Objective: To examine the cytotoxic properties of both the kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed extract and kenaf seed oil on human cervical cancer, human breast cancer, human colon cancer and human lung cancer cell lines.Methods:kenaf seed oil on human cancer cell lines was evaluated by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and sulforhodamine B assays. Cell morphological changes were observed by using an inverted light microscope.Results:The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed extract and cancer cell lines. Morphological alterations in the cell lines after KSE and KSO treatment were observed. KSE and KSO possessed effective cytotoxic activities against all the cell lines been selected.Conclusions:KSE and KSO could be potential sources of natural anti-cancer agents. Further The kenaf seed extract (KSE) exhibited a lower IC50 than kenaf seed oil (KSO) in all of the investigations on using kenaf seeds for anti-proliferative properties are warranted.

This is a cross-sectional study on 218 pregnant mothers in an urban government Hospital. The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and sources of information on breastfeeding. The results could be utilised to promote breastfeeding. Almost all the respondents (96.8%) intended to breastfeed their newborns. Most of them (74.8%) were knowledgeable about breastfeeding i.e. colostrum and breast milk was the best food, good for resistance against disease and allergy, filling up stomach easily, helpful in teeth development and maternal recovery after birth, increased bonding, was easy and economical. The two main misconceptions were mothers would stop breastfeeding when infant or mother was sick, and giving clear fluid to the exclusively breastfed infants to prevent dehydration. Most mothers (83.9%) responded positively towards breastfeeding i.e. it was easier than infant formula, had no negative effect on marital relationship or family care, would commence breastfeeding straight after delivery, agreeable to the banning of bottles and teats in hospital and they would not stop breastfeeding even if husband discouraged them. Only 56.9% of the mothers believed they could breastfeed their babies with modesty anywhere. The main sources of information were attained from the mass media (34.9%), antenatal class (32.1%) and other mothers with breastfeeding experiences.

OBJECTIVETo compare the impact of the first 24 hours mean blood glucose (MBG) level and admission glucose (AG) during hospitalization on the short term mortality and combined end point events in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODSA total of 7446 Chinese STEMI patients hospitalized within 12 hours of symptom onset were included. Plasma glucose was measured at admission, 6 and 24 hours after admission, respectively. The MBG level through the first 24 hours for each patient was calculated. Patients were stratified into six groups according to their MBG levels: < 4.5, 4.5 - 5.5, 5.6 - 7.0, 7.1 - 8.5, 8.6 - 11.0 and > 11.0 mmol/L. The incidence of all-cause mortality and combined end point of death, re-infarction, cardiogenic shock, recurrence ischemia, and stroke at 7 days and 30 days post hospitalization were analyzed. Nested models were compared to determine whether logistic regression models that included MBG provided a significantly better fit than logistic regression models included AG.

RESULTSCompared with the MBG of 4.5 - 5.5 mmol/L group, 7-day and 30-day mortality and combined end point events increased in proportion to plasma MBG level increase. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated MBG (equal or greater than 7.1 - 8.5 mmol/L) level is an independent predictor of 7-day and 30-day mortality and combined end point events. Nested models analysis showed that the prognostic impact of MBG is superior to AG (P < 0.001) on predicting 7-day and 30-day mortality and combined end point events in this patient cohort.

CONCLUSIONElevated MBG (≥ 7.1 mmol/L) level is an independent predictor of 7-day and 30-day mortality and combined end point events. MBG is superior to AG on predicting short-term prognosis in this patient cohort.

Aged ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; China ; Electrocardiography ; Endpoint Determination ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; mortality ; physiopathology ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo explore the independent risk factors associated with short term mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS).

METHODSWe analyzed data from Chinese patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and cardiogenic shock enrolled in the CREATE trial. Predictors of 30-day mortality were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis using baseline and procedural variables.

RESULTSThe overall 30-day mortality of STEMI complicated by CS among the 517 patients [(68.5 ± 10.3) years and 57.6% male] was 62.3%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors of death included age (OR = 1.46, 95%CI: 1.18 - 1.81), anterior infarction (OR = 2.01, 95%CI 1.29 - 3.11), admission glucose level > 7.8 mmol/L (OR = 2.17, 95%CI: 1.26 - 3.73), serum sodium concentration < 130 mmol/L (OR = 2.21, 95%CI: 1.21 - 4.04), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% or sever left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) (OR = 3.78, 95%CI: 2.28 - 6.27), no emergency revascularization (OR = 3.53, 95%CI: 1.20 - 10.41) and diuretics use (OR = 1.90, 95%CI: 1.21 - 2.97). Analysis using baseline clinical variables showed that the first five risk factors mentioned above were also the baseline risk factors fro death. The receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting the death of the two models was 0.81 (95%CI: 0.77 - 0.86) and 0.80 (95%CI: 0.75 - 0.84), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe 30-day mortality of patients with STEMI complicated by CS was over 60%. Age, anterior infarction, admission glucose level >7.8 mmol/L, serum sodium concentration < 130 mmol/L, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% and no emergency revascularization were independent risk factors associated with 30-day mortality.

Aged ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; mortality ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; etiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical characteristics, treatment options and outcome of diabetic patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS).

METHODSConsecutive patients admitted with NSTEACS from 38 centers in north China were enrolled. Medical histories, clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes were evaluated and follow-up was made at 6, 12, and 24 months after their initial hospital admission. Cumulative event rates were compared between diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

RESULTSThere were 420 diabetic patients out of 2294 NSTEACS patients (18.3%). Diabetic patients were older [(64.9 ± 6.7) years vs. (62.3 ± 8.6) years, P < 0.01], more often women (48.1% vs. 35.3%, P < 0.05) and were associated with higher baseline comorbidities such as previous hypertension, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and stroke than non-diabetic patients. The incidence of antiplatelet therapy (92.1% vs. 95.0%, P < 0.05), coronary angiography (30.0% vs. 36.3%, P < 0.05) and revascularization (12.1% vs.18.8%, P < 0.05) was lower in patients with diabetes than non-diabetic patients. In hospital and 2-year mortality as well as the incidence of congestive heart failure and composite outcomes of myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure and death were substantially higher in diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 70 years, diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, previous congestive heart failure, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and heart rate more than 100 bpm at admission were risk factors for 2-year death.

CONCLUSIONIn NSTEACS, diabetes is associated with higher rate of in-hospital and 2-year death, congestive heart failure and composite outcomes of myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure and death. Diabetes mellitus is a major independent predictor of 2-year mortality post NSTEACS. Status of antiplatelet therapy, coronary angiography and revascularization should be improved for diabetic patients with NSTEACS during hospitalization.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Complications ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Regression Analysis ; Treatment Outcome

Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/epidemiology* ; Liver Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Prothrombin ; Biomarkers

BACKGROUND: The combination of polycaprolactone and hyaluronic acid creates an ideal environment for wound healing. Hyaluronic acid maintains a moist wound environment and accelerates the in-growth of granulation tissue. Polycaprolactone has excellent mechanical strength, limits inflammation and is biocompatible. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of bio-conjugated polycaprolactone membranes (BPM) as a wound dressing. METHODS: 16 New Zealand white rabbits were sedated and local anaesthesia was administered. Two 3.0x3.0 cm full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsum of each rabbit, between the lowest rib and the pelvic bone. The wounds were dressed with either BPM (n=12) or Mepitel (n=12) (control), a polyamide-silicon wound dressing. These were evaluated macroscopically on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days for granulation, re-epithelialization, infection, and wound size, and histologically for epidermal and dermal regeneration. RESULTS: Both groups showed a comparable extent of granulation and re-epithelialization. No signs of infection were observed. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in wound size between the two groups. BPM (n=6): 8.33 cm2, 4.90 cm2, 3.12 cm2, 1.84 cm2; Mepitel (n=6): 10.29 cm2, 5.53 cm2, 3.63 cm2, 2.02 cm2; at the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days. The extents of epidermal and dermal regeneration were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: BPM is comparable to Mepitel as a safe and efficacious wound dressing.
Bandages* ; Granulation Tissue ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Inflammation ; Membranes* ; Pelvic Bones ; Rabbits ; Re-Epithelialization ; Regeneration ; Ribs ; Skin ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

BACKGROUNDVentricular septal rupture (VSR) remains an infrequent but devastating complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The best time to undergo surgical repair is controversial and there is currently no risk stratification for patients with VSR to guide treatment. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical outcomes of 70 patients with VSR, to analyze the short-term prognosis factors of VSR following AMI, and to make a risk stratification for patients with VSR.

METHODSA total of 70 consecutive VSR patients following AMI treated in our hospital from January 2002 to October 2010 were enrolled in this study retrospectively. The difference of clinical characteristics were observed between patients with VSR who survived ≤30 days and survived >30 days. We analyzed the short-term prognosis factors of VSR and established the short-term prognosis index of VSR (SPIV) based on the Logistic regression analysis to stratify patients with VSR.

RESULTSAmong 12 354 patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 70 (0.57%) patients (33 males and 37 females) were found to have VSR. The average age was (68.1±8.5) years. Fifty-four (77.1%) patients were diagnosed with an acute anterior infarction. Patients with VSR selected for surgical repair had better outcomes than patients treated conservatively; 1-year mortality 9.5% versus 87.8%, P < 0.005. Logistic regression analysis revealed that female (P = 0.013), anterior AMI (P = 0.023), non-ventricular aneurysm (P = 0.023), non-diabetes (P = 0.009), Killip class 3 or 4 (P = 0.022) and time from AMI to VSR less than 4 days (P = 0.027) were independent risk determinants for shortterm mortality. SPIV ≥9 indicates a high risk as the 30-day mortality is 77.4%; SPIV <8 indicates a low risk as the 30-day mortality is 28.6%; SPIV between 8 and 9 indicates a moderate risk.

CONCLUSIONSVSR remains a rare but devastating complication of AMI. The independent risk determinants for short-term mortality of VSR were female gender, anterior AMI, non-ventricular aneurysm, non-diabetes, Killip class 3 or 4, and the time from AMI to VSR less than 4 days. It is reasonable to take more active treatments for the patients at high risk to save more lives.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; physiopathology ; Ventricular Septal Rupture ; diagnosis ; etiology

Background: Insulin-treated patients with long duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of ketoacidosis related to sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i). The extent of circulating ketone elevation in these patients remains unknown. We conducted this study to compare the serum ketone response between dapagliflozin, an SGLT2i, and sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, among insulin-treated T2DM patients. Methods: This was a randomized, open-label, active comparator-controlled study involving 60 insulin-treated T2DM patients. Participants were randomized 1:1 for 24-week of dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or sitagliptin 100 mg daily. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels were measured at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks after intervention. Comprehensive cardiometabolic assessments were performed with measurements of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), vibration-controlled transient elastography and echocardiography. Results: Among these 60 insulin-treated participants (mean age 58.8 years, diabetes duration 18.2 years, glycosylated hemoglobin 8.87%), as compared with sitagliptin, serum BHB levels increased significantly after 24 weeks of dapagliflozin (P=0.045), with a median of 27% increase from baseline. Change in serum BHB levels correlated significantly with change in free fatty acid levels. Despite similar glucose lowering, dapagliflozin led to significant improvements in body weight (P=0.006), waist circumference (P=0.028), HDL-C (P=0.041), CEC (P=0.045), controlled attenuation parameter (P=0.007), and liver stiffness (P=0.022). Average E/e’, an echocardiographic index of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, was also significantly lower at 24 weeks in participants treated with dapagliflozin (P=0.037). Conclusion Among insulin-treated T2DM patients with long diabetes duration, compared to sitagliptin, dapagliflozin modestly increased ketone levels and was associated with cardiometabolic benefits.

OBJECTIVETo examine the cytotoxic properties of both the kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed extract and kenaf seed oil on human cervical cancer, human breast cancer, human colon cancer and human lung cancer cell lines.

METHODSThe in vitro cytotoxic activity of the kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed extract and kenaf seed oil on human cancer cell lines was evaluated by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and sulforhodamine B assays. Cell morphological changes were observed by using an inverted light microscope.

RESULTSThe kenaf seed extract (KSE) exhibited a lower IC50 than kenaf seed oil (KSO) in all of the cancer cell lines. Morphological alterations in the cell lines after KSE and KSO treatment were observed. KSE and KSO possessed effective cytotoxic activities against all the cell lines been selected.

CONCLUSIONSKSE and KSO could be potential sources of natural anti-cancer agents. Further investigations on using kenaf seeds for anti-proliferative properties are warranted.