[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.05.019.].

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*

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal cancer receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 137 patients with Stage Ⅳ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated at our hospital from January 2018 to May 2023. These patients were divided into two groups: a group treated with first-line chemoimmunotherapy combined with radiotherapy (chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group, n = 43) and a group treated with only chemoimmunotherapy ( n = 94). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to balance baseline characteristics between the groups. With overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as study endpoints, the survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and the Cox regression method. Results:Before calibration, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group significantly outperformed the sole chemoimmunotherapy group in median PFS (13.6 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.501, 95% CI: 0.309-0.811, P = 0.005). After calibration using the COX proportional-hazards model for age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, smoking history, T/N/M stage, and tumor location, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group still had significant advantages in PFS (14.7 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.441, 95% CI: 0.261-0.745, P = 0.002). IPTW analysis further confirmed this trend (13.9 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.492, 95% CI: 0.304-0.795, P < 0.001). Specifically, the median OS of the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group demonstrated significant improvement in all analyses: pre-calibration (29.5 months vs. 18.0 months; HR: 0.507, 95% CI: 0.297-0.867, P = 0.013), after calibration using the Cox model (27.5 months vs. 16.7 months; HR: 0.470, 95% CI: 0.266-0.830, P = 0.009), and after calibration using IPTW (29.5 months vs. 16.9 months; HR: 0.448, 95% CI: 0.262-0.764, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The combination of radiotherapy and first-line chemoimmunotherapy can significantly improve survival outcomes of patients with advanced ESCC, suggesting its potential as a standard treatment strategy.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of high-dose tigecycline(TGC)and polymyxin B(PMB)in the treatment of pulmonary infection due to carbapenem-resistant organism(CRO).Methods Clinical data of pa-tients with CRO pulmonary infection and received PMB or high-dose TGC combined with other antimicrobial treat-ment regimens in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Xiangya Hospital,Central South University from January 2019 to March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively,including basic information,pathogen detection results,antimi-crobial use regimen,clinical efficacy,30-day mortality,bacterial clearance rate,etc.Results A total of 173 pa-tients were included in analysis,with 103 in the TGC group and 70 in the PMB group.Compared with TGC group,PMB group had a higher score of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)(25.0 vs 20.0,P＜0.001),but clinical efficacy rates were not statistically different(67.1％vs 52.4％,P=0.054).Stratified analysis revealed that when the APACHE Ⅱ score was ≥15 points,compared with TGC group(n=78),PMB group(n=66)had a higher APACHE Ⅱ score(27.0 vs 22.0,P=0.005)and a higher clinical efficacy rate(66.7％vs 47.4％,P=0.020).After adjusting confounding factors through logistic regression analysis,it was found that PMB treatment was a protective factor for clinical efficacy rate compared with TGC treatment.Conclusion For treating pulmonary infection caused by CRO in patients,PMB-based treatment regimen has a significant protec-tive effect on the clinical efficacy rate compared with the high-dose TGC-based treatment regimen.

Fetal lingual lesion is a rare category of embryological anomalies, characterized by distinctive anatomical positioning, which may precipitate mechanical airway obstruction to unfavorable perinatal outcomes. There is a lack of comprehensive prenatal diagnostic strategies and effective treatments. This review has conducted a systematic literature overview of the clinical classification of fetal lingual anomalies, prenatal diagnosis, and perinatal treatment, including prenatal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, for optimizing perinatal care and obtaining an improved pregnancy outcome. Utilizing a multidisciplinary team framework, individualized peripartum management strategies are developed, contingent upon the presence or absence of airway compromise, with selective application of the ex-utero intrapartum treatment procedure as clinically warranted. By refining diagnostic accuracy and advancing therapeutic protocols, this review aims to elevate clinical management standards for congenital lingual lesions, thereby enhancing both short-term perinatal outcomes and long-term developmental prognoses.

Fetal lingual lesion is a rare category of embryological anomalies, characterized by distinctive anatomical positioning, which may precipitate mechanical airway obstruction to unfavorable perinatal outcomes. There is a lack of comprehensive prenatal diagnostic strategies and effective treatments. This review has conducted a systematic literature overview of the clinical classification of fetal lingual anomalies, prenatal diagnosis, and perinatal treatment, including prenatal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, for optimizing perinatal care and obtaining an improved pregnancy outcome. Utilizing a multidisciplinary team framework, individualized peripartum management strategies are developed, contingent upon the presence or absence of airway compromise, with selective application of the ex-utero intrapartum treatment procedure as clinically warranted. By refining diagnostic accuracy and advancing therapeutic protocols, this review aims to elevate clinical management standards for congenital lingual lesions, thereby enhancing both short-term perinatal outcomes and long-term developmental prognoses.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal cancer receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 137 patients with Stage Ⅳ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated at our hospital from January 2018 to May 2023. These patients were divided into two groups: a group treated with first-line chemoimmunotherapy combined with radiotherapy (chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group, n = 43) and a group treated with only chemoimmunotherapy ( n = 94). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to balance baseline characteristics between the groups. With overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as study endpoints, the survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and the Cox regression method. Results:Before calibration, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group significantly outperformed the sole chemoimmunotherapy group in median PFS (13.6 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.501, 95% CI: 0.309-0.811, P = 0.005). After calibration using the COX proportional-hazards model for age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, smoking history, T/N/M stage, and tumor location, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group still had significant advantages in PFS (14.7 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.441, 95% CI: 0.261-0.745, P = 0.002). IPTW analysis further confirmed this trend (13.9 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.492, 95% CI: 0.304-0.795, P < 0.001). Specifically, the median OS of the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group demonstrated significant improvement in all analyses: pre-calibration (29.5 months vs. 18.0 months; HR: 0.507, 95% CI: 0.297-0.867, P = 0.013), after calibration using the Cox model (27.5 months vs. 16.7 months; HR: 0.470, 95% CI: 0.266-0.830, P = 0.009), and after calibration using IPTW (29.5 months vs. 16.9 months; HR: 0.448, 95% CI: 0.262-0.764, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The combination of radiotherapy and first-line chemoimmunotherapy can significantly improve survival outcomes of patients with advanced ESCC, suggesting its potential as a standard treatment strategy.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of high-dose tigecycline(TGC)and polymyxin B(PMB)in the treatment of pulmonary infection due to carbapenem-resistant organism(CRO).Methods Clinical data of pa-tients with CRO pulmonary infection and received PMB or high-dose TGC combined with other antimicrobial treat-ment regimens in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Xiangya Hospital,Central South University from January 2019 to March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively,including basic information,pathogen detection results,antimi-crobial use regimen,clinical efficacy,30-day mortality,bacterial clearance rate,etc.Results A total of 173 pa-tients were included in analysis,with 103 in the TGC group and 70 in the PMB group.Compared with TGC group,PMB group had a higher score of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)(25.0 vs 20.0,P＜0.001),but clinical efficacy rates were not statistically different(67.1％vs 52.4％,P=0.054).Stratified analysis revealed that when the APACHE Ⅱ score was ≥15 points,compared with TGC group(n=78),PMB group(n=66)had a higher APACHE Ⅱ score(27.0 vs 22.0,P=0.005)and a higher clinical efficacy rate(66.7％vs 47.4％,P=0.020).After adjusting confounding factors through logistic regression analysis,it was found that PMB treatment was a protective factor for clinical efficacy rate compared with TGC treatment.Conclusion For treating pulmonary infection caused by CRO in patients,PMB-based treatment regimen has a significant protec-tive effect on the clinical efficacy rate compared with the high-dose TGC-based treatment regimen.

ObjectiveTo understand the survival time and possible influencing factors of pneumoconiosis patients in Ninghai County， Zhejiang Province who were followed up from 2019 to 2023， and to provide references for prolonging the survival time of pneumoconiosis patients. MethodsInformation about pneumoconiosis patients was collected from the sub-module Occupational Disease Follow-Up Management and Follow-Up Excel database of the Occupational Disease and Health Hazards Monitoring Information System. Survival analysis was conducted through applying Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression models. ResultsOf the 366 pneumoconiosis patients， 99.73% were male， 71.04% had stage Ⅰ pneumoconiosis， and the disease type was mainly silicosis. The survival rates at 5， 10， and 20 years after diagnosis of pneumoconiosis were 97%， 88%， and 62%， respectively， with a cumulative survival rate of 42%. The median survival time of patients with pneumoconiosis was 32.11 years. Log-rank test found statistically significant differences in the survival curves among pneumoconiosis patients with different pneumoconiosis stages， age at first diagnosis， and pneumoconiosis complications. Cox regression analysis revealed that the risk of reduced survival time in patients with pneumoconiosis stage Ⅲ was 2.184 times higher than that of patients with stage Ⅰ （P=0.007）. In comparison with the age of first diagnosis at <50 years old group， the risk of reduced survival time was 3.457 and 7.097 times higher， respectively， in the groups of patients who received the diagnosis at 50‒ and ≥60 years （both P<0.001）. The risk of reduced survival time in pneumoconiosis patients with complications was 2.030 times higher than that of patients without complications （P=0.003）. ConclusionSurvival time of pneumoconiosis patients in Ninghai County is affected by the age at first diagnosis， pneumoconiosis stage and pneumoconiosis complications. The survival time can be significantly prolonged by timely detection and diagnosis， as well as active prevention and treatment of pneumoconiosis complications.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of breast squamous cell carcinoma and to analyze the relationship between its immune microenvironment tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and prognosis.Methods:Forty-four cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi′an, China from January 2006 to July 2022 were selected. Their clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. The cell composition of TILs was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (Mainly markers of B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and plasma cells). The relationship between TILs and prognosis was also analyzed.Results:The 44 patients of breast squamous cell carcinoma were all female and all were invasive carcinoma. Eight cases (8/44, 18.2%) were squamous cell carcinoma, while 36 cases (36/44, 81.8%) were mixed squamous cell carcinoma. The mixed components included non-specific carcinoma and spindle cell metaplastic carcinoma (17 cases each). One case contained ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast and 1 case contained tubular carcinoma. The proportion of squamous cell carcinoma was 10% to 90%. The cases with pure squamous cell carcinoma often had a large cystic cavity, which was lined by atypical squamous epithelium, while infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma nests were seen in the breast tissue around the cystic cavity. Immunohistochemical staining showed that p63 and CK5/6 were expressed in the squamous cell carcinoma component, but ER, PR and HER2 were not, except for one case of HER2 1+. The positive rates of TRPS1 and PDL-1 were 76% and less than 1%, respectively. Fifteen cases were in the high TILs group (TILs≥30%) and 29 cases were in the low TILs group (TILs<30%). Twenty-three patients were followed up for 5 to 118 months. Among them, 12 died within 3 years and 9 were alive at the end of the follow up. There was no significant difference in TNM stage, TILs and prognosis between simple squamous cell carcinoma and mixed squamous cell carcinoma.Conclusions:Breast squamous cell carcinoma can be divided into simple squamous cell carcinoma and mixed squamous cell carcinoma. There are differences in gross findings and histology between the simple and mixed squamous cell carcinoma of the breast. Sufficient samples should be taken to avoid missing the diagnosis of a minor squamous component. The prognosis of patients with high TILs is significantly better than that of patients with low TILs. The expression rate of TRPS1 in primary squamous cell carcinoma of breast is high and helpful to the differential diagnosis from metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.