Pulmonary veins isolation using cryoballoon and pulsed field ablation for atrial fibrillation:practical techniques in variable scenarios

Catheter ablation is the most effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Electrical pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) forms the cornerstone ablation strategy. Radiofrequency (RF) in combination with 3D mapping system is the traditional ablation approach to treat AF. As a single-shot ablation system, cryoballoon (CB) has been an established ablation modality to facilitate PVI procedure. As a novel non-thermal single-shot ablation technology, pulsed field ablation (PFA) has its unique biophysical profile. Recent studies have demonstrated that PFA allows for efficient and durable PVI. However, the manipulation of single-shot ablation catheter may be different from the conventional point-bypoint RF ablation catheter; ablation catheter with fixed size may have practical difficulties in variable anatomy and different clinical scenarios. The present article focuses on the technical aspects, describes the procedural approaches and illustrates the practical techniques of using CB and PFA for PVI, ultimately with the purpose to facilitate the ablation procedure and improve the patients’ clinical outcome.

Current Status of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation with Balloon Strategy

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been established worldwide and is recommended for symptomatic paroxysmal AF patients according to international guidelines. Importantly, the cornerstone of any AF ablation represents pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Traditional radiofrequency (RF) point by point ablation within a 3D electroanatomic left atrial (LA) map requires profound understanding of LA anatomy and electrophysiology. This ablation strategy can be highly efficient and safe if performed in experienced hands and centers. However, procedural complexity causes a long learning curve and has limited its wide spread utilization. In contrast, balloon based PVI ablation strategies are based on an anatomic principle. Currently, two balloon types (cryoballoon and laserballoon) have been adopted to clinical routine. Both balloons are positioned at the target PV and circumferential energy ablation is enabled. This simplified anatomic approach facilitates reaching the procedural endpoint of PVI and demonstrated less operator dependency. Therefore, balloon PVI appears to be associated with improved procedural reproducibility and safety. Importantly, large scale randomized trials proved non-inferiority of balloon guided AF ablation (cryothermal and laser energy) vs. experienced operators using traditional “gold standard” RF ablation in paroxysmal and persistent AF. Ongoing technological refinements of both balloons as well as the introduction of novel energy dosing strategies and ablation targets may potentially impact the current way of ablating AF in future. This review will summarize current clinical experience of contemporary balloon devices and will look into future developments.

Current Status of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation with Balloon Strategy

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been established worldwide and is recommended for symptomatic paroxysmal AF patients according to international guidelines. Importantly, the cornerstone of any AF ablation represents pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Traditional radiofrequency (RF) point by point ablation within a 3D electroanatomic left atrial (LA) map requires profound understanding of LA anatomy and electrophysiology. This ablation strategy can be highly efficient and safe if performed in experienced hands and centers. However, procedural complexity causes a long learning curve and has limited its wide spread utilization. In contrast, balloon based PVI ablation strategies are based on an anatomic principle. Currently, two balloon types (cryoballoon and laserballoon) have been adopted to clinical routine. Both balloons are positioned at the target PV and circumferential energy ablation is enabled. This simplified anatomic approach facilitates reaching the procedural endpoint of PVI and demonstrated less operator dependency. Therefore, balloon PVI appears to be associated with improved procedural reproducibility and safety. Importantly, large scale randomized trials proved non-inferiority of balloon guided AF ablation (cryothermal and laser energy) vs. experienced operators using traditional “gold standard” RF ablation in paroxysmal and persistent AF. Ongoing technological refinements of both balloons as well as the introduction of novel energy dosing strategies and ablation targets may potentially impact the current way of ablating AF in future. This review will summarize current clinical experience of contemporary balloon devices and will look into future developments.

Effects of tumor staging and different therapeutic modes on the survival of the patients with pancreatic cancer / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To investigate the related factors for the survival of the patients with pancreatic cancer.Methods A total of 1 620 patients confirmed as pancreatic cancer admitted in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital affiliated with Sun Yat-sen University,Tumor prevention and treatment center affiliated with Sun Yat-sen University and People's Hospital of Guangdong Province from 2004 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed,and the effects of TNM staging,surgical treatment,palliative chemotherapy and postoperative assisted chemotherapy on the survival of the patients with pancreatic cancer were examined by life table and Log-rank test.Results The median survival time of all 1 620 cases was 7.15 months.The median survival time of TNM stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ was 12.50 months,10.12 months,9.56 months and 5.43 months,and there was statistically significant difference (P =0.001).The median survival time of cases who did not undergo surgery was 6.10 months,which of patients who underwent radical surgery was 13.67 months,and the difference was statistically significant (P =0.001).The median survival time of cases without chemotherapy was 5.55 months,which of patients who underwent palliative chemotherapy was 7.58 months,and the difference was statistically significant (P =0.001).The median survival time of cases with pure radical surgery without chemotherapy was 12.38 months,which of patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy was 14.50 months,and the difference was no statistically significant (P =0.561).Conclusions Early diagnosis followed closely by radical surgery is the key to prolong the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.And adjuvant chemotherapy for patients who lose surgery opportunity may improve clinical prognosis to a certain extent.

The effects of different physical activities on atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is highly common, and is most frequently observed in individuals with hypertension and structural cardiac disease. Sympathetic hyperactivity plays a fundamental role in the progression, maintenance and aggravation of arrhythmia. Endurance exercise training clearly lowers sympathetic activity in sympathoexcitatory disease states, and is well-tolerated by patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: We assessed 50 CKD patients with hypertension. Each patient provided a complete medical history and underwent a physical examination. We used an implantable cardiac monitor over a 3-year follow-up period to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate exercise (ModEx) physical activity protocols on AF occurrence, and determined the effectiveness of these protocols in improving renal function. Subjects were followed up every 6 months after the beginning of the intervention. RESULTS: During the 3-year follow-up, AF onset was higher in CKD patients who engaged in HIIT (72%) than in those who engaged in ModEx (24%) (hazard ratio, 3.847; 95% confidence interval, 1.694–8.740, P = 0.0013 by log-rank test). Both groups exhibited significant intra-group changes in the mean systolic 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) between baseline and 12, 24, and 36 months. There were also significant differences in the mean systolic 24-hour ABPM between the groups at the same time points. CONCLUSION: In CKD patients with hypertension, improvements in AF onset, renal function and some echocardiographic parameters were more evident in subjects who engaged in ModEx than in those who engaged in HIIT during 3 years of follow-up.

The effect of the physical activity on polymorphic premature ventricular complexes in chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: Polymorphic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are very common, appearing most frequently in patients with hypertension, obesity, sleep apnea, and structural heart disease. Sympathetic hyperactivity plays a critical role in the development, maintenance, and aggravation of ventricular arrhythmias. Endurance exercise training clearly lowers sympathetic activity in sympatho-excitatory disease states and may be tolerated by patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: We assessed 40 CKD patients with hypertension with polymorphic PVCs. Patients underwent a complete medical history and physical examination. We evaluated the effectiveness of β blocker only or β blocker + exercise during 12 months of follow-up regarding the changes of the numbers of PVCs and mean heart rate (HR) by 24-hour-Holter. RESULTS: We observed in the β blocker group a significant decrease in the number of polymorphic PVCs from baseline 36,515 ± 3,518 to 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of follow-up, 28,314 ± 2,938, 23,709 ± 1,846, 22,564 ± 1,673, and 22,725 ± 1,415, respectively (P < 0.001). In the β blocker + exercise group a significant decrease in the number of polymorphic PVCs also occurred from baseline 36,091 ± 3,327 to 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of follow-up, 29,252 ± 3,211, 20,948 ± 2,386, 14,238 ± 3,338, and 6,225 ± 2,319, respectively (P < 0.001). Comparisons between the two groups at the same time point showed differences from the sixth month onwards: the 6th (Δ = −2,761, P = 0.045), 9th (Δ = −8,325, P < 0.001) and 12th (Δ = −16,500, P < 0.001) months. There was an improvement during the 12 months of follow-up vs. baseline, after the β blocker or β blocker + exercise in mean 24-hour HR Holter monitoring, creatinine values, eGFR, and ACR. CONCLUSION: Polymorphic PVCs may be modifiable by physical activity in CKD patients with hypertension without structural heart disease.

Effect of placental growth factor gene silencing on migration and invasion of human pancreatic carcinoma cell line PANC1 / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To explore the effect of inhibiting placental growth factor ( PIGF ) by small interfering RNA ( siRNA) on migration, invasion and chemoresistance of human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC1.Methods Three specific siRNAs targeting PIGF (siRNA-PIGF) were designed.PANC1 cells were transfected with siRNA-PIGF by liposome transfection using untransfected cells as blank controls and nonspecific siRNA ( siRNA-NC) transfected cells as negative controls .The PIGF mRNA and protein expression was examined by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA.MTT method was used to assess the inhibition rate of chemotherapeutic reagents on cell proliferation .The abilities of migration and invasion were evaluated by Transwell assay.Results The inhibition rate of PIGF mRNA in PANC1 cells transfected by 3 siRNA-PIGF were (64.38 ±8.92)%, (70.48 ±7.72)% and (81.25 ±6.02)%, which was lowest in siRNA-PIGF-3 transfected cells.The expression of PIGF mRNA in PANC1 cells were decreased by (63.72 ±8.20)%at 24 h after siRNA-PIGF transfection compared with siRNA-NC transfected cells;and the level of PIGF protein in the supernatant of cultured PANC1 cells was lowered by (42.92 ±1.34)% compared with siRNA-NC transfected cells and by (46.25 ±3.64)% compared with untransfected cells at 48h after transfection, which all had significant difference .There was no statistical difference between untransfected and siRNA-NC transfected cells.After 3 ng/L gemicitabine treatment , the inhibition rate of cell proliferation in siRNA-PIGF group was even higher than that in siRNA-NC and untransfected group [(44.35 ±5.05)% vs(34.29 ±3.60)% and (31.01 ±1.08)%;both P<0.05], and no significant difference was not observed after 5-FU and adriamycin treatment.In migration and invasion assay , the number of transmembrane cells from siRNA-PIGF group was 38.1%and 28.2%of that from siRNA-NC group and 40.8% and 36.2% of that from untransfected group , which had statistical difference (all P<0.05).Conclusions PIGF silencing could significantly suppress the migration and invasion of PANC 1 cells and improve the sensitivity to gemicitabine .

Pulmonary vein isolation alone and combined with renal sympathetic denervation in chronic kidney disease patients with refractory atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly occurs in association with chronic kidney disease (CKD), resulting in adverse outcomes. Combining pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) may reduce the recurrence of AF in patients with CKD and hypertension. We considered that RSD could reduce the recurrence of AF in patients with CKD by modulating sympathetic hyperactivity. Our goal was to compare the impact of PVI + RSD with that of PVI alone in patients with concurrent AF and CKD. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, longitudinal, randomized, double-blind study. Forty-five patients with controlled hypertension, symptomatic paroxysmal AF and/or persistent AF, stage 2 or 3 CKD, and a dual-chamber pacemaker were enrolled from January 2014 to January 2015. We assessed the 30-second recurrence of AF recorded by the pacemaker, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements, estimated glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria, echocardiographic parameters, and safety of RSD. RESULTS: No patient developed procedural or other complications. The ambulatory blood pressure measurements did not differ within the PVI + RSD group or between the PVI + RSD and PVI groups throughout the study. Significantly more patients in the PVI + RSD group than in the PVI group were free of AF at the 12-month follow-up evaluation. The PVI group had an unacceptable response to ablation with respect to changes in echocardiographic parameters, whereas these parameters improved in the PVI + RSD group. CONCLUSION: PVI + RSD were associated with a lower AF recurrence rate than PVI alone; it also improved renal function and some echocardiographic parameters. These encouraging data will serve as baseline information for further long-term studies on larger patient populations.

Trend of dietary nutrient intake among adult females in 9 provinces in China, 2000-2011 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate trend of dietary nutrient intake among adult females in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The changes of dietary energy and major nutrient intake among females aged 25 to 55 years in 9 provinces were analyzed by using the data from Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey, 2000-2011 (CHNS) and indicators of Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) 2013.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the past decade, the proportion of females with the intake of energy and protein meeting the requirement of recommendation decreased, while the proportion of females with low carbohydrate (< 50% energy) and high fat (> 30% energy) intakes increased. Meanwhile, the vitamin and mineral intakes among the females were also unsatisfactory, only small proportion of the females met the requirement for micronutrient intake, and this proportion continued to decline. In 2011, the proportion of the females who met the requirements for energy and protein intakes were 43.0% and 54.4%, respectively; the proportion of the females with low carbohydrate and high fat intakes were 40.2% and 63.8%, respectively; the proportion of females who met the requirements for vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C and vitamin E intakes were 25.2%, 10.7%, 6.9%, 54.9%, 24.3% and 88.5% respectively and the proportion of females who met the requirements for calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and selenium intakes were 3.3%, 23.6%, 50.9%, 75.7% and 13.3% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Further nutritional education and intervention is needed to improve nutrition status among Chinese females.</p>

Trend of dietary nutrient intake among adult females in 9 provinces in China,2000-2011 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate trend of dietary nutrient intake among adult females in China. Methods The changes of dietary energy and major nutrient intake among females aged 25 to 55 years in 9 provinces were analyzed by using the data from Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey,2000-2011 (CHNS) and indicators of Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) 2013. Results During the past decade,the proportion of females with the intake of energy and protein meeting the requirement of recommendation decreased,while the proportion of females with low carbohydrate(<50%energy)and high fat(>30%energy)intakes increased. Meanwhile,the vitamin and mineral intakes among the females were also unsatisfactory,only small proportion of the females met the requirement for micronutrient intake,and this proportion continued to decline. In 2011,the proportion of the females who met the requirements for energy and protein intakes were 43.0% and 54.4%,respectively;the proportion of the females with low carbohydrate and high fat intakes were 40.2%and 63.8%,respectively;the proportion of females who met the requirements for vitamin A, thiamine,riboflavin,niacin,vitamin C and vitamin E intakes were 25.2%,10.7%,6.9%,54.9%,24.3%and 88.5% respectively and the proportion of females who met the requirements for calcium, magnesium,iron,zinc and selenium intakes were 3.3%,23.6%,50.9%,75.7%and 13.3%respectively. Conclusion Further nutritional education and intervention is needed to improve nutrition status among Chinese females.

Trend of dietary nutrient intake among adult females in 9 provinces in China,2000-2011 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate trend of dietary nutrient intake among adult females in China. Methods The changes of dietary energy and major nutrient intake among females aged 25 to 55 years in 9 provinces were analyzed by using the data from Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey,2000-2011 (CHNS) and indicators of Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) 2013. Results During the past decade,the proportion of females with the intake of energy and protein meeting the requirement of recommendation decreased,while the proportion of females with low carbohydrate(<50%energy)and high fat(>30%energy)intakes increased. Meanwhile,the vitamin and mineral intakes among the females were also unsatisfactory,only small proportion of the females met the requirement for micronutrient intake,and this proportion continued to decline. In 2011,the proportion of the females who met the requirements for energy and protein intakes were 43.0% and 54.4%,respectively;the proportion of the females with low carbohydrate and high fat intakes were 40.2%and 63.8%,respectively;the proportion of females who met the requirements for vitamin A, thiamine,riboflavin,niacin,vitamin C and vitamin E intakes were 25.2%,10.7%,6.9%,54.9%,24.3%and 88.5% respectively and the proportion of females who met the requirements for calcium, magnesium,iron,zinc and selenium intakes were 3.3%,23.6%,50.9%,75.7%and 13.3%respectively. Conclusion Further nutritional education and intervention is needed to improve nutrition status among Chinese females.

Nanoparticle for siRNA delivery and its pancreatic cancer targeting abili-ty / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To synthesize a safe , efficient and targeted nanoparticulate carrier for siRNA delivery to pan-creatic cancer cells .METHODS: Iron oxide nanocrystal with carboxylic acid group-polyethyleneimine ( IONP-PEI ) was synthesized and investigated as a nonviral carrier of siRNA to the pancreatic cells .The size, surface and charge using zeta potential were characterized .The perfect charge ratio between amino groups of IONP-PEI and phosphate groups of siRNA ( N/P) was determined by the transfection efficiency detection , gel retardation assay and MTS assay .An antibody-directed nonviral vector , scFvCD44v6-IONP-PEI nanoparticle attaching to the cancer-associated CD44v6 single-chain variable frag-ment, was constructed as a cancer-targeting nanocarrier for siRNA delivery .Prussian blue staining and immunofluorescent staining were performed to detect the distribution of scFv CD44v6-IONP-PEI/siRNA complexes in the cells .The transfection efficiency , fluorescence intensity and the expression of KRAS at mRNA and protein levels in the cells transfected by IONP -PEI/siRNA and scFv CD44v6-IONP-PEI/siRNA were detected by flow cytometry , fluorescence microscopy , real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.RESULTS:The mass ratio of IONP to PEI was 0.75.The suitable ratio of N/P was 20. The averaged size and surface zeta potential of IONP-PEI/siRNA in deionized water were (51.3 ±2.2)nm (diameter) and (21.73 ±8.07)mV, respectively.Red fluorescence was seen in both targeting and nontargeting groups , which clearly re-vealed the intracellular distribution of siRNA and delivery agents .Transfection efficiencies in targeting and nontargeting groups were (89.75 ±1.81)%and (59.87 ±4.52)%, respectively.Down-regulation of the KRAS mRNA in Panc-1 cells transfected with siKRAS by scFvCD44v6-IONP-PEI and IONP-PEI was up to (34.02 ±6.15)%and (51.09 ±6.70)%, re-spectively .The protein level of KRAS was lower in targeting group than that in nontargeting group .CONCLUSION:scFvCD44v6-IONP-PEI is a safe and efficient nanoparticulate carrier for gene delivery .It is more effective to transfer siRNA into the cells and mediate gene silencing effect in vitro than the nontargeting group .

The Role and Significance of Bcl-2 and Bax in the Hepatic Carcinoma / El Rol y la Importancia de Bcl-2 y Bax en el Carcinoma Hepático

This study aimed to observe the regularity of liver cell apoptosis and expression of apoptosis related gene Bcl-2 and Bax in the induced cancer, and explore the relationship between apoptosis and the development of liver cancer. In this study, 84 rats were used, 72 rats as experimental group induced by drinking water containing DEN, 12 rats as control group (CG). After laparotomy, the form, color, texture of the liver and metastatic tumor in both control and experimental groups were observed and recorded. The metastatic tumor and the liver tissue were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining to demonstrate the characteristic in morphological changes, the Hoechst 33342 fluorescent staining was applied to show and count the rate of apoptotic cell, and the in situ hybridization technique was used to detect the Bcl-2 and Bax expression. The results showed that the process of carcinogenesis can be divided into three periods: hepatic toxic lesion, hepatic proliferation/cirrhosis and hepatic carcinogenesis. The Hoechst 33342 fluorescent staining showed that the rate of apoptosis in the CG, hepatic toxic lesion, hepatic proliferation/cirrhosis and hepatic carcinogenesis were 6.7%,18.8%,17.4% and 51.2% c2=33.62, P<0.05 respectively. In situ hybridization showed the yellow positive reaction products of Bcl-2 and Bax located in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cell in diffusive distribution. The average optical densities of Bcl-2 and Bax expression were 0.1697±0.0101 and 0.1383±0.0093 in the control group, 0.1431±0.0072 and 0.1523±0.0103 in hepatic toxic lesion, 0.1261±0.0164 and 0.1639±0.0133 in hepatic proliferation/cirrhosis, 0.1034± 0.0124 and 0.1785±0.0191 in hepatic carcinogenesis, indicating that the expression of Bcl-2 decreased, but that of Bax increased with the development of liver cancer in experimental groups. In DEN induced liver cancer, the origination and development of liver cancer were accompanied with proliferation and abnormal apoptosis, which was related to the abnormal expression of gene Bcl-2 and Bax.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo observar la regularidad de la apoptosis en células del hígado y la expresión de apoptosis relacionada con los genes Bcl-2 y Bax en el cáncer inducido, además de explorar la relación entre apoptosis y desarrollo de cáncer hepático. Fueron utilizadas 84 ratas, 72 como grupo experimental inducido con el consumo de agua conteniendo DEN, y 12 como grupo de control (CG). Después de la laparotomía, la forma, color, textura del hígado, y del tumor metastásico fueron observadas y registradas en ambos grupos. El tumor metastásico y el tejido hepático fueron seccionados y teñidos con H-E para demostrar la característica de los cambios morfológicos; se aplicó la tinción fluorescente Hoechst 33342 para mostrar y contar la frecuencia de las células apoptóticas, y se utilizó la técnica de hibridación in situ para detectar la expresión de Bcl-2 y Bax. Los resultados mostraron que el proceso de carcinogénesis se puede dividir en tres etapas: lesión hepática tóxica, proliferación hepática/cirrosis hepática y carcinogénesis. La tinción fluorescente Hoechst 33342 mostró que la tasa de apoptosis en el CG, lesión hepática tóxica, proliferación hepática/cirrosis hepática y carcinogénesis fue de 6,7%, 18,8%, 17,4% y 51,2% (c2 = 33,62, P <0,05), respectivamente. La hibridación in situ mostró reacción positiva de productos amarillos de Bcl-2 y Bax en el núcleo y citoplasma de la célula en distribución difusa. Las densidades ópticas medias de la expresión de Bcl-2 y Bax fueron 0,1697±0,0101 y 0,1383±0,0093 en el grupo de control, 0,1431±0,0072 y 0,1523±0,0103 en lesión hepática tóxica, 0,1261±0,0164 y 0,1639 ± 0,0133 en la proliferación hepática/cirrosis y, 0,1034±0,0124 y 0,1785±0,0191 en la carcinogénesis hepática, lo que indica que la expresión de Bcl-2 se redujo, pero que el Bax aumentó con el desarrollo de cáncer de hígado en los grupos experimentales. En el cáncer hepático inducido por DEN, el origen y desarrollo de cáncer hepático fueron acompañados con proliferación anormal y apoptosis, las cuales se relacionaron con la expresión anormal de los genes Bcl-2 y Bax.

Identification of Peudallescheria boydii/Scedosporium apiospermum dinical isolates by sequence differences of ITS and TUB / 中华检验医学杂志

ObjectiveTore-identifyfifteenclinical Pseudallescheriaboydii/Scedosporium apiospermum isolates by the sequence difference of ITS rDNA and partial β-tubulin gene (TUB) and thus understand thepathogenicstrain typesfor guiding theclinicaltreatment.MethodsMorphological appearances,D-ribose assimilation and sequencing of ITS and TUB were used to re-identify the fifteen clinical strains of Pseudallescheria boydii/Scedosporium apiospermum.The sequences of ITS and TUB were analyzed with Clustal X and MEGA 4 software.Results No difference of morphological appearances was found in the fifteen strains.Cleistothecium was observed in one isolate.All the strains were D-ribose assimilation positive.The clinical strains were re-identified as P.boydii species complex by the CBS database (http://www.cbs.knaw.nl).ElevenstrainswereP.boydiiandfourstrainswereS.apiospermum respectively.Conclusions P.boydii and S.apiospermum cannot be identified correcdy by the time-consuming conventional morphological method and biochemical characteristics.The study recommend that the clinical isolates of P.boydii and S.apiospermum should be identified utilizing a combination of traditional phenotype method and molecular biotechnology.

Experimental Study of ex vivo Liposome-mediated Gene Transfer in Orthotopic Rat Left Lung Transplantation / 中国医师杂志

Objective To determine the feasibility of ex vivo liposome-mediated gene transfer ( Lac-Z gene ) to lung isografts and to get expression. Methods An orthotopic rat left lung transplant model was developed with the use of a modification of the “cuff” technique. 18 SD rats were divided into three groups randomly. Gene transfer group ( group 1 ): PSV-?-gal/ liposome ( Lipofectin R○ ) complex was transfered into the donor left lung via the left pulmonary vein route at the time of lung harvesting. Liposome group ( group 2 ) and Control group ( group 3 ) : Grafts underwent the same procedure but received liposome and 0 9% saline solution respectively. Donor lungs were harvested one day after transplantation. The transgene expression of Lac-Z gene was detected by histochemical staining. Results Transgene expression of ?-gal in group 1 was detected in bronchial epithelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells. But no expression of ?-gal was found in groups 2 and 3. Conclusion Ex vivo plasmid vector/liposome complex-mediated gene transfer to lung isografts via the left pulmonary vein route is feasible. This study provides the scientific proof to the feasibility of functional gene therapy of complications such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, rejection and infection after rat lung transplantation.

Determination of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Content in Drug Pair of Flos Carthami and Semen Persicae in Different Ratios by HPLC / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To study the effect of compatibility of Flos Carthami and Semen Persicae in different ratios on the contents of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA) in their water decoction.Methods Reverse-phase HPLC was performed on a Luna C18 column(4.6 mm?150 mm,5?m) at 30℃.The mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.12 mmol?L-1 phosphate solution(28∶72,V/V) at the flow rate of 1.0 mL? min-1.The detector was operated at wavelength of 403nm.Results A good linearity of HSYA was obtained in the range of 4.0～160.0?g?mL-1(Y=25 396X+40 247,r=0.999 7),the average recovery was 94.76% and the RSD(n=6) was 2.93%.The amount of HSYA increased with the ratio of Flos Carthami,but had no correlation with the ratio of Semen Persicae.Conclusion The HPLC method for determination of HSYA is simple,fast and accurate.It can be used for the quality control of Flos Carthami and its compound preparations.Semen Persicae has no effect on the extraction of HSYA.