Effect of acupuncture on quality of life in atrial fibrillation: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the prevalent cardiac arrhythmia and can significantly impair the quality of life (QoL). Although catheter ablation (CA) is an established treatment for AF,post-procedural complications or perceived inadequate control of AF may diminish the QoL for some patients, potentially even to levels lower than pre-procedure. Preliminary findings from our previous pilot trial indicate that acupuncture may positively influence QoL in AF patients post-CA.

The genus Bhat (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae) newly recorded from China.

Background: Alysiinae Leach is a species-rich subfamily in Braconidae, of which several species play an important role in biological control. The monotypic genus Bhat, 1980 was discovered in Tibet and Yunnan provinces for the first time, representing the first record of the genus Bhat, 1980 (Braconidae, Alysiinae) in China.

New Information: The rare genus Bhat, 1980 (Braconidae, Alysiinae) and its only known species, Bhat, 1980, are newly recorded from China.

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor ameliorates myocardial injury in mice after myocardial infarction by regulating cardiac macrophages through the P2X7R/NLRP3/IL-1β signal pathway.

Aims: To investigate the effects of M-CSF on myocardial injury in mice after MI by regulating different types of cardiac macrophages through the P2X7R/NLRP3/IL-1β signal pathway.

Methods: A total of 60 C57BL/6J WT mice were used, with the Sham Group subjected to ligation without ligation through the LAD, the MI model was prepared by ligation of the LAD in the MC Group and MM Group, with the M-CSF reagent (500 μg/kg/d) being given an intraperitoneal injection for the first 5 days after surgery in the MM Group. All mice were fed in a barrier environment for 1 week.

The Role of α7nAChR-Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway in Vagal Nerve Regulated Atrial Fibrillation.

The aim was to investigate the role of the α7nAChR-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in vagal nerve regulated atrial fibrillation (AF).18 beagles (standard dogs for testing) were used in this study, and the effective refractory period (ERP) of atrium and pulmonary veins and AF inducibility were measured hourly during rapid atrial pacing at 800 beats/minute for 6 hours in all beagles. After cessation of 3 hours of RAP, the low-level vagal nerve stimulation (LL-VNS) group (n = 6) was given LL-VNS and injection of salinne (0.

A Comparison of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine and Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine Combination Sedation for Transthoracic Echocardiography in Pediatric Patients With Congenital Heart Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To compare the effects of intranasal dexmedetomidine (DEX) and DEX-ketamine (KET) on hemodynamics and sedation quality in children with congenital heart disease.

Design: A randomized controlled, double-blind, prospective trial.

Setting: A tertiary care teaching hospital.

[Characteristics and Source Analysis of Water-Soluble Ions in PM in Zhengzhou].

In order to explore the pollution characteristics of water-soluble ions in PM in Zhengzhou, high time resolution and continuous observation of water-soluble inorganic ions in PM was conducted from December 1, 2017, to November 30, 2018, in Zhengzhou. The results showed that during the observation period, the average concentration of total water-soluble ions in Zhengzhou was 42.7 μg·m.

[Health Benefit Evaluation for PM and PM Pollution Control in Zhengzhou, China, 2014-2016].

Based on the annual average concentration values, the health effects and health benefits as well as 95% confidence intervals of PM and PM pollution control from 2014 to 2016 in Zhengzhou were evaluated by applying the Poisson regression relative risk model. Results showed that the health benefits of PM pollution control were 18.18 billion RMB (15.

[Emission Characteristics Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Unorganized VOCs in the Carbon Industry, Zhengzhou].

The three typical carbon enterprises in Zhengzhou were selected as research targets, and the emission characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their ozone formation potential (OFP) in different functional areas were studied. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health risk assessment model was used to evaluate the health risks of VOCs emitted by the carbon industry. The results showed that the concentration of VOCs in the production areas of the three research enterprises was between 89.

Transcription Factor prrx1 Promotes Brown Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Differentiation to Sinus Node-Like Cells.

This study investigated whether overexpression of paired-related homeobox 1 (prrx1) can successfully induce differentiation of brown adipose-derived stem cells (BADSCs) into sinus node-like cells. The experiments were performed in two groups: adenovirus-green fluorescent protein (Ad-GFP) group and Ad-prrx1 group. After 5-7 days of adenoviral transfection, the expression levels of sinus node cell-associated pacing protein (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel 4 [HCN4]) and ion channel (calcium channel, voltage-dependent, T type, alpha 1G subunit [Cacna1g]), as well as transcription factors (T-box 18 [TBX18], insulin gene enhancer binding protein 1 [ISL-1], paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 [pitx2], short stature homeobox 2 [shox2]), were detected by western blot and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

[Emission Characteristics and List of Inorganic Elements in Fine Particles of Typical Industrial Kilns in Zhengzhou City].

Samples of particulate matter from flue gas emissions of typical brick, cement, and firebrick industrial kilns in Zhengzhou City were collected by dilution channel systems. Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Sr, Cd, Sb, Sn, Ba, and Pb were analyzed. The emission factors (EFs) and emissions of inorganic elements of PM from kilns flue gases of three industries in Zhengzhou City during 2016 were calculated.

LncRNA PVT1 regulates atrial fibrosis via miR-128-3p-SP1-TGF-β1-Smad axis in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) has been shown to be associated with liver fibrosis. Nevertheless, the role of PVT1 in atrial fibrosis remains undefined. This study aims to elucidate the pathophysiological role of lncRNA PVT1 in the regulation of atrial fibrosis and to explore the underlying mechanism.

[Size Distribution Characteristics of Water-Soluble Inorganic Ions During Summer and Autumn in Zhengzhou].

To study the compositional characteristics of atmospheric particulates with different particle sizes in the central city of Zhengzhou, China, a Tisch graded impact sampler was used to sample atmospheric particulates in summer and autumn. The mass concentrations of water-soluble inorganic ions, including anions (Cl, F, NO, and SO) and cations (Na, Ca, NH, K, and Mg) were measured by ion chromatography, and the online ion chromatography-based analyzer MARGA monitored the real-time concentration of particulate nitrate. The results showed that the average concentration of water-soluble ions in Zhengzhou City was (70.

Insulin gene enhancer binding protein 1 induces adipose tissue‑derived stem cells to differentiate into pacemaker‑like cells.

Hybrid approaches combining gene‑ and cell‑based therapies to make biological pacemakers are a promising therapeutic avenue for bradyarrhythmia. The present study aimed to direct adipose tissue‑derived stem cells (ADSCs) to differentiate specifically into cardiac pacemaker cells by overexpressing a single transcription factor, insulin gene enhancer binding protein 1 (ISL‑1). In the present study, the ADSCs were transfected with ISL‑1 or mCherry fluorescent protein lentiviral vectors and co‑cultured with neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs) in vitro for 5‑7 days.

Effect of Shensong Yangxin on the Progression of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation is Correlated with Regulation of Autonomic Nerve Activity.

Background: Shensong Yangxin (SSYX), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has long been used clinically to treat arrhythmias in China. However, the mechanism of SSYX on atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the effect of SSYX on the progression of paroxysmal AF is correlated with the regulation of autonomic nerve activity.

Renal sympathetic denervation prevents the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension and cardiac dysfunction in dogs.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients, and this activation may have long-term negative effects on the progression of PAH. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of transcatheter renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) on the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension and cardiac dysfunction in dogs using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging. Twenty-two dogs were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 7), PAH group (n = 8), and PAH + RSD group (n = 7).

Renal sympathetic denervation inhibits the development of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony during the progression of heart failure in dogs.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether transcatheter renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) interfere with the development of left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony during the progression of heart failure (HF).

Methods: Nineteen beagles were randomly divided into sham-operated group (six dogs), control group (seven dogs), and RSD group (six dogs). Sham-operated group were implanted with pacemakers without pacing; Control group were implanted with pacemakers and underwent 3 weeks of rapid right ventricular pacing; and RSD group underwent catheter-based RSD bilaterally and were simultaneously implanted with pacemakers.

[Effect of temperature on hospital admission among patients with chronic systolic heart failure].

Objective: To investigate the effect of temperature on hospital admission among patients with chronic systolic heart failure (CSHF).

Methods: Data regarding in-hospital patients with CSHF were gathered from 12 hospitals in Hubei province, between 2000 and 2010. Patients with a history of congenital heart disease and the history of cancer from this series, were excluded.

Differential densities of cholinergic nerves in canine supraventricular regions of hearts.

Purpose: Cholinergic nerve plays an important role in the induction and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). Cholinergic innervation at supraventricular tissues is considered to be the histological basis and intervention-associated target site for the arrhythmia; however, the distribution of cholinergic nerve in supraventricular tissues has not been clearly studied. In this study, we investigated the cholinergic nerve innervation in canine supraventricular regions of hearts.

[Effects of renal sympathetic denervation on inducibility of atrial fibrillation during rapid atrial pacing].

Objective: To explore the effects of renal sympathetic denervation on inducibility of atrial fibrillation (AF) during rapid atrial pacing.

Methods: Thirteen dogs were selected and divided into control group (n=7) and renal artery ablation group (RAA) (n=6). In the control group, the animals were subjected to atrial pacing at 800 beats/min for 7 hours.

Effect of anxiety and depression on the recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation.

Background: The effects of anxiety and depression on the recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) are not clear. Whether CPVA can alleviate the anxiety and depression symptoms of persistent AF patients is unknown.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-four patients with persistent AF, of which 43 treated with CPVA (CPVA group) and 103 treated with anti-arrhythmics drugs (medicine group), were enrolled.

[Impact of red cell distribution width on outcome of 16 681 patients with chronic systolic heart failure].

Objective: To determinate the prognostic value of red cell distribution width (RDW) and the relationships between RDW and clinical characteristics in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: A total of 16 681 in-hospital patients with chronic systolic HF and LVEF < 50% from 12 hospitals in Hubei province, China were enrolled. All patients were followed up with telephone call.

Serum uric acid levels correlate with atrial fibrillation in patients with chronic systolic heart failure.

Background: Studies have shown that increased levels of serum uric acid (SUA) are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, less is known about the prognostic value of SUA levels for AF in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of the study was to examine the prognostic value of SUA levels for AF in patients with CHF.

[Investigation on the prevalence and related factors of medicinal therapy in patients with chronic systolic heart failure].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and related factors of medicinal therapy in patients with chronic systolic heart failure (CSHF).

Methods: Data on in-hospital patients with CSHF were studied from 12 hospitals in Hubei province, in 2000 and 2010. Differences on gender and age were calculated and Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determinate the independent risk factors of all-cause mortality.