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.

Clopidogrel effectively inhibits platelet aggregation in response to ADP by irreversibly binding to the platelet P2Y₁₂ receptor through its active metabolite. However, the observed discrepancies between the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of clopidogrel present substantial challenges in individualizing of antiplatelet therapy. To address these challenges, a robust liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed to facilitate the real-time assessment of platelet P2Y₁₂ receptor occupancy. This method has been validated in animal models, providing a reliable link between individual PK profiles and PD effects. Target receptor occupancy offers a comprehensive overview of interindividual variations in clopidogrel metabolism, regulation of P2Y₁₂ receptor expression, and platelet turnover. Moreover, it directly correlates with the inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. The levels of platelet P2Y₁₂ occupancy accurately reflect the extent of clinical factors influencing the PD of clopidogrel, including dosage, drug-drug interactions (DDI), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As a normalized metric, platelet P2Y₁₂ occupancy not only serves potential as a diagnostic tool for personalized clopidogrel therapy but also aids in elucidating the role of the P2Y₁₂ signaling pathway in cases of abnormal on-treatment platelet reactivity.

Objective To enhance the patient's medical experience by facilitating real-time reading monitoring of their offline outpatient medical progress,providing a centralized display of the status of various medical processes,and proactively de-livering the essential message notifications to patients at designated intervals.Methods The system was developed by adopting a message reminder functionality and integrating with the display of critical diagnostic and treatment processes(including registra-tion,payment,examination,testing,medication collection,and evaluation)so as to ensure that patients receive timely informa-tion that guides their subsequent actions.Results Following the developement and implementation of the system,empirical evi-dence demonstrated that patients were able to clearly comprehend their diagnostic and treatment progress.The system reduced waiting time and confusion.In addition,it enhanced the coherence and convenience of medical services.Conclusion The out-patient medical guidance system,grounded on the Internet hospital model,has effectively minimized patient confusion and stre-amlined operational procedures through an active service approach.Future enhancements are anticipated to further elevate the in-telligence of medical services by broadening business coverage and integrating advanced technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence and other technologies in the future.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices since there is a high risk of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and to provide a basis for the early diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices. MethodsA total of 108 patients with significant portal hypertension due to compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis who attended Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to November 2023 were enrolled， and according to the presence or absence of esophageal and gastric varices under gastroscopy， they were divided into esophageal and gastric varices group （GOV group） and non-esophageal and gastric varices group （NGOV group）. Related data were collected， including age， sex， imaging findings， and laboratory markers. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups； the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of five scoring models， i.e.， fibrosis-4 （FIB-4）， LOK index， LPRI， aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI）， and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio （AAR）. The binary logistic regression method was used to establish a combined model， and the area under the ROC curve （AUC） was compared between the combined model and each scoring model used alone. The Delong test was used to compare the AUC value between any two noninvasive diagnostic models. ResultsThere were 55 patients in the GOV group and 53 patients in the NGOV group. Compared with the NGOV group， the GOV group had a significantly higher age （52.64±1.44 years vs 47.96±1.68 years， t=0.453， P<0.05） and significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase ［42.00 （24.00 — 17.00） U/L vs 82.00 （46.00 — 271.00） U/L， Z=-3.065， P<0.05］， aspartate aminotransferase ［44.00 （32.00 — 96.00） U/L vs 62.00 （42.50 — 154.50） U/L，Z=-2.351， P<0.05］， and platelet count ［100.00 （69.00 — 120.00）×10⁹/L vs 119.00 （108.50 — 140.50）×10⁹/L， Z=-3.667， P<0.05］. The ROC curve analysis showed that FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone had an accuracy of 0.667， 0.681， 0.730， and 0.639， respectively， in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices （all P<0.05）， and the positive diagnostic rates of GOV were 69.97%， 65.28%， 67.33%， and 58.86%， respectively， with no significant differences in AUC values （all P>0.05）， while APRI used alone had no diagnostic value （P>0.05）. A combined model （LAF） was established based on the binary logistic regression analysis and had an AUC of 0.805 and a positive diagnostic rate of GOV of 75.80%， with a significantly higher AUC than FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone （Z=-2.773，-2.479，-2.206， and-2.672， all P<0.05）. ConclusionFIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR have a similar diagnostic value for esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and APRI alone has no diagnostic value. The combined model LAF had the best diagnostic efficacy， which provides a certain reference for clinical promotion and application.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a critical role in severe cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) pathogenesis, but the benefits of anti-inflammatory therapies remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between steroid therapy combined with anticoagulation and the prognosis of acute/subacute severe CVT patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study enrolled patients with acute/subacute severe CVT at Xuanwu Hospital (July 2020-January 2024). Patients were allocated into steroid and non-steroid groups based on the treatment they received. Functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale [mRS]) were evaluated at admission, discharge, and 6 months after discharge. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-6, and intracranial pressure were measured at admission and discharge in the steroid group. Fundoscopic Frisén grades were assessed at admission and 6 months after discharge. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluat associations between steroid use and favorable outcomes (mRS ≤2) at the 6-month follow-up. Paired tests assessed changes in hs-CRP and other variables before and after treatment, and Spearman's correlations were used to analyze relationships between these changes and functional improvements. RESULTS: A total of 107 and 58 patients in the steroid and non-steroid groups, respectively, were included in the analysis. Compared with the non-steroid group, the steroid group had a higher likelihood of achieving an mRS score of 0-2 (93.5% vs . 82.5%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.98, P  = 0.037) at the 6-month follow-up. After adjusting for confounding factors, the result remained consistent. Pulsed steroid therapy did not increase mortality during hospitalization or follow-up, nor did it lead to severe steroid-related complications (all P  >0.05). Patients in the steroid group showed a significant reduction in serum hs-CRP, IL-6, CSF IL-6, and intracranial pressure at discharge compared to at admission, as well as a significant reduction in the fundoscopic Frisén grade at the 6-month follow-up compare to at admission (all P  <0.001). A reduction in serum inflammatory marker levels during hospitalization positively correlated with improvements in functional outcomes ( P  <0.05). CONCLUSION: Short-term steroid use may be an effective and safe adjuvant therapy for acute/subacute severe CVT when used alongside standard anticoagulant treatments, which are likely due to suppression of the inflammatory response. However, these findings require further validation in randomized controlled trials. TRAIL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05990894.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use* ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Intracranial Thrombosis/drug therapy* ; Prospective Studies ; Steroids/therapeutic use* ; Venous Thrombosis/drug therapy*

Objective To enhance the patient's medical experience by facilitating real-time reading monitoring of their offline outpatient medical progress,providing a centralized display of the status of various medical processes,and proactively de-livering the essential message notifications to patients at designated intervals.Methods The system was developed by adopting a message reminder functionality and integrating with the display of critical diagnostic and treatment processes(including registra-tion,payment,examination,testing,medication collection,and evaluation)so as to ensure that patients receive timely informa-tion that guides their subsequent actions.Results Following the developement and implementation of the system,empirical evi-dence demonstrated that patients were able to clearly comprehend their diagnostic and treatment progress.The system reduced waiting time and confusion.In addition,it enhanced the coherence and convenience of medical services.Conclusion The out-patient medical guidance system,grounded on the Internet hospital model,has effectively minimized patient confusion and stre-amlined operational procedures through an active service approach.Future enhancements are anticipated to further elevate the in-telligence of medical services by broadening business coverage and integrating advanced technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence and other technologies in the future.

Irinotecan is an anticancer topoisomerase I inhibitor that acts as a prodrug of the active metabolite, SN-38. Unfortunately, the limited utility of irinotecan is attributed to its pH-dependent stability, short half-life and dose-limiting toxicity. To address this problem, a novel trivalent PEGylated prodrug (PEG-[Irinotecan]₃) has been synthesized and its full-profile pharmacokinetics, antitumor activity and toxicity compared with those of irinotecan. The results show that after intravenous administration to rats, PEG-[Irinotecan]₃ undergoes stepwise loss of irinotecan to form PEG-[Irinotecan]_3‒x (x = 1,2) and PEG-[linker] during which time the released irinotecan undergoes conversion to SN-38. As compared with conventional irinotecan, PEG-[Irinotecan]₃ displays extended release of irinotecan and efficient formation of SN-38 with significantly improved AUC and half-life. In a colorectal cancer-bearing model in nude mice, the tumor concentrations of irinotecan and SN-38 produced by PEG-[Irinotecan]₃ were respectively 86.2 and 2293 times higher at 48 h than produced by irinotecan. In summary, PEG-[Irinotecan]₃ displays superior pharmacokinetic characteristics and antitumor activity with lower toxicity than irinotecan. This supports the view that PEG-[Irinotecan]₃ is a superior anticancer drug to irinotecan and it has entered the phase II trial stage.

d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS, also known as vitamin E-TPGS) is a biodegradable amphiphilic polymer prepared by esterification of vitamin E with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1000. It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has found wide application in nanocarrier drug delivery systems (NDDS). Fully characterizing the in vivo fate and pharmacokinetic behavior of TPGS is important to promote the further development of TPGS-based NDDS. However, to date, a bioassay for the simultaneous quantitation of TPGS and its metabolite, PEG1000, has not been reported. In the present study, we developed such an innovative bioassay and used it to investigate the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of TPGS and PEG1000 in rat after oral and intravenous dosing. In addition, we evaluated the interaction of TPGS with cytochromes P450 (CYP450s) in human liver microsomes. The results show that TPGS is poorly absorbed after oral administration with very low bioavailability and that, after intravenous administration, TPGS and PEG1000 are mainly distributed to the spleen, liver, lung and kidney before both being slowly eliminated in urine and feces as PEG1000. In vitro studies show the inhibition of human CYP450 enzymes by TPGS is limited to a weak inhibition of CYP3A4. Overall, our results provide a clear picture of the in vivo fate of TPGS which will be useful in evaluating the safety of TPGS-based NDDS in clinical use and in promoting their further development.

Objective To investigate the efficacy,safety and compliance of valproic acid( VPA) monotherapy and VPA in combination with oxcarbazepine( OXC)in children with epilepsy. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data of children with epilepsy,treated in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from October 2012 to October 2013 was performed. The patients were treated with VPA ( VPA group)or VPA in combination with OXC( VPA+OXC group)continuously for more than 2 months and were followed up for 1 year. The situation of drug use[ VPA daily dose,OXC daily dose,concentration dose ratio( CDR ) of VPA,medication compliance( evaluated by retention raty )],situation of epilepsy control and occurrence of adverse reactions were recorded and compared. Results A total of 208 children were included in the study,105 children were in the VPA group,62 male cases and 43 female cases,aged 1 to 15 years,mean(6. 8 ± 3. 4)years;103 children were in the VPA+OXC group,60 male cases and 43 female cases,aged 1 to 15 years,mean(7. 4 ± 3. 5)years. There was no significant difference in VPA daily dose,CDR,and the retention rate[(507 ± 207)mg vs.(498 ± 164)mg,(4. 2 ± 2. 3)(μg·kg)/(ml· mg)vs.(4. 3 ± 1. 6)(μg·kg)/(ml·mg),81. 9% vs. 79. 6%,respectively,P>0. 05)]. At one year follow-up,the efficacy rate in the VPA+OXC group[82. 5%(85/103)]was significantly higher than that in the VPA group[61. 9%(65/105)](P<0. 05). During one year of follow-up,there was no significant difference in liver function abnormalities and adverse reactions in the VPA and VPA+OXC groups[13. 3%(14/105)vs. 15. 5%(16/103),4. 8%(5/105)vs. 6. 8%(7/103),respectively,P>0. 05]. But the incidence of adverse reactions in the 2 groups and the liver function abnormalities in the VPA+OXC group in children aged from 1 to 10 years were higher than that aged from 11 to 15 years(P<0. 05);the incidence of adverse reactions and liver function abnormalities in children with CDR of 5-13(μg·kg)/( ml·mg)was higher than that in children with CDR of 1-5(μg·kg)/(ml·mg)(P <0.05). Conclusions The efficacy,safety and compliance of VPA in combination with OXC treatment is better than that of VPA monotherapy in children with epilepsy. Age and the plasma concentration maybe the risk factors of adverse reactions and liver function abnormalities.

Objective To investigate the efficacy,safety and compliance of valproic acid( VPA) monotherapy and VPA in combination with oxcarbazepine( OXC)in children with epilepsy. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data of children with epilepsy,treated in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from October 2012 to October 2013 was performed. The patients were treated with VPA ( VPA group)or VPA in combination with OXC( VPA+OXC group)continuously for more than 2 months and were followed up for 1 year. The situation of drug use[ VPA daily dose,OXC daily dose,concentration dose ratio( CDR ) of VPA,medication compliance( evaluated by retention raty )],situation of epilepsy control and occurrence of adverse reactions were recorded and compared. Results A total of 208 children were included in the study,105 children were in the VPA group,62 male cases and 43 female cases,aged 1 to 15 years,mean(6. 8 ± 3. 4)years;103 children were in the VPA+OXC group,60 male cases and 43 female cases,aged 1 to 15 years,mean(7. 4 ± 3. 5)years. There was no significant difference in VPA daily dose,CDR,and the retention rate[(507 ± 207)mg vs.(498 ± 164)mg,(4. 2 ± 2. 3)(μg·kg)/(ml· mg)vs.(4. 3 ± 1. 6)(μg·kg)/(ml·mg),81. 9% vs. 79. 6%,respectively,P>0. 05)]. At one year follow-up,the efficacy rate in the VPA+OXC group[82. 5%(85/103)]was significantly higher than that in the VPA group[61. 9%(65/105)](P<0. 05). During one year of follow-up,there was no significant difference in liver function abnormalities and adverse reactions in the VPA and VPA+OXC groups[13. 3%(14/105)vs. 15. 5%(16/103),4. 8%(5/105)vs. 6. 8%(7/103),respectively,P>0. 05]. But the incidence of adverse reactions in the 2 groups and the liver function abnormalities in the VPA+OXC group in children aged from 1 to 10 years were higher than that aged from 11 to 15 years(P<0. 05);the incidence of adverse reactions and liver function abnormalities in children with CDR of 5-13(μg·kg)/( ml·mg)was higher than that in children with CDR of 1-5(μg·kg)/(ml·mg)(P <0.05). Conclusions The efficacy,safety and compliance of VPA in combination with OXC treatment is better than that of VPA monotherapy in children with epilepsy. Age and the plasma concentration maybe the risk factors of adverse reactions and liver function abnormalities.