Cryoballoon ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation for de novo pulmonary vein isolation: a single-center follow-up study.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone for persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) remains controversial. The characteristics of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) to treat PersAF and the blanking period recurrence are underreported.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed patients with PersAF undergoing second-generation CBA for de novo PVI.

Treatment Strategy in Atrial Tachycardia Originating From the Atrial Appendage.

Atrial appendage tachycardia (AAT) originating from the atrial appendage (AA) is extremely difficult to eliminate using radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). The optimal management strategy for AAT refractory to RFCA remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the long-term result of ablative therapy and the optimal alternative management for AAT refractory to RFCA.

Exosome is involved in liver graft protection after remote ischemia reperfusion conditioning.

Background: Remote ischemic perconditioning (RIPerC) has been demonstrated to protect grafts from hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). This study investigated the role of exosomes in RIPerC of liver grafts in rats.

Methods: Twenty-five rats (including 10 donors) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5 each group): five rats were used as sham-operated controls (Sham), ten rats were for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT, 5 donors and 5 recipients) and ten rats were for OLT + RIPerC (5 donors and 5 recipients).

Outcomes of Different Ablation Approaches for Para-Hisian Accessory Pathway and Ablation Safety at Each Site.

Background: This study describes the electrophysiologic characteristics of the para-hisian accessory pathway (AP), the outcome of different ablation approaches, and ablation safety at different sites.

Method: A total of 120 patients diagnosed as para-hisian AP were included in this study. The electrophysiologic characteristics and outcomes at different ablation sites were analyzed.

Comparison of Using Second-Generation Cryoballoon and Radiofrequency Catheter for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients With the Common Ostium of Inferior Pulmonary Veins.

To compare the procedural outcomes of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with the common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins (COIPV) and to explore the effect of COIPV on CBA performance through the assessment of anatomical factors. A total of 18 AF patients with COIPV were included. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed with second-generation CBA or RFA.

Predictors and Long-Term Outcome of Ablation of Discrete Pre-potentials in Patients With Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias Originating From the Aortic Sinuses of Valsalva.

The predictability and long-term outcome of the discrete pre-potential (DPP) of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva (ASV) have not been fully identified. Of 687 consecutive patients undergoing ablation of outflow tract VAs, there were 105 (15.3%) patients with VAs originating from the ASV region who were included.

Risk of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation Post-cavotricuspid Isthmus Ablation in Typical Atrial Flutter Without History of Atrial Fibrillation.

The aim was to describe the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation in patients with typical atrial flutter (AFL) without history of AF and to identify risk factors for new-onset AF after the procedure. A total of 191 patients with typical AFL undergoing successful CTI ablation were enrolled. Patients who had history of AF, structural heart disease, cardiac surgery, or ablation or who received antiarrhythmic drug after procedure were excluded.

Safety and Efficacy Using the Second-Generation Cryoballoon in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and a Common Ostium of Inferior Pulmonary Veins.

Common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins (COIPV) is a kind of pulmonary vein variation. The safety and efficacy of COIPV isolation using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation remain unknown. A total of 10 patients with COIPV from a consecutive series of 1,751 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were included.

Key factors and potential drug combinations of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation-based study.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its advanced stage, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other end-stage liver disease. However, the potential mechanism and therapeutic strategies have not been clarified. This study aimed to identify potential roles of miRNA/mRNA axis in the pathogenesis and drug combinations in the treatment of NASH.

Cancer-Testis Gene Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Identification of Prognostic Markers and Potential Targets for Immunotherapy.

Background: Cancer-testis genes can serve as prognostic biomarkers and valuable targets for immunotherapy in multiple tumors because of their restricted expression in testis and cancer. However, their expression pattern in hepatocellular carcinoma is still not well understood. The purpose is to comprehensively characterize the cancer-testis gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma as well as identify prognostic markers and potential targets for immunotherapy.

Hangzhou criteria as downstaging criteria in hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation: A multicenter study from China.

Background: The downstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been confirmed to benefit liver transplantation (LT) patients whose tumors are beyond the transplantation criteria. Milan criteria (MC), a tumor size and number-based assessment, is currently used as the endpoint in these patients. However, many studies believe that tumor biological behavior should be added to the evaluation criteria for downstaging efficacy.

Electrical isolation of the superior vena cava using second-generation cryoballoon in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The safety and efficacy of superior vena cava (SVC) isolation using second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation remain unknown.

Methods: A total of 26 (3.2%) patients with SVC-related paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) from a consecutive series of 806 patients who underwent second-generation CB were included.

Erratum to: Exosome-derived galectin-9 may be a novel predictor of rejection and prognosis after liver transplantation.

Erratum to: J Zhejiang Univ-Sci B (Biomed & Biotechnol) 2019 20(7):605-612. https://doi.org/10.

CC motif chemokine ligand 16 inhibits the progression of liver cirrhosis via inactivating hepatic stellate cells.

Background: Liver cirrhosis results from many forms of chronic damage, characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix. The present study aimed to explore a potential non-invasive biomarker and its mechanism in the progression of liver cirrhosis.

Methods: Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset (GSE15654, n = 216) was analyzed to screen genes associated with progression of liver cirrhosis.

Safety and efficacy of superior vena cava isolation using the second-generation cryoballoon ablation in a canine model.

Background: The safety and efficacy of superior vena cava (SVC) isolation (SVCI) using second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation remains unknown.

Methods: Electrical isolation of SVC was attempted using the second-generation CB ablation catheter in 14 canines. Ablation duration was randomized to either 90 s (7 canines) or 120 s (7 canines).

Retinoblastoma binding protein 4 up-regulation is correlated with hepatic metastasis and poor prognosis in colon cancer patients.

Background: Retinoblastoma binding protein 4 (RBBP4) plays an essential role in the development of multiple cancers. However, its relationship with prognosis in colon cancer and colon cancer hepatic metastasis has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between RBBP4 expression and prognosis of colon cancer patients and to evaluate RBBP4 as a new prognostic marker in these patients.