Background::The CHA 2DS 2–VASc score was initially applied to stratify stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and was found to be effective in predicting all-cause mortality outcomes. To date, it is still unclear whether circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as emerging biomarkers, can improve the predictive power of the CHA 2DS 2–VASc score in stroke and all-cause mortality. Methods::Candidate lncRNAs were screened by searching the literature and analyzing previous RNA sequencing results. After preliminary verification in 29 patients with AF, the final selected lncRNAs were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression in 192 patients to determine whether their relative expression levels were associated with stroke and all-cause mortality. The c-statistic, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement of the patients were calculated to evaluate the discrimination and reclassification power for stroke and all-cause mortality when adding lncRNA expression levels to the CHA 2DS 2–VASc score model. Results::Five plasma lncRNAs associated with stroke and all-cause mortality in AF patients were selected in our screening process. Patients with elevated H19 levels were found to have a higher risk of stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 3.264, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.364–7.813, P = 0.008). Adding the H19 expression level to the CHA 2DS 2–VASc score significantly improved the discrimination and reclassification power of the CHA 2DS 2–VASc score for stroke in AF patients. In addition, the H19 level showed a marginally significant association with all-cause mortality (HR 2.263, 95% CI: 0.889–5.760, P = 0.087), although it appeared to have no significant improvement for the CHA 2DS 2–VASc model for predicting all-cause mortality. Conclusions::Plasma expression of H19 was associated with stroke risk in AF patients and improved the discriminatory power of the CHA 2DS 2–VASc score. Therefore, lncRNA H19 served as an emerging non-invasive biomarker for stroke risk prediction in patients with AF.

OBJECTIVETo compare mid-term results of surgical treatment with aortoiliac stenting (AIS) in patients with chronic aortoiliac occlusion.

METHODSA retrospective review of 68 patients treated between January 2005 and December 2010 was performed. Thirty-three patients underwent surgical revascularization (surgical group) and 35 patients underwent AIS (AIS group). Preoperative clinical factors and outcome data including complications, ankle-brachial index and mortality were collected. Kaplan-Meier estimates for survival, limb salvage and patency were analyzed.

RESULTSPreoperative risk factors were similar between the two groups. Surgical group were younger than AIS group ((56±11) years vs. (65±10) years, t=-2.789, P=0.008) with more patients manifesting rest pain (23/33 vs.15/35, χ2=4.963, P=0.026) and relative higher perioperative mortality (3/33 vs. 0/35, P=0.109). Mean ankle-brachial index increased significantly in both groups after operation (Surgical group 0.90±0.15 vs. 0.43±0.20, t=-7.849, P=0.000; AIS group 0.85±0.20 vs. 0.41±0.25, t=-5.379, P=0.000). Postoperative complications occurred, with statistically higher rates of respiratory failure, transient renal dysfunction and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in surgical group (χ2=6.98, P=0.010; χ2=9.62, P=0.000; P=0.023). The 5-year primary patency in surgical group was 90.2%, compared with 64.2% in AIS group (χ2=3.717, P=0.054). No difference was observed in survival rate, limb salvage and secondary patency between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSFive-year primary patency of endovascular reconstruction for chronic aortoiliac occlusion is lower than that for traditional open surgery. Open surgery is still the first choice for the patients who can endure the surgery. Endovascular treatment is an option for patients with high risk. However, additional interventional treatment is needed in some cases.

Adult ; Aged ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; surgery ; Humans ; Limb Salvage ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Patency ; Vascular Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of capsaicin in regulating permeation of P-gp substrate rhodamine 123 (R123) across the jejunum, ileum and colon membranes of rats.

METHODSThe permeability of R123 or fluorescein sodium (CF) across the jejunum, ileum and colon membranes of male SD rats was evaluated using a Ussing chamber. The concentration of R123 or CF in the receptor was determined using fluorospectrophotometry to calculate the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp).

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, capsaicin increased the permeability of R123 across jejunal membranes in the mucosal-to-serosal (M-S) direction and decreased its permeability in the serosal-to-mucosal (S-M) direction, but produced no obvious effect on R123 transport across the ileum or colon membranes. Capsaicin caused a regional increase in the permeability of CF across the jejunal membranes compared with the control group, but CF transport across the ileum and colon membranes was not affected.

CONCLUSIONCapsaicin can affect the transport of R123 and CF across rat jejunal membranes, and this effect is shows an obvious intestine segment-related difference probably because of the different distribution of P-gp or tight junction in the intestines. This finding suggests that capsaicin is a weak P-gp inhibitor and an improver of mucous membrane channels.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Animals ; Capsaicin ; pharmacology ; Colon ; metabolism ; Fluorescein ; pharmacokinetics ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Permeability ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhodamine 123 ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To investigate the role of capsaicin in regulating permeation of P-gp substrate rhodamine 123 (R123) across the jejunum, ileum and colon membranes of rats. Methods The permeability of R123 or fluorescein sodium (CF) across the jejunum, ileum and colon membranes of male SD rats was evaluated using a Ussing chamber. The concentration of R123 or CF in the receptor was determined using fluorospectrophotometry to calculate the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp). Results Compared with the blank control group, capsaicin increased the permeability of R123 across jejunal membranes in the mucosal-to-serosal (M-S) direction and decreased its permeability in the serosal-to-mucosal (S-M) direction, but produced no obvious effect on R123 transport across the ileum or colon membranes. Capsaicin caused a regional increase in the permeability of CF across the jejunal membranes compared with the control group, but CF transport across the ileum and colon membranes was not affected. Conclusion Capsaicin can affect the transport of R123 and CF across rat jejunal membranes, and this effect is shows an obvious intestine segment-related difference probably because of the different distribution of P-gp or tight junction in the intestines. This finding suggests that capsaicin is a weak P-gp inhibitor and an improver of mucous membrane channels.

Objective To investigate the role of capsaicin in regulating permeation of P-gp substrate rhodamine 123 (R123) across the jejunum, ileum and colon membranes of rats. Methods The permeability of R123 or fluorescein sodium (CF) across the jejunum, ileum and colon membranes of male SD rats was evaluated using a Ussing chamber. The concentration of R123 or CF in the receptor was determined using fluorospectrophotometry to calculate the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp). Results Compared with the blank control group, capsaicin increased the permeability of R123 across jejunal membranes in the mucosal-to-serosal (M-S) direction and decreased its permeability in the serosal-to-mucosal (S-M) direction, but produced no obvious effect on R123 transport across the ileum or colon membranes. Capsaicin caused a regional increase in the permeability of CF across the jejunal membranes compared with the control group, but CF transport across the ileum and colon membranes was not affected. Conclusion Capsaicin can affect the transport of R123 and CF across rat jejunal membranes, and this effect is shows an obvious intestine segment-related difference probably because of the different distribution of P-gp or tight junction in the intestines. This finding suggests that capsaicin is a weak P-gp inhibitor and an improver of mucous membrane channels.

Objective To assess the treatment of splenic artery aneurysms (SAA) and prognosis.Methods Clinical data of 18 SAA patients treated in our hospital from 1999 to 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were 18 patients diagnosed as SAA,including 7 males and 11 females.The average age was 53.8 ± 7.3 years.8 patients were asymptomatic found by routine physical examination,7 patients complained upper left abdominal pain,3 cases suffered from aneurysm rupture. Diagnosis was established by three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3DCTA) in 14,Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 3 and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in 1 patient.Three patients with ruptured splenic artery aneurysm underwent emergent operations,11 patients underwent elective surgery or interventional therapy.Surgical procedures included aneurysmectomy and splenectomy in 4 patients,distal pancreatectomy in 5 cases; aneurysmectomy and splenic artery ligation in one patient; and aneurysmectomy with splenectomy and colon resection in 1 case.Interventional embolization by coils of the splenic aneurysm in 3 patients.The remaining 4 being asymptomatic and with tumor diameter less than 2 cm were put on a close follow-up.There was no perioperative mortality.Two were lost to follow-up.16 cases were followed-up for averaging 3.2 years. 1 patient died of cerebral hemorrhage after four years. Conclusions Splenic artery aneurysms was a rare disease and with usually occult symptoms,but rupture can leads to abdominal apoplexy.Open surgery and minimally invasive endovascular treatment is effective and offers a good prognosis.

Objective To evaluate surgical therapies in patients with popliteal aneurysms (PA).Method The clinical data of 25 PA patients admitted from January 1988 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 21 men and 4 women,the mean age was (56 ± 16)years.There were 27 PA in these 25 patients,with bilateral PA in 2 cases.The main symptoms were pulsatile mass in the popliteal fossa,limb pain,acute or chronic distal limb ischemia and limb edema.Result In this series 23out of 25 PA cases recieved operations,17 of them were treated with aneurysmectomy and saphenous vein interposition or bypass grafting,4 of them were treated with aneurysmectomy and prosthetic grafts interposition,1 was treated with aneurism ligation and 1 underwent end-to-end anastomosis after aneurysm resection.There was no perioperative mortality.One patient recieved amputation for distal anastomotic thrombosis and severe limb ischemia.The mean follow-up time is (6.5 ± 0.5) years.After 4 years,a right subclavian artery aneurysm was found in a bilateral PA case and treated surgically.Conclusions Early elective surgical treatment is recommended for patients with PA because PA may go rupture or induce dital limb ischemia and these patients may have good outcome after surgical treatment.Long-term follow-up is warranted to detect the new aneurysm formation.

Objectives To compare endovascular aortic repair (EVR) and medical therapy for acute type B aortic dissection (AD) in terms of treatment results.Methods From January 2004 to October 2010 116 cases were collected and were divided into two groups,with treatment of EVR (n =60)and medical therapy (n ＝ 56).Treatment outcomes were assessed.Results Clinical manifestations of AD are complex and variable,with the most common symptom being pain on chest and back (74.1％).CTA is the most valuable method in confirming the diagnosis of aortic dissection.In conservative group of 56 patients admitted to hospital,30-day mortality rate was 16.1％.In EVR group of 60 patients with grafts successfully released,the 30-day mortality was 1.7％.There is significant difference between the two groups on mortality rate during 30-day(P ＜0.05).Follow-up rate in conservative group and the EVR group was 71.4％ and 86.7％,with average follow-up time of (38 ± 16) months and (35 ± 14) months.The 5-year survival rates were 87.5％ and 88.5％ respectively in conservative group and EVR group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions EVR is considered to be the first choice for acute Stanford type B dissection.EVR can improve patients' 30-day survival,though long term result is comparable with that of conservative treatment.

Objective To analyze the causes of misdiagnosis of aorta diseases for simple inferior limb artery thrombo-embolism,and summarize the clinical experience. Methods Retrospective analysis was made on clinical data of 9 eases misdiagnosed aorta disease,including clinical manifestation,misdiagnosis,improper treatment and final definite diagnosis. Results All 9 cases were misdiagnosed as simple inferior limb thrombo-embolism at first.Three cases were treated with emergent thrombectomy using Fogarty catheter.The correct diagnosis Was achieved by 3-dimensional CT angiography (3DCTA) after operation,and the eitiology of other 6 cases were also pmved as aortic disease by 3DCTA before operation.Among 5 cases of acute aorta dissection with iliac-femoral artery involved,2 cases abandoned surgery with one dying the next day and the other lost to follow-up after being discharged.The other 3 cases were treated with endovascular therapy successfully.One case of abdominal aorta anurysm with mural thrombosis defluxion were treated by aneurysm resection.The other 3 caBes of Leriche syndrome with acute aorta terminal filament thrombosis formation were cured by aortoiliac bypass.The limbs ischemia were improved in all cases without perioperative death.Conclusion Aorta diseases can sometimes lead to acute inferior limb ischemia,mimicking limb artery thrombo-embolism.Preoperative imaging especially 3 DCTA helps to establish correct preoperative diagnosis for a successful treatment.

Objective To report our surgical experience in treating 19 cases of solitary iliac aneurysms (SIA). Methods The clinical data of 19 consecutive patients with SIA between January 1985 and January 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 18 men and 1 woman, aging from 39 to 77 years ( mean 62 ± 7 years). Results There were 30 SIAs in the 19 patients, including 25 ( 83.3% ) common iliac aneurysms, 4 (13.3%) internal ihac aneurysms and 1 (3. 3% ) external iliac aneurysm. Eleven patients ( 57.9% ) had multiple ancurysms, with 9 patients ( 47.4% ) having bilateral SIA. Two patients had coexistent peripheral vascular occlusive disease. There were 2 patients suffering form ruptured SIA, one was saved by emergency operation and one died before an surgery could be attempted. Seventeen patients underwent successful open aneurysmectomy and artificial graft implantation leaving no ischemic complications of the pelvic organs. One patient with right common iliac aneurysm underwent endovascular repair without endoleak. There was no operative death during porioperative period. The surviving patients remained stable and had good patency of grafts during the follow-up period. Conclusions Early management of SIA is important, CT angiogarphy (CTA) is necessary not only to evaluate the SIAs, but also to detect multiple aneurysms or arterial occlusive disease. Close and long-term follow-up is mandatory for the early detection of the formation of new anearysms.