Objective To evaluate the effect of segmental pulmonary veins isolation for atrial fibrillation (AF) and investigate the possible factors that may affect its result. Methods In 120 (105 men; age 50.0?8.6 years) consecutive patients with paroxysmal (n=99) or persistent (n=21) AF, segmental PVs electrical isolation with Lasso mapping catheters was performed. The relationship of the outcome of the initial procedure and factors such as age, sex, type of AF, left atrial diameter, case history, left ventricular ejection fraction and presence of hypertension were analyzed by statistical methods. Results 52 (52.5%) out of the 99 patients with paroxysmal AF and 6 (28.5%) out of the 21 with persistent AF were free of AF after a single ablation procedure. Univariate analysis revealed that left atrial enlargement (P=0.001), persistent AF (P=0.046) and old age (P=0.047) were related to the recurrence of AF after the first procedure. Patients with paroxysmal AF apparently had a better outcome than those with persistent AF after repeat ablation but of no statistical significance (P=0.094). Logistic regression analysis revealed that left atrial enlargement was the only independent risk factor of recurrent AF after the first procedure. Conclusion About 50% of the patients with paroxysmal AF are free of AF after single ablation. Left atrial enlargement is the only independent risk factor of recurrent AF while old age and persistent AF influence the outcome of the first procedure.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms of delayed ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and doxorubicin preconditioning (DPC) to induce ischemic tolerance. Methods The models of sham-operation and orthotopic liver transplantation in the Wistar rats was used. IPC was administered with a 10-min ischemia followed by a 10-min reperfusion. Animals in the DPC group were pretreatd with Doxorubicin (1?mg/kg, iv). The control rats were subjected to saline treatment. The induction of HSP70 and HO-1 protein ( Western blot), the expression of ICAM-1 transcripts (RT-PCR)and ICAM-1 protein (immunohistochemistry), the activities of serum AST, ALT, LDH, and liver myeloperoxidase (MPO) , liver wet-to-dry weight ratios (W/D) were assessed.Results HO-1 expression was maximally induced at 12?h after IPC, and hardly changed until 48?h. A strong induction of HSP70 was detected at about 24 to 72?h after IPC. The levels of HO-1 and HSP70 were obviously elevated at 24?h after IPC or DPC as compared with the control ( P 0.05 ). In the control group, the transcription of ICAM-1 was significantly increased 6?h after reperfusion. Capillary endothelial cells of the livers strongly expressed ICAM-1. Activities of liver MPO were obviously elevated. IPC and DPC could significantly decrease the transcription of ICAM-1 in the livers in concurrence with the expression of ICAM-1 protein as well as the activity of MPO at 6?h after reperfusion ( P

OBJECTIVETo observe the reconstruction features of adventitia in senescent rats, and to explore the intervention mechanism of Chinese herbs (CH, extracts from Radix Ginseng, Radix Notoginseng, and Rhizoma Chuanxiong).

METHODSTotally 85 20-month senescent rats were randomly divided into 5 groups according to body weight, i.e., the aging model group, the high dose CH group, the middle dose CH group, the low dose CH group, the Losartan group, 17 in each group. Another 14 2-month old Wistar rats were selected as a young group. Extracts of CH at the daily dose of 1493. 4, 746. 7, and 373. 4 mg/kg were administered to rats in the 3 CH groups respectively by gastrogavage. Losartan suspension at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg was administered to rats in the Losartan group by gastrogavage. Equal volume of distilled water was administered to rats in the aging model group and the young group. All medication was performed once daily. After 15-week intervention, morphological changes of thoracic aorta were observed by HE staining. The types, distribution, and contents of vessel wall collagens were determined using picric acid picrosirius red staining. The plasma renin activity (PRA) , the concentration of rennin angiotensin II (Ang II), and the content of Ang II in adventitia were detected by radioimmunoassay. The content of hydroxyproline ( Hyp) was detected by biochemical analysis. mRNA contents and protein expressions of angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1R) and angiotensin II receptor 2 (AT2R) were detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the young group, thickened adventitia, increased adventitia thickness/caliber, accumulated collagen fiber, increased area of type I collagen, decreased area of type III collagen, decreased type III/I collagen area ratio (P <0. 05), decreased plasma PRA and Ang II (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), increased contents of Ang II and Hyp in adventitia, down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of AT1R, and up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of AT2R could be seen in the aging model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the aging model group, morphological changes could be improved in the 3 CH groups. Adventitia thickness/caliber was reduced in middle and high dose CH groups, as well as the Losartan group. The area of type I collagen was reduced and the area of type III collagen was enlarged, type III/I collagen area ratio obviously increased, contents of adventitia Hyp was obviously lowered in the high dose CH groups and the Losartan group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Ang II levels in adventitia decreased in middle and high dose CH groups and the Losartan group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in PAR among all groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the aging model group, mRNA expression of AT1R all increased in each treatment group (P < 0.01); mRNA expression of AT2R also increased in middle and high dose CH groups (P < 0.05). Protein expression of AT1R increased in the high dose CH group and the Losartan group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); protein expression of AT2R also increased in middle and high dose CH groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAdventitia remodeling occurred in aged rats, manifested as thickened adventitia and accumulated collagens, disordered ratios of collagen I and III. Its mechanism might be possibly associated with aactivation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Extracts from Radix Ginseng, Radix Notoginseng, and Rhizoma Chuanxiong could improve adventitial remodeling possibly by interfering multi-targets, such as Ang II and AT1R, thereby delaying vascular aging.

Adventitia ; drug effects ; Aging ; Angiotensin II ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Losartan ; Panax ; Plant Roots ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; Rhizome

Objective To compare the operation effect of esophageal foreign body removal with transparent cap-assisted endoscopic technique and traditional method. Methods Ninety-six patients with foreign body incarcerated in esophageal were randomly divided into two groups, and they were underwent transparent cap-assisted endoscopic esophageal foreign body removal or traditional endoscopic esophageal foreign body removal respectively. The clinical data of the two groups were collected, and the success rate, the operation time, the endoscopic vision clarity and the complication rate of the two groups were all recorded and analyzed. Results The success rate in transparent cap-assisted endoscopic technique group was 100% compared with 95.83% in traditional method group, and two cases of failure were transferred to transparent cap-assisted endoscopic technique and finally succeed. The mean operation time were (8.58±3.21) min in transparent cap-assisted endoscopic technique group, and (10.64 ± 5.45) min in traditional method group, and there was no significant difference in two groups (P > 0.05). Forty-five cases got A level and three got B in transparent cap-assisted endoscopic technique group in endoscopic vision clarity, in contrast to 35 A, 11 B and two C in traditional method group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.020). There was no case with serious complications such as bleeding, perforation or death in two groups. Conclusions Transparent cap-assisted endoscopic technique for body removal is safety and efficacy, and this technique can provide better endoscopic operation field of vision and help improve the success rate of esophageal foreign body removal.

Objective To survey the scientific research integrity situation of community health care organizations in Yangpu district in Shanghai,meanwhile,provide a reference for scientific research integrity management in any community health care organization.Methods Using the convenience sampling method,we sampled 200 health staff from 4 community health service centers.They were surveyed with uniform questionnaires.Results No dramatically relationship existed in health staff's knowledge about scientific research integrity breach and their age.However,education background,their academic titles,how many times they have learned relative information,publicity about science research integrity would impact their awareness on research integrity.Conclusions There is dramatically discrepancy on the scientific research integrity among these community health staff.

Objective To discuss the clinical effects of treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fracture by DHS internal fixation. Methods 42 cases with femoral intertrochanteric fracture were treated by DHS internal fixation. According to AO classification, there were 16 cases of type A1,14 A2,and 12 A3. Results 36 patients were followed up for 6 to 18 months, with an average of 10 months. Their results were satisfactory. Conclusion Treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures with DHS internal fixation is an effective method.

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of testicular masses associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH).Methods A 25-year-old man presented with bilateral testicular nodules.Physical examination revealed palpable multiple nodules in the bilateral testes and epididymides as well as enlarged and hard right testis with uneven surface.Biochemical examination showed testosterone(T) of 18.7 nmol/L,17?-(OH)P＞20.0 ng/ml,positive results of rapid ACTH stimulation test and dexametha- sone suppression test.B-ultrasound demonstrated diffuse testicular lesions with nodules in parts of the bilater- al testes.Bilateral testicular nodules were biopsied,and pathological diagnosis was interstitial cell hyperplasi- a.Positive staining for?-inhibin was observed immunohistochemically.The clinical characteristics of testicular masses associated with CAH were reviewed in combination with the literature.Results Based on medical history,imaging,laboratory and pathologic examinations,the patient was diagnosed with testicular masses as- sociated with CAH.He received oral cortisol at dose of 40 mg daily for 2 weeks,and then at dose of 30 mg daily as maintenance therapy.After treatment of 8 months,B-ultrasound showed complete regression of the testicular tumors.Follow-up of 24 months showed no recurrence of the tumor.Conclusions For patient with bilateral testicular masses,endocrinological evaluation and clinical history taking are indicated to exclude testicular interstitial cell hyperplasia associated with CAH.By oral steroid replacement therapy,hormone-sen- sitive testicular masses can regress.

Objective The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between DKK1 protein expression and lymph node invasion,and prognosis in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods From January 2005 to December 2012,78 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were treated with endoscopic resection.Tissue microarray of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and adjacent tissues were done and biochemical indexes were measured before operation.The patients were recruited every 3 months after operation.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the recurrence-free survival curve and the overall survival curve.The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the multivariate analysis and to determine the factors that affect the disease-free survival(RFS)and overall survival(OS).Results There were significant differences in the expression of GGT,hepatic portal lymph node invasion,Child-Pugh grade,MMP9 and DKK1 protein in the negative and positive expression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(P ＜ 0.05).The positive expression rate of DKK1 protein in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was 35.90％ (28/78),and the positive expression rate of DKK1 protein in hilar cholangiocarcinoma was 14.10％ (11/78).RFS and OS in 78 cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were 51.28％ (40/78) and 50.00％ (38/78),41.03 ％ (32/78) and 38.46％ (30/ 78),25.64％ (20/78) and 23.08％ (18/78) after surgery for 1,3 and 5 years,respectively.The results from univariate and multivariate analysis showed that GGT,CA19-9,CEA,tumor size,DKK1 and hilar lymph node invasion were the prognostic factors of OS in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.CEA,tumor size,DKK1 and hilar lymph node involvement were prognostic factors for RFS in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.DKK1 protein expression positive and negative OS curve or RFS curve showed that 5 years after intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients DKK1 protein expression positive and negative OS were 28.20％ and 20.51％;RFS were 24.36％ and 21.79％.Conclusion The expression of DKK1 protein is closely related to lymph node invasion in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.The expression of DKK1 protein is the prognostic factor of OS and RFS in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective To evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in neutrophil granulocytes during one-lung ventilation in the patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy.Methods Thirty-eight ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 40-64 yr,weighing 50-75 kg,scheduled for elective pulmonary lobectomy,were randomized into 2 groups (n =19 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).In group D,dexmedetomidine 1.0 μg/kg was infused intravenously over 15 min before induction of anesthesia,followed by infusion at a rate of 0.5 μg· kg-1 · h-1 until 30 min before the end of operation.The equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.At 5 min after intubation,0,30 and 60 min of one-lung ventilation,0 and 30 min of two-lung ventilation,and 30 min after operation,blood samples were taken from the radial artery for blood gas analysis and for measurement of plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).The oxygenation index and respiratory index were calculated.The nuclear protein of neutrophil granulocytes was extracted for measurement of NF-κB DNA-binding activity.Results Compared with group C,the respiratory index,plasma concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 and NF-κB DNA-binding activity were significantly decreased,and no significant difference was found in the oxygenation index in group D.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can inhibit the activation of NF-κB in neutrophil granulocytes and is helpful in reducing the systemic inflammatory responses during one-lung ventilation in the patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy.

Objective To investigate the effect of posterior pedicle screw reduction and fixation,decompressive laminectomy and massive autogenous bone grafting using bone particles harvested from resected vertebral body in treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.Methods Fifty-six cases of lumbar spondylolisthesis treated from June 2005 and June 2006 were reviewed retrospectively.According to Meyerding classification,35 cases were classified as grade Ⅰslippage and 21 cases as grade Ⅱ slippage.There were 19 spondylolisthesis at L4/5 and 37 at L5-S1.After posterior pedicle screw reduction and fixation,decompressive laminectomy and massive autologous bone grafting using particles of resected vertebral body,surgical outcome was analyzed.Results All cases achieved bone fusion without evidence of nail breakage or nerve injury.According to Macrab criteria,the results were excellent in 53 cases and good in three.Moreover,both the full reduction rate and interbody fusion rate were 100％.Conclusion Posterior pedicle screw reduction and fixation,decompressive laminectomy plus massive autogenous bone grafting is one of the ideal treatments for lumbar spondylolisthesis,for it achieves satisfactory fixation,decompression,reduction and fusion.