Berberine Inhibits Ferroptosis and Stabilizes Atherosclerotic Plaque through NRF2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Pathway.

Objective: To investigate potential mechanisms of anti-atherosclerosis by berberine (BBR) using ApoE mice.

Methods: Eight 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were used as a blank control group (normal), and 56 8-week-old AopE mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks, according to a completely random method, and were divided into the model group, BBR low-dose group (50 mg/kg, BBRL), BBR medium-dose group (100 mg/kg, BBRM), BBR high-dose group (150 mg/kg, BBRH), BBR+nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) inhibitor group (100 mg/kg BBR+30 mg/kg ML385, BBRM+ML385), NRF2 inhibitor group (30 mg/kg, ML385), and positive control group (2.5 mg/kg, atorvastatin), 8 in each group.

[Effects of inner-heating acupuncture on apoptosis of chondrocytes and expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in rats with knee osteoarthritis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of inner-heating acupuncture on apoptosis of chondrocytes and expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: A total of 32 rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, a control treatment group and a treatment group by random number grouping method, 8 rats in each one. The rats in the normal group received no intervention.

[Spatial-temporal distribution of bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus in the tropical Atlantic Ocean based on Argo data].

In order to analyze the correlation between spatial-temporal distribution of the bigeye tuna ( Thunnus obesus) and subsurface factors, the study explored the isothermal distribution of subsurface temperatures in the bigeye tuna fishing grounds in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, and built up the spatial overlay chart of the isothermal lines of 9, 12, 13 and 15 °C and monthly CPUE (catch per unit effort) from bigeye tuna long-lines. The results showed that the bigeye tuna mainly distributed in the water layer (150-450 m) below the lower boundary depth of thermocline. At the isothermal line of 12 °C, the bigeye tuna mainly lived in the water layer of 190-260 m, while few individuals were found at water depth more than 400 m.

Catheter ablation of idiopathic premature ventricular contractions and ventricular tachycardias originating from the vicinity of endocardial and epicardial mitral annulus.

Background: Several previous reports have revealed that idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), including premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardias (IVTs), can originate from endocardial mitral annulus (ENDO MA). However, these data are limited to ENDO MA VAs, and little is known about the electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics and the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) via the coronary venous system for the VAs arising from the epicardial MA (EPI MA).

Methodology/principal Findings: Characteristics of body surface electrocardiogram and electrophysiologic recordings were analyzed in 21 patients with symptomatic PVCs/IVTs originating from the vicinity of MA.