Association between use of amiodarone for non-valvular atrial fibrillation and patient survival: from the prospective China Atrial Fibrillation Registry / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Post hoc analysis of the landmark atrial fibrillation follow-up investigation of rhythm management trial revealed that amiodarone was associated with higher risks of mortality, intensive care unit admission, and non-cardiovascular death. We aim to evaluate the association between amiodarone use and patient survival under updated medical mode and level using data from the China Atrial Fibrillation (China-AF) Registry study.@*METHODS@#Clinical data of 8161 non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients who were antiarrhythmic drug (AAD)-naive before enrollment into the China-AF Registry, recruited between August 2011 and February 2017, were collected. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the association between amiodarone use and the outcome. We also calculated the rate of sinus rhythm maintenance at the penultimate follow-up.@*RESULTS@#Compared with 6167 patients of non-AAD group, 689 patients of the amiodarone group were younger (mean age 65.6 vs. 68.6 years), more frequently completed high school education, had fewer comorbidities such as chronic heart failure, prior bleeding, and stroke, and were more likely to be treated in tertiary hospitals while less hospitalization. The proportion of persistent AF was much lower among users of amiodarone, who were also less likely to be taking oral anticoagulants. The patients in the amiodarone group had a statistically insignificant lower incidence of all-cause mortality (2.44 vs. 3.91 per 100 person-years) over a mean follow-up duration of 300.6 ± 77.5 days. After adjusting for potential confounders, amiodarone use was not significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-1.49). Sub-group analysis revealed the consistent results. The rate of sinus rhythm maintenance at the penultimate follow-up in the amiodarone group was significantly higher than in the non-AAD group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our study indicated that amiodarone use was not significantly associated with a lower risk of 1-year all-cause mortality compared with a non-AAD strategy in "real-world" patients with NVAF.

Construction of acid-sensitive potassium channel-3 eukaryotic expression plasmid and its express in SH-SY5Y cells / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct the acid-sensitive potassium hannel-3(TASK3) eukaryotic expression plasmid and to establish a stable SH-SY5Y cell line expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged TASK3.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TASK3 coding region was subcloned into pEGFP-N1 plasmid to construct a recombinant vector alled pEGFP-TASK3. The correct recombinant expressing plasmid was transfected with X-feet transfection reagent to SH-SY5Y cells. The cell line stably expressiing EGFP tagged-TASK3 gene was established by screening with antibiotic G418 and fluorescence microscope. The expression and localization of the EGFP tagged-TASK3 fusion protein was detected by Western blot and confocal microscope. Exposure of the SH-SY5Y cell line expressing stably TASK3-eGFP fusion proteins was exposed to different pH media (7.0, 6.7, 6.4, 6.1) for 24 h, the cell viability was assessed with cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the results of identification by PCR, digestion with restriction endonuclease and sequencing indicated that the recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFP-TASK3 was constructed correctly. The stable SH-SY5Y cell line expressing EGFP tagged-TASK3 fusion protein was successfully established. Exposure of the wild type SH-SY5Y cells and the stable SH-SY5Y-GFP tag-TASK3 cell line to different pH media (7.0, 6.7, 6.4, 6.1) for 24 h, the cell viability of two group cells significantly reduced with pH declining, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with wild type SH-SY5Y cells, the cell viability of stable SH-SYSY-GFP tag-TASK3 cell line increased significantly with the same pH media, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-TASK3 is successfully constructed and the cell line stably expressing TASK3-eGFP fusion is established which is important for their fundamental research and potential applications.</p>

Aerosolized iloprost therapy for pulmonary hypertensive crisis in 4 patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summary the efficacy and safety of aerosolized iloprost in patients with pulmonary hypertensive crisis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On the basis of conventional therapy, aerosolized iloprost (10 µg per time for 10 - 15 min in 2 hours interval, 8 times per day) was administered to four patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertensive crisis. Blood pressure, heart rate, systemic artery oxygen saturation, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) measured by echocardiography and the adverse events were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After aerosolized iloprost therapy, sPAP was significantly decreased and systemic artery oxygen saturation was improved. Adverse events (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry cough) were observed in two patients, and the iloprost use was stopped in one patient due to severe vomiting and diarrhea.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aerosolized iloprost could significantly reduce the sPAP and improve the systemic artery oxygen saturation in patients with pulmonary hypertension crisis.</p>

Increased level of prostate-specific antigen: a diagnostic marker of hyperandrogenism women / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine whether the increased level of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) could be used as a diagnostic marker of hyperandrogenism in women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five female patients with hyperandrogenism and 50 healthy control women were detected for the levels of serum PSA, testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). The results were statistically analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of serum PSA was found to be significantly higher in the hyperandrogenism patients than in the healthy controls (9.72 +/- 1.39 pg/ml vs 3.56 +/- 0.44 pg/ml, P < 0.01), and it showed a weak positive correlation with T (r = 0.226, P < 0.05) and DHEA-S (r = 0.255, P < 0.05), and a weak negative correlation with SHBG (r = -0,228, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The increased level of PSA could be used as a diagnostic marker of hyperandrogenism in females.</p>

Effects of schisandra on the function of the pituitary-adrenal cortex, gonadal axis and carbohydrate metabolism in rats undergoing experimental chronic psychological stress, navigation and strenuous exercise / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of schisandra on the function of the pituitary-adrenal cortex, gonadal axis and carbohydrate metabolism in male rats undergoing experimental chronic psychological stress, navigation and strenuous exercise.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-four SD rats were randomly allocated into a non-stress group (Group A), a stress control group (Group B) and a schisandra group (Group C). The latter two groups received 10 days of Benford's high-intensity training, followed by 3 hours of wearing floating with psychological stress and another 3 hours of running at the speed of 26.7 m/min. Then blood samples were immediately obtained for the measurement of the levels of testosterone (T), corticosterone (CORT), luteinizing hormone (LH) and blood glucose (Glu). Meanwhile the adrenal gland was excised and its cortex ultrastructure observed under the electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Glu level was increased while the T level decreased significantly in Group B as compared with Group A. The CORT level remained unchanged in Group B. Both the Glu and CORT levels were significantly reduced in Group C in comparison with B. However, no significant differences were found in serum LH levels among the three groups. And electron microscopy revealed a reduction of lipid droplets and apoptosis of the adrenal cortex cells in Group B as compared with C.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Schisandra can reduce the levels of CORT and Glu and protect the structure of the adrenal cortex.</p>

Salidroside protects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis of male rats undergoing negative psychological stress in experimental navigation and intensive exercise / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of salidroside on the function and ultramicro-pathological change of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis of male rats in experimental navigation and intensive exercise.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six-week SD rats were randomized into 3 groups: non-stress control (NC, n = 10), training control (TC, n = 12) and salidroside treatment (ST, n = 12) group. Blood samples were collected from the NC rats that did not receive any stimulus after a 7-day intragastric administration of saline. The TC rats underwent a 10-day running training with increasing load on the treadmill followed by a 7-day intragastric administration of saline. The ST rats were subjected to the same process of running training as the TC group and received intragastric administration of salidroside. Then blood samples were immediately obtained and the levels of testosterone (T), corticosterone (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) measured by radioimmunoassay. The testis histopathology was observed by HE staining, and the ultrastructural changes of the pituitaries and testes investigated by electron microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum T level was significantly lower in the TC than in the NC group, but showed no significant difference between the ST and NC groups. HE staining revealed no significant difference in testis histopathology among the 3 groups. Ultramicro-pathology showed that the secretory granules of the pituitary cells were significantly reduced in the TC rats compared with the NC ones; the number of the granules significantly increased in the ST group compared with the TC rats; and mitochondrial swelling, increase of electron density and decrease/disappearance of mitochondrial cristae were observed in the Leydig cells of the TC rats. But no significant differences were found in the testicular cells between the ST and NC groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Negative psychological stress and intensive exercise can significantly suppress the function of the HPG axis in rats. Salidroside therapy has protective effect on the HPG axis.</p>

Novel MYBPC3 mutations in Chinese patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the MYBPC3 gene mutations in Han Chinese patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-six patients with HCM were enrolled for the study. The exons in the functional regions of MYBPC3 were amplified with PCR and the products were sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four novel mutations and four common polymorphisms were identified in this patient cohort. A Lys301fs mutation in exon10 was evidenced in a H30, and when he was 47 years old, he had the chest tightness, shortness of breath with septal hypertrophy of 18.7mm; a Asp463stop mutation in exon17 was detected in a H48, he was 24 years old 24-year-old when a medical examination showed ventricular septal hypertrophy of 15.4 mm; both Gly523Arg mutation in exon18 and Tyr847His mutation in exon26 were found in a H53 with onset age 36 years old, feeling chest tightness after excise and his ventricular septal hypertrophy was 27 mm that time. MYBPC3 mutations occurred in 4.5% patients in this cohort. These mutations were not found in 100 non-HCM control patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MYBPC3 mutation is presented in a small portion of Han Chinese patients with HCM.</p>

Analysis for skeletal age less than "age" in judicial expertise in 303 cases / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To discuss the phenomenon and the possible causes for the skeletal age less than the "real age" in the judicial expertise.@*METHODS@#With referring to the skeletal age verification value provided by the inspection sample pertaining to CHN scoring method, combining with the relevant materials such as "age" and "residence" information provided by the police authority while performing expertise, as well as tracking down and re-visiting some cases, we retrospectively analyzed 829 cases.@*RESULTS@#There were 303 cases for the skeletal age less than "real age" in total, which accounted for 36.6% (303/829), and accounted for 40.8% (303/742) in 742 cases with "age" cases. If the normal age range between both was less than 0.5 year (including 0.5), the numbers of such cases decreased to 190 cases, which accounted for 22.9% (190/829) and 25.6% (190/742), respectively. When the difference was within 0.5, the "age" close to the skeletal age would be more reliable. It was difficult to confirm which one was wrong if the difference was 0.6-2.0 years. However, the error possibility in "age" would increase with increasing the difference value.@*CONCLUSION@#Many uncertain factors may lead to that the skeletal age was less than the "age". The occurring rate for the skeletal age less than "age" is not low. The identification conclusion shall be made with caution after comprehensive assessment.

Study on the status of nutrition in pregnant women, lactating women and babies in Yongjing, Gansu province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the iodine status of pregnant women, lactating women and babies and to understand if iodized salt as the main iodine source had met the need of people's demand in regions where iodized salt coverage rate had been over 90%, for the last five years.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnant and lactating women, newborns and babies were selected randomly in region where iodized salt coverage rate had been more than 90%, for the five years. Urine iodine levels of pregnant and lactating women, newborns and babies, milk iodine of lactating women and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) of newborns were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median urinary iodine (MUI) of people other than those recently pregnant women, had reached the MUI criterion recommended by WHO with the results as 174.18, 180.37, 147.42, 126.27, 145.26 microg/L, respectively. The percentage of TSH>5 pIU/ml of newborns was 14.5%. The median milk iodine of lactating women were in the range of 100-200 microg/L. The percentage of milk iodine < 150 microg/L of early lactating women was less than that of late lactating women (P < 0.01). There was a good correlation between urine iodine of babies and milk iodine of lactating women. The abnormal TSH of women was 15.4%. The abnormal TSH mainly existed in women whose urinary iodine level were lower than 150 microg/L.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Iodized salt as the main iodine source could basically meet the need of pregnant women, lactating women and babies whose diet structure was simple in the region. However, some people in the area were still under the status of iodine deficiency suggesting that surveillance should be enhanced in people who need more iodine and efficient measures, should be taken.</p>

Clinical, molecular and cytogenetic studies on 4 patients with 46, XX (SRY positive) male syndrome / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the clinical, molecular and cytogenetic features of 46, XX (SRY positive) male syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical features of 4 patients with 46, XX (SRY positive) male syndrome were analyzed retrospectively. Karyotyping, FISH, PCR amplification of the SRY gene, and Y-chromosome microdeletion were performed to study their molecular cytogenetic features.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Four patients were all sociopsychologically males of short stature and came to hospital for infertility. Physical examination revealed that their testes were small in volume and soft in texture, but their penes were normal. Semen analyses showed complete azoospermia. Detection of serum sexual hormone suggested hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. All were karyotyped as 46, XX. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of the SRY gene and absence of AZFa, b and c of the Y chromosome. FISH analysis showed that SRY genes were translocated to Xp in 3 of the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Phenotypically 46, XX (SRY positive) male patients are males generally, for the presence of the SRY gene in the whole genome and azoospermia due to the deletion of AZF. The clinical characteristics of the patient include testis dysgenesis, infertility and short stature. The long arm of the Y chromosome might contain the gene associated with body height. Extensive molecular and cytogenetic studies on 46, XX male syndrome may help to elucidate its genotype-phenotype relation.</p>

Development of radioimmunoassay for human sperm protein 17 / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a method of radioimmunoassay for human sperm protein 17(Sp17) determination.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Anti-recombinant human Sp17 antibody was prepared, the labeling of 125I-rhSp17 performed by chloramine T method, and radioimmunoassay of Sp17 developed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The assay range was 3.3 to approximately 800 microg/L, the sensitivity was 2.0 microg/L, and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) were 7.5% to approximately 9.8% and 8.2% to approximately 13.2%, respectively. The serum Sp17 level in normal subjects was (15.60 +/- 7.66) microg/L (n = 59).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This radioimmunoassay of Sp17 fulfills the reasonable requirements of clinical routine and scientific studies in terms of specificity, sensitivity and practicability. Measurement of Sp17 concentration is useful for assessing its native distribution and aberrant expression.</p>

The design of preoperative multipurpose coloclyster for the neonatal giant colons / 中国医疗器械杂志

This paper proposes a designing concept of a multipurpose coloclyster for neonates, and introduces its structure and functions of its components in detail. The clinical application of this instrument will reduce the labour intensity of medical personnels, shorten the time of preoperative preparation and lessen complication of the patients.

Changes of tumor necrosis factor-? levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of childhood acute leukemia before and after treatment / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the changes of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia(AML) and its clinical significance.Methods TNF-? in serum and CSF were measured by radioimmunoassay and CSF samples were obtained from 31 cases of childhood acute leukemia before treatment, on complete remission(CR), and continuous CR.Results Serum TNF-? was in ALL and AML before treatment [(24.35?4.84) pmol/L and(28.65?5.12) pmol/ L],which were significantly higher than those of healthy controls[(11.2 8? 1.69) pmol/L, P