OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training and conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for post-stroke spastic paralysis. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with post-stroke spastic paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training. In the observation group, jingjin needling was applied at tendon blockage points of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. In the control group, conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianyu (LI15), Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Biguan (ST31), Fengshi (GB31), Taichong (LR3), etc. on the affected side. Treatment was given once daily, 5 days a week for 4 weeks in both groups. The scores of clinical spasticity index (CSI), modified Ashworth scale, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) were evaluated before and after treatment, and the onset time was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of CSI and modified Ashworth scale were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), while the scores of MBI and FMA were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001) in the two groups. After treatment, the scores of CSI and modified Ashworth scale in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), the MBI score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in FMA scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The onset time of the observation group was earlier than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Both jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training and conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training can effectively treat post-stroke spastic paralysis, jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training exhibits better therapeutic effect and rapider onset.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Muscle Spasticity/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Paralysis/therapy* ; Combined Modality Therapy

BACKGROUND: Valvular heart disease (VHD) has become increasingly common with the aging in China. This study aimed to evaluate regional differences in the clinical features, management strategies, and outcomes of patients with VHD across different regions in China. METHODS: Data were collected from the China-VHD Study. From April 2018 to June 2018, 12,347 patients who presented with moderate or severe native VHD with a median of 2 years of follow-up from 46 centers at certified tertiary hospitals across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in Chinese mainland were included in this study. According to the locations of the research centers, patients were divided into five regional groups: eastern, southern, western, northern, and central China. The clinical features of VHD patients were compared among the five geographical regions. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the cumulative incidence rate. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients (mean age, 61.96 years; 6877 [55.70%] male), multiple VHD was the most frequent type (4042, 32.74%), which was mainly found in eastern China, followed by isolated mitral regurgitation (3044, 24.65%), which was mainly found in northern China. The etiology of VHD varied significantly across different regions of China. The overall rate of valve interventions was 32.67% (4008/12,268), with the highest rate in southern China at 48.46% (205/423). In terms of procedure, the proportion of transcatheter valve intervention was relatively low compared to that of surgical treatment. Patients with VHD in western China had the highest incidence of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Valve intervention significantly improved the outcome of patients with VHD in all five regions (all P  <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that patients with VHD in China are characterized by significant geographic disparities in clinical features, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Targeted efforts are needed to improve the management and prognosis of patients with VHD in China according to differences in geographical characteristics. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03484806.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Heart Valve Diseases/therapy* ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: To create a mixed valvular heart disease (MVHD)-related age-adjusted comorbidity index (MVACI) model for predicting mortality risk of patients with MVHD. METHODS: A total of 4080 patients with moderate or severe MVHD in the China-VHD study were included. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality. A MVACI model prediction model was constructed based on the mortality risk factors identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the relationship between MVACI scores and 2-year all-cause mortality. The optimal threshold, determined by the maximum Youden index from receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, was used to stratify patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate 2-year all-cause mortality and compared using the Log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), evaluating the association between MVACI scores and mortality. Paired ROC curves were used to compare the discriminative ability of MVACI scores with the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation Ⅱ(EuroSCORE Ⅱ) or the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) in predicting 2-year clinical outcomes, while calibration curves assessed the calibration of these models. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on etiology, treatment strategies, and disease severity. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified the following variables independently associated with 2-year all-cause mortality in patients: pulmonary hypertension, myocardiopathy, heart failure, low body weight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m²), anaemia, hypoalbuminemia, renal insufficiency, cancer, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and age. The score was independently associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, and exhibited good discrimination (AUC=0.777, 95%CI: 0.755-0.799) and calibration (Brier score 0.062), with significantly better predictive performance than EuroSCORE Ⅱ or ACCI (both adjusted P<0.01). The internal validation showed that the MVACI model's predicted probability of 2-year all-cause mortality was generally consistent with the actual probability. The AUCs for predicting all-cause mortality risk were all above 0.750, and those for predicting adverse events were all above 0.630. The prognostic value of the score remained consistent in patients regardless of their etiology, therapeutic option, and disease severity. CONCLUSIONS The MVACI was constructed in this study based on age and comorbidities, and can be used for mortality risk prediction and risk stratification of MVHD patients. It is a simple algorithmic index and easy to use.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Comorbidity ; Heart Valve Diseases/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Age Factors ; Risk Assessment ; Adult ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVES: To develop a risk prediction model for left ventricular adverse remodeling (LVAR) based on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A total of 329 acute STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI at 8 medical centers from January, 2018 to December, 2021 were prospectively enrolled. The parameters of CMR, performed at 7±2 days and 6 months post-PCI, were analyzed using CVI42 software. LVAR was defined as an increase >20% in left ventricular end-diastolic volume or >15% in left ventricular end-systolic volume at 6 months compared to baseline. The patients were randomized into training (n=230) and validation (n=99) sets in a 7∶3 ratio. In the training set, potential predictors were selected using LASSO regression, followed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression to construct a nomogram. Model performance was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. RESULTS: LVAR occurred in 100 patients (30.40%), who had a higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events than those without LVAR (58.00% vs 16.16%, P<0.001). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS; OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.61-0.95, P=0.015) and left atrial active strain (LAAS; OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.67-0.92, P=0.003) were protective factors for LVAR, while infarct size (IS; OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.10, P=0.017) and microvascular obstruction (MVO; OR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.59, P=0.048) were risk factors for LVAR. The nomogram had an AUC of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86-0.94) in the training set and an AUC of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81-0.94) in the validation set. CONCLUSIONS LVGLS, LAAS, IS, and MVO are independent predictors of LVAR in STEMI patients following PCI. The constructed nomogram has a strong predictive ability to provide assistance for management and early intervention of LVAR.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prospective Studies ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/diagnostic imaging* ; Ventricular Remodeling ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Risk Assessment

Interarterial subtype of coronary artery with anomalous aortic origin is a rare and congenital cardiovascular malformation,manifested by chest pain and syncope after exertion or activity,which can lead to decreased cardiac contractility,myocardial infarction,and even sudden death.Here we report a case of an adolescent patient,who presented with chest pain during activity accompanied by syncope and lost consciousness.Initially diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction,the patient was subsequently diagnosed as interarterial subtype of a coronary artery originating from anomalous aorta after echocardiography,coronary angiography,coronary CT angiography examinations.After anomalous coronary artery correction and coronary angioplasty,the paitent recovered well.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of integrase inhibitor-based single-tablet regimens bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) and lamivudine/dolutegravir (3TC/DTG) in the treatment-na?ve patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of treatment-na?ve AIDS patients initiating anti-retroviral therapy (ART) with B/F/TAF or 3TC/DTG and on ART for greater than or equal to 24 weeks from October 2020 to July 2023 in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University were collected. The baseline human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 RNA, CD4 + T lymphocyte counts at baseline and 12 weeks of treatment, and the rates of virological suppression and virological failure at 24 weeks of treatment, and levels of total cholesterol, serum creatinine, uric acid before and after treatment were compared between the B/F/TAF group and 3TC/DTG group. Independent sample t test, corrected t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among 189 treatment-na?ve AIDS patients, 141 cases were in B/F/TAF group and 48 cases in 3TC/DTG group. The HIV-1 RNA level at baseline was 1.77(0.78, 4.52)×10 5 copies/mL in the B/F/TAF group and 0.97(0.24, 2.20)×10 5 copies/mL in the 3TC/DTG group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( U=2 221.00, P=0.006).There were 77.3%(109/141) patients on B/F/TAF achieved complete virological suppression with no virological failure at week 24, and 85.4%(41/48) on 3TC/DTG achieved complete virological suppression with one (2.1%) virological failure at week 24. At 12 weeks of treatment, 92.2%(130/141) of the patients in the B/F/TAF group and 85.4%(41/48) of the patients in the 3TC/DTG group had an increase in CD4 + T lymphocyte count by more than 30% compared with baseline. The proportion of CD4 + T lymphocyte count increased by more than 100/μL from baseline in the B/F/TAF group was 67.4%(95/141), and that in the 3TC/DTG group was 52.1%(25/48). There were no significant differences between the two groups ( χ2=1.91 and 3.61, respectively, P=0.167 and 0.733).The levels of total cholesterol ( W=2 036.00, t=-5.42, respectively), serum creatinine ( W=1 098.00, 234.00, respectively), uric acid ( W=2 188.00, 299.00, respectively) and the proportion of patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency ( χ2=22.29, 8.22, respectively) in the B/F/TAF group and 3TC/DTG group after 24 weeks of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (all P<0.01). Conclusions:Both B/F/TAF and 3TC/DTG are effective in terms of virological suppression and immunological recovery and have good safety profiles in treatment-na?ve patients with AIDS.

Objective:To analyze the changes of pathogen spectrum of pulmonary infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients before and during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic.Methods:The clinical data of hospitalized HIV infection/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection confirmed by etiology and/or imaging examinations in the Department of Infection and Immunity, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from January 2017 to December 2022 were collected, including the types of pathogens, the peripheral blood CD4 + T lymphocyte counts at admission due to pulmonary infection, and the treatment outcome of the patients at discharge. The changes of pathogen spectrum of pulmonary infection before COVID-19 epidemic (2017 to 2019) and during the epidemic (2020 to 2022) were analyzed, and their effects on adverse treatment outcomes (death during hospitalization or automatic discharge) were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, trend chi-square test or Kruskal-Wallis test. Results:The proportion of patients with pulmonary infection during the epidemic was lower than that before the epidemic, the difference was statistically significant (23.01%(1 061/4 612) vs 28.68%(1 463/5 102), χ2=40.76, P<0.001). From 2017 to 2022, the proportion of hospitalized HIV infection/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection showed a downward trend ( χ2trend=8.81, P<0.001). Among the pathogens causing pulmonary infection from 2017 to 2022, bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi were the three main pathogenic pathogens, accounting for 48.77%(1 231/2 524), 32.13%(811/2 524), and 14.34%(362/2 524), respectively. The proportion of bacterial infection decreased from 55.02%(805/1 463) before the epidemic to 40.15%(426/1 061) during the epidemic, and the proportion of fungal infection increased from 9.23%(135/1 463) to 21.39%(227/1 061), the differences were both statistically significant ( χ2=54.45 and 74.11, respectively, both P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of mycobacteria between before and during the epidemic ( P=0.169), but the proportion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection decreased from 22.01%(322/1 463) before the epidemic to 15.08%(160/1 061) during the epidemic, while the proportion of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection increased from 7.11%(104/463) to 11.78%(125/1 061), the differences were both statistically significant ( χ2=19.11 and 16.28, respectively, both P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the pathogen spectrum of pulmonary infection before and during the epidemic ( χ2=128.91, P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the peripheral blood CD4 + T lymphocyte counts of patients with MTB, NTM, Pnenmocystis, Talaromycosis marneffei and Cryptococcus infection ( H=71.92, P<0.001). There were 63.74%(109/171) of Pneumocystis infection and 67.65%(69/102) of Talaromycosis marneffei infection occurred in patients with CD4 + T lymphocyte count<50/μL. Among the patients with pulmonary infection, the proportion of patients with adverse treatment outcomes during the epidemic was higher than that before the epidemic, and the difference was statistically significant (13.29%(141/1 061) vs 10.39%(152/1 463), χ2=5.04, P=0.025). Among the patients with pulmonary infection who developed adverse treatment outcomes, the top three pathogens (from high to low) were bacteria (63.48%(186/293)), mycobacteria (27.65%(81/293)), and fungi (6.83%(20/293)). The proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by bacterial infection decreased during the epidemic compared with that of before the epidemic (71.71%(109/152) vs 54.61%(77/141), χ2=9.23, P=0.002), while the proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by fungal infection increased (2.63%(4/152) vs 11.35%(16/141), χ2=8.74, P=0.003), and the differences were both statistically significant. The proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by mycobacterial infection increased, but without statistically significant (23.03%(35/152) vs 32.62%(46/141), χ2=3.37, P=0.066), among which there was no difference in the proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by MTB infection (13.82%(21/152) vs 14.89%(21/141), χ2=0.07, P=0.793), while the proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by NTM infection increased (5.92%(9/152) vs 14.89%(21/141), χ2=6.41, P=0.011). There was a significant difference in the pathogen spectrum of pulmonary infection patients with adverse treatment outcomes before and during the epidemic ( χ2=12.22, P=0.007). Conclusions:Among the spectrum of pathogens causing pulmonary infection and adverse treatment outcomes of HIV infection/AIDS patients during the epidemic, compared with that before the epidemic, the proportion of bacterial decreases, while the proportion of fungi increases, and the proportion of mycobacteria remains stable with the proportion of NTM increasing. The proportion of MTB causing pulmonary infection decreases, while the proportion of MTB causing adverse treatment outcomes remains stable.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of polydatin(PLD)on primary cultured rat cortical neurons induced by β-amyloid protein(Aβ25-35)and its possible mechanism.Methods Cortical neurons were isolated from SD rats and primarily cultured,and then divided into control group,PLD group,Aβ25-35 group and Aβ25-35+PLD group.Cell viability was detected by MTT as-say,intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were detected by dichlo-rofluorescein diacetic acid probe or MitoSOX Red staining,opening of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore(MPTP)was detected by MPTP kit,and contents of cytochrome C(Cyt C)and mitochondrial transcription factor A(TFAM)were detected by Western blotting.In addition,the activity of intracellular electron transport chain complexes(including complexes Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ)and the level of adenylate triphosphate(ATP)were determined.High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was conducted to determine the content of 8-hydroxydeox-yguanosine(8-OHdG)in the mitochondria.Results Compared with the control group,cell vitali-ty,mitochondrial fluorescence intensity,activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes(complex Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ),intracellular ATP and mitochondrial TFAM expression were signifi-cantly decreased in the cortical neuron from the Aβ25～35 group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the Aβ25-35 group,mitochondrial fluorescence intensity,mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activity(complex Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ),intracellular ATP and mitochondrial TFAM expression were obviously increased in the PLD group,and intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels were nota-bly decreased after cortical neuron exposure for 3,6,12 and 24 h(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The ratio of cytoplasmic/mitochondrial Cyt C and mitochondrial level of 8-OHdG were statistically lower in the Aβ25-35+PLD group than the Aβ25-35 group[3.02±0.28 vs 5.73±0.45,P＜0.05;(8.07±1.45)× 106 dG vs(16.07±2.29)X 106 dG,P＜0.05].Conclusion PLD can effectively protect cortical neu-rons against Aβ25-35-induced injury,which may be partially by its inhibiting mitochondrial oxida-tive stress and improving mitochondrial function.

Objective To explore the relationship of the preoperative serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase(AST)ratio and imaging features to the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after receiving transarterial chemoembolization(TACE),and to develop a nomogram model used for predicting the patient's overall survival(OS).Methods A total of 211 patients,who were diagnosed as HCC and were treated with TACE as the initial therapy at the Guangci Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University of China between July 2016 and July 2020,were enrolled in this study.The patients were randomly divided into the modeling group(n=139)and validation group(n=72).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to determine the optimal cutoff value of AST/ALT ratio.The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted in the modeling group to screen out the independent predictors affecting HCC patient's OS and to establish a prognostic model.Harrell consistency index(C-index)was used to evaluate the predictive ability of the nomogram model for OS in HCC patients,and the calibration curves were plotted to assess the predictive accuracy of the nomogram model.Results No statistically significant difference in the baseline feature distribution existed between the modeling group and validation group(P＞0.05).The median OS of the modeling group and validation group was 28.5 months(95％CI:22.1-34.9)and 25.1 months(95％CI:19.2-29.0)respectively,the difference was not statistically significant(x2=1.395,P=0.322).The optimal cutoff value of AST/ALT ratio for predicting OS was 1.10,and the area under curve(AUC)value was 0.674(95％CI:0.604-0.753).The Cox regression analysis indicated that the tumor number(HR=2.080,95％CI=1.245-3.475,P=0.005),tumor capsule(HR=1.771,95％CI=1.128-2.780,P=0.013),irregular marginal enhancement(HR=1.884,95％CI=1.190-2.984,P=0.007),and AST/ALT ratio(HR=2.450,95％CI=1.506-3.987,P＜0.01)were the independent prognostic factors for HCC patients receiving TACE treatment.Based on the above variables,a nomogram model for predicting OS was established,and the C-index values in the modeling group and validation group were 0.733(95％CI:0.650-0.826)and 0.770(95％CI:0.688-0.862)respectively.The calibration curves showed that no significant deviations existed between the predictive curves of the prognostic model and the ideal reference curves for one-,2-and 3-year OS.Conclusion The nomogram model,which is established based on the tumor number,imaging features and preoperative AST/ALT ratio,has an excellent value in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients treated with TACE.