The acute and long-term outcome of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction concurrent with chronic total occlusion / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the acute and long-term outcome of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) concurrent with chronic total occlusion (CTO) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: 11 905 STEMI patients from the China Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry were enrolled in this study and divided into CTO group and non-CTO group according to the angiography results of primary PCI. 1∶3 propensity score matching was used to match the patients between the two groups. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality and mortality at 1-year post PCI. The secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including death, re-myocardial infarction, revascularization, heart failure associated readmission, stroke and major bleeding at 1-year post PCI. Results: There were 931 CTO patients (7.8%) in this cohort (male=755 (81.1%), mean age (62.2±11.4 years)). The rest 10 974 patients were STEMI without CTO (male=8 829 (80.5%),mean age (60.0±11.8) years). After propensity score matching, 896 patients were enrolled in CTO group and 2 688 in non-CTO group. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the CTO group than in non-CTO group (4.2% vs. 2.4%, P=0.006). The ratio of all cause death, cardiac death, and MACE at 1-year follow up was also significantly higher in the CTO group than in non-CTO group (8.5% vs. 4.4%, P<0.001, 5.3% vs. 2.6%, P=0.001, 35.1% vs. 23.3%, P<0.001, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that CTO (HR=1.54, 95%CI 1.06-2.22, P=0.022), advanced age (HR=1.06, 95%CI 1.04-1.08, P<0.001), and previous heart failure history (HR=4.10, 95%CI 1.90-8.83, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of 1-year mortality. Conclusions: The in-hospital and 1-year mortality increased significantly in STEMI patients concurrent with CTO. CTO, advanced age and history of heart failure are independent risk factors of 1-year death among STEMI patients.

Changes in the Vision-related Resting-state Network in Pituitary Adenoma Patients After Vision Improvement / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The aim of this research was to investigate the changes in the vision-related resting-state network (V-RSN) in pituitary adenoma (PA) patients after vision improvement, which was induced by operative treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten PA patients with an improved visual acuity or/and visual field after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection were recruited and underwent a complete neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation, as well as an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, including structural and resting-state functional MRI sequences before and after the operation. The regional homogeneity (ReHo) of the V-RSN was evaluated. Two sample t-test was performed to identify the significant differences in the V-RSN in the PA patients before and after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the preoperation counterparts, the PA patients with improved vision after the operation exhibited reduced ReHo in the bilateral thalamus, globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, putamen nucleus, supplementary motor area, and left hippocampal formation, and increased ReHo in the bilateral cuneus gyrus, calcarine gyrus, right lingual gyrus, and fusiform gyrus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PA patients with improved vision exhibit increased neural activity within the visual cortex, but decreased neural activity in subareas of the multisensory and multimodal systems beyond the vision cortex.</p>

Atorvastatin protects swine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from apoptosis through AMPK but not PI3K/Akt pathway / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation is poor because of the harsh environment post infarction. Our previous studies have proven that Statins could enhance the implanted bone marrow MSCs survival, but the exact mechanism remained to be clarified. We hypothesized that atorvastatin (Ator) could protect MSCs from hypoxia and serum-free (H/SF) induced apoptosis and investigated the potential mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chinese mini-swine's bone marrow derived MSCs were cultured in vitro and exposed to hypoxia and H/SF, Ator of various concentrations (0.001 - 10 µmol/L), AMPK inhibitor-compound C (CC), PI3K inhibitor-LY294002 (LY), Ator + CC and Ator + LY. Cell apoptosis was assessed using Annexin V/Prospidine Iodine kit by flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of AMPK, Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) level and phosphorylation were tested with Western blot. Real Time-PCR was performed to analyze the gene expression of AMPK, Akt and eNOS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MSCs apoptosis in Ator (0.01 - 10 µmol/L) treated H/SF groups was significantly reduced compared with H/SF group (1.94% - 6.10% vs. 10.94%, P < 0.01 or 0.05). Apoptosis was higher in Ator + CC group than in 1 µmol/L Ator group (4.94% ± 0.98% vs. 2.59% ± 0.84%, P < 0.01) and similar between Ator + LY and 1 µmol/L Ator group (2.02% ± 0.45% vs. 2.59% ± 0.84%, P > 0.05). The gene expressions of AMPK, Akt and eNOS were significantly upregulated in atorvastatin treated groups. Meanwhile, phosphorylation of AMPK and eNOS increased in MSCs treated with atorvastatin (P < 0.01 or 0.05). Phosphorylation of eNOS significantly correlated with AMPK phosphorylation (r = 0.599, P = 0.004), but not with Akt phosphorylation (P = 0.263).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Atorvastatin can protect MSCs from H/SF induced apoptosis through AMPK pathway, which resulting in activation of eNOS.</p>

Feasibility of in vivo isotope labeled autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells monitoring post cardiac transplantation in a swine model of myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe in vivo stem cell distribution and viability after transplantation by noninvasive imaging of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) labeled autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Myocardial infarction was established in 8 swine by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery after anesthesia. Bone marrow (20 ml) was drawn through ileum. After isolation, mononuclear bone marrow cells were labeled by radionuclide 18F-FDG and intramyocardially injected into infarction region. Whole body planar scan and myocardial tomography scan were performed immediately, 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h post stem cell injection. Viability and stability of radionuclide labeled stem cells were determined at 3 h post labeling in vitro.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The labeling efficiency was (67 +/- 14)%. Mean dose of radioactive in marrow cells was (32 +/- 7) MBq. Trypan blue staining showed in vitro viability was (95 +/- 3)% at 3 h post labeling. After intramyocardial injection, labeled mononuclear bone marrow cell retention rate in infarction region was (83 +/- 6)%, (49 +/- 8)%, (32 +/- 6)% and (24 +/- 5)% immediately, 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h post injection, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Distribution and viability of stem cell after cardiac transplantation could be effective monitored by 18F-FDG labeled autologous mononuclear bone marrow cell technique in acute stage in this model.</p>

Pretreatment with Tongxinluo protects porcine myocardium from ischaemia/reperfusion injury through a nitric oxide related mechanism / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The traditional Chinese medicine Tongxinluo can protect myocardium against ischaemia/reperfusion injury, but the mechanism of its action is not well documented. We examined the involvement of nitric oxide in the protective role of Tongxinluo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Miniswine were randomized to four groups of seven: sham, control, Tongxinluo and Tongxinluo coadministration with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 mg/kg i.v.). Three hours after administration of Tongxinluo, the animals were anaesthetised and the left anterior descending coronary artery ligated and maintained in situ for 90 minutes followed by 3 hours of reperfusion before death. Area of no reflow and necrosis and risk region were determined pathologically by planimetry. The degree of neutrophil accumulation in myocardium was obtained by measuring myeloperoxidase activity and histological analysis. Myocardial endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity and vascular endothelial cadherin content were measured by colorimetric method and immunoblotting analysis respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tongxinluo significantly increased the local blood flow and limited the infarct and size of no reflow. Tongxinluo also attenuated myeloperoxidase activity and neutrophil accumulation in histological sections and maintained the level of vascular endothelial cadherin and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in the reflow region when compared with control group. The protection of Tongxinluo was counteracted by coadministration with L-NNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tongxinluo may limit myocardial ischaemia and protect the heart against reperfusion injury. Tongxinluo regulates synthesis of nitric oxide by altering activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.</p>

Effects of Tongxinluo-facilitated cellular cardiomyoplasty with autologous bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells on postinfarct swine hearts / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Treatment of ischemic heart disease remains an important challenge, though there have been enormous progresses in cardiovascular therapeutics. This study was conducted to evaluate whether Tongxinluo (TXL) treatment around the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can improve survival and subsequent activities of implanted cells in swine hearts with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and reperfusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-eight Chinese mini-pigs were divided into four groups including a control group (n = 7); group 2, administration of low-dose TXL alone from the 3rd day prior to AMI to the 4th day post transplantation (n = 7); group 3, MSCs alone (n = 7) and group 4, TXL + MSCs (n = 7). AMI models were made by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 90 minutes. Autologous bone marrow-MSCs (3 x 10(7) cells/animal) were then injected into the post-infarct myocardium immediately after AMI and reperfusion. The survival and differentiation of implanted cells in vivo were detected by immunofluorescent analysis. The data of cardiac function were obtained at baseline (1 week after transplantation) and endpoint (6 weeks after transplantation) by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay and the oxidative stress level was investigated in the post-infarct myocardium at endpoint.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At endpoint, there was less fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration with more surviving myocardium in group 4 than in the control group. In group 4 the survival and differentiation of implanted MSCs were significantly improved more than that seen in group 3 alone (P < 0.0001); the capillary density was also significantly greater than in the control group, group 2 or 3 both in the infarcted zone (P < 0.0001) and the peri-infarct zone (P < 0.0001). MRI showed that parameters at baseline were not significantly different between the 4 groups. At endpoint, regional wall thickening and the left ventricular ejection fraction were increased while the left ventricular mass index, dyskinetic segments and infarcted size were decreased only in group 4 compared with control group (P < 0.0001). SPECT showed that the area of perfusion defect was significantly decreased at endpoint only in group 4 compared with control group (P < 0.0001). TUNEL assay indicated that TXL administration significantly decreased cell apoptosis in peri-infarct myocardium in groups 2 and 4. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased in groups 2 and 4 by the administration of TXL.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our study demonstrates the following: (1) immediate intramyocardial injection of MSCs after AMI and reperfusion resulted in limited survival and differentiation potential of implanted cells in vivo, thus being incapable of beneficially affecting post-hearts; (2) TXL-facilitation resulted in a significant survival and differentiation potential of implanted cells in vivo via inhibition of apoptosis and oxidative stress, accompanied by significant benefits in cardiac function.</p>

AC OCT of the anterior chamber iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens in high myopia eyes / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

· AIM: To study the in situ relative intraocular position of the iris-claw phakic intraocular lens (PIOL)for high myopia using an anterior chamber optical coherence tomography (AC OCT)prototype.· METHODS: Six PIOLs (11.50 to 22.00D lens powers) were implanted in phakic myopic eyes. Using AC OCT, tomography was taken in the anterior chamber to measure the preoperative anterior chamber depth, postoperative distance between the PIOL and the corneal endothelium (endothelial-optic distance), and the postoperative distance between the PIOL and the crystalline lens.· RESULTS: Preoperative anterior chamber depth ranged from 3.27 to 3.91 mm and the postoperative endothelial-optic distance measured 2,07 to 2,24 mm. The distance between the crystalline lens and the posterior surface of the IOL ranged from 0.82 to 1.32 mm. Several tomography revealed the position of the PIOL on the iris, The pigment layer of the iris did not seem to be disturbed by the presence of the PIOL.· CONCLUSION, The original anterior chamber depths were reduced by 36,1% to 44.6% after implantation. This study of 6 eyes revealed that tomography taken by AC OCT are useful in verifying the intraocular position of the PIOL within the anterior chamber. Adequate space was maintained between the iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens and the corneal endothelium, angle, and crystalline lens.