Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis with or without Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Aim: We aim to access the effect of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: This was a review of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. Results: Cardiopulmonary bypass is actually an important maneuver to attain complete relief of the constriction. The short additional time of cardiopulmonary bypass during the procedure has very little effect on the risk of morbidity of the main operation. Conclusion: Incomplete pericardiectomy perhaps was the cause of postoperative remnant constriction and high diastolic filling pressure leading to multiorgan failure. Complete pericardiectomy (removal of phrenic-to-phrenic and the postero-lateral and inferior wall pericardial thickening) using cardiopulmonary bypass should be the routine for total relief of the constriction of the heart.

Surgical treatment of left-sided infective endocarditis with symptomatic neurological complications before surgery in China.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate surgical treatment of left-sided infective endocarditis with symptomatic neurological complications before surgery. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with left-sided infective endocarditis and symptomatic neurological complications before surgery undergoing cardiac surgery between January 2006 and November 2022 at our hospital. Results: Eight hundred thirty-two patients were divided into group with symptomatic neurological complications before surgery (n = 112) and without symptomatic neurological complications before surgery (n = 720). There were 48 operative deaths (5.4%). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that symptomatic neurological complications before surgery is statistically significantly associated with in-hospital mortality following cardiac surgery and prolonged intubation time. Conclusions: Our study showed that symptomatic neurological complications before surgery are associated with increased in-hospital mortality following cardiac surgery and prolonged intubation time.

Risk factors of prolonged intensive care unit stay following cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis.

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay is common in serious patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Prolonged ICU stay is associated with increased mortality and worse prognosis. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors for prolonged ICU stay after cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) and we try to decrease the operative risk of mortality and morbidity of cardiac surgery for IE. METHODS: The retrospective study of patients with IE undergoing cardiac surgery between January 2006 and November 2022 at our hospital was performed. RESULTS: 896 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were divided into group of ICU stay ≤ 3d (n = 416) and group p of ICU stay > 3d (n = 480). There were 48 operative deaths (5.4%). Univariable and multivariable analyses showed that factors are associated with prolonged ICU stay following cardiac surgery for IE, including male (P < .001), age (P < .001), weight (P = .009), vegetation length (P < .001), paravalvular leak (P < .001), aortic cross-clamp time (P < .001), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (P < .001), mechanical ventilation time (P < .001), hospitalized time postoperative (P = .032), creatinine of serum before surgery (P < .001), creatinine of serum 24h after surgery (P = .005), creatinine of serum 48h after surgery (P < .001), fluid balance on operation day (P < .001), postoperative acute kidney injury (P < .001), left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) preoperative (P < .001), LVEDD postoperative (P < .001), chest drainage (P = .032), frozen plasma (P = .016), preoperative aortic insufficiency (P < .001), and packed red cells (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, shortness of ICU stay and optimization of pre-, peri-, and postoperative factors that can shorten ICU stay, therefore, contribute to a better postoperative outcome and leads to lower rates of mortality and morbidity.

Impact of Vegetation Length on Clinical Complications During Surgical Intervention and Long-Term Survival in Infective Endocarditis.

We aimed to investigate the impact of vegetation length on clinical complications during surgical intervention and long-term survival in infective endocarditis. This was a retrospective study of patients with infective endocarditis who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2006 and November 2022 at our hospital. 896 patients were divided into 2 groups: group I (vegetation length <10 mm, n = 448) and group II (vegetation length ≥10 mm, n = 448). There were 48 operative deaths (5.4%). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that vegetation length is statistically significantly associated with destruction of the annulus (p <0.001), neurological complications before surgery (p <0.001), acute renal injury (p <0.001), prolonged intubation time (intubation time >24 hours) (p <0.001), prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) retention time (ICU retention time >3 days) (p <0.001), and in-hospital mortality (p <0.001), respectively. Our study showed that vegetation length is statistically significantly associated with destruction of the annulus, neurological complications before surgery, acute renal injury, prolonged intubation time, prolonged ICU retention time, in-hospital mortality, and 1-year mortality, respectively.

Results of the inoperable and operable with aortic valve endocarditis.

Objectives: To evaluate the results of the inoperable and operable with aortic valve endocarditis, focus on risk factors, significance, and management of destruction of the aortic annulus in aortic valve endocarditis. Methods: The retrospective study was completed to investigate patients with aortic valve endocarditis undergoing cardiac surgery between January 2006 and November 2022 at our hospital. Results: 512 patients were divided into group with destruction of the aortic annulus (n = 80) and without destruction of the aortic annulus (n = 432). There were 32 operative deaths (6.3%, 32/512). By univariate and multivariate analysis, destruction of the aortic annulus is found to be statistically significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (P < 0.001), prolonged mechanical ventilation time (mechanical ventilation time > 96 h, P = 0.018), early aortic paravalvular leak (P < 0.001), and 1-year mortality following cardiac surgery (P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: In our study, destruction of the aortic annulus increases mortality and health care costs. Optimization of pre-, peri-, and postoperative factors can reduce mortality and morbidity in aortic valve endocarditis. Aortic root replacement could be recommended as the best practice choice for aortic valve endocarditis with periannular abscess and destruction of the aortic annulus.

Analysis of risk factors of multiorgan failure after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate risk factors of multiorgan failure following pericardiectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing pericardiectomy between January 1994 and May 2021 at three hospitals. RESULTS: 826 patients were included in the study and divided into two groups: group with multiorgan failure (n = 86) and group without multiorgan failure (n = 740). There were 86 patients with multiorgan failure (86/826, 10.4%). There were 66 operative deaths (66/826, 8.0%). The causes of operative deaths were multiorgan failure, including cardiogenic shock + AKI + ventricular fibrillation (13/66), cardiogenic shock + AKI (35/66), cardiogenic shock + AKI + hepatic failure + septicemia (8/66), cardiogenic shock + AKI + respiratory failure (10/66). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed the factors associated with multiorgan failure, including male (P = 0.006), time between symptoms and surgery (P < 0.001), thickness of pericardium (P < 0.001), intubation time (P < 0.001), ICU retention time (P < 0.001), hospitalized time postoperative (P < 0.001), preoperative central venous pressure (P < 0.001), postoperative central venous pressure (P < 0.001), D0 fluid balance (P < 0.001), D2 fluid balance (P < 0.001), postoperative chest drainage (P < 0.001), preoperative LVEDD(P < 0.001), postoperative LVEDD (P < 0.001), surgical duration (P < 0.001), bleeding during operation (P < 0.001), serum creatinine 24 h after surgery (P = 0.042), serum creatinine 48 h after surgery (P < 0.001), fresh-frozen plasma (P < 0.001), packed red cells (P < 0.001), blood lactate (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, incomplete pericardial dissection, fluid overload, delayed diagnosis and treatment are associated with multiorgan failure following pericardiectomy.

Relationships Between Diurnal Changes of Tongue Coating Microbiota and Intestinal Microbiota.

The oral cavity and the intestine are the main distribution locations of human digestive bacteria. Exploring the relationships between the tongue coating and gut microbiota, the influence of the diurnal variations of the tongue coating microbiota on the intestinal microbiota can provide a reference for the development of the disease diagnosis and monitoring, as well as the medication time. In this work, a total of 39 healthy college students were recruited. We collected their tongue coating microbiota which was collected before and after sleep and fecal microbiota. The diurnal variations of tongue coating microbiota are mainly manifested on the changes in diversity and relative abundance. There are commensal bacteria in the tongue coating and intestines, especially Prevotella which has the higher proportion in both sites. The relative abundance of Prevotella in the tongue coating before sleep has a positive correlation with intestinal Prevotella; the r is 0.322 (p < 0.05). Bacteroides in the intestine had the most bacteria associated with the tongue coating and had the highest correlation coefficient with Veillonella in the oral cavity, which was 0.468 (p < 0.01). These results suggest that the abundance of the same flora in the two sites may have a common change trend. The SourceTracker results show that the proportion of intestinal bacteria sourced from tongue coating is less than 1%. It indicates that oral flora is difficult to colonize in the intestine in healthy people. This will provide a reference for the study on the oral and intestinal microbiota in diseases.

Analysis of Risk Factors of Early Mortality After Pericardiectomy For Constrictive Pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate risk factors of early mortality following pericardiectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing pericardiectomy between January 1994 and May 2021 at The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, and The People's Hospital of Liuzhou City. RESULTS: This study included 826 patients, who were divided into two groups: group with operative deaths (N = 66) and group without operative deaths (N = 760). There were 66 operative deaths (66/826, 8.0%). The causes of operative deaths were multiorgan failure (86/826, 10.4%). Preoperative CVP (P < 0.001), chest drainage (P < 0.001), surgical duration (P < 0.001), fluid balance postoperative day D2 (P < 0.001), and tuberculosis pericarditis (P = 0.001) in group with operative deaths were significantly higher than those in group without operative deaths. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that factors associated with operative deaths include male (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001), ICU retention time (P < 0.001), postoperative hospitalization time (P < 0.001), preoperative central venous pressure (P = 0.018), postoperative central venous pressure (P < 0.001), D0 fluid balance (P < 0.001), D2 fluid balance (P < 0.001), postoperative chest drainage (P = 0.029), surgical duration (P = 0.003), serum creatinine baseline (P = 0.002), serum creatinine 24h after surgery (P < 0.001), serum creatinine 48h after surgery (P < 0.001), blood lactate (P < 0.001), and tuberculosis pericarditis (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: In our study, incomplete pericardial dissection, fluid overload, and tuberculosis pericarditis are associated with operative deaths following pericardiectomy.

A Study of Logistic Regression for Fatigue Classification Based on Data of Tongue and Pulse.

Methods: The Tongue and Face Diagnosis Analysis-1 instrument and Pulse Diagnosis Analysis-1 instrument were used to collect the tongue image and sphygmogram of the subhealth fatigue population (n = 252) and disease fatigue population (n = 1160), and we mainly analyzed the tongue and pulse characteristics and constructed the classification model by using the logistic regression method. Results: The results showed that subhealth fatigue people and disease fatigue people had different characteristics of tongue and pulse, and the logistic regression model based on tongue and pulse data had a good classification effect. The accuracies of models of healthy controls and subhealth fatigue, subhealth fatigue and disease fatigue, and healthy controls and disease fatigue were 68.29%, 81.18%, and 84.73%, and the AUC was 0.698, 0.882, and 0.924, respectively. Conclusion: This study provided a new noninvasive method for the fatigue diagnosis from the perspective of objective tongue and pulse data, and the modern tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis have good application prospects.

Incomplete Pericardial Dissection, Fluid Overload, Delayed Diagnosis And Treatment, And Tuberculosis Pericarditis Are Associated With Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Following Pericardiectomy.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate risk factors of LCOS following pericardiectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing pericardiectomy at three hospitals between January 1994 and May 2021. RESULTS: A total of 826 patients were divided into two groups: group with LCOS (N = 126) and group without LCOS (N = 700). The incidence of postoperative LCOS was 15.3%. There were 66 operative deaths (8.0%). Univariable and multivariable analyses showed that factors are associated with LCOS, including postoperative LVEDD (P < 0.001), preoperative LVEDD (P < 0.001), time between symptoms and surgery (P < 0.001), thickness of pericardium (P < 0.001), intubation time (P = 0.002), hospitalized time postoperative (P < 0.001), preoperative central venous pressure (P = 0.016), postoperative central venous pressure (P = 0.034), D0 fluid balance (P = 0.019), D2 fluid balance (P = 0.017), postoperative chest drainage (P < 0.001), surgical duration (P < 0.001), bleeding during operation (P = 0.001), serum creatinine 24h after surgery (P < 0.001), serum creatinine 48h after surgery (P = 0.017), fresh-frozen plasma (P = 0.005), packed red cells (P = 0.006), and tuberculosis pericarditis (P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: In our study, incomplete pericardial dissection, fluid overload, delayed diagnosis and treatment, and tuberculosis pericarditis are associated with LCOS following pericardiectomy.

Fluid Balance of the Second Day Following Operation is Associated with Early Mortality and Multiorgan Failure After Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: The operative mortality of pericardiectomy still is high. This retrospective study was conducted to determine the risk factors of early mortality and multiorgan failure. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing pericardiectomy from January 2009 to June 2020 at our hospital. Pericardiectomy was performed via sternotomy. Histopathologic studies of pericardium tissue from every patient were done. All survivors were monitored to the end date of the study. RESULTS: Ninety-two consecutive patients undergoing pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis were included in the study. Postoperatively, central venous pressure significantly decreased, and left ventricular end diastolic dimension and left ventricular ejection fractions significantly improved. The overall mortality rate was 5.4%. The common postoperative complications include acute renal injury (27.2%), and multiorgan failure (8.7%). Analyses of risk factors showed that fluid balance of the second day following operation is associated with early mortality and multiorgan failure. In this series from Guangxi, China, characteristic histopathologic features of tuberculosis (60/92, 65.2%) of pericardium were the most common histopathologic findings, and 32 patients (32/92, 34.8%) had the histopathologic findings of chronic nonspecific inflammatory changes. The functional status of the patients improved after pericardiectomy; 6 months later postoperatively 85 survivors were in class I (85/87, 97.7%) and two were in class II (2/87, 2.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis is the most common cause of constrictive pericarditis in Guangxi, China. Fluid balance of the second day following operation is associated with early mortality and multiorgan failure after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis in our study.

Acute Kidney Injury: Lessons from Pericardiectomy.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney (renal) injury (AKI) is a severe and common complication that occurs in ~40% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. AKI has been associated with increased mortality and worse prognosis. This prospective study was conducted to determine the risk factors for AKI after pericardiectomy and decrease the operative risk of mortality and morbidity. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational cohort study of patients with constrictive pericarditis undergoing pericardiectomy. All patients underwent pericardiectomy via median sternotomy. Serum creatinine was used as the diagnostic standard of AKI according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes classification. All survivors were monitored to the end date of the study. RESULTS: Consecutive patients (N = 92) undergoing pericardiectomy were divided into 2 groups: with AKI (n = 25) and without AKI (n = 67). The incidence of postoperative AKI was 27.2% (25/92). Hemodialysis was required for 10 patients (40%), and there were 5 operative deaths. Mortality, intubation time, time in intensive care unit, fresh-frozen plasma, and packed red cells of the group with AKI were significantly higher than those of the group without AKI. Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that statistically significant independent predictors of AKI include intubation time, chest drainage, fresh-frozen plasma, and packed red cells. The latest follow-up data showed that 85 survivors were New York Heart Association class I (97.7%) and 2 were class II (2.3%). CONCLUSIONS: AKI after pericardiectomy is a serious complication and contributes to significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Prevention of AKI development after cardiac surgery and optimization of pre-, peri-, and postoperative factors that can reduce AKI, therefore, contribute to a better postoperative outcome and leads to lower rates of AKI, morbidity, and mortality.

Application of computer tongue image analysis technology in the diagnosis of NAFLD.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a leading cause of chronic hepatic disease, can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, it is extremely important to explore early diagnosis and screening methods. In this study, we developed models based on computer tongue image analysis technology to observe the tongue characteristics of 1778 participants (831 cases of NAFLD and 947 cases of non-NAFLD). Combining quantitative tongue image features, basic information, and serological indexes, including the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and fatty liver index (FLI), we utilized machine learning methods, including Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), Adaptive Boosting Algorithm (AdaBoost), Naïve Bayes, and Neural Network for NAFLD diagnosis. The best fusion model for diagnosing NAFLD by Logistic Regression, which contained the tongue image parameters, waist circumference, BMI, GGT, TG, and ALT/AST, achieved an AUC of 0.897 (95% CI, 0.882-0.911), an accuracy of 81.70% with a sensitivity of 77.62% and a specificity of 85.22%; in addition, the positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 5.25 and 0.26, respectively. The application of computer intelligent tongue diagnosis technology can improve the accuracy of NAFLD diagnosis and may provide a convenient technical reference for the establishment of early screening methods for NAFLD, which is worth further research and verification.

Preoperative Pericardial Effusion is Associated with Low Cardiac Output Syndrome After Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: Low cardiac output syndrome is the main cause of death after pericardiectomy. METHODS: Patients who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis from January 2009 to October 2020 at our hospital were included in the study. Histopathologic studies of pericardium tissue from every patient were performed. All survivors were followed up. RESULTS: Ninety-two consecutive patients underdoing pericardiectomy were included in the study. The incidence of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome was 10.7% (10/92). There were five operative deaths. Mortality and incidence of LCOS in the group with pericardial effusion were significantly higher than those in the group without pericardial effusion. Tuberculosis of the pericardium (60/92, 65.2%) was the most common histopathologic finding in this study. Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that preoperative pericardial effusion is associated with increased rate of low cardiac output syndrome. Eighty-five survivors were in NYHA class I (85/87, 97.7%), and two were in class II (2/87, 2.3%) at the latest follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative pericardial effusion is associated with low cardiac output syndrome after pericardiectomy. Tuberculosis of the pericardium was the most common histopathologic finding in this study. For constrictive pericarditis caused by tuberculous bacteria, systematic antituberculosis drugs should be given. Preoperative pericardial effusion is associated with increased rate of low cardiac output syndrome. Perfect preoperative preparation is very important to reduce the incidence of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome and mortality. It is very important to use a large dose of diuretics with cardiotonic or vasopressor in a short time after the operation.

Tongue image quality assessment based on a deep convolutional neural network.

BACKGROUND: Tongue diagnosis is an important research field of TCM diagnostic technology modernization. The quality of tongue images is the basis for constructing a standard dataset in the field of tongue diagnosis. To establish a standard tongue image database in the TCM industry, we need to evaluate the quality of a massive number of tongue images and add qualified images to the database. Therefore, an automatic, efficient and accurate quality control model is of significance to the development of intelligent tongue diagnosis technology for TCM. METHODS: Machine learning methods, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), Adaptive Boosting Algorithm (Adaboost), Naïve Bayes, Decision Tree (DT), Residual Neural Network (ResNet), Convolution Neural Network developed by Visual Geometry Group at University of Oxford (VGG), and Densely Connected Convolutional Networks (DenseNet), were utilized to identify good-quality and poor-quality tongue images. Their performances were made comparisons by using metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-Score. RESULTS: The experimental results showed that the accuracy of the three deep learning models was more than 96%, and the accuracy of ResNet-152 and DenseNet-169 was more than 98%. The model ResNet-152 obtained accuracy of 99.04%, precision of 99.05%, recall of 99.04%, and F1-score of 99.05%. The performances were better than performances of other eight models. The eight models are VGG-16, DenseNet-169, SVM, RF, GBDT, Adaboost, Naïve Bayes, and DT. ResNet-152 was selected as quality-screening model for tongue IQA. CONCLUSIONS: Our research findings demonstrate various CNN models in the decision-making process for the selection of tongue image quality assessment and indicate that applying deep learning methods, specifically deep CNNs, to evaluate poor-quality tongue images is feasible.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Mechanical Hemolysis after Mitral Repair in Adult.

BACKGROUND: Mitral repair has been widely used in the treatment of secondary mitral lesions in recent years. Hemolytic anemia is known to be a rare complication after mitral repair. This study aimed to investigate the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical hemolysis after mitral repair in adults. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of patients undergoing mitral repair complicated with mechanical hemolysis at our institution between August 2006 and May 2020. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients undergoing mitral repair complicated with mechanical hemolysis were included in the study. They were divided into two groups: the reoperation group (patients who underwent reoperation; N = 18) and the conservative treatment group (patients who received symptomatic treatments, including blood transfusion, diuresis, alkalization of urine, liver protection, hemodialysis, and oral metoprolol; N = 6. All patients in the reoperation group underwent mitral valve replacement. There were six hospital deaths, all in the conservative treatment group. Seventeen of eighteen patients (94.4%) completed follow up. Fifteen of seventeen survivors (88.2%) were in NYHA class I and 11.8% (2/17) in NYHA class II at the last time follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Hemolysis is a sign of failure of mitral repair. Reoperation is the best choice once the hemolysis has been diagnosed. Reoperation should be carried out as soon as possible.

Lycorine Induces Mitochondria-Dependent Apoptosis in Hepatoblastoma HepG2 Cells Through ROCK1 Activation.

Lycorine, a naturally occurring compound extracted from the Amaryllidaceae plant family, has been reported to exhibit antitumor activity in various cancer cell types. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying lycorine-induced apoptosis in hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells. We found that lycorine induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in HepG2 cells accompanied by mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, Ca2+ and cytochrome c (Cyto C) release, as well as caspase activation. Furthermore, we found Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) cleavage/activation played a critical role in lycorine-induced mitochondrial apoptosis. In addition, the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 was employed, and we found that co-treatment with Y-27632 attenuated lycorine-induced mitochondrial injury and cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, an in vivo study revealed that lycorine inhibited tumor growth and induced apoptosis in a HepG2 xenograft mouse model in association with ROCK1 activation. Taken together, all these findings suggested that lycorine induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis through ROCK1 activation in HepG2 cells, and this may be a theoretical basis for lycorine's anticancer effects.

Clinical comparative analysis of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution and St. Thomas crystalloid cardioplegia: A 12-year study from a single institution.

Cardioplegic reperfusion during a long-term ischemic period interrupts cardiac surgery and increases cellular edema due to repeated administration. The present clinical study compared the protective effects of histidine-ketoglutarate-tryptophan (HTK) solution and St. Thomas crystalloid cardioplegia. Clinical experiences of the myocardial protection induced by one single perfusion with HTK were reviewed in high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease. This retrospective study included 88 high-risk patients (aortic cross-clamp time, >120 min) between March 2001 and July 2012. The cohort was divided into two groups according to the technique used. Either myocardial protection was performed with one single perfusion with HTK solution (HTK group) or with conventional St. Thomas crystalloid cardioplegia (St group). The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass did not differ between the two groups. The mortality, morbidity, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, postoperative hospitalization, and transfusions of HTK group are significantly lower than those of the St group (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that HTK is a statistically significant independent predictor of decreased early mortality and morbidity (P<0.05). In conclusion, the present findings suggested that HTK solution decreases mortality, morbidity, ICU stay, postoperative hospitalization, and transfusions in high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease.

Xinqin exhibits the anti-allergic effect through the JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Xinqin, a polyherbal medicine, is an important traditional Chinese herbal formula used in traditional oriental medicine for treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). The formula is based on the Chinese Pharmacopoeia AIM OF THE STUDY: Previously, Xinqin exhibited potent anti-allergic effect in a guinea pig model of AR. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanism of the anti-allergic effect mediated by Xinqin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AR was induced in guinea pigs (Hartley) with toluene-2, 4-diisocyanate (TDI) in vivo and in HMC-1 mast cells with A23187/phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) in vitro. The releases of allergic inflammatory mediators such as histamine, leukotriene (LT) D4, immunoglobulin (Ig) E, TNF-α, and IL-6 were analyzed for allergy. The mast cell degranulation was displayed in HMC-1 mast cells. The activities of janus protein kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transduction and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) were evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: Treatment with Xinqin resulted in AR symptoms and decreases in levels of histamine, LTD4, IgE, TNF-α, and IL-6 in serum of guinea pig model of AR and in A23187/PMA-stimulated HMC-1 mast cells. Treatment with Xinqin also inhibited cell degranulation in A23187/PMA-stimulated HMC-1 mast cells. The JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway could play an important role in the anti-allergic activity mediated by Xinqin. CONCLUSIONS: Xinqin exerts the anti-allergic effect by modulating mast cell-mediated allergic responses by down-regulating JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway. Results from this study provide a mechanistic basis for the application of Xinqin in the treatment of AR.

The effects of PK11195 on meningioma was associated with allopregnanolone biosynthesis, which was mediated by translocator protein 18 KDa.

Meningioma is one of the common brain tumors in adults. It had been shown that the allopregnanolone biosynthesis was associated with tumorigenesis and PK11195, the translocator protein 18 KDa (TSPO) antagonist, had the effects of the allopregnanolone biosynthesis. However, little is known about the association between the effects of PK11195 on meningioma and the allopregnanolone biosynthesis. To evaluate this, the meningioma cell line IOMM-LEE was applied. Cell viability and proliferation were determined by CCK-8 assay. The IC50 of PK11195 on the IOMM-LEE was 1.505 ± 0.08 nM. The cell viability and proliferation of AC-5216 (TSPO selective ligand, 2 and 4 nM) was blocked by PK11195 (1.5 nM). Further, we evaluated the role of allopregnanolone biosynthesis in the effects of TSPO on meningioma. Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) was used in the measurement of the allopregnanolone level. It showed that the allopregnanolone level was increased by AC-5216 (2 and 4 nM) and the increase was reversed by PK11195 (1.5 nM). Collectedly, it firstly indicated that the effects of PK11195 on meningioma were relevant to the decrease of allopregnanolone biosynthesis, which was mediated by TSPO.