Objective In recent decades,China has implemented a series of policies to address air pollution.We aimed to assess the health effects of these policies on stroke burden attributable to ambient fine particulate matter(PM2.5). Methods Joinpoint regression was applied to explore the temporal tendency of stroke burden based on data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study. Results The age-standardized rates of disability-adjusted life year(DALY)for stroke attributable to ambient PM2.5 in China,increased dramatically during 1990-2012,subsequently decreased at an annual percentage change(APC)of-1.98[95%confidence interval(CI):-2.26,-1.71]during 2012-2019.For ischemic stroke(IS),the age-standardized DALY rates doubled from 1990 to 2014,and decreased at an APC of-0.83(95%CI:-1.33,-0.33)during 2014-2019.Intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)showed a substantial increase in age-standardized DALY rates from 1990 to 2003,followed by declining trends,with APCs of-1.46(95%CI:-2.74,-0.16)during 2003-2007 and-3.33(95%CI:-3.61,-3.06)during 2011-2019,respectively.Conversely,the age-standardized DALY rates for subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)generally declined during 1990-2019. Conclusion Our results clarified the dynamic changes of the ambient PM2.5-attributable stroke burden in China during 1990-2019,highlighting the health effects of air quality improvement policies.

Objective:To compare the prevalence and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) in populations with different cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks in China, and clarify the relationship between CVD risk stratification and SA.Methods:All participants were from Beijing Community-Based Cohort of Atherosclerosis. A total of 1 462 participants underwent carotid ultrasound and coronary computed tomography scan during 2008-2009 and 2013-2014. After excluding 191 participants with history of CVD and incomplete baseline data, 1 271 participants were included in final analysis. The 10-year CVD risk for participants were calculated based on the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China (China-PAR) equation, and risk stratification was performed. The prevalence and progression of SA was determined by carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid plaque score and coronary artery calcification (CAC) score.Results:In the participants included in this study, 536 (42.2%), 418 (32.9%) and 317 (24.9%) were classified to have low, intermediate and high 10-year risk, respectively. With the rising level of 10-year risk, the proportion of patients with SA and SA progression increased. In low, intermediate and high CVD risk groups, the proportions of participants with CAC were 16.4%, 36.4% and 52.0% (trend P<0.001); and 15.4%, 36.4% and 53.6% had progression of CAC during follow-up, respectively (trend P<0.001); compared with low-risk group, RRs for CAC progression of intermediate and high-risk groups were 2.316 (95% CI: 1.714-3.129) and 3.322 (95% CI: 2.472-4.463), respectively (trend P<0.001). The trend of relationship between CVD risk stratification and cIMT and carotid plaque progression were consistent with CAC. Conclusions:This current study shows CVD risk stratification is closely related to the prevalence and progression of atherosclerosis in Chinese population. However, many people with low CVD risk have atherosclerotic change in their carotid and coronary artery.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the association between cumulative fasting blood glucose(FBG)and presence of coronary artery calcification(CAC). Methods:A total of 1 113 participants were recruited from the Beijing Community-based Cohort of Atherosclerosis.Anthropometric measurements and laboratory examinations including FBG were performed in 1998,2008-2009 and 2013-2014 respectively,and coronary CT scan was performed in 2013-2014.Participants were classified into 4 groups according to the level of cumulative FBG(10-year weighted cumulative value of at least 2 FBGs):<50.0 mmol/L group(n=495),50.0-55.9 mmol/L group(n=345),56.0-69.9 mmol/L group(n=176),and≥70.0 mmol/L group(n=97).CAC score>0 was defined as presence of CAC.Multivariable logistic regression model was applied to analyze the impact of cumulative FBG exposure on the risk of CAC,and subgroup analyses were conducted according to factors such as sex and age. Results:The mean age of enrolled participants was(59.7±6.4)years,523(47.0%)were male and 478(42.9%)had CAC.The proportion of subjects with CAC increased with the increment of cumulative FBG.Compared with the<50.0 mmol/L group,the multivariable-adjusted OR(95%CI)for CAC in the 50.0-55.9 mmol/L group,56.0-69.9 mmol/L group,and≥70.0 mmol/L group were 1.43(1.04-1.98),1.92(1.24-2.99)and 2.79(1.35-5.77),respectively(Ptrend<0.05).The risk for CAC increased by 34%per 10 mmol/L increase in cumulative FBG,with OR(95%CI)of 1.34(1.12-1.59).There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of CAC presence for each 10 mmol/L increase in cumulative FBG level between the subgroups(all P≥0.05). Conclusions:Elevated cumulative FBG is a risk factor for the prevalence of CAC,indicating the importance of maintaining healthy FBG in preventing the occurrence of CAC.

OBJECTIVE: N6-methyladenosine (m ⁶A) is a common epigenetic modification in eukaryotes. In this study, we explore the potential impact of m ⁶A-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (m ⁶A-SNPs) on heart failure (HF). METHODS: Data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating HF in humans and from m ⁶A-SNPs datasets were used to identify HF-associated m ⁶A-SNPs. Their functions were explored using expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL), gene expression, and gene enrichment analyses. Mediation protein quantitative trait locus (pQTL)-Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate the potential mechanism between critical protein levels and risk factors for HF. RESULTS: We screened 44 HF-associated m ⁶A-SNPs, including 10 m ⁶A-SNPs that showed eQTL signals and differential expressions in HF. The SNP rs1801270 in CDKN1A showed the strongest association with HF ( P = 7.75 × 10 ^-6). Additionally, MR verified the genetic association between the CDKN1A protein and HF, as well as the mediating effect of blood pressure (BP) in this pathway. Higher circulating level of CDKN1A was associated with a lower risk of HF (odds ratio [ OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.69 to 0.99). The proportions of hypertension, systolic BP, and diastolic BP were 48.10%, 28.94%, and 18.02%, respectively. Associations of PDIA6 ( P = 1.30 × 10 ^-2) and SMAD3 ( P = 4.80 × 10 ^-2) with HF were also detected. CONCLUSION Multiple HF-related m ⁶A-SNPs were identified in this study. Genetic associations of CDKN1A and other proteins with HF and its risk factors were demonstrated, providing new ideas for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of HF.
Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/metabolism* ; Quantitative Trait Loci ; Adenosine/metabolism* ; Male ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease

Objective:To investigate the distribution and related factors of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] level in healthy Tajik and Kazak adults in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to October 2021 and March to June 2022, and blood samples were collected from 2, 637 healthy Tajik adults [1 010 men, average age: (40.08±14.74) years; 1 627 women, average age: (38.27±12.90) years] in Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County and 1 911 healthy Kazak adults [720 men, average age: (42.10±12.26) years; 1 191 women, average age: (38.27±12.90) years] in Fuyun County of Xinjiang. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), creatinine (Cr), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and Lp(a) were measured. The distribution of Lp(a) levels in different sex and age groups was compared. The Lp(a) level of Tajik and Kazakh ethnic groups was compared by Mann-Whitney U test, and correlation factors of Lp(a) level were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Results:The distribution of Lp(a) level in Tajik and Kazak population was skewed. Lp(a) levels of Tajik and Kazak ranged from the lowest 0.40 mg/L and 0.62 mg/L to the highest 1 229.40 mg/L and 2 108.58 mg/L, respectively, and the median Lp(a) level was 78.90 (38.60, 190.20) mg/L and 103.30 (49.57, 234.27) mg/L, respectively. Median Lp(a) level of Kazak was significantly higher than that of Tjik ( P<0.001). The median Lp(a) levels of Tajik males and females were similar: 77.45 (39.80, 187.10) mg/L and 79.90 (38.60, 192.30) mg/L ( P=0.948). The median Lp(a) levels of Kazakh males and females were also similar: 109.42 (50.49, 230.38) mg/L and 99.01 (49.11, 237.25) mg/L, respectively ( P=0.578). After pooling the data of Tajik and Kazak and adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking, drinking, blood pressure, blood glucose and other factors, Lp(a) level was correlated with ethnic (standard partial regression coefficient 0.066, P=0.008) and LDL-C level (standard partial regression coefficient 0.136, P<0.001). Conclusions:Lp(a) level in healthy Tajik and Kazak adults varied greatly among individuals, and Kazak residents had a higher Lp(a) level than Tajik residents. There was no significant sex difference in Lp(a) level among Tajik and Kazakh, and LDL-C and ethnicity are independent factors related to Lp(a) level.

Adult ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; China ; Habits ; Humans ; Lipids

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) using unrelated cord blood or haploidentical donors in the treatment of children with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID).Methods:The clinical data of 60 children with PID admitted to Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital-Sixth Medical Center from April 2014 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 56 cases of chronic granulomatous disease, 2 cases of severe combined immunodeficiency disease, 1 case of high-IgM syndrome and 1 case of severe congenital neutropenia.All patients underwent allo-HSCT, including 12 cases receiving the transplantation from unrelated cord blood (UCB group) and 48 cases from haploidentical donors combined with a third party unrelated cord blood (haploid group). Among these patients, there were 59 males and 1 female, with a median age of 3.4 years.All patients received a myeloablative conditioning regimen based on Busulfan.The prophylaxis of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) was performed based on Cyclosporine.In the UCB group, the median dose of mononuclear cells and CD 34+ cells was 0.67×10 8/kg and 0.51×10 6/kg recipient body weight, respectively; In the haploid group, bone marrow and peripheral stem cells from haploid donors were infused on day 01 and day 02, respectively.The third party cord blood was infused 4 hours before bone marrow infusion.The median dose of mononuclear cells and CD 34+ cells of bone marrow and peripheral stem cells from haploid donors was 9.97×10 8/kg and 5.12×10 6/kg recipient body weight, respectively.Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the overall survival rate. Results:The median day to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 13.0 days and 23.5 days, respectively.The rate of complete donor chime-rism was shown 30.0 days after transplantation.There was no case with primary engraftment failure, and 1 case with secondary engraftment failure.The incidence of grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD was 43.3% and 15.5%, respectively.The incidence of chronic graft versus host disease with limited skin type was 6.7%, while that with extensive type was 1.1%.The median follow-up period was 818 days.There were 6 death cases, among which, 5 cases died from infection and 1 case died from heart failure.The total mortality related to transplantation was 11.9%.A total of 53 cases survived without diseases.The estimated 5-year failure free survival and overall survival rate was 83.9% and 88.1%, respectively.Conclusion:The efficacy of allo-HSCT in the treatment of children with PID using unrelated cord blood and haploidentical donors is favorable.

BACKGROUNDS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of deaths nationwide. However, little is understood about its temporal trend and corresponding influence on longevity improvements. We aimed to describe the updated tendency in CVD mortality and to quantify its impact on life expectancy (LE) increase in China. METHODS: All-cause mortality rates were calculated with population sizes from the National Bureau of Statistics and death counts from the National Health Commission. We estimated CVD mortality rates by allocating age- and sex-based mortality envelopes to each CVD subtype based on its proportion derived from the Disease Surveillance Points system. The probability of CVD premature deaths and LE were calculated with life tables and we adopted Arriaga's method to quantitate age- and cause-specific contributions to LE gains. RESULTS: During 2013 to 2018, the age-standardized mortality rate of CVD decreased from 289.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 289.03, 290.35)/100,000 to 272.37 (95%CI: 271.81, 272.94)/100,000, along with a decline in probability of CVD premature deaths from 9.05% (95%CI: 9.02%, 9.09%) to 8.13% (95%CI: 8.10%, 8.16%). The gap in CVD mortality across sexes expanded with more remarkable declines in females, especially for those aged 15 to 64 years. Among major subtypes, the probability of premature deaths from hemorrhage stroke declined fastest, while improvements of ischemic stroke and ischemic heart disease were limited, and there was an increase in stroke sequelae. LE in China reached 77.04 (95%CI: 76.96, 77.12) years in 2018 with an increase of 1.38 years from 2013. Of the total LE gains, 21.15% (0.29 years) were attributed to reductions of CVD mortality in the overall population, mostly driven by those aged >65 years. CONCLUSIONS The general process in reducing CVD mortality has contributed to longevity improvements in China. More attention should be paid to prevention and control of atherosclerotic CVD and stroke sequelae, especially for the elderly. Working-age males also deserve additional attention due to inadequate improvements.
Aged ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Life Expectancy ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Progression ; Stroke ; Cause of Death