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AIM: To assess the biosafety of a poly(acrylamide-co-sodium acrylate) hydrogel (PAH) as a 3D-printed intraocular lens (IOL) material. METHODS: The biosafety of PAH was first evaluated in vitro using human lens epithelial cells (LECs) and the ARPE19 cell line, and a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to investigate alterations in cell proliferation. A thin film of PAH and a conventional IOL were intraocularly implanted into the eyes of New Zealand white rabbits respectively, and a sham surgery served as control group. The anterior segment photographs, intraocular pressure (IOP), blood parameters and electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded. Inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humor, such as TNFα and IL-8, were examined by ELISA. Cell apoptosis of the retina was investigated by TUNEL assay, and macroPAHge activation was detected by immunostaining. RESULTS: PAH did not slow cell proliferation when cocultured with human LECs or ARPE19 cells. The implantation of a thin film of a 3D-printed IOL composed of PAH did not affect the IOP, blood parameters, ERG or optical structure in any of the three experimental groups (n=3 for each). Both TNFα and IL-8 in the aqueous humor of PAH group were transiently elevated 1wk post-operation and recovered to normal levels at 1 and 3mo post-operation. Iba1+ macroPAHges in the anterior chamber angle in PAH group were increased markedly compared to those of the control group; however, there was no significant difference compared to those in the IOL group. CONCLUSION: PAH is a safe material for 3D printing of personal IOLs that hold great potential for future clinical applications.

Abstract. The accurate prediction of overall survival (OS) is important in clinical decision-making for breast cancer treatment. We developed a model to predict the OS of non-metastatic breast cancer patients in China. This multicenter study included 1844 non-metastatic breast cancer patients who underwent breast cancer surgery between January 2009 and December 2011 in 3 tertiary teaching hospitals in China. Data were collected retrospectively from the database of each hospital. We used univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses to screen for predictors. A nomogram was developed in the training cohort (from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital [SYSMH]), externally validated in 2 validation cohorts (from the First People's Hospital of Foshan [FPHF] and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYUCC)), and compared with CancerMath, a mathematical-based model. We used Receiver Operating Characteristic curves and calibration plots to assess the models. At median follow-ups of 65.9, 68.6, and 66.2 months, the 5-year OS rates were 93.0%, 86.7%, and 91.0% in the SYSMH, FPHF, and SYUCC cohorts, respectively. We identified age, T stage, lymph node status, estrogen receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 statuses as significant prognostic factors. A nomogram was developed and externally validated in the FPHF (area under the curve = 0.74) and SYUCC (area under the curve = 0.77) cohorts. Calibration plots showed that the predicted OS was consistent with the actual OS. The nomogram outperformed CancerMath in our study population. In summary, we developed a nomogram to predict survival among non-metastatic breast cancer patientsin China. This nomogram is superior to the CancerMath model in Chinese populations.

Cotton produces more biomass and economic yield when cluster planting pattern (three plants per hole) than in a traditional planting pattern (one plant per hole), even at similar plant densities, indicating that individual plant growth is promoted by cluster planting. The causal factors for this improved growth induced by cluster planting pattern, the light interception, canopy microclimate and photosynthetic rate of cotton were investigated in an arid region of China. The results indicated that the leaf area index and light interception were higher in cluster planting, and significantly different from those in traditional planting during the middle and late growth stages. Cotton canopy humidity at different growth stages was increased but canopy temperatures were reduced by cluster planting. In the later growth stage of cluster planting, the leaf chlorophyll content was higher and the leaf net photosynthetic rate and canopy photosynthetic rate were significantly increased in comparing with traditional planting pattern. We concluded that differences in canopy light interception and photosynthetic rate were the primary factors responsible for increased biomass production and economic yield in cluster planting compared with the traditional planting of cotton.

The contribution of diabetes to breast cancer remains uncertain among Chinese females, which may result from different genetic factors. We evaluated the associations of diabetes, combined with the polymorphisms in the genes of fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and heat shock protein 60 (HSPD1), with breast cancer risk and survival in a Chinese Han population. The information on the history of diabetes was collected from 1551 incident breast cancer cases and 1605 age-frequency matched controls in Guangzhou, China. In total, 1168 cases were followed up. Diabetes was associated with both an increased risk of breast cancer [OR (95%CI): 1.67 (1.11, 2.52)] and a poor overall survival and progression free survival for breast cancer patients [HRs (95%CIs): 2.66 (1.10, 6.44) and 2.46 (1.29, 4.70), respectively]. IL-6 rs1800796 and HSPD1 rs2605039 had interactions with diabetes on breast cancer risk. Among women with CC genotype of IL-6 rs1800796 or GG genotype of HSPD1 rs2605039, diabetic individuals had a remarkably increased risk of breast cancer compared to non-diabetic women with ORs and 95%CIs of 2.53 (1.45, 4.41) and 6.40 (2.29, 17.87), respectively. GT/TT genotypes of HSPD1 rs2605039 was also associated with a better progression free survival for breast cancer patients [HR (95%CI): 0.70 (0.49, 0.99)]. Our results suggest that the contribution of diabetes to breast cancer risk might be modified by IL-6 rs1800796 and HSPD1 rs2605039. Diabetes and HSPD1 rs2605039 might also influence breast cancer prognosis.

Background: Timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) cannot be offered to all patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Pharmaco-invasive (PhI) strategy has been proposed as a valuable alternative for eligible patients with STEMI. We conducted a randomized study to compare the efficacy and safety of a PhI strategy with half-dose fibrinolytic regimen versus PPCI in patients with STEMI.Methods: The EARLY-MYO trial (Early Routine Catheterization After Alteplase Fibrinolysis Versus Primary PCI in Acute ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) was an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial comparing a PhI strategy with half-dose alteplase versus PPCI in patients with STEMI 18 to 75 years of age presenting ≤6 hours after symptom onset but with an expected PCI-related delay. The primary end point of the study was complete epicardial and myocardial reperfusion after PCI, defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade 3, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction myocardial perfusion grade 3, and ST-segment resolution ≥70%. We also measured infarct size and left ventricular ejection fraction with cardiac magnetic resonance and recorded 30-day clinical and safety outcomes.Results: A total of 344 patients from 7 centers were randomized to PhI (n=171) or PPCI (n=173). PhI was noninferior (and even superior) to PPCI for the primary end point (34.2% versus 22.8%, Pnoninferiority<0.05, Psuperiority=0.022), with no significant differences in the frequency of the individual components of the combined end point: thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow 3 (91.3% versus 89.2%, P=0.580), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction myocardial perfusion grade 3 (65.8% versus 62.9%, P=0.730), and ST-segment resolution ≥70% (50.9% versus 45.5%, P=0.377). Infarct size (23.3%±11.3% versus 25.8%±13.7%, P=0.101) and left ventricular ejection fraction (52.2%±11.0% versus 51.4%±12.0%, P=0.562) were similar in both groups. No significant differences occurred in 30-day rates of total death (0.6% versus 1.2%, P=1.0), reinfarction (0.6% versus 0.6%, P=1.0), heart failure (13.5% versus 16.2%, P=0.545), major bleeding events (0.6% versus 0%, P=0.497), or intracranial hemorrhage (0% versus 0%), but minor bleeding (26.9% versus 11.0%, P<0.001) was observed more often in the PhI group.Conclusions: For patients with STEMI presenting ≤6 hours after symptom onset and with an expected PCI-related delay, a PhI strategy with half-dose alteplase and timely PCI offers more complete epicardial and myocardial reperfusion when compared with PPCI. Adequately powered trials with this reperfusion strategy to assess clinical and safety outcomes are warranted.Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01930682. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance The safety and efficacy of bivalirudin compared with heparin with or without glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are uncertain. Objective To determine if bivalirudin is superior to heparin alone and to heparin plus tirofiban during primary PCI. Design, Setting, and Participants Multicenter, open-label trial involving 2194 patients with AMI undergoing primary PCI at 82 centers in China between August 2012 and June 2013. Interventions Patients were randomly assigned to receive bivalirudin with a post-PCI infusion (n = 735), heparin alone (n = 729), or heparin plus tirofiban with a post-PCI infusion (n = 730). Among patients treated with bivalirudin, a postprocedure 1.75 mg/kg/h infusion was administered for a median of 180 minutes (IQR, 148-240 minutes). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was 30-day net adverse clinical events, a composite of major adverse cardiac or cerebral events (all-cause death, reinfarction, ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization, or stroke) or bleeding. Additional prespecified safety end points included the rates of acquired thrombocytopenia at 30 days, and stent thrombosis at 30 days and 1 year. Results Net adverse clinical events at 30 days occurred in 65 patients (8.8%) of 735 who were treated with bivalirudin compared with 96 patients (13.2%) of 729 treated with heparin (relative risk [RR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.90; difference, −4.3%, 95% CI, −7.5% to −1.1%; P = .008); and 124 patients (17.0%) of 730 treated with heparin plus tirofiban (RR for bivalirudin vs heparin plus tirofiban, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.39-0.69; difference, −8.1%, 95% CI, −11.6% to −4.7%; P < .001). The 30-day bleeding rate was 4.1% for bivalirudin, 7.5% for heparin, and 12.3% for heparin plus tirofiban (P < .001). There were no statistically significant differences between treatments in the 30-day rates of major adverse cardiac or cerebral events (5.0% for bivalirudin, 5.8% for heparin, and 4.9% for heparin plus tirofiban, P = .74), stent thrombosis (0.6% vs 0.9% vs 0.7%, respectively, P = .77), acquired thrombocytopenia (0.1% vs 0.7% vs 1.1%; P = .07), or in acute (<24-hour) stent thrombosis (0.3% in each group). At the 1-year follow-up, the results remained similar. Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with AMI undergoing primary PCI, the use of bivalirudin with a median 3-hour postprocedure PCI-dose infusion resulted in a decrease in net adverse clinical events compared with both heparin alone and heparin plus tirofiban. This finding was primarily due to a reduction in bleeding events with bivalirudin, without significant differences in major adverse cardiac or cerebral events or stent thrombosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the performance correlated imperfection or defect features of metamorphic InGaAs photodetector structures, a scanning electron microscopy scheme including both plane-view electron beam induced current (EBIC) and secondary electron (SE) images have been used. The abilities, merits and limitations as well as some case-dependent properties of EBIC have been discussed in detail. The devices of similar structures grown on InP or GaAs substrates with quite different lattice mismatch show discriminated defect distribution patterns, prompting their distinct origins, which have been confirmed by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy observation. Using self-developed image processing software the EBIC features of the samples are statistically analyzed, which validated the qualitative correlation between the EBIC data and device dark current. Fusing of EBIC and SE images has also been attempted to enhance the defect visibility. Results indicate that EBIC is feasible to investigate the effects of defects on the device performance not only in research work, but also for product quality monitor purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the biosafety of a poly(acrylamide-co-sodium acrylate) hydrogel (PAH) as a 3D-printed intraocular lens (IOL) material., Methods: The biosafety of PAH was first evaluated in vitro using human lens epithelial cells (LECs) and the ARPE19 cell line, and a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to investigate alterations in cell proliferation. A thin film of PAH and a conventional IOL were intraocularly implanted into the eyes of New Zealand white rabbits respectively, and a sham surgery served as control group. The anterior segment photographs, intraocular pressure (IOP), blood parameters and electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded. Inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humor, such as TNFα and IL-8, were examined by ELISA. Cell apoptosis of the retina was investigated by TUNEL assay, and macroPAHge activation was detected by immunostaining., Results: PAH did not slow cell proliferation when cocultured with human LECs or ARPE19 cells. The implantation of a thin film of a 3D-printed IOL composed of PAH did not affect the IOP, blood parameters, ERG or optical structure in any of the three experimental groups ( n =3 for each). Both TNFα and IL-8 in the aqueous humor of PAH group were transiently elevated 1wk post-operation and recovered to normal levels at 1 and 3mo post-operation. Iba1 + macroPAHges in the anterior chamber angle in PAH group were increased markedly compared to those of the control group; however, there was no significant difference compared to those in the IOL group., Conclusion: PAH is a safe material for 3D printing of personal IOLs that hold great potential for future clinical applications., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Background and Objective: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCD) remains a rare and important cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and angiographic features in SCD and to evaluate the treatment and long-term prognosis of this condition in China., Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 118 Chinese patients with SCD confirmed by coronary angiography. Clinical and angiographic features, treatment modalities and outcomes of SCD were estimated., Results: The overall prevalence of SCD was 0.15%. Age was 57 ± 10 years; 86% patients were men; 75% presented with acute coronary syndrome (ACS); 72% had concomitant atherosclerotic CAD. SCD often affected right coronary artery (RCA) and caused a short dissection (< 20mm). A conservative therapy was used in 28% of patients and revascularization in 72% (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] 57%; coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] 15%). Only one patient died during hospitalization due to multiple organ failure after CABG. During a median follow-up of 43 months (range, 1 - 158 months), 32 patients had a new-onset ACS, 9 received revascularization (7 PCI and 2 CABG), and 8 died. The Kaplan-Meier estimated 12-year rates of freedom from cardiac death and ACS were both higher in revascularization versus conservative therapy (78% versus 57%; P = 0.023; 48% versus 25%, P = 0.014). No significant difference was found in freedom from revascularization between the two therapies., Conclusions: In China, SCD was usually associated with atherosclerosis and predominantly affected male population. SCD often affected RCA and caused a short dissection. In-hospital mortality rate was low regardless of therapeutic strategy. However, a significantly better long-term prognosis was observed in the revascularization compared with conservative therapy.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased stroke risk resulting from cardiac embolism of the left atrial appendage (LAA). Stroke tends to recur in NVAF patients. Yet safety and feasibility of secondary stroke preventions with LAA closure (LAAC) have not been assessed in detail. This retrospective study was designed to compare the feasibility and safety of LAAC in primary and secondary stroke preventions, in a real-world setting of Chinese patients., Methods: From 2014 to 2015, non-valvular AF patients with CHA2DS2-VASc ≥1 were selected for percutaneous LAAC operations. Outcome observations of primary and secondary stroke preventions with Watchman devices were analyzed and compared., Results: Overall, 122 patients were included. LAAC with Watchman devices were attempted in 115 patients, of whom 68 were for primary stroke prevention and 47 were for secondary prevention. Both the CHA2DS2-VASc score and the HASBLED score were significantly higher in the secondary prevention group (4.09 ± 1.06 vs. 1.93 ± 1.09 for CHA2DS2-VASc and 1.83 ± 1.03 vs. 1.26 ± 0.87 for HASBLED, P < 0.01). In both groups LAAC were achieved with high successful rate (98.53% in the primary prevention group and 100% in the secondary prevention group, P > 0.05) and low complication rates. The stroke rates were at a low level in both groups (1.47% in primary prevention group vs. 2.13% in secondary prevention group, P > 0.05)., Conclusions: In our initial single-center experience, percutaneous LAA closure was a feasible and safe procedure for both primary and secondary stroke preventions in Chinese patients with nonvalvular AF., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Purpose: To examine stoma self-efficacy (SE) and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and social support in patients with temporary ostomies., Subjects and Setting: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 150 patients from 5 hospitals in Guangdong province, China, who had been living with a temporary ostomy for at least 1 month., Design: Cross-sectional survey., Methods: Respondents completed a questionnaire that included ostomy-related sociodemographic and clinical data, and Chinese language versions of several validated instruments, the Stoma Self-efficacy Scale (C-SSES), City of Hope-Quality of Life-Ostomy Questionnaire (C-COH-QOL-OQ), and Perceived Social Support Scale (C-PSSS)., Results: Of the 150 questionnaires distributed, 122 (81.3%) were returned, and 111 (74%) had sufficiently complete responses to be included in the final analysis. The average score from the C-SSES was 78.55 ± 14.72 (mean ± standard deviation) for total stoma SE; 85.6% of respondents showed low or moderate self-efficacy related to ostomy care. The scores from the C-SSES were 39.36 ± 7.72 for stoma care SE and 23.33 ± 6.69 for social SE. Stoma care SE was significantly associated with HRQOL domains, psychological well-being (B = 2.09, P < .01), social well-being (B = 1.16, P < .05), significant other support (B = 1.19, P < .01), and friend support (B = 0.72, P < .01). Social SE was associated with education level (B = 2.84, P < .01), HRQOL domains, psychological well-being (B = 1.88, P < .01), social well-being (B = 1.17, P < .01), and family support (B = 0.48, P < .01)., Conclusions: Persons with temporary ostomies reported low or moderate levels of SE, suggesting the need to focus on HRQOL aspects of psychological and social well-being, as well as social support. We hypothesize that interaction with other ostomy patients, especially those with long-term enterostomy experience or those trained through ostomy organizations, may improve stoma SE.

Objective: To find out the association between serum total cholesterol (TC) on admission and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD)., Methods: From January 2007 to January 2014, we enrolled 1492 consecutive AAD patients with serum TC measured immediately on admission. Baseline characteristics and in-hospital mortality were compared between the patients with serum TC above and below the median (4.00 mmol/L). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to account for known confounders in the study. Cox proportional hazard model was performed to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for admission serum TC levels., Results: With the use of PSM, 521 matched pairs of patients with AAD were yielded in this analysis due to their similar propensity scores. Patients with admission serum TC < 4.00 mmol/L, as compared with those with admission serum TC ≥ 4.00 mmol/L, had higher in-hospital mortality (11.7% vs. 5.8%; HR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.33-3.19, P = 0.001). Stratified analysis according to Stanford classification showed that the inverse association between admission serum TC and in-hospital mortality was observed in patients with Type-A AAD (24.0% vs. 11.3%; HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.33 - 3.57, P = 0.002) but not in those with Type-B AAD (3.8% vs. 2.2%; HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 0.67 - 4.34, P = 0.261)., Conclusions: Lower serum TC level on admission was strongly associated with higher in-hospital mortality in patients with Type-A AAD.

Objective: As an alternative to the mitral isthmus line (MIL), the left atrial anterior wall line (LAAWL) is effective for the treatment of perimitral flutter. This study evaluated the electrophysiologic and clinical outcomes of LAAWL versus MIL in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF)., Methods: Two hundred patients with persistent AF were evenly randomized to the LAAWL and MIL groups. After confirming bidirectional block of the line, left atrial appendage (LAA) activation time and LA propagation pattern were assessed during sinus rhythm (SR). Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TTE and TEE) were performed at 12 months after ablation in patients who remained in stable SR., Results: In the 74 patients with LAAWL conduction block relative to the 79 with MIL conduction block, LA propagation contour was markedly changed with delayed LAA potential (longer P-wave onset-to-LAA potential interval: 151.7 ± 19.5 vs. 67.8 ± 18.3 milliseconds, P < 0.001); TTE peak A velocity was lower and LAA emptying wave was delayed in the LAAWL group compared with the MIL group; spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) detected in the LAAWL group was significantly higher than that in the MIL group (15.8% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.0004). During a mean follow-up period of 31.8 ± 9.4 (22-57) months, there were 5 cases of stroke in the LAAWL group, which was significantly different from the MIL group (5% vs. 0%, P = 0.047)., Conclusions: Complete linear lesions transecting the anterior LA were associated with a significant change in the SR propagation pattern with late activation of LAA. This might result in an increased risk of long-term thrombo-embolism events., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To study the glycosides from Guangdong Liangcha Granules., Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated by various chromatographic techniques and the structures of chemical constituents were identified by spectroscopic analysis and literature., Results: Six compounds were isolated and identified as ilexoside B (1), asprellanosides B (2), asprellanoside A (3), 4', 5 ,7 -tri- hydroxyflavone-6-O-β3-D-glucopyranosyl ester(4), isoviolanthin (5),3-O-methy-lellagic acid 4'-O-rhamnopyranoside (6)., Conclusion: Compounds 1 - 5 are firstly obtained from Guangdong Liangcha Granules.

Introduction: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has been used to provoke dormant pulmonary vein (PV) conduction after circumferential PV isolation (CPVI). However, there have been no systematic studies examining the incidence and the mechanism of ATP-induced atrial fibrillation (AF) following CPVI in paroxysmal AF. In this study, we explore the mechanism of ATP-induced AF and assess the feasibility of eliminating this response by additional radiofrequency (RF) ablation., Methods and Results: A total of 300 consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF underwent CPVI. After all PVs were isolated, intravenous ATP (40 mg) was administered during an intravenous isoproterenol (ISP) infusion (5 μg/min). AF was reproducibly induced by ATP in 39 patients. Non-PV foci were confirmed and located in 29 of these patients at the onset of AF, including 27 foci in the superior vena cava (SVC), 1 focus in the crista terminalis, and 1 focus near the antrum of the PV. In all these cases, ATP-induced AF was eliminated after the non-PV foci were successfully ablated. For the other 10 patients, the foci triggering AF could not be confirmed or located due to the transient effect of ATP, thus no further ablation was performed. After a mean follow-up period of 18.7 ± 6.4 (8-24) months, the success rate in the ATP-induced AF group was not significantly different compared with the conventional treatment group who did not exhibit ATP-induced AF (76.9% vs 67.3%; P = 0.25). But in the subgroup of which the ATP-induced AF could be eliminated by additional RF ablation, the success rate was significantly higher than the non-ATP inducible group (86.2% vs 67.3%; P = 0.04)., Conclusions: A large proportion of the ATP-induced AF post CPVI were initiated by rapid firing in the SVC. Eliminating this response by additional ablation may have an influence on clinical results of paroxysmal AF ablation., (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To investigate the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1 gene -519A/G polymorphism and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Northern Chinese Han population., Methods: A total of 517 patients with CHD and 380 healthy adults diagnosed by coronary angiography were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequence technology for the -519A/G polymorphism in MMP1 gene., Results: (1) The frequency of AA genotype was significantly higher in patients with CHD than that in controls [67.70% (350/517) vs. 40.26% (153/380), OR = 1.64, P < 0.001, 95%CI: 1.44 - 1.86]. People carrying A allele had increased risk for CHD (OR = 1.49, P < 0.001, 95%CI: 1.33 - 1.69). (2) The frequency of AA genotype was higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) than patients with stable angina pectoris [68.81% (278/404) vs. 51.76% (44/85), P < 0.01, 95%CI: 1.04 - 1.27]. The A allele carriers were more likely to develop ACS (OR = 1.11, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.21, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Our data shows MMP1 gene -519A/G polymorphism is associated with the risk of CHD, and A allele carriers are more susceptible for CHD in Northern Chinese Han population.

Objective: To investigate the association between the connexin 37 (CX37) C1019T polymorphism and the susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) in northern Han population of China., Methods: A total of 514 CAD patients and 400 healthy controls diagnosed by angiography were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis., Results: The genotype frequencies of CC, TC and TT in the CX37 C1019T polymorphism was 22.37%, 53.31% and 24.32% in CAD patients, 17.75%, 46.50% and 35.75% in the controls respectively (P = 0.0007). The frequency of the CX37 C allele in CAD patients was significantly higher than that of the control group (49.03% vs 41.00%, OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.15 - 1.66, P = 0.0006). The frequency of the C allele carriers (CC + TC) was 75.68% in the CAD group and 64.25% in the control group (P = 0.0002). Compared with the TT homozygote, the CAD risk was significantly increased in the carriers of C allele (CC + TC) (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.30 - 2.30). Subsequent stratified analysis revealed that the frequency of C allele was significantly higher in the male CAD patients than in the male controls (49.37% vs 39.60%, OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.18 - 1.89, P = 0.0009). The CAD risk was nearly two-fold increased in the carriers of C allele (CC + TC) than in the TT homozygote (95% CI = 1.38 - 2.78). However in the female population, there was no difference in the CAD risk between the carriers of (CC + TC) type and the TT homozygote (P = 0.24)., Conclusion: The C allele in the CX37 gene might be associated with the susceptibility to CAD and potentially plays an important role in the manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis among Chinese.

Background: Chinese herbal medicine has a long history of human use. A novel herbal formula, anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI), has been shown to be an effective therapy in a murine model of allergic asthma., Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy, safety, and immunomodulatory effects of ASHMI treatment in patients with moderate-severe, persistent asthma with prednisone therapy., Methods: In a double-blind trial, 91 subjects underwent randomization. Forty-five subjects received oral ASHMI capsules and prednisone placebo tablets (ASHMI group) and 46 subjects received oral prednisone tablets and ASHMI placebo capsules (prednisone group) for 4 weeks. Spirometry measurements; symptom scores; side effects; and serum cortisol, cytokine, and IgE levels were evaluated before and after treatment., Results: Posttreatment lung function was significantly improved in both groups as shown by increased FEV(1) and peak expiratory flow findings (P<.001). The improvement was slightly but significantly greater in the prednisone group (P<.05). Clinical symptom scores, use of beta(2)-bronchodilators, and serum IgE levels were reduced significantly, and to a similar degree in both groups (P<.001). T(H)2 cytokine levels were significantly reduced in both treated groups (P<.001) and were lower in the prednisone-treated group (P<.05). Serum IFN-gamma and cortisol levels were significantly decreased in the prednisone group (P<.001) but significantly increased in the ASHMI group (P<.001). No severe side effects were observed in either group., Conclusion: Anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention appears to be a safe and effective alternative medicine for treating asthma. In contrast with prednisone, ASHMI had no adverse effect on adrenal function and had a beneficial effect on T(H)1 and T(H)2 balance.