Comparative analysis of calcification parameters with Agatston Score approximations for ex vivo atherosclerotic lesions

BackgroundThe Agatston Calcium Score is a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events but it is unable to identify high-risk lesions. Recent research suggests that examining calcification phenotype could be more indicative of plaque stability.ObjectiveTo examine the Agatston score's ability to determine atherosclerotic calcification phenotype.MethodsMicro-Computed Tomography was performed on 20 carotid and 20 peripheral lower limb lesions. ImageJ pixel histogram analysis quantified the non-calcified (≥30HU, <130HU) and calcified (≥130HU) tissue volumes. ImageJ ‘3D Objects Counter’ plugin determined the calcified particle count, volumes and maximum attenuation density of each particle. Image stacks were subsequently downsampled to a resolution of 0.7 × 0.7 × 3 mm and an approximation for the Extra-Coronary Calcium Scores (ECCS) were calculated. Spearman's correlation examined the relationships between ECCS approximations and calcification parameters.ResultsECCS has a strong positive correlation with the Calcified Volume Fraction (CVF) (r_s = 0.865, p < 0.0005), weak positive correlations with Calcified Particle Fraction (CPF) (r_s = 0.422, p = 0.007) and Microcalcification Fraction (micro-CF) (r_s = 0.361, p = 0.022). There is no correlation evident between ECCS and Calcified Particle Index (CPI) (r_s = −0.162, p = 0.318). It is apparent that there is a high prevalence of microcalcifications in both carotid and peripheral lower limb lesions. Additionally, an inverse relationship exists between calcified particle volume and maximum-recorded attenuation density.ConclusionThe density-weighted Agatston calcium scoring methodology needs to be reviewed. Calcium scoring which differentiates between critical calcification morphologies, rather than presenting a density-weighted score, is required to direct high-risk plaques towards tailored treatment.     

Broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants induced by ancestral and B.1.351 AS03-Adjuvanted recombinant Plant-Derived Virus-Like particle vaccines

Since 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection resulting in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has afflicted hundreds of millions of people in a worldwide pandemic. Several safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available. However, the rapid emergence of variants and risk of viral escape from vaccine-induced immunity emphasize the need to develop broadly protective vaccines. A recombinant plant-derived virus-like particle vaccine for the ancestral COVID-19 (CoVLP) recently authorized by Canadian Health Authorities and a modified CoVLP.B1351 targeting the B.1.351 variant (both formulated with the adjuvant AS03) were assessed in homologous and heterologous prime-boost regimen in mice. Both strategies induced strong and broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses against several Variants of Concern (VOCs), including B.1.351/Beta, B.1.1.7/Alpha, P.1/Gamma, B.1.617.2/Delta and B.1.1.529/Omicron strains. The neutralizing antibody (NAb) response was robust with both primary vaccination strategies and tended to be higher for almost all VOCs following the heterologous prime-boost regimen.     

Effect of pulsatile swirling flow on stenosed arterial blood flow

The existence of swirling flow phenomena is frequently observed in arterial vessels, but information on the fluid-dynamic roles of swirling flow is still lacking. In this study, the effects of pulsatile swirling inlet flows with various swirling intensities on the flow field in a stenosis model are experimentally investigated using a particle image velocimetry velocity field measurement technique. A pulsatile pump provides cyclic pulsating inlet flow and spiral inserts with two different helical pitches (10D and 10/3D) induce swirling flow in the stenosed channel. Results show that the pulsatile swirling flow has various beneficial effects by reducing the negative wall shear stress, the oscillatory shear index, and the flow reverse coefficient at the post-stenosis channel. Temporal variations of vorticity fields show that the short propagation length of the jet flow and the early breakout of turbulent flow are initiated as the swirling flow disturbs the symmetric development of the shear layer. In addition, the overall energy dissipation rate of the flow is suppressed by the swirling component of the flow. The results will be helpful for elucidating the hemodynamic characteristics of atherosclerosis and discovering better diagnostic procedures and clinical treatments.     

HIV合并梅毒感染的实验诊断分析

目的:通过实验诊断方法,研究HIV与梅毒同时感染的相关性。方法:用梅毒螺旋体明胶凝集试验(TPPA)、梅毒甲苯胺红不加热法(TRUST)和电化学发光法(ECLA)同时检测192例HIV-Ab/P24阳性血清,包括疾控中心免疫印迹(WB)阳性血清77例(实验组),不确定和阴性血清115例(对照组),用χ~2检验统计分析。结果:实验组中,TPPA阳性36例(18.8%),TRUST阳性27例(14.1%),TPPA与HIV-Ab/P24差异有统计学意义(χ~2=21.08,P0.01);对照组中,TPPA阳性8例(4.2%),TRUST阳性2例(1.0%),TPPA与HIV-Ab/P24差异有统计学意义(χ~2=136.95,P0.01)。结论:HIV感染患者,合并感染梅毒的几率很大,且梅毒发作期患者比例高。     

小儿解感颗粒的临床应用经验探讨

文章针对小儿解感颗粒在临床上的应用经验进行了探讨和总结,综合作者个人体会和文献报道,对小儿解感颗粒的临床作用原理和应用要点进行了分析探讨,指出发烧、咳嗽咽痛、小儿手足口病为本方的治疗主症,为临床有效、合理、安全运用本品提供了参考依据。     

肺隐球菌病3例报告并文献复习

目的 提高对肺隐球菌病的诊断和治疗水平.方法 对3例肺隐球菌病患者的临床资料进行分析,并进行文献复习.结果 3例患者均行经皮肺穿刺活检,组织病理学确诊.1、2例为轻症,第3例为重症.痰培养和支气管镜检查均阴性,血清隐球菌荚膜乳胶凝集实验均阳性,第3例脑脊液压力升高,乳胶凝集实验阳性.1、2例应用氟康唑治疗,第3例应用两性霉素B治疗,均临床治愈.结论 肺隐球菌病临床误诊率高.采用血清隐球菌荚膜乳胶凝集实验和经皮肺穿刺活检相结合的方法,可明显提高诊断率.对于免疫功能正常和轻症患者,首选氟康唑,对于免疫受损和重症患者,首选两性霉素B.     

乳胶凝集试验快速诊断新生儿B群链球菌败血症

目的:探讨乳胶凝集试验在诊断新生儿B群链球菌(GBS)败血症中的作用。方法:174例疑有败血症的新生儿生后即作外耳道、脐部拭子培养及涂片镜检,胃液培养和血培养,并均采用乳胶凝集试验检测患儿尿中的GBS抗原。根据是否有GBS败血症将患儿分成两组:GBS败血症组(18例)及无GBS败血症组(156例)。将两组乳胶凝集试验结果作比较。结果:GBS败血症组有16例乳胶凝集试验阳性;无GBS败血症组有3例阳性。乳胶凝集试验对GBS败血症的诊断敏感性为88.9%,特异性为98.1%,假阳性率为1.9%。结论:乳胶凝集试验对新生儿GBS败血症的诊断具有重要意义,该方法敏感性和特异性均高,且简便、快速,值得推广应用。     

糖化血红蛋白不同测定法的评价

目的　对 3种测定糖化血红蛋白的方法进行方法学评价。方法　用离子交换高效液相层析 (HPLC)法 (X)、微柱亲和层析手工法 (Y1)、胶乳凝集免疫法 (Y2 )测定糖化血红蛋白 ,进行线性范围、回收率、精密度、干扰因素及参考范围的分析。结果　X、Y1、Y2 法的线性范围分别为 2 .8%～ 18%、3.6 %～ 15 .3%、2 .3%～15 .5 %。3种方法的平均回收率均在 95 %～ 10 4 %以内 ,批内、批间平均变异系数 (CV )均 <5 %。 10 .2mmol/L三酰甘油、8.0mmol/L胆固醇、6 84 μmol/L胆红素、10 .1%的HbF对 3种方法均无干扰。Y1法测定结果显著高于X法 (P <0 .0 1) ,回归方程 :Y1=1.15X - 0 .17(r =0 .86 ,P <0 .0 1) ;Y2 法与X法的测定结果差异有显著性(P <0 .0 5 ) ,Y2 法的测定结果偏低 ,回归方程 :Y2 =1.0 4X - 0 .6 9(r =0 .92 ,P <0 .0 1) ;X、Y1、Y2 法的参考范围分别是 4 .3%～ 6 .7%、3.5 %～ 8.3%、3.6 %～ 6 .7%。结论　与HPLC法相比 ,微柱亲和层析手工法测定结果偏高 ,而胶乳凝集免疫法的测定结果偏低。