Determinants of left ventricular systolic function recovery after an acute coronary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of heart failure in western societies. However, the factors that may influence left ventricular function (LVF) recovery after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To identify variables that may influence LVF evolution one year after ACS. METHODS: 104 patients hospitalized with ACS between 7/1/2001 and 12/31/2002 and with systolic dysfunction--defined as an echocardiographic ejection fraction (EF) < or = 45%--were randomly allocated to a planned coronary follow-up program (FUP) or a general cardiology clinic (GC); patients from both groups were also randomly referred to a structured cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP). EF was re-assessed at one year. We compared differences between patients who recovered left ventricular function (EF > 45%; group 1) and those who did not (group 2). RESULTS: One year after discharge, 44.2% of the patients had recovered function. There were no significant differences between the groups in gender (77.7 vs. 76.5% male), age (56 vs. 59 years), hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking habits or family history. A previous history of cardiovascular events was more frequent in group 2 (11.1% vs. 35.3%, p = 0.03). Cardiac catheterization was performed before discharge in 88.8% and 88.2% in groups 1 and 2 respectively (p = NS); no differences were found in coronary anatomy between the two groups. Angioplasty was performed in 54.2% in group 1 and 50% in group 2 (p = NS). There were no differences in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (83.3% vs. 87.5%), beta-blockers (87.5% vs. 87.5%), nitrates (37.5% vs. 33.3%), aspirin (95.8% vs. 95.8%), statins (79.1% vs. 75%) or diuretics (20.8% vs. 45.8%). There was no significant difference in LVF recovery between patients randomized to FUP or GC (38.5% vs. 54.5%). 87.5% of patients who completed the CRP had normal EF at one year compared to 32.7% of patients not referred to the program (p = 0.009). Although EF improved in both groups, this improvement was greater in patients who completed a CRP (EF 8% vs. 5%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A previous cardiovascular event and completion of a CRP were the only variables that influenced LVF recovery. Thus, enrollment in a CRP, in addition to standard therapy, could be an important therapeutic measure in patients with systolic dysfunction after ACS; our data suggest that these programs should be more widely used.     

Carvedilol protects ischemic cardiac mitochondria by preventing oxidative stress.

Ischemia negatively affects mitochondrial function by inducing the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). The MPT is triggered by oxidative stress, which occurs in mitochondria during ischemia as a result of diminished antioxidant defenses and increased reactive oxygen species production. It causes mitochondrial dysfunction and can ultimately lead to cell death. Therefore, drugs able to minimize mitochondrial damage induced by ischemia may prove to be clinically effective. We analyzed the effect of carvedilol, a beta-blocker with antioxidant properties, on mitochondrial dysfunction. Carvedilol decreased levels of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), an indicator of oxidative stress, which is consistent with its antioxidant properties. Regarding cell death by apoptosis, although ischemia did increase caspase-8-like activity, there were no changes in caspase-3-like activity, which is activated downstream of caspase-8; this may indicate that the apoptotic cascade is not activated by 60 minutes of ischemia. We conclude that carvedilol protects ischemic mitochondria by preventing oxidative mitochondrial damage, and, by so doing, it may also inhibit the formation of the MPT pore.     

Tumour necrosis factor β gene polymorphisms in myasthenia gravis

Genetic analyses indicate that genes within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) can be involved in susceptibility to autoimmune disease. To investigate the role of the tumour necrosis factor beta (TNFB) gene in myasthenia gravis (MG) susceptibility, we analysed an NcoI polymorphism within the TNFB gene in 63 MG patients and 93 healthy individuals. When patients were subdivided according to thymic pathology, we found differences between MG patients with thymic hyperplasia and thymoma versus controls. In MG patients with thymic hyperplasia we found a positive association with the TNFB*1 allele [Relative risk (RR): 2.6; P<0.001] and phenotype (RR: 1.8; P<0.005) and a negative association with the TNFB*2/2 genotype (RR: 0.2; P<0.001) when compared to the controls. On the other hand, in MG patients with thymoma we found a positive association with the TNFB*2/2 genotype (RR: 5.6; P<0.01) and a negative association with the TNFB*1 allele (RR: 0.3; P<0.05) and *1/2 genotype (RR: 0.2; P<0.01). These data suggest that the two different forms of MG can have different pathogenesis and that the TNFB gene could influence susceptibility to MG.     

广西90年代初居民中毒死亡分析

目的：为了解广西居民中毒死亡的一些流行病学行征。方法：用“STATA”软件包对1990-1992年广西十分之一人口全死因回顾调查资料进行分析。结果：中毒死亡率15.98/10万男15.34/10万）,占全死因死亡的2.66%（男2.30%,女3.16%),中位死亡年龄35.47岁（男40.00岁,女30.92岁）。毒物以非药用物质为主,占中毒死亡的88.17%。主要死亡原因依次为服农药自杀,酒精饮料意外中毒和有毒动植物致毒死亡。结论：中毒死亡是广西居民死亡的主要原因之一。     

中药壮骨胶囊治疗Ⅰ型原发性骨质疏松症74例临床研究

目的　探讨中药壮骨胶囊对Ⅰ型原发性骨质疏松症的疗效及其与骨代谢的关系。方法　采用益肾健脾的中药壮骨胶囊治疗７４ 例绝经后妇女原发性骨质疏松症,并与钙尔奇Ｄ 治疗的３１ 例作对照。结果　３ 个月后,其总有效率达９１ ．８９ ％ ,骨质疏松程度、血ＡＬＰ、ＣＴ、Ｅ２ 皆显著改善,且显著优于对照组（ Ｐ＜ ０．０５ ～０．０１）。无明显副反应。结论　绝经后妇女骨质疏松症主要由肾虚所致,采用中药补肾健脾治疗,疗效显著优于补钙、雌激素的替代疗法等。壮骨胶囊有调整骨代谢作用。该药安全可长期服用     

Course and treatment of myasthenia gravis during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of myasthenia gravis (MG) on pregnancy and potential treatment risks for infants and mothers. BACKGROUND: MG frequently affects young women in the second and third decades of life, overlapping with the childbearing years. Knowledge of the potential effects of 1) pregnancy on the course of MG and 2) the use of immunosuppressive drugs during pregnancy is limited, rendering decision-making difficult for both patient and physician. METHODS: We studied 47 women who became pregnant after the onset of MG. Immunosuppressive drugs were administered when MG symptoms were not controlled with anticholinesterases. Sixty-four pregnancies resulted in 55 children and 10 abortions. RESULTS: During pregnancy, MG relapsed in 4 of 23 (17%) asymptomatic patients who were not on therapy before conception; in patients taking therapy, MG symptoms improved in 12 of 31 pregnancies (39%), remained unchanged in 13 (42%), and deteriorated in 6 (19%). MG symptoms worsened after delivery in 15 of 54 (28%) pregnancies. Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (anti-AChR ab) was positive in 40 of 47 mothers and was assayed in 30 of 55 newborns; 13 were positive and 5 of 55 (9%) showed signs of neonatal MG (NMG). All affected babies were seropositive. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy does not worsen the long-term outcome of MG. The course of the disease is highly variable and unpredictable during gestation and can change in subsequent pregnancies. The occurrence of NMG does not correlate with either maternal disease severity or anti-AChR antibody titer. Immunosuppressive therapy, plasmapheresis, and i.v. human immunoglobulins can be administered safely if needed.     

The role of spontaneous portosystemic shunts in the course of orthotopic liver transplantation

Spontaneous portosystemic shunts are commonly found in cirrhotic patients. Not yet established is their role after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx), especially when an increase in portal pressure develops, as during early acute rejection. In this study, 34 cirrhotic patients in a series of 70 OLTx are considered. Each patient had preoperative angiographic assessment, and, in 21 (62%), large spontaneous portosystemic shunts were evident. In 12 cases the shunts were not affected by the surgical procedure and were present during the postoperative period; in 9 the hepatectomy itself involved interruption of the shunts. The patient population was divided into two groups: patients with postoperative shunts (n=12) and those without (n=22). The two groups were similar in age, sex, Child's stage, transplantation variables, and number and grade of rejection episodes. However, mean transaminases (AST) values in the first 2 weeks were significantly higher levels in shunt versus nonshunt patients (421±335 vs 183±126; P<0.025), and this was even more evident when rejection occurred (626±375 vs 195±129; P<0.001). Furthermore, during an acute rejection reaction, three cases showed a true steal phenomenon through the large reopened shunts with ischemic damage to the grafts. The data indicate a possible detrimental effect of the spontaneous shunts on graft perfusion and suggest the prophylactic surgical interruption of the residual shunts during the transplantation.     

相关癌基因蛋白表达与宫颈鳞癌演进机制的探讨

目的:检测宫颈上皮内瘤(CIN)和浸润性宫颈鳞癌相关癌基因蛋白表达状态,探讨宫颈鳞状上皮恶性转化及鳞癌演进机制.方法:采用SP法检测20例正常宫颈,43例CIN,38例浸润癌PCNA、p53、p21、ER、PR、nm23、c-mvc、E-Cadherin、VEGF蛋白表达状态.结果:CINⅢ级ER、PR表达下调甚至缺失,PCNA、p53、p21阳性表达率明显高于CIN I、Ⅱ级,PCNA、p53、p21和ER/PR同时2种与同时3种以上异常表达率显著高于CIN Ⅰ、Ⅱ级;浸润癌nm23、c-mvc、E-Cadherin阳性表达率明显降低,VEGF阳性表达率明显升高.结论:相关癌基因蛋白表达异常与宫颈鳞状上皮恶性转化及鳞癌演进密切相关;同时检测PCNA、p53、p21和ER/PR表达状态有助于准确判断CIN恶变潜能.     

Pharmacologic characterization of fluzoparib,a novel poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor undergoing clinical trials

Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes play an important role in repairing DNA damage and maintaining genomic stability. Olaparib, the first‐in‐class PARP inhibitor, has shown remarkable clinical benefits in the treatment of BRCA‐mutated ovarian or breast cancer. However, the undesirable hematological toxicity and pharmacokinetic properties of olaparib limit its clinical application. Here, we report the first preclinical characterization of fluzoparib (code name: SHR‐3162), a novel, potent, and orally available inhibitor of PARP. Fluzoparib potently inhibited PARP1 enzyme activity and induced DNA double‐strand breaks, G₂/M arrest, and apoptosis in homologous recombination repair (HR)‐deficient cells. Fluzoparib preferentially inhibited the proliferation of HR‐deficient cells and sensitized both HR‐deficient and HR‐proficient cells to cytotoxic drugs. Notably, fluzoparib showed good pharmacokinetic properties, favorable toxicity profile, and superior antitumor activity in HR‐deficient xenografts models. Furthermore, fluzoparib in combination with apatinib or with apatinib plus paclitaxel elicited significantly improved antitumor responses without extra toxicity. Based on these findings, studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluzoparib (phase II) and those two combinations (phase I) have been initiated. Taken together, our results implicate fluzoparib as a novel attractive PARP inhibitor.