Light-responsive antibacterial dissolving microneedles loaded with 5-aminolevulinic acid and silver nanoparticles for the treatment of acne.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous unit, which can be aggravated by hyperkeratosis of the pilosebaceous unit, excessive secretion of sebum and the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Traditional drug treatment methods commonly exhibit drawbacks, including bacterial resistance and poor transdermal permeability, resulting in suboptimal efficacy and recurrent infections.

Lipid Profile and Atrial Fibrillation: Is There Any Link?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of symptomatic arrhythmias, which was induced by multiple causes and dyslipidemia is a well-known causal factor for the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Interestingly, emerging data has suggested that lipid disorder may be also associated with AF. Several previous studies have shown a link of the prevalence of AF with decreased concentration of low-density lipoproteins (LDL)-cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol, and elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)].

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Measured From Computed Tomography Predicts Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Response in Patients With Non-ischemic Systolic Heart Failure.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been linked with the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). Limited data have been reported about the clinical value of EAT for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in non-ischemic systolic HF. We aimed to explore the values of EAT measured from CT to predict the response to CRT in patients with non-ischemic systolic HF.

Predictive values of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony for CRT response in heart failure patients with different pathophysiology.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) patients with different pathophysiology may influence mechanical dyssynchrony and get different ventricular resynchronization and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Ninety-two dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and fifty ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients with gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were included in this retrospective study. Patients were classified based on the concordance between the left ventricular (LV) lead and the latest contraction or relaxation position.

Design and fabrication of an integrated heart-on-a-chip platform for construction of cardiac tissue from human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and in situ evaluation of physiological function.

In vitro model of the human cardiac tissues generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) could facilitate drug discovery and patient-specific studies of physiology and disease. However, the immature state of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) compared to adult myocardium is a key defect that must be overcome to enable the potential applications of hiPSC-CMs in drug testing. For this purpose, we developed a heart-on-a-chip device that contains microfluidic channels for long-term dynamic culture of cells, platinum wire electrodes for electrical stimulation of hiPSC-CMs, and gold electrode arrays as acquisition electrodes for real-time recording electrophysiological signals of cardiac tissues.

Acupuncture for persistent atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia, which is closely related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although acupuncture is used in the treatment of AF, the evidence is insufficient. The objective of this pilot trial is to evaluate the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and safety of acupuncture in reducing AF burden for persistent AF after catheter ablation (CA).

Electrophysiologic effects and outcomes of sympatholysis in patients with recurrent ventricular arrhythmia and structural heart disease.

Introduction: Autonomic modulation has been used as a therapy to control recurrent ventricular arrhythmia (VA). This study was to explore stellate ganglion block (SGB) effect on cardiac electrophysiologic properties and evaluate the long-term outcome of cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) for patients with recurrent VA and structural heart disease (SHD).

Materials And Methods: Patients who had recurrent VA due to SHD were enrolled prospectively.

Electrical and histological remodeling of the pulmonary vein in 2K1C hypertensive rats: Indication of initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). The role of pulmonary vein (PV) remodeling in the mechanistic association between hypertension and AF is not definitive. In this study, we aimed to identify changes in the electrophysiology and histology in PVs in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats.

Updating the evidence for the effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on left atrial volume and function in patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: To systematically review the effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on left atrial (LA) size, volumes and function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Highwire, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the reference lists of retrieved reports in July 2012.

Setting: China.

Cx43 in mesenchymal stem cells promotes angiogenesis of the infarcted heart independent of gap junctions.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with elevated levels of connexin 43 (Cx43) have been shown to exhibit improved protection for ischemic hearts. However, it remains unclear whether Cx43 is involved in the paracrine actions of angiogenesis, the major mechanism of cell therapy. In the present study, an in vitro model with deprivation of oxygen and a murine myocardial infarction model with permanent ligation of the left anterior‑descending (LAD) coronary artery were used to determine whether gap junctions in MSCs promote angiogenesis.

[Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of non-pulmonary vein foci ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term results of non-pulmonary veins (PV) trigger ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Eighty-six patients [48 men, mean age (52.3 ± 10.

[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.

[Efficacy of catheter radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmia storm post cardioverter-defibrillators implantation].

Objective: To evaluate the acute and long-term effects of catheter radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmia storm (VAS) post implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) implantation.

Methods: Acute and long-term effects of catheter radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of VAS post ICD implantation were retrospectively assessed in 11 patients from September 2008 to August 2011.

Results: A total of 15 ablation procedures were performed in 11 patients.

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 R219K polymorphism and coronary artery disease in Chinese population: a meta-analysis of 5,388 participants.

The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) R219K gene polymorphism has been suggested to lower the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, research results remain debatable. Meta-analysis involving 2,730 CAD patients and 2,658 controls was performed to investigate the relationship between ABCA1 R219K gene polymorphism and CAD in Chinese population.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor salubrinal protects against ceramide-induced SH-SY5Y cell death.

In the present study, we examined the mechanisms of ceramide-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Our results demonstrate a significant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in SH-SY5Y cells after short-chain ceramide (C6) treatment. Administration of ceramide (C6) to SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells caused apoptotic cell death, which was inhibited by ER stress inhibitor salubrinal.

[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.

[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.

Myocardial injury resulting from radiofrequency catheter ablation: comparison of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation and complex fractionated atrial electrograms ablation.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) necessarily produces an area of myocardial necrosis. However, the difference of the extent of myocardial injury between circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) and complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been investigated before.

Methods: Twenty-nine consecutive male patients (n = 29) with either paroxysmal or persistent AF were selected for CPVI or CFAE ablation.

p21 WAF1 and hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced premature senescence of H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

We have previously reported on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced premature senescence in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. In this research, we investigated the effects of p21(WAF1) (p21) in hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced senescence, using H9c2 cells. A plasmid overexpressing wild type p21(WAF1) and a plasmid expressing small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting p21(WAF1) were constructed, and transfected into H9c2 cells to control the p21 expression.

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.