BACKGROUND: Death burden of stroke is severe with over one-third rural residents in China, but there is still a lack of specific national and high-quality reports on the urban-rural differences in stroke burden, especially for subtypes. We aimed to update the understanding of urban-rural differences in stroke deaths. METHODS: This is a descriptive observational study. Data from the national mortality surveillance system, which covers 323.8 million with 605 disease surveillance points (DSPs) across all 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China. All deaths from stroke as the underlying cause from 2015 to 2020 according to DSPs. Crude mortality rate and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) were estimated through DSPs. Average annual percentage change was used to explain the change in mortality rate. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2020, the majority of deaths from all stroke subtypes occurred in rural areas. There were significant differences between the changes of urban and rural ASMRs. On the whole, the changes in urban areas were evidently better, and the ASMR differences were basically expanding. Stroke ASMR in urban China decreased by 15.5%. The rural ASMR of ischemic stroke increased by 12.9%. The rural and urban ASMRs of intracerebral hemorrhage decreased by 24.9% and 27.4%, and those of subarachnoid hemorrhage decreased by 29.5% and 40.4%, respectively. The highest ASMRs of all stroke subtypes and the increasing trend of ischemic stroke ASMR make rural males the focus of stroke management. CONCLUSIONS The death burden of stroke varies greatly between urban and rural China. Rural residents face unique challenges.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Stroke/mortality* ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Female ; Urban Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on acute lung injury (ALI) and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The chemical constituents of BBP were analyzed by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). After 7 days of adaptive feeding, 50 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups by a random number table (n=10): normal control (NC), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), dexamethasone (Dex), low-, and high-dose BBP groups. The dosing cycle was 9 days. On the 12th and 14th days, 20 µL of Staphylococcus aureus solution (bacterial concentration of 1 × 10^-7 CFU/mL) was given by nasal drip after 1 h of intragastric administration, and the mice in the NC group was given the same dose of phosphated buffered saline (PBS) solution. On the 16th day, after 1 h intragastric administration, 100 µL of LPS solution (1 mg/mL) was given by tracheal intubation, and the same dose of PBS solution was given to the NC group. Lung tissue was obtained to measure the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the lung wet/dry weight ratio and expressions of CD14 and other related proteins. The lower lobe of the right lung was obtained for pathological examination. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α ) and IL-1β in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and the number of neutrophils was counted. The colonic contents of the mice were analyzed by 16 sRNA technique and the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). RESULTS: UPLC-MS revealed that the chemical components of BBP samples were mainly tauroursodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid sodium salt. BBP reduced the activity of MPO, concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the expression of CD14 protein, thus suppressing the activation of NF-κB pathway (P<0.05). The lung histopathological results indicated that BBP significantly reduced the degree of neutrophil infiltration, cell shedding, necrosis, and alveolar cavity depression. Moreover, BBP effectively regulated the composition of the intestinal microflora and increased the production of SCFAs, which contributed to its treatment effect (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS BBP alleviates lung injury in ALI mouse through inhibiting activation of NF-κB pathway and decreasing expression of CD14 protein. BBP may promote recovery of ALI by improving the structure of intestinal flora and enhancing metabolic function of intestinal flora.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/pathology* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Ursidae ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Bile/chemistry* ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/metabolism* ; Powders ; Male ; Lung/drug effects* ; Mice ; Peroxidase/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cytokines/metabolism*

Objective:To analyze the iodine nutritional status of children aged 8 - 10 in Tongren City, Guizhou Province, and provide a basis for scientific iodine supplementation for children.Methods:From 2020 to 2022, a systematic sampling method was adopted in 10 districts and counties of Tongren City. Each year, each district and county was divided into 5 districts based on east, west, south, north, and center. One township (street) was selected from each district, and 40 non boarding students aged 8 to 10 were selected from each township (street) to measure the iodine content of household salt and urine samples. The content of salt iodine in children of different yesas as well as the distribution of urine iodine in children of different districts and counties and different genders were analyzed and compared. Additionally, B-ultrasound was used to measure the thyroid volume of some children and the situation of thyroid enlargement was analyzed.Results:From 2020 to 2022, a total of 6 000 salt samples were collected and monitored from children's households, and 5 989 samples of iodized salt were detected, the coverage rate of iodized salt was 99.8%; and 5 750 samples of qualified iodized salt were found, the qualified rate of iodized salt was 96.0%, the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 95.8%; and the median salt iodine was 27.3 mg/kg, the difference in the median salt iodine among children between different years was statistically significant ( H = 10.04, P < 0.001). A total of 6 000 urine samples from children were tested, the median urinary iodine was 225.2 μg/L, the median urinary iodine among children in different districts and counties were statistically significantly different ( H = 85.73, P < 0.001); 3 077 male and 2 923 female urine samples were tested, and the median urinary iodine between different genders was statistically significant different ( Z = - 67.10, P < 0.001). The median urinary iodine of male samples were higher than those of female samples(227.8 vs 222.9 μg/L). The thyroid gland of 2 000 children was examined, and the rate of goiter was 1.0% (21/2 000). Conclusions:From 2020 to 2022, the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt, urinary iodine content and goiter rate of children in Tongren City have all met the national standard for eliminating iodine deficiency disorders. The overall iodine nutrition level exceeds the appropriate amount (urinary iodine of 200 - 299 μg/L).

Objective:To investigate the iodine nutrition status of pregnant women in Tongren City, and to provide a basis for scientific iodine supplementation of key population.Methods:From 2020 to 2022, a cross-sectional survey was conducted, and one township (street) was selected from each of the five districts of east, west, south, north, and central in 10 counties (districts) of Tongren City each year. Twenty pregnant women were selected from each township (street) for the determination of iodine level in household salt samples and one random urine sample. The levels of salt iodine and urinary iodine in pregnant women from different years and regions, as well as the distribution of urinary iodine during different pregnancy periods, were compared and analyzed.Results:A total of 3 000 household edible salt samples were collected from pregnant women, with a median salt iodine level of 27.3 mg/kg. The coverage rate of iodized salt was 99.7% (2 991/3 000), the qualified rate of iodized salt was 96.1% (2 875/2 991), and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 95.8% (2 875/3 000). There was a statistically significant difference in the iodine level of household salt consumed by pregnant women in different years ( H = 6.85, P < 0.001). A total of 3 000 urine samples from pregnant women were tested, and the median urinary iodine was 177.4 μg/L. By years, the median urinary iodine levels in different years were 197.8, 169.2, and 168.3 μg/L, with statistically significant differences ( H = 35.46, P < 0.001). By region, there were statistically significant differences in the median urinary iodine levels of pregnant women in different counties (districts, H = 104.00, P < 0.001); among them, Yuping County had the lowest median urinary iodine level, at 149.8 μg/L. By pregnancy periods, there were no statistically significant difference in the median urinary iodine levels of pregnant women in different pregnancy periods ( H = 177.44, P = 0.290). Conclusions:The overall iodine nutrition level of pregnant women in Tongren City is appropriate, and the iodine nutrition of pregnant women in individual areas is insufficient. We should continue to strengthen the monitoring of iodine nutrition level, pay attention to the iodine nutrition status of pregnant women in key areas, and guide pregnant women to supplement iodine scientifically.

Objective To explore the regulation of Chaihuang Qingyi Huoxue Granule on intestinal microecological changes in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and the potential mechanism for its treatment of SAP. Methods Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (SHAM),SAP model group (SAP),and Chaihuang Qingyi Huoxue Granule (CH)group,with 16 rats in each group. Each group was further divided into 12 h and 24 h subgroups. The SAP model was induced by retrograde injection of 5％ sodium taurocholate into the pancreaticobiliary duct through duodenal wall. The SHAM and SAP groups received normal saline by gavage,while the CH group received 1.2 g·kg-1 Chaihuang Qingyi Huoxue Granule solution by gavage every six hours. At 12 h and 24 h after operation,eight rats from each group were sacrificed to collect abdominal aortic blood,pancreatic and ileal tissues for analysis. Ascites,pancreatic and ileal tissues were observed. Serum amylase(AMY) and lipase (LPS) levels were measured biochemically. Pathological changes in pancreatic and ileal tissues were investigated by HE staining. Claudin-1 protein expression in ileal tissue was detected by Western Blot. Changes in the intestinal flora of ileocecal contents were analyzed by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. Results Compared to the SHAM group at the same time points,the SAP group exhibited extensive pancreatic edema and necrosis. Serum AMY and LPS levels,pancreatic and ileal histopathological scores increased,and Claudin-1 protein expression in ileal tissue markedly decreased (all P<0.05). The differences in abundance of microbial community increased,while the evenness of community composition reduced. The microbial richness showed no significant change (P>0.05),but the microbial diversity decreased(P<0.05). Proteobacteria were dominant intestinal bacteria. Relative abundances of Oscillospira,Ruminococcus,Bifidobacterium,and Bacteroides S24-7 decreased,whereas relative abundances of Shigella and Allobaculum increased. The differences in abundance of microbial community reduced,and the evenness of community composition increased. The microbial richness showed no significant change(P>0.05),but the microbial diversity increased (P<0.05). Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant intestinal bacteria. Relative abundances of Oscillospira,Ruminococcus,Bifidobacterium,and Bacteroides S24-7 increased,whereas relative abundances of Shigella and Allobaculum decreased. After the intervention of CH,pathological damage in ileal tissue was improved. The expression of Claudin-1 protein in the intestinal mucosal barrier increased compared to the model group(P<0.05). The differences in abundance of microbial community reduced,and the evenness of community composition increased. CH group showed an increase in some beneficial bacteria and decrease in pathogenic bacteria compared to model group. Conclusion Chaihuang Qingyi Huoxue Granule may reduce pancreas injury in rats with SAP,which may be involved in modulating the intestinal microecology and improving intestinal mucosal barrier function.

Objective:To explore the clinical and imaging characteristics of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) caused by mitochondrial DNA 14453G>A (m.14453G>A) mutation.Methods:A case of MELAS caused by m.14453G>A mutation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University on October 12, 2021 was reported. At the same time, the reported cases of MELAS and Leigh syndrome (LS) caused by the m.14453G>A mutation were reviewed. This enabled a comprehensive summarization, analysis, and comparison of these cases.Results:The patient was a female. She has suffered from the disease since 13-year old with seizures, accompanied by the disturbance of mood and the loss of memory. Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings consisted of lesions in frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal lobe and cerebellar. The patient was initially considered with autoimmune encephalitis and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Since direct sequencing of the complete mitochondrial genome from blood of the patient revealed m.14453G>A mutation in ND6 gene, and the mutation rate was 17.0%, the patient eventually diagnosed with MELAS based on clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, and genetic testing results. Using "m.14453G>A" as the search term, the relevant literature in China and abroad was retrieved and those with complete clinical data were identified. A total of 11 cases of m.14453G>A mutation including this case were reported, of whom 5 patients were diagnosed as MELAS, and 6 patients were diagnosed as LS. Among the 11 patients, those being adolescent or adult and with lesions in the cortex and subcortical white matter were probably be MELAS; those being infant or young child and with lesions in basal ganglia, thalamus and brainstem could be LS. Conclusions:Mitochondrial disease caused by m.14453G>A gene mutation shows a great heterogeneity, which can cause MELAS and LS. The clinical phenotype of the m.14453G>A mutation may be related to the age of onset and lesion′ s location.

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of Tofacitinib in treating elderly rheumatoid arthritis(RA), in order to provide clinical evidence.Methods:In the randomized control trial, a total of 90 elderly RA patients admitted to the Department of Rheumatology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to January 2021 were selected and divided into Methotrexate group(MTX group, MTX 10mg, qw, n=45)and Tofacitinib group(TOF group, oral 5mg, bid, n=45). The efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated at week 12.The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology 50%(ACR50)improvement response criteria at week 12.Secondary endpoints included ACR20/70 improvement response, proportion of patients who met treat-to-target(T2T)criteria, including Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate(DAS28-ESR), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein level(DAS28-CRP), clinical disease activity index(CDAI), and simplified disease activity index(SDAI), and patient-reported outcomes(PROs)which included changes compared to baseline in pain visual analog scale(VAS)and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index(HAQ-DI)score, at week 12.Safety outcomes including drug-related adverse events, serious adverse events, dropping out due to adverse events, and deaths were assessed throughout.Results:Five patients in each group withdrew from the trial due to adverse events, and the number of patients who finally completed the observation was 40 in each group.At week 12, the ACR50 response rate was higher in TOF group than in MTX group[35%(14/40) vs.12.5%(5/40), χ2=5.591, P=0.018)], achieving the primary endpoint.When comparing TOF vs.MTX group, the ACR20 response rate[55%(22/40) vs.25%(10/40), χ2=7.500, P=0.006]and ACR70 response rate[25%(10/40) vs.7.5%(3/40), χ2=4.501, P=0.034], and proportions of indexes of disease remission including DAS28-ESR<2.6[25%(11/40) vs.7.5%(3/40), χ2=4.501, P=0.034], or DAS28-CRP<2.6[27.5%(11/40) vs.7.5%(3/40), χ2=5.541, P=0.019], or CDAI≤2.8[30%(12/40) vs.10%(4/40), χ2=5.000, P=0.025], or SDAI≤3.3[27.5%(11/40) vs.7.5%(3/40), χ2=5.541, P=0.019], and the proportions of patients with low disease activity including DAS28-ESR≤3.2[32.5%(14/40) vs.12.5%(5/40), χ2=5.591, P=0.018], or DAS28-CRP≤3.2[32.5%(14/40) vs.12.5%(5/40), χ2=5.591, P=0.018], or CDAI≤10[37.5%(15/40) vs.17.5%(7/40), χ2=4.013, P=0.045], or SDAI≤11[37.5%(15/40) vs.15%(6/40), χ2=5.230, P=0.022], as well as changes compared to baseline data in pain VAS[(26.51±8.32)scores vs.(14.16±4.39)scores, t=8.371, P<0.001]and in HAQ-DI score(0.65±0.24 vs.0.32±0.06, t=9.387, P<0.001)were all better in the TOF group than in the MTX group at week 12.During the 12-week observation period, the number of patients with infection and hyperlipidemia was higher in TOF group than in MTX group, while the number of patients with abnormal blood cell count and liver function was lower than that in MTX group, but the differences were not statistically significant(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Tofacitinib has good efficacy and safety in the elderly RA.In patients over 70 years of age who are at high risk of infection, tofacitinib should be used with caution.

Evidence shows that acupuncture-moxibustion could promote the healing of pressure injuries (PI), but its action mechanism is not fully understood. This review summarizes the basic research literature of acupuncture-moxibustion for PI and identifies that the mechanism of acupuncture-moxibustion for PI is related with regulation of related signaling pathway target proteins, improvement of inflammatory response, modulation of vascular microenvironment, attenuation of oxidative stress damage, and inhibition of cell apoptosis. The review also points out the current limitations and future research directions. It emphasizes the need for further exploration of the upstream regulatory mechanism, specific cellular molecules, and the interactions among these molecules. A multi-level, multi-target, and multi-dimensional approach is required to fully understand the mechanism underlying the promotion of PI healing by acupuncture-moxibustion.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Pressure Ulcer ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture ; Apoptosis

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of new coagulation biomarkers including soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor complex (t-PAI·C) for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis in children. Methods: The prospective observational study enrolled 59 children who were diagnosed with sepsis including severe sepsis and septic shock in the Department of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine of Shanghai Children's Medical Center affiliated to the Medical College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University from June 2019 to June 2021. The sTM, t-PAI·C and conventional coagulation tests were detected on illness day one of sepsis. Twenty healthy children were selected as the control group, and the above parameters were detected on the day of inclusion. Children with sepsis were divided into survival group and non-survival group according to prognosis at discharge. Baseline comparisons between groups were performed using Mann-Whitney U test. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis in children. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was conducted to evaluate the predictive values of above variables for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis in children. Results: The sepsis group included 59 patients (39 boys and 20 girls), aged 61(22, 136)months. There were 44 patients in the survival group and 15 patients in the non-survival group, respectively. The control group consisted of 20 boys, aged 107 (94,122) months. Patients in the sepsis group had higher sTM and t-PAI·C ((12 (9, 17)×10³ vs. 9(8, 10)×10³ TU/L, 10(6, 22) vs. 2 (1, 3) μg/L, Z=-2.15, -6.05, both P<0.05) compared with children in the control group. The t-PAI·C was superior to sTM for the diagnosis of sepsis. The areas under the curve (AUC) of t-PAI·C and sTM for the diagnosis of sepsis were 0.95 and 0.66, respectively, and the optimal cut-off value were 3 μg/L and 12×10³ TU/L, respectively. Patients in the survival group had lower sTM (10 (8, 14)×10³ vs. 17 (11, 36)×10³ TU/L, Z=-2.73, P=0.006) than those in the non-survival group. Logistic regression analysis showed that sTM was a risk factor for death at discharge (OR=1.14, 95%CI 1.04-1.27, P=0.006). The AUC of sTM and t-PAI·C for predicting death at discharge were 0.74 and 0.62, respectively, and the optimal cut-off values were 13×10³ TU/L and 6 μg/L, respectively. The AUC of sTM combined with platelet counts for predicting death at discharge was 0.89, which was superior to sTM and t-PAI·C. Conclusion: The sTM and t-PAI·C had clinical application values in diagnosing and predicting prognosis in pediatric sepsis.
Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Biomarkers ; China ; Sepsis/diagnosis* ; Shock, Septic ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; Infant ; Child, Preschool

To compare the pancreatic proteomics and autophagy between Rehmanniae Radix-and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata-treated mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). The T2DM mouse model was established by high-fat diet coupled with streptozotocin(STZ, intraperitoneal injection, 100 mg·kg~(-1), once a day for three consecutive days). The mice were then randomly assigned into a control group, low-(5 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(15 g·kg~(-1)) Rehmanniae Radix groups, low-(150 mg·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(300 mg·kg~(-1)) catalpol groups, low-(5 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(15 g·kg~(-1)) Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata groups, low-(150 mg·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(300 mg·kg~(-1)) 5-hydroxymethyl furfuraldehyde(5-HMF) groups, and a metformin(250 mg·kg~(-1)) group. In addition, a normal group was also set and each group included 8 mice. The pancreas was collected after four weeks of administration and proteomics tools were employed to study the effects of Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on protein expression in the pancreas of T2DM mice. The expression levels of proteins involved in autophagy, inflammation, and oxidative stress response in the pancreatic tissues of T2DM mice were determined by western blotting, immunohistochemical assay, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the differential proteins between the model group and Rehmanniae Radix/Rehmanniae Radix Prae-parata group were enriched in 7 KEGG pathways, such as autophagy-animal, which indicated that the 7 pathways may be associated with T2DM. Compared with the control group, drug administration significantly up-regulated the expression levels of beclin1 and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR)/mTOR and down-regulated those of the inflammation indicators, Toll-like receptor-4(TLR4) and Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), in the pancreas of T2DM mice, and Rehmanniae Radix showed better performance. In addition, the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), and heine oxygenase-1(HO-1) in the pancreas of T2DM mice were down-regulated after drug administration, and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata demonstrated better performance. The results indicate that both Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata can alleviate the inflammatory symptoms, reduce oxidative stress response, and increase the autophagy level in the pancreas of T2DM mice, while they exert the effect on different autophagy pathways.
Mice ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics* ; Streptozocin/pharmacology* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Proteomics ; Inflammation ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Autophagy ; Mammals