Impact of corrected sinus node recovery time in predicting recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and sinus node dysfunction (SND) have common underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. As an index of SND, corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) may also reflect atrial function. The aim of the present study was to determine whether CSNRT predicts AF recurrence in patients undergoing AF ablation.

A New ISL1 Loss-of-Function Mutation Predisposes to Congenital Double Outlet Right Ventricle.

Occurring in about 1% of all live births, congenital heart defects (CHDs) represent the most frequent type of developmental abnormality and account for remarkably increased infant morbidity and mortality. Aggregating studies demonstrate that genetic components have a key role in the occurrence of CHDs. Nevertheless, due to pronounced genetic heterogeneity, the genetic causes of CHDs remain unclear in most patients.

Design, synthesis of novel azolyl flavonoids and their protein tyrosine Phosphatase-1B inhibitory activities.

A series of azolyl flavonoids were synthesized and characterized by NMR, IR, MS and HRMS spectra. All the newly prepared compounds were screened for their potential protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitory activities. Bioactive assay manifested that most of the azolyl flavonoids exhibited good protein phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activities.

TBX20 loss-of-function mutation associated with familial dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death and cardiac transplantation. Aggregating evidence highlights the genetic origin of DCM. However, DCM is a genetically heterogeneous disorder, and the genetic components underlying DCM in most cases remain unknown.

Castleman disease of the neck: CT and MR imaging findings.

Objective: To characterize the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of Castleman disease of the neck.

Methods: The imaging findings of 21 patients with Castleman disease of the neck were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 21 patients, 16 underwent unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT scans; 5 underwent unenhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI scans.

Microparticles: new light shed on the understanding of venous thromboembolism.

Microparticles are small membrane fragments shed primarily from blood and endothelial cells during either activation or apoptosis. There is mounting evidence suggesting that microparticles perform a large array of biological functions and contribute to various diseases. Of these disease processes, a significant link has been established between microparticles and venous thromboembolism.

Mutational spectrum of the NKX2-5 gene in patients with lone atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of sustained cardiac arrhythmia in humans and is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence indicates that abnormal cardiovascular development is involved in the pathogenesis of AF. In this study, the coding exons and splice sites of the NKX2-5 gene, which encodes a homeodomain-containing transcription factor essential for cardiovascular genesis, were sequenced in 146 unrelated patients with lone AF as well as the available relatives of the mutation carriers.

[The expression of T cell immune-related gene mRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with venous thromboembolism].

Objective: To explore the role of T cell-mediated immunity in the pathogenesis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by analyzing the differential expression of T cell immune-related gene mRNAs peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between VTE patients and controls with GeneChip Human Genome.

Methods: Human cDNA microarray analysis was employed in PBMCs from 20 VTE patients and 20 hypertensive controls, and random variant model (RVM) corrected t-test was used for statistical analysis of differential gene expression.

Results: Six mRNA stripes including CD(247), CD(3D), CD(3G), Granzyme A (GzmA), Granzyme B (GzmB) and Zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70) were found to be associated with T cell-mediated immunity.

Quantitative evaluation of cardiopulmonary functional reserve in treated patients with pulmonary embolism.

Background: There is no research, either at home or abroad, focusing on assessing the cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise tolerance in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), but the benefits of early exercise are well recognized. The goals of this study were to assess cardiopulmonary functional reserve in treated PE patients using the inert gas rebreathing method of the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and to compare it with traditional methods.

Methods: CPET on the bicycle ergometer were performed in 40 patients with age, gender, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and pulmonary function matched.

[Effects of aerobic exercise on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure].

Objective: To explore the effects of aerobic exercise on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: A total of 50 CHF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 49% by echocardiography were enrolled. And they were randomly divided into exercise group (n = 25) and non-exercise group (n = 25).

[The effects of aerobic exercise on cardiac output during exercise in patients with chronic heart failure].

Objective: To observe the effects of aerobic exercise on cardiac output during exercise in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: A total of 50 CHF patients (echocardiography measured left ventricular ejection fraction < 0.49) were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into aerobic exercise group (n = 25) and control group (n = 25).

Relationship of left heart size and left ventricular mass with exercise capacity in chronic heart failure.

Background: Impaired exercise capacity is one of the most common clinical manifestations in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The severity of reduced exercise capacity is an indicator of disease prognosis. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between left heart size and mass with exercise capacity.

[Reduced cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure: impact of left ventricular systolic dysfunction].

Objective: To evaluate the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing on bicycle ergometer was performed in 74 age, gender and BMI-matched patients. There were 37 patients with LVEF < 0.

[The expression and significance of immunity associated genes mRNA in patients with pulmonary embolism].

Objective: To investigate the molecular alteration of immunity associated genes in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) so as to preliminarily elucidate its pathogenetic mechanism.

Methods: Human cDNA microarray analysis was employed in this study, random variance model (RVM) corrected t-test was used for the statistical data analysis of differential gene expression.

Results: In comparison with control, mRNA expression of functional genes of neutrophils, monophagocytes, IFN regulating factors, TNF, adhesion molecules and T cells were significantly different in PE patients.

[Beta1-adrenergic receptor (Arg389Gly) polymorphism and response to bisoprolol in patients with chronic heart failure].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between the Arg389Gly polymorphism of the beta(1)-AR gene and chronic heart failure (CHF) and to evaluate the effect of this polymorphism on clinical response to beta-adrenoceptor blockade (bisoprolol) in patients with CHF.

Methods: One hundred and ten patients with stable CHF receiving basic therapy for heart failure were included. Before initiation and 3 months after the maximal tolerated dose of bisoprolol was reached, all indices (including BP, HR, LAD, LVEDD, LVESD, LVEF, BNP level, 6 min walk distance) were measured and compared with the Arg389Gly genotypes, which identified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

[Effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor with different doses on plasma brain natriuretic peptide and norepinephrine in patients with chronic heart failure].

Objective: To investigate the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) with different doses on the plasma brain natriuretic peptide and norepinephrine (NE) of patients with chronic heart failure and the feasibility and safety of high dose ACEI treatment.

Methods: Sixty-six patients with chronic heart failure were randomly divided into 2 groups: low-dose group, treated by perindopril with the dosage of 2 mg/d initially and gradually increased up to 2-4 mg/d, and high-dose group, treated by perindopril with the dosage of 2 mg/d initially and gradually increased up to 8 approximately 10 mg/d. Treatment lasted for 12 weeks.