Melatonin inhibits arrhythmias induced by increased late sodium currents in ventricular myocytes / 药学学报

Melatonin (Mel) has been shown to have cardioprotective effects, but its action on ion channels is unclear. In this experiment, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Mel on late sodium currents (INa.L) in mouse ventricular myocytes and the anti-arrhythmic effect at the organ level as well as its mechanism. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was applied to record the ionic currents and action potential (AP) in mouse ventricular myocytes while the electrocardiogram (ECG) and monophasic action potential (MAP) were recorded simultaneously in mouse hearts using a multichannel acquisition and analysis system. The results demonstrated that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Mel on transient sodium current (INa.T) and specific INa.L opener 2 nmol·L-1 sea anemone toxins II (ATX II) increased INa.L were 686.615 and 7.37 μmol·L-1, respectively. Mel did not affect L-type calcium current (ICa.L), transient outward current (Ito), and AP. In addition, 16 μmol·L-1 Mel shortened ATX II-prolonged action potential duration (APD), suppressed ATX II-induced early afterdepolarizations (EADs), and significantly reduced the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. In conclusion, Mel exerted its antiarrhythmic effects principally by blocking INa.L, thus providing a significant theoretical basis for new clinical applications of Mel. Animal welfare and experimental process are in accordance with the regulations of the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Wuhan University of Science and Technology (2023130).

Effect and Mechanism of Longshengzhi Capsule on Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Longshengzhi capsule （LSZC） on high fat diet （HFD）-induced atherosclerosis （AS） in apolipoprotein E knockout （ApoE-/-） mice. MethodApoE-/- mice were fed with HFD for 8 weeks to induce AS. Then the mice were randomized into model group， simvastatin group （4 mg·kg-1）， high-dose LSZC group （1.6 g·kg-1）， medium-dose LSZC group （0.8 g·kg-1）， and low-dose LSZC group （0.4 g·kg-1）. C57BL/6J Mice with normal diet were used as the blank control. After 10 weeks， serum levels of triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were detected. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and oil red O were used to detect aortic plaque in each group. The levels of CD34 and F4/80 in aorta were determined by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultCompared with the blank control， the model group demonstrated obvious aortic plaque， a large amount of lipid accumulation， serious damage of aortic intima， increase in serum levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， HDL-C， MDA， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， decrease in SOD level （P<0.01）， and rise of the expression of CD34 and F4/80 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， LSZC of the three doses all decreased the serum levels of TG and LDL-C （P<0.05）， and the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the high-dose and medium-dose LSZC improved SOD level， decreased MDA content （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced the expression of the CD34 and F4/80 in blood vessels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLSZC has certain intervention effect on the formation of aortic plaque in atherosclerosis ApoE-/- mice. The mechanism is that it reduces the levels of serum TG and LDL-C to lower blood lipid， decreases MDA level and improves SOD activity to inhibit lipid peroxidation， lowers the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 and down-regulates the expression of CD34 and F4/80 to protect blood vessels from inflammatory damage.

The application of 3D printing-assisted microcatheter shaping in the embolization of intracranial aneurysms / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To discuss the feasibility of using 3D printing-assisted precise microcatheter shaping technology in the embolization of intracranial aneurysms.Methods From November 2015 to April 2016,a total of 13 patients with intracranial aneurysm were treated with interventional embolization therapy.During the performance of the procedure,3D printing-assisted precise microcatheter shaping technology was employed.The accuracy of microcatheter position and the stability of the microcatheter were used to evaluate the shaping effect.Results During the performance of interventional embolization,the microcatheter was precisely placed to the right site in all 13 patients with intracranial aneurysm,the catheter tip position remained stable and the aneurysm was densely obstructed.In ten patients,no complications such as rupture of aneurysm occurred,and postoperative recovery was fine.One patient,whose Hunt-Hess classification was grade V,died after the treatment.One patient developed rupture of aneurysm during the procedure,which was considered to occur probably during the anesthesia induction process.One patient developed bleeding due to re-rupture of the aneurysm before the procedure.Conclusion With the help of 3D printing-assisted precise microcatheter shaping technology,the precisely shaped microcatheter can be smoothly inserted to,and can keep stable in,the right site,which is helpful for successfully accomplishing the operation and effectively reducing the occurrence of procedure-related complications.

Development assistance for health in BRICS countries / 中国卫生政策研究

With the rapid economic growth and social development in the BRICS countries, the role of devel-opment assistance for health is becoming more and more significant. This paper describes the scales, recipient coun-tries, mechanisms and characteristics and management systems of development assistance for health in BRICS coun-tries. The paper suggests that a) it is necessary to set up a centralized international aid management agency;b) the mode of development assistance for health must be optimized;c) the scale of development assistance for health shall be increased ( over time);d) each BRIC country should use its own comparative advantages and development experi-ence to carry out development assistance for health while strengthening the cooperative power among the BRICS coun-tries;e) development assistance for health data should be more transparent and open;f) the evaluation of develop-ment assistance for health must be established and perfected.

A wavelet analysis on the onset cycle of scarlet fever in Beijing and its relationship with theory of five evolutive phases and six climatic factors / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the onset cycle of scarlet fever in Beijing and its association with theory of five evolutive phases and six climatic factors (FEPSCF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the monthly scarlet fever data from 1970 to 2004, Complex Morlet wavelet was adopted to analyze the annual incidence and the incidence of six climatic factors in the past 35 years. Its association with the cycles of FEP-SCF was explored. The features of heavenly stems and earthly branches in the year that the wave peak corresponded and their correlations with doctrine of FEPSCF were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The annual incidence of scarlet fever and the incidence of FEPSCF had two main cycles, i.e., 5 years and 28 years. The 5-year primary cycle was consistent with 5-year cycle of FEPSCF theory. The high incidence year of 5-year primary cycle was Jinyun.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The cycle of five evolutive phases was consistent with the onset cycle of scarlet fever. The quasi-periodic phenomenon and multi-cycle superimposed phenomenon of FEPSCF theory existed in the incidence of scarlet fever.</p>

Analysis and prevention of the complications after treatment of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures with internal fixation / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To retrospective analysis the complications after treatment of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures with internal fixation, and propose measures to prevent or reduce surgical complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 2007 to October 2009, 342 patients with metacarpal and phalangeal fractures were treated with internal fixation,including 203 males and 139 females with an average age of 30.4 years old ranging from 18 to 56 years. There were 217 right hands and 125 left hands, 38 cases of the first metacarpal fracture, 47 cases of the second metacarpal fracture, 52 cases of the third metacarpal fracture, 40 cases of the forth metacarpal fracture, 39 cases of the fifth metacarpal fracture, 43 cases of the proximal phalangeal fractures, 52 cases of the middle phalangeal fractures, and 48 case of the distal phalangeal fractures. The fractures were fixed with K-wires in 129 patients, mini plates in 153 cases, screws in 48 cases, wires in 12 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All 324 patients were followed up for 3 to 15 months (averaged 8.5 months) and complications occurred in 74 patients (22.84%). The main complication was unhealthy wound healing in 24 patients (7.4%), others was adhesion of tendon in 54 patients (16.67%), malunion in 34 patients (10.49%), nonunion in 13 patients (4.01%) and shortening of metacarpal and phalangeal in 21 patients (7.41%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The important reasons responsible for complications are iatrogenic factors such as unsuitable implant selection, unskillful surgical technique and improper post-operative functional rehabilitation.</p>

Dorsal penile nerves and primary premature ejaculation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Based on our clinical experience, the number of dorsal penile nerves in patients with primary premature ejaculation (PPE) is not consistent with the average number (2 branches). In this study, we evaluated the number and distribution of dorsal penile nerves among healthy Chinese adults and patients with PPE.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The dorsal nerve of the penis, the deep dorsal vein of the penis, and the dorsal artery of the penis between the deep fascia of the penis and the albuginea penis were carefully educed, observed, and counted in 38 adult autopsy specimens. The number and distribution of the dorsal penile nerve in 128 surgical patients with PPE were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The numbers of dorsal penile nerves of the 38 cases were as follows: 7 branches in 1 case; 6 branches in 1 case; 5 branches in 6 cases; 4 branches in 9 cases; 3 branches in 14 cases; and 2 branches in 7 cases. Most of the dorsal nerves were parallel to each other and in the dorsum of the penis. In only 8 cases, the branches were connected by some communicating branches. In 4 cases, 1 or 2 thin dorsal nerves continued their pathway over the ventral aspect of the penis. The average number of branches of the dorsal penile nerve in patients with PPE was 7.16.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Based on the study of 38 cases, the average number of dorsal penile nerves was 3.55 branches and that of patients with PPE was greater. These preliminary results suggest that the excessive dorsal penile nerves may have an impact on PPE via increased sensitivity and provide topographic data for the possible treatment of PPE.</p>

The Effect of Combination Treatment of Fosinopril and Losartan on Microalbuminuria in Patients with Essential Hypertension / 中华高血压杂志

Objective To evaluate the the effect of microalbuminuria of combined treatment with fosinopril and losartan,or fosinopril,losartan monotherapy in patients with hypertension.Methods In this double-blind, intention to treat study,136 patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to receive fosinopril 10 mg/d(n= 50),losartan 50 mg/d(n=41),or a combination of fosinopril 5 mg and losartan 25 mg (n=45) qd for 4 weeks, followed by titrating to the maximum recommended doses for another 4 weeks.The primary endpoint was the difference of mean sitting blood pressure and microalbuminuria excretion at baseline and week 8.Results At week 8,the combination of fosinopril and losartan therapy lowered mean mieroalbuminuria from baseline by 26.1?10~(-8) mol/L,significantly more than either monotherapy approaches (fosinopril 20 mg,18.3?10~(-8)mol/L,P