Outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with heart failure with a midrange ejection fraction

BackgroundCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves survival in patients with heart failure and severely reduced left ventricular systolic function (LVEF). Limited data exist regarding adverse cardiovascular event rates after CABG in patients with heart failure with midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF; LVEF > 40% and < 55%).MethodsWe analyzed data on isolated CABG patients from the Veterans Affairs national database (2010-2019). We stratified patients into control (normal LVEF and no heart failure), HFmrEF, and heart failure with reduced LVEF (HFrEF) groups. We compared all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates between groups with a Cox model and recurrent events analysis, respectively.ResultsIn 6533 veterans, HFmrEF and HFrEF was present in 1715 (26.3%) and 566 (8.6%) respectively; the control group had 4252 (65.1%) patients. HFrEF patients were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (59%), insulin therapy (36%), and previous myocardial infarction (31%). Anemia was more prevalent in patients with HFrEF (49%) as was a lower serum albumin (mean, 3.6 mg/dL). Compared with the control group, a higher risk of death was observed in the HFmrEF (hazard ratio [HR], 1.3 [1.2-1.5)] and HFrEF (HR, 1.5 [1.2-1.7]) groups. HFmrEF patients had the higher risk of myocardial infarction (subdistribution HR, 1.2 [1-1.6]; P = .04). Risk of heart failure hospitalization was higher in patients with HFmrEF (HR, 4.1 [3.5-4.7]) and patients with HFrEF (HR, 7.2 [6.2-8.5]).ConclusionsHeart failure with midrange ejection fraction negatively affects survival after CABG. These patients also experience higher rates myocardial infarction and heart failure hospitalization.     

垂黄清脉冲剂干预治疗冠心病稳定型心绞痛热毒痰瘀证患者NF-κB信号通路的研究

目的 探讨垂黄清脉冲剂对冠心病稳定型心绞痛（热毒痰瘀证）患者NF-κB信号通路的调控。方法 本试验研究方法采用单盲、随机、对照法，选取就诊于宁夏医科大学总医院临床诊断为冠心病稳定型心绞痛（热毒痰瘀证）患者94例，将其随机分入对照组48例和试验组46例。两组均给予内科常规西药治疗，对照组加服银丹心脑通软胶囊，试验组加服垂黄清脉冲剂，疗程为3个月。于治疗前、后记录患者的基本情况，并采集血清样本，用酶联免疫吸附测定法（Elisa法）检测血清中TNF-α、NF-κB、IL-6、ICAM-1、VCAM-1、ET-1、NO浓度水平进行对比，用SPSS22.0将数据进行统计学分析。结果 与治疗前比较，两组治疗后Gensini积分、血清中TNF-α、NF-κB、IL-6、ICAM-1、VCAM-1、ET-1浓度水平均较治疗前显著降低，NO浓度水平显著升高（P < 0.05，P < 0.01），其中试验组显著程度尤为明显（P < 0.01）。与治疗后对照组比较，试验组Gensini积分、血清中TNF-α、NF-κB、IL-6、ICAM-1、VCAM-1、ET-1浓度水平降低，NO浓度水平升高趋势更明显（P < 0.01）。结论 垂黄清脉冲剂治疗冠心病稳定型心绞痛（热毒痰瘀证）在改善患者症状；改善冠状动脉管腔狭窄程度；通过降低炎症标志物TNF-α、NF-κB、IL-6、ICAM-1、VCAM-1的水平，减小ET-1/NO比值，从而对NF-κB信号通路进行部分调控，以有效抑制或截断血管内皮的炎症级联反应过程，清除炎症损伤因素以及保护血管内皮功能等方面均有显著优势，临床疗效确切值得肯定和推广应用。     

Carboxylesterase catalyzed 18O-labeling of carboxylic acid and its potential application in LC-MS/MS based quantification of drug metabolites

LC-MS quantification of drug metabolites is sometimes impeded by the availability of internal standards that often requires customized synthesis and/or extensive purification. Although isotopically labeled internal standards are considered ideal for LC-MS/MS based quantification, de novo synthesis using costly isotope-enriched starting materials makes it impractical for early stage of drug discovery. Therefore, quick access to these isotope-enriched compounds without chemical derivatization and purification will greatly facilitate LC-MS/MS based quantification. Herein, we report a novel ¹⁸O-labeling technique using metabolizing enzyme carboxylesterase (CES) and its potential application in metabolites quantification study. Substrates of CES typically undergo a two-step oxygen exchange with H₂¹⁸O in the presence of the enzyme, generating singly- and doubly-¹⁸O-labeled carboxylic acids; however, unexpected hydrolytic behavior was observed for three of the test compounds – indomethacin, piperacillin and clopidogrel. These unusual observations led to the discovery of several novel hydrolytic mechanisms. Finally, when used as internal standard for LC-MS/MS based quantification, these in situ labeled compounds generated accurate quantitation comparable to the conventional standard curve method. The preliminary results suggest that this method has potential to eliminate laborious chemical synthesis of isotope-labeled internal standards for carboxylic acid-containing compounds, and can be developed to facilitate quantitative analysis in early-stage drug discovery.     

Predictors of gastric emptying in Parkinson''s disease

Predictors of gastric emptying (GE) in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) of a solid and liquid meal are not well defined. For measurement of GE 80 patients with PD were randomly assigned to receive either a solid meal (250 kcal) containing 13C-octanoate (n = 40) or a liquid meal (315 kcal) with 13C-acetate (n = 40). All patient groups were off medication affecting motility and were matched for age, gender, body mass index, disease duration and severity, using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Gastric emptying was compared with a healthy control group (n = 40). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine predictors of gastric emptying. Exactly 88% and 38% of PD patients had delayed GE of solids and liquids respectively. Solid and liquid emptying was similar in women and men. There were no differences in GE in PD patients < 65 years of age when compared with patients > or = 65 years. Multiple regression analysis showed that motor handicaps such as rigour and action tremor are independent predictors of solid GE (r = 0.68, P < 0.001). The severity of motor impairment, but not any other neurological symptom, as assessed by UPDRS is associated with gastroparesis in PD and solid emptying is more likely to be delayed.     

低分子量聚合物电解质的合成与性能

研究了低分子量梳状聚合物电解质的合成方法及结构，性能。首先合成了不同分子量的甲基丙烯酸聚乙二醇单甲醚酯，并进一步合成了分子量一万左右的梳状聚合物电解质，结果表明：反应严格按照反应方程进行，精制产物是非晶的梳状聚合物，本聚合物体系均存在两个玻璃化转变温度，一个在100℃左右，归属为梳状聚合物主链的玻璃化转变，另一个在－20摄氏度以下，归属于侧链玻璃化转变，在室温下侧链可以运动，有利于电活性物质的迁移和扩散，并用超微电极研究了该电解质的行为。     

Indications and limitations of locked plating

The goal of fracture fixation is to achieve bone healing and restore the function of the injured limb in the shortest possible time without compromising safety. Newer technologies such as the locking compression plate (LCP) and its derivatives are valuable additions to the orthopaedic traumatologist's armamentarium. As with any emerging technology, the indications will be extended until a threshold is reached and the limitations of the technology are seen. It is vital that surgeons involved in fracture care are aware of when locked plating is superior to other methods and also when they should use another treatment modality.This paper reviews the use of locked plating as a fixation method. Five topics covered in this review are: a historical perspective on locked plating, general indications, specific modes and techniques, patterns of failure, and an anatomical overview of current indications for locked plating.     

生物活性材料义眼台

由于病变和外伤等原因，使一些人眼球摘除，留下外现缺陷。医学上使用义眼台植入眼眶，在上面按装义眼以矫治外形。从前使用的义眼台用玻璃球或硅橡胶制作，使用中均有种类不同的缺点，即无生物活性、密度大等。医学界希望有新型医用材料临床应用。采用液态化学方法合成羟基磷灰石，使羟基磷灰石和微晶玻璃混匀，制成生物活性材料。生物材料和粘结剂、造孔剂，辅助剂一同制成生坯，以适当的温度焙烧成多孔结构义眼台。对材料进行了动物实验与临床应用。动物实验表明，材料具有优异的生物相容性和一定的生物活性。临床应用效果良好。本材料是制备义眼台的新材料。本文就材料研究、动物实验、义眼台的生产工艺进行了探讨。