[Correlation between peripheral venous oxygen saturation and hemodynamic parameters in patients with pulmonary hypertension].

Objective: To investigate the correlation of peripheral venous oxygen saturation (SpvO(2)) with mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO(2)), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and cardiac index (CI) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), in order to predict these parameters using SpvO(2) and assess the prognosis of patients. Methods: Hospitalized patients diagnosed with PH by right heart catheterization in the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases from July 2015 to October 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Parameters during the right heart catheterization, including SvO(2,)SpvO(2,)cardiac output (CO) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) were recorded, while CI, PVR and other parameters were indirectly calculated. The correlation between SpvO(2) and SvO(2,)CO, CI, mPAP, PVR and other parameters were respectively analyzed and compared between groups. Results: A total of 77 PH patients were selected, which comprised of 39 males and 38 females. The results revealed that SpvO(2) was correlated positively with SvO(2,)CI and PaO(2) (P<0.05), but negatively with PVR, total pulmonary resistance (TPR), systemic vascular resistance, right atrial diameter and right ventricular diameter (P<0.05). In the group with SpvO(2) <65%, the dilation of the right atrium and right ventricle was more significant, the WHO heart function grade was worse, CI, systemic systolic pressure and mean systemic pressure were lower, and PVR and TPR were higher, as compared to those in the group with SpvO(2) ≥65%. (P<0.05). Conclusions: There was good consistency between SpvO(2) and SvO(2). Furthermore, SpvO(2) could indirectly reflect the CI, PVR and changes in right heart structure of PH patients, providing reference for the clinical prediction of CI and PVR, as well as the prognosis of PH patients, through the use of SpvO(2). Low SpvO(2) indicated a severe condition and poor prognosis.

[Comparison of the NoSAS score with four different questionnaires as screening tools for obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical utility of the NoSAS score in the screening of patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS), and to compare the performance of the NoSAS score with other tools including Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS), STOP, STOP-Bang(SBQ) and Berlin questionnaires. Methods: A total of 444 consecutive patients(328 males and 116 females) with suspected OSAHS who underwent an overnight polysomnography(PSG) were recruited into this study. Five questionnaires including the NoSAS score, ESS, STOP, SBQ and Berlin were completed. Based on the severity of OSAHS which was determined by apnea-hypopnea index(AHI), the patients were classified into 4 groups: normal(<5 events/h), mild(5-15 events/h), moderate(15-30 events/h) and, severe (≥30 events/h) OSA.Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 5 questionnaires were calculated. Results: With AHI≥5 events/h as the standard diagnosis of OSAHS, the NoSAS score and SBQ questionnaire showed a moderate performance, with the NoSAS score having the largest area under the ROC curve(0.753, P<0.001), followed by the SBQ questionnaire (0.727, P<0.001). The performance of the ESS, Berlin, and the STOP questionnaire was not high. Using mild moderate-severe(≥5 events/h), moderate-severe(≥15 events/h), and severe(≥30 events/h)OSAHS as cutoffs, NoSAS had the highest specificity and positive predictive values(80.2% and 88%, 72% and 69.8%, 66.3% and 50.5%), and the sensitivity and negative predictive values were (51.5% and 36.9%, 56.5% and 59.1%, 66.3% and 74.2%) .SBQ had the highest sensitivity and the negative predictive values(80.2% and 88%, 72% and 69.8%, 66.3% and 50.5%), and the specific and positive predictive values were (45.7% and 81.0%, 39.1% and 61.9%, 34.8% and 44.4%). The NoSAS score ≥ 7 had higher sensitivity and negative predictive value(75.0% and 47.1%, 78.1% and 66.5%, 82.7% and 81.9%)than the NoSAS socre ≥ 8. With AHI≥5 events/h as the standard diagnosis of OSAHS, the NoSAS score and the SBQ questionnaire had a higher accuracy than the other 3 questionnaires as screening questionnaires for diagnosing OSAHS, and the value of DOR were 4.298 and 3.758 respectively. Conclusions: The NoSAS score and the SBQ questionnaire have a moderate performance in diagnosing OSAHS. The NoSAS score is a new screening tool, and it is similar to the SBQ questionnaire, being also simple and effective. While the SBQ questionnaire is more widely used, it is necessary to further evaluate the diagnostic value of NoSAS score.

[Severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome with dilated cardiomyopathy leading to pulmonary hypertension: case report and literature review].

Objective: To study the relationship between dilated cardiomyopathy and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and to evaluate the curative effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in OSAHS complicated with dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods: We reported one case with the symptom of exertional dyspnea for 1 year and aggravating for 1 month. The patient finally was diagnosed with severe OSAHS complicated with dilated cardiomyopathy leading to pulmonary hypertension. A systematic literature review was performed for similar published cases in Pubmed, Wanfang and CNKI database, using the keywords (obstructive sleep apnea) OR(OSA) OR(OSAHS) AND(dilated cardiomyopathy OR DCM)from January 1990 to May 2016. Results: Our patient had no significant improvement after receiving initial treatments, including reducing cardiac preload, improving myocardial metabolism, increasing myocardial contractility, and anticoagulants. After the patient was diagnosed as having severe OSAHS by polysomnography(PSG) and treated with CPAP, his symptoms improved remarkably. The enlarged heart became smaller and the patient had no repeated dyspnea at follow-up examination. By literature review, we found 4 English original articles and 6 Chinese articles (1 review article, 1 expert note, 1 original article and 3 case reports) on OSAHS complicated by DCM.Four Chinese and 1 English articles reported that the symptoms and parameters of OSAHS with DCM was improved remarkably after treatment with CPAP. Conclusion: For patients with dilated cardiomyopathy which fails to conventional therapy, especially those accompanied by obesity, snoring, daytime sleepiness, morning dry mouth and other related symptoms, PSG should be carried out. Early CPAP therapy could improve symptoms and prognosis of OSAHS associated with DCM.

Establishment of a prediction model for the miRNA-based heading date characteristics of rice in the booting stage.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important food crops in the world. In Taiwan, due to the warm climate, there are two harvests annually. However, the yield and quality of rice can vary between each crop season in any given year. Previous reports have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in many developmental and physiological processes in plants. In this study, the heading date characteristics of 167 rice cultivars from the second crop season were recorded, and 27 rice cultivars were selected for preliminary microarray analysis. A total of 14 miRNAs from different heading date characteristics in 21 cultivars were selected based on significant differences in their expression profiles. Using a correlation analysis between the heading date and selected miRNA expression obtained from real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, we developed a heading date prediction model. The model includes nine miRNA genes with corresponding R2 values of 0.8. To confirm the model, a real-time PCR analysis was performed on an additional 27 rice cultivars and we found the model predicted the heading date with accuracy. Therefore, the developed prediction may be useful in further studies aimed at confirming the reliability of the use of miRNA in molecular breeding and to increase the selection efficiency of rice cultivars and breeding.

Segregation analysis of microsatellite (SSR) markers in sugarcane polyploids.

No information is available on segregation analysis of DNA markers involving both pollen and self-progeny. Therefore, we used capillary electrophoresis- and fluorescence-based DNA fingerprinting together with single pollen collection and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker segregation among 964 single pollens and 288 self-progenies (S1) of sugarcane cultivar LCP 85-384. Twenty SSR DNA fragments (alleles) were amplified by five polymorphic SSR markers. Only one non-parental SSR allele was observed in 2392 PCRs. SSR allele inheritance was in accordance with Mendelian laws of segregation and independent assortment. Highly significant correlation coefficients were found between frequencies of observed and expected genotypes in pollen and S1 populations. Within the S1 population, the most frequent genotype of each SSR marker was the parental genotype of the same marker. The number of genotypes was higher in pollen than S1 population. PIC values of the five SSR markers were greater in pollen than S1 populations. Eleven of 20 SSR alleles (55%) were segregated in accordance with Mendelian segregation ratios expected from pollen and S1 populations of a 2n = 10x polyploid. Six of 20 SSR alleles were segregated in a 3:1 (presence:absence) ratio and were simplex markers. Four and one alleles were segregated in 77:4 and 143:1 ratios and considered duplex and triplex markers, respectively. Segregation ratios of remaining alleles were unexplainable. The results provide information about selection of crossing parents, estimation of seedling population optimal size, and promotion of efficient selection, which may be valuable for sugarcane breeders.

Analysis of sequence diversity through internal transcribed spacers and simple sequence repeats to identify Dendrobium species.

The Orchidaceae is one of the largest and most diverse families of flowering plants. The Dendrobium genus has high economic potential as ornamental plants and for medicinal purposes. In addition, the species of this genus are able to produce large crops. However, many Dendrobium varieties are very similar in outward appearance, making it difficult to distinguish one species from another. This study demonstrated that the 12 Dendrobium species used in this study may be divided into 2 groups by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis. Red and yellow flowers may also be used to separate these species into 2 main groups. In particular, the deciduous characteristic is associated with the ITS genetic diversity of the A group. Of 53 designed simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs, 7 pairs were polymorphic for polymerase chain reaction products that were amplified from a specific band. The results of this study demonstrate that these 7 SSR primer pairs may potentially be used to identify Dendrobium species and their progeny in future studies.

Spark erosion: a high production rate method for producing Bi(0.5)Sb(1.5)Te3 nanoparticles with enhanced thermoelectric performance.

We report a new 'spark erosion' technique for producing high-quality thermoelectric nanoparticles at a remarkably high rate and with enhanced thermoelectric properties. The technique was utilized to synthesize p-type Bi(0.5)Sb(1.5)Te(3) nanoparticles with a production rate as high as 135 g h(-1), using a relatively small laboratory apparatus and low energy consumption. The compacted nanocomposite samples made from these nanoparticles exhibit a well-defined, 20-50 nm size nanograin microstructure, and show an enhanced figure of merit, ZT, of 1.36 at 360 K. Such a technique is essential for providing inexpensive, oxidation-free nanoparticles which are required for the fabrication of high performance thermoelectric devices for power generation from waste heat, and for refrigeration.

Open-heart surgery in 48 patients via a small right anterolateral thoracotomy.

To limit the trauma to the chest and to achieve a pleasing cosmetic result, we used 2 types of right anterolateral thoracotomy in 48 patients who required open-heart surgery: 1 was a curved incision along the lower edge of the right breast in women with developed breasts; the other was a slanted incision for men and children. These surgical procedures took place between July 1996 and November 1997. Intraoperatively, a right atriotomy was used to repair 11 atrial septal defects and 11 ventricular septal defects, 2 combined atrial and ventricular septal defects, 1 case of a single atrium, and 1 partial atrioventricular canal. A right ventricular outflow tract incision was used to repair 7 ventricular septal defects and 7 ruptured aortic sinus aneurysm. A combination of a right atriotomy and right ventricular outflow tract incision was used for 2 repairs of combined atrial and ventricular septal defects, 3 radical corrections of tetralogy of Fallot, and 2 radical corrections of trilogy of Fallot. A combined right and interatrial septal incision was used for 6 mitral valve replacements and 1 mitral valvuloplasty. Smooth bypass cannulation and satisfactory intracardiac exposure were achieved with the right anterolateral thoracotomy. There was no complication or mortality directly related to the incision. We believe that the right anterolateral thoracotomy is safer and more effective than the median sternotomy for many common congenital and acquired heart diseases. The thoracotomy causes less trauma and results in a cosmetic appearance that is more acceptable to the patient.

[Anticoagulant management of patients with cardiac valve prostheses].

This article reports the methods and results of anticoagulant management in 653 patients with China-made Björk-Shiley mode Tilting Disc Cardiac Valve Prostheses. The total incidence of thromboembolic complications and valve thrombosis is 0.98 per 100 patient-years during the anticoagulation. The incidence of anticoagulant-related hemorrhage is 1.86 per 100 patient-years. In the anticoagulant period, 61 surgical operations were performed on 58 patients. The results showed that anticoagulant can be maintained in minor, superficial operations where blood ooze can be arrested by compression, temporarily discontinued in elective operations, and reversed abruptly by injecting Vitamin K1 in urgent operations. In addition we handled the contradictions between anticoagulant therapy and menses, contraceptive, pregnancy or delivery (29 patients) for 303 female patients favorably. We conclude that our methods gave excellent results, and were reasonable and practicable.

[Valvuloplasty of rheumatic tricuspid valve disease].

This paper reports 49 cases with rheumatic tricuspid lesions underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty. Tricuspid stenosis was in 26, and combined with incompetence in 23. Posterior-septal, anterior-septal, and anterior-posterior commissural fusions were 9, 7, and 5 cases respectively. Tricuspid repair was used in all cases, fused chordae, papillary muscles and valvular commissures were each divided, then De Vaga's or Kay's annuloplasty was performed to correct the residual regurgitation. The associated procedures included DVR in 33, MVR in 15, and AVR in 1. Hospital death was 3 cases. All early survivors were followed up (2 months to 7 yrs, mean 4.2 yrs). There was no late death, heart functional class I was in 34, class II in 10 and class III in 2. Echocardiography performed 6 months postoperatively, showed no tricuspid regurgitation was in 38, moderate regurgitation in 8, and the right atrial volume decreased in various degrees. The principles and the methods of tricuspid valve repair in patients with rheumatic tricuspid lesions were discussed.

Transplantation of Schwann cells differentiated from adipose-derived stem cells modifies reactive gliosis after contusion brain injury in rats.

This study investigated whether transplantation of Schwann cells differentiated from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC-SCs) of rats could promote functional improvement after contusion brain injury, with a focus on the effect on reactive gliosis. ADSCs were isolated and expanded from groin adipose tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats and then differentiated into Schwann cells. ADSCSCs were transplanted into the contused rat brain. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to analyse reactive gliosis, and locomotor function of the rats was assessed. Hemiparalysed rats transplanted with ADSC-SCs showed significant locomotor function recovery compared with rats transplanted with undifferentiated ADSCs or control rats injected with medium alone. Transplanted ADSC-SCs significantly reduced glial scar formation and neurocan protein levels compared with transplanted undifferentiated ADSCs. In conclusion, transplantation of ADSC-SCs can effectively promote locomotor functional recovery and reduce reactive gliosis after contusion brain injury in rats.

Assessment of hemodynamics properties of a new-type artificial heart valve prosthesis using catheterization and echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to assess the hemodynamic properties of the newly developed artificial heart valve prosthesis experimentally in laboratory simulation, in an animal model, and clinically in a human model and to compare the results measured by catheterization and echocardiography. METHODS: (1) Laboratory simulation. The prosthesis was tested using a pulsatile flow simulator in the aortic position. Hydrodynamics parameters were automatically analyzed through a custom-designed data processing program. (2) Animal experiment. Six sheep subjected to mitral replacement with 21-mm-valve prosthesis were measured by open cardiac catheterization intraoperatively. Doppler echocardiography and open cardiac catheterization under dobutamine stress were performed in two sheep subjected to implantation 2.5 years ago. (3) Clinical patient observation. Observations were carried out on 14 patients with aortas replacement and 10 patients with bicuspid replacement using both doppler echocardiography and open cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: (1) Laboratory simulation. The results showed that the value of the transvalvular gradient (DeltaP) decreased with the increase of heart rate, and the values were not greater that 10 mm Hg at any given tissue annulus diameter. (2) Animal experiment. The mean DeltaP value of the six sheep was 5.2 +/- 1.7 mm Hg intraoperatively, while the corresponding DeltaP value of the two sheep 2.5 years after implantation was 6.1 +/- 0.3 mm Hg measured by open cardiac catheterization. (3) Clinical patient observation. The mean DeltaP values in the aortic position measured by catheterization and echocardiography were 6.26 approximately 4.10 and 9.42 approximately 7.48 mm Hg, respectively. The gradients in the mitral position were 2.10 approximately 1.9 and 5.28 approximately 4.10 mm Hg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the new-type bileaflet heart valve prosthesis only generates a relatively low transvalvar gradient and thus has good hemodynamic properties.

Giant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura.

A 42-year-old woman developed an exceedingly big, solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP) that occupied the whole right thorax. She complained of worsening dyspnea as her right lung was completely compressed and the mediastinum was pushed to the left side. A successful resection was performed; after reassembly, the tumor measured 20 cm x 22 cm x 30 cm and weighed 5.2 kg. The squashed right lung reached 60 % re-expansion postoperatively and the patient is in good health at 38 months' follow-up.

Simultaneous determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes in urine by thermal desorption-gas chromatography.

The determination of metabolites of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes in urine has been used to assess human exposure to these compounds. The analyses of urine samples for these metabolites are tedious and time consuming. The determination of unmetabolized individual compounds in urine has been studied previously with some success. A simultaneous determination of several unmetabolized VOC compounds in urine by thermal desorption-gas chromatography was conducted to assess the exposure of smokers and nonsmokers to these compounds. The method of thermal desorption-GC was sensitive enough to detect a significant difference in exposure levels due to the contribution of light smoking in the environmentally-exposed group.

[Genetic engineering sugarcane: potential, current status and prospects].

The literatures on potential of genetic engineering in sugarcane, transformation method and its efficiency, effects of promoter and selectable marker on gene expression and on identification of transformant, and achievement of genetic engineering in sugarcane were reviewed. Directions of further research were also suggested.

Effects of methylprednisolone and aprotinin on phospholipase D activity of leukocytes in systemic inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass.

AIM: To investigate the role of leukocyte phospholipase D (PLD) in systemic inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the effects of methylprednisolone and aprotinin on leukocyte PLD activity. METHODS: Forty-two patients who received CPB open heart surgery were divided into 3 groups: methylprednisolone group, aprotinin group, and control group. Arterial blood (10 mL) was collected for assay of leukocyte PLD activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and CD11b expression at 8 different time points in perioperative period. Plasma IL-6, IL-8, and C-reactive protein levels were also determined. RESULTS: At the time point of ascending aorta declamped, leukocyte PLD activity for control group was (18 +/- 8) nmol choline . h-1 . mg-1, which was higher than that of pre-CPB (P < 0.01); the PLD activity for methylprednisolone group was (10 +/- 6) nmol choline . h-1 . mg-1 that was lower than control (P < 0.05), while it had no statistical difference compared with that of pre-CPB. In methylprednisolone group, PLD activity elevation was postponed to the time point of CPB stopped. There was no statistical difference in PLD activity between aprotinin group and control (P > 0.05). After administration of methylprednisolone or aprotinin, leukocyte CD11b expression, plasma IL-6, IL-8, C-reactive protein levels, and MPO activity decreased by different extent. CONCLUSION: Leukocyte PLD activity was elevated significantly in systemic inflammatory response induced by CPB and methylprednisolone partially blunted the CPB-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting PLD activity.