OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) quantitative coronary X-ray angiography (QCA) and visual estimation in the assessment of target vessels.

METHODSThe radiographic data of 60 patients (65 vessel segments) receiving coronary angiography and interventional stent placement were retrospectively analyzed. The area stenosis, diameter stenosis, lesion length, and reference diameter assessed by Medis 3D QCA, Siemens 2D QCA and visual estimation were compared.

RESULTSThree-dimensional reconstruction was successfully performed for 65 vessel segments, and 3 target vessel were excluded due to the lack of a second angiographic view for 3D reconstruction. There were significant differences in the assessments of the area stenosis [(73.87 ∓ 8.98)% vs (79.10 ∓ 8.06)% vs (83.53 ∓ 8.19)%, P<0.001], lesion length (28.95 ∓ 17.31 mm vs 26.20 ∓ 16.04 mm vs 27.21 ∓ 16.58 mm, P<0.001), reference diameter (28.95 ∓ 17.31 mm vs 26.2 ∓ 16.04 mm vs 27.21∓16.58 mm, P<0.001) by 3D QCA, 2D QCA and visual estimation; the diameter stenosis assessed by 3D [(54.21 ∓ 9.48)%] and 2D QCA [(57.84 ∓ 10.17)%] also differed significantly (P=0.016).

CONCLUSION3D QCA allows successful three-dimensional reconstruction of the target vessel and restores the actual dimensions of the vessel for a more accurate assessment of coronary artery disease than 2D QCA and visual estimation.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To explore the distribution and disease characteristics of influenza virus A in severe pneumonia cases in Nanchang city, so as to provide evidence for clinical prevention and treatment of severe pneumonia cases. Methods The respiratory samples and clinical case data of severe pneumonia cases were collected and the etiology and epidemiology were analyzed in Nanchang from April 2013 to March 2018. Results From April 2013 to March 2018, 261 case patients of severe pneumonia from 17 medical institutions in Nanchang were enrolled. 77 cases was detected as positive for influenza A virus nucleic acid, accounting for 29.50% of the total cases, as follow: 39 cases of A (H1N1pdm) influenza, 13 A (H3), 16 H7N9 and 3 H10N8 avian influenza. Cases were mainly concentrated in winter and spring (from December to May of next year, with median age 48 of years, including 48 males and 31 females. 21 cases of human infection with H7N9/H10N8 avian influenza were reported in Nanchang during 5 years, with the fatality rate of 33.33%. 90.48% (19/21) cases were detected by unexplained pneumonia surveillance system. The median age was 69 years, most of them had underlying diseases and a clear history of poultry contact. Conclusions Nearly 30% of the severe pneumonia cases in Nanchang city were infected with influenza A virus, among which influenza A (H1N1pdm) virus was the main epidemic strain. All deaths were caused by avian influenza virus infection.

Objective To provide the theoretical basis for the application of cortical somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP) in monitoring the function of the spinal cord to prevent postoperative neurological dysfunction. Methods Thirty-three New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups: 8 were chosen as control group to eliminate the influence of anesthesia and surgery on the evoked potential; the other 25 were assigned to 5 sub-experimental groups (n=5) according to the artery number being ligatured in the left renal arteries and the spinal arteries. Baseline evoked potential in each group was noted immediately after anesthesia; the CSEP were recorded at different time points (before vascular ligation, 30 min and 2 d after vascular ligation). Motor functions were assessed after narcotic conscious and 2 d after vascular ligation. The specimens were taken for HE staining. Results The latency was not sensitive to spinal cord ischemia and no significant difference of that was found between the experimental groups and the control group (P>0.05); except that, the changes of theamplitudes were very complex and the specificity of motor function was decreased. The amplitude reduced and then gradually restored in the 2, 3 and 4 levels of ligation. The changes of amplitude could indicate the degree of pathological damage in the spinal cord and its motor function. Conclusion Complex amplitude of somatosensory evoked potential can be found in the acute phase of ischemia in the spinal cord. Specificity of motor function is poor resulting from its signal averaging process. Motor evoked potential monitoring in the operation should also be added in the detection of the spinal cord.

ObjectiveThe fractional flow reserve （FFR） computed from coronary computed tomographic （CT） angiograms makes it possible to noninvasively assess coronary artery disease， but the impact of plaque on FFR derived from computed tomography angiography （CTA） is still unknown. The study used invasive FFR as the reference standard to analyze the impact of plaque on coronary computed tomography angiography （CCTA）-based quantitative flow ratio （CT-QFR）. MethodsThe retrospective study included 108 patients with suspected coronary heart disease （CHD） who underwent both CCTA and FFR within 60 days. CCTA images were analyzed by the software. We obtained the CT-QFR of target vessels， perfomed the quantitative and qualitative analyses on target vascular plaques， including total plaque volume （TPV）， plaque burden， calcified plaque volume （CPV）， fibrous plaque volume （FPV）， lipid plaque volume （LPV）， and the presence or absence of high-risk plaque. ResultsAccording to the difference between CT-QFR and FFR at blood vessel level， 137 target vessels of 108 patients were divided into the overestimated group （difference＞0.03， n＝29）， reference group （-0.03≤difference≤0.03， n＝88） and underestimated group （difference＜-0.03， n＝20）. The underestimated group （14.81mm³） presented higher LPV than overestimated group （1.97mm³， P < 0.05）. There was a negative correlation between LPV and the difference （P＜0.05）. ConclusionsWhen CT-QFR is used to estimate hemodynamics of coronary artery stenosis， the presence of lipid plaque may underestimate the virtual FFR.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Schisandrin B (Sch B) attenuates early brain injury (EBI) in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham (sham operation), SAH, SAH+vehicle, and SAH+Sch B groups using a random number table. Rats underwent SAH by endovascular perforation and received Sch B (100 mg/kg) or normal saline after 2 and 12 h of SAH. SAH grading, neurological scores, brain water content, Evan's blue extravasation, and terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining were carried out 24 h after SAH. Immunofluorescent staining was performed to detect the expressions of ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the rat brain, while the expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bax, Caspase-3, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated specklike protein containing the caspase-1 activator domain (ASC), Caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 in the rat brains were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the SAH group, Sch B significantly improved the neurological function, reduced brain water content, Evan's blue content, and apoptotic cells number in the brain of rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, Sch B decreased SAH-induced expressions of Iba-1 and MPO (P<0.01). SAH caused the elevated expressions of Bax, Caspase-3, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the rat brain (P<0.01), all of which were inhibited by Sch B (P<0.01). In addition, Sch B increased the Bcl-2 expression (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Sch B attenuated SAH-induced EBI, which might be associated with the inhibition of neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and the NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain/pathology* ; Brain Injuries/pathology* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cyclooctanes ; Evans Blue ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Interleukin-18/metabolism* ; Lignans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Polycyclic Compounds ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/drug therapy* ; Water ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of baicalin on subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats and explore the potential mechanisms. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent experimental SAH and received treatment with baicalin at 10 or 50 mg/kg after 2 and 12 h of SAH. Neurological scores, brain water content, Evans-blue extravasation, and levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured 24 h after SAH. Expression of nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), aquaporin 4 (AQP4), occludin, and zonulaoccludens-1 (ZO-1) were detected in the brain by Western blot. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Baicalin attenuated EBI 24 h after SAH in rats (P<0.05). Baicalin elevated neurological scores, GSH-Px, SOD, and increased the expression of Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, occludin, and ZO-1 in SAH rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Baicalin reduced MPO, MDA, and the expression of MMP-9, AQP4, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Baicalin reduced SAH-induced EBI, partially via activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibition of MMP-9 and AQP4.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and mechanism of schisandrin B (Sch B) in the treatment of cerebral ischemia in rats. METHODS: The cerebral ischemia models were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups using a random number table, including sham, MCAO, MCAO+Sch B (50 mg/kg), MCAO+Sch B (100 mg/kg), MCAO+Sch B (100 mg/kg)+LY294002, and MCAO+Sch B (100 mg/kg)+wortmannin groups. The effects of Sch B on pathological indicators, including neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarct volume, and brain edema, were subsequently studied. Tissue apoptosis was identified by terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining. The protein expressions involved in apoptosis, inflammation response and oxidative stress were examined by immunofluorescent staining, biochemical analysis and Western blot analysis, respectively. The effect of Sch B on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling was also explored. RESULTS: Sch B treatment decreased neurological deficit scores, cerebral water content, and infarct volume in MCAO rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Neuronal nuclei and TUNEL staining indicated that Sch B also reduced apoptosis in brain tissues, as well as the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 expression (P<0.01). Sch B regulated the production of myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase, as well as the release of cytokine interleukin (IL)-1 β and IL-18, in MCAO rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Sch B promoted the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. Blocking the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway with LY294002 or wortmannin reduced the protective effect of Sch B against cerebral ischemia (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Sch B reduced apoptosis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress of MCAO rats by modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Sch B had a potential for treating cerebral ischemia.

In this paper, the status of adjuvant standard for Chinese materia medica processing in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015 edition, the National Specification of Chinese Materia Medica Processing, and the 29 provincial specification of Chinese materia medica was summarized, and the the status including general requirements, specific requirements, and quality standard in the three grade official specifications was collected and analyzed according to the "medicine-adjuvant homology" and "food-adjuvant homology" features of adjuvants. This paper also introduced the research situation of adjuvant standard for Chinese materia medica processing in China; In addition, analyzed and discussed the problems existing in the standard system of adjuvant for Chinese materia medica processing, such as lack of general requirements, low level of standard, inconsistent standard references, and lack of research on the standard, and provided suggestions for the further establishment of the national standards system of adjuvant for Chinese materia medica processing.