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Zekun Wang, Kangxiang Ji, Qi Fang Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zekun Wang; Qi Fang, Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 899 Pinghai Road, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215031, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-512-67972207, Email superzekun@126.com; fangqi_008@126.comBackground: Futile recanalization (FR) remains a significant challenge in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) following successful endovascular treatment (EVT). This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of computed tomography perfusion (CTP)-based software (AutoMIStar; Apollo) for FR among BAO patients undergoing EVT.Methods: We analyzed a prospectively maintained database to identify consecutive BAO patients who achieved successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grade ≥ 2b) after EVT between January 2020 and September 2022. Clinical characteristics and imaging parameters from non-contrast CT, CT angiography, and CTP-AutoMIStar were collected for analysis. FR was defined as an unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score > 3) at 90 days despite successful recanalization. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of FR.Results: Of the 54 patients included in this study, 24 (44.4%) experienced FR. In the univariate analysis, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score, Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography (BATMAN) score, hypoperfusion intensity ratio, and perfusion deficit volume in delay time (DT) > 4 s, DT > 6 s, DT > 8 s, and all cerebral blood flow (CBF) thresholds were associated with FR (all P < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, perfusion deficit volume in CBF < 35% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.105, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.004– 1.215; P = 0.040) and BATMAN score (aOR = 0.662, 95% CI: 0.455– 0.964; P = 0.031) remained independent predictors of FR.Conclusion: Perfusion deficit volume in CBF < 35% on CTP-AutoMIStar imaging maps and BATMAN score are independent predictors of FR after EVT in BAO patients. There is a significant positive correlation between perfusion deficit volume in CBF < 35% and the occurrence of FR.Keywords: acute ischemic stroke, basilar artery occlusion, endovascular treatment, cerebral blood flow, computed tomography perfusion, futile recanalization

Chunkun Yang,1,&ast; Qinwei Zhu,2,&ast; Yanbo Chen,3,&ast; Kui Ji,2 Shuanghong Li,2 Qian Wu,1 Qingquan Pan,2 Jun Li1 1Department of Cardiology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Emergency, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Arrhythmia, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workThese authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jun Li, Email gamyylj@163.comAbstract: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of death worldwide and has been the focus of research in the medical community. Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound extracted from the root of turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to have a variety of pharmacological properties over the past decades. Curcumin can significantly protect cardiomyocyte injury after ischemia and hypoxia, inhibit myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, improve ventricular remodeling, reduce drug-induced myocardial injury, improve diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM), alleviate vascular endothelial dysfunction, inhibit foam cell formation, and reduce vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) proliferation. Clinical studies have shown that curcumin has a protective effect on blood vessels. Toxicological studies have shown that curcumin is safe. But high doses of curcumin also have some side effects, such as liver damage and defects in embryonic heart development. This article reviews the mechanism of curcumin intervention on CVDs in recent years, in order to provide reference for the development of new drugs in the future.Keywords: curcumin, intima, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cell, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, apoptosis

Chunkun Yang,1,&ast; Jiawen Cheng,1,&ast; Qinwei Zhu,2 Qingquan Pan,2 Kui Ji,2 Jun Li1 1Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Emergency, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jun Li, Email gamyylj@163.comAbstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Paeonol(Pae) is a phenolic component extracted from peony bark, peony root and Xu Changqing. Studies have shown that Pae can protect cardiomyocytes by inhibiting oxidative stress, promoting mitochondrial fusion, regulating mitochondrial autophagy and inhibiting inflammation. In addition, Pae improves ventricular remodeling by inhibiting myocardial apoptosis, hypertrophy and fibrosis. Pae also has a good protective effect on blood vessels by inhibiting vascular inflammation, reducing the expression of adhesion molecules, inhibiting vascular proliferation, and inhibiting oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS). Pae also has the effect of anti-endothelial cell senescence, promoting thrombus recanalization and vasodilating. In conclusion, the molecular targets of Pae are very complex, and the relationship between different targets and signaling pathways cannot be clearly explained, which requires us to use systems biology methods to further study specific molecular targets of Pae. It has to be mentioned that the bioavailability of Pae is poor, and some nanotechnology-assisted drug delivery systems improve the therapeutic effect of Pae. We reviewed the protective mechanism of paeonol on the cardiovascular system, hoping to provide help for drug development in the treatment of CVD.Keywords: paeonol, oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial fusion, adhesion, autophagy

Yuxuan Xu,&ast; Zhihui Lin,&ast; Chenxi Zhu,&ast; Dongyan Song, Bosen Wu, Kangting Ji, Jin Li Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Panvascular Diseases of Wenzhou, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Kangting Ji; Jin Li, Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Panvascular Diseases of Wenzhou, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Xueyuanxi Road, No. 109, Wenzhou, 325027, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-577-85676627, Email jikt@wmu.edu.cn; lijin1982@wzhealth.comObjective: The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between all-cause mortality and the neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods: We obtained clinical information from patients with AF from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV version 2.0 (MIMIC-IV) database and the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (WMU). The clinical endpoints were all-cause death measured at 30-day, 90-day, and one-year intervals. For endpoints associated with the NPAR, logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) were developed to compare the ability of different inflammatory biomarkers to predict 90-day mortality in patients with AF.Results: Higher NPAR was associated with a higher risk of 30-day (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.58– 2.75), 90-day (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.61– 2.67), and one-year mortality (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.26– 2.04) in patients with AF in 2813 patients from MIMIC-IV. The predictive performance of NPAR (AUC = 0.609) for 90-day mortality was better than that of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (AUC = 0.565, P < 0.001), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (AUC = 0.528, P < 0.001). When NPAR and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) were combined, the AUC increased from 0.609 to 0.674 (P < 0.001). Higher NPAR was associated with a higher risk of 30-day mortality (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.02– 6.30) and 90-day mortality (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.09– 7.01) in 283 patients from WMU.Conclusion: An increased 30-day, 90-day, and one-year mortality risk among patients with AF were linked to a higher NPAR in MIMIC-IV. NPAR was thought to be a good predictor of 90-day all-cause mortality. Higher NPAR was associated with a higher risk of 30-day and 90-day mortality in WMU.Keywords: atrial fibrillation, neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio, mortality, inflammatory biomarker

Kun Ji,1,&ast; Hanlong Zhu,2,&ast; Wei Wu,3,&ast; Xin Li,4 Pengchao Zhan,4 Yang Shi,4 Junhui Sun,1 Zhen Li4 1Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Interventional Treatment Center, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Interventional Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Zhen Li, Department of Interventional Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 East Jian She Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-15837192255, Email lzlyct620@163.com Junhui Sun, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Interventional Treatment Center, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13575725162, Email 1307005@zju.edu.cnPurpose: To explore the tumor response and propose a nomogram-based prognostic stratification for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE).Patients and Methods: From the database of two centers, patients who received DEB-TACE as an initial treatment were enrolled and divided into the training and validation sets. The tumor response after DEB-TACE was estimated according to the Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Using the independent survival predictors in the training set, a nomogram was constructed and validated internally and externally by measuring concordance index (C-index) and calibration. A prognostic stratification based on the nomogram was established.Results: A total of 335 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. Alkaline phosphatase level, tumor maximum diameter, tumor capsule and portal vein invasion were interrelated with the achievement of complete release after DEB-TACE. Alpha-fetoprotein level, Child-Pugh class, tumor maximum diameter, tumor number, tumor extent and portal vein invasion were integrated into the nomogram. The nomogram demonstrated good calibration and discrimination, with C-indexes of 0.735 and 0.854 and higher area under the curve (AUC) than BCLC and CNLC staging systems in the internal and external validation sets. The prognostic stratification classified patients into three different risk groups, which had significant differences in survival, complete release and objective response rate between any two groups (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The nomogram-based prognostic stratification has a good distinction and may help to identify the patients benefiting from DEB-TACE.Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, drug-eluting beads, nomogram, prediction, transarterial chemoembolization

Zesong Hu, Jie Wang, Yangjing Xue, Qianqian Zhang, Qianqian Xu, Kangting Ji, Ripeng Yin Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Kangting Ji; Ripeng YinDepartment of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Xueyuanxi Road, No. 109, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-577-88002216, Email jikt@wmu.edu.cn; 15948657@qq.comBackground: Neutrophils and albumin had been shown to be independent predictors of mortality from various diseases. Purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) as an independent predictor of mortality in heart failure (HF) patients.Methods: Data were extracted from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III database. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality, secondary outcomes were in-hospital, 90-day, 365-day mortality, length of stay (LOS) in hospital. Cox proportional hazards regression model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Pearson correlation analysis were used.Results: The HR (95% CI) values of the mid-tertile and the upper tertile were 1.27 (1.01 to 1.59) and 2.29 (1.87 to 2.81) in 30-day mortality compared with the reference. The trend continued after adjusted for demographic and clinical variables. In the secondary outcomes were the same trends. The data of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University showed the correlation coefficient between hospital LOS with NPAR.Conclusion: NPAR was an independent factor of mortality in HF patients, which was correlated with hospital LOS. Our results need to be verified by prospective studies.Keywords: neutrophils, albumin, neutrophil-to-albumin ratio, all-cause mortality, heart failure

Heli Yang,&ast; Xin Ji,&ast; Chenggen Jin,&ast; Ke Ji, Ziyu Jia, Xiaojiang Wu, Ji Zhang, Zhaode Bu Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Heli YangDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86-10-88196970Email leighy@163.comPurpose: To establish a pragmatic prognostic nomogram for predicting the survival of elderly patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma.Patients and Methods: Data of elderly patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2004 and 2015 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Prognostic factors were identified by the Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. Based on these factors, we developed a nomogram to predict the overall survival (OS) and gastric cancer-specific survival (GCSS). Concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve are employed to assess the predictive accuracy of the model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis are applied to further appraise the clinical utility of the model.Results: A total of 8401 cases were incorporated into this research. After univariate and multivariate analyses, nine prognostic factors of OS were identified, including age (P < 0.001), race (P < 0.001), marital status (P < 0.001), tumor site (P < 0.001), tumor size (P = 0.024), differentiation (P < 0.001), T stage (P < 0.001), N stage (P < 0.001), and M stage (P < 0.001); ten prognostic factors of GCSS were identified, including age (P < 0.001), race (P < 0.001), tumor site (P < 0.001), tumor size (P = 0.002), differentiation (P < 0.001), T stage (P < 0.001), N stage (P < 0.001), M stage (P < 0.001), radiotherapy (P < 0.001) and chemotherapy (P < 0.001). The C-index of the constructed nomogram for OS was 0.708 (95% CI: 0.701– 0.715) while for GCSS was 0.745 (95% CI: 0.737– 0.753). The calibration curves of the nomogram predictions and actual observations displayed good agreement for the 3- and 5-year OS and GCSS probabilities. The results of DCA and the area under the curve calculated by ROC analysis showed that the developed model was superior than TNM stage.Conclusion: The nomogram we established could accurately predict the prognosis of individual elderly patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma.Keywords: gastric adenocarcinoma, elderly, gastrectomy, survival, nomogram

Yingbei Weng, Ripeng Yin, Lala Qian, Zhi Chen, Jie Wang, Huaqiang Xiang, Yangjing Xue, Kangting Ji, Xueqiang Guan Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Kangting Ji; Xueqiang GuanDepartment of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Xueyuanxi Road, No. 109, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail jikt@wzmc.edu.cn; wzsgxq@163.comObjective: The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and all-cause mortality in coronary care unit (CCU) patients, adjusting for a wide range of potential confounding factors, to examine the potential of LDL-C in predicting the prognostic value of CCU patients.Methods: Clinical data were extracted from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III database (MIMIC-III database version v.1.4). Baseline data were collected within 24 hours after the patient was first admitted to the hospital. The primary endpoint of our study is 30-day all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoints are 90-day and one-year all-cause mortality and infections. Cox proportional hazard regression and propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis were used to analyze the association between LDL-C levels and prognostic value of CCU patients.Results: We included a total of 1476 patients with an average age of 66.7 ± 14.1 years (66% male). For 30-day all-cause mortality, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of high LDL-C level group (≥ 55 mg/dl) was 0.42 (0.29, 0.62), which was compared with low LDL-C level group (< 55 mg/dl) in unadjusted model. After adjusting for age, gender and race, the association still existed (P < 0.05), and the HR (95% CI) was 0.49 (0.33, 0.72). Further adjustment of possible covariates showed similar correlation (P < 0.05), and HR (95% CI) was 0.65 (0.43, 0.97). Similar correlations were observed for 90-day and one-year all-cause mortality. The relationship between all-cause mortality and LDL-C levels in CCU patients was further verified by propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. In addition, the higher the LDL-C level, the lower the risk of infection, odds ratio (OR) values in the three models were less than 1 (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Our data suggest that high LDL-C level is associated with a reduced risk of 30-day, 90-day, and one-year mortality of patients in the CCU. And this result is still stable in the PSM model. The results need to be verified in prospective trials.Keywords: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, coronary care unit, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease

Tongxia Zhang,1,2 Chuanzhu Yan,1,3 Yiming Liu,1 Lili Cao,1 Kunqian Ji,1 Duoling Li,1 Lingyi Chi,2,4,5 Yuying Zhao1 1Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 3Mitochondrial Medicine Laboratory, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Shandong University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China; 4Brain Science Research Institute, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lingyi ChiDepartment of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, No. 107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan City, Shandong Province, 250012, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-18560085730Email chilingyi@126.comYuying ZhaoDepartment of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, No. 107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan City, Shandong Province, 250012, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-18560085530Fax +86-531-82169217Email zyy72@126.comPurpose: Leukodystrophies are frequently regarded as childhood disorders, but they can occur at any age, and the clinical and imaging patterns of the adult-onset form are usually different from the better-known childhood variants. Several reports have shown that various late-onset leukodystrophies, such as X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and Krabbe disease, may present as spastic paraplegia with the absence of the characteristic white matter lesions on neuroimaging; this can be easily misdiagnosed as hereditary spastic paraplegia. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of late-onset leukodystrophies in patients with spastic paraplegia.Patients and Methods: We performed genetic analysis using a custom-designed gene panel for leukodystrophies in 112 hereditary spastic paraplegia-like patients.Results: We identified pathogenic mutations in 13 out of 112 patients, including five patients with adrenomyeloneuropathy, three with Krabbe disease, three with Alexander disease, and two with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. In terms of clinical manifestations, in addition to spastic paraplegia, three adrenomyeloneuropathy probands also had adrenocortical insufficiency, two Alexander disease probands developed urinary retention, one CTX proband developed cataracts and chronic diarrhea and the other presented with chronic diarrhea and mild tendon xanthomatosis. None of the patients had evidence of diffuse leukodystrophy on neuroimaging.Conclusion: Patients with late-onset spastic paraplegia should be screened for underlying leukodystrophies, irrespective of the presence of additional complicating symptoms and neuroimaging abnormalities.Keywords: targeted next-generation sequencing, pathogenic mutations, genetic causes, leukodystrophy frequency, magnetic resonance imaging

Shengwei Wang,1 Hao Cui,2 Keshan Ji,3 Changsheng Zhu,4 Xiaohong Huang,3 Yongqiang Lai,1 Shuiyun Wang4 1Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Diseases, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; 3Special Medical Treatment Center, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yongqiang LaiCardiovascular Surgery Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Diseases, No. 2, Anzhen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail yongqianglai@yahoo.comShuiyun WangDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 167, Beilishi Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail wsymd@sina.comPurpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and myocardial fibrosis are associated with cardiac arrhythmia. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between OSA and myocardial fibrosis, as well as their impact on cardiac arrhythmia in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) patients.Methods: We prospectively studied 151 consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of HOCM at the Fuwai Hospital between September 2017 and 2018. Polysomnography, Holter electrocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were performed on all patients. Myocardial fibrosis was reflected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), detected using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.Results: Myocardial fibrosis, measured using LGE%, was found to increase with increasing OSA severity [6.8% (3.6– 12.9%), 6.1% (3.4– 10.0%), 9.6% (5.5– 14.5%), and 15.5% (9.3– 20.0%) for no-OSA, mild OSA, moderate OSA, and severe OSA, respectively; p=0.003]. LGE% correlated with the New York Heart Association functional classifications (p=0.018), septal thickness (p=0.026), and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (p< 0.001). The prevalence of isolated premature ventricular contraction (PVC) (p=0.028), paired PVC (p=0.036), ventricular bigeminy (p=0.005)/trigeminy (p< 0.001), non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) (p=0.001), isolated premature atrial contraction (PAC) (p=0.032), and supraventricular tachycardia (p=0.029) was significantly higher in patients with OSA. Additionally, LGE% and AHI were independent risk factors for isolated PVC (OR: 1.04, p=0.001 and OR: 1.07, p=0.039, respectively), ventricular bigeminy (OR: 1.04, p=0.003 and OR: 1.26, p=0.002, respectively)/trigeminy (OR: 1.07, p=0.040 and OR: 1.06, p=0.001, respectively), and NSVT (OR: 1.17, p< 0.001 and OR: 1.08, p< 0.001, respectively) after adjustment for age, sex, and other parameters.Conclusion: Both OSA and LGE% were associated with a greater likelihood and increased frequency of ventricular arrhythmias (including NSVT) in patients with HOCM. Thus, the severity of OSA was independently associated with more severe myocardial fibrosis in patients with HOCM.Keywords: hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiac arrhythmia

Jing Tang,1,2 Fengyong Liu,2 Hongjun Yuan,2 Xin Li,2 Xiaomei Tian,2 Kan Ji,2 Xueping Li,3 Wei Wang3 1Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Radiology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fengyong LiuDepartment of Interventional Radiology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28, Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8613371668617Fax +86-10-66939340Email liufengyong301@163.comPurpose: To evaluate whether the pretreatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measured with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of tumor can be used as an imaging biomarker for predicting prognosis in solitary large hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) immediately combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA).Patients and Methods: In this single institution retrospective study, 40 solitary large HCCs that underwent treatment with TACE immediately combined with RFA were analyzed. All patients underwent abdominal dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging within one month before treatment with DWI, and ADC values in the lesions were measured by two independent radiologists. Associations among patients’ preoperative ADC values and objective response (OR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined. Survival curves were drawn with the Kaplan–Meier method, and differences were determined with the Log rank test. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses of PFS and OS.Results: Forty solitary large HCCs (mean 9.54 cm, range 5.04– 16.06 cm) were successfully treated with TACE in immediate combination with RFA (OR 75%). The ADC values were significantly higher in the response group than the non-response group (1.51± 0.32× 10− 3 mm2/s vs 1.09± 0.17× 10− 3 mm2/s; P< 0.001). As predicted on the basis of the ADC values, the optimal cutoff value for the efficacy of TACE combined with RFA was 1.32× 10− 3 mm2/s, with a predictive sensitivity of 0.63 and a specificity of 1.00. Patients with high ADC had longer PFS than those with low ADC (14.9 months vs 5.3 months; P< 0.001) and had significantly longer survival rates (22.6 months vs 12.1 months; P=0.004).Conclusion: Preoperative ADC values < 1.32× 10− 3 mm2/s are an independent predictor of poorer prognosis in patients with solitary large HCCs who have undergone TACE immediately combined with RFA.Keywords: solitary large hepatocellular carcinoma, apparent diffusion coefficient, TACE, radiofrequency ablation

Kai Ji,1 Yue-Juan Shao,1 Jian-Lei Hao,1 Xian-Jiang Cheng,1 Bing-Qing Guan,1 Wei-Shuai Liu,1 Lei Chen,1 Xin Wang,2 Yong-Chun Song,2 Kun Wang,1 Ping Wang2 1Department of Pain Relief, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, and Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Radiotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, and Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ping Wang Email wangping@tjmuch.comPurpose: This study evaluated the analgesic effect of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in combination with celiac plexus block (CPB), relative to SBRT alone, in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) patients.Patients and Methods: We reviewed medical records of all patients with LAPC, who received SBRT between 1 January 2017 to 31 August 2019 at our center. The average numeric rating scale (NRS) of ≥ 3 was used in all patients at admission. We recorded average and worst NRS in a 24-hour period, and daily narcotic doses before SBRT, followed by weekly for 1 month and monthly for 3 months.Results: A total of 23 patients in the SBRT group and 12 under SBRT+CPB who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. All patients in the SBRT+CPB group received CPB within 10 days after SBRT. Pain intensity and narcotic consumption were comparable in both groups at initial assessment. However, a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in average NRS was recorded in the SBRT+CPB group relative to SBRT at 2, 3 and 4 weeks after SBRT. A comparison of daily narcotic consumption with baseline values showed a significant decrease in the SBRT+CPB group at 3 and 4 weeks after SBRT (P < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in the SBRT group.Conclusion: CPB after SBRT appears to be an effective therapeutic option in patients with LAPC and warrants further evaluation with increased number of patients in prospective clinical trials.Keywords: cancer pain, celiac plexus block, stereotactic body radiotherapy, locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Junxiao Miao,1,* Lu Liu,1,2,* Ci Yan,1 Xiaotong Zhu,1 Mengqi Fan,1 Peitong Yu,1 Keming Ji,1 Yinglin Huang,3 Yuan Wang,3 Gang Zhu11Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Psychiatry, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Psychiatry, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110020, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Gang ZhuDepartment of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86 248 328 2184Email gzhu@cmu.edu.cn*These authors contributed equally to this workBackground: A large number of studies have shown a close relationship between ADORA2A and the pathological mechanism of schizophrenia. However, to our knowledge, there has been no studies examining the association between the ADORA2A gene and schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between adenosine A2A receptor (ADORA2A) single nucleotide polymorphisms and schizophrenia in the North Chinese Han population.Patients and methods: We detected ADORA2A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses and summarized our results using SPSS statistical software and Haploview in schizophrenia case group (n=398) and healthy control group (n=535).Results: The frequency of the CC homozygote genotype of SNP rs2298383T/C were significantly higher in the case than the control group (p=0.005, OR=1.712, 95% CI=1.172–2.502). After linkage disequilibrium analysis, SNPs rs5996696A/C and rs2298383T/C displayed strong linkage disequilibrium. We found that the frequencies of haplotypes TA (χ2=6.268, p=0.0123) and CA (χ2=7.012, p=0.0081) were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group.Conclusion: In conclusion, SNPs in the ADORA2A gene may be associated with schizophrenia in the northern Chinese Han population.Keywords: ADORA2A, gene polymorphisms, schizophrenia

Qianli Ma1*, Wei Wang1*, Paul K Chu2, Shenglin Mei1,2, Kun Ji3, Lei Jin4, Yumei Zhang11Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China; 2Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; 3Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China; 4Stomatology Department, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workBackground: Titanium (Ti) implants are widely used clinically, but peri-implantitis remains one of the most common and serious complications. Healthy integration between gingival tissue and the implant surface is critical to long-term success in dental implant therapy. The objective of this study was to investigate how different concentrations of immobilized fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) on the titania nanotubular surface influence the response of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).Methods: Pure Ti metal was anodized at 20 V to form a vertically organized titanium dioxide nanotube array on which three concentrations of FGF2 (250 ng/mL, 500 ng/mL, or 1000 ng/mL) were immobilized by repeated lyophilization. Surface topography was observed and FGF2 elution was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The bioactivity changes of dissolvable immobilized FGF2 were measured by methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assay. Behavior of HGFs was evaluated using adhesion and methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium bromide assays.Results: The FGF2 remained for several days on the modified surface on which HGFs were cultured. Over 90% of the dissolvable immobilized FGF2 had been eluted by Day 9, whereas the FGF2 activity was found to diminish gradually from Day 1 to Day 9. The titania nanotubular surface with an optimal preparing concentration (500 ng/mL) of FGF2 immobilization exhibited improved HGF functions such as cellular attachment, proliferation, and extracellular matrix-related gene expression. Moreover, significant bidirectional as well as concentration- and time-dependent bioactivity was observed.Conclusion: Synergism of the FGF2-impregnated titanium dioxide nanotubular surface revealed good gingival-implant integration, indicating that these materials might have promising applications in dentistry and other biomedical devices.Keywords: dental implants, titanium dioxide nanotube, fibroblast growth factor 2, extracellular matrix, real-time polymerase chain reaction

A sodium lidar (light detection and range) network for the Earth's mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) temperature, wind and sodium density measurements is designed and constructed in the second phase of the Chinese Meridional Project. Five narrowband sodium lidar systems are deployed across various regions in China, designed and developed based on similar principles and structures. They adhere to uniform data processing standards and operate under the same observational protocols. This allows them to form a network of lidar systems capable of detecting temperature and wind fields in the MLT. The preliminary observation results of the lidar near Tibetan plateau is demonstrated in this paper. This lidar network offers horizontal perspectives on large scale that a single‐station lidar system can't provide. Its future observations are expected to advance the understanding of atmospheric waves by studying wave propagation, chemical‐dynamical coupling processes and the horizonal structure of in the MLT region. Plain Language Summary: This paper describes a new lidar (light detection and range) network to observe the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region, which is the coldest area in the earth. Five narrow band sodium lidars in this network measure the temperature, wind and sodium density. They adhere to uniform data processing standards and follow the same observational protocols, which define the temporal and range resolution of lidar data, as well as the world geodetic system. The preliminary results for wind, temperature and sodium density are obtained. The lidar network will provide effective means for MLT research. Key Points: Narrowband sodium lidar based on pulsed seeder laser is constructed to measure wind and temperature in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere regionFive lidars distributed in the region of China from 19.5°N to 53.5°N, and from 87.2°E to 122.4°E form a lidar networkPreliminary observation results are demonstrated the ability and potential of the lidar network to conduct more scientific research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aimed to develop a machine learning (ML) model for predicting pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with gastrointestinal cancers, a group at increased risk for PE. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study analyzing patients who underwent computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) between 2010 and 2020. The study utilized demographic and clinical data, including the Wells score and D-dimer levels, to train a random forest ML model. The model’s effectiveness was assessed using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC). In total, 446 patients from hospital A and 139 from hospital B were included. The training set consisted of 356 patients from hospital A, with internal validation on 90 and external validation on 139 patients from hospital B. The model achieved an AUROC of 0.736 in hospital A and 0.669 in hospital B. The ML model significantly reduced the number of patients recommended for CTPA compared to the conventional diagnostic strategy (hospital A; 100.0% vs. 91.1%, P

Abstract Background Myopia is prevalent in China; however, trials involving Chinese children wearing dual-focus soft contact lenses (DFSCL) are limited. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of DFSCL among Chinese school-age children. Methods Sixty-four children aged 8–12 years with spherical equivalent refraction (SER) between − 0.75D and − 4.00D were recruited in this randomized controlled clinical study. The control group (32 subjects) wore single-vision spectacles (SVS), while the DFSCL group (32 subjects) wore daily disposable + 2.00 D defocus MiSight DFSCL. Follow-up examinations were performed every 3 months to compare the axial length (AL) growth and SER change between the groups for a period of 12 months by using the independent samples t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical differences with a P