Search

INTRODUCTION Rhodiola, a popular plant in Tibet, has been proven to decrease arrhythmia. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism and electrophysiological properties of rhodiola in the suppression of atrial fibrillation. METHODS This study consisted of 3 groups as follows: Group 1: normal control rabbits (n = 5); Group 2: rabbits with heart failure (HF) created by coronary ligation and who received 2 weeks of water orally as a placebo (n = 5); and Group 3: rabbits with HF who received 2 weeks of a rhodiola 270 mg/kg/day treatment orally (n = 5). The monophasic action potential, histology, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of ionic channels and PI3K/AKT/eNOS were examined. RESULTS Compared with the HF group, attenuated atrial fibrosis (35.4 ± 17.4% vs. 16.9 ± 8.4%, P = 0.05) and improved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (51.6 ± 3.4% vs. 68.0 ± 0.5%, P = 0.001) were observed in the rhodiola group. The rhodiola group had a shorter ERP (85.3 ± 6.8 vs. 94.3 ± 1.2, P = 0.002), APD90 (89.3 ± 1.5 vs. 112.7 ± 0.7, P < 0.001) in the left atrium (LA), and decreased AF inducibility (0.90 ± 0.04 vs. 0.42 ± 0.04, P < 0.001) compared with the HF group. The mRNA expressions of Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Kv4.3, KvLQT1, Cav1.2, and SERCA2a in the HF LA were up-regulated after rhodiola treatment. The rhodiola-treated HF LA demonstrated higher mRNA expression of PI3K-AKT compared with the HF group. CONCLUSIONS Rhodiola reversed LA electrical remodeling, attenuated atrial fibrosis and suppressed AF in rabbits with HF. The beneficial electrophysiological effect of rhodiola may be related to upregulation of Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Kv4.3, KvLQT1, Cav1.2, SERCA2a, and activation of PI3K/AKT signaling.

Substrate Modification in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Introduction The optimal substrate ablation approach in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (Per AF) remains unclear. This was a prospective randomized study comparing the efficacy of limited (continuous complex fractionated atrial electrogram, CFAE

Background: Contrast nephropathy (CIN) increases adverse clinical outcomes. We examine risks and clinical predictors of CIN in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and effectiveness of prophylactic therapy. Methods: A cohort of 8,798 patients who underwent PCI from May 2000 to April 2008 was enrolled. We divided patients into 3 groups. A: STEMI patient undergoing primary PCI; B: UA/NSTEMI patients undergoing early PCI; C: Patients without MI undergoing elective PCI. Pre-PCI saline hydration was given to group B and C if baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

In highly competitive global markets, organizations have to distinguish themselves with creative and innovative solutions to satisfy discerning customers. Creativity, an important precursor for innovation, provides organizations with a competitive advantage in a reinforcing loop of improved customer service, increased staff morale, increased retention of quality staff and further improvements in service (Glisson & Durick, 1988; Anderson & College, 1992). Creative output comes from the performance of individuals with particular cognitive and personality traits (Masten & Caldwell-Colbert, 1987; Kirton, 1989) who are supported within a facilitative work environment (Scott & Bruce, 1994; Amabile et al., 1996; Rice, 2006). Confidence in one's own ability or one's self-efficacy is an important cognitive and social trait determining and sustaining work performance. Appropriate behaviours and performance standards are defined within the work environment and the ability and support received in meeting performance expectations enhance the individual's self-efficacy (Gist & Mitchell, 1992; Bandura, 1997). Both creativity and self-efficacy have been associated with particular individual traits and environmental conditions in the workplace. While much has been written on these two concepts separately, less has been done to explore them as a single construct. This paper addresses the gap in the literature by linking creativity at work and occupational self-efficacy. It reviews the literature on antecedent concepts and current research into creative self-efficacy. In doing this, it provides the basis for further empirical exploration of possible linkages between creative self-efficacy and individual and work environment variables. The contribution this paper makes is in the identification of specific variables that are significantly related to creative self-efficacy. A model is proposed showing significant linkages between the identified variables.