Objective To explore the computed tomography angiography(CTA)and clinical features of Takayasu's arteritis(TA)with peripheral artery involvement.Methods In this retrospective study,CTA scan was performed in a total of 184 TA patients.TA patients were divided into two groups:60 patients within peripheral artery involvement(peripheral artery involvement group)and 124 patients without peripheral artery involvement(peripheral artery non-involvement group).The difference in comparison of clini-cal data and CTA findings were analyzed.Results A total of 194 peripheral arteries were involved in 60 patients.The most suscep-tible peripheral artery were axillary artery(52,26.8％),middle cerebral artery(26,13.4％)and femoral artery(22,11.3％).In the peripheral artery involvement group,the most common CTA manifestation was luminal stenosis(141,72.7％).The lumen dilata-tion,lumen stenosis with dilatation and wall calcification were not easy to be observed.The age and duration of disease in peripheral artery involvement group were significantly greater than those in peripheral artery non-involvement group(P＜0.05).The proportion of the peripheral artery involvement group in the active phase was significantly lower than that of the peripheral artery non-involvement group(P＜0.05).The incidence of pain in the limbs in peripheral artery involvement group was significantly higher than that in peripheral artery non-involvement group(P＜0.05).The utilization rate of tocilizumab in the peripheral artery involvement group was significantly higher than that in the peripheral artery non-involvement group(P＜0.05).Conclusion TA involving peripheral arteries is more common in patients with a long course of disease and in the inactive phase.Patients are prone to pain in their limbs.The CT A manifestations of these patients are also special,that is,the involved peripheral arteries are not prone to lumen dilatation and wall calcification.

BACKGROUND:"Tendon off-position"is a disease name included in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision,and also a clinical indication of manipulation,acupuncture and other treatments.However,its specific mechanism is still unclear.It is urgent to establish an animal model that can reflect the clinical and pathological characteristics of"tendon off-position,"so as to further study the mechanism of effective clinical treatments. OBJECTIVE:To establish an animal model of"tendon off-position"in rats based on isometric contraction of skeletal muscles,and to explore the changes of skeletal muscle function and morphological phenotype after"tendon off-position." METHODS:Sixty rats were randomly divided into control group,static-loading group and extra loading group,with twenty rats in each group.Rats in the control group were kept normally without treatment.In the latter two groups,the rats were fixed by the self-made static-loading modeling device and a static-loading(the body mass of each rats was applied as the static-loading)was applied to cause sustained isometric contraction of the upper limb muscles.Then,animal models of"tendon off-position"were successfully established.In the extra loading group,50%of the body mass was added to the ankle joint after modeling.The skeletal muscle samples were harvested at 2 and 4 weeks after modeling.The changes of limb grip strength,wet mass of skeletal muscle,and serum levels of creatine kinase-muscle and lactate dehydrogenase A were measured,and the changes of skeletal muscle histomorphology and ultrastructure were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 2 weeks after modeling,the rats in the static-loading group and extra loading group showed significantly decreased grip strength and wet muscle mass,significantly increased serum levels of creatine kinase-muscle and lactate dehydrogenase A,and abnormal muscle fiber morphology and structure accompanied by a large number of deposited collagen fibers.Electron microscopy results showed that the structure of myofibrils was disordered,the Z-line was distorted,and the light and dark boundaries were blurred.At 4 weeks after modeling,the grip strength of the model rats was increased compared with that at 2 weeks,the serum creatine kinase-muscle and lactate dehydrogenase A levels were decreased,and the changes of muscle fiber morphology and ultrastructure were recovered to varying degrees.It is suggested that the rat skeletal muscle injury model based on continuous isometric contraction of skeletal muscle can well reflect the pathological characteristics of"tendon off-position"at 2 weeks,and can be used to study the mechanism of acupuncture and manipulation in the treatment of"tendon off-position."

Objective:To investigate the correlation between CHA 2DS 2-VASC score and the recurrence risk of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation. Methods:It was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 150 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in Xingtai People′s Hospital from January 2017 to January 2021 were consecutively included in the study. According to the preoperative CHA 2DS 2-VASC score, patients were divided into high score group (&ge;3 points, n=90) and low score group (<3 points, n=60). Baseline clinical data was collected. All patients underwent circumferential pulmonary vein isolation, and those with atrial flutter before ablation also underwent tricuspid isthmus isolation. Holter and electrocardiogram examinations were performed at 3, 6 months and 1 year after ablation to evaluate whether there was recurrence of atrial fibrillation. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the risk factors for recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation. Results:Among 150 patients 90 were males and 60 were females with a mean age of (64.0±3.6) years. There were no significant differences in age, sex, and proportion of hypertension, diabetes, chronic heart failure and stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), medication of antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant drugs between the two groups (all P>0.05). The longest duration of atrial fibrillation in the high score group was significantly longer than that in the low score group (26.0±6.1) hours vs. (10.0±2.1) hours, P<0.05). There were no patients with cardiac tamponade, atrial esophageal fistula and severe vascular puncture complications in the two groups. During the follow-up period, the recurrence rate in the high score group was significantly higher than that in the low score group (16.7% (15/90) vs. 8.3% (5/60), P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CHA 2DS 2-VASC score&ge;3 was an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation ( HR=3.84, 95% CI: 1.87-7.89, P=0.02). Conclusion:CHA 2DS 2-VASC score&ge;3 is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation.

Objective:To investigate the independent and combined effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring genetic susceptibility on overall cancer mortality.Methods:Based on the United Kingdom Biobank ( n=419 228) data, the Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on offspring overall cancer (including 16 cancers in men and 18 in women) mortality and its combined effect and interaction with offspring genetic factors. Results:Maternal smoking during pregnancy was significantly associated with a 13% increased risk of overall cancer mortality in men [hazard ratio( HR)=1.13, 95% CI: 1.06-1.20] and 19% increased risk in women ( HR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.11-1.27). Participants with high genetic risk had the highest overall cancer mortality than those with low genetic risk (men: HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.30-1.55; women: HR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.25-1.52). Compared with participants without maternal smoking during pregnancy and low genetic risk, those with maternal smoking during pregnancy and high genetic risk were associated with a 56% increased risk of overall cancer mortality in men ( HR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.37-1.77) and 59% in women ( HR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.39-1.83). Conclusion:Maternal smoking during pregnancy may increase offspring overall cancer mortality and more severe harm in individuals with high genetic risk.

Objective:To investigate the impact of air pollution on dynamic changes in lung function and further explore the association between genetic factors and lung function and its changes.Methods:Research data were from 14 506 participants in the United Kingdom Biobank with two complete baseline and follow-up lung function tests. Particulate matter [including particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm and ≤10 μm (PM 2.5 and PM 10)], nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), and nitrogen oxides (NO x) concentrations were estimated using land-use regression models. Annual changes in lung function were calculated based on baseline and follow-up lung function tests. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) of lung function [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the ratio of FEV 1 to FVC (FEV 1/FVC)] were constructed by genetic variations. The association between air pollution concentrations and lung function changes was analyzed by multiple linear regression models, and the impact of genetic factors on lung function and its changes was also assessed. Results:PM 2.5, PM 10, NO 2, and NO x showed a negative correlation with FVC changes [PM 2.5: -6.66 (95% CI: -9.92- -3.40) ml/year; PM 10: -0.40 (95% CI: -0.77- -0.03) ml/year; NO 2: -1.84 (95% CI: -2.60- -1.07) ml/year; NO x: -1.37 (95% CI: -2.27- -0.46) ml/year]. Additionally, PM 2.5, PM 10and NO 2 were also negatively correlated with changes in FEV 1 [PM 2.5: -3.19 (95% CI: -5.79- -0.59) ml/year; PM 10: -3.00 (95% CI: -5.92- -0.08) ml/year; NO 2: -0.95 (95% CI: -1.56- -0.34) ml/year]. PRS of lung function were positively correlated with baseline lung function (FVC, FEV 1, and FEV 1/FVC) and lung function changes (all β>0, all P<0.001). In different PRS stratification analyses, the effect of air pollution on lung function changes remained significant, and there was no apparent heterogeneity. Conclusions:PRS of lung function are significantly associated with baseline and lung function changes. Long-term exposure to air pollution accelerates the decline of lung function indicators such as FVC and FEV 1. The effects of air pollution are consistent in individuals with different genetic risk scores.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of high density grid mapping catheter (HD-Grid) and circular mapping catheter in the ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.Methods:Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing radiofrequency ablation in Xingtai People′s Hospital from March 2020 to March 2021 were randomly divided into the HD-Grid group and the circular mapping catheter group. The baseline data, operation time, X-ray exposure time, pulmonary vein isolation time, recovery of pulmonary vein conduction, the number of recovery sites, and perioperative complications were compared between the two groups. The patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, and a continuous electrocardiogram was performed to evaluate recurrence of atrial fibrillation.Results:Sixty patients were enrolled in the study with 30 cases in each group, including 33 males and 27 females with an average age of 63.0 (57.0, 70.3) years. There were no significant differences in age, gender ratio, comorbidity proportion, CHADS 2-VASC score, history of atrial fibrillation, B-type natriuretic peptide level, and left atrial diameter between the two groups (all P>0.05). The operation time of the HD-Grid group was longer than that of the circular mapping catheter group ((136.6±7.7) minutes vs. (127.5±7.7) minutes, P<0.001). During the observation period, 8 cases (26.67%) with pulmonary venous conduction recovery were identified in the HD-Grid group, which was higher than that in the circular mapping catheter group (2 cases(6.67%)) ( P=0.038). Eighteen (60.00%) pulmonary vein reconnection sites were identified in the HD-Grid group, which were more than that in the circular mapping catheter group (2 sites(6.67%), P=0.013). There was no significant difference in X-ray exposure time and pulmonary vein isolation time between the two groups (both P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients taking anticoagulant drugs and antiarrhythmic drugs during the perioperative period between the two groups (both P>0.05). No serious complications such as cardiac tamponade, phrenic nerve injury, pulmonary embolism, cerebral infarction and death occurred in both groups. During the follow-up period, 1 patient (3.33%) in the HD-Grid group had recurrence of atrial fibrillation, while 5 patients (16.67%) in the circular mapping catheter group had recurrence of atrial fibrillation, but there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P=0.197). Conclusions:HD-Grid for radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation improves the identification rate of pulmonary vein potentials and pulmonary vein reconnection sites, and it may reduce the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation. Although the operation time was prolonged, it would not increase the risk of perioperative complications.

Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EMT) has become the main treatment of acute ischemic stroke, but the pathological study of thrombi retrieved with EMT is still very limited. This article reviews the routine staining, special components, expression of immune factors, electron microscopic morphology, imaging features of the pathological components of thrombi retrieved with EMT, and their correlation with the etiological differentiation and outcomes of stroke.

Objective:To provide references for improving the psychological support to fighter pilots by the investigation on their emotional states and typical negative emotions in different task stages and common causes during major tasks.Methods:The Chinese version of Brunel Mood Scale was used to evaluate the emotional states of 141 high performance fighter pilots in the stages of assignment, pre-task, in-task and post-task. The scores of the scale and the positive rate of the evaluation were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Combined with the on-the-spot interview of pilots′ actual experience, the causes of negative emotions were discussed.Results:The negative emotions with the score greater than 1 were "exhausted" "worried" "uncertain" "extreme fatigue" "anxious" "tired" "nervous". The positive rate of pilots′ self-evaluation of 7 emotions was more than 80%. There were 2-5 typical negative emotions in each stage of the task, which were mainly caused by 3 factors: task adaptation, interpersonal communication and family. The scores of 3 positive emotions were more than 2.8, and the positive rate of pilots′ self-assessment was 100%. Positive emotions were higher in the first 2 stages, decreased significantly in the task stage and increased slightly after the task.Conclusions:The apparent negative emotions exist among the high performance fighter pilots in major tasks. The corresponding regulations and protections should be applied in time in the form of psychological intervention, especially on the maintenance of task adaptation, interpersonal communication and family harmony.

Objective:To provide references for improving the psychological support to fighter pilots by the investigation on their emotional states and typical negative emotions in different task stages and common causes during major tasks.Methods:The Chinese version of Brunel Mood Scale was used to evaluate the emotional states of 141 high performance fighter pilots in the stages of assignment, pre-task, in-task and post-task. The scores of the scale and the positive rate of the evaluation were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Combined with the on-the-spot interview of pilots′ actual experience, the causes of negative emotions were discussed.Results:The negative emotions with the score greater than 1 were "exhausted" "worried" "uncertain" "extreme fatigue" "anxious" "tired" "nervous". The positive rate of pilots′ self-evaluation of 7 emotions was more than 80%. There were 2-5 typical negative emotions in each stage of the task, which were mainly caused by 3 factors: task adaptation, interpersonal communication and family. The scores of 3 positive emotions were more than 2.8, and the positive rate of pilots′ self-assessment was 100%. Positive emotions were higher in the first 2 stages, decreased significantly in the task stage and increased slightly after the task.Conclusions:The apparent negative emotions exist among the high performance fighter pilots in major tasks. The corresponding regulations and protections should be applied in time in the form of psychological intervention, especially on the maintenance of task adaptation, interpersonal communication and family harmony.

OBJECTIVE： To prepare Baicalin-loaded Polyethylene glycol-derivatized phosphatidylethanolamine （BAI@PEG-PE） nanomicelles， and to characterize it and study its cytotoxicity. METHODS： BAI@PEG-PE nanomicelles were prepared by film hydration method and their appearance characteristics were observed. The particle size， polydispersity index， Zeta potential， drug-loading amount and encapsulation efficiency of the nanomicelles were detected. Drug release of BAI raw material and BAI@PEG-PE nanomicelles in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer were compared within 1-84 h. Using coumarin 6 as fluorescent probe， the distribution of PEG-PE nanomicelles in H9c2 cardiomyocytes were observed. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into model group， BAI raw material group and BAI@PEG-PE nanomicelles group. After treated with serum-free DMEM medium containing no or corresponding drugs for 0.5 h， isoproterenol was used to induce cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Nuclear morphology， cell apoptosis rate and protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were compared with among 3 groups. RESULTS： Prepared BAI@PEG-PE nanomicelles were uniform globular shape. The particle size was （16.7±0.8） nm， PDI was 0.11±0.01 and Zeta-potential was （－18.4±0.6） mV； drug-loading amount was （7.84±0.65）％， encapsulation efficiency was （85.7±4.9）％ （n＝3）. Accumulative release rate was 76.5％ within 84 h. BAI raw material was released completely within 24 h. PEG-PE nanomicelles could strengthen the intake of coumarin 6 in H9c2 cardiomyocytes， mainly gathering around mitochondria. Compared with model group， the apoptosis morphology of cardiomyocytes were improved significantly in BAI raw material group and BAI@PEG-PE nanomicelles group； apoptosis rate was decreased significantly； protein expression of Bcl-2 was increased significantly； protein expression of Bax was decreased significantly with statistical significance （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Above effects of BAI@PEG-PE nanomicelles group were more significant （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： BAI@PEG-PE nanomicelles are prepared successfully， and show significant sustained-release effect and myocardial targeting， and can prevent cardiomyocyte apoptosis.