OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a major threat to global health. Evaluating atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals can help identify those at high risk of CVD. This study aims to establish an individualized nomogram prediction model to estimate the risk of vascular plaque formation in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: A total of 5 655 participants who underwent CVD screening at the Health Management Center of The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between January 2022 and June 2024 we retrospectively enrolled. Using simple random sampling, participants were divided into a training set (n=4 524) and a validation set (n=1 131) in an 8꞉2 ratio. Demographic and clinical data were collected and compared between groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with vascular plaques and to construct a nomogram prediction model. The predictive performance and clinical utility of the model were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 52 years old. There were 3 400 males (60.12%). The overall detection rate of vascular plaque in the screening population was 49.87% (2 820/5 655). No statistically significant differences were observed in clinical indicators between the training and validation sets (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified age, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), lipoprotein(a), male sex, smoking history, hypertension history, and diabetes history as independent risk factors for vascular plaque in asymptomatic individuals (all P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram model for predicting vascular plaque risk were 0.778 (95% CI 0.765 to 0.791, P<0.001) in the training set and 0.760 (95% CI 0.732 to 0.787, P<0.001) in the validation set. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated good model calibration (training set: P=0.628; validation set: P=0.561). The calibration curve plotted using the Bootstrap method demonstrated good agreement between predicted probabilities and actual probabilities. DCA showed that the nomogram provided a clinical net benefit for predicting vascular plaque risk when the threshold probability ranged from 0.02 to 0.99. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram prediction model for vascular plaque risk, constructed using readily available and cost-effective physical examination indicators, exhibited good predictive performance. This model can assist in the early identification and intervention of asymptomatic individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Nomograms ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnosis* ; Aged ; Adult ; Physical Examination ; Logistic Models ; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology* ; ROC Curve

Objective By conducting a statistical analysis of self-paid health examination items among individuals at a public medical institution in Xinjiang in 2023,this study aims to understand the preferences of different demographic groups re-garding health examination items.Methods Data from self-paid health examinations in 2023 were collected and analyzed using statistical methods such as chi-square tests and binary logistic regression to examine the frequency of selection,differences,and influencing factors of health examination items among different demographic groups.Results ① The total number of research subjects was 11,228,including 5,205 males and 6,023 females,with ages ranging from 18 to 94 years old.② The frequency of choosing examination items for males ranked from highest to lowest in the top 5 were thyroid B-ultrasound,prostate and bladder B-ultrasound,color Doppler echocardiography,spiral CT of the lungs,and glycosylated hemoglobin determination.For females,the frequency of choosing examination items ranked from highest to lowest in the top 5 were thyroid B-ultrasound,breast B-ultra-sound,vaginal B-ultrasound,vaginal discharge routine test combination,and spiral CT of the lungs.③ Older individuals were more likely to choose color Doppler echocardiography,spiral CT of the lungs,and glycosylated hemoglobin determination.Youn-ger individuals were more likely to choose thyroid B-ultrasound,13-carbon urea breath test;those with lower educational attain-ment were more likely to choose thyroid B-ultrasound,color Doppler echocardiography,spiral CT of the lungs,glycosylated hemo-globin,and 13-carbon urea breath test;those with fewer physical examinations were more likely to choose thyroid B-ultrasound,color Doppler echocardiography,spiral CT of the lungs,and 13-carbon urea breath test.Conclusion By analyzing the prefer-ences and influencing factors of health examination items among different demographic groups,targeted plans can be proposed to assist medical institutions in designing more appropriate health examination packages tailored to diverse populations.

Objective To develop a risk prediction model for ischemic stroke in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(ICAS)patients based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(HR-MRI)and arterial spin labeling(ASL)imaging.Methods A total of 142 patients were included and divided into acute ischemic stroke(AIS)and transient ischemic attack(TIA)groups based on stroke occurrence.Clinical risk factors,plaque characteristics,and arterial transit artifact(ATA)presence on ASL images were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed,incorporating clinical risk factors,plaque characteristics,and double post labeling delay(PLD)ATA presence.The predictive value of different models was compared using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and DeLong tests.Results Hypertension,positive lumen remodeling,plaque enhance-ment rate,1.5 s-ATA presence,and 2.5 s-ATA presence were independent risk factors for AIS(P＜0.05).The combination of HR-MRI and ASL imaging predicted AIS most effectively[area under the curve(AUC)=0.908;95％ confidence interval(CI)0.862-0.954].No significant difference was found between the prediction performances of HR-MRI and ASL(95％CI-0.041-0.082,Z=0.659,P=0.509).Conclusion ASL is more convenient than HR-MRI for predicting ischemic stroke in ICAS patients.A model combining plaque characteristics and ATA presence effectively predicts AIS occurrence.

Endometriosis is a common estrogen-dependent disease in women of childbearing age,often leading to chronic pelvic pain,infertility,ovarian cancer,and other serious complications,and jeopardizing the health of women.The pathogenesis of endometriosis is complex and involves the alteration of multiple signaling pathways mediated by hormones,immunity,genetics,and the environment,and their interactions.Wnt/β-catenin signaling is involved in the regulation of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis,and it has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of endometriosis via multiple pathways.This review considers the biological characteristics of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and summarizes the main mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis,as well as the curr-ent research status of the regulation of this signaling pathway by traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of endometriosis.We aim to clarify how the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway affects the development of endometriosis,and suggest that future studies should focus on exploring its potential role as an indicator for the clinical prediction and early diagnosis of endometriosis,thus providing theoretical support for the early diagnosis of this condition and the development of targeted drugs.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Objective To develop a risk prediction model for ischemic stroke in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(ICAS)patients based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(HR-MRI)and arterial spin labeling(ASL)imaging.Methods A total of 142 patients were included and divided into acute ischemic stroke(AIS)and transient ischemic attack(TIA)groups based on stroke occurrence.Clinical risk factors,plaque characteristics,and arterial transit artifact(ATA)presence on ASL images were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed,incorporating clinical risk factors,plaque characteristics,and double post labeling delay(PLD)ATA presence.The predictive value of different models was compared using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and DeLong tests.Results Hypertension,positive lumen remodeling,plaque enhance-ment rate,1.5 s-ATA presence,and 2.5 s-ATA presence were independent risk factors for AIS(P＜0.05).The combination of HR-MRI and ASL imaging predicted AIS most effectively[area under the curve(AUC)=0.908;95％ confidence interval(CI)0.862-0.954].No significant difference was found between the prediction performances of HR-MRI and ASL(95％CI-0.041-0.082,Z=0.659,P=0.509).Conclusion ASL is more convenient than HR-MRI for predicting ischemic stroke in ICAS patients.A model combining plaque characteristics and ATA presence effectively predicts AIS occurrence.

Endometriosis is a common estrogen-dependent disease in women of childbearing age,often leading to chronic pelvic pain,infertility,ovarian cancer,and other serious complications,and jeopardizing the health of women.The pathogenesis of endometriosis is complex and involves the alteration of multiple signaling pathways mediated by hormones,immunity,genetics,and the environment,and their interactions.Wnt/β-catenin signaling is involved in the regulation of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis,and it has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of endometriosis via multiple pathways.This review considers the biological characteristics of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and summarizes the main mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis,as well as the curr-ent research status of the regulation of this signaling pathway by traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of endometriosis.We aim to clarify how the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway affects the development of endometriosis,and suggest that future studies should focus on exploring its potential role as an indicator for the clinical prediction and early diagnosis of endometriosis,thus providing theoretical support for the early diagnosis of this condition and the development of targeted drugs.

Objective By conducting a statistical analysis of self-paid health examination items among individuals at a public medical institution in Xinjiang in 2023,this study aims to understand the preferences of different demographic groups re-garding health examination items.Methods Data from self-paid health examinations in 2023 were collected and analyzed using statistical methods such as chi-square tests and binary logistic regression to examine the frequency of selection,differences,and influencing factors of health examination items among different demographic groups.Results ① The total number of research subjects was 11,228,including 5,205 males and 6,023 females,with ages ranging from 18 to 94 years old.② The frequency of choosing examination items for males ranked from highest to lowest in the top 5 were thyroid B-ultrasound,prostate and bladder B-ultrasound,color Doppler echocardiography,spiral CT of the lungs,and glycosylated hemoglobin determination.For females,the frequency of choosing examination items ranked from highest to lowest in the top 5 were thyroid B-ultrasound,breast B-ultra-sound,vaginal B-ultrasound,vaginal discharge routine test combination,and spiral CT of the lungs.③ Older individuals were more likely to choose color Doppler echocardiography,spiral CT of the lungs,and glycosylated hemoglobin determination.Youn-ger individuals were more likely to choose thyroid B-ultrasound,13-carbon urea breath test;those with lower educational attain-ment were more likely to choose thyroid B-ultrasound,color Doppler echocardiography,spiral CT of the lungs,glycosylated hemo-globin,and 13-carbon urea breath test;those with fewer physical examinations were more likely to choose thyroid B-ultrasound,color Doppler echocardiography,spiral CT of the lungs,and 13-carbon urea breath test.Conclusion By analyzing the prefer-ences and influencing factors of health examination items among different demographic groups,targeted plans can be proposed to assist medical institutions in designing more appropriate health examination packages tailored to diverse populations.