Progress of CT aortic angiography combined with coronary artery in the evaluation of acute aortic syndrome.

Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) is a group of cardiovascular diseases that seriously threaten human life and health. AAS patients are often complicated with coronary artery disease and other related diseases, which require rapid and clear clinical diagnosis to avoid serious adverse events. In recent years, with the progress of science and technology, a variety of computer tomography (CT) angiography techniques have been applied in the clinic, and the diagnosis rate of AAS with coronary heart disease (CAD) has greatly increased. At the same time, the development of surgical technology and endovascular repair technology has significantly reduced the mortality and complication rate of AAS surgery. In the clinical diagnosis of AAS and related diseases, CT aortic angiography (CTA) combined with coronary CTA is increasingly applied to identify related diseases. Here, the current research progress on the technique of aortic CTA combined with coronary CTA is reviewed.

GAS5/METTL14/ESR1 genetic variants are related to the susceptibility of coronary heart disease.

The prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) is a difficult problem to be solved urgently. Genetic factors play a crucial role in CHD development. This study aimed to investigate the association of GAS5/METTL14/ESR1 polymorphisms with CHD susceptibility. We carried out a case-control study that included 506 patients and 506 healthy subjects to detect the correlation between GAS5/METTL14/ESR1 polymorphisms and CHD risk in a Chinese population. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to assess the associations. Our study showed that GAS5 rs17359906 (OR 2.32, p = 0.020) and rs75315904 (OR 0.41, p = 0.039) were related to the risk of CHD in females. ESR1 rs6927072 (OR 1.76, p = 0.007) and rs4870061 (OR 0.74, p = 0.036) correlated with CHD risk in age ≤ 60 years. GAS5 rs17359906 (OR 0.10, p = 0.032) and ESR1 rs3020308 (OR 2.73, p = 0.041) were associated with an increased susceptibility to CHD in smokers. We also found that METTL14 rs4834698 (OR 1.57, p = 0.044) and ESR1 rs4870061 (OR 0.62, p = 0.040) were associated with CHD susceptibility in non-drinkers. Besides, METTL14 rs17050450 (OR 0.48, p = 0.029) and ESR1 rs3853248 (OR 1.61, p = 0.018) had the susceptibility of CHD patients with diabetes. Our study indicated that GAS5/METTL14/ESR1 polymorphisms were associated with CHD risk, which might provide a new understanding of CHD in a Chinese population.

Preliminary Study of Genome-Wide Association Identified Novel Susceptibility Genes for Hemorheological Indexes in a Chinese Population.

Background: Genome-wide association studies for various hemorheological characteristics have not been reported. We aimed to identify genetic loci associated with hemorheological indexes in a cohort of healthy Chinese Han individuals. Methods: Genotyping was performed using Applied Biosystems Axiom™ Precision Medicine Diversity Array in 838 individuals, and 6,423,076 single nucleotide polymorphisms were available for genotyping. The relations were examined in an additive genetic model using mixed linear regression and combined with identical by descent matrix. Results: We identified 38 genetic loci (p < 5 × 10-6) related to hemorheological traits. In which, LOC102724502-OLIG2 rs28371438 was related to the levels of nd30 (p = 8.58 × 10-07), nd300 (p = 1.89 × 10-06), erythrocyte rigidity (p = 1.29 × 10-06), assigned viscosity (p = 6.20 × 10-08) and whole blood high cut relative (p = 7.30 × 10-08). The association of STK32B rs4689231 for nd30 (p = 3.85 × 10-06) and nd300 (p = 2.94 × 10-06) and GTSCR1-LINC01541 rs11661911 for erythrocyte rigidity (p = 9.93 × 10-09) and whole blood high cut relative (p = 2.09 × 10-07) was found. USP25-MIR99AHG rs1297329 was associated with erythrocyte rigidity (p = 1.81 × 10-06) and erythrocyte deformation (p = 1.14 × 10-06). Moreover, the association of TMEM232-SLC25A46 rs3985087 and LINC00470-METTL4 rs9966987 for fibrinogen (p = 1.31 × 10-06 and p = 4.29 × 10-07) and plasma viscosity (p = 1.01 × 10-06 and p = 4.59 × 10-07) was found. Conclusion: These findings may represent biological candidates for hemorheological indexes and contribute to hemorheological study.

Transbrachial Access for Transcatheter Closure of Paravalvular Leak Following Prosthetic Valve Replacement.

Background: Transcatheter closure of paravalvular leak (PVL) has evolved into an alternative to surgery in high-risk patients. In this study, we introduce a new access for transcatheter closure of PVL and seek to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this access. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing transbrachial access for transcatheter mitral or aortic PVL closure (August 2017-November 2019) at our hospital. All patients underwent puncture of the brachial artery under local anesthesia. Results: The study population included 11 patients, with an average age of 55.91 ± 14.82 years. Ten out of 11 patients were successfully implanted with devices via the brachial artery approach, and one patient was converted to the transseptal approach. The technical success rate of transbrachial access was 90.9%. Mean NYHA functional class improved from 3.1 ± 0.5 before the procedure to 1.9 ± 0.5 after PVL closure. Severe paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) in five patients and moderate PVR in six patients prior to the procedure were significantly reduced to mild in four patients and none in seven patients after the procedure. Complications included one case of pseudoaneurysm and one case of moderate hemolysis aggravation after closure. One patient had an unknown cause of sudden death within 24 h after the procedure. The half-year mortality rate during follow-up was 9.1% (1/11). Conclusions: Transbrachial access for transcatheter closure of PVL may be a feasible and safe treatment and should include well-selected patients. It has several potential advantages of simplifying the procedure process and reducing postprocedural bed rest time.

Facile Synthesis of Sea-Urchin-Like Pt and Pt/Au Nanodendrites and Their Enhanced Electrocatalytic Properties.

This Communication demonstrates a novel and facial approach to achieving monodispersed sea-urchin-like Pt nanodendrites under a 1 bar hydrogen environment at 165 °C. These Pt nanodendrites can be further used as seeds for the formation of Pt/Au nanodendrites. Both Pt and Pt/Au nanodendrites exhibit the desired eletrocatalytic activities for the methanol oxidation reaction.

Nanostructured carbon black for simultaneous electrochemical determination of trace lead and cadmium by differential pulse stripping voltammetry.

Nanostructured carbon black (CB) was first employed directly in this paper for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of trace Pb(II) and Cd(II) using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The morphology and surface properties of conductive CB were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Special pore structures, as well as surface chemical functional groups, endow CB with excellent catalytic and adsorption properties. Some parameters affecting electrical analysis performance were investigated systematically including deposition time and potential, pH value of solution, volume of suspension, amount of Bi(III) and Nafion solution. CB-Nafion-glassy carbon electrode sensor linear response ranges from 6 to 1000 nM for selective and simultaneous determination. The detection limits were calculated to be 8 nM (0.9 µg l-1) for Cd(II) and 5 nM (1.0 µg l-1) for Pb(II) (S/N = 3) for the electrocatalytic determination under optimized conditions. The method was successfully used to the determination of actual samples and good recovery was achieved from different spiked samples. Low detection limits and good stability of the modified electrode demonstrated a promising perspective for the detection of trace metal ions in practical application.

Posterior decompression and short segmental pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty for Kümmell's disease with neurological deficits.

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment of Kümmell's disease with neurological deficits and to determine whether intravertebral clefts are a pathognomonic sign of Kümmell's disease. A total of 17 patients who had initially been diagnosed with Kümmell's disease were admitted, one patient was excluded from this study. Posterior decompression and vertebroplasty for the affected vertebrae were conducted. Pedicle screw fixation and posterolateral bone grafts were performed one level above and one level below the affected vertebrae. Vertebral tissue was extracted for histopathological examination. The mean time of follow-up was 22 months (range, 18 to 42 months). The anterior and middle vertebral heights were measured on standing lateral radiographs prior to surgery, one day postoperatively and at final follow-up. The Cobb angle, the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Frankel classification were used to evaluate the effects of the surgery. The VAS, anterior and middle vertebral heights and the Cobb angle were improved significantly one day postoperatively and at the final follow-up compared with the preoperative examinations (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the one-day postoperative results and those at final follow-up (P>0.05). The neurological function of all patients was improved by at least one Frankel grade. All patients in this study exhibited intravertebral clefts, and postoperative pathology revealed bone necrosis. One patient (not included in this study) showed an intravertebral cleft, but the pathology report indicated a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The intravertebral cleft sign is not pathognomonic of Kümmell's disease. Posterior decompression with short-segment fixation and fusion combined with vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for Kümmell's disease with neurological deficits.