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Objective To explore the correlations between intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters measured at different time points and histopathological markers in an orthotopic xenograft hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nude mice model. Methods A total of 40 HCC orthotopic bearing mouse models were established. When they grew to 21 days, 10 HCC-bearing mice were randomly selected as the baseline group (Group A) by a numeric table method. Then the rest mice were randomly selected on the 28th day, 35th day, and 42nd day of the growth by using the same method, 10 each for B, C, and D groups, respectively. All mice underwent MR IVIM study and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*) and perfusion fraction (f) were measured. After the MRI scanning, the tumors were removed for pathological examination. The necrosis score (NF), tumor size and microvessel density (MVD) were calculated. The IVIM parameters were compared among these 4 groups by Kruskal-Wallis H test and the correlations between these IVIM parameters and histological features were studied with Spearman rank correlation test. Results One tumor in each of C and D groups was excluded because f values of IVIM were close to zero. There were significant differences found in ADC and D among all the 4 groups (P＜0.05). However, no difference was found in D*and f (P＞0.05). Compared with the baseline (group A), ADC decreased significantly at 7 and 14 days, whilst D decreased significantly at 7 days. The differences in tumor size, MVD and NF between the 4 groups were statistically significant. Compared with the baseline, the tumor size and NF significantly increased at 7, 14 and 21 days, and MVD increased at 14 and 21 days. Significantly positive correlations were demonstrated between ADC and MVD, NF (r=0.461 and 0.442, P＜0.05), between D and MVD, NF (r=0.568 and 0.519, P＜0.05) after exclusion of the data from the baseline. The parameter f from all the time points including the baseline was positively correlated with histological MVD and NF (r=0.590 and 0.458, P＜0.05). Conclusion IVIM parameters may reflect the intratumoral vascularity, tumor cell proliferation and necrosis of HCC, and they are correlated with the pathological indicators.
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Objective To study the effect of infrared irradiation on the expression of epidermal growth factor EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the gastric mucosa of rats with chronic atrophic gastritis CAG),and to explore its mechanism.Methods Forty healthy adult and clean Wistar male rats were randomized into a normal control group (N group),a model control group (M group) and an infrared group (I group) using a random number table.CAG was induced in the rats of the M and I groups by intra-gastric infusion of 2 ml of a mixture of 30％ alcohol and 2％ sodium salicylate once every day for 8 weeks.This was combined with compulsory running and irregular fasting as pathogenic factors.After the CAG model had been established,the rats in the I group were given infrared irradiation for 10 rain once every day for 20 days.Then all of the rats were sacrificed and the expression of EGF and EGFR was observed using immunohistochemistry.Results The positive staining scores for EGF and EGFR of the M group were 4.91±2.58 and 6.75±2.63,significantly higher than those of the N group (2.10±0.65 and 4.20±2.24 respectively).Those of the I group were 2.75±1.01 and 4.75± 1.66,significantly lower than those of the M group,though not significantly different from the N group's averages.Conclusion Infrared irradiation can inhibit over-expression of EGF and EGFR in the gastric mucosa of rats with chronic atrophic gastritis.This should protect the gastric mucosa and promote tissue repair and healing.
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Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the differences on origin distribution and radiofrequency ablation characteristics between premature ventricular contractions (PVC) from left and right ventricular.Methods A total of 354 frequent PVC patients were enrolled.Two hundred and eighty patients were PVCs with right ventricular origin (group RV) and 74 patients with left ventricular origin (group LV).The age,gender,ablation power,temperature and duration,time of target potential before QRS onset,fluoroscopic time,procedure time and success rate were compared between the two groups.Results Majority PVCs (79.10％) were of right ventricular origin,in which the most common site was at right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) (55.93％);whereas,only 20.90％ were of left ventricular.There were significantly differences between group RV and group LV in age [(44.7 ± 13.6) yrs vs (49.6 ±15.9) yrs,P =0.017],gender [male:35.4％ (99) vs 55.4％ (41),P =0.002],time of target potential before QRS onset [(37.9 ± 16.2) msvs (31.3 ± 11.7) ms,P=0.008],procedure time [(85.1 ± 36.9) minvs (100.8 ± 45.5) min,P=0.017],fluoroscopic time [(12.3 ± 9.2) min vs (15.9± 10.8) min,P =0.028] and success rate (96.4％ vs 89.2％,P =0.012).Conclusions Radiofrequency ablation of PVCs was a safe and effective method.Subjects with RV PVCs are younger and more females than subjects with LV PVCs.The radiofrequency ablation for RV PVCs was easier,and the success rate was higher than that for LV PVCs.
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Objective To investigate the effect of simvastatin on heme oxygenase (HO) -1expression and ventricular remodeling in rats with non-ischemic heart failure. Methods Seventy eight male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: normal control group (n = 18), model group and simvastatin group (n= 60). Male Wistar rats in model and simvastatin group were given adrimycin(ADR) in an accumulated dose of 15 mg/kg for two weeks (2.5 mg /kg, peritoneal injection, three times per week), and 8 rats were dead. The survival rats (n= 52) were then randomly divided into two groups: model group (n=26) and simvastatin group (n=26), and 6 rats were dead in model group, while 7 dead in simvastatin group at the end of the study. Then rats in simvastatin treatment group(n=19)were given simvastatin 20 mg·kg-1·d-1 by gavage for four weeks,and rats in model group (n=20) and in control group (n=18) were treated with 5% glucose by gavage.At the forth week, another 9 rats were selected into the study and given ADR with an accumulated dose of 15 mg/kg for two weeks. The hemodynamics, mRNA expression of HO-1 in myocardium, left ventricular function as well as hydroxyproline were measured at the end of the sixth week. Results At the sixth week, compared with control group, systolic (+) and diastolic (-) function of the left ventricule (±LVdp/dtmax) of rats in model group and simvastatin group were reduced significantly, and the reduction amplitudes of + LVdp/dtmax and -LVdp/dtmax were 28.2%, 11.9% and 33.0%,27.9%,4, respectively (F = 4.899,3. 890, all P<0.01). The + LVdp/dtmax of rats in simvastatin group was higher than that in model group (F= 2.461, P<0.05). The content of myocardium hydroxyproline was elevated from the end of the second week [(485.0±52.9)g/kg vs. (364.0±41.6)g/kg,F=0.441 ,P<0.01]. At the end of the sixth week, the content of myocardium hydroxyproline of model group elevated continuously [(572.9±75.4) g/kg vs. (485.0±52.9)g/kg, F=0.654,P<0.05], but not for simvastatin group [(475.9±86.5) g/kg vs. (485.0±52.9)g/kg, P>0.05]. The mRNA expression of HO-1 in myocardium 'in model group was higher than that in control group [(0.6217±0.1229) vs. (0.2475±0.1053), F = 0.128, P < 0.01]. The mRNA expression of myocardium HO-1 was increased further by simvastatin treatment [(0.7860±0.1133) vs. (0.6217±0.1229),F=3.622,P<0.05]. Conclusions Compared with control group, the myocardial HO-1expression of heart failure rats is increased. Simvastatin treatment enhances the myocardium HO-1 expression further and alleviates myocardial injury and the degree of heart failure.
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Objective To analyse the prognostic factors of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction men and women. Methods The data of 904 in-hospital patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction were collected from the database of our hospital during 2003-2004 and 728 of them were followod-up. The patients were divided into groups of male and female. Results Women had more accompanying diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension than men; left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) was lower in female. The rate of successful reperfusion was lower in women than men (P < 0.05). Mortality rate was higher in women. 728(202 female) patients were followed up. The use of β-blockers were statistically different between two groups during follow-up. In the female group, LVEF was lower significantly and the rate of reodmission for heart failure and myocardial infarction as well as that of mortality was higher (P< 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that sex difference was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (OR = 2. 130,95% CI 0. 954-4.754, P = 0. 045) , but not for mortality in the followed-up period and readrnission. Conclusion There are many factors leading to the poor prognosis of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction in women. It is essential to pay more attention to its clinical characteristics and begin intervention of the risk factors earlier so as to improve the prognosis.
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Objective Fabry' s disease is a rare X-linked recessive disease. Its cardiac manifestations are not well recognized. Methods The data of 3 patients from different Chinese kindreds with Fabry's disease and cardiac manifestations who seeked medical advice in our department in 2007 were analyzed. The age, sex, family history, main symptoms, ECG and echocardiographic findings were recorded for all the patients. The diagnostic criteria of Fabry's disease was based on α-galactosidase (α-GAL) quantity in white blood cells. Results All of the patients were female. Their age was from 41 to 57. Two of them had the typical symptoms of Fabry's disease in their young age. All of them had family history of the disease and cardiac symptoms. ECG showed ST-T change and echocardiography showed hypertrophy of left ventricule of different degrees. Their α-galactosidase level in white blood cells was lower than normal. The α-galactosidase level in patient 1 was the lowest. Her cardiac symptoms were most serious in the three patients and she had involvement of other organs. Conclusion Patients with Fabry's disease may have cardiac manifestations. Family history, typical symptoms in young age and the characteristics of multi-systemic disorder are helpful clues to the diagnosis.
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Objective To explore the clinical features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in aged patients in China. Methods The 711 patients with HCM in our hospital from Sep 2002 to Sep 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data were compared between patients older and younger than 65 years. Results The 103 patients(14.5%) were older than 65 years. Compared with those patients younger than 65 years, the aged patients had a higher prevalence in female (52. 5 vs 29. 0%, P<0. 01), in comorbidity (64. 1% vs 25.0%, P<0, 01)and in atrial fibrillation (21.4% vs 14.0%, P<0. 05). Cardiac insufficiency was the most common symptom in aged patients with HCM. The age(r=0. 213, P<0. 05), size of left atrium (r=0. 308, P<0. 01) and atrial fibrillation (r= 0. 362, P<0. 01) had significant correlation with heart function. The 24 % of patients had one or more major risks for HCM-related sudden cardiac death (SCD), among which syncope was most common. Conclusions A higher prevalence of comorbidity, a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation and worse heart function existed in aged patients with HCM. The major risks for HCM-related SCD should not be neglected in evaluation for aged patients.
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Objective To observe the incidence and predictors of atrial fibrillation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).Methods 612 HCM patients were analyzed prospectively from July 1990 to November 2007.The age,sex,height,weight,medical history,main symptoms and incidence of atrial fibrillation were recorded.Results The patients'mean age was (47.8±14.9).414 patients(67.6%) were male.377 patients (61.6%)had left ventrieular outflow truer obstruction.94 patients(15.4%)and atrial fibrillation.43 patients(6.O%)had sustained and 51 patients (9.4%) had paroxysmal.The patients with atrial fibrillation were older in age and were predominantly female.Their medical history were longer,left atrial diameter(LAD)longer and plasma B-type natriuretie peptide(BNP)higher.logistic regression analysis indicated that the medical history(P=0.012),LAD(P=0.0001) and BNP (P=0.017)were the independent predictors of atrial fibrillation in HCM.Atrial fibrillation was accompanied by a decrease in functional status and an increase in risk of stroke.Conclusions The incidence of atrial fibrillation in HCM was high.The medical history.LAD and BNP were the independent predictors of its occurrence.
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Objective To establish the rat model of acute stress during chronic heart failure and evaluate it.Methods Male Wistar rats were injected adrimycin(ADR)via abdominal cavity to induce heart failure.Cardiovascular dynamics and heart pathology were measured.Rats with heart failure received bacterial lipopolysaccharide(LPS)0.2 mg/kg by peritoneal injection to induce acute stress,and we measured blood pressure,heart rate and the expression of HO-1 after LPS injection.Results ADR peritoneal injection led to heart failure successfully.Compared with that in normal group,left ventricular function(?LVdp/dtmax)of rats in model group reduced significantly,and myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy occurred,too.LPS peritoneal injection led to acute stress in rats with heart failure.Heart rate and blood pressure began to rise 0.5 h after LPS injection and reached at 1 h after LPS injection.The expression of myocardium HO-1 increased at 6 h and was significantly higher at 12 h after LPS injection.The expression of HO-1 was higher in model group than in normal group.Conclusion LPS peritoneal injection successfully leads to acute stress in rats with heart failure,providing a reliable model for study of decompensated heart failure.