The suppressive effects of Britannin (Bri) on human liver cancer through inducing apoptosis and autophagy via AMPK activation regulated by ROS.

Britannin (Bri), isolated from Inula aucheriana, is a sesquiterpene lactone (SL), a class of secondary metabolites. Previous studies have suggested the anti-cancer potential of Bri; however, the molecular mechanism remains elusive. The present study investigated the effects of Bri on liver cancer progression.

[Clinical practice and challenges of integrative medicine in hospitals].

The clinical practice of China's integrative medicine (IM) and international integrative medicine was reviewed. As for the existent problems, we raised some personal ideas from the aspects of policies and regulations, safety, efficacy, and educational training, etc.

[Efficacy comparison between video-assisted minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation and catheter ablation in the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To compare the efficacy of the video-assisted minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation in comparison with catheter ablation for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 172 patients [116 male, mean age (56 ± 12) years] with persistent AF underwent ablation procedures during the last 4 years in our institute (83 patients underwent video-assisted minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation, group MIA and 89 patients underwent circumferential pulmonary vein linear ablation, group CA). Mean duration of preoperative AF was (72 ± 68) months.

Treatment of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation using minimally invasive surgery combined with irbesartan.

Background: Recent studies have provided evidence that the renin-angiotensin system plays a key role in the onset and progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). The current study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of video-assisted minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation for long-lasting persistent AF, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of the angiotensin-receptor blocker irbesartan for maintaining sinus rhythm.

Methods: Over a period of 4 years, 83 patients with long-lasting persistent AF underwent minimally invasive ablation at our center.

[Video-assisted minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the video-assisted minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation combined irbesartan use for the treatment of the persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: From January 2006 to December 2009, 83 patients with persistent AF having a video-assisted minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation. There were 58 males, 25 females with a mean age of (57 ± 11) years.

[Prevalence and associated factors of school physical violence behaviors among middle school students in Beijing].

Objective: To described the prevalence of school physical violence behaviors and to explore its associated factors among middle school students in Beijing.

Methods: In 2009, a randomly selected cross-sectional survey was conducted among 5718 students in grades 7 to 12 in Beijing. A self-report anonymous questionnaire involving physical violence at school and socio-demographic variables, such as sex, grades, family economic status and family structure, peer relationships, and communication with their parents etc.

Video-assisted minimally invasive surgery for lone atrial fibrillation: a clinical report of 81 cases.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a new type of video-assisted minimally invasive surgery for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Between December 2006 and February 2008, 81 patients with lone atrial fibrillation (49 with paroxysmal, 17 with persistent, and 15 with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation) underwent this therapy with a bipolar radiofrequency ablation system. The main surgical procedures included bilateral pulmonary vein antrum isolation, obliteration of the left atrial appendage, division of the ligament of Marshall, and intraoperative electrophysiologic testing.

[Intraoperative treatment for atrial fibrillation using bi-polar radiofrequency ablation system: a clinical report of 91 cases].

Objective: To observe the short and mid-term therapeutic effects of Bi-polar ablation systems for intraoperative treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: From March 2005 to January 2007, 91 patients received intraoperative treatment of atrial fibrillation with Bi-polar ablation systems, including 5 cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 86 persistent/permanent cases. The main concomitant heart diseases were rheumatic mitral valve diseases.

[Thoracoscopy video assisted minimally invasive bilateral pulmonary vein isolation for treatment of atrial fibrillation].

Objective: This study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of thoracoscopy video assisted minimally invasive bilateral pulmonary vein isolation for treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Methods: From December 2006 to April 2007, thorascopy video assisted off-pump epicardial pulmonary vein isolation was performed in 20 patients with atrial fibrillation. All patients were either refractory or intolerant to antiarrhythmic drug therapy or already experienced unsuccessful catheter-based ablation.

[Video-assisted minimally invasive cardiac surgery for atrial fibrillation: a report of 57 cases].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of a new video-assisted minimally invasive surgery for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: From December 2006 to October 2007, 57 patients who were 56.4 years old in average underwent the video-assisted minimally invasive cardiac operation for AF, and there were 40 male patients.

Intraoperative modified Cox mini-maze procedure for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: As the most effective method of curing atrial fibrillation, the classic Maze III procedure eliminates atrial fibrillation in more than 90% of patients. In spite of high efficacy, the complexity and complications associated with this procedure prevents widespread application. In this research, we report our experience with a modified Cox mini-Maze procedure using radiofrequency energy for treating long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation during open-heart surgery.

[Combined endocardial and epicardial radiofrequency modified Maze procedure in the treatment of atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the combined endocardial and epicardial saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified maze procedure for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: During a period of 3 years, 295 patients with AF having concomitant cardiac surgery underwent the procedure. Patients underwent either the endocardial and epicardial group (n=185) or the endocardial group (n=110) radiofrequency ablation.