Fermented soybean meal increases nutrient digestibility via the improvement of intestinal function, anti-oxidative capacity and immune function of weaned pigs

The nutritional components of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) vary because of the complex process of microbial fermentation. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional value of FSBM from two sources and explore the mode of actions of FSBM on the improvement of nutrient digestibility with the measurements of digestive enzymes and serum biomarkers. Eight weaned barrows (initial BW: 14.12 ± 0.24 kg) equipped with T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted to a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin-square design with four experimental diets and four periods. Four experimental diets included a soybean meal control diet, two FSBM diets, and a nitrogen-free diet. The two sources of FSBM increased the contents of CP, amino acid and lactic acid, while decreased the levels of anti-nutritional factors, including glycinin, β-conglycinin and trypsin inhibitors. Compared to soybean meal control diet, both FSBM diets significantly increased the apparent and standardised ileal digestibility of CP and amino acids (P < 0.05), increased the activities of lipase, maltase and invertase in digesta (P < 0.05), increased total antioxidant capacity, activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, the levels of interleukin-4, IgA, IgG and IgM in serum (P < 0.05), while decreased the levels of diamine oxidase, malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and interleukin-2 in serum (P < 0.05). Additionally, the standardised ileal digestibility of amino acids were highly correlated with the aforementioned digestive enzymes and health-related serum biomarkers. In summary, FSBM diets showed an improved nutritional value evidenced by the higher nutrient digestibility, which may be partially derived from its beneficial effects on intestinal integrity, anti-oxidative capacity and immune function.

Flattening the quality of life curve? A prospective person-centred study from Norway amid COVID-19

Purpose

We examined multidimensional, heterogeneous reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated measures to provide further insights into the developmental processes of risk and adaptation.

Method

We used three-wave questionnaire data from 8156 individuals participating in the Norwegian County Public Health Survey assessed 1–5 months before and three (June 2020) and nine (December 2020) months after the outbreak. Latent profile and latent transition analyses were used to identify latent quality of life (QoL) classes and multiform changes, their probabilities, and predictors.

Results

We identified five distinct QoL classes of varying proportions, namely Flourishing (i.e. 24–40%), Content (31–46%), Content-Symptomatic (8–10%), Languishing (14–20%), and Troubled (2–5%). Despite higher levels of negative affect and lower levels of life satisfaction and positive emotions, most individuals remained in their pre-pandemic QoL profiles. Yet, changes occurred for a meaningful proportion, with transition to a less favourable class more common than to a favourable. Between time 1 and 3, the flourishing and troubled groups decreased by 40% and 60%, while the content and languishing groups increased by 48% and 43%, respectively. Favourable pre-pandemic relational (marital status, support, interpersonal trust, and belonging), health, and economy-related status predicted significantly lower odds of belonging to the high-risk groups both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic.

Conclusions

Overall, this study shows lower levels of QoL amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but substantial stability in the QoL distribution, and an overall levelling of the QoL distribution. Our findings also underscore the importance of financial, health-related, and social capital to QoL.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11136-022-03113-2.

Abnormal keratin expression pattern in prurigo nodularis epidermis

Background

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a highly pruritic, chronic dermatosis and difficult to treat. PN lesions are characterized by existence of many hyperkeratotic, erosive papules and nodules. However, the pathogenesis of PN still remains unelucidated.

Aim

To clarify the keratin role in the epidermis hyperproliferation, the keratin expression pattern in the PN lesional skin.

Methods

In this study, we enrolled 24 patients with PN and 9 healthy control volunteers. K1/K10, K5/K14, K6/K16/K17 expression pattern were investigated by using immunohistochemical staining.

Results

The lesional skin consists of the thickened spinous layers, in which active cell division was found. K5/K14 were upregulated in PN lesional epidermis, the staining signal localized in the basal layer and lower suprabasal layers. Hyperproliferation‐associated K6 was found in all layers of epidermal lesional skin, especially in the spinous layers. In contrast, K16 was only detected in the basal and lower suprabasal layers, K17 was observed in the basal and spinous layers. Terminal differential keratins K1/K10 were upregulated, detected in the pan‐epidermis, but spared in the basal and low suprabasal layers.

Conclusion

The keratinocytes enter an alternative differentiation pathway, which are responsible for the activated keratinocyte phenotype, abnormal keratins expression potentially contributes to the keratinocytes proliferation, subsequently lead to increased lesional skin epidermis thickness, hyperkeratiosis and alteration of skin barrier properties.

Autophagy mediates ER stress and inflammation in Helicobacter pylori-related gastric cancer

Autophagy is a cellular degradation mechanism, which is triggered by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the autophagy gene ATG16L1 (rs2241880, G-allele) has been shown to dysregulate autophagy and increase intestinal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Here, we investigate the role of this SNP in H.pylori-mediated gastric carcinogenesis and its molecular pathways. ATG16L1 rs2241880 was genotyped in subjects from different ethnic cohorts (Dutch and Australian) presenting with gastric (pre)malignant lesions of various severity. Expression of GRP78 (a marker for ER stress) was assessed in gastric tissues. The effect of ATG16L1 rs2241880 on H.pylori-mediated ER stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine induction was investigated in organoids and CRISPR/Cas9 modified cell lines. Development of gastric cancer was associated with the ATG16L1 rs2241880 G-allele. Intestinal metaplastic cells in gastric tissue of patients showed increased levels of ER-stress. In vitro models showed that H.pylori increases autophagy while reducing ER stress, which appeared partly mediated by the ATG16L1 rs2241880 genotype. H.pylori-induced IL-8 production was increased while TNF-α production was decreased, in cells homozygous for the G-allele. The ATG16L1 rs2241880 G-allele is associated with progression of gastric premalignant lesions and cancer. Modulation of H.pylori-induced ER stress pathways and pro-inflammatory mediators by ATG16L1 rs2441880 may underlie this increased risk.

[Associations between adverse childhood experiences and adulthood substance use among lesbians]

Objective: To investigate the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and substance use behaviors among lesbians to provide a scientific basis for high-risk population identification and formulation of targeted intervention measures. Methods: Lesbians who participated in routine AIDS voluntary counseling, testing services, activities, and peer recommendations were recruited from July to December 2018, with the help of LesPark in Beijing. Convenient sampling method was used. Demographic characteristics, ACE, and substance use behaviors of subjects were investigated using an online platform powered by www.wjx.cn. Subsequently, the associations between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors were evaluated using the logistic regression model. The SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 294 lesbians were recruited in the study, 81.3% (239/294) of them were lesbians, and 18.7% (55/294) were bisexuals. Besides, 55.8% (164/294) of subjects reported they had had ACE, with proportions of lesbians experiencing abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction as 33.3% (98/294), 24.5% (72/294), and 32.7% (96/294), respectively. 55.1% (162/294) of the lesbians reported they had smoked in the past 30 days, 11.2% (33/294) reported having drug-use behavior in the past three months, and 22.8% (67/294) claimed drinking alcohol weekly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lesbians with ACE were at high risks to smoke (OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.13-3.08), drink (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.18-3.84), and use drugs (OR=3.33, 95%CI: 1.29-8.61) in adulthood. Moreover, lesbians with childhood family dysfunction were at higher risk of smoking cigarettes (OR=2.60, 95%CI: 1.46-4.62) and drinking alcohol (OR=2.65, 95%CI: 1.44-4.87). At the same time, those with abuse experience were at higher risk of drug use (OR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.26-7.96). Conclusions: Substance use behaviors, including cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, and drugs use, were common among lesbians. Positive associations were found between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors.

[Analysis of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning reported online and subsequent diagnosis in Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2018]

Objective: To understand the distribution and characteristics of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning reported online by Jiangsu Province, and to track the final diagnosis of suspected cases. Methods: The suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning cases in Jiangsu Province reported online from 2014 to 2018 were collected as the survey objects. Based on the reporting of the Occupational Disease Report Card from January 1, 2014 to November 5, 2019, the distribution characteristics and reporting institutions of suspected cases and final confirmed cases were analyzed. Results: From 2014 to 2018, 312 cases of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning were reported online in Jiangsu Province. There were significant differences in the number of online reported cases of occupational chronic lead poisoning, online reported cases of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning and confirmed cases of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning in different years (P<0.05) , especially in 2015. Among the suspected occupational lead poisoning cases reported online, 236 cases (75.6%) were male, mainly distributed in the manufacturing industry, and 246 cases (79.1%) were operators. All the suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning cases reported online were concentrated in private enterprises, 229 cases (73.4%) in small and medium-sized enterprises. The top three cities were Suqian with 111 cases (35.6%) , Yangzhou with 79 cases (25.3%) and Huai'an with 50 cases (16.0%) . From 2014 to 2018, 19 suspected cases of occupational chronic lead poisoning were finally confirmed in Jiangsu Province, with a diagnosis rate of 6.1%. Conclusion: The majority of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning cases reported online in Jiangsu Province are men, manufacturing and small and medium-sized enterprises, and the final diagnosis rate of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning cases reported online is low.

[Analysis on migration of HIV/AIDS cases and related factors in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province, 2020]

Objective: To analyze the migration of the HIV/AIDS cases and related factors in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture (Liangshan). Methods: According to HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 28 772 HIV/AIDS cases who had follow-up records in Liangshan in 2020 were included in the survey. The migration of the HIV/AIDS cases was described and the related factors were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models, and the migration destinations of the HIV/AIDS cases were mapped. Results: Among the 28 772 HIV/AIDS cases, 20.89% (6 010/28 772) had migration in 2020. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that among the HIV/AIDS cases, the migration related factors included being aged 15-24 years (compared with being aged 0-14 years, OR=2.74, 95%CI:2.04-3.69) and ethnic group (compared with Han ethnic group, OR=2.44, 95%CI:2.19-2.72), having education level of junior high school (compared with having education level of primary school or below, OR=1.25, 95%CI:1.14-1.38), being unmarried (compared with being married, OR=1.29, 95%CI:1.20-1.39), being engaged in business services (compared with being engaged in farming, OR=1.96, 95%CI:1.31-2.92), receiving antiviral treatment <1 year (compared with receiving antiviral treatment >3 years, OR=1.42, 95%CI:1.26-1.61), having recent CD4⁺T lymphocytes (CD4) counts >500 cells/μl (compared with having recent CD4 counts <200 cells/μl, OR=1.15, 95%CI:1.03-1.29). The geographical distribution maps showed that among all cities in Sichuan, Xichang (13.26%, 797/6 010) and Chengdu (10.12%,608/6 010) were the main migration destinations of the HIV/AIDS cases, and the provinces outside Sichuan where the HIV/AIDS cases would like to migrate to were mainly Guangdong (18.19%, 1 093/6 010) and Zhejiang provinces (7.67%, 461/6 010) in 2020. The HIV/AIDS cases who migrated where Liangshan, within Sichuan province, and to other provinces accounted for 27.67% (1 663/6 010), 15.34% (922/6 010) and 56.99% (3 425/6 010), respectively. Conclusions: More attention should be paid to the mobility characteristics and the classification management of HIV/AIDS cases according to their characteristics in Liangshan. Timely access to information on changes in the place of work and residence of HIV/AIDS cases should be warranted when they have migration. Good referrals and management for mobility of HIV/AIDS cases in different places should be made to reduce loss to follow-up and improving interventions.

Belantamab mafodotin for the treatment of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy worldwide. Despite the growing number of available therapeutic options and advances in the treatment since the 2000s, relapse of multiple myeloma is inevitable. Currently, the main therapeutic agents for multiple myeloma treatment include proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies and others. Patients who relapse or are refractory to the above-mentioned treatments have poor prognosis. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a cell-surface receptor which is expressed on the membrane of multiple myeloma cells, but absent on naive and memory B cells, making it an ideal target for multiple myeloma treatment. Belantamab mafodotin (GSK-2857916) is a first-in-class BCMA antibody-drug conjugate with an overall response rate of 32% in the phase II clinical trial DREAMM-2, which is a phase II study designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of belantamab mafodotin in relapsed/refractory patients with multiple myeloma. In August 2020, based on the results of this pivotal DREAMM-2 study, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved belantamab mafodotin as a monotherapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Thereafter, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also approved this indication. Although belantamab mafodotin has demonstrated single-agent activity in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, further studies to evaluate its efficacy and its combinational use with other drugs are necessary and ongoing.

Frequency and predictors of thin-cap fibroatheroma progression: a comprehensive and dynamic in-vivo OCT study

Purpose

To assess the evolution of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) and to explore predictors for its progression by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

We enrolled ACS patients with non-culprit TCFA at baseline and corresponding OCT images at follow-up of 9 to 15 months. Clinical, angiographic and OCT data were collected and analyzed according to established methods. TCFA was defined as a lipid plaque with maximum lipid arc &gt;90° and fibrous cap thickness &lt;65μm. Considering the resolution of OCT, the regression of TCFA was defined as an increase of fibrous cap thickness &gt;10μm. Inversely, TCFA progression was defined as a decrease, constant or ≤10μm increase of fibrous cap thickness.

Results

41 patients with 55 non-culprit TCFAs were taken into final analysis. 17 patients (41.5%) had patient-level progression and 22 TCFAs (40.0%) progressed at plaque-level with a median follow-up duration of 371 days. 11 (20.0%) of the 55 TCFAs happened subclinical rupture at follow-up, including 10 with the formation a new layer and 1 without the detection of the new layer. Besides, another patient suffered re-myocardial infarction because of the rupture of TCFA induced acute thrombosis and lumen occlusion during follow-up. The baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between the two cohorts. The progression group had a significantly higher prevalence of macrophage infiltration and vasa vasorum at baseline than the non-progression group (Figure 1). Multivariate analysis identified macrophage infiltration (odds ratio [OR]: 5.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01 to 27.91; p=0.049]) as the independent predictor of TCFA progression. When it came to the evolution of lesion morphology and lipid components, the progression cohort had a higher percent change of lumen stenosis and lipid length (Figure 2).

Conclusions

About 40% of non-culprit TCFAs in ACS patients progressed in fibrous cap thickness at a median interval of 1 year. Macrophage infiltration was the independent predictor of non-culprit TCFA progression. The progression of fibrous cap thickness was usually accompanied with an aggressive evolution of other lesion characteristics.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): the National Key R&D Program of China Baseline OCT characteristicsPercent change of lesion morphology

Comparison of peripheral artery plaque characteristics between ACS patients with plaque rupture and plaque erosion in culprit coronary artery: an OCT and ultrasound study

Background

Recent research has found that the characteristics of peripheral arterial plaque are related to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, however, the relationship of plaque characteristics between peripheral artery and coronary is still unknown.

Purpose

To assess the correlation between coronary plaque characteristics assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and peripheral artery plaque characteristics assessed by ultrasound.

Methods

150 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) underwent coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled. OCT imaging of culprit vessel were performed during the procedure and ultrasound examination of bilateral carotid, iliofemoral and popliteal arteries was performed during hospitalization after procedure. Panvascular disease was defined as the presence of observable plaques in two or more vascular beds. Patients were divided into plaque rupture (PR) group and plaque erosion (PE) group according to culprit plaque characteristics on OCT.

Results

There were 132 (88%) ACS patients had panvascular disease in which 36 (24%) with generalized atherosclerosis (4 sites) and the prevalence of panvascular atherosclerosis in PR group was significantly higher than in PE group especially in carotid arteries and iliofemoral arteries (Figure 1, Figure 2). Compared to PE group, PR group had higher carotid plaque score (p=0.001) which indicates more plaques and severer atherosclerosis. Moreover, there were larger intima-media thickness (IMT) of iliofemoral arteries (6.9±1.4mm vs. 6.5±1.1mm, p=0.036) and more calcified plaques in PR group.

Conclusions

Panvascular disease is highly prevalent in ACS patients especially in patients with plaque rupture in culprit vessel, in which more than half of the patients had plaques in more than 3 sites of vascular beds. In addition, patients with plaque rupture had thicker iliofemoral IMT and higher panvascular atherosclerosis burden, which indicates that characteristics of coronary plaques are the focal expression of plaques in the whole panvcascular system.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Key R&D Program of China Figure 1. Prevalence of panvascular disease in ACSFigure 2. Comparison of peripheral artery plaques

Prevalence, predictors, and clinical prognosis of macrophage infiltrates in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction caused by plaque erosion as assessed by OCT

Background

Autopsy series showed that one of most common plaque phenotypes underlying coronary thrombi was plaque erosion. Identification of erosion may permit a less invasive management. Chronic inflammation is a common process in atherosclerosis. The severity of plaque inflammation can be assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) defined macrophages density. The impact of macrophage infiltrates (MØI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients caused by plaque erosion was still unknown.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate plaque morphology and clinical prognosis associated with MØI as assessed by optical coherence tomography in STEMI patients caused by plaque erosion.

Methods

From October 2014 to December 2017, 1561 STEMI with OCT imaging before percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled in this study. Finally, 312 STEMI patients caused by plaque erosion were split into two group according to the presence of MØI in culprit eroded plaques.

Results

163 (52.2%) STEMI patients presented plaque erosion with MØI, whereas 149 (47.8%) patients had no evidence of MØI. MØI were more frequency appeared in older patients (p=0.015). The severity and vulnerability of culprit lesions were higher in patients with MØI characterized by more aggressive and vulnerable features. Patients with MØI had worse long-term prognosis, compared with patient without MØI, mainly driven by a higher rate of target lesion revascularization (p=0.046), especially in STEMI patients presented plaque erosion with intensive antiplatelet therapy (p=0.035).

Conclusions

In the present study, we demonstrated that macrophage infiltrates at the site of erode plaques were associated with severity and vulnerability of culprit lesions. The long-term prognosis in patients with MØI were poorer especially in patients without stent implantation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Study flow chartPredictors of plaque erosion with MØI

Gender-specific difference of clinical and plaque characteristics in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive artery (MINOCA): insights from optical coherence tomography

Background

To date, sparse data are available with regard to gender differences in coronary plaque morphology and composition as underlying mechanism of MINOCA.

Purpose

To assess the differences in coronary plaque morphology in culprit lesion between women and men with MINOCA using intravascular optical coherence tomography.

Methods

Totally, 7404 consecutives acute myocardial infarction patients who underwent emergency coronary angiography between 2016 and 2019 were screened. MINOCA were identified in 292 patients (mean age: 72.6% male, 54.1% with ST-segment elevation). Optical coherence tomography was performed in 190 patients (men, n=142).

Results

Women with MINOCA were older (62.5±10.6 vs. 54.0±11.5, P&lt;0.001) and more over 55 years (75.3% vs. 43.6%, P&lt;0.001). Although women with MINOCA more frequently presented with NSTEMI (56.8% vs. 41.7%, P=0.025) and prior coronary artery disease (CAD) (33.3% vs. 6.3%, P&lt;0.001), they were less likely smoker (27.2% vs. 58.8%, P&lt;0.001). There was no significant difference in incidence of plaque rupture, erosion and calcified nodule between men and women. However, women were more likely to have thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (39.6% vs. 22.5%, P=0.025).

Conclusion

Women with MINOCA were older, more frequently presented with NSTEMI and less smoking compared to men. Besides, more TCFA were observed in women.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Clinical and OCT plaque profilesProportion of clinical and OCT profiles

[Observation and experiment: a causal perspective]

Observation and experiment and their related connotations and concepts remain vague, which affects the correct understanding of research design and the judgment of the validity of causal inference. This article borrows the concept of phase transition in physics, combines causal thinking and causal diagrams, firstly establishes the relationships among the attribute, state, event, and phenomenon, and then identifies two ways with the opposite causal structures to acquire phenomena-human observations and human manipulated experiments. In causal inference, the ways mentioned above, intervention and assignment of exposure are affected by their own causal mechanisms. Finally, intervention is a causal concept, a core link among known phenomena, unknown phenomena available for measurement, and natural causality. Based on this, the two strategies in classifying research design are analyzed, and intervention method and non-intervention method are proposed, as is comprehensive and concise. Observations and experiments provide the basis for all scientific knowledge and should be viewed as concepts with a unified connotation. The accurate classification of research designs based on the law of causality and measurement process may be one of the best options worthy of in-depth study.

[Treatment strategy of gastrointestinal stromal tumors in the background of COVID-19]

COVID-19, caused by SARS-COV-2, has the characteristics of world epidemic, highly infectious and large base of death. In China, transmission route of SARS-COV-2 has been contained so effectively that COVID-19 has been well controlled due to the proactive national prevention and control strategy. However, not only does it bring a huge impact on the existing medical structure model, but also an objective impact on the treatment of patients with chronic diseases such as malignant tumors. Based on the progress reported in the domestic and international literatures and the actual management experience of our team, this paper reflects on the treatment strategies for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) during the epidemic period of COVID-19. We focus on risk stratification for primary GIST and forming treatment strategies accordingly. Major considerations include the impact of delayed operation, the burden of medical resources, the waiting time for elective operation, and the principle of emergency operation. In addition, we focus on the level of evidence for non-surgical approaches with a view to developing a holistic strategy of "priority management principles" to guide clinical treatment in the context of limited resources and different GIST priorities.

Treatment delay and reperfusion management of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: analysis of the China STEMI Care Project Phase 1

BACKGROUND

The China ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) Care Project (CSCAP) was launched in 2011 to address the problems of insufficient reperfusion and long treatment delay in STEMI care in China.

AIM

To describe the baseline status of STEMI emergency care in Tertiary PCI Hospitals using Phase 1 (CSCAP-1) data.

DESIGN

CSCAP-1 is a prospective multi-center STEMI registry.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 4191 patients with symptom onset within 12 or 12-36 h requiring primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), were enrolled from 53 tertiary PCI hospitals in 14 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of China in CSCAP-1. Among them, 49.0% were self-transported to the hospital, 26.5% were transferred to the hospital by calling the emergency medical services directly, and 24.5% were transferred from other hospitals. In patients with symptom onset within 12 h, 83.2% received primary PCI, 5.9% received thrombolysis and 10.9% received conservative medications. The median door-to-balloon time was 115 (85-170) min and the median door-to-needle time for in-hospital thrombolysis was 80 (50-135) min. The overall in-hospital all-cause mortality was 2.4%, while it was 5.3% in the non-reperfusion group and 2.1% in the reperfusion group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although a long treatment delay and a high proportion of patients transporting themselves to the hospital were observed, trends were positive with greater adoption of primary PCI and lower in-hospital mortality in tertiary hospitals in China. Our results provided important information for further integrated STEMI network construction in China.

[A rare anatomical variation of ileocolic veins involving in gastrocolic vein trunk: case report and literature review]

Objective: Due to its various anatomical variations and numerous branches, the gastrocolic vein trunk (Henle trunk) is the most common site to develop bleeding and other complications in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colon cancer. This study aims to investigate the role of ileocolic vein (ICV) joining with Henle trunk, a rare anatomical variation. Methods: A rare case whose ICV was newly found to involve in the formation of Henle trunk during laparoscopic resection of right hemicolon cancer was reported as right gastroepiploic vein+ right colic vein+superior right colic vein+ICV. This anatomical variation was confirmed by multi-slice spiral CT coronal two-dimensional reconstruction of right hemicolon angiography. The literatures about ICV participating in formation of Henle trunk were systematically searched from PubMed, The Cochran Library, CNKI net and Wanfang database, and the occurrence probability and composition of its anatomical variation were analyzed. Results: This was a 47-year-old female patient who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. When the vessels were dissected during operation, it was found that ICV did not accompany the ileocolic artery, but directly flowed into Henle trunk. Two-dimensional reconstructed CT images of right hemicolon vessels showed that the composition of Henle trunk was rarely varied, which was composed of right gastroepiploic vein, right colonic vein, superior right colonic vein and ICV. Five literatures were enrolled from literature retrieval. A total of 12 cases with ICV participating in the construction of Henle trunk were reported, with a probability of 0.27%-6.31% and 6 forms of the formation of Henle trunk. In this case, Henle trunk was made up of right gastroepiploic vein, right colonic vein, upper right colonic vein and ICV, which was reported for the first time. Conclusions: ICV involving in Henle trunk is a rare vascular variation, and this type of variation should be fully recognized. Careful dissection during operation is necessary to prevent intraoperative bleeding caused by improper operation.

[Anatomical controversies involved in radical resection of rectal cancer]

The concept of total mesorectal resection provides a quality control standard that can be followed for radical resection of rectal cancer, but some anatomical problems are still controversial. Compared with traditional open surgery, laparoscopic radical rectal surgery has better surgical vision, better neurological protection, better operating space. However, if the surgeon has insufficient understanding of the anatomy, collateral damage may occur, such as uncontrollable bleeding during the operation, postoperative urination and defecation dysfunction and so on. Based on the interpretation of the researches at home and abroad, combined with the clinical experience, we elucidate some associated issues, including anatomic variation of inferior mesenteric vessels, the controversy of inferior mesenteric artery ligation plane, the controversy of lymph node dissection in No. 253, the anatomical variation of middle rectal artery, and the anatomical controversy of lateral lymph node dissection in rectal cancer, in order to provide better cognitive process for the clinical front-line surgeons.

[Utility of the type 3 portable monitor for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing in patients with stable heart failure]

Objective: To evaluate the utility of a type 3 portable monitor (PM) at home for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with stable congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods: Seventy-six consecutive patients with CHF (61 males, 15 females, mean±standard deviation age (57.0±16.9) years) were enrolled from the sleep center of Peking university People's Hospital during January 2016 to January 2019, and underwent overnight, unattended home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) with a portable monitor followed by an overnight simultaneous polysomnogram (PSG) with in-laboratory portable monitor (in-lab PM) recording within one week. The consistency of apnea hypopnea index (AHI), obstructive sleep apnea index (OAI), central sleep apnea index (CAI) between HSAT and PSG as well as the in-lab PM and PSG were analyzed by Bland-Altman plot; the sensitivity and specificity of PM for the diagnosis of SDB in patients with CHF were evaluated. Results: The number of patients included in the final analysis were 65 in HSAT, 63 in in-lab PM and 65 in PSG. AHI [M(Q₁,Q₃)] was 26.1 (10.9,40.1) events/h by HSAT, 27.9 (11.3,43.2) events/h by in-lab PM, both were not different from AHI 29.0 (10.2,45.0) events/h by PSG (P>0.05). The AHI, OAI and CAI assessed by HSAT correlated significantly with those by PSG (r=0.892, 0.903, 0.831, P<0.05). Bland-Altman analysis of AHI, OAI, CAI by PSG versus HSAT showed a mean difference of 3.1 events/h, 0.8 events/h, 1.2 events/h; limits of consistency were -15.2 to 21.4 events/h, -9.7 to 11.3 events/h, -10.9 to 13.2 events/h, respectively. Based on a threshold of AHI ≥5 events/h, HSAT had 94.6% sensitivity, 75% specificity, compared to PSG. For detecting Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR), a sensitivity of 96.4%,a specificity of 97.2% were achieved, compared to PSG. Conclusion: Type 3 PM can be used to diagnose SDB in patients with CHF.

Existence of an energy function for three-dimensional chaotic "sink-source" cascades

This paper is a continuation of research in the direction of energy function (a smooth Lyapunov function whose set of critical points coincides with the chain recurrent set of a system) construction for discrete dynamical systems. The authors established the existence of an energy function for any A-diffeomorphism of a three-dimensional closed orientable manifold whose non-wandering set consists of a chaotic one-dimensional canonically embedded surface attractor and repeller.