Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the leading cause of death globally. HCM can precipitate heart failure (HF) by causing the cardiac tissue to weaken and stretch, thereby impairing its pumping efficiency. Moreover, HCM increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, which in turn elevates the likelihood of thrombus formation and stroke. Given these significant clinical ramifications, research into the etiology and pathogenesis of HCM is intensifying at multiple levels. In this review, we discuss and synthesize the latest findings on HCM pathogenesis, drawing on key experimental studies conducted both in vitro and in vivo. We also offer our insights and perspectives on these mechanisms, while highlighting the limitations of current research. Advancing fundamental research in this area is essential for developing effective therapeutic interventions and enhancing the clinical management of HCM.
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Animals

PURPOSE: Although there are significant differences between China and the United States (US) in trauma medical services, there has been no direct comparative research on the epidemiological data of trauma centers between the 2 countries. This study aims to fill this research gap by directly comparing trauma centers in China and the US, providing valuable data and insights for the development of trauma centers in both countries, promoting academic exchange and cooperation internationally, and enhancing the level of global trauma medical care. METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective descriptive study. Data were collected for trauma patients with an injury severity score ≥16 treated from September 2013 to September 2019 at 2 hospital trauma centers in these 2 countries. Detailed clinical data (including injury mechanism, age, injury site, injury severity score, pre-hospital transport time, whether blood transfusion was performed, whether resuscitative thoracotomy was conducted, hospital and intensive care unit stay duration, the number of organ donor patients, mortality rates, and costs) were meticulously compiled and retrospectively analyzed to identify differences between the 2 trauma centers. The comparison was conducted using SPSS 23 software. Continuous variables are reported as median (Q₁, Q₃), and Mann Whitney U test is used to compare the median of continuous variables. Use clinically relevant critical points to classify continuous variables, with categorical variables represented as n (%), and comparisons were made between the 2 groups using the χ² test or Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was defined as a 2-sided p < 0.05. RESULTS: These results point to significant differences in trauma center capacity, pre-hospital transport times, treatment procedures, hospital stay duration, mortality rates, and costs between the 2 centers. The volume of patients in trauma centers is less in China (2465 vs. 5288). Pre-hospital transport time was notably longer in China (180 min vs. 14 min), and the rate of emergency blood transfusions was lower in China (18.4% vs. 50.6%), Emergency thoracotomy was not performed in China but was conducted in 9.8% of cases in the US. Hospitalization costs were significantly lower in China than in the US ($5847 vs. $75,671). CONCLUSION There are clear differences in trauma center capacity (number of patients treated), pre-hospital transport time, age distribution of injured patients, injury mechanisms, injury sites, whether emergency thoracotomy is performed, hospital costs, and length of stay between the 2 trauma centers in China and America. Understanding these differences can help us further recognize the characteristics of Eastern and Western trauma patients.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Trauma Centers/statistics & numerical data* ; Retrospective Studies ; United States/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Wounds and Injuries/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Injury Severity Score ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To quantitatively evaluate the level of the three medical linkage in China from 2009 to 2022,explore the influencing factors and driving paths of the three medical linkage in China,and provide a new perspective for promoting the development of the three medical linkage.Methods:An optimized coupling coordination degree model was used to calculate the coupling coordination degree between the trinity healthcare systems and different binary systems within the systems in 31 provinces of China(excluding Hong Kong,Macao and Taiwan),and the Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis method was used to explore the condition configurations of multi-factor-driven three medical linkage.Results:From 2009 to 2022,the coupling coordination degree between the trinity healthcare systems in each province of China generally showed an increasing trend year by year.Among the binary systems,the overall coordinated development situation between the medical and medical insurance systems was the best and the regional development was the most balanced.The coupling coordination degree gap between the trinity healthcare system and the internal binary systems among provinces gradually widened,and the multi-polarization trend intensified.The paths to promote high-level three medical linkage can be summarized into two types:internal and external balanced development type(H1)and government-led type(H2,H3),among which the H1 path with per capita GDP and health expenditure as core conditions was the most common.Conclusion:It is suggested to enhance institutional and technological innovation,and integrate resources through a cross-departmental collaboration mechanism and digital technology.Provinces should select high-level optimization paths by leveraging regional endowments to narrow the regional development gap.Meanwhile,under the impetus of high-level policies,the protection and supervision system continues to improve,thereby promoting the three medical linkage.

Objective:To quantitatively evaluate the level of the three medical linkage in China from 2009 to 2022,explore the influencing factors and driving paths of the three medical linkage in China,and provide a new perspective for promoting the development of the three medical linkage.Methods:An optimized coupling coordination degree model was used to calculate the coupling coordination degree between the trinity healthcare systems and different binary systems within the systems in 31 provinces of China(excluding Hong Kong,Macao and Taiwan),and the Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis method was used to explore the condition configurations of multi-factor-driven three medical linkage.Results:From 2009 to 2022,the coupling coordination degree between the trinity healthcare systems in each province of China generally showed an increasing trend year by year.Among the binary systems,the overall coordinated development situation between the medical and medical insurance systems was the best and the regional development was the most balanced.The coupling coordination degree gap between the trinity healthcare system and the internal binary systems among provinces gradually widened,and the multi-polarization trend intensified.The paths to promote high-level three medical linkage can be summarized into two types:internal and external balanced development type(H1)and government-led type(H2,H3),among which the H1 path with per capita GDP and health expenditure as core conditions was the most common.Conclusion:It is suggested to enhance institutional and technological innovation,and integrate resources through a cross-departmental collaboration mechanism and digital technology.Provinces should select high-level optimization paths by leveraging regional endowments to narrow the regional development gap.Meanwhile,under the impetus of high-level policies,the protection and supervision system continues to improve,thereby promoting the three medical linkage.

【Objective】 To investigate the correlation between heart rate variability (HRV) and the degree of nervousness before blood donation. 【Methods】 The psychological state of 253 blood donors before blood donation was assessed by the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and the degree of nervousness and their HRV were measured. The correlation between the SAS score, the degree of nervousness and the HRV parameters was analyzed, and the differences were compared among different types of donors by multivariate linear regression. 【Results】 A total of 247 blood donors were included in the study. Five HRV parameters in blood donors aged 18-24 were higher than in those aged 25 years and above(all P<0.05), and the anxiety level was higher in female donors(SAS score 41-46) than in males(SAS score 35-43)(P<0.001); the pre-donation SAS score was consistent with the assessment of the tension level (r=0.970, P<0.001); the pre-donation tension level and the SAS score were all significantly negatively correlated with VLF in HRV parameters(r=0.179, P=0.005), and the associations were independent of confounders such as age, body mass index and gender (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Compared with SAS and tension assessment, HRV is more objective, and can be used as one of the tests for assessing the tension level of blood donors. The inclusion of HRV in the routine screening of blood donors deserves further study for its application in assessing the anxiety level of blood donors before blood donation, identifying people prone to blood donation-related vasovagal reaction (DRVR), preventing and reducing the risk of DRVR, and improving the safety of blood donation.

The wheeled mobile robot(WMR)was introduced in terms of concept,development route and application progress in medical service support in the world.The advantages and disadvantages of the WMRs from some countries were analyzed,and the key technologies of WMR were described.It's pointed out the WMR would be enhanced in obstacle-crossing ability,battlefield sensing and information interaction and endurance.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):86-94]

Objective To investigate the effect of Polyetheretherketone(PEEK)rod semi-rigid pedicle screw fixation sys-tem in lumbar spine non-fusion surgery.Methods A total of 74 patients with tow-level lumbar degenerative diseases who un-derwent surgery from March 2017 to December 2019 were divided into PEEK rod group and titanium rod group.In the PEEK rod group,there were 34 patients,including 13 males and 21 females,aged from 51 to 79 years old with an average of(62.4±6.8)years old;There were 1 patient of L1-L3 segments,7 patients of L2-L4 segments,20 patients of L3-L5 segments and 6 pa-tients of L4-S1 segments.In the titanium rod group,there were 40 patients,including 17 males and 23 females,aged from 52 to 81 years old with an average of(65.2±7.3)years old;There were 3 patient of L1-L3 segments,11 patients of L2-L4 segments,19 patients of L3-L5 segments and 7 patients of L4-S1 segments.The general conditions of operation,such as operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage was recorded.The visual analogue scale(VAS)for low back pain and Os-westry disability index(ODI)were compared in preoperatively and postoperatively(3 months,12 months and last follow-up)between two groups.The change of range of motion(ROM)was observed by flexion and extension x-ray of lumbar Results All patients successfully completed the operation.The follow-up time ranged from 22 to 34 months with an average of(26.8±5.6)months.The operative time(142.2±44.7)min and intraoperative blood loss(166.5±67.4)ml in PEEK group were lower than those in titanium group[(160.7±57.3)min、(212.8±85.4)ml](P＜0.05).There was no significant differences in postoperative drainage between the two groups(P＞0.05).At the final follow-up visit,in PEEK group and titanium group VAS of low back pain[(0.8±0.4)points vs(1.0±0.5)points],VAS for leg pain[(0.7±0.4)points vs(0.8±0.5)points]and ODI[(9.8±1.6)％vs(12.1±1.5)％]were compared with preoperative[(5.8±1.1)points vs(6.0±1.1)points],[(7.2±1.7)points vs(7.0±1.6)points],[(68.5±8.9)％vs(66.3±8.2)％]were significantly different(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups at each postoperative time point(P＞0.05).At 3 months after surgery,there was no difference in ODI between the two groups(P＞0.05).There were significant differences in ODI between PEEK group and titanium rod group at 12 months[(15.5±2.1)％vs(18.4±2.4)％]and at the last follow-up[(9.8±1.6)％vs(12.1±1.5)％](P＜0.05).The total range of motion(ROM)of lumbar decreased in both groups after surgery.At 12 months after surgery and the last follow-up,the PEEK group compared with the titanium rod group,the total range of motion of lumbar was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The range of motion(ROM)of the fixed segments decreased in both groups after surgery.The ROM of the fixed segments in PEEK group decreased from(9.5±4.6)° to(4.1±1.9)° at the last follow-up(P＜0.05),which in the titanium rod group was de-creased from(9.8±4.3)°to(0.9±0.5)° at the last follow-up(P＜0.05).The range of motion(ROM)of upper adjacent segment increased in both groups,there was statistical significance in the ROM of upper adjacent segment between the two groups at 12 months after surgery and the last follow-up,(P＜0.05).There was no screw loosening and broken rods in both groups during the follow-up period.Conclusion The PEEK rod semi-rigid pedicle screw internal fixation system used in lumbar non-fusion surgery can retain part of the mobility of the fixed segment,showing comparable short-term clinical efficacy to titanium rod fu-sion.PEEK rod semi-rigid pedicle screw internal fixation system is a feasible choice for the treatment of lumbar spine degener-ative diseases,and its long-term efficacy needs further follow-up observation.

Objective:To analyze the equity of Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)human resource allocation across 31 provinces in China and explore its influencing pathways,aiming to provide scientific reference for optimizing the allocation of TCM human resources.Methods:The Health Resource Density Index(HRDI)was employed to measure the equity of TCM human resource allocation in China,and the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis(fsQCA)was utilized to explore the configurational pathways influencing this equity.Results:Based on the data from 2021,the HRDI of TCM human resources in China exhibited significant regional disparities,manifesting as a distribution pattern of"high in the east and low in the west."Three pathways promoting high equity were identified:the internal-external balance-driven pathway(H1),the economy-demand co-driven pathway(H2),and the government-led driving pathway(H3).Meanwhile,three pathways leading to low equity were also recognized:the economy-demand constraint pathway(L1)and the internal-external constraint pathways(L2、L3).Conclusion:There are notable regional disparities in the equity of TCM human resource allocation in China,with multiple factors jointly influencing this equity,among which population density serves as a core factor.In subsequent efforts to enhance equity,it is advisable to consider optimizing the synergies among multiple factors and implementing precise policies for different regions to promote efficient allocation and balanced development of TCM human resources.

Aim To evaluate the effect of hyperoside/chitosan-nanoparticles(Hyp-NPs)on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)in vitro cell experi-ments and the underlying mechanism,and to conduct in vivo animal experiments to investigate the synergistic effect of Hyp-NPs and BMSCs on repairing endometrial damage in rats.Methods BMSCs were identified by flow cytometry.Hyp-NPs were prepared by ion crosslinking method,characterized and evaluated by laser particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy.The effects of different concentrations of Hyp-NPs on the migration of BMSCs were evaluated by scratch assay and immunofluorescence.NRF2 lentivir-us vector was constructed to explore the mechanism of Hyp-NPs on BMSCs.In animal experiments,Hyp-NPs loaded with BMSCs were co-transplanted into the uter-ine cavity of a rat model of endometrial injury.HE,Masson,IHC,TUNEL,and ELISA experiments were used to systematically evaluate the repair effect and pregnancy function of the composite formulation on rat endometrial injury from multiple aspects and angles,including general pathology,fibrosis,receptivity,cell proliferation,angiogenesis,stem cell recruitment,and inflammation of the endometrium.Results BMSCs were successfully isolated and cultured.Hyp-NPs with high stability and small particle size were successfully prepared.Scratch experiments indicated that Hyp-NPs could promote the migration of BMSCs.By successfully constructing a lentiviral NRF2 vector and oxidative damage model for BMSCs,immunofluorescence experi-ments showed that Hyp-NPs could regulate the biologi-cal axis of BMSCs by activating NRF2.Animal experi-ments showed that the synergistic administration of Hyp-NPs and BMSCs could increase endometrial thick-ness and glandular quantity,promote stem cell homing through anti-fibrotic,anti-apoptotic,and anti-inflam-matory effects,and restore pregnancy function in rats with endometrial injury.Conclusion The synergistic administration of Hyp-NPs and BMSCs could repair en-dometrial injury.

INTRODUCTION: Cannabis has consistently been the third most commonly abused drug among drug arrestees in Singapore over the past few years. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand the profile of cannabis users in Singapore and explore the effects of cannabis use on drug progression. METHODS: A total of 450 participants who had used cannabis at least once in their lifetime were recruited from the National Addictions Management Service, prisons, the Community Rehabilitation Centre and halfway houses from August 2017 to May 2018. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered and descriptive analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The mean participant age was 40.9 ± 14.51 years, and 93.1% of them were male. The participants generally initiated cannabis use during adolescence, at a mean onset age of 16.5 ± 4.46 years. Most (89.6%) were introduced to cannabis by peers. Approximately half of them (46.9%) had used cannabis before other illicit drugs and 42.1% of them had used heroin as the succeeding drug. CONCLUSION In Singapore, cannabis use is often initiated during adolescence, largely under peer influence. Cannabis users may progress to other illicit drugs, particularly heroin, later in life.
Adolescent ; Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Child ; Young Adult ; Female ; Cannabis ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Heroin ; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology* ; Illicit Drugs