Objective To assess the clinical value of prognostic nutritional index(PNI)in predicting the prognosis of patients with advanced liver cancer treated with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with ablation therapy.Methods A total of 112 patients with advanced liver cancer,who received TACE combined with ablation at the Lishui Municipal Central Hospital of China from January 2020 to January 2024,were enrolled in this study.The general data,survival status,and survival time were collected.The Youden index of PNI was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve model,and the optimal cutoff value was determined.Based on the optimal cutoff value,the patients were divided into low-PNI group and high-PNI group.The progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)time were compared between the two groups,and the independent risk factors affecting PFS and OS were analyzed.Results The Youden index for PNI was 0.43,and the optimal cutoff value of PNI was 43.95.The low-PNI group included 65 patients,and the high-PNI group included 47 patients.There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline data between the two groups.The median PFS and the median OS in the high-PNI group were 13.21 months(95％CI=4.37-22.03)and 40.80 months(95％CI=31.55-50.05)respectively,which were longer than 9.20 months(95％CI=6.58-11.82)and 21.37 months(95％CI=16.56-26.17)respectively in the low-PNI group,the differences were statistically significant(both P＜0.05).The 6-month,one-year and 2-year PFS in the high-PNI group was 56.95％,47.25％and 33.87％respectively,which were higher than 43.95％,32.56％and 16.31％respectively in the low-PNI group.The one-year,2-year and 3-year cumulative survival rates in the high-PNI group were 80.77％,66.66％and 39.40％respectively,which were higher than 63.79％,34.31％and 27.75％respectively in the low-PNI group.Multivariate regression analysis indicated that the number of nodules,metastasis and PNI significantly affected OS,and metastasis and PNI strikingly affected PFS.High PNI was a protective factor for both PFS and OS.Conclusion For patients with advanced liver cancer treated with TACE combined with ablation therapy,PNI is an effective indicator for predicting the prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the combination score of albumin-bilirubin index(ALBI)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)in predicting the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis complicated by portal hypertension after receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS).Methods A total of 61 patients with cirrhosis complicated by portal hypertension,who received TIPS treatment at the Lishui Municipal Central Hospital of China from January 2016 to June 2024,were retrospectively collected.According to the Youden index of ALBI and ALP,the optimal cut-off values were calculated,and the patients were divided into low ALBI-low ALP group(0-point group),high ALBI-high ALP group(2-point group),and high ALBI-low ALP or low ALBI-high ALP group(one-point group).The efficacy of ALBI-ALP score in predicting the prognosis of patients was evaluated,and the survival rate and median survival time were compared between each other among the three groups.The independent risk factors affecting the survival time of patients were analyzed.Results The maximum Youden indexes of ALBI and ALP were 0.31 and 0.34 respectively,and the optimal cut-off values were-1.56 and 108.50 respectively.There were statistically significant differences in MELD score,Child-Pugh classification,and alanine aminotransferase level between each other among the three groups(all P＜0.05).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of ALBI-ALP score was 0.77(95％ CI:0.66-0.89,P=0.000 2),which was better than 0.52 of the MELD score(95％ CI:0.37-0.67,P=0.77)as well as better than 0.57 of the Child-Pugh classification(95％ CI:0.43-0.72,P=0.34).The total mortality of patients was 49.18％.The mortality in the 0-point group was 11.11％(2/18),which was significantly lower than 59.46％(22/37)in the one-point group as well as than 100％(6/6)in the 2-point group,and the differences were statistically significant(x2=18.20,P＜0.001).In the 0-point group,as a large number of patients were still alive at the end of the study,the median survival time was unable to be calculated.The median survival time in the one-point group was 38.00 months(95％ CI:23.01-52.99 months),which in the 2-point group was only 1.00 month(95％ CI=0.00-2.60 months),the difference was statistically significant(x2=33.08,P＜0.000 1).In the 0-point group,one-point group and 2-point group,the one-year survival rates were 100％,66％ and 17％respectively,the 2-year survival rates were 100％,64％ and 17％ respectively,and the 3-year survival rates were 90％,53％ and 0％ respectively.Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the combination score of ALBI and ALP(HR=7.11,95％ CI:2.95-17.15)was an independent risk factor for the survival time of patients with cirrhosis complicated by portal hypertension after receiving TIPS.Conclusion The combination score of ALBI and ALP can effectively predict the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis complicated by portal hypertension after receiving TIPS,and this score is an independent risk factor affecting the survival time of patients.

Objective:To develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic scoring model for magnetic resonance imaging-detected extramural vascular invasion (AI-mrEMVI) and evaluate its performance and prognostic value in patients with rectal cancer.Methods:In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, a total of 2 501 rectal cancer patients from seven centers between November 2012 and December 2020 were included and divided into completely independent training ( n=1 830) and validation ( n=671) cohorts. A nnUNet-based AI-mrEMVI scoring model was constructed. Manual mrEMVI scores assigned by two radiologists served as the reference standard for accessing the accuracy of the AI-mrEMVI scoring. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic stratification ability of the AI-mrEMVI scores. The concordance index (C-index) was calculated to evaluate prognostic performance. Results:In the validation cohort, the manual mrEMVI scores were 0-2 in 425 patients (63.3%), 3 in 89 (13.4%), and 4 in 157 (23.4%). The AI-mrEMVI model identified 0-2 in 375 patients (55.9%), 3 in 95 (14.2%), and 4 in 201 (30.0%), with an overall accuracy of 81.1% (544/671, 95% CI 77.9%-84.0%). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for patients with AI-mrEMVI scores of 0-2, 3, and 4 were 85.2%, 70.0%, and 58.2%, respectively, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.2%, 81.6%, and 62.6%, respectively (DFS: χ2=48.74, P<0.001; OS: χ2=30.04, P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression showed that for DFS, AI-mrEMVI scores of 3 and 4 were associated with hazard ratios ( HR) of 1.75 (95% CI 1.11-2.77, P=0.016) and 2.65 (95% CI 1.86-3.78, P<0.001), respectively. For OS, an AI-mrEMVI score of 4 was associated with an HR of 2.56 (95% CI 1.62-4.03, P<0.001). The C-index values of the AI-mrEMVI scoring model for predicting DFS and OS were 0.647 (95% CI 0.608-0.686) and 0.650 (95% CI 0.598-0.702), respectively. Conclusion:The proposed AI-mrEMVI automatic scoring model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and performed favorably in predicting DFS and OS prognostic risk in patients with rectal cancer.

Objective:To develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic scoring model for magnetic resonance imaging-detected extramural vascular invasion (AI-mrEMVI) and evaluate its performance and prognostic value in patients with rectal cancer.Methods:In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, a total of 2 501 rectal cancer patients from seven centers between November 2012 and December 2020 were included and divided into completely independent training ( n=1 830) and validation ( n=671) cohorts. A nnUNet-based AI-mrEMVI scoring model was constructed. Manual mrEMVI scores assigned by two radiologists served as the reference standard for accessing the accuracy of the AI-mrEMVI scoring. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic stratification ability of the AI-mrEMVI scores. The concordance index (C-index) was calculated to evaluate prognostic performance. Results:In the validation cohort, the manual mrEMVI scores were 0-2 in 425 patients (63.3%), 3 in 89 (13.4%), and 4 in 157 (23.4%). The AI-mrEMVI model identified 0-2 in 375 patients (55.9%), 3 in 95 (14.2%), and 4 in 201 (30.0%), with an overall accuracy of 81.1% (544/671, 95% CI 77.9%-84.0%). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for patients with AI-mrEMVI scores of 0-2, 3, and 4 were 85.2%, 70.0%, and 58.2%, respectively, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.2%, 81.6%, and 62.6%, respectively (DFS: χ2=48.74, P<0.001; OS: χ2=30.04, P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression showed that for DFS, AI-mrEMVI scores of 3 and 4 were associated with hazard ratios ( HR) of 1.75 (95% CI 1.11-2.77, P=0.016) and 2.65 (95% CI 1.86-3.78, P<0.001), respectively. For OS, an AI-mrEMVI score of 4 was associated with an HR of 2.56 (95% CI 1.62-4.03, P<0.001). The C-index values of the AI-mrEMVI scoring model for predicting DFS and OS were 0.647 (95% CI 0.608-0.686) and 0.650 (95% CI 0.598-0.702), respectively. Conclusion:The proposed AI-mrEMVI automatic scoring model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and performed favorably in predicting DFS and OS prognostic risk in patients with rectal cancer.

Objective:The transjugular or transfemoral approach is used as a common method for hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement in current practice. This study aims to confirm the safety and effectiveness of measuring HVPG via the forearm venous approach.Methods:Prospective recruitment was conducted for patients with cirrhosis who underwent HVPG measurement via the forearm venous approach at six hospitals in China and Japan from September 2020 to December 2020. Patients' clinical baseline information and HVPG measurement data were collected. The right median cubital vein or basilic vein approach for all enrolled patients was selected. The HVPG standard process was used to measure pressure. Research data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software. Quantitative data were used to represent medians (interquartile ranges), while qualitative data were used to represent frequency and rates. The correlation between two sets of data was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results:A total of 43 cases were enrolled in this study. Of these, 41 (95.3%) successfully underwent HVPG measurement via the forearm venous approach. None of the patients had any serious complications. The median operation time for HVPG detection via forearm vein was 18.0 minutes (12.3~38.8 minutes). This study confirmed that HVPG was positively closely related to Child-Pugh score ( r = 0.47, P = 0.002), albumin-bilirubin score ( r = 0.37, P = 0.001), Lok index ( r = 0.36, P = 0.02), liver stiffness ( r = 0.58, P = 0.01), and spleen stiffness ( r = 0.77, P = 0.01), while negatively correlated with albumin ( r = -0.42, P = 0.006). Conclusion:The results of this multi-centre retrospective study suggest that HVPG measurement via the forearm venous approach is safe and feasible.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anaprazole (40 mg and 60 mg) and compared with rabeprazole (20 mg) in the treatment of reflux esophagitis (RE).Methods:This multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, positive drug parallel controlled study was led by the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital) and a total of 24 clinical trial institutions nationwide including the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Yichun People′s Hospital, Meihekou Central Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, and Jinhua Central Hospital, participated in this research. A total of 156 patients with RE (Los Angeles grade A to D) were enrolled and randomly divided into 3 groups, anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazole 60 mg group and rabeprazole 20 mg group, using a random number table in a ratio of 1∶1∶1. Patients in the above 3 groups were treated with the appropriate trial medication once per day for 4 or 8 weeks. The endoscopic healing rates were evaluated by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) and investigators. In addition, the improvement in the severity of individual symptoms (daytime reflux, daytime heartburn, nighttime reflux, nighttime heartburn) and medication safety were also evaluated. The endoscopic healing rates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) at week-8 and -4 were calculated by groups, as well as the difference in the healing rates and their 95% CI among groups. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 153 subjects were included in the full analysis set (FAS), 144 in the per-protocol analysis set (PPS) and 151 in the safety set (SS). In the FAS, after 8 weeks of treatment, the endoscopic healing rates of anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazde 60 mg group and raberazole 20 mg group blindly assessed by BICR were 86.0% (43/50), 86.5% (45/52) and 86.3% (44/51), respectively, and the 95% CI were 76.4% to 95.6%, 77.3% to 95.8% and 76.8% to 95.7%, respectively.The endoscopic healing rates of anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazde 60 mg group and raberazole 20 mg group blindly evaluated by investigators were 88.0% (44/50), 90.4% (47/52) and 86.3% (44/51), respectively, and the 95% CI were 79.0% to 97.0%, 82.4% to 98.4% and 76.8% to 95.7%, respectively. The endoscopic healing rates were similar among groups. In the FAS, the differences in healing rates(95% CI) assessed by BICR and investigators between anaprazole 40 mg, anaprazole 60 mg and rabeprazole 20 mg group were -0.3%(-13.7% to 13.2%), 0.6%(-12.3% to 13.6%), respectively and 1.7%(-11.3% to 14.8%), 3.9%(-8.5% to 16.3%), respectively. The results of the PPS were consistent with those of the FAS. After 8 weeks of treatment, the severity scores of individual symptoms (daytime reflux, daytime heartburn, nighttime reflux, nighttime heartburn) decreased in all groups. The differences between post-treatment and baseline in anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazole 60 mg group and rabeprazole 20 mg group were -1.54±1.00, -1.91±1.00, -1.51±0.76, -1.45±0.71; -1.30±0.94, -1.59±0.96, -1.33±0.65, -1.42±0.60; and -1.74±0.85, -1.76±0.93, -1.45±0.66, -1.66±0.79, respectively. The incidence of treatment emergent adverse event of anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazole 60 mg group and rabeprazole 20 mg group were 57.1% (28/49), 48.1% (25/52) and 60.0% (30/50), respectively, and the incidence of treatment related adverse event were 18.4% (9/24), 25.0% (13/52) and 24.0% (12/50), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of treatment emergent adverse event and treatment related adverse event among 3 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The efficacy and safety of anaprazole 40, 60 mg/d, and rabeprazole 20 mg/d in the treatment of RE are comparable.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anaprazole (40 mg and 60 mg) and compared with rabeprazole (20 mg) in the treatment of reflux esophagitis (RE).Methods:This multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, positive drug parallel controlled study was led by the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital) and a total of 24 clinical trial institutions nationwide including the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Yichun People′s Hospital, Meihekou Central Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, and Jinhua Central Hospital, participated in this research. A total of 156 patients with RE (Los Angeles grade A to D) were enrolled and randomly divided into 3 groups, anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazole 60 mg group and rabeprazole 20 mg group, using a random number table in a ratio of 1∶1∶1. Patients in the above 3 groups were treated with the appropriate trial medication once per day for 4 or 8 weeks. The endoscopic healing rates were evaluated by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) and investigators. In addition, the improvement in the severity of individual symptoms (daytime reflux, daytime heartburn, nighttime reflux, nighttime heartburn) and medication safety were also evaluated. The endoscopic healing rates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) at week-8 and -4 were calculated by groups, as well as the difference in the healing rates and their 95% CI among groups. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 153 subjects were included in the full analysis set (FAS), 144 in the per-protocol analysis set (PPS) and 151 in the safety set (SS). In the FAS, after 8 weeks of treatment, the endoscopic healing rates of anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazde 60 mg group and raberazole 20 mg group blindly assessed by BICR were 86.0% (43/50), 86.5% (45/52) and 86.3% (44/51), respectively, and the 95% CI were 76.4% to 95.6%, 77.3% to 95.8% and 76.8% to 95.7%, respectively.The endoscopic healing rates of anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazde 60 mg group and raberazole 20 mg group blindly evaluated by investigators were 88.0% (44/50), 90.4% (47/52) and 86.3% (44/51), respectively, and the 95% CI were 79.0% to 97.0%, 82.4% to 98.4% and 76.8% to 95.7%, respectively. The endoscopic healing rates were similar among groups. In the FAS, the differences in healing rates(95% CI) assessed by BICR and investigators between anaprazole 40 mg, anaprazole 60 mg and rabeprazole 20 mg group were -0.3%(-13.7% to 13.2%), 0.6%(-12.3% to 13.6%), respectively and 1.7%(-11.3% to 14.8%), 3.9%(-8.5% to 16.3%), respectively. The results of the PPS were consistent with those of the FAS. After 8 weeks of treatment, the severity scores of individual symptoms (daytime reflux, daytime heartburn, nighttime reflux, nighttime heartburn) decreased in all groups. The differences between post-treatment and baseline in anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazole 60 mg group and rabeprazole 20 mg group were -1.54±1.00, -1.91±1.00, -1.51±0.76, -1.45±0.71; -1.30±0.94, -1.59±0.96, -1.33±0.65, -1.42±0.60; and -1.74±0.85, -1.76±0.93, -1.45±0.66, -1.66±0.79, respectively. The incidence of treatment emergent adverse event of anaprazole 40 mg group, anaprazole 60 mg group and rabeprazole 20 mg group were 57.1% (28/49), 48.1% (25/52) and 60.0% (30/50), respectively, and the incidence of treatment related adverse event were 18.4% (9/24), 25.0% (13/52) and 24.0% (12/50), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of treatment emergent adverse event and treatment related adverse event among 3 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The efficacy and safety of anaprazole 40, 60 mg/d, and rabeprazole 20 mg/d in the treatment of RE are comparable.

Objective: To explore the effects and mechanism of water-soluble chitosan hydrogel on infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in diabetic mice. Methods: The experimental research method was adopted. The control hydrogel composed of polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin, and the water-soluble chitosan hydrogel composed of the aforementioned two materials and water-soluble chitosan were prepared by the cyclic freeze-thaw method. The fluidity of the two dressings in test tube before and after the first freeze-thawing was generally observed, and the difference in appearance of the final state of two dressings in 12-well plates were compared. According to random number table (the same grouping method below), the cell strains of L929 and HaCaT were both divided into water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group and control hydrogel group, respectively. After adding corresponding dressings and culturing for 24 h, the cell proliferation activity was measured using cell counting kit 8. Rabbit blood erythrocyte suspensions were divided into normal saline group, polyethylene glycol octyl phenyl ether (Triton X-100) group, water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, and control hydrogel group, which were treated accordingly and incubated for 1 hour, and then the hemolysis degree of erythrocyte was detected by a microplate reader. Twenty-four female db/db mice aged 11-14 weeks were selected, and full-thickness skin defect wounds on their backs were inflicted and inoculated with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 72 h later, the mice were divided into blank control group, sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group, control hydrogel group, and water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, which were treated accordingly. On post injury day (PID) 0 (immediately), 7, 14, and 21, the healing of the wound was observed. On PID 14 and 21, the wound healing rate was calculated. On PID 14, MRSA concentration in wounds was determined. On PID 21, the wounds were histologically analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining; the expression of CD31 in the wounds was detected by immunofluorescence method, and its positive percentage was calculated. Raw264.7 cells were taken and divided into interleukin-4 (IL-4) group, blank control group, control hydrogel group, and water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, which were treated accordingly. At 48 h of culture, the percentages of CD206 positive cells were detected by flow cytometry. The number of samples was all 3. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, least significant difference test, and Dunnett T3 test. Results: Two dressings in test tube had certain fluidity before freeze-thawing and formed semi-solid gels after freeze-thawing for once. The final forms of two dressings in 12-well plates were basically stable and translucent sheets, with little difference in transparency. At 24 h of culture, the cell proliferation activities of L929 and HaCaT in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in control hydrogel group (with t values of 6.37 and 7.50, respectively, P<0.01). At 1 h of incubation, the hemolysis degree of erythrocyte in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly lower than that in Triton X-100 group (P<0.01), but similar to that in normal saline group and control hydrogel group (P>0.05). On PID 0, the traumatic conditions of mice in the 4 groups were similar. On PID 7, more yellowish exudates were observed inside the wound in blank control group and control hydrogel group, while a small amount of exudates were observed in the wound in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group and water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group. On PID 14, the wounds in blank control group and control hydrogel group were dry and crusted without obvious epithelial coverage; in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group, the scabs fell off and purulent exudate was visible on the wound; in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, the base of wound was light red and obvious epithelial coverage could be observed on the wound. On PID 14, the wound healing rate in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups (all P<0.01). On PID 21, the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was completely closed, while the wounds in the other 3 groups were not completely healed; the wound healing rate in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups (all P<0.01). On PID 14, the concentration of MRSA in the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly lower than that in blank control group (P<0.01), but similar to that in control hydrogel group and sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group (P>0.05). On PID 21, the new epidermis was severely damaged in blank control group; the epidermis on the wound in control hydrogel group also had a large area of defect; complete new epidermis had not yet being formed on the wound in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group; the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was not only completely covered by the new epidermis, the basal cells of the new epidermis were also regularly aligned. On PID 21, the percentage of CD31 positivity in the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was (2.19±0.35)%, which was significantly higher than (0.18±0.05)% in blank control group, (0.23±0.06)% in control hydrogel group, and (0.62±0.25)% in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group, all P<0.01. At 48 h of culture, the percentage of CD206 positive Raw264.7 cells in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was lower than that in IL-4 group (P>0.01) but significantly higher than that in blank control group and control hydrogel group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: The water-soluble chitosan hydrogel has good biosafety and can induce higher level of macrophage M2 polarization than control hydrogel without water-soluble chitosan, so it can enhance the repair effect of MRSA-infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in diabetic mice and promote rapid wound healing.
Mice ; Female ; Animals ; Rabbits ; Interleukin-4 ; Hydrogels/pharmacology* ; Wound Healing ; Chitosan/pharmacology* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Water ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Gelatin ; Polyvinyl Alcohol ; Hemolysis ; Saline Solution ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Hematoxylin ; Octoxynol ; Silver ; Phenyl Ethers ; Sulfadiazine

Background::The pharmacokinetic and clinical behaviors of many proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in peptic ulcer treatment are altered by CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms. This non-inferiority study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the novel PPI anaprazole compared with rabeprazole. We also explored the influence of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection status and CYP2C19 polymorphism on anaprazole. Methods::In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-drug parallel-controlled, phase III study, Chinese patients with duodenal ulcers were randomized 1:1 to receive rabeprazole 10 mg + anaprazole placebo or rabeprazole placebo + anaprazole 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the 4-week ulcer healing rate assessed by blinded independent review. Secondary endpoints were the proportion of patients with improved overall and individual duodenal ulcer symptoms at 4 weeks. Furthermore, exploratory subgroup analysis of the primary endpoint by H. pylori status and CYP2C19 polymorphism was conducted. Adverse events were monitored for safety. Non-inferiority analysis was conducted for the primary endpoint. Results::The study enrolled 448 patients (anaprazole, n = 225; rabeprazole, n = 223). The 4-week healing rates were 90.9% and 93.7% for anaprazole and rabeprazole, respectively (difference, -2.8% [95% confidence interval, -7.7%, 2.2%]), demonstrating non-inferiority of anaprazole to rabeprazole. Overall duodenal ulcer symptoms improved in 90.9% and 92.5% of patients, respectively. Improvement rates of individual symptoms were similar between the groups. Healing rates did not significantly differ by H. pylori status or CYP2C19 genotype for either treatment group. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar for anaprazole (72/220, 32.7%) and rabeprazole (84/219, 38.4%). Conclusions::The efficacy of anaprazole is non-inferior to that of rabeprazole in Chinese patients with duodenal ulcers.Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04215653.

Food allergy(FA)is a global health problem that affects a large population,and thus effective treatment is highly desirable.Oral immunotherapy(OIT)has been showing reasonable efficacy and favorable safety in most FA subjects.Dependable biomarkers are needed for treatment assessment and outcome prediction during OIT.Several immunological indicators have been used as biomarkers in OIT,such as skin prick tests,basophil and mast cell reactivity,T cell and B cell responses,allergen-specific antibody levels,and cytokines.Other novel indicators also could be potential biomarkers.In this review,we discuss and assess the application of various immunological indicators as biomarkers for OIT.