Objective To investigate the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (empagliflozin, EMPA) on myocardial remodeling in a mouse uremic cardiomyopathy (UCM) model induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, through the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT)/p65 signaling pathway. Methods The animals were divided into three groups: Sham group (n=6), UCM group (n=8), and UCM＋EMPA group (n=8). A UCM model was established in C57BL/6N mice using the 5/6 nephrectomy. Starting from 5 weeks post-surgery, EMPA or a placebo was administered. After 16 weeks, blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, 24-hour urine glucose and urine sodium were measured. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson trichrome staining were used to observe pathological changes in the heart and kidneys. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to evaluate myocardial hypertrophy. The real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related mRNAs. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of PI3K, AKT and p65 in myocardial tissues. Results After 16 weeks, UCM group exhibited significantly higher blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen than sham group (P＜0.01); UCM＋EMPA group exhibited lower blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and higher 24 h urine sodium and glucose than UCM group (P＜0.05). Echocardiographic results showed ventricular remodeling in the UCM group, evidenced by left ventricular wall thickening, left ventricular enlargement, increased left ventricular mass, and decreased systolic function (P＜0.05); ventricular remodeling was alleviated (P＜0.05), though there was no significant improvement in systolic function in UCM＋EMPA group. HE and Masson stainings revealed myocardial degeneration, necrosis, and interstitial fibrosis in UCM group (P＜0.01); the myocardial pathology improved with reduced collagen deposition in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). WGA staining confirmed myocardial hypertrophy in UCM group (P＜0.01), while myocardial hypertrophy was alleviated in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). RT-qPCR results showed myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related genes (NPPA, NPPB, MYH7, COL1A1, COL3A1, TGF-β1) were upregulated in UCM group (P＜0.05), but downregulated in UCM＋EMPA group. Western blotting showed PI3K, p-AKT/AKT ratio, and p-p65/p65 ratio were increased in UCM group, but decreased in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.05). Conclusion EMPA can improve myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in the UCM mouse model, and it may play the role through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/p65 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the value of dual-detector spectral CTA in distinguishing infarct core from penumbra in patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS), and to further explore the risk factors associated with infarct core and their predictive value.Methods:The imaging and clinical data of 163 patients with AIS who met the inclusion criteria admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from March 2022 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients from March 2022 to December 2022 were used as the training group, and patients from January 2023 to May 2023 were used as the validation group for internal validation. The head and neck spectral CTA and brain CT perfusion imaging with dual-layer detector spectral CT were all carried out on all patients. Using CTP as reference, the patients were divided into infarct core group and non-infarct core group according to whether an infarct core occurred in the hypoperfusion regions of brain tissue. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen predictors related to the infarct core. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy.Results:A total of 163 patients were included in the study, including 112 in the training group and 51 in the validation group. There were significant differences in iodine density, effective atomic number, hypertension, triglyceride and neutrophils between the two groups ( P< 0.05). The cutoff values for iodine density values and effective atomic number values were 0.215 mg/mL and 7.405, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that iodine density and hypertension were independent risk factors for infarct core in AIS, and triglyceride was an independent protective factor. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of iodine density value was the largest (0.859), with a sensitivity of 70.27%, and a specificity of 90.67%, which had a good predictive value. The ROC curve analysis results for the validation group were consistent with the training group. Conclusions:Spectral CT parameters iodine density values and effective atomic number values have the potential to distinguish the infarct core area from the penumbra area in patients with AIS. Iodine density and hypertension were independent risk factors of infarct core in AIS, triglyceride was an independent protective factor, and iodine density values obtained by dual-layer spectral detector CT had a high predictive value.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of clinical factor model, deep learning model based on baseline plain CT images, and combination of both for predicting hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage.Methods:The study was cross-sectional. Totally 471 cerebral hemorrhage patients who were firstly diagnosed in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2017 to December 2021 were collected retrospectively. These patients were randomly divided into a training dataset ( n=330) and a validation dataset ( n=141) at a ratio of 7∶3 by using the random function. All patients underwent two noncontrast CT examinations within 24 h and an increase in hematoma volume of >33% or an absolute increase in hematoma volume of >6 ml was considered hematoma enlargement. According to the presence or absence of hematoma enlargement, all patients were divided into hematoma enlargement group and hematoma non-enlargement group.Two-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test were used for univariate analysis. The factors with statistically significant differences were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis, and independent influences related to hematoma enlargement were screened out to establish a clinical factor model. ITK-SNAP software was applied to manually label and segment the cerebral hemorrhage lesions on plain CT images to train and build a deep learning model based on ResNet50 architecture. A combination model for predicting hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage was established by combining independent clinical influences with deep learning scores. The value of the clinical factor model, the deep learning model, and the combination model for predicting hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curves in the training and validation datasets. Results:Among 471 cerebral hemorrhage patients, 136 cases were in the hematoma enlargement group and 335 cases were in the hematoma non-enlargement group. Regression analyses showed that male ( OR=1.790, 95% CI 1.136-2.819, P=0.012), time of occurrence ( OR=0.812, 95% CI 0.702-0.939, P=0.005), history of oral anticoagulants ( OR=2.157, 95% CI 1.100-4.229, P=0.025), admission Glasgow Coma Scale score ( OR=0.866, 95% CI 0.807-0.929, P<0.001) and red blood cell distribution width ( OR=1.045, 95% CI 1.010-1.081, P=0.011) were the independent factors for predicting hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage. ROC curve analysis showed that in the training dataset, the area under the curve (AUC) of clinical factor model, deep learning model and combination model were 0.688 (95% CI 0.635-0.738), 0.695 (95% CI 0.642-0.744) and 0.747 (95% CI 0.697-0.793) respectively. The AUC of the combination model was better than that of the clinical model ( Z=0.54, P=0.011) and the deep learning model ( Z=2.44, P=0.015). In the validation dataset, the AUC of clinical factor model, deep learning model and combination model were 0.687 (95% CI 0.604-0.763), 0.683 (95% CI 0.599-0.759) and 0.736 (95% CI 0.655-0.806) respectively, with no statistical significance. Decision curves showed that the combination model had the highest net benefit rate and strong clinical practicability. Conclusions:Both the deep learning model and the clinical factor model established in this study have some predictive value for hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage; the combination model established by the two together has the highest predictive value and can be applied to predict hematoma expansion.

Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)inhibitor(TNFi)in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis(AS)complicated with osteoporosis(OP)and the impact on bone metabolism,bone density,and inflammatory factors.Methods The data of 158 patients with AS and OP,who were admitted to Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University(Second Military Medical University)from Jan.1,2010 to Dec.31,2017,were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into bisphosphonate group(n=54),TNFi group(n=58),and TNFi+bisphosphonate group(n=46)according to the treatment methods.All patients were treated with calcium combined with calcitriol as the background treatment.After 5 years of treatment,Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index(BASDAI)and Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index(BASFI)scores were evaluated,and inflammatory indexes,bone metabolism markers,and bone mineral density were detected.Results After 5 years of treatment,the BASDAI and BASFI scores,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C reactive protein(CRP),TNF-α,and interleukin-17A of the TNFi+bisphosphonate group and TNFi group were significantly lower than those before treatment(all P＜0.05);in the bisphosphonate group only ESR and CRP were significantly lower than those before treatment(both P＜0.05),and the other inflammatory indexes and BASDAI and BASFI scores showed no significant changes(all P＞0.05).The bone mineral density of the 3 groups after 5 years of treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment(all P＜0.05),and the bone mineral density of the TNFi+bisphosphonate group was significantly higher than that of the other 2 groups(both P＜0.05).After 5 years of treatment,the levels of parathyroid hormone(PTH),procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide(P1NP)and β-C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen(β-CTX)in the TNFi+bisphosphonate group and bisphosphonate group were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(all P＜0.05),while the levels of N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin(N-MID)and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D(25VitD)were significantly increased(all P＜0.05);in the TNFi group only PTH and P1NP levels were significantly decreased(both P＜0.05),while β-CTX,N-MID and 25VitD levels showed no significant differences(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Long-term use of TNFi in patients with AS and OP can effectively reduce disease activity,improve physical function,decrease the level of inflammatory factors,alleviate abnormal bone metabolism,and increase bone mineral density;and the combined use of TNFi and bisphosphonates has better efficacy.

Objective:To establish and validate a nomogram model for early prediction of the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP) progressing to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods:CT signs and clinical laboratory parameters of 361 AP patients admitted to our Hospital from January 2016 to July 2022 were retrospectively collected. There were 221 males (61.2%) and 140 females (38.8%). According to the Atlantic score, all patients were divided into the SAP group (64 cases) and the non-SAP (NSAP) group (297 cases). Univariate analysis was used to screen out variables with statistically significant differences. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen out the independent risk factors of SAP, and finally a nomogram prediction model was established. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and decision curve (DCA) were used to evaluate the predictive efficacy, accuracy and clinical practicability of the model, and Bootstrap method was used to verify the model internally.Results:Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pleural effusion ( OR=7.353, 95% CI: 3.344-16.170), posterior pararenal space (PPS) involvement ( OR=3.149, 95% CI: 1.314-7.527), serum creatinine concentration (Cr) ( OR=1.027, 95% CI: 1.017-1.038) and serum calcium concentration (Ca 2+) ( OR=0.038, 95% CI: 0.009-0.166) were independent risk factors for SAP ( P<0.05). A Nomogram model was established based on these four factors. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of this model was 0.905 (95% CI: 0.869-0.933), indicating high predictive efficiency. Internal verification showed that the model had good accuracy in predicting SAP, and C-index was 0.90. DCA analysis showed that the model had high clinical practicability. Conclusions:The Nomogram model combining pleural effusion, PPS involvement, Cr and Ca 2+ had a good effect on early prediction of SAP, which could provide a new reference tool for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the effects of maternal subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on preschoolers′ behavioral problems.Methods:Based on the Ma′ anshan Birth Cohort, pregnant women who had their first antenatal checkup in Maternal and Child Health Center in Ma′ anshan were recruited from May 2013 to September 2014. Data on demographic, obstetric information, and maternal exposure were collected. Women′s fasting venous blood in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy was collected. The levels of thyroid hormones [thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT 4)] and thyroid autoantibodies [thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb)] in maternal blood were retrospectively detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Preschoolers′ behavioral problems were assessed by Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/1.5-5). Poisson regression models were adopted to examine the effect of maternal SCH on preschoolers′ internalizing and externalizing problems and the critical period. Results:In this study, the reference of maternal thyroid indexes was established (between 2.5 th and 97.5 th percentile). The reference of TSH in the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy was 0.04-4.90 μIU/mL, 0.75-6.08 μIU/mL, and 0.58-5.59 μIU/mL respectively; and the reference of FT 4 was 13.19-23.27 pmol/L, 9.14-15.32 pmol/L, and 9.53-17.45 pmol/L respectively. In the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy, the prevalence of SCH was found to be 2.0% (25/1 224), 1.6% (19/1 218), and 1.7% (21/1 220), respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, maternal SCH in the first trimester was associated with the risk of anxiety and depression in preschool children ( OR=3.06, 95% CI 1.05-8.98). Maternal SCH in the second trimester was found to be associated with the risk of overreaction in preschool children ( OR=2.65, 95% CI 1.13-6.21). Conclusions:The establishment of thyroid hormones reference range for pregnant women in Ma′ anshan area is beneficial to the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of thyroid diseases during pregnancy in this area. Maternal SCH during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of behavioral problems in preschool children. In the first trimester, maternal SCH was associated with preschoolers′ anxiety and depression, and in the second trimester, maternal SCH was associated with preschoolers′ emotional reactivity.

Objective: : This study aims to investigate the relationship between aneurysm wall enhancement and clinical rupture risks based on the magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) quantitative methods. Methods: : One hundred and eight patients with 127 unruptured aneurysms were prospectively enrolled from Feburary 2016 to October 2017. Aneurysms were divided into high risk (≥10) and intermediate-low risk group (<10) according to the PHASES (Population, Hypertension, Age, Size of aneurysm, Earlier SAH history from another aneurysm, Site of aneurysm) scores. Clinical risk factors, aneurysm morphology, and wall enhancement index (WEI) calculated using 3D MR-VWI were analyzed and compared. Results: : In comparison of high-risk and intermediated-low risk groups, univariate analysis showed that neck width (4.5±3.3 mm vs. 3.4±1.7 mm, p=0.002), the presence of wall enhancement (100.0% vs. 62.9%, p<0.001), and WEI (1.6±0.6 vs. 0.8±0.8, p<0.001) were significantly associated with high rupture risk. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that WEI was the most important factor in predicting high rupture risk (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–4.9; p=0.002). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis can efficiently differentiate higher risk aneurysms (area under the curve, 0.780; p<0.001) which have a reliable WEI cutoff value (1.04; sensitivity, 0.833; specificity, 0.67) predictive of high rupture risk. Conclusion : Aneurysms with higher rupture risk based on PHASES score demonstrate increased neck width, wall enhancement, and the enhancement intensity. Higher WEI in unruptured aneurysms has a predictive value for increased rupture risk.

Objective:To analyze the molecular characteristics of Echovirus 11 (Echo11) strains isolated in Xiangyang, Hubei Province from 2016 to 2017 based on the sequences of VP1 gene.Methods:Rectal and throat swab specimens were collected from children with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Xiangyang from 2016 to 2017. Echo11 strains were detected by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and isolated after cultured in human rhabdosarcoma (RD) cells. The VP1 regions of Echo11 strains isolated from RD cells and the whole genomes of three representative Echo11 strains were amplified by conventional RT-PCR and the sequences were analyzed. DNAStar7.0 (MegAlign) and MEGA6.0 (Data) were used to analyze the homology and mutation sites in nucleotide and amino acid sequences. Neighbor-joining method was used to construct phylogenetic trees. Recombination analysis was performed with SimPlot software (BootScanning).Results:A total of 11 Echo11 strains were isolated from 3 494 HFMD cases, accounting for 0.31%. They were highly homologous in the VP1 gene. These strains shared 98.4%-100.0% homology in nucleotide sequences and 98.3%-100.0% homology in amino acid sequences. The homology between the 11 Echo11 strains and the prototype strain (Echo11/Gregory, X80059) was 73.9%-74.8% in nucleotide sequences and 87.7%-88.7% in amino acid sequences. All of the Echo11 strains circulating in Xiangyang were classified into lineage D, having a similarity to the strains circulating in some regions of mainland China since 2013. In multiple regions of the genome, the Echo11 strains isolated in Xiangyang were highly similar to the Henan Echo1 strains in 2010 and the Hubei Echo6 strains in 2015, suggesting there was recombination within the genome of Echo11 strains in Xiangyang.Conclusions:The Echo11 strains circulating in Xiangyang from 2016 to 2017 belonged to lineage D and were recombinant strains.

Objective: To understand the effect of pregnancyrelated anxiety on preschool childrens executive functions(EFs) and gender difference in order to optimize the early development environment of offspring life. Methods: This study was based on the ChinaAnhui Birth Cohort Study. Pregnant women from Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in Maanshan, Anhui province between October 2008 and October 2010 were recruited. The general information of pregnant women and the pregnancyrelated anxiety were collected prospectively in the first trimester of pregnancy. A cohort of 3 556 children aged 3-5 were followed up and their basic characteristics were collected. Executive function of preschool children was assessed by Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive FunctionPreschool Version(BRIEF) (parent version). Results: In boys, compared with the control group, pregnancyrelated anxiety in the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with the risk of abnormality in working memory, planning/organization and GEC[OR(95%CI)=1.40(1.06-1.85), 1.64(1.06-2.54), 1.89(1.27-2.82)]. Anxiety in the both trimesters of pregnancy was associated with the risk of abnormality in inhibition, working memory, planning/organization and GEC[OR(95%CI)=2.60(1.45-4.67), 2.45(1.69-3.57), 2.23(1.28-3.88), 3.27(2.03-5.28)]. In girls, pregnancyrelated anxiety in the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with the risk of abnormality in inhibition and working memory[OR(95%CI)=1.79(1.13-2.83), 1.45(1.07-1.98)]. Anxiety in the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with the risk of abnormality in inhibition[OR(95%CI)=2.26(1.17-4.38)]. Anxiety in both trimesters of pregnancy was associated with the risk of abnormality in inhibition and working memory[OR(95%CI)=2.45(1.40-4.28), 2.02(1.35-3.01)]. Conclusion Pregnancyrelated anxiety significantly affected the executive function of preschool children, and there was a significant doseresponse relationship. Pregnancyrelated anxiety primarily affects working memory, planning/organization and GEC function in boys, and the working memory, inhibition function in girls.

Objective:Investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and sarcopenia in a Chinese elderly population.Methods:Participants in this cross-sectional study were recruited from the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health Cohort Study. The study population comprised 2 423 participants, with mean age of (67.6±5.2) years. Sarcopenia was defined based on the guidelines of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Three dietary patterns were derived by factor analysis: fruit and sweet pattern, traditional oriental pattern, and animal food pattern. The association between quartile categories of dietary pattern scores and the presence of sarcopenia was analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. Odds ratios ( OR) and 95% confidence interval ( CI) were calculated. Results:The prevalence of sarcopenia was 16.1%. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with the lowest quartile, the adjusted OR ( 95%CI) of sarcopenia for the highest quintile of Fruit and sweet pattern score, Traditional oriental pattern score and Animal food pattern score were 1.06 (0.74, 1.50), 0.54 (0.34, 0.86), and 0.50 (0.33, 0.74), ( P for trend were 0.87,<0.01, and<0.001), respectively. Conclusions:The current study found that the traditional oriental pattern and animal food pattern has a protective relation for sarcopenia in elderly adults, which suggests its potential to attenuate or prevent the progression of sarcopenia.