超微血管成像与超声造影对颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的诊断价值

目的 探讨超微血管成像（SMI）与超声造影（CEUS）对于颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的诊断价值。方法 选取2016年1月~2018年6月接受颈动脉内膜斑块剥脱术治疗的61例，术前均行SMI、CEUS检查，检查后7 d内行颈动脉内膜斑块剥脱术治疗。以术后病理检查结果为金标准，分析SMI、CEUS对于颈动脉斑内是否存在新生血管及斑块稳定性的诊断效能。结果 CEUS、SMI对于斑块稳定性的诊断结果与金标准均具有高度一致性（0.8<0.001），对于斑块内新生血管的诊断结果与金标准均具有高度一致性（0.8>     

Risk prediction of cerebrovascular events with carotid plaque magnetic resonance analysis: A meta-analysis

Background and purpose

It is not conclusive that magnetic resonance (MR)-based carotid atherosclerotic plaque assessment identifies high-risk features associated with cerebrovascular events. We aimed to systematically summarize the association of MR imaging (MRI)-determined intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and thinning/rupture of the fibrous cap (TRFC) with subsequent ischemic events.

整脊推拿结合化痰祛瘀方治疗颈源性眩晕伴颈动脉斑块43例

目的:观察整脊推拿结合中药化痰祛瘀方治疗颈源性眩晕伴颈动脉斑块的的效果及安全性。方法:伴有颈动脉斑块的颈源性眩晕患者按随机数字表法分为两组,对照组45例采用基础治疗联合中药化痰祛瘀方,观察组43例在对照组基础上结合整脊推拿干预,治疗后统计比较两组眩晕指征和血脂改善情况。结果:治疗后两组患者眩晕、耳鸣、恶心欲呕、头痛、视力障碍、猝倒发作、颈项不适、反应迟钝等症状的恢复率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);治疗结束后观察组的总有效率为95.35%,明显优于对照组的77.78%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);疗程结束后两组患者血脂均较治疗前有所改善(P<0.05),观察组中的总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)明显低于对照组,高密度脂蛋白(HDL)明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),但三酰甘油(TG)和对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P> 0.05)。结论:整脊推拿结合化痰祛瘀方治疗颈源性眩晕伴颈动脉斑块,在改善眩晕相关指征和血脂方面疗效较好。     

Are risk factors necessary for pretest probability assessment of coronary artery disease? A patient similarity network analysis of the PROMISE trial

BackgroundPretest probability (PTP) calculators utilize epidemiological-level findings to provide patient-level risk assessment of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, their limited accuracies question whether dissimilarities in risk factors necessarily result in differences in CAD. Using patient similarity network (PSN) analyses, we wished to assess the accuracy of risk factors and imaging markers to identify ≥50% luminal narrowing on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in stable chest-pain patients.MethodsWe created four PSNs representing: patient characteristics, risk factors, non-coronary imaging markers and calcium score. We used spectral clustering to group individuals with similar risk profiles. We compared PSNs to a contemporary PTP score incorporating calcium score and risk factors to identify ≥50% luminal narrowing on CCTA in the CT-arm of the PROMISE trial. We also conducted subanalyses in different age and sex groups.ResultsIn 3556 individuals, the calcium score PSN significantly outperformed patient characteristic, risk factor, and non-coronary imaging marker PSNs (AUC: 0.81 vs. 0.57, 0.55, 0.54; respectively, p ?< ?0.001 for all). The calcium score PSN significantly outperformed the contemporary PTP score (AUC: 0.81 vs. 0.78, p ?< ?0.001), and using 0, 1–100 and ?> ?100 cut-offs provided comparable results (AUC: 0.81 vs. 0.81, p ?= ?0.06). Similar results were found in all subanalyses.ConclusionCalcium score on its own provides better individualized obstructive CAD prediction than contemporary PTP scores incorporating calcium score and risk factors. Risk factors may not be able to improve the diagnostic accuracy of calcium score to predict ≥50% luminal narrowing on CCTA.     

Effect of Gum Arabic on plaque-induced gingivitis: A randomised controlled trial

New approaches to treating periodontal diseases aim to balance sustaining the natural oral microbiota and modifying the host immune response. Gum Arabic (GA) is a natural polysaccharide rich in prebiotics.The aim of this study was to assess the effect of GA on clinical (Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI)) and immunological (Gingival Crevicular Fluid Interleukin 1 Beta (GCF IL-1 β)) parameters in patients with plaque-induced gingivitis.Materials and methodsThis placebo-controlled, double-blinded randomised clinical trial was conducted at the Department of Periodontology at Khartoum Dental Teaching Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan, from July to October 2016. Patients diagnosed with plaque-induced gingivitis meeting the study eligibility criteria were enrolled. At baseline, PI, GI and GCF IL-1β were measured. Patients received full-mouth scaling and were randomly assigned to receive either GA powder (intervention group) or Microcrystalline cellulose powder (placebo group). The patients were instructed to apply the treatment twice a day throughout the study. The PI, GI and GCF IL-1β were reassessed after 30 and 60 days.ResultsA total of 60 patients were enrolled (30 in each group). Compared to the placebo group, the intervention group showed a statistically significant reduction in GI scores after 30 days and improved PI scores at 30 and 60 days. Between baseline and 60 days, patients who received GA exhibited a significant reduction in GCF IL-1β levels compared to the placebo group.ConclusionGA was found to be effective in controlling plaque and gingivitis.Clinical Trial Registration. ISRCTN registry ISRCTN14209449.     

Predictive value of the coronary artery calcium score and advanced plaque characteristics: Post hoc analysis of the PREDICT registry

BackgroundWhether coronary plaque characteristics assessed in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in association with the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) have predictive value for coronary events is unclear. We aimed to examine the predictive value of the CACS and plaque characteristics for the occurrence of coronary events.MethodsAmong 2802 patients who were analyzed in the PREDICT registry, 2083 with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied using post hoc analysis. High-risk plaques were defined as having ≥2 adverse characteristics, such as low computed tomographic attenuation, positive remodeling, spotty calcification, and napkin-ring sign. An adjudicative composite of coronary events (cardiac death, nonfatal acute coronary syndrome, and coronary revascularization ≥3 months after indexed CCTA) were analyzed.ResultsSeventy-three (3.5%) patients had coronary events and 313 (15.0%) had high-risk plaques. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that high-risk plaques remained an independent predictor of coronary events (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13–3.34, P ?= ?0.0154), as well as the log-transformed CACS (adjusted HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11–1.39, P ?= ?0.0002) and the presence of obstructive stenosis (adjusted HR 5.63, 95% CI 3.22–10.12, P 0.0001). In subgroup analyses, high-risk plaques were independently predictive only in the low CACS class (<100).ConclusionThis study shows that assessment of adverse features by coronary plaque imaging independently predicts coronary events in patients with suspected CAD and a low CACS. Our findings suggest that the clinical value of high-risk plaques to CACS and stenosis assessment appears marginal.     

Coronary CT angiography

Coronary CT angiography (coronary CTA) represents an increasingly applied noninvasive method for coronary artery imaging. Due to technical development and improved spatial and temporal resolution of CT, high diagnostic value of coronary CTA is reported when compared to conventional selective angiography. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the clinical applications of coronary CTA. Important factors in patient selection and preparation are also briefly discussed.     

Qingre Quyu Granule(清热祛瘀颗粒)Stabilizes Plaques through Inhibiting the Expression of Tenascin-C in Patients with Severe Carotid Stenosis

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of Qingre Quyu Granule(清热祛瘀颗粒,QQG)on the patients with severe carotid stenosis,and to explore the mechanism of it.Methods:Ninety-six patients with severe carotid stenosis were enrolled in the study and were classified into a QQG group(n=48) and a control group(n=48) randomly using consecutively numbered envelopes.The patients in the QQG group were given QQG and Western medicine,those in the control group were given Western medicine merely,the course of treatment was 16 weeks.All patients went through endarterectomy after treatment.Plaques were subjected to the analysis of CD3,CD68,soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1),matrix metalloprotease-9(MMP-9),CD40 L,tenascin-C,and collagen content lipid content by immunohistochemistry or polarized light analysis.Results:By the end of experiment,the expressions of CD3,CD68,ICAM-1,MMP9,CD40 L and tenascin-C on the plaques were statistically significant lower in the QQG group compared with the control group(P0.01).The lipid content of the plaque was also significantly lower in the QQG group compared with the control group(P0.01).The interstitial collagen in the tissue sections of the plaques was also significantly higher in the QQG group in comparison with the control group(P0.01).Conclusion:QQG could stabilize carotid artery plaques through inhibiting pro-inflammation factors and restraining the tenascin-C and MMP9 pathway.     

Chlorhexidine spray as an adjunct in the control of dental biofilm in children with special needs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of .12% chlorhexidine applied via spray and the acceptance. A total of 26 individuals with mental health issues, aged 7–14, were included into two groups: placebo (control, n = 13) and chlorhexidine (experimental, n = 13). Both groups received two daily applications of spray during 2 months. The periodontal conditions were evaluated by the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI‐S) and gingival index (GI). The evaluation of acceptance of the application method (spray) was assessed by questionnaire. Data were analyzed with nonparametric tests, with a significance level of 5%. Regarding the OHI‐S index, only the experimental group showed significant change during the evaluations (p < 0.001). Regarding the GI, both groups showed significant changes during the evaluations. The method of application was well accepted by patients and caregivers, and .12% chlorhexidine solution applied via spray significantly reduced the rates of dental and gingival biofilm.