OBJECTIVE To compare the antihypertensive efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan versus benazepril in patients with perimenopausal hypertension， as well as their impacts on ventricular remodeling and inflammatory fibrosis. METHODS A total of 206 perimenopausal hypertensive patients in our hospital from January 1， 2023 to December 30， 2024 were retrospectively included.These patients were enrolled and divided into benazepril group （105 cases） and sacubitril/valsartan group （101 cases）. Benazepril group received Benazepril hydrochloride tablet， and sacubitril/valsartan group received Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablet. All patients were treated for 6 months. The blood pressure（systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure） and blood pressure control status before and after treatment， echocardiographic indicators （left ventricular ejection fraction， left ventricular mass index， relative wall thickness， and early-diastolic peak transmitral flow velocity/early-diastolic peak velocity of the mitral annulus）， inflammatory fibrosis related indicators（high-sensitivity C-reactive protein，ratio of monocytes to lymphocytes，and ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes）， as well as the occurrence of adverse reactions（hypotension，hyperkalemia，and angioedema） were observed in both groups before and after treatment. RESULTS The blood pressure control rate was significantly higher in the sacubitril/valsartan group than in benazepril group （ P ＜0.05）. After treatment， the blood pressure， echocardiographic indicators（except for left ventricular ejection fraction） ，and inflammatory fibrosis related indicators were significantly lower than those before treatment within the same group， and the sacubitril/valsartan group were significantly lower than the benazepril group （ P ＜0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of hypotension， hyperkalemia， angioedema， and overall adverse drug reactions between the two groups （ P ＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Compared with benazepril， sacubitril/valsartan provides superior blood-pressure control， reverses ventricular remodeling， attenuates inflammatory fibrosis in perimenopausal hypertensive patients， while maintaining a similar safety profile.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription （XLHZ） in treating chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation， using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes （DEGs） related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis （WGCNA） was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction （PPI） analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform （STRING） database to search the super hub gene （hub 2.0）， and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group， and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， XLHZ-H， XLHZ-M， and XLHZ-L groups （36， 18， 9 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and Morodan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β₁， Smad2 and Smad3 proteins， S/G₂/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue， and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified， including TGF-β₁， suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β₁ signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group， the expressions of TGF-β₁， Smad2， geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased （P<0.05）， and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the expressions of TGF-β₁ and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups （P<0.05）. The XLHZ-M group， XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 （P<0.05）. The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M， XLHZ-H， and Morodan groups （P<0.05）. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators， and positively correlated with other indicators （P<0.01）. ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β₁/Smads signaling pathway， regulate cell cycle， and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription （XLHZ） in treating chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation， using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes （DEGs） related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis （WGCNA） was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction （PPI） analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform （STRING） database to search the super hub gene （hub 2.0）， and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group， and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， XLHZ-H， XLHZ-M， and XLHZ-L groups （36， 18， 9 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and Morodan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β₁， Smad2 and Smad3 proteins， S/G₂/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue， and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified， including TGF-β₁， suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β₁ signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group， the expressions of TGF-β₁， Smad2， geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased （P<0.05）， and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the expressions of TGF-β₁ and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups （P<0.05）. The XLHZ-M group， XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 （P<0.05）. The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M， XLHZ-H， and Morodan groups （P<0.05）. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators， and positively correlated with other indicators （P<0.01）. ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β₁/Smads signaling pathway， regulate cell cycle， and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the risk factors for chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome and establish a prediction model. MethodsClinical data of 180 patients with CAG who participated in the "clinical study of Xianglian Huazhuo Particles blocking CAG cancer transformation" of Hebei Sheng Zhong Yi Yuan from July 2021 to March 2022 were collected. After confounding factors were controlled by propensity score matching， patients were divided into a training set （namely dev） and a validation set （namely vad） in a seven to three ratio. The risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome in the training set were investigated by using univariate Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （namely Lasso） regression algorithms. Subsequently， a model， named model 1se， was developed by using the training set data to predict the risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome. The accuracy of the prediction model was assessed by using various methods， including the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， Hosmer-Lemeshow test （H-L）， calibration plot， and decision curve analysis （DCA）. ResultsAge， body mass index （BMI）， family history of cancer， job and life satisfaction， yellow and greasy fur with slippery pulse， and heavy body sensation were independent risk factors of the model. The prediction model showed excellent predictive value for both the training and validation sets. ConclusionThe established prediction model for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome has high discrimination and excellent calibration， which could provide an excellent clinical basis for disease diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the risk factors for chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome and establish a prediction model. MethodsClinical data of 180 patients with CAG who participated in the "clinical study of Xianglian Huazhuo Particles blocking CAG cancer transformation" of Hebei Sheng Zhong Yi Yuan from July 2021 to March 2022 were collected. After confounding factors were controlled by propensity score matching， patients were divided into a training set （namely dev） and a validation set （namely vad） in a seven to three ratio. The risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome in the training set were investigated by using univariate Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （namely Lasso） regression algorithms. Subsequently， a model， named model 1se， was developed by using the training set data to predict the risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome. The accuracy of the prediction model was assessed by using various methods， including the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， Hosmer-Lemeshow test （H-L）， calibration plot， and decision curve analysis （DCA）. ResultsAge， body mass index （BMI）， family history of cancer， job and life satisfaction， yellow and greasy fur with slippery pulse， and heavy body sensation were independent risk factors of the model. The prediction model showed excellent predictive value for both the training and validation sets. ConclusionThe established prediction model for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome has high discrimination and excellent calibration， which could provide an excellent clinical basis for disease diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription on chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） in rats based on the Hedgehog signaling pathway. MethodsThe CAG rat model was established by sodium salicylate， N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine （MNNG）， and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group （180 mg·L^-1）， a moradan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）， and Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription groups with high， medium， and low doses （36， 9， 18 g·kg^-1）， followed by drug intervention. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of Sonic Hedgehog （Shh）， Patched 1 （Ptch1）， and Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 （Gli1）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Shh， Ptch1， and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the CAG model group showed a reduction in gastric mucosal intrinsic glands and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells showed nuclear pyknosis， fewer mitochondria， and abnormal mitochondrial structure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh， Ptch1， and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and E-cadherin protein expression was decreased. Compared with the model group， the intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in histopathological morphology and cellular ultrastructure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh， Ptch1， Gli1， and E-cadherin increased to varying degrees. Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription upregulated the expression of key Hedgehog pathway factors and E-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels （P<0.05）. ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats， and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia among HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into the prevention and intervention of chronic diseases for these populations. Methods: The HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above receiving ART were recruited at designated HIV/AIDS medical institutions in Wuxi City using the convenient sampling method from March to June 2024. Demographic information, treatment status and self-reported prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia were collected through questionnaire surveys. Factors affecting the prevalence of chronic diseases were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 830 HIV/AIDS patients receiving ART were surveyed, including 656 males (79.04%) and 375 patients aged 50 to <60 years (45.18%). Among them, 366 patients reported having at least one type of chronic disease, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, with a self-reported prevalence rate of 44.10%. Specifically, 280, 114 and 61 patients reported having hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, with the self-reported prevalence rates of 33.73%, 13.73% and 7.35%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male patients (OR=1.725, 95%CI: 1.187-2.507), those with monthly income less than 3 000 yuan (OR=1.521, 95%CI: 1.122-2.063), those with body mass index of 24 kg/m2 and above (OR=1.577, 95%CI: 1.168-2.130), those who initiated ART at ages of 50 years and above (50 to <60 years, OR=1.535, 95%CI: 1.052-2.238; ≥60 years, OR=3.322, 95%CI: 2.191-5.038), those with ART duration of 10 years and above (OR=2.069, 95%CI: 1.419-3.017), and those who received non-first-line regimens (OR=1.776, 95%CI: 1.304-2.418) had higher risks of developing at least one type of chronic disease, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Conclusions The self-reported prevalence of at least one type of chronic disease, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia among HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above receiving ART in Wuxi City was 44.10%. Gender, monthly income, body mass index and ART status are the main influencing factors for the risk of chronic diseases.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of hypoparathyroidism (HPT) and hypocalcemia in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy (TT), and to explore the changes of parathyroid hormone and blood calcium after TT.Methods:The clinical data of 101 patients undergoing TT from November 2018 to September 2022 in the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The basic clinical data were recorded. The blood calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were measured before surgery and 1 d, 1 week after surgery. The occurrence of postoperative hypocalcemia was recorded. According to postoperative parathyroid hormone level, the patients were divided into control group (normal parathyroid function) and HPT group (reduced parathyroid hormone level). The patients with postoperative hypocalcemia symptoms were classified as the hypocalcemia symptoms group, and the patients without postoperative hypocalcemia symptoms were classified as the non-hypocalcemia symptoms group. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of HPT and hypocalcemia in TT patients.Results:The postoperative parathyroid hormone level decreased in 41 cases (HPT group) and normal in 60 cases (control group). There were 24 patients with postoperative hypocalcemia symptoms (hypocalcemia symptoms group) and 77 patients without postoperative hypocalcemia symptoms (non-hypocalcemia symptoms group). The rate of using bipolar electric coagulation forceps in HPT group was significantly lower than that in control group: 31.71% (13/41) vs. 76.67% (46/60), while the rate of central lymph node dissection was significantly higher than that in control group: 82.93% (34/41) vs. 60.00% (36/60), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 and <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that TT combined with unilateral or bilateral central lymph node dissection was an independent risk factor for HPT in TT patients ( OR = 1.706 and 1.501, 95% CI 1.019 to 2.856 and 1.052 to 2.140, P<0.05). The preoperative serum calcium, postoperative serum calcium and postoperative parathyroid hormone in hypocalcemia symptoms group were significantly lower than those in hypocalcemia symptoms group: (2.32 ± 0.11) mmol/L vs. (2.37 ± 0.11) mmol/L, (2.16 ± 0.21) mmol/L vs. (2.25 ± 0.18) mmol/L and 3.00 (1.00, 5.45) ng/L vs. 19.90 (8.50, 33.80) ng/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that postoperative parathyroid hormone was an independent risk factor of hypocalcemia symptoms in TT patients ( OR = 0.927, 95% CI 0.883 to 0.974, P<0.01). In patients with HPT, the blood calcium at 1 week after surgery was significantly lower than that at 1 d after surgery: (2.07 ± 0.19) mmol/L vs. (2.17 ± 0.25) mmol/L, and there was statistical difference ( t = 2.05, P<0.05); the parathyroid hormone at 1 week after surgery was significantly higher than that at 1 d after surgery: 8.30 (3.55, 19.55) ng/L vs. 3.60 (1.00, 6.85) ng/L, and there was statistical difference ( Z = - 3.78, P<0.01). Conclusions:When performing TT, standardizing the surgical techniques, reducing unnecessary central lymph node dissection, and using bipolar electric coagulation forceps as much as possible can help to reduce the occurrence of postoperative HPT. The levels of postoperative parathyroid hormone and blood calcium should be promptly detected, the change of both should be given attention, and do a good job in preventing and treating hypocalcemia.

Objective:To establish a simple and efficient method for in vitro extraction,culture and identification of brain microvascular endothelial cells(BMECs)of rabbits.Method:The cerebral cortex of 3-week-old rabbits was cut up,sieved and digested with type II collagenase to obtain pure brain microvascular segments for primary culture and identification.Results:The cultured target cells grew in a typical"cobblestone-like"arrangement.Immunohistochemi-cal staining for von Willebrand factor(vWF)related antigen showed that the cytoplasm was presented as brownish red and the expression was positive.Conclusion:The physical sieving method combined with the chemical enzyme diges-tion method can simply and efficiently culture primary rabbit BMECs with strong activity and high purity.

Objective:To establish a simple and efficient method for in vitro extraction,culture and identification of brain microvascular endothelial cells(BMECs)of rabbits.Method:The cerebral cortex of 3-week-old rabbits was cut up,sieved and digested with type II collagenase to obtain pure brain microvascular segments for primary culture and identification.Results:The cultured target cells grew in a typical"cobblestone-like"arrangement.Immunohistochemi-cal staining for von Willebrand factor(vWF)related antigen showed that the cytoplasm was presented as brownish red and the expression was positive.Conclusion:The physical sieving method combined with the chemical enzyme diges-tion method can simply and efficiently culture primary rabbit BMECs with strong activity and high purity.