Thyroid hormones are essential regulators of cardiac excitability, contractility, and rhythm. Hypothyroidism induces profound electrophysiological remodeling through both genomic and non-genomic pathways, leading to altered expression and function of key ion channels, including HCN, Kv, and Ca²⁺-handling proteins. These changes result in reduced pacemaker activity, prolonged repolarization, and impaired excitation-contraction coupling, which collectively contribute to bradycardia, QT prolongation, and increased arrhythmogenic risk. Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels further exacerbate electrical instability through direct myocardial signaling. Experimental and clinical evidence indicates that many of these abnormalities could be reversible upon thyroid hormone replacement, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management. Understanding the molecular basis of thyroid-induced electrical remodeling provides insight into arrhythmogenesis and may guide therapeutic strategies to prevent cardiac complications in hypothyroidism.

Inflammatory processes drive a heterogeneous spectrum of diseases, including cardiovascular (CV), neurodegenerative, autoimmune, rare, and viral disorders, which together account for a major global disease burden. Despite diverse clinical manifestations, these conditions share systemic endothelial dysfunction (ED) as a common pathophysiological hallmark. The retina, accessible through non-invasive imaging, provides a unique window into systemic microvascular health. Over the past decades, retinal vessel analysis (RVA), both static and dynamic, has emerged as a robust tool for detecting and predicting microvascular alterations in inflammatory diseases. Large population-based cohorts, including the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC, n>9,000 participants) study and the Rotterdam Study (n>5,000), have shown that retinal diameter changes independently predict incident CV events and all-cause mortality. Recent UK Biobank (n>45,000) analyses further demonstrate incremental value in stroke prediction beyond traditional risk factors (AUC 0.739 to 0.752; p<0.001). Other retinal imaging modalities, such as optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and adaptive optics (AO), provide complementary high-resolution structural data on capillary architecture and perfusion integrity. The retinal vascular phenotype reflects both shared and disease-specific mechanisms of ED. Therefore, accurate interpretation of retinal biomarkers requires an understanding of the molecular pathways that shape ED across disease entities, thereby forming the conceptual foundation of oculomics. We synthesize current evidence linking systemic ED to retinal microvascular structure and function across major categories of inflammatory disease. We integrate findings from static and dynamic RVA, OCTA, and AO, discuss their mechanistic interpretation within the emerging framework of oculomics, and critically evaluate challenges for clinical translation. Finally, we outline how artificial intelligence (AI) may facilitate robust, scalable implementation of retinal biomarkers for risk stratification, disease monitoring, and outcome prediction. This review moves beyond modality-specific descriptions to propose a unified biological and translational framework for retinal biomarkers.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (S. miltiorrhiza) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb highly valued both locally and globally for its ability to improve blood circulation, resolve blood stasis, nourish heart blood, alleviate hernia pain, calm the mind, and support tumor treatment. Recently, extensive research has explored the potential of S. miltiorrhiza and its active compounds in treating cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer.

This review aims to elucidate the synergistic effects of S. miltiorrhiza and its bioactive constituents across various stages of cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer progression by summarizing the key targets and signaling pathways involved.

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, Elsevier, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The keywords employed included "cardiovascular protection", "neuroprotection", "anti-cancer", "Salvia miltiorrhiza", "active ingredients", and "pharmacological mechanisms". Relevant studies published from 2010 to 2025 were systematically screened, extracted, and analyzed to elucidate the mechanistic pathways and translational potential of S. miltiorrhiza and its active constituents in various therapeutic contexts. Furthermore, authoritative materials, monographs, and classical texts published prior to 2010 were referenced to provide historical and ethnopharmacological context.

S. miltiorrhiza's active constituents exert synergistic, multi-target regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death across cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and oncological diseases, embodying the modern connotation of "treating different diseases with the same method." Pharmacokinetically, lipophilic constituents exhibit extensive tissue distribution but low oral bioavailability, whereas hydrophilic constituents show the opposite; their combination may optimize in vivo exposure and therapeutic effects. Mechanistically, S. miltiorrhiza combats atherosclerosis by modulating cholesterol metabolism, inflammation, and vascular function; ameliorates neuronal damage by interfering with Aβ metabolism and neurotransmitter signaling; and exerts anti-tumor effects via ferroptosis/apoptosis and metastasis blockade, thereby elucidating its traditional functions of "promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis" and "dissipating masses and resolving lumps" at the molecular level. Clinically, when combined with warfarin or aspirin, it enhances efficacy synergistically while maintaining a favorable safety profile.

S. miltiorrhiza and its active constituents exhibit promising therapeutic effects through synergistic cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, and anticancer activities. This research supports the development of novel clinical drugs derived from S. miltiorrhiza while addressing gaps in understanding its pharmacological mechanisms.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains difficult to diagnose rapidly outside hospital settings because current evaluation still relies mainly on electrocardiography and blood-based biomarker testing. Here, we developed a coin-sized, Rapid Electrochemical Skin interstitial fluid microneedle device for multiplexed Cardiac-biomarker detection Utilizing deep-learning-based Evaluation (RESCUE). The RESCUE system integrates a mesoporous gold-coated microneedle electrode patch (MNE) with a miniaturized three-channel microelectrochemical workstation (MEW) and Bluetooth data link to enable fully portable operation. Antibodies immobilized on amino-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes enabled simultaneous detection of C-reactive protein (CRP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and myoglobin (Myo). Electrochemical measurements showed log-linear responses, with limits of detection of 4.09 ng/mL, 0.078 ng/mL, and 1.642 pg/mL for C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin I, and myoglobin, respectively. In simulated skin and artificial interstitial fluid, the device showed good selectivity and average recoveries above 98%. Biocompatibility studies demonstrated preserved fibroblast viability, rapid closure of microneedle-induced micropores, and no detectable histological or serum biochemical toxicity in mice. In murine model of AMI induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, RESCUE tracks ISF trajectories of all three biomarkers. A seven-feature one-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN1D) trained on interstitial-fluid and blood biomarker features classified infarct size with 80% accuracy. These results support the feasibility of integrated interstitial-fluid sensing for preclinical AMI stratification.

We aimed to explore the diagnostic efficacy of whole-body dynamic (WBD) acquisition using [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission-tomography/computed-tomography ([18F]FDG-PET/CT) for the assessment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) compared with the standard static PET/CT.

Twenty-five patients with suspected GCA and/or PMR were prospectively enrolled in this single-center study. WBD PET imaging was performed before treatment using a standard PET/CT scanner with a multibed multipass dynamic whole-body acquisition approach (dPET). Reconstructed datasets were used to generate metabolic rate of [18F]FDG (MRFDG) images based on standard Patlak analysis. In case of pathologic FDG uptake, VOIs placed in vessel walls and joints were used for quantitation and definition of the target-to-background ratio (TBR): uptake in VOIs of vessel walls and joints (maximum values), to VOIs in blood pool (GCA), or to VOIs in normal muscles (PMR) (mean values). The final diagnosis based on the available imaging and laboratory results (except dPET), served as the standard of reference.

Seventeen of the 25 patients (68%) showed pathologic FDG uptake, of which 5 (20%) were finally diagnosed with GCA alone, 6 (24%) with PMR alone, and another 6 (24%) with both conditions. TBR difference between dPET and static PET was significant in both diseases(GCA P<0.003, PMR P<0.003), and TBRs of dPET and static PET were significantly higher in both diseases compared with the healthy controls.

WBD [18F]FDG-PET/CT provided a significantly higher TBR in patients with GCA and PMR compared with standard static PET imaging. WBD [18F]FDG-PET/CT may potentially enhance the diagnostic accuracy in detecting GCA and PMR.

BACKGROUND Acquired arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) of the scalp are uncommon, usually asymptomatic, and often of cosmetic concern. In rare cases, they can lead to severe anemia due to recurrent and chronic blood loss from fragile, malformed vessels in high-flow arterial and venous connections. This report describes the case of a 38-year-old woman with a traumatic AVF of the scalp presenting with severe chronic anemia. CASE REPORT A 38-year-old woman with a history of domestic violence was admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) with severe anemia (hemoglobin 3.7 g/dL; reference range 12-16 g/dL). She reported recurrent bleeding from a pulsatile occipito-parietal scalp mass that had developed gradually over 4 months. Computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed a scalp AVF supplied mainly by the left occipital artery (OA) and the parietal branch of the left superficial temporal artery (STA), with venous drainage into the retromandibular vein. The patient received 5 units of packed red blood cells. Definitive treatment included embolization of the OA and STA. Surgical excision of the lesion followed by autologous skin grafting were recommended, but the patient declined. CONCLUSIONS This report presents a case of an acquired traumatic AVF of the scalp and shows that patients can present with chronic anemia due to repeated bleeding from fragile vessels and direct arteriovenous connections. Early recognition and prompt ED imaging are essential. Embolization can control symptoms (if surgery is declined), but careful follow-up is needed. Scalp AVFs should be considered in cases of unexplained chronic anemia and further studies are required to optimize management.

This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of San Jie Tong Mai Formula (SJTMF) against atherosclerosis (AS), a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity. Using ApoE^-/- mouse models, we demonstrated that SJTMF significantly inhibits AS plaque progression. Through an integrated network pharmacology and proteomics strategy, five core bioactive components were identified: beta-sitosterol, naringenin, luteolin, isorhamnetin, and 3beta-hydroxy-24-methylene-8-lanostene-21-oic acid. Concurrently, proteomics revealed 129 AS-related proteins that were differentially expressed. Molecular docking confirmed high-affinity binding interactions between these components and the key target Hsd11b1, with their binding energies all below -5 kcal/mol. Mechanistic investigations further revealed that SJTMF may regulate Hsd11b1-mediated glucocorticoid metabolism. This regulation contributes to significant amelioration of both dyslipidemia and vascular inflammation, thereby suppressing AS development. Collectively, this work demonstrates, for the first time, the innovative mechanism by which a traditional Chinese medicine formula exerts anti-AS effects through multi-component synergistic regulation of the Hsd11b1 target, offering new insights for therapeutic intervention.

This study assessed the relationship between cardiac electrophysiological indicators and blood lipid parameters in patients with coronary artery disease complicated by arrhythmia and evaluated their combined influence on the development of heart failure. A cohort of 240 patients admitted to the Cardiac Center of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University between April 2023 and April 2025 was screened; 80 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Participants were categorized according to the occurrence of heart failure. Clinical characteristics, including lipid profiles (triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol), were analyzed alongside echocardiographic parameters, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Statistical analyses included correlation testing, multivariable logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Impaired cardiac function, increased CIMT, and abnormal lipid concentrations were significantly associated with heart failure risk. QTc interval showed positive correlations with LDL-C (r = 0.342, P < 0.01) and triglycerides (r = 0.366, P < 0.01), whereas HDL-C showed inverse correlations with electrocardiographic parameters. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, prolonged QTc interval (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15), widened QRS duration (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.11), elevated LDL-C (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.12-2.63), increased triglycerides (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.05-2.48), reduced HDL-C (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50-0.91), and decreased LVEF (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83-0.94) were independent predictors of heart failure. ROC analysis confirmed the predictive value of multiple risk factors, with AUCs ranging from 0.68 to 0.75. HDL-C had the highest predictive accuracy individually (AUC = 0.75), while QTc interval and LVEF also demonstrated strong discrimination (AUC = 0.73).

Many people are still using traditional medicine in various countries. This is a challenge for governments because they must effectively manage services, maintain quality, and protect patients. Integrating traditional medicine into public health centers provides safe and quality services. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of traditional medicine users and program implementers in Indonesian public health centers.

This study used an exploratory qualitative research design. Data were collected from program implementers and traditional medicine users. Data were collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews from March to June 2023. The study had 16 participants which included 10 implementers in focus group discussions and six users in in-depth interviews. Analysis using an inductive approach was employed.

Three key themes emerged: user preferences, success factors for integration, and challenges for improvement. Users preferred traditional medicine at public health centers over traditional medicine practitioners due to trust, accessibility, and therapeutic effects. Implementers highlighted the importance of human resource readiness and community support for successful integration, despite obstacles like limited training and resources.

The integration of traditional medicine services into public health centers is essential to provide easy access and preserve traditional health services that are in line with local wisdom, effective, and safe.

Informal caregivers play a crucial and continuous role in supporting individuals living with severe mental health problems, hereinafter referred to as supported individual, yet their involvement in formal care remains poorly understood. While existing research has often focused on professional perspectives or institutional barriers, the lived experiences of caregivers, how they perceive and negotiate their roles and shifts in involvement with formal care, have received limited attention. This qualitative study addresses these research gaps by investigating how twenty informal caregivers experienced their involvement in the formal care trajectories of individuals living with severe mental health problems across different care settings in the Netherlands. Through in-depth interviews, we identified three archetypes of caregiver involvement with formal care: the Active Partner, the Formalized Caregiver, and the Disconnected Caregiver. These archetypes represent different degrees and qualities of caregiver involvement and show how caregivers move between roles over time, influenced by interpersonal relationships, professional attitudes, legal constraints, and systemic challenges. Rather than being fixed, caregiver involvement is shown to be a dynamic, negotiated process shaped by all members of the care triad, the supported individual, the professional, and the caregiver, as well as the broader care system. The study highlights how caregivers who occupy the role of the Formalized Caregiver often assume significant responsibilities without adequate recognition or support, while those positioned as the Disconnected Caregiver is excluded from the formal care trajectory or unable to participate in ways that align with their own wishes and capacities. However, if relationships within the care triad are characterized by trust, open communication, and mutual respect, caregivers can assume the role of Active Partner. By drawing on caregivers' lived experiences, this study offers a nuanced and empirically grounded understanding of caregiver involvement in practice, providing new insights for the development of more inclusive and supportive care systems for caregivers and ultimately the individuals they support.