Objective:To investigate the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC) based on no-contrast chest CT scanning and evaluate the predictive value of EAT for high PVC loading levels.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to collect patients with PVC from January 2021 to June 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. The study subjects were divided into a PVC high-load group (≥20%) and a PVC low-load group (<20%) based on the level of PVC loading in the 24-hour Holter electrocardiography monitoring. The parameter characteristics of EAT were obtained from no-contrast chest CT images. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis was used to assess the factors associated with high PVC loading levels, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive value of the model.Results:A total of 166 subjects were included in the study, including 50 in the PVC high-load group and 116 in the PVC low-load group. Compared with the PVC low-load group, EATV was significantly increased in the high-load group ( Z=4.83, P<0.001), and EATA was significantly lower in the high-load group than in the low-load group ( t=-3.95, P<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference for the comparison of EATD ( Z=-1.56, P=0.120). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that high EATV and low EATA were factors of high PVC loading levels [EATV: OR=1.01 (95% CI: 1.00-1.02), EATA: OR=1.16 (95% CI: 1.02-1.32)]. The area under the ROC curve for predicting high PVC loading levels by EATV and EATA was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.86). Conclusion:EATV and EATA are factors of high PVC loading levels and have predictive value for high PVC loading levels.

Objective:To explore the impact of metabolic syndrome in conjunction with hyperuricemia on the risk of new-onset cardiovascular disease.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study. From June 2006 to October 2007, employees of Kailuan Group in Tangshan City, Hebei Province were selected as the research subjects. Participants were divided into four groups based on the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia. The groups include the normal group, pure hyperuricemia group, pure metabolic syndrome group, and the metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia group. Four groups of participants were followed up, the primary endpoint was the occurrence of a first-ever cardiovascular disease event, including stroke and myocardial infarction. The cumulative incidence rates of cardiovascular disease in different groups during the continuous follow-up period were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the differences in cumulative incidence rates among groups were compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of hyperuricemia combined with metabolic syndrome on the risk of cardiovascular disease. The likelihood ratio test was used to analyze whether there was a multiplicative interaction and additive interaction between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome.Results:A total of 82 780 individuals were included, aged (51.5±12.6) years, and 68 622 (82.90%) were males, with a median follow-up of 14.97 years. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease was the highest in the metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia group (log-rank P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that after adjusting for various confounding factors, the HR value and 95% CI of cardiovascular disease in the metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia group were 1.24 (1.12-1.38) compared with the normal group, which were higher than those in the pure hyperuricemia group and the pure metabolic syndrome group alone. The effect of metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia on the risk of cardiovascular disease demonstrated an additive effect (relative excess risk of interaction: 0.18(0.11-0.25), attributable proportion due to interaction: 0.14(0.09-0.19)). Conclusions:The combination of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Compared to pure metabolic syndrome or hyperuricemia alone, the impact of metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia on cardiovascular disease is more significant.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC) based on no-contrast chest CT scanning and evaluate the predictive value of EAT for high PVC loading levels.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to collect patients with PVC from January 2021 to June 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. The study subjects were divided into a PVC high-load group (≥20%) and a PVC low-load group (<20%) based on the level of PVC loading in the 24-hour Holter electrocardiography monitoring. The parameter characteristics of EAT were obtained from no-contrast chest CT images. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis was used to assess the factors associated with high PVC loading levels, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive value of the model.Results:A total of 166 subjects were included in the study, including 50 in the PVC high-load group and 116 in the PVC low-load group. Compared with the PVC low-load group, EATV was significantly increased in the high-load group ( Z=4.83, P<0.001), and EATA was significantly lower in the high-load group than in the low-load group ( t=-3.95, P<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference for the comparison of EATD ( Z=-1.56, P=0.120). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that high EATV and low EATA were factors of high PVC loading levels [EATV: OR=1.01 (95% CI: 1.00-1.02), EATA: OR=1.16 (95% CI: 1.02-1.32)]. The area under the ROC curve for predicting high PVC loading levels by EATV and EATA was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.86). Conclusion:EATV and EATA are factors of high PVC loading levels and have predictive value for high PVC loading levels.

Objective:To explore the impact of metabolic syndrome in conjunction with hyperuricemia on the risk of new-onset cardiovascular disease.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study. From June 2006 to October 2007, employees of Kailuan Group in Tangshan City, Hebei Province were selected as the research subjects. Participants were divided into four groups based on the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia. The groups include the normal group, pure hyperuricemia group, pure metabolic syndrome group, and the metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia group. Four groups of participants were followed up, the primary endpoint was the occurrence of a first-ever cardiovascular disease event, including stroke and myocardial infarction. The cumulative incidence rates of cardiovascular disease in different groups during the continuous follow-up period were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the differences in cumulative incidence rates among groups were compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of hyperuricemia combined with metabolic syndrome on the risk of cardiovascular disease. The likelihood ratio test was used to analyze whether there was a multiplicative interaction and additive interaction between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome.Results:A total of 82 780 individuals were included, aged (51.5±12.6) years, and 68 622 (82.90%) were males, with a median follow-up of 14.97 years. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease was the highest in the metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia group (log-rank P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that after adjusting for various confounding factors, the HR value and 95% CI of cardiovascular disease in the metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia group were 1.24 (1.12-1.38) compared with the normal group, which were higher than those in the pure hyperuricemia group and the pure metabolic syndrome group alone. The effect of metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia on the risk of cardiovascular disease demonstrated an additive effect (relative excess risk of interaction: 0.18(0.11-0.25), attributable proportion due to interaction: 0.14(0.09-0.19)). Conclusions:The combination of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Compared to pure metabolic syndrome or hyperuricemia alone, the impact of metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia on cardiovascular disease is more significant.

BACKGROUND:Pelvic tilt,which is often seen in hip diseases,is also a common functional problem after total hip arthroplasty. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism of occurrence and recovery of pelvic tilt after unilateral total hip arthroplasty in patients with femoral head necrosis. METHODS:The clinical data of 100 patients with femoral head necrosis who underwent unilateral total hip arthroplasty in the Department of Femoral Head Necrosis,Bone Injury Center of First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine were collected retrospectively from June 2021 to February 2023.The patients were divided into three groups,namely,groups A(<2°,n=48),B(2°-3°,n=34),and C(>3°,n=18),according to the severity of pelvic tilt on postoperative 3 day.Statistical data were collected and compared between the pre-and postoperative periods of patients of these three groups in terms of the angle of the coronal plane of the pelvis tilt,the length of the gluteus medius muscles of the bilateral sides,the heights of the rotational centers of the femoral heads,the difference in the lengths of the gluteus medius muscles of the bilateral sides and the heights of the rotational centers of the femoral heads,and the ratio of changes in the angle of the pelvic tilt.Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the correlation between pelvic tilt angle and other indexes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Pelvic tilt aggravation occurred in the short term after surgery.(2)The ratio of change in pelvic tilt angle from postoperative 3 days to postoperative 1 month time period differed between the groups,with group C>group B>group A.There was a difference between group C and the other groups in the time period from postoperative 1 to postoperative 3 months,with the ratio of change being the smallest in group C.There was no difference in the ratio of change between the groups in the time period from postoperative 3 days to postoperative 3 months.(3)The difference in bilateral gluteus medius muscles decreased gradually after surgery,and there was no difference in the comparison of bilateral gluteus medius muscles in the time period from postoperative 3 months.(4)The difference between bilateral centers of rotation increased after surgery,and the difference between bilateral heights at 3 months after surgery was smaller than that before surgery.(5)The pelvic tilt angle at 3 days after surgery,the duration of the disease and the pelvic tilt angle at 3 months after surgery were significantly correlated(all P=0.000),and the difference between bilateral gluteus medius muscles before surgery and the pelvic tilt angle at 3 days after surgery was significantly correlated(P=0.006)(6)The functional pelvic tilt occurred in the patients with femoral head necrosis after total hip arthroplasty.Correction of the pelvic tilt after surgery was based on the adaptive restoration of the functional pelvic tilt angle after surgery.Functional pelvic tilt arises as a compensatory adaptation of the organism based on the short-term postoperative reconstruction of bony structures and the survival of cumulative soft tissue damage.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index on admission and unfavorable outcomes of patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI) at 6 months postinjury.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 277 patients with msTBI admitted to Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Nantong University from January 2019 to December 2022, including 208 males and 69 females, aged 18-88 years [(57.0±15.1)years]. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores on admission were 3-8 points in 168 patients and 9-12 points in 109. According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) assessment at 6 months after injury, there were 121 patients with unfavorable outcomes (GOSE≤4 points) and 156 with favorable outcomes (GOSE≥5 points). The following indicators of the patients were recorded, including gender, age, history of diabetes, cause of injury, admission GCS, GCS motor score (GCSM), pupillary light reflex, worst Marshall CT classification within the first 24 hours after admission, admission TyG index, Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursions (MAGE) within 24 hours after admission, GCSM decline≥2 points within 72 hours after admission, craniotomy or not after admission, and prognosis, etc. TyG index served as the exposure variable focused in this study, which was calculated with fasting triglycerides and fasting blood glucose within 24 hours after admission. The 6-month prognosis of the patients was designated as the outcome variable of the study. After the patients were divided into different groups according to the three quantiles of the TyG index and unfavorable or favorable outcomes, the univariate analysis was conducted on watch variables, and variables with statistically significant differences were included in directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) for further identification of confounding variables. Factors which were found with no statistical significance in the univariate analysis but might affect insulin resistance after injury according to the authors′ previous researches were also included in the DAGs analysis. Three Logistic regression models were designed (Model 1 without correction, Model 2 with core variables of International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in Traumatic Brain Injury (IMPACT) corrected, and Model 3 with confounding variables screened by DAGs corrected) to analyze whether the TyG index was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of msTBI patients. The optimal Logistic regression model was selected and then restricted cubic spline (RCS) was employed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and the unfavorable outcomes.Results:The univariate analysis suggested that there were significant differences in gender, history of diabetes, MAGE, GCSM decline, and prognosis among the three quantiles of the TyG index ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Significant differences in age, history of diabetes, GCSM, pupillary light reflex, Marshall CT classification, TyG index, MAGE and GCSM decline were observed between unfavorable and favorable outcome groups ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The results of Logistic regression analysis that identified the confounding variables that influenced the correlation between the TyG index and unfavorable prognosis with DAGs suggested that a high TyG index level was significantly correlated with unfavorable outcomes in msTBI patients. Moreover, Model 3 that was corrected with confounding variables screened by DAGs had an optimal goodness-of-fit and adaptability. Model 3-based further RCS analysis indicated that the risk of unfavorable outcomes following msTBI may increase approximately linearly with the increase in TyG index within a certain range (TyG index<9.79). Conclusions:A high TyG index level on admission is the identified as an independent risk factor for unfavorable outcomes of patients with msTBI at 6 months postinjury. As the TyG index level increases, the risk of unfavorable outcomes also rises and may show a linear increasing trend within a certain range (TyG index<9.79).

Objective:To determine the relationship between tibial plateau stresses and malunion by exploring the changes in mechanical conduction in the knee joint after malunion of Hoffa fracture of the tibial plateau.Methods:This study selected 28 knee joint specimens treated with formalin for preservation, half of which were from male and half from female individuals with an age of (51.4±9.5) years. Their structures were intact, and flexion-extension activities normal. X-ray examinations excluded osteoporosis, tuberculosis, and diseases that could have potentially affected bone quality. The knee specimens were divided into a control group (intact tibia) ( n=4) and 6 groups of tibial plateau Hoffa fracture malunion model: 3 vertical malunion groups (groups V1, V2, and V3, with a vertical displacement of 1, 2, and 3 mm, respectively, n=4) and 3 separation malunion groups (groups S3, S5, and S7, with a separation displacement of 3, 5, and 7 mm, respectively), with half males and half females in each group. After a 600N vertical load was applied at passive knee flexions at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°, the stress levels in the medial and lateral compartments of the knee joint were measured using pressure-sensitive films. Results:Under a vertical load of 600 N, when the knee joint was in a neutral position (flexion of 0°), the differences in the medial and lateral tibial plateau stress values were not statistically significant between the malunion models groups and the control group ( P>0.05). When the knee flexion increased to 30°, the medial tibial plateau stress in the V3 and S7 groups was significantly greater than that in the control group ( P<0.05). At a knee flexion of 60°, the medial plateau stress was significantly greater in the V3, S5 and S7 groups than that in the control group, and the differences were significantly greater than the comparisons at a knee flexion of 30° (all P<0.05). When the knee flexion was 90°, the medial plateau stress in the V2, V3, S5 and S7 groups was significantly greater than that in the control group ( P<0.05), but the lateral tibial plateau stress in the V3 group was significantly smaller than that in the control group ( P<0.05). When the knee flexion was further increased to 120°, the differences in the medial and lateral plateau stress values were statistically significant between all the malunion groups and the control group ( P<0.05), and the differences significantly greater than the comparisons at a knee flexion of 90° (all P<0.05). Under a vertical load of 600 N, the differences in the stresses on the medial and lateral plateaus were not statistically significant between the control group and all the malunion groups at a knee flexion of 0° ( P>0.05). When the knee flexion increased to 30°, the difference between the medial and lateral stresses was not statistically significant in the control group ( P>0.05), but was statistically significant in the V3 and S7 groups ( P<0.05). When the knee flexion reached 60°, 90°, and 120°, the differences between the medial and lateral tibial plateau stresses in all the groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The peak knee stresses after malunion of Hoffa fracture of the tibial plateau correlate with the severity of malunion and knee flexion angles. The mechanical properties are not significantly different between a mild malunion knee and a normal knee, but a significant displacement (vertical displacement >2 mm and separation displacement ≥5 mm) may increase the peak knee stresses to increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis. When the severity of malunion is certain, an increase in knee flexion angle increases the difference in the peak stress between the medial and lateral tibial plateaus, thus increasing the risk of knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives:To investigate the association between normal-weight central obesity with new-onset cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality risk. Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted,selecting a total of 93885 participants from the Kailuan Study who had their first physical examination in 2006-2007.According to waist circumference (central obesity:male waist circumference ≥90 cm,female waist circumference ≥85 cm;no central obesity:male waist circumference<90 cm,female waist circumference<85 cm) and body mass index (BMI,normal weight:18.5 kg/m2≤BMI<24.0 kg/m2;overweight/obesity:BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2),the participants were divided into 4 groups:normal weight no central obesity group (G1 group),normal weight central obesity group (G2 group),overweight/obesity no central obesity group (G3 group) and overweight/central obesity group (G4 group);Using the Kaplan-Meier method,the cumulative incidence of new-onset cardiovascular diseases (including hemorrhagic stroke,ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction) and all-cause mortality in different groups was calculated,and the Log-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons.Furthermore,the associations between the different groups and the risk of new-onset cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality were analyzed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results:After a median follow-up of 14.97 (14.55,15.17) years,the cumulative incidence of new-onset cardiovascular diseases in G1 group,G2 group,G3 group and G4 group was 7.62％,10.84％,8.67％,12.91％ respectively (log-rank P<0.05) and the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was 12.83％,19.72％,10.65％,16.33％ respectively (log-rank P<0.01).After adjusting for confounding factors,Cox regression analysis showed that the HR (95％CI) of new-onset cardiovascular diseases in G2 group,G3 group and G4 group were 1.14 (1.04-1.25),1.07 (1.01-1.14),1.27 (1.21-1.34),respectively compared with G1 group (all P<0.05).The HR (95％CI) of all-cause mortality were 1.06 (1.00-1.14),0.90 (0.85-0.95),0.97 (0.93-1.01) compared with G1 group,and P values were 0.07,<0.01,0.15,respectively.The results of sensitivity analysis were consistent with the above major studies after excluding overweight/obesity and cancer participants during follow-up. Conclusions:Normal-weight central obesity increases the risk of new-onset cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality.

Objective:To investigate the correlations between the bone mineral densities and biomechanical properties on different layers of the cancellous bone in the proximal tibia.Methods:Quantitative CT was conducted of the 15 specimens of adult male tibia. Based on the artificial destruction levels at the trabecular bone on the tibial plateau, the 15 specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=5): group A (cancellous bone on the 1.5 cm layer below the articular cartilage), group B (cancellous bone on the 3.0 cm layer under the articular cartilage) and group C (cancellous bone on the 0 to 3 cm range of the subchondral bone). After standing positions were simulated in the 3 sets of specimens, they were connected to a biomechanical testing machine. Twenty-four sites were selected and subjected to a vertical load of 600 N. Strain values and overall displacement values of the specimens were recorded before and after trabecular bone destruction. The correlations were analyzed between bone density and displacement values in groups A and B. The strain values before and after trabecular bone destruction, as well as the overall deformation values of the specimens were compared between the 3 groups. Results:The bone densities of specimens in groups A and B were negatively correlated with the displacement values before and after destruction ( P<0.05). Comparisons of strain values at the 24 sites before and after trabecular bone destruction within 3 groups: There were statistically significant differences in the strain values at 8 sites between before and after trabecular bone destruction in group A ( P<0.05). Of the 8 sites, 6 showed increased strains which were mainly concentrated around the insertion point of the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial tibial plateau. There were statistically significant differences in the strain values between before and after trabecular bone destruction at 3 sites in group B ( P<0.05). The strains at all the 3 sites increased, mainly concentrated behind the surface below the level of destruction. There were statistically significant differences in the strain values at 10 sites in group C between before and after trabecular bone destruction ( P<0.05). Of the 10 sites, 5 showed a decrease in the strain which was concentrated above the destruction plane, and 5 showed an increase in the strain which was concentrated below the destruction plane. The overall deformation values of the specimens in groups A, B, and C were (0.033±0.003) mm, (0.015±0.003) mm, and (0.066±0.007) mm, respectively, showing statistically significant differences between the 3 groups ( P<0.05) as well as between any 2 groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Bone mineral density in the cancellous bone of the proximal tibia has some value in assessment of the bone strength. Destruction of the proximal tibial cancellous bone can significantly change the strain distribution on the proximal tibia. The proximal cancellous bone of the tibia plays a key role in stress support and load conduction.

Objective:To develop a deep transfer learning method for the differential diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) with other common hip diseases using anteroposterior hip radiographs.Methods:Patients suffering from ONFH, DDH, and other hip diseases including primary hip osteoarthritis, non-infectious inflammatory hip disease, and femoral neck fracture treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2020 were enrolled in the study. A clinical data set containing anteroposterior hip radiographs of the eligible patients was created. Data augmentation by rotating and flipping images was performed to enlarge the data set, then the data set was divided equally into a training data set and a testing data set. The ResNet-152, a deep neural network model, was used in the study, but the original Batch Normalization was replaced with Transferable Normalization to construct a novel deep transfer learning model. The model was trained to distinguish ONFH and DDH from other common hip diseases using anteroposterior hip radiographs on the training data set and its classification performance was evaluated on the testing data set.Results:The clinical data set was comprised of anteroposterior hip radiographs of 1024 hips, including 542 with ONFH, 296 with DDH, and 186 with other common hip diseases (56 hips with primary osteoarthritis, 85 hips with non-infectious inflammatory osteoarthritis, 45 hips with femoral neck fracture). After data augmentation, the size of the data set multiplied to 6144. The model was trained 100 050 times in each task. Accuracy was used as the representative parameter to evaluate the performance of the model. In the binary classification task to identify ONFH, the best accuracy was 95.80%. As for the multi-classification task for classification of ONFH and DDH from other hip diseases, the best accuracy was 91.40%. The plateau of the model was observed in each task after 50 000 times of training. The mean accuracy in plateaus was 95.35% (95% CI: 95.33%, 95.37%), and 90.85% (95% CI: 90.82%, 90.87%), respectively. Conclusion:The present study proves the encouraging performance of a deep transfer learning method for the first-visit classification of ONFH, DDH, and other hip diseases using the convenient and economical anteroposterior hip radiographs.