高血压对扩张型心肌病长期预后的影响

目的 :探讨高血压对扩张型心肌病患者的远期预后的影响。方法 :将心力衰竭患者分成合并高血压组 (n =4 2 )和未合并高血压组 (n =4 2 ) ,两组基础状态相似 ,随访比较其长期预后情况 ,包括生存率 ,死亡原因 ,死亡患者生存时间以及死亡患者的临床特点。结果 :高血压组与非高血压组患者的生存率、死亡原因、死亡患者生存时间相似 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,两组患者中死亡患者的左心室舒张末期内径 ,左心房内径以及室间隔厚度、左心室后壁厚度存在差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :经严格降压治疗 ,合并高血压的扩张型心肌病患者远期预后与未合并高血压者相似 ,ACEI对上述两组患者作用效果相似。     

Attenuation of Reserpine-Induced Pain/Depression Dyad by Gentiopicroside Through Downregulation of GluN2B Receptors in the Amygdala of Mice

Epidemiological studies demonstrate that pain frequently occurs comorbid with depression. Gentiopicroside (Gent) is a secoiridoid compound isolated from Gentiana lutea that exhibits analgesic properties and inhibits the expression of GluN2B-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex of mice. However, the effects of Gent on the reserpine-induced pain/depression dyad and its underlying mechanisms are unclear. Reserpine administration (1 mg/kg subcutaneous daily for 3 days) caused a significant decrease in the nociceptive threshold as evidenced by the reduced paw withdrawal latency in response to a radiant heat source and mechanical allodynia. Behavioral detection indicated a significant increase in immobility time during a forced swim test, as well as decreased time in the central area and total travel distance in an open field test. Furthermore, reserpinized animals exhibited increased oxidative stress. Systemic Gent administration dose-dependently ameliorated the behavioral deficits associated with reserpine-induced pain/depression dyad. At the same time, the decrease in biogenic amine levels (norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin) was integrated with the increase in caspase-3 levels and GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in the amygdala of the reserpine-injected mice. Gent significantly reversed the changes in the levels of biogenic amines, caspase-3, and GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in amygdala. However, Gent did not affect the expression of GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors. The inhibitory effects of Gent on oxidative stress were occluded by simultaneous treatment of GluN2B receptors antagonist Ro25-6981. Our study provides strong evidence that Gent inhibits reserpine-induced pain/depression dyad by downregulating GluN2B receptors in the amygdala.     

The polymorphism of ARNTL2 (BMAL2) gene rs2306074 C>T is associated with susceptibility of Alzheimer disease in Chinese population

In the present study, we investigated whether polymorphism of ARNTL2 (BMAL2) gene rs2306074 T/C was associated with susceptibility of Alzheimer disease (AD) in Chinese population. A case–control method was employed in this study. 296 unrelated AD patients and 423 control subjects were recruited in current study. The prevalence of C carriers in BMAL2 gene rs2306074 T/C in AD patients was significantly higher than that of control subjects in both the whole sample and APOE ε 4 non-carriers (in the whole sample: χ ² = 5.938, P = 0.012; in APOE ε 4 non-carriers: χ ² = 9.048, P < 0.0001). In addition, both in the whole sample and APOE ε 4 non-carriers, prevalence of CC genotypes in BMAL2 gene rs2306074 of AD patients was also significantly higher than that in controls (in the whole sample: χ ² = 5.126, P = 0.018; in APOE ε 4 non-carriers: χ ² = 7.389, P = 0.023). However, there was no significant difference of prevalence of C carriers and CC genotypes in BMAL2 gene rs2306074 T/C between AD patients and control subjects among APOE ε 4 carriers (C carriers: χ ² = 0.020, P = 0.900; CC genotypes: χ ² = 0.017, P = 0.946). C carriers in BMAL2 gene rs2306074 T/C are associated with a high susceptibility of AD among APOE ε 4 non-carriers but not among APOE ε 4 carriers in Chinese population.     

In vivo recording of Zhang’s phenomenon (His electrogram alternans): a novel index of atrioventricular node dual pathway conduction

Background

Zhang’s phenomenon (originally His electrogram alternans) is a new index of atrioventricular node dual pathway electrophysiology. This index has been described and validated in isolated hearts in vitro, but has not been recorded in vivo.

Methods

This study explored the feasibility of in vivo recording of Zhang’s phenomenon (His electrogram alternans) in six dogs with a custom-built bipolar electrode.

Results

The His electrogram recorded from superior His bundle domain (superior His electrogram) was high in amplitude at basic beats and long coupling intervals (i.e., fast pathway conduction) and low amplitude at short prematurities (i.e., slow pathway conduction). In contrast, His electrogram recorded from the inferior His bundle domain (inferior His electrogram) was always from low amplitude during fast pathway conduction to high amplitude during slow pathway conduction. The characteristic His electrogram alternans had been recorded in vivo in all six animals.

Conclusions

This study provided the first data representing in vivo recording of Zhang’s phenomenon (His electrogram alternans) in large animals. Clinical studies are needed before this novel index can be applied in patients.     

Expression Characteristics of KAI1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Their Diagnostic Value for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background/Aims

We tried to investigate the expression characteristics of KAI1, a suppressor of wide-spectrum tumor metastasis, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the most common angiogenesis factor, and then to analyze their diagnostic value for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

The protein and mRNA expression levels of KAI1 or VEGF in HCC tissues and in self-controlled para-carcinoma tissues were analyzed by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Serum levels of KAI1 and VEGF in the patients with HCC, benign liver disease or in healthy controls were quantitatively detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The expression level of KAI1 was downregulated, while the expression level of VEGF was upregulated in the tissues or serum of the patients with HCC. The expression level of serum KAI1 in HCC patients was correlated with TNM staging, intrahepatic metastasis, lymph node or peritoneal metastasis, and portal vein thrombus. In addition to the factors that were correlated with KAI1 expression, VEGF expression was also closely related to the α-fetoprotein level of the patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the diagnosis of HCC was 0.907 for KAI1 and 0.779 for VEGF. The sensitivity of serum KAI1 levels in the diagnosis of HCC was 86.96%; the accuracy was 83.06%, while the sensitivity, the accuracy and the negative predictive value were improved to 91.86%, 84.68%, and 78.79% according to the combined detection of KAI1 and VEGF, respectively.

Conclusions

A combined detection of KAI1 and VEGF may greatly improve the efficiency of diagnosis and form a reliable panel of diagnostic markers for HCC.     

卡马西平对癫痫患者甲状腺功能的影响

测定15例服用CBZ的癫痫患者及20例未服封癫痫患者发作间歇期血清T_3、T_4和TSH水平,发现CBZ组血清中T_4、T_3水平低于未服药组和正常对照组(p<0.05),未服药组和正常对照组相比无明显差异,TSH在三组间无明显差异,提示本组患者发作间期甲状腺激素水平与服CBZ有关。     

模式化英语晨交班对交班质量的影响

[目的]有利于对外工作交流,提高护理专业技术水平。[方法]用自行设计的英语晨交班质量评价表对我科实施模式化护理英语晨交班前后交班质量进行比较。[结果]实施模式化护理英语晨交班后交班质量较前明显提高。[结论]采用模式化护理英语晨交班,提高了护士口译水平,缩短了英语交班时间。