Objective To systematically analyze the characteristics of the disease burden of hypertensive heart disease (HHD) in the elderly (≥60 years) globally and in China from 1990 to 2021, and to predict its future trends from 2022 to 2040, with the aim of providing data support for optimizing comprehensive prevention and control strategies for HHD. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, the number of prevalent cases and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of HHD in the elderly were extracted for the world, China, and five regions categorized by sociodemographic index (SDI). Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the temporal trends of age-standardized prevalence rate and age-standardized DALYs rate of HHD in the elderly. A three-factor decomposition method was applied to evaluate the relative contributions of aging, population growth, and epidemiological changes to the variations in the elderly HHD burden. Additionally, a Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to predict the elderly HHD burden from 2022 to 2040. Results In 2021, the number of prevalent elderly HHD cases reached 10 283 000 globally and 3 412 400 in China, representing increases of 179.20% and 159.20% respectively, compared with 1990. The DALYs of elderly HHD were 18 812 700 person-years globally and 4 731 400 person-years in China, rising by 76.08% and 29.45% respectively from 1990. Meanwhile, the growth rates of the number of prevalent cases and DALYs of elderly HHD varied across different SDI regions. From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized prevalence rate of elderly HHD in China, as well as the age-standardized DALYs rate of elderly HHD both globally and in China, showed significant downward trends (all average annual percentage changes<0, all P<0.001). In 2021, the 70-74 years age group accounted for the highest proportion of prevalent cases and DALYs of elderly HHD, both globally and in China. Decomposition analysis revealed that population growth was the dominant factor driving the increase in the elderly HHD burden across all regions. The prediction model results indicated that the number of prevalent cases and DALYs of elderly HHD would continue to rise globally and in China from 2022 to 2040, with the growth rate of the elderly HHD burden in China between 2021 and 2040 expected to exceed the global average. Conclusion Over the past 32 years, although the age-standardized disease rates of elderly HHD have mainly shown a downward trend globally and in China, the absolute number of the disease burden has increased substantially. The projection model indicates a continued upward trajectory, with the growth rate in China higher than the global average. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement precise prevention and control strategies to effectively mitigate the disease burden of elderly HHD.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a medical condition characterized by cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and mitochondrial Ca²⁺ overload in cardiomyocytes have been recognized as biological hallmarks in DCM; however, the specific factors underlying these abnormalities remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of a cardiac-specific long noncoding RNA, D830005E20Rik (Trdn-as), in DCM. Our results revealed the remarkably upregulation of Trdn-as in the hearts of the DCM mice and cardiomyocytes treated with high glucose (HG). Knocking down Trdn-as in cardiac tissues significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in the DCM mice. Conversely, Trdn-as overexpression resulted in cardiac damage resembling that observed in the DCM mice. At the cellular level, Trdn-as induced Ca²⁺ overload in the SR and mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analyses identified calsequestrin 2 (Casq2), a primary calcium-binding protein in the junctional SR, as a potential target of Trdn-as. Further investigations revealed that Trdn-as facilitated the recruitment of METTL14 to the Casq2 mRNA, thereby enhancing the m⁶A modification of Casq2. This modification increased the stability of Casq2 mRNA and subsequently led to increased protein expression. When Casq2 was knocked down, the promoting effects of Trdn-as on Ca²⁺ overload and mitochondrial damage were mitigated. These findings provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of DCM and suggest Trdn-as as a potential therapeutic target for this condition.
Animals ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/pathology* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Mice ; Calsequestrin/genetics* ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Male ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mitochondria, Heart/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mitochondria/metabolism*

Immunotherapy has emerged as a revolutionary approach to treat immune-related diseases. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in orchestrating immune responses, making them an attractive target for immunotherapeutic interventions. Modulation of gene expression in DCs using genome editing techniques, such as the CRISPR-Cas system, is important for regulating DC functions. However, the precise delivery of CRISPR-based therapies to DCs has posed a significant challenge. While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been extensively studied for gene editing in tumor cells, their potential application in DCs has remained relatively unexplored. This study investigates the important role of cholesterol in regulating the efficiency of BAMEA-O16B lipid-assisted nanoparticles (BLANs) as carriers of CRISPR/Cas9 for gene editing in DCs. Remarkably, BLANs with low cholesterol density exhibit exceptional mRNA uptake, improved endosomal escape, and efficient single-guide RNA release capabilities. Administration of BLAN_mCas9/gPD-L1 results in substantial PD-L1 gene knockout in conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), accompanied by heightened cDC1 activation, T cell stimulation, and significant suppression of tumor growth. The study underscores the pivotal role of cholesterol density within LNPs, revealing potent influence on gene editing efficacy within DCs. This strategy holds immense promise for the field of cancer immunotherapy, offering a novel avenue for treating immune-related diseases.

Objective: To investigate the trends in incidence and epidemiological characteristics of notifiable infectious diseases in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2023, so as to provide insights into optimizing infectious disease surveillance and control. Methods: Data of notifiable infectious disease cases in Huzhou City from 2005 to 2023 were collected from the Infectious Disease Report Information System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Trends in incidence were analyzed using annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). The population distribution and seasonal characteristics were descriptively analyzed. Results: From 2005 to 2023, a total of 504 283 cases of notifiable infectious diseases were reported in Huzhou City, with an annual crude incidence rate of 892.65/105 and a standardized incidence rate of 989.21/105. The incidence rate of notifiable infectious diseases in Huzhou City showed an upward trend (AAPC=8.886%, P<0.05), of which there was an obvious upward trend from 2021 to 2023 (APC=95.996%, P<0.05). After the removal of COVID-19 incidence, the incidence trend was basically unchanged (AAPC=7.970%, P<0.05). From 2005 to 2023, the incidence rate of class A and B notifiable infectious diseases showed no obvious trend (P>0.05), and the incidence rate of class A and B respiratory infectious diseases showed an upward trend (AAPC=6.958%, P<0.05). After the removal of COVID-19 incidence, the two showed a downward trend (AAPC=-7.680% and -8.660%, both P<0.05). The incidence rate of class A and class B intestinal infectious diseases, blood-borne and sexually transmitted infectious diseases showed a downward trend (AAPC=-14.849% and -5.977%, both P<0.05), while the incidence rates of natural and insect-borne infectious diseases did not show a significant trend (P>0.05). The overall incidence rate of class C infectious diseases showed an upward trend (AAPC=13.058%, P<0.05). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of notifiable infectious diseases between males and females was 1.26 (95%CI: 1.25-1.27). A total of 204 043 cases under 10 years were reported, accounting for 40.46%. The peak incidence of class A and B respiratory infectious diseases was in January, May and June, while that of class A and B intestinal infectious diseases was from June to October. The peak incidence of class C respiratory infectious diseases was in January, March, April and December, while that of class C intestinal infectious diseases was from May to August and from November to December. Conclusions The incidence rate of notifiable infectious diseases in Huzhou City showed an upward trend from 2005 to 2023, which was more obvious from 2021 to 2023. Men and children under 10 years were the high-risk population. The incidence of respiratory and intestinal infectious diseases had obvious seasonal characteristics.

Objective: To investigate the epidemilogical characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2014 to 2023, so as to provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures for the construction of "TB-free city". Methods: The data of pulmonary tuberculosis cases in Huzhou City from 2014 to 2023 was collected through the Infectious Disease Reporting Management System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The onset time, region, and population distribution characteristics of the cases were described. Results: A total of 11 598 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were reported in Huzhou City from 2014 to 2023, with an average annual incidence of 37.42/105. The reported incidence decreased from 47.50/105 in 2014 to 28.36/105 in 2023 (P<0.05), with an annual decline rate of 5.57%. There were 6 304 etiological positive cases, accounting for 54.35%. The peak season for pulmonary tuberculosis cases was from March to September, with the highest seasonal ratio of 112.48% in May. The average annual reported incidence rates in Anji County and Changxing County were relatively high (46.14/105 and 41.15/105). The reported incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in Huzhou City increased with age (P<0.05), peaking at 97.36/105 in the group aged 75 to <80 years. There were 7 991 male pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 3 607 female cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.22∶1. The average annual incidence rates of pulmonary tuberculosis was higher in males than in females (50.39/105 vs. 23.87/105). Farmers were the primary occupation affected, with 6 350 cases accounting for 54.75%. Conclusions The reported incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in Huzhou City decreased from 2014 to 2023, with a high incidence in spring and summer. The incidence rates in Anji County and Changxing County were higher than Huzhou City's average. Male, elderly residents and farmers were the key populations for pulmonary tuberculosis prevention and control.

Objective : To understand the epidemiological characteristics of notifiable respiratory infectious diseases in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2022, so as to provide insights into formulation of respiratory infectious disease prevention and control strategies. Methods: The data pertaining to notifiable respiratory infectious disease in Huzhou City from 2017 to 2022 were collected through the Infectious Disease Report Information System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Epidemiological characteristics of notifiable respiratory infectious disease was analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. : Results Conclusions: A total of 31 314 cases of notifiable respiratory infectious diseases were reported in Huzhou City from 2017 to 2022, with an average annual reported incidence of 169.12/105. The reported incidence of notifiable respiratory infectious diseases appeared a tendency towards a rise in Huzhou City from 2017 to 2022 (P<0.05). The top six reported diseases in terms of case numbers were influenza (20 048 cases), tuberculosis (6 920 cases), COVID-19 (1 893 cases), mumps (1 413 cases), pertussis (475 cases) and scarlet fever (442 cases), accounting for 99.61% of the total cases. The incidence of influenza, COVID-19 and pertussis showed a tendency towards a rise, the incidence of mumps and tuberculosis showed a tendency towards a decline (all P<0.05), and scarlet fever remained at a low-level incidence (P>0.05). Respiratory infectious diseases were mainly reported in winter (January, February and December), with 14 644 cases accounting for 46.77%. There were 15 068 cases reported in schools and kindergartens, accounting for 48.12%. The incidence showed a U-shaped variation with age, with the highest incidence in residents at ages of 10 years and below (987.68/105), and showing a tendency towards a rise in residents at ages of 60 years and above. The incidence of respiratory infectious diseases in Huzhou City from 2017 to 2022 increased significantly. Influenza, tuberculosis, COVID-19, mumps and pertussis are key notifiable respiratory infectious diseases. Residents at ages of 10 years and below and 60 years and above should be given a high priority for respiratory infectious disease control.

AIM:To explore the therapeutic effect of teprenone(geranylgeranylacetone,GGA)on lipopolysac-charide(LPS)-induced cardiac dysfunction and its mechanism.METHODS:(1)Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 wild-type mice and carboxyl terminus of heat shock protein 70(HSP70)-interacting protein(CHIP)gene knockout mice were randomly divided into control group,LPS group,LPS+GGA group and GGA group,with 8 mice in each group.The model was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS(25 mg/kg),and 1 h after LPS stimulation,mice were given intraperito-neal injection of GGA(100 mg/kg).The technique of high-resolution ultrasonography system was used to evaluate the car-diac function of mice.The serum of mice from each group were collected to detect the levels of creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH).HE staining was performed to observe histological changes of cardiac tissues.ELISA was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in cardiac tissues.West-ern blot was used to detect the protein levels of HSP70,CHIP,karyopherin-α 2(KPNA2),myeloperoxidase(MPO),vas-cular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM),intercellular cell adhesion molecule(ICAM),and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)in cardiac tissues.(2)In vitro cell inflammation model was established using mouse myocardial cells HL-1 stimulated with LPS.ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in cell supernatants.Western blot was used to detect the pro-tein expression levels of HSP70,CHIP,and KPNA2 in myocardial cells.Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the content of nuclear NF-κB.RESULTS:(1)GGA effectively improved cardiac function of LPS-stimulated mice,significantly increased ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening(P<0.01),reduced serum levels of CK-MB and LDH(P<0.01),and alleviated myocardial injury.(2)GGA significantly reduced the release of TNF-α and IL-6 caused by LPS(P<0.01),as well as nuclear translocation of NF-κB,decreased the levels of KPNA2,MPO,VCAM and ICAM in cardiac tissues,and increased the levels of HSP70 in cardiac tissues and cells(P<0.01).(3)In CHIP knockout myocardial cells and mice,GGA failed to inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory response and lost its effect on im-proving cardiac function.CONCLUSION:The protective effect of GGA against LPS-caused cardiac dysfunction of mice is related to increasing expression of HSP70 and promoting CHIP activation,which inhibits the translocation of NF-κB into nucleus and suppresses inflammatory factor release.CHIP knockout abolishes the effects of GGA on reducing LPS-induced inflammatory response and myocardial injury.

Objective:To explore the value of difference value and relative value of pulmonary vascular quantitative parameters of biphasic CT in diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and high-risk groups.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. A retrospective study of 624 patients who underwent biphasic chest CT scanning in the Second Affiliated Hospital of PLA Naval Medical University from August 2018 to December 2020. Subjects were divided into three groups according to pulmonary function test: normal group ( n=321), preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) ( n=204) and COPD group ( n=99). The pulmonary vascular quantitative parameters were obtained by the workstation, including the number of pulmonary vessels (N total), cross-sectional area less than that of 5 mm 2 (N CSA5), vessel area (VA total) of 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 mm from the pleura, total blood vessels volume (TBV) and total blood vessels volume under 5 mm 2 (BV5) at expiratory and inspiratory phase. The difference value, relative value of biphasic CT were calculated. ANOVA test or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the differences of pulmonary vascular quantitative parameters among the three groups, and LSD or Bonferroni tests were used for multiple comparisons. Results:The N total, N CSA5, VA total of the whole lung in the inspiratory phase at the level of 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 mm from the pleura and TBV, BV5 in the normal group, PRISm group and COPD group, showed an overall trend of decreasing and then increasing, and the PRISm group was lower than those of the normal group ( P<0.05). The differences in N total, N CSA5, VA total between the COPD group and the normal group at the level of 9 and 21 mm from the pleura were not statistically significant ( P>0.05), while the N total, N CSA5, V Atotal of biphasic difference value and relative value in COPD group demonstrated a significant difference from those in normal group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The difference value and relative value of pulmonary vascular quantitative parameters in biphasic CT are more useful than single inspiratory-phase vascular parameters to differentiate the changes in pulmonary vascular remodeling between COPD patients and the normal population, and also to complement the pulmonary vascular characteristics of the PRISm population, which can provide a basis for early warning of COPD and high-risk populations.

Objective:To explore the differences of functional small airway and pulmonary vascular parameters in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of different imaging phenotypes.Methods:One hundred and thirty COPD patients underwent biphasic CT scanning in Shanghai Changzheng Hospital from August 2018 to August 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were classified into three phenotypes based on the presence of emphysema and bronchial wall thickening on CT images. Phenotype A: no emphysema or mild emphysema, with or without bronchial wall thickening; Phenotype E: obvious emphysema without bronchial wall thickening; phenotype M: significant emphysema and bronchial wall thickening were present. Parametric response map (PRM) and pulmonary vascular parameters were quantitatively measured at the whole lung level. PRM parameters included the volume of emphysema (PRMV Emphysema), the volume of functional small airway (PRMV fSAD), the volume of normal pulmonary parenchyma (PRMV Normal) and its volume percentage (%). Pulmonary vascular parameters included the number of vessels (N) and cross-sectional area vessels<5 mm 2 (N -CSA<5) at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 21, 24 mm distance from the pleura. ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used to compare the differences for PRM and pulmonary vascular parameters among the three phenotypes, and LSD or Bonferroni tests were used for multiple comparisons. Results:There were significant differences among the three phenotypes for PRMV fSAD, PRMV Emphysema, PRMV fSAD%, PRMV Emphysema%, and PRMV Normal% at the whole lung level ( P<0.05). PRMV Emphysema, PRMV Emphysema%, PRMV Fsad, PRMV fSAD% of phenotype A were lower than those of phenotype E and M ( P<0.001), while there was no significant difference for PRMV Emphysema, PRMV Emphysema%, PRMV fSAD, PRMV fSAD% between phenotype E and phenotype M ( P>0.05). There were significant differences in N and N -CSA<5 that 6 mm distance from the pleura among the three groups( P<0.05). Among them, N and N -CSA<5 that 6 mm distance from pleura in phenotype M were significantly lower than those in phenotype A( P<0.001,0.002); No significant differences was found in N between phenotype M and phenotype E( P>0.05), while there was significant differences in N -CSA<5 between phenotype M and phenotype E( P=0.034). Conclusion:Biphasic quantitative CT analysis can reflect the heterogeneity of the functional small airways and pulmonary vascular abnormality in COPD with different phenotypes, and provide objective evidence for individualized diagnosis and treatment.

ObjectiveTo analyze the polarized light microscopic characteristics， the composition of physical phases and their relative contents of Maifanitum from different origins， and to establish the Fourier characteristic fingerprint of Maifanitum powder crystals by X-ray diffraction（XRD）. MethodA total of 26 batches of Maifanitum samples were selected， and the microscopic characteristics of the sample powders and grinding flakes were observed by polarized light microscopy under single polarized light and orthogonal polarized light， and the main phase compositions and their relative contents were analyzed by powder crystal XRD technique， and the XRD Fourier characteristic fingerprint of Maifanitum was established. The incident light source of XRD was Cu target Kβ radiation， the light tube voltage and light tube current were 40 kV and 40 mA， respectively， the divergence slit was 1°， the scattering slit was 1°， the receiving slit was 0.2 mm， the scanning speed was 5°·min^-1 with continuous scanning and scanning range of 5-90°（2θ）， and the step length was 0.02°. ResultThe polarized light micrographs of powders and grinding flakes of Maifanitum were obtained， and the main phases were plagioclase， potassium feldspar and quartz， and a few samples also contained illite， pyrite， iron dolomite， calcite， iron amphibole and chlorite， etc. The relative total content of feldspar phases was 61.9%-82.4%， and the relative content of quartz was 12.6%-33.6%. The XRD Fourier fingerprint analysis method of Maifanitum with 13 common peaks as the characteristic fingerprint information was established， and the similarity calculated by the mean correlation coefficient method was 0.920 9-0.997 7， the similarity calculated by the mean angle cosine method was 0.940 5-0.998 4， the similarity calculated by the median correlation coefficient method was 0.921 1-0.997 5， and the similarity calculated by the median angle cosine method was 0.947 5-0.998 2. ConclusionThe polarized light microscopic identification characteristics of Maifanitum are mainly plagioclase， quartz and potassium feldspar， and the technique of powder crystal XRD Fourier fingerprint analysis can be used for the identification of Maifanitum.