Fewer spine degenerations among Southeast Asians than among Southern Chinese suggests populations from a warmer climate have inherently better spine health.

Background: Compared with older Caucasians, older Chinese have remarkably lower prevalence and lower severity of spine degenerative changes. There have been few studies on Southeast East populations. This study aims to compare radiographic spine degeneration features among older Hong Kong (HK) Chinese, older Thais, and older Indonesians. Methods: This study included 195 Thai women (mean: 73.6 years), 202 Thai men (mean: 73.7 years), 227 Indonesian women (mean: 70.5 years), and 174 Indonesian men (mean: 70.2 years), as well as same number of gender- and age-matched HK Chinese. The recruitment plan was that the participants would represent the general older population of their respective communities. With spine radiograph, spine hyper-kyphosis, osteoarthritic wedging (OAw), acquired short vertebrae (SVa), general osteophyte formation, lumbar disc space narrowing, and lumbar spondylolisthesis were assessed. Results: Compared with Southeast Asians (Thais and Indonesian data together), Chinese women and men had a higher prevalence of hyper-kyphosis (24.9% vs. 16.4%), OAw (2.4% vs. 0.9%), general osteophyte formation (15.3% vs. 10.5%), lumber disc space narrowing (27.6% vs. 20.3%), and lumbar spondylolisthesis (20.7% vs. 15.3%). The trends were also consistent for sub-group data analyses. An even lower prevalence was noted among Indonesian women and men than among Thais in general osteophyte formation (5.9% vs. 14.1%), lumbar disc space narrowing (18.3% vs. 24.1%), and lumbar spondylolisthesis (11.4% vs. 19.3%). Conclusions: This study showed a lower prevalence of spine degeneration changes among older Thais and older Indonesians than among older Chinese. Indonesians, who inhabit an even warmer climate, show even fewer spine degeneration changes than Thais.

RNA-binding motif protein 28 enhances angiogenesis by improving STAT3 translation in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor characterized by extensive angiogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms of HCC pathogenesis remain unclear. Previous studies have shown that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are implicated in HCC pathogenesis. In this study, we observed that increased RBM28 expression in HCC tissues was positively correlated with tumor microvascular density and negatively correlated with patient prognosis. Overexpression of RBM28 in HCC cells promoted tubule formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, whereas inhibition of RBM28 had the opposite effect, furthermore, the role of RBM28 in the progression of HCC was assessed using transgenic mouse models and chemically induced HCC models. We used various molecular assays and high-throughput detection methods to evaluate the role of RBM28 in promoting angiogenesis in HCC. Increased RBM28 expression in HCC directly binds to STAT3 mRNA, recruiting EIF4E to increase STAT3 expression and enhancing the secretion and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A; consequently, promoting neovascularization in HCC. The potential of RBM28 as a viable diagnostic and therapeutic target for HCC was assessed using multi-cohort clinical samples and animal models. In summary, our results provide insights into the pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of HCC.

A Macrophage Membrane-Coated Cu-WO3-x-Hydro820 Nanoreactor for Treatment and Photoacoustic/Fluorescence Dual-Mode Imaging of Inflamed Liver Tissue.

A disease-targeting nanoplatform that integrates imaging with therapeutic activity would facilitate early diagnosis, treatment, and therapeutic monitoring. To this end, a macrophage membrane-coated Cu-WO3-x-Hydro820 (CWHM) nanoreactor was prepared. This reactor was shown to target inflammatory tissues. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H2O2 and ·OH in inflammatory tissues can react with Hydro820 in the reactor to form the NIR fluorophore IR820. This process allowed photoacoustic/fluorescence dual-mode imaging of H2O2 and ·OH, and it is expected to permit visual diagnosis of inflammatory diseases. The Cu-WO3-x nanoparticles within the nanoreactor shown catalase and superoxide enzyme mimetic activity, allowing the nanoreactor to catalyze the decomposition of H2O2 and ·O2- in inflammatory cells of hepatic tissues in a mouse model of liver injury, thus alleviating the oxidative stress of damaged liver tissue. This nanoreactor illustrates a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis and inflammatory liver injury.

Cardiac computed tomography angiography-derived pulmonary vein volumetry as a predictor for atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation.

Background: There is an increasing evidence that pulmonary vein (PV) enlargement is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the predictive value of PV enlargement in AF recurrence remains unclear. This study sought to evaluate whether PV volume quantification derived from cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) could serve as a predictive indicator of the success of the catheter ablation (CA) procedure. Methods: The data of 160 patients diagnosed with AF who underwent both CCTA and CA treatments from January to June 2020 were retrospectively examined; the CCTA was conducted before the CA surgery. The study focused on documenting the PV structure, and the volume of the PV and left atrium (LA). The clinical, CCTA, and echocardiographic predictors of the recurrence and no-recurrence groups were compared. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for confounders. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed to assess the predictive performance of the predictors of AF recurrence. Results: Of the 160 patients [55.6% male, 62.00 (55.25-68.00) years, 23.1% with persistent AF], 45 (28.1%) experienced AF recurrence within a one-year period. Notably, patients with AF recurrence had elevated CHADS2 scores (P=0.020) and increased LA and PV volumes (P<0.05). Patients with persistent AF (n=37) had significantly larger LA volume indexes (P<0.001) than those with paroxysmal AF, but there was no difference between the two groups in terms of the PV maximum volume index (P=0.200). Moreover, the PV maximum volume index [odds ratio (OR): 1.244, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.008-1.536, P=0.042] and the LA minimum volume index (OR: 1.026, 95% CI: 1.001-1.052, P=0.038) were found to be significant predictors of AF recurrence. The ROC curves revealed that the PV maximum volume index threshold for predicting AF recurrence was 7.13 mL/m2, with a sensitivity of 84.4% and a specificity of 34.8% [area under the curve (AUC): 0.635, 95% CI: 0.540-0.730, P=0.008], and the LA minimum volume index threshold for predicting AF recurrence was 46.16 mL/m2, with a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 31.3% (AUC: 0.629, 95% CI: 0.534-0.723, P=0.012). A sub-analysis of patients with a lower left atrial dimension (LAD ≤38 mm in females, LAD ≤40 mm in males, n=120) demonstrated that the PV maximum volume index was a noteworthy indicator of AF recurrence (OR: 1.443: 95% CI: 1.145-1.820, P=0.002). Conversely, no significant correlation between AF recurrence and the LA volume index was found. The AUC value for the PV maximum volume index predictive of recurrent AF was 0.680 (95% CI: 0.577-0.781, P=0.003), with a sensitivity of 75.8%, specificity of 54%, and the cut-off value of the maximum AUC was 7.89 mL/m2. Conclusions: PV volume, derived from CCTA, may help to predict the recurrence of AF after CA, and is superior to the LA size in patients with less pronounced LA enlargement.

Quantitative analysis of the relationship between the myocardial bridge and the FAI of pericoronal fat on computed tomography.

We performed this cohort study to investigate whether the myocardial bridge (MB) affects the fat attenuation index (FAI) and to determine the optimal cardiac phase to measure the volume and the FAI of pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT). The data of 300 patients who were diagnosed with MB of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery were retrospectively analyzed. All of patients were divided into the MB group and the MB with atherosclerosis group. In addition, 104 patients with negative CCTA results were enrolled as the control group. There was no significant difference between FAI values measured in systole and diastole (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in FAI among the MB group, the MB with atherosclerosis group, and the control group (P > 0.05). In MB with atherosclerosis group, LAD stenosis degree (< 50%) (OR = 0.186, 95% CI 0.036-0.960; P = 0.045) and MB located in the distal part of LAD opening (OR = 0.880, 95% CI 0.789-0.980; P = 0.020) were protective factors of FAI value. A distance (from the LAD opening to the proximal point of the MB) of 29.85 mm had the highest predictive value for abnormal FAI [area under the curve (AUC), 0.798], with a sensitivity of 81.1% and a specificity of 74.6%.

Quantitative computed tomography angiography evaluation of the coronary fractional flow reserve in patients with left anterior descending artery myocardial bridging.

PURPOSE: To quantitatively investigate the effect of myocardial bridge (MB) in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) on the fractional flow reserve (FFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-hundred patients with LAD MB who had undergone coronary artery CT angiography (CCTA) were retrospectively enroled, and 104 normal patients were enroled as the control. The CCTA-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) was measured at the LAD 10 mm proximal (FFR1) and 20-40 mm distal (FFR3) to the MB and at the MB location (FFR2). RESULTS: FFR2 and FFR3 of the MB (with BM only) and MBLA (with both MB and atherosclerosis) groups were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than those of the control. The FFR3 distal to the MB was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than that of the control. The FFRCT of the whole LAD in the MBLA group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the MB and control group (p < 0.05). MB length (OR 1.061) and MB muscle index (odds ratio or OR 1.007) were two risk factors for abnormal FFRCT, and MB length was a significant independent risk factor for abnormal FFRCT (OR = 1.077). LAD stenosis degree was a risk factor for abnormal FFRCT values (OR 3.301, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.441-7.562, p = 0.005) and was also a significant independent risk factor (OR = 3.369, 95% CI: 1.392-8.152; p = 0.007) for abnormal FFRCT. CONCLUSION: MB significantly affects the FFRCT of distal coronary artery. For patients with MB without atherosclerosis, the MB length is a risk factor significantly affecting FFRCT, and for patients with MB accompanied by atherosclerosis, LAD stenotic severity is an independent risk factor for FFRCT.

Prognostic value of CT-derived fractional flow reserve and fat attenuation index in patients with suspected coronary artery disease: a sex-disaggregated analyses.

BACKGROUND: There are sex differences in many risk factors associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) and fat attenuation index (FAI) have been shown to independently predict cardiovascular events. We aimed to examine the impact of sex on the prognostic value of CT-FFR and FAI in suspected CAD patients, and to examine the incremental prognostic value of FAI over CT-FFR in both sex. METHODS: A total of 1334 consecutive suspected CAD subjects who underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) were retrospectively collected. We divided the patients into males and females and calculated CT-FFR and FAI data from CCTA images. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) stratified by CT-FFR and FAI in both sex. Cox regression models were used to assess the incremental prognostic value of FAI by adding the variable to a model that included CT-FFR and clinical variables. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 2.08 years, 212 patients had MACE. CT-FFR ≤ 0.80 was significantly associated with MACE in both sex. FAI value of left anterior descending artery (FAI[LAD]) and FAI value of left circumflex (FAI[LCX]) ≥ 70.1 were significantly associated with MACE in females. FAI[LCX] added incremental prognostic value over clinical and CT-FFR variables in females, with hazard ratio (HR) 3.230 (1.982-5.265, P = 0.000), Harrel's C 0.669 (P < 0.001), net reclassification improvement (NRI) 0.161 (0.073-0.260, P < 0.001), and integrated discrimination index (IDI) 0.036 (0.008-0.090, P = 0.010). FAI[LAD] did not enhance risk prediction in females (Harrel's C 0.643, P = 0.054; NRI 0.041, P = 0.189; IDI 0.005, P = 0.259). The decision curve analysis demonstrated that the model including FAI[LCX] resulted in the highest net benefit. CONCLUSIONS: In suspected CAD patients, the prognostic value of CT-FFR is not significantly biased by sex. The prognostic value of FAI[LAD] and FAI[LCX] were significantly associated with MACE in females, but not males. FAI[LCX], not FAI[LAD], added incremental prognostic value over CT-FFR and might enhance CT-FFR risk stratification in females.

Effect of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery on the Prognosis of Patients With Hip Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures, predominantly occurring in the elderly, are a significant public health concern due to associated morbidity, disability, and mortality. Prolonged bed rest following the fracture often leads to complications, further threatening patient health. Enhanced recovery after surgery, a modern approach to postoperative care, is being explored for its potential to improve outcomes and quality of life in hip fracture patients. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of enhanced recovery after surgery on hip fracture patients. METHODS: In this systematic review, we addressed the PICO question: Does the enhanced recovery after surgery program reduce 1-year mortality, readmissions, and postoperative pain and improve Harris Hip Score compared with traditional care in elderly hip fracture patients? We searched key databases and gray literature and analyzed outcomes through a meta-analysis using RevMan, Stata, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for quality assessment. RESULTS: Nine studies involving 10,359 patients were included. Compared with the control group, the enhanced recovery after surgery group showed significant reduction in length of stay (mean difference [MD] = -2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] [-2.87, -1.14]; p < .0001) and overall complication rate (risk ratio [RR] = 0.76; 95% CI [0.67, 0.85]; p < .0001), with a lower delirium rate (RR = 0.42; 95% CI [0.26, 0.68]; p = .004). No significant differences were observed in Harris Hip Score, pain score, 1-year mortality, readmission rate, or incidences of urinary tract infection, respiratory tract infection, and deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Enhanced recovery after surgery is associated with reduced length of stay, complication rate, and delirium rate in hip fracture patients.

Markers of right ventricular dysfunction predict 30-day adverse prognosis of pulmonary embolism on pulmonary computed tomographic angiography.

To investigate the value of parameters of the pulmonary artery and right ventricular function in predicting the 30-day poor prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). The heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, Wells score for APE, history of recent operation or immobilization, history of cancer, respiratory failure, smoking were significantly (P < .05) different among the control, good prognosis, and poor prognosis groups. The maximal short diameter of the right and left ventricle (RVD/LVD) ratio (P < .001) and left pulmonary artery (LPA) (P = .01) were significantly different between the good and poor prognosis groups. Systolic blood pressure (odds ratio [OR]: 0.98, P = .045) and the RVD/LVD ratio (OR: 12.57, P = .02) were significant independent risk factors for poor prognosis. The risk for poor prognosis significantly increased when the RVD/LVD ratio was >1.11 (cutoff value) with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.80, P < .001). LPA (OR: 9.12, P = .01) and RVD/LVD (OR: 4.62, P = .012) were the significant independent risk factors for poor prognosis in the central pulmonary embolism. The LPA of 2.1 cm had the highest predictive value for poor prognosis in the central APE (AUC: 0.68; sensitivity 84.6%; specificity 53.1%). The RVD/LVD ratio and systolic blood pressure are significant risk factors for short-term prognosis in patients with APE. When the LPA is >2.1 cm in the central APE or the RVD/LVD is >1.11, the risk of poor prognosis increases, which can be used as important indicators for predicting the prognosis of patients with APE. Two hundred forty-three APE patients and 61 patients without APE who underwent computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) were retrospectively enrolled as the experimental and the control group, respectively. APE patients who were followed up at the 30-day time point were divided into the good prognosis (n = 195) and poor prognosis group (n = 32). The main pulmonary artery (MPA) to the aorta (AO) ratio, maximal diameter of the LPA and right pulmonary artery (RPA), ratio of the RVD/LVD and the height and volume of the pulmonary artery (PAh and PAV, respectively) were analyzed after indexing to the body surface area.

Association of quantitative computed tomography-based right atrial appendage and right atrium parameters with postradiofrequency ablation recurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Background: The significance of the right atrial appendage (RAA) and right atrium (RA) in the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) remains uncertain. This retrospective case-control study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the role of morphological parameters of the RAA and RA in the recurrence of AF after RFA based on 256-slice spiral computed tomography (CT). Methods: A total of 297 patients with AF who underwent RFA for the first time between January 1 and October 31, 2020, were enrolled in the study, and they were divided into a nonrecurrence group (n=214) and a recurrence group (n=83). The volume of the RA, RAA and left atrium (LA); height of the RAA; long and short diameter, perimeter, and area of the RAA base; right atrial anteroposterior diameter; tricuspid annulus diameter; crista terminalis thickness; and cavotricuspid isthmus (CVTI) were measured, and the clinical data of patients were collected. Results: (I) Multivariable logistic regression analysis followed by univariable logistic regression analysis showed that the height of the RAA [odds ratio (OR) =1.124; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.024-1.233; P=0.014], short diameter of the RAA base (OR =1.247; 95% CI: 1.118-1.391; P=0.001), crista terminalis thickness (OR =1.594; 95% CI: 1.052-2.415; P=0.028) and duration of AF (OR =1.009; 95% CI: 1.003-1.016; P=0.006) were independent predictors of postradiofrequency ablation AF recurrence. (II) Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the prediction model constructed according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis presented good accuracy [area under the curve (AUC) =0.840; P=0.001]. A short diameter of the RAA base >26.95 mm had the highest predictive value for AF recurrence, with a sensitivity of 0.614 and a specificity of 0.822 (AUC =0.786, P=0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between right atrial volume and left atrial volume (r=0.720, P<0.001). Conclusions: A significant increase in diameter and volume of the RAA and RA and tricuspid annulus diameter may correlate with postradiofrequency ablation AF recurrence. The height of the RAA, short diameter of the RAA base, crista terminalis thickness, and AF duration were independent predictors of recurrence. Among them, the short diameter of the RAA base had the highest predictive value for recurrence.

Three-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging of left ventricular volume and function in comparison with computed tomography and echocardiography.

This study investigated the correlation between 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 256 multiple-slice computed tomography (MSCT) or 2-dimensional echocardiography (ECHO) in evaluating left ventricle. Forty patients were retrospectively enrolled to undergo cardiac MSCT, 3-Tesla MRI and 2-dimensional ECHO within 1 week. The end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (EF) were analyzed and compared. MSCT was highly significantly correlated with MRI. Compared with MRI, MSCT slightly overestimated ESV for about 8.7 mL, but slightly underestimated EF and SV for about 6.8% and 5.8 mL, respectively. A high consistency existed between MSCT and MRI, with the 95% limit of agreement (-19.6, 25.4) mL for EDV, (-2.6,20.1) mL for ESV, (-28.3,16.6) mL for SV, and (-18.8%,5.1) % for EF. ECHO was also significantly correlated with MRI. The ECHO slightly underestimated the left ventricular function compared with MRI, with an underestimation of 9.4 mL for EDV, 3.5 mL for ESV, 5.8 mL for SV and 1.0% for EF. A wider agreement limit existed between MRI and ECHO. MSCT has a better correlation and agreement relationship with MRI parameters than 2-dimensional ECHO in assessing the left ventricle and may serve as a possible alternative to MRI.

Association of pericoronary adipose tissue with atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation based on computed tomographic angiography.

PURPOSE: Quantitative measurement of pericoronary adipose tissue volume (PCATV) and fat attenuation index (FAI) has mostly been used in the study of coronary artery related diseases but rarely in the relationship with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was conducted to investigate the correlation of PCATV and FAI with the AF recurrence after ablation and the clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with continuous AF who underwent radiofrequency ablation and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) were retrospectively enrolled. The PCATV, FAI, epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) and EAT density (EATD) arround the three main branches of the coronary arteries (LAD, LCX, and RCA) were measured quantitatively with cardiac function software and analyzed. RESULTS: 189 patients with continuous AF who underwent radiofrequency ablation for the first time were enrolled. After 12-month follow-up with a mean follow-up time of 10.93 ± 0.16 months, 47 (24.9%) patients were confirmed to have AF recurrence. The 3 V-FAI (- 81.17 ± 4.27 vs. - 83.31 ± 4.59 HU, P = 0.005), LCX-FAI (median - 77 vs. median - 81HU, P < 0.001), EATV (median 141.14vs. median 125.39 ml, P = 0.010), and EATVI (median 70.77 vs. 66.73 ml/m2, P = 0.008) were significantly increased in the recurrence group. EATVI (OR 1.043, 95% CI 1.020-1.066) and LCX-FAI (OR 1.254, 95% CI 1.145-1.374) were two significant independent risk factors for AF recurrence. In the comparison of ROC, the predictive value of LCX-FAI (cut-off value of >- 81.5 HU, area under the curve (AUC) of 0.722) was higher than that of EATVI (cut-off value > 81.07 ml/m2, AUC of 0.630). CONCLUSION: EATVI and LCX-FAI were related to recurrence of AF after ablation and have important clinical value in predicting the AF recurrence.

Left atrial appendage filling defects restricted to the early phase of cardiac computed tomography is significantly associated with ischemic stroke.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between filling defects in the left atrial appendage restricted to the early phase of cardiac computed tomography (CCT), and ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 152 patients with non-valvular AF were retrospectively enrolled and divided into two groups according to the stroke history, as confirmed by brain computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as the non-stroke group (n = 89) and stroke group (n = 63), respectively. The numbers of patients with filling defects in the early phase of CCT images without thrombi were recorded. Morphological parameters of the LAA were measured for all participants. All patients with early-phase filling defects (n = 44) were assigned to two groups according to ischemic stroke history: the filling defects with stroke group (n = 28) and the filling defects without stroke group (n = 16). The clinical characteristics and LAA morphological parameters were compared. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that compared with the non-stroke group，LAA volume index and age were higher in the stroke group, and the ratio of early phase filling defect in LAA, hypertension and diabetes were also higher, in the meanwhile the LVEF and BMI were lower (P < 0.05).After adjusting confounding factors by the multivariate logistic regression analysis, filling defect was significantly related with stroke [odds ratio (OR): 4.339, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.951-9.653, P = 0.000]. LAA morphological parameters were not significantly different between the filling defects with stroke group and the group without stroke. CONCLUSION: AF patients with LAA non-thrombotic filling defects in the early-phase of CCT had an increased risk of ischemic stroke compared to those without filling defects. This finding may help to optimize stroke risk stratification in patients with AF.

Right ventricular area predicts short-term mortality in acute pulmonary embolism based on CT pulmonary angiography: A retrospective study.

We performed this cohort study to assess the prognostic value of right ventricular size, including diameter, area, and volume, in short-term mortality of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) based on 256-slice computed tomography compared with D-dimer, creatine kinase muscle and brain isoenzyme, and Wells scores. A total of 225 patients with APE, who were followed up for 30 days were enrolled in this cohort study. Clinical data, laboratory indices (creatine kinase, creatine kinase muscle and brain isoenzyme, and D-dimer), and Wells scores were collected. The 256-slice computed tomography was used to quantify cardiac parameters (RVV/LVV, RVD/LVD-ax, RVA/LVA-ax, RVD/LVD-4ch, RVA/LVA-4ch) and the diameter of the coronary sinus. Participants were divided into non-death and death groups. The values mentioned above were compared between the 2 groups. The RVD/LVD-ax, RVA/LVA-ax, RVA/LVA-4ch, RVV/LVV, D-dimer, and creatine kinase levels were significantly higher in the death group than in the non-death group (P < .05). The active period of the malignant tumor, heart rate ≥ 100 beats/minutes, and RVA/LVA-ax were positively correlated with early death from APE (P < .05). Active stage of malignant tumor (OR:9.247, 95%CI:2.682-31.888, P < .001) and RVA/LVA-ax (OR:3.073, 95%CI:1.447-6.528, P = .003) were independent predictors of early death due to APE. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the cutoff point of RVA/LVA-ax was 1.68 with a sensitivity of 46.7% and specificity of 84.8%. The measurement of ventricular size in the short-axis plane is more convenient and reliable than that in the 4-chamber cardiac plane. RVA/LVA-ax is an independent predictor of early death from APE, and when RVA/LVA-ax > 1.68, the risk of early death from APE increases.

Factors associated with left atrial appendage filling defects on early-phase cardiac computed tomography in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: a case-control study.

Background: The significance of left atrial appendage (LAA) filling defects on early-phase cardiac computed tomography (CCT) remains uncertain. This study retrospectively investigated predictive factors of LAA filling defects on early-phase CCT. Methods: A total of 68 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and early filling defect on CCT who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were enrolled [48 males, 20 females; mean ± standard deviation (SD) age 62.72±8.13 years]. Additionally 68 sex- and age-matched patients with normal LAA filling were included as the control group. CCT, ultrasound, clinical and laboratory data were analyzed. Baseline data between groups were analyzed using t-, Mann-Whitney, and chi-squared tests. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounders. Pearson correlation analysis was used to confirm correlations between variables. Results: Decreased LAA flow velocity [LAAFV; odds ratio (OR) =0.918; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.883-0.954; P<0.001] and increased left atrial volume index (LAVI; OR =1.055; 95% CI: 1.012-1.099; P=0.011) were significantly associated with early-phase CCT LAA filling defects. The LAAFV threshold for predicting early LAA filling defects was 40.5 cm/s, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.905 (sensitivity 82.4%, specificity 91.2%); the LAVI predictive threshold was 58.77 mL/m2 (AUC =0.840, sensitivity 85.3%, specificity 72.1%). A significant positive correlation was detected between LAAFV and the Hounsfield unit (HU) ratio of the LAA to ascending aorta on early-phase CCT (r=0.614; P<0.001), as well as the HU difference in LAA between early and delayed phase CCT (r=0.591; P<0.001). There were significant (P<0.05) differences in LAAFV between different filling defects. Conclusions: Decreased LAAFV and increased LAVI are independent factors associated with LAA filling defects only on early-phase CCT. Early-phase CCT LAA filling defect is associated with LAA emptying dysfunction. These findings contribute to thrombosis risk stratification in patients with AF.

Impact of Coronary Artery Disease on The Outcomes of Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to investigate the possible impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on clinical outcomes of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Patients with AF who underwent coronary computed tomography and catheter ablation were enrolled. The presence of stenotic severity and plaque, characteristics of coronary arteries, clinical data, and adverse outcomes of catheter ablation were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 243 patients were enrolled, 100 (41%) patients with CAD. The CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, and sex category) score of AF patients with CAD was significantly (P<0.001) higher than of those without CAD. Presence of stenotic artery and plaques increased significantly with increase of CHA2DS2-VASc score (P<0.05). There was no significant (P=0.342) difference in AF recurrence between patients with and without CAD (30% versus 24%). Age, AF type, duration of AF, heart failure, CHA2DS2-VASc score, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left atrial diameter were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with AF recurrence in univariant analysis. Multivariable analysis revealed that duration of AF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.769), heart failure (HR 1.821), and left atrial diameter (HR 1.487, P=0.022) remained significant independent predictors of AF recurrence. Patients with AF and concomitant CAD were significantly (P=0.030) associated with a worse outcome. CONCLUSION: CAD concomitant with AF may be associated with a worse clinical outcome even though CAD does not significantly affect the risk of AF recurrence after ablation therapy.

Impact of Coronary Artery Disease on The Outcomes of Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

ABSTRACT Introduction: The objective of this study is to investigate the possible impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on clinical outcomes of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Patients with AF who underwent coronary computed tomography and catheter ablation were enrolled. The presence of stenotic severity and plaque, characteristics of coronary arteries, clinical data, and adverse outcomes of catheter ablation were analysed. Results: A total of 243 patients were enrolled, 100 (41%) patients with CAD. The CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, and sex category) score of AF patients with CAD was significantly (P<0.001) higher than of those without CAD. Presence of stenotic artery and plaques increased significantly with increase of CHA2DS2-VASc score (P<0.05). There was no significant (P=0.342) difference in AF recurrence between patients with and without CAD (30% versus 24%). Age, AF type, duration of AF, heart failure, CHA2DS2-VASc score, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left atrial diameter were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with AF recurrence in univariant analysis. Multivariable analysis revealed that duration of AF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.769), heart failure (HR 1.821), and left atrial diameter (HR 1.487, P=0.022) remained significant independent predictors of AF recurrence. Patients with AF and concomitant CAD were significantly (P=0.030) associated with a worse outcome. Conclusion: CAD concomitant with AF may be associated with a worse clinical outcome even though CAD does not significantly affect the risk of AF recurrence after ablation therapy.

Morphological changes in the orifices of the left atrial appendage and left atrium in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: As an integral part of the left atrium (LA), the left atrial appendage (LAA) plays an important role in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the relationship between LAA remodeling and AF has not been clearly defined. This retrospective case-control study aimed to assess the morphological and functional features of the LA and the LAA in AF patients using images obtained by computed tomography angiography (CTA). Methods: A total of 140 AF patients and 64 patients without AF or other cardiovascular diseases who underwent CTA scans between September 2016 and August 2017 were enrolled in this observational study as the experimental and the control groups, respectively. The major and minor axes, area, and perimeter of the LAA orifice, the LAA depth, and the volume of both the LAA and LA were analyzed. The data of the AF group and the control group were compared. The t-test was used to analyze the normally distributed data, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for abnormally distributed data. The best critical value of predictors of AF was calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The correlation of the LAA volume change with the major and minor axes, area, and perimeter of the LAA orifice, and the LAA depth were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The LAA orifice's minor axis, LAA volume, and LA volume were significantly greater (P=0.004, P=0.010, and P<0.001, respectively) in patients with AF than in those without AF. The LAA volume [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01 to 1.30; P=0.038] and LA volume (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.07; P<0.001) were significantly independent predictors of AF. An LAA volume of 8.75 mL had the highest predictive value for AF [area under the curve (AUC), 0.612], with a sensitivity of 76.6% and a specificity of 48.6%. In contrast, an LA volume of 97.15 mL had the highest predictive value for AF (AUC, 0.771), with a sensitivity of 90.6% and a specificity of 53.6%. The change of LAA volume was positively weakly correlated with the area and perimeter of the LAA orifice (r=0.1703 and r=0.1378, respectively). The LAA emptying fraction was negatively correlated with the major axis and the area of the LAA orifice. The major and minor axes, area, and perimeter of the LAA orifice, and LAA depth were significantly greater in female than in male patients (P=0.003, P=0.003, P=0.001, P=0.019, and P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The AF patients had a longer minor axis of the LAA orifice than that of the control group, resulting in a more circular LAA orifice. The LAA orifice area and perimeter were positively correlated with LAA volume change. The LAA orifice major and minor axes, area, and perimeter, and the LAA depth of the female patients were significantly greater than those of their male counterparts in AF patients.

Epicardial fat volume evaluated with multidetector computed tomography and other risk factors for prevalence of three-vessel coronary lesions.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively investigate the epicardial fat volume with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and other risk factors for the prevalence of three-vessel coronary lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDCT was performed on 424 subjects with or without three-vessel coronary lesion. Blood was tested for triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lipoprotein a, and fasting blood glucose. RESULTS: Among all the subjects, a significant (P < 0.05) negative linear correlation existed between age and ALT or ALT/AST. The epicardial fat had a significant (P < 0.05) negative linear correlation with HDL and Apo A but a positive correlation with age and ApoB/ApoA. The epicardial fat volume and the fasting blood glucose were significantly (P = 0.001) greater in the patients than in the control group, whereas HDL and Apo A were both significantly (P < 0.0001) smaller in the patients than in the control groups. A significant prediction value (P < 0.05) existed in age increase, male gender, epicardial fat increase, low HDL, high LDL, and elevated fasting blood glucose. CONCLUSION: Three-vessel coronary lesions are more prevalent in subjects with greater volume of epicardial fat and in male gender.

Mild phototherapy mediated by manganese dioxide-loaded mesoporous polydopamine enhances immunotherapy against colorectal cancer.

One of the main challenges in applying the immune checkpoint blockade to treat colorectal cancer (CRC) is the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Owing to its excellent cancer cell killing ability and immune activation, mild photothermal therapy (PTT) has shown bright promise to sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint inhibition through turning the immunologically "cold" tumors into "hot" ones. Herein, a mild photothermal effect-assisted theragnostic nanodrug (MnO2@MPDA-PEG NPs) is developed by incorporating MnO2 into PEGylated-mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles (MPDA-PEG NPs). The presence of PEG endows the theragnostic nanodrug with high biostability. After accumulation in colorectal tumor, the theragnostic nanodrug responds to the tumor microenvironment, leading to the simultaneous release of Mn2+ which serves as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent for tumor imaging. The released Mn2+ could also promote mild photothermal treatment-induced immune response, including the maturation of BMDC cells. In vivo antitumor studies on a CT26 model demonstrate that MnO2@MPDA-PEG NPs could be a promising dual-imaging theragnostic nanodrug to potentiate the systemic antitumor immunities.