Oral squamous cell carcinomas: state of the field and emerging directions / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) develops on the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity. It accounts for approximately 90% of oral malignancies and impairs appearance, pronunciation, swallowing, and flavor perception. In 2020, 377,713 OSCC cases were reported globally. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), the incidence of OSCC will rise by approximately 40% by 2040, accompanied by a growth in mortality. Persistent exposure to various risk factors, including tobacco, alcohol, betel quid (BQ), and human papillomavirus (HPV), will lead to the development of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), which are oral mucosal lesions with an increased risk of developing into OSCC. Complex and multifactorial, the oncogenesis process involves genetic alteration, epigenetic modification, and a dysregulated tumor microenvironment. Although various therapeutic interventions, such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and nanomedicine, have been proposed to prevent or treat OSCC and OPMDs, understanding the mechanism of malignancies will facilitate the identification of therapeutic and prognostic factors, thereby improving the efficacy of treatment for OSCC patients. This review summarizes the mechanisms involved in OSCC. Moreover, the current therapeutic interventions and prognostic methods for OSCC and OPMDs are discussed to facilitate comprehension and provide several prospective outlooks for the fields.

Clinical experience summary of surgical treatment abdominal gastrointestinal foreign body in children / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To summarize the clinical experience of surgical treatment abdominal gastrointestinal foreign body in children, thus to provide a theoretical basis for clinical decision-making.Methods:The clinical data, including age distribution, clinical manifestations, surgical treatment strategy and prognosis, from 60 children with abdominal gastrointestinal foreign body treated by operation in Children's hospital of Hu′nan Province from January 2015 to June 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. Among the 60 children, 38 males and 22 females, with a median age of 2.9 years. Observation data included the type and location of foreign bodies in the digestive tract, clinical manifestations and surgical methods, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay. The following-up time was 6 months to 2 years by telephone or clinic. The short/long-term complications was observed.Results:Children under 3 years old accounted for 56.7%. Types of foreign bodies included magnetic foreign bodies, sharp objects[paper clips, nails, screws, fish bone and others, etc], crystal ball, jujube pit, gastric hair stone, batteries and badminton holder. The foreign bodies were mainly located in stomach and small intestine. Abdominal pain and vomiting were the most common symptoms. The patients of foreign body with long residence time had peritonitis such as fever and abdominal pain, among 21 cases were combined with gastrointestinal perforation. There were varieties kind of operaion methods, including gastrointestinal incision and foreign bodies removal( n=22), appendectomy and foreign bodies removal( n=7), repair of gastrointestinal perforation( n=6), intestinal resection and anastomosis( n=17), intestinal resection plus enterostomy( n=5)but whose fistula was closed after 3 months, lateral wall of rectum repair( n=3). Fifty-two patients underwent common open abdomen operation, 8 patients underwent laparoscopic operation. The operating time was(93.5±19.3) min. Intraoperative blood loss was(20.2±4.3) mL. The postoperative hospitalization was 13(5, 19) d. The postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients who were nonoperative treatment recovery. Conclusions:Magnetic foreign body, sharp foreign body, crystal ball, jujube nucleus and corrosive foreign body are the main causes of digestive tract obstruction and perforation in children. Individualized operation plan should be selected as soon as possible according to the number of foreign bodies, retention position and whether or not digestive tract perforation.

Current diagnosis and treatment of acute extremity compartment syndrome / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Extremity compartment syndrome can cause neuromuscular ischemia and deposition of metabolites in the compartment,leading to irreversible lesions which harm limb functions in the end.It is a great challenge for surgeons to make a timely and accurate diagnosis of the syndrome in adults and children.The key is evaluation of the clinical symptoms and intracompartmental pressure.In this paper we summarize the epidemiology,etiology,pathophysiology,and current diagnosis and treatment of acute extremity compartment syndrome of the upper and lower extremities in adults and children.

Design and research of regional health service platform based on big data sharing / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To establish an intelligent and integrated regional health service platform by process reengineering, multi business system collaboration,heterogeneous data exchange and applying big data analysis.Methods Interconnection, intercommunication and data sharing between related platforms were implemented with service-oriented architecture,internet technology, integrated medical resources in Nanjing as well as combined on-and off-line services. Results The regional health service platform based on big data sharing was implemented in Nanjing so that medical service process was optimized and the problems such as"three longs and one short"were solved.The idea and methods for constructing the platform were recognized by national 12320 center and duplicated by six provinces, and social benefits were gained. Conclusion It's feasible to establish the regional health service platform based on big data sharing, and whole-course and multi-way self health management is implemented.

Correlation between the decline of severe granulocyte in the early stage of chemotherapy and the prognosis of small cell lung cancer / 实用肿瘤学杂志

Objective The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between the early stage of severe granulocy-topenia and the curative effect on clinical prognosis of chemotherapy in the first-line EP regimen of small cell lung cancer(SCLC). Methods A retrospective study analysis of 82 cases of first-line EP chemotherapy in patients with SCLC was collected clinical da-ta,according to the time of patients with severe neutropenia.Patients were divided into two groups i.e.early-onset group(the first two cycles appeared Ⅲ-Ⅳ neutrophil decline)and non-early-onset group(Ⅲ~Ⅳneutropenia did not appear or three cycles and lat-er).The main indicators for the observation were objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),time to progression (TTP)and overall survival(OS).Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used to analyze univariate survival and Cox propor-tional hazards model to analyze multivariate survival.Results The effective rates of chemotherapy were 81.8% and 75.5%(P=0.499),and DCRs were 97.0% and 95.9% in early-onset and non-early-onset groups,respectively(P>0.05).The median survival time was 10.4 months and 6.9 months in early-onset and non-early-onset groups,respectively(P=0.001).The median OSs were 22.4 months and 16.0 months in early-onset and non-early-onset groups,respectively(P=0.023).Multivariate surviv-al analysis revealed that smoking index,number of chemotherapy cycles,chest radiotherapy and early-onset severe neutropenia were independent prognostic factors for SCLC(P<0.05).Conclusion Chemotherapy-related loss of early severe neutropenia correlates with the efficacy of chemotherapy in SCLC and is an independent predictor of prognosis in SCLC.

The effects of closure to live poultry markets on Avian influenza A (H7N9) epidemics in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Since March 2013,China had experienced five seasonal epidemics related to Avian influenza A (H7N9).An unprecedented outbreak of H7N9 epidemic started from September 2016,with 730 cases reported till June 30th 2017,in mainland China that caused profound influences on both social development and health of the people.As an emerging infectious disease,information on pathogenic characteristics,transmission patterns and other epidemiological features of H7N9 virus somehow remained unclear.Data from previous studies suggested that the live poultry market (LPM) seemed to have served as main places where H7N9 virus got originated,mutated,spread and thus infected the human beings.Hence,closure of LPMs was suggested a major measure to control and prevent H7N9 epidemics in China.However,the effectiveness of different ways of LPM closures on H7N9 epidemics had been controversial.This study systemically summarized the effects of different ways of LPM closures on H7N epidemics from previous studies,aiming to provide references for developing a better program on H7N9 control and prevention in the country.

The effects of closure to live poultry markets on Avian influenza A (H7N9) epidemics in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Since March 2013,China had experienced five seasonal epidemics related to Avian influenza A (H7N9).An unprecedented outbreak of H7N9 epidemic started from September 2016,with 730 cases reported till June 30th 2017,in mainland China that caused profound influences on both social development and health of the people.As an emerging infectious disease,information on pathogenic characteristics,transmission patterns and other epidemiological features of H7N9 virus somehow remained unclear.Data from previous studies suggested that the live poultry market (LPM) seemed to have served as main places where H7N9 virus got originated,mutated,spread and thus infected the human beings.Hence,closure of LPMs was suggested a major measure to control and prevent H7N9 epidemics in China.However,the effectiveness of different ways of LPM closures on H7N9 epidemics had been controversial.This study systemically summarized the effects of different ways of LPM closures on H7N epidemics from previous studies,aiming to provide references for developing a better program on H7N9 control and prevention in the country.

Advance in mechanism of vascular endothelial injury and targeted therapy in patients with overlap syndrome / 天津医药

The changes of pathophysiology and clinical symptoms in patients with overlap syndrome (OS) are more serious than those of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). OS is more prone to cardiovascular disease, which the makes treatment more difficult and prognosis worse. There is a lack of drugs that can significantly slow or prevent the progression of OS and cardiovascular complications. The damage of vascular endothelium is closely related to cardiovascular diseases. At present, COPD and OSAHS have received extensive attention in the vascular endothelial injury and the treatment. This article summarizes the progress in the mechanism of injury of vascular endothelium in OS in recent years, including the damage of hypoxia, inflammation, oxidative stress and changes of sympathetic nerve activity, and summarizes targeted therapy for vascular endothelial injury, mainly including non-invasive ventilator, cell transplantation and targeted drug treatment. This study provides theoretical basis for the clinical treatment and prognosis improvement in patients with OS.

Research and development of the scenario database for high altitude military medical comprehensive exercise / 军事医学

Objective To construct a scenario database for high altitude military medical comprehensive exercises to enhance the training efficiency.Methods Related documents were used as guidelines for construction.Information technologies were used as construction support.The hierarchical model was used as a technical framework.JAVA,Linux,Oracle and Tomcat were used as development tools.Results First,the foundation of the system was elaborated regarding of guiding ideology,construction principles and standards.Second,the architectural design of the system was stated around the functional framework,technical framework and information framework.Third,the implementation of the system was outlined in terms of development tools and function modules.Conclusion The scenario database can provide standard data resources for related simulation training systems and perfect scenario support for high altitude health service training,which can contribute to the training reform and the improvement of training quality.

Pretreatment with Pam3 CSK4 decreases inflammation in renal tissue from mice with systemic MRSA infection / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To observe whether pretreatment with Pam3CSK4,a TLR2 agonist,could decrease the inflammation response in kidney from mice with systemic MRSA infection,and to investigate the mechanism of the attenuation of inflammation with Pam3CSK4 pretreatment. Methods:BALB/c mice were pretreated with Pam3CSK4 (10 μg/100 μl/each mouse) or PBS via tail vein once daily for two consecutive days. All mice were infected with live MRSA (ATCC43300) at 2×107 CFU/each mouse (via tail vein) 24 h after the second treatment. The levels of cytokines in kidney were measured by ELISA and real-time PCR,respectively. The relative expression of TLR2,IRAKs etc. were detected by real-time PCR. Western blot was performed to detect the phosphorylation of NF-κB, the expression of IRAK-M and A20,respectively. Results:The level of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,CCL3 and IFN-γ in renal tissue from mice pretreated with Pam3CSK4 was decreased significantly compared with that from PBS-treated mice,respectively. Pam3CSK4 pretreatment down-regulated the relative expression of TLR2, inhibited the expression of IRAK-1 and the phosphorylation of NF-κB post infection. The expression of IRAK-M,one of the negative regulators in TLRs signaling pathway was increased significantly in renal tissue from Pam3CSK4-treated mice post infection. Conclusion:Pam3CSK4 pretreatment attenuated the inflammation response in kidney from mice with systemic MRSA infection,and these attenuation is related with up-regulation of IRAK-M.

Pretreatment with Pam3 CSK4 decreases inflammation in renal tissue from mice with systemic MRSA infection / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To observe whether pretreatment with Pam3CSK4,a TLR2 agonist,could decrease the inflammation response in kidney from mice with systemic MRSA infection,and to investigate the mechanism of the attenuation of inflammation with Pam3CSK4 pretreatment. Methods:BALB/c mice were pretreated with Pam3CSK4 (10 μg/100 μl/each mouse) or PBS via tail vein once daily for two consecutive days. All mice were infected with live MRSA (ATCC43300) at 2×107 CFU/each mouse (via tail vein) 24 h after the second treatment. The levels of cytokines in kidney were measured by ELISA and real-time PCR,respectively. The relative expression of TLR2,IRAKs etc. were detected by real-time PCR. Western blot was performed to detect the phosphorylation of NF-κB, the expression of IRAK-M and A20,respectively. Results:The level of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,CCL3 and IFN-γ in renal tissue from mice pretreated with Pam3CSK4 was decreased significantly compared with that from PBS-treated mice,respectively. Pam3CSK4 pretreatment down-regulated the relative expression of TLR2, inhibited the expression of IRAK-1 and the phosphorylation of NF-κB post infection. The expression of IRAK-M,one of the negative regulators in TLRs signaling pathway was increased significantly in renal tissue from Pam3CSK4-treated mice post infection. Conclusion:Pam3CSK4 pretreatment attenuated the inflammation response in kidney from mice with systemic MRSA infection,and these attenuation is related with up-regulation of IRAK-M.

Relationship between HTPR and END in acute non-cardiogenic cerebral infarction patients after thrombolytic therapy / 中华老年心脑血管病杂志

Objective To study the relationship between high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) and early neurological deterioration (END) in acute non-cardiogenic cerebral infarction patients.Methods Two hundred and fifteen acute non-cardiogenic cerebral infarction patients were divided into END group (n=55) and EDD-free group (n=160).The patients were given oral aspirin (300 mg daily) on the day after admission,and fasting blood samples were taken at 6-24 h after the first dose of aspirin.Their platelet aggregative function (PAGT) was assayed with ADP to detect the platelet responsiveness to aspirin.The incidence of HTPR was compared between the two groups.The independent risk factors for END were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.The value of PAGT in predicting END was assessed according to its ROC curve.Results The incidence of HTRP was higher in END group than in END-free group (63.34％ vs 43.75％,P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HTRP was an independent risk factor for acute non-cardiogenic cerebral infarction.The area under the ROC curve was 0.864 for PAGT in predicting acute non-cardiogenic cerebral infarction (95 ％ CI:0.806-0.922,P=0.000).Conclusion HTPR is closely related with END in acute non-cardiogenic cerebral infarction patients.

Dexamethasone effect on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1/smads signaling pathway in benign biliary stricture fibroblasts in rodent

Objective: To investigate the effects of dexamethasone on transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta1/Smads signaling pathway in benign biliary stricture [BBS] fibroblasts

Study Design: An experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China, from January to August 2016

Methodology: Fibroblasts derived from rabbit BBS model were cultured and identified, then treated by different concentration of dexamethasone [0.02, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/ml]. Dexamethasone-treated cells and non-treated control groups were incubated respectively for 48 hours. Cell proliferation was assessed using cell counting kit-8. Relative mRNA expression of TGF-beta1, Smad4 and Smad7 were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. Protein expression of TGF-beta1 and Smad4 were investigated by Western blotting

Results: Treatment with dexamethasone significantly inhibited the proliferation of BBS fibroblasts, significantly attenuated both the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-beta1 and Smad4, and significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of Smad7 in BBS fibroblasts [all p<0.05, 0.1-0.5 mg/ml], and exhibited in a dose-dependent manner

Conclusion: TGF-beta1/Smads signaling pathway may play an important role in BBS progression; dexamethasone significantly altered the expression of TGF-beta1/Smads signaling pathway and significantly inhibited cell proliferation in rabbit BBS fibroblasts. Therefore, dexamethasone may be a therapeutic option for the prevention of BBS

Tetramethylpyrazine effects on the expression of scar-related genes in rabbit benign biliary stricture fibroblasts

Objective: To investigate the effects of tetramethylpyrazine [TMP] on transforming growth factor-beta1 [TGF- beta1], alpha-smooth muscle actin [alpha-SMA], and neuronal regeneration related protein [P311] in benign biliary stricture fibroblasts of rabbit. Study Design: An experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China, from April to December 2015

Methodology: Fibroblasts isolated from rabbits following benign biliary stricture were cultured and treated with different concentrations of TMF [0.08, 0.4. and 2.0 mg/ml]. TMP-treated cells and non-treated control groups were incubated for 48-hours, and proliferation was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay. The mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, alpha-SMA, and P311 were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. Protein expressions of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA were investigated by Western blotting

Results: Treatment with TMP significantly reduced the proliferation of benign biliary stricture fibroblasts, and significantly attenuated both the mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-beta1, alpha-SMA, and P311 [p <0.05] in a dose-dependent manner

Conclusion: TMP significantly reduced the proliferation of benign biliary stricture fibroblasts, and significantly down- regulated the mRNA/protein expression of TGF-beta1, alpha-SMA, and P311. Therefore, TMP may be a therapeutic option for the prevention of benign biliary stricture

Effect of preemptive local injection of ropivocaine with dexmedetomidine on mirror pain in rats and its mechanism

Objective: To observe the effect of preemptive local injection of ropivocaine with dexmedetomidine on activation of glial cells and on the mirror pain in rats and its mechanism. Methods: A total of 48 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 180 g-220 g) were included in the study and randomized into 3 groups, Group S, Group R, and Group RD

Effect of preemptive local injection of ropivocaine with dexmedetomidine on mirror pain in rats and its mechanism

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of preemptive local injection of ropivocaine with dexmedetomidine on activation of glial cells and on the mirror pain in rats and its mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 48 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 180 g-220 g) were included in the study and randomized into 3 groups, Group S, Group R, and Group RD1. A rat model of persistent postoperative pain evoked by skin/muscle incision and retraction was established in the three groups. Before procedures and nerve extraction, Group S (n = 16) was injected 0.9% saline locally; Group R (n = 16) was injected 0.5% ropivocaine locally, and Group RD1 (n = 16) was injected 0.5% ropivocaine in combined with 1 μg dexmedetomidine locally. After the model being established in the three groups, 8 rats were used for behavior test until 28 d, and dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) of the other 8 rats were harvested on the 3rd day after surgery. Immunofluorescent and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the activation of glial cells in DRG, and the behavior test results in the three groups were compared.@*RESULTS@#The results showed that mechanical pain threshold in ipsilateral hind-paws of the Group S, Group R, Group RD1 animals dropped to (3.640 ± 1.963) g, (5.827 ± 1.204) g, (7.482) ± 1.412 g at 3 d respectively; while in contralateral paws dropped to (7.100 ± 1.789) g, (17.687 ± 1.112) g, (16.213 ± 1.345) g on the 3 d respectively. Immunofluorescent showed that the glial cells were activated in bilateral side DRG after surgery in 3 groups, but ipsilateral paws expressed more active glial cells than contralateral paws. Transmission electron microscopy showed that mitochondria swelling/vacuolization and lysosomes were more obvious in ipsilateral paws than contralateral paws, but Group RD1 formula could reduce glial cells activity, mitochondria swelling/vacuolization and the amount of lysosomes.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Local injection of ropivocaine and/or dexmedetomidine can effectively inhibit the activation of glial cells in DRG, mitigate the pathological changes of neuron in DRG and reduce mirror image pain.

Protective effects of adipose?derived stem cells with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition by lentivirus?mediated stable gene silencing on ischemia?reperfusion injury of renal tubular epithelial cells / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To explore the protective effects of adipose - derived stem cells (ADSCs) with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition by lentivirus-mediated stable gene silencing on the proliferation and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in vitro. Methods To isolate cultivate and indentify ADSCs from rats. Lentiviral expression vector of carrying PDE5 shRNA gene was transfected into ADSCs, and a negative control group was set up.Western blotting was used to detect PDE5 protein expression levels. ADSCs were co-cultured with NRK-52E in a transwell system, and NRK-52E cells were treated with ischemia/reoxygenation protocol. Edu assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation of NRK cells, flow cytometry to detect the apoptosis of NRK cells, and ELISA to quantify the protein expressions of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The expression of E - cadherin and cytokeratin 18 (CK18) was quantified by real time PCR and flow cytometry. Results Western blotting for PDE5 protein indicated a significant reduction of PDE5 protein levels in PDE5 shRNA transduced population. After the treatment of ischemia/reoxygenation in vitro, the proliferative viability and apoptosis of NRK-52E cells co-cultured with ADSCs induced by PDE5 gene inhibition were significantly improved, compared to the normal group (all P<0.05). And the release of HGF, FGF were markedly enhanced (all P<0.05). Moreover, the NRK-52E cells survival, the expression of E-cadherin and CK18 on PDE5 inhibited ADSCs co-cultured with I/R injured NRK cells was significantly increased compared to that in the negative control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion ADSCs preconditioned by inhibition of PDE5 can be a powerful novel approach to improve the survival of renal tubular cells following ischemia-reperfusion injury, and have an obvious tendency to transform epithelial cells.

Raman spectroscopy of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in medium-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Studies about low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields interfering with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells proliferation and differentiation are many, but the Raman spectra of single stem cells irradiated in electromagnetic fields analyzed by surface Raman spectroscopy analysis are rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To compare the difference in Raman spectra of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with or with no irradiation of 3 000 Hz pulsed electromagnetic fields. METHODS:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured and identified. Passage 3 cells were inoculated into 6-wel plates and divided into two groups:pulsed electromagnetic field irradiation group and blank control group. After cultured for 7 days, cells in the two groups were transferred to physiological saline, and 30 cells were randomly col ected from each group. Four Raman spectra were harvested from each celland the average relative intensity of Raman spectra was calculated and compared between two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were the same Raman peaks in the two groups, and the waveforms were basical y same in the two group based on the curve mapping by origin 7.0 software. The peak value in the irradiation group was decreased compared with the blank control group. Laser optical tweezers Raman spectroscopy can be applied to study the biochemical changes of a single stem cellat the molecular level. The Raman spectra of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells irradiated by 3 000 Hz pulsed electromagnetic fields differ from those without irradiation, and the peak also lowered after irradiation.

Endoscopic intranasal structure reconstruction surgery in treating rhinogenic headache / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic intranasal structure reconstruction surgery for rhinogenous headache. Methods 82 cases of rhinogenous headache were given endoscopic intranasal structure reconstruction. Compared VAS scores before and 6 months after treatment, counted the effective rate. Results Among the 82 patients, 69 patients(84. 1%) were cured, 8 cases (9. 8%) were of obvious effect, 5 cases (6. 1%) were invalid, and the total efficiency was 93. 9%. VAS scores of the mucosal contact headache group before treatment were greater than that of the sinus headache group (P0. 05). Conclusion Endoscopic surgical operation can remove the extrusion of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses and factors of nasal congestion, and then reconstruct normal anatomical structure of nasal cavity, thus restoring normal function of paranasal sinuses. It has good therapeutic effect on rhinogenic headache.

Comparison of the outcomes of monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency ablation in surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the therapeutic effects and safety of monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency (RF) ablation used during cardiac surgery to treat atrial fibrillation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively studied a total of 81 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation who underwent open cardiac surgery with concomitant RF ablation between January 2007 and March 2011. Fifty-eight patients received bipolar RF ablation and 23 received monopolar RF ablation, respectively. The sinus rhythm restoration rate, the procedural duration, the frequency of severe perioperative complications, and mortality were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sinus rhythm restoration rate did not differ significantly between the two groups after follow-up of 15.1 ± 12.6 months (P=0.199). The frequencies of severe perioperative complications and mortality were also similar in the two groups. The total procedural time using bipolar RF ablation was significantly shorter than that using monopolar ablation (19.7 ± 4.6 minutes vs. 28.1 ± 8.5 minutes, P< 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both monopolar and bipolar RF ablation are safe and effective in treating chronic atrial fibrillation patients during open cardiac surgery, but bipolar RF ablation is more convenient in practice.</p>