Impact of Coronary Artery Anatomy in Arterial Switch Operation: In-hospital and Post-discharge Outcomes.

Objective: The influence of the coronary artery anatomy on the prognosis of patients receiving an arterial switch operation (ASO) is currently controversial, and the risk factors for this operation may change in more complicated patients. This study aimed to investigate the influence of coronary artery anomalies on the in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes of ASO in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and Taussig-Bing anomaly (TBA).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 206 patients who underwent ASO from January 2007 to December 2019.

The role of Smad7 in cutaneous wound healing.

Chronic refractory wounds are generally caused by local tissue defects and necrosis, and they are characterized by delayed wound healing as well as high recurrence, which seriously affects life quality. However, effective therapeutics to treat wounds are currently unavailable. Therapy primarily aims to accelerate generation of granulation tissue and decrease recurrence.

Changes in the Prevalence of Rheumatic Diseases in Shantou, China, in the Past Three Decades: A COPCORD Study.

This study aimed to clarify changes in the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in Shantou, China, in the past 3 decades and validate whether stair-climbing is a risk factor for knee pain and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The World Health Organization-International League Against Rheumatism Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) protocol was implemented. In all, 2337 adults living in buildings without elevators and 1719 adults living in buildings with elevators were surveyed.

A long-term, observational cohort study on the safety of low-dose glucocorticoids in ankylosing spondylitis: adverse events and effects on bone mineral density, blood lipid and glucose levels and body mass index.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the risk of adverse events and effects on bone mineral density (BMD), blood lipid and glucose levels and body mass index (BMI) of low-dose glucocorticoid (GC) treatment in ankylosing spondylitis.

Design: We performed a retrospective, observational cohort study. Adverse effects were compared between GC users and non-GC users, and we analysed differences in the duration of GC exposure (no GC exposure, <6 months, 6 months to 2 years and >2 years).

Arylamine N-acetyltransferase polymorphisms in Han Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis and their correlation to the adverse drug reactions to sulfasalazine.

Background: Polymorphisms of Arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) that contribute to diverse susceptibilities of some autoimmune diseases are also linked to the metabolism of several drugs including sulfasalazine (SSZ). The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of NAT polymorphisms in Han Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and their correlation to sulfasalazine-induced adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

Methods: Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genotypes were determined in 266 AS patients who received SSZ treatment and 280 healthy controls.

Burden of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet drug use in Asia: a multidisciplinary working party report.

Background & Aims: We established a working group to examine the burden of atherothrombotic and musculoskeletal diseases in Asia and made recommendations for safer prescribing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and low-dose aspirin.

Methods: By using a modified Delphi process, consensus was reached among 12 multidisciplinary experts from Asia. Statements were developed by the steering committee after a literature review, modified, and then approved through 3 rounds of anonymous voting by using a 6-point scale from A+ (strongly agree) to D+ (strongly disagree).

Ten years' experience with needle biopsy in the early diagnosis of sacroiliitis.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of needle biopsy in the diagnosis of early sacroiliitis to improve the diagnostic level and outcome of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: One hundred nine patients in whom early AS was highly suspected, but in whom only sacroiliitis of grade I or lower on radiography/computed tomography (CT) was seen, were recruited for study. CT-guided needle biopsy of the sacroiliac joints was performed, and the patients were followed up for 5-10 years.

Epidemiologic study of soft tissue rheumatism in Shantou and Taiyuan, China.

Background: Soft tissue rheumatism is a group of common rheumatic disorders reported in many countries. For investigating the prevalence rate of soft tissue rheumatism in different population in China, we carried out a population study in Shantou rural and Taiyuan urban area.

Methods: Samples of 3915 adults in an urban area of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, and 2350 in a rural area of Shantou, Guangdong Province were surveyed.

Assessment of the hepatic microvascular changes in liver cirrhosis by perfusion computed tomography.

Aim: To assess the hepatic microvascular parameters in patients with liver cirrhosis by perfusion computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Perfusion CT was performed in 29 patients without liver disease (control subjects) and 39 patients with liver cirrhosis, including 22 patients with compensated cirrhosis and 17 patients with decompensated cirrhosis, proved by clinical and laboratory parameters. CT cine-scans were obtained over 50 s beginning with the injection of 50 mL of contrast agent.

Rheumatic diseases in China.

Introduction: Epidemiological studies of rheumatic diseases have been conducted during the past 20 years in China. The aim of this study was to clarify prevalence rates of common rheumatic diseases in China.

Methods: Relevant reports of population-based surveys conducted from 1980 to 2006 were retrieved.

[A cross-sectional population survey of knee osteoarthritis in Taiyuan region].

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is found to be one of the commonest rheumatic disorders. For prevention of knee OA, the risk factors for this condition should first be identified.

Methods: A population sample of 2188 adults aged 35 - 64 years, living in 6-story buildings without elevators, was surveyed from April to August 2005 in the urban of Taiyuan region, north China.

Associated risk factors of knee osteoarthritis: a population survey in Taiyuan, China.

Background: Since knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the common diseases, identification of its associated risk factors is of preventive significance. This investigation was designed to investigate the prevalence of KOA in Taiyuan, and identify the associated risk factors of KOA.

Methods: A population sample was surveyed of 2188 adults aged from 35 to 64 years, living in 6-story buildings without elevators.

[Study on the associated risk factors of rheumatic pain: a ILAR-China, WHO COPCORD Shantou study].

Objective: To validate the difference on the prevalence of rheumatic symptoms between north and south parts of the country and to study the associated risk factors of rheumatic complaints in Shantou city, China.

Methods: A total number of 10 638 people at above 16 years of age from four samples, were surveyed in 1987, 1992, 1995, and 1999. Protocol of International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR)-China collaborative study or WHO-ILAR community oriented program for control of rheumatic disease(COPCORD) core questionnaire was implemented.

Risk factors associated with rheumatic complaints: a WHO-ILAR COPCORD study in Shantou, Southeast China.

Objective: To validate the differences of the prevalence of rheumatic symptoms between the north and south part of China and to investigate the associated risk factors for rheumatic complaints in Shantou, China.

Methods: Four samples together comprising 10,638 people > or = 16 years of age were surveyed in 1987, 1992, 1995, and 1999. The protocol of the ILAR-China Collaborative Study or the WHO-ILAR COPCORD Core Questionnaire was implemented.

[Recognition and study of susceptible gene to ankylosing spondylitis].

To study the potential correlations between variances of TNFalpha gene and onset of ankylosing spondylitis in Chinese population, We scanned and analyzed the promoters of TNFalpha genes in 75 AS patients from south of China and found -850 T mutation allele frequency rather high (39.3%).By case-control study, the distribution of TT genotype is significantly higher in AS patients than that in normal subjects (10.

[Needle biopsy of spondyloarthropathy: pathological features and clinical significance].

Objective: To study the pathological features of sacroiliitis, aiming at improving the early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: CT guided needle biopsy of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) was performed in 96 cases of spondyloarthropathy (SpA) patients with 3 autopsy materials of non-SpA sacroiliac joints serving as control. Pathological features were studied by two independent observers.