Brief Report: identification of MTMR3 as a novel susceptibility gene for lupus nephritis in northern Han Chinese by shared-gene analysis with IgA nephropathy.

Objective: Several novel susceptibility genes for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and IgA nephropathy have been identified in recent genome-wide association studies. Since both lupus nephritis and IgA nephropathy are autoimmune diseases of the kidney, they may share common disease mechanisms that overlap with genetic susceptibility. To test this hypothesis, we sought to identify genetic variants associated with IgA nephropathy in lupus nephritis.

Celecoxib, but not rofecoxib or naproxen, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis induced in vitro by angiotensin and aldosterone.

1. Cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been implicated in increased cardiovascular events. However, the direct effects of these drugs on cardiac function have not been explored extensively.

[The expression of GATA-4 and Nkx2.5 gene in the transformation of Rattus mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes].

Objective: To investigate the expression of the transcriptive factors, GATA-4 and Nkx2.5 gene, in the course of induction of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into cardiomyocytes, and analyze its molecular biological mechanism.

Methods: Rattus Mesenchymal Stem Cells were cultured in vitro and 3rd generation cells were induced in 10 micromol/L 5-azacytidine, troponin I was checked with immunohistochemistry and Western blot, GATA-4 and NkX2.

Increased N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level predicts atrial fibrillation after surgery for esophageal carcinoma.

Aim: To evaluate the value of plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level for predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal carcinoma.

Methods: NT-proBNP levels were measured in 142 patients 24 h before and 1 h after surgery for esophageal carcinoma. All patients having a preoperative cardiac diagnosis by electrocardiogram (ECG), remained under continuous monitoring for at least 48 h after surgery, and then underwent clinical cardiac evaluation until discharge.

Clinicopathologic characteristics of esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma in elderly patients.

Aim: To evaluate the risk of esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus in the elderly (70 years or more) compared with younger patients (< 70 years) and to determine whether the short-term outcomes of esophagectomy in the elderly have improved in recent years.

Methods: Preoperative risks, postoperative morbidity and mortality in 60 elderly patients (> or = 70 years) with esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus were compared with the findings in 1782 younger patients (< 70 years) with esophagectomy between January 1990 and December 2004. Changes in perioperative outcome and short-time survival in elderly patients between 1990 to 1997 and 1998 to 2004 were separately analyzed.

Atrial fibrillation after surgery for esophageal carcinoma: clinical and prognostic significance.

Aim: To retrospectively evaluate the clinical relevance, perioperative risk factors, outcome of different pharmacological prophylaxis, and short-term prognostic value of atrial fibrillation (AF) after surgery for esophageal carcinoma.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 63 patients with AF after surgery for esophageal carcinoma in comparison with 126 patients without AF after esophagectomy during the same time. Postoperative AF incidence was related to different clinical factors possibly involved in its occurrence and short-term survival.

[Effect of Huajiao volatile oil on Cu2+ -induced oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein in vitro].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Huajiao volatile oil on copper mediated low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidative modification.

Methods: LDL was isolated by ultracenfugation from normal human plasma. The extent of LDL peroxidation was measured in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) equivalents.

[Antiatherogenic effect of Huajiao volatile oil on experimental atherosclerosis in guinea pigs].

Objective: To investigate the antiatherogenic effect of Chinese medicine Huajiao volatile oil and its possible mechanisms.

Methods: Atherosclerotic guinea pig models were duplicated by feeding high lipid forage. Thirty-six guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: control group, model group and Huajiao volatile oil group.

Primary small cell carcinoma of esophagus: report of 9 cases and review of literature.

Aim: To analyze the clinical manifestations, pathological features and treatment of primary small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus and to review the literature on this entity.

Methods: The records of 9 patients with primary esophageal small cell carcinoma were examined and the demographic data, presenting symptoms, methods of tumor diagnosis, and types of treatment given, response to treatment, pathologic findings, and clinical outcome were reviewed. Features of mixed patterns of histological differentiation and lymph node metastases were specifically sought.

[Low intensity anticoagulation therapy after mechanical heart valve replacement].

Objective: To investigate the proper anticoagulation intensity in patients after mechanical heart valve replacement in china.

Methods: The anticoagulation therapy intensity and the complications in 480 patients after mechanical heart valve replacement were studied.

Results: The follow-up rate was 89.