Objective:To investigate the effect of changes in metabolic syndrome status and persistence on carotid plaque risk.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed individuals who underwent routine health check-ups at the health management center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from 2014 to 2023. Participants with at least three carotid ultrasound records meeting the inclusion criteria were classified into 4 groups based on changes in metabolic status: persistently metabolic health, transitioning from metabolic health to unhealth, transitioning from metabolic unhealth to health, and persistently metabolic unhealth. The cumulative incidence of carotid plaque in these groups was compared. A Cox proportional risk model was used to evaluate the relationship between changes in metabolic syndrome status, the number of metabolic syndrome components, and the risk of carotid plaque development. Restricted cubic spline analysis was applied to explore the association between changes in individual metabolic syndrome components and carotid plaque risk.Results:Compared to the persistently metabolic health group, the persistent unhealth group had the highest risk of developing carotid plaque( HR=1.35, 95% CI 1.05-1.74, P=0.021), followed by those who transitioned from metabolic health to unhealth and those who improved from metabolic unhealth to health. Furthermore, the risk of carotid plaque increased progressively with the number of metabolic syndrome components. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between fasting blood glucose change and carotid plaque risk, while systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a linear dose-response relationship with carotid plaque. Conclusions:The change of metabolic syndrome is associated with the risk of developing carotid plaque, and maintaining metabolic health, recovering from metabolic syndrome, or minimizing the number of metabolic syndrome components may be effective strategies to prevent carotid plaque formation.

Objective:To explore the relationship between thyroid hormone sensitivity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD) in a population with normal thyroid function, with a particular focus on sex-specific differences.Methods:This retrospective study included 41 355 euthyroid cases who underwent routine health examinations at the Health Management Centre of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2014 to December 2023 were included. The free triiodothyronine(FT 3) to free thyroxine(FT 4) ratio(FT 3/FT 4) was calculated in order to reflect the peripheral sensitivity of the thyroid gland. Similarly, thyroid feedback quantile-based index(TFQI), thyrotrophic thyroxine resistance index(TT 4RI), and the FT 3-based TFQI-derived index(TFQI-FT 3) were calculated in order to reflect the central sensitivity of the thyroid gland. A Logistic regression was employed to analyse the effect of sex-specific thyroid hormone sensitivity indices on the prevalence of MASLD. The restricted cubic spline was used to analyse the non-linear relationship between the thyroid sensitivity hormone indices and MASLD. Furthermore, the correlation between the thyroid hormone sensitivity indices and MASLD in different subgroups was also analysed. Results:The prevalence of MASLD in the study population was 28.8%. After adjusting the model for confounders, the risk of MASLD increased by 7%, 3%, 10%, and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in the total population, respectively. The risk of MASLD increased by 6% and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 in men, respectively. For each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in women, the risk of MASLD increased by 6%, 5%, 11%, and 5%, respectively. Higher FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in men, and higher FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in women. There was a non-linear, inverted U-shaped relationship between TFQI and risk of MASLD in women. Subgroup analyses showed positive associations between FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and MASLD. Conclusions:The thyroid hormone sensitivity indices may provide a basis for clinical prevention and management of MASLD in individuals with normal thyroid function. Additionally, FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 may indicate the risk of MASLD in the general population, while TFQI and TT 4RI are more suitable for assessing the risk of MASLD in women.

Objective:To explore the correlation between serum ferritin (SF) and risk of lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), so as to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of lean NAFLD.Methods:A total of 7 187 people without NAFLD at baseline who took at least 2 physical examinations in the Health Management Center of the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2014 to December 2023 and met the selection criteria were selected as the research subjects, and all the subjects had no NAFLD at baseline. Subjects were divided into four groups according to baseline SF quartiles: 1 797 cases in the first quartile ( Q1) group, 1 797 cases in the second quartile ( Q2) group, 1 797 cases in the third quartile ( Q3) group, and 1 796 cases in the fourth quartile ( Q4) group. The incidence of lean NAFLD in each group were observed. Kaplan-Meier curve was plotted to calculate the cumulative incidence of lean NAFLD which compared by log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the correlation between SF and new-onset lean NAFLD, Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 of SF were taken as continuous variables into the model for trend test.The stability of the results was verified by two item sensitivity analyses. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of SF for the onset of lean NAFLD. Results:The cumulative follow-up were 25 076 person-years. There were 230 new cases of lean NAFLD, and the incidence density was 9.172/1 000 person-years. The incidence densities of lean NAFLD in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups were 6.915/1 000 person-years, 8.552/1 000 person-years, 9.641/1 000 person-years, 12.003/1 000 person-years, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that the incidence of lean NAFLD was increased with the increment of SF, and the difference was statistically significant (log-rank test, χ2=9.92, P=0.019). Cox proportional hazard regression model results showed that the risk of developing lean NAFLD in Q4 group increased by 72.8% ( HR=1.728, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.059 to 2.820) compared with Q1 group. Trend analysis revealed that the risk of lean NAFLD increased by 18.9% for each one-quartile increase of SF( HR=1.189, 95% CI: 1.012 to 1.396). Two sensitivity analyses indicated that the risk of NAFLD in Q4 group was 1.795 times ( HR=1.795, 95% CI: 1.083 to 2.975) or 1.654 times ( HR=1.654, 95% CI: 1.022 to 2.678) higher than that in Q1 group. The area under the curve (95% CI) of SF for predicting the incidence of lean NAFLD at 2-, 3-, 7- and 8-year follow-up based on time-dependent ROC were 0.645 (0.593 to 0.698), 0.652 (0.603 to 0.700), 0.605 (0.539 to 0.672) and 0.716 (0.597 to 0.836), respectively. Conclusion:SF is an independent risk factor for lean NAFLD and has predictive value for the new-onset of lean NAFLD.

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that often leads to multisystem diseases,frequently resulting in pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.According to the theory of sanjiao(triple energizers)membranous channels,sanjiao connects the five zang-organs and six fu-viscera internally and the skin,muscles,and bones externally.It serves as a four-way membranous channel that connects internal organs and external structures,linking with the micromembranes of organs and blood vessels.The pathogenesis of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis secondary to systemic sclerosis involves external cold obstructing the skin and interstitial layers,impairing the defense qi and defense yang,which originate in the essence of the kidney.This leads to weak defensive qi and kidney deficiency,causing stagnation in sanjiao's energy flow and disruption of water and gasification and loss of fluid,resulting in accumulation of dampness,phlegm,and blood stasis.These obstructive factors spread along sanjiao's membranous channels,leading to multiorgan micromembrane involvement and systemic damage.The lungs,which are in direct contact with the external environment,are particularly susceptible to invasion by external pathogens.When combined with stagnation of dampness,phlegm,and blood in the lungs,this leads to secondary pulmonary fibrosis,resulting in lung dysfunction.Continuous stagnation of sanjiao exacerbates the overall condition of the patient,leading to a mixed cold-heat imbalance.Treatment focuses on"unblocking,transforming,and regulating"to restore sanjiao function,promote qi and fluid circulation,invigorate blood,and adjust the cold-heat imbalance,ultimately restoring the overall condition of the patient.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Yifei Sanjie Decoction in the treatment of multiple pulmonary nodules.Methods A prospective randomized controlled clinical study was conducted to select 189 patients with multiple pulmonary nodules who saught medical attention at the Pulmonary Nodule Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Dongfang Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2023 to March 2025.According to the random number table method,126 cases were randomly divided into the trial group and 63 cases in the blank control group at a ratio of 2∶1.The trial group was treated with modified Yifei Sanjie Decoction,and the blank control group was only followed up without intervention.The course of treatment was 3 months.The patients in the two groups were reexamined with lung CT after 3 months.The efficacy was evaluated by the area reduction rate of the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in patients with multiple pulmonary nodules combined with the average diameter and malignant signs.According to the property of the major pulmonary nodules,we divided the patients into ground glass,solid,and mixed ground glass subgroups to evaluate the efficacy of different types of pulmonary nodules.We evaluated the change of malignant risk of pulmonary nodules according to the change of Mayo score.We evaluated the safety of the treatment medicine by blood routine,urine routine,and liver and kidney function.Results A total of 175 patients completed the study,117 in the trial group and 58 in the blank control group.The total effective rates of the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in the trial group were 41.03%and 42.74%,respectively,the total effective rate of nodule number change was 29.91%which were significantly higher than those in the blank control group(P<0.05).In the trial group,the total effective rates of the major pulmonary nodules in the ground glass(72 cases),solid(28 cases),and mixed ground glass(17 cases)subgroups were 40.28%,32.14%,and 58.82%,respectively,the total effective rates of the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules were 38.89%,42.86%,and 58.82%,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in corresponding subgroups of ground glass(37 cases),solid(14 cases),and mixed ground glass(7 cases)of the blank control(P<0.05).After treatment,the average diameter,area,and Mayo score of the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in the trial group were significantly lower than those in the blank control group and before treatment(P<0.05),the average diameter,area,and Mayo score of the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in the ground glass,solid,and mixed ground glass subgroups were lower than those in corresponding subgroups of the blank control group,and significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).The number of nodules and malignant signs in the trial group were lower than before,while those in the blank control group were higher than before.There were no serious adverse events in the two groups during the study.Conclusion Yifei Sanjie Decoction can effectively treat the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in patients with multiple pulmonary nodules,reduce the average diameter and area of nodules,reduce the Mayo score,and reduce the malignant signs and number of nodules.In the ground glass,solid,and mixed ground glass groups,the curative effect is well,and the safety is high,it can be used for the clinical treatment of multiple pulmonary nodules.

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that often leads to multisystem diseases,frequently resulting in pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.According to the theory of sanjiao(triple energizers)membranous channels,sanjiao connects the five zang-organs and six fu-viscera internally and the skin,muscles,and bones externally.It serves as a four-way membranous channel that connects internal organs and external structures,linking with the micromembranes of organs and blood vessels.The pathogenesis of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis secondary to systemic sclerosis involves external cold obstructing the skin and interstitial layers,impairing the defense qi and defense yang,which originate in the essence of the kidney.This leads to weak defensive qi and kidney deficiency,causing stagnation in sanjiao's energy flow and disruption of water and gasification and loss of fluid,resulting in accumulation of dampness,phlegm,and blood stasis.These obstructive factors spread along sanjiao's membranous channels,leading to multiorgan micromembrane involvement and systemic damage.The lungs,which are in direct contact with the external environment,are particularly susceptible to invasion by external pathogens.When combined with stagnation of dampness,phlegm,and blood in the lungs,this leads to secondary pulmonary fibrosis,resulting in lung dysfunction.Continuous stagnation of sanjiao exacerbates the overall condition of the patient,leading to a mixed cold-heat imbalance.Treatment focuses on"unblocking,transforming,and regulating"to restore sanjiao function,promote qi and fluid circulation,invigorate blood,and adjust the cold-heat imbalance,ultimately restoring the overall condition of the patient.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Yifei Sanjie Decoction in the treatment of multiple pulmonary nodules.Methods A prospective randomized controlled clinical study was conducted to select 189 patients with multiple pulmonary nodules who saught medical attention at the Pulmonary Nodule Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Dongfang Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2023 to March 2025.According to the random number table method,126 cases were randomly divided into the trial group and 63 cases in the blank control group at a ratio of 2∶1.The trial group was treated with modified Yifei Sanjie Decoction,and the blank control group was only followed up without intervention.The course of treatment was 3 months.The patients in the two groups were reexamined with lung CT after 3 months.The efficacy was evaluated by the area reduction rate of the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in patients with multiple pulmonary nodules combined with the average diameter and malignant signs.According to the property of the major pulmonary nodules,we divided the patients into ground glass,solid,and mixed ground glass subgroups to evaluate the efficacy of different types of pulmonary nodules.We evaluated the change of malignant risk of pulmonary nodules according to the change of Mayo score.We evaluated the safety of the treatment medicine by blood routine,urine routine,and liver and kidney function.Results A total of 175 patients completed the study,117 in the trial group and 58 in the blank control group.The total effective rates of the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in the trial group were 41.03%and 42.74%,respectively,the total effective rate of nodule number change was 29.91%which were significantly higher than those in the blank control group(P<0.05).In the trial group,the total effective rates of the major pulmonary nodules in the ground glass(72 cases),solid(28 cases),and mixed ground glass(17 cases)subgroups were 40.28%,32.14%,and 58.82%,respectively,the total effective rates of the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules were 38.89%,42.86%,and 58.82%,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in corresponding subgroups of ground glass(37 cases),solid(14 cases),and mixed ground glass(7 cases)of the blank control(P<0.05).After treatment,the average diameter,area,and Mayo score of the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in the trial group were significantly lower than those in the blank control group and before treatment(P<0.05),the average diameter,area,and Mayo score of the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in the ground glass,solid,and mixed ground glass subgroups were lower than those in corresponding subgroups of the blank control group,and significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).The number of nodules and malignant signs in the trial group were lower than before,while those in the blank control group were higher than before.There were no serious adverse events in the two groups during the study.Conclusion Yifei Sanjie Decoction can effectively treat the major pulmonary nodules and the cumulative multiple pulmonary nodules in patients with multiple pulmonary nodules,reduce the average diameter and area of nodules,reduce the Mayo score,and reduce the malignant signs and number of nodules.In the ground glass,solid,and mixed ground glass groups,the curative effect is well,and the safety is high,it can be used for the clinical treatment of multiple pulmonary nodules.

Objective:To investigate the effect of changes in metabolic syndrome status and persistence on carotid plaque risk.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed individuals who underwent routine health check-ups at the health management center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from 2014 to 2023. Participants with at least three carotid ultrasound records meeting the inclusion criteria were classified into 4 groups based on changes in metabolic status: persistently metabolic health, transitioning from metabolic health to unhealth, transitioning from metabolic unhealth to health, and persistently metabolic unhealth. The cumulative incidence of carotid plaque in these groups was compared. A Cox proportional risk model was used to evaluate the relationship between changes in metabolic syndrome status, the number of metabolic syndrome components, and the risk of carotid plaque development. Restricted cubic spline analysis was applied to explore the association between changes in individual metabolic syndrome components and carotid plaque risk.Results:Compared to the persistently metabolic health group, the persistent unhealth group had the highest risk of developing carotid plaque( HR=1.35, 95% CI 1.05-1.74, P=0.021), followed by those who transitioned from metabolic health to unhealth and those who improved from metabolic unhealth to health. Furthermore, the risk of carotid plaque increased progressively with the number of metabolic syndrome components. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between fasting blood glucose change and carotid plaque risk, while systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a linear dose-response relationship with carotid plaque. Conclusions:The change of metabolic syndrome is associated with the risk of developing carotid plaque, and maintaining metabolic health, recovering from metabolic syndrome, or minimizing the number of metabolic syndrome components may be effective strategies to prevent carotid plaque formation.

Objective:To explore the relationship between thyroid hormone sensitivity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD) in a population with normal thyroid function, with a particular focus on sex-specific differences.Methods:This retrospective study included 41 355 euthyroid cases who underwent routine health examinations at the Health Management Centre of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2014 to December 2023 were included. The free triiodothyronine(FT 3) to free thyroxine(FT 4) ratio(FT 3/FT 4) was calculated in order to reflect the peripheral sensitivity of the thyroid gland. Similarly, thyroid feedback quantile-based index(TFQI), thyrotrophic thyroxine resistance index(TT 4RI), and the FT 3-based TFQI-derived index(TFQI-FT 3) were calculated in order to reflect the central sensitivity of the thyroid gland. A Logistic regression was employed to analyse the effect of sex-specific thyroid hormone sensitivity indices on the prevalence of MASLD. The restricted cubic spline was used to analyse the non-linear relationship between the thyroid sensitivity hormone indices and MASLD. Furthermore, the correlation between the thyroid hormone sensitivity indices and MASLD in different subgroups was also analysed. Results:The prevalence of MASLD in the study population was 28.8%. After adjusting the model for confounders, the risk of MASLD increased by 7%, 3%, 10%, and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in the total population, respectively. The risk of MASLD increased by 6% and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 in men, respectively. For each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in women, the risk of MASLD increased by 6%, 5%, 11%, and 5%, respectively. Higher FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in men, and higher FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in women. There was a non-linear, inverted U-shaped relationship between TFQI and risk of MASLD in women. Subgroup analyses showed positive associations between FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and MASLD. Conclusions:The thyroid hormone sensitivity indices may provide a basis for clinical prevention and management of MASLD in individuals with normal thyroid function. Additionally, FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 may indicate the risk of MASLD in the general population, while TFQI and TT 4RI are more suitable for assessing the risk of MASLD in women.

Objective:To explore the correlation between serum ferritin (SF) and risk of lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), so as to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of lean NAFLD.Methods:A total of 7 187 people without NAFLD at baseline who took at least 2 physical examinations in the Health Management Center of the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2014 to December 2023 and met the selection criteria were selected as the research subjects, and all the subjects had no NAFLD at baseline. Subjects were divided into four groups according to baseline SF quartiles: 1 797 cases in the first quartile ( Q1) group, 1 797 cases in the second quartile ( Q2) group, 1 797 cases in the third quartile ( Q3) group, and 1 796 cases in the fourth quartile ( Q4) group. The incidence of lean NAFLD in each group were observed. Kaplan-Meier curve was plotted to calculate the cumulative incidence of lean NAFLD which compared by log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the correlation between SF and new-onset lean NAFLD, Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 of SF were taken as continuous variables into the model for trend test.The stability of the results was verified by two item sensitivity analyses. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of SF for the onset of lean NAFLD. Results:The cumulative follow-up were 25 076 person-years. There were 230 new cases of lean NAFLD, and the incidence density was 9.172/1 000 person-years. The incidence densities of lean NAFLD in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups were 6.915/1 000 person-years, 8.552/1 000 person-years, 9.641/1 000 person-years, 12.003/1 000 person-years, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that the incidence of lean NAFLD was increased with the increment of SF, and the difference was statistically significant (log-rank test, χ2=9.92, P=0.019). Cox proportional hazard regression model results showed that the risk of developing lean NAFLD in Q4 group increased by 72.8% ( HR=1.728, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.059 to 2.820) compared with Q1 group. Trend analysis revealed that the risk of lean NAFLD increased by 18.9% for each one-quartile increase of SF( HR=1.189, 95% CI: 1.012 to 1.396). Two sensitivity analyses indicated that the risk of NAFLD in Q4 group was 1.795 times ( HR=1.795, 95% CI: 1.083 to 2.975) or 1.654 times ( HR=1.654, 95% CI: 1.022 to 2.678) higher than that in Q1 group. The area under the curve (95% CI) of SF for predicting the incidence of lean NAFLD at 2-, 3-, 7- and 8-year follow-up based on time-dependent ROC were 0.645 (0.593 to 0.698), 0.652 (0.603 to 0.700), 0.605 (0.539 to 0.672) and 0.716 (0.597 to 0.836), respectively. Conclusion:SF is an independent risk factor for lean NAFLD and has predictive value for the new-onset of lean NAFLD.