[Validation study of the Chinese version of atopic dermatitis control tool].

To assess the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the Chinese version of the atopic dermatitis control tool (ADCT). After this study obtained authorization for the Chinese version of the ADCT scale. 114 patients with atopic dermatitis were enrolled from the Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital using convenience sampling from October 2022. Patients were surveyed using the General Information Questionnaire, Chinese version of ADCT, patient-oriented eczema measure (POEM),peak pruritus numerical rating scale (PP-NRS),dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the global patient self-assessment for disease severity. Mann-Whitney rank sum test and Spearman correlation analysis were used for item analysis; content validity was assessed using content validity index (CVI); exploratory factor analysis was used to assess structural validity; Cronbach' alpha coefficient was used to assess internal consistency; Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation of ADCT with other scales to assess external responsiveness. The results showed that all items were retained by item analysis. I-CVI was 0.9-1, and S-CVI/Average was 0.983; the scale extracted one common factor by factor analysis, the cumulative variance explanation rate was 77.927%; the Cronbach' alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.937; the correlation coefficients of the Chinese version of ADCT with POEM, PP-NRS, and DLQI were 0.805, 0.861, and 0.709 respectively. In conclusion, the Chinese version of the ADCT has adequate reliability, validity and responsiveness, and is suitable for measuring disease control in Chinese patients with atopic dermatitis.

[Efficacy of alcohol septal ablation in mildly symptomatic or severely symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To compare the prognosis of mildly or severely symptomatic patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (OHCM) who underwent alcohol septal ablation (ASA). Methods: This retrospective study cohort consisted of patients with OHCM who received ASA treatment in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2001 to August 2021. These patients were divided into mildly and severely symptomatic groups according to the severity of clinical symptoms. Long-term follow-up was conducted, and the following data were collected: duration of follow-up, postoperatire treatment, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, arrhythmia events and pacemaker implantation, echocardiographic parameters, and cause of death. Overall survival and survival free from OHCM-related death were observed, and the improvement of clinical symptoms and resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) and the incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation were evaluated. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to determine and compare the cumulative survival rates of the different groups. Cox regression analysis models were used to determine predictors of clinical events. Results: A total of 189 OHCM patients were included in this study, including 68 in the mildly symptomatic group and 121 in the severely symptomatic group. The median follow-up of the study was 6.0 (2.7, 10.6) years. There was no statistical difference in overall survival between the mildly symptomatic group (5-year and 10-year overall survival were 97.0% and 94.4%, respectively) and the severely symptomatic group (5-year and 10-year overall survival were 94.2% and 83.9%, respectively, P=0.405); there was also no statistical difference in survival free from OHCM-related death between the mildly symptomatic group (5-year and 10-year survival free from HCM-related death were 97.0% and 94.4%, respectively) and the severely symptomatic group (5-year and 10-year survival free from HCM-related death were 95.2% and 92.6%, respectively, P=0.846). In the mildly symptomatic group, NYHA classification was improved after ASA (P<0.001), among which 37 patients (54.4%) were in NYHA class Ⅰ, and the resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) decreased from 67.6 (42.7, 90.1) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to 24.4 (11.7, 35.6) mmHg (P<0.001). In severely symptomatic group, NYHA classification was also improved post ASA (P<0.001), among which 96 patients (79.3%) improved by at least one NYHA classification, and the resting LVOTG decreased from 69.6 (38.4, 96.1) mmHg to 19.0 (10.6, 39.8) mmHg (P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation was similar between the mildly and severely symptomatic groups (10.2% vs. 13.3%, P=0.565). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that age was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in OHCM patients post ASA (HR=1.068, 95%CI 1.002-1.139, P=0.042). Conclusions: Among patients with OHCM treated with ASA, overall survival and survival free from HCM-related death were similar between mildly symptomatic group and severely symptomatic group. ASA therapy can effectively relieve resting LVOTG and improve clinical symptoms in mildly or severely symptomatic patients with OHCM. Age was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in OHCM patients post ASA.

[Risk stratification and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment rates in patients with very high-risk or extreme high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases regarding three guidelines].

Objective: To explore the differences of risk stratification of very high-risk or extreme high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) and the attainment rates of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) management targets evaluated by three different criteria, and the causal attributions of these differences. Methods: Patients with ASCVD were consecutively enrolled from January 1 to December 31 in 2019, and were evaluated for very high-risk or extreme high-risk and LDL-C goal attainment rates with 2018 American guideline on the management of blood cholesterol (2018AG), 2019 China Cholesterol Education Program (CCEP) Expert Advice for the management of dyslipidemias (2019EA) and 2020 Chinese expert consensus on lipid management of very high-risk ASCVD patients(2020EC), respectively. The causal attributions of the differences in attainment rates were analyzed as well. Results: A total of 1 864 ASCVD patients were included in this study. According to 2018AG, 2019EA and 2020EC, the proportions of the patients with very high-risk or extreme high-risk were 59.4%, 90.7%, and 65.6%, respectively. The absolute LDL-C target attainment rates were 37.2%, 15.7%, and 13.7%, respectively, the differences between each two rates were statistically significant (all P<0.001). As to the differences in attainment rates between 2020EC and 2018AG, 61.5% were due to the different LDL-C goal attainment values and 38.5% were caused by the different risk stratifications, while for the differences between 2020EC and 2019EA attainment rates, different LDL-C goal attainment values were responsible for 13.2%, and different risk stratifications were responsible for 86.8% of the differences. Conclusions: There are significant differences in the proportions and LDL-C attainment rates among the three different criteria for very high-risk or extreme high-risk ASCVD. 2020EC showed a moderate proportion of patients with extreme high-risk, and had the lowest LDL-C attainment rate. The differences between 2020EC and 2018AG are mainly due to the LDL-C target values, and the differences between 2020EC and 2019EA are mainly caused by the risk stratifications.

[Gender differences in risk factors and characteristics of young patients hospitalized for first acute coronary syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of modifiable risk factors, coronary artery lesions, reperfusion and drug treatment in young women hospitalized for first acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: Clinical data of young adults of 18 to 44 years hospitalized for first ACS in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between January 2007 and December 2017 were analyzed. A total of 7 106 young adults with ACS were enrolled, 6 593(92.8%) were male and 513(7.2%) were female. There were 2 254(31.7%) patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 704(9.9%) patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 4 148(58.4%) patients with unstable angina (UA). Clinical characteristics, laboratory examinations, coronary angiography and medical treatment were recorded. The gender differences in the characteristics of modifiable risk factors and coronary artery stenosis in young patients with ACS were also analyzed. Results: Dyslipidemia (87.5%) followed by overweight/obese(83.8%) and smoking (68.5%) were most prevalent modifiable risk factors in men. Dyslipidemia (63.4%), overweight/obese (63.4%) and hypertension (45.5%) were most prevalent modifiable risk factors in women. The prevalence rates of at least 1 risk factor in men and women patients were 99.1% and 87.9%, respectively. Between 2007 and 2017, the rates of hypertension and overweight/obese in men increased, and the rates of dyslipidemia and smoking decreased (trend P<0.01). The changes of incidence of modifiable risk factors through the years in women were not statistically significant. The rate of men receiving coronary angiography was higher than that in women (96.6% vs 93.4%, P<0.01). Women were more likely to suffer left main coronary artery disease than men (7.3% vs 4.1%, P<0.01). Multi-vessel coronary artery disease occurred more in men (43.4%), and single vessel coronary artery disease occurred more in women (47.0%). Women presented with STEMI had a lower probability of receiving clopidogrel/ticagrelor (76.8% vs 86.1%, P<0.01) and angiotensin Ⅰ-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotonin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) (46.5% vs 60.2%, P<0.01) than that in men. Women presented with UA had a lower probability of receiving aspirin (86.3% vs 89.9%), clopidogrel/ticagrelor (69.7% vs 75.6%), statin (78.8% vs 85.0%) and ACEI/ARB (32.7% vs 38.6%) than men (all P<0.01). Women had a higher probability of presenting Killip II-IV than men (38.6% vs 25.6%, P<0.05). Conclusion: The majority of young patients with ACS were men. The prevalence rates of modifiable risk factors are very high in both man and woman. Compared with man, women with AMI are more likely to develop acute heart failure with lower probability of reperfusion and drug treatment.

[Progress and prospect of the treatment of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans].

In the past five years,both advancements and new problems were seen in the treatment of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans.The Global Vascular Guidelines published in 2019 have given us comprehensive suggestions for the diagnosis and treatment of critical limb threatening ischemia(CLTI),but the grading and treatment suggestions for CLTI should be generalized.As to endovascular treatment,drug coated balloons have been found to be effective for limb salvage and graft patency in femoropopliteal and infra-popliteal artery occlusive diseases.As to surgical revascularization,persistent education and surveillance are necessary to maintain the practical quality of this fundamental technique.Inframalleolar bypass could achieve good graft patency and limb salvage rate for in CLTI patients.Regional anesthesia has been found to have lower risk than general anesthesia for lower extremity surgical revascularization.Percutaneous deep vein arterialization might be helpful for limb salvage in patients with non-option CLTI.A brief review about the treatment of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans is performed based on latest literatures and institutional experience.Understanding the present situation and development trend is important for peripheral vascular practitioners.

[Clinical value of left ventricular strain analysis by cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion].

Objective: To explore the clinical value of quantitatively assessment of left ventricular strain in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)-feature tracking (CMR-FT) technique. Methods: In this retrospective and observation study, patients with single CTO, who underwent CMR examination in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from November 2014 to January 2019, were selected as case group (CTO group), and those without cardiovascular diseases defined by echocardiography, electrocardiogram (ECG) and clinical history and with normal CMR results were selected as healthy control group (control group). General clinical data including age, gender, discharge diagnosis, and the examination results of echocardiography and ECG were obtained from the electronic medical record system. Two-dimensional CMR-FT was applied to measure left ventricle (LV) global peak radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strains (GPRS, GPCS and GPLS, respectively), and the regional myocardial strain in the target vessel area of CTO was analyzed. Grayscale thresholds of 5 standard deviations (SDs) were used to quantify late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Patients with CTOs were divided into infract size>10% group and infarct size≤10% group, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≥50% group and LVEF<50% group, respectively. The differences between various groups were compared. Results: There were 52 patients in CTO group (34 males, age (54.1±11.7) years, body mass index (BMI) (26.2±2.5)kg/m2) and 30 patients in control group (14 males, age(51.6±12.3)years, BMI (25.6±3.3)kg/m2). There was no significant difference in age, gender, and BMI between the two groups (all P>0.05). LVEF, GPRS, GPCS and GPLS were significantly lower in CTO group than in control group (all P<0.05), left ventricular volume (LVEDV) was similar between the two groups (P>0.05). Among the patients with CTO, there were 26 patients with infarct size>10% and 26 patients with infarct size≤10%. GPRS, GPCS and GPLS were significantly lower (all P<0.05), while LVEF and LVEDV were similar in CTO patients with infarct size≤10% as compared to control group (both P>0.05). LVEF, GPRS, GPCS and GPLS were significantly lower (all P<0.05), while LVEDV was similar in CTO patients with infarct size>10% (P>0.05) as compared to control group. GPRS and GPCS were significantly lower (both P<0.05), while LVEF, LVEDV and GPLS were similar in CTO patients with infarct size>10% as compared to infarct size≤10% group. There were 40 subjects in LVEF≥50% group and 12 subjects in LVEF<50% group. Compared with the control group, GPCS and GPLS of CTO patients were significantly lower in LVEF≥50% group and LVEF<50% group (all P<0.01), LVEF and LVEDV was similar in CTO patients with LVEF≥50% (both P>0.05), but LVEF was lower and LVEDV was larger in LVEF<50% group (both P<0.05). The GPRS, GPCS, GPLS and LVEF of CTO patients in LVEF ≥ 50% group were higher than those in LVEF<50% group (all P<0.0l), and the myocardial infarction size was smaller than that in LVEF reduced group (P<0.0l), but there was no significant difference in LVEDV between the two groups (P=0.07). In the CTO group, there were 21 patients with left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion and 126 segments supplied by the target vessels. The peak radial strain (PRS), circumferential strain (PCS) and longitudinal strain (PLS) in the blood supply area were lower than those in the control group (all P<0 01). In 7 patients with left circumflex artery (LCX) occlusion, the number of myocardial segments supplied by the target vessels was 35, and the PRS, PCS and PLS in the target vessel supply area were lower than those in the control group (all P<0 05). In 24 patients with right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion, the number of myocardial segments supplied by the target vessels was 120, and the PRS, PCS and PLS in the target vessel supply area were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.01). Among the 126 segments in 21 patients with LAD CTO, 91 (72.2%) segments had infarct size≤25%, 17 (13.5%) segments had infarct size between 26%-50%, 11 segments (8.7%) had infarct size between 51%-75%, and 7 (5.6%) segments had infarct size between 76%-100%. Among the 35 segments in 7 patients with LCX CTO, 31 (88.6%) segments had infarct size≤25%, and 4 (11.4%) segments had infarct size between 26%-75%. Among the 120 segments in 24 patients with RCA CTO, 96 (80.0%) segments had infarct size≤25%, 11 (9.2%) segments had infarct size between 26%-50%, 8 (6.7%) segments had infarct size between 51%-75%, and 5 segments (4.2%) had infarct size between 76%-100%. Conclusions: In this study with single CTO, although the LVEF is preserved in the majority of the patients, the left ventricular global and regional strain values are significantly decreased. The larger the infarct size, the greater the impact on radial and circumferential motion, reflecting the early impairment of left ventricular function in these patients.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of young (<35 years) patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction].

Objective: To analyze the risk factors and clinical characteristics as well as long-term prognosis of young patients (aged 18-35 years) with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: In this retrospective study, from January 2007 to December 2017, STEMI patients who were hospitalized in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University and younger than 45 years old were collected. Patients were divided to the 18-35 years old group and 36-44 years old group. The basic information of patients, clinical laboratory results, surgical information and discharge diagnosis of enrolled patients were extracted from the electronic medical record system. Subgroup analysis on STEMI patients aged 18 to 35 years was performed to compare the clinical features and outcome of patients with normal coronary angiography or stenotic coronary angiography. Results: 496 patients (20.3%) were between 18 and 35 years old, 480 cases (96.8%) were men, and 371 cases (74.8%) were smokers. The proportion of hypertension and diabetes was lower, but percent of obese (122 cases (43.3%)), level of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), uric acid and homocysteine ​​(Hcy) were significantly higher in patients aged 18 to 35 years compared with STEMI patients aged 36 to 44 years (all P<0.05). In the 18-35 years old group, there were 53 patients (10.7%) with normal coronary angiography and 443 patients (89.3%) with stenosis. The age, proportion of hypertension and diabetes, TC, LDL-C, and triglyceride (TG) levels were lower in the normal coronary angiography group than those in the coronary artery stenosis group (all P<0.05). The main coronary artery lesions were single vessel lesions (263 cases (59.4%)), and the main culprit vessels were left anterior descending artery lesions (238 cases (53.7%)). The follow-up time was 7.0 (4.0, 10.0) years, cardiovascular events were reported in 62 patients (18.9%), of which 14 patients (3.2%) died. The survival rate of patients without cardiovascular events in normal coronary angiography group was higher than that in stenosis group (P=0.029). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that diabetes (HR=2.713, 95%CI 1.479-4.976, P=0.001) and dyslipidemia (HR=2.819, 95%CI 1.564-5.079, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for recurrence of cardiovascular events in adult STEMI patients aged 18 to 35 years. Conclusions: STEMI patients aged 18 to 35 years were featured by male sex, obese and smokers. The proportion of hypertension and diabetes was low, while the levels of LDL-C, uric acid and Hcy were high in these patients. Coronary artery stenosis was common, and the stenosis was more likely to occur in the left anterior descending branch. Patients with normal coronary angiography had a better prognosis than those with stenosis. Diabetes and hyperlipidemia increased the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events.

[Difference on prevalence and trends of conventional risk factors for ASCVD between young Chinese and American adults with first acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: This study aimed to compare the prevalence and trends of conventional risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD) between young Chinese and American adults with first acute myocardial infarction. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis. Hospitalized yang adults (aged from 18 to 44 years old) with first acute myocardial infarction(AMI) from January 2007 through December 2017 were identified from Beijing Anzhen hospital medical record system. Prevalence and trends of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, smoking, and dyslipidemia were analyzed and compared with young American adults, whose data were reported by Yandrapalli et al, and the hospitalizations for a first AMI in young adults aged 18 to 44 years were identified from national inpatient sample from January 2005 through September 2015. Results: Chinese cohort included 2 866 young adults with a first AMI (male, n=2 739, female, n=127), the mean age was (39±5) years. Presentation of AMI was more frequently ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (77.3%, 2 214/2 866). American cohort included 280 875 subjects (male, n=203 700, female, n=77 175), the mean age was 39±5 years. Presentation of AMI was more frequently non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (53.6%, 150 549/280 875). In China, dyslipidemia 2 254 (78.6%), smoking 2 084(72.7%), and hypertension 1 170 (40.8%) were most prevalent, and 96.0% (2 752/2 866) of patients had at least 1 risk factor; in the United States, smoking 159 537(56.8%), dyslipidemia 145 212 (51.7%), and hypertension 139 876 (49.8%) were most prevalent, and 90.3% (253 630/280 875) of patients had at least 1 risk factor. Women had a prevalence of diabetes was higher in women, and prevalence of dyslipidemia and smoking was higher in men in China (all P<0.05);prevalence of obesity, diabetes and hypertension was higher in Women, and prevalence of dyslipidemia and smoking was higher in man in the United States (all P<0.001). Prevalence of dyslipidemia and smoking was higher Chinese men (79.3% vs. 54.6%, 75.5% vs. 58.1%,all P<0.001), and prevalence of obesity, diabetes and hypertension was lower (13.1% vs. 18.6%, 14.9% vs. 19.9%, 40.6% vs. 49.3%, all P<0.001)in Chinses cohort than those in the United States cohort. Prevalence of smoking and obesity was lower (12.6% vs. 53.4%, 10.2% vs. 26.9%, all P<0.001) and prevalence of dyslipidemia was higher (63.8% vs. 44.1% P<0.001) in Chinese women than those in the United States women. Patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction had a higher prevalence of obesity, diabetes and hypertension than patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in China (20.1% vs.10.9%, 17.6% vs. 14.5%, 47.4% vs. 38.9%, all P<0.05). The prevalence of the three risk factors also was higher in patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the US (24.0% vs.17.0%, 25.0% vs. 20.0%, 54.6% vs. 44.2%, all P<0.001), prevalence of smoking and dyslipidemia was lower in these patients (53.5% vs. 60.5%,51.4% vs. 52.1%, all P<0.001). The prevalence of hypertension and obesity increased and the rate of smoking reduced in China from 2007 through 2017 (all trend P<0.001). The prevalence of all these five conventional risk factors increased temporally in the United States from 2005 to 2015 (all trend P<0.001). The prevalence of hypertension increased by 15.6% in China and 14.5% in the United States, respectively, accounting the largest increase. Conclusions: Smoking, dyslipidemia, and hypertension are most prevalent in China and United State. Significant sex and AMI subtype difference are observed for individual risk factors. The prevalence of hypertension and obesity increased significantly over time in China and all these five conventional risk factors increased significantly in the United States.

[Risk factor distribution features and trends of young adults with first acute coronary syndrome].

Objective: To observe the characteristics and trends during the last 11 years of risk factors of young adults with first acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. We included young adults (18 to 44 years old) hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome in Beijing Anzhen Hospital for a first time from January 2007 to December 2017. Acute coronary syndromes include ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and unstable angina (UA). The general information, medical history and laboratory test were recorded. Risk factors of ACS were smoking, dyslipidemia, overweight/obesity, hypertension and diabetes. Results: Data from 7 106 patients were analyzed, mean age was (39.8±4.2) years old and 6 593(92.8%)were men, including 2 254 (31.7%) STEMI, 704 (9.9%) NSTEMI and 4 148 (58.4%) UA. Most patients were male (6 593(92.8%)). Dyslipidemia (85.8%(6 094/7 106)), overweight/obesity (82.3%(5 850/7 106)), and smoking (63.9%(4 545/7 106)) were most prevalent. 98.3% (6 885/7 106) patients had at least 1 risk factor. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and overweight/obesity increased from 2007 to 2017. Rates of hypertension increased from 37.1%(111/299) to 48.1%(498/1 035) (Ptrend<0.01), diabetes from 12.0%(36/299) to 19.4%(201/1 035) (Ptrend<0.01), overweight/obesity from 74.2%(222/299) to 83.9%(868/1 035) (Ptrend<0.05), respectively. Conclusions: Dyslipidemia, overweight/obesity and smoking are most prevalent risk factors in young adults with a first ACS and most patients have at least 1 risk factor for ACS. Rates of hypertension, diabetes and overweight/obesity progressively increases over time in this patient cohort.

Quantification of late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular MRI in patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusion.

AIM: To determine the most accurate and reproducible semi-automated greyscale thresholding technique for quantifying late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), by using positron-emission tomography (PET) as the reference standard in patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: LGE in CMRI, single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT), and PET were performed within 1 week in each of 63 patients with known CTO. The presence and quantity of LGE were determined with greyscale thresholds of 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 standard deviations (SDs) above the mean signal intensity for normal remote myocardium and full width at half maximum (FWHM). The infarcted myocardium was delineated by PET. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients and 1,008 segments were analysed. Based on patient analysis, with PET as the reference standard, the 5 SD method yielded the strongest correlation (r=0.85, p<0.0001) compared with the 2 SDs (r=0.42), 4 SDs (r=0.73), 6 SDs (r=0.81), 8 SDs (r=0.71), and FWHM (r=0.69; p<0.001 for all comparisons). The 5 SDs threshold quantification showed high interobserver and intra-observer agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.90, p<0.0001; ICC=0.93, p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Semi-automated LGE CMRI greyscale thresholding with 5 SDs above the mean signal intensity for normal remote myocardium yields the strongest correlation to the extent of LGE identified using PET and is highly reproducible in patients with CTO.

Comparison of cardiac MRI with PET for assessment of myocardial viability in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion.

AIM: To compare cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography (PET) assessment of myocardial viability in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with coronary CTO underwent cardiac MRI and PET. Cardiac MRI images were analysed using a 17-segment model, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and wall motion were scored. PET was used to classify myocardial viability via myocardial perfusion and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, digital superscript uptake. RESULTS: With PET as the reference standard, the sensitivity of cardiac MRI in detecting myocardial viability was 95.3%, specificity was 87.5%, positive predictive value was 96.8%, negative predictive value was 84.2%, and accuracy was 93.8% on a per patient basis. The receiver operator characteristic curve was used to analyse the performance of cardiac MRI in the detection of myocardial viability on a per-patient basis and the area under the curve was 0.910 (95% confidence interval 0.805 to 1). Cardiac MRI had the highest sensitivity and specificity for differentiating viable and non-viable myocardium as defined by PET when the cut-off value of LGE was 50%. The motion consistency and correlation of cardiac MRI and PET were analysed and kappa was 0.788 (r=0.825; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with PET, cardiac MRI assessment of myocardial viability in patients with coronary CTO has high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Therefore, cardiac MRI can be used as an important method for evaluating myocardial viability in coronary CTO patients.

[Association between collateral circulation and myocardial viability evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusion].

Objective: Late gadolinium enhancement(LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR) was used to evaluate the myocardial viability of chronic total occlusion(CTO) in patients with coronary heart disease and to observe the relationship between collateral circulation and myocardium viability in these patients. Methods: This retrospective study included 40 patients with CTO diagnosed by invasive coronary angiography (CAG) from September 2015 to June 2016 in our department, all patients performed CMR examination within one week after CAG.The collateral circulation of CTO was graded with Rentrop classification as follows: poor or no collateral circulation group, moderate collateral circulation group and good collateral circulation group.According to CMR images, the delayed enhancement transmural extent of myocardial segments were scored, the ventricular wall motion of the myocardial segment were graded, and the wall motion score index (WMSI) was calculated.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the delayed enhancement transmural extent of myocardial segments and WMSI. Results: In the no or poor collateral group of 6 myocardial regions, 1 myocardial region had viable myocardium and 3 myocardial regions had no viable myocardium; in the moderate collateral group of 16 myocardial regions, 11 myocardial regions had viable myocardium and 5 myocardial regions had no viable myocardium; in the good collateral group of 24 myocardial regions, 21 myocardial regions had viable myocardium and 3 myocardial regions had no viable myocardium, there was significant difference between the groups (P=0.002). The WMSI of poor or no collateral circulation group, moderate collateral circulation group and good collateral circulation group were 1.54±0.50, 1.21±0.34 and 1.26±0.40, respectively, there was no significant difference between the groups (P=0.063). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the extent of delayed enhancement transmural extent of myocardial segment was significantly associated with WMSI (r=0.638, P<0.01). Conclusion: Collateral circulation in patients with chronic total occlusion can predict myocardial viability.Increase of Rentrop grade is linked with higher possibility of the presence of viable myocardium.

[Value of evaluating the coronary collateral circulation by transluminal attenuation gradient in patients with chronic total occlusion and related influencing factors].

Objective: To observe the value of evaluating the coronary collateral circulation of chronic total occlusion (CTO) by transluminal attenuation gradient (TAG) and Rentrop grading, and analyze the influencing factors for coronary collateral circulation. Methods: A total of 179 CTO patients admitted to Beijing Anzhen hospital during June 2013 to August 2016 were included in this study.All patients received coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) examination before coronary angiography.Finally, 75 patients (79 vessels) were enrolled.Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of Rentrop classification.The Rentrop 3 was defined as a well-developed coronary collateral circulation group, including 50 CTO vessels, Rentrop 2 or below was defined as poorly-developed collateral circulation group, including 29 vessels.TAG values in patients with various Rentrop grades were analyzed.Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the predictors of collateral circulation. Results: TAG increased consistently in proportion to the angiographic extent of collateral flow (TAG was (-33.6±24.4), (-16.5±15.7) and (-12.8±15.8) HU/10 mm in patients with Rentrop grade 0 or 1, 2 and 3, respectively, P=0.007). Number of good collateral circulation vessels predicted by TAG≥15.6 HU/10 mm was 45(57.0%, 45/79), and 50 (63.3%, 50/79) by Rentrop grade (P=0.383). Prevalence of diabetes was significantly lower (20.8%(10/48) vs. 48.1%(13/27), P=0.01), while history of previous myocardial infarction (MI) was significantly higher (35.4%(17/48) vs. 11.1%(3/27), P=0.02) in patients with good collateral circulation than in patients with poor collateral circulation.The TAG of the good collateral circulation group was significantly higher than in poorly collateral circulation group ((-12.8±15.8) HU/10 mm vs. (-21.2±19.6) HU/10mm, P=0.041). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that history of MI (OR=0.196, 95%CI 0.041-0.936, P=0.041) and diabetes(OR=6.604, 95%CI 1.726-25.274, P=0.006) were independent predictors of coronary collateral circulation. Conclusions: TAG could be used to evaluate status of coronary collateral circulation.Presence of MI history and absence of diabetes history are the two independent predictors of well-developed coronary collateral circulation in CTO patients.

[Prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremities and risk factor analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremities, and evaluate its effect on the treatment strategies for lower extremity artery lesions. METHODS: Totally 348 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremities who had no cerebrovascular symptoms or events in the past were enrolled from September 2012 to September 2014 in the Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Preoperative color doppler ultrasonography results of carotid arteries and demographic characteristics were retrospectively collected. The peak systolic velocity and the presence of plaque on gray-scale in the internal carotid arteries were used for diagnosing and grading internal carotid artery stenosis. A stenosis ≥50% was diagnosed as carotid artery stenosis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate related risk factors. Treatment strategies for the artery lesions of lower extremities were compared between those with and without asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. RESULTS: Seventy-seven (22.1%) patients were found to have carotid artery stenosis. Forty-four (12.6%) patients were found to have a stenosis ≥70% or occlusion. Smoking (OR=2.122, 95% CI: 1.143-3.940), coronary artery disease (OR=1.939, 95% CI: 1.058-3.552) and hypertension (OR=1.882, 95% CI: 1.025-3.457) were found to be related risk factors. In patients combined with asymptomatic carotid stenosis, open surgery with general anesthesia was less frequently used than those without asymptomatic carotid stenosis (6.5% vs 18.1%, χ(2)=6.142, P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is high in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremities. Smoking, coronary artery disease and hypertension are related risk factors.

miRNA expression analysis of the sheep follicle during the prerecruitment, dominant, and mature stages of development under FSH stimulation.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) has been widely reported to influence ovarian follicular development, and miRNAs play a significant role in mammalian follicular development by regulating their target genes. Therefore, it is of interest to explore the roles of miRNAs in sheep follicular development during FSH stimulation. In the current study, we constructed miRNA expression profiles of small follicles (SFs, prerecruitment stage), medium follicles (MFs, dominance stage), and large follicles (LFs, maturation stage). Three and 50 significant differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in the MF vs. SF and LF vs. SF comparisons, respectively, and none were identified in the LF vs. MF comparison. Oar-miR-10a was significantly downregulated in MFs compared with SFs. In LFs compared with SFs, miR-212-3p, miR-212-5p and miR-202-5p were significantly upregulated, and miR-27a-3p, miR-181a-5p, miR-204-5p, and miR-182-5p were significantly downregulated. Furthermore, we predicted the target genes of significant DEMs and performed functional enrichment analyses of these target genes. Analyses of KEGG pathways and GO terms showed that the putative target genes were significantly enriched in ovarian steroidogenesis, glutathione metabolism, positive regulation of cell differentiation, positive regulation of cell development, and cellular response to oxygen-containing compounds. Analyses of miRNA-gene regulatory networks suggested that miR-181a-5p-CYP11A1, (miR-27a-3p and miR-129-5p)-LDLR, (miR-212-3p and miR-212-5p)-EFNA5, (miR-181a-5p, miR-182-5p, and miR-27a-3p)-INHBA, and miR-182-5p-SOD2 might be involved in follicular development. The present study provides basic data and suggests research directions for further exploration of the roles of miRNAs in sheep follicular development under FSH stimulation.

Transcriptome analysis of sheep follicular development during prerecruitment, dominant, and mature stages after FSH superstimulation.

Sheep is usually a monovular animal; superovulation technology is used to increase the number of offspring per individual and shorten generation intervals. To date, mature FSH superstimulatory treatments have been successfully used in sheep breeding, but much remains unknown about genes, pathways, and biological functions involved in follicular development. Therefore, in this study, we performed transcriptome profiling of small follicles (SFs; 2-2.5 mm), medium follicles (MFs; 3.5-4.5 mm), and large follicles (LFs; > 6 mm) in Mongolian ewes after FSH superstimulation. Furthermore, we identified differentially expressed genes and performed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway and Gene Ontology enrichment analyses in 3 separate pairwise comparisons. We found that ovarian steroidogenesis was significantly enriched in the SFs versus MFs analysis; the associated genes, cytochrome P450 family 19 (CYP19) and Hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase 1 (HSD3B1), were significantly upregulated. Moreover, proline metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and PPAR signaling pathways were significantly enriched in the LFs versus SFs analysis; the associated genes, glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH), were significantly upregulated, whereas peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) was significantly downregulated. In summary, our study provides basic data and possible biological direction to further explore the molecular mechanism of sheep follicular development after FSH superstimulation.

Carbon content-tuned martensite transformation in low-alloy TRIP steels.

Ultrahigh strength and good ductility are obtained for two low-alloy transformation-induced-plasticity steels fabricated by the quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processing, respectively. Compared to 0.19 wt.% C steel in which γ → α'-martensite transformation is the dominant mechanism under deformation, the relatively high C content of austenite in 0.47 wt.% C steel is responsible for the transformation from γ to ε-martensite, suggesting that the transformation is not solely determined by the stacking fault energy. The study shows that during the Q&P process, strong and ductile steels with specific transformation procedures can be obtained by adjusting volume fraction and carbon content of the retained austenite.