Ginsenoside Rb1 protects cardiomyocytes against CoCl2-induced apoptosis in neonatal rats by inhibiting mitochondria permeability transition pore opening.

AIM: To investigate whether mitochondria permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening was involved in ginsenoside Rb1 (Gs-Rb1) induced anti-hypoxia effects in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes ex vivo. METHODS: Cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into 7 groups: control group, hypoxia group (500 micromol/L CoCl(2)), Gs-Rb1 200 micromol/L group (CoCl(2) intervention+Gs-Rb1), wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor) 0.5 micromol/L group, wortmannin+Gs-Rb1 group, adenine 9-beta-D-arabinofuranoside (Ara A, AMPK inhibitor) 500 micromol/L group, and Ara A and Gs-Rb1 group. Apoptosis rate was determined by using flow cytometry. The opening of the transient mPTP was assessed by using co-loading with calcein AM and CoCl(2) in high conductance mode. Expression of GSK-3beta, cytochrome c, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was measured by using Western blotting. DeltaGSK-3beta was defined as the ratio of p-Ser9-GSK-3beta to total GSK-3beta. RESULTS: CoCl(2) significantly stimulated mPTP opening and up-regulated the level of DeltaGSK-3beta. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between apoptosis rate and mPTP opening, between apoptosis rate and DeltaGSK-3beta, and between mPTP opening and DeltaGSK-3beta. Gs-Rb1 significantly inhibited mPTP opening induced by hypoxia (41.3%+/-2.0%, P<0.001) . Gs-Rb1 caused a 77.3%+/-3.2% reduction in the expression of GSK-3beta protein (P<0.001) and a significant increase of 1.182+/-0.007-fold (P=0.0001) in p-Ser9-GSK-3beta compared with control group. Wortmannin and Ara A significantly inhibited the effect of Gs-Rb1 on mPTP opening and DeltaGSK-3beta. Gs-Rb1 significantly decreased expression of cytochrome c (66.1%+/-1.7%, P=0.001), caspase-3 (56.5%+/-2.7%, P=0.001) and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) (57.9%+/-1.4%, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Gs-Rb1 exerted anti-hypoxia effect on neonatal rat cardiomyocytes by inhibiting GSK-3beta-mediated mPTP opening.

A drug-eluting Balloon for the trEatment of coronarY bifurcatiON lesions in the side branch: a prospective multicenter ranDomized (BEYOND) clinical trial in China.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions remains challenging; a simple strategy has been preferred as of late, but the disadvantage is ostium stenosis or even occlusion of the side branch (SB). Only a few single-center studies investigating the combination of a drug-eluting stent in the main branch followed by a drug-eluting balloon in the SB have been reported. This prospective, multicenter, randomized study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of a paclitaxel-eluting balloon (PEB) compared with regular balloon angioplasty (BA) in the treatment of non-left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions. METHODS: Between December 2014 and November 2015, a total of 222 consecutive patients with bifurcation lesions were enrolled in this study at ten Chinese centers. Patients were randomly allocated at a 1:1 ratio to a PEB group (n = 113) and a BA group (n = 109). The primary efficacy endpoint was angiographic target lesion stenosis at 9 months. Secondary efficacy and safety endpoints included target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, target lesion failure, major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCEs), all-cause death, cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and thrombosis in target lesions. The main analyses performed in this clinical trial included case shedding analysis, base-value equilibrium analysis, effectiveness analysis, and safety analysis. SAS version 9.4 was used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: At the 9-month angiographic follow-up, the difference in the primary efficacy endpoint of target lesion stenosis between the PEB (28.7% ± 18.7%) and BA groups (40.0% ±â€Š19.0%) was -11.3% (95% confidence interval: -16.3% to -6.3%, Psuperiority <0.0001) in the intention-to-treat analysis, and similar results were recorded in the per-protocol analysis, demonstrating the superiority of PEB to BA. Late lumen loss was significantly lower in the PEB group than in the BA group (-0.06 ±â€Š0.32 vs. 0.18 ± 0.34 mm, P < 0.0001). For intention-to-treat, there were no significant differences between PEB and BA in the 9-month percentages of MACCEs (0.9% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.16) or non-fatal myocardial infarctions (0 vs. 0.9%, P = 0.49). There were no clinical events of target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, target lesion failure, all-cause death, cardiac death or target lesion thrombosis in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In de novo non-left main coronary artery bifurcations treated with provisional T stenting, SB dilation with the PEB group demonstrated better angiographic results than treatment with regular BA at the 9-month follow-up in terms of reduced target lesion stenosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02325817; https://clinicaltrials.gov.

Anti-hypoxic effect of ginsenoside Rbl on neonatal rat cardiomyocytes is mediated through the specific activation of glucose transporter-4 ex vivo.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether Gs-Rbl relieves the CoCl(2)-induced apoptosis of hypoxic neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and in which the role of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4). METHODS: Gs-Rbl (0, 10, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 500 micromol/L), adenine 9-beta-D-arabinofuranoside (ara A, 500 micromol/L; AMPK inhibitor) and wortmannin (0.5 micromol/L; PI3K inhibitor) only in combination with 200 micromol/L Gs-Rbl were administered in hypoxic cardiomyocytes, which were induced by 500 micromol/L CoCl(2) for 12 h. Then, the apoptotic rate (AR), 2-[(3)H]-deoxy-D-glucose (2-[(3)H]-DG) uptake, and the expression of GLUT-4 (including in plasma membrane, PM), phospho-AMPKalpha (Thr172), AMPKalpha and Akt in cells were assayed. RESULTS: Compared with simple hypoxia (0 micromol/L Gs-Rbl), Gs-Rb1 greater than 10 micromol/L significantly decreased the apoptotic rate (P<0.01) and significantly increased 2-[(3)H]-DG uptake (P<0.01), GLUT-4 content in cells and PM (P<0.01), AMPK activity (P<0.01) and Akt (P<0.01) levels in a dose-dependent manner. AMPK activity was completely suppressed by ara-A, just as Akt was suppressed by wortmannin. The AR, glucose uptake and GLUT-4 levels in cells and PM were partly down-regulated by ara-A or wortmannin. CONCLUSION: Gs-Rb1 may protect neonatal rat cardiomyocytes from apoptosis induced by CoCl(2). The anti-apoptotic effect of Gs-Rb1 may occur by improving glucose uptake, in which GLUT-4 translocation and expression played a key role. Both the AMPK and the PI3K/Akt pathways may take part in the anti-hypoxic efficacy of Gs-Rb1.

[Prognostic value of acute heart block after alcohol septal ablation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of acute heart block (AHB) after percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). METHODS: Ninety-four HOCM patients underwent PTSMA were included in this study. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were obtained during and post PTSMA. Association between clinic events and incidence of post-PTSMA AHB was analyzed. RESULTS: AHB was induced in 26 patients by PTSMA and disappeared in 11 patients shortly post PTSMA, subacute intraventricular conduction disturbances was seen in 11 (42.3%), subacute I degrees AVB in 2 (7.7%) and subacute III degrees AVB in another 2 (7.7%) patients. Among 68 patients without AHB during PTSMA, intraventricular conduction disturbances was evidenced in 14 patients (20.6%), I degrees AVB in 2 (2.9%) and III degrees AVB in 1 patient (1.5%) after PTSMA. AHB patients with subacute heart block were associated with poor prognosis (conduction block duration was 42.00 h) while patients without AHB was associated with benign prognosis even with new onset of subacute heart block (conduction block duration was 7.33 h, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with AHB during PTSMA are at higher risk for subacute heart block, especially intraventricular conduction disturbances. AHB patients with subacute heart block were associated with poor prognosis and longer recovery time of conducting system.

[Primary risk factors in Chinese patients with first acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the primary risk factors of patients with first ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (FSTEMI) in Beijing and Shenyang area between 2004--2005. The Attributable risk percentage (ARP) and population attributable risk percentage (PARP) of every risk factor were determined. METHOD: A total of 426 consecutive FSTEMI patients and 426 gender and age matched healthy controls were included in this 1:1 matched case-control study. RESULT: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that following 8 primary risk factors were associated with FSTEMI: heavy smoking (OR = 3.170), diabetes (OR = 2.835), positive family history (OR = 2.243), lack of soybeans intake (OR = 2.243), higher psychological stress (OR = 2.138), lack of fish intake (OR = 1.740), lower education level (OR = 1.572) and recent adverse life events (< 6 months before FSTEMI, OR = 1.515). The ARP are 71.53%, 58.33%, 54.05%, 40.81%, 56.85%, 41.53%, 48.62%, 54.00%; the PARP are 38.79%, 10.40%, 4.69%, 33.72%, 36.03%, 24.96%, 29.56%, 14.83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this patient cohort, the harmful risk factors responsible for the development of FSTEMI in Beijing and Shenyang areas during 2004--2005 are heavy smoking, higher psychological stress, lack of soybeans intake, lower education level, lack of fish intake, recent adverse life events, diabetes and positive family history.

Left ventricular endocardial pacing predicts the reduction of left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient immediately after percutaneous transseptal myocardial ablation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy refractory to medication.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) carries an increased risk for sudden cardiac death. No data regarding the percutaneous transseptal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) and epicardial left ventricular pacing (LVP) were reported. METHODS: Seven patients with recurrent symptoms and increased resting left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (LVOTG) after PTSMA and another 14 patients with HOCM without history of PTSMA were studied. Both resting and dobutamine stress echocardiography, PTSMA and LVP were routinely performed. RESULTS: In patients without previous PTSMA procedure, mild reduction of resting LVOTG was detected at 5 minutes after left ventricular pacing, and this reduction became significant at 10 minutes. All patients were divided into successful and unsuccessful groups according to their response to LVP. In contrary to patients in unsuccessful group, resting and R-S2 stimuli-induced LVOTG during PTSMA procedure were decreased dramatically ((9 +/- 5) mmHg vs (58 +/- 12) mmHg, (12 +/- 2) mmHg vs (113 +/- 27) mmHg, P < 0.001). Analysis of Logistic regression demonstrated that only LVOTG level during left ventricular pacing was an independent factor predicting the reduction of LVOTG immediately after PTSMA (odds ratio (OR), 0.59; 95% CI 2.67 to 5.82; P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular endocardial temporary pacing plays a critical role in predicting acute effect on the reduction of LVOTG immediately after PTSMA procedure.

Effects of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide on the prognosis of patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective, multi-center, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effects of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) on serum enzyme data, cardiac function parameters and cardiovascular events in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: A total of 421 patients with acute anterior or extensive anterior MI were collected from 20 hospitals. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: rhBNP and control groups. Both groups of patients received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within the effective time window. In the rhBNP group, rhBNP administration (0.01 µg/kg/min, 48-72 successive hours) was performed as early as possible after hospital admission. Prior to and one or seven days after PCI, serum concentrations of cardiac troponin (cTnT), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured. At seven days and 6 months after PCI, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and stroke volume (SV) were measured using 2D Doppler echocardiography. MACEs that occurred during hospitalization and within 6 months after PCI were recorded. RESULTS: At postoperative days one and seven, serum concentrations of cTnT were significantly lower in the rhBNP group than in the control group. At postoperative day one, serum concentrations of CK-MB were significantly lower in the rhBNP group than in the control group. At postoperative day seven, serum concentrations of NT-proBNP were significantly lower in the rhBNP group than in the control group, and LVEF was significantly greater in the rhBNP group than in the control group. At postoperative 6 months, LVEDd was significantly lower in the rhBNP group compared with the control group. In addition, SV and LVEF were significantly greater in the rhBNP group than in the control group. By postoperative month 6, the incidence of composite cardiovascular events (16.0% vs. 26.0%, P=0.012), cardiac death (7.0% vs.13.5%, P=0.030), and particularly cardiac death + re-hospitalization for congestive heart failure (13.1% vs. 25.5%, P=0.001) were significantly lower in the rhBNP group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Early intravenous rhBNP administration after PCI significantly lowered the serum concentrations of cTnT and NT-proBNP, increased LVEDd, SV and LVEF, and reduced MACEs, including cardiac death, in patients with acute anterior MI undergoing PCI.

LDL-cholesterol goal attainment under persistent lipid-lowering therapy in northeast China: Subgroup analysis of the dyslipidemia international study of China (DYSIS-China).

Lipid-lowering therapy with statins reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, but the efficacy of persistent treatment in a real-world setting may vary from regions. Routine lipid-lowering therapy in the region with a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease may lead to more failures of goal attainment. We therefore performed a study to observe different lipid-lowering strategies in northeast (NE) China with respect to low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction and goal attainments.A cross-sectional study (DYSIS-China) was conducted in 2012, involving 25,317 patients from 122 centers across China who were diagnosed with hyperlipidemia and treated with lipid-lowering therapy for at least 3 months. Of these patients, 4559 (18.0%) were assigned to the NE group according to their residential zones.Patients in the NE group tended to be younger, female, overweight, and had more comorbidities and higher blood lipid levels than those in the non-NE group (P < .001). The goal attainment for LDL-C in NE was lower than non-NE (45.3% vs 65.1%, P < .001), and especially lower in high (NE vs non-NE, 38.5% vs 58.6%) and very high (NE vs non-NE, 22.6% vs 43.7%) risk patients. The proportion of high intensity statin was lower in NE than non-NE, and the proportion of combination therapy was similar (∼2%). However, the goal attainment did not increase after administering higher dosages of statins in 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis identified diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease (CBD), being female, body mass index (BMI) >24 kg/m, drinking alcohol, smoking, and being residence in NE China as independent predictors of LDL-C attainment.Despite having received persistent lipid-lowering treatments, the current situation of dyslipidemia patients in NE China is unsatisfactory. The main treatment gap might be related to the choice of statin and effective combination therapy and the control of comorbidities and obesity, especially for high-risk patients.

Prognosis of unprotected left main coronary artery stenting and the factors affecting the outcomes in Chinese.

BACKGROUND: The long term prognosis of unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenting is controversial. This study was conducted to evaluate the immediate and long term outcomes of LMCA stenting in Chinese patients and to determine which factors affect the outcomes. METHODS: From May 1997 to March 2003, 224 patients in 23 hospitals underwent elective unprotected LMCA stenting with bare metal stents. Their clinical records were analysed to ascertain immediate and long term outcomes of LMCA stenting as well as factors influencing the prognosis. RESULTS: Stents were implanted into LMCA successfully in 223 cases (99.6 %). One death (0.5%) and one case of non-Q wave nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) occurred in hospital. The mean follow-up time was (15.6 +/- 12.3) months. Cardiac death developed in 10 cases (4.5%), noncardiac death in 2 cases (0.9%), nonfatal MI in 4 cases (1.8%), target lesion revascularization (TLR) of LMCA in 26 cases (11.7%) and TLR of nonLMCA in 37 cases (16.5%). Univariate analysis showed that cardiac death correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF < 40%), female gender and LMCA combined with multivessel disease; that major adverse cardiac events (MACE) correlated with LVEF < 40%, bifurcation lesion and incomplete revascularization. Logistic regression analysis revealed that LVEF < 40% and female gender were independent predictors of cardiac death and MACE. Follow-up angiography was performed in 102 cases (45.7%). The restenosis rate was 31.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcomes of stenting for selected patients with unprotected LMCA stenosis is acceptable. It should be performed in inoperable or low risk patients with LVEF > or = 40% and isolated LMCA disease or LMCA combined with multivessel diseases in whom complete revascularization can be obtained.

[Safety and efficacy of intracoronary transplantation of G-CSF mobilized autologous peripheral blood stem cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of intracoronary transplantation of G-CSF mobilized autologous peripheral blood stem cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Patients with AMI were randomly assigned to receive intracoronary PBSCs transplantation following bone marrow cells mobilization by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (300-600 microg/day subcutaneously for 5 days) in addition to standard therapy (standard drug therapy and PCI, PBSCs transplantation group, n = 35) or standard therapy (standard drug therapy and PCI, n = 35). One day after G-CSF treatment was finished the patient's mononuclear cells were harvested by Baxter CS 3000 blood cell separator in a volume of 57 ml and then transferred into the infarct related artery by occluding the over the wire balloon and infusing artery through balloon center lumen. Complications during intervention and left ventricular function at baseline and 6 months thereafter were monitored. RESULTS: No severe side effects of G-CSF treatment could be observed. Malignant arrhythmias were not observed either. Left ventricular function was significantly improved 6 months after G-CSF mobilized autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation compared to baseline (global left ventricular function ejection fraction: 57.1 +/- 7.8 vs. 50.0 +/- 8.2%, P < 0.0001; WMSI: 1.101 +/- 0.118 vs. 1.219 +/- 0.190, P < 0.0001; left end-systolic volume: 52.6 +/- 20.3 vs. 63.8 +/- 23.9 ml, P = 0.01 and left end-diastolic volume: 119.2 +/- 30.3 vs. 134.2 +/- 36.7 ml, P = 0.07) while these parameters remained unchanged in the control group. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that G-CSF mobilized autologous intracoronary PBSCs transplantation is a safe and feasible treatment for patients with AMI and global left ventricular function is improved and left ventricular remodeling attenuated at six-month follow-up.

[Clinical analysis of 120 cases of malignancies with nosocomial infections].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and treatment of nosocomial infections in patients with malignancies in the period of agranulocytosis following chemotherapy. METHODS: The clinical features of hospital-acquired infections were reviewed and analyzed in 120 patients with malignancies in state of agranulocytosis after chemotherapy. The infection-related factors, classification of the pathogens and therapeutic effect were also analyzed. RESULTS: The hospital-acquired infections involved mostly patients with acute leukemia and lung cancer (70/120), occurring at the site of the respiratory tract (78.89%), oral mucosa, gastrointestinal tract, skin and abdominal cavity, etc. The pathogens responsible for the infection are mainly bacteria, with increased incidence of mycotic infections. The pathogenic bacteria causing the infections were predominately G-bacterium, which were sensitive to meropenem and imipenem/cilastatin. CONCLUSION: Patients with malignancies are at high risk of hospital-acquired infection. Good basic nursing care, intestinal tract disinfection, application of granulocyte-stimulating factors, adequate use of antibiotics and constant vigilance of mycotic infection are the key measures to prevent and treat these nosocomial infections.

Apelin-APJ effects of ginsenoside-Rb1 depending on hypoxia-induced factor 1α in hypoxia neonatal cardiomyocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether ginsenoside-Rb1 (Gs-Rb1) inhibits the apoptosis of hypoxia cardiomyocytes by up-regulating apelin-APJ system and whether the system is affected by hypoxia-induced factor 1α (Hif-1α). METHODS: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into 6 groups: a control group, a simple CoCl group, a simple Gs-Rb1 group, a CoCl and Gs-Rb1 hypoxia group, a CoCl and 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole (YC-1) group, a CoCl and YC-1 group and a Gs-Rb1 group, in which YC-1 inhibits the synthesis and accelerates the degradation of Hif-1a. The concentration of CoCl, Gs-Rb1 and YC-1 was 500 µmol/L, 200 µmol/L and 5 µmol/L, respectively; the apoptosis ratio was analyzed with a flow cytometer; and apelin, APJ and Hif-1α were assayed with immunocytochemistry, Western blot assays and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: (1) The anti-apoptosis effect of Gs-Rb1 on hypoxia cardiomyocytes was significantly inhibited by YC-1; (2) Hypoxia significantly up-graded the expression of mRNA and protein of apelin; this effect was further reinforced by Gs-Rb1 and significantly inhibited by YC-1; (3) Gs-Rb1 further strengthened the expression of APJ mRNA and APJ proteins once hypoxia occurred, which was significantly inhibited by YC-1; (4) Gs-Rb1 significantly increased the expression of Hif-1α, which was completely abolished by YC-1; (5) There was a negative relationship between AR and apelin (or APJ, including mRNA and protein), a positive correlation between apelin (or APJ) protein and Hif-1a protein, in hypoxia cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: The apelin-APJ system plays an important role in the anti-apoptosis effect of Gs-Rb1 on hypoxia neonatal cardiomyocytes, which was partly adjusted by Hif-1α.

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy; The Chinese experience in 119 patients from a single center.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) has been introduced as an alternative treatment for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). We report on the acute, short- and long-term results of our experiences in 119 patients from a single center in China. METHODS AND RESULTS: PTSMA was performed in 119 patients with symptomatic HOCM (mean age 35.4+/-14.8 years, male 80, female 39). All patients had echocardiography performed prior to the procedure, 2-week post-PTSMA, and 6-month post-PTSMA, and 65 patients had echocardiography repeated at 2-year follow-up. The average left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient was 67.3+/-7.8 mm Hg before the procedure, and 15.9+/-6.8 mm Hg after the procedure (p<0.05). The thickness of interventricular septum (IVS) was 23.3+/-5.6 mm before the procedure, 18.6+/-4.8 mm 2-week post-PTSMA (p<0.05), and 16.8+/-3.4 mm 6-month post-PTSMA in all of the patients, and 15.6+/-3.1 mm 2-year post-PTSMA in 65 patients. The mean width of LVOT was 6.7+/-2.0 mm before the procedure, 8.2+/-3.4 mm 2-week post-PTSMA (p<0.05), 13.7+/-6.3 mm 6-month post-PTSMA and 15.1+/-2.4 mm 2-year post-PTSMA. The incidence of right bundle branch block development post-PTSMA was 52.9%, and three patients (2.5%) had complete heart block. There was no death. CONCLUSIONS: PTSMA is a promising non-surgical procedure for symptomatic patients with HOCM because of its low risk and its significant hemodynamic, echocardiographic and clinical improvement. The significant therapeutic remodeling period was up to 6 months rather than 2 years following the procedure.

Experimental study of relationship between intracoronary alcohol injection and the size of resultant myocardial infarct.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a complex disease with unique pathophysiologic characteristics and a great diversity of morphologic,functional and clinical features. Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) using alcohol injection via a catheter into the septal branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery has been recently introduced as a promising nonsurgical therapy for HOCM. However, the relationship between the volume and velocity of intracoronary injection of absolute alcohol and the size of the resultant myocardial infarct has not been investigated. We therefore studied such a relationship in piglets. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between the volume and velocity of selective intracoronary alcohol injection by means of a catheter and the size of the resultant myocardial infarction. METHODS: Twenty piglets were equally divided at random into four groups (n=5 in each) according to the volume and the velocity of intracoronary absolute alcohol injection and the coronary arteries injected. Group I: the volume and velocity of injection of alcohol into the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) were 0.5 ml and 0.2 ml/s, respectively. Group II: the volume and velocity of injection into LCX were 2.0 ml and 0.2 ml/s, respectively. Group III: the volume and velocity of injection of alcohol into the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were 1.2 ml and 0.06 ml/s, respectively. Group IV: the volume and velocity of injection into the LAD were 1.2 ml and 1.2 ml/s, respectively. The resultant myocardial infarcts were then quantitatively measured 6 h after myocardial ablation. RESULTS: The myocardial infarct size for group I was 4.26+/-2.71(%), for group II was 10.12+/-4.55(%), for group III was 5.84+/-1.21(%) and for group IV was 7.11+/-1.63(%). There were significant differences in myocardial infarct size with different volumes of intracoronary absolute alcohol injection (0.02

A slowly proliferating subpopulation in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in culture.

In this report, a slow-growing subpopulation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) was identified. These cells were around 5 µm in diameter and their relative gravity was between 1.031 and 1.043 g/ml. In sharp contrast to the parent MSCs, they expressed highly CD271 and poorly the receptor for platelet-derived growth factor. Quantitative PCR with the identification of the products by DNA sequencing proved that these cells expressed Nanog at a higher level than cells from the other subpopulation (approximately 30-fold), which was further confirmed by western blotting. Furthermore, they did not grow at clonal density and depletion of these cells from the population had little effect on the colony formation of the parent MSCs. The results here indicate that a subpopulation of cells with special biological features exist in human cord MSCs in culture.

Efficacy and safety of FIREHAWK® abluminal groove filled biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents for the treatment of long coronary lesions: nine-month angiographic and one-year clinical results from TARGET I trial long cohort.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicated that long coronary lesions are one of the key predictors of drug-eluting stent (DES) failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of the long length FIREHAWK(®) stent in long coronary artery disease. METHODS: The long cohort of TARGET I was a prospective, multicenter, single arm trial. It was planned to enroll 50 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the treatment of de novo long lesions in a native coronary artery. The major inclusion criteria of the trial was that patients were intended to undergo the treatment of a long target lesion(s) with diameter stenosis ≥ 70% and reference vessel diameter 2.5 mm to 4.0 mm by visual estimate, that needed to be covered by at least one 33 mm or 38 mm stent or multiple long stents overlapped. The angiographic follow-up was planned at 9-month and the clinical follow-up will be up to 5 years. The primary end point was in-stent late lumen loss at 9-month. RESULTS: Fifty patients (mean age (57.6 ± 10.2) years) with 59 de novo long lesions (reference vessel diameter (2.85 ± 0.44) mm, lesion length (35.2 ± 9.4) mm, and stent length (41.8 ± 11.3) mm) were enrolled. The angiographic follow-up rate was 92% at 9-month. The in-stent late loss was (0.16 ± 0.16) mm. Proximal edge, distal edge and in-segment late loss (mm) were 0.21 ± 0.35, 0.03 ± 0.33, and 0.07 ± 0.26, respectively. No in-segment binary restenosis was observed. At 1-year no death, Q wave myocardial infarction (MI), or stent thrombosis occurred. Non-Q-wave MI occurred in two patients (4%) due to procedural complications. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of long coronary lesions with the FIREHAWK(®) stent is able to produce similar results as observed in the FIREHAWK(®) FIM clinical trial. Based on this result, we are confident in the treatment prospect of the FIREHAWK(®) for long coronary lesions.

Associations between interleukin-1 polymorphisms and gastric cancers among three ethnicities.

AIM: To investigate the associations between interleukin (IL)-1B and IL-1RN polymorphisms and gastric cancers among the Tibet, Hui and Han ethnicities. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 210, 205, and 202 healthy volunteers and from 155, 158, and 197 gastric cancer patients from the Tibet, Hui, and Han populations, respectively. Polymorphisms in IL-1B and IL-1RN were analyzed by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Carriers of the IL-1B-31 CC genotype had an increased risk of intestinal type gastric cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 2.17, P = 0.037] in the Tibet ethnicity. Carriers of the IL-1B 2/L genotype had an increased risk of both intestinal and diffuse types of gastric cancer (OR = 2.08, 2.31, P = 0.007, 0.016, respectively) in the Hui ethnicity. In the Han population, carriers of the IL-1B-31 CC, IL-1B-511CT, TT genotypes had increased risk of intestinal type gastric cancer (OR = 2.51, 2.74, 5.66, P = 0.005, 0.002, 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSION: IL-1B and IL-RN genotypes may differentially contribute to gastric cancer among the Tibet, Hui, and Han ethnicities in the Qinghai area of China.

[Studies on apoptosis and caspase-8 and caspase-9 expressions of bone marrow cells in chronic mountain sickness].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expressions of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA, and explore the changes of apoptosis of bone marrow hematopoietic cells in patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS). METHODS: Of 18 CMS patients and 16 controls were enrolled in this study. The apoptotic index (AI) of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) was measured by TUNEL technique, the levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in BMMNC of CMS patients and controls were determined by RT-PCR. Results (1)The AI of BMMNC in patients with CMS (8.51 ± 3.35)% was lower than that in controls (16.00 ± 4.28)% (P < 0.01); (2) The values of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA were (0.28 ± 0.07) and (0.23 ± 0.08) respectively, in CMS patients, which were significantly lower than those of (0.45 ± 0.09) and (0.41 ± 0.09) respectively, in the controls (both P < 0.01); (3) Hemoglobin (Hb) value was negatively correlated with levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA (r values were -0.52 and -0.61 respectively, both P < 0.05) in CMS patients. There was a negative correlation between AI and Hb (r value was -0.89, P < 0.01) in CMS patients. However, the significant relationship was not found between AI and level of caspase-8 or caspase-9 mRNA (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed a decrease apoptosis of BMMNCs and reduced levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in CMS patients, the latter might be involved in the change of BMMNCs apoptosis.

Thorombolytic therapy with rescue percutaneous coronary intervention versus primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Although thrombolytic therapy with rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common treatment strategy for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), scant data are available on its efficacy relative to primary PCI, and comparison was therefore the aim of this study. METHODS: This multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel trial was conducted in 12 hospitals on patients (age < or = 70 years) with STEMI who presented within 12 hours of symptom onset (mean interval > 3 hours). Patients were randomized to three groups: primary PCI group (n = 101); recombinant staphylokinase (r-Sak) group (n = 104); and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) group (n = 106). For all patients allocated to the thrombolytic therapy arm, coronary angiography was performed at 90 minutes after drug therapy to confirm infarct-related artery (IRA) patency; rescue PCI was performed in cases with TIMI flow grade < or = 2. Bare-metal stent implantation was planned for all patients. RESULTS: After randomization it required an average of 113.4 minutes to start thrombolytic therapy (door-to-needle time) and 141.2 minutes to perform first balloon inflation in the IRA (door to balloon time). Rates of IRA patency (TIMI flow grade 2 or 3) and TIMI flow grade 3 were significantly lower in the thrombolysis group at 90 minutes after drug therapy than in the primary PCI group at the end of the procedure (70.5% vs. 98.0%, P < 0.0001, and 53.0% vs. 85.9%, P < 0.0001, respectively). Rescue PCI with stenting was performed in 117 patients (55.7%) in the thrombolytic therapy arm. Rates of patency and TIMI flow grade 3 were still significantly lower in the rescue PCI than in the primary PCI group (88.9% vs. 97.9%, P = 0.0222, and 68.4% vs. 85.0%, P = 0.0190, respectively). At 30 days post-therapy, mortality rate was significantly higher in the thrombolysis combined with rescue PCI group than in primary PCI group (7.1% vs. 0, P = 0.0034). Rates of death/MI and bleeding complications were significantly higher in the thrombolysis with rescue PCI group than in the primary PCI group (10.0% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.0380, and 28.10% vs. 8.91%, P = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombolytic therapy with rescue PCI was associated with significantly lower rates of coronary patency and TIMI flow grade 3, but with significantly higher rates of mortality, death/MI and hemorrhagic complications at 30 days, as compared with primary PCI in this group of Chinese STEMI patients with late presentation and delayed treatments.