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.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Objective: To investigate hypertriglyceridemia and hepatomegaly caused by Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (FSS) and Schisandra chinensis Fructus (FSC) oils in mice. Methods: Mice were orally administered a single dose of Schisandrae Fructus oils. Serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG), triglyceride transfer protein (TTP), apolipoprotein B48 (Apo B48), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), alanine aminotransfease (ALT) and liver index were measured at 6-120 h post-dosing. Results: FSS and FSC oil caused time and dose-dependent increases in serum and hepatic TG levels, with maximum increases in the liver (by 297% and 340%) at 12 h post-dosing and serum (244% and 439%) at 24-h post-dosing, respectively. Schisandrae Fructus oil treatments also elevated the levels of serum TTP by 51% and 63%, Apo B48 by 152% and 425%, and VLDL by 67% and 38% in mice, respectively. FSS and FSC oil treatments also increased liver mass by 53% and 55% and HGF by 106% and 174%, but lowered serum ALT activity by 38% and 22%, respectively. Fenofibrate pre/ co-treatment attenuated the FSS and FSC oil-induced elevation in serum TG levels by 41% and 49% at 48 h post-dosing, respectively, but increased hepatic TG contents (by 38% and 33%, respectively) at 12 h post-dosing. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence to support the establishment of a novel mouse model of hypertriglyceridemia by oral administration of FSS oil (mainly increasing endogenous TG) and FSC oil (mainly elevating exogenous TG).

ObjectiveTo predict the mechanism of Sinitang in treating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury （MI/RI） based on network pharmacology and verify the prediction results by cellular experiments. MethodThe traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology database and analysis platform （TCMSP） was employed for retrieval of the main components and potential targets of Sinitang. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM） and GeneCards were employed to obtain the targets of Sinitang in treating MI/RI. STRING was employed to construct the protein-protein interaction （PPI） network， and DAVID to perform gene ontology （GO） annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment. Finally， cellular experiments were carried out to verify the predicted anti-MI/RI mechanism of Sinitang. ResultA total of 105 active ingredients and 234 targets of Sinitang were screened out， among which 116 targets were predicted to be involved in the treatment of MI/RI. The GO annotation gave 587 entries， including 417 biological process entries， 101 cell component entries， and 69 molecular function entries. The KEGG analysis enriched 125 signaling pathways， involving vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， forkhead box transcription factor O （FoxO）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1 （HIF-1） apoptosis and other signaling pathways. The results of cell viability assay showed that Sinitang increased the survival rate of H9C2 cells damaged by hypoxia/reoxygenation （H/R）. Sinitang decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and creatine kinase-MB （CK-MB） in H9C2 cells damaged by H/R. The results of flow cytometry demonstrated that Sinitang decreased the apoptosis rate of H9C2 cells damaged by H/R. Western blot showed that Sinitang down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 related X protein （Bax） and up-regulated that of B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） in H/R-injured H9C2 cells. ConclusionSinitang treats MI/RI in a multi-target and multi-pathway manner， which involves the signaling pathways associated with apoptosis.

ObjectiveProlonged storage of packed red blood cells （PRBC） is reportedly associated with poor clinical outcomes in critically ill， trauma， and cardiac surgery patients. However， the impact of PRBC’s age on long-term oncological outcomes in cancer patients remains poorly defined. Here we retrospectively evaluated the effect of PRBC’s age on overall survival and biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. MethodsA total of 1 221 qualified patients undergoing curative hepatectomy for HCC between August 1， 2008 and June 30， 2012 at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center （Guangzhou， PR China） were divided into nontransfused or transfused group. Transfused patients were further divided according to PRBC storage duration （fresh PRBC group， ≤ 14 days； old PRBC group， > 14 days）. Overall survival （OS）， intrahepatic recurrence-free survival （IRFS）， extrahepatic metastasis-free survival （EMFS） were assessed and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the association of PRBC storage duration with cancer outcomes. ResultsA total of 251 （20.6%） patients received intraoperative PRBC transfusion. Of these， 112 and 125 patients were grouped in the fresh and the old PRBC groups， respectively. The Kaplan–Meier curves showed that both fresh PRBC group and old PRBC group had worse OS， IRFS， and EMFS than nontransfused group （P<0.001）. Cox regression analyses further indicated that old PRBC transfusion was an independent prognostic factor of OS （HR=1.417， P=0.049）， IRFS （HR=1.519， P=0.013） for patients with HCC； conversely， new PRBC transfusion was not. ConclusionIn patients undergoing curative hepatectomy， intraoperative transfusions of PRBC that had been stored for more than 2 weeks is independently associated with a significantly increased risk of intrahepatic recurrence and reduced overall survival.

BACKGROUNDTo study the characters of high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) in the seizure onset zones (SOZ) and the nonseizure onset zones (NSOZ) in the electrocorticography (ECoG) of patients with neocortical epilepsy.

METHODSOnly patients with neocortical epilepsy who were seizure-free after surgery as determined with ECoG were included. We selected patients with normal magnetic resonance imaging before surgery in order to avoid the influence of HFOs by other lesions. Three minutes preictal and 10 min interictal ECoG as recorded in 39 channels in the SOZ and 256 channels in the NSOZ were analyzed. Ripples and fast ripples (FRs) were analyzed by Advanced Source Analysis software (ASA, The Netherlands). Average duration of HFOs was analyzed in SOZ and NSOZ separately.

RESULTSFor ripples, the permillage time occupied by HFOs was 0.83 in NSOZ and 1.17 in SOZ during the interictal period. During preictal period, they were 2.02 in NSOZ and 7.93 in SOZ. For FRs, the permillage time occupied by HFOs was 0.02 in NSOZ and 0.42 in SOZ during the interictal period. During preictal period, they were 0.03 in NSOZ and 2 in SOZ.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-frequency oscillations are linked to SOZ in neocortical epilepsy. Our study demonstrates the prevalent occurrence of HFOs in SOZ. More and more burst of HFOs, especially FRs, means the onset of seizures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Electrocorticography ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Seizures ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo validate those obtained immunogenic membrane antigens candidate of human pancreatic cancer in the performed research.

METHODSIn the pre-studies, serum IgG purified from clinically collected sera of pancreatic cancer patients underwent immunoblot with human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 membrane protein, totally obtained 9 positive protein spots. Number 5 and 6 positive dots of immunoblot were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and peptide mass fingerprinting matching. The candidate membrane antigens were further validated in cell lines by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. RNA of human normal pancreatic tissue and pancreatic cancer tissue was extracted respectively, different gene expression level of prohibitin 2 was studied by real-time PCR.

RESULTSNumber 5 and 6 positive dots were identified as prohibitin 2 and prohibitin. RT-PCR and real-time PCR all showed that gene of prohibitin 2 and prohibitin were expressed in the human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990, AsPc and P3 respectively, especially in P3 cell with highest expression (t = 7.442, P < 0.01). In addition, gene expression level of prohibitin 2 was significant higher in human pancreatic cancer than that of normal pancreatic tissue (t = 0.893, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSProhibitin 2 and prohibitin are both differently expressed in the pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990, AsPc and P3. Prohibitin 2 is obvious highly expressed in human pancreatic cancer tissue. Prohibitin 2 and prohibitin might be the candidate immunogenic membrane antigens of human pancreatic cancer.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (HMTC) and the sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (SMTC).

METHODSThe clinical data of 78 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma who underwent surgery in our hospital between July 1980 and May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSOf these 78 patients, there were 23 HMTC cases and 55 SMTC cases. The HMTC group was significantly younger age of onset [(36.4±13.5) years vs. (46.6±11.2) years, P<0.01] and a lower pre/post-operative serum calcitonin levels [(850.4±110.20) ng/L vs. (1450.4±118.3) ng/L, P<0.01 and (410.8±133.2) ng/L vs. (1585.4±129.5) ng/L, P<0.01] than the SMTC group. In addition, the mean tumor diameter was also significantly smaller in the HMTC group (14.3 mm vs. 21.0 mm in SMTC group, P<0.05). Tumor multifocality was seen in a significantly higher proportion of HMTC cases compared with the SMTC cases (56.6% vs. 29.1%, P<0.05). The overall 10-year survival was 100% in HMTC group and 80.2% in SMTC group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONHMTC has a better prognosis than SMTC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Young Adult