Relationship between ß1-AA and AT1-AA and Cardiac Function in Patients with Hypertension Complicated with Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Limitation.

Objective: To investigate the association between ß1 adrenergic receptor autoantibodies (ß1-AA) and angiotensin II type-1 receptor autoantibodies (AT1-AA) and cardiac function in patients with hypertension complicated with left ventricular diastolic function limitation. Methods: A total of 120 patients with essential hypertension who were not taking drug treatment and were hospitalised in the Department of Cardiology at the authors' hospital from April 2018 to December 2018 were enrolled in this study and divided into a diastolic dysfunction group (65 cases) and a normal diastolic group (55 cases) according to their left ventricular diastolic function. The levels of cardiac parameters, ß1-AA, AT1-AA, and other indicators were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the related factors affecting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). The diagnostic efficacy of related factors in the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction was evaluated. Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated that the left ventricular posterior wall diameter (10.29 ± 1.23 vs. 9.12 ± 1.53), left ventricular systolic dysfunction (10.56 ± 1.37 vs. 9.43 ± 1.44), systolic blood pressure (152.37 ± 10.24 vs. 140.33 ± 5.99), diastolic blood pressure (95.66 ± 6.34 vs. 87.33 ± 7.28), ß1-AA (33 vs. 9 cases), and AT1-AA (35 cases vs. 12 cases) were higher in the dysfunction group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that ß1-AA (odds ratio (OR) = 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.369-4.345) and AT1-AA (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.332-6.720) were independent risk factors for cardiac diastolic dysfunction (P < 0.05). Both autoimmune antibodies had a certain predictive value, and the combined prediction value of the two was the highest, with an area under the curve of 0.942 (95% CI: 0.881~0.985). Conclusion: The positive rate of ß1-AA and AT1-AA in essential hypertension patients with LVDD was higher than that in the normal group. Both ß1-AA and AT1-AA could be used as early markers of LVDD in essential hypertension patients.

Performance control study of interleaved meltblown non-woven materials based on statistical analysis and predictive modeling.

Meltblown nonwoven materials have gained attention due to their excellent filtration performance. The research on the performance of the intercalation meltblown preparation process is complex and a current research focus in the field of chemical production. Based on data related to intercalated and unintercalated meltblown materials under given process conditions, a product performance prediction model of intercalated meltblown materials was established under different process parameters (receiving distance, hot air velocity). The structural variables (thickness, porosity, and compressive resilience), the change in product performance, and the relationship between structural variables and product performance (filtration resistance, efficiency, air permeability) after intercalation were studied. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the structural variables, and evaluation of the regression results were made using R2, MSE, SSR, and SST. A BP neural network prediction model for product performance was established. The BP neural network model was used to find the maximum filtration efficiency. The study provides theoretical support for regulating product performance by solving the maximum filtration efficiency using BP neural network model.

Comparative Effectiveness of Varenicline and Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation in Older and Younger Smokers: A Prospective Cohort in Taiwan.

Introduction: The effectiveness of varenicline compared with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in achieving smoking cessation in older smokers has not been investigated. This study prospectively compared the effectiveness of varenicline relative to NRT in smokers aged 25-54 years and separately in smokers aged 55 years or older. Methods: Among 13 397 smokers participating in the Smoking Cessation Program in Taiwan, 2012-2015, 6336 (19.2%, aged ≥55) received varenicline and 7061 received NRT patch or gum (23.2%, aged ≥55). Participants self-reported smoking behaviors by phone interview after 6 months. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 7-day, 1-month, and 6-month point-prevalence abstinence. Age-specific models adjusted for sex, education, marital status, smoke-years, nicotine dependence, medical institution, clinic visit number, and duration of medication received. Results: Among smokers aged 25-54 years, varenicline users had a greater point-prevalence abstinence than NRT users (e.g., 7-day point-prevalence: 34.0% vs. 23.5%), with adjusted OR ranging from 1.23 (CI: 1.09-1.39; 6-month point-prevalence) to 1.37 (CI: 1.24-1.50; 1-month point-prevalence). Among smokers aged 55 years or older, point-prevalence was similar for varenicline and NRT users (e.g., 7-day point-prevalence: 32.3% vs. 33.1%), and ORs did not suggest that varenicline has greater effectiveness than NRT. Sex and level of nicotine dependence did not modify the age-specific effectiveness of varenicline relative to NRT. Conclusions: Varenicline did not offer greater effectiveness in achieving abstinence than NRT for smokers 55 years or older, whereas it was more effective than NRT in smokers aged 25-54 years. These findings highlighted the need for age-specific approaches for effective tobacco control. Implications: In this prospective investigation of a national cohort, older smokers (aged ≥55 years) who received varenicline did not have a greater point-prevalence abstinence after 6 months compared with those who used NRT patch or gum. Younger smokers (aged 25-54 years) who received varenicline had a greater likelihood of abstinence than NRT users. Sex and nicotine dependence did not modify the age-specific effectiveness of varenicline relative to NRT patch or gum. Age-appropriate approaches for effective tobacco control are needed.

One-year results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation as an alternative treatment for severe aortic stenosis in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) remains the gold standard treatment for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). For the past 10 years, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been applied in patients with high surgical mortality and morbidity risks. The preliminary results of our TAVI patients are presented in this study. METHODS: Ten high-risk patients with severe AS, for AVR, were referred and accepted for TAVI in the 6 month period from May 2010 to October 2010. The patient age, logistic EuroSCORE, femoral arterial diameter, aorta annulus size, aorta valve area (AVA), mean aortic pressure gradient (MPG), as well as coronary angiography results were all collected. Six patients were treated via the transapical approach in March 2010, whereas the other four were treated with the transfemoral approach, according to their femoral artery diameter and arterial quality. This study focuses on the immediate, 1 month, 3 month, and 1 year results of TAVI. RESULTS: The average age of the 10 patients receiving TAVI was 81.5 years. The mean calculated EuroSCORE was 28.3 ± 7.9%. The mean AVA was 0.61 ± 0.19 cm(2). The MPG was 48 ± 16 mmHg. The surgical technical success achieved 100%. There was no reported moderate to severe postoperative paravalvular aortic regurgitation, permanent complete atrioventricular block, major access site complication, or embolic stroke. Chronic renal failure, which necessitated permanent hemodialysis, developed in 10% of the patients. One acute myocardial infarction and one case of pneumonia developed postoperatively. The AVA was increased by 251%, whereas the MPG was decreased by 80% at the 3 month follow-up. The 30-day mortality rate was 10%. The all-cause 1-year mortality rate was 20%. CONCLUSION: This new technique and device requires greater caution and needs more practice to accumulate sufficient experience. The studied patients were very fragile, due to old age and multiple comorbidities. Our results are similar to findings of multicenter trials. With careful patient screening and selection, TAVI can be a promising treatment for high-risk severe AS patients.

Thrombelastography change after bridging to left ventricular assist device from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

BACKGROUND: Circulatory assist devices are applied to support patients with end-stage heart failure or circulatory collapse. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventricular assist device (VAD) are the two devices that are commonly used in these situations. However, in patients undergoing ECMO, complications occur more frequently and are more severe than in those with VAD, especially in patients with coagulopathy. The cause of coagulopathy is seldom reported; therefore, the current prospective study was designed to compare the coagulation status between patients who received ECMO and bridged VAD thereafter. METHODS: The cases for our study were collected between December 2005 and January 2010. A total of 21 patients with VAD were enrolled. Seven patients received initial ECMO support and were subsequently shifted to VAD. Use of blood transfusion products by patients was recorded during application of ECMO and VAD. Thrombelastography (TEG) was performed pre-ECMO and pre-VAD, and thereafter to 1 week post-VAD implantation. The relevant parameters that were examined included coagulation time (R: resting, K: kinetics, seconds), angle (α, degrees), maximal amplitude (MA, mm), clot strength (G, dynes/cm(2)), and estimated percent lysis in 30 minutes (LY30, %). Coagulation status and average unit per day of blood transfusion at pre-VAD and post-VAD status were recorded. TEGs of pre-VAD and post-VAD implantation were compared in order to determine the frequency of bleeding. RESULTS: Average results from seven cases were incorporated into the current analysis. The patient transfusion requirement was reduced after implantation of the VAD. The TEG of post-VAD implantation was improved from the earlier pre-VAD results (ECMO status). Ultimately, TEG resulted in significant differences in R, K, angle, MA, and G, postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Coagulopathy of patients with VAD improved after bridging from ECMO, which can be attributed to improved coagulation factor and platelet function. Thus, bleeding complications are reduced.