BACKGROUND: The profile and clinical significance of the oral microbiome in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (noHCM) and obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) remain unexplored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference of oral microbiome between noHCM and oHCM patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 18 noHCM patients and 26 oHCM patients from Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between 2020 and 2021. Clinical and periodontal evaluations were conducted, and subgingival plaque samples were collected. Metagenomic sequencing and subsequent microbial composition and functional analyses were performed. RESULTS: Compared to oHCM patients, those with noHCM had higher systolic blood pressure (138.1 ± 18.8 mmHg vs . 124.2 ± 13.8 mmHg, P = 0.007), a larger body circumference (neck circumference: 39.2 ± 4.0 cm vs . 35.1 ± 3.7 cm, P = 0.001; waist circumference: 99.7 ± 10.5 cm vs . 92.2 ± 10.8 cm, P = 0.027; hip circumference: 102.5 ± 5.6 cm vs . 97.5 ± 9.1 cm, P = 0.030), a greater left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (46.6 ± 4.9 mm vs . 43.1 ± 4.9 mm, P = 0.026), and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (64.1 ± 5.7 % vs . 68.5 ± 7.8%, P = 0.048). While overall biodiversity and general microbial composition were similar between the noHCM and oHCM groups, ten taxa displayed significant differences at the genus and species levels, with Porphyromonas gingivalis showing the highest abundance and greater enrichment in noHCM (relative abundance: 7.79535 vs . 4.87697, P = 0.043). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis identified ten distinct pathways, with pathways related to energy and amino acid metabolism being enriched in oHCM patients, and those associated with genetic information processing less abundant in the oHCM group. Metabolic potential analysis revealed ten significantly altered metabolites primarily associated with amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, porphyrin metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversion, and lysine degradation. CONCLUSIONS The higher abundance of Porphyromonas gingivalis , which is known to impact cardiovascular health, in noHCM patients may partially account for clinical differences between the groups. Pathway enrichment and metabolic potential analyses suggest microbial functional shifts between noHCM and oHCM patients, potentially reflecting inherent metabolic changes in HCM.
Humans ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/microbiology* ; Female ; Male ; Microbiota/genetics* ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adult ; Mouth/microbiology* ; Aged

With the emergence of deep learning techniques based on convolutional neural networks, artificial intelligence (AI) has driven transformative developments in the field of medical image analysis. Recently, large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have also started to achieve distinction in this domain. Increasing research shows the undeniable role of AI in reshaping various aspects of medical image analysis, including processes such as image enhancement, segmentation, detection in image preprocessing, and postprocessing related to medical diagnosis and prognosis in clinical settings. However, despite the significant progress in AI research, studies investigating the recent advances in AI technology in the aforementioned aspects, the changes in research hotspot trajectories, and the performance of studies in addressing key clinical challenges in this field are limited. This article provides an overview of recent advances in AI for medical image analysis and discusses the methodological profiles, advantages, disadvantages, and future trends of AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Deep Learning ; Diagnostic Imaging/methods*

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, imaging features and prognosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with spinal cord involvement (PRES-SCI).Methods:The clinical data of 1 patient with PRES-SCI admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in November 2021 were analyzed, and the data of 38 patients with PRES-SCI reported in domestic and foreign databases and this patient were collected for pooled analysis.Results:The main clinical manifestations of 39 PRES-SCI patients (including this patient) included headache (79.5%, 31/39), visual disturbance (79.5%, 31/39), vomiting (46.2%, 18/39), disturbance of consciousness (38.5%, 15/39), limb weakness (28.2%, 11/39) and seizure (23.1%, 9/39). There were up to 97.4% (38/39) of patients who had significantly elevated blood pressure. The imaging feature was long-segment spinal cord lesion involving central gray matter. Approximately 89.7% (35/39) of the spinal cord lesions originated from the junction of the medulla oblongata and the cervical spinal cord. The median number of abnormal spinal cord segments corresponding to the vertebral body was 9 (the shortest was 4 and the longest was the entire spinal cord). Thirty-eight patients had brain lesions, and the most frequently involved sites were medulla oblongata (82.1%, 32/39), occipital lobe (46.2%, 18/39), pons (43.6%, 17/39), parietal lobe (41.0%, 16/39), and cerebellum (38.5%, 15/39). Among 38 patients completing the follow-up, 31 patients (81.6%) were clinically recovered.Conclusions:Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome could involve the spinal cord. For patients with long-segment spinal cord lesions and significantly increased blood pressure or other risk factors, PRES-SCI should be considered. Timely identification and treatment could make most patients recovery.

Objective: To analyze Chinese elderly health policy documents from 2018 to 2022 based on policy tools, so as to provide insights into improving elderly health policies and promoting healthy aging. Methods: Elderly health policy documents were retrieved from “the magic weapon of Peking University”, the policy document database of the State Council and portal websites of relevant ministries and commissions using keywords “elderly”, “aging” and “elderly health”. The documents were encoded using content analysis and keywords were extracted. A two-dimensional analysis framework was constructed based on Rothwell and Zegveld's classification framework and dimension theory, and the use of policy tools was analyzed. Results: Totally 57 Chinese elderly health policy documents were collected from 2018 to 2022, including 44 notices, 7 opinions, one rule, one regulation, one law, one announcement, one letter and one joint declaration. There were 37 documents (64.91%) issued by National Health Commission and its departments and offices. The high-frequency keywords in the documents included “medical and healthcare institutions”, “elderly health”, “rehabilitation/nursing”, “community/grassroots/rural”, “pilot”, “traditional Chinese medicine”, “propaganda” and “standardization”. There were 413 document codes, and the supply-, environment- and demand-side policy tools accounted for 52.54%, 31.72% and 15.74%, respectively. Public health and medical services (19.61%) and science popularization (7.99%) were the most commonly used supply-side policy tools, law/regulations and administration systems (7.99%) was the most commonly used environment-side policy tools, while pilot/demonstration projects (5.33%) was the most commonly used demand-side policy tools. The external and internal indicators of the system dimensions accounted for 48.18% and 51.82%, and political system (17.19%) and technical system (16.46%) were the two most commonly used external indicators, while service system (35.60%) was the most commonly used internal indicator. Conclusions Chinese elderly health policies focused on supply-side policies from 2018 to 2022, such as public health and medical services. The use of demand-side policy tools is recommended to be increased and the internal composition of supply- and environment-side policy tools are recommended to be optimized.

Objective To evaluate the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on the proliferation and migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) in rats. Methods The 5th generation BMSCs were divided into the control (without EPO) and 10, 100, 500, 1 000 IU/mL EPO groups. After 24 h and 48 h of culture, the proliferation rate, migration ability and the expression levels of CXCR4 of BMSCs were detected in each group. The 5th generation BMSCs were further divided into BMSC and EPO-BMSC groups. After 48 h of culture, the effect of EPO upon surface markers, directional differentiation and cytoskeleton morphology of BMSCs were evaluated in both groups. Results After theco-culture of EPO and BMSCs for 48 h, the proliferation rate and migration ability of BMSCs were significantly enhanced, and the expression level of CXCR4 protein was significantly up-regulated in the 100 IU/mL and 500 IU/mL EPO groups compared with those in the control group (all P < 0.05). However, EPO exerted no effect upon the expression levels of surface markers and directional differentiation ability of BMSCs in the EPO-BMSC group. In the EPO-BMSC group, the fibrous skeleton of most BMSCs was arranged along the long axis in parallel. Conclusions EPO can improve the proliferation rate, migration ability and tissue repair capability of BMSCs, probably by promoting the directional homing of BMSCs to injured organs and tissues via up-regulating the expression level of CXCR4.

Objective:To evaluate the status quo and influencing factors of hyperlipidemia management in patients with contracted family doctor service in the community.Method:The baseline data and blood lipid testing results of 752 hyperlipidemia patients (334 males and 418 females) with contracted family doctor service in Yuetan Community Health Service Center from November?2019 to May 2020 were collected. The hyperlipidemic patients were managed by family doctors based on atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases(ASCVD) riks assessment. The ASCVD risk levels and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compliance rate of patients with different general data were compared, and the influencing factors of LDL-C control failure were analyzed by logistic regression.Results:The ASCVD risk assessment showed that among 752 patients there were 172 cases of low risk(22.87%), 167 cases of moderate risk(22.21%),352 cases of high risk(46.81%) and 61 cases of extremely high risk(8.11%). A significant difference was detected in sex,rate of smoking,incidence of overweight or obesity among patients with different ASCVD risk levels ( P<0.05).The overall control rate of LDL-C was 48.8% (367/752), that for low, moderate, high and extremely high risk patients were 83.73% (144/172), 53.89% (90/167), 34.38% (121/352) and 19.67%(12/61), respectively. A significant difference was detected in sex(female: 52.87%, 221/418),age(aged over 80: 58.82%, 110/187), rate of smoking (non-smoking:52.40%, 327/624) and medication compliance (good compliance:52.87%,221/418) between LDL-C control and uncontrol groups (χ2=6.323,11.816,19.022,25.274; P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender ( OR=1.800,95% CI:1.325-2.419), smoking ( OR=2.630,95% CI:1.726-4.007) and poor medication compliance ( OR= 2.179, 95% CI: 1.581-3.003) were independent risk factors for uncontrolled LDL-C levels. Conclusion:Patients with hyperlipidemia have a relatively high risk of cardiovascular diseases, and their blood lipids are not well controlled. The management of blood lipid should be enhanced in patients with chronic diseases, particularly for male patients with smoking and poor medication compliance.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Sini-Jia-Huanglian Decoction on chronic heart failure (CHF) with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. Methods:A total of 100 patients with CHF and qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in Handan Mingren hospital from January 2018 to June 2019 who met the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups according to the random number table method, 50 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional western medicine therapy, and the treatment group was treated with Sini-Jia-Huanglian Decoction on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 30 days. TCM syndrome score was performed before and after treatment. The level of N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was detected by radioimmunoassay. The levels of peptide and galectin 3 (Gal-3) were detected by ELISA. The exercise tolerance was measured by 6-minute walking test, the clinical efficacy was tevaluated. Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group was 92.0% (46/50), and the control group was 76.0% (38/50), there was significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=4.762, P=0.029). After treatment, the scores of shortness of breath, palpitation, dyspnea, dizziness, chest pain and total scores in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 4.257, 8.493, 8.211, 4.481, 5.500, 6.977, respectively, all Ps<0.01). After treatment, the levels of NT-proBNP (2 349.61 ± 683.50 ng/L vs. 3 026.27 ± 714.35 ng/L, t=4.840), and peptide (12.16 ± 3.43 ng/L vs. 17.52 ± 3.98 ng/L, t=7.214) and Gal-3 (3.01 ± 0.82 μg/L vs. 3.94 ± 0.93 μg/L, t=5.304) in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01), and the walking distance of 6 minutes (450.66 ± 79.25 m vs. 384.49 ± 70.16 m, t=4.421) was significantly longer than that of the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusions:The Sini-Jia-Huanglian Decoction can improve the heart function and clinical symptoms of CHF patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and improve the clinical efficacy.

Objective:To survey the mental health status and related factors of residents in a Beijing community during Coronavirus diease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic period.Methods:A total of 765 residents aged ≥18 year from Beijing Yuetan subdistric, including 238 males and 527 females, were enrolled in our study on March 2020. The knowledge and attitude to COVID-19 were surveyed with online questionnaire and the mental health status was assessed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) . The influencing factors of mental status were analyzed.Results:The awareness rate of transmission routes, the prevention and control measures of the COVID-19 was 92.94% (711/765) and 97.25% (744/765) . The rates of anxiety and depression were 35.29% (270/765) and 31.50% (241/765); the severe anxiety (GAD-7>14) rate was 6.01% (46/765), and the severe depression rate (PHQ-9>19) was 1.43% (11/765), There was significant difference in depression rate among different age groups (χ 2=0.338, P<0.05). Conclusion:Under the threaten of COVID-19, the incidence of mental disorder among residents in the community has increased, indicating more attention should be paid to psychological heath during the COVID-19 epidemic period.

Objective:To report the clinical, electrophysiological and genetic features in a Chinese family with distal hereditary motor neuropathy type V (dHMN-V) and screen the pathogenic mutant gene.Methods:A family with the history of inherited peripheral neuropathy was recruited in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in July 2017. The clinical features and electrophysiological data were investigated. Genetic testing on well-established genes associated with hereditary peripheral neuropathy was conducted by targeted high throughput sequencing and the candidate variant was screened in the family and normal controls.Results:There were four affected individuals in the family. The proband, a 25-year-old male, was characterized by weakness and atrophy in the distal extremities primarily affected the upper extremities without sensory impairment. Electrophysiological study showed chronic neurogenic pattern in the upper and lower limb muscles. The motor conduction showed reduced velocity and compound muscle action potential amplitude, while the sensory conduction studies results were normal. The grandfather, a maternal uncle and a cousin of the proband exhibited similar clinical manifestations and electrophysiological abnormality. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous mutation, c.880G>A(p.G294R), in the GARS gene in the proband. Proband′s mother and two other affected individuals carried the mutation which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The mutation site was not found in the unaffected members from the family and 300 unrelated normal controls. The variant is a novel mutation which has not been reported in dbSNP, ExAC and 1000 Genomes Project databases. Conclusion:The results suggest that the novel c.880G>A(p.G294R) mutation of the GARS gene is responsible for the Chinese patients with dHMN-V, and the findings broaden the mutational spectrum of GARS gene.

Objective: To survey on the home blood pressure measurement and blood pressure control rate among patients with hypertension in Beijing Yuetan community. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 504 hypertensive patients, who were visiting Beijing Yuetan Community Health Service Center and selected by convenience-sampling method during June 2018 to January 2019. The status of home blood pressure measurement, the awareness of hypertension, the blood pressure control rate and factors related to not regularly measuring were surveyed. Results: Of the 504 patients, 93.7% (472/504) took regular medication, but only 61.5% (310/504) had regular blood pressure measurements; 92.5% (466/504) had sphygmomanometers at home with electronic type mainly; 89.9% (453/504) patients knew the method of blood pressure measurement, but only 11.5% (52/453) had their sphygmomanometer calibrated. Among those who measured blood pressure, 77.4% (240/310) measured per week. The main reason for not measuring blood pressure regularly was that there was no need to measure blood pressure without any discomfort, accounting for 50.0% (97/194). The office blood pressure control rate (with desktop mercury sphygmomanometer) was 62.3% (314/504); the blood pressure control rate both in the morning and at bed time was 61.3% (73/119), that in the morning was 68.1% (81/119) and at bed time was 75.6% (90/119). The control rates of systolic blood pressure and heart rate by home measurement at morning and bedtime were significantly higher than those by office measurement (χ²=5.02, 9.97, 15.51, 13.72; all P<0.05). Conclusions The home blood pressure monitoring rate and knowledge level of hypertension among patients with hypertension in Yuetan community are relatively low. There are some differences in blood pressure control rate between office measurement and home measurement. Comprehensive evaluation is needed in the management process, and the treatment plan should be adjusted according to the specific condition of patients.