Safety, immunogenicity and protective effect of sequential vaccination with inactivated and recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine in the elderly: a prospective longitudinal study.

The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in the elderly, a high-risk group for severe COVID-19 infection, have not been fully understood. To clarify these issues, this prospective study followed up 157 elderly and 73 young participants for 16 months and compared the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of two doses of the inactivated vaccine BBIBP-CorV followed by a booster dose of the recombinant protein vaccine ZF2001. The results showed that this vaccination protocol was safe and tolerable in the elderly. After administering two doses of the BBIBP-CorV, the positivity rates and titers of neutralizing and anti-RBD antibodies in the elderly were significantly lower than those in the young individuals. After the ZF2001 booster dose, the antibody-positive rates in the elderly were comparable to those in the young; however, the antibody titers remained lower. Gender, age, and underlying diseases were independently associated with vaccine immunogenicity in elderly individuals. The pseudovirus neutralization assay showed that, compared with those after receiving two doses of BBIBP-CorV priming, some participants obtained immunological protection against BA.5 and BF.7 after receiving the ZF2001 booster. Breakthrough infection symptoms last longer in the infected elderly and pre-infection antibody titers were negatively associated with the severity of post-infection symptoms. The antibody levels in the elderly increased significantly after breakthrough infection but were still lower than those in the young. Our data suggest that multiple booster vaccinations at short intervals to maintain high antibody levels may be an effective strategy for protecting the elderly against COVID-19.

A network pharmacology-based approach to explore mechanism of kaempferol-7 -O -neohesperidoside against prostate cancer / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effect of kaempferol-7- 0-neohesperidoside (K70N) against prostate cancer (PCa) and the underlying mechanism. Methods The effect of K70N on the proliferation of PCa cell lines PC3, DU145, C4-2 and LNCaP was detected using CCK8 assay. The effect of K70N on migration ability of DU145 cells was determined by wound healing assay. The targets of K70N and PCa were screened from SuperPred and other databases. The common targets both related to K70N and PCa were obtained from the Venny online platform, a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed by the String and Cyto- scape. Meanwhile, the GO and KEGG functional enrichment were analyzed by David database. Then, a "drug-target-disease-pathway" network model was constructed. Cell cycle of PCa cells treated with K70N was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expressions of cycle-associated proteins including Skp2, p27 and p21 protein were detected by Western blot. Molecular docking between Skp2 and K70N was conducted by Sybyl X2. 0. Results K70N significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of PCa cells. A total number of 34 drug-disease intersection targets were screened. The String results showed that Skp2 and p27, among the common targets, were the key targets of K70N for PCa treatment. Furthermore, GO and KEGG functional en-richment indicated that the mechanism was mainly related to the cell cycle. Flow cytometry showed that K70N treatment induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase. Compared with the control group, the protein expression level of Skp2 was significantly down-regulated, while the protein expression levels of p27 and p21 were up-regulated. The network molecular docking indicated that the ligand K70N had a good binding ability with the receptor Skp2. Conclusions K70N could inhibit the proliferation and migration of PCa cells, block the cell cycle in the S phase, which may be related to the regulation of cell cycle through the Skp2- p27/p21 signaling pathway.

Ergothioneine exhibits longevity-extension effect in Drosophila melanogaster via regulation of cholinergic neurotransmission, tyrosine metabolism, and fatty acid oxidation.

Many studies have demonstrated the protective effect of ergothioneine (EGT), the unique sulfur-containing antioxidant found in mushrooms, on several aging-related diseases. Nevertheless, to date, no single study has explored the potential role of EGT in the lifespan of animal models. We show here that EGT consistently extends fly lifespan in diverse genetic backgrounds and both sexes, as well as in a dose and gender-dependent manner. Additionally, EGT is shown to increases the climbing activity of flies, enhance acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, and maintain the ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG)of aged flies. The increase in lifespan by EGT is gut microorganism dependent. We proposed potential mechanisms of lifespan extension in Drosophila by EGT through RNA-seq analysis: preservation of the normal status of the central nervous system via the coordination of cholinergic neurotransmission, tyrosine metabolism, and peroxisomal proteins, regulation of autophagic activity by altering the lysosomal protein CTSD, and the preservation of normal mitochondrial function through controlled substrate feeding into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the major energy-yielding metabolic process in cells.

The anti-proliferation effect of total flavonoids of litchi seed combined with paclitaxel on prostate cancer paclitaxel resistant cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the sensitization effect of total flavonoids of litchi seed (TFLS) to paclitaxel (PTX) on prostate cancer paclitaxel resistance (PCa-Txr) cells and the synergistic inhibitory effect of TFLS combined with PTX. Methods CCK-8 method was carried out to detect the inhibitory effect of TFLS and PTX on PCa-Txr cells as well as corresponding parental cells. PCa-Txr cells were either pre-treated or simultaneously treated with low cytotoxic dose of TFLS to observe the sensitivity of PCa-Txr cells to PTX. The synergistic inhibitory effect of TFLS combined with PTX on the proliferation of PCa-Txr cells were observed according to the method recommended by Chou T C. Combination index (CI) was used to determine whether TFLS and PTX had synergistic inhibitory effect. Results TFLS significantly inhibited the proliferation of PCa-Txr cells and parental cells in a certain time- and dose-dependent manner. The low dose of TFLS pre-treated or treated with PTX simultaneously failed to increase the sensitivity of PTX on PCa-Txr cells. TFLS combined with PTX significantly inhibited the proliferation of PCa-Txr cells with CI value less than one. Conclusions TFLS inhibits the proliferation of PCa-Txr cells, while TFLS combined with PTX has synergistic inhibitory effect on PCa-Txr cells. However, TFLS fails to increase the sensitivity of PCa-Txr cells to PTX.

Alterations of the frequency and functions of follicular regulatory T cells and related mechanisms in HIV infection.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection impairs both cellular and humoral immune system. Follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells are a recently characterised subset of CD4+T cells. Tfr also exerts an immunosuppressive effect on humoral immune system through interaction with follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, but the role of Tfr in HIV infection needs to be further elucidated. 20 treatment-naïve and 20 antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated HIV-infected individuals were enrolled for cross-sectional study and nine complete responders (CRs) and eight immune non-responders (INRs) after ART were collected for retrospective cohort study. Tfr phenotypes, cytokine secretions, and apoptosis of those subjects were evaluated by flow cytometry. HIV DNA was measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Significantly increased circulating Tfr was observed in chronic HIV+ patients and the imbalance between Tfr and Tfh17 was associated with CD4+T counts. In addition, an elevated proportion of Tfr was associated with immune reconstruction failure of patients after ART. The IL-10 and CTLA-4 expressions of Tfr cells were up-regulated in treatment-naïve HIV+ patients. Ex vivo experiments showed IL-10 and CTLA-4 expressed by Tfr inhibited IL-21 secretion of Tfh. Tfr harboured a comparable HIV-1 DNA level with Tfh in HIV+ patients. Compared to Tfr of HCs, Tfr cells of HIV+ patients were more insensitive to CD95 and IFN-α induced apoptosis, had a higher proliferation rate, and had more stem-like T cell (Tscm) phenotype. The anti-apoptosis feature, higher proliferation rate, and Tscm-like features of Tfr in HIV+ patients, led to the expansion of Tfr which in turn resulted in dysfunction of Tfh. Tfr cells were also involved in immune reconstruction failure and latent infection of HIV. Tfr cells were a novel, and potentially therapeutic, target for the cure of HIV infection, especially for HIV vaccine development and HIV reservoir elimination.

Establishment of a congenital chloride diarrhea-associated SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) polymorphism-expressing cell model and a preliminary analysis of its mechanism of action / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD)-associated SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) polymorphism-expressing cell model, and to investigate its biological function.@*METHODS@#The sequence of the SLC26A3 gene in GenBank was used to design the upstream and downstream single-guide RNA (sgRNA) that could specifically recognize the 392 locus of the SLC26A3 gene, and the sgRNA was mixed with the pSpCas9-puro vector after enzyme digestion to construct an eukaryotic recombinant expression plasmid (pSpCas9-SLC26A3). Caco-2 cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmid and synthesized single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides (ssODNs), and Taqman genotyping assay and Sanger sequencing were used to identify the expression of SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) in Caco-2 cells. Wild-type Caco-2 cells were selected as normal control group and the Caco-2 cells with successful expression of SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) was selected as P131R group. Both groups were treated with 100 ng/mL tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and then the normal control group was named as TNF-α group, and the P131R group was named as TNF-α+P131R group. Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) assay was used to evaluate the change in the monolayer barrier function of intestinal epithelial cells in the above four groups, and Western blot was used to measure the change in the expression of SLC26A3 protein in the normal control group and the P131R group.@*RESULTS@#The eukaryotic recombinant expression plasmid (pSpCas9-SLC26A3) was successfully constructed. Both Taqman genotyping assay and Sanger sequencing confirmed the successful establishment of the Caco-2 cell model of SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) expression. ECIS assay showed that compared with the normal control group, the P131R group had a significant increase in the monolayer permeability of intestinal epithelial cells (PG (p.P131R) can reduce the expression of SLC26A3 protein, increase the monolayer permeability of intestinal epithelial cells, and thus lead to diarrhea.

Modified Sakakibara classification system for ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a modified Sakakibara classification system for a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. METHODS: From February 1, 2006, to January 31, 2012, surgical repair was performed on 159 patients with a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm at Fu Wai Hospital. Of the 159 patients, 105 were men and 54 were women, with a mean age of 33.4 ± 10.7 years. The patients were divided into 5 types according to the site of the ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm rupture. The 5 types were as follows: type I, rupture into the right ventricle just beneath the pulmonary valve (n = 66); type II, rupture into or just beneath the crista supraventricularis of the right ventricle (n = 17); type III, rupture into the right atrium (type IIIa, n = 21) or right ventricle (type IIIv, n = 6) near or at the tricuspid annulus; type IV, rupture into the right atrium (n = 46); and type V, other rare conditions, such as rupture into the left atrium, left ventricle, or pulmonary artery (n = 3). RESULTS: Repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm through aortotomy was used in 100% of those with type V and 50% of those with type IIIv. In most patients with types I, II, and IV, repair was achieved through the cardiac chamber of the fistula exit (71.2%, 64.7%, and 69.6%, respectively). Both routes of repair were used in 76.2% of patients with type IIIa. No early and late deaths occurred. The aortic valve was replaced in 33 patients. One patient (type IV) underwent reoperation for a residual shunt during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The modified classification system for ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is simple and practical for clinical use.

Identification of novel DNA methylation markers in colorectal cancer using MIRA-based microarrays.

To identify novel hypermethylated genes in colorectal cancer (CRC) and to test their potential application in CRC early diagnosis, a genome-wide screening of 57,723 CpG dinucleotides covering 4,010 genes was performed using MIRA-based microarrays in paired DNA samples extracted from 3 fresh frozen CRC tissues and their matching non-cancer tissues from 3 CRC patients undergoing curative surgery. Candidate hypermethylated genes screened by MIRA-based microarrays were further validated in independent CRC samples. A total of 297 CpG dinucleotides covering 211 genes were found to be hypermethylated in CRC tissues. From these 211 candidate methylated genes, three novel hypermethylated genes with more than four probes positive were picked up for validation. Direct bisulfite sequencing revealed that methylations occurred at multiple CpG sites of these three genes in cancer tissues, especially for PHOX2B and FGF12. Combined bisulfite restriction analysis showed that these three genes were methylated in cancer samples but not in non-cancer samples. We also compared the methylation levels of these three novel hypermethylated genes with those of vimentin and SEPT9, well-known hypermethylated genes in CRC, and found that methylated PHOX2B, FGF12 and GAD2 were better than methylated vimentin and SEPT9 in differentiating CRC cancer tissue from non-cancer tissue. Significant enrichment analysis of GO terms of the hypermethylated genes showed that a high proportion of hypermethylated genes in cancer tissues are involved in the regulation of transcription. In conclusion, we found a set of novel hypermethylated genes in CRC, which may have potential to be used as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of CRC.

Outcome of surgery for sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with discrete membranous subaortic stenosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare cardiac anomaly, and SVA with discrete membranous subaortic stenosis is even rarer. The aim of the study was to make sure the incidence of SVA with discrete membraneous subaortic stenosis in SVA and their surgical results. We retrospectively analyzed 234 patients receiving surgical repair of SVA and reported the incidence of ventricular septal defect, aortic regurgitation, and discrete membranous subaortic stenosis. We also reported seven cases of SVA combined with discrete membranous subaortic stenosis and their surgical results.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 1999 and December 2009, seven patients of SVA with discrete membranous subaortic stenosis underwent surgical repair of SVA and resection of subaortic discrete membrane. There were six male and one female patients. The mean age was (33.71 ± 13.25) years (range 16 - 52 years). Associated cardiovascular lesions were aortic regurgitation (n = 7), ventricular septal defect (n = 5), coarctation of aorta (n = 1), bicuspid aortic valve (n = 1), patent ductus arteriosus (n = 1), and aortic valve stenosis (n = 1). The aortic valve was replaced in four patients and valvuloplasty was done in three. The other co-existing anomalies were corrected at the same time. All the seven patients were followed up from 18 to 125 months (mean (63.14 ± 39.54) months). Among 234 SVA patients who underwent surgical repair, the number of cases with coexisting ventricular septal defect, aortic regurgitation, and discrete membranous subaortic stenosis was 129, 108, and 7, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was neither early death after operation nor late death during the follow-up period. All the seven patients were in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classes I and II. There was no recurrence of discrete subaortic membrane during the follow-up period. The incidence of ventricular septal defect, aortic valve incompetence, and discrete membranous subaortic stenosis among 234 SVA patients was 55.13%, 46.15%, and 2.99%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgical repair of SVA with discrete membranous subaortic stenosis showed good mid-term results. Resection of discrete subaortic membrane should be done actively while repairing SVAs. Long-term results need to be followed up.</p>

Report on childhood obesity in China (9): sugar-sweetened beverages consumption and obesity / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the associations between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and obesity as well as obesity-related cardiometabolic disorders among children in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 6974 (boys 3558, girls 3412) children aged 6-13 years participated in the study. Each participant's height, weight, waist circumference, fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. The type of beverage consumption was determined using a self-administered questionnaire.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SSBs were consumed regularly by 46.1% of the children. The prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence internal (CI)] of obesity was 7.6% [as the reference group (ref.)], 10.1% [1.36(1.07, 1.74)], and 11.6% [1.46(1.21, 1.75)], among children who regularly drank milk, other beverages and SSBs, respectively. Regularly drinking SSBs elevated the likelihood of abdominal obesity [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 1.36 (1.17, 1.59)]. The prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)] of obesity among children who regularly drank sports/caloric beverages, carbonated beverages, sweet tea, and plant protein beverages was 16.8% [2.00(1.31, 3.07)], 12.7% [1.52(1.23, 1.88)], 11.5% [1.52(1.18, 1.95)], and 10.4% [1.41(1.03, 1.94)], respectively, which was higher than that of regular milk drinkers [7.6 % (ref.)]. The prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)] of abdominal obesity among children who regularly drank sweet tea, fruit/vegetable juices, and carbonated beverages was 17.7% [1.55(1.26, 1.90)], 16.2% [1.36(1.09, 1.70)], and 15.3% [1.24(1.03, 1.50)], respectively, which was much higher than that of regular milk drinkers [12.8% (ref.)].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Regular SSB consumption was positively related to obesity and abdominal obesity. This relationship should be investigated further using a longitudinal study design.</p>

Report on childhood obesity in China (10): association of sleep duration with obesity / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To explore the association of sleep duration with obesity among children in urban areas of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 6 576 children (3 293 boys and 3 283 girls) aged 7-11 years were randomly selected from 36 primary schools in 6 metropolitan cities in China. A 7-day Physical Activity Recall was used to assess the sleep duration and physical activity level. The height, weight, waist circumference (WC) and percentage of body fat (%BF, as determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis technique) were measured by following the standardized operation procedures. The information on demography, lifestyle and eating habits was collected with a self-administered questionnaire from participants and their parents.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average sleep duration per night in the children was 9.7 h with the decreasing trends along with the increase of age (P < 0.05). The sleep duration was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI) and WC in both boys and girls after adjustment for confounders (beta value -0.23 and -0.82 for boys, -0.24 and -0.91 for girls, respectively, P < 0.01). However, no significant association of sleep duration with %BF was found. Children who slept less than 9.0 h per night had a higher risk for overweight and obesity (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.64) and abdominal obesity (OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.83) as compared with those who slept for 10.0-10.9 h.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Short sleep duration is associated with obesity. It is important to ensure adequate sleep duration of children and foster their healthy lifestyle at an early stage of life.</p>

Preliminary study on normal aerification of paranasal sinuses in children / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the normal aerification of paranasal sinuses in Chinese children with magnetic resonance imaging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and eighty Chinese children aged from 17 days to 14 years without any symptoms related to sinusitis were statistically analyzed in MRI features, including counting the number of paranasal sinus pneumatization and the maximum axial and sagittal area of the left maxillary.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 85% in children aged from 0 to 1 years. Until 3 years the pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 95% and there was no significant difference in boys and girls (χ(2) = 0.741, P = 0.389). The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus reached 100% after 4 years old. The pneumatization rate of ethmoid sinus was 100% in this study. The pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus was 0 within 1 year old, 49% within 4 years old and 100% after 7 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus (χ(2) = 2.452, P = 0.117). The pneumatization rate of frontal sinus was 0 within 5 years old, 62% within 9 years old and 95% after 10 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of frontal sinus (χ(2) = 0.124, P = 0.724). The axial and sagittal maximum area of maxillary sinus was (689.28 ± 221.79) and (659.76 ± 263.31) mm(2) in girls and (668.13 ± 206.38) and (638.60 ± 207.67) mm(2) in boys. The differences were significant (t = -19.78, P < 0.001; t = -19.89, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study of the development and normal aerification of paranasal sinuses of children can help radiologist make correct diagnosis of paranasal sinuses in children.</p>

Valve replacement in pediatric patients: a single center experience / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Reconstructive surgery is the primary goal in pediatric patients with valve disease. However, in cases with irreparable valve lesions, valve replacement is the only option. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical experience of heart valve prosthesis replacement in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 1990 and July 2009, 35 pediatric patients (16 boys, 19 girls) underwent mechanical valve replacement in Shandong University Qilu Hospital. The ages ranged from 2.5 to 14 years (mean, (8.8 ± 3.8) years) and body weight varied from 11 to 37 kg (mean, (22.1 ± 5.2) kg). Mechanical valve replacement was performed because of congenital heart disease in 23 patients, rheumatic disease in ten patients and infective endocarditis in two patients. St. Jude bileaflet mechanical valves were implanted in all the 35 patients including mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 18, aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 12, tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in two, AVR and MVR in two and MVR and TVR in one. The size of the prostheses ranged between 19 and 27 mm. All patients received long-term anticoagulation treatment with sodium warfarin, aiming to maintain an international normalized ratio between 1.5 to 2.0. Follow-up was performed in all the patients with a total follow-up of 119.4 patient-years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operative mortality was 8.57% (3/35). One patient, who underwent cardiac debridement and AVR, died 2 hours after being admitted to the intensive care unit because of severe low cardiac output syndrome and ventricular fibrillation. Two patients died of cardiogenic shock and renal failure during initial hospitalization after the operation. One patient who received replacement of a tricuspid valve developed complete heart block requiring temporary pacing and recovered sinus rhythm 4 days later. Thirty-two patients survived and their cardiac function was in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I to class II when discharged. Late events included hemorrhage and endocarditis. Two patients required reoperation. No late deaths occurred during the follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Mechanical valve replacement remains an acceptable treatment option in children when the valve reparation is impossible or unsuccessful. The operative mortality and incidence of any valve-related events such as endocarditis, reoperation, thromboembolism or anticoagulation-related bleeding are acceptable.</p>

Redoing a bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement with pacemaker wire through the ruined bioprosthetic valve orifice / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Severe tricuspid regurgitation with permanent pacemaker wire passing through the orifice of bioprosthetic tricuspid valve is extremely rare. We present a case of such kind of patient and redid bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement. A hawk mouth forceps for bone surgery was used to cut off the mental ring of ruined bioprosthetic tricuspid valve and the ruined valve was removed. A new bioprosthetic tricuspid valve was implanted and the wire of permanent pacemaker was left outside the ring of bioprosthetic tricuspid valve. This method may be helpful for such kind of patient.

Quantitative analysis of host cells growing into canine homograft valved aortic and pulmonary artery / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Cryopreserved conduit valved homografts (CVH) have been widely used in surgical treatment of cardiac disease. This study aimed to determine the extent of host cell ingrowth and the durability and immunogenicity of CVH, and to compare the performance of CVH stored at 4°C and CVH cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at -196°C.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Heterotopic transplants of canine CVH stored at 4°C (n = 14) and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (n = 14) were made onto the abdominal aorta of recipient dogs. Animals were sacrificed at 7 and 15 days and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transplantation to excise the implanted CVHs. Tissue DNA extraction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to calculate the ratio of donor cells and host cells in the CVH. The tissue viability of CVH after implantation was analyzed by detecting alkaline fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) using immunohistochemical staining and by observation under transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the animals survived and recovered well. There were few repopulating host cells (0.04% - 0.83%) in the implanted CVH at 7 or 15 days. The ratio of ingrowing host cells into the CVH continued rising after implantation and reached 40% - 47% in the 12th month postoperation. Histology, transmission electron microscopy and FGF-2 immunohistochemical staining indicated that fibroblasts and the host's endothelial cells were the main cellular elements invading the CVH. There were no significant differences in results between CVH stored at 4°C and CVH cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Host cells growing into CVH are very important for maintaining the long-term structure and function of the implanted CVH. There is no significant difference between CVH storing at 4°C or in liquid nitrogen in regard to the ingrowth of host cells or of morphologic features after CVH allografting.</p>

Surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To summarize the experience of surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium and to compare the difference between through right atrium repair and transaortic combined with right atrium approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 2004 and December 2009, 53 patients with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium underwent surgical repair. There were 35 male and 18 female, aged from 15 to 63 with a mean of (33 ± 9) years. Repair through right atrium had undergone in 40 patients (group I), while transaortic combined with right atrium approach in 13 patients (group II). Surgical results between the two group and group were compared in cardiopulmonary bypass time, clamp aorta time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU time and postoperative stay time.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences between two groups in cardiopulmonary bypass time [(86 ± 29) min vs. (96 ± 30) min], clamp aorta time [(59 ± 29) min vs. (71 ± 25) min], mechanical ventilation time [(9 ± 4) h vs. (16 ± 23) h], ICU time [(35 ± 23) h vs. (35 ± 23) h], postoperative stay time [(7.1 ± 0.9) d vs. (7.7 ± 2.8) d] (P > 0.05). Follow-up was performed from 1 to 64 months, with a mean of (32 ± 21) months. There was no death during follow up. One needed operation due to severe aortic valve regurgitation. One combined with coronary artery disease used medication. Heart function (NYHF) of the other patients were I and II degree during follow up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium shows good result. There is no significant difference between through right atrium repair and transaortic combined with right atrium approach.</p>

Coronary artery bypass grafting for Kawasaki disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of pediatric ischemic heart disease. The incidence of serious coronary sequelae is low and about 2% - 3% of patients with KD, but once myocardial infarction occurs in children, the mortality is quite high and 22% at the first infarction.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with KD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eight patients with a history of KD underwent CABG between October 1997 and July 2005. The number of bypass grafts placed was 2 to 4 per patient (mean 2.5 +/- 0.8). Various bypass grafts were used in patients, i.e. the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) in 3 patients, bilateral internal mammary artery (IMA) in 2 patients, LIMA plus gastroepiploic artery (GEA) in 1 patient and total saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) in 2 patients. The combined procedures included ventricular aneurysmectomy in 1 patient, mitral valve plasty in 1 and right coronary aneurysmectomy in 1. One patient was not able to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), after being supported with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), the patient was weaned from CPB successfully.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One patient died of low cardiac output syndrome and acute renal failure 19 days after operation. Other patients recovered and were discharged uneventfully. During the follow-up that ranged from 3 to 57 months (mean 27 months), clincal angina disappeared or improved. Cardiac function was in Class I - II (NYHA).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CABG is a safe and effective procedure for Kawasaki coronary artery disease. However long-term results need to be followed up.</p>

Impact of shengmal injection on changes of immunological function in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the impact and mechanism of Shengmai Injection (SMI) on the immunological function changes after cardiopulmonary bypass.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty patients with rheumatic heart valve disease were selected and assigned randomly to two groups: 20 in the control group and 20 in the SMI group. Peripheral blood samples were taken at various time points, i.e. 3 days before operation (T1), 10 min after terminal of CPB (T2), the first (T3), third (T4), and seventh (T5) day after operation, for counting white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils and lymphocytes; percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3+ mononuclear cells) and its subsets (CD4+ and CD8+) to calculate CD4+/CD8+ ratio; and the serum content of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) as well as serum concentration of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were assayed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, in the SMI group, WBC and neutrophil count were lower at T2 (P < 0.01); percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ lower at T4 and T5 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); percentage of CD8+ higher at T2 to T5 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); CD4+/CD8+ ratio lower at T3 to T5 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); IgG lower at T2 (P < 0.05); IgA higher at T3 (P < 0.05); IgM higher at T3 to T5 (P < 0.05); IL-8 lower at T2 to T4 (P < 0.05); and IL-10 higher at T2 (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Application of SMI in the perioperative period can enhance the humoral immunity and inhibit the cellular immunity after CPB, it could also reduce the systemic inflammatory reaction and improve the prognosis of patients.</p>

Correlation of plasma adiponectin and components of metabolic syndrome / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the relationship of adiponectin and the components of metabolic syndrome (MS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cluster random sampling was applied in two districts of Shanghai. Two communities were selected. After investigating and physical examination, 235 MS subjects were obtained. Correlation analysis and principle components regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between adiponectin and components of MS (waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Adiponectin in male was (2.82 +/- 1.73) microg/ml, lower than in female [(5.12 +/- 3.51) microg/ml] with statistical difference (Z = -5.25, P = 0.00). Adiponectin levels [(4.38 +/- 3.23) microg/ ml] correlated with abdominal obesity, including waist circumference [(93.37 +/- 7.76) cm] (r(s) = - 0.18, t(r) = -2.79, P = 0.01) and waist hip ratio (0.91 +/- 0.05) (r(s) = -0.28, t(r) = -4.44, P = 0.00), but did not correlate significantly with body mass index (BMI) [(26.85 +/- 3.10) kg/m2] (r(s) = -0.10, t(r) = - 1.45, P = 0. 15). Adiponectin correlated negatively with insulin resistance related indexes, including fasting glucose [(5.48 +/- 1.72) mmol/L] (r(s) = -0.13, t(r) = -2.00, P = 0.05), fasting insulin [(11.52 +/- 5.34) mU/L] (r(s) = -0. 15, t(r) = - 2.31, P = 0.02), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (2.90 +/- 2.07) (r(s) = -0.17, t(r) = -2.63, P = 0.01) and triglyceride [(2.11 +/- 1.24) mmol/L] (r(s) = -0.24, t(r) = -3.77, P = 0.00). The correlations were not observed between adiponectin with total cholesterol [(5.01 +/- 1.19) mmol/L] ( r(s) = -0.05, t(r) = -0.78, P = 0.44), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) [(1.21 +/- 0.32) mmol/L] (r(s) = 0.06, t(r) = 0.93, P = 0.36), systolic blood pressure [(131.40 +/- 14.93) mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] (r(s) = -0.02, t(r) = -0.34, P = 0.73) and diastolic blood pressure [(86.77 +/- 9.14)mm Hg] (r(s) = -0.02, t(r) = -0.27, P = 0.78).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adiponectin should correlate negatively with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, but not directly correlate with blood pressure in MS.</p>

Association of peroxisome proliferator-activated-receptors-gamma C161-->T gene polymorphism with metabolic syndrome and dietary predisposition / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the genotype frequencies of peroxisome proliferators-activated -receptors-gamma C161-->T gene and its possible association with the metabolic syndrome and dietary intakes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The PCR-PFLP method was used to detect the polymorphism of PPARgammaC161-->T gene of 224 adults with metabolic syndrome and 224 normal adults in Shanghai. Their physical examinations, dietary investigation and the serum biochemistry were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The genotype frequencies of PPARgamma C161-->T CC, CT and TT were 32.4%, 49.6% and 18.0% respectively, which were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotypes or allele between the metabolic syndrome group and the control group, and the result was the same between male and female subjects. (2) The levels of body mass index,waist width and hip width were significantly different among three genotypes groups. Subjects of the CT genotype had the highest levels. (3) There was significant difference in the negative correlation with the intake of protein and serum TG levels in the metabolic syndrome group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggested PPARgamma gene C161-->T should be associated with body mass index, waist width and hip width. It might contribute to the heterogeneity in diet response to TG.</p>