1.Olfactory Receptors Expressed in The Intestine and Their Functions
Pei-Wen YANG ; Meng-Meng YUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Gui-Hong QI ; Ying YANG ; Zhong-Yi MAO ; Meng-Sha ZHOU ; Xiao-Shuang MAO ; Jian-Ping XIE ; Yi-Nan YANG ; Shi-Hao SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):534-549
Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.
2.Optimization strategy for anesthesia in modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer:Paravertebral nerve block combined with opioid-free gen-eral anesthesia
Yong-zhi CHEN ; Yu-jiao ZHANG ; Bin SHI ; Gui-juan WANG ; Yuan LI ; Ren-yi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(2):114-118
Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the application effect of opioid-free anesthesia(OFA)in modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer.Methods:80 patients undergoing unilateral modified radical mastec-tomy were randomly divided into two groups:general anesthesia group(G group)and OFA group(O group).The G group received general anesthesia with opioid drugs and a laryngeal mask,while the O group received general anes-thesia with intravenous lidocaine combined with thoracic paravertebral nerve block and a laryngeal mask.The average arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate(HR)of the patients were recorded at the time of admission(T0),induction(T1),start of surgery(T2),gland resection(T3),and admission to the recovery room(T4).The surgical time,awakening time,ex-tubation time,and getting out of bed time were recorded.The VAS score at 2 hours(T5),6 hours(T6),and 12 hours(T7)after surgery,as well as the systemic immune-inflammatory index(SII)before surgery(T8),6 hours after surgery(T9),and 12 hours after surgery(T10)were recorded.The occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV)and post-mastectomy pain syndrome(PMPS)were recorded.The occurrence of adverse events such as poor nerve block effect,pneumothorax,hematoma,and local anesthetic toxicity were also recorded.Results:The MAP and HR of the O group were more stable than those of the G group during surgery(P<0.05).The awakening time,extubation time,and getting out of bed time in the O group were earlier than those in the G group(P<0.05).The VAS and SII values after surgery were significantly lower in the O group than in the G group(P<0.05).The incidence of PONV was also signifi-cantly decreased(P<0.05).In addition,no adverse events such as pneumothorax,hematoma,or local anesthetic toxic-ity occurred in the O group.Conclusion:Pioid-free anesthesia is safe and effective in modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer,shortening recovery time,time to first flatus,and time to ambulation,while alleviating postoperative pain,systemic inflammatory response,perioperative hemodynamic fluctuations,and the incidence of postoperative nau-sea and vomiting.
3.Effects of nuciferine on neuroinflammation and ferroptosis in mice with chronic hypoperfusion-induced white matter injury
Ting-ting DUAN ; Gui-min JIN ; Yuan-yuan ZHU ; Yu-hao XU ; Yue-feng LI ; Chen QIAO ; Ming YU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1931-1940
Aim To explore the effects of nuciferine on cognitive behavior and the underlying mechanisms,white matter injury(WMI),neuroinflammation,and ferroptosis in mice with chronic ischemic WMI.Meth-ods Sixty C57BL/6 mice were divided into a control group,a bilateral common carotid artery stenosis(BCAS)model group,and low/high-dose nuciferine groups(20/40 mg·kg-1).A chronic ischemic WMI model was established using BCAS surgery.Following eight weeks of treatment,cognitive behavior(Y-maze,novel object recognition,Morris water maze),white matter integrity(LFB/MBP staining),microglial acti-vation(Iba-1 immunofluorescence),inflammatory cy-tokines(ELISA for TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6),ferroptosis markers(Fe2+,ROS,MDA,GSH),mitochondrial ultrastructure(electron microscopy),and protein ex-pression of the PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 signa-ling pathways(Western blot)were evaluated.Results Compared with the control group,the BCAS group showed significant cognitive decline(P<0.05),re-duced myelin density,elevated inflammatory cytokines and ferroptosis markers(Fe2+,ROS,MDA),shrunk-en mitochondria,and downregulated PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 pathway proteins(P<0.05).Nu-ciferine intervention significantly ameliorated these in-juries in BCAS mice,with the high-dose group exhibi-ting superior effects(P<0.05).Conclusions Nu-ciferine exerts protective effects against chronic ische-mic WMI and cognitive impairment by activating the PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 signaling pathways,thereby suppressing neuroinflammation and ferroptosis.
4.Application effect of HAPA model-based intervention in rehabilitation exercise of patients with su-praventricular tachyarrhythmia
Xiao-yan ZHOU ; Gang YUAN ; Gui-lan ZHU
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(2):275-280
Objective:To analyze the application value of the Health Action Process Approach(HAPA)model in re-habilitation exercise intervention of patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia.Methods:We enrolled clinical data of 117 patients diagnosed as supraventricular tachyarrhythmia in Xinzhou District People's Hospital of Wuhan between February 2019 and January 2023.They were divided into routine group(n=57)and HAPA model group(n=60)according to different intervention method.Participants in routine group received routine rehabilitation exer-cise,while those in HAPA model group received HAPA model rehabilitation exercise.Both groups were intervened for 6 months.Cardiac function,medication compliance[Morisky medication adherence scale(MMAS-8)],daily living capacity(Barthel index),quality of life[the short-form 36 health survey(SF-36)],total effective rate of intervention,incidence of adverse events within 6-month follow-up were compared between two groups.Results:Compared with patients in routine group,those in HAPA model group had significant higher left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)[(56.75±1.13)%vs.(52.65±1.57)%],Barthel index[(65.60±9.76)points vs.(56.37±9.98)points],MMAS-8 score[(6.73±1.83)points vs.(4.91±1.33)points],SF-36 total score[(67.50±15.25)points vs.(55.28±9.05)points]and total effective rate(88.33% vs.71.93%)(P<0.01 all),and signifi-cant lower left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV)[(54.97±2.60)ml vs.(64.61±2.50)ml],left ventric-ular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)[(117.50±4.23)ml vs.(133.38±4.47)ml]and incidence of adverse events within 6-month follow-up(5.00% vs.22.81%)(P<0.01 all).Conclusion:Rehabilitation exercise based on HAPA model could significantly improve cardiac function,medication compliance,daily living capacity and quality of life with good safety in patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia.
5.Astragaloside Ⅳ attenuates pathological myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice via EGR1-SIRT1-PPARα-SCAD signaling pathway
Li-yuan QING ; Lan-ting LIU ; Qing-ping XU ; Huan PENG ; Yu-hong CAO ; Xue-diao PAN ; Si-gui ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):242-250
Aim To elucidate whether Astragaloside Ⅳcould ameliorate pathological myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis via the EGR1-SIRT1-PPARα-SCAD signa-ling pathway in TAC mice.Methods After randomi-zing mice into groups,the Sham+AS-Ⅳ group and TAC+AS-Ⅳ group were intragastrically administered 20 mg·kg-1AS-Ⅳ once daily,whereas the Sham+NS group and TAC+NS group were given equivalent saline.Six weeks post-surgery,an evaluation of cardiac function was conducted,heart weight index was compu-ted,morphological alterations in heart were noted,vari-ations in collagen and myocardial hypertrophy indexes were analyzed,ATP content,free fatty acid content,hydroxyproline content,SCAD expression,and enzyme activity were measured,and an initial investigation into the protein expression of EGR1-SIRT1-PPARα-SCAD in myocardial tissues was undertaken.Results After AS-Ⅳ intervention,the heart weight index of TAC mice decreased(P<0.01),LVAWd,LVAWs,LVPWd and LVPWs values decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05),EF%and FS%values increased(all P<0.01),myocardial hypertrophy markers and collagen area decreased,FFA content,HYP content and collagen expression de-creased(all P<0.01),SCAD enzyme activity and ex-pression increased(P<0.01,P<0.05),and ATP content increased(P<0.01).The expression of EGR1 protein decreased,and the expression of SIRT1 and PPARα protein increased(all P<0.01).Conclu-sions AS-Ⅳ may improve fatty acid oxidation via the EGR1-SIRT1-PPARα-SCAD signaling pathway,thereby ameliorating pathological myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in TAC model mice.
6.Application effect of HAPA model-based intervention in rehabilitation exercise of patients with su-praventricular tachyarrhythmia
Xiao-yan ZHOU ; Gang YUAN ; Gui-lan ZHU
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(2):275-280
Objective:To analyze the application value of the Health Action Process Approach(HAPA)model in re-habilitation exercise intervention of patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia.Methods:We enrolled clinical data of 117 patients diagnosed as supraventricular tachyarrhythmia in Xinzhou District People's Hospital of Wuhan between February 2019 and January 2023.They were divided into routine group(n=57)and HAPA model group(n=60)according to different intervention method.Participants in routine group received routine rehabilitation exer-cise,while those in HAPA model group received HAPA model rehabilitation exercise.Both groups were intervened for 6 months.Cardiac function,medication compliance[Morisky medication adherence scale(MMAS-8)],daily living capacity(Barthel index),quality of life[the short-form 36 health survey(SF-36)],total effective rate of intervention,incidence of adverse events within 6-month follow-up were compared between two groups.Results:Compared with patients in routine group,those in HAPA model group had significant higher left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)[(56.75±1.13)%vs.(52.65±1.57)%],Barthel index[(65.60±9.76)points vs.(56.37±9.98)points],MMAS-8 score[(6.73±1.83)points vs.(4.91±1.33)points],SF-36 total score[(67.50±15.25)points vs.(55.28±9.05)points]and total effective rate(88.33% vs.71.93%)(P<0.01 all),and signifi-cant lower left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV)[(54.97±2.60)ml vs.(64.61±2.50)ml],left ventric-ular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)[(117.50±4.23)ml vs.(133.38±4.47)ml]and incidence of adverse events within 6-month follow-up(5.00% vs.22.81%)(P<0.01 all).Conclusion:Rehabilitation exercise based on HAPA model could significantly improve cardiac function,medication compliance,daily living capacity and quality of life with good safety in patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia.
7.Predictors of sentinel lymph node metastasis in clinical T1-2 N0 breast cancer patients with preoperatively normal axillary ultrasound
Hai QIU ; Yifei GUI ; Yuan LIU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(14):2143-2151
Objective To develop a multivariate predictive nomogram to identify high-risk cohorts for sentinel lymph node(SLN)metastasis among cT 1-2N0 breast cancer patients with preoperatively normal axillary ultrasound(AUS),thereby providing a reference for personalized axillary management.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinicopathological and ultrasonographic data of 427 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer who received treatment at Ward 4(Breast Unit),Department of General Surgery,Liuzhou Workers' Hospital,between January 2018 and December 2023.Univariate correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed to identify independent risk factors associated with SLN metastasis.The accuracy and predictive performance of the nomogram were assessed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results Our study enrolled 427 women diagnosed with clinical T1-2N0 breast cancer who underwent preoperative AUS with normal findings.Among these patients,47 cases(11.0%)exhibited sonographically normal axillary lymph nodes,whereas 380 cases(89.0%)showed non-visualized lymph nodes.SLN metastasis,confirmed by postoperative pathological examination,was identified in 78 patients(18.3%).Univariate analysis revealed that estrogen receptor(ER)status,maximal tumor diameter,tumor location,lymphovascular invasion(LVI),and perineural invasion(PNI)were significantly associated with the presence of SLN metastasis(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis further identified the following independent high-risk factors for SLN metastasis:tumor location in the upper outer quadrant(OR=4.118,95%CI=1.349~12.571),tumor size greater than 2 cm(OR=2.246,95%CI=1.252~4.029),presence of LVI(OR=4.477,95%CI=2.207~9.081),and presence of PNI(OR=3.013,95%CI=1.573~5.771)(all P<0.05).Ultrasonographic features of axillary lymph nodes—including their positivity status,short-axis diameter,and numerical count—did not show a statistically significant association with the SLN metastatic burden(P ≥ 0.05).However,these features demonstrated a statistically sig-nificant correlation with the pathological nodal stage(pN-stage)classification(P<0.05).In patients with 1~2 positive sentinel lymph nodes,sonographic characteristics of axillary lymph nodes(including status,maximum diameter,minimum diameter,and numerical count)did not exhibit a significant association with either axillary lymph node metastatic burden or pN-stage classification(all P ≥ 0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)for the predictive nomogram was 0.702(95%CI:0.651~0.749,P<0.0001),with a sensitivity of 78.21%and specificity of 59.12%.Conclusions Tumor location in the upper outer quadrant,tumor size greater than 2 cm,LVI,and PNI were identified as significant independent risk factors for SLN metastasis among patients with clinical T1-2N0 breast cancer who underwent preoperative AUS with normal findings.Further-more,from the perspective of pN-stage stratification,omission of axillary lymph node dissection(ALND)appears to be clinically feasible for the majority of cT1-2N0 patients with 1~2 metastatic SLNs.However,preoperative ultrasonographic characteristics of lymph nodes demonstrate limited predictive value for axillary lymph node(ALN)metastatic burden or pN-stage progression.
8.Cross-sectional survey of healthcare-associated infection in 5 736 medical institutions across China in 2024
Cui ZENG ; Wuqiang GAO ; Fu QIAO ; Hui ZHAO ; Xu FANG ; Linping LI ; Xiuwen CHEN ; Jiansen CHEN ; Dan LI ; Yuan ZHOU ; Lingli YU ; Qinglan MENG ; Xia MOU ; Lijuan XIONG ; Weiguang LI ; Ding LIU ; Jiaqing XIAO ; Limei OU ; Baozhen LI ; Jun YIN ; Haojun ZHANG ; Qiang FU ; Qun LU ; Biao WU ; Ya-wei XING ; Shumei SUN ; Shuncai WANG ; Longmin DU ; Jingping ZHANG ; Wen-ying HE ; Gui CHENG ; Nan REN ; Xun HUANG ; Anhua WU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(11):1572-1583
Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27%.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38%.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66%to 2.35%.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65%.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66%),followed by the urinary tract(12.94%),surgical site(9.32%),upper respiratory tract(7.02%),and bloodstream infection(5.78%).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02%),department of neurosurgery(5.51%),and department(group)of hematology(5.34%).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10%)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33%),Escherichia coli(12.79%),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23%),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88%).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71%.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18%.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46%.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.
9.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
10.Value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices with significant portal hypertension in compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis
Cheng LIU ; Jiayi ZENG ; Mengbing FANG ; Zhiheng CHEN ; Bei GUI ; Fengming ZHAO ; Jingkai YUAN ; Chaozhen ZHANG ; Meijie SHI ; Yubao XIE ; Xiaoling CHI ; Huanming XIAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):263-268
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.

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