BACKGROUND: Valvular heart disease (VHD) has become increasingly common with the aging in China. This study aimed to evaluate regional differences in the clinical features, management strategies, and outcomes of patients with VHD across different regions in China. METHODS: Data were collected from the China-VHD Study. From April 2018 to June 2018, 12,347 patients who presented with moderate or severe native VHD with a median of 2 years of follow-up from 46 centers at certified tertiary hospitals across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in Chinese mainland were included in this study. According to the locations of the research centers, patients were divided into five regional groups: eastern, southern, western, northern, and central China. The clinical features of VHD patients were compared among the five geographical regions. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the cumulative incidence rate. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients (mean age, 61.96 years; 6877 [55.70%] male), multiple VHD was the most frequent type (4042, 32.74%), which was mainly found in eastern China, followed by isolated mitral regurgitation (3044, 24.65%), which was mainly found in northern China. The etiology of VHD varied significantly across different regions of China. The overall rate of valve interventions was 32.67% (4008/12,268), with the highest rate in southern China at 48.46% (205/423). In terms of procedure, the proportion of transcatheter valve intervention was relatively low compared to that of surgical treatment. Patients with VHD in western China had the highest incidence of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Valve intervention significantly improved the outcome of patients with VHD in all five regions (all P  <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that patients with VHD in China are characterized by significant geographic disparities in clinical features, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Targeted efforts are needed to improve the management and prognosis of patients with VHD in China according to differences in geographical characteristics. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03484806.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Heart Valve Diseases/therapy* ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: To construct a Z-score regression model for coronary artery diameter based on echocardiographic data from children in Sichuan Province and to establish a Z-score calculation formula. METHODS: A total of 744 healthy children who underwent physical examinations at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the modeling group, while 251 children diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at the same hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 were selected as the validation group. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the relationships between coronary artery diameter values and age, height, weight, and body surface area. A regression model was constructed using function transformation to identify the optimal regression model and establish the Z-score calculation formula, which was then validated. RESULTS: The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficients for the diameters of the left main coronary artery, left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery with body surface area were 0.815, 0.793, 0.704, and 0.802, respectively (P<0.05). Among the constructed regression models, the power function regression model demonstrated the best performance and was therefore chosen as the optimal model for establishing the Z-score calculation formula. Based on this Z-score calculation formula, the detection rate of coronary artery lesions was found to be 21.5% (54/251), which was higher than the detection rate based on absolute values of coronary artery diameter. Notably, in the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries, the detection rate of coronary artery lesions using this Z-score calculation formula was higher than that of previous classic Z-score calculation formulas. CONCLUSIONS The Z-score calculation formula established based on the power function regression model has a higher detection rate for coronary artery lesions, providing a strong reference for clinicians, particularly in assessing coronary artery lesions in children with Kawasaki disease.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Coronary Artery Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; Infant ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Regression Analysis ; Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging* ; Echocardiography ; Adolescent

BACKGROUND: Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD. METHODS & RESULTS: The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology. CONCLUSION The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.

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OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic genes associated with lysosome-dependent cell death (LDCD) in patients with gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using The Cancer Genome Atlas - Stomach Adenocarcinoma. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify the key module genes associated with LDCD score. Candidate genes were identified by DEGs and key module genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for the selection of prognostic genes, and risk module was established. Subsequently, key cells were identified in the single-cell dataset (GSE183904), and prognostic gene expression was analyzed. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the wound healing assay. RESULTS: A total of 4,465 DEGs, 95 candidate genes, and 4 prognostic genes, including C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18, were identified in the analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated the excellent predictive power of the risk model. Three key cell types (B cells, chief cells, and endothelial/pericyte cells) were identified in the GSE183904 dataset. C19orf59 and TNFAIP2 exhibited predominant expression in macrophage species, whereas TNFAIP2 evolved over time in endothelial/pericyte cells and chief cells. Functional experiments confirmed that interfering with C19orf59 inhibited proliferation and migration in GC cells. CONCLUSION C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18 are prognostic genes associated with LDCD in GC. Furthermore, the risk model established in this study showed robust predictive power.
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Lysosomes/physiology* ; RNA-Seq ; Cell Death ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Cell Proliferation ; Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis

Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of vancomycin for preventing infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 124 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA between February 2024 and May 2024 at nine hospitals were enrolled. Preoperative infection prophylaxis involved either IORA (0.5 g vancomycin administered via intraosseous regional infusion before incision) or intravenous infusion (1 g vancomycin via peripheral vein). The IORA group included 15 males and 47 females with a median age of 66.5 years (range, 60.0-70.0 years), while the intravenous group included 14 males and 48 females with a median age of 66.0 years (range, 61.8-70.3 years) years. Intraoperative samples were collected including fat and synovium tissues after incision, before prosthesis placement, and after tourniquet release; distal femoral cancellous bone during femoral osteotomy; proximal tibial cancellous bone during tibial osteotomy; proximal intercondylar cancellous bone before prosthesis placement; and peripheral blood from non-infused arms at surgery initiation and after tourniquet release. Vancomycin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Vital sign changes were recorded from admission to 5~10 minutes post-IORA (IORA group) or post-incision (intravenous group). Follow-ups were conducted on postoperative day 1 and 3, and at 1 and 3 months, to document complications including IORA-related adverse events, periprosthetic joint infections, surgical site infections, red man syndrome, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis and so on.Results:Vancomycin concentrations in bone, fat, and synovial tissue samples were significantly higher in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05), while vancomycin concentrations in blood samples were significantly lower in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05). Only 7.3%(41/558) of tissue samples in the IORA group had vancomycin concentrations below 2.0 μg/g (the minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin against coagulase-negative staphylococcus), compared to 59.3%(331/558) in the intravenous group (χ 2=11.285, P<0.001). In the intravenous group, 16.9%(21/124) of blood samples had vancomycin concentrations exceeding 15.0 mg/L (the threshold associated with a significantly increased risk of nephrotoxicity), while all concentrations in the IORA group were below this threshold, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.943, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in vital signs changes before and after vancomycin administration between the two groups. Two patients in the intravenous group experienced incision exudate, while no other related complications occurred in either group. Conclusions:Compared to the traditional intravenous infusion of 1 g vancomycin, intraosseous injection of a low dose (0.5 g) of vancomycin achieves higher local tissue concentrations in the knee joint with a lower incidence of adverse reactions and is safe for infection prophylaxis. Despite guidelines not recommending the routine use of vancomycin for preventing infection after primary TKA, intraosseous injection of 0.5 g vancomycin may be considered intraoperatively for primary TKA in the following scenarios: patients in medical institutions with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, patients with potential preoperative MRSA colonization, or patients with cephalosporin allergy.

Objective To investigate the predictive efficacy of serum nucleotide-binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),cystatin C(CysC)and Neuritin in postoperative neurological function recov-ery in patients with spinal fracture complicated with spinal cord nerve injury(SCI).Methods A total of 107 patients with spinal fracture complicated with SCI from July 2021 to July 2023 were selected and followed up for 6 months after treatment.They were divided into good recovery group(76 cases)and poor recovery group(31 cases)according to postoperative neurological function recovery.The clinical data,serum NLRP3,CysC and Neuritin levels of the two groups were compared,and the correlation of serum NLRP3,CysC,Neuritin and Frankel grades and their effects on postoperative neurological function recovery were analyzed.The predictive efficacy of serum NLRP3,CysC and Neuritin on postoperative neurological recovery was evaluated.Results There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in the proportion of time from injury to hormone drug use ≥8 h,vertebral canal encroachation rate≥50％and Frankel grade(P＜0.05).The levels of NLRP3,CysC and Neuritin in poor recovery group were higher than those in good recovery group(P＜0.05).Serum NLRP3,CysC and Neuritin levels were gradually decreased in Frankel grade A,B,C and D patients(P＜0.05).Serum NLRP3,CysC and Neuritin were negatively correlated with Frankel grades(P＜0.05).Serum NLRP3,CysC and Neuritin were independent risk factors for postoperative neurological function recovery in patients with spinal fracture complicated with SCI(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)predicted by serum NLRP3,CysC and Neuritin was 0.813,0.774 and 0.757,the sensitivity was 74.19％,77.42％and 70.97％,and the specificity was 82.89％,68.42％and 81.58％,respectively.The AUC of the combined prediction of the three indexes was 0.927,the sensitivity was 83.87％,and the specificity was 85.53％,and the prediction value was significantly higher than that predicted by each index alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion Serum NLRP3,CysC and Neuritin are independent risk factors for postoperative neurological function recovery in patients with spinal fracture complicated with SCI,and their combined predictive value is relatively reliable.

Objective:To observe the expression level of long noncoding RNA RP11-97C16.1 in bladder cancer tissues and its relationship with the survival time of bladder cancer patients, and to explore the role and potential molecular mechanism of RP11-97C16.1 in the proliferation of bladder cancer cells.Methods:The expression difference of RP11-97C16.1 in bladder cancer tissue and adjacent tissue was analyzed by TCGA database, and the relationship between the expression level of RP11-97C16.1 and the survival time of bladder cancer patients was analyzed by GEPIA database. The expression of RP11-97C16.1 in four bladder cancer cell lines (T24, MGH-U3, J82, UM-UC-3) was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The UM-UC-3 cells were divided into RP11-97C16.1 group and control group, and the transfectants were pcDNA-RP11-97C16.1 plasmid and negative control plasmid, respectively. The expression levels of RP11-97C16.1 and miR-3687 were detected by RT-qPCR. The viability and proliferation ability of UM-UC-3 cells were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and colony formation assay. The complementary relationship between RP11-97C16.1 and miR-3687 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The expression levels of Cyclin E2, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6 and Cyclin D2 were detected by Western blotting. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), independent sample t-test was used for comparison between two groups, and one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups. Results:Compared with adjacent tissues, the expression of RP11-97C16.1 in bladder cancer tissues was significantly decreased ( P<0.01). Compared with patients with lower expression of RP11-97C16.1, patients with higher expression of RP11-97C16.1 had longer overall survival time ( P<0.01). Compared with the SV-HUC-1 cell line, the expression of RP11-97C16.1 was significantly decreased in the four bladder cancer cell lines ( P<0.01). In UM-UC-3 cells in which RP11-97C16.1 was upregulated, the expression of miR-3687 was decreased ( P<0.01). Compared with the control group, up-regulation of RP11-97C16.1 could significantly reduce the proliferation ability of UM-UC-3 cells ( P<0.05), and decrease the number of bladder cancer cell colonies ( P<0.01). RP11-97C16.1 could target and bind miR-3687 ( P<0.01). Compared with the control group, overexpression of RP11-97C16.1 could significantly decreased the expression of Cyclin E2, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, and Cyclin D2 proteins. Conclusions:The expression of RP11-97C16.1 is low in bladder cancer tissue, and patients with higher expression of RP11-97C16.1 have a longer survival time. Up-regulation of RP11-97C16.1 can down-regulate the expression of miR-3687, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of bladder cancer cells UM-UC-3.

Objective:To analyze the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery and to identify risk factors associated with SSI in an attempt to provide a reference for clinical prevention strategies.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from a total of 2,248 patients who underwent surgery for pathologically confirmed CRC between 2017 and 2022 at two centers: Huangshan Shoukang Hospital ( n=649) and Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital ( n=1 599). Inclusion criteria consisted of the following: (1) age >18 years; (2) pathologically confirmed CRC treated with curative resection, including extended resections (e.g. pelvic exenteration); (3) no surgical incisions other than abdominal or perineal; and (4) no use of prosthetic implants. The incidence of SSI was analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent its risk factors. Results:A total of 121 patients (5.4%) developed SSI. Among them, 68 cases (56.2%) were organ/space infections, 35 cases (28.9%) were deep incisional infections, and 18 cases (14.9%) were superficial incisional infections. The median postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with SSI compared to those without (21.0 days vs. 13.0 days, U=65,754, P<0.001). The median hospitalization cost was also significantly higher in the SSI group (56,550 yuan vs. 43,645 yuan, U=72,008, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified body mass index (BMI) ≤ 20 kg/m 2 (OR=4.25, 95%CI: 3.38-5.34, P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR=3.44, 95%CI: 1.89-6.24, P<0.001), open surgery (OR=4.23, 95%CI: 2.37-7.56, P<0.001), and colostomy or ileostomy (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.04-2.69, P=0.034) as independent risk factors for SSI. Conclusion:To prevent SSI following CRC surgery, attention should be given to optimizing body weight and glycemic control, promoting minimally invasive surgical approaches when feasible, and cautiously considering the necessity of colostomy or ileostomy.

Objective:To analyze the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery and to identify risk factors associated with SSI in an attempt to provide a reference for clinical prevention strategies.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from a total of 2,248 patients who underwent surgery for pathologically confirmed CRC between 2017 and 2022 at two centers: Huangshan Shoukang Hospital ( n=649) and Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital ( n=1 599). Inclusion criteria consisted of the following: (1) age >18 years; (2) pathologically confirmed CRC treated with curative resection, including extended resections (e.g. pelvic exenteration); (3) no surgical incisions other than abdominal or perineal; and (4) no use of prosthetic implants. The incidence of SSI was analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent its risk factors. Results:A total of 121 patients (5.4%) developed SSI. Among them, 68 cases (56.2%) were organ/space infections, 35 cases (28.9%) were deep incisional infections, and 18 cases (14.9%) were superficial incisional infections. The median postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with SSI compared to those without (21.0 days vs. 13.0 days, U=65,754, P<0.001). The median hospitalization cost was also significantly higher in the SSI group (56,550 yuan vs. 43,645 yuan, U=72,008, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified body mass index (BMI) ≤ 20 kg/m 2 (OR=4.25, 95%CI: 3.38-5.34, P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR=3.44, 95%CI: 1.89-6.24, P<0.001), open surgery (OR=4.23, 95%CI: 2.37-7.56, P<0.001), and colostomy or ileostomy (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.04-2.69, P=0.034) as independent risk factors for SSI. Conclusion:To prevent SSI following CRC surgery, attention should be given to optimizing body weight and glycemic control, promoting minimally invasive surgical approaches when feasible, and cautiously considering the necessity of colostomy or ileostomy.