Objective: To detect the effects of shortwave radiation on dose-dependent cardiac structure and function in rats after radiation and to elucidate the mechanism of shortwave radiation induced cardiac injury to identify sensitive indicators and prophylactic treatment. Methods: One hundred Wistar rats were either exposed to 27 MHz continuous shortwave at a power density of 5, 10, and 30 mW/cm for 6 min or undergone sham exposure for the control (the rats had to be placed in the exposure system with the same schedules as the exposed animals, but with an inactive antenna). The Ca , glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in the peripheral serum of the rats were detected by an automatic blood biochemical analyser. The electrocardiogram (ECG) of standard lead II was recorded by a multi-channel physiological recording and analysis system. The cardiac structure of rats was observed by light and electron microscopy. Results: The results showed that the 5, 10, and 30 mW/cm shortwave radiation caused a significant increased in the levels of Ca , AST, CK, and LDH in the peripheral serum of rats. The cardiac structure was damaged by radiation and showed a disordered arrangement of myocardial fibres, the cavitation and swelling of myocardial mitochondria. These injuries were most significant 7 d after radiation and were not restored until 28 d after radiation. Conclusion Shortwave radiation of 5, 10, and 30 mW/cm can damage rat cardiac function, including damage to the tissue structure and ultrastructure, especially at the level of the myocardial fibres and mitochondria. Shortwave radiation at 5, 10, and 30 mW/cm induced damage to rat heart function and structure with a dose-effect relationship, i.e., the greater the radiation dose was, the more significant the damage was.
Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Heart ; radiation effects ; Heart Diseases ; ethnology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Radio Waves ; adverse effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Pathological processes such as myocardial apoptosis, cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac electrical remodeling are involved in the development and progression of most cardiac diseases. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) has been found to play an important role in heart diseases as a novel type of endogenous regulators, which can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis, improve hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy, promote myocardial fibrosis and atrial electrical remodeling. In this review, we summarize the research progress on the function of miR-21 in heart diseases and its mechanism, and discuss its potential application in diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases.
Cardiomegaly ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Heart Diseases ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; pathology

Circadian rhythms widely exist in living organisms, and they are regulated by the biological clock. Growing evidence has shown that circadian rhythms are tightly related to the physiological function of the cardiovascular system, including blood pressure, heart rate, metabolism of cardiomyocytes, function of endothelial cells, and vasoconstriction and vasodilation. In addition, disruption of circadian rhythms has been considered as one of the important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction. This review summarizes the recent research advances in the relationship between circadian clock and cardiovascular diseases, hoping to improve treatment strategies for patients with cardiovascular diseases according to the theory of biological clock.
Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; physiopathology ; Circadian Clocks ; Circadian Rhythm ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Vasoconstriction ; Vasodilation

PURPOSE: The incidence of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after mitral valve replacement (MVR) has been reported to vary. The purpose of the current study was to investigate incidence of PPM according to the different methods of calculating effective orifice area (EOA), including the continuity equation (CE), pressure half time (PHT) method and use of reference EOA, and to compare these with various echocardiographic variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 166 individuals who received isolated MVR due to rheumatic mitral stenosis and had postoperative echocardiography performed between 12 and 60 months after MVR. EOA was determined by CE (EOA(CE)) and PHT using Doppler echocardiography. Reference EOA was determined from the literature or values offered by the manufacturer. Indexed EOA was used to define PPM as present if < or =1.2 cm2/m2. RESULTS: Prevalence of PPM was different depending on the methods used to calculate EOA, ranging from 7% in PHT method to 49% in referred EOA method to 62% in CE methods. The intraclass correlation coefficient was low between the methods. PPM was associated with raised trans-prosthetic pressure, only when calculated by CE (p=0.021). Indexed EOA(CE) was the only predictor of postoperative systolic pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, even after adjusting for age, preoperative systolic PA pressure and postoperative left atrial volume index (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of mitral PPM varied according to the methods used to calculate EOA in patients with mitral stenosis after MVR. Among the various methods used to define PPM, EOA(CE) was the only predictor of postoperative hemodynamic parameters.
Adult ; Aged ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Female ; Heart Valve Diseases/*surgery ; *Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation/*adverse effects/methods ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve/physiopathology/*surgery ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONWe assessed the local prevalence, characteristics and 10-year outcomes in a heart failure (HF) cohort from the emergency room (ER).

MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients presenting with acute dyspnoea to ER were prospectively enrolled from December 2003 to December 2004. HF was diagnosed by physicians' adjudication based on clinical assessment and echocardiogram within 12 hours, blinded to N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) results. They were stratified into heart failure with preserved (HFPEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

RESULTSAt different cutoffs of LVEF of ≥50%, ≥45%, ≥40%, and >50% plus excluding LVEF 40% to 50%, HFPEF prevalence ranged from 38% to 51%. Using LVEF ≥50% as the final cutoff point, at baseline, HFPEF (n = 35), compared to HFREF (n = 55), had lower admission NT- proBNP (1502 vs 5953 pg/mL, P <0.001), heart rate (86 ± 22 vs 98 ± 22 bpm, P = 0.014), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (75 ± 14 vs 84 ± 20 mmHg, P = 0.024). On echocardiogram, compared to HFREF, HFPEF had more LV concentric remodelling (20% vs 2%, P = 0.003), less eccentric hypertrophy (11% vs 53%, P <0.001) and less mitral regurgitation from functional mitral regurgitation (60% vs 95%, P = 0.027). At 10 years, compared to HFREF, HFPEF had similar primary endpoints of a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and rehospitalisation for congestive heart failure (CHF) (HR 0.886; 95% CI, 0.561 to 1.399; P = 0.605), all-cause mortality (HR 0.663; 95% CI, 0.400 to 1.100; P = 0.112), but lower cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.307; 95% CI, 0.111 to 0.850; P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONIn the long term, HFPEF had higher non-cardiovascular mortality, but lower cardiovascular mortality compared to HFREF.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; mortality ; Dyspnea ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Echocardiography ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; epidemiology ; Myocardial Infarction ; epidemiology ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; Stroke Volume ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Ventricular Remodeling

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the difference between the successive changes in the heartbeat cycle, and it is produced in the autonomic nervous system modulation of the sinus node of the heart. The HRV is a valuable indicator in predicting the sudden cardiac death and arrhythmic events. Traditional analysis of HRV is based on a multielectrocardiogram (ECG), but the ECG signal acquisition is complex, so we have designed an HRV analysis system based on photoplethysmography (PPG). PPG signal is collected by a microcontroller from human's finger, and it is sent to the terminal via USB-Serial module. The terminal software not only collects the data and plot waveforms, but also stores the data for future HRV analysis. The system is small in size, low in power consumption, and easy for operation. It is suitable for daily care no matter whether it is used at home or in a hospital.
Autonomic Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; diagnosis ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Photoplethysmography ; instrumentation ; Sinoatrial Node ; physiopathology ; Software

Kawasaki disease (KD) is characterized with acute systemic vasculitis, occurs predominantly in children between 6 months to 5 years of age. Patients with this disease recover well and the disease is self-limited in most cases. Since it can lead to devastating cardiovascular complications, KD needs special attention. Recent reports show steady increases in the prevalence of KD in both Japan and Korea. However, specific pathogens have yet to be found. Recent advances in research on KD include searches for genetic susceptibility related to KD and research on immunopathogenesis based on innate and acquired immunity. Also, search for etiopathogenesis and treatment of KD has been actively sought after using animal models. In this paper, the recent progress of research on KD was discussed.
*Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Heart Diseases/*complications ; Humans ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/*diagnosis/etiology/physiopathology/therapy

PURPOSE: Despite technical simplicity and the low cost of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BA-PWV), its use has been hampered by a lack of data supporting its usefulness and reliability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of BA-PWV to measure aortic stiffness in comparison to using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 124 participants without cardiovascular risk factors volunteered for this study. BA-PWV was measured using a vascular testing device. On the same day, using CMR, cross-sectional areas for distensibility and average blood flow were measured at four aortic levels: the ascending, upper thoracic descending, lower thoracic descending, and abdominal aorta. RESULTS: Compared to PWV measured by CMR, BA-PWV values were significantly higher and the differences therein were similar in all age groups (all p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between BA-PWV and PWV by CMR (r=0.697, p<0.001). Both BA-PWV and PWV by CMR were significantly and positively associated with age (r=0.652 and 0.724, p<0.001). The reciprocal of aortic distensibility also demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation with BA-PWV (r=0.583 to 0.673, all p<0.001). CONCLUSION: BA-PWV was well correlated with central aortic PWV and distensibility, as measured by CMR, regardless of age and sex.
Adult ; Ankle Brachial Index/*methods ; Ankle Joint ; Aorta/anatomy & histology/*physiology ; *Blood Flow Velocity ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Heart/physiopathology ; Humans ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine ; Male ; Pulse Wave Analysis/*methods ; Regional Blood Flow ; Reproducibility of Results ; Risk Factors ; *Vascular Stiffness

Despite recent advances in understanding of the pathobiology and targeted treatments of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), epidemiologic data from large populations have been limited to western countries. The aim of the Korean Registry of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (KORPAH) was to examine the epidemiology and prognosis of Korean patients with PAH. KORPAH was designed as a nationwide, multicenter, prospective data collection using an internet webserver from September 2008 to December 2011. A total of 625 patients were enrolled. The patients' mean age was 47.6 +/- 15.7 yr, and 503 (80.5%) were women. The diagnostic methods included right heart catheterization (n = 249, 39.8%) and Doppler echocardiography (n = 376, 60.2%). The etiologies, in order of frequency, were connective tissue disease (CTD), congenital heart disease, and idiopathic PAH (IPAH) (49.8%, 25.4%, and 23.2%, respectively). Patients with WHO functional class III or IV at diagnosis were 43.4%. In total, 380 (60.8%) patients received a single PAH-specific treatment at the time of enrollment, but only 72 (18.9%) patients received combination therapy. Incident cases during the registry represented 297 patients; therefore, the incidence rate of PAH was 1.9 patients/yr/million people. The 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-yr estimated survival rates were 90.8%, 87.8%, and 84.4%, respectively. Although Korean PAH patients exhibited similar age, gender, and survival rate compared with western registries, they showed relatively more CTD-PAH in the etiology and also systemic lupus erythematosus among CTD-PAH. The data suggest that earlier diagnosis and more specialized therapies should be needed to improve the survival of PAH patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Connective Tissue Diseases/complications ; Data Collection ; *Databases, Factual ; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension/*epidemiology/mortality/therapy ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital/complications ; Humans ; Internet ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Artery/*physiopathology ; *Registries ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility and safety on lung resection surgery with the combined method of microinjection acupuncture (MIA) and intravenous anesthesia instead of compound traditional acupuncture and drug anesthesia (ADA).

METHODSNinety cases of lung resection surgery were randomized into a general anesthesia group, a MIA group and a ADA group, 30 cases in each one. In the general anesthesia group, before surgery, the intramuscular injection of atropine 0. 5 mg was used; during surgery, the anesthesia induction was followed with intravenous injection of fentanyl citrate, propofol and rocuronium bromide and the dosage was increased accordingly; after surgery, the analgesia pump was applied. In the MIA group, on the basis of general anesthesia, before anesthesia induction, the acupoint catgut embedding was applied to Jiaji (EX-B 2) of T4 , T6 and T, , Feishui (BL 13), Xinshu (BL 15) and Geshu (BL 17) on the affected side and bilateral Quchi (LI 11) and Zusanli (ST 36); after surgery, the analgesia pump was applied. In the ADA group, on the basis of general anesthesia, before! anesthesia induction, electroacupuncture (EA) was applied to Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6) , Houxi (SI 3) and Zhigou (TE 6) for 30 min; during surgery, EA and intravenous medication were combined at the same acupoints as those before surgery; after surgery, moxibustion and the analgesia pump were applied in combination for analgesia. In each group, the biological indices were monitored during surgery at 11 time points named T. (before anesthesia I induction), T1 (intubation in general anesthesia induction), T2 (skin incision), T3 (rib exposure in muscular incision) T. (chest open), T, (lung removal), T6 (drainage tube implantation), T7 (chest closure), T (muscular stitching), T, (skin stitching) and T0 (extubation). The actual dosage of anesthetics during surgery and the, dosage of fentanyl citrate in analgesia pump were quantified after surgery. Results (1) In the MIA group and ADA group, the increased dosage of fentanyl citrate was less than that in the general anesthesia group [(1. 23±0. 28) µg . kg-1 . h-1 vs (2. 4±0. 54µg. kg-1 . h-1, (1. 1±0. 38µg . kg-1 . h-1 vs (2. 4±0. 54µg. kg-1 . h-1 , both P<0. 05]. The increased dosage of propofol and rocuronium bromide was not different during surgery among the groups (all P>0. 05). (2) In the MIA group and ADA group, after surgery, the increased dosage of fentanyl citrate was less than that in the general anesthesia group [(11. 0±1. 04)µg/kg vs (15. 4±1. 52µg/kg, (11. 5±1. 38µg/kg vs (15. 4±1. 52µg/kg, both P<0. 05], reducing by 25% in comparison. (3) The differences in heart rate and blood pressure at 11 time points during surgery were not significant among the three groups (all P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONn The combined method of MIA and intravenous anesthesia significantly reduces the dosage of intravenous anesthetics during and after lung resection surgery as compared with ADA, presenting the similar analgesic effect as simple intravenous medication and the good safety. The combined method of MIA and intravenous anesthesia is much

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Lung ; surgery ; Lung Diseases ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Microinjections ; Middle Aged ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult