Objective To investigate the effects of smoking intensity, duration and cessation on mRNA and protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9) in tracheal epitheliumof rats, and the relationship between smoking or smoking cessation and airway remodeling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) . Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, ie. a normal control group, a long termheavy smoking group, a short termheavy smoking group, a long termlight smoking group,and a smoking cessation group which was exposed to room air for 10 weeks after long term heavy smoking.The expressions of MMP-9 mRNA and protein in tracheal epithelium of rats were detected by in situ hybridization and munohistochemistry respectively. Results ( 1) The pathological changes of emphysema were observed in the lung tissue of every smoking rat, and were most sever in the long term heavy smoking group. ( 2) Compared with the normal control group [ ( 0. 88 ±0. 88) PU, ( 2. 80 ±1. 66) PU] , the expressions of MMP-9 mRNA and proteins in tracheal epithelium were remarkable elevated in the long term heavy smoking group [ ( 22. 01 ±2. 86) PU, ( 20. 81 ±2. 46) PU] , the short term heavy smoking group [ ( 14. 94 ±3. 46) PU, ( 13. 68 ±2. 00) PU] , the long term light smoking group [ ( 6. 92 ±2. 71) PU,( 8. 84 ±1. 80) PU] and the smoking cessation group [ ( 19. 00 ±3. 36) PU, ( 14. 82 ±1. 74) PU] ( P lt;0. 01) . Compared with the long term heavy smoking group, the expressions of MMP-9 in tracheal epithelium were decreased in other three smoking groups ( P lt; 0. 05) . Conclusions Smoking could increase the expression of MMP-9 in tracheal epithelium and cause trachea damage and remodeling with intensity and duration in rats. Smoking cessation could decrease the MMP-9 expression and alleviate trachea remodeling,suggesting its role in the prevention of COPD.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the effects of βreceptor blocker on intraventricular pressure gradient and left ventricle remodeling after valve replacement for critical aortic stenosis. Methods Fifty-six patients with critical aortic stenosis underwent aortic valve replacement surgery from January 2008 to January 2010 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Thirtytwo of them who were followed up were selected to be enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups under the same basis of clinical features. Twelve patients in the experimental group received oral βreceptor blocker (Metoprolol, 6.2525.00 mg once, twice daily). The rest 20 patients in the control group had no βreceptor blocker. The various indicators of ultrasound cardiogram (UCG) shortly after operation (within a week) and long after operation (6-24 months) were compared between the two groups. Results No death occurred in both groups, and chest distress, shortness of breath and other symptoms were obviously alleviated. Although left ventricular endsystolic dimension (LVESD) and left ventricular outflow tract dimension (LVOTD) of both groups increased 6-24 months after operation, compared with the early postoperative period, only the increase of LVOTD in the experimental group showed statistical difference (t=-47.937, P=0.001). In both groups, interventricular septum thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), filament band velocity of left ventricular outflow tract (V), intraventricular pressure gradient (G) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) of the later period after operation were significantly lower than those of the early postoperative period. All these indicators in the experimental group showed significant differences (t=7.781, P=0.001；t=5.749, P=0.001; t=2.637, P=0.023; t=7.167, P=0.001; t=100.061, P0.001), while only V, G， and LVMI showed statistical differences in the control group (t=4.051, P=0.001; t= 4.759, P= 0.001; t=-0.166,P=0.001). EF in the experimental group also indicated significant difference compared with early period after aortic valve replacement (t=-6.621, P=0.001). EF between two groups indicated no significant difference (t=-0.354,P=0.726). But differences between the two groups in LVEDD, IVS, G， and LVMI were all statistically significant in the later period after surgery (t=-2.494, P=0.018; t=-3.434, P=0.002;t=-2.171,P=0.038; t=-2.316, P=0.028). Conclusion β-receptor blocker is a safe and reliable drug for those patients who have undergone aortic valve replacement surgery for critical aortic stenosis, and can decrease significantly the residual intraventricular pressure gradient and accelerate left ventricular cardiac remodeling.
Objective To investigate the left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in patients with aortic valve insufficiency with reduced ejection fraction (AIrEF) and aortic valve insufficiency with preserved ejection fraction (AIpEF) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). MethodsThe clinical and follow-up data of patients who underwent TAVR in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from 2018 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the guideline, the patients with left ventricular ejection fraction<55% were allocated to an AIrEF group, and the patients with left ventricular ejection fraction≥55% were allocated to an AIpEF group. ResultsA total of 50 patients were enrolled. There were 19 patients in the AIrEF group, including 15 males and 4 females with a mean age of 74.5±7.1 years. There were 31 patients in the AIpEF group, including 19 males and 12 females with a mean age of 72.0±4.8 years. All patients underwent TAVR successfully. Echocardiographic results showed that TAVR significantly promoted LVRR in the patients. Significant LVRR occurred in the early postoperative period (the first day after the surgery) in both groups. It remained relatively stable after the LVRR in the early postoperative period (the first day after surgery) in the AIpEF patients, while it continued to occur in the early postoperative period (the first day after surgery) to three months after the surgery in the AIrEF patients, and then remained relatively stable. Compared to preoperative values, AIrEF patients had a reduction in the average left ventricular end-diastolic volume index and left ventricular end-systolic volume index by 16.8 mL/m2 (P=0.003) and 8.6 mL/m2 (P=0.005), respectively, and the average left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index and end-systolic diameter index decreased by 2.5 mm/m2 (P=0.003) and 1.9 mm/m2 (P=0.003), respectively on the first day after the surgery. In comparison to the first day after the surgery, AIrEF patients experienced an average increase of 12.1% in the left ventricular ejection fraction three months after the surgery (P＜0.001). ConclusionTAVR has achieved good therapeutic effects in patients with aortic valve insufficiency, significantly promoting the LVRR in patients, and has better curative effects in AIrEF patients.
Objective To study the intervention effect of ginkgo biloba extract（GBE） on airway and vascular remodeling in rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods Forty wistar rats were randomly divided into group A，B，C and D.The rat model of COPD were established by intratracheally injection of lipopolysaccharide and exposure to cigarette smoke in groups B，C and D.Groups C and D were given intraperitoneally injection with 40 mg/kg GBE respectively from day1 to day14 and day29 to day42.Forty-three days later，the rats were sacrificed for lung pathological examination.Results Group B，C and D all showed pathological changes characteristic of COPD to different extent.The average area and standard number of alveoli showed significant difference between each groups（all Plt;0.01）.The structure of bronchiole walls in group C and D show mild changes.The ratio of bronchial smooth muscle thickness to bronchial wall thickness and bronchial wall area to bronchial area of group C and D showed significant difference when compared with group A and B（all Plt;0.01）.The vascular smooth muscle cell of group C and D had mild hyperplasia and the vascular wall had slightly thickened.The ratio of vascular smooth muscle thickness to vascular wall thickness and vascular wall area to vascular area in group C and D showed significant difference when compared with group A and B（all Plt;0.01）.Conclusion GBE has inhibitory effects on airway and vascular remodeling in rats model of COPD.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and prospect of nontransplantation surgical cardiac remodeling for endstage cardiac valve disease by performing the remodeling operation (including anatomical and functional remodeling) after strict perioperative adjustment for endstage cardiac valve disease. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 31 patients, including 14 males and 17 females, with endstage cardiac valve disease who were treated with surgical cardiac remodeling operation from December 2005 to July 2009 in the 2nd Hospital of Anhui Medical University . Their age ranged from 27 to 74 years with an average age of 40.4 years. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was carried out 3 days before surgery in all patients and intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) was performed 1-3 days before operation in 9 patients. Among the patients, there were 13 patients of mitral valve replacement (MVR), 7 patients of aortic valve replacement (AVR), 4 patients of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR), and 7 patients of double valve replacement (DVR). At the same time, all patients underwent ventricular or atrial volume reduction operation, including 19 patients of left atrial partial excision or plication, 7 patients of partial left ventricular excision, 5 patients of left atrial and left ventricular volume reduction operation, 21 patients of partial right atrial excision, and 3 patients of partial right ventricular excision. Besides, there were 5 patients of De Vega plasty, 14 patients of annuloplasty and3 patients of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The echocardiogram was used to observe the change of heart function, atrium and ventricular in patients on postoperative and follow -up period. Results After surgery, one patient died of low cardiac output syndrome, and one other patient gave -up because of incision and mediastinum infection after reoperation for hemorrhage. Twentynine patients were followed -up for 3 to 12 months with 1 case lost. During the follow- -up, 3 patients died, of whom 2 died of deterioration of heart function and 1 died of sudden stroke. In the 12th month during the follow -up, heart function of all other 25 patients showed obvious improvements with 12 classⅠ, 7 classⅡ, 3 classⅢ and 3 classⅣ heart function according to NYHA classification. At the end of the follow -up, ejection fraction (5400%±800% vs. 2500%±300%) and cardiac index ［3.30±0.50 L/(min·m2) vs. 1.10±0.30 L/(min·m2)］ were significantly higher than those before operation (P＜0.05), whereas left ventricular end diastolic diameter (5200±1000 mm vs. 9500±1200 mm) and left atrial diameter (3900±800 mm vs. 7000±1200 mm) both decreased significantly than those before operation (P＜0.05). Conclusion Cardiac remodeling operation for endstage cardiac valve disease after active adjustment and preparation can achieve similar results to operation for severe valve diseases, providing a new choice for endstage heart disease.
Objective To evaluate the left ventricular remodeling after valve replacement for valvular heart disease with giant left ventricle. Methods The clinical material of 92 patients with valvular heart disease and giant left ventricle after valve replacement was retrospectively reviewed. The results of ultrosonic cardial gram（UCG） and the changes of cardiac function before and after operation were compared. Results There was no operative death. The value of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension （LVEDD）, left ventricular end-systolic dimension （LVESD）, left atrial dimension （LAD）, left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）, left ventricular fractional shortening （LVFS）, stroke volume （SV） and cardiothoracic ratio in 2 weeks and 2 months after operation were more decreased than those before operation（P〈0. 05）. The value of LVEDD and LAD in 2 months after operation were much more decreased than those in 2 weeks after operation （P〈0. 05）. The cardiac function in early stage after operation was more decreased than that before operation,but the cases of cardiac functional class Ⅱ （38 cases, 41.3% ） in 2 months after operation was significantly more than those before operation （5 cases, 5.4 % ）. Conclusions The early effect of left ventricular remodeling is significant for valvular heart disease with giant left ventricle after valve replacement. The diameter of left ventricle and left atrial are significantly decreased after operation. The protection for cardiac function should be carefully taken in order to prevent the occurrence of complication after operation.
Objective To investigate the change of vasa vasorum in vessel wall of varicose vein of the lower extre-mity. Methods Thirty-two patients with varicose vein of the lower extremity were collected， in which of 12 patients with simple varicose veins （varicose group）， 9 patients with recurrent varicose veins （recurrent group）， 11 patients withthrombophlebitis of varicose vein （thrombophlebitis group）， 9 patients with normal venous tissue as control group. HE staining was performed to observe the distribution of vasa vasorum and detect the vasa vasorum density. Results The increasing vasa vasorums were observed in the adventitia and media， but few was observed in the intima in the varicose， recurrent， and thrombophlebitis groups. The distribution of vasa vasorum was in the adventitia in the control group. The vasa vasorum densities （/mm2） in the varicose， recurrent， and thrombophlebitis groups （5.65±1.45，6.20±1.73， and 5.94±1.63， respectively） were greater than those in the control group （2.87±0.54）， the difference wasstatistically significant （P＜0.05）， but there was no significant difference of the vasa vasorum density among the varicosevein， recurrent， and thrombophlebitis groups （P＞0.05）. Conclusion Change of vasa vasorum is an important pathol-gical change with the nosogenis of varicose vein of the lower extremity.
Lung injury could be classified as acute and chronic injuries, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lung function recovery mainly depends on inflammation adjusting, lung and airway remodeling, endogenous stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and tissue repair. The principles of clinical therapy include inhibition of inflammation, balancing coagulation and fibrinolysis, and protective lung ventilation for acute lung injury; while reduction of hyper-secretion, bronchodilation, adjusting airway mucosal inflammation and immunity, as well as improving airway remodeling for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The functional recovery of lung and airway depends on endogenous stem cell proliferation and repair. The purpose of clinical treatment is to provide assistance for lung and airway repair besides pathophysiological improvement.
Along with the coming of aged society, the prevalence of heart valvular disease is significantly increasing, and the use of bioprosthetic valves for treating patients with severe valve disease has increased over the last two decades. As a consequence, a growing number of patients with surgical bioprosthesis degeneration is predicted in the near future. In this setting, valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter aortic/mitral valve replacement (TAVR/TMVR) has emerged as an alternative to redo surgery. A deep knowledge of the mechanism and features of the failed bioprosthetic heart valve is pivotal to plan an adequate procedure. Multimodal imaging is fundamental in the diagnostic and pre-procedural phases. The immediate and mid-term clinical and hemodynamic results have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of ViV techniques, but the development of these techniques faces several specific challenges, such as coronary obstruction, potential post-procedural mismatch and leaflet thrombosis. This article reviews the current status and prospects of ViV-TAVR technology in the treatment for biological valve degeneration, and suggests that ViV-TAVR should be promoted and implemented in existing medical centers with good surgical aortic valve replacement experience, so as to provide better treatment for patients.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress on the establishment of prevertebral pathway in the treatment of unilateral total brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury by contralateral C7 nerve root transfer.MethodsThe literature about contralateral C7 nerve root transfer via prevertebral pathway at home and abroad was extensively reviewed, and the development, changes, advantages and disadvantages of various operation methods were analyzed and summarized.ResultsAfter unilateral total brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury, it can be repaired by a variety of surgical methods of the contralateral C7 nerve root transfer via prevertebral pathway, which include the anterior subcutaneous tissue tunnel of the vertebral body, the passage under the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the posterior pharyngeal space and the anterior vertebral fascia passage, the modified posterior esophageal anterior vertebral passage, the anterior vertebral passage that cuts off the bilateral anterior scalene, and Huashan anterior pathway, etc. Among them, how to establish the shortest, safe, and effective way of anterior vertebral canal has been paid more attention and discussed by peripheral nerve repair doctors.ConclusionIt is a safe and effective surgical method to repair unilateral total brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury patients with contralateral C7 nerve root transfer via prevertebral pathway.