[Efficacy of compound dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine in treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Myanmar].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of compound dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Myanmar.

Methods: From 2007 to 2008, patients aged 6 to 60 years with uncomplicated P. falciparum infection and parasite density 500 to 200 000 parasites/microl were enrolled following an informed consent.

[The configuration of soft palate muscular phenotype in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To study the mRNA expression of muscle phenotype and collagen of soft palate and pathology in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Method: We used the Real-time PCR to test the mRNA expression of soft palate muscle myosin heavy chain (MyHC) phenotype and collagen in 12 OSAHS patients and 8 control patients. We also distinguished the muscle isoforms I , II with ATPase staining, then counted the numbers of isoforms muscle fiber.

[A new artemisinin derivative SM1044 induces apoptosis of Kasumi-1 cells and its mechanism].

The aim of this study was to investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of artemisinin derivative SM1044 on Kasumi-1 cells and its possible mechanism. Kasumi-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of SM1044, the cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression were assessed by using flow cytometry with Annexin-V/PI double staining and flow cytometry with PI staining respectively.

[Observation on relations between onset seasons of peripheral facial paralysis and therapeutic courses and effect of acupuncture].

Objective: To observe the influences of seasonal factors on peripheral facial paralysis by acupuncture.

Methods: Four hundred cases of facial paralysis were divided into spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, 100 cases in each group. All these cases were treated by routine puncture.

[Observation of therapeutic effect on post stroke depression treated by differentiation of spleen and stomach].

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of post stroke depression treated by differentiation of spleen and stomach, so as to search better treatment.

Methods: Sixty-three cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture and moxibustion group and a medication group. In acupuncture and moxibustion group, acupuncture and grain sized moxibustion were given at Zhongwan (CV 12), Zhangmen (LV 13), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21); in medication group, Fluoxetine was orally taken for 20 mg after breakfast.

Presence of hepatitis B virus in oocytes and embryos: a risk of hepatitis B virus transmission during in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To define the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission through oocytes and embryos from chronic HBV carriers.

Design: Laboratory-based study.

Setting: Research laboratory in a university hospital.

Assembly of F0F1-ATPase into solid state nanoporous membrane.

A novel ATPase/nanoporous membrane system was prepared. In this system, the activity of F(0)F(1)-ATPase was preserved. The two sides of F(0)F(1)-ATPase were successfully separated macroscopically, and the chemical environments of the two sides could be manipulated in situ individually and freely.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators promising for cardiac syndrome X.

Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is defined as a typical anginal-like chest pain with a transient ischemic electrocardiogram, but without abnormal coronary angiography. It is usually accepted that endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress and estrogen deficiency are the main reasons of CSX. There are some methods to treat CSX including statins, b blocker, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, nitrates, estrogen, and so on.

Poor coronary collateral vessel development in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency.

Background: The development of coronary collaterals is crucial to survival through acute ischemia. Mild to moderate loss of renal function has been suggested to play a role in this event, but evidential data are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mild to moderate renal insufficiency and coronary collateral development in patients with chronic total coronary artery occlusion.

Foot temperature in healthy individuals: effects of ambient temperature and age.

Background: Patient complaints of excessively warm or cold feet are common in medical practice. Such symptoms can be caused by underlying vascular or neurologic disease, and measurement of foot temperature during daily activity and sleep could provide a deeper understanding of their actual thermal basis.

Methods: We used a Thermochron iButton to assess surface foot temperature variation and its relationship to ambient temperature during the day with activity and at night during sleep in 39 healthy individuals aged 18 to 65 years in a temperate region of the United States.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB 39) combined with Chinese herbs pyrogenic dressing therapy for treatment of calcaneus spur].

Objective: To compare therapeutic effects of acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB 39) combined with Chinese herbs pyrogenic dressing therapy and common acupuncture on calcaneus spur.

Methods: A single-blind, randomized and controlled trial was adopted. Sixty-six cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n=34) and a common acupuncture group (n=32).

[Effects of film thickness on the phase composition and microstructure properties of micro-arc oxidation coating].

In this study, we obtained the TiO2 films with different thickness by micro-are oxidation (MAO) on commercially available pure titanium. By altering the duration time, we got the films 5 microm, 10 microm, and 20 microm in thickness, respectively. XRD and SEM were employed to characterize the phase, composition and microstructure of the films.

Preparation, characterization and application of p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene-SBA-15 mesoporous silica molecular sieves.

p-tert-Butyl-calix[4]arene-SBA-15 mesoporous silica molecular sieves have been prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. FT-IR spectra showed the presence of methylene (-CH(2)-), methyl (-CH(3)) and phenyl bands on the modified SBA-15. Powder XRD data indicated the structure of p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene-SBA-15 remained the host SBA-15 structure.

Very late drug-eluting stent thrombosis in the perioperative period of endoscopic choledocholithotomy.

Very late stent thrombosis is an uncommon but life-threatening complication after drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with coronary artery disease. Discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy is reported to be the most powerful predictor of stent thrombosis. This article reports on a case of very late stent thrombosis 54 months after implantation of a drug-eluting stent, in a patient who discontinued dual antiplatelet therapy only 11 days before endoscopic choledocholithotomy, and argues in favour of continuing aspirin therapy perioperatively in surgical patients with low bleeding risk, even if dual antiplatelet therapy has been followed more than 12 months after stent implantation.

R25G mutation in exon 1 of LMNA gene is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 1B.

Background: Mutations of the LMNA gene encoding lamin A and C are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), conduction system defects and skeletal muscle dystrophy. Here we report a family with a mutation of the LMNA gene to identify the relationship between genotype and phenotype.

Methods: All 30 members of the family underwent clinical and genetic evaluation.

Inhibiting extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer maybe beneficial for diminishing the atherosclerotic plaque instability.

Atherosclerotic plaque rupture and local thrombosis activation in the artery cause acute serious incidents such as acute coronary syndrome and stroke. The exact mechanism of plaque rupture remains unclear but excessive degradation of the extracellular matrix scaffold by matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been implicated as one of the major molecular mechanisms in this process. Convincing evidence is available to prove that extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) induces MMP expression and is involved in the inflammatory responses in the artery wall.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is increased in human left ventricle after acute myocardial infarction.

Background And Aims: Elevated activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been shown to mediate ventricular remodeling. The extracellular MMP inducer (EMMPRIN) plays a key regulatory role for MMP activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of EMMPRIN, MMP-2 and MMP-9 and determine the correlation between EMMPRIN expression and MMPs in human left ventricle after AMI.

CRP regulates the expression and activity of tissue factor as well as tissue factor pathway inhibitor via NF-kappaB and ERK 1/2 MAPK pathway.

It was found that C-reactive protein (CRP) could significantly increase the expression and activity of tissue factor (TF), but decrease that of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in dose- and time-dependent manners, which could be antagonized by PDTC and U0126. CRP could also increase protein expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), IkappaB-alpha and ERK1/2 in dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, neutralizing antibody to CD32 (FcgammaR II) could significantly attenuate the expression and activity of TF and TFPI induced by CRP.

[The expression and significance of activator protein-1 and matrix metalloproteinases in the human heart post acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) subjects.

Methods: Immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the subunit of AP-1 (c-Jun), MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human AMI and normal heart tissue and the expressions of c-Jun and MMPs were measured with computer image analysis system.

Results: (1) There were expressions of c-Jun, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in normal heart tissue, mainly in myocardial cells and cardiac fibroblasts, and their expressions in AMI myocardial tissues were all significantly higher than those in normal myocardial tissues (P < 0.

Pivotal role of inflammation in vascular endothelial dysfunction of hyperlipidemic rabbit and effects by atorvastatin.

Aims: To evaluate the role of inflammation in vascular endothelial function of hyperlipidemic rabbits and atorvastatin's effects on it.

Methods: 22 rabbits were divided into high-fat diet and atorvastatin plus high-fat diet group. Basic levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin and endothelial function were measured when grouping.

[Clinical analysis of inappropriate shock of implantable cardioverter defibrillators].

Objective: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can effectively treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The most common side effect is inappropriate discharge. This study analyzes the incidence and causes of inappropriate discharges of ICD in our hospital.

Retrospective analysis of risk factors in young patients with coronary artery disease in Guangdong and Zhejiang, China.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the clustering status of risk factors for young patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and analyse the relationship between risk factors and CAD.

Methods: 168 patients with CAD aged under 45 years, 170 age-matched non-CAD individuals (angiographically normal) and 170 patients with CAD aged over 45 years were set as CAD group, control group and reference group, respectively. Plasma levels of lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), traditional risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking) were evaluated.

[PPAR gamma agonist rosiglitazone alleviates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat cardiac myocytes].

Objective: To observe the effects of different concentrations of PPAR gamma agonist rosiglitazone on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress, cell viability and apoptosis in rat cardiac myocytes.

Methods: Cultured rat cardiac myocytes were divided into 5 groups, namely group I (normal group), group II (20 micromo/L ROS group), group III (I/R group), group IV (I/R+20 micromo/L ROS group), and group V (I/R+80 micromo/L ROS group). Group IV and group V were treated with rosiglitazone 12 h before hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Preparation of p-tert[(dimethylamino)methyl]-calix[4]arene functionalized aminopropylpolysiloxane resin for selective solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of metal ions.

A new p-tert-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-1,3-bisglyciyl-calix[4]arene functionalized aminopropylpolysiloxane resin (APPS-CA) has been prepared and investigated for selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) of trace Cr (III), Cu (II), Ni (II), Co (II) and Zn (II) prior to their determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The characterization of the surface modification was performed on the basis of FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis. The separation/preconcentration conditions of analytes were investigated, including effect of pH, the shaking time, the sample flow rate and volume, the elution condition, the interfering ions and stability test.