The effect of pH transition points of ultra-pH sensitive fluorescent nanoprobes on tumor imaging efficiency / 药学学报

During fluorescence-guided cancer surgery, ultra-pH sensitive (UPS) fluorescent nanoprobes has multiple advantages such as real-time imaging procedures, ultra-high imaging sensitivity as well as broad tumor detection specificity. UPS nanoprobes stay at "OFF" state at higher pH and turn into "ON" state at lower pH with emission of strong fluorescence. Moreover, the transition pH points (transition pH point, pHt) can be precisely controlled by structural-based strategy. One of the previously-reported UPS nanoprobes showed good imaging effect. However, it is still not clear about the effect of pHt on cancer imaging efficiency of UPS nanoprobes and to further identify the optimal UPS. In this study, we synthesized a series of UPS nanoprobes with pHt at 4.5, 6.2, 6.6, 7.8 by adjusting the hydrophobic blocks of UPS polymers. Each nanoprobe showed excellent stability in "OFF" state by dynamic light scattering and uniform morphology observed by transmission electron microscopy. In vitro imaging characterized the ultra-pH sensitive fluorescence transition of each probe. In vivo imaging results identified two UPS nanoprobes (NP-6.2 and NP-6.6) with superior tumor imaging effect. All animal experiments in this study were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Peking University Health Science Center and were strictly followed by the welfare regulations of laboratory animals of Peking University Health Science Center. Therefore, this study has explored the effect of pHt on the cancer imaging efficiency of UPS nanoprobes and provides a new idea for design of the other cancer microenvironment-responsive polymers.

68Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT integrating indocyanine green-guided salvage lymph node dissection for lymph node metastasis after radical prostatectomy / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

To efficiently remove all recurrent lymph nodes (rLNs) and minimize complications, we developed a combination approach that consisted of 68Gallium prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and integrated indocyanine green (ICG)-guided salvage lymph node dissection (sLND) for rLNs after radical prostatectomy (RP). Nineteen patients were enrolled to receive such treatment. 68Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT was used to identify rLNs, and 5 mg of ICG was injected into the space between the rectum and bladder before surgery. Fluorescent laparoscopy was used to perform sLND. While extensive LN dissection was performed at level I, another 5 mg of ICG was injected via the intravenous route to intensify the fluorescent signal, and laparoscopy was introduced to intensively target stained LNs along levels I and II, specifically around suspicious LNs, with 68Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT. Next, both lateral peritonea were exposed longitudinally to facilitate the removal of fluorescently stained LNs at levels III and IV. In total, pathological analysis confirmed that 42 nodes were rLNs. Among 145 positive LNs stained with ICG, 24 suspicious LNs identified with 68Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT were included. The sensitivity and specificity of 68Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT for detecting rLNs were 42.9% and 96.6%, respectively. For ICG, the sensitivity was 92.8% and the specificity was 39.1%. At a median follow-up of 15 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6-31) months, 15 patients experienced complete biochemical remission (BR, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] <0.2 ng ml-1), and 4 patients had a decline in the PSA level, but it remained >0.2 ng ml-1. Therefore, 68Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT integrating ICG-guided sLND provides efficient sLND with few complications for patients with rLNs after RP.

Effects of Speech Therapy in Group on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To observe the effect of speech therapy in group on children with autism spectrum disorders(ASD). Methods From July,2014 to July,2015,60 children with ASD were randomly divided into control group(n=30)and ex-perimental group(n=30).Both groups accepted regular rehabilitation training,while the experimental group ac-cepted speech therapy in group in addition,for six months.They were assessed with Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC)and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist(ATEC)before and after training,. Results The scores of ABC in both groups decreased after training(t>3.079,P<0.01),and decreased more in the experi-mental group(t=3.149,P<0.01).The score of Health/Physical/Behavior and total score of ATEC decreased in the control group(t>3.018,P<0.01),while the scores of all the items of ATEC decreased in the experimental group (t>2.498,P<0.05)after treatment.The scores of all the items of ATEC decreased more in the experimental group than in the control group(t>2.027,P<0.05). Conclusion The addition of speech therapy in group can further improve the behavior in children with ASD.

Combined analysis of CRMP4 methylation levels and CAPRA-S score predicts metastasis and outcomes in prostate cancer patients / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The present study analyzed the predictive value of combined analysis of collapsin response mediator protein 4 (CRMP4) methylation levels and the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA-S) Postsurgical score of patients who required adjuvant hormone therapy (AHT) after radical prostatectomy (RP). We retrospectively analyzed 305 patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who received RP and subsequent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Two hundred and thirty patients with clinically high-risk PCa underwent immediate ADT, and 75 patients with intermediate risk PCa underwent deferred ADT. CRMP4 methylation levels in biopsies were determined, and CAPRA-S scores were calculated. In the deferred ADT group, the values of the hazard ratios for tumor progression and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in patients with ≥15% CRMP4 methylation were 6.81 (95% CI: 2.34-19.80) and 12.83 (95% CI: 2.16-26.10), respectively. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that CRMP4 methylation levels ≥15% served as a significant prognostic marker of tumor progression and CSM. In the immediate ADT group, CAPRA-S scores ≥6 and CRMP4 methylation levels ≥15% were independent predictors of these outcomes (uni- and multi-variable Cox regression analyses). The differences in the 5-year progression-free survival between each combination were statistically significant. Combining CAPRA-S score and CRMP4 methylation levels improved the area under the curve compared with the CRMP4 or CAPRA-S model. Therefore, CRMP4 methylation levels ≥15% were significantly associated with a poor prognosis and their combination with CAPRA-S score accurately predicted tumor progression and metastasis for patients requiring AHT after RP.

Comparison of different biopharmaceutics classification systems (BCS) and discussion of its application / 中国药学杂志

Biopharmaceutics classification system is a classification theory based on the solubility and permeability of drugs. Besides its application in in vitro-in vivo correlation studies, it also plays an important role in understanding the properties of drugs, especially in the drug development and evaluation. Nowadays, the definition and classification criteria of BCSs are not unified, therefore the classifications of drugs vary in different data sources, which resulting in confusion in understanding of the properties of drugs and use of BCS data. In this review, we compared the BCSs adopted by three authoritative official agencies ie, FDA, WHO and EMA, and two unofficial organization/enterprise ie, FIP and TSRL company. The problems in the use of BCS were also discussed, which will be helpful to use BCS data more correction and effectively.

Downregulation of Notch-regulated Ankyrin Repeat Protein Exerts Antitumor Activities against Growth of Thyroid Cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The Notch-regulated ankyrin repeat protein (NRARP) is recently found to promote proliferation of breast cancer cells. The role of NRARP in carcinogenesis deserves extensive investigations. This study attempted to investigate the expression of NRARP in thyroid cancer tissues and assess the influence of NRARP on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and invasion in thyroid cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-four cases with thyroid cancer were collected from the Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between 2011 and 2012. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the level of NRARP in cancer tissues. Lentivirus carrying NRARP-shRNA (Lenti-NRARP-shRNA) was applied to down-regulate NRARP expression. Cell viability was tested after treatment with Lenti-NRARP-shRNA using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were determined by flow cytometry. Cell invasion was tested using Transwell invasion assay. In addition, expressions of several cell cycle-associated and apoptosis-associated proteins were examined using Western blotting after transfection. Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), or Kaplan-Meier were used to analyze the differences between two group or three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NRARP was highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissues. Lenti-NRARP-shRNA showed significantly inhibitory activities against cell growth at a multiplicity of infection of 10 or higher (P < 0.05). Lenti-NRARP-shRNA-induced G1 arrest (BHT101: 72.57% ± 5.32%; 8305C: 75.45% ± 5.26%) by promoting p21 expression, induced apoptosis by promoting bax expression and suppressing bcl-2 expression, and inhibited cell invasion by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Downregulation of NRARP expression exerts significant antitumor activities against cell growth and invasion of thyroid cancer, that suggests a potential role of NRARP in thyroid cancer targeted therapy.</p>

Total triterpenoids from Ganoderma Lucidum suppresses prostate cancer cell growth by inducing growth arrest and apoptosis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In this study, one immortalized human normal prostatic epithelial cell line (BPH) and four human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, 22Rv1, PC-3, and DU-145) were treated with Ganoderma Lucidum triterpenoids (GLT) at different doses and for different time periods. Cell viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle were analyzed using flow cytometry and chemical assays. Gene expression and binding to DNA were assessed using real-time PCR and Western blotting. It was found that GLT dose-dependently inhibited prostate cancer cell growth through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. GLT-induced apoptosis was due to activation of Caspases-9 and -3 and turning on the downstream apoptotic events. GLT-induced cell cycle arrest (mainly G1 arrest) was due to up-regulation of p21 expression at the early time and down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and E2F1 expression at the late time. These findings demonstrate that GLT suppresses prostate cancer cell growth by inducing growth arrest and apoptosis, which might suggest that GLT or Ganoderma Lucidum could be used as a potential therapeutic drug for prostate cancer.

Microsurgical transverse 2-suture intussusception vasoepididymostomy: effectiveness and rationality / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>2-Suture longitudinal vasoepididymostomy shows superiority to transverse technique in an animal study; to date, this has not been consistently confirmed in human body. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of 2-suture transverse intussusception vasoepididymostomy and compared the rationality between transverse and longitudinal techniques.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May 2007 to December 2008, we performed 2-suture transverse vasoepididymostomy in 19 consecutive patients, as described by Marmar with modification. Between March 2009 and January 2010, the internal diameter of the vas lumen and the outer diameter of the epididymal tube were measured using microruler (21 patients and 37 sides).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three patients lost to follow-up. At the first follow-up period (ranged from 10 to 24 months), the patency rate was 56.3% (9/16) and the natural pregnancy rate was 25% (4/16). At the second follow-up period (ranged from 46 to 63 months), the patency rate was 68.8% (11/16), the natural pregnancy rate was 37.5% (6/16), respectively, and the take-home baby rate was 31.3% (5/16). The diameter of the vas lumen and the outer diameter of the epididymal tubule were (0.512 ± 0.046) mm and (0.572 ± 0.051) mm (P < 0.001), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transverse 2-suture intussusception vasoepididymostomy is still an effective technique in treating obstructive azoospermia.</p>

Endovascular repair of a tuberculous aneurysm of descending thoracic aorta / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Tuberculous aortic aneurysm (TBAA) is an extremely rare clinical event with life-threatening implication. Management for this condition is challenging and its therapeutic option has not been yet established. A few recent reports described endovascular repair rather than open surgery as the method for treatment. Although this remains controversial, endovascular exclusion has been gaining acceptance for some surgeons. We present a case of TBAA who was treated by endovascular stent grafting for a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm with simultaneous anti-tuberculous medication. The outcome was favorable.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm: clinical features and long term outcome in comparison with atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) are rare but distinct clinical entities of atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysms (aAAAs). In this study we report a 20-year single institution experience for IAAA and analyze their clinical features and long term outcome in comparison with aAAA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between 1988 and 2008, 412 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) underwent elective surgical operations, 11 (2.7%) of whom were diagnosed as IAAAs and 389 (94.4%) were diagnosed as aAAAs. The former group was matched in a case control fashion to a group of 33 patients with aAAAs having similar characteristics of age, gender, and preoperative risk factors. All available clinical, pathologic, and postoperative variables were retrospectively reviewed, and the two groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The two groups did not differ significantly in clinical characteristics and preoperative risk factors, although patients with IAAAs were significantly more symptomatic (100% vs. 42.4%, P = 0.001) and had larger aneurysms on admission ((7.4 +/- 0.7) cm vs. (6.3 +/- 0.9) cm, P = 0.006). In IAAAs, the preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate was found to be significantly elevated compared to aAAA group ((44.5 +/- 9.1) mm/h vs. (11.4 +/- 5.4) mm/h, P < 0.05). Surgical morbidity and mortality rates did not differ between the two groups. The operation time for patients with IAAAs was significantly longer than that for patients with aAAAs ((308 +/- 36) minutes vs. (224 +/- 46) minutes, P < 0.05), but the cross-clamp time was similar in both groups ((41.5 +/- 6.2) minutes vs. (41.8 +/- 6.2) minutes, P = 0.92). A five-year survival rate analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.711).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Despite having more symptoms, larger size and longer operation time, patients with IAAA can now be treated with approaches that cause low morbidity and mortality, similar to patients with aAAA. Long term outcome of IAAA patients is of no difference from aAAA patients.</p>

Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in myocardial cells after Macleaya cordata alkaloids poisoning in rats / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in rat's myocardial cells after Macleaya cordata alkaloids poisoning, and to provide certain molecular biology references for the detection of Macleaya cordata alkaloids poisoning.@*METHODS@#Experimental model of Macleaya cordata alkaloids poisoning was established, the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in these cells were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the results were analyzed by computer image system.@*RESULTS@#The expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in myocardial cells in poisoning groups were much greater than those in the control groups (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#If the clinical symptoms may not be obvious, the detection of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins level by immunohistochemistry still could be ancillary method.

Early outcomes of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in Chinese aged patients with diabetes mellitus

To compare the early outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] in aged diabetic patients, and evaluate the affection of diabetes on the early outcomes of CABG in aged patients. The study took place in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated First People's Hospital, Shanghai, China, between January 2000 and July 2008. Five hundred and ninety-three elderly patients [age >/= 70-years-old], undergoing isolated CABG were retrospectively divided into diabetic group and non-diabetic group. We analyzed the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative variables of the 2 groups. The t-test, Chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the differences between the 2 groups of patients. There was no statistical difference of pre-operative and intraoperative variables between the 2 groups, except that there were more left main coronary artery diseases in the diabetic group. Values in the post-operative period such as morbidity, complications, and blood infusion had no differences between the 2 groups. Diabetes mellitus and age are not the risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Coronary artery bypass grafting in elderly patients is plausible. Furthermore, diabetic patients could get the same surgical results as those non-diabetic patients

Geographical variation of Glycyrrhiza uralensis seed germination character on water stress / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>We studied the licorice provenance rule under the manual simulative water stress conditions, discussed geographical variation pattern and the ecology mechanism and laid the theoretical basis for the licorice seed regionalization and the seed allocation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>On the spot we investigated and collected seed materials. Setting up water potential gradient by PEG, we observed the seed germination characteristic through the experiment of indoor germination.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The sensitivity of various provenance seed germinative energy show quite remarkable difference for water potential reducing. Along with geographic longitude increasing, the seed germinates variation sensitivity increasing gradually to the water stress. The results of climatic factors' correlation analysis indicated that provenance seed germinate energy to the water stress is sensitive, in which the annual average temperature is low and annual precipitation is abundant. But it is insensitive in which the annual precipitation is little, the annual average temperature, average temperature in July and the annual average ground temperature is high.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Under the water stress condition the licorice provenance seed germination characteristic exists remarkable geographical variation. Geographical variation is the result of natural selection.</p>

Effect of Astragalus on cytokines in patients undergoing heart valve replacement / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of astragalus (As) on cytokines in patients undergoing heart valve replacement (HVR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty patients undergoing HVR were randomized into the As group and the control group. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was set up routinely and to the As group, As injection (40 mL, 10 mL containing 2 g of crude drug) was added into the prime solution just before CPB. Blood samples were collected at different time points during and after CPB for cytokines determination, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and IL-10 by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the indexes measured were insignificantly different between groups before skin incision, they began to increase by the end of CPB (P < 0.05), reached the peak 3 h after CPB and then decreased gradually, TNF-alpha returned to the baseline level 24 h after operation. Meanwhile, levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 decreased obviously but still above the baseline. Comparisons between groups at different time points showed that levels of IL-6 were not different significantly (P > 0.05), those of IL-10 were higher at all time points, and TNF-alpha and IL-8 at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after CPB were significantly lower in the As group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Astragalus may decrease the inflammation cytokine promoting factors, and increase the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), so it could attenuate the inflammation reaction in patients after HVR.</p>

Study on geographical variation of morphologic and germination characteristic of different Glycyrrhiza uralensis provenance seeds / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the geographical variation of morphologic and germination characteristic of different Glycyrrhiza uralensis provenance seeds, approach the geographical variation mode and ecology mechanism, and laid theoretical foundation for districting and allocating of G. uralensis seeds.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Field investigation and laboratory analysis were applied. Seed shape and kilosseed weight were sampled randomly, germination rate germination force by general methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The morphologic characteristic of G. uralensis seeds showed roughly longitude variation tendency that the seeds increased gradually from west to east. While the germination characteristic showed roughly altitude variation tendency that the seeds germination rate and germination force increased with the increase of the altitude, and the average germination rate was the same with the seeds morphologic characteristic. The results of analysis correlated with the climatic factors show that the morphologic characteristic of G. uralensis was positive correlated with annual rain-fall of the habitat, and the germination rate was quickened by drought, high temperature and strong sunshine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The morphologic and germination characteristic and of G. uralensis seeds present distinguished geographical variation, and the formation of the variation was related to the ecological environment in which the seed provenance adapted.</p>

cDNA Cloning of Maize Protein Kinase Gene ZmLRRPK1 and Its Expression Analysis / 中国生物工程杂志

Abstract LRR-RLKs plays an important role in multiple signal transduction in plant.One full-length cDNA encoding a LRR-RLKs homologue was isolated from maize through in silico cloning and named as ZmLRRPK1(GenBank accession:EU873320).The predicted ZmLRRPK1 protein has 594 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 66kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.42.ZmLRRPK1 has the typical domain of LRR-RLKs.RT-PCR analysis indicated that ZmLRRPK1 expression was induced by ABA,mannitol and salt in coleoptiles of maize and kept high level during 24 hours.

A Report on the Third Revision of Combined Raven's Test(CRT-C3) for Children in China / 中国临床心理学杂志

Objective;To revise the third time the norm of Combined Raven's Test(CRT-C2) applied for 10 years by standardized sampling.Methods;According to the population distribution of national survey in 2001,sampling was chosen from 17 provinces of 6 administration districts.The range of each age group was one year(male;female 1;1).It was designed to have 240 children in each age group,from 7 to 16 years old in city and 7-14 years old in rural areas,with original CRT text book and instruction.Results;The averages of raw score among age groups had an obviously increase along with the age.The differences of same age group between city and countryside were showed significance.However,no difference of gender among all age groups was founded.The Cronbach's coefficient,reliability of re-test and split-half of rural children were 0.94,0.88 and 0.91 respectively.The correlation coefficients of test scores with the performances of Chinese and mathematics subject were 0.35 and 0.40.Conclusion;Two age norms of city(CRT-CC3)and countryside(CRT-RC3)were established based on new standardized sampling.

Analysis of the risk factors of acute renal insufficiency following coronary artery bypass grafting / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the risk factors of acute renal insufficiency (ARI) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinic data of 2242 patients undertaking CABG between July 1997 and July 2006 were retrospectively analyzed, and ARI following CABG was included.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ARI occurred in 219 patients, with an incidence of 9.8%. Univariate analysis revealed that advanced age, diabetes mellitus, preoperative chronic renal dysfunction, left main disease, low left ventricular erection faction, emergency operation, on-pump CABG, ascending aortic atherosclerosis, postoperative respiratory function insufficiency and low cardiac output syndrome were significantly related to ARI following CABG, and logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that presence of advanced age (P = 0.031), preoperatively chronic renal dysfunction (CrCl <or= 60 ml/min, P = 0.023 or Scr >or= 150 micromol/L, P = 0.041), on-pump CABG (P < 0.001), postoperative respiratory function insufficiency (P = 0.013) and low cardiac output syndrome (P = 0.004) were independent risk factors of ARI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Advanced age, preoperatively chronic renal dysfunction, on-pump CABG, postoperative respiratory function insufficiency and low cardiac output syndrome are the risk factors of ARI following CABG.</p>

Significance of changes in transforming growth factor-beta mRNA levels in autogenous vein grafts / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>This study was designed to investigate changes in mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), collagen I, and collagen III in autogenous vein grafts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 rabbits each. The external jugular veins of the New Zealand rabbits were harvested and grafted into the ipsilateral carotid artery. All rabbits were fed with a standard diet. After the operation, the rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks. TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III mRNA levels in the venous grafts were measured by semiquantitative methods at every time point. The contralateral external jugular veins were also harvested and analyzed as controls. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was used as an internal standard to normalize all samples for potential variations in mRNA content. In order to observe the expression of TGF-beta protein, immunohistochemical SABC methods were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One week postoperation, the mRNA level of TGF-beta was upregulated to 1.73 +/- 0.19 in the vein graft and 1.21 +/- 0.16 in the control vein (P < 0.01). High mRNA levels were maintained until week 4 postoperation. The mRNA levels of collagen I and collagen III were also significantly increased to 2.18 +/- 0.21 versus 1.12 +/- 0.24 and 1.08 +/- 0.13 versus 0.83 +/- 0.12, respectively (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed a higher density of TGF-beta expression in the vein grafts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>An uninterrupted increase in mRNA levels of TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III is observed in autogenous vein grafts. This increase may be the major cause of intimal hyperplasia, sclerosis, and even graft failure.</p>

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients over the age of seventy / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the choice of surgical methods and the safety and efficacy of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in elderly patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Sept. 1997 to Feb. 2003, 63 cases over the age of seventy (including seventy) undertook OPCAB in our department. We compared the clinical data of those patients with that of 94 cases undertook conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at the same age group and that of 58 cases younger than seventy received OPCAB.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical outcomes of OPCAB is better than that of CABG in elderly patients concerning inotropic drug, postoperative transfusion, re-operation, intubation time, complications incidence and in-hospital mortality. Furthermore, there is no significant difference of complication incidence and in-hospital mortality between the elderly OPCAB group and the younger OPCAB group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>OPCAB is a safe and efficacious method of myocardial revascularization in the elderly.</p>