ObjectiveTo investigate the potential therapeutic effects of Dengzhan Shengmai capsules （DZSM） on myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction and decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms by virtue of network robustness algorithm. MethodsA rat model of myocardial infarction was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Successfully modeled Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into a model group， an enalapril group（3.15 mg·kg^-1）， and high- and low-dose DZSM groups（226.8，113.4 mg·kg^-1）. In addition， a sham group was set up. After four consecutive weeks of intervention， the cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography， and myocardial collagen deposition was observed through Sirius red staining. The key regulatory pathways of DZSM were analyzed by the network robustness algorithm. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and immunofluorescence assay were employed to validate the mechanisms. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group exhibited decreased left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF%） and fractional shortening （FS%） （P<0.01） and increased myocardial collagen volume fraction （CVF%） （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， high-dose DZSM and enalapril improved LVEF% and FS% （P<0.01）. Both high- and low-dose DZSM reduced the CVF% （P<0.05， P<0.05，）. Network analysis indicated that DZSM exerted its effects by regulating neutrophil infiltration and related inflammatory pathways. Experimental validation showed that DZSM significantly reduced the protein levels of nuclear factor （NF）-κB， Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）， and signal transduction activator and transducer 3 （STAT3） in the cardiac tissue， as well as the levels of chemokine （C-X-C motif） ligand 1 （CXCL1）， interleukin （IL）-1β， neutrophil elastase-DNA complex （NE-DNA）， and myeloperoxidase-DNA complex （MPO-DNA） in the plasma. ConclusionDZSM may ameliorate myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and extracellular trap formation and regulating the NF-κB/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:The repair process of myocardial injury involves complex cellular and molecular mechanisms,especially mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathways.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has shown significant clinical efficacy in improving myocardial injury,but its mechanism of action needs to be thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis-mediated macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathways in myocardial injury,and to summarize the progress of TCM in this field. METHODS:A computerized search was performed for relevant literature from the database inception to March 2024 in the Web of Science,PubMed and CNKI.The search terms were"mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,macrophage autophagy,macrophage pyroptosis,traditional Chinese medicine,myocardial injury,myocardial injury reperfusion"in Chinese and English.Through literature review,we analyzed the relationship between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis,explored the mechanism of their roles in myocardial injury,and summarized the pathways of multi-targeted,multi-pathway effects of TCM. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The maintenance of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis has been found to be closely related to the normal function of cardiomyocytes.Macrophages can participate in the repair process of myocardial injury through autophagy and pyroptosis pathways.Autophagy contributes to cell clearance and regulation of inflammatory response,while pyroptosis affects myocardial repair by releasing inflammatory factors.TCM regulates mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and macrophage function through multiple mechanisms.For example,astragalosid regulates calcium homeostasis by lowering mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting cytochrome C,and epimedium glycoside plays a role in reducing β-amyloid deposition.In addition,herbal compounds and single drugs promote myocardial repair by activating or inhibiting specific signaling pathways,such as PI3K/AKT and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways.Future studies should focus on the interactions between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,autophagy and pyroptosis pathways,as well as how TCM can exert therapeutic effects through these pathways to provide new strategies and drugs for the treatment of myocardial injury.

Objective To explore the effects of multiple groups of acupoint pre-embedding thread on the autonomic nervous system and gastrointestinal function in patients undergoing gynecological laparo-scopic surgery under general anesthesia.Methods Sixty patients,aged 25-64 years,BMI 18.5-30.0 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,were selected for laparoscopic gynecological surgery under general anesthesia.Patients were divided into two groups using a random number table method:control group(group C)and acupoint thread embedding group(group M),30 patients in each group.Patients in group M received thread embedding at 10 acupoints in 5 groups,including Neiguan,Sanyinjiao,Geshu,Jueyin,and Weishu on the day before surgery.Patients in group C did not undergo thread embedding at acupoints before surgery.The HR,MAP,normalized unit of low frequency(LF),normalized unit of high frequency(HF)and LF/HF were recorded at 5 minutes before anesthesia induction,immediately after tracheal intu-bation,immediately after establishing pneumoperitoneum,10,20,and 30 minutes after pneumoperitoneum,and when tracheal intubation was removed.Motilin and gastrin concentrations in serum were measured on the day before surgery and 24 hours after surgery.The time of first postoperative exhaust and defecation,as well as the occurrence of nausea and vomiting within 48 hours after surgery were recorded.Results Compared with group C,the HR was significantly lower,and the MAP,the LF and LF/HF in group M were significant-ly reduced at 10,20,and 30 minutes after pneumoperitoneum,while HF was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The first postoperative time of exhaust and defecation in group M was significantly shortened(P＜0.05),and the incidence of nausea and vomiting within 24 hours after surgery was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).The concentrations of motilin and gastrin in serum of group M were significantly increased 24 hours after surgery(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of acupoints and pre-embedding thread can regu-late the autonomic nervous function of patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia,which is beneficial for the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function and improves the quality of rehabilitation.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of paclitaxel coated balloon in the treatment of symptomatic lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans.Methods From January 2016 to April 2017,64 patients with symptomatic lower limb arteriosclerosis obliterans ( ASO ) of femoral and popliteal artery stenosis admitted to Chongming Branch Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were selected as the research subjects.According to the principle of randomization, they were divided into two groups, 32 cases in each group.In the drug?coated group, ordinary balloon was pre?expanded,and then paclitaxel drug?coated balloon was used to expand.If there were still retraction and stenosis of diseased vessels, which affected the blood flow of lower limbs, remedial stents were implanted.Bare stent group used a slightly smaller balloon to pre?expand superficial femoral artery and then release the stent.After one year follow?up, the changes of ankle?brachial index ( ABI), restenosis rate of target lesion vessels, Rutherford grading changes, clinical drive target vessel revascularization rate, perioperative period,death rate of patients during follow?up period, amputation rate and complication rate were observed.Results There were no amputations or deaths in the whole group during the perioperative period and follow?up.The incidence of complications in the drug?coated group was 3.1%( 1／32 ), significantly lower than that in the bare stent group 18.8%( 6／32) ( χ2 ＝4.010, P＝ 0.045).Before treatment,the ABI of patients in drug?coated group and bare stent group at 6 months and 12 months after treatment were significantly different ( Finter?group ＝ 7.028, Pinter?group ＝ 0.024, Fintra?group ＝ 219.028, Pintra?group＝0.000,Finteraction＝350.028,Pinteraction＝0.000),and ABI of the two groups at 12 months after treatment were (0.73± 0.11) and ( 0.68 ± 0.09),respectively, the difference was statistically significant ( t＝1.990, P＝0.025).Six months after operation, the restenosis rates of target lesions in the two groups were 9.4%(3／32) and 15.6%(5／32), respectively, with no significant difference ( χ2 ＝0.571, P＝0.450); The restenosis rate of bare stent group was 37.5%(12／32) 12 months after operation,which was significantly higher than that of drug?coated group by 15.6%(5／32) (χ2＝3.925,P＝0.048).Clinical observation results showed that 12 months after operation,the target?lesion revascularization (TLR) of the drug?coated group was 3.1%(1／32) and that of the bare stent group was 9.4%(3／32),with no significant difference.Rutherford grading was improved in both groups(χ2＝1.067,P＞0.05). Conclusion Paclitaxel drug?coated balloon is safe and effective in the treatment of symptomatic lower limb arteriosclerosis obliterans,which is worthy of clinical application.

Objective To describe the distribution of mannose binding lectin (MBL) genetic polymorphisms in non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cryptococcosis in China and to verify the association of MBL polymorphisms with susceptibility to cryptococcosis.Methods The case-controlled genetic association study was conducted and 167 non-AIDS patients with cryptococcosis and 208 healthy controls were recruited. Genome DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood and MBL gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six singlenucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP) of MBL gene were sequenced. The association of MBL polymorphisms with susceptibility to cryptococcosis were analyzed. The comparison between patients and controls was performed by chi square test or Fisher's exact test. The differences of MBL plasma concentrations between groups with different MBL genotypes were compared by single factor variance analysis. Results There were no differences between patients and controls in terms of MBL genotype frequencies, haplotypes and genotypes (all P>0. 05). Compared with healthy control, the deficient MBL-producing genotypes were strongly associated with cryptococcal meningitis (16. 5% vs 8. 7%,χ2=4.25, P=0.0392, OR = 2.09), particularly in patients without underlying immunocompromised conditions (21. 4% vs 8. 7%, χ2 =7. 15, P = 0. 0075, OR = 2. 88). Individuals with MBL deficiency genotypes showed significantly higher rates of central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcal infection rather than non-CNS cryptococcosis (16. 5% vs 3. 1%, Fisher's exact test, P = 0. 010, OR = 6. 13).The difference was even more significant in the immunocompetent patients (21. 4% vs 4. 0%, P =0.009, OR= 6. 55). Conclusion MBL deficiency is associated with cryptococcal meningitis and may play a role in CNS Cryptococcus infection.

Objective To evaluate clinical features,therapeutic effects and outcomes of patients with non-human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected cryptococcal meningitis treated with fluconazole or fluconazole and flucytosine.Methods Twenty-four cases of non-HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis(fluconazole with or without flucytosine as initial therapy)in Huashan Hospital,Fudan University from 1997 to 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.Clinical manifestations,therapeutic effects and outcomes of the patients were collected.Results Fluconazole was administered with median dosage of 400 mg/d,for a median duration of 20.5 days.After fluconazole initial therapy for 2 weeks,16.7% showed partial response,83.3% showed no response,and the overall response rate was 16.7%.After 10 weeks,33.3% showed partial response,29.2% showed complete response,16.7% showed no response,and the overall response rate was 62.5%.Mortality at week 10 was 20.8%.Twenty-two patients who failed to respond to initial therapy were switched to other antifungal drugs(amphotericin B,amphotericin B colloidal dispersion,itraconazole)or other fluconazole containing combined therapy.Eleven out of the 24 patients died during one-year follow-up,8 of whom died of eryptococcal meningitis,and 3 died of other diseases.Conclusions The initial therapy of fluconazole with or without flucytosine is inefficient,and most of the patients need other antifungal drugs because of initial therapy failure.Therefore,fluconazole might not be appropriate for initial therapy in non-HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis.