Objective To systematically analyze the disease burden, long-term trends, and age-sex distribution of major valvular heart disease (VHD) subtypes—rheumatic heart disease (RHD), non-rheumatic valvular disease (NRVD), and non-rheumatic calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD)—in global, Chinese, and US populations from 1990 to 2021, providing evidence for public health strategies and clinical resource allocation. Methods Based on publicly available data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021, we extracted incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for VHD from 1990 to 2021. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) were calculated using the GBD 2021 global standard population, and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) with its 95% uncertainty interval (UI) was computed for the period. Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/Eurostat surveys, and Chinese national registries were used for trend triangulation and contextual background. Results From 1990 to 2021, the ASR and disease burden of RHD significantly decreased globally and in China (EAPC for DALYs in China: −4.8%, 95%UI: −5.0% to −4.6%). In contrast, the burden of NRVD and CAVD steadily increased in aging populations like those in China and the US, with a higher burden observed in older adults and males. In 2021, the incidence of NRVD and CAVD peaked in individuals aged ≥65 years, with rates being significantly higher in men than in women. RHD burden was concentrated in low socio-demographic index (SDI) regions, whereas NRVD/CAVD burden was strongly associated with high-SDI regions. Conclusion The global VHD epidemiological landscape is transitioning from an RHD-dominant to an NRVD/CAVD-dominant pattern. China faces a dual challenge of a residual RHD burden and a rapidly growing burden of degenerative valvular diseases. Developing tailored screening, prevention, and treatment strategies for different disease subtypes and populations is crucial.

Objective To explore the relationship between triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index and hypertension in patients with cerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 1718 patients with cere-bral hemorrhage admitted to our hospital from January,2013 to May,2023 were enrolled in this study.According to the TyG index quartile,437 cases were assigned into Q1 group(≤8.375),424 cases into Q2 group(TyG index 8.376～8.737),429 cases into Q3 group(TyG index 8.738～9.087),and 428 cases into Q4 group(≥9.088).The general clinical data were compared in the four groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to study the correlation between TyG index and hy-pertension.Results There were significant differences among the four groups in terms of age,hy-pertension,diabetes,SBP,DBP,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,FBG,glycated hemoglobin and TyG in-dex(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that when the TyG index was a con-tinuous variable,it was significantly correlated with the risk of hypertension(OR=1.999,95％CI:1.393-2.869,P=0.001).When the index was used as a categorical variable,with Q1as a ref-erence,TyG index in Q3 and Q4 was associated with an increase in OR of hypertension(OR=1.869,95％CI:1.220-2.865,P=0.004;OR=1.844,95％CI:1.125-3.020,P=0.015).After ad-justing cofounders,the association of TyG index and risk of hypertension was stronger in the fe-males(OR=2.618,95％CI:1.312-5.221,P=0.006)than the males(OR=1.783,95％CI:1.151-2.761,P=0.010),and in the patients ≥65 years old(OR=3.277,95％CI:1.600-6.741,P=0.001)than those＜65 years old(OR=1.782,95％CI:1.076-2.949,P=0.025).Conclusion TyG index is closely associated with hypertension in patients with cerebral hemorrhage,especially in women and elderly.

BACKGROUND:When performing percutaneous minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion to implant an intervertebral cage,due to the narrow operating range of the approach,there is a risk of nerve root injury or poor position of cage. To solve the above problems,a novel mechanical deformable press-fit cage (YP-cage) was invented.OBJECTIVE:To preliminarily evaluate the mechanical strength characteristics of this new lumbar fusion device YP-cage.METHODS:Static axial compression and torsion tests were conducted on 9,11,and 13 mm YP-cages (n=9) and poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK)-cages (n=9). The force-displacement curves were collected to calculate yield displacement and load,ultimate load displacement and stiffness,yield angular displacement and torque,ultimate load and angle displacement torque and stiffness for comparative analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) In the static axial compression test,YP-cage was superior to PEEK-cage in terms of stiffness,yield load,ultimate displacement,and load limit in three groups of tests (9,11,13 mm) (P<0.01),but the yield displacement of YP-cage was smaller than that of PEEK-cage (P<0.05). (2) In the static torsion test,there was no significant difference in the ultimate torsion angle between YP-cage and PEEK-cage in 9 mm group. YP-cage was lower thanPEEK-cage in yield torque,yield torsion angle,and ultimate torque (P<0.01),while YP-cage torsional stiffness was greater than PEEK-cage in 9 mm group and 11 mm group (P<0.01). (3) The results show that the novel press-fit mechanical lumbar cage has higher compressive strength than PEEK cage,but the torsional strength is not as good as PEEK-cage.

BACKGROUND:When performing percutaneous minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion to implant an intervertebral cage,due to the narrow operating range of the approach,there is a risk of nerve root injury or poor position of cage. To solve the above problems,a novel mechanical deformable press-fit cage (YP-cage) was invented.OBJECTIVE:To preliminarily evaluate the mechanical strength characteristics of this new lumbar fusion device YP-cage.METHODS:Static axial compression and torsion tests were conducted on 9,11,and 13 mm YP-cages (n=9) and poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK)-cages (n=9). The force-displacement curves were collected to calculate yield displacement and load,ultimate load displacement and stiffness,yield angular displacement and torque,ultimate load and angle displacement torque and stiffness for comparative analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) In the static axial compression test,YP-cage was superior to PEEK-cage in terms of stiffness,yield load,ultimate displacement,and load limit in three groups of tests (9,11,13 mm) (P<0.01),but the yield displacement of YP-cage was smaller than that of PEEK-cage (P<0.05). (2) In the static torsion test,there was no significant difference in the ultimate torsion angle between YP-cage and PEEK-cage in 9 mm group. YP-cage was lower thanPEEK-cage in yield torque,yield torsion angle,and ultimate torque (P<0.01),while YP-cage torsional stiffness was greater than PEEK-cage in 9 mm group and 11 mm group (P<0.01). (3) The results show that the novel press-fit mechanical lumbar cage has higher compressive strength than PEEK cage,but the torsional strength is not as good as PEEK-cage.

Objective To explore the correlation between aging and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods IPF models were established using young(2-month-old)and aged(18-month-old)C57BL/6J mice by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin(BLM)hydrochloride(2.5 mg/kg)after fully exposing the trachea.The control groups received an equal volume of saline administered in the same manner.Mice were divided randomly into four groups:a young control(Ctrl-Y)group,young model(IPF-Y)group,aged control(Ctrl-A)group,and aged model(IPF-A)group.Histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining.Collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain(COL1A1),α-smooth muscle actin(SMA),and fibronectin(FN)expression were detected by immunohistochemistry.Cell senescence was detected by senescence-associated beta-galactosidase(SA-β-Gal)staining.Differentially expressed genes were detected by transcrip tome sequencing,followed by gene ontology functional annotation(GO)and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.Core gene expression was validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results The fibrosis score was significantly higher in the IPF-A group compared with the IPF-Y group(P＜0.05).Expression levels of α-SMA,and FN were significantly upregulated in the IPF-A group versus the IPF-Y group by 36％,and 25％,respectively(P＜0.05).The SA-β-Gal-positive area indicating senescence was significantly larger in the IPF-A group than in the IPF-Y group.Fifty-five senescence-IPF interactive genes were identified,among which Cdkn1a,MMP3,and Pdcd1 were synergistically upregulated in the IPF-A group(P＜0.05).KEGG analysis revealed the activation of signaling pathways such as extracellular matrix(ECM)-receptor interaction,phagosome,cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,efferocytosis,and PI3K-Akt(FDR＜0.05).Conclusions aging promotes IPF progression,which induces lung tissue senescence.The underlying mechanism may involve ECM remodeling driven by immunosenescence,inflammatory accumulation,and metabolic disorders.

Objective To explore the correlation between aging and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods IPF models were established using young(2-month-old)and aged(18-month-old)C57BL/6J mice by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin(BLM)hydrochloride(2.5 mg/kg)after fully exposing the trachea.The control groups received an equal volume of saline administered in the same manner.Mice were divided randomly into four groups:a young control(Ctrl-Y)group,young model(IPF-Y)group,aged control(Ctrl-A)group,and aged model(IPF-A)group.Histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining.Collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain(COL1A1),α-smooth muscle actin(SMA),and fibronectin(FN)expression were detected by immunohistochemistry.Cell senescence was detected by senescence-associated beta-galactosidase(SA-β-Gal)staining.Differentially expressed genes were detected by transcrip tome sequencing,followed by gene ontology functional annotation(GO)and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.Core gene expression was validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results The fibrosis score was significantly higher in the IPF-A group compared with the IPF-Y group(P＜0.05).Expression levels of α-SMA,and FN were significantly upregulated in the IPF-A group versus the IPF-Y group by 36％,and 25％,respectively(P＜0.05).The SA-β-Gal-positive area indicating senescence was significantly larger in the IPF-A group than in the IPF-Y group.Fifty-five senescence-IPF interactive genes were identified,among which Cdkn1a,MMP3,and Pdcd1 were synergistically upregulated in the IPF-A group(P＜0.05).KEGG analysis revealed the activation of signaling pathways such as extracellular matrix(ECM)-receptor interaction,phagosome,cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,efferocytosis,and PI3K-Akt(FDR＜0.05).Conclusions aging promotes IPF progression,which induces lung tissue senescence.The underlying mechanism may involve ECM remodeling driven by immunosenescence,inflammatory accumulation,and metabolic disorders.

Objective To explore the relationship between triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index and hypertension in patients with cerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 1718 patients with cere-bral hemorrhage admitted to our hospital from January,2013 to May,2023 were enrolled in this study.According to the TyG index quartile,437 cases were assigned into Q1 group(≤8.375),424 cases into Q2 group(TyG index 8.376～8.737),429 cases into Q3 group(TyG index 8.738～9.087),and 428 cases into Q4 group(≥9.088).The general clinical data were compared in the four groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to study the correlation between TyG index and hy-pertension.Results There were significant differences among the four groups in terms of age,hy-pertension,diabetes,SBP,DBP,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,FBG,glycated hemoglobin and TyG in-dex(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that when the TyG index was a con-tinuous variable,it was significantly correlated with the risk of hypertension(OR=1.999,95％CI:1.393-2.869,P=0.001).When the index was used as a categorical variable,with Q1as a ref-erence,TyG index in Q3 and Q4 was associated with an increase in OR of hypertension(OR=1.869,95％CI:1.220-2.865,P=0.004;OR=1.844,95％CI:1.125-3.020,P=0.015).After ad-justing cofounders,the association of TyG index and risk of hypertension was stronger in the fe-males(OR=2.618,95％CI:1.312-5.221,P=0.006)than the males(OR=1.783,95％CI:1.151-2.761,P=0.010),and in the patients ≥65 years old(OR=3.277,95％CI:1.600-6.741,P=0.001)than those＜65 years old(OR=1.782,95％CI:1.076-2.949,P=0.025).Conclusion TyG index is closely associated with hypertension in patients with cerebral hemorrhage,especially in women and elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize a glycosyltransferase (RpUGT1) from Rheum palmatum and investigate its specificity toward flavonoid compounds. METHODS: The RpUGT1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and screened for catalytic activity against a range of flavonoid substrates using a high-throughput HPLC assay method. Mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to determine the structure of the product. Homology modeling, molecular docking analyses and site-directed mutagenesis studies were conducted to identify key residues responsible for its function. RESULTS: The recombinant RpUGT1 protein exhibited catalytic activity towards various flavonoids. Notably, RpUGT1 catalyzed the glycosylation of isorhamnetin to form 3-O-glucoside and kaempferol to form 7-O-glucoside, utilizing uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucose as the sugar donor. The homology modeling and molecular docking analyses identified key residues responsible for its activity. Subsequent site-directed mutagenesis studies highlighted the crucial role of K307 in catalysis. CONCLUSION These discoveries offer valuable perspectives on the role of the UGT family and establish a groundwork for forthcoming research on the synthesis of flavonoids in plants.

Objective:By analyzing the disease spectrum and composition of inpatients in general surgery department of a children′s hospital in Beijing from January 2018 to June 2024, to understand the impact of the COVID-19 on the number of inpatients in children′s hospitals and the composition of disease types, and to provide scientific evidence for hospital capacity building and medical response after the outbreak of the epidemic.Methods:The hospitalization medical records of children in the general surgery ward of the children′s hospital from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2024 were collected. SPSS 22.0 software and EXCEL tools were used to analyze the ranking and composition of general surgery diseases in the hospital from three dimensions: different years, different genders, and different age groups. At the same time, the source of children in the hospital was counted by province.Results:Overall, the total number of hospitalized children has shown a significant decrease since 2020, and has since slowly rebounded; Acute appendicitis, inguinal hernia, and common bile duct cyst rank among the top three diseases annually; From a gender perspective, inguinal hernia and acute appendicitis are the most common in male children, while acute appendicitis and common bile duct cysts are the most common in female children; In terms of age, the 1-year-old group has the highest number of patients with inguinal hernia, while the 5-year-old and 10-18-year-old groups have the highest number of patients with acute appendicitis; Compared with 2018-2019, the number of hospitalized children with inguinal hernia decreased sharply in the first half of 2020-2024, and the first priority disease changed from inguinal hernia to acute appendicitis.Conclusions:This study analyzed the disease spectrum and composition of the children′s hospital before and after the COVID-19 epidemic, which has important reference value for the capacity building, resource allocation and epidemic response of the children′s hospital.

Objective:To explore baseline clinical and imaging characteristics of children with neonatal arterial ischaemic stroke based on their long-term motor function prognoses.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, were collected from 31 neonates diagnosed with ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neonataology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province between January 2015 and December 2019. Unified follow-up was conducted between May and July 2024. Long-term motor function outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin scale(mRS) and categorized into two groups: the good motor function group (mRS score 0-1) and the motor impairment group (mRS score≥2).Baseline clinical and imaging data were summarized for all children, and differences between the two groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher′s exact test. Results:A total of 31 neonates (21 males, 10 females) with an admission age of 1-19 days, all diagnosed within 28 days of birth, were included. At follow-up, 4-8 years after disease onset, 26 neonates (84%) showed good motor function, while 5 (16%) had motor impairments. Compared to the good motor function group, the motor impairment group had higher proportions of females (4/5 vs. 23% (6/26)), main middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction (4/5 vs. 19% (5/26)), basal ganglia involvement (4/5 vs. 27% (7/26)), corticospinal tract involvement (posterior limb of internal capsule (PLIC) 5/5 vs. 38% (10/26) and cerebral peduncles 5/5 vs. 31% (8/26)) shown by MRI images, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid (4/5 vs. 15% (4/26))(all P<0.05).No significant differences were observed in gestational age, birth weight, abnormalities in muscle tone or primitive reflexes at admission or discharge, or abnormal EEG findings (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Neonatal arterial ischemic stroke commonly manifests as seizures, which are generally controllable, with a relatively stable clinical course and a low incidence of long-term motor impairment. Children with long-term motor impairments are more likely to have main MCA infarction, basal ganglia and corticospinal tract involvement (PLIC and cerebral peduncles), as well as meconium-stained amniotic fluid. This condition is also more commonly observed in females.