BACKGROUND: Valvular heart disease (VHD) has become increasingly common with the aging in China. This study aimed to evaluate regional differences in the clinical features, management strategies, and outcomes of patients with VHD across different regions in China. METHODS: Data were collected from the China-VHD Study. From April 2018 to June 2018, 12,347 patients who presented with moderate or severe native VHD with a median of 2 years of follow-up from 46 centers at certified tertiary hospitals across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in Chinese mainland were included in this study. According to the locations of the research centers, patients were divided into five regional groups: eastern, southern, western, northern, and central China. The clinical features of VHD patients were compared among the five geographical regions. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the cumulative incidence rate. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients (mean age, 61.96 years; 6877 [55.70%] male), multiple VHD was the most frequent type (4042, 32.74%), which was mainly found in eastern China, followed by isolated mitral regurgitation (3044, 24.65%), which was mainly found in northern China. The etiology of VHD varied significantly across different regions of China. The overall rate of valve interventions was 32.67% (4008/12,268), with the highest rate in southern China at 48.46% (205/423). In terms of procedure, the proportion of transcatheter valve intervention was relatively low compared to that of surgical treatment. Patients with VHD in western China had the highest incidence of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Valve intervention significantly improved the outcome of patients with VHD in all five regions (all P  <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that patients with VHD in China are characterized by significant geographic disparities in clinical features, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Targeted efforts are needed to improve the management and prognosis of patients with VHD in China according to differences in geographical characteristics. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03484806.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Heart Valve Diseases/therapy* ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: To create a mixed valvular heart disease (MVHD)-related age-adjusted comorbidity index (MVACI) model for predicting mortality risk of patients with MVHD. METHODS: A total of 4080 patients with moderate or severe MVHD in the China-VHD study were included. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality. A MVACI model prediction model was constructed based on the mortality risk factors identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the relationship between MVACI scores and 2-year all-cause mortality. The optimal threshold, determined by the maximum Youden index from receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, was used to stratify patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate 2-year all-cause mortality and compared using the Log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), evaluating the association between MVACI scores and mortality. Paired ROC curves were used to compare the discriminative ability of MVACI scores with the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation Ⅱ(EuroSCORE Ⅱ) or the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) in predicting 2-year clinical outcomes, while calibration curves assessed the calibration of these models. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on etiology, treatment strategies, and disease severity. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified the following variables independently associated with 2-year all-cause mortality in patients: pulmonary hypertension, myocardiopathy, heart failure, low body weight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m²), anaemia, hypoalbuminemia, renal insufficiency, cancer, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and age. The score was independently associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, and exhibited good discrimination (AUC=0.777, 95%CI: 0.755-0.799) and calibration (Brier score 0.062), with significantly better predictive performance than EuroSCORE Ⅱ or ACCI (both adjusted P<0.01). The internal validation showed that the MVACI model's predicted probability of 2-year all-cause mortality was generally consistent with the actual probability. The AUCs for predicting all-cause mortality risk were all above 0.750, and those for predicting adverse events were all above 0.630. The prognostic value of the score remained consistent in patients regardless of their etiology, therapeutic option, and disease severity. CONCLUSIONS The MVACI was constructed in this study based on age and comorbidities, and can be used for mortality risk prediction and risk stratification of MVHD patients. It is a simple algorithmic index and easy to use.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Comorbidity ; Heart Valve Diseases/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Age Factors ; Risk Assessment ; Adult ; ROC Curve

African swine fever virus(ASFV)I177L gene deletion vaccine is one of the key directions of African swine fever(ASF)live attenuated vaccine research and development.In order to effec-tively distinguish between the wild-type ASFV strain and the I177L gene-deleted strain,specific primers and probes were designed based on ASFV B646L and I177L genes,respectively.After screening and optimization,a duplex real-time PCR method was developed that can simultaneously detect these two genes.The results showed that ASFV B646L and I177L genes were detected spe-cifically and simultaneously by the method developed without cross-reactions with porcine circovir-us type 2,Seneca virus A,classical swine fever virus,foot-and-mouth disease virus,porcine respira-tory and reproductive syndrome virus.The detection limits of the duplex real-time PCR for recom-binant plasmids pUC57-B646L and pUC57-I177L were 1×103 copies/mL.The intra-and inter-as-say coefficients of variation were less than 4％,respectively.Detection of 122 pork and pork prod-ucts using the duplex real-time PCR developed and the real-time PCR recommended by WOAH showed that the coincidence rates of the two methods for B646L gene detection was 100％with two amplification curves appeared in the positive results of the established methods.The method established in this study can be used for the detection of ASFV I177L gene deletion strains,which provides technical support for ASF surveillance and epidemiological investigation.

Objective:To study the efficacy of endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) in the treatment of non-dilated small choledocholithiasis.Methods:Clinical data of 142 patients with non-dilated small choledocholithiasis admitted to Zhanjiang Central People's Hospital from April 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 63 males and 79 females, aged (55.1±15.4) years old. Patients were divided into the EPBD group ( n=63) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) group ( n=79). Blood amylase, liver enzymology, liver metabolism, and blood routine were monitored before and 48 hours after treatment. The occurrences of intraoperative bleeding, perforation, post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), and cholangitis were compared between the groups. Patients were followed up and screened for stone recurrence by outpatient review 3 to 12 months from discharge. Results:Compared to preoperative data, the white blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bili-rubin, and direct bilirubin decreased 48 hours after treatment (all P<0.05). The operation time in EPBD group was slightly longer than that in EST group [(43.1±5.9) min vs. (38.5±4.5) min, P=0.064] without statistical significance. There were no case of perforation in both groups. The incidences of intraopera-tive bleeding [3.17%(2/63) vs. 6.33%(5/79)], PEP [17.46%(11/63) vs. 10.53%(8/79)], and postoperative cholangitis [4.76%(3/63) vs. 1.27%(1/79)] were comparable between the groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:EPBD could be feasible for non-dilated small choledocholithiasis, which does not increase the operation time and incidence of adverse events compared to EST.

Objective:To explore the advantage of thyroid biopsy and evaluate detection in the application of thyroid cancer cervical lymph node dissection operation guidance, and provide evidence-based basis for guiding PTC patients whether to receive lateral dissection.Methods:The data of 258 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma admitted to Department of Thyroid Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College from April 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were admitted to the hospital for ultrasonic examination of cervical lymph nodes. According to the examination results, thyroid biopsy and puncture eluent were performed for patients with suspicious signs of metastasis. Patients with positive test results and with metastatic signs in initial ultrasonic examination received lymph node dissection in the cervical region. All patients underwent pathological examination postoperatively to diagnose the lymph node metastasis, and to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the detection of the patients with lateral clearance.The measurement data was expressed as mean±standard deviation ( Mean± SD), and the count data was expressed as n(%). The software of SPSS21.0 was used to conduct statistical analysis. Results:All 258 patients were successfully completed the diagnosis of various diagnostic methods. Combined with the postoperative pathological diagnosis results, the accuracy rate of ultrasonic diagnosis of lymph node metastasis was 74.42%, the accuracy rate of FNAC diagnosis was 82.95%, the accuracy rate of FNAC-Tg diagnosis was 87.98%, and the accuracy rate of FNAC-Tg diagnosis was 94.96%. The diagnostic sensitivity of ultrasound, FNAC, FNAC-Tg and FNAC-Tg was 73.60%, 81.72%, 91.01% and 95.83%, respectively, and the diagnostic specificity was 76.25%, 86.11%, 79.71% and 88.41%, respectively. In every four months for a time span since April 2018, the average length of hospital stay for patients with each span was (9.17±1.30), (8.39±1.21), (7.94±1.03), (7.46±0.94), (7.33±0.82) d, their neck area incidence of lymph node metastasis were 17.6%, 21.3%, 15.7%, 12.9%, 11.8%, side clear surgical patients accounted for 42.3%, 37.5%, 30.9%, 26.6%, 19.4%. The incidence of lymph node metastasis was 86.8%, 79.4%, 84.5%, 93.2% and 98.1%, respectively.Conclusion:FNAC-Tg method is used in the diagnosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma patients with high sensitivity and specificity of lymph node metastasis, which has certain value in guiding patients whether to perform lymph node dissection.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities in Chinese advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients.Methods:A total of 46 recurrent or metastatic ESCC patients selected from ESWN 01 trial were randomly assigned to irinotecan plus S-1 group [intravenous infusion of irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) on day 1 and oral S-1 (80-120 mg) on days 1-10, repeated every 14 days]. Peripheral venous blood at baseline was collected and genomic DNA was extracted. The genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities of patients with different UGT1A1 polymorphisms were observed. The correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the adverse effects was analyzed. Results:Among the 46 patients, the numbers of UGT1A1*6 wild type genotype (GG), mutant heterozygote (GA) and mutant homozygote (AA) were 30, 15 and 1, while those with UGT1A1*28 wild type genotype (TA6/6), mutant heterozygote (TA6/7) and mutant homozygote (TA7/7) were 36, 8 and 2, respectively. Only one patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype occurred grade 3 diarrhea, while one of the 2 patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 4 diarrhea. No neutropenia was observed in the patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype, however, both of the two patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 3-4 neutropenia. Patients with UGT1A1*28 genetic polymorphism (TA 6/7 or TA7/7) had a higher response rate compared with wild-type TA6/6 carriers. (55.6% versus 26.5%).Conclusions:The homozygous genotype of UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 are rare (<5%) in Chinese ESCC population. Not all homozygous AA and TA7/7 carriers occur severe dose limited toxicities (DLT) when treated with irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) plus S-1 regimen for 2 weeks. However, it′s still necessary torigorously observe the occurrence of severe diarrhea and neutropenia in patients with UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 and adjust the dose timely.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities in Chinese advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients.Methods:A total of 46 recurrent or metastatic ESCC patients selected from ESWN 01 trial were randomly assigned to irinotecan plus S-1 group [intravenous infusion of irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) on day 1 and oral S-1 (80-120 mg) on days 1-10, repeated every 14 days]. Peripheral venous blood at baseline was collected and genomic DNA was extracted. The genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities of patients with different UGT1A1 polymorphisms were observed. The correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the adverse effects was analyzed. Results:Among the 46 patients, the numbers of UGT1A1*6 wild type genotype (GG), mutant heterozygote (GA) and mutant homozygote (AA) were 30, 15 and 1, while those with UGT1A1*28 wild type genotype (TA6/6), mutant heterozygote (TA6/7) and mutant homozygote (TA7/7) were 36, 8 and 2, respectively. Only one patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype occurred grade 3 diarrhea, while one of the 2 patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 4 diarrhea. No neutropenia was observed in the patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype, however, both of the two patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 3-4 neutropenia. Patients with UGT1A1*28 genetic polymorphism (TA 6/7 or TA7/7) had a higher response rate compared with wild-type TA6/6 carriers. (55.6% versus 26.5%).Conclusions:The homozygous genotype of UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 are rare (<5%) in Chinese ESCC population. Not all homozygous AA and TA7/7 carriers occur severe dose limited toxicities (DLT) when treated with irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) plus S-1 regimen for 2 weeks. However, it′s still necessary torigorously observe the occurrence of severe diarrhea and neutropenia in patients with UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 and adjust the dose timely.

Objective To study the effect of clove oil on bacterial biofilm of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Methods The components of clove oil were determined by GC-MS mass spectrometry. The suspension of streptococcus mutans was prepared to carry out the germicidal test, and to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of clove oil. The effects of different concentrations of clove oil on the formation of biofilm were observed by laser confocal microscopy, and the average fluorescence intensity of live bacteria and dead bacteria in biofilm was recorded. Results Determination of clove oil 8 components were analyzed by GC-MS mass spectrometry method, most of the Eugenol content was 48.93%, followed by the Caryophyllene 20.78%, Methylis salicylas 14.96%. Through MIC, MBC and the experimental results showed that clove oil had antibacterial activity of Proteus, and with the increase of clove oil concentration, the inhibitory effect was better. When it reached a certain concentration, it can showed bactericidal effect that the MIC and MBC were 0.3125%, 0.6250%. The clove oil also had inhibitory effect on Streptococcus mutans biofilm with the concentration depedence. When the concentration of clove oil was 2.5000%, the average fluorescence intensity (live/dead bacteria) was 0.082 ± 0.007, the proportion of living bacteria decreased obviously, and biofilm disappeared. Conclusions The clove oil not only has inhibitory effect on Streptococcus mutants, but also can inhibit and clear the biofilm formation of Streptococcus.

Objective SIV30 protein of simian immunodeficiency virus(SIV)was prepared by genetic engineering technique as an antigen diagnostic reagent, to establish an immune comb method for the specific detection of anti SIV IgG in monkey serum. Methods Recombinant expression plasmid of SIV SIV30 gene was constructed by prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1, and expressed in the competent BL21 cells. The recombinant protein was purified as a diagnostic antigen, and a standardized procedure for the detection of immune comb was established and applied for clinical detection. Results The optimum coating amount of antigen was 0.02 mg/mL. The prepared IC was able to specifically detect the positive serum of SIV. There was no cross reaction between the sera of other viruses. It showed a high specificity of the detection method. Sensitivity analysis showed that the SIV30 protein was able to detect 1:400 times diluted SIV positive sera. The result of stability and repeatability test(the same sample was repeated 3 times) showed that the coefficient of variation(CV)was less than 10%. The serum samples of 10 suspicious monkeys were detected by this method, showing a consistent rate of comb method and ELISA test result of 100%, Kappa =1.000. Conclusions SIV30 protein is expressed in prokaryotic cells. The immune comb is prepared,and is successfullyl applied in clinical examination. It shows that the method has a high sensitivity, strong specificity, good reproducibility and practicability.

Objective: To investigate the impact of blood pressure and age on arterial stiffness in general population. Methods: Participants who took part in 2010, 2012 and 2014 Kailuan health examination were included. Data of brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) examination were analyzed. According to the WHO criteria of age, participants were divided into 3 age groups: 18-44 years group (n=11 608), 45-59 years group (n=12 757), above 60 years group (n=5 002). Participants were further divided into hypertension group and non-hypertension group according to the diagnostic criteria for hypertension (2010 Chinese guidelines for the managemengt of hypertension). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the association between systolic blood pressure (SBP) with baPWV in the total participants and then stratified by age groups. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influence of blood pressure on arterial stiffness (baPWV≥1 400 cm/s) of various groups. Results: (1)The baseline characteristics of all participants: 35 350 participants completed 2010, 2012 and 2014 Kailuan examinations and took part in baPWV examination. 2 237 participants without blood pressure measurement values were excluded, 1 569 participants with history of peripheral artery disease were excluded, we also excluded 1 016 participants with history of cardiac-cerebral vascular disease. Data from 29 367 participants were analyzed. The age was (48.0±12.4) years old, 21 305 were males (72.5%). (2) Distribution of baPWV in various age groups: baPWV increased with aging. In non-hypertension population, baPWV in 18-44 years group, 45-59 years group, above 60 years group were as follows: 1 299.3, 1 428.7 and 1 704.6 cm/s, respectively. For hypertension participants, the respective values of baPWV were: 1 498.4, 1 640.7 and 1 921.4 cm/s. BaPWV was significantly higher in hypertension group than non-hypertension group of respective age groups (P<0.05). (3) Multiple linear regression analysis defined risk factors of baPWV: Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that baPWV was positively correlated with SBP(t=39.30, P<0.001), and same results were found in the sub-age groups (t-value was 37.72, 27.30, 9.15, all P<0.001, respectively) after adjustment for other confounding factors, including age, sex, pulse pressure(PP), body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), smoking, drinking, physical exercise, antihypertensive medications, lipid-lowering medication. (4) Multivariate logistic regression analysis of baPWV-related factors: After adjustment for other confounding factors, including age, sex, PP, BMI, FBG, TC, smoking, drinking, physical exercise, antihypertensive medication, lipid-lowering medication, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that risks for increased arterial stiffness in hypertension group were higher than those in non-hypertension group, the OR in participants with hypertension was 2.54 (2.35-2.74) in the total participants, and same results were also found in sub-age groups, the ORs were 3.22(2.86-3.63), 2.48(2.23-2.76), and 1.91(1.42-2.56), respectively, in each sub-age group. Conclusion SBP is positively related to arterial stiffness in different age groups, and hypertension is a risk factor for increased arterial stiffness in different age groups. Clinical Trial Registry Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-TNC-11001489.