BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.

OBJECTIVE: To explore and verify the effect and potential mechanism of Brucea javanica Seed Oil Emulsion Injection (YDZI) and Shengmai Injection (SMI) on peripheral microcirculation dysfunction in treatment of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: The potential mechanisms of YDZI and SMI were explored through network pharmacology and verified by cellular and clinical experiments. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) were cultured for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured for tube formation assay. Twenty healthy volunteers and 97 patients with GC were enrolled. Patients were divided into surgical resection, surgical resection with chemotherapy, and surgical resection with chemotherapy combining YDZI and SMI groups. Forearm skin blood perfusion was measured and recorded by laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia. Cutaneous vascular conductance and microvascular reactivity parameters were calculated and compared across the groups. RESULTS: After network pharmacology analysis, 4 ingredients, 82 active compounds, and 92 related genes in YDZI and SMI were screened out. β-Sitosterol, an active ingredient and intersection compound of YDZI and SMI, upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, P<0.01), downregulated the expression of caspase 9 (CASP9) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1, P<0.01) in HMECs under oxaliplatin stimulation, and promoted tube formation through VEGFA. Chemotherapy significantly impaired the microvascular reactivity in GC patients, whereas YDZI and SMI ameliorated this injury (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS YDZI and SMI ameliorated peripheral microvascular reactivity in GC patients. β-Sitosterol may improve peripheral microcirculation by regulating VEGFA, PTGS2, ESR1, and CASP9.
Humans ; Microcirculation/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Emulsions ; Male ; Plant Oils/administration & dosage* ; Brucea/chemistry* ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Drug Combinations ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Injections ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Aged ; Network Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a blended teaching model integrating the HBOPPPS framework(Hybrid Bridge-in,Objectives,Pre-assessment,Participatory learning,Post-assessment,Summary)and the"Cloud-based PAD Class"(Presentation-Assimilation-Discussion)in online clinical clerkship teaching for palliative oncology.Methods A self-con-trolled trial was conducted in October 2023,involving 41 undergraduate students majoring in Food Hygiene and Nutrition(Grade 2021)from Kunming Medical University.Phase 1 implemented conventional online teaching(control group),while Phase 2 adopted the"HBOPPPS+Cloud-based PAD Class"blended approach(experimental group).Teaching effectiveness was assessed via post-class examination scores,classroom participation rates,and satisfaction surveys.Results The experimental group dem-onstrated significantly higher outcomes than the control group:examination scores(86.34±4.19 vs.80.02±3.63,P＜0.05),classroom participation(51.2％vs.12.2％,P＜0.05),and teaching satisfaction(95.1％vs.80.5％,P＜0.05).Conclu-sionThe"HBOPPPS+Cloud-based PAD Class"blended teaching model effectively enhances online clinical clerkship outcomes in palliative oncology,significantly improving students' learning initiative,engagement,and classroom participation.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of blank microspheres combined with microcoils in treating hemopty-sis due to arteriae bronchiales(BA)malformation during bronchial arterial embolization(BAE).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the preoperative data,embolization materials,technical success rate,clinical success rate,postoperative recurrence rate,and complications of 87 patients who underwent BAE using blank microspheres for hemoptysis due to BA malformation.Results There were 87 patients in this study,and BA computed tomography angiography(CTA)classification was as follows:32 cases(36.78％)of type Ⅰ,23 cases(26.44％)of type Ⅱ,19 cases(21.84％)of type Ⅲ,and 13 cases(14.94％)of other types(Ⅳ-Ⅸ).A total of 171 blood vessels were embolized in 87 patients,including 16 ectopic BA,and 130 embolized microspheres,including 104 microspheres of 500-700 μm and 26 of 700-900 μm.There were 265 microcoils,with a technical success rate of 100％,a 24 h clinical success rate of 100％,and a 30 d clinical success rate of 98.85％.The recurrence rate was 3.45％ at 6 months,5.75％ at 12 months,and 8.05％ at 24 months.Postopera-tive complications(Clavien-Dindo classification):complications of grade Ⅰ,embolic syndrome recurrence rate was 8.05％,chest pain incidence was 3.45％,dysphagia incidence was 2.30％,BA injury incidence was 3.45％;complications of grade Ⅳ,paraplegia inci-dence was 1.15％.Conclusion The use of blank microspheres combined with microcoils in the treatment of hemoptysis caused by BA malformation has high safety and clear efficacy.

Objectives:We evaluated the clinical significance of unipolar electrogram and bipolar electrogram in guiding radiofrequency ablation for outflow tract ventricular premature contractions(PVC).Methods:Data were collected from 78 patients who underwent successful radiofrequency ablation of PVC.Pre-procedure electrocardiogram showed a LBBB morphology on inferior leads.In the included patients,the right-side ablation was performed at first,and if the ablation failed,the left-side ablation was then performed.According to the location of the successful ablation target,they were divided into unilateral ablation successful group and bilateral ablation successful group.The differences in the earliest bipolar local activation to QRS(LATBi),unipolar-dV/dTmax to QRS(LATUni),and local activation time were compared between the two groups.Furthermore,the electrogram characteristics predicting bilateral ablation were explored.Results:Patients were divided into unilateral ablation group(n=57)and bilateral ablation group(n=21)according to the ablation site.There were statistically significant differences in LATBi(25[21,30]ms vs.14[10,24]ms),LATUni(7[0,17]ms vs.-23[-41,-11]ms),and ΔLATBi-Uni(15[11,25]ms vs.44[25,56]ms)between the unilateral ablation group and the bilateral ablation group(all P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis suggested that LATBi,LATUni,and ΔLATBi-Uni were independent predictors of the need for bilateral ablation.There was no significant difference between left and right LATBi,LATUni and ΔLATBi-Uni in the bilateral ablation group.LATUni≤-1 was the most accurate parameter for predicting the need for bilateral ablation(AUC=0.941;specificity 80.7%;sensitivity 100%).Conclusions:LATUni≤-1ms is a useful indicator for predicting the need for bilateral PVC ablation in this patient cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw combined with unilateral nail placement combined with bone cement strengthening and bilateral nail placement in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracic and lumbar fractures. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was used to analyze the clinical data of 78 patients with osteoporotic thoracic and lumbar fractures admitted from October 2017 to May 2019. According to the surgical method, it was divided into percutaneous pedicle screw combined with unilateral nail placement combined with unilateral bone cement strengthening group(bone cement group) and percutaneous pedicle screw combined with bilateral nail placement(screw group). In the bone cement group, 40 patients included 16 males and 24 females, with a mean age of (62.1±8.1) years old. In the screw group, 38 patients included 18 males and 20 females with a mean age of (65.1±9.3) years old. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications were compared between two groups. The kyphosis Cobb angle, anterior edge height ratio, central height ratio and pain visual analogue score(VAS) were compared. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 25 to 36 months. The operation time (70.1±17.3) min of the cement group was shorter than that of the screw group (78.6±18.2) min(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss and length of hospital stay(P>0.05). The VAS in the cement group 1 year 1.5±0.5 and the latest follow-up 0.5±0.3 after operation were lower than 1 year 1.8±0.3 and the latest follow-up 0.8±0.4 in the screw group(P<0.05). The kyphosis Cobb angle, anterior edge height ratio, central height ratio in bone cement group, 1 year (6.2±1.2)°, (86.6±3.5)%, (91.1±2.5)%, the last follow-up (6.4±0.7)°, (85.5±3.3)%, (90.5±6.3)% were better than that of the screw group 1 year (6.8±1.4)°, (83.1±2.4)%, (89.9±3.4)% and the latest follow-up (7.1±1.1)°, (82.6±4.1)%, (87.6±5.9)%(P<0.05). There were 3 cases of bone cement leakage in the cement group, all of which had no clinical symptoms;and 2 cases of pedicle screws were extracted in the screw group, and the screws were removed at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION Percutaneous pedicle screw combined with unilateral nail placement combined with bone cement strengthening and bilateral nail placement in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracic and lumbar compression fractures in the elderly can achieve satisfactory efficacy and effectively relieve the pain of patients, but the former internal fixation system is more stable, and the long-term follow-up can effectively maintain the height of the anterior middle column and the correction of kyphosis deformity, and the incidence of chronic low back pain is lower.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Bone Cements ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/surgery* ; Case-Control Studies ; Bone Nails ; Pedicle Screws

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a blended teaching model integrating the HBOPPPS framework(Hybrid Bridge-in,Objectives,Pre-assessment,Participatory learning,Post-assessment,Summary)and the"Cloud-based PAD Class"(Presentation-Assimilation-Discussion)in online clinical clerkship teaching for palliative oncology.Methods A self-con-trolled trial was conducted in October 2023,involving 41 undergraduate students majoring in Food Hygiene and Nutrition(Grade 2021)from Kunming Medical University.Phase 1 implemented conventional online teaching(control group),while Phase 2 adopted the"HBOPPPS+Cloud-based PAD Class"blended approach(experimental group).Teaching effectiveness was assessed via post-class examination scores,classroom participation rates,and satisfaction surveys.Results The experimental group dem-onstrated significantly higher outcomes than the control group:examination scores(86.34±4.19 vs.80.02±3.63,P＜0.05),classroom participation(51.2％vs.12.2％,P＜0.05),and teaching satisfaction(95.1％vs.80.5％,P＜0.05).Conclu-sionThe"HBOPPPS+Cloud-based PAD Class"blended teaching model effectively enhances online clinical clerkship outcomes in palliative oncology,significantly improving students' learning initiative,engagement,and classroom participation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4⁺ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4⁺ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) of esophageal varices combined with endoscopic variceal intensive ligation (EVIL) of gastric varices for gastroesophageal variceal bleeding with liver cirrhosis under non-emergency settings.Methods:Data of 643 consecutive patients with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding due to liver cirrhosis admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to March 2023 were included in the retrospective study. A total of 192 patients were included after excluding 451 patients. One hundred and forty-nine patients who underwent EVL of esophageal varices combined with EVIL of gastric varices were enrolled into the EVIL group, while 43 patients who underwent EVL of esophageal varices combined with endoscopic tissue adhesive injection (ETAI) of gastric varices were enrolled into the ETAI group. The endoscopic treatment success rate, esophageal variceal ligations number, operation time of endoscopic treatment, hospitalization time, rebleeding rate, mortality and the incidence of adverse events were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared with the ETAI group, the EVIL group exhibited significantly higher endoscopic treatment success rate [100.0% (149/149) VS 95.3% (41/43), P=0.049], slightly greater esophageal variceal ligations number [8 (6, 11) rings VS 7 (6, 9) rings, Z=-1.29, P=0.196], shorter operation time of endoscopic treatment [27.0 (20.5, 34.0) min VS 36.0 (21.0, 51.0) min, Z=-2.30, P=0.021], and significantly shorter hospitalization time [10 (7, 13) d VS 13 (9, 15) d, Z=-3.02, P=0.003]. The rebleeding rate within 24, 72, 120 hours after the operation, early, delayed and total rebleeding in the EVIL group were 0.0% (0/149), 0.0% (0/149), 0.7% (1/149), 2.0% (3/149), 12.8% (19/149) and 14.8% (22/149) respectively, and 4.7% (2/43) ( P=0.049), 9.3% (4/43) ( P=0.002), 9.3% (4/43) ( χ2=6.69, P=0.010), 4.7% (2/43) ( χ2=0.17, P=0.679), 30.2% (13/43) ( χ2=7.34, P=0.007) and 44.2% (19/43) ( χ2=17.20, P<0.001) in the ETAI group, respectively. No death related to rebleeding occurred within 6 weeks after the operation in 2 groups. The mortality related to rebleeding within 1 year after the operation and during the follow-up period in the EVIL group were 1.3% (2/149) and 3.4% (5/149) respectively, and 0.0% (0/43) ( P=1.000) and 2.3% (1/43) ( χ2=0.02, P=0.876) in the ETAI group, respectively. The incidences of fever, chest pain, nausea or vomiting in the EVIL group were 12.1% (18/149), 14.1% (21/149) and 13.4% (20/149) respectively, and 11.6% (5/43) ( χ2=0.01, P=0.936), 16.3% (7/43) ( χ2=0.13, P=0.721) and 18.6% (8/43) ( χ2=0.72, P=0.396) in the ETAI group, respectively. Two patients (1.3%) in the EVIL group had gastric variceal ring loss. Ectopic embolism occurred in 1 patient (2.3%) in the ETAI group. Conclusion:For patients with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding due to liver cirrhosis who are suitable for non-emergency endoscopic treatment, EVL of esophageal varices combined with EVIL of gastric varices is also safe, and more effective than EVL of esophageal varices combined with ETAI of gastric varices. This approach offers improved treatment success rate, reduced operation and hospitalization time, lower rebleeding rates, and decreased rebleeding-related mortality.