A Novel Morphological Classification to Guide Transcatheter Mitral Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair for Commissural Mitral Regurgitation.

Background: Mitral commissural prolapse poses significant anatomical challenges that can hinder the effectiveness of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the safety and effectiveness of applying a novel morphological classification to guide TEER in patients with commissural degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR).

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter study across 18 centers in China, we classified patients with severe commissural DMR into 4 morphological types through detailed echocardiographic analysis.

Parameters indicating impaired frontal lobe development in the second trimester in fetuses with congenital heart disease.

Objective: This study investigates differences in frontal lobe development and fetal biometries in second-trimester fetuses with different phenotypes of congenital heart disease (CHD) and analyzes correlations between parameters.

Methods: A total of 137 fetuses of gestational age between 20 and 28 weeks diagnosed with CHD by ultrasound between 2017 and 2023 were retrospectively selected as the CHD group and divided into left-sided obstructive lesion (LSOL) and right-sided obstructive lesion (RSOL) groups according to the blood and/or oxygen supply to the brain. Normal fetuses matched for gestational age were selected as a control group.

Analysis of Echocardiography and Risk Factors Related to Prognosis in Adult Patients with Isolated Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries.

This study sought to echocardiographic manifestations and the related risk factors affecting the prognosis of isolated congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA). A total of 143 patients (≥18 years of age) were diagnosed with isolated CCTGA at Anzhen Hospital. The patients were classified as the operation group and the non-operation group depending on whether they had undergone tricuspid valve surgery.

Predictive Factors of Fetal Cardiac Manifestations of Neonatal Lupus in Anti-SSA/Ro and/or SSB/La Antibody-Positive Pregnant Women.

The factors associated with the development of cardiac manifestations of neonatal lupus (cardiac-NL) in fetuses with positive anti-SSA/Ro and/or SSB/La (anti-SSA/SSB) antibodies are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors of fetal cardiac-NL in anti-SSA/SSB antibody-positive pregnant women.A total of 669 pregnant women with positive anti-SSA/SSB antibodies were retrospectively included.

Differential diagnosis of gallbladder cholesterol polyps and adenomas using contrast-enhanced ultrasound-morphology and perfusion features.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder cholesterol polyps and adenomas.

Methods: Sixty-seven patients with gallbladder polyps (GBPs) measuring ≥ 10 mm in diameter were consecutively enrolled. All patients underwent two-dimensional ultrasound, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), and CEUS before surgical treatment.

Decompressive craniectomy after endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review.

Background: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a safe and efficacious treatment of choice for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients due to large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation. Despite these achievements, some patients still require decompressive craniectomy (DC) even after undergoing a timely EVT. Identifying patients requiring post-EVT DC is crucial to improve the clinical outcome, even though signs and symptoms at that period may not be reliable.

Maternal Exposure to Ambient Ozone and Fetal Critical Congenital Heart Disease in China: A Large Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

The relevance of O exposure in critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) remains uncertain and requires further investigation. The present study aims at quantitatively assessing the association between ambient O exposure during the early pregnancy period with fetal CCHD and identifying possible susceptible exposure windows. A retrospective cohort study involving 24,516 pregnant women was conducted using data from the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consultation Network, which encompassed 1313 medical centers across China from 2013 to 2021.

A multiscale investigation of uranium(VI) interaction with a freshwater diatom species.

Diatoms are essential bio-indicators for assessing the impact of heavy metals and hazardous materials on aquatic ecosystems. This study seeks to advance our understanding of the interaction between uranium (U) and the freshwater diatom species Achnanthidium saprophilum, employing macroscopic, microscopic, and spectroscopic approaches. Bio-association experiments with hexavalent U (U(VI)) were conducted during various diatom growth phases and revealed time- and concentration-dependent U retention by the diatoms.

Global and regional burden of congenital birth defects, 1990-2021: persistent healthcare disparities and emerging challenges from non-fatal health burden.

Introduction: Approximately 3%-6% of infants were born with congenital birth defects worldwide every year, which ranked as the third leading cause of deaths among the population under 20 years of age in 2021.

Methods: By adopting the methodology from Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, we systematically analysed the burden and temporal trend of congenital birth defects at the global and regional levels. Correlations between these metrics and Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) Index were investigated by the Spearman correlation analyses.

Analysis of Genotypes and Phenotypes in Chinese Patients With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Harboring Novel Variants of TSC1 and TSC2 Genes.

This study aimed to assess the pathogenicity of newly identified tuberous sclerosis Complex 1 (TSC1) and TSC2 variants, contributing definitive evidence for the diagnosis of TSC. A total of 103 TSC patients underwent TSC genetic testing using standardized protocols, and genetic testing was extended to their respective families. Analysis of genetic testing results considered clinical phenotype and gene pathogenicity based on the 2012 revision of the International Society of TSC.

Four novel types of placental villous trees: Insights from SlowflowHD ultrasound imaging into placental microvascular architecture in congenital heart disease.

Objective: Placental vascular development is critical for maternal-fetal exchange, and altered fetal cardiovascular physiology in congenital heart disease (CHD) may impact placental circulation. This study aimed to assess whether SlowflowHD imaging technology could qualitatively evaluate alterations in placental vascular structure in CHD.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using SlowflowHD to image placental vasculature in 215 fetuses, normal (n = 106) and CHD (n = 109) including critical CHD (CCHD) (n = 66) and other fetal heart disease (FHD) (n = 43).

Rare damaging variants in the sex differences of congenital heart disease: an exome sequencing study.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) exhibits a marked male predominance in birth prevalence, yet the genetic mechanisms underlying this sex disparity remain poorly understood. This study investigates the contribution of rare damaging variants on autosomes and the X chromosome to sex differences in foetal CHD.

Methods: Parents of foetuses with CHD were recruited for the study.

A Novel FLNA Gene Mutation Associated With Congenital Atrioventricular Valve Dysplasia.

FLNA (OMIM:300017) is important during the development of the embryonic heart and vasculature. The genotype-phenotype relationship of X-linked myxomatous valvular dystrophy caused by FLNA mutation has been reported. We report a new FLNA gene mutation in two male fetuses of a Chinese family whose transmission pattern of congenital heart disease was consistent with X-linked recessive inheritance.

Long-Term Prognosis of Postinfarction Ventricular Septal Rupture: A Single-Center Experience.

Objective: This seven-year study investigates risk factors for long-term mortality in AMI patients with ventricular septal rupture (VSR) to enhance clinical management and outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 180 AMI patients with VSR from January 2016 to October 2023. We collected data on demographics, clinical features, treatments, and outcomes.

Normal fetal echocardiography ratios - a multicenter cross-sectional retrospective study.

Objectives: Normal fetal echocardiography ratios reflect blood flow balance and developmental patterns, providing a basis for more accurate diagnosis and prediction of congenital heart disease in fetuses. Despite its significance, standardized studies with ample samples are lacking. We aim to establish reference ranges for fetal cardiac structural parameters and hemodynamics using extensive multicenter data, including 11 ratios, and to clarify how these ratios change with gestational age.

Assessment of Fetal Cardiac Morphology and Function in Pregnant Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

Purpose: Study aimed to assess fetal heart morphology and function in pregnancies with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) utilizing speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and to evaluate indicators for predicting fetal subclinical cardiac damage in this population.

Methods: The study involved 99 SLE-affected fetuses and 99 gestational age-matched controls. The fetal cardiac morphology and function parameters were calculated using STE (FetalHQ).

NEK2 inhibition reverses vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease.

Objective: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious consequence of congenital heart disease (CHD). PAH is characterized by a cancer-like pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic phenotype of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Never in mitosis a-related kinase 2 (NEK2) has recently been identified as a key factor in tumor cell proliferation and migration whlie the functional importance of NEK2 in PAH associated with CHD (CHD-PAH) has not been elucidated yet.

The reference ranges for fetal ductus venosus flow velocities and calculated waveform indices and their predictive values for right heart diseases.

Objectives: This study endeavors to establish comprehensive normal reference ranges and Z score formulas for ductus venosus (DV) flow velocity parameters and calculated waveform indices across different gestational ages in low-risk fetuses. Furthermore, we aim to validate the predictive capabilities of these Z score calculation formulas in fetuses with diverse right heart diseases.

Methods: A total of 8,953 singleton low-risk fetuses and 70 fetuses diagnosed with different types of right heart diseases were retrospectively enrolled.

ROS-regulated SUR1-TRPM4 drives persistent activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia after whole-brain radiation.

Delayed radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) characterized by progressive cognitive decline significantly impacts patient outcomes after radiotherapy. The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome within microglia after brain radiation is involved in the progression of RIBI by mediating inflammatory responses. We have previously shown that sulfonylurea receptor 1-transient receptor potential M4 (SUR1-TRPM4) mediates microglial NLRP3-related inflammation following global brain ischemia.