BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the changes in the quality of care for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during China's health system reform from 2009 to 2020. This study aimed to assess the changes in care processes and outcome for STEMI patients in Henan province of central China between 2011 and 2018. METHODS: We compared the data from the Henan STEMI survey conducted in 2011-2012 ( n = 1548, a cross-sectional study) and the Henan STEMI registry in 2016-2018 ( n = 4748, a multicenter, prospective observational study). Changes in care processes and in-hospital mortality were determined. Process of care measures included reperfusion therapies, aspirin, P2Y12 antagonists, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and statins. Therapy use was analyzed among patients who were considered ideal candidates for treatment. RESULTS: STEMI patients in 2016-2018 were younger (median age: 63.1 vs . 63.8 years) with a lower proportion of women (24.4% [1156/4748] vs . 28.2% [437/1548]) than in 2011-2012. The composite use rate for guideline-recommended treatments increased significantly from 2011 to 2018 (60.9% [5424/8901] vs . 82.7% [22,439/27,129], P <0.001). The proportion of patients treated by reperfusion within 12 h increased from 44.1% (546/1237) to 78.4% (2698/3440) ( P <0.001) with a prolonged median onset-to-first medical contact time (from 144 min to 210 min, P <0.001). The use of antiplatelet agents, statins, and β-blockers increased significantly. The risk of in-hospital mortality significantly decreased over time (6.1% [95/1548] vs . 4.2% [198/4748], odds ratio [OR]: 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-0.88, P = 0.005) after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS Gradual implementation of the guideline-recommended treatments in STEMI patients from 2011 to 2018 has been associated with decreased in-hospital mortality. However, gaps persist between clinical practice and guideline recommendation. Public awareness, reperfusion strategies, and construction of chest pain centers need to be further underscored in central China.
Humans ; Female ; Middle Aged ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy* ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aspirin/therapeutic use* ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/therapeutic use* ; Hospital Mortality ; Registries ; Treatment Outcome ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective:To explore the value of the static and dynamic pelvic floor MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in evaluating the morphology and function of urethra in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).Methods:From July 2020 to February 2021, a total of 28 patients with SUI and 45 age-matched healthy controls were prospectively collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The static and dynamic pelvic floor MRI and DTI were performed for all subjects. The thickness of internal and external sphincter of middle urethra were measured on static MRI images. The functional urethral length (FUL) was measured both on static and maximal strain phase of dynamic MRI images, then the difference of FUL was calculated. The presence of bladder neck funneling and urethra opening were observed on static and dynamic MRI. The muscle fiber bundle image of urethral sphincter complex was obtained by post-processing of DTI original images. The anisotropy fraction (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and three eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3) of annular sphincter and central longitudinal muscle in middle urethra were measured. The independent sample t test and chi-square test were used to analyse the difference of measured parameters in MRI, parameters of DTI and imaging signs between the two groups. Results:Compared with healthy controls, the SUI patients showed that the thickness of external sphincter in middle urethral and FUL in static status and maximal strain phase were significantly decreased ( t=-3.95, -5.72, -8.41, all P<0.001), the difference of FUL between static status and maximal strain phase was significantly increased ( t=4.41, P<0.001). The positive rate of bladder neck funneling in static status and maximal strain phase, urethral opening in maximal strain phase of SUI group increased significantly (χ2=23.09 , 22.25, 26.59, all P<0.001). In SUI group, the FA value of middle urethral annular sphincter decreased significantly ( t=-3.48, P=0.001), while the ADC, λ2 and λ3 values increased significantly ( t=3.19, 2.15 , 2.06, and P=0.002, 0.038 , 0.046, respectively). There was no significant difference in DTI parameters of middle urethral longitudinal muscle between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Static and dynamic MRI and DTI techniques can objectively evaluate the changes of urethral morphology and function of SUI patients. The thinning of the external sphincter in the middle urethra, shortening of the FUL and the destruction of the microstructure of the annular sphincter fiber bundle were the main alterations of SUI patients.

Objective:To investigate the modulatory function of interleukin-7 (IL-7)/CD 127 signaling pathway on CD 8+T cells in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods:Fifty-seven treatment-naive MG patients who were hospitalized in Department of Neurology, Nanyang Central Hospital between 2017 and 2020 as well as 35 healthy controls were enrolled. Peripheral blood was collected, while plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated. Plasma IL-7 and soluble CD 127 (sCD 127) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Membrane-bound CD 127 (mCD 127) percentage in CD 8+T cells was measured by flow cytometry. The differences of above indices between different gender, onset age, afflicting with thymoma, or different Osserman type and their correlation with Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score were analyzed. Purified CD 8+T cells from MG patients were stimulated with recombinant human IL-7 (5 μg/L). Changes of sCD 127 and mCD 127 level were analyzed. Levels of perforin, granzyme B, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cultured supernatants were measured by ELISA. Immune checkpoint molecules mRNA in CD 8+T cells was semi-quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results:Plasma IL-7 level was up-regulated in MG patients compared with controls [(293.4±74.7) pg/ml vs (233.8±70.8) pg/ml, t=3.78, P<0.001], while sCD 127 level was down-regulated in MG patients compared with controls [(102.7±13.7) pg/ml vs (131.2±20.9) pg/ml, t=7.91, P<0.001]. Peripheral CD 8+T cells percentage was up-regulated in MG patients compared with controls (35.4%±7.1% vs 30.2%±7.5%, t=3.31, P=0.001), and mCD 127+CD 8+T cell percentage was also elevated (45.5%±7.7% vs 34.7%±11.5%, t=5.44, P<0.001). There were no significant differences of above indices between different gender, onset age, afflicting with thymoma, or different Osserman type. There was no significant correlation between above indices and QMG score. There were no significant differences of sCD 127 in cultured supernatants, mCD 127+CD 8+T cell percentage, or immune checkpoint molecules mRNA expression between CD 8+T cells from MG patients with and without IL-7 stimulation. IL-7 stimulation promoted the secretion of perforin [(208.1±67.2) pg/ml vs (168.8±46.2) pg/ml, t=2.16, P=0.038], granzyme B [(941.8±273.9) pg/ml vs (782.4±137.2) pg/ml, t=2.33, P=0.025], and IFN-γ [(19.1±5.2) pg/ml vs (15.3±4.5) pg/ml, t=2.47, P=0.018] by CD 8+T cells. However, there was no remarkable difference of TNF-α production between CD 8+T cells with and without IL-7 stimulation. Conclusion:Elevated IL-7-mediated signaling pathway enhanced the secretion of cytotoxic molecules and cytokines by CD 8+T cells, leading to increased activity of CD 8+T cells in MG patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of polymorphisms of receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) gene, monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) and variability of heart rate among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: 120 patients with CHD and 120 healthy individuals were respectively selected as the observation group and the control group. Allelic and genotypic differences of -429T>C, 1704G>T, 82G>S, MHR ratio and heart rate variability between the two groups and patients with different severity were analyzed. The correlation between their genotypes and MHR ratio and heart rate variability was analyzed. RESULTS: The 82G>S polymorphism of the RAGE gene and the allelic difference between the two groups and patients with different severity were statistically significant (P< 0.05). Compared with the control group and patients with mild to moderate phenotype, monocyte, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, MHR, low frequency in the observation group and patients with severe symptoms were significantly higher, while their high density lipoprotein, standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), standard deviation average of NN intervals (SDANN), root mean square successive differences, percentage of differences exceeding 50ms between adjacent normal number of intervals (PMN50), high frequency (HF) were significantly lower. The gene frequencies of G-Gly-T, T-Gly-T, G-Ser-T and G-Gly-C were correlated with SDNN, SDANN, rMSSD, PMN50, HF and MHR, but negatively correlated with low frequency. CONCLUSION Polymorphisms of the RAGE gene in patients with coronary heart disease are associated with the MHR ratio and heart rate variability, which can be used as markers for the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; Coronary Disease/genetics* ; Gene Frequency ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective:To evaluate the effects of thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) on graft patency in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.Methods:Fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients, aged 60-75 yr, weighing 50-80 kg, undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting under combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups using a random number table method: control group (group C, n=30) and TPVB group (group T, n=20). In group T, TPVB was performed at T 4, 5 interspace under the guidance of ultrasound, a test dose of 1% lidocaine 5 ml was injected on both sides, and 2 min later 0.375% ropivacaine 15 ml was injected.According to the anatomy of coronary artery, the graft was divided into 4 parts: left internal thoracic artery-anterior descending branch (arterial graft), the middle branch or the first diagonal branch, blunt marginal branche, and right posterior descending branch or left ventricular posterior branch.The blood flow was measured and pulsatility index was calculated after graft transplantation.Central venous pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, systemic resistance index and pulmonary resistance index were recorded immediately after placement of floating catheter (T 1), immediately after sawing sternum (T 2), immediately after anastomosis of all grafts (T 3) and 5 min before leaving the room (T 4). The intraoperative cardiovascular adverse events and consumption of sufentanil were recorded. Results:Compared with group G, central venous pressure, systemic resistance index and pulmonary resistance index were significantly decreased, cardiac output were increased, the incidence of intraoperative tachycardia was decreased, the incidence of hypotension was increased, the consumption of sufentanil was reduced, the flow of left internal thoracic artery-anterior descending branch was increased, and the pulsatility index was decreased at T 3 and T 4 in group T ( P<0.05). Conclusion:TPVB can improve the patency of left internal thoracic artery-anterior descending branch in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective:To summarize the efficacy of general anesthesia for percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI).Methods:The clinical data of 6 patients underwent PPVI under general anesthesia in Children′s Heart Center of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from December 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, SpO 2 and regional cerebral oxygen saturation were recorded before anesthesia induction (T 1), after anesthesia induction (T 2), before beginning of surgery (T 3), before pulmonary valve implantation (T 4), during pulmonary valve implantation (T 5), immediately after pulmonary valve implantation (T 6) and when the patients left the operating room (T 7). Right ventricular systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and diastolic pressure were recorded at T 4 and T 6.The development of related complications during operation and the cardiac, liver and kidney functions before and after operation were recorded.The postoperative extubation time, intensive care unit stay time and hospital stay time were recorded. Results:Six patients (3 males, 3 females), aged (16±4) yr, weighing (41±12) kg, were analyzed.Compared with the value at T 1-4 and T 6, 7, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, regional cerebral oxygen saturation and SpO 2 were significantly decreased at T 5 ( P<0.05). Compared with the value at T 1-5, central venous pressure was significantly decreased at T 6, 7 ( P<0.05). Compared with the value at T 4, right ventricular diastolic pressure was significantly decreased, and pulmonary artery diastolic pressure was increased at T 6 ( P<0.05). No anesthesia- and surgery-related serious complications occurred among the patients.One patient was transferred to the ward after extubation in the operating room, and 5 patients were transferred to the intensive care unit after operation.All 6 patients were discharged successfully and entered the follow-up stage. Conclusion:General anesthesia provides better efficacy when used for PPVI, and hemodynamic monitoring of pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation should be strengthened during pulmonary valve implantation to maintain circulation stable.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of urinary tract infection after flexible ureteroscopy combined with holmium laser lithotripsy for kidney calculi with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Methods: A total 96 patients from June 2016 to June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. It included 53 males and 43 females, aged 21 to 57(average 41) years old. All patients were diagnosed with kidney stones by KUB, IVU and CT examination. 19 cases of bilateral kidney stones and 37cases in left and 40 cases in right. 67 cases of single stones and 29 cases of multiple. There were 34 cases of renal pelvis calculi, 19 cases of meddle calyx, 17 cases of superior calyx and 26 cases of inferior calyx. Maximum diameter of calculus was 0.8-2.9 cm, average(1.6±0.8)cm, of which 49 cases size were over 2 cm. There is no obvious stenosis of the renal pelvis and ureter. There were 29 cases of CD4⁺ lymphocyte count ≤400/μl, and 26 cases of preoperative ureteral stents. Urine test and urine bacterial culture were confirmed no urinary tract infection before lithotripsy. 46 cases with abnormal white blood cells due to urinary test could not meet the diagnostic criteria for urinary tract infection, and prophylactic antibiotics, 51 cases without antibiotics. All 96 cases underwent lithotripsy and record postoperative conditions. Then single factor analysis and multi-factor logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the related factors of urinary tract infection after lithotripsy. Results: All 96 cases were successfully completed, no open surgery, no complications. The operation time was 40-130 min (average 57 min), of which 34 cases were over 60 min. Postoperative retained catheter time was 2 to 11 days (average 3.5 days), of which 27 cases were over 7 days. Urinary tract infection occurred in 18 of all patients, with an incidence of 18.8%. The results of urinary bacterial culture in 18 cases were 13 cases of Escherichia coli infection, 3 cases of Proteobacteria infection, and 2 cases of fecal cocci infection. There were 14 cases of calculi size over 2 cm, 10 cases of CD4⁺ lymphocyte count≤400/μl, 11 cases of preoperative ureteral stents, 3 cases of prophylactic antibiotics, 11 cases of operation time over 60 min, and 10 cases of postoperative retained catheter over 7 days. Single factor analysis found that CD4⁺ lymphocyte count≤400/μl, preoperative ureteral stents, larger calculi size, longer operation time, postoperative retained catheter for a long time could increase the risk of urinary tract infection after operation (P<0.05), Preoperative prophylactic antibiotics could reduce the incidence of postoperative infection (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that CD4⁺ lymphocyte count ≤400/μl, preoperative ureteral stents, calculi size over 2 cm, operation time more than 60 min, postoperative retained catheter more than 7 days, and no prophylactic antibiotics before surgery were risk factors for postoperative urinary tract infection(P<0.05). Conclusions CD4⁺ lymphocyte count ≤400/μl, preoperative ureteral stents, calculi size over 2 cm, operation time more than 60 min, postoperative retained catheter more than 7 d, and no preventive use of antibiotics before surgery are risk factors for urinary tract infection after flexible ureteroscopy combined with holmium laser lithotripsy with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Objective: To identify the risk factors for postoperative hyperlactatemia in the patients with type A aortic dissection. Methods: Medical records of patients with type A aortic dissection who underwent cardiovascular surgery from January 2012 to October 2017 were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into hyperlactatemia group and non-hyperlactatemia group according to the occurrence of hyperlactatemia (blood lactic acid ≥6 mmol/L) at 8 h after surgery.The variables of which P values were less than 0.05 in univariate analysis would enter the logistic regression analysis to stratify the risk factors for postoperative hyperlactatemia in this type of patients. Results: A total of 295 patients were included, of which 80 cases developed postoperative hyperlactatemia, and the incidence was 27.1%.Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative acute pericardial tamponade, intraoperative deep hypothermic circulatory arrest time>35 min) and massive transfusion of blood (>1 000 ml) within 8 h after operation were independent risk factors for postoperative hyperlactatemia in the patients with type A aortic dissection. Conclusion Preoperative acute pericardial tamponade, intraoperative deep hypothermic circulatory arrest time>35 min and massive transfusion of blood (>1 000 ml) within 8 h after operation are independent risk factors for postoperative hyperlactatemia in the patients with type A aortic dissection.

Objective To explore the feasibility and application in quantifying the rabbit central nervous system by using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)sequences.Methods 12 normal New Zealand rabbits were used to scan the brain and spinal cord of rabbits by DTI sequence of 1.5T MR machine,and the normal apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)and fractional anisotropy (FA)values were obtained in the different regions of the brain and every spinal segment of rabbits,to analyse the characteristics and regularity of numerical changes.Results The average ADC value in the brain of rabbits was (0.87±0.08)×10-3mm2/s,the average FA value was 0.23±0.09;the average ADC value in cervical spinal cord was (1.05±0.14)×10-3mm2/s,the average FA value was 0.55±0.08.The average ADC value in thoracic spinal cord was (1.14±0.12)×10-3mm2/s,and the average FA value was 0.57±0.06;the average ADC value in lumber spinal cord was (1.20±0.12)×10-3mm2/s,and the average FA value was 0.61±0.06.Conclusion FA average value in the brain is lower than that in spinal cord (P<0.001),the difference is related to the distribution of nerve fibers and physiological curvature of spine.ADC average value in the brain is lower than that in spinal cord(P<0.001),this is related to the volume of spinal canal and the peripheral structure of spinal cord.The difference of FA value in the brain and spinal cord is higher than ADC value.

Objective To analyze the independent risk factors and complications for perioperative hyperbilirubinemia in Stanford type A aortic dissection undergoing operation and investigate the management strategy of perioperative hyperbilirubi-nemia. Methods Between January 2013 and January 2018 from the department of great vessel surgery of heart centre of,290 cases of patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection undergoing operation were collected consecutively,male 210 cases,fe-male 80 cases. The related data and perioperative peak hyperbilirubinemia were recorded. According to the perioperative peak hyperbilirubinemia,patients were divided into 2 groups:≥51. 3 μmol/ L group and < 51. 3 μmol/ L group. Univariate and lo-gistic regression analysis were used to identify the independent risk factors. The perioperative complications were also recorded. Results Preoperative total bilirubin ≥ 17. 1 μmol/ L(OR = 2. 105,95％ CI: 1. 153 - 3. 125,P = 0. 016),cardiopulmonary bypass time > 3. 5 h(OR = 1. 103,95％ CI: 1. 316 - 6. 151,P = 0. 031),a large number of hemolysis(OR = 1. 503,95％CI: 1. 506 - 6. 651,P = 0. 029),the input amount of 24 h allogeneic red blood cell > 2000 ml(OR = 1. 381,95％ CI:0. 956 - 2. 552,P = 0. 036)were the independent risk factors for perioperative hyperbilirubinemia. The incidence rate of post-operative acute hepatic failure(2. 5％ vs. 0,P = 0. 021)and artificial liver therapy(2. 5％ vs. 0,P = 0. 021)in≥51. 3μmol/ L group were significantly increased. The incidence rate of postoperative acute lung injury(37. 5％ vs. 25. 2％,P =0. 039)and acute kidney injury(38. 7％ vs. 19. 5％,P = 0. 035)in 51. 3 μmol/ L group were also significantly increased. The duration of mechanical ventilation[(4. 1 ± 1. 6)days vs. (2. 8 ± 1. 3)days,P < 0. 05]and ICU stay time[(5. 1 ± 2. 3)days vs. (3. 9 ± 1. 8)days,P = 0. 035]and hospitalization time[( 19. 3 ± 3. 1)days vs. ( 17. 3 ± 2. 5)days,P = 0. 035]were sig-nificantly prolonged. Temporary nerve dysfunction(52. 5％ vs. 32. 6％,P = 0. 002)and in-hospital mortality( 17. 5％ vs. 8. 1％,P = 0. 037)were significantly increased. Conclusion Preoperative total bilirubin ≥ 17. 1 μmol/ L,cardiopulmonary bypass time > 3. 5 h,a large number of hemolysis,the input amount of 24 h allogeneic red blood cell > 2000 ml were the in-dependent risk factors for perioperative hyperbilirubinemia in Stanford type A aortic dissection. The perioperative complications in≥51. 3 μmol/ L group were significantly increased. Therefore,more attention should be paid to the independent risk factors for perioperative hyperbilirubinemia in Stanford type A aortic dissection,hyperbilirubinemia and its clearance should be moni-tored more actively and dynamically,the cause should be found more precisely,the treatment be more comprehensive to achieve to control the level of bilirubinemia and improve the prognosis.