Objective Matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) has been shown to be highly associated with atherosclerosis.Recent studies showed that levels of MMP-10 were elevated in infarcted tissues in acute ischemic stoke.However,serum levels of MMP-10 in patients with acute ischemic stroke have never been studied previously.This study aims to investigate the serum levels of MMP-10 in patients with acute ischemic stroke,and evaluate the association of serum levels of MMP-10 with stroke subtypes based on Trial of Org 10 172 in acute stroke treatment classifications,the severity of stroke,risk factors and carotid artery plaque.Methods The circulating levels of MMP-10 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 194 subjects,including 109 patients who were diagnosed as acute ischemic stroke in the Department of Neurology,Shengjing Hospital,China Medical University from April to December 2012,and the 85 healthy controls.Results Patients with acute ischemic stroke had higher serum levels of MMP-10 compared with healthy controls (6.59 (6.07,7.31) μg/L vs 5.16 (3.87,5.94) μg/L,Z =8.33,P ＜ 0.01).NIHSS score had positive correlation with serum levels of MMP-10 (r =0.204,P =0.037).Classified by risk factors,we compared the MMP-10 levels of subsets,and results displayed that statistically significant difference existed between dyslipidemia subset and non-dyslipidemia subset (Z =2.07,P =0.042).MMP-10 levels had positive correlation with serum levels of LDL-cholesterol (r =0.248,P =0.040),but negative correlation with thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI;r =-0.208,P =0.030).The subset with unstable plaques had higher MMP-10 levels than that with stable plaque (6.62 (6.13,7.36) μg/L) vs 6.10 (6.00,6.46) μg/L,Z =2.12,P =0.034),implying the relationship of MMP-10 and atherosclerosis.Conclusions Patients with acute ischemic stroke have higher serum levels of MMP-10 compared with the healthy controls,and MMP-10 levels have positive correlation with the severity of stroke.MMP-10 is associated with the subtypes of stroke classified by risk factors,and dyslipidemia subset has higher levels of MMP-10 than that of non-dyslipidemia subset.MMP-10 has positive correlation with LDL-cholesterol,but negative correlation with TAFI.MMP-10 may be involved in the process of formation and disruption of unstable plaques,which contribute to the stenosis of arteries and onset of acute ischemic stroke.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of i.v. iron therapy in iron-defi-cient patients with left ventricular ejection fraction preserved heart failure (HFpEF). Methods 61 HFpEF pa-tients with iron deficiency were randomized to treatment with or without i.v. iron,as ferric carboxymaltose(FCM, n = 31)or placebo(saline,n = 29)for 24 weeks of a double-blind,placebo-controlled trial. The primary end-point was the change in 6-min-walk-test(6MWT)distance from baseline to Week 24. Secondary end-points includ-ed changes in New York Heart Association(NYHA)class,health-related quality of life(QoL),with NT-proBNP under observation. Results Compared with the control group at week 16 and 24,the iron treatment group has much more improve in 6MWT and the health-related quality of life(HRQoL)(P<0.05). The changes in NT-proB-NP level and NYHA heart function classification only show significance at week 24(P<0.05)but not at week 16 (P>0.05). Conclusion In this study,Treatment with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose can improve symptoms, functional capacity,and quality of life.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common malignant tumor of blood system, often manifested as bone destruction, hypercalcemia, and hyperviscosity syndrome. Electrolyte disturbance and hypertension caused by MM can induce posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). This case report reviews that a patient with osteodynia had several mental abnormalities, and was diagnosed as having κ light chain MM with PRES after thorough examination.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and characteristics of coronary artery lesion between Hui and Han nationality young pa?tient with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)who were referred to the affiliated hospital of Ningxia Medical University. Methods A total of 189 con?secutive AMI young patients(age≤44 years)who underwent coronary angiography were retrospectively retrieved from the database.Those patients with AMI were divided into Hui group(46 cases)and Han group(143 cases). The clinical features and results of coronary angiogram were com?pared between the two group. Results Compared with Han group,Hui group are more younger than Han group,high prevalence rate of diabetes, lower smoking history and lower drinking history(P<0.05). Coronary angiography showed the incidence of three?vessel lesions was significant low?er in Han group than in Hui group(P<0.05). Both group showed single vessel was the most common lesion. Conclusion Hui nationality patients with acute myocardial infraction are more younger and are are more prone to suffering from diabetes history、lower smoking history and lower drinking history than Han nationality patients. The coronary artery lesions of Hui nationality patients with acute acute myocardial infraction are more three?branch lesions than Han nationality patients.

Objective To introduce a new technique for urethral coverage in Snodgrass hypospadias repair,and to evaluate its effectiveness and complications.Methods From April 2003 to February 2006, this new procedure was performed in 289 children with hypospadias aged 3 months to 12 years (mean age,2. 4 years).The native meatus of urethra was identified subcoronal in 78 cases,penile/shaft in 136,penoscrotal in 36 and scrotal in 16;and 23 cases had undergoneⅡstage operation and re-operation.The overlapping coverage with bilateral shaft based vascularized dartos pedicle was done in the new urethra by Snodgrass hy- pospadias repair in these children.Results All the cases were followed for 3 months to 2 years.Postoper- atively,urinary fistulas developed in 32 cases (11%).Of them,11 were cured spontaneously within 4 weeks. The incidence of actual urinary fistula was 7% (21/289).Of the 21 fistulas which were not cured,11 (5%) occurred in 214 cases of distal hypospadias;and 10 (13%) in 75 cases of proximal hypospadias,Ⅱstage and re-operation.No dehiscence and diverticulum was found.Combined with mucosal collar technique,the ventral skin of the penis was sewn on the midline.During the follow-up,excellent cosmetic results with normal-ap- pearing circumcised penis were achieved in most patients.Conclusions Bilateral shaft based vascularized dartos pedicle urethral coverage procedure is a reliable and effective method for preventing urethral cutaneous fistulas and dehiscence.This method can reconstruct a satisfactory cosmetic appearance of the penis.

BACKGROUNDNifekalant may prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) and possibly be useful in treatment of atrial tachyarrhythmia in patients with severe heart failure. This study investigated the electophysiologic effect of nifekalant on the acute atrial remodeling in rapid atrial pacing (RAP) model of canine.

METHODSTwelve mongrel dogs subjected to rapid stimulation (400 beats/min) at left atrial appendage (LAA) for 24 hours, were randomized into the control group (rapid pacing only, n = 6) and the nifekalant group (intravenous nifekalant therapy immediately after RAP, n = 6). Atrial electrophysiological parameters were measured in right atrium, coronary sinus, LAA, posterior wall of left atrium (PWLA) and left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV), before and after the RAP.

RESULTSIn the control group, the effective refractory periods (ERP) were shortened greatly at all sites, paced dogs had substantially shorter ERPs in the high right atrium, LAA, and LSPV, but fewer changes in the PWLA, the coefficient variation of ERP (COV ERP) was increased significantly. After rapid atrial stimulation, the inducibility of AF increased significantly [induction number: pre-RAP vs post-RAP, 1.00 +/- 0.89 vs 8.17 +/- 2.79, P < 0.01; duration of AF: pre-RAP vs post-RAP, (450.34 +/- 362.59) ms vs (9975.77 +/- 4376.99) ms, P < 0.01]. In the nifekalant group, although the ERPs were prolonged at all sites compared with those in pre-RAP state, only the value at LSPV differed significantly from that in pre-RAP state [pre-RAP vs post-RAP, (102.50 +/- 5.24) ms vs (132.51 +/- 5.20) ms, P < 0.01]; the COV ERP did not change statistically in this group. The inducibility of AF slightly increased but insignificantly after pacing [induction number: pre-RAP vs post-RAP, 0.83 +/- 0.75 vs 1.67 +/- 0.82, P = 0.19; duration of AF: pre-RAP vs post-RAP, (378.67 +/- 317.88) ms vs (1124.08 +/- 1109.77) ms, P = 0.06]. Conduction time values did not alter significantly in either of the two groups after RAP.

CONCLUSIONSIn canine RAP model, nifekalant inhibited ERP shortening and ERP heterogeneity increasing, decreased AF induction. Nifekalant can reverse acute electrical remodeling effect in this model.

Animals ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; pharmacology ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Pyrimidinones ; pharmacology ; Refractory Period, Electrophysiological ; drug effects

Objective To compare the biomechanical effect of three fixation instruments for SchatzkerⅥtibial plateau fractures.Methods Twenty four fresh knee specimens were made into models of SchatzkerⅥtibial plateau fractures.The specimens were divided randomly into three groups.Group A were fixed with a lateral periar- ticular plate and a posteromedial antiskid plate,and group B with a lateral periarticutar plate and an anteromedial lim- ited contact dynamic compression plate(LC-DCP),and group C with a lateral periarticular plate and a medical exter- nal fixator.Each model was tested for its biomechanical performance in resisting compression,bending and rotation. Results The performance of group B was higher than group A in anti-compression,anti-bending and anti-rotation, and group C was the poorest,there was no significant difference between group A and group B,and there was signifi- cant difference between group B and group C.Conclusion The biomechanical performance of group B was good. The method might have clinical applications in the treatment of SchatzkerⅥtibial plateau fractures.

BACKGROUNDContrast media administration can result in severe nephrotoxicity under pathological conditions such as diabetic nephropathy, congestive heart failure, dehydration, et al. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary hypercholesterolemia on contrast media-induced changes in renal function, blood flow, and histopathology.

METHODSRats were fed either on a normal rodent diet (group N) or a high-cholesterol supplemented diet (group H; 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid) for 8 weeks. Half of the animals (n = 6) from each diet group were then given a tail vein injection of 60% diatrizoate (6 ml/kg; group NC and group HC) and the other half were administered saline. Total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, fractional excretion of sodium and potassium, and cortical nitric oxide production were determined one day following contrast media administration. Renal blood flow was determined by color Doppler flow imaging and pulsed-mode Doppler. Renal histopathology was observed by light microscopy.

RESULTSTotal serum cholesterol and resistance indices of renal blood vessels increased significantly, while creatinine clearance rate and production of nitric oxide in the renal cortex decreased markedly in group HC and group H when compared to group N and group NC. The creatinine clearance rate decreased significantly in group HC compared to group H. Serum creatinine levels and fractional excretion of sodium and potassium in group HC were significantly higher than those in the other three groups. Severe tubular degeneration and necrosis, protein cast accumulation, and medullary congestion were found in group HC.

CONCLUSIONHypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for contrast media-induced nephropathy. Hypercholesterolemia aggravates contrast media-induced nephrotoxicity through the reduced production of nitric oxide.

Animals ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; toxicity ; Contrast Media ; toxicity ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Renal Circulation

BACKGROUNDThe identification of vulnerable plaques before rupture is an important clinical goal. The purpose of the present study was to assess the difference in plaque composition among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) by intravascular ultrasound virtual histologic analysis.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-nine patients were divided into ACS group and SCAD group according to clinical presentation. A total of 229 de novo lesions with >50% stenosis in native coronary arteries with diameters >2.5 mm were studied with intravascular ultrasonography. Geometric and compositional data were obtained using intravascular ultrasound virtual histology software.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in overall lesions for fibrous ((52.0+/-11.9)% vs (54.3+/-8.5)%, P>0.05), fibrolipidic ((12.3+/-10.1)% vs (13.8+/-9.5)%, P > 0.05), calcium ((14.0+/-9.1)% vs (19.3+/-13.1)%, P>0.05), or necrotic core ((22.0+/-11.1)% vs (19.7 +/- 5.4)%, P > 0.05) percentages in ACS and SCAD patients, respectively. There were also no significant differences in culprit lesions for fibrous ((46.4+/-12.0)% vs (53.6+/-8.8)%, P>0.05), fibrolipidic ((9.1+/-9.0)% vs (12.9+/-9.7)%, P>0.05), calcium ((16.6+/-9.7)% vs (21.8+/-26.3)%, P>0.05), or necrotic core ((28.0+/-12.6)% vs (20.6+/-5.2)%, P>0.05) percentages in ACS and SCAD patients, respectively. High density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels >1.04 mmol/L were associated with more fibrolipidic ((14.5+/-10.4)% vs (7.1+/-6.5)%, P<0.05) and less necrotic core ((20.6+/-9.7)% vs (27.9+/-12.6)%, P<0.05) percentages in the cohort with ACS.

CONCLUSIONSIn this study, coronary plaque composition assessed by intravascular ultrasound virtual histologic analysis was not significantly different between ACS and SCAD patients. The anatomic relationship of the specific plaque components to the lumen of the vessel was more important than the quantitative information of plaque composition for plaque stability.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; pathology ; Aged ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Valeriana officinalis var latifolia(VOL) on expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in hypercholesterolemic rats and study its possible mechanisms.

METHODDietary-induced hypercholesterolemia was induced in male Wistar rats by given 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid diet for 16 weeks. Changes of serum lipid, urinary albumin, renal function and Mesangial matrix index were assessed. Moreover, immunohistochemical stain for TGF-beta 1 and type IV collagen were performed.

RESULTVOL could reduce the serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, urinary albumin and serum creatinine. Light microscopy and immunohistochemical stain revealed that in the same time of lowing serum lipid, Mesangial matrix index was significantly reduced, accompanied by decreased expression of TGF-beta 1 and type IV collagen.

CONCLUSIONVOL has the protective effect on lipid-induced nephropathy, and the inhibition of TGF-beta 1 expression might be the mechanism of VOL on renal protection.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hypercholesterolemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; metabolism ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Valerian ; chemistry