Objective:To explore the value of four-dimensional flow (4D Flow) MRI in evaluating hemodynamic changes of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS).Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. A retrospective analysis of 67 patients after renal transplantation was performed in Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2021 to October 2022. All patients were examined with non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (NCE-MRA) and 4D Flow MRI. After NCE-MRA assessment, the patients were divided into a non stenosis group (39 cases), non-obvious stenosis group (stenosis degree<50%, 13 cases) and obvious stenosis group (stenosis degree≥50%, 15 cases). The 4D Flow MRI data were analyzed using the post-processing software CVI42 (Canada) to measure hemodynamic parameters of the transplanted renal artery in the non-stenosis group, as well as the proximal, central, and distal regions of the stenosis in the non-obvious stenosis group and obvious stenosis group. The parameters included net flow rate, maximum flow rate, average velocity, peak velocity, average wall shear stress, and maximum wall shear stress. One way analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) were used to test the differences of hemodynamic parameters among the three groups and between the proximal, central and distal regions of the stenosis. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between hemodynamic parameters of transplant renal artery and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Results:The net flow, maximum flow and average velocity at the proximal region of stenosis in the group with obvious stenosis of transplanted renal artery were significantly lower than those in the non-stenosis group and the non-obvious stenosis group (all P<0.05). The net flow and maximum flow at the distal region of stenosis in both obvious stenosis group and non-obvious stenosis group were lower than those in non-stenosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.001). The mean velocity and peak velocity at the distal region of stenosis in the obvious stenosis group were higher than those in the non-stenosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The maximum and average wall shear stress at the distal region of stenosis in the obvious stenosis group were lower than those in the non-stenosis group and the non-obvious stenosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The net flow and maximum flow in the center region of stenosis were lower than those in the proximal region of stenosis, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The peak velocity in the center region and distal region of stenosis was higher than those in the proximal region of stenosis, and the difference was statistically significant (both P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the net flow and eGFR at the TRAS patients proximal, center, and distal stenosis ( r=0.270, 0.260, 0.320, respectively, P=0.044, 0.041, 0.036, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the maximum flow and eGFR at the TRAS patients proximal, center, and distal stenosis ( r=0.306, 0.276, 0.269, respectively, P=0.037, 0.041, 0.043, respectively). Conclusion:After TRAS, there is a significant change in blood flow status. The 4D Flow MRI can provide quantitative hemodynamic parameters to reflect the hemodynamic changes of TRAS.

ObjectiveTo establish a quality evaluation method for Zhuye Shigao granules（Zhuye Shigaotang） based on fingerprint and determination of index components， and to investigate the therapeutic effect of Zhuye Shigao granules on mice with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung syndrome. MethodsThe fingerprint of Zhuye Shigao granules was established by high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）， and the methods for determination of total calcium， orientin， isoorientin， ginsenosides Rg₁， Re and Rb₁ and other 2 index components were established. Fifty ICR mice were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， Zhuye Shigao granules low， medium and high dose groups（9.3， 18.6， 37.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 10 mice in each group. In addition to the blank group， the model mice with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung syndrome was prepared by nasal drip of lipopolysaccharide combined with cold-dampness environment. Each administration group was given the corresponding liquid by gavage according to the dose， while the blank group and model group were given the same volume of normal saline by gavage. Then， the body temperature and organ index of mice in each group were measured， hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to investigate the lung tissue injury of mice in each group， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was used to detect the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）， interleukin（IL）-lβ， IL-6， IL-10 levels in serum and lung tissue， as well as immunoglobulin（Ig）A and IgM levels in serum. ResultsThe fingerprint similarity of 10 batches of Zhuye Shigao granules was>0.950， and 20 common peaks were calibrated. Seven of them were identified， including peak 11（isoorientin）， peak 12（orientin）， peak 14（apioside liquiritin）， peak 15（liquiritin）， peak 17（apioside isoliquiritin）， peak 19（isoliquiritin） and peak 20（liquiritigenin）. The results of quantitative analysis showed that the content range of each index component in 10 batches of Zhuye Shigao granules was as follows：Total calcium of 9.978-11.294 mg·g^-1， isoorientin of 0.033-0.041 mg·g^-1， orientin of 0.046-0.055 mg·g^-1， ginsenoside Rg₁+ginsenoside Re of 0.748-0.762 mg·g^-1， ginsenoside Rb₁ of 0.151-0.197 mg·g^-1， liquiritin of 1.106-1.366 mg·g^-1， glycyrrhizic acid of 0.904-1.182 mg·g^-1_. Compared with the blank group， the body temperature of mice in the model group was significantly increased， the organ indexes of liver， lung and spleen were significantly decreased， the organ index of thymus was significantly increased， HE staining of lung tissue showed infiltration of inflammatory cells， a small amount of serous exudation was observed in the alveoli， and lung tissue was damaged. After the intervention of Zhuye Shigao granules， the pathological changes were improved compared with the model group. The expression levels of IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased， the expression level of IL-10 was significantly decreased in serum and lung tissue. The levels of IgA and IgM in serum were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the body temperature， the organ indexes and immune factor levels in serum and lung tissue of mice in the Zhuye Shigao granules medium and high dose groups were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionIn this study， the quality evaluation of Zhuye Shigao granules was carried out based on fingerprint combined with determination of index components， and the fingerprint of four herbs（Lophatheri Herba， Ophiopogonis Radix， Pinelliae Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma） in this formula and the determination of 8 index components were established. The therapeutic effect of Zhuye Shigao granules on mice with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung syndrome may be related to inhibiting inflammatory response and mediating immune regulation.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) using Lux-Valve and Lux-Valve Plus in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation. METHODS: A total of 28 consecutive patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation who underwent TTVR with Lux-Valve (n=14) or Lux-Valve Plus (n=14) in the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from August 2019 to November 2023 were enrolled. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients before and 6 months after the TTVR. The ultrasound indexes were compared before and 6 months after the TTVR in all patients and between Lux-Valve and Lux-Valve Plus groups. RESULTS: Compared with the Lux-Valve group, the Lux-Valve Plus group showed significantly reduced intraoperative bleeding and shorter postoperative hospital stays (both P<0.05). Six months after the TTVR, none of the patients exhibited more than a mild tricuspid valve regurgitation, and none of the patients had moderate or above perivalvular leakage except for one patient in the Lux-Valve Plus group who had a separation of the clamping member from the anterior tricuspid leaflet. The incidence of perivalvular leakage was significantly lower in the Lux-Valve Plus group (14.29%, 2/14) than in the Lux-Valve group (64.29%, 9/14, P<0.05). At 6 months after operation, the right chamber volume and right ventricle middle transverse diameter were reduced (both P<0.05); the peak blood flow velocity across the tricuspid valve, peak pressure gradient across the tricuspid valve, mean blood flow velocity of tricuspid valve, mean pressure gradient across the tricuspid valve and velocity time integral were increased in both groups (all P<0.05).Compared with the Lux-Valve group, the Lux-Valve Plus group showed higher left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months postoperatively (P<0.05), while the rest of the indicators were not statistically different (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of using Lux-Valve and Lux-Valve Plus for TTVR in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation is comparable. Six months after the TTVR, the right side of the heart has undergone reverse remodeling.While Lux-Valve Plus offers greater minimally invasive benefits, valve selection should consider device-specific characteristics and differences in individual patients.
Humans ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency/surgery* ; Male ; Female ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Tricuspid Valve/surgery* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Treatment Outcome ; Echocardiography ; Adult ; Cardiac Catheterization/methods*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the application of transesophageal echocar-diography assessment for mitral valve in patients with atrial septal defects undergoing repair surgery. METHODS: The study group comprised of thirty-two adult patients with atrial septal defect who underwent thoracoscopic repair surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from March to September 2022. Two-dimensional and real-time three-dimensional transesophageal ultrasonography of the mitral valve were performed after anesthesia. The parameters of the mitral valve structure at the late diastolic and late systolic stages were recorded, including anteroposterior and left-right annular diameters, anterior and posterior valves lengths, the vertical distance from the coaptation point of leaflet zone 2 during systole to the annular plane (mitral valve coaptation depth) and mitral valve coaptation length. Data from 32 patients with normal intracardiac structure and no mitral valve regurgitation (control group) were also collected and compared with those of the study group. Concurrent mitral valvoplasty was performed during the atrial septal defect repair surgery for 7 patients with significant mitral valve structural abnormalities and 2 patients with significantly increased mitral regurgitation after cardiac resuscitation. The study group was followed up with transthoracic echocardiography for 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: In the study group, 26 (81.3%) patients had varying degrees of mitral valve morphological abnormalities. Among them, 10 (31.3%) patients had short mitral valve coaptation length or depth, 12 (37.5%) patients had closure point malposition, and 4 (12.5%) patients had different bulge of anterior and posterior leaflets. Compared with the control group, the study group had significantly smaller systolic and diastolic mitral left-right annular diameter, mitral posterior valves lengths, mitral coaptation length or depth (all P<0.05), a higher pulmonary systemic flow ratio (P<0.01), and a lower maximum blood flow velocity across the mitral valve (P<0.05). After 2 years of follow-up, among the 9 patients who underwent concurrent mitral valvoplasty, the mitral valve maintained no or little regurgitation, and the average mitral valve pressure difference was less than 5 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). Among the 23 patients without concurrent mitral valvoplasty, 2 patients had moderate regurgitation 1 year after surgery, with a pulmonary/systemic flow ratio larger than 2.8. CONCLUSIONS Patients with large atrial septal defects often have abnormal mitral valve structure. Therefore transesophageal echocardiography is recommended for mitral valve assessment during the surgery. If significant mitral valve structural abnormalities are detected, concurrent mitral valvoplasty is recommended.
Humans ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/diagnostic imaging* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal/methods* ; Mitral Valve/surgery* ; Adult ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency/diagnostic imaging*

Objective:To explore the value of four-dimensional flow (4D Flow) MRI in evaluating hemodynamic changes of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS).Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. A retrospective analysis of 67 patients after renal transplantation was performed in Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2021 to October 2022. All patients were examined with non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (NCE-MRA) and 4D Flow MRI. After NCE-MRA assessment, the patients were divided into a non stenosis group (39 cases), non-obvious stenosis group (stenosis degree<50%, 13 cases) and obvious stenosis group (stenosis degree≥50%, 15 cases). The 4D Flow MRI data were analyzed using the post-processing software CVI42 (Canada) to measure hemodynamic parameters of the transplanted renal artery in the non-stenosis group, as well as the proximal, central, and distal regions of the stenosis in the non-obvious stenosis group and obvious stenosis group. The parameters included net flow rate, maximum flow rate, average velocity, peak velocity, average wall shear stress, and maximum wall shear stress. One way analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) were used to test the differences of hemodynamic parameters among the three groups and between the proximal, central and distal regions of the stenosis. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between hemodynamic parameters of transplant renal artery and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Results:The net flow, maximum flow and average velocity at the proximal region of stenosis in the group with obvious stenosis of transplanted renal artery were significantly lower than those in the non-stenosis group and the non-obvious stenosis group (all P<0.05). The net flow and maximum flow at the distal region of stenosis in both obvious stenosis group and non-obvious stenosis group were lower than those in non-stenosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.001). The mean velocity and peak velocity at the distal region of stenosis in the obvious stenosis group were higher than those in the non-stenosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The maximum and average wall shear stress at the distal region of stenosis in the obvious stenosis group were lower than those in the non-stenosis group and the non-obvious stenosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The net flow and maximum flow in the center region of stenosis were lower than those in the proximal region of stenosis, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The peak velocity in the center region and distal region of stenosis was higher than those in the proximal region of stenosis, and the difference was statistically significant (both P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the net flow and eGFR at the TRAS patients proximal, center, and distal stenosis ( r=0.270, 0.260, 0.320, respectively, P=0.044, 0.041, 0.036, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the maximum flow and eGFR at the TRAS patients proximal, center, and distal stenosis ( r=0.306, 0.276, 0.269, respectively, P=0.037, 0.041, 0.043, respectively). Conclusion:After TRAS, there is a significant change in blood flow status. The 4D Flow MRI can provide quantitative hemodynamic parameters to reflect the hemodynamic changes of TRAS.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial infusion with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel(GN)as first-line therapy in treating patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.Methods The clinical data of a total of 50 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer,who were treated with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy with GN regimen at the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital of China between January 2016 and December2020,were collected The objective effective rate(ORR),progression-free survival(PFS),overall survival(OS)and treatment-related toxic reactions were analyzed.Results A total of 236 times of transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy were carried out in the 50 patients,with an average perfusion procedure of 4.72 times per patient.Complete remission(CR)was obtained in 0 patient,partial remission(PR)in 16 patients,and stable disease(SD)in 21 patients.The ORR was 32％,the median PFSwas5.1 months,and the OS was 9.8 months.The main adverse events included neutropenia,thrombocytopenia,vomiting,nausea,fatigue,etc.Conclusion For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer,transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy with GN regimen carries good short-term efficacy and safety,it can improve patient's PFS and OS to a certain extent.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:512-515)

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of teaching with regular two-way quality feedback combined with the Balint group technique for improving the core competencies of nurses in the department of cardiology.Methods:From June 2021 to July 2023, we assigned 118 nurses in the department of cardiology of our hospital into control group ( n=59, receiving teaching with regular two-way quality feedback) and study group ( n=59, receiving teaching with regular two-way quality feedback combined with the Balint group technique). The two groups were compared in terms of theoretical and practical assessment results, core competencies, empathic skills, and patient satisfaction with nursing. SPSS 22.0 software was used to conduct the t test and chi-square test. Results:After 2 months of intervention, the study group showed a significantly higher theoretical score [(94.23±4.36) vs. (91.54±3.14), P<0.05] and a significantly higher practical score [(98.67±1.08) vs. (97.54±1.21), P<0.05] than the control group. Both groups showed significant improvements in the dimension scores of the core competency scale and the total score and dimension scores of the empathy scale, and the research group was superior to the control group (all P<0.05). Patient satisfaction with nursing quality was significantly better for the study group than for the control group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Teaching with regular two-way quality feedback combined with the Balint group technique is effective for improving the core competencies and empathic skills of cardiovascular nurses and patient satisfaction with nursing quality, which is worthy of application in clinical teaching.

Objective To investigate the mechanism mediating the regulatory effect of lncRNA MAGI2-AS3 on cisplatin(DDP)resistance in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods MAGI2-AS3 and miR-1269a expression levels were detected by qRT-PCR in DDP-sensitive lung cancer cell lines(A549 and H1299)and their resistant counterparts(A549/DDP and H1299/DDP).In A549 and H1299 cells with MAGI2-AS3 silencing and A549/DDP and H1299/DDP cells overexpressing MAGI2-AS3,the effects of 20 μmol/L DDP on cell viability and apoptosis were examined with CCK-8 assay,colony formation assay,flow cytometry and Western blotting,and the changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)were assessed with wound healing and Transwell assays.The interaction between MAGI2-AS3,miR-1269a and PTEN was predicted using GEPIA,StarBase and miRDB and verified with luciferase reporter gene assay and radioimmunoprecipitation(RIP)assay.A miR-1269a mimic and pcDNA3.1-PTEN plasmid were used to perform the rescue assay.Results MAGI2-AS3 expression was significantly downregulated in lung cancer tissues(P<0.05)in association with a poor prognosis(P<0.05).In the two DDP-resistant lung cancer cell lines,MAGI2-AS3 expression was significantly lowered as compared with the sensitive cells.Silencing MAGI2-AS3 significantly enhanced cell viability and promoted EMT of A549 and H1299 cells irrespective of DDP treatment,and also decreased DDP-induced apoptosis of the cells.In A549/DDP and H1299/DDP cells,MAGI2-AS3 overexpression strongly repressed cell viability and EMT irrespective of DDP treatment and promoted DDP-induced cell apoptosis.Luciferase reporter gene and RIP assays confirmed the binding of MAGI2-AS3 with miR-1269a and the binding of miR-1269a with 3'-UTR domain of PTEN.The rescue assay demonstrated that MAGI2-AS3 acted as a sponge for miR-1269a to promote PTEN expression and downregulate AKT phosphorylation,thus inhibiting EMT and promoting DDP-induced apoptosis of A549/DDP cells.Conclusion MAGI2-AS3 enhances DDP sensitivity of NSCLC by targeted regulation of the miR-1269a/PTEN/AKT signaling axis.

Objective:To analyze the relationship between genotype and clinical phenotype of the MYH7-R453C mutation in five Chinese hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) families.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 527 unrelated HCM probands who were first diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University (Xijing Hospital) from February 2014 to July 2018, and the high-throughput whole exome targeted sequencing of 96 genes related to hereditary cardiovascular disease was performed on the probands. The probands carrying the MYH7-R453C mutation were screened out, and their family members carrying the mutation were verified using Sanger sequencing. Healthy individuals without family history of genetic diseases from the same period and ethnicity were recruited as controls. Clinical data such as echocardiography, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of the probands and their family members were collected, and the correlation between patient genotype and clinical phenotype was analyzed. Endpoint or key events were recorded through hospital re-examination or telephone follow-up.Results:The MYH7-R453C mutation was detected in 5 HCM probands, and clinical data and genetic results of 20 family members, including probands, were collected. Among them, 13 carried the MYH7-R453C mutation, of which 12 were diagnosed with HCM, and one child (F1Ⅲ 5) experienced early changes of HCM. The seven family members who did not carry the MYH7-R453C mutation had normal echocardiograms and 12-lead electrocardiograms. Among the 12 patients diagnosed with HCM, 2 experienced (F2Ⅱ 7, F5Ⅰ 2) sudden cardiac death, 2 experienced (F1Ⅲ 1, F3Ⅲ 3) events of sudden cardiac death survival, 2(F1Ⅱ 2, F3Ⅱ 1) died from heart failure during the follow-up period. Combined with the initial visit and follow-up, 4 families (F1, F2, F3, F5) had a family history of sudden death, among which 3 families probands or multiple family members experiencing sudden death before the age of 30 and adverse outcomes such as implantation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators after sudden death survival. Conclusions:In the five families with HCM carrying MYH7-R453C mutations, genotype is highly correlated with clinical phenotype, and patients have a high risk of sudden death and poor prognosis. Early diagnosis of individuals carrying the MYH7-R453C gene mutation, both within the patient′s family and in the patients themselves, is crucial for initiating early treatment, preventing sudden death, and assessing prognosis.

Objective To investigate the mechanism mediating the regulatory effect of lncRNA MAGI2-AS3 on cisplatin(DDP)resistance in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods MAGI2-AS3 and miR-1269a expression levels were detected by qRT-PCR in DDP-sensitive lung cancer cell lines(A549 and H1299)and their resistant counterparts(A549/DDP and H1299/DDP).In A549 and H1299 cells with MAGI2-AS3 silencing and A549/DDP and H1299/DDP cells overexpressing MAGI2-AS3,the effects of 20 μmol/L DDP on cell viability and apoptosis were examined with CCK-8 assay,colony formation assay,flow cytometry and Western blotting,and the changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)were assessed with wound healing and Transwell assays.The interaction between MAGI2-AS3,miR-1269a and PTEN was predicted using GEPIA,StarBase and miRDB and verified with luciferase reporter gene assay and radioimmunoprecipitation(RIP)assay.A miR-1269a mimic and pcDNA3.1-PTEN plasmid were used to perform the rescue assay.Results MAGI2-AS3 expression was significantly downregulated in lung cancer tissues(P<0.05)in association with a poor prognosis(P<0.05).In the two DDP-resistant lung cancer cell lines,MAGI2-AS3 expression was significantly lowered as compared with the sensitive cells.Silencing MAGI2-AS3 significantly enhanced cell viability and promoted EMT of A549 and H1299 cells irrespective of DDP treatment,and also decreased DDP-induced apoptosis of the cells.In A549/DDP and H1299/DDP cells,MAGI2-AS3 overexpression strongly repressed cell viability and EMT irrespective of DDP treatment and promoted DDP-induced cell apoptosis.Luciferase reporter gene and RIP assays confirmed the binding of MAGI2-AS3 with miR-1269a and the binding of miR-1269a with 3'-UTR domain of PTEN.The rescue assay demonstrated that MAGI2-AS3 acted as a sponge for miR-1269a to promote PTEN expression and downregulate AKT phosphorylation,thus inhibiting EMT and promoting DDP-induced apoptosis of A549/DDP cells.Conclusion MAGI2-AS3 enhances DDP sensitivity of NSCLC by targeted regulation of the miR-1269a/PTEN/AKT signaling axis.