Identification of independent risk factors for hypoalbuminemia in patients with CKD stages 3 and 4: the construction of a nomogram.

Background: Hypoalbuminemia is a common complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with various adverse clinical events. Currently, there are few studies focused on identifying risk factors and constructing models for hypoalbuminemia in patients with CKD stages 3 and 4. This study aims to identify independent risk factors for hypoalbuminemia in patients with CKD stages 3 and 4 and construct a nomogram for predicting the risk of hypoalbuminemia in these patients.

Association between basal septal hypertrophy and left ventricular geometry in a community population.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) geometry is closely associated with cardiovascular disease; however, few studies have evaluated the relationship between basal septal hypertrophy (BSH) and LV geometry. In this study, we examined the relationship between BSH and LV geometry in a Beijing community population.

Methods: The clinical and echocardiographic data of 1032 participants from a community in Beijing were analyzed.

Robust Controller Design for Multi-Input Multi-Output Systems Using Coefficient Diagram Method.

The coupling between variables in the multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems brings difficulties to the design of the controller. Aiming at this problem, this paper combines the particle swarm optimization (PSO) with the coefficient diagram method (CDM) and proposes a robust controller design strategy for the MIMO systems. The decoupling problem is transformed into a compensator parameter optimization problem, and PSO optimizes the compensator parameters to reduce the coupling effect in the MIMO systems.

Comparison of Mechanical Responses of Asphalt Mixtures under Uniform and Non-Uniform Loads Using Microscale Finite Element Simulation.

Continuously increasing traffic volumes necessitate accurate design methods to ensure the optimal service life and efficient use of raw materials. Numerical simulations commonly pursue a simplified approach with homogeneous pavement materials and homogeneous loading. Neither the pavement geometry nor the loading is homogeneous in reality.

Investigation on the Cooling and Evaporation Behavior of Semi-Flexible Water Retaining Pavement based on Laboratory Test and Thermal-Mass Coupling Analysis.

The Semi-Flexible Water Retaining Pavement (SFWRP) has the capability to cool down the temperature of the road surface through its evaporation behavior, including absorbing and evaporating water; this is an efficient approach to relieve the heat island effect in a big city. The temperature feedback from different material surface were investigated in this paper in the same test condition, it has been proved that the SFWRP material can remarkably cool down the temperature of the road surface. The mechanism of the material evaporation behavior, including flux calculation formula of the water vapor inside the air void, were studied by inter-phase continuous function, in which the structural properties of the SFWRP material was taken into account.

Effects of elevated CO on the fitness and potential population damage of Helicoverpa armigera based on two-sex life table.

We evaluated the direct effects of three different atmospheric CO concentrations (380 ppm, 550 ppm and 750 ppm) on the population parameters of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera fed an artificial diet. The life history and fitness of H. armigera were analyzed using an age-stage, two-sex life table.

Complete revascularization versus culprit-only revascularization in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

The present study compared the outcomes of complete revascularization (CR) and culprit-only revascularization (COR) performed during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease through a meta-analysis in order to determine which strategy is more appropriate. Published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases. Eight RCTs with 2060 patients were selected (1080 patients underwent CR [immediate (ICR) or staged (SCR)] and 980 patients underwent COR).

Atorvastatin in improvement of cognitive impairments caused by amyloid β in mice: involvement of inflammatory reaction.

Background: The production of inflammatory cytokines resulting from amyloid β (Aβ) is associated with the initiation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Atorvastatin (ATV) has been reported to improve AD, however, it is unclear how the anti-inflammatory mechanism is linked with its protection against the impairment of spatial cognitive function in AD. The present study was designed to explore what mechanism was possibly involved in the anti-inflammatory pathway in regard to the ATV treatment of AD.

[Activated clotting time post therapeutic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To investigate the activated clotting time (ACT) level after administration of guideline-recommended dose of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and to confirm the importance of ACT monitoring in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We performed a retrospective study on 1 062 patients undergoing elective PCI in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012. All patients were administrated weight-adjusted UFH (70-100 U/kg) based on PCI guideline of ACCF/AHA/SCAI.

[Influence of gender on 30-day outcomes of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction].

Objective: To investigate the impact of gender on early outcomes of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as their reperfusion strategy.

Methods: The present study included consecutive patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI in our hospital from November 2003 to December 2012. Gender difference and predictors of 30 day all-cause death were examined among 957 patients, 197 of whom were women (20.

Renal Dysfunction and hsCRP Predict Long-term Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: This study assessed the combined utility of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels to predict long-term mortality and cardiovascular outcomes of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Elevated CRP levels and renal dysfunction have both been shown to independently and jointly predict mortality and cardiovascular outcomes after PCI in the short term. However, long-term results in patients with acute STEMI undergoing PCI have not been reported.

[Bilateral thyroid carcinoma: a case report].

We describe a case of bilateral thyroid carcinoma in a 48-year-old woman. She was admitted to our hospital as a case of cervical nodular goiter. Multifocality of the thyroid nodules were evaluated by preoperative ultrasonography.

Long-term effects of drug-eluting stents versus bare metal stents on patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: outcomes of 3-year clinical follow-up.

Background: The long-term safety and efficacy of drug-eluting stents (DES) versus bare metal stents (BMS) are unclear and controversial issues in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term outcome of STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI with DES versus BMS implantation.

Methods: A total of 191 patients with acute STEMI undergoing PCI from Jan.

[Clinical and coronary features of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with coronary artery disease].

Objectives: To observe the clinical and coronary features of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Among 2877 SLE inpatients (age ≥ 18 years, male 363, female 2514) admitted in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1999 to October 2009, 33 patients [mean age (50.7 ± 12.

[Long-term outcome analysis of patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with prior ischemic stroke].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with prior ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 2053 patients underwent PCI in Peking union medical college hospital from January 2003 to December 2007 were included in this analysis and patients were followed up to December 2009. End-point included all-cause mortality, cardiac death, stent thrombosis, target-lesion revascularization, myocardial infarction, re-cerebral infarction.

[Effects of hemoglobin levels on long-term prognosis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of hemoglobin (Hb) levels on long-term prognosis in the patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: A total of 150 patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2005 to December 2007 were enrolled. They were divided into 2 groups: Hb < 120 g/L group (n = 21) and Hb ≥ 120 g/L group (n = 129).

[Clinical and coronary angiographic features of patients with systemic vasculitis and coronary artery disease].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and coronary angiographic features of patients with systemic vasculitis and coronary artery disease.

Method: Fifteen patients (11 male) with systemic vasculitis and coronary artery diseases admitted to our hospital from January 1999 to October 2009 were reviewed.

Results: There were 6 patients with Behcet's disease, 3 patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome, 2 patients with Takayasu arteritis, 1 patient with polyarteritis nodosa, 1 patient with microscopic polyangiitis, 1 patient with Wegner's granulomatosis and 1 patient with Kawasaki disease.

[Effect of left ventricular ejection fraction on clinical long-term follow-up outcomes in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on clinical outcomes in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: A total of 158 patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2005 to December 2007 were enrolled. They were divided into three groups: LVEF≤40% (n=14), LVEF 41%-55% (n=46) and LVEF>55% group (n=98).

[The investigation about the influence of deviated nasal septum on the adolescents learning quality].

Objective: To investigate the incidence rate of deviated nasal septum (DNS) of the young men who are going to join the army, and of the students in key high schools in Jimo, and record their educational background, then analysis the influence of DNS on the youth's learning quality.

Method: Random select 3085 young men who are going to be recruited in 2006-2008, and 2628 students in 3 key high schools of Jimo. Investigate the two groups' incidence rate of DNS and make a correlative statistic analyses with their educational background.

[Effect of duration of clopidogrel use on clinical follow-up outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To evaluate effect of duration of clopidogrel use on clinical follow-up outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: A total of 214 patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2005 to December 2007 were enrolled. All patients were divided into two groups by duration of clopidogrel use: <1 year group (n=59) and > or =1 years group (n=155).

[Clinical manifestations of premenopausal women with coronary arterial disease].

Objective: To compare clinical characteristics among premenopausal women with coronary arterial disease (CAD) with or without atherosclerosis (AS) and postmenopausal women with CAD.

Methods: The clinical and coronary angiographic data, traditional risk factors (age, smoking, blood pressure, lipid profile, blood glucose, BMI, family history) were compared among premenopause (Pre-M, n=42) and post-menopause (Post-M, n=172) women with CAD as well as Pre-M patients with non-AS CAD (non-AS CAD, n=8).

Results: Compared with the Post-M patients with CAD, Pre-M CAD patients had significantly fewer traditional risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, significantly more acute coronary syndrome and fewer previous history of chest pain, significantly more single vessel lesion and lower Gessini score (all P < 0.

[Side branch occlusion rate at sites of overlapping sirolimus- or paclitaxel-eluting stents for treating long coronary lesions].

Objective: To compare side branch occlusion rate at sites of overlapping sirolimus- or paclitaxel-eluting stents in treating long coronary lesions.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the PCI CD and medical records of PCI 141 patients with at least one stent overlapping for long coronary lesion in our institute from January 2004 to October 2007. The side branches occlusion was documented and analyzed.

[Clinical characteristics of angina pectoris in patients of coronary artery disease complicated with renal stenosis and the diagnostic value thereof: analysis of 2820 cases].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of angina symptom complex of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) complicated with renal stenosis, and to analyze their sensitivity and specificity of angina symptom complex for the diagnosis of CAD.

Methods: The medical records of 2820 in-hospital patients who underwent coronary angiography and renal angiography simultaneously during the period from Jan 1998 to May 2005 and could be diagnosed as with CAD or renal stenosis with the stenotic degree more than 50% of the coronary or renal artery in angiography, were analyzed. The diagnosis of CAD was based on the 3 groups of symptoms recommended by American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association: (1) substernal chest discomfort with a characteristic quality and duration, (2) chest pain provoked by exertion or emotional stress, and (3) chest pain that can be relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

Strut fracture of DES: an increasing problem?

Drug-eluting stents (DES) have greatly reduced the possibility of in-stent restenosis by inhibiting neointimal growth. But recently stent fracture has emerged as a complication. Stent fracture may cause restenosis, even occlusion.

[The long-term results percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis].

Objective: To evaluate the safety, as well as short term and long term effect of percutaneous angioplasty and stenting in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

Methods: A total of 150 consecutive patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) undergoing percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) and stenting in a period of 6 years were followed up. Blood pressure, renal function before and after the procedure were monitored through-out the follow up years.