The thrombodynamic ratio as a predictor of 28-day mortality in sepsis patients.

Background: The thrombodynamic ratio (TDR) as a composite thromboelastography (TEG) parameter, has been proven to be valuable in multiple diseases. However, the association between TDR and mortality in sepsis has not been studied.

Methods: One hundred forty-one patients were enrolled in this retrospectively study.

The impact of COVID-19 on short-term prognosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention in Wuhan China.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a common cardiovascular emergency for which timely reperfusion therapies are needed to minimize myocardial necrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and reorganization of chest pain centers (CPC) on the practice of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and prognosis of STEMI patients. This single-center retrospective survey included all patients with STEMI admitted to our CPC from January 22, 2020 to April 30, 2020 (during COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan), compared with those admitted during the analogous period in 2019, in respect of important time points of PPCI and clinical outcomes of STEMI patients.

A Case of Human Viral Encephalitis Caused by Pseudorabies Virus Infection in China.

We report a human case of viral encephalitis caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV) in China. A 43-year-old man with no previous medical history presented with high-grade fever, headache and tonic-clonic seizures as well as coma. Plain computer tomography (CT) brain imaging showed hypo-density in the bilateral basal ganglia, bilateral occipital lobe, bilateral limbic lobe, and left thalamic.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes the proliferation and attenuates apoptosis of Endothelial progenitor cells via S1PR1/S1PR3/PI3K/Akt pathway.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lysophospholipid that involves in numerous pathophysiological processes. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a crucial role in endothelial repair and tumor angiogenesis. The aim of study was to determine the effects of S1P on proliferation and anti-apoptosis of EPCs and their signaling pathways.

Transplantation of EPCs overexpressing PDGFR-β promotes vascular repair in the early phase after vascular injury.

Background: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play important roles in the regeneration of the vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-β is known to contribute to proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs, this study aims to investigate effects of transplantation of EPCs overexpressing PDGFR-β on vascular regeneration.

Methods: We transplanted genetically modified EPCs overexpressing PDGFR-β into a mouse model with carotid artery injury.

Correlating blood levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine to hOGG1 genotypes and the incidence of ischemic cardiomyopathy.

We measured the serum levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and investigated whether these levels correlate with incidence of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), and whether these levels correlate with underlying oxidative stress in patients with ICM. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was performed to assess the prevalence of the Ser/Cys polymorphism in the human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (hOGG1) gene. We analyzed the samples from 246 ICM cases (the ICM group) and another 246 age- and sex-matched volunteers with normal coronary artery function (the control group).

Combination of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, early lactate area, and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide levels as a predictor of mortality in geriatric patients with septic shock.

Background: Given the high mortality rates in elderly patients with septic shock, the early recognition of patients at greatest risk of death is crucial for the implementation of early intervention strategies. Serum lactate and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are often elevated in elderly patients with septic shock and are therefore important biomarkers of metabolic and cardiac dysfunction. We hypothesized that a risk stratification system that incorporates the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and lactate and NT-proBNP biomarkers would better predict mortality in geriatric patients with septic shock than the APACHE II score alone.

Local gene silencing of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 prevents vulnerable plaque disruption in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a CC chemokine (CCL2), has been demonstrated to play important roles in atherosclerosis and becoming an important therapeutic target for atherosclerosis. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that local RNAi of MCP-1 by site-specific delivery of adenovirus-mediated small hairpin RNA (shRNA) may enhance plaque stability and prevent plaque disruption in ApoE-/- mice. We designed an adenovirus-mediated shRNA against mouse MCP-1 (rAd5-MCP-1-shRNA).

[Use of the AKIN criteria to assess the incidence of acute renal injury, outcome and prognostic factors of ICU mortality in critically ill patients].

Objective: To evaluate the value of the AKIN criteria of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the incidence and prognoses in critically ill patients, and to further identify risk factors associated with the prognoses of the critically ill patients.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 544 adult patients hospitalized for ≥24 h to a comprehensive ICU with 16 beds in teaching hospital from January 2008 to December 2009. Based on AKIN criteria, these patients were classified into four groups: NAKI (no AKI), AKII, AKIII, and AKIIII respectively.

Atorvastatin suppresses LPS-induced rapid upregulation of Toll-like receptor 4 and its signaling pathway in endothelial cells.

In the present study, we tested our hypothesis that atorvastatin exerts its anti-inflammation effect via suppressing LPS-induced rapid upregulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA and its downstream p38, ERK, and NF-κB signaling pathways in human umbilical-vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). TLR4 mRNA expression and its downstream kinase activities induced by LPS alone or atorvastatin + LPS in endothelial cells were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Preincubation of LPS-stimulated endothelial cells with TLR4 siRNA was conducted to identify the target of the anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin.

Atherosclerotic plaque components characterization and macrophage infiltration identification by intravascular ultrasound elastography based on b-mode analysis: validation in vivo.

Intravascular ultrasound elastography (IVUSE) is a promising imaging technique for early investigation of vulnerable plaques. Compared to radiofrequency signal processing, digital B-mode analysis is simple and of higher portability. However, rare studies have been reported validating the latter technique in vivo.

A causal relationship between shear stress and atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E knockout mice assessed by ultrasound biomicroscopy.

The present study was undertaken to examine the hemodynamic state using the latest ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) technique and to investigate the effect of local shear stress on the development of atherosclerosis in the constrictive collar-treated carotid arteries of apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. Fifty-six male apoE(-/-) mice fed a high-lipid diet were divided into an interventional group (n = 48) and the control group (n = 8). Constrictive and nonconstrictive collars were placed around the carotid artery of the mice in the interventional group and the control group, respectively.

Combinatorial interference of toll-like receptor 2 and 4 synergistically stabilizes atherosclerotic plaque in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice.

To test the hypothesis that combinatorial interference of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 is superior to isolated interference of TLR2 or TLR4 in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques, lentiviruses carrying small interfering RNA of TLR2 or TLR4 were constructed and proved efficacious for knocking down mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 or TLR4 significantly in vitro. One hundred and fifty apolipoprotein E(-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet were divided into the control, mock, TLR2i, TLR4i and TLR2 + 4i subgroups and a constrictive collar was placed around carotid artery of these mice to induce plaque formation. TLR2i and TLR4i viral suspension was transfected into carotid plaques, respectively, in TLR2i and TLR4i subgroups, or in combination in TLR2 + 4i subgroup.

Severe tracheal stenosis due to prolonged tracheostomy tube placement: a case report.

Tracheal stenosis is the most common late airway complication of tracheostomy. Severe tracheal stenosis resulted in hemodynamic deterioration and impairment of respiratory system mechanics. We cared for an 86-year-old man with severe tracheal stenosis due to prolonged placement of a tracheostomy tube for 42-months.

[Relationship between blood lactic level, lactic clearance, duration of lacticemia and prognosis of critically ill patients in intensive care unit].

Objective: To study and quantify the relationship between dynamic lactic acid monitoring indexes and prognosis of critically ill patients in intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: One hundred and one critically ill patients with elevated blood lactic acid level were included in this study and divided into death group (n=50) and survival group (n=51). Differences in their lactic acid indexes (including: lactic acid level, duration of lacticemia, lactic clearance), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) score, and other clinical indicators which reflected organ/system status were compared, and prognostic significant lacticemia indexes were formulated by multi-variable logistic analysis.

Concurrent pheochromocytoma, ventricular tachycardia, left ventricular thrombus, and systemic embolization.

An obese 43-year-old female with a right adrenal pheochromocytoma is described. The clinical manifestations of this case included ventricular tachycardia, left ventricular thrombus, and elevation of serum myocardial enzymes. During the hospitalization, the left ventricular thrombus was detached, leading to renal infarction and embolic occlusion of the femoral arteries bilaterally.

Atherosclerotic plaque disruption induced by stress and lipopolysaccharide in apolipoprotein E knockout mice.

To establish an animal model with disruptions of atherosclerotic plaques, 96 male apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE(-/-)) mice were randomly divided into stress, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), stress+LPS, and control groups (n = 24 each). All mice were fed a high-fat diet throughout the experiment, and carotid atherosclerotic lesions were induced by placement of a constrictive perivascular collar. Four weeks after surgery, mice in the LPS and stress+LPS groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (1 mg/kg twice per week for 8 wk).

Enhanced stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice by combinatorial Toll-like receptor-1 and -2 gene silencing.

Because both Toll-like receptor-1 (TLR1) and TLR2 are expressed in atherosclerotic plaques, we hypothesized that TLR1 and TLR2 may play different roles in the formation of vulnerable plaques and that combinatorial knockdown of TLR1 and TLR2 genes may enhance the effects of isolated knockdown of the TLR1 or TLR2 gene on plaque stabilization. Lentiviruses carrying small interfering RNAs of TLR1 or TLR2 were constructed, which knocked down mRNA and protein expression of TLR1 or TLR2 significantly in vitro. One hundred and forty apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice were randomly allocated to control, mock, TLR1 interference (TLR1i), TLR2 interference (TLR2i), and TLR1+2 interference (TLR1+2i) subgroups and a constrictive collar was placed around the carotid artery of these mice to induce plaque formation.

Plaque volume compression ratio, a novel biomechanical index, is independently associated with ischemic cerebrovascular events.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a new biomechanical index for assessing the elastic characteristics of carotid plaques and to test the association between carotid plaque elasticity and ischemic cerebrovascular events (ICEs).

Methods: One hundred and eighteen carotid plaques were detected with real-time three-dimensional ultrasonography in 104 patients. All patients received MRI and were divided into two groups according to the history of ICEs: patients with ICEs (n=58, including 20 patients with transient ischemic attack and 38 with ischemic stroke) and patients without ICEs (n=46).

Usefulness of high-frequency vascular ultrasound imaging and serum inflammatory markers to predict plaque rupture in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris.

It remains unclear what kind of morphologic and biochemical features best predict plaque rupture in patients with angina pectoris (AP). This study aimed to investigate whether combined high-frequency vascular ultrasound imaging and measurements of serum inflammatory biomarkers can predict coronary plaque ruptures in patients with AP. The study population consisted of 20 patients with stable AP and 40 patients with unstable AP.

Micro-ultrasound imaging assessment of carotid plaque characteristics in apolipoprotein-E knockout mice.

This study was aimed to test the hypothesis that noninvasive assessment of carotid plaques can be achieved by high-resolution micro-ultrasound imaging in apolipoprotein-E knockout (apoE-KO) mice. Forty-two male apoE-KO mice were fed a high-fat diet and atherosclerotic lesions in the left common carotid artery were induced by perivascular placement of constrictive collars. Eight weeks after surgery, all mice were divided into interventional group (n=21) which received mental stress stimulation and intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide, and control group (n=21) which received only 0.

Quantification of transmural gradient of blood flow in myocardial ischemia with real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography and dipyridamole stress test.

Transmural redistribution of myocardial blood flow (MBF) is the earliest sign of myocardial ischemia. We aimed to evaluate the ability of real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) combined with dipyridamole stress to quantify the transmural gradient of MBF during graded coronary stenosis. Real-time MCE was performed in 14 open-chest dogs at seven experimental stages: baseline; hyperemia induced by 6-min infusion of dipyridamole; 50%, 75% and 90% reduction of hyperemic flow after constriction in each stage for 10 min; reperfusion for 10 min; and subtotal occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 90 min.

How many planes are required to get an accurate and timesaving measurement of left ventricular volume and function by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in acute myocardial infarction?

To derive the optimal cutting planes of real-time 3-D echocardiography (RT-3DE) for measuring left ventricular volume and ejection fraction (EF) in the presence of left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities, 14 open-chest dogs were studied with RT-3DE full volume imaging and 2-D echocardiography (2DE) after left anterior descending coronary arteries were occluded for 90 min. Left ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV) and EF were measured off-line with 2DE and RT-3DE (2-, 4- and 8-plane) methods. The autopsy EDV was estimated by the volume of saline solution injected into the excised heart and served as the reference volume (RefV) for comparison with EDV measured by 2DE and RT-3DE.

Assessment of ischemic myocardium by strain-rate imaging during adenosine stress echocardiography.

Objective: Strain rate (SR) provides a quantitative segmental analysis of myocardial function. However, the use of SR with stress echocardiography to determine the ischemic myocardium has not been completely investigated. The present study aimed to determine the changes in systolic function of the ischemic myocardium by strain-rate imaging (SRI) with adenosine stress echocardiography.