Prediction of Hypotension During Neuraxial Anesthesia in Patients with Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Through Subclavian Vein Collapsibility Index

Objective:To explore and evaluate the predictive value of subclavian vein collapsibility index(SCV-CI)on hypotension during neuraxial anesthesia in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH).Methods:Pregnant women with PIH who underwent elective cesarean section in our hospital from January to July 2021 were selected as the research subjects.Patients who experienced hypotension during anesthesia were included into the hypotension group,whereas patients who had a normal blood pressure during anesthesia were included in the normotensive group.The SCV-CI was then calculated for three respiratory cycles,the average value was taken as the base value,and the patient was monitored for another 20 minutes.The blood pressure,heart rate,blood oxygen saturation,and SCV-CI of the patients were measured,and the incidence of maternal nausea and vomiting and cord blood gas were recorded.Then,a correlation analysis was conducted on the relationship between subclavian vein collapsibility index and hypotension.A receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to seek the threshold value of subclavian vein collapsibility index for post-anesthesia hypotension.Results:There was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),and heart rate(HR)between the two groups before anesthesia(P>0.05).After anesthesia,the above indexes(SBP,103.25±12.48 mmHg;DBP,58.94±7.46 mmHg;and HR,52.96±6.48 beats/min)were significantly lower than those of the normal blood pressure group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).In comparison,the SCV-CI in the hypotension group was 35.82±4.93%greater than that in the normal blood pressure group(23.85±5.27%),and the incidence of nausea and vomiting in the hypotension group(40.0%)was significantly higher than that in the normotensive group(10.53%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The area under the curve of SCV-CI prediction against hypotension in patients with PIH under neuraxial anesthesia was 0.825(95%CI:0.762-0.893,P<0.001),the cut-off value was 25.68%,the predictive sensitivity was 92.68%,and the specificity was 81.24%.Conclusion:SCV-CI has a good predictive value for the occurrence of hypotension in patients with PIH during neuraxial anesthesia.

Increased Oxidative Stress in Women With Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

Objective To investigate whether pregnancy-induced hypertension （PIH） may increase oxidative stress in women with PIH, and to explore the mechanisms by which PIH may increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage. Methods Seventy women with PIH and seventy women with uncomplicated normotensive pregnancy （UNP） whose age, nutritional conditions, levels of hemoglobin and albumin were all matched, were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Their plasma concentrations of nitric oxide （NO）, vitamin C （VC）, vitamin E （VE）, and β-carotene （β-CAR） as well as their erythrocyte malondialdehyde （MDA）, and activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT） and glutathione peroxidase （GPX） were determined by spcctrophotometry. Results Compared with average values of the above experimental parameters in the women with UNP, the average value of erythrocyte MDA in the women with PIH significantly increased （P〈0.0001）, while the average values of plasma NO, VC, VE, and β-CAR as well as those of erythrocyte SOD, CAT, and GPX in the women with PIH significantly decreased （P〈0.0005-0.0001）. The findings from partial correlation analysis （controlling for age） for 70 women with PIH showed that with elevated systolic blood pressure （SBP） and diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, MDA value gradually increased （P〈0.001）, and NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, and GPX values gradually decreased （P〈0.02-0.001）. The findings from reliability analysis for NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, GPX, and MDA values used to reflect increased oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with PIH showed that the reliability coefficients （alpha, 8 items） = 0.7062, P〈 0.0001, and the standardized item alpha = 0.9116, P〈 0.0001. Conclusion The findings in the present research suggest that pregnancy-induced hypertension can increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Expression of TGF-β1 in Placenta of the Patients with Pregnancy-induced Hypertension and Its relationship with Serum VCAM-1

The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in placental tissue of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and the relationship between the level of expression of TGF-β1 and the amount of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in serum was studied. Immunohistochemistry ABC was used to detect the expression and distribution of TGF-β1 in placental tissues in 40 PIH women and 20 normal pregnancy women. High resolution pathological image analysis system was used to determine the quality of TGF-β1. The VCAM-1 in serum was examined by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that TGF-β1 could be express in syncytiotrophoblast. The levels of TGF-β1 expression in placental tissues of the patients with moderate and severe PIH were significantly higher (P<0.05), while the serum VCAM-1 was significantly lower than in normal group (P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of TGF-β1 in placental tissues and the serum VCAM-1 (r=0.969, P<0.01). It was concluded that the level of TGF-β1 expression in PIH was increased and was positively correlated with the amount of serum VCAM-1, indicating that they might be involved in the pathogenesis of PIH.

Second-trimester maternal β-human chorionic gonadotropin level associated with subsequent development of pregnancy-induced hypertension

Objective:To determine whether maternal β-human chorionic gonadotropin(β-hCG) level in second-trimester may be associated with subsequent development of pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH).Methods:Seven hundred and sixty-two women in mid-trimester were to have maternal urine β-hCG standardized concentrations and maternal serum β-hCG measurements.Their case histories were recorded and reviewed from mid-trimester to delivery.The relation was observed between maternal urine,serum markers and subsequent development of PIH.Results:Among 762 women,504 cases were normal pregnancies,42 cases had PIH,94 cases had premature rupture of membrane (PROM),69 cases had preterm delivery (PD),53 other cases were excluded by various reasons.The levels of maternal urine,serum β-hCG in PIH were (61.75±9.78) IU/L and (304.56±54.17) ng/mg respectively,which were higher significantly than normal pregnancy group ([20.65±7.61] IU/L and [146.34±47.81] ng/mg,P<0.05).When maternal serum,urine β-hCG levels ≥2 MOM(multiple of mean),the incidences of developing PIH were increased significantly as compared with those of β-hCG <2 MOM women.The incidence of PIH increased from 5.1% in pregnancies with urine β-hCG ≥2 MOM to 11.7% in cases with urine β-hCG ≥4 MOM.Conclusion:The elevation of maternal mid-trimester urine,serum β-hCG levels is not only an early signal for dysfunction of placenta but also a dangerous signal for development of PIH.Second-trimester maternal urine β-hCG measurement proves to be superior to serum marker in clinical prediction.

The Expression of PLF in Placenta in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and the Relationship between the PLF and Serum VCAM-1

To study the expression of placental isoferritin (PLF) in placental tissue of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and the relationship between the level of expression of PLF and the amount of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in serum, immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of PLF in placenta tissue in 45 PIH patients (PIH group) and 15 normal pregnant women (normal group). High resolution pathological image analysis system (HPIAS-100) was employed to determine the quantity of PLF. The VCAM-1 in serum was examined by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the levels of PLF expressions in moderate and severe PIH patients were significantly lower than that of normal group (P<0. 01). The serum VCAM-1 was significantly decreased in PIH group (1310±177 ρ/ng/ml) than that of normal group (609±72 ρ/ng/ml, P<0. 01). The significant negative correlation existed between the expression of PLF in placental tissue and the serum VACM-1 (r=-0. 58, P<0. 01). It was concluded that the level of PLF expression in PIH decreases and is negatively correlated with the amount of serum VCAM-1, indicating that these may be involved in the pathogenesis of PIH.

A algorithm for prediction of exudative retinal detachment risk of patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension

AIM:To investigate the risk of exudative retinal detachment(ERD)morbidity in patients with pregnancyinduced hypertension(PIH)by using the logistic regression combined with the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.METHODS:A total of 46 patients with ERD and 142 patients with non-ERD were diagnosed as PIH from January 2017 to February 2020.A retrospective comparison of the clinical manifestations and laboratory tests were conducted.The risk of ERD morbidity with PIH was predicted by using logistic regression combined with an ROC curve model.RESULTS:There was no significant difference in age and body mass index between the two groups before pregnancy(P>0.05).However,significant differences were found in gestational weeks,duration of hypertension,maximum and minimum systolic and diastolic blood pressure(BP),and plasma total protein(PTP)concentration between the two groups(P<0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum systolic BP(OR=1.050,95%CI:1.016-1.085)and PTP concentration(OR=0.764,95%CI:0.702-0.832)were independent prediction risks of ERD in PIH.The sensitivities of maximum systolic BP,PTP concentration and combined diagnosis were 0.717,0.870,and 0.870,respectively;the specificities were 0.617,0.837,and 0.908,respectively;the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.707(95%CI:0.622-0.792),0.917(95%CI:0.868-0.967),and 0.933(95%CI:0.890-0.975),respectively;the AUC of combined diagnosis was higher than that of single diagnosis(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Logistic regression and ROC curve model combined with maximum systolic BP and PTP can improve the early identification of high-risk PIH patients in the hospital.

The Activity of Plasma Platelet-activating Factor Derived from Pregnant Women before and after Delivery and lts Relation to Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

The activity of plasma platelet-activating factor(PAF) from pregnant women before and after delivery was determined. Plasma samples were taken from 74 pregnant women, among whom 24 were normotensive controls, 30 mild and moderate hypertensive and 20 severe hypertensive. Of the two hypertensive groups(pregnancy-induced hypertension, PIH), PAF activity measured by a bioassay was significantly higher than that of normotensive control at 38 weeks in gestation , indicating a possible role of this potent lipid mediator in the pathophysiological mechanism of PIH. After delivery, PAF activity was obviously increased in all three groups , showing the regulation of placenta in PAF metabolism.

Change of hs-CRP,sVCAM-1,NT-proBNP levels in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension after therapy with magnesium sulfate and nifudipine

Objective:To investigate the change of the hs-CRP,sVC AM-1,NT-proBNP levels of the patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH) syndrome.Methods:A total of 200 patients with PIH were divided into mild,moderate and severe group,and 50 healthy pregnancy patients served as the control group.The serum sVCAM-1 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,hs-CRP were detected by immunity transmission turbidity,and NT-proBNP levels were determined by the colloidal gold method.Patients were treated with magnesium sulfate and nifudipine and the contrastive analysis was performed before and after treatment.And the pathological changes in placental of PIH patients were delected by hematoxylin-eosin staining at the same time.Results:The hs-CRP,sVCAM-l,NT-proBNP levels of patients in the mild, moderate and severe PHI group were significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). The hs-CKP,sVCAM-l,NT-proBNP levels in the severe group were significantly higher than the mild group and the moderate group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The hsCRP,sVCAM-l,NT-proBNP of the moderate group were significantly higher than the mild group(P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between hs-CRP,sVCAM-1,NT-proBNP expression levels and the degree of the PIH.The expression of hs-CRP,sVCAM-1,NT-proBNP levels of the moderate and the severe group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The number of placental villi and interstitial blood vessel in the moderate and severe PIH group were significantly less than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:The increased levels of serum hs-CRP,sVCAM-1, NT-proBNP may be involved in the process of vascular endothelial cell injury of the PIH,and the hs-CRP,sVCAM-1,NT-proBNP can be used as the auxiliary index for diagnosis of PIH and determination of PIH severity.

Association of Urinary Strontium Levels with Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

Pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH),including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia,accounts for the majority of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.Strontium(Sr)has been recently associated with preeclampsia in a small group of women;however,the role of Sr in PIH is not fully understood and warrants further investigation.In this study,we examined the association between urinary Sr levels and PIH,and assessed the effect of maternal age on the association.Urinary Sr concentrations were measured in 5423 pregnant women before delivery by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders was applied to explore the association between Sr and PIH,and to evaluate the Sr-PIH relationship stratified by maternal age.Among the participants,200(3.83%)women were diagnosed with PIH.Compared with non-PIH women,women who developed PIH had lower urinary Sr concentrations(131.26 us.174.98μg/L creatinine,P<0.01).With the natural log-transformed urinary creatinine-standardized Sr concentrations increasing,the risk of PIH decreased significantly[adjusted OR=0.60(95%CI:0.51,0.72)].Furthermore,the significant association of Sr with PIH was found among women under 35 years(P<0.01).Our finding suggested that Sr may play a potential protective role in the pathogenesis of PIH,especially among young pregnant women under 35 years old.

Establishment of a model for pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome resulting from cold-stress in rats

Objective: To establish a model for pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome in rats. Methods: Adult female Wistar rats were randomized into non-pregnant control (NN), non-pregnant cold-stress control (NC), pregnant control (PN) and pregnant cold-stress (PC) groups. The rats of NN and PN groups were put under 25 ℃ and those of NC and PC groups under (4±2)℃ for 4 h every morning respectively in the whole experimental period. The blood pressure, urine protein, body weight, haematocrit, weight of the placenta and weight and length of the fetus were recorded and the histological changes of the placenta and the kidneys were also studied. Results: The blood pressure and urine protein of the rats of the NC and PC groups after 2 weeks of cold-stress were more significantly increased than the rats of the NN and PN groups. In addition, the weight of the placenta and the weight and length of the fetus were more significantly lower in the former than the latter. Obvious changes of anoxia and ischemia were observed in the tissues of the kidneys and every layer of the placenta. Conclusion: Our findings of hypertension syndrome induced with repeated cold-stress in pregnant rats can be applied to illustrate the pathogenesis of pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome in human beings.

Effect of nifedipine combined with Magnesium Sulfate on oxidative stress,hemorheology,platelet active substances and renal function in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension

Objective: To investigate effect of nifedipine combined with Magnesium Sulfate on levels of oxidative stress, blood rheology, platelet active substance and renal function in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Methods: A total of 99 cases of patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension were selected as the study object, according to random data table, they were divided into control group (n=50) and observation group (n=49), patients in control group were treated with Magnesium Sulfate, while patients in the observation group received Magnesium Sulfate combined with nifedipine treatment, levels of blood pressure and oxidative stress, blood rheology, platelet activity and renal function index before and after treatment of both groups were compared. Results: There were no significant difference of the level of DBP, SBP, Tac, MDA, SOD, high/low shear blood viscosity, PV, HCT, CD62P, CD63, GPⅡb/Ⅲa, SCr and BUN before treatment between control group and the observation group. Compared with intragroup before treatment, the levels of DBP, SBP, MDA, high/low shear blood viscosity, PV, HCT, CD62P, CD63, GPⅡb/Ⅲa, SCr and BUN after treatment of the two groups were significantly decreased, and the levels of the observation group after treatment was significantly lower than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant;Compared with level of SOD and Tac, after treatment, the levels of SOD and Tac of the two groups were significantly higher than those in the same group before treatment, and levels of the observation group was significantly higher than in the control group, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Nifedipine combined with magnesium sulfate treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension, which can effectively reduce the blood pressure level of patients, improve the levels of oxidative stress, blood rheology and platelet active substance, protect renal function, with an important clinical value.

Effect of low-dose aspirin and Danshen injection on hemorheology, vascular endothelial function and oxidative stress in pregnancy-induced hypertension

Objective:To investigate the effect of low dose aspirin and salvia miltiorrhiza injection on hemorrheology, endothelial function and oxidative stress in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension.Methods: One hundred and eighty pregnancy-induced hypertension patients treated in our hospital from April 2015 to November 2016 were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into control group and observation group with 90 cases in each group. The control group was given routine treatment. The observation group was treated with low-dose aspirin plus Salvia miltiorrhiza in the control group. After treatment, blood rheology, vascular endothelial function and oxidative stress were measured in two groups.Results: The levels of MAP and 24 h Upro in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment. After treatment, the MAP and 24 h Upro levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. After treatment, the level of PT was significantly higher than that before treatment, while the level of DD and Fg was significantly lower than that before treatment. Comparing the two groups after treatment showed that the PT level, and the levels of DD and Fg were significantly lower than those in the control group;After treatment, NO levels in both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment, ET-1 and ET-1/NO levels were significantly lower than before treatment, after treatment, ET-1, NO and ET The NO level in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while ET-1 and ET-1/NO levels were significantly lower than those in the control group;Compared with those before treatment, the levels of SOD in the two groups were significantly increased and MDA significantly decreased after treatment. The SOD and MDA levels in the two groups after treatment showed that the SOD level in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while MDA level was significantly lower than that of the control group.Conclusion: The combination of low-dose aspirin and Salvia miltiorrhiza injection has significant therapeutic effect on gestational hypertension, and can effectively improve the hemorheological parameters and endothelial function of patients and reduce the oxidative stress injury in patients. It is worth further clinical promotion.

Microarray analysis of genes differentially expressed in placentas of pregnancy-induced hypertension patients

Objective: To uncover new clue for the research of the etiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) by testing the gene expression difference between preeclamptic placentas and normal ones. Methods: mRNA level of 4 PIH placentas were examined using 4000 feature cDNA microarray in comparison with the pooled control consisting of total RNA from 4 cases of PIH placentas after the control cDNA and experimental cDNA were labeled by cy3 and cy5 respectively. Results: Fifty-eight to 131 genes were found down or up-regulated in 4 runs of hybridization. Among the differentially expressed genes, 22 genes, including genes encoding secreted protein ADRP, CYR61, EPI and HIF2, had the concordance in at least 2 cases were up-regulated or down-regulated. Conclusion: cDNA microarray is a high throughput and time-saving method to monitor the altered gene expression and the result could provide interesting clue and strategy for the etiological research of PIH.

Screening and cloning of differentially expressed genes in placentas from patients of pregnancy-induced hypertension by suppression subtractive hybridization

Suppresssion subtractive hybridization (SSH) was preformed to compare gene expression profiles of PIH patients and normal pregnancy placentas. The subtractive cDNA library of PIH placenta was set up and screedned. Differential cDNAs were cloned, and sequenced by T 7 primer methodology. One hundred and three differential cDNAs were isolated by SSH. Sequencing and BLAST analysis showed 90 inserts shared more than 95% homolog with sequences in the GenBank/EMBL database. We identified 36 putative genes including pregnancy-specific glycoprotein gene (BC005924), serine protease inhibitor gene(BC012868), VEGFR-1 gene(AF063657, etc.

Effects of IGF-Ⅱand TGF-β1 on invasiveness of placental trophoblast cells in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome

Objective: This study was to investigate the invasiveness of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) trophoblast cells and evaluate the effects of IGF-Ⅱand TGF-β1 on cytotrophoblast invasion.Methods: Cytotrophoblast cells from normal and PIH placenta were separated and purified. Cytotrophoblast invasiveness of normal and PIH placenta was measured by in vitro invasion assay. Effects of IGF-Ⅱand TGF-β1 on cytotrophoblast invasion were also studied.Results: In PIH group, cytotrophoblast invasiveness was dramatically decreased. In normal group, trophoblast invasiveness was significantly enhanced by IGF-Ⅱ but inhibited by TGF-β1. Neither IGF-Ⅱ nor TGF-β1 had statistically significant effects on PIH trophoblast invasion.Conclusions: PIH cytotrophoblast invasiveness dramatically decreases as compared to the normal level. IGF-Ⅱand TGF-β1 may play an important role in shallow trophoblast invasion on PIH.

Causal associations between gastroesophageal reflux disease and essential hypertension: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Clinical studies have reported that patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)have a higher prevalence of hypertension.AIM To performed a bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis to investi-gate the causal link between GERD and essential hypertension.METHODS Eligible single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were selected,and weighted median,inverse variance weighted(IVW)as well as MR egger(MR-Egger)re-gression were used to examine the potential causal association between GERD and hypertension.The MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier analysis was used to detect and attempt to reduce horizontal pleiotropy by removing outliers SNPs.The MR-Egger intercept test,Cochran’s Q test and“leave-one-out”sen-sitivity analysis were performed to evaluate the horizontal pleiotropy,heterogen-eities,and stability of single instrumental variable.RESULTS IVW analysis exhibited an increased risk of hypertension(OR=1.46,95%CI:1.33-1.59,P=2.14E-16)in GERD patients.And the same result was obtained in replication practice(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.0008-1.003,P=0.000498).Meanwhile,the IVW analysis showed an increased risk of systolic blood pressure(β=0.78,95%CI:0.11-1.44,P=0.021)and hypertensive heart disease(OR=1.68,95%CI:1.36-2.08,P=0.0000016)in GERD patients.Moreover,we found an decreased risk of Barrett's esophagus(OR=0.91,95%CI:0.83-0.99,P=0.043)in essential hypertension patients.CONCLUSION We found that GERD would increase the risk of essential hypertension,which provided a novel prevent and therapeutic perspectives of essential hypertension.

Effect of a comprehensive geriatric assessment nursing intervention model on older patients with diabetes and hypertension

BACKGROUND The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment(CGA)was introduced late in China and is primarily used for investigating and evaluating health problems in older adults in outpatient and community settings.However,there are few reports on its application in hospitalized patients,especially older patients with diabetes and hypertension.AIM To explore the nursing effect of CGA in hospitalized older patients with diabetes and hypertension.METHODS We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of patients with comorbid diabetes mellitus and hypertension who were hospitalized and treated in the Jiangyin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between September 2020 and June 2022.Among the 80 patients included,40 received CGA nursing interventions(study group),while the remaining 40 received routine nursing care(control group).The study group's comprehensive approach included creating personalized CGA profiles,multidisciplinary assessments,and targeted inter-ventions in areas,such as nutrition,medication adherence,exercise,and mental health.However,the control group received standard nursing care,including general and medical history collection,fall prevention measures,and regular patient monitoring.After 6 months of nursing care implementation,we evaluated the effectiveness of the interventions,including assessments of blood glucose levels fasting blood glucose,2-h postprandial blood glucose,and glycated hemoglobin,type A1c(HbA1c);blood pressure indicators such as diastolic blood pressure(DBP)and systolic blood pressure(SBP);quality of life as measured by the 36-item Short Form Survey(SF-36)questionnaire;and treatment adherence.RESULTS After 6 months,the nursing outcomes indicated that patients who underwent CGA nursing interventions experienced a significant decrease in blood glucose indicators,such as fasting blood glucose,2-h postprandial blood glucose,and HbA1c,as well as blood pressure indicators,including DBP and SBP,compared with the control group(P<0.05).Quality of life assessments,including physical health,emotion,physical function,overall health,and mental health,showed marked improvements compared to the control group(P<0.05).In the study group,38 patients adhered to the clinical treatment requirements,whereas only 32 in the control group adhered to the clinical treatment requirements.The probability of treatment adherence among patients receiving CGA nursing interventions was higher than that among patients receiving standard care(95%vs 80%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION The CGA nursing intervention significantly improved glycemic control,blood pressure management,and quality of life in hospitalized older patients with diabetes and hypertension,compared to routine care.

Alterations in the gut microbiome after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with hepatitis B virus-related portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Gut microbiota(GM)affects the progression and response to treatment in liver diseases.The GM composition is diverse and associated with different etiologies of liver diseases.Notably,alterations in GM alterations are observed in patients with portal hypertension(PH)secondary to cirrhosis,with hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection being a major cause of cirrhosis in China.Thus,understanding the role of GM alterations in patients with HBV infection-related PH is essential.AIM To evaluate GM alterations in patients with HBV-related PH after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)placement.METHODS This was a prospective,observational clinical study.There were 30 patients(with a 100%technical success rate)recruited in the present study.Patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding due to HBV infection-associated PH who underwent TIPS were enrolled.Stool samples were obtained before and one month after TIPS treatment,and GM was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing.RESULTS One month after TIPS placement,8 patients developed hepatic encephalopathy(HE)and were assigned to the HE group;the other 22 patients were assigned to the non-HE group.There was no substantial disparity in the abundance of GM at the phylum level between the two groups,regardless of TIPS treatment(all,P>0.05).However,following TIPS placement,the following results were observed:(1)The abundance of Haemophilus and Eggerthella increased,whereas that of Anaerostipes,Dialister,Butyricicoccus,and Oscillospira declined in the HE group;(2)The richness of Eggerthella,Streptococcus,and Bilophila increased,whereas that of Roseburia and Ruminococcus decreased in the non-HE group;and(3)Members from the pathogenic genus Morganella appeared in the HE group but not in the non-HE group.CONCLUSION Intestinal microbiota-related synergism may predict the risk of HE following TIPS placement in patients with HBVrelated PH.Prophylactic microbiome therapies may be useful for preventing and treating HE after TIPS placement.

Cognitive impairment in cerebral small vessel disease induced by hypertension

Hypertension is a primary risk factor for the progression of cognitive impairment caused by cerebral small vessel disease,the most common cerebrovascular disease.Howeve r,the causal relationship between hypertension and cerebral small vessel disease remains unclear.Hypertension has substantial negative impacts on brain health and is recognized as a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease.Chronic hypertension and lifestyle factors are associated with risks for stro ke and dementia,and cerebral small vessel disease can cause dementia and stroke.Hypertension is the main driver of cerebral small vessel disease,which changes the structure and function of cerebral vessels via various mechanisms and leads to lacunar infarction,leukoaraiosis,white matter lesions,and intracerebral hemorrhage,ultimately res ulting in cognitive decline and demonstrating that the brain is the to rget organ of hypertension.This review updates our understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertensioninduced cerebral small vessel disease and the res ulting changes in brain structure and function and declines in cognitive ability.We also discuss drugs to treat cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive impairment.

Risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women in Indonesia:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To determine the risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women,which is a significant cause of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Indonesia.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study used secondary data from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Research.Pregnant women aged 15-54 years in the second and third trimesters were eligible.The history of hypertension in pregnant women was the dependent variable.The independent variables consisted of the demographic characteristics of pregnant women including pregnancy age,gestational age,education,occupation,place of residence,and region of residence.This study used multivariate logistic regression to determine the risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women in Indonesia.Results:.Among 6479 respondents included in this study,11(7.0%)had a history of diabetes mellitus(DM)and hypertension compared to pregnant women who did not have a history of DM(0.1%).The dominant risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women in Indonesia include maternal age above 35 years(OR 3.67,95%CI 2.54-5.32),third-trimester pregnancy(OR 2.40,95%CI 1.72-3.35),primigravida(OR 1.78,95%CI 1.19-2.68),excessive consumption of salty foods(OR 1.44,95%CI 1.03-2.03),and diabetes mellitus(OR 10.20,95%CI 3.04-32.23).Conclusions:Great efforts must be made to increase public awareness about the dangers of hypertension in pregnant women through early diagnosis and treatment,education on sodium intake,and appropriate care for pregnant women with DM.