1.Correlation Analysis of Huanglian Jiedu Wan on Syndrome Improvement and Clinical Biomarkers of "Excess Heat-Toxicity" Based on Machine Learning Model
Qi LI ; Keke LUO ; Baolin BIAN ; Hongyu YU ; Mengxiao WANG ; Mengyao TIAN ; Wen XIA ; Yuan MA ; Xinfang ZHANG ; Pengyue LI ; Nan SI ; Hongjie WANG ; Yanyan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):162-173
ObjectiveThis paper aims to find the identified and validated clinical biomarker data building upon a clinical study of early-phase phase Ⅱ and investigate the correlation analysis of Huanglian Jiedu Wan on syndrome improvement and clinical biomarkers in the treatment of "excess heat-toxicity" based on a machine learning model. Additionally, the effective prediction of clinical biomarker values for the main symptoms of the "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome was assessed. MethodsA total of 229 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome were randomly divided into the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group and the placebo group. Syndrome score transition matrices were constructed for the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group and the placebo group based on three main symptoms of "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome, such as oral ulcers, sore throat, and gum swelling and pain. Data from the patients with these three syndromes were also integrated for an overall analysis. The corresponding syndrome score transition matrices were further constructed to visualize symptom change trends of the patients in the two groups via heatmaps. Based on the identified and validated clinical biomarkers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism in the early phase, Spearman correlation analysis was employed to analyze and evaluate the associations between clinical biomarkers and syndrome improvement. Key clinical biomarkers reflecting the effect of Huanglian Jiedu Wan were screened through the comparison of differences between groups. An extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was used to develop a prediction model for main symptom classification, with classification performance evaluated through 10-fold cross-validation. Feature importance analysis was applied to identify variables with the greatest contribution to the prediction result. ResultsThe syndrome transition matrix results indicated that the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group showed a superior effect to the placebo group in improving oral ulcers, sore throat, and overall symptoms, with significant effects observed especially in sore throat and overall symptom analyses (P<0.01). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that several clinical biomarkers positively correlated with "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome and its main symptom improvement, were also called "heat-related biomarkers", including succinic acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, glycine, lactic acid, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and so on. Conversely, clinical biomarkers negatively correlated with symptom severity, were also called "heat-clearing related biomarkers" after administration of Huanglian Jiedu Wan, including malic acid, fumaric acid, cis-aconitic acid, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, succinic acid, and citric acid. The XGBoost classification model using all 52 biomarkers as variables achieved an average test accuracy of 0.754 and an average F1 score of 0.777. Feature importance analysis identified the scores of glutamic acid in saliva and IL-6 were the highest in all the variables, with importance scores of 0.081 and 0.080, respectively. After screening out 14 key variables and optimizing the parameters, model performance improved to an average accuracy of 0.758 and an F1 score of 0.798. Feature importance analysis further determined that the glutamic acid in saliva and IL-6 showed obvious changes after screening the variables, confirming the good syndrome prediction ability of the model constructed by these key clinical biomarkers. ConclusionThis study systematically elucidates the correlation between syndrome improvement and clinical biomarkers of Huanglian Jiedu Wan in the treatment of "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome. An XGBoost classification model based on key clinical biomarkers is successfully established, achieving effective prediction of the symptoms related to the "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome such as oral ulcers and sore throat and providing a new insight for objective identification of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes.
2.Correlation Analysis of Huanglian Jiedu Wan on Syndrome Improvement and Clinical Biomarkers of "Excess Heat-Toxicity" Based on Machine Learning Model
Qi LI ; Keke LUO ; Baolin BIAN ; Hongyu YU ; Mengxiao WANG ; Mengyao TIAN ; Wen XIA ; Yuan MA ; Xinfang ZHANG ; Pengyue LI ; Nan SI ; Hongjie WANG ; Yanyan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):162-173
ObjectiveThis paper aims to find the identified and validated clinical biomarker data building upon a clinical study of early-phase phase Ⅱ and investigate the correlation analysis of Huanglian Jiedu Wan on syndrome improvement and clinical biomarkers in the treatment of "excess heat-toxicity" based on a machine learning model. Additionally, the effective prediction of clinical biomarker values for the main symptoms of the "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome was assessed. MethodsA total of 229 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome were randomly divided into the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group and the placebo group. Syndrome score transition matrices were constructed for the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group and the placebo group based on three main symptoms of "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome, such as oral ulcers, sore throat, and gum swelling and pain. Data from the patients with these three syndromes were also integrated for an overall analysis. The corresponding syndrome score transition matrices were further constructed to visualize symptom change trends of the patients in the two groups via heatmaps. Based on the identified and validated clinical biomarkers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism in the early phase, Spearman correlation analysis was employed to analyze and evaluate the associations between clinical biomarkers and syndrome improvement. Key clinical biomarkers reflecting the effect of Huanglian Jiedu Wan were screened through the comparison of differences between groups. An extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was used to develop a prediction model for main symptom classification, with classification performance evaluated through 10-fold cross-validation. Feature importance analysis was applied to identify variables with the greatest contribution to the prediction result. ResultsThe syndrome transition matrix results indicated that the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group showed a superior effect to the placebo group in improving oral ulcers, sore throat, and overall symptoms, with significant effects observed especially in sore throat and overall symptom analyses (P<0.01). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that several clinical biomarkers positively correlated with "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome and its main symptom improvement, were also called "heat-related biomarkers", including succinic acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, glycine, lactic acid, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and so on. Conversely, clinical biomarkers negatively correlated with symptom severity, were also called "heat-clearing related biomarkers" after administration of Huanglian Jiedu Wan, including malic acid, fumaric acid, cis-aconitic acid, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, succinic acid, and citric acid. The XGBoost classification model using all 52 biomarkers as variables achieved an average test accuracy of 0.754 and an average F1 score of 0.777. Feature importance analysis identified the scores of glutamic acid in saliva and IL-6 were the highest in all the variables, with importance scores of 0.081 and 0.080, respectively. After screening out 14 key variables and optimizing the parameters, model performance improved to an average accuracy of 0.758 and an F1 score of 0.798. Feature importance analysis further determined that the glutamic acid in saliva and IL-6 showed obvious changes after screening the variables, confirming the good syndrome prediction ability of the model constructed by these key clinical biomarkers. ConclusionThis study systematically elucidates the correlation between syndrome improvement and clinical biomarkers of Huanglian Jiedu Wan in the treatment of "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome. An XGBoost classification model based on key clinical biomarkers is successfully established, achieving effective prediction of the symptoms related to the "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome such as oral ulcers and sore throat and providing a new insight for objective identification of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes.
3.Report Quality and Methodological Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials on Acupuncture
Yanan SUN ; Xingye LIANG ; Fu WANG ; Hui SHAO ; Baolin JIA ; Zhiwen WENG ; Changhe YU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1000-1013
Objective To analyze the methodology and reporting quality of acupuncture related randomized controlled trials(RCTs)in order to provide a basis for improving the design and reporting of acupuncture studies.Methods Literatures on RCTs included in acupuncture were obtained from two systematic reviews of acupuncture studies.Two reviewers were selected independently according to the exclusion criteria,and RoB2.0,CONSORT statement and STRICTA criteria were used to evaluate the methodology and report quality.Results 95 literatures on acupuncture RCTs were included,including 51 in Chinese and 44 in English,involving 38 diseases and 54 outcome indicators.CONSORT declared that there were 8 items with high reporting rate,15 items with low reporting rate and 2 items with medium reporting rate in the evaluation.The STRICTA criteria included 8 items with high reporting rate,4 items with low reporting rate,and 4 items with medium reporting rate.As for RoB2.0 bias risk assessment,11.6%of the literature in the overall bias area that served as a summary was high risk,50.5%was likely risk,and 37.9%was low risk.Conclusion The current published RCTs research methodology and report quality evaluation are not high,the future research should improve the scientific and rigorous program design,to form a transparent and complete research report.
4.Report Quality and Methodological Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials on Acupuncture
Yanan SUN ; Xingye LIANG ; Fu WANG ; Hui SHAO ; Baolin JIA ; Zhiwen WENG ; Changhe YU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1000-1013
Objective To analyze the methodology and reporting quality of acupuncture related randomized controlled trials(RCTs)in order to provide a basis for improving the design and reporting of acupuncture studies.Methods Literatures on RCTs included in acupuncture were obtained from two systematic reviews of acupuncture studies.Two reviewers were selected independently according to the exclusion criteria,and RoB2.0,CONSORT statement and STRICTA criteria were used to evaluate the methodology and report quality.Results 95 literatures on acupuncture RCTs were included,including 51 in Chinese and 44 in English,involving 38 diseases and 54 outcome indicators.CONSORT declared that there were 8 items with high reporting rate,15 items with low reporting rate and 2 items with medium reporting rate in the evaluation.The STRICTA criteria included 8 items with high reporting rate,4 items with low reporting rate,and 4 items with medium reporting rate.As for RoB2.0 bias risk assessment,11.6%of the literature in the overall bias area that served as a summary was high risk,50.5%was likely risk,and 37.9%was low risk.Conclusion The current published RCTs research methodology and report quality evaluation are not high,the future research should improve the scientific and rigorous program design,to form a transparent and complete research report.
5.Diagnosis and Treatment of a Case of Spironolactone-Associated Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia After Renal Transplantation
Yun XIAO ; Xiaoyu HAN ; Chao ZHENG ; Yu FU ; Hanbin XIONG ; Bin ZOU ; Baolin WANG ; Hua ZOU ; Chenglong YIN ; Zhengyao JIANG ; Sheng ZOU ; Anle DU ; Guohui LI ; Xiaohui GUO ; Lin ZHONG ; Jiake HE
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(10):1562-1565
Objective To explore the identification method,pathogenesis,clinical characteristics and individualized pharmacotherapy of asymptomatic hyperuricemia after renal transplantation.Methods The pharmacist was on duty at the organ transplant outpatient clinic.During this time,they analyzed and sorted out the medications,identified and differentiated a case of asymptomatic hyperuricemia related to spironolactone in a patient who had undergone a renal transplant,and provided comprehensive care throughout the entire process.Results The asymptomatic hyperuricemia in this patient might be associated with spironolactone,and the adverse reactions of the patient were alleviated by pharmacists through optimizing clinical treatment.Up to now,no hyperuricemia occurred.Conclusions Pharmacists are required to collaborate closely with clinicians to establish medication profiles for patients under long-term follow-up and to closely monitor and evaluate drug-related adverse reactions.Additionally,they should assess the renal function and immune status of transplant recipients promptly and formulate individualized treatment plans in order to enhance the long-term survival of both the transplanted kidneys and the recipients.
6.Key Information and Modern Clinical Application of Classic Formula Xiaoji Yinzi
Baolin WANG ; Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jialei CAO ; Chen CHEN ; Jinyu CHEN ; Chengxin LUO ; Bingqi WEI ; Kaili CHEN ; Peicong XU ; Wei DENG ; Bingxiang MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):189-198
Xiaoji Yinzi is one of the classic prescriptions for treating urinary diseases, originated from the Yan's Prescriptions to Aid the Living (Yan Shi Ji Sheng Fang) written by YAN Yonghe in the Song dynasty. Xiaoji Yinzi is composed of Rehmanniae Radix, Cirsii Herba, Talcum, Akebiae Caulis, Typhae Pollen, Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus, Lophatheri Herba, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Gardeniae Fructus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and has the effects of cooling blood and stopping bleeding, draining water and relieving stranguria. The medical experts of later generations have inherited the original prescription recorded in the Yan's Prescriptions to Aid the Living, while dispute has emerged during the inheritance of this prescription. In this study, the method of bibliometrics was employed to review and analyze the ancient documents and modern clinical studies involving Xiaoji Yinzi. The results showed that Xiaoji Yinzi has two dosage forms: powder and decoction. According to the measurement system in the Song Dynasty, the modern doses of hers in Xiaoji Yinzi were transformed. In the prepration of Xiaoji Yinzi powder, 149.2 g of Rehmanniae Radix and 20.65 g each of Cirsii Herba, Talcum, Akebiae Caulis, stir-fried Typhae Pollen, Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus, Lophatheri Herba, wine-processed Angelicae Sinensis Radix, stir-fried Gardeniae Fructus, and stir-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are grounded into fine powder with the particle size of 4-10 meshes and a decocted with 450 mL water to reach a volume of 240 mL. After removal of the residue, the decoction was taken warm before meals, 3 times a day (i.e., 7.77 g Rehmanniae Radix and 0.97 g each of the other herbs each time). In the preparation of Xiaoji Yinzi decoction, 20.65 g each of the above 10 herbs are used, with stir-fried Typhae Pollen, wine-processed Angelica Sinensis Radix, stir-fired Gardeniae Fructus, stir-fired Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and raw materials of other herbs. Xiaoji Yinzi is specialized in treating hematuresis and blood stranguria due to heat accumulation in lower energizer, which causes injury of the blood collaterals of gallbladder and dysfunction of Qi transformation. In modern clinical practice, Xiaoji Yinzi is specifically used for treating urinary diseases and can be expanded to treat diseases of the cardiovascular system and other systems according to pathogenesis. The comprehensive research on the key information could provide a scientific reference for the future development of Xiaoji Yinzi.
7.Diagnosis and Treatment of a Case of Spironolactone-Associated Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia After Renal Transplantation
Yun XIAO ; Xiaoyu HAN ; Chao ZHENG ; Yu FU ; Hanbin XIONG ; Bin ZOU ; Baolin WANG ; Hua ZOU ; Chenglong YIN ; Zhengyao JIANG ; Sheng ZOU ; Anle DU ; Guohui LI ; Xiaohui GUO ; Lin ZHONG ; Jiake HE
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(10):1562-1565
Objective To explore the identification method,pathogenesis,clinical characteristics and individualized pharmacotherapy of asymptomatic hyperuricemia after renal transplantation.Methods The pharmacist was on duty at the organ transplant outpatient clinic.During this time,they analyzed and sorted out the medications,identified and differentiated a case of asymptomatic hyperuricemia related to spironolactone in a patient who had undergone a renal transplant,and provided comprehensive care throughout the entire process.Results The asymptomatic hyperuricemia in this patient might be associated with spironolactone,and the adverse reactions of the patient were alleviated by pharmacists through optimizing clinical treatment.Up to now,no hyperuricemia occurred.Conclusions Pharmacists are required to collaborate closely with clinicians to establish medication profiles for patients under long-term follow-up and to closely monitor and evaluate drug-related adverse reactions.Additionally,they should assess the renal function and immune status of transplant recipients promptly and formulate individualized treatment plans in order to enhance the long-term survival of both the transplanted kidneys and the recipients.
8.Deciphering the Role of Shank3 in Dendritic Morphology and Synaptic Function Across Postnatal Developmental Stages in the Shank3B KO Mouse.
Jing YANG ; Guaiguai MA ; Xiaohui DU ; Jinyi XIE ; Mengmeng WANG ; Wenting WANG ; Baolin GUO ; Shengxi WU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(4):583-599
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is marked by early-onset neurodevelopmental anomalies, yet the temporal dynamics of genetic contributions to these processes remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to elucidate the role of the Shank3 gene, known to be associated with monogenic causes of autism, in early developmental processes to inform the timing and mechanisms for potential interventions for ASD. Utilizing the Shank3B knockout (KO) mouse model, we examined Shank3 expression and its impact on neuronal maturation through Golgi staining for dendritic morphology and electrophysiological recordings to measure synaptic function in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) across different postnatal stages. Our longitudinal analysis revealed that, while Shank3B KO mice displayed normal neuronal morphology at one week postnatal, significant impairments in dendritic growth and synaptic activity emerged by two to three weeks. These findings highlight the critical developmental window during which Shank3 is essential for neuronal and synaptic maturation in the ACC.
Animals
;
Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Dendrites/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Synapses/metabolism*
;
Gyrus Cinguli/metabolism*
;
Male
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics*
;
Microfilament Proteins
9.Arsenic trioxide preconditioning attenuates hepatic ischemia- reperfusion injury in mice: Role of ERK/AKT and autophagy.
Chaoqun WANG ; Hongjun YU ; Shounan LU ; Shanjia KE ; Yanan XU ; Zhigang FENG ; Baolin QIAN ; Miaoyu BAI ; Bing YIN ; Xinglong LI ; Yongliang HUA ; Zhongyu LI ; Dong CHEN ; Bangliang CHEN ; Yongzhi ZHOU ; Shangha PAN ; Yao FU ; Hongchi JIANG ; Dawei WANG ; Yong MA
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2993-3003
BACKGROUND:
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI.
METHODS:
In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy.
RESULTS:
A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent.
CONCLUSION
Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals
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Arsenic Trioxide
;
Autophagy/physiology*
;
Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control*
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology*
;
Arsenicals/therapeutic use*
;
Oxides/therapeutic use*
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
10.Influences of FibroScan detection on the pregnancy outcomes of pregnant rats transfected with hepatitis B virus and the growth of their offspring rats
Keng CHEN ; Shumei ZHANG ; Yaping WANG ; Qian JIAO ; Pinghong LI ; Keli YANG ; Baolin LIAO ; Huiyuan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(4):427-433
Objective:To explore the influences of FibroScan detection on the pregnancy outcomes of pregnant rats transfected with hepatitis B virus and the growth of their offspring rats.Methods:Sixty SPF-grade SD rats with a male-to-female ratio of 5∶1 were selected,randomly divided the female rats into the groups of mid-pregnancy with hepatitis B,late-pregnancy with hepatitis B,normal mid-pregnancy,normal late-pregnancy,and control group,and the rats in the mid-pregnancy and late-pregnancy groups were subjected to FibroScan testing on the 10th and 15th days of gestation respectively. The number of offspring rats in each group was randomly reduced to 10 on the 3rd day after delivery,and the offspring rats were divided into the groups of mid-pregnancy with hepatitis B,late-pregnancy with hepatitis B,normal mid-pregnancy,normal late-pregnancy,and control group. The pregnancy outcome levels of pregnant rats were observed by adopting a stratified analysis strategy,including differences in weight changes,number of deliveries,fetal rat outcomes,lactation conditions,litter size,and litter weight. The growth levels of offspring rats,including differences in weight,body length,tail length,and the time of fur growth,tooth eruption,eye opening,and ear standing on the 21st day were observed,and the survival rate of the offspring rats was compared.Results:With regard to the pregnancy outcome levels of the pregnant rats,there were no statistically significant differences in weight changes during pregnancy among the five groups of pregnant rats[ F(4,45)=2.627,Adjusted P=0.222]. There were also no statistically significant differences in the number of deliveries,fetal rat outcomes,and lactation conditions(Adjusted P=1.000). The number of deliveries[ F(4,21.095)=2.280,Adjusted P=0.222]and litter weight[ F(4,20.128)=2.159,Adjusted P=0.222]showed no statistically significant differences. After correction using the BH method,none of the indicators showed significant differences( P>0.05). In terms of the growth levels of the offspring rats,among the five groups of offspring rats,there were no statistically significant differences in body weight on the 21st day[H(4)=11.623,Adjusted P=0.135],body length on the 21st day[H(4)=10.962,Adjusted P=0.135],and tail length on the 21st day[H(4)=9.126,Adjusted P=0.058]. Besides,the differences in the time of fur growth,tooth eruption,eye opening,and ear standing[H(4)=0.000,Adjust P=1.000]showed no statistical significance. The survival rate on the 7th day,14th day,and 21st day was 100%,with no significant differences(Adjusted P=1.000). After correction using the BH method,none of the indicators showed significant differences( P>0.05). Conclusion:FibroScan detection had no significant influences on the pregnancy outcomes of pregnant rats with hepatitis B or on the growth of their offspring rats in multiple stages,dimensions,and indicators,indicating that FibroScan detection is safe for pregnant rats. This research provides an animal experimental basis for the safe use of FibroScan in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection.

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