Objective To investigate the relationship of changes in serum chromogranin A(CgA)and heat shock transcription factor 1(HSF1)levels with cardiac remodeling and myocardial injury in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods A total of 165 elderly CHF patients admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to May 2022 were selected as the disease group,and according to NYHA classification,they were divided into Class Ⅰ(28 patients),Ⅱ(29 patients),Ⅲ(65 patients)and Ⅳ(43 patients)subgroups.Another 80 healthy individuals taking physical examination in our hospital during the same period were enrolled as the control group.The serum CgA and HSF1 levels were detected,and the indicators of cardiac remodeling and myo-cardial injury were collected at admission in the two groups.The correlation of serum CgA and HSF1 levels with cardiac remodeling and myocardial injury was determined with Pearson correla-tion analysis.During 1 year's follow-up,6 cases were lost,and the left 159 patients were divided into MACE group(51 cases)and non-MACE group(108 cases)according to whether MACE occurred.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the influen-cing factors of MACE,and ROC curve was plotted to analyze the predictive value of serum CgA and HSF1 levels for MACE.Results The disease group had significantly higher left ventricular mass index(LVMI),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),serum levels of CgA,cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ),creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide precursor(NT-proBNP),and obviously lower HSF1 level and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)when compared with the control group(P＜0.01).Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum CgA level was negatively correlated with LVEF and positively with LVMI,LVESV,LVPWT,and serum levels of cTnⅠ,CK-MB and NT-proBNP(P＜0.01);serum HSF1 level was positively correlated with LVEF and negatively with LVMI,LVESV,LVPWT,and serum cTnⅠ,CK-MB and NT-proBNP levels(P＜0.01).Multi-variate logistic regression analysis showed that CgA,HSF1,LVEF,LVMI,LVESV,LVPWT and cTnⅠ were influencing factors for MACE in elderly CHF patients(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis indicated that the cut-off value of CgA was 387.55 μg/L,the sensitivity was 74.51％,the specificity was 71.30％,and the AUC value was 0.802(95％CI:0.751-0.855);the cut-off value of HSF1 was 2.34 ng/L,the sensitivity was 74.51％,the specificity was 69.44％,and the AUC value was 0.760(95％CI:0.707-0.812).Conclusion In elderly CHF patients,serum levels of CgA and HSF1 are closely associated with cardiac remodeling and myocardial injury,and the two indicators can be used as prognostic indicators for MACE.

OBJECTIVES: Heparin is mainly used as an anticoagulant in clinic, and it also has a certain anti-inflammatory effect. At present, after portal vein islet transplantation in diabetic patients, heparin is mainly infused through the peripheral veins of the limbs to achieve the purpose of anticoagulation and protection of the graft, rather than through the portal vein. In this study, animal experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of heparin infusion via the portal vein and marginal ear vein on the instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) after portal vein islet transplantation, which is the choice of anticoagulation methods for clinical islet transplantation to provide a basis for decision-making. METHODS: A total of 50 neonatal pigs (Xeno-1 type, 3-5 days) were selected. Islets were isolated and purified from the pancreas of neonatal pigs. Ten non-diabetic Landrace pigs (1.5-2.0 months) served as recipients, and 12 000 IEQ/kg neonatal porcine islets were transplanted into the liver through the portal vein. All recipients received bolus injection of 50 U/kg of heparin 10 minutes before transplantation. After the bolus injection of heparin, the experimental group received heparin via the portal vein [10 U/(kg·h), 5 recipients], and the control group received heparin via the marginal ear vein [10 U/(kg·h), 5 recipients]. The superior vena cava blood was collected from the 2 groups pre-operation at 1, 3, 24 h post-operation of the transplantation. The portal vein blood was collected from the experimental group at 1 and 3 h after the transplantation as well. The levels of complement C3a, C5a, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), β-thromboglobulin (β-TG), and D-dimer as well as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in superior vena cava blood from 1 and 3 h post-transplantation were detected in the 2 groups, and the levels of anti-Xa and anti-IIa in the portal vein and superior vena cava blood from 1 and 3 h post-transplantation in the experimental group were detected. Twenty four hours after the transplantation, the liver tissues in the 2 groups were collected for pathological examination to observe the inflammatory cell infiltration and peripheral thrombosis around the islets graft in liver. RESULTS: Before transplantation, there was no statistically significant difference in C3a, C5a, TAT, β-TG, D-dimer levels and APTT between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). At 1 and 3 h after transplantation, the C3a, TAT, and D-dimer levels in the experimental group were significant decreased than those in the control groups (all P<0.05), and at 3 h after transplantation the C5a was significant decreased than that in the control group (P<0.05). At 1 and 3 h after transplantation, the anti-Xa and anti-IIa levels in the portal vein blood were significantly increased than those in the superior vena cava blood in the experimental group (all P<0.05). Pathological results showed the presence of islet cell clusters in the liver blood vessels. The thrombus formation and neutrophil infiltration around islet graft was not obvious in the experimental group, while massive thrombus formation and neutrophil infiltration in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Compared with marginal ear vein infusion of heparin, the direct infusion of heparin in the portal vein has a certain inhibitory effect on complement system, coagulation system activation and inflammatory cell infiltration in portal vein islet transplantation, which may attenuate the occurrence of IBMIR.
Animals ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use* ; Heparin/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Islets of Langerhans/pathology* ; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation/physiology* ; Portal Vein ; Swine ; Vena Cava, Superior

The feasibility and safety of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) using a minimal/zero-fluoroscopy approach have recently been reported. This approach helps to reduce ionizing radiation exposure and orthopedic complications resulting from using lead aprons. The objectives of this planned prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) (paroxysmal AF (PAF)-ICE trial; ChiCTR2000033624) are to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICE-guided minimal-fluoroscopy ablation in patients with PAF and the impact on occupational hazards among lab staff.Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 2 groups: minimal fluoroscopy group ( n = 216) and traditional approach group ( n = 216). In the minimal fluoroscopy group, an ICE catheter will be used for geometry/anatomic construction, transseptal puncture, catheter tracking, and effusion monitoring. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) will be performed using an open-irrigated radiofrequency SmartTouch Surround Flow or SmartTouch catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, California, USA), and confirmed by a multipolar Lasso or PentaRay catheter (Biosense Webster). In the traditional approach group, an ICE catheter will not be used. Transseptal puncture will be performed under fluoroscopic guidance, with all geometries constructed by mapping the catheters. The primary efficacy endpoint is freedom from AF recurrence (without antiarrhythmic medications) at 12 months after ablation. Other endpoints include duration of lead apron use, measures of intra-procedural efficiency, and peri-procedural complications. This RCT will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICE-guided minimal-fluoroscopy ablation in patients with PAF, also evaluate the benefits to lab staff (regarding reducing occupational hazards) related to this "minimal/zero-fluoroscopy" and "leadless" mode.

The feasibility and safety of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) using a minimal/zero-fluoroscopy approach have recently been reported. This approach helps to reduce ionizing radiation exposure and orthopedic complications resulting from using lead aprons. The objectives of this planned prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) (paroxysmal AF (PAF)-ICE trial; ChiCTR2000033624) are to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICE-guided minimal-fluoroscopy ablation in patients with PAF and the impact on occupational hazards among lab staff.Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 2 groups: minimal fluoroscopy group ( n = 216) and traditional approach group ( n = 216). In the minimal fluoroscopy group, an ICE catheter will be used for geometry/anatomic construction, transseptal puncture, catheter tracking, and effusion monitoring. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) will be performed using an open-irrigated radiofrequency SmartTouch Surround Flow or SmartTouch catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, California, USA), and confirmed by a multipolar Lasso or PentaRay catheter (Biosense Webster). In the traditional approach group, an ICE catheter will not be used. Transseptal puncture will be performed under fluoroscopic guidance, with all geometries constructed by mapping the catheters. The primary efficacy endpoint is freedom from AF recurrence (without antiarrhythmic medications) at 12 months after ablation. Other endpoints include duration of lead apron use, measures of intra-procedural efficiency, and peri-procedural complications. This RCT will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICE-guided minimal-fluoroscopy ablation in patients with PAF, also evaluate the benefits to lab staff (regarding reducing occupational hazards) related to this "minimal/zero-fluoroscopy" and "leadless" mode.

Objective:To evaluate correlation between left ventricular mechanical contraction synchrony and left ventricular systolic function by gated myocardial perfusion imaging(GMPI) using Cadmium-Zine-Telluride (CZT) SPECT.Methods:Three hundred and forty three consecutive patients( 232 males, 111 females, age (60.08±12.88) years) who underwent CZT SPECT GMPI in Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital between January and August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The Emory cardiac toolbox was used to process the imaging data, and the left ventricular systolic synchrony parameters and systolic function parameters were acquired, including peak phase(PP), phase standard deviation (PSD), phase histogram bandwidth(PHB), histogram skewness(HS), histogram kurtosis(HK), and end-diastolic volume( EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), left ventrieular ejection fraction (LVEF). All patients were divided into 4 groups: the normal group (147 cases), ischemic cardiomyopathy group (114 cases), nonischemic cardiomyopathy without left bundle branch block (LBBB) group(50 cases)and nonischemic cardiomyopathy with LBBB group(32 cases). The relationship between systolic synchrony parameters and systolic function parameters were analyzed with Pearson correlation analysis.Results:Statistic results for all patients showed that PSD and PHB were well correlated with LVEF( r values: -0.790, -0.799, both P<0.01), but PP was poorly correlated with LVEF( r=-0.194, P<0.01); HS, HK were positively correlated with LVEF( r values: 0.767, 0.676, both P<0.01); PSD, PHB were positively correlated with ESV( r values: 0.778, 0.795, both P<0.01) and EDV ( r values: 0.722, 0.732, both P<0.01); but PP was poorly correlated with ESV( r=0.145, P<0.01) and not correlated with EDV ( r=0.095, P>0.01). HS, HK were negatively correlated with EDV and ESV ( r values: -0.700 to -0.580, all P<0.01). PSD and PHB showed negatively correlation with LVEF ( r values: -0.834 to -0.492, all P<0.01), while HS, HK showed positive correlation with LVEF ( r values: 0.243-0.792, all P<0.01) in normal group, the ischemic cardiomyopathy group, the nonischemic cardiomyopathy without LBBB group and the nonischemic cardiomyopathy with LBBB group. Conclusions:The left ventricular systolic synchrony parameters provided by CZT SPECT GMPI correlate well with the left ventricular systolic function parameters, and the worse systolic function, the worse systolic synchrony. Both ischemic cardiomyopathy and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy can affect left ventricular mechanical contraction synchrony, and the effect on contraction synchrony in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients with LBBB is greater.

To establish a three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) of the neck, to analyze the differences in neck biomechanics between patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and healthy subject and to provide biomechanics basis for the pathogenesis of CSM.
 Methods: A patient with CSM was enrolled in a mechanical simulation experiment. Three-dimensional CT scan was performed, and three-dimensional FEM of the neck was constructed. A heathy subject was selected as a control according to the patient's age, gender, height, and weight. Three-dimensional FEM was used to compare the stress differences in the vertebral body, intervertebral disc, ligament and spinal cord under the normal stress of the cervical spine and the maximum stress of the posterior reclining motion.
 Results: Successfully constructed FEM model of CSM patient and control, and performed mechanical analysis, the most obvious difference in cervical vertebral body force was at C5-C6 segment in CSM patients. The maximum stress site of control and patient was at the anterior edge of the vertebral body. The maximum stress of the vertebral body in the CSM patient was less than that of the control. The stress distribution of the intervertebral disc was irregular in the CSM patient, and the maximum stress was concentrated on both sides of the posterior edge of the intervertebral disc. The stress distribution of the ligaments of the CSM patient was uneven. The maximum stress was in the posterior longitudinal ligament. The range of neck movement in extension of the CSM patient was restricted.
 Conclusion: Compared with the healthy subject, the balance of the vertebral body, intervertebral disc, ligament and limited range of motion of the CSM patient has been changed, which may be related to the mechanical pathogenesis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Spinal Cord Diseases

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the efficacy of α-lipoic acid versus epalrestat in the treatment of diabetic pe-ripheral neuropathy(DPN),and provide evidence-based reference for clinic. METHODS:Retrieved from CJFD,CBM,VIP,Wan-fang Database and PubMed,randomized controlled trials(RCT)about α-lipoic acid versus epalrestat in the treatment of DPN were collected,and the study was screened by inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.3 soft-ware after data extraction and quality evaluation by Cochrane software. RESULTS:Totally 6 RCTs were enrolled,involving 408 pa-tients. Results of Meta-analysis showed,compared with epalrestat,there were no significant differences in the total effective rate [RR=0.98,95%Cl(0.84,1.15),P=0.81],motor nerve conduction velocity [median nerve:MD=1.02,95%Cl(-1.10,3.14),P=0.34;common peroneal nerve:MD=0.23,95%Cl(-1.11,1.58),P=0.73] and sensory nerve conduction velocity [median nerve:MD=1.10,95%Cl(-0.39,2.59),P=0.15;common peroneal nerve:MD=0.95,95%Cl(-1.47,3.36),P=0.44] in α-lipoic acid group. CONCLUSIONS:The efficacy of α-lipoic acid is similar to epalrestat in the treatment of DPN,as well as the motor nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity of median nerve or common peroneal nerve.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the therapeutic efficacy and safety of modified Taohong siwu decoction in adjuvant therapy of traumatic fracture,and to provide evidence-based reference in clinic.METHODS:Retrieved from CJFD,CBM,Wanfang database and PubMed,related studies about fracture restitution combined with modified Taohong siwu decoction (trial group) vs.fracture restitution alone (control group) in the treatment of traumatic fracture were collected.Meta-analysis was conducted by using Rev Man 5.3 statistical software after data extraction and quality evaluation according to Cochrane systematic review.RESULTS:A total of 6 RCTs and 3 clinical control trials were included,involving 929 patients.Meta-analysis showed that clinical total response rate [RR =1.35,95 ％ Cl (1.24,1.47),P ＜ 0.001] and the incidence of gastrointestinal ADR [RR =5.59,95 ％ Cl (1.30,24.14),P=0.02] in trial group were significantly higher than control group;symptom and sign score [MD =-5.50,95 ％ Cl(-6.45,-4.54),P＜0.001],erythrocyte sedimentation [MD=-13.78,95％ Cl(-15.97,-11.60),P＜0.01],whole blood viscosity [MD=-1.03,95％Cl(-1.11,-0.95),P＜0.001],plasma viscosity [MD=-0.24,95％Cl(-0.27,-0.21),P＜0.01],hematocrit [MD=-12.12,95％Cl(-13.37,-10.86),P＜0.01] and erythrocyte electrophoresis time [MD=-7.12,95％Cl(-7.88,-6.35),P＜ 0.01] of trial group were significantly lower than those of control group,with statistical significance.CONCLUSIONS:For adjunctive therapy of traumatic fracture,modified Taohong siwu decoction can improve clinical efficacy,reduce the inflammatory reaction, improve blood rheology but aggravate gastrointestinal reaction.

Objective To explore the possibility of anterior open reduction and internal fixation to treat the lower cervical irreducible dislocation. Methods 15 cases of lower cervical irreducible dislocation were treated by the anterior open reduction and internal fixation, 11 cases were male and 4 cases were female, 10 cases were unilateral facet locked and 5 eases were bilateral facet locked which were confirmed by the MRI and CT scan. All the cases were failed to the skull traction before operation and received anterior open reduction and plate fixation, and interver-tebral fusion. All the cases were followed up, the recovery of neurological function and the fusion rate were evaluated. Results 15 cases were completely reduction and none of them got a worse neurological function. Conclusion The treatment effect of anterior open reduction and fixation for the lower cervical irreducible dislocation were good.

Objective To compare efficacy of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) and rubber band ligation (RBL) in treatment of Ⅲ degree internal hemorrhoids.Methods One hundred patients with Ⅲ degree internal hemorrhoids were randomly divided into two groups and received PPH (42 cases) and RBL (58 cases) respectively.At once and after two weeks and two and six months the efficacy were compared.Results PPH and RBL were equally effective in controlling symptomatic prohpse (P>0.05),but RBL was associated with an increased incidence of recurrent bleeding (PPH 8/42 vs RBL 30/58,P<0.05);there was no difference in scores of patient satisfaction (P>0.05); PPH was associated with increased pain and analgesia usage at both at once and 2-week follow-up (P<0.05);the rate of complications in PPH was higber than in RBL (7/42 vs 0/58,P<0.05).Conclusion RBL can be used as treatment of first-line treatment of Ⅲ degree internal hemorrhoids.