Objective : To establish an interleukin-1β (Il-1β) induced inflammatory model of rat articular chondro- cytes (ACs) , and to investigate the relationship between the expression of lysine acetyltransferase 7 (KAT7) under inflammatory stimulation and the senescence of ACs. Methods: Primary ACs were obtained by digestion of rat knee cartilage with collagenase type Ⅱ and identified. The inflammatory model of ACs was induced by IL-1β . KAT7 was over-expressed or knocked down in ACs by adeno-associated virus infection or small interfering RNA transfection , respectively. A negative control group was set up. Transwell assay was used to detect cell migration ability. Senes- cent cells were stained with senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) . Western blot ( WB) was used to detect the protein expression levels of KAT7 , collagen type II (Col Ⅱ ) , matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) , tumor protein p53 (p53) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21) . The cells of negative control group and KAT7 over-expression group were performed for RNA sequencing , and WB was used to verify the related signaling pathways obtained by Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Results: Compared with the control group , the SA-β-Gal staining was enhanced , the protein expression of Col Ⅱ decreased , the pro- tein expression of MMP13 and p53 increased , the cell migration ability decreased , and the expression of KAT7 also increased in the ACs of rats after IL-1β stimulation. Compared with the negative control group , the SA-β-Gal stai- ning was enhanced , the protein expression of Col Ⅱ decreased , the protein expression of MMP13 , p53 and p21 in- creased , and the cell migration ability decreased in the KAT7 over-expression group. Compared with the negative control group , the SA-β-Gal staining was weakened , the protein expression of Col Ⅱ increased , the protein expres- sion of MMP13 , p53 and p21 decreased , and the cell migration ability was enhanced in the KAT7 knockdown inflammatory model of ACs. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway was activated. Compared with the negative control group , the relative protein ex⁃pression levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p⁃AKT)/AKT and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamy⁃cin (p⁃mTOR)/mTOR in KAT7 over⁃expression group increased. The relative protein expression levels of p ⁃AKT/AKT and p ⁃mTOR/mTOR in KAT7 knockdown cells decreased. Conclusion Rat ACs with high expression of KAT7 exhibit senescence and osteoarthritis phenotype , and the mechanism may be related to the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by KAT7.

Objective:To investigate the impact of imaging anatomical features on the prognosis of middle-aged and elderly patients with anomalous coronary artery originating from the opposite sinus (ACAOS).Methods:This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients aged ≥45 years who were diagnosed with ACAOS by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018. Baseline clinical data and coronary CTA images were collected. Anatomic imaging features were extracted, including ACAOS subtype, course of the anomalous vessel, and ostial angle. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of acute myocardial infarction, cardiac death, and coronary revascularization. The Maxstat method was used to determine the cut-off values of specific anatomical features for predicting MACE risk. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to analyze the impact of these imaging features on MACE in middle-aged and elderly ACAOS patients.Results:A total of 203 patients were enrolled, aged (60.0(51.0, 66.0)) years, including 119 (58.6%) males. Over a follow-up of (98.2±30.9) months, 39 patients experienced MACE. Maxstat identified an optimal cut-off value of 34.3° for the ostial angle of the anomalous vessel. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that the following factors were independent risk factors for MACE: left-sided ACAOS subtype ( HR=4.35, 95% CI 2.17-8.73, P<0.001), an interarterial course between the aorta and pulmonary artery ( HR=3.21, 95% CI 1.23-8.37, P=0.017), an anomalous vessel ostial angle <34.3° ( HR=2.62, 95% CI 1.18-5.77, P=0.017), and concomitant coronary artery disease ( HR=2.92, 95% CI 1.49-5.73, P=0.002). Conclusion:In middle-aged and elderly patients with ACAOS, the imaging anatomical features of a left-sided ACAOS subtype, an interarterial course, and an ostial angle <34.3° are independent risk factors for MACE.

Objective To explore the risk factors for the recurrence of autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP),so as to provide a new reference for its clinical treatment.Methods The clinical data of 198 AIP patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from 2014 to 2021 were collected,including 164 patients with type 1 AIP and 34 patients with type 2 AIP.Based on the recurrence status of AIP,the patients were categorized into recurrence group(38 cases)and non-recurrence group(160 cases),and differences between the 2 groups were analyzed.Patients with definite duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy were further screened,and logistic regression model and Spearman rank correlation analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of AIP recurrence.Results During the follow-up period,19.19％(38/198)of AIP patients experienced a relapse.The 1-,3-,and 5-year cumulative recurrence rates were 6.57％,9.09％,and 12.63％,respectively,with type 1 AIP demonstrating a significantly higher recurrence rate than type 2 AIP(21.95％[36/164]vs 5.88％[2/34],P=0.030).Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum low density lipoprotein-cholesterol level(odds ratio[OR]=0.544,95％confidence interval[CI]0.321-0.924,P=0.024)and the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy(OR=0.797,95％CI 0.704-0.902,P＜0.001)were the potential factors of AIP recurrence in 112 patients with definite data on the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy was independently associated with AIP recurrence(OR=0.813,95％CI 0.713-0.926,P=0.002).Spearman rank correlation analysis further demonstrated a negative correlation between the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy and AIP recurrence(r=-0.545,P＜0.001).Additionally,receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the duration of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy had good predictive effect on AIP recurrence,with an area under curve value of 0.873(95％CI 0.800-0.945,P＜0.001).Conclusion Long-term regular glucocorticoid therapy is an independent protective factor against AIP recurrence,and it can significantly reduce the recurrence of AIP.

Objectives:We evaluated the clinical significance of unipolar electrogram and bipolar electrogram in guiding radiofrequency ablation for outflow tract ventricular premature contractions(PVC).Methods:Data were collected from 78 patients who underwent successful radiofrequency ablation of PVC.Pre-procedure electrocardiogram showed a LBBB morphology on inferior leads.In the included patients,the right-side ablation was performed at first,and if the ablation failed,the left-side ablation was then performed.According to the location of the successful ablation target,they were divided into unilateral ablation successful group and bilateral ablation successful group.The differences in the earliest bipolar local activation to QRS(LATBi),unipolar-dV/dTmax to QRS(LATUni),and local activation time were compared between the two groups.Furthermore,the electrogram characteristics predicting bilateral ablation were explored.Results:Patients were divided into unilateral ablation group(n=57)and bilateral ablation group(n=21)according to the ablation site.There were statistically significant differences in LATBi(25[21,30]ms vs.14[10,24]ms),LATUni(7[0,17]ms vs.-23[-41,-11]ms),and ΔLATBi-Uni(15[11,25]ms vs.44[25,56]ms)between the unilateral ablation group and the bilateral ablation group(all P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis suggested that LATBi,LATUni,and ΔLATBi-Uni were independent predictors of the need for bilateral ablation.There was no significant difference between left and right LATBi,LATUni and ΔLATBi-Uni in the bilateral ablation group.LATUni≤-1 was the most accurate parameter for predicting the need for bilateral ablation(AUC=0.941;specificity 80.7%;sensitivity 100%).Conclusions:LATUni≤-1ms is a useful indicator for predicting the need for bilateral PVC ablation in this patient cohort.

Objective:To explore the capability of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) compared to adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR-V) in improving the image quality and myocardial edge sharpness of dynamic stress myocardial CT perfusion imaging (CTP).Methods:Thirty subjects who underwent dynamic stress myocardial CTP at Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from September 2023 to February 2024 were recruited. Image data of all enrolled patients were reconstructed using ASiR-V 50%, ASiR-V 80%, medium-intensity DLIR(DLIR-M), and high-intensity DLIR(DLIR-H), respectively. Regions of interest were selected in the left ventricular cavity, interventricular septum, and left ventricular lateral wall for measurement of CT values and standard deviations (SD), and calculation of signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR). Matlab was utilized to obtain the differences (d) and slopes (s) of CT value changes at four left ventricular myocardial edges for objective edge sharpness evaluation. Two radiologists subjectively scored the images for noise, natural appearance, and edge sharpness. In case of disagreement between the two radiologists, a third senior radiologist′s score was decisive. Left ventricular myocardial blood flow (MBF) of ASiR-V and DLIR images with lower SD, higher SNR and CNR were calculated, respectively. When the normal distribution was satisfied, the independent sample t test was used for comparison between two groups, and the random block design ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups. And analysis was conducted using Friedman test for non-normally distributed data, and Bonferroni correction for pairwise comparisons. Results:There were statistically significant differences in SD, SNR, and CNR among the four images in the interventricular septum and left ventricular lateral wall (all P<0.05), with ASiR-V 80% and DLIR-H demonstrating the lowest SD, highest SNR and CNR, and the subjective image noise score. Statistically significant differences were observed in d and s for the four left ventricular myocardial edges (all P<0.05), with DLIR-M and DLIR-H exhibiting the best objective edge sharpness [5 (5, 5)], and ASiR-V 80% the worst [3.5 (3, 4)]. In the subjective scores for natural appearance, DLIR-M and DLIR-H received the highest scores [5 (5, 5)], while ASiR-V 80% received the lowest scores [3 (3, 4)], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in MBF values calculated from ASiR-V 80% and DLIR-H images (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The SD value, SNR and CNR of dynamic stress myocardial CTP images reconstructed by DLIR-H are equivalent to ASiR-V 80%, and using DLIR-H can improve the edge sharpness of left ventricular myocardium without affecting the calculation of MBF.

Objectives:We evaluated the clinical significance of unipolar electrogram and bipolar electrogram in guiding radiofrequency ablation for outflow tract ventricular premature contractions(PVC).Methods:Data were collected from 78 patients who underwent successful radiofrequency ablation of PVC.Pre-procedure electrocardiogram showed a LBBB morphology on inferior leads.In the included patients,the right-side ablation was performed at first,and if the ablation failed,the left-side ablation was then performed.According to the location of the successful ablation target,they were divided into unilateral ablation successful group and bilateral ablation successful group.The differences in the earliest bipolar local activation to QRS(LATBi),unipolar-dV/dTmax to QRS(LATUni),and local activation time were compared between the two groups.Furthermore,the electrogram characteristics predicting bilateral ablation were explored.Results:Patients were divided into unilateral ablation group(n=57)and bilateral ablation group(n=21)according to the ablation site.There were statistically significant differences in LATBi(25[21,30]ms vs.14[10,24]ms),LATUni(7[0,17]ms vs.-23[-41,-11]ms),and ΔLATBi-Uni(15[11,25]ms vs.44[25,56]ms)between the unilateral ablation group and the bilateral ablation group(all P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis suggested that LATBi,LATUni,and ΔLATBi-Uni were independent predictors of the need for bilateral ablation.There was no significant difference between left and right LATBi,LATUni and ΔLATBi-Uni in the bilateral ablation group.LATUni≤-1 was the most accurate parameter for predicting the need for bilateral ablation(AUC=0.941;specificity 80.7%;sensitivity 100%).Conclusions:LATUni≤-1ms is a useful indicator for predicting the need for bilateral PVC ablation in this patient cohort.

Objective:To explore the capability of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) compared to adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR-V) in improving the image quality and myocardial edge sharpness of dynamic stress myocardial CT perfusion imaging (CTP).Methods:Thirty subjects who underwent dynamic stress myocardial CTP at Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from September 2023 to February 2024 were recruited. Image data of all enrolled patients were reconstructed using ASiR-V 50%, ASiR-V 80%, medium-intensity DLIR(DLIR-M), and high-intensity DLIR(DLIR-H), respectively. Regions of interest were selected in the left ventricular cavity, interventricular septum, and left ventricular lateral wall for measurement of CT values and standard deviations (SD), and calculation of signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR). Matlab was utilized to obtain the differences (d) and slopes (s) of CT value changes at four left ventricular myocardial edges for objective edge sharpness evaluation. Two radiologists subjectively scored the images for noise, natural appearance, and edge sharpness. In case of disagreement between the two radiologists, a third senior radiologist′s score was decisive. Left ventricular myocardial blood flow (MBF) of ASiR-V and DLIR images with lower SD, higher SNR and CNR were calculated, respectively. When the normal distribution was satisfied, the independent sample t test was used for comparison between two groups, and the random block design ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups. And analysis was conducted using Friedman test for non-normally distributed data, and Bonferroni correction for pairwise comparisons. Results:There were statistically significant differences in SD, SNR, and CNR among the four images in the interventricular septum and left ventricular lateral wall (all P<0.05), with ASiR-V 80% and DLIR-H demonstrating the lowest SD, highest SNR and CNR, and the subjective image noise score. Statistically significant differences were observed in d and s for the four left ventricular myocardial edges (all P<0.05), with DLIR-M and DLIR-H exhibiting the best objective edge sharpness [5 (5, 5)], and ASiR-V 80% the worst [3.5 (3, 4)]. In the subjective scores for natural appearance, DLIR-M and DLIR-H received the highest scores [5 (5, 5)], while ASiR-V 80% received the lowest scores [3 (3, 4)], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in MBF values calculated from ASiR-V 80% and DLIR-H images (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The SD value, SNR and CNR of dynamic stress myocardial CTP images reconstructed by DLIR-H are equivalent to ASiR-V 80%, and using DLIR-H can improve the edge sharpness of left ventricular myocardium without affecting the calculation of MBF.

Objective:To investigate the impact of imaging anatomical features on the prognosis of middle-aged and elderly patients with anomalous coronary artery originating from the opposite sinus (ACAOS).Methods:This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients aged ≥45 years who were diagnosed with ACAOS by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018. Baseline clinical data and coronary CTA images were collected. Anatomic imaging features were extracted, including ACAOS subtype, course of the anomalous vessel, and ostial angle. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of acute myocardial infarction, cardiac death, and coronary revascularization. The Maxstat method was used to determine the cut-off values of specific anatomical features for predicting MACE risk. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to analyze the impact of these imaging features on MACE in middle-aged and elderly ACAOS patients.Results:A total of 203 patients were enrolled, aged (60.0(51.0, 66.0)) years, including 119 (58.6%) males. Over a follow-up of (98.2±30.9) months, 39 patients experienced MACE. Maxstat identified an optimal cut-off value of 34.3° for the ostial angle of the anomalous vessel. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that the following factors were independent risk factors for MACE: left-sided ACAOS subtype ( HR=4.35, 95% CI 2.17-8.73, P<0.001), an interarterial course between the aorta and pulmonary artery ( HR=3.21, 95% CI 1.23-8.37, P=0.017), an anomalous vessel ostial angle <34.3° ( HR=2.62, 95% CI 1.18-5.77, P=0.017), and concomitant coronary artery disease ( HR=2.92, 95% CI 1.49-5.73, P=0.002). Conclusion:In middle-aged and elderly patients with ACAOS, the imaging anatomical features of a left-sided ACAOS subtype, an interarterial course, and an ostial angle <34.3° are independent risk factors for MACE.

Objective:To apply cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to quantitatively evaluate the morphology and tissue characteristics of thoracic skeletal muscle (TSM) in patients with Danon disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), in order to provide auxiliary differential diagnostic information.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 15 Danon disease patients (Danon disease group) who completed CMR examination, and 15 HCM patients (HCM group) and 15 healthy volunteers (control group) who were matched by gender and age were compared. TSM (pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, erector spinae, and subscapularis) area index (TSMAi), T1 relaxation time of four groups, and extracellular volume (ECV) of skeletal muscles of two groups (pectoralis major and subscapularis) were measured for all subjects. Single factor analysis of variance and KruskalWallis test were used to compare three sets of values.Results:The total TSMAi of the Danon disease group was lower than that of the HCM group and the control group [(15.37±3.28)cm 2/m 2 vs (23.02±3.88)cm 2/m 2 vs (22.33±4.67)cm 2/m 2, P<0.001], and the TSMAi of each TSM was also lower than that of the HCM group and the control group (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in TSMAi between the HCM group and the control group (all P>0.05). The native T1 values of the pectoralis major muscle in the Danon disease group and HCM group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The ECV of the pectoralis major muscle and subscapularis muscle in the Danon disease group were higher than those in the HCM group and control group, and the enhanced T1 values were lower than those in the HCM group and control group (all P<0.05); There was no statistically significant difference in ECV and the enhanced T1 values between the HCM group and the control group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The application of CMR can effectively evaluate the changes in TSM morphology and tissue characteristics in Danon disease patients. Compared with HCM patients, Danon disease patients showed significant atrophy of TSM with increased extracellular volume. CMR provides a quantitative reference for TSM in the differential diagnosis of the two.

Objective:To investigate the hemodynamic changes in the ascending aorta (AAo) before and after interventricular septal myocardial resection in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM) using cardiac magnetic resonance four-dimensional blood flow (CMR 4D Flow) technology.Methods:HOCM patients who underwent interventricular septal myocardial resection at Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from May 2021 to September 2022 were prospectively included. Age and gender matched healthy volunteers (control group) were included during the same period. Both the control group and HOCM patients underwent CMR examination (including cine sequence and 4D Flow sequence) before and 6 months after surgery. CMR 4D flow technology was used to evaluate changes in AAo preoperative and postoperative blood flow patterns (eddy currents, spiral flow), maximum energy loss (EL max), and average energy loss (EL avg). HOCM patients underwent laboratory tests, including N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (N-pro BNP) and high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT). At the same time, the correlation between postoperative energy loss in HOCM patients and the degree of improvement in laboratory biomarkers was explored. Results:A total of 15 HOCM patients and 15 healthy volunteers were included. (1) In terms of blood flow patterns, the preoperative spiral flow degree of HOCM patients was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P=0.001), but the postoperative difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.059). The degree of eddy currents in HOCM patients before and after surgery was higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05). (2) In terms of energy loss, the preoperative EL max [21.17(14.30-28.10)mW vs 10.17(7.66-13.07)mW, P<0.001] and EL avg [4.87(3.46-5.77)mW vs 2.27(2.19-2.27)mW, P=0.023] of HOCM patients were higher than those of the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the postoperative and control groups (all P>0.05). Compared with preoperative, the postoperative EL max [12.33(8.70-17.41)mW] and EL avg [3.10(2.25-4.40)mW] of AAo in HOCM patients were significantly reduced (mean P=0.001). (3) Correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation ( r=0.587, P=0.021) between the EL max of AAo and the degree of improvement in hsTNT after interventricular septum myocardial resection, but no significant correlation ( r=0.229, P=0.413) with the degree of improvement in NT-pro BNP. Conclusions:The degree of postoperative AAo blood flow disorder in HOCM patients is reduced, and EL max and EL avg are significantly reduced. The EL max of postoperative AAo is positively correlated with the degree of improvement in hsTNT, suggesting that EL max may be applicable for prognostic evaluation of patients.