BACKGROUND: Death burden of stroke is severe with over one-third rural residents in China, but there is still a lack of specific national and high-quality reports on the urban-rural differences in stroke burden, especially for subtypes. We aimed to update the understanding of urban-rural differences in stroke deaths. METHODS: This is a descriptive observational study. Data from the national mortality surveillance system, which covers 323.8 million with 605 disease surveillance points (DSPs) across all 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China. All deaths from stroke as the underlying cause from 2015 to 2020 according to DSPs. Crude mortality rate and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) were estimated through DSPs. Average annual percentage change was used to explain the change in mortality rate. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2020, the majority of deaths from all stroke subtypes occurred in rural areas. There were significant differences between the changes of urban and rural ASMRs. On the whole, the changes in urban areas were evidently better, and the ASMR differences were basically expanding. Stroke ASMR in urban China decreased by 15.5%. The rural ASMR of ischemic stroke increased by 12.9%. The rural and urban ASMRs of intracerebral hemorrhage decreased by 24.9% and 27.4%, and those of subarachnoid hemorrhage decreased by 29.5% and 40.4%, respectively. The highest ASMRs of all stroke subtypes and the increasing trend of ischemic stroke ASMR make rural males the focus of stroke management. CONCLUSIONS The death burden of stroke varies greatly between urban and rural China. Rural residents face unique challenges.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Stroke/mortality* ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Female ; Urban Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Adult

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) represents a paradigmatic approach to personalized medicine, developed through the systematic accumulation and refinement of clinical empirical data over more than 2000 years, and now encompasses large-scale electronic medical records (EMR) and experimental molecular data. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its utility in medicine through the development of various expert systems (e.g., MYCIN) since the 1970s. With the emergence of deep learning and large language models (LLMs), AI's potential in medicine shows considerable promise. Consequently, the integration of AI and TCM from both clinical and scientific perspectives presents a fundamental and promising research direction. This survey provides an insightful overview of TCM AI research, summarizing related research tasks from three perspectives: systems-level biological mechanism elucidation, real-world clinical evidence inference, and personalized clinical decision support. The review highlights representative AI methodologies alongside their applications in both TCM scientific inquiry and clinical practice. To critically assess the current state of the field, this work identifies major challenges and opportunities that constrain the development of robust research capabilities-particularly in the mechanistic understanding of TCM syndromes and herbal formulations, novel drug discovery, and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered clinical care. The findings underscore that future advancements in AI-driven TCM research will rely on the development of high-quality, large-scale data repositories; the construction of comprehensive and domain-specific knowledge graphs (KGs); deeper insights into the biological mechanisms underpinning clinical efficacy; rigorous causal inference frameworks; and intelligent, personalized decision support systems.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Precision Medicine ; Decision Support Systems, Clinical

The gut microbiota is closely related to human health, and various gut microbiota health indices have been developed to assist in evaluating the health of the gut microbiota and even the overall health of the human body. Diets are one of the main factors that regulate the gut microbiota, while there is still no good method for evaluating the regulatory effects of dietary factors. To assess the regulatory effects of dietary factors on the gut microbiota of overweight individuals, we conducted an in vitro fermentation experiment based on 17 dietary factors, and developed an evaluation method for the regulatory effects of dietary factors based on the health index with principal component analysis (hiPCA). The results showed that most dietary factors had positive regulatory effects on the gut microbiota of overweight individuals. Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and puerarin were the most significant dietary factors in regulating the gut microbiota of overweight individuals. The analysis of the contribution of species to the hiPCA indicated that GOS and puerarin might inhibit the activities of bacteria associated with overweight by regulating Eubacterium dolichum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Clostridium clostridioforme, Clostridium citroniae, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium 9_1_43BFAA. In addition, GOS may further enhance the inhibition of these activities by regulating Lachnospiraceae bacterium 6_1_63FAA, thereby reducing the gut health risks in overweight individuals. In summary, this study evaluated the health effects of dietary factors based on the hiPCA and specifically analyzed the role of different dietary factors in regulating the gut microbiota of overweight individuals. This provides new ideas and methods for improving gut microbiota health and has potential applications in the field of precision nutrition.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Isoflavones/pharmacology* ; Overweight/microbiology* ; Diet ; Fermentation ; Oligosaccharides/pharmacology* ; Principal Component Analysis

Objective:To investigate the differences and applicability of free silica detection methods of different crystal forms in dust, and to provide a basis for the selection of various methods.Methods:From December 2021 to June 2022, dust samples from 20 enterprises in different industries in 18 cities in Henan Province were randomly selected as the investigation objects. X-ray diffraction (XRD) method was used to analyze the samples and classify the samples. Based on GBZ/T 192.4-2007 "Determination of Dust in the Air of Workplace-Part 4: Content of Free Silica in Dust", pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry were used for quantitative determination. The measured results were analyzed by paired sample t test to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods and their applicable scope. Results:The XRD results of 20 dust samples could be divided into α, β, γ crystal types and the mixed type of α and γ. There was no significant difference between pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry ( P=0.180). The pyrophosphate method results of β, γ and α, γ mixed crystalline free silica were significantly higher than those of infrared spectrophotometry, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:Pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry are suitable for α-type free silica, while pyrophosphate method is suitable for β, γ and α, γ mixed crystalline free silica.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections in market-sold aquatic products in Shanghai Municipality, and to understand the knowledge and practice towards food-borne parasitic diseases among residents, so as to provide insights into the surveillance and control of food-borne parasitic diseases. Methods Freshwater products, seawater products and pickled products were randomly obtained from agricultural trade markets, supermarkets, retail stores and restaurants in Huangpu, Putuo, Minhang and Qingpu districts of Shanghai Municipality from 2020 to 2023. Parasite metacercariae and larvae were detected in these aquatic products using pressing method, digestion method and the dissection method, and the detection of parasitic infection was compared in different types of aquatic products. In addition, the knowledge and practice towards food-borne parasitic diseases were investigated among residents aged 10-80 years old who randomly selected from agricultural trade markets, supermarkets, community streets and other population concentration areas in these four districts by questionnaire in 2023, and the awareness of food-borne parasitic diseases knowledge and percentage of healthy behaviors formation were analyzed. Results A total of 2 109 aquatic products sampled from Huangpu, Putuo, Minhang and Qingpu districts of Shanghai Municipality from 2020 to 2023 were detected, and there were 317 products detected with parasitic infections, with an overall detection rate of 15.03%. There were 8 products detected with parasitic infections in 1 221 freshwater products, with a detection rate of 0.66%, and Clonorchis sinensis was the predominant parasite, which was detected in Pseudorasbora parva, Rhodeus amarus and Carassius auratus. There were 82 products detected with parasitic infections in 501 seawater products, with a detection rate of 16.37%, and Anisakis was the predominant parasite, which was detected in Trichiurus lepturus, Larimichthys polyactis, Pneumatophorus japonicus, Collchthys lucidus, Mugil cephalus, Larimichthys crocea, Scomberomorus niphonius, Stromateoides argenteus and Cololabis saira. There were 227 products detected with parasitic infections in 387 pickled products, with a detection rate of 58.66%, and the prevalence rates of Echinostoma metacercariae were 76.27% (225/295) in Bullacta exarata and 11.11% (2/18) in crab pastes, respectively (χ² = 159.511, P < 0.05). No Paragonimus infection was found in freshwater shrimps, crabs and pickled products, and no Diphyllobothrium latum larvae infection was detected in freshwater and seawater fish. Questionnaire surveys showed that the awareness of food-borne parasitic diseases knowledge was 79.00% (222/281), and the percentages of washing hands before and after meals, not drinking filtered water or tap water directly, not eating raw or semi-raw food, being willing to change special dietary preferences or bad living habits for health, and being willing to learn more about food-borne parasitic diseases knowledge were 99.64% (280/281), 72.24% (203/281), 56.23% (158/281), 96.80% (272/281) and 97.51% (274/281) among residents living in Huangpu, Putuo, Minhang and Qingpu districts, respectively. Conclusions There are food-borne parasite contaminations in market-sold aquatic products in Shanghai Municipality. Although residents are aware of food-borne parasitic diseases knowledge, sustainable surveillance of food-borne parasitic diseases and improved health education are required to minimize the risk of human parasitic infections.

Objective:To investigate the differences and applicability of free silica detection methods of different crystal forms in dust, and to provide a basis for the selection of various methods.Methods:From December 2021 to June 2022, dust samples from 20 enterprises in different industries in 18 cities in Henan Province were randomly selected as the investigation objects. X-ray diffraction (XRD) method was used to analyze the samples and classify the samples. Based on GBZ/T 192.4-2007 "Determination of Dust in the Air of Workplace-Part 4: Content of Free Silica in Dust", pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry were used for quantitative determination. The measured results were analyzed by paired sample t test to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods and their applicable scope. Results:The XRD results of 20 dust samples could be divided into α, β, γ crystal types and the mixed type of α and γ. There was no significant difference between pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry ( P=0.180). The pyrophosphate method results of β, γ and α, γ mixed crystalline free silica were significantly higher than those of infrared spectrophotometry, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:Pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry are suitable for α-type free silica, while pyrophosphate method is suitable for β, γ and α, γ mixed crystalline free silica.

Objective To investigate the effects of eicosanoic acid(C20DC)on the proliferation and migration of human retinal endothelial cells(HRECs)and its mechanism.Methods The optimal working concentration of C20DC in human retinal pigment epithelium 19(ARPE-19)cells and HRECs was determined as 30 mg·L-1 and 25 mg·L-1,respec-tively.HRECs were divided into the C20DC treatment group(HRECs treated with C20DC)and the control group[HRECs treated with dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)].The effects of C20DC on the migration and proliferation of HRECs were detec-ted by cell proliferation and migration experiments.The molecular docking method was used to simulate the binding ability of C20DC to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ(PPARδ).ARPE-19 cells were divided into the C20DC+ARPE-19 group(ARPE-19 cells treated with C20DC)and the DMSO+ARPE-19 group(ARPE-19 cells treated with DMSO).The ex-pression levels of PPARδ and angiopoietin-like protein 4(ANGPTL4)in ARPE-19 cells and ANGPTL4 protein in HRECs were detected using Western blot.The ANGPTL4 protein expression levels in ARPE-19 cells and HRECs were quantitatively analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results Compared with the control group,the prolifera-tion and migration of cells in the C20DC treatment group significantly increased(both P＜0.05),and C20DC could stably bind to PPAR8(binding energy:-7.20 kcal·mol-1).Western blot showed that the expression level of ANGPTL4 protein in the C20DC+ARPE-19 group was higher than that in the DMSO+ARPE-19 group,and the difference was statistically sig-nificant(P＜0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in the expression level of PPARδ receptor protein be-tween the two groups(P＞0.05).The expression level of ANGPTL4 protein in the C20DC treatment group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).ELISA quantitative analysis showed that the expression level of ANGPTL4 in the C20DC+ARPE-19 group was higher than that in the DMSO+ARPE-19 group(P＜0.001);the expression level of ANGPTL4 in the C20DC treatment group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion C20DC can promote the expression of ANGPTL4 pro-tein by binding to PPARδ and thus increase the proliferation and migration of retinal related cells(HRECs and ARPE-19 cells).Its mechanism may be related to the increased angiogenesis in retinopathy of prematurity.

Objectives:To investigate the rate and risk factors of tip displacement of umbilical venous catheterization (UVC) in preterm infants.Methods:This was a multicenter cohort study. Study population were preterm infants admitted to 44 tertiary hospitals in China between October 2019 and August 2021. Demographic information, general clinical data, UVC indwelling conditions and related complications were collected. The primary outcome was the rate of UVC tip displacement. The observation time points were 2 d and 7 d after UVC. They were grouped according to UVC displacement, gestational age, and birth weight. Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of UVC tip displacement.Results:The 2 086 preterm infants had a gestational age of (29.9±2.3) weeks and a birth weight of (1 248±298) g. There were 1 106 male preterm infants (53.0%). The rate of UVC displacement at 2 d and 7 d were 34.6% (721/2 086) and 33.6% (494/1 470), respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( χ2=0.35, P=0.533). Univariate analysis indicated that male infants, small gestational age, low birth weight and small catheter diameter were all risk factors for UVC tip displacement at the 2 d time point (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that small catheter diameter was an independent risk factor for tip displacement at both 2 d ( OR=0.47, 95% CI 0.34-0.66) and 7 d ( OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.25-0.59) time points (both P<0.001). Conclusions:The rate of UVC tip displacement is high in preterm infants. It should be avoided to deliberately select a small diameter catheter for UVC, and pay attention to the imaging monitoring of the tip position after UVC.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of neonatal chylothorax.Methods:The clinical data of newborns diagnosed with chylothorax from June 2016 to June 2023 in Neonatal Center of Beijing Children's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, and divided into congenital group and acquired group according to the pathogenesis of chylothorax. The clinical characteristics, treatment methods and prognosis of the two groups were compared.Results:A total of 23 cases were included, including 17 cases (73.9%) in the congenital group and 6 cases (26.1%) in the acquired group. There was no significant difference in gender, gestational age and birth weight between the two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with the acquired group, the proportion of lymphocytes (97.0% vs. 85.0%), the use of erythromycin (7/17 vs. 1/6) and octreotide (9/17 vs. 1/6) and special formula milk feeding (13/17 vs. 2/6) were higher in the congenital group; the proportion of right hydrothorax (1/17 vs. 3/6), invasive mechanical ventilation (6/17 vs. 6/6) and breastfeeding (0/17 vs. 3/6) were lower in the congenital group ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in terms of the white blood cell count in pleural fluid and plasma protein content, incidence of bilateral and left pleural fluid, proportion of closed thoracic drainage, maximum daily drainage volume, drainage duration, total drainage volume, albumin utilization rate, length of stay and survival rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). 18 cases of pleural effusion absorption without recurrence after conservative treatment; 5 cases died, of which 4 cases died after their parents abandoned treatment, and 1 case died of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis after thoracic duct ligation surgery. Conclusions:Congenital chylothorax and acquired chylothorax were similar in severity, course of disease and overall prognosis. The utilization rate of erythromycin and octreotide in congenital chylothorax was higher than that in acquired chylothorax. The neonatal chylothorax is usually with an overall good prognosis.