BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) presents a significant health burden in Asia and remains a critical challenge. This study aims to delineate the PAH burden in Asia from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: Using the latest data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021, we evaluated and analyzed the distributions and patterns of PAH disease burden among various age groups, sexes, regions, and countries in Asia. Additionally, we examined the associations between PAH disease burden and key health system indicators, including the socio-demographic index (SDI) and the universal health coverage (UHC) index. RESULTS: In 2021, there were 25,989 new PAH cases, 103,382 existing cases, 13,909 PAH-associated deaths, and 385,755 DALYs attributed to PAH in Asia, which accounted for approximately 60% of global PAH cases. The age-standardized rates (ASRs) for prevalence and deaths were 2.05 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 1.66-2.52) per 100,000 population and 0.31 (95% UI: 0.23-0.38) per 100,000 population, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, Asia reported the lowest ASRs for PAH prevalence but the highest ASRs for deaths compared to other continents. While the ASRs for prevalence increased slightly, ASRs for mortality and DALYs decreased over time. This increasing burden of PAH was primarily driven by population growth and aging. The burden was especially pronounced among individuals aged ≥60 years and <9 years, who collectively accounted for the majority of deaths and DALYs. Moreover, higher SDI and UHC levels were linked to reduced incidence, but higher prevalence rates. CONCLUSIONS Although progress has been made in reducing PAH-related mortality and DALYs, the disease continues to impose a substantial burden in Asia, particularly among older adults and young children. Region-specific health policies should focus on improving early diagnosis, expanding access to treatment, and effectively addressing the growing PAH burden in the region.
Humans ; Global Burden of Disease ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Asia/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Aged ; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/mortality* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/epidemiology*

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism mediating the regulatory effect of miR-155-5p on proliferation of human submandibular gland epithelial cells (HSGECs) in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-155-5p and the PI3K/AKT pathway. In a HSGEC model of pSS induced by simulation with TRAIL and INF-γ, the effects of miR-155-inhibitor-NC or miR-155 inhibitor on cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated using CKK8 assay, flow cytometry and colony formation assay. ELISA and RT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and miR-155-5p mRNA in the cells; Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of proteins in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. RESULTS: Dual luciferase assay showed that miR-155-5p targets the PI3K/AKT pathway via PIK3R1 mRNA. The HSGEC model of pSS showed significantly decreased cell viability, cell clone formation ability and expressions IL-10 and IL-4 and increased cell apoptosis, cell percentage in G2 phase, expressions of TNF‑α, IL-6, miR-155-5p and PIK3R1 mRNA, p-PI3K/PI3K ratio, p-Akt/AKT ratio, and PIK3R1 protein expression. Treatment of the cell models with miR-155 inhibitor significantly increased the cell viability, G1 phase cell percentage, colony formation ability, and expressions of IL-10 and IL-4 levels, and obviously reduced cell apoptosis rate, G2 phase cell percentage, expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, miR-155-5p and PIK3R1 mRNA, p-PI3K/PI3K ratio, p-AKT/AKT ratio, and PIK3R1 protein expression. CONCLUSIONS In HSGEC model of pSS, inhibition of miR-155-5p can promote cell proliferation and reduced cell apoptosis by targeting PI3K1 mRNA to negatively regulate the overexpression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Signal Transduction ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Sjogren's Syndrome/pathology* ; Epithelial Cells/cytology* ; Submandibular Gland/cytology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; Cells, Cultured

Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of serum tumor necrosis fac-tor-α(TNF-α),adiponectin(ADP)and their ratio in patients with depression.Methods A total of 40 patients with depression admitted to Shandong Daizhuang Hospital from January to December 2020 were selected as the observation group,and 26 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group.The observation group was treated with oral antidepressants for four weeks,and the severity of depressive symptoms was assessed by Hamilton depression scale(HAMD).The levels of serum TNF-α and ADP in the observation group before and after treatment and the control group were detected by ELISA,and the change of TNF-α/ADP was ana-lyzed.Results HAMD scores of the observation group were 25.5(21.0,30.0)before treatment and 2.0(1.0,4.0)after treatment,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of TNF-α and TNF-α/ADP in the observation group before treatment were higher than those in the control group,which af-ter treatment were also higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).The level of ADP in the observation group after treatment was lower than that before treatment and in the control group,the differences were sta-tistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The level of TNF-α/ADP in patients with depression is more ob-vious than TNF-α.

Objective:To explore the effects of coenzyme Q10(CoQ10) on high-fat diet-induced obesity, lipid disorders, and bile acid metabolism in mice.Methods:Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group(regular chow), high-fat diet group(45% high-fat chow), and CoQ10 intervention group(45% high-fat chow+ 100 mg·kg -1·d -1CoQ10) based on their body weights according to the randomized block design. The body weight and food intake of mice in each group were collected. The levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were detected. The contents of 17 bile acids in serum, liver, and colon contents of mice were detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass(UPLC-MS/MS). The protein expressions of cholesterol 12α-hydroxylase(CYP8B1) and oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7B1) in liver were detected by Western blotting. Results:CoQ10 significantly reduced body weight and ameliorated lipid metabolism disorders in mice fed a high-fat diet. Compared with the control group, serum total bile acid levels were reduced in the high-fat diet group( P<0.05); CoQ10 intervention elevated serum and colonic total bile acid levels( P=0.021, P=0.014) and increased liver, colon, and serum deoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid levels( P<0.05) in the mice compared with the high-fat diet group. Both colonic and serum deoxycholic acid levels in the CoQ10 intervention group were negatively correlated with body weights( P=0.024, P=0.019), and colonic deoxycholic acid and total cholesterol levels were also negatively correlated( P=0.006). CoQ10 increased the expression of CYP8B1 and CYP7B1 proteins in the liver of mice. Conclusion:CoQ10 can modulate bile acid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed mice and alleviate their obesity and lipid metabolism disorders.

Objective To explore whether voluntary wheel running affects liver oxidative stress by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway,thereby alleviating HFFC diet-related lipid deposition in the liver.Methods Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal diet group(NC group,n=10)and high-fat,fructose,and cholesterol diet group(HFFC group,n=20)after 1 week of adaptive feeding.Ten weeks of feeding later,mice in the HFFC group were divided into a quiet group(HFFC group,n=10)and HFFC combined with exercise group(HFFC+EX group,n=10).HFFC+EX group mice were caged with voluntary running wheels for free movement,and the number of running wheels was recorded every day for 8 weeks.After the last treatment,the mice were sacrificed by fasting for 12 hours at an interval of 24 hours,and the blood and liver were collected for analysis.Results(1)Body weight,liver weight,and liver index of mice fed the HFFC diet were significantly higher than those of the NC group,which significantly decreased after exercise(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the NC group,HDL-C and LDL-C in the HFFC group were significantly increased,and the LDL-C level was significantly decreased after 8 weeks of exercise(P＜0.05).(3)The liver fat droplet area and liver TG content in the HFFC group were significantly higher than those in the NC group,whereas those in HFFC+EX group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).(4)Compared with the NC group,the content of oxidase MDA in the HFFC group were significantly increased,and nuclear translocation and gene expression of Nrf2 were significantly decreased.After exercise,the activities of SOD and T-AOC were significantly increased,and the nuclear translocation and gene expression of Nrf2 and expression levels of HO-1 and SOD-1 were significantly increased(P＜0.05).(5)The number of apoptotic hepatocytes and CHOP expression in the HFFC diet group were significantly higher than those in the NC group,whereas the number of apoptotic hepatocytes,and CHOP and Bax/Bcl-2 expression in the exercise group were significantly lower than those in the NC group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Voluntary wheel can alleviate HFFC diet induced liver lipid deposition by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway,thereby alleviating oxidative stress and reducing apoptosis in liver cells.

Objective:To explore the psychometric characteristics of the Chinese version of the health-related social capital scale.Methods:From March to May 2020, after the original scale was translated into Chinese following the Brislin improved translation model, 251 community-dwelling senior citizens aged 65 and above were selected by convenient sampling method. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0, including tests of significance, correlation analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis.Results:Exploratory factor analysis extracted three factors: social participation, social cohesion, and reciprocity, which accounted for a cumulative contribution rate of 61.72%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the three-factor model fitted well(χ 2/ df=1.22, RMSEA=0.04, CFI=0.98, GFI=0.93, IFI=0.98, TLI=0.97). Social capital was significantly correlated with perceived social support positively ( r=0.36, P<0.01), and with loneliness negatively ( r=-0.30, P<0.01). The three factors were significantly correlated with the total scale ( r=0.85, 0.50 and 0.52, respectively, all P<0.01). And correlations between the items of each factor were 0.24-0.55, 0.30-0.59, 0.44-0.70, respectively(all P<0.01). The Cronbach's α coefficients of the total scale and three factors were 0.74, 0.72, 0.65 and 0.62, respectively(all P<0.01), and their retest reliability were 0. 92, 0. 87, 0. 82 and 0. 96, respectively(all P<0.01). Conclusion:The Chinese version of health-related social capital scale conforms to the three-factor model with good reliability and validity, which can be used to assess the social capital status of community-dwelling older adults in China.

Performance evaluation of administrative personnel is challenging for performance reform of public hospitals. Constructing a reasonable performance evaluation plan for such personnel is conducive to promoting the high-quality and efficient development of hospitals. Hospital H has been exploring the implementation of performance evaluation reform for administrative personnel since 2019. Firstly, it clarified the responsibilities of various administrative management positions throughout the hospital and adopted the Hay position evaluation method for job value evaluation. Secondly, based on this, a performance evaluation index system covering common indexes, personality indexes, and implicit ability indexes was constructed, and the calculation and distribution methods of performance bonuses were clarified. The development of common indexes was based on the hospital′s " 14th Five Year Plan" , while individual indexes were used as key performance evaluation points of each department formulated according to the hospital′s annual key work breakdowns and the " 14th Five Year Plan" . The implicit ability index was constructed based on the competency model to guide and promote the personal development of employees. Finally, the hospital established a feedback and monitoring mechanism to ensure the steady operation of the performance evaluation plan. Thanks to the performance reform of administrative personnel based on job value evaluation, Hospital H has eliminated the phenomenon of " egalitarianism" in the distribution of administrative personnel performance, played a guiding and motivating role in performance evaluation for employees, and achieved better implementation of the hospital′s strategic goals. This can provide reference for the performance reform of administrative personnel in other medical institutions.

Advances in novel drugs, therapies, and genetic techniques have revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, substantially improving cancer patients' prognosis. Although rare tumors account for a non-negligible number, the practice of precision medicine and development of novel therapies are largely hampered by many obstacles. Their low incidence and drastic regional disparities result in the difficulty of informative evidence-based diagnosis and subtyping. Sample exhaustion due to difficulty in diagnosis also leads to a lack of recommended therapeutic strategies in clinical guidelines, insufficient biomarkers for prognosis/efficacy, and inability to identify potential novel therapies in clinical trials. Herein, by reviewing the epidemiological data of Chinese solid tumors and publications defining rare tumors in other areas, we proposed a definition of rare tumor in China, including 515 tumor types with incidences of less than 2.5/100 000 per year. We also summarized the current diagnosis process, treatment recommendations, and global developmental progress of targeted drugs and immunotherapy agents on the status quo. Lastly, we pinpointed the current recommendation chance for patients with rare tumors to be involved in a clinical trial by NCCN. With this informative report, we aimed to raise awareness on the importance of rare tumor investigations and guarantee a bright future for rare tumor patients.
Humans ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; Biomarkers ; Prognosis ; Oceans and Seas ; China/epidemiology*

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a clinically effective therapy in anemia, for example in patients with malignancies (Shander et al., 2020), bleeding (Odutayo et al., 2017), and preoperative anemia (Padmanabhan et al., 2019). The past few decades have witnessed a shortage of blood for transfusion due to limited health insurance coverage for blood use and the rapid expansion of hospitals (Chen et al., 2011; Shi et al., 2014). Blood donation levels may easily be affected by general changes in the environment, policy, major events such as disasters, and public sentiment (Hu et al., 2019). Meanwhile, the transfusion of allogeneic RBC is a double-edged sword, increasing the possibility of infectious and immunological complications, and also leading to higher morbidity and mortality after transfusion (Frank et al., 2012). Considering that the continual shortfall has been increasingly prominent, identifying the factors associated with RBC transfusion could help blood transfusion departments to improve their supply of blood products as well as their inventory management (O'Donnell et al., 2018).