Metabolic syndrome （MS） is a clinical syndrome characterized by obesity， insulin resistance， and dyslipidemia， and chronic inflammation is closely associated with its pathogenesis. The imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization， as one of the core pathological mechanisms of chronic inflammation， is a crucial driver of MS progression. According to Essential Questions in Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon： Distinctive Theory on Meridians and Diseased Pulses， "the spleen Qi dispersing essence... along all the meridians and collaterals". When the spleen fails in transportation and transformation， the distribution of refined essence becomes disordered， leading to internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness， forming a dynamic pathological state of "root deficiency with branch excess". Accordingly， the core traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pathogenesis of MS is closely related to "spleen failing in transportation and transformation coupled with the internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness"； however， its modern biological basis remains elusive. Therefore， based on the theory of "spleen Qi dispersing essence" and recent advances in immunometabolism， this paper explored the modern scientific connotation of the TCM pathogenesis of MS from the perspective of macrophage polarization driven by glucose metabolic reprogramming. Through theoretical analysis and literature integration， it was proposed that mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation participates in the energy metabolism process of "spleen Qi dispersing essence". The dysfunction of the spleen's transportation and transformation prompts macrophage metabolism to shift toward glycolysis， resulting in the accumulation of lactate and succinate， which represents the microscopic manifestation of "refined essence deviating from proper transformation" and can be defined as "microscopic phlegm-dampness". These metabolites subsequently drive M1 macrophage polarization via the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway， triggering the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducing systemic chronic low-grade inflammation， ultimately manifesting as insulin resistance， lipid metabolic disorders， and other core components of MS， thus achieving immune amplification from local "microscopic phlegm-dampness" to systemic "internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness". Therefore， macrophage polarization driven by glucose metabolic reprogramming constitutes an important biological link connecting the TCM concept of "spleen failing to disperse essence" with the pathology of MS. Furthermore， this paper reviewed the potential mechanisms by which TCM herbal formulas and their monomeric components that "restore spleen transportation and resolve phlegm-dampness" ameliorate MS by modulating macrophage metabolic remodeling， thereby providing novel biological connotations for the modern interpretation of the theory of "spleen Qi dispersing essence". Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies with disease-syndrome animal models to elucidate the regulatory network of formulas that "restore spleen transportation and resolve phlegm-dampness". Additionally， the feasibility of utilizing macrophage metabolic phenotypes as objective diagnostic biomarkers for the phlegm-dampness syndrome in MS warrants further investigation.

Metabolic syndrome （MS） is a clinical syndrome characterized by obesity， insulin resistance， and dyslipidemia， and chronic inflammation is closely associated with its pathogenesis. The imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization， as one of the core pathological mechanisms of chronic inflammation， is a crucial driver of MS progression. According to Essential Questions in Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon： Distinctive Theory on Meridians and Diseased Pulses， "the spleen Qi dispersing essence... along all the meridians and collaterals". When the spleen fails in transportation and transformation， the distribution of refined essence becomes disordered， leading to internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness， forming a dynamic pathological state of "root deficiency with branch excess". Accordingly， the core traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pathogenesis of MS is closely related to "spleen failing in transportation and transformation coupled with the internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness"； however， its modern biological basis remains elusive. Therefore， based on the theory of "spleen Qi dispersing essence" and recent advances in immunometabolism， this paper explored the modern scientific connotation of the TCM pathogenesis of MS from the perspective of macrophage polarization driven by glucose metabolic reprogramming. Through theoretical analysis and literature integration， it was proposed that mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation participates in the energy metabolism process of "spleen Qi dispersing essence". The dysfunction of the spleen's transportation and transformation prompts macrophage metabolism to shift toward glycolysis， resulting in the accumulation of lactate and succinate， which represents the microscopic manifestation of "refined essence deviating from proper transformation" and can be defined as "microscopic phlegm-dampness". These metabolites subsequently drive M1 macrophage polarization via the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway， triggering the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducing systemic chronic low-grade inflammation， ultimately manifesting as insulin resistance， lipid metabolic disorders， and other core components of MS， thus achieving immune amplification from local "microscopic phlegm-dampness" to systemic "internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness". Therefore， macrophage polarization driven by glucose metabolic reprogramming constitutes an important biological link connecting the TCM concept of "spleen failing to disperse essence" with the pathology of MS. Furthermore， this paper reviewed the potential mechanisms by which TCM herbal formulas and their monomeric components that "restore spleen transportation and resolve phlegm-dampness" ameliorate MS by modulating macrophage metabolic remodeling， thereby providing novel biological connotations for the modern interpretation of the theory of "spleen Qi dispersing essence". Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies with disease-syndrome animal models to elucidate the regulatory network of formulas that "restore spleen transportation and resolve phlegm-dampness". Additionally， the feasibility of utilizing macrophage metabolic phenotypes as objective diagnostic biomarkers for the phlegm-dampness syndrome in MS warrants further investigation.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) with pre-operative intra-aortic balloon pump (P-IABP) implantation on short and long term prognosis in octogenarian patients of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We performed aretrospectively study in octogenarian STEMI patients treated in our hospital from 2004-01 to 2014-08. The patients were divided into 2 groups: P-IABP group,n=24 and PPCI group,n=73 including 12 patients who received rescue IABP (R-IABP) because of intra- or post-procedural hemodynamic collapse as a subgroup.Major end point events included 1 month and 1-, 2-year post-operative death; major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) included 1 month post-operative cardiac shock, new or worsening heart failure (HF), re-infarction and stroke. The predictors causing different endpoint events were identiifed by Cox proportional hazard model analysis. Results: 1 month and 1-, 2-year post-operative death were similar between 2 groups (8.3% vs 16.4%), (16.7% vs 24.7%), (25.0% vs 30.1%) respectively; MACCE incidence was also similar (20.8% vs 30.1%), allP>0.05. Death rates between P-IABP group and R-IABP subgroup were similar at different time points,P>0.05; while MACCE incidence in P-IABP group was lower than R-IABP subgroup (20.8% vs 66.7%),P=0.005 and it was mainly presented by reduced HF occurrence (8.3% vs 41.7%),P=0.003. Coxproportional hazard model analysis indicated that post-operative TIMI lfow<3 grade was the independent predictor for 1 month death (HR=4.79, 95% CI1.59-14.39,P=0.005), complicating diseases as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney impairment and anemiawere themain independent predictors for 2-year death (HR=3.0, 95% CI 1.37-6.56,P=0.006). Conclusion: PPCI and P-IABP had no signiifcant differencefor short and long term survivalin octogenarianSTEMIpatients. Compared with R-IABP, P-IABP patients had the lower MACC Eincidence at 1 month post-operation .

BACKGROUNDDespite its severity, coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is still poorly understood. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been recognized as a prognostic factor in some cardiovascular diseases but not assessed in CAE. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the prognostic value of hs-CRP in CAE.

METHODSOur analysis evaluated the effect of the baseline hs-CRP on cardiovascular events (CVs) (cardiac death and nonfetal myocardial infarction) in consecutively enrolled stable CAE patients. We used the Cox proportional hazards regression models to examine the association between baseline hs-CRP level and follow-up CVs in CAE. The net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) of hs-CRP were also assessed.

RESULTSWe obtained the follow-up results of 540 patients over a median follow-up period of 36 (37.41 ± 15.88) months. The multivariable Cox analysis showed that the hs-CRP was a significant predictor of adverse outcomes in CAE (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31-6.81, P = 0.0091). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the group with hs-CRP >3 mg/L had a lower cumulative 66-month event-free survival rate (log-rank test for trend, P = 0.0235) and a higher risk of CVs (HR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.22-5.77, P = 0.0140) than the group with hs-CRP ≤3 mg/L. Hs-CRP added predictive information beyond that given by the baseline model comprising the classical risk factors (P value for IDI = 0.0330).

CONCLUSIONSA higher level of hs-CRP was independently associated with cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction in CAE patients. The hs-CRP level may therefore provide prognostic information for the risk stratification of CAE patients.

Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Artery Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models

Objective: To make long-term comparison of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation betweenleft internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft and native vessel in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Methods: A total of 151 patients with anterior wall ischemia because of previous CABG induced LIMA graft lesion who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in our hospital from 2004-07 to 2012-12 were retrospectively studied. The clinical, coronaryangiography (CAG) and follow-up conditions for DES implantation were analyzed;according to the target vessel, the patients were divided into 2 groups:LIMA group, n=40 and Native vessel (NV) group, which meant all segments of left main to left anterior descending arteries, n=111. Primary end points included target lesion revascularization (TLR), target lesion failure (TLF) as cardiac death, target vessel related non-fatal MI with the composition of TLR and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
Results:The median follow-up time was 30 (10-100) months. The rates of TLR and TLF were similar between 2 groups:(15.0%vs 11.7%, log-rank P=0.65) and (17.5%vs 13.5%, log-rank P=0.63). MACE occurrence in LIMA group was higher than NV group (35.0%vs 18.0%, log-rank P=0.043) which was mainly presented by new non-target vessel revascularization as right coronary artery, left circumlfex and saphenous vein graft(17.5%vs 4.5%, log-rank P=0.014). Cox multivariate analysis indicated that target lesion stent length was the only independent predictor for both TLR (HR=1.03, 95%CI1.00-1.06, P=0.01) and TLF (HR=1.03, 95%CI1.00-1.05, P=0.02);whereas, LIMA-PCI was the only independent predictor for MACE occurrence (HR=3.09, 95%CI1.28-7.60, P=0.012).
Conclusion: The chances of TLR and TLF were similar inpatients with previous CABG by either LIMA or NV, while MACE occurrence was higher in LIMA patients which should be further investigated.

Objective: To evaluate the hybrid of drug eluting stent (DES) with bare metal stent (BMS) and exclusive DES implantation for treating the patients with multi-lesion coronary disease.
Methods: A total of 6495 patients with multi-lesion coronary disease received elective PCI in our hospital from 2004-04 to 2006-10 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups, Hybrid group, n=848 and Exclusive DES group, n=5647. With 1:1 propensity score matching, there were 823 pair of patients were ifnally studied. The clinical outcomes included 1, 2 years post-operative all cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and in-stent thrombosis. The relative risks of all outcomes were assessed by Cox’s proportional-hazard model after propensity match.
Results: With propensity match, Cox’s proportional-hazard model analysis indicated that compared with Exclusive DES group, Hybrid group had the higher risks of TLR (HR 2.38, 95%CI 1.50-3.70), TVR (HR 1.61, 95%CI 1.15-2.27), MACE (HR 1.37, 95%CI 1.02-1.85), all P<0.01. The all cause death, MI and the ratio of all cause death/MI were similar between 2 groups in 1, 2 years follow-up period, all P>0.05.
Conclusion:Compared with exclusive DES, the hybrid of DES with BMS implantation had the higher risk of TLR, TVR and MACE for treating the patients with multi-lesion coronary disease.

Objective To assess the condition of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) under resting conditions and physiological exercise in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients.Methods A total of 60 patients with HCM and left ventri cular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) ＜ 50 mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa) at rest were enrolled consecutively,and LVOTG at rest and exercise were measured by echocardiography.Of 51 patients with gradients ＜ 30 mm Hg at rest,26 were latent LVOTO with exercise peak value LVOTG ≥ 30 mm Hg,25 were non LVOTO with exercise peak value LVOTG ＜ 30 mm Hg,and 9 were resting obstruction with LVOTG 30-49 mm Hg.The morphological characteristics of different types of obstruction were analyzed.Results Patients with latent LVOTO were more likely to have SAM(73.1％ vs 8.0％),narrow of LVOT(46.2％ vs 4.0％),higher resting gradients [(16.9 ±7.2) mm Hg vs (7.1 ± 4.3) mm Hg] and mitral regurgitation grade at rest than patients with non-obstructive (all P values ＜ 0.05).The distribution of septal hypertrophy were different in the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed independent predictors of latent LVOTO were SAM (OR 6.431,95 ％ CI 2.323-291.112,P =0.002) at rest and distribution of septal hypertrophy (OR 0.011,95％ CI 0.001-0.179,P =0.008).Conclusions Approximately half of patients with nonobstructive HCM at rest have latent LVOTO.SAM and distribution of septal hypertrophy may be useful to identify patients with latent obstruction.

Objective To study the possible causes of ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI) occurring one month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods One hundred and ninety two patients aged from 40-79 years who had a successful previous PCI and also received primary PCI due to STEAMI in this hospitalization were included in this study. The AMI-related lesions and previous angiographic findings such as the number of lesions, the degree of the stenosis, the type of stents and the acute results of last PCI, etc. were recorded in detail. If the AMI-related lesion was localized in-stents or at the edge of stents (distance from the edge ≤5 mm), it was defined aslate thrombosis, otherwise it was regarded as an AMI induced by new-lesion. Results New lesions, as the cause of STEAMI, were found in 144 cases (Group A, 75%), and late thrombosis in 48 patients (Group B, 25%). There was a significant difference in the average time from previous PCI to AMI (30.1±12.4 vs. 20.3±11.9 months) between the two groups. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and drug-eluting stents (DES) utilization were associated with markedly higher morbidity of late thrombosis in adjusted logistic regressionanalysis [hazard ratio (HR) 3.387, 95% CI 1.053-10.898 and HR 5.311, 95% CI 1.066-26.464]. Conclusions STEAMI occurred 1 month after PCI are more likely to be developed from previous insignificant lesions than from late thrombosis in stents. Moreover, DM and DES are associated with a high incidence of late thrombosis, which may indicate that intensive antiplatelet therapy should be considered in diabetic patients receiving PCI.

Objective To evaluate the effect of the percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation(PTSMA)on the left ventricular function in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy(HOCM).Methods All HOCM patients underwent echocardiogram measurements before and after the PTSMA procedure.The peak velocity of mitral annulus was measured at Doppler tissue pulsed wave mode.Doppler tissue imaging(DTI)was obtained at the 4- and 2-chamber apical view,and the peak systolic(Sa),early diastolic(Ea),and late diastolic(Aa)myocardial velocities of mitral annulus was measured at the long apical view.Results Compared with the velocity parameters before the PTSMA procedure,the peak Sa and Ea after the PTSMA were significantly lower while Aa was un-significantly lower.Conclusions In patients with HOCM,the diastolic and systolic function of the left ventricle decreased after the PTSMA procedure.

AIM: To compare the protective effects of tongxinluo, a Chinese medicine, and carvedilol and valsartan on myocardium microvascular endothelial function and integrity after late reperfusion of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rabbits. METHODS: Forty-eight rabbits were randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) sham operated rabbits; (2) ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) controls; (3) tongxinluo (1.0 g?kg~ -1?d~ -1); (4) carvedilol (5 mg?kg~ -1?d~ -1); (5) valsartan (10 mg?kg~ -1?d~ -1) and (6) ticlopidine + aspirine (30 and 20 mg?kg~ -1?d~ -1, respectively) groups. After 3 d of drug treatment, the left coronary artery in the rabbit was ligated for 2 h and loosed subsequently for another 2 h. The serum levels of nitric oxide (NO_2~-/NO_3~-) and endothelin (ET) at baseline before AMI, 2 h after both AMI and reperfusion were examined. Also, the number of circulating endothelial cells (CEC), MI size and percentage myocardium focal bleeding incidence were determined 2 h after reperfusion. RESULTS: (1) The baseline level of NO_2~-/NO_3~- was significantly higher in tongxinluo group than that in other groups (all P