OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic potential of octaarginine (R8)-modified essential oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet (EOFAZ) lipid microspheres (EOFAZ@^R8LM) for cardiovascular therapy. METHODS: EOFAZ@^R8LM was developed by leveraging the volatilization of EOFAZ and integrating it with the oil phase of LM, followed by surface modification with cell-penetrating peptide R8 to target the site of vascular endothelial injury. The therapeutic effects of this formulation in alleviating lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular endothelial inflammation were evaluated by assessing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as well as inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels. RESULTS: EOFAZ@^R8LM effectively delivered EOFAZ to the site of injury and specifically targeted the mitochondria in vascular endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction through regulation of MMP and reduction of intracellular ROS levels. Moreover, it attenuated the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1β, exerting protective effects on the vascular endothelium. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the significant therapeutic potential of EOFAZ@^R8LM in cardiovascular therapy, providing valuable insights for developing novel dosage forms utilizing EOFAZ for effective treatment against cardiovascular diseases.

Cholesterol (CH) plays a crucial role in enhancing the membrane stability of drug delivery systems (DDS). However, its association with conditions such as hyperlipidemia often leads to criticism, overshadowing its influence on the biological effects of formulations. In this study, we reevaluated the delivery effect of CH using widely applied lipid microspheres (LM) as a model DDS. We conducted comprehensive investigations into the impact of CH on the distribution, cell uptake, and protein corona (PC) of LM at sites of cardiovascular inflammatory injury. The results demonstrated that moderate CH promoted the accumulation of LM at inflamed cardiac and vascular sites without exacerbating damage while partially mitigating pathological damage. Then, the slow cellular uptake rate observed for CH@LM contributed to a prolonged duration of drug efficacy. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed that CH depended on LM and exerted its biological effects by modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) expression in vascular endothelial cells and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein levels in myocardial cells, thereby enhancing LM uptake at cardiovascular inflammation sites. Proteomics analysis unveiled a serum adsorption pattern for CH@LM under inflammatory conditions showing significant adsorption with CH metabolism-related apolipoprotein family members such as apolipoprotein A-V (Apoa5); this may be a major contributing factor to their prolonged circulation in vivo and explains why CH enhances the distribution of LM at cardiovascular inflammatory injury sites. It should be noted that changes in cell types and physiological environments can also influence the biological behavior of formulations. The findings enhance the conceptualization of CH and LM delivery, providing novel strategies for investigating prescription factors' bioactivity.

BACKGROUND: China bears the biggest atrial fibrillation (AF) burden in the world. However, little is known about the incidence and predictors of AF. This study aimed to investigate the current incidence of AF and its electrocardiographic (ECG) predictors in general community individuals aged over 60 years in China. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study, recruiting subjects who were aged over 60 years and underwent annual health checkups from April to July 2015 in four community health centers in Songjiang District, Shanghai, China. The subjects were then followed up from 2015 to 2019 annually. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and the resting 12-lead ECG were collected. Kaplan-Meier curve was used for showing the trends in AF incidence and calculating the predictors of AF. Associations of ECG abnormalities and AF incidence were examined using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: This study recruited 18,738 subjects, and 351 (1.87%) developed AF. The overall incidence rate of AF was 5.2/1000 person-years during an observation period of 67,704 person-years. Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.09; P < 0.001), male (HR, 1.30; 95% CI: 1.05-1.62; P = 0.018), a history of hypertension (HR, 1.55; 95% CI: 1.23-1.95; P < 0.001), a history of cardiac diseases (HR, 3.23; 95% CI: 2.34-4.45; P < 0.001), atrial premature complex (APC) (HR, 2.82; 95% CI: 2.17-3.68; P < 0.001), atrial flutter (HR, 18.68; 95% CI: 7.37-47.31; P < 0.001), junctional premature complex (JPC) (HR, 3.57; 95% CI: 1.59-8.02; P = 0.002), junctional rhythm (HR, 18.24; 95% CI: 5.83-57.07; P < 0.001), ventricular premature complex (VPC) (HR, 1.76; 95% CI: 1.13-2.75, P = 0.012), short PR interval (HR, 5.49; 95% CI: 1.36-22.19; P = 0.017), right atrial enlargement (HR, 6.22; 95% CI: 1.54-25.14; P = 0.010), and pacing rhythm (HR, 3.99; 95% CI: 1.57-10.14; P = 0.004) were independently associated with the incidence of AF. CONCLUSIONS The present incidence of AF was 5.2/1000 person-years in the studied population aged over 60 years in China. Among various ECG abnormalities, only APC, atrial flutter, JPC, junctional rhythm, short PR interval, VPC, right atrial enlargement, and pacing rhythm were independently associated with AF incidence.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology* ; Prospective Studies ; Incidence ; Atrial Flutter/complications* ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Electrocardiography

Objective:To investigate the effects of single intermittent theta-burst stimulation on functional connectivity in patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI).Methods:From July to November 2020, forty MCI patients were selected and randomly divided into iTBS true stimulation group and iTBS sham-stimulation group, with 20 patients in each group.iTBS targeted the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), activity of daily living scale(ADL), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) were evaluated at baseline.The resting state electroencephalography (rsEEG) was collected for 5 minutes before and after iTBS in the two groups.The phase lag index(PLI) of EEG functional connectivity was calculated, and the functional connectivity matrix diagram was drawn.SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Data were statistically analyzed by χ2 test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and independent sample t-test. Results:There were no significant differences in scores of MoCA, ADL, HAMD and HAMA between the two groups(all P>0.05). In the iTBS true stimulation group, compared with that before iTBS treatment(0.140(0.133, 0.144)), the PLI of β band increased significantly after iTBS treatment(0.146(0.136, 0.167))( P<0.05). The region of increased PLI was mainly concentrated in the central region(C3/C4-T7/T8). Compared with that before iTBS treatment(0.251(0.232, 0.299)), the PLI of α band increased after iTBS treatment(0.286(0.241, 0.359)), but the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). Conclusion:Single iTBS treatment can significantly increase the EEG functional connectivity in patients with MCI, indicating that iTBS targeting the left DLPFC can effectively regulate the EEG functional connectivity in patients with MCI, which may reveal the mechanism of iTBS in improving cognitive function in patients with MCI.

Objective To establish a quality standard of huangqi baoxin mixture and improve its quality control system. Methods The qualitative analysis of Astragalus membranaceus,Salvia miltiorrhiza,Forsythia,and Angelica were performed by TLC.The content determination of astragalosideⅣin the huangqi baoxin mixture was conducted by HPLC-ELSD. Results As-tragalus membranaceus,Salvia miltiorrhiza,Forsythia,and Angelica in the huangqi baoxin mixture could be accurately identified by TLC.The linear range of astragaloside Ⅳ was 1.224-10.20 μg (r=0.999 5).RSDs of precision,stability,and reproducibility tests were lower than 3.0%;the recovery was 96.2%-102.9% with RSD at 2.20% (n=6). Conclusion The established quan-titative method is simple,accurate,and reliable with high specificity which can be used to control the quality of huangqi baoxin mixture.

Objective To study the efficacy of different anti-adhesion agents used in preventing tubal obstruction after recanalization.Methods Five hundred and eight patients with tubal obstruction were divided into 245 cases in control group,108 cases in chitosan group;113 cases in sodium hyaluronate group and 42 cases in lipiodol group.The patients in control group were injected with anti-inflammation agents after recanalizatian,while other groups were injected with chitosan,sodium hyaluronate or lipiodol at dose of 2-3 ml in every therapeutic group.The rate of location of tubal obstruction and tubal recanalization were recorded during operation.Then patients in every group were followed up on tubal patency after 3 months,and pregnancy rate after 12 months.Results Among 1016 fallopian tubes in 508 patients,there were 330 tubes occlusion at isthmus portion and 563 tubes occlusion at interstitial portion of fallopian tube.Thirtyseven fallopian tubes were ablated because of ectopic pregnancy,86 fallopian tubes were unobstructed.(1)The recanalization rate were 95.7% (179/187) in chitosan group,97.9% (191/195) in sodium hyaluronate group,98.7% (75/76) in lipiodol group and 97.7% (425/435) in control group,which did not show statistical difference (P＞0.05).(2) The rates of tubal patency after 3 months of 91.7% (99/108) in chitosan group and 88.5% (100/113) in sodium hyaluronate group were significantly higher than 71.4% (30/42) in lipiodol group and 74.3% (182/245) in control group (P ＜0.05).(3)The rates of intrauterine pregnancy after 12 months were 48.1% (52/108) in chitosan group and 41.6% (47/113) in sodium hyaluronate group,which were significantly higher than 23.8% (10/42) in lipiodol group and 24.1% (59/245) in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Chitosan and sodium hyaluronate could be effective to prevent tubal obstruction after interventional recanalization and increase pregnancy rate.

Objective To study the clinical value of treatment for malignant bone tumors by interventional chemoembolization combined radiotherapy.Methods Forty-four patients with malignant bone tumors were divided into two groups.In the study group(group A),29 cases were treated by infusion of lipiodol with chemotherapeutic drugs,and the tumor feeding arteries were embolized with PVA partials and Gelatin sponge or steel coils,then regional radiotherapy were administered regularly.In the control group(group B),15 cases received radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy.All the cases were followed up for 6 to 36 months.Results Marked improvement of the symptoms and tumors decreased in size and volume in patients of group A was noticed.Six of them were operated successfully.The 6-,12-,36-month local control rates in group A were 3.5%,13.8% and 51.7%.and the(6-),12-,36-month survival rates were 100.0%,93.1% and 48.3%.The difference of local control rates and the difference of survival rates between the two groups were significant(P