Objective The aim of this report was to study the early and mid-term outcome in hospital and follow-up mortality, predictors for late pulmonary stenosis (PAS) and insufficiency of neo-aortic valve (neo-AVI) in patients with transposition of great arteries (TGA) and Taussig-Bing malformation undergoing arterial switch operation ( ASO ). Methods Between January 2004 and December 2007, 169 patients (129 male, 40 female; mean age of [(11.71 ± 26.3 ) months] with TGA or Taussig-Bing malformation underwent ASO. The patients were divided into Group Ⅰ (n = 56 ): TGA with intact ventricular septum and Group Ⅱ ( n = 113 ): TGA with ventricular septal defect (VSD). All patients were followed up in out-patient department by ultrasonic cardiogram. The mean follow-up periods was (27.66 ± 14.6 ) months. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to find out the risk factors. Results The overall hospital mortality was 11.24% (19/169)and there was no significant difference between the two Groups. With the improving of perioperative management, the hospital mortality decreased from 16.67% in 2004 to 3.92% in 2007. The overall actuarial survival at 1-, 3- and 5-year follow-up was 94.00%,91.33%, and 91.33%, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that age above 6 months was a strong predictor for poor postoperative survival. Predictors for neo-AVI were: combined with VSD, age > 6 months and postoperative neo-AVI Z-score > 1. Predictors for moderate to severe PAS were age ＜ 1 months and pulmonary artery plasty with an unstretchable patch. Conclusion ASO remains the optimal choice for treating various forms of TGA with an acceptable early and mid-term outcome regarding overall survival rate. Patients with TGA should be treated as early as possible. Age >6 months is a predictor for poor postoperative survival and neo-AVI. Mismatch between the neo-aortic root and distal aorta may induce neo-AVI. Unstretchable patch in pulmonary artery plasty may induce PAS.

Objective Explore the reversibility and potential molecular mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension in pa-tients with complete transposition of the great arteries (cTGA) combined with ventricular septal defect (VSD) in comparison with those with simple VSD. Methods Twenty-four patients with pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary arterial pressure was greater than 30 mmHg) were enrolled in our study, in which 10 patients suffered from cTGA with VSD, and the rest 14 pa-tients suffered from simple VSD. Lung specimens were taken from the right middle lobe of lung before cardiopulmonary bypass. The extent of pulmonary hypertension was then graded according to the Heath-Edwards classification. ELISA was used to exam-ine the expression of eNOS, iNOS, ET-1, ET-AR, ET-BR, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP in all the specimens. Results No statistically significant differences in age, height, weight, the size of VSD, and the pulmonary artery pressure before operation were found between the groups. The level of hemoglobin, aortic and pulmonary arterial oxygen saturation, and the reduction value of pulmonary arterial pressure after surgery were significantly higher in the cTGA patients than that in the simple VSD pa-tients (P < 0.05). All patients had grade 0 - Ⅱ Heath-Edwards changes in their lung biopsy samples. The expression of eNOS and MMP-2 was significantly lower in the TGA group than that in the simple VSD group [eNOS: (280.13 ± 101.92) ng/mg vs. (488.41±249.6) ng/mg, P<0.05; MMP-2:(31.68±15.36)ng/mg vs. (69.28±49.12)ng/mg, P<0.05]. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the expression of iNOS, ET-1, ET-AR, ET-BR,MMP-9 or TIMP. Conclusion The imbalance of the NOS/ET system and the MMP/TIMP system involves in the development of pulmonary hypertension in patients with TGA combined with VCD. In patients with cTGA, the high oxygenation state in pul-monary circulation may decrease the expression of MMP2 and eNOS, and may affect the progress of pulmonary hypertension to a certain extent.

Objective The postoperative outcomes of transposition of the great arteries with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) are still controversial. Based on relative large data, we evaluated the relationship between preoperative pulmonary hypertension and postoperative early and midterm clinical outcomes. Methods In this retrospective study, a cohort of consecutive patients with TGA was studied. One hundred and one patients underwent artery switch operation between February 2004 and October 2007. Preoperative medical records were reviewed. The mean follow-up period was 22.6 months. All artery switch operations were performed through a median sternotomy utilizing extracorporeal circulation. Deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest were used in 6 patients. After sternotomy, pulmonary arterial pressure was measured directly. According preoperative mean pulmonary pressure ( mPAP), patients were divided into three groups: normal group ( mPAP ＜25mmHg, n =43), moderate PH group ( mPAP between 25 to 50mmHg, n = 47) and severe PH group ( mPAP ≥50mmHg, n = 11 ). The methods of coronary anastomosis were "open trap door" ( 39 cases), "bay window" (61 cases) and "pulmonary artery tunnel" ( 1 case)techniques. Besides repairing of atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect, ligation of patent ductus arteriosus, concomitsnt operations also involved mitral valvuloplasty (5 patients), tricuspid valvuloplasty (2 patients), pulmonary valvuloplasty (5 patients), pulmonary artery transplantation ( 1 patient ), subvalvular membrane resection ( 2 patients), widening of the right ventricular outflow tract ( 1 patient ) and collateral circulation occlusion ( 1 patient). The early and late postoperative results were compared among different groups. Results After operation, mPAP in severe PH group decreased from (61.2 ± 8.6 ) mmHg to ( 34.6 ± 13.6 ) mmHg( P ＜ 0.01 ). In moderate PH group it decreased from ( 34.5 ± 6.7 ) mmHg to ( 21.3 ± 5.6) mmHg( P ＜ 0.0l ). mPAP was not significantly changed in the control group. Operative mortality was 7.9% ( 8 patients ).The causes of early death were low output syndrome in 3 patients, septicemia in 4, central nervous system complications in 1.There was no difference in the postoperative complication rates among three groups. Also, no significant differences were found between groups regarding the early operative mortality (control group: 7.0%, moderate PH group: 8.5%, severe PH group:9.1%, P = 0.953 ). Combined abnormity contributed to postoperative death. Patients with ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus had a higher mortality rate. During follow-up 8 patients died: 5 in control group ( 11.6% ), 5 in moderate PH group ( 10.6% ) and 6 in severe PH group (54.5% ), P ＜ 0.01. Causes of midterm death were sudden death in 10, progressive heart failure in 4, pneumonia in 2. The rates of midterm mortality of the three groups were significantly different ( 11.6%,10.6% and 54.5% for control, moderate PH and severe PH group, respectively, P = 0.001 ). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for patients with different age groups showed that survival rate in group with age older than 1 year was lower ( P = 0.029 ).Conclusion In TGA/PH patients, mPAP lower than 50 mmHg is suitable for artery switch operation and can get satisfying postoperative outcomes. If mPAP higher than 50 mmHg, even though the operation may decrease the pulmonary pressure, radical artery switch operation should not be recommended because of higher late mortality.

Objective This study was designed to examine the clinical characteristics of bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a teaching hospital and the risk factors for 30-day mortality.Methods A single center retrospective cohort study was conducted for all the patients with BSI caused by S.aureus between 2008 and 2015.The data of clinical features,microbiology,and 30-day mortality were collected from the database of electronic medical records.Results A total of 121 patients with S.aureus BSI were identified.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) was 17.4％ (21/121).MRSA BSIs were significantly associated with old age (≥65 years) (P=0.026),hospital acquired infection (P=0.035),respiratory tract infection (P=0.001),polyinfection (P=0.005) and inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy (P=0.001) than methicillin-sensitive S.aureus (MS SA) BSIs.The 30-day mortality was 18.2％ (22/121).Both univariate and multivariate analysis suggested that solid tumor (OR,8.932,P=0.004) and septic shock (OR,56.721,P＜0.001) were independently associated with the 30-day mortality.Conclusions The present study confirms that solid tumor and septic shock are more important risk factors than MRSA in mortality of patients with S.aureus BSI.

Objective To analyze the genomic evolution characteristics of pathogenicity islands (PAIs)in Deng strain of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (E.coli,EPEC Deng).Methods EPEC Deng was isolated from infant stool specimen,serotypes were identified and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed;whole-genome se-quencing was performed by Illumina 2000 system,the locations of prophages(PPs)in the chromosome were detected using PHAST software,collinearity analysis was performed by MUMmer software,phylogenetic trees of homolo-gous gene were constructed in order to understand the evolutional rule of homology gene.PAIs prediction was per-formed using PAI finder software,the homologous evolutionary rule of PAIs core region(LEE)and core genes were clarified,genetic polymorphism was analyzed.Results The serotype of EPEC Deng strain was O119:H6,the strain was resistant to ciprofloxacin,levofloxacin,and ampicillin,but sensitive to other antimicrobial agents.The complete circular chromosome contained 5 025 482 bp with a GC content of 50.52 %,and the plasmid contained 207 564 bp with a GC content of 49.50%.A total of 17 PPs in the chromosomal genome were discovered,phyloge-netic trees analysis suggested that EPEC Deng strain was highly homologous with O26:H11 and O111 :H strains;PAIs and core genes were highly homologous with RDEC-1 and O26:H413/89-1 strains;genetic diversity analysis showed that the intimin (eae)and its receptor tir had high polymorphism,with the pi (π)value>0.10,the genes in type III secretion system was relatively stable.Conclusion The study clarified the genomic evolution characteris-tics of EPEC Deng genome and it’s PAIs,and is helpful for understanding genetic characteristics of native EPEC.

Objective To understand genetic mutation sites in linezolid (LZD)-sensitive and inducible resistant strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using whole-genome sequencing,and realize mutation sites of LZD-resistant gene.Methods MRSA-MS4 with explicit genotype and whole-genome sequences was induced by LZD of different concentration gradients,LZD-resistant strain MRSA-MS4-LZD100 was obtained,minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) was detected,domain V of 23S rRNA and ribosomal proteins L3/L4 gene in MRSAMS4-LZD100 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR),the sequenced products obtained the corresponding mutation site in contrast with the wild-type strain;Illumina PE library was constructed through paired-end sequencing by Illumina HiSeq 2000 technique,and whole genome sequencing was completed based on bioinformatics.Results MRAS-MS4-LZD100 strain was induced after 32 passages,MIC of LZD was 96 μg/mL.Sequencing of PCR products indicated the genetic variations were G2447T mutation in multiple copies of domain V of 23S rRNA gene,and Gly113Val mutation in L3 protein respectively;the whole genome of MRSA-MS4-LZD100 contained 2 744 315 bp,annotation of the whole genome found a total of 2 509 genes,11 tRNA-encoding genes and 2 entire rRNA-encoding operons.The data were submitted to the PubMed,and the GeneBank accession number JXMJ00000000 was assigned;a total of 101 SNPs and 6 Small indels were found,16 of 101SNP mutations occurred in exon,of which the variant proteins with anmino acid sequence alterations included IstB ATP binding domain-containing protein,clumping factor A,IS1272 transposase and so on;3 of 6 Small indel mutations occurred in exon,of which the variant proteins with anmino acid sequence alterations included hypothetical protein,30S ribosomal protein S1,and clumping factor A.Conclusion LZD-resistant strain MRSA-MS4-LZD100 was successfully induced by LZD;beside 23S rRNA V domain and ribosomal L3 protein,the other mutant site exist in this resistant strain,which provide some direction for subsequent study of recessive LZD resistance mechanism.

Objective: To explore the short and mid-term efficacy of device closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) for treating the patients with PFO combining cryptogenic stroke (CS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods: A total of 56 PFO patients with CS and TIA receiving device closure in our hospital from 2009-05 to 2015-12 were retrospectively studied. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray were examined at 24h, 1 month, 3 and 6 months after theoperation; telephone visit was conducted every 6 months thereafter. Results: There were 54/56 PFO patients combining CS and 2 combining TIA; 53 (94.6%)patients received PFO occluder from Starway medical technology. Aspirin was used for 6 months after the operation. The patients were followed-up for the average of (34.67±23.24) months. No body suffered from post-operative stroke and TIA; no residual shunt was observed. Conclusion: The short and mid-term efficacy of device closure has been satisfactory for treating the patients with PFO combining CS and TIA; its overall clinical value should be further investigated in large population and long-term study.

Objective: To determine the value of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on predicting the long-term outcome of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) . Methods: NT-proBNP was measured in 831 consecutive patients with HCM at Fuwai Hospital from October 2009 to December 2013 and patients were followed up clinically for (53.3±15.4) months. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to NT-proBNP values: NT-proBNP<860 pmol/L (n=276) , 860 pmol/L≤NT-proBNP≤1 905 pmol/L (n=278) , NT-proBNP>1 905 pmol/L (n=277) . The related baseline data, laboratory examination and echocardiographic results were compared among groups. The primary endpoints of this study were all-cause mortality and cardiac transplantation. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) . Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the survival status of patients among the 3 groups. Results: During a median follow-up of (53.3±15.4) months, all-cause mortality or cardiac transplantation occurred in 37 patients (4.5%) , event rate was 1.4% (4/276) , 4.0% (11/278) and 7.9% (22/277) in patients with NT-proBNP<860 pmol/L, 860 pmol/L≤NT-proBNP≤1 905 pmol/L and NT-proBNP>1 905 pmol/L, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified that age (HR 1.066, 95%CI 1.027-1.107) and NT-proBNP (HR 1.026, 95% CI 1.010-1.042) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality or cardiac transplantation. Among the 3 groups, the survival rate of the NT-proBNP<860 pmol/L group was the highest,and that of the NT-proBNP>1 905 pmol/L group was the lowest (P<0.01) . Conclusions The level of NT-proBNP provides clinically relevant information for long-term adverse events risk stratification in patients with HCM.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to address the relationship between the volume of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) with cardiovascular risk factors and coronary artery calcification(CAC) in the community residents. Methods: Individuals were recruited from the Jidong Community (Tangshan City, Northern China) which mainly comprised employees of the Jidong Co. Ltd. and their family members. From July 2013 to August 2014, 2 647 participants aged ≥40 years were included in this study. The volume of EAT and coronary artery calcification score (CAC score) were determined by a 64-slice CT. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was measured by a trained sonographer using a high-resolution B-mode topographic ultrasound system. Venous blood samples were analyzed by automated analyzers in the central laboratory. A validated questionnaire specifically designed for this study was used to collect demographic data from all participants by trained doctors. Characteristics of study cohort were compared according to quartiles of EAT volume (n=660, 663, 662, 662, repectively). Results: (1) The mean age of participants was (55.31±7.76) years and 49.94% (n=1 322) were men. The median EAT volume (interquartile) was 129.42 (95.66, 176.51)cm³. (2) Age, BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, LDL-C, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose were significantly higher, while HDL-C level was significantly lower in participants with higher EAT volume than participants with lower EAT volume (all P<0.05). Carotid intima-media thicken (CIMT) and higher CAC score were also significantly higher in participants with higher volume of EAT. Furthermore, percentage of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia increased in proportion with increasing EAT volume (P<0.05). (3) In the linear regression, significant positive relations were found for age (β=0.019 3, 95%CI 0.017-0.021, P<0.001), waist circumference (β=0.012 7, 95%CI 0.009-0.016, P<0.001), BMI (β=0.022 4, 95%CI 0.013-0.032, P<0.001), LDL-C (β=0.048 4, 95%CI 0.021-0.076, P<0.001), and HDL-C (β=-0.098 1, 95%CI-0.164--0.032, P<0.001) was inversely related to the EAT volume. (4) Logistic regression analysis indicated that EAT volume was an independent risk factor for CAC score>0 (OR=1.233, 95%CI 1.205-1.262, P<0.001) . Conclusions Our findings indicate that EAT volume is strongly correlated to cardiovascular risk factors and coronary calcification and is an independent risk factor of increased coronary calcification in community residents.

Objective To determine whether thyroid hormone (TH) level could also be an independent and incremental predictor of adverse events in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).Methods A total of 982 consecutive patients with HCM at the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases (China) from October 2009 to December 2013 were included in the present study,and followed up till the end of December 2016.The patients were divided into three groups according to the levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3):the group 1 (FT3≤4.28 pmol/L,n=335),the group 2 (FT3＞4.28-＜4.79 pmol/L,n=310),and the group 3 (FT34.79-6.30 pmol/L,n=337).Results After a follow-up period of (53.8 ± 14.1) months,39 patients (4.0％) either suffered death with all causes or received a cardiac transplantation (7.8％,2.9％ and 1.2％ of the patients in the group 1,group 2 and group 3,respectively).A multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that FT3≤4.28 pmol/L was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality or cardiac transplantation (HR 8.83,95％ CI 1.115-69.905,P=0.039) in HCM patients.Conclusions Low levels of FT3 is a risk factor of adverse events for patients with HCM,indicting a role of FT3 as a marker for assessing the risk of long-term adverse events in these patients.