Objective To explore the predictive effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] and blood lipid metabolism indexes on the occurrence of osteoporosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Totally 98 patients with T2DM in the hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were classified into osteoporosis group (38 cases) and non-osteoporosis group (60 cases) by means of concurrent osteoporosis status. The levels of serum 25(OH)D3 and blood lipid metabolism indexes [high density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), VLDL] were measured in study subjects. The association of serum 25(OH)D3 and blood lipid metabolism indexes with osteoporosis was explored by Logistic regression analysis. The predictive value of serum 25(OH)D3 and blood lipid metabolism indexes on osteoporosis was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results Serum 25(OH)D3 and HDL levels in the osteoporosis group were lower while TG and LDL levels were higher than those in the non-osteoporosis group (P<0.05). The differences in the levels of TC and VLDL were insignificant between groups (P>0.05). After logistic regression analysis, the levels of serum 25(OH)D3, HDL, TG and LDL were closely related to the occurrence of osteoporosis (P<0.05). ROC curve indicated that the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity of combined prediction of osteoporosis by serum 25(OH)D3, HDL, TG, and LDL were 0.943, 92.11% and 85.00%, and the efficiency of combined prediction was better than that of each index alone (P<0.05). Conclusion The levels of serum 25(OH)D3, HDL, TG and LDL in T2DM are closely related to osteoporosis. Early combined monitoring of the indicators can provide reference value for clinical prediction of osteoporosis occurrence in patients with T2DM.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyutang （XFZYT） for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） through integrated network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was utilized to predict the core components， key therapeutic targets， and signaling pathways of XFZYT in the treatment of MAFLD. For animal experiments， a rat model of MAFLD was established by feeding a high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Intervention was then administered with low-dose （2 g·kg^-1） and high-dose （4 g·kg^-1） XFZYT for 2 weeks. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL）. In addition， the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and catalase （CAT） and levels of malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione （GSH） in the serum were measured. The same way was adopted to measure the levels of TC and TG in the liver tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to quantify the serum levels of interleukin （IL）-6， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）. Histopathological evaluations included hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining for liver tissue morphology， Oil Red O staining for lipid deposition， and dihydroethidium （DHE） probe staining for reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels. Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the protein levels of AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， phosphorylated （p）-AMPK， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB）， and p-NF-κB in the liver tissue. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of the serum was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis predicted 155 potential targets of XFZYT for MAFLD treatment， with core targets including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， protein kinase B1 （Akt1）， TNF， and IL-6. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment primarily implicated the AMPK signaling pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited dyslipidemia， hepatic function impairment， pronounced hepatic lipid deposition， and inflammatory manifestations， with elevated serum levels of AST， ALT， TC， TG， LDL， and MDA （P<0.05）， reduced HDL and GSH levels plus decreased SOD and CAT activities （P<0.05）， downregulated protein levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and p-AMPK （P<0.05）， and upregulated protein level of p-NF-κB （P<0.05） in the liver tissue. Compared with the model group， XFZYT intervention groups showed significant amelioration of dyslipidemia and hepatic function impairment， markedly reduced hepatic lipid deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration， decreased serum levels of AST， ALT， TC， TG， LDL， and MDA （P<0.05）， increased HDL and GSH levels plus enhanced SOD and CAT activities （P<0.05）， upregulated protein levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and p-AMPK （P<0.05）， and downregulated protein level of p-NF-κB （P<0.05）. Serum metabolomics revealed 511 differentially expressed metabolites （231 upregulated and 280 downregulated） between normal and model groups， while XFZYT groups versus model group showed 94 differential metabolites （51 upregulated and 43 downregulated）. Among them， 11 metabolites displayed the most significant alterations， with enriched pathways including glycerolipid metabolism， cholesterol metabolism， and insulin resistance， multiple of which demonstrated AMPK association. ConclusionXFZYT alleviates MAFLD by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway and associated metabolic networks.

Wilson disease （WD） is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism， and decoppering therapy and symptomatic treatment are the main Western medicine therapies for WD. This article systematically reviews the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of WD in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and points out that abnormal natural endowment is the core etiology and pathogenesis of WD， with internal accumulation of copper toxicity as the manifestation， liver/spleen/kidney dysfunction as the root cause， and intermingled “toxin， stasis， phlegm， and deficiency” as the key pathogenesis. Literature research and clinical observation are conducted to summarize the common TCM syndromes of WD， including stagnation of liver Qi， internal retention of damp-heat， phlegm-stasis-heat accumulation syndrome， liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency， and syndrome of deficiency damage and phlegm stasis. This article proposes the corresponding therapies and representative prescriptions for each syndrome and discusses the advantages of treatment by stage and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy. This article aims to provide a systematic reference for the syndrome differentiation-based treatment of WD in clinical practice of TCM， thereby giving full play to the advantages of TCM in the treatment of this disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for esophageal and gastric varices in liver cirrhosis patients， to construct a clinical predictive model， and to provide a reference for predicting rebleeding in the early stage， reducing the incidence rate of rebleeding， and improving the clinical outcome of patients. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 194 liver cirrhosis patients with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding who received initial endoscopic therapy at Department of Gastroenterology， The Second People’s Hospital of Lanzhou， from January 1， 2021 to May 31， 2025. According to whether rebleeding occurred within 1 year after endoscopic therapy， the patients were divided into rebleeding group and non-rebleeding group. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The patients enrolled were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 7∶3. In the training set， the Lasso regression analysis was used to obtain optimal predictive variables， and the factors that might affect prognosis were included in the univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses to identify independent predictive factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for esophageal and gastric varices in liver cirrhosis patients， which were used to construct a nomogram model. In both the training set and the validation set， the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve and the calibration curve were used to assess the discriminatory ability and calibration of the model， and decision curve analysis and the clinical impact curve were used to assess the clinical practicability of the model. ResultsAmong the 194 liver cirrhosis patients with esophageal and gastric varices， 116 （59.79%） experienced rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy， with 76 patients in the training set and 40 patients in the validation set. In the training set， the Lasso regression analysis and the univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses showed that etiology of liver cirrhosis （odds ratio ［OR］=3.540， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.520 — 7.150， P<0.001）， Child-Pugh class （OR=3.560， 95%CI： 1.380 — 9.500， P=0.019）， severity of esophageal and gastric varices （OR=8.190， 95%CI： 3.568 — 17.850， P=0.026）， and main portal vein diameter （OR=2.954， 95%CI： 1.349 — 15.030， P=0.044） were independent predictive factors for rebleeding of esophageal and gastric varices in liver cirrhosis patients. A nomogram model was constructed based on the above independent predictive factors. The ROC curve analysis showed that this model had an area under the ROC curve of 0.845 （95%CI： 0.778 — 0.912） in the training set and 0.801 （95%CI： 0.798 — 0.868） in the validation set. The model had an index of concordance of 0.832 in the training set and 0.820 in the validation set， suggesting that the model had a good discriminatory ability. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed P values of 0.320 and 0.550 in the training set and validation set， respectively， the calibration curve indicated that the predicted probabilities of the nomogram model were in good concordance with the actual observed probabilities， suggesting that the model had good calibration. The decision curve analysis and the clinical impact curve showed that the model had good clinical utility. ConclusionThe nomogram model based on etiology of liver cirrhosis， Child-Pugh class， severity of esophageal and gastric varices， and main portal vein diameter has a certain clinical value in predicting the risk of rebleeding from esophageal and gastric varices in liver cirrhosis.

Objective To analyze the status and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in permanent residents in a certain area. Methods The clinical data of 6 792 permanent residents surveyed from January 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All subjects underwent 13C-urea breath test，and relevant general information was collected to analyze Hp infection status. According to whether Hp infection occurred, they were divided into positive group (n=4 283) and negative group (n=2 509). The differences in general information, living habits, and dietary habits between the two groups of subjects were analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results Among the 6 792 permanent residents surveyed from January 2021 to December 2023, 4283 were positive for 13C-urea breath test, accounting for 63.05% of the total. There were statistically significant differences in age distribution, gender, BMI, tableware cleaning, personal hygiene products use, chopsticks use, and raw food and vegetable cleaning between the positive group and the negative group (P<0.05). The single factors of Hp infection were substituted into multivariate logistic regression analysis equation, and it was found that age ≥45 years old, male, BMI≥24, no use of detergents to clean utensils, sharing personal hygiene products, not using public chopsticks, having a habit of eating raw food, and not cleaning vegetables before eating were independent risk factors for Hp infection. Conclusion The positive rate of Hp infection in this area is relatively high, and the infection factors are related to age, gender, and some lifestyle and dietary habits.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) is an essential tool for tissue acquisition in solid pancreatic tumors. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) by cytologists ensures diagnostic accuracy. However, the universal application of the ROSE is limited by its availability. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of determining the end of the procedure based on the results of in-room cytological evaluation by trained endosonographers (IRCETE). Methods: A training course focusing on the cytological interpretation of common pancreatic tumors was provided to the three endosonographers. After training, the decision to terminate EUS-FNB was made based on IRCETE results. The diagnostic accuracy, concordance rate of diagnostic categories, and sample adequacy were compared with those determined by board-certified cytologists and macroscopic on-site evaluation (MOSE). Results: We enrolled 65 patients with solid pancreatic tumors, most of whom were malignant (86.2%). The diagnostic accuracy was 90.8% when the end of the procedure was determined based on IRCETE, compared to 87.7% and 98.5% when determined by MOSE and cytologists, respectively (p=0.060). Based on the cytologists’ results, the accuracy of IRCETE in diagnostic category interpretation was 97.3%. Conclusions In the absence of ROSE, IRCETE can serve as a supplementary alternative to MOSE in determining the end of tissue sampling with a high accuracy rate.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) is an essential tool for tissue acquisition in solid pancreatic tumors. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) by cytologists ensures diagnostic accuracy. However, the universal application of the ROSE is limited by its availability. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of determining the end of the procedure based on the results of in-room cytological evaluation by trained endosonographers (IRCETE). Methods: A training course focusing on the cytological interpretation of common pancreatic tumors was provided to the three endosonographers. After training, the decision to terminate EUS-FNB was made based on IRCETE results. The diagnostic accuracy, concordance rate of diagnostic categories, and sample adequacy were compared with those determined by board-certified cytologists and macroscopic on-site evaluation (MOSE). Results: We enrolled 65 patients with solid pancreatic tumors, most of whom were malignant (86.2%). The diagnostic accuracy was 90.8% when the end of the procedure was determined based on IRCETE, compared to 87.7% and 98.5% when determined by MOSE and cytologists, respectively (p=0.060). Based on the cytologists’ results, the accuracy of IRCETE in diagnostic category interpretation was 97.3%. Conclusions In the absence of ROSE, IRCETE can serve as a supplementary alternative to MOSE in determining the end of tissue sampling with a high accuracy rate.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.