[Objective]To evaluate the utility of left atrial(LA)volume and strain measured by 4D auto left atrial quantification(4D auto LAQ)in differentiating pre-capillary from post-capillary pulmonary hypertension(PH),and to compare its discriminative performance with echocardiographic pulmonary to left atrial global strain ratio(ePLAGS).[Methods]A total of ninety-eight subjects with intermediate to high probability of PH were prospectively enrolled.Clinical history and laboratory data were collected.All patients underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography,and LA volume and strain parameters were measured by dedicated commercial software for LA 4D analysis.[Results]Based on pulmonary arterial wedge pressure,patients were divided into pre-capillary PH group[n=39;mean age(53±24)years]and post-capillary PH group[n=59;mean age(57±18)years].Compared to the pre-capillary PH group,the post-capillary PH group showed significantly higher LAVImax,LAVImin and LAVIpreA but markedly lower LASr and LAScd.Multivariate logistic regression identified LAVImax[OR:1.40;95%CI:(1.052,1.872);P=0.021]and LAScd[OR:1.76;95%CI:(1.183,2.489);P=0.004]as independent predictors of post-capillary PH.ROC analysis demonstrated that LAVImax(AUC=0.82,P＜0.001)and LAScd(AUC=0.78,P＜0.001)had strong discriminating power for predicting post-capillary PH group,with optimal cutoff values of 35.69 mL/m2(sensitivity 86%,specificity 74%)and-9%(sensitivity 80%,specificity70%).[Conclusion]LAVImax and LAScd measured with 4D auto LAQ are robust parameters for distinguishing pre-capillary PH from post-capillary PH.

Objectives:To investigate the predictive value of epicardial fat volume(EFV)and atrioventricular groove fat thickness(AVGT)—morphological biomarkers of epicardial adipose tissue—for major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM).Methods:This study enrolled 216 DCM patients.EFV and AVGT were obtained from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR).Patients were divided into event-free group(n=142)and event group(n=74)based on MACE occurrence during follow-up.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to determine optimal cutoff values.Survival differences were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis,Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors,and restricted cubic spline(RCS)models were used to evaluate dose-response relationships.Results:AVGT and EFV were significantly higher in the event group than in event-free group(both P<0.05).ROC analysis identified optimal MACE-predicting cutoffs as follows:AVGT≥7.74 mm(area under the curve[AUC]=0.57)and EFV≥78.6 ml(AUC=0.62).Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly lower MACE-free survival rates in patients with AVGT≥7.74 mm and EFV≥78.6 ml(both P<0.05).Cox regression analysis confirmed that AVGT(HR=2.18,95%CI:1.34-3.54)and EFV(HR=1.81,95%CI:1.11-2.96)were independent MACE risk factors(both P<0.05)in this patient cohort.RCS models demonstrated the significant linear associations between EFV/AVGT and MACE risk(bothoverall P<0.05).Conclusions:EFV and AVGT,the non-invasive imaging biomarkers quantifying and characterizing fat distribution,are independently correlated with elevated MACE risk in DCM patients.These metrics serve as potential prognostic indicators,enriching risk stratification indicators for early identification of high-risk patients and guiding personalized medication strategies.

Objectives:To investigate the predictive value of epicardial fat volume(EFV)and atrioventricular groove fat thickness(AVGT)—morphological biomarkers of epicardial adipose tissue—for major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM).Methods:This study enrolled 216 DCM patients.EFV and AVGT were obtained from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR).Patients were divided into event-free group(n=142)and event group(n=74)based on MACE occurrence during follow-up.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to determine optimal cutoff values.Survival differences were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis,Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors,and restricted cubic spline(RCS)models were used to evaluate dose-response relationships.Results:AVGT and EFV were significantly higher in the event group than in event-free group(both P<0.05).ROC analysis identified optimal MACE-predicting cutoffs as follows:AVGT≥7.74 mm(area under the curve[AUC]=0.57)and EFV≥78.6 ml(AUC=0.62).Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly lower MACE-free survival rates in patients with AVGT≥7.74 mm and EFV≥78.6 ml(both P<0.05).Cox regression analysis confirmed that AVGT(HR=2.18,95%CI:1.34-3.54)and EFV(HR=1.81,95%CI:1.11-2.96)were independent MACE risk factors(both P<0.05)in this patient cohort.RCS models demonstrated the significant linear associations between EFV/AVGT and MACE risk(bothoverall P<0.05).Conclusions:EFV and AVGT,the non-invasive imaging biomarkers quantifying and characterizing fat distribution,are independently correlated with elevated MACE risk in DCM patients.These metrics serve as potential prognostic indicators,enriching risk stratification indicators for early identification of high-risk patients and guiding personalized medication strategies.

[Objective]To evaluate the utility of left atrial(LA)volume and strain measured by 4D auto left atrial quantification(4D auto LAQ)in differentiating pre-capillary from post-capillary pulmonary hypertension(PH),and to compare its discriminative performance with echocardiographic pulmonary to left atrial global strain ratio(ePLAGS).[Methods]A total of ninety-eight subjects with intermediate to high probability of PH were prospectively enrolled.Clinical history and laboratory data were collected.All patients underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography,and LA volume and strain parameters were measured by dedicated commercial software for LA 4D analysis.[Results]Based on pulmonary arterial wedge pressure,patients were divided into pre-capillary PH group[n=39;mean age(53±24)years]and post-capillary PH group[n=59;mean age(57±18)years].Compared to the pre-capillary PH group,the post-capillary PH group showed significantly higher LAVImax,LAVImin and LAVIpreA but markedly lower LASr and LAScd.Multivariate logistic regression identified LAVImax[OR:1.40;95%CI:(1.052,1.872);P=0.021]and LAScd[OR:1.76;95%CI:(1.183,2.489);P=0.004]as independent predictors of post-capillary PH.ROC analysis demonstrated that LAVImax(AUC=0.82,P＜0.001)and LAScd(AUC=0.78,P＜0.001)had strong discriminating power for predicting post-capillary PH group,with optimal cutoff values of 35.69 mL/m2(sensitivity 86%,specificity 74%)and-9%(sensitivity 80%,specificity70%).[Conclusion]LAVImax and LAScd measured with 4D auto LAQ are robust parameters for distinguishing pre-capillary PH from post-capillary PH.

OBJECTIVE To prepare celastrol -loaded albumin nanoparticles （CLT-AN），and to investigate their activity against rheumatoid arthritis （RA）in vivo . METHODS CLT-AN was prepared by ultrasonic method . The formulation technology was optimized by single -factor test by taking particle size ，polydispersity index （PDI）and stability as indexes ，with the dosage of CLT ， the dosage of soybean oil and the ultrasonic power as factors . The physical and chemical properties of CLT -AN were investigated by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）and laser particle size analyzer ；in vitro stability and release profile were studied . A rat model of adjuvant -induced arthritis was constructed to investigate the effects of CLT -AN on joint swelling ，the levels of serum inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor α（TNF-α）and interleukin -1β（IL-1β）] and pathological state of joint tissue . RESULTS The optimized formulation was CLT 6.5 g，soybean oil 45 mg，ultrasonic power 490 W，ultrasonic time 8 min. CLT- AN prepared by the best formulation showed uniform and spherical morphology . Its particle size ，PDI，Zeta potential were （96.8± 1.1）nm，0.174±0.020，and（－18.6±1.7）mV，respectively. The encapsulation efficiency and drug -loading efficiency were （94.61±0.46）% and（2.42±0.21）%. There were no significant changes in particle size ，PDI，Zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of CLT -AN within 5 days of storage at room temperature . CLT-AN was slowly released in vitro ，and the cumulative release reached 73.56% in 72 h. Compared with CLT ，CLT-AN could significantly inhibit the joint swelling of model rats ，reduced the levels of inflammatory factors TNF -α and IL -1β in serum ，and improved the pathological state of inflammatory joint tissue . CONCLUSIONS CLT-AN prepared by ultrasonic method has the appropriate particle size ，good stability ，significant sustained - release characteristics ，and excellent therapeutic efficacy against RA .

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) to verify a fetus with partial 18p deletion signaled by non-invasive prenatal testing. METHODS: G-banding chromosomal karyotyping analysis was carried out on amniotic fluid sample of the fetus and peripheral blood samples from the parents. Amniotic DNA was also subjected to CMA analysis. The fetus was also subjected to systematic ultrasound scan. RESULTS: The fetus was found to have a karyotype of 46,XX,18p+. CMA has revealed a 5 Mb deletion at 18p11.32-p11.31, a 2.9 Mb duplication at 18p11.31-p11.23, and a 2.5 Mb duplication at 18p11.23-p11.22. No chromosomal aberration or microdeletion/microduplication was detected in either parent. CONCLUSION Non-invasive prenatal testing and CMA are both sensitive for the detection of chromosomal microdeletions and microduplications. CMA can help with clarification of genotype-phenotype correlation and facilitate prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling for the family.
Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and the correlation between CRT and pulmonary artery hemodynamic parameters. METHODS: The patients with chronic heart failure indicator for CRT were enrolled. The left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) was measured by echocardiography and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification was evaluated between one week before and six months after CRT. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were measured by right heart catheterization. Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) is defined as a decrease of 15% or more in LVESV at the 6th month after CRT; Clinical response is defined as a decrease of NYHA classification at or above grade 1 at the 6th month after CRT. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was defined as mPAP≥25 mmHg. According to the response, patients were divided into 3 groups: group A (LVRR+clinical response), group B (no LVRR+clinical response) and group C (no LVRR+no clinical response). The changes of NYHA classification, echocardiographic and pulmonary hemodynamic parameters were observed in the 3 groups. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the differences in all-cause mortality, combined end-point events of death or re-hospitalization due to heart failure among different groups. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with CRT implantation [aged (63.27±9.55) years, 36 males] were included. The average follow-up period was (33.76±11.50) months. Thirty-one patients (68.89%) were in group A, 9 of whom with PH. Eight patients (17.78%) were in group B, 7 of whom with PH. Six patients were in group C, all with PH. Cardiac function including NYHA classification, echocardiographic and pulmonary hemodynamic parameters had been significantly improved in group A after CRT implantation (<0.05). In group B, NYHA classification and pulmonary hemodynamic parameters were decreased significantly (<0.05), but echocardiographic parameters did not change obviously (>0.05). There were no significant changes in NYHA classification, echocardiographic and pulmonary hemodynamic parameters in group C (>0.05). Compared with group C, group A and group B had lower all-cause mortality (=0.005) and lower incidence of composite endpoint events (=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with LVRR and clinical response after CRT have a good prognosis. Patients with clinical response but without LVRR have a better prognosis than those without clinical response and LVRR, which may be related to the decrease of pulmonary hemodynamic parameters such as mPAP and TPG.
Aged ; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Artery ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Remodeling

Objective To investigate the correlation between the infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) in breast cancer and the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). Methods The expressions of CD163 (TAM marker) and VEGF in 45 postoperative tissue specimens of primary breast cancer in Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University from January 2014 to January 2018 were examined by using immunohistochemistry EnVision method. Then TAM was counted under light microscope and the expression of VEGF was determined by using semi quantitative integration method. Correlation between the expression of TAM and VEGF and their relationships with clinicopathological parameters were also analyzed. Results TAM infiltration (the number of TAM under per high power field) in breast cancer patients (≤ 51 years old) was significantly more than that in breast cancer patients (> 51 years old) [(78.1±11.9)/HP vs. (69.7±14.0)/HP, t=2.167, P=0.036]. TAM infiltration in breast cancer patients with lymph node metastasis was more than that in breast cancer patients without lymph node metastasis [(79.2 ± 11.8)/HP vs. (70.2±13.6)/HP, t= 2.362, P= 0.023]. The positive rate of VEGF in breast cancer with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that in breast cancer without lymph node metastasis [100.00 ％(20/20) vs. 68.00％(17/25),χ2=5.749, P=0.017]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression of VEGF was positively correlated with TAM infiltration (r 2 = 0.800, P< 0.05). Conclusion TAM infiltration and the expression of VEGF can be used to predict the malignant degree of breast cancer, and can be used as a potential intervention target for adjuvant therapy and clinical prognosis of breast cancer.

Objective Studies and researches have indicated that the methylation level of PLAGL1 differentially methylated region (DMR) was associated with some development disorder syndromes.This project is purposed to prove whether methylation levels of PLAGL1 DMR is related to the fetal and early postnatal development.Methods We performed a meta-analysis of the published data on PLAGL1 DMR methylation levels in children with developmental disorders compared with that in normal children.Results PubMed,Medline,EMBASE,WanFang databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies.We included 7 studies in this meta-analysis,with a total of 195 cases and 438 controls concerning 6 kinds of developmental disorder syndromes.The methylation level of PLAGL1 DMR was lower in children with abnormal growth (excess growth or retarded growth) than that in normal children,with a pooled percentage mean methylation difference (95％ confidence intervals) of-1.05 (-1.93,-0.17).On this basis,we analyzed the odds ratio (95％ confidence intervals) of hypomethylation of PLAGL1 DMR in abnormal growth children in comparison with normal children.The combined odds ratio (95％ confidence intervals) of hypomethylation in abnormal growth children is 2.18 (1.23,3.88) in comparison with normal children.Conclusion Hypomethylation of PLALG1 is actually a risk factor of suffering abnormal growth for children.

Objective To explore the effects of PDCA-based self-management intervention model on health behavior and medication adherence in aged patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods Totally 130 aged patients treated by PCI were randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group with 65 patients. The patients in the control group received routine health education, and the patients in the intervention group received PDCA-based self-management intervention model. All patients were investigated with Coronary Heart Disease Self-Management Behavior Scale (CSMS) and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) and Medication Compliance Scale (MMAS-8) 3 months and 6 months after discharge. Results Six months after discharge, the score of self-management and healthy behavior and medication adherence were 96.98 ± 14.12, 131.86 ± 16.53, 7.18 ± 0.69 respectively in the intervention group, and the score of them were 86.04 ± 11.78, 105.33 ± 10.97, 5.69 ± 1.29 respectively in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=10.981, 10.793, 7.438, P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions PDCA-based self-management intervention model is a patient-centered, problem-oriented, dynamic and interactive health education intervention. It may be helpful in improving PCI patients′ health behavior and medication adherence after discharge. And it may establish lasting self-management skills, and is worthy of application and promotion.