Microarray analysis reveals key genes and pathways in Tetralogy of Fallot.

The aim of the present study was to identify key genes that may be involved in the pathogenesis of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) using bioinformatics methods. The GSE26125 microarray dataset, which includes cardiovascular tissue samples derived from 16 children with TOF and five healthy age‑matched control infants, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential expression analysis was performed between TOF and control samples to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using Student's t‑test, and the R/limma package, with a log2 fold‑change of >2 and a false discovery rate of <0.

[Advances in the research of treatment of hydrofluoric acid burn].

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is one of the most common inorganic acids used widely in industrial circle. HF not only causes cutaneous burn, but also induces systemic toxicity by its unique injury mechanism. Accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment are critical after HF burns.

[Relationship between metastasis or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B virus DNA or double mutation at 1762/1764 in the basic core promoter].

Objective: To study the relationship between metastasis or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA load or the presence of double mutation at 1762/1764 in the basic core promoter (BCP).

Methods: One-hundred-and-fifty-seven patients with HCC were included in the study. Events of tumor metastasis or recurrence were recorded during 120 weeks of clinical follow-up after treatment by surgery or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

[Expression and role of urotensin II on the lung of patients with pulmonary hypertension with congenital heart disease].

Objective: To observe the expression of urotensin II (UII) on the lung of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) with congenital heart disease and investigate the meaning of this phenomenon.

Method: Thirty eight patients with CHD were divided into three groups according to pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) measured in cardiac catheterization and surgery: normal pulmonary pressure group (N group, PASP < 30 mm Hg, n = 10), mild PH group (M group, PASP ≥ 30 mm Hg, n = 15), severe or moderate PH group (S group, PASP ≥ 50 mm Hg, n = 13). The expression of UII protein and UII mRNA in pulmonary arterioles were measured separately by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and in situ hybridization (ISH) analysis.

[Predictive indices for critical condition for infants and young children with severe pneumonia].

Objective: To investigate the early predictive indices of critical condition in infants and young children with severe pneumonia, and to provide reference for diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Methods: Clinical data were collected on 411 patients (aged 1-36 months) with severe pneumonia who were admitted from January 2009 to December 2011, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed using 23 potential indices. These cases were divided into a critical group of 139 cases who died in hospital or needed rescue or mechanical ventilation during the course of disease and an ordinary group of 411 cases.

[Expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase/hydrogen sulfide pathway in CVB3-induced myocarditis in mice].

Objective: Previous studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays key roles in a number of biological processes, including vasorelaxation, inflammation, apoptosis, ischemia/reperfusion and oxidative stress, which are involved in the pathogenesis of myocarditis. This study aimed to examine the expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase(CSE)/H2S pathway in mice with viral myocarditis.

Methods: Six-week-old inbred male mice were randomly assigned to control (n=25) and myocarditis group (n=30).

[Changes of serum leptin and vascular endothelial growth factor in children with congenital heart disease].

Objective: To study the changes of serum leptin (LEP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in children with congenital heart disease(CHD) and their roles in CHD.

Methods: Forty-eight children with acyanotic CHD (ACHD group), 20 age-matched children with cyanotic CHD (CCHD group) and 20 healthy children (control group) were enrolled. The ACHD group was subdivided into two groups with (n=20) or without concurrent heart failure (n=28).

[Values of brain natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in evaluation of cardiac function in children with congenital heart disease].

Objective: To study the values of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the evaluation of cardiac function in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Seventy-one children with CHD were classified to two groups: congestive heart failure (CHF) (n=23 ) and non-CHF (n=48). Thirty-five age-matched normal children were used as the control group.

[Effects of hemoglobin oxygenase-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX on acute viral myocarditis in mice].

Objective: To investigate the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and its catalyst carbon monoxide (CO) in the development of myocardial damage and the effects of zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX), an inhibitor of HO-1 on myocardium of mice with acute viral myocarditis.

Methods: A total of 112 inbred male Balb/C mice 4 - 6 weeks of age were divided randomly into 3 groups: the control group (C group, n = 32), the viral myocarditis group (V group, n = 40) and ZnPPIX group (Z group, n = 40). The Z and V groups were inoculated intraperitoneally (i.

[Reducing plasma homocysteic acid lowers serum C-reactive protein level in children with Kawasaki disease].

Objective: To investigate the effect of plasma homocysteic acid (HCA) reduction on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level in children with Kawasaki disease (KD).

Methods: Seventy-six children with KD were divided into 2 equal groups for treatment with aspirin and IVIG, or with vitamin B6 and folic acid besides in addition to aspirin and IVIG. Serum CRP level was tested before and after the treatments, and plasma HCA level was also measured after the treatments.

[Comparison of various methods of early management of hydrofluoric acid burn in rabbits].

Objective: To compare the effects of different kind of methods in the management of hydrofluoric acid burn in early postburn stage in rabbits.

Methods: Thirty-three rabbits were inflicted with burn by 55% of hydrofluoric acid covering 5% TBSA, and were randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e.