Objective To evaluate the capability of virtual non-contrast (VNC)of the second-generation dual-source CT (DSCT), and to display the adipose tissue of gastric serosa.Methods 48 patients with gastric cancer undergoing preoperative DSCT and sur-gery were enrolled.The true non-contrast (TNC)values and VNC values of perigastric adipose tissue were measured and compared with conventional non-contrast scanning and VNC of arterial phase and venous phase.The VNC values of perigastric adipose tissue were compared between serosal involvement group and non-serosal involvement group.Results There was statistical difference be-tween TNC values and VNC values of perigastric adipose tissue (P <0.05),the absolute differences were under 13 HU.The differ-ence of VNC values between serosal involvement group and non-serosal involvement group was significant (P <0.05).Conclusion VNC of the second-generation DSCT can clearly display the adipose tissue of gastric serosa.It has certain capability in judging sero-sal involvement.VNC has the proficiency to replace conventional non-contrast scanning.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of a rat carotid atherosclerosis model induced by artery clamping with high-cholesterol diet and vitamin D3.Methods Twenty Wista rats were randomly divided into either a general diet group (n =5) or a high cholesterol diet group (n =15).After clamping the right common carotid arteries of the rats in the high cholesterol diet group,they were fed with high fat diet,and vitamin D3 (600 000 IU/kg) was injected intraperitoneally.The lipid levels of the general diet group and the high cholesterol diet group were detected at 6 and 12 weeks respectively.The bilateral cormmon carotid arteries were selected for preparing paraffin sections and were stained with HE staining.The pathological changes in blood vessels were observed.Results The levels of serum total cholesterol at 12 weeks (2.803 ± 1.307 mmol/L vs.1.513 ±0.281 mmol/L; P=0.017) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.660± 0.260 mmol/L vs.0.311 ±0.078 mmol/L; P =0.003) in the high-cholesterol diet group were significantly higher than those at 6 weeks.The histopathological examination showed that the common carotid artery intimas on the clamping sides were incomplete,the foam cell deposition was observed under intima,the atherosclerotic plaques or fibrous plaques were observed on the surface of cavity,inside the plaques contained necrotic tissue,and thrombosis was observed in the cavity.The common carotid artery intima-media thickness in the general diet group (n =5) at 12 weeks was 8.3 ± 1.1 μm.The sham-operated sides (n =20) and clamping sides (n =20) were 8.8 ± 0.7 μm and 97.4 ±25.7 μm,respectively.There were significant differences among the three groups (F =116.313,P=0.000).The clamping sides in the high-cholesterol diet group were significantly higher than the shamoperated sides in the high-cholesterol diet group (P=0.000) and the general diet group (P =0.000).Conclusions Common carotid artery clamping with high-cholesterol diet and vitamin D3 is a simple and feasible method for inducing a rat carotid atherosclerosis model.

Objective To explore the correlation between TOP2A gene expression and TCM constitutional types of patients with triple-negative breast cancer.Methods The questionnaire for constitution of Chinese medicine was used to identify the TCM constitutional types of 71 patients with triple-negative breast cancer and TOP2A gene alterations were quantified by real-time PCR. 2-ΔΔCt was used to analyze the expressions of each group. SPSS17.0 was employed to analyze the correlation between TOP2A gene amplification and TCM constitutional types.Results Totally 71 patients were divided into general type (0 case), Qi deficiency type (18 cases), Yang deficiency type (10 cases), Yin deficiency type (12 cases), Qi stagnancy type (7 cases), blood stasis type (10 cases), phlegm wet calculus type (8 cases), damp-heat type (6 cases), and special type (0 case). All of them were biased constitutional types, of which Qi deficiency constitution (25.35%), Yin deficiency constitution (16.90%), blood stasis constitution (14.08%) took the majority. TOP2A gene amplification was negative correlated with each constitutional type (P<0.05).Conclusion Biased constitutional types were the main types of TCM constitutional type of patients with triple-negative breast cancer. The main three biased constitutional types of triple-negative breast cancer were Qi deficiency constitution, Yin deficiency constitution and blood stasis constitution. TOP2A gene expression in patients with triple-negative breast cancer was normal or less expressed, which predicted low chemotherapy sensitivity and poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of periostin (Postn) on oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced injury in human artery endothelial cells (HAECs) and its underlying mechanisms.Methods The HAECs were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,ox-LDL group,Postn siRNA group and negative siRNA group.The mRNA and protein expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR and Westem blot respectively.Cell proliferation was tested by MTT.Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry.NF-κB DNA binding ability was measured by EMSA.Results Compared with control group,the mRNA and protein levels of Postn were increased significantly (P＜0.05);the ability of cell proliferation was reduced (P＜0.05);the cell apoptosis rate was increased (P＜ 0.05);the protein expression levels of VCAM1,ICAM1,E-selectin,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,p65 and p-IκB-α were significantly up-regulated (P＜0.05),and the NF-κB DNA binding ability was markedly increased (P＜ 0.05) in ox-LDL group,which were all reversed in Postn siRNA group.Conclusions Postn siRNA transfection may reduce ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury,which may be related with the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective : To investigate the factors affecting concurrent sarcopenia among patients with cardiovascular diseases, so as to provide insights into early identification and prevention of cardiovascular diseases complicated with sarcopenia. Methods: A total of 250 inpatients with cardiovascular diseases in the Sixth Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps were recruited and divided into the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups according to the diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia. Subjects' basic characteristics, body mass index, blood biochemical indicators and human body composition parameters were collected using questionnaire surveys, and factors affecting concurrent sarcopenia among patients with cardiovascular diseases using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Among the 250 patients with cardiovascular diseases, there were 149 males (59.60%) and 101 females (40.40%). The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 8.40% among the study subjects. The mean age and body mass index were (75.19±9.74) and (20.77±2.19) kg/m2 in the sarcopenia group and (65.24±11.50) years and (25.85±2.87) kg/m2 in the non-sarcopenia group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age (OR=1.115, 95%CI: 1.030-1.207) and body mass index (OR=0.582, 95%CI: 0.445-0.761) were as factors affecting concurrent sarcopenia among patients with cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion Advanced age and low body mass index may increase the risk of concurrent sarcopenia among patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of splenic marginal zone lymphoma.Methods:The clinical data of 51 patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma who underwent surgical treatment at Department of Hepatobiliary in Peking University People's Hosipital from Dec 2009 to Oct 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The patients 's average age was 60.5±11.8 years old, and the ratio of male to female rate was about 1:1. As of the last follow-up date of Feb 28, 2023, 8 patients died of the primary lymphoma and 14 patients suffered from disease progression. The 5-year progression free survival rate was 68%, and the overall survival rate was 79%. Univariate analysis showed that age ≥65 years old, decreased preoperative albumin, increased bilirubin level, and increased lactate dehydrogenase bode ill for overall survival time, but none of them were independent risk factors; Age ≥65 years old and diffuse large B cell transformation were independent risk factors.Conclusions:Surgery combined with comprehensive treatment which contained rituximab is currently the main treatment method. Splenectomy remains an important treatment and diagnostic method for patients with obvious symptoms or persistent unrelieved blood count abnormalities and unexplained splenomegaly. Advanced age, elevated bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase, decreased albumin, and diffuse large B cell transformation, it may indicate poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA)in elderly patients with early-stage lung cancer who were unable to underwent surgery,and to evaluate the risk factors for prognosis.Methods A total of 51 patients with early stage(stages Ⅰ and ⅡA)non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)who underwent MWA in Beijing hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were collected as the MWA group.And 50 patients with similar age and gender receiving lobectomy surgery were collected as the control group.In a retrospective follow-up study,the clinical efficacy and safety of treatment were compared between the study(n=51)and control(n=50)groups.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the overall survival and local recurrence-free survival.COX analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors.Results Of the 101 patients,62 were male(61.4％),aged 60-85 years(average,72.3± 11.6 years).There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics,including age,gender,smoking,medical history,lung function,tumor size,pathological type and histological grading,tumor position and clinical stage between the two groups(P＞0.05).There were no serious complications in the MWA group during perioperative period,and 14 cases (27.5％)had a small amount of pneumothorax after operation,which were absorbed after special treatment.Five cases (9.8％)had a small amount of hemoptysis,7 cases(13.7％)had a small amount of pleural effusion,9 cases(17.6％)had low fever (＜ 38.5 ℃),and 9 cases (17.6 ％) had postoperative mild pain.There were no serious complications in the control group.The follow-up period was up to December 31,2018,and the median follow-up time was 11.7 months(4.5 20.3 months).During the follow-up,local recurrence occurred in 10 patients(9.9％),including 7 patients(13.7％)in the MWA group and 3 patients(6.0％)in the control group.There was no significant difference between the MWA group and the control group in the 1-year overall survival rate(92.2％ or 47 cases vs.96.0％ or 48 cases,P =0.313),tumor-specific survivalrate(100.0％ vs.100.0％,P=1.00),local recurrence free survival rate(86.3％ or 44 cases vs.94.0％ or 47 cases,P =0.156).Multivariate COX regression analysis showed age (HR =1.22,95 ％CI:1.06-1.38,P =0.004),tumor size (HR =1.75,95 ％ CI:1.14-2.36,P =0.005) and clinical stage of tumor(HR =1.53,95 ％ CI:1.17-1.89,P =0.001) were risk factors for the local recurrencefree survival.Conclusions MWA is an effective and safe treatment for elderly patients with early-stage lung cancer who are not suitable for surgery.Age,tumor diameter and clinical stage are risk factors for local recurrence-free survival.

Objective To investigate the intra- and interobserver repeatability of coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis based on invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and CT coronary angiography (CTCA).Methods Two readers with comparable experience ( over 10 years) independently evaluated ICA results of 42 consecutive patients with a blind method. After 30 days,one of them reviewed the same patients again.Another two comparable-experience (over 10 years) readers evaluated the results of CTCA (prospectively ECG-triggering) from the same 42 patients in the same way.The inter-reader and intra-reader repeatability of ICA and CTCA were analyzed by performing Kappa test and calculating the percentage of the segments with agreement on stenotic degree.Using ICA as reference,the accuracy of CTCA in diagnosing CAD was studied by comparing the area under ROC. Results The Kappa between readers for ICA and CTCA were 0.91 and 0.81.Intra-reader Kappa were 0.92 and 0.83 respectively (x2 =509.4 and 432.5,all P ＜0.01 ).The percentage of the segments with agreement between readers on the degree of stenosis were 80.8％ (494/611) in ICA and 75.2％ (469/624) in CTCA ( x2 =2.75,P =0.10),and within the same reader,86.9％ (531/611)in ICA and 81.9％ (511/624) in CTCA(x2 =3.76,P =0.053).With≥ 50％narrowing as a CAD diagnosis criterion,the agreement rates for two readers were 96.6％ (590/611 ) in ICA and 94.4％ (589/624) in CTCA( x2 =3.36,P =0.07),and for the same reader,97.4％ (595/611) in ICA,95.4％ (595/624) in CTCA ( x2 =3.62,P =0.06).Using ICA as reference,two readers of CTCA results achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 84.9％ (530/624)and 98.1％ (612/624).The area under ROC was 0.94 (95％ CI 0.91-0.97).Conclusions Both ICA and CTCA demonstrate good repeatability in diagnosing CAD.The repeatability of ICA is superior to that of CTCA.A certain discrepancy exists in two readings from the same reader or two readers.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of TLR4 gene polymorphisms with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke and liability to atherosclerosis in an ethnic Han population from northern China.

METHODSThe study has involved 286 LAA stroke patients and 300 healthy controls. The LAA group has been divided 4 subsets according to angiostenosis conditions. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and pyrosequencing were employed to analyze three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) (rs1927914, rs1927911 and rs2149356) of the TLR4 gene. A Haploview software package was used to analyze the haplotypes.

RESULTSSNPs rs1927911 and rs2149356 were associated with LAA stroke. Genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs1927914 did not differ significantly between the two groups. Genetic variants of the three SNPs did not vary significantly between all subsets. Haplotype analysis was revealed a significant difference between the LAA group and the control group. Compared with the controls, the frequencies of haplotypes H2 and H8 were lower, and that of H3 was greater in the LAA group.

CONCLUSIONAn association between the TLR4 gene polymorphisms and LAA stroke subtype in ethnic Han population in northern China has been found. However, no association of liability to atherosclerosis in different vascular bed has been found with these polymorphisms.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Coronary Artery Disease ; ethnology ; genetics ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Stroke ; ethnology ; genetics ; pathology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the response in health-related epidemiological investigation among Chinese population aged 15 and over.We analyzed the specific causes of non-response,and explored the effective ways to improve the response rate,so as to provide reference for future epidemiological studies of this kind.Methods Two modes of studies regarding the prevalence of important cardiovascular diseases were used in Chongqing,during the 12th Five-Year Plan period in oder to find out the cause related to non-response.Intervention programs were carried out to evaluate the effects.Results When using the concentrated mode (CM),the completion rate to the questionnaires was only 20.00％ in the pre-investigation,with the response rate as 13.48％.In the deconcentrated mode (DM),the completion rate was 31.16％,with the response rate as 25.19％.After a series of incentives provided to both the respondents and the project-related core staff in the two modes,response rates of the two modes increased to the expected 60％.Conclusions CM appeared having advantages on quality control,but was more time consuming,with higher cost,and without effective follow-up measures to improve the response rate.However,DM had the advantages on controlling the cost and could increase the response rate through making advanced appointment with the households but quality control remained difficult.Two key points should be strengthened to improve the response rates,which including:Precisely finding out the research objects and providing incentives to the respondents to attract their interests of participating in the investigation.