Objective:To investigate the values of two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic parameters in predicting pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in chronic pulmonary thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).Methods:A total of 141 patients diagnosed with CTEPH in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from November 2015 to December 2022 were included. Two-dimensional echocardiographic indicators reflecting PVR were constructed according to the calculation formula of PVR: echocardiographic estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP Echo)/left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), echocardiographic estimated mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP Echo)/LVIDd. sPAP Echo/left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), sPAP Echo/left ventricular cardiac output (LVCO) were measured by three-dimensional echocardiography. The correlations between two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic ratios and invasive PVR were then analyzed using the Spearman correlation method. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, cut-off values for the ratios were generated to identify patients with PVR>1 000 dyn·s -1·cm -5. Pre- and postoperative hemodynamics and echocardiographic data were analyzed, as well as the correlation between the reduction rate of the echocardiographic index and PVR in 54 patients who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). Results:sPAP Echo/LVIDd, sPAP Echo/LVEDV and sPAP Echo/LVCO were moderately correlated with PVR( rs=0.62, 0.52, 0.63, both P<0.001). The ratio of sPAP Echo to LVEDV, when greater than or equal to 1.41, had a sensitivity of 0.800 and a specificity of 0.930 for determining PVR >1 000 dyn·s -1·cm -5 (AUC=0.860, P<0.001). Similarly, the ratio of sPAP Echo to LVIDd, when greater than or equal to 2.14, had a sensitivity of 0.647 and a specificity of 0.861 for determining PVR >1000 dyn·s -1·cm -5 (AUC=0.830, P<0.001). The sPAP Echo/LVIDd and mPAP Echo/LVIDd significantly decreased after PEA (both P<0.001). The sPAP Echo/LVIDd and mPAP Echo/LVIDd reduction rate (ΔsPAP Echo/LVIDd and ΔmPAP Echo/LVIDd) were significantly correlated with PVR reduction rate (ΔPVR), respectively ( rs=0.61, 0.63, both P<0.05). Conclusions:Two-dimensional ratio sPAP Echo/LVIDd and three-dimensional ratio sPAP Echo/LVEDV can be used to noninvasively estimate PVR in CTEPH patients. The conventional ratio sPAP Echo/LVIDd is convenient and reproducibly suitable for monitoring the improvement of PVR before and after treatment, and its ratio of 2.14 can predict the significant increase of PVR in CTEPH patients (>1 000 dyn·s -1·cm -5).

Objective:To analyze applications of different level of exercise intensity in patients with esophageal cancer during concurrent chemoradiotherapy.Methods:By convenient sampling method, a total of 120 patients with esophageal cancer during concurrent chemoradiotherapy were adopted in Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Sciences from April 2019 to October 2020, they were assigned to control group, primary degree group, intermediate degree group and advanced degree group according to the random number table method, with 30 patients in each group. All patients were given routine concurrent chemoradiotherapy nursing care, based on this, the primary degree group average walk were 5 000 - 7 499 steps/d, intermediate degree group were 7 500 - 9 999 steps/d, advanced degree group were 10 000 - 12 499 steps/d, besides, the control group did not require the amount of walking. Before and three, six weeks after therapy, the intervention effect was assessed by Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), BMI, serum total protein, albumin as well as the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS-R).Results:After six months of therapy, the scores of PG-SGA were (4.31 ± 1.47) and (4.15 ± 1.46) in the intermediate degree group and advanced degree group, lower than in the primary degree group and control group (5.46 ± 1.88) and (5.96 ± 1.91), the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.57-3.98, all P<0.05); the levels of serum total protein and albumin were (54.45 ± 10.58), (33.72 ± 7.19) and (55.19 ± 9.82), (34.00 ± 6.52) g/L in the intermediate degree group and advanced degree group, higher than in the primary degree group and control group (49.11 ± 7.71), (29.61 ± 6.21) and (48.04 ± 8.40), (30.04 ± 6.13) g/L, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.19-2.88, all P<0.05). After three and six months of therapy, the scores of PFS-R were (3.41 ± 0.57), (4.62 ± 0.73) in the intermediate degree group, lower than in the primary degree group, advanced degree group and control group (4.25 ± 0.89), (5.43 ± 0.69), (4.19 ± 0.79), (6.11 ± 0.93) and (4.14 ± 0.59), (5.39 ± 0.79) ( t values were 4.01-8.63, all P<0.05). Conclusions:7 500 - 9 999 steps/d are optimal walking exercise intensity, it can effectively improve the nutritional status and reduce fatigue of patients with esophageal cancer during concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the significance of computed tomography(CT)and 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)for esophageal carcinoma. Methods Thirty-five patients newly diagnosed with esophageal carcinoma who received radical radiotherapy in our hospital from November 2013 to April 2015 were enrolled as subjects. Target volume was delineated on the CT images and MRI images(T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted fusion images). The MRI-and CT-based IMRT plans were designed using the same dose prescription and dose constraints for organs at risk(OAR). The target volume,prescribed dose,and doses for OAR were compared between the two plans. Results In the two plans, dose distribution and planning parameters met the clinical requirement. The length of lesion,gross tumor volume (GTV),and planning target volume(PTV)defined by 3.0 T MRI were significantly smaller than those defined by CT(P=0.00,0.03,0.03). There were no significant differences in the D 2%,D 98%,D 50%,homogeneity index,or conformity index for primary GTV(PGTV)and PTV-PGTV between the two plans(all P>0.05). Compared with the CT-based plan,the 3.0 T MRI-based plan had a significantly smaller mean dose to the lungs and an insignificantly smaller actual dose to the lungs(P=0.00;P>0.05).There were no significant differences in maximum doses tolerated by the spinal cord or heart between the two plans. Conclusions In terms of target volume delineation and dosimetric parameters, both CT-and 3.0 T MRI-based plans meet the clinical requirement. The 3.0 T MRI-based plan may provide potential benefits for some OAR due to a smaller target volume compared with the CT-based plan.

Objective To compare the cumulative analgesic effects of electroacupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP6), Xuanzhong (GB39) and non-acupoint in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Method By adopting a multi-centered randomized controlled study method, 501 patients recruited from Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Capital Medical University, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huguosi Hospital of Chinese Medicine of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Outpatient of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were randomized into a Sanyinjiao group, a Xuanzhong group, and a non-acupoint group, 167 subjects in each group. The electroacupuncture intervention was applied when dysmenorrhea flared up and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ≥40 mm, with frequency at 2/100 Hz and intensity during patient’s endurance, 30 min each time, once a day, and for successive 3 d. Before the first treatment, 30 min after the first treatment, and respectively prior to the second and third treatment, VAS was used to measure the pain intensity. Meanwhile, the Retrospective Symptom Scale (RSS-COX 2) was investigated before the first treatment, right after the removal of needles for the first treatment, before the second and third treatment. Result The decrease of VAS in Sanyinjiao group was more significant than that in Xuanzhong group and non-acupoint group (MD=﹣2.92 mm, P=0.028; MD=﹣3.47 mm, P=0.009), while there was no significant difference between Xuanzhong group and non-acupoint group (MD=﹣0.56 mm, P=0.674); there were no significant differences in comparing the RSS-COX2 total score among the three groups (P=0.086). Conclusion Sanyinjiao (SP6) can produce a more significant cumulative analgesic effect for primary dysmenorrhea patient than Xuanzhong and non-acupoint, and the effects of Xuanzhong and non-acupoit are equivalent.

Objective To investigate the differences of severities of depression and anxiety,clinical manifestations in elderly Kazak and Han post-stroke depression (PSD) patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods Four hundred and forty-seven elderly Kazak and Han Ethnic patients with acute cerebral infarction,admitted to our hospitals within 7 days of onset,were chosen; according to the clinical diagnostic criteria and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores for PSD,the patients were divided into Kazak PSD group (n=40) and Han PSD group (n=78).The scores of HAMD,Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA),and the clinical features were compared between the two groups.Results The HAMD scores in Han PSD group were significantly higher than those in Kazak PSD group:factor scores of block,sleep disorder,depression were statistically higher than those in Kazak PSD group (P＜0.05).The HAMA scores in Kazak PSD group were significantly higher than those in Han PSD group:the factor scores of mental anxiety were statistically higher than those in the Han PSD group (P＜0.05).The incidences of restlessness,nervous agitation,cardiovascular symptoms in Kazak PSD group were significantly higher than those in the Han PSD group (P＜0.05).The incidences of insomnia,waking up early,too much attention to the body,hypochondria,pessimism about future,gastrointestinal symptoms in Han PSD group were statistically higher than those in the Kazak PSD group (P＜0.05).Conclusion The severity of depression and anxiety,and clinical manifestations are various in elderly Kazak and Han PSD patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the anesthetic effects and safety of Gow-Gates technique of inferior alveolar nerve block in impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

METHODSA split-mouth study was designed. The bilateral impacted mandibular third molar of 32 participants were divided into Gow-Gates technique of inferior alveolar nerve block (Gow-Gates group) and conventional technique of inferior alveolar nerve block (conventional group) randomly with third molar extracted. The anesthetic effects and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTSAll the participants completed the research. The anesthetic success rate was 96.9% in Gow-Gates group and 90.6% in conventional group with no statistical difference ( P= 0.317); but when comparing the anesthesia grade, Gow-Gates group had a 96.9% of grade A and B, and conventional group had a rate of 78.1% (P = 0.034). And the Gow-Gates group had a much lower withdrawn bleeding than conventional group (P = 0.025). Two groups had no hematoma.

CONCLUSIONGow-Gates technique had a reliable anesthesia effects and safety in impacted mandibular third molar extraction and could be chosen as a candidate for the conventional inferior alveolar nerve block.

Anesthesia, Dental ; Anesthetics ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Mandible ; Mandibular Nerve ; Molar ; Molar, Third ; Nerve Block ; Tooth Extraction