Osteopontin protects against hyperoxia-induced lung injury by inhibiting nitric oxide synthases.

Background: Exposure of adult mice to more than 95% O(2) produces a lethal injury by 72 hours. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of murine hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein produced principally by macrophages.

Incidence and predictors of radial artery spasm during transradial coronary angiography and intervention.

Background: Radial artery spasm (RAS) is the most common complication in transradial coronary angiography and intervention. In this study, we designed to investigate the incidence of RAS during transradial procedures in Chinese, find out the independent predictors through multiple regression, and analyze the clinical effect of RAS during follow-up.

Methods: Patients arranged to receive transradial coronary angiography and intervention were consecutively enrolled.

[Randomized study on T stenting and small protrusion technique versus simple stenting for patients with coronary artery bifurcation lesions and with big size side branch].

Objective: To explore the feasibility and safety of T stenting and small protrusion (TAP) technique and compare the efficacy with simple stenting in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions and with big size side branch.

Methods: A total of 142 eligible patients were recruited and 127 patients completed the study (simple stenting group 58 and TAP technique group 69).

Results: Major adverse cardiovascular event rate was similar at 12 months follow up between the groups (TAP technique group 13.

Comparison of different antithrombotic regimens for patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation.

Background: The optimal antithrombotic strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is unknown.

Methods And Results: The 622 consecutive AF patients undergoing DES implantation were prospectively enrolled. Among them, 142 patients (TT group) continued triple antithrombotic therapy comprising aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin after discharge; 355 patients (DT group) had dual antiplatelet therapy; 125 patients (WS group) were discharged with warfarin and a single antiplatelet agent.

Anatomical study of forearm arteries with ultrasound for percutaneous coronary procedures.

Background: In recent years, the radial artery (RA) has become an alternative vascular access site for percutaneous coronary procedures, and the ulnar artery (UA) is another possibility. The objective of this study was to investigate the anatomy of the forearm arteries with ultrasound (US) and to evaluate the effect of the anatomy of the right RA (RRA) on the outcomes of transradial coronary procedures.

Methods And Results: The 638 patients undergoing transradial coronary procedures were examined with US for measurement of the diameters of the forearm arteries and determination of their anatomical abnormalities before the procedures.

[Safety and feasibility of transradial coronary angiography at the outpatient clinic].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of transradial coronary angiography at the outpatient clinic.

Methods: From February 2007 to June 2007, 100 outpatients who received transradial coronary angiography in Anzhen hospital were included in this analysis, 100 inpatients underwent coronary angiography were selected as control group. Primary endpoints included success rate, percent of angiographic catheter use with different diameters, adverse events during the procedure (such as death, malignant arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery spasm, coronary artery dissection, perforation or occlusion, etc.

[Comparison between drug eluting stent and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery for the treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery disease in elderly patients].

Objective: To compare the 2 years outcome of elderly patients with ULMCA stenosis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or drug eluting stent (DES).

Methods: From January 2004 to June 2006, 295 patients with ULMCA stenosis and age > or = 70 years undergoing coronary revascularization with either CABG (n = 206) or DES (n = 89) were enrolled in this analysis. All-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization (TLR) were recorded during 2 years follow-up.

Relationship between plasma cathepsin S and cystatin C levels and coronary plaque morphology of mild to moderate lesions: an in vivo study using intravascular ultrasound.

Background: Cathepsin S and its endogenous inhibitor cystatin C are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, especially in the plaque destabilization and rupture leading to acute coronary syndrome. However, whether circulating cathepsin S and cystatin C also change in association with coronary plaque morphology is unknown yet.

Methods: We recruited 98 patients with unstable angina (UA, n = 6) or stable angina (SA, n = 2) who had a segmental stenosis resulting in > 20% and < 70% diameter reduction in one major coronary artery on coronary angiography.

Feasibility and safety of transcatheter intervention for complex patent ductus arteriosus.

We evaluated the transcatheter intervention of complex patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in Chinese adults. Between January 2004 and April 2008, 112 adult patients (43 males, 69 females, mean age 31 +/- 19 years) underwent intervention. Coils were used for patients with small PDA, and Amplatzer duct occluders or China-made mushroom-shaped occluders were used for patients with moderate-to-large PDA.

Effects of upstream tirofiban versus downstream tirofiban on myocardial damage and 180-day clinical outcomes in high-risk acute coronary syndromes patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background: For patients with moderate to high-risk acute coronary syndromes (ACS) who undergo early, invasive treatment strategies, current guidelines recommend the usage of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors as an upstream treatment for a coronary care unit or as an downstream provisional treatment for selected patients who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The relative advantage of either strategy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of upstream tirofiban versus the effects of downstream tirofiban on myocardial damage and 180-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after PCI in high-risk non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) undergoing PCI.

Clinical study of arterial anatomic variations for transradial coronary procedure in Chinese population.

Background: The radial artery is currently regarded as a useful approach for coronary intervention procedures. Adequate anatomical information of the radial artery should be helpful in performing transradial coronary procedures. Few data about the Chinese population have been obtained in this field.

[Effects of upstream tirofiban versus downstream tirofiban on platelet aggregation and clinical outcomes in patients with high-risk acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions].

Objective: To observe the effects of upstream versus downstream application of tirofiban on platelet aggregation and clinical outcomes (major adverse cardiovascular event, MACE) in patients with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: From July 2006 to July 2007, 160 high-risk NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI were randomized to receive upstream (4-6 h prior PCI) tirofiban and downstream (immediately prior to PCI) tirofiban. Platelet aggregation inhibition was determined at admission, before coronary angiography and after PCI.

Anti-angiogenic effects and mechanisms of polysaccharides from Antrodia cinnamomea with different molecular weights.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Antrodia cinnamomea is a popular medicinal mushroom in Taiwan that has been widely used for treatment of various cancers and liver diseases.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect on angiogenesis of polysaccharides from mycelia of Antrodia cinnamomea (PMAC).

Materials And Methods: PMAC were extracted in boiling water, precipitated with 95% ethanol, and separated into four different molecular weights (<5, 5-30, 30-100, > 100 kDa).

Comparison of drug-eluting stents and coronary artery bypass grafting for the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a strong predictor of mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but the relative efficacy of the 2 revascularization strategies in this context remains unknown.

Methods And Results: The 1,069 patients with CKD undergoing revascularization for multivessel coronary disease were evaluated. Of them, 532 patients were treated for 2-vessel disease (97 CABG, 435 PCI) and 537 for 3-vessel disease (248 CABG, 289 PCI).

Impact of clopidogrel resistance on thrombotic events after percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent.

Objectives: This study examines whether patient resistance to clopidogrel is associated with long-term thrombotic events after elective coronary drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 386 patients with stable angina who received elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with DES. Before the procedure, platelet reactivity was measured by light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) at baseline and approximately 24 h after the 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel.

A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial on the efficacy and cardiorenal safety of iodixanol vs. iopromide in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing coronary angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare the renal safety as well as cardiovascular (CV) effects and diagnostic image quality of iso-osmolar iodixanol vs. low-osmolar iopromide in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing coronary interventions.

Background: With the growing number of contrast-enhanced procedures being performed for coronary artery disease management, the safety and efficacy of iodinated contrast media (CM) have come under increased scrutiny.

Transradial approach for coronary angioplasty in Chinese elderly patients.

Background: The radial artery is currently regarded as a useful vascular access site for coronary procedures. This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility and safety of the percutaneous radial artery approach for angioplasty in the elderly.

Methods: Two thousand and fifty-eight consecutive patients (762 elderly, age = 65 years; and 1296 non-elderly, age < 65 years, respectively) who underwent transradial coronary angioplasty were recruited in this study.

Long-term outcome of patients of over 85 years old with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary stenting: a comparison of bare metal stent and drug eluting stent.

Background: Patients aged over 85 years have been under-represented in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) trials despite an increase in referrals for PCI. The long-term safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary stenting in patients aged over 85 years with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain unclear. Moreover it is unknown whether there are differences between bare metal stent (BMS) and drug eluting stent (DES) in this special population.

Safety and feasibility of transradial approach for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Transradial coronary intervention has been widely used because of its effects in lowering the incidence of complications in vascular access site and improving patient satisfaction compared to the femoral approach. This study aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of transradial approach for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: A total of 103 consecutive elderly patients (age = 65 years) who were diagnosed as having AMI were indicated for PCI.

Sugarcane bagasse mild alkaline/oxidative pretreatment for ethanol production by alkaline recycle process.

In order to decrease the alkali and water consumptions in the sugarcane bagasse alkaline/oxidative pretreatment for ethanol production, an alkaline recycle process was carried out. Two recycles of NaOH/H2O2 pretreatment did not decrease the pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis efficiencies and the consumptions of NaOH and water would be saved by 26% and 40%, respectively. A simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) culture with pretreated bagasse as substrate was developed giving 25 g ethanol l(-1) with a yield of 0.

[Prognosis of metabolic syndrome in coronary artery disease patients of different genders].

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) of different genders who underwent revascularization.

Methods: The clinical data of 2596 patients in the DESIRE (Drug-eluting Stent Impact on Revascularization) study who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were analyzed and the patients were followed up till death. MS was diagnosed based on the Chinese standard (modified ATP III).

[Impact of chronic anemia on in-hospital clinical outcome of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease].

Objective: To evaluate the in-hospital clinical outcome of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease with chronic anemia.

Methods: Between July 2002 and June 2004, 3 679 patients in Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Sciences were subjected to revascularization [percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)] during hospitalization. These patients were divided into anemia group and non-anemia group according to blood hemoglobin (Hb) level [World Health Organization (WHO) standard (male<120 g/L, female<110 g/L) as anemia].

[Risk factors related to mortality in old patients with coronary heart disease after revascularization].

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors related to mortality in old patients with coronary heart disease after revascularization.

Methods: A total of 675 patients (498 males) with age >or= 70 years old who received revascularization during July 2003 to June 2004 and followed up > 30 days after discharge were included in this study. Clinical characteristics, death and major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) during follow up were recorded.