Objective To investigate the clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the aged.Methods The clinical features and inflammatory index of 19 aged patients with RA were retrospectively analyzed and compared with those of 103 young patients with RA. Results The acute onset was ocurred in 11 cases in EORA group(11/19,57.9%) ,32 cases in MRA group (32/103,31.1%), there was sighicant difference two groups (P ＜0. 05). There were 10 cases with intertitial lung disense in EORA group(52.6%) ,27 cases(26.2%) in MRA group.There were no statistical differenes between two groups in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, c-reactive,EORA incidence rate in male and female. Conclusions In comparison with MRA group,the onset of disease in patients of EORA group was more acute than that of MRA,it had higher degree of disease activity. The commonly seen extra-joint manifestation were feeble and interstitial disease lung. Early diagnosis and treatmentof EORA was favor for the prevention of deterioration of this disease.

Objective To investigate the clinical and serological manifestations of the interstitial lung disease(ILD) resulting from the dermatomyositis(DM) or the polymyodsitis(PM),and the factors affecting the resulting of treatment for the purpose of providing necessary reference for clinical treatment and diagnosis.Methods The clinical manifestations and the findings of serological tests of 18 patients compared with only DM or PM.Results ILD was likely to strike 42.9 percent of patients with DM or PM,who were higher than those without ILD in the rate of positive Jo-1,LDH and Reynolds disease.Conclusion The patients with DM or PM,with their high probability to be stricken by ILD,need HR-CT scanning in order to be diagnosed as early as possible.

Objective To assess the Chinese System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (SinoSCORE) model in patients undergoing heart valve surgery at our center.Methods From January 2009 to December 2011,2098 consecutive adult patients who underwent heart valve surgery at our center were collected and scored according to the SinoSCORE model.All patients were divided into three risk subgroups.The entire cohort and each risk subgroup were analysed.Calibration of the SinoSCORE model was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow(H-L) test.Discrimination was tested by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results Observed mortality of all 2098 patients was 3.00％.Despite there were significant differences between the SinoSCORE population and our own population sample,the SinoSCORE model showed good calibration(Hosmer-Lemeshow:P =0.783) and discriminative power (area under the ROC curve of 0.752)in predicting in-hospital mortality at the entire cohort.Conclusion The SinoSCORE model give an accurate prediction for individual operative risk in heart valve surgery patients at our center.

ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic effect, adverse effects and safety of leflunomide (LEF)and cyclophosphamide(CTX) on lupus nephritis(LN). Methods43 patients with reactive LN were randomly divided into two groups. Based on hormone application,22 cases in LEF group were given LEF orally and 21 cases in CTX group were given CTX intravenous drip discontinuously. They were followed up for six months. The related indexes and possible concomitant adverse effects were detected. ResultsThe total effective rate in LEF group was 81.8％ and that in CTX group was 85.7％. The tolerance in LEF group was better and 3 cases had adverse effects. 13 cases in CTX group had adverse effects. ConclusionLEF had the same efficacy as CTX in the LN therapy, but the tolerance is better and the side effects are minor than CTX.

Objective To investigate the influence of miR-203 on the proliferation and invasion of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line Eca109.Methods Double-stranded mimics of miR-203 were designed and transfected into Eca109 cells with Lipofectamine 2000;Eca109 cells transfected with nonsense microRNA mimics were taken as control.The proliferation ability of Eca109 cells was determined by calculating the cell population doubling time and the percentage of apoptotic cells;the invasion ability of Eca109 cells was determined by Transwell assay.Results In vitro experiment showed that,compared with the control group,Eca109 cells transfected with miR-203 mimics had a significantly longer cell population doubling time([26.1?0.5]h vs [24.2?0.6]h,P

Objective To define the incidence and perioperative risk factors of new-onset atrial fibrillation for patients with preoperative sinus rhythm after successful mitral valve replacement.Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on 586 patients with preoperative sinus rhythm who underwent successful mitral valve replacement in our hospital from 1998 to 2008.The cases were classified into postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF group) or postoperative sinus rhythm (SR group).Twenty-nine risk factors including clinical and echocardiography data were selected into univariate analysis by using student' s t test or chi-squared test according to the data type.The factors with a value of P ＜ 0.1 in univariate analysis were assessed by multivariate logistic regression.A value of P ＜ 0.05 (two-sided) was considered to be statistically significant in multivariate logistic regression. ResultsOne hundred and eighteen patients had atrial fibrillation postoperatively. The incidence was 20.1％.Univariate analysis revealed that the factors including age,chronic lung disease,left ventricular mass,left atrial volume,right atrial volume,tricuspid valve regurgitation,heart failure,valvular pathology,postoperative prosthetic mitral effective orifice area index,postoperative mechanical ventilation time,serum levels of potassium and magnesium significantly increased the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation.However,in multivariate logistic regression,age,left atrial volume and postoperative prosthetic mitral valve effective orifice area index and serum of potassium had significant statistically significances between AF group and SR group.Conclusion Age,left atrial volume,postoperative prosthetic valve effective orifice area index and serum of potassium were significant predictors of postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation for patients with preoperative sinus rhythm after mitral valve replacement.

Objective To explore and conclude the influence factors of long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair for moderate and severe mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration.Methods To review the in-patient data and followup outcomes of 261 patients after mitral valve repair for moderate and severe mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration from Jan 1993 to Jan 2008 in Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University.Results There were 7 perioperative deaths and 254 survivors who obtained satisfactory perioperative outcomes.During the follow-up,24 patients were lost and 230 patients were followed up from 36 months to 174 months (77.3 ±30.3) months and follow-up rate was 90.6％.Multivariate Cox regression shows age ≥ 60 years old,left ventricular ejection fraction ＜ 0.50,undergoing combined coronary artery bypass grafting were the independent risk factors for long-term death after operations and left ventricular ejection fraction ＜ 0.50,New York Heart Association functional classification Ⅲ-Ⅳ,anterior leaflet prolapse were the independent risk factors for long-term recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation after operations and prosthetic ring or band annulopasty was a protective factor.Conclusion The age ≥60 years old,left ventricular ejection fraction ＜ 0.50,undergoing combined coronary artery bypass grafting,New York Heart Association functional classification Ⅲ - Ⅳ,anterior leaflet prolapse,and prosthetic ring or band annulopasty were closely related with long-term adverse events after operations.

Objective To summary the methods and results of first and second operations on patients with aortic valve disease and non-specific aortitis.Methods The total 34 patients including 23 cases with aortitis and 11 cases with Behcet disease were studied from Jan 2000 to Dec 2010.The first operation was Bentall procedure in 18 cases and AVR in 16 cases.Fourteen of 16 cases who had AVR developed severe paravalvular leakage,and undewent the second operation including 10 aortic root replacement (8 valve-conduit and 2 homograft) and 4 non-anatomic AVR.Results Eighteen patients who had first operation of Bentall procedure all survive without aortic pseudoaneurysm after the follow-up of 6 months to 11 years.Fourteen redo cases all survive except for one case died of repture of aortic pseudoaneurysm 1.2 years postoperatively.Conclusion Preoperative diagnosis in these patients is very difficulty.The first operation of root replacement is of choice.The second operation is very difficulty to handle,root replacement can achieve satisfactory results.Non-anatomic AVR is easy to perform,and good hemo stasis intraoperatively,and is a satisfied alternative method with good results.

Objective The results of Aortic valve replacement (AVR). Combined with ascending aortic replacement(group A) or aortoplasty (group B) in patients with aortic valve disease and ascending aortic dilatation were analysed to assess the clinical outcomes and respective indications. Methods Among the two groups, the age, gender, NYHA class, types of aortic valve lesions and left ventricular ejection fraction were not different statically. The ascending aortic diameters in group A[(50.41 ±3.71) mm] and group B [(48.29±2.18) mm] were not statically different. Ascending aortic replacement was performed in Group A. A Dacron tube(diameter 28 ～ 30mm) was routinely wrapped around the ascending aorta after aortoplasty in group B. Results There was 1 postoperative death in group B, blood transfusion volume and postoperative complications were not stasticaly different in the two groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass time [(110.52 ± 27.51) min] and aortic across clumping time [(71.70 ± 17.13)min] in group A were significantly longer than that of group B [(97.31 ± 19.46) min,P=0. 004; (57.13 ±19.46) min, respectively. P=0.025]. Conclusion Aortic valve disease, especially bicuspid valve disease often combines with ascending aortic dilatation or aneurysm. In younger patients, ascending aorta should be actively treated surgically when the diameter is equal or more than 40mm. Aortoplasty with external reinforcement of a Dacron tube is simpler and safer than aortic replacement in patient without aortic atherosclerosis or ulceration, and large aneurysm.

BACKGROUND:Our preliminary study found that the monocusp valves made of ultramicropore expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) revealed no significant thrombus, calcification, or degradation 20 weeks after implanted into the descending aorta and the left pulmonary artery in sheep, which verified the good property of ePTFE. However, the surface of ePTFE in the left pulmonary artery was covered with obvious neointima.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the biocompatibility of phosphorylcholine-coated ePTFE.
METHODS:ePTFE surface was modified by phosphorylcholine derivative. Then the changes of surface shape, tensile stress at yield and elasticity modulus, water contact angle, and protein absorption capacity of ePTFE after surface modification were observed. (1) Hemolytic test: the leaching solution of phosphorylcholine-coated ePTFE, leaching solution of uncoated ePTFE, normal saline, and distiled water were added to the diluted human blood, respectively. (2) Platelet count test: the phosphorylcholine-coated ePTFE, uncoated ePTFE, high density
polyethylene, and Zymosan A were added to the whole blood samples from healthy volunteers, respectively.
(3) Platelet activation test: the phosphorylcholine-coated ePTFE, uncoated ePTFE, γ-Globulins, and Zymosan A
were added to the whole blood samples from healthy volunteers, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mean micropore diameter of ePTFE was significantly decreased after
phosphorylcholine coating (P < 0.001). The hydrophilicity and the ability of suppressing protein adsorption were
significantly strengthened after phosphorylcholine coating (P < 0.001). Phosphorylcholine coating did not influence
ePTFE in biomechanical properties and hemolytic test. The platelet count test and platelet activation test demonstrated that phosphorylcholine coating significantly improved anti-thrombus function of ePTFE. So, phosphorylcholine coating can enhance anti-thrombus function, suppress protein adsorption, and improve biocompatibility of ePTFE.