Objective:To observe the effects of Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP) on isoprenaline (Iso)-induced changes in myocardial cell volume,shape,and connexin 43 (Cx43) expression.Methods:HgC2 myocardial cells were randomly divided into a control group,a Iso group and a Iso+SBP group.After 72 h of culture,the average surface area of HgC2 cells was measured under phase contrast microscope.Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein assay was carried out to determine the concentration of proteins.The survival rate of myocardial cells was measured by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay,and the Cx43 expression was detected by Western blot.Results:The mean surface area and Cx43 concentration in Iso-treated myocardial cells were increased under the phase contrast microscope (P<0.05).Compared with the Iso group,the mean surface area was decreased,and the Cx43 concentration was reduced in the Iso+SBP group (both P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the Cx43 expression was obviously down-regulated in the H9C2 cells of the Iso group (P<0.05);while compared with the Iso group,the Cx43 expression was obviously up-regulated in the Iso+SBP group (P<0.05).Conclusion:Shexiang Baoxin Pills can prevent Iso-induced myocardial hypertrophy and down-regulate Cx43 expression.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of ozone injection combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of far lateral lumbar disc herniation (FLLDH). Methods A total of 60 patients with FLLDH, who were admitted to authors’ hospital during the period from March 2013 to March 2014, were randomly and equally divided into the study group (n=30) and the control group (n=30). Simple ozone injection treatment was employed for the patients of the control group, while ozone injection combined with radiofrequency ablation was adopted for the patients of the study group. The same other adjunctive medication was used in both groups. All the patients were followed up at one week as well as at one, 3 and 6 months after the treatment. The clinical effect and the complications of both g roups were recorded. Results Successful operation was obtained in all 60 patients, no perioperative complications occurred, and the technical success rate was 100%. The excellent clinical results evaluated at one week, and one, 3 and 6 months after the treatment in the control group and in the study group were 73.3%, 76.7%, 70%, 60% and 70%, 76.7%, 83.3%, 90% respectively. The 3-month and 6-month clinical results of the study group were significantly better than those of the control group. Conclusion For the treatment of FLLDH, ozone injection combined with radiofrequency ablation is safe and effective. This technique should be recommended in clinical practice.

Objective:To observe the effect of Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)plus Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)in treating primary dysmenorrhea due to cold-induced blood stasis in female college students and on the score of fatigue scale-14(FS-14). Methods:Seventy-two female college students with primary dysmenorrhea due to cold-induced blood stasis were randomized into a Tuina group and a joint group,with 36 cases in each group.The Tuina group only received Tuina manipulations.In the joint group,besides the same Tuina manipulations,patients practiced Ba Duan Jin.For both groups,the once-daily intervention was conducted from 6 d before the menstrual period until menstrual day 1 for 3 menstrual cycles.Changes in the scores of COX menstrual symptom scale(CMSS),visual analog scale(VAS),and FS-14 after the intervention were observed.Clinical efficacy was also estimated. Results:During the process,1 case dropped out in the Tuina group,and 35 cases completed the intervention;2 cases dropped out in the joint group,and 34 cases completed the intervention.The total effective rate was 94.1%in the joint group,higher than 88.6%in the Tuina group(P<0.05).After treatment,the symptom duration and intensity scores in the scores of CMSS,VAS,and FS-14 declined in both groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01);the CMSS symptom duration score and FS-14 score were lower in the joint group than in the Tuina group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Tuina manipulations alone or combined with Ba Duan Jin practice can effectively treat primary dysmenorrhea due to cold-induced blood stasis in female college students;when combined with Ba Duan Jin practice,Tuina manipulations can more significantly improve pain duration and fatigue,suggesting the advantages of combining Tuina Gongfa and manipulations.

Hypothyroidism alone can lead to myocardial fibrosis and result in heart failure, but traditional hormone replacement therapy does not improve the fibrotic situation. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a new gas signaling molecule, possesses antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic capabilities. Whether H 2 S could improve hypothyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis are not yet studied. In our study, H 2 S could decrease collagen deposition in the myocardial tissue of rats caused by hypothyroidism. Furthermore, in hypothyroidism-induced rats, we found that H 2 S could enhance cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE), not cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), protein expressions. Finally, we noticed that H 2 S could elevate autophagy levels and inhibit the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signal transduction pathway. In conclusion, our experiments not only suggest that H 2 S could alleviate hypothyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis by activating autophagy and suppressing TGF-β1/ SMAD family member 2 (Smad 2) signal transduction pathway, but also show that it can be used as a complementary treatment to conventional hormone therapy.

Objective To investigate the clinical utility of iFlow color flow coding imaging technology in the diagnosis of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans(LEASO).Methods A total of 106 patients diagnosed with LEASO between March 2022 and October 2023 were included as the LEASO group,while 80 volunteers without arterial disease but matched with LEASO were selected as the control group.Both groups underwent digital subtrac-tion angiography(DSA),and iFlow color flow coding imaging technology was employed to assess time to peak(TTP)in the femoral head and ankle regions.The difference value of TTP between these two regions was calculated,along with measurement of ankle-brachial index(ABI).Results There were no significant differences in age,sex,body mass index,smoking history,hypertension history,diabetes history,coronary heart disease history and TTP in the femoral head between the two groups(P＞0.05).However,the TTP in the ankle area and the difference values of TTP in the LEASO group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The com-parison of TTP in the femoral head region among patients with different Rutherford classifications and between patients with left and right lesions in the LEASO group showed no statistical significance(P＞0.05).Furthermore,a negative correlation was observed between Rutherford classification and both TTP values in ankle joint region as well as TTP difference value(P＜0.05),indicating that higher Rutherford classification is associated with lower TTP values.Pearson test results revealed a significant negative correlation between TTP values and ankle joint region/TTP difference value of LEASO patients with ABI(P＜0.05).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that both TTP values in ankle joint region and TTP difference value are effective diagnostic indicators for LEASO;moreover,Delong test indicated that area under ROC curve for TTP difference value was significantly higher than that for TTP value alone(P＜0.05)Conclusion iFlow color flow coding imaging technology enables quantitative assessment of both TPP values within ankle joint region as well as their differences which can be utilized for diagnosis of LEASO.