Gene and stem cell therapy for inherited cardiac arrhythmias.

Inherited cardiac arrhythmias are a group of genetic diseases predisposing to sudden cardiac arrest, mainly resulting from variants in genes encoding cardiac ion channels or proteins involved in their regulation. Currently available therapeutic options (pharmacotherapy, ablative therapy and device-based therapy) can not preclude the occurrence of arrhythmia events and/or provide complete protection. With growing understanding of the genetic background and molecular mechanisms of inherited cardiac arrhythmias, advancing insight of stem cell technology, and development of vectors and delivery strategies, gene therapy and stem cell therapy may be promising approaches for treatment of inherited cardiac arrhythmias.

Blapstin, a Diapause-Specific Peptide-Like Peptide from the Chinese Medicinal Beetle , Has Antifungal Function.

Drug resistance against bacteria and fungi has become common in recent years, and it is urgent to discover novel antimicrobial peptides to manage this problem. Many antimicrobial peptides from insects have been reported to have antifungal activity and are candidate molecules in the treatment of human diseases. In the present study, we characterized an antifungal peptide named blapstin that was isolated from the Chinese medicinal beetle Blaps rhynchopetera used in folk medicine.

Clinical characteristics and electrophysiologic properties of SCN5A variants in fever-induced Brugada syndrome.

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a severe inherited arrhythmia syndrome that can be unmasked by fever.

Methods: A multicentre clinical analysis was performed in 261 patients diagnosed with fever-induced BrS, including 198 (75.9%) and 27 (10.

Distinct Features of Probands With Early Repolarization and Brugada Syndromes Carrying SCN5A Pathogenic Variants.

Background: Two major forms of inherited J-wave syndrome (JWS) are recognized: early repolarization syndrome (ERS) and Brugada syndrome (BrS).

Objectives: This study sought to assess the distinct features between patients with ERS and BrS carrying pathogenic variants in SCN5A.

Methods: Clinical evaluation and next-generation sequencing were performed in 262 probands with BrS and 104 with ERS.

p38 MAPK is Crucial for Wnt1- and LiCl-Induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by myofibroblast foci in lung parenchyma. Myofibroblasts are thought to originate from epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Wnt1 and lithium chloride (LiCl) induce EMT in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), but the mechanisms are unclear.

Evaluation factors of pulmonary embolism severity and prognosis.

Management of pulmonary embolism (PE) is still unclear. We summarized 16 kinds of evaluation factors of PE severity and prognosis, and we analyzed the single and joint value for short-term and long-term prognosis. Among them, biomarkers such as brain natriuretic peptide or N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide, troponin, and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein are the best indicators of PE severity and short-term prognosis.

[Lemierre syndrome caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum: a case report and review of the literature].

Objective: To emphasize the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of Lemierre syndrome caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum.

Method: A case of Lemierre syndrome caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum and three similar reported cases were reviewed.

Results: A man complained of fever with a sore throat, and examination found an enlarged left tonsil with prominent exudate, normal blood routine test and chest radiograph.

[Mapping fetal brain development in the second trimester with 7.0T magnetic resonance imaging].

Objective: To obtain the three dimensional visualization model with normal measurements of fetal brain in the second trimester and analyze the developmental changes with gestational age (GA), sexual dimorphisms and cerebral asymmetries.

Methods: The brains of 69 fetal specimens of 12 - 22 weeks GA were scanned by 7.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Varied response of the pulmonary arterial endothelium in a novel rat model of venous thromboembolism.

Background: The experimental studies of venous thromboembolism (VTE) as an entity and the response of the pulmonary arterial endothelium after VTE are still rare. The objective of this study was to observe changes in the pulmonary arterial endothelium using a novel rat model of VTE.

Methods: Rats were allocated to the VTE (n = 54) or control groups (n = 9).

Prospective evaluation of unsuspected pulmonary embolism on coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze patients with unsuspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and to draw some conclusions regarding their characteristics.

Methods: All patients suspected of coronary heart disease undergoing CCTA between May 2006 and December 2010 were prospectively analyzed. Patients with previous or suspected current PE were excluded.

[Study on changes of thrombi and vessel intima in a rat venous thromboembolism model].

Objective: To observe the changes of thrombi and vessel intima in a rat model of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods: Seventy-eight SD rats were randomly divided into deep vein thrombosis (DVT) group (n = 18), deep vein thrombosis-pulmonary thromboembolism (DVT-PTE) group (n = 54) and control group (n = 6). Rats in DVT and DVT-PTE groups were undergoing local blocking of left femoral artery with micro vessel clip to cause DVT.

[Establishment of rat model of venous thromboembolism].

Objective: To establish a rat model of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods: One hundred and forty-four SD rats were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: VTE-A group, undergoing local blocking of left femoral artery with micro vessel clip to cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and VTE-B group undergoing local blocking of left femoral artery with micro vessel clip in addition of administration of thrombin slowly injected from the distal end of the femoral vein blocked by micro clip. The rate of swelling limbs was observed.