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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) could pump the blood from human veins to the outside of the body, oxygenate the red blood cells in an artificial environment and then return them back into the body. ECMO could replace the heart and lungs to complete gas exchange and systemic blood perfusion in patients with severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency, which also plays an important role in the field of heart transplantation. Besides circulatory support treatment after heart transplantation, ECMO may also be used to prolong the waiting time for heart transplantation in patients with respiratory and circulatory failure before operation, as a bridging therapy for heart transplantation. However, at present, the application of ECMO in pediatric heart transplantation still exist challenges, such as high perioperative mortality and difficulty in determining the timing of treatment, etc. In this article, the development history of ECMO application in pediatric heart transplantation, use of ECMO before and after pediatric heart transplantation, ECMO-related complications in children, and application of ventricular assist device (VAD) in pediatric heart transplantation were briefly reviewed, aiming to provide reference for promoting the application of ECMO in pediatric heart transplantation.
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Objective To study the mock circulation system (MCS) which can accurately reproduce the human hemodynamic environment for in vitro test in the development of artificial organs such as ventricular assist devices (VAD) and artificial heart-lung machine.Methods A double-heart MCS including the systemic and pulmonary circulation was established, which basically covered the main physiological characteristics and functions of the cardiovascular system. The simulation of valves and arteries were proposed with a new way made of silicone material. The MCS could simulate a variety of physiological environments such as normal human body, heart failure, valvular diseases, arteriosclerosis and peripheral obstruction changes by adjusting the control system parameters or structural parameters.The sensor and control system were used to realize the real-time display, control and data preservation of pressure and flow.Results The MCS could simulate the hemodynamic environment of normal human body and a variety of diseases, which were basically consistent with the actual human condition. The new valve and artery model reduced pressure fluctuations in a much better way. The HeartCon VAD of RocketHeart was connected to the experimental platform under simulated state of heart failure, and the hemodynamic environment (aortic pressure, left atrial pressure, cardiac output, etc.) could all be recovered to the normal range.Conclusions The MCS can accurately reproduce the hemodynamic environment of body and pulmonary circulation under a variety of physiological states, and provide an effective experimental platform for the performance test and control strategy design of artificial organs such as VAD. At the same time, the simulation method of making valves and arteries with silicone material can also be further improved in MCS.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of Xiaoyaosan on depressive behavioral phenotype in mice with vascular dementia （VaD） mice and its possible mechanism. Method:Sixty three-month-old male C57/BL6 mice were divided into the normal control group， model group， positive control group， as well as low-， medium-， and high-dose Xiaoyaosan groups. Mice in all groups except for the normal control group underwent bilateral carotid artery stenosis. Two weeks later， they were subjected to chronic restraint stress， 6 h per day， for inducing VaD complicated with depression. Mice in the low-， medium-， and high-dose Xiaoyaosan groups were treatment with intragastric administration of Xiaoyaosan decoction （5， 10， 20 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>）， the ones in the positive control group with fluoxetine （10 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>）， and those in the normal control group and model group with an equal volume of normal saline for four weeks， during which the restraint stress was maintained. The depressive behavioral phenotype of mice was observed in sugar water preference test and tail suspension test. The fluorescence expression of myelin basic protein （MBP） in ventral hippocampus （vHIP） was detected by fluorescence immunoassay. The ultrastructure of myelin sheath in vHIP was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein expression levels of MBP， myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein （MOG）， myelin-associated glycoprotein （MAG）， triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 （TREM2）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， arginase 1 （Arg1）， interleukin-I<italic>β</italic> （IL-1<italic>β</italic>）， tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic> （TNF-<italic>α</italic>）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） were assayed by Western blot. Result:As revealed by behavioral test， compared with the normal control group， the model group exhibited prolonged immobility time and decreased percentage of sugar water preference （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， Xiaoyaosan significantly shortened the immobility time of mice （<italic>P</italic><0.05） and increased the percentage of sugar water preference （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Western blot results showed that the protein expression levels of MBP， MOG， and MAG in vHIP of the model group were remarkably decreased as compared with those of the normal control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The protein expression levels of MBP， MOG， and MAG in vHIP of the low-dose Xiaoyaosan group were increased in contrast to those in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， while the protein expression of iNOS was decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The protein expression levels of MBP， MOG， MAG， TREM2， Arg1， IL-4， and IL-10 in the medium- and high-dose Xiaoyaosan groups were up-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， whereas those of iNOS， IL-1<italic>β</italic>， and TNF-<italic>α</italic> were down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The immunofluorescence findings demonstrated that the mean fluorescence intensity of MBP in the model group declined in comparison with that in the normal control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while the mean fluorescence intensities of MBP in the low-， medium-， and high-dose Xiaoyaosan groups were enhanced to different degrees （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. It was observed under the transmission electron microscope that the myelin structure of the model group was loosened and the dense layer was separated and irregularly arranged. Xiaoyaosan improved the structural integrity of myelin sheath and the looseness of lamellar structure. Conclusion:Xiaoyaosan ameliorates the depressive behavioral phenotype of VaD mice， which may be related to the up-regulation of TREM2， the induction of M2 polarization of microglia cells， the enhancement of their anti-inflammatory and phagocytic abilities， and the promotion of damaged myelin sheath regeneration.
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Objective To evaluate the damage of von Willebrand factor (vWF) induced by shear stress in BPX-80 centrifugal blood pump, and determine whether it can be used as a reference pump for vWF damage research. Methods An in vitro hemolysis test platform was established according to the ASTM standards. The BPX-80 centrifugal blood pump was tested for 8 hours by using fresh porcine blood. The hemolysis level and vWF damage of hourly blood samples were then evaluated and compared with the static control group. ResultsThe hemolysis index of BPX-80 was stable and low during the test; vWF polymer with high molecular weight had a small amount of degradation, and showed no significant difference compared with the static control group; there was no significant change in the concentration of vWF antigen, which was basically consistent with the trend of the static control group. Conclusions BPX-80 centrifugal blood pump has good blood compatibility and can be used as the reference pump for vWF damage and hemolysis evaluation, thereby providing guidance for the design and optimization of new blood pumps.
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Vitamin A (VA) is a fat-soluble vitamin with all-trans-retinoic biological activities. In addition to maintaining the normal functions of the eye, skin, immune, and reproductive systems, VA is also widely distributed in brain tissues, and important to the generation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells in the developing nervous system. Pregnant women are susceptible to vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Retinoic acid, the active form of VA, is very important to the brain development of offspring. This article reviews the literatures of maternal VAD during pregnancy, summarizing the risk factors of maternal VAD during pregnancy, and the research findings of the effects of maternal VAD during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment based on both human studies and animal experiments, and the possible underlying mechanisms by which maternal VAD affects the development of embryonic layers, brain structures, hippocampal synaptic transmission, and the biological clock in offspring.
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Background & objectives: Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a key lipogenic enzyme responsible for endogenous synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and plays a key role in various pathophysiology, including fatty liver diseases. In this experimental study the impact of vitamin A deficiency was assessed on SCD1 regulation in relation to kidney biology, under high fructose (HFr) diet-fed condition in rats. Methods: Forty male weanling (21 day old) Wistar rats were divided into four groups control, vitamin A-deficient (VAD), HFr, VAD with HFr consisting of eight rats each, except 16 for the VAD group. The groups received one of the following diets: control, VAD, HFr and VAD with HFr for 16 wk, except half of the VAD diet-fed rats were shifted to HFr diet, after eight week period. Results: Feeding of VAD diet (alone or with HFr) significantly reduced the kidney retinol (0.51, 0.44 ?g/g vs. 2.1 ?g/g; P < 0.05), while increased oleic (C18:1) and total MUFA levels (23.3, 22.2% and 27.3, 25.4% respectively vs. 14.7 and 16.6%; P < 0.05) without affecting the SCD1, both at protein and mRNA levels, when compared with HFr. Comparable, immunohistological staining for SCD1 was observed in the distal convoluted tubules. Despite an increase in MUFA, morphology, triglyceride content and markers of kidney function were not affected by VAD diet feeding. Interpretation & conclusions: Feeding of VAD diet either alone or under HFr condition increased the kidney oleic acid (C18:1) levels and thus total MUFA, which corroborated with elevated SCD1 activity index, without affecting its expression status. However, these changes did not alter the kidney morphology and function. Thus, nutrient-gene regulation in kidney biology seems to be divergent.
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Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of thalidomide combined with VAD regimen (vincristine+epirubicin+dexamethasone) or VAD regimen alone in treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) by using metaˉanalysis. Methods Thalidomide combined with VAD regimen was selected as the experimental group and VAD regimen alone was selected as the control group. The literatures were searched from CNKI, Wanfang and VIP database. And then the inclusive literatures were further searched. Randomized controlled trials eligible to the exclusive criteria were extracted, and the quality was evaluated. Metaˉanalysis was conducted by using Stata14.0 software. Results A total of 17 studies and 940 patients were included. The experimental group had a higher total effective rate compared with the control group , and the difference was statistically significant ( RR＝ 1.41, 95% CI 1.30-1.59, P< 0.01). Meanwhile, the experimental group had a better efficacy in improving hemoglobin and deducing βˉmacroglobulin (MG), M protein and myeloma cells compared with the control group; however, the experimental group also had a worse gastrointestinal reaction, and the difference was statistically significant ( RR＝ 1.36, 95% CI 1.04-1.78, P＝ 0.024). Conclusion Thalidomide combined with VAD regimen in treatment of MM has a better clinical efficacy compared with VAD regimen alone, but it also has a worse adverse reaction.
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Objective To investigate the effect of baicalin on CT26.WT cells of colon cancer in mice, and to discuss the cell death form. Methods CT26.WT cells were divided into four groups including of control group , routine cultured in fresh medium, the baicalin group, added with concentration of 100 μmol·L-1 baicalin, the z-VAD-fmk group, was added with final concentration of 20 μmol·L-1 z-VAD-fmk, and the combination group, added final concentration of 20 μmol·L-1 z-VADfmk,1 h before adding 100 μmol·L-1 baicalin. Then the inhibitory effect of baicalin on cell proliferation and cell viability were detected by CCK-8 method. The changes of nucleus were detected by DAPI staining, the ultrastructure of cells was observed by TEM, and the effect of baicalin on the expression of RIP3 gene and protein in cells was detected by QPCR method and Western blotting. Results Compared with control group, the differences of baicalin group and combination group had statistically significance (P<0.05) . cell death rate for control group was (10.54±0.19) ％ ,for baicalin group was (34.93±0.16) ％ ,for z- VAD group was (11.23±0.59) ％, and combination group was (23.27±1.20) ％ (P<0.01) . Compared with the normal control group, baicalin group showed nuclear concentration and fragmentation. there was obvious nuclear fragmentation in the combination group against baicalin group. The results of electron microscopy showed that the cells of baicalin were necrotic, cell swelling, mitochondria swelling and contents leaking. Baicalin group significantly up - regulated RIP3 mRNA expression (P < 0. 01) and enhanced RIP3 protein expression (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion Baicalin induces the necrosis of ct26. WT cells, and can significantly increase the gene and protein expression of RIP3.
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Resumen: La auscultación de señales basada en un estetoscopio estándar y/o electrónico no solo incluye sonidos internos del cuerpo, también incluye frecuentemente ruido externo de interferencia con componentes en el mismo rango. Esta forma de examinar es incluso afectada por los umbrales auditivos variantes de los profesionales de la salud y el grado de experiencia en reconocimiento de indicadores peculiares. Además, los resultados son a menudo caracterizados en términos cualitativos descriptivos sujetos a interpretaciones individuales. Para direccionar esta preocupación, los estudios presentados en este artículo contienen un procesamiento concurrente de las componentes dominantes de sonidos del corazón (HS) y del pulmón (HS), y una etapa de acondicionamiento que incluye la reducción de HS presente en señales LS. Específicamente, la transformada de Hilbert fue una técnica de caracterización para HS. En el caso de señales enfocadas a LS, las técnicas de detección de actividad de voz y el cálculo de umbrales de algunos componentes de los vectores acústicos de Coeficientes Cepstrales en Frecuencia Mel (MFCC), fueron útiles en la caracterización de eventos acústicos asociados. Las fases de inspiración y expiración fueron diferenciadas por medio de la sexta componente de MFCC. Con el fin de evaluar la eficiencia de esta aproximación, proponemos los Modelos Ocultos de Markov con Modelos Mesclados Gaussianos (HMM-GMM). Los resultados utilizando esta forma de detección son superiores cuando se desarrolla la clasificación con modelos HMM-GMM, la cual refleja las ventajas de la forma de detección cuantificable y clasificación sobre la aproximación clínica tradicional.
Abstract: A standard and/or electronic stethoscope based auscultatory signals include not only the internal sounds of the body but also interfering external noise often with similar frequency components. This form of examination is also affected by varying thresholds of clinical practitioner's hearing and degree of experience in recognition of peculiar auscultatory indicators. Further, the results are often characterized in qualitative descriptive terms subject to individual's interpretation. To address these concerns, presented studies include concurrent processing of dominant heart (HS) and lung (LS) sounds components and a conditioning stage involving HS presence reduction within LS focused signals. Specifically as determined, the Hilbert transform was a technique of choice in HS characterization. In the case of LS focused signals, the speech activity detection techniques (VAD) and the thresholds calculation of some components of acoustic vectors of Cepstral Coefficients in Mel Frequency (MFCC), were useful in characterization of associated acoustic events. The phases of inspiration and expiration were differentiated by means of the sixth component of MFCC. In order to evaluate the efficiency of this approach, we propose Hidden Markov Models with Mixed Gaussian Models (HMM-GMM). The results utilizing this form of detection are superior when performing classification with HMM-GMM models, which reflect the advantages of presented form of quantifiable detection and classification over traditional clinical approach.
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ABSTRACT Spatial orientation is emerging as an early and reliable cognitive biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. However, no evidence exists as to whether spatial orientation is also affected in vascular dementia (VaD). Objective: To examine allocentric (map-based) and egocentric (viewpoint-based) spatial orientation in an early stage VaD case. Methods: A spatial test battery was administered following clinical and neuropsychological cognitive evaluation. Results: Despite the patient's complaints, little evidence of episodic memory deficits were detected when cueing was provided to overcome executive dysfunction. Similarly, medial temporal lobe-mediated allocentric orientation was intact. By contrast, medial parietal-mediated egocentric orientation was impaired, despite normal performance on standard visuospatial tasks. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first in-depth investigation of spatial orientation deficits in VaD. Isolated egocentric deficits were observed. This differs from AD orientation deficits which encompass both allocentric and egocentric orientation deficits. A combination of egocentric orientation and executive function tests could serve as a promising cognitive marker for VaD pathophysiology.
RESUMO A orientação espacial está emergindo como um biomarcador cognitivo precoce e confiável da fisiopatologia da doença de Alzheimer (DA). No entanto, não existe evidência de que a orientação espacial também seja afetada na demência vascular (DVa). Objetivo: Examinar a orientação espacial alocêntrica (baseada em mapas) e egocêntrica (baseada no ponto de vista) em um caso de DVa em fase incial. Métodos: Uma bateria de testes espaciais foi administrada após avaliação clínica e neuropsicológica cognitiva. Resultados: Apesar das queixas do paciente, poucas evidências de déficits de memória episódica foram detectadas quando foram fornecidas pistas para superar a disfunção executiva. Da mesma forma, a orientação alocêntrica mediada pelo lobo temporal medial estava intacta. Em contrapartida, a orientação egocêntrica mediada pela região parietal medial estava comprometida, apesar do desempenho normal em tarefas visuoespaciais padrão. Conclusão: Pelo nosso conhecimento, esta é a primeira investigação aprofundada dos déficits de orientação espacial na DVa. Foram observados déficits egocêntricos isolados. Isso difere dos déficits de orientação da DA que abrangem déficits de orientação alocêntricos e egocêntricos. Uma combinação de orientação egocêntrica e testes de função executiva poderia servir como um marcador cognitivo promissor para a fisiopatologia de DVa.
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Humans , Dementia, Vascular , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Executive Function , Orientation, SpatialABSTRACT
Mock circulatory system (MCS) is an experimental platform for simulating hemodynamic performance of human circulatory system, and has been widely used in in-vitro hemodynamic performance evaluation of passive devices such as ventricular assist devices (VADs), artificial valves, as well as hemodynamic responses of mock circulation loop. MCSs are capable of simulating various physiological conditions, including health, exercise, and heart failure, by adjusting drive element of heart simulator and lumped-parameter element of vasculature components. Since 1 960 s, the research and development target of MSCs has evolved from meeting the basic performance evaluation requirement of VADs and mechanical valve to mimicking local hemodynamic characteristics in vital organs. This review summarizes the design principles, system construction of MCSs as well as its research progress and future prospects.
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Objective To study curative efficacy of cyclophosphamide combined with VAD regimen in treatment of multiple myeloma and its effects on coagulation function.Methods 78 patients of multiple myeloma who received therapy from July 2013 to July 2016 in our hospital were selected as research objects, and divided into the control group and the observation group , the control group was treated with VAD regimen, while the observation group was treated with cyclophosphamide combined with VAD regimen.Then coagulation factor and anti-coagulation factor activity, adverse reaction, therapeutic effect after treatment between two groups were compared.Results After treatment, decreased blood coagulation factor, Protein C, protein S and antithrombin were increased between two groups , the difference was not statistically significant.Incidence of adverse reactions in observation group was less than the control group[15.38%(6/39)vs 46.15%(18/39)], the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);The total effective rate of observation group was statistically higher than that in the control group [ 89.74%( 35/39 ) vs 58.97%( 23/39 ) ] , the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Cyclophosphamide combined with VAD regimen is well for multiple myeloma, which can effectively improve the patient's condition, improve the life quality of patients, and will not cause a greater impact on blood coagulation function.
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Objective To investigate the circulatory supporting effect of the third generation fully magnetically levitated China Heart ventricular assist device (CH-VAD) under heart failure (HF) condition.Methods An in vitro mock circulatory system (MCS) was developed.This system could simulate a healthy adult under resting state and a patient with heart failure,and incorporate the CH-VAD to evaluate the assisting performance under continuous flow mode.Furthermore,CH-VAD was equipped with a pulsatile flow controller and its initial performance was accessed.The pulsatile mode was obtained by using sinusoidal velocity waveform of the pump which synchronized the CH-VAD with the ventricle simulator of the MCS.Results CH-VAD under continuous flow mode could recover the hemodynamic parameters (arterial pressure and cardiac output) under HF condition to normal range.Preliminary pulsatile test results showed that amplitude of current pulse speed had a minor influence on the hemodynamic performance.CH-VAD under continuous flow and pulsatile flow mode could obtain comparable mean arterial pressure,systolic arterial pressure,diastolic arterial pressure and mean flow.Conclusions CH-VAD can generate a certain degree of speed pulse via appropriate pulsatility control,so as to provide sufficient support on ventricular function.Further optimization on pulsatile controller of CH-VAD is required to conform to natural physiology.The developed MCS can be utilized as an effective and controllable in vitro platform for design,optimization and verification of VADs or other mechanical circulatory support devices.
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Objective To investigate the efficacy of arsenic trioxide combined with VAD in the treatment of refractory relapsed multiple myeloma.Methods The clinical data of sixty-five patients with recurrent MM treated in Guigang City People's Hospital during the past 5 years was retrospectively analyzed.The patients were randomly divided into the experimental group(33 cases)and the control group(32 cases).The experimental group was treated with arsenic trioxide combined with VAD,and the control group adopted with VAD treatment program.After 4 courses of treatment,the signs and symptoms of the two groups were detected and observed.Results The total effective rate of the experimental group was 72.7%(24/33),which was obviously better than that of the control group,with the total effective rate was 53.1%(17/32).The difference was statistically significant(P=0.0364).The detection indexes of the experimental group were better than those of the control group,about 20%.Conclusion Arsenic trioxide combined with VAD is effective and efficient in the treatment of multiple myeloma.It is an effective way to relieve MM in the current MM treatment program.
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Objective To investigate the circulatory supporting effect of the third generation fully magnetically levitated China Heart ventricular assist device (CH-VAD) under heart failure (HF) condition.Methods An in vitro mock circulatory system (MCS) was developed.This system could simulate a healthy adult under resting state and a patient with heart failure,and incorporate the CH-VAD to evaluate the assisting performance under continuous flow mode.Furthermore,CH-VAD was equipped with a pulsatile flow controller and its initial performance was accessed.The pulsatile mode was obtained by using sinusoidal velocity waveform of the pump which synchronized the CH-VAD with the ventricle simulator of the MCS.Results CH-VAD under continuous flow mode could recover the hemodynamic parameters (arterial pressure and cardiac output) under HF condition to normal range.Preliminary pulsatile test results showed that amplitude of current pulse speed had a minor influence on the hemodynamic performance.CH-VAD under continuous flow and pulsatile flow mode could obtain comparable mean arterial pressure,systolic arterial pressure,diastolic arterial pressure and mean flow.Conclusions CH-VAD can generate a certain degree of speed pulse via appropriate pulsatility control,so as to provide sufficient support on ventricular function.Further optimization on pulsatile controller of CH-VAD is required to conform to natural physiology.The developed MCS can be utilized as an effective and controllable in vitro platform for design,optimization and verification of VADs or other mechanical circulatory support devices.
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Objective To investigate the circulatory supporting effect of the third generation fully magnetically levitated China Heart ventricular assist device (CH-VAD) under heart failure (HF) condition.Methods An in vitro mock circulatory system (MCS) was developed.This system could simulate a healthy adult under resting state and a patient with heart failure,and incorporate the CH-VAD to evaluate the assisting performance under continuous flow mode.Furthermore,CH-VAD was equipped with a pulsatile flow controller and its initial performance was accessed.The pulsatile mode was obtained by using sinusoidal velocity waveform of the pump which synchronized the CH-VAD with the ventricle simulator of the MCS.Results CH-VAD under continuous flow mode could recover the hemodynamic parameters (arterial pressure and cardiac output) under HF condition to normal range.Preliminary pulsatile test results showed that amplitude of current pulse speed had a minor influence on the hemodynamic performance.CH-VAD under continuous flow and pulsatile flow mode could obtain comparable mean arterial pressure,systolic arterial pressure,diastolic arterial pressure and mean flow.Conclusions CH-VAD can generate a certain degree of speed pulse via appropriate pulsatility control,so as to provide sufficient support on ventricular function.Further optimization on pulsatile controller of CH-VAD is required to conform to natural physiology.The developed MCS can be utilized as an effective and controllable in vitro platform for design,optimization and verification of VADs or other mechanical circulatory support devices.
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Objective To investigate the circulatory supporting effect of the third generation fully magnetically levitated China Heart ventricular assist device (CH-VAD) under heart failure (HF) condition. Methods An in vitro mock circulatory system (MCS) was developed. This system could simulate a healthy adult under resting state and a patient with heart failure, and incorporate the CH-VAD to evaluate the assisting performance under continuous flow mode. Furthermore, CH-VAD was equipped with a pulsatile flow controller and its initial performance was accessed. The pulsatile mode was obtained by using sinusoidal velocity waveform of the pump which synchronized the CH-VAD with the ventricle simulator of the MCS. Results CH-VAD under continuous flow mode could recover the hemodynamic parameters (arterial pressure and cardiac output) under HF condition to normal range. Preliminary pulsatile test results showed that amplitude of current pulse speed had a minor influence on the hemodynamic performance. CH-VAD under continuous flow and pulsatile flow mode could obtain comparable mean arterial pressure, systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure and mean flow. Conclusions CH-VAD can generate a certain degree of speed pulse via appropriate pulsatility control, so as to provide sufficient support on ventricular function. Further optimization on pulsatile controller of CH-VAD is required to conform to natural physiology. The developed MCS can be utilized as an effective and controllable in vitro platform for design, optimization and verification of VADs or other mechanical circulatory support devices.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy of reinforcing kidney and removing stasis combined with thalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma.Methods 120 patients with multiple myeloma from January 2011 to January 2015 in department of traditional Chinese medicine of the third hospital affiliated to Liaoning medical university were divided into two groups.The control group received VAD program ( vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone), and the observation group received reinforcing kidney and removing stasis combined with thalidomide on the basis of control group.All patients received treatment for four weeks of one course.Results After treatment, the total efficiency of observation group was higher than that of control group(75% vs.60%, P<0.05).Compared with control group, the M protein,plasmocyte count and osteoclasts count of observation group were lower, the osteoblast count of observation group was higher(P<0.05).The improvement rate of quality of life (KPS score) in observation group was higher than that in control group (70.00% vs.51.67%,P<0.05).The changes of renal function (serum creatinine, urea nitrogen) and adverse reaction in observation group were less than those in control group (P<0.05).Conclusion The reinforcing kidney and removing stasis combined with thalidomide has the significant effect in the treatment of multiple myeloma with fewer adverse reactions and higher quality of life after treatment.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy of PAD regimen (bortezomib, doxorubicin, dexamethasone) and VAD-like T regimen (vincristine, doxorubicin/doxorubicin derivatives, dexamethasone combined with thalidomide) in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Methods The efficacy of 54 patients with MM who received VAD like-T regimen and 72 patients with MM who were treated with PAD regimen, including complete remission (CR) rate, very good partial remission (VGPR) rate, overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse events, were retrospectively analyzed. Results The CR rate of PAD group was higher than that of VAD-like T group [31.5 % (23/72) vs. 9.3 % (5/54), χ2=0.30, P=0.002]. The VGPR rate and ORR of PAD group were not statistically higher than those of VAD-like T group [16.7 % (12/72) vs. 16.6 % (9/54), P=0.180; 82.2 %(65/72) vs. 81.5 % (44/54), P=0.190, respectively]. Median PFS of PAD group was significant longer than that of VAD-like T group [(38.2±2.2) months vs. (28.0±7.6) months, P=0.017]. The 3- and 5-year OS rates of PAD group were higher than those of VAD-like T group, but there were no significant differences between two groups (P>0.05). In terms of the adverse events, the incidence of peripheral neuropathy in PAD group was significantly higher than that of VAD-like T group [31.5 % (23/72) vs. 14.5 % (8/54), P=0.03]. Conclusions Compared with PAD protocol, the CR and median PFS of VAD-like T regimen are poor, however, VGPR,ORR, PFS and 5-year OS are similar between the two groups, and VAD-like T regimen is safer with low incidence of peripheral neuropathy. VAD-like T regimen as the first-line treatment is effective and well-tolerated, especially for newly diagnosed MM patients not suitable for transplantation and bortezomib.
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Patients with end-stage heart failure or cardiogenic shock experience unacceptably high mortality despite advances in treatment made over the past 50 years. The effects of vasoactive drugs used to manage cardiogenic shock may be limited, being highly dependent on "remaining" heart function. Mechanical circulatory support improves cardiac output independent of heart function. Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are the devices most commonly used in Korea. Despite frequent use, the utility of IABPs in acute myocardial patients remains controversial, whereas ECMO affords sufficient systemic perfusion pressure to reverse end-organ dysfunction. Both can only be used as acute treatments, thus as a bridge-to-recovery or a bridge-to-transplantation. Percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) such as TandemHeart(R) and Impella are not in use in Korea. Implanted LVADs improve long-term outcomes and may also serve as destination therapies. In the present manuscript, we briefly review percutaneous and implantable devices currently used in Korea for the management of advanced heart failure.