Complement use of Chinese herbal medicine after percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective observational study.

Background: Chinese herbal medicine is widely used as a complement or alternative treatment in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in China. We compared the incidence of the major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) of CAD patients with or without the complement use of Chinese herbal medicine after PCI.

Methods: In this prospective, observational study that was conducted from September 2016 to August 2019 in Fuwai Hospital (China), we followed up consecutive patients who received PCI treatment for two years.

Xinfuli granule alleviates metabolic remodeling through inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial injury in heart failure.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: "Qi deficiency-blood stasis-water retention syndrome" was the most frequent syndrome among heart failure(HF) patients according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. Xinfuli Granule (XG) was constructed on the basis of classical formula "Baoyuan decoction" to enhance the function of nourishing Qi, activating blood and removing water retention. XG treatment has obtained clinical effect on HF patients.

Prognostic value of plasma big endothelin-1 in left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy.

Objective: To determine the prognostic role of big endothelin-1 (ET-1) in left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients whose LVNC was diagnosed by cardiac MRI and who had big ET-1 data available. Primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, sustained ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation and implanted cardioverter defibrillator discharge.

Nonvolatile Memory and Artificial Synapse Based on the Cu/P(VDF-TrFE)/Ni Organic Memtranstor.

We demonstrate a flexible nonvolatile multilevel memory and artificial synaptic devices based on the Cu/P(VDF-TrFE)/Ni memtranstor which exhibits pronounced nonlinear magnetoelectric effects at room temperature. The states of the magnetoelectric voltage coefficient α of the memtranstor are used to encode binary information. By applying selective electric-field pulses, the states of α can be switched repeatedly among 2 states ( = 1, 2, 3) in a zero dc bias magnetic field.

Qishen capsule safely boosts cardiac function and angiogenesis via the MEK/ERK pathway in a rat myocardial infarction model.

Background: Qishen (QS) capsules, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been widely used to treat coronary heart disease in China. However, evidence of its effectiveness remains unclear.

Methods: To explore whether QS has cardioprotective efficacy and/or promotes angiogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI), we performed experiments in a preclinical rat MI model.

Long-term blood pressure outcomes of patients with adrenal venous sampling-proven unilateral primary aldosteronism.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is mainly treated by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists or laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA), but the effectiveness of surgical versus medical treatment in patients with adrenal venous sampling (AVS)-proven unilateral PA is unclear. Fifty-one consecutive patients with AVS-proven PA were enrolled. We compared the therapeutic effects between the surgery group (n = 21) and medication group (n = 30) by evaluating the complete control rate (CCR) of hypertension, blood pressure (BP), and number of antihypertensive drugs after a long-term follow-up (>12 months).

Truncated Epithelial Sodium Channel β Subunit Responsible for Liddle Syndrome in a Chinese Family.

Background/aims: Liddle syndrome (LS) is a rare autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in genes coding for epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) subunits. The aim of this study was to identify the mutation responsible for the LS in an extended Chinese family.

Methods: DNA samples from the proband with early-onset, treatment-resistant hypertension, and hypokalemia and 19 additional relatives were all sequenced for mutations in exon 13 of the β-ENaC and γ-ENaC genes, using amplification by polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing.

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure changes in older patients with essential hypertension receiving monotherapy or dual combination antihypertensive drug therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the differences in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in older patients with hypertension treated with the five major classes of antihypertensive drugs, as monotherapy or dual combination therapy, to improve daytime and nighttime BP control.

Methods: We enrolled 1920 Chinese community-dwelling outpatients aged ≥ 60 years and compared ambulatory BP values and ambulatory BP control (24-hour BP < 130/80 mmHg; daytime mean BP < 135/85 mmHg; and nighttime mean BP < 120/70 mmHg), as well as nighttime BP dip patterns for monotherapy and dual combination therapy groups.

Results: Patients' mean age was 71 years, and 59.

Liddle syndrome misdiagnosed as primary aldosteronism resulting from a novel frameshift mutation of SCNN1B.

Liddle syndrome (LS), a monogenetic autosomal dominant disorder, is mainly characterized by early-onset hypertension and hypokalemia. Clinically, misdiagnosis or missing diagnosis is common, since clinical phenotypes of LS are variable and nonspecific. We report a family with misdiagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA), but identify as LS with a pathogenic frameshift mutation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) β subunit.

Xinfuli Granule improves post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis in rats by regulating TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway.

Background: Recent clinical and experimental studies have confirmed the effects of Xinfuli Granule (XG), a compound Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of heart failure (HF). This study aimed to investigate the effects and the mechanisms of XG on ventricular reconstruction in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to left anterior descending branch ligation.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: A retrospective study in a single-center of China.

Left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm is a fatal and rare condition with a high risk of rupture. The symptoms are nonspecific and diagnosis is often delayed. The purpose of this study is to analysis a series of cases in our institution.

Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB versus autologous bone graft in foot and ankle fusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Today, autogenous bone graft (ABG) is still considered as the gold standard for joint fusion. Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) which is of chemotactic and mitogenic to mesenchymal stem cells and possesses outstanding osteogenetic potentials has been used for ankle and foot fusion in recent years. The goal of this article is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rhPDGF-BB versus ABG in foot and ankle fusion.

Can Unilateral Kyphoplasty Replace Bilateral Kyphoplasty in Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Kyphoplasty has been proven to be an efficient method to relieve patient suffering from osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Because of its technological superiority, unilateral kyphoplasty consumes less operative time and bone cement than traditional bilateral kyphoplasty. However, there is controversy about which method is most efficient in the treatment of OVCFs.

Xinfuli improves cardiac function, histopathological changes and attenuate cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats with doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Background: Xinfuli Granule (XG), a compound Chinese herbal medicine, has been effectively used in China for the treatment of heart failure for more than fifty years. This study aimed to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanisms of Xinfuli in rats with doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with intraperitoneal injection of Doxorubicin (DOX, 2.

Effects and mechanisms of the functional parts of Dahuang Zhechong pill containing serum on platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Objective: To investigate and compare the effects and mechanisms of three functional parts of Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DHZCP), including drugs with the function of removing blood stasis and promoting blood circulation (FP-I), drugs with the function of expelling heat and moistening dryness (FP-II), and drugs with the function of nourishing yin and replenishing blood (FP-III) of DHZCP, on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation with the method of serum pharmacology.

Methods: VSMCs proliferation of rat was assayed by measuring the cell viability with the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. DNA synthesis in VSMCs was examined by detecting 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation with the immunocytochemical method.

Processing-structure-property correlations of polyethersulfone/perfluorosulfonic acid nanofibers fabricated via electrospinning from polymer-nanoparticle suspensions.

Polyethersulfone (PES)/perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) nanofiber membranes were successfully fabricated via electrospinning method from polymer solutions containing dispersed calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) nanoparticles. ATR-FTIR spectra indicated that the nanoparticles mainly existed on the external surface of the nanofibers and could be removed completely by acid treatment. Surface roughness of both the nanofibers and the nanofiber membranes increased with the CaCO(3) loading.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Aim Of The Study: Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disease, and linked with the development of many cardiovascular complications, such as myocardial ischemia and stroke. Although pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is not completely elucidated, increasing evidence has demonstrated that abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in formation of atherosclerosis. Previous studies showed that saponins from Panax notoginseng (PNS) possess anti-atherosclerotic properties.

Dahuang zhechong pill containing serum inhibited platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation by inducing G1 arrest partly via suppressing protein kinase C α-extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate effects of dahuang zhechong pill ( DHZCP) on the cell cycle and the related signal pathways in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) with the method of serum pharmacology.

Methods: DNA synthesis in VSMCs was examined by detecting 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation with the immunocytochemical method. The cycle of VSMCs was evaluated with flow cytometry.

Pro-inflammatory effect of fibrinogen and FDP on vascular smooth muscle cells by IL-6, TNF-α and iNOS.

Aims: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory response of the arterial wall to multiple endothelial injuries. As one of the inflammatory markers, fibrinogen has been implicated in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. But, it is not completely understood whether atherogenesis of fibrinogen is related to its pro-inflammatory effect on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Rosiglitazone regulates c-reactive protein-induced inflammatory responses via glucocorticoid receptor-mediated inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-toll-like receptor 4 signal pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells.

C-reactive protein (CRP) activates toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to initiate inflammatory response involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathways. Rosiglitazone, a synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, is considered to be an important inhibitor of the inflammatory response. The present study was to explore the effect of rosiglitazone on the CRP-induced inflammatory responses and the related signal pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

C-reactive protein triggers inflammatory responses partly via TLR4/IRF3/NF-κB signaling pathway in rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

Aims: C-reactive protein (CRP) plays an important role in the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) participates in atherogenesis by mediating the inflammatory responses. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the pro-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of CRP in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), especially focusing on the effects of CRP on IL-6 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and TLR4-dependent signal pathway.

[Protective effect of total flavonoid of Herba Pyrolae on acute myocardial ischemic injury induced by isoproterenol in rats].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of total flavonoid of Herba Pyrolae (TFHP) on acute myocardial ischemic injury induced by isoproterenol in rats and the primary mechanisms.

Methods: Acute myocardial ischemic models were established by i. s.

[The positioning of nursing research in the academic studies: the origin and development of qualitative and quantitative studies].

The purpose of this study is to discuss the historical context of qualitative and quantitative research so as to explain the principle of qualitative study and examine the positioning of nursing research within academic study as a whole. This paper guides the readers towards the historical context from empirical science, discusses the influences of qualitative and quantitative research on nursing research, then investigates the nature of research paradigms, examines the positioning of nursing research, which includes the characteristics of fields such as natural science, humanity and social studies, and science, and lastly, presents the research standard proposed by Yardley in 2000. The research paradigms include Positivism, Postpositivism, Criticism, and Constructivism, which can be compared with Ontology, Epistemology, and Methodology.