This study examined the predictive value of plasma cystatin C, creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Chinese. Plasma cystatin C and creatinine were measured in 466 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients recruited from 4 hospitals and 349 healthy controls from local communities in Wuhan, China. Cockroft-Gault formula was used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after adjusting for body surface area. With each measure, the study population was divided into quintiles. The results showed that the patients had significantly higher levels of plasma cystatin C, creatinine, and lower level of eGFR than controls. Lower eGFR was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. As compared with the first (highest) quintile, the hazard ratios (and 95% CIs) after multivariate adjustment for CHD were as follows: third quintile, 2.98 (1.54-5.78); fourth quintile, 3.34 (1.58-7.09); fifth quintile, 4.37(1.84-10.35). With higher cystatin C quintiles (≥1.00 mg/L and ≥1.17 mg/L), the hazard ratios for CHD were 2.16 (1.23-3.81) and 2.34 (1.25-4.38), similar to those of creatinine 2.21 (1.21-4.03) and 2.03 (1.07-3.84). However, it was plasma cystatin C not eGFR or creatinine had stronger association with ischemic stroke. The highest quintile had the hazard ratio of 4.51 (1.45-14.08) after multivariate adjustment. It was concluded that plasma cystatin C, associated with renal function, is not an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. eGFR is a better risk predictor for CHD than plasma cystatin C and creatinine. But for ischemic stroke, plasma cystatin C is a better risk factor than creatinine and estimated GFR.

The effects of amiodarone on transmural dispersion of ventricular effective refractory periods (ERPs) in the normal and hypertrophic canine heart were investigated in vivo. By using the programmed stimulation protocol, the ERPs of epicardium (Epi), midmyocardium (Mid) and endocardium (Endo) were measured by inserting specially-designed electrodes into the three myocardial layers before and after mainlining of amiodarone. No significant ERPs-dispersion was observed in the three layers before and after mainlining of amiodarone in the normal group. In contrast, ERPs of all the three layers were prolonged in the hypertrophic heart, while the ERPs-dispersion was reduced significantly after mainlining of amiodarone. The ERPs-dispersion was significantly increased in the hypertrophic heart but not in the normal heart using "long-short" and "short-long" interval stimulation technique. It was concluded that (1) the differences in ERPs-dispersion among the three layers were significant in hypertrophic heart, and differences were not significant in normal canine heart; (2) ERPs of each three-myocardial layers were significantly prolonged after using amiodarone, but the ERPs-dispersion decreased in hypertrophic heart and (3) the programmed extrastimulus technique of "long-short" and "short-long" intervals increased the transmural ERPs-dispersion in the hypertrophic heart.

The effect of acute ischemia on the electrophysiological characteristics of the three layers myocardium of canine in vivo was investigated. Twelve canines were divided into two groups randomly: acute ischemia (AI) group and sham operation (SO) group. By using the monophasic action potential (MAP) technique, MAP and effective refractory period (ERP) of the three layers myocardium were measured by specially designed plunge needle electrodes and the transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) and transmural dispersion of ERP (TDE) were analyzed. The results showed that in the AI group, MAP duration (MAPD) was shortened from 201.67 +/- 21.42 ms to 169.50 +/- 13.81 ms (P < 0.05), but ERP prolonged to varying degrees and TDE increased during ischemia. In the SO group, MAPD and ERP did not change almost. Among of the three layers myocardium of canine, MAPD was coincident in two groups. It was concluded that during acute ischemia, MAPD was shortened sharply, but there was no significant difference among of the three layers myocardium. The prolonged ERP was concomitant with increased TDE during acute ischemia, which may play an important role in the occurrence of arrhythmias induced by acute ischemia. These findings may have important implications in arrhythmogenesis.
Action Potentials/*physiology ; Electrodes ; Heart/physiopathology ; Myocardial Ischemia/*physiopathology ; Myocardium/*metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Refractory Period, Electrophysiological/*physiology

In order to investigate the influence of silencing soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) with double-stranded small interfering RNA (siRNA) on cardiomyocytes apoptosis induced by doxorubicin (DOX), two plasmids containing siRNA sequences specific to sEH were constructed and transfected into the primary cultured cardiomyocytes by using FuGENE HD transfection agents. The mRNA and protein expression levels of sEH were detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively, and the plasmids that silenced sEH most significantly were selected, and renamed EH-R. The plasmids carrying a nonspecific siRNA coding sequence (PCN) served as the negative control. Cardiomyocytes were divided into four groups: control group, DOX group, PCN+DOX group, and EH-R+DOX group. Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was induced by DOX at a concentration of 1 μmol/L. Apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was determined by flow cytometery. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that the expression of sEH was down-regulated by EH-R plasmid. The expression levels of sEH mRNA and protein in the EH-R+DOX group were significantly decreased as compared with other groups (P<0.01). As compared with the control group, the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes in three DOX-treated groups was obviously increased, the expression levels of Bax increased, and those of Bcl-2 decreased (P<0.01). However, the expression levels of Bax were decreased, those of Bcl-2 increased and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes obviously decreased in EH-R+DOX group when compared with those in the DOX group and the PCN+DOX group (P<0.01 for each). It was concluded that the recombinant plasmids could be successfully constructed, and transfected into the primary cultured cardiomyocytes. They could ameliorate the DOX-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis by selectively inhibiting the expression of sEH with RNAi and increasing the expression of Bcl-2.

Objective To investigate current situation of teaching competition and to put forward some feasible suggestions for improving the teaching competition of theoretical course for young teachers. Methods Questionnaire survey was conducted for 126 teachers including the effect of teaching competi-tion on effective teaching atmosphere,comprehensive teaching results,teaching ability and recommenda-tions for improvement. SPSS software was used to do statistical analysis andχ22 test was applied. P<0 . 05 stands for statistically significant difference. Results Investigation results demonstrated that teaching competition of theoretical course was conducive to forming effective teaching atmosphere,achieving better teaching effect and improving teaching ability of teachers . A χ22 test was performed on the cognition of the cultivating of classroom management ability;results demonstrated that there were significant differ-ences between teachers with more than 10 years education age and those with less than 10 years education age(χ22=4.375,P=0.0365). Conclusions Teaching competition of theoretical course is an effective way to cultivate young teachers teaching ability. Teaching competition should be combined with training and feedback and evaluation should be more scientific and objective in order to improve young teachers' teaching ability.

This study examined the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cystatin C in ischemic stroke complicating atrial fibrillation (AF) and the relationship of systemic inflammation with this disease in order to identify AF patients who are at high risk of stroke and need optimal anticoagulant therapy. A total of 103 AF patients, simple (n=75) or complicated by ischemic stroke (n=28), and 112 control subjects were recruited. IL-6 level was detected by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Cystatin C and hsCRP levels were measured by means of a particle-enhanced immunonephelometric assay. The results showed that the AF patients had higher levels of hsCRP (P=0.004), IL-6 (P=0.000), and cystatin C (P=0.000) than control subjects. Plasma hsCRP level was increased in the AF patients with ischemic stroke as compared to the patients with simple AF (P=0.036). The AF patients who had the level of hsCRP exceeding 3.83 mg/L were at a higher risk than those with hsCRP level lower than 3.83 mg/L (P=0.030). After adjusting for other factors, cystatin C remained positively associated with IL-6 (r=0.613) and hsCRP (r=0.488). It was concluded that hsCRP is positively correlated with ischemic stroke complicating AF and may be a risk factor independent of other risk factors for AF. Elevated cystatin C level is also indicative of the increased risk of AF.

The aim of this study was to determine if the potassium aspartate and magnesium (PAM) prevent reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias (RIVA) in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) rabbit heart. Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into control, ischemia and PAM groups. Arterially-perfused rabbit left ventricular preparations were made, and transmural ECG as well as action potentials from both endocardium and epicardium were simultaneously recorded in the whole process of all experiments. In control group rabbit ventricular wedge preparations were continuously perfused with Tyrode's solution, and in ischemia group and PAM groups the perfusion of Tyrode's solution was stopped for 30 min. Then the ischemia group was reperfused with Tyrode's solution and the PAM group with Tyrode's solution containing 2.42 mg/L PAM, respectively. ECG, QT interval, transmural repolarization dispersion (TDR) and action potentials from epicardium and endocardium were simultaneously recorded, and the RIVA of the wedge preparation was observed. Compared with control group, TDR and incidence of RIVA were significantly increased in ischemia group (P<0.05). The incidence of RIVA in control, ischemia and PAM group was 0/10, 9/10 and 1/10, respectively. Compared with ischemia group, TDR and incidence of RIVA were significantly reduced in PAM group (P<0.05). Potassium aspartate and magnesium significantly reduce TDR and prevent ventricular arrhythmia in ischemic rabbit heart.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac/etiology ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/*prevention & control ; Myocardial Ischemia/*complications ; Myocardial Ischemia/physiopathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/*complications ; Potassium Magnesium Aspartate/*therapeutic use ; Random Allocation

This study examined the predictive value of plasma cystatin C, creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Chinese. Plasma cystatin C and creatinine were measured in 466 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients recruited from 4 hospitals and 349 healthy controls from local communities in Wuhan, China. Cockroft-Gault formula was used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after adjusting for body surface area. With each measure, the study population was divided into quintiles. The results showed that the patients had significantly higher levels of plasma cystatin C, creatinine, and lower level of eGFR than controls. Lower eGFR was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. As compared with the first (highest) quintile, the hazard ratios (and 95% CIs) after multivariate adjustment for CHD were as follows: third quintile, 2.98 (1.54-5.78); fourth quintile, 3.34 (1.58-7.09); fifth quintile, 4.37(1.84-10.35). With higher cystatin C quintiles (≥1.00 mg/L and ≥1.17 mg/L), the hazard ratios for CHD were 2.16 (1.23-3.81) and 2.34 (1.25-4.38), similar to those of creatinine 2.21 (1.21-4.03) and 2.03 (1.07-3.84). However, it was plasma cystatin C not eGFR or creatinine had stronger association with ischemic stroke. The highest quintile had the hazard ratio of 4.51 (1.45-14.08) after multivariate adjustment. It was concluded that plasma cystatin C, associated with renal function, is not an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. eGFR is a better risk predictor for CHD than plasma cystatin C and creatinine. But for ischemic stroke, plasma cystatin C is a better risk factor than creatinine and estimated GFR.
Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Creatinine ; blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiology ; Kidney Diseases ; blood ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; blood ; epidemiology ; etiology

The effect of acute ischemia on the electrophysiological characteristics of the three layers myocardium of canine in vivo was investigated. Twelve canines were divided into two groups randomly: acute ischemia (AI) group and sham operation (SO) group. By using the monophasic action potential (MAP) technique, MAP and effective refractory period (ERP) of thethree layers myocar dium were measured by specially designed plunge needle electrodes and the transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) and transmural dispersion of ERP (TDE) were analyzed. The results showed that in the AI group, MAP duration (MAPD) was shortened from 201.67±21.42 ms to 169.50±13.81 ms (P＜0.05), but ERP prolonged to varying degrees and TDE increased during ischemia.In the SO group, MAPD and ERP did not change almost. Among of the three layers myocardium of canine, MAPD was coincident in two groups. It was concluded that during acute ischemia, MAPD was shortened sharply, but there was no significant difference among of the three layers myocardium. The prolonged ERP was concomitant with increased TDE during acute ischemia, which may play an important role in the occurrence of arrhythmias induced by acute ischemia. These findings may have important implications in arrhythmogenesis.

This study examined the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cystatin C in ischemic stroke complicating atrial fibrillation (AF) and the relationship of systemic inflammation with this disease in order to identify AF patients who are at high risk of stroke and need optimal anticoagulant therapy. A total of 103 AF patients, simple (n=75) or complicated by ischemic stroke (n=28), and 112 control subjects were recruited. IL-6 level was detected by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Cystatin C and hsCRP levels were measured by means of a particle-enhanced immunonephelometric assay. The results showed that the AF patients had higher levels of hsCRP (P=0.004), IL-6 (P=0.000), and cystatin C (P=0.000) than control subjects. Plasma hsCRP level was increased in the AF patients with ischemic stroke as compared to the patients with simple AF (P=0.036). The AF patients who had the level of hsCRP exceeding 3.83 mg/L were at a higher risk than those with hsCRP level lower than 3.83 mg/L (P=0.030). After adjusting for other factors,cystatin C remained positively associated with IL-6 (r=0.613) and hsCRP (r=0.488). It was concluded that hsCRP is positively correlated with ischemic stroke complicating AF and may be a risk factor independent of other risk factors for AF. Elevated cystatin C level is also indicative of the increased risk of AF.