Objective To compare arthroscopic double-pulley knotless suture bridge with conven tional arthroscopic suture bridge in repair of rotator cuff tear.Methods From May 2013 to May 2015,70patients with rotator cuff tear were repaired at our department.They were 38 males and 32 females,with a mean age of 53.7 years.They were randomized into 2 equal groups to receive repair either using arthroscopic double-pulley knotless suture bridge (the experimental group) or using conventional arthroscopic suture bridge (the control group).The 2 groups were compared postoperatively in terms of VAS (visual analogue scale),Constant,ASES (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons) and UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) scores,shoulder range of motion,and rotator cuff retear.Results The 2 groups were compatible with no significant differences in gender,age,laterality,tear type,or preoperative function or range of motion of the shoulder joint (P ＞ 0.05).At 12 months postoperatively,the VAS,Constant,ASES and UCLA scores and shoulder range of motion in the experimental group were respectively 1.1 ± 1.3,86.0 ±8.9,13.3 ± 0.8,32.0 ± 2.9,156.8° ± 15.0° and 55.9° ± 5.8°,significantly improved than the preoperative values (P ＜0.05).At 12 months postoperatively,the VAS,Constant,ASES and UCLA scores and shoulder range of motion in the control group were respectively 1.3 ± 1.3,86.6 ±4.2,13.1 ± 1.0,31.1 ±2.6,153.3°±10.0° and 55.7° ± 5.1 °,significantly improved than the preoperative values (P ＜ 0.05).At 12 months postoperatively,there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in VAS,Constant,ASES or UCLA scores or shoulder range of motion (P ＞ O.05).No case of rotator cuff retear occurred in the experimental group while 5 cases were observed in the control group,showing a significant difference (0 versus 14.3％) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Compared with conventional arthroscopic suture bridge,arthroscopic double-pulley knotless suture bridge presents no significant differences in range of motion or function of the shoulder joint in repair of rotator cuff tear.However,the latter may lead to a lower incidence of rotator cuff retear and,additionally,is less skillfully demanding.

Objective To analyze the clinical effects of arthroscopic en masse repair with footprint ending shift using double-row suture-bridge technique for delaminated rotator cuff tears under tension.Methods A total of 58 patients with delaminated rotator cuff tears under tension from August 2013 to August 2016 who underwent arthroscopic en masse repair using doublerow suture-bridge technique were retrospectively analyzed.There were 33 males and 25 females with a mean age of 53.0±7.8 years (range 39-74) with 24 patients left side involved and 34 right side.They were divided into 2 groups to receive en masse repair either footprint ending shift or on the footprint.There were 28 patients with footprint ending shift and 30 patients on the footprint.Clinical effects were evaluated by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score,American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score,visual analogue scale (VAS),Constant-Murley score and shoulder range of motion at preoperatively and postoperatively.Results The average follow-up duration was 23.2±0.8 months (range 21-24).The two groups were compatible with no significant difference in age,gender,tear size,follow-up duration,preoperative function and range of motion of the shoulder joint (P＞0.05).At the last follow up,the UCLA,ASES,VAS,Constant-Murley scores and shoulder range of motion in the group footprint ending shift were respectively 32.4±2.5,12.8±0.9,1.0±1.1,93.4±5.6,158.3°±9.3°,58.9°±5.0° with significantly differences compared with preoperative scores (P ＜ 0.05).The postoperative value in the group on footprint were respectively 31.6±2.9,12.8±0.9,0.7 ± 1.2,91.3±7.1,156.1°± 10.7°,59.6°±4.6° with significantly differences compared with the preoperative scores (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant difference between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The operation duration in the group footprint ending shift was 100.9±6.0 min,while that in the group on footprint was 106.6±6.1 min.There was significantly difference in the operation duration between two groups (t=-3.600,P=0.001).Conclusion Arthroscopic en masse repair using double-row suture-bridge technique can successfully treat delaminated rotator cuff tears under tension.Compared with arthroscopic en masse repair on footprint using double-row suture-bridge technique,the footprint ending shift is easier and time saving without significant difference in function of the shoulder joint and the range of motion in repair of delaminated rotator cuff tear under tension.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic bursal layer-only double-row suture-bridge repair for delaminated rotator cuff tear which is difficult to reposit in comparison with separate double-layer repair and whole-layer repair.Methods From May 2013 through June 2016,82 patients with delaminated rotator cuff tear difficult to reposit were treated at Department of Joint Surgery,The Affiliate Hospital to Chengde Medical University.They were 47 males and 35 females with a mean age of 53.0 ± 7.9 years.They were divided into 3 groups according to their surgical procedures.In group A,28 cases were treated by arthroscopic whole-layer double-row suture-bridge procedure;in group B,29 cases were treated by arthroscopic separate double-layer double-row suture-bridge procedure;in group C,25 cases were treated by arthroscopic bursal layer-only double-row suture-bridge procedure.The 3 groups were compared in terms of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score,American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score,visual analogue scale (VAS),Constant shoulder score,range of motion of shoulder joint and rotator cuff retear preoperatively and postoperatively.Results The patients in the 3 groups were comparable because their preoperative general data showed no significant significances (P ＞ 0.05).The operation time for groups A,B and C was respectively 105.5 ±5.6 min,117.4 ±6.9 min and 88.0 ±4.2 min,showing significant differences between the 3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).The 82 patients were followed up for 21 to 24 months (average,23.3 months).At 24 months postoperatively,UCLA,ASES,VAS,Constant score,shoulder anteflexion and lateral extorsion were respectively 32.4 ± 2.5,12.8 ± 0.9,1.0 ± 1.1,93.4 ± 5.6,158.3° ± 9.3°and 58.9°±5.0°in group A,32.2±2.5,12.9±1.0,0.9±1.0,92.8±6.0,156.4°±9.5°and 59.3°± 5.6° in groups B,and32.4±2.4,12.9±0.9,0.7±0.9,94.3±5.2,156.0°±9.5°and57.6°°5.4°in group C,showing no significant differences between the 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05).The occurrence of rotator cuff retear in groups A,B and C were respectively 17.9％ (5/28),13.8％ (4/29) and 12.0％ (3/25),showing no significant differences between the 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In repair of delaminated rotator cuff tear difficult to reposit,although the arthroscopic bursal layer-only double-row suture-bridge repair is similar to conventional arthroscopic whole-layer double-row suture-bridge repair and arthroscopic separate double-layer double-row suture-bridge repair in functional recovery and range of motion of the shoulder and incidence of rotator cuff retear,it can reduce obviously operation time and make the operation easier.

Objective:To evaluate the global and segmental myocardial work in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) by left ventricular pressure-strain loop (PSL) noninvasively.Methods:Eighteen patients with CA in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from March 2018 to December 2020 were included as CA group, 20 healthy subjects were selected as control group. The global longitudinal strain (GLS) and mechanical dispersion (MD) of left ventricle were analyzed by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging. The left ventricular PSL was used to assess global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE). The mean value of left ventricular basal, mid and apical myocardial work index (MWI), constructive work (CW), waste work (WW) and work efficiency (WE) were calculated and compared between the two groups.Results:①Compared with the control group, GLS was decreased and MD was increased in CA group (all P<0.05). ②GWI, GCW, GWW and GWE were decreased in CA group compared with the control group (all P<0.05). ③In CA group, the MWI, CW and WE of the basal, mid and apical segments were lower than those of control group (all P<0.05), WW of the basal and mid segments were lower than those of apical segment(all P<0.05). The impairment of MWI, WW and WE in basal and mid segment were more significant than those of apical segment (all P<0.05). ④GWI, GCW and GWE were positively correlated with GLS ( r=0.854, 0.816, 0.748; all P<0.001) and LVEF ( r=0.674, 0.634, 0.650; all P<0.01), and negatively correlated with MD ( r=-0.657, -0.672, -0.710, all P<0.01). GWI and GCW were negatively correlated with E/e′ ( r=-0.493, -0.539; all P<0.05). Conclusions:The global, basal, mid and apical left ventricular myocardial work indices are decreased in CA patients. MWI, CW and WE show an apical sparing pattern. Quantitative assessment of myocardial work by PSL may provide more valuable information for CA patients.

Objective:To assess global myocardial work in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with no obvious regional wall motion abnormalities and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by noninvasive left ventricular (LV) pressure-strain loops, and to explore its diagnostic value in patients with NSTE-ACS.Methods:A total of 169 NSTE-ACS patients with normal wall motion abnormalities and LVEF (>55%) were recruited in Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University from June to December 2019. The patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of coronary stenosis, including severe coronary artery stenosis group ( n=121), and no severe stenosis group ( n=48). The patients of severe coronary artery stenosis group were further subdivided into single-vessel severe stenosis group ( n=52) and multi-vessel severe stenosis group ( n=69). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis was performed by speckle tracking echocardiography before coronary angiography. Brachial cuff systolic pressure was used as left ventricular pressure to construct a non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop. Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW) and global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) was computed by LV pressure-strain loops with a proprietary algorithm between groups. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff value of the parameters to detect severe coronary artery stenosis. Independent factors affecting left ventricular myocardial function were assessed by Logistic regression analysis. Results:GLS, GWI, GCW and GWE were significantly reduced, and GWW was increased in severe coronary artery stenosis group than in no severe stenosis group(all P<0.05). GLS was significantly reduced in multi-vessel severe stenosis group ( P<0.05) but not in single-vessel severe stenosis group ( P=0.32). GWE was an independent factor affecting myocardial function in severe coronary artery stenosis group, GWE<96% had a area under the curve (AUC)=0.83 (74% for sensitivity, 81% for specificity) to identify severe coronary artery stenosis, and was superior to GLS (AUC=0.66, P<0.05) and GWI (AUC=0.70, P<0.05). Conclusions:In NSTE-ACS patients with severe coronary artery stenosis, no obvious regional wall motion abnormalities and preserved LVEF, LV global myocardial function is impaired based on noninvasive pressure-strain loops, GWI, GCW, and GWE are reduced, and GWW is increased, and GWE is a more sensitive index than GLS and GWI to predict severe coronary artery stenosis in NSTE-ACS patients.

Objective:To assess the left ventricular myocardial function in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with normal wall motion and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) by noninvasive myocardial work technology, and to explore the evolution of left ventricular myocardial function recovery.Methods:A total of 92 NSTE-ACS patients from July to December 2019 in Beijing Chao Yang Hospital with normal wall motion and LVEF (>55%) after PCI were recruited. Echocardiography was performed 1 day before PCI, 1 day, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after PCI. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was analyzed, and Brachial cuff systolic pressure was used as left ventricular pressure to construct a non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop. Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) among groups were compared and their correlations with strain parameters were explored.Results:GWI, GCW, GWE were improved ( P<0.05) at 1 day after PCI, GLS improved ( P<0.05) and GWW decreased ( P<0.05) at 2 weeks, LVEF improved ( P<0.05) at 1 month. Baseline GWI and GCW had a moderately negative correlation with GLS ( r=-0.67, -0.66; both P<0.05); GWW had a moderately positive correlation with mechanical dispersion(MD) and postsystolic shortening index(PSI) ( rs=0.45, 0.50; both P<0.05); GWE had a moderately negative correlation with GLS, MD and PSI ( rs=-0.47, -0.55, -0.56; all P<0.05). Conclusions:Left ventricular myocardial function gradually improves in NSTE-ACS patients with normal wall motion and LVEF after PCI. Myocardial work parameters changes are more sensitive than GLS and LVEF, and can assess early left ventricular myocardial function changes after PCI.

BACKGROUNDNumerous studies have described the association between polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene and risk of endometriosis. However, the results remain controversial. Here we reviewed studies reporting the association between TNF gene polymorphisms and endometriosis risk in Asians.

METHODSPubMed and Embase were searched. Twelve case-control studies assessing the role of multiple TNF gene polymorphisms in endometriosis were included. If no less than two articles evaluated one variant, meta-analysis was conducted; otherwise, narrative analysis was chosen. A fixed- or random-effects model was employed according to the heterogeneity among studies. The strength of the association between TNF gene polymorphisms and endometriosis risk was assessed by odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTSFor TNF-α -238G>A, -308G>A, -857C>T, and -863C>A, no significant associations were identified from all genetic models. For TNF-a -850T>C, results from one study showed that patients harboring the heterozygote TC were less susceptible to endometriosis than patients harboring the homozygote TT. For TNF-a -1031T>C, a mild increase in endometriosis risk was found in the Asian population. Meta-analysis from two studies found that the TNF-β +252>G polymorphism had a protective effect in Chinese individuals. Due to the limitations of the included studies, it is necessitated to perform more studies to elucidate the possible roles of TNF gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

CONCLUSIONSTNF-α -1031T>C and TNF-β +252A>G were significantly associated with the risk of endometriosis in Asian and Chinese populations, respectively. To further evaluate these associations, more large-scale, rigorously designed studies are needed.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Case-Control Studies ; Endometriosis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics