The Chinese version of the Health Professional Communication Skills Scale: Psychometric evaluation.

Objective: This study aims to translate the Health Professional Communication Skills Scale (HP-CSS) into Chinese and assess its psychometric properties.

Methods: A total of 836 healthcare professionals were recruited. The demographic characteristics form and HP-CSS were used for data collection.

Laser-structured microarray electrodes for durable stretchable lithium-ion battery.

Stretchable lithium-ion batteries (SLIBs) hold great potential as a power source for wearable electronics. A major challenge in the development of SLIBs is fabricating stable and reliable stretchable electrodes. Herein, we develop a novel laser-structured microarray electrodes based SLIBs.

Upregulation of miR-155 in CD4(+) T Cells Promoted Th1 Bias in Patients With Unstable Angina.

An imbalance between T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells has been reported to increase plaque instability in patients with unstable angina (UA). MicroRNAs play a vital role in the differentiation of CD4(+) T cells. However, the role of microRNAs in regulation of Th1/Th2 balance in UA remains unclear.

[Effects of pretreatment with metoprolol on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and caspase-8 activation after coronary microembolization in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of metoprolol on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and caspase-8 activation after coronary microembolization(CME) in rats.

Methods: Adult rats were randomly assigned into CME group (intraventricular injection of 3000 microspheres with 42 µm in diameter), sham-operated group (0.1 ml saline) and CME plus metoprolol group (pretreatment with 3 bolus metoprolol 2.

Endothelial microparticles exert differential effects on functions of Th1 in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) can be involved in inflammatory process, blood coagulation, and regulation of vascular function. However, it remains unclear whether EMPs participate in the pathogenesis of ACS. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of EMPs on Th1/Th2 development and functions in vitro.

Effect of metoprolol on myocardial apoptosis and caspase-9 activation after coronary microembolization in rats.

Objective: To explore the effect of metoprolol on myocardial apoptosis and caspase-9 activation after coronary microembolization (CME) in rats.

Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=10 each): a sham operation (control) group, CME plus saline (CME) group, CME plus metoprolol (metoprolol) group and caspase-9 inhibitor Z-LEHD-FMK (ZLF) group. CME was induced by injecting 3000 polyethylene microspheres (42 μm diameter) into the left ventricle during a 10 s occlusion of the ascending aorta.

Comparative efficacy and safety of drug-eluting stent and conventional therapies in coronary heart disease patients with in-stent restenosis: a meta-analysis.

We performed a meta-analysis to compare therapeutic outcome/safety of drug-eluting stent (DES) and conventional in-stent restenosis (ISR) treatments. We browsed through large volume of clinical data by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, and EBSCO databases. In this study, 11 randomized controlled trials, 17 non-randomized controlled trials, 6,330 patients, and 6,662 lesions were included.

Effect of atorvastatin (Lipitor) on myocardial apoptosis and caspase-8 activation following coronary microembolization.

We determined the effect of atorvastatin on myocardial apoptosis and caspase-8 activation following coronary microembolization (CME) in a rat model. For this, 50 rats were randomly and equally divided into CME; sham-operated (control); atorvastatin lavage; gastric lavage control; and caspase-8 inhibitor (CHO) groups. In CME animals, a microembolization ball was injected through the left ventricle.

Drug-eluting stents vs. intracoronary brachytherapy for in-stent restenosis: a meta-analysis.

Background: It has been reported that drug-eluting stents (DES) were superior to intracoronary brachytherapy (ICBT) in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). However, it is unknown whether there might be differences between DES and ICBT in terms of efficacy and safety in large sample size and long-term follow-up.

Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to determine whether DES implantation remains favorable in large sample size and long-term follow-up when compared with ICBT among patients with ISR.

Beta blocker metoprolol protects against contractile dysfunction in rats after coronary microembolization by regulating expression of myocardial inflammatory cytokines.

Aims: To examine the effects of metoprolol on expression of myocardial inflammatory cytokines and myocardial function in rats following coronary microembolization (CME).

Main Methods: Male rats were randomly assigned to receive either sham-operation (control group), CME plus saline (CME group), or CME plus metoprolol (metoprolol group). CME was induced by injecting 3000 polyethylene microspheres (42 μm) into the left ventricle during a 10-second occlusion of the ascending aorta.

[Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and death receptor pathway in a rat model of coronary microembolization].

Objective: To investigate the dynamic changes of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the role of death receptor apoptotic pathway in a rat model of coronary microembolization (CME).

Methods: Adult rats were randomized to coronary microembolization (CME group, n = 63) or sham-operated group (S group, n = 55). CME model was established by aortic injection of 0.

Altered expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is associated with reduced cardiac function in rats following coronary microembolization.

Coronary microembolization (CME) is a spontaneous event in patients with ischemic heart disease and a potential iatrogenic complication in patients undergoing coronary interventions. CME induces an obvious inflammatory reaction, characterized by cellular infiltration, particularly of eosinophils, and multifocal microinfarcts. However, little is known on the correlation between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and cardiac function following CME.