AIM: To investigate the expression of serum growth differentiation factor 11(GDF11)and thrombospondin 1(TSP1)in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR), and discuss their relationship with microvascular injury.METHODS: Totally 102 DR patients were served as DR group and assigned into non proliferative DR group(NPDR group)and proliferative DR group(PDR group)based on the severity of DR lesions. Meantime, 100 patients with simple diabetes were served as control group. Serum indicators of microvascular injury including vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), endothelial cells(ECs), endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs), and levels of GDF11 and TSP1 were measured in each group. Pearson method was used to discuss the correlation between GDF11, TSP1 and microvascular injury indicators. Logistic regression was used to discuss the factors that affected the occurrence of DR. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the evaluation value of serum GDF11 and TSP1 for the DR conditions.RESULTS: For the control group, DR group had lower EPCs and GDF11, and higher VEGF, ECs, and TSP1 levels(all P<0.05). The PDR group had lower GDF11 and higher TSP1 than the NPDR group(all P<0.05). Serum GDF11 was negatively related to VEGF and ECs(r=-0.486, -0.511, all P<0.001), and positively related to EPCs(r=0.475, P<0.001). TSP1 was positively related to VEGF and ECs(r=0.579, 0.594, all P<0.001), and negatively related to EPCs(r=-0.505, P<0.001). Moreover, GDF11 and TSP1 were negatively correlated(r=-0.443, P<0.001). The course of T2DM, VEGF, and TSP1 were risk factors for DR, while GDF11 was a protective factor(all P<0.05). The AUC of GDF11, TSP1, and combined diagnosis for PDR conditions was 0.819, 0.822, and 0.915, respectively. The combined diagnosis was better than single diagnosis(Zcombination-GDF11=2.070, P=0.039, Zcombination-TSP1=2.274, P=0.023).CONCLUSION: GDF11 and TSP1 are closely associated with microvascular injury in DR patients and are related to the progression of DR disease, and the combined detection of their serum levels is of clinical value in the assessment of DR disease.

Objective:To compare and discuss the mid-to-long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair (MVP) versus biological mitral valve replacement (bMVR) in patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 765 patients aged 60 years and older, diagnosed with rheumatic mitral valve disease and who underwent MVP or bMVR at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to January 2023, were retrospectively included. Among them, 186 were male and 579 were female, with an age of (66.1±4.5) years (range: 60 to 82 years). Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical method: the mitral valve repair group (MVP group, n=256) and the bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement group (bMVR group, n=509). A 1∶1 propensity score matching was performed using a caliper value of 0.2 based on preoperative data. Paired sample t-tests, χ2 tests, or Fisher′s exact tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Kaplan-Meier method was employed to plot survival curves and valve-related reoperation rate curves for both groups before and after matching, and Log-rank tests were used to compare the mid-to long-term survival rates and valve-related reoperation rates between the two groups. Results:A total of 765 patients who completed follow-up were ultimately included, with a follow-up period ( M(IQR)) of 5.1(5.0) years (range: 1.0 to 12.9 years). After matching, each group consisted of 256 patients. The incidence of early postoperative atrial fibrillation (39.1% vs. 49.2%, χ2=4.95, P=0.026) and early mortality rates (2.0% vs. 6.2%, χ2=4.97, P=0.026) were lower in the MVP group. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates for the MVP group (92.54% vs. 83.02%, 86.22% vs. 70.19%, Log-rank: P=0.001). After adjustment with propensity scores, the Kaplan-Meier analysis still indicated higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates in the MVP group compared to the bMVR group (92.54% vs. 85.89%, 86.22% vs. 74.83%, Log-rank: P=0.024). There were no significant differences in the rates of valve-related reoperation between the two groups before and after matching (5-year and 10-year reoperation rates pre-matching: 1.75% vs. 0.57%, 5.39% vs. 7.54%, Log-rank: P=0.207; post-matching: 1.75% vs. 0, 5.39% vs. 9.27%, Log-rank: P=0.157). Conclusion:For patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease, mitral valve repair offers better mid-to-long-term survival compared to biological valve replacement.

Objective:To compare and discuss the mid-to-long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair (MVP) versus biological mitral valve replacement (bMVR) in patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 765 patients aged 60 years and older, diagnosed with rheumatic mitral valve disease and who underwent MVP or bMVR at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to January 2023, were retrospectively included. Among them, 186 were male and 579 were female, with an age of (66.1±4.5) years (range: 60 to 82 years). Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical method: the mitral valve repair group (MVP group, n=256) and the bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement group (bMVR group, n=509). A 1∶1 propensity score matching was performed using a caliper value of 0.2 based on preoperative data. Paired sample t-tests, χ2 tests, or Fisher′s exact tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Kaplan-Meier method was employed to plot survival curves and valve-related reoperation rate curves for both groups before and after matching, and Log-rank tests were used to compare the mid-to long-term survival rates and valve-related reoperation rates between the two groups. Results:A total of 765 patients who completed follow-up were ultimately included, with a follow-up period ( M(IQR)) of 5.1(5.0) years (range: 1.0 to 12.9 years). After matching, each group consisted of 256 patients. The incidence of early postoperative atrial fibrillation (39.1% vs. 49.2%, χ2=4.95, P=0.026) and early mortality rates (2.0% vs. 6.2%, χ2=4.97, P=0.026) were lower in the MVP group. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates for the MVP group (92.54% vs. 83.02%, 86.22% vs. 70.19%, Log-rank: P=0.001). After adjustment with propensity scores, the Kaplan-Meier analysis still indicated higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates in the MVP group compared to the bMVR group (92.54% vs. 85.89%, 86.22% vs. 74.83%, Log-rank: P=0.024). There were no significant differences in the rates of valve-related reoperation between the two groups before and after matching (5-year and 10-year reoperation rates pre-matching: 1.75% vs. 0.57%, 5.39% vs. 7.54%, Log-rank: P=0.207; post-matching: 1.75% vs. 0, 5.39% vs. 9.27%, Log-rank: P=0.157). Conclusion:For patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease, mitral valve repair offers better mid-to-long-term survival compared to biological valve replacement.

Objective To compare and analyze the results of hysterosalpingography(HSG)in primary infertility patients who received ultra-liquefied ethiodized poppyseed oil-based contrast medium or iodized oil-based contrast medium.Methods A total of 212 patients with primary infertility who received HSG examination were enrolled,of which 96 patients were in the ultra-liquefied ethiodized pop-pyseed oil-based contrast medium group,while 116 patients were in the iodized oil-based contrast medium group.The visual analogue scale(VAS)score of pain during HSG,adverse reactions(allergic reaction of contrast medium,contrast medium reflux,etc.),24 h-peri-toneal distribution and natural pregnancy rate within 1 year after HSG were analyzed between the two groups.Results The VAS score[(1.62±0.92)points]and the incidence of contrast medium reflux(5.2％)in the ultra-liquefied ethiodized poppyseed oil-based con-trast medium group were lower than those in the iodized oil-based contrast medium group[(3.2±1.42)points and 13.8％],respectively and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05).In the 24 h-peritoneal distribution,the diagnosis rate of mild pelvic adhesion in the ultra-liquefied ethiodized poppyseed oil-based contrast medium group(26％)was lower than that in the iodized oil-based contrast medium group(39.7％),and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.041).The natural pregnancy rate of the two groups within 1 year was significantly improved,but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Ultra-liquefied ethiodized poppyseed oil-based contrast medium has less pain,lower incidence adverse reactions and better peritoneal distribution,and improve the natural pregnancy rate in primary infertility patients undergoing HSG.It is a high priority contrast medium for HSG.

Objective To observe the value of multiparametric MRI-based radiomics model and deep learning(DL)model for distinguishing benign and malignant myxoid soft tissue tumors(MSTT).Methods A total of 141 MSTT patients confirmed with pathology were retrospectively collected.The patients were randomly divided into training set(n=98,including 51 cases of malignant MSTT and 47 cases of benign MSTT)and test set(n=43,including 22 cases of malignant MSTT and 21 cases of benign MSTT)at the ratio of 7∶3.Based on T1WI and fat suppression(FS)-T2WI in training set,radiomics features and DL features were extracted and selected,then a radiomics model and a DL model were constructed,respectively.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration curves and decision curves were drawn,and the discrimination,calibration and net benefit of these 2 models were compared.Results In training set,the radiomics model for differentiating benign and malignant MSTT was constructed according to 9 optimal radiomics features,including 2 first order features,1 shape feature,3 gray level co-occurrence matrix features,1 gray level dependence matrix feature and 2 gray level size zone matrix features,while DL model was built based on 7 optimal DL features.In test set,the area under the ROC curve of radiomics model and DL model was 0.758 and 0.911,respectively,the latter was higher than the former(P=0.017).Both models had good calibration,and DL model had higher overall net benefit.Conclusion Compared with radiomics model,DL model based on MRI had better ability to differentiating benign and malignant MSTT,also higher overall net benefit.

Objective To observe the value of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI(DCE-MRI)for evaluating the early efficacy of chemotherapy in rabbit models of VX2 malignant bone tumor.Methods Models of VX2 malignant bone tumor were established in 30 rabbits,among which 14 were treated with intravenous cisplatin by 7 mg/kg body mass(chemotherapy group),while the other 16 were injected with equal dose of normal saline(control group).Non-contrast MRI and DCE-MRI were acquired 2 weeks after tumor implantation(before intervention)and 3 days later injection(after intervention),respectively.Point-to-point comparisons were performed between images and pathological findings,and the values of volume transfer constant(Ktrans),rate constant(Kep),extravascular and extracellular volume fraction(Ve),plasma volume fraction(Vp)and microvessel density(MVD)in tumor region were obtained.MRI findings before and after intervention within groups,as well as those after intervention were compared between groups.The efficacy of the above parameters forjudging whether the tumor being treated with chemotherapy or not was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the curve(AUC),and the correlations between DCE-MRI parameters after intervention and MVD were analyzed.Results No statistical difference of the maximum diameter of tumors shown on plain MRI was found before and after intervention in chemotherapy group(P＞0.05).Compared with those before intervention,Ktrans and Kep in tumor region decreased in chemotherapy group but increased in control group after intervention(allP＜0.05),while no significant difference of Ve nor Vp was found in both groups(all P＞0.05).Ktrans and Kep in chemotherapy group were lower than those in control group(both P＜0.05),while no significant difference of Ve nor Vp between groups after intervention(both P＞0.05).The AUC of Ktrans,Kep,Ve and Vp for judging whether the tumor treated with chemotherapy or not was 0.964,0.933,0.317 and 0.455,respectively.MVD in tumor regions in chemotherapy group was lower than that in control group after intervention(P＜0.05).Ktrans and Kep in tumor region in both groups were positively correlated with MVD(r=0.876,0.881,both P＜0.05),while Ve and Vp did not significantly correlated with M VD(r=0.118,0.202,both P＞0.05).Conclusion DCE-MRI quantitative parameters Ktrans and Kep could be used to sensitively observe the early reflection of rabbit models of VX2 malignant bone tumor to chemotherapy and changes of MVD.

With the rapid development of imaging and percutaneous coronary intervention, the application of contrast media has become more and more widespread, and contrast-associated AKI has become one of the most common causes of acute kidney injury. Contrast-associated AKI seriously threatens patients' health and brings greater economic burden to patients, so it is particularly important to prevent the contrast-associated AKI. Nicorandil is a common vasodilator drug in clinical practice, widely used in the treatment of angina pectoris, with the effects of anti-oxidative stress, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammatory and vasodilation, and is considered to be effective in preventing contrast - associated AKI. However, there is still a lack of further research on the efficacy of nicorandil in preventing contrast-associated AKI.

The paper reported a patient under maintained hemodialysis for 11 years, with a large mass appeared in the right thigh after local injury. The mass was clinically considered as tumoral calcinosis combined with clinical, imaging and pathological findings. Several treatments such as enhancing dialysis adequacy, low calcium dialysate, calcimimetic agent, non-calcium- phosphorus binding agents, parathyroidectomy and intravenous infusion of sodium thiosulfate could not vanish the mass. Finally, the lump was surgically removed. The treatment of tumoral calcinosis in the hemodialysis patient can provide a instruction for similar situations in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE To identify Ginseng Flos and their confounds by using the high-throughput sequencing technology, and to verify the accuracy of high-throughput sequencing technology in species identification by using ITS2 sequencing technology. METHODS High-throughput sequencing was performed on the amplified products of Ginseng Flos adulterated samples, use cutadapt, PEAR, PRINSEQ, Usearch, RDP classifier, SINTAX software to obtain operational taxonomic unit(OUT) sequences, remove fungi, unclassified and other non-green plant sequences. To avoid false positives, delete OTU sequences with a sequence number <100 or base numbers <200 bp. The ITS2 amplification products of Ginseng Flos, Quinquefolii Flos, and Notoginseng Flos were sequenced. To verify the accuracy of high-throughput sequencing technology for species identification, MEGA 11.0 was used to construct neighbor joining system cluster tree, genetic distance, interspecific information loci and Blast analysis of ITS2 and OTU base sequences of Ginseng Flos, Quinquefolii Flos, and Notoginseng Flos. RESULTS A total of 54 653 valid sequences were obtained by high-throughput sequencing, the serial numbers of Ginseng Flos, Quinquefolii Flos, and Notoginseng Flos were OTU1, OTU2, OTU3, respectively, and the corresponding effective sequences were 31 325, 857 and 442, respectively. By performing a Blast search of ITS2 and OTU base sequences of each species, each species was supported. The genetic distance between Ginseng Flos and Quinquefolii Flos and Notoginseng Flos was 0.010 and 0.033, respectively. Ginseng Flos and Quinquefolii Flos, Notoginseng Flos had 2 and 7 information sites, respectively. The neighbor join system cluster tree showed that the species were clustered independently into one branch, with Ginseng Flos, and Quinquefolii Flos clustered as a large branch and juxtaposed with Notoginseng Flos. Ginseng Flos was the same as Quinquefolii Flos secondary structure, but with Notoginseng Flos there were three different positions but there were A, B and C differences between arm Ⅳ and arm Ⅰ of Notoginseng Flos. CONCLUSION The high-throughput sequencing technology can accurately identify Ginseng Flos, Quinquefolii Flos and Notoginseng Flos, and has a strong ability to identify adulterated samples, which provides a certain idea for the identification of commercial Ginseng Flos.

Objective: To explore whether RhoA plays a role in the migration and invasion of the salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cell lines SACC-LM and SACC-83. Methods: Total RNA and total protein were extracted from 20 salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) and normal adjacent tissues frozen in liquid nitrogen to detect RhoA expression. RhoA-siRNA was constructed to transfect two cell lines (SACC-LM and SACC-83) for cytological experiments. The research included an experimental group (RhoA-siRNA transfection), negative control group (siRNA-NC transfection) and blank group by transient transfection with liposomes. Expression of RhoA mRNA and protein as well as the protein expression of biomarkers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were analyzed, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin. Furthermore, the changes in invasion and migration of cells in each group were analyzed by comparing the number of transmembrane cells in the Transwell assay and the results of the scratch test. Results: Compared with normal adjacent tissues, RhoA protein and mRNA levels increased in SACC tissues. Compared with the control group, the relative expression levels of RhoA mRNA and protein decreased (P < 0.01), the relative expression levels of E-cadherin protein increased, and the relative expression levels of N-cadherin and vimentin protein increased in the experimental group (P < 0.01). Additionally, the trial results revealed that RhoA knockdown restrained cell migration and invasion (P < 0.01). Conclusion RhoA expression increased in SACC tissue. Silencing RhoA in vitro could effectively restrain cell migration and invasion in SACC-LM and SACC-83 cells through the regulation of EMT signaling pathways.