BACKGROUND: Catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective and well-established intervention for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Nevertheless, late recurrences of atrial fibrillation (LRAF) occurring during 3 to 12 months are common, and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) in atrial tissue have been linked to the pathophysiological mechanisms and progression of PAF in a few studies. However, their expression patterns in peripheral blood and regulatory function in LRAF are not clear. METHODS: In the present study, the expression profile of circulating circRNAs in three paired nonvalvular PAF patients with or without LRAF was investigated by high-throughput sequencing and validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatics analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and circRNA/miRNA regulatory network, were performed to predict the functions and potential regulatory roles of differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs. RESULTS: A total of 12,834 circRNAs, comprising 5,491 down-regulated and 7,343 up-regulated circRNAs, were found to be DE in blood smaples from the two groups in peripheral blood between LRAF and non-recurrence control individuals. The most enriched GO categories in terms of molecular function, biological process, and cellular component features were catalytic activity, cellular metabolic process, and intracellular part, respectively. The KEGG enrichment study revealed that the most important metabolic process controlled by DE circRNAs is endocytosis. In the circRNA/microRNAs interaction network, four up-regulated circRNAs (hsa_circ_0002665, hsa_circ_0001953, hsa_circ_0003831, and hsa_circ_0040533) and one down-regulated circRNA (hsa_circ_0041103) were predicted to play potential regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of LRAF. CONCLUSIONS This investigation discovered the expression pattern of circulating circRNAs that is indicative of PAF late recurrence, which may serve as risk markers or therapeutic targets for LRAF after PVI.

With the extensive clinical application of Tripterygium wilfordii, there are many counterfeit products on the market. Traditional technology can not effectively identify the authenticity of the traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, a strategy of accurate identification and quality evaluation of Tripterygium based on DNA barcode and chemical fingerprint spectrum was established. Based on DNA barcode technology, HMMer annotation method of hidden Markov model and K2P model were used to analyze genetic distance.BLAST1, nearest distance and phylogenetic tree (NJ-tree) methods were used to assess the identification efficiency of the ITS2 barcode. The fingerprint of 27 T. wilfordii was established by UPLC-PDA method, and the similarity of the fingerprint of different sources was evaluated. The main components of T. wilfordii were determined by LC-MS/MS. The results revealed that the intraspecific genetic distances of T. wilfordii were lower than the interspecific genetic distances between T. wilfordii and its adulterants. The results of similarity search showed that ITS2 sequence was used to identify T. wilfordii and its adulterants. The clustering of T. wilfordii and its adulterants was clear in the tree of NJ cluster, and 12 of 27 samples were identified as true T. wilfordii.The chemical fingerprint spectrum research indicates that the feature one region can distinguish the false product of tripterygium glycosides more intuitively. The cluster analysis of HCA-thermal map showed that the contents of six active components of T. wilfordii from different habitats were significantly different, which could be used to evaluate the quality of T. wilfordii. This paper is of guiding significance for the accurate identification and quality evaluation of Tripterygium medicinal plants.

OBJECTIVE To study the clinical effect of Salpingocatheterism combined with Chinese medicine liquid irrigation under endoscope for chronic secretory otitis media(CSOM).METHODS From September 2012 to March 2014,80 patients with CSOM(120 ears) in the clinic were randomly divided into two groups.The experimental group:40 cases(61ears) were treated with Salpingocatheterism combined with Chinese medicine liquid irrigation and the liquid named Qingqiao tang(empirical recipe)was injected for 4 to 7days with 2ml each time.The control group:40 cases(59ears)were treated by myingotomy with grommet insertion.The ventilation tube was generally pulled out after 6 to 8 weeks or dropped out by itself .All patients were followed up for 6 months and the effects were to be evaluated.RESULTS In the experimental group,among 61ears,50 ears were cured,6 showed effectual results,2 were positive to the treatment and 3 showed ineffective results.The cure rate was 81. 97% and the total effective rate was 95.08% .In the control group,among 59 ears,38 ears were recovered,6 showed effectual results,5 were positive to the treatment,10 showed ineffective results.The cure rate was 64.61% and the total effective rate was 83.05% .The therapeutic effect of experimental group was better than that of the control group.The complication rate of the experimental group was 9.84%,while the control group was 28.81%.The complication rate of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group.The recurrence rate of the experimental group was 6 .5 6% while the control group was 20.34%,the recurrence rate in the control group was significantly higher than that of the experimental group.The differences both had statistical significance(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The treatment of CSOM with salingocatheterism com-bined with Qingqiao tang irrigation under endoscope is effective and causes little inj ury.With a low recurring rate and less ad-verse reaction,this treating method is worth of being applied widely.

OBJECTIVETo assess the accuracy of detection by automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) in diagnosis of high-risk and small breast lesions.

METHODSOne hundred and twelve patients with solid high-risk and small breast lesions were identified by ABVS. The patients were divided into benign lesion group and cancer group after pathological examination. The clinicopathological findings and ultrasonographic features of the lesions were compared.

RESULTSAmong the 112 lesions there were 49 benign and 63 malignant lesions. The mean size on ABVS and pathology were (1.59 ± 0.52) cm and (1.52 ± 0.58) cm. There was no significant difference in tumor sizes determined by ABVS and pathology (P = 0.194). The mean age of patients with benign lesions was (38.5 ± 7.4) years and that of malignant lesions was (52.4 ± 13.6) years, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001) . The mass shape, orientation, margin, lesion boundary, echo pattern, calcification, BI-RADS category and retraction phenomenon were significantly different of the malignant and benign masses (P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference in the location of lesions and posterior acoustic features (P > 0.05) . Retraction phenomenon was significantly associated with pathological type and histologic grade of the breast cancer (P < 0.01). The specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of retraction phenomenon were 100% (46/46), 73.0% (46/63), and 84.8% (95/112), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSABVS provides advantages of better size prediction of high-risk and small breast lesions. Furthermore, the retraction phenomenon in coronal plane shows high specificity and sensitivity in detecting breast cancer.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Fibroadenoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tumor Burden ; Ultrasonography, Mammary ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective To determine the normal value of right ventricle using one beat full-volume real-time three-dimensional echocardiography ( RT-3 DE) and assess the feasibility of this technique.Methods One beat full volume images were acquired at the apical 4 chamber view in 129 healthy volunteers.The right and left ventricular volumes were examined with the eSie LVA and RVA.The subjects were divided into 2 gender groups (male and female) and 3 age groups (20 -39 years old,40 -59years old,60 years old and above).Results Adequate data were obtained in 129 subjects.The RV-EDV was (92.4±21.3)ml,RV-ESV (34.6 ±9.2) ml,RV-SV (57.8 ±13.9) ml,RV-EF (62.5 ±5.0) ml.EDV,ESV,and EF were significant different while SV was similar between RV and LV ( all P ＜ 0.05 ).RVEDV(r=0.517,P=0.001),RV-ESV(r=0.588,P=0.001) and RV-SV(r=0.409,P=0.001)were correlated well with BSA.RV-EDV,RV-ESV and RV-SV were significantly higher in males than in females (all P ＜ 0.001 ).RV-EDV.RV-SV and RV-EF decreased with aging ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Right ventricle function can be measured noninvasively by RT-3DE with high feasibility. This novel method contributes to the detailed study of right heart function in various cardiovascular diseases.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; methods ; Male ; Premedication ; Renal Dialysis ; Uremia ; complications

OBJECTIVETo test the effects of autologous skeletal myoblast transplantation on the hemodynamics in dogs with coronary microembolization-induced chronic heart failure (CHF).

METHODSCHF models were successfully induced in 19 dogs and divided into ASMT group (n=9) and control group (n=10). The myoblasts were injected into the embolized region in the 9 dogs of the ASMT group, and saline was injected in the control dogs, and the hemodynamics of the dogs were evaluated 5 weeks after the injections.

RESULTCompared with saline injection, ASMT significantly increased dP/dtmax, MAP and LVSP (P<0.05) and decreased LVEDP (P<0.05) 5 weeks after myoblast transplantation. Desmin and Brd-U immunofluorescent staining showed myoblast survival at the injected sites in the dogs.

CONCLUSIONASMT provides mild improvements in the hemodynamics of dogs with CHF.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Dogs ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Hemodynamics ; Male ; Myoblasts, Skeletal ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo compare the effectiveness and accuracy of the use of vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) versus wire localization (WL) in the diagnosis of non-palpable breast lesions (NPBL).

METHODSNinety-seven consecutive women with NPBL were randomized into VAB group and WL group. All specimens were identified by mammography. The patients were requested to score the cosmetic appearance of their breast after operation, and a numerical rating scale was used to measure pain on the first postoperative day. Underestimation rates for atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were recorded if open surgical biopsy revealed DCIS and invasive cancer, respectively. Clear margins were also recorded in the two groups.

RESULTSVAB and WL located all the NPBL successfully. In the VAB group, the specimen volume was smaller than that of the WL group (2.3 cm(3) vs. 18.4 cm(3), P = 0.03). Underestimation rates of ADH and DCIS in the VAB group were 16.7% and 11.1%, respectively. The diagnostic accordance rate of VAB was 97.9%, the false negative rate was 2.1%, and there was no false positive case. The means of the numerical rating pain scale were different in both groups (1.7 for VAB vs. 2.5 for WL, P = 0.02). When cosmetic results were taken into account, 40 VAB patients had excellent outcomes and 8 good outcomes, compared with 25 excellent and 24 good for the WL group. There were better cosmetic outcomes with the VAB procedure (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVAB is highly reliable and may avoid diagnostic open surgery in the majority of patients with benign lesions. However, because of the underestimation of histologic diagnosis and tumor margin involvement, VAB can not be used to completely substitute wire localization.

Adult ; Biopsy, Needle ; instrumentation ; methods ; Breast ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Carcinoma in Situ ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Fibroadenoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Stereotaxic Techniques ; instrumentation ; Vacuum

Objective To establish and verify the prediction model for ischemic cardiovascular disease(ICVD)among the elderly population who were under the current health care programs. Methods Statistical analysis on data from physical examination, hospitalization of the past years, from questionnaire and telephone interview was carried out in May, 2003. Data was from was randomly selected to generate both module group and verification group. Baseline data was induced to make the verification group into regression model of module group and to generate the predictive value. Distinguished ability with area under ROC curve and the predictive veracity were verified through comparing the predictive incidence rate and actual incidence rate of every deciles group by Hosmer- Lemeshow test. Predictive veracity of the prediction model at population level was verified through comparing the predictive 6-year incidence rates of ICVD with actual 6-year accumulative incidence rates of ICVD with error rate calculated. Results The samples included 2271 males over the age of 65 with 1817 people for modeling population and 454 for verified population.All of the samples were stratified into two layers to establish hierarchical Cox proportional hazard regression model, including one advanced age group(greater than or equal to 75 years old), and another elderly group(less than 75 years old). Data from the statically analysis showed that the risk factors in aged group were age, systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine level, fasting blood glucose level, while protective factor was high density lipoprotein; in advanced age group, the risk factors were body weight index, systolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol level, serum creatinine level, fasting blood glucose level, while protective factor was HDL-C. The area under the ROC curve (AUC)and 95%CI were 0.723 and 0.687-0.759 respectively. Discriminating power was good. All individual predictive ICVD cumulative incidence and actual incidence were analyzed using Hosmer-Lemshow test, x 2=1.43, P=0.786, showing that the predictive veracity was good.Conclusion The stratified Cox Hazards Regression model was used to establish prediction model of the aged male population under a certain health care program. The common prediction factor of the two age groups were: systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine level, asting blood glucose level and HDL-C. Thc area under the ROWC curve of the verification group was 0.723, showing that the distinguished ability was good and the predict ability at the individual level and at the group level were also satisfactory. It was feasible to using Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Model for predicting the population groups.

Objective To investigate the 6-year accumulative incidence rate of ischemic cardiovascular disease (ICVD) and its related risk factors. Methods Baseline population was all from an elderly population with members all born before 1-1,1938 and under health care programm.Data was recorded in a database of a hospital and baseline of subjects under research was aged ＞65years. People that had had ICVD at baseline were excluded. Risk factors under research would include: age at the baseline study, gender, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol level, serum triglyceride level, serum high-density lipoprotein level, serum triglyceride level, serum apolipoprotein A1 level, history of diabetes mellitus and cigarette smoking etc. Single factor analysis was carried out using person-years as time of study, then calculating the person-year incidence and the accumulative incidence rate at different levels related to baseline risk factors.Multivariate analysis was under Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Model. Results Baseline population included 2271 elderly men, with the 6-year cumulative prevalence rate of ICVD as 23.56%, and the person-year prevalence rate was 45.41‰. Single factor analysis showed that the ICVD events positively related to variables which including systolic blood pressure, body mass index,serum cholesterol level and serum triglyceride level, serum apolipoprotein A1 level, status of diabetes mellitus and cigarette smoking. The ICVD events negatively related to variables as serum high-density lipoprotein levcl and serum creatinine level. Results of multivariate analysis showed that high systolic pressure, diabetes mellitus, serum creatinine level, Body Mass Index were the main risk factors. The serum high-density lipoprotein level served as the main protective factor. Conclusion The aged male population under health care programme was high in the ICVD prevalence rate, suggesting that programmes as controlling blood pressure, blood glucose, and increasing serum high-density lipoprotein levels were effective measures to decrease the ICVD events.