Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein: an overlooked cardiac biomarker

Abstract

Cardiac troponins (cTn) are currently the standard of care for the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain (CP). However, their plasma kinetics necessitate a prolonged ED stay or overnight hospital admission, especially in those presenting early after CP onset. Moreover, ruling out ACS in low-risk patients requires prolonged ED observation or overnight hospital admission to allow serial measurements of c-Tn, adding cost. Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is a novel marker of myocardial injury with putative advantages over cTn. Being present in abundance in the myocellular cytoplasm, it is released rapidly (<1?h) after the onset of myocardial injury and could potentially play an important role in both earlier diagnosis of high-risk patients presenting early after CP onset, as well as in risk-stratifying low-risk patients rapidly. Like cTn, H-FABP also has a potential role as a prognostic marker in other conditions where the myocardial injury occurs, such as acute congestive heart failure (CHF) and acute pulmonary embolism (PE). This review provides an overview of the evidence examining the role of H-FABP in early diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with CP and in non-ACS conditions associated with myocardial injury.

• Key messages

• Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein is a biomarker that is elevated early in myocardial injury

• The routine use in the emergency department complements the use of troponins in ruling out acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting early with chest pain

• It also is useful in risk stratifying patients with other conditions such as heart failure and acute pulmonary embolism.

     

Risk factors for colorectal cancer in man induce aberrant crypt foci in rats: Preliminary findings

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated clear associations between specific dietary and environmental risk factors and incidence of colorectal cancer, but the mechanisms responsible for these associations are not known. An animal model could facilitate such an understanding. Both genotoxic and nongenotoxic carcinogens induce aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colons of F344 rats. F344 rats were provided with diets that contained putative risk factors for CRC: low calcium and low vitamin D, high iron, high fructose, and decreased light (UV) exposure or a control diet for 14 wk. The rats were then assessed with biochemical measures and by topological examination for evidence of colon abnormalities. Circulating ionized calcium was decreased from 2.85 to 1.69 mmol/L, and ACF were increased from 0.7 to 13.6 lesions/colon (both P < 0.001). Rats exposed to the multiple environmental conditions associated with colon cancer, developed ACF similar to the heterogeneous or ill-defined ACF in the human colon. Heterogeneous ACF are the most frequently seen in humans and are also seen in rats shortly after exposure to the non-genotoxic colon carcinogen, dextransulfate sodium. The rodent model could be used to assess the pathways from diet and environment to colon cancer and to provide guidance for clinical studies.     

腭隐裂患者头颅侧位X线片测量分析

目的　应用回顾性研究的方法对 50例腭隐裂患者X线片测量并与健康对照组对比分析 ,观察软腭在形态学、运动能力以及腭帆提肌附着位置等方面的特点 ,进一步研究腭隐裂患者腭咽闭合不全的原因 ,为其诊断提供依据。方法　腭隐裂患者 50例 (年龄 4～ 51岁 ,平均年龄 1 1 9岁 ,男性 2 0例 ,女性 30例 ,男∶女 =1∶1 5)。对术前头颅侧位定位X线片共 1 0 0张 (每例静止及发“i”音各 1张 )进行测量分析。结果　腭隐裂组的软腭相对长度较对照组短 ,患者的腭帆提肌附着点相对位置比对照组靠前 ,发音时软腭抬高角度较小 ,以上 3项指标经统计学分析 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5)。两组间硬腭相对长度和发音时软腭伸长量的比较差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5)。结论　通过测量所得指标(包括软腭相对长度、腭帆提肌附着位置及发音时软腭抬高角度 )是诊断腭隐裂的重要指标     

Preventing early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis: clinical risk factor-based screening or culture-based screening?

INTRODUCTIONTwo strategies are available for prevention of early-onset group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis – clinical risk factor-based screening and routine culture-based screening of pregnant women for GBS colonisation. In our hospital, we switched from the former to the latter approach in 2014.METHODSWe compared the incidence of early-onset GBS sepsis during 2001–2015 between infants born to pregnant women who were screened for GBS colonisation and those born to women who were not screened.RESULTSAmong 41,143 live births, there were nine cases of early-onset GBS sepsis. All infants with GBS sepsis were born to pregnant women who were not screened for GBS colonisation. The incidence of early-onset GBS sepsis among infants of women who were not screened was 0.41 per 1,000 live births (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19–0.77) when compared to infants of women who were screened, for whom the sepsis incidence was zero per 1,000 live births (95% CI 0–0.19; p = 0.005).CONCLUSIONOur data suggests that routine culture-based screening of pregnant women for GBS colonisation is a better preventive strategy for early-onset GBS sepsis in neonates when compared to clinical risk factor-based screening.     

Critical adjustments and trauma surgery trends in adaptation to COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia

Malaysia has one of the highest total numbers of COVID-19 infections amongst the Southeast Asian nations, which led to the enforcements of the Malaysian “Movement Control Order” to prohibit disease transmission. The overwhelming increasing amount of infections has led to a major strain on major healthcare services. This leads to shortages in hospital beds, ventilators and critical personnel protective equipment. This article focuses on the critical adaptations from a general surgery department in Malaysia which is part of a Malaysian tertiary hospital that treats COVID-19 cases. The core highlights of these strategies enforced during this pandemic are: (1) surgery ward and clinic decongestions; (2) deferment of elective surgeries; (3) restructuring of medical personnel work force; (4) utilization of online applications for tele-communication; (5) operating room (OR) adjustments and patient screening; and (6)continuing medical education and updating practices in context to COVID-19. These adaptations were important for the continuation of emergency surgery services, preventing transmission of COVID-19 amongst healthcare workers and optimization of medical personnel work force in times of a global pandemic. In addition, an early analysis on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures in Malaysia towards the reduction in total number of elective/emergent/trauma surgeries performed is described in this article.     

Unexpected complication of arteriovenous fistula of the left common carotid to internal jugular vein following central venous catheterization

Incidence of inadvertent arterial puncture secondary to central venous catheter insertion is not common with an arterial puncture rate of<1%.This is due to the advancements and wide availability of ultrasound to guide its insertion.Formation of arteriovenous fistula after arterial puncture is an unexpected complication.Till date,only five cases(including this case)of acquired arteriovenous fistula formation has been described due to inadvertent common carotid puncture.The present case is a 26-year-old man sustained traumatic brain injuries,chest injuries and multiple bony fractures.During resuscitative phase,attempts at left central venous catheter via left internal jugular vein under ultrasound guidance resulted in inadvertent puncture into the left common carotid artery.Surgical neck exploration revealed that the catheter had punctured through the left internal jugular vein into the common carotid artery with formation of arteriovenous fistula.The catheter was removed successfully and common carotid artery was repaired.Postoperatively,the patient recovered and clinic visits revealed no neurological deficits.From our literature review,the safest method for removal is via endovascular and open surgical removal.The pull/push technique(direct removal with compression)is not recommended due to the high risk for stroke,bleeding and hematoma formation.     

干细胞移植治疗时间窗与临床疗效的荟萃分析

目的:探讨寻找干细胞移植治疗急性心肌梗死的最佳移植治疗时间,指导临床应用,提高临床疗效。方法:应用计算机检索medline2000-01/2006-05文章,检索词为:"stem cell transplantation and/or acute myocardialinfarction(AMI)and/or chronic heart failure or ischemic cardiomyopathy",限定文章语言种类为English;同时计算机检索中国期刊全文数据库,相同时间的文章,检索词:"干细胞移植治疗,干细胞移植与急性心肌梗死,干细胞移植治疗与心力衰竭或慢性缺血性心肌病",限定文章语言种类为中文。共检索到300余篇与主题有关的文献,其中12篇有价值的文章见参考文献。移植时间取平均值,并按射血分数值和P值进行列表、作图。对干细胞移植时间与射血分数值之间的关系进行分析。结果:在急性心肌梗死后2～5d和9d以后进行干细胞移植治疗疗效较24h内及6～8d为好。结论:干细胞移植治疗急性心肌梗死的移植时间与临床疗效之间可能存在一定的相关性。经冠脉注入干细胞比经静脉或经心内膜下注入可以更好地改善左室功能,但还需要进一步的临床资料证实。     

转化生长因子β1在白细胞介素1β诱导大鼠肾小管上皮细胞转分化及大黄素干预中的作用

目的:大黄素对白细胞介素1β诱导NRK52E细胞转分化有显著抑制作用。实验拟进一步观察转化生长因子β1在白细胞介素1β诱导大鼠肾小管上皮细胞-肌成纤维细胞转分化及大黄素抑制作用中的意义。方法:实验于2006-10/2007-05在泸州医学院附属医院免疫实验室完成。⑴实验材料及分组:以培养的大鼠肾小管上皮细胞株(NRK52E)为观察对象,按如下分组分别添加不同处理因素:①对照组:仅加入体积分数为0.05小牛血清的高糖DMEM培养基。②白细胞介素1β诱导组:加含白细胞介素1β终浓度为10μg/L的高糖DMEM培养基。③SB431542阻断组:加含白细胞介素1β终浓度为10μg/L及SB431542终浓度为10μmol/L的高糖DMEM培养基。④白细胞介素1β 大黄素组:同时加分别含白细胞介素1β终浓度为10μg/L及大黄素终浓度为25mg/L的高糖DMEM培养基。⑵实验评估:培养48h后用倒置相差显微镜观察细胞形态,细胞免疫化学染色法检测肌酸激酶、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白及转化生长因子β1的表达。结果:①白细胞介素1β可诱导部分细胞由卵圆形转变为梭形,且肌酸激酶表达减弱(P<0.01),α-平滑肌肌动蛋白及转化生长因子β1表达显著增强(P<0.01)。②SB431542特异性抑制转化生长因子β1作用后,白细胞介素1β诱导的细胞形态改变受抑,同时肌酸激酶表达增强(P<0.01),α-平滑肌肌动蛋白表达减弱(P<0.01),但转化生长因子β1的表达却无明显变化。③大黄素对白细胞介素1β诱导的细胞形态改变及肌酸激酶、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白的表达有明显抑制作用,其抑制作用与SB431542的作用相比无显著差异;同时,大黄素对白细胞介素1β诱导的转化生长因子β1的表达也有明显抑制作用(P<0.01)。结论:转化生长因子β1可能介导了白细胞介素1β诱导大鼠肾小管上皮细胞-肌成纤维细胞转分化,并参与了大黄素抑制白细胞介素1β诱导大鼠肾小管上皮细胞转分化的作用。     

基于椎弓根三维形态测量实施个体化置钉技术

目的:观察胸腰段椎弓根CT测量在椎弓根螺钉内固定中的作用,寻找一种个体化椎弓根螺钉置入的方法。方法:选择1999-02/2006-03河北工程大学附属医院收治的T12和/或L1段骨折患者59例,行螺旋CT检查及图像三维重建,重建结束后,得到胸腰段标本的三维图像,通过旋转和切割进行图像处理并测量,模拟出T11～L2的椎弓根形态,根据CT测量椎弓根的实际投照点进行调整,即横断面上椎弓根轴线与矢状位上椎弓根轴线的交点,在确定进钉点时选择下关节突为参照物,选用合适直径的螺钉进行植钉,植入螺钉后,连接棒或板系统。结果:262个椎弓根行植钉术,242个完全在椎弓根内,仅有20个螺钉穿透椎弓根皮质。术后平均随访16.1个月,均无临床并发症的发生,Frankel平均增加1.4级。术后有2例患者出现断钉(3枚),1例患者出现断棒,所植入的螺钉与机体生物相容性好,无不良反应的发生。结论:利用三维CT测量的数据辅助,严格按照个体化的椎弓根的轴线方向植钉,在置钉时应考虑到螺钉本身直径的因素,可以提高植钉的成功率。     

髓鞘相关生长抑制因子Nogo-A及胰岛素样神经生长因子受体在局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤后大鼠脑组织的表达特征

目的:观察髓鞘相关生长抑制因子Nogo-A及胰岛素样神经生长因子受体在脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠脑组织区域的表达特点。方法:实验于2005-08/2006-04在青岛大学医学院附属医院脑血管病研究所进行。将80只成年健康雄性Wistar大鼠,采用双盲法随机分为正常对照组8只、假手术组8只、缺血再灌注组64只,缺血再灌注组分为2h、6h、12h、24h、48h、3d、7d、14d8个时间点,每个时间点8只,其中4只用于Nogo-A检测,另外4只用于胰岛素样神经生长因子受体的检测。应用线栓法制备大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注动物模型,假手术组不插尼龙线,正常对照组不做任何处理。采用免疫组织化学方法检测脑组织Nogo-A与胰岛素样神经生长因子受体在神经细胞中的表达。结果:80只大鼠均进入结果分析。①Nogo-A蛋白表达:正常对照组及假手术组皮质、海马及纹状体区凋亡细胞呈基础表达。缺血再灌注6～12h皮质区及纹状体区Nogo-A表达达高峰,海马区表达明显增加。缺血再灌注24h均开始下降。缺血再灌注48h～3d皮质区及纹状体区均二次达高峰,海马区表达恒定。缺血再灌注7～14d均降至基础水平。缺血再灌注各组Nogo-A蛋白表达均高于正常对照组及假手术组(P<0.05)。②胰岛素样神经生长因子受体蛋白表达:正常对照组及假手术组在皮质、海马及纹状体区阳性细胞呈基础表达。缺血再灌注24h达高峰,48h恒定表达,3～14d仍维持高值表达。缺血再灌注各组胰岛素样神经生长因子受体蛋白表达均高于正常对照组及假手术组(P<0.05)。结论:脑缺血再灌注损伤后,大鼠脑海马、皮质、纹状体等区域Nogo-A与胰岛素样神经生长因子受体表达均增加。胰岛素样生长因子受体表达增加与损伤程度呈正相关,脑轻度损伤时胰岛素样生长因子受体表达仅限于大脑皮质区,重度损伤时弥漫整个海马及纹状体区。