BACKGROUND: The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis (CAS) on right ventricular (RV) function during acute pulmonary embolism (PE) episodes remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE. METHODS: In this multicenter, case-control study, 89 cases and 176 controls matched for age were enrolled at three study centers (Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University) from January 2016 to December 2020. The cases were patients with acute PE with CAS, and the controls were patients with acute PE without CAS. Coronary artery assessment was performed using coronary computed tomographic angiography. CAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel >2.0 mm in diameter. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between CAS and RV dysfunction. RESULTS: The percentages of RV dysfunction (19.1% [17/89] vs. 44.6% [78/176], P <0.001) and elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) (19.3% [17/89] vs. 39.5% [68/176], P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the case group than those in the control group. In the multivariable logistic regression model, CAS was independently and negatively associated with RV dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.367; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.185-0.728; P = 0.004), and elevated sPAP (OR: 0.490; 95% CI: 0.252-0.980; P = 0.035), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Pre-existing CAS was significantly and negatively associated with RV dysfunction and elevated sPAP in patients with acute PE. This finding provides new insights into RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE with pre-existing CAS.
Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism/complications* ; Case-Control Studies ; Male ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/physiopathology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Coronary Stenosis/complications* ; Logistic Models ; Adult

ObjectiveTo study the relationship between qi stagnation constitution and suboptimal health status (SHS) or lifestyle.MethodsFrom 2012 to 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 24 159 Chinese individuals aged 12–80 years. The qi stagnation constitution was assessed using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire. Health status was evaluated through medical records and the Subhealth Measurement Scale V1.0 (SHMS V1.0). Health-promoting lifestyles were measured using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II).ResultsOf the 24 159 participants, 16.1% and 15.2% were classified as “always” and “sometimes” having the qi stagnation constitution, respectively. Those classified as “rarely” having the qi stagnation constitution scored higher on both the HPLP-II and SHMS V1.0. The participants classified as “always” having the qi stagnation constitution showed a significant association with SHS or disease compared to other imbalanced constitutions. Those in the “always” category were approximately 21 times more likely to be classified as having SHS (odds ratio [OR]: 21.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.74–28.45), whereas those in the “sometimes” category were approximately six times more likely (OR: 5.89, 95% CI: 5.04–6.90). Accordingly, the qi stagnation constitution score was significantly associated with the diagnosis of SHS, with an area under the curve of 0.77 (P .001). A score of 18.75 yielded the highest Youden Index (0.407), with a sensitivity of 60.5% and a specificity of 80.3%. Significant associations were observed between health-promoting lifestyles and qi stagnation constitution severity in an ordinal regression analysis (P .001). Protective factors included stress management (OR: 1.59), self-actualization (OR: 1.57), and exercise (OR: 1.36). In contrast, poorer interpersonal relationships (OR: 0.79), greater health responsibilities (OR: 0.86), and poorer nutrition (OR: 0.91) were associated with increased severity.ConclusionModulating the qi stagnation constitution through lifestyle interventions may help prevent the progression of SHS to disease, which aligns with core preventive principles in traditional Chinese medicine.

Background::Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has potential risks for both clinically worsening pulmonary hypertension (PH) and increasing mortality. However, the data regarding the protective role of vaccination in this population are still lacking. This study aimed to assess the safety of approved vaccination for patients with PH.Methods::In this national prospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with PH (World Health Organization [WHO] groups 1 and 4) were enrolled from October 2021 to April 2022. The primary outcome was the composite of PH-related major adverse events. We used an inverse probability weighting (IPW) approach to control for possible confounding factors in the baseline characteristics of patients.Results::In total, 706 patients with PH participated in this study (mean age, 40.3 years; mean duration after diagnosis of PH, 8.2 years). All patients received standardized treatment for PH in accordance with guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PH in China. Among them, 278 patients did not receive vaccination, whereas 428 patients completed the vaccination series. None of the participants were infected with COVID-19 during our study period. Overall, 398 patients received inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine, whereas 30 received recombinant protein subunit vaccine. After adjusting for baseline covariates using the IPW approach, the odds of any adverse events due to PH in the vaccinated group did not statistically significantly increase (27/428 [6.3%] vs. 24/278 [8.6%], odds ratio = 0.72, P = 0.302). Approximately half of the vaccinated patients reported at least one post-vaccination side effects, most of which were mild, including pain at the injection site (159/428, 37.1%), fever (11/428, 2.6%), and fatigue (26/428, 6.1%). Conclusions::COVID-19 vaccination did not significantly augment the PH-related major adverse events for patients with WHO groups 1 and 4 PH, although there were some tolerable side effects. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm this finding. The final approval of the COVID-19 vaccination for patients with PH as a public health strategy is promising.

Background::The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis (CAS) on acute pulmonary embolism (PE) episodes remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and the elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels in patients with PE.Methods::In this multicenter, prospective case-control study, 88 cases and 163 controls matched for age, sex, and study center were enrolled. Cases were patients with PE with elevated hs-cTnI. Controls were patients with PE with normal hs-cTnI. Coronary artery assessment utilized coronary computed tomographic angiography or invasive coronary angiography. CAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel >2.0 mm in diameter. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between CAS and hs-cTnI elevation.Results::The percentage of CAS was higher in the case group compared to the control group (44.3% [39/88] vs. 30.1% [49/163]; P = 0.024). In multivariable conditional logistic regression model 1, CAS (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.680; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.243–5.779), heart rate >75 beats/min (OR, 2.306; 95% CI, 1.056–5.036) and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) >420 pg/mL (OR, 12.169; 95% CI, 4.792–30.900) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. In model 2, right CAS (OR, 3.615; 95% CI, 1.467–8.909) and NT-proBNP >420 pg/mL (OR, 13.890; 95% CI, 5.288–36.484) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. Conclusions::CAS was independently associated with myocardial injury in patients with PE. Vigilance towards CAS is warranted in patients with PE with elevated cardiac troponin levels.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of trigger point deactivation induced by pressing manipulation in a rat model and to explore its potential regulation of the inflammatory response through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)pathway. Methods:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a pressing manipulation group,an ERK agonist group,and a pressing manipulation+ERK agonist group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,rats in other groups were used to establish the trigger point rat model using the blunt blow combined with the eccentric exercise method.The pressing manipulation group underwent pressing manipulation intervention at the trigger points.The ERK agonist group received an injection of recombinant human epidermal growth factor via the tail vein.The pressing manipulation+ERK agonist group received interventions from both the pressing manipulation and ERK agonist groups.The pressure pain threshold(PPT)was measured by a mechanical pain threshold detector before and after the intervention.The histological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining after the intervention;the expression levels of ERK,phosphorylated ERK(p-ERK),NF-κB p65(p65),phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-p65),and phosphorylated NF-κB inhibitor(p-IκB)were detected by Western blotting;the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:The PPT increased(P<0.05);the inflammatory cells disappeared;the ratios of p-ERK/ERK,p-p65/p65,and p-IκB/β-actin,also the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α all decreased in the pressing manipulation group after the intervention compared with the model group(P<0.05).The PPT decreased significantly(P<0.05),the inflammatory cell presence increased,and the ratios of p-ERK/ERK and p-p65/p65 were elevated(P<0.05);additionally,the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher in the pressing manipulation+ERK agonist group compared with the pressing manipulation group(P<0.05).The PPT was significantly lower(P<0.05),the inflammatory cell count was higher,the ratios of p-ERK/ERK and p-IκB/β-actin and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly higher in the ERK agonist group compared with the pressing manipulation+ERK agonist group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Pressing manipulation can effectively alleviate inflammation and pain in trigger point model rats,potentially by inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective This study aims to analyze the relationship between reproductive tract microecological changes,metabolic differences,and pregnancy outcomes at different time points in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle while patients are undergoing hormone replacement therapy,which will be a breakthrough point for improving outcomes.Methods A total of 20 women undergoing frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer for the first time at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Fujian Maternal and Child Health Hospital between July 2022 and January 2023 were recruited for this study.Their vaginal and cervical secretions were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics analysis on days 2-5 of menstruation,day 7 after estrogen replacement therapy started,the day when progesterone was added,and the day of transplantation.The subjects were divided into different groups according to their clinical pregnancy status and the sequencing results were analyzed using bioinformatics methods.Results 1)The alpha-diversity index of the vaginal and cervical microbiota was higher on days 2-5 of menstruation(P<0.01),but did not differ significantly on day 7 after oral estrogen replacement therapy started,the day of progesterone administration,and the day of transplantation(P≥0.1).2)Both the pregnant group and the non-pregnant group showed a variety of microorganisms and metabolites with significant differences in the lower reproductive tract at different time points.3)Microbial analysis at different time points showed that there were significant differences in vaginal flora,including Peptoniphilus,Enterocloster,Finegoldia,Klebsiella,Anaerobutyricum,Agathobaculum,Sporanaerobacter,Bilophila,Prevotella,and Anaerococcus in the pregnant group(P<0.05).4)Metabolite analysis at different time points showed that there were significant differences in 3-hydroxybenzoic acid,linatine,(R)-amphetamine,hydroxychloroquine,and L-altarate in the vaginal secretions of the pregnant group(P<0.05),and that there were significant differences in isocitric acid,quassin,citrinin,and 12(R)-HETE in the cervical secretions(P<0.05).5)Metabolite analysis at different time points showed that,in the non-pregnant group,there were significant differences in linatine,decanoyl-L-carnitine,aspartame,sphingosine,and hydroxychloroquine in the vaginal secretions(P<0.05),and the isocitric acid,quassin,ctrinin,and 12(R)-HETE in the cervical secretions(P<0.05).6)Combined microbiome and metabolomics analysis showed that certain metabolites were significantly associated with microbial communities,especially Klebsiella.Conclusions Significant differences in the microbiota genera and metabolites at different time points were found during the frozen-embryo transfer cycle of hormone replacement therapy,which may be used as potential biomarkers to predict pregnancy outcomes of embryo transfer.

Objective:To explore the effect of health belief model in the prevention of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with lung cancer after operative.Methods:From January 2019 to June 2020, 80 lung cancer patients admitted to Henan Provincial Chest Hospital were selected as research objects by convenience sampling method. The patients were randomly divided into control group and research group with 40 cases each. The routine health education was used in the control group, and the health belief model was used in the research group on the basis of the control group. Both groups intervened until discharge. We compared the DVT prevention knowledge and health belief of the two groups of patients before and after the intervention, and counted the incidence of DVT in the two groups of patients.Results:After intervention, the scores of all dimensions of the DVT Health Questionnaire and DVT Health Belief Questionnaire in the research group were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) . The incidence of DVT in the research group was lower than that in the control group with a statistical difference ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The health belief model can improve the health knowledge and health belief of lung cancer patients to prevent DVT, reduce the occurrence of DVT, and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To explore the effect of scenario simulation combined with case-based teaching in first aid training of junior nurses in Cardiovascular Department.Methods:From January 2019 to January 2020, 80 junior nurses working in the Cardiovascular Department of Henan Provincial Chest Hospital were selected as the research object by convenience sampling method. According to the random number table method, the nurses were divided into the control group and the observation group, 40 cases in each group. The control group received traditional training, and the observation group was given scenario simulation combined with case-based teaching on the basis of the control group. The scores of the First Aid Ability Questionnaire, the First Aid Knowledge Questionnaire and the Practical Skills Assessment Scale, and the nurses' satisfaction with the teaching methods were compared between the two groups.Results:After the training, the scores of the nurses' First Aid Ability Questionnaire, First Aid Knowledge Questionnaire and Practical Skills Assessment Scale in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Nurses in the observation group were more satisfied with the teaching methods than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Scenario simulation combined with case-based teaching is conducive to improving the first aid theory and practical skills of junior nurses, and nurses' first aid ability and satisfaction with teaching methods.

Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical data of Chinese patients with colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R)-related leukoencephalopathy, and clarify the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of Chinese patients.Methods:Medical history of patients with CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy diagnosed from April 1, 2018 to January 31, 2021 in the department of neurology of 22 hospitals in China was collected, and scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), magnetic resonance severity scale were evaluated. Group comparison was performed between male and female patients.Results:A total of 62 patients were included, and the male-female ratio was 1∶1.95. The age of onset was (40.35±8.42) years. Cognitive impairment (82.3%, 51/62) and motor symptoms (77.4%,48/62) were the most common symptoms. The MMSE and MoCA scores were 18.79±7.16 and 13.96±7.23, respectively, and the scores of two scales in male patients (22.06±5.31 and 18.08±5.60) were significantly higher than those in females (15.53±7.41 , t=2.954, P=0.006; 10.15±6.26, t=3.328 , P=0.003). The most common radiographic feature was bilateral asymmetric white matter changes (100.0%), and the magnetic resonance imaging severity scale score was 27.42±11.40, while the white matter lesion score of females (22.94±8.39) was significantly higher than that of males (17.62±8.74 , t=-2.221, P<0.05). A total of 36 CSF1R gene mutations were found in this study, among which c.2381T>C/p.I794T was the hotspot mutation that carried by 17.9% (10/56) of the probands. Conclusions:The core phenotypic characteristics of CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy in China are progressive motor and cognitive impairment, with bilateral asymmetrical white matter changes. In addition, there exist gender differences clinically, with severer cognitive impairment and imaging changes in female patients. Thirty-six CSF1R gene mutations were found in this study, and c.2381T>C/p. I794T was the hotspot mutation.

Objective:To investigate the expression pattern of TCR variable region subfamily (Vβ and Vδ) in patients with mature T-cell lymphoma (TCL), and to compare the diagnostic value of TCRVβ and TCRVδ analysis in TCL.Methods:The TCRVβ flow cytometry kit was used to detect the expression of Vβ subtypes of αβT cell in 199 patients with αβ TCL and 398 patients with non-TCL, who hospitalized in Jiangsu Provincial People Hospital from 2011 to 2020. Among them, 185 cases of αβ TCL and 355 cases of non-TCL also underwent TCRβ and TCRγ gene rearrangement detection. The TCRVδ based 10-color protocol was used to detect the expression of Vδ subtypes in 24 cases of γδTCL, 10 cases of normal controls, and 15 cases with reactively higher CD4 and CD8 double-negative ratio from 2017 to 2020, and 24 cases of γδTCL and 15 cases with reactively higher CD4 and CD8 double-negative ratio underwent TCRβ, TCRγ and TCRδ gene rearrangement detection. The diagnostic performance and degree of coincidence for detecting malignant clonality were compared between TCRVβ and TCRVδ analysis and the TCR gene scanning method.Results:In the 199 cases of αβ TCL, 182 cases (91.5%) showed restricted expression or the sum of the positive percentages of the subgroups was less than 30% for the 24 TCRVβ subtypes. Among them, the subfamily members with the highest incidence of clonal T lymphocytes were TCRVβ13.2 (12.6%, 23/182) and TCRVβ3 (8.2%,15/182); the TCRVβ subtypes showed nonclonal results in 99.0% (394/398) of non-TCL. All 24 cases of γδTCL (100%) showed abnormal distribution patterns of Vδ1 and Vδ2, of which 19 cases showed restricted expression of Vδ1, and the remaining 5 cases had negative expression of either Vδ1 or Vδ2, and the positive rate of Vδ1 cells was significantly higher than that of Vδ2 cells (79.9%±10.8% vs 0.7%±0.3%, P<0.001). Among the normal control and cases with reactively higher CD4 and CD8 double-negative ratio, the positive rate of Vδ2 cells was significantly higher than that of Vδ1 cells (73.7%±6.7% vs 15.6%±4.2%, P<0.001), and all cases (25/25) showed a normal distribution pattern. In terms of the diagnostic performance of TCL, there was no significant difference of sensitivity and specificity between TCR variable region subfamily detection by flow cytometry and TCR gene scanning technology (the sensitivity was 92.4% and 91.4% respectively; the specificity was 99.0% and 95.9% respectively, P=0.065), and the coincidence rate of the two diagnostic methods is high (Kappa=0.809, P<0.001). Conclusion:Detection of TCR variable region subfamily by flow cytometry could quickly and effectively diagnose mature TCL.