Prospective randomized comparison between upgraded '2C3L' vs. PVI approach for catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: PROMPT-AF trial design.

Background: In randomized studies, the strategy of pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVI) plus linear ablation has failed to increase success rates for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) ablation when compared with PVI alone. Peri-mitral reentry related atrial tachycardia due to incomplete linear block is an important cause of clinical failures of a first ablation procedure. Ethanol infusion (EI) into the vein of Marshall (EI-VOM) has been demonstrated to facilitate a durable mitral isthmus linear lesion.

Clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: The different etiology of HF has different prognostic risk factors. Prognosis assessment of ICM and NICM has important clinical value. This study is aimed to explore the predicting factors for ICM and NICM.

Cardiac electrical and mechanical synchrony of super-responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Super-responders (SRs) to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) regain near-normal or normal cardiac function. The extent of cardiac synchrony of SRs and whether continuous biventricular (BIV) pacing is needed remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac electrical and mechanical synchrony of SRs.

Microvolt T-wave alternans complemented with electrophysiologic study for prediction of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a long-term follow-up study.

Background: The long-term predicted value of microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) for ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) remains unclear. Our study explored the characteristics of MTWA and its prognostic value when combined with an electrophysiologic study (EPS) in patients with ARVC.

Methods: All patients underwent non-invasive MTWA examination with modified moving average (MMA) analysis and an EPS.

VEGF gene rs3025039C/T and rs833052C/A variants are associated with bladder cancer risk in Asian descendants.

Introduction: Polymorphisms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene were evaluated in a number of studies to evaluate bladder cancer (BCa) susceptibility but with controversial conclusions.

Material And Methods: We performed a pooled analysis and used odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to investigate the correlation between VEGF gene rs3025039C/T and rs833052C/A variants and risk of BCa. Furthermore, we utilized in silico tools to demonstrate the relationship of VEGF expression correlated with BCa susceptibility and survival time.

Association between three genetic variants in kallikrein 3 and prostate cancer risk.

Background: Epidemiological studies have assessed the association between kallikrein 3 (KLK3) polymorphisms and prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility. However, published data on this association are somewhat inconclusive.

Methods: Articles investigating the association between three KLK3 (rs1058205, rs2735839, and rs266882) variants and PCa susceptibility were searched from online databases, which included 35,838 patients and 36,369 control participants.

Human methionine synthase A2756G polymorphism increases susceptibility to prostate cancer.

Background/aims: Previous results on the association between MTR gene A2756G polymorphism and PCa risk are inconclusive.

Methods: We used odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to evaluate the correlation between MTR A2756G polymorphism and risk of PCa in meta-analysis. Serum expression of MTR was detected by ELISA and tools were utilized to assess this variant.

The gender difference of utilization of cardiac implantable electronic device in China: data from Arrhythmia Interventional Therapy Data Registry.

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) greatly improve survival and life quality of patients. However, there are gender differences regarding both the utilization and benefit of these devices. In this prospective CIED registry, we aim to appraise the gender differences in CIED utilization in China.

Pathway-based analysis of genome-wide association study of circadian phenotypes.

Sleepiness affects normal social life, which attracts more and more attention. Circadian phenotypes contribute to obvious individual differences in susceptibility to sleepiness. We aimed to identify candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which may cause circadian phenotypes, elucidate the potential mechanisms, and generate corresponding SNP-gene-pathways.

Updated analysis of vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism and prostate cancer susceptibility.

Introduction: Polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been investigated in various case-control studies to evaluate prostate cancer susceptibility; however, published data on the association between vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism and prostate cancer risk are inconclusive.

Material And Methods: To assess the impact of vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism, we performed a meta-analysis of eligible studies including 9,720 patients and 9,710 control subjects.

Results: The overall results indicated no obvious association of this variant on prostate cancer risk.

Association of a common genetic variant in RNASEL and prostate cancer susceptibility.

The RNASEL gene (2', 5'-oligoisoadenylate synthetase-dependent) encodes a ribonuclease that plays a significant role in the apoptotic and antiviral activities of interferons. Various studies have used polymorphisms in the RNASEL gene to evaluate prostate cancer risk but studies that show an association between RNASEL Arg462Gln (1385G>A, R462Q, rs486907) polymorphism and prostate cancer risk are somewhat inconclusive. To assess the impact of RNASEL Arg462Gln polymorphism on prostate cancer risk, we conducted a meta-analysis of all available studies including 11,522 patients and 10,976 control subjects.

Association of a common genetic variant in prostate stem cell antigen with cancer risk.

Introduction: Polymorphisms in the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) gene have been hypothesized to increase the genetic susceptibility to cancers. The common sequence variation in PSCA rs2294008 (C>T) has been implicated in cancer risk. However, results of the relevant published studies were somewhat underpowered and controversial in general.

β1-adrenergic regulation of rapid component of delayed rectifier K+ currents in guinea-pig cardiac myocytes.

Human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channels conduct the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr), which is crucial for repolarization of cardiac action potential. Patients with hERG‑associated long QT syndrome usually develop tachyarrhythmias during physical and/or emotional stress, both known to stimulate adrenergic receptors. The present study aimed to investigate a putative functional link between β1-adrenergic stimulation and IKr in guinea-pig left ventricular myocytes and to analyze how IKr is regulated following activation of the β1-adrenergic signaling pathway.

[Catheter ablation of epicardial accessory pathway associated with coronary sinus musculature].

Objective: To report the single-center clinical experience of catheter ablation of epicardial accessory pathway associated with coronary sinus musculature.

Methods: The data of 721 cases of left sided accessory pathway ablation were retrospectively analyzed. Ablation in the coronary sinus was performed in 17 (2.

FAS-1377 G/A (rs2234767) polymorphism and cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis of 17,858 cases and 24,311 controls.

Background And Objectives: Disruption of apoptosis has been implicated in carcinogenesis. Specifically, various single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in apoptotic genes, such as FAS-1377 G/A SNP, have been associated with cancer risk. FAS-1377 G/A SNP has been shown to alter FAS gene promoter transcriptional activity.

[Catheter ablation of focal atrial tachycardia:the topographic distribution and long-term outcome].

Objective: To explore the topographic distribution and long-term outcome of catheter ablation for focal atrial tachycardia (AT).

Method: The data of 207 patients who underwent electrophysiologic study for AT were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: A total of 200 AT were identified in 185 patients.

Downregulation of quinone reductase 2 attenuates vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and neointimal formation in balloon injured rat carotid artery.

Background/aims: Quinone reductase 2 (NQO2) is a flavoprotein that catalyzes the metabolic reduction of quinines, but its biological mechanism in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of NQO2 on VSMCs proliferation and the neointimal formation in balloon injured rat carotid artery.

Methods: Left common carotid arteries from Sprague-Dawley rats were injured by a balloon catheter, and the injured arteries were incubated with 50 μL solution of NQO2-siRNA-GFP lentiviral vectors, NC-siRNA-GFP lentiviral vectors or PBS for 1 h.

[Clinical characteristics of congenital ventricular aneurysm and diverticula in inland China].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of congenital ventricular aneurysm and diverticula in inland China.

Methods: To identify the literature of congenital aneurysm and diverticula from Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed databases, and to analyze the clinical characteristics of congenital aneurysm and diverticula from January of 2001 to December of 2009.

Results: A total of 116 patients [78 men, 1 - 80 (33.

[Impact of metoprolol use in the treatment of patients with electrical-storm after cardioverter defibrillators implantation].

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of the metoprolol dosage adjustment on reducing the incidence of electrical-storm (ES) in patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs).

Methods: Data from patients with ICD implantation between Jan, 2003 and Jun, 2006 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. ES was defined as either ≥ 3 times of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs) resulting in ICD therapy or VTAs lasting more than 30 s detected by ICD without any therapy within 24 hours.

Update analysis of studies on the MMP-9 -1562 C>T polymorphism and cancer risk.

Polymorphisms in the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene have been hypothesized to be functional and may contribute to genetic susceptibility to cancers. The common sequence variation in MMP-9 -1562 C>T (rs3918242), has been involved in cancer risk. However, results of the related published studies were somewhat controversial and underpowered in general.

Evaluation of the traditional Chinese Medicine Shensongyangxin capsule on treating premature ventricular contractions: a randomized, double-blind, controlled multicenter trial.

Background: Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is one of the most common kinds of arrhythmias for which the treatment falls into dilemma. Previous clinical application showed that the traditional Chinese Medicine Shensongyangxin (SSYX) capsule is efficacious for the treatment of PVCs. This randomized clinical trial aimed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of SSYX capsule on treating PVC.

An algorithm to predict the site of origin of focal atrial tachycardia.

Background: Only a few algorithms for predicting the site of origin of focal atrial tachycardia (AT) have been reported. We aimed to develop a new and more effective algorithm.

Methods: Surface 12-lead electrocardiograms were collected during tachycardia and sinus rhythm in 61 patients who received successful radiofrequency ablation.

Right-sided free wall accessory pathway refractory to conventional catheter ablation: lessons from 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping.

Introduction: the aim of this study was to delineate the electroanatomic substrates of right-sided free wall (RFW) accessory pathways (APs) that were refractory to conventional catheter ablation utilizing 3-dimensional (3-D) mapping.

Methods And Results: eleven patients with RFW APs that failed initial conventional catheter ablation(s) by a mean of 1.9 ± 0.

Antidigoxin antiserum prevents endogenous digitalis-like compound-mediated reperfusion injury via modulating sodium pump isoform gene expression.

Endogenous digitalis-like compound (EDLC) is an endogenous ligand of the digitalis receptor and can remarkably inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase activity. Antidigoxin antiserum (ADA), a selective EDLC antagonist, may lessen myocardial reperfusion injury; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated whether ADA may prevent myocardial reperfusion injury and modulate gene expression of sodium pump alpha isoforms.

[Prevalence of Epsilon wave in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Epsilon wave in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

Methods: The epsilon wave was detected in 32 patients [24 men, mean age (42.3 +/- 13.