BACKGROUND: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) is a major concern for medication safety as it may entail more harm than potential benefits for older adults. This study aimed to explore the prescribing rate, healthcare utilization, and expenditure of older adults using PIMs in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using a national representative database of all medical insurance beneficiaries across China, extracting ambulatory visit records of adults aged 65 years and above between 2015 and 2017. Descriptive analysis was conducted to measure the rate of patients exposed to PIM, prescribing rate of each PIM, average annual outpatient visits per patient, average total medication costs for each visit, average annual cost of PIMs for each patient, and average annual medication costs for each patient. Generalized linear model with logit link function and binomial distribution was used to examine the adjusted associations between PIMs and independent variables. RESULTS: In total, 845,278 (33.2%) participants were identified to be exposed to at least one PIM. Patients aged 75-84 years (38.1%, 969,809/2,545,430) and ≥85 years (37.9%, 964,718/2,545,430) were more likely to be prescribed with PIMs. Beneficiaries of the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and living in eastern and southern regions were more frequently prescribed with PIMs. Compared with patients without PIM exposure (7.5 visits, drug cost of RMB 1545.0 Yuan), patients with PIM exposure showed higher adjusted average annual number of outpatient visits (10.7 visits, β = 3.228, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.196-3.261) and higher annual drug costs (RMB 2461.8 Yuan, Coef. = 916.864, 95% CI = RMB 906.292-927.436 Yuan). CONCLUSIONS The results showed that the use of PIM among older adults was common in China. This study suggests that the use of PIM could be considered as a clear target, pending multidimensional efforts, to promote rational prescribing for older adults.
Humans ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; Male ; Female ; China ; Inappropriate Prescribing/economics* ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Potentially Inappropriate Medication List/statistics & numerical data* ; Health Expenditures/statistics & numerical data*

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.

Objective:To compare the antiplatelet effects of vicagrel and clopidogrel in patients with different cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 genotypes.Methods:This is a post-hoc analysis of a phase Ⅱ clinical trial of vicagrel, which included patients with coronary heart disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention from August 2018 to June 2019 in 18 centers. Patients were categorized based on the presence of CYP 2C19 *2 or *3 loss-of-function (LOF) alleles into LOF carrier group ( n=111) and non-LOF carrier group ( n=90). Each group included patients received vicagrel 5 mg, 6 mg, 7.5 mg, or clopidogrel 75 mg for 28 days per study protocol. P2Y 12 reaction units (PRU) were measured using VerifyNow at baseline, 6 to 8 hours after loading dose, 7 to 10 days after randomization, and 28 days after randomization and the percentage inhibition of platelet aggregation (%IPA) was calculated. The primary endpoint was %IPA on day 28. Within the patients from the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 8 to 12 patients in each study arms were enrolled in a prespecified pharmacokinetic sub-study, measuring the time to reach maximum plasma concentration (T max), peak plasma concentration (C max), and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC). Results:Among 201 patients, the age was (58.8±8.5) years, and 139 (69.2%) were male. In non-LOF carriers, there was no significant differences in PRU values and %IPA between the vicagrel 5 mg, 6 mg, 7 mg, and clopidogrel groups at all time points (all P>0.05). In LOF carriers, %IPA was significantly higher in the vicagrel-treated groups than in the clopidogrel group at 6-8 hours after loading dose (22.9 (14.2, 31.5)% vs. 19.8 (11.0, 28.6)% vs. 29.5 (20.9, 38.0)% vs. 12.9 (3.9, 21.9)%, P=0.038) and 7-10 days after randomization (22.4 (14.2, 30.5)% vs. 34.4 (26.1, 42.6)% vs. 39.8 (31.8, 47.9)% vs. 24.7 (16.3, 33.2)%, P=0.001), with a trend towards higher %IPA in the vicagrel-treated groups at day 28 (30.4 (21.3, 39.6)% vs. 36.5 (27.2, 45.7)% vs. 40.8 (31.8, 49.8)% vs. 30.7(21.2, 40.2)%, P=0.056). Pharmacokinetic results of 35 patients showed that the C max and AUC of the active metabolite M15-2 of vicagrel was similar to that of clopidogrel in non-LOF carriers, but AUC between vicagrel 5 mg, 6 mg, 7 mg and clopidogrel were significantly different in LOF carriers ((5.6±0.6) h·μg -1·L -1 vs. (6.8±2.7) h·μg -1·L -1 vs. (9.2±3.3) h·μg -1·L -1 vs. (4.2±1.9) h·μg -1·ml -1, P=0.020). Conclusion:Vicagrel and clopidogrel have similar antiplatelet effects in non-LOF carriers, but vicagrel exhibits superior antiplatelet effects in LOF carriers.

OBJECTIVES: Several countries have successfully eliminated measles, and China is making significant strides toward achieving this goal. This study focused on investigating the patterns of measles infections in Zhejiang Province, China, as well as control measures. The objective was to provide valuable insights that could contribute to the development of nationwide elimination strategies. METHODS: We analyzed measles surveillance data from 2005 to 2022 in Zhejiang Province. We utilized a joinpoint regression model to examine trends in measles. Additionally, we employed SaTScan version 9.5 to identify spatial-temporal clusters. Finally, we used an age-period-cohort model to assess the effects of age, period, and cohort. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of measles infection in Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2022 was 5.24 per 100,000, showing a consistent and significant downward trend with an annual percentage change of -24.93% (p<0.05). After 2020, the ASIR for measles infection fell to below 0.1 per 100,000. The majority of measles cases occurred in individuals either without an immunization history or with an unknown immunization status, representing 41.06% and 41.40% of the cases from 2010 to 2022, respectively. According to data from the National Measles Surveillance System, the annual rate of discarded measles cases from 2009 to 2014, and the annual rate of discarded measles and rubella cases from 2015 to 2022, were both above 2 per 100,000, indicating the high sensitivity of the measles surveillance system. CONCLUSIONS The significant reduction in measles incidence from 2005 to 2022 demonstrates substantial progress in Zhejiang Province towards the elimination of measles.

OBJECTIVES: Several countries have successfully eliminated measles, and China is making significant strides toward achieving this goal. This study focused on investigating the patterns of measles infections in Zhejiang Province, China, as well as control measures. The objective was to provide valuable insights that could contribute to the development of nationwide elimination strategies. METHODS: We analyzed measles surveillance data from 2005 to 2022 in Zhejiang Province. We utilized a joinpoint regression model to examine trends in measles. Additionally, we employed SaTScan version 9.5 to identify spatial-temporal clusters. Finally, we used an age-period-cohort model to assess the effects of age, period, and cohort. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of measles infection in Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2022 was 5.24 per 100,000, showing a consistent and significant downward trend with an annual percentage change of -24.93% (p<0.05). After 2020, the ASIR for measles infection fell to below 0.1 per 100,000. The majority of measles cases occurred in individuals either without an immunization history or with an unknown immunization status, representing 41.06% and 41.40% of the cases from 2010 to 2022, respectively. According to data from the National Measles Surveillance System, the annual rate of discarded measles cases from 2009 to 2014, and the annual rate of discarded measles and rubella cases from 2015 to 2022, were both above 2 per 100,000, indicating the high sensitivity of the measles surveillance system. CONCLUSIONS The significant reduction in measles incidence from 2005 to 2022 demonstrates substantial progress in Zhejiang Province towards the elimination of measles.

OBJECTIVES: Several countries have successfully eliminated measles, and China is making significant strides toward achieving this goal. This study focused on investigating the patterns of measles infections in Zhejiang Province, China, as well as control measures. The objective was to provide valuable insights that could contribute to the development of nationwide elimination strategies. METHODS: We analyzed measles surveillance data from 2005 to 2022 in Zhejiang Province. We utilized a joinpoint regression model to examine trends in measles. Additionally, we employed SaTScan version 9.5 to identify spatial-temporal clusters. Finally, we used an age-period-cohort model to assess the effects of age, period, and cohort. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of measles infection in Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2022 was 5.24 per 100,000, showing a consistent and significant downward trend with an annual percentage change of -24.93% (p<0.05). After 2020, the ASIR for measles infection fell to below 0.1 per 100,000. The majority of measles cases occurred in individuals either without an immunization history or with an unknown immunization status, representing 41.06% and 41.40% of the cases from 2010 to 2022, respectively. According to data from the National Measles Surveillance System, the annual rate of discarded measles cases from 2009 to 2014, and the annual rate of discarded measles and rubella cases from 2015 to 2022, were both above 2 per 100,000, indicating the high sensitivity of the measles surveillance system. CONCLUSIONS The significant reduction in measles incidence from 2005 to 2022 demonstrates substantial progress in Zhejiang Province towards the elimination of measles.

OBJECTIVES: Several countries have successfully eliminated measles, and China is making significant strides toward achieving this goal. This study focused on investigating the patterns of measles infections in Zhejiang Province, China, as well as control measures. The objective was to provide valuable insights that could contribute to the development of nationwide elimination strategies. METHODS: We analyzed measles surveillance data from 2005 to 2022 in Zhejiang Province. We utilized a joinpoint regression model to examine trends in measles. Additionally, we employed SaTScan version 9.5 to identify spatial-temporal clusters. Finally, we used an age-period-cohort model to assess the effects of age, period, and cohort. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of measles infection in Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2022 was 5.24 per 100,000, showing a consistent and significant downward trend with an annual percentage change of -24.93% (p<0.05). After 2020, the ASIR for measles infection fell to below 0.1 per 100,000. The majority of measles cases occurred in individuals either without an immunization history or with an unknown immunization status, representing 41.06% and 41.40% of the cases from 2010 to 2022, respectively. According to data from the National Measles Surveillance System, the annual rate of discarded measles cases from 2009 to 2014, and the annual rate of discarded measles and rubella cases from 2015 to 2022, were both above 2 per 100,000, indicating the high sensitivity of the measles surveillance system. CONCLUSIONS The significant reduction in measles incidence from 2005 to 2022 demonstrates substantial progress in Zhejiang Province towards the elimination of measles.

Objective To explore the safety and effectiveness of the comprehensive therapy of "Five-in-One" of traditional Chinese medicine combined with low concentration of atropine in the prevention and control of myopia in adolescents. Methods Eighty adolescents diagnosed with mild myopia were included in the study. According to the wishes of the subjects and their guardians, they were divided into control group with 40 cases and traditional Chinese medicine intervention group with 40 cases. The control group received 0.01% atropine sulfate eye drops in both eyes once before bedtime every night, the traditional Chinese medicine intervention group underwent twice-weekly comprehensive therapy of "Five-in-One" of traditional Chinese medicine on the basis of local application of medication in the control group. Both groups received a 12-month intervention course. Follow-up visits were conducted before intervention and at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. The international standard visual acuity chart was used to examine the changes in unaided distance visual acuity before and after treatment in both groups. The changes of distant visual acuity of naked eye before and after treatment were measured in two groups. The changes in equivalent spherical lens power before and after treatment in both groups were measured by mydriatic refraction combined with a computer optometer. The changes in axial length before and after treatment were measured using an optical biometer. The adverse reactions after treatment in both groups were compared. Results In the control group, the uncorrected distance visual acuity decreased compared with that before intervention as the treatment time prolonged, while was gradually increased in the traditional Chinese medicine intervention group compared with that before intervention (P < 0.05). At 12 months after treatment, the uncorrected distance visual acuity in the traditional Chinese medicine intervention group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). With the prolongation of treatment time, the equivalent spherical lens power gradually increased in both groups (P < 0.05).At 12 months after treatment, the equivalent spherical lens power in the traditional Chinese medicine intervention group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The axial length gradually increased with the prolongation of treatment time in both groups (P < 0.05). At 6 and 12 months after treatment, the axial length in the traditional Chinese medicine intervention group was shorter than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After using 0.01% atropine, 8 children in the control group developed outdoor photophobia symptoms; after treatment with the comprehensive therapy of "Five-in-One" of traditional Chinese medicine combined with 0.01% atropine sulfate eye drops in the traditional Chinese medicine intervention group, 4 children developed outdoor photophobia symptoms, but the symptoms disappeared after 2 weeks of medication. Conclusion The comprehensive therapy of "Five-in-One" in traditional Chinese medicine combined with low-concentration atropine is significantly more effective than low-concentration atropine alone in effectively controlling the progression of refractive myopia and reducing its adverse reactions.

Objective:To compare the diagnostic accuracy between multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) and biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (bp-MRI) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).Methods:The clinical data of 195 patients with bladder cancer at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2020 to June 2022, were retrospectively reviewed. There were 160 males and 35 females, with the median age of 68(61, 76)years old. Mp-MRI was performed on each patient within 6 weeks before transurethral resection of bladder tumor or radical cystectomy. Each patients’ images were divided into two sets. Set 1 (bp-MRI) included the axial, sagittal, coronal T2-weighted images (T2WI), and axial diffusion-weighted images (DWI) or apparent diffusion coefficient maps. Set 2 (mp-MRI) included Set 1 images in addition to dynamic contrast-enhanced images. All images were independently reviewed and evaluated by two radiologists. Mp-MRI was evaluated according to the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS)guideline, and bp-MRI was evaluated according to two types of criteria. Bp-MRI (Criterion A): VI-RADS scoring is determined 2 when T2WI 3-point with DWI 2-point. Bp-MRI (Criterion B): VI-RADS scoring is determined 3 when T2WI 3-point with DWI 2-point. VI-RADS scoring ≥ 3 or ≥ 4 was used as the cut-off value to predict MIBC. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of mp-MRI, bp-MRI (Criterion A), and bp-MRI (Criterion B) were calculated, as well as receiver operating characteristic curves and the areas under the curve (AUC).Results:Of 195 patients, 135 patients (69.2%) were pathologically confirmed as NMIBC and 60 patients (30.8%) were MIBC. When the VI-RADS cut-off value was ≥ 3, the sensitivity of mp-MRI, bp-MRI (Criterion A), and bp-MRI (Criterion B) were identical, all at 88.3% (53/60). The specificity of bp-MRI (Criterion A), bp-MRI (Criterion B), and mp-MRI were 88.9% (120/135), 73.3% (99/13), and 86.7% (117/135), respectively. When the VI-RADS cut-off value was ≥ 4, both bp-MRI (Criterion A) and bp-MRI (Criterion B) were classified as the same criterion. The sensitivity of bp-MRI and mp-MRI were 70.0% (42/60) and 75.0% (45/60), respectively. The specificity of bp-MRI and mp-MRI were identical, at 95.6% (129/135). The AUC for bp-MRI (Criterion A), bp-MRI (Criterion B), and mp-MRI were 0.927 (95% CI 0.881-0.959), 0.904 (95% CI 0.853-0.941), and 0.927 (95% CI 0.881-0.959), respectively. The AUC for bp-MRI (Criterion A) and mp-MRI were significantly higher than that of bp-MRI (Criterion B) ( P<0.001). There was no significant difference in AUC between bp-MRI (Criterion A) and mp-MRI ( P=0.939). Conclusions:Bp-MRI (Criterion A), VI-RADS scoring is determined 2 when T2WI 3-point with DWI 2-point, shows comparable diagnostic accuracy in predicting MIBC with mp-MRI. Compared to bp-MRI (Criterion B), the corresponding situation when VI-RADS scoring is determined 3, bp-MRI (Criterion A) may have better diagnostic accuracy than bp-MRI (Criterion B) in predicting MIBC.

Objective To analyze the effect of the fixed-jaw technique on dosimetric parameters during dynamic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (DIMRT) planning. Methods Ten patients each with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, postoperative cervical cancer, and right breast cancer after radical surgery were selected for this study; all patients underwent DIMRT in our hospital in 2020. After administration at the prescribed dose, two methods were used to design the radiotherapy plan for each patient: split-field technique (SFT) and fixed-jaw technique (FJT). The two plans were compared for the differences in the dosimetric parameters and plan verification pass rate. Results Compared with SFT, FJT showed significant decreases (P <0.05) in the following parameters for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, postoperative cervical cancer, and right breast cancer after radical surgery: number of radiation fields (down by 41.5%, 47.3%, and 34.9%, respectively, t = 7.954, 24.2, and 4.949, respectively), total number of monitor units (MUs) (down by 5.6%, 5.3%, and 13.5%, respectively, t = 3.211, 2.423, and 5.481, respectively), and actual beam-on time (down by 25.3%, 23.8%, and 13.6%, respectively, t = 5.814, 9.208, and 5.655, respectively). There were significant differences in some of the dosimetric parameters for all three types of cancer patients between the two plans (P <0.05). There were no significant differences in the plan verification pass rate (P >0.05). Conclusion FJT can reduce the total number of MUs and actual beam-on time while meeting the requirements for clinically prescribed doses in DIMRT planning.