with myocardial bridging and the artery segments located proximally to myocardial bridging are prone to stenosis. Systolic narrow rate of myocardial bridging-mural coronary arteries is one of major determinants of coronary artery stenosis located proximally to myocardial bridging. Whereas the other coronary heart disease risk factors are likely to play more important roles.

Validity of different methods to prenatal screening for Down's syndrom during first and second trimester pregnancy of Chinese-women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and determine the optimal method to screening for fetal Down's syndrome (DS). METHODS: Three large cohorts with 17 118, 39 903, 16 646 subjects were enrolled for the first trimester double marker (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and free ß-human chorionic gonadotropin) screening (FTDMS), second trimester double marker (α-fetoprotein and free ß-human chorionic gonadotropin) screening (STDMS), and second trimester triple marker (α-fetoprotein, free ß-human chorionic gonadotropin and unconjugated estriol 3) screening (STTMS), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate (FPR), false negative rate (FNR) and the areas under ROC curves (AUCs) were estimated in order to determine the optimal screening method in women under or above 35 years old. RESULTS: For women under 35 years old, STTMS was the best method with a detection rate of 68.8% and FPR of 4.3% followed by the STDMS with a detection rate (sensitivity) of 66.7% and FPR of 4.9%. The FTDMS had a lower detection rate of 61.1% and FPR of 6.3%. For women above 35 years old, the detection rate of all the methods was similar, but STTMS method had a lowest FPR of 15.9%. For women under 35 years old AUCs were 0.77 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.91), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71 to 0.91), and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.69 to 0.96) for FTDMS, STDMS, and STTMS methods, respectively; for those above 35 years old, AUCs were 0.70 (95% CI, 0.56 to 0.83), 0.70 (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.82), 0.78 (95% CI, 0.58 to 0.97) for FTDMS, STDMS and STTMS , respectively. CONCLUSION: Findings from our study revealed that STDMS is optimal for the detection of fetal DS in pregnant women aged under 35. For individual women, if economic condition permits, STTMS is the best choice, while for women aged above 35, STTMS is the best choice in this regard.

[Clinical predictive factors of coronary artery stenosis located distally to myocardial bridging].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical predictive factors of coronary artery stenosis located distally to myocardial bridging (MB). METHODS: A total of 603 patients with MB-mural coronary artery (MB-MCA) diagnosed by angiography initially were enrolled during May 2004 to May 2009. Their angiographic and clinical data were collected according to an uniform protocol. And standard questionnaires were used to acquire demographic information and clinical examinations. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to explore the related clinical predictive factors. RESULTS: A total of 644 MB-MCAs were detected. Diastolic vessel diameters in MCAs were significantly smaller than those in reference segments ( (2.29 ± 0.39) vs (2.48 ± 0.40) mm, P < 0.001) . Lesions located distally to MB detected in 36 patients were significantly fewer than those proximally to MB in 382 patients (5.9% vs 62.4%, P < 0.001) . Univariate analysis suggested that the narrowing degree of vessel located proximally to MB, the narrowing degree and the number of diseased coronary vessels of non-MB-MCAs and course of hypertension were positively correlated with the narrowing degree of vessel located distally to MB (all P < 0.05) . Multivariate Logistic regression analysis suggested that the number of cigarettes per day, the narrowing degree of diseased coronary vessels of non-MB-MCAs, the narrowing degree of vessel located proximally to MB and diastolic narrow rate of MCA were positively correlated with the occurrence of coronary artery stenosis located distally to MB (all P < 0.05) . Their standardized coefficients (ß) were 0.763, 0.727, 0.420 and 0.403 respectively. And the corresponding Exp (ß) were 2.146 (1.089-4.229) , 2.070 (1.371-3.125) , 1.521 (1.050-2.204) and 1.496 (1.094-2.045) . CONCLUSION: The number of cigarettes per day, the narrowing degree of diseased coronary vessels of non-MB-MCAs, the narrowing degree of vessel located proximally to MB and diastolic narrowing rate of MCA are likely to be important clinical predictive factors of coronary artery stenosis located distally to MB.

[Development of the quality of life scale specific for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a specific quality of life (QOL) scale for Chinese patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: The scale was developed with the programmed decision methods. The item pool was certified by experts. Five methods were used in item selection after a pilot study for which 256 BPH patients had been recruited. The scale was evaluated by its reliability and validity. RESULTS: We formed a 27-item quality of life scale specific for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia prior test version (BPHSQL). The test-retest correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient of BPHSQL were 0. 774 and 0. 945. The structure of the scale was similar to the theory construction. The scale's correlation coefficients with criteria ranged from 0.531 to 0.700. BPHSQL could well discriminate the quality of life between BPH and non-BPH patients as well as patients with different degrees of symptoms, different sources and patients with or without urethral catheters. CONCLUSION: BPHSQL is reliable, valid and sensitive, and will be a convenient tool in clinical research to provide advice on different treatments for different patients.