Quantification of myocardial fibrosis using noninvasive T2-mapping magnetic resonance imaging: Preclinical models of aging and pressure overload

Noninvasive imaging of cardiac fibrosis is important for early diagnosis and intervention in chronic heart diseases. Here, we investigated whether noninvasive, contrast agent-free MRI T₂-mapping can quantify myocardial fibrosis in preclinical models of aging and pressure overload. Myocardial fibrosis and remodeling were analyzed in two animal models: (i) aging (15-month-old male CF-1 mice vs. young 6- to 8-week-old mice), and (ii) pressure overload (PO; by transverse aortic constriction in 4- to 5-month-old male C57BL/6 mice vs. sham-operated for 14 days). In vivo T₂-mapping was performed by acquiring data during the isovolumic and early diastolic phases, with a modified respiratory and ECG-triggered multiecho TurboRARE sequence on a 7-T MRI. Cine MRI provided cardiac morphology and function. A quantitative segmentation method was developed to analyze the in vivo T₂-maps of hearts at midventricle, apex, and basal regions. The cardiac fibrosis area was analyzed ex vivo by picro sirius red (PSR) staining. Both aged and pressure-overloaded hearts developed significant myocardial contractile dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. The aged mice had two phenotypes, fibrotic and mild-fibrotic. Notably, the aged fibrotic subgroup and the PO mice showed a marked decrease in T₂ relaxation times (25.3 ± 0.6 in aged vs. 29.9 ± 0.7 ms in young mice, p = 0.002; and 24.3 ± 1.7 in PO vs. 28.7 ± 0.7 ms in shams, p = 0.05). However, no significant difference in T₂ was detected between the aged mild-fibrotic subgroup and the young mice. Accordingly, an inverse correlation between myocardial fibrosis percentage (FP) and T₂ relaxation time was derived (R² = 0.98): T₂ (ms) = 30.45 – 1.05 × FP. Thus, these results demonstrate a statistical agreement between T₂-map–quantified fibrosis and PSR staining in two different clinically relevant animal models. In conclusion, T₂-mapping MRI is a promising noninvasive contrast agent-free quantitative technique to characterize myocardial fibrosis.     

Efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) created using covered stents of different diameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to make a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the stent diameter (8 mm vs. 10 mm) that conveys better safety and clinical efficacy for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Materials and methodsFour databases were used to identify clinical trials published from inception until March 2020. Data were extracted to estimate and compare one-year and three-year overall survivals, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal rebleeding, and shunt dysfunction rates between patients with 8 mm covered stents and those with 10 mm covered stents.ResultsFive eligible studies were selected, which included 489 patients (316 men, 173 women). The 8 mm covered stent group had higher efficacy regarding one-year or three-year overall survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.88; P = 0.003) and (OR, 1.81; P = 0.04) and lower hepatic encephalopathy (OR, 0.69; P = 0.04) compared with 10 mm covered stent group. There were no significant differences in variceal rebleeding rate (OR 0.80; P = 0.67). However, shunt dysfunction was lower in 10 mm covered stent group (OR, 2.26; P = 0.003).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the use of 8 mm covered stents should be preferred to that of 10 mm covered stents for TIPS placement when portal pressure is frequently monitored.     

Dectin-2受体介导宿主抵抗烟曲霉菌感染的研究

目的探讨C型凝集素受体Dectin-2在烟曲霉菌感染中的作用及机制。方法用紫外线灭活的烟曲霉菌膨胀态分生孢子刺激野生型(wild type, WT)和Dectin-2缺失(Clec4n-/-)小鼠骨髓来源的巨噬细胞(bone marrow derived macrophages, BMDMs)。刺激20min及40min后，利用Western印迹法检测BMDMs中脾酪氨酸激酶(spleen tyrosine kinase, Syk)和核转录因子κB抑制因子(inhibitor-κB, IκBα)的磷酸化水平。刺激16h后，利用酶联免疫吸附法(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA)检测BMDMs细胞上清液中IL-6、TNF-α和IL-12p40的水平。另一方面，利用压舌感染的方法在WT和Clec4n-/-小鼠中构建烟曲霉菌肺部感染模型。感染2d后，统计小鼠整个肺脏荷菌量，并检测肺脏匀浆液中IL-6和IL-12p40水平。结果体外试验提示，烟曲霉菌刺激后，Dectin-2缺失的BMDMs中Syk和IκBα的磷酸化水平及IL-6、TNF-α和IL-12p40水平显著下降(P＜0.05)。体内试验发现，烟曲霉菌感染后，Dectin-2缺失小鼠中肺脏荷菌量显著升高(P＜0.05)，肺脏匀浆液内IL-6、IL-12p40水平显著降低(P＜0.05)。结论C型凝集素受体Dectin-2激活烟曲霉菌诱导的NF-κB信号通路并介导促炎细胞因子的产生，可在小鼠肺烟曲霉菌病动物模型中发挥保护性作用。     

基于网络药理学和分子对接技术探讨黄芪干预腹膜纤维化的机制

目的 运用网络药理学方法及分子对接技术探讨黄芪干预腹膜纤维化的可能机制。方法 利用中药系统药理学数据库及分析平台(TCMSP)检索黄芪的主要化学成分及靶点,并补充文献报道相关药理作用的成分作为潜在活性成分。以"peritoneal fibrosis"为关键词分别在OMIM、Genecards获取目前已知的与腹膜纤维化相关的疾病靶点,后取两者的交集靶点;对交集基因通过STRING数据库与Cytoscape 3.7.2软件构建"药物-成分-靶点-疾病"网络及蛋白互作(PPI)网络并筛选核心网络。基于R软件使用Bioconductor生物信息软件对核心靶点进行GO及KEGG富集分析,最终采用AutoDock软件将主要有效成分与核心靶点进行分子对接,得出其结合能力。结果 筛选出20个黄芪活性成分及文献报道有相关药理作用4个, 457药物作用靶点,与674个腹膜纤维化病靶点取交集,得到86个共同靶点。GO功能富集分析提示黄芪拮抗腹膜纤维化主要参与了蛋白激酶B信号转导的调节、细胞对化学的应激反应、炎症反应的调节等通路; KEGG通路富集分析主要涉及调控肿瘤、磷脂酰肌醇-3-羟激酶-蛋白激酶B(PI3K-Akt)、晚期糖基化终末产物/晚期糖基化终末产物受体(AGE-RAGE)、人类巨细胞病毒感染、HIF-1信号通路等;分子对接结果显示关键靶点与活性成分具有较好的结合能力。结论 黄芪治疗腹膜纤维化的分子机制,可能与抑制炎症及氧化应激反应、调节多种信号通路等相关。     

国内外安宁疗护准入标准的研究进展

安宁疗护可提高患者在生命终末阶段的生活质量，减轻患者和家属的身心痛苦。科学合理的安宁疗护准入标准可帮助医护人员识别出需要安宁疗护服务的患者，使其及时获得安宁疗护服务，因此明确安宁疗护的准入标准是推进安宁疗护发展的基础。本文就国内外安宁疗护准入标准的制定方法、具体内容及优缺点进行综述，以期为我国安宁疗护准入标准的构建提供参考。     

心脏瓣膜置换术后患者的出院准备度现状及其影响因素分析

目的:调查心脏瓣膜置换术后患者的出院准备度现状,并分析其影响因素。方法:于2018年9月至2019年3月用一般资料、出院准备度量表、出院指导质量量表对139例瓣膜置换术后患者进行调查。结果:心脏瓣膜置换术后患者的出院准备度总分为(89.51±8.53)分,与出院指导质量呈正相关;多元回归分析显示,主要照顾者、婚姻状况、工作状态、服药种类、出院指导质量为出院准备度影响因素。结论:心脏瓣膜置换术后患者的出院准备度有待提高,患者感知的个人状态得分不理想;护士应鼓励患者配合进行早期康复,强化出院指导,采取有效措施提供康复信息,满足患者及其家属需求,提高出院准备度。     

顶天立地服务需求 注重内涵创建一流——首都医科大学建校60周年教育教学与人才培养成果回顾

首都医科大学通过60年辛勤耕耘、精益求精，秉承“顶天立地”的人才培养理念，为社会培养了大批高水平的学术型与应用型医药卫生人才。回顾学校60年来本专科教育、全科医学教育、国际教育、研究生教育的人才培养成果，以总结经验并鼓舞全体首医人进一步求真务实、凝心聚力、积极进取、追求卓越，努力将学校建设成为国际一流的研究型医科大学。