Volume 119  ·   Issue 01  ·  2006

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) especially stent implantation has now become a mainstay of therapeutic armamentarium in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease even at clinically or angiographically high risk. However, restenosis requiring reintervention remains a major limitation and a challenging problem of percutaneous revascularization. 1 Despite the use of coronary stents, the rate of restenosis is still relatively high, affecting a quarter or more of overall patients treated by bare- metal stents and around 10% of those treated by drug- eluting stents, which may be even higher for complex PCI (long lesion, bifurcation, small vessel disease) or at unfavorable clinical conditions (diabetes, chronic renal failure). 2,3

Abstract：Background XS0601, consisting of active ingredients (Chuangxiongol and paeoniflorin), has been shown to inhibit arterial neointimal hyperplasia in animal models and in preliminary human studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of XS0601 in preventing restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 335 patients were randomized into treatment with the oral administration of XS0601, or a placebo for 6 months after successful PCI. Angiographic follow-up was scheduled at 6 months, and clinical follow-ups performed at 1, 3 and 6 months after PCI. The primary end point was angiographic restenosis. The secondary end points were the combined incidence of death, target lesion nonfatal myocardial infarction, repeat angioplasty, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.Results A total of 308 patients (91.9%) completed the study and 145 cases (47.1%) received angiographic follow-up. The restenosis rates were significantly reduced in the XS0601 group as compared with the placebo group (26.0% vs. 47.2%, P < 0.05), and the minimum lumen diameter (MLD) was greater [(2.08 ± 0.89) mm for XS0601 vs. (1.73 ± 0.94) mm for placebo, P < 0.05]. XS0601 also significantly reduced the combined incidence of major adverse cardiac event (10.4% in the XS0601 group vs. 22.7% in the placebo group, P < 0.05). The incidence of recurrent angina at 3 and 6 months after PCI was also significantly reduced in XS0601 group (7.1% and 11.0%) as compared with those in placebo group (19.5% and 42.9%) (P < 0.05). No significant side effects occurred within the 6-month follow-up period in the XS0601 group.Conclusion Administration of XS0601 for 6 months is demonstrated to be safe and effective in reducing restenosis in post-PCI patients。

Abstract：Background Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) had been reported to cause cutaneous infections which are difficult to interpret due to the variability of the clinical manifestations. Among NTM infections, Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) are mostly seen to cause skin infection. It is therefore important to establish a rapid approach for detection and identification of M. marinum from lesions of patients with suspected M. marinum infections. Methods Specimens were obtained from 5 patients with swimming pool granuloma. DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. PCR products were digested with Hae III and BstE II, then analysed by pattern restriction analysis to detect heat shock protein (hsp) 65 kD gene. Results The 65 kD hsp gene was found in all specimens from patients with swimming pool granuloma. PCR restriction analysis (PRA) identified all 5 samples to be M. marinum infections, and the result was consistent with that of routine bacteriological identification. The lesions subsided or markedly improved upon treatment. Conclusions PRA is a sensitive, specific and rapid method in identification of mycobacteria. Application of this method will be helpful for early diagnosis of mycobacterial skin infections。

Abstract：Background Aspirin can inhibit inflammatory reactions and platelet aggregation, but little is known about the effects of the combination of aspirin plus clopidogrel, a new antiplatelet agent, on inflammation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether aspirin plus clopidogrel can further suppress inflammation in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). Methods One hundred and fifteen patients with NSTEACS were randomized into two groups: group A (aspirin alone, n=58) and group B (aspirin plus clopidogrel, n=57). Patients in group A received a loading dose of 300 mg aspirin, then 100 mg per day. The patients in group B received a loading dose of 300 mg aspirin and 300 mg clopidogrel, then 100 mg aspirin and 75 mg clopidogrel per day. Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were measured in all patients at baseline prior to any drug treatment after admission, and at 7 and 30 days after beginning drug treatment. Thirty healthy volunteers on no medications were enrolled as controls (group C).Results Baseline levels of hs-CRP and TNF-αin group A and group B were significantly higher than those in group C. Seven days after administration, the levels of hs-CRP in both group A and group B decreased significantly [Group A: (6.15 ± 1.39) mg/L vs (9.18 ± 1.62) mg/L, P <0.01; Group B:(4.99 ± 1.62) mg/L vs (10.29 ± 1.47) mg/L, P<0.01]. Similarly, levels of TNF-αin both groups decreased at 7 days compared to baseline [Group A: (90.99 ± 28.91) pg/ml vs (117.20 ± 37.13) pg/ml, P <0.01; Group B: (74.32± 21.83) pg/ml vs (115.27 ± 32.11) pg/ml, P <0.01]. Thirty days after administration, the levels of hs-CRP in both group A and group B decreased further to (3.49 ± 1.53) mg/L, and (2.40 ± 1.17) mg/L respectively (P <0.01 for both comparisons). Levels of TNF-αin groups A and B also decreased significantly between 7 and 30 days, to 63.28 ± 29.01 pg/ml (group A) and (43.95 ± 17.10) pg/ml (group B; P <0.01 for both comparisons). Significantly lower levels of hs-CRP and TNF-αwere observed in group B compared to Group A at thirty days after initiating drug treatment (P <0.05).Conclusions Aspirin plus clopidogrel treatment reduced levels of serum hs-CRP and TNF-α in patients with NSTEACS significantly more than aspirin alone. Because both aspirin and clopidogrel produce important anti-inflammatory effects, these results suggest the possibility that long-term treatment with aspirin plus clopidogrel may produce greater clinical benefits compared to treatment with aspirin alone。

Abstract：Background The first Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were issued by the Cardiovascular Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Cardiology, and the Editorial Board of the Chinese Circulation Journal in December 2001. However, it is still unclear whether these guidelines have produced a major impact on clinical practice and patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of these guidelines on the management and prognosis of Chinese patients with AMI. Methods A retrospective study was carried out in patients with AMI who were admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 1994 to December 2004. Patients were divided into two groups: group A included patients admitted from January 1994 to December 2001, and group B comprised those admitted from January 2002 to December 2004. Therapeutic approaches and the occurrence rate of angina pectoris, reinfarction, heart failure and death during hospitalization were compared between two groups.Results A total of 1783 patients including 1208 cases in group A and 575 cases in group B were enrolled in this study. No significant difference was found in baseline characteristics between group A and group B patients (all P＞0.05). There were more patients undergoing reperfusion therapy within the first 24 hours after symptom onset in group B than in group A(35.8% vs 21.7%, P＜0.001). Administration of β-blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), statins, and heparins were more commonly seen in group B than in group A (P＜0.001). There were no significant differences in the use of nitrates or antiplatelet drugs between groups A and B (98.8% vs. 97.9%, P＝0.172, and 97.4% vs 98.6%, P＝0.113, respectively). In-hospital angina pectoris , heart failure and death were all lower in group B than in group A(32.2% vs 41.2%,P＜0.001; 17.2% vs 26.2%,P＜0.001; and 6.4% vs 9.4%, P＝0.038, respectively). There was no significant difference in the rate of reinfarction between group A and B patients (2.2% vs 1.7%,P＝0.492).Conclusions Chinese guidelines for the management of patients with AMI issued in December 2001 resulted in changes in therapy that led to a significant improvement of in-hospital outcomes but not in the rate of reinfarction in patients with AMI。

Abstract：Background Drug-eluting stent (DES) could obviously reduce in-stent restenosis, which has been proved by international multi-center clinical trials. However, the types of the lesions for stenting were highly selected in these trials. Up to now, there has been no large scale study on the effect of DES in treating complex lesions in real world. Although REALITY trial was just reported during American College of Cardiology Congress 2005, the entry criteria for lesions were limited to one or two de novo lesions. This study was conducted to compare the short- and mid-term clinical outcomes between sirolimus-eluting stent (CYPHER stent) and paclitaxel-eluting stent (TAXUS stent) in patients with complex lesion. Methods This is a retrospective study. From April 2002 to June 2004, a total of 1061 patients were treated with DES in Fu Wai Hospital, of which, 611 patients (642 lesions with 698 CYPHER stents) were in CYPHER group,and 450 patients (534 lesions with 600 TAXUS stents) were in TAXUS group. There was no significant difference in clinical data and lesion types between CYPHER group and TAXUS group. Results Success rates of stent implantation were 99.2% and 98.8% in CYPHER and TAXUS stent groups respectively. The major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during in-hospital and 6-8-month follow-up were 0.7% and 2.3% in CYPHER stent group versus 1.3% and 3.2% in TAXUS stent group. There was no significant difference in MACE rate between these two groups. Restenosis rate was a little higher in TAXUS stent group than that in CYPHER stent group (14.0% vs 7.3%), but there was no significant difference. The incidence of acute occlusion of side branch after implanting DES in main vessel was 6.9% in CYPHER group and 11.9% in TAXUS group(P<0.05).Conclusions CYPHER and TAXUS DES were safe and effective in patients with complex lesion. Clinical outcomes of CYPHER stent were better than TAXUS stent in bifurcation lesions. There was an increasing tendency in restenosis rate and late thrombosis in TAXUS group as compared with that of CYPHER group。

Abstract：Background The long term prognosis of unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenting is controversial This study was conducted to evaluate the immediate and long term outcomes of LMCA stenting in Chinese patients and to determine which factors affect the outcomes. Methods From May 1997 to March 2003,224 patients in 23 hospitals underwent elective unprotected LMCA stenting with bare metal stents. Their clinical records were analysed to ascertain immediate and long term outcomes of LMCA stenting as well as factors influencing the prognosis .Results Stents were implanted into LMCA successfully in 223 cases (99.6 %). One death (0.5%) and one case of non-Q wave nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) occurred in hospital. The mean follow-up time was (15.6±12.3) months. Cardiac death developed in 10 cases (4.5%), noncardiac death in 2 cases (0.9%), nonfatal MI in 4 cases (1.8%), target lesion revascularization (TLR) of LMCA in 26 cases (11.7%) and TLR of nonLMCA in 37 cases (16.5%). Univariate analysis showed that cardiac death correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF < 40%), female gender and LMCA combined with multivessel disease; that major adverse cardiac events (MACE) correlated with LVEF < 40%, bifurcation lesion and incomplete revascularization. Logistic regression analysis revealed that LVEF < 40% and female gender were independent predictors of cardiac death and MACE. Follow-up angiography was performed in 102 cases (45.7%). The restenosis rate was 31.4%. Conclusions Long-term outcomes of stenting for selected patients with unprotected LMCA stenosis is acceptable. It should be performed in inoperable or low risk patients with LVEF ≥ 40% and isolated LMCA disease or LMCA combined with multivessel diseases in whom complete revascularization can be obtained。

Abstract：Background One stage transanal Soave pull-through procedure (TSPP) is a recent popular operation in the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). With no visible scar and a short hospital stay, it is well accepted by surgeons and mothers. In the conventional Soave procedure, a long rectal muscular cuff left for anocolic anastomosis might increase the incidence of postoperative enterocolitis and constipation. This study presents a modified transanal Soave pull-through procedure (MTSPP) which includes an oblique mucosectomy and an oblique anastomosis with a short split muscular cuff..Methods A review of two groups of HD patients was made: 112 underwent conventional transanal Soave procedure from 1999 to 2001 (group 1) and 140 underwent modified transanal Soave procedure from 2002 to 2004 (group 2). A comparison was made between the two groups on operative data and postoperative complications. The data included: age at the operation, operating time, blood loss, time to feeds and hospital stay, occurrence of postoperative enterocolitis or constipation, need for anal dilatation, postoperative bowel function and perianal skin problems. Results There was no significant difference between two groups with respect to age, gender, length of colon resected, operating time, blood loss and hospital stay. However occurrence of postoperative enterocolitis, constipation, anastomotic stricture and time needed for anal dilatation were evidently less in group 2 (MTSPP). The mean operating time in group 1 was (106 ± 39) minutes with a range of 60 to 170 minutes; in group 2 was (101 ± 36) minutes with a range of 66 to 190 minutes. The average length of the bowel resected in group 1 was (24 ± 7) cm, range 15 to 58 cm; in group 2 was (26 ± 8) cm, range 15 to 70 cm. Two patients, one in each group, required laparoscopic assistance because of long aganglionic colon. Another patient in group 2 required laparotomy because of total colonic aganglionosis. Postoperative complications in group 1 included: temporary perianal excoriation in 34 patients (26 were <3 months of age), enterocolitis in 21, anastomotic stricture in 11, recurrent constipation in 12, cuff abscess in 1, anastomosis leak in 1, soiling in 3 and rectal prolapse in 1. In group 2 post operative complications included: transient perianal excoriation in 37 patients (30 were <3 months of age), enterocolitis in 13, anastomotic stricture in 5, recurrent constipation in 6, anastomotic leak in 1, adhesive bowel obstruction in 1 and soiling in 4. Complete bowel continence was found in 97 children (86.6%) in group 1 and in 129 children (92.1%) in group 2 at one year followup after operation.Conclusions Modified transanal Soave pull-through procedure for HD with oblique mucosectomy and anastomosis and a short split muscular cuff is a safe and feasible operation with low incidence of postoperative complication. It is an encouraging improvement of the conventional transanal Soave pull-through procedure. MTSPP is a preferable choice in the surgery of HD.

The cornea is a highly specialized and unique organ in the human body. Its main function is to project light from the external environment onto the retina, and it has a specific transparency to perform its function properly. The transparency and integrity of the cornea is of vital importance. The corneal wound, especially laceration deep to Bowman's membrane and stroma, which will inevitably cause scar formation, may cause the degeneration or even loss of sight. Injury can activate many biological factors in cornea as a strong stimulating signal. Transforming growth factors (TGF) and connective tissue growth factors (CTGF) are thought to be related to scar formation after injury. TGF can stimulate stroma cells of cornea and promote synthesis of matrix. Over expression of TGF causes scar formation.1,2 CTGF is a 38 kD cysteine-rich protein molecule and belongs to CCN family (CTGF/Fisp12, Cyr 61/CEF-10, Nov). In 1991, CTGF was firstly found in endothelial cells of human umbilical vein cultured in vitro.3,4 CTGF acts as an important molecule that intermediates the processes of fibrosis, scarring, wound repairing, angiogenesis and embryonic development in many cell types. CTGF plays a unique role in proliferation, differentiation and adhesion of fibroblast cells, which in turn produces large amounts of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins.5-8 CTGF is upregulated in fibrotic diseases, including lung-, skin-, pancreas-, liver-and kidney fibrosis.9,10 This study reports the expressions and interactions of TGF-β1 and CTGF in corneal wound in vivo. This study aimed at determining the expressions and interactions of CTGF and TGF-β1 in Smad signaling pathway during the period when corneal wound was healing。

Mechanical ventilation, a crucial therapy to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), could exacerbate lung injury, and even result in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) if misused in some condition1. Over-activating inflammatory cells and expanding inflammatory responses, which are induced by infection, are fundamental reasons for ARDS. Among them, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) intracellular signal transduction pathways are key processes. This study aimed to investigate the time course of MAPK activation in rat lung tissue after high tidal volume (VT) ventilation and the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in high-sensitivity, and to elucidate the effect of the pathway on VILI。

Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES, OMIM # 110100) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder affecting the eyelid and ovarian development. When co-occurred together, it is type I and when only the eyelid abnormalities are present, it is type II. Both types had been mapped to the same locus 3q23 on the basis of cytogenetic rearrangements 1-3 and linkage analyses. 4-6 Subsequently, haploinsufficiency of the FOXL2 gene (OMIM# 605597) was identified as the cause for both types. 7 This FOXL2 gene is a small gene consisting of a single exon of 2.7 kb. It belongs to the family of winged helix/forkhead transcription factors. The predicted protein of 376 amino acids contains the characteristic 100 amino acids (from amino acid position 52 to 152) DNA binding forkhead domain. Downstream of the forkhead is an alanine rich domain, consisting of 14 alanines (from amino acid position 221 to 234). This protein has been shown to express in the developing mouse eyelids, in both the fetal and adult ovarian follicular and stromal cells. 7, 8 Since the identification of the gene, increasing number of mutations are being described. Recently, a database (http://medgen.ugent.be/foxl2/) has been created to facilitate tracking of all the known FOXL2 intragenic mutations and variants. 9 Whether it is type I or II BPES depends on the FOXL2 genotype plus other unknown mechanism because for the same genotype, there is inter and intra-familial phenotypic variability.10 Furthermore, FOXL2 mutation might be associated with non-syndromic premature ovarian failure. In this work, we screened for FOXL2 mutations in our Chinese patients using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and direct sequencing techniques。

Platinum-based chemotherapy can improve the survival and quality of life of patients with locally advanced and metastatic lung cancer. Second-line docetaxel monotherapy can improve overall survival following the failure of first line chemotherapy. However, many limiting factors such as poor performance status, advanced age, adverse effects of chemotherapy and reluctance to receive cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents render patients unable to accept chemotherapy. Furthermore, for patients who have failed second-line chemotherapy treatment options are often limited to best support care or palliative radiotherapy. 1 Gefitinib (Iressa) is a HER1/EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)- tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved in a number of countries including the US, Japan and recently China for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who have failed platinum/docetaxel-based first line and second line chemotherapy. 2,3 Current data show heterogeneity in response to gefitinib among people of different ethnic origin, but there is very little data concerning the safety and efficacy of gefitinib in Chinese patients. This paper aims to summarize the safety and efficacy data for gefitinib 250 mg treatment in Chinese NSCLC patients at Peking Union Medical College Hospital who received gefitinib as part of an Expanded Access Programme。

Since the first description of multiple sclerosis (MS), it has been known that relapse of the disease may be triggered by febrile infections. 1 Although the prevention of febrile illness is therefore clearly advantageous for those with MS, there is considerable controversy as to whether vaccine should be administered to such individuals. A further subject of debate is the possibility that vaccination (against influenza, or hepatitis B) leads to the development of MS. The coincidence observed between the administration of hepatitis B vaccine and the onset or relapse of MS and other demyelinating diseases 2-5 has stimulated a number of studies of the possibility of their association. 6-12

Takotsubo syndrome (transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome) is a novel cardiac syndrome of left ventricular apical ballooning involving reversible left ventricular apical ballooning (during systole) of acute onset with chest pain, electrocardiographic changes, and minimal elevation of cardiac enzymes resembling acute myocardial infarction, but without evidence of myocardial ischemia or injury. Patients have no angiographic evidence of coronary artery stenosis and there is almost always a complete recovery of left ventricular function in days to weeks. The precise etiologic basic of this syndrome is not clear but most likely it is a non-ischemic, metabolic syndrome caused by stress-induced activation of the cardiac adrenoceptors in absence of ischemia and reperfusion.1-3 Reported here is a case of stress-induced transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome in an elderly Chinese woman.

Transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arterious (PDA) using various occluders and coils has been a well-established method1-5 since Porstmann and colleagues6 reported the first case in 1967. However, when patients associated with anomalous inferior vein cava drainage or/and huge high pulmonary artery pressure ductus (HPAP-PDA), the method is not suitable. First, it is unfeasible to carry out the procedure via femoral vein. Second, in the presence of high pulmonary artery pressure such devices including the Amplatzer ductu occluder carry the risk of embolising into the aorta.7 The muscular ventricular septal defect occluder (MVSDO), which is a device for transcatheter closure of muscular ventricular septal defect, may be more suitable for using with HPAP-PDA as its double disk tends to anchor the device, preventing embolisation into the aorta. We present a patient, who is suffering from huge PDA associated with anomalous inferior vein cava drainage and dextrocardia, in whom percutaneous closure of PDA using MVSDO was successfully accomplished via transjugular approach.…… Biography：Correspondence to: Dr. ZHOU Sheng-hua, Department of Cardiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China (Tel: 86- 731- 2233716. Email: zhougqin@21cn.com)

Hypertension is a common cardiovascular problem worldwide. As with any other disease it is important to assess the severity of the disease. However the present classification of hypertension by the Joint National Committee in its seventh report (JNC 7) with numerical values staging the severity of hypertension is theoretically correct but difficult to apply in practice (Table 1).1 Admittedly this is a step in the right direction with lesser number of stages compared to the sixth report.2 The World Health Organization- International Society of Hypertension (WHO-ISH)-1999 3 and the European Society of Hypertension - European Society of Cardiology (ESH-ESC)4 guidelines follow similar numerical classifications (Table 2). All these papers are referred to as 'guidelines' in this article。