Urban-rural differences in catastrophic health expenditure among households with chronic non-communicable disease patients: evidence from China family panel studies.

Background: The prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) challenges the Chinese health system reform. Little is known for the differences in catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) between urban and rural households with NCD patients. This study aims to measure the differences above and quantify the contribution of each variable in explaining the urban-rural differences.

Assessment of Retrograde Coronary Venous Infusion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined with Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Canine Myocardial Infarction Using Strain Values Derived from Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography.

Speckle-tracking echocardiography was used to assess retrograde coronary venous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in a canine model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). AMI was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Coronary venous retroperfusion was performed at 1 wk after AMI.

Early detection of regional and global left ventricular myocardial function using strain and strain-rate imaging in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: Strain and strain-rate imaging (SRI) have been found clinically useful in the assessment of cardiac systolic and diastolic function as well as providing new insights in deciphering cardiac physiology and mechanics in cardiomyopathies, and identifying early subclinical changes in various pathologies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regional and global left ventricular (LV) myocardial function in metabolic syndrome (MS) with SRI so that we can provide more myocardial small lesions in patients with MS, which is robust and reliable basis for early detection of LV function.

Methods: Thirty-nine adults with MS were enrolled in the study.

Speckle tracking echocardiography in the diagnosis of early left ventricular systolic dysfunction in type II diabetic mice.

Background: The leptin receptor-deficient db/db mouse is a well-established type II diabetes animal model used to investigate diabetic cardiomyopathy. Previous reports have documented diabetic cardiomyopathy is accompanied by cardiac structural and functional abnormalities. To better elucidate early or subtle changes in cardiac performance in db/db mice, we used speckle tracking echocardiography to assess systolic myocardial strain in vivo with diabetic db/db mice in order to study early changes of left ventricle contractile function in type II diabetes model.

[Effect on blood pressure and microcirculation of nail fold in primary hypertension patients treated with acupuncture according to syndrome differentiation].

Objective: To verify the efficacy of primary hypertension treated with acupuncture at acupoints selected according to syndrome differentiation and probe into the mechanism of acupuncture for primary hypertension.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-five cases of primary hypertension were randomized into an observation group (108 cases) and a control group (27 cases). In either group, Fengchi (GB 20), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected conventionally.