Atrial Fibrillation ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Humans

Objective To investigate demographic factors implicated in the functional maturation of autologous arteriovenous fistula in a population of patients with end-stage renal disease. Methods The data of 335 consecutive patients with end-stage renal disease who were performed autologous arteriovenous fistula from January 2010 to December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The parameters affecting autologous arteriovenous fistula functional maturation were screened. Results Overall arteriovenous fistula functional maturation rate was 78.14%(218/279). The arteriovenous fistula functional maturation rate was 68.33%(82/120) in diabetes and 85.54%(136/159) in non-diabetes, and there was significant difference (χ2=11.844, P<0.01). The arteriovenous fistula functional maturation rate was 62.26%(33/53) in hypoproteinemia and 81.86%(185/226) in non-hypoproteinemia, and there was significant difference (χ2=9.648, P<0.01). Diabetes and hypoproteinemia were the risk factors to promote functional maturation (OR=6.003, 8.476). The arteriovenous fistula functional maturation rate was 87.10%(81/93) in calcium channel blockers using and 73.66%(137/186) in non-calcium channel blockers using, and there was significant difference (χ2=6.556, P<0.05). Calcium channel blockers was the protective factor for promoting functional maturation (OR=0.086). Conclusions Diabetes and hypoproteinemia are found to be associated with functional non-maturation, while calcium channel-blocker agents are associated with better functional maturation.

Objective To investigate the value of thyroid transcription factor-1(TTF-1) in the diagnosis and biological behavior assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Thirty liver specimens obtained from benign lesions were analysed, among which 25 were hepatic cirrhosis and inflammatory diseases, and the other 5 were adenomas. And there were 176 specimens of liver tumors, among which 142 were HCC (well differentiated, n=12; moderately differentiated, n=57; poorly differentiated, n=73), 17 were intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (ICC) and the other 17 were liver metastatic carcinoma (MC). The expression of TTF-1 was examined immunohistochemically in the above tissues, and the difference in expression of TTF-1 among different tissues was examined by Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman rank correlation analysis. Results TTF-1 was significantly expressed in the cytoplasms of all the hepatocytes besides tumors and liver benign lesions. The expression rate of TTF-1 in HCC was 78.9% (112/142), however, TTF-1 was negatively expressed in ICC and MC(P

Actins ; metabolism ; Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infant ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; pathology ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Nose Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with estazolam for the treatment of primary insomnia with heart and spleen deficiency type. Methods Seventy qualified patients were randomized into treatment group and control group, 35 in each group. Both groups received oral use of estazolam before bed time for 6 continuous weeks, and acupuncture group was additionally given acupuncture for regulating governor vessel and tranquilizing spirit on acupoints of Baihui(GV20), Yintang(GV29), Shenting(GV25), Anmian (EX-HN22), Shenmen(H7), Sanyinjiao(SP6), 3 times a week and lasting for 6 continuous weeks. The sleep state of the patients was estimated according to Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS) before treatment, on the third and the sixth week of treatment, and one month after the completion of treatment. Results (1) Five cases in the treatment group and 3 cases in the control group were dropped out for not completing the treatment timely. In the end , 30 cases in the treatment group and 32 cases in the control group finished the trial. (2) The total effective rate in the treatment group was up to 90.0%, and was 71.9% in control group, the difference being significant(P<0.01).(3) Compared to the control group, the scores of PSQI, ESS and AIS were much decreased in treatment group on the third and the sixth week of treatment , and one month after treatment(P<0 . 05 or P<0 . 01). Conclusion Acupuncture for regulating governor vessel and tranquilizing mind combined with oral use of estazolam exerts certain therapeutic effect for the treatment of heart and spleen deficiency type insomnia, and the effect was superior to that of estazolam alone.

The treatments for insomnia after stroke were various in recent years, including acupuncture with its distinguishing feature. It’s reviewed and summarized that experimental researches on Chinese and English databases about acupuncture treatment of insomnia after stroke in recent 10 years. Clinicians had chosen different acupuncture therapies for insomnia after stroke according to yinyang, zangfu, meridians, opening and closing of qi activity. Although those acupuncture therapies had achieved obvious clinical effects, they were deficient in experimental design and methodology.

Objective To detect genetic alterations in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), and to investigate the mechanism of development of this neoplasm. Methods Three patients with PXA were studied. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was performed to study chromosomal imbalances in PXA. Using immunohistochemical analysis, the expression of EGFR was detected in PXA. Results Using CGH analysis, genetic imbalance was detected on at least one chromosome for each case. One patient revealed multiple genetic alterations, including gains of 2p14-pter, 4p15-pter, 7p21-qter, 11q24-qter, 12 and 15q14-qter,as well as losses of 8p11.2-pter, 9p11-p23, 10p12-pter, and 13q14-qter. This patient experienced tumor recurrence and died one year later. Gain on Chromosome 7 and loss on Chromosome 8p were demonstrated in 2 of the 3 patients. Immunohistochemically, no EGFR positive reaction was found in all cases. Conclusion Detection of genetic alterations is very important in understanding the pathogenesis of PXA.

AIM:To investigate the effects of estrogen on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2(MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2(TIMP-2) and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) in cultured human corneal stromal cells.METHODS: Inflammatory environments of human corneal stromal cells were simulated by using 1.5ng/mL IL-1β.The cells were then treated with or without different concentrations of estrogen(0, 1×10-4, 1×10-6, 1×10-8, 1×10-10mol/L estradiol)in vitro.Cell viability was evaluated by MTT.Expression levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2 and TGF-β1 proteins were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).RESULTS:Estrogen did not affect the viability of human corneal stromal cells.Compared with the control group, expression levels of MMP-2 and TGF-β1 proteins in E2 treatment group significantly decreased after being treated with estrogen, while the expression level of TIMP-2 significantly increased.CONCLUSION: Estrogen could, to some extent, down-regulate the expression of MMP-2 and TGF-β1 and up-regulate the expression of TIMP-2, which might contribute to protecting human cornea.

Objective To study the consistency and complementarity of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS),white light endoscopy (WLE) and magnifying endoscopy (ME) in diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC).Methods We collected 125 cases of UC patients diagnosed by WLE and EUS (including 51 cases of WLE + ME + EUS).According to UC mucosal morphology under WLE and crypt openings under ME,we divided all the cases into several groups and analyzed intestinal wall thickness (TWT) under EUS in each group.Results According to the results of UC inflammation degree under WLE,all patients were divided into four groups: 16 severe cases,46 moderate cases,44 mild,and 19 remission stage.TWT results were (5.903 ± 1.551 ) mm,(4.673 ± 1.235 ) mm,(3.756 ± 1.322 )mm and ( 3.464 ± 0.970) mm,respectively.Differences were significant between any two groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ),except for that between mild and remission groups.According to the results of UC inflammation degree under ME,all patients were divided into six groups: 9 cases of villous-like structure,9 cases of typical coral reef-like structure,8 severe coral reef-like structure,13 regular crypt opening,6 epithelial minimal defect and 6 small yellow spot (SYS).TWT results were (5.701 ±0.941 )mm,(5.518 ±0.581 )mm,(5.181 ±0.751 )mm,(3.763 ±0.659) mm,(3.587 ±0.461 )mm and (2.505 ± 0.330 )mm,respectively.Differences were significant between any two groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ) except for those between epithelial minimal defect and regular crypt opening,typical coral reeflike structure,villous-like and severe coral reef-like structure.EUS results showed SYS (6/6) and regular crypt opening ( 10/13 ) were mostly located in mucosa,while lesions of severe coral reef-like structure (8/8) invaded the muscularis propria.Conclusion EUS shows high consistency with WLE and ME in diagnosis of UC inflammation degree and invasive depth.It could assist and even substitute ME for evaluation.