Cardiac Denervation for Arrhythmia Treatment with Transesophageal Ultrasonic Strategy in Canine Models

Stellate ganglion (SG) modification has been investigated for arrhythmia treatment. In this study, transesophageal SG imaging and intervention were explored using a homemade 30F integrated focused ultrasonic catheter in healthy mongrel canines in vivo. Anatomic details of SGs were ultrasonically imaged and evaluated. SG had a heterogeneous echoic structure and characteristic profiles sketched by hyper-echoic outlines in an ultrasonogram. Left SGs in the experimental group were successfully ablated through the esophagus under ultrasonic guidance provided by the catheter itself. Two weeks after the ablation, the QT and QTc of the experimental group decreased compared with those of the sham group and at baseline (both p values < 0.001). Histologic examination revealed that left SGs were destroyed. No major complications were observed. This approach may be further explored as a method for ganglia remodeling evaluation and as a strategy of ganglia modification for arrhythmia and for other diseases.     

Rural–urban disparities in knowledge,behaviors, and mental health during COVID-19 pandemic: A community-based cross-sectional survey

To examine the knowledge level, behaviors, and psychological status of the Chinese population during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to explore the differences between urban and rural areas.We carried out a cross-sectional survey of the knowledge, behaviors related to COVID-19, and mental health in a probability sample of 3001 community residents in 30 provinces or districts across China from February 16–23, 2020. Convenience sampling and a snowball sampling were adopted. We used General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and knowledge and behaviors questionnaire of community residents regarding COVID-19 designed by us to investigate the psychological status, disease-related knowledge, and the behavior of Chinese urban and rural residents during the pandemic.The average score of anxiety and depression among urban residents was 9.15 and 11.25, respectively, while the figures in rural areas were 8.69 and 10.57, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the levels of anxiety (P < .01) and depression (P < .01). Urban participants reported significantly higher levels of knowledge regarding COVID-19 in all aspects (transmission, prevention measures, symptoms of infection, treatment, and prognosis) (P < .01), compared to their rural counterparts. While a majority of respondents in urban areas obtained knowledge through WeChat, other apps, and the Internet (P < .01), residents in rural areas accessed information through interactions with the community (P < .01). Urban residents fared well in exchanging knowledge about COVID-19 and advising others to take preventive measures (P < .01), but fared poorly in advising people to visit a hospital if they displayed symptoms of the disease, compared to rural residents (P < .01). Regression analysis with behavior showed that being female (OR = 2.106, 95%CI = 1.259–3.522), aged 18 ≤ age < 65 (OR = 4.059, 95%CI = 2.166–7.607), being satisfied with the precautions taken by the community (OR = 2.594, 95%CI = 1.485–4.530), disinfecting public facilities in the community (OR = 2.342, 95%CI = 1.206–4.547), having knowledge of transmission modes (OR = 3.987, 95%CI: 2.039, 7.798), symptoms (OR = 2.045, 95%CI = 1.054–4.003), and outcomes (OR = 2.740, 95%CI = 1.513–4.962) of COVID-19, and not having anxiety symptoms (OR = 2.578, 95%CI = 1.127–5.901) were positively associated with affirmative behavior in urban areas. Being married (OR = 4.960, 95%CI = 2.608–9.434), being satisfied with the precautions taken by the community (OR = 2.484, 95%CI = 1.315–4.691), screening to ensure face mask wearing before entering the community (OR = 8.809, 95%CI = 2.649–19.294), and having knowledge about precautions (OR = 4.886, 95%CI = 2.604–9.167) and outcomes (OR = 2.657, 95%CI = 1.309–5.391) were positively associated with acceptable conduct in rural areas.The status of anxiety and depression among urban residents was more severe compared to those living in rural areas. There was a difference in being positively associated with constructive behaviors between rural and urban areas.     

浅谈新型冠状病毒肺炎合并基础病的中医药防治策略＊

2019年12月始，新型冠状病毒肺炎（Corona Virus Disease 2019，COVID-19）以湖北武汉为中心向全国各地蔓延。目前数据显示，COVID-19合并糖尿病、高血压、肿瘤等基础病的患者病情较为严峻，病死率相对较高。该类患者的临床治疗策略有待进一步深入研究。在此次疫情防治过程中，中西医结合治疗手段于COVID-19的防治及患者基础疾病的兼顾治疗方面展现出了一定的特色及优势。本文结合中医“未病先防，既病防变，瘥后防复”思想，拟从COVID-19合并糖尿病、高血压、肿瘤三个方面，探讨COVID-19爆发形势下合并基础病患者的中医药防治策略。     

N-亚硝胺类基因毒性杂质的研究进展

自“缬沙坦事件”之后，N-亚硝胺类基因毒性杂质引起了业界的广泛关注。本文概述了药物中N-亚硝胺类基因毒性杂质和相关检测方法的研究进展，以及近20年来国内外有关药物中基因毒性杂质监管指南的完善历程。N-亚硝胺类基因毒性杂质作为一类高反应活性的基因毒性杂质，主要来源于药物合成过程中发生的副反应，以及药物在储存或者运输过程中发生的氧化或还原等反应。所有的动物实验表明，N-亚硝胺类具有很强的致癌性。在理论上，所有药物都存在N-亚硝胺类杂质或被N-亚硝胺类杂质污染的风险，由于该类化合物在药物中常以痕量形式存在，在分析检测过程中药物基质干扰大，因此建立便捷、高效的分析方法是非常有必要的。     

常见植物药对结肠癌的防治作用及其作用机制

植物药对结肠癌具有良好的防治作用。姜黄素、多糖(苹果多糖、香菇多糖)、皂苷(重楼皂苷、人参皂苷)、白藜芦醇、槲皮素等植物药可通过不同信号通路抑制结肠癌细胞的增殖,促进细胞凋亡。此外,植物药还具有抗炎、抗氧化、抗血管生成、减轻化疗药物不良反应、逆转肿瘤细胞耐药等作用。了解植物药对结肠癌的防治作用及其可能的作用机制,能为结肠癌的临床防治提供更多的理论依据及治疗思路。     

非那雄胺在慢性中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变患者中的应用

目的评估非那雄胺治疗慢性中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变(central serous chorioretinopathy,CSC)的有效性及安全性。方法选取2017年3月至2019年6月在本院确诊的慢性CSC患者31例40眼,采用单臂试验对患者进行非那雄胺治疗。使用非那雄胺治疗后6个月,对患者的视网膜神经上皮层(retinal neuroepithelial layer,RNL)下积液状况,ETDRS视力以及黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度(central foveal thickness,CFT)进行检查。结果非那雄胺治疗后1个月,有10眼(25.0%)RNL下积液完全消退。持续治疗2个月、3个月、4个月、5个月、6个月,分别有7眼(17.5%)、6眼(15.0%)、7眼(17.5%)、3眼(7.5%)及3眼(7.5%)RNL下积液消退,仅有4眼(10.0%)在治疗后6个月RNL下积液仍存在。患眼EDTRS视力非那雄胺治疗后1个月为(50.00±16.11)个字母,与治疗前(46.16±16.67)个字母差异无统计学意义(P=0.2213);治疗后2个月(53.39±14.67)个字母,较治疗前显著升高(P=0.0003);治疗后3个月、4个月、5个月、6个月,分别为(57.39±12.76)个字母、(58.52±12.39)个字母、(59.13±10.76)个字母及(60.42±10.96)个字母,与治疗前相比差异均有统计学意义(均为P<0.0001)。而患眼CFT自治疗后1个月、2个月、3个月、4个月、5个月、6个月分别为(274.10±22.74)μm、(273.00±17.22)μm、(263.50±12.81)μm、(263.90±10.62)μm、(259.70±12.48)μm及(252.60±11.00)μm,与治疗前(296.60±35.41)μm相比,差异均有统计学意义(均为P<0.05)。所有患者均无服药后身体不适或并发症发生。结论非那雄胺对于慢性CSC的治疗安全且有效,有望成为慢性CSC的治疗选择。