OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) imposes a heavy burden on individuals, families, and society. This study analyzed the incidence and mortality trends of RA in China from 1990 to 2023 to provide epidemiological evidence for precise prevention and control. METHODS: Data on RA incidence, age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), deaths, and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) in China by sex and age group from 1900 to 2021 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze trends in ASIR and ASMR. An age-period-cohort model was constructed using R4.3.1 to evaluate longitudinal age trends and estimate relative risk (RR) values for period and cohort effects. RESULTS: In 2021, the number of RA cases, ASIR, deaths, and ASMR in China were 247 300, 13.70 per 100 000, 10 300, and 0.54 per 100 000, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR of RA increased annually among both females and males, with average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) of 0.44% and 0.72%, respectively. Over the same period, ASMR declined in the total population and among females, with AAPCs of -0.78% and -1.19%, while the change in males was not statistically significant. Age-period-cohort analysis showed that the peak incidence occurred in women aged 60-64 years and men aged 75-79 years, and mortality increased with age. The period effect for incidence rose in both sexes, reaching 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94 to 1.27] for females and 1.14 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.27) for males during 2017 to 2021, compared with 2002 to 2006. The mortality period effect RR exhibited a downward-upward-downward pattern, decreasing to 0.56 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.61) in females and 0.75 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.82) in males in 2017 to 2021. Cohort analysis indicated that the highest incidence risk occurred in individuals born during 2012 to 2016, while the cohort effect RR for female RA mortality showed a continuous decline beginning with the 1922 to 1926 birth cohort. CONCLUSIONS The incidence and mortality risks of RA in China have continued to decline. However, with the aging of the population, the incidence and mortality risks among the elderly have increased. Middle-aged women and elderly men should receive focused attention. Health authorities should strengthen education, prevention, and screening among middle-aged women and enhance disease monitoring in elderly populations to reduce the national burden of RA.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Mortality/trends* ; Age Distribution ; Age Factors ; Aged, 80 and over ; Adolescent

Objective To observe whether the IL-23/Th17 inflammatory pathway is involved in the development of calcific aortic valve disease,and whether secukinumab can delay the progression of calcific aortic valve disease by inhibiting this pathway.Methods Forty-seven mice were divided into a blank control group,model group,and secukinumab group according to the random number table method.The blank control group was fed normal chow,while the model group and secukinumab group were fed pro-calcification chow for 16 weeks to establish a calcific aortic valve disease model.After intervention with secukinumab for 4 weeks,peak flow velocity changes in the aortic valves were detected under Doppler ultrasonography in all mice.Relevant indexes were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining,Von Kossa staining,immunohistochemical staining,ELISA,and qPCR.Results Compared with the model group,the secukinumab group showed significantly reduced peak flow velocity(P＜0.05)and serum IL-6,IL-17,and IL-23 levels(P＜0.05)in the aortic valve.Compared with the secukinumab group,the model group's leaflet thickness was significantly increased,and there were more calcium deposits.Immunohistochemical result showed that macrophage infiltration(P＜0.05),IL-17A(P＜0.05)and IL-23(P＞0.05)levels in the valve leaflets were reduced in the secukinumab group compared with the model group.PCR result suggested that the expression of STAT3,BMP-2,and α-SMA mRNA was significantly lower in the secukinumab group than the model group(P＜0.05).Conclusions The IL-23/Th17 inflammatory pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease.The inflammation,fibrosis,osteogenic differentiation,and calcification of mouse valves were alleviated after intervention with secukinumab,which may delay disease progression by inhibiting the IL-23/Th17 inflammatory pathway.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value and clinical significance of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging(Mp-MRI)combined with the liver imaging reporting and data system(LI-RADS)grading criteria for diagnosing regenerative nodules and small hepatocellular carcinoma(SHCC)in patients with cirrhosis.Methods Eighty-six patients(132 nodules)admitted to our hospital from March 2019 to March 2023 with liver nodules of≤3 cm in diameter were selected.Based on the surgical pathology results,38 cases(54 nodules)of regenerative nodules in liver cirrhosis were classified into the benign group,and 48 cases(78 nodules)of SHCC were classi-fied into the malignant group.LI-RADS classification and Mp-MRI parameters[enhancement rate(ER),mean enhancement time(MET),maximum slope of increase(MSI),maximum slope of decrease(MSD),apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),and fat fraction(FF)]were compared between the two groups,and their diagnostic values were analyzed.Results Based on the LI-RADS classification standard,76 positive and 56 negative nodules were detected among the 132 nodules,including ten false positives and 12 false negatives.The ER,MET,MSI,and ADC were lower in the malignant group than in the benign group,whereas the FF and MSD were higher in the malignant group than in the benign group(P<0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve for the combined diagnosis of liver cirrhosis regenerative nodules and SHCC using Mp-MRI parameters and the LI-RADS classification standard was 0.946(95%CI:0.892-0.977),with a Youden index of 0.811,sensitivity of 88.46%,and specificity of 92.59%.These results were superior compared to the diagnosis using each Mp-MRI parameter and the LI-RADS classification standard alone.A significant difference in the LI-RADS clas-sification of nodules of different pathological grades was observed in the malignant group(P<0.05).The ER,MET,MSI,and ADC were highest in well-differentiated nodules,followed by moderately differentiated nodules,and were lowest in poorly differentiated nodules.FF and MSD were highest in poorly differentiated nodules,followed by moderately differentiated nodules,and were lowest in well-differen-tiated nodules(P<0.05).Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the LI-RADS classification and Mp-MRI parameters ER,MET,MSI,and ADC were positively correlated with the pathological grade of SHCC,whereas FF and MSD were negatively correlated with the pathological grade of SHCC(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of Mp-MRI parameters and the LI-RADS classification criteria is reliable for diagnosing regenerative nodules in cirrhosis and SHCC and can provide important reference information for the clinical evalua-tion of SHCC pathological grading.

Purpose To study the association between ultrasonography signs of midurethral sling(MUS)and postoperative bladder neck mobility,and urethral segmental mobility,to explore ultrasound parameters that measure the biomechanical effects of MUS and to analyze the relationship between them and the clinical outcomes.Materials and Methods This was a retrospective analysis of the clinical material and ultrasound imaging data of the patients who underwent MUS surgery and had postoperative clinic follow-up in the Second Xiangya Hospital,Central South University,from September 2017 to July 2022.According to the surgical outcome,all patients were divided into three groups:stress urinary incontinence(SUI)cure group,SUI recurrence group and postoperative voiding dysfunction(VD)group.Bladder neck mobility,urethral segmental mobility,MUS position,and sling-pubic gap(SPG)during maximal Valsalva manoeuvre were measured by pelvic floor ultrasound.Ultrasound results among the three groups were compared,respectively.The relationships between ultrasound signs of the sling(MUS position and SPG),bladder neck and urethral mobility,and the surgical outcomes were analyzed,respectively.Results A total of 117 women had valid data.The median follow-up interval was 10(6,18)months.On clinical examination and diagnosis,44 women(37.6％)had cured SUI,46(39.3％)had recurrence SUI,and 27(23.1％)had postoperative VD.The mean SPG of the 117 slings was(12.0±3.5)mm(range 4.7 to 23.0 mm),and the mean position of the MUS was the 53％(range 33％-75％).There was no significant difference in MUS position and SPG between the SUI cured group and the postoperative VD group(P＞0.05).The SUI recurrence group had farther MUS position[(56±11)％vs.(49±10)％,P=0.003]relative to the bladder neck and wider SPG[(13.9±3.7)mm vs.(11.2±2.7)mm,P＜0.001]than SUI cure group.No significant correlation was found between the ultrasound signs of MUS(MUS position and SPG)and bladder neck mobility(r=-0.138-0.205,all P≥0.05).MUS position and SPG were correlated with midurethral mobility(MUS position vs.point 2 and 3,r=0.322,0.322,both P＜0.01;SPG vss.point 3 to 6,r=0.288-0.434,all P＜0.01):the closer the MUS position was relative to the distal urethra,the higher the midurethral mobility.The wider the SPG,the higher the midurethral mobility.Logistic regression showed a positive correlation between SPG and SUI recurrence with an odds ratio(OR)of 1.401(95％CI 1.189-1.652,P＜0.001),and a negative correlation with postoperative VD with an OR of 0.755(95％CI 0.627-0.909,P=0.003).Conclusion SPG during the Valsalva manoeuvre can be used to measure the tightness of MUS.The larger the measured value of SPG,with the looser the MUS,the greater the likelihood of postoperative SUI recurrence,and the lower the risk of postoperative VD.

Objective To analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy(LLLT)combined with elec-tromyogram-triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation(ETNS)on upper limb function and quality of life in patients with subacute ischemic stroke.Methods A total of 52 patients with sub-acute ischemic stroke admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to October 2023 were recruited,and then randomly divided into control group(26 cases)and observation group(26 cases).Fugl-Meyer Motor Function Score-Upper Limb(FMA-UE),Trunk Injury Scale(TIS),Wolf Motor Function Test Scale(WMFT)-Time(TS)and Functional Ability(FS),Chinese version of Stroke Quality of Life Scale(SS-QOL)were used before treatment(day of enrollment)and after treat-ment(5 months after enrollment)to evaluate these patients.Results After treatment,the obser-vation group had obviously higher FMA-UE score,TIS score,WMFT-FS score and SS-QOL score than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and these scores were also notably higher than those in control group after treatment(P＜0.01).The WMFT-TS score in the observation group after treatment was statistically lower than that before treatment(P＜0.05),and also reduced than that of the control group after treatment(39.42±11.65 vs 46.12±11.89,P=0.045).Conclusion LLLT combined with ETNS shows good efficacy in improvement of upper limb function and quality of life in subacute ischemic stroke patients.

Objective:To investigate the factors that influence the occurrence of complications following deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction, and to determine whether these complications have an impact on the patient's quality of life.Methods:The clinical and follow up data from patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction at the Department of Breast, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from Dec 2019 to Mar 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 85 patients underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction, including 71 stage Ⅰ reconstructions and 14 stage Ⅱ reconstructions. Postoperative complications occurred in 22 cases 25.9%, including flap complications in 11 cases (12.9%) and abdominal donor site complications in 11 cases (12.9%). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the overall incidence of complications was associated with high BMI and early surgery ( P<0.05). Flap complications were associated with high BMI, surgery performed at initial phase, and the use of internal mammary vascular branches as recipient vessels ( P<0.05). Abdominal complications were associated with previous abdominal surgery scars ( P<0.05). BREAST-Q scores showed no significant differences between the surgical complication group and the no complication group in terms of breast satisfaction, mental health, physical health-chest, physical health-abdomen, satisfaction with abdomen, sexual health, etc. ( P>0.05). Conclusions:DIEP flap breast reconstruction has a significant learning curve. The patient's own clinical characteristics (such as BMI and abdominal incision scars) and intraoperative choices (such as the selection of recipient vessels) may influence the occurrence of postoperative complications. However, the presence of postoperative complications does not appear to have an impact on patient-reported outcomes.

Objective:To explore the value of contrast enhancement T1 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence (CE-T1FLAIR) based on modulated flip angle technique in refocused imaging with extended echo train (MATRIX) in detecting metastases.Methods:One hundred and seventy-six patients with pathologically diagnosed malignant tumors and brain metastases accepted enhanced 3.0T MRI scan in Department of Medical Imaging, He'nan Provincial Cancer Hospital from October 2023 to February 2024 were enrolled. Lianying's intelligent brain metastasis AI-assisted detection system and sequences of MATRIX CE-T1FLAIR, 3D GRE_fsp CE-T1FLAIR and FSE CE-T1FLAIR were used to detect the brain metastasis lesions, respectively. Length of the lesions was measured according to Lianying's intelligent brain metastasis AI-assisted detection system, and all lesions were divided into 3 categories: <3 mm, 3-10 mm, and >10 mm. Differences in detection rate in brain metastases of different lengths and locations among the 3 sequences were compared.Results:Detection rates of MATRIX CE-T1FLAIR, 3D GRE_fsp CE-T1FLAIR, and FSE CE-T1FLAIR in brain metastases were 99.67%, 90.52%, and 71.02%, which were decreased successively, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Detection rates of MATRIX CE-T1FLAIR, 3D GRE_fsp CE-T1FLAIR and FSE CE-T1FLAIR in brain metastases with length<3 mm (99.24%, 79.95% and 46.45%) or length of 3-10 mm (100%, 98.19% and 87.53%) were decreased successively, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Detection rates of MATRIX CE-T1FLAIR (100%, 80.56% and 64.24%), 3D GRE_fsp CE-T1FLAIR (100%, 97.25% and 76.11%), and FSE CE-T1FLAIR (100%, 91.18% and 70.59%) in metastases at the superficial area of the brain convexity, gray-white matter junction area, and cerebellum were decreased successively, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Detection rates of FSE CE-T1FLAIR in brain metastases in the basal ganglia and brainstem (69.33% and 50%) were significantly lower than those of MATRIX CE-T1FLAIR and 3D GRE_fsp CE-T1FLAIR (97.33% and 92.86%; 88% and 78.57%, P<0.05). Conclusion:MATRIX CE-T1FLAIR sequence is better than 3D GRE_fsp CE-T1FLAIR and FSE CE-T1FLAIR sequences in detecting brain metastases, especially for metastases with length<10 mm and metastases located at the superficial area of the brain convexity, gray-white matter junction area and cerebellum.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application effect of internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) as recipient vessels in breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEPF) immediately after breast cancer surgery.Methods:From May 2020 to May 2023, a total of 18 patients with DIEPF breast reconstruction using IMAP as recipient vessels were selected from the Department of Breast Disease of Henan Cancer Hospital. The patients were 31 to 50 years old, with an average of 41.5 years old. The stages of breast cancer were cT is/1-2N 0-2M 0, and all of the patients received immediate breast reconstruction after the breast cancer surgery. The size of flaps were from 9.0 cm × 26.0 cm to 15.0 cm × 38.0 cm. Preoperative chest and abdominal wall CTA were performed to identify the location of intercostal space and the calibre of IMAP. Intraoperatively, the number of IMAP, the diameters of corresponding arteries and accompanying veins in the recipient site were recorded. All patients were included in the scheduled postoperative follow-up through outpatient clinic or via WeChat. The quality of flap survival was evaluated, the condition of breast appearance and recovery of the abdominal donor site were evaluated according to the breast cancer patient reported outcome measures (BREAST-Q). Results:All the 18 patients had the IMAP visualised in surgery, with 13 had the IMAP located at the second intercostal space and 3 at the third intercostal space. The other 2 patients were found with the IMAP located in both the second and third intercostal spaces, in which 1 was found that both of IMAP were suitable for anastomosis. It was also found that there was 1 accompanying vein in 15 breasts and 2 accompanying veins in 2 breasts. One breast had found without an accompanying vein. The diameters of arteries were 1.1 mm±0.1 mm and that of the veins were 1.8 mm±0.3 mm. The average follow-up period was 28 months, ranged from 6 to 40 months. Of the 18 flaps, 17 were completely survived. Venous compromise occurred in 1 flap due to extensive venous thrombosis, and it was replaced with a breast implant. No patient experienced concave deformities in the reconstructed breasts. Seventeen patients with an average BREAST-Q score of 94.4. One patient with a BREAST-Q score of 79.0.Conclusion:IMAP can serve as a reliable recipient vessel for immediate breast reconstruction with DIEPF after breast cancer surgery. With strict selection criteria, this technique could be put on further trials with larger sample size and multi-centres.

Objective To explore the impact of SARS-CoV-2-positive donors on the prognosis of heart transplant recipients. Methods The Medline, EMbase, CENTRAL, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP and China Biology Medicine from inception to May 2023 were searched by computer for studies about impact of SARS-CoV-2-positive donors on the prognosis of heart transplant recipients. The data were extracted from all the relevant literatures, and the quality of the data was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). All statistical analyses were conducted by the Stata 11.0 software. Results A total of 10 studies (NOS score ranging from 5 to 9 points) involving 643 patients were enrolled. The pooled results demonstrated that the pooled mortality of heart transplant recipients from SARS-CoV-2-positive donors was 4% (95%CI 2% to 5%). And the incidence of composite outcome, regarding graft failure, rejection and death as poor prognosis, was 7% (95%CI 5% to 9%). Besides, compared with recipients from SARS-CoV-2-negative donors, the pooled odds ratio (OR) value of death of SARS-CoV-2-positive donors was 0.68 (95%CI 0.38 to 1.22, Z=1.28, P=0.200). The pooled OR value of rejection rate was 0.41 (95%CI 0.27 to 0.64, Z=3.97, P<0.005). For the composite outcome, the pooled OR value was 0.50 (95%CI 0.37 to 0.69, Z=4.30, P<0.005). In addition, there was no statistical difference in the length of hospital stay between heart transplant recipients from SARS-CoV-2-positive donors and negative donors (SMD=–0.03, 95%CI –0.22 to 0.15, Z=0.36, P=0.720). Conclusion The application of heart from SARS-CoV-2-positive donor for transplantation is safe and feasible. However, further prospective studies with longer follow-up are still needed to verify its impact on long-term outcomes.

ObjectiveTo explore the method of optimizing the performance of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome diagnostic models using Stacking ensemble learning. MethodsTaking the construction of TCM syndrome diagnostic model for lung cancer as an example， 2598 cases of clinical symptoms and signs from lung cancer patients in 9 hospitals were used as independent variables （i.e.， feature variables）， TCM syndrome information as dependent variables， and the clinical data were divided into training set and testing set in 8：2 ratio according to random number table method using Python 3.7 software. The stable features of TCM syndrome of lung cancer were screened using chi-square test， Spearman's correlation test， and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator （LASSO） logistic regression analysis； nine machine learning algorithms are trained， including support vector machines （SVMs）， k-nearest neighbors （KNN） algorithm， Random Forest （RF）， Extremely Randomized Trees， Extreme Gradient Boosting （XGBoost）， Lightweight Gradient Boosting （LightGBM）， Adaptive Boosting （AdaBoost）， Gradient Boosting （GB） and the multi-layer perceptron （MLP）， to obtain 9 basic models. Four models with better performance were screened out from the above basic models and fused to form a fusion model by using the Stacking ensemble learning， and the fusion model was trained twice by the above nine machine learning algorithms and evaluated by accuracy rate， micro-average ROC curves， area under the curve （AUC）， and confusion matrix metrics， to screen the optimal diagnostic model. ResultsAfter data processing， 79 stable features and 13 TCM syndromes were obtained. In the basic model training， the comprehensive performance of RF， ExtraTrees， MLP and SVM basic models were better， so the predicted distributions of the syndromes of these four models were used as the secondary training data， and nine fusion models were obtained based on the Stacking ensemble learning （SVM， KNN， RF， ExtraTree， XGBoost， LightGBM， GB， AdaBoost， MLP）. Among them， the XGBoost fusion model performed the best， with an accuracy of 0.850 and 0.838 in the training set and test set， respectively， an overfitting difference of 0.012， and an area under the micro-average ROC curve of 0.996. All fusion models showed an improvement in accuracy and area under the micro-average ROC curve compared with the base model in the test set. ConclusionTaking the TCM syndrome information of lung cancer as an example， the XGBoost fusion model has significant advantages in improving the diagnostic performance of TCM syndrome information of lung cancer through Stacking ensemble learning. It can be seen that the advantages of Stacking ensemble learning to integrate multiple models and effectively improve the diagnostic efficiency of TCM diagnostic models， which provided a methodological reference for similar studies.