Recent studies have shown a significant relationship between ambient particulate matter and cardiovascular diseases.Results of epidemiological and experimental studies in recent years were reviewed in the present paper.The biological mechanisms of the ambient particulate matter-induced cardiovascular impacts were also discussed.

Objective To investigate the changes of psychological state and family environment of the patients with neurosis (including depression and anxiety) in the process of treatment. Methods The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA), self-rating depression scale(SDS), self-rating anxiety scale(SAS), family environment scale(FES), and family adaptability and cohesion scale(FACESⅡ-CV) were used to evaluate the changes of psychological state and family relationship in the process of treatment among patients with depression and anxiety hospitalized in general hospitals (n=45) and their family members (n=45). Results Before intervention, values of HAMD, HAMA, SDS and SAS in patients were higher than normal ones, and were in line with the corresponding diagnostic criteria. After psychological intervention and medication for 2 to 3 months, symptoms such as depression and anxiety were improved significantly, and values of the above scales were within normal ranges. Besides, there was also significant improvement in FES and FACESⅡ-CV after intervention among the patients. All the values of the family members were in the normal ranges before intervention, however, significantly positive changes were observed after intervention. Conclusion With the improvement in depression and anxiety after intervention among patients, the psychological pressure of family members is released, and family relationship is partially restored. The rehabilitation of patients plays an important role in the restoration of family function.

Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Olfaction Disorders ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the expression of recombinant adenovirus hypoxia-inducing factor-1? (HIF-1?) and its effects on the angiogenesis in a rat model of acute hindlimb ischemia. Methods (1) Recombinant adenovirus HIF-1?-Al?564 (Ad-H564 for short) was amplified in large scale in HEK293A cells and concentration gradient centrifuged in CsCl, purified by dialysis and then its titer was determined by spectrophotometry. (2) A model of acute ischemia in rats' hind limb was reproduced, and 72 rats were randomly allocated into Ad-LacZ group, Ad-H0 group, Ad-H564 group and control group (18 rats for each group). After the HIF-1? mRNA expression was detected, six rats of control group were intramuscularly injected with normal saline (NS group) to serve as control. Angiography and vascular cast were carried out in another two groups with in each six rats to serve as sham operated controls. In to hind limb skeletal muscles of rats of Ad-LacZ, Ad-H0 and Ad-H564 groups Ad-LacZ, Ad-H0 and Ad-H564 were respectively injected, normal saline was given to the rats of NS group, and nothing was given to the rats in sham group. (3) HIF-1? mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th day after injection. (4) Selective arteriography and vascular cast were performed to evaluate the vascular density. Results (1) PCR and gene sequencing suggested that correct recombinant adenovirus HIF-1? was obtained after being amplified and purified, and the titer of adenovirus was 1011OPU/ml. (2) RT-PCR showed that the highest expression of HIF-1? mRNA (0.544 7?0.141 2) was seen in Ad-H564 group, and the value was significantly different compared with that of normal group and Ad-LacZ group (P=0.000), but it did not show significant difference compared with that of Ad-H564 group and Ad-H0 group (0.533 0?0.041 6, P=0.368). The expression of HIF-1? mRNA reached the highest value on the 7th day in all the groups. (3) Arteriography on the 28th day after injection showed that the density of the collateral vessels was higher in Ad-H564 group than that in Ad-H0 group, but no significant difference was found. Vascular casts showed denser microvasculature in Ad-H564 group than that in the other groups. Conclusions The present study suggests that single site mutation may enhance the expression of human HIF-1? gene in the local muscles, facilitate angiogenesis in the ischemic tissue, but no significant difference was found between the wild-type and the mutated HIF-1? genes.

Objective To study the acute effects of PM2.5 on the heart rhythm of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)and the mechanism.Methods Twenty-eight male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)were randomly divided into four groups.PM2.5 was administered by intratracheal instillation at the doses of 0 mg/kg,7.5 mg/kg,15 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg respectively.ECGs were monitored at 30 min,1 h and 24 h later.Results The numbers of the rats with arrhythmia in all groups increased at 30 min after treatment.At 1 h after treatment,in control group the rats recovered,but in PM2.5 groups abnormal ECGs was still showed.However,ECGs of all groups became normal 24 h later.As shown by laser scanning confocal microscope(LSCM),the expression of Cx43 in the heart tissue of rats in 15 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg groups significantly decreased compared with the control group.There was no significant change in content of MDA and SOD in the heart tissue of PM2.5 treated rats.Conclusion PM2.5 exposure through inhalation may induce arrhythmia in SHR rats and the downregulated expression of Cx43 may play an important role in the pathogenesis.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of clinically isolated pathogens from geriatrics department of a hospital in 2013,so as to provide reference for clinical antimicrobial use.Methods Distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens isolated from patients in a geriatrics department between Janu-ary and December 2013 were analyzed statistically.Results Of 1 896 pathogenic strains,1 289(67.99%)were gram-negative bacteria,439 (26.00%)were gram-positive bacteria,and 114(6.01%)were fungi;the top 4 isolated pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae ,Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,Acinetobacter baumannii ,and Escherichia coli .Extended-spec-trumβ-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae accounted for 53.26% and 31.10% of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae respectively;Of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains,methicillin-resistant isolates (MRSA and MRSE)accounted for 22.47% and 80.00%,respectively,of Enterococ-cus strains,vancomycin-resistant isolates (VRE)was 3.10%,Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacteriaceae were highly sensitive to imipenem,meropenem and ertapenem.Resistant rate of Acinetobacter baumannii to imipenem and meropenem was 79.48% and 80.35% respectively,Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the lowest resistant rate to amikacin (10.70%). Gram-positive bacteria were highly sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid.Conclusion The major pathogens isolated from the elderly patients are gram-negative bacteria,and antimicrobial resistance is serious,surveillance of antimicrobial resist-ance is important for rational use of antimicrobial agents and control of pathogen resistance.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the economics of caspofungin vs. voriconazole in initial empirical antifungal therapy of fe-brile neutropenia(FN). METHODS:Based on two international multiple center clinical trials about caspofungin vs. voriconazole in initial empirical antifungal therapy of FN,combined with domestic clinical experts'opinions about drug selection,a decision tree model was developed. TreeAge Pro 2011 software was used to analyze the cost and effectiveness of 10-day therapy of caspofungin or voriconazole as initial empirical antifungal therapy. RESULTS:The direct medical cost of caspofungin group was lower than that of voriconazole group(52826.71 yuan vs. 58246.70 yuan). The success rate and survival rate were higher than voriconazole group(33.95% vs. 25.63%、92.36% vs. 91.87%). Whether the success rate or the survival rate of patients as the effect indicators, cost-effectiveness ratio of caspofungin group was lower than that of voriconazole group. Moreover,incremental cost effectiveness ra-tio and sensitivity analysis confirmed this conclusion. CONCLUSIONS:Caspofungin has more advantages than voriconazole in cost and effectiveness as initial empirical antifungal therapy in patients with FN.

Objective To observe the effect of 6% hydroxyethylstarch (130/0.4) on hemorheology in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by shock before and after early fluid resuscitation. Methods 72 AMI patients complicated by shock were randomly divided into two groups , namely groupⅠwith 6%hydroxyethylstarch (130/0.4) for early liquid resuscitation and group Ⅱwith balanced salt (1.86% sodium lactate solution and compound sodium chloride solution for a ratio of 1∶2 ) for liquid recovery; and another 36 subjects was assigned to normal control group (groupⅢ). The hemorheological indices were detected after admission and 2 to 3 hours after fluid resuscitation in groupsⅠandⅡ. Results After fluid resuscitation , high-and low-shear viscosity , red cell aggregation index, hematocrit, fibrinogen, and platelet aggregation rate decreased in groupⅠand groupⅡ, with significant statistical differences (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Conclusions 6% hydroxyethylstarch (130/0.4) can effectively improve abnormal hemorheology in patients with AMI complicated by shock.

BACKGROUND: Defected Laryngeal cartilage has many alternatives, including autologous cartilage, al ograft cartilage and metal stents. Although these materials can achieve desired outcomes in laryngeal cartilage defect repair, certain limitations exist. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biocompatibility and properties of artificial ossicular chain reconstruction materials, and to explore the effect of artificial ossicular chain reconstruction materials on laryngeal cartilage defect repair. METHODS: Porous hydroxyapatite otosteon was prepared by high-temperature calcination of hydroxyapatite, fol owed by cultured in bone morphogenetic protein solution extracted from fresh human bone to construct bone morphogenetic protein-hydroxyapatite artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material. And then, the biocompatibility and characteristics of the material were analyzed. Forty adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into porous hydroxyapatite group and artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material group (n=20 per group), and underwent repair with porous hydroxyapatite material and bone morphogenetic protein-hydroxyapatite artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material respectively after modeling of laryngeal cartilage defect. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference in compressive strength of artificial ossicular chain reconstruction materials with different porosities. No symmetry sphere formed in hol ows of the outer surface of the material, with polygonal appearance and with a pore size of 100-200 μm. There were no obvious adverse reactions in both two groups after implantation, but in the artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material group, numerous fibrous connective tissues and obvious bone nodules appeared, and the degradation rate of the material was faster. These results suggest that the bone morphogenetic protein-hydroxyapatite artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material exhibits good biocompatibility and properties, which wil obtain satisfactory outcomes for laryngeal cartilage defect repair. So, the material holds a great value of clinical application.

Objective To study the relation between changed atrial load and atrial septal motion.Methods Forty one patients with valve diseases,7 patients with congenital heart diseases, and 12 normal subjects were involved.Two dimensional image was obtained by transesophageal echocardiography.The thickness,wave time and velocity were showed during atrial septal motion by omni directional M mode echocardiography (OME).Results With increase of the volume load and pressure load in the atrium,the atrial septal thickness increased, and the velocity of atrial septal motion increased or reduced.Conclusions OME shows that the thickness and velocity of atrial septal motion relates with condition of atrial load.