The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released the "2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension" on August 30, 2024. This guideline updates the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension." One notable update is the introduction of the concept of "elevated blood pressure" (120-139/70-89 mm Hg). Additionally, a new systolic blood pressure target range of 120-129 mm Hg has been proposed for most patients receiving antihypertensive treatment. The guideline also includes numerous additions or revisions in areas such as non-pharmacological interventions and device-based treatments for hypertension. This article interprets the guideline's recommendations on definition and classification of elevated blood pressure and hypertension, and cardiovascular disease risk assessment, diagnosing hypertension and investigating underlying causes, preventing and treating elevated blood pressure and hypertension. We provide a comparison interpretation with the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension" and the "2017 ACC/AHA guideline on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults."

Objective To explore the curative effect of indobufen combined with clopidogrel and its influences on platelet activity and coagulation function in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods According to different treatment methods,patients with AMI were divided into treatment group and control group.The control group was given clopidogrel(75 mg,qd)and aspirin(0.1 g,qd),while treatment group was given clopidogrel(75 mg,qd)and indobufen tablets(0.1 g,bid).All were treated for 1 month.The curative effect,platelet count(PLT),mean platelet volume(MPV),prothrombin time(PT),fibrinogen(FIB)and D-dimer(D-D)before and after treatment,and adverse events within 1 month after medication were compared between the two groups.Results There were 38 cases in treatment group and 43 cases in control group.After treatment,curative effect in treatment group and control group were 97.37％and 86.05％,PLT were(167.89±43.62)× 109·L-1 and(183.73±49.81)× 109·L-1,MPV were(11.86±2.31)and(10.97±2.16)fl,FIB levels were(2.53±0.61)and(2.78±0.72)g·L-1,D-D levels were(0.20±0.06)and(0.22±0.07)mg·L-1,PT were(12.82±2.35)and(12.26±2.28)s,the difference was not statistically significant(all P＞0.05).The incidence of adverse drug reactions in treatment group and control group were 2.63％and 11.63％,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.001).Conclusion Indobufen combined with clopidogrel has the comparable curative effect and good anti-platelet aggregation effect as aspirin,and indobufen has higher safety.So it is recommended as the medication regimen for AMI patients after PCI.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and prognosis of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-associated idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).Methods:It was a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of PLA2R-associated IMN patients who received RTX treatment in the Shenzhen Second People's Hospital from September 2018 to March 2023 were collected. According to remission status of proteinuria, the patients were divided into proteinuria remission group (24-hour urinary protein quantity < 3.5 g) and non-proteinuria remission group (24-hour urinary protein quantity ≥ 3.5 g), and the clinical data between the two groups were compared. According to baseline 24-hour urinary protein quantity and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the patients were divided into high-risk disease progression group [24-hour urinary protein quantity ≥ 8 g or eGFR < 60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1] and non-high-risk disease progression group [24-hour urinary protein quantity < 8 g or eGFR ≥ 60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1]. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was utilized to compare the differences of proteinuria remission rates and renal composite endpoint event survival rates between the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was utilized to identify the influencing factors of proteinuria remission and renal composite endpoint event. Results:This study included 46 PLA2R-associated IMN patients, with 31 males (67.4%). The baseline eGFR was (78.4±34.1) ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1. The 24-hour urinary protein quantity was 8.33 (6.04, 12.85) g. After 14.95 (7.44, 22.15) months of follow-up, 29 patients (63.0%) achieved proteinuria remission, with remission time of 6.0 (5.0, 9.0) months. Six (20.7%) patients relapsed, with relapsed time of 17.25 (11.75, 18.28) months. CD20 in the proteinuria remission group was lower than that in the non-proteinuria remission group ( Z=2.270, P=0.023). Eleven (23.9%) patients experienced renal composite endpoint events wtih occurrence time of 16.07 (7.87, 29.63) months. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in proteinuria remission rates (log-rank χ2=0.26, P=0.612) and renal composite endpoint event survival rates (log-rank χ2=0.25, P=0.619) between baseline 24-hour urinary protein quantity ≥ 8 g and < 8 g groups. There was no statistically significant difference in proteinuria remission rates after RTX treatment (log-rank χ2=0.77, P=0.381) and renal composite endpoint event survival rates (log-rank χ2=1.41, P=0.236) between eGFR ≥ 60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 and < 60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that hypertension history ( HR=0.16, 95% CI 0.05-0.55), immunosuppressive therapy history ( HR=0.08, 95% CI 0.01-0.50), baseline eGFR < 60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 ( HR=0.21, 95% CI 0.05-0.92), baseline PLA2R antibody titer ≥ 100 RU/ml ( HR=0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.69), long time between treatment and first diagnosis ( HR=1.33, 95% CI 1.12-1.57), high baseline triglyceride ( HR=1.46, 95% CI 1.02-2.08), and baseline 24-hour urinary protein quantity ≥ 8 g ( HR=8.54, 95% CI 2.08-35.12) were independent influencing factors of proteinuria remission after RTX treatment. The baseline PLA2R antibody titer ≥ 100 RU/ml was an independent influencing factor of reaching the renal composite endpoint event ( HR=7.31, 95% CI 1.23-43.62). Conclusions:The proteinuria remission rate after RTX treatment of PLA2R-associated IMN is 63.0% and the recurrence rate is 20.7%. The incidence rate of renal composite endpoint event is 23.9%. The hypertension history, immunosuppressant medication history, baseline eGFR < 60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, baseline PLA2R antibody titer ≥ 100 RU/ml, long time between treatment and first diagnosis, high baseline triglyceride, and baseline 24-hour urinary protein quantity ≥ 8 g are independent influencing factors of proteinuria remission, and baseline PLA2R antibody titer ≥ 100 RU/ml is an independent risk factor of renal poor prognosis in PLA2R-associated IMN patients.

Background/Aims: Despite the high efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), approximately 1–3% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients fail to achieve a sustained virological response. We conducted a nationwide study to investigate risk factors associated with DAA treatment failure. Machine-learning algorithms have been applied to discriminate subjects who may fail to respond to DAA therapy. Methods: We analyzed the Taiwan HCV Registry Program database to explore predictors of DAA failure in HCV patients. Fifty-five host and virological features were assessed using multivariate logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and artificial neural network. The primary outcome was undetectable HCV RNA at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: The training (n=23,955) and validation (n=10,346) datasets had similar baseline demographics, with an overall DAA failure rate of 1.6% (n=538). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, poor DAA adherence, and higher hemoglobin A1c were significantly associated with virological failure. XGBoost outperformed the other algorithms and logistic regression models, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 1.000 in the training dataset and 0.803 in the validation dataset. The top five predictors of treatment failure were HCV RNA, body mass index, α-fetoprotein, platelets, and FIB-4 index. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the XGBoost model (cutoff value=0.5) were 99.5%, 69.7%, 99.9%, 97.4%, and 99.5%, respectively, for the entire dataset. Conclusions Machine learning algorithms effectively provide risk stratification for DAA failure and additional information on the factors associated with DAA failure.

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who failed antiviral therapy are at increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the potential role of metformin and statins, medications for diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperlipidemia (HLP), in reducing HCC risk among these patients. Methods: We included CHC patients from the T-COACH study who failed antiviral therapy. We tracked the onset of HCC 1.5 years post-therapy by linking to Taiwan’s cancer registry data from 2003 to 2019. We accounted for death and liver transplantation as competing risks and employed Gray’s cumulative incidence and Cox subdistribution hazards models to analyze HCC development. Results: Out of 2,779 patients, 480 (17.3%) developed HCC post-therapy. DM patients not using metformin had a 51% increased risk of HCC compared to non-DM patients, while HLP patients on statins had a 50% reduced risk compared to those without HLP. The 5-year HCC incidence was significantly higher for metformin non-users (16.5%) versus non-DM patients (11.3%; adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio [aSHR]=1.51; P=0.007) and metformin users (3.1%; aSHR=1.59; P=0.022). Statin use in HLP patients correlated with a lower HCC risk (3.8%) compared to non-HLP patients (12.5%; aSHR=0.50; P<0.001). Notably, the increased HCC risk associated with non-use of metformin was primarily seen in non-cirrhotic patients, whereas statins decreased HCC risk in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. Conclusions Metformin and statins may have a chemopreventive effect against HCC in CHC patients who failed antiviral therapy. These results support the need for personalized preventive strategies in managing HCC risk.

AIM: To observe changes in fundus microcirculation of myopic adolescents after wearing orthokeratology by applying optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 40 cases(40 eyes)of adolescents with low to moderate myopia who chose orthokeratology to correct visual acuity at our hospital from April 2021 to June 2022 were collected. The uncorrected distant visual acuity and axial length were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6mo before and after wearing orthokeratology, respectively. Furthermore, the changes in superficial vessel density(SVD), deep vessel density(DVD), central retinal thickness(CRT), foveal avascular zone area(FAZ-A), foveal avascular zone perimeter(FAZ-P), retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness and radial peripapillary capillaries density(RPCD)were observed by applying OCTA.RESULTS: The uncorrected distant visual acuity was significantly improved at 1, 3 and 6mo after wearing orthokeratology(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in axial length before and after wearing orthokeratology(P>0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences in both SVD of fovea quadrant and DVD of fovea and lower quadrant(P<0.01), but there were no differences in CRT, FAZ-A and FAZ-P, RNFL thickness and RPCD(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Wearing orthokeratology can significantly improve visual acuity and increase local retinal vessel density in the macula in adolescents with low to moderate myopia.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the epidemiological characteristics (season, age, gender, mixed infection and clinical manifestations, etc.) of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection in children in Hainan Province, so as to provide epidemiological evidence-based medical basis for the prevention and control of MP infection in children in Hainan Province. Methods　The serum IgM antibodies of MP, Legionella pneumophila, Chlamydia pneumoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Q fever Rickettsia, parainfluenza virus, influenza A virus and influenza B virus in children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) who were hospitalized in pediatrics of many hospitals in Hainan Province from March 2012 to February 2020 were detected by indirect immunofluorescence method. The positive serum MP-IgM antibody was defined as MP infection. The epidemiological and clinical data of MP infected cases were analyzed retrospectively. Results　From March, 2012 to February, 2020, a total of 35 731 qualified pediatric inpatients with RTIs in many hospitals in Hainan Province were tested for serum MP-IgM with the total positive rate of 39.12% (13 978/35 731). The yearly positive rates of MP-IgM from 2012 to 2020 were 48.39%, 56.23%, 56.62%, 47.04%, 29.71%, 24.14%, 47.55%, 36.84% and 24.46% respectively. The positive rates of MP-IgM in 2013 and 2014 were significantly higher than those in other years (P<0.05). The positive rate of MP-IgM in summer in Hainan Province was the highest (41.34%) and the lowest in winter (35.77%) (P<0.05). MP infection occurred in all age groups, the positive rate of MP-IgM in children of preschool (51.80%) was significantly higher than that in other age groups (P<0.01), and the positive rate of MP IgM in children of infancy (15.36%) was lower than that in other age groups (P<0.01). The positive rate of MP-IgM in female was 44.77%, which was significantly higher than that in male (35.83%) (P<0.05). MP infection combined with positive IgM of another pathogen accounted for 32.63% (4 561 cases), positive IgM of another two pathogens accounted for 1.26% (176 cases). MP infection was mostly found in pneumonia (68.73%), and the main clinical symptoms were cough (84.72%), fever (51.01%) and wheezing (3.16%). Conclusions　MP is an important pathogen of respiratory tract infection in children in Hainan Province, and infection is more common in children in early school age and early childhood. Mp-specific tests should be performed to identify the pathogen in children suspected of MP infection. In the high incidence season, health education should be strengthened in kindergartens, schools and other places to prevent respiratory tract infection.

With the determination of the whole genome sequence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) virus, the successful breakthrough of infectious cloning technology of VZV, and the emergence of effective preventive vaccines, which have been proven to be effective and safe, varicella has become a disease preventable by specific immunity. This article will review the genomic structure, epidemiological characteristics, and research application progress of varicella vaccine and herpes zoster vaccine of varicella zoster virus to provide reference for primary prevention of the disease.
Humans ; Herpesvirus 3, Human/genetics* ; Herpes Zoster/prevention & control* ; Herpes Zoster Vaccine ; Chickenpox Vaccine ; Genomics

Objective: To explore the epidemiological characteristic of a COVID-19 outbreak caused by 2019-nCoV Omicron variant BF.7 and other provinces imported in Shenzhen and analyze transmission chains and characteristics. Methods: Field epidemiological survey was conducted to identify the transmission chain, analyze the generation relationship among the cases. The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid positive samples were used for gene sequencing. Results: From 8 to 23 October, 2022, a total of 196 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Shenzhen, all the cases had epidemiological links. In the cases, 100 were men and 96 were women, with a median of age, M (Q₁, Q₃) was 33(25, 46) years. The outbreak was caused by traverlers initial cases infected with 2019-nCoV who returned to Shenzhen after traveling outside of Guangdong Province.There were four transmission chains, including the transmission in place of residence and neighbourhood, affecting 8 persons, transmission in social activity in the evening on 7 October, affecting 65 persons, transmission in work place on 8 October, affecting 48 persons, and transmission in a building near the work place, affecting 74 persons. The median of the incubation period of the infection, M (Q₁, Q₃) was 1.44 (1.11, 2.17) days. The incubation period of indoor exposure less than that of the outdoor exposure, M (Q₁, Q₃) was 1.38 (1.06, 1.84) and 1.95 (1.22, 2.99) days, respcetively (Wald χ²=10.27, P=0.001). With the increase of case generation, the number and probability of gene mutation increased. In the same transmission chain, the proportion of having 1-3 mutation sites was high in the cases in the first generation. Conclusions: The transmission chains were clear in this epidemic. The incubation period of Omicron variant BF.7 infection was shorter, the transmission speed was faster, and the gene mutation rate was higher. It is necessary to conduct prompt response and strict disease control when epidemic occurs.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemics ; China/epidemiology*

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of poria cocos on gastrointestinal motility in mice. Methods A total of 130 Kunming mice were randomly divided into negative control group, low-dose and high-dose groups of raw poria cocos powder, low-dose and high-dose groups of cooked poria cocos powder, low-dose and high-dose groups of poria cocos surrogate culture powder, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of poria cocos water extract, and low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of poria cocos alcohol extract, with 10 mice in each group. The animals were administered by gavage for 7 days, once a day. After the last administration, the intestinal propulsion function test and gastric solid emptying test were conducted to observe the regulating effect of poria cocos on gastrointestinal motility of mice. Results Compared with the negative control group, the small intestine propulsion rate in the low-dose group of poria cocos surrogate culture powder was significantly increased (P<0.01). Except the high-dose group of raw poria cocos powder, the other poria cocos groups had higher gastric residual rate (P<0.05). Conclusion Poria cocos does not promote intestinal propulsion of mice under normal physiological condition, but it can inhibit gastric empting and exert a moderating effect on gastrointestinal function in normal mice.