Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Heart Failure ; blood ; therapy ; Humans ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Prognosis

Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators ; Endocannabinoids ; Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the children's body environmental Se and T-2 toxin level in their staple food in Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD)relative active regions in Aba state of Sichuan province in 2008.Methods We took X-ray photograph of the right hand on children aged 7-13 years in 48 villages from 11 counties in Aba state.The relative active regions of KBD were chosen according to the X-ray result and historical status of KBD.The children's urine and hair,drinking water and their staple food werr sampled.Selenium contents in urine,hair,water and food samples were determined by naphthalene fluorescence,and T-2 toxin in staple food samples were detected by ELISA kits.Results In 2145 X-ray films,66 films were positive,and the children's KBD positive rate was 3.08%(66/2145).The KBD positive rate was respectively 10.98%(29/264)and 8.52%(19/223)in Maerkang county,Jinchuan county and it was 0.75%(3/400)in Rangtang county,historically serious endemic area.The selenium content in urine of children aged 7-13 years in Maerkang county,Jinchuan county and Rangtang county was (10.41±4.67), (10.11±3.65), (8.42±2.68)μg/g Cr, respectively, there was no statistical difference among three counties(F=0.901, P>0.05). The selenium content in hair of children aged 7-13 years in Maerkang county[(0.18±0.04)mg/kg] was lower than that in Jinchuan county[(0.21±0.04)mg/kg, P<0.05].The selenium content in water in Jinchuan county [(0.225±0.124 )μg/L ] was lower than that in Maerkang county and Rangtang county[(0.320±0.092), (0.339±0.105)μg/L, all P<0.05]. The selenium content in staple food in Jinchuan county(0.0033 mg/kg) was lower than that in Maerkang county and Rangtang county(0.0258,0.0137mg/kg, Z=-6.146,-3.042, all P<0.017). The T-2 toxin level in flour in three counties was 19.60,17.95,26.25 ng/g,respectively,there was no statistical difference among three counties(X2=5.623, P>0.05).The T-2 toxin level in grain Maerkang county (10.72 ng/g) was higher than that in Jinchuan county and Rangtang county (3.74,3.30 ng/g, Z=-6.315,-4.407,all P<0.017). T-2 toxin contamination in flour was more severe than that in grain (Z=-6.690,-5.493,-3.676, all P<0.05). Conclusions In 3 relative active KBD regions of Aba state,the children's selenium nutritional status and the T-2 toxin contamination level in their staple food is consistent with the distribution of KBD.

Objective To investigate the proliferation rule after autografl vein in autografl of vein and repairing arterial defect,discuss the minuteness structure changes related to time,and provide morphological date for the prevention and treatment of restenosis in clinic application.Methods Sixty canine femoral veins (3.5 cm and 5.5 cm) were excised,reversed and grafted to repairing femoral arterial defect using end- to-end anastomosis.During the period of 30-180 days excised the grafted veins,observed ultrastrural changes of endothelium,microstructural components relative content and patency in grafted veins through angiography, lipht microscope.Results Angiography show that the grafted vein wall get gradually thicker,vascular cavity get slender,and vessel elasticity shrinkage.Light microscope chalrify the ultrastructural changes of endotheh- um,the three lamine structure of grafted vascular wall could not be identified.Conclusion Grafted femoral veins had obviously arteriosclerosis trend after it was transplanted to the arterial system.Two months after the transplantation is the crisis time of the proliferation of the vascular wall.The effect of the proliferation of the grafted veins vascular wall and the impact of the hi-pressure of blood can lead some canine ruptured to die from pseudoaneurysms.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Rongshi granule on osteopontin(OPN) expression.

METHODThe urlisthiasis rats were induced by ethylene glycol (EG) and ammonium chloride, the control group rats were non-treated, and the Rongshi granule groups (low-dose group, middle-dose group and high-dose group) were administered Rongshi granule in addition to EG and ammonium chloride in 21 days. Pooled 24 h urine samples from each group were collected weekly with the use of metabolic cages, the concentration of uric calcium and oxalic acid were respectively measured by EDTA and photoelectric colorimetric method. Eight animals from each group were killed at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days, kidneys were histologic examinaed and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTThe expression of kidney osteopontin in model group was obviously higher than that of control group (P <0.01), and was up to the highest at 21 days with 1.4 times (0.281 3/0.201 8) of the control group. The expression of kidney osteopontin in all of the Rongshi granule groups were lower than those of model group (P < 0.05), with an obvious dose-dependent manner. The degree of the kidney calcium oxalate crystal of the rats in all the Rongshi granule groups was much lower than that of model group, and the uric calcium and oxalic acid were much lower than those of model group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe Rongshi granule could inhibit the expression of osteopontin in rat urolithiasis model.

Ammonium Chloride ; Animals ; Calcium ; urine ; Calcium Oxalate ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ethylene Glycol ; Female ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Kidney Calculi ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Male ; Osteopontin ; metabolism ; Oxalic Acid ; urine ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDNon-valvular atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke; however, the appropriate intensity of anticoagulation therapy for Chinese patients has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and the efficacy of standard-intensity warfarin therapy, low-intensity warfarin therapy, and aspirin therapy for the prevention of ischemic events in Chinese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

METHODSA total of 786 patients from 75 Chinese hospitals were enrolled in this study and randomized into three therapy groups: standard-intensity warfarin (international normalized ratio (INR) 2.1 to 2.5) group, low-intensity warfarin (INR 1.6 to 2.0) group and aspirin (200 mg per day) group. All patients were evaluated by physicians at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months after randomization to obtain a patient questionnaire, physical examination and related laboratory tests.

RESULTSThe annual event rates of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or systemic thromboembolism were 2.6%, 3.1% and 6.9% in the standard-intensity warfarin, low-intensity warfarin and aspirin groups, respectively (P = 0.027). Thromboembolic event rates in both warfarin groups were significantly lower than that in the aspirin group (P = 0.018, P = 0.044), and there was no significant difference between the two warfarin groups. Severe hemorrhagic events occurred in 15 patients, 7 (2.6%) in the standard-intensity warfarin group, 7 (2.4%) in the low-intensity warfarin group and 1 (0.4%) in the aspirin group. The severe hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups were higher than that in the aspirin group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.101). The mild hemorrhagic and total hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups (whether in the standard-intensity warfarin group or low-intensity warfarin group) were much higher than that in the aspirin group with the annual event rates of total hemorrhages of 10.2%, 7.6% and 2.2%, respectively, in the 3 groups (P = 0.001). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in all cause mortality among the three study groups.

CONCLUSIONIn Chinese patients with NVAF, the warfarin therapy (INR 1.6 - 2.5) for the prevention of thromboembolic events was superior to aspirin.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Warfarin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the introducer curving technique is useful in decreasing the degree of tilting of transfemoral Tulip filters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample group consisted of 108 patients with deep vein thrombosis who were enrolled and planned to undergo thrombolysis, and who accepted transfemoral Tulip filter insertion procedure. The patients were randomly divided into Group C and Group T. The introducer curving technique was Adopted in Group T. The post-implantation filter tilting angle (ACF) was measured in an anteroposterior projection. The retrieval hook adhering to the vascular wall was measured via tangential cavogram during retrieval. RESULTS: The overall average ACF was 5.8 +/- 4.14 degrees. In Group C, the average ACF was 7.1 +/- 4.52 degrees. In Group T, the average ACF was 4.4 +/- 3.20 degrees. The groups displayed a statistically significant difference (t = 3.573, p = 0.001) in ACF. Additionally, the difference of ACF between the left and right approaches turned out to be statistically significant (7.1 +/- 4.59 vs. 5.1 +/- 3.82, t = 2.301, p = 0.023). The proportion of severe tilt (ACF > or = 10degrees) in Group T was significantly lower than that in Group C (9.3% vs. 24.1%, chi2 = 4.267, p = 0.039). Between the groups, the difference in the rate of the retrieval hook adhering to the vascular wall was also statistically significant (2.9% vs. 24.2%, chi2 = 5.030, p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The introducer curving technique appears to minimize the incidence and extent of transfemoral Tulip filter tilting.
Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/instrumentation/*methods ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Device Removal ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Femoral Vein ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Design ; Pulmonary Embolism/*prevention & control ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; *Vena Cava Filters ; Venous Thrombosis/*complications

OBJECTIVETo explore the associations between fasting serum lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).

METHODSSerum triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and hsCRP were measured in residents of Chengdu, China. Subjects with potential factors which might influence lipids and hsCRP were excluded, 580 subjects [mean age (62.3 ± 6.6) years; male: 58.7%] were finally recruited by random sampling methods.

RESULTSThere was a weak positive relationship between TG and hsCRP (r = 0.108, P = 0.01) and a weak negative relationship between HDL-C and hsCRP (r = -0.197, P < 0.001), this was also true in the sub-group with BMI < 24 kg/m(2) (r = 0.236, -0.140 respectively, all P < 0.001). In subjects with BMI < 24 kg/m(2), the hsCRP concentration was significantly higher in subjects with higher TG or lower HDL-C (all P < 0.05). hsCRP increased in proportion with the degree of dyslipidemia. After adjusting for gender, age, TC, LDL-C, fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, history of hypertension and diabetes, smoking and alcohol drinking, logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio for increased hsCRP was 1.970 in subjects with either increased TG or lower HDL-C (P = 0.105) and 9.098 in subjects with both higher TG or lower HDL-C levels (P = 0.031). However, the observed relationship between TG, HDL-C and hsCRP in subjects with BMI < 24 kg/m(2) could not be observed in subjects with subjects with BMI > 24 kg/m(2) despite significant more cardiovascular risk factors in these subjects.

CONCLUSIONSA weak positive correlation between TG and hsCRP as well as a weak negative correlation between HDL-C and hsCRP was evidenced in the whole cohort suggesting dyslipidemia might be related to enhanced inflammatory status. However, this relationship is not observed in subjects with BMI > 24 kg/m(2) despite existence of more cardiovascular risk factors in these subjects.

Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; blood ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Dyslipidemias ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) expression in myocardium of scalded rats in early stage of a burn injury, and to analyze its relationship with myocardial edema.

METHODSThirty-six healthy Wistar rats were divided into normal control (n = 6, without scald) and scald (n = 30) groups according to the random number table. Rats in scald group were inflicted with 30%TBSA full-thickness scald on the back, and intraperitoneally injected with Ringer's solution for antishock treatment. Myocardium tissue from left ventricle and serum specimen in rats of scald group were collected at post scald hours (PSH) 2, 8, 12, 24, and 48 (with 6 rats at each time point). Myocardial water ratio was determined by dry-wet weight method. The distribution of AQP-1 protein in myocardium was observed with immunohistochemical staining. The expression of myocardial AQP-1 mRNA was assessed with quantitative real-time PCR. The serum content of cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) was determined with ELISA. The rats in normal control group were detected with above-mentioned method. Data were processed with one way analysis of variance and LSD test. Correlation analysis was performed between AQP-1 mRNA and myocardial water ratio, AQP-1 mRNA and the serum content of cTnI in scald group at each time point.

RESULTSCompared with that in normal control group, the myocardial water ratio in scald group was markedly increased during PSH 8-48 (P values all below 0.01), and it peaked at PSH 12 [(80.79 ± 0.12)%]. In both groups, AQP-1 was mainly expressed in endothelial cells of capillaries and pericellular membrane of myocardial cells. The expression of AQP-1 in scald group was markedly increased from PSH 2 to PSH 48. The expression of myocardial AQP-1 mRNA in scald group was markedly higher from PSH 2 to PSH 48 than that in normal control group (P values all below 0.01), and it peaked at PSH 12 [(6.2 ± 0.7)%]. The serum content of cTnI in scald group was obviously higher from PSH 2 to PSH 48 than that in normal control group (P values all below 0.01), and it peaked at PSH 12 [(5.83 ± 0.51) µg/L]. There were statistically positive correlations between AQP-1 mRNA expression and myocardial water ratio (r = 0.849, P < 0.01), AQP-1 mRNA expression and the serum content of cTnI (r = 0.973, P < 0.01) in scald group.

CONCLUSIONSAQP-1 may play a key role in the development of myocardial edema in rats with scald.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; metabolism ; Burns ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cardiomyopathies ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Edema ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Troponin I ; blood