BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

To explore the value of the diaphragm thickness fraction (TF) and diaphragm mobility (DM) measured by ultrasound for predicting ventilator withdrawal success in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after cardiac surgery. Methods: This study included 246 patients undergoing the spontaneous breathing trial. Diaphragmatic function was evaluated by ultrasound, including the diaphragm thickness at the end of calm breathing (thickness of the diaphragm at functional residual capacity [TdiFRC]) and the maximum diaphragm thickness at the end of inspiration (thickness of the diaphragm at full vital capacity [TdiFVC]); TF=(TdiFVC–TdiFRC)/TdiFRC×100%. DM, the oxygenation index (the ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen), and the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) were measured. Results: Successful liberation from mechanical ventilation was observed in 209 patients. There were no significant differences in the TdiFRC (0.3±0.1 cm vs. 0.3±0.1 cm) or TdiFVC (0.3±0.1 cm vs. 0.2±0.1 cm) between the ventilator withdrawal success group and the ventilator withdrawal failure group (P>0.05). The TF was greater in the ventilator withdrawal success group than in the ventilator withdrawal failure group (40.8%±15.8% vs. 37.7%±9.2%, P<0.01). DM in the ventilator withdrawal success group was greater than that in the ventilator withdrawal failure group (1.5±0.5 cm vs. 1.2±0.4 cm, P=0.040). The RSBI was lower in the ventilator withdrawal success group than in the ventilator withdrawal failure group (74.3±25.6 breaths·min–1·L –1 vs. 89.9±34.5 breaths·min–1·L –1, P<0.01). Conclusions: Diaphragmatic ultrasound can be used to predict the success of ventilator withdrawal in patients with ARDS.

Objective To explore early postoperative gait characteristics and clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods From February 2023 to July 2023,26 patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis(KOA)were treated with TKA,including 4 males and 22 females,aged from 57 to 85 years old with an average of(67.58±6.49)years old;body mass in-dex(BMI)ranged from 18.83 to 38.28 kg·m-2 with an average of(26.43±4.15)kg·m-2;14 patients on the left side,12 pa-tients on the right side;according to Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L)classification,6 patients with grade Ⅲ and 20 patients with grade Ⅳ;the courses of disease ranged from 1 to 14 years with an average of(5.54±3.29)years.Images and videos of standing up and walking,walking side shot,squatting and supine kneeling were taken with smart phones before operation and 6 weeks after operation.The human posture estimation framework OpenPose were used to analyze stride frequency,step length,step length,step speed,active knee knee bending angle,stride length,double support phase time,as well as maximum hip flexion angle and maximum knee bending angle on squatting position.Western Ontario and McMaster Universities(WOMAC)arthritis index and Knee Society Score(KSS)were used to evaluate clinical efficacy of knee joint.Results All patients were followed up for 5 to 7 weeks with an average of(6.00±0.57)weeks.The total score of WOMAC decreased from(64.85±11.54)before op-eration to(45.81±7.91)at 6 weeks after operation(P＜0.001).The total KSS was increased from(101.19±9.58)before opera-tion to(125.50±10.32)at 6 weeks after operation(P＜0.001).The gait speed,stride frequency and stride length of the affected side before operation were(0.32±0.10)m·s-1,(96.35±24.18)steps·min-1,(0.72±0.14)m,respectively;and increased to(0.48±0.11)m·s 1,(104.20±22.53)steps·min-1,(0.79±0.10)m at 6 weeks after operation(P＜0.05).The lower limb support time and active knee bending angle decreased from(0.31±0.38)sand(125.21±11.64)° before operation to(0.11±0.04)s and(120.01±13.35)° at 6 weeks after operation(P＜0.05).Eleven patients could able to complete squat before operation,13 patients could able to complete at 6 weeks after operation,and 9 patients could able to complete both before operation and 6 weeks after operation.In 9 patients,the maximum bending angle of crouching position was increased from 76.29° to 124.11° before operation to 91.35° to 134.12° at 6 weeks after operation,and the maximum bending angle of hip was increased from 103.70° to 147.25° before operation to 118.61° to 149.48° at 6 weeks after operation.Conclusion Gait analysis technology based on artificial intelligence image recognition is a safe and effective method to quantitatively identify the changes of pa-tients'gait.Knee pain of KOA was relieved and the function was improved,the supporting ability of the affected limb was im-proved after TKA,and the patient's stride frequency,stride length and stride speed were improved,and the overall movement rhythm of both lower limbs are more coordinated.

Quinic acid(QA)has antioxidant,anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects,but its pro-tective effect against bovine mastitis remains to be further investigated.The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of quinic acid(QA)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation and pyroptosis in bovine mammary epithelial cells(MAC-T)and mouse mammary tissues.The CCK-8 method was applied to screen the treatment concentration of QA in MAC-T cells.The ELISA method was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory factors,oxidative stress factors and pyroptosis indicators.The distribution of CD3 in mouse mam-mary tissues was detected by the immunohistochemical method.p65 nuclear translocation was measured by immunofluorescence.Western blot was performed to test the protein and phosphoryl-ation levels of NF-κB,the inflammasome of NOD-like receptor(NLRP3),Caspase-11 and gasder-min D(GSDMD).The results showed that QA(20,40 and 60 mg/L)significantly increased the activity of MAC-T cells(P＜0.05).QA treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced expression of inflammatory factors(TNF-α,IL-1β and IL 6),oxidative stress indicators(COX-2 and iNOS)and pyroptosis indicators(ROS,LDH and IL-18)in both MAC-T cells and mouse mammary tissues in a manner of dose-dependence(P＜0.05).Moreover,after intraperitoneal injection of QA at 5,10 and 20 mg/kg,respectively,the expression of T-lymphocyte marker CD3 induced by LPS was sig-nificantly downregulated in mouse breast tissues(P＜0.05).In addition,QA significantly de-creased the LPS-induced expression of NF-κB(IκBα,p65,p-IκBα and p-p65),inflammasome(NL-RP3,ASC and Caspase-1),Caspase-11 and DSDMD in both MAC-T cells and mouse mammary tis-sues,and inhibited p65 nuclear transfer in MAC-T cells(P＜0.05).Overall,the above results indi-cate that QA inhibits inflammatory response and pyroptosis through NF-κB and NLRP3 inflamma-some in both MAC-T cells and mouse mammary tissues.The results of this study provide novel da-ta on the prevention and treatment of mastitis by plant active ingredients.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Curcumol on the malignant biological characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)cells and its molecular mechanism,and to provide theoretical and experimental evidence for the anti-leukemia treatment of traditional Chinese medicine.Methods:After the AML cell lines HL-60 and KG-1 cells were treated different concentrations of with Curcumol.The proliferation activity of cells was detected by CCK-8 method,and the expression changes of apoptotic proteins and PI3 K/AKT signaling pathway proteins were detected by Western blot. Real-time quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR ) was used to detect the expression of Caspase family mRNA.Results:Curcumol could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of HL-60 and KG-1 cells,promote apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of Bax and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.05).When Curcumol interferes with HL-60 and KG-1 cells,it can also induce programmed cell death of AML by inhibiting PI3 K/AKT signaling pathway.In addition,after the intervention of Curcumol,the expression of Caspase 3,Caspase 6,Caspase 8 and Caspase 9 were up-regulated in HL-60 cells (P<0.05 ),the expression of Caspase 3,Caspase 8 and Caspase 9 were significantly up-regulated in KG-1 cells (P<0.01),while the expression of Caspase 6 was weakly affected (P<0.05 ),but low concentration of Curcumol (<60 μg/ml)had no effect on the expression of Caspase 6 in KG-1 cells (P>0.05).Conclusion:Curcumol may mediate the programmed death of AML cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,affecting the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins,and promoting the activation of core members of Caspase family,so as to play an anti-leukemia role.

Objective To compare the success rates of two methods for endobronchial intubation:the left-sided double-lumen tube(DLT)rotated 90° counter-clockwise with the patient head at the mid positon and the tube rotated 180°counter-clockwise with the patient head turned to the right.Methods Six hundred and forty-eight patients were enrolled in this study,who were to undergo elective thoracic surgery by left-sided DLT intuba-tion in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2021 to June 2022.They were randomized into a 90° group and a 180° group,with 324 patients in each group.In the 90° group,with the patient head kept at the mid position,the left-sided DLT was advanced until the bronchial cuff passed the vocal cords and then rotated 90° counter-clockwise.In the 180°group,with the left mandible angle of each patient in the straight line with the ster-num,the tube was advanced until the bronchial cuff passed the vocal cords and then rotated 180° counter-clock-wise.The intubation success rate and the intubation-related complications such as carina mucosal injuries were com-pared between the two groups.Results The 648 patients included 336 males and 312 females,with the age ran-ging from 39.0 to 75.0 years old and the average age of(54.6±9.0)years old.The success rate of first intubation was 80.3% in the 90°group and 75.0% in the 180°group,which showed no significant difference(P =0.109).The success rate of second intubation was higher in the 180°group than in the 90°group(P<0.001).The rate of carina mucosal injuries was 23.8% in the 90° group and 25.6% in the 180° group,which showed no significant difference(P =0.585).Conclusions Compared with the conventional method(90°),the intubation of the left-sided DLT rotated 180° counter-clockwise with the patient head turned to the right cannot improve the success rate of the first intubation.However,it could improve the success rate of reintubation as a remedy.

Objective:To investigate the effect of selenium on cyclophosphamide(CTX)-induced spermatogenic impairment(SI)in mice and its underlying mechanism.Methods:We equally randomized 36 male KM mice into 3 SI model and 3 control groups,the first 3 treated by intraperitoneal injection of CTX at 100 mg/kg(the SI model control group),CTX plus SI model control group,selenium deficient model group(-Se SI),selenium supplemented model group(+Se SI),while latter 3 by intraperitoneal injection of normal saline(the normal control),selenium deficiency control group(-Se control),selenium addition control group(+Se control),respectively,all once a week for 6 successive weeks.Then we observed the histopathological changes in the testes of all the mice by HE staining,obtained the sperm count in the epididymides,determined the expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPx4)and SLC7A11 proteins by Western blot and ferroptosis-related genes by RT-qPCR,and examined the changes in the expres-sions of ferroptosis-related proteins and genes in the GC2-spd cells treated with ferroptosis inhibitors and inducers in combination with different concentrations of inorganic sodium selenite(SeS)and organic selenomethionine(SeM).Results:Compared with the nor-mal controls,the SI model mice showed significantly decreased testicular and prostatic organ coefficients,reduced spermatogenic lay-ers,increased voids,decreased serum ferritin concentration(P<0.05),and elevated transferrin concentration(P<0.05).The or-gan coefficients were significantly higher in the+Se SI and+Se control than in the-Se SI and-Se control groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),with evident pathological improvement of the testis tissue in the+Se controls.The expressions of the GPx4 and solute carrier family 7 members 11(SLC7A11)genes in the testis were dramatically down-regulated in the SI model controls(P<0.01),but up-reg-ulated in the+Se SI and+Se control compared with those in the-Se SI and-Se control group(P<0.01 and P<0.05),but there were no statistically significant differences between their protein expressions.The results of in vitro GC2 spd cell experiments indicated that the GPx4 gene and GPx4 protein levels in the-Se group were significantly lower than those in the normal control group(P<0.05),while the SLC7A11 gene level decreased(P<0.01).Different doses of SeS and SeM significantly increased the GPx4 protein expression compared to the average Se group.Low doses of SeM promoted a significant increase in GPx4 gene levels,while high doses of SeS increased the expression levels of SLC7A11 gene and SLC7A11 protein(P<0.05,P<0.01).The Se group showed a signifi-cant decrease in the levels of acsl4 and ptgs2 genes compared to the normal control group.SeM promoted the expression of acsl4,while SeS promoted the expression of ptgs2 and fth1(P<0.01,P<0.05).The intervention results of GC2 spd showed that the Erastin group had a decrease in ptgs2 compared to the normal control group,while the SeS+Erastin and SeM+Erastin groups had an increase in ptgs2 gene expression compared to the Erastin group.However,the ptgs2 expression of Fer-1 was lower than that of the normal con-trol group,and the ptgs2 gene level of SeS+Fer-1 and SeM+Fer-1 groups was lower than that of Fer-1 group(P<0.05);The gene quantity of GPx4 in the SeM+Erastin and SeM+Fer-1 groups increased compared to the Erastin and Fer-1 groups(P<0.01,P<0.05);SeM+Erastin and SeS+Erastin showed a decrease in SLC7A11 compared to the Erastin group,as well as SeM+Fer-1 and SeS+Fer-1 groups compared to the Fer-1 group,accompanied by an increase in acsl4 and fth1(P<0.01).Conclusion:Selenium deficiency causes the reduction of the SLC7A11 and GPx4 gene levels,disorder of ferroptosis-related genes and down-regulation of the GPx4 protein expression in the mouse testis and spermatocytes.Selenium can promote the expression of GPx4,up-regulate the level of SLC7A11,and improve spermatogenesis in the testis of the mouse with SI.There are differences between organic SeM and inorganic SeS in regulating the ferroptosis pathway-related genes.

AIM To investigate the protective effects of Didang Decoction-containing serum on rat glomerular endothelial cells(RGECs)following high glucose injury.METHODS Rats were given distilled water or Didang Decoction by gavage to prepare the blank serum or Didang Decoction-containing serum.CCK8 method was used to screen the glucose concentration for the modeling and serum concentration of the drug.The RGECs were divided into the blank group,the model group,Didang Decoction group(10%Didang Decoction medicated serum),Dapagliflozin group(normal serum+2 μmol/L Dapagliflozin)and Didang Decoction+Dapagliflozin group(10%Didang Decoction medicated serum+2 μmol/L Dapagliflozin).24 hrs after the drug treatment,the RGECs had their mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO-1 detected by RT-qPCR method and Western blot method;their Nrf2 fluorescence expression detected by immunofluorescence method;and their SOD activity and MDA level detected by colorimetric method.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group displayed decreased mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO-1 as well as the activity of SOD(P＜0.01),and increased MDA level(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with the drugs showed increased mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO-1 as well as the activity of SOD(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and decreased MDA level(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Didang Decoction-containing serum can protect RGECs from high glucose injury through activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of inhibiting KDM2A gene on the proliferation,invasion and migration of liver cancer cells and its possible regulatory mechanism.Methods Forty pairs of HCC tissues and their adjacent normal counterparts were collected from 2014 to 2017 in Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College Affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology.Human liver cancer cell lines HepG2,Huh7,HCCLM3,MHCC-97H and normal liver cells LO2 were cultured in vitro.The mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A in HCC tissues and cells were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.Huh7 cells were taken and set up as follows:(1)si-NC group(transfected with si-NC)and si-KDM2A group(transfected with si-KDM2A);(2)mimic-NC group(transfected with mimic-NC),miRNA-29a-3p mimic group(transfected with miRNA-29a-3p mimic),inhibitor-NC group(transfected with inhibitor-NC)and miRNA-29a-3p inhibitor group(transfected with miRNA-29a-3p inhibitor).The mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.The invasion and migration of cells were detected by Transwell,the proliferation of cells was detected by CCK-8 methods.The online databases TargetScan,miRDIP,miRWalk,Starbase and miRDB were used to predict the binding sites of KDM2A and miR-29a-3p.The KDM2A 3'-UTR(WT)or KDM2A 3'-UTR(MUT)report plasmid was co-transfected with NC-miRNA or miR-29a-3p mimics respectively for 48 h in 293T cells,and the luciferase activity was detected by the luciferase reporter gene detection system.Results Compared with adjacent normal counterparts,the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A in HCC tissues increased significantly(P＜0.05).Compared with LO2,the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A in HepG2,Huh7,HCCLM3 and MHCC-97H increased significantly(P＜0.05).Compared with si-NC group,the proliferation,invasion and migration of Huh7 cells in si-KDM2A group decreased significantly(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The analysis results of TargetScan,miRDIP,miRWalk,Starbase and miRDB showed that there were binding sites between KDM2A and miR-29a-3p.The results of the dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-29a-3p mimic significantly reduced KDM2A-MUT luciferase activity(P＜0.01).After overexpression of miRNA-29a-3p,the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A were decreased(P＜0.01),the proliferation,invasion and migration abilities were decreased(P＜0.05)in Huh7 cells.After inhibiting the expression of miRNA-29a-3p,the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A were increased(P＜0.05),the proliferation,invasion and migration abilities were enhanced(P＜0.05)in Huh7 cells.Conclusion Inhibiting the expression of KDM2A can reduce the proliferation and migration ability of Huh7 cells.miR-29a-3p may be the upstream regulator of KDM2A and participate in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma.