Cardiac troponins

Objective: To review the use of cardiac troponins as biomarkers for myocardial injury in human and veterinary medicine. Data sources: Data sources included scientific reviews and original research publications. Human data synthesis: Cardiac troponins have been extensively studied in human medicine. Finding an elevated cardiac troponin level carries important diagnostic and prognostic information for humans with cardiovascular disease. Troponin assays are used primarily to diagnose acute myocardial infarction in patients with ischemic symptoms such as chest pain. However, elevated blood levels may be found with any cause of myocardial injury. Veterinary data synthesis: Several studies have shown that cardiac troponins are sensitive and specific for myocardial damage in veterinary patients and may have utility in diagnosis and prognosis for certain disease states. Human assays may be used in most animals due to significant homology in the troponin proteins between species. Conclusions: Cardiac troponins are sensitive and specific markers of myocardial injury although they do not give any information regarding the mechanism of injury. They have redefined how acute myocardial infarction is diagnosed in humans. Their use in the clinical management of veterinary patients is limited at this time. Further prospective studies are warranted.     

Functional improvement of infarct heart by implantation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells delivered by matrigel

AIM: To investigate the implantation of matrigel carrying human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells to enhance the cell survival and the improvement of the ventricular functions in infarct heart.METHODS: Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) were isolated and cultured from adult adipose tissue. SD rats with one-week-old myocardial infarction were randomly received the following 4 treatments: injection of PBS, matrigel, PBS+ADMSCs or matrigel+ADMSCs, respectively. Labeled ADMSCs either in matrigel or in saline were injected into the border area of ischemia. The controls received the injection of matrigel or saline only. Four weeks after injection, the heart functions were determined by echocardiography. The densities of the micro-vessels within the infarct area were also measured.RESULTS: Four weeks after implantation of ADMSCs, the cell graft size, the heart functions and the micro-vessel densities within the infarct area improved in matrigel+ADMSCs group as compared to other groups.CONCLUSION: The co-injection of ADMSCs with matrigel enhances the graft survival, increases the density of the micro-vessels in the myocardium and improves the cardiac functions.     

超声治疗对急性脑梗死患者血浆GMP-140、vWF含量和血液流变学的影响及其疗效观察

目的:观察超声治疗对急性脑梗死患者血浆α颗粒膜蛋白-140(GM P-140)、血管性血友病因子(vW F)含量及血液流变学的影响和促进神经功能恢复的作用。方法:74例脑梗死患者随机分为两组:超声治疗组38例,对照组36例,两组均行常规药物治疗,超声治疗组则加用超声波治疗仪治疗。治疗前和治疗后分别2次抽血测定患者血浆GM P-140、vW F含量及血液流变学指标并同时进行神经功能缺损的评定。结果:两组患者治疗后的血浆GM P-140、vW F及低切粘度均比治疗前明显降低(P<0.05或<0.01),且以超声治疗组降低更为明显(P<0.01);治疗后两组患者神经功能缺损程度也减轻,超声治疗组减轻更显著,其差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:脑梗死患者血浆中GM P-140、vW F及血液流变学可能共同参与脑梗死的发生、发展以及康复过程,超声治疗能降低其含量指标,具有促进神经功能恢复的作用。     

Promoting angiogenesis of protein kinase D1 in vitro and in vivo

AIM: To explore the effect of protein kinase D1 (PKD1) on promoting angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, and to furnish a new idea on targeting PKD1 for the treatment of ischemic heart disease such as myocardial infarction. METHODS: The culture, isolation and identification of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were performed in vitro. The effects of PKD1 and its specific blocking agent CID755673 on expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) in EPCs were determined. The rat model of myocardial infarction was established, the intervention effects of PKD1 and CID755673 on morphology, changes of microvessels and endothelial cells, and the expression of VEGF and KDR in the impaired myocardial tissue were analyzed. RESULTS: PKD1 significantly upregulated the expression of VEGF and KDR in EPCs in vitro. Meanwhile, the structure of myocardial tissue was more regular and clear, the cytomembrane of endothelial cells were more smooth and integrity, the pericytes were visible, and the expression of VEGF and KDR was significantly increased in PKD1 treatment group in vivo.CONCLUSION: PKD1 has the ability of angiogenesis obviously, which might be mediated by VEGF.     

温度对蝴蝶兰成花诱导的影响

【目的】探讨适宜蝴蝶兰抽梗的温度,为生产管理提供依据,也为难催花品种及低温替代提供参考。【方法】以‘火凤凰’蝴蝶兰袋苗为材料,在人工气候箱条件下,采用单因素随机区组试验设计方法,设置 5个温度处理,分别为 29/22、26/19、23/16、20/13、17/10 ℃（日 / 夜）,每个处理温差均为 7 ℃,昼夜光周期10 h/14 h,相对湿度 75%。【结果】26/19 ℃处理后蝴蝶兰抽梗时间最早,处理后 30 d 抽梗,抽梗率为 100%,抽梗指数为 14.86;23/16 ℃处理后 36 d 抽梗,抽梗率达 100%,抽梗指数为 2.41;20/13 ℃处理后 40 d 抽梗,抽梗率为 95%,抽梗指数为 1.13。20~26 ℃处理抽梗前可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质、丙二醛含量显著上升,抽梗后显著下降。抽梗前超氧化物歧化酶活性上升。【结论】蝴蝶兰最适抽梗温度为 26/19 ℃;29/22 ℃处理未抽出花序轴,表明高温条件下蝴蝶兰不能诱导开花;17/10 ℃处理引起低温伤害,培育一段时间后转移到较高温度可以抽出花梗,但花梗质量偏差。     

黄政德教授应用四妙丸的临床经验举隅

四妙丸是中医经典方剂,组方立意独特,常用于治疗湿热下注、两足麻木、痿软、肿痛诸证。黄政德教授结合自己的临床经验,审证求因,灵活应用四妙丸随证加减治疗痛风性关节炎、慢性宫颈炎、弱精症及脑梗死后遗症等各种疾病,临床疗效显著,体现了中医"辨证论治"异病同治"的思维。     

Effects of celecoxib on cardiac myocyte apoptosis after myocardial infarction

AIM: To investigate the effects of celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on antioxidative capability and apoptosis of cardiac myocytes after myocardial infarction. METHODS: 24 New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups randomly (8 in each group): sham-operated group (sham group), myocardial infarction group (MI group), celecoxib group (Cele group, 10 mg kg^-1·d^-1, qd, with the drugs gastric gavage for six weeks). The NO concentration, total antioxidative capability (T-AOC), the activity of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) in cardiac tissue homogenate, adjacent to the infracted area, were detected. The pathological changes were observed by light microscope and electron microscopy. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in myocytes were observed using immunohistochemistry, and the degree of apoptosis were examined by TUNEL. RESULTS: Cardiac tissue in MI group presented interstitial edema, fibroplastic proliferation, inflammatory cellular infiltration, and vacuolar degeneration in cardiac myocytes. The results of electron microscopy showed that myocytes presented more changes caused by ischemic injury: widened interspace of myofibril, disordered myofibrillae, focal lysis of myofilament, ectasia of sarcoplasmic reticulum. In Cele group, the pathological changes were light, the NO^-₂/ NO^-₃ concentration, the activity of iNOS were lower (P<0.05), while the activity of cNOS and T-AOC were higher (P<0.05) than those in MI group. The expression rate of Bcl-2 protein in Cele group was higher than that in MI group, while the Bax was lower (P<0.01). The number of apoptotic myocytes was lower than that in MI group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Celecoxib decreases the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes and increases the antioxidative capability after myocardial infarction.     

Caecal disease in equids

Objective To review the breed, age, gender, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment and outcome of horses with caecal disease presented to a referral centre. Design Retrospective study of 96 cases. Procedure The breed, age, and gender of the study population were compared with the corresponding hospital population for the same period. The means (± SD) for clinical and laboratory findings were recorded for each caecal disorder. Treatment was categorised as medical or surgical, and outcome was recorded. Results Caecal diseases included impaction (40% of total cases), rupture associated with concurrent unrelated disease (13%), rupture with parturition (9%), rupture with no associated disease (5%), infarction (11%), torsion (9%), abscess or adhesion (7%), tumour (3%), and miscellaneous conditions (3%). The breed or gender of affected horses did not differ from the hospital population, although horses > 15 years were more frequently represented (P < 0.05). This age group was specifically more predisposed to caecal impaction (P < 0.05), as were Arabian, Morgan, and Appaloosa breeds (P < 0.05). In horses with caecal impaction transrectal examination was the most useful diagnostic procedure; 90% of affected horses treated medically were discharged while horses treated by typhlotomy alone, or typhlotomy and blind end ileocolostomy, had survival rates to discharge of 71% and 86%, respectively. Horses with caecal rupture associated with concurrent un-related disease showed no signs of impending rupture; all were receiving phenylbutazone, all were euthanased, and 50% had caecal ulceration at necropsy. Of horses with caecal rupture with parturition 56% had prior dystocia; in two-thirds the site of rupture was the ileocaecal junction and all were euthanased. Horses with caecal rupture with no associated disease died or were euthanased; rupture was idiopathic. Horses with caecal infarction usually had signs of abdominal pain and abdominal fluid changes consistent with peritonitis; transrectal examination was nonspecific, and typhlectomy was successful in seven of eight horses. Horses with caecal torsion had signs of severe, acute abdominal pain and typhlectomy was successful in three of five horses. Diagnosis of caecal adhesion or abscess was assisted by transrectal palpation in two of seven horses and surgical treatment was successful in two of five horses. A caecal tumour was diagnosed in three horses aged 20 years or older that presented with chronic weight loss. Other caecal diseases were uncommon. Conclusion Caecal disease is uncommon in equids but some specific features of the history and physical findings can alert the veterinarian to the possibility of caecal involvement in horses with gastrointestinal dysfunction. Medical or surgical therapy can be effective in horses where caecal rupture has not occurred.     

Long-term effects of TCV116 on left ventricular remodeling and heart function after myocardial infarction in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of long-term TCV116 on left ventricular remodeling and heart function after myocardial infarction. METHODS: Myocardial infarction (MI) was caused by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. One week after the surgical performance, the surviving rats were randomly assigned to the following treatment protocols: (1) MI rats with no therapy; (2) MI rats treated with TCV116 2 mg/kg per day; (3) Sham-operated control; (4) Sham-operated rats, treated with TCV116 2 mg/kg per day. At 22 weeks, cardiac hemodynamic parameters such as MAP, LVSP, dp/dt_max and LVEDP, and histomorphometric parameters such as LVW/BW and LVCA/BW were measured, mRNA of cardiac genes such as βMHC, BNP, TGF-β₁, collagen I and III were quantified, and survival rates were calculated. RESULTS: Compared with sham-operated rats, MI rats without therapy showed significant increases in histomorphometric parameters as well as in mRAN expressions of cardiac genes (P<0.01); While their hemodynamic parameters were significantly impaired (P<0.01), and survival duration shortened (P<0.05). Compared with MI rats without therapy, MI rats treated with TCV116 showed significant attenuation of mRAN expression of cardiac genes (P<0.01); While their hemodynamic parameters were significantly improved (P<0.05 or P＜0.01), and survival duration extended (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment with long-term angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist may improve left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function after MI in rats.     

Effects of carvedilol,cilazapril and their combination on left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in rats

AIM:To compare the effects of carvedilol, cilazapril and their combination on left ventricular remodeling(LVRM) after acute myocardial infarction(AMI) in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four hours after AMI operation, 100 surviving rats were randomly assigned to: ①AMI control(n= 25), ②AMI+carvedilol(1 mg·kg^-1 ·d^-1, n= 25)(C1), ③AMI+cilazapril(1 mg·kg^-1 ·d^-1, n= 25)(Z1), and ④ AMI+combination(n= 25) groups. Sham-operated group(n= 17) were selected randomly. After 4 weeks of therapy with the drugs gastric gavage, hemodynamic and pathological studies were performed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in MI size among the four AMI groups(all P> 0.05) Left ventricular(LV) end diastolic pressure(LVEDP), volume(LVV), weight(LVW) and septal thickness(STh) were all higher and left ventricular pressure maximal rate of rise and fall(±d p /d t) were lower(all P< 0.01) in AMI group than sham-operated group. The LVEDP, LVV, LVW and STh were all lower and ±dp /dt were higher in Z1, C1, and combination groups than those in AMI group(P< 0.05, P< 0.01), with LVEDP and STh were more lower in the combination group than in the two monotherapy group(P< 0.05, P< 0.01), but there were no significant differences in other variables among the three therapy groups. CONCLUSION: Carvedilol, cilazapril and their combination all can prevent from LVRM after AMI in rats, improve hemodynamics and LV function, with the combination superior.