Objective To study the value of magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging in assessing the atherosclerotic plaque burden of rabbit model.Methods We built up abdominal atherosclerotic animal model in 30 New Zealand rabbits by high lipid diet combined with abdominal artery denudation.The animals were divided into 3 groups randomly,which were the 1-week group,1-month group and 2-months group.The MRI and histology examination were carried out at relative time points.The correlations of area or thickness of vessel wall by MRI with histology examination were analyzed.Results Among the 30 rabbits,3 died due to anesthesia or surgery,one rabbit model failed because of the thin vessel,and another 3 died of diarrhea or inflammation during the high lipid diet feeding.Eventually,totally 23 rabbits fulfilled the examinations (7 in 1-week group,7 in 1-month group and 9 in 2-months group).The vessel wall area of histology examination grew larger along with the post-surgery duration,from 1.7663 mm2of 1-week group to 2.4371 mm2 of the 1-month group till 3.5978 mm2 of 2-months group,with statistic significant difference among 3 groups (F=5.052,P=0.017).There were strong correlations of area or thickness vessel wall resulted from MRI with histology examination(r=0.688,0.642;P=0.001,0.002).Conclusions High resolution MR vessel wall imaging technique may evaluate and follow up the plaque burden in the early stage of atherosclerosis.

Objective To study the relationship between the spontaneous nocturnal episodes of alkalinization and the autonomic nerve system function and vagal function. Methods 24-hour intragastric pH was measured and auto nomic and vagal function was measured with the time domain analyses of heart rate variability in 20 patients with functional dyspepsia but without diseases of the cardiovascular system. Results 13 of 20 had the nocturnal episodes of alkalinization. The total 24-hour SDNN and rMSSD were normal in 20 subjects with FD. There was no significant dif ference (P ＞0. 05) in the comparison of the total SDNN and rMSSD of the 2 groups with alkalinization and without alkalinization. The 2 groups both had higher PNN50s in the nocturnal time, and there was no significant difference (P ＞0. 05). Conclusion The results suggest that the total autonomic nerve function and vagal function of patients with FD are normal, vagal activities of the 2 groups are both increased in the nocturnal period. The reason for the nocturnal episodes of alkalinization is not a decrease of vagal activity with a subsequent decrease of secretion.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) in endothelial dysfunction induced by high glucose.

METHODSHuman aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were incubated in the presence of 5.6 or 30 mmol/L glucose for 24-72 h with or without a 2-h pretreatment with the LXR agonist 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to measure the mRNA and protein expressions of ABCG1; the intracellular cholesterol efflux and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity were measured by scintillation counting.

RESULTSHigh glucose time-dependently suppressed ABCG1 expression and cholesterol efflux to HDL in HAECs. High glucose also decreased eNOS activity. ABCG1 down-regulation induced by high glucose, along with decreased cholesterol efflux and eNOS activity, was abolished by treatment of the cells with the LXR agonist.

CONCLUSIONEndothelial dysfunction induced by high glucose is associated with decreased ABCG1 expression.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family G, Member 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Aorta ; cytology ; Cell Line ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Humans

Objective To systematic review the influence of case-based payment on inpatient costs since China′s new medical reform. Methods Studies about inpatient costs before and after the implementation of case-based payment were collected. The literature collected underwent a meta-analysis by RevMan 5. 0. Results A total of 11 articles in compliance were included in the study. The meta-analysis of random effect model showed the overall effect size (SMD) was -1. 54 with 95% CI being -1. 79, -1. 29, showing a significant difference (P<0. 05). The subgroup analysis showed that the overall effect size (MD) in the low-cost disease group was -585. 57 yuan with 95% CI being -750. 34, -420. 80, showing a significant difference (P < 0. 05). The overall effect size (MD) in the high-cost disease group was-4 172.65 yuan with 95% CI being -5 368. 21, -2 977. 10, showing a significant difference ( P <0.05). The funnel plot was approximately symmetrical, suggesting a publication bias as less likely in the study. Conclusions The implementation of case-based payment has reduced the inpatient costs to some extent thanks to China′s new healthcare reform. And the effect in the high-cost disease group was more obvious than that in the low-cost disease group.