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.

Objective To explore the relationship of visceral fat area (VFA) with glucolipid metabolism indexes and insulin resistance (IR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with obesity. Methods A total of 315 T2DM patients with obesity who were admitted to the hospital from April 2022 to August 2025 were retrospectively selected. The VFA of all patients was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis method. According to VFA, the patients were classified into VFA≥100 cm² group (n=204) and VFA<100 cm² group (n=111). The glucolipid metabolism indexes [fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and IR index [homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance based on C-peptide (HOMA-IR(CP))] were detected and compared between both groups of patients. Spearman correlation method was utilized to analyze the correlation between VFA and glucolipid metabolism indexes and HOMA-IR(CP). The independent related factors of VFA were explored by logistic regression analysis. Results According to VFA results of 315 patients after admission, 204 cases (64.76%) had VFA≥100 cm² and 111 cases (35.24%) had VFA<100 cm². Compared with the VFA<100 cm² group, the FPG, HbA1c, TG, TC, LDL-C and HOMA-IR(CP) in the VFA≥100 cm² group were higher (P<0.05) while the HDL-C was lower (P<0.05). Spearman correlation revealed that VFA≥100 cm² was positively correlated with FPG, HbA1c, TG, TC, LDL-C and HOMA-IR(CP) (P<0.001), and was negatively correlated with HDL-C (P<0.001). After logistic regression analysis, it was found that FPG, TG, HDL-C, HOMA-IR(CP) and body mass index (BMI) were independent related factors of VFA≥100 cm² (P<0.05). Conclusion VFA is closely related to glucolipid metabolism and IR in T2DM patients with obesity. FPG, TG, HDL-C, HOMA-IR(CP) and BMI are independent related factors affecting VFA≥100 cm². However, given the cross-sectional design of this study, the causal timing of this association cannot be determined and needs to be further verified by prospective cohort studies.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Xianglian Huazhuo prescription alleviates chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） through modulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） pathway of oxidative stress （OS） based on animal experiments. MethodsFifty rats were modeled for CAG by gavage of 2% sodium salicylate （10 mL·kg^-1）， free access to 180 mg·L^-1 N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG）， and periodic diet intervention （72 h cycle： 24 h fasting + 48 h free access to food）. The modeled rats were grouped by a random number method as follows： low-， medium-， and high-dose （9， 18，36 g·kg^-1， respectively） Xianglian Huazhuo prescription， Moradan， and model， with 10 rats in each group. The general state of all rats was observed. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of the gastric mucosal tissue. The ultrastructure of cells was observed under transmission electron microscopy. Biochemical methods were adopted to determine the levels of malondialdehyde （MDA） and total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD） in the rat serum. The mRNA and protein levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）， Nrf2， NQO1， and HO-1 in the gastric mucosal tissue of rats from each group were measured by Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） staining was employed to detect the fluorescence intensity of ROS in the gastric mucosal tissue of rats in each group. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the modeled rats were sluggish， had yellowing and sparse hair， short and dark tail， loose stool， and reduced food intake， and showed the gastric mucosa characterized by atrophy， thinning， congestive edema， declined gland density and disarrangement， and apparent inflammatory cell infiltration， irregular nucleus morphology， nuclear condensation， mitochondria with decreased number， declined density， and abnormal morphology， vacuolization， declined serum T-SOD level （P<0.05）， elevated serum MDA level （P<0.05）， downregulated mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2， NQO1， and HO-1 （P<0.05）， upregulated mRNA and protein levels of Keap1 （P<0.05）， and enhanced mean fluorescence intensity of ROS （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， each treatment group exhibited improved general state， alleviated histopathological changes in gastric mucosa， improved ultrastructural characteristics of cells， elevated T-SOD level and declined MDA level in the serum （P<0.05）， upregulated mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2， NQO1， and HO-1， downregulated mRNA and protein levels of Keap1 （P<0.05）， and attenuated mean fluorescence intensity of ROS （P<0.05）. ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription can improve the general status， ameliorate pathological changes of gastric mucosa， and repair the cell ultrastructure to varying degrees， demonstrating a definite therapeutic effect on CAG. It may restrain OS and safeguard the natural physiological function of gastric mucosa in CAG rats by regulating the Nrf2/NQO1/HO-1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Xianglian Huazhuo prescription alleviates chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） through modulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） pathway of oxidative stress （OS） based on animal experiments. MethodsFifty rats were modeled for CAG by gavage of 2% sodium salicylate （10 mL·kg^-1）， free access to 180 mg·L^-1 N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG）， and periodic diet intervention （72 h cycle： 24 h fasting + 48 h free access to food）. The modeled rats were grouped by a random number method as follows： low-， medium-， and high-dose （9， 18，36 g·kg^-1， respectively） Xianglian Huazhuo prescription， Moradan， and model， with 10 rats in each group. The general state of all rats was observed. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of the gastric mucosal tissue. The ultrastructure of cells was observed under transmission electron microscopy. Biochemical methods were adopted to determine the levels of malondialdehyde （MDA） and total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD） in the rat serum. The mRNA and protein levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）， Nrf2， NQO1， and HO-1 in the gastric mucosal tissue of rats from each group were measured by Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） staining was employed to detect the fluorescence intensity of ROS in the gastric mucosal tissue of rats in each group. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the modeled rats were sluggish， had yellowing and sparse hair， short and dark tail， loose stool， and reduced food intake， and showed the gastric mucosa characterized by atrophy， thinning， congestive edema， declined gland density and disarrangement， and apparent inflammatory cell infiltration， irregular nucleus morphology， nuclear condensation， mitochondria with decreased number， declined density， and abnormal morphology， vacuolization， declined serum T-SOD level （P<0.05）， elevated serum MDA level （P<0.05）， downregulated mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2， NQO1， and HO-1 （P<0.05）， upregulated mRNA and protein levels of Keap1 （P<0.05）， and enhanced mean fluorescence intensity of ROS （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， each treatment group exhibited improved general state， alleviated histopathological changes in gastric mucosa， improved ultrastructural characteristics of cells， elevated T-SOD level and declined MDA level in the serum （P<0.05）， upregulated mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2， NQO1， and HO-1， downregulated mRNA and protein levels of Keap1 （P<0.05）， and attenuated mean fluorescence intensity of ROS （P<0.05）. ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription can improve the general status， ameliorate pathological changes of gastric mucosa， and repair the cell ultrastructure to varying degrees， demonstrating a definite therapeutic effect on CAG. It may restrain OS and safeguard the natural physiological function of gastric mucosa in CAG rats by regulating the Nrf2/NQO1/HO-1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo clarify the independent and synergistic effects of dyslipidemia in the progression of hepatic steatosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）. MethodsA total of 7 697 participants who underwent physical examination in Beijing Friendship Hospital， Capital Medical University， from January 2022 to December 2024 were enrolled， and finally 2 177 patients with MAFLD were enrolled as subjects. Transient elastography was used to quantify the severity of hepatic steatosis （grades S1-S3）. The multivariable ordinal Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent and synergistic associations of serum triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） with the severity of hepatic steatosis， and their interactions and potential nonlinear relationships with metabolic factors were also examined. One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups， and chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsAn increase in TG （odds ratio ［OR］=1.77， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.48 — 2.10， P<0.001） and a reduction in HDL-C （OR=1.35， 95%CI： 1.11 — 1.65， P=0.003） were independently associated with a greater severity of hepatic steatosis， with the strongest association when both abnormalities coexisted （OR=2.40， 95%CI： 1.87 — 3.07， P<0.001）. The dose-response relationship analysis further revealed a nonlinear threshold effect of TG on hepatic steatosis at the threshold of 1.51 mmol/L （P_nonlinearity=0.001）， below which the severity of steatosis increased more rapidly with the increase in TG concentration （P=0.001）. The subgroup analysis showed that the association between the reduction in HDL-C and the severity of steatosis was observed only in males， young adults （aged <45 years）， and metabolically healthier subgroups （without diabetes， obesity， hyperuricemia or hypertension）. Significant interactions were observed between the presence or absence of obesity and the abnormal levels of TG and HDL‑C （both P_interaction<0.05）. The association of the increase in LDL-C with steatosis was confined to specific subgroups （without obesity or hyperuricemia）. ConclusionThe increase in TG and the reduction in HDL-C are independently associated with the severity of hepatic steatosis in MAFLD. The synergistic effect of blood lipids and their interactions with metabolic factors may further refine risk stratification， so as to provide a basis for precise management of MAFLD.

ObjectiveTo analyze the impact of diabetes-related deaths on the probability of premature mortality and life expectancy in Minhang District of Shanghai from 2004 to 2023, and to provide reference data for the optimization of targeted prevention and control strategies. MethodsAll death cases involving diabetes among the registered residents of Minhang District from 2004 to 2023 were collected. The probability of premature mortality and life expectancy was computed using the abridged life table method. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was calculated with Joinpoint 4.9.0.0. The Arriaga decomposition method was employed for statistical analyses of the influence of cause-specific and age-specific mortality related to diabetes on life expectancy. ResultsThe total number of diabetes-related mortality, crude mortality, and standardized mortality for both males and females in Minhang District from 2004 to 2023 exhibited an increasing trend (P<0.001). The primary causes of death among diabetes-related cases were cardiovascular disease (37.68%), diabetes mellitus (31.95%), and malignant tumor (17.80%). From 2004 to 2023, probability of premature mortality to diabetes-related diseases demonstrated a rising trend (P<0.001), contrasting with the declining trend observed in the overall population (P=0.001). Males showed a significant upward trajectory (P<0.001), while females displayed a stable pattern. Among the diseases exerting considerable influence, cardiovascular disease and malignant tumor revealed a marked increase over time (P<0.001), whereas diabetes mellitus maintained a stable trend; both factors negatively impacted the reduction in probability of premature mortality. From 2004 to 2023, diabetes-related mortality reduced life expectancy among residents by an average of 1.22 years (-49.89%), indicating a negative impact; the reduction was 1.41 years in males and 0.90 years in females. The age groups exhibiting greater negative contributions differed by genders, namely males aged 50‒54 years and females aged 70‒74 years. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and malignant tumor contributed significantly to this decline (-0.46 years, -0.42 years, -0.20 years, respectively), with male experiencing higher negative contributions than females. ConclusionIn Minhang District, the rising mortality associated with diabetes-related diseases negatively impact both the reduction of the probability of premature mortality and the increase in life expectancy. This trend is primarily attributed to the rapid escalation of mortality and younger age demographic of male residents, which warrants significant attention. It is recommended that, based on the enhancement of case management, efforts should be directed towards the targeted prevention and control of risk factors and high-risk populations.

ObjectiveTo analyze the reported cases of infectious diseases across different tiers of public medical and healthcare institutions in Minhang District, Shanghai from 2013 to 2023, to investigate the status and changes in reported infectious diseases in this district from a temporal, etiological, and demographic perspectives, so as to provide a scientific basis for the construction of a hierarchica early-warning surveillance system under the grading diagnosis and treatment model in medical institutions, as well as for optimizing sentinel surveillance at facilities of different levels. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed using surveillance data from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System in Minhang District from 2013 to 2023. Reported infectious diseases were categorized into three categories based on transmission routes: respiratory infectious diseases, intestinal infectious diseases, and sexually transmitted and blood borne infectious diseases. According to the implementation phase of the grading diagnosis and treatment policy, the research time was divided into four time periods: 2013‒2016, 2017‒2019, 2020‒2022, and 2023. The distribution and temporal changes of reported cases of infectious diseases were compared across community health service centers (CHCs), secondary hospitals, tertiary grade-A hospitals and tertiary grade-B hospitals. Chi-square test was used for univariate analysis of differences in the number of reported cases. Quantitative data with normal distribution were analyzed using parametric tests, otherwise, Kruskal⁃Wallis H tests were used. ResultsThe proportions of total reported cases of infectious diseases in medical institutions at all levels in Minhang District, Shanghai from 2013 to 2023 were 10.66% in CHCs, 9.10% in secondary hospitals, 64.95% in tertiary grade-B hospitals, and 15.29% in tertiary grade-A hospitals, with an overall decline and then rebound trend in the reported cases. After the implementation of grading diagnosis and treatment policy, the number of reported cases in CHCs and secondary hospitals showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing, while that in tertiary grade-B hospitals showed a steady decreasing trend and that in tertiary grade-A hospitals showed an increasing trend. In terms of the research periods divided above, a total of 10 392 cases were reported in 2013‒2016 (70.34% from tertiary grade-B hospitals and 12.59% from CHCs), including 2 922 cases of respiratory infectious diseases, 1 241 cases of intestinal infectious diseases, and 6 229 cases of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infectious diseases. Between 2017 and 2019, a total of 6 967 cases were reported (73.49% from tertiary grade-B hospitals and 11.84% from tertiary grade-A hospitals), including 2 983 cases of respiratory infectious diseases, 279 cases of intestinal infectious diseases, and 3 705 cases of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infectious diseases. Between 2020 and 2022, a total of 4 599 cases were reported (69.92% from tertiary grade-B hospitals and 24.57% from tertiary grade-A hospitals), including 1 627 cases of respiratory infectious diseases, 123 cases of intestinal infectious diseases, and 2 849 cases of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infectious diseases. In 2023, a total of 4 648 cases were reported (35.20% from tertiary grade-B hospitals and 27.50% from tertiary grade-A hospitals), including 3 165 cases of respiratory infectious diseases, 69 cases of intestinal infectious diseases, and 1 414 cases of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infectious diseases. The proportion of reported cases from tertiary grade-B hospitals was the highest in all the four research periods, but exhibited an obvious decrease in 2023. The differences in the reported cases of infectious diseases with different transmission routes among medical institutions at all levels were statistically significant (χ²=3 225.628, P<0.05). The differences in the mean age of patients among medical institutions at all levels were statistically significant (H=1 325.927, P<0.05). ConclusionThere are significant differences in the number of reported cases of infectious disease in the medical institutions at different levels. Tertiary grade-B hospitals have historically dominated the number of reported cases, but its share has declined recently. Whereas, CHCs and tertiary grade-A hospitals have played an increasingly important role in the surveillance and early warning of respiratory and intestinal infectious diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to leverage the strengths of grading diagnosis and treatment to establish targeted sentinel sites and deploy specialized teams tailored to the epidemiological characteristics of specific disease categories.

Cysteine protease inhibitor SN(Cystatin SN , CST1), a member of the type 2 cystatins superfamily, regulates tumor biological activities by modulating cysteine protease activity. CST1 is abnormally expressed in digestive system neoplasms, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. CST1 influences tumor cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through signaling pathways including Wnt, STAT3, and PI3K-AKT. Its expression levels significantly correlated with tumor stage, metastasis, and patient prognosis, suggesting its potiential as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis, therapeutic evaluation, and prognosis in digestive system neoplasms. This article systematically reviews the molecular characteristics of CST1, its mechanisms of action in digestive system neoplasms, clinical significance, and explores its potential as a therapeutic target.

Objective:To develop a quality assessment index system for infection prevention and control in integrated medical and elderly care facilities, providing methods for assessing infection control quality and a theoretical basis for enhancing infection prevention and control capabilities.Methods:This study initially constructed a framework for the quality evaluation index system through literature reviews, work specifications and standards and expert interviews. The Delphi method was employed to conduct two rounds of consultations with 19 experts to evaluate the necessity, feasibility, stability, and sensitivity of the indicators. The expert′s active coefficient, authority coefficient, degree of consensus, and coordination were statistically analyzed. The indicators were revised based on expert opinions to finalize the evaluation index system. The weights of the evaluation dimensions were determined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), while the weights of the indicators were determined using the proportional allocation method. Reliability was assessed via Cronbach′s α coefficient, and content validity was verified through the Content Validity Index ( CVI). Results:After two rounds of expert consultation, the expert positive coefficient, expert authority coefficient ( Cr) and expert coordination coefficient Kendall′s W was 100%, 0.992 and 0.634 ( P<0.001), indicating high expert authority, good concentration and coordination of opinions. The assessment index system for infection prevention and control quality in integrated medical and elderly care facilities was ultimately constructed, comprising three primary indicators, 18 secondary indicators and 68 tertiary indicators. Among the primary indicators, the process quality had the highest weight of 0.338. Within the process quality, the secondary indicators with the highest weights were infection control material allocation, hand hygiene quality and the management of cluster outbreaks. A total of 11 unique evaluation indicators for integrated medical and elderly care facilities were established, with the highest weighted indicator being the rate of standardized surveillance of infection-related risk factors. Reliability and validity analyses demonstrated that the overall Cronbach′s α coefficient of the system was 0.991, and the Scale-level Content Validity Index was 0.936, confirming good reliability and validity. Conclusion:The evaluation index system constructed in this study can serve as an effective assessment tool for the quantitative evaluation of infection control quality in integrated medical and elderly care facilities. Furthermore, it is recommended that the system undergo continuous optimization concerning its application.