COMPERA 2.0 risk stratification has been demonstrated to be useful in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, its suitability for patients at risk for post-capillary PH or PH associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) is unclear. To investigate the use of COMPERA 2.0 in patients with severe aortic stenosis (SAS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), who are at risk for post-capillary PH, a total of 327 eligible SAS patients undergoing TAVR at our institution between September 2015 and November 2020 were included in the study. Patients were classified into four strata before and after TAVR using the COMPERA 2.0 risk score. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression model. The study cohort had a median (interquartile range) age of 76 (70‒80) years and a pulmonary arterial systolic pressure of 33 (27‒43) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) before TAVR. The overall mortality was 11.9% during 26 (15‒47) months of follow-up. Before TAVR, cumulative mortality was higher with an increase in the risk stratum level (log-rank, both P<0.001); each increase in the risk stratum level resulted in an increased risk of death (hazard ratio (HR) 2.53, 95% confidential interval (CI) 1.54‒4.18, P<0.001), which was independent of age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, albumin, and valve type (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.01‒3.07, P=0.047). Similar results were observed at 30 d after TAVR. COMPERA 2.0 can serve as a useful tool for risk stratification in patients with SAS undergoing TAVR, indicating its potential application in the management of PH-LHD. Further validation is needed in patients with confirmed post-capillary PH by right heart catheterization.
Humans ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/complications* ; Aged ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/mortality* ; Male ; Female ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Aged, 80 and over ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the correlation of plasma homocysteine(Hcy)level and the polymorphisms of its key metabolic enzymes methylenetetrahy-drofolate reductase(MTHFR)gene with ischemic stroke(IS).Methods A total of 310 patients with IS were enrolled as the case group and 330 healthy subjects during the same period were selected as the control group.Plasma Hcy concentration was detected by enzyme cycling method,and the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)was used to detecte the genotypes of MTHFR C677T.Results The frequencies of TT genotype(36.13%),CT genotype(10.00%)and T allele(28.06%)of MTHFR gene C677T locus in stroke patients were significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.05).The frequency of the TT genotype was significantly higher in IS group compared to control group,indicating a recessive mode of inheritance(P＜0.05);In the dominant mode of inheritance,the frequency of CT+TT genotype in IS group was also significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.05);The plasma Hay concentration of MTHFR C677T genotype TT,CT and CC patients was statistically different(P＜0.05),which were(20.91±6.78)μmol/L(17.20±5.39)μmol/L,(14.35±4.32)μmol/L,respectively;The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of plas-ma total Hcy level was 0.610(95%CI:0.566～0.653,P＜0.001).It indicated that it might play an impor-tant role in predicting the risk of suffering from IS.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that plasma Hcy level and MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism were important risk factors of IS.Conclusions Elevated plasma Hcy level is associated with IS,and the synergistic effect of elevated Hcy level and MTHFR C677T gene mutation may increase the risk of IS.

Objective To investigate the relationship between methylenetetra-hydrofolatereductase(MTHFR)gene polymorphism and serum homocysteine(Hcy)level and subtypes of ischemic stroke(IS).Methods The study was conducted according to the matched principle of case-control design,310 patients with IS and 330 healthy people during the same period were selected as the case group and the control group.Recycling enzyme method and the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method were used to detect the level of serum Hcy and the genotypes of MTHFR C677T,respectively.Results There was a significantly difference in MTHFR C677T genotype and allele frequency between the case and control groups(P＜0.05).The correlation analysis with different subtypes indicated that the frequencies of CT genotype(38.02%),TT genotype(10.74%),and T allele(29.75%)were significantly different in the LAA group(OR=1.662,95%CI:1.058-2.608,P＜0.05;OR=2.373,95%CI:1.110-5.073,P＜0.05;OR=1.663,95%CI:1.190-2.323,P＜0.05);The frequencies of TT genotype(10.53%)and T allele(27.30%)in SAO group were also significantly different(OR=2.130,95%CI:1.046-4.336,P＜0.05;OR=1.474,95%CI:1.075-2.021,P＜0.05).Further analysis of serum Hcy level showed that LAA group(19.55±5.61)μmol/L and SAO group(16.37±5.20)μmol/L were significantly higher than the control group(14.46±4.61)μmol/L(P＜0.001);Among the patients of both subtypes the serum Hcy levels in those with CT genotypes and TT genotypes were significantly higher than those in patients of CC genotypes(P＜0.001).Conclusions The gene polymorphism of MTHFR C677T has a significant effect on Hcy level in pa-tients with LAA and SAO stroke.

Objective:To investigate repeated dose toxicity of CpG 2395 and summarize common safety characteristics of CpG ODNs.Methods:Rats were randomly divided into 7 groups and injected with different doses of CpG 2395,CpG-Alum adjuvant system and normal saline into hindlimb muscles(4 administrations,2 weeks apart).After administration,clinical observations were conducted at different time points,accompanied by other examinations,such as body weight,food consumption,body temperature,hematology,coagulation,clinical chemistry,urinalysis,cytokines,gross pathology and histopathology.Additionally,repeated dose toxicity results of other CpG ODNs were summarized and analyzed.Results:CpG 2395 possessed relevant attributes to induce significant immunostimu-latory effects,and addition of aluminum adjuvants could enhance these processes.Different CpG ODNs had common safety characteris-tics.Relevant symptoms would be mainly alleviated or eliminated without delayed toxicity after end of administrations,and dose-toxicity relationship had been confirmed.Conclusion:CpG 2395 is considered to be safe and controllable at proposed clinical dose,and based on common safety characteristics,possible local and systemic adverse reactions can be predicted in advance before clinical application of CpG 2395.

Objective:To investigate repeated dose toxicity of CpG 2395 and summarize common safety characteristics of CpG ODNs.Methods:Rats were randomly divided into 7 groups and injected with different doses of CpG 2395,CpG-Alum adjuvant system and normal saline into hindlimb muscles(4 administrations,2 weeks apart).After administration,clinical observations were conducted at different time points,accompanied by other examinations,such as body weight,food consumption,body temperature,hematology,coagulation,clinical chemistry,urinalysis,cytokines,gross pathology and histopathology.Additionally,repeated dose toxicity results of other CpG ODNs were summarized and analyzed.Results:CpG 2395 possessed relevant attributes to induce significant immunostimu-latory effects,and addition of aluminum adjuvants could enhance these processes.Different CpG ODNs had common safety characteris-tics.Relevant symptoms would be mainly alleviated or eliminated without delayed toxicity after end of administrations,and dose-toxicity relationship had been confirmed.Conclusion:CpG 2395 is considered to be safe and controllable at proposed clinical dose,and based on common safety characteristics,possible local and systemic adverse reactions can be predicted in advance before clinical application of CpG 2395.

Objective To objectively evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture in regulating the mood of patients with post-stroke depression(PSD)and explore the possible target of acupuncture intervention.Methods 76 patients with PSD were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The control group was treated with routine treatment measures for stroke,and the treatment group was treated with acupuncture on this basis.The main acupoints were Shangxing,Baihui,Shenting,Fengchi and Dugu,supplemented by acupuncture on Taichong,Hegu,Quchi,Neiguan,Yanglingquan,Zusanli and Taixi,5 times a week,continuously treated for 4 weeks,followed up on the 90th day after treatment.The levels of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine,norepinephrine and intestinal microflora before and after treatment were compared with the 17 Hamilton Depression Scale scores(HAMD),modified Barthel Index(MBI),and the levels of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine before and after treatment.Results The HAMD score and MBI index of the two groups after treatment and follow-up were lower than those before treatment.The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine in the treatment group after treatment were higher than those before treatment(P<0.01),and significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.01).After acupuncture,the dominant bacterial groups of Bacteroides,Thick-wall bacteria and Broughter bacteria in patients showed an upward trend(P>0.05).The difference of bacteria before and after treatment was mainly concentrated in signal pathways such as ECM-receptor interaction,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).Conclusion Acupuncture can help patients improve their ability of daily living,and also improve the relative abundance of intestinal flora in PSD patients to a certain extent,so as to regulate the levels of 5-HT and NE to relieve the depression of patients,which is worthy of promotion in clinical practice.

Humans ; Enteral Nutrition ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Platelet-Rich Plasma

Background: Although the erector spinae plane block has been used in various truncal surgical procedures, its clinical benefits in patients undergoing spinal surgery remain controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical benefits of erector spinae plane block in patients undergoing spinal surgery. Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for randomized controlled trials comparing the erector spinae plane block with a nonblocked control for spinal surgery. Results: Twelve studies encompassing 696 subjects were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. We found that the erector spinae plane block decreased postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption in the postoperative and intraoperative periods. Moreover, it prolonged the time to the first rescue analgesic, reduced the number of patients who required rescue analgesia, and lowered the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. However, it did not exhibit efficacy in decreasing the incidence of urinary retention and itching or shortening the length of hospital stays, or the time to first ambulation. Conclusions Erector spinae plane block improves analgesic efficacy among patients undergoing spinal surgery compared with nonblocked controls; however, there is insufficient evidence regarding the benefits of erector spinae plane block for rapid recovery.

Objective:To evaluate the status and influencing factors of psychiatric comorbidities of patients with epilepsy (PWEs) in Hubei province during the outbreak of COVID-19.Methods:From February 23, 2020 to March 5, 2020, a network questionnaire survey (including demographic characteristics, seizures, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 score, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score, Insomnia Severity Index score) was conducted among 570 PWEs who visited the Epilepsy Center of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology during April 1, 2019 and January 20, 2020. SPSS 22.0 software was used for correlation analysis of sociodemographic characteristics, epilepsy related factors, perceived threat to the COVID-19 and psychiatric comorbidity (depression, anxiety and insomnia) of PWEs during the COVID-19 epidemic.Results:A total of 362 valid questionnaires were included for analysis (the response rate was 63.51%,362/570). Thirty-four (9.4%), forty-seven (13.0%) and seventy-one (19.6%) patients suffered from anxiety, depression and insomnia, respectively. Patients with seizure frequency ≥2 times/month before the epidemic ( OR=3.395,95% CI 1.561-7.384, P=0.002), poor subjective quality of life during the epidemic ( OR=10.753,95% CI 1.938-59.654, P=0.024), and moderate to severe worry about bad impact of the epidemic on epilepsy ( OR=3.077, 95% CI 1.382-6.853, P=0.006) were more likely to be anxious. Patients with poor subjective quality of life during the epidemic ( OR=6.188, 95% CI 1.317-29.079, P=0.021) were more likely to be depressed. Patients with COVID-19 related symptoms ( OR=3.609, 95% CI 1.674-7.778, P=0.001), children ( OR=3.090, 95% CI 1.759-5.431, P<0.001), seizure frequency ≥2 times/month before the epidemic ( OR=1.907, 95% CI 1.017-3.575, P=0.044), and moderate to severe worry about unanticipated seizures ( OR=2.555, 95% CI 1.370-4.764, P=0.003) were more likely to suffer from insomnia. Conclusions:During the COVID-19 epidemic, parts of PWEs suffered from anxiety, depression and insomnia. PWEs with poor subjective quality of life, high frequency of epileptic seizures before the epidemic, excessive worry about bad impact of the epidemic on epilepsy and excessive worry about unanticipated seizures were prone to anxiety, depression and insomnia.