[Progress in methodological research on bridging the efficacy-effectiveness gap of clinical interventions(2): to improve the extrapolation of efficacy].

Objective: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) usually have strict implementation criteria. The included subjects' characteristics of the conditions for the intervention implementation are quite different from the actual clinical environment, resulting in discrepancies between the risk-benefit of interventions in actual clinical use and the risk-benefit shown in RCT. Therefore, some methods are needed to enhance the extrapolation of RCT results to evaluate the real effects of drugs in real people and clinical practice settings. Methods: Six databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP) were searched up to 31st December 2022 with detailed search strategies. A scoping review method was used to integrate and qualitatively describe the included literature inductively. Results: A total of 12 articles were included. Three methods in the included literature focused on: ①improving the design of traditional RCT to increase population representation; ②combining RCT Data with real-world data (RWD) for analysis;③calibrating RCT results according to real-world patient characteristics. Conclusions: Improving the design of RCT to enhance the population representation can improve the extrapolation of the results of RCT. Combining RCT data with RWD can give full play to the advantages of data from different sources; the results of the RCT were calibrated against real-world population characteristics so that the effects of interventions in real-world patient populations can be predicted.

Effect of flipped venous catheter combined with spinal cord electrical stimulation on functional recovery in patients with sciatic nerve injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effect of flipped venous catheters combined with spinal cord electrical stimulation on functional recovery in patients with sciatic nerve injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 160 patients with hip dislocation and sciatic nerve injury were divided into conventional release and flipped catheter + electrical stimulation groups according to the treatment methods (n=80). Motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and lower limb motor function were compared. Serum neurotrophic factors brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were compared. The frequency of complications and quality of life were also compared. RESULTS: The MCV levels of the common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve in the flipped catheter + electrical stimulation group were greater than the conventional lysis group (p<0.05). After treatment, the lower extremity motor score (LMEs) in the flipped catheter + electrical stimulation group was greater than the conventional lysis group (p<0.05). The serum levels of BDNF and NGF in the flip catheter + electrical stimulation group were higher than the conventional lysis group (p<0.05). The complication rate in the flipped catheter + electrical stimulation group was lower than in the conventional release group (6.25% vs. 16.25%, p<0.05). The quality-of-life score in the flip catheter + electrical stimulation group was greater than the conventional lysis group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The flipped venous catheter combined with spinal cord electrical stimulation can improve nerve conduction velocity, lower limb motor function, serum BDNF and NGF levels, reduce complications, and help improve the quality of life of sufferers with sciatic nerve injury. Chictr.org.cn ID: ChiCTR2400080984.

[Progress in methodological research on bridging the efficacy-effectiveness gap of clinical interventions (1): to improve the validity of real-world evidence].

Objective: Differences between randomized controlled trial (RCT) results and real world study (RWS) results may not represent a true efficacy-effectiveness gap because efficacy-effectiveness gap estimates may be biased when RWS and RCT differ significantly in study design or when there is bias in RWS result estimation. Secondly, when there is an efficacy- effectiveness gap, it should not treat every patient the same way but assess the real-world factors influencing the intervention's effectiveness and identify the subgroup likely to achieve the desired effect. Methods: Six databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP) were searched up to 31st December 2022 with detailed search strategies. A scoping review method was used to integrate and qualitatively describe the included literature inductively. Results: Ten articles were included to discuss how to use the RCT research protocol as a template to develop the corresponding RWS research protocol. Moreover, based on correctly estimating the efficacy-effectiveness gap, evaluate the intervention effect in the patient subgroup to confirm the subgroup that can achieve the expected benefit-risk ratio to bridge the efficacy-effectiveness gap. Conclusion: Using real-world data to simulate key features of randomized controlled clinical trial study design can improve the authenticity and effectiveness of study results and bridge the efficacy-effectiveness gap.

Clinical efficacy analysis of minimally invasive intramedullary nailing in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures combined with radial nerve injury.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to research the therapeutic effectiveness of radial nerve damage paired with a humeral shaft fracture and intramedullary nailing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective research was performed on the medical records of 58 individuals who had humeral shaft fractures and radial nerve injuries. The admission period was between June 1, 2020, and June 31, 2022. All study subjects that satisfied the requirements for inclusion were separated, using the random number table approach, into two groups: one for internal fixation (group N), which included 29 cases, and one for minimally invasive procedures (group W), which included 29 patients. Group W received minimally invasive intramedullary nail treatment, and group N received internal fixation with compression plates. The changes in the clinical effects, surgery-related indicators, joint function, nerve function, and levels of stress indicators of the two groups of treatment were analyzed. The changes in adverse reactions and satisfaction of patients were compared. RESULTS: The effective rate of group W was 89.66% (26/29), and that of group N was 72.41% (21/29). Although group W's effective rate was higher than group N's, there was no discernible disparity between the two groups (p>0.05). Surgical blood loss and incision length were much smaller in group W than in group N, and overall operation duration and length of stay were considerably shorter in group W than in group N (p<0.05). The excellent and good rate of elbow joint function in group W was 93.10% (27/29), whereas the excellent and good rate of group N was 65.52% (19/29). The excellent and good rate of elbow joint function in group W was considerably greater than that of group N (p<0.05). In group W, the excellent and good rate of shoulder joint was 96.55% (28/29), and that in group N was 68.97% (20/29), and group W had a considerably greater probability of excellent shoulder joint function than group N (p<0.05); the excellent and good rate of neurological function was 82.76% (24/29) in group W and 58.62% (17/29) in group N, and group W had much greater rates of excellent and good neurological function than group N (p<0.05). prostaglandin E-2 (PGE2), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Substance P (SP) levels in the W group and the N group were substantially higher after the surgery than they were prior to it (p<0.05), and in the W group, the aforementioned stress markers were much lower than they were in the N group (p<0.05). Group W experienced a 3.45% (1/29) rate of adverse events, while group N saw a 24.14% (7/29) incidence. The incidence of adverse responses was substantially lower in group W than in group N (p<0.05). The contentment rate of group W was 93.10% (27/29), and that of group N was 72.41% (21/29). Group W had a much greater contentment percentage than group N (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive intramedullary nailing is a successful therapeutic approach for humeral shaft fractures with radial nerve damage, which may successfully enhance patients' shoulder and elbow joint function and nerve function, reduce patients' stress response, and has the characteristics of minimal adverse responses and high contentment, which is worthy of popularization and deployment.

Risk avoidance of screw-induced suprascapular nerve injury in arthroscopic Latarjet procedure and reliable anatomical landmark analysis of Latarjet surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Shoulder dislocation represents a prevalent category within joint dislocation, accounting for about 40% of all joint dislocations, and anterior dislocation stands out as the prevailing type. It has been reported that in 1.6% of patients, the Latarjet procedure performed under arthroscopy involves transferring the coracoid process to the anterior-inferior aspect of the glenoid and fixing it with two bicortical screws. The tip of the screws may impinge the suprascapular nerve located behind the scapula, resulting in shoulder pain and weakness. This study was performed to analyze the risk of suprascapular nerve (SSN) injury caused by bicortical screws during arthroscopic Latarjet surgery and to identify reliable anatomical landmarks for Latarjet surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dissection was conducted on 23 fresh adult intact shoulder joint specimens, and the experimental protocol complied with the hospital's ethical requirements for research. Using the glenoid clock face as a reference, the distances between the suprascapular nerve and the anterior edge of the glenoid were measured at the 12:00, 11:00, 10:00, and 9:00 positions, as well as at the level of the suprascapular notch and the level of the spinoglenoid notch. The distances between the suprascapular nerve and the narrowest point of the glenoid rim and the clock scale were recorded. The scapula was divided into three zones, and the number of nerve branches in each zone was recorded. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. The suprascapular nerve trunk and branches were marked using radiopaque lines, and measurements were taken at three positions in computed tomography horizontal scans: the suprascapular foramen, the spinoglenoid notch, and the point of entry of the outermost nerve branch into the muscle. RESULTS: The suprascapular nerve originates from the brachial plexus, passes downward and backward through the suprascapular foramen, closely adheres to the bone surface, and runs outward and downward deep to the supraspinatus muscle. The distances between the suprascapular nerve and the glenoid rim at the 12:00, 11:00, 10:00, and 9:00 positions were 335.18±2.31 mm, 28.23±3.47 mm, 22.32±2.78 mm, and 22.12±2.07 mm, respectively. There was a mean of 1.12 nerve branches in zone 1, 2.86 in zone 2, and 3.64 in zone 3. In the neutral position of the shoulder joint, the horizontal distance between point A and the axillary nerve was 27.37 (19.80, 34.55) mm, and the vertical distance was 16.67 (12.85, 20.35) mm. CONCLUSIONS: The use of bicortical screws, especially upper screws, for Latarjet fixation at the level of the spinoglenoid notch, is associated with the risk of suprascapular nerve injury. The narrowest distance between the glenoid rim and the suprascapular nerve was found between 9:00 and 9:30 at the glenoid clock surface. Therefore, caution should be exercised when performing any procedure related to this area. Overall, the Latarjet procedure is a reliable and effective surgical technique, providing benefits such as favorable positioning of the coracoid graft and low bone absorption rate, while also avoiding the potential for suprascapular nerve injury.

[Real-world evidence and randomized controlled trials: the initiation, implementation, progress interpretation and revelation of RCT DUPLICATE (part 1)].

In recent years, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and political makers gradually using more real-world data (RWD) to produce real-world evidence (RWE) for policy-making. A research team of Harvard University launched the RCT DUPLICATE project in 2018, aiming to replicate 30 randomized controlled trials using the medical claims database in order to explore methods for quantifying the efficacy-effectiveness gap and explain its potential sources, to enhance the credibility of the RWE. This paper reviews the background of RCT DUPLICATE Initiative, highlights the research purposes, research design and implementation process of the RCT DUPLICATE Initiative, to help domestic scholars better understand the scope and application value of RWE.

[Real-world evidence and randomized controlled trials: the initiation, implementation, progress interpretation and revelation of RCT DUPLICATE (part 2)].

With the promotion and application of big medical data, non-interventional real-world evidence (RWE) has been used by regulators to assess the effectiveness of medical products. This paper briefly introduces the latest progress and research results of the RCT DUPLICATE Initiative launched by the research team of Harvard University in 2018 and summarizes relevant research experience based on the characteristics of China's medical service to provide inspiration and reference for domestic scholars to conduct related RWE research in the future.

[The "jivaniya class of herbs" (Shi Tian Yao) in the Bower Manuscript (Bao Wei Er Xie Ben)].

The Bower Manuscript (Bao Wei Er Xie Ben) is a Sanskrit document unearthed in Xinjiang in the 19th century. The ten drugs, which tasted sweet, and used widely were named as the "jivaniya class of herbs" (Shi Tian Yao) in this document . It was found that "jivaniya" tasted sweet, felt cold and was often used in tonic decoction for relieving serious vata (Feng), with references to the ancient medical book Ayurveda and the modern Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. "Jivaniya" was constructed with different dossage forms, such as butter, oil, enema, ointment. It can treat some diseases of consumption of the lungs, epilepsy, consumptive diseases and fever of children in Bower Manuscript (Bao Wei Er Xie Ben). The theories of "jivaniya" came from Ayurveda. Compared with the theories of traditional Chinese Medicine, the theory that "jivaniya" can treat consumptive diseases appears similar to the theories in Su Wen about "Feng Xiao". The theories of Traditional Indian medicine and Chinese medicine appear resemblant, such as the commonalities in terms of using sweet tonics with liquorice and Fritillaria cirrhosa to treat comsumptive diseases.

[Application of multi-state Markov model in studying transition of number of chronic complications and influencing factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients].

Objective: To establish a multi-state Markov model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and explore the transition rule between the cumulative number of different chronic complications, estimate the transition probability and intensity between status, and explore the possible factors affecting the transition between status. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 33 575 patients with T2DM was conducted. According to the baseline and the cumulative number of chronic complications during the follow-up period, the patients were classified based on five status: T2DM, one complication, two complications, three complications, four and above complication, indicated by S0, S1, S2, S3 and S4, respectively. A time-continuous and state-discrete multi-state irreversible Markov model was used for statistical analysis. Results: The study included 33 575 T2DM patients, and their average age was 60 years old, the median of follow-up length was 8 years. In these patients, 32 653 had no baseline complications. At the end of follow-up, the transition probabilities of S0→S1, S1→S2, S2→S3 and S3→S4 were 16.4%, 32.4%, 45.6% and 25.9%, respectively. The results of multivariate analysis showed that being female (HR=0.919), less than 60 years old (HR=0.929), higher fasting plasma glucose (HR=1.601), lower high-density lipoprotein (HR=1.087), higher total cholesterol (HR=1.090),weekly exercise (HR=0.897), vegetarian diet (HR=0.852) and heavy diet (HR=1.887) were the risk factors for S0 to S1. And being female (HR=0.768), less than 60 years old (HR=0.859) and lower high-density lipoprotein (HR=1.160) were the risk factors for S1 to S2. Conclusions: The probability of multiple complications in T2DM patients increased over time, the transition intensity of S2→S3 was largest, followed by S1→S2. Therefore, we need to conduct both early and long-term indicators monitoring and disease prevention, strengthen the health education to improve patients' daily living habits at early stage of the illness, encourage patients to have moderate exercise and balanced diet, strengthen the monitoring of fasting blood- glucose, cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein levels to prevent the deterioration of the illness.

[Introduction to COSMOS-E: Guidance on conducting systematic reviews and Meta-analyses on etiology of observational studies].

This paper introduces the conducting systematic reviews and Meta-analyses of observational studies of etiology (COSMOS-E) and illustrates the critical issues of COSMOS-E with a published systematic review. This document provides researchers with guidance on all steps in systematic reviews of observational studies of etiology, from shaping the research question, defining exposure and outcomes, to assessing the risk of bias and statistical analysis.

[Preliminary results of femtosecond laser-assisted Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty for bullous keratopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preliminary results of femtosecond laser-assisted Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (FS-DSEK) for the treatment of bullous keratopathy. METHODS: In the nonrandomized, prospective, consecutive case series, 7 eyes with bullous keratopathy induced by cataract surgery received FS-DSEK surgery between September and December 2013. Standard Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty procedure was performed. The Descemet membrane and abnormal endothelial layer were stripped from the central recipient posterior surface in a diameter of 7.75 mm. The graft was fixed to the edge of recipient cornea with one single stitch. The donor lenticule was produced by Intralase 150 femtosecond laser with a diameter of 7.75 mm. The adherence of donor lenticule to the recipient posterior stroma and postoperative donor lenticule dislocation were monitored in the early stage after surgery. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, refraction, endothelial cell density and thickness of grafts were measured preoperatively, and at 1 week, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after FS-DSEK. RESULTS: Two eyes had graft dislocation, with a gap between the graft and recipent posterior stroma at 2 days after surgery. The grafts were repositioned after bubbles were added into the anterior chamber. All grafts were well adherent to the recipent posterior stromal surface at 1 week postoperatively. One graft failed at 3 months postoperatively, and penetrating keratoplasty was performed. At 12 months, the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.04 to 0.7, the mean endothelial cell density was (1 698.0±251.8) cells/mm(2), and the mean thickness of grafts was (124.2 ± 11.4) µm. CONCLUSION: Femtosecond laser-assisted Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty was effective in treating bullous keratopathy. Stitching the graft to the recipent cornea can prevent postoperative graft dislocation effectively.

Anti-osteoporosis activity of red yeast rice extract on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease, affecting millions of people worldwide and leading to significant morbidity and high costs. Monacolin K, an extract of red yeast rice (RYR, Hongqu), plays important roles in the management of dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. Our study aimed to investigate the protective effect of monacolin K on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats. Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated and five ovariectomized (OVX) groups: OVX with vehicle, OVX with fluvastatin, and OVX with RYR extract of three graded doses. Bone mineral density (BMD), biochemical markers, and cell viability were analyzed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and 3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Gene expression was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification and western blot. Our results showed that administration of RYR extract markedly increased the bone mineral density in OVX rats. Moreover, RYR extract decreased the levels of bone turnover markers, including osteocalcin and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity. The MMT assay revealed that RYR extract treatment significantly improved the osteoblast viabilities in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). At the molecular level, we further demonstrated that RYR extract enhanced the expression of Bmp2 and Bmp4 both at the mRNA and protein levels. Collectively, these data suggested RYR extract could protect against osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats, most likely through activation of BMP2/4 expression.

Whole exome sequencing implicates PTCH1 and COL17A1 genes in ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine in Chinese patients.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine is a complex multifactorial disease. Patients with OPLL commonly present with symptoms in their 40s or 50s. The genetic basis of OPLL remains poorly understood. Exome capture combined with massively parallel DNA sequencing has been proposed as an efficient strategy to search for disease-causing genes of both monogenic and multigenic disorders. To identify candidate pathogenic genes associated with OPLL, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on two unrelated southern Chinese OPLL patients. The entire DNA coding region of the candidate genes was amplified by PCR and Sanger sequenced. The common single nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed by association studies. WES revealed p.T265S/PTCH1, p.P1232L/PTCH1, and p.T902S/COL17A1 mutants in the two female cases with mixed OPLL. These were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. p.P1232L/PTCH1, p.N1374D/COL17A1 and p.T902S/COL17A1 were subsequently identified in three males with continuous OPLL and one female with mixed OPLL. The association studies indicated that the SNPs rs805698 and rs4918079 in COL17A1 were significantly associated with OPLL. This study suggests that WES may be a practical approach to revealing significant genetic involvement in OPLL. Variants of the PTCH1 and COL17A1 genes may contribute to the development of OPLL.

Effect of a carbohydrate-containing late-evening snack on energy metabolism and fasting substrate utilization in adults with acute-on-chronic liver failure due to Hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the effects of a carbohydrate (CHO; lotus-root starch) predominant, late-evening snack (LES), containing 200 kcal (50 g CHO) on fasting resting energy expenditure (REE) and nutrient oxidation in hospitalized adults with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults with ACLF were randomized to receive daily LES (treatment; n=35) or standard care (n=35; non-supplemented control) for 14 days. REE and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured by indirect calorimetry, nutrient oxidation (CHO, protein and fat), intake and biochemical parameters were measured in both groups at baseline and after 14 days using validated techniques. Disease severity was measured using the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). RESULTS: No significant differences in macronutrient intake, anthropometric, demographic characteristics or MELD scores were observed between groups at baseline (P>0.05). Fasting RQ was significantly higher in the LES supplemented verses the control group after 2 weeks (P=0.02). CHO oxidation was significantly higher (P=0.001) and fat oxidation (P=0.02) was lower in the LES-supplemented group when compared with controls after 2 weeks. Fasting RQ and REE in the LES-supplemented group increased significantly (0.83 verses 0.88; P=0.007/1301±409 vs 1687±718 kcal/day; P=0.02) in patients with MELD scores 30 when compared with patients with MELD scores >30 (0.82 verses 0.84; P=0.27/ 1361±405 vs 1437±429 kcal/day; P=0.67) after supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: A carbohydrate-predominant LES is associated with increases in fasting carbohydrate oxidation, REE and reductions in fat oxidation in adults with ACLF. Therapeutic strategies utilizing LES may promote improved nutritional status in adults with ACLF.

Arsenic trioxide induced apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells by abnormal expression of microRNA-376a.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been demonstrated to induce apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells, however, mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are not fully understood. In the present study, we determined whether ATO induced apoptosis by abnormal expression of microRNA. In an apoptosis model of retinoblastoma cells subjected to 4 µM ATO for 72 hours, we found 14 miRNAs changed more than 2-fold by using miRNA microarray analysis. Most of these aberrantly expressed miRNAs were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. MiR-376a, a significantly down-regulated miRNA, was selected for further study. The overexpression of miR-376a resulting from miR-376a mimic transfection significantly inhibited ATO-induced apoptosis. By contrast, miR-376a deficiency resulting from miR-376a inhibitor transfection aggravated ATO-induced apoptosis. Using bioinformatic algorithms, caspase-3, a key apoptosis executioner, was predicted as a putative target of miR-376a. The quantitative RT-PCR showed no effects of miR-376a mimic or inhibitor on caspase-3 mRNA level. However, the amount of caspase-3 proteins was reduced by miR-376a mimic, whereas increased by miR-376a inhibitor. Furthermore, the luciferase reporter assay confirmed caspase-3 to be a target of miR-376a, and the apoptosis caused by miR-376a inhibitor were abolished by a caspase-3 inhibitor. These results suggest that ATO -induced apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells is part mediated by decreasing expression of miR-376a, which subsequently increased caspase-3 expression.

[Determination of the adenosine triphosphate in myocardial tissue by ion-pair reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography].

ATP depletion is an important factor contributing to the incomplete recovery of ventricular function following ischemia and reperfusion. A simple and rapid method for determination of adenosine triphosphate(ATP) in myocardial tissue by RP-HPLC was developed. The chromatographic conditions were as follows: Spherisorb ODS2 column, V(40 mmol/L KH2PO4 and 5 mmol/L TBAP):V(methanol) = 74:26 (pH 6.2) mobile phase and UV detector at 259 nm. The ATP in myocardium was extracted with 0.4 mol/L HClO4. The calibration curve showed a good linearity in 5 mg/L-100 mg/L(r = 0.9998). The recovery ranged from 97.8% to 104.1%. The limit of detection was 2 mg/L. The verified results demonstrated that this method is precise, accurate and can be used for determination of ATP in myocardial tissue.

Evaluation of Doppler echocardiographic atrial pacing stress test in the detection of coronary artery disease.

Doppler echocardiographic atrial pacing stress tests were performed in 23 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 35 normal subjects. It was found that the peak flow velocity (PFV) through the mitral valve decreased at 160 beats per minute (BPM) during pacing in the CAD group (P less than 0.01), but no significant variation was seen in the normal group. No differences between the two groups were observed in 1/3 filling fraction (1/3 FF), total diastolic filling period (DFP) and the ratio of early diastolic filling period (EDFP) to DFP before pacing. However, 1/3 FF and DFP decreased and EDFP/DFP increased immediately following rapid pacing in the CAD group but did not change in the normal group (P less than 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001 respectively). The peak flow velocity during atrial contraction (APFV), time velocity integral during atrial contraction (ATVI) and the ratio of ATVI to total TVI (ATVI/TTVI) increased immediately following pacing in the CAD group. Using two of three indices--ATVI/TTVI more than 0.35, ATVI increase and 1/3 FF decrease immediately following pacing--as diagnostic criteria for CAD, the sensitivity was 86% and the specificity was 77%. It may be concluded that the Doppler echocardiographic atrial pacing stress test is a feasible and reliable method for detecting CAD.

[Influence of cardiac structure, blood flow velocity and heart function on circulating atrial natriuretic peptide and renin-angiotension system].

Heart function and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotension II (Ang II) were examined with echocardiography and radioimmunoassay in 9 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 41 with rheumatic heart disease (RHD), 29 with hyperthyroidism (Ht) and 24 normal subjects. ANP level was significantly increased as heart failure progressed (P < 0.01 and 0.001). There was negative correlation between ANP and left ventricular fractional shortening, and between ANP and ejection fraction in DCM and Ht groups. There was positive correlation between ANP and maximal left atrial diameter, right atrial area, and diastolic diameter or volume of left ventricle in DCM and RHD groups, and negative correlation between ANP and peak flow velocity in aorta or through mitral valve in DCM group (r = -0.608, P < 0.05 and r = 0.710, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the stronger the myocardial contractility and the faster the blood flow, the lower the plasma ANP level.

[A retrospective study of 115 cases of fungal pneumonia].

115 cases of immunocompromised patients complicated with fungal pneumonia treated during the period from April 1968 to December 1986 were retrospectively studied. 96 were male and 19 female. Their age ranged from 6 to 84. The incidence increased significantly in recent years especially after 1983. Severe liver disease was the underlying disease in 102 (88.7%) patients. 108 (93.9%) had received antibiotics and 55 (47.9%) corticosteroids. Fungi species isolated were candida in 107 (54.9%), aspergillus in 82 (36.9%), penicillium in 7 (3.6%), mucormycetes in 6 (3%) and reotrichum in 3 (1.5%). Fever, cough, expectoration, moist rales diminished breath sounds and increase of W. B. C. and neutrophils were the important clinical features. The roentgenologic findings vary with the nature and extent of the pathologic process. Disseminated mycoses were found in 9 of the 18 autopsied cases. The characteristic pathologic findings were inflammation, abscess formation, vasculitis, infarction and hemorrhage. Extrapulmonary features such as enteritis, purulent nephritis, abnormal EKG, encephalopathy and rash were present. 93 cases received antifungal therapy including garlicin, clotrimazole, amphotericin B, nystatine, miconazole, 5-fluctosine and ketoconazole. Because these drug combinations were so complex, it is difficult to evaluate their efficiency. However the survival rate was somewhat elevated in recent years. The mortality rate of this series was 80.9%.