Effects of IGF-Ⅱand TGF-β1 on invasiveness of placental trophoblast cells in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome

Objective: This study was to investigate the invasiveness of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) trophoblast cells and evaluate the effects of IGF-Ⅱand TGF-β1 on cytotrophoblast invasion.Methods: Cytotrophoblast cells from normal and PIH placenta were separated and purified. Cytotrophoblast invasiveness of normal and PIH placenta was measured by in vitro invasion assay. Effects of IGF-Ⅱand TGF-β1 on cytotrophoblast invasion were also studied.Results: In PIH group, cytotrophoblast invasiveness was dramatically decreased. In normal group, trophoblast invasiveness was significantly enhanced by IGF-Ⅱ but inhibited by TGF-β1. Neither IGF-Ⅱ nor TGF-β1 had statistically significant effects on PIH trophoblast invasion.Conclusions: PIH cytotrophoblast invasiveness dramatically decreases as compared to the normal level. IGF-Ⅱand TGF-β1 may play an important role in shallow trophoblast invasion on PIH.

Adherence to Pharmacotherapy in Post-Menopausal Women with Hypertension or Metabolic Syndrome: Real World Experience

Background: Adherence to medications is dependent upon a variety of factors, including individual characteristics of the patient, interactions with health care providers, and medication complexity. Even though several studies were conducted to test intervention strategies, results are uncertain. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess if a tailored combined intervention strategy improves medication adherence in a large population of post-menopausal women affected by hypertension or metabolic syndrome. Methods: We enrolled 6833 patients aged 50 to 69 years, 85.7% with hypertension, and 14.3% with metabolic syndrome. A network between patients, general practitioners, and cardiologists was established. Interventions included education, adequate information to patients, a simplified scheme of treatment, and periodic adherence assessment. These were either delivered as healthcare provider supports or using modern technology. Medication adherence was estimated by the proportion of days covered for all classes of drugs after the index date. Results: Non-adherent hypertensive women were 297 (5%), and those with metabolic syndrome were 73 (7.4%) (p Conclusions: The rate of non-adherence in both settings of postmenopausal women was 7.7%, much lower than that described in the literature. This rate was increased in patients with metabolic syndrome;probably it is related to the complexity of the therapeutic scheme or to a poor consciousness of the disease. Therefore, implementing a tailored combined intervention can improve significantly patients’ adherence to medical therapy.

Development of pulmonary hypertension remains a major hurdle to corrective surgery in Down syndrome

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality encountered in clinical practice with 50%of them having associated congenital heart disease(CHD).Shunt lesions account for around 75%of all CHDs in Down syndrome.Down syndrome patients,especially with large shunts are particularly predisposed to early development of severe pulmonary hypertension(PH)compared with shunt lesions in general population.This necessitates timely surgical correction which remains the only viable option to prevent long term morbidity and mortality.However,despite clear recommendations,there is wide gap between actual practice and fear of underlying PH which often leads to surgical refusals in Down syndrome even when the shunt is reversible.Another peculiarity is that Down syndrome patients can develop PH even after successful correction of shunt.It is not uncommon to come across Down syndrome patients with uncorrected shunts in adulthood with irreversible PH at which stage intracardiac repair is contraindicated and the only option available is a combined heartlung transplant.However,despite the guidelines laid by authorities,the rates of cardiac transplant in adult Down syndrome remain dismal largely attributable to the high prevalence of intellectual disability in them.The index case presents a real-world scenario highlighting the impact of severe PH on treatment strategies and discrimination driven by the fear of worse outcomes in these patients.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Formula on hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome:a randomized,placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Patients with hypertension coupled with metabolic syndrome （MetS） are among the high risk population in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. To reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is essential to appropriately control b^ood pressure together with other cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE： The current study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects on blood pressure, blood pressure variability and other cardiovascular risk factors by giving Yiqi Huaju Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in addition to routine treatment to hypertensive patients coupled with MetS. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： A total of 43 patients with hypertension coupled with MetS were recruited into this study. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into the Chinese herbal formula group （anti-hypertensive drugs plus Yiqi Huaju Formula, CHF） and the control group （anti-hypertensive drugs plus placebo）. The CHF group enrolled 22 patients while the control group received 21 cases. Treatments were given for 12 weeks in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Parameters examined include 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）, fasting glycosylated hemoglobin （HbAlc）, fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose （PPG）, fasting plasma insulin, serum lipid, etc. RESULTS： Compared with the control group, the CHF group had significant improvement （P〈0.01） in anthropometric parameters, FPG, HOMA-IR, blood pressure amplitude, blood pressure variability and blood pressure load. CONCLUSION： This study showed that integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can achieve better results in controlling blood pressure as well as other cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanism of controlling of blood pressure may be associated with the improvement of insulin sensitivity due to the Yiqi Huaju intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER： ChiCTR-TRC-11001633.

Relationship of serum vitamin D level on geriatric syndromes and physical performance impairment in elderly hypertensive patients

Objective To investigate the relationship among serum vitamin D levels, physical performance impairment, and geriatric syndromes in elders with hypertension. Methods According to the concentration of vitamin D levels, a total of 143 elderly patients with hypertension were classified into vitamin D deficient group （vitamin D 〈 20 ng/mL, n = 94） and vitamin D appropriate group （vitamin D 〉 20 ng/rnL, n = 49）. Geriatric syndromes and physical performance were assessed by using comprehensive geriatric assessment （CGA）. Correlation among vitamin D levels, geriatric syndromes and physical performance was analyzed. Results No statistical differences were found in various aspects of geriatric syndromes between the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. While correlation analysis indicated that vitamin D levels had a positive association with ADL score （r = 0.235, P 〈 0.01） and a negative association with Morse fall scale score （r = 0.238, P 〈 0.01）. Patients with deficient vitamin D level had longer time both in the Five Time Sit to Stand Test （5tSTS）, （15.765 ± 5.593） and the four-meter walk test [7.440 （5.620, 9.200）], a weaker hand-grip in the grip strength test （28.049 ± 9.522）, and a lower Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment （Tinetti POMA） [26 （22, 27）] and Balance subscale of the Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment （B-POMA） score [ 14 （12, 16）], compared with appropriate vitamin D level [（13.275 ± 3.692）; 5.810 （4.728, 7.325）]; （31.989 ± 10.217）; [26.5 （25, 28）]; [15 （14, 16）, respectively, all P 〈 0.05]. Furthermore, results of logistic regression indicated that vitamin D was significantly associated with 5tSTS （OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.050-1.331, P 〈 0.01）, Tinetti POMA （OR = 3.7, 95% CI：1.284-10.830, P 〈 0.05） and B-POMA （OR = 0.8, 95% CI：0.643-0.973, P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions In elderly hypertensive patients, serum vitamin D deficient level is associated with physical performance impairment. However, no statistical significance was found between vitamin D and geriatric syndromes. Further study is required to investigate possible mechanisms for the association between vitamin D and physical performance.

Metabolic syndrome in hypertensive patients:An unholy alliance

For many years, it has been recognized that hypertension tends to cluster with various anthropometric and metabolic abnormalities including abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and hyperuricemia. This constellation of various conditions has been transformed from a pathophysiological concept to a clinical entity, which has been defined metabolic syndrome(MetS). The consequences of the MetS have been difficult to assess without commonly accepted criteria to diagnose it. For this reason, on 2009 the International Diabetes Federation, the American Heart Association and other scientific organizations proposed a unified MetS definition. The incidence of the MetS has been increasing worldwide in parallel with an increase in overweight and obesity. The epidemic proportion reached by the MetS represents a major public health challenge, because several lines of evidence showed that the MetS, even without type 2 diabetes, confers an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in different populations including also hypertensive patients. It is likely that the enhanced cardiovascular risk associated with MetS in patients with high blood pressure may be largely mediated through an increased prevalence of preclinical cardiovascular and renal changes, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, early carotid atherosclerosis, impaired aortic elasticity, hypertensive retinopathy and microalbuminuria. Indeed, many reports support this notion, showing that hypertensive patients with MetS exhibit, more often than those without it, these early signs of end organ damage, most of which are recognized as significant independent predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Changes in Plasma Angiotensin II and Circadian Rhythm of Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients with Sleep Apnea Syndrome Before and After Treatment

Objective To explore the changes in plasma angiotensin II （Ang Ⅱ） and circadian rhythm of blood pressure among hypertensive patients with sleep apnea syndrome （SAS） before and after continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP） or surgical treatment. Methods A total of 180 essential hypertension patients were enrolled in our study. The determination of plasma Ang Ⅱ concentration, ambulatory blood pressure （ABP）, and polysomnography （PSG） monitoring were performed before and 3 months after CPAP or surgical treatment. Results Patients were classified into three groups by their apnea-hypopnea index （AHI）： essential hypertension group （EH group, n=72; AHI〈5）, essential hypertension with mild SAS group （EH＋mild SAS group, n=60, 5≤AHI〈20）, and essential hypertension with moderate and severe SAS group （EH＋moderate-severe SAS group, n=48, AHI_〉20）. The concentrations of plasma AngⅡ in the above three groups were 13.42±3.27, 16.17±3.82, and 18.73±4.05 ng/mL respectively before treatment, and AngⅡ concentration in EH patients combined with SAS was significantly higher than that in EH group （all P〈0.05）. After treatment the values in the latter two groups significantly decreased to 14.67±2.56 and 15.03±3.41 ng/mL respectively （P〈0.05）. The incidence of non-dipper blood pressure curve in EH patients was 31.9%, and those in hypertensive patients with mild SAS and moderate-severe SAS were 51.7% and 58.3%, respectively before treatment. The incidence of non-dipper blood pressure curve in the EH patients with mild SAS was significantly higher than that of patients with EH alone （P〈0.05）. After CPAP treatment or surgery, the incidence of non-dipper blood pressure curve in the two SAS groups was significantly decreased to 38.3% and 39.6%, respectively （P〈0.05）. Conclusions Ang Ⅱ might play a role in blood pressure variability in patients with obstructive SAS. CPAP or surgical treatment can improve blood pressure disorder and decrease plasma Ang Ⅱ level in patients with obstructive SAS.

Research on Applications of Shenmai Injection on Hypertensive ICH Combined with Cerebrocardiac Syndromes

Objective: This study is to observe the therapeutic effects of Shenmai injection on patients with hypertensive ICH and cerebrocardiac syndromes as well as its effects on prognosis. Methods: A total of 72 patients with severe hypertensive ICH and cerebrocardiac syndromes were selected and divided into the control group and the experimental group (Shenmai injection group) randomly, 36 patients in each group. The control group was treated by conventional therapy, while the experimental group was administrated by intravenous drip of the mixture of 50 ml Shenmai injection and 250 ml 5% glucose injection based on the treatment of the control group, once everyday, 2 weeks continuously. Results: Myocardial enzyme indexes of two groups at 3d, 7d and 14d were observed (Table 1). Myocardial enzyme index of the experimental group was improved quickly and significantly. Myocardial enzyme data of two groups at 3d, 7d and 14d were P < 0.05. According to the electrocardiographic examinations results, ECG anomalies of the experimental group at 7d and 14d were also improved quickly (P < 0.05). There are no evident anomalies in GCS scores of two groups at 7d, but GCS score of the experimental group at 14d of the medication was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Shenmai injection has some therapeutic effects on cerebral injuries and myocardial damages. It can treat brain and heart simultaneously, realize the goal of addressing both symptoms and root causes, and improve prognosis of patients with severe hypertensive ICH.

Impact of metabolic syndrome components on clinical outcomes in hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND The incidence of hypertriglyceridemia(HTG)-induced acute pancreatitis(AP)is steadily increasing in China,becoming the second leading cause of AP.Clinical complications and outcomes associated with HTG-AP are generally more severe than those seen in AP caused by other etiologies.HTG-AP is closely linked to metabolic dysfunction and frequently coexists with metabolic syndrome or its components.However,the impact of metabolic syndrome components on HTGAP clinical outcomes remains unclear.AIM To investigate the impact of metabolic syndrome component burden on clinical outcomes in HTG-AP.METHODS In this retrospective study of 255 patients diagnosed with HTG-AP at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University,we collected data on patient demographics,clinical scores,complications,and clinical outcomes.Subsequently,we analyzed the influence of the presence and number of individual metabolic syndrome components,including obesity,hyperglycemia,hypertension,and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),on the aforementioned parameters in HTG-AP patients.RESULTS This study found that metabolic syndrome components were associated with an increased risk of various complications in HTG-AP,with low HDL-C being the most significant risk factor for clinical outcomes.The risk of complications increased with the number of metabolic syndrome components.Adjusted for age and sex,patients with highcomponent metabolic syndrome had significantly higher risks of renal failure[odds ratio(OR)=3.02,95%CI:1.12-8.11)],SAP(OR=5.05,95%CI:2.04-12.49),and intensive care unit admission(OR=6.41,95%CI:2.42-16.97)compared to those without metabolic syndrome.CONCLUSION The coexistence of multiple metabolic syndrome components can synergistically worsen the clinical course of HTGAP,making it crucial to monitor these components for effective disease management.

Change of hs-CRP,sVCAM-1,NT-proBNP levels in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension after therapy with magnesium sulfate and nifudipine

Objective:To investigate the change of the hs-CRP,sVC AM-1,NT-proBNP levels of the patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH) syndrome.Methods:A total of 200 patients with PIH were divided into mild,moderate and severe group,and 50 healthy pregnancy patients served as the control group.The serum sVCAM-1 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,hs-CRP were detected by immunity transmission turbidity,and NT-proBNP levels were determined by the colloidal gold method.Patients were treated with magnesium sulfate and nifudipine and the contrastive analysis was performed before and after treatment.And the pathological changes in placental of PIH patients were delected by hematoxylin-eosin staining at the same time.Results:The hs-CRP,sVCAM-l,NT-proBNP levels of patients in the mild, moderate and severe PHI group were significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). The hs-CKP,sVCAM-l,NT-proBNP levels in the severe group were significantly higher than the mild group and the moderate group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The hsCRP,sVCAM-l,NT-proBNP of the moderate group were significantly higher than the mild group(P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between hs-CRP,sVCAM-1,NT-proBNP expression levels and the degree of the PIH.The expression of hs-CRP,sVCAM-1,NT-proBNP levels of the moderate and the severe group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The number of placental villi and interstitial blood vessel in the moderate and severe PIH group were significantly less than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:The increased levels of serum hs-CRP,sVCAM-1, NT-proBNP may be involved in the process of vascular endothelial cell injury of the PIH,and the hs-CRP,sVCAM-1,NT-proBNP can be used as the auxiliary index for diagnosis of PIH and determination of PIH severity.

Increased Oxidative Stress in Women With Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

Objective To investigate whether pregnancy-induced hypertension （PIH） may increase oxidative stress in women with PIH, and to explore the mechanisms by which PIH may increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage. Methods Seventy women with PIH and seventy women with uncomplicated normotensive pregnancy （UNP） whose age, nutritional conditions, levels of hemoglobin and albumin were all matched, were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Their plasma concentrations of nitric oxide （NO）, vitamin C （VC）, vitamin E （VE）, and β-carotene （β-CAR） as well as their erythrocyte malondialdehyde （MDA）, and activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT） and glutathione peroxidase （GPX） were determined by spcctrophotometry. Results Compared with average values of the above experimental parameters in the women with UNP, the average value of erythrocyte MDA in the women with PIH significantly increased （P〈0.0001）, while the average values of plasma NO, VC, VE, and β-CAR as well as those of erythrocyte SOD, CAT, and GPX in the women with PIH significantly decreased （P〈0.0005-0.0001）. The findings from partial correlation analysis （controlling for age） for 70 women with PIH showed that with elevated systolic blood pressure （SBP） and diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, MDA value gradually increased （P〈0.001）, and NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, and GPX values gradually decreased （P〈0.02-0.001）. The findings from reliability analysis for NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, GPX, and MDA values used to reflect increased oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with PIH showed that the reliability coefficients （alpha, 8 items） = 0.7062, P〈 0.0001, and the standardized item alpha = 0.9116, P〈 0.0001. Conclusion The findings in the present research suggest that pregnancy-induced hypertension can increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension and metabolic syndrome: Possible connection, PPARγ and Caveolin-1

A number of disparate diseases can lead to pulmonary hypertension(PH), a serious disorder with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Recent studies suggest that the associated metabolic dysregulation may be an important factor adversely impacting the prognosis of PH. Furthermore, metabolic syndrome is associated with vascular diseases including PH. Inflammation plays a significant role both in PH and metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue modulates lipid and glucose metabolism, and also produces pro-and anti-inflammatory adipokines that modulate vascular function and angiogenesis, suggesting a close functional relationship between the adipose tissue and the vasculature. Both caveolin-1, a cell membrane scaffolding protein and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR) γ, a ligandactivated transcription factor are abundantly expressed in the endothelial cells and adipocytes. Both caveolin-1 and PPARγ modulate proliferative and anti-apoptotic pathways, cell migration, inflammation, vascular homeostasis, and participate in lipid transport, triacylglyceride synthesis and glucose metabolism. Caveolin-1 and PPARγ regulate the production of adipokines and in turn are modulated by them. This review article summarizes the roles and inter-relationships of caveolin-1,PPARγ and adipokines in PH and metabolic syndrome.

Terlipressin improves pulmonary pressures in cirrhotic patients with pulmonary hypertension and variceal bleeding or hepatorenal syndrome

Terlipressin has been shown to improve both pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in stable cirrhotic patients with pulmonary hypertension,whereas other vasoconstrictors may cause pulmonary pressures to deteriorate We investigated the pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic effects of the first terlipressin dose(2 mg) in 7 cirrhotic patients with PH presenting with variceal bleeding(n=4) or hepatorenal syndrome(n=3).Terlipressin decreased pulmonary vascular resistance(158.8±8.9 vs 186.5±13.9 dynes sec cm-5 ;P=0.003) together with an increase in systemic vascular resistance(2143± 126 vs 1643±126 dynes sec cm-5 ;P<0.001).Terlipressin should be the vasoconstrictor treatment of choice when patients present with variceal bleeding or HRS.

Effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt on pulmonary gas exchange in patients with portal hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome

AIM: To assess the impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on pulmonary gas exchange and to evaluate the use of TIPS for the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).METHODS: Seven patients, three of them with advanced HPS, in whom detailed pulmonary function tests were performed before and after TIPS placementat the University of Alabama Hospital and at the Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, were considered.RESULTS: TIPS patency was confirmed by hemodynamic evaluation. No changes in arterial blood gases were observed in the overall subset of patients. Transient arterial oxygenation improvement was observed in only one HPS patient, early after TIPS, but this was not sustained 4 mo later.CONCLUSION: TIPS neither improved nor worsened pulmonary gas exchange in patients with portal hypertension. This data does not support the use of TIPS as a specific treatment for HPS. However, it does reinforce the view that TIPS can be safely performed for the treatment of other complications of portal hypertension in patients with HPS.

Portopulmonary hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome

Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) and hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) are two frequent complications of liver disease, with prevalence among liver transplant candidates of 6% and 10%, respectively. Both conditions result from a lack of hepatic clearance of vasoactive substances produced in the splanchnic territory. Subsequently, these substances cause mainly pulmonary vascular remodeling and some degree of vasoconstriction in POPH with resulting elevated pulmonary pressure and right ventricular dysfunction. In HPS the vasoactive mediators cause intrapulmonary shunts with hypoxemia. Medical treatment is disappointing overall. Whereas liver transplantation (LT) results in the disappearance of HPS within six to twelve months, its effect on POPH is highly unpredictable. Modern strategies in managing HPS and POPH rely on a thorough screening and grading of the disease&#x02019;s severity, in order to tailor the appropriate therapy and select only the patients who will benefit from LT. The anesthesiologist plays a central role in managing these high-risk patients. Indeed, the important hemodynamic and respiratory modifications of the perioperative period must be avoided through continuation of the preoperatively initiated drugs, appropriate intraoperative monitoring and proper hemodynamic and respiratory therapies.

Expression of TGF-β1 in Placenta of the Patients with Pregnancy-induced Hypertension and Its relationship with Serum VCAM-1

The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in placental tissue of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and the relationship between the level of expression of TGF-β1 and the amount of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in serum was studied. Immunohistochemistry ABC was used to detect the expression and distribution of TGF-β1 in placental tissues in 40 PIH women and 20 normal pregnancy women. High resolution pathological image analysis system was used to determine the quality of TGF-β1. The VCAM-1 in serum was examined by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that TGF-β1 could be express in syncytiotrophoblast. The levels of TGF-β1 expression in placental tissues of the patients with moderate and severe PIH were significantly higher (P<0.05), while the serum VCAM-1 was significantly lower than in normal group (P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of TGF-β1 in placental tissues and the serum VCAM-1 (r=0.969, P<0.01). It was concluded that the level of TGF-β1 expression in PIH was increased and was positively correlated with the amount of serum VCAM-1, indicating that they might be involved in the pathogenesis of PIH.

Metabolic syndrome and acute pancreatitis:Current status and future prospects

Rising incidence of a complicated disorder with a multifarious etiology is acute pancreatitis.Growing numbers of cases of acute pancreatitis are linked to obesity,hyperlipidemia,hyperglycemia,hypertension,and other metabolic diseases.Trends driven by better living standards and unhealthy lifestyle choices both in China and abroad.Furthermore common diagnosis for many patients is metabolic syndrome.Predicting the adverse effect of metabolic syndrome on the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis is a main focus of present clinical research.Our next studies seek to investigate the fundamental causes of this link and create preventative plans meant to lower the incidence of pancreatitis linked to meta-bolic syndrome and enhance the prognosis.

Second-trimester maternal β-human chorionic gonadotropin level associated with subsequent development of pregnancy-induced hypertension

Objective:To determine whether maternal β-human chorionic gonadotropin(β-hCG) level in second-trimester may be associated with subsequent development of pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH).Methods:Seven hundred and sixty-two women in mid-trimester were to have maternal urine β-hCG standardized concentrations and maternal serum β-hCG measurements.Their case histories were recorded and reviewed from mid-trimester to delivery.The relation was observed between maternal urine,serum markers and subsequent development of PIH.Results:Among 762 women,504 cases were normal pregnancies,42 cases had PIH,94 cases had premature rupture of membrane (PROM),69 cases had preterm delivery (PD),53 other cases were excluded by various reasons.The levels of maternal urine,serum β-hCG in PIH were (61.75±9.78) IU/L and (304.56±54.17) ng/mg respectively,which were higher significantly than normal pregnancy group ([20.65±7.61] IU/L and [146.34±47.81] ng/mg,P<0.05).When maternal serum,urine β-hCG levels ≥2 MOM(multiple of mean),the incidences of developing PIH were increased significantly as compared with those of β-hCG <2 MOM women.The incidence of PIH increased from 5.1% in pregnancies with urine β-hCG ≥2 MOM to 11.7% in cases with urine β-hCG ≥4 MOM.Conclusion:The elevation of maternal mid-trimester urine,serum β-hCG levels is not only an early signal for dysfunction of placenta but also a dangerous signal for development of PIH.Second-trimester maternal urine β-hCG measurement proves to be superior to serum marker in clinical prediction.

Moyamoya syndrome may result from psoriasis: Four case reports

BACKGROUND Moyamoya syndrome(MMS)is a group of diseases that involves more than one underlying disease and is accompanied by moyamoya vascular phenomena.Psoriasis is a chronic immune skin disease closely linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.However,psoriasis-related MMS has not been reported.CASE SUMMARY We collected data on patients with stroke due to MMS between January 2017 and December 2019 and identified four cases of psoriasis.Case histories,imaging,and hematological data were collected.The average age of the initial stroke onset was 58.25±11.52 years;three cases of hemorrhagic and one case of ischemic stroke were included.The average duration from psoriasis confirmation to the initial MMS-mediated stroke onset was 17±3.56 years.All MMS-related stenoses involved the bilateral cerebral arteries:Suzuki grade III in one case,grade IV in two cases,and grade V in one case.Abnormally elevated plasma interleukin-6 levels were observed in four patients.Two patients had abnormally elevated immunoglobulin E levels,and two had thrombocytosis.All four patients received medication instead of surgery.With an average follow-up time of 2 years,two causing transient ischemic attacks occurred in two patients,and no hemorrhagic events occurred.CONCLUSION Psoriasis may be a potential risk factor for MMS.Patients with psoriasis should be screened for MMS when they present with neurological symptoms.

Congenital heart“Challenges”in Down syndrome

In this editorial,we comment on the article by Kong et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Cardiology.In this interesting case,the authors present the challenges faced in managing a 13-year-old patient with Down syndrome(DS)and congenital heart disease(CHD)associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension.In this distinct population,the Authors underscore the need for early diagnosis and management as well as the need of a multidisciplinary approach for decision making.It seems that the occurrence of CHD in patients with DS adds layers of complexity to their clinical management.This editorial aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the intricate interplay between DS and congenital heart disorders,offering insights into the nuanced diagnostic and therapeutic considerations for physicians.