[An improved method of electrode placement for ECG monitoring in children].

Objective: This study examines the impacts of an improved electrode placement on the electrocardiogram (ECG) results in order to determine a better electrode placement for ECG monitoring in children.

Methods: ECG was recorded using the traditional electrode placement and the modified electrode placement (with shortened electrode distance) respectively in 50 pediatric patients. The amplitudes of P wave and QRS wave on ECG by the two measurements were compared.

[Neferine protects endothelial cells against damages induced by LPC and relationship with asymmetric dimethylarginine].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of neferine against damages of endothelial cells induced by lysophos-phatidylcholine (LPC) and the relationship with asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA).

Method: The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC-12) were treated with LPC (10 mg x L(-1)) for 24 h to establish the model of endothelial cells damages; HUVECs were prior exposed to neferine (0.1, 1.

[Effect of the polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene on the drug treatment in patients with chronic heart failure].

Objective: To investigate the effect of the insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene on the drug treatment in patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods: The genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 79 patients with chronic heart failure. Plasma Ang II levels that were assessed by radio-immunity assay (RIA), left ventricular end-diastolic diameters (LVDD) and left ventricular ejection fractions (EF) and that were studied with echocardiography were measured before and after the treatment.