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 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.

Background Ozone (O₃) is a major air pollutant. The existing monitoring system has uneven distribution of sites, insufficient coverage in underdeveloped areas, and low temporal resolution, making it difficult to obtain hourly data. This limits the dynamic identification of pollution and the formulation of prevention and control strategies. Objective To construct an hourly O₃ concentration estimation model based on ensemble machine learning, aiming to improve the accuracy of pollution exposure assessment and explore O₃ health impacts. Methods This study integrated land use regression modeling with modern machine learning techniques, employing random forest and XGBoost algorithms to construct base models, and stacking integration using non-negative least squares. The ensemble model was trained and validated across China using high-resolution, multi-source geographic data (e.g., meteorologicaldata, population density, land cover types, and aerosol optical thickness). It was tested in Taiyuan City, combined with a distributed lag non-linear model to analyze the association between O₃ and emergency admissions. Results The constructed ensemble model performed well in predicting O₃ concentration, with a higher coefficient of determination (R²) and a lower root-mean-square deviation (RMSE) compared to the single models. The R² improved from 0.90 to 0.92, and the RMSE decreased from 11.41 to 10.62, enhancing both prediction accuracy and generalization ability. In the application to Taiyuan City, the model successfully imputed the hourly-level data for the entire year. The distributed lag non-linear model analysis revealed that the relative risk (RR) values for the 6th to 8th days following O₃ exposure were 1.14 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.29), 1.16 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.31), and 1.14 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.29), respectively, which were significantly higher than 1, indicating a significant lagged association (lagged 6-8 d) between O₃ and the number of emergency room visits. Conclusion A high-precision, hourly-level O₃ concentration estimation model is successfully constructed by combining the land use regression model with an ensemble machine learning approach to provide a scientific basis for environmental policy formulation and public health intervention. The application of the model verifies its generalization ability and practical application value, which can provide a new technical framework for subsequent environmental health research.

AIM: To explore the clinical therapeutic effect of teprotumumab combined with glucocorticoid pulse therapy for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO), and its impacts on thyroid function, levels of inflammatory factors, and adverse reactions in patients. METHODS: Active TAO patients admitted to the Ophthalmology Department were enrolled and randomly divide into the steroid group and the combined group. Then the steroid group was treated with glucocorticoid pulse therapy, while the combined group was combined with intravenous infusion of teprotumumab on the basis of the steroid group. The clinical therapeutic effect, the CAS, OSDI, M-C-TAO-QOL scores, ocular sign indicators(fissure width, proptosis), levels of inflammatory factors(TNF-α, CRP, IL-17), thyroid function(TSH, FT3, FT4)before and after treatment, and occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between two groups.RESULTS:Totally 96 TAO patients(192 eyes)were included, with 48 cases(96 eyes)in each group. In the combined group, there were 17 males and 31 females, with an average age of 51.85±3.53 y; in the steroid group, there were 14 males and 34 females, with an average age of 51.26±3.84 y. The total effective rate of the combined group(94%)was higher than that of the steroid group(79%)(P<0.05). After treatment, the CAS score, OSDI score, fissure width, proptosis, levels of TNF-α, CRP, and IL-17 in the combined group were all lower than those in the steroid group, and the M-C-TAO-QOL score was higher than that in the steroid group(P<0.05). However, there was no difference in thyroid function indicators and adverse reactions between two groups after treatment(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of teprotumumab and glucocorticoid pulse therapy for TAO has a prominent therapeutic effect. Meantime, it can more effectively control ocular inflammation, improve ocular signs and quality of life of patients, and has no obvious adverse effect on thyroid function, with controllable safety.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of lecanemab for early Alzheimer disease （AD） from a whole-society perspective. METHODS Based on data from the Clarity AD study， a global multicenter， randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled study of lecanemab for early AD， a Markov model was developed according to the disease progression of AD， with a monthly cycle and a time horizon extending to 99% patient mortality. Quality-adjusted life year （QALY） and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） were used as outcome indicators， with a willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold set at twice China’s per capita gross domestic product （GDP） for 2025 （199 330.00 yuan/QALY）. The model simulated the cost-effectiveness of lecanemab plus standard of care （SoC） versus placebo plus SoC for early AD. One-way sensitivity analysis， probabilistic sensitivity analysis， and scenario analysis were employed to test the robustness of the results. RESULTS Compared with placebo plus SoC， the ICER for lecanemab plus SoC was 4 364 711.54 yuan/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the hazard ratio for disease progression， the price of lecanemab， body weight， the monthly progression probability of mild cognitive impairment， and the discount rate were key parameters affecting model robustness. Results of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of lecanemab being cost-effective was 0 at the current WTP threshold. Scenario analysis indicated that a price reduction of at least 94.88% would be required for lecanemab to fall below the WTP threshold. CONCLUSIONS At the current WTP threshold， lecanemab plus SoC is not cost-effective compared with placebo plus SoC for early AD.

AIM: To evaluate clinical efficacy of recombinant human epidermal growth factor(rhEGF)combined with adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation in corneal alkaline burns. METHODS:In the prospective, randomized controlled study, patients with corneal alkaline burns treated in the hospital were enrolled between November 2022 and November 2024. After emergency treatment, patients were divided into combined treatment group and routine treatment group by random number table method. The routine treatment group was given basic treatment(rhEGF), while combined treatment group additionally underwent adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation. The clinical efficacy, healing time of corneal epithelium, best corrected visual acuity, VAS scores, corneal neovascularization area, break-up time, score of corneal opacity, and levels of inflammatory factors(IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-α)in the two groups were observed and compared. RESULTS:There were 110 patients(110 eyes)in this study, including 55 cases(55 eyes)in each group. The combination group had a mean age of 46.82±10.38 y, including 26 males and 29 females. The routine treatment group had a mean age of 45.13±11.57 y, with 31 males and 24 females. The total response rate of combined treatment group [94.5%(52/55)] was significantly higher than that of routine treatment group [81.8%(45/55), P<0.05]. The healing time of corneal epithelium in combined treatment group was significantly shorter than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001), and VAS score for pain severity after treatment was significantly lower than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001). The corneal neovascularization area in combined treatment group was significantly smaller than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001), break-up time was significantly longer than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001),and score of corneal opacity was significantly lower than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001). After treatment, levels of inflammatory factors in combined treatment group were significantly lower than those in routine treatment group(all P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation combined with rhEGF presents prominent clinical advantages in the treatment of alkaline corneal burns. It can enhance therapeutic efficacy, accelerate wound healing, relieve pain, reduce corneal neovascularization, prolong tear film break-up time, alleviate corneal opacification, and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of lecanemab for early Alzheimer disease （AD） from a whole-society perspective. METHODS Based on data from the Clarity AD study， a global multicenter， randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled study of lecanemab for early AD， a Markov model was developed according to the disease progression of AD， with a monthly cycle and a time horizon extending to 99% patient mortality. Quality-adjusted life year （QALY） and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） were used as outcome indicators， with a willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold set at twice China’s per capita gross domestic product （GDP） for 2025 （199 330.00 yuan/QALY）. The model simulated the cost-effectiveness of lecanemab plus standard of care （SoC） versus placebo plus SoC for early AD. One-way sensitivity analysis， probabilistic sensitivity analysis， and scenario analysis were employed to test the robustness of the results. RESULTS Compared with placebo plus SoC， the ICER for lecanemab plus SoC was 4 364 711.54 yuan/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the hazard ratio for disease progression， the price of lecanemab， body weight， the monthly progression probability of mild cognitive impairment， and the discount rate were key parameters affecting model robustness. Results of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of lecanemab being cost-effective was 0 at the current WTP threshold. Scenario analysis indicated that a price reduction of at least 94.88% would be required for lecanemab to fall below the WTP threshold. CONCLUSIONS At the current WTP threshold， lecanemab plus SoC is not cost-effective compared with placebo plus SoC for early AD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Tongmai Hypoglycemic Capsule (THC) on myocardium injury in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) rats. METHODS: A total of 24 Sprague Dawley rats were fed for 4 weeks with high-fat and high-sugar food and then injected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally for the establishment of the DCM model. In addition, 6 rats with normal diets were used as the control group. After modeling, 24 DCM rats were randomly divided into the model, L-THC, M-THC, and H-THC groups by computer generated random numbers, and 0, 0.16, 0.32, 0.64 g/kg of THC were adopted respectively by gavage, with 6 rats in each group. After 12 weeks of THC administration, echocardiography, histopathological staining, biochemical analysis, and Western blot were used to detect the changes in myocardial structure, oxidative stress (OS), biochemical indexes, protein expressions of myocardial fibrosis, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related faactor 2 (Nrf2) element, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with THC significantly decreased cardiac markers such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase-MB, etc., (P<0.01); enhanced cardiac function indicators including heart rate, ejection fraction, cardiac output, interventricular septal thickness at diastole, and others (P<0.05 or P<0.01); decreased levels of biochemical indicators such as fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aspartate transaminase, (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and decreased the levels of myocardial fibrosis markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I (Col-1) protein (P<0.01), improved myocardial morphology and the status of myocardial interstitial fibrosis. THC significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels in model rats (P<0.01), increased levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione (P<0.01), and significantly increased the expression of Nrf2, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase-1, and superoxide dismutase 2 proteins in the left ventricle of rats (P<0.01). CONCLUSION THC activates the Nrf2 signaling pathway and plays a protective role in reducing OS injury and cardiac fibrosis in DCM rats.
Animals ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/physiopathology* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Capsules ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*