[Risk factors analysis and prediction model construction of major adverse cardiovascular events in pregnant women with valvular heart disease].

Objective: To analysis the risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) in pregnant women with valvular heart disease (VHD) and to construct a risk prediction model. Methods: The clinical data of 245 pregnant women with VHD who were hospitalized in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 1, 2012, to June 1, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including general information, pre-pregnancy and pregnancy-associated cardiac conditions, and MACE. Univariate analysis and logistic regression models were employed to identify risk factors for MACE during pregnancy among pregnant women with VHD. Furthermore, a predictive model was constructed and internal validation was conducted using bootstrap techniques. Results: (1) Among 245 pregnant women with VHD, the incidence of MACE was 18.0% (44/245), and the most common MACE was heart failure (61.4%, 27/44). The mitral valve was the most frequently affected valve (64.9%, 159/245). Prior to pregnancy, the most common type of valve surgery undertaken was mechanical valve replacement, representing 31.4% (77/245) of surgeries. In contrast, among those pregnant women who did not undergo valve surgery before pregnancy, the most common lesion type was mitral regurgitation (17.6%, 43/245). (2) Comparing the maternal and infant outcomes of warfarin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and LMWH sequential with warfarin, the fetal loss rate (36%, 15/42) and malformation rate (7%, 3/42) were the highest, but the MACE rate (12%, 5/42) was the lowest in warfarin group. The fetal loss rate (1/19), malformation rate (1/19) and artificial valve thrombosis rate (0) of LMWH sequential with warfarin were the lowest, and the fetal loss rate and artificial valve thrombosis rate of the three anticoagulation methods were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (3) There were no significant differences in gestational age, age of diagnosis of heart disease, weight at delivery, pre-pregnancy body mass index, proportion of multiparous women and chronic medical history between women with MACE and those without MACE (all P>0.05). (4) Binary logistic regression analysis identified the following as risk factors for MACE during the second trimester of pregnancy among pregnant women with VHD: pre-pregnancy cardiac symptoms, history of corrective surgery for congenital heart disease, pregnancy risk grade Ⅴ, anticoagulation with LMWH during pregnancy, and arrhythmia (all P<0.05). Based on the results of multivariate analysis, a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed, with an area under the curve of 0.837, indicating good discriminative ability. The calibration plot demonstrated a close alignment between the standard curve and the calibration prediction curve, suggesting excellent calibration of the model. Conclusions: Pregnant women with VHD are at a high risk of experiencing MACE during gestation. Five risk factors, including pre-pregnancy cardiac symptoms, history of corrective surgery for congenital heart disease, pregnancy risk grade Ⅴ, anticoagulation with LMWH, and arrhythmia, could aid in identifying high-risk pregnant women.

A new direct compression mechanism of structural transition in Poria cocos extract composite particles.

The structural transition to generate amorphous translucent grains in Poria cocos dry extract (PCE) composite particles was found and studied as a new direct compression mechanism. The pressure and displacement sensing techniques were used to obtained stress-strain profiles during compression. The Exponential function, Kawakita model, Shapiro model and Heckel model were used to analysis mechanical properties of powders. 12 parameters derived from compression models and powder physical properties were applied to partial least squares method (PLS) for analyzing powder compression mechanism. It was found that only the oven-dried PCE composite particles undergoes the structural transition and generate translucent grains scattered and embedded in tablet, and these tablets have excellent mechanical stability. The structural transition in plant dry extract as the PCE composite particles could be exploited to improve powder compression and tabletability.

[Fecal microbiota transplantation as a novel therapy for severe psoriasis].

To explore the therapeutic effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for severe psoriasis. A patient, male, 36 years old, diagnosed as severe plaque psoriasis for 10 years and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for 15 years, was administrated twice FMT via both upper endoscopy and colonoscopy with a 5-week interval. The following items were used to evaluate responses: body surface area (BSA), psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), dermatology life quality index (DLQI), histological examination, intestinal symptoms, adverse reactions and serum level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. After second FMT treatment for 5 weeks, aforementioned items were improved greatly compared with those before treatment. Moreover, IBS was completely relieved and no adverse reactions were observed during the treatment and follow-up. In conclusion, FMT could be a novel therapy for psoriasis. Further clinical trials are needed to provide solid evidences.

[Effects of different computed high b-values on diffusion weighted imaging scores in Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 of prostate cancer in peripheral zone].

Objective: To determine the effects of different computed high b-value on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) scores in Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) of prostate cancer in peripheral zone. Methods: A retrospective study of 104 cases of prostate cancer in peripheral zone was conducted, all of the patients were histopathologically confirmed by transrectal ultrasound guided saturation biopsy or radical prostatectomy in Tongji Hospital of Tongji University from January 2012 to December 2015.All MRI imaging examinations were performed by using a 3.0T Siemens Verio MRI scanner.The imaging protocol consisted of high-resolution axial and sagittal T(2) weighted imaging (T(2)WI), axial acquired diffusion weighted imaging (aDWI) with b=0, 50, 1 000 s/mm(2) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) scans.Computed diffusion weighted imaging (cDWI) images with b=1 000, 1 400, 2 000 s/mm(2) were processed by Matlab.These three groups of cDWI images were analyzed according to the PI-RADS v2 criteria, and signal intensity of ratio (SIR) of lesions were analyzed by independent t test and one-way ANOVA in each group. Results: The numbers of cases with a DWI score of 2 and 5 were similar among three groups.Nine cases (33.3%) in all 27 cases with a DWI score of 3 on b=1 000 s/mm(2) upgraded to score 4 when b-value rose to 1 400 and 2 000 s/mm(2).The ratios of SIR of lesions in cases upgraded from DWI score 3 to 4 to those unchanged cases on b=1 400 and 2 000 s/mm(2) were 1.86±0.21 to 1.61±0.27 and 2.18±0.26 to 1.75±0.30, respectively (t=2.486, t=3.671, both P<0.05). In these 9 cases who upgraded to DWI score 4, SIRs of the lesion were significantly different between groups when b=1 000, 1 400 and 2 000 s/mm(2) (F=10.907, 33.768, 8.043, all P<0.05), and their SIRs increased with the rising of b-value. Conclusions: The computed high b-value (b≥1 400 s/mm(2)) mainly affects cases with a DWI score of 3, but DWI scores would not change neither in b=1 400 s/mm(2) nor in 2 000 s/mm(2) cases. For DWI score in PI-RADS v2 of prostate cancer in peripheral zone, b=1 400 s/mm(2) is probably of more scoring value than b=1 000 or 2 000 s/mm(2).

[In vitro early detection of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease by Pittsburgh compound B-modified magnetic nanoparticles].

Objective: To construct magnetic nanoparticles targeting ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques, the pathological biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to study their binding capability in vitro. Methods: Superparamagnetic nanoparticles Mn(0.6)Zn(0.4)Fe(2)O(4) (MZF) were coated with amphiphilic star-block copolymeric micelles and modified with Aß-specific probe Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) to construct a novel magnetic nanoparticle MZF-PiB, which specifically targeted amyloid plaques. Transmission electron microscope was used to study the morphological features of MZF-PiB. Superparamagnetism of MZF-PiB was assessed by its r(2) relaxation rate by using 3.0 T MRI scanner. Cytotoxic test was applied to determine biosafety of MZF-PiB nanoparticles in differentiated human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK). In vitro binding tests were conducted via immunohistochemistry on 6-month old AD mice brain sections. Differences of cell viability between groups were compared with one-way analysis of variance. Results: MZF-PiB nanoparticles were successfully constructed. Transmission electron microscope images showed that the nanoparticles were about 100 nm in size. The r(2) relaxation rate was 163.11 mMS(-1). No differences were found in cell viability of SH-SY5Y and MDCK incubated with MZF-PiB suspension for 24 h or 48 h when compared with those of untreated cells (F=2.336, 2.539, 0.293, 1.493, all P>0.05). In vitro binding tests indicated that the MZF-PiB were specifically bound to amyloid plaques. The smallest size of detected plaques was 27 µm. Conclusion: PiB-modified nanoparticles targeting Aß are biologically safe and highly superparamagnetic, possessing the capability to detect amyloid plaques early in vitro and the potential for early diagnosis of AD.

Characterization of the genomic full-length sequence of HLA-Cw*010201, Cw*0706, and Cw*0801 in Chinese individuals.

Genomic full-length sequence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-Cw*0706, differing from its closet allele Cw*070 101 by six nucleotide exchanges, was detected in two Chinese individuals.

A novel HLA-Cw*08 allele, Cw*0822, identified by genomic full-length cloning and sequencing.

A novel HLA-Cw*08 allele, Cw*0822, differing from the closest related allele Cw*080101 by one nucleotide exchange at nt2557 (G>A) in exon 6, was identified by genomic full-length cloning and sequencing from a male Chinese donor.

Genomic full-length sequence of HLA-Cw*140201, identified by cloning and sequencing.

Genomic full-length sequence of HLA-Cw*140201, differing from Cw*1403 by four nucleotide exchanges in exon 2 and intron 5, was identified by cloning and sequencing from a male Chinese donor.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The clinical features suggest that genetic factors may have a strong influence on susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with generalized aggressive periodontitis in Chinese patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for 10,438,141 C to T (rs1544410, BsmI), 10,382,063 A to G (rs731236, TaqI), 10,382,143 C to A (rs7975232, ApaI) and 10,416,201 A to G (rs2228570, FokI) of vitamin D receptor gene was analysed by polymerase chain reaction, followed by digestion with restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis. The genotypes of 51 generalized aggressive periodontitis patients and 53 periodontally healthy control subjects were analysed. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of each polymorphism site for the patients and control subjects were compared. RESULTS: The distribution of vitamin D receptor FokI genotypes and alleles between the two groups was significantly different (p = 0.043 and p = 0.012, respectively). The F allele seemed to increase the susceptibility of aggressive periodontitis (odds ratio = 2.02, 95% confidence interval = 1.16-3.50) in Chinese patients. There was no significant difference in the genotype distribution or the allele frequencies of vitamin D receptor BsmI, ApaI and TaqI between two groups. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that FokI polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene might be associated with generalized aggressive periodontitis in Chinese patients. In addition, the carriage of F allele increases the risk of developing generalized aggressive periodontitis.