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 investigate the safety and efficacy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) for residual pulmonary hypertension (PH) of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension(CTEPH) after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA).Methods:Patients diagnosed as PH after PEA in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from Oct 2016 to Jun 2022 were included. The indication for BPA was decided on the basis of a consensus of the multi-disciplinary team for all patients with CTEPH. Before treatment, the patient′s exercise tolerance and pulmonary artery flow parameters were evaluated. A comparative analysis of various parameters before BPA treatment and at the last BPA was conducted. 6-min walk distance (6MWD) was analyzed using the paired Wilcoxon test; N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), mixed venous oxygen saturation, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), cardiac index (CI) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were compared using the paired-samples t-test. WHO functional class was compared using McNemar′s test. Results:Twenty patients with a total of 130 vessels underwent 46 sessions of BPA treatment. The postoperative 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) [447 (415, 485) m] showed a significant improvement compared to the preoperative baseline [389 (335, 470) m] ( Z=6.52, P<0.05), Postoperative mixed venous oxygen saturation (72.0%±1.9%) showed a significant improvement compared to the preoperative levels (64.0%±2.7%) ( t=2.14, P<0.05).Postoperatively, plasma NT-proBNP [(351.9±129.9) pg/ml], mPAP [(24.2±1.9) mmHg], and PVR [(3.0±1.4) WU] significantly decreased compared to preoperative levels [(982.5±426.2) pg/ml, (33±2.1) mmHg, (8.0±1.6) WU)] ( t=3.38, 1.22, 2.10, P<0.05 for all). Postoperatively, there was a significant improvement in WHO functional class (Ⅰ，Ⅱ，Ⅲ，Ⅳ: 14, 4, 2, 0 cases) compared to preoperative status (Ⅰ，Ⅱ，Ⅲ，Ⅳ: 0, 13, 5, 2 cases) ( χ2=20.17, P<0.05). Four cases of pulmonary artery dissection and one episode of hemoptysis occurred postoperatively, with no other complications reported. Conclusions:BPA can significantly improve exercise tolerance and hemodynamic parameters for residual PH after PEA. BPA is a relatively safe and effective treatment for residual PH after PEA.

Objective To investigate the value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging(IVIM-DWI)in quantitatively evaluating the involved muscle in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies(IIM).Methods Totally,50 patients with clinically diagnosed IIM(IIM group)and 15 healthy controls(control group)were selected for bilateral thigh MRI examination,including IVIM-DWI sequences.The right quadriceps(vastus lateralis,vastus intermedius,vastus medialis,and rectus femoris)of all subjects were selected as region of interest(ROI).Single-exponential and double-exponential analysis were employed to quantitatively measure IVIM-DWI parameters,including apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),D,f,and D*.Based on T1WI and T2WI fat-suppressed images of the right quadriceps,these muscles were divided into affected and unaffected groups.One-way analysis of variance was used to compare IVIM-DWI parameters between affected group,unaffected group,and control group.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was performed to analyze the differences in IVIM-DWI parameters among the above groups.Results The D and ADC values were significantly higher in the affected group compared to the unaffected group and the control group(P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis revealed that D and ADC values had moderate diagnostic significance with area under the curve(AUC)of 0.794 and 0.882,respec-tively.The cutoff values for D values and ADC values were 1.63×10-3 mm2/s and 1.44×10-3 mm2/s,respectively.Additionally,MRI follow-up performed one year after treatment in three patients with IIM showed significant resolution of inflammatory edema in thigh muscles,accompanied by a marked decrease in IVIM-DWI parameter values,particularly D values and ADC values.Conclusion The affected muscle in IIM show distinctive diffusion characteristics,and IVIM-DWI parameters,especially D values and ADC val-ues,show a higher diagnostic value for assessing muscle status in IIM.In addition,IVIM-DWI parameters also demonstrate a promis-ing value in the follow-up of IIM,which requires further confirmation in larger cohorts.

Purpose To observe the CT imaging features of dermatomyosistis patients with anti-melanoma differentiation related genes 5(MDA-5),and to analyze the relationship between CT imaging indicators and short-term prognosis of patients.Materials and Methods Sixty-seven MDA-5-positive dermatomyosistis patients admitted to China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively included.Prognosis of included patients in one year were followed-up.Analysis of the relationship between chest CT imaging and short-term poor prognosis.Results Among 67 patients,nine patients died in one year.There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups(the death group and the survivor group)in the interstitial lung disease(ILD)imaging types(χ2=0.198,P=0.025)and pulmonary/aortic diameter ratios(U=103.0,P=0.004).CT imaging of dermatomyosistis-ILD with anti-MDA5 antibody positive patients showed organizing pneumonia.Mortality of diffuse alveolar damage type was significantly higher than that of other types.Logistic regression analysis showed that pulmonary/aortic diameter ratio(OR:4.208,P=0.002)was a strong independent risk factor for the death of patients with anti-MDA5 antibody.Conclusion Most patients with anti-MDA5 antibody positive dermatomyositis show ILD,with the main feature of organic pneumonia.Patients with poor prognosis within 1 year have different types of ILD,while the pulmonary/aortic diameter ratio is a strong independent risk factor for the death of dermatomyosistis-ILD with anti-MDA5 antibody positive patients.

For wild natural medicine, unanticipated biodiversity as species or varieties with similar morphological characteristics and sympatric distribution may co-exist in a single batch of medical materials, which affects the efficacy and safety of clinical medication. DNA barcoding as an effective species identification tool is limited by its low sample throughput nature. In this study, combining DNA mini-barcode, DNA metabarcoding and species delimitation method, a novel biological sources consistency evaluation strategy was proposed, and high level of interspecific and intraspecific variations were observed and validated among 5376 Amynthas samples from 19 sampling points regarded as "Guang Dilong" and 25 batches of proprietary Chinese medicines. Besides Amynthas aspergillum as the authentic source, 8 other Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) were elucidated. Significantly, even the subgroups within A. aspergillum revealed here differ significantly on chemical compositions and biological activity. Fortunately, this biodiversity could be controlled when the collection was limited to designated areas, as proved by 2796 "decoction pieces" samples. This batch biological identification method should be introduced as a novel concept regarding natural medicine quality control, and to offer guidelines for in-situ conservation and breeding bases construction of wild natural medicine.

Objective:To assess the changes of left ventricular systolic function and global synchronization and myocardial work in patients with left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) by two-dimensional multi-layered speckle tracking imaging.Methods:Forty-two patients with Ⅱ degree Ⅱ type or Ⅲ degree atrioventricular block (AVB) in the Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University from April to December 2019 were selected as pacing group, which were further divided into two groups according to different pacemaker modes: twenty patients with right ventricular septal pacing (RVSP), twenty-two patients with LBBP, and twenty patients with normal ECG and cardiac structure were enrolled as control group. Echocardiography of pacing group and control group was performed and analyzed. The left ventricular subendocardial longitudinal strain peak(LSendo), the middle layer myocardial longitudinal strain peak(LSmid), subepicardial longitudinal strain peak(LSepi), global myocardial longitudinal strain peak(GLS), peak strain dispersion (PSD), global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE) were acquired. The differences among the three groups were analyzed and the high difference indexes were screened by statistical modeling.Results:LSendo in three groups had no difference ( P>0.05). LSmid, LSepi, GLS in the control group, LBBP group and RVSP groups were decreased gradually ( P<0.05). GLS in LBBP group was higher than in RVSP group ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the increases of QRS and PSD in LBBP group were not statistically significant ( P>0.05), while the decreases of QRS and PSD in LBBP group were statistically significant compared with the RVSP group ( P<0.05). The values of GCW among three groups had no statistical significance ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the decrease of GWI in LBBP group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05), while the increase of GWW and the decrease of GWE were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Compared with the RVSP group, the increases of GWI and GWE and the decrease of GWW in LBBP group were statistically significant ( P<0.05). QRS, LSendo, GLS, LSmid, left ventricular apex rotation to basal rotation peak time(ApexBase period) were the indexes with significant difference among LBBP and RVSP groups and all index characteristics showed better in LBBP than RVSP group. Conclusions:Two-dimensional multi-layered speckle tracking imaging can be used to evaluate the effect of LBBP on left ventricular systolic function and global synchronization and myocardial work. LBBP longitudinal mechanical synchronization is better than right ventricular septal pacing by improving the peak global myocardial longitudinal strain and myocardial work after pacemaker.

Objective:To understand the operation of the monitoring system for West nile virus disease and provide a theoretical basis for improving the efficiency of the operating system.Methods:Questionnaires and on-site interviews were used to collected data. The operation of the monitoring system was described and evaluated with reference to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) disease monitoring system evaluation requirements.Results:A total of 31 doctors were investigated, including 24 hospital doctors and 7 township hospital doctors. The response rate was 100%; 54.8% of the doctors thought that the case definition was difficult to understand, and 64.5% of the doctors thought that the current workload was heavy. Doctors who diagnosed West nile virus infection accounted for 58.06%, and 21 doctors who participated training constituted 67.7%.Conclusions:At present, the overall operation of the West nile virus Disease Surveillance System is effective. The definition of monitoring cases, the optimization of work flow, the workload of mosquito vector investigation and the delivery time of samples should be optimized. Training needs to be strengthened.

Objective: To study the correlation between meteorological factors and the incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) so as to provide scientific evidence for the early warning, prediction, prevention and control of HFMD. Methods: Data on HFMD surveillance and related population was collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention from 2011 to 2018. Meteorological data was obtained from http://www.tianqihoubao.com. Correlation analysis on meteorological factors and the incidence of HFMD in Xinjiang was conducted, using the Excel 2007, SPSS 17.0, and Spatial Distribution Map by ArcGIS 10.2 software. Results: HFMD usually occurred between April and July. Numbers of patients reached the top in May and June. Temperature was positively correlated with the incidence of HFMD (r=0.370, P<0.01) while precipitation was positively correlated with the incidence of HFMD (r=0.747, P<0.01). The temperature threshold appeared as 5 ℃-35 ℃ for the incidence of HFMD. Interval period was one month between the peak of both the incidence of HFMD and the precipitation. A power function relationship (y=0.009 4x^{2.332 9}, R²=0.898 9) was noticed between the precipitation and the incidence of HFMD. Conclusions The incidence of HFMD was closely related to the meteorological factors including temperature and precipitation in Xinjiang during 2011-2018. Our findings have provided evidence for the development of early warning system on HFMD in Xinjiang.

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of Compound Biejia Ruangan Tablet (CBRT) combined with entecavir in patients with chronic hepatitis B with hepatic fibrosis.Methods Totally 92 cases of patients with hepatic fibrosis of chronic hepatitis B in Ankang people's hospital from January 2013 to May 2016 were divided into observation group (n =45) and control group (n =47),patients in observation group were treated with CBRT combined with entecavir,and patients in the control group were treated with entecavir.Treatment was for 48 weeks.The liver function,liver fibrosis,serum inflammatory factors,and adverse reactions were compared between two groups.Results After treatment,the ALT,AST,TBIL,and ALB/GLB levels of two group were significantly lower than those before treatment (P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between two groups after treatment.After treatment,the PCⅢ,IV-C,HA,LN,IL-6,IL-4,IL-10,and TNF-α levels of two group were significantly lower than those before treatment (P ＜ 0.05),and the PCⅢ,IV-C,HA,LN,IL-6,IL-4,IL-10,and TNF-α levels of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group (P ＜ 0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion CBRT combined with entecavir is safe and effective to treat liver fibrosis of chronic hepatitis b,and it could significantly improve liver function,improve the degree of liver fibrosis,and reduce the level of serum inflammatory factors.

Objective:To discuss the efficacy of emergency endoscopic hemostasis combined with somatostatin in treatment of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.Methods:100 patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage were selected and divided into two groups randomly.The control group (48 cases) was given conventional hemostatic measures.The observation group (52 cases) was given emergency endoscopic hemostasis combined with somatostatin.The efficacy of emergency endoscopic hemostasis combined with somatostatin in treatment of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage was evaluated by efficacy,the curative success rate and the improvement situation of clinical symptoms.Results:The effective rate was 88.5 ％ in the observation group,and the effective rate was 70.8 ％ in the control group,and the effective rate of observation group was higher than that of the control group (P＜0.05).The success rate for different lesion size was higher in the observation group compared with control group (P＜0.05).According to the success rate,with the increased size of lesion,the hemostasis rate was decreased.The hospitalization,negative fecal occult and haematemesis disappeared time of observation group was shorter than that of the control group (P＜0.05).The postoperative bleeding rate of observation group was lower than that of the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusions:The emergency endoscopic hemostasis combined with somatostatin has a good therapeutic effect on upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.It can improve the clinical symptoms and shorten the hospitalization time,but its effect is limited on large lesion of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.