The evaluation of quality of life after stroke primarily includes body,psychology, society,and the ability of activities of daily living,and they can be mainly obtained from self rating quality of life by the patients,The commonly used evaluation methods include six generic measurement scales and four updated Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scales.The latter includes the Stroke Adapted Sickness Impact Profile,the Stroke Impact Scale,Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scales,and Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale.This article reviews the generic meas- urement scales,Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scales and the various factors that influencing quality of life after stroke.

The infection of hepatitis B virus(HBV) is a serious global public health problem around the world,with high incidence and fatality rate,especially in China.The study of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chronic hepatitis B(CHB) had been heavily concerned. The rapid development of molecular biology technology and the wide application of biotherapy techniques have provided the important theoretical foundation for HBV detection, diagnosis and treatment.This article summarized the study progress of clinical and laboratory examination of CHB.

Background:Clinical features and outcomes of heart failure (HF) with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) remain controversial.Thus,we systematically reviewed literatures of clinical research to assess and analyze characteristics and prognosis of patients with HFmrEF.Methods:PubMed,Embase,and Web of Science were searched for cohort studies up to April 23,2019.Clinical features and multivariate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of endpoints of short-term all-cause mortality (SAM),long-term all-cause mortality (LAM),long-term cardiovascular death (LCD) and long-term HF rehospitalization (LHR) among patients with HFmrEF and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF),HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) were well addressed.The primary outcome was LAM.Results:Totally 19 studies were included in this study with 164,678 patients enrolled.The follow-up time of LAM was 3.6 ± 2.5 years.HRs of LAM,SAM,LCD,LHR indicated that the risks of patients with HFmrEF were higher than HFpEF patients but lower than HFrEF patients,as for LAM,HFmrEF:HFpEF (reference) HR:1.07,95％ confidence interval (CI):1.00-1.15 (I2=63％,P =0.0005);HFmrEF:HFrEF (reference) HR:0.80,95％ CI:0.73-0.88 (I2=70％,P ＜ 0.0001).However,HFmrEF patients had the lowest rate in LAM (30.94％),SAM (2.73％),LCD (17.45％),LHR (26.36％) compared with the other two groups.Conclusions:This systematic review and meta-analysis compared features and prognosis between patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF,HFrEF by HRs.There appeared a special "separation phenomenon" showing rates of endpoints were inconsistent with their hazards in patients with HFmrEF compared with HFpEF patients.

Objective To investigate the proliferation and differentiation characteristics of fibroblast like synovial cells(FLS)in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)in vitro and the mechanism of the immunosuppressive effect of differentiation inducers, such as all trans retinoid acid(ATRA), ealcitriol [1,25(OH)_2D_3] and dexamethasone(DEX). Methods FLS of knee synovial tissues from RA patients were cultured and identified in vitro in the presence or absence of ATRA, 1,25(OH)_2D_3 and DEX respectively. Synoviocyte proliferation in RA were measured by MTT colorimetrie assay and the survival fraction(SF)of FLS was evaluated. Cell cycle of FLS was observed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FCS)method in RA patients. Results The identified synovial cells in patients with RA were FLS(Vimentin and Fibronectin expression was positive), and hadn't been transformed or differentiated to adipocytes and osteoblasts with the three inducers. The SF of all RA-FLS interfered by ATRA, 1,25(OH)_2D_3 and DEX was much lower than that without drugs vehicle group in RA-FLS(P

Objective To investigate the proliferative characteristics of fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS)in osteoarthritis in vitro and the mechanism of the immunosuppressive effect of total glucusides of paeony(TGP).Methods FLS of OA and non-inflamed synovium(NS)were cultured and identified in vitro in the presence or absence of TGP.After incubation,the survival fraction(SF)of FLS was evaluated by MTI' and the TNF-?,IFN-?and bFGF level in cultured FLS supernatant was measured by ELISA.The expression of FLS c-los mRNA and cell cycle of OA-FLS was observed by RT-PCR and flow eytometry respectively at the same time.Results No statistical significant differences were noted between the OA and NS FLS in pro- liferating double time.High doses of TGP suppressed FLS-SF more evidently in OA patients than in NS(P0.05).Conclusion High dose TGP can inhibit OA-FLS proliferation,modulate cy- tokine secretion and c-fos expression in OA.This suggests that TGP has immunosuppressive effect on OA syn- ovitis,probably by preventing the synovial hypertrophy in OA.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to explore the possibility of creating a toxin, C-CPE-ETA', by fusing C-terminal high affinity binding domain of CPE (C-CPE) with a truncated form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA') and to examine whether C-CPE-ETA' could specifically target CLDN-3, 4 molecule and the targeted toxin was cytotoxic against CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer.

METHODSCLDN-3 and CLDN-4 expressions were analyzed at the mRNA level in three ovarian cancer cell lines and epithelial ovarian cancer tissues from 20 patients. After transforming an expression plasmid of C-CPE-ETA' into E. coli BL21 (DE3) plysS strain, the recombinant protein was purified using His-Bind resin chromatography column and analyzed by Western blot and Coomassie blue staining. The specific binding, proapoptotic and cytolytic activities were evaluated by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy with the JC-1 probe and MTT assay in CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells.

RESULTSQuantitive RT-PCR results showed there existed high levels of CLDN-3 and CLDN-4 in ovarian cancer cells, CAOV3, OVCAR3 and SKOV3. Moreover, high expressions of CLDN-3 and CLDN-4 were observed in 90.0% (18/20) and 60.0% (12/20) of ovarian cancer tissues, with an expression level 10-fold higher than that in the normal ovarian tissue. A 58 000 recombinant protein C-CPE-ETA' was demonstrated by Western blot and Coomassie blue staining. Purified and recombinant C-CPE-ETA' was bound with high affinity to CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells, CAOV3, OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells. C-CPE-ETA' was strongly proapoptotic and cytotoxic towards the CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. The concentration of IC(50) was 7.364 ng/ml for CAOV3 cells, 8.110 ng/ml for OVCAR3 cells and 22.340 ng/ml for SKOV3 cells, respectively. However, control CLDN-3,4-deficient cell line HUVEC was not susceptible to the recombinant C-CPE-ETA' at a concentration up to 10 µg/ml.

CONCLUSIONSThe C-CPE-ETA' protein exhibits remarkably specific cytotoxicity for CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. Its therapeutic potential warrants further development for ovarian cancer molecular targeted therapy.

ADP Ribose Transferases ; metabolism ; physiology ; Apoptosis ; Bacterial Toxins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Claudin-3 ; Claudin-4 ; Claudins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enterotoxins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Exotoxins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotoxins ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Virulence Factors ; metabolism ; physiology

BACKGROUNDVasoactive factors have been reported to correlate with vulnerable plaque and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vasoactive factors and plaque morphology in patients suffering from non-ST-segment elevated ACS.

METHODSFrom April 2007 to April 2009, 124 consecutive patients suffering from non-ST-segment elevated ACS who had received coronary angiography (CAG) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in the People's Liberation Army General Hospital and Beijing Anzhen Hospital were enrolled in this study. Three serum vasoactive factors, plasma soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PLGF) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), were measured by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay of the patients. The levels of vasoactive factors were compared between vulnerable plaque group and stable plaque group, and between unstable angina pectoris (UAP) group and non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTE-AMI) group. The relationship between the plaque morphology and levels of vasoactive factors was analyzed.

RESULTSThe levels of vasoactive factors were similar between the UAP group (69 patients) and NSTE-AMI group (55 patients). The levels of sFlt-1 and PLGF in the vulnerable plaque group were significantly higher than those in the stable plaque group. The level of IL-18 was correlated positively with plaque morphology. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the level of PLGF was an independent risk factor for vulnerable plaque (OR=2.115, 95% CI 1.415-5.758, P=0.018). Using the ROC curve, PLGF was a significant factor for the diagnosis of vulnerable plaque (the diagnostic point was 26.3 ng/L, the proportion of square area under the ROC curve was 0.799, 95%CI 0.758-0.839, P<0.001; the sensitivity of PLGF under the ROC curve was 86%, and the specificity 63%).

CONCLUSIONBoth IL-18 and PLGF are biomarkers for vulnerable plaques and helpful to predict vulnerable plaque.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; Angina, Unstable ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Placenta Growth Factor ; Pregnancy Proteins ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in evaluating neointimal proliferation in canine coronary artery following stenting.

METHODSIn 15 domestic dogs, a single bare-metal stent was implanted in the anterior descending or the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery. Ninety days after stenting, the dogs underwent coronary angiography and OCT, followed by quantitative histological assessment of neointimal proliferation in the target arterial segments. The parameters of OCT and the histological findings were analyzed comparatively.

RESULTSA total of 15 OCT-histology matched frames acquired at the point with the most severe stenosis in every stent, and 60 pathological sections from all the stents were analyzed. The difference of the stent area assessed by OCT was comparable to that defined histologically (5.01∓0.79 mm(2) vs 4.99∓0.81 mm(2), P>0.05). Neointimal thickness and area were smaller with OCT assessment than with histological assessment (0.19∓0.08 mm vs 0.22∓0.10 mm, and 1.52∓0.49 mm(2) vs 1.85∓0.78 mm(2), respectively, P<0.05). The lumen area was larger by OCT assessment than by histological assessment (3.50∓0.66 mm(2) vs 3.15 ∓ 0.43 mm(2), P<0.05). Close correlations were found between OCT and histological evaluations of the neointimal thickness (R(2)=0.5280.767), neointimal area (R(2)=0.5280.537) and stent area (R(2)=0.528), but the correlation was poor for lumen area (R(2)=0.5280.307). All the stents showed full endothelialization without thrombus or aneurysm in the stents.

CONCLUSIONOCT allows precise and reproducible assessment of neointimal proliferation in the coronary artery following stenting, but for measurement of the lumen area, OCT shows a poor correlation to histological evaluation.

Angioplasty, Balloon ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Animals ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Dogs ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Neointima ; pathology ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Tunica Intima ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the compatibility of composite herbal medicines of the Ling Gui Zhu Gan Decoction.

METHODEthanol extract test solutions of the different combinations were prepared according to the orthogonal layout L16(4(5)). Pharmacologic experiments, such as the time of surviving of mice in shortage of oxygen in regular air pressure, the antagonizing effect on arrhythmia induced by chloroform and diuresis were carried out with the solutions. Variance analysis, canonical correlation and stepwise regression analysis were applied to interrelate the amount of each drug and the pharmacologic data.

RESULTThe results confirmed that Fuling and Guizhi are the basis, while Baizhuand Gancao are the adjuvans, which is conformed to the theory of TCM.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides a significant try for studying the compatibility of composite herbal medicines.

Animals ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; therapeutic use ; Diuretics ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the secular trend in incidence and mortality rate of gastric cancer in Tianjin and to provide evidence and reference for making prevention and control strategy for gastric cancer.

METHODSData derived from Tianjin cancer registry system were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method and Joinpoint model. A total of 17990 gastric cancer cases reported in Tianjin from 1981 to 2002, including 12755 males and 5235 females were studied.

RESULTSThe annual percent change (APC) of crude incidence rate for males and females was -0.92% (Z = -3.85, P = 0.001) and -0.79% (Z = -2.67, P = 0.015), while the APC of standard incidence rate was -3.55% (Z = -13.52, P = 0.000) and -3.47% (Z = -12.85, P = 0.000). There was a descending trend of incidence rate in males and females above 45-years-old, however, in male under 45 years it showed an increased trend and in females it kept stable. The APC of crude mortality rate was -1.66% ( Z = -5.79, P = 0.000) for males and -1.84% (Z = -6.02,P = 0.000) for females, while the APC of standard mortality rate was -4.60% ( Z = -15.79, P = 0.000) for females and -5.36% ( Z = -8.28, P = 0.000) for males during 1989-2002. Mortality and incidence ratio also indicated a downward trend.

CONCLUSIONDespite its declining trend in Tianjin, gastric cancer still remains an important public health problem in facing of the aging society and many risk factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Survival Rate