Cardiac fibrosis(CF) is a cardiac pathological process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM). When the heart is damaged by adverse stimuli, cardiac fibroblasts are activated and secrete a large amount of ECM, leading to changes in cardiac fibrosis, myocardial stiffness, and cardiac function declines and accelerating the development of heart failure. There is a close relationship between heart yin deficiency and cardiac fibrosis, which have similar pathogenic mechanisms. Heart Yin deficiency, characterized by insufficient Yin fluids, causes the heart to lose its nourishing function, which acts as the initiating factor for myocardial dystrophy. The deficiency of body fluids leads to stagnation of blood flow, resulting in blood stasis and water retention. Blood stasis and water retention accumulate in the heart, which aligns with the pathological manifestation of excessive deposition of ECM, as a tangible pathogenic factor. This is an inevitable stage of the disease process. The lingering of blood stasis combined with water retention eventually leads to the generation of heat and toxins, triggering inflammatory responses similar to heat toxins, which continuously stimulate the heart and cause the ultimate outcome of CF. Considering the syndrome of heart Yin deficiency, traditional Chinese medicine capable of nourishing Yin, activating blood, and promoting urination can reduce myocardial cell apoptosis, inhibit fibroblast activation, and lower the inflammation level, showing significant advantages in combating CF.
Humans ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Yin Deficiency/metabolism* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

Through molecular identification of the ITS2 gene of Aedes albopictus in Hainan Island,we analyzed the genetic diversity,haplotype characteristics,and phylogenetic relationships,to characterize the genetic structure of the local Aedes al-bopictus population.Aedes albopictus samples were collected from 18 administrative cities and counties in Hainan Island.Ge-nomic DNA was extracted,and the 1TS2 gene was amplified.The base composition was analyzed in MEGA 11 software.The genetic distances were calculated,and the phylogenetic relationships were constructed.DnaSP6 and Pop Art 1.7 software were used to calculate the number of haplotypes,draw a haplotype topology network diagram,and analyze haplotype diversity.A to-tal of 360 ITS2 genes were obtained from Aedes albopictus in 18 cities and counties in Hainan Island,with sequence lengths ranging from 536 to 586 bp;GC content ranging from 51.29％to 55.31％;average intraspecies genetic distances ranging from 0.015 4;a total of 251 haplotypes and a haplotype diversity index of 0.987 0,indicating rich genetic diversity and intricate kin-ship relationships,the phylogenetic relationship between Aedes albopictus in Hainan Island and in Honduras was the closest.The existence of extensive gene exchange and rich genetic diversity within the Aedes albopictus population in Hainan Island provided sufficient genetic resources for the evolution and adaptation of the population.

Through molecular identification of the ITS2 gene of Aedes albopictus in Hainan Island,we analyzed the genetic diversity,haplotype characteristics,and phylogenetic relationships,to characterize the genetic structure of the local Aedes al-bopictus population.Aedes albopictus samples were collected from 18 administrative cities and counties in Hainan Island.Ge-nomic DNA was extracted,and the 1TS2 gene was amplified.The base composition was analyzed in MEGA 11 software.The genetic distances were calculated,and the phylogenetic relationships were constructed.DnaSP6 and Pop Art 1.7 software were used to calculate the number of haplotypes,draw a haplotype topology network diagram,and analyze haplotype diversity.A to-tal of 360 ITS2 genes were obtained from Aedes albopictus in 18 cities and counties in Hainan Island,with sequence lengths ranging from 536 to 586 bp;GC content ranging from 51.29％to 55.31％;average intraspecies genetic distances ranging from 0.015 4;a total of 251 haplotypes and a haplotype diversity index of 0.987 0,indicating rich genetic diversity and intricate kin-ship relationships,the phylogenetic relationship between Aedes albopictus in Hainan Island and in Honduras was the closest.The existence of extensive gene exchange and rich genetic diversity within the Aedes albopictus population in Hainan Island provided sufficient genetic resources for the evolution and adaptation of the population.

BACKGROUND: Shenyankangfu Tablet (SYKFT) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been used widely to decrease proteinuria and the progression of chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: This trial compared the efficacy and safety of SYKFT, for the control of proteinuria in primary glomerulonephritis patients, against the standard drug, losartan potassium. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Primary glomerulonephritis patients, aged 18-70 years, with blood pressure ≤ 140/90 mmHg, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 45 mL/min per 1.73 m MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was change in the 24-hour proteinuria level, after 48 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 735 participants were enrolled. The percent decline of urine protein quantification in the SYKFT group after 48 weeks was 8.78% ± 2.56% (P = 0.006) more than that in the losartan 50 mg group, which was 0.51% ± 2.54% (P = 1.000) less than that in the losartan 100 mg group. Compared with the losartan potassium 50 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 50 mg group had a 13.39% ± 2.49% (P < 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein level. Compared with the losartan potassium 100 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 100 mg group had a 9.77% ± 2.52% (P = 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein. With a superiority threshold of 15%, neither was statistically significant. eGFR, serum creatinine and serum albumin from the baseline did not change statistically significant. The average change in TCM syndrome score between the patients who took SYKFT (-3.00 [-6.00, -2.00]) and who did not take SYKFT (-2.00 [-5.00, 0]) was statistically significant (P = 0.003). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any group. CONCLUSION: SYKFT decreased the proteinuria and improved the TCM syndrome scores of primary glomerulonephritis patients, with no change in the rate of decrease in the eGFR. SYKFT plus losartan potassium therapy decreased proteinuria more than losartan potassium therapy alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02063100 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Altitude ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of arsenic trioxide (As METHODS: Transplantation of LVG hamster hearts to Lewis rats was performed by anastomosis of vessels in the neck using end-to-end anastomosis with a non-suture cuff technique. Four groups of recipient rats (n=6 in each) were treated with normal saline (control), As RESULTS: Expression of Nrf2-ARE-HO-1 signaling pathway was upregulated in heart xenografts in rats treated with As CONCLUSION Combination treatment with As
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Cricetinae ; Heart Transplantation ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism* ; Heterografts ; Leflunomide ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Signal Transduction

This review made a systematic textual research on the historical evolution and changes of the origin， producing areas and quality， harvest time and processing methods， and cultivation technique of Poria in famous classical formulas from the Catalogue of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas （the First Batch） by referring to the literature of ancient materia medica and medical books combining with the modern literature in CNKI， Wanfang Data and other databases， which could provide reference for the development and research of the famous classical formulas containing Poria. According to the research， the origin of Poria in ancient times was the dried sclerotia of Poria cocos. The producing area of Poria is widely distributed in China， mainly produced in Anhui， Hubei， Henan and Yunnan provinces. The quality of Poria from Yunnan is better， and the yield is larger in Anhui and Hubei provinces. The quality evaluation of Poria is basically the same from ancient to modern， which has the characteristics of large block， heavy weight， thin and wrinkled skin， and white and delicate cross section. The harvesting period of Poria is usually in August of the lunar calendar. The initial processing has undergone the evolution from drying in shade in the ancient time to drying in shade after sweating in the modern time. From ancient times to the present， Poria has been processed by cutting to prepare the Fuling lumps and Fuling slices. The cultivation technique has experienced the evolution process of "wild Poria-inoculation of live pine root-basswood cultured". At present， Poria is mainly cultivated by artificial basswood with mature technical methods and abundant yields， which can meet the research and development needs of the famous classical formulas.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of early acupoint electrical stimulation on the decline of lower limbs muscle strength in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) caused by septic shock. METHODS: A total of 58 patients with ICU-AW caused by septic shock were randomly divided into an observation group (28 cases, 1 case dropped off ) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off ). Patients in both groups received routine basic treatment. In the observation group, acupoint electric stimulation therapy was added at Huantiao (GB 30), Futu (ST 32), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Taichong (LR 3). Unilateral point with electrodes were applied, the SDZ-Ⅱ electronic instrument (discontinuous wave, frequency in 2 Hz, strength in 5 mA) was connected and changed to the other side after 30 min of unilateral treatment.The treatment was given 2 times daily, continued for 7 d or until the medical research council (MRC) score being 54 points or more. The changes of lower limb muscle strength MRC score, modified Rankin scale (MRS) score, bilateral quadriceps thickness and gastrocnemius pinnate angle of both groups were observed before treatment and on discharge. The time of admission to ICU, time of hospitalization, mortality during hospitalization, and mortality 28 d after discharge were compared between the two groups. The MRS scores of the two groups were followed up 28 d after discharge. RESULTS: The MRC scores of lower limb muscle strength in the two groups on discharge were higher than those before treatment ( CONCLUSION Early acupoint electrical stimulation can improve the lower extremity muscle decline in patients with ICU-AW caused by septic shock.
Acupuncture Points ; Electric Stimulation ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle Strength ; Shock, Septic/therapy*