Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Risk Assessment

Objective To explore the value of diagnostic ultrasound mediated microbubble destruction in improving the myocardial perfusion and left ventricular systolic function when cooperated with the mecsenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation in rabbit myocardial ischemia. Methods One week after myocardial ischemia (MI) modeling,36 rabbits were divided into 3 groups,the control group(group Ⅰ) ,intravenous injection of MSCs group(group Ⅱ) and ultrasound + microbubble + MSCs group (group Ⅲ). Myocardial contrast enhancement (MCE) was performed and quantification analysis of anterior wall was assessed with Photoshop. Left ventrieular systolic function was assessed with M-mode echocardiography and bi-plane Simpson's method. CD34 expression in heart was detected with immunohistochemisty(IHC). Western blotting was applied to detect the level of VEGF in three groups. Results The differences of gray scale analyzed with histogram of Photoshop in anterior wall of ischemia myocardium between the group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ or group Ⅲ were significant,and P value was 0. 032 and 0. 000 , respectively. There were significant differences of FS between group Ⅲ (30. 43±4.09)% and group Ⅱ (26.29±2.93)%, P<0.01, and similar to group Ⅰ (19.28 ± 2.84)%. The difference of EF(%) between group Ⅲ and group Ⅱ was significant [(61.5±5.8 vs 53.6±4. 71), P<0. 05] ,or markedly significant between group Ⅲ and group Ⅰ [(61.5±5.8 vs 42.6± 5.0), P <0.01]. EF(%) assessed with bi-plane Simpson's method was significantly increased from (34.64 ± 4.59) in group Ⅰ to (41.78 ± 4.21) in group Ⅱ and (48.6±3.96) in group Ⅲ. The expression of CD34 assessed with immunohistochemistry was the highest in group Ⅲ. The level of VEGF with western blotting in group Ⅲ was significantly higher than other two groups. Conclusions It is an efficacious transplantation means of MSCs infusion under the ultrasound mediated microbubles destruction in improving the myocardial perfusion and cardiac systolic function.

OBJECTIVETo understand the effects of the IL-1, TNF-alpha cytokines on the pathogenesis of periapical lesions by investigating its gene expression in rat.

METHODSThe model was established by surgically exposing mandibular molar teeth and left open to permit infection from the oral environment. The SD rats were killed at 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks and mandibular molar teeth X-ray were taken. In situ hybridization was used to test IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha mRNA expression in periapical area and the kinds of positive cells were identified. Using image analysis system analyzed gene expression semi-quantified.

RESULTSIL-1alpha, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA were all expressed beginning at 1 week, peaked at 3 weeks, and declined somewhat at 4 weeks, but IL-1beta mRNA was expressed at much lower levels with the same kinetics (P<0.01). Most of the staining occurred in areas that had heavy inflammatory infiltrate, fibroblasts, or endothelial cells. There was a statistically significant correlations between the area of periapical lesion and the number of positively stained cells for IL-1alpha and for TNF-alpha (IL-1alpha: r=0.875, P<0.001; TNF-alpha: r=0.858, P<0.001), and between the number of positive cells for IL-1alpha and that of for TNF-alpha (r=0.969, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSIL-1alpha and TNF-alpha genes are highly expressed in developing periapical lesions in rat, which supports the hypothesis that these two cytokines play a key role in pulpal and periapical pathogenesis, including the concomitant bone destruction.

Animals ; In Situ Hybridization ; Interleukin-1 ; genetics ; physiology ; Periapical Periodontitis ; etiology ; immunology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo objectively assess the effect of Qiming Granule in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA).

METHODSIn a multi-center, randomized, parallel controlled clinical trial, patients with DR were randomly assigned to the control group (calcium dobesilate capsule) and the test group (Qiming Granule). Changes in the retinal blood circulation time were recorded by FFA after 3 months of medication.

RESULTSSignificant reduction was observed in the retinal arterio-venous circulation time (AVCT) in both groups (P<0.01), the value was 7.635+/-3.149 s before treatment and 5.165 +/-3.382 s after treatment in the treated group, and 7.737+/-3.413 s and 5.313+/-3.472 s in the control group respectively. Qiming Granule also reduced the arm-to-retinal circulation time (ARCT, P<0.05). The value was 17.867+/-3.872 s before treatment and 15.643+/-4.648 s after treatment in the treated group, and 17.217+/-3.833 s and 16.312+/-3.613 s in the control group (P>0.05) respectively. The ARCT in the tested group was reduced, with a statistically significant difference post-medication (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAs a Chinese medicine complex prescription, Qiming Granule may alleviate retinal hypoxia and ischemia by increasing retinal blood flow and improving the blood circulation.

Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Vessels ; drug effects ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of radial endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) in the assessment of preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma.

METHODSOne hundred and ten patients with rectal cancer underwent preoperative endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) examination in our hospital from February 2010 to September 2011. ERUS was performed using a Hitachi 900, Hitachi HI Vision Preirus US scanner, with a 5 - 10 MHz rigid rotating radial transducer and a focal length of 2 - 5 cm. The size, shape, echo pattern, infiltration depth, degree of circumferential involvement, extra-rectal invasion of the lesions and lymph node involvement were observed. The results of ERUS staging were compared with histopathological findings of the surgical specimens.

RESULTSThe accuracy of ERUS for T staging was 91.4%. The accuracy of ERUS in diagnosing stage T1, T2, T3, T4 cancers was 92.7%, 88.2%, 88.2% and 96.4%, respectively. The sensitivity of ERUS in diagnosing stage T1, T2, T3, T4 cancers was 92.3%, 72.7%, 85.4% and 71.4%, respectively. The specificity of ERUS in diagnosing stage T1, T2, T3, T4 cancer was 92.9%, 92.0%, 90.3% and 100.0%, respectively. Comparing the consistency of preoperative T-staging and postoperative pathological results, the Kappa value was 0.75, with a considerable consistency. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ERUS in the assessment of lymph node metastasis were 74.2%, 89.9% and 85.5%, respectively. Comparing the consistency of preoperative N-staging and postoperative pathological results, the Kappa value was 0.64, with a considerable consistency.

CONCLUSIONSERUS is a practical and accurate tool in assessment of preoperative staging of rectal tumors in regard to tumor invasion depth (T) and regional lymph node status (N), with advantages of simple operation, less pain, and high accuracy.

Adult ; Aged ; Endosonography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Preoperative Period ; Rectal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Rectum ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo assess the dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and relative risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity, mortality and all-cause mortality among Eastern Asian men.

METHODSPotential prospective cohort studies were retrieved by searching Pubmed (1966 - 2000), Biosis Previews (1980 - 2009), Embase (1980 - 2009) and ISI Web of Knowledge (1986 - 2009) using Medical Subject Headings alcohol drinking, ethanol, coronary heart (or artery) disease, myocardial infarction, mortality, etc; and Koreans, or Japanese or Chinese. From the 28 relevant retrieved reports, 15 prospective cohort studies met the criteria were included. Information on study design, participant characteristics, level of alcohol consumption, CHD outcome, control for potential confounding factors, and risk estimates were abstracted using a standardized protocol. For each study, relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were extracted and pooled with either a fixed effect model or random effect model according to the result of the test of heterogeneity.

RESULTSDue to the limited available data for women, this study only comprised of 2406 cases of CHD among 177 723 male subjects. Findings were also pooled from 216 233 male subjects and 15 462 deaths from any cause. Compared with nondrinkers, the RRs on CHD morbidity for those who drank alcohol ≤ 20, 21 - 40, 41 - 60, > 60 g/d were 0.65 (0.34 - 1.23, P = 0.18), 0.48 (0.26 - 0.87, P = 0.02), 0.46 (0.32 - 0.67, P < 0.01), and 0.48 (0.29 - 0.78, P < 0.01) respectively; the RRs on CHD mortality were 0.98 (0.73 - 1.31, P = 0.87), 0.68 (0.58 - 0.79, P < 0.01), 0.64 (0.43 - 0.96, P = 0.03), 0.75 (0.54 - 1.03, P = 0.08); and on all-cause mortality were 0.83 (0.79 - 0.91, P < 0.01), 0.93 (0.87 - 0.99, P = 0.03), 1.01 (0.95 - 1.07, P = 0.86), 1.32 (1.29 - 1.36, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLight-to-moderate alcohol intake was associated with decreased risk of CHD morbidity and mortality, while heavy alcohol intake was associated with increased all-cause mortality among Eastern Asian men.

Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; mortality ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Disease ; etiology ; mortality ; Far East ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Japan ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography (64-SCTCA) in individuals with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSThe study enrolled 285 individuals undergoing 64-SCTCA with calcium scoring and thereafter invasive coronary angiography (CAG) within 4 weeks for suspected CAD. Pretest probability of having obstructive CAD was determined using the Duke clinical score, which was estimated by type of chest discomfort, age, gender, and traditional risk factors and stratified into 3 levels of probability: low (≤ 30%, n = 80), intermediate (31% to 70%, n = 92), and high (≥ 71%, n = 113). CAD was defined as the presence of at least one vessel of ≥ 50% coronary stenosis on CAG.

RESULTSThe patient-based diagnostic accuracy of 64-SCTCA for detecting CAD according to CAG revealed a sensitivity of 81.2%, a specificity of 93.3%, a positive predictive value of 68.0% and negative predictive value of 96.6%. The CAD prevalence in the low, intermediate and high risk groups according to Duke probability was 46.3%, 72.8% and 82.3%, respectively. The sensitivity and positive predictive value were lower in the low probability group than those in the intermediate and high probability groups. For those with coronary artery Agatston calcium score > 400, the diagnostic accuracy was linked with a higher sensitivity but lower specificity. The diagnostic value of 64-SCTCA for proximal and mid-segment of coronary artery was superior to that for distal segment.

CONCLUSIONS64-SCTCA is mainly indicated in individuals with an intermediate probability of having CAD. The diagnostic value of 64-SCTCA could be affected by coronary artery calcium, lesion location and vessel diameter.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

To explore the underlying mechanism of acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked membrane hyperpolarizing response in isolated rat vas deferens smooth muscle cells (SMCs), intracellular microelectrode recording technique and intracellular microelectrophoresis fluorescent staining technique were used to study ACh-evoked membrane hyperpolarizing response in SMCs freshly isolated from Wistar rat vas deferens. By using microelectrodes containing fluorescent dye 0.1% propidium iodide (PI), 37 and 17 cells were identified as SMCs in outer longitudinal and inner circular muscular layers, respectively. The resting membrane potentials of SMCs were (-53.56+/-3.88) mV and (-51.62+/-4.27) mV, respectively. The membrane input resistances were (2245.60+/-372.50) MOmega and (2101.50+/-513.50) MOmega, respectively. ACh evoked membrane hyperpolarizing response in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC(50) of 36 micromol/L. This action of ACh was abolished by both a non-sepcific muscarinic (M) receptor antagonist atropine (1 mumol/L) and a selective M(3 ) receptor antagonist diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine-methiodide (DAMP, 100 nmol/L). ACh-evoked membrane hyperpolarization was also abolished by a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 300 micromol/L) and suppressed by an ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel blocker glipizide (5 micromol/L) and an inward rectifier potassium (K(ir)) channel inhibitor bariumion (50 micromol/L). A combination of glipizide and bariumion abolished ACh-evoked membrane hyperpolarizing response. The results suggest that ACh-evoked membrane hyperpolarization in rat vas deferens SMCs is mediated by M(3) receptor followed with activation of K(ATP) channels, K(ir) channels, and NO release.
Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Glipizide ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vas Deferens ; drug effects ; physiology

Antitubercular Agents ; adverse effects ; Chronic Disease ; Heart Failure ; complications ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhabdomyolysis ; chemically induced ; etiology

A retrospective case review was conducted of 3 cases with umbilical venous catheterization(UVC) related pericardial effusions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from December 2020 to April 2022.All 3 cases were preterm infants with gestational ages of 33 + 4, 31 and 27 + 6 weeks, respectively.UVC was inserted routinely in 24 hours after birth.Three neonates developed tachycardia or bradycardia, dyspnea, decreased oxygen saturation and muffled heart sound at the 1 st to 4 th day after catheterization.Echocardiography indicated pericardial effusion, so the 3 neonates underwent pericardiocentesis and drainage.Among the 3 neonates, 2 cases improved and have good prognosis, 1 case died.UVC can cause pericardial effusion, which occurs mostly in the early stage after catheterization.Pericardial effusion and tamponade should be considered when patients show unexplained sudden clinical deterioration after catheterization, such as dyspnea, cyanosis, tachycardia or bradycardia, etc.Once diagnosed, umbilical vein catheter should be removed in time and pericardiocentesis and drainage should be performed for decompression.Early diagnosis and intervention can effectively improve the prognosis.