Hydrogen sulfide defends against the cardiovascular risk of Nw-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester-induced hypertension in rats via the nitric oxide/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway

Background Dyslipidemia caused by liver injury is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular complications.Previous studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide （H2S） protects against multiple cardiovascular disease states in a similar manner as nitric oxide （NO）,and NO/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） pathway is the key route of NO production.The purpose of this study was to investigate whether H2S can ameliorate the high blood pressure and plasma lipid profile in Nw-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester （L-NAME）-induced hypertensive rats by NO/eNOS pathway.Methods Thirty-six 4-week old Sprague-Dawley （SD） male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups （n=6）：control group,L-NAME group,control ＋ glibenclamide group,control ＋ NaHS group,L-NAME ＋ NaHS group,and L-NAME ＋ NaHS ＋ glibenclamide group.Measurements were made of plasma triglycerides （TG）,low-density lipoprotein （LDL）,high-density lipoprotein （HDL）,total cholesterol （CHO）,glutamic-pyruvic transaminase （ALT） levels after 5 weeks.Then measurements of NO level and proteins expression of eNOS,P-eNOS,AKT,P-AKT were made in liver tissue.Results After 5 weeks of L-NAME treatment,the blood pressure,plasma TG （（1.22±0.12） mmol/L in L-NAME group vs.（0.68±0.09） mmol/L in control group; P ＜0.05） and LDL （（0.54±0.04） mmol/L in L-NAME group vs.（0.28±0.02） mmol/L in control group; P ＜0.05） concentration were significantly increased,and the plasma HDL （（0.26±0.02） mmol/L in L-NAME group vs.（0.69±0.07） mmol/L in control group; P ＜0.05） concentration significantly decreased.Meanwhile the rats treated with L-NAME exhibit dysfunctional eNOS,diminished NO levels （（1.36±0.09） mmol/g protein in L-NAME group vs.（2.34±0.06） mmol/g protein in control group; P ＜0.05） and pathological changes of the liver.H2S therapy can markedly decrease the blood pressure （（37.25±4.46） mmHg at the fifth week; P ＜0.05）,and ameliorate the plasma TG （（0.59±0.06） mmHg）,     

Risk factors for delayed graft function in cardiac death donor renal transplants

Background  Delayed graft function (DGF) is common in kidney transplants from organ donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors. It is associated with various factors. Determination of center-specific risk factors may help to reduce the incidence of DGF and improve the transplantation results. The aim of this study is to define risk factors of DGF after renal transplantation.

Methods  From March 2010 to June 2012, 56 cases of recipients who received DCD kidneys were selected. The subjects were divided into two groups: immediate graft function (IGF) and DGF groups. Transplantation factors of donors and recipients as well as early post-transplant results of recipients were compared between the two groups.

Results  On univariate analysis, preoperative dialysis time of recipients (P <0.001), type of dialysis (P=0.039), human leucocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch sites (P <0.001), the cause of brain death (P=0.027), body mass index (BMI) of donors (P <0.001), preoperative infection (P=0.002), preoperative serum creatinine of donors (P <0.001), norepinephrine used in donors (P <0.001), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of donors (P <0.001), warm ischemia time (WIT) (P <0.001) and cold ischemia time (CIT) (P <0.001) showed significant differences. Recipients who experienced DGF had a longer hospital stay, and higher level of postoperative serum creatinine.

Conclusion  Multiple risk factors are associated with DGF, which had deleterious effects on the early post-transplant period.

     

Effect of partial liquid ventilation on lung function in oleic acid-induced lung injury model of piglets

Background Pediatric patients are susceptible to lung injury that does not respond to traditional therapies.Partial liquid ventilation （PLV） has been developed as an alternative ventilatory strategy for treating severe lung injury.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of PLV on lung function in immature piglets.Methods Acute lung injury was induced in 12 Chinese immature piglets by oleic acid （OA）.The animals were randomly assigned to two groups （n=6 each group）：（1） conventional mechanical ventilation （MV） group and （2） PLV with FC-77 （10 ml/kg） group.Mean arterial blood pressure （MAP）,mean pulmonary arterial pressure （MPAP）,central venous pressure （CVP）,left atrial pressure （LAP）,systemic vascular resistance （SVR）,pulmonary vascular resistance （PVR）,cardiac output （CO）,mean pressure of airway （Paw）,dynamic lung compliance （Cydn）,and arterial blood gases were measured during the observation period.Results No piglet died in either group with severe lung injury.After four hours of ventilation,pH in the MV group gradually decreased to lower than 7.20,while in the PLV group,pH also gradually decreased but remained higher than 7.20 （P ＜0.05）.Partial pressure of oxygen in artery （PaO2） decreased in both groups,but with a significant difference between the PLV group and MV group （P ＜0.05）.Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in artery （PaCO2） increased in both groups,but with a significant difference between the PLV group and MV group （P ＜0.05）.Paw increased in both groups,but was not significantly different （P ＞0.05）.Cydn decreased in both groups,but without a significant difference （P ＞0.05）.At four hours,heart rate （HR） and MAP in both groups decreased.MPAP in both groups increased,and there was a significant difference between the two groups （P ＜0.05）.CVP was stable in both groups.At four hours,PVR and LAP were increased in both groups.CO was decreased in both groups （P ＜0.05）.SVR was stable during the observation time.Conclusion PLV did not improve outcome in changes of lung function.     

Changes of atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone in children with postural tachycardia syndrome and orthostatic hypertension: a case control study

Background The abnormal blood volume regulation is one of the most important pathogenesis in postural tachycardia syndrome in children.This study was designed to investigate the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone levels in postural tachycardia syndrome children,and their associations with the changes in heart rate and blood pressure in head-up test.Methods Twenty-one postural tachycardia syndrome patients （（12±2） years） and 26 healthy children （（12±1） years） were included.According to blood pressure changes in head-up test,the postural tachycardia syndrome patients were divided into two subgroups：postural tachycardia syndrome with orthostatic hypertension and postural tachycardia syndrome without orthostatic hypertension.The plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level in postural tachycardia syndrome patients was higher than the control （P=0.004）,whereas the difference in plasma antidiuretic hormone level between postural tachycardia syndrome and controls was not significant （P=0.222）.The plasma antidiuretic hormone level of patients suffering from postural tachycardia syndrome with orthostatic hypertension was much higher than that of children having postural tachycardia syndrome without orthostatic hypertension （P ＜0.05）.In postural tachycardia syndrome patients,the updght max heart rate was positively correlated with the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level （r=0.490,P＜0.05） and the upright systolic blood pressure was positively correlated with the plasma antidiuretic hormone levels （r=0.472,P ＜0.05）.Conclusions There was a disturbance of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone in postural tachycardia syndrome children.     

Effects of plasma ghrelin, obestatin, and ghrelin/obestatin ratio on blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Background Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome （OSAS） is strongly associated with obesity and with cardiovascular disease.Ghrelin and obestatin are two peptides from the same source but have opposite roles.Both of them can affect feeding and regulate vascular tune.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma ghrelin,obestatin,the ratio of ghrelin and obestatin （G/O） and sleep parameters and blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with OSAS.Methods This study enrolled 95 newly diagnosed over-weight OSAS patients （OSAS group）,30 body mass index （BMI）-match non-OSAS adults （over-weight group） and 30 non-OSAS normal weight adults （control group）.Polysomnography （PSG） was performed in the OSAS group and over-weight group.Blood pressure of all subjects was monitored by means of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.The concentration of plasma ghrelin and obestatin was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）.Results Plasma ghrelin levels in the OSAS group and over-weight group were significantly lower than that of the control group （P ＜0.05）.Plasma obestatin levels were lower in the over-weight group and OSAS group,but there was no significant difference among the three groups.The blood pressure in OSAS patients was higher,and there was a significant difference in all blood pressure parameters compared to the control group,and in the daytime average diastolic blood pressure （DBP）,nocturnal average systolic blood pressure （SBP） and DBP,DBP variability values as compared to over-weight subjects.Furthermore,there were significantly more non-dipper patterns of blood pressure （including hypertension and normotension） in the OSAS group than in the other two groups （P ＜0.01）.Correlation analysis showed that ghrelin levels had a significant correlation with BMI and nocturnal average DBP but not with PSG parameters.In contrast,the G/O ratio had a negative correlation with apnea-hypopnea index （AHI） （P ＜0.05）,as well as a strong positive correlation with the blood pressure variability values （P ＜0.01）.In multivariate analyses,AHI （P ＜0.05） and G/O （P ＜0.05）were independently related to SBP variability changes,while AHI （P ＜0.05）,G/O （P ＜0.01） and BMI （P ＜0.05） were independently related to DBP variability changes.Conclusions Our data show plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were related to obesity in OSAS.Sleep apnea in OSAS patients could have led to an imbalance in G/O in the basis of obesity.Moreover,the imbalance may promote nighttime blood pressure elevation and affect blood pressure circadian disorder.     

Over-expression of small ubiquitin-like modifier proteases 1 predicts chemo-sensitivity and poor survival in non-small cell lung cancer

Background Non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） is one of the most common malignant tumors.Despite the advances in therapy over the years,its mortality remains high.The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of small ubiquitin-like modifier （SUMO） proteases 1 （SENP1） in NSCLC tissues and its role in the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） expression.We also investigated the association between the expression level of SENP1 and the clinicopathological features and survival of the patients.Methods A SENP1 small interfering RNA （siRNA） was constructed and transfected into the NSCLC cells.VEGF gene expression was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）.Immunohistochemistry staining was used to assess the expression of SENP1 in 100 NSCLC patients and its association with the clinicopathological features and survival was analyzed.Results VEGF expression was significantly higher in NSCLC tissues than in normal lung tissues.Inhibition of SENP1 by siRNA was associated with decreased VEGF expression.SENP1 was over-expressed in 55 of the 100 NSCLC samples （55％） and was associated with a moderate and low histological tumor grade （3.6％,38.2％,and 58.2％ in high,moderate and low differentiated tumors,respectively,P=0.046）,higher T stage （10.9％ in T1,and 89.1％ in T2 and T3 tumor samples,P ＜0.001）and TNM stage （10.9％ in stage Ⅰ,and 89.1％ in stages Ⅱ and Ⅲ tumor samples,P ＜0.001）.The rate of lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in the SENP1 over-expression group （76.4％） than that in the SENP1 low expression group （33.3％,P ＜0.001）.Sixty three patients received postoperative chemotherapy,including 34 with SENP1 over-expression and 29 with SENP1 low expression.Among the 34 patients with SENP1 over-expression,22 （64.7％） patients developed recurrence or metastasis,significantly higher than those in the low expression group 27.6％ （8/29） （P=0.005）.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed     

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic post-thoracotomy pain in Chinese patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Background  In clinical practice, the mechanisms underlying chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) remain insufficiently understood. The primary goals of this study were to determine the incidence of chronic pain after thoracic surgery and to identify possible risk factors associated with the development of chronic post-thoracotomy pain in Chinese patients. The secondary goal was to determine whether the difference between pre- and post-operative white blood cell (WBC) counts could predict the prevalence of CPSP after thoracotomy. The impact of chronic pain on daily life was also investigated.

Methods  We contacted by phone 607 patients who had undergone thoracotomy at our hospital during the period February 2009 to May 2010. Statistical comparisons were made between patients with or without CPSP.

Results  Results were ultimately analyzed from 466 qualified patients. The overall incidence of CPSP was 64.5%. Difference between pre- and post-operative WBC counts differed significantly between patients with or without CPSP (P <0.001) and was considered as an independent risk factor for the development of CPSP following thoracotomy (P <0.001). Other predictive factors for chronic pain included younger age (<60 years, P <0.001), diabetes mellitus (P=0.023), acute post-operative pain (P=0.005) and the duration of chest tube drainage (P <0.001). At the time of interviews, the pain resulted in at least moderate restriction of daily activities in 15% of the patients, of which only 16 patients had paid a visit to the doctor and only three of them were satisfied with the therapeutic effects.

Conclusions  Chronic pain is common after thoracotomy. WBC count may be a new independent risk factoring surgical patients during peri-operative period. Besides, age, diabetes mellitus, acute post-operative pain, and duration of chest tube drainage may also play a role in chronic post-surgical pain occurrence.

     

Efficacy of the long-acting octreotide formulation in patients with thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas after incomplete surgery and octreotide treatment failure

Background  Little information about the current management of patients with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenomas or about the usefulness of the somatostatin analogue octreotide was contained in the literature. This study aimed to report the efficacy and safety of the long-acting octreotide formulation in patients with TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas after incomplete surgery and octreotide treatment failure. 

Methods  Fifteen patients with TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas (8 men and 7 women), who previously underwent incomplete surgical resection and/or adjuvant radiotherapy (n=12) and failure of octreotide treatment (n=15), followed between 2007 and 2010 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital were included in this study. All patients received 1- to 2-months of the long-acting octreotide formulation treatment after the above combination of treatment. Paired samples t-test was used to analysis the variables.

Results  After two-month duration of the long-acting octreotide formulation treatment, the mean serum free or unbound thyroxine (FT4) ((16.02±1.72) pmol/L) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) ((2.87±0.43) pmol/L) levels of 15 patients significantly decreased compared with those after octreotide-treatment (FT4, (35.36±7.42) pmol/L, P <0.001; FT3, (17.85±7.22) pmol/L, P <0.001). Mean TSH levels stayed in the normal range after the long-acting octreotide formulation treatment ((0.72±0.21) mU/L) and were significantly lower than the pretreatment value ((5.27±1.04) mU/L, P <0.001), post-surgery value ((3.37±0.31) mU/L, P <0.001) and post-octreotide-treatment value ((4.52±0.41) mU/L, P <0.001). In these patients with TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas there was no evidence of tachyphylaxis.

Conclusion  The long-acting octreotide formulation may be a useful and safe therapeutic tool to facilitate the medical treatment of TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas in patients who underwent incomplete surgery or need long-term somatostatin analog therapy.

     

糖尿病黄斑水肿患者眼底自发荧光观察

Background Diabetic macular edema （DME） is one of the major causes of visual impairment in patients with diabetes mellitus. DME shows a variety of clinical characteristics with unpredictable results to treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of fundus autofluorescence （FAF） in DME, which is a rapid, noninvasive technique for fundus diseases. Methods A total of 18 patients （30 eyes） with clinically significant macular edema （CSME） were enrolled. FAF imaging was performed with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Other ophthalmic examinations included best corrected visual acuity （BCVA）, MP-1 microperimetry, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography （SD-OCT）. Main outcome measurements included BCVA, macular sensitivity （MS）, central retinal thickness （CRT）, central retinal volume （CRV）, the integrity of the inner segment-outer segment junction （IS/OS）, and the integrity of the external limiting membrane （ELM）. Results Among the 30 eyes, four eyes （13.3%） had normal foveal FAF and 26 eyes （86.7%） had abnormal FAF. Abnormal FAF was mainly divided into three types： cystoid increased FAF （iFAF） 16 eyes （53.3%）, spot iFAF six eyes （20%）, irregular decreased FAF （dFAF） four eyes （13.3%）. According to the FAF morphology, patients were categorized into four groups： normal, cystoid iFAF, spot iFAF, and irregular dFAE There was a significant difference in BCVA （P 〈0.001） and MS （P 〈0.05） among the four groups. The visual function of patients with spot iFAF and irregular dFAF was relatively poor. However, there was no difference in CRT （P=-0.186） and CRV （P=0.191） among the four groups. In the normal FAF group, the photoreceptor layers were mostly intact. Regarding the cystoid iFAF group, the photoreceptor layers were relatively intact, while in the other two groups, IS/OS and ELM were disrupted in most patients. No one had intact IS/OS or ELM layer. Conclusions FAF might reflect the damage of the retina and had a relationship with visual function as well as photoreceptor integrity, which gives new insight into the evaluation of DME. Dynamic FAF monitoring helps to better evaluate the disease progression of DME as well as visual function.     

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b is a potential biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study in Han Chinese

Background Bone damage around the joints is one of the major pathophysiological mechanisms that leads to rheumatoid arthritis （RA） chronic disability.Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b （TRACP-5b） is secreted by osteoclasts,its activity can be used as a clinically relevant bone resorption marker.The aim of this study was to test whether the measurement of serum levels of TRACP-5b in patients with RA would correlate with measures of disease activity and with responses to therapy.Methods Fifty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive recombinant human cytotoxic tlymphocyte-associated antigen-4 immunoglobulin （RhCTLA4-lg）,infliximab or methotrexate （MTX）.The clinical and serologic indicators of RA activity were evaluated at baseline and at 24 weeks.Serum TRACP-5b was measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay （ELISA） at 0,12 and 24 weeks.Hand X-rays were obtained at baseline.Results At baseline,the levels of TRACP-5b correlated with the severity of X-ray damage,disease duration （r=0.332,P=0.012）,and tender joint count （r=0.408,P=0.002）.The 24 weeks values of TRACP-5b for RhCTLA4-lg group and infliximab group differed significantly from the baseline values in each group （P 〈0.05; P 〈0.05）,whereas only the value for RhCTLA4-lg group differed significantly from the 24 weeks value for the MTX group （P 〈0.01）.Considering the two biologics-treated groups together,the TRACP-5b levels at 24 weeks differed significantly from the baseline values only in those patients who reached an ACR70 level （P 〈0.05）.Conclusions Measurement of serum TRACP-5b in RA patients reflects clinical and radiological measures of disease activity,treatment with certain biologics,and degree of response to therapy.TRACP-5b should be investigated further as a potential biomarker to predict response to therapy,including slowing of radiographic progression.     

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on expressions of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and Ki-67 in breast cancer

Background This study was designed in an attempt to determine the influence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on estrogen receptor （ER）, progesterone receptor （PR）, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 （Her-2）, and Ki-67 expressions in patients with breast cancer. Methods Pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, paired-tumor specimens from 103 patients with breast cancer administrated with anthracycline or anthracycline combined taxane regimen were collected. Immunohistochemical staining for ER, PR, Her-2, and Ki-67 was performed by the DAKO EnVision method. Results Among the 103 cases, five patients （4.9%） had a complete response （CR）, 82 （79.6%） partial response （PR）, 15 （14.6%） stable disease （SD）, and one （0.9%） progressive disease （PD）, yielding an overall response rate （CR ＋ PR） of 84.5%. Nine patients achieved pathological CR. There was a significant decrease in the average index of Ki-67 post- neoadjuvant chemotherapy, compared with that before chemotherapy （24.1% vs. 39.7%, P 〈0.001）. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the changes of Ki-67 in different subtypes of breast cancer were different （P 〈0.001）, and these changes correlated with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy （P 〈0.001）. No significant changes in immunohistochemical expression were observed for ER, PR and Her-2. Conclusions Neoadjuvant chemotherapy apparently reduced Ki-67 index in primary breast carcinomas, but profiles for ER, PR and Her-2 were not significantly different before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The change of Ki- 67 correlated with molecular subtypes and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, suggesting that Ki-67 index was a surrogate marker to predict the treatment response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.     

Evaluation of pelvic visceral functions after modified nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy

Background Nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy （NSRH） was developed in an attempt to minimize complications after radical hysterectomy.Since 2008,a modified NSRH-nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy （NPSRH） has been developed at the Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NPSRH in improving postoperative pelvic visceral dysfunctions.Methods Eighty-three patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics （FIGO） stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer received NPSRH （the study group） from January 2008 to October 2012.One hundred and sixty-six patients who underwent conventional radical hysterectomy （CRH） were randomly selected as the control group.Age,pathological type and stage were matched between the two groups.The safety of surgery was assessed by duration of operation and blood transfusion rate.Postoperative short-term bladder function was analyzed by duration of catheterization.Long-term bladder,anorectal and sexual function were evaluated with questionnaires.Results Seventy-eight patients （94.0%） in the NPSRH group and one hundred and sixty patients （96.4%） in the CRH group completed the study.Median follow-up time was 31.9 months and 31.0 months respectively （P=0.708）.There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age,body mass index,FIGO stage,pathologic type,preoperative and postoperative therapy （P 〉0.05）.The blood transfusion rate shared no difference between two groups （P=0.364）.The operation time in the NPSRH group was significantly longer than CRH group （P 〈0.01）.But the duration of catheterization and hospitalization in the NPSRH group was significantly reduced compared with CRH group （P 〈0.01）.In addition,the incidence of long-term urinary frequency,urinary incontinence,urinary retention,straining to void,constipation and diarrhea was significantly lower in the NPSRH group （P 〈0.05）.However,there was no significant difference regarding sexual function （P 〉0.05）.Conclusions The current evidence indicated that NPSRH improved long-term bladder function compared to CRH.Moreover,it may improve long-term anorectal function as well.     

Correlation between dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and histopathology in the measurement of tumor and breast volume and their ratio in breast cancer patients: a prospective study

Background  Earlier studies have examined the association between the diameter of primary tumors measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology in breast cancer patients. However, the diameter does not completely describe the dimensions of the breast tumor or its volumetric proportion relative to the whole breast. The association between breast tumor volume/breast volume ratios measured by these two techniques has not been reported.

Methods  Seventy-three patients were recruited from female patients with primary breast tumors admitted to our center between January and December 2010. They were divided into two groups. Group A (n=46) underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and Group B (n=27) underwent preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy before MRM. They were examined by dynamic-contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) to measure breast volumes (BVs), tumor volumes (TVs), and tumor volume/breast volume ratios (TV/BV). These measurements were compared with histopathology results after MRM, and the associations between MRI and pathology were analyzed by linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis.

Results   For Group A, the correlation coefficients for BVs, TVs, and TV/BV ratios measured by the two techniques were 0.938, 0.921, and 0.897 (all P <0.001), respectively. For Group B, the correlation coefficients for BVs, TVs, and TV/BV ratios were 0.936, 0.902, and 0.869 (all P <0.01), respectively. The results suggest statistically significant correlations between these parameters measured by the two techniques for both groups.

Conclusion  For these patients, BVs, TVs, and TV/BV ratios measured by DCE-MRI significantly correlated with those determined by histopathology.

     

Comparison of loading with maintenance dose of clopidogrel on platelet reactivity in Chinese with different CYP2C19 genotypes prior to percutaneous coronary intervention

Background Whether two clopidogrel pretreatment strategies prior to elective percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）： a 300 mg loading dose （LD） in clopidogrel naive patients and a 75 mg maintenance dose （MD） once daily in patients on chronic clopidogrel therapy play the same role in the platelet inhibition in Chinese with different CYP2C19 genotypes remains unknown. We aim to evaluate the impact on platelet inhibition by clopidogrel pretreatment strategy and its interaction effect with CYP2C19 genotype. Methods Chinese patients undergoing PCI （n=840） were assigned to 2x2 groups in the trial according to different clopidogrel pretreatment strategies （470 patients in LD, 370 patients in MD） and CYP2C19 genotypes （494 carriers of any CYP2C19 ＊2 or ＊3 loss-of-function allele, 346 non-carriers）. The primary outcome was platelet aggregation （PA） as measured by the 10 umol/L adenosine diphosphate induced light transmission aggregation. Results Compared with MD group, LD strategy showed a significantly higher PA-（（59.22＋11.67）% vs. （52.83±12.17）%, P 〈0.01）, similar PA difference was observed in CYP2C19 loss-of-function carriers compared with non-carriers （（59.41±10.91）% vs. （52.10±12.90）%, P 〈0.01）. LD patients in either the CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carrier or non- carrier group showed a significantly higher PA compared with MD group （（61.50±10.61）% vs. （56.84±10.74）%, P 〈0.01; （56.06±12.34）% vs. （46.88±11.78）%, P 〈0.01, respectively）. A quantitative interaction effect was observed between clopidogrel pretreatment strategy and CYP2C19 genotype （P=0.001）. Conclusion The 300 mg LD strategy results in a decreased effect on platelet inhibition compared with the 75 mg MD in Chinese patients receiving clopidogrel prior to PCI, especially in the CYP2C19 ＊2 or ＊3 loss-of-function allele non-carriers. （ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01710436） Chin tided J 2014;127 （14）： 2571-2577     

Decompression alone versus decompression with instrumented fusion for young patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation: a short-term prospective comparative study

Background For young patients,the surgical method for lumbar disc herniation remains controversial.The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the short-term clinical outcome after surgery for young patients with lumbar disc herniation.Methods In this prospective comparative study between April 2010 and August 2011,a total of 80 patients underwent primary surgery at a single level for lumbar disc herniation.The patients were divided into two groups：decompression alone and decompression with instrumented fusion.An independent examiner clinically evaluated the patients at preoperation and at 1,3,6,and 12 months after surgery.The patients filled out the instruments for back and leg pain using a Visual Analog Scale （VAS）,Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire （ODI）,and Japanese Orthopaedic Association （JOA） scores.The differences between the two groups were analyzed.Results The mean age of all the patients at the time of surgery was 33.7 years.Of the 80 patients,38 patients underwent decompression alone and 42 patients underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion.Increasing complexity of surgery was associated with a longer surgery time,greater blood loss,and a longer hospital stay after surgery.Both methods of surgery independently improved outcomes compared with baseline status based on VAS,ODI,and JOA scores （P 〈0.05）,and no significant differences were found between the two groups at most of the measuring points in time,although patients with decompression alone had a higher JOA score （P=0.016） and higher JOA recovery rate （P=0.010） at the 3-month follow-up.Conclusions The short-term results of our study showed that both methods of surgery obtained effective clinical outcomes,but decompression alone had some advantages （shorter surgery time,less blood loss,shorter hospital stay,and lower cost） compared with decompression with instrumented fusion.Young patients with decompression alone could achieve great physical function earlier.     

Kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty for the treatment of malignant vertebral compression fractures caused by metastases: a retrospective study

Background There are few comparative studies regarding kyphoplasty (KP) and vertebroplasty (VP) for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures (VCF) in patients with cancer. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare KP with VP in pain improvement, cement leakage incidence, and the cost of treatment of malignant VCF.

Methods We performed a retrospective study of clinical data for 80 patients with multiple spinal metastases, treated with KP in 42 cases and VP in 38. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were collected pre-operatively, post-operatively, at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment. Cement leakage was identified using fluoroscopy and CT scan. Total cost per patient was also collected.

Results There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-operative VAS scores (7.4±2.0 to 3.8±1.6, P <0.001 in the KP group; 6.7±2.4 to 3.7±1.4, P <0.001 in the VP group), and was maintained at 1-year follow-up (3.2±1.4 in the KP group, 3.1±1.3 in the VP group). However, the difference in VAS score between these two groups was insignificant at baseline and every follow-up assessment post-operatively (P >0.05). The incidence of cement leakage in the KP group was lower than that of the VP group (16.9% (14/83) vs 30.3% (23/76), P <0.05). However, none of the patients developed any symptoms. The length of postoperative hospital stay in the VP group was shorter than that of the KP group ((2.4±1.3) vs (5.3±1.9) days, P <0.05). Total hospital cost in the KP group was much higher than that of the VP group (RMB Yuan 8 492±3 332 vs RMB Yuan 3 173±1 341, P <0.01).

Conclusions VP and KP are both effective in providing pain relief for patients with cancer-related VCF. KP provides no greater degree of pain improvement. KP is associated with a lower rate of cement leakage compared with VP. VP is associated with lower cost and shorter postoperative hospital stay in China.

     

Comparison of low-dose sequences of dual-source CT and echocardiography for preoperative evaluation of aortic valve disease

Background Accurate evaluation of coronary artery,aortic valve annulus diameter （AVAD）,and cardiac function in patients with aortic valve disease is of great significance for surgical strategy.In this study,we explored the preoperative evaluation of low-dose sequence （MinDose sequence） scan of dual-source CT （DSCT） for those patients.Methods Forty patients suspected for aortic valve disease （the experimental group） underwent MinDose sequence of DSCT to observe coronary artery,AVAD,and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）.Another 33 subjects suspected for coronary artery disease （the control group） underwent conventional retrospective electrocardiographically-gated sequence of DSCT.Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography （2D-TTE） and four-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography （4D-TTE） were applied in the experimental group to measure AVAD and LVEF and compared with MinDose-DSCT.Results There was a strong correlation between LVEFs measured by 2D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT （r=0.87,P ＜0.01）,as well as between 4D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT （r=0.90,P ＜0.01）.AVAD measured by MinDose-DSCT was in good agreement with corresponding measurements by 2D-TTE （r=0.90,P ＜0.01）.The effective dose in the experimental group was 63.54％ lower than that in the control group.Conclusions MinDose sequence of DSCT with a low radiation dose serving as a one-stop preoperative evaluation makes effective assessment of the coronary artery,AVAD,and LVEF for patients with aortic valve disease.     

Effects of lead exposure on placental cellular apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats

Background Lead exposure during pregnancy contributes to fetal abortion and/or teratogenesis.Endoplasmic reticulum （ER） apoptosis can be induced by various pathological conditions when ER function is disturbed.However,it is unclear whether ER stress and apoptosis play a role in the etiology of lead-exposed disease status.We aimed to investigate whether lead induced placental apoptosis and subsequent toxicity is initiated by ER apoptosis via caspase-12.Methods Sixty-three female Wistar rats were exposed to lead in drinking water during various gestational periods.Blood lead level was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.Placental cytoplasmic organelles were examined by electronic microscopy.Placental caspase-12 mRNA expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR.TUNEL assay was used to determine the placental apoptosis.Results Lead exposure significant induced ER apoptosis compared to that of the controls （P ＜0.05）,accompanied with increased caspase-12 mRNA expression.Significant differences of caspase-12 mRNA expression levels were observed among the four groups （F=13.78,P ＜0.05）.Apoptotic index （AI） was significantly increased in experimental groups compared to that of the controls （F=96.15,P ＜0.05）.In lead-exposed groups,trophoblast cells underwent degeneration and fibrin deposition; Mitochondria were swollen and decreased in number; ER swelling,expansion,and vacuolization were observed.Conclusion Lead exposure contributes to placental apoptosis,as well as increased caspase-12 mRNA expression,which in turn promoted ER stress.     

Characteristics of optic disc parameters and its association in normal Chinese population: the Handan Eye Study

Background Assessment of the optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer （RNFL） is essential for the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma.Knowledge of normal optic disc topography provides a benchmark for evaluating glaucomatous pathologic changes,especially in its early stages.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and correlation factors of the optic disc parameters using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph Ⅱ （HRT Ⅱ） in a large sample of normal eyes of adult Chinese subjects.Methods Disc data were obtained from 6 830 subjects aged ＞30 years from the Handan Eye Study.All participants underwent comprehensive eye examinations and physical examinations.The associations of gender,age,body mass index,blood pressure,waist-to-hip ratio; refractive error,intraocular pressure,axial length,and disc area were assessed using simple and multiple regression analysis.The correlation between HRT Ⅱ parameters was evaluated.Results Of the 7 557 eligible subjects,6 830 took part in the study （90.4％ response rate） and 2 633 normal eyes with good-quality HRT Ⅱ images were selected.The mean disc area was 2.28 mm2 （standard deviation （SD） 0.43） and mean neural rim area was 1.80 mm2 （SD 0.29）.In multiple regression analysis,optic disc area significantly correlated with age,gender,and axial length （P ＜0.001）.All optic disc parameters showed a significant correlation with disc area （0.054 ＜r ＜0.736,P ＜0.01）.The association between mean RNFL thickness and rim area is statistically significant but not strong （regression linear equation：rim area =1.42 × mean RNFL thickness ＋ 1.32 mm2,P ＜0.001; R2=0.070）.The global RNFL cross-sectional area was significantly associated with global rim area （regression linear equation：rim area =1.14× RNFL cross-sectional area ＋ 0.44 mm2,P ＜0.001; R2 =0.271）.Conclusions The optic disc area in rural Chinese population is larger than reported in white and Japanese populations,similar to that of Indian population and urban Chinese population.Most optic disc measurements were moderately or weakly affected by disc area.In addition to the RNFL,there may be other factors affecting the rim area.The relationship between optic disc and axial length may suggest a link between larger disc area,thinning of the lamina cribrosa,and increased glaucoma susceptibility in myopic eyes.