Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Hexanones ; urine ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To compare the prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and GRACE score in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methods A total of 246 patients with chest pain to hospital time < 24 hours were followed up to 30 days. Admission plasma B-type natriuretic peptide was measured by point-of-care. Endpoints included death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia and new onset of congestive heart failure. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate prognostic value of BNP and GRACE score. The logistic regression models were used to assess the prognostic contribution of BNP level and GRACE score. Results The mean age was (67. 6 ± 12. 0) years (61. 8% males) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was diagnosed in 135 patients (54.9% ). During the follow up, 34 endpoints ( 13. 8% ) were recorded including 9 deaths (3.7%). The systolic blood pressure [(121 ±29)mm Hg vs. (130±23)mm Hg, P=0.034; 1 mm Hg=0. 133 kPa] was significantly lower while the heart rate and plasma creatinin were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group. TNI and CRP levels were similar between the two groups. The BNP level at admission (median 883.5 ng/L vs. 216.5 ng/L) and GRACE score (median 164.5 vs. 142.0) were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group (all P <0. 05). The prognostic criteria for BNP level (area under cure, 0.704) was 194.5 ng/L determined by ROC(P=0. 043). For GRACE score, the predictive value for endpoints was 0. 742 ( P = 0. 003 ) and the cut-off point was 158. In the logistic regression model, BNP concentration ( > 194.5 ng/L, OR =3. 174) and GRACE score ( > 158, OR = 4. 031) were independent predictors of endpoints in patients with ACS. Conclusion Both BNP level at admission and GRACE score were independent predictors for endpoints at 30 days in patients with ACS.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Xeroderma Pigmentosum ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of puerarin on the learning-memory disorder after global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, and to explore its mechanism of action.

METHODSThe global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established using the modifified Pulsinelli four-vessel occlusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin (100 mg/kg) 1 h before ischemia and once every 6 h afterwards. The learning-memory ability was evaluated by the passive avoidance test. The dynamic changes of the cell counts of apoptosis and positive expression of Bcl-2 in the hippocampus CA1 region were determined by the TUNEL and immunohistochemical methods, respectively.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the reperfusion group, the step through latency (STL) in the passive avoidance test in the puerarin group was prolonged signifificantly (P<0.01). (2) The apoptotic neurons were injured most severely on the 3rd day in the hippocampal CA1 region after global ischemia and reperfusion. In the puerarin group, the number of apoptotic cells decreased at respective time points after ischemia-reperfusion (P<0.01). (3) The level of positive expression of Bcl-2 varied according to the duration of reperfusion and the peak level occurred on day 1 in the hippocampal CA1 region after global cerebral ischemia. Compared with the reperfusion group, the expression of Bcl-2 in the puerarin group was up-regulated at the respective time points after ischemia reperfusion (P<0.01), reaching the peak on day 1.

CONCLUSIONSPuerarin could improve the learning-memory ability after global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats. The protective mechanism might be related to the effect of inhibiting or delaying the cell apoptosis through up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 after ischemia and reperfusion.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; complications ; drug therapy ; Models, Biological ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reaction Time ; drug effects ; Reperfusion Injury ; complications ; drug therapy

BACKGROUNDAn elevated serum lipid is one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Physicians' awareness contributes to successful adoption of practice guidelines. Community medical centers are the primary defense against chronic disease. This study aimed to investigate community physicians' awareness of cholesterol guidelines and their utilization.

METHODSSix hundred and one community physicians were randomly selected from four different regions, and completed a confidential and semi-structured questionnaire. Four hundred and ninety-one completed the questionnaire, and 486 valid questionnaires were available.

RESULTSThe physicians' fundamental knowledge of lipids was astonishingly poor, while the awareness of cholesterol guidelines was low. Only 24% and 14% of the physicians reported the right optimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level for CHD and diabetes patients respectively. More than half of the physicians (55.8%) mistakenly considered elevated transaminases to be the lethal side effect of statins. More than half of the physicians (51.9%) would give up statin treatment in the case of transaminase elevation.

CONCLUSIONEducational interventions to improve cholesterol knowledge and to publicize standard treatment are needed among Chinese community physicians.

Adult ; China ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Clinical Competence ; Coronary Disease ; metabolism ; Data Collection ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Physicians ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and the related mechanisms of the components of Dang-Gui-Bu-Xue decoction (DGBXD) on improving blood deficiency.

METHODThe effects of promoting hematopoietic function were observed with the blood difficient model mice, by giving components of DGBXD. RBC, WBC, reticulocytes and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC) were determined. The components of DGBXD on proliferation of BMNC and on clony forming unit (CFU) were also determined.

RESULTThe components of DGBXD remarkably increased the quantity of RBC, WBC, and BMNC. Some of the components promoted the proliferation of BMNC and increased the quantity of CFU-Mix. Among them, polysaccharide of angelica was most potent.

CONCLUSIONThe studies show that the extracts and some components of DGBXD can promote the hemopoietic function system of the model mice, and they exert the effects in a comprehensive way.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Blood Cell Count ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo examine the distribution of glucose transport 3 (GLUT 3) in different brain regions of aged rats and to investigate its role in ageing process of the nervous system.

METHODSThe GLUT 3 expression in different brain regions was examined with immunohistochemical method in rats aged 3, 18 and 30 months, respectively.

RESULTSThe number of GLUT 3-positive cells varied in the different brain regions in rats of all age groups (P<0.01); the CA1 region contained the greatest number of positive cells,and fewer in the motor cortex and cerebellum. The number of GLUT 3-positive cells was reduced in the brain of aged rats (P<0.01); and the neural cells in 4 different brain regions presented with large cell body and loose alignment.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of GLUT 3 decreased in aged rats, which suggests that GLUT 3 may be involved in the ageing process of nervous system.

Aging ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Glucose Transporter Type 3 ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in different brain regions of aging rats.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomized equally into negative control group, D-galactose group, EPO treatment group, and positive control group. Rat models of subacute aging were established by continuous subcutaneous injection of 5% D-galactose. Immunohistochemical staining was used to analyze the variation of BDNF expressions in different brain regions of the aging rats with different treatments.

RESULTSSignificant brain region-specific differences in BDNF expression were found among the rats in different groups. Compared with those in the negative control group, the numbers of BDNF-positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region, CA3 region, dentate gyrus (DG) and frontal cortex were all decreased obviously in D-galactose group (P<0.05) but increased in both EPO group and the positive control group (P<0.05) without significant differences between the latter two groups. In the rats in the same group, the number of BDNF-positive cells varied markedly in different brain regions (P<0.05), and the expression level of BDNF was the highest in the frontal cortex followed by the hippocampal CA3 region and the dentate gyrus, and was the lowest in the hippocampal CA1 region.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with rhEPO enhances the expression of BDNF in rat neural cells, suggesting that rhEPO may protect the nervous system from aging by regulating the BDNF pathway.

Aging ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; metabolism ; CA3 Region, Hippocampal ; metabolism ; Dentate Gyrus ; metabolism ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; Frontal Lobe ; metabolism ; Galactose ; Humans ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia on immune function in patients with extracorporeal circulation undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODSThirty cases undergoing cardiac surgery which included atrial septal defect neoplasty, ventricular septal defect neoplasty, mitral valve replacement and pulmonary valve coarctotomy were randomly divided into group A and group B, 15 cases in each group. Group A was given general anesthesia plus acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6), Lieque (LU 7) and Yunmen (LU 2), and group B was given simple general anesthesia. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels before and after surgery were compared.

RESULTSThe level of TNF-alpha was increased and the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 in the serum were decreased in both groups after extracorporeal circulation for 2 h and 24 h, and the ranges of all changes were more less in group A (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with simple general anesthesia, acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia can improve immune suppression partially in the perioperative periods under the same conditions of controlling anesthesia degree.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; blood ; immunology ; surgery ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Care ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) on platelet activation and coagulation function in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

METHODSSixty-six patients with acute cerebral infarction and 50 health individuals were enrolled in the study. Hp antibody,expression of CD62p on platelets and clotting indexes were measured and compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe positive rate of Hp-IgG and Hp-CagA in cerebral infarction patients were higher than that in controls (P<0.05). The positive rate of CD62p in patients with positive Hp-IgG and Hp-CagA was significantly higher than that in negative patients and also controls (P<0.05). The APTT and TT were lower and FIB was higher in patients with positive Hp antibody than those in patients with negative Hp antibody (P<0.05),but there was no difference in PT,PTR and INR (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONHp infection can activate platelets and affect coagulation function,which may be involved in the development of cerebral infarction.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Antigens, Bacterial ; metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins ; metabolism ; Blood Coagulation ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; microbiology ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; blood ; complications ; Helicobacter pylori ; metabolism ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; P-Selectin ; blood ; Platelet Activation