1.Feixin Decoction Treats Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension by Regulating Pyroptosis in PASMCs via PPARγ/NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Junlan TAN ; Xianya CAO ; Runxiu ZHENG ; Wen ZHANG ; Chao ZHANG ; Jian YI ; Feiying WANG ; Xia LI ; Jianmin FAN ; Hui LIU ; Lan SONG ; Aiguo DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):1-9
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Feixin decoction treats hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) by regulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats were randomly allocated into normal, hypoxia, and low-, medium- and high-dose (5.85, 11.7, 23.4 g·kg-1, respectively) Feixin decoction groups, with 8 rats in each group. Except the normal group, the remaining five groups were placed in a hypoxia chamber with an oxygen concentration of (10.0±0.5)% for 8 h per day, 28 days, and administrated with corresponding drugs during the modeling process. After 4 weeks of treatment, echocardiographic parameters [pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAT), pulmonary artery ejection time (PET), right ventricular anterior wall thickness (RVAWd), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)] were measured for each group. The right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured by the right heart catheterization method, and the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was calculated by weighing the heart. The pathological changes in pulmonary arterioles were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The co-localization of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) with NLRP3, N-terminal gasdermin D (N-GSDMD), and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) in pulmonary arteries was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein levels of PPARγ, NF-κB, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), N-GSDMD, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue was determined by Western blot. The ultrastructural changes in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were observed by transmission electron microscopy. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the hypoxia group showed increased RVSP and RVHI (P<0.01), decreased right heart function (P<0.01), increased pulmonary vascular remodeling (P<0.01), increased co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3, N-GSDMD, and Caspase-1 in pulmonary arterioles (P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, N-GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), a down-regulated protein level of PPARγ (P<0.05, P<0.01), and pyroptosis in PASMCs. Compared with the hypoxia group, Feixin decoction reduced RVSP and RVHI, improved the right heart function and ameliorated pulmonary vascular remodeling (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased the co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3, N-GSDMD, and Caspase-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, N-GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the protein level of PPARγ (P<0.05, P<0.01), and alleviated pyroptosis in PASMCs. ConclusionFeixin decoction can ameliorate pulmonary vascular remodeling and right heart dysfunction in chronically induced HPH rats by regulating pyroptosis in PASMCs through the PPARγ/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.
2.Environmental sustainability in healthcare: impacts of climate change, challenges and opportunities.
Ethan Yi-Peng KOH ; Wan Fen CHAN ; Hoon Chin Steven LIM ; Benita Kiat Tee TAN ; Cherlyn Tze-Mae ONG ; Prit Anand SINGH ; Michelle Bee Hua TAN ; Marcus Jin Hui SIM ; Li Wen ONG ; Helena TAN ; Seow Yen TAN ; Wesley Chik Han HUONG ; Jonathan SEAH ; Tiing Leong ANG ; Jo-Anne YEO
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(Suppl 1):S47-S56
Environmental damage affects many aspects of healthcare, from extreme weather events to evolving population disease. Singapore's healthcare sector has the world's second highest healthcare emissions per capita, hampering the nation's pledge to reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In this review, we provide an overview of the impact environmental damage has on healthcare, including facilities, supply chain and human health, and examine measures to address healthcare's impact on the environment. Utilising the 'R's of sustainability - rethinking, reducing/refusing, reusing/repurposing/reprocessing, repairing, recycling and research - we have summarised the opportunities and challenges across medical disciplines. Awareness and advocacy to adopt strategies at institutional and individual levels is needed to revolutionise our environmental footprint and improve healthcare sustainability. By leveraging evidence from ongoing trials and integrating sustainable practices, our healthcare system can remain resilient against environment-driven challenges and evolving healthcare demands while minimising further impacts of environmental destruction.
Humans
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Climate Change
;
Delivery of Health Care
;
Singapore
;
Conservation of Natural Resources
;
Sustainable Development
;
Environment
3.Identification of blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with network pharmacology and evaluation of their anti-insomnia effects and mechanisms.
Xia-Xia REN ; Jin-Na YANG ; Xue-Jun LUO ; Hui-Ping LI ; Miao QIAO ; Wen-Jia WANG ; Yi HE ; Shui-Ping ZHOU ; Yun-Hui HU ; Rui-Ming LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1928-1937
This study identified blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills and explored their anti-insomnia effects and mechanisms. The main blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills were detected and identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The rationality of the formula was assessed by using enrichment analysis based on the relationship between drugs and symptoms, and core targets of its active components were selected as the the potential anti-insomnia targets of Anshen Dropping Pills through network pharmacology analysis. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction(PPI) network, Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analysis were performed on the core targets. An active component-core target network for Anshen Dropping Pills was constructed. Finally, the effects of low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Anshen Dropping Pills on sleep episodes, sleep duration, and sleep latency in mice were measured by supraliminal and subliminal pentobarbital sodium experiments. Moreover, total scores of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI) scale was used to evaluate the changes before and after the treatment with Anshen Dropping Pills in a clinical study. The enrichment analysis based on the relationship between drugs and symptoms verified the rationality of the Anshen Dropping Pills formula, and nine blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The network proximity revealed a significant correlation between eight components and insomnia, including magnoflorine, liquiritin, spinosin, quercitrin, jujuboside A, ginsenoside Rb_3, glycyrrhizic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that the major anti-insomnia pathways of Anshen Dropping Pills involved substance and energy metabolism, neuroprotection, immune system regulation, and endocrine regulation. Seven core genes related to insomnia were identified: APOE, ALB, BDNF, PPARG, INS, TP53, and TNF. In summary, Anshen Dropping Pills could increase sleep episodes, prolong sleep duration, and reduce sleep latency in mice. Clinical study results demonstrated that Anshen Dropping Pills could decrease total scores of PSQI scale. This study reveals the pharmacodynamic basis and potential multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway effects of Anshen Dropping Pills, suggesting that its anti-insomnia mechanisms may be associated with the regulation of insomnia-related signaling pathways. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of Anshen Dropping Pills.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods*
;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Male
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Humans
;
Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects*
;
Sleep/drug effects*
;
Female
;
Adult
4.Inhibition of HDAC3 Promotes Psoriasis Development in Mice Through Regulating Th17
Fan XU ; Xin-Rui ZHANG ; Yang-Chen XIA ; Wen-Ting LI ; Hao CHEN ; An-Qi QIN ; Ai-Hong ZHANG ; Yi-Ran ZHU ; Feng TIAN ; Quan-Hui ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1008-1017
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.
5.Clinical efficacy of multi-technique combination in the treatment of ischemic diabetic foot.
Hui-Yan LIU ; Yi YOU ; Wen-Gao WU ; Sheng RONG ; Qing-Hua ZHOU ; Na-Xin ZENG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(9):917-923
OBJECTIVE:
To explore clinical efficacy of different technical combinations in treating ischemic diabetic foot (DF).
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 35 patients with DF who were treated with vascular interventional opening technique, periosteal distraction technique and bone cement coverage technique from January 2024 to November 2024. They were divided into comprehensive group and periosteal distraction group according to whether the vascular interventional opening technique was used in combination or not. There were 5 patients in comprehensive group, including 4 males and 1 female, aged from 59 to 73 years old with an average of (64.40±5.46) years old;the duration of diabetes ranged from 0.17 to 30.00 years with an average of (14.63±12.02) years;the courses of DF ranged from 30 to 150 days with an average of (84.00±61.48) days;2 patients were grade 2, 2 patients were grade 3, and 1 patient was grade 4 according to Wagner classification;combined vascular interventional opening, periosteal distraction and bone cement coverage surgery for treatment. There were 30 patients in periosteal stretch group, including 22 males and 8 females, aged from 58 to 86 years old with an average of (72.63±7.84) years old;the duration of diabetes was 10.00 (6.75, 16.75) years;the courses of DF was 30.00 (15.00, 37.50) days;14 patients were grade 2, 11 patients were grade 3, and 5 patients were grade 4 according to Wagner classification; combined periosteal distraction and bone cement coverage surgery for treatment. Changes of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and procalcitonin (PCT), toe skin temperature, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were compared between two groups before operation and 1 week after operation. The number of operations, healing period, healing number, toe amputation number, preoperative fever situation and the number of complications were compared between two groups.
RESULTS:
Both groups were followed up for at least 6 months. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of operations, healing period, toe amputation rate, wound healing rate and complications between two groups (P>0.05). Before operation, the toe skin temperature of comprehensive group (26.98±0.88) ℃ was lower than that of periosteal distraction group (28.17±1.45) ℃, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);while there were no statistically significant difference in CRP, IL-6, PCT, toe SpO2 and VAS between two groups (P>0.05). At 1 week after operation, IL-6, toe skin temperature, toe SpO2 and VAS in comprehensive group were 12.29(7.92, 22.15) pg·ml-1, (36.02±0.23) ℃, (95.80±0.84) % and(1.40±0.55) respectively, while those in periosteal distraction group were 5.49(4.36, 7.45) pg·ml-1, (31.36±1.57) ℃, (84.53±6.38) %, (2.20±0.81);and there were statistically significant differences between two groups(P<0.05). CRP, IL-6 and VAS at 1 week after operation in both groups were decreased compared with those before operation, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). The toe skin temperature and SpO2 were increased compared with those before operation, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The multi-technique combination therapy, including vascular interventional opening technique, periostealdistraction technique and bone cement covering technique, could protect each other, enhance efficacy, effectively promote the wound healing of ischemic diabetic foot ulcer, and reduce the toe amputation rate. For moderate to severe ischemic DF, the combined use of periosteal distraction and bone cement coverage techniques has a satisfactory effect. For extremely severe ischemic DF with inflow tract lesions, vascular interventional opening techniques need to be added.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Diabetic Foot/surgery*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Ischemia/surgery*
;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*
6.Protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on a yorkshire model of brain injury after traumatic blood loss.
Xiang-Yu SONG ; Yang-Hui DONG ; Zhi-Bo JIA ; Lei-Jia CHEN ; Meng-Yi CUI ; Yan-Jun GUAN ; Bo-Yao YANG ; Si-Ce WANG ; Sheng-Feng CHEN ; Peng-Kai LI ; Heng CHEN ; Hao-Chen ZUO ; Zhan-Cheng YANG ; Wen-Jing XU ; Ya-Qun ZHAO ; Jiang PENG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):469-476
PURPOSE:
To investigate the protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on ischemic hypoxic injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss.
METHODS:
This article performed a random controlled trial. Brain tissue of 7 yorkshire was selected and divided into the sub-low temperature anterograde machine perfusion group (n = 4) and the blank control group (n = 3) using the random number table method. A yorkshire model of brain tissue injury induced by traumatic blood loss was established. Firstly, the perfusion temperature and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in real-time during the perfusion process. The number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, NA+, K+, and Ca2+ ions concentrations and pH of the perfusate were detected. Following perfusion, we specifically examined the parietal lobe to assess its water content. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were then dissected for histological evaluation, allowing us to investigate potential regional differences in tissue injury. The blank control group was sampled directly before perfusion. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 Student t-test. All tests were two-sided, and p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
RESULTS:
The contents of red blood cells and hemoglobin during perfusion were maintained at normal levels but more red blood cells were destroyed 3 h after the perfusion. The blood oxygen saturation of the perfusion group was maintained at 95% - 98%. NA+ and K+ concentrations were normal most of the time during perfusion but increased significantly at about 4 h. The Ca2+ concentration remained within the normal range at each period. Glucose levels were slightly higher than the baseline level. The pH of the perfusion solution was slightly lower at the beginning of perfusion, and then gradually increased to the normal level. The water content of brain tissue in the sub-low and docile perfusion group was 78.95% ± 0.39%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.27% ± 0.55%, t = 10.49, p < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the blank control group, the structure and morphology of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampal gyrus were similar, and their integrity was better. The structural integrity of granulosa neurons was destroyed and cell edema increased in the perfusion group compared with the blank control group. Immunofluorescence staining for glail fibrillary acidic protein and Iba1, markers of glial cells, revealed well-preserved cell structures in the perfusion group. While there were indications of abnormal cellular activity, the analysis showed no significant difference in axon thickness or integrity compared to the 1-h blank control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Mild hypothermic machine perfusion can improve ischemia and hypoxia injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss and delay the necrosis and apoptosis of yorkshire brain tissue by continuous oxygen supply, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing tissue metabolism level.
Animals
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Perfusion/methods*
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Disease Models, Animal
;
Brain Injuries/etiology*
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Swine
;
Male
;
Hypothermia, Induced/methods*
7.Predictive factors and nomogram model construction for plastic bronchitis in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.
Wen-Hui WANG ; Fang-Fang YANG ; Ling-Jian MENG ; Ning MAO ; Yi WU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(10):1212-1219
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the predictive factors for plastic bronchitis (PB) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and to establish a nomogram prediction model for PB occurrence.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on children with MPP hospitalized at The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2023 to June 2024. The patients were randomly divided into a training set (n=562) and a validation set (n=240) at a ratio of 7:3 using simple random sampling. In the training set, patients were categorized into a PB group (n=70) and a non-PB group (n=492) based on the occurrence of PB. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to exclude collinearity among variables, followed by univariate analysis and LASSO regression to identify predictive factors. A nomogram prediction model for PB in children with MPP was constructed. The discriminative ability of the model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, model calibration was evaluated with calibration curves, and clinical utility was appraised through decision curve analysis.
RESULTS:
Compared with the non-PB group, the PB group exhibited significantly longer disease duration prior to bronchoscopy, prolonged fever duration, higher fever peaks, higher proportions of patients with a family history of allergy and personal allergy history, and a higher proportion of patients with pleural effusion, as well as significantly elevated levels of white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, immunoglobulin A, and interleukin-6, along with a significantly lower lymphocyte percentage (all P<0.05). LASSO regression analysis identified pleural effusion, procalcitonin, D-dimer, and lactate dehydrogenase as major predictive factors for PB occurrence in children with MPP. The nomogram model based on these factors demonstrated good discriminative ability (area under the ROC curve: 0.852 in the training set and 0.830 in the validation set), with satisfactory calibration and clinical benefit.
CONCLUSIONS
The nomogram prediction model based on pleural effusion, procalcitonin, D-dimer, and lactate dehydrogenase provides effective predictive performance for the occurrence of PB in children with MPP.
Humans
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Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/complications*
;
Nomograms
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Bronchitis/etiology*
;
Infant
;
ROC Curve
;
Adolescent
8.Wip1 Phosphatase Regulates Hematopoietic Function in Mouse Spleen.
Xiao-Ping REN ; Zhi-Lin CHANG ; Yi WANG ; Hui-Min ZHU ; Wen-Yan HE
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1491-1498
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the regulatory effect of Wip1 phosphatase on hematopoietic function in the mouse spleen.
METHODS:
Wip1 knockout mice were bred, and the effect of Wip1 deletion on the proportion and number of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, as well as their mature subsets in mouse spleen was detected by flow cytometry. The Proteome ProfilerTM antibody array was used to analyze the role of Wip1 deletion on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in CD45highCD11b+ myeloid cells sorted from mouse spleen.
RESULTS:
Wip1 deletion resulted in smaller size and significant reduction of cell number in the mouse spleen. The absolute numbers of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells were decreased. Meanwhile, the absolute number of T and B lymphocytes also significantly declined. However, the proportion of erythroid progenitors and erythroid cells at various stage significantly increased, but the number of mature erythroid cells decreased. Furthermore, the myeloid cells and their subsets neutrophils, monocytes, CD45highCD11b+ and CD45lowCD11b+ were all reduced. CD45highCD11b+ myeloid cells displayed proinflammatory phenotype in the spleen.
CONCLUSION
Wip1 gene deletion impairs normal hematopoietic function in the mouse spleen, leading to a significant reduction of mature hematopoietic cells of various lineages, and proinflammatory phenotype in CD45highCD11b+ myeloid cells.
Animals
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Mice
;
Spleen/cytology*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cells/cytology*
;
Myeloid Cells/cytology*
;
Protein Phosphatase 2C
;
Hematopoiesis
;
Flow Cytometry
9.Exploring urban versus rural disparities in atrial fibrillation: prevalence and management trends among elderly Chinese in a screening study.
Wei ZHANG ; Yi CHEN ; Lei-Xiao HU ; Jia-Hui XIA ; Xiao-Fei YE ; Wen-Yuan-Yue WANG ; Xin-Yu WANG ; Quan-Yong XIANG ; Qin TAN ; Xiao-Long WANG ; Xiao-Min YANG ; De-Chao ZHAO ; Xin CHEN ; Yan LI ; Ji-Guang WANG ; FOR THE IMPRESSION INVESTIGATORS AND COORDINATORS
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(2):246-254
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.
10.Effect and Safety of Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction against Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Clearance: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Wen ZHANG ; Hong-Ze WU ; Xiang-Ru XU ; Yu-Ting PU ; Cai-Yu CHEN ; Rou DENG ; Min CAO ; Ding SUN ; Hui YI ; Shuang ZHOU ; Bang-Jiang FANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(5):387-393
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effect and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction (FHD) in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who persistently tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Shanghai New International Expo Center shelter hospital in China between April 1 and May 30, 2022. Patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for ⩾8 days after diagnosis were enrolled. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine (WM) treatment, while those in the FHD group received conventional WM plus FHD for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was viral clearance time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate within 14 days, length of hospital stay, cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes, and incidence of new-onset symptoms during hospitalization. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study period were recorded.
RESULTS:
A total of 1,765 eligible patients were enrolled in this study (546 in the FHD group and 1,219 in the control group). Compared with the control group, patients receiving FHD treatment showed shorter viral clearance time for nucleic acids [hazard ratio (HR): 1.500, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.664, P<0.001] and hospital stays (HR: 1.371, 95% CI: 1.238-1.519, P<0.001), and a higher negative conversion rate within 14 days (96.2% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset symptoms was 59.5% in the FHD group, similar to 57.8% in the control group (P>0.05). The Ct values of ORF1ab and N genes increased more rapidly over time in the FHD group than those in the control group post-randomization (ORF1ab gene: β =0.436±0.053, P<0.001; N gene: β =0.415 ±0.053, P<0.001). The incidence of AEs in the FHD group was lower than that in the control group (24.2% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001). No serious AEs were observed.
CONCLUSION
FHD was effective and safe for patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063956).
Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
;
SARS-CoV-2/drug effects*
;
COVID-19/virology*
;
Adult
;
Aged
;
Treatment Outcome

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