ABSTRACT Introduction: The objective of this study is to investigate the possible impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on clinical outcomes of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Patients with AF who underwent coronary computed tomography and catheter ablation were enrolled. The presence of stenotic severity and plaque, characteristics of coronary arteries, clinical data, and adverse outcomes of catheter ablation were analysed. Results: A total of 243 patients were enrolled, 100 (41%) patients with CAD. The CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, and sex category) score of AF patients with CAD was significantly (P<0.001) higher than of those without CAD. Presence of stenotic artery and plaques increased significantly with increase of CHA2DS2-VASc score (P<0.05). There was no significant (P=0.342) difference in AF recurrence between patients with and without CAD (30% versus 24%). Age, AF type, duration of AF, heart failure, CHA2DS2-VASc score, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left atrial diameter were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with AF recurrence in univariant analysis. Multivariable analysis revealed that duration of AF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.769), heart failure (HR 1.821), and left atrial diameter (HR 1.487, P=0.022) remained significant independent predictors of AF recurrence. Patients with AF and concomitant CAD were significantly (P=0.030) associated with a worse outcome. Conclusion: CAD concomitant with AF may be associated with a worse clinical outcome even though CAD does not significantly affect the risk of AF recurrence after ablation therapy.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The objective of this study is to investigate the possible impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on clinical outcomes of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Patients with AF who underwent coronary computed tomography and catheter ablation were enrolled. The presence of stenotic severity and plaque, characteristics of coronary arteries, clinical data, and adverse outcomes of catheter ablation were analysed. Results: A total of 243 patients were enrolled, 100 (41%) patients with CAD. The CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, and sex category) score of AF patients with CAD was significantly (P<0.001) higher than of those without CAD. Presence of stenotic artery and plaques increased significantly with increase of CHA2DS2-VASc score (P<0.05). There was no significant (P=0.342) difference in AF recurrence between patients with and without CAD (30% versus 24%). Age, AF type, duration of AF, heart failure, CHA2DS2-VASc score, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left atrial diameter were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with AF recurrence in univariant analysis. Multivariable analysis revealed that duration of AF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.769), heart failure (HR 1.821), and left atrial diameter (HR 1.487, P=0.022) remained significant independent predictors of AF recurrence. Patients with AF and concomitant CAD were significantly (P=0.030) associated with a worse outcome. Conclusion: CAD concomitant with AF may be associated with a worse clinical outcome even though CAD does not significantly affect the risk of AF recurrence after ablation therapy.

Abstract Background: The accuracy of diagnosis and the safety of treatment in colonoscopy depends largely on the quality of bowel cleansing. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse reactions of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) combined with lactulose with that of PEG alone in bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Methods: The authors searched a number of databases including EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and China Academic Journals Full-text Database. The authors screened according to literature inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed the quality of the included literature, and extracted the data. The meta-analysis of included literature used RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0 software. Results: A total of 18 studies, including 2274 patients, were enrolled. The meta-analysis showed that PEG combined with lactulose had a better efficacy (OR = 3.87, 95% CI 3.07‒4.87, p = 0.000, and I2 = 36.2% in the efficiency group; WMD = 0.86, 95% CI 0.69‒1.03, p = 0.032 and I2 = 0% in the BBPS score group) in bowel preparation for patients with or without constipation. Moreover, PEG combined with lactulose had fewer adverse reactions, including abdominal pain (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 0.94‒2.14, p = 0.094), nausea (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.13‒2.28, p = 0.009) and vomiting (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.14‒2.74, p = 0.011), than PEG alone. No significant reduction in the incidence of abdominal distention was observed. Conclusion: PEG combined with lactulose may be a better choice for bowel preparation before colonoscopy compared with PEG alone.

Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of atorvastatin calcium on pulmonary vascular remodeling, the authors explored the regulatory mechanism of Histone Deacetylation Enzyme-2 (HDAC2) in rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and provided a new direction for drug treatment in the progression of vascular remodeling. Methods Eighteen female SD rats were randomly divided into control (Group S1), COPD (Group S2), and atorvastatin calcium + COPD (Group S3) groups. A COPD rat model was established by passive smoking and intratracheal injection of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Haematoxylin and eosin staining and Victoria Blue + Van Gibson staining were used to observe pathological changes in the lung tissue. The pulmonary vascular inflammation score was calculated, and the degree of pulmonary vascular remodeling was evaluated. The ratio of Muscular Arteries in lung tissue (MA%), the ratio of the vessel Wall Area to the vessel total area (WA%), and the ratio of the vessel Wall Thickness to the vascular outer diameter (WT%) were measured using imaging software. The expression of HDAC2 was measured using western blotting, ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), and qPCR (Real-time PCR). Results Compared with the control group, the degree of pulmonary vascular inflammation and pulmonary vascular remodeling increased in rats with COPD. The WT%, WA%, and lung inflammation scores increased significantly; the expression of HDAC2 and HDAC2mRNA in the serum and lung tissue decreased, and the level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in the lung tissues increased (p< 0.05). Compared with the COPD group, the lung tissues from rats in the atorvastatin group had fewer inflammatory cells, and the vascular pathological changes were significantly relieved. The WT%, WA%, and lung inflammation scores decreased significantly; the expression of HDAC2 and HDAC2mRNA in the serum and lung tissues increased, and the level of VEGF in the lung tissues decreased (p< 0.05). Conclusion The present study revealed that atorvastatin calcium could regulate the contents and expression of HDAC2 in serum and lung tissues and inhibit the production of VEGF, thereby regulating pulmonary vascular remodeling in a rat model with COPD.

RESUMO Objetivos: Explorar sistematicamente as mudanças dinâmicas e a sequência temporal no processo de apoptose de células epiteliais corneanas após excesso de irradiação com ultravioleta B. Métodos: A radiação ultravioleta B (144 mJ/cm2) foi utilizada para irradiar células epiteliais da córnea de rato durante 2h. A morfologia celular foi observada por meio de microscópio de contraste de interferência diferencial, e os números de diferentes tipos de células apoptóticas foram contados e registrados pelo software ImageJ. A viabilidade celular foi medida pelo método brometo de 3- (4, 5-dimetil-2-tiazolil) -2, 5-difenil-2-H-tetrazólio. A taxa apoptótica celular e a perda do potencial da membrana mitocondrial foram detectadas por meio de análises citométricas de fluxo. Os níveis de expressão de três genes apoptóticos foram medidos por reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativa em tempo real em diferentes momentos dentro de 0-24 h após a irradiação. Resultados: Após 144 mJ/cm2 de irradiação com ultravioleta B por 2h, os níveis de expressão de caspase-8 e Bax foram maiores em 0h; o potencial da membrana mitocondrial diminuiu a 0h e permaneceu constante por 6h na cultura subsequente. Às 6h, a caspase-3 foi ativada. A diminuição da viabilidade celular e o aumento da taxa apoptótica atingiu o pico em 6h. A expressão de caspase-3 diminuiu dentro de 12 - 24 h, levando a um declínio na taxa apoptótica e alteração no estágio apoptótico. Conclusões: As células epiteliais da córnea apresentaram uma apoptose rápida após excesso de irradiação com ultravioleta B, e esse processo foi associado tanto à via extrínseca como à via intrínseca.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To systematically examine the dynamic changes and time sequence in corneal epithelial cell apoptosis after excessive ultraviolet B irradiation. Methods: Ultraviolet B (144 mJ/cm2) was used to irradiate rat corneal epithelial cells for 2 h. Cell morphology was observed on differential interference contrast microscopy, and the numbers of the different kinds of apoptotic cells were counted using the ImageJ software. Cell viability was measured with the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5- diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide method. Cell apoptotic rate and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected using flow cytometric analyses. The expression levels of 3 apoptotic genes were measured with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction at different time points within 0-24 h after irradiation. Results: After 144-mJ/cm2 ultraviolet B irradiation for 2 h, the expression levels of caspase-8 and Bax were highest at 0 h; furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased at 0 h and remained constant for 6 h in a subsequent culture. At 6 h, caspase-3 was activated. The decrease in cell viability and increase in apoptotic rate peaked at 6 h. The caspase-3 expression level decreased within 12-24 h, which led to a decline in apoptotic rate and change in apoptotic stage. Conclusions: The corneal epithelial cells exhibited rapid apoptosis after ultraviolet B irradiation, which was associated with both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.

Abstract A number of complications have been ascribed to shoulder arthroscopy, but pulmonary edema is rarely reported. A 64-year-old female underwent right shoulder arthroscopic repair for supraspinatus and subscapular tears under intermuscular sulcus brachial plexus block (ISBPB) and general anesthesia. Finishing suture of torn tendon, and acromion and distal clavicle plasty, the patient represented the symptoms of dyspnea, and oxygen saturation quickly dropped to 80% without oxygen supply. After inhaled oxygen, the oxygen saturation quickly returned to 95%, while dyspnea didn’t improve. Noticing swelling in neck and chest, left movement of the trachea, low breath sounds and wet rales during auscultation, ultrasound examination was performed and found the obvious pleural slip, and a large number of b-lines in the lung, indicating pulmonary edema. After injection of furosemide and dexamethasone (i.v.), the outcome of patient was satisfactory. This is the first report of pulmonary edema as a complication of shoulder arthroscopy, which also reviews the relevant factors of fluid extravasation, and highlights the good use of the equipment at hand to quickly judge the patient's condition.

Abstract The ingredients in fruit and vegetable enzymes are not only medicine and food for relieving constipation but also rich in dietary fiber. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of panax notoginseng stem, leaf tea combined with panaxnotoginseng fruit, vegetable enzyme, and probiotic powder for functional constipation. Patients with functional constipation had been recruited and been randomly divided into the lactulose intervention group and probiotic intervention group. In the probiotic intervention group, patients received panaxnotoginseng stem and leaf tea + Panaxnotoginseng fruit and vegetable enzyme+probiotic powder, once a day. In the lactulose intervention group, patients received normal drug treatment for 2 weeks. Both probiotics intervention and lactulose intervention can improve the fecal quality of patients with constipation. Probiotics group can lead to an increase in the proportion of diarrhea in patients with constipation. Both probiotics and lactulose can significantly increase the levels of blood SP and GAS and decrease the level of MTL in patients with constipation. Both probiotics intervention and lactulose intervention can improve the quality of life of patients with constipation and the fecal quality of patients with constipation. Probiotics group can lead to an increase in the proportion of diarrhea in patients with constipation.

Abstract Circulating miRNAs presenting in plasma in a stable manner have been demonstrated their potential role as a promising biomarkers in many human diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, melanoma and ovarian carcinoma. However, few circulating miRNAs could be used for breast ductal cancer diagnosis. Here, we identified miR-1273g-3p as a biomarker for detecting breast ductal cancer. We detected miR-1273g-3p levels in the plasma of 39 sporadic breast ductal cancer patients and 40 healthy donors by Stem-loop Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed the plasma miR-1273g-3p level were significantly up-regulated in breast ductal cancer patients compared with healthy donors (p=0.0139). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve also revealed the significantly diagnostic ability of miR-1273g-3p in patients (p=0.0414). In addition, the plasma level of miR-1273g-3p was closely related to IIIB-IIIC TNM stage. We also confirmed the higher expression level of miR-1273g-3p in breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 (4.872±0.537) than normal breast cells (Hs 578Bst). Taken together, miR-1273g-3p could represent as a potential biomarker for early breast ductal cancer diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: Parkinson’s disease (PD) and the parkinsonian variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) are distinct neurodegenerative disorders that share similar clinical features of parkinsonism. The morphological alterations of these diseases have yet to be understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gray matter atrophy in PD and MSA-P using regions of interest (ROI)-based measurements and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). METHODS: We studied 41 patients with PD, 20 patients with MSA-P, and 39 controls matched for age, sex, and handedness using an improved T1-weighted sequence that eased gray matter segmentation. The gray matter volumes were measured using ROI and VBM. RESULTS: ROI volumetric measurements showed significantly reduced bilateral putamen volumes in MSA-P patients compared with those in PD patients and controls (p<0.05), and the volumes of the bilateral caudate nucleus were significantly reduced in both MSA-P and PD patients compared with those in the controls (p<0.05). VBM analysis revealed multifocal cortical and subcortical atrophy in both MSA-P and PD patients, and the volumes of the cerebellum and temporal lobes were remarkably reduced in MSA-P patients compared with the volumes in PD patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both PD and MSA-P are associated with gray matter atrophy, which mainly involves the bilateral putamen, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, and temporal lobes. ROI and VBM can be used to identify these morphological alterations, and VBM is more sensitive and repeatable and less time-consuming, which may have potential diagnostic value.

ABSTRACT Objective This study aims to investigate the association of filamin A with the function and morphology of prostate cancer (PCa) cells, and explore the role of filamin A in the development of PCa, in order to analyze its significance in the evolvement of PCa. Materials and Methods A stably transfected cell line, in which filamin A expression was suppressed by RNA interference, was first established. Then, the effects of the suppression of filamin A gene expression on the biological characteristics of human PCa LNCaP cells were observed through cell morphology, in vitro cell growth curve, soft agar cloning assay, and scratch test. Results A cell line model with a low expression of filamin A was successfully constructed on the basis of LNCaP cells. The morphology of cells transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A was the following: Cells were loosely arranged, had less connection with each other, had fewer tentacles, and presented a fibrous look. The growth rate of LNCap cells was faster than cells transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A (P <0.05). The clones of LNCap cells in the soft agar cloning assay was significantly fewer than that of cells stably transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A (P <0.05). Cells stably transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A presented with a stronger healing and migration ability compared to LNCap cells (healing rate was 32.2% and 12.1%, respectively; P <0.05). Conclusion The expression of the filamin A gene inhibited the malignant development of LNCap cells. Therefore, the filamin A gene may be a tumor suppressor gene.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to describe a Bacillus subtilis expression system based on genetically modified B. subtilis. Abaecin, an antimicrobial peptide obtained from Apis mellifera, can enhance the effect of pore-forming peptides from other species on the inhibition of bacterial growth. For the exogenous expression, the abaecin gene was fused with a tobacco etch virus protease cleavage site, a promoter Pglv, and a mature beta-glucanase signal peptide. Also, a B. subtilis expression system was constructed. The recombinant abaecin gene was expressed and purified as a recombinant protein in the culture supernatant. The purified abaecin did not inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli strain K88. Cecropin A and hymenoptaecin exhibited potent bactericidal activities at concentrations of 1 and 1.5 µM. Combinatorial assays revealed that cecropin A and hymenoptaecin had sublethal concentrations of 0.3 and 0.5 µM. This potentiating functional interaction represents a promising therapeutic strategy. It provides an opportunity to address the rising threat of multidrug-resistant pathogens that are recalcitrant to conventional antibiotics.

RESUMO Já se confirmou que o sistema do complemento exerce um papel cada vez mais importante nos acidentes vasculares cerebrais isquêmicos. Este estudo teve o objetivo de determinar se o polimorfismo de nucleotídeo único (SNP) do gene codificador do componente 5 (C5) influencia de forma independente a ocorrência, a severidade e o desfecho em longo prazo do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI) em pacientes chineses. Métodos Variantes genéticas rs17611 do C5 foram investigadas em 494 pacientes com AVCI e em 330 indivíduos controles. O AVCI foi classificado em subtipos e os pacientes foram avaliados 90 dias após o acidente vascular, através da Escala Modificada de Rankin (mRS), para determinação do desfecho do acidente. Resultados A presença de polimorfismo do C5 foi associada à incidência de AVCI do subtipo com aterosclerose de grandes artérias (AGA) (n = 200; p = 0,031), que persistiu mesmo após os ajustes de covariáveis (RP = 1,518; 95% IC = 1,093–2,018; p = 0,013). Entretanto, nenhuma associação foi observada entre os genótipos e a severidade ou o desfecho do acidente vascular (p = 0,978; p = 0,296). Conclusões O polimorfismo do C5 pode contribuir para o risco de AVCI do tipo com AGA, independentemente de outros riscos preditores conhecidos.

ABSTRACT The complement system has been confirmed to play an increasingly important role in ischemic stroke (IS). This study aimed to determine whether the single-nucleotide polymorphism of the complement 5 (C5) gene independently influences the occurrence, severity, and long-term outcome of IS in Chinese patients. Methods C5 rs17611 genetic variants were investigated in 494 IS patients and 330 control individuals .Ischemic stroke was classified into subtypes and patients were assessed 90 days post-stroke with the modified Rankin Scale to determine stroke outcome. Results The presence of C5 polymorphism was associated with the incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (LAA)-subtype IS (n =2 00; p = 0.031), which even persisted after adjustment for covariates (OR = 1.518; 95%CI = 1.093–2.018; p = 0.013). However, no association was found between genotypes and the severity and outcome of stroke (p = 0.978; p = 0.296). Conclusions The C5 polymorphism might contribute to the risk of LAA-subtype IS independently of other known risk predictors.

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um novo modelo de relações topológicas fuzzy para objetos espaciais simples em Sistemas de Informações Geográficas (SIG). Aplica-se o conceito de espaço topológico fuzzy a objetos fuzzy simples para resolver as relações topológicas de modo mais eficiente e acurado. Inicialmente é proposta uma nova definição para segmentos de linha fuzzy e para regiões fuzzy com base na topologia computacional. Em seguida propõe-se um novo modelo para calcular as relações topológicas fuzzy entre os objetos espaciais. A análise do novo modelo aponta: (1) relações topológicas de dois objetos "crisp"; (2) relações topológicas entre um objeto "crisp" e um objeto fuzzy; (3) relações topológicas entre dois objetos "crisp". Finalmente, discutem-se alguns exemplos para demonstrar a validade do modelo, por meio de um experimento e comparações entre modelos existentes. É possível demonstrar que o método proposto pode realizar distinções mais precisas e á mais expressivo do que os modelos fuzzy existentes.

The goal of this paper is to present a new model of fuzzy topological relations for simple spatial objects in Geographic Information Sciences (GIS). The concept of computational fuzzy topological space is applied to simple fuzzy objects to efficiently and more accurately solve fuzzy topological relations, extending and improving upon previous research in this area. Firstly, we propose a new definition for simple fuzzy line segments and simple fuzzy regions based on computational fuzzy topology. And then, we also propose a new model to compute fuzzy topological relations between simple spatial objects, an analysis of the new model exposes:(1) the topological relations of two simple crisp objects; (2) the topological relations between one simple crisp object and one simple fuzzy object; (3) the topological relations between two simple fuzzy objects. In the end, we have discussed some examples to demonstrate the validity of the new model, through an experiment and comparisons of existing models, we showed that the proposed method can make finer distinctions, as it is more expressive than the existing fuzzy models.

In this study we focused on the development of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and investigated changes in the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) in different tissues. We sampled grape skin at four, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks after anthesis; developing flowers when blooming at 0%, 5%, 50%, and 90%; and leaves at two and four weeks before anthesis and at two, four, six, eight, nine, and 10 weeks after anthesis. We also examined the type and fluctuation of volatile contents. ADH activity increased with the development of flowers and grape skins, which led to the increasing of types and concentration of alcohols. Low levels of 9-HPL led to low concentrations of C9 compounds. According to this paper, C6 compounds became abundant with the development of grape berries, while the activity of 13-HPL kept at a low level in the flowers and grape skins. There might have been a high level of 13-HPL activity from the end of flowering until fruit setting that we did not detect. Furthermore, similar C6 and C5 compounds were detected across all tissues, including hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-2-penten-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol and 3-hexen-1-ol. Generally speaking, the concentrations of C6 and C5 compounds could be used as the criterion of maturation of the three grape tissues.

BACKGROUND: Human amnion mesenchymal cells (hAMCs), isolated from the amniotic membrane of human placenta, are a unique population of mesenchymal stem cells. Recent studies demonstrated that hAMCs could inhibit the activities and functions of several immune cells. However, their effect on inflammatory macrophages is largely unknown. This study investigated the effect of hAMCs on expression of inflammatory cytokines and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/NF-kB pathway in human THP-1 macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS RESULTS: The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β secreted by LPS- stimulated THP-1 cells were increased significantly compared with those in the control group. After co-culture with different numbers of hAMCs, the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells were significantly reduced compared with the LPS group. The mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1β were also markedly inhibited. Moreover, treating LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells with hAMCs supernatants could also suppress TNF-α and IL-1β production in THP-1 cells. Important signaling pathways involved in the production of TNF-α and IL-1β were affected by hAMCs co-culture: hAMCs remarkably suppressed NF-kB activation and down-regulated the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in LPS- stimulated THP-1 cells CONCLUSIONS: Human amnion mesenchymal cells inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL-1β secreted by LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells, partly through the suppression of NF-kB activation and ERK and JNK phosphorylation