Chinese Med J Peking
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Chinese Med J Peking · Aug 2011
Validation of four different risk stratification models in patients undergoing heart valve surgery in a single center in China.
Several risk stratification models have been developed for cardiac surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of four existing risk stratification models, the Fuwai System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (FuwaiSCORE), the Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac surgery risk model for isolated valve surgery (the STS model), the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) and the initial Parsonnet's score (the Parsonnet model) in predicting prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve surgery. ⋯ Our study suggests that the FuwaiSCORE is superior to the other three risk models in predicting prolonged length of ICU stay in Chinese patients with heart valve surgery. Having fewer variables, the system is much easier for bedside use than other systems.
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Chinese Med J Peking · Aug 2011
Functional polymorphism in exon 5 and variant haplotype of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 gene are associated with susceptibility to and severity of sepsis in the Chinese population.
The interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Recent studies have suggested that the IRAK1 functional genetic variant could affect the severity of sepsis in Caucasians. In this report, we have investigated whether polymorphisms at the IRAK1 gene are associated with the susceptibility to and severity of sepsis among the Chinese population. ⋯ The functional polymorphism in exon 5 and the variant haplotype of IRAK1 gene mediate susceptibility to and severity of sepsis. IRAK1 might be a genetic risk factor for the occurrence and development of sepsis in the Chinese population.
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Chinese Med J Peking · Aug 2011
Biocompatibility evaluation of electrospun aligned poly (propylene carbonate) nanofibrous scaffolds with peripheral nerve tissues and cells in vitro.
Peripheral nerve regeneration across large gaps is clinically challenging. Scaffold design plays a pivotal role in nerve tissue engineering. Recently, nanofibrous scaffolds have proven a suitable environment for cell attachment and proliferation due to similarities of their physical properties to natural extracellular matrix. Poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) nanofibrous scaffolds have been investigated for vascular tissue engineering. However, no reports exist of PPC nanofibrous scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering. This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of aligned and random PPC nanofibrous scaffolds as substrates for peripheral nerve tissue and cells in nerve tissue engineering. ⋯ The aligned PPC nanofibrous film, but not the randomly-oriented fibers, significantly enhanced peripheral nerve regeneration in vitro, indicating the substantial role of topographical cues in stimulating endogenous nerve repair mechanisms. Aligned PPC nanofibrous scaffolds may be a promising biomaterial for nerve regeneration.
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Chinese Med J Peking · Aug 2011
Accuracy of the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor in healthy term neonates during postnatal circulatory adaptation.
Echocardiography is regarded as a gold standard for measuring hemodynamic values. The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a new method for measuring hemodynamics and could provide non-invasive point of care guidance. So far, there are no published USCOM reference values for neonates, nor has USCOM's accuracy been established in this population. We aimed to determine the accuracy and clinical utility of the USCOM in healthy neonates relative to published echocardiographic data, to establish normal hemodynamic parameters that it measures, and to assess the possible role of USCOM as an alternative to echocardiography as a trend monitor. ⋯ Normal neonatal hemodynamic values, as indicated by USCOM, were established. LV-CI measurement showed excellent agreement with published echocardiographic studies. RV-CI was constant and exceeded LV-CI for all three days of this study. It may be falsely high due to flow velocity measurement errors arising from the pulmonary branch arteries, and may represent a limitation of the USCOM method. The progressive rise of arterial pressure and SVRI despite a declining LV-CI may indicate functional closure of the ductus arteriosus, with the greatest change occurring within the first 24 hours. Evidence of closure of the foramen ovale was not observed.
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Chinese Med J Peking · Aug 2011
Transplantation of gene-modified nucleus pulposus cells reverses rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration.
Intervertebral disc degeneration is the main cause of low back pain. The purpose of this study was to explore potential methods for reversing the degeneration of lumbar intervertebral discs by transplantation of gene-modified nucleus pulposus cells into rabbit degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs after transfecting rabbit nucleus pulposus cells with adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2)-mediated connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) genes in vitro. ⋯ CT-guided percutaneous puncture can successfully build rabbit degenerative intervertebral disc models. Both CTGF and TIMP1-transfected cell transplantation helps to maintain disc height, and promotes the biosynthesis of type II collagen and proteoglycan in intervertebral discs, reversing the degeneration of intervertebral discs.