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The differentiation and diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and pre-excited tachycardia (PXT) remains a challenging task, especially when typical AV dissociation is not present. The purpose of this article is to study the feasibility of a new theoretical algorithm for identifying ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and pre-excited arrhythmias (PA) rhythms (which can be used to distinguish VT from PXT, etc.). This study involved the deduction of a new algorithm by combining knowledge of cardiac anatomy, vectorcardiography, and cardiac electrophysiology. The new algorithm evaluated the diagnostic value through intracardiac electrophysiology in 205 cases of VA and PA. The new algorithm diagnoses VA based on the following 4-step process: 1. The QRS complex in leads II, III, and aVF shows a unidirectional R wave, and lead aVR shows a QS pattern. 2. S waves are predominant in two or more of leads I, aVF, and V6. 3. Lead V2 shows ≥3 phase waves or returning branch notching (note: returning branch refers to the band of QRS complexes returning to the baseline). 4. Lead V5 shows a negative wave in the initial portion or returning branch notching. If none of these criteria are met, the diagnosis is PA. The diagnostic value of the new algorithm is compared with the Steurer algorithm and the Vereckei algorithm (diagnosed based on the QRS waveform characteristics of the two algorithms during electrophysiological verification, excluding the diagnosis of atrioventricular dissociation). The new algorithm showed significant advantages in terms of AUC value (0.83 vs. 0.61 vs. 0.57), sensitivity (83.6 % vs. 23.3 % vs. 24.8 %), and accuracy (82.9 % vs. 48.3 % vs. 46.3 %) compared to the Steurer algorithm and Vereckei algorithm based on QRS waveform characteristics for diagnosing VA (137 cases) and PA (68 cases). This indicates that the new algorithm is more accurate in identifying idiopathic VA. While there was a significant difference in specificity between the New algorithm and Steurer algorithm (82.3 % vs. 98.5 %, p < 0.05), the difference with Vereckei algorithm (82.3 % vs. 89.7 %) was not significant. In the New algorithm, the sensitivity and specificity for each step are as follows: - Step 1: Sensitivity 34.3 %, Specificity 94.1 %. - Step 2: Sensitivity 24.1 %, Specificity 98.5 %. - Step 3: Sensitivity 18.3 %, Specificity 100 %. - Step 4: Sensitivity 6.6 %, Specificity 89.7 %. Step 1 had the highest AUC value, indicating the best overall diagnostic performance among all steps. Step 2 and Step 3 also performed well, while Step 4 had relatively poorer diagnostic performance. The new algorithm is suitable for identifying the origin of VA and PA rhythms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NPR2 variants are associated with various short stature and bone dysplasia, such as acromesomelic dysplasia Maroteaux tyoe, individuals with a phenotype similar to Léri–Weill syndrome (LWD), and idiopathic short stature (ISS). However, few studies have reported on the relationship between familial short stature (FSS) and NPR2 variants. This study aimed to explore the relationship between FSS and NPR2 variants through the detection and identification of NPR2 variants in children with FSS, phenotypic description, clear treatment plan, and follow-up of treatment effect. Children who met the FSS diagnostic criteria and had informed consent were included in the study. The trio whole-exome sequencing method (trio-WES) was used to detect and evaluate the NPR2 variants. A total of 16 children with short stature were included in this study (pretreatment height ≤ −2 standard deviation (SD) in both the patient and the shorter parent, unknown genetic etiology). NPR2 variants were identified in 12.5%(2/16) of the participants. Patient A was a 6-year-old male and 103.7 cm tall (−3.11SD), while Patient B was a 9-year-old female and 123.2 cm tall (−1.88SD). However, their heights increased after recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment. The height of patient A increased by 0.36SD six months after treatment while that of patient B increased by 1.22SD after one and a half years of treatment. NPR2 variant causes FSS. The growth rate of children significantly improved after rhGH treatment. However, further follow-up study is needed to determine the final height after long-term treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination treatment with acupoint therapy and conventional medication (CM) has been proposed as a strategy that could improve motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of this combination treatment on motor function in patients with PD. We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from eight databases, comparing combined acupoint therapy and CM and CM (alone or with sham interventions). The quality of the trials was evaluated according to the Cochrane risk of bias. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed on different types of acupoint interventions. Forty-seven trials of 2929 participants were included, with 45 studies used for the meta-analyses. Combination treatment yielded an improved reduction in United Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) III of −3.85 [95% CI, −4.83 to −2.86] and Webster scale score of −3.17 [95% CI, −4.07 to −2.27]. Further analyses demonstrated that real (compared with sham) intervention was linked to a decreased UPDRS III of −2.02 ([95% CI, −3.60 to −0.44], I 2 = 40%), and beneficial effects were observed when combination intervention was used for patients with Hoehn−Yahr (H–Y) stages >3 with mild to moderate stimulation for 4−12-week treatment. Acupoint therapy and CM treatment may improve motor function of patients with PD. Patients with H–Y stage >3 could tolerate real acupoint intervention with mild to moderate stimulation for 4−12-week treatment and showed improvement. However, this was demonstrated with low to moderate levels of evidence in statistical description. • Acupoint plus CM yielded an improved mean reduction in UPDRS III of −3.85 points. • It also yielded a greater mean reduction in Webster scale of −3.17 points. • Real intervention was linked to a mean decreased UPDRS III of −2.02 points. • Acupoint therapy and CM may improve motor function in Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aiming to improve vanadium leaching rate and provide theoretical basis for vanadium leaching from low-vanadium steel slag through wet leaching, the whole leaching process was studied in dynamics and effects of temperature, liquid-solid ratio, leaching time and stirring velocity were observed. Results show that vanadium leaching rate from low-vanadium steel slag could reach to 98.8% at 90 øC when leaching in the solution with liquid-solid ratio of 10:1 and containing 4.0 mol/L hydrochloric acid and 8.0 mL hydrogen peroxide for 90 min. An empirical equation describing the leaching process was obtained from orthogonal experiment and dynamics derivation. The dynamical model of wet leaching vanadium from low-vanadium steel slag is the unreacted shrinking core model while the apparent activation energy of the leaching process is 7.21 kJ/mol. The model shows that control steps of the leaching process depend on the diffusion speed of the boundary layers. Vanadium leaching velocity could be sped up and the yield could be improved by enhancing temperature, liquid-solid ratio and leaching time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survey data collected from individual investors indicate that about 46% of investors reported they felt happy from the investment in stock market. The overall happiness of life, age, investment return, and the amount of investment directly affect the well-being of investors from investment. The happier people consider themselves in general life, the more happiness they can get from their investment. There is an U-shape relationship between the investors' age and their happiness in investment. Both young and old investors get more happiness than middle-aged investors. Long-run rather than short-run investment return has a positive effect on happiness. The relative amount of investment compared with the total family asset is positively associated with the investment happiness, while the absolute amount of investment is negatively associated with the happiness. In addition, cognitive bias, investment objectives, personality and other related factors can affect the investment return or the overall happiness in life, and they can indirectly affect the happiness in investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To study the gene mutations of homeobox transcription factor(CSX/NKX2.5) associated with a Chinese family with secundum atrial septal defect(ASD). Methods: Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to check all the members in the family with ASD, and single strand conformation polymorphism analysis(SSCP) was used to check 126 normal control people for detecting the mutations of CSX/NKX2.5 gene. Results: Three mutations, G270A(Glu32Lys), G378A(Glu68Lys)andG390A(Glu72Lys) were identified in CSX/NKX2.5 gene of ASD patients. However, the other members in the family with ASD and the control did not have such gene mutations. Conclusion: These mutations of CSX/NKX2.5 gene, which were identified in a Chinese family, may be one of the secundum ASD etiologic causes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]