1.Efficacy and safety of coblopasvir hydrochloride combined with sofosbuvir in treatment of patients with genotype 3 hepatitis C virus infection
Yingyuan ZHANG ; Huan MU ; Danqing XU ; Chunyan MOU ; Yuanzhen WANG ; Chunyun LIU ; Weikun LI ; Li LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1075-1082
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of the direct-acting antiviral agents coblopasvir hydrochloride/sofosbuvir (CLP/SOF) regimen used alone or in combination with ribavirin (RBV) in the treatment of patients with genotype 3 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in terms of virologic response rate, liver function recovery, improvement in liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and adverse drug reactions, and to provide a reference for clinical medication. MethodsA total of 98 patients with genotype 3 HCV infection who attended The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming from January 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled, and according to the treatment method, the patients were divided into CLP/SOF+RBV treatment group with 55 patients and CLP/SOF treatment group with 43 patients. The patients were observed in terms of rapid virologic response at week 4 (RVR4), sustained virologic response (SVR), previous treatment experience, underlying diseases, laboratory and imaging indicators, and adverse reactions during treatment. The course of treatment was 12 weeks, and the patients were followed up for 12 weeks after drug withdrawal. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the Friedman test was used for comparison within each group at different time points, and the Bonferroni method was used for further comparison and correction of P value; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the influencing factors for SVR12. ResultsBefore treatment, there were significant differences between the CLP/SOF+RBV treatment group and the CLP/SOF treatment group in terms of LSM, total bilirubin (TBil), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), HCV genotype, and the presence or absence of liver cirrhosis and compensation (all P<0.05). The 98 patients with genotype 3 HCV infection had an RVR4 rate of 81.6% and an SVR12 rate of 93.9%. The patients with genotype 3a HCV infection had an RVR4 rate of 84.44% and an SVR12 rate of 97.78%, while the patients with genotype 3b HCV infection had an RVR4 rate of 79.25% and an SVR12 rate of 90.57%. There were significant differences in RVR4 and SVR12 rates between the patients without hepatocellular carcinoma and those with hepatocellular carcinoma, there was a significant difference in RVR4 rate between the patients without HIV infection and those with HIV infection, and there was a significant difference in SVR12 rate between the previously untreated patients and the treatment-experienced patients (all P<0.05). The univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that treatment history, hypertension, hepatocellular carcinoma, ascites, albumin (Alb), and platelet count were influencing factors for SVR12 (all P<0.05), and the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hepatocellular carcinoma (odds ratio=0.034, 95% confidence interval: 0.002 — 0.666, P=0.026) was an independent influencing factor for SVR12. After treatment with CLP/SOF combined with RBV or CLP/SOF alone, the patients with genotype 3 HCV infection showed gradual reductions in the liver function parameters of TBil, GGT, and alanine aminotransferase (all P<0.05) and a gradual increase in the level of Alb (P<0.05). As for renal function, there were no significant changes in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine after treatment (P>0.05). For the patients with or without liver cirrhosis, there was a significant reduction in LSM from baseline after treatment for 12 weeks (P<0.05). Among the 98 patients with genotype 3 HCV infection, 9 tested positive for HCV-RNA at 12 weeks after treatment, 2 showed no response during treatment, 4 showed virologic breakthrough, and 3 experienced recurrence. The overall incidence rate of adverse events during treatment was 17.35% for all patients. ConclusionCLP/SOF alone or in combination with RBV has a relatively high SVR rate in the treatment of genotype 3 HCV infection, with good tolerability and safety in patients during treatment, and therefore, it holds promise for clinical application.
2.Cannabidiol inhibits neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in rats with multiple concussions by regulating the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway.
Yujia YANG ; Lifang YANG ; Yaling WU ; Zhaoda DUAN ; Chunze YU ; Chunyun WU ; Jianyun YU ; Li YANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1240-1250
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the effects of cannabidiol on endoplasmic reticulum stress and neuronal apoptosis in rats with multiple concussions (MCC).
METHODS:
SD rats were randomized into sham group, MCC group, 1% tween20 (TW) treatment group, and low-dose (10 mg/kg) and high-dose (40 mg/kg) cannabidiol treatment groups. In all but the sham group, MCC models were established using a metal pendulum percussion device, after which the rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of the corresponding agents for 2 weeks. The expressions of PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, TRIB3, p-Akt and pro-caspase-3 in the brain tissue of the rats were detected with qRT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The core targets of cannabidiol in treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) were identified by network pharmacology analysis, and molecular docking was carried out to simulate the interaction of cannabidiol with the factors related to endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis.
RESULTS:
Compared with the sham-operated rats, the rat models of MCC showed significantly increased mRNA expressions of PERK, eIF2α and CHOP and protein expressions of PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, TRIB3, p-AKT and pro-caspase-3 in the cerebral cortex. CBD treatment, especially at the high dose, obviously increased the expression of p-Akt and lowered the expression levels of the other factors tested in the rat models. Network pharmacology analysis indicated interactions of the core targets of CBD with the factors related to endoplasmic reticulum stress and TBI, and molecular docking study showed a high binding energy of CBD with multiple factors pertaining to endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS
MCC induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in rat brain tissues, for which CBD, especially at a high dose, provides neuroprotective effects by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell apoptosis.
Animals
;
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Activating Transcription Factor 4/metabolism*
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Transcription Factor CHOP/metabolism*
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Rats
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Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2/metabolism*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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eIF-2 Kinase/metabolism*
;
Cannabidiol/pharmacology*
;
Neurons/metabolism*
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Brain Concussion/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
3.Value of FibroScan, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio, S index, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the diagnosis of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis
Yingyuan ZHANG ; Danqing XU ; Huan MU ; Chunyan MOU ; Lixian CHANG ; Yuanzhen WANG ; Hongyan WEI ; Li LIU ; Weikun LI ; Chunyun LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):670-676
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of noninvasive imaging detection (FibroScan), two serological models of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (GPR) score and S index, and two inflammatory factors of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in predicting liver fibrosis in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB), as well as the consistency of liver biopsy in pathological staging, and to provide early warning for early intervention of CHB. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 131 HBeAg-positive CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy in The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming from January 2019 to December 2023. The results of liver biopsy were collected from all patients, and related examinations were performed before liver biopsy, including total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, platelet count, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, albumin, IL-6, TNF-α, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and abdominal ultrasound. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A Kappa analysis was used to investigate the consistency between LSM noninvasive histological staging and pathological staging based on liver biopsy, and the Spearman analysis was used to investigate the correlation between each variable and FibroScan in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis stage. The Logistic regression analysis was used to construct joint predictive factors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of each indicator alone and the joint predictive model in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis, and the Delong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). ResultsIn the consistency check, inflammation degree based on liver biopsy had a Kappa value of 0.807 (P<0.001), and liver fibrosis degree based on liver biopsy had a Kappa value of 0.827 (P<0.001), suggesting that FibroScan noninvasive histological staging and liver biopsy showed good consistency in assessing inflammation degree and liver fibrosis stage. Age was positively correlated with LSM, GPR score, S index, IL-6, and TNF-α (all P<0.05), and GPR score, S index, IL-6, and TNF-α were positively correlated with LSM (all P<0.05). GPR score, S index, IL-6, and TNF-α were all independent risk factors for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis (≥S2) and progressive liver fibrosis (≥S3) (all P<0.05). As for each indicator alone, GPR score had the highest value in the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis (≥S2), followed by S index, IL-6, and TNF-α, while S index had the highest value in the diagnosis of progressive liver fibrosis (≥S3), followed by GPR score, TNF-α, and IL-6. The joint model had a higher predictive value than each indicator alone (all P<0.05). ConclusionThere is a good consistency between FibroScan noninvasive histological staging and pathological staging based on liver biopsy. GPR score, S index, IL-6, and TNF-α are independent risk factors for evaluating different degree of liver fibrosis in CHB, and the combined prediction model established by them can better diagnose liver fibrosis.
4.Establishment and Evaluation of a Risk Prediction Model for Chronic Liver Failure Complicated by Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma Before Intervention
Yuanzhen WANG ; Hongyan WEI ; Renhai TIAN ; Yongzhen CHEN ; Danqing XU ; Yingyuan ZHANG ; Lixian CHANG ; Chunyun LIU ; Li LIU
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(3):139-147
Objective To analyze the influencing factors of chronic liver failure in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma(PHC)before intervention,and to establish and evaluate a nomogram risk prediction model.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted by collecting general data and clinical test data within 24 hours of admission for PHC patients.Univariate analysis and Lasso regression were used for variable selection,followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent influencing factors for CLF before PHC intervention,leading to the establishment of a nomogram risk prediction model.The model was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curve,clinical decision curve,and clinical impact curve.Result A total of 353 cases of PHC patients were collected,including 153 cases in the liver failure group and 200 cases in the non-liver failure group,with a prevalence rate of 43.3%.Variables selected by Lasso regression included gastrointestinal bleeding,prothrombin time(PT),albumin(ALB),total bilirubin(TBIL),and gamma glutamyl transferase(GGT).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gastrointestinal bleeding(OR=13.549,95%CI:2.899~63.322,P=0.001),PT(OR=1.599,95%CI:1.282~1.995,P<0.001),TBIL(OR=1.016,95%CI:1.006~1.025,P=0.002),and GGT(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.000~1.003,P=0.028)were independent risk factors for chronic liver failure prior to PHC intervention,leading to the establishment of a nomogram risk prediction model.The Hosmer Lemeshow test showed that the model had a good fit(x2=6.152,P>0.05);the area under ROC was 0.902(0.869-0.934),with a sensitivity of 80.4%and a specificity of 87.5%.The calibration curve indicated that the model predicts chronic liver failure prior to PHC intervention with good consistency.Clinical decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve analysis showed that the model has good clinical utility within a certain threshold range.Conclusion Gastrointestinal bleeding,PT ≥16.05s,TBIL≥37.80 mmol/L,and GGT≥ 99.00 U/L are independent risk factors for the occurrence of chronic liver failure before PHC intervention.The established nomogram risk prediction model has certain clinical application value in predicting the risk of chronic liver failure before PHC intervention.
5.Comparison of Efficacy of Tenofovir Amibufenamide and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate on Chronic Hepatitis B
Yingyuan ZHANG ; Chunyan MOU ; Huan MU ; Danqing XU ; Lixian CHANG ; Yuanzhen WANG ; Chunyun LIU ; Li LIU
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(6):140-148
Objective To compare the efficacy of Tenofovir Alafenamide(TMF)and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate(TDF)in terms of liver function restoration,virus clearance,immune regulation,anti liver fibrosis,lipid metabolism,bone and renal safety,and adverse reactions.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 110 patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)admitted to Kunming Third People's Hospital from January 2022 to December 2022.Patients were divided into the TMF treatment group(n=55)and the TDF treatment group(n=55)based on their treatment regimen.We compared the levels of transaminase levels,antiviral efficacy,T cell subsets,renal function electrolytes,lipid metabolism,four liver fibrosis-related indicators,and changes in liver stiffness grading before and after treatment in two groups of patients.The incidence of adverse reactions post-treatment was also compared.Results After 48 weeks of treatment,the levels of TBIL,ALT,AST,GGT,and GLOB in both groups of patients were significantly lower than pre-treatment levels(P<0.05).The decrease in AST levels in the TMF group was lower than that in the TDF group(P<0.05).After 48 weeks of treatment,the HBV-DNA seroconversion rate in the TMF group(90.90%)was higher than that in the TDF group(83.64%).The serological HBsAg clearance rate in the TMF group(7.3%)was lower than that in the TDF group(9.1%),while the HBeAg clearance rate in the TMF group(38.2%)was significantly higher than that in the TDF group(18.2%),with statistical significance(P<0.05).After 48 weeks of treatment,levels of CD3+,CD4+,and CD8+in both groups were significantly elevated compared to pre-treatment levels(P<0.05);notably,the TMF group had higher post-treatment levels of CD3+,CD4+,and CD8+than the TDF group.After 48 weeks,the average values of HA,IV-C,and LN among the TMF group for liver fibrosis indicators were significantly lower than those in the TDF group(P<0.05).The proportions of F0 and F2 in both groups significantly increased post-treatment,while the proportions of F3 and F4 significantly decreased(P to be supplemented);furthermore,the proportions of F0 and F2 in the TMF group were significantly higher than those in the TDF group,and the proportions of F3 and F4 in the TMF group were significantly lower than those in the TDF group(P<0.05).After 48 weeks,HDL-C levels in the TMF group increased compared to pre-treatment(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in TG,TC,HDL-C,or LDL-C levels in the TDF group compared to pre-treatment(P>0.05).After 48 weeks of treatment,there was no difference in the levels of BUN、Cr、P+,and Ca+in the TMF group compared to pre-treatment(P>0.05);however,BUN and Cr levels in the TDF group were significantly higher than pre-treatment levels,while P+and Ca+levels were significantly lower(P<0.05).The incidence of elevated uric acid and bone pain was significantly higher in the TMF group compared to the TDF group(P<0.05);the incidence of diarrhea and abdominal pain was slightly higher in the TMF group compared to the TDF group(P>0.05).Conclusion Compared to TDF,TMF demonstrates a higher rate of liver function recovery,a greater virological response,enhanced anti fibrotic efficacy,and improved drug safety,making it worthy of clinical application in the future.
6.Value of albumin-bilirubin,easy albumin-bilirubin,and platelet-albumin-bilirubin scores in predicting the prognosis of patients with HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma
Huan MU ; Yingyuan ZHANG ; Danqing XU ; Yuanqiang HE ; Chunyan MOU ; Chunyun LIU ; Li LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;42(5):921-926
Objective To investigate the value of albumin-bilirubin(ALBI),easy albumin-bilirubin(EZ-ALBI),and platelet-albumin-bilirubin(PALBI)scores in predicting 2-year survival in patients with HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCV-HCC).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 174 patients with HCV-HCC who were admitted to The Third People's Hospital of Kunming from January 2020 to January 2022,and the patients were followed up till 2 years after admission.According to the follow-up results,the patients were divided into survival group with 95 patients and death group with 79 patients.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 was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression model analyses were used to investigate the influencing factors for the survival of HCV-HCC patients.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves and analyze the 2-year survival rate of HCV-HCC patients with different EZ-ALBI grades,and the log-rank test was used for comparison between groups.Results There were significant differences between the survival group and the death group in platelet count,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin,albumin(Alb),alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),prealbumin,prothrombin time,international normalized ratio,PALBI score,ALBI score,EZ-ALBI score,Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD)score,HCV genotype,peritoneal effusion,and vascular invasion(all P<0.05).The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that AST,Alb,AFP,ALBI score,EZ-ALBI score,PALBI score,MELD score,Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Staging,and peritoneal effusion were influencing factors for the survival of patients(all P<0.05),and the multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that EZ-ALBI score(hazard ratio[HR]=1.850,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.054-3.247,P=0.032)and peritoneal effusion(HR=1.993,95%CI:1.030-3.858,P=0.041)were independent risk factors for the survival of HCV-HCC patients.The survival curve analysis showed that the patients with EZ-ALBI grade 1/2/3 had a 2-year survival rate of 90.9%,60.2%,and 32.2%,respectively,and there was a significant difference in cumulative survival rate between the patients with different EZ-ALBI grades(χ2=26.294,P<0.001).Conclusion EZ-ALBI score and the presence or absence of peritoneal effusion can be used as predictors of the survival of HCV-HCC patients.
7.Risk factors for concurrent hepatic hydrothorax before intervention in primary liver cancer and construction of a nomogram prediction model
Yuanzhen WANG ; Renhai TIAN ; Yingyuan ZHANG ; Danqing XU ; Lixian CHANG ; Chunyun LIU ; Li LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):75-83
ObjectiveTo investigate the influencing factors for hepatic hydrothorax (HH) before intervention for primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC), and to construct and assess the nomogram risk prediction model. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 353 hospitalized patients who attended the Third People’s Hospital of Kunming for the first time from October 2012 to October 2021 and there diagnosed with PHC, and according to the presence or absence of HH, they were divided into HH group with 153 patients and non-HH group with 200 patients. General data and the data of initial clinical testing after admission were collected from all PHC patients. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. After the multicollinearity test was performed for the variables with statistical significance determined by the univariate analysis, the multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent influencing factors. The “rms” software package was used to construct a nomogram risk prediction model, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the risk prediction model; the “Calibration Curves” software package was used to plot the calibration curve, and the “rmda” software package was used to plot the clinical decision curve and the clinical impact curve. ResultsAmong the 353 patients with PHC, there were 153 patients with HH, with a prevalence rate of 43.34%. Child-Pugh class B (odds ratio [OR]=2.652, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.050 — 6.698, P=0.039), Child-Pugh class C (OR=7.963, 95%CI: 1.046 — 60.632, P=0.045), total protein (OR=0.947, 95%CI: 0.914 — 0.981, P=0.003), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR=1.007, 95%CI: 1.001 — 1.014, P=0.025), and interleukin-2 (OR=0.801, 95%CI: 0.653 — 0.981, P=0.032) were independent influencing factors for HH before PHC intervention, and a nomogram risk prediction model was established based on these factors. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model had a good degree of fitting (χ2=5.006, P=0.757), with an area under the ROC curve of 0.752 (95%CI: 0.701 — 0.803), a sensitivity of 78.40%, and a specificity of 63.50%. The calibration curve showed that the model had good consistency in predicting HH before PHC intervention, and the clinical decision curve and the clinical impact curve showed that the model had good clinical practicability within a certain threshold range. ConclusionChild-Pugh class, total protein, interleukin-2, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are independent influencing factors for developing HH before PHC intervention, and the nomogram model established based on these factors can effectively predict the risk of developing HH.
8.Value of albumin-bilirubin, easy albumin-bilirubin, and platelet-albumin-bilirubin scores in predicting the prognosis of patients with HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma
Huan MU ; Yingyuan ZHANG ; Danqing XU ; Yuanqiang HE ; Chunyan MOU ; Chunyun LIU ; Li LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):921-926
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI), easy albumin-bilirubin (EZ-ALBI), and platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) scores in predicting 2-year survival in patients with HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCV-HCC). MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 174 patients with HCV-HCC who were admitted to The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming from January 2020 to January 2022, and the patients were followed up till 2 years after admission. According to the follow-up results, the patients were divided into survival group with 95 patients and death group with 79 patients. 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 was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression model analyses were used to investigate the influencing factors for the survival of HCV-HCC patients. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves and analyze the 2-year survival rate of HCV-HCC patients with different EZ-ALBI grades, and the log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. ResultsThere were significant differences between the survival group and the death group in platelet count, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, albumin (Alb), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), prealbumin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, PALBI score, ALBI score, EZ-ALBI score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, HCV genotype, peritoneal effusion, and vascular invasion (all P<0.05). The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that AST, Alb, AFP, ALBI score, EZ-ALBI score, PALBI score, MELD score, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Staging, and peritoneal effusion were influencing factors for the survival of patients (all P<0.05), and the multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that EZ-ALBI score (hazard ratio [HR]=1.850, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.054 — 3.247, P=0.032) and peritoneal effusion (HR=1.993, 95%CI: 1.030 — 3.858, P=0.041) were independent risk factors for the survival of HCV-HCC patients. The survival curve analysis showed that the patients with EZ-ALBI grade 1/2/3 had a 2-year survival rate of 90.9%, 60.2%, and 32.2%, respectively, and there was a significant difference in cumulative survival rate between the patients with different EZ-ALBI grades (χ2=26.294, P<0.001). ConclusionEZ-ALBI score and the presence or absence of peritoneal effusion can be used as predictors of the survival of HCV-HCC patients.
9.Scutellarin attenuates neuronal apoptosis in ischemic stroke rats via JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Zhaoda DUAN ; Yingqi PENG ; Dongyao XU ; Yuke WU ; Yujia YANG ; Li YANG ; Chunyun WU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(6):1098-1108
AIM:To determine if scutellarin(Scu)provides neuroprotection by reducing neuronal apoptosis in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)via the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.METHODS:Proteins linked to Scu and ischaemic stroke-induced neuronal apoptosis were identified using the Swiss Tar-get Prediction,PharmMapper,OMIM,and GeneCards databases.Intersecting targets were identified through Venn analy-sis.Protein-protein interaction networks were visualised utilising Cytoscape software,and principal targets were identi-fied.Enrichment analyses of GO functions and KEGG pathways were conducted utilising the Metascape database.Molecu-lar docking of Scu with core targets was performed utilising AutoDock Vina.The neuroprotective effects of Scu were as-sessed in MCAO rats using Zea Longa scoring and the suspension test.JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation levels and apoptosis-related proteins[cleaved caspase-3(C-caspase-3),caspase-3,Bax,and Bcl-2]were assessed using Western blot and im-munofluorescence staining.The JAK2-specific inhibitor AG490 was employed to further investigate the role of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.RESULTS:Network pharmacology analysis revealed 832 shared targets,with pathways en-riched in tumor-associated pathways,the JAK/STAT signalling pathway,and the HIF-1 signalling pathway.Molecular docking revealed robust binding affinities of Scu with the ten principal targets.Behavioural assessments utilising Zea Lon-ga scoring and the suspension test demonstrated that Scu markedly enhanced neurological recovery in MCAO rats.Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated that phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3,along with the ex-pression of C-caspase-3,Bax,and Bcl-2,were markedly elevated in the MCAO group relative to the sham group(P<0.05).Post Scu treatment,phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3,along with C-caspase-3 and Bax expression,were markedly diminished,whereas Bcl-2 expression and fluorescence intensity were substantially increased(P<0.05).In the combined AG490 and Scu treatment group(MCAO+Scu+AG490),the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3,as well as the expression of C-caspase-3 and Bax,exhibited no significant difference when compared to the Scu-alone group(P>0.05).Bcl-2 expression and fluorescence intensity were markedly reduced in the combined AG490 and Scu treatment group relative to the Scu-alone group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Scu seems to provide neuroprotection in ischaemic stroke by reducing neuronal apoptosis through the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.
10.Analysis of influencing factors and construction of predictive model for HBsAg clearance in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B treated with PEG-IFN-α-2b
Yingyuan ZHANG ; Danqing XU ; Huan MU ; Yuanqiang HE ; Yuanzhen WANG ; Chunyun LIU ; Weikun LI ; Chunyan MOU ; Li LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(8):1525-1532
Objective To investigate the predictive factors for the occurrence of HBsAg clearance in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B(CHB)receiving peginterferon alfa-2b(PEG-IFN-α-2b)treatment,analyze the effects of various indicators on the HBsAg clearance rate under different characteristics,and construct and evaluate a combined predictive model.Methods We included 125 patients with HBeAg-negative CHB at Kunming Third People's Hospital from May 2021 to May 2023.After treatment with PEG-IFN-α-2b combined with nucleoside analogues for a course of 48 weeks,they were divided into HBsAg clearance group and HBsAg non-clearance group.Their general information and serological,biochemical,and virological indicators at different time points during treatment were recorded.Continuous data in normal distribution were compared using the t test.Continuous data in non-normal distribution were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test,and comparisons across different time points were performed using the multiple paired-sample Friedman test.Categorical data were compared using the χ2 test.A Logistic regression analysis was used to select variables to establish a combined multi-parameter predictive model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic value of individual indicators and the combined predictive model for HBsAg clearance.Results Before treatment,there were significant differences in baseline HBsAg level(Z=-3.997,P<0.05)and treatment history(χ2=8.221,P<0.05)between the two groups.During treatment,gradually decreasing trends were observed in white blood cell count(χ2=104.944),neutrophil count(χ2=132.036),platelet count(χ2=162.881),and thyroid-stimulating hormone level(TSH,χ2=83.304,all P<0.05),while alanine aminotransferase(ALT,χ2=157.618)and alpha fetoprotein(χ2=159.472)showed gradually increasing trends(both P<0.05).At 48 weeks of treatment,treatment history(odds ratio[OR]=0.232,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.071-0.753),baseline HBsAg level(OR=13.423,95%CI:3.276-54.997),the extent of decrease in HBsAg from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment(OR=0.143,95%CI:0.040-0.515),the maximum ALT level during treatment(OR=0.986,95%CI:0.980-0.993),and the minimum TSH level during treatment(OR=3.281,95%CI:1.413-7.619)were independent factors affecting HBsAg clearance(all P<0.05).A combined predictive model for HBsAg clearance was built:Y=-1.603-1.462×treatment history+2.597×baseline HBsAg value-1.944×the extent of HBsAg reduction from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment-0.014×the maximum ALT value during treatment+1.188×the minimum TSH value during treatment.The diagnostic value of the individual indicators for HBsAg clearance from high to low was as following:the maximum ALT value during treatment(AUC=0.824),baseline HBsAg value(AUC=0.727),the minimum TSH value during treatment(AUC=0.707),the extent of HBsAg reduction from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment(AUC=0.641),and treatment history(AUC=0.636).The combined model showed better predictive performance than the individual indicators,with the AUC being 0.921(all P<0.05).Conclusion The combined model,constructed with baseline HBsAg value,the extent of HBsAg reduction from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment,the maximum ALT value during treatment,and the minimum TSH value during treatment,has high predictive value for the occurrence of HBsAg clearance in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB after 48 weeks of treatment with PEG-IFN-α-2b,which can provide a reference for identifying suitable patients for treatment and predicting clinical outcome.

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