Objective:To investigate the impact of ionizing radiation(IR)on the structure and function of the testis and pro-vide some strategies for the prevention and treatment of IR-induced damage(IRD).Methods:Using radiation dose simulation,se-men analysis,hormone testing,electron microscopy and single-cell transcriptome sequencing,we assessed and analyzed a case of IRD.We established a mouse model of IRD to validate the results of single-cell sequencing,and investigated the specific biological mecha-nisms of IRD and potential strategies for its intervention.Results:IR at 1-2 Gy significantly reduced sperm concentration and mo-tility,which gradually recovered after 12 months but the percentage of morphologically normal sperm remained low.It also caused im-balanced levels of various steroid hormones,decreased testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate,increased progesterone,prolac-tin,luteinizing hormone,and follicle-stimulating hormone.Electron microscopy revealed damages to the testis structure,including loss of germ cells,atrophy of the seminiferous tubules,nuclear membrane depression of the spermatocytes,mitochondrial atrophy and de-formation,and reduction of mitochondrial cristae.Single-cell sequencing indicated significant changes in the function of the Leydig cells and macrophages and disrupted lipid-related metabolic pathways after IRD.Administration of L-carnitine to the mouse model im-proved lipid metabolism disorders and partially alleviated IRD to the germ cells.Conclusion:Ionizing radiation can cause disorders of testicular spermatogenesis and sexual hormones and inhibit lipid metabolism pathways in Leydig cells and macrophages.Improving lipid metabolism can alleviate IRD to germ cells.

BACKGROUND: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have emerged as potential alternatives to drug-eluting stents in specific lesion subsets for de novo coronary lesions. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a method based on the three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography and contrast flow velocity during coronary angiography (CAG), obviating the need for an invasive fractional flow reserve procedural. This study aimed to assess the serial angiographic changes of de novo lesions post-DCB therapy and further explore the cut-off values of lesion and vessel QFR, which predict vessel restenosis (diameter stenosis [DS] ≥50%) at mid-term follow-up. METHODS: The data of patients who underwent DCB therapy between January 2014 and December 2019 from the multicenter hospital were retrospectively collected for QFR analysis. From their QFR performances, which were analyzed by CAG images at follow-up, we divided them into two groups: group A, showing target vessel DS ≥50%, and group B, showing target vessel DS <50%. The median follow-up time was 287 days in group A and 227 days in group B. We compared the clinical characteristics, parameters during DCB therapy, and QFR performances, which were analyzed by CAG images between the two groups, in need to explore the cut-off value of lesion/vessel QFR which can predict vessel restenosis. Student's t test was used for the comparison of normally distributed continuous data, Mann-Whitney U test for the comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the evaluation of QFR performance which can predict vessel restenosis (DS ≥50%) at mid-term follow-up using the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: A total of 112 patients with 112 target vessels were enrolled in this study. Group A had 41 patients, while group B had 71. Vessel QFR and lesion QFR were lower in group A than in group B post-DCB therapy, and the cut-off values of lesion QFR and vessel QFR in the ROC analysis to predict target vessel DS ≥50% post-DCB therapy were 0.905 (AUC, 0.741 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.645, 0.837]; sensitivity, 0.817; specificity, 0.561; P < 0.001) and 0.890 (AUC, 0.796 [95% CI: 0.709, 0.882]; sensitivity, 0.746; specificity, 0.780; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The cut-off values of lesion QFR and vessel QFR can assist in predicting the angiographic changes post-DCB therapy. When lesion/vessel QFR values are <0.905/0.890 post-DCB therapy, a higher risk of vessel restenosis is potentially predicted at follow-up.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/therapy* ; Coronary Restenosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractional Flow Reserve, Myocardial ; Humans ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of pro-urokinase and reteplase in the treatment of patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: STEMI patients, who received intravenous thrombolytic therapy in Henan STEMI registry between September 2016 and August 2018, were eligible for this study. A total of 5479 patients from 66 hospitals were screened and patients were divided into pro-urokinase group (n=638) and reteplase group (n=702) according to thrombolytic drugs. Data including patient demographics, risk factors, medical histories, patient information at admission, in-hospital treatment, time delays, and clinical events were collected. The clinical recanalization rate, in-hospital mortality, in-hospital death or treatment withdrawal, in-hospital main adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE, death or treatment withdrawal, congestive heart failure, reinfarction and ischemic stroke) and post-thrombolysis bleeding were compared between the two groups. Bleeding events were evaluated with Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria. Results: The median age [61.8 (53.2, 69.0) vs. 62.6 (52.1, 69.8), P=0.833] or the proportion of women [23.0% (147/638) vs. 25.1% (176/702), P=0.385] were similar between the pro-urokinase and reteplase groups. Clinical recanalization rates were similar between the pro-urokinase and reteplase groups [82.1% (524/638) vs. 84.9% (596/702), P=0.172], and there was no difference in the median time from onset to thrombolysis [194.5 (135.0,290.0) min vs. 190 (126.0,292.0) min, P=0.431] and the median recanalization time [95 (67.5,120.0) min vs. 95 (71.0,119.0) min, P=0.561] between the two groups. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality [5.5% (35/638) vs. 5.1% (36/702), P =0.770], in-hospital all-cause mortality, treatment withdrawal [8.9% (57/638) vs.7.7% (54/702), P=0.410], and in-hospital MACCE [13.0% (83/638) vs. 10.4% (73/702), P=0.137] between pro-urokinase and reteplase groups. However, the incidence of post-thrombolysis bleeding was significantly higher in reteplase group than in pro-urokinase group [7.8% (55/702) vs. 3.8% (24/638), P=0.002]. Further analysis found that the incidence of oral bleeding and the BARC grades 1-2 bleeding were significantly higher in reteplase group than in pro-urokinase group, whereas the incidence of cerebral hemorrhage was similar between the two groups [0.6% (4/638) vs. 0.4% (3/702), P=0.715]. The comparison of efficacy and safety outcomes between the two groups after adjusting for baseline characteristics using general linear mixed models was consistent with those before the adjustment. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality, in-hospital death or treatment withdrawal, in-hospital MACCE after adjusting for baseline characteristics and post-thrombolysis bleeding between the two groups. Conclusions: Pro-urokinase and reteplase have similar clinical efficacy in the treatment of STEMI. In terms of safety, the incidence of cerebral hemorrhage is similar, while the incidence of BARC grades 1-2 bleeding and oral bleeding is higher in reteplase group than in pro-urokinase group, which has no impact on in-hospital outcomes.
Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy* ; Recombinant Proteins ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy* ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; Treatment Outcome ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Background:Clinical outcomes of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) are diverse,and only 40 ％ of patients with UA develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after 3 years.Discovering predictive markers at disease onset for further intervention is critical.Therefore,our objective was to analyze the clinical outcomes of UA and ascertain the predictors for RA development.Methods:We performed a prospective,multi-center study from January 2013 to October 2016 among Chinese patients diagnosed with UA in 22 tertiary-care hospitals.Clinical and serological parameters were obtained at recruitment.Follow-up was undertaken in all patients every 12 weeks for 2 years.Predictive factors of disease progression were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.Results:A total of 234 patients were recruited in this study,and 17 (7.3％) patients failed to follow up during the study.Among the 217 patients who completed the study,83 (38.2％) patients went into remission.UA patients who developed RA had a higher rheumatoid factor (RF)-positivity (42.9％ vs.16.8％,x2=8.228,P=0.008),anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodypositivity (66.7％ vs.10.7％,x2 =43.897,P ＜ 0.001),and double-positivity rate of RF and anti-CCP antibody (38.1％ vs.4.1％,x2 =32.131,P ＜ 0.001) than those who did not.Anti-CCP antibody but not RF was an independent predictor for RA development (hazard ratio 18.017,95％ confidence interval:5.803-55.938;P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion:As an independent predictor of RA,anti-CCP antibody should be tested at disease onset in all patients with UA.

Objective: To compare the prognosis of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) supported primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) between very elderly (age ≥ 80 years) and elderly (age < 80 years) patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A total of 288 STEMI patients received IABP supported PPCI in our hospital from 2004-01 to 2015-12 were retrospectively studied. Clinical condition, coronary angiography and follow-up data were analyzed; the patients with pre-operative cardiac shock, mechanical complication and non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome were excluded. Eligible patients were divided into 2 groups: Very elderly group, n=51 and Elderly group, n=237. Major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) as death, cardiac shock, new or worsen heart failure, re-MI and stroke were studied at 1 month and 1, 2 years after PPCI. Independent predictors for MACCE occurrence were investigated by Cox proportional hazard model analysis.Results: Compared with Elderly group, Very elderly group had increased incidence of MACCE at 1 month after PPCI (41.2% vs 24.5%), P=0.029 and obviously elevated incidence of stroke (9.8% vs 0.8%), P<0.001. Mortalities were similar between 2 groups at 1 month and 1 year after PPCI (17.6% vs 15.2%) and (25.5% vs 16.9%), both P>0.05; mortality was higher in Very elderly group at 2 years after PPCI (35.3% vs 20.7%), Log-rank P=0.037. Cox proportional hazard model analysis indicated that post-operative TIMI flow < 3 was the strong independent predictor for MACCE occurrence (HR=3.41, 95% CI 2.09-5.56, P<0.001), which was also the strongest predictor for death at different time points as at 1 month after PPCI (HR=9.51, 95% CI 5.23-17.29), at 1 year after PPCI (HR=7.24, 95% CI 4.13-12.69) and at 2 years after PPCI (HR=5.85, 95% CI 3.45-9.94), all P<0.001. Patients ≥ 80 years had no obvious predictors for end point event occurrence. Conclusion: Very elderly STEMI patients had the higher mortality at 2 years after IABP supported PPCI and increased incidence of MACCE at 1 month after PPCI. Patients≥80 years had no obvious predictors for end point event occurrence.

Objective To understand the present condition of preclinical dental undergraduate in-terns' AIDS-related knowledge. Methods The questionnaire was designed referring to domestic and foreign relevant questionnaires. The cluster sampling method was used to conduct the questionnaire survey among the undergraduates who started their clinical internship in July 2016 in three domestic colleges, using SPSS 14.0 statistical software to analyze it. Results In this survey, 144 questionnaires were distributed, and 144 ones were filled out and sent back. The survey results suggested that 97.22％ (140) of interns held a posi-tive attitude towards aiding HIV-infected patients despite that 96.53％ (139) of interns knew that dental medical staff was considered to be highly susceptible with HIV. In spite of the fact that most interns knew AIDS-related knowledge and protection measures, 40.28％ (58) of interns were not clear about incubation period of AIDS, and the average awareness of children's AIDS and methods to disinfect HIV-infected dental instruments was less than half in the interns. Meanwhile it was found that 86.81％ (125) of interns didn't perform well in terms of complying with the principles of confidentiality in AIDS prevention and treatment. Conclusion Dental clinical interns' attitudes towards AIDS-infected patients should be praised. Further-more, they should accept education about infection control to have a deeper understanding about AIDS-related clinical manifestations and legal knowledge in order to reduce the probability of nosocomial infec-tion of AIDS.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) with pre-operative intra-aortic balloon pump (P-IABP) implantation on short and long term prognosis in octogenarian patients of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We performed aretrospectively study in octogenarian STEMI patients treated in our hospital from 2004-01 to 2014-08. The patients were divided into 2 groups: P-IABP group,n=24 and PPCI group,n=73 including 12 patients who received rescue IABP (R-IABP) because of intra- or post-procedural hemodynamic collapse as a subgroup.Major end point events included 1 month and 1-, 2-year post-operative death; major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) included 1 month post-operative cardiac shock, new or worsening heart failure (HF), re-infarction and stroke. The predictors causing different endpoint events were identiifed by Cox proportional hazard model analysis. Results: 1 month and 1-, 2-year post-operative death were similar between 2 groups (8.3% vs 16.4%), (16.7% vs 24.7%), (25.0% vs 30.1%) respectively; MACCE incidence was also similar (20.8% vs 30.1%), allP>0.05. Death rates between P-IABP group and R-IABP subgroup were similar at different time points,P>0.05; while MACCE incidence in P-IABP group was lower than R-IABP subgroup (20.8% vs 66.7%),P=0.005 and it was mainly presented by reduced HF occurrence (8.3% vs 41.7%),P=0.003. Coxproportional hazard model analysis indicated that post-operative TIMI lfow<3 grade was the independent predictor for 1 month death (HR=4.79, 95% CI1.59-14.39,P=0.005), complicating diseases as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney impairment and anemiawere themain independent predictors for 2-year death (HR=3.0, 95% CI 1.37-6.56,P=0.006). Conclusion: PPCI and P-IABP had no signiifcant differencefor short and long term survivalin octogenarianSTEMIpatients. Compared with R-IABP, P-IABP patients had the lower MACC Eincidence at 1 month post-operation .

Objective: To make long-term comparison of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation betweenleft internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft and native vessel in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Methods: A total of 151 patients with anterior wall ischemia because of previous CABG induced LIMA graft lesion who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in our hospital from 2004-07 to 2012-12 were retrospectively studied. The clinical, coronaryangiography (CAG) and follow-up conditions for DES implantation were analyzed;according to the target vessel, the patients were divided into 2 groups:LIMA group, n=40 and Native vessel (NV) group, which meant all segments of left main to left anterior descending arteries, n=111. Primary end points included target lesion revascularization (TLR), target lesion failure (TLF) as cardiac death, target vessel related non-fatal MI with the composition of TLR and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
Results:The median follow-up time was 30 (10-100) months. The rates of TLR and TLF were similar between 2 groups:(15.0%vs 11.7%, log-rank P=0.65) and (17.5%vs 13.5%, log-rank P=0.63). MACE occurrence in LIMA group was higher than NV group (35.0%vs 18.0%, log-rank P=0.043) which was mainly presented by new non-target vessel revascularization as right coronary artery, left circumlfex and saphenous vein graft(17.5%vs 4.5%, log-rank P=0.014). Cox multivariate analysis indicated that target lesion stent length was the only independent predictor for both TLR (HR=1.03, 95%CI1.00-1.06, P=0.01) and TLF (HR=1.03, 95%CI1.00-1.05, P=0.02);whereas, LIMA-PCI was the only independent predictor for MACE occurrence (HR=3.09, 95%CI1.28-7.60, P=0.012).
Conclusion: The chances of TLR and TLF were similar inpatients with previous CABG by either LIMA or NV, while MACE occurrence was higher in LIMA patients which should be further investigated.

Objective To investigate the effect of hypertension on the large artery elasticity index (C1),the small artery elasticity index (C2) and the medial structure of the ascending aorta as well as the relationship between artery elasticity and the medial structure of the ascending aorta.Methods Sixty patients with CHD receiving coronary artery bypass graft surgery at our hospital were divided into two groups:30 patients in the hypertension group and 30 patients in the non-hypertension group.C1 and C2 were measured using the CVProfilor DO-2020 system.Sections of tissues taken from the anterior wall of the ascending aorta during the surgery were subjected to Masson's trichrome staining for the detection of vascular smooth muscle and collagen fibers and Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin staining for the detection of elastic fibers.The relative areas of vascular smooth muscle fibers,collagen fibers and elastic fibers of the ascending aorta were measured by a computer image analysis system under the light microscope.The linear correlations of C1 and C2 with the medial structure of the ascending aorta were analyzed.Results C1 in the non hypertension group was higher than that in thehypertensiongroup[11.9±1.8 (ml/mmHg×10) w 13.1±2.5 (ml/mmHg×10),t 2.22,P ＜0.05].In the media of the ascending aorta,the relative content of collagen fibers was higher,while the relative content of elastic fibers was lower in the hypertension group than in the non-hypertension group [(46.0±3.8)％ w (42.2±3.0)％,(17.5±3.5)％ vs.(19.3 2.7)％,respectively,t=4.24 and 2.20,P＜0.01 or 0.05].C1 was positively correlated with the relative content of elastic fibers but negatively correlated with the relative content of collagen fibers in both groups (r=0.52 and 0.39,respectively,P＜0.05 or 0.01).Conclusions The main pathogenic basis of hypertension-induced decline in arterial elasticity in CHD patients is increased collagen fibers and reduced elastic fibers with disorganization of the two types of components.C1 may accurately reflect the effect of hypertension on medial collagen fibers and elastic fibers in the ascending aorta.

BACKGROUNDCurrently available evidence suggests that outcomes are less favorable when left main (LM) bifurcation lesions are treated with 2-stent techniques compared with a single-stent technique. We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the 2-stent techniques for treating unprotected LM bifurcation lesions in Chinese patients.

METHODSWe enrolled 301 consecutive patients treated with drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation using 2-stent techniques for unprotected LM bifurcation lesions (MEDINA 1, 1, 1, 70.5%). The 2-stent techniques included crush technique, V stenting, T stenting, and Culottes stenting. After stenting, both vessels were redilated at a high pressure before final kissing balloon (FKB). Clinical and angiographic data were analyzed. The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which included death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization.

RESULTSImmediate procedural success was obtained in all cases with a FKB success rate of 95.3%. Follow-up data were available for all patients. The overall incidence of angiographic in-stent restenosis (ISR) rate was 20.3% and most ISRs were of the focal type. During long-term follow-up (mean duration, (54 ± 22) months), the cumulative incidence of MACE was 11.0%, with 8 (2.7%) deaths, 7 (2.3%) myocardial infarctions, and 18 (6.0%) repeated lesion revascularization. MACEs in high SYNTAX score terciles were significantly higher compared with those in low and intermediate SYNTAX score terciles (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with 2-stent technique for unprotected LM bifurcation lesions was accompanied with a slightly high incidence of ISR, the long-term clinical follow-up is acceptable. Technical modifications and stent innovations may further improve both the angiographic and clinical outcomes for patients with LM bifurcation disease treated by PCI.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; mortality ; therapy ; Coronary Restenosis ; epidemiology ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; adverse effects ; methods ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome