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Increased serum uric acid (SUA) is common in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is associated with left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction. Nonetheless the association of SUA with right ventricular (RV) function in T2DM has not been studied. This study aimed to investigate the association of SUA with biventricular myocardial function in patients with T2DM.A total of 560 patients with T2DM were enrolled and divided into four groups according to sex-specific quartiles of SUA. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed and two-dimensional speckle tracking was used to measure biventricular myocardial strain, including LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential strain (CS), radial strain (RS), and RV free wall longitudinal strain (RV-FWLS). The absolute value of all biventricular strain parameters showed a stepwise decrease across SUA quartiles (all P 0.01). In particular, LV assessment by GLS, CS and RS demonstrated that those in the 4th quartile were impaired compared with the other quartiles (all P 0.05). Similarly, RV-FWLS of the 4th quartile was significantly impaired compared with the 1st and 2nd quartiles (all P 0.05). The same reduction in biventricular strain across SUA quartiles was observed in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate or ≥60 ml/min/1.73 mSUA was independently associated with biventricular myocardial dysfunction in asymptomatic T2DM patients, regardless of renal function or diabetic control.

ILFObjective: To investigate the clinical effect of ultra-low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on dysphagia in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction and its impact on quality of life. Methods: 60 elderly patients with dysphagia caused by acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into rTMS group and control group, 30 cases in each group. Both groups received routine drug therapy and swallowing function training. rTMS group was additionally treated by ultra-low frequency (10mHZ) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for 14 days. The changes of NIHSS score and ADL score and NSE serum level and Wa Tian drinking water experiment and Fujishima Ichiro dysphagia scale score and SWAL-QOL score and SF-36 score were observed between the two groups before and after treatment.The clinical effect was evaluated by Wa Tian drinking water experiment. Results: After treatment, The clinical effective rate in rTMS group was significantly higher compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05), NIHSS score and serum NSE level were significantly lower compared with the control group (P < 0.05), ADL score and Fujishima Ichiro dysphagia score and SWAL-QOL score and SF-36 scores were significantly higher compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, SF-36 total score(or SWAL-QOL Score ) was negatively correlated with NSE serum level and NIHSS score, which was positively correlated with ADL score and Fujishima Ichiro dysphagia scale score score. Conclusion: Ultra-low frequency rTMS therapy can reduce NSE level, effectively improve dysphagia in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction and significantly improve the elderly patients' life quality.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the relation of HP infection to peripheral arterial stiffness and 10-year cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: DM subjects who underwent the C13-breath test were enrolled and divided into DMHP+ and DMHP− groups. Peripheral arterial stiffness was measured using brachial to ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Framingham score (FRS) and Chinese evaluation method of ischemic cardiovascular diseases (ICVD) were used to clarify 10-year cardiovascular risk. Results: A total of 6767 subjects were included, baPWV and proportion of subjects with severe peripheral arterial stiffness were lower in DMHP− group than DMHP+ group (1556.68 ± 227.54 vs 2031.61 ± 525.48 cm/s, p

To observe the effect of catgut implantation at "Yingxiang"(LI20) on lower airway remodeling and levels of osteopon-tin (OPN) protein in allergic rhinitis (AR) rats, so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improvement of AR.Male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and catgut implantation groups, with 10 rats in each group. The AR model was established by intraperitoneal injection and nasal drip of ovalbumin. The catgut implantation was applied to bilateral "Yingxiang"(LI20) for 28 days in rats of the catgut implantation group. The total score of allergic symptoms of rats in each group were observed. The histopathological changes of lower airway were observed under light microscope after Hematoxylineosin, Periodic acid-Schiff and Masson staining. The expression of OPN protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, separately.The total score of allergic symptoms of nose-wiping, running nose and sneezing, count of lung goblet cells, lung fiber content, and immunoactivity and expression levels of OPN protein were significantly increased in the model group in contrast to the control group (Acupoint implantation of catgut can improve pathological changes of lower airway remodeling, which may be related to its effect in down-regulating the expression of OPN protein in the lung tissue.

Aim: The study evaluated the relationship of extracellular matrix and renin angiotensin system with myocardial dysfunction in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: All patients underwent resting and exercise echocardiography, including conventional parameters, E/E′ ratio, global longitudinal strain and diastolic function reserve index. Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-1, TIMP-1, amino-terminal propeptide of type I and type III procollagen and renin angiotensin system activity were measured. Results: As patients with diastolic dysfunction had a higher plasma level of TIMP-1 and propeptide of type III procollagen than those with no diastolic dysfunction. After multivariate adjustment, TIMP-1 associated with E/E′ (both at rest and stress) and diastolic function reserve index. Conclusion: TIMP-1 is independently associated with myocardial diastolic dysfunction in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Refractory and resistant hypertension is defined as hypertension that is uncontrolled despite the use of multiple antihypertensives. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence, both in young and elderly, and the pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in South-Eastern Chinese patients with refractory, resistant and non-resistant hypertension.A total of 1455 patients (age 60.3 ± 13.9, male 55.7%) with essential hypertension were recruited. Refractory hypertension was defined as uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic/diastolic, ≥140/90 mm Hg) on ≥5 antihypertensive drug classes. Resistant hypertension was defined as uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic/diastolic, ≥140/90 mm Hg) on 3 or140/90 mm Hg on ≥4 antihypertensive classes.Among the total population, 1273 (87.4%) patients were considered non-resistant hypertension; 170 (11.7%) with resistant hypertension and 12 (0.8%) with refractory hypertension. The prevalence of the three groups of hypertension were similar between patients age60 or ≥60. Patients with refractory hypertension had the most dilated LV dimension, greatest left ventricular mass index and highest prevalence of diastolic dysfunction than patients with resistant and non-resistant hypertension. In particular, all patients with refractory hypertension had either concentric or eccentric LVH.In South-Eastern Chinese patients, the prevalence of refractory and resistant hypertension was 0.8% and 11.7%, respectively. Furthermore, no difference was observed in the hypertensive patterns between patients age60 and ≥60. Importantly, patients with refractory hypertension had the worst LV remodeling with all suffering from either concentric or eccentric hypertrophy.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity and liver stiffness (LS) in patients with TR. A total of 131 patients with various degrees of TR secondary to left-sided heart valve disease were enrolled. Severity of TR was quantitatively assessed by proximal isovelocity surface area-derived effective regurgitant orifice (ERO). Patients were divided into 2 groups: 48 with mild-moderate TR (ERO0.4 cm(2)) and 83 with severe TR (ERO ≥0.4 cm(2)). Transient elastography was used to measure the level of LS, an established marker of liver fibrosis, with the threshold of significant LS set at ≥12.5 kPa. Patients with severe TR had a higher LS and prevalence of significant LS than those with mild-moderate TR. Furthermore, LS and significant LS independently correlated with TR-ERO, right atrial pressure and inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter. The presence of a large TR-ERO (≥0.4 cm(2)) and IVC diameter (2.15 cm(2)) provided a high specificity of 78% for significant LS. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that TR-ERO, right atrial pressure, and IVC diameter are important parameters associated with LS in patients with TR.

Patients with psoriasis are prone to premature atherosclerosis. We hypothesize that depletion of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) is related to patients with psoriasis and can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Thirty-five plaque-type psoriasis patients (41.9 ± 5.5 years, 30 men) and 20 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Four subpopulations of EPC, namely, CD34(+) EPC, CD133(+) EPC, CD34(+) /kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR)(+) EPC and CD133(+) /KDR(+) EPC were measured by flow cytometry. Arterial stiffness in psoriasis patients was assessed by heart to ankle pulse wave velocity (haPWV), augmentation index (AI) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT). Patients with psoriasis had a lower level of CD34(+) EPC (7.85 ± 2.49% vs 6.26 ± 2.13%, P = 0.02) compared with healthy controls. In patients with psoriasis, level of CD34(+) EPC was negatively related with haPWV (r = -0.43 P = 0.01) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (r = -0.39 P = 0.02). Multivariate regression analysis further demonstrated that haPWV was independently associated with level of CD34(+) EPC. Each percentage decrease in CD34(+) EPC accounted for an increase in haPWV of +0.02 m/s. The result demonstrated that patients with psoriasis had reduced CD34(+) EPC compared with controls. Importantly, CD34(+) EPC was independently related with haPWV in these patients. This finding suggests that EPC reduction is associated with the development of arterial stiffness in patients with psoriasis.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the relation of HP infection to peripheral arterial stiffness and 10-year cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: DM subjects who underwent the C13-breath test were enrolled and divided into DMHP+ and DMHP− groups. Peripheral arterial stiffness was measured using brachial to ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Framingham score (FRS) and Chinese evaluation method of ischemic cardiovascular diseases (ICVD) were used to clarify 10-year cardiovascular risk. Results: A total of 6767 subjects were included, baPWV and proportion of subjects with severe peripheral arterial stiffness were lower in DMHP− group than DMHP+ group (1556.68 ± 227.54 vs 2031.61 ± 525.48 cm/s, p Conclusion: DM subjects with HP infection had more severe peripheral arterial stiffness compared those without HP infection, a higher cardiovascular risk score and 10-year cardiovascular risk stratification were observed in those subjects.

Elderly individuals with non-dipper hypertension are at high risk of cardiovascular disease because of increased stiffness of peripheral arteries. Since, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in elderly Chinese. We examined whether reduced plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] may help promote this stiffness. Hypertensive patients at least 60 years old without history of peripheral arterial disease at our hospital were retrospectively divided into dipper and non-dipper groups according to the results of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Plasma levels of 25(OH)D were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Peripheral arterial stiffness was measured based on the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). Of the 155 patients enrolled, 95 (61.3%) were diagnosed with non-dipper hypertension and these patients had significantly lower plasma levels of 25(OH)D than the 60 patients with dipper hypertension (19.58 ± 5.97 vs 24.36 ± 6.95 nmol/L, P

By employing the 4C’s framework in CLIL, This paper aims to set up an example or a pattern of how to integrate the approach CLIL into teaching young learners, esp. primary pupils about the theme of Life Cycle in English. While doing this task, designers need to take seven aspects into consideration: needs of the target group, level of the target group, aims or objectives of materials, teaching and learning activities, instrument for assessment, scaffolding tips, and resources.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common in patients referred for cardiac assessment. Nonetheless, current estimates of its prevalence and contributing factors are limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and demographics of TR in patients referred for echocardiography assessment at two University-affiliated hospitals.A total of 6711 consecutive Chinese patients were recruited as part of the Chinese Valvular Heart Disease Study (CVATS).The most common valvular lesion was TR (54.7%), followed by mitral regurgitation (44.7%) and aortic regurgitation (26.5%). Clinically significant (moderate or severe) TR was identified in 8.4% with the proportion increased from 3.9% amongst those aged51 to 15.9% in those aged ≥81. Multivariable adjustment demonstrated that significant TR was associated with age, congenital heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, left-sided valvular heart disease (VHD), impaired left ventricular ejection fraction50%, atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension.Among all types of VHD, TR was the most common and was identified in over half of the subjects and clinically significant in 8.4%. These unique data provide contemporary clinical and epidemiological characteristics of TR in a large cohort of patients referred for cardiac assessment and confirm the increased burden of TR in the aged population.

A non-dipper pattern of high blood pressure is associated with increased risk of organ damage and cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension. The aim of the study was to evaluate the left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function and arterial stiffness in a dipper/non-dipper pattern of high blood pressure in patients with hypertension. A total of 183 hypertensive patients with no history of adverse cardiovascular events were divided into two groups based on 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM): 66 patients with a dipper pattern and 117 patients with non-dipper pattern. Detailed transthoracic echocardiogram was performed and analyzed with advance speckle tracking 3-orthogonal direction strain analysis to assess LV systolic function and tissue Doppler-derived E/E′ for LV diastolic function assessment. Cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) was used to evaluate arterial stiffness. Compared with patients with dipper hypertension, those with non-dipper hypertension had increased LV mass index, higher prevalence of eccentric and concentric LV hypertrophy, more impaired LV diastolic and systolic function and peripheral arterial stiffness. Multivariable analysis revealed that a non-dipper pattern was independently associated with LV systolic dysfunction evaluated by speckle tracking-derived strain analysis. In conclusion, a non-dipper pattern of hypertension is an independent risk factor for LV systolic dysfunction. Treatment that could reverse this non-dipper pattern may reduce cardiac damage in these patients.

Background Tricuspid annuloplasty is increasingly performed during left heart valve surgery, but the long‐term clinical outcome postoperatively is not satisfactory. The aim of this study was to determine whether residual pulmonary hypertension ( PHT ) contributes to the adverse outcome. Methods and Results One‐hundred thirty‐seven patients (age 61±11 years; men, 30%) who underwent tricuspid annuloplasty during left‐side valve surgery were enrolled. The mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure before surgery was 49±13 mm Hg and 32±15 mm Hg following surgery. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to postoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure: no residual PHT (n=78, 57%), mild residual PHT (n=43, 31%), or significant residual PHT (n=16, 12%). A preoperative larger right ventricular ( RV ) geometry and tricuspid valve tethering area were associated with mild or significant residual PHT . A total of 24 adverse events (20 heart failures and 4 cardiovascular deaths) occurred during a median follow‐up of 25 months. Kaplan–Meier survival curve demonstrated that patients with significant residual PHT had the highest percentage of adverse events followed by those with mild residual PHT . Patients with no residual PHT had a very low risk of adverse events. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that both mild (hazard ratio=4.94; 95% CI =1.34–18.16; P =0.02) and significant residual PHT (hazard ratio=8.67; 95% CI =2.43–30.98; P Conclusions The present study demonstrated that 43% of patients who underwent tricuspid annuloplasty had residual PHT . The presence of mild or significant residual PHT was associated with adverse events in these patients.

Background Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at high risk for cardiovascular events. The aim of the study was to assess whether global longitudinal strain (GLS) provides prognostic value in these patients. Methods A total of 247 T2DM patients without history of cardiovascular complications and participated in the CDATS study were prospectively enrolled. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function was assessed by LV ejection fraction and speckle tracking derived LV systolic GLS. Diastolic function was assessed by E/E′ ratio defined as the passive trans-mitral LV inflow velocity to tissue Doppler imaging velocity of the medial mitral annulus. Cardiovascular event included acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular stroke, hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death. Results A total of 18 cardiovascular events occurred during a median follow-up duration of 33 months. Both E/E′ ratio [hazard ratio (HR) 1.15, P 13.6 or GLS > −17.9 % were associated with cardiovascular events. The presence of either a high E/E′ ratio or an impaired GLS provides an excellent negative predictive value of cardiovascular events in these patients. Conclusions In T2DM patients with no history of cardiovascular disease, impaired GLS was associated with cardiovascular events and provided incremental prognostic value.

Background Increased T wave alternans (TWA) represents ventricular depolarization heterogeneity and is a non-invasive marker of sudden cardiac death. This study sought to determine whether myocardial structural alteration and dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased TWA. Methods We recruited 108 T2DM patients (59.2 ± 9.7 years and 52% male) without prior history of cardiovascular disease and normal treadmill stress testing. TWA was analyzed during treadmill testing in all standard precordial leads by time-domain method. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed to measure myocardial structural alteration by calibrated integrated backscatter (IBS), left ventricular (LV) systolic function by conventional method, and speckle tracking-derived global longitudinal strain (GLS), and LV diastolic function. Results A total of 29 (26.9%) patients had a high TWA of ≥47 mV (defined by ≥75 percentile of the study population). Patients with and without elevated TWA had a similar LV dimension and ejection fraction. Nonetheless, patients with high TWA had a higher calibrated IBS (−15.8 ± 4.0 dB vs. −17.9 ± 5.3 dB, p = 0.04), more impaired GLS (−18.4 ± 2.0% vs. −19.3 ± 1.4%, p = 0.02), and a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction (60 vs. 33%, p = 0.02). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that high TWA was independently associated with calibrated IBS, GLS, and LV diastolic dysfunction grading. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that calibrated IBS, GLS, and LV diastolic dysfunction are independent predictors for high TWA in T2DM patients. These findings suggest that subclinical myocardial structural and functional abnormalities may contribute to high TWA in T2DM patients.

Background Cirrhosis has been shown to be associated with left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction, but studies of right ventricular (RV) function in cirrhotic patients compared with controls are scarce. Limited studies have prospectively evaluated the progression of myocardial function in patients with cirrhosis and assessed changes in cardiac function following liver transplantation (LTx). So the aim of the study was to evaluate biventricular myocardial function in cirrhotic patients and its alteration with or without liver transplantation. Methods A total of 103 patients with cirrhosis (age 55 ± 7 years, male 75%) were recruited. Conventional and 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography was performed to determine the presence of LV and RV (biventricular) dysfunction. For comparison, 48 matched control subjects were included. Follow-up echocardiography was performed in 41 patients following LTx and in 26 patients who did not undergo LTx. Results Patients with cirrhosis had biventricular dilatation, increased LV mass, impaired LV diastolic function, and biventricular systolic strain compared with controls. Following LTx, cirrhotic patients had reduced biventricular dilatation, a smaller LV mass, and improved biventricular systolic strain after a mean duration of 18.2 ± 6.6 months. Patients who did not undergo LTx had a further increase in LV mass but no significant change in biventricular dimensions or systolic strain (mean duration of 20.4 ± 8.3 months). Conclusions The present study demonstrates that patients with cirrhosis had biventricular dilatation and impaired biventricular systolic strain compared with controls. Following LTx, biventricular dilatation reduced and biventricular systolic strain improved. In contrast, patients who did not undergo LTx experienced a further increase in LV mass.

Banana is one of the most important tropical fruits and main economical resource for tropical people. Banana quality is always becoming a focus for people to follow with interest. Here, we reviewed recent research progresses on isolation and identification of banana genes involved in fruit quality such as ripening, softening, glycometabolism, and scent, which will help us explore their functions and facilitate banana quality improvement.

The proteins encoded by MADS-box genes are a large number of transcription factors, which control plant growth and development by forming homo- or hetero-dimers. Here, we reviewed recent researches on the interactions of MADS-box transcription factors and manipulating fruit development and ripening, which will help us to understand the mechanism of MADS-box transcription factors and provide references for further investigating the functions of MADS-box genes on fruit development and ripening.