1.Machine Learning-Based Computed Tomography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve Predicts Need for Coronary Revascularisation Prior to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Kai Dick David LEUNG ; Pan Pan NG ; Boris Chun Kei CHOW ; Keith Wan Hang CHIU ; Neeraj Ramesh MAHBOOBANI ; Yuet-Wong CHENG ; Eric Chi Yuen WONG ; Alan Ka Chun CHAN ; Augus Shing Fung CHUI ; Michael Kang-Yin LEE ; Jonan Chun Yin LEE
Cardiovascular Imaging Asia 2025;9(1):2-8
Objective:
Patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis are assessed for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with treatment implications. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is the recommended modality but is associated with peri-procedural complications. Integrating machine learning (ML)-based computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) into existing TAVI-planning CT protocol may aid exclusion of significant CAD and thus avoiding ICA in selected patients.
Materials and Methods:
A single-center, retrospective study was conducted, 41 TAVI candidates with both TAVI-planning CT and ICA performed were analyzed. CT datasets were evaluated by a ML-based CT-FFR software. Beta-blocker and nitroglycerin were not administered in these patients. The primary outcome was to identify significant CAD. The diagnostic performance of CT-FFR was compared against ICA.
Results:
On per-patient level, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy were 89%, 94%, 80%, 97% and 93%, respectively. On per-vessel level, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy were 75%, 94%, 67%, 96% and 92%, respectively. The area under the receiver operative characteristics curve per individual coronary vessels yielded overall 0.90 (95% confidence interval 85%–95%). ICA may be avoided in up to 80% of patients if CT-FFR results were negative.
Conclusion
ML-based CT-FFR can provide accurate screening capabilities for significant CAD thus avoiding ICA. Its integration to existing TAVI-planning CT is feasible with the potential of improving the safety and efficiency of pre-TAVI CAD assessment.
2.Research hot points and trend in general practice: an analysis based on papers presentated on annual conferences of Chinese Society of General Practice 2014-2022
Zihan PAN ; Hui PANG ; Xue JIN ; Wenping LI ; Aimei DONG ; Chunhua CHI
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2024;23(12):1292-1298
Objective:To analyze the research hot points and trend of general practice in China.Methods:It was a bibliometric analysis. Research papers presentated on Chinese Society of General Practice from 2014 to 2022 were collected. The distribution and its trend were analysed in terms of titles, submission time, research topics, methods and contents as well as authors′ affilation.Results:A total of 944 research papers were included in the analysis. The results showed a general increasing trend in number of research papers presented on annual conferences from 2014 to 2022 with some fluctuation. The papers covered 28 research dimensions; the highest number of papers was on the development of general practice system, the training and education system for general practitioners, and the construction of information technology (576 papers, 61.0%). The most common topic was on primary health services (230 papers, 24.4%), followed by education and training (225, 23.8%) and chronic disease management (212, 22.5%); while fewer papers were dealing with community-based care (39, 4.1%) and rational medication (7, 0.7%). In terms of the affiliation of the first author, 437 papers (46.3%) were from affiliated hospitals of medical universities/colleges, 223 (23.6%) from community health service institutions, 132 (14.0%) from higher education institutions, 118 (12.5%) from non-affiliated hospitals, and 35 (3.7%) were from administration institutions. In terms of regions, it covered all provinces (municipalities/autonomous regions) (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) with few overseas. Shanghai and Beijing contributed more papers than other regions. In terms of research methodology, most papers used quantitative studies (882, 93.7%), less used qualitative studies (39, 4.1%) or mixed studies (23, 2.4%).Conclusion:The analysis indicates that a wide range of contents are involved in general practice research in China, and more high-quality studies are from medical colleges/universities and their affiliated general hospitals, and most papers use quantitative studies.
3.Pathways for promoting high-quality development in public hospitals through Party building
Jianxin FAN ; Manrong CHI ; Ling WANG ; Deng PAN ; Xiaomin CHEN
Modern Hospital 2024;24(11):1662-1666
Strengthening Party building in public hospitals is a crucial guarantee politically and organizationally for the high-quality development.This study aims at promoting high-quality development in public hospitals.It employs literature analy-sis,research interviews,and questionnaires to access the new situations and requirements of such development.It examines the status of promoting the high-quality development of hospitals through Party building,identifies problems and breakthrough points in work,and explores the four strategic points of focus for Party building in public hospitals.This paper proposes four implemen-tation pathways centered around the keywords"closed-loop Party responsibility system","duties and tasks of the General Party Branch","medical humanities",and"co-construction in Party building".These pathways are intended to provide a fresh and sustainable impetus for the high-quality Party building that drives the high-quality development of public hospitals.
4.Research progress on coloanal anastomosis techniques
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2024;23(6):782-788
Coloanal anastomosis is a surgical procedure in which the colon is connected to the anus after rectal resection, and it can be divided into one-stage immediate anastomosis and two-stage (delayed) coloanal anastomosis. Based on relevant literature and team practices, the authors explore the indications, technical essentials, complications, and functional aspects of both immediate and delayed coloanal anastomosis. When performing coloanal anastomosis, it should make rational choices based on the patient′s indications, condition, and actual technical situation of the surgeon. In sphincter-preserving surgery for low rectal cancer, the success of coloanal anastomosis depends on achieving effective reconstruction that ensures oncological safety, anatomical integrity, and func-tional recovery.
5.Association between auditory processing and problem behaviors in preschool children:the mediating role of executive function
Huan-Xi LIN ; Pan-Ting LIU ; Yu-Ying SUN ; Xin-Yue YU ; Jun QIAN ; Xia CHI ; Qin HONG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(2):174-180
Objective To investigate the association between auditory processing and problem behaviors in preschool children,as well as the mediating role of executive function.Methods A total of 2 342 preschool children were selected from 7 kindergartens in Nanjing,China from June to August 2021.They were evaluated using Preschool Auditory Processing Assessment Scale,Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire,and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Preschool version.Children with different demographic features were compared in the scores and the abnormality rates of auditory processing,problem behaviors,and executive function.The influencing factors of the total scores of auditory processing,problem behaviors,and executive function were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis.Whether executive function was a mediating factor between auditory processing and executive function was examined.Results Sex and grade were the main influencing factors for the total score of auditory processing(P<0.05),and sex,grade,parental education level,and family economic status were the main influencing factors for the total scores of problem behaviors and executive function(P<0.05).The auditory processing score(rs= 0.458,P<0.05)and problem behavior score(rs=0.185,P<0.05)were significantly positively correlated with the executive function score,and the auditory processing score was significantly positively correlated with the problem behavior score(rs=0.423,P<0.05).Executive function played a partial mediating role between auditory processing and problem behaviors,and the mediating effect accounted for 33.44% of the total effect.Conclusions Auditory processing can directly affect the problem behaviors of preschool children and indirectly affect problem behaviors through executive function.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):174-180]
6.Research on the method of setting depth thresholds for second generation sequencing of forensic genetic markers-Taking microhaplotypes as an example
Lin HE ; Kelai KANG ; Yaosen FENG ; Jie ZHAO ; Chi ZHANG ; Wenhua MA ; Kunpeng PAN ; Fan CHEN ; Anquan JI ; Le WANG
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;39(5):559-564
Objective Sequencing depth is a key parameter in next generation sequencing,which is closely related to the accuracy of sequencing results.Forensic biological evidence examination requires extremely high accuracy.It is crucial to scientifically and reasonably set the sequencing depth analysis threshold for forensic next generation sequencing testing.Methods This study used targeted sequencing data of microhaplotypes from 50 samples with known genotypes.By calculating the accuracy,precision,recall,and F1 score of each locus under various threshold conditions,two types of analysis threshold setting methods,which were based on fixed read count and fixed sequencing depth ratio,were studied extensively.Results The results showed that false positives were observed when the analysis threshold was set at 50×or 100×.When the analysis threshold was set at 200×,false negatives were observed.When the analysis threshold was set at 1.5%,3.0%,or 4.5%,false positives were observed.This study further proposed a third type of analysis threshold setting method,which was based on sequencing depth ratio scatter plots.With this method,no false positive or false negative was observed in the results.This article then explored four factors that lead to significant differences in the sequencing depth of forensic next generation sequencing experiments,compared with the analysis threshold setting method for capillary electrophoresis technology,and discussed the correlation between analysis thresholds and the ability to distinguish mixed DNA.Conclusion Employing the sequencing depth ratio scatter plot method to set analysis threshold has significant application value in next generation sequencing-based forensic genetic marker genotyping.
7.The mechanism of Notch signaling pathway in osteoporosis and its prevention and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine
Yuanxun WEI ; Feng CHEN ; Zonghan LIN ; Chi ZHANG ; Chengzhen PAN ; Zongbo WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(4):587-593
BACKGROUND:Recent studies have shown that the Notch signaling pathway plays a varying role in osteoporosis,and in-depth research in this field is of great significance to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.Traditional Chinese medicine has become the focus of research in today's society due to its obvious multi-faceted,multi-level benefits in alleviating osteoporosis with less adverse effects. OBJECTIVE:To analyze and summarize domestic and international literature to further understand the connection between the Notch signaling pathway and osteoporosis and to elucidate the mechanism by which traditional Chinese medicine prevents and treats osteoporosis via the Notch signaling pathway. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,and VIP were searched with the keywords of"Notch,osteoporosis,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,signaling pathway,traditional Chinese medicine,pill,experiment"in Chinese.PubMed,Nature,and Embase were retrieved using the keywords of"Notch,osteoporosis,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,mesenchymal stem cells,signal pathway,traditional Chinese medicine,pill,experiment"in English.The search time was from database inception to October 2022. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Notch signaling pathway plays a role in the development and progression of osteoporosis to varying degrees by regulating the differentiation and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells,osteoblasts and osteoclasts.The Notch signaling pathway regulates the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells,osteoblasts and osteoclasts by directly or indirectly regulating key cytokines such as Notch1,Jagged1,Hes,Hey,macrophage colony-stimulating factor and nuclear factor-κB receptor-activating factor ligand,which in turn promotes or inhibits bone formation and ultimately has a certain effect on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.The active ingredients of Chinese herbs are mostly extracted from herbs for kidney tonifying,such as Epimedium,Cortex Eucommiae,Malaytea Scurfpea Fruit,Eleutherococcus Senticosus,Ligustrum Lucidum.Moreover,herbal compounds and preparations have the effect of tonifying kidney and strengthening bone,which provides more herbal options and directions for the subsequent study of Notch signaling pathway toward the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.Current studies on traditional Chinese medicine mainly focus on active ingredients and single herbal extracts,with relatively few clinical trials on Chinese herbal compounds and preparations.Fewer studies have been conducted on the regulation of Notch signaling pathways by acupuncture,manipulation,and integrated Chinese and Western medicine to prevent and treat osteoporosis.Therefore,there is a need to explore the mechanisms by which traditional Chinese medicine technology-based therapies and integrated Chinese and Western medicine regulate the Notch signaling pathway to treat osteoporosis.
8.Mechanism by which terpenoid herbal monomers prevent osteoporosis by regulating nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway
Chengzhen PAN ; Feng CHEN ; Zonghan LIN ; Jian MO ; Chi ZHANG ; Yuanxun WEI ; Zongbo WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(14):2234-2241
BACKGROUND:The nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.In recent years,increasing studies have shown that terpenoid herbal monomer compounds can inhibit the activity of bone resorbing cells and promote the differentiation of bone forming cells via the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway,thus reducing bone resorption and increasing bone formation,which has certain preventive and therapeutic effects on osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:By analyzing and summarizing the domestic and international literature,to investigate the relationship between nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and osteoporosis in depth,elucidate the mechanism of terpenoid monomer compounds in regulating the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway to prevent osteoporosis,and systematically summarize the terpenoid monomer compounds targeting to regulate the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway to prevent osteoporosis. METHODS:According to the proposed inclusion and exclusion criteria,two researchers searched for relevant articles published from database inception to December 2022 in CNKI and PubMed using the search terms"NF-κB,osteoporosis,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,angiogenesis,traditional Chinese medicine,terpenoid"in Chinese and English,respectively.A third researcher summarized and organized the literature and 75 articles were finally included for a systematic review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway mediates the onset and progression of osteoporosis by regulating the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts,as well as angiogenesis.Activation of the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway negatively regulates the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.Activation of the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway enhances osteoclast activity and inhibits osteoblast growth,thereby inhibiting compensatory bone production to maintain bone homeostasis.However,over-activation of the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway can lead to osteoporosis.The nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway is involved in the"angiogenesis-osteogenesis"coupling by upregulating the expression levels of cytokines such as angiopoietin-1,platelet-derived growth factor BB and vascular endothelial growth factor,which promote the growth of blood vessels in bone.The terpenoid herbal monomer compounds are used in the field of tissue engineering to promote the proliferation and differentiation of bone cells,thereby promoting the growth and repair of bone tissue.Terpenoid herbal monomer compounds can prevent and treat osteoporosis by inhibiting the degradation of nuclear factor-κB inhibitor,blocking nuclear factor-κB/p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation,thereby weakening the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway,promoting osteoblast differentiation and inhibiting osteoclast formation.Currently,research on the regulation of nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway by monomeric compounds of terpenoids to prevent osteoporosis is mainly based on in vitro cellular experiments and animal models,and there is a lack of research on the complex physiological and pathological processes in humans.In the future,more clinical trials and studies are needed to further clarify the mechanism of action and efficacy of the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway involved in the intervention of osteoporosis.
9.Application and diagnostic value of low dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs in chest trauma
Wei PAN ; Xiaodong WEI ; Baoan CHI ; Xutao FANG ; Cui LI
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(1):55-58
Objective:To explore the application and diagnostic value of low-dose scan technique of chest computed tomography(CT)combined with three dimensional(3D)reconstruction for ribs in chest trauma.Methods:A total of 118 patients with highly suspected rib fracture who admitted to the 904th Hospital of People's Liberation Army Joint Service Support Force were selected,and all cases underwent low-dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs.The image qualities of chest CT scans with different low-doses combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs were analyzed,and the diagnostic accuracies among low dose scan technique of chest CT,3D reconstruction for ribs and the combination of them for chest trauma were compared.Results:Both the sharpness and clarity of the edges of the bronchi,blood vessels,lung parenchyma,interlobular septum,mediastinum and ribs were poorer,and the artifacts of soft tissue were more and the noise were more when the tube current of CT scan was 50 Ma.Both the sharpness and clarity of the edges of the bronchi,blood vessels,lung parenchyma,interlobular septum,mediastinum and ribs were general,and a part of soft tissues existed artifacts and the noise amounts were less when the tube current of CT scan was 70 Ma,which did not affect the diagnosis.The radiation dose as 50 mA was significantly higher than that as 70 mA,with a statistically significant difference(t=10.969,P<0.05).In 118 patients with chest trauma,the examination of low-dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs indicated that there were 112 cases of rib fractures and 7 cases of costal cartilage fractures.In the examined 388 fractures of rib and costal cartilage,355 fractures(91.49%)were rib fractures and 33 fractures(8.51%)were costal cartilage fractures.In 118 patients with chest trauma,76 cases(64.41%)complicated with pulmonary contusions and lacerations,and 41 cases(35.75%)complicated with pleural effusion,and 10 cases(8.47%)complicated with thoracic vertebral fractures,and 6 cases(5.08%)complicated with splenic contusions and lacerations,and 5 cases(4.24%)complicated with mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysemas.The most direct imaging sign of rib fracture was visible and transparent low-density shadow.Chest CT scan can generally better display dislocation of the fractured end.The 3D reconstruction image showed a visibly line-like shadow on one side of rib if only one side of ribs fractured and the other side was intact.A total of 395 rib and costal cartilage fractures were confirmed by 3D reconstruction,which included 363 rib fractures(91.90%)and 32 costal cartilage fractures(8.10%).A total of 410 rib and costal cartilage fractures were confirmed by low-dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs,which included 375 rib fractures(91.46%)and 35 costal cartilage fractures(8.54%).In the comparison of 418 rib injuries that were confirmed during surgery,the accuracy of low-dose scan technique of chest CT was 92.82%(388/418)in diagnosing rib and costal cartilage fractures,and the accuracy of 3D reconstruction for ribs was 94.50%(395/418)in diagnosing that,and the accuracy of low-dose scan technique of chest CT combined with 3D reconstruction for ribs was 95.69%(410/418)in diagnosing that.There was a significant difference in accuracy among the three types of examinations(x2=13.062,P<0.05).Conclusion:Low dose scan technique of chest CT combines with 3D reconstruction for ribs can be used in the diagnosis of chest trauma,which has higher accuracy and can provide reliable imaging information for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
10.The Genetic Polymorphism and Structural Analysis of 47 Microhaplotypes in a Jiangsu Changshu Chinese Han Population
Kun-Peng PAN ; Yao-Sen FENG ; Wen-Shuai YU ; Zong-Wei LIU ; Yi-Ren YAO ; Jie ZHAO ; Ke-Lai KANG ; Chi ZHANG ; Le WANG ; Jian WU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(2):423-434
ObjectiveTo investigate the genetic polymorphism and structure of 47 autosomal microhaplotypes in the Han population in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province, and to evaluate the forensic efficiencies and forensic parameters. MethodsThe DNA library of unrelated individual samples was prepared according to MHSeqTyper47 kit manual and sequenced on the MiSeq FGx platform. Microhaplotype genotyping and sequencing depth statistics were processed using MHTyper. The genetic information of samples was then evaluated. The fixation index and genetic distance between the Jiangsu Changshu population and the reference populations in the 1000 Genomes Project phase 3 (1KG) were calculated, and forensic parameters were evaluated. ResultsThe fixation index and genetic distance between the Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu, and the CHB (Han Chinese in Beijing, China) reference population in 1KG were the lowest. The effective allele number (Ae) of each locus is also the closest between the two populations. The combined matching probability (CMP) of the Changshu Han population is close to the 5 populations of the East Asian reference super-population in 1KG, which is 1.25×10-36, and the combined probability of exclusion reached 0.999 999 999 964 1. ConclusionThis study reported the genetic polymorphism and allele frequency of 47 microhaplotypes in a Han population in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province. This information provides a data basis for 47 microhaplotypes in forensic applications. In addition, the polymorphism differences between the 1KG reference population and the Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu were compared, and the genetic structure of 47 microhaplotypes in the Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu was revealed. In general, the reference data of the East Asian super-population in 1KG is more in line with the genetic characteristics of Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail