Predictive Value of Free Triiodothyronine in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Homeostasis of thyroid hormones has significant effects on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between free triiodothyronine (FT3) and adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who were undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 1701 patients with ACS undergoing PCI were included in this study. All patients were divided into three groups according to the tertiles of FT3 level: the lowest tertile (FT3 < 4.51 pmol/L), the middle tertile (4.51 pmol/L ≤ FT3 < 4.89 pmol/L) and the highest tertile group (FT3 ≥ 4.89 pmol/L). The primary study endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which included all-cause death, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or unplanned repeat revascularization. Results: During a median follow-up period of 927 days, 349 patients had at least one event. Compared with patients with the highest tertile, those with the lowest tertile had a significantly higher incidence of MACE, all-cause death, MI, ischemic stroke and repeat revascularization (all p values < 0.05). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the middle tertile had similar risk of MACE (HR = 0.986, 95% CI 0.728-1.336, p = 0.929) as the highest tertile, but the patients with the lowest tertile had a 92.9% higher risk of MACE (HR = 1.929, 95% CI 1.467-2.535, p < 0.001). There was a non-linear relationship between FT3 and MACE and unplanned repeat revascularization (all p values for non-linear association < 0.001). Adding the tertiles of FT3 level into the baseline model yielded a significant improvement in discrimination for predicting MACE ( Δ AUC = 0.013, p = 0.025). Conclusions: A significantly reduced FT3 level was independently associated with a worse prognosis in patients with ACS undergoing PCI.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient With Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

A 66-year-old neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patient with polyarticular pain for nine years, aggravated for two days, was transferred from the Emergency Intensive Care Unit (EICU) to our rheumatology department. She was diagnosed with NF1 nine years ago by a gene mutation detection and coronary heart disease (CHD) three months ago. The patient was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) this time. After 24 days of treatment with appropriate medication, the patient was discharged with relieved joint pain. However, about four months later, the patient died of circulatory failure caused by myocardial infarction. We analyzed the possible reasons for her outcome and made a review of the literature. There are few clinical reports of NF1 complicated with RA. We found five cases reported in the literature up to date during our search and included them in our communication to compare with our case. NF1 combined with RA mainly affects adult women and usually starts with NF1 and is followed by RA after at least six years of NF1 symptom onset. Although the summarized characteristics of clinical and potential pathogenesis of NF1 combined with RA were limited with these six cases, we hope that this will help clinicians to increase their understanding of this rare complication, thus helping to guide clinical medication.

Drug-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents in patients with decreased GFR: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a strong predictor of both mortality and subsequent cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention. The safety and efficacy of drug-eluting (DESs) versus bare-metal stents (BMSs) in this population have not been evaluated adequately. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING & POPULATION: Studies involving the comparison of clinical outcomes between DESs and BMSs in patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Studies exclusively involving patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were excluded. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES: MEDLINE (on Ovid), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases from 2002-2013 were searched for studies comparing DESs with BMSs in patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). INTERVENTION: DES versus BMS implantation. OUTCOMES: Mortality, repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis. RESULTS: Data from 26 comparative studies with 66,840 patients were included. Compared with BMSs, DESs were associated with significant reductions in repeat revascularization (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.50-0.74; P < 0.001) and myocardial infarction (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.79-0.92; P < 0.001), with no detectable difference in stent thrombosis (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.46-1.12; P = 0.1). The superiority of DESs over BMSs in decreasing mortality also was documented (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.65-0.90; P = 0.01). This survival benefit of DESs over BMSs was attenuated in randomized controlled trials or adjusted observational studies versus unadjusted observational studies. LIMITATIONS: Most studies were observational studies. Meta-analysis was not performed on individual patient data. CONCLUSIONS: DES use in patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) is associated with a reduced rate of repeat revascularization and myocardial infarction without increased risk of stent thrombosis. The true effect of DESs versus BMSs on mortality needs to be confirmed by randomized controlled trials.

[Effects of allitridi capsules on endothelial function and clinical prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention in coronary artery disease patients with diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of allitridi capsules on endothelial function and clinical prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: A total of 120 CAD patients with DM undergoing PCI were randomly assigned to receive conventional (control, n = 60) and additional allitridi treatment (120 mg/day, n = 60) for 3 months.Serum nitric oxide (NO) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) immediately and at 3 months post-PCI. Endothelial function was assessed by endothelium dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Duration of follow-up was 1 year after PCI. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics, serum NO and ICAM-1 levels and FMD at baseline were not different between two groups. At Month 3 post-PCI, serum NO level was markedly higher ((147 ± 32) vs (112 ± 24) µmol/L, P = 0.009) and serum ICAM-1 level was significantly lower ((182 ± 21) vs (232 ± 29) µmol/L, P = 0.021) in the allitridi group than in the control group.Furthermore, treatment of allitridi resulted in a significant improvement of FMD (8.2% ± 2.4% vs 6.4% ± 2.3%, P = 0.013). At Year 1 post-PCI, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) was lower in the allitridi group than that in the control group (10.5% vs 17.2%, P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Allitridi capsules significantly improve the clinical prognosis after PCI in CAD patients with DM. Its mechanism may lies in improved endothelial function and vascular inflammatory state.

Feasibility and clinical benefits of the double-ProGlide technique for hemostasis after cryoballoon atrial fibrillation ablation with uninterrupted oral anticoagulants.

OBJECTIVE: To access the efficacy and safety of the double-ProGlide technique for the femoral vein access-site closure in cryoballoon ablation with uninterrupted oral anticoagulants (OAC), and its impact on the electrophysiology laboratory time as well as hospital stay after the procedure in this observational study. METHODS: Patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cryoballoon ablation with uninterrupted OAC at Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China from May 2019 to May 2021 were enrolled in this study. From October 2020, double-ProGlide technique was consistently used for hemostasis (ProGlide group), and before that conventional manual compression was utilized (manual compression group). The occurrence of vascular and groin complications was accessed during the hospital stay and until the three-month follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 140 participants (69.30% of male, mean age: 59.21 ± 10.29 years) were evaluated, 70 participants being in each group. Immediate hemostasis was achieved in all the patients with ProGlide closure. No major vascular complications were found in the ProGlide group while two major vascular complications were occurred in the manual compression group. The incidence of any groin complication was obviously higher in subjects with manual compression than patients with ProGlide devices (15.71% vs. 2.86%, P = 0.009). In addition, compared with the manual compression group, the ProGlide group was associated with significantly shorter total time in the electrophysiology laboratory [112.0 (93.3-128.8) min vs. 123.5 (107.3-158.3) min, P = 0.006], time from sheath removal until venous site hemostasis [3.8 (3.4-4.2) min vs. 8.0 (7.6-8.5) min, P < 0.001], bed rest time [8.0 (7.6-8.0) h vs. 14.1 (12.0-17.6) h, P < 0.001] and hospital stay after the procedure [13.8 (12.5-17.8) h vs. 38.0 (21.5-41.0) h, P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of the double-ProGlide technique for hemostasis after cryoballoon ablation with uninterrupted OAC is feasible and safe, which has the clinical benefit in reducing the total electrophysiology laboratory time and the hospital stay length after the procedure.

Effect of Alirocumab on Coronary Calcification in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have been documented with significantly reduction in LDL cholesterol levels and cardiovascular events. However, evidence regarding the impact of PCSK9 inhibitors on coronary calcification is limited. Methods: Eligible patients with intermediate coronary lesions and elevated LDL cholesterol values were randomized to either alirocumab 75 mg Q2W plus statin (atorvastatin 20 mg/day or rosuvastatin 10 mg/day) therapy or standard statin therapy. Calcium score based on coronary computed tomographic angiography at baseline and follow up were compared. Results: Compared with baseline levels, LDL cholesterol were significantly decreased in both groups, while the absolute reduction of LDL cholesterol levels were higher in patients treated with alirocumab (1.69 ± 0.52 vs. 0.92 ± 0.60, P < 0.0001). Additionally, patients in alirocumab group demonstrated a significant reduction of Lp(a) levels, whereas it was not observed in the standard statin group. Notably, greater increases in the percentage changes of CAC score (10.6% [6.3-23.3] vs. 2.9% [-6.7-8.3]; P < 0.0001) were observed in the statin group compared to the alirocumab group. Consistently, CAC progression was significantly lower in the alirocumab group than in the standard statin group (0.6 ± 2.2% vs. 2.7 ± 2.3%; P = 0.002). Conclusions: Study indicated that administration of the PCSK9 inhibitors to statins produced significantly lower rate of CAC progression in patients with coronary artery disease. Further studies with CAC progression and their clinical outcomes are needed. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04851769.

[Effects of Biochar on Soil Organic Carbon of Eroded Cultivated Layer of Slope Farmland in Purple Hilly Area].

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial ecosystem. It is not only the core index of cultivated land soil quality evaluation but also an important part of the global carbon cycle. In order to understand the response characteristics of SOC in the cultivated layer to the interaction of soil erosion and management measures, the eroded cultivated layer of typical purple soil slope farmland in the Three Gorges Reservoir area was the research object. The in-situ tests of five erosion degrees on sloping farmland were established using the shovel erosion simulation test method; taking no fertilizer (CK) as a control measure, two types of restorative management measures were set up, namely chemical fertilizer (F) and biochar+chemical fertilizer (BF), to clarify the differences in SOC content under different erosion degrees and management measures and to analyze the variation characteristics and interannual variation trend of SOC along the cultivated-layer profile. The results showed that:① BF significantly increased the soil organic carbon content in the cultivated layer of purple soil slope farmland; the SOC of BF was 90.25% and 23.84% higher than that of CK and F on average, respectively. Soil erosion significantly reduced the content of SOC (12.25%-27.74%) under CK measures, but there was no significant difference in the profile distribution of SOC under different erosion degrees. ② The SOC content in the surface layer (0-10 cm) of slope farmland was the highest, and the two measures had the most obvious effect on improving the SOC contents, which were 120.59% and 66.90%, respectively. ③ After three consecutive years of experiments, the SOC content in the cultivated-layer of slope farmland changed significantly. Under CK, the average annual loss of SOC was 12.52%, whereas under BF, the average annual increase in SOC content was 9.31%. ④ The correlation between SOC and soil physical and chemical properties was different in the various soil layers; the deeper the soil layer was, the weaker the correlation was. Therefore, biochar combined with chemical fertilizer (BF) was an important management measure to improve the erosive cultivated layer and enhance soil fertility for slope farmland in the purple hilly area. The results of this study can provide basic parameters for the rational regulation of cultivated layers and the improvement of soil fertility.

Association of serum complement C1q with cardiovascular outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of serum complement C1q levels with cardiovascular outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and evaluate the value of C1q modified by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels as an independent predictor. METHODS: As a single-center prospective observational study, we analyzed 1701 patients who had received primary or elective PCI for ACS at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China between June 1, 2016 and November 30, 2017. The associations of C1q modified by hs-CRP with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were determined in survival analysis. RESULTS: Patients with the lowest C1q tertile had the highest cumulative risk of MACE (log-rank P = 0.007). In fully adjusted Cox regression models, stratifying the total population according to hs-CRP dichotomy, C1q was significantly associated with MACE in patients with hs-CRP levels less than 2 mg/L but not in those with 2 mg/L or more (P interaction = 0.02). In patients with hs-CRP levels less than 2 mg/L, with the lowest C1q tertile as reference, the risk of MACE was reduced by 40.0% in the middle C1q tertile [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.600, 95% CI: 0.423-0.852, P = 0.004] and by 43.9% in the highest C1q tertile (HR = 0.561, 95% CI: 0.375-0.840, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Serum complement C1q is significantly associated with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ACS undergoing PCI, only when hs-CRP levels are less than 2 mg/L. This finding implicates the usefulness of C1q for the risk stratification in ACS patients with reduced systemic inflammation.

Prognostic significance of multiple triglycerides-derived metabolic indices in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Triglyceride (TG) and its related metabolic indices, all recognized as surrogates of insulin resistance, have been demonstrated to be relevant to clinical prognosis. However, the relative value of these TG-related indices for predicting cardiovascular events among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has not been examined. METHODS: The TG, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, the atherogenic index of plasma, TG to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and the lipoprotein combine index were assessed in 1694 ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), which was the composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, or unplanned repeat revascularization. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 31 months, 345 patients (20.4%) had MACE. The risk of the MACE was increased with higher TG and the four TG-derived metabolic indices [TG-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.002, 95% CI: 1.001-1.003; TyG index-adjusted HR = 1.736, 95% CI: 1.398-2.156; atherogenic index of plasma-adjusted HR = 2.513, 95% CI: 1.562-4.043; TG to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio-adjusted HR = 1.148, 95% CI: 1.048-1.258; and lipoprotein combine index-adjusted HR = 1.009, 95% CI: 1.004-1.014; P < 0.001 for all indices]. TG and all the four indices significantly improved the predictive ability for MACE in addition to the baseline model. Among them, TyG index showed the best ability for predicting MACE compared with the other three indices from all the three measurements ( P < 0.05 for all comparison). CONCLUSIONS: TG and TG-derived metabolic indices were all strongly associated with MACE among ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Among all the indices, TyG index showed the best ability to predict the risk of MACE.

Differential Impact of Cigarette Smoking on Prognosis in Women and Men Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

We sought to compare the effects of smoking on clinical outcomes in women and men with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We prospectively followed up 10 369 patients undergoing elective PCI. All patients were stratified according to smoking status and sex. The impacts of smoking on long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs, the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization) were assessed. Among 7773 men and 2596 women undergoing PCI, the prevalence of cigarette smoking was 66.7% (n = 5185) and 11.0% (n = 286; P < .001). During the 3 years of follow-up (median: 20.6 months), smoking increased MACE in both men and women (men 10.8% vs 8.1%, P < .001; women 23.2% vs 6.4%; P < .001). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, smoking had a greater effect on MACE in women (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86-7.28; P < .001) compared with men (HR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.03-1.77; P = .005, interaction P = .026). There was a lower prevalence of smoking in women compared to men among patients undergoing PCI. However, smoking confers a higher excess risk for MACE among women compared with men.

A new demethyl abietane diterpenoid from the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii.

A new demethyl abietane diterpenoid, Triptotin K (3) together with three known compounds, friedelin (1), canophyllal (2), and triptonoterpene (4) were isolated from the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. by silica gel column and preparative high performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR data and mass spectroscopic analysis. Triptotin K showed cytotoxic activities against KB, KBv200, HepG2, and MCF-7/ADM cells lines with IC50 values of 29.88, 36.50, 39.55, and 41.38 µM, respectively.

Erratum to: Catalpol ameliorates LPS-induced endometritis by inhibiting inflammation and TLR4/NF-κB signaling.

Erratum to: J Zhejiang Univ-Sci B (Biomed & Biotechnol) 2019 2019 20(10):816-827. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1900071. The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. In p.823, Figs. 8c and 8d were in-correct, and the obvious pathological changes were mistakenly placed in the picture. The correct versions should be as follows.

[Safety and feasibility of transradial coronary angiography at the outpatient clinic].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of transradial coronary angiography at the outpatient clinic. METHODS: From February 2007 to June 2007, 100 outpatients who received transradial coronary angiography in Anzhen hospital were included in this analysis, 100 inpatients underwent coronary angiography were selected as control group. Primary endpoints included success rate, percent of angiographic catheter use with different diameters, adverse events during the procedure (such as death, malignant arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery spasm, coronary artery dissection, perforation or occlusion, etc.) and after the procedure (such as death, acute myocardial infarction, upper limb haematoma, osteofascial compartment syndrome, radial artery pseudoaneurysm or occlusion, etc.). RESULTS: The success rate (100% vs. 100%), procedure duration time [(12.5 +/- 3.4) min vs.(10.8 +/- 3.6) min, P = 0.517] and exposition time [(4.3 +/- 1.0) min vs. (4.1 +/- 1.0) min, P = 0.629] were similar between the outpatient and inpatient groups. Radial and coronary artery spasm were the main adverse events during the angiography, and haematoma was the main adverse event after the angiography. There were no significant differences of adverse events between the 2 groups. The total cost of the outpatient group was significantly lower than the inpatient control group [(4012 +/- 238) yuan vs. (5329 +/- 371) yuan, P < 0.001]. Expenditure including chemical tests, medicine, nursing care, room and board all decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Transradial coronary angiography application at the outpatient clinic was safe and feasible for stable patients, and this procedure could decrease the medical expenditure and shorten the admission time.

[Comparison between drug eluting stent and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery for the treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery disease in elderly patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the 2 years outcome of elderly patients with ULMCA stenosis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or drug eluting stent (DES). METHODS: From January 2004 to June 2006, 295 patients with ULMCA stenosis and age > or = 70 years undergoing coronary revascularization with either CABG (n = 206) or DES (n = 89) were enrolled in this analysis. All-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization (TLR) were recorded during 2 years follow-up. RESULTS: The cumulative rate of 2-year mortality were 10.2% (n = 21) in CABG-treated patients and 13.3% (n = 12) in DES-treated patients (P = 0.428). The survival rate during 2-year follow-up was 89.2% for CABG-treated patients and 86.4% for DES-treated patients (P = 0.668). The incidence of 2-year myocardial infarction was 7.8% (n = 16) in CABG-treated patients and 10.1% (n = 9) in DES-treated patients (P = 0.501). The incidence of target lesion revascularization (TLR) was 4.9% (n = 10) in CABG-treated patients and 13.5% (n = 12) in DES-treated patients (P = 0.015). In the multivariable analysis, age (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, P = 0.024), left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < 30%, HR: 4.97, 95% CI: 1.22-24.85, P = 0.018) and type 2 diabetes (HR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.31-4.86, P = 0.001) were independent predictors of 2-year mortality. CONCLUSION: In this study, 2-year mortality was comparable in elderly patients with ULMCA stenosis underwent CABG or DES. However, the rate of TLR was significantly higher in patients treated with DES than that receiving CABG operation.

[Effects of upstream tirofiban versus downstream tirofiban on platelet aggregation and clinical outcomes in patients with high-risk acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of upstream versus downstream application of tirofiban on platelet aggregation and clinical outcomes (major adverse cardiovascular event, MACE) in patients with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: From July 2006 to July 2007, 160 high-risk NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI were randomized to receive upstream (4-6 h prior PCI) tirofiban and downstream (immediately prior to PCI) tirofiban. Platelet aggregation inhibition was determined at admission, before coronary angiography and after PCI. Incidences of MACE at 1, 3, 7, 30 and 180 days after PCI were compared. The incidences of bleeding complications and thrombocytopenia during tirofiban treatments were recorded. RESULTS: The extent of platelet aggregation inhibition post tirofiban was significantly greater in upstream tirofiban than that in downstream tirofiban group (8% vs. 42%, P<0.05). The incidences of MACE at various time points were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). Aging, hypertension and type-2 diabetes were independent risk factors of MACE. The incidences of major and minor bleeding complications as well as mild thrombocytopenia during tirofiban treatments were similar between the two groups (2.5% vs. 1.3%, 1.3% vs. 1.3% and 1.3% vs. 1.3%, respectively; all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: On top of aspirin and clopidogrel, upstream application of tirofiban is associated with increased platelet aggregation inhibition but the incidences of MACE up to 180 days post tirofiban are similar in the upstream and downstream tirofiban treated patients with high-risk NSTE-ACS after PCI. Aging, hypertension and type-2 diabetes were independent risk factors of MACE in these patients.

[Kneading and dispersing manipulation in treatment of early-stage acute mastitis: a randomized controlled trial].

BACKGROUND: Acute mastitis is an acute infectious disease of breast. Antibiotic treatment is often unable to obtain a good effect, and we should actively look for a safe and effective non-drug therapy. OBJECTIVE: To validate the clinical efficacy of kneading and dispersing manipulation in treatment of early-stage acute mastitis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: According to the multicenter randomized controlled trial design, 198 cases of acute mastitis from Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine, Longhua Hospital, and Shanghai Yangpu Maternity and Child Health Hospital were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. There were 99 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group were only treated with manipulation, and cefradine was orally administered to patients in the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The local breast lump size, clinical symptoms and the adverse reactions in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The total response rates in the treatment and control group were 95.92% (94/98) and 80% (76/95) respectively. There was a significant difference in the total response rate between the two groups (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the score of breast lump size, and the score of signs and symptoms between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Kneading and dispersing manipulation has certain effects on early-stage acute mastitis, and the therapy is safe and repeatable.

[Effects of Bruton's tyrosine kinase on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts and to explore the mechanism of BTK on bone destruction in periapical periodontitis. METHODS: After RAW264.7 cells induced with 100 ng·L⁻¹ receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) for 5 days, osteoclast induction was confirmed by light microscopy, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Then, BTK-small interfering RNA (BTK-siRNA) was transfected into cells induced for 5 days. After 24 h, the expression of TRAP mRNA was measured using RT-qPCR, and the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts were detected using CCK-8 and TRAP activity assay. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: After RAW264.7 was induced with RANKL for 5 days, a large number of round, ellipse, irregularly protuberant, and TRAP-positive macrophages were observed under light microscopy. The expression of TRAP mRNA significantly reduced after 24 h of BTK-siRNA transfection (P<0.05). The detection of CCK-8 and TRAP activities showed that the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Silencing of BTK can inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts. BTK can be used as a new target for the inhibition of osteoclasts.

Malignant syphilis accompanied with neurosyphilis in a malnourished patient: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum). Malignant syphilis is a rare presentation of secondary syphilis. Here, we present a case diagnosed with malignant syphilis accompanied with neurosyphilis. CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old man present with a 2-mo history of spreading ulcerous and necrotic papules and nodules covered with thick crusts over the face, trunk, extremities, and genitalia. The patient was diagnosed with malignant syphilis accompanied by neurosyphilis based on the characteristic morphology of the lesions, positive serological and cerebrospinal fluid tests for syphilis, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology, along with resolution of the lesions following the institution of penicillin therapy. The lesions and neurological condition successfully resolved after a course of treatment with penicillin. CONCLUSION: We suggest that neurosyphilis should be considered whenever people have psychiatric symptoms without cutaneous lesions or human immunodeficiency virus.

Diagnostic accuracy of a deep learning approach to calculate FFR from coronary CT angiography.

BACKGROUND: The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach has been frequently applied to compute the fractional flow reserve (FFR) using computed tomography angiography (CTA). This technique is efficient. We developed the DEEPVESSEL-FFR platform using the emerging deep learning technique to calculate the FFR value out of CTA images in five minutes. This study is to evaluate the DEEPVESSEL-FFR platform using the emerging deep learning technique to calculate the FFR value from CTA images as an efficient method. METHODS: A single-center, prospective study was conducted and 63 patients were enrolled for the evaluation of the diagnostic performance of DEEPVESSEL-FFR. Automatic quantification method for the three-dimensional coronary arterial geometry and the deep learning based prediction of FFR were developed to assess the ischemic risk of the stenotic coronary arteries. Diagnostic performance of the DEEPVESSEL-FFR was assessed by using wire-based FFR as reference standard. The primary evaluation factor was defined by using the area under receiver-operation characteristics curve (AUC) analysis. RESULTS: For per-patient level, taking the cut-off value ≤ 0.8 referring to the FFR measurement, DEEPVESSEL-FFR presented higher diagnostic performance in determining ischemia-related lesions with area under the curve of 0.928 compare to CTA stenotic severity 0.664. DEEPVESSEL-FFR correlated with FFR (R = 0.686, P < 0.001), with a mean difference of -0.006 ± 0.0091 (P = 0.619). The secondary evaluation factors, indicating per vessel accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 87.3%, 97.14%, 75%, 82.93%, and 95.45%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DEEPVESSEL-FFR is a novel method that allows efficient assessment of the functional significance of coronary stenosis.