OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)VIM-AS5 expres-sion in human breast cancer tissues and its regulatory mechanism involved in cancer cell proliferation and mi-gration.Methods The Lnc2Cancer 3.0 database was used to analyze the expression of VIM-AS5 in breast cancer tissues and its correlation with the clinical stage and survival time of breast cancer patients.RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of VIM-AS5 in breast cancer cell lines BT-549,MDA-MB-435,MDA-MB-231 and CAL-51.Plasmid with VIM-AS5 overexpression and negative control were all transfected into CAL-51 cells through liposome recorded as VIM-AS5 group and NC group,respectively.The proliferation and migration of CAL-51 cells were detected by colony formation assay and scratch healing method,respectively.Dual-lucif-erase reporter gene experiment verified the targeting relationship between VIM-AS5 and miR-500a.RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-500a in CAL-51 cells.Western blot was used to detect the expression of JAK/STAT3 pathway in CAL-51 cells.Results The expression of VIM-AS5 in breast cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissues(P＜0.01).VIM-AS5 expression was negatively correlated with the clinical stage of breast cancer patients(P＜0.01).The survival time of breast cancer patients with low VIM-AS5 expression was significantly shorter than that of breast cancer patients with high VIM-AS5 ex-pression(P＜0.01).Compared with mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10 A cells,VIM-AS5 expression was significantly reduced in breast cancer cells(P＜0.01).The counting number of colony formed in the VIM-AS5 group was significantly lower than that in the NC group(P＜0.01).The cell migration rate in the VIM-AS5 group was significantly lower than that in the NC group(P＜0.01).Dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment confirmed that miR-500a was the target gene of VIM-AS5(P＜0.01).VIM-AS5 can negatively regulate the expression of miR-500a(P＜0.01).Compared with the NC group,the expression of JAK/STAT3 pathway proteins JAK,p-STAT3,c-Myc,Bcl-2,and CDK3 in CAL-51 cells of the VIM-AS5 group were significantly decreased.Conclusions VIM-AS5 is low-expressed in breast cancer cells,and up-regulation of VIM-AS5 may inhibit the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells CAL-51 by targeting at miR-500a/JAK/STAT3 pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Qiangxin decoction on myocardial mitochondrial and energy metabolism in rats with chronic heart failure （CHF） based on mitophagy. METHODS Male SD rats were collected to establish CHF model by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery. The successful modeling rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction group [12.25 g/（kg·d）， calculated by crude drug]， captopril group [10.38 mg/（kg·d）]， and Qiangxin decoction+captopril group （the same usage and dosage as single drug group） according to a random number table method， with 8 rats in each group. Another 8 normal rats were selected and received threading in the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery without ligation as the sham operation group. Starting from the second day after successful modeling， the rats in administration groups were given relevant drug intragastrically， twice a day， for consecutive 28 days. After the last medication， the levels of adenosine triphosphate （ATP）， adenosine monophosphate （AMP） and free fatty acid （FFA） in infarcted myocardial tissues were detected， the pathological changes and mitochondrial morphology of the infarcted myocardial tissue were observed， as well as the protein expressions of B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 related X protein （Bax）， TANK-binding kinase 1 （TBK1）， p62 were detected in each group. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group， the infarcted myocardial tissue fibrosis was changed evidently， with a large number of mitochondrial swelling and fusion， and internal cristae rupture； the levels of AMP and FFA， the protein expressions of Bax and p62 were all increased or up-regulated significantly in infarcted myocardial tissue， while the level of ATP， and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and TBK1 were all decreased or down-regulated significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the pathological changes of infarcted myocardial tissue and mitochondrial swelling had been improved； the levels of AMP and FFA， and the protein expressions of Bax and p62 in infarcted myocardial tissue were significantly decreased or down-regulated in administration groups， while the level of ATP， and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and TBK1 were increased or up-regulated significantly （P＜0.05）. And the effect of Qiangxin decoction+captopril group was better than that of single drug group. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can alleviate myocardial fibrosis and mitochondrial swelling in CHF rats， and improve their myocardial energy metabolism， which may be related to regulating the expression of Bcl-2， Bax， TBK1 and p62 proteins and promoting myocardial mitophagy.

Objective To compare the efficacies of unilateral biportal endoscopic(UBE)technique and percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy(PTED)in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods Forty patients who were diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis in Chashan Hospital of Dongguan from January 2019 to January 2023 were enrolled in this retrospective study.They were divided into PTED group(n=20)and UBE group(n=20).Perioperative data(operation time,intraoperative bleeding,postoperative hospital stay,degree of decompression and complications)were compared between the two groups.Visual analogue scale(VAS)score and Oswestry dysfunction index(ODI)were collected before surgery and on 3 days,1 month and 6 months after surgery.Results There were no significant differences in the operation time,intraoperative bleeding,or hospitalization time between the two groups(all P>0.05).The incidence of postoperative complications in the UBE group was significantly lower than that in the PTED group(P=0.001).VAS score and ODI of the low back and leg pains in the UBE group were superior to the PTED group at each postoperative time point(all P<0.05).One month after surgery,the UBE group had a more significant increase in the dural sac cross-sectional area and intervertebral foramen area than the PTED group(t=3.842,P=0.003;t=2.469,P=0.006).Conclusion Compared with PTED,UBE has better clinical outcomes,higher degree of decompression,and lower incidence of complications.UBE is a safe and feasible surgical method for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Obiective:To investigate the association of blood pressure (BP) excursions with early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with isolated small subcortical infarct (ISSI) treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).Methods:Consecutive patients with acute ISSI treated with IVT were prospectively registered from the Emergency Department, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between Jun 2018 and Dec 2022. END was defined as an NIHSS score increased≥2 during the first 24 hours compared with the initial NIHSS score. BP excursions, defined as greater than 185 systolic BP (SBP) or greater than 110 diastolic BP (DBP) were calculated and compared between patients with NED and those without (ED).Results:A total of 205 patients with acute ISSI in the perforator territory of the MCA were included in this study. Of them, 47(22.93%) patients developed END and 88(42.93%) patients had at least one BP excursion during the first 24 h following tPA bolus. Univariate analysis indicated that age, sex, baseline NIHSS, diabetes mellitus, previous mRS score≥2, BP excursion presence and SBP excursion presence significantly associated with the development of END ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analyses indicated that BP excursion presence ( OR=3.460, 95% CI: 1.604-7.465, P=0.002) and SBP excursion presence ( OR=3.619, 95% CI: 1.684-7.776, P=0.001) were independently associated with END. Conclusions:BP excursions above guideline thresholds during the first 24 h following IVT administration for ISSI is common and independently associated with END.

ObjectiveTo reveal the targets and molecular mechanisms of the action of Qiangxin Decoction （强心汤） for the treatment of chronic heart failure based on the combination of network pharmacology and molecular docking. MethodsThe active ingredients of Qiangxin Decoction were retrieved from TCMSP database， and the targets of chronic heart failure were screened by searching GeneCards， OMIM， TTD， PharmGkb， and DrugBank databases， and the intersections were taken to obtain the intersecting targets of Qiangxin Decoction for the treatment of chronic heart failure. STRING platform was used to construct the protein-protein interaction network （PPI）， Cytoscape 3.8.0 software was used to calculate the network topology to screen the core targets， and R 4.2.3 was used to construct the “active ingredient-target” network by analyzing the GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. AutoDock 1.5.7 was used for molecular docking to predict the binding performance of active ingredients and core targets. ResultsSeventy-five intersecting targets were identified for the treatment of chronic heart failure with Qiangxin Decoction， among which the core targets were estrogen receptor 1 （ESR1， degree value=7）， nuclear receptor coactivator 1 （NCOA1， degree value=8）， glucocorticoid receptor （NR3C1， degree value=7）， and nuclear receptor coactivator 2 （NCOA2， degree value=7）. GO enrichment analysis showed that the top 3 items with the smallest P value in molecular function were G protein-coupled amine receptor activity， postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor activity， and neurotransmitter receptor activity （P＜0.01）； the top 3 items with the smallest P value in biological process were adenylyl cyclase-activated adrenergic receptor signaling pathway， adrenergic receptor signaling pathway， and adenylyl cyclase-regulated G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway （P＜0.01）； the top 3 items with the smallest P values in cellular composition were components of the postsynaptic membrane， synaptic membrane， and presynaptic membrane （P＜0.01）. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the top 5 key signaling pathways were neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions， calcium signaling pathway， dopaminergic synapses， cocaine addiction， and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G （cGMP-PKG） signaling pathway. The molecular docking results showed that lignans and isoflavones had lower binding energies and more structural stability with the four core targets （ESR1， NCOA1， NR3C1， NCOA2）. ConclusionThe treatment of chronic heart failure by Qiangxin Decoction was associated with neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions， calcium signaling pathway， dopaminergic synapses， chemoattractant-receptor activation， cGMP-PKG signaling pathway， lipids and atherosclerosis， and cAMP signaling pathway， and lignans and isoflavones may be the core active compounds in its treatment of chronic heart failure.

Third-degree atrioventricular block is a severe bradyarrhythmia， for which there is no proven effective drugs currently. Permanent pacemaker implantation recommended by the guideline， however， is not suitable for most patients. This paper reported on a case of third-degree atrioventricular block after cardiac radiofrequency ablation who has been treated with the method of boosting qi， warming yang and unblocking collaterals. The TCM syndrome of this case was diagnosed as yang qi depletion and phlegm-stasis blocking the collaterals， for which Baoyuan Decoction and Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction （保元汤合麻黄附子细辛汤） in modification has been used to boost qi， warm yang and raise the sunken， dissolve phlegm， invigorate blood and unblock collaterals. After nearly 7-month treatment， the symptoms such as palpitations， shortness of breath and fatigue were basically cured， and the electrocardiogram returned to the normal.

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone containing a peroxide group isolated from the plant Artemisia annua. It has antimalarial activity and is effective for the treatment of malaria. With the deepening of research on artemisinin， the pharmacological effects of artemisinin and its derivatives in other systems have gradually become a research hotspot. This article reviews the research progress of artemisinin and its derivatives in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Artemisinin and its derivatives in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease have shown anti-atherosclerosis， lipid- lowering， inhibition of vascular remodeling， reducing vascular pressure， improving ventricular remodeling， anti-arrhythmia， protection of vascular endothelium， prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiovascular complications and protection of myocardial cells and other pharmacological effects. It provides a new treatment strategy for common cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension， arrhythmia， coronary heart disease complications after stent implantation， hyperlipidemia， etc. However， there are few studies on the antiplatelet aggregation and antithrombotic effects of artemisinin and its derivatives， the molecular mechanisms behind many pharmacological effects have not yet been clarified， and there is little clinical application. A large number of basic studies and clinical trials are still needed to answer these questions.

Hypertension is a common cardiovascular disease. At present， the prevalence and mortality of hypertension in China continue to rise， the morbidity and mortality of complications remain high. The continuous increase of blood pressure can cause damage to multiple target organs such as heart， brain， kidney and blood vessels. This article reviews the research progress of signal pathways related to the prevention and treatment of hypertension target organ damage by traditional Chinese medicine， and summarizes six signal pathways related to RhoA/ROCK， renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system， endothelin-1/nitric oxide， transforming growth factor-β1/Smads， phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B， and Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear transcription factor-κB， in order to provide theoretical evidence for further research on clinical diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and its target organ damage.