Effects of moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) on cognition function and lower limb motor function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment of kidney essence deficiency / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of moxibustion at Yongquan（KI 1） on the cognitive function and lower limb motor function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment of kidney essence deficiency.@*METHODS@#Eighty-four patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment of kidney essence deficiency were randomly divided into an observation group（42 cases，1 case dropped off）and a control group（42 cases，1 case dropped off）.The control group was treated with medication，electroacupuncture，rehabilitation training and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation（rTMS）；on the basis of the treatment as the control group，moxibustion at bilateral Yongquan（KI 1）was adopted in the observation group.Both groups were treated once a day，5 days a week with 2-day interval，4 weeks were required. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, Fugl-Meyer assessment-lower extremity (FMA-LE) score, Berg balance scale (BBS) score, functional independence measure (FIM) score, modified fall efficacy scale (MFES) score and scale for the differentiation of syndromes of vascular dementia (SDSVD) score before and after treatment were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment，the MoCA, MMSE, FMA-LE, BBS, FIM and MFES scores were higher than those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment，the SDSVD scores were lower than those before treatment in both groups (P< 0.05), and the SDSVD score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P< 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion at Yongquan（KI 1） can improve the cognitive function and motor and balance function of lower limbs in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment of kidney essence deficiency，reduce the risk of fall and improve the quality of life.

Clinicopathological analysis of primary gastric (gastrointestinal)-type mucoglandular lesion of endometrium / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical and pathological features of primary gastric (gastrointestinal)-type mucoglandular lesions of the endometrium. Methods: Eight cases of primary gastric (gastrointestinal)-type mucoglandular lesions of endometrium diagnosed between 2014 to 2022 were retrieved from pathology archives of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China. The clinical history, pathological sections and follow-ups were analyzed. Results: The eight patients ranged in age from 35 to 67 years, with an average age of 55.5 years. Seven patients were examined for high-risk human papillary virus (HPV) before operation. Only one of them was positive for high-risk HPV52. No cervical mucinous lesions were found in any of the patients. Two cases were invasive gastric (gastrointestinal)-type adenocarcinoma, 2 cases were benign gastric (gastrointestinal)-type mucinous metaplasia, and the other 4 cases were atypical gastric (gastrointestinal)-type mucinous gland hyperplasia. Microscopically, tumor cells showed mucous epithelium with gastrointestinal differentiation. Immunophenotyping showed that MUC6 was diffusely or focally positive in 5 cases, CK20 and CDX2 were positive in 3 cases. And p16 was negative or focally positive in 5 cases and strongly positive in 1 case. ER was expressed in both benign and atypical lesions, and weakly positive or negative in the invasive adenocarcinoma. p53 showed mutant expression in one case and wild-type expression in the rest. HPV in situ hybridization was negative. Conclusions: Primary gastric (gastrointestinal)-type mucoglandular lesions of the endometrium show various forms of gastrointestinal differentiation, which are high-risk HPV independent. Morphology combined with immunohistochemistry is helpful for the diagnosis, which can only be made on exclusion of cervical gastrointestinal glandular lesion, gastrointestinal metastatic carcinoma and the mucinous subtype of endometrioid carcinoma.

Optimizing the performance of magnet-controlled capsule endoscopy based on radiological and gastroscopic modeling.

Routine use of magnet-controlled capsule endoscopy of the stomach has been limited by the inadequate views of specific stomach regions. In the present study, radiology and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) were used to determine optimal subject body positioning and suitable external control magnet placement for capsule endoscopy. Healthy adult volunteers were subjected to upper gastrointestinal X-ray radiography (n=5), spiral computed tomography with volume reconstruction (n=4) or UGIE (n=1). Stomach fundus-to-body (FB) and body-to-antrum (BA) angles were compared when subjects were supine, prone, lying on their left side and on their right side, and when they were standing upright. Vertical distances from the surface of the body to the distal points of the fundus and antrum were also compared in this range of subject positions. Obtuse angles were considered the most beneficial for capsule movement and short vertical distances were considered desirable for optimizing magnetic force. The FB angle was sharply acute in the supine position, relatively open where subjects were on their side, and almost 180° in the standing position. The BA angle was obtuse in the standing position but acute in all other positions. With the subject in any position, the left lower lateral chest had the shortest distance to the fundus, while the ventral wall was closest to the antrum. The present modeling analysis indicates that standing is superior to all decubitus positions for magnetic-capsule endoscopy, including the commonly used supine position. Both the abdominal anterior wall and left lateral lower chest appeared to be advantageous locations for external control magnet placement.

Research Advance on the Role of Spleen Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Hematologic Malignancies / 中国实验血液学杂志

Abstract　　Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is not only a key kinase in the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway, but also a critical component of other signal transduction pathways such as Fc receptor, complement receptor and integrin. Abnormal activation of SYK closely related to the occurrence and development of hematological malignancies, thus targeting SYK has become a research hotspot. Several SYK inhibitors including Fostamatinib, Entospletinib and Cerdulatinib were being evaluated in clincal trials. As a second generation SYK inhibitor, Entospletinib has achieved good efficacy in lymphoid and myeloid hematologic tumors. Furthermore, Entospletinib can significantly relieve hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HCT) related graft versus host disease (GVHD). In this review the role of SYK inhibitors in treatment of hematological malignancies is summarized brifely.

Reaserch Advance on Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of B-Cell Tumors--Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Abstract　　In recent years, development of the targeted drugs according to the biological characteristics of tumors have provided more treatment options for tumor patients. It was found that the overactivation or abnormality of B cell receptor (BCR) signal pathway closely related to the occurrence and development of various B cell tumors, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). As a key kinase in the BCR pathway, BTK inhibitors have obvious anti-tumor effect when its activity is being inhibitered. Currently, BTK inhibitors developed include the first-generation Ibrutinib and the second-generation Acalabrutinib, which can be targeted at the inhibition of BTK and its downstream signaling pathway, and have important therapeutic value for a variety of B-cell tumors, such as CLL and partial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, its side effects and drug-resistance also gradually emerged, effective drug combination therapy has shown a certain clinical activity. This reviews summarizes briefly the mechanism and status of BTK inhibitors in the treatment of various B-cell tumors.

Human gastric magnet-controlled capsule endoscopy conducted in a standing position: the phase 1 study.

BACKGROUND: Current magnet-controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) for the stomach is not yet satisfactory with respect to navigation control, especially in the gastric fundus and cardia. A newly developed MCE system conducted in a standing rather than supine position may improve capsule maneuverability within the stomach. The aim of this phase 1 study was to assess the feasibility and safety of this system for examining the human stomach in healthy volunteers. METHODS: A cohort of 31 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Each swallowed a capsule after drinking water and gas producing agents intended to produce distention. Under the newly developed standing MCE system, subjects were examined endoscopically while standing with external guide magnets placed on the abdominal wall and left lower chest. Safety, gastric preparation, maneuverability, visualization of anatomical landmarks and the gastric mucosa, and examination time were the primary parameters assessed. The gastric preparation and examination procedures were well accepted by the subjects and there were no adverse events. RESULTS: Gastric examination took 27.8 ± 8.3 min (12-45 min). Gastric cleanliness was good in 24 participants (77.4%) and moderate in 7 participants (22.6%). Gastric distention was good in all of 31 participants (100%). Capsule maneuverability was also graded as good in all 31 subjects (100%), and manipulation in the fundus and cardia regions was as easy as that in the antrum and body. Visualization of the gastric cardia, fundus, body, angulus, antrum and pylorus was assessed subjectively as complete in all 31 subjects (100%). Visualization of the gastric mucosa was also good (> 75%) in all 31 subjects (100%). In areas where the mucosa could not be visualized, the low visibility was due to opaque fluid or foam. Polyps and erosive lesions were found in 25 subjects. CONCLUSION: MCE of the stomach conducted in a standing position is feasible and safe with satisfactory maneuverability.

Differential Expression and Signal Transduction Analysis of MicroRNA Related to Kidney Yang Deficiency in Kidney Tissues of Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: Microarray chip was used to detect the differentially expressed microRNA (miRNA) in kidney tissues of rats with kidney-Yang deficiency induced by adenine,and its significance was analyzed by bioinformatics method. Method: Rats with kidney-Yang deficiency were induced by intragastric administration of 150 mg·kg-1 adenine in model group, while rats in normal group were given the same amount of saline.Kidney tissues were taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining pathological sections after anesthesia and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (SCr) in blood and 24-hour urinary protein (24U-TP) in urine were measured. μParaflo microfluidic chip technology was used to investigate differential expression miRNA in kidney tissues, and microarray results were verified by Real-time PCR. Bioinformatics database was used to analyze the target genes and functions of differential expression miRNAs. Result: Gene chip results showed that there were 50 differentially expressed microRNAs after modeling. Compared with control group, only 9 miRNAs were highly expressed in kidney tissues with significant difference were detected in model group. Compared with the normal group, the expression of rno-miR-21-5p, rno-let-7i-5p, rno-miR-146b-5p and rno-miR-15b-5p in model group increased significantly(PPPPPConclusion: This experiment found 4 miRNAs involved in the regulation of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and 2miRNAs with unknown functions, which provided a new clue for further analysis of the regulatory network of kidney-yang deficiency.

Research Progress of m6A-Methylation in Acute Leukemia-Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Epigenetic abnormalities play an important role in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies, especially acute leukemia (AL). Similar to DNA methylation and histone modifications, RNA methylation is another important epigenetic modification. m6A methylation is one of the most prevalent and extensively studied RNA methylation. m6A methylation is involved in many biological and pathological process. Recent studies have found that m6A methylation is involved in the occurrence, development and drug-resistance of AL. This review focuses on the research progress of m6A methylation in AL.

Role of FOXO1/3 in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Hepatic fibrosis refers to the pathological process of abnormal proliferation of connective tissue in the liver caused by various pathogenic factors. Hepatic fibrosis is observed in the whole process of liver injury repair and healing, and long-term chronic injury factors may induce the progression of hepatic fibrosis into liver cirrhosis. Epidemiological data show that there are 1.1805 million new cases of hepatitis B and 243 thousand cases of hepatitis C reported in 2017. Chronic viral hepatitis has brought heavy social and economic burden. Forkhead transcription factor (FOXO) belongs to the forkhead family and plays an important role in various cell life activities. Studies have shown that FOXO1/3 can regulate hepatic stellate cell activity through the TGFβ pathway and thus play an important role in hepatic fibrosis. This article reviews the research advances in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis, the mechanism of action of FOXO1/3 in the regulation of hepatic fibrosis, and targeted therapy for FOXO1/3 (one of the sites for hepatic fibrosis).

miR-539 enhances chemosensitivity to cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting DCLK1.

microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated to play critical roles in non-small celllung cancer (NSCLC) progression and participate in the regulation of drug resistance during cancer chemotherapy. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of how miR-539 modulates the chemosensitivity to cisplatin (DDP) in NSCLC cells remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that miR-539 was significantly downregulated in DDP-resistant cell lines (A549/DDP and H1299/DDP). Overexpression of miR-539 enhanced the sensitivity of DDP-resistant NSCLC cells to DDP by suppressing cell proliferation, causing cell cycle arrest, inducing apoptosis, repressing invasion and migration. Whereas, downregulation of miR-539 inhibited the sensitivity of parental NSCLC cells to DDP by promoting cell proliferation and decreasing DDP-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the luciferase report assay identified doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) was a direct target of miR-539. Knockdown of DCLK1 mimicked the function of miR-539-mediated cell chemosensitivity in DDP-resistant NSCLC cells, while restoration of DCLK1 reversed the effect of miR-539 overexpression. We also found that P13 K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was also involved in miR-539/DCLK1 axis -mediated chemosensitivity in DDP-resistant NSCLC cells. Additionally, the downregulation of miR-539 was closely correlated with severe clinicopathological parameters including the upregulation of DCLK1, chemosensitivity to DDP, and tumor aggressiveness in NSCLC patients. In conclusion, miR-539 increased the chemosensitivity to DDP in NSCLC cells by directly targeting DCLK1, which might provide potential biomarkers for DDP-resistant NSCLC therapy.

Construction of lentiviral vector-mediated Cx32 stably over-expressed Huh7 cell line and its effect on cell proliferation / 中国药理学通报

Aim To construct a lentiviral vector for stable delivery of the connexin32 (Cx32) gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh7,and also to detect its effect on cell proliferation.Methods Human Cx32 gene sequence was obtained by whole gene synthesis and amplified by PCR,and was then inserted into LV5-GFP lentiviral vector to construct the recombinant plasmid LV5-GFP-hCx32.Following identified by restriction endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing,this plasmid together with lentiviral package plasmid was transfected into 293T cells to produce the lentiviral particles,and the viral titer was assessed under fluorescent microscope.Targeted Huh7 cells were infected with the lentivirus (LV5-hCx32 and LV5-NC),and the infected cells after selection with puromycin were amplified and cultured.The expression and localization of Cx32 were detected by real-time RT-PCR,Western blot and immunofluorescence assay,respectively.The gap junction (GJ) function between adjacent cells was measured by dye transfer assay.The Huh7 cell proliferation capacity was determined by MTT and colony formation assays.Results The results of double enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing proved that the recombinant lentiviral vector LV5-GFP-hCx32 was successfully constructed.After packing in 293T cells,the recombinant lentivirus LV5-GFP-hCx32 with virus drops to 3 × 1011 TU · L-1 was obtained.Huh7 cells transiently infected with the lentivirus LV5-GFP-hCx32 remarkably over-expressed Cx32 at both mRNA and protein levels.Moreover,Cx32 expression was also significantly up-regulated in stably transfected Huh7 cells,and the presence of enhanced functional GJ in intact cells could be detected due to an increased amount of Cx32 protein along the plasma membrane at cell-cell contacts.Compared to LV5-NC group,the proliferation ability in Huh7 cells with recombinant Cx32 declined (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The lentiviral vector over-expressing Cx32 gene is successfully constructed,and can stably transfect Huh7 cells to yield sustained over-expression of exogenous Cx32 gene,thus eventually inhibits cell proliferation.

Protective effect of β-asarone on AD rat model induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ₁₋₄₂ combined 2-VO and its mechanism / 中国中药杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of β-asarone on the animal model of Alzheimer's disease(AD) which was induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ₁₋₄₂ combined cerebral ischemia. One hundred and five rats were randomly divided into seven groups including sham-operated group, AD model group, β-asarone 10 mg•kg⁻¹ group, β-asarone 20 mg•kg⁻¹ group, β-asarone 30 mg•kg⁻¹ group, donepezil group(0.75 mg•kg⁻¹) and Ginkgo biloba extract group(24 mg•kg⁻¹). Rats' learning and memory abilities, cerebric regional blood flow, pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region, the expression level of HIF-1α and serum CAT, SOD and MDA level were detected 4 weeks later. The results showed that the application of intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ₁₋₄₂ joint 2-VO could lead to rats' dysfunction of learning and memory, decrease in regional cerebral blood flow. Neurons in CA1 region were arranged in disorder, and amyloid deposition was increased. The number of cerebral cortical cells expressing HIF-1α was increased as well. The level of serum CAT and SOD decreased, while level of serum MDA increased. However these symptoms were improved by 20 mg•kg⁻¹ and 30 mg•kg⁻¹ β-asarone. The results indicated that β-asarone could effectively relieve the symptoms of the AD model induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ₁₋₄₂ combined cerebral ischemia, and the potential mechanism might be that it could attenuate damage of MDA to the body by improving the level of CAT and SOD, meanwhile the level of HIF-1α decreased as the decline of hyperoxide which might attenuate its damage to neuron, so it finally achieved alleviating Alzheimer's disease.

Clinical Observation of Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection Combined with Flunarizine Hydrochloride in the Prevention of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis in Post-operative Long-term Bedridden Patients with Lower Limb Fractures / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To observe therapeutic efficacy and safety of Danshen chuanxiongqin injection combined with flunari-zine hydrochloride in the benign prevention and treatment of paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and lower extremity deep ve-nous thrombosis (DVT) in post-operative long-term bedridden patients with lower limb fractures. METHODS:300 post-operative long-term bedridden patients with lower limb fractures were selected and randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 150 cases in each group. Control group was given Flunarizine hydrochloride capsules orally 10 mg,qd;observation group was additionally given Danshen chuanxiongqin injection 10 ml+5% Glucose injection 250 ml,ivgtt,qd. The incidence of BPPV and DVT were observed in 2 groups after intervention,and the circumference of lower limb,blood coagulation indexes, blood rheology indexes and inflammatory factor were observed before and after intervention,and the incidence of ADR was com-pared. RESULTS:The incidence of BPPV and DVT in observation group were 18.0% and 16.7%,which were significantly lower than in control group(48.7% and 52.7%),with statistical significance(P0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Danshen chuanxiongqin injection combined with flunarizine hydrochloride is effective in the prevention of BPPV and DVT in long-term bed-ridden patients with lower limb fractures,with low incidence of ADR.

Inhibition of long non-coding RNA TUG1 on gastric cancer cell transference and invasion through regulating and controlling the expression of miR-144/c-Met axis

OBJECTIVE@#To discuss the expression of long noncoding RNA TUG1 (lncRNA-TUG1) in gastric carcinoma (GC) and its effects on the transferring and invading capacity of gastric carcinoma cells.@*METHODS@#Forty cases of carcinoma tissue and para-carcinoma tissue were selected from GC patients who underwent surgical removal in Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Traditional Medicine and Wenzhou Central Hospital from January, 2013 to December, 2014; the expressing level of lncRNA-TUG1 in GC and para-C tissues was detected by applying the qRT-PCR technique. The correlation between lncRNA-TUG1 expression and patients' clinical data was classified and analyzed. SGC-7901 cells were transfected using lncRNA-TUG1 specific siRNA. Changes of the transferring and invading capacity of siRNA-transfected SGC-7901 cells were scratch-tested and transwell-detected. qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression level of microRNA-144 after lncRNA-TUG1 was silenced. Changes of c-Met mRNA and protein expressions was detected by qRT-PCR and western-blot test.@*RESULTS@#The expression level of lncRNA-TUG1 in GC tissue was significant higher than that in para-C tissue (P < 0.05) and the high expression level of lncRNA-TUG1 in GC tissue was significantly correlated with tumor lymph nodes metastasis and advance TNM phasing (P < 0.05). The transferring and invading capacity of SGC-7901 cells was highly inhibited after being transfected by lncRNA-TUG1 specific siRNA (P < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR and western-blot proved that the expression of microRNA-144 was significantly boosted and the expression level of c-Met mRNA and protein was inhibited after lncRNA-TUG1 was silenced (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#lncRNA-TUG1 shows an up-regulated expression in GC tissue and that bears a correlation with clinicopathological features of malignant tumor. lncRNA-TUG1 can promote the transferring and invading capacity of GC by inhibiting the pathway of microRNA-144/c-Met.

Inhibition of long non-coding RNA TUG1 on gastric cancer cell transference and invasion through regulating and controlling the expression of miR-144/c-Met axis

Objective To discuss the expression of long noncoding RNA TUG1 (lncRNA-TUG1) in gastric carcinoma (GC) and its effects on the transferring and invading capacity of gastric carcinoma cells. Methods Forty cases of carcinoma tissue and para-carcinoma tissue were selected from GC patients who underwent surgical removal in Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Traditional Medicine and Wenzhou Central Hospital from January, 2013 to December, 2014; the expressing level of lncRNA-TUG1 in GC and para-C tissues was detected by applying the qRT-PCR technique. The correlation between lncRNA-TUG1 expression and patients' clinical data was classified and analyzed. SGC-7901 cells were transfected using lncRNA-TUG1 specific siRNA. Changes of the transferring and invading capacity of siRNA-transfected SGC-7901 cells were scratch-tested and transwell-detected. qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression level of microRNA-144 after lncRNA-TUG1 was silenced. Changes of c-Met mRNA and protein expressions was detected by qRT-PCR and western-blot test. Results The expression level of lncRNA-TUG1 in GC tissue was significant higher than that in para-C tissue (P < 0.05) and the high expression level of lncRNA-TUG1 in GC tissue was significantly correlated with tumor lymph nodes metastasis and advance TNM phasing (P < 0.05). The transferring and invading capacity of SGC-7901 cells was highly inhibited after being transfected by lncRNA-TUG1 specific siRNA (P < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR and western-blot proved that the expression of microRNA-144 was significantly boosted and the expression level of c-Met mRNA and protein was inhibited after lncRNA-TUG1 was silenced (P < 0.05). Conclusions lncRNA-TUG1 shows an up-regulated expression in GC tissue and that bears a correlation with clinicopathological features of malignant tumor. lncRNA-TUG1 can promote the transferring and invading capacity of GC by inhibiting the pathway of microRNA-144/c-Met.

Clinical significance of negative thyroglobulin and positive diagnostic whole body scan in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who underwent thyroid remnant ablation / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Diagnostic whole body scan (Dx-WBS) with 131I and serum Tg level are the main parameters to evaluate the effectiveness of thyroid remnant ablation in patients with DTC.Undetectable Tg and positive radioiodine uptake in the thyroid bed (Tg-/Dx-WBS+) may be found in some patients.However,the clinical significance is uncertain.A small amount of thyroidal remnant,a small DTC lesion,increased expression of NIS gene and autoimmune inflammation may all result in Tg-/Dx-WBS+.A wait-and-watch approach without rushing for high-dose radioiodine treatment might be a more reasonable approach for these patients.

Catheter ablation of idiopathic premature ventricular contractions and ventricular tachycardias originating from right ventricular septum.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardias (IVTs) originating from the subtricuspid septum and near the His bundle have been reported. However, little is known about the prevalence, distribution, electrocardiographic characteristics and the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for the ventricular arrhythmias arising from the right ventricular (RV) septum. This study aimed to investigate electrocardiographic characteristics and effects of RFCA for patients with symptomatic PVCs/IVTs, originating from the different portions of the RV septum. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Characteristics of body surface electrocardiogram and electrophysiologic recordings were analyzed in 29 patients with symptomatic PVCs/IVTs originating from the RV septum. Among 581 patients with PVCs/IVTs, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the RV septum was 5%. Twenty (69%) had PVCs/IVTs from the septal portion of the tricuspid valvular RV region (3 from superoseptum, 15 from midseptum, 2 from inferoseptum), and 9 (31%) from the septal portion of the basal RV (1 from superoseptum, 4 from midseptum, 4 from inferoseptum). There were different characteristics of ECG of PVCs/VT originating from the different portions of the RV septum. Twenty-seven of 29 patients with PVCs/IVTs arising from the RV septum were successfully ablated (93.1% acute success). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: ECG characteristics of PVCs/VTs originating from the different portions of the RV septum are different, and can help regionalize the origin of these arrhythmias. The septal portion of the tricuspid valvular RV region was the preferential site of origin. RFCA was effective and safe for the PVCs/IVTs arising from the RV septum.

Synergistic analgesic effects between neuronostatin and morphine at the supraspinal level.

Neuronostatin, a 13-amino acid peptide, is encoded in the somatostatin pro-hormone. I.c.v. administration of neuronostatin produces a significant antinociceptive effect in the mouse tail-flick test, which is mediated by endogenous opioid receptor. However, the direct functional interaction between morphine and neuronostatin has not been characterized. In the present study, effect of neuronostatin on morphine analgesia was investigated in the tail-flick test. Our findings showed that i.c.v. administration of neuronostatin (0.3nmol/mouse i.c.v.) significantly enhanced the antinociceptive effect of morphine (2.5, 5 or 10µg/kg) at the supraspinal level. Results of antagonism experiments suggested that the synergistic analgesia induced by morphine and neuronostatin was mediated by µ- and к-opioid receptors not δ-opioid receptor. In conclusion, there may be a cascade amplification phenomenon when morphine and neuronostatin were co-administered in acute pain model. The above results provide evidence for the potential use of neuronostatin in combination with morphine to control pain and addiction.

The effects of reminiscence therapy on depressive symptoms of Chinese elderly: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders with a high prevalence among the older adults. In recent years, after realizing some side effects of the antidepressants, non-pharmacological psychological treatments begin to attract accruing attention. Reminiscence therapy is one of the psychological treatments that specially designed for the elderly to improve their mental health status by recalling and assessing their existing memory. Though some studies indicate reminiscence therapy can be effective and beneficial for the mental health of elderly, the conclusions are not consistent yet. The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy for Chinese elderly. METHODS: Sixty older adults (≥60 years of age) with mild to moderate depression will be randomly assigned to an experimental or a control condition. The participants in the experiment group will receive the reminiscence therapy under the Watt's protocol with adaptation to Chinese Culture which consists of six weekly sessions of 90 minutes each. The control group will be treated as before. An assessor who is blind to intervention will conduct the measures before treatment, after treatment immediately, and three months after treatment. DISCUSSION: This study will provide the evidence whether the reminiscence therapy is effective to treat depressive symptoms of Chinese elderly. This research has been registered in the clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01553669).

Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions and ventricular tachycardias originating from the vicinity of tricuspid annulus: results of radiofrequency catheter ablation in thirty-five patients.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, catheter ablation has increasingly been used for ablation of idiopathic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) or ventricular tachycardias (IVTs). However, the mapping and catheter ablation of the arrhythmias originating from the vicinity of tricuspid annulus (TA) may not be fully understood. This study aimed to investigate electrophysiologic characteristics and effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for patients with symptomatic PVCs and IVTs originating from the vicinity of TA. METHODS: Characteristics of body surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrophysiologic recordings were analyzed in 35 patients with symptomatic PVCs/ IVTs originating from the vicinity of TA. RFCA was performed using pace mapping and activation mapping. RESULTS: Among the 35 patients with PVCs/IVTs arising from the vicinity of TA, complete elimination of PVCs/IVTs could be achieved by RFCA in 32 patients (success rate 91.43%) during a median follow-up period of 21 months. PVCs/IVTs originating from the vicinity of TA had distinctive ECG characteristics that were useful for identifying the precise origin. An rS pattern was recorded in lead V1 in 93.1% of patients with PVCs/IVTs from the free wall of TA, vs 16.7% of patients with PVCs/IVTs from the septal TA, whereas a QS pattern in lead V1 occurred in 83.3% of patients with PVCs/IVTs from the septal TA vs 6.9% of patients with PVCs from the free wall of the TA. The precordial R wave transition occurred by lead V3 or earlier in all patients with PVCs/IVTs originating from the septal portion of the TA, as compared to transition beyond V3 in all patients with PVCs/IVTs from the free wall of the TA. CONCLUSIONS: RFCA is an effective curative therapy for symptomatic PVCs/IVTs originating from the vicinity of TA. There are specific characteristics in ECG and the ablation site could be located by ECG analysis.