Analysis of the Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome in Different States of Renal Function.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of chronic kidney dysfunction (CKD) on the clinical characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the degree of coronary arterial stenosis. The study enrolled 368 patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography. Blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), uric acid (UA), and serum creatinine were examined randomly, and the severity of coronary artery lesions was assessed using the Gensini score. Patients were divided into three groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate: normal renal function (n = 102), mild renal insufficiency (n = 198), and moderate to severe renal dysfunction (n = 68). The characteristics of patients with coronary artery lesions in the three groups were analysed. Of all patients, 27.7% had normal renal function. In the moderate to severe renal dysfunction group, the majority of patients were women whose average age was older. The ratio of patients with history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus was higher, random blood glucose, HbA1c, TG, UA and Gensini score were obviously increased, while HDL-C was significantly decreased; all differences had statistical significance (p < 0.05). Different degrees of CKD occur in patients with ACS. In patients with ACS and CKD, metabolism of glucose and fat are significantly abnormal, and coronary arterial lesions are more serious.

Diagnostic performance of dual-source CT coronary angiography with and without heart rate control: systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) coronary angiography with and without the application of a ß-blocker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An exact binomial rendition of the bivariate mixed-effects regression model was used to synthesize diagnostic test data. RESULTS: The pooled sensitivity at the patient level was 0.98 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.97-0.99], and specificity 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84-0.91). The results showed that without heart rate control, the sensitivity and specificity at the patient level did not decrease (p = 0.27 and 0.56, respectively). At the artery level, no significant differences in sensitivity and specificity for studies with and without heart rate control were detected (p = 0.04 and 0.05, respectively). At the segment level, the specificity decreased without heart rate control (p = 0.03), whereas the sensitivity was not influenced (p = 0.63). The median radiation exposure was 2.6 mSv, with 1.6 mSv and 8 mSv for heart rate-controlled studies and uncontrolled studies, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DSCT coronary angiography without heart rate control has a similar excellent diagnostic performance at the patient level as that of heart rate control groups. However, controlling for heart rate to decrease radiation and to provide effective information for selecting the therapeutic strategy and risk stratification is recommended.

Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in milk by pulsed electric field.

Pasteurized whole, 2%, and skim milk were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes Scott A and treated with high-voltage pulsed electric field (PEF). The effects of milk composition (fat content) and PEF parameters (electric field strength, treatment time, and treatment temperature) on the inactivation of the bacterium were studied. No significant differences were observed in the inactivation of L. monocytogenes Scott A in three types of milk by PEF treatment. With treatment at 25 degrees C, 1- to 3-log reductions of L. monocytogenes were observed. PEF lethal effect was a function of field strength and treatment time. Higher field strength or longer treatment time resulted in a greater reduction of viable cells. A 4-log reduction of the bacterium was obtained by increasing the treatment temperature to 50 degrees C. Results indicate that the use of a high-voltage PEF is a promising technology for inactivation of foodborne pathogens.