1.Impact of visceral fat area on significant liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and establishment of a predictive model
Jingkai YUAN ; Fengming ZHAO ; Huangqi LIN ; Meijie SHI ; Huanming XIAO ; Yubao XIE ; Xiaoling CHI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):312-318
ObjectiveTo investigate whether visceral fat area (VFA) is an independent risk factor for significant liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on clinical data, and to establish an effective diagnostic model. MethodsA total of 222 NAFLD patients who attended Department of Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from January 2021 to April 2025 were enrolled, and according to liver stiffness measurement (≥8 kPa or not), they were divided into significant fibrosis group and non-significant fibrosis group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed at a ratio of 1∶1 to balance the baseline data between the two groups. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation of VFA and other indicators with significant liver fibrosis; univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify whether VFA was an independent risk factor for significant liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess the predictive performance of related indicators. ResultsA total of 45 patients with significant liver fibrosis and 177 patients without significant liver fibrosis were enrolled, and after PSM, 90 patients (45 pairs) were finally included in analysis. Compared with the non-significant fibrosis group, the significant fibrosis group had significantly higher levels of body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), uric acid (UA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and VFA, as well as a significantly higher proportion of patients with visceral fat obesity or three or more metabolic risk factors (all P<0.05). VFA, BMI, AST, and HbA1c were strongly correlated with significant liver fibrosis (all r>0.5, all P <0.05), and ALT, GGT, UA, FBG, and CAP were significantly positively correlated with significant liver fibrosis (r=0.3 — 0.5, all P<0.05). VFA (odds ratio [OR]=1.040, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.018 — 1.062, P<0.05), FBG (OR=2.372, 95%CI: 1.199 — 4.691, P<0.05), and AST (OR=1.032, 95%CI: 1.003 — 1.058, P<0.05) were independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients. The new diagnostic model based on VFA, FBG, and AST (with an area under the ROC curve [AUC] of 0.907) had a significantly better performance than aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (AUC=0.834), fibrosis-4 (AUC=0.660), triglyceride-glucose index (AUC=0.656), and NAFLD fibrosis score (AUC=0.768) in predicting significant liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients (all P<0.05). ConclusionVFA is an independent risk factor for significant liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients, and the noninvasive diagnostic model based on VFA, FBG, and AST can effectively predict the onset of significant liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients.
2.Live attenuated measles, mumps and rubella vaccine induces immunogenic cell death to activate anti-tumor immunity in triple-negative breast cancer
JIANG Lina1a ; WANG Hao2 ; WEI Hong1b ; ZHAO Qian1a ; HE Jun1a ; CHI Qianwen1b ; WEI Yilin1c ; HE Yanran1d ; FU Pengcheng1d
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(6):641-650
[摘 要] 目的:探讨麻疹-流行性腮腺炎-风疹联合减毒活疫苗(MMR)通过诱导免疫原性细胞死亡(ICD)对三阴性乳腺癌(TNBC)的免疫调节机制。方法:体外实验采用CCK-8法检测MMR对TNBC细胞4T1和MDA-MB-231存活率的影响,免疫荧光法检测MDA-MB-231细胞中钙网蛋白(CALR)表达,磷钼酸比色法检测MDA-MB-231细胞内ATP的含量,ELISA检测细胞上清液中高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)的表达水平,通过GEPIA网站分析CALR和HMGB1对乳腺癌患者生存期的影响。体内实验中经皮下注射4T1-Luc细胞于雌性BALB/c小鼠乳腺脂肪垫构建TNBC小鼠模型。设Control组、盐酸阿霉素(Dox)组、MMR组,按照分组每两天静脉给药1次,连续给药3次。动物活体成像系统观察肿瘤体积变化;记录小鼠体质量及各器官指数初步评估疫苗安全性;H-E染色观察肿瘤病理变化;免疫组化和Western blotting检测肿瘤中CALR和HMGB1蛋白的表达。流式细胞术分析小鼠脾T淋巴细胞亚群及肿瘤树突状细胞和巨噬细胞比例;免疫组化检测肿瘤CD8+ T淋巴细胞浸润;ELISA检测血清中促炎细胞因子IL-6和TNF-α含量。结果:MMR对4T1细胞的活性抑制作用较弱;MMR对MDA-MB-231细胞抑制率达90.39%(P < 0.001)。与Control组相比,MMR组MDA-MB-231细胞中ICD相关蛋白(CALR、ATP、HMGB1)表达上调(P < 0.001)。GEPIA网站分析表明,CALR和HMGB1高表达的患者总生存期有所延长。MMR延缓了荷瘤小鼠肿瘤体积增长(P < 0.001),延长小鼠的生存期,且28 d内MMR组荷瘤小鼠体重与Control组无显著性差异(P > 0.05);H-E染色显示,与Control组相比,MMR组小鼠肿瘤组织坏死区域扩大且有免疫细胞浸润;MMR上调肿瘤ICD相关蛋白CALR、HMGB1的表达水平;MMR组脾CD4+、CD8+ T淋巴细胞及肿瘤树突状细胞和M1型巨噬细胞的比例增加(P < 0.05),CD8+ T淋巴细胞在肿瘤组织中的浸润增加(P < 0.001),且促炎细胞因子IL-6和TNF-α水平升高(P < 0.01)。结论:MMR减毒活疫苗对TNBC的抗肿瘤作用可能与诱导肿瘤发生ICD进而激活抗肿瘤免疫相关。
3.Protocol for patient version of the cancer symptom management guideline
Jing CHI ; Lanfang ZHANG ; Tingting YANG ; Shihui XIE ; Chaixiu LI ; Shisi DENG ; Jianyao TANG ; Chuhan ZHONG ; Bingqian GUO ; Qiuyan REN ; Yuman LI ; Zhengya QIN ; Ping ZHAO ; Yanni WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):900-907
Effective symptom management can alleviate the physical and psychological distress experienced by patients with cancer, improve quality of life, and contribute to treatment adherence and improve clinical outcomes. However, most existing guidelines are developed for healthcare professionals, and patients and the public have limited access to standardized and comprehensible guidance on symptom management. To address this gap and to facilitate effective communication and shared decision-making, this study proposes the development of a patient version of the cancer symptom management guideline. The development process will adhere to the methodological framework recommended by the Guidelines International Network and the World Health Organization. The GRADE approach will be employed to assess the certainty of evidence and to formulate recommendations. In addition, the process will be informed by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Ⅱ (AGREE Ⅱ) instrument and the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare-Public or Patient Versions of Guidelines (RIGHT-PVG). This protocol outlines the establishment of the guideline working group, the identification and prioritization of key questions, evidence retrieval and appraisal, and the formulation of recommendations, with the aim of ensuring methodological rigor and transparency in the development of the patient guideline and providing methodological reference for similar guideline initiatives.
4.Novel biallelic MCMDC2 variants were associated with meiotic arrest and nonobstructive azoospermia.
Hao-Wei BAI ; Na LI ; Yu-Xiang ZHANG ; Jia-Qiang LUO ; Ru-Hui TIAN ; Peng LI ; Yu-Hua HUANG ; Fu-Rong BAI ; Cun-Zhong DENG ; Fu-Jun ZHAO ; Ren MO ; Ning CHI ; Yu-Chuan ZHOU ; Zheng LI ; Chen-Cheng YAO ; Er-Lei ZHI
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(2):268-275
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans
;
Male
;
Azoospermia/genetics*
;
Meiosis/genetics*
;
Spermatogenesis/genetics*
;
Adult
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Exome Sequencing
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Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics*
;
Alleles
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Infertility, Male/genetics*
5.The application of machine learning in the auxiliary diagnosis of specific learning disorder.
Hao ZHAO ; Shu-Lan MEI ; Jing-Yu WANG ; Xia CHI
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(11):1420-1425
Specific learning disorder (SLD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children that significantly affects academic performance and quality of life. At present, diagnosis mainly relies on standardized tests and professional evaluations, a process that is complex and time-consuming. Multiple studies have shown that machine learning can analyze diverse data, including test scores, handwriting samples, eye movement data, neuroimaging data, and genetic data, to automatically learn the relationships between input features and output labels and achieve efficient prediction. It shows great potential for early screening, auxiliary diagnosis, and research on underlying mechanisms in SLD. This article reviews the applications of machine learning in the auxiliary diagnosis of SLD and discusses its performance when handling different data types.
Humans
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Machine Learning
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Specific Learning Disorder/diagnosis*
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Child
6.Research of the parameters of multimodal ultrasound elastography in differential diagnosis for thyroid nodules of patients with diffuse thyroid lesions
Jing LIU ; Chi XUE ; Hong LIU ; Junzhi ZHAO
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(4):58-63
Objective:To investigate the application of the parameters of multimodal ultrasound elastography in differential diagnosis for thyroid nodules of patients with diffuse thyroid lesions.Methods:A total of 103 patients with diffuse thyroid lesions who underwent treatment at Affiliated Baoji Hospital of Xi′an Medical University from January 2023 to January 2024 were retrospectively selected,whose thyroid nodules were confirmed by fine needle aspiration biopsy or surgical pathology.They were grouped according to the benign or malignant nodules.56 patients with benign nodules were included in the benign nodule group,while the other 47 patients were included in the malignant nodule group.All patients were examined by conventional ultrasound and multimodal ultrasound elastography,and the relevant parameters were recorded to compare the differences between the two groups.The value of each indicator in diagnosing benign and malignant thyroid nodules was investigated.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the benign and malignant nodule groups in terms of gender,length diameter of nodule,nodule location,functional abnormalities of thyroid,exposure history of radiation,and the presence of acoustic halos(P>0.05),the age of patients in the malignant nodule group was lower than that of the benign nodule group(t=-3.121,P<0.05),and the percentage of nodules with blood flow(14.89%),the percentage of aspect ratio<1(74.47%),and the percentage of nodules with clear boundary(27.66%)in the malignant nodule group were all lower than those of the benign nodule group,with statistically significant differences(x2=25.634,5.112,12.465,P<0.05).The ratio of lymphatic metastasis(27.66%)and that of calcification(65.96%)in the malignant nodule group were lower than those in the benign nodule group,and the differences were all statistically significant(x2=11.917,9.350,P<0.05).The ratios of centripetal enhancement(76.60%),inhomogeneous enhancement(68.09%),low/equal enhancement(87.23%),early obvious discharge(63.83%),unclear boundary after enhancement(91.49%),and fast discharge(59.57%)in the malignant nodule group were higher than that of the benign nodule group,and the differences were statistically significant(x2=33.409,26.695,9.079,12.853,17.798,12.649,P<0.05),respectively.The intensity and time to peak of the malignant nodule group were respectively lower and long than these of the benign nodule group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=-12.381,4.958,P<0.05).However,the mean passage time of the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The maximum value,minimum value and mean value of Young's modulus,the maximum value of vertical section,mean value of vertical section,maximum value of cross section,mean value of cross section in the malignant nodule group were all higher than those in the benign nodule group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=13.997,9.100,12.191,7.616,6.310,4.679,5.355,P<0.05).The result of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis indicated that both ultrasonography parameters and shear wave elastography(SWE)parameters had higher diagnostic value for the benign and malignant nature of thyroid nodules in patients.The area under curve(AUC)values of intensity to peak,time to peak,and the maximum value,minimum value and mean value of Young's modulus,and the maximum value of vertical section,mean value of vertical section,maximum value of cross section,mean value of cross section were respectively 0.976,0.759,0.974,0.837,0.989,0.872,0.805,0.732 and 0.749.Conclusion:Multimodal ultrasound elastography parameters has significant application value in differential diagnosis for thyroid nodules in patients with diffuse thyroid lesions.In these parameters,the diagnostic AUC values of intensity to peak,time to peak,and the maximum value and mean value of Young's modulus are higher for malignant thyroid nodules of patients,which have higher diagnostic efficiency.It can effectively help clinical doctor to accurately identify the benign and malignant nodules for patients with diffuse thyroid lesions.
7.Research on the Characteristics and Governance of Doctor-patient Contradictions under the DRG/DIP Payment Reform
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(3):83-86
The medical insurance payment system is an essential component of the healthcare security system.In the new era,China has adjusted its medical insurance payment methods,gradually promoting Diagnosis Related Groups(DRG)and Diagnosis-Intervention Packet(DIP)payment systems.While enhancing resource allocation efficiency,these reforms have also introduced new challenges to the doctor-patient relationship,leading to new characteristics in doctor-patient conflicts.It reviews the origins and evolution of such conflicts,summarizes their relationship with institutional changes,and examines China's healthcare reform through literature review and case analysis.It explores the new characteristics and causes of doctor-patient conflicts under the DRG/DIP payment context.From perspectives such as improving payment policy design,strengthening accountability and balancing interests,promoting humanistic education and media supervision,and ensuring consistency in medical treatment,the paper proposes governance solutions to address the new characteristics of doctor-patient conflicts.The aim is to achieve a dual goal of harmonious doctor-patient relationships and improved medical service efficiency under the reformed payment system.
8.Value of SMI in assisting diagnosis for diffuse thyroid disease with thyroid nodules
Hong LIU ; Chi XUE ; Junzhi ZHAO
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(7):50-54
Objective:To explore the application value of Superb microvascular imaging(SMI)technique in diagnosing diffuse thyroid disease with thyroid nodules,and the assessment for treatment efficacy.Methods:A total of 100 patients with diffuse thyroid disease with thyroid nodules(132 nodules),who were treated at the Baoji Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Medical University from March 2020 to November 2024,were selected.The dual examination of SMI and conventional Color Doppler Flow Imaging(CDFI)were conducted on them.The nature of the nodules was confirmed by pathological examination.The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity and predictive value of SMI and CDFI were analyzed by using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.A series of conventional indicators,including blood flow volume,blood flow velocity,pattern of blood flow distribution,and vascular morphology,between the two imaging techniques were compared and analyzed.Results:In the 132 thyroid nodules that were detected by pathological examination,SMI identified 94 benign lesions(71.21%)and 38 malignant lesions(28.79%).The sensitivity and specificity of SMI were respectively 94.68%and 89.47%in diagnosing diffuse thyroid disease with thyroid nodules,both of them were higher than those(84.05%and 78.95%)of CDFI,and the sensitivity of SMI diagnosis was significantly higher than that of CDFI diagnosis,and the difference was statistically significant(x2=5.595,P<0.05).The nodule size as SMI diagnosis was(14.62±2.36)mm,which was significantly smaller than(16.35±4.45)mm as CDFI diagnosis,and the difference was statistically significant(x2=3.330,P<0.05).Blood flow velocity and blood flow volume of SMI diagnosis were significantly higher than those of CDFI diagnosis,and the differences were statistically significant(t=5.718,6.567,P<0.05).The detection rates of blood flow distribution mode and vascular morphology of SMI mode were significantly higher than those of CDFI mode,and the differences were statistically significant(x2=9.192,4.776,P<0.05).However,there were not statistically significant differences were observed between the two imaging techniques in terms of the shape,echo type and internal calcification of nodules(P>0.05).Conclusion:SMI technique has a significant advantage in diagnosis and assessment for diffuse thyroid disease with thyroid nodules.It can more accurately assess the hemodynamic changes of the nodules,and provide more reliable diagnostic information for clinical treatment.
9.Analysis of Baizhu Fuzi Decoction for Treating Dampness in Synopsis of the Golden Chamber
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2025;49(10):1336-1340
[Objective]To thoroughly analyze the disease location of dampness treated by Baizhu Fuzi Decoction in Synopsis of the Golden Chamber,improve the accuracy of dampness treatment in clinical practice,and gain insights into ZHANG Zhongjing's therapeutic principles and medication strategies for dampness,thereby providing clinical references.[Methods]Through literature review,the study systematically summarized the perspectives of classical commentators,analyzed the pathogenesis of"hard stool and free urination"in the syndrome of Baizhu Fuzi Decoction,and employed textual cross-referencing to compare the meaning of the term"within the skin"in different passages to corroborate the disease location addressed by the formula.Additionally,the study referenced classical materia medica books to elucidate the pharmacological effects of Atractylodes macrocephala(Baizhu)and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(Fuzi),further substantiating the formula's efficacy.[Results]The symptoms of"hard stool and free urination"in the syndrome of Baizhu Fuzi Decoction are primarily caused by spleen-kidney Yang deficiency,impaired QI transformation and failure to retain body fluids.The formula excels in treating dampness characterized by"dampness in the exterior with concurrent interior Yang deficiency"where the disease location is neither purely exterior nor purely interior.The combination of Atractylodes macrocephala(Baizhu)and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(Fuzi)not only dispels dampness from the exterior but also warms and tonifies the spleen and kidneys,achieving"simultaneous treatment of exterior and interior."The formula effectively resolves exterior dampness and restores interior Yang while embodying ZHANG Zhongjing's academic philosophy of"preventing disease before its onset and managing disease progression".[Conclusion]Baizhu Fuzi Decoction is indicated for dampness syndromes involving both exterior and interior,demonstrating remarkable efficacy in dispelling exterior dampness and warming interior Yang.Through dual verification via literature and formula analysis,this study clarifies the formula's indications,reveals ZHANG Zhongjing's therapeutic strategy of combining attack and supplementation while preventing disease progression,and provides a clinical paradigm of"addressing both exterior and interior while prioritizing prevention"for dampness treatment.The findings offer significant insights for expanding the application of classical formulas.
10.Evaluation of the efficacy of disc radiofrequency ablation combined with radiofrequency of the dorsal medial branch neurotomy in the treatment of chronic low back pain in the elderly
Chi LIU ; Changtai SUN ; Liang ZHANG ; Maoyu ZHAO ; Xiaobin WANG ; Junchuan LIU ; Jingwei LIU ; Qiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(7):858-862
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intervertebral disc radiofrequency(RF)ablation combined with dorsal medial branch(DMB)neurotomy in elderly patients suffering from chronic low back pain.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients aged 60 years and older with chronic low back pain admitted to Beijing Hospital from March 2023 to September 2024.The combined treatment group underwent intervertebral disc radiofrequency ablation combined with radiofrequency treatment of the dorsal medial branch of the spinal nerve.The single treatment group underwent intervertebral disc radiofrequency ablation alone.Pain visual analogue scale(VAS)scores were assessed before treatment and on the first day, 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment.The Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)and Barthel Index were evaluated before treatment and at 3 months and 6 months post-treatment.Clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 115 elderly patients with chronic low back pain were enrolled, aged 61 to 72 years(mean 66.5 ± 5.6 years), with 44 males.The combined therapy group consisted of 71 patients, and the monotherapy group consisted of 44 patients.All patients were followed up continuously for 6 months.At all-time points post-treatment, the VAS scores in the combined therapy group were significantly lower than those in the monotherapy group( t=-4.887, -10.095, -7.687, all P<0.05); at 3 and 6 months post-treatment, the combined therapy group showed significantly greater improvements in ODI( t=-3.645, -9.451, both P<0.001)Barthel Index improvement were significantly greater than those in the monotherapy group( t=6.578, 8.530, both P<0.001); the overall good-to-excellent rate in the combined therapy group was 88.7%, higher than the 72.7% in the monotherapy group( χ2=4.85, P<0.05). Conclusions:Combined disc RF ablation and DMB neurotomy provide superior pain relief, functional recovery, and improvement in daily activities compared to single disc ablation in elderly patients with CLBP.This minimally invasive approach represents a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for managing chronic low back pain in the geriatric population.

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