1.Mediating role of insulin resistance in the relationship between hypertension and NAFLD and construction of its risk prediction model.
Yaxuan HE ; Honghui HE ; Yu CAO ; Fang WANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(7):1188-1201
OBJECTIVES:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hypertension are common metabolic disorders, both closely associated with insulin resistance (IR), suggesting potential shared pathological mechanisms. This study aims to investigate the mediating role of IR in the relationship between hypertension and NAFLD, and to evaluate the applicability and modeling value of various IR surrogate indices in predicting NAFLD risk.
METHODS:
A total of 280 976 individuals who underwent health examinations at the Health Management Center of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between August 2017 and December 2021 were included. NAFLD was diagnosed based on abdominal ultrasound findings, and hypertension was defined according to the criteria of the Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension. Demographic information, anthropometric indices, and biochemical parameters were collected, and multiple IR surrogate indices were constructed, including the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and its derivatives, as well as the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR). Group comparisons were performed between hypertensive and non-hypertensive participants, as well as between NAFLD and non-NAFLD participants. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to assess the associations of metabolic parameters and IR indices with NAFLD. Furthermore, mediation models were constructed to explore the mediating role of IR in the "hypertension-NAFLD" relationship. Finally, parametric models and machine learning algorithms were compared to evaluate their predictive performance and value in assessing NAFLD risk in this population.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly higher in hypertensive individuals than in non-hypertensive participants (63.61% vs 33.79%, P<0.001), accompanied by elevated IR levels and adverse metabolic features. Correlation analysis and variable importance rankings across multiple models consistently identified TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC) and METS-IR as the IR indices most strongly associated with NAFLD. In mediation analysis, the TyG-WC pathway explained 32.03% of the total effect, and the METS-IR pathway explained 17.02%. Interaction analysis showed that hypertension status may attenuate the mediating effect of IR (all interaction estimates were negative). In prediction model comparisons, the simplified model incorporating sex, age, WC, TyG-WC, and METS-IR demonstrated good performance in the test set. Logistic regression and its regularized form (LASSO regression) achieved an accuracy of 0.83, receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91, and a Brier score of 0.12, comparable to ensemble models (random forest and XGBoost), with consistently stable performance across different algorithms.
CONCLUSIONS
IR plays a significant mediating role in the association between hypertension and NAFLD, with TyG-WC identified as a key indicator showing strong mechanistic relevance and predictive value. Risk prediction models based on IR surrogate indices demonstrate advantages in simplicity and interpretability, providing empirical support for the early screening and individualized prevention of NAFLD in the general population.
Humans
;
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/complications*
;
Insulin Resistance
;
Hypertension/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Risk Factors
;
Adult
;
Machine Learning
;
Triglycerides/blood*
2.Advancements in application of the zebrafish model of Alzheimer's disease
Haishuo MAN ; Hongli CHEN ; Yue HE ; Yaxuan SUN ; Qing HUO ; Xueling DAI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(5):656-665
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a multifactorial degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly manifests as cognitive dysfunction and loss of speech.In recent years,the zebrafish has attracted extensive attention because of its high homology with humans in terms of brain structure and function,nerve conduction,and pathogenic genes of AD.This article reviews the advantages of the zebrafish as an animal model of AD,covering topics in the pathogenesis of AD and the evaluation and screening of drugs for treatment of AD.The overall goal is to provide new insights into the pathogenesis of AD and development of novel drugs.
3.Virulence gene distribution and molecular epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the ICU
Yaxuan HUANG ; Yihan CAI ; Wanxia HE ; Liyan ZHANG ; Yue ZHAO
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2024;49(5):730-736
Objective:The drug-resistant genes carried by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)limit clinical treatment options,and its virulence genes severely affect patient prognosis.This study aims to investigate the distribution of virulence genes,capsular serotypes,and molecular epidemiological characteristics of CRKP in ICU,to understand the characteristics of CRKP infections in ICU,and to provide a scientific basis for effective monitoring and control of CRKP infections in ICU. Methods:A total of 40 non-duplicate strains of CRKP isolated from the ICU of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022 were collected and analyzed.Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze the distribution of resistance genes,virulence genes,and capsular serotypes of the strains.The sequences of 7 housekeeping genes of CRKP genome were uploaded to the Klebsiella pneumoniae(KPN)multilocus sequence typing(MLST)database to determine the sequence types(STs)of the strains. Results:The age of the 40 ICU CRKP-infected patients was(69.03±17.82)years old,with various underlying diseases,and there were 20 patients with improved clinical outcome and 20 patients with death.The isolated strains primarily originated from mid-stream urine and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.Whole-genome sequencing results revealed that the strains predominantly carried blaKPC-1(29 strains,72.5%)and blaNDM-1(6 strains,15.0%),with 5 strains carrying both blaKPC-1 and blaNDM-1.Various virulence genes were detected,among which the carriage rates of genes such as entA,entB,entE,entS,fepA,fepC,fepG,yag/ecp,and ompA reached 100%,while the carriage rates of genes such as entD,fimB,iroB,iroD,fes,and pla were low.The CRKP strains isolated from ICU were predominantly ST11(27 cases,67.5%),with KL64 being the main capsular serotype(29 cases,72.5%).A total of 23 ST11-KL64 CRKP strains were detected,accounting for 57.5%. Conclusion:The main type of ICU CRKP is ST11-KL64,carrying various virulence genes,primarily those related to iron absorption.Furthermore,blaKPC has shifted from blaKPC-2 to blaKPC-1.Therefore,close monitoring of the molecular epidemiological changes of CRKP is necessary,and strict control measures should be implemented to effectively curb the occurrence of CRKP infections.
4.Effects of Shenfu yixin granule on mitochondrial autophagy of cardiomyocytes in rats with heart failure after acute yocardial infarction
Yaxuan CAO ; Rongfei ZHENG ; He WANG ; Yingjie CAO ; Wenjie DONG ; Lin CUI ; Bin LI ; Yushan CHEN ; Mingjun ZHU
China Pharmacy 2022;33(10):1183-1188
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Shenfu yixin granule on mitochondrial autophagy of cardiomyocytes in rats with heart failure after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS The model of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction was established by ligaturing the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery in rats. The model rats were divided into model group,Shenfu yixin granule low-dose and high-dose groups (1.76,8.8 g/kg),Fosinopril sodium tablets group (positive control ,4 mg/kg),sham operation group was set up (only threading without ligation at the same position ),with 8 rats in each group. After 4 weeks of drug intervention ,the hemodynamic indexes of rats in each group were measured by physiological recorder. The pathological changes of myocardial tissue were observed in each group. The level of oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes , mitochondrial membrane potential ,protein expression of PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1),E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin and ubiquitin binding protein P 62 in myocardial tissue of rats in each group were detected. RESULTS Compared with sham operation group ,the pathological injuries such as myocardial fiber morphology disorder and inflammatory cell infiltration were serious. The left ventricular end systolic pressure (LVESP),maximum rate of rise of left ventricular internal pressure (+dp/dtmax), maximun rate of decrease of left ventricular internal pressure (-dp/dtmax),total antioxidant capacity ,mitochondrial membrane potential,PINK1,Parkin and P 62 protein expression were significantly decreased in model group (P<0.01). The left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP),the level of reactive oxygen species and the activity of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate in left ventricular ischemic cardiomyocytes were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with model group ,the pathological injuries of myocardial tissue in intervention groups were alleviated ,and above indexes were improved in varying degrees(P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Shenfu y ixin granule can reduce the level of oxidative stress and alleviate heart failure after acute myocardial infarction ,which may be related to the activation of Parkin-dependent pathway to strengthen mitochondrial autophagy and reduce mitochondrial dysfunction.
5.Volume dynamics and volume management in intensive care unit patients
Yingzhi QIN ; Yuning HE ; Quansheng FENG ; Zhibo LI ; Zhiyong WANG ; Yaxuan WU ; Jing ZHAO ; Xinjing GAO
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2022;34(7):673-675
Volume dynamics is a two-compartment dynamical model using hemoglobin (Hb) derived plasma diluted level as input data and urine output as input variable through consecutive repeated measurements of Hb concentration in the blood during infusion. It could be applied to evaluate and guide crystalloid fluid rehydration for patients with dehydration or hypovolemia and during anesthesia or surgery. Volume dynamics could be also used to quantificate of strains, hypovolume, and the change of fluid distribution and elimination caused by anesthesia or surgery. The factors which influence the volume resuscitation are complex, including gender, age, hemodynamic state [mean arterial pressure (MAP)], health and stress state, renal function, consciousness, surgical or anesthesia state and so on, which may affect the half-life, distribution, and volume of the fluid. This article summarizes and analyzes the pathophysiological changes of crystalloids fluid in vivo, in order to provide reference for volume management in critically ill patients.
6.Effect of food improvement on the retention time of nasogastric tube in stroke patients with dysphagia
Qian SUN ; Yin SU ; Yaxuan XIANG ; Xiaoli JIA ; Jie LIU ; Xuelian HE ; Hexin ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2018;34(10):742-745
Objective To explore the effect of food improvement on the retention time of nasogastric tube in stroke patients with dysphagia. Methods Sixty cases were assigned to the control group(30 cases) and the experimental group(30 cases) by random digits table method, the control group received routine nasogastric feeding, and the experimental group were given texture modified foods and thickened liquid to try to help them eating through the mouth. The feeding tube was pull out when the person in experimental group was capable of taking texture modified foods and thickened liquid without difficulty,while the tube was pull out when the person in control group was able to eat regular food and drink regular fluids. The retention time of nasogastric tube of two groups was compared. Results The retention time of nasogastric tube was(6.13±2.96)d in the experimental group and(18.93±7.58)d in the control group, there was significant difference (t =-8.162, P<0.01). Conclusions Food improvement can effectively shortenthe retention time of nasogastric tube in stroke patients with dysphagia.

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