Objective To evaluate the distribution characteristics of left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony (LV-SD) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and normal QRS wave width, by pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging (PW-DTI), and study its relation with left ventricular systolic function, ventricular remodeling, and functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods The time to peak systolic velocity (Ts) in 12 left ventricular segments was evaluated by PW-DTI, from which the standard deviation (SD) of Ts in the 12 segments (Ts-SD) and maximum Ts difference (Ts-maxD) were calculated. Results Ts-SD and Ts-maxD in the 12 LV segments of the DCM patients with CHF were significantly higher than those of the healthy controls (P＜0.01). In DCM patients with CHF and normal QRS wave width, the incidence of LV-SD was 29.8% (14/47) and the inferior wall was the most frequent distribution site of contraction delay. Linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between Ts-SD, Ts-maxD, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P＜0.01), but a positive correlation between Ts-SD, Ts-maxD and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), lefe ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function, FMR (P＜0.01) in DCM patients with CHF. Conclusion LV-SD exists in DCM patients with normal QRS width. LV-SD aggravates the LV systolic function damage, which is closely associated with left ventricular remodeling. LV-SD may contribute to the FMR in DCM patients.

Objective To explore the prognostic significance of T wave direction in lead aVR in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (ASTEMI).Methods A total of 322 patiens with ASTEMI was examined.The patients were classified into 2 groups (T-wave positive,and T-wave non-positive) base on the direction of T wave in lead aVR.This study was ought to determine the association of T wave direction in lead aVR with the incidence rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after discharge 2 years.Results After discharge 2 years,T-wave positivity patients had higher incidence of MACE than T-wave non-positive patients (P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that age,and upright T wave in lead aVR were significantly associated with the primary end point.Conclusions T wave direction in lead aVR is a powerful prognostic marker for long-term prognosis.

Objective To examine the effects and mechanisms of simvastatin and fenofibrate, and combination of the two drugs on the expression of apolipoprotein M (apoM). Methods The male C57BL/6N mice ( n =32) were random divided into four groups, including control group (with no special treatment), statin group (with simvastatin [10mg/( kg · d) for 4 weeks], fibrate group (with fenofibrate [100mg/( kg · d) for 4 weeks] and combination group ( with simvastatin [10mg/( kg· d)] and fenofibrate [100mg/( kg · d) for 4 weeks]. The levels of apoMmRNA and protein, hepatic nuclear factor (HNF-1α)mRNA, liver X receptor-α (LXRα) mRNA in mouse liver were measured. Results Both of simvastatin and fenofibrate can increase the expression of apolipoprotein M ( 1.97 ± 0. 04,2. 02 ± 0. 02 ) and HNF-1αmRNA ( 1.74 ± 0. 05,1.71 ± 0. 04). Combination group obtained more effects than either single agent ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Simvastatin could decrease the expression of LXRα mRNA ( 1.00 ± 0. 02 ) ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Fenofibrate could increase the expression of LXRα mRNA(2. 80 ±0. 04) ( P ＜0. 05). No significant difference in LXRα expression was seen between combination( 1.56 ±0. 03 ) and control group( 1.53 ±0. 03 )( P ＞0. 05). Conclusions Simvastatin and fenofibrate can increase apoM expression. Treatment with combination of the two drugs is more effective, and the mechanism might be related to the regulation of HNF-1α and LXRα.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the alteration and the clinical significance of QT dispersion in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: From May 2011 to April 2012, 42 hospitalized PE patients in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were enrolled, and divided into a high-risk group and a non-high-risk group according to the clinic state on admission. Another 30 healthy subjects with matched age and genders were enrolled as a normal control group. QT interval was measured manually in 12- lead conventional electrocardiogram within 24 hours on admission and after the treatment. QT dispersion (QTd) and heart rate-corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) were also calculated. All patients were followed up during hospitalization, and were divided to a death group and a survival group. RESULTS: QTd and QTcd in the high-risk group [(70.2±34.0), (88.1±43.3) ms] and the non-high-risk group [(49.3±21.8), (59.1±26.2) ms] were significantly higher than those in the normal control group[(33.2±12.4), (36.7±14.2) ms] (P<0.05), while QTd and QTcd in the high-risk group were significantly higher than those in the non-high-risk group (P<0.05). The interval of electrocardiogram was (5.6±2.5) days between 24 hours on admission and after the treatment (ECG). QTd and QTcd were reduced significantly after the treatment in the survival group [(41.0±16.4), (47.4±18.0)ms] compared with those on admission [(54.0±33.0), (67.2±40.5)ms] (P<0.05), but the QTd and QTcd after the treatment were also significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the QTd and QTcd between 24 hours on admission and after the treatment in the death group (P>0.05). Logistic regression showed that high-risk of PE, right ventricular dysfunction and high QTcd after the treatment were the main risk factors of hospital death. CONCLUSION QTd and QTcd are increased in PE. PE patients with right ventricular dysfunction, high-risk of PE, and high QTcd after the treatment suggest weak prognosis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Conduction System ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Embolism ; complications ; physiopathology ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore and evaluate the characteristics of spectra wave shapes and parameters of the superior vena cava (SVC) Doppler flow patterns in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) by echocardiography. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with PAH as the PAH group and the paired healthy subjects as the control group were included in this study. Transthoracic echocardiography was used, and the spectra of SVC flow Doppler velocities in the right supraclavicular fossa view were examined and recorded. Peak velocity and velocity time integral (VTI) were measured. RESULTS: The spectra wave shapes of SVC flow velocity in the PAH group were distinguished from those of the control. The peak velocity and VTI of S waves during inspiration and the rate of respiratory changes of peak velocity of SVC flow Doppler velocity in moderate and severe PAH groups were significantly lower than those of the control (P<0.05).The peak velocity and VTI of D waves of SVC flow Doppler velocity in the PAH groups were significantly lower than those of the control (P<0.05). The rate of respiratory changes of peak velocity of D waves in the PAH groups was significantly lower than those of the control (P<0.05). The peak velocity and VTI of AR, and VR waves of SVC flow Doppler velocity in the PAH groups were significantly higher than those of the control (P<0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(PASP) and the Vexp/Vins ratio (r=0.760, P<0.001). CONCLUSION The spectra wave shapes of SVC flow velocity in the PAH groups were distinguished from those of the control which may have some diagnostic value for PAH.The peak velocities and VTI of S waves during inspiration, D waves, AR waves and VR waves of SVC flow Doppler in the PAH groups are different from the control. The ratio of Vexp/Vins of S wave may be a non-invasive quantitative index to detect PAH.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Case-Control Studies ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vena Cava, Superior ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the signaling pathway required for Chlamydial induction of IL-8 expression in epithelial cells. METHODS: The production and localization of IL-8 in Chlamydia-infected Hela 229 cells were monitored using Western blot, immunoflourescence, and ELISA. Activation of MAPK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways were detected by Western blot and immunoflourescence. The effect of different signaling pathways on Chlamydia-induced Il-8 was measured by experiments of chemical inhibitors. RESULTS: IL-8 was induced by Chlamydia and was time-dependant. Chlamydial infection activated MAPK/ERK and MAPK/p38 pathways but not NF-kappaB pathway. Chlamydial induction of IL-8 was blocked by small molecule inhibitors targeting the ERK and p38 pathways. CONCLUSION Chlamydia-induced IL-8 in cervical epithelial cells, the natural target cell type of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, is dependent on MAPK pathway but not NF-kappaB pathway, which provides important information for further understanding the molecular mechanism of Chlamydia-induced inflammatory pathologies.
Chlamydia Infections ; metabolism ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; physiology ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; microbiology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; biosynthesis ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Tongxinluo on the endothelial function and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). METHODS: Thirty-three patients with unstable angina pectoris and 6 patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent PCI for stenotic lesions of the coronary artery were enrolled. The patients were randomly assigned to a conventional group (n = 19) which took routine treatment or a tongxinluo group (n = 20) which took Tongxinluo(4 capsules once, 3 times per day) at the base of routine treatment after PCI. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS), nitric oxide (NO), endothelium-dependent vasodilation which was evaluated in the brachial artery flow mediated diameter(FMD) and hs-CRP were measured before the PCI and 24 hours and 3 months after the PCI. The correlation between NO and hs-CRP was analyzed. RESULTS: NOS, NO, and FMD in the 2 groups 24 hours after the PCI were significantly lower than those before the PCI(P < 0.05), but hs- CRP obviously increased (P < 0.05). NOS, NO, and FMD 3 months after the PCI in the 2 groups were significantly higher than those before the PCI (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but hs-CRP obviously decreased (P < 0.01).All indexes mentioned above in the Tongxinluo group showed greater changes than those of the conventional group(P < 0.05). NO was negatively correlated with hs-CRP (r = -0.3219, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Tongxinluo capsules have obvious beneficial effect on endothelial function and anti-inflammation in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing PCI, by directly acting on the endothelium and indirectly inhibiting inflammation.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; methods ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy