BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) presents a significant health burden in Asia and remains a critical challenge. This study aims to delineate the PAH burden in Asia from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: Using the latest data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021, we evaluated and analyzed the distributions and patterns of PAH disease burden among various age groups, sexes, regions, and countries in Asia. Additionally, we examined the associations between PAH disease burden and key health system indicators, including the socio-demographic index (SDI) and the universal health coverage (UHC) index. RESULTS: In 2021, there were 25,989 new PAH cases, 103,382 existing cases, 13,909 PAH-associated deaths, and 385,755 DALYs attributed to PAH in Asia, which accounted for approximately 60% of global PAH cases. The age-standardized rates (ASRs) for prevalence and deaths were 2.05 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 1.66-2.52) per 100,000 population and 0.31 (95% UI: 0.23-0.38) per 100,000 population, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, Asia reported the lowest ASRs for PAH prevalence but the highest ASRs for deaths compared to other continents. While the ASRs for prevalence increased slightly, ASRs for mortality and DALYs decreased over time. This increasing burden of PAH was primarily driven by population growth and aging. The burden was especially pronounced among individuals aged ≥60 years and <9 years, who collectively accounted for the majority of deaths and DALYs. Moreover, higher SDI and UHC levels were linked to reduced incidence, but higher prevalence rates. CONCLUSIONS Although progress has been made in reducing PAH-related mortality and DALYs, the disease continues to impose a substantial burden in Asia, particularly among older adults and young children. Region-specific health policies should focus on improving early diagnosis, expanding access to treatment, and effectively addressing the growing PAH burden in the region.
Humans ; Global Burden of Disease ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Asia/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Aged ; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/mortality* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/epidemiology*

BACKGROUND: The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis (CAS) on right ventricular (RV) function during acute pulmonary embolism (PE) episodes remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE. METHODS: In this multicenter, case-control study, 89 cases and 176 controls matched for age were enrolled at three study centers (Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University) from January 2016 to December 2020. The cases were patients with acute PE with CAS, and the controls were patients with acute PE without CAS. Coronary artery assessment was performed using coronary computed tomographic angiography. CAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel >2.0 mm in diameter. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between CAS and RV dysfunction. RESULTS: The percentages of RV dysfunction (19.1% [17/89] vs. 44.6% [78/176], P <0.001) and elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) (19.3% [17/89] vs. 39.5% [68/176], P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the case group than those in the control group. In the multivariable logistic regression model, CAS was independently and negatively associated with RV dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.367; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.185-0.728; P = 0.004), and elevated sPAP (OR: 0.490; 95% CI: 0.252-0.980; P = 0.035), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Pre-existing CAS was significantly and negatively associated with RV dysfunction and elevated sPAP in patients with acute PE. This finding provides new insights into RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE with pre-existing CAS.
Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism/complications* ; Case-Control Studies ; Male ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/physiopathology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Coronary Stenosis/complications* ; Logistic Models ; Adult

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever outbreaks in schools from Guangzhou in 2024, so as to provide a reference for formulating targeted prevention and control policies and measures. Methods: By using the National Infectious Disease Surveillance Information Reporting Management System to obtain information on dengue fever cases in Guangzhou from January 1st to December 31st, 2024. Descriptive data analysis was conducted on the temporal distribution, regional distribution, and school distribution of dengue fever outbreaks in schools. A mediation effect model was used to analyze the mediating effect of the time between onset and reporting between the type of school and the occurrence of recurrent cases. Results: In 2024,12.41% (385 cases) of dengue fever cases in Guangzhou involved schools, with 300 schools affected. Among these, 16 schools (5.33%) reported cluster outbreaks, and 24 schools (8.00%) reported secondary cases. The first dengue case at the school was reported at 26 July and the last case was reported at 4 December, the peak reporting period for cases was October 7 to November 3. The incidence of secondary cases in schools in central urban areas (5.19%) was lower than that in suburban schools ( 17.39 %), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=9.15, P <0.01). The time from onset to reporting partially mediated the relationship between school type and the occurrence of recurrent cases ( β=0.23, P <0.05), accounting for 21.50% of the total effect. Conclusions Dengue fever is a key infectious disease facing schools in Guangzhou during summer and autumn. Surveillance of dengue fever outbreaks in schools should be strengthened during the peak season to reduce the risk of cluster outbreaks and the occurrence of secondary cases.

Objective To explore the effect of multiparameter electroencephalogram(EEG)-guided anesthesia management on EEG burst suppression(BS)and postoperative delirium(POD)in elderly patients undergoing lower abdominal laparoscopic surgery.Methods A total of 100 elderly patients,48 males and 52 females,aged 65-85 years,BMI 18.5-28.0 kg/m2,and ASA physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ,were enrolled for lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia.Patients were randomly divided into two groups:multiparameter group and single parameter group,50 patients in each group.In multiparameter group,multiparameter EEG monitoring with patient statu index(PSI),spectral edge frequency(SEF),burst suppression ratio(BSR)and density spectral array(DSA)were used to guide the depth management of anesthesia.In single parameter group,single parameter PSI was used to guide the depth management of anesthesia.The total area under the hypotensive threshold of MAP(AUTMAP)was calculated,and the amount of anesthetic used during the operation and the use of vasoactive drugs,duration of anesthesia,extu-bation time,duration of PACU stay,and postoperative hospitalisation days were recorded.HR,MAP,PSI,and SEF were recorded before the induction of anesthesia,5 minutes after induction of anesthesia,5,30,and 60 minutes after incision,and at the end of surgery.The incidence,duration,and maximum BSR of in-traoperative BS,as well as the incidence of POD 1,2,and 3 days after surgery were recorded.Results There was no significant difference in AUTMAP values between the two groups.Compared with single parame-ter group,intraoperative propofol and remifentanil dosage were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),awak-ening time,PACU stay,and postoperative hospitalization time were significantly shorter in multiparameter group(P＜0.05),the PSI was significantly increased 5,30,and 60 minutes after incision and at the end of surgery,and the SEF was significantly increased 5 minutes after induction of anesthesia,5,30,and 60 minutes after induction and the end of surgery(P＜0.05).Compared with single parameter group,inci-dence of intraoperative BS was significantly decreased,duration of BS was significantly shorter,smaller maximum BSR was significantly decreased,and incidence of POD on 1 day after surgery in multiparameter group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Anesthesia management guided by multiparameter EEG can inhibit the oc-currence of BS,mitigate the degree of BS,and reduce the incidence of POD in elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Objective To evaluate the effect of different cold ischemia time (CIT) on early graft function and acute rejection (AR) after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 218 donors and recipients undergoing liver transplantation were collected and analyzed. All patients were divided into three groups according to the CIT of donor liver: group A (CIT≤6 h, n=60), group B (6 h < CIT≤10 h, n=89) and group C (CIT > 10 h, n=69). Blood samples were collected on the 1, 7 and 14 d after liver transplantation. The changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in CD4⁺T cells were detected. The incidence of AR and the positive rate of C4d deposition were analyzed. Results The ALT, AST and LDH levels in each group reached the peak on the 1 d after operation, and then gradually decreased. The indexes in each group were almost equivalent on the 14 d. An interaction effect existed between postoperative time and group. After liver transplantation, ATP levels in CD4⁺T cells were gradually increased in each group, peaked at postoperative 7 d, and then decreased gradually. An interaction effect was noted between postoperative time and group. The incidence of AR in groups A, B and C was 10%, 12% and 28%. Compared with group C, the incidence of AR in groups A and B was decreased significantly (both P < 0.05/3). The positive rate of C4d deposition in AR recipients of groups A, B and C was 1/3, 45% and 89% respectively. Compared with group C, the positive rate of C4d deposition in group A was decreased significantly (P=0.015). Conclusions The prolongation of CIT may lead to aggravation of early-stage liver function injury after liver transplantation, which is more easily to induce humoral AR.

Objective To investigate the effects of propofol combined with nalbuphine on diaphragmatic movement monitored by ultrasound in patients undergoing colonoscopy.Methods Forty patients, males 21 and females 19, aged 18-65 years, BMI 18-25 kg/m2, ASA physical status I or II, were recruited and scheduled to undergo elective painless colonoscopy.All patients were randomly divided into two groups (n =20):propofol group (group P) and propofol combined with nalbuphine group (group F).Patients in group F received nalbuphine 0.1 mg/kg intravenously 1 min before propofol administration, and patients in group P received same volume of normal saline.Propofol was infused by TCI and the initial target plasma concentration was set at 2μg/ml in all patients.The target concentration was adjusted gradually until the Ramsay sedation score reached 5.Then colonoscopy was started.During the colonoscopy, the propofol concentration was adjusted according to the Ramsay score.Ultrasound was used to monitor the movement of the right diaphragm of the patients.SpO2, MAP, HR, PETCO2, RR, diaphragmatic movement (DM), diaphragmatic thickness at the end of inspiration (TEI) and diaphragmatic thickness at the end of expiration (TEE) were recorded under calm breathing after entering the room (T0), Ramsay sedation score 5 points after propofol administration (T1), and Ramsay sedation score 2 after endoscopy (T2).The diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) was calculated:DTF= (TEI-TEE) /TEI.Adverse reactions such as bradycardia, hypotension, body movement, and respiratory depression were recorded.Results Compared with T0, MAP, SpO2, HR and RR decreased, and PETCO2 increased at T1 time point in patients of the two groups (P<0.05).Compared with group F, the dose of propofol increased in group P (P<0.05).DM at T1 and T2, DTF at T1 were obviously higher in group F than those in group P (P<0.05).There were two cases had body movement in group P, and one case had bradycardia in group F.There was no case suffered from hypotension, respiratory depression and reflux aspiration in two groups.Conclusion Compared with propofol alone, propofol combined with nalbuphine can attenuate the dysfunction of the diaphragm.

Objective To investigate the effect of the Notch signaling pathway on the proliferation and invasion of human SW982 synovial sarcoma cells. Methods SW982 cells and normal human synovial cells were routinely cultured, and the expression of proteins related to the Notch pathway was compared. The Notch signaling pathway was manipulated by NICD1 overexpression, CFB1 shRNA lentivirus, and the γ-secretase inhibitor, DAPT. CCK-8 and wound healing assays were carried out to investigate the role of the Notch signaling pathway in SW982 cells. Results The Notch signaling pathway clearly showed higher activity in human SW982 synovial sarcoma cells than in normal human synovial cells (P ＜ 0.05). The proliferation and invasion of SW982 cells were significantly upregulated by overexpressing NICD1; however, were suppressed by downregulating the Notch signaling pathway using CFB1 shRNA or DAPT (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that the proliferation and invasion of human SW982 synovial sarcoma cells are dependent on Notch signaling pathway activity.

Objective: To explore the safety of liver transplantation recipients with Rh blood group mismatchming. Methods: From May 2005 to December 2018, 1 546 cases of liver transplantation in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among these cases, 5 cases of Rh blood group mismatched were Rh(-) recipients receiving Rh(+ ) donor liver. For each Rh blood group mismatched liver transplantation, 5 patients received the same Rh blood group liver allograft were matched according to a certain principle and were defined as Rh-mismatch group and Rh-match group respectively. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and creatinine(SCr)were compared between two groups at Days 7 & 14 post-operation. Serum total bilirubin(TB), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)were compared between two groups at Month 1, 6 & 12 post-operation. Hemoglobin (Hb)were compared between two groups Month 1, 3 & 6 post-operation. The rates of infection, vascular complications and acute rejection was also compared. Indirect antiglobulin test (IAT)was used for detecting the production of anti-RhD antibody in patients in Rh-mismatch group at Month 1, 6 & 12 post-operation. Results: At the mentioned time, no significant inter-group difference existed in serum ALT, AST, SCr, TB, GGT and blood Hb levels(all P>0.05); Also, no significant difference existed in the incidence of infection, vascular complications or acute rejection(all P>0.05). In Rhmismatch group, 4 recipients received Rh(+ )RBC transfusion during perioperative period and no hemolytic anemia occurred after operation. Rh(D) antibody was negative at all timepoints. Conclusions Taking into account the rarity of Rh-negative blood group in Chinese, it is safe and feasible to carry out Rh blood group mismatched liver transplantation when donor or recipient with the same Rh blood group is not available.

Objective To summarize our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma (HEAML),with the aim to reduce the future misdiagnosis rate.Methods The PubMed,Medline,China Science Periodical Database (CSPD),and VIP Databases were searched from January 2000 to March 2018 on all reports on HEAML.Results There were 409 cases of HEAML in 97 reports.The ratio of men to women was 1∶4.84.The age ranged from 12 to 80 years and the median age was 44 years.61.9％ of patients (205/331) were asymptomatic,while 34.7％ (115/331) had upper or right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort.Some patients presented with abdominal mass,gastrointestinal reaction,low grade fever or weight loss.The clinical symptoms in 78 patients were not mentioned in the reports.The misdiagnostic rate of HEAML was as high as 40.3％ (165/409).The imaging findings of HEAML were nonspecific.Ultrasound,CT and MRI scan usually showed contrast enhancement in the arterial phase.Most lesions were accompanied by central vessels with early drainage veins.The enhanced scans showed varied characteristics.The ratios of fast wash-in and fast wash-out,to fast wash-in and slow wash-out,and to delayed enhancement were roughly 4∶ 5∶ 1.A definitive diagnosis of HEAML is based on the pathological findings of epithelioid cells in the lesions and the expressions of HMB45,SMA,Melan-A and Actin on immunohistochemical staining.HEAML had a relatively low malignant rate of 3.9％.Surgical resection was the main treatment for HEAML.Conclusion HEAML was a rare and easily misdiagnosed disease.,which could be diagnosed by taking into account the clinical course,imaging,pathological and immunohistochemical findings.HEAML.

Objective To investigate the role of Notch signaling pathway to maintain the stem cell-like characteristics of osteosarcoma and its underlying mechanism.Methods Lentiviral NICD1 or Numb-shRNA was transduced into MG63 osteosarcoma cells to activate Notch activity in vitro.The impact of Notch on osteosarcoma stem cells were assessed by the tumor sphere formation assay and flow cytometry analysis of cell surface markers STRO-1/CD117.The expression of stem cell related genes (Sox2,Oct4) were evaluated by Western blot and qPCR.The nude mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:the NICD1 overexpression (NICD-OE) group,the DAPT group and the control (CON) group.The tumor growth was monitored for 8 weeks and the tumor volume and weight were recorded weekly.To investigate whether Notch regulates Eph pathway,Eph pathway related protein EphB,pEphB was measured by Western blot.The impact of ephrinB 1 on NICD overexpression cell were assessed by tumor sphere formation assay.The expression of Sox2 and Oct4 was evaluated by Western blot.Results NICD1 overexpression or Numb-shRNA increased the activity of Notch pathway.The Notch-activated osteosarcoma showed enhanced in vitro tumor spheroid formation capacity,increased Stro-1/CD117double positive ratio,and upregulated expression of Sox2 and Oct4 in vitro.In animal experiments,it was found that activation of Notch pathway promoted tumor formation in vivo and Notch inhibition decreased it.The primary osteosarcoma cells were obtained from mice xenograft treated with DAPT and its tumor sphere formation capacity was significantly reduced.Finally,The Notch pathway inhibits the phosphorylation of EphB,as well as the downstream signal pathway of EphB,but there is no significant change in total EphB.The activation of Eph pathway inhibited Notch induced up-regulation of tumor sphere formation and Sox2 and Oct4 expression.Conclusion Notch signaling pathway maintains the stem cell-like characteristics of osteosarcoma probably by inhibiting the Eph pathway.