Objective To analyse long-term follow-up outcome of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) for atrial ifbrillation (AF) in a single center and to investigate the clinical relative factors which affecting the effect. Methods The inpatient, operating and outpatient data of patients, who were treated by CBA for AF in our center from January 2009 to April 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Left atrium diameter (LAD) was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Failure-treatment of CBA was defined by episode of AF, atrial lfutter, atrial tachycardia lasted for 30 seconds after 3 months. Results A total of 199 patients were enrolled. The rates of phrenic nerve paralysis, pericardial effusion, transient ischemic attack were 1.5%(n=3), 0.5%(n=1), 0.5%(n=1),respectively. All complications were resolved spontaneously.152 patients had completed follow-up data after ifrst-time CBA during a long-term follow-up of mean 23±14 months, 65 patients (42.8%) treated success. 75 patients with failure-treated were (86.2%) experienced the atrial arrhythmia recurrence in ifrst 12 month. The characteristics of failure-treated patients included with older age[(62±7) years vs. (52±10) years, P=0.0379]and larger LAD[(48±6)mm vs. (43±6) mm, P<0.0001]. The Logistic analysis showed that LAD[OR=0.896(0.842,0.953), P=0.005]and age[OR=1.037 (1.000,1.076), P=0.0488]could individually predict the treat-failure after ifrst CBA, and only LAD[OR=0.876 (0.822,0.935), P < 0.0001]could individually predict the total CBA. Conclusions CBA procedure for AF is safe and effective, and the result of long-term follow-up is preferable. Most atrial arrhythmia are recurred during ifrst 12 month after CBA. LAD can individually predict the failure in treatment of CBA.

Adult ; Dioxins ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study HaCaT-keratinocyte cell lines, a chosen model of human epidermis in an attempt to analyze the mRNA expression of AhR and TGF-alpha induced by TCDD METHODS: Semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR-technique was used for assaying the relative levels of AhR and TGF-alpha mRNA of HaCaT-cells during the proliferation period when the cells were cultured for 24 hours.

RESULTSRelative level of the AhR-transcripts (corrected with beta-actin) decreased with the elevated concentration of TCDD and the relevant coefficient between the proliferation rate and concentration was -0.548, and the differences among all groups were significant (F =4.124, P =0.021). The vehicle control was respectively compared with 7 x 10(-10) mol/L (0.0620 +/- 0.0085) and 7 x 10(-9) mol/L (0.0518 +/- 0.0194) group, significantly different from the control group (0.1138 +/- 0.0227) (t = -3.48, P <0.05; t = -4.17, P <0.01), the expression amount being 55% and 45% of the control. Relative levels of TGF-alpha mRNA tended to increase with the elevated concentration with the significant coefficient of 0.695 (P < 0.01), and the differences among all groups were significant (F = 15.789, P =0.000). In two higher concentration group 7 x 10(-10) mol/L (0.1474 +/- 0.0390) and 7 x 10 (-9) mol/L (0.2133 +/- 0.0364), their relative expression amount of TGF-alpha mRNA was 2.6-fold, 3.8-fold of the control group (0.0561 +/- 0.0100) respectively. Further analysis for the relevant relationship between the amounts of the AhR mRNA and TGF- alpha mRNA showed a highly negative correlation, the coefficient being - 0.561 (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTCDD down-regulate the expression of AhR and up-regulate the expression of TGF-alpha. A strong negative correlation between AhR and TGF-alpha expression is found.

Cell Line ; Epidermis ; cytology ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; toxicity ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Toxicity Tests ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo report the outcome of anterior radical decompression for the treatment of severe ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with an average occupying ratio exceeding 50% in the cervical spine.

METHODSFrom July 2002 to February 2006, 26 patients with cervical OPLL occupying ratio of the spinal cord exceeding 50% underwent anterior decompression and fusion. There were 18 males and 8 females. The average age was 59 years (ranged from 43 to 73 years) and the mean occupying ratio was (65 +/- 20)%; Before operation, the JOA score was 8.7 +/- 2.8, and the sagittal diameter of spinal cord was (25 +/- 7)%. The ossified ligament was classified into two groups, the base-open group and the base-closed group. The occupying ratio was measured on 3-D CT scans, and the sagittal diameter of the deformed spinal cord was measured at the narrowest level on sagittal T2-weighted MRI. All patients received anterior decompression with the ossified ligament removed completely. Among them, 10 cases underwent one level corpectomy combined with one level diskectomy, 3 cases underwent 2 level corpectomy, and the other 13 patients underwent one level corpectomy. The decompressed segments were reconstructed either with a iliac crest strut or a titanium cage, and an anterior locking plate was implanted to prevent graft extrusion in every patient. All patients were monitored with ECP during decompression.

RESULTSThe occupying ratio decreased to (10 +/- 5)%, the sagittal diameter of spinal cord increased to (75 +/- 15)%, and the average diameter of spinal cord at the narrowest site increased 3 times after operation. The JOA score was 14.2 +/- 2.5, with an average improvement ratio of (61 +/- 24)%. Three patients accompanied with diabetes presented with temporarily neurological deterioration. There were two cases complicated with cerebrospinal fluid leaks but cured within 2 weeks after surgery. One case accompanied with diabetes underwent a second emergency reexploration for hematoma in the spinal canal which caused a dyspnea.

CONCLUSIONSAnterior radical decompression is an optimal method for the management of severe OPLL in the cervical spine. Higher rate of neuro-function recovery can be anticipated.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome