Retraction: Serological Predictors for the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation After Electrical Cardioversion.

This corrects the article on p.185 in vol.40, PMID: 20421959.

Changes in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, disturbance in activities of daily living, and depression following chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer: A prospective study.

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the changes in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN), disturbance in activities of daily living (ADL), and depression and their interrelationships during the cancer care trajectory in colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: Eighty-six subjects participated in the study and completed the questionnaire at three time points: pre-chemotherapy, undergoing chemotherapy, and 3 months after the completion of chemotherapy. The assessment tools were Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 for OIPN, Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool to measure disturbances in ADL, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for depression.

Smoking aggravates ventricular arrhythmic events in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy associated with a late gadolinium enhancement in cardiac MRI.

Smoking is known to increase cardiovascular events, but the association and mechanisms between smoking and ventricular arrhythmic events in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) are unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the hypothesis that smoking is associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) and ventricular arrhythmia in DCMP patients. We enrolled 378 patients who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) and were diagnosed with DCMP at two general hospitals in Korea.

Combination of three angiogenic growth factors has synergistic effects on sprouting of endothelial cell/mesenchymal stem cell-based spheroids in a 3D matrix.

Combinations of angiogenic growth factors have been shown to have synergistic effects on angiogenesis and natural wound healing in various animal models. Each growth factor has unique roles during angiogenesis; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role during the initial step of angiogenesis, whereas PDGF functions in the maturation of blood vessels. We used a combination of three angiogenic growth factors to increase angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Comparative study of BMP-2 alone and combined with VEGF carried by hydrogel for maxillary alveolar bone regeneration.

The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) combined with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) for bone regeneration is still controversial as to whether or not VEGF has a synergistic or additive effect. This study attempted to evaluate the synergistic effect of VEGF and BMP-2 compared to BMP-2 alone for maxillary alveolar bone regeneration using collagen sponge/hydrogel complex sheets in a canine model. After mixing BMP-2 and VEGF with a hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel (HAH), the collagen sponge/hydrogel complex was transplanted into maxillary alveolar bone defects (n=14) after the extraction of canine upper first molars on both sides.

Effect of bone marrow-derived stem cells and bone morphogenetic protein-2 on treatment of osteoradionecrosis in a rat model.

Purpose: We investigated the effect of rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) on the osseous healing of osteoradionecrosis in the rat mandible, depending on application time.

Material And Methods: One week after irradiation (30 Gy) on the right mandible, all molar teeth were extracted. In Group 1 (n = 25), rMSCs and/or BMP-2 carried with hydrogel were applied immediately after surgery.

Mitochondrial DNA 4977bp deletion mutation in peripheral blood reflects atrial remodeling in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: Recently, mitochondrial DNA 4977bp deletion (mtDNA4977-mut), a somatic mutation related to oxidative stress, has been shown to be associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that patient age, as well as electroanatomical characteristics of fibrillating left atrial (LA), vary depending on the presence of mtDNA4977-mut in peripheral blood among patients with non-valvular AF.

Materials And Methods: Analyzing clinical and electroanatomical characteristics, we investigated the presence of the mtDNA4977-mut in peripheral blood of 212 patients (51.

Differential regeneration of myocardial infarction depending on the progression of disease and the composition of biomimetic hydrogel.

Hydrogel has been used for regenerating myocardial infraction (MI) as a delivery vehicle for cells and growth factors. This study showed that injectable hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels alone would effectively regenerate the damaged infarcted heart tissue. We found that there are two major factors of regeneration in MI.

Synergistic restoring effects of isoproterenol and magnesium on KCNQ1-inhibited bradycardia cell models cultured in microelectrode array.

Objectives: Bradycardia is caused by loss-of-function mutations in potassium channels that regulate phase 3 repolarization of the cardiac action potential. The purpose of this study is to monitor the effects of potassium channel (KCNQ1) inhibition and to evaluate the effects of isoproterenol (ISO) and MgSO4 in restoring sinus rhythm in atrial cells.

Methods: Microelectrode array was used to analyze conduction velocity, voltage amplitude and cycle length of atrial cells (HL-1).

A case of Long QT syndrome type 3 aggravated by beta-blockers and alleviated by mexiletine: the role of epinephrine provocation test.

Long QT syndrome (LQTs) is an uncommon genetic disease causing sudden cardiac death with Torsade de Pointes (TdP). The first line drug treatment has been known to be β-blocker. We encountered a 15-year-old female student with LQTs who had prolonged QTc and multiple episodes of syncope or agonal respiration during sleep.

Impaired mobilization of bone marrow derived CD34 positive mononuclear cells is related to the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Background: We have reported previously that non-ischemic titrated cardiac injury by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) mobilizes bone marrow derived CD34+ mononuclear cells. We hypothesized that the degree of post-RFCA CD34+ cell mobilization affects the clinical outcome of AF ablation.

Methods And Results: Fifty-six patients (39 males, 53 ± 13 years) who underwent electrophysiology study (EPS; n=10) or RFCA of AF (n=46) were included.

High plasma concentrations of transforming growth factor-β and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1: potential non-invasive predictors for electroanatomical remodeling of atrium in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: The degree of electroanatomical remodeling of the left atrial (LA) affects the clinical outcome after rhythm control of atrial fibrillation (AF). Our hypothesis was that plasma concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 reflect LA voltage and structural remodeling in patients with non-valvular AF.

Methods And Results: In the study, 242 patients (male 79.

Characteristics of complex fractionated atrial electrogram in the electroanatomically remodeled left atrium of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) guided ablation is effective in some patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF), but the pattern of CFAE may be different in the remodeled left atrium (LA).

Methods And Results: In 100 AF patients (83 males, 55.0+/-10.

Serological predictors for the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion.

Background And Objectives: Although electrical cardioversion (CV) is effective in restoring sinus rhythm (SR) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), AF frequently recurs in spite of antiarrhythmic medications. We investigated the predictors of failed CV and AF recurrence after successful CV.

Subjects And Methods: In 81 patients (M:F=63:18, 59.

Cardiac cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cell induces cardiac nerve sprouting, angiogenesis, and reduced connexin43-positive gap junctions, but concomitant electrical pacing increases connexin43-positive gap junctions in canine heart.

Background: Although electrical pacing is of great utility in many cardiovascular diseases, its effects on the combined cardiac cell therapy have not been established. We hypothesised that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation changes cardiac sympathetic nerve and gap junction, and concomitant pacing has additional biological effects.

Methods: We monitored cardiac rhythm for 4 weeks after human mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (1 x 107, epicardial injection) in 18 dogs in vivo, seven human mesenchymal stem cell with pacing, six human mesenchymal stem cell, and five sham, and evaluated the sympathetic innervation, nerve growth factor-beta; tyrosine hydroxylase, angiogenesis, von Willebrand factor, and connexin43 expressions by real time (RT)-polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining.

Safety and convenience of continuous warfarin strategy during the periprocedural period in patients who underwent catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: We investigated the efficiency and convenience of a continuous warfarinization (CW) strategy during the periprocedural period of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) in comparison with the classic strategy of switching to heparin (SH).

Methods And Results: We compared CW (n = 49) and SH (n = 55, 3 days before RFCA) in 104 patients who underwent RFCA of AF (77 males, 55 +/- 12 years old, paroxysmal AF: persistent AF = 63:41). During the procedure, the activated clotting time (ACT) was maintained between 350 and 400 seconds, and a requirement of H, postablation INR, and periprocedural complications were compared.

The effect and safety of the antithrombotic therapies in patients with atrial fibrillation and CHADS score 1.

Background: The revised ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guideline recommends either aspirin or warfarin for the prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in CHADS(2) score 1. We hypothesized that warfarin is superior to aspirin therapy for the prevention of stroke without increasing bleeding complication in AF patients with CHADS(2) score 1.

Methods And Results: Among 1,502 patients (mean 62.

Clinical and serological predictors for the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion.

Aims: Although electrical cardioversion (CV) is effective in restoring sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), AF frequently recurs in spite of antiarrhythmic medications. We investigated the predictors of failed CV and AF recurrence after successful CV.

Methods And Results: In 81 patients (M:F = 63:18, 59.

The relationship between endocardial voltage and regional volume in electroanatomical remodeled left atria in patients with atrial fibrillation: comparison of three-dimensional computed tomographic images and voltage mapping.

Background: Long-standing atrial fibrillation (AF) changes left atrial (LA) morphology, and the LA size is related to recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). We hypothesize that LA morphology, based on embryological origin, affects the outcome of RFCA.

Methods: We analyzed 3D computed tomographic (CT) images of LA in 70 patients with AF (54 males, 55.

Non-ischaemic titrated cardiac injury caused by radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation mobilizes CD34-positive mononuclear cells by non-stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha mechanism.

Aims: It has been known that myocardial ischaemia mobilizes CD34+ bone marrow-derived cells by the stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1alpha pathway. We hypothesized that non-ischaemic titrated cardiac injury caused by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) recruits CD34+ cells by an alternative mechanism.

Methods And Results: Fifty-six patients (39 males, 53.

Clinical significance of complete conduction block of the left lateral isthmus and its relationship with anatomical variation of the vein of Marshall in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: The vein of Marshall (VOM), which exists along the left lateral isthmus (LLI), constitutes a muscular connection between the coronary sinus (CS) and the left atrium (LA). We hypothesized that anatomical variation of the VOM affects the bidirectional block of LLI and the clinical outcome in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (NPAF).

Methods: Among 73 patients with NPAF, 54 patients (47 male, 54.

Defibillator electrogram T wave alternans as a predictor of spontaneous ventricular tachyarrhythmias in defibrillator recipients.

Background: Although T wave alternans (TWA) and the T wave peak-to-end (Tpte) interval are associated with vulnerability to ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT), no previous reports have demonstrated that TWA immediately precedes spontaneous VT in the human ambulatory setting.

Methods And Results: Stored electrograms from the implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) of 74 patients (59 males, 55.3+/-12.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in Korean patients with systemic sclerosis.

To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is associated with the development and clinical features of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in Korean, we studied seventy two Korean patients with SSc fulfilling the ACR preliminary classification criteria. The controls were 114 healthy, disease free Koreans. ACE I/D genotypes were determined by PCR method using oligonucleotides.

CDNA cloning and expression of ATP synthase subunit b from the fire-bellied frog Bombina orientalis (Anura: Discoglossidae).

We cloned the Bombina orientalis adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase subunit b gene from a B. orientalis oviduct cDNA library. The transcript was 997 bp long and encoded 250 amino acid residues.