1.Imaging Evaluation for Steatotic Liver Disease
Shin Mei CHAN ; Vitor F MARTINS ; Kathleen MARSH ; Kang WANG ; Jake T WEEKS ; Aiguo HAN ; Meng YIN ; Kathryn J. FOWLER ; Claude B. SIRLIN ; Cheng William HONG
Korean Journal of Radiology 2026;27(2):137-151
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is the fastest-growing cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 30% of the global population.Imaging is vital for detecting, quantifying, and monitoring hepatic steatosis—the defining abnormality of MASLD—and subsequent fibrosis—the key determinant of liver-related outcomes. This review summarizes the principles, clinical usage, efficacy, and advancements in various imaging modalities for the noninvasive assessment of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, with an emphasis on ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Additionally, this review explores the evolving landscape of MASLD diagnostic approaches, including machine-learning techniques, opportunistic screening, standardized imaging guidelines, and therapies, emphasizing the pivotal role that radiologists can play in shaping these developments.
2.Response to “Considerations in Imaging-Based Assessment of Steatotic Liver Disease to Enhance Harmonization, Longitudinal Interpretation, and Clinical Implementation”
Shin Mei CHAN ; Vitor F. MARTINS ; Kathleen MARSH ; Kang WANG ; Jake T. WEEKS ; Aiguo HAN ; Meng YIN ; Kathryn J. FOWLER ; Claude B. SIRLIN ; Cheng William HONG
Korean Journal of Radiology 2026;27(6):591-594
3.Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder 2025:Comparisons with Other Treatment Guidelines
Won-Seok CHOI ; Young Sup WOO ; Won-Myong BAHK ; Nak-Young KIM ; Jeong Seok SEO ; Sheng-Min WANG ; Won KIM ; Sung-Yong PARK ; Jung Goo LEE ; Chan-Mo YANG ; Hyung Mo SUNG ; Young-Eun JUNG ; Moon-Doo KIM ; Jong-Hyun JEONG ; Bo-Hyun YOON ; Kyung Joon MIN
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2026;24(1):2-14
The sixth edition of the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder (KMAP-DD) was published in 2025. This review compared KMAP-DD 2025 with four major international clinical practice guidelines: Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Major Depressive Disorders, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Depression Guideline, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mood Disorders, and British Association for Psychopharmacology Guideline. While KMAP-DD is based on expert consensus, and others on evidence-based methods, overall treatment strategies for depressive episodes were fairly consistent. Especially, KMAP-DD 2025 offers more structured recommendations in areas lacking strong evidence, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, perinatal depression, and depression with medical comorbidities. KMAP-DD 2025 also reflected Korean clinical practice patterns emphasizing rapid symptom relief and early use of combination strategies. Despite limitations as a consensus-based guideline, KMAP-DD 2025 complements evidence-based approaches and provides practical, situation-specific guidance for real-world clinical decision-making in Korea.
4.Pseudolaric Acid B-linked Double-network Hydrogel Alleviates Pruritus by Inhibiting The Growth of Staphylococcus aureus
Ye YOU ; Yan YANG ; Tong-Yu LI ; Cheng-Long CAI ; Ting WANG ; Chan ZHU ; Zong-Xiang TANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1734-1745
ObjectiveThis study aimed to elucidate the mechanistic role of Staphylococcus aureus in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by pruritus and barrier dysfunction. A key focus was screening traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) active components with dual antibacterial and antipruritic efficacy, followed by systematic evaluation of their in vitro antibacterial activity. Additionally, a novel drug delivery system was constructed to enable localized efficient drug delivery, inhibiting S. aureus proliferation and alleviating its induced pruritus, thereby providing new strategies for targeted AD therapy. MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks (body weight 18-22 g) were used to establish an AD model via repeated oxazolone sensitization. On day 14, microbial samples were collected from the lesional area (1 cm²) using sterile cotton swabs, followed by vortex mixing, serial dilution, and plating on 5% sheep blood agar plates (incubated at 37°C for 24 h). Single colonies with complete transparent β-hemolytic zones were isolated and identified as vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) via 16S rRNA sequencing. An S. aureus mono-infection animal model was then established by applying gauze saturated with bacterial suspension (McFarland turbidity 0.1) to the nape and back skin of mice. The pruritic phenotype and inflammatory cell infiltration induced by S. aureus were evaluated using comprehensive approaches including behavioral assays (e.g., scratching frequency recording), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and toluidine blue staining. The in vitro antibacterial efficacy of the TCM monomer pseudolaric acid B (PAB) and double network hydrogel (DN) was separately assessed by disk diffusion assay, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PAB was determined via broth dilution method. Further validation of the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the composite system (PAB@DN, composed of PAB and DN) was conducted through behavioral assays, HE staining, and dermatitis scoring, with its drug release profile evaluated by mass spectrometry analysis. Based on scratching behavioral analysis and dermatitis scoring, the optimal ratio and concentration of PAB@DN were optimized. ResultsThe S. aureus load in AD lesional tissues was significantly higher than in normal skin ((5.3±0.33)×10⁶ CFU vs. (3.6±0.26)×10⁷ CFU, P<0.001). In the S. aureus mono-infection group, mice exhibited a 6.7-fold increase in scratching frequency compared to the control group. HE staining revealed marked epidermal thickening ((10.4±2.39) μm vs. (85.6±1.95) μm, P<0.000 1), and toluidine blue staining showed a 23-fold increase in mast cell degranulation. Pseudolaric acid B exhibited a significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effect onS. aureus growth, with its in vitro antibacterial effect being 57% that of the antibiotic cefepime (inhibition zone diameter: PAB (1.885±0.036) cm vs. cefepime (3.636±0.005) cm, P<0.000 1) and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 g/L. The carrier double network hydrogel (DN) itself lacked direct antibacterial activity (no significant difference in inhibition zone diameter compared to the control) but effectively ameliorated the dry symptoms of AD-like lesions. The PAB@DN composite system demonstrated a synergistic effect compared to individual components, resulting in a 50% reduction in scratching behavior, an 86% decrease in dermatitis score, and a 60% reduction in epidermal thickening. It also reduced the S. aureus load in mouse skin by approximately 34%, with the optimal effective formulation being PAB at 1 g/L loaded onto DN. ConclusionS. aureus colonization plays a critical driving role in the onset and progression of AD. Using an S. aureus infection model, this study confirmed that the pseudolaric acidB-hydrogel composite delivery system (PAB@DN) can effectively alleviate S. aureus-induced pruritus and skin damage, providing experimental evidence for microbiota-targeted therapy of AD.
5.Correlation between serum cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 expression and myocardial fibrosis in patients with diabetes mellitus
Chan ZHAO ; Mengmeng ZHANG ; Rui WANG ; Fanshuo KONG ; Yiwen YANG
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(9):791-795,801
Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of serum cartilage intermediate layer protein 1(Cilp1)and myocardial fibrosis(MF)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 106 patients with T2DM(T2DM group)who were admitted to The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao were selected for this study,and 110 healthy individuals were entered into the control group.The serum Cilp1 and MF indexes[procollagen type Ⅲ-N-terminal peptide(P Ⅲ NP),galactose lectin-3(Gal-3),hyaluronic acid(HA),type Ⅲ procollagen(PCⅢ)]were detected and compared between the two groups.According to the degree of MF,there were 31,25,23,and 27 patients with stage 0,1,2,and 3 disease,respectively.The levels of serum Cilp1 and serum Cal-3,P Ⅲ NP,PC Ⅲ,HA were compared between patients of different stages.The Spearman method was applied to analyze the correlation between serum Cilp1 and MF staging,while the Pearson method was applied to analyze the correlation between serum Cilp1 and Gal-3,P Ⅲ NP,PC Ⅲ,HA.We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis of the influencing factors of MF 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM,and a receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was applied to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of serum Cilp1 level for MF 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM.Results The serum Cilp1 level in the T2DM group was higher than that in the control group(t=21.758,P<0.05).Furthermore,the serum levels of Gal-3,P Ⅲ NP,PC Ⅲ,and HA in the T2DM group were higher than those in the control group(t=16.536-27.385,all P<0.05),and the serum Cilp1 level in patients with T2DM positively correlated with MF staging,Gal-3,PⅢ NP,PC Ⅲ,and HA(r=0.724,0.555,0.501,0.588,0.655,all P<0.05).The expression level of serum Cilp1 was found to be an influencing factor of MF 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM(P<0.05).Furthermore,the ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of serum Cilp1 for diagnosing MF stage 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM was 0.914.Conclusion Serum Cilp1 levels are elevated in patients with T2DM,and Cilp1 level closely relates to the formation of MF.This information can assist in clinical judgment of the degree of MF in patients with T2DM.
6.Characteristics of cognitive empathy and affective empathy in pupils with high levels of autistic traits
Beilin LE ; Yan GAO ; Youhong XIE ; Yi WANG ; CHAN Raymond CK
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(2):164-168
Objective:To explore the characteristics of social cognition function in the cognitive and affective dimensions of empathy and theory of mind of pupils with high levels of autistic traits.Methods:One hundred and seventy-four elementary school fifth-grade pupils were recruited and divided into high(n=43)and low(n=43)levels of autistic traits groups based on their Autism Spectrum Quotient(AQ)scores(high level≥25 and low lev-el ≤18).Both two groups completed the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy(QCAE)and Interper-sonal Reactivity Index(IRI),as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire and also completed the Yoni and Faux Pas Tasks to examine theory of mind.Results:Compared with the low autistic traits group,the high autistic traits group exhibited significantly lower scores on both the Cognitive and Affective subscales of QCAE(Ps<0.01).However,there were no significant differences between the high and low autistic traitsgroups in cognitive and affective theory of mind as assessed with the Yoni and Faux Pas Tasks(Ps>0.05).Conclusion:Pupils with high levels of autistic traits may exhibit significant difference in both cognitive and affective empathy but not in theory of mind comparing to pupils with low levels of autistic traits.
7.Automatic Detection of Valvular Regurgitation by Echocardiography Based on Deep Learning
Mate GUO ; Yanjie SONG ; Chan SHI ; Shimin SUN ; Jia MA ; Bohan LIU ; Qiushuang WANG ; Liwei ZHANG ; Feifei YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(2):147-151
Purpose To investigate the feasibility of a deep learning framework to automatically analyze echocardiographic color Doppler videos in detecting valvular regurgitation.Materials and Methods This study retrospectively collected echocardiographic images of 1 109 patients with valvular regurgitation in the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital,from June 2015 to September 2019 as the training and validation sets.A prospective continuous collection of 1 562 echocardiography images was used as the test set in the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from May 13 to June 13,2023,including 378 cases of mitral regurgitation and 223 cases of aortic regurgitation.This study developed deep learning networks to establish view classification model and valvular regurgitation recognition model,including the efficiency of section classification of deep learning models.Results The deep learning view classification model in this study could automatically identify two views for diagnosing mitral regurgitation and aortic regurgitation.The recognition accuracy for the parasternal long axis color Doppler view and the apical four chamber mitral color Doppler view was 1.00 and 0.93,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and area under the curve of the deep learning model for diagnosing mitral regurgitation were 0.847,0.852,0.849 and 0.930,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and area under the curve of the deep learning model in diagnosing aortic regurgitation were 0.857,0.861,0.859 and 0.940,respectively.Conclusion Deep learning algorithms can automatically identify valvular regurgitation and have the potential to become a screening tool for valvular heart disease.
8.Correlation between serum cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 expression and myocardial fibrosis in patients with diabetes mellitus
Chan ZHAO ; Mengmeng ZHANG ; Rui WANG ; Fanshuo KONG ; Yiwen YANG
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(9):791-795,801
Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of serum cartilage intermediate layer protein 1(Cilp1)and myocardial fibrosis(MF)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 106 patients with T2DM(T2DM group)who were admitted to The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao were selected for this study,and 110 healthy individuals were entered into the control group.The serum Cilp1 and MF indexes[procollagen type Ⅲ-N-terminal peptide(P Ⅲ NP),galactose lectin-3(Gal-3),hyaluronic acid(HA),type Ⅲ procollagen(PCⅢ)]were detected and compared between the two groups.According to the degree of MF,there were 31,25,23,and 27 patients with stage 0,1,2,and 3 disease,respectively.The levels of serum Cilp1 and serum Cal-3,P Ⅲ NP,PC Ⅲ,HA were compared between patients of different stages.The Spearman method was applied to analyze the correlation between serum Cilp1 and MF staging,while the Pearson method was applied to analyze the correlation between serum Cilp1 and Gal-3,P Ⅲ NP,PC Ⅲ,HA.We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis of the influencing factors of MF 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM,and a receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was applied to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of serum Cilp1 level for MF 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM.Results The serum Cilp1 level in the T2DM group was higher than that in the control group(t=21.758,P<0.05).Furthermore,the serum levels of Gal-3,P Ⅲ NP,PC Ⅲ,and HA in the T2DM group were higher than those in the control group(t=16.536-27.385,all P<0.05),and the serum Cilp1 level in patients with T2DM positively correlated with MF staging,Gal-3,PⅢ NP,PC Ⅲ,and HA(r=0.724,0.555,0.501,0.588,0.655,all P<0.05).The expression level of serum Cilp1 was found to be an influencing factor of MF 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM(P<0.05).Furthermore,the ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of serum Cilp1 for diagnosing MF stage 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM was 0.914.Conclusion Serum Cilp1 levels are elevated in patients with T2DM,and Cilp1 level closely relates to the formation of MF.This information can assist in clinical judgment of the degree of MF in patients with T2DM.
9.Characteristics of cognitive empathy and affective empathy in pupils with high levels of autistic traits
Beilin LE ; Yan GAO ; Youhong XIE ; Yi WANG ; CHAN Raymond CK
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(2):164-168
Objective:To explore the characteristics of social cognition function in the cognitive and affective dimensions of empathy and theory of mind of pupils with high levels of autistic traits.Methods:One hundred and seventy-four elementary school fifth-grade pupils were recruited and divided into high(n=43)and low(n=43)levels of autistic traits groups based on their Autism Spectrum Quotient(AQ)scores(high level≥25 and low lev-el ≤18).Both two groups completed the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy(QCAE)and Interper-sonal Reactivity Index(IRI),as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire and also completed the Yoni and Faux Pas Tasks to examine theory of mind.Results:Compared with the low autistic traits group,the high autistic traits group exhibited significantly lower scores on both the Cognitive and Affective subscales of QCAE(Ps<0.01).However,there were no significant differences between the high and low autistic traitsgroups in cognitive and affective theory of mind as assessed with the Yoni and Faux Pas Tasks(Ps>0.05).Conclusion:Pupils with high levels of autistic traits may exhibit significant difference in both cognitive and affective empathy but not in theory of mind comparing to pupils with low levels of autistic traits.
10.Application value of dermoscopy combined with reflectance confocal microscopy in field cancerization in actinic keratosis in the elderly
Jiandan LI ; Hongyan XU ; Chan HU ; Xiaojing LIU ; Shiyi CHEN ; Zhi CAO ; Guolong ZHANG ; Xiuli WANG ; Peiru WANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(1):60-64
Objective:To investigate the application value of dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in identifying field cancerization in actinic keratosis (AK) in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical, dermoscopic, and RCM features of elderly (> 60 years old) patients, who were confirmedly diagnosed with AK and had complete medical records at Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023.Results:A total of 132 elderly patients with AK were included. Dermoscopy showed brownish-gray pseudonetwork pigment patterns, follicular horn plugs, irregular branched vessels, and rosette signs in AK lesions. Histopathological examination in 51 patients revealed that 47 (92.16%) were confirmedly diagnosed with AK. Field cancerization was observed in 106 patients (80.3%), among whom 66 (62.26%) had irregular branched vessels, 88 (83.02%) predominantly exhibited brownish-gray pseudonetwork pigment patterns, and 83 (78.30%) showed scattered brown pigment networks/fingerprint-like patterns. Post-treatment follow-up of 63 patients showed varying degrees of changes in vascular and pigment structures by dermoscopy, with significant reductions in follicular horn plugs and superficial yellow-white scales or keratin masses. RCM examinations in 41 AK patients all showed disordered arrangements of keratinocytes presenting as atypical honeycomb patterns, with atypical cells in the AK lesions; in the field cancerization areas of 20 patients, RCM revealed keratinocytes disorderedly arranged in an irregular honeycomb pattern, with some keratinocytes exhibiting mild atypia. Thirty-four AK patients underwent dynamic RCM monitoring before and after 1, 3 and 6 months of ALA-PDT treatment, which showed gradual regularization of arrangements of keratinocytes and reduction of atypical cells, as well as reappearance of atypical keratinocytes upon recurrence.Conclusions:The incidence of field cancerization was relatively high in elderly AK patients. Dermoscopy and RCM are helpful for the early identification of AK and field cancerization, especially in patients with multiple lesions and with difficulties in multi-site biopsy.

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