Coexistence of superconductivity and charge density wave instability in A15-NbSn.

A15-type compound NbSn has attracted much attention due to its relatively high critical temperature and critical field of superconductivity, making it a leading material for superconducting applications. In this study, we investigate the structural instability and superconductivity of NbSn under hydrostatic pressure using first-principles calculations. We determine the electronic properties, phonon dispersion, electron-phonon coupling and the superconducting gap for NbSn at pressures ranging from ambient to 9 GPa.

Clarification of Temperature Field Evolution in Large-Scale Electric Upsetting Process of Ni80A Superalloy through Finite Element Method.

Electric upsetting has been widely employed to manufacture the preformed workpiece of large-scale exhaust valves. The temperature field in the electric upsetting process plays an important role in microstructure evolution and defect formation. In order to uncover the temperature evolution in a larger-scale electric upsetting process, the electric-thermal-mechanical multi-field coupling finite element model was developed to simulate the electric upsetting forming process of Ni80A superalloy.

Increased glycated albumin and decreased esRAGE levels in serum are related to negative coronary artery remodeling in patients with type 2 diabetes: an Intravascular ultrasound study.

Background: Negative coronary artery remodeling is frequent in patients with diabetes, but its mechanism remains unclear. We here evaluated the association of serum levels of glycated albumin (GA) and endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end products (esRAGE) with coronary artery remodeling in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: Serum levels of GA and esRAGE were measured and intravascular ultrasound was performed in 136 consecutive diabetic patients with 143 coronary intermediate lesions.

Correlates and outcomes related to periprocedural myocardial injury during percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion: Results from a prospective, single center PCI registry.

Background: There is increasing interest in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTO). Periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) post CTO PCI is not uncommon, but true incidence and implications of PMI are not well understood.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate risk factors for PMI post CTO PCI and its implications for the 1-year clinical outcome of a Chinese population.

Periprocedural use of tirofiban in elective percutaneous coronary intervention for long coronary lesions in stable patients with overlapping drug-eluting stents--the PETITION study: a prospective, randomized, multicenter study.

Background And Purpose: Patients are at risk of developing periprocedural myonecrosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We investigated whether the use of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor tirofiban could reduce periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) in patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing elective PCI with overlapping stent implantation for long lesions.

Methods: A total of 748 stable angina patients with long lesions (≥ 40 mm in length) treated with overlapping stent implantation were randomly assigned to receive tirofiban (tirofiban group; n = 373) or conventional therapy (control group; n = 375).

[Randomized controlled study of integrated treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine on AIDS with pulmonary inflammation patients].

Objective: To compare effects of integrated treatment traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine (TCM-WM) and simple western medicine on TCM clincal symptoms in the patient of AIDS with pulmonary inflammation.

Method: A multicenter randomized controlled trials of 164 subjects evaluated the effects of clinical symptoms of AIDS with pulmonary inflammation of TWO regimens: the TCM-WM group (n = 111) and western medicine treatment group (n = 53), while incidence of TCM symptoms in different time points in two groups were analyzed.

Result: Twenty eight days after treatment, the cured and markedly effective rate of TCM symptoms in the TCM-WM group significantly exceeding that in the western medicine treatment group (cured and markedly effective rate significant efficiency 44.

Improved outcomes from transradial over transfemoral access in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and upstream use of tirofiban.

Background: Transradial access has been increasingly used during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in last decade. Clinical benefits of upstream use of tirfiban therapy in STEMI patients treated by primary PCI have been reported. We investigated the merits of transradial vs.

The utility of a 5-in-6 double catheter technique in treating complex coronary lesions via transradial approach: the DOCA-TRI study.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 5-in-6 double catheter (DC) technique during transradial complex PCI compared to a conventional buddy-wire or balloon-anchoring approach.

Methods And Results: One hundred and eighty-seven patients who failed in stent or balloon delivery after successful wiring of the target vessel were prospectively randomised to further treatment with a 5-in-6 DC technique (DC group, n=94) or by a conventional buddy-wire or balloon-anchoring approach (control group, n=93). Baseline clinical and lesion features were comparable between the two groups.

Assessment of the relation between IVUS measurements and clinical outcome in elderly patients after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation for de novo coronary lesions.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vascular response assessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging on clinical outcomes in elderly patients (≥ 75 years) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for de novo lesions with sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation. Repeat coronary angiography with IVUS was performed 1 year after SES-based PCI for de novo lesions in 136 elderly patients (≥ 75 years) and 427 younger counterparts (< 75 years) (219 lesions and 635 lesions, respectively). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization (TLR) during 2-year follow-up were recorded.

[Magnetic resonance imaging findings of lesions in limbic system related structures in general paresis of insane].

Objective: To analyze the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of lesions in the limbic system related structures in general paresis of insane (GPI) patients so as to explore its pathogenesis and provide a new MRI diagnostic method.

Methods: The clinical data and MRI findings of lesions in the limbic system related structures were retrospectively analyzed for a total of 31 GPI patients. The parameters were volume and signal abnormality.

One-year clinical outcome of interventionalist- versus patient-transfer strategies for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: results from the REVERSE-STEMI study.

Background: Traditional reperfusion options for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) presenting to non-primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI)-capable hospitals generally include onsite fibrinolytics or emergency transfer for PPCI. A third option, involving interventionalist transfer, was examined in the REVERSE-STEMI study.

Methods And Results: A total of 334 patients with acute STEMI who presented to 5 referral hospitals with angiographic facilities but without interventionalists qualified for PPCI were randomized to receive PPCI with either an interventionalist- (n=165) or a patient-transfer (n=169) strategy.

Prospective versus retrospective ECG gating for 320-detector CT of the coronary arteries: comparison of image quality and patient radiation dose.

Purpose: To compare image quality and patient radiation dose in a group of patients who underwent 320-detector computed tomography coronary angiography performed with prospective electrocardiogram (ECG) gating with image quality and radiation dose in a group of patients matched for clinical features who underwent 320-detector computed tomographic (CT) coronary angiography performed with retrospective ECG gating.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by our institutional human research committee. All patients had clinical indications for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

[The therapeutic effects of highly active anti-retroviral therapy in 74 treatment-naive patients with AIDS in China].

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in treatment-naïve Chinese patients with AIDS, to provide evidences for standardizing HAART.

Methods: Seventy-four treatment-naive AIDS patients were initiated with HAART and followed up regularly for 3 years. The clinical and laboratory data, side effects and drug resistance were observed and analyzed during the follow-up period.

[Evaluation of esophageal varices and predicting the risk of esophageal varices bleeding with multi-detector CT in patients with portal hypertension].

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of 320-row multi-detector CT (MDCT) in the detection and grading of esophageal varices and to evaluate the ability of MDCT in predicting the risk of hemorrhage in comparison with upper endoscopy in patients with portal hypertension.

Methods: A total of 69 patients, with clinically confirmed portal hypertension, underwent epigastric triphasic enhancement scans using 320-row MDCT 1 weeks or less before upper endoscopies were performed. Two blinded abdominal imagers retrospectively interpreted all CT images to detect the presence of esophageal varices and divided EV into large EV (≥ 5 mm) and small EV (< 5 mm).

HBx-induced androgen receptor expression in HBV-associated hepatocarcinoma is independent of the methylation status of its promoter.

A remarkable feature of HBV-associated HCC is male predominance. The cooperation of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) with androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway has been documented to contribute to this dominance. HBx, a multifunctional viral regulator, has been documented to induce promoter hypermethylation and low expression of tumor suppressor genes via activation of DNA methyl-transferase (DNMT) in hepatocarcinogenesis.

[Studies on the alkaloids from roots of Corydalis impatiens].

Objective: To study the alkaloids from Corydalis impatiens.

Methods: The alkaloids were isolated and purified by chromatography and their structures were identified by spectral data and others methods.

Results: Seven alkaloids were isolated and identified as bicuculline(1), ochotensine(2), ochotensimine(3), ochrobirine(4), tetrahydrothalifendine(5), norochotensimine(6), N-methylactinodaphnine(7).

[The clinical application of 320-slice Computed Tomography (CT) hepatic artery images in patients with liver transplantation].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of 320-slice CT hepatic artery images in patients with liver transplantation.

Methods: A total of 58 patients underwent CT scanning by 320-slice scanner after liver transplantation. They were divided into 2 groups according to the concentration of contrast media as follows: Group A (27 cases, 350 mgI/ml iopromide), Group B (31 cases, 370 mgI/ml iopromide).

[Intravascular ultrasound evaluation on the efficacy of national made Firebird stents comparing with Cypher stents].

Objective: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to compare the effects on neointimal hyperplasia inhibition between national made Firebird stents and Cypher stents in patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods: From May 2003 to March 2007, 215 patients with 317 native lesions received either Firebird stent (147 lesions of 108 patients, Firebird group) or Cypher stent implantation (138 lesions of 107 patients, Cypher group). Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and IVUS were performed at one-year follow-up.

[Low dose contrast-enhanced 4D DSA with the 320-detector row computed tomography scanner for post-operative evaluation of the hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation].

Objective: To evaluate the value of low-dose contrast-enhanced 4D DSA acquired from 320-detector row CT on the diagnosis of the hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation.

Methods: 320-detector row CT were performed in fifth patients with liver dynamic enhanced using volume CT body-perfusion protocol, hepatic artery phase images obtained after intravenous injection of 50 ml of contrast at a rate of 6 ml/s were acquired based on 4D DSA. The time-density curve (TDC) of the hepatic artery was delineated.

Impact of angiographic and intravascular ultrasound features on clinical outcome after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation for de-novo lesions in nondiabetic and type 2 diabetic patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) features on clinical outcome in nondiabetic and type 2 diabetic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation.

Methods: Repeat coronary angiography with IVUS imaging was performed after SES-based PCI for de-novo lesions in 128 diabetic and 327 nondiabetic patients (189 lesions and 504 lesions, respectively). The rate of major adverse cardiac events including cardiac death, non fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization during clinical follow-up was recorded.

[Diagnostic value of multislice spiral CT and MRI in detection of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the manifestation and diagnostic value of multislice spiral CT (MSCT) and MRI imaging in detection of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: The clinical data of 161 consecutive HCC patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-nine HCC patients were classified by pTNM according to the "Pittsburgh criteria".

Partial vs full coverage for tandem lesions in culprit vessel during primary coronary intervention in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction--the PERFECT-AMI study.

Background: The efficacy of partial vs full coverage for tandem lesions in the culprit vessel during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was compared in the present study.

Methods And Results: The 76 patients with STEMI and tandem lesions in the culprit vessel were randomized to receive stent implantation for an occluded/culprit lesion only (partial group) or complete coverage of lesions (full group). After PCI, patients in the partial group had more complete ST-segment resolution (STR) at 90 min (60.

[Association between late incomplete stent apposition after sirolimus eluting stent implantation and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome].

Objective: The impact of late incomplete stent apposition (ISA) post sirolimus eluting stent (SES) implantation in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) on long-term clinical outcomes remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between late ISA and clinical outcomes in patients with ACS compared with that with stable angina (SA).

Methods: From February 2005 to March 2007, 54 ACS patients and 83 SA patients were enrolled in this study, late ISA was determined by means of three-dimensional volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analyses one year after SES implantation and clinical outcomes one year post IVUS were obtained in these patients.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Swertia mussotii].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Swertia mussotii.

Methods: The constituents were isolated by various column chromatography methods, and their structures were identified by physico-chemical properties and spectral analysis.

Results: Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as 1,3, 8-trihydroxy-7-methoxyxanthone (I), 2,8-dihydroxy-1,6-dimethyoxyxanthone (II), 1,8-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone (III), 1,2,8-trimethoxyxanthone (IV), 1,3,5,6-tetrohyroxyxanthone (V), 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone (VI), beta-daucosterol (VII), clerosterol 3beta-O-[6'-o-hydro-benzene-beta-D-glucoside] (VIII), ursolicacid (IX), 3beta,28-dihydroxylup-20 (29) -ene (X), erythrocentaurin (XI).

Impact of different clinical pathways on outcomes of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: the RAPID-AMI study.

Background: Current guidelines support primary percutaneous coronary intervention (primary PCI) as the first treatment of choice (as opposed to thrombolytic therapy) for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) especially when delivered within 12 hours of symptom onset. We aimed to evaluate the impact of different clinical pathways on reduction of reperfusion delay and subsequent improvement in outcomes in patients with STEMI.

Methods: From November 2005 to November 2007, 546 consecutive patients with definite STEMI, who upon arrival at the emergency room were triaged to undergo primary PCI, were included.