Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Cardiac Tamponade ; etiology ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; adverse effects ; Emergency Treatment ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To characterize pancreatic perfusion in swines with experimental chronic pancreatitis(CP)by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and to correlate it with the severity of CP.Methods Twenty-two swines were randomly selected and made CP by ligation of main pancreatic duct.Six healthy swines served as control.MR perfusion study with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRl was carried out on the swines under anesthesia.The animals were euthanized after MR perfusion exam.The swines were divided into 4 groups according to the histological results of pancreas:normal group,group of CP of grade 1,group of CP of grade 2,and group of CP of grade 3.The maximum perfusion slope rate,the time-to-peak value and the maximum enhancement rate was compared between the groups using variance analysis,and the relationship between each perfusion parameters and severity of CP was made by correlative analysis.Results Twenty-one swines underwent MR perfusion study,including 7 swines in normal group,7 in group of grade 1 CP,3 in group of grade 2 CP,and 4 in group of grade 3 CP.On signal intensity time curve(SI-T)derived from MR perfusion weighted imaging,the m~imum slope rate was(10.88±1.20)%,(10.59±1.02)%,(6.67±1.31)%,and(5.48±1.97)%for normal swines,swines with grade 1 CP,swines with grade 2 CP and swines with grade 3 CP,respectively(F=20.51,P＜0.05).The time-to-peak value was(13.82±3.09)s,(12.31±5.52)s,(20.55±3.79)s and(37.26±14.56)s respectively(F=10.68,P＜0.05).The maximal signal enhancement rate was(62.95±20.20)%,(60.44±20.00)%,(46.33±22.70)%,and(67.65±32.66)%,respectively(F=0.53,P＞0.05).The highest slope value(r=-0.72,P＜0.05)and the time-to-peak(r=0.54,P＜0.05)of the SI-T curve were correlated to the severity of CP,respectively.However there was no linear correlation between the maximal signal enhancement rate and the severity of CP.Conclusion MR perfasion weighted imaging has a potential to diagnose and to grade experimental chronic pancreatitis.

IgG 4 related disease (IgG 4-RD) is an immune medicated rare disease, characterized with chronic inflammation and fibrosis in the involved organs, it is a systemic disease affected nearly every anatomic site of the body, usually involvement of multiple organs, and with diverse clinical manifestations. Due to the the relative novelty of the disease and under-recognition, the overall level of diagnosis and treatment in China is uneven. Till now, there is no relevant expert consensus or guidance of IgG 4-RD in China. In order to further improve the understanding and standardize the management of IgG 4-RD, on the basis of summarizing domestic and international experience, the China Alliance For Rare Diseases, together with the Chinese Rheumatology Association, organized an expert group and established the Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of IgG 4 related diseases.

Dextrocardia is a rare anomaly where the heart is located on the right side of the chest instead of the normal left side. Ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) with such an inverted anatomy may be challenging for the manipulation of the catheters. Here we report a case of dextrocardia who underwent ablation for persistent AF guided by image integration system.
Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Dextrocardia ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of noise exposure level and cumulative noise exposure (CNE) on the relationship between rs2070424 and rs10432782 SNPs in SOD1 and the susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

METHODSA case-control study was performed for investigating the effects of environmental risk factors on the susceptibility to NIHL in 201 sensitive workers and 202 resistant workers.A questionnaire was utilized to investigate the occupational health and to identify the occupational risk factors. The noise exposure levels were detected according to the Chinese standard Measurement of noise in the workplace (GBZ/T 189.8-2007). The peripheral blood samples (5 ml blood for each sample) were from sensitive workers and resistant workers. Genomic DNA was extracted on the basis of the standard procedures of Takara kit. SNPs were detected using standard procedures of TaqMan probe allele identification method.

RESULTSIn group exposed to 85 - 92 dB noise (A), the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the AA genotype of rs2070424 was lower than that in the subjects with the GG genotype, OR = 0.37 (95%CI: 0.17∼ 0.80). In group exposed to > 82 dB CNE (A), the AA genotype of rs2070424 is a protective factor of NIHL, as compared with the GG genotype, OR = 0.25 (95%CI: 0.09 ∼ 0.70). In group exposed to 85 - 92 dB noise (A), the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the GG genotype of rs10432782 was compared with the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the TT genotype, OR = 3.17 (95%CI: 1.16 ∼ 6.89). The GT genotype was compared with TT genotype, OR = 2.39 (95%CI: 1.16 ∼ 4.97). In group exposed to 75 ∼ 82 dB CNE (A), the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the GG genotype was compared with the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the TT genotype, OR = 2.35 (95%CI: 0.96 ∼ 5.72), P = 0.06. The GG genotype may bea risk factor of NIHJ.

CONCLUSIONThe noise exposure level and CNE may influence the relationship between rs2070424, rs10432782 SNPs in SOD1 and noise-induced hearing loss.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; etiology ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; Superoxide Dismutase-1 ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of trimetazidine on rabbit myocardium in ischemia and reperfusion.

METHODSFourty rabbits were divided into five groups randomly: normal control group, ischemia control group, ischemia and drug intervention group, reperfusion control group, reperfusion and drug intervention group. Ischemia lasted for 30 minutes and reperfusion was given for 30 minutes. Serum CPK, SOD activities and MDA concentrations were measured in each group and ischemia tissue ATP concentrations were also measured. Heart tissue was examined with electron microscope in each group.

RESULTS(1) Serum concentrations of MDA in ischemia and drug intervention group were significantly different from those in ischemia control group [(4.09+/-0.40 vs 4.79+/-0.92)nmol/ml, P<0.01], serum activities of CPK [(1322+/-1148 vs 1498+/-190) NU/ml], SOD[(324+/-71 vs 288+/-54)NU/ml] were not significantly different between ischemia and drug intervene group and ischemic control group (PP>0.05,respectively). (2) Serum activities of CPK [(1512+/-226 vs 1904+/-203) NU/ml], SOD[(213+/-71 vs 119+/-55) NU/ml], concentrations of MDA [(6.09+/-0.69 vs 7.43+/-0.20)nmol/ml] and concentrations of ATP[(1.401+/-0.248 vs 0.629+/-0.175) micromol/g] in ischemia heart tissue of reperfusion and drug intervention group were significantly different from those in reperfusion control group (P<0.001 - 0.01 respectively). (3) There were significant differences in electron microscopic observation between intervention group and control group.

CONCLUSIONTrimetazidine can improve cardiac mitochondrial metabolism and scavenge oxygen free radicals. Trimetazidine has cardioprotective function during ischemia and reperfusion.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; analysis ; Animals ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Female ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Mitochondria, Heart ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Trimetazidine ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of persistent rapid atrial pacing on the levels of connexin 43 (Cx43) and type III collagen in pulmonary vein and atrium in a canine model.

METHODSSixteen mongrel dogs were divided into rapid atrial pacing (RAP) group (n = 8) and normal control group (n = 8) randomly. In the RAP group, atrial pacing was performed with a rate of 400 bpm for 10 weeks to establish atrial fibrillation model. The tissues of left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV), left atrial free wall (LAFW) and right atrial appendage (RAA) were collected from each dogs. The levels of Cx43 and type III collagen were measured in each tissue.

RESULTSTen weeks later, persistent atrial fibrillation was induced in all dogs in RAP group. The level of Cx43 in RAP group was higher than that in normal control group (LSPV: 3370.91 +/- 275.11 vs 1405.82 +/- 90.38, P < 0.05; LAFW: 2448.68 +/- 272.10 vs 1467.12 +/- 147.93, P < 0.05, RAA: 2331.96 +/- 199.61 vs 1288.27 +/- 216.22, P < 0.05). The level of Cx43 in LSPV was higher than that in LAFW and RAA in RAP group, whereas the difference between LAFW and RAA was not significant in RAP group. The quantities of type III collagen in RAP group were higher than those in normal control group (LSPV: 3301.97 +/- 309.70 vs 1404.56 +/- 178.02, P < 0.05; LAFW: 2477.86 +/- 190.43 vs 1479.20 +/- 187.17, P < 0.05; RAA: 2045.92 +/- 139.43 vs 1417.07 +/- 139.43, P < 0.05). The quantities of type III collagen in LSPV was higher than those in LAFW and RAA in RAP group.

CONCLUSIONSPersistent rapid atrial pacing could increase the levels of Cx43 and type III collagen in pulmonary vein and atrium in a canine model of atrial fibrillation. The levels of Cx43 and type III collagen in pulmonary vein were higher than those in atrium. This findings indicated that pulmonary vein may be a crucial regions in maintaining atrial fibrillation.

Animals ; Atrial Fibrillation ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Collagen Type III ; blood ; Connexin 43 ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Pulmonary Veins ; metabolism ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the cytotoxicity induced by chrysotile asbestos (CA), rock wool (RW) and wollastonite (WS).

METHODSV79 cells were divided into 4 groups. i.e. CA group, WS group, RW group and control group (200 microl PBS). The exposure concentration of dusts was 100 mg/L, The cell viability was detected by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assays. The technique of scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the change of V79 cells.

RESULTSSiO2 was main constituent for 3 kinds of dusts. In MTT assay, the cell viability of RW and WS groups was 64.8% and 65.7%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that (54.5%) of CA group (P < 0.01). In LDH assay, the LDH activity of RW and WS groups [(15.7 +/- 50.9), (12.3 +/- 3.7) U/L, respectively] was significantly lower than that [(20.2 +/- 0.9) U/L] of CA group (P < 0.05). In scanning electron microscopy examination, it was found that the two ends of V79 cells in CA group contained a great deal of fibers remaining bodies, but the V79 cell appearance in RW and WS groups was normal.

CONCLUSIONThe cytotoxicity induced by RW and WS is significantly lower than that induced by CA for V79 cell.

Animals ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; toxicity ; Calcium Compounds ; toxicity ; Cell Line ; drug effects ; Cricetinae ; Cytotoxins ; toxicity ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; metabolism ; Mineral Fibers ; toxicity ; Silicates ; toxicity

AIM:To investigate the status of RAS/BRAF mutations and microsatellite instability ( MSI ) and their associations with clinicopathological features and prognosis of the patients with stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer ( CRC ) . METHODS:The surgical patients with stage ⅢCRC (n=281) were followed up.The mutations of RAS/BRAF were ex-amined by PCR amplification-Sanger sequencing , and MSI status was detected using immunohistochemistry ( IHC) in their archival paraffin-embedded tissue specimens .The relationships of the status with the clinicopathological features and prog-nosis of the patients were statistically analyzed .RESULTS: Among 281 patients, the mutations of RAS/BRAF were ob-served in 136 cases (48.4%), including 116 cases (41.3%) of KRAS mutations.RAS/BRAF mutations were highly cor-related with the level of carcino-embryonic antigen (P<0.05).Moreover, 18 cases (6.4%) of MSI-high (MSI-H) pa-tients were determined by IHC, and MSI-H status was more common in N2b patients (P<0.05).Correlation study found that the mutation rate of BRAF was higher in MSI-H tumors than that in MSI-low ( MSI-L)/microsatellite stability ( MSS) counterparts (P<0.01), although no association between KRAS/NRAS mutations and the MSI status was observed .The prognosis in the patients with wild-type RAS/BRAF or MSI-H was better than the patients with any mutation or MSI-L/MSS (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Mutant RAS/BRAF and MSI may serve as fairly good indicators for prognosis of the patients with stage Ⅲ CRC.

Objective To prove the interaction between hepatitis virus C(HCV)nonstruetural protein 4A(HCV NS4A)and calcium modulating cyclophilin tigand(CAML)with yeast-two hybrid- ization and coimmunoprecipitation.Methods The gene encoding CAML was cloned,and subcloned into the yeast expression vector pGADT7 and eucell expression vector pcDNA3.1/His-A.The back- cross test between HCV NS4A and CAML was performed in yeast cells.After that,the pCMV-Myc/ NS4A plasmid and pcDNA3.1/His-A-CAML plasmid were co transfected into 293 cells and,then, coimmunoprecipitation and Western blot were performed.Results The gene encoding CAML was cloned sucessfully,and then the gene was subcloned into yeast expression vectors,pGADT7.After the interaction between NS4A and CAML was ensured in yeast cells,the eukaryotic expression vec- tors of NS4A and CAML were constructed and their interaction was ensured again by Co-immunopre- cipitation.Conclusions The interaction between HCV NS4A and CAML is proved.CAML is one of the proteins involved in Ca~(2+)signaling,which suggests that the interaction of HCV NS4A and CAML may be a new clue of the chronic mechanism of HCV infection.Future studies will be required to de- fine the physiologic significance of this interaction.