Risk factors for perioperative major cardiac events in Chinese elderly patients with coronary heart disease undergoing noncardiac surgery

Background Few studies have investigated perioperative major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in elderly Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) undergoing noncardiac surgery.This study examin...     

Studies on the Optimum Concentration and Performance of Hydrogen Sulfide in Isolated Rat Heart Preservation

Objective To investigate the preservation of isolated rat heart in HST （H2S St. Thomas Ⅱ solutions） solutions with different concentrations of hydrogen sulfide （H2S）. Methods The isolated hearts of 32 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups and preserved in St. Thomas Ⅱ solution （Group Ⅰ）, HST with 0.1μmol/L Naris （Group Ⅱ）, HST with 1 μmof/L Naris （Group Ⅲ） and HST with 10μmol/L Naris （Group Ⅳ）, respectively. The functions of the hearts, i.e. recovery rate of the heart function, energy changes, and water content in the heart muscles and ultrastructure of the heart were then determined by Langendorff heart perfusion and function model after six hours of preservation. Results After six-hour preservation, the functions of the left ventricle in Group Ⅳ were seriously damaged while those in Group Ⅱ and Ⅲ were slightly damaged. The damage to the left ventricle in Group Ⅳ was the slightest. The differences between Group Ⅰ and other groups in contents of ATP, lactic acid （LD） and hepatin were statistically significant. The recontract time in Group Ⅳ was longer than that in Group Ⅰ. As for the ultrastructure of the heart muscle, the damage to the hearts in Group Ⅲ was slightest. Conclusion The preservation and protection of isolated rat heart was better in HST solution than in STH solution within six hours. HST solution with 1 μmol/L NariS can achieve the optimum preservation while H2S with higher concentrations can cause damage to the heart muscle.     

Re-evaluation of transvenous lead extraction with modified standard technique: A prospective study in 229 patients

As new-type powered sheaths are expensive and unavailable, the standard lead extraction techniques remain the mainstay in clinical applications in many countries. The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate the clinical application of the standard lead extraction techniques and equipment, and make some procedural modifications and innovations. In our center, between January 2006 and May 2012, 229 patients （median, 66 years） who underwent lead extraction due to infection and lead malfunc- tion were registered and followed up prospectively with respect to clinical features, reasons for lead ex- traction, technical characteristics, and clinical prognosis. A total of 440 leads had to be extracted trans- venously by using special tools from 229 patients （male, 72.1%）. Vegetations 〉1 cm were detected in six patients. Locking Stylets were applied for 398 （90.5%） leads. Telescoping dilator polypropylene sheaths and counter traction technique were used for 202 （45.9%） leads due to lead adhesion, and the mean im- plant duration of the 202 leads was longer than the other 238 leads （48.9±22.6 vs. 26.6±17.8 months; P 〈0.01）. In addition, modified isolation and snare techniques were used for 56 leads （12.7%）. Minor and major procedure-related complications occurred in three （1.3%） and four （1.7%） cases respectively, in- cluding one death （0.4%）. Severe lead residue occurred in one case. Complete procedural success rate was 96.1% （423/440）, and clinical success rate was 98.9% （435/440）. The median follow-up period was 18 （1-76） months. No infection- and procedure-related death occurred in our series. Our data demon- strated that high clinical success rate of transvenous lead extraction can be guaranteed by making full use of the standard lead extraction techniques and equipment with individualized modifications.     

Nardosinone protects H9c2 cardiac cells from angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ ） can subsequently give rise to heart failure, a leading cause of mortality. Nardosinone is a pharmacologically active compound extracted from the roots ofNardostachys chinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine. In order to investigate the effects of nardosinone on Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiac cell hypertrophy and the related mechanisms, the myoblast cell line H9c2, derived from embryonic rat heart, was treated with nardosi- none （25, 50, 100, and 200μmol/L） or Ang Ⅱ （1 μmol/L）. Then cell surface area and mRNA expression of classical markers of hypertrophy were detected. The related protein levels in PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MEK/ERK signaling pathways were examined by Western blotting. It was found that pretreatment with nardosinone could significantly inhibit the enlargement of cell surface area induced by Ang Ⅱ. The mRNA expression of ANP, BNP and 13-MHC was obviously elevated in Ang Ⅱ-treated H9c2 cells, which could be effectively blocked by nardosinone at the concentration of 100μmol/L. Further study revealed that the protective effects of nardosinone might be mediated by repressing the phosphorylation of related proteins in PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways. It was suggested that the inhibitory effect of nardosinone on Ang Ⅱ-induced hypertrophy in H9c2 cells might be mediated by targeting PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways.     

Surgical treatment of anterior mitral valve prolapse using artificial chordae loop

Artificial chordae replacement with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene （ePTFE; Gore-Tex, W.L.Gore and Associates Inc., Flagstaff, AZ, USA） is an established technique for mitral valve repair with excellent long-term results. There is growing interest in the application of artificial chordae to correct mitral valve regurgitation caused by anterior leaflet prolapse. Application of pre-measured artificial chordae facilitates creation of chordae with appropriate length. The aim of this study was to illustrate the technique for creation of pre-measured artificial chordae.     

Current status of pediatric kidney transplantation in China: data analysis of Chinese Scientific Registry of Kidney Transplantation

Background Kidney transplantation （KTx） is the primary therapy for children with renal failure.Unlike KTx in adult patients,it is commonly agreed that pediatric KTx in China is far behind that of America.There has been no systematic analysis of Chinese pediatric KTx reported.This study aimed to demonstrate the current status of pediatric KTx in China.Methods Registry data of pediatric KTx （1983-2012） from Chinese Scientific Registry of Kidney Transplantation （CSRKT） were retrospectively analyzed.Results There were 851 pediatric KTx from 102 transplant units.The recipients were （15.4±2.5） years of age,93.9％ of who were over 10 years old.Chronic glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis accounted for 75.6％ of recognized primary diseases.Allografts were from deceased donors （72.2％） or living donation （27.7％）.The patient survival for 1,3,5,and 10 years was 96.9％,94.2％,92.3％,and 92.3％ and the graft survival was 94.6％,91.4％,86.3％,and 79.2％,respectively.The majority of post-transplant complications were acute rejection and infections.Annual transplant reached the peak in 2008 （n=114）,and decreased sharply in 2006 （n=41） and 2010 （n=57）.The percentage of pediatric KTx in total KTx was highest in 2007 （1.95％） and decreased to trough level in 2010 （1.0％）.Living donation increased by 32.5-folds from 2004 to 2008 and then decreased by 86.6％ till 2010.The percentage of living donation in pediatric or total KTx dynamically changed in a similar manner,while living donation ratio in pediatric KTx was much higher.Conclusions Kidney transplant can provide long-term benefits to pediatric recipients.Rejection and infections are worthy of concern during follow-up.Pediatric kidney transplant in China is very much lagging behind that in developed countries.Living donation played an important role in its development in the past decades.New strategies for implementation are encouraged to increase the priority of uremic children in organ allocation so as to promote its progress in China.     

Chinese herbal medicine Xinfeng Capsule in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis： study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Rheumatoid arthritis （RA）, as a common systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease, affects approximately 1 in 100 individuals. Effective treatment for RA is not yet available because current research does not have a clear understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of RA. Xinfeng Capsule, a patent Chinese herbal medicine, has been used in the treatment of RA in recent years. Despite its reported clinical efficacy, there are no large-sample, multicenter, randomized trials that support the use of Xinfeng Capsule for RA. Therefore, we designed a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Xinfeng Capsule in the treatment of RA. METHODS AND DESIGN： This is a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial on the treatment of RA. The participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group at a ratio of 1：1. Participants in the experimental group will receive Xinfeng Capsule and a pharmaceutical placebo （imitation leflunomide）. The control group will receive leflunomide and an herbal placebo （imitation Xinfeng Capsule）. The American College of Rheumatology （ACR） Criteria for RA will be used to measure the efficacy of the Xinfeng Capsule. The primary outcome measure will be the percentage of study participants who achieve an ACR 20% response rate （ACR20）, which will be measured every 4 weeks after randomization. Secondary outcomes will include the ACR50 and ACR70 responses, the side effects of the medications, the Disease Activity Score 28, RA biomarkers, quality of life, and X-rays of the hands and wrists. The first four of the secondary outcomes will be measured every 4 weeks and the others will be measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. DISCUSSION： The result of this trial will help to evaluate whether Xinfeng Capsule is effective and safe in the treatment of RA. TRIAL REGISTRATION： This trial has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. The identifier is N CT01774877.     

Relation of myocardial bridge to myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis

Background Small case series have suggested an association of coronary myocardial bridge （MB） with myocardial infarction （MI）.However,the relationship between MB and major adverse cardiac events （MACE） remains largely unknown.The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between MB and MACE involving MI.Methods We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE,PreMEDLINE,and all EMB Reviews as well as a reference list of relevant articles according to the SPICO （Study design,Patient,Intervention,Control-intervention,and Outcome） criteria using the following keywords：myocardial bridging,myocardial bridge,intramural coronary artery,mural coronary artery,tunneled coronary artery,coronary artery overbridging,etc.Bibliographies of the retrieved publications were additionally hand searched.Studies were included for the meta-analysis if they satisfied the following criteria：（1） they evaluate the association of MB with cardiovascular endpoint event; （2） they included individuals with MB and those without MB; 3） they excluded individuals with obstructive coronary artery disease （CAD）.Studies were reviewed by a predetermined protocol including quality assessment.Dates were pooled using a random effect model.Results Seven observational studies that followed 5 486 patients eligible for the enrolled criteria were included from 7 136 initially identified articles.The prevalence of MB was 24.8％ （1 363/5 486）.During 0.5-7.0 years of follow-up of this cohort of population,crude outcome rates were 8.0％ in the MB group and 7.7％ in the non-MB group.The odds ratio of overall MACE and MI were 1.34 （95％ confidence interval （CI）：0.57-3.17,P=0.51,n=7 studies） and 2.75 （95％ CI：1.08-7.02,P ＜0.03,n=5 studies） respectively for subjects of MB compared to non-MB.Conclusion Relationship between MB and MI appears to be a real one,although the study did not reveal a connection of MB to MACE,suggesting whether the necessity of antiplatelet therapy needs to be further studied in a larger cohort of patients with MB prospectively.     

Saffron （Crocus sativus L.） and major depressive disorder： a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Due to safety concerns and side effects of many antidepressant medications, herbal psychopharmacology research has increased, and herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to prescribed medications for the treatment of major depressive disorder （MDD）. Of these, accumulating trials reveal positive effects of the spice saffron （Crocus sativus L.） for the treatment of depression. A comprehensive and statistical review of the clinical trials examining the effects of saffron for treatment of MDD is warranted. OBJECTIVE： The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials examining the effects of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression among participants with MDD. SEARCH STRATEGY： We conducted electronic and non-electronic searches to identify all relevant randomized, double-blind controlled trials. Reference lists of all retrieved articles were searched for relevant studies. INCLUSION CRITERIA： The criteria for study selection included the following： （1） adults （aged 18 and older） with symptoms of depression, （2） randomized controlled trial, （3） effects of saffron supplementation on depressive symptoms examined, and （4） study had either a placebo control or antidepressant comparison group. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS： Using random effects modeling procedures, we calculated weighted mean effect sizes separately for the saffron supplementation vs placebo control groups, and for the saffron supplementation vs antidepressant groups. The methodological quality of all studies was assessed using the Jadad score. The computer software Comprehensive Meta- analysis 2 was used to analyze the data. RESULTS： Based on our pre-specified criteria, five randomized controlled trials （n = 2 placebo controlled trials, n = 3 antidepressant controlled trials） were included in our review. A large effect size was found for saffron supplementation vs placebo control in treating depressive symptoms （M ES = 1.62, P 〈 0.001）, revealing that saffron supplementation significantly reduced depression symptoms compared to the placebo control. A null effect size was evidenced between saffron supplementation and the antidepressant groups （M ES = -0.15） indicating that both treatments were similarly effective in reducing depression symptoms. The mean Jadad score was 5 indicating high quality of trials. CONCLUSION： Findings from clinical trials conducted to date indicate that saffron supplementation can improve symptoms of depression in adults with MDD. Larger clinical trials, conducted by research teams outside of Iran, with long-term follow-ups are needed before firm conclusions can be made regarding saffron＇s efficacy and safety for treating depressive symptoms.     

The role of central nervous system on hypoglycemia and the feasibility of the brain theory in traditional Chinese medicine on treatment of diabetes mellitus

The central nervous system （CNS） plays a key regulatory role in glucose homeostasis. In particular, the brain is important in initiating and coordinating protective counterregulatory responses when blood glucose levels fall. This may due to the metabolic dependency of the CNS on glucose, and protection of food supply to the brain. In healthy subjects, blood glucose is normally maintained within a relatively narrow range. Hypoglycemia in diabetic patients can increase the risk of complications, such as heart disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The clinical research finds that the use of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a positive effect on the treatment of hypoglycemia. Here the authors reviewed the current understanding of sensing and counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia, and discuss combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the theory of iatrogenic hypoglycemia in diabetes treatment. Furthermore, the authors clarify the feasibility of treating hypoglycemia on the basis of TCM theory and CNS and have an insight on its clinical practice.     

Association between intervertebral disc degeneration and disturbances of blood supply to the vertebrae

Low back pain is a common public health problem in western industrialized societies and the world as well.Studies indicate that the prevalence rate ranges to 35%, with around 10% of patients from 12% becoming chronically disabled. It also places an enormous economic burden on society. Although the exact cause of low back pain has yet to be defined, intervertebral disc degeneration is considered a major source of it. Since patients with degenerative discs are often asymptomatic, the mechanisms of it are still unclear.     

Relevance of muscle biopsy for diagnosing multifocal motor neuropathy

Multifocal motor neuropathy （MMN） is a rare,.focal,inflammatory,demyelinating disease of the peripheral nerves with pure motor involvementJ MMN is clinically characterized by slowly progressive,asymmetric,distal,upper limb predominant weakness,in the absence of sensory disturbances） Weakness is usually multifocal and connected to a distinct motor nerve,such as the musculocutaneous nerve resulting in biceps weakness,the posterior interosseus nerve resulting in finger drop,the median,ulnar,or radial nerve resulting in dexterity problems or grip weakness,or the peroneal nerve resulting in a foot drop.Onset of clinical manifestations is between 20 and 50 years of age.The prevalence of MMN is reported as 1-2 per 100 000.2 MMN is three times more frequent in men as compared to women.     

Autotransfusion in the management of cardiac tamponade occurring during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

acute cardiac tamponade occurs in 0.1%-2% of patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation （AF） in experienced centers.1-4 Once it is diagnosed, emergency pericardiocentesis is required.5 With the intervention, sternotomy and open surgical repair can be avoided in the most patients6. Generally, pericardial blood is reinjected directly back into the patient through the femoral venous sheath in order to invert hemodynamic instability promptly.     

Modulating Effects of Chlorogenic Acid on Lipids and Glucose Metabolism and Expression of Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-α in Golden Hamsters Fed on High Fat Diet

Objective To examine the effects of chlorogenic acid （CGA） on lipid and glucose metabolism under a high dietary fat burden and to explore the possible role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α （PPAR-α） in these effects. Methods Twenty male golden hamsters were randomly divided into CGA treatment group （n=10, given peritoneal injection of CGA solution prepared with PBS, 80 mg CGA/kg body weight daily）, and control group （n=10, given PBS i.p. at the average volume of the treatment group）. Animals in both groups were given 15% high fat diet. Eight weeks after treatment with CGA, the level of biochemical parameters in fasting serum and tissues and the expression of hepatic mRNA and protein PPAR-α were determined. Results Eight weeks after treatment with CGA, the levels of fasting serum triglyceride （TG）, free fatty acid （FFA）, total cholesterol （TC）, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）, high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）, glucose （FSG）, and insulin （FSI） were significantly lower in the GGA treatment group than in the control group. CGA also led to higher activity of hepatic lipase （HL） lower contents of TG and FFA in liver, and lower activity of lipoprotein lipase （LPL） in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, CGA significantly elevated significantly elevated the expression level of mRNA and protein expression in hepatic PPAR-α. Conclusion CGA can modify lipids and glucose metabolism, which may be attributed to PPAR-α facilitated lipid clearance in liver and improved insulin sensitivity.     

痘苗病毒天坛株的减毒与其作为疫苗载体研究进展

1痘苗病毒天坛株的历史天花是人类历史上最可怕的传染病之一。天花由天花病毒（variola virus）引起,人是该病毒的惟一宿主。人感染天花病毒后的死亡率达到30%~40%[1]。世界上公认的对天花最早的准确记录来自中国,晋代药学家葛洪于公元430年左右,在《肘后备急方》中对天花有清楚的描述[1]。     

TGF-β1 Precursor and CD8 Are Potential Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Operated Breast Cancer简

The transforming growth factor β1（TGF-β1） and CD8-positive T cells are two important immune factors that function at opposite directions. The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between the two factors and their associations with long-term effects of adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy in breast cancer. Expression of TGF-β1 precursor and CD8 was immunohistochemically detected on surgically-obtained tumor samples of 130（stageⅠ–Ⅲ） invasive breast carcinomas from Chinese subjects, who were followed up for a mean time of 112 months. Interstitial CD8-positive cells and TGF-β1 precursor-positive cells adjacent to tumor nests were counted. Infiltration of CD8-positive lymphocytes into tumor nests and TGF-β1 precursor expression in tumor cells were observed and survival analysis was performed. Our results showed that density of interstitial CD8-positive lymphocytes was an independent adverse prognostic factor for distant disease-free survival（DDFS）（HR=8.416, 95% CI=1.636–43.292, P=0.011） in hormone receptor-positive patients who were on adjuvant endocrine therapy. For breast cancer patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, those without infiltration of CD8-positive cells into tumor nests had a shorter overall survival（OS） than their counterparts with CD8-positive cell infiltration into tumor nests（Log-Rank, P=0.003）. But OS of patients without infiltration of CD8-positive cells into tumor nests was significantly prolonged by adjuvant chemotherapy（Log-Rank, P=0.013） and paralleled that of patients with CD8-positive cell infiltration. Although OS was shorter in the tumor cell TGF-β1 precursor（t-TGF-β1-pre）-positive patients than in the negative patients in patients without recieiving chemotherapy（P=0.053）, OS of t-TGF-β1-pre-positive patients was significantly prolonged by adjuvant chemotherapy（P=0.035） and was longer than that of t-TGF-β1-pre-negative patients. Analysis showed that t-TGF-β1-pre was an independent positive prognostic factor for DDFS（HR=0.392 95% CI=0.157–0.978, P=0.045） in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. This study suggested that density of interstitial CD8-positive lymphocytes was of prognostic value in hormone receptor-positive patients who received adjuvant endocrine therapy. Our study verified that adverse immunologic signatures consisting of absence of CD8-positive cells in tumor nests or expression of TGF-β1 precursor in tumor cells in breast cancer were associated with worse prognosis and significantly improved long-term survival with adjuvant chemotherapy, respectively.     

Effects of the aqueous extract of Schizandra chinensis fruit on ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiety in rats

Background We previously demonstrated that the aqueous extract of the Schizandra chinensis fruit （AESC） ameliorated Cd-induced depletion of monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain through antioxidant activity.In the present study,we investigated the effect of AESC on anxiety-like behavior and the levels of norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol （a metabolite of norepinephrine） in different brain regions during ethanol withdrawal in rats.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 3 g/kg of ethanol （20％,w/v） or saline by daily intraperitoneal injection for 28 days followed by three days of withdrawal.During withdrawal,rats were given AESC （100 mg.kg 1.d-1 or 300 mg.kg 1·d1,P.O.） once a day for three days.Thirty minutes after the final dose of AESC,the anxiogenic response was evaluated using an elevated plus maze,and the plasma corticosterone levels were examined by radioimmunoassay.Meanwhile,the concentrations of norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and hippocampus were also measured by high performance liquid chromatography.Results Rats undergoing ethanol withdrawal exhibited substantial anxiety-like behavior,which was characterized by both the decrease in time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and the increased level of corticosterone secretion,which were greatly attenuated by doses of AESC in a dose-dependent manner.The high performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that ethanol withdrawal significantly increased norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol levels in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus,while not significantly altering them in the hippocampus.Similar to the results from the elevated plus maze test,the AESC significantly inhibited the elevation of norepinephrine and its metabolite in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusions These results suggest that AESC attenuates anxiety-like behavior induced by ethanol withdrawal through modulation of the hypothalamic norepinephrine system in the brain.