1.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.
2.ZIP4 promotes glycolysis in cholangiocarcinoma cells by enhancing H3K4me3 modification and activating MYCN transcription
Jiwen WANG ; Cheng ZHANG ; Dexiang ZHANG ; Xiaoling NI ; Kun FAN ; Houbao LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):410-420
Objective To explore the mechanism by which zinc-regulated transporters, iron-regulated transporter-likeprotein 4 (ZIP4) regulates glycolysis and its impact on tumor progression in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), providing a theoretical basis for targeted therapy of CCA. Methods ZIP4 expression in CCA was analyzed using the GEPIA database. Immuno-histochemistry (IHC) was used to detect ZIP4 expression in 20 paired CCA and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Stable ZIP4-overexpressing CCA cell lines (ZIP4-OE) were established. Gene set enrichment analysis was used to screen differentially expressed genes and pathways in ZIP-OE CCA cells. ZIP4, N-myc proto-oncogene protein (MYCN), and histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2E (KMT2E) were knocked down using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The expression of glycolysis-related gene (glucose transporter 1 [Glut1], hexokinase 2 [HK2], and lactate dehydrogenase A [LDHA]) was measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Glycolytic activity was assessed by measuring the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). Cell proliferation was evaluated using colony formation assays, and cell migration was assessed using Transwell assays. A xenograft mouse model was constructed to examine CCA tumor growth. Protein levels of ZIP4, KMT2E, H3K4me3 (tri-methylation of lysine 4 on histone H3), and MYCN were detected by Western blotting. Results GEPIA database analysis and IHC results confirmed significantly higher ZIP4 expression levels in CCA tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the ZIP4-OE group exhibited a significantly increased ECAR, along with significantly enhanced proliferation and migration abilities (P<0.01). Conversely, knockdown of ZIP4 suppressed CCA cells proliferation and migration. GEPIA analysis indicated that ZIP4 upregulates the transcription of oncogene MYCN, as well as glycolysis-related genes. Knockdown of MYCN abolished the ZIP4 overexpression-induced upregulation of Glut1, HK2, and LDHA gene transcription, reduced glycolysis, and significantly inhibited CCA cell proliferation and migration (P<0.05). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that ZIP4 increases H3K4me3 level via KMT2E, leading to MYCN transcription. Knockdown of KMT2E in CCA cells suppressed the ZIP4 overexpression-induced enhancement in H3K4me3 modification, resulting in MYCN downregulation and significantly reduced CCA cells proliferation and migration (P<0.05). Conclusions ZIP4 upregulates H3K4me3 modification through KMT2E, which recruits transcription factors to activate the transcription of MYCN. This subsequently enhances cellular glycolysis and promotes the proliferation and migration of CCA cells.
3.Methodology for Developing Rapid and Living Guidelines of Traditional Chinese Medicine (RALIG-TCM) (Part 1):Concept and Current Practice
Lijiao YAN ; Ning LIANG ; Ziteng HU ; Yujing ZHANG ; Yaxin CHEN ; Fuqiang ZHANG ; Xiaoling LI ; Wenjie CAO ; Chen ZHAO ; Cheng LYU ; Nannan SHI ; Yanping WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(3):269-274
Rapid and living guidelines are those developed in response to public health emergencies in a short period of time using a scientific and standardized approach. Subsequently, they provide timely and credible recommendations for decision makers through regular and frequent updates of clinical evidence and recommendations. In this paper, we introduced the definition of rapid and living guideline as well as analyzed the basic characteristics of eight rapid and living guidelines in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) published till 2023 June, summarizing three core methodological issues in relation to how to rapidly develop guidelines, how to formulate recommendations when there is lack of evidence, and how to ensure the timeliness of guidelines. Based on the analysis of current rapid and living guidelines, it is implicated that there is necessity to carry out rapid and living guideline in the field of TCM, and the methodology of rapid integration of multivariate evidence in the field of TCM needs to be further explored; furthermore, it is necessary to further explore the obstacles of implementation of guidelines and promote timely updating, all of which provide certain theoretical references for relevant guideline developers and researchers.
4.Methodology for Developing Rapid and Living Guidelines of Traditional Chinese Medicine (RALIG-TCM) (Part 4): Evidence Monitoring and Dynamic Updates
Lijiao YAN ; Ning LIANG ; Yujing ZHANG ; Ziteng HU ; Yaxin CHEN ; Xiaoling LI ; Wenjie CAO ; Huizhen LI ; Xingyu ZONG ; Chen ZHAO ; Cheng LYU ; Nannan SHI ; Yanping WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(3):287-291
In developing rapid and living guidelines of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in response to public health emergencies, it is important that evidence continue to be reviewed, and clinical questions and recommendations updated if necessary, due to the rapid changes in disease progression and the continuous generation of relevant research evidence. This paper proposed that the updating scope in dynamic mode should first be identified; then evidence monitoring should be carried out in four aspects, including clinical research, related guidelines or laws and regulations, disease progression, as well as clinical use of recommendations and clinical needs; finally, based on the results of the evidence monitoring, different options should be made, including revising the clinical questions, updating the evidence and recommendations, and withdrawing the guideline.
5.Genotype and phenotype of WWOX gene related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Ting WANG ; Miaomiao CHENG ; Wenwei LIU ; Quanzhen TAN ; Changhao LIU ; Ying YANG ; Xiaoling YANG ; Yuehua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(8):752-757
Objective:To summarize the genotype and clinical phenotype of children with WWOX gene related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE).Methods:Case series studies. The clinical data of 12 children with WWOX gene related DEE who were admitted to the Neurological Department of Children′s Medical Center, Peking University First Hospital from June 2019 to December 2023 were analyzed. The children′s characteristics of gene variation, clinical phenotype, auxiliary examination results, treatment and prognosis were analyzed.Results:Among 12 children with WWOX gene related DEE, there were 7 boys and 5 girls, the age of seizure onset ranged from 10 days to 6 months (median 1.8 months). Multiple seizure types were observed, including focal seizures in 10 cases, epileptic spasms in 9 cases, tonic seizures in 4 cases, myoclonic seizures in 1 case. Among 12 cases, 9 cases had multiple seizure types. All 12 cases showed microcephaly and global developmental delay. Video electroencephalography showed slowed background activity in 6 cases, hyperarrhythmia in 6 cases, multifocal discharges in 6 cases, and focal discharges in 1 case. Epileptic spasms were detected in 8 cases, tonic seizures in 4 cases and myoclonic seizures in 1 case. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral frontotemporal subarachnoid space widening in 5 cases, deep sulci in 3 cases, bilateral ventricular enlargement in 2 cases, callosal hypoplasia in 5 cases, and delayed white matter myelination in 3 cases. The phenotypes of 12 cases were consistent with the diagnosis of DEE, and 8 of them were diagnosed with infantile epileptic spasm syndrome. All the WWOX gene variants in 12 cases were complex heterozygous variants, including 20 variants, 11 variants and 1 large intragenic WWOX gene deletion (p.Ala149Thr, p.Arg156Ser, p.R167Tfs*8, p.Leu186Val, c.605+5G>A, p.Trp218*, p.His263Arg, p.Leu275fs*19*1, p.N285Kfs*10, p.Ser304Tyr, p.Met326Arg, loss1 exon2-8) had not been reported previously. The age of last follow-up ranged from 11 months to 5 years and 3 months. During the follow-up, 1 case died at the age of 1 year and 10 months, 2 cases were seizure-free, and 9 cases still had seizures after multiple anti-seizure medications.Conclusions:The seizure onset age of children with WWOX gene related DEE is usually less than 6 months, and some of them in neonate. The common seizure types include focal seizures and epileptic spasms. Children usually have microcephaly and global developmental delay. WWOX gene related DEE usually has drug refractory epilepsy.
6.Clinical features of KCNB1 gene variation related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Qi ZENG ; Ying YANG ; Miaomiao CHENG ; Ting WANG ; Quanzhen TAN ; Changhao LIU ; Xiaoling YANG ; Jianxiang LIAO ; Yuehua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(11):1064-1070
Objective:To summarize the clinical features of epilepsy and (or) developmental delay associated with KCNB1 gene variants in children.Methods:A case series study was conducted on 24 children with KCNB1 gene variants associated with epilepsy and (or) developmental delay who were treated at the Children′s Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital and the Department of Neurology of Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from July 2015 to June 2024. The manifestations of seizures, electroencephalogram (EEG) and genetic test results of those children were analyzed.Results:All the KCNB1 gene variants were de novo, involving 20 different variation, including 15 missense variations, 3 frameshift variations and 2 nonsense variations. There were 7 novel variations. Among the 24 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy children, there were 14 boys and 10 girls. The last follow-up age ranged from 9 months to 13 years and 9 months. Seizures were present in 21 children (88%), with onset ranging from 1 month to 7 years, and 76% (16/21) began before 2 years of age. The seizure types included focal seizures in 15 children (71%), epileptic spasms, myoclonic seizures, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in 6 children respectively, atypical absence seizures in 4 children, and myoclonic atonic seizures in 1 child. Seventeen children (81%) had a cluster of seizures and 5 had a history of focal status epilepticus with impaired consciousness. All 24 children had varying degrees of developmental delay, with 3 presenting solely developmental delay. EEG abnormalities were present in all the 21 children with seizures, including focal or multifocal discharges in 20 children, generalized discharges in 10 children, hypsarrhythmia in 2 children, and electrical status epilepticus during sleep in 3 children. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were found in 5 of the 24 children. Among the 21 children with seizures, 57% (12/21) achieved seizure control.Conclusions:KCNB1 gene variants are predominantly de novo missense variation. Most affected children present with epilepsy, though some may exhibit only developmental delay. Epilepsy often begins before 2 years of age, with focal seizures being the most common type. About 80% of patients experience clustered seizures. Although most patients achieve seizure control, they still exhibit varying degrees of developmental delay, consistent with developmental epileptic encephalopathy.
7.Sampling inspection results of disinfection products in Shaanxi Province in 2020 - 2023
Yongbing CHENG ; Baobao CHEN ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Jianfeng XUE ; Xiaofeng DONG ; Zhaowei MENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(6):93-96
Objectives To understand the quality status of disinfection products in the market in Shaanxi Province, and to provide a basis for taking targeted management measures. Methods From 2020 to 2023, in accordance with the national disinfection product management regulations and standards, the physicochemical and microbial tests of disinfection products in Shaanxi Province were carried out through supervised sampling, and the test results were analyzed according to the active ingredients, illegal addition, stability, and bactericidal or bacteriostatic performance. Results The overall qualification rate of the active ingredient content of disinfectants sampled in Shaanxi Province was 90.48%, with the lowest qualification rate in 2023 (84.38%). The overall qualification rate of quantitative sterilization test of disinfectants was 90.12%, showing a decreasing trend year by year (P=0.272). The overall qualification rate of anti-bacterial products was 88.59%, and the bactericidal test results of 20 antibacterial products were all qualified. The overall qualification rate of bacteriostatic performance testing for bacteriostatic products was 86.17%, with the pass rate of bacteriostatic product germicidal efficacy testing of different components in descending order being quaternary ammonium salt/silver ion > guanidine > others > lysozyme, and there was statistically significant difference (P=0.004). The detection rate of illegal additives in antimicrobial products was 7.07%, with the main detection indicators being miconazole nitrate, clobetasol propionate, and dexamethasone acetate. Conclusion The qualified rate of disinfection products in Shaanxi Province is relatively high, but there is a downward trend. It is necessary to continue to strengthen the daily supervision and product testing of disinfection product manufacturers, and promote the continuous improvement of disinfection product quality.
8.TCM constitution distribution and clinical features of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and dysplastic nodules
Mengbing FANG ; Cheng LIU ; Yu ZHANG ; Jiayi ZENG ; Zhiheng CHEN ; Sheng LI ; Xiaoling CHI ; Huanming XIAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(5):961-967
Objective To investigate the characteristics of TCM constitution distribution in hepatitis B cirrhosis patients with dysplastic nodules(DN),and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of precancerous lesions of liver cancer.Methods This study was conducted among 113 hepatitis B cirrhosis patients with DN,105 hepatitis B cirrhosis patients with regenerative nodules(RN),and 70 hepatitis B cirrhosis patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma(sHCC)who were hospitalized in Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2015 to March 2023.Related data were collected,including age,sex,liver function Child-Pugh class,TCM constitution type,and laboratory markers.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups;the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups,and the Bonferroni correction method was used for further comparison between two groups.Results The main TCM constitution types of hepatitis B cirrhosis patients with DN were Qi-deficiency constitution(27 patients,23.89%),blood-stasis constitution(26 patients,23.01%),and phlegm-dampness constitution(23 patients,20.35%).There were significant differences between the three groups in the proportion of patients with phlegm-dampness constitution or damp-heat constitution(χ2=6.822 and 6.383,both P<0.05);the hepatitis B cirrhosis patients with RN had the highest proportion of patients with phlegm-dampness constitution(30.48%),followed by those with DN(20.35%)and those with sHCC(14.29%),while the hepatitis B cirrhosis patients with sHCC had the highest proportion of patients with damp-heat constitution(27.14%),followed by those with DN(16.81%)and those with RN(12.38%).There were significant differences between the hepatitis B cirrhosis DN patients with different TCM constitution types in sex,age,Child-Pugh class,prealbumin,albumin(Alb),aspartate aminotransferase,total bilirubin(TBil),total bile acid,and alpha-fetoprotein(all P<0.05).Compared with the male hepatitis B cirrhosis DN patients,female patients showed a significantly higher proportion of patients with Qi-deficiency constitution(χ2=4.895,P=0.027).Among the patients with Qi-deficiency constitution,the patients with Child-Pugh class A liver function accounted for a significantly lower proportion than those with Child-Pugh class B liver function(χ2=6.380,P=0.012),while among the patients with phlegm-dampness constitution,the patients with Child-Pugh class A liver function accounted for a significantly higher proportion than those with Child-Pugh class B liver function(χ2=8.515,P=0.004).The patients with phlegm-dampness constitution had significantly higher levels of prealbumin and Alb than those with the other four constitutions(all P<0.05),as well as significantly lower levels of TBil and total bile acid than those with damp-heat constitution(P<0.05);the patients with Yin-deficiency constitution had a significantly lower level of Alb than those with qi-deficiency constitution,blood-stasis constitution,or phlegm-dampness constitution(all P<0.05);the patients with Yin-deficiency constitution had a significantly lower proportion of patients with abnormal alpha-fetoprotein than those with non-Yin-deficiency constitutions(χ2=4.448,P=0.035).Conclusion Hepatitis B cirrhosis patients with DN mainly have the TCM constitution types of Qi deficiency,blood stasis,and phlegm dampness.The patients with phlegm-dampness constitution seem to have a low probability of carcinogenesis,while those with damp-heat constitution and Yin-deficiency constitution have a relatively high risk of carcinogenesis.
9.Study on the Radiomics Model to Predict Early Recurrence after Hepatocellular Carcinoma Ablation
Zhipeng CHENG ; Xiaoling CHEN ; Hui ZHANG ; Yixin CHEN ; Yuchang LIN ; Qian YANG ; Sina JIANG ; Huang HUANG
Modern Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment in Gastroenterology 2024;29(8):923-931,942
Objective Liver cancer is the second leading cause of tumor-related death.The efficacy of local thermal ablation is comparable to surgical resection for the early hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and the ablation technique is minimally invasive,repeatable,and has a low complication rate.However,early recurrence((2 years)is the main cause of death after HCC ablation,but there is still a lack of accurate and reliable prediction models for early recurrence.Therefore,this survey intended to construct prediction models for early recurrence of HCC after ablation by using preoperative gadoxetic acid disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance(MR)images data combined with radiomics methods,evaluate and verify their predictive efficacy.To explore the application value of contrast-enhanced MRI imaging before ablation in the prognosis assessment of HCC patients,and to provide reliable data and theoretical basis for clinical treatment decisions.Methods A retrospective study was performed on 120 patients with HCC who underwent ablation and all the patients were underwent contrast-enhanced MRI examination within 1 month.A total of 1318 radiomic features were extracted from each patient by using preoperative T2-weighted sequence(T2WI)images of contrast-enhanced MRI.After feature selection,six machine learning algorithms would be used for construction of models and comparison.Finally,Logistic regression analysis was used to establish a clinical model,a radiomics model and a combined model which included the above risk factors and radiologic features.The nomogram was constructed based the combined model to evaluate the differentiation,accuracy and clinical benefit.Results Five radiomic features most closely related to early recurrence were identified and selected for model construction.The radiomic model had effective predictive performance,with AUC of 0.80 in the training sets.Two clinical risk factors associated with early recurrence,including tumor number and peritumoral hypodensity on the hepatobiliary phase,were selected to established a clinical-radiological-radiomics(CRRM)model,with AUC as high as 0.92 in the validation sets.The nomogram of CRRM model was constructed and the calibration curves indicated the goodness of fit.Decision curve analysis further confirmed the clinical usefulness of CRRM model.Conclusion The radiomics model of preoperatively contrast-enhanced MRI-T2WI image features was identified be effective to predict HCC early recurrence.In contrast,the CRRM model could be used as a more comprehensive and superior tool to predict individual probability of early recurrence.Patients at high risk of early recurrence could be identified and the appropriate and effective preoperative treatments could also be taken,to improve the prognosis and long-term survival rate of HCC patients the individualized treatment strategies should be formulated.
10.Spatial distribution pattern of local tumor progression analysis after microwave ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma based on three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging
Fangying FAN ; Wenzhen DING ; Fangyi LIU ; Zhigang CHENG ; Zhiyu HAN ; Xiaoling YU ; Ping LIANG ; Jie YU
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(3):208-213
Objective:To investigate the spatial distribution pattern of local tumor progression (LTP) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤5 cm after microwave ablation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 169 HCCs with matched MRI before and after ablation from December 2009 to December 2019. A tumor MRI was reconstructed using three-dimensional visualization technology. LTP was classified as contact or non-contact, early or late stage, according to whether LTP was in contact with the edge of the ablation zone and the occurrence time (24 months). The tumor-surrounded area was divided into eight quadrants by using the eight-quadrant map method. An analysis was conducted on the spatial correlation between the quadrant where the ablative margin (AM) safety boundary was located and the quadrant where different types of LTP occurred. The t-test, or rank-sum test, was used for the measurement data. 2-test for count data was used to compare the difference between the two groups.Results:The AM quadrant had a distribution of 54.4% LTP, 64.2% early LTP stage, and 69.1% contact LTP, suggesting this quadrant was much more concentrated than the other quadrants ( P ?0.001). Additionally, the AM quadrant had only 15.2% of non-contact type LTP and 17.1% of late LTP, which was not significantly different from the average distribution probability of 12.5% (100/8%) among the eight quadrants ( P = 0.667, 0.743). 46.6% of early contact type LTP was located at the ablation needle tip, 25.2% at the body, and 28.1% at the caudal, while the location distribution probabilities of non-early contact LTP were 34.8%, 31.8%, and 33.3%, respectively. Conclusion:LTP mostly occurs in areas where the ablation safety boundary is the shortest. However, non-contact LTP and late LTP stages exhibit the feature of uniform distribution. Thus, this type of LPT may result from an inadequate non-ablation safety boundary.


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