Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degeneration and inflammation. Procyanidin B2 (PCB2), a natural flavonoid compound, exhibits potential anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects against several diseases. However, its curative effects on OA remain unclear. Herein, we explored the anti-arthritic effects of PCB2 on OA onset and progress and its potential mechanism. CCK-8 assays and EdU staining were used to assess the cytotoxic effects and cell proliferation activity of PCB2. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis in chondrocytes. ELISA, qPCR, and western blotting, were applied to explore the expression of apoptosis and senescence-associated secretion phenotype (SASP) factors. The Nrf2/NF-κB signaling cascade was explored using immunofluorescence and western blotting. Additionally, we silenced the Nrf2 gene using siRNAs to verify its function in PCB2 regulation of senescence and apoptosis phenotypes. Safranin O-Fast Green (SO) and immunohistochemical staining were used to explore the effects of PCB2 on OA model rats. PCB2 dampened interleukin (IL)-1β-triggered expression of SASP factors in vitro. Additionally, PCB2 diminished IL-1β-triggered destruction of the extracellular matrix (ECM) via downregulating the expression of MMPs, while upregulating the expression of collagen II and aggrecan. In addition, PCB2 treatment reduced IL-1β-induced apoptosis of chondrocytes. Mechanistically, PCB2 could attenuated chondrocyte senescence in vitro via the Nrf2/NF-κB pathway. Moreover, PCB2 exhibited anti-apoptotic properties via the Nrf2/BAX/Bcl-2 pathway. PCB2 alleviated knee cartilage degeneration in an OA rat model. Our results suggest that PCB2 may be used as a therapeutic agent for OA.

To investigate global to local socioeconomic-driven distributions and inequalities in burdens of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to forecast long-term burdens. We analysed the prevalence, incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) of RA across 953 locations worldwide, as well as their inequalities and ideal frontiers. A deep-learning pipeline was developed to forecast long-term burdens with scenario simulations. In 2021, RA affected 17.9 million people globally, with a 13.2% increase in incidence rate from 1990-2021, trending younger and broader. The age-standardised death rate fell 32.7% from 1980 to 2021, but global DALYs nearly doubled from 1990 to 2021. In 2021, among 652 subnational regions, West Berkshire in the UK had the highest age-standardised incidence rate (35.1; 95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 30.8-39.8). Zacatecas in Mexico had the highest age-standardised DALY rate (112.6; 95% UI: 87.2-142.7). Regions with a high sociodemographic index (SDI) bore the heaviest burden, with regional inequalities aggravating from 1990 to 2021. Over 90% of areas lagged in RA frontiers of multiple indicators. Japan uniquely showed declining trends (1990-2021), exemplified by Tokyo's age-standardised DALY rate dropping by 22.4% since 1990, unlike that in other high SDI regions. Implementing smoking control policies is forecasted to reduce RA-related deaths by 16.8% and DALYs by 20.6% among male patients in high-smoking regions like China. Demographic changes and uneven health infrastructure exacerbated RA burdens and disparities worldwide, with high SDI areas hardest hit while low SDI regions saw increases. Trend analysis empowered targeted policies such as localised smoking control to address these inequities.

Respiratory tract cancers emerged as a public health challenge with the highest incidence and mortality among all cancer types in China, despite many national policies in place, such as early cancer screening. It is of outmost importance to monitor the burden of respiratory tract cancers across China and its provinces for refining health strategies. Based on Global Burden of Disease (GBD) estimates, the present study investigated the age-sex specific pattern alterations of incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of respiratory tract cancers in China from 1990 to 2021, as well as its Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC), Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR), and Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR). Between 1990 and 2021, China experienced an escalation in burdens of respiratory tract cancers, with the new cases surging from 274,752 (95% Uncertainty Interval (UI): 234,741–315,112) to 934,704 (750,040–1,136,938), marking an increase of 240.20% (156.05–342.29). Their attributed deaths similarly increased from 278,235 (238,518–322,013) to 814,121 (652,231–994,858). In 2021, the eastern and northeastern regions reported the highest incidence and mortality rates, particularly Shandong, with the highest new cases at 77,225 (58,842–101,352), while Tibet, Qinghai, and Macau observed the lowest. Regarding laryngeal cancer, Guangdong reported the highest incidence at 3466 (2230–4934), with Hainan exhibiting the highest ASIR at 3.46 (2.10–5.11) per 100,000 person-years and ASMR at 2.11 (1.37–3.09) per 100,000 person-years. Over the same timeframe, the EAPC for the ASIR of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer was 0.88 (0.63–1.14), and for ASMR, it was 0.29 (0.05–0.62), signifying an upward trend. Conversely, laryngeal cancer exhibited a stable ASIR with an EAPC of 0.04 (−0.22 to 0.30) and a declining ASMR with an EAPC of −1.69 (−1.80 to 1.59). Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer burdens exhibited notable sex differences, with their ASIR being 62.63 (46.50–79.90) per 100,000 person-years in males and 28.16 (22.22–34.90) per 100,000 person-years in females. For laryngeal cancer, the ASIR was 3.12 (2.34–4.04) per 100,000 person-years for males and 0.58 (0.35–0.79) per 100,000 person-years for females. Smoking and air pollution emerged as the predominant risk factors contributed to tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer, accounting for 61.58% (30.00–82.95) and 25.98% (16.94–35.00) of deaths, respectively. In contrast, smoking contributed more to laryngeal cancer-caused deaths (76.70% [65.55–85.15]), followed by alcohol use (14.52% [7.70–20.99]). The burden of respiratory tract cancers in China has increased over the past three decades, and without intervention, the associated health losses could escalate further. This burden predominantly affected the eastern provinces, particularly impacting older males. Our findings advocate for the formulation of targeted prevention, screening, and intervention strategies based on regional and sex disparities. 10.13039/100000865 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .