Performance measurement of nonhomogeneous Hong Kong hospitals using directional distance functions.

Cook et al. (Oper Res 61(3):666-676, 2013) propose a DEA-based model for the performance evaluation of non-homogeneous decision making units (DMUs) based on constant returns to scale (CRS), extended by Li et al. (Health Care Manag Sci 22(2):215-228, 2019) to variable returns to scale (VRS).

ADRB3 induces mobilization and inhibits differentiation of both breast cancer cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells.

Metastatic tumors are mainly composed of neoplastic cells escaping from the primary tumor and inflammatory cells egressing from bone marrow. Cancer cell and inflammatory cell are remained in the state of immaturity during migration to distant organs. Here, we show that ADRB3 is crucial in cell mobilization and differentiation.

Risk Prediction Model for Uncontrolled Hypertension in Chinese Community.

Background: Uncontrolled hypertension rate was still high across China. This study develops and validates an index to help quantify the combination of socio-behavioral aspects to screen high-risk patients in uncontrolled hypertension in Chinese primary care.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included 1,039 of patients with hypertension in the Chinese community.

Measuring work complexity for acute care services.

Case weights capture the resource cost by diagnosis-related group (DRG) but may not fully reflect the complexity of the clinical services provided. This study describes the use of a work complexity index (WCI), for assessing acute care services focusing on those provided by physicians in healthcare systems. The services are classified using relative value units (RVUs) and their point value assigned using the resource-based relative value scale.

ADRB3 expression in tumor cells is a poor prognostic factor and promotes proliferation in non-small cell lung carcinoma.

The cross-talk between cancer cells and monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages (Mo-AMs) promotes non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) progression. In this study, we report that both cancer cells and Mo-AMs robustly express beta 3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) in NSCLC. ADRB3 supports lung cancer cells proliferation and promotes chronic inflammation.

MicroRNA‑30a‑5p promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells under hypoxia by targeting YKL‑40.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal and currently incurable cardiopulmonary disease. Numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) serve important roles in the development of PAH. While the expression of miR‑30a‑5p was downregulated in the lung tissue of rats in a pulmonary hypertension rat model, the expression pattern and function of miR‑30a‑5p in human PAH remain unclear.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide improves the C-ACS risk score prediction of clinical outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: It remained unclear whether the combination of the Canada Acute Coronary Syndrome Risk Score (CACS-RS) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) could have a better performance in predicting clinical outcomes in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: A total of 589 consecutive STEMI patients were enrolled. The potential additional predictive value of NT-pro-BNP with the CACS-RS was estimated.

Association between circulating levels of ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-MAS axis and ACE2 gene polymorphisms in hypertensive patients.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin-(1-7)-MAS axis (ACE2-Ang-[1-7]-MAS axis) plays an important role in the control of blood pressure. Some previous studies indicated that the genetic variants of ACE2 may have a potential to influence this axis. Therefore, the present study aimed at examining the association of ACE2 polymorphisms with circulating ACE2 and Ang-(1-7) levels in patients with essential hypertension.

[Association between sedentary life style and risks of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus type 2].

Objective: To explore the association of sedentary life style with risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and diabetes mellitus type 2(T2DM).

Methods: A total of 6 016 local residents aged 18 years or older in Fujian province were recruited by multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method in 2010-2011. Data, including demographic information, physical activity and sedentary time were collected.

Predictive factors associated with gefitinib response in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Purpose: A number of different clinical characteristics have been reported to singly correlate with therapeutic activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to identify predictive factors associated with prognostic benefits of gefitinib.

Patients And Methods: EGFR gene typing in 33 advanced NSCLC patients received gefitinib (250 mg/day) were analyzed with mutant-enriched PCR assay.

A core promoter variant of angiotensinogen gene and interindividual variation in response to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Introduction: The polymorphic angiotensinogen (AGT) gene is one of the most promising candidates for essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the A-6G variant of the AGT gene and the blood pressure response to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in hypertensive subjects.

Methods: Five hundred and nine mildly to moderately hypertensive subjects received ACE inhibitors for six weeks after a two-week run-in period.

Hospital quality improvement initiative for patients with acute coronary syndromes in China: a cluster randomized, controlled trial.

Background- Substantial evidence-practice gaps exist in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in China. Clinical pathways are tools for improving ACS quality of care but have not been rigorously evaluated. Methods and Results- Between October 2007 and August 2010, a quality improvement program was conducted in 75 hospitals throughout China with mixed methods evaluation in a cluster randomized, controlled trial.

Serum pepsinogens, gastrin-17 and Helicobacter pylori antibody in the residents of two cities in china with distinct mortality rates of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors causing death in Fujian Province, China. However, the mortality of gastric cancer is greatly varied in different areas in Fujian; for example, the mortality in Changle City is 7.4 times higher than that in Fuan City.

MicroRNA 16 enhances differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a cardiac niche toward myogenic phenotypes in vitro.

Aim: Upregulation of microRNA 16 (miR-16) contributed to the differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) toward myogenic phenotypes in a cardiac niche, the present study aimed to determine the role of miR-16 in this process.

Main Methods: hMSCs and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were co-cultured indirectly in two chambers to set up a cardiac microenvironment (niche). miRNA expression profile in cardiac-niche-induced hMSCs was detected by miRNA microarray.

Role of procalcitonin in the diagnosis of severe infection in pediatric patients with fever and Neutropenia--a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the procalcitonin (PCT) test for diagnosis of bacterial sepsis in pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia.

Methods: Three major databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies that evaluated the diagnostic value of PCT alone or compared with other laboratory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) to identify bacterial sepsis in children with fever and neutropenia. A bivariate model was used to derive summary sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic tests.

Effect of ranolazine on rat intrarenal arteries in vitro.

Ranolazine is mainly used to treat patients with chronic stable angina in clinical practice. However, ranolazine does not lower significantly systemic blood pressure. The direct effect of ranolazine on vascular tone remains unknown.

Association between polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system and coronary artery disease in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is regarded as one of the most important regulatory systems for cardiovascular homeostasis. In this study, we investigated associations of the five genetic polymorphisms in the RAS and presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

[Impact of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 polymorphism on warfarin response during initiation of therapy].

Objective: To investigate potential contributions of genetic variants of cytochrome P-450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and vitamin K expoxide reductase (VKORC1) to the anticoagulation response during the initiation of warfarin therapy in the Han Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 798 Han Chinese patients received long-term warfarin anticoagulant therapy orally after valve replacement in our hospital between 2000 and 2008 were included in this study. Nine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci [rs12572351 G > A, rs9332146 G > A, rs4917639 G > T, rs1057910 A > C (CYP2C9(*)3), rs1934967 G > T, rs1934968 G > A, rs9923231 C > T (VKORC1-1639 G > A), rs2359612 G > A and rs10871454 C > T] in 2 genes including CYP2C9 and VKORC1, which were possibly correlated with warfarin pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics through literature retrieval, were selected and analyzed.

Effect of atorvastatin therapy on borderline vulnerable lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Introduction: It is still controversial whether borderline lesions with a vulnerable plaque should be stented early or simply treated pharmacologically. No data exist concerning the potential effects of statin therapy on borderline vulnerable lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Material And Methods: Fifty patients with ACS whose culprit lesions were classified as "borderline lesions" were enrolled.

Integrating interacting drugs and genetic variations to improve the predictability of warfarin maintenance dose in Chinese patients.

Objective: Compared with genetic factors, drug interactions are largely unexplored in pharmacogenetic studies. This study sought to systematically investigate the effects of VKORC1, STX4A, CYP2C9, CYP4F2, CYP3A4, and GGCX gene polymorphisms and interacting drugs on warfarin maintenance dose.

Methods: A retrospective study of 845 Chinese patients after heart valve replacement receiving long-term warfarin maintenance therapy was conducted.

[Distribution of variant alleles association with warfarin pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the Han population in China].

Objective: To investigate distribution of CYP2C9, CYP3A4, VKORC1 and GGCX gene polymorphisms in the Han population of Guangdong.

Methods: The subjects included were 970 Chinese Han patients who received long-term warfarin anticoagulant therapy orally after valve replacement in Guangdong General Hospital between 2000 and 2008. By selecting and analyzing the 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci, rs12572351 G>A, rs9332146 G>A, rs4917639 G>T, rs1057910 A>C (CYP2C9*3), rs1934967 G>T, rs1934968 G>A, rs2242480 T>C, rs2246709 G>A, rs9923231 C>T (VKORC1-1639 G>A), rs2359612 G>A (VKORC1*2), rs10871454 C>T, and rs699664 T>C, in 4 genes including CYP2C9, CYP3A4, VKORC1 and GGCX that were possibly correlated with warfarin pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics through literature retrieval, the distribution of mutation frequencies of the 12 SNPs loci in Chinese Han population were obtained systematically.

Adverse trends of cardiovascular risk factors among low risk populations (1983-1994)--a cohort study of workers and farmers in Guangzhou, China.

Background: The levels and trends of cardiovascular risk factors vary greatly throughout China. We examine 10-year trends of cardiovascular risk factors (1983-1994) and the factors related to these trends among low-risk cohorts of workers and farmers in Guangzhou, China.

Methods: This is a cohort study of 3,131 workers and 3,493 farmers aged 25-64 years at baseline with 10 years of follow-up.