Effects of postsystolic shortening and diastolic dyssynchrony on myocardial work in untreated early hypertension patients.

Objectives: Myocardial work is estimated from noninvasive pressure-strain loop for advanced assessment of left ventricular function. Postsystolic shortening and diastolic dyssynchrony of left ventricle were noted early in hypertension. Their novel effects on myocardial work will be illustrated in this study.

Carotid vascular strain predicts cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension.

Background: We aim to investigate prognostic effects of carotid strain (CS) and strain rate (CSR) in hypertension.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 120 patients being treated for hypertension (65.8 ± 11.

Value of layer-specific strain distribution patterns in hypertrophied myocardium from different etiologies.

Background: Intrinsic myocardial mechanics might have different patterns because of the different etiologies of myocardial hypertrophy. We used layer-specific strain to compare those with aortic stenosis (AS) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and examined the differences in strain distribution pattern and for their clinical implications.

Methods: Comprehensive echocardiography was done in 3 groups: 129 with moderate-to-severe AS, 172 consecutive patients with HCM, and 58 healthy controls.

Independent and additive interaction between tumor necrosis factor β +252 polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection on risk and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-control study.

To assess the contribution of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)β +252 polymorphisms to risk and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we enrolled 150 pairs of sex- and age-matched patients with HCC, patients with cirrhosis alone, and unrelated healthy controls. TNFβ +252 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism. Multivariate analysis indicated that TNFβ G/G genotype [odds ratio (OR), 3.

Left ventricular function assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in long-term survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma treated by mediastinal radiotherapy with or without anthracycline therapy.

Anthracycline therapy is well known for its adverse cardiac effects. However, few studies have been performed of the long-term follow-up of myocardial function in adult survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma receiving anthracycline. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is an accurate angle-independent modality for the quantification of left ventricular (LV) function.

Independent and additive interactive effects among tumor necrosis factor-alpha polymorphisms, substance use habits, and chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection on risk for hepatocellular carcinoma.

We conducted a case-control study to assess the roles of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha polymorphisms, substance use habits, and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We enrolled 200 pairs of sex- and age-matched patients with HCC and unrelated healthy controls. TNF-alpha polymorphisms were detected with polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing.

Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis with concurrent active pulmonary tuberculous infection: a case report.

Introduction: In some particular endemic area, it is not uncommon to see patients with tuberculosis pericarditis. However, it takes a period of time from tuberculous pericarditis to constrictive pericarditis. There is still no report of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis concurrent with active pulmonary TB infection in a patient without previous pulmonary TB infection history.