Safety and efficacy of levosimendan in patients with acute heart failure: a prospective, multicenter, and observational study / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the indication, effectiveness, tolerance, and safety of levosimendan in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in 20 hospitals in Beijing, China.Methods:This prospective, observational, and multicenter study consecutively enrolled AHF patients who were treated with levosimendan at 20 hospitals in Beijing from April 2020 to March 2022. Baseline demographics, laboratory parameters, clinical presentation, concomitant diseases and medications were collected. After initiation of levosimendan, levosimendan administration, laboratory parameter pre- and post-administration, symptoms improvement, and adverse events were also collected.Results:Totally 800 AHF patients were included, 67% of whom were male, aged (65 ±17) years, 50% of whom had ischemic heart disease, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was (36±11)%. The dose of levosimendan was (11.84 ±2.11) mg and the mean infusion time was (1 450±307) min. Dyspnea was improved in 83.4% of AHF patients at 24 h after treatment. The level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) significantly decreased from 689 (406-1509) pg/mL to 410 (156-697) pg/mL in all patients at 24-72 h after treatment ( P<0.001), and the level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) decreased from 6910 (3 715-13 914) pg/mL to 2 851 (1 288-6 191) pg/mL ( P<0.001). Meanwhile, LVEF level also improved significantly [(40±11)% vs. (36±11)%, P<0.001]. During levosimendan administration, adverse events occurred in 74 (9.3%) patients, including hypotension (5.9%), arrhythmia (1.9%), and other symptoms (1.1%). Among them, 7 patients ( 2 patients with hypotension and 5 patients with ventricular tachycardia) interrupted levosimendan administration. Conclusions:The use of levosimendan is safe, and can improve symptoms reduce BNP or NT-pro BNP levels and increase LVEF level in AHF patients.

Effect evaluation of PBL and LBL combined teaching method in teaching the skeletal motor system diseases / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of combined problem-based learning (PBL) and lecture-based learning (LBL) on the teaching of skeletal motor system diseases for eight-year clinical medicine program students.Methods:The clinical eight-year medical students from Batch 2014 and 2015 participating in the teaching of "osteoarthritis" in the course of Skeletal Motor System Diseases in West China Clinical Medical College of Sichuan University were divided into control group (60 students) and experimental group (82 students). The control group was taught by LBL teaching method, while the experimental group was taught by PBL+LBL teaching method. A questionnaire survey was conducted to retrospectively analyze the teaching effects, including learning enthusiasm, knowledge understanding, thinking ability, teamwork ability, practical ability, self-learning ability and teacher-student relationship, as well as the evaluation of teaching satisfaction. The SPSS 22.0 software was used for t test and chi-square test. Results:The survey results showed that students in the experimental group were significantly superior to those in the control group in such aspects as learning enthusiasm (8.00±1.61 vs. 7.28±1.98), knowledge understanding (8.02±1.59 vs. 7.33±1.79), thinking ability (8.34±1.66 vs. 7.42±1.90), teamwork ability (8.32±1.76 vs. 6.60±2.79), practical ability (7.70±1.69 vs. 6.87 ± 2.57), self-learning ability (8.05±1.65 vs. 7.35±2.48) and teacher-student relationship (7.96±1.75 vs. 7.25±2.10), with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Meanwhile, the PBL+LBL group was more satisfied with the teaching mode than the LBL group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The application of PBL+LBL teaching method in clinical medicine eight-year program course teaching of "osteoarthritis" in Skeletal Motor System Diseases can effectively improve the learning enthusiasm of students, improve the quality of education, and obtain good teaching effect.

The predictive value of the CHA 2DS 2-VASc score for in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction: China PEACE-retrospective acute myocardial infarction study / 中华内科杂志

Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the CHA 2DS 2-VASc score for in-hospital outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods:Data of 23 728 patients from the China patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of cardiac Events (China PEACE)Retrospective Acute Myocardial Infarction Study were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the CHA 2DS 2-VASc scores: the low score group (score 1-3), the middle score group (score 4-6) and the high score group (score 7-9). The in-hospital outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), death, death or withdrawal from treatment, reinfarction, ischemic stroke,etc. The CHA 2DS 2-VASc score was incorporated into multivariate Cox regression analyses to determine its independent impact on in-hospital outcomes. Receiver operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of the CHA 2DS 2-VASc score for in-hospital mortality and death or withdrawal from treatment, respectively. Results:The patients had a median age of 66 (56,75) years, and 30.7% of them were females. Patients with higher CHA 2DS 2-VASc scores had a higher in-hospital mortality and more in-hospital complications (all P<0.001). After adjustment of baseline covariates, the subjects in the high score group were associated with high risks of in-hospital mortality ( OR=6.13, 95% CI 4.77-7.87, P<0.001), death or treatment withdrawal ( OR=6.43, 95% CI 5.16-8.00, P<0.001) and MACE ( OR=4.94, 95% CI 4.06-6.01, P<0.001). The AUCs of the CHA 2DS 2-VASc score were comparable with those of the mini-global registry of acute coronary events(mini-GRACE)score in evaluation of in-hospital mortality (0.699 vs. 0.696, P=0.752) and the death or treatment withdrawal risk (0.708 vs. 0.713, P=0.489). Conclusions:The CHA 2DS 2-VASc score is an independent predictor of in-hospital outcomes for patients with AMI. Its predictive value was comparable with the mini-GRACE score, which could be used as a simple tool for early and rapid outcome evaluation for AMI patients.

Exploration and practice of developing top-notch innovative medical personnel based on research-oriented hospital with thick cultivation culture / 中华医学教育探索杂志

In response to the major national strategic needs of "Healthy China" and "Innovation-Driven Development", Sichuan University, as a pilot university of "Excellent Doctor Education and Training Plan-Top Innovative Medical Personnel Training", has been exploring the training strategies since 2012. On the basis of the international theory of "The Third Generation of Medical Education based on Health System", we have innovatively put forward the new era of "Med+" education theory based on research-oriented hospitals (with medical/research/translational facility) and the two-level training paradigm from "cultivating professionalism" to "notch up to top" by planting three cultures. We have also developed a competency training system of "Five Integrated Curricula and Five Teaching & Learning Strategies". We have shifted from "didactic teaching" to "formative learning", edifying excellent doctors with "professionalism culture". We have initiated two kinds of top-notch plans, constructed a "1+2+3" innovation and entrepreneurship education system, explored "transformative learning" to incubate compound top-notch personnel with "innovative culture", opened up a "school-hospital unified" administrative system, built a PDCA closed-loop of quality control supported by mobile technology, and recast the "quality culture" to ensure shifting from "cultivating professionalism" to "notch up to top".

Classification and reconstruction of complex defects after lateral facial tumor surgery / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To explore the classification and reconstruction strategy of defects in lateral face region after operation of malignant tumors. Methods: Eighteen cases with the reconstruction of complicated defects after resection of tumors in the region of lateral face from January 2015 to January 2018 in Hunan Cancer Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. There were 14 males and 4 females, aged from 32 to 68 years. According to the presence or absence of bony scaffold, complicated defects were divided into two main categories: soft tissue perforating defects and soft tissue defects combined with bony scaffold defects. All soft tissue perforating defects in 5 cases were repaired with free anterolateral femoral flaps. Among 13 cases with soft tissue plus bony scaffold defects, 3 were repaired with free fibular flaps, 6 with free fibular flaps combined with free anterolateral femoral flaps, and 4 with chimeric deep circumflex iliac artery perforator flaps combined with anterolateral femoral flaps. Results: All flaps survived well. Two patients complicated with fistula in floor of mouth, but the wound healed after dressing change. Transoral feeding was resumed within 2 weeks after surgery in all patients. One year follow-up evaluation showed that 14 cases had symmetrical face and 10 cases had mouth opening more than 3 transverse fingers. After 36-50 months of follow-up, 6 patients died, with an overall 3-year survival rate of 66.7%. Conclusion: The classification of defects with or without bony stent loss is conducive to the overall repair design, the recovery of facial contour stent, the effective fill of dead space and the maintain of residual occlusal relationship. Good reconstruction results require a multi flap combination of osteocutaneous and soft tissue flaps.

Research on innovative training model of medical undergraduate talents combining teaching and research / 中华医学教育探索杂志

The combination of teaching and research is an innovative training mode of medical undergraduate education in the new era, which aims to play the interaction of teaching with research, and promote this model while driving the innovation of the curriculum teaching system, thus propelling the medical undergraduate education in China to a new level. On the premise that basic teaching is fully guaranteed, in order to better construct and popularize the innovative mode, students, teachers and schools need to communicate and integrate repeatedly, and carry out the innovation training of scientific research throughout the whole process of medical undergraduate education. Students need to establish correct research values, teachers should renew their educational concepts and improve their sense of responsibility during the training of innovative medical undergraduate talents, and schools need to strengthen the supervision of students' scientific research and innovation activities and continuously improve relevant systems.

Evaluation of the current situation of English courses in eight-year M.D. program and prospect of reform — taking Sichuan University as an example / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To investigate the current situation and underlying problems of English courses in general education for eight-year M.D. Program and to put forward possible solutions.Method:s We investigated and interviewed teachers from West China Medical Center who teaches bilingual courses and teachers from College of Foreign Languages and Cultures along with faculty in Education Ministry of Sichuan University, analyzed the problems in English courses and explored measures for improvement.Result:s The emphasis students put on English course is satisfactory, but teachers still claim that few students participate actively in class. Therefore, the efficiency of English course should be improved.Conclusion:The current status of English course is not ideal, which can be attributed to both teachers and students, so future schemes should be based on these two perspectives.

Analysis and consideration based on first classical prescriptions / 中国中药杂志

Classical prescriptions are precious wealth left by ancient Chinese medical scientists. Moreover,they are also the important part of the treasure-house in Chinese medicine. Classical prescriptions have a long and rich history for human-use in China and play an important role in keeping people healthy. The state administration of traditional medicine of China published the Catalogue of Classical Prescriptions(first batch) in 2018. This measure has inspired the enthusiasm of Chinese medicine manufacturers to study ancient classical prescriptions and develop classical compound prescriptions. Based on the first batch of classical prescriptions, the dosage forms, sources, prescription components, decocting degree, use of toxic drugs and processing methods of classical prescriptions. The results showed that most of the classical prescriptions in the first batch were decoction and boiled powder,while only four of them were powder and paste forms,all of which were originated from representative classics in the past dynasties. The dosage and decocting degree of decoction were greater than those of boiled powder. The dosage and decocting degree of decoction in Han and Tang Dynasties was close to that in Ming and Qing Dynasties,higher than that in Song and Jin Dynasties. Moreover,the average number of herbs in the prescriptions in Han Dynasty was the smallest. The use of toxic traditional Chinese medicine was the most frequent in Han Dynasty, and Pinellia ternata was the most common toxic medicine. There were various processing methods, including cleansing, cutting, stir-frying, roasting and so on. In this paper, the dosage forms of traditional paste, the time concept of decoction in the ancient times, the traditional roasting method and the processing method of toxic drugs were summarized to provide ideas and reference for further development of classical prescriptions.

Preparation and quality evaluation of levocarnitine thermosensitive in situ gel / 药学学报

In this paper, a new type of preparation for treatment of initial dry eye disease, thermosensitive in situ gel, was prepared using levocarnitine as a model drug. Poloxamer 407 and poloxamer 188 were used as the gel matrix, and sodium hyaluronate and sodium carboxymethylcellulose were used as bioadhesive materials. Gelation temperature was determined by a rotor method and the prescription was optimized by central composite design-response surface methodology. The pH value, viscosity value and gelation temperature of the optimal prescription were measured. The release of the drug in vitro was examined by dialysis membrane permeation, and retention time of the thermosensitive in situ gel preparation on the rabbit's ocular surface was observed by a slit lamp microscope. The results showed that the dosage of the poloxamer 407 and poloxamer 188 were 20.81% and 3.46%, respectively, and sodium hyaluronate was 0.02%, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose was 0.10% of the optimal formulation of levocarnitine thermosensitive in situ gel. The pH value was 6.90 ± 0.06 at room temperature and the viscosity value started to rise sharply at 27 ℃ of the optimal formulation. The gelation temperature of the optimal preparation before and after dilution by simulated tear fluid were (26.37 ± 0.06) ℃ and (33.57 ± 0.21) ℃, respectively. In the first 240 min, in vitro release rate per unit area of levocarnitine thermosensitive in situ gel was lower than that of solution (P<0.05), and after 600 min, the cumulative release rate of levocarnitine thermosensitive in situ gel could reach more than 80%. The retention time of the thermosensitive in situ gel preparation on rabbit's ocular surface reached about 25 min, at least 5 times as much as that of the solution. The animal experiment was conducted following the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the use of experimental animals, and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Experimental Animal Center of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The levocarnitine thermosensitive in situ gel showed good characteristics and sustained release property and significantly improved the retention time of the drug on the rabbit's ocular surface.

Prevalence and clinical features of familial hypercholesterolemia in Chinese patients with myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective@#To analyze the prevalence and clinical features of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Chinese patients with myocardial infarction (MI).@*Method@#This retrospective study recruited a total of 2 119 consecutive patients (age (56.7±10.9) years old) undergoing coronary angiography with first MI from April 2011 to December 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups: premature MI (male<55 years old, female<60 years old) and non-premature MI. The diagnosis of FH was established according to Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) diagnostic criteria and referred as definite/probable FH in our study. The prevalence and clinical features of FH, including lipid level, MI characteristics and stain therapy, were explored. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the predictive value of FH for the presence of premature MI.@*Results@#The prevalence of definite/probable FH was 3.68% (78/2 119) in MI patients and 7.28% (68/934) in premature MI patients. Onset of MI occurred 10 years earlier in patients with definite/probable FH than those without FH ((47.9±9.4) years vs. (58.8±10.7) years, P<0.01). Additionally, we found that the risk of premature MI was significantly and independently increased in definite/probable FH patients (OR=5.32, 95%CI 2.77-10.22, P<0.01). None of FH patients reached the target of LDL-C<1.8 mmol/L under statin therapy.@*Conclusions@#The prevalence of FH in Chinese patients with MI is not rare. Clinically, FH is linked with the early onset of MI.

Correlation Study Between Plasma Level of Pro-protein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 and Coronary Artery Calcification / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To investigate the relationship between plasma level of pro-protein convertase subtilisin kexin type9 (PCSK9) and coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods: A total of 380 consecutive chest pain patients without lipid-lowering therapy were enrolled. All patients received CT scan and coronary artery calcification (CAC) score measurement and were divided into 2 groups: CAC group, n=156 patients with CAC score>0 and Non-CAC group, n=224 patients with CAC score=0. CAC group was further classified in 3 subgroups as CAC score (1-100) subgroup, n=53, CAC score (101-400) subgroup, n=64 and CAC score>400 subgroup, n=39. Clinical data was collected, plasma levels of PCSK9 were measured in all patients and the relationship between PCSK9 and CAC score was investigated. Results: Plasma PCSK9 level in CAC group was higher than Non-CAC group (260.23±69.34) ng/ml vs (205.46±53.21) ng/ml, P<0.001; alone with CAC score increasing, PCSK9 level was elevating accordingly as in CAC score (1-100) subgroup, CAC score (101-400) subgroup and CAC score>400 subgroup, PCSK9 levels were (247.38±72.68) ng/ml, (264.87±57.63) ng/ml and (295.33±69.06) ng/ml respectively, all P<0.05. With adjusted traditional cardiovascular risk factors, multivariate regression analysis confirmed that plasma PCSK9 level was independently related to CAC score (β=0.584, P=0.002). In addition, the optimal cut-off value for PCSK9 predicting CAC was 228.58 ng/ml with sensitivity at 67% and specificity at 71%. Conclusion: Plasma PCSK9 level was related to CAC in chest pain patients without lipid-lowering therapy.

An evaluation of the present situation of bilingual teaching in eight-year M.D.program and a vista for possible reformative schemes / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Bilingual teaching is a necessary product in the field of both English teaching and professional courses teaching induced directly by a purpose to catch up with international education level during the process of educational reforms.Yet few researches launched to study possible ways which may improve the curriculum model have been reported in the last five years.In order to follow up the previous studies and present fresh ideas as well as conclusions,this survey reflects the current status of bilingual teaching in eight-year M.D.program from the perspectives of both the teachers and students via questionnaire analysis together with face to face interviews.Moreover,our survey expresses underlying deficiencies of this teaching system from brand-new aspects which have never been discussed before along with their corresponding solutions objectively.

Exploration of video-based medical humanity course for clinical medical students / 中华医学教育探索杂志

According to the standards of undergraduate medical education, humanistic education has been gradually attached great importance in medical schools. To explore education of medical humani-ties, our school carried out a new course for clinical medical students, which combined video-based learn-ing, problem-based learning (PBL) and group discussion together. This article introduces the background, teaching design, practice and assessment of the course, and also summaries the strengths and limitations, put forward solutions to specific problems. Through our study, new course has been proved to be helpful to improve both the medical humanities and English levels of medical students.

Lipoprotein (a) as a Marker for Predicting the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Untreated Chinese Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been well known as the risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the role of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] in the development of CAD is of great interest but still controversial. Thus, we aim to explore the effect of Lp(a) on predicting the presence and severity of CAD in Chinese untreated patients, especially in combination with LDL-C.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We consecutively recruited 1,980 non-treated patients undergoing coronary angiography, among which 1,162 patients were diagnosed with CAD. Gensini score (GS) was used to assess the severity of CAD. Lp(a) was measured by immunoturbidimetric method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with CAD had higher level of LDL-C and Lp(a) compared with non-CAD (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that Lp(a) > 205 mg/L (highest tertile) predicted 1.437-fold risk for CAD (95% CI: 1.108-1.865, P = 0.006) and 1.480-fold risk for high GS (95% CI: 1.090-2.009, P = 0.012) respectively. Interestingly, concomitant elevated level of Lp(a) and LDL-C conferred the highest risk for both presence [OR = 1.845, 95% CI: 1.339-2.541, P < 0.001] and severity [OR = 1.736, 95% CI: 1.188-2.538, P = 0.004] of CAD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Lipoprotein (a) is a useful marker for predicting the presence and severity of CAD, especially combined with LDL-C.</p>

Plasma apoCIII Levels in Relation to Inflammatory Traits and Metabolic Syndrome in Patients not Treated with Lipid-lowering Drugs Undergoing Coronary Angiography / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Assessment of the comprehensive relationship among apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) levels, inflammation, and metabolic disorders is rare.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1455 consecutive patients not treated with lipid-lowering drugs and undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A mediation analysis was used to detect the underlying role of apoCIII in the association of inflammation with metabolic syndrome (MetS).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with MetS showed higher levels of apoCIII [95.1 (73.1-131.4) vs. 81.7 (58.6-112.4) μg/mL, P < 0.001] and inflammatory markers [high sensitivity C-reactive protein, 1.7 (0.8-3.4) vs. 1.1 (0.5-2.2) mg/L; white blood cell count, (6.48 ± 1.68) vs. (6.11 ± 1.67) × 109/L]. The levels of apoCIII and inflammatory markers increased with the number of metabolic risk components (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, apoCIII levels were associated with virtually all individual MetS risk factors and inflammatory markers (all P < 0.05). Importantly, the prevalence of MetS in each metabolic disorder rose as apoCIII levels increased (all P < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed that apoCIII partially mediated the effect of inflammation on MetS independently from triglycerides.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Plasma apoCIII levels were significantly associated with the development and severity of MetS, and a role of apoCIII in the effect of inflammation on the development of MetS was identified.</p>

Relationship Between ABO Blood Type and Spontaneous Re-canalization in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To study the relationship between ABO blood type and spontaneous re-canalization (SR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: A total of 1209 consecutive AMI patients were enrolled. Based on TIMI grade, the patients were divided into 2 groups: Non-SR group, the patients with TIMI grade 0-1,n=442 and SR group, the patients with TIMI grade 2-3,n=767. The relationship between ABO blood type and SR was investigated. Results: Compared with Non-SR group, SR group had more patients with blood type O (32.3% vs 24.7%) and less blood type A (31.7% vs 24.9%). Meanwhile, we found that a lower cholesterol level was related to patients with O blood type and SR occurrence, bothP<0.05. Multi regression analysis indicated that with adjusted age, gender, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, LDL-C and C-reactive protein, ESR, fibrinogen, D-dimmer, endothelial cardiac function, blood type O may independently predict SR occurrence in AMI patients (OR=1.49, 95% CI 1.10-2.05), while blood type A may have disadvantage for SR (OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.48-0.80). Conclusion: ABO blood type has been related to SR in AMI patients, blood type O is in favor of SR, while blood type A has disadvantage for SR occurrence.

Comparision of non-fasting with fasting blood lipid testing in in-hospital patients / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the feasibility of the application of non fasting blood lipid in the hospitalized population.Methods Self-control study was used.608 patients(aged 20~86 years old) were enrolled from April 2015 to October 2016 in lipid center of FuWai hospital.Fasting sample and non-fasting sample(1~4 h after breakfast) were collected from every patient and lipid profile including TG (triglyceride), TC (total cholesterol), HDL-C (high density lipoprotein cholesterol) and LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) were measured in clinical laboratory.The results of two tests were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Results The differences between non-fasting and fasting lipid test were +0.47 mmol/l (+30%) for TG,-0.03 mmol/l (-2.8%) for HDL-C,-0.09 mmol/l (-3%) for LDL-C and-0.24 mmol/l (-8.7%) for calculated LDL-C (P 4.5 mmol/L and the whole (0.07 vs.0.09),but the level of non-fasting LDL-C using formula method wassignificantly different between TG> 4.5 mmol/L and the whole (0.66 Vs.0.24),andthe drops were 34.9% vs.8.7%.Conclusion Non-fasting lipid test could be an effective routine method for lipid evaluation in the hospitalized population.

Study on Building of the Metadata Directory of Terminology Information of TCM Therapeutic Principle and Method / 医学信息学杂志

The paper introduces the basic concept of metadata and the building process of metadata directory of TCM therapeutic principle and method information based on data meta-model,complementing a part of metadata directory of basic TCM method (therapeutic principle and method) of the Health Information Metadata Catalogue,summarizes problems found in the building process and advising on the further rationalization of the metadata directory.

Long-term Efficacy of Trabeculectomy on Chinese Patients with Pigmentary Glaucoma: A Prospective Case Series Observational Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Though trabeculectomy is often performed on patients with medically refractive pigmentary glaucoma (PG), the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment on PG remain unknown. The aim of this study was to summarize the long-term efficacy and safety of trabeculectomy on PG.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a prospective case series observational study. Eighteen consecutive PG patients were followed up for 8 years after trabeculectomy from May 2006 to April 2007. Visual acuity (VA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, Humphrey visual field analysis (VFA), and stereoscopic funduscopy were performed on admission and every 6 months after the surgery. Postoperative IOP, VA, BCVA, VFA, adjunctive anti-glaucoma medication, treatment-related side-effects, changes in blebs, and main clinical findings in the anterior segment of PG were recorded and compared with the baseline.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eighteen PG eyes from 18 patients, with average preoperative IOP of 34.5 ± 4.7 mmHg (range: 21-47 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) were enrolled in this study. All enrolled patients completed the follow-up visits and required examinations. Eight years after trabeculectomy, all surgical eyes (18/18) had satisfactory IOP control with an average of 13.7 ± 2.5 mmHg (range: 9-19 mmHg), which was significantly lower than baseline (P = 0.001). Majority (15/18) of the PG eyes had stable VA, BCVA, VFA, and optic disc cupping parameters. Functional blebs still existed in 12/18 of the PG eyes at the last follow-up visit. Unanimously, pigmentation in the anterior segment attenuated with time after surgical treatment. No severe side-effects were recorded in any of the surgical eyes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>All surgical PG eyes in this study had satisfactory IOP control 8 years after the surgery with well-preserved visual function. The long-term efficacy and safety of trabeculectomy are promising in PG patients.</p>

Association of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide with the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>Backround N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a reliable predictor in acute coronary artery disease (CAD). Little is known about patients with stable CAD, especially Chinese patients with CAD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of NT-proBNP levels with the severity of CAD in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 658 consecutive patients were divided into two groups based on angiograms: CAD group (n = 484) and angiographic normal control group (n = 174). The severity of CAD was evaluated by modified Gensini score, and its relationship with NT-proBNP was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of risk factors such as age, male gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, smoking, and family history of CAD in the CAD group were higher than that in the control group. In multivariate regression model analysis, age, gender, and DM were determinants of the presence of CAD. NT-pro BNP was found to be an independent predictor for CAD (OR:1.66 (95% CI: 1.06-2.61), P < 0.05). In a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, an NT-proBNP value of 641.15 pmol/L was identified as a cut-off value in the diagnosis or exclusion of CAD (area under curve (AUC) = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.51-0.61). Furthermore, NT-proBNP was positively correlated with Gensini score (r = 0.14, P < 0.001) in patients with CAD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NT-proBNP was an independent predictor for Chinese patients with CAD, suggesting that the NT-proBNP level might be associated with the presence and the severity of CAD.</p>