Objective:To investigate the hemodynamic characteristics of the lenticulostriate artery (LSA) in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) patients with recent small subcortical infarcts (RSSI) using 7.0 T two-dimensional phase-contrast MRI (2D PC-MRI).Methods:A total of 16 CSVD patients with deep RSSI and 18 age-and sex-matched healthy controls (HC group) meeting the inclusion criteria were prospectively recruited from July 2021 to June 2022 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University. All participants underwent 7.0 T 2D PC-MRI with imaging plane localized at the level of the basal ganglia. A self-developed software (Flow analyze V1.0) was used to analyze the hemodynamic status of bilateral LSAs. The hemodynamic parameters including the maximum velocity (V max), average velocity (V avg), pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) of LSAs were calculated and recorded. As for the CSVD cases, the symptomatic side was defined as the ipsilateral side to the RSSI (CSVD symptomatic-side group), and the contralateral side was defined as the asymptomatic side (CSVD asymptomatic-side group). ANOVA or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare hemodynamic parameters among the three groups. Results:Significant differences in V max, V avg and PI were observed among the CSVD symptomatic-side group, CSVD asymptomatic-side group, and HC group ( F=5.22, P=0.006; F=3.47, P=0.033; F=4.37, P=0.014). Specifically, CSVD symptomatic-side group showed significantly reduced V max ( P=0.004) and V avg ( P=0.017), and increased PI ( P=0.007) compared to the HC group. The CSVD asymptomatic-side group showed decreased V max ( P=0.026) and increased PI ( P=0.039) compared to the HC group. Conclusions:Hemodynamic assessment based on 7.0 T 2D PC-MRI reveal that CSVD patients with RSSI decrease blood flow velocity and increase arterial PI of LSAs. These findings suggest potential corresponding hemodynamic mechanisms associated with CSVD with RSSI lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the practical and health economical values of non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) in Changsha Municipal Public Welfare Program. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 149 165 women undergoing NIPT test from April 9, 2018 to December 31, 2019. For pregnant women with high risks, invasive prenatal diagnosis and follow-up of pregnancy outcome were conducted. The cost-benefit of NIPT for Down syndrome was analyzed. RESULTS: NIPT was carried out for 149 165 pregnant women and succeeded in 148 749 cases (99.72%), for which outcome were available in 148 538 (99.86%). 90% of pregnant women from the region accepted the screening with NIPT. 415 (0.27%) were diagnosed as high risk. Among these, 381 (91.81%) accepted amniocentesis, which led to the diagnosis of 212 cases of trisomy 21 (PPV=85.14%), 41 cases with trisomy 18 (PPV=48.81%) and 10 cases with trisomy 13 (PPV=20.83%). The sensitivity and specificity of NIPT for trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13 were (97.70%, 99.98%), (97.62%, 9.97%) and (100%, 99.97%), respectively. In addition, 213 and 30 cases were diagnosed with sex chromosomal aneuploidies (PPV=46.2%) and other autosomal anomalies (PPV=16.57%), respectively. For Down syndrome screening, the cost and benefit of the project was 120.79 million yuan and 1,056.95 million yuan, respectively. The cost-benefit ratio was 1: 8.75, and safety index was 0.0035. CONCLUSION NIPT is a highly accurate screening test for trisomy 21, which was followed by trisomy 18 and sex chromosomal aneuploidies, while it was less accurate for other autosomal aneuploidies. The application of NIPT screening has a high health economical value.
Aneuploidy ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Noninvasive Prenatal Testing ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Trisomy 18 Syndrome/genetics*

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics and risk factors of intracranial and extracranial aterial lesions in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke . Methods In this multi‐center study ,2 310 continuously inpatients with ischemic stroke diagnosed in 20 stroke screening and prevention project base hospitals from June 2015 to M ay 2016 were enrolled . Carotid ultrasonography and transcranial color‐coded sonography or transcranial Doppler were performed in all patients to confirm the presence of cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion . According to the distribution of lesions ,the subjects were divided into 2 groups :the simple intracranial artery stenosis group and the simple extracranial artery stenosis group . T he difference of risk factors between the two groups was compared . Results Of the 2 310 patients with ischemic stroke ,1 516 ( 65 .6% ) had simple intracranial artery stenosis and 794 ( 34 .4% ) had simple extracranial artery stenosis . T he incidence of anterior circulation artery stenosis was higher in the group of intracranial artery stenosis than that in the extracranial artery stenosis group ( 68 .1% vs 48 .7% , P ＜0 .001) . Posterior circulation artery stenosis and combined anterior with posterior circulation artery stenosis were more common in patients with extracranial artery stenosis group than those in intracranial artery stenosis group ( 36 .4% vs 22 .1% ,14 .9% vs 9 .8% ;all P ＜0 .001) . Univariate analysis of risk factors for stroke showed that patients with intracranial arterial stenosis had a higher prevelence of hypertension , diabetes ,obesity ,and family history of stroke ,and their systolic blood pressure ,diastolic blood pressure , body mass index ( BM I) ,fasting blood‐glucose ,glycosylated hemoglobin ,triacylglycerol ,total cholesterol , and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher than those in the extracranial arterial stenosis group ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . T he proportion of elderly ( ≥ 65 years old ) ,male and smokers in the extracranial arterial stenosis group was significantly higher than that in the intracranial arterial stenosis group ( all P ＜0 .05) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly ( ≥65 years old) ,male , and smoking history were independent risk factors for extracranial arterial stenosis ( OR＝ 2 .012 ,1 .637 , 1 .325 ,respectively ;all P ＜0 .05) . While hypertension ,diabetes ,less physical activity ,and high BM I levels were independent risk factors for simple intracranial arterial disease ( OR ＝ 1 .301 ,1 .252 ,1 .248 ,1 .030 , respectively ;all P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions There are significant differences in the distribution characteristics and risk factors of intracranial and extracranial aterial lesions in patients with ischemic stroke in China .

Objective To evaluate the correlation between cerebral blood flow perfusion and memory impairment in patients with severe stenosis of vertebral basilar artery (VBA).Methods 62 cases of patients with VBA stenosis diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography(DSA) in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from September 2016 to March 2017 were enrolled.Mental State Examination (MMSE),Clinical Memory Scale (CMS) test and CT perfusion(CTP) was performed.All patients were divided into memory normal group(n=24,including 1 excellent case,6 above normal cases,and 14 normal cases) and memory impairment group(n =38,including 18 below normal cases,12 periphery cases,8 impaired cases) according to CMS.The ratios of side-to-side period were compared between bilateral mesial temporal lobe and anterior circulation area.The relative time to peak (rTTP),relative mean transit time(rMTY),relative cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) were calculate.Results The incidence of CTP decompensation in the medial temporal lobe was higher than that in the patients with memory impairment(P＜0.05).The difference of rTTP and rMTT value between the two groups in the bilateral medial temporal lobes was statistically significant (rTFP:(1.131 ±0.037),(1.437±0.139),t=10.520,P＜ 0.05);rMTT:(1.081 ±0.059),(1.281 ±0.174),t=5.423,P＜0.05).Conclusion The patients with VBA severe stenosis are more likely to get memory impairment due to cerebral hypoperfusion.

Objective To analyze the correlation between smoking and occurrence of intracranial artery stenosis.Methods From June 2015 to May 2016,a total of 10 711 inpatients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke from 20 basel hospitals of nationwide were enrolled using a cross-sectional study,76 patients with unknown smoking and smoking cessation years were excluded.Finally,a total of 10 635 patients were enrolled.Transcranial color coded sonography and/or transcranial Doppler were used evaluate the intracranial artery stenosis lesions.The basic risk factors for cerebrovascular disease (age,sex,smoking and smoking years,whether smoking cessation and years,hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,atrial fibrillation,and family history of stroke) were recorded.According to the different smoking years,the smoking years were divided into five groups:non-smoking,smoking time ≤10-year,11 to 20-year,21 to 30-year,and >30-year groups for trend chi square test.According to the different smoking cessation years in the smokers,the smoking cessation years were divided into four groups:non-cessation,cessation time 1 to 10-year,11 to 20-year,and >20-year groups for trend chi square test.The effects of different smoking years and different smoking cessation years on the occurrence of intracranial arterial stenosis were analyzed.Results The incidence of intracranial artery stenosis in the smokers (40.4%[1 433/3 547]) was significantly higher than that in the non-smoking patients (29.4%[2 085/7 088]).There was significant difference (χ2=128.850,P<0.01),and the incidence of cerebral infarction in the smokers (91.6%[3 250/3 547]) was significantly higher than the non-smokers (85.0%[6 027/7 088]).There was significant difference (χ2=92.328,P<0.01).Smoking was an independent risk factor for intracranial artery stenosis (OR,1.603;95%CI 1.456-1.765;P<0.01).With the increase of smoking years,the detection rate of intracranial arterial stenosis increased gradually (trend χ2=115.437,P<0.01).Whether giving up smoking had no significant effect on the incidence of intracranial artery stenosis in patients with ≥20 years of smoking (trend χ2=1.043,P=0.307).Conclusions Smoking is an independent risk factor for affecting intracranial artery stenosis;the risk of disease increases with the number of smoking years.Long-term smokers (≥20 years) cannot reduce the effect on intracranial artery stenosis,even if they give up smoking.

Objective To investigate the effect of serum lipid level on carotid artery stenosis in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Methods Using a multi-center cross-sectional study,10 711 consecutive inpatients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke diagnosed clearly in 20 stroke screening and prevention project base hospitals from June 2015 to May 2016 were enrolled.According to the results of carotid ultrasonography,1 560 patients with extracranial carotid artery stenosis rate≥50% screened were enrolled in the study.They were divided into a severe stenosis group (70%-99%) and a mild-moderate stenosis group (<70%).The distribution of total cholesterol (TC),triacylglycerol (TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in both groups of carotid stenosis patients were analyzed,and the quantitative classification was based on the normal range of serum lipids.The distributions of serum lipid levels in different grades in patients of both groups were compared with the non-parameter test.Results The incidence of dyslipidemia in the severe stenosis group was higher than that in the mild and moderate stenosis group.There was no significant difference between the two groups (54.4%[319/586]vs.48.3%[470/974],P<0.05).Dyslipidemia was an independent risk factor for severe carotid artery stenosis (OR,1.27,95% CI 1.24-1.30,P<0.01).The TC and LDL-C levels in patients of the severe stenosis group were significantly higher than those in the mild-moderate stenosis group (TC:3.98[3.31,4.82]mmol/L vs.3.91[3.31,4.53]mmol/L,LDL-C:2.48[1.86,3.14]vs.2.30[1.79,2.80];all P<0.01).With the increase of TC and LDL-C levels,there was significant differences between the severe stenosis group and the mild-moderate stenosis group (all P<0.05),and the proportions of TC >5.80 mmol/L (7.3%[43/586]vs.0.4%[4/974]) and LDL-C>3.12 mmol/L (26.3%[154/586]vs.10.0%[97/974]) in patients of the severe stenosis group were higher than those in the mild-moderate stenosis group (26.3%[154/586]vs.10.0%[97/974]).Conclusion The high LDL-C and TC levels may increase the incidence of severe carotid artery stenosis or occlusion.

Objective To investigate the differences of distribution characteristics and risk factors of large artery lesions in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease in different age groups in order to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of stroke in different age groups.Methods From June 2015 to May 2016,a total of 10 711 consecutive inpatients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke from 20 centers nationwide were enrolled.Each 10 years was used as an age group from 40 years.All the patients were divided into 5 age groups.The differences of the different risk factors for cerebrovascular disease among the 5 groups were compared.All patients were separated by gender.The chi square test was used to compare the incidences of large artery stenosis of the intracranial and external and anterior and posterior circulation,and the number of vascular lesions in the same sex in different age groups.Results (1) The risk factors of elderly patients were mainly hypertension,diabetes mellitus,and atrial fibrillation (χ2=61.938,χ2=13.349,and χ2=55.940;all P<0.01).The smoking history,family history of cerebrovascular disease,and obesity were more frequent among the young and middle-aged people (χ2=131.505,χ2=7.298,and χ2=100.911,all P<0.01).(2) The linear trend chi square test results showed that the proportion of multivessel diseases in female and male extracranial arterial lesions increased gradually with the increase of age.(χ2=54.799,χ2=161.370,all P<0.01).The proportion of multivessel diseases in the intracranial artery in female decreased gradually (χ2=5.328,P=0.021),and that in male did not have obvious trend of change (χ2=0.289,P=0.591).(3) The linear trend chi square test results showed that the incidence of simple intracranial arterial stenosis in female and male intracranial arterial stenosis decreased gradually with the increase of age (χ2=20.090,χ2=42.351,all P<0.01),and the incidence of simple extracranial arterial stenosis increased gradually (χ2=40.311,χ2=90.698,all P<0.01).The incidence of both intracranial and extracranial artery stenoses increased gradually (χ2=12.077,χ2=45.887,all P<0.01).The incidence of simple posterior circulation vascular stenosis increased gradually in female (χ2=16.434,P<0.01),but that did not have obvious trend of change in male (χ2=1.701,P=0.192).The incidence of stenosis of both anterior and posterior arteries in female and male increased gradually (χ2=4.587,P=0.032;χ2=35.156,P<0.01).Conclusions The distribution of atherosclerotic lesions in ischemic cerebrovascular disease of the different age groups was different.No matter female or male patients,the majority of the young and middle-aged patients were intracranial artery lesions,and the elderly patients were mainly extracranial artery lesions.The majority of elderly women had posterior circulation artery lesions.Understanding the characteristics in patients with intracranial arterial lesion in different age groups will help to develop individualized stroke prevention and treatment strategies for the population of different age groups.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of detecting the compositional features of carotid atherosclerotic plaques by 3.0T high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSConsecutive 104 patients with coronary atherosclerosis confirmed by coronary angiography were prospectively recruited from January 2013 to January 2015 in Tiantan hospital. All patients were imaged with 3.0T high resolution MRI system. After exclusion patients with poor image quality, 97 patients were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of coronary artery stenosis: coronary atherosclerosis group (coronary stenosis between 1%-49%, n=16); single-vessel lesion group (single vessel lesion with stenosis between 50%-100%, n=48); multi-vessel lesion group (two or three vessel lesions with stenosis between 50%-100% or left main stem disease, n=33). The prevalence of total carotid plaque, calcified plaque, lipid-rich necrotic core, intra-plaque hemorrhage, plaque ulcer and rupture were compared among 3 groups.

RESULTSThe prevalence of total carotid plaque (81.3%(13/16), 72.9%(35/48), and 93.9%(31/33)) and calcified plaque (50.0%(8/16), 35.4%(17/48), and 42.4%(14/33)) were similar among the 3 groups (both P>0.05). The prevalence of carotid lipid-rich necrotic core in coronary atherosclerosis group was significantly lower than in single-vessel lesion group (18.8%(3/16) vs. 64.6%(31/48), P<0.01) and multi-vessel lesion group(18.8%(3/16) vs. 69.7%(23/33), P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between single-vessel lesion group and multi-vessel lesion group(P>0.05). Intra-plaque hemorrhage was detected in 2 patients of multi-vessel lesion group. There was no plaque ulcer or rupture in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONCarotid plaque features are associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in CAD patients.

English training is important for young doctors＇ career development in general hospital.The stagewise English training mode of Beijing Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University was introduced.By summarizing the experience of five years trial,viewpoints were brought forward that hospital English training in radiological department of general hospital should adopt a stagewise mode,create an English communication atmosphere,show the special feature of department and combine with clinical daily work.

Objective To study the effect of age on the hemodynamics of common carotid artery. Methods 47 healthy volunteers werestudied. Wall shear stress (WSS) values localized at common carotid artery 2 cm below the bifurcation were calculated with cine phase-contrastMR imaging combined three-dimensional paraboloid (3DP) model. On the spatial distribution, common carotid artery wall was dividedinto 24 equal parts. Calculate the mean WSS in a cardiac cycle on each part, and choose the minimal WSS value. Then the effects of age onthe average WSS and minimal WSS were observed. Results Total 94 common carotid arteries of 47 health volunteers were examined, inwhich 9 carotid arteries in 9 volunteers were excluded because of uninterpretable high-resolution MRI findings or volunteer's intolerance forthe detection. In the remaining 85 common carotid arteries, the average WSS and the minimal WSS during a cardiac cycle on the spatial distributionwere (7.45±2.12) dyne/cm2 and (5.98±1.93) dyne/cm2 respectively. Both average WSS and minimal WSS were negative correlatedwith age (P<0.05). Conclusion With the age increased, mean WSS and minimal WSS on the spatial distribution of common carotid arterydecreased.