OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Yiqi wenyang huwei decoction （YQWY） in improving airway inflammation and remodeling in rats with bronchial asthma （BA） based on the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group， the model group， the dexamethasone group （positive control， 0.5 mg/kg）， and YQWY low-， medium- and high-dose groups （5， 10， 20 g/kg， calculated by the crude drug）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in all other groups were sensitized twice with ovalbumin combined with aerosol challenge to establish a BA model. From day 14 to day 34 of the experiment， the rats in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， 1 hour before aerosol challenge. At 24 hours after the final aerosol challenge， asthma symptom scores were assessed， serum levels of immunoglobulin E （IgE） were measured， and the levels of inflammatory cytokines （interleukin-4， interleukin-5， interleukin-13 and tumor necrosis factor-α） and the numbers of inflammatory cells （white blood cell， eosinophil， neutrophil， lymphocyte， monocyte and basophil） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined. Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed. The mRNA expressions of TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 in lung tissue， were detected. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the pathological changes， such as inflammatory cell infiltration， abnormal deposition of collagen fibers， and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung tissue of rats in each drug group， were alleviated to varying degrees. The asthma symptom scores （except for the YQWY low-dose group）， the levels of IgE and inflammatory cytokines （except for interleukin-5 in the YQWY medium-dose group）， the number of inflammatory cells （except for monocyte and basophil in the YQWY low-dose group）， the mRNA expression of TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （except for MyD88 and NF-κB p65 proteins in the YQWY low-dose group as detected by Western blo t） were all significantly reduced or down-regulated （ P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS YQWY can alleviate asthma-like manifestations in BA rats and improve their airway inflammation and remodeling； these effects may be related to the formula’s inhibition of the abnormal activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Valvular heart disease (VHD) has become increasingly common with the aging in China. This study aimed to evaluate regional differences in the clinical features, management strategies, and outcomes of patients with VHD across different regions in China. METHODS: Data were collected from the China-VHD Study. From April 2018 to June 2018, 12,347 patients who presented with moderate or severe native VHD with a median of 2 years of follow-up from 46 centers at certified tertiary hospitals across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in Chinese mainland were included in this study. According to the locations of the research centers, patients were divided into five regional groups: eastern, southern, western, northern, and central China. The clinical features of VHD patients were compared among the five geographical regions. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the cumulative incidence rate. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients (mean age, 61.96 years; 6877 [55.70%] male), multiple VHD was the most frequent type (4042, 32.74%), which was mainly found in eastern China, followed by isolated mitral regurgitation (3044, 24.65%), which was mainly found in northern China. The etiology of VHD varied significantly across different regions of China. The overall rate of valve interventions was 32.67% (4008/12,268), with the highest rate in southern China at 48.46% (205/423). In terms of procedure, the proportion of transcatheter valve intervention was relatively low compared to that of surgical treatment. Patients with VHD in western China had the highest incidence of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Valve intervention significantly improved the outcome of patients with VHD in all five regions (all P  <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that patients with VHD in China are characterized by significant geographic disparities in clinical features, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Targeted efforts are needed to improve the management and prognosis of patients with VHD in China according to differences in geographical characteristics. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03484806.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Heart Valve Diseases/therapy* ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: To create a mixed valvular heart disease (MVHD)-related age-adjusted comorbidity index (MVACI) model for predicting mortality risk of patients with MVHD. METHODS: A total of 4080 patients with moderate or severe MVHD in the China-VHD study were included. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality. A MVACI model prediction model was constructed based on the mortality risk factors identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the relationship between MVACI scores and 2-year all-cause mortality. The optimal threshold, determined by the maximum Youden index from receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, was used to stratify patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate 2-year all-cause mortality and compared using the Log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), evaluating the association between MVACI scores and mortality. Paired ROC curves were used to compare the discriminative ability of MVACI scores with the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation Ⅱ(EuroSCORE Ⅱ) or the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) in predicting 2-year clinical outcomes, while calibration curves assessed the calibration of these models. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on etiology, treatment strategies, and disease severity. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified the following variables independently associated with 2-year all-cause mortality in patients: pulmonary hypertension, myocardiopathy, heart failure, low body weight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m²), anaemia, hypoalbuminemia, renal insufficiency, cancer, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and age. The score was independently associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, and exhibited good discrimination (AUC=0.777, 95%CI: 0.755-0.799) and calibration (Brier score 0.062), with significantly better predictive performance than EuroSCORE Ⅱ or ACCI (both adjusted P<0.01). The internal validation showed that the MVACI model's predicted probability of 2-year all-cause mortality was generally consistent with the actual probability. The AUCs for predicting all-cause mortality risk were all above 0.750, and those for predicting adverse events were all above 0.630. The prognostic value of the score remained consistent in patients regardless of their etiology, therapeutic option, and disease severity. CONCLUSIONS The MVACI was constructed in this study based on age and comorbidities, and can be used for mortality risk prediction and risk stratification of MVHD patients. It is a simple algorithmic index and easy to use.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Comorbidity ; Heart Valve Diseases/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Age Factors ; Risk Assessment ; Adult ; ROC Curve

Objective:To analyze the incidence rate and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rate of Chlamydia trachomatis ( C. trachomatis) infection in women aged 15-49 years in China from 1990 to 2021, identify the vulnerable populations, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of C. trachomatis infection. Methods:The data from Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 were used to analyze the incidence rate and DALY rate of C. trachomatis infection in women aged 15-49 years in China from 1990 to 2021 by using Joinpoint regression model. The age-period-cohort analysis method was used to decompose the age effect, period effect and cohort effect of incidence rate and DALY rate of C. trachomatis infection. Results:From 1990 to 2021, the incidence rate of C. trachomatis infection increased from 5 892.02/100 000 in 1990 to 7 402.23/100 000 in 2021 in women aged 15-49 years in China. The DALY rate increased from 1.92/100 000 person-years in 1990 to 2.00/100 000 person-years in 2021. Joinpoint regression showed that, from 1990 to 2021, the annual incidence of C. trachomatis infection in Chinese women age aged 15-49 years increased by 0.74% [average annual percent change (AAPC) =0.74%, 95% CI: 0.67%-0.81%, t=21.94, P<0.001] and the annual average DALY rate increased by 0.11% (AAPC=0.11%, 95% CI: -0.09%-0.30%, t=1.06, P=0.287). Age-period-cohort model analyses showed that women aged 30-34 years were at high risk to be infected with C. trachomatis and women aged 40-44 years were at high risk to have high DALY. The period effect showed that the risk for C. trachomatis infection began to increase in 1990, peaked during 2000-2004, then gradually decreased. During 2015-2019, the infection risk increased again, while the risk for high DALY showed a decreasing trend. The cohort effect showed that the risks for C. trachomatis infection and DALY were lower in later birth cohorts. Conclusions:From 1990 to 2021, the incidence rate and DALY rate of C. trachomatis infection showed fluctuations in women aged 15-49 years in China. It is necessary to pay close attention to the prevention and control of C. trachomatis infection in women aged 30-34 years.

Objective:To analyze the incidence rate and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rate of Chlamydia trachomatis ( C. trachomatis) infection in women aged 15-49 years in China from 1990 to 2021, identify the vulnerable populations, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of C. trachomatis infection. Methods:The data from Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 were used to analyze the incidence rate and DALY rate of C. trachomatis infection in women aged 15-49 years in China from 1990 to 2021 by using Joinpoint regression model. The age-period-cohort analysis method was used to decompose the age effect, period effect and cohort effect of incidence rate and DALY rate of C. trachomatis infection. Results:From 1990 to 2021, the incidence rate of C. trachomatis infection increased from 5 892.02/100 000 in 1990 to 7 402.23/100 000 in 2021 in women aged 15-49 years in China. The DALY rate increased from 1.92/100 000 person-years in 1990 to 2.00/100 000 person-years in 2021. Joinpoint regression showed that, from 1990 to 2021, the annual incidence of C. trachomatis infection in Chinese women age aged 15-49 years increased by 0.74% [average annual percent change (AAPC) =0.74%, 95% CI: 0.67%-0.81%, t=21.94, P<0.001] and the annual average DALY rate increased by 0.11% (AAPC=0.11%, 95% CI: -0.09%-0.30%, t=1.06, P=0.287). Age-period-cohort model analyses showed that women aged 30-34 years were at high risk to be infected with C. trachomatis and women aged 40-44 years were at high risk to have high DALY. The period effect showed that the risk for C. trachomatis infection began to increase in 1990, peaked during 2000-2004, then gradually decreased. During 2015-2019, the infection risk increased again, while the risk for high DALY showed a decreasing trend. The cohort effect showed that the risks for C. trachomatis infection and DALY were lower in later birth cohorts. Conclusions:From 1990 to 2021, the incidence rate and DALY rate of C. trachomatis infection showed fluctuations in women aged 15-49 years in China. It is necessary to pay close attention to the prevention and control of C. trachomatis infection in women aged 30-34 years.

Aortic stenosis is a valve disease characterized by dynamic and continuous changes in structure and function of left ventricle.Left ventricular remodeling,which embodies pathological changes in myocardial cellular and ventricular geometry,is an important prognostic factor of patients with aortic stenosis.Aortic valve replacement is the only effective treatment for severe aortic stenosis.Current guideline recommendations for interventions are based on symptoms and left ventricular ejection fraction.With the improvements of modern imaging technology,different patterns of remodeling,including hypertrophy and fibrosis,could be identified now.Studies also explored the close association between left ventricular remodeling and function in the setting of aortic stenosis.In this review,we aim to elucidate the characteristic imaging features and potential mechanisms of left ventricular remodeling,and further,we highlight the clinical value of specific imaging features and clinical application of modern imaging methods in the evaluation,risk stratification,and intervention decision-making for patients with aortic stenosis.

Central medial thalamic nucleus (CM) is a nucleus located in the medullary plate of the midline thalamus. It belongs to the midline nucleus group of the thalamus and serves as a non-specific projection system. CM has extensive anatomical connections with other brain areas and acts as a relay and integration center for brain functions. Recent research has demonstrated that CM is involved in various behaviors such as general anesthesia and arousal, pain, itch, emotions, and cognition. This paper reviews the anatomical structure, morphology, fiber connection, electrophysiological characteristics, and other related functions of CM to provide references for future research.

Background::The study aimed to describe the aortic valve morphology in Chinese patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS), and the impact of sizing strategies and related procedural outcomes.Methods::Patients with severe AS who underwent TAVR were consecutively enrolled from 2012 to 2019. The anatomy and morphology of the aortic root were assessed. "Downsize" strategy was preformed when patients had complex morphology. The clinical outcomes of patients who performed downsize strategy were compared with those received annular sizing strategy. The primary outcome was device success rate, and secondary outcomes included Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 clinical outcomes variables based on 1-year follow-up.Results::A total of 293 patients were enrolled. Among them, 95 patients (32.4%) had bicuspid aortic valve. The calcium volume (Hounsfield Unit-850) of aortic root was 449.90 (243.15-782.15) mm 3. Calcium is distributed mostly on the leaflet level. Downsize strategy was performed in 204 patients (69.6%). Compared with the patients who performed annular sizing strategy, those received downsize strategy achieved a similar device success rate (82.0% [73] vs. 83.3% [170], P= 0.79). Aortic valve gradients (downsize strategy group vs. annular sizing group, 11.28 mmHg vs. 11.88 mmHg, P = 0.64) and percentages of patients with moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation 2.0% (4/204) vs. 4.5% (4/89), P = 0.21) were similar in the two groups at 30 days after TAVR. These echocardiographic results were sustainable for one year. Conclusions::Chinese TAVR patients have more prevalent bicuspid morphology and large calcium volume of aortic root. Calcium is distributed mostly on the leaflet level. Compare with annular sizing strategy, downsize strategy provided a non-inferior device success rate and transcatheter heart valve hemodynamic performance in self-expanding TAVR procedure.

Objective: To compare the outcome of surgical high-risk elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis(SAS) treated by different therapy procedures, including transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI), surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR), and drug therapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 242 surgical high-risk elderly (age ≥65 years old) SAS patients hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital between September 2012 and June 2015. According to the treatment method, patients were divided into TAVI group (81 cases), SAVR group (59 cases) and drug therapy group (102 cases). The primary end point was all-cause mortality at 1 year post procedure, and secondary end point included cardiac function class(NYHA), vascular complication, valvular function, non-fatal myocardial infarction, new atrial fibrillation, stroke, bleeding, pacemaker implantation, acute renal failure, and readmission. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate survival function based on follow up data and survival was compared between groups with the use of the log-rank test. Results: (1) In the baseline data, there were statistically significant difference among 3 groups for the age, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac function class Ⅲ and Ⅳ, rates of combined diabetes, chronic renal failure, mild and moderate mitral regurgitation (P<0.01 or 0.05). The risk score of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons(STS) was 7.28±4.98 in the TAVI group, and 5.67±3.49 in the SAVR group(P=0.036). (2) The perioperative rates of pacemaker implantation(11.3%(9/81) vs. 0, P=0.025) and mild paravalvular regurgitation(29.6%(24/81) vs.1.7%(1/59), P<0.001) were significantly higher in TAVI group than in SAVR group.(3)The rate of rehospitalization was significantly lower in TAVI group than in SAVR group(3.0%(2/67) vs. 22.7%(10/44) P=0.005) and the rate of pacemaker implantation was significantly higher in TAVI group than in SAVR group(17.5 (12/67) vs. 0, P=0.008) after 1 year. The rates of death from any cause in the TAVI (5.8%(4/67)) and SAVR group (11.4%(5/44)) were significantly lower than that in the drug therapy group (54.9%(50/91), both P<0.05) after 1 year and was similar between TAVI group and SAVR group(P=0.622). (4) The rates of cardiac function classⅠandⅡ increased and Ⅲ and Ⅳ decreased in TAVI and SAVR group after 1 year when compared with base line(P<0.001). The rates of cardiac function class Ⅱ, and Ⅲ increased , class Ⅰ and Ⅳ decreased in drug therapy group after 1 year compared with base line (P=0.020). (5)The survival rates after 1 year were significantly higher in the TAVI group and SAVR group than in the drug therapy group(log-rank test, P<0.001), and the difference was similar between TAVI group and SAVR group (log-rank test, P=0.062). Conclusion In surgical high-risk elderly patients with SAS, the prognosis of drug therapy was poor, and TAVI and SAVR were associated with similarly improved rates of survival after 1 year, although there were significant differences in periprocedural complications between TAVI and SAVR groups.

Objective This study aimed to describe the sex disparities on cancer incidence and mortality in Jiashan population.Methods All data concerning incident and death cases of cancers were gathered from the database of Cancer Registry in Jiashan county.Data from the 2010 China census was used as the standard population.Sex-specific age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs),mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100 000 persons for all cancers and types of each cancer were calculated for the years of 1990 to 1999,2000 to 2009,2010 to 2014,and 1990 to 2014.In addition,the corresponding male-to-female incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and mortality rate ratios (MRRs) were also calculated.Results The ASIR of all cancers was 226.13/105 for the whole period of 1990 to 2014,with 266.04/105 for males and 187.22/105 for females,respectivcly.The corresponding IRR was 1.42 (95％CI:1.39-1.46),with significant difference noticed in the incidence rates between males and females (P＜0.05).The ASMR of all cancers was 155.39/105,with 206.55/105 for males and 104.98/105 for females,respectively.The corresponding MRR was 1.97 (95％ CI:1.91-2.03),with significant difference between males and females (P＜0.05).Among all the cancer types,only gallbladder cancer and thyroid cancer showed female predominance in both incidence and mortality,with male predominance in all the remaining cancers.Conclusion Finding from our study suggested that a male predominance in both incidence and mortality for a majority of cancers in Jiashan population.