A control study of cognitive function in patients with treatment-resistant depression and first-episode depression / 天津医药

Objective To compare the cognitive functions between patients with treatment-resistant depression and first-episode depression. Methods A total of 80 major depressive disorder patients admitted in our hospital from March 2015 to December 2016 were included in this study. The patients were divided into treatment-resistant depression group (n=40) and first-episode depression group (n=40). Another 40 healthy individuals were used as the control group. The basic data of patients were collected, and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD)-17 was used to assess the severity of the disease. The performing functions were assessed by trail marking test and stroop color-word test. The attention functions were assessed by digital span test. Memory functions were assessed by Hopkins verbal learning test revise (HVLT-R). After treatment for 6 months, cognitive functions were assessed again in first-episode depression group. Results Compared with control group, the scores of trail marking test (TMT) increased, while the scores of digital span test, stroop color-word test, stroop color-colorword test, HVLT-R reduced in treatment-resistant depression group and first-episode depression group ( P<0.05). The scores of TMT, HAMD-17 were lower in first-episode depression group than those of treatment-resistant depression group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in other indexes between groups. After six months treatment, the trail marking test score and HAMD-17 reduced, but digital span test, stroop color-word test increased in first-episode depression group (P<0.05). Conclusion The cognitive function damages severely in patients with treatment-resistant depression and first-episode depression, but there is no obvious difference in severity between two groups of patients.

Protective role of retinoid X receptor in H9c2 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in rats / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND:Retinoid X receptor (RXR) plays a central role in the regulation of intracellular receptor signaling pathways. The activation of RXR has protective effect on H2O2-induced apoptosis of H9c2 ventricular cells in rats. But the protective effect and mechanism of activating RXR in cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced oxidative iniury are stillunclear. METHODS:The model of H/R injury was established through hypoxia for 2 hours and reoxygenation for 4 hours in H9c2 cardiomyocytes of rats. 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis RA) was obtained as an RXR agonist, and HX531 as an RXR antagonist. Cultured cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into four groups:sham group, H/R group, H/R+9-cis RA -pretreated group (100 nmol/L 9-cis RA), and H/R+9-cis RA+HX531-pretreated group (2.5 μmol/L HX531). The cellviability was measured by MTT, apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes by flow cytometry analysis, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by JC-1 fluorescent probe, and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-9 with Western blotting. Allmeasurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation, and analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Dunnett test. Differences were considered significant whenP was <0.05. RESULTS:Pretreatment with RXR agonist enhanced cellviability, reduced apoptosis ratio, and stabled ΔΨm. Dot blotting experiments showed that under H/R stress conditions, Bcl-2 protein level decreased, while Bax and cleaved caspase-9 were increased. 9-cis RA administration before H/R stress prevented these effects, but the protective effects of activating RXR on cardiomyocytes against H/R induced oxidative injury were abolished when pretreated with RXR pan-antagonist HX531. CONCLUSION:The activation of RXR has protective effects against H/R injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes of rats through attenuating signaling pathway of mitochondria apoptosis.

Effect of crucumin on vascular endothelial function in atherosclerotic rabbits / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of curcumin on nitric oxide (NO) in plasma of atherosclerotic rabbits, activity of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and discuss curcumin's effect against AS and its correlation with ADMA.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Thirty-eight male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (eight rabbits fed with standard diets), the model group (ten rabbits fed with high-fat diets), the low dose curcumin group (ten rabbits fed with high-fat diets and 100 mg . kg-1 d -1 ) and the high dose curcumin group (ten rabbits fed with high-fat diets and 200 mg kg-1 d-1 curcumin). At the end of the 12th week, their plasmas were tested for TC, LDL-C, NO, endothelin (ET) , ADMA and activity of aortic cNOS. Aortic tissues were collected for histological examinations.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The three groups fed with high-fat diets showed higher plasma ADMA and ET than the control group (P <0. 01) , but with decrease in plasma NO concentration and arterial cNOS activity (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group (P <0. 05) , the curcumin groups showed lower plasma ADMA and ET (P <0. 05), but higher plasma NO concentration and arterial cNOS activity than the model group (P <0. 01). There was no significant difference between the two curcumin groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Curcumin may play an important protective role in AS process by reducing plasma ADMA level. [Key words] atherosclerosis; asymmetric dimethylarginine; crucumin; nitric oxide; nitric oxide synthase</p>

Evaluation on the efficacy and safety of domestic bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Bivalirudin was widely used as an anticoagulant during coronary interventional procedure in western countries. However, it was not available in China before this clinical trial was designed. This randomized, single-blind and multicenter clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of domestic bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, single-blind, multicenter trial was designed. Elective PCI candidates in five centers were randomized into a bivalirudin group and a heparin group, which were treated with domestic bivalirudin and non-fractional heparin during the PCI procedure. The efficacy was evaluated by comparing the activated coagulation time (ACT), the procedural success rate (residual stenosis < 20% in target lesions without any coronary artery related adverse events within 24 hours after PCI), and the survival rate without major adverse cardiac events at 30 days after PCI between the two groups. Safety was evaluated by the major/minor bleeding rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 218 elective PCI patients were randomized into a bivalirudin group (n = 110) and heparin group (n = 108). Except for two patients needing additional dosing in the heparin group, the ACT values of all other patients in both groups were longer than 225 seconds at 5 minutes after the first intravenous bolus. Procedural success rates were respectively 100.0% and 98.2% in the bivalirudin group and heparin group (P > 0.05). Survival rates without major adverse cardiac events at 30 days after PCI were 100.0% in the bivalirudin group and 98.2% in the heparin group (P > 0.05). Mild bleeding rates were 0.9% and 6.9% (P < 0.05) at 24 hours, and 1.9% and 8.8% (P < 0.05) at 30 days after PCI in the bivalirudin group and heparin group respectively. There was one severe gastrointestinal bleeding case in the heparin group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Domestic bivalirudin is an effective and safe anticoagulant during elective PCI procedures. The efficacy is not inferior to heparin, but the safety is superior to heparin.</p>

Association between polymorphisms of inflammatory factor genes and coronary heart disease / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of inflammatory factors and susceptibility to coronary heart disease(CHD) in southern Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) method, the genotypes of five inflammatory factors (BRCA1-associated protein, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 8, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor H3, interleukin-15, cyclooxygenase-2) were anaylzed in 283 CHD patients diagnosed by angiography and 176 controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In these inflammatory factors, the 270T/C and 90A/G polymorphisms of the BRAP gene showed a significant association with CHD. The allele and genotype frequencies of BRAP gene were consistent with those predicted by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (chi-square=0.878, P> 0.05; chi-square=0.776, P> 0.05, respectively). The frequencecies of 270C and 90G alleles in CHD patients was significantly higher than those of the control group (29.51% vs. 21.31%, P=0.006; 30.04% vs. 21.31%, P=0.004, respectively). Compared with 270TT and 90AA, 270CC and 90GG genotypes had a significantly increased CHD risk by Logistic regression analysis (OR=4.51, 95%CI: 1.41-14.45, P=0.011; OR=5.09, 95%CI: 1.60-16.26, P=0.006, respectively). This association was still signifcant after adjustment for the sex, age, smoke, hypertension, diabetes, plasma total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels. No evidence of association was found for other single nucleotide polymorphisms.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 270T/C and 90A/G polymorphisms in the BRAP gene may contribute to an increased risk of CHD among southern Chinese Han population.</p>

The correlation between ICAM-1 gene K469E polymorphism and coronary heart disease / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation between intercellular adhesion molecule1 (ICAM1) gene K469E polymorphism and coronary heart disease(CHD) in Han Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the methods of polymerase chain reaction-restrictive fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), 173 CHD patients and 141 controls were analyzed for the polymorphism, genotype and allele distribution of ICAM1 gene K469E.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The distribution of ICAM1 genotypes was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of KK genotype in CHD group was significantly higher than that in control (64.2% vs 48.9%, P<0.01). Similarly, the frequency of K allele in CHD group was significantly higher than that in control (79.2% vs 69.9%, P<0.01). With Logistic Regression Analysis ruling out the influences of age, gender and other CHD risk factor, the homozygous individual with KK genotype was 2.35 folds of KE or EE genotype one suffering from CHD (OR: 2.35, 95%CI: 1.03-5.36, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICAM1 gene K469E polymorphism is associated with CHD risk of Han Chinese population, the K allele may serve as a genetic risk factor of coronary heart disease.</p>

Comparison of the antithrombotlic effect and safety between intravenous nadroparin and unfractionated heparin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The study was designed to compare the antithrombotic property and safety between nadroparin and unfractionated heparin during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective, single blind, randomized study was performed. A total of 98 patients (aged 65.1 +/- 8.6 years, female, 28.6%, diabetes, 7.1%) undergoing selective PCI were randomized to be administered intravenously either nadroparin (0.075 ml/10 kg) or unfractionated heparin (100U/kg) for procedural anticoagulation, in whom stable angina was 42.9%, unstable angina, 27.6%, myocardial infarction, 29.6%, two or three-vessel disease, 23.5%, stent, 100%. Blood samples for anti-Xa level were assayed in the first 22 patients of the nadroparin group before and after administration at the following intervals: 8 min, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h. Bleeding complications were classified according to Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) criteria. The bleeding index (change in hemoglobin) was calculated. All patients were monitored for adverse clinical events (i.e. death, myocardial infarction, need for revascularization) during the period of 30 days after PCI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two randomized groups. (2) Plasma anti-Xa activities were 0.10 +/- 0.00 IU/ml at the time just before the administration of nadroparin, 1.89 +/- 0.24 IU/ml, 0.96 +/- 0.24 IU/ml, 0.47 +/- 0.13 IU/ml, and 0.30 +/- 0.12 IU/ml at the time of 8 min, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h after the use of nadroparin (and the rate of > 0.5 IU/ml were 100%, 100%, 45% and 9% patients), respectively. (3) There were no significant differences in the mean bleeding index, post-PCI hemoglobin and hematocrit between nadroparin and unfractionated heparin group [(1.16 +/- 5.80) g/L vs (0.90 +/- 6.50) g/L, P = 0.858; (129.5 +/- 13.6) g/L vs (125.5 +/- 14.9) g/L, P = 0.175; (39.0 +/- 3.9)% vs (37.9 +/- 4.6)%, P = 0.205]. (4) None of the patients in two randomized groups were observed hemorrhagic events, which including TIMI major or minor bleeding complications, gross or microscopic hematuria, melena, positive stool occult blood. There were no blood transfusions and no hematoma at the vascular access site in either of the group. (5) No death, no recurrent angina pectoris, and no urgent revascularization occurred within 30 days in both groups. One patient in nadroparin group was observed "no reflow" phenomenon that was accompanied with an elevated ST segment and a risen serum level of cTnI. This patient was diagnosed as non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. Though no myocardial infarction was found in unfractionated heparin group, there was no significant difference in the rate of myocardial infarction between the two groups of the study (P = 0.970).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The administration of nadroparin before PCI seems effective and safe. Compared with unfractionated heparin, nadroparin was associated with neither an excess of bleeding nor an increase of clinical complications in this study.</p>