Objective To investigate characteristics of supraventricular tachycardia affiliated with rate-dependent concealed accessory pathway and the results of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). Methods Six patients (including 4 females and 2 males, agd from 14 to 68 years) had received electrophysiologic studies and RFCA, which included observing the properties of ventriculoatrial conduction while incremental pacing (S 1S 1) and single extrastimuli (S 1S 2) were performed in right ventricular apex (RVA) and left ventricle (LV), investigating the characteristics of tachycardia, mapping accessory pathway and evaluating the results from RFCA. Results There were 5 left free wall concealed accessory pathways and 1 right concealed accessory pathway at 11 o′clock of tricuspid valve in 6 patients. Five cases were confirmed with 1∶1 ventriculoatrial conduction through the concealed accessory pathway from RVA or LV pacing. The duration of the window ranged from 80 to 100 ms. Four cases were confirmed with accidental retrogradation through the concealed accessory pathway. The supraventricular tachycardia could be induced in 5 cases. All patients were successfully ablated from RVA pacing. Conclusion These results suggest that ventriculoatrial conduction would be rate-dependent because concealed accessory pathway takes place at phase block 3 or 4. In electrophysiologic studies we shoud carefully identify the accidental retrogradation through the concealed accessory pathway to avoid missed diagnosis.

The body surface area of adult Chinese males was estimated by using paper cast method.56 healthy individuals, aged 18 to 45, coming from thirteen provinces mostly from Hebei and Hubei were used in this study. From the results obtained, the mean body weight, height and surface area were 59.78kg, 168.8 cm and 1.712 m2 respectively. A height-weight equation for estimating body surface area was derived accordingly, i.e. body surface area(m2)= 0.00607H(cm) + 0.0127W(kg)-0.0689. The error of the value calculated from the equation was 0.17% higher than the value actually taken on an average. The percentage of various body regions to the total body surface area was as follows: head, 6.11; trunk (including neck), 29.59; upper arms, 8.09; forearms, 6.41; hands, 4.93; thighs (including buttock), 24.63; calf, 13.29 and feet, 6.95.For convenient use a table for calculation was given.

Objective To investigate the effects of a novel scientific research practice model on medical undergraduates'!cognition and behavior. Method Totally, 60 medical undergraduates took part in the research. All of them accepted scientific research training by using improved tutorial system + team-based learning (TBL) combat training models. Before and after training, students completed the same ques-tionnaires respectively. The content included the purpose of participating in scientific research activities, the interest of scientific research, and the confidence and satisfaction of publishing scientific research papers, etc.. SPSS 16.0 was used to conduct non parametric Mann-Whitney test or Wilcoxon non parametric test to the pre and post survey data. Results Fifty-seven students (95.0%) were satisfied with the novel teaching model. Before and after training, the liking scores for scientific research practice rose from 1.12 (95%CI=0.65 to 1.59) to 5.87 (95%CI=5.34 to 6.39), P=0.001. Fifty-three students (88.3%) proactively participated in research work after training compared with 21 students (35.0%) before training, P=0.000. More students had confidence in publishing academic papers on Chinese core journals or Science Citation Index journals after training (P=0.000, P=0.003 respectively). 57 students (95%) said they were very satisfied or satisfied with the training of scientific research and practice. Conclusion Improved tutorial system+TBL research combat training model can stimulate students'!interest in scientific research and make them have more pos-itive cognition and behavior on scientific research work.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of overexpression of PTEN on renal epithelial-mesenchymal trans-differentiation induced by TGF-β1,and the signaling transduction mechanism.Methods HKC cells were transfected with GFP-PTEN via lipofectAMINE2000.The efficiency of transfection was detected by fluorescence microscope.The expression of PTEN protein and mRNA in the translected cells was detected by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively.The experiment was divided into four groups:normal group,TGF-β1 stimulation group,GFP-PTEN+TGF-β1 group and empty vector+TGF-β1 group.The expression of E-cadherin,a-SMA,Akt and p-Akt was detected by Western blot.Results Most ceils transfected with GFP-PTEN expressed GFP.The expression of PTEN protein and mRNA was strongly increased when HKC cells were transfected with GFP-PTEN(all P<0.05).In both TGF-β1 stimulation group and empty vector+TGF-β1 group,the expression level of E-cadherin was lower(all P<0.05),while that of p-Akt and a-SMA was higher than in normal group(both P<0.05).The expression level of p-Akt and a-SMA in GFP-PTEN+TGF-β1 group was Iower(both P<0.05),while that of E-cadherin was higher than in TGF-β1 stimulation group and empty vector+TGF-β1 group(both P<0.05).The expression of Akt was similar in the four groups.Conclusion Overexpression of PTEN can inhibit renal epithelial-mesenehymal trans-differentiation induced by TGF-β1 through suppressing the activation of PI3K/Akt signal pathway.

Objective To observe the effect of CIP4(Cdc42 interacting protein 4)on human renal tubular epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT)induced by transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)and to study the associated mechanism. Methods Human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cell line) were cultured with TGF-β1 (10μg/L) for 72 hours. The protein expressions of E-cadherin and α-SMA were measured by Western blotting. One set of siRNA oligos specific for CIP4 and CIP4 construction of the entire coding sequence were designed based on the full CIP4 sequence in GenBank. Then HK-2 cells were transfected with CIP4-siRNA or pcDNA3.1-hCIP4 via lipofactamine 2000. The protein expressions of CIP4, E-cadherin and α-SMA were evaluated respectively in control cells, TGF-β1 treated cells, siRNA transfected cells, pcDNA3.1-hCIP4-transfected cells by Western blotting. The distribution of E-cadherin and α-SMA was observed by confocal microscope. After TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells were interferenced with specific inhibitor of PI3K-Akt (wortmannin) 1μmol/L for 48 hours, Western blotting was used to detect the CIP4 protein in control cells and interferenced cells. Results With TGF-β1 stimulation, the expression of E-cadherin protein was decreased markedly (P＜0.05), and in contract, the expression of α-SMA were increased notably (P＜0.05), which revealed that TGF-β1 could induce EMT. After transfected with CIP4-siRNA, the protein expression of E-cadherin was increased (P＜0.05), and the protein expression of α-SMA was decreased (P＜0.05). The EMT induced by TGF-β1 was effectively reversed. After transfected with pcDNA3.1-hCIP4, the expression of E-cadherin protein was down-regnlated (P＜0.05), and the expression of α-SMA protein was up-regulated compared with control group (P＜0.05), leading to EMT. After HK-2 cells were interferenced with wortmannin for 48 hours, the expression of CIP4 was decreased (P＜0.05). Conclusion TGF-β1 upregulates the expression of CIP4 via PI3K-Akt pathway, and CIP4 may participate in EMT induced by TGF-β1.

Recently, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is suggested as a new agent in the fighting against fibrogenesis. In tumor, DJ-1 is identified as a negative regulator of PTEN. But the expression of DJ-1 and the regulation of PTEN in fibrosis are unclear. Renal fibrosis was induced in 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy rat model. Human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HKC) were treated with transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), or transfected with DJ-1 or PTEN. Confocal microscope was used to investigate the localization of DJ-1 and PTEN. The selective phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, LY294002, was administered to inhibit PI3K pathway. The DJ-1 and PTEN expression, markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Akt phosphorylation were measured by RT-PCR, Western blotting or immunocytochemistry. In vitro, after HKC cells were stimulated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 72 h, the expression of DJ-1 was increased, and that of PTEN was decreased. In vivo, the same results were identified in 5/6-nephrectomized rats. In normal HKC cells, most of DJ-1 protein localized in cytoplasm, and little in nucleus. TGF-β1 upregulated DJ-1 expression in both cytoplasma and nuclei. In contrary, TGF-β1 emptied cytoplasmic PTEN protein into nucleus. Overexpression of DJ-1 decreased the expression of PTEN, promoted the activation of Akt and the expression of vimentin, and also led to the loss of cytoplasmic PTEN. Contrarily, overexpression of PTEN protected HKC cells from TGF-β1-induced EMT. In conclusion, DJ-1 is upregulated in renal fibrosis and DJ-1 mediates EMT by suppressing cytoplasmic PTEN expression and Akt activation.

Objective To observe the expression and localization of CIP4 (Cdc42 interacting protein-4) in the renal fibrosis and the effect of CIP4 on the expression of E-cadherin,vimentin and β-catenin tyrosine phosphorylation. Methods In vitro, the human tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cell line) were cultured with 10 μg / L TGF-β1 for 72 h. The protein expressions of CIP4, E-cadherin, vimentin and β-catenin tyrosine phosphorylation were measured by Western blotting; the expression of CIP4 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. The intracellular distribution of CIP4 was observe by confocal microscope. In vivo, Masson staining was used to evaluate the level of renal fibrosis; the expression and distribution of CIP4 in renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. HK-2 cells were transfected with pcDNA3. 1-CIP via lipofectamine 2000. The expressions of E-cadherin, vimentin and β-catenin tyrosine phosphorylation level in the transfected cells were detected by Western blotting. Results The expressions of CIP4 mRNA and protein were up-regulated in renal tubular EMT cells. Most of CIP4 protein localized in cell membrane, and some was in cytoplasm. After stimulation by TGF-β1, the expression of CIP4 protein both in cytoplasm and nucleus was greatly increased (P ＜0.05),especially in cytoplasm. In vivo, CIP4 was expressed in renal tubular epithelia, but little expressed in glomeruli. In renal from 5/6 nephrectomized rats, CIP4 expression was significantly increased. In the CIP4 transfectants, the expression of CIP4, vimentin and β-catenin tyrosine phosphorylation level were up-regulated (P ＜0.05), but E-cadherin expression was suppressed (P ＜0.05).Conclusion The overexpression of CIP4 is likely to take part in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process, thereby promoting the renal fibrosis.

Recently,phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is suggested as a new agent in the fighting against fibrogenesis.In tumor,DJ-1 is identified as a negative regulator of PTEN.But the expression of DJ-1 and the regulation of PTEN in fibrosis are unclear.Renal fibrosis was induced in 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy rat model.Human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HKC) were treated with transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1),or transfected with DJ-1 or PTEN.Confocal microscope was used to investigate the localization of DJ-1 and PTEN.The selective phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor,LY294002,was administered to inhibit PI3K pathway.The DJ-1 and PTEN expression,markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Akt phosphorylation were measured by RT-PCR,Western blotting or immunocytochemistry.In vitro,after HKC cells were stimulated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 72 h,the expression of DJ-1 was increased,and that of PTEN was decreased.In vivo,the same results were identified in 5/6-nephrectomized rats.In normal HKC cells,most of DJ-1 protein localized in cytoplasm,and little in nucleus.TGF-β1 upregulated DJ-1 expression in both cytoplasma and nuclei.In contrary,TGF-β1 emptied cytoplasmic PTEN protein into nucleus.Overexpression of D J-1 decreased the expression of PTEN,promoted the activation of Akt and the expression of vimentin,and also led to the loss of cytoplasmic PTEN.Contrarily,overexpression of PTEN protected HKC cells from TGF-β1-induced EMT.In conclusion,DJ-1 is upregulated in renal fibrosis and DJ-1 mediates EMT by suppressing cytoplasmic PTEN expression and Akt activation.

d by AGE-BSA may be mediated via the activation of PKC signal transduction pathway.

Objective To assess the difference in left atrial properties between elderly and younger control subjects and the role of left atrium remodeling in patients of different ages with atrial fibrillation.Methods A total of 194 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation were enrolled from September 2014 to June 2016.Based on age,patients were divided into an elderly group (≥60 years,n=129) and a younger group (＜60 years,n=65).We evaluated remodeling parameters for the left atrium using an Ultrasound Cardiography (UCG) system in 125 elder subjects,together with 64 control subjects.All remodeling parameters were recorded,including left atrial diameter (LAD),left atrial square (LAS),left atrial pressure (LAP) and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD).Results The elderly group had more female patients and more patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.Meanwhile,scores of CHA2DS2Vsc and levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) were significantly increased in elderly patients (both P＜0.05).Moreover,the elderly group was associated with increased values of LAD and LAS[(39.1±4.4)mm vs.(37.1±5.3)mm,P＜0.01;and(23.3±4.5)cm2 vs.(21.4±4.8)cm2,P＜0.01;respectively],compared with those in the control group.Spearman's correlation analysis showed that LAD,LAS and LAP were all markedly related to age (r=0.213,P＜0.05;r=-0.175,P＜0.05;r=0.170,P＜0.05;respectively),persistent onset of atrial fibrillation (r=0.401,P＜0.05;r=0.446,P＜0.05;r=0.160,P＜0.05;respectively),and impaired heart function,measured by left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.4371,P＜0.05;r=-0.403,P＜0.05;r=-0.364,P＜0.05;respectively) and NT-ProBNP (r=0.485,P＜0.01;r=0.483,P＜ 0.01;r =0.293,P＜ 0.01;respectively).Conclusions Left atrial remodeling properties measured by the UCG system in the elderly with non-valvular atrial fibrillation are more serious than those in mid-aged and young subjects.As a convenient and accurate assessment of remodeling parameters,the UCG system is an excellent option for measuring left atrial remodeling in the elderly population.