Coronary artery bypass grafting for Kawasaki disease.

Background: 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.

A Trojan horse mechanism of bacterial pathogenesis against nematodes.

Understanding the mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction can provide crucial information for successfully manipulating their relationships. Because of its genetic background and practical advantages over vertebrate model systems, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans model has become an attractive host for studying microbial pathogenesis. Here we report a "Trojan horse" mechanism of bacterial pathogenesis against nematodes.

Fluorescence detection of alkaline phosphatase activity with β-cyclodextrin-modified quantum dots.

An alkaline phosphatase activity detection system was constructed based on the different quenching effect of the enzyme substrate and product on the β-CD-functionalized CdTe QDs.

Adsorption of platinum(IV) and palladium(II) from aqueous solution by magnetic cross-linking chitosan nanoparticles modified with ethylenediamine.

The adsorption characteristics of platinum(IV) and palladium(II) from aqueous solutions onto the ethylenediamine-modified magnetic chitosan nanoparticles (EMCN) have been investigated. The magnetic chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by adding the basic precipitant of NaOH solution into a W/O microemulsion system. The transmission electron microscope showed that the diameter of EMCN was from 15 to 40 nm.

Highly soluble PEGylated pyrene-gold nanoparticles dyads for sensitive turn-on fluorescent detection of biothiols.

Highly soluble fluorescent pyrene derivative with substantially improved fluorescence intensity in aqueous buffer was obtained via PEGylation strategy. The highly soluble PEGylated pyrene (PEO-Py) non-covalently adsorbed onto the surface of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) to form dyads with quenched fluorescence due to highly efficient energy transfer between PEO-Py and Au NPs. The PEO-Py/Au NPs dyads were used for the sensitive turn-on fluorescent detection of biothiols.

Ghrelin improves disturbed myocardial energy metabolism in rats with heart failure induced by isoproterenol.

To explore the effects of ghrelin on disturbed myocardial energy metabolism during chronic heart failure (CHF). Rats were subcutaneously injected with isoproterenol (ISO) for 10 days with or without ghrelin for another 10 days. Enzyme immunoassay was to measure ghrelin concentrations.

[Activation of mGluRI in neutrophils promotes the adherence of neutrophils to endothelial cells].

L-glutamate (Glu) is an excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Relatively much attention has been paid to functional expression of Glu signaling molecules in peripheral tissues very recently. The present study tested the hypothesis that the activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluRI) in neutrophils stimulated neutrophils adherence to endothelial cells by increasing the surface expression of certain adhesion molecules.

Correlation between azole susceptibilities, genotypes, and ERG11 mutations in Candida albicans isolates associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis in China.

The relationship between susceptibilities to fluconazole and itraconazole and microsatellite CAI genotypes were examined from a total of 154 Candida albicans isolates (97 isolates causing vulvovaginitis in Chinese women and 6 vaginal isolates and 51 oral cavity isolates from asymptomatic carriers). The two dominant genotypes, CAI 30-45 (45 isolates) and CAI 32-46 (33 isolates), associated with vulvovaginitis showed significantly different azole susceptibility patterns with strong statistical support. CAI 32-46 isolates were usually less susceptible to both fluconazole and itraconazole than CAI 30-45 isolates and than the oral isolates with other diversified CAI genotypes.

Genetic diversity of Dahongjun, the commercially important "Big Red Mushroom" from southern China.

Background: In southern China, a wild ectomycorrhizal mushroom commonly called "Dahongjun" or "Big Red Mushroom" by the local residents, has been harvested, consumed, and/or exported as an exotic food for many years. Although ecologically and economically important, very little is known about this mushroom, including its diversity and population structure.

Methodology And Principal Findings: In this study, we analyzed 122 samples from five local populations representing the known distribution ranges of this mushroom in southern China.

[Value of estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine for predicting long-term survival in Chinese patients after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery].

Objective: To compare the predictive value of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula or the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation and serum creatinine for in-hospital and long-term mortality post coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Methods: Clinical data of 5559 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG were retrospectively analyzed. The main outcomes were in-hospital mortality and long-term mortality.

Increasing long-term major vascular events and resource consumption in patients receiving off-pump coronary artery bypass: a single-center prospective observational study.

Background: Despite its widespread use and short-term efficacy, substantial uncertainty remains about the long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB).

Methods And Results: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted of 6665 consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) at our institution during 1999 to 2006. All patients were followed up until September 30, 2008.

Epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland in the Chinese: a clinicopathologic study of 298 patients.

Objective: To examine the clinicopathologic characteristics and clinical features of epithelial tumors of lacrimal gland in China.

Methods: The retrospective case series study included all 298 patients of epithelial lacrimal gland tumors which had been collected in the ophthalmic pathologic laboratory of the Tongren Hospital Beijing in the study period from 1961 to 2005.

Results: Pleomorphic adenomas were the most common tumors (n = 213 (72%)), followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 58 (20%)), pleomorphic adenocarcinoma (n = 13 (4%)), primary adenocarcinoma (n = 8 (3%)) and other tumors (n = 6 (2%)).

[Estimated glomerular filtration rate as a risk factor for long-term survival in Chinese renal insufficiency patients after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery].

Objective: To investigate the eGFR as a risk factor for long-term (4-year) outcome in Chinese renal insufficiency patients after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at our institution.

Methods: From January 1999 to September 2003, 3371 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 549 (16.

[Retrospective analysis of 100 patients managed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation].

Objective: To describe the experience with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiorespiratory support of 100 patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of the medical files of 100 patients submitted to the implant of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system for cardiorespiratory assistance of acute and refractory cardiogenic shock from December 2004 to September 2008. There were 67 males and 33 females, age ranged from 5 d to 76 years with a mean of (28+/-26) years, body mass ranged from 3.

Effect of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone on erythrocyte deformability in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Previous investigations have indicated that reduced erythrocyte deformability may be an important factor contributing to the development of atherosclerosis, and endogenous asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) might be an important contributor to reduction of erythrocyte deformability in atherosclerosis. In this study, the effect of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone (1), a kind of polyphenolic compound, on erythrocyte deformability in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice was evaluated. After treatment with compound 1 (10 or 20 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks, erythrocyte deformability, antioxidant enzymes activity, erythrocyte dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity, the plasma level of ADMA and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were determined.

[Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adult patients with cardiac arrest].

Objective: To review the experience of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) for cardiac arrest in adults.

Methods: From July 2005 to July 2009, extracorporeal life-support (ECLS) was performed for 10-15 minutes failed in CPR in 11 patients (male 7, female 4, age 24-71 years) with cardiac arrest. In 7 patients after cardiac operation, regular cardiopulmonary bypass was urgently established through re-opening of sternotomy incision, followed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for continuous support.

Construction of Novel Spiroisoxazolines via Intramolecular Cyclization/Methylation.

Improved yields for the syntheses of a variety of spiroisoxazolines were achieved through intramolecular cyclization/methylation reactions of functionalized 5,5-disubstituted isoxazolines in one reaction vessel. Aromatic ring containing nitrile oxides and disubstituted geminal alkenes reacted in a 1,3-dipolar fashion to afford the corresponding 5,5-isoxazoline. A comparison of the relative location of the nucleophile and electrophile on the isoxazoline and two different ester functional groups was performed in order to determine the best isoxazoline system for the intramolecular cyclization/methylation reaction.

[Clinical experience of surgical treatment on hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To evaluate the surgical outcome of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Methods: From October 1996 to December 2007, 54 HOCM patients underwent surgical treatment. There were 37 males and 17 females ranging from 6 to 68 years old (36 +/- 16) with body weight 27-83 (60 +/- 14) kg.

Mitochondrial inheritance in haploid x non-haploid crosses in Cryptococcus neoformans.

In the basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, fusants and meiotic progeny from haploid-haploid (HH) crosses between strains of mating type a (MAT a) and mating type alpha (MATalpha) typically inherit mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the MAT a parent. In this study, we investigated the mtDNA inheritance pattern in haploid x non-haploid crosses. A total of 420 meiotic progeny and 173 fusants were obtained from five crosses and analyzed for two polymorphic mitochondrial markers.

Genetic diversity of populations of Monilinia fructicola (Fungi, Ascomycota, Helotiales) from China.

The genetic variation among 128 isolates of Monilinia fructicola (Fungi, Ascomycota, Helotiales) from China was analyzed using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers and compared with those of samples from California, USA and New Zealand. A total of 72 reproducible DNA fragments were scored, of which 87.5% (63/72) were polymorphic.

[FSH, LH, PRL, E2 and T in 8-17 year old males: investigation and analysis].

Objective: To investigate the changes of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) in male adolescents of different ages by determining their levels in 8-17 years old boys.

Methods: We included in this study 627 male adolescents aged 8-17 years and qualified through physical examinations. All the subjects underwent determination of FSH, LH, PRL, E2 and T with an automatic ACCESS microparticle chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer and detection of liquid quality control by immunoassay.

[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treatment of cardiorespiratory function failure in adult patients].

Objective: To explore the experience on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adult patients with cardiac failure.

Methods: From February 2005 to June 2008, 45 patients (male 34, female 11) undergoing cardiogenic shock required temporary ECMO support. Average age was (49.

Increased IL-17-producing cells correlate with poor survival and lymphangiogenesis in NSCLC patients.

The presence of IL-17-positive cells is observed in a variety of inflammatory associated cancers and IL-17 has been found to be involved in angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic significance of IL-17 in NSCLC patients and to examine the correlation between IL-17 expression and lymphatic vessel density in NSCLC tissues. The expression of IL-17 was measured by immunohistochemistry in 52 paraffin-embedded tissues with non-small cell lung cancer.

[Clinical analysis of unroofed coronary sinus syndrome with atrioventricular canal defect].

Objective: To analyze symptoms, associated anomalies, diagnostic approach, and surgical procedures in patients with unroofed coronary sinus syndrome and atrioventricular canal defect.

Methods: The clinical data of 20 patients with unroofed coronary sinus syndrome from September 1999 to October 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 10 male and 10 female patients.