ObjectiveTo investigate the negative emotions of patients before cardiac surgery in West China Hospital in order to analyze the related factors.MethodsThe Huaxi emotional-distress index (HEI), a screening tool for mood disorders developed by the Mental Health Center of West China Hospital, was used for preoperative psychological evaluation of 1 968 adult patients hospitalized in cardiac surgery from March 2016 to July 2014. There were 835 males and 1 133 females at age of 49±13 years.Results Fifty-one patients (2.6%) had negative emotions, among whom 6 patients were screened for suicide risk. After intervention, none of them had serious consequences caused by adverse emotions, such as automatic discharge from hospital, avoidance of surgery and suicide.ConclusionThis study found that most of the cardiac surgery patients in West China Hospital have good psychological status before surgery, and a few suffered from negative emotions. “Huaxi emotional-distress index” is simple, effective and worth promoting.
ObjectiveTo review the current progresses in purification strategies, biological characters, and functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) (EPC-EVs).
MethodsRecent relevant publications on the EPC-EVs were extensively reviewed, analyzed, and summarized.
ResultsEPC-EVs are usually isolated by differential centrifugation and exhibit a homogenous pattern of spheroid particles with a diameter ranging from 60 to 160 nm under transmission electron microscopy. EPC-EVs are positive for cell-surface markers of EPCs (CD31, CD34, and CD133), and negative for markers of platelets (P-selectin and CD42b) and monocytes (CD14). Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of EPC-EVs in ischemic injuries, anti-Thy1 glomerulonephritis, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and also shown their predictive role in cardio-cerebral-vascular diseases.
ConclusionAn alluring prospect exists on the EPC-EVs-related research. Further studies are required to decipher the composition of EPC-EVs and their precise role in pathophysiological processes, and to investigate the molecular mechanisms for their targeting and function.
ObjectiveTo observe the prevalence of ocular ischemic appearance (OIA) associated with carotid artery stenosis, and to explore the correlation between the ocular ischemic appearance and the carotid stenosis degree and location.
MethodsA total of 132 patients with carotid artery stenosis diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound and CT angiography were enrolled in this prospective study. The carotid stenosis degree and location were identified. The ophthalmic symptoms was inquired. The corrected vision, diopter, intraocular pressure, slit lamp microscope and fundus examination were used to determine if OIA exists. The correlation between the OIA and the carotid stenosis degree and location were analyzed. The carotid stenosis degree was divided into 4 types: mild (≤50%), moderate (<50% but ≤75%), severe (<75% but ≤99%) and occlusion (100%).
ResultsThe distribution of carotid stenosis degree as follow: mild in 16 patients (12.1%), moderate in 46 patients (34.8%), severe in 50 patients (37.9%) and occlusion in 20 patients (15.2%). The stenosis located in the external carotid artery in 21 patients (15.9%), in internal carotid artery in 46 patients (34.8%), in crotch of extracranial internal carotid artery in 55 patients (41.7%), and in common carotid artery in 10 patients (7.6%). There were 54 patients (40.9%) with ocular ischemic diseases, which including retinal arterial obstruction (5 patients, 9.2%), retina change of venous stasis (13 patients, 24.1%), neovascular glaucoma (7 patients, 13.0%), ischemic optic neuropathy (19 patients, 35.2%), ocular ischemia syndrome (10 patients, 18.5%). The ophthalmic symptoms included transient amaurosis, decreased visual acuity, eye and periorbital pain, retinal hemorrhage and exudation, diplopia, rubeosis iridis and increased intraocular pressure. There was highly positive correlation between the carotid stenosis degree and OIA (r=0.287, P=0.018). There was no correlation between the carotid stenosis location and OIA (P>0.05).
Conclusion40.9% carotid stenosis patients has OIA. There is relationship between the carotid stenosis degree and OIA, but carotid stenosis location showed no correlation with OIA.
