1.Shenxiao Tongluo Prescription Alleviates Kidney Injury in Diabetic Rats via PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α Pathway
Cangcang XU ; Xianbing GUO ; Guang LI ; Wenhao JIAO ; Yang ZHAO ; Yingjun DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):108-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) by Shenxiao Tongluo prescription via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/sirtuin-3 (SIRT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty-five SD rats were randomized into a sham group (10 rats) and a modeling group (55 rats), and the modeling rats underwent left nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg·kg-1) to prepare a DN model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, empagliflozin (10 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (7.656, 15.312, 30.624 g·kg-1, respectively) Shenxiao Tongluo prescription groups. The urine microalbumin (UmAlb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats in each group were assessed after continuous gavage for 8 weeks. The corresponding kits were used to measure the levels of lactate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the kidney tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. Western blot was adopted to assess the protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, HIF-1α, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed elevated levels of UmAlb, BUN, SCr, lactate, and MDA, decreased SOD level (P<0.05), glomerular hypertrophy, thickening of the mesangial basement membrane, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, oval mitochondria with disordered, blurred or disappearing cristae, down-regulated protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and up-regulated protein levels of HIF-1α, DRP1, HK2, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the treatment in all the groups increased the body weight, lowered the levels of GLU, UmAlb, BUN, and MDA, raised the level of SOD, alleviated the pathological damage in the kidney tissue and mitochondrial damage, up-regulated the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and down-regulated the expression of HIF-1α, DRP1, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Empagliflozin and Shenxiao Tongluo prescription at medium and high doses lowered the levels of SCr and lactate and down-regulated the expression of HK2 (P<0.05), which had no statistical significance in the low-dose Shenxiao Tongluo prescription group. ConclusionShenxiao Tongluo prescription may regulate mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming by activating the PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α pathway, thereby alleviating oxidative damage in the kidney tissue and delaying the progression of DN.
2.Shenxiao Tongluo Prescription Alleviates Kidney Injury in Diabetic Rats via PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α Pathway
Cangcang XU ; Xianbing GUO ; Guang LI ; Wenhao JIAO ; Yang ZHAO ; Yingjun DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):108-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) by Shenxiao Tongluo prescription via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/sirtuin-3 (SIRT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty-five SD rats were randomized into a sham group (10 rats) and a modeling group (55 rats), and the modeling rats underwent left nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg·kg-1) to prepare a DN model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, empagliflozin (10 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (7.656, 15.312, 30.624 g·kg-1, respectively) Shenxiao Tongluo prescription groups. The urine microalbumin (UmAlb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats in each group were assessed after continuous gavage for 8 weeks. The corresponding kits were used to measure the levels of lactate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the kidney tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. Western blot was adopted to assess the protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, HIF-1α, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed elevated levels of UmAlb, BUN, SCr, lactate, and MDA, decreased SOD level (P<0.05), glomerular hypertrophy, thickening of the mesangial basement membrane, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, oval mitochondria with disordered, blurred or disappearing cristae, down-regulated protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and up-regulated protein levels of HIF-1α, DRP1, HK2, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the treatment in all the groups increased the body weight, lowered the levels of GLU, UmAlb, BUN, and MDA, raised the level of SOD, alleviated the pathological damage in the kidney tissue and mitochondrial damage, up-regulated the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and down-regulated the expression of HIF-1α, DRP1, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Empagliflozin and Shenxiao Tongluo prescription at medium and high doses lowered the levels of SCr and lactate and down-regulated the expression of HK2 (P<0.05), which had no statistical significance in the low-dose Shenxiao Tongluo prescription group. ConclusionShenxiao Tongluo prescription may regulate mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming by activating the PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α pathway, thereby alleviating oxidative damage in the kidney tissue and delaying the progression of DN.
3.Effects of Netupitant and palonosetron hydrochloride capsules on the pharmacokinetics of albumin-bound paclitaxel in rats under different intestinal microenvironments
Yuanman QIN ; Wenhao CHU ; Jiaqi XU ; Yutong LI ; Bo LIANG ; Xueliang ZHANG ; Jian LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):1993-1999
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of Netupitant and palonosetron hydrochloride capsules (NEPA) on the pharmacokinetics of Paclitaxel for injection (albumin bound) (i. e. albumin-bound paclitaxel) under different intestinal microenvironment conditions. METHODS Male SD rats were divided into a normal group and a model group (n=16). Rats in the model group were intragastrically administered vancomycin solution to establish an intestinal disorder model. The next day after modeling, intestinal microbiota diversity was analyzed, and the mRNA expressions of cytochrome P450 3A1 (CYP3A1) and CYP2C11 in small intestine and liver tissues as well as those protein expressions in liver tissue were measured. Male SD rats were grouped as described above (n=16). The normal group was subdivided into the TP chemotherapy group (TP-1 group) and the TP chemotherapy+NEPA group (TP+NEPA-1 group); the model group was subdivided into the TP chemotherapy group (TP-2 group) and the TP chemotherapy+NEPA group (TP+NEPA-2 group) (n=8). Rats in the TP+NEPA-1 and TP+NEPA-2 groups received a single intragastric dose of NEPA suspension (25.8 mg/kg, calculated by netupitant). One hour later, all four groups received a single tail vein injection of albumin-bound paclitaxel and cisplatin. Blood samples were collected at different time points after the last administration. Using azithromycin as the internal standard, plasma paclitaxel concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using DAS 2.0 software and compared between groups. RESULTS Compared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly decreased Chao1 and Shannon indexes (P<0.05), significant alterations in microbiota composition and relative abundance, and significantly downregulated expressions of CYP3A1 mRNA in liver tissue and CYP2C11 mRNA in both small intestine and liver tissues (P<0.05). Compared with the TP-1 group, the AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, MRT0-t of paclitaxel in the TP-2 group, the cmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-∞ of paclitaxel in the TP+NEPA-1 group and TP+NEPA-2 group were significantly increased or prolonged; CL of paclitaxel in the TP-2 group, Vd and CL of paclitaxel in the TP+NEPA-1 group and the TP+NEPA-2 group were significantly decreased or shortened (P<0.05). Compared with the TP-2 group, cmax of paclitaxel in the TP+NEPA-2 group was significantly increased, and Vd and MRT0-t were significantly decreased or shortened (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Intestinal microbiota disorder affects the mRNA expressions of CYP3A1 and CYP2C11, leading to decreased clearance and increased systemic exposure of paclitaxel. Concomitant administration of NEPA under normal intestinal microbiota condition increases paclitaxel exposure. However, under conditions of intestinal microbiota disorder, concomitant administration of NEPA has a limited impact on paclitaxel systemic exposure.
4.Development and multicenter validation of machine learning models for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications after neurosurgery.
Ming XU ; Wenhao ZHU ; Siyu HOU ; Hongzhi XU ; Jingwen XIA ; Liyu LIN ; Hao FU ; Mingyu YOU ; Jiafeng WANG ; Zhi XIE ; Xiaohong WEN ; Yingwei WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(17):2170-2179
BACKGROUND:
Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are major adverse events in neurosurgical patients. This study aimed to develop and validate machine learning models predicting PPCs after neurosurgery.
METHODS:
PPCs were defined according to the European Perioperative Clinical Outcome standards as occurring within 7 postoperative days. Data of cases meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were extracted from the anesthesia information management system to create three datasets: The development (data of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from 2018 to 2020), temporal validation (data of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University in 2021) and external validation (data of other three hospitals in 2023) datasets. Machine learning models of six algorithms were trained using either 35 retrievable and plausible features or the 11 features selected by Lasso regression. Temporal validation was conducted for all models and the 11-feature models were also externally validated. Independent risk factors were identified and feature importance in top models was analyzed.
RESULTS:
PPCs occurred in 712 of 7533 (9.5%), 258 of 2824 (9.1%), and 207 of 2300 (9.0%) patients in the development, temporal validation and external validation datasets, respectively. During cross-validation training, all models except Bayes demonstrated good discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.840. In temporal validation of full-feature models, deep neural network (DNN) performed the best with an AUC of 0.835 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.805-0.858) and a Brier score of 0.069, followed by Logistic regression (LR), random forest and XGBoost. The 11-feature models performed comparable to full-feature models with very close but statistically significantly lower AUCs, with the top models of DNN and LR in temporal and external validations. An 11-feature nomogram was drawn based on the LR algorithm and it outperformed the minimally modified Assess respiratory RIsk in Surgical patients in CATalonia (ARISCAT) and Laparoscopic Surgery Video Educational Guidelines (LAS VEGAS) scores with a higher AUC (LR: 0.824, ARISCAT: 0.672, LAS: 0.663). Independent risk factors based on multivariate LR mostly overlapped with Lasso-selected features, but lacked consistency with the important features using the Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) method of the LR model.
CONCLUSIONS:
The developed models, especially the DNN model and the nomogram, had good discrimination and calibration, and could be used for predicting PPCs in neurosurgical patients. The establishment of machine learning models and the ascertainment of risk factors might assist clinical decision support for improving surgical outcomes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ChiCTR 2100047474; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=128279 .
Adult
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Algorithms
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Lung Diseases/etiology*
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Machine Learning
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Neurosurgical Procedures/adverse effects*
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Postoperative Complications/diagnosis*
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Risk Factors
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ROC Curve
5.Engineered Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 targeted delivery of extracellular PD-L1-mFc fragment for treating inflammatory bowel disease.
Yuhong WANG ; Lin HU ; Lei WANG ; Chonghai ZHANG ; Wenhao SHEN ; Hongli YANG ; Min LI ; Xin ZHANG ; Mengmeng XU ; Muxing ZHANG ; Kai YANG ; Xiaopeng TIAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):6019-6033
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder involving complex immune regulation, where balancing localized and systemic immunosuppression is a key challenge. This study aimed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy by engineering the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN). We removed endogenous plasmids pMUT1 and pMUT2 from wild-type EcN and expressed the mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa)-mFc fusion protein on the bacterial surface using a cytolysin A (ClyA) fragment. This modification stabilized mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa) protein expression and promoted its recruitment to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The engineered strain, EcNΔpMUT1/2-ClyA-mPD-L1-mFc (EcN-ePD-L1-mFc), features conditional ePD-L1-mFc expression under the araBAD promoter, enhancing gut-targeted release and reducing systemic side effects. This strain improved treatment targeting and efficiency by enabling direct ePD-L1-mFc interaction with immune cells at inflammation sites. OMVs from this strain induced Treg proliferation, inhibited effector T cell proliferation in vitro, and significantly improved intestinal inflammation and colonic epithelial barrier repair in vivo. Additionally, the bacterium restored intestinal microbiota balance, increasing Lactobacillaceae and reducing Bacteroides. This study highlights the engineered bacterium's potential for targeted intestinal immune modulation and offers a novel local IBD treatment approach with promising clinical prospects.
6.Transcutaneous bilirubin curves in healthy neonates based on multicenter remote monitoring data
Bi ZE ; Xiaoyue DONG ; Jin WANG ; Chuan NIE ; Jiajun ZHU ; Fang GUO ; Falin XU ; Chunhui YANG ; Bizhen SHI ; Zhankui LI ; Xinhua ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Bin YI ; Xiuying TIAN ; Lejia ZHANG ; Jun TANG ; Xinlin HOU ; Jiahua XU ; Guoying HUANG ; Shuping HAN ; Wenhao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1318-1324
Objective:To establish 30-day of age transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) reference curves for healthy neonates, and to investigate regional variations in bilirubin dynamics.Methods:A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 220 950 healthy neonates born at a gestational age of 35-<42 weeks, with a birth weight ≥2 000 g, who did not receive phototherapy within 60 h after birth were recruited. All of them underwent remote TcB monitoring using the Bilibaby remote jaundice monitoring system between August 1 st, 2020 and December 31 st, 2024 in 426 hospitals. TcB data were collected within the period from birth to 30-day of age. The P40, P75, and P95 of TcB values were calculated, and dynamic TcB curves for 30-day of age were constructed. Patterns of bilirubin change, rates of change, and transition outcomes were described. Regional comparisons between South and North were conducted using linear mixed-effects models for TcB trajectories and Pearson′s chi-square test for outcome differences. Results:A total of 220 950 neonates were included, of whom 101 711 (46.03%) were female. Gestational age at birth was (38.75±1.12) weeks, and birth weight was (3 272±417) g. TcB levels increased rapidly within 3-day of age, peaked at 4-6-day of age, with peak values at P40, P75, and P95 of 200.6, 239.7 and 275.4 μmol/L (11.8, 14.1 and 16.2 mg/dl), respectively. TcB levels gradually declined thereafter and stabilized after 13-day of age, with values at P40, P75, and P95 fluctuating between 147.9-159.8, 190.4-200.6, and 231.2-239.7 μmol/L (8.7-9.4, 11.2-11.8, 13.6-14.1 mg/dl), respectively. Notably, among neonates categorized as low-or low-intermediate-risk within 3-day of age, 6 700 (12.76%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk between 4 and 30 days of age. Before 13-day of age, TcB levels in the southern regions were consistently higher than those in the northern regions ( P=0.039); from 14 to 30 days of age, the overall TcB levels had no statistically difference, but the temporal changes in TcB still showed regional differences (degrees of freedom=3, all interaction P<0.05). Among neonates classified as low-or low-intermediate risk within 3-day of age, 25 326 were from southern regions, of whom 4 254 (16.80%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk between 4 and 30 days of age. In northern regions, 27 193 neonates were classified as low-or low-intermediate risk within 3-day of age, among whom 2 446 (8.99%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk. The risk progression between the 2 regions had statistically difference ( χ2=716.49, P<0.001). Conclusions:A TcB percentile curve for neonates within 30-day of age was established, revealing that both the overall TcB level and its temporal trend were higher in southern than in northern newborns. These findings provide baseline data to support continuous management of neonatal jaundice.
7.Research status of imaging technology in assessing the vulnerability of carotid plaques
Shenglan YANG ; Wenhao LIU ; Mingjun XU ; Mei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(5):453-460
With the acceleration of China's aging society,the incidence of ischemic stroke is increasing year by year,and carotid artery vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque is closely related to its development.Various imaging techniques have been used to assess the vulnerability of carotid plaques,but each technique has its own set of advantages and disadvantages in detecting vulnerability features.The purpose of this article is to summarize the clinical applications of imaging techniques for the assessment of carotid plaque vulnerability and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique.
8.Current research on common nanometallic antimicrobial coatings for orthopedic implants
Wenhao XU ; Nengqi SHAO ; Yi LUO ; Yi CUI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(4):363-368
Infections associated with orthopaedic implants are currently one of the major concerns of orthopaedic surgeons. Metallic antimicrobial nanocoatings have demonstrated great potential in preventing implant infections due to their excellent antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility. However, there are potential risks associated with these metal nanoparticles, such as cytotoxicity of silver and copper, and rapid dissolution of zinc and magnesium which affects implant stability. Therefore, the clinical application of nanometallic coatings still faces challenges in how to better enhance biosafety, regulate degradation rate, and enhance osseointegration. This paper reviews the progress and challenges in the application of antimicrobial nanometallic coatings on implants to provide a reference for related research.
9.Effects of dual vascularized tissue-engineered bone constructed by vascular bundles and endothelial progenitor cells on repair of large radius defects and vascular regeneration
Yulei WANG ; Fanzhe FENG ; Junhong SHEN ; Zhongzheng YU ; Jingyuan LI ; Nengqi SHAO ; Wenhao XU ; Yi LUO ; Yi CUI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(4):348-357
Objective:To investigate the effects of dual vascularized tissue-engineered bone constructed by vascular bundles and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on repair of large bone defects and vascular regeneration.Methods:EPCs were seeded on the demineralized bone matrix (DBM) scaffolds and cultured for 6 days. The attachment and morphology of EPCs on DBM scaffolds were observed by electron microscopy. Next, the radial artery was implanted into a vascular groove opened inside the DBM-EPCs composite scaffolds. Finally, models of a large segmental bone defect were constructed using the radii from 18 New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups using a simple random sampling method: DBM group, DBM+EPCs group, DBM+vascular bundle group, and DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group. The DBM group and DBM+EPCs group shared the same rabbits so that transplantations were conducted into the left and right forearms respectively; the DBM+vascular bundle group and DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group also shared the same rabbits so that transplantations were conducted into the left and right forearms respectively. Consequently, there were 9 experimental sites in each group. X-ray examination and gross morphological observation were performed to evaluate the bone regeneration in the experimental rabbits in each group at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery, and CD31 immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate the vascular regeneration. Micro-CT was used to analyze bone tissue parameters and reconstruct the three-dimensional structures of the defects site at 12 weeks after surgery.Results:Compared with the DBM, DBM+EPCs and DBM+vascular bundle groups, the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group showed new bone tissue crawling on the scaffold surface at 4 weeks after surgery, almost complete healing of the bone defect area at 8 weeks, and forming of a complete and dense bone bridge and appearance of a bone marrow cavity at 12 weeks. Micro-CT data at 12 weeks after surgery showed regular arrangement of the trabeculae, significantly improved mineralization, and increased thickness of the bone cortex in the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group. Additionally, in the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group, the number of microvessels was significantly higher than that in the other groups at 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery ( P<0.05), and the angiogenesis and bone tissue regeneration were particularly prominent at 12 weeks after surgery. The number of CD31 cells in the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group increased significantly more than that in the DBM, DBM+EPCs and DBM+vascular bundle groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:As the dual vascularized tissue-engineered bone constructed by vascular bundles and EPCs can significantly promote bone tissue regeneration and angiogenesis, it may be a potential therapeutic strategy for repair of large bone defects.
10.The value of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI radiomics and signal intensity in hepatobiliary phase in predicting the degree of pathological differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma
Kaiying WU ; Yixing YU ; Zhu ZHU ; Dabo XU ; Sunxian DAI ; Wei FANG ; Xinyu LU ; Ximing WANG ; Chunhong HU ; Wenhao GU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(7):1158-1162
Objective To investigate the value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-EOB-DTPA)enhanced MRI radiomics and signal intensity in hepatobiliary phase(HBP)in predicting the pathological differentiation degree of hep-atocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The clinical and imaging data of 224 patients pathologically confirmed with HCC were col-lected.All patients were randomly divided into test group(68 cases)and training group(156 cases)at a ratio of 7︰3.The ITK-SNAP software was used to delineate region of interest(ROI)on arterial phase(AP),portal venous phase(PVP)and HBP,the radiomics features of the tumor tissues were extracted and the radiomics models were established using the FAE software.Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the clinical independent predictors associated with the pathological differentiation degree of HCC and to construct clinical model and clinical-radiomics model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted for each model and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the models.Results Age,alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),and r-glutamyltransferase(r-GT)were independent risk factors for predicting the degree of pathological differentiation of HCC.The AUC of the clinical-radiomics model in the training group and test group were 0.825 and 0.779,respectively,which were higher than those of the radiomics model(0.812 and 0.771)and the clinical model(0.687 and 0.666).Conclusion Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI radiomics have certain value in predicting the degree of pathological differentiation of HCC,while the predictive value of the signal intensity on HBP and the signal intensity ratio(SIR)on HBP is limited.

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