Investigation of long-term implantation of BuMA stent in a porcine coronary model

Background  Stent-based delivery of sirolimus has been shown to reduce neointimal hyperplasia significantly. However, the long-term effect of the polymer is thought to initiate and sustain an inflammatory response and contribute to the occurrence of late complications. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the BuMA biodegradable drug-coated sirolimus-eluting stent (BSES) for inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia in a porcine coronary model.

Methods  Four types of stents were implanted at random in different coronary arteries of the same pig: BSES (n=24), bare metal stent (BMS) (n=24), biodegradable polymer coated stent without drug (PCS) (n=24) and only poly (n-butyl methacrylate) base layer coated stent (EGS) (n=23). In total, 26 animals underwent successful random placement of 95 oversized stents in the coronary arteries. Coronary angiography was performed after 28 days, 90 days and 240 days of stent implantation. After 14 days, 28 days, 90 days and 240 days, 6 animals at each timepoint were sacrificed for histomorphologic analysis.

Results  The 28-day, 90-day and 240-day results of quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) showed reduction in luminal loss (LL) in the BSES group when compared with the BMS group;  (0.20±0.35) mm vs. (0.82±0.51) mm (P=0.035), (0.20±0.30) mm vs. (0.93±0.51) mm (P=0.013), and (0.18±0.16) mm vs. (0.19±0.24) mm (P=0.889), respectively. By 28-day, 90-day and 240-day histomorphomeric analysis results, there was also a corresponding significant reduction in neointimal tissue proliferation with similar injury scores of BSES compared with the BMS control; average neointimal area (0.90±0.49) mm² vs. (2.16±1.29) mm² (P=0.049), (1.53±0.84) mm² vs. (3.41±1.55) mm² (P=0.026), and (2.43±0.95) mm² vs. (3.12±1.16) mm² (P=0.228), respectively. High magnification histomorphologic examination revealed similar inflammation scores and endothelialization scores in both the BSES and BMS groups.

Conclusions  The BuMA biodegradable drug-coated sirolimus-eluting stents can significantly reduce neointimal hyperplasia and in-stent restenosis. Re-endothelialization of the BuMA stent is as good as that of the BMS in the porcine coronary model due to the reduced inflammation response to the BuMA stent.

     

Nine-month angiographic and two-year clinical follow-up of polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent versus durable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stent for coronary artery disease: the Nano randomized trial

Background First generation drug-eluting stents （DES） were associated with a high incidence of late stent thrombosis （ST）,mainly due to delayed healing and re-endothelization by the durable polymer coating.This study sought to assess the safety and efficacy of the Nano polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent （SES） in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions.Methods The Nano trial is the first randomized trial designed to compare the safety and efficacy of the Nano polymer-free SES and Partner durable-polymer SES （Lepu Medical Technology,Beijing,China） in the treatment of patients with de novo native coronary lesions.The primary endpoint was in-stent late lumen loss （LLL） at 9-month follow-up.The secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events （MACE）,a composite of cardiac death,myocardial infarction or target lesion revascularization.Results A total of 291 patients （Nano group：n=143,Partner group：n=148） were enrolled in this trial from 19 Chinese centers.The Nano polymer-free SES was non-inferior to the Partner durable-polymer DES at the primary endpoint of 9 months （P 〈0.001）.The 9-month in-segment LLL of the polymer-free Nano SES was comparable to the Partner SES （0.34±0.42） mm vs.（0.30±0.48） mm,P=0.21）.The incidence of MACE in the Nano group were 7.6% compared to the Partner group of 5.9% （P=0.75） at 2 years follow-up.The frequency of cardiac death and stent thrombosis was low for both Nano and Partner SES （0.8% vs.0.7%,0.8% vs.1.5%,both P=1.00）.Conclusions In this multicenter randomized Nano trial,the Nano polymer-free SES showed similar safety and efficacy compared with the Partner SES in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions.Trials in patients with complex lesions and longer term follow-up are necessary to confirm the clinical performance of this novel Nano polymer-free SES.     

Proficiency of virtual reality simulator training in flexible retrograde ureteroscopy renal stone management

Background Minimally invasive flexible ureteroscopy techniques have widely adopted in the management of patients with renal stones. We performed this study to investigate the value of virtual reality simulator training in retrograde flexible ureteroscopy renal stone treatment for catechumen.     

Comparison of loading with maintenance dose of clopidogrel on platelet reactivity in Chinese with different CYP2C19 genotypes prior to percutaneous coronary intervention

Background Whether two clopidogrel pretreatment strategies prior to elective percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）： a 300 mg loading dose （LD） in clopidogrel naive patients and a 75 mg maintenance dose （MD） once daily in patients on chronic clopidogrel therapy play the same role in the platelet inhibition in Chinese with different CYP2C19 genotypes remains unknown. We aim to evaluate the impact on platelet inhibition by clopidogrel pretreatment strategy and its interaction effect with CYP2C19 genotype. Methods Chinese patients undergoing PCI （n=840） were assigned to 2x2 groups in the trial according to different clopidogrel pretreatment strategies （470 patients in LD, 370 patients in MD） and CYP2C19 genotypes （494 carriers of any CYP2C19 ＊2 or ＊3 loss-of-function allele, 346 non-carriers）. The primary outcome was platelet aggregation （PA） as measured by the 10 umol/L adenosine diphosphate induced light transmission aggregation. Results Compared with MD group, LD strategy showed a significantly higher PA-（（59.22＋11.67）% vs. （52.83±12.17）%, P 〈0.01）, similar PA difference was observed in CYP2C19 loss-of-function carriers compared with non-carriers （（59.41±10.91）% vs. （52.10±12.90）%, P 〈0.01）. LD patients in either the CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carrier or non- carrier group showed a significantly higher PA compared with MD group （（61.50±10.61）% vs. （56.84±10.74）%, P 〈0.01; （56.06±12.34）% vs. （46.88±11.78）%, P 〈0.01, respectively）. A quantitative interaction effect was observed between clopidogrel pretreatment strategy and CYP2C19 genotype （P=0.001）. Conclusion The 300 mg LD strategy results in a decreased effect on platelet inhibition compared with the 75 mg MD in Chinese patients receiving clopidogrel prior to PCI, especially in the CYP2C19 ＊2 or ＊3 loss-of-function allele non-carriers. （ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01710436） Chin tided J 2014;127 （14）： 2571-2577     

Hydrogen sulfide defends against the cardiovascular risk of Nw-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester-induced hypertension in rats via the nitric oxide/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway

Background Dyslipidemia caused by liver injury is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular complications.Previous studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide （H2S） protects against multiple cardiovascular disease states in a similar manner as nitric oxide （NO）,and NO/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） pathway is the key route of NO production.The purpose of this study was to investigate whether H2S can ameliorate the high blood pressure and plasma lipid profile in Nw-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester （L-NAME）-induced hypertensive rats by NO/eNOS pathway.Methods Thirty-six 4-week old Sprague-Dawley （SD） male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups （n=6）：control group,L-NAME group,control ＋ glibenclamide group,control ＋ NaHS group,L-NAME ＋ NaHS group,and L-NAME ＋ NaHS ＋ glibenclamide group.Measurements were made of plasma triglycerides （TG）,low-density lipoprotein （LDL）,high-density lipoprotein （HDL）,total cholesterol （CHO）,glutamic-pyruvic transaminase （ALT） levels after 5 weeks.Then measurements of NO level and proteins expression of eNOS,P-eNOS,AKT,P-AKT were made in liver tissue.Results After 5 weeks of L-NAME treatment,the blood pressure,plasma TG （（1.22±0.12） mmol/L in L-NAME group vs.（0.68±0.09） mmol/L in control group; P ＜0.05） and LDL （（0.54±0.04） mmol/L in L-NAME group vs.（0.28±0.02） mmol/L in control group; P ＜0.05） concentration were significantly increased,and the plasma HDL （（0.26±0.02） mmol/L in L-NAME group vs.（0.69±0.07） mmol/L in control group; P ＜0.05） concentration significantly decreased.Meanwhile the rats treated with L-NAME exhibit dysfunctional eNOS,diminished NO levels （（1.36±0.09） mmol/g protein in L-NAME group vs.（2.34±0.06） mmol/g protein in control group; P ＜0.05） and pathological changes of the liver.H2S therapy can markedly decrease the blood pressure （（37.25±4.46） mmHg at the fifth week; P ＜0.05）,and ameliorate the plasma TG （（0.59±0.06） mmHg）,     

Ibutilide decreases defibrillation threshold by the reduction of activation pattern complexity during ventricular fibrillation in canine hearts

Background  Ibutilide has been commonly used for pharmacologic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter in clinical settings. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ibutilide on the defibrillation threshold (DFT), restitution properties, dispersion of refractoriness and activation patterns during ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Methods  Ibutilide was administrated intravenously in six open-chest beagles. Before and after the drug administration, 20-second episodes of VF were electrically induced and recorded with a 10×10 unipolar electrode plaque sutured on the lateral epicardium of the left ventricle. DFT and VF activation patterns, including type of epicardial activation maps, VF cycle length (VF-CL), conduction velocity, wavelength (WL) and reentry incidence, were measured. Restitution properties and dispersion of refractoriness were estimated from activation recovery intervals (ARI) during pacing.

Results  Compared to baseline, ibutilide markedly decreased the DFT by 31% ((491±14) V vs. (337±59) V, P <0.01). The drug significantly reduced the maximal slope of the restitution curve (1.34±0.08 vs. 0.76±0.06, P <0.01) and its epicardial dispersion (0.36±0.09 vs. 0.21±0.06, coefficient of variation, P=0.03). The dispersion of refractoriness was enhanced at the pacing cycle length of 300 ms to 160 ms by ibutilide. The drug significantly increased the VF-CL ((96±19) ms vs. (112±20) ms, P <0.01) and the WL ((41±9) mm vs. (52±14) mm, P=0.02) during VF, and reduced the reentry incidence by 25% (0.08±0.02 vs. 0.06±0.02, P <0.01). In the epicardial activation maps, ibutilide significantly reduced the percentage of more complex activation maps during VF.

Conclusions  Intravenous ibutilide significantly decreased the DFT. It might be due to reduction of activation pattern complexity during VF.

     

Pulmonary vein antrum isolation of pre-excited atrial fibrillation

Background Pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) of pre-excited atrial fibrillation (AF) is controversial. This study aimed to observe the therapeutic effects of PVAI on pre-excited AF.

Methods Twenty-nine patients with pre-excited AF were prospectively divided into a PVAI group (group I, 19 cases) and a control group (group II, 10 cases). To each case in group I, PVAI was performed, and then electroanatomical mapping of accessory pathways (AP) and ablation were constructed on a three-dimensional (3D) map of the valve annulus. Only AP ablation was performed in each case of group II.

Results Of the 29 cases, three were found to have dual APs, two had intermittent APs, and the remaining 24 had single APs. All APs were successfully ablated after the procedure. There were no significant statistical differences in the AP procedure duration ((77.4±21.3) minutes vs. (85.3±13.1) minutes), the AP ablation time ((204±34) seconds vs. (223±62) seconds) and the AP X-ray exposure time ((18.6±4.4) minutes vs. (19.1±4.5) minutes) respectively between groups I and II. As compared with the control group (5 of 10 cases, 50%), the PVAI group had a significantly lower AF recurrence rate (2 of 19 cases, 11%; P <0.05) during follow-up of (20.5±10.0) months. All seven patients who recurred were successfully abolished by a second ablation.

Conclusions In patients with pre-excited AF, PVAI is an effective therapeutic approach with a low AF recurrence rate. 3D electroanatomical maps of AP contributed to the high success rate of ablation without significantly prolonging of operational duration and X-ray exposure time.

     

Effect of short-term high-dose atorvastatin on systemic inflammatory response and myocardial ischemic injury in patients with unstable angina pectoris undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Background Percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） could develop periprocedural myocardial infarction and inflammatory response and statins can modify inflammatory responses property.The aim of this study was to evaluate whether short-term high-dose atorvastatin therapy can reduce inflammatory response and myocardial ischemic injury elicited by PCI.Methods From March 2012 to May 2014,one hundred and sixty-five statin-naive patients with unstable angina referred for PCI at Department of Cardiology of the 306th Hospital,were enrolled and randomized to 7-day pretreatment with atorvastatin 80 mg/d as high dose group （HD group,n=56） or 20 mg/d as normal dose group （ND group,n=57） or an additional single high loading dose （80 mg） followed 6-day atorvastatin 20 mg/d as loading dose group （LD group,n=52）.Plasma C-reactive protein （CRP） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） levels were determined before intervention and at 5 minutes,24 hours,48 hours,72 hours,and 7 days after intervention.Creatine kinase-myocardial isoenzyme （CK-MB） and cardiac troponin I （cTnl） were measured at baseline and then 24 hours following PCI.Results Plasma CRP and IL-6 levels increased from baseline after PCI in all groups.CRP reached a maximum at 48 hours and IL-6 level reached a maximum at 24 hours after PCI.Plasma CRP levels at 24 hours after PCI were significantly lower in the HD group （（9.14±3.02） mg/L） than in the LD group （（11.06±3.06） mg/L） and ND group （（12.36±3.08） mg/L,P ＜0.01）; this effect persisted for 72 hours.IL-6 levels at 24 hours and 48 hours showed a statistically significant decrease in the HD group （（16.19±5.39） ng/L and （14.26±4.12） ng/L,respectively）） than in the LD group （（19.26±6.34） ng/L and （16.03±4.08） ng/L,respectively,both P ＜0.05） and ND group （（22.24±6.98） ng/L and （17.24±4.84） ng/L,respectively）.IL-6 levels at 72 hours and 7 days showed no statistically significant difference among the study groups.Although PCI cau     

Impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention on blood perfusion in nonculprit artery in patients with anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction

Background Recent studies have demonstrated that epicardial flow in nonculprit arteries,which has been assumed to be normal,was slowed in the setting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Howev...     

Comparison on colonoscopic parameters according to length of adult-colonoscope

Background High success rate of intubation and short intubation time have been needed to endoscopists for a complete and comfortable coolonoscopy,if possible.The purpose of present study was to compare procedure efficiencies according to adult-colonoscope length.Methods This was a prospective,randomized,single-blinded controlled trial.A total of 239 healthy Korean subjects were randomly assigned to two groups：one group receiving intermediate-length adult-colonoscope （n=119）,and the other group receiving long-length adult-colonoscope （n=120）.Cecal intubation time and rate,and terminal ileal intubation time and rate as well as other procedure-related outcomes （adenoma detection rate,withdrawal time,and total procedure time） were evaluated.Results There were significant differences in cecal intubation time and terminal ileal intubation rate according to colonoscope length.The time of cecal intubation was shorter in the intermediate-scope group than that in the long-scope group （（222.13±101.67） s vs.（253.85±109.40） s,P=-0.014）.However,the rate of terminal ileal intubation was higher in the long-scope group than that in the intermediate-scope group （94.2％ vs.83.2％,P=-0.007）.In addition,terminal ileal intubation time was also shorter in the long-scope group than that in the intermediate-scope group （（35.21±38.89） s vs.（44.09±33.87） s,P ＜0.001）.There were no significant differences in other procedure-related outcomes between the two groups.Conclusions The intermediate-length adult-colonoscope had an advantage over the long-length adult-colonoscope regarding cecal intubation time,whereas the long-scope had an advantage over the intermediate-scope regarding the rate and time of terminal ileal intubation.These results suggest that it is rational to prepare and use these two types of colonoscope properly,instead of employing only one type of colonoscope.     

An anatomical comparison of two minimally invasive pelvic reconstructive surgeries using fresh female cadavers

Background During the past decade, graft materials have been widespread used in the vagina in order to correct pelvic organ prolapse. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the exact anatomical position of the puncture devices and their relations to the relevant anatomical structures in the ProliftTM and a modified pelvic reconstructive surgery with mesh. Methods Twelve fresh cadavers were allocated randomly to either the ProliftTM or the modified pelvic reconstructive surgery group. Each group had six fresh cadavers. Relevant distances between the puncture devices and anatomical structures were recorded in both minimally invasive puncture surgeries. Results The mean distances from the posterior puncture points of the obturator membrane to the posterior branch of obturator arteries were shorter （（0.60＋0.36） cm and （0.78＋0.10） cm） when compared with the distances to the anterior branch of obturator arteries （（1.53＋0.46） cm and （1.86＋0.51） cm） for the reconstruction of the anterior compartment in both surgeries （all P 〈0.05）. The distance from the puncture points of the pelvic floor through the ischiorectal fossa to the coccygeal and inferior gluteal arteries in the ProliftTM technique （（0.88＋0.10） cm） and （（1.59＋0.36） cm））were much shorter than that in the modified pelvic reconstructive surgery （（2.95＋0.09） cm） and （（3.40＋0,36） cm）） for the reconstruction of the middle and posterior compartments （all P 〈0.05）. Conclusions Compared with the ProliftTM technique, the modified pelvic reconstructive surgery with mesh would be safer not to cause great damage to the inferior gluteal arteries and the coccygeal arteries, The posterior branch of obturator arteries would be easier to be injured than the anterior branch of obturator arteries during anterior compartment reconstruction in both surgeries.     

Ibutilide decreases defibrillation threshold by the reduction of activation pattern complexity during ventricular fibrillation in canine hearts

Background  Ibutilide has been commonly used for pharmacologic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter in clinical settings The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ibutilide on the defibrillation threshold (DFT), restitution properties, dispersion of refractoriness and activation patterns during ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Methods  Ibutilide was administrated intravenously in six open-chest beagles. Before and after the drug administration, 20-second episodes of VF were electrically induced and recorded with a 10×10 unipolar electrode plaque sutured on the lateral epicardium of the left ventricle. DFT and VF activation patterns, including type of epicardial activation maps, VF cycle length (VF-CL), conduction velocity, wavelength (WL) and reentry incidence, were measured. Restitution properties and dispersion of refractoriness were estimated from activation recovery intervals (ARI) during pacing.

Results  Compared to baseline, ibutilide markedly decreased the DFT by 31% ((491±14) V vs. (337±59) V, P<0.01). The drug significantly reduced the maximal slope of the restitution curve (1.34±0.08 vs. 0.76±0.06, P<0.01) and its epicardial dispersion (0.36±0.09 vs. 0.21±0.06, coefficient of variation, P=0.03). The dispersion of refractoriness was enhanced at the pacing cycle length of 300 ms to 160 ms by ibutilide. The drug significantly increased the VF-CL ((96±19) ms vs. (112±20) ms, P<0.01) and the WL ((41±9) mm vs. (52±14) mm, P=0.02) during VF, and reduced the reentry incidence by 25% (0.08±0.02 vs. 0.06±0.02, P<0.01). In the epicardial activation maps, ibutilide significantly reduced the percentage of more complex activation maps during VF.

Conclusions  Intravenous ibutilide significantly decreased the DFT. It might be due to reduction of activation pattern complexity during VF.

     

Kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty for the treatment of malignant vertebral compression fractures caused by metastases: a retrospective study

Background There are few comparative studies regarding kyphoplasty (KP) and vertebroplasty (VP) for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures (VCF) in patients with cancer. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare KP with VP in pain improvement, cement leakage incidence, and the cost of treatment of malignant VCF.

Methods We performed a retrospective study of clinical data for 80 patients with multiple spinal metastases, treated with KP in 42 cases and VP in 38. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were collected pre-operatively, post-operatively, at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment. Cement leakage was identified using fluoroscopy and CT scan. Total cost per patient was also collected.

Results There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-operative VAS scores (7.4±2.0 to 3.8±1.6, P <0.001 in the KP group; 6.7±2.4 to 3.7±1.4, P <0.001 in the VP group), and was maintained at 1-year follow-up (3.2±1.4 in the KP group, 3.1±1.3 in the VP group). However, the difference in VAS score between these two groups was insignificant at baseline and every follow-up assessment post-operatively (P >0.05). The incidence of cement leakage in the KP group was lower than that of the VP group (16.9% (14/83) vs 30.3% (23/76), P <0.05). However, none of the patients developed any symptoms. The length of postoperative hospital stay in the VP group was shorter than that of the KP group ((2.4±1.3) vs (5.3±1.9) days, P <0.05). Total hospital cost in the KP group was much higher than that of the VP group (RMB Yuan 8 492±3 332 vs RMB Yuan 3 173±1 341, P <0.01).

Conclusions VP and KP are both effective in providing pain relief for patients with cancer-related VCF. KP provides no greater degree of pain improvement. KP is associated with a lower rate of cement leakage compared with VP. VP is associated with lower cost and shorter postoperative hospital stay in China.

     

Detection of carboxyhemoglobin in patients with hepatic encephalopathy due to hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis

Background  The heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide (HO/CO) system plays an important role in the development of hepatic fibrosis. The level of the HO/CO can be directly obtained by determining the carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level. The aims of this study were to reveal the significance of COHb in patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis (HBC) complicated by hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and to further investigate the influence of the HO/CO pathway on the end-stage cirrhosis, hoping to find a reliable indicator to evaluate the course of HBC.

Methods  According to the diagnostic criteria, 63 HBC inpatients with HE were enrolled in group H. Patients regaining awareness with current therapies were categorized into group P-H. Comparisons were made with a control group (group N) consisting of 20 health volunteers. The levels of COHb, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) and oxygen saturation (SaO₂) were determined by arterial blood gas analysis method. The incidences of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), upper gastrointestinal bleeding, esophagogastric varices and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in group H were recorded. COHb levels in different groups were compared, and the correlations of COHb levels with HE grades (I, II, III, and IV), PaO₂, SaO₂ and hypoxemia were analyzed.

Results  The COHb level in group P-H ((1.672±0.761)%) was significantly higher than that in group N ((0.983±0.231)%) (P <0.01), and the level in group H ((2.102±1.021)%) was significantly higher than groups P-H and N (P <0.01). A positive correlation was observed between the COHb concentration and the grade of HE (r_s=0.357, P=0.004). There were no significant differences of COHb levels between HE patients with and without complications such as esophagogastric varices ((2.302±1.072)% vs. (1.802±1.041)%, P >0.05) or the occurrence of SBP ((2.960±0.561)% vs. (2.030±1.021)%, P >0.05). Compared with HE patients with HRS, the level of COHb was significantly higher in HE patients without HRS ((2.502±1.073)% vs. (1.981±1.020)%, P=0.029). The COHb level had a negative correlation with PaO₂ (r=−0.335, P=0.007) while no statistically significant relationship was found with SaO₂ (r=−0.071, P >0.05). However, when the above two parameters met the diagnostic criteria of hypoxemia, the COHb concentration increased ((2.621±0.880)% vs. (1.910±0.931)%, P=0.011).

Conclusions  COHb is a potential candidate to estimate the severity and therapeutic effect of HE. The levels of COHb may be tissue-specific in cirrhotic patients with different complications.

     

Endothelial progenitor cell down-regulation in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease

Background  Cardiovascular complications of Kawasaki disease (KD) are a common cause of heart disease in pediatric populations. Previous studies have suggested a role for endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in coronary artery lesions associated with KD. However, long-term observations of EPCs during the natural progression of this disorder are lacking. Using an experimental model of KD, we aimed to determine whether the coronary artery lesions are associated with down-regulation of EPCs.

Methods  To induce KD, C57BL/6 mice were administered an intraperitoneal injection of Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE; phosphate buffered saline used as control vehicle). Study groups included: group A (14 days following LCWE injection), group B (56 days following LCWE injection) and group C (controls). Numbers of circulating EPCs (positively staining for both CD34 and Flk-1 while staining negative for CD45) were evaluated using flow cytometry. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were cultured in vitro to expand EPCs for functional analysis. In vitro EPC proliferation, adhesion and migration were assessed.

Results  The model was shown to exhibit similar coronary artery lesions to KD patients with coronary aneurysms. Numbers of circulating EPCs decreased significantly in the KD models (groups A and B) compared to controls ((0.017±0.008)% vs. (0.028±0.007)%, P <0.05 and (0.016±0.007)% vs. (0.028±0.007)%, P <0.05). Proliferative, adhesive and migratory properties of EPCs were markedly impaired in groups A and B.

Conclusion  Coronary artery lesions in KD occur as a consequence of impaired vascular injury repair, resulting from excess consumption of EPCs together with a functional impairment of bone marrow EPCs and their precursors.

     

Efficacy of the long-acting octreotide formulation in patients with thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas after incomplete surgery and octreotide treatment failure

Background  Little information about the current management of patients with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenomas or about the usefulness of the somatostatin analogue octreotide was contained in the literature. This study aimed to report the efficacy and safety of the long-acting octreotide formulation in patients with TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas after incomplete surgery and octreotide treatment failure. 

Methods  Fifteen patients with TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas (8 men and 7 women), who previously underwent incomplete surgical resection and/or adjuvant radiotherapy (n=12) and failure of octreotide treatment (n=15), followed between 2007 and 2010 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital were included in this study. All patients received 1- to 2-months of the long-acting octreotide formulation treatment after the above combination of treatment. Paired samples t-test was used to analysis the variables.

Results  After two-month duration of the long-acting octreotide formulation treatment, the mean serum free or unbound thyroxine (FT4) ((16.02±1.72) pmol/L) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) ((2.87±0.43) pmol/L) levels of 15 patients significantly decreased compared with those after octreotide-treatment (FT4, (35.36±7.42) pmol/L, P <0.001; FT3, (17.85±7.22) pmol/L, P <0.001). Mean TSH levels stayed in the normal range after the long-acting octreotide formulation treatment ((0.72±0.21) mU/L) and were significantly lower than the pretreatment value ((5.27±1.04) mU/L, P <0.001), post-surgery value ((3.37±0.31) mU/L, P <0.001) and post-octreotide-treatment value ((4.52±0.41) mU/L, P <0.001). In these patients with TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas there was no evidence of tachyphylaxis.

Conclusion  The long-acting octreotide formulation may be a useful and safe therapeutic tool to facilitate the medical treatment of TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas in patients who underwent incomplete surgery or need long-term somatostatin analog therapy.

     

芦荟大黄素对兔髂动脉损伤后内膜增生及血管重塑反应的在体研究

目的探讨芦荟大黄素对兔髂动脉损伤后内膜增生及血管重塑反应的影响。方法将14只纯种日本大耳白兔随机分为髂动脉球囊损伤用药组和非用药组,于手术前后分别给予芦荟大黄素〔40mg/(kg·d)×7d〕或等体积的生理盐水肌肉注射。14d后,取出左右髂总动脉,用计算机图像分析仪对其切片进行形态测量分析。结果用药组与未用药组比较,最大内膜厚度均值稍低〔(0.043±0.013)mm比(0.048±0.015)mm,P>0.05〕;新生内膜面积减小〔(0.025±0.005)mm2比(0.035±0.008)mm2,P<0.05〕;管腔面积增大〔(0.098±0.011)mm2比(0.08±0.013)mm2,P<0.05〕;管腔面积和内膜面积及外弹力膜面积之比升高(用药组为0.793±0.036、0.617±0.054;非用药组为0.699±0.063、0.538±0.057,P<0.05)。用药组与未用药组比较,外弹力膜面积稍增大〔(0.160±0.010)mm2比(0.152±0.01)mm2,P<0.2〕,但与未受损伤的正常髂动脉外弹力膜面积〔(0.134±0.023)mm2〕相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论芦荟大黄素可以抑制球囊损伤后内膜的增生,并有可能对损伤后的血管重塑产生有利的影响。     

A randomized, prospective, two-center comparison of sirolimus-eluting stent and zotarolimus-eluting stent in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: The SEZE trial

Background  The zotarolimus-eluting stent has shown larger in-stent late lumen loss compared to sirolimus-eluting stents in previous studies. However, this has not been thoroughly evaluated in ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods  This was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial evaluating angiographic outcomes in patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction, treated with zotarolimus-eluting stents or sirolimus-eluting stents. From March 2007 to February 2009, 122 patients were randomized to zotarolimus-eluting stents or sirolimus-eluting stents in a 1:1 fashion. The primary endpoint was 9-month in-stent late lumen loss confirmed by coronary angiography, and secondary endpoints were percent diameter stenosis, binary restenosis rate, major adverse cardiac events (a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization), and late-acquired incomplete stent apposition.

Results  Angiographic in-stent late lumen loss was significantly higher in the zotarolimus-eluting stent group compared to the sirolimus-eluting stent group ((0.49±0.65) mm vs. (0.10±0.46) mm, P=0.001). Percent diameter stenosis at 9-month follow-up was also larger in the zotarolimus-eluting stent group ((30.0±17.9)% vs. (17.6±14.0)%, P <0.001). In-segment analysis showed similar findings. There were no significant differences in binary restenosis rate, major adverse cardiac events, and late-acquired incomplete stent apposition.

Conclusions  Compared to sirolimus-eluting stents, the zotarolimus-eluting stent is associated with significantly higher in-stent late lumen loss at 9-month angiographic follow-up in the treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction. Although there was no significant difference in 1-year clinical outcomes, the clinical implication of increased late lumen loss should be further studied.

     

Jitter analysis with concentric needle electrodes in the extensor digitorum communis for the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis: a pilot study

Background Single-fiber electromyography is the most sensitive neurophysiological test for the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis （MG）,but its use is limited by the potential risk of transmission of infections.Jitter analysis with disposable concentric needle electrodes （CNEs） is therefore being investigated.This pilot study aimed to evaluate jitter analysis with CNEs for the diagnosis of MG.Methods Forty-two healthy Chinese volunteers and 44 MG patients were prospectively enrolled.MG patients were classified according to the Osserman classification,and acetylcholine receptor antibody titer was measured.Jitter analysis with CNEs in the extensor digitorum communis and repetitive nerve stimulation （RNS） testing were performed.Jitter was expressed as the mean consecutive difference （MCD）,and 20 action potential pairs were analyzed in each subject.The mean MCD in each subject and the mean individual MCD of all action potential pairs were compared between groups.Results The mean MCD and mean individual MCD were higher in MG patients （（42.3±20.0） μs and （42.2±26.0） μs） than in healthy volunteers （（23.0±3.1） μs and （22.8±7.5） μs）.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the mean MCD of MG patients and healthy volunteers combined was 0.85.The mean MCD and mean individual MCDwere higher in generalized MG patients （（64.1±18.5） μs and （63.6±30.0） μs） than in ocular MG patients （（33.1±12.0） μs and （33.2±17.6） μs）,and were higher in MG patients with abnormal RNS results （（57.2±18.3） μs and （57.3±29.2） μs） than in MG patients with normal RNS results （（32.9±14.8） μs and （32.7±18.3） μs）.Abnormal RNS results were observed in 38.60% （17/44） of MG patients and abnormal jitter were observed in 72.70% （32/44） of MG patients.Conclusion Jitter analysis with CNEs is feasible for the diagnosis of MG.     

Rotational Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Nonimage-based Navigation System Versus Conventional Technique

Background  Proper rotational alignment during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is important for adequate postoperative patellofemoral and tibiofemoral kinematics, as well as for achieving balanced flexion space at 90º. The effects of computer navigation-assisted total knee replacement and conventional total knee arthroplasty on rotational alignment, mechanical axis, component position and clinical outcomes were compared.

Methods  Two methods were used in 82 patients and the rotation of the femoral and tibial components in the transverse plane, the combined rotation of the two components, the mismatch between them, and the mechanical axis of the lower limb were analyzed. All of these parameters were measured from postoperative radiographs and computed tomography images. Functional outcomes were compared at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively.

Results  Significant differences were found between the two techniques (P <0.05) in the following parameters: average rotation of the femoral component ((1.51±3.55)º vs. (−0.63±3.04)º); combined rotation of the femoral and tibial components (2.85±4.07)º vs. (0.28±3.43)º); and mismatch between the femoral and tibial components ((1.44±4.55)º vs. (−0.43±2.86)º). Differences in the rotation of the tibial component were not statistically significant. The prevalence of outliers (malalignment >±3° internal/external rotation) of the femoral component (31.7% vs. 12.5%) and the tibial component (36.6% vs. 15%) were significantly reduced when the navigation system was used (P <0.05). In addition, while patients in the navigation group had significantly better mechanical axis and functional outcomes at 6 weeks after surgery (P <0.05), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P >0.05) with respect to functional outcomes at 6 months.

Conclusion  The navigation system exhibited higher accuracy than the conventional technique in the transverse and coronal plane, and provided better early functional outcomes.