Renal fibrosis （RF） is the primary pathological feature of chronic kidney disease （CKD） progression to end-stage renal disease （ESRD）， with glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis as core pathological manifestations. It involves abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix （ECM） components such as collagen and fibronectin， ultimately leading to structural destruction and functional losses of the kidneys. Sirtuins （SIRTs）， a class of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide （NAD+）-dependent deacetylases， play crucial roles in cellular metabolism， oxidative stress responses， inflammation regulation， and cell survival. In mammals， there are seven distinct SIRT members （SIRT1 to SIRT7）， which collectively ameliorate RF progression through multiple pathways. These include regulating the transforming growth factor （TGF）-β/Smad signaling pathway， suppressing inflammatory responses， reducing oxidative stress， modulating mitochondrial and autophagy functions， and promoting fatty acid oxidation. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and its active components have demonstrated significant potential in activating or modulating the SIRT protease family and its regulatory networks to ameliorate RF in a multi-target and holistic manner. However， systematic reviews in this area remain lacking. This article elucidates the mechanisms by which the SIRT protease family regulates RF and reviews the latest research advances in TCM modulation of SIRTs for the prevention and treatment of RF， aiming to provide new insights and approaches for the TCM treatment of RF.

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*

BACKGROUND: Gout is a chronic disease primarily caused by elevated urate levels, severely affecting joint health. Its global distribution varies, and updated data for China are lacking. This study aimed to analyze the current burden and trends of gout globally and in China, examining the burden by gender, age, and risk factors while providing future predictions. METHODS: This descriptive epidemiological secondary analysis utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) 2021 study. Age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), prevalence rate (ASPR), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates (ASDR) were used to assess the gout burden. Trends from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed across global regions, genders, and sociodemographic index (SDI) levels. The burden in China was further examined by gender, age, and associated risk factors. The Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to predict future trends. Gout burden in China and the United States was compared. RESULTS: In 2021, gout affected 57 million people globally, with 9.4 million new cases and 1.75 million DALYs. From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR increased by 17.2%, 21.9%, and 21.3%, respectively. Males experienced a significantly higher burden, with greater ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR increasing with higher SDI levels. In China, male ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR were over 2.8 times those of females, and the burden increased with age. In 2021, 31.4% of gout-related DALYs in China were attributed to high body mass index and 7.6% to kidney dysfunction. Between 1990 and 2021, the high body mass index-related burden of gout rose annually for both genders, while the kidney dysfunction-related gout burden remained stable. By 2050, the burden of gout in China is expected to continue increasing, with a slower rise in females and a decline in males after an initial increase. However, the overall burden will remain substantial. In comparison, the gout burden will be higher in the United States than in China. CONCLUSIONS Gout is becoming a significant health burden globally and in China, particularly among Chinese males and older individuals. With the aging population and lifestyle changes exacerbating the issue, effective strategies and measures are essential to prevent or reduce gout-related health issues.
Humans ; Gout/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Global Burden of Disease ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) combined with percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilatation (PTPBD) in the treatment of choledocholithiasis.Methods:The clinical data of patients treated with PTCD combined with PTPBD under digital subtraction angiography for choledocholithiasis in the Interventional Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from June 2021 to May 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, and a total of 90 patients were enrolled, including 58 males and 32 females, aged (56.6±4.3) years. The changes of liver function, postoperative complications, and prognosis were analyzed.Results:Of 90 patients were successfully treated with PTCD, and 3 patients (3.3%) died after PTCD operation, mainly due to old age combined with a variety of underlying diseases. 85(97.7%) of the remaining 87 patients were successfully treated with PTPBD, while 2 cases (2.3%) experienced technical failure due to excessive stone size (>20 mm). Among the 90 cases after the procedure, there were 6 cases (6.7%) of abdominal pain, 3 cases (3.3%) of bleeding, 4 cases (4.4%) of fever, and no serious complications such as bile duct perforation, intestinal perforation or pancreatitis occurred. The symptoms of 87 patients were improved within 3 to 7 days after PTCD. The changes of leukocyte, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and C reactive protein before and after surgery were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Conclusions:PTCD combined with PTPBD is a minimally invasive treatment for common bile duct stones with obvious advantages in high success rate, safety, and effectiveness, which is especially suitable for elderly patients with multiple underlying diseases, inability to tolerate surgical procedures, or no suitable endoscopic pathways.

OBJECTIVE To formulate an expert consensus on the prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations and trains in China,and to standardize the prevention and control of respiratory infec-tious diseases in railway stations and trains scientifically.METHODS The government authorities organized multi-ple prevention and control experts from transportation,medical care and prevention fields to conduct in-depth re-search through methods such as meetings and on-site investigations,and combined with their practical experi-ence in this field to formulate this expert consensus.RESULTS In-depth studies were conducted on the prevention and control strategies,measures and emergency response system construction of respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations and trains,and this expert consensus was formed.CONCLUSION This expert consensus supple-ments improves the existing prevention and control system for respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations and trains,and provides an important reference basis for the prevention and control of respiratory infectious disea-ses in railway stations and trains.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopes adhesiolysis in the treatment of adhesive intestinal obstruction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 30 patients with adhesive intestinal obstruction who underwent laparoscopes adhesiolysis at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2021 and December 2024. The demographics, surgical parameters and postoperative complications were recorded.Results:Among the 30 patients, 16 were male and 14 were female, with age of (55.93 ± 13.83) years. A history of abdominal surgery was present in 25 patients (83.3%). Of the surgeries, 4 cases (13.3%) were performed as emergency procedures and 26 cases (86.7%) were elective. The operative time was (125.57 ± 48.25) min, and intraoperative blood loss was (26.17 ± 16.90) ml. The time to first flatus was (3.30 ± 1.95) d, the time to first oral intake was 4.00 (3.00, 5.00) d, the hospital stay was (24.23 ± 17.97) d, and the postoperative hospital stay was 11.50 (6.75, 18.75) d. The incision pain score 0 score was in 8 cases (26.7%), 1 score in 5 cases (16.7%), 2 scores in 10 cases (33.3%), 3 scores in 3 cases (10.0%), 4 scores in 3 cases (10.0%), and 5 scores in 1 case (3.3%). One case developed a postoperative wound infection. The patients were followed up for 1 year, 1 patient experienced recurrent incomplete intestinal obstruction due to widespread peritoneal metastasis from gastric cancer.Conclusions:Laparoscopes adhesiolysis is a safe and effective treatment for adhesive intestinal obstruction, offering advantages in terms of postoperative recovery and low complication rates. The continued use of minimally invasive techniques is recommended in the management of this condition.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of an antioxidant gel containing tea polyphenols combined with narrow-band ultraviolet B in the treatment of vitiligo.Methods:A single-center, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. From April 25 to June 27, 2024, patients with vitiligo were selected from the Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital. An open-label and researcher-blinded design was used. The patients were divided into 3 groups: a phototherapy group receiving phototherapy alone, a tea polyphenols combined group treated with an antioxidant gel containing tea polyphenols combined with phototherapy, and a positive control group treated with an antioxidant gel containing superoxide dismutase combined with phototherapy, with the treatment duration being 3 months. The efficacy was evaluated using the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), and when the VASI was improved by ≥ 10%, the treatment would be considered effective. Changes in skin aging and skin barrier function indicators before and after treatment were assessed for 72 vitiligo lesions in the tea polyphenols combined group and for 72 lesions in the phototherapy group. Comparisons between the groups were performed using one-way analysis of variance, Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, or t test. Results:A total of 171 vitiligo patients with 307 target lesions were successfully followed up in this study, including 74 males and 97 females, and their ages ranged from 1 to 64 years. Among the 307 lesions, 95 were treated with phototherapy alone, of which 35 showed improvement, resulting in a total response rate of 36.8% and an average VASI improvement rate of 10.9%; adverse reactions occurred in 29 lesions (30.5%). Of 138 lesions treated with the antioxidant gel containing tea polyphenols combined with phototherapy, 73 showed improvement, resulting in a total response rate of 52.9% and an average VASI improvement rate of 24.0%; adverse reactions occurred in 10 lesions (7.2%). In the positive control group, 74 lesions were treated, and 40 showed improvement, resulting in a total response rate of 54.1% and an average VASI improvement rate of 18.3%; adverse reactions occurred in 5 lesions (6.8%). Compared with the phototherapy group, the tea polyphenols combined group showed a significantly increased total response rate and a VASI improvement rate (both P < 0.01), but a significantly decreased incidence rate of adverse reactions ( P < 0.001). No significant differences in the above indicators were observed between the tea polyphenols combined group and the positive control group (all P > 0.05). In addition, the changes in skin barrier function and skin aging indicators (except for wrinkle depth) before and after treatment were significantly reduced in the tea polyphenols combined group compared to the phototherapy group (all P < 0.05). After the phototherapy alone, the transepidermal water loss significantly increased ( P = 0.004), and the water content of the stratum corneum significantly decreased ( P = 0.012). However, no significant differences in skin barrier function or skin aging indicators were found between pre- and post-treatment in the tea polyphenols combined group ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion:The antioxidant gel containing tea polyphenols could effectively improve the efficacy of narrow-band ultraviolet B in the treatment of vitiligo, and alleviate skin aging and barrier damage caused by phototherapy.

Objective:To reveal the differences in the transcriptome maps of brain tissues in mice subjected to Flash irradiation and conventional dose rate irradiation with electron beams and to explain the biological effect and mechanisms of Flash irradiation from multiple perspectives.Methods:Following the principle of grouping based on approximate body weights, 36 female C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups, i. e., the control, conventional dose rate irradiation (CONV), and Flash irradiation (Flash) groups, with 12 mice in each group. Both the CONV and Flash groups received a single 15 Gy whole-brain irradiation with 9 MeV electron beams. At 3 d post-irradiation, the whole-brain tissue specimens were collected for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe pathological changes. At 1, 3, and 10 weeks post-irradiation, the motion function, cognitive ability, depression level, and spatial memory capacity of the mice were assessed using ethology. At 1 and 10 weeks after behavioral experiments, brain tissue samples were collected and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen for reference-based transcriptome sequencing. Accordingly, the differences in the transcriptome maps of radiation-induced brain injury between CONV and Flash groups were analyzed.Results:The HE staining-based pathological result revealed that compared to the CONV group, the Flash group exhibited reduced glial cell hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration in brain tissues. Ethological research result at 1 week post-irradiation showed that the CONV group manifested a significantly decreased total traveled distance compared to the control and Flash groups ( t = 5.51, 2.38, P < 0.05) and a significantly increased immobility time compared to the control group ( t = 3.60, P < 0.05). Ethological research result at 3 weeks post-irradiation indicated that compared to the CONV group, the Flash group displayed significantly alleviated cognitive impairment ( t = 3.35, P < 0.05) and reduced depression levels ( t = 2.39, P < 0.05). Ethological research result at 10 weeks post-irradiation demonstrated that the CONV group showed the worst cognitive performance, significantly differing from the control group ( t = 4.53, P < 0.05). Transcriptome sequencing result revealed that besides immune-related pathways, the Flash group also exhibited multiple upregulated metabolic pathways and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-related pathways compared to the CONV group. Conclusions:Compared to conventional dose rate irradiation, Flash irradiation can effectively alleviate radiation-induced brain injury in mice. This effect is associated with various metabolic pathways (including amino acid metabolism) and FGF-related pathways besides immune pathways.

Objective:To understand the basic situation of occupational internal exposure to 131I among nuclear medicine staff in Jiangsu province, and to analyze the relevant factors that contribute to the formation of internal exposure. Methods:A four-year external direct measurement of thyroid organ counting was conducted on nuclear medicine staff who underwent 131I treatment in Jiangsu province. The result were statistically analyzed, and the effective dose of accumulated internal exposure was estimated. The relationship between the detection rate of internal exposure and 10 possible factors was analyzed. Results:A total of 847 person-times were monitored during the monitoring period, of which 345 person-times were detected for 131I, with a detection rate of 40.7%. The highest individual monitoring result for internal exposure was 24.83 kBq, with an average value of 77.3 Bq and a median of 28.3 Bq among the detected individuals. The average committed effective dose of internal exposure for staff was 0.201 mSv, with a median of 0.074 mSv among the detected individuals. Conclusions:There is statistically significant difference in the detection rate of individual doses of internal exposure among nuclear medicine staff in each year. It has been observed that the main factors related to the detection rate are age, hospital grade, job position, location, whether there is an automatic dispensing operation, operating method, exposure level and length of exposure. Sufficient attention should be given to the situation of internal exposure, and further effective monitoring should be conducted on all such staff members.

Objective:To investigate the basic situation of occupational internal exposure to 131I among staff in the nuclear medicine department. Methods:Direct in- vitro measurements of thyroid doses from internal exposure were conducted for six months on 36 staff members of a hospital′s nuclear medicine department in Nanjing using the ORTEC Detective-100 portable high-purity germanium (HPGe) spectrometer. The cumulative effective doses were estimated, and the distribution of internal doses and their relationship with job type and external doses were analyzed. Results:During the monitoring period, a total of 203 monitorings were made. Of the monitoring result, 85.7% were below the recording level. Of the result exceeding the recording level, 12.8% were below the investigation level, while 1.5% exceeded the investigation level. The highest personal internal dose during the monitoring period was 2.54 mSv, the lowest was 0.015 mSv, and the median was 0.094 mSv.Conclusions:During the monitoring period, 14.3% of the monitored staff had result above the recorded levels. In the working environment of radionuclide treatment, there is no significant difference in the internal dose received between doctors, nurses, technicians, or other relevant personnel.