Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective:To reveal the diurnal variation characteristics of the exercise adaptability of cardiac function in healthy men of different ages by the analysis of echocardiographic parameter changes before and after exercise intervention using the left ventricular pressure-strain loop techniques.Methods:A prospective control design was used to collect 193 healthy male volunteers from October 2022 to July 2023 in Tangdu Hospital, 101 in the young group [(26±5) years old], and 92 in the middle-aged group [(50±4) years old]. The heart rate, blood pressure and routine echocardiographic parameters were collected at rest and after exercise stress (3-minute step test) at 7∶00 a.m.and 10∶00 p.m., respectively. The heart rate, blood pressure cardiac output, and echocardiographic parameters [anteroposterior diameter of left atrium (LAD), ratio of peak early diastolic flow velocity to late diastolic peak flow velocity of mitral valve (E/A), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVEDS)] were then determined. The parameters of myocardial work including left ventricular longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), global work efficiency (GWE), global constructive work (GCW) and global wasted work (GWW) were obtained by left ventricular pressure-strain loop technique. The differences of the parameters above between before and after step test, morning and night, young group and middle-aged group were compared.Results:The heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac output of young and middle-aged healthy men increased significantly in the morning and night step test (all P<0.05), GLS, GWI, GCW and GWW were significantly higher than those in resting state (all P<0.05), and GWE was significantly lower than that in resting state ( P<0.05). The change rates of heart rate, cardiac output, GLS, GWI and GCW in the early morning were significantly higher than those at night (all P<0.05), while the change rates of blood pressure and GWE in each group were significantly lower than those at night ( P<0.05). The change rates of heart rate, systolic blood pressure, GLS and GWI in the middle-aged group were significantly higher than those in the young group in the morning and night (all P<0.05), while the change rate of diastolic blood pressure at night was significantly higher than that in the young group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the morning ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The cardiac adaptability of healthy men has obvious circadian rhythm, characterized by being of low in the morning and high in the evening. Age mainly affects the cardiac adaptability in the morning. The response to low-intensity load stimulation increases with aging, indicating the decrease of morning cardiac adaptability.

Objective:To investigate the clinical applicability of the four-grade grading(G4) advocated by the academy in recent years compared with the guideline-recommended three-grade grading(G3) in functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR).Methods:A total of 137 consecutive patients were prospectively included from outpatient and inpatient clinics at Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University from May to December 2023. All patients underwent echocardiography and were graded for regurgitation based on the 2017 American Society of Echocardiography Valve Evaluation Guidelines as the reference standard. The patients with regurgitation were grouped according to the G3 based on the guidelines and the G4 advocated by the academic community in recent years, respectively. The consistency of the regurgitation grading between multi-indicators and single-indicators was analyzed using the Kappa test for both G3 and G4. The quantitative regurgitation relevant parameters were analyzed using ROC curves to evaluate the diagnostic efficacies for G4, including the vena contracta width (VCW), the area of the color flow jet (A Jet), and the radius of the PISA (R PISA). Results:The results of consistency analysis showed that the consistency of regurgitation volume (RVol) was significantly higher in the G4 multi-indicators comprehensive assessment versus the single-indicators assessment compared with the G3, with a Kappa value of 0.84 vs. 0.30. The consistency of effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and VCW remained unchanged, with a Kappa value of 0.76 vs. 0.89, 0.51 vs. 0.66. ROC curve analysis showed that for the G4, the area under the curve (AUC) for moderate regurgitation were 0.854, 0.993, and 0.894, respectively, while for moderate-severe regurgitation, these values were 0.899, 0.979, and 0.917, respectively.Conclusions:For FTR, the G4 currently advocated by the academic community has better consistency between single-indicators and comprehensive indicators grading than the G3 based on the guideline, which is clinically applicable; A Jet, R PISA, and VCW can be supplemented to the G4, which helps to improve the quantitative assessment system.

Objective:To evaluate the performance of the self-developed transcranial ultrasound patch probe as well as its stability and safety in clinical applications.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. Fifty healthy subjects in Tangdu Hospital from October to December 2023 were randomly and equally divided into two groups using a simple randomization method. The transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) examinations were performed using the self-developed transcranial ultrasound patch probe and normal TCD probe alternatively in each group from squatting to sitting and then to standing posture. Two experienced sonographers (A, B) each completed one test for the same subject using the above two different probes. The differences of the ultrasound parameters of middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow measured by the self-developed transcranial ultrasound patch probe and the normal TCD probe in different postures (squatting, sitting, standing) were compared. At the same time, operator satisfaction with the use of the two probes was assessed in terms of time taken to obtain satisfactory images, operational comfort, and ease of handling. In addition, the subject's comfort during the examination was examined, and the signal acquisition stability of the two probes was comprehensively evaluated.Results:There was no significant difference in detection of various ultrasound parameters of MCA between using the transcranial patch probe and the normal TCD probe (all P>0.05). The overall satisfaction of transcranial ultrasound patch probe and normal TCD probe was quite similar. The transcranial ultrasound patch probe acquired favorable and stable signals. No subjects experienced adverse events/accidents during the examination of the subjects using the transcranial ultrasound patch probe as well as the normal TCD probe.Both probes had good and stable signal acquisition. Conclusions:TCD examinations could be well performed using the transcranial ultrasound patch probe, which might provide a potential new method for real-time monitoring and evaluating of cerebral blood flow of a moving subject.

Background: Gut microbiota is closely related to the occurrence and development of diabetes and affects the prognosis of diabetic complications, and the underlying mechanisms are only partially understood. We aimed to explore the possible link between the gut microbiota and vascular inflammation of diabetic mice. Methods: The db/db diabetic and wild-type (WT) mice were used in this study. We profiled gut microbiota and examined the and vascular function in both db/db group and WT group. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16s rRNA sequencing. Vascular function was examined by ultrasonographic hemodynamics and histological staining. Clostridium butyricum (CB) was orally administered to diabetic mice by intragastric gavage every 2 days for 2 consecutive months. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected by fluorescence microscopy. The mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines was tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Compared with WT mice, CB abundance was significantly decreased in the gut of db/db mice, together with compromised vascular function and activated inflammation in the arterial tissue. Meanwhile, ROS in the vascular tissue of db/db mice was also significantly increased. Oral administration of CB restored the protective microbiota, and protected the vascular function in the db/db mice via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusion This study identified the potential link between decreased CB abundance in gut microbiota and vascular inflammation in diabetes. Therapeutic delivery of CB by gut transplantation alleviates the vascular lesions of diabetes mellitus by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Objective:To explore the features of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and to analyze the correlation between the features and leukocyte count in peripheral blood.Methods:A total of 30 type 2 diabetic patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque treated in Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University who underwent CEUS from March 2018 to September 2021 were included as the diabetes group. Thirty-two non-diabetic patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque who were matched for age and sex during the same period served as the control group. The optimized plaques were performed by CEUS to obtain parameters including peak (P), time to peak (TP), sharpness (S) and area under the curve (AUC) of time-intensity gamma fitting curve (FC curve). The differential count of leukocytes in peripheral blood was detected by the automatic hematology analyzer. Spearman rank correlation and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the correlation between CEUS parameters of plaque and the differential leukocyte count in peripheral blood.Results:①The peripheral blood leukocyte count, monocyte count and monocyte proportion in the diabetes group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). ②P and AUC in the diabetes group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). ③There was linear relationship( B=75.440, P<0.001) and positive correlation ( rs=0.929) between P and peripheral blood monocyte count in the diabetes group. Conclusions:The neovascularization density and perfusion in carotid plaques in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are increased, which may be related to the increase of leukocytes in circulation, especially monocytes.

Objective:To study the prognostic value of left atrial strain in diastolic function response by treadmill exercise stress echocardiography.Methods:During May 2018 to February 2019, 64 patients underwent treadmill exercise stress echocardiography for diastolic function evaluation in Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, were recruited.Patients were categorized into diastolic stress test negative group (pre-stress E/e′ <14 & post-stress E/e′<14) (DST- group), and diastolic stress test positive group (pre-stress E/e′ <14 & post-stress E/e′>14) (DST+ group). Patients′ characteristics of the stress test, left ventricular diameter, left atrial volume index, systolic and diastolic function, and left atrial strain parameters were compared between these two groups. ROC analyses were performed based on the echocardiographic parameters with significant group differences ( P<0.01) to determine the predictive values for diastolic stress test response. Results:The pre-stress E/e′ and left atrial strain parameters were significantly differently between DST- and DST+ group. The DST- showed significantly lower E/e′ (8.20±1.27 vs 10.32±1.33, P<0.01), but higher left atrial strains than DST+ group[reservoir function(33.7±5.7)% vs (26.5±5.5)%, P<0.01; conduit function(16.8±4.0)% vs (11.8±3.4)%, P<0.01; pump function(16.9±5.7)% vs (14.7±5.5)%, P<0.05]. The left atrial reservoir function, conduit function and pre-stress E/e′ could predict the diastolic stress test response, the areas under ROC curve were 0.81 ( P<0.01), 0.62 ( P=0.04) and 0.71 ( P<0.01). Conclusions:The left atrial strain parameters under resting condition could predict the diastolic stress test response. It may serve as an alternative method of exercise stress echocardiography for diastolic function evaluation.

The aim of this paper was to observe the combination therapy with total triterpenoids of Chaenomeles speciosa and omeprazole on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats, and explore its possible mechanism. Rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, omeprazole monotherapy(3.6 mg·kg~(-1)) group, total triterpenoids of C. speciosa monotherapy(100 mg·kg~(-1)) group, total triterpenoids of C. speciosa and omeprazole combination therapy(100 mg·kg~(-1)+3.6 mg·kg~(-1)) group. Except for the normal group, the other groups were given indomethacin(20 mg·kg~(-1)) by oral once a day for 7 consecutive days. Then the treated groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage, once a day for 14 consecutive days. The next day after the last administration, half of the rats in each group were measured the gastric mucosal blood flow, gastric juice volume and serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10. After the remaining rats in each group were underwent pyloric ligation 4 hours after the last administration, the gastric endocrine volume, pH value and total acidity of gastric secretion were measured, then histological analysis was performed, MPO activity, cAMP content and histomorphological analysis were conducted. Real-time PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expressions of gastric tissue TNF-α,IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, VEGFA, A_(2A)R; the protein expressions of VEGFA, A_(2A)R, PKA, p-PKA, CREB, p-CREB, EGF, EGFR, p-EGFR, MUC6, TFF2 in gastric tissue were detected by Western blot. The results indicated that total triterpenoids of C. speciosa and omeprazole combination therapy might significantly increase gastric mucosal blood flow, gastric mucus volume, reduce gastric endocrine volume, secretion acidity and mucosal damage, decrease the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6, increase the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in blood and gastric tissue, inhibit the activity of MPO, increase the content of cAMP in gastric tissue, up-regulate the mRNA expressions of VEGFA, A_(2A)R and protein expressions of VEGFA, A_(2A)R, PKA, p-PKA, CREB, p-CREB, EGF, EGFR, p-EGFR, MUC6, TFF2 in gastric tissue, elevate p-PKA/PKA, p-CREB/CREB and p-EFGR/EFGR. Moreover, the combination therapy with total triterpenoids of C. speciosa and omeprazole was more obvious than those of two monotherapies. These aforementioned findings suggested that the combination therapy with total triterpenoids of C. speciosa and omeprazole on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer have significant therapeutic effect on indomethacin induced gastric ulcer in rats, its mechanism might be related to regulating A_(2A)R/AKT/CREB, A_(2A)R/VEGFA, EGF/EGFR and MUC6/TFF2 signaling pathways, inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors, increasing gastric mucosal blood flow, up-regulating mucosal cell proliferation factors and promoting mucosal protective factors.
Animals ; Cytokines ; Gastric Mucosa ; Indomethacin ; Omeprazole ; pharmacology ; Phytochemicals ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rosaceae ; chemistry ; Stomach Ulcer ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Objective To decompose left ventricular contractile motions and analyze the corresponding contributions of different components to left ventricular systolic function . Methods Sixty‐nine healthy adults with normal left ventricular eject fraction ( LVEF ) were recruited . T wo‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography was performed by GE Vivid E 9 system ,and strain parameters were analyzed by EchoPac software . Correlation and multiple stepwise regression analysis were performed to analyze the contributions of different components of myocardial motion to left ventricular contraction . Results Global longitudinal strain ( GLS) ,global circumferential strain ( GCS ) ,global radial strain ( GRS ) and twist were all significantly correlated with LVEF ( r ＝ －0 .668 , P ＜0 .001 ; r ＝ －0 .552 , P ＜0 .001 ;r ＝0 .335 , P ＝0 .006 ; r ＝0 .428 , P ＜0 .001) . Significant correlations were found between all the strain parameters ,except for GRS and twist . M ultiple stepwise regression adjusted for sex ,and age showed that the uni‐contributions of GLS , GCS , GRS and twist to LVEF were 21 .3% , 13 .0% , 7 .5% , 8 .8% , respectively . However ,with all strain parameters in the general regression model ,only GLS and twist were still significantly related with LVEF ( R2 ＝0 .566 , P ＜0 .001) . Conclusions T he contributions of various components of myocardial motion to left ventricular contraction in healthy adults are different . Although every component is significantly related with LVEF ,the longitudinal and twist motion are most important in the integrated view .

Objective To investigate the value of S-Detect classification in differential diagnosis of breast mass . Methods The data of forty-seven patients with breast mass lesions ( n=61) from our hospital during January to December in 2016 were retrospectively analyzed . Both the man-made BI-RADS classification ( identified by three different specialist physicians with 2 ,5 and 7 years of experience , respectively) and computer S-Detect classification were performed . The sensitivity ,specificity ,accuracy , positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the man-made BI-RADS classification and S-Detect classification of the benign or malignant diagnosis of breast lumps were calculated . The ROC curve was further plotted ,and the area under the curve ( AUC) of each group was compared ,respectively . Results Sixty-one breast mass lesions were confirmed 36 benign lesions and 25 malignant lesions by pathological biopsy . The sensitivity ,specificity and accuracy of man-made BI-RADS classification were as follows:2-year experience physicians 69 .4％ ,72 .0％ and 70 .5％ ;5-year experience physicians:64 .0％ ,92 .0％ and 75 .4％ ;7-year experience physicians:69 .4％ , 92 .0％ and 78 .7％ . The diagnostic sensitivity , specificity , and accuracy of S-Detect classification were 80 .6％ ,96 .0％ and 86 .9％ . The specificity ,accuracy and positive predictive value of S-Detect classification were significantly higher than those of 2-year experience physicians by BI-RADS classification ( P <0 .05) . The area under the ROC curve of each group was 0 .729 ,0 .786 and 0 .801 for 2 , 5 and 7-year experience physicians , respectively , and 0 .917 for S-Detect classification . Conclusions Compared with the man-made BI-RADS classification ,S-Detect classification has advantages in diagnosis of the benign or malignant of breast mass and is helpful to improve the accuracy of diagnosis , especially for junior physicians .