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

Objective To investigate the efficacy of red and blue lights combined with Yufa Shengfa solution and 5% minoxidil solution in treating Ludwig type Ⅰ female androgenetic alopecia. Methods A total of 160 patients with Ludwig type Ⅰ female androgenetic alopecia were randomly divided into group A (Yufa Shengfa solution combined with 5% minoxidil solution), group B (red and blue lights therapy combined with Yufa Shengfa solution), group C (red and blue lights therapy combined with 5% minoxidil solution) and group D (red and blue lights therapy combined with Yufa Shengfa solution and 5% minoxidil solution), with 40 cases in each group. All the patients orally took compound glycyrrhizin tablets and Centrum multivitamins, and the therapeutic period was 3 months. Differences in hair diameter, hair density, and the number of hair follicles with multiple hairs were compared before and after treatment. Results The hair density, hair diameter, and the number of hair follicles with multiple hairs improved significantly in 4 groups compared with those before treatment, and group D showed the best improvement in these parameters, with significant between-group differences (P < 0.001). There were no serious adverse events or side effects during treatment in all the patients. Conclusion Red and blue lights therapy combined with Yufa Shengfa solution and 5% minoxidil solution is an effective non-surgical treatment for Ludwig type Ⅰ female androgenetic alopecia.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

Objective:To explore the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of foodborne infection of Vibrio ( V.) parahaemolyticus in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, from 2014 to 2022, and provide reference and evidence for the prevention and control of related diseases. Methods:The incidence data on of foodborne infection of V. parahaemolyticus in Ningbo from 2014 to 2022 were collected from Ningbo Foodborne Disease Surveillance System, and the case counts and the positive rates in different districts (counties, cities) were calculated. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatiotemporal scanning analysis were conducted to analyze the spatiotemporal clustering of the diseases. Results:A total of 1 822 cases of foodborne infection of V. parahaemolyticus were reported in Ningbo from 2014 to 2022, with an overall positive rate of 3.78%. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the positive rate of foodborne infection of V. parahaemolyticus in Ningbo was unevenly distributed from 2014 to 2022, Ninghai was a high-high clustering area, while Zhenhai was a high-low clustering area, and Jiangbei was a low-low clustering area. The annual incidence was high during July-September. Spatiotemporal scanning analysis found one class Ⅰ spatiotemporal clustering area and three class Ⅱ spatiotemporal clustering areas, with the class Ⅰ spatiotemporal clustering area being observed in Jiangbei and Zhenhai from 2019 to 2022. Conclusions:Spatiotemporal clustering of foodborne infection of V. parahaemolyticus existed in Ningbo from 2014 to 2022, with an annual high incidence period from July to September. The key areas for the prevention and control of foodborne infection of V. parahaemolyticus are coastal districts (counties, cities) in Ningbo.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of cartilage injury and inflammation in the WHBE rabbit KOA model and the effect of platelet-rich fibrin releasates(PRFr)treatment on the KOA process,we established a WHBE rabbit KOA model by excision of medial collateral and partial patellar ligaments and administered a PRFr solution.Methods Twenty-four WHBE rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:normal control(NC)group(n=6),model(KOA)group(n=12),and cure(PRFr)group(n=6).KOA and PRFr groups were injected with 0.5 mL saline and PRFr into both joint cavities on 7 and 14 postoperative days,respectively.At 4 and 8 weeks of modeling,the knee joint grade scoring,X-ray imaging,and gross scoring were performed.Serum levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and MMP-13 were measured by ELISA.At 4 weeks,6 animals in the KOA group were euthanized,and at 8 weeks,the remaining animals in each group were euthanized.Pathological sections were prepared after decalcification,and then HE,toluidine blue,and safranin O-fast green staining and immunohistochemical analysis of TGF-β,BMP3,and NF-κB were conducted.Results The Lequesne MG behavioral score,Mankin's score,and Pelletier score of WHBE rabbits after the operation were significantly increased compared with the NC group(P＜0.01).Pathological observations revealed surface defects of the cartilage and partial loss of chondrocytes.These result indicated that the KOA model was established successfully.In KOA rabbits,knee joint swelling,joint pain stimulation,and movement limitation were obvious.X-rays showed a high-density soft tissue shadow,indicating more joint effusion and a rough articular surface in general.After PRFr treatment,the serum levels of proinflammatory factors IL-1β,TNF-α,and MMP-13 in KOA model rabbits were significantly reversed(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Additionally,the cartilage surface became smooth,and most chondrocytes were neatly distributed.Expression levels of TGF-β,BMP3,and NF-κB induced by KOA were also significantly decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusions We successfully established a KOA model in WHBE rabbits,and PRFr improved the cartilage injury and inflammation of the WHBE rabbit KOA model through TGF-β/BMP and NF-κB pathways.

Objective To establish a scientific training program that takes into account both anaerobic and aerobic training for pilots,and to explore the appropriate ratio of aerobic and anaerobic training.Methods According to the physical examination standards for pilots,a total of 16 healthy subjects aged 18-24 were selected from two batches.The two batches of subjects were trained with different aerobic and anaerobic ratios.Training period was 3 months.The changes in cardiopulmonary function of the subjects before and after training were evaluated using the cardiopulmonary function exercise testing system(CPET),and the changes in anaerobic capacity were evaluated using changes in strength as an indicator.Results After training,the weight load of the subjects in the two training programs,including barbell squats,leg flexion and hard pull,and barbell under 10RM and 3RM,was significantly increased(P<0.001),and there was no statistically significant difference in anaerobic strength growth between the two groups.The results of CPET showed that the maximum load,maximum heart rate,and respiratory quotient in the two groups were significantly increased after than before the training(P<0.01).The maximum load(Experiment group 1:29.12±19.69,Experiment group 2:72.00±46.24)and respiratory quotient(Experiment grouop 1:0.11±0.09,Experiment group 2:0.28±0.16)of the subjects in experiment group 2 before and after training were greater than those in experiment group 1.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The anaerobic and aerobic capacities of the subjects in the experiment group 2 are effectively improved,indicating that ratio of aerobic and anaerobic of the training scheme is better.

Group A Streptococci(GAS)can cause multiple diseases such as pharyngotonsillitis, scarlet fever, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome(STSS), necrotizing fasciitis, and so on, making it extremely difficult to monitor all GAS infections.Developed countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have classified invasive GAS diseases/infections(iGAS) or certain specific types, such as STSS, as notifiable diseases.China only includes scarlet fever caused by GAS infections in the legal infectious diseases.Although case reports or clinical studies of STSS and necrotizing fasciitis in China can be found, there is a lack of investigation and summary on iGAS, and there are few materials to introduce its definition and diagnostic criteria.Based on a recently diagnosed typical case, this paper intends to introduce the definition and diagnostic criteria of iGAS adopted in the United States, the United Kingdom and other developed countries, as well as the valuable early manifestations and risk factors, and the incidence of iGAS.Given the epidemiological changes in GAS infections in recent years, this paper also emphasizes the importance of paying attention to GAS infections, especially iGAS, aiming to arouse the attention of China′s clinical doctors and urge them to carry out research on this group of diseases.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), a core transcription factor responding to changes in cellular oxygen levels, is closely associated with a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. However, its differential impacts on vascular cell types and molecular programs modulating human vascular homeostasis and regeneration remain largely elusive. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of human embryonic stem cells and directed differentiation to generate HIF-1α-deficient human vascular cells including vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a platform for discovering cell type-specific hypoxia-induced response mechanisms. Through comparative molecular profiling across cell types under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, we provide insight into the indispensable role of HIF-1α in the promotion of ischemic vascular regeneration. We found human MSCs to be the vascular cell type most susceptible to HIF-1α deficiency, and that transcriptional inactivation of ANKZF1, an effector of HIF-1α, impaired pro-angiogenic processes. Altogether, our findings deepen the understanding of HIF-1α in human angiogenesis and support further explorations of novel therapeutic strategies of vascular regeneration against ischemic damage.
Humans ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Cell Hypoxia/physiology*

Objective To summarize the results and clinical experience of transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation using domestic self-expanding valve in patients with aortic degenerated bio-prosthesis. Methods From January 2019 to April 2023, the patients who underwent transcatheter valve-in-valve surgery in the Department of Cardiac Surgery of Tianjin Chest Hospital due to surgical bio-prosthesis failure were included. Characteristics of valves, perioperative complications, and hemodynamic manifestations during the early postoperative and follow-up period were analyzed. Results A total of 24 patients were enrolled, including 14 males and 10 females with an average age of 68.17±7.72 years, and the average interval between the two operations was 10.48±4.09 years. All patients were successfully discharged without complications such as coronary artery obstruction and pacemaker implantation, and the average transvalvular pressure gradient was 16.39±6.52 mm Hg before discharge. During the median follow-up time of 16 months, the left ventricular diastolic inner diameter and ejection fraction were continuously improved. Conclusion Transcatheter valve-in-valve using domestic self-expanding valves is safe and feasible to treat aortic bioprosthetic valve failure. Sound patient selection and surgical strategies are critical to achieve good hemodynamics.

Objective:To study the genetic characteristics and genetic evolution of echovirus 30 (ECHO30) isolates in Yunnan Province, China.Methods:Virus isolation was performed on nucleic acid-positive samples for hand, foot, and mouth disease pathogen surveillance in Yunnan Province, and VP1 gene sequencing was performed. The sequences of eight ECHO30 isolates from Yunnan Province and the gene sequences of the VP1 region of the ECHO30 reference strain downloaded from GenBank were compared and analyzed using MEGA 5.0 software, and then a phylogenetic tree was constructed to measure the homology of nucleotides and amino acids between the isolates.Results:The ECHO30 virus was distributed in Wenshan, Qujing, Chuxiong, and Kunming in Yunnan Province. The ECHO30 virus was relatively common in Wenshan. ECHO30 isolates belonged to the H2 subtype of the H genotype, which was close to the local reference strain LC120939 in Yunnan Province. On the VP1 gene at site 5, the amino acid change ratio was more active, the amino acids were diverse, and mutations also occurred at sites 54, 156, 258, and so on. Nucleotide and amino acid homology were 84.0% - 100.0% and 98.4% - 100.0%, respectively.Conclusions:ECHO30 isolates from Yunnan Province have certain geographical characteristics and belong to H2 of the H genotype. The nucleotide differences in virus sequences among subtypes are small and have a close genetic relationship.