The complex fluctuations of probabilistic Boolean networks.

Probabilistic Boolean networks (PBNs) are extensions of Boolean networks (BNs), and both have been widely used to model biological systems. In this paper, we study the long-range correlations of PBNs based on their corresponding Markov chains. PBN states are quantified by the deviation of their steady-state distributions.

Pulmonary oligemia maneuver can alleviate pulmonary artery injury during pulmonary thromboendarterectomy procedure.

Background: Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) has evolved as a treatment of choice for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). This study aimed to characterize if pulmonary oligemia maneuver (POM) can alleviate pulmonary artery injury during PTE procedure.

Methods: A total of 112 cases of CTEPH admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital from March 2002 to August 2011 received PTE procedure.

[Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism: clinical features and management].

Objective: To describe the clinical features of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in hospitalized pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) patients, and to explore its impact on the severity of disease and management among patients with PTE.

Methods: Demographic and clinical characteristics of 28 PTE patients complicated with OSAHS admitted to this hospital from January 2002 to December 2010 were analyzed. A total of 30 PTE patients without OSAHS served as a control group.

Surgical treatment of pulmonary artery sarcoma.

Objective: The study objectives were to characterize the prognostic perspectives of pulmonary artery sarcoma and to investigate the effect of distal embolectomy on the prognosis of surgical treatment of pulmonary artery sarcoma.

Methods: Nine patients with pulmonary artery sarcoma were surgically treated at Anzhen Hospital, and the data were retrospectively reviewed. Five patients underwent only pulmonary artery sarcoma resection, and 4 patients underwent both pulmonary artery sarcoma resection and distal embolectomy.

[Clinical analysis of 62 cases of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension treated with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy without early and late deaths].

Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the effects of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

Methods: Sixty-two cases of CTEPH operated with PTE from October 2002 to September 2008 at Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively reviewed and were assigned into either proximal CTEPH group (n = 46) or distal CTEPH group (n = 16).

Result: No early death was reported.

[Expression of various matrix metalloproteinases in mice with hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury].

Objective: To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury induced by hyperoxia.

Methods: Fifty four mice were exposed in sealed cages to >98% oxygen (for 24-72 hours), and another 18 mice to room air. The severity of lung injury was assessed, and the expression of mRNA and protein of MMP-2, MMP-9 and EMMPRIN in lung tissue, after exposure for 24, 48 and 72 hours of hyperoxia were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.