High prevalence of aspirin resistance in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome

Background Metabolic syndrome is known to be a prothrombotic state. We undertook this study to examine a hypothesis that aspirin resistance may be associated with metabolic syndrome, and to assess other potential determinants of aspirin resistance in patients with cardiovascular disease （CVD）. Methods A total of 469 elderly patients with CVD were recruited. One hundred and seventy-two patients with metabolic syndrome and 297 without metabolic syndrome （control group） received daily aspirin therapy （〉 75 mg） over one month. Platelet aggregation was measured by light transmission aggregometry （LTA）. Aspirin resistance was defined as 〉 20% arachidonic acid （AA）- and 〉 70% adenosine diphosphate （ADP）-induced aggregation according to LTA. Aspirin semi-responders were defined as meeting one （but not both） of these criteria. Results By LTA, 38 of 469 （8.1%） patients were aspirin resistant. The prevalence of aspirin resistance was higher in the metabolic syndrome group compared with the control group [11.6 % vs. 6.6%, odds ratio （OR） = 2.039; 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.047-3.973]. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, metabolic syndrome （OR = 4.951, 95% CI： 1.440-17.019, P = 0.011） was a significant risk factor for aspirin resistance. Conclusions A significant number of patients with CVD and metabolic syndrome are resistant to aspirin therapy. This might further increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Histopathology and the predominantly progressive,indeterminate and predominately regressive score in hepatitis C virus patients after direct-acting antivirals therapy

BACKGROUND Histological changes after direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)therapy in hepatitis C virus(HCV)patients has not been elucidated.Whether the predominantly progressive,indeterminate and predominately regressive(P-I-R)score,evaluating fibrosis activity in hepatitis B virus patients has predictive value in HCV patients has not been investigated.AIM To identify histological changes after DAAs therapy and to evaluate the predictive value of the P-I-R score in HCV patients.METHODS Chronic HCV patients with paired liver biopsy specimens before and after DAAs treatment were included.Sustained virologic response(SVR)was defined as an undetectable serum HCV RNA level at 24 wk after treatment cessation.The Ishak system and P-I-R score were assessed.Inflammation improvement and fibrosis regression were defined as a≥2-points decrease in the histology activity index(HAI)score and a≥1-point decrease in the Ishak fibrosis score,respectively.Fibrosis progression was defined as a≥1-point increase in the Ishak fibrosis score.Histologic improvement was defined as a≥2-points decrease in the HAI score without worsening of the Ishak fibrosis score after DAAs therapy.The P-I-R score was also assessed.“absolutely reversing or advancing”was defined as the same directionality implied by both change in the Ishak score and posttreatment P-I-R score;and“probably reversing or advancing”was defined as only one parameter showing directionality.RESULTS Thirty-eight chronic HCV patients with paired liver biopsy specimens before and after DAAs treatment were included.The mean age of these patients was 40.9±14.6 years and there were 53%(20/38)males.Thirty-four percent(13/38)of patients were cirrhotic.Eighty-two percent(31/38)of patients achieved inflammation improvement.The median HAI score decreased significantly after SVR(pretreatment 7.0 vs posttreatment 2.0,Z=-5.146,P=0.000).Thirty-seven percent(14/38)of patients achieved fibrosis improvement.The median Ishak score decreased significantly after SVR(pretreatment 4.0 vs posttreatment 3.0,Z=-2.354,P=0.019).Eighty-two percent(31/38)of patients showed histological improvement.The P-I-R score was evaluated in 61%(23/38)of patients.The progressive group showed lower platelet(P=0.024)and higher HAI scores(P=0.070)before treatment.In patients with stable Ishak stage after treatment:Progressive injury was seen in 22%(4/18)of patients,33%(6/18)were classified as indeterminate and regressive changes were seen in 44%(8/18)of patients who were judged as probably reversing by the Ishak and P-I-R systems.CONCLUSION Significant improvement of necroinflammation and partial remission of fibrosis in HCV patients occurred shortly after DAAs therapy.The P-I-R score has potential in predicting fibrosis in HCV patients.

Electron microscopic investigation of anterior lens capsule in an individual with true exfoliation

AIMTo determine the changes which occur in the anterior capsule in true exfoliation which is a very rare condition.

Gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acidenhanced magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C patients after direct-acting antiviral

BACKGROUND Direct acting antiviral(DAA)therapy has enabled hepatitis C virus infection to become curable,while histological changes remain uncontained.Few valid noninvasive methods can be confirmed for use in surveillance.Gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid(Gd-EOB-DTPA)is a liver-specific magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)contrast,related to liver function in the hepatobiliary phase(HBP).Whether Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI can be used in the diagnosis and follow up of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C(CHC)has not been investigated.AIM To investigate the diagnostic and follow-up values of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for hepatic histology in patients with CHC.METHODS Patients with CHC were invited to undergo Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and liver biopsy before treatment,and those with paired qualified MRI and liver biopsy specimens were included.Transient elastography(TE)and blood tests were also arranged.Patients treated with DAAs who achieved 24-wk sustained virological response(SVR)underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and liver biopsy again.The signal intensity(SI)of the liver and muscle were measured in the unenhanced phase(UEP)(SI_(UEP-liver),SI_(UEP-muscle))and HBP(SI_(HBP-liver),SI_(HBP-muscle))via MRI.The contrast enhancement index(CEI)was calculated as[(SI_(HBP-liver)/SI_(HBP-muscle))]/[(SI_(UEP-liver)/SI_(UEP-muscle))].Liver stiffness measurement(LSM)was confirmed with TE.Serologic markers,aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI)and Fibrosis-4(FIB-4),were also calculated according to blood tests.The grade of inflammation and stage of fibrosis were evaluated with the modified histology activity index(mHAI)and Ishak fibrosis score,respectively.Fibrosis regression was defined as a≥1-point decrease in the Ishak fibrosis score.The correlation between the CEI and liver pathology was evaluated.The diagnostic and follow-up values of the CEI,LSM,and serologic markers were compared.RESULTS Thirty-nine patients with CHC were enrolled[average age,42.3±14.4 years;20/39(51.3%)male].Twenty-one enrolled patients had eligible paired Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and liver tissues after achieving SVR.The mHAI median significantly decreased after SVR[baseline 6.0(4.5-13.5)vs SVR 2.0(1.5-5.5),Z=3.322,P=0.017],but the median stage of fibrosis did not notably change(P>0.05).Sixty pairs of qualified MRI and liver tissue samples were available for use to analyze the relationship between the CEI and hepatic pathology.The CEI was negatively correlated with the mHAI(r=-0.56,P<0.001)and Ishak score(r=-0.69,P<0.001).Further stratified analysis showed that the value of the CEI decreased with the progression of the stage of fibrosis rather than with the grade of necroinflammation.For patients with Ishak score≥5,the areas under receiver operating characteristics curve of the CEI,LSM,APRI,and FIB-4 were approximately at baseline,0.87–0.93,and after achieving SVR,0.83–0.91.The CEI cut-off value was stable(baseline 1.58 and SVR 1.59),but those of the APRI(from 1.05 to 0.24),FIB-4(from 1.78 to 1.28),and LSM(from 10.8 kpa to 7.1 kpa)decreased dramatically.The APRI and FIB-4 cannot be used as diagnostic means for SVR in patients with Ishak score≥3(P>0.05).Seven patients achieved fibrosis regression after achieving SVR.In these patients,the CEI median increased(from 1.71 to 1.83,Z=-1.981,P=0.048)and those of the APRI(from 1.71 to 1.83,Z=-2.878,P=0.004)and LSM(from 6.6 to 4.8,Z=-2.366,P=0.018)decreased.However,in patients without fibrosis regression,the medians of the APRI,FIB-4,and LSM also changed significantly(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI has good diagnostic value for staging fibrosis in patients with CHC.It can be used for fibrotic-change monitoring post SVR in patients with CHC treated with DAAs.

The relationship between NT-proBNP and Depression in Patients with Heart Failure

To the editor We read the article entitled ＂Depression is associated with increased C-reactive protein levels in patients with heart failure and hypemricemia＂. In this article WANG, et al. reported that serum hs-CRP may be an independent marker for severity of depression in heart failure patients with hypemricemia. The authors suggested that the rela- tionship between the role of inflammation in the pathogene- sis of depression and heart failure may help to devise new strategies.

Impact of hepatitis C virus genotype 3 on liver disease progression in a Chinese national cohort

Background:Hepatitis C virus(HCV)genotype 3,particularly subtype 3b,is increasing in prevalence and distribution in China.This study evaluated the prevalence,regional distribution,clinical characteristics,host factors,treatment outcomes,and disease progression of patients with HCV genotype 3 in China.Methods:A 5-year follow-up was preceded by a cross-sectional study.Treatment choices were at the discretion of treating physicians.Estimated infection time to overall-disease-progression(defined by≥1 of:newly diagnosed cirrhosis;cirrhosis at baseline,Child-Turcotte-Pugh score increased 2 points or more;progression from compensated cirrhosis to decompensated cirrhosis;hepatocellular carcinoma;liver transplantation;or death)was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.Cox regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the risk factors for disease progression.Results:The cross-sectional study enrolled 997 patients,including 91 with HCV genotype 3 infection.Among them,subtype 3b(57.1%)was more dominant than subtype 3a(38.5%).Five hundred and twelve patients were included into the follow-up phase.Among patients analyzed for estimated infection time to overall-disease-progression,52/304(17.1%)patients with HCV genotype 1 and 4/41(9.8%)with HCV genotype 3(4/26 with genotype 3b,0/13 with genotype 3a,and 0/2 with undefined subtype of genotype 3)experienced overall-disease-progression.Patients with HCV genotype 3 were younger than those with genotype 1(mean age:39.5±8.7 vs.46.9±13.6 years)and demonstrated more rapid disease progression(mean estimated infection time to overall-disease-progression 27.1 vs.35.6 years).Conclusions:HCV genotype 3,specifically subtype 3b,is associated with more rapid progression of liver disease.Further analysis to compare HCV subtype 3a and 3b is needed in high prevalence regions.

Bifurcations and Chaos in a Nonlinear Discrete Time Cournot Duopoly Game

A nonlinear discrete time Cournot duopoly game is investigated in this paper. The conditions of existence for saddle-node bifurcation, transcritical bifurcation and flip bifurcation are derived using the center manifold theorem and the bifurcation theory. We prove that there exists chaotic behavior in the sense of Marotto＇s definition of chaos. The numerical simulations not only show the consistence with our theoretical analysis, but also exhibit the complex but interesting dynamical behaviors of the model. The computation of maximum Lyapunov exponents confirms the theoretical analysis of the dynamical behaviors of the system.