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*

Abstract In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has risen rapidly, posing a serious threat to their physical and mental health. To provide scientific, systematic, and standardized weight management guidance for overweight and obese children and adolescents, the study focuses on the core concept of healthy lifestyle intervention, integrates multidisciplinary expert opinions and research findings,and proposes a comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention framework covering scientific exercise intervention, precise nutrition and diet, optimized sleep management, and standardized psychological support. It calls for the establishment of a multi agent collaborative management mechanism led by the government, implemented by families, fostered by schools, initiated by individuals, optimized by communities, reinforced by healthcare, and coordinated by multiple stakeholders. Emphasizing a child and adolescent centered approach, the consensus advocates for comprehensive, multi level, and personalized guidance strategies to promote the internalization and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It serves as a reference and provides recommendations for the effective prevention and control of overweight and obesity, and enhancing the health level of children and adolescents.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent and intractable ocular disease induced by a variety of causes. Elevated sphingomyelin (SM) levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected on the ocular surface of DED patients, particularly in the meibomian glands. Sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2), one of the proteins involved in SM synthesis, would light a novel way of developing a DED therapy strategy. Herein, we report the design and optimization of a series of novel thiophene carboxamide derivatives to afford 14l with an improved highly potent inhibitory activity on SM synthesis (IC_{50, SMS2} = 28 nmol/L). Moreover, 14l exhibited a notable protective effect of anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis on human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) under TNF-α-hyperosmotic stress conditions in vitro, with an acceptable ocular specific distribution (corneas and meibomian glands) and pharmacokinetics (PK) profiles (t _{1/2, cornea} = 1.11 h; t _{1/2, meibomian glands} = 4.32 h) in rats. Furthermore, 14l alleviated the dry eye symptoms including corneal fluorescein staining scores and tear secretion in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Mechanically, 14l reduced the mRNA expression of Tnf-α, Il-1β and Mmp-9 in corneas, as well as the proportion of very long chain SM in meibomian glands. Our findings provide a new strategy for DED therapy based on selective SMS2 inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Zheng GanDecoction (ZGF) on tumor progression in a rat model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Seventy SD rats were subjected to regular intraperitoneal injections of DEN (50 mg/kg) for 12 weeks to induce HCC tumorigenesis, with another 10 rats receiving saline injections as the normal control. After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into 5 groups (n=10) for daily treatment with distilled water ( model group), Huaier Granules (4 g/kg; positive control group), or ZGF at low, medium, and high doses (2, 4, and 8 g/kg, respectively) via gavage for 17 weeks. Body weight changes of the rats were monitored, and after completion of the treatments, the rats were euthanized for measurement of liver, spleen and thymus indices and morphological and histopathological examinations of the liver tissues using HE staining. The expressions of YAP, p-YAP, MST1, LATS1 and p-LATS1 in the liver tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control rats, the rat models with DEN-induced HCC exhibited much poorer general condition with a significantly reduced survival rate, increased body weight and liver and spleen indices, and a lowered thymus index. ZGF treatment obviously reduced liver and spleen indices, increased the thymus index, and improved pathologies of the liver tissues of the rat models. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed a dose-dependent reduction of YAP expression and an increment of p-YAP expression in ZGF-treated rats, which also exhibited significantly upregulated hepatic expressions of MST1, LATS1 and p-LATS1. CONCLUSIONS ZGF inhibits DEN-induced HCC in rats by activating the Hippo/YAP pathway via upregulating MST1 and LATS1 expression, which promotes YAP phosphorylation and degradation to suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of the tumor cells.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Diethylnitrosamine ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Hippo Signaling Pathway ; Male ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism*

Objective To assess the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension(CTEPH)after receiving balloon pulmonary angioplasty(BPA),and to evaluate the effect of the contrast agents on renal function.Methods A total of 143 CTEPH patients,who received BPA at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital of China from December 2018 to May 2022,were enrolled in this study.The clinical data,hemodynamic indicators,and serum creatinine(SC)concentrations within one week before and 48-72 h after BPA were collected.The estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)was calculated according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease(MDRD)formula.The SC concentration and eGFR changes before and after each BPA procedure were compared.The incidence of CIN and its risk factors were evaluated,and the changes in hemodynamics,SC and eGFR after the initial and last time of BPA treatment were analyzed.Results A total of 192 BPA procedures were performed in 115 CTEPH patients,including 88 BPA procedures in males and 103 BPA procedures in females.The mean amount of contrast agent used for each BPA was(145.58±47.26)mL.After BPA,12 patients developed 13 times of CIN,with an incidence of 6.8％.There was no significant differences(P＞0.05)in the baseline characteristics and SC concentration before BPA between CIN patients and non-CIN patients.In terms of the hemodynamic indexes,the mixed venous oxygen saturation(SvO2)in CIN patients was significantly lower than that in non-CIN patients(58.58％±10.38％vs.66.15％±8.02％,P=0.002),and no statistically significant differences(P＞0.05)in the other hemodynamic indexes existed between CIN group and non-CIN group.No statistically significant differences in SC concentration and eGFR existed before and after each BPA procedure.In patients who had received several BPA procedures,significant improvements in the SC[(78.09±18.760)μmol/L vs.(82.26±21.37)μmol/L,P＜0.001]and eGFR[(86.08±21.22)mL/(min·1.73 m2)vs.(82.07±22.05)mL/(min·1.73 m2),P=0.007]was achieved when compared with their baseline values.Conclusion CTEPH patients may develop CIN after receiving BPA treatment.After receiving several BPA treatments the patient's clinical symptoms and hemodynamics can be improved,and the patient's renal function is also significantly improved.

Objective To establish an evaluation indicator system for pharmacovigilance(PV)work in medical institutions of Fujian province,and provide a reference for the PV work in healthcare facilities.Methods Based on literature analysis and interpretation of policies and regulations,combined with the practical pharmacovigilance work in Fujian province,a preliminary indicator system was constructed.Following this,three rounds of expert consultation were conducted,including two rounds of the Delphi method to determine the content of the index system,and one round of the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)to determine the weights of each index.Results A total of 9 primary indicators,23 secondary indicators,and 59 tertiary indicators were selected for the evaluation of pharmacovigilance work in health facilities of Fujian province,including pharmacovigilance organizational structure,human resources,equipment resources,development and documentation of the quality management system's procedural documents,Performance indicators for monitoring and reporting,risk identification,assessment,control and research capabilities.The consensus coefficients for three rounds of consultation with experts were 100％,100％,and 100％.The average authority coefficient of the experts was 0.878,and the expert coordination coefficients for the two rounds of Delphi method were 0.081 and 0.343,respectively(P＜0.001).In the AHP,the weight vector for primary indicators ranged from 0.023 to 0.263,with a maximum eigenvalue of 9.195.The weight vector values of the secondary indicators were from 0.096 to 1.000,and the maximum eigenvalues were 3.018-4.061;The weight vectors of the tertiary indicators were 0.143 to 1.000,and the maximum eigenvalues were from 3.000 to 5.078.The consistency ratio(CR)of each judgment matrix was between 0 and 0.051.Conclusions The constructed indicator of capability assessment model,integrating regulatory functions and the practical situation of medical institutions,can be used by regulatory authorities to assess pharmacovigilance work in medical institutions.It provides a solid reference for improving the pharmacovigilance capabilities of medical institutions in Fujian province.

Objective To investigate the difference of spontaneous hemorrhagic transformation(HT)in enlarged perivascular space(EPVS)of different site and various dilation in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods A total of 595 patients admitted to our department acute ischemic stroke from January 2021 to June 2024 were recruited in this study.Brain magnetic resonance ima-ging was conducted in all of them within 72 h after admission,and their EPVS status was collect-ed.According to the results of brain MRI,they were divided into EPVS(384 cases)and non-EPVS(211 cases)groups.Based on EPVS site,the EPVS group was further assigned into basal ganglia(135 cases),centrum semiovale(132 cases),and midbrain(117 cases)subgroups,and based on the severity,the group was also into mild(155 cases)and severe(229 cases)subgroups.Brain CT or MRI examination was re-performed on the 7th to 10th day during hospitalization to investigate the intracranial condition,and then spontaneous HT was evaluated.The incidence of spontaneous HT in the EPVS patients of different sites and severity was analyzed and compared.Results The incidence of spontaneous HT was significantly higher in the EPVS group than the non-EPVS group(27.08％vs 8.53％,P＜0.01),and the incidence of spontaneous HT was also obviously higher in the basal ganglia subgroup than the centrum semiovale subgroup and then the midbrain subgroup(40.00％vs 21.97％vs 17.95％,P＜0.01).What's more,the severe subgroup had nota-bly higher incidence of spontaneous HT than the mild subgroup(33.19％vs 18.06％,P＜0.01).Conclusion There is difference in spontaneous HT among acute ischemic stroke patients with EPVS of different site and severity.EPVS in the basal ganglia and of severe level indicates a high-er risk of spontaneous HT,and the two features can better predict the incidence of spontaneous HT.

Objective To establish an evaluation indicator system for pharmacovigilance(PV)work in medical institutions of Fujian province,and provide a reference for the PV work in healthcare facilities.Methods Based on literature analysis and interpretation of policies and regulations,combined with the practical pharmacovigilance work in Fujian province,a preliminary indicator system was constructed.Following this,three rounds of expert consultation were conducted,including two rounds of the Delphi method to determine the content of the index system,and one round of the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)to determine the weights of each index.Results A total of 9 primary indicators,23 secondary indicators,and 59 tertiary indicators were selected for the evaluation of pharmacovigilance work in health facilities of Fujian province,including pharmacovigilance organizational structure,human resources,equipment resources,development and documentation of the quality management system's procedural documents,Performance indicators for monitoring and reporting,risk identification,assessment,control and research capabilities.The consensus coefficients for three rounds of consultation with experts were 100％,100％,and 100％.The average authority coefficient of the experts was 0.878,and the expert coordination coefficients for the two rounds of Delphi method were 0.081 and 0.343,respectively(P＜0.001).In the AHP,the weight vector for primary indicators ranged from 0.023 to 0.263,with a maximum eigenvalue of 9.195.The weight vector values of the secondary indicators were from 0.096 to 1.000,and the maximum eigenvalues were 3.018-4.061;The weight vectors of the tertiary indicators were 0.143 to 1.000,and the maximum eigenvalues were from 3.000 to 5.078.The consistency ratio(CR)of each judgment matrix was between 0 and 0.051.Conclusions The constructed indicator of capability assessment model,integrating regulatory functions and the practical situation of medical institutions,can be used by regulatory authorities to assess pharmacovigilance work in medical institutions.It provides a solid reference for improving the pharmacovigilance capabilities of medical institutions in Fujian province.

Heart failure(HF)is the final stage of various cardiovascular diseases.The period of high incidence of death and readmission in patients with HF within 2 to 3 months after discharge is defined as the"vulnerable period".The management of vulnerable period focuses on how to identify high-risk groups with the need of close follow-up and more active intervention.Despite the application of various effective medical treatment and nursing strategies,readmissions in HF patients remain high,which not only poses a significant financial burden on the healthcare system but also carries the prognostic impact of worsening survival associated with repeated hospitalizations.Remote monitoring is a promising approach for early detection of worsening HF and intervention before apparent decompensation.Remote monitoring includes patient reporting of remote vital signs monitoring,wearable devices,information from cardiac implantable electronic devices and invasive remote hemodynamic monitoring.Remote cardiac monitoring devices have developed rapidly.A wide variety of monitoring devices have been developed,and trials have been conducted to explore the availability and safety of remote monitoring devices and their effectiveness in reducing the risk of HF re-hospitalization.Wearable devices are easy to be accepted by patients because of their non-invasive,portable,cost and other factors.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Zheng Gan Decoction(ZGF)on tumor progression in a rat model of diethylnitrosamine(DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and explore the possible mechanism.Methods Seventy SD rats were subjected to regular intraperitoneal injections of DEN(50 mg/kg)for 12 weeks to induce HCC tumorigenesis,with another 10 rats receiving saline injections as the normal control.After successful modeling,the rats were randomized into 5 groups(n=10)for daily treatment with distilled water(model group),Huaier Granules(4 g/kg;positive control group),or ZGF at low,medium,and high doses(2,4,and 8 g/kg,respectively)via gavage for 17 weeks.Body weight changes of the rats were monitored,and after completion of the treatments,the rats were euthanized for measurement of liver,spleen and thymus indices and morphological and histopathological examinations of the liver tissues using HE staining.The expressions of YAP,p-YAP,MST1,LATS1 and p-LATS1 in the liver tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.Results Compared with the normal control rats,the rat models with DEN-induced HCC exhibited much poorer general condition with a significantly reduced survival rate,increased body weight and liver and spleen indices,and a lowered thymus index.ZGF treatment obviously reduced liver and spleen indices,increased the thymus index,and improved pathologies of the liver tissues of the rat models.Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed a dose-dependent reduction of YAP expression and an increment of p-YAP expression in ZGF-treated rats,which also exhibited significantly upregulated hepatic expressions of MST1,LATS1 and p-LATS1.Conclusion ZGF inhibits DEN-induced HCC in rats by activating the Hippo/YAP pathway via upregulating MST1 and LATS1 expression,which promotes YAP phosphorylation and degradation to suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of the tumor cells.