Objective:To investigate the application value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in evaluating flow diverter (FD) apposition and endothelialization in aneurysm animal models, and analyze the effect of incomplete stent apposition (ISA) on aneurysm lumen healing and stent endothelialization.Methods:Lateral common carotid artery aneurysm models in swines were established by surgical method and then FD was implanted. Immediately after surgery, OCT and IVUS were used to evaluate the locations and degrees of ISA, and difference between these 2 methods in evaluating FD apposition was compared. DSA was performed at 12 weeks after surgery to evaluate the aneurysm occlusion (Kamran grading) and stent patency. OCT and IVUS were used again to observe the stent endothelial situation; by comparing with histopathologic results, effect of ISA on aneurysm healing and stent endothelialization was analyzed.Results:Lateral common carotid artery aneurysm models in 6 swines were established, and 6 Tubridge FDs were successfully implanted. Compared with IVUS (3 stents, 4 locus), OCT could detect more ISA (6 stents, 14 locus); and the vascular diameter change area (7 locus), aneurysm neck area (4 locus) and the head and tail of FD (3 locus) were the main sites of FD malapposition; average distance between stent wire and vessel wall was (560.14±101.48) μm. At 12 weeks after surgery, DSA showed that 1 patient had a little residual contrast agent at the aneurysm neck (Kamran grading 3), and the remaining 5 had complete aneurysm occlusion (Kamran grading 4). One FD had moderate lumen stenosis, and the other 5 FDs had lumen patency. OCT indicated mostly disappeared acute ISA; ISA proportion decreased to 21.4 % (3/14), including 2 in the aneurysm neck and 1 in the partial stent. Histopathological results showed bare stent woven silk, without obvious endothelial coverage; in one FD with luminal stenosis, intimal hyperplasia was mainly composed of vascular smooth muscle cells.Conclusion:In carotid artery aneurysm model with FD implantation, OCT can detect more ISA than IVUS; most acute ISA have good outcome at 12 th week of follow-up, while severe ISA can cause delayed FD endothelialization and delayed aneurysm occlusion.

Background::Oral anti-coagulants (OAC) are the intervention for the prevention of stroke, which consistently improve clinical outcomes and survival among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The main purpose of this study is to identify problems in OAC utilization among hospitalized patients with AF in China.Methods::Using data from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Atrial Fibrillation (CCC-AF) registry, guideline-recommended OAC use in eligible patients was assessed.Results::A total of 52,530 patients with non-valvular AF were enrolled from February 2015 to December 2019, of whom 38,203 were at a high risk of stroke, 9717 were at a moderate risk, and 4610 were at a low risk. On admission, only 20.0% (6075/30,420) of patients with a diagnosed AF and a high risk of stroke were taking OAC. The use of pre-hospital OAC on admission was associated with a lower risk of new-onset ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack among the diagnosed AF population (adjusted odds ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.43–0.68; P <0.001). At discharge, the prescription rate of OAC was 45.2% (16,757/37,087) in eligible patients with high stroke risk and 60.7% (2778/4578) in eligible patients with low stroke risk. OAC utilization in patients with high stroke risk on admission or at discharge both increased largely over time (all P <0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that OAC utilization at discharge was positively associated with in-hospital rhythm control strategies, including catheter ablation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 11.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.04–13.47; P <0.001), electronic cardioversion (adjusted OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.65–3.51; P <0.001), and anti-arrhythmic drug use (adjusted OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.38–1.53; P <0.001). Conclusions::In hospitals participated in the CCC-AF project, >70% of AF patients were at a high risk of stroke. Although poor performance on guideline-recommended OAC use was found in this study, over time the CCC-AF project has made progress in stroke prevention in the Chinese AF population.Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02309398.

Objective:To explore the role of mechanical hemodynamic support (MHS) in mapping and catheter ablation of patients with hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia (VT), report single-center experience in a cohort of consecutive patients receiving VT ablation during MHS therapy, and provide evidence-based medical evidence for clinical practice.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with hemodynamically unstable VT who underwent catheter ablation with MHS at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University between August 2021 and December 2023 were included. Patients were divided into rescue group and preventive group according to the purpose of treatment. Their demographic data, periprocedural details, and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed.Results:A total of 15 patients with hemodynamically unstable VT were included (8 patients in the rescue group and 7 patients in the preventive group). The acute procedure was successful in all patients. One patient in the rescue group had surgical left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, remaining 14 patients received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for circulation support. ECMO decannulation was performed in 12 patients due to clinical and hemodynamic stability, of which 6 patients were decannulation immediately after surgery and the remaining patients were decannulation at 2.0 (2.5) d after surgery. Two patients in the rescue group died during the index admission due to refractory heart failure and cerebral hemorrhage. During a median follow-up of 30 d (1 d to 12 months), one patient with LVAD had one episode of ventricular fibrillation at 6 months after discharge, and no further episodes of ventricular fibrillation and/or VT occurred after treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs. No malignant ventricular arrhythmia occurred in the remaining 12 patients who were followed up.Conclusions:MHS contributes to the successful completion of mapping and catheter ablation in patients with hemodynamically unstable VT, providing desirable hemodynamic status for emergency and elective conditions.

Objective:To investigate and compare the clinical effectiveness and efficacy of cannulated screws and suture anchors in assistance of locking plates reinforcement for enhancing fixation in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 121 patients with proximal humeral fractures who were treated by locking plates reinforcement at Hainan Western Central Hospital from January 2018 to January 2020.Based on the intraoperative method of auxiliary reinforcement for the greater tuberosity of humerus,the patients were divided into cannulated screw group(62 cases)and suture anchor group(59 cases).The Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand(DASH)score,Constant-Murley Shoulder Score and Neer Shoulder Function(Neer)Score pre surgery,the 3rd month and 12th month after surgery were recorded and compared between the two groups,so as to assess the changes in shoulder function.Results:The time of operation,the intraoperative bleeding volume,the length of stay and the follow up time of cannulated screw group were respectively(94.7±13.4)min,(230.5±39.2)ml,(9.2±1.3)d and(15.3±4.2)months,and the differences of them between two groups were no significant(P>0.05).All patients were satisfactory for the postoperatively proximal humeral fractures and the reduction of greater tuberosity,and there was no acromial impingement.The DASH scores of two groups at the 12th month after surgery were lower than those at the 3rd month after surgery,and the Constant-Murley scores and Neer scores of two groups at the 12th month after surgery were higher than those at the 3rd month after surgery,and the differences of them were significant(t=12.069,11.446,15.553,14.879,16.223,18.209,P<0.05),respectively.There were no statistically significant differences in DASH score,Constant-Murley score and Neer score at 3rd month and 12th month after surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:During surgical treatment for proximal humeral fractures,both cannulated screws and suture anchors can effectively assist to lock plate for strengthening fixation of the greater tuberosity,and maintaining anatomical reduction of the greater tuberosity,and promoting recovery of the function of shoulder joint.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of low molecular weight heparin combined with insulin in the treatment of hyper-triglyceridemic-acute pancreatitis(HTG-AP).Methods A total of 106 patients diagnosed with HTG-AP who were admitted to the department of gastroenterology of Huaibei People's Hospital from May 2022 to July 2023 were selected as the research objects.According to the random number table method,the low-molecular heparin group(35 cases,received a 5 000 U subcutaneous injection low-molecular heparin once every 12 hours for 6 days),the insulin group(35 cases,received intravenous insulin pumping at a rate of 2 U/h,with careful monitoring of the patient's random blood glucose levels to prevent hypoglycemia),and the combination therapy group(36 cases,received both low-molecular heparin and insulin).Before treatment and at 1,2,and 6 days after treatment,the difference of serum triacylglycerol(TG),total cholesterol(TC),blood amylase,inflammatory factors[C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin-6(IL-6)],calcium ions,and creatinine levels among the three groups were compared.The modified computed tomography severity index(MCTSI)scores,acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ),hospital length of stay,and hospital costs before and after 6 days of treatment were observed.Results After treatment,the TC of all three groups significantly decreased compared to before treatment(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference among the three groups.The calcium ion levels of the three groups did not show a statistically significant difference before and after treatment.After 6 days of treatment,the creatinine levels of the three groups significantly decreased compared to before treatment,but there was no significant difference among the three groups.After 2 days of treatment,serum TG levels were significantly lower in the combination therapy group and insulin group compared to the low-molecular heparin group(mmol/L:4.6±1.7,4.4±1.8 vs.5.6±2.0,both P<0.05).However,there was no statistically significant difference between the combination therapy group and the insulin group.After 6 days of treatment,the combination therapy group showed significantly lower levels of serum TG,blood amylase,CRP,and IL-6 compared to the insulin group and the low-molecular heparin group[TG(mmol/L):2.8±1.9 vs.4.3±1.9,5.0±2.2,blood amylase(U/L):36.0(32.0,45.0)vs.59.0(43.0,71.0),52.0(45.0,64.0),CRP(mg/L):12.9(8.8,29.7)vs.35.3(21.7,50.3),31.4(23.0,45.1),IL-6(ng/L):15.4(9.8,23.5)vs.25.6(16.4,51.5),32.9(14.7,41.4),all P<0.05].After 6 days of treatment,the APACHEⅡscores of all three groups decreased significantly(all P<0.05).The MCTSI scores of the insulin group and the combined treatment group also decreased significantly compared to before treatment.Furthermore,the MCTSI and APACHEⅡscores of the combination therapy group were significantly lower than those of the low-molecular heparin group and the insulin group(MCTSI score:2.3±0.7 vs.3.3±1.7,2.9±1.3,APACHEⅡscore:1.3±1.2 vs.2.5±2.4,2.6±2.5,all P<0.05).The combination therapy group had significantly lower length of hospital stay and treatment cost compared to the low molecular heparin and insulin groups[length of hospital stay(days):6.9±1.6 vs.8.8±3.4,8.5±2.8,and cost of treatment(yuan):6 040.5(5 239.4,7 105.9)vs.6 696.4(5 791.5,11 026.2),6 918.5(6 087.9,10 080.8),all P<0.05].Conclusions The combination of low-molecular heparin and insulin treatment can significantly reduce serum TG and inflammatory factor levels,as well as the severity and duration of the disease.This approach can also reduce the cost of treatment.Therefore,it is worth promoting and applying in clinical settings.

Phosphatidylinositol 4 kinases are the initial and key molecules of the phosphatidyl inositol signaling pathway.Among them,the phosphatidylinositol 4-kinaseⅢ β(PI4KⅢβ)is in-volved in the synthesis of the Golgi PI4P pool,playing a vital role in numerous physiological processes.Meanwhile,the en-zyme is an important host factor mediating the replication of some pathogenic RNA viruses,and participating in other patho-logical processes such as bacterial infection and malaria.In ad-dition,studies have shown that the function of PI4KⅢβ is regu-lated by numerous factors,including host and viral protein bind-ing partners.This review will discuss the structure and the phys-iopathology regulatory mechanism of PI4KⅢβ.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and prior stroke history have a high risk of cardiovascular events despite anticoagulation therapy. It is unclear whether catheter ablation (CA) has further benefits in these patients. METHODS: AF patients with a previous history of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) from the prospective Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study between August 2011 and December 2020 were included in the analysis. Patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio to CA or medical treatment (MT) based on propensity score. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or ischemic stroke (IS)/SE. RESULTS: During a total of 4.1 ± 2.3 years of follow-up, the primary outcome occurred in 111 patients in the CA group (3.3 per 100 person-years) and in 229 patients in the MT group (5.7 per 100 person-years). The CA group had a lower risk of the primary outcome compared to the MT group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.47-0.74, P < 0.001]. There was a significant decreasing risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31-0.61, P < 0.001), IS/SE (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.97, P = 0.033), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.54, P < 0.001) and AF recurrence (HR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30-0.37, P < 0.001) in the CA group compared to that in the MT group. Sensitivity analysis generated consistent results when adjusting for time-dependent usage of anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS In AF patients with a prior stroke history, CA was associated with a lower combined risk of all-cause death or IS/SE. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm the benefits of CA in these patients.

Objective To evaluate the effect and potential mechanism of Shikonin on hormone-induced osteoporosis in rats.Methods RAW264.7 cell lines were treated with indicated concentrations of Shikonin,and the effects of Shikonin on cell viability were evaluated by CCK8 assay.Then the cells were divided into five groups:control group,dexamethasone(osteoporosis agent)group,dexamethasone + recombinant human parathyroid(anti-osteoporosis agent)group,dexamethasone + Shikonin 0.3 μmol·L-1 group,and dexamethasone + Shikonin 1.2 μmol·L-1 group.The effect of Shikonin on osteoclast function was evaluated by TRAP staining and bone resorption area measurement.The rat model of osteoporosis induced by dexamethasone was established,and divided into five groups(n=8):dexamethasone group,dexamethasone + PTH group,dexamethasone + Shikonin 0.3 μmol·L-1 group and dexamethasone + Shikonin 1.2 μmol·L-1 group,while control group was set up,then each group given separately 0.9%NaCl 6 mL·kg-1,PTH 20 μg·kg-1 3 days,Shikonin 0.5 mg·kg-1 day(0.3 μmol·L-1),Shikonin 2 mg·kg-1 day(1.2 μmol·L-1),and 0.9%NaCl 6 mL·kg-1for 3 weeks.ELISA was used to detect Serum type I collagen(CTX),Cathepsin K(Cathepsin K)and oxidative stress related indicators.HE staining was used to detect the changes of bone structure,and dual-energy X-ray scanning was used to detect the changes of bone density(BMD).Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the effect of Shikonin on NF-κB/MAPKs signaling pathway,Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression of RANKL-related proteins and mRNA,and Western blot was used to detect the blocking effect of Shikonin on RANKL/TRAF6.Results 1.2 μmol·L-1 Shikonin had the least damage to cells.Shikonin decreased the number of TRAP positive cells(P<0.05),decreased bone absorption area(P<0.05).and decreased the expression of CTX and Cathepsin K(P<0.05),and in 1.2 μmol·L-1 group decreased more significantly(P<0.05).Shikonin increased rat femur BMD(P<0.05),and increased more significantly in 1.2 μmol·L-1 group(P<0.01).Shikonin reversed the reduction and thinning of bone trabeculae induced by dexamethasone.The expression of SOD and GSH in rats increased(P<0.05),while the expression of MDA decreased(P<0.05).Shikonin inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB pathway related proteins in vitro.Shikonin inhibited the expression of RANK,RANKL,TRAF6,c-fos and NFATc1 protein and mRNA.Moreover,Shikonin blocked the expression of TRAF6.Conclusion Shikonin can ameliorate glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis by inhibiting RANKL/RANK/TRAF6 and its mediated NF-κB/MAPKs signaling pathway and oxidative stress.

Objective: Explore the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) reoccurrence and new-onset ischemic stroke (IS) in patients with nonvalvular AF, and explore whether there is a high-risk period of IS after recurrent episodes of AF. Methods: A nested case-control study design was used. A total of 565 nonvalvular AF patients with new-onset IS after a follow-up of at least 2 years in the China-AF cohort were enrolled as the case group, and 1 693 nonvalvular AF patients without new-onset IS were matched as the control group at a ratio of 1∶3. Frequency and types of recurrent AF in the previous 1 or 2 years were compared between two groups, and the adjusted associations of AF reoccurrence with new onset IS were explored using conditional logistic regression analysis. The proportion of recurrent AF was compared between the case period and control period, and conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate adjusted associations of case-period AF with IS. Results: The nested case-control study design results showed that the proportion of at least one record of recurrent AF in the previous 1 year was higher in the case group than in the control group (72.0% vs. 60.8%, P<0.05), and the recurrent AF was positively correlated with new-onset IS (adjusted OR=1.80, P<0.001). Similar results were also observed in the previous 2 years period. The case-crossover study design analysis showed that among 565 patients with new-onset IS, recurrent AF in the case period was positively correlated with IS (adjusted OR=1.61, P=0.003). Conclusion: Recurrent AF is associated with IS, and there may be a high-risk period of IS after recurrent episodes of AF.
Humans ; Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Cross-Over Studies ; Ischemic Stroke ; China/epidemiology*

Objective: Explore the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) reoccurrence and new-onset ischemic stroke (IS) in patients with nonvalvular AF, and explore whether there is a high-risk period of IS after recurrent episodes of AF. Methods: A nested case-control study design was used. A total of 565 nonvalvular AF patients with new-onset IS after a follow-up of at least 2 years in the China-AF cohort were enrolled as the case group, and 1 693 nonvalvular AF patients without new-onset IS were matched as the control group at a ratio of 1∶3. Frequency and types of recurrent AF in the previous 1 or 2 years were compared between two groups, and the adjusted associations of AF reoccurrence with new onset IS were explored using conditional logistic regression analysis. The proportion of recurrent AF was compared between the case period and control period, and conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate adjusted associations of case-period AF with IS. Results: The nested case-control study design results showed that the proportion of at least one record of recurrent AF in the previous 1 year was higher in the case group than in the control group (72.0% vs. 60.8%, P<0.05), and the recurrent AF was positively correlated with new-onset IS (adjusted OR=1.80, P<0.001). Similar results were also observed in the previous 2 years period. The case-crossover study design analysis showed that among 565 patients with new-onset IS, recurrent AF in the case period was positively correlated with IS (adjusted OR=1.61, P=0.003). Conclusion: Recurrent AF is associated with IS, and there may be a high-risk period of IS after recurrent episodes of AF.
Humans ; Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Cross-Over Studies ; Ischemic Stroke ; China/epidemiology*