N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide identifies patients at risk for occurence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).The value of N-terminal (Nt)-pro brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in predicting AF complicating cardiac surgery is not well studied. Our objective is to determine its predictive value in the occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery with CPB. In a prospective observational study, including patients scheduled for cardiac surgery with CPB, we collected blood samples for each patient: the first one immediately after the induction of anesthesia and before CPB. The subsequent samples were taken at the end of the CBP (H0), 4 hours later (H4), and every day during the first four days (H24, H48, H72 and H96). Nt-proBNP and cardiac troponin (cTnI) were measured in each sample. The levels of Nt-proBNP were significantly increased in patients who developed AF. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis of Nt-proBNP studied at different times showed that assays at the end of the CPB and at H4 had the maximum area under the curve (AUC). A threshold value of 353.5 pg/mL of Nt-proBNP at the end of the CPB showed a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 84% for the prediction of AF and an AUC of 0.711. The threshold value (307.5 pg/mL) of Nt- proBNP measured at H4 had the same sensitivity but a lower specificity (74%) and AUC = 0.709. We conclude that Nt-proBNP values of 353 and 307 pg/mL at 0 and 4 hour after CPB could predict occurrence of AF.

Inhibitory effect of estrogens, phytoestrogens, and caloric restriction on oxidative stress and hepato-toxicity in aged rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of 17beta-estradiol (E2), peganum harmala extract (PHE) administration and calorie restriction (CR) treatment (60%) on oxidative stress and hepato-toxicity in aged rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen months old animals that were treated at the age of 12 months were divided into 4 groups: normal control group with free access to food, E2 treatment group, PHE treatment group and CR treatment group of the food given to control group. Six male rats at the age of 4 months were used as a reference group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Aging significantly decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and increased lactate deshydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glytamyl transferase (GGT), phosphatase alkalines (PAL), aspartate and lactate transaminase (AST and ALT) activities in the liver. Aging also induced an increased lipid peroxidation level, histological changes and a decreased E2 level. However, treatment with E2, PHE, and CR increased 17beta-estradiol, and decreased hepatic dysfunction parameters and lipid peroxidation as well as histological changes in the liver of aged rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of PHE and CR is possibly attributed to its ability to increase E2 level, which as an antioxidant, acts as a scavenger of ROS. Further studies on the pharmaceutical functions of E2 in males may contribute to its clinical application.</p>