Diagonal earlobe crease and coronary artery disease in a Chinese population.

Background: Many reports have claimed associations between diagonal earlobe crease (DELC) and coronary artery disease (CAD), but data in Chinese populations are limited.

Methods: This cohort study investigated 449 consecutive Chinese, 250 cases with CAD and 199 without CAD, who were certified by coronary artery angiography in our center. Characteristic differences and the relation of DELC to CAD were assessed by Chi-square and t tests.

The ratio of second to fourth digit length (2D:4D) and coronary artery disease in a Han Chinese population.

Background: The association between index finger to ring finger length ratio (2D:4D) and cardiac disorders has been reported, however it has not been discussed in terms of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated whether 2D:4D could be used as a marker for predisposition to CAD as assessed by coronary angiography in Chinese men and women.

Methods: This study included 1764 persons divided into 4 groups, 441 cases with CAD and 441 persons without CAD as control in each sex of the same age.

[Analysis of risk factors of cardiogenic shock secondary to acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To explore risk factors for cardiogenic shock (CS) secondary to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients arising from comorbidities so as to identify high risk patients earlier.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 5523 patients who were hospitalized with AMI in PLA General Hospital from January 1993 to December 2009. The patients were divided into two groups based on presence or absence of CS.

Inhibitory effect of atorvastatin on the cell growth of cardiac myxomas via the PTEN and PHLPP2 phosphatase signaling pathway.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a molecule with strong proliferative effects, and statins have been reported to exhibit antitumor effects based on clinical and experimental studies. However, their effects on cardiac myxoma (CM) cells and the underlying signaling mechanism(s) are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether the protein/lipid phosphatases and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat phosphatase 1 and 2 (PHLPP1 and 2) are involved in the proliferative effect of IGF-1 on CM cells and the pharmacological impact of atorvastatin.

[Effect of phosphatase PHLPP1 gene transfer on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells].

Objective: To investigate the constituent expression of PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the effect of PHLPP1 gene transfer on the proliferation of the cells in vitro.

Methods: Cultured HUVECs were transfected with pcDNA3-GFP or pcDNA3HA-PHLPP1 via lipofectamine 2000. The cell proliferation ability was determined by cell counting and MTT colorimetric assay, and Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of PHLPP1 in the cells.

[Safety and efficacy comparison between rapamycin-eluting stent with biodegradable polymer or permanent polymer in patients with coronary artery disease].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of rapamycin-eluting stent with biodegradable polymer (EXCEL) or permanent polymer (Cypher) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: In this prospective, non-random and comparative study, 60 patients with CAD were divided into EXCEL group (n = 32) and Cypher group (n = 28). The coronary angiography (CAG) and stenting procedure were identical.

[A clinical study on manshuailing oral liquid in treating elder patients with congestive heart failure of type heart and kidney yang deficiency].

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of manshuailing oral liquid on patients with congestive heart failure of type heart and kidney Yang deficiency.

Method: 90 patients of heart failure were randomly divided into 2 groups. 45 cases in the routine treatment group (RT) received general therapy including diuretics and digitalis, and 45 cases in the Chinese herb medicine group (CH) were treated basically with the above medicine, with additional manshuailing oral liquid.

[Effect of IGF-1 on PI3K/PTEN signal pathway in vascular smooth muscle cell].

Aim: To investigate the cellular signal transduction pathway of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation stimulated by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

Methods: Rabbit aortic VSMCs was cultured in 3 groups. Cell proliferating ability was determined by measuring cell number and mitochondrial dehydrogenase (MD) activity (MTT assay).

[Clinical features and treatment of cardiogenic shock complicated with acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To identify the clinical features and the outcome of patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: One hundred and eight consecutive patients with AMI were included in this retrospective analysis. The characteristics, management, and outcome of patients with AMI were compared between patients with cardiogenic shock (group A, n=11) and without cardiogenic shock (group B, n=9).