Impact of postoperative left bundle branch block on left ventricular remodeling following transapical beating-heart septal myectomy.

Objectives: The study objectives were to evaluate the incidence of postoperative left bundle branch block and its impact on left ventricular remodeling in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after transapical beating-heart septal myectomy.

Methods: This study included 286 patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who underwent transapical beating-heart septal myectomy without preoperative conduction abnormalities or permanent pacemaker implantation. Clinical data, laboratory tests, electrocardiography, and echocardiography were compared between postoperative new-onset left bundle branch block and non-left bundle branch block groups, both presurgery and 6 to 12 months postsurgery.

Correlation of plaque vulnerability stratified by Carotid Plaque-Reporting and Data System with outcomes of endarterectomy vs stenting.

Objective: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) are the main treatment options for carotid atherosclerotic stenosis; however, determining the most appropriate intervention remains challenging. This study evaluates whether the Carotid Plaque-Reporting and Data System (RADS) enhances risk stratification for ipsilateral recurrent stroke after CAS or CEA in patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke and investigates whether stratification based on plaque characteristics can help to identify patient subgroups more likely to benefit from CEA vs CAS.

Methods: This retrospective study included 636 patients who underwent carotid interventions, comprising 290 CEA and 346 CAS cases.

A simplified approach for prediction of stroke risk in asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis.

BackgroundIschemic cardiovascular diseases are leading global causes of death, largely driven by atherosclerosis.PurposeTo develop a simplified approach to enhance the predictive accuracy of the revised Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (rFSRP) by integrating ultrasound-derived plaque characteristics.Material and MethodsThe study population consisted of 1782 asymptomatic patients with carotid plaques, prospectively enrolled from three hospitals.

Current practice and perceptions of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and multiparametric ultrasound and prostatic biopsies for prostate cancer diagnosis in China: a nationwide survey.

Background: Recently, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and multiparametric ultrasound (mpUS) have been developed to improve prostate cancer (PCa) detection. This study aimed to investigate practice patterns and perceptions among clinicians regarding the use of mpMRI and mpUS as well as prostatic biopsies for PCa diagnosis.

Methods: We conducted a national survey via an online questionnaire among urologists, radiologists, and sonographers.

A Case of Cricoid Cartilage Calcification Was Misdiagnosed as an Esophageal Foreign Body.

This article presents the case of a 37-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital with a sore throat after accidentally ingesting a chicken bone. Multiple computed tomography scans revealed a striated hyperdense shadow along the posterior pharyngeal wall, which was initially misdiagnosed as an esophageal foreign body. However, subsequent endoscopic evaluations failed to identify any foreign object.

HFPEF and HFA-PEFF scores for heart failure risk stratification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients.

Aims: HFPEF and HFA-PEFF scores have demonstrated prognostic value in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction. This study aimed to explore the value of the HFPEF and HFA-PEFF scores for HF risk stratification in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods And Results: In this cohort study, 1068 HCM patients were included.

Transdermal Delivery of Valproate-Choline Ionic Liquid Induces Hair Regrowth.

Alopecia treatment research has been increasingly focused on innovative materials systems and drug delivery methods. Valproic acid (VPA) has been shown to promote hair regrowth by upregulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a key regulator of hair papilla cell proliferation. However, topical administration of VPA typically requires organic solvents or complex transdermal devices to enhance skin penetration.

Nanovesicles for Lipid Metabolism Reprogram-Enhanced Ferroptosis and Magnetotherapy of Refractory Tumors and Inhibiting Metastasis with Activated Innate Immunity.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an intractable disease, but approaches for eradicating primary tumors and inhibiting metastasis are limited. Considering that lipid metabolism plays key roles in ferroptosis and tumor progression and treatment resistance, here we developed a biomimetic nanovesicle (FiFe@RBM) encapsulating fatty acid synthetase inhibitors and iron oxide nanoparticles for synergistic therapy of CRPC and inhibiting the metastasis. FiFe@RBM with superior magnetic properties efficiently delivered drugs into the CRPC cancer cells, where it can release Fe ions to efficiently induce reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibit the AKT-mTOR pathway, which synergistically causes apoptosis and enhances ferroptosis by rewired lipid metabolism through increasing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), PUFA-enriched phosphatidylcholine (PUFA-PC), PUFA-enriched phosphatidylethanolamine (PUFA-PE), .

A stimulus responsive microneedle-based drug delivery system for cancer therapy.

The intricate nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME) results in the inefficient delivery of anticancer drugs within tumor tissues, significantly compromising the therapeutic effect of cancer treatment. To address this issue, transdermal drug delivery microneedles (MNs) with high mechanical strength have emerged. Such MNs penetrate the skin barrier, enabling efficient drug delivery to tumor tissues.

A Tumor-Homing Nanoframework for Synergistic Microwave Tumor Ablation and Provoking Strong Anticancer Immunity Against Metastasis.

Microwave thermotherapy (MT) is a clinical local tumor ablation modality, but its applications are limited by its therapeutic efficacy and safety. Therefore, developing sensitizers to optimize the outcomes of MT is in demand in clinical practice. Herein, we engineered a special nanoframework (i.

Incremental Prognostic Value of Carotid Plaque-RADS Over Stenosis Degree in Relation to Stroke Risk.

Background: Recently, a standardized classification system for carotid atherosclerotic plaques, known as Carotid Plaque-RADS (Reporting and Data System), has been introduced. However, its capacity to improve stroke risk stratification beyond traditional stenosis degree assessment has not been extensively explored.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incremental prognostic value of Carotid Plaque-RADS over stenosis degree for stroke risk.

Early left atrial reverse remodelling in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy receiving transapical beating-heart septal myectomy.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the short-term effects of transapical beating-heart septal myectomy (TA-BSM) on left atrial (LA) anatomy and function and its association with clinical indicators in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Methods: A total of 105 HOCM patients who received TA-BSM were included. Clinical and comprehensive echocardiographic data were obtained before surgery, at discharge, and 3 months after myectomy.

A preliminary study of contrast-enhanced ultrasound guided capsule-preserving hydrodilatation in shoulder adhesive capsulitis.

Background: Capsule-preserving hydrodilatation is a common treatment for adhesive capsulitis (AC), and ultrasound (US) has recently become the most popular adjuvant tool for image-guided glenohumeral joint injection. However, traditional US is hardly adequate to assess extracapsular fluid leakage, which may decide the treatment outcomes. In this study, we explored the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) guided capsule-preserving hydrodilatation with steroids and ultrasonic contrast agents for treatment of AC.

A Radiomics-Based Nomogram Using Ultrasound Carotid Plaque Evaluation For Predicting Cerebro-Cardiovascular Events In Asymptomatic Patients.

Rationale And Objectives: This study aims to assess whether a radiomics-based nomogram correlates with a higher risk of future cerebro-cardiovascular events in patients with asymptomatic carotid plaques. Additionally, it investigates the nomogram's contribution to the revised Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (rFSRP) for predicting cerebro-cardiovascular risk.

Materials And Methods: Predictive models aimed at identifying an increased risk of future cerebro-cardiovascular events were developed and internally validated at one center, then externally validated at two other centers.

Relative apical sparing obtained with speckle tracking echocardiography is not a sensitive parameter for diagnosing light-chain cardiac amyloidosis.

Background: Distinguishing light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL CA) from left ventricular wall thickening (LVWT) resulted from other etiologies has proven to be challenging. This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of relative apical sparing in diagnosing AL CA and investigate the differences in clinical and echocardiographic characteristics between AL CA patients with apical sparing and those with non-apical sparing.

Methods: A total of 63 consecutive patients with AL CA, 102 consecutive patients with LVWT (including 51 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and 51 hypertension) and 33 healthy individuals were recruited retrospectively at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Improvements of myocardial strain and work in diabetes patients with normal ejection fraction after empagliflozin treatment.

Aims/introduction: To assess the effect of empagliflozin treatment on left ventricular (LV), right ventricular (RV) and left atrial (LA) functions in diabetes patients with normal ejection fraction.

Materials And Methods: The study included a total of 128 diabetes patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors who were subjected to a 6-month follow up from the initiation of empagliflozin treatment. Before and after treatment with empagliflozin, LV, RV and LA strain, and noninvasive myocardial work parameters were evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography.

Subclinical cardiac impairments in fetuses conceived through assisted reproductive technology by speckle tracking echocardiography.

Objectives: To evaluate the changes of cardiac morphology and function in fetuses conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) by speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 101 spontaneously conceived (SC) fetuses and 99 ART-conceived ones. Fetal echocardiography was performed, fetal cardiac morphology and function were analyzed using two-dimensional speckle tracking software, including global sphericity index (GSI), global longitudinal strain (GLS), fractional area change (FAC) of the left and right ventricles, as well as segmental sphericity index (SI), end-diastolic diameter (ED), and fractional shortening (FS) in 24 segments.

Value of Intraplaque Neovascularization on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in Predicting Ischemic Stroke Recurrence in Patients With Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque.

Objective: Patients with a history of ischemic stroke are at risk for a second ischemic stroke. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between carotid plaque enhancement on perfluorobutane microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and future recurrent stroke, and to determine whether plaque enhancement can contribute to risk assessment for recurrent stroke compared with the Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS).

Materials And Methods: This prospective study screened 151 patients with recent ischemic stroke and carotid atherosclerotic plaques at our hospital between August 2020 and December 2020.

Identifying TOPK and Hypoxia Hallmarks in Esophageal Tumors for Photodynamic/Chemo/Immunotherapy and Liver Metastasis Inhibition with Nanocarriers.

Although esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most lethal cancers, there are major bottlenecks in its therapeutic approaches, primarily the identification of clinically relevant targets and the lack of effective targeted therapeutics. Herein, we identified the hallmarks of ESCC, namely, high T-lymphokine-activated killer cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK) expression in human ESCC tumors and its correlation with poor patient prognosis and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment. We developed hypoxia-sensitive nanoparticles encapsulating TOPK inhibitor OTS964 and photosensitizer chlorin e6 for the imaging-directed precision therapy of ESCC tumors.

Avoiding Unnecessary Systematic Biopsy in Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer: Comparison Between MRI-Based Radiomics Model and PI-RADS Category.

Background: MRI-targeted biopsy (MRTB) improves the clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) detection rate with fewer biopsy cores in men with suspected PCa. However, whether concurrent systematic biopsy (SB) can be avoided in patients undergoing MRTB remains unclear.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential value of MRI-based radiomics models in avoiding unnecessary SB in biopsy-naïve patients.

Evaluation of Fetal Cardiac Function in Maternal Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography.

Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disease that occurs during pregnancy and may result in fetal cardiac dysfunction. Our study aimed to assess the cardiac function in fetuses of mothers with GDM by a quantitative analysis software based on speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Methods: Forty-nine fetuses exposed to GDM and 50 normal fetuses were enrolled, and fetal echocardiography were performed and analyzed in this prospective cross-sectional study.

Comparative study on efficacy and safety of ultrasound guided transoral and transcutaneous core needle biopsy in patients with oral masses.

Background: Ultrasound (US) guided transoral biopsy is a novel and safe procedure for obtaining tissue in patients with oral masses. However, this procedure is less commonly used in comparison to US guided transcutaneous biopsy. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of US-guided transoral and transcutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) in patients with oral masses.

Persistent Endothelial Dysfunction in Coronavirus Disease-2019 Survivors Late After Recovery.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can result in an endothelial dysfunction in acute phase. However, information on the late vascular consequences of COVID-19 is limited.

Methods: Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) examination were performed, and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed in 86 survivors of COVID-19 for 327 days (IQR 318-337 days) after recovery.