Diagnostic and prognostic value of echocardiography in pulmonary hypertension: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: The role of echocardiography in the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been widely studied recently. However, these findings have not undergone normative evaluation and may provide confusing evidence for clinicians. To evaluate and summarize existing evidence, we performed an umbrella review. METHODS: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to September 4, 2022. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. RESULTS: Thirteen meta-analyses (nine diagnostic and four prognostic studies) were included after searching four databases. The methodological quality of the included studies was rated as high (62%) or moderate (38%) by AMSTAR. The thirteen included meta-analyses involved a total of 28 outcome measures. The quality of evidence for these outcomes were high (7%), moderate (29%), low (39%), and very low (25%) using GRADE methodology. In the detection of PH, the sensitivity of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure is 0.85-0.88, and the sensitivity and specificity of right ventricular outflow tract acceleration time are 0.84. Pericardial effusion, right atrial area, and tricuspid annulus systolic displacement provide prognostic value in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension with hazard ratios between 1.45 and 1.70. Meanwhile, right ventricular longitudinal strain has independent prognostic value in patients with PH, with a hazard ratio of 2.96-3.67. CONCLUSION: The umbrella review recommends echocardiography for PH detection and prognosis. Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular outflow tract acceleration time can be utilized for detection, while several factors including pericardial effusion, right atrial area, tricuspid annular systolic displacement, and right ventricular longitudinal strain have demonstrated prognostic significance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42022356091), https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ .

Diallyl disulfide improves lipid metabolism by inhibiting PCSK9 expression and increasing LDL uptake via PI3K/Akt-SREBP2 pathway in HepG2 cells.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Diallyl disulfide (DADS), a volatile sulfide extracted from garlic, has been suggested as a chemical of anti-atherosclerotic drugs, while its molecular mechanism for this benefit has not fully been understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of DADS on lipid metabolism and its potential mechanisms in HepG2 cells induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). METHODS AND RESULTS: HepG2 cells were treated with LPS with or without different concentrations of DADS (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 µg/ml) for 24 h. The cell activity was detected by CCK8, and Dil-LDL uptake assay was used to examine the LDL uptake. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of LDLR, PCSK9 SREBP2 and HMGCR. In addition, we examined the effect of the combination of DADS with atorvastatin on PCSK9 expression. The results showed that LPS significantly increased PCSK9 and SREBP2 expressions in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. DADS attenuated PCSK9, SREBP2 and HMGCR expressions and up-regulated the expression of LDLR. Moreover, DADS reversed the expressions of PCSK9, SREBP2, HMGCR and LDLR induced by LPS and DADS could promote the LDL uptake in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, DADS decreased the expression of PCSK9 by activating the PI3K/Akt-SREBP2 signal pathway. Notably, DADS could reduce PCSK9 expression induced by atorvastatin in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: DADS could significantly attenuated PCSK9 expression in a dose-dependent manner induced by LPS and increased the LDLR expression in HepG2 cells, which was associated with the activation of PI3K/Akt-SREBP2 signaling pathway.

Advances and challenges in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Since the end of 2019, a new type of coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading rapidly throughout the world. Previously, there were two outbreaks of severe coronavirus caused by different coronaviruses worldwide, namely Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). This article introduced the origin, virological characteristics and epidemiological overview of SARS-CoV-2, reviewed the currently known drugs that may prevent and treat coronavirus, explained the characteristics of the new coronavirus and provided novel information for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Effect of pericardial incision on left ventricular morphology and systolic function in patients during coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function is important after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). LV ejection fraction (LVEF) is conventionally used to evaluate LV systolic function; deformation parameters can be used to detect subtle LV systolic dysfunction. It is unclear whether an incised pericardium without sutures during CABG could affect LV morphology and function. We investigated the effect of pericardial incision on LV morphology and systolic function during CABG. METHODS: Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 27 patients during elective off-pump beating heart CABG 5 min before and after pericardial incision. LV longitudinal and mid-cavity transversal diameters, sphericity index, volumes, and LVEF were measured. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), and twist obtained by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography were measured simultaneously. RESULTS: LV mid-cavity transversal diameter increased, while the LV sphericity index decreased (P < 0.001) immediately after pericardial incision. The GLS, GCS, and twist significantly decreased, while the GRS notably increased (P < 0.001). The LV volumes and LVEF remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Pericardial incision immediately transformed LV morphology from an ellipsoid to sphere, with decreased longitudinal and circumferential strain and twist, and increased radial strain, while LVEF remained unchanged. This should be considered when evaluating LV systolic function in patients after CABG.

Liraglutide improves lipid metabolism by enhancing cholesterol efflux associated with ABCA1 and ERK1/2 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is an important cardioprotective mechanism and the decrease in cholesterol efflux can result in the dyslipidemia. Although liraglutide, a glucagon like peptide-1 analogue, has mainly impacted blood glucose, recent data has also suggested a beneficial effect on blood lipid. However, the exact mechanism by which liraglutide modulates lipid metabolism, especially its effect on RCT, remain undetermined. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the potential impacts and potential underlying mechanisms of liraglutide on the cholesterol efflux in both db/db mice and HepG2 cells. METHODS: Six-week old db/db mice with high fat diet (HFD) and wild type mice were administered either liraglutide (200 µg/kg) or equivoluminal saline subcutaneously, twice daily for 8 weeks and body weight was measured every week. After the 8-week treatment, the blood was collected for lipid evaluation and liver was obtained from the mice for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, red O staining and Western blotting. Cholesterol efflux was assessed by measuring the radioactivity in the plasma and feces after intraperitoneal injection of 3H-labeled cholesterol. HepG2 Cells were treated with different concentrations of glucose (0, 5, 25, and 50 mmol/L) with or without liraglutide (1000 nmol/L) for 24 h. The intracellular cholesterol efflux was detected by BODIPY-cholesterol fluorescence labeling. Real-time PCR or Western blotting was used to examine the expression levels of ABCA1, ABCG1 and SR-B1. RESULTS: Liraglutide significantly decreased blood glucose, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). It also reduced liver lipid deposition in db/db mice fed with HFD. Moreover, the movement of 3H-cholesterol from macrophages to plasma and feces was significantly enhanced in db/db mice fed with HFD after liraglutide adminstration. In vitro study, liraglutide could promote the cholesterol efflux of HepG2 cells under high glucose, and also increase the expression of ABCA1 by activating the ERK1/2 pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide could improve lipid metabolism and hepatic lipid accumulation in db/db mice fed with HFD by promoting reversal of cholesterol transport, which was associated with the up-regulation of ABCA1 mediated by the ERK1/2 phosphorylation.

Ventricular septal rupture with right ventricular wall dissection after inferior ventricular infarction: A case report and literature review.

Right ventricular (RV) wall dissection following ventricular septal rupture related to inferior myocardial infarction (MI) is an extremely rare complication with a high mortality rate. We report the case of a 61-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital because of syncope and intermittent chest pain with a precordial murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a rupture at the basal infero-posterior septum and RV free-wall dissection forming an echolucent cavity that extended beyond the septum and subsequently re-entered into RV chamber. The patient's overall cardiac and renal functions deteriorated and he died 24 days after the diagnosis. We present a literature review of the published cases of complex dissecting tracts through the septum and RV wall in ischemic context.

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein Rv2387 is involved in cell wall remodeling and susceptibility to acidic conditions.

The distinctive cell walls of mycobacteria are characteristic features of these bacteria. Individual cell wall components influence diverse mycobacterial phenotypes, such as colony morphology, virulence and stress resistance. To investigate the role of the hypothetical protein Rv2387, we constructed a Mycobacterium smegmatis strain that heterologously expressed this ORF, and we observed that the M. smegmatis strain expressing Rv2387 exhibited altered colony morphology and cell wall lipid composition, leading to a marked decrease in the resistance against acidic conditions. This study demonstrates that due to its impact on cell wall remodeling, Rv2387 might play an important role in mycobacterial physiology.

Liraglutide downregulates hepatic LDL receptor and PCSK9 expression in HepG2 cells and db/db mice through a HNF-1a dependent mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a major regulator of cholesterol homeostasis, is associated with glucose metabolism. Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, can increase insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner and lower blood glucose. We aimed to investigate the relationship between liraglutide and PCSK9. METHODS: At the cellular level, the expressions of PCSK9 and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1α) protein in HepG2 cells stimulated by liraglutide was examined using Western blot. Seven-week old db/db mice and wild type (WT) mice were administered either liraglutide (200 µg/kg) or equivoluminal saline subcutaneously, twice daily for 7 weeks. Fasting glucose level, food intake and body weight were measured every week. After the 7-week treatment, the blood was collected for lipid and PCSK9 levels detection and the liver was removed from the mice for oil red O staining, immunohistochemical analysis, immunofluorescence test and Western bolt. RESULTS: Firstly, liraglutide suppressed both PCSK9 and HNF1α expression in HepG2 cells in a time and concentration dependent manner. Secondly, liraglutide induced weight loss in WT and db/db mice, decreased serum PCSK9, glucose and lipid levels and improved hepatic accumulation in db/db but not WT mice. Thirdly, liraglutide reduced both hepatic PCSK9 and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression with a decrease in HNF1α in db/db mice but not in WT mice. CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide suppressed PCSK9 expression through HNF1α-dependent mechanism in HepG2 cells and db/db mice, and decreased LDLR possibly via PCSK9-independent pathways in db/db mice.

Association between increased serum alkaline phosphatase and the coronary slow flow phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: Despite marked advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of the coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP), the exact mechanism remains unclear. Previous studies have suggested that CSFP might be associated with generalized atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, and low-grade chronic inflammation. High serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels are associated with vascular calcification, atherosclerotic disease, and an increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, the relationship between ALP and CSFP is unclear. METHODS: We investigated 64 patients with angiographically proven CSFP and 50 with normal coronary flow. Serum ALP levels were measured in all studied individuals. RESULTS: Serum ALP levels in patients with CSFP were significantly higher than those in the control group (70.5 ± 17.1 vs. 61.9 ± 16.1 U/L, P = 0.007). A positive association was observed (r = 0.42, P = 0.032) between serum ALP levels and the mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (mTFC). Regression analysis showed a high serum ALP level was the only independent predictor of the mTFC (ß = 0.309, P < 0.001). Moreover, our study showed that a serum ALP level > 67.5 U/L was a predictor of CSFP (sensitivity = 83.3%, specificity = 84.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CSFP show high serum ALP levels, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of CSFP. A high serum ALP level is a predictor of CSFP. Future studies are needed to clarify the role of ALP in patients with CSFP.

Overexpression of Cardiac-Specific Kinase TNNI3K Promotes Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Differentiation into Cardiomyocytes.

Backgroud/Aims: The biological function of cardiac troponin I-interacting kinase (TNNI3K), a cardiac-specific functional kinase, is largely unknown. We investigated the effect of human TNNI3K (hTNNI3K) on the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) into cardiomyocytes. METHODS: First, the time-space expression of endogenous Tnni3k was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting at 16 different time-points over a period of 28 days. Further, action potentials and calcium current with/without 5 µM nifedipine were measured by patch clamp for mESC-derived cardiomyocytes. HTNNI3K and mouse-derived siRNA were transfected into mESC using lentivirus vector to induce hTNNI3K overexpression and knock-down, respectively. RESULTS: The number of troponin-T (cTnT) positive cells was greater in the group with TNNI3K overexpression as compared to that in control group, while less such cells were detected in the mTnni3k knock-down group as evaluated on flow cytometry (FCM) and ImageXpress Micro system. After upregulation of connexin43, cardiac troponin-I (Ctni), Ctni, Gata4 were detected in mESCs with TNNI3K overexpression; however, overexpression of α-Actinin and Mlc2v was not detected. Interestingly, Ctnt, connexin40 and connexin45, the markers of ventricular, atrial, and pacemaker cells, respectively, were detected in by real-time PCR in TNNI3K overexpression group. CONCLUSION: our study indicated that TNNI3K overexpression promoted mESC differentiating into beating cardiomyocytes and induced up-regulating expression of cTnT by PKCε signal pathway, which suggested a modulation of TNNI3K activity as a potential therapeutic approach for ischemic cardiac disease.

Evaluation of Plasma Thrombomodulin in Patients with Coronary Slow Flow.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that coronary slow flow (CSF) is associated with acute myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and even sudden cardiac death. Although studies concerning the etiopathogenesis of CSF are scarce, diffuse atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction are thought to play important roles. It has been suggested that a high plasma thrombomodulin (TM) level seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that a high plasma TM level might be associated with CSF and aimed to research the relationship between plasma TM level and CSF. METHODS: Fifty-two CSF patients with angiographically proven CSF and 44 cases with normal coronary flow were included in this study. Coronary flow velocity was determined by the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count method. Plasma TM levels were measured in all the study subjects. RESULTS: Plasma TM levels were significantly higher in the CSF group compared to the control group (3.9 ± 0.5 vs. 3.6 ± 0.3 ng/mL, p = 0.01). There was a positive relationship (r = 0.31, p = 0.002) between plasma TM level and mean TIMI frame count (TFC). Factors associated with mean TFC were plasma TM level (ß = 0.206, p = 0.038) and red cell distribution width (ß = 0.088, p = 0.009) in multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CSF have a higher plasma TM level, and this may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CSF. An elevated plasma TM level may be a predictor of CSF. Future studies are needed to confirm these results.

Anti-atherosclerotic effect of traditional fermented cheese whey in atherosclerotic rabbits and identification of probiotics.

BACKGROUND: Traditional fermented cheese whey (TFCW), containing probiotics, has been used both as a dairy food with ethnic flavor and a medicine for cardiovascular disease, especially regulating blood lipid among Kazakh. We therefore investigated anti-atherosclerotic effects of TFCW in atherosclerotic rabbits and identified lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts in TFCW. METHODS: Atherosclerotic rabbits were induced by administration of atherosclerotic diet for 12 weeks and divided randomly into three groups and treated for 4 weeks with Simvastatin (20 mg/kg) or TFCW (25 mg/kg) and (50 mg/kg). In addition, a normal control group and an atherosclerotic group were used for comparison. All drugs were intragastrical administered once daily 10 mL/kg for 4 weeks. Body weight (BW), lipid profiles, C-reactive protein (CRP), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were tested and theromatous plaques and the number of foam cells and infiltrating fibroblast cells in the thoracic aorta endothelium was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin stainin. LAB and yeasts were isolated and purified by conventional techniques and identified using morphological and biochemical properties as well as gene sequences analysis. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, high and low dose TFCW decreased serum TC, TG, LDLC, CRP, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 (P < 0.05) compared to atherosclerotic group, and increased HDL-C (P < 0.05) compared to normal controls. Histological analysis showed TFCW reduced VCAM-1 expression and formation of atheromatous plaques on the aortic endothelium of atherosclerotic rabbits. CONCLUSION: Seven classes of LBA from two different genera including Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus kefianofaciens, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus kefiri and Lactococcus lactic as well as 2 classes of yeasts from two different genera including Saccharomyces unisporus and Issatchenkia orientalis were isolated and identified from TFCW. In summary, TFCW, containing 7 classes of LBA and 2 classes of yeasts, has significant anti-atherosclerotic potential in atherosclerotic rabbits and may modulate lipid metabolism and protect aorta in the atherosclerotic condition, which might be related to various probiotics acting through reducing the CRP, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels and protecting the aortic endothelium.

Association of IL-1R2 genetic polymorphisms with the susceptibility of ankylosing spondylitis in Northern Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVES: Previous Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have demonstrated Interleukin-1 receptor 2 (IL-1R2) was strongly associated with susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to replicate the association of IL-1R2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with AS in the northern Han Chinese. METHODS: A total of 490 AS patients and 580 matched healthy controls were enrolled in our study. Six tagSNPs in IL-1R2: rs4851526, rs4851527, rs2302589, rs2072476, rs2072472, and rs2310173 were selected and genotyped by Taqman SNP genotyping method. The differences of allele and genotype frequencies were analyzed by use of PLINK 1.07. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that one tagSNP rs2302589 in IL-1R2 was significantly associated with AS susceptibility (OR 0.77, 95% CI = 0.64-0.92, P = 0.005). However, no significant association was observed on the other tagSNPs for AS risk. The haplotype analysis further showed that the haplotype "GCGCGG" of IL-1R2 was also associated with the increased risk of AS (OR 1.362, P = 0.0207). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first detection that the genetic variation rs2302589 in IL-1R2 gene was associated with AS in Northern Han Chinese. This result confirmed that IL-1R2 may be genetic biomarker for susceptibility to AS.

MicroRNA-124 involves in ankylosing spondylitis by targeting ANTXR2.

OBJECTIVES: A recent genome-wide association study or GWAS identified that anthrax roxin receptor 2 (ANTXR2) was one of the risk loci for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Previous study also showed that ANTXR2 could potentially affect new bone formation. This study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms of ANTXR2 involved in AS pathogenesis. METHODS: The expression level of ANTXR2 and miR-124 in peripheral blood was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or qRT-PCR. ANTXR2 was predicted to be a target gene of miR-124 by TargetScan, which was confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Western blot analysis was used to further investigate the effect of miR-124 on c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and evaluate the activated status of autophagy. RESULTS: We evidenced that ANTXR2 was downregulated and miR-124 was upregulated in peripheral blood from AS patients. Intriguingly, miR-124 targeted ANTXR2 and overexpression of miR-124 in Jurkat cells notably inhibited ANTXR2 expression. ANTXR2 inhibition by miR-124 promoted JNK activation and induced autophagy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that miR-124 might induce autophagy to participate in AS by targeting ANTXR2, which might be implicated in pathological process of AS.

[Epidemiological survey of childhood asthma in 2010 in urban Baotou, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence rate of childhood asthma in 2010 in urban Baotou, China, as well as the characteristics of attacks and the status of diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma. METHODS: More than 10 000 children (0-14 years) were selected from 3 secondary schools, 3 primary schools, 6 kindergartens, and 4 community vaccination sites in urban Baotou by cluster random sampling between September 2009 and August 2010. A standardized preliminary questionnaire was used for screening out suspected cases, which were then confirmed or excluded by a clinician; the confirmed cases underwent further questionnaire survey. Double entry and validation was adopted for all data using Epi-Info software, and analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: A total of 11 323 children were surveyed. Asthma was diagnosed in 127 cases (including 121 children with typical asthma and 6 children with cough variant asthma), with a prevalence rate of 1.12%. The prevalence rate of asthma in male children was significantly higher than that in female children (1.51% vs 0.72%; P<0.01). The prevalence rate of asthma in 2010 was significantly increased compared with that in 1990 (0.55%) and 2000 (0.88%) (P<0.05). Systemic glucocorticoid use decreased significantly from 60.2% in 2000 to 25.9% in 2010 (P<0.01); inhaled corticosteroid use increased significantly from 13.6% in 2000 to 85.8% in 2010 (P<0.01); antibiotic use decreased from 98.1% in 2000 to 66.9% in 2010 (P<0.01). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that family history of allergy, allergic rhinitis, chronic cough, and recurrent respiratory tract infection were independent risk factors for childhood asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of childhood asthma in urban Baotou shows an increasing trend. Inhaled corticosteroids have been widely used.

Uranium speciation and distribution on the surface of Shewanella putrefaciens in the presence of inorganic phosphate and zero-valent iron under anaerobic conditions.

Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens) is one of the main microorganisms in soil bioreactors, which mainly immobilizes uranium through reduction and mineralization processes. However, the effects of elements such as phosphorus and ZVI, which may be present in the actual environment, on the mineralization and reduction processes are still not clearly understood and the environment is mostly in the absence of oxygen. In this study, we ensure that all experiments are performed in an anaerobic glove box, and we elucidate through a combination of macroscopic experimental findings and microscopic characterization that the presence of inorganic phosphates enhances the mineralization of uranyl ions on the surface of S. putrefaciens, while zero-valent iron (ZVI) facilitates the immobilization of uranium by promoting the reduction of uranium by S. putrefaciens. Interestingly, when inorganic phosphates and ZVI co-exist, both the mineralization and reduction of uranium on the bacterial surface are simultaneously enhanced. However, these two substances exhibit a certain degree of antagonism in terms of uranium immobilization by S. putrefaciens. Furthermore, it is found that the influence of pH on the mineralization and reduction of uranyl ions is far more significant than that of inorganic phosphates and ZVI. This study contributes to a better understanding of the environmental fate of uranium in real-world settings and provides valuable theoretical support for the bioremediation and risk assessment of uranium contamination.

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain using a novel fully automated method: A head-to-head comparison with a manual layer-specific strain and establishment of normal reference ranges.

BACKGROUND: A novel automated method for measuring left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) along the endocardium has advantages in terms of its rapid application and excellent reproducibility. However, it remains unclear whether the available normal range for conventional GLS using the manual method is applicable to the automated GLS method. This study aimed to compare automated GLS head-to-head with manual layer-specific GLS, and to identify whether a specialized normal reference range for automated GLS is needed and explore the main determinants. METHODS: In total, 1683 healthy volunteers (men, 43%; age, 18-80 years) were prospectively enrolled from 55 collaborating laboratories. LV GLS was measured using both manual layer-specific and automated methods. RESULTS: Automated GLS was higher than endocardial, mid-myocardial, and epicardial GLS. Women had a higher automated GLS than men. GLS had no significant age dependency in men, but first increased and then decreased with age in women. Accordingly, sex- and age-specific normal ranges for automated GLS were proposed. Moreover, GLS appeared to have different burdens in relation to dominant determinants between the sexes. GLS in men showed no dominant determinants; however, GLS in women correlated with age, body mass index, and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: Using the novel automated method, was LV GLS higher than when using the manual GLS method. The normal ranges of automated GLS stratified according to sex and age were provided, with dominant determinants showing sex disparities that require full consideration in clinical practice.

Two new species of Diaporthe (Diaporthaceae, Diaporthales) in China.

Species of Diaporthe have been reported as plant endophytes, pathogens and saprobes on a wide range of plant hosts. Strains of Diaporthe were isolated from leaf spots of Smilaxglabra and dead culms of Xanthiumstrumarium in China, and identified based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of combined internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), calmodulin (cal), histone H3 (his3), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) and ß-tubulin (tub2) loci. As a result, two new species named Diaportherizhaoensis and D.smilacicola are identified, described and illustrated in the present study.

Research review on methods of grassland health assessment.

Grassland health refers to the degree to which the integrity of soil and ecological processes is maintained, which primarily reflects the health status and productivity of grasslands. Evaluating the degree of grassland health is vital for the sustainable develop of grasslands. There are many methods for evaluating grassland health, with advantages and disadvantages for each one. However, there is still a lack of systematic literature offering an overview of methods of grassland health assessment and their applicability. We summarized 10 methods of grassland health assessment, including vigor-organization-resilience (VOR) index evaluation model, condition-vigor-organization-resilience (CVOR) index evaluation model, principal component analysis method, analytic hierarchy process, cluster analysis method, grey relational analysis, pressure-state-response evaluation model, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, comprehensive evaluation model of grassland health, and evaluation model using remote sensing technology. The advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of these methods were discussed, aiming to provide scientific basis for selecting more suitable methods of grassland health assessment for different scenarios in the future.