Relationship between intermedin and atrial fibrosis in patients of hypertension combined with atrial fibrillation / 生物医学工程学杂志

This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between the changes of plasma intermedin (IMD) and atrial fibrosis in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation. During the period from 2010 to 2011, appropriate 150 subjects of out-patients (female 50%, male 50%) were selected in West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and were divided into three groups: the hypertension-only group, the hypertension combined with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group and the hypertension combined with persistent atrial fibrillation group. Firstly, we collected the Physical examination results and medical history records of the patients. We then performed ultrasound cardiogram and blood biochemical tests on the patients. We also detected the plasma IMD and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) using ELISA. The results showed that compared with the hypertensive group, the plasma level of IMD, TGF-β1 and left atrium director (LAD) in the hypertensive combined with atrial fibrillation group were higher significantly. Compared with the paroxymal atrial fibrillation group, the levels of IMD, TGF-β1 and LAD were higher significantly in persistent atrial fibrillation group. Analysis of correlation and partial correlation showed that IMD was positively correlated with TGF-p1 (r=0.51, P<0. 001), IMD was positively correlated with LAD(r=0.59, P< 0.001), and TGF-β1 was positively correlated with LAD (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). The results suggest that IMD might suppress the pathophysiological process of atrial fibrillation.

Evaluation of the biological properties of a highly efficient tissue cell preservative / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the performance of a new highly efficient and environment-friendly tissue cell fixatives for preserving the morphologies and properties of pleural and peritoneal effusions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-six specimens of tissue cells from pleural and peritoneal effusions were preserved using the new preservative or 95% ethanol. HE staining and Western blotting were employed to detect the morphologies and protein expression levels of CK, CEA and P53 of the cells after fixation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The new preservative well preserved the morphologies of the cells from the pleural and peritoneal effusions, and the nuclei and cytoplasm were intact with little debris. The conventional preservative (95% ethanol) caused noticeable structural damage of the tissue cells, especially the cytoplasm where obvious debris were seen after fixation. CK, CEA and P53 protein expression levels in the cells were 91%, 86% and 88% after fixation with the new preservative, significantly higher than those (46%, 38% and 31%, respectively) in cells fixed with 95% ethanol (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The new preservative is efficient and environment-friendly for preserving the morphologies as well as the proteins of tissue cells from pleural and peritoneal effusions well, demonstrating its potential in tissue cell fixation and preservation.</p>

Analysis of Drug-use for Prevention and Treatment of SARS in Our Hospital / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To provide the information of drug-use in SARS for reference.METHODS:123medical charts of inpatients from April20,2003to May31,2003were analyzed,including the kinds and the cost of drugs that have been used.The frequency of drug-use and DUI were calculated from DDD of drugs.The kinds and costs of drugs used for930employees were also analyzed.The drug cost per employee was compared with that per inpatient.RESULTS:4kinds of drugs were abused.The dosage and usage of the other drugs were appropriate.17kinds of main drugs and2kinds of decoctions prepared by our hospital have been used to inpatients,which costed559440yuans in all,4548.29yuans per inpatient.While14kinds of drugs and one kind of decoction against SARS were used to employees,which costed about500000yuans in all,537.6yuans per employee.CONCLUSION:SARS is still an unknown disease.Although most of the dosage and usage of drugs were appropriate in prevention and treatment of SARS,whether the drugs should be used or not is open to question.