THE EFFECT OF ACUTE MYOCARDIUM ISCHEMIC ON HEART FUNCTION OF PREGNANCY RAT

Objective To investigate the effect of acute myocardium ischemic on heart function of pregnancy rat. Methods 13 female SD rats and 6 early pregnancy rats were divided into normal group, unpregnant group with acute myocardial infarction and early pregnant group with acute myocardial infarction. The anterior branch of the left coronary artery was ligated. 3 weeks later, Image 1.31 software was used to measure areas of myocardial infarction, and to evaluate hemodynamics of heart with powerLAB4.12, and cardiac tissues were stained with Massion. Results Compared with unpregnant group with acute myocardial infarction , the early pregnant group with acute myocardial infarction had less myocardial infarction area (28.86% vs. 36.8%),and had a higher left ventricle end systolic pressure, ±dp/dt _ max , and lower left ventricle end diastolic pressure. Massion stain showed the amount of collagen of the lesion was less in the early pregnant group with acute myocardial infarction than that in unpregnant group. Conclusion The early pregnant group with acute myocardial infarction had better heart contractive and diastolic function .

Improvement of increased cQTd is associated with heart function in patients with ischemic heart failure

没有及时或有效的干预， BackgroundChronic 心失败(CHF ) 是威胁生活的。在这研究，我们调查了在与 CHF.MethodsFrom 2013年1月在病人为心率( cQTd )和心功能改正到2015年12月的 QT 分散之间的协会，我们连续地注册了作为纽约心协会功能的班( NYHA )分类的 240 个病人有左室的喷射部分( LVEF )的 III-IV <40%。基于病原学，病人被划分成扩大心肌症(DCM ) 组(n = 120 ) 并且一个 ischemic 心肌症(ICM ) 组(n = 120 ) 。基于 cQTd 宽度，然后， ICM 组被划分成二亚群：一个 QS 组(cQTd 60 ms， n = 70 ) 并且一个 QL 组(cQTd > 60 ms， n = 50 ) 。所有病人被 echocardiography 和 12 铅 electrocardiography (ECG ) 在 enrollment.ResultsAfter 以后在 1， 3， 6，和 12 个月检查优化医疗的年，在两个组的病人从基线在 LVEF 和 NYHA 分类显示出重要改进。然而，在 ICM 组的 cQTd，特别 QL，在 DCM 组在是比那显著地短的每次指。另外， cQTd 否定地与 LVEF 和 6-min 走测试被相关并且断然在在场的 ICM group.ConclusionsThe 与 NYHA 班相关调查结果清楚地证明 cQTd 是为在 ICM 病人的后续估计心功能的一个有意义的参数。

Correlation between the Six-Minute Walk Test and Subjective Functional Class in Patients with Heart Failure

Introduction: The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is an inexpensive method to objectively evaluate physical capacity or limitation and stratify prognosis in patients with Heart Failure (HF). Since the clinical perception of symptoms may be adapted or compromised, regular evaluation from medical interviews often fails to determine functional classification. This study aimed to assess the correlation between New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA-FC) and the distance walked in the 6MWT. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study that included patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction followed up at an outpatient service of a teaching hospital, from August 2018 to April 2019. Patients in NYHA-FC I, II, or III were included. We compared NYHA-FC subjectively obtained during the consultation with the 6MWT performed after medical consultation, and the correlation between these two parameters was assessed. Results: The study included 70 patients with HF, 41 (58.6%) of whom were female. The mean age was 61.2 ± 12.7 years. The most prevalent etiologies were dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy (35.7%) followed by ischemic cardiomyopathy (25.7%). The mean ejection fraction was 34.1% ± 9.8%. The average distance walked in the 6MWT by NYHA-FC I patients was 437.8 ± 95.8 meters, NYHA-FC II 360.1 ± 96.4, and NYHA-FC III 248.4 ± 98.3. Functional class measured by the 6MWT was different than that estimated by NYHA-FC in 34 patients (48.6%), 23 (32.9%) for a higher functional class and 11 (15.7%) for a lower one (p = 0.07). Pearson’s correlation coefficient between NYHA-FC and the 6MWT was -0.55. Conclusion: There was a moderate correlation between the subjective NYHA-FC and the 6MWT. The 6MWT revealed a different classification from NYHA-FC in almost half of the patients. Among those who presented discrepancies between methods, 6MWT reclassification towards a higher functional class was more common.

An Assessment of Cardiovascular Functional Capacity of a Group of Chronic Heart Failure Patients Using the 6-Minute Walk Test in a Cameroonian Urban Setting

Background: Chronic heart failure is a public health problem worldwide. It has a high mortality rate and is accompanied by a decreased functional capacity and alteration of the quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to assess the cardiovascular functional capacity of a group of patients suffering from heart failure using the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the cardiology unit of Douala’s general hospital for 4 months. We included all eligible patients aged 18 years or more who had stable chronic heart failure and gave informed consent. Those who had an acute coronary syndrome (≤1 month), tachycardia (HR ≥ 120 bpm), high blood pressure (SBP ≥ 180 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 100 mmHg) and reduced mobility due to orthopaedic reasons were excluded. A 6 MWT was done according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines. The 6 MWT result was considered poor for - 450 m and good for >450 m. Results: We recruited a total of 81 patients (61.7% women) with a mean age of 65.9 ± 10.6 years. The most frequent risk factor for heart failure was high blood pressure (77.8%), alcohol consumption(69.1%) and a sedentary lifestyle (53.1%). The left ventricular ejection fraction was mostly preserved (42.0%) or mildly altered (46.9). The 6 MWT results were poor in 55.6% of cases, average in 19.8% of cases and good in only 24.7% of cases. More than half (59.3%) of the participants perceived the effort as being difficult. The cardiovascular functional capacity was significantly associated with age, heart failure stage and physical activity (p Conclusion: Most patients suffering from chronic stable heart failure in the general hospital of Douala have poor cardiovascular functional capacity.

Effect of Shengmai Injection (生脉注射液) on Vascular Endothelial and Heart Functions in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease Complicated with Diabetes Mellitus

Objective： To study the effect of Shengmai injection （生脉注射液, SMI） on vascular endothelial and heart functions in coronary heart disease patients complicated with diabetes mellitus （CHD-DM）. Methods： One hundred and twenty patients with CHD-DM, their diagnosis confirmed by coronary arteriography, were equally randomized into a control group treated with conventional treatment and a treated group treated with conventional treatment plus SMI. The changes in blood levels of nitric oxide （NO）, endothelin-1 （ET-1） and angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）, as well as endothelium-dependent vascular dilating function and heart function in the patients were observed before treatment and after the 3-week treatment. Results： After being treated with SMI for 3 weeks, in the treated group, blood level of NO was raised significantly from 69.8±33.1 μmol/L to 120.1±50.8μmol/L, and ET-1 was lowered from 70.1±32.1 ng/L to 46.2±21.3 ng/L, respectively （P〈0.01）; that of Ang Ⅱ was lowered from 81.3±24.3 ng/L to 50.2±27.3 ng/L （P〈0.01）; brachial arterial post-congestion blood flow increasing rate was raised from 389.4±26.3% to 459.3±27.8% （P〈0.01）; and the improvement in heart function as seen through the ejection fraction （EF） was increased from 44±5% to 68±6% （P〈0.01）, all the changes being more significant than those in the control group （all P〈0.01）. Conclusion： SMI can improve not only the endothelial function in CHD-DM patients, but also heart contraction significantly.

Isolated Tricuspid Valve Repair and Right Atrial Plication Performed Using a Beating-Heart Technique for Atrial Functional Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation

Background: Isolated tricuspid valve disease remains a controversial indication for surgical intervention. Many patients referred for surgery already have a poor clinical condition and an advanced New York Heart Association functional class. There is no consensus on the optimal surgical technique for this condition, including on whether to perform the procedure on a beating or an arrested heart and whether to perform valve repair or replacement. Methods: We analyzed four case series between 2015 and 2022 in which patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) underwent valve repair on a beating heart and right atrial plication for a dilated right atrium. The TRI-SCORE was calculated for each patient. Results: All patients experienced a favorable postoperative course with significant improvements in heart failure symptoms. TR was markedly reduced;however, in one patient with concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) and a high TRI-SCORE, MR worsened postoperatively. This patient later died from unknown causes due to multiple comorbidities in the late phase. Conclusions: Tricuspid valve repair on a beating heart was effective for improving the cardiac function, and the TRI-SCORE proved useful as a preoperative risk assessment tool. The underlying mechanism by which TR exacerbates MR requires further investigation.

Correlations among Persistent Viral Infection,Heart Function and Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients

Objective：To investigate the correlations among persistent viral infection,heart function and Chinese medicine（CM） difined-syndromes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy（DCM）.Methods：Fifty patients with DCM in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University from October 2009 to December 2011 were selected as the research subjects,and 30 healthy people were simultaneously selected as the normal control group to detect persistent viral infections after admission.The CM syndrome type and grade of heart function were then evaluated.The expression level of Coxsackie adenovirus receptor（CAR） was detected using the flow cytometry（FCM） technique,coxsackie virus RNA（CVB-RNA） using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction（RTPCR）,and the plasma brain natriuretic peptide（BNP） level with a Triage meter plus diagnosis instrument.Finally,the parameters such as left ventricular end diastolic diameter（LVEDd） and left ventricular ejection fraction（LVEF） were measured by ultrasonic cardiogram.Person correlation analysis was used for measured data,Spearman correlation analysis for rating data,and the Chi-square test for numerical data.Results：CVB-RNA was positive in 22 patients（44%） with DCM,while only 6 cases（20%） were CVB-RNA-positive in the normal control group,with a significant difference between the two groups（P〈0.01）.The expression level of CAR was significantly elevated in the DCM group compared with the normal control group（P〈0.01）.In CVB-RNA-positive patients（22 cases）,the expression level of CAR was significantly higher than in CVB-RNA-negative patients（28 cases;P〈0.01）.In the DCM patients,there was a positive correlation between the CAR expression and the BNP level（r=0.34,P〈0.05）,while no significant difference was found between the CAR expression and the LVEF and LVEDd（r=-0.32,0.30,P〉0.05）.There was no clear correlation between virus infection and the CM syndrome types in DCM patients（r=-0.22,P〉0.05）.According to the sequence of syndrome types：phlegm → qi deficiency → blood stasis → hydroretention with asthenic yang（from low to high）,a positive correlation was existed between the BNP levels and CM syndrome types（r=0.139,P〈0.05）.Conclusion：The expression of CAR on the surface of white cells could be used to detect persistent viral infection.The expression level of CAR and heart function in DCM patients were highly correlated.The expression level of BNP may serve as an objective index for differentiating CM syndromes for patients with DCM.

DIETARY MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY INCREASES LEVELS AND FUNCTION OF Giα IN THE RAT HEART AFTER MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Magnesium(Mg) is crucial for the function of G proteins which play important roles in mediating the inotropic effects of β adrenergic agonists in the heart and are alteredin heart failure.This study was performed to determine whether or not dietary Mg deficiency alters functional activity and levels of the two major ventricular G proteins, Gia and Gsa in the heart after myocardial infarction(MI).Six week old rats were fed a Mg adequate or deficient diet for 6 weeks.At the end of week 3,MI was induced by coronary artery ligation.A sham operation was performed as control.After surgery,surviving animals were maintained on their assigned diets for another 3 weeks.Then,cardiac function was measured.Severe hypomagnesemia and increased plasma catecholamine level were observed in all animals fed the Mg deficient diet.A significant reduction of ruyocardial Mg concentration accompanied by elevated plasma and myocardial calcium concentrations was observed in MI animals with existing Mg deficiency vs.animals fed the Mg adequate diet.Cardiac function was impaired in MI rats and further reduced in MI rats with existing Mg deficiency. Gia level was not altered by either Mg deficiency or MI alone,but was dramatically elevated in animals with combined Mg deficiency and MI (9. 9±0.7 arbitrary unit.mg-1 protein) as compared to MI alone (5.8±0. 6,P<0.05 )and Mg deficiency alone(6.1± 0.8,P<0.05 ). Gsa level did not differ between groups.Bacal,GppNHp-and forskolin-but not fluoride-, stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was signifcantly reduced in MI animals with existing Mg deficiency indicating increased functional activity of Gia.The findings suggest that dietary Mg deficiency increases the expression and functional ac tivity of Gia in the heart after MI, while levels and function of Gsa are not compromised during dietary Mg deficiency either with or without MI.

DYNAMIC CHANGES IN Giα2 LEVELS IN THE RAT HEART ASSOCIATED WITH IMPAIRED CARDIAC FUNCTION FOLLOWING ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFA RCT

Changes in the functional activity and levels of Gsa and Gia in heart failure have been studied predominantly in the end-stage failing heart.The objective of this study was to determine if levels and function of Gsa and Gia2 in rat hearts change over time following acute myocar(lial infarction (MI) and if so,whether the changes in G proteins are associated with changes in heart function.As compared with sham-operated controls, Giα2, level of MI rats did not change at day l,increased by 64% at day 3 (P<0.01) and 55% at day 9 (P< 0.05)accompanied by reduced adenylyl cyclase activity,and returned to control by day 21. By contrast,Gsa level did not change at any time. Cardiac function in MI animals was markedly impaired at days 1,3 and 9 as evidenced by substantial elevation in LVEDP and reduction in +and -dp/dtmax,and partially restored at day 21. The increased Gia2level in MI rats at days 3 and 9 correlated positively to LVEDP(P< 0.05), and negatively to +and -dp/dtmax (p < 0. 01).The results show a three phase dynamic pattern in Gia2 level following acute MI:a lag phase, an increased expression phase associated with marked impairment of heart function,and a late phase in which the expression retums to control level accompanied by partially restored cardlac function.The results suggest that ② in G protein-mediated pathways,cardiac myocytes respond to MI Via regulating the gene expression of the inhibitory pathway, and ② up-regulation of Gia2 levels is related to the severity of impairment in cardiac function.

Influence of Cardiac Structure, Blood Blow, Velocity and Heart Function on Circulating Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Reninangiotension System

Heart function and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).plasma renin actiity(PRA) andangiotensionⅡ(Ang Ⅱ) were examined with echocardiography and radioimmunoassay in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM),

THE EFFECT OF ISOPTIN SR ON BLOOD PRESSURE,HEART FUNCTION AND HYPERTROPHY OF LEFT VENTRICLEOF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Isoptin SR was used in 65 essential hypertensive patients.240mg Isoptin SR(German Knoll Pharmaceutical company) Per day was used in group A(35 cases)for 6 weeks,and in guoup B(30 cases)for 24 weeks,BP in group a and B decreased obviously in the first and second week after treament.

The value of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in evaluating left ventricular function for different degrees of heart failure

Objective:To explore the value and feasibility of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE)in evaluating left ventricular function in patients with different degrees of heart failure.Methods:The 60 heart failure patients in the case group were divided into three subgroups according to the New York Heart Association(NYHA)classification:12 cases of cardiac function gradeⅡ,35 cases of cardiac function gradeⅢ,13 cases of cardiac function grade IV,and the other 30 cases of healthy subjects as control group.Compare the left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),and left ventricular 16,12,and 6 segments reaching the minimum systolic volume time standard deviation standardized value(Tmsv SD%),left ventricular 16,12 and 6 segments reaching the minimum systolic volume time standardized values of the maximum difference(Tmsv DIF%),analysis of the correlation between the above left ventricular function-related parameters and cardiac function grading.Results:(1)There were statistically significant differences in LVEDV and LVESV between each group(p<0.001).There was no statistically significant difference in LVEF between the cardiac function gradeⅡgroup and the control group,and between the grade IV group and the gradeⅢgroup(p=0.094 and 0.246).(2)compared with the control group,all parameters related to RT-3DE evaluation of left ventricular synchronization were prolonged in the case group,and the difference was statistically significant(p<0.001).The differences of Tmsv 16-SD%and Tmsv 16-DIF%in each subgroup of the case group were statistically significant(p<0.001).(3)LVEF was negatively correlated with NYHA classification of cardiac function(rs=-0.779,p<0.001),and LVEDV,LVESV,Tmsv 16-SD%,Tmsv 12-SD%,Tmsv 6-SD%,Tmsv 16-DIF%,Tmsv 12-DIF%,Tmsv 6-DIF%were positively correlated with NYHA function classification,showing strong correlation(rs=0.710,0.785,0.885,0.675,0.605,0.885,0.695,0.622,p<0.001),among them,Tmsv 16-SD%and Tmsv 16-Dif%have the highest correlation.Conclusion:RT-3DE can comprehensively evaluate the impairment of cardiac function.The measured parameters of left ventricular function are strongly correlated with cardiac function classification,which has impo-rtant application value for clinical judgment of the severity of heartfailure.

Effects of C2 hemisection on respiratory and cardiovascular functions in rats

High ce rvical spinal co rd injuries induce permanent neuromotor and autonomic deficits.These injuries impact both central respiratory and cardiovascular functions through modulation of the sympathetic nervous system.So far,cardiovascular studies have focused on models of complete contusion or transection at the lower cervical and thoracic levels and diaphragm activity evaluations using invasive methods.The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of C2 hemisection on different parameters representing vital functions(i.e.,respiratory function,cardiovascular,and renal filtration parameters)at the moment of injury and 7 days post-injury in rats.No ventilatory parameters evaluated by plethys mography were impacted during quiet breathing after 7 days post-injury,whereas permanent diaphragm hemiplegia was observed by ultrasound and confirmed by diaphragmatic electromyography in anesthetized rats.Interestingly,the mean arterial pressure was reduced immediately after C2 hemisection,with complete compensation at 7 days post-injury.Renal filtration was unaffected at 7 days post-injury;however,remnant systolic dysfunction chara cterized by a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction persisted at 7 days post-injury.Taken together,these results demonstrated that following C2 hemisection,diaphragm activity and systolic function are impa cted up to 7 days post-injury,whereas the respiratory and cardiovascular systems display vast ada ptation to maintain ventilatory parameters and blood pressure homeostasis,with the latter likely sustained by the remaining descending sympathetic inputs spared by the initial injury.A better broad characterization of the physiopathology of high cervical spinal cord injuries covering a longer time period post-injury could be beneficial for understanding evaluations of putative therapeutics to further increase cardiorespiratory recovery.

Relationship between testosterone and indexes indicating endothelial function in male coronary heart disease patients

Aim： To investigate the relationship between androgen level and the indexes indicating endothelial function in male patients with coronary heart disease （CHD）. Methods： We registered the following data for 106 50-70-year-old men： age, weight, blood lipid, including total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride, whether a smoker, sugar levels, blood pressure, free testosterone （FT）, vascular cell adhesion molecule- 1 （VCAM- 1） and the intima-media thickness （IMT） of common carotid artery, common carotid diameter, maximum velocity in systolic phase, minimum velocity in diastolic phase and resistent index. Among the 106 men, 51 were patients with CHD. The relationships between FT level, VCAM-1 concentration and IMT were examined, respectively, using a stepwise linear regression technique among all the 106 men. Results： There was no statistical difference in terms of age, blood pressure, whether a smoker, sugar levels, HDL-C, minimum velocity in diastolic phase, resistent index between male CHD patients and controls; whereas results for weight, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, VCAM- 1 and IMT of male CHD patients were higher than those of controls; FT level and maximum velocity in systolic phase were lower. It was found that among all the objects, FT level was inversely correlated with IMT and VCAM-1 concentration. Condusion： FT level was inversely correlated with VCAM-I concentration and IMT which are indicators of endothelial function. （Asian JAndro12008 Mar; 10： 214-218）

Serum uric acid as an index of impaired renal function in congestive heart failure

BackgroundHyperuricemia 经常是在有心失败的病人的现在。许多病理学的条件例如织物局部缺血，肾的功能缺陷，心脏的功能缺陷，新陈代谢的症候群，和煽动性的地位，可以影响尿酸(UA ) 新陈代谢。这研究是回顾地在心 failure.MethodsWe 估计他们的潜在的关系到 UA 新陈代谢估计的临床的特征， echocardiological ，肾，与充血的心失败在随机选择的成年人的一个大队在心血管的疾病和 UA 新陈代谢根据他们的参与的以前的证据选择的新陈代谢、煽动性的变量( n = 553 )。由索引聚类，那些变量用因素 analysis.ResultsIn 因素分析被探索，尿酸(SUA ) 形成了的浆液包括了浆液 creatinine (SCr ) 和血脲氮(甜面包) 的肾的功能的变量的主要的簇的部分。在有充血的心失败的病人的变量之间的 Univariate 关联系数证明为 SUA 的最强壮的关联与甜面包(r = 0.48， P &#x0003c；0.001 ) 并且 SCr (r = 0.47， P &#x0003c；0.001 ).ConclusionsThere 是在 SUA 层次和在有充血的心失败的病人的肾的功能的措施之间的一种反的关系。在 SUA 和 SCr 和甜面包层次之间的强壮的关联建议提高的 SUA 集中在心失败反映肾的功能的一个缺陷。

Improvement of cardiac function and reversal of gap junction remodeling by Neuregulin-1β in volume-overloaded rats with heart failure

ObjectiveWe 用 Neuregulin-1&#x003b2 执行了实验；(NRG-1&#x003b2；) 决定为保护的角色的机制由在 .MethodsRat HF 建模的心失败(HF ) 期间改变差距连接(GJ ) 源于它的有益的效果的处理被 aortocaval 建立管。48 只老鼠随机被划分成 HF (HF， n = 16 ) ， NRG-1&#x003b2；处理(NRG， n = 16 ) ，并且假冒的操作(S， n = 16 ) 组。在 NRG 组的老鼠是管理 NRG-1&#x003b2；(10 &#x000b5； g/kg 每天) 为经由尾巴静脉的 7 天，而另外的组与一样的剂量被注射盐。在操作以后的 12 个星期，在从左室获得的单个 myocytes 的 Connexin 43 (Cx43 ) 表示被 immunocytochemistry 决定。全部的蛋白质为 immunoblotting 试金从冻结的左室的纸巾被提取，并且 myocytes 的超微结构被传播电子 microscopy.ResultsCompared 与 HF 组，一起观察在 NRG 组的老鼠的心脏的功能显著地被改进的、不规则的分发和死亡 Cx43 表示被减轻。myocytes 的超微结构严重在 HF 老鼠，和 NRG-1&#x003b2 被损坏；减少了这些病理学的 damages.ConclusionsShort 术语 NRG-1&#x003b2；在体积的试验性的模型的处理罐头营救泵失败导致超载的 HF，它与 GJ 结构和 Cx43 的改进的恢复有关表示。

Abnormal expression of miR-331 leads to impaired heart function

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in maintaining normal heart function. Abnormal expression of miR-331 has been observed in the hearts of patients with atrial fibrillation and Marfan syndrome. However, whether miR-331 regulates cardiac function under physiological and pathological conditions still remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the function and underlying mechanisms of miR-331 in a pressure overload-induced heart failure model and miR-331 transgenic rat model. First, we found that the expression of miR-331-3p exhibited a 1.7-fold increase in hypertrophy compared with that in the sham group (P<0.01), yet the expression of miR-331-5p remained unchanged. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-331 in cardiomyocytes and defective excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling efficiency were observed. Luciferase assays showed that miR-331-3p suppressed JPH2 expression by binding to the coding region of JPH2 mRNA. Finally, in the miR-331 transgenic rat model, JPH2 expression was suppressed at both the mRNA and protein levels in vivo, which resulted in impairment of both the E-C coupling efficiency of cardiomyocytes and systolic function of the heart. This finding mechanistically linked miR-331 to JPH2 downregulation and suggested an important role for the abnormal expression of miR-331 leading to the dysfunction of E-C coupling in heart failure.

Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Protocols on Physical Function in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: An Experience from a Resource Constraint Nation

Objective: This study investigated the effects of cardiac rehabilitation exercise protocols on physical function (PF) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Study Design and Setting: This randomized controlled trial recruited 70 patients who are in stage II CHF with ejection fraction (≤40%) from a Nigerian university teaching hospital. They were randomly assigned into Exercise Group (EG: n = 35) or Control Group (CG: n = 35). Physical function, activity of daily living (ADL), distance walked in six minutes and grip strength were assessed using a validated ADL questionnaire, six minute walk test and a hand dynamometer respectively. In addition to medication, EG underwent aerobic and upper extremity resistance exercises thrice weekly for eight weeks while CG used medications only. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was at p p > 0.05). Significant improvements were noticed at fourth week among participants’ ADL (30.0% ± 6.0%), 6MWD (321.7 ± 26.3 m) and VO2 max (8.9 ± 0.4 mL/kg/min) variables within the exercise EG but no significant changes were observed in the CG (p > 0.05). Participants in EG demonstrated more significant improvements in ADL (15.0% ± 5.0%), 6MWD (406.0 ± 29.7 m) and VO2 max (10.3 ± 0.5 mL/kg/min) (p p > 0.05). Conclusions: Cardiac rehabilitation exercise protocols involving self-paced walking, sit-to-stand and upper extremity dynamic strength training improved activity of daily living, walking and functional capacity in patients with stable chronic heart failure.

The effect of stunned myocardium on heart function and the protection of fructose－1，6－diphosphate on it

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