Fractal dimension in CT low attenuation areas is predictive of long-term oxygen therapy initiation in COPD patients: Results from two observational cohort studies

BackgroundSome chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients develop hypoxemia with disease progression, with some even requiring long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). Lung function, especially diffusing capacity, and the annual decline in PaO₂, are reported to be predictive factors of chronic respiratory failure. However, the association between lung morphometry evaluated using computed tomography (CT) images and LTOT initiation is unknown.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the relationship between clinical indices, including pulmonary function, body mass index (BMI), and CT parameters, at baseline and LTOT initiation in two prospective COPD cohorts. In the Nara Medical University cohort (n = 76), the low attenuation area (LAA) and its fractal dimension (fractal D) were adapted as the indices for parenchymal destruction in CT images. The association between these CT measurements and LTOT initiation was replicated in the Kyoto University cohort (n = 130).ResultsIn the Nara Medical University cohort, lower BMI (hazard ratio [HR]:0.70, p = 0.006), lower % diffusing capacity (%DLCO) (HR: 0.92, p = 0.006), lower %DLCO/VA (HR, 0.90, p = 0.008), higher RV/TLC (HR, 1.26, p = 0.012), higher LAA% (HR: 1.18, p = 0.001), and lower fractal D (HR: 3.27 × 10^?8, p < 0.001) were associated with LTOT initiation. Multivariate analysis in the Kyoto University cohort confirmed that lower %DLCO and lower fractal D were independently associated with LTOT initiation, whereas LAA% was not.ConclusionFractal D, which is the index for morphometric complexity of LAA in CT analysis, is predictive of LTOT initiation in COPD patients.     

ACE2 receptor polymorphism: Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, hypertension,multi-organ failure,and COVID-19 disease outcome

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emerged in Chinese people in December 2019 and has currently spread worldwide causing the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 150,000 deaths. In order for a SARS-CoV like virus circulating in wild life for a very long time to infect the index case-patient, a number of conditions must be met, foremost among which is the encounter with humans and the presence in homo sapiens of a cellular receptor allowing the virus to bind. Recently it was shown that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, binds to the human angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This molecule is a peptidase expressed at the surface of lung epithelial cells and other tissues, that regulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Humans are not equal with respect to the expression levels of the cellular ACE2. Moreover, ACE2 polymorphisms were recently described in human populations. Here we review the most recent evidence that ACE2 expression and/or polymorphism could influence both the susceptibility of people to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the outcome of the COVID-19 disease. Further exploration of the relationship between the virus, the peptidase function of ACE2 and the levels of angiotensin II in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients should help to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease and the multi-organ failures observed in severe COVID-19 cases, particularly heart failure.     

Pediatric cardiac computed tomography angiography: Expert consensus from the Filiale de Cardiologie Pédiatrique et Congénitale (FCPC) and the Société Française d’Imagerie Cardiaque et Vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle (SFICV)

This article was designed to provide a pediatric cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) expert panel consensus based on opinions of experts of the Société Française d’Imagerie Cardiaque et Vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle (SFICV) and of the Filiale de Cardiologie Pédiatrique Congénitale (FCPC). This expert panel consensus includes recommendations for indications, patient preparation, CTA radiation dose reduction techniques, and post-processing techniques. The consensus was based on data from available literature (original papers, reviews and guidelines) and on opinions of a group of specialists with extensive experience in the use of CT imaging in congenital heart disease. In order to reach high potential and avoid pitfalls, CCTA in children with congenital heart disease requires training and experience. Moreover, pediatric cardiac CCTA protocols should be standardized to acquire optimal images in this population with the lowest radiation dose possible to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure. We also provided a suggested structured report and a list of acquisition protocols and technical parameters in relation to specific vendors.     

心达康滴丸联合地尔硫卓治疗冠心病心绞痛的临床研究

目的探讨心达康滴丸联合盐酸地尔硫卓片治疗冠心病心绞痛的临床疗效。方法选择2018年7月—2019年7月在武汉市江夏区中医医院治疗的冠心病心绞痛患者94例,根据用药的差别分成对照组(47例)和治疗组(47例)。对照组口服盐酸地尔硫卓片,30mg/次,3次/d;治疗组在对照组基础上口服心达康滴丸,18粒/次,3次/d。两组患者均经4周治疗。观察两组患者临床疗效,同时比较治疗前后两组患者心绞痛发作次数和持续时间,临床症状积分、SAQ和GQOLI-74评分,血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、S100钙结合蛋白A12(S100A12)、白细胞介素-18(IL-18)、妊娠相关血清蛋白A(PAPP-A)、内皮素-1(ET-1)和肌钙蛋白I(CTnI)水平及心功能。结果治疗后,对照组和治疗组临床有效率分别为80.85%和97.87%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者心绞痛发作次数及持续时间都显著改善降低(P0.05),且治疗组比对照组改善更显著(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者SAQ积分和GQOLI-74评分均明显升高,而临床症状积分明显降低(P0.05),且治疗组这些评分明显好于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者血清CRP、S100A12、IL-18、PAPP-A、ET-1、CTnI水平均明显降低(P0.05),且治疗组明显低于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者左心室射血分数(LVEF)和心排血量(CO)均升高,而左室收缩末期内径(LVESD)明显降低(P0.05),且治疗组LVEF、CO和LVESD比对照组改善更明显(P0.05)。结论心达康滴丸联合盐酸地尔硫卓片治疗冠心病心绞痛可明显改善患者临床症状,改善生活质量,具有一定的临床推广应用价值。     

鼻内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎的临床观察

目的：观察鼻腔内窥镜下行鼻腔泪囊造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2013年6月至2015年6月在我院收治的慢性泪囊炎患者39例（40只眼），采用鼻腔内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊造孔术进行手术治疗，术后随访3～6个月，观察术眼流脓、溢泪等情况。结果鼻内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊造孔术治疗39例（40只眼）患者，治愈35例（36只眼），好转3例（3只眼），无效1例（1只眼）。治愈率90％，好转率7．5％，无效率2．5％。结论经鼻内窥镜下行鼻腔泪囊造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎，疗效确切。具有手术简单、创伤小、出血少、无需面部切口、面部不留疤痕等优点。