ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Feixin decoction treats hypoxic pulmonary hypertension （HPH） by regulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARγ）/nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB）/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats were randomly allocated into normal， hypoxia， and low-， medium- and high-dose （5.85， 11.7， 23.4 g·kg^-1， respectively） Feixin decoction groups， with 8 rats in each group. Except the normal group， the remaining five groups were placed in a hypoxia chamber with an oxygen concentration of （10.0±0.5）% for 8 h per day， 28 days， and administrated with corresponding drugs during the modeling process. After 4 weeks of treatment， echocardiographic parameters ［pulmonary artery acceleration time （PAT）， pulmonary artery ejection time （PET）， right ventricular anterior wall thickness （RVAWd）， and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion （TAPSE）］ were measured for each group. The right ventricular systolic pressure （RVSP） was measured by the right heart catheterization method， and the right ventricular hypertrophy index （RVHI） was calculated by weighing the heart. The pathological changes in pulmonary arterioles were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The co-localization of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） with NLRP3， N-terminal gasdermin D （N-GSDMD）， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1） in pulmonary arteries was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein levels of PPARγ， NF-κB， NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， N-GSDMD， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-18（IL-18）， and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue was determined by Western blot. The ultrastructural changes in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （PASMCs） were observed by transmission electron microscopy. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the hypoxia group showed increased RVSP and RVHI （P<0.01）， decreased right heart function （P<0.01）， increased pulmonary vascular remodeling （P<0.01）， increased co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3， N-GSDMD， and Caspase-1 in pulmonary arterioles （P<0.01）， up-regulated protein levels of NF-κB， NLRP3， ASC， N-GSDMD， IL-1β， IL-18， and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， a down-regulated protein level of PPARγ （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and pyroptosis in PASMCs. Compared with the hypoxia group， Feixin decoction reduced RVSP and RVHI， improved the right heart function and ameliorated pulmonary vascular remodeling （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased the co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3， N-GSDMD， and Caspase-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB， NLRP3， ASC， N-GSDMD， IL-1β， IL-18， and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated the protein level of PPARγ （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and alleviated pyroptosis in PASMCs. ConclusionFeixin decoction can ameliorate pulmonary vascular remodeling and right heart dysfunction in chronically induced HPH rats by regulating pyroptosis in PASMCs through the PPARγ/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Environmental damage affects many aspects of healthcare, from extreme weather events to evolving population disease. Singapore's healthcare sector has the world's second highest healthcare emissions per capita, hampering the nation's pledge to reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In this review, we provide an overview of the impact environmental damage has on healthcare, including facilities, supply chain and human health, and examine measures to address healthcare's impact on the environment. Utilising the 'R's of sustainability - rethinking, reducing/refusing, reusing/repurposing/reprocessing, repairing, recycling and research - we have summarised the opportunities and challenges across medical disciplines. Awareness and advocacy to adopt strategies at institutional and individual levels is needed to revolutionise our environmental footprint and improve healthcare sustainability. By leveraging evidence from ongoing trials and integrating sustainable practices, our healthcare system can remain resilient against environment-driven challenges and evolving healthcare demands while minimising further impacts of environmental destruction.
Humans ; Climate Change ; Delivery of Health Care ; Singapore ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Sustainable Development ; Environment

INTRODUCTION: Degenerative mitral stenosis (DMS) is frequently cited as increasing in prevalence in the developed world, although comparatively little is known about DMS in comparison to rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS). METHOD: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 745 cases of native-valve mitral stenosis (MS) with median follow-up time of 7.25 years. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were compared. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalisation. RESULTS: Patients with DMS compared to RMS were older (age, mean ± standard deviation: 69.6 ± 12.3 versus [vs] 51.6 ± 14.3 years, respectively; P<0.001) and a greater proportion had medical comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (78 [41.9%] vs 112 [20.0%], P<0.001). The proportion of cases of degenerative aetiology increased from 1.1% in 1991-1995 to 41.0% in 2016-2017. In multivariate analysis for the composite outcome, age (hazard ratio [HR] 95% confidence interval [CI] of 1.032 [1.020-1.044]; P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (HR 1.443, 95% CI 1.068-1.948; P=0.017), chronic kidney disease (HR 2.043, 95% CI 1.470-2.841; P<0.001) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (HR 1.019, 95% CI 1.010- 1.027; P<0.001) demonstrated significant indepen-dent associations. The aetiology of MS was not independently associated with the composite outcome. CONCLUSION DMS is becoming an increasingly common cause of native-valve MS. Despite numerous clinical differences between RMS and DMS, the aetiology of MS did not independently influence a composite of mortality or heart failure hospitalisation.
Humans ; Mitral Valve Stenosis/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Rheumatic Heart Disease/mortality* ; Echocardiography ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data* ; Heart Failure/epidemiology* ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology*

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 investigate the effect of preoperative old muscular calf vein thrombosis on the safety and efficacy of total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 411 patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis who underwent primary TKA in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 89 males and 322 females, aged 68.05±5.91 years (range, 50-82 years). The body mass index was 26.8±3.7 kg/m 2 (range, 17.4-39.8 kg/m 2). The group was divided into a preoperative thrombosis group (47 cases) and a preoperative none-thrombosis group (364 cases) according to whether or not there was a combination of old muscular calf vein thrombosis before TKA. The clinical characteristics (location and size) and lower limb swelling were observed, and the American Knee Society (AKS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Villalta score were recorded to compare the differences between the two groups. Results:All patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for 7.4±1.1 months (range, 6-9 months). Postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurred in 96% (45/47) of the patients in the preoperative thrombus group, which was greater than the 38.5% (140/364) in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=55.184, P<0.001). 29% (13/45) of the patients who developed DVT postoperatively in the preoperative thrombus group had DVT located in the main vein, which was greater than the 9% (12/140) in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=12.028, P<0.001). 51% (23/45) of patients with DVT after operation had thrombosis ≥6 mm, which was higher than 34% (47/140) of patients in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=4.454, P=0.035). The rate of thigh swelling on postoperative day 3 was 8.42%±3.50% in the group with preoperative thrombus and 7.80%±4.12% in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the differences were not statistically significant ( t=-0.995, P=0.320). The rate of calf swelling on postoperative day 3 was 8.14%±3.40% in the preoperative thrombus group, which was greater than the 5.51%±3.45% in the preoperative none-thrombus group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-4.923, P<0.001). Postoperative AKS scores were elevated in both groups and were greater than preoperative scores at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in AKS score between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05), and the AKS scores in the preoperative thrombus group were smaller than those in the preoperative none-thrombus group at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Postoperative VAS scores were reduced in both groups and were smaller than preoperative scores at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative VAS scores between the two groups ( P<0.05), and the VAS scores in the preoperative thrombus group were greater than those in the preoperative none-thrombus group at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The Villalta score of patients with DVT after operation in the preoperative thrombus group was 4.47±2.47 at the last follow-up, which was greater than that of the preoperative none-thrombus group, which was 2.90±1.92, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-4.395, P<0.001). Conclusion:Preoperative combined old muscular calf vein thrombosis increases the incidence of postoperative DVT and the dangerousness of DVT is higher.

This paper outlines the common aspects of constructing integrated urban medical groups,focusing on governance,organizational restructuring,operational modes,and mechanism synergy.It then delves into the challenges in China's group construction,highlighting issues with power-responsibility alignment,capacity evolution,incentive alignment,and performance evaluation.Finally,the paper suggests strategies to enhance China's compact urban medical groups,focusing on governance reform,capacity building,benefit integration,and performance evaluation.

Objective To investigate the effects of neuronal pentraxin 2(Nptx2)on complement system,microglia activation and synaptic density in mice with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods Six-months-old APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice were divided into model group(intracerebroventricularly injected with AAV-Veh 1 × 1010 GC)and model+AAV-Nptx2 group(intracerebroventricularly injected with AAV-Nptx2 1 × 1010 GC),6-months-old wild-type mice were divided into control group(intracerebroventricularly injected with AAV-Veh 1 × 1010 GC)and control+AAV-Nptx2 group(intracerebroventricularly injected with AAV-Nptx2 1 x 1010 GC),with 12 mice in each group.One month later,the cognitive function of mice in each group was evaluated by Morris Water Maze test.The expression levels of Nptx2 and Iba1 proteins were measured by Western blot,the contents of complement related proteins were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,and the synaptic plasticity was evaluated by Golgi staining.Results The resident time in the platform quadrant of control,control+AAV-Nptx2,model and model+AAV-Nptx2 groups were(44.72±10.92),(53.32±10.29),(21.92±3.80)and(36.47±6.41)s;the number of crossing the platform were 10.08±2.64,9.58±3.09,2.25±1.29 and 5.92±1.38;the relative expression levels of Nptx2 protein were 0.33±0.06,0.63±0.10,0.09±0.03 and 0.57±0.22;the relative expression levels of Iba1 protein were 0.17±0.06,0.23±0.08,0.97±0.16 and 0.40±0.14;the synaptic densities were 22.75±4.27,29.25±4.78,8.25±2.99 and 23.75±4.86.Compared with the model group,the differences of above indexes in the model+AAV-Nptx2 and control groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Overexpression of Nptx2 protein can inhibit the activation of complement system,reduce the activation of microglia,and increase the synaptic density to alleviate cognitive impairment in AD mice.

Humans ; Infant ; Child ; Infant, Newborn ; Developmental Disabilities ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Objective:To investigate the safety and short-term efficacy of yttrium-90 [ 90Y] resin microspheres transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for the treatment of initial unresectable malignant hepatic tumor. Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 10 patients with initial unresectable malignant hepatic tumor who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from June 2022 to June 2023 were collected. All patients were males, aged (57±4)years. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison before and after treatment within the group was conducted using the paired t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range), and comparison before and after treatment within the group was conducted using the paired rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or proportions. Results:(1) Pre-treatment assessment. All 10 patients completed pre-treatment assessment, with 8 cases undergoing once of technetium 99-polymerised protein perfusion test and 2 cases under-going ≥ twice of technetium 99-polymerised protein perfusion test. The ratio of uptake of techne-tium 99-polymerised protein in tumor tissue to normal tissue, the hepatopulmonary shunting ratio and the therapeutic requirement of 90Y resin microspheres in 10 patients were 5.8±1.2, 4.8%±0.8% and (1.10±0.20)GBq, respectively. (2) Treatment strategy of 90Y resin microspheres TARE. Of the 10 patients, cases treated with whole tumor radioembolisation, radioembolisation of the main target lesion+non-target lesion radiofrequency ablation, radioembolisation of the main target lesion+non-target lesion iodine-125 particles implantation, radioembolisation of the liver lobe or liver segment were 6, 2, 1, 1, respectively. During the treatment period, one elderly case did not receive target therapy combined with immunotherapy due to intolerance, and the remaining 9 cases received target therapy combined with immunotherapy. Of the 10 patients, there were 7 cases receiving once of 90Y resin microspheres TARE, and 3 cases receiving twice of 90Y resin microspheres TARE. (3) Follow-up. All 10 patients were followed up for 4.5(range, 3.0-12.0)months. During the follow-up, none of patient had adverse event associated with 90Y resin microspheres TARE. The tumor diameter, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), abnormal prothrombin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST), albumin (Alb), total bilirubin (TBiL), glutamyltransferase (GGT) of the 10 patients were 96(72,135)mm, 26(6,833)μg/L, 290(56,2 997)Au/L, (36±13)IU/L, (41+16)IU/L, (40±4)g/L, (15.3±4.1)μmol/L, (99±68)IU/L before receiving 90Y microspheres TARE. The above indicators of the 10 patients were 63(43,97)mm, 4(3,357)μg/L, 38(25, 142) Au/L, (40±16)IU/L, (51±28)IU/L, (39±4)g/L, (14.4±1.2) μmol/L, (134±93)IU/L after 90 days of receiving 90Y microspheres TARE. There were significant differences in tumor diameter and abnormal prothrombin ( Z=-2.08, -2.24, P<0.05) and there was no significant difference in AFP, ALT, AST, Alb, TBil, GGT ( Z=-1.27, t=0.63, 1.69, 1.73, 0.67, 1.30, P>0.05). During the follow-up period, 5 cases achieved clinical complete response, 4 cases achieved clinical partial remission, and 1 case experienced non-target lesion progression within 30 days after receiving 90Y resin microspheres TARE. The disease remission rate and disease control rate of the 10 patients were 9/10 and 9/10, respectively. None of patient died during follow-up period. Conclusion:90Y resin microspheres TARE for the treatment of initial unresectable malignant hepatic tumor is safe and feasible, and can achieve satisfactory short-term efficacy when combined with other treatment methods.

Background/Aims: The performance of machine learning (ML) in predicting the outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain. We aimed to develop risk scores using conventional methods and ML to categorize early-stage HCC patients into distinct prognostic groups. Methods: The study retrospectively enrolled 1,411 consecutive treatment-naïve patients with the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0 to A HCC from 2012 to 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a training cohort (n=988) and validation cohort (n=423). Two risk scores (CATS-IF and CATS-INF) were developed to predict overall survival (OS) in the training cohort using the conventional methods (Cox proportional hazards model) and ML-based methods (LASSO Cox regression), respectively. They were then validated and compared in the validation cohort. Results: In the training cohort, factors for the CATS-IF score were selected by the conventional method, including age, curative treatment, single large HCC, serum creatinine and alpha-fetoprotein levels, fibrosis-4 score, lymphocyte-tomonocyte ratio, and albumin-bilirubin grade. The CATS-INF score, determined by ML-based methods, included the above factors and two additional ones (aspartate aminotransferase and prognostic nutritional index). In the validation cohort, both CATS-IF score and CATS-INF score outperformed other modern prognostic scores in predicting OS, with the CATSINF score having the lowest Akaike information criterion value. A calibration plot exhibited good correlation between predicted and observed outcomes for both scores. Conclusions Both the conventional Cox-based CATS-IF score and ML-based CATS-INF score effectively stratified patients with early-stage HCC into distinct prognostic groups, with the CATS-INF score showing slightly superior performance.