Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) in the patients with severe heart failure (HF). Methods A prospective multicenter study was conducted. Patients whose age > 18 years old, and with the New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function grade overⅢ - Ⅳ , acute cardiac insufficiency and the acute exacerbation of chronic cardiac insufficiency admitted to intensive care unit/cardiovascular care unit (ICU/CCU) of 58 Hospitals in China were enrolled. On the basis of the conventional treatment, all patients would be given rhBNP (neo adjuvant) with a loading dose of 1.5 μg/kg for 3-5 minutes, and followed by a maintenance dose of 0.010-0.015 μg·kg-1·min-1 for 3-7 days. Before the treatment and 1, 3, 7 days after treatment, researchers detected indexes of cardiac and renal function, the levels of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac output (CO), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), central venous pressure (CVP), urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), and urine output; the renal function index was re-evaluated at 30 days after administration, and the time entering ICU again, re-admission, cardiovascular events were recorded. Results 408 patients were enrolled, with 241 males and 167 females. Age range was 28-95 years, the average age was (63.0±15.8) years, and 50-70 years old accounted for 46.8%. Compared with the data before treatment, NT-proBNP, PCWP and CVP significantly decreased at 6 hours after treatment [NT-proBNP (μg·kg-1·min-1): 4378.58±4082.29 vs. 6403.41±5759.48, PCWP (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa):12.41±2.21 vs. 14.26±2.85 , CVP (mmHg): 10.63±2.62 vs. 11.45±3.45, all P < 0.05], and with the prolongation of injection, NT-proBNP, PCWP and CVP were gradually declined; CO 1 day after treatment (mL: 4.89±0.81 vs. 4.40±0.92) and LVEF 3 days after treatment (0.465±0.100 vs. 0.431±0.107) were significantly increased (both P < 0.05), and with the prolongation of injection, CO and LVEF were gradually increased. There were no obvious changes in BUN and SCr during the treatment, but 30 days after treatment, SCr was significantly lower than that pre-treatment (μmol/L: 110.98±47.40 vs. 132.62±75.60, P < 0.01). Compared with the data pre-treatment, urine output per hour was significantly increased at 3 hours after treatment (mL: 129.59±82.16 vs. 89.60±53.49, P =0.000); urine output every 24 hours was significantly increased at day 1 and day 2 after administration (mL: 2676.54± 1006.83, 2678.74±975.97 vs. 2150.36±283.76, both P < 0.01). In 7 days, the re-entry ICU rate was 2.7%, and the re-hospitalization rate was 2.88% within 30 days, re-cardiac failure rate was 1.43% in 30 days, and the overall fatality rate was 9.55% in 30 days. Conclusions The rhBNP can significantly improve heart function in patients with HF. And, it has a certain effect on renal function. The rhBNP is effective and safe for the treatment of cardiac insufficiency.

Objective To analyze the correlation of interleukin(IL)-12B gene single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)rs6887695 with clinical phenotypes(including age at onset,family history,clinical types,gender)of psoriasis vulgaris in Chinese Han population.Methods This study recruited 575 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 1403 healthy controls.DNA samples were obtained from these subjects.PCR with Taqman fluorescent probe(ABI 7900 system)was performed to analyze the genotype of SNP rs6887695 in IL-12B gene.Statistical analysis was carried out by using the software SPSS 14.0,and Chi-square test was conducted to compare the frequency of the SNP rs6887695 genotypes and alleles between the patients and controls as well as between patients with different clinical phenotypes of psoriasis.Results The frequency of GG,GC and CC genotype of the SNP rs6887695 was 42.61％,45.39％ and 12.0％ respectively in the patients,compared to 34.42％,47.83％ and 17.75％ in the healthy controls(x2 =16.31,P ＜ 0.01);the frequency of G and C allele of the SNP rs6887695 was 65.30％ and 34.70％ respectively in the patients,compared to 58.34％ and 41.66％ respectively in the healthy controls(x2 =16.54,P＜0.01).Significant differences were observed in the distribution of genotypes and alleles of the SNP rs6887695 between patients with chronic plaque psoriasis(n =543)and those with acute guttate psoriasis(n =32,x2 =18.11,12.19,both P ＜ 0.01).Increased frequency of G allele and GG genotype of the SNP rs6887695 were noted in the patients with psoriasis vulgaris compared with the healthy controls,and in the patients with plaque psoriasis compared with those with guttate psoriasis.However,there was no statistical difference in the distribution of SNP rs6887695 genotypes or alleles between 540 patients with adult onset psoriasis and 35 patients with child onset psoriasis,between 102 patients with family history and 440 patients without family history,or between 341 male patients and 234 female patients(all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The IL-12B SNP rs6887695 may be associated with the susceptibility to psoriasis vulgaris in Chinese Han population,especially with the susceptibility to plaque psoriasis,but seems unassociated with the age at onset,family history or gender of patients.

Objective: To compare short-term efficacy of enhanced phase-I cardiac rehabilitation and ordinary phase-Ⅰ cardiac rehabilitation in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: A total of 254 patients received CABG in our hospital from 2015-07 to 2015-10 were enrolled including 196 male and 58 female at the mean age of (59.92±7.80) years. Relevant health education was conducted and echocardiography, emotion, grip strength were assessed before operation. Based on personal aspiration, the patients were assigned to 2 groups at the 1st day after CABG: Enhanced phase-I cardiac rehabilitation (Enhanced) group, the patients received every day one to one training by physical therapist for 7 days and Ordinary phase-I cardiac rehabilitation (Ordinary) group, the patients received unified instruction by physical therapist prior operation. Relevant parameters were compared between 2 groups at 1 week post-operation which were mainly focused on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), emotional assessment as health questionnaire 9-items (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety disorder 7-items (GAD-7) and grip strength. Results: Before operation: LVEF, PHQ-9 scores, GAD-7 scores and grip strength were similar between 2 groups.1 week post-operation: compared with Ordinary group, Enhanced group had the higher LVEF (62.88±5.21) % vs (59.00±9.83) %, P<0.05; Enhanced group showed slightly lower PHQ-9, GAD-7 scores and slightly higher grip strength without statistic meaning. Conclusion: Enhanced phase-I cardiac rehabilitation presented slight superiority as improved LVEF which implied that even 1 week specific training may benefit CABG patients.

AIM: To observe the efficacy and safety of small incision manual nuncleofragmentation technology in hard-nucleus cataract.METHODS: Fifty-four patients (54 eyes) were performed with small incision manual nucleofragmentation and intraocular lens implantation.Uncorrected-visual acuity,corrected-visual acuity and astigmatism were measured before and after surgery.Anterior segment of eye,retina,surgical complications were observed.RESULTS: Preoperative uncorrected vision(LogMAR) was 1.095±0.171,corrected vision (LogMAR) was 0.994±0.158.Postoperative uncorrected vision(LogMAR) was 0.321±0.214 and corrected vision(LogMAR) was 0.276±0.179 at 1wk after operation.Both had statistical significance compared with uncorrected vision(LogMAR) (t=27.052,P<0.01) and corrected vision (LogMAR)(t=29.211,P<0.01) after cataract operation.Average preoprative corneal astigmatism was 0.93±0.34D,average postoprative astigmatism was 0.95±0.29D at 3mo,there was no statistical significance of astigmatism before and after surgery(t=1.048,P>0.05).No severe complications occurred in all cases.CONCLUSION: The technology of small incision manual nuncleofragmentation in hard-nucleus cataract is proved to be safe and effective.

To evaluate the clinical effect of small incision cataract extraction with a manual nucleus division technique combined with intraocular lens implantation in cataract operation of large quantities.
●METHODS: Totally 105 patients (105 eyes) underwent small incision cataract extraction surgery. Visual acuity was observed, eye condition, fundus and intraocular pressure were examined by slit lamp at postoperative 1wk; 1mo.
●RESULTS: The visual acuity improved significantly at postoperative 1mo, 89 cases (89 eyes) with better than 0. 3( 85%), 101 cases ( 101 eyes) with 0. 1 and above (96%). lt had short operation time, fewer complications and good anesthetic effect.
● CONCLUSlON: This operation is suitable for primary hospitals, which visual acuity improved obviously, without serious complications, and economic and feasible.

Objective To investigate the indications and methods of retaining only portal vein for the hilar cholangiocarcinoma radical resection to improve the therapeutic efficacy. Methods Six patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent left hepatectomy and extrahepatic bile duct excision. Tumor invaded hepatic artery was resected and fight hepatic duct-jejunum anastomosis was made during July 2006 to December 2007. Results There was no mortality. Bile leakage developed in one case and was cured by drainage. No liver failure developed postoperatively. All 6 cases were followed up for 10 - 23 months, and all were still alive. Conclusions Retaining only portal vein for the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma radical resection under definite indications is safe.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) gene deficiency associated invasive candidiasis, and report a novel mutation in CARD9 gene.Methods:The clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, treatment and the outcome of follow-up in a boy with invasive candidiasis were described. The boy′s main clinical manifestations were central nervous system infection and retroperitoneal mass. Whole-exome sequencing was performed and Sanger sequencing was verified to identify the CARD9 gene mutations in the patient and his parents. A literature search for “CARD9”and “invasive candidiasis”was conducted in PubMed, Wanfang and CNKI databases from their establishment to May 2020.Results:A 10-year-old boy suffered onset symptom of chronic diarrhea, which lasted for two months. The symptom was followed by progressive neurological symptoms such as headache, vomiting, seizures and disorder of consciousness. His unusual medical history was absent. Candida albicans were cultured several times in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and yeast-like fungi were found in the stool high power field of vision. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging indicated obstructive hydrocephalus and abdominal CT scan showed retroperitoneal mass and thickening of the intestinal wall. The whole-exome sequencing analyses of blood samples from the boy and his parents were performed. The results showed that there was a homozygous mutation of c.952-12_956delinsAG in the CARD9 gene, which was an unreported pathogenic mutation. This was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. There was no significant relief from intravenous combined antifungal medications. After lateral ventricular drainage surgery and injection of amphotericin B into the lateral ventricle, improvement of clinical symptoms and cerebral spinal fluid abnormalities was observed after nine weeks, and the retroperitoneal mass shrank. At follow-up after four-month oral combined antifungal medications, the child had no complaint except fatigue. However, cerebral spinal fluid analysis showed increased protein level and decreased glucose. Persistent hydrocephalus and periventricular white matter abnormal signals were revealed on the brain magnetic resonance imaging and the smaller retroperitoneal mass than before on the abdominal CT scan. In addition to this case, totally 21 cases with CARD9 gene deficiency associated invasive candidiasis have been reported worldwide, most of which featured central nervous system infections.Conclusions:CARD9 gene deficiency is an autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency that confers human susceptibility to fungal disease. The associated invasive candidiasis often affects the central nervous system and makes the patient severely ill. Adequate systemic antifungal therapies should be given, and patients with hydrocephalus need surgical treatment. A novel mutation is reported that expands the variant diversity of CARD9 gene. For patients with unexplained invasive candidiasis, including those without a history of previous recurrent infection, genetic testing is recommended for primary immunodeficiency including CARD9 gene deficiency.

Objective To observe the efficacy and acute inflammatory reactionof Qingjin Huazhuo Prescription combined with Western medicine therapy for treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods Totally 60 hospitalized patients with AECOPD (Grade Ⅱ) and acute exacerbation course≤1 week were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional Western medicine. The observation group was treated with conventional Western medicine and oral administration of Qingjin Huazhuo Prescription for 10 days, once a day. TCM syndrome and dyspnea grading (mMRC score), white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), were measured before and after the treatment. Results The total scores of TCM syndromes and cough, expectoration, wheezing, fever, and cyanosis in the two groups decreased significantly (P<0.05). The improving degrees of cough and expectoration were better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of mMRC in the two groups were better than before treatment (P<0.05). The levels of WBC, CRP and PaCO2 in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). The decreased degrees of CRP and PaCO2 in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion Qingjin Huazhuo Prescription combined with Western medicine therapy can relieve clinical symptoms, reduce the acute inflammatory reaction of AECOPD patients and improve respiration.

AIM: To investigate the effect of zacopride, an inward rectifier potassium channel agonist, on ouabain-induced arrhythmias in adult rats, and to explore the underlying electrophysiological mechanism.METHODS: Using ouabain to establish in vitro and in vivo arrhythmic rat models, the effects of zacopride on ouabain-induced arrhythmias were observed.The technique of whole-cell patch clamp was used to observe the effects of zacopride on inward rectifier potassium current (IK1), resting membrane potential (RMP) and delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) in single rat ventricular myocyte.RESULTS: Zacopride at 1 μmol/L significantly reduced total number of premature ventricular beats, and the duration and incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation induced by ouabain in rat hearts in vitro (P<0.05).In anesthetized rats, zacopride at 15 μg/kg significantly reduced total number of premature ventricular beats, and the duration and incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation induced by ouabain (P<0.05).IK1 was significantly inhibited by ouabain (P<0.05), which was partially and even completely reversed by zacopride at 0.1~10 μmol/L.RMP value was significantly reduced by ouabain (P<0.05), and then increased to different levels after treatment with zacopride (0.1~10 μmol/L).Zacopride at 1 μmol/L showed its maximal effect and RMP was restored to normal level.Moreover, zacopride at 1 μmol/L markedly suppressed ouabain-induced DADs in single rat ventricular myocyte.The incidence of DADs decreased from 91.67% to 12.50% after zacopride was applied (P<0.05), and this effect was abolished by 1 μmol/L BaCl2.CONCLUSION: Inward rectifier potassium channel agonist zacopride significantly inhibits ouabain-induced ventricular arrhythmias in adult rats.The mechanism is related to increased RMP level and inhibition of DADs by activation of IK1 channel.

Objective To optimize and compare four in vitro cytotoxicity assays in order to find a relatively rapid assay that can replace the traditional 51Cr release assay to evaluate the cytotoxicity of immune cells prepared for immunotherapy.Methods Four assays including BATDA, CAM (calcein acetoxymethyl ester), CytoTox-Glo and PKH were optimized and used to measure the in vitro cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells to K562 cell line.Intra-and inter-assay reproducibility of these assays and their correlation with 51Cr release assay were analyzed.Results After optimization, all of the four cytotoxicity assays showed good correlation with effector to target (E/T) ratio in a certain range.Compared with the other three assays, CytoTox-Glo assay showed obvious hook effect at a high E/T ratio of 40∶1.BATDA assay could detect the significant cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells to K562 cells after incubating them for one hour and that was the shortest time taken by the four assays to detect in vitro cytotoxicity.Both CAM and PKH assays took about four hours and CytoTox-Glo assay took six to eight hours to detect the significant cytotoxic potency.All of the four assays, especially BATDA and CAM assays, showed good intra-and inter-assay reproducibility.Among these assays, BATDA assay showed the best correlation with the traditional 51Cr release assay.BATDA assay, as compared with the other three assays, could be used to detect the cytotoxicity of Caov3 cells, an adherent cell line, and showed good results in evaluating the cytotoxic potency of autologous primary NK cells and CD19-CAR T cells.Conclusion Compared with the other three assays, BATDA assay shows the best linear correlation with 51Cr release assay and has the advantages of time-saving and good reproducibility.Besides, it is a better assay for detecting the cytotoxicity of adherent cells.BATDA assay is a promising substitute for 51Cr release assay in evaluating the in vitro cytotoxic potency of NK cells and other immune cells.