Evaluation of safety and efficacy of elective PCI in patients with cardiac insufficiency.

We analyzed the safety and the efficacy of the treatment with elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with cardiac insufficiency. We enrolled 217 patients diagnosed with chronic ischemic heart disease complicated with cardiac failure. According to the type of treatment they received, patients were divided into 3 groups: i) The conservative treatment group with 60 patients (they received standard medication); ii) the early PCI group with 82 cases (their condition was stabilized, surgical risk was assessed and PCI was taken as early as possible); and iii) the advanced PCI group with 75 cases (ischemic myocardium was corrected and then elective PCI was applied and for aggravated myocardial ischemia cases, PCI was applied after assessing the risk of surgery). Follow-up visits were set for approximately 3 years and clinical outcomes were compared. Our results showed that the survival time in the early PCI group was significantly prolonged and the survival rate was considerably increased during 3 years. Left ventricular ejection fraction in the early PCI group markedly increased and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and pro-BNP level decreased significantly. The occurrence rates of perioperative complications in the early PCI group and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the follow-up period were significantly reduced. Quality of life scores in the early PCI group markedly improved. We concluded that in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with cardiac insufficiency, early PCI treatment was safe and effective.

Reinforcing effect of calcium sulfate cement bovine bone morphogenetic protein on vertebral in the rabbit model of osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To observe reinforcing effect of calcium sulfate cement (CSC) bovine bone morphogenetic protein (bBMP) on vertebral in the rabbit model of osteoporosis. METHODS: A total of 48 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into group I (blank control group), group II (CSC injection group), group III (CSC/bBMP injection group) and control group. White rabbit osteoporosis model was established rapidly by using castration method+methylprednisolone candidate. After modeling, groups II, III were given corresponding vertebral body injection material, and 4 animals were sacrificed respectively at 24 h, 6 weeks, 12 weeks after vertebral plasty. Tissue pathological status, vertebral mineral density and vertebral body bone mechanical strength were observed. RESULTS: Vertebral body structure form was normal in the groups II and III. Trabecular bone coarsens, connection and repair were observed in micro fracture and bone defects, bone trabecular connectivity was superior to group I significantly; vertebral body compression strength in the group I was on the decline, vertebral compression strength in the groups II and III was on the rise, the largest vertebra. Postoperative BMC and BMD in groups II and III were increased, and significantly higher than group I after 6 weeks (P<0.05), BMC and BMD in group III after 12 weeks were higher than the other three groups. CONCLUSION: Compound bBMP CSC has good bone induction. It can improve the three-dimensional construction effect for osteoporosis vertebral trabecula, and can significantly improve the vertebral strength, as a vertebral packing material with good application prospect.

Microcomputed tomography visualization of the cricoarytenoid joint cavity in cadavers.

OBJECTIVES: To visualize the cricoarytenoid joint (CAJ) cavity of the human cadaver and to correlate its appearance to the CAJ capsule. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. METHODS: A total of 26 cadavers were used for microcomputed tomography arthrography, histology, and epoxy sheet plastination examinations. RESULTS: (1) The dimension of the CAJ cavity was much larger than the articular surfaces; (2) The posterior capsule of the CAJ was significantly strengthened, contained rich elastin fibers, and shared a common attachment with the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle; (3) The arytenoid cartilage was distanced from the cricoid cartilage at the superomedial aspect of the CAJ. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the posterior fibrous capsule is the primary passive stabilizer of the CAJ and suggests that in addition to the gliding, rucking, and rotation, a visor-like jumping of the arytenoid cartilage on the cricoid cartilage may provide further adjustments in motions of the vocal fold. The finding of this study has implications for the biomechanics of the CAJ motion; the differential diagnosis of CAJ disorders, such as CAJ dislocation and subluxation; and surgical correction of the CAJ dysfunction.

Micro-CT visualization of the cricothyroid joint cavity in cadavers.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To directly visualize the cricothyroid joint (CTJ) cavity of the human cadaver and to correlate the appearance of the CTJ cavity to its fibrous capsule. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. METHODS: Twenty-five cadavers (nine females and 16 males; age range, 67-95 years) were used for gross anatomy, micro-computed tomography (CT) arthrography, histology, E12 sheet plastination, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. The cadavers were donated for the purposes of teaching and research under the Human Tissues Act. RESULTS: Using micro-CT arthrography with intra-articular filling and sheet plastination technique, this study demonstrated that the dimension of the CTJ cavity was much larger than that of the articular surfaces, particularly at the superior and anterior aspects of the joint. Connective tissue fibers were regularly orientated and significantly strengthened in the posterior and inferior aspects of the CTJ capsule. Such fibrous configuration appeared to enhance the strength of the capsule itself rather than to shorten the distance between the articular surfaces. The size of the direct contact area of the opposing articular surfaces varied significantly between the sides of the same subject and among individuals. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the general view that the cricoid cartilage rotates in a visor-like fashion on the inferior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. However, the pivot for the CTJ rotation appears wobbly. The wobbly pivot may increase the joint mobility as the rotation allows the horizontal and vertical gliding movements of the CTJ.

Neuroprotective effect of Jatrorrhizine on hydrogen peroxide-induced cell injury and its potential mechanisms in PC12 cells.

The neuroprotective effects of Jatrorrhizine from Coptidis Rhizoma against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced rat pheochromocytoma line PC12 injury and its potential mechanisms were evaluated in the present study. When cells were exposed to H(2)O(2) (200 µM) for 12h, there was a significant reduction in cell survival and activity of antioxidant enzyme (SOD and HO-1) and LDH release. In addition, increased ROS production, declined MMP and increased production of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed. Preincubation of cells with Jatrorrhizine (0.01-10.0 µM) 24h prior to H(2)O(2) exposure markedly elevated cell viability and activities of antioxidant enzyme (SOD and HO-1), prevented LDH release and lipid peroxidation (MDA) production, attenuated the decrease of MMP and scavenged ROS formation. Jatrorrhizine also attenuated caspase-3 activation of the downstream cascade following ROS. Our results suggest that Jatrorrhizine holds potential for neuroprotective effects against H(2)O(2)-induced injury.

EFEMP1 expression promotes angiogenesis and accelerates the growth of cervical cancer in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: The study was to investigate the role of EFEMP1 in angiogenesis and growth of cervical carcinoma in vivo. METHODS: Effects of EFEMP1 on proliferation of Hela cells and HUVECs, invasion of Hela cells and migration of HUVECs, and adhesion of Hela cells to HUVECs were evaluated by MTT, Transwell chamber assay and adhesion assay, respectively. EFEMP1 overexpression in Hela cells was achieved by stable EFEMP1 gene transfection into Hela cells by Lipofectamin™ 2000 and the effectiveness of transfection was verified with western-blotting. The effect of EFEMP1 transfection upon the VEGF expression of Hela cells was detected with ELISA. The nude mouse models bearing cervical cancer were established with Hela cells transfected with EFEMP1 gene to observe the role of EFEMP1 in angiogenesis and growth of cervical cancer in vivo. VEGF expression and microvascular density of cervical cancer tissues were detected with immunohistochemistry and CD34 labeling respectively to elucidate the pathway by which EFEMP1 influences the growth of cervical cancer. RESULTS: Proliferation and invasion of Hela cells were promoted by the EFEMP1 protein. The EFEMP1 gene transfection into Hela cells was successful and EFEMP1 gene obtained stable high expression in Hela cells. Compared to the control, the tumors with EFEMP1 overexpression showed a faster growth rate and had a higher level of VEGF expression and microvascular density. EFEMP1 gene transfection elevated the VEGF protein level in Hela cells and EFEMP1 protein facilitated the adhesion of Hela cells to HUVECs. However, no direct effect of EFEMP1 was observed on proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS: EFEMP1 promoted the angiogenesis and accelerated the growth of cervical carcinoma in vivo through a VEGF up-regulation pathway.