Early effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and factors related to early outcome in adult patients with fulminant myocarditis / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy within the first 24 h post extracorporeal membrane pulmonary oxygenation (ECMO) and the impact of early efficacy on the prognosis of adult patients with fulminant myocarditis (FM). Methods: This retrospective case analysis study included hospitalized patients (age≥18 years) who were diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis from November 2016 to May 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Patients were divided into survival or non-survival groups according to treatment outcomes. The age, sex, treatments, drug use, ECMO use, clinical and laboratory data (before and 24 h after the use of ECMO) were analyzed. The change rate of clinical and laboratory data after 24 h use of ECMO was calculated to find differences between two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors with in-hospital death and complication between the two groups. Results: A total of 38 FM patients treated with ECMO were included. There were 23 cases (60.5%) in the survival group, aged (39.6±13.7) years, and 17 (73.9%) cases were female. The total ECMO time was (134.4±71.3)h. There were 15 cases (39.5%) in non-survival group, aged (40.0±15.8) years, and there were 12(80.0%) female, the ECMO time was (120.1±72.4) h in this group. The proportion of tracheal intubation and continuous renal replacement therapy in the survivor group and dosage of norepinephrine within 24 h after ECMO implantation were significantly less than in non-survival group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in all efficacy related biochemical indexes between two groups before ECMO use. The levels of lactic acid, procalcitonin, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin I and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide prosoma were significantly less in survival group than in non-survival group at 24 h after the use of ECMO (all P<0.05). Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher 24 h change rate of creatinine (OR=0.587, 95%CI 0.349-0.986, P=0.044) and creatine kinase-MB (OR=0.177, 95%CI 0.037-0.841, P=0.029) were positively correlated with reduced risk of in-hospital mortality. The central hemorrhage and acute kidney injury in survival group were less than in non-survivor group (P<0.05). Conclusions: After 24 h early use of ECMO in FM patients, the improvement of various efficacy related biochemical test indexes in the survival group was better than that in the non-survival group. Faster reduction of creatine kinase-MB and creatinine values within 24 h ECMO use is positively correlated with reduced risk of in-hospital mortality in adult patients with FM.

Mouse strain-specific responses of mitochondrial respiratory function and cardiac hypertrophy to isoproterenol treatment / 生理学报

Cardiac hypertrophy is a common pathological process of various cardiovascular diseases and eventually develops into heart failure. This paper was aimed to study the different pathological characteristics exhibited by different mouse strains after hypertrophy stimulation. Two mouse strains, A/J and FVB/nJ, were treated with isoproterenol (ISO) by osmotic pump to induce cardiac hypertrophy. Echocardiography was performed to monitor heart morphology and function. Mitochondria were isolated from hearts in each group, and oxidative phosphorylation function was assayed in vitro. The results showed that both strains showed a compensatory enhancement of heart contractile function after 1-week ISO treatment. The A/J mice, but not the FVB/nJ mice, developed significant cardiac hypertrophy after 3-week ISO treatment as evidenced by increases in left ventricular posterior wall thickness, heart weight/body weight ratio, cross sectional area of cardiomyocytes and cardiac hypertrophic markers. Interestingly, the heart from A/J mice contained higher mitochondrial DNA copy number compared with that from FVB/nJ mice. Functionally, the mitochondria from A/J mice displayed faster O

Related factors of left ventricular thrombus formation within two weeks in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and left ventricular aneurysm / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the related factors of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) formation within two weeks in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and left ventricular aneurysm (LVA). Methods: Consecutive inpatients with acute STEMI and left ventricular aneurysm, hospitalized from January 2014 to June 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into LVT group and non-LVT group according to the presence or absence of LVT. The clinical data, echocardiography findings, coronary angiography and treatments were compared between the two groups. Subgroup analysis was performed on the patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Onset to door, door to balloon, onset to balloon time were also compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of LVT formation early post STEMI in enrolled patients. The effects of each index in multivariate logistic regression analysis were illustrated in the forest plot. Results: A total of 144 patients were included, there were 52 cases (36.1%) in LVT group, the age was (56.4±11.2) years, and 46 (88.5%) cases were male. There were 92 cases (63.9%) in non-LVT group, the age was (61.7±11.5) years, and there were 73 (79.3%) males in this group. The patients in LVT group were younger than those in non-LVT group, the proportion of anemia, history of heavy drinking, history of chronic kidney disease, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%, preoperative thrombosis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) blood flow grade 0 and postoperative TIMI blood flow grade ≤2 were significantly higher in LVT group than those in non-LVT group (all P<0.05). The incidence of history of angina, collateral circulation of the coronary arteries, primary PCI or venous thrombolysis were significantly lower in LVT group than those in non-LVT group (all P<0.05). The percentage of anti-platelet therapy and anticoagulant therapy was similar between the two groups (all P˃0.05). Subgroup analysis in patients undergoing primary PCI showed that onset to door, door to balloon, onset to balloon time were similar between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and forest plot showed that history of heavy drinking (OR=6.982, 95%CI 1.501-32.469, P=0.013), anemia (OR=3.373, 95%CI 1.075-10.585, P=0.037), LVEF≤40% (OR=3.016, 95%CI 1.027-8.859, P=0.045), preoperative TIMI blood flow grade 0 (OR=3.311, 95%CI 1.214-9.029, P=0.019) were positively correlated with LVT in patients with acute STEMI and LVA. History of angina (OR=0.159, 95%CI 0.058-0.441, P<0.001), collateral circulation of the coronary arteries (OR=0.189, 95%CI 0.053-0.673, P=0.010), primary PCI or venous thrombolysis (OR=0.252, 95%CI 0.093-0.682, P=0.007) were negatively correlated with LVT in patients with acute STEMI and LVA. Conclusions: History of heavy drinking, anemia, LVEF ≤40%, preoperative TIMI blood flow grade 0 are associated with increased risk of the LVT in patients with acute STEMI and LVA at early stage of the disease. However, history of angina, collateral circulation of the coronary arteries, primary PCI or venous thrombolysis are associated with lower risk of the LVT in these patients.

Effect of strains and parts on amino acids of Dendrobium officinale / 中国中药杂志

The aim of the paper is to reveals the variations of Dendrobium officinale amino acids in different strains and parts for breeding excellent varieties, and providing scientific basis for the expanding of medicinal or edible parts. The contents of 17 amino acids in 11 strains of D. officinale were determined by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis method. The total amino acids content of leaves was from 6.76 to 7.97 g per 100 g, and the stems was from 1.61 to 2.44 g per 100 g. As the content of amino acids in leaves was significantly higher than that of stems, and the composition was close to the ideal protein standard proposed by FAO/WHO. The leaves of D. officinale had the good prospect for the development of functional foods. The 9 x 66 strain which with high yield and polysaccharide content had the highest amino acids content both in stems and leaves, indicated crossbreeding could improve the quality of varieties. Compared the amino acids content of D. officinale in two main harvest periods, the harvest time has a significant impact on amino acids content of D. officinale. This study demonstrates that the harvesting time of D. officinale stems is suitable for leaves as well, which is the period before bolssom.

Effects of tree species on polysaccharides content of epiphytic Dendrobium officinale / 中国中药杂志

To reveals the effects of tree species on polysaccharides content of epiphytic Dendrobium officinale. The polysaccharides content of D. officinale attached to living tress in wild or stumps in bionic-facility was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method. There were extremely significant differences of polysaccharides content of D. officinale attached to different tree species, but the differences had no relationship with the form and nutrition of barks. The polysaccharides content of D. officinale mainly affected by the light intensity of environment, so reasonable illumination favored the accumulation of polysaccharides. Various polysaccharides content of D. officinal from different attached trees is due to the difference of light regulation, but not the form and nutrition of barks.

Variation of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts content of Dendrobium officinale / 中国中药杂志

To reveal the variation of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extract contents of Dendrobium officinale, the polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts contents of three D. officinale strains were determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method and hot-dip method, respectively. The results showed that the contents of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts and their total content were significantly different among D. officinale samples collected in different periods, and the variations were closely related to the phenology of D. officinale. Additionally, the quality variation of polysaccharides was closely related to the flowering of D. officinale, while the alcohol-soluble extracts was closely associated to the formation and germination of buds. According to the dynamic variation of these two compounds, it is more reasonable to harvest D. officinale at biennials pre-bloom than at specific harvesting month considering polysaccharides content. It is better to harvest before the germination of buds considering alcohol-soluble extracts. While with regards to both polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extract, it is better to harvest this plant at the period from the sprouting to pre-bloom next year.

Quantitive variation of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts in F1 generation of Dendrobium officinale / 中国中药杂志

Using phenol-sulfuric acid method and hot-dip method of alcohol-soluble extracts, the contents of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts in 11 F1 generations of Dendrobium officinale were determined. The results showed that the polysaccharides contents in samples collected in May and February were 32.89%-43.07% and 25.77%-35.25%, respectively, while the extracts contents were 2.81%-4.85% and 7.90%-17.40%, respectively. They were significantly different among families. The content of polysaccharides in offspring could be significantly improved by hybridization between parents with low and high polysaccharides contents, and the hybrid vigor was obvious. Cross breeding was an effective way for breeding new varieties with higher polysaccharides contents. Harvest time would significantly affect the contents of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts. The contents of polysaccharides in families collected in May were higher than those of polysaccharides in families collected in February, but the extracts content had the opposite variation. The extents of quantitative variation of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts were different among families, and each family had its own rules. It would be significant in giving full play to their role as the excellent varieties and increasing effectiveness by studying on the quantitative accumulation regularity of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts in superior families (varieties) of D. officinale to determine the best harvesting time.

Increased interleukin-23 is associated with increased disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is thought to be central to the development of autoimmune diseases. This study was conducted to determine whether or not the serum concentration of IL-23 is elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to determine the relationship between the IL-23 level and disease activity in RA patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum samples were obtained from 59 patients with RA and 30 healthy controls. The clinical parameters of disease activity were determined, including the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) levels, and the degree of bony erosions based on X-rays. The levels of IL-23 and IL-17 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlations between the serum levels of IL-23 and disease activity parameters of patients with RA were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum IL-23 level was significantly elevated in patients with RA compared to healthy controls. The serum IL-23 levels in the RA patients correlated with IL-17 and CRP levels, and the DAS28. The levels of IL-23 based on X-ray classification phase I, II, III, and IV were gradually elevated in RA patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The levels of serum IL-23 in RA patients were higher than in healthy controls. Thus, elevated serum IL-23 levels may be useful markers to detect active RA. In addition, IL-23 is involved in disease progression and bony erosions in patients with RA.</p>

Field experiment of F1 generation and superior families selection of Dendrobium officinale / 中国中药杂志

Based on randomized block design of experiment, agronomic traits and yields of 14 F1 generations of Dendrobium officinale were determined. The results showed that the differences in agronomic traits and yields among families were significant, and the hybrid vigor was obvious. Families of 6b x 2a, 9 x 66 and 78 x 69 were selected with the remarkable superiority of yields, agronomic traits and product customization. Correlation analysis between agronomic traits and yields showed that plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, blade length and blade width were all significantly correlated with biological yields and economic yields. Among which, stem diameter, leaf number and blade length were the most significant, and an optimal linear regression model could be established. When the number of shoots was fewer than 4.5, both biological yields and economic yields increased with the increasing number of shoots, but it could not much affect yields when the number of shoots was larger than 4.5. Shoots number, stem diameter and leaf index were basic stability when compared biennial traits to annual, which could be used for early selection.

Coexisting ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis: a case report with literature review / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

A 30-year-old female patient with coexisting ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed and treated. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 is a predisposing factor of ankylosing spondylitis and HLA-DR4 is a predisposing factor of rheumatoid arthritis. This patient was HLA-B27 and HLA-DR4 positive, and ankylosing spondylitis manifested before rheumatoid arthritis. After disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs successfully arrested ankylosing spondylitis activity the patient conceived and delivered a healthy baby. One year later, she developed peripheral polyarthritis and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. We hypothesized that pregnancy may be one of the environmental factors that can activate rheumatoid arthritis, and that disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs play an important role in keeping the disease under control.

Changes in serum levels of soluble osteoclast-associated receptor in human rheumatoid arthritis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR) is a member of the newly identified leukocyte receptor complex, and has recently been described as a key molecule in osteoclastogenesis. In this study, we measured the levels of soluble osteoclast-associated receptor (sOSCAR) in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls to examine whether sOSCAR may play a role in the process of inflammatory arthritis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of sOSCAR in the serum of 40 healthy controls and 40 RA patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum levels of sOSCAR were significantly lower in RA patients than in healthy controls, and were inversely associated with inflammatory activity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>sOSCAR is decreased in patients with RA and reduced levels of the protein are associated with increased inflammatory response.</p>