Idiopathic membranous occlusion of the foramen of Monro: an unusual cause of hydrocephalus and headache in adults.

Occlusion of foramen of Monro is an uncommon clinical entity that usually presents in children. Common causes are obstructing mass, infectious etiologies or vascular malformation. Rarely, it may be an idiopathic stricture or membrane. We report a case of idiopathic membranous obstruction of the foramen of Monro in a 45-year-old male with no past medical or surgical history. He presented with new intermittent dull and burning bifrontal severe headache for 2 d, which was alleviated slightly by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Imaging showed marked dilation of the lateral ventricles with normal third and fourth ventricles. The patient was discharged initially with conservative medical management and close follows up; however, the headache continued to progress and neurosurgical intervention was offered. The patient underwent endoscopic exploration, fenestration of the septum pellucidum, and right ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Bilateral membranous obstruction of foramina of Monro and an auto-fenestrated cavum septum pellucidum were identified intraoperatively. The patient reported resolution of headache post-operatively without recurrence on 1-month follow up. This case is unusual in that the patient presented without any known neurologic history or prior intracranial infections. It became apparent at the time of surgery that chronic obstruction of the bilateral foramina with collapse of the third ventricle had developed, and the safest durable treatment for him was septostomy and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement.

[Clinical characteristics and risk factors of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in extremely low birth weight infants].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI). Methods: From January 2019 to January 2022, the clinical data of 238 ELBWI admitted to the intensive care unit of Henan Provincial Children's Hospital within 1 week after birth and regular head color ultrasound examination were retrospective reviewed. The infants were divided into PIVH group and non-PIVH group according to whether PIVH occurred. The incidence and time of PIVH were described, and the differences in basic clinical features, perinatal conditions, postnatal treatment and complications between the two groups were compared. The risk factors of PIVH in ELBWI were further explored by multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 238 ELBWI (146 males and 92 females), 82 cases (34.5%) developed PIVH, including 28 cases (11.8%) of severe PIVH and 54 cases (22.7%) of mild PIVH. Among the 82 cases of PIVH, 68 cases occurred within 3 days after birth. Gestational age [(27.4±1.5) weeks vs (27.8±1.5) weeks, P=0.012], gestational diabetes mellitus [0 vs 9.0%(14/156), P=0.005], fibrinogen (FIB) [(1.8±0.5) g/L vs (2.7±0.9) g/L, P=0.012] were lower in PIVH group than in non-PIVH group. However, intrauterine distress [46.3%(38/82) vs 11.5%(18/156), P<0.001], birth asphyxia [85.4%(70/82) vs 62.8%(98/156), P<0.001], patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) [65.9%(54/82) vs 51.3%(80/156）, P=0.017], failure to withdraw invasive ventilator within 1 week [82.9%(14/82) vs 67.3%(105/156), P=0.010], use of vasoactive drugs within 1 week [28.0%(23/82) vs 15.4%(24/156), P=0.020], acidosis [28.0%(23/82) vs 12.2%(19/156), P=0.002], and hemorrhagic disease [18.3%(15/82) vs 7.1%(11/156), P=0.008] were higher in PIVH group than in non-PIVH group. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis found that the risk factors for PIVH in ELBWI were acidosis (OR=2.257, 95%CI: 1.104-4.614, P=0.026), use of vasoactive drugs within 1 week (OR=2.274, 95%CI: 1.148-4.504, P=0.018), bleeding disorders (OR=2.583, 95%CI: 1.075-6.206, P=0.034) use of vasoactive drugs within 1 week (OR=2.301, 95%CI: 1.153-4.591, P<0.001). Conclusions: The incidence of PIVH in ELBWI is high, which mostly occurs within 3 days after birth. Acidosis, hemorrhagic disease, use of vasoactive agents within 1 week and failure to evacuate invasive ventilators within 1 week may increase the risk of PIVH in ELBWI.

[Transcriptomics study of coronary slow flow disease and verification of differentially expressed genes].

Objective: To determine the differentially expressed genes between patients with coronary slow flow (SCF) and healthy controls, as well as to define the signal pathways and protein interactions related to the pathogenesis of the disease. Methods: A total of 43 hospitalized SCF patients in the year of 2018 and 43 healthy subjects, who underwent health checkup in the same year, were enrolled in this study. General data were obtained, blood samples were collected to determine the related indicators of glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism and kidney metabolism. RNA was extracted from blood monocytes, and the differential gene expression profiles were investigated by RNA-Seq. GO function annotation, KEGG pathway enrichment, protein interaction network analysis (PPI) and phenotype analysis were performed. The levels of related cytokines were detected by ELISA, and qPCR was used to verify differentially expressed genes of the two groups. Results: In the SCF group, there were 27 (62.79%) males and 16 females (37.21%), the average age was (54.3±8.8) years. In the control group, there were 29 males (67.44%) and 14 females (31.56%), the average age was (57.2±8.3) years. The percent of smoking history, abnormal fasting blood glucose, abnormal blood lipid levels and body mass index were significantly higher in the SCF group than in the control group (all P<0.01). There were 117 differentially expressed genes between SCF patients and healthy controls, of which 73 were up-regulated and 44 were down-regulated. Biological function analysis of the differentially expressed genes showed that these genes were mainly related to antigen processing and presentation, cell phagocytosis, immunoglobulin, intestinal immune network, Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation and Th17 cell differentiation pathways. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ were significantly higher in SCF patients than in healthy controls (all P<0.05). Among the top 12 genes with the most significant differences between the two groups, qPCR analysis indicated consistent results with the transcriptome results in 11 out of 12 genes. PPI analysis showed that FPR2 and THBS3 proteins were at the core of the entire protein interaction network. Conclusion: Genes such as FPR2 and THBS3 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of SCF through immune-related pathways such as antigen processing and presentation and Th17 cell differentiation.

Plant protein diet-induced hypoimmunity by affecting the spiral valve intestinal microbiota and bile acid enterohepatic circulation in Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii).

An 8-week growth trial was conducted to study enterohepatic recirculation of bile acid metabolism and the intestinal microbiota of Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) fed with three diets, including 540 g/kg, 270 g/kg or 0 g/kg fishmeal, which was correspondingly replaced by a plant protein blend (named P0, P50 and P100, respectively). The diets were designed to be isonitrogenous, isoenergetic and essential nutrients balanced. With rising levels of dietary plant protein, disruption of the spiral valve intestinal microbiota and more morbidity with liver disease were observed in the P100 group, although there were no haematological abnormalities observed. An obvious bile acids enterohepatic circulation disorder was found with phenotypes of increased liver bile acids compensatory synthesis, and reduced expression of bile acid receptors (FXR and TGR5), which induced BA accumulative toxicity. Accompanied by increased oxidative stress, it further induced hepatic lesions and hypoimmunity, which were non-negligible reasons for the high mortality and low utilization ability of plant protein by Amur sturgeon.

Host MyD88 signaling protects against acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Recent experimental strategies to reduce graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) have focused largely on modifying innate immunity. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-driven myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)-dependent signalling pathways that initiate adaptive immune function are also critical for the pathogenesis of GVHD. This study aimed to delineate the role of host MyD88 in the development of acute GVHD following fully major histocompatibility complex-mismatched allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). When myeloablated BALB/c MyD88 knock-out recipients were transplanted with C57BL/6 (B6) donor cells, they developed significantly more severe GVHD than wild-type (WT) BALB/c hosts. The increased morbidity and mortality in MyD88-/- mice correlated with increased serum levels of lipopolysaccharide and elevated inflammatory cytokines in GVHD target organs. Additionally, MyD88 deficiency in BMT recipients led to increased donor T cell expansion and more donor CD11c+ cell intestinal infiltration with apoptotic cells but reduced proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells compared with that in WT BMT recipients. Decreased expression of tight junction mRNA in epithelial cells of MyD88-/- mice suggested that MyD88 contributes to intestinal integrity. Cox-2 expression in the GVHD-targeted organs of WT mice is increased upon GVHD induction, but this enhanced expression was obviously inhibited by MyD88 deficiency. The present findings demonstrate an unexpected role for host MyD88 in preventing GVHD after allogeneic BMT.

Network change in the ipsilesional cerebellum is correlated with motor recovery following unilateral pontine infarction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with acute pontine infarcts generally have good short-term motor outcomes; however, the mechanisms underlying this recovery of function remain unclear. METHODS: Twenty well-recovered patients with acute pontine infarcts and 20 well-recovered patients with acute striato-capsular infarcts were recruited. Fugl-Meyer assessment and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging were performed 1, 4 and 12 weeks after onset. Patients were further assigned to better and worse recovery subgroups according to the degree of motor recovery at the twelfth week after stroke. Voxel-wise degree centrality (DC)-behavior correlation analysis was used to identify brain regions related to changes in motor function within 12 weeks after stroke. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between DC and Fugl-Meyer scores within 12 weeks in the ipsilesional cerebellar crus I and crus II in patients with pontine infarction and in the ipsilesional middle temporal gyrus in patients with striato-capsular infarction (all P < 0.001, AlphaSim corrected). The mean DC in these areas was higher both in the better and worse recovery subgroups at the fourth than at the first week (all P < 0.05). In addition, the mean DC values in these areas were higher in patients with better recovery at the twelfth than at the first week (P < 0.05), but such change was not found in patients with worse recovery. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that network changes in the ipsilesional cerebellum are correlated with motor recovery following pontine infarction. Motor recovery mechanisms may vary between pontine and striato-capsular infarcts, according to lesion location.

[A multivariate model for predicting induction response and prognosis in core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and prognostic factors in core binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) under current therapy modalities, therefore optimizing the treatment strategies. Methods: Standard cytological and immune methods including next generation sequencing (NGS) were used for risk stratification. Complete remission (CR) rate, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed by multivariate Logistic and Cox regression models in a total of 206 adults (aged 16-65 years) with CBF-AML, including 152 AML patients with t(8;21) and 54 with inv(16). Results: The CR rate of inv(16) patients after first course was 54/54(100%), significantly higher than that of t(8;21) patients [127/147(86.4%), P=0.005]. The fusion transcript level and KIT mutation were independent factors related to CR rate in t(8;21) patients (P=0.044 and 0.027; respectively). DFS and OS in inv(16) patients tended to be more superior than that in t(8;21) patients (P=0.066 for DFS; P=0.306 for OS; respectively). Multivariate Cox identified negative expression of CD(19) and female gender the independent predictors of inferior DFS in t(8;21) patients (P=0.000 for CD(19); P=0.006 for sex; respectively). Analysis of combining CD(19) with gender indicated that females/CD(1)(9-)subpopulation had significantly poor DFS than did males/CD(19)(+) ones (Bonferroni-P<0.000 01). The number of mutations in each patient, FLT3-ITD and additional karyotype abnormalities did not affect CR rate and DFS (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Patients with inv(16) have better induction response than those with t(8;21). High level of fusion transcripts and positive KIT mutation are associated with low CR rate in t(8;21) patients. Negative CD(19) expression and female gender are independent predictors of inferior DFS in t(8;21) patients.

Expression of orphan GPR56 correlates with tumor progression in human epithelial ovarian cancer.

G protein-coupled receptor 56 (GPR56) has been demonstrated to be a significant prognostic predictor in several types of malignances, including melanoma, glioblastoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer. GPR56 has a putative mucin-like extracellular domain, indicating functions for this receptor in the cell-cell interactions and triggering different downstream signaling pathways responsible for regulating cell survival, proliferation, adhesion, and migration. But the expression and clinical significance of GPR56 has not been elucidated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We detected GPR56 expression by immunohistochemistry in 110 samples of ovarian serous carcinoma to explore the correlation between its expression and clinicopathologic characteristics and overall survival. As the result, we found that GPR56 expression is significantly associated with advanced FIGO stage (P = 0.01) and positive lymph node invasion (P = 0.016), and it serves as an independent unfavorable prognostic factor through univariate and multivariate analysis. GPR56 knockdown could dramatically decrease the proliferation and invasion of epithelial ovarian cancer cells through down-regulating the RhoA-GTP level and up-regulating the E-cadherin level, which indicates GPR56 could promote the progression and invasion of EOC. In conclusion, GPR56 expression was demonstrated as an independent prognostic factor in EOC, suggesting that GPR56 may play an oncogenic role through the Rho and E-cadherin pathway and GPR56 could be a novel potential drug target in EOC.

[Feasibility of susceptibility weighted imaging in the evaluation of renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction in white rabbits].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) to reflect the progression of renal fibrosis (RF) induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rabbits. Methods: Total of 32 New Zealand white rabbits (aged 4-5 months) were used to establish the UUO model (RF group) and were divided into 4 subgroups (including RF-2W group, RF-4W group , RF-6W group and RF-8W group) according to the duration of obstruction(2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks). Another 8 rabbits, underwent sham operation, were used as the control group (Sham group). T2 weighted imaging (T(2)WI) and SWI sequences were performed on the rabbits at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after UUO, respectively. Rabbits were sacrificed and specimens were obtained after MR examination, then hematoxylin&eosin staining and Masson staining were performed to explore the renal tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis. The relationship between the relative signal-to-noise ratio(rSNR)measured on the SWI fusion maps and the degree of renal fibrosis was analyzed. Analysis of variance was used to compare the difference of rSNRs among 5 groups. Results: The rSNRs of the inner medulla gradually decreased over time, the rSNRs of Sham group, RF-2W group, RF-4W group, RF-6W group and RF-8W group was 2.29±0.18, 1.73±0.30, 1.67±0.08, 1.42±0.28, 1.12±0.15, respectively (F=25.876, P<0.01). In RF-2W group, the rSNRs of the outer medulla and cortex increased when compared with those in the Sham group, then they decreased gradually over time in the other groups (F=5.230, 7.621, both P<0.05). The pathological results demonstrated that the morphology of renal tubules in Sham group was normal and no apoptosis or necrosis was seen in the tubular epithelial cells. In the RF-2W group, the main pathological manifestations included renal tubules dilatation, tubular epithelial cell degeneration or necrosis and the infiltration of inflammatory cell. In Masson staining, lots of blue areas were present in the interstitial. As the obstruction time prolonged, the renal tubular collapse, inflammatory cells and fibroblasts increased significantly. Meanwhile blue area also increased significantly in Masson staining. Conclusion: SWI can be used as a noninvasive method to evaluate the pathological progression of fibrosis in the rabbit UUO model.

[Analysis of 2 204 stillbirths in 11 hospitals of Guangdong province].

Objective: To analyze the incidence and causes of stillbirth in 11 hospitals of Guangdong province, and to explore the appropriate interventions. Methods: Clinical data of stillbirth in 11 hospitals of Guangdong province were collected from January 2014 to December 2016. The gestational weeks, causes, maternal conditions and other factors were analyzed. Results: (1) From 2014 to 2016, 103 472 newborns were delivered in the 11 hospitals, and the number of stillbirth was 2 204, with the incidence of 2.13%. Among them, 0.71%(738/103 472) was therapeutic induction, 1.42%(1 066/103 472) was natural stillbirth. At different gestational age (<28 weeks, 28-<37 weeks and ≥37 weeks), the incidence of stillbirth was 55.63% (1 226/2 204), 28.45% (627/2 204) and 15.92% (351/2 204), respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.01). (2) For stillbirth<28 weeks, the first reason was therapeutic induction, accounting for 53.34% (654/1 226). For stillbirth during 28-37 weeks, pre-eclampsia was the major cause, accounting for 40.67% (255/627). And for full-term stillbirth, the causes were umbilical cord factors (19.37%, 68/351), abnormal labor (17.09%, 60/351). (3) In all the stillbirth cases, the incidence of fetal growth restriction (FGR) <28 weeks was significantly higher than that during 28-37 weeks [23.49% (288/1 226) vs 18.02% (113/627) , P<0.01]. (4) The stillbirth rate during labor was significantly higher in women ≥35 years old than in younger women [63.88% (191/299) vs 36.12% (108/299) ; χ(2)=9.346, P=0.000]. For the causes of stillbirth during labor, the incidence of severe maternal obstetrical complications [61.11% (33/54) vs 38.89% (21/54) ; χ(2)=3.323, P=0.002], abnormal labor [65.82% (52/79) vs 34.18% (27/79) ; χ(2)=4.067, P=0.001] and abnormal fetal position [66.63% (26/39) vs 33.37% (13/39) ; χ(2)=3.002, P=0.013] were higher in women ≥35 years old than in younger women. (5) Cesarean section during labor accounted for 33.77% (101/299) of stillbirth, including 76 cases of emergency cesarean section or converted to cesarean section during labor. Conclusions: (1) The incidence of stillbirth in the 11 hospitals is high, and the causes are different at different gestational ages, therefore, different interventions are needed to reduce the incidence in different gestational weeks. Supervision of therapeutic induction should be strengthened <28 gestational weeks; standard management of pregnancy might decrease the occurrence of natural death ≥28 weeks. (2) Attention should be paid to fetal body weight during pregnancy, especially FGR. (3) The stillbirth rate is high in elderly pregnant women, so it is important to strengthen the management of the elderly pregnant women.

[Anterior retropharyngeal debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion for atlantoaxial Tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of anterior debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion for atlantoaxial Tuberculosis. METHODS: From February 2005 to February 2013, 7 patients, 3 males and 4 females, with atlantoaxial Tuberculosis underwent anterior debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion in Department of Orthopedics Zhengzhou University People's Hospital were selected.In the preoperative and final follow-up, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA), neck disability index (NDI) and Frankel Classification were used to evaluate neurological function and calculate improvement rate.At final follow-up, clinical efficacy was evaluated by Odom's grade.Situation of internal fixation, fusion of upper cervical were assessed by X-ray, CT scan and MRI scan. RESULTS: Bony fusion were achieved in 7 cases after operation in 12 months. Tuberculosis were reached clinical cure between 17 and 21 months. At follow The JOA score increased from (11.1±0.7) preoperatively to (15.3±0.5) in final follow-up(P<0.05), and the NDI decreased from (34.0±4.6) preoperatively to (10.1±1.3) in final follow-up (P<0.05). At last follow-up, according to Odom's standard, excellent were obtained in 5 cases, good 1 cases and ordinary 1 case. Frankel Classification of all cases improved from D class to E. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of anterior retropharyngeal debridement combine with atlantoaxial fusion, and local anti-tuberculosis drug using intraoperative, not only could obtain reliable clinical efficacy, completly removal of lesions, but also obtain strong stability, which plays an important role in the treatment of atlantoaxial Tuberculosis.

[Posterior debridement combined with atlantoaxial fusion to upper cervical tuberculosis].

Objective: To explore clinical results of posterior debridement combined with atlantoaxial fusion for upper cervical Tuberculosis. Methods: From March 2007 to April 2012, 8 patients with upper cervical Tuberculosis underwent posterior debridement combined with atlantoaxial fusion in our hospital were selected for retrospective analysis. 3 cases were males and 5 females, aged 29-65 (43.5±13.2) years. According to the pedicle destruction, using different screws (pedicle screw or laminar screw) fixation.In the preoperative and final follow-up, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA) and neck disability index (NDI) were used to evaluate neurological function and calculate improvement rate JOA score. At final follow-up, clinical efficacy was evaluated by Odom's grade. situation of internal fixation, fusion of upper cervical were assessed by imaging examination. During follow-up, complications were documented and analyzed. Results: Postoperatively 12 months, all bony fusion were achieved. Tuberculosis were reached clinical cure in 12-18 months. The JOA score increased from 10.5±2.0 preoperatively to 15.6 ±1.1 in final follow-up(P<0.05), and the NDI decreased from 29.9 ± 6.2 preoperatively to 8.6±1.6 (P<0.05). At last follow-up, according to Odom's standard, excellent were obtained in 6 cases (75.0%), good 1 cases (12.5%) and ordinary 1 case (12.5%). No severe complications was documented during follow-up. Conclusions: The treatment of posterior debridement combine with atlantoaxial fusion, and structure grafting and local anti-Tuberculosis drug using intraoperative, not only could obtain reliable clinical efficacy, completely removal of lesions, but also obtain strong stability, which plays an important role in the treatment of cervical tuberculosis.

TNF alpha inhibits myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells through NF-κB activation and impairment of IGF-1 signaling pathway.

Cachexia or muscle wasting is a common condition that occurs in many chronic diseases. The wasting conditions are characterized by increased levels of TNF-α which was also known as cachectin in the past. But how TNF-α exerts its cachetic effects remains controversial. To clarify this issue, we investigated the impact of TNF-α on C2C12 cell myogenic differentiation. Our results demonstrate that myotube formation was completely inhibited by TNF-α when added to differentiating C2C12 myoblasts. The inhibitory effect of TNF-α on differentiation was accompanied by activation of NF-κB and down regulation of myogenin and Akt. Importantly, TNF-α's effect on differentiation was abolished when IGF-1 was added to the culture. IGF-1 treatment also inhibited NF-κB reporter activity and restored Akt levels. Our data suggest that TNF-α inhibits myogenic differentiation through NF-κB activation and impairment of IGF-1 signaling pathway. The reversal of TNF-α induced inhibition of myogenesis by IGF-1 may have significant therapeutic potential.

Increased spontaneous neuronal activity in structurally damaged cortex is correlated with early motor recovery in patients with subcortical infarction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Secondary cortical thinning and volumetric atrophy in the motor-related cortex can inhibit early functional recovery after subcortical infarction. However, the relationship between the spontaneous neuronal activity in these cortices and motor recovery in patients with focal cerebral infarct remains unknown. METHODS: Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI were conducted 1, 4 and 12 weeks after onset in 22 patients with an acute subcortical infarct and in 22 normal subjects. Group differences in cortical thickness and in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in motor-related areas were evaluated, and the relationships between ALFF, cortical thickness changes and changes in the Fugl-Meyer scores of physical performance were further analyzed. RESULTS: In patients with subcortical infarction, progressively decreasing cortical thickness was found over the observation period ipsilesionally in the primary motor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor cortex (SMC) and precuneus (all P < 0.05). Contralesionally, progressive increases in cortical thickness were detected in SMC and insula (all P < 0.05). Increases in ALFF were observed only in PMC (bilaterally) and only at 12 weeks after stroke (all P < 0.05). The cortical thickness changes in the contralesional SMC (rs = 0.483, P = 0.023) and the ALFF changes in bilateral PMC (ipsilesional, rs = 0.51, P = 0.015; contralesional, rs = 0.463, P = 0.03) were positively correlated with changes in the Fugl-Meyer scores. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increased spontaneous neuronal activity of the PMC, a region structurally damaged secondarily to ischaemic lesion, may contribute to early motor recovery in patients with subcortical infarction.

Clinical significance and levels of blood brain natriuretic peptides in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation before and after catheter ablation.

The aim of this study was to observe levels of blood brain natriuretic peptides (BNPs) in patients with persistent atrial fibril-lation (AF) before and after catheter ablation. Thirty-six patients with persistent AF (28 successful surgeries and eight recurrent cases) and 36 healthy controls with normal sinus rhythm were recruited for this study. BNP levels in the AF and control groups were measured before and after catheter ablation. BNP levels before surgery were significantly higher in the persistent AF group than in the control group (P < 0.01). The successful surgery group had distinctly lower BNP levels before ablation than the recurrent group (P < 0.01). In the recurrent group, BNP levels 2 h after ablation were significantly lower than those be-fore ablation (P < 0.01); these levels increased after AF recurrence (P < 0.01) and were comparable with those before ablation (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the BNP level was an inde-pendent factor for and predictor of AF recurrence (P < 0.01). The BNP level in patients with persistent AF is clinically important in predicting and evaluating AF recurrence after ablation.

Bortezomib inhibits C2C12 growth by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Proteosome inhibitors such as bortezomib (BTZ) have been used to treat muscle wasting in animal models. However, direct effect of BTZ on skeletal muscle cells has not been reported. In the present study, our data showed that C2C12 cells exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability in response to increasing concentrations of BTZ. Consistent with the results of cell viability, Annexin V/PI analysis showed a significant increase in apoptosis after exposing the cells to BTZ for 24h. The detection of cleaved caspase-3 further confirmed apoptosis. The apoptosis induced by BTZ was associated with reduced expression of p-ERK. Cell cycle analysis revealed that C2C12 cells underwent G2/M cell cycle arrest when incubated with BTZ for 24h. Furthermore, BTZ inhibited formation of multinucleated myotubes. The inhibition of myotube formation was accompanied by decreased expression of Myogenin. Our data suggest that BTZ induces cell death and inhibits differentiation of C2C12 cells at clinically relevant doses.

Distribution of H-FABP and ACSL4 gene polymorphisms and their associations with intramuscular fat content and backfat thickness in different pig populations.

Here, we analyzed the distribution of H-FABP/(HinfI, MspI, and HaeIII) and ACSL4/RsaI polymorphisms, and the associations of these 4 polymorphic loci with intramuscular fat (IMF) content and backfat thickness (BFT) in Yanan, Jinhua, Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire) (DLY) pigs. H-FABP/HinfI polymorphisms were present in all the 6 populations. At the ACSL4/RsaI locus, sows had 3 genotypes, whereas boars only had haplotype A or G, in Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, and DLY pigs. H-FABP/(MspI and HaeIII) and ACSL4/RsaI polymorphisms were absent in Yanan and Jinhua pigs. Linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated that the 3 loci (HinfI, MspI, and HaeIII) were separated. Association analysis showed that the H-FABP/HinfI locus significantly affected IMF content in DLY (P < 0.05) and Yanan (P < 0.001) pigs. The highest IMF content was recorded in the adH haplotype of the 3 H-FABP polymorphic loci (2.59%, P < 0.05) in DLY pigs. At the ACSL4/RsaI locus, higher IMF content was recorded for sows with a GG genotype or boars with a G haplotype compared to those with an AA genotype (2.53 vs 2.10%, P < 0.05) or A haplotype (2.48 vs 1.73%, P < 0.01) in DLY pigs. Significant differences were not obtained among these 4 polymorphic loci and BFT (P > 0.05). The results indicate that H-FABP and ACSL4 genes might serve as markers to improve IMF content (but not BFT) in the pig breeding system.

Sorption behaviour of neptunium in marine and fresh water bottom sediments in Far East area of Russia (Lake Khanka and Amur Bay).

The concentration and sorption behavior of 237Np on the bottom sediments of water bodies in the Far East region of Russia (Lake Khanka and Peter the Great Bay) were studied for the first time. The 237Np concentrations vary from 1.06 × 10-6 to 4.43 × 10-5 mBq g-1 in the bottom sediments of Lake Khanka and from 1.05 × 10-4 to 2.52 × 10-3 mBq g-1 for Amur Bay. The experiment on the adsorption of Np on marine and lake sediment showed that it is sorbed through complexation with silicates (albite, leucite). The Np sorption isotherm on marine sediments is described by the Langmuir equation; the distribution coefficients (Kd) of Np vary from 57 to 588 mL g-1. For lake sediments, the isotherm is described by the Henry equation; the Kd value reaches 935 mL g-1.

Regulatory functions of docosahexaenoic acid on ion channels in rat ventricular myocytes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the regulatory functions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on resting potential (RP), action potential duration (APD), delayed rectifier potassium current (Ik), and inwardly rectifier potassium current (Ik1) in rat ventricular myocytes, and analyze the related anti-arrhythmia mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzyme digestion method. RP, APD, Ik and Ik1 in individual ventricular myocytes were recorded by patch-clamp technique with whole-cell configuration. Effects of DHA with various concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 mmol/L, respectively) on RP, AP, Ik and Ik1 were investigated. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference of RP with different DHA concentrations (p > 0.05, n = 20), and the 25%, 50% and 90% of APD (APD25, APD50, and APD90) were gradually prolonged with increase of DHA concentration, respectively (p < 0.05, n = 20). IK gradually blocked and the I-V curve was downward shifted, according to increase of DHA concentration (p < 0.05, n = 20). The DHA half effect concentration (EC50) was 47.52 ± 2.32 µmol/L. With increasing DHA concentration, the steady-state inactivation curve shifted to left, and the recovery curve shifted to right. DHA had no significant effect on IK1 (p > 0.05, n = 20). CONCLUSIONS: DHA has regulatory functions on RP, APD, Ik and Ik1 in rat ventricular myocytes, which may be one of the related antiarrhythmic mechanisms.