Effect of Selective Thrombus Aspiration on Serum Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with High Thrombus Burden.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a potential therapeutic target in acute coronary syndromes. Although recent evidence does not support the routine use of manual thrombus aspiration (TA) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), the use of TA is associated with a significant improvement in myocardial reperfusion, especially in patients with high thrombus burden (HTB). We hypothesized that TA would reduce the serum Lp-PLA2 levels in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI with HTB. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our study cohort included 320 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing PPCI with HTB who were randomly assigned to receive either TA before PPCI (TA group, n = 160) or PPCI alone (standard PPCI group, n = 160). The baseline characteristics of study participants were well-matched. After 30 ± 2 days, serum Lp-PLA2 levels decreased by 53.9% in the TA group (152.9 ± 58.1 ng/mL) and decreased by 31.2% in the standard PPCI group (84.2 ± 86.6 ng/mL, p < 0.001). The TA group had a significantly lower prevalence of balloon predilatation, number of stents used, total stent length and corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count, and a higher percentage of myocardial blush grade ≥ 2 compared with the standard PPCI group (all p < 0.001). No significant difference between the groups was observed in 30 ± 2 days for major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (p = 0.702). CONCLUSIONS: After 30 ± 2 days of treatment, TA may significantly reduce serum levels of Lp-PLA2 in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI with HTB.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and serum interleukin-18 in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection stimulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Levels of circulating interleukin-18 (IL-18) have been positively correlated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and coronary plaque area and have identified IL-18 levels as important predictors of coronary events and cardiovascular mortality. This study aimed to examine the relationship between serum IL-18 and H. pylori-IgG antibody as a sign of H. pylori infection in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. METHODS: The carotid IMT, traditional atherosclerotic risk factors, levels of serum H. pylori-IgG and IL-18 were measured in 573 health checkup examinees. RESULTS: Serum IL-18 and H. pylori-IgG levels were significantly increased in subjects with increased IMT in comparison with those with normal IMT. In subjects with increased IMT, serum H. pylori-IgG was positively correlated with serum IL-18 (r = .402, p = .002), and the association was independent of traditional atherosclerotic risk factors (ß = 0.310, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In health checkup examinees with increased IMT, serum IL-18 and H. pylori-IgG were independently correlated and were significantly higher than in subjects with normal IMT.

[(3aS,5aR,8aR,8bS)-2,2,7,7-Tetra-methyl-tetra-hydro-3aH-bis-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-b:4',5'-d]pyran-3a-yl]methyl (R)-N-(1-phenyl-eth-yl)sulfamate.

In the title compound, C(20)H(29)NO(8)S, the two five-membered rings adopt envelope conformations (with an O atom at the flap in each case), while the six-membered pyran ring displays a twist-boat conformation. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a supra-molecular chain running along the a axis.

The formation mechanism of the bilayer capsular contracture after an augmentation mammoplasty with a rough-surface prosthesis and its prevention and treatment.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to explore the formation mechanism of the bilayer capsular contracture after augmentation mammoplasty with a rough-surface prosthesis and its prevention and treatment. METHODS: The nursing process, clinical signs, intraoperative findings, and pathological data after an augmentation mammoplasty with rough-surface prosthesis were observed and collected, the formation mechanism of the bilayer capsular contracture was analyzed, and the prevention and treatment were also discussed. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were included into the present study, among which 15 patients underwent capsule relaxation plus secondary augmentation mammoplasty and three patients encountered a single-layer capsular contracture after the operation; the recurrence rate was 16%. All patients were followed up for 1-13 years without a presentation of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The formation of the bilayer capsular contracture after augmentation mammoplasty is correlated with the formation of the inner capsule, inadequate separation of cavities, foreign body reaction, and an improper massage of the breasts, and the effective preventive measures include removing new cavities, resecting the capsular contracture capsule, stopping bleeding, replanting a rough-surface or smooth prosthesis, and correcting breast massaging.