Effect of immunization against OPN5 on the reproductive performance in Shan Partridge ducks under different photoperiods.

Photoperiod is an important environmental factor that influences seasonal reproduction behavior in birds. Birds translate photoperiodic information into neuroendocrine signals through deep brain photoreceptors (DBPs). OPN5 has been considered candidate DBPs involved in regulating seasonal reproduction in birds. We found that OPN5 could mediate light to regulate the follicle development in ducks. In this study, we further verified the effect of OPN5 on follicular development in Shan Partridge ducks by immunizing against the extracellular domain (ECD) of OPN5. We investigated the specific regulatory mechanism of photoperiod mediated by OPN5 on the reproductive activity of ducks. The trial randomly divided 120 Shan Partridge ducks into 3 groups with different treatments: the immunization of OPN5 group was done at d0, d15, d30, and d40 with 1 mL of vaccine containing OPN5 protein (thus containing 1, 1, 0.5, and 0.5 mg of OPN5-KLH protein), and the control group (CS and CL groups) was injected at the same time with the same dose of OPN5-uncontained blank vaccine. The group of CS (900 lux), OPN5 (600 lux), and CL (600 lux) lasted for 40 d in 12 L:12 D photoperiods, respectively. Then, the groups of CS, OPN5, and CL subsequently received 12 L:12 D, 12 L:12 D, and 17 L:7 D light treatments for 33 d, respectively. The ducks were caged in 3 constant rooms with the same feeding conditions for each group, free water, and limited feeding (150 g per duck each day). Duck serum and tissue samples were collected at d 40, d 62, and d 73 (n = 12). It was found that before prolonged light, the group of immunization (group OPN5) and the group of strong light intensity (group CS) were higher than the group of CL in egg production. Subsequent to prolonged light, the group CL in egg production rose about the same as the group immunization, while the strong light group (group CS) was lower. Group OPN5 increased the ovarian index of ducks, and both the immunization of group OPN5 and group CL (extended light) increased the thickness of the granular layer and promoted the secretion of E2, P4, LH, and PRL hormones. Compared with group CS, group CL and OPN5 increased the mRNA level and protein expression of OPN5 in the hypothalamus on d 62 and d 73 (P < 0.05). The gene or protein expression patterns of GnRH, TRH, TSHß, DIO2, THRß, VIP, and PRL were positively correlated with OPN5, whereas the gene expression patterns of GnIH and DIO3 were negatively correlated with OPN5. The results showed that immunization against OPN5 could activate the corresponding transmembrane receptors to promote the expression of OPN5, up-regulate the expression of TSHß and DIO2, and then regulate the HPG axis-related genes to facilitate the follicular development of Shan Partridge ducks. In addition, in this experiment, prolonging the photoperiod or enhancing the light intensity could also enhance follicle development, but the effect was not as significant as immunizing against OPN5. Our results will offer beneficial data and more supportive shreds of evidence in favor of elucidating the role of OPN5 in relation to photoperiods and reproduction.

Characterization of 15 CYP2J2 variants identified in the Chinese Han population on the metabolism of ebastine and terfenadine in vitro.

Genetic polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene can significantly influence the metabolism of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. However, few studies have focused on the polymorphism of CYP2J2 and its impact on drug catalytic activity, especially in the Chinese Han population. In this study, we sequenced the promoter and exon regions of CYP2J2 in 1,163 unrelated healthy Chinese Han individuals using the multiplex PCR amplicon sequencing method. Then, the catalytic activities of the detected CYP2J2 variants were evaluated after recombinant expression in S. cerevisiae microsomes. As a result, CYP2J2*7, CYP2J2*8, 13 variations in the promoter region and 15 CYP2J2 nonsynonymous variants were detected, of which V15A, G24R, V68A, L166F and A391T were novel missense variations. Immunoblotting results showed that 11 of 15 CYP2J2 variants exhibited lower protein expression than wild-type CYP2J2.1. In vitro functional analysis results revealed that the amino acid changes of 14 variants could significantly influence the drug metabolic activity of CYP2J2 toward ebastine or terfenadine. Specifically, 4 variants with relatively higher allele frequencies, CYP2J2.8, 173_173del, K267fs and R446W, exhibited extremely low protein expression and defective catalytic activities for both substrates. Our results indicated that a high genetic polymorphism of CYP2J2 could be detected in the Chinese Han population, and most genetic variations in CYP2J2 could influence the expression and catalytic activity of CYP2J2. Our data significantly enrich the knowledge of genetic polymorphisms in CYP2J2 and provide new theoretical information for corresponding individualized medication in Chinese and other Asian populations.

Presence and distribution of triazine herbicides and their effects on microbial communities in the Laizhou Bay, Northern China.

This study investigated the distribution of triazine herbicides in the Laizhou Bay, China and found that the total concentrations of triazine herbicides in the seawater and sediments were 111.15-234.85 ng/L and 0.902-4.661 µg/kg, respectively. Triazine herbicides especially ametryn, atrazine, and simazine were negatively correlated with prokaryote diversity in the seawater. While ametryn, desethylatrazine and desisopropylatrazine had positively significant effects on eukaryotes Dinophyceae, Bacillariophyta, and Cercozoa in the sediments. Moreover, the degree of fragmentation of eukaryotic networks increased dramatically with the increasing numbers of removed nodes, but prokaryotic networks did not change with the decrease of nodes. In addition, the stability analysis and neutral community models revealed that eukaryotes were more sensitive to triazine herbicides than prokaryotes. These results suggest that triazine herbicides might affect the structure and interactions of microbial communities. Therefore, more attentions should be paid to the ecological risk of triazine herbicides in marine ecosystems.

Value of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c and apolipoprotein A-1 ratio on predicting outcome of patients with acute coronary syndrome / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c/apolipoprotein A-1 (HbA1c/ApoA-1) ratio for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: The present study is a retrospective cohort study. ACS patients who were hospitalized and underwent coronary angiography at Beijing Hospital from March 2017 to March 2019 were enrolled. Baseline information such as sex, age, previous history, Gensini score, HbA1c and ApoA-1 were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to presence or absence of MACEs and the difference on HbA1c/ApoA-1 ratio was compared between the two groups. According to the tertiles of HbA1c/ApoA-1 levels, patients were divided into high (5.87-16.12), medium (4.50-5.83) and low (2.11-4.48) HbA1c/ApoA-1 groups. Cox proportional risk model was used to evaluate the differences in MACEs and all-cause mortality among the three groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the differences of MACEs between the various HbA1c/ApoA-1 groups. Results: A total of 366 ACS patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was (65.9±10.3) years. There were 59 MACEs and 10 all-cause deaths during the mean of (22.3±4.4) months follow-up. After adjusting for age, systolic blood pressure, history of diabetes and Gensini score, the incidence of MACEs was 2.45 times higher in the high HbA1c/ApoA-1 group than in the low HbA1c/ApoA-1 group (95%CI 1.16-5.18, P=0.019). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between the high and low HbA1c/ApoA-1 groups (P=1.000). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients in the high HbA1c/ApoA-1 group had the highest risk of MACEs, while patients in the low HbA1c/ApoA-1 group had the lowest risk of MACEs (P<0.01). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that HbA1/ApoA-1 ratio was positively correlated with Gensini score in ACS patients (r=0.274, P<0.01). Conclusion: High HbA1c/ApoA-1 ratio was an independent risk factor for MACEs in ACS patients. Patients with high HbA1c/ApoA-1 ratio had more severe coronary artery disease lesions. HbA1c/ApoA-1 ratio may be used as a potential risk stratification biomarker for ACS patients, it might be useful for the early identification of high-risk population and for predicting the incidence of MACEs among ACS patients.

Efficacy and safety of Shexiang Baoxin pill (MUSKARDIA) in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IV randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The Shexiang Baoxin Pill (MUSKARDIA) has been used for treating coronary artery disease (CAD) and angina for more than 30 years in China. Nevertheless, methodologically sound trials on the use of MUSKARDIA in CAD patients are scarce. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of MUSKARDIA as an add-on to optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with stable CAD. METHODS: A total of 2674 participants with stable CAD from 97 hospitals in China were randomized 1:1 to a MUSKARDIA or placebo group for 24 months. Both groups received OMT according to local tertiary hospital protocols. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), or non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, peripheral revascularization, angina stability and angina frequency. RESULTS: In all, 99.7% of the patients were treated with aspirin and 93.0% with statin. After 2 years of treatment, the occurrence of MACEs was reduced by 26.9% in the MUSKARDIA group (MUSKARDIA: 1.9% vs. placebo: 2.6%; odds ratio = 0.80; 95% confidence interval: 0.45-1.07; P  = 0.2869). Angina frequency was significantly reduced in the MUSKARDIA group at 18 months (P = 0.0362). Other secondary endpoints were similar between the two groups. The rates of adverse events were also similar between the two groups (MUSKARDIA: 17.7% vs. placebo: 17.4%, P = 0.8785). CONCLUSIONS: As an add-on to OMT, MUSKARDIA is safe and significantly reduces angina frequency in patients with stable CAD. Moreover, the use of MUSKARDIA is associated with a trend toward reduced MACEs in patients with stable CAD. The results suggest that MUSKARDIA can be used to manage patients with CAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: chictr.org.cn, No. ChiCTR-TRC-12003513.

Plasm trimethylamine-N-oxide level and association with lesion severity in coronary heart disease patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the association between trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and the degree of coronary atherosclerosis in coronary heart diseases (CHD) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Consecutive patients, who underwent coronary angiography due to suspected CHD in Beijing Hospital from November 2016 to January 2018, were screened in this cross-sectional study. According to blood glucose level, previous medical history and coronary angiography results, they were divided into CHD without type2 diabetes mellitus(CHD-nDM) group and CHD with type2 diabetes mellitus(CHD-DM) group. Plasma TMAO levels in each group were measured by LC-MS/MS. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between TMAO and the number of diseased vessels and Gensini scores. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between TMAO and high Gensini scores. Results: A total of 590 patients were enrolled in the study, including 238 patients in CHD-DM group and 352 patients in CHD-nDM group. Patients were older, body mass index, blood pressure level, prevalence of history of hypertension and statins use were higher in CHD-DM group than in CHD-nDM group (all P<0.05). The proportion of patients with multivessel disease (2 or more vessels) was also higher in CHD-DM group than in CHD-nDM group (P<0.001). Gensini score was higher in CHD-DM group than in CHD-nDM group (P<0.05). Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and urea were significantly higher, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hemoglobin were significantly lower in CHD-DM group than in CHD-nDM group (all P<0.05). The levels of TMAO was significantly higher in CHD-DM group than in CHD-nDM group (P<0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed that TMAO was positively correlated with the number of diseased vessels, Gensini score, age and blood glucose level (r=0.178, 0.189, 0.260, 0.111, respectively, all P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, TMAO level was still positively correlated with high Gensini score in CHD-DM group (OR=2.25, 95%CI 1.16-4.38, P=0.017), but not in CHD-nDM group (OR=1.29, 95%CI 0.72-2.31, P=0.386) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride, history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking and statin use. Conclusions: In CHD patients with tupe 2 diabetes mellitus, the plasma TMAO level is significantly increased and is independent and positively correlated with the degree of coronary artery disease.

Efficacy and safety of Shexiang Baoxin pill (MUSKARDIA) in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IV randomized clinical trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The Shexiang Baoxin Pill (MUSKARDIA) has been used for treating coronary artery disease (CAD) and angina for more than 30 years in China. Nevertheless, methodologically sound trials on the use of MUSKARDIA in CAD patients are scarce. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of MUSKARDIA as an add-on to optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with stable CAD.@*METHODS@#A total of 2674 participants with stable CAD from 97 hospitals in China were randomized 1:1 to a MUSKARDIA or placebo group for 24 months. Both groups received OMT according to local tertiary hospital protocols. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), or non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, peripheral revascularization, angina stability and angina frequency.@*RESULTS@#In all, 99.7% of the patients were treated with aspirin and 93.0% with statin. After 2 years of treatment, the occurrence of MACEs was reduced by 26.9% in the MUSKARDIA group (MUSKARDIA: 1.9% vs. placebo: 2.6%; odds ratio = 0.80; 95% confidence interval: 0.45-1.07; P  = 0.2869). Angina frequency was significantly reduced in the MUSKARDIA group at 18 months (P = 0.0362). Other secondary endpoints were similar between the two groups. The rates of adverse events were also similar between the two groups (MUSKARDIA: 17.7% vs. placebo: 17.4%, P = 0.8785).@*CONCLUSIONS@#As an add-on to OMT, MUSKARDIA is safe and significantly reduces angina frequency in patients with stable CAD. Moreover, the use of MUSKARDIA is associated with a trend toward reduced MACEs in patients with stable CAD. The results suggest that MUSKARDIA can be used to manage patients with CAD.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#chictr.org.cn, No. ChiCTR-TRC-12003513.

Coronary artery aneurysm formation after drug-coated balloon treatment of de novo lesions: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: The safety and efficacy of drug-coated balloon (DCB) technology have primarily been proven in the treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis. Whereas increasing evidences show that DCB use was feasible in certain de novo coronary lesions. In 2012, Vassilev reported the 1st case in which a coronary aneurysm formed after a DCB was used to treat drug-eluting stent (DES) restenosis. To date, limited information has been reported on coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) development following DCB treatment of de novo lesions. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 42-year-old male underwent delayed coronary angiography due to extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction. After balloon predilation in the mid-left anterior descending (LAD) artery, the residual 30% stenosis without major dissection was treated with a DCB. Angiographic follow-up at 6 and 12 months revealed an aneurysm in the treated area of the LAD artery, with positive vascular remodeling behind this aneurysm. A 54-year-old male with nonstent thrombosis elevation myocardial infarction underwent elective catheterization. Coronary angiography revealed critical stenosis in the LAD and significant narrowing at the distal segments of both the left circumflex artery (LCX) and the nondominant right coronary artery. After predilation of the lesion in the LCX, the residual 30% stenosis was treated with a DCB. The lesion in the LAD was treated with a DCB either. Angiography follow-up at 6 months revealed good results in the LAD; however, an aneurysm was observed in the DCB-treated area of the LCX. DIAGNOSIS: The CAA formation after DCB treatment of de novo lesions. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: Because the 2 patients were asymptomatic upon diagnosis, the aneurysms were left untreated. Long-term dual antiplatelet therapy and intense follow-up were recommended. LESSONS: Our cases raise questions regarding the safety of DCB treatment for de novo lesions in real-world contexts. There might be a need to clarify the appropriate doses for drugs coated on DCBs. Although indications for DCB treatment for de novo coronary lesions should not be overly aggressively broadened, the potential role of such treatment in this context merits additional elucidation in future studies.

Effects of Dexmedetomidine Infusion on Inflammatory Responses and Injury of Lung Tidal Volume Changes during One-Lung Ventilation in Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

One-lung ventilation in thoracic surgery provokes profound systemic inflammatory responses and injury related to lung tidal volume changes. We hypothesized that the highly selective a2-adrenergic agonist dexmedetomidine attenuates these injurious responses. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive dexmedetomidine or saline during thoracoscopic surgery. There is a trend of less postoperative medical complication including that no patients in the dexmedetomidine group developed postoperative medical complications, whereas four patients in the saline group did (0% versus 13.3%, p = 0.1124). Plasma inflammatory and injurious biomarkers between the baseline and after resumption of two-lung ventilation were particularly notable. The plasma high-mobility group box 1 level decreased significantly from 51.7 (58.1) to 33.9 (45.0) ng.ml-1 (p < 0.05) in the dexmedetomidine group, which was not observed in the saline group. Plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [151.8 (115.1) to 235.2 (186.9) pg.ml-1, p < 0.05] and neutrophil elastase [350.8 (154.5) to 421.9 (106.1) ng.ml-1, p < 0.05] increased significantly only in the saline group. In addition, plasma interleukin-6 was higher in the saline group than in the dexmedetomidine group at postoperative day 1 [118.8 (68.8) versus 78.5 (58.8) pg.ml-1, p = 0.0271]. We conclude that dexmedetomidine attenuates one-lung ventilation-associated inflammatory and injurious responses by inhibiting alveolar neutrophil recruitment in thoracoscopic surgery.

Is fibre-optic bronchoscopy necessary to confirm the position of rigid-angled endobronchial blockers before thoracic surgery? A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the success rate of blind insertion and the usefulness of fibre-optic bronchoscopy for directing rigid-angled endobronchial blockers (EBs) to the correct side and achieving satisfactory surgical fields. METHODS: A randomized trial was designed to determine the extent to which the Coopdech Endobronchial Blocker Tube (Daiken Medical Co., Ltd) could successfully be placed through either auscultation (n = 57) or fibre-optic bronchoscopy (n = 55) in patients scheduled for thoracic surgery. The placement time was recorded and quality of the thoracoscopic operation field was determined by the thoracic surgeon. Anaesthesiologists with varying thoracic experience levels were enrolled. RESULTS: The success rates of insertion through auscultation were 100% (32 of 32) for the right side and 88% (22 of 25) for the left side. Placement through auscultation was faster than that through bronchoscopy (mean 89.6 vs 141.1 s, P = 0.008) in the right-sided procedure but non-significant in the left-sided procedure (mean 138.5 vs 130 s, P = 0.795). Surgical grading of the operation field was not significantly different between both techniques (P = 0.502). Experienced anaesthesiologists took less time to position EBs (mean 91.0 vs 138.0 s, P = 0.015). Surgical grading was comparable between specialists and residents (P = 0.058). CONCLUSIONS: Once an EB was correctly inserted and confirmed through auscultation, the corresponding surgical satisfaction was comparable to that through bronchoscopy. In the majority of cases, bronchoscopy is unnecessary for correct and efficient EB positioning. However, bronchoscopy is still mandatory in left-sided EB insertion and in patients with deviated tracheobronchial anatomy. CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02133235, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02133235 (8 July 2017, date last accessed)].

Effectiveness of Glenohumeral Joint Dilatation for Treatment of Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The objective was to explore the effectiveness of glenohumeral joint distension for the treatment of frozen shoulder. We searched electronic data sources including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase from the earliest records available to February 2017. Eleven randomized controlled trials including at least one pair of comparisons between capsular distension and a reference treatment were included, comprising 747 participants. Patients' characteristics, details of reference treatments, aspects of capsular distension therapy, and outcome measurement were evaluated at three points in time: baseline, early following intervention, and at the trial's end. The primary and secondary outcomes were the between-group standardized mean differences of changes in shoulder function and range of motion, respectively. Regarding the long-term primary outcome, the superiority of capsular distension to reference treatments was not identified. One secondary outcome (external rotation limitation) showed a probable early positive response to capsular distension when compared to intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Aspects of approaches, imaging guiding techniques and doses of distension were not found to modify treatment effectiveness. In conclusion, distension of the glenohumeral joint provides a similar long-term efficacy to all reference treatments. A single dose of a corticosteroid-contained regimen introduced through the ultrasound-guided posterior approach is a preferable practice of capsular distension for the management of frozen shoulder.

Structural changes in exon 11 of MEF2A are not related to sporadic coronary artery disease in Han Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: A mutation in MEF2A (myocyte enhancer factor-2A) had been reported to be the first gene linked directly to coronary artery disease (CAD). However, an opposing opinion was proposed recently that MEF2A mutations are not a common cause of sporadic CAD. In this study, we screened exon 11 of the MEF2A gene in people of the Han nationality in China and finished some functional analysis of found variations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A gene structural investigation of MEF2A in 257 CAD patients and 154 control individuals were developed in this study. Subsequently, typical MEF2A variations were cloned and expressed in HeLa or 293T cell line to illustrate whether found structure changes could influence the main biological functions of these proteins. At last, another set of gene structural screen was initialized to get more reliable conclusions. RESULTS: Totally 16 different variations were detected in exon 11 of this gene in the first set of gene structural screen. By cloning and expressing typical MEF2A proteins in cultured cells, all the acquired MEF2A variations had transcriptional activation capabilities and subcellular localization patterns similar to those of the wild-type protein. Further larger scale genetic screening also revealed that the reported genetic variations of MEF2A did not differ significantly between CAD patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that structural changes of exon 11 in MEF2A are not involved in sporadic CAD in the Han population of China.

Simulating the emission rate of volatile organic compounds from a quiescent water surface: model development and feasibility evaluation.

Organic solvents are commonly used in industrial manufacturing processes, resulting in large quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from effluent wastewater treatment facilities. This work presents a novel stainless steel simulator designed for developing a model that estimates VOC emission rates from a quiescent water surface in an open/unaerated basin. The target pollutants were aqueous VOCs: alcohols (ethanol and iso-propanol) and methyl ethyl ketone. Two aromatic hydrocarbons, toluene and benzene, were also used and each mixed with ethanol. A formula, based on penetration theory and the concept of mass balance, was devised for simulating emission rates (N), with the following variables: wind velocity (W) above the air-water interface with a power number of beta, the VOC concentration (Cg*) at equilibrium with aqueous concentration (CL), and the emitted concentration (Cg). Restated, N = kWbetaAS(Cg*-Cg), where k and beta denote dimensionless constants, which were solved herein, and As represents the emission surface area. From the proposed formula, three parameters (CL, water temperature, and W) were controlled during each simulation test to derive k and beta values. To assess the feasibility of the simulation procedures for real water with multiple VOC compositions, a large open neutralization basin was used to measure the VOC emission rate. Comparing the calculated results, respectively using the proposed formula and emission model Water 8 developed by the U.S. EPA in 1985, confirmed that the proposed simulation method was a feasible alternative to Water 8.

Comparison of (99)mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography and electron beam computed tomography for detecting coronary artery disease in patients with no myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have compared single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) in detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). The purpose of this study was to compare SPECT with EBCT in detection of CAD in patients with no MI. METHODS: One hundred and forty-seven patients with suspected CAD underwent stress-rest (99)mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99)mTc-MIBI) myocardial SPECT, cardiac EBCT and coronary angiography (CAG) within one month. Of them, 73 patients (aged 52.6 +/- 10.6 years old) with no history of MI were included in this study. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) was defined as a CT value >or= 130 HU within the boundary of coronary artery on EBCT. RESULTS: There were 35 and 38 patients with or without CAD according to CAG. Ninety-six percent of the patients with abnormal SPECT and CAC had a coronary arteries stenosis >or= 50%, and 90.9% patients with normal SPECT and EBCT showed no CAD. The sensitivity of SPECT and EBCT in detection of CAD was comparable, and the specificity of SPECT (92.1%) was significantly higher than that of EBCT (55.3%) (P < 0.005). For the detection of individual coronary artery stenosis, both sensitivity and specificity of SPECT (75.0% and 93.7%) were significantly higher than those of EBCT (53.3% and 76.7%) (P < 0.025 and P < 0.005, respectively). In patients without chest pain, the sensitivity and specificity of SPECT (76.9% and 91.4%) were significantly higher than those of EBCT (23.1% and 69.0%) in detection of a coronary artery stenosis of >or= 50% (P < 0.01 and P < 0.005, respectively). However, in patients with chest pain, both sensitivity and specificity of SPECT were comparable to those of EBCT. In patients or= 50% (P < 0.005), and the specificity of SPECT was comparable to that of EBCT. In patients > 45 years old, the specificity of SPECT (94.3%) was significantly higher than that of EBCT (70.5%) (P < 0.005), and the sensitivity of SPECT was comparable to that of EBCT. CONCLUSION: (99)mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECT has higher accuracy than that of EBCT in detection of CAD in patients without MI.

Determining the equilibrium partitioning coefficients of volatile organic compounds at an air-water interface.

The single equilibration technique (SET) was adopted to determine the partitioning coefficients (pc) at an air-water interface for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including ethanol, iso-propanol (IPA), iso-butanol (IBA), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and toluene, all extensively used in industrial processes. Standard SET procedures were established. The liquid concentrations (CL) of tested VOCs ranged from 10 to 125 mg l(-1) for alcohols and MEK, and from 0.5 to 20 mg l(-1) for toluene. The temperatures (Tw) of aqueous VOC solutions were maintained at 27, 32, 38 and 42 degrees C to determine the gaseous concentrations at equilibrium (Cg*) and pc of VOCs, using the formula pc=(Cg*/CL). Results reveal that the pc values of all tested components increase slowly with Tw given a constant CL, and that the pc of alcohols and MEK fall as CL increases at a constant Tw. In contrast, the pc of toluene is not significantly impacted by a variation in CL at a constant Tw. However, the effect of CL concentration has seldom been discussed. The heats of liquid and gaseous phase transfer (DeltaHtr) of VOC, and the highly linear regression (with squared correlation coefficients, R2, from 0.901 to 0.999) between lnCg* and Tw(-1) are also evaluated. The experimental results and the VOC mass transfer characteristics are helpful for evaluating the emission of VOC from the water surface of wastewater treatment facilities.

Comparison of (99)mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography and electron beam computed tomography for detecting coronary artery disease in patients with no myocardial infarction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Previous studies have compared single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) in detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). The purpose of this study was to compare SPECT with EBCT in detection of CAD in patients with no MI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and forty-seven patients with suspected CAD underwent stress-rest (99)mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99)mTc-MIBI) myocardial SPECT, cardiac EBCT and coronary angiography (CAG) within one month. Of them, 73 patients (aged 52.6 +/- 10.6 years old) with no history of MI were included in this study. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) was defined as a CT value >or= 130 HU within the boundary of coronary artery on EBCT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 35 and 38 patients with or without CAD according to CAG. Ninety-six percent of the patients with abnormal SPECT and CAC had a coronary arteries stenosis >or= 50%, and 90.9% patients with normal SPECT and EBCT showed no CAD. The sensitivity of SPECT and EBCT in detection of CAD was comparable, and the specificity of SPECT (92.1%) was significantly higher than that of EBCT (55.3%) (P < 0.005). For the detection of individual coronary artery stenosis, both sensitivity and specificity of SPECT (75.0% and 93.7%) were significantly higher than those of EBCT (53.3% and 76.7%) (P < 0.025 and P < 0.005, respectively). In patients without chest pain, the sensitivity and specificity of SPECT (76.9% and 91.4%) were significantly higher than those of EBCT (23.1% and 69.0%) in detection of a coronary artery stenosis of >or= 50% (P < 0.01 and P < 0.005, respectively). However, in patients with chest pain, both sensitivity and specificity of SPECT were comparable to those of EBCT. In patients <or= 45 years old, the sensitivity of SPECT (77.8%) was significantly higher than that of EBCT (27.8%) in assessing a coronary artery stenosis of >or= 50% (P < 0.005), and the specificity of SPECT was comparable to that of EBCT. In patients > 45 years old, the specificity of SPECT (94.3%) was significantly higher than that of EBCT (70.5%) (P < 0.005), and the sensitivity of SPECT was comparable to that of EBCT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(99)mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECT has higher accuracy than that of EBCT in detection of CAD in patients without MI.</p>

Comparison of effectiveness of different ashing auxiliaries for determination of phosphorus in natural waters, aquatic organisms and sediments by ignition method.

An improved method for the determination of phosphorus in natural waters, aquatic organisms and sediments by ignition method is proposed. The recoveries of phosphorus (P) from selected inorganic and organic P-containing compound standards after ignition with different auxiliaries, such as MgSO(4), Mg(NO(3))(2), MgCl(2), Mg(Ac)(2) and CaCl(2), were compared. We found that the phosphorus from most compound standards could not be completely recovered when these compounds were ignited (450-500 degrees C) with the MgSO(4) as auxiliary and the baked residue was extracted with 0.2 mol x l(-1) HCl for 30 min at 80 degrees C or at room temperature. P recoveries, for example, were poor, less than 85%, if pyrophosphate and metaphosphate were ignited with the addition of MgSO(4) prior to the extraction of the baked residue with 0.2 mol x l(-1) HCl at 80 degrees C for 30 min. In contrast, MgCl(2), Mg(Ac)(2) and CaCl(2), as well as Mg(NO(3))(2), could all yield complete P recoveries at routine ashing temperatures (450-500 degrees C). The results demonstrate that MgCl(2) is a more effective auxiliary agent for the determination of phosphorus in natural waters, aquatic organisms and sediments by ignition method than MgSO(4) which is commonly used.

Association between genetic variation in PAF-AH V279F and coronary artery disease / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between genetic variation in PAF-AH V279F and coronary heart disease among Han population in Beijing.Methods A case-control study was held which enrolled 124 patients with coronary heart disease and 103 normal subjects.The genotype of PAF-AH V279F was determined with allele-specific polymerase chain reaction(AS-PCR)method. Results The highest frequency of PAF-AH V279F genetic variation was VV genotype(92.2%),the next was VF genotype(5.8%)and the lowest was FF genotype(2.0%)among the studied Han population in Beijing.In the coronary heart disease group the frequency of 279 V→F carriers was significantly higher than in the control group(19.3% vs.7.8%,P＜0.05)and F allele frequency was also higher(12.1% vs.4.9%,P＜0.01).Among the coronary heart disease group,the V279F variation frequency and the F allele frequency were significantly higher in patients with myocardial infarction than in those without myocardial infarction(27.3% vs.13.0%,17.3% vs.8.0%,both P＜0.05).In multiple logistic regression analysis,the odds ratio(OR)of V279F genetic variation for coronary heart disease was 1.919(95% CI:1.448-2.544,P=0.033).Conclusions The PAF-AH V279F genetic variation may be a novel genetic marker for high risk of coronary heart disease.