Introduction: The 2021 IDF-DAR risk calculator had been previously evaluated in multiple studies and subsequently widely accepted and applied in clinical practice as a practical standardized tool for patient risk stratification. Recently updated, the 2026 IDF-DAR Risk calculator enables a more individualized, evidence-related evaluation of patientrelated and disease-related risk factors, incorporating modern diabetes technologies, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, and advanced insulin formulations to enhance risk stratification. This tool allows medical professionals to tailor Ramadan practices based on overall factors toward promoting safe fasting. Methodology: This prospective multicentre observational study recruited adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes attending public hospitals nationwide. People with diabetes (PwD) intending to perform Ramadan fasting were invited to participate and assessed using the 2026 IDF-DAR Risk Calculator in the 6-week pre-Ramadan period between 30th January and 19th March 2026. Results: A total of 458 PwD were evaluated and stratified into low (15.7%), moderate (41%), and high risk (43.3%) categories. Most participants had Type 2 diabetes (83.6%), with 60.3% having a disease duration exceeding 10 years and 43% exhibiting poor glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c >9%). Insulin therapy was used by 76.4% of participants, including two individuals with Type 1 diabetes using AID systems. Most participants reported no recent hypoglycemia (76.4%), 81.0% performed glucose monitoring, and 3.3% used CGM. Severe comorbidities were uncommon, with 1.1% having unstable macrovascular disease and 4.4% advanced chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30). Notably, 72.2% received structured Ramadan education. Conclusion Majority of PwD attending tertiary diabetes clinics were in the moderate- to high-risk category and intended to fast despite medical advice against fasting in some cases. Although most participants were on insulin therapy, hypoglycemia was low in the pre-Ramadan period. Integration of modern technologies, advanced insulin therapies, and structured education may support safer fasting practices.
Risk Assessment ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Hospitals ; Fasting

By elaborating on the theoretical framework of the pulse acupuncture based on systematic syndrome differentiation， this paper briefly analyzes the correspondence between pulse and acupuncture， and further explores its core principle of "establishing acupuncture based on pulse， and applying acupuncture when the pulse is balanced". This therapeutic system employs a three-step acupoint selection method， relying on the systematic integration and analysis of pulse elements at different levels to determine the nature of disease， syndrome type， and location. Treatment principles are guided by the concepts of form and spirit transformation， aiming to treat both simultaneously. Pulse diagnosis also serves as a standard for evaluating therapeutic efficacy and predicting prognosis， providing a theoretical basis for clinical acupuncture. Using stroke as a case example， this paper illustrates the practical clinical application of this approach， offering valuable insight for acupuncture.

Background/Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population. Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Following 3 years of randomized intervention with either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or placebo, participants were rolled over to open-label TDF for 3 years. Liver biopsies were performed before and after the treatment to evaluate histopathological changes. Virological, biochemical, and serological outcomes were also assessed (NCT02463019). Results: Of 146 enrolled patients (median age 47 years, 80.8% male), 123 completed the study with paired biopsies. Overall, the Ishak fibrosis score decreased in 74 (60.2%), remained unchanged in 32 (26.0%), and increased in 17 (13.8%) patients (p<0.0001). The Knodell necroinflammation score decreased in 58 (47.2%), remained unchanged in 29 (23.6%), and increased in 36 (29.3%) patients (p=0.0038). The proportion of patients with an Ishak score ≥ 3 significantly decreased from 26.8% (n=33) to 9.8% (n=12) (p=0.0002). Histological improvements were more pronounced in patients switching from placebo. Virological and biochemical outcomes also improved in placebo switchers and remained stable in patients who continued TDF. However, serum HBsAg levels did not change and no patient cleared HBsAg. Conclusions In CHB patients with minimally raised ALT, favorable histopathological, biochemical, and virological outcomes were observed following 3-year TDF treatment, for both treatment-naïve patients and those already on therapy.

[Purpose]To analyze the trends of disease burden for lung cancer worldwide and in China from 1990 to 2021.[Methods]Data of the disease burden of lung cancer and population demographics in 1990 and 2021 stratified by sex and age groups for global,five SDI quintiles re-gions,and eight countries including China,Japan,Republic of Korea,United Kingdom,France,United States,Canada,and Australia were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021(GBD 2021)database.The age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR)and age-standard-ized disability-adjusted life year rate(ASDR)of lung cancer attributable to 7 level-3 risk factors in China for 1990 and 2021 were also extracted.Counterfactual analysis was used to decompose changes in lung cancer deaths and DALY from 1990 to 2021 into four contributing factors:popu-lation size,population structure,age-standardized incidence or prevalence,and lung cancer case fatality or disease severity.The percentage changes in lung cancer deaths and DALY attributed to these four factors were calculated respectively.[Results]In 2021,there were 934 704 new cases and 814 364 deaths of lung cancer in China.From 1990 to 2021,the incidence,preva-lence,mortality,and DALY rates of lung cancer in China increased faster than those worldwide and in high-middle SDI regions,which was similar to Japan and Republic of Korea.In contrast,the mortality rates of lung cancer decreased in United States and United Kingdom;and the DALY rates of lung cancer decreased in United States,United Kingdom,Canada and Australia.From 1990 to 2021,the age-related lung cancer deaths and DALY in China increased by 193.91％and 146.20％,respectively.The primary contributor to the increase in lung cancer deaths was population aging(102.82％)among men and rising age-standardized incidence(119.00％)among women,while the primary contributor to the increase in DALY was rising age-standardized prevalence for both men(153.12％)and women(218.77％).In 2021,the top three risk factors contributing to lung cancer ASMR and ASDR in China were smoking,particulate matter pollution and occupational carcinogen exposure.Compared with 1990,the ASMR of lung cancer and its proportion at-tributable to particulate matter pollution and low dietary fruits were decreased,while the propor-tions in ASDR of lung cancer attributable to smoking and secondhand smoke increased.[Conclu-sion]Lung cancer is a major public health challenge in China.Compared with worldwide,high-middle SDI regions and certain developed countries,China has experienced faster growth in the incidence,prevalence,mortality and DALY of lung cancer,especially among women.To reduce disease burden,sustained efforts on lung cancer prevention and control are urgently required in China.

[Purpose]To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of esophageal cancer world-wide and in China.[Methods]Data were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database.The in-cidence and mortality of esophageal cancer worldwide and in China were analyzed,stratified by sex,age group,and human development index(HDI).Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between the HDI and the mortality-to-incidence ratio(MIR)of esophageal cancer.[Results]In 2022,there were an estimated 511 054 new cases and 445 391 deaths from esophageal cancer globally,with age-standardized incidence and mortality rates(ASIR and ASMR)of 5.0/105 and 4.3/105,respectively.In China,there were an estimated 224 012 new cases and 187 467 deaths accounting for 43.8％and 42.1％of global totals,respectively.Both the new cases and deaths of esophageal cancer in China ranked the first worldwide.The ASIR and ASMR in China were 8.3/105 and 6.7/105,both were as twice as the global average.The ASIR and ASMR for males were higher than those for females.The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer increased with age,and more than 50％of global cases and deaths in individuals aged over 70 years old occurred in China.Additionally,a significantly negative correlation was ob-served between HDI and MIR of esophageal cancer(ρ=-0.67,P＜0.001),and MIR in China(0.81)was comparable to that of countries or regions with a very high HDI.[Conclusion]The burden of esophageal cancer remains significant worldwide and in China,particularly among males and the elderly.The MIR of esophageal cancer in China is still relatively high.The primary and secondary prevention measures should be strengthened to reduce the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Jiawei Jisheng Shenqi Decoction in improving the hypoxic microenvironment and antagonizing liver cirrhosis.Methods In vivo experiments were conducted using a rat model of carbon tetrachloride(CCL4)-induced liver cirrhosis.Rats were divided into normal,model,colchicine,JWJSSQ low-dose,JWJSSQ medium-dose,and JWJSSQ high-dose group.Pathological changes in liver tissues in each group were examined by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Masson staining,changes in serum liver function were detected using test kits,levels of hyaluronic acid(HA),laminin(LN),procollagen Ⅲ(PC Ⅲ),and collagen typeⅣ(COL4)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and protein expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),Notch1,Jagged1,and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were detected by Western blot.In vitro experiments were conducted in HSC-T6 cells,and the optimal concentration of CoCl2(100 μ mol/L,200μmol/L,400 μmol/L,600 μmol/L and 800 μmol/L)in the cultured cells and the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum(5％,10％,15％,20％)were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay.The migration ability of cells in each group was detected by scratch testing,and changes in the apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry.Protein expression levels of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,α-SMA,matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP9),and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1(TIMP-1)were detected by Western blot.Results In the in vivo experiments,liver swelling,inflammatory cell infiltration,collagen deposition,and the appearance of pseudolobules were significantly increased in the model group compared with those in the normal group.Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),HA,LN,PCⅢ,and COL4 were significantly increased and albumin(ALB)was significantly decreased in the model group,while liver levels of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,and α-SMA proteins were significantly increased(P＜0.01).Liver swelling,inflammatory cell infiltration,and collagen deposition were significantly reduced in each treatment group compared with those in the model group,and the degree of fibrosis was reduced.Serum ALT,AST,HA,LN,PCⅢ,and COL4 were significantly decreased and ALB was significantly increased,while liver levels of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,and α-SMA proteins were also significantly decreased to varying degrees(P＜0.05).In the in vitro experiments,hypoxia promoted HSC-T6 migration and reduced apoptosis,increased the protein expression levels of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,α-SMA,and TIMP-1,and reduced the expression levels of MMP9(P＜0.01).Serum containing Jiawei Jisheng Shenqi Decoction inhibited HSC-T6 migration,promoted HSC-T6 apoptosis,lowered the expression of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,α-SMA,and TIMP-1 proteins,and enhanced the expression of MMP9 protein(P＜0.01).The inhibitory effect of Jiawei Jisheng Shenqi on HSC-T6 cell activation was reversed by the HIF-1α agonist dimethyloxalylglycine.Conclusions Jiawei Jisheng Shenqi Decoction can improve the hypoxic microenvironment via the HIF-1α/Notch pathway,thereby exerting an anti-liver cirrhosis effect.

Aim To investigate the regulatory mecha-nisms of donepezil on the expression and enzymatic ac-tivity of cytochrome P450 3A4(CYP3A4),elucidate the synergistic impact of hypoxia on CYP3A4 function,and reveal its potential association with drug-induced cardiotoxicity,particularly QT interval prolongation.Methods Western blot,co-immunoprecipitation,and gene knockdown techniques were employed to evaluate the effects of donepezil and hypoxia on CYP3A4 pro-tein expression.CYP3A4 enzymatic activity was as-sessed using an in vitro incubation system with rat liver microsomes combined with high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),and the half-maximal inhib-itory concentration(IC50)was determined.Results Donepezil(10 μmol·L-1)and hypoxia reduced CYP3A4 protein expression to 31.75％and 45.90％of the control levels,respectively.Both interventions activated the gp78-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome path-way,significantly increasing CYP3A4 ubiquitination levels by 2.1-fold compared to the control group,thereby promoting proteasomal degradation.Donepezil inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity with an IC50 of 83.4μmol·L-1,and hypoxia synergistically enhanced this inhibitory effect,reducing the IC50 to 20.79 μmol·L-1.Conclusion Donepezil downregulates CYP3A4 function through dual mechanisms involving ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation and direct enzymatic inhibition.Hypoxia potentiates this effect,leading to impaired metabolism of CYP3A4 substrate drugs,ele-vated plasma drug concentrations(1.6-2.3-fold in-crease compared to normal metabolic conditions),and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation and other forms of cardiotoxicity.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Jiawei Jisheng Shenqi Decoction in improving the hypoxic microenvironment and antagonizing liver cirrhosis.Methods In vivo experiments were conducted using a rat model of carbon tetrachloride(CCL4)-induced liver cirrhosis.Rats were divided into normal,model,colchicine,JWJSSQ low-dose,JWJSSQ medium-dose,and JWJSSQ high-dose group.Pathological changes in liver tissues in each group were examined by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Masson staining,changes in serum liver function were detected using test kits,levels of hyaluronic acid(HA),laminin(LN),procollagen Ⅲ(PC Ⅲ),and collagen typeⅣ(COL4)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and protein expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),Notch1,Jagged1,and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were detected by Western blot.In vitro experiments were conducted in HSC-T6 cells,and the optimal concentration of CoCl2(100 μ mol/L,200μmol/L,400 μmol/L,600 μmol/L and 800 μmol/L)in the cultured cells and the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum(5％,10％,15％,20％)were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay.The migration ability of cells in each group was detected by scratch testing,and changes in the apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry.Protein expression levels of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,α-SMA,matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP9),and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1(TIMP-1)were detected by Western blot.Results In the in vivo experiments,liver swelling,inflammatory cell infiltration,collagen deposition,and the appearance of pseudolobules were significantly increased in the model group compared with those in the normal group.Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),HA,LN,PCⅢ,and COL4 were significantly increased and albumin(ALB)was significantly decreased in the model group,while liver levels of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,and α-SMA proteins were significantly increased(P＜0.01).Liver swelling,inflammatory cell infiltration,and collagen deposition were significantly reduced in each treatment group compared with those in the model group,and the degree of fibrosis was reduced.Serum ALT,AST,HA,LN,PCⅢ,and COL4 were significantly decreased and ALB was significantly increased,while liver levels of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,and α-SMA proteins were also significantly decreased to varying degrees(P＜0.05).In the in vitro experiments,hypoxia promoted HSC-T6 migration and reduced apoptosis,increased the protein expression levels of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,α-SMA,and TIMP-1,and reduced the expression levels of MMP9(P＜0.01).Serum containing Jiawei Jisheng Shenqi Decoction inhibited HSC-T6 migration,promoted HSC-T6 apoptosis,lowered the expression of HIF-1α,Notch1,Jagged1,α-SMA,and TIMP-1 proteins,and enhanced the expression of MMP9 protein(P＜0.01).The inhibitory effect of Jiawei Jisheng Shenqi on HSC-T6 cell activation was reversed by the HIF-1α agonist dimethyloxalylglycine.Conclusions Jiawei Jisheng Shenqi Decoction can improve the hypoxic microenvironment via the HIF-1α/Notch pathway,thereby exerting an anti-liver cirrhosis effect.

Aim To investigate the regulatory mecha-nisms of donepezil on the expression and enzymatic ac-tivity of cytochrome P450 3A4(CYP3A4),elucidate the synergistic impact of hypoxia on CYP3A4 function,and reveal its potential association with drug-induced cardiotoxicity,particularly QT interval prolongation.Methods Western blot,co-immunoprecipitation,and gene knockdown techniques were employed to evaluate the effects of donepezil and hypoxia on CYP3A4 pro-tein expression.CYP3A4 enzymatic activity was as-sessed using an in vitro incubation system with rat liver microsomes combined with high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),and the half-maximal inhib-itory concentration(IC50)was determined.Results Donepezil(10 μmol·L-1)and hypoxia reduced CYP3A4 protein expression to 31.75％and 45.90％of the control levels,respectively.Both interventions activated the gp78-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome path-way,significantly increasing CYP3A4 ubiquitination levels by 2.1-fold compared to the control group,thereby promoting proteasomal degradation.Donepezil inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity with an IC50 of 83.4μmol·L-1,and hypoxia synergistically enhanced this inhibitory effect,reducing the IC50 to 20.79 μmol·L-1.Conclusion Donepezil downregulates CYP3A4 function through dual mechanisms involving ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation and direct enzymatic inhibition.Hypoxia potentiates this effect,leading to impaired metabolism of CYP3A4 substrate drugs,ele-vated plasma drug concentrations(1.6-2.3-fold in-crease compared to normal metabolic conditions),and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation and other forms of cardiotoxicity.

Background/Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population. Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Following 3 years of randomized intervention with either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or placebo, participants were rolled over to open-label TDF for 3 years. Liver biopsies were performed before and after the treatment to evaluate histopathological changes. Virological, biochemical, and serological outcomes were also assessed (NCT02463019). Results: Of 146 enrolled patients (median age 47 years, 80.8% male), 123 completed the study with paired biopsies. Overall, the Ishak fibrosis score decreased in 74 (60.2%), remained unchanged in 32 (26.0%), and increased in 17 (13.8%) patients (p<0.0001). The Knodell necroinflammation score decreased in 58 (47.2%), remained unchanged in 29 (23.6%), and increased in 36 (29.3%) patients (p=0.0038). The proportion of patients with an Ishak score ≥ 3 significantly decreased from 26.8% (n=33) to 9.8% (n=12) (p=0.0002). Histological improvements were more pronounced in patients switching from placebo. Virological and biochemical outcomes also improved in placebo switchers and remained stable in patients who continued TDF. However, serum HBsAg levels did not change and no patient cleared HBsAg. Conclusions In CHB patients with minimally raised ALT, favorable histopathological, biochemical, and virological outcomes were observed following 3-year TDF treatment, for both treatment-naïve patients and those already on therapy.