Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among residents aged 60 years and older in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province from 2013 to 2022, so as to provide the evidence for the improvement of PTB prevention and control measures in this population. Methods: Data of PTB cases aged 60 years and older in Yangzhou City from 2013 to 2022 were collected from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The temporal, population, and regional distribution characteristics of PTB cases were analyzed using the descriptive epidemiological method. Results: A total of 8 726 PTB cases aged 60 years and older were registered in Yangzhou City from 2013 to 2022, including 4 167 cases positive for pathogenic tests, with a positive rate of 47.75%. The registered incidence rates and the positive rates of pathogenic tests of PTB among residents aged 60 years and older in Yangzhou City showed downward trends from 2013 to 2022 (both P<0.05). The average annual registered incidence rate of PTB was 83.95/105, and the average annual registered incidence rate of PTB positive for pathogenic tests was 40.09/105. The average annual registered incidence rate of PTB in males was higher than that in females (138.57/105 vs. 31.76/105, P<0.05). The registered incidence rate of PTB showed an increasing trend with age (P<0.05), with the highest rate observed in the age group of 75-<80 years (110.37/105). The top three regions with the highest average annual registered incidence rates of PTB were Jiangdu District (94.34/105), Baoying County (91.61/105) and Hanjiang District (84.93/105). Conclusions The registered incidence of PTB among residents aged 60 years and older in Yangzhou City showed a downward trend from 2013 to 2022. Particular attention should be payed to males, residents aged 75- <80 years, and the elderly in Jiangdu District and Baoying County.

Objective: To analyze the association between alcohol consumption and lumbar disc herniation (LDH), so as to provide a reference for the development of prevention and treatment strategies for LDH. Methods: From May to July 2022, permanent residents aged ≥18 years from eight counties (cities/districts) in Gansu Province were selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Data on basic characteristics, alcohol consumption in the past 30 days, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were collected through questionnaire surveys. LDH was determined based on imaging findings, combined with disease history or clinical symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between alcohol consumption and LDH, with subgroup analyses conducted by gender, age, ethnicity, and altitude of residence. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized for sensitivity analysis. Results: A total of 4 545 individuals were surveyed. There were 2 026 (44.58%) males and 2 519 (55.42%) females. The mean age was (44.82±15.33) years. The study participants were predominantly of Han ethnicity, with 2 598 persons accounting for 57.17%. The altitude of residence was mainly above 3 500 m, with 1 941 persons accounting for 42.71%. There were 574 alcohol drinkers, accounting for 12.63%. LDH was detected in 1 035 cases, with a detection rate of 22.77%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for gender, age, physical activity, and hypertension, compared to non-drinking residents, alcohol-consuming residents exhibited a 27.6% reduction in the risk of LDH (OR=0.724, 95%CI: 0.544-0.963). No significant interaction effects on LDH risk were observed between alcohol consumption and gender, age, ethnicity, or altitude of residence (all Pfor interaction >0.05). The results of the sensitivity analysis indicated that compared to non-drinking residents, alcohol-consuming residents exhibited a 38.8% reduction in the risk of LDH (OR=0.612, 95%CI: 0.382-0.976). Conclusion Alcohol consumption was statistically associated with a lower risk of LDH.

Background::A phase II trial on recombinant human tenecteplase tissue-type plasminogen activator (rhTNK-tPA) has previously shown its preliminary efficacy in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. This study was designed as a pivotal postmarketing trial to compare its efficacy and safety with rrecombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator alteplase (rt-PA) in Chinese patients with STEMI.Methods::In this multicenter, randomized, open-label, non-inferiority trial, patients with acute STEMI were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive an intravenous bolus of 16 mg rhTNK-tPA or an intravenous bolus of 8 mg rt-PA followed by an infusion of 42 mg in 90 min. The primary endpoint was recanalization defined by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 2 or 3. The secondary endpoint was clinically justified recanalization. Other endpoints included 30-day major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and safety endpoints.Results::From July 2016 to September 2019, 767 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive rhTNK-tPA ( n = 384) or rt-PA ( n = 383). Among them, 369 patients had coronary angiography data on TIMI flow, and 711 patients had data on clinically justified recanalization. Both used a –15% difference as the non-inferiority efficacy margin. In comparison to rt-PA, both the proportion of patients with TIMI grade 2 or 3 flow (78.3% [148/189] vs. 81.7% [147/180]; differences: –3.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: –11.5%, 4.8%) and clinically justified recanalization (85.4% [305/357] vs. 85.9% [304/354]; difference: –0.5%; 95% CI: –5.6%, 4.7%) in the rhTNK-tPA group were non-inferior. The occurrence of 30-day MACCEs (10.2% [39/384] vs. 11.0% [42/383]; hazard ratio: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.61, 1.50) did not differ significantly between groups. No safety outcomes significantly differed between groups. Conclusion::rhTNK-tPA was non-inferior to rt-PA in the effect of improving recanalization of the infarct-related artery, a validated surrogate of clinical outcomes, among Chinese patients with acute STEMI.Trial registration::www.ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT02835534).

Objective To investigate sex-related differences in left ventricular systolic dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 228 HFpEF patients who were treated in the Department of Endocrinology and Cardiology of the Second Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2019 to June 2023 were enrolled.They were divided into HFpEF group[women(n=61),men(n=73)]and HFpEF+T2DM group[women(n=49),men(n=73)]according to whether they had T2DM.Conventional echocardiography and left ventricular global longitudinal strain(GLS)data were measured.Sex-related differences of left ventricular structure and function were compared between the two groups.Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed for the determinants of impaired left ventricular GLS for HFpEF with T2DM patients and HFpEF patients of both sexes.Results LVMI was lower in women than in men in HFpEF group(P<0.05).The left ventricular remodeling rate of women was higher in HFpEF+T2DM group than that of men and women in HFpEF group,and the GLS of women was lower than that of men and women in HFpEF group(P<0.05).The E/E'was higher in women than in men in HFpEF and HFpEF+T2DM groups(P<0.05).Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that age,women,HbA1c and LVMI were the determinants of GLS impairement in HFpEF patients with T2DM.Age,T2DM,NT-proBNP and LVMI were the determinants of GLS impairement in HFpEF women patients,where as age,BMI,CHD,NT-proBNP and LVMI were the determinants of GLS impairement in HFpEF men patients.Conclusions There are sex-related differences in left ventricular systolic dyfunction in HFpEF with T2DM patients.With T2DM exerting a greater adverse effect onleft ventricular systolic dyfunction in women with HFpEF than men.

Objective To explore the mechanism of action of Danshen Baoxin Cha(DBC) on depressed mice with coronary heart disease (CHD) based on network pharmacology and NLRP3 inflammatory pathway. Methods (1) TCMSP and BATMAN-TICAM databases were used to screen the DBC active ingredients and targets. The targets of CHD with depression were screened using the OMIM and Genecards databases. The targets of DBC active ingredients and related targets of CHD with depression were imported into Venny 2.1 online platform to obtain the intersection targets,which was the potential target of DBC in the treatment of CHD with depression. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed on the intersection targets using the STRING platform to screen the key targets. A "drug-active ingredients-disease-targets" network was created to select the main active ingredients and core targets of DBC for the treatment of CHD with depression. Thereafter,the primary targets were examined by GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment using the Metascape database.(2)Kunming mice were split into six groups of eight mice each at random:the control group,the model group,the positive control group (metoprolol tartrate 5.14 mg·kg-1+sertraline hydrochloride 10.3 mg·kg-1),and the DBC high-,middle-,and low-dose groups (30.8,15.4 and 7.7 g·kg-1·d-1). Chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS)and subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline hydrochloride (ISO) were used to induce a mice model of CHD with depression. Mice were treated orally with the corresponding drug once a day for 18 consecutive days. Behavioral experiments involving forced swimming test,tail suspension test,and open-field test were applied to detect depression levels of mice. Histopathological alterations in hippocampus tissues were noted using HE and Nissl staining. qPCR was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of IL-6,TNF-α,NLRP3,IL-1β,IL-10,and Caspase-1 in hippocampus tissues. Results(1) Sixty-five active components in Salvia and seven active components in green tea were screened out. A total of 1042 potential targets and 2116 CHD complicated with depression-related targets were obtained. The intersection of the targets of active components and disease-related targets was performed by Venny 2.1.0 platform to obtain 299 potential targets (common targets) of DBC in the treatment of CHD with depression. The core targets including IL-1β,AKT1,TNF-α,IL-6,VEGFA,CASP3 and IL-10 were screened through PPI network analysis of potential targets. Key active ingredients including vitamin B,luteolin,salvianolic acid,tanshinone ⅡA and catechin,as well as key targets,such as PTGS2、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α and IL-10,were obtained by network analysis of "drugs-active ingredients-disease-targets". The potential targets were correlated with biological processes such as inflammation response,regulation of tumour necrosis factor (TNF),glucocorticoid regulation,regulation of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) transcription factor,as well as major pathways including PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,apoptosis signaling pathway,and NF-κB signaling pathway.(2) Compared with the control group,mice in the model group showed a significant decrease in the total and center distance of the open field (P<0.01) and a significant increase in the time of forced swimming and immobility time of tail suspension test (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of IL-6,TNF-α,NLRP3,IL-1β,and Caspase-1 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01) in the hippocampus tissues,but IL-10 mRNA expression was down-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with the model group,the total and center distance in DBC high-,middle-,and low-dose groups were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the time of forced swimming and immobility time of tail suspension test were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of IL-6,TNF-α,NLRP3,IL-1β and Caspase-1 of the DBC high-,middle-,and low-dose groups were significantly down-regulated(P<0.01),IL-10 mRNA expression in mice hippocampus tissue of DBC high-and middle-dose groups was up-regulated (P<0.01). Conclusion The intervention effect of DBC on depressed mice with CHD may be achieved by active ingredients including luteolin,tanshinone,salvianolic acid and catechin acting on the key targets,such as IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-10,to regulate the NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effect of enteric-coated sustained-release new dosage form of tadalafil on mice with renal fibrosis caused by unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO).METHODS:Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups randomly:sham group,UUO group,UUO+new dosage form of tadalafil(1 mg/kg)group and UUO+original patented drug of tadalafil(5 mg/kg)group.Surgery was performed to create a mouse UUO model,and therapeutic drugs were administered intragastrically for 7 d after modeling.A fully automated biochemi-cal analyzer was used to detect serum creatinine(SCr)levels of each group.Through renal histopathological staining(HE staining,Masson trichrome staining,and immunohistochemistry staining)and Western blot,we assessed the therapeutic effect of enteric-coated sustained-release new dosage forms of tadalafil on kidney fibrosis in mice,as well as its effect on the expression and distribution of fibronectin(FN)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).RESULTS:Compared with sham group,the SCr levels were significantly increased in mice with renal fibrosis,and renal tubules were dilated and in-filtrated with inflammation.Moreover,the expressions of FN and α-SMA were increased significantly(P<0.05).New dosage form and the original patented drug tadalafil both significantly reduced SCr levels in mice with renal fibrosis,im-proved the renal tissue structure on the affected side,reduced collagen fiber deposition,and inhibited FN and α-SMA ex-pression(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Enteric-coated sustained-release new dosage form of tadalafil reduces the deposit of extracellular matrix in kidney interstitial tissue and attenuates fibrosis and renal function damage caused by ureteral ob-struction.New dosage form of tadalafil has significant advantages over the original patented drug because the low dose and high effectiveness.

Objective:To explore the potential application of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in terms of quantification and evaluating left and right atrial function in normal fetuses, and to investigate the relevant factors affecting left and right atrial function in normal fetuses as well as differences between both atrial function.Methods:A total of 100 single fetuses underwent fetal echocardiography in the Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound & Echocardiography, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine from January 2019 to October 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. The standard basal or apical four-chamber view clips were obtained, and the left and right atrial function were quantitatively analyzed using TomTec-ARENA off-line cardiac analysis software for quantitative assessment of both atrial strain measurements including left atrial reservoir phase longitudinal strain (LASr), left atrial ductal phase longitudinal strain (LAScd), left atrial systolic phase longitudinal strain (LASct), right atrial reservoir phase longitudinal strain (RASr), right atrial ductal phase longitudinal strain (RAScd), right atrial systolic phase longitudinal strain (RASct), and the ratio of systolic longitudinal strain to conduit longitudinal strain in left and right atrial systolic display groups were calculated which was denoted as Sct/Scd.Routine fetal obstetric ultrasound measurements and fetal echocardiographic parameters in the two groups were obtained including fetal heart rate (FHR), left atrial end-systolic length (LAESL), left atrial end-systolic diameter (LAESD), left atrial end-systolic area (LAESA), left ventricular end-diastolic transverse diameter (LVEDD), right atrial end-systolic length (RAESL), right atrial end-systolic diameter (RAESD), right atrial end-systolic area (RAESA), right ventricular end-diastolic transverse diameter (RVEDD), peak blood flow velocity of mitral valve and tricuspid valve in early and late diastolic period (E, A), peak ratio of E and A: E/A (MV), E/A (TV), and the difference between the left and right atrial strain indices and the routine fetal obstetric ultrasound and fetal echocardiographic parameters, as well as the correlation between the above parameters and gestational age were analyzed. The repeatability tests were performed using the intra-class correlation coefficientt (ICC).Results:Significant differences were found in LASr and RASr, LAScd and RAScd, LASct and LAScd, Sct/Scd between the left atrium and right atrium, E/A (MV) and E/A (TV), LAESD and RAESD, LAESL and RAESL (all P<0.05), there was significant difference in FHR between the left atrial contraction display group and the no atrial contraction display group ( P=0.011), no significant difference in other parameters (all P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed that, LASr, LASct, RASr, and RASct showed moderate negative correlation with gestational age ( rs=-0.570, -0.601, -0.469, -0.568; all P<0.001). While LAScd, RAScd, E/A (MV), E/A (TV) were moderately positively related with gestational age ( rs=0.310, 0.350, 0.330, 0.343; all P<0.05). LAESL, LAESD, LAESA, RAESL, RAESD, RAESA, LVEDD and RVEDD were significantly positively related with gestational age ( rs=0.662, 0.768, 0.792, 0.728, 0.828, 0.822, 0.838, 0.802, all P<0.001). The inter-examiner ICC of fetal LASr and RASr were 0.89 and 0.84 (both P<0.05) and the intra-examiner ICC of fetal RASr and LASr both were 0.80 (both P<0.05), with good consistency. Conclusions:2D-STE is highly feasible and reproducible in assessing fetal atrial function. The corresponding variation values of fetal atria at different gestational weeks were obtained in this study, which provides a new reference index for us to further study normal fetal atria as well as comparative analysis of fetal cardiac function under prenatal pathological conditions.

Objective:To explore the potential application of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in terms of quantification and evaluating left atrial function in normal fetuses and fetuses with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO).Methods:A total of 32 fetuses diagnosed with LVOTO, who underwent fetal echocardiography at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine between May 2020 to June 2022, were selected as the case group, and 100 pregnant women with normal singleton fetuses between January 2019 to October 2022 were chosen as the control group. The standard basal or apical four-chamber view clips were obtained and were quantitatively analyzed using TomTec-Arena off-line cardiac analysis software to obtain the left atrial strain parameters of the two groups of fetuses including left atrial reservoir phase longitudinal strain(LASr), left atrial ductal phase longitudinal strain(LAScd), left atrial systolic phase longitudinal strain (LASct), as well as the routine obstetric ultrasound measurements and fetal echocardiographic parameters of the two groups: biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), aortic annulus end-systolic inner diameter (AO), pulmonary annulus end-systolic inner diameter (PA), left atrial end-systolic long length (LAESL), left atrial end-systolic transverse diameter (LAESD), right atrial end-systolic long length (RAESL), right atrial end-systolic transverse diameter (RAESD), left ventricular end-diastolic transverse diameter (LVEDD) and right ventricular diastole end-diastolic transverse diameter (RVEDD). The ratio of right ventricular end-diastolic transverse diameter to left ventricular end-diastolic transverse diameter (RVd/LVd) and the ratio of pulmonary annulus diameter to aortic annulus diameter (PA/AO) were calculated. The differences of strain parameters between the two groups were compared, and the correlation between strain parameters and gestational age, RVd/LVd and other conventional measurement parameters were analyzed. ROC curve was used to compare the specificity and sensitivity of LASr and RVd/LVd in evaluating fetal cardiac dysfunction with LVOTO.Results:There were significant differences in LASr, LAScd, LASct, MAPSE, AO, LAESL, LVEDD, RVd/LVd and PA/AO between the two groups (all P<0.05), there were no significant differences in other parameters (all P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed that LASr was negatively correlated with RVd/LVd in LVOTO group ( rs=-0.394, P=0.025), and LASct was negatively correlated with RVd/LVd ( rs=-0.626, P=0.004). In the control group, LASr was negatively correlated with gestational age, AO and PA ( r/ rs=-0.570, -0.440, -0.493; all P<0.001), and LASct was negatively correlated with gestational age, AO and PA ( r/ rs=-0.601, -0.532, -0.568; all P<0.001). LAScd was positively correlated with gestational age, AO and PA ( r/ rs=0.310, 0.370, 0.314; all P<0.05). There were no significant correlations between the other parameters (all P>0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC) in LASr evaluation of fetal cardiac dysfunction with LVOTO was 0.890 (0.826, 0.953) and the AUC in RVd/LVd evaluation of fetal cardiac dysfunction with LVOTO was 0.742 (0.637, 0.846), there were significant differences between them( P<0.05). Conclusions:2D-STE is highly feasible and reproducible in assessing fetal left atrial function. Evaluation of fetal left atrial function by 2D-STE provides a new reference index for quantitative analysis of fetal cardiac dysfunction.

Objective To analyze the predictive value of serum levels of procalcitonin(PCT)and cytokines on the prognosis of patients with COVID-19 at admission.Methods From November 2022 to February 2023,patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were admitted to Beijing Chest Hospital were enrolled.Chemiluminescence was used to detect serum PCT levels,and flow microsphere array was used to detect serum cytokines IL-1β,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-12p70,IL-17A,IL-17F,IL-22,TNF-α,TNF-β,IFN-γ level.ICU admission,mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death were defined as poor prognosis.After excluding patients with bacterial infection,the relationship between serum PCT and cytokine levels at admission and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients was analyzed.After excluding patients with bacterial infection,the relationship between serum PCT and cytokine levels at admission and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients was analyzed.Results A total of 176 patients with complete data were included,including 134 in the PCT-normal group and 42 in the PCT-elevated group,with a median age of 71.50 years and 71.59%males.Patients in the PCT elevated-group had significantly higher rates of ICU admission(38.41%vs.13.11%,P<0.05),mechanical ventilation(76.92%vs.24.59%,P<0.001)and in-hospital mortality(38.46%vs.6.56%,P<0.001)were significantly higher than those in the PCT-normal group.Serum levels of cytokines IL-6(7.40 pg/mL vs.4.78 pg/mL,P = 0.033 4)and IL-8(10.97 pg/mL vs.5.92 pg/mL,P<0.001)were significantly higher in patients with poor prognosis than in those with good prognosis.The area under the curve for PCT,IL-6,and IL-8 to predict poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients was 0.687,0.660,and 0.746,respectively;sensitivity was 52.78%,55.17%,and 72.41%,respectively;and specificity was 81.58%,74.19%,and 74.19%,respectively,as calculated from the ROC curve.When PCT,IL-6 and IL-8 jointly predict the prognosis of COVID-19 patients,the area under the curve is 0.764,the sensitivity is 70.00%,and the specificity is 80.00%.Conclusion Serum PCT and cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 could be used as predictive markers for poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19.

Information on patients with rifampicin-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (RR-PTB) in Yangzhou City from 2012 to 2020 was obtained from the Information System of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The epidemic characteristics of RR-PTB patients were analyzed by using χ2 test. The average annual registered incidence rate of RR-PTB patients in Yangzhou City from 2012 to 2020 was 0.57/100 000, and the difference between the registered incidence rates in each year was statistically significant ( χ2=29.326, P<0.001). The proportion of re-treated patients (64.8%) was higher than that of newly treated patients (35.2%, χ2=50.593, P<0.001). The registered incidence rate in males (0.91/100 000) was higher than that in females (0.24/100 000, χ2=80.566, P<0.001). The age distribution showed that the highest incidence rate was in the age group≥60 years (0.96/100 000) and the lowest was in the age group 0-<45 years (0.31/100 000, χ2=55.853, P<0.001). From 2012 to 2020, Baoying County had the largest number of registered RR-PTB patients (44 cases), and its registered incidence rate (0.64/100 000) was only lower than that of Guangling District (0.98/100 000). The registered incidence rate of RR-PTB patients in Baoying County during 2016—2020 also increased significantly compared to 2012—2015 ( P=0.001). Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related to the treatment outcome of RR-PTB patients. The results showed that patients aged≥60 years and those classified as the re-treatment were risk factors for successful treatment of RR-PTB patients ( P<0.05). In summary, males, people aged≥60 years, patients classified as the re-treatment, and residents of Baoying County should be the key populations for RR-PTB epidemic prevention and control in Yangzhou City.