Objective To investigate whether radial augmentation index (AI) associates with cardiovascular risk as well as arterial stiffness.MethodsA total of 4985 subjects, 2417 men and 2568 women, aged 18-96 (50.9 ± 14.7)years,were recruited.AI was measured in the left radial artery using tonometry Colin HEM-9000AI.Carotid-femoral PWV (CFPWV) and carotid-radial PWV (CRPWV) were examined by automatic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measuring system.Framingham risk score and Chinese ischemic cardiovascular disease risk score were applied upon subjects without cardiovascular disease to calculate individual cardiovascular risk respectively.ResultsRadial AI (rAI) was significantly higher in women than in men[(83.18 ± 12.36)％ vs (71.93 ± 15.22)％, P ＜0.01].Simple correlation analysis showed rAI was significantly correlated to two cardiovascular risk scores or CFPWV and CRPWV.After adjusted for multi-factors, rAI was still significantly correlated to Framing, ham risk score or Chinese ischemic cardiovascular disease risk score (r = 0.17 and 0.12) in men respectively (P ＜ 0.05), while r were 0.09 and 0.08 in women respectively (P ＜ 0.05).In multivariate analysis, there was a significant association between CFPWV and rAI (r = 0.14 in men, r = 0.10 in women, P ＜ 0.01), whereas the relation ship between CRPWV and rAI was not found.The relationship between rAI and cardiovascular risk or PWV became weaker for those aged above 50 years.ConclusionAugmentation index might be a useful marker of cardiovascular risk and arterial stiffness, which could be more feasible for younger subjects as a tool for risk differentiation.

BACKGROUND:The oxygen free radicals and apoptosis play an important role in limb ischemia/reperfusion injury, so we can al eviate limb ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting the production of oxygen free radicals and apoptosis.
OBJECTIVE:To discuss the application and effect of edaravone on limb ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.
METHODS:Of the 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats, 20 rats were randomly selected to make models of limb ischemia/reperfusion injury by ligating the root of right lower limb with a self-made bal oon cuff at 40 kPa pressure to block blood flow for 4 hours and reperfusing. After success model establishment, they were randomly assigned to two groups. In the edaravone perfusion group, edaravone 3 mg/kg was injected via the left femoral vein at 5 minutes before reperfusion. In the model group and normal group (the remaining 10 rats), an equal volume of physiological saline was given at the same time point. At 24 hours after reperfusion, the right anterior tibial muscle of each group was removed and these ultrastructural changes were observed by transmission electron microscope. Bcl-2 mRNA and Bax mRNA of rat anterior tibial muscle of each group were semiquantitatively detected with the RT-PCR and the ratio of bcl-2/bax was calculated.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Electron microscope results:compared with the model group, the muscle fibers were neater;the M line and the N line were clearer;the swel ing of mitochondria was al eviated;the numbers of mitochondria and mitochondrial crista were also increased in the edaravone perfusion group. (2)RT-PCR results:At 24 hours after reperfusion, the relative expression of bcl-2 mRNA and the ratio of bcl-2 mRNA to bax mRNA in right anterior tibial muscle were lower in the model group compared with the edaravone perfusion group (P<0.05). However, relative expression of bax mRNA was greater in the model group than that in the edaravone perfusion group, which were both higher than the normal group (P<0.05). Results indicated that the free radical scavenger edaravone relieved limb ischemia/reperfusion injury by improving the mitochondrial ultrastructure and promoting expression of bcl-2 mRNA and inhibiting expression of bax mRNA, and could provide a new choice for the treatment of limb ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Objective:To study urine albumin excretion (UAE) and its related factors in patients with essential hyper‐tension (EH) .Methods :A total of 113 EH patients without significant target organ damage were enrolled as EH group ,while another 92 healthy subjects were regarded as healthy control group .Ratio of morning urinary albumin to creatinine was measured and regarded as UAE index .Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) ,serum uric acid ,creatinine , blood urea nitrogen ,blood glucose ,blood lipids etc .levels were measured ,and compared between two groups Re‐sults:Compared with healthy control group ,there were significant rise in UAE ,body mass index (BMI) ,waist hip ratio ,blood pressure ,pulse pressure ,heart rate ,plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) ,low density lipoprotein choles‐terol (LDL‐C) ,serum uric acid and Hcy (P<0.05 or <0.01) ,and significant reduction in level of high density lip‐oprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) in EH group ( P=0.001) .Pearson correlation analysis indicated that lgUAE was pos‐itively correlated with lgTG (r=0.257 ,P=0.015) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR ,r=0.284 ,P=0.007) ,and inversely correlated with lg creatinine (r= -0.277 ,P=0.008) in healthy control group ,while in EH group ,lgUAE was positively correlated BMI (r=0.231 ,P=0.014) ,lgTG (r=0.200 ,P=0.034) and lgHcy (r=0.244 , P=0.009) .Muti-factor gradual regression analysis indicated that lg TG (β=0.265 ,P=0.001) and lg Hcy (β=0.170 , P=0.012) were independently positively correlated with lg UAE , R2 =0.112.Conclusion:UAE level significantly rises in EH patients ,and it′s significantly positively correlated with plasma levels of TG and Hcy .

Objective To evaluate the radiation protective efficacy of different types and the positions of ceiling-suspended lead shield to the principal and assistant interventional operators in order to provide a scientific basis for the selection of optimal scheme in using ceiling-suspended lead shield.Methods At the principal and assistant interventional operators’ standing places the personal dose-measuring instruments were set up, which were placed at the height of 20 cm to 180 cm above the ground with an interval distance of 20 cm between each other.The postero-anterior (PA) projection and left lateral projection were used.The ceiling-suspended protection lead shields included lead glass (glass type) and lead glass with connected lead flexible stripe below (mixed type).The placed sites of the protection lead-shields were close to the principal operator, away from the principal operator, on the left side of the principal operator and close to the X-ray tube respectively.The radiation doses of PA projection and left lateral projection were determined.The real-time radiation dose rate and dose shielding rate at the nine measuring positions for the principal operator and assistant operator were separately calculated.The results were analyzed.Results The radiation protection of the glass type was slightly superior to that of the mixed type, but the difference was not significant.The principal operator was best protected when the shield was positioned close to him in the PA projection, and for left lateral projection the principal operator was best protected when the shield was positioned on his left side.For the assistant operator, the optimal protection was obtained when the shield was positioned close to him in both PA and left lateral projection.In the optimal position of ceiling-suspended lead shield, the highest radiation dose rate (0.71 mSv/h in glass group and 1.07 mSv/h in mixed group) was recorded on the principal operator at the height of 120 cm at PA projection, and higher radiation dose rate (≥0.47 mSv/h) was recorded on every point of both operators at the left lateral projection.Meanwhile, the overall received radiation doses of the two groups were very close.At the principal operator standing area, except for the position of 120 cm height (attenuation ratio 60.11% in glass group and 39.89% in mixed group), the attenuation ratio of each measuring point was above 93%.And the assistant operator standing area the attenuation ratio was 57%-97%.The lateral shielding ratio was generally slightly higher than PA shielding ratio.Conclusion The radiation protection effect of the two type shields is quite similar, both shields can obtain excellent protection efficacy.But the radiation dose at the height of 120 cm above the ground at PA projection is higher for the principal operator, while at lateral projection the radiation dose at all height levels is still relatively higher for both operators.Therefore, the radiation protection at the level of 120 cm height needs to be strengthened and the lateral projection exposure should be used as less as possible.

Objective To measure the dose to the primary operator and assistant operators by employing eight beam projections commonly used in coronary angiography with and without radiation protection shields in order to supply helpful guidance on radiation protection in cardiac intervention.Methods From 20 to 180 cm above the ground at the primary and assistant operators' locations,a DoseAware personal dose meter was placed in terms of an increment of 20 cm to measure radiation dose.Eight commonly used beam projections were performed,including LAO (left anterior oblique) 45°,RAO (right anterior oblique) 30°,CRAN (cranial)25°,cranial LAO (LAO45°/25°),caudal LAO(LAO45°/ 25°),CAUD (caudal) 25°,cranial RAO (RAO30°/25°),caudal RAO (caudal RAO30°/25°).Under the two different conditions,with or without radiation protection shields,the doses to the operators in the selected beam projections were respectively recorded at nine measuring positions and the shielding factor were calculated.Results The primary operator was effectively protected with radiation protection shields.In the standing area of the primary operator,except for the position at the height of 120 cm (radiation dose rate:0.35-4.78 mSv/h;shielding factor:27.67％-89.33％),the shielding factor for each measuring position was above 91％.Higher radiation doses were found at caudal LAO,LAO,and cranial LAO.The shielding factor for the assisting operator was lower than for the primary operator.In the standing area of the assisting operator (radiation dose rate:0.27-1.86 mSv/h;shielding factor:30.34％-92.13％),the peak levels were found at the height of 80,100,140 cm.And caudal RAO,caudal LAO,CRAN,LAO were found to have received higher radiation doses.Conclusions Emphasis should be attached to the use of radiation shields in coronary angiography.With radiation protection shields,higher dose is still recorded in caudal LAO,LAO,cranial LAO,caudal RAO.Furthermore,it should be paid more attention to radiation protection at 80-140 cm height,and less prolonged exposure should be employed in those beam projections mentioned above.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels have a therapeutic effect on acute lung injury, but the mechanism is unclear. If the mechanism is understood, the majority of patients with acute lung injury can obtain a benefit. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism underlying bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels in the treatment of acute lung injury with sepsis in rats. METHODS: (1) Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, sham operation group (sham group), sepsis group and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels group (cel treatment group). In the sepsis and cel treatment groups, animal models of sepsis with acute lung injury were established by cecal ligation and puncture, while in the sham group, the cecum was not ligated and punctured. Then, 1 mL normal saline was injected via the femoral vein in the sepsis and sham groups, and 1 mL bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel suspension (1×109/L) was injected into the cel treatment group. After 6 hours, interleukin 10 and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 levels in serum were measured in the three groups. Lung tissues were taken for pathological observation using hematoxylin-eosin staining. (2) Rat alveolar macrophages were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage, seeded into 24-wel culture plates, and divided into three groups: control group (group A), sepsis model group (group B) and intervention group of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels (group C). Normal saline, septic plasma, and co-intervention of septic plasma and mesenchymal stem cels were used in the groups A, B, C, respectively. Then, cels in the three groups were cultured in a 5% CO2 incubator at 37℃ for 1 hour. After that, alveolar macrophages were taken to detect whether nuclear factor-κB (P65) protein entered into the nucleus using laser scanning confocal microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the sham group, the macrophage inflammatory protein-2 levels in the sepsis group and cel treatment group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), but the macrophage inflammatory protein-2 level in the cel treatment group was significantly lower than that in the sepsis group (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences in serum interleukin 10 levels among the three groups (P > 0.05); inflammatory cel infiltration, interstitial pulmonary edema and pulmonary hemorrhage existed in the sepsis and cel treatment groups, but these symptoms were significantly reduced in the cel treatment group compared with the sepsis group. (2) Results from cel experiments showed that compared with the group A, in group B and group C, the number of nuclear factor-κB (P65) proteins into the nucleus was significantly higher (P < 0.05), but it was lower in the group C than the group B (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels in acute lung injury with sepsis can regulate nuclear factor-κB (P65) protein of alveolar macrophages into the nucleus, reduce expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and thereby play a protective role in the lungvia reducing neutrophil infiltration. Temporarily, this study cannot explain whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels have an effect on interleukin 10.

Objective Both decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and arterial stiffness were considered as risk factors for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested the association between central arterial stiffness and the degree of GFR loss. Whether decreased GFR contributes to peripheral artery stiffness remains controversial. Moreover, data analyzed from a cohort of Chinese women are rare. Our aim was to explore the relationship between GFR and regional arterial stiffness in Chinese women. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we randomly recruited 1131 adult women residents with GFR ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 estimated by the Chinese Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation from three large communities. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were estimated simultaneously by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and carotid-radial PWV (PWVcr) using a validated automatic device. Augmentation Index at heart rate 75 beats/minutes (AIx-75) was measured by pulse wave analysis as a composite parameter reflecting both large and distal arterial properties. Results The mean estimated GFR (eGFR) of the study group was 100.05 ± 23.26 mL/minute per 1.73 m2. Subjects were grouped by tertiles of eGFR level. PWVcf and AIx-75 increased ongoing from the top to the bottom eGFR tertile, while the values of PWVcr were comparable. Both univariate Pearson correlations and multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that eGFR significantly correlated to PWVcf, but not to PWVcr and AIx-75. Conclusions In Chinese women with normal to mildly impaired renal function, decreased eGFR affected carotid-to-femoral rather than carotid-to-radial stiffening. This provides rational to conduct future prospective studies to investigate predictors of atherosclerosis in this population.

Objective To investigate the differences in central hemodynamic indices between hypertensive and normotensive subjects and identify the blood pressure index that the most strongly correlate with arterial stiffness and vascular damage markers. Methods A cohort of 820 hypertensive patients and 820 normotensive individuals matched for age and gender were enrolled in this study. We measured carotid-femoral and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV), aortic augmentation index (AIx) and central blood pressures using pulse wave analysis and applanation tonometry. Plasma homocysteine (HCY), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were also tested in these subjects. Results In both hypertensive and normotensive subjects, the central systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) were significantly lower than brachial SBP and PP; this PP amplification was significantly lower in the normotensives (9.85 ± 6.55 mmHg) than in the hypertensives (12.64 ± 6.69 mmHg), but the amplification ratios were comparable between the two groups. Blood pressure and age were closely related with aortic arterial stiffness. Compared with normotensive subjects, hypertensive subjects had higher carotid-femoral PWV and AIx, and showed significantly lowered PP amplification ratio with age. Central PP was more strongly related to arterial stiffness and vascular damage markers than the other pressure indices. Multivariate analyses revealed that carotid-femoral PWV and aortic AIx were strongly influenced by central PP but not by the mean blood pressure or brachial PP. Conclusion The central PP is a more direct indicator of central arterial stiffness and a better marker of vascular aging than other blood pressure variables. These findings support the use of central blood pressure as a treatment target in future trials.

Objective:To assess the association of DNA double-strand break repair genes XRCC5 and LIG4 with glioma. Methods:126 patients with glioma (case group) and 120 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled. The polymorphisms of XRCC5 loci rs828704 and rs9288516, LIG4 loci rs3093737, rs3093739 and rs10131 were detected, and their association with the susceptibility to glioma was analyzed. Results:Hardy-Weinberg test showed that XRCC5 loci rs828704 and rs9288516, LIG4 loci rs3093737, rs3093739 and rs10131 were in equilibrium in both groups ( P>0.05). The frequency of A allele of XRCC5 gene rs9288516 locus and T allele of LIG4 gene rs10131 locus in the case group was higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). XRCC5 rs9288516 and LIG4 rs10131 were associated with the susceptibility to glioma under both recessive and additive models ( P<0.05), while LIG4 rs3093739 was associated with susceptibility to glioma under the recessive model ( P<0.05). Conclusion:XRCC5 rs9288516 and LIG4 rs10131 are associated with the susceptibility to glioma. Above finding may provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of glioma.

Objective To investigate the differences in central hemodynamic indices between hypertensive and normotensive subjects and identify the blood pressure index that the most strongly correlate with arterial stiffness and vascular damage markers. Methods A cohort of 820 hypertensive patients and 820 normotensive individuals matched for age and gender were enrolled in this study. We measured carotid-femoral and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV), aortic augmentation index (AIx) and central blood pressures using pulse wave analysis and applanation tonometry. Plasma homocysteine (HCY), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were also tested in these subjects. Results In both hypertensive and normotensive subjects, the central systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) were significantly lower than brachial SBP and PP; this PP amplification was significantly lower in the normotensives (9.85 ± 6.55 mmHg) than in the hypertensives (12.64 ± 6.69 mmHg), but the amplification ratios were comparable between the two groups. Blood pressure and age were closely related with aortic arterial stiffness. Compared with normotensive subjects, hypertensive subjects had higher carotid-femoral PWV and AIx, and showed significantly lowered PP amplification ratio with age. Central PP was more strongly related to arterial stiffness and vascular damage markers than the other pressure indices. Multivariate analyses revealed that carotid-femoral PWV and aortic AIx were strongly influenced by central PP but not by the mean blood pressure or brachial PP. Conclusion The central PP is a more direct indicator of central arterial stiffness and a better marker of vascular aging than other blood pressure variables. These findings support the use of central blood pressure as a treatment target in future trials.