The Effect of Female Sex on Short-Term Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Versus On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

ABSTRACT Introduction: According to the American Heart Association guideline for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), female patients undergoing on-pump CABG (ONCAB) are at higher risk of short-term adverse outcomes than male patients. However, whether off-pump CABG (OPCAB) can improve the short-term outcome of female patients compared to ONCAB remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis to study the effect of the female sex on short-term outcomes of OPCAB vs. ONCAB. A total of 31,115 patients were enrolled in 12 studies, including 20,245 females who underwent ONCAB and 10,910 females who underwent OPCAB. Results: The in-hospital mortality in female patients who underwent OPCAB was significantly lower than in those in the ONCAB group with (2.7% vs. 3.4%; odds ratio [OR] 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.89) and without (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.52-0.89) adjustment for cardiovascular risk factor. The incidence of postoperative stroke in female patients who underwent OPCAB was lower than in those in the ONCAB group (1.2% vs. 2.1%; OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.48-0.73) before cardiovascular risk factor adjustment but was not significant (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0,66-1.16) after adjustment. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction between women who underwent OPCAB and those in the ONCAB group (1.3% vs. 2.3%; OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.54-1.43). Conclusion: In contrast to the American Heart Association CABG guideline, female patients who had OPCAB don't have unfavorable outcomes compared with the ONCAB group.

MiR-340 mediates the involvement of high mobility group box 1 in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To explore the pathogenic mechanism of the miR-340/high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) axis in the formation of liver fibrosis. Methods: A rat liver fibrosis model was established by injecting CCl(4) intraperitoneally. miRNAs targeting and validating HMGB1 were selected with gene microarrays after screening the differentially expressed miRNAs in rats with normal and hepatic fibrosis. The effect of miRNA expressional changes on HMGB1 levels was detected by qPCR. Dual luciferase gene reporter assays (LUC) was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-340 and HMGB1. The proliferative activity of the hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 was detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after co-transfection of miRNA mimics and HMGB1 overexpression vector, and the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins type I collagen and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) was detected by western blot. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance and the LSD-t test. Results: Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining results showed that the rat model of liver fibrosis was successfully established. Gene microarray analysis and bioinformatics prediction had detected eight miRNAs possibly targeting HMGB1, and animal model validation had detected miR-340. qPCR detection results showed that miR-340 had inhibited the expression of HMGB1, and a luciferase complementation assay suggested that miR-340 had targeted HMGB1. Functional experiments results showed that HMGB1 overexpression had enhanced cell proliferation activity and the expression of type I collagen and α-SMA, while miR-340 mimics had not only inhibited cell proliferation activity and the expression of HMGB1, type I collagen, and α-SMA, but also partially reversed the promoting effect of HMGB1 on cell proliferation and ECM synthesis. Conclusion: miR-340 targets HMGB1 to inhibit the proliferation and ECM deposition in hepatic stellate cells and plays a protective role during the process of liver fibrosis.

Therapeutic application of skin stretch closure device for treatment of limbs skin wound defects in children / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical application value of adjustable skin retractor in large area of limb wound defect in children.@*METHODS@#From January 2017 to January 2019, 11 children including 9 males and 2 females, aged 4 to 12 (8.3±2.7) years old with severe lower extremity wound defects were treated with adjustable skin stretch and closure device, all of them were unilateral lower extremity large area wound defects, including 4 cases of limb skin defect caused by traffic accident, 3 cases of failure to close after osteofasciotomy and decompression, 3 cases of plate exposure after internal fixation of lower extremity fracture and 1 case of ischemic necrosis after debridement and suturing of skin avulsion. The width of the wound was (5.6±1.2) cm and the length was (7.0±1.6) cm. VSD negative pressure drainage and expanded suture were used in all the patients. Four of them had been treated with free skin graft and two had been treated with local flap transfer. The graft or flap operation failed, and the effect of the early treatment was not good.@*RESULTS@#After 5 to 14 (10.5±2.6) days of continuous traction, the wound was closed and no skin grafting or flap repair was performed. No complications such as poor blood supply, skin infection and necrosis, peripheral sensory disturbance occurred. All 11 patients were followed up for 3 to 18 (8.9±3.8) months. The wound edge skin was linear healing with slight scar.@*CONCLUSION@#It is in accordance with Wolff's law and the concept of natural tissue reconstruction to treat large-scale limb wound defects in children with adjustable skin stretch and closure device, which provides an effective method for the treatment of limb skin and soft tissue defects in children.

Tobacco point-of-purchase marketing in primary and middle school neighbourhoods in Tianjin / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the distribution of tobacco point-of-purchase(pop) activies 100 meters around the primary and middle school and the situation of selling cigarettes to students of Tianjin. To provide evidence for creating a smoke-free and healthy school environment.@*Methods@#With the method of simple random sampling, 195 schools were selected to investigate the tobacco retailers within 100 meters around the school, and the nearest tobacco retailers was observed.@*Results@#Totally 36.9 percent of the schools found tobacco retailers within 100 meters. There were 127 tobacco retailers, and no tobacco advertisements were found. The percentage of tobacco retailers within 100 meters of vocational schools, primary schools and middle schools was 33.3%, 34.1% and 40.4%, respectively. Among the 72 tobacco retailers observed, the proportion of tobacco retailers within 20, 21-50, and 51-100 meters from the school were 9.7%, 36.1% and 54.2%, respectively. The majority of tobacco retailers were grocery stores/convenience stores (55.6%), followed by alcohol and tobacco stores (34.7%). The proportion of tobacco selling points failing to set up the signs of "smoking harmful to health" and "not selling cigarettes to minors" were 81.9% and 86.1% respectively.@*Conclusion@#It’s concerning that the layout of tobacco retailers and the posting of signs, and the tobacco products for to minors in Tianjin. It is necessary to strengthen the surrounding environment renovation and publicity and law enforcement.

Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Areca catechu / 中草药

Areca catechu is a traditional Chinese medicine and an important medicine and food homologous variety, it’s widely distributed in tropical and subtropical provinces in southern China and other countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The fruitage of A. catechu is not only a kind of great fruit widely eaten to welcome guests, but also its peels and seeds can be used as medicines. Arecae Semen is one of the four precious “Southern Medicine” in China. Modern studies have shown that A. catechu contains alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and other chemical constituents. It has multiple activities in promoting digestion, lowering blood pressure and anti-depressant, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and bacteriostatic activities etc. In this paper, the research progress of chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of A. catechu in recent years was summarized, which provided research basis for the edible safety, research and development of traditional Areca products.

Coronary heart disease mortality in China: age, gender, and urban—rural gaps during epidemiological transition / Mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria en China: edad, sexo y brechas entre la población urbana y la rural durante la transición epidemiológica

Objetivo. Examinar y describir la mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria y su patrón de cambio (tendencia) por sexo, edad y zona de residencia (urbana frente a rural) en Tianjín, China, en el contexto de la transición epidemiológica, y compararla con lastendencias actuales en las Américas y Europa. Métodos. Se analizaron 104 393 casos de muertes debidas a cardiopatía coronaria ocurridas en Tianjín entre 1999 y 2008. Se codificó la mortalidad debida a cardiopatíacoronaria según la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (novena y décima revisiones). Se analizaron las tasas estandarizadas de mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria y sus tendencias por edad, sexo y residencia urbana frente a rural. Resultados. Durante el período de estudio, de 10 años, la proporción de la mortalidad total debida a cardiopatía coronaria registrada en Tianjín aumentó significativamente(de 16% a 24%) y la mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria estandarizadapor edad aumentó levemente (sin significación estadística), en contraposición con las tendencias de mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria observadas en diversos países delas Américas y Europa, que están descendiendo. No se encontraron diferencias en la tendencia de la mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria por sexo en Tianjín. La mortalidadgeneral por cardiopatía coronaria fue sistemáticamente más elevada en los grupos de mayor edad, los varones y los residentes de zonas urbanas. La proporción de muertes debidas a cardiopatía coronaria que ocurrieron fuera de los hospitales fue de 55,81%, con una tendencia decreciente en el período de estudio. Esta proporción fuemayor en las zonas rurales que en las urbanas, pero no se encontró diferencia entre los distintos grupos de edad.Conclusiones. Desde 1999 hasta el 2008, la mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria en Tianjín varió según el sexo, la edad y la residencia urbana frente a la rural...

Objective. To examine and describe coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality and its pattern of change (trend) by sex, age, and area of residence (urban versus rural) in Tianjin, China, within the context of epidemiological transition, and compare it with current trends in the Americas and Europe.Methods. A total of 104 393 cases of CHD death in Tianjin occurring between 1999 and 2008 were monitored. Death due to CHD was coded using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) standards (ninth and tenth revisions). Standardized CHD mortality rates and their trends were analyzed by age, sex, and urban versus rural residence. Results. During the 10-year study period, the proportion of total deaths due to CHD in Tianjin increased significantly (from 16% to 24%) and age-standardized CHD mortalityincreased slightly (with no statistical differences), in contrast to CHD mortality trends in various countries in the Americas and Europe, which are declining. No difference was found inTianjin’s CHD mortality trend by sex. Overall CHD mortality was consistently higher among older age groups, males, and residents of urban areas. The proportion of CHD deaths occurringoutside hospitals was 55.81%, with a declining trend over the study period. Rural areas had a higher proportion of outside-hospital CHD mortality than urban areas, but no difference wasfound across age groups. Conclusions. From 1999 to 2008, CHD mortality in Tianjin varied by sex, age, and urbanversus rural area of residence. Future research to identify CHD risk factors and the populations most vulnerable to the disease is recommended to help strengthen CHD prevention. Strategiesfor CHD control similar to those used in various developed countries in the Americas and Europe should be developed to reduce the CHD burden in China.

Effect of lipoxin A4 on lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial hyperpermeability in human umbilical vein endothelial cell / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To explore whether lipoxin A4 (LXA4)could prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) monolayer hyperpermeability and its possible mechanism. Methods Human umbilical cords were obtained from women with normal pregnancy immediately after delivery from Tongji Hospital Affiliated of Tongji Medical College. Primary HUVEC were isolated from umbilical veins and subcultured, then, HUVEC were divided into four groups:control group;LPS group (10 mg/L of LPS); LPS + LXA4 group(10 mg/L of LPS and 100 nmol/L of LXA4); LPS +LXA4 + BOC-2 group [10 μmol/L of BOC-2, an effective antagonist of formyl peptide receptor like 1 (FPRL-1)]. All expriments were performed after cells were treated for 24 hours. Endothelial permeability was measured by fluorescein isothiocyan-ate labelled bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) clearance across the monolayer; tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-o) mRNA and secretion were detected by reverse transcriplase (RT) -PCR and ELISA assay respectively, and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) protein change was determined by western blot. Results (1) LPS induced a significant increase in the permeability [Pa value of LPS group was (183.1 ±1.7)%], while co-administrating with LXA4 obviously attenuated this LPS-induced hyperpermeability, Pa value of LPS + LXA4 group was (103.1 ±2.2)%, LPS + LXA4 + BOC-2 group was (162.2 ± 2.8)%, control group was 100%, the permeability of HUVEC monolayer was significantly increased by LPS which was (83.1 ± 1.7)% of control (P <0.01), however, it was notably inhibited by LXA4 (P<0.05); the blockade of FPRL-1 could attenuate the effect of LXA4, that is, there was no difference between the LPS + LXA4 + BOC-2 group and the LPS group. (2) After treatment with different concentration of LPS(0,0.1, 1,10 mg/L), the mRNA expressions of TNF-α were increased (1.11 ±0.11,1.27 ± 0.03, 1.60 ± 0.06, 1.82 ± 0. 04, respectively), compared with the control group, at the concentration of 1,10 mg/L LPS, the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 05). (3) The increased levels of NF-κB and inflammatory mediator TNF-α in the LPS group were both inhibited by LXA4. Levels of NF-κB protein and TNF-o mRNA secretion in LPS treated group (0.53 ±0.06 and 0.81 ±0.09 ,respectively)were both inhibited by LXA4 (0.19 ± 0.05 and 0.41 ± 0.07, respectively, and both had significant difference, P<0.05). (4) Levels of TNF-α in HUVEC culture medium of LPS group [(31.94 ±0.01)ng/L] was significantly higher than the control group [(18.17 ± 0.03) ng/L, P<0.05], LPS + LXA4 group [(15.72 ± 0.07) ng/L] was significantly lower than the LPS group (P<0.05). Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that LXA4 could prevent the endothelial cell hyperpermeability induced by LPS in HUVEC under which the possible mechanism was through inhibiting the expression of NF-κB and its related cytokines through receptor-dependent.

Effect of lipoxin A4 on lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidant stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To explore the effects of lipoxin A4 ( LXA4 ) on lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical veins endothelial cells(HUVEC) and the possible mechanism.Methods Neonatal umbilical cords were obtained from normal term pregnant women with cesarean section within 4 hours and then were used to isolate HUVEC for subculture.HUVEC were divided into four groups:control group; LPS group ( 10 μg/ml of LPS); LPS + LXA4 group ( 10 μg/ml of LPS and 100 nmol/L of LXA4); LXA4 group (100 nmol/L of LXA4) All expriments were performed after cells treated for 12 and 24 hours respectively.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of Ⅷ foctor and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 ( Nrf2 ); the mRNA expression of Nrf2, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and reduced form of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide quinone oxidoreductase-1(NQO1) were evaluated by reverse transcription-PCR .Results (1)The flavovirens fluorescence was observed in the cytoplasm under fluorescence microscope, which confirmed the existence of Ⅷ factor which specifically expressed in endothelial cells, especially in HUVEC.(2)Immunofluorescent results showed that in control group, Nrf2 protein expressed in the cytosol rather than in the nucleus.In LPS group, the expression of Nrf2 protein obviously increased in the nucleus while decreased in the cytosol after 12 hours.However, after LPS treatment for 24 hours, Nrf2 expression reduced in the cytosol and nucleus.In cotreatment with LPS and LXA4 group,the expression of Nrf2 protein was much higher than that in LPS group after 12 hours or 24 hours.Furthermore, Nrf2 protein also mostly expressed in the cytosol in LXA4 group.(3) After stimulation for 12 hours, compared with control group, the gene expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly enhanced in LPS group (0.581 ± 0.019 and 0.081 ±0.009, P ＜ 0.05 ) and in LPS + LXA4group(0.692 ±0.048 and 0.136 ± 0.018, P ＜ 0.05 ), the level of NQO1 mRNA in LPS group and LPS +LXA4 group were 0.381 ± 0.009 ( P ＞ 0.05 ) and 0.574 ± 0.034 ( P ＜ 0.05 ).After treatment for 24 hours,compared with control goup, the gene expressions of Nrf2 and NQO1 were down-regulated in LPS group (0.180±0.017 and 0.472 ±0.064, P＜0.05).But in LPS + LXA4 group the expression of Nrf2 and NQOI were upregulated (0.532 ± 0.051 and 0.830 ± 0.068, P ＜ 0.05, compared with treatment for LPS group).The mRNA expressions of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 were increased in LPS + LXA4 group compared with LPS group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).In addition, there was no markedly difference in the expressions of Nrf2, HO1 and NQO1 between control and LXA4 group after 12 hours and 24 hours ( P ＞ 0.05 ) .Conclusion Through activating nuclear translocation of Nrf2 protein from cytoplasm, LXA4 upregulates the Nrf2downstream enzymes, such as NQO1 and HO-1 to protect HUVEC against the oxidative stress induced by LPS.