ObjectiveTo investigate the accuracy of multiple discriminant analysis （MDA） versus fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） in assessing liver fibrosis degree in patients with HBV infection， as well as the possibility of MDA as an indicator for disease progression. MethodsA total of 263 patients with HBV infection who underwent liver biopsy in The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from April 2010 to April 2024 were included， and their clinical data were collected. According to the results of pathological examination， they were divided into non-significant fibrosis group （F<2） with 126 patients and significant fibrosis group （F≥2） with 137 patients. The correlation of MDA and FIB-4 with liver fibrosis degree was analyzed， and MDA and FIB-4 were compared in terms of their accuracy in assessing significant liver fibrosis. A total of 62 patients completed follow-up， and according to the presence or absence of progression to liver cirrhosis at the last follow-up visit， they were divided into progressive group with 21 patients and non-progressive group with 41 patients； the efficacy of MDA and FIB-4 in diagnosing disease progression was analyzed and compared. The independent-samples 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 Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the Bonferroni method was used for further comparison between two groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis. The Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used for the analysis of baseline data and data at the end of follow-up， and the binary Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for progression to liver cirrhosis. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was used to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of indicators， the Z-test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve （AUC）， and the paired chi-square test was used for comparison of the sensitivity， specificity， and accuracy of the two indicators. ResultsThe correlation coefficient between FIB-4 and liver fibrosis degree was 0.378， while the correlation coefficient between MDA and liver fibrosis degree was -0.325 （both P<0.001）. FIB-4 had an AUC of 0.688， a sensitivity of 64.96%， a specificity of 68.87%， a positive predictive value of 67.42%， a negative predictive value of 63.36%， an accuracy of 65.40%， and a cut-off value of 1.01， while MDA had an AUC of 0.653， a sensitivity of 52.55%， a specificity of 78.57%， a positive predictive value of 72.73%， a negative predictive value of 60.37%， an accuracy of 65.02%， and a cut-off value of 0.29， suggesting that compared with FIB-4， MDA had a lower sensitivity （P=0.004） and a higher specificity （P=0.001）. The progressive group had a significantly higher age than the non-progressive group at baseline （t=2.611， P=0.011）. For the progressive group， there was an increase in FIB-4 and a reduction in MDA from baseline to the end of follow-up （both P<0.001）， while the non-progressive group showed no significant changes （both P>0.05）. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that aspartate aminotransferase （odds ratio ［OR］=0.940， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 0.885‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.998， P<0.05） and MDA （OR=0.445， 95%CI： 0.279‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.710， P<0.001） were independent influencing factors for disease progression. MDA had an AUC of 0.893 and an optimal cut-off value of -0.01 in diagnosing the disease progression of liver cirrhosis. ConclusionMDA has a comparable accuracy to FIB-4 in the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis， and MDA<-0.01 has a high accuracy in diagnosing the progression of liver fibrosis to liver cirrhosis， which can help to reduce the need for liver biopsy in clinical practice.

This article investigates the collaborative management of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） and chronic kidney disease （CKD）. As major public health issues worldwide， MAFLD and CKD are closely related in terms of epidemiology， pathogenesis， and management strategies， and however， there are still many challenges in the multidisciplinary collaborative management of the two diseases. This article systematically elaborates on the epidemiology of MAFLD and CKD， summarizes their common risk factors such as metabolic disorder， genetic susceptibility， and active metabolites， and reviews the mutual screening strategies and combined management models based on noninvasive imaging， serum markers， FIB-4 score， and liver stiffness measurement. In addition， this article summarizes the advances in the application of lifestyle intervention and new drugs （such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors） and emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in improving the prognosis of patients. Due to the close association between MAFLD and CKD， their joint management is crucial， and therefore， it is necessary to establish a multidisciplinary collaboration mechanism and implement the measures of precise screening， comprehensive treatment， and long-term monitoring， so as to improve the prognosis of patients and reduce the risk of complications. Finally， this article proposes that in the future， more effective combined treatment regimens should be explored to expand the clinical options for the co-management of the liver and the kidney.

Primary hepatic cancer is one of the major problems that need to be solved urgently in the field of public health, seriously endangering the life and health of Chinese people. Its treatment mode is multidisciplinary participation and synergy of multiple therapeutic methods. Even though there are many common clinical treatments for liver cancer in China, its therapeutic outcome is still unsatisfactory. yttrium-90 has been applied for more than 20 years, and a large amount of foreign clinical data have been accumulated. Combining the latest literature and clinical practice, the authors describe the clinical application and research progress of yttrium-90 micro-sphere selective internal radiation therapy in primary liver cancer.

ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between blood stasis constitution （BSC） and diseases based on constitution literature involving “constitution-diseases correlation”. MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted on six Chinese and English electronic databases including CNKI， Wanfang， VIP， SinoMed， PubMed and Embase to find all clinical researches on the correlation between constitution and diseases using the Classification and Identification of Chinese Medicine Constitution standard from April 1st， 2009 to December 31st， 2022， and the participants of the research were BSC related. By analyzing the characteristics of the literature， such as authors， publication institutes， participants， and results， the disease with the highest proportion of BSC distribution or BSC as their risk factors or protective factors were summarized to explore the correlation between BSC and diseases. ResultsTotally 135 clinical studies on diseases highly related to BSC were included， with a total sample size of 71 172 cases.There were 27 keywords in the articles appeared more than 3 times， including the elderly， lumbar disc herniation， coronary heart disease， cardiovascular disease， and endometriosis. In the author's clustering， included studis were mainly from Shenzhen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine， Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine， and Wenzhou Central Hospital. In terms of blood stasis related diseases， 81 studies showed that BSC was the most common type of constitution in the study population， involving 48 disease or morbid states. The diseases and median proportions of BSC with reported literature ≥3 included coronary heart disease （28.8%）， endometriosis （31.3%）， neurocognitive impairment （26.4%）， lumbar disc herniation （26.0%）， ischemic stroke （25.0%）， adenomyosis （34.7%）， and endometrial polyps （25.0%）. Fifty-eight studies found that BSC was a risk factor for disease occurrence，and these diseases reported more than 3 times included hypertension （median OR = 2.956）， type 2 diabetes （median OR = 3.436），osteoporosis （median OR = 5.171）， sudden deafness （median OR = 3.827） and endometriosis （median OR = 5.412）. One study indicated BSC as the protective factor of lateral growth tumor of large intestine （median OR = 0.161）. ConclusionBSC is closely related to circulatory system diseases， urogenital system diseases， and musculoskeletal system diseases.

BACKGROUND: Liver biopsy for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is limited by its inherent invasiveness and possible sampling errors. Some studies have shown that cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) concentrations may be useful in diagnosing NASH, but results across studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to identify the utility of CK-18 M30 concentrations as an alternative to liver biopsy for non-invasive identification of NASH. METHODS: Individual data were collected from 14 registry centers on patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and in all patients, circulating CK-18 M30 levels were measured. Individuals with a NAFLD activity score (NAS) ≥5 with a score of ≥1 for each of steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation were diagnosed as having definite NASH; individuals with a NAS ≤2 and no fibrosis were diagnosed as having non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). RESULTS: A total of 2571 participants were screened, and 1008 (153 with NAFL and 855 with NASH) were finally enrolled. Median CK-18 M30 levels were higher in patients with NASH than in those with NAFL (mean difference 177 U/L; standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.87 [0.69-1.04]). There was an interaction between CK-18 M30 levels and serum alanine aminotransferase, body mass index (BMI), and hypertension ( P  < 0.001, P  = 0.026 and P  = 0.049, respectively). CK-18 M30 levels were positively associated with histological NAS in most centers. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) for NASH was 0.750 (95% confidence intervals: 0.714-0.787), and CK-18 M30 at Youden's index maximum was 275.7 U/L. Both sensitivity (55% [52%-59%]) and positive predictive value (59%) were not ideal. CONCLUSION This large multicenter registry study shows that CK-18 M30 measurement in isolation is of limited value for non-invasively diagnosing NASH.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnosis* ; Keratin-18 ; Biomarkers ; Biopsy ; Hepatocytes/pathology* ; Apoptosis ; Liver/pathology*

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and white matter high signal and non-dementia vascular cognitive dysfunction in patients with cerebral small vascular disease (CSVD).Methods:Total 106 patients with CSVD who were admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College from April 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled.They were divided into vascular cognitive impairment no dementia group (VCIND group, n=47) and no vascular cognitive impairment group (N-VCI group, n=59)according to mini-mental assessment scale (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale and activity of daily living scale (ADL). Serum VEGF levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The baseline data, serum VEGF levels, MoCA score and Fazekas score were compared between the two groups.The correlation between serum VEGF level and white matter high signal and cognitive function was analyzed.SPSS 19.0 software was used for data processing.The statistical methods were t-test, Chi square test, nonparametric test, Logistic regression analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman correlation analysis. Results:There were significant differences in serum VEGF level((464.18±114.58)pg/mL, (414.17±45.80)pg/mL, F=22.880), MoCA score((13.07±6.48), (20.17±4.06), F=17.920) and Fazekas score (4(3, 5), 3(1, 3), Z=-4.189)between the two groups (all P<0.05). The level of VEGF( β=0.008, OR=1.008, 95% CI=1.001-1.015, P<0.05) was the influencing factor of cognitive function in patients with CSVD .The level of VEGF was negatively correlated with the total score of MoCA, attention and calculation power, and orientation ability ( r=-0.345, -0.373, -0.445, all P<0.05) and it was positively correlated with the total Fazekas score and the Fazekas score of paraventricular and deep white matter ( r=0.392, 0.495, 0.302, all P<0.05). There was a linear trend between the high signal grade of paraventricular and deep white matter and VCIND (both P<0.05). Conclusion:Serum VEGF level is correlated with cognitive function and white matter hyperintensity in patients with CSVD.The increase of VEGF level may be a factor reflecting cognitive dysfunction.In addition, with the increase of white matter hyperintensity level, the risk of VCIND in CSVD is increased.

【Objective】 To investigate the immune status of blood donors in Yangzhou area after SARS-COV-2 vaccinating. 【Methods】 Among 112 voluntary blood donors from August 29 to September 22, 2021, 111 were vaccinated with SARS-COV-2 vaccine.IgM antibody(by enzyme-linked immunocapture method), IgG antibody(by indirect method of combined immunoassay)and IgG antibody titer were detected. 【Results】 A total of 99.11% (111/112 ) voluntary blood donors were vaccinated, two-shot(n=103), one-shot(n=1) and three-shot (n=7) accounting for 91.96%, 0.89% and 6.25%, respectively.Eighty-eight (78.57%) were positive for IgG antibodies, and 14 (12.5%) were positive for IgM antibodies.No statistically significant difference was found in IgG and IgM positive yielding between males and females (P>0.05). The proportion (0.89%, 1/112) of positive IgM in blood donors with blood type A was significantly lower than that of other blood types (P<0.01). The IgG antibody titer of blood donors maintained rather high level within 6 months after vaccinating.47.66% of the donors presented antibody titer more than 160, and 5.60% had IgM antibody been detected within 1 month after vaccinating. 【Conclusion】 At present, the SARS-COV-2 vaccination effect in China is generally good.Since IgG antibodies cannot be detected after 6 months, it is suggested to perform IgG antibody testing for donors who have completed the second dose for more than 6 months.For those IgG antibody negative, booster shots should be conducted.For donors with high IgG antibody titer, their plasma may be considered to replace with COVID-19 convalescent plasma for the treatment of patients with rapid disease progression, or severe/critically ill patients diagnosed with COVID-19, so as to avoid the risk of COVID-19 re-spreading during convalescent plasma collection in blood centers. For blood donors with positive IgM antibodies, it is recommended to follow up the NAT results to minimize the risk of transmission.

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a hotspot in the field of fatty liver disease at present and it has become the most common chronic liver disease around the world. It is predicted that the incidence rates of MAFLD and related liver cirrhosis will continue to grow in the next 20 years and that they will become new global health issues. Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is defined as a clinical syndrome of acute or subacute liver function decompensation within a short period of time in the presence of existing chronic liver diseases, with the main clinical manifestations of ascites, jaundice, coagulation disorder, and hepatic encephalopathy. Based on the existing data, this article discusses the epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment and management strategies, and future prospects of MAFLD-ACLF.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with single spinal metastasis of thoracic, lumbar or sacral vertebra treated with microwave ablation in situ.Methods:For 28 patients with single spinal metastasis of thoracic, lumbar or sacral vertebra, detailed and personal surgical plans were carried out. Instead of en bloc resection, hyperthermia ablation in situ was performed followed by strengthening procedures under the guidance of G-arm fluoroscopy machine. Intraoperatively, spinal cord and nerve root were properly protected. The bone defects were reconstructed by bone cement after the diseased lesions were revomed. All patients were followed up for almost 1 year postoperatively. During follow-up, X-ray and MRI images were obtained, and the level of pain and neurologic outcomes were also examined.Results:All 28 patients successfully received microwave ablation in situ. The average ablation time was approximately 8 minutes and the average amount of bone cement implanted was approximately 10.5 ml. The pain scores of digital pain classification before and 3 months after operation were 7.86±1.58 and 3.07±1.89( P<0.05). The postoperative neurological function of 22 patients was improved than that before operation. No significant changes were observed in 5 patients. The neurological function of the affected limb was relieved, whereas the symptoms of the healthy limb were slightly worse in the remaining case. Conclusions:Microwave ablation in situ is a feasible and effective surgical method for single spinal metastasis of thoracic, lumbar or sacral vertebra. It might possess many advantages, such as clear surgical field, smaller incisions, less bleeding, and safe margins during the operations. Further more, it could significantly relieve pain, restrict tumor growth, and improve the quality of life of patients. It is an innovative and distinctive therapeutic alternative for single spinal metastasis, which deserves widespread application.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical performance of anti-peptidylarginine deiminase 2 (PAD2) and anti-PAD4 antibodies combined testing in a Chinese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort.Methods:A total of 148 RA inpatients and 35 patients with non-RA arthritis as controls (DC) were recruited from November, 2018 to November, 2019 in Peking University People′s Hospital. In addition, a total of 44 healthy controls (HC) who went to Peking University People′s Hospital for annual physical examination were collected from June 2019 to July 2019. The α-PAD2 and α-PAD4 level in clinical specimens were determined by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed by the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test, the χ 2 test or the Fisher′s Exact Test, as necessary. Correlation analysis were performed by logistic regression. Results:α-PAD2 and α-PAD4 were present in 26.4% (39/148) and 20.9% (31/148) patients with RA, 5.7% (2/35) and 5.7% DC (2/35) and 4.5% (2/44) and 2.3% HC (2/44), respectively. α-PAD4-positive RA patients displayed significantly longer disease duration compared to α-PAD4-negative RA patients (17.3±13.2 years vs 8.6±10.2 years, P<0.001). α-PAD4-positive RA patients showed a significantly higher incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) compared to those without α-PAD4 (54.8% vs 25.6%, P=0.002). No associations between α-PAD2 and ILD were found ( OR: 0.797, P=0.579). In contrast, significant associations between α-PAD4 and ILD were found ( OR: 3.521, P=0.002). In seropositive RA, α-PAD4 displayed a weak correlation with ILD ( OR: 2.324, P=0.046), but this association was greatly enhanced when combined with α-PAD2 [anti-PAD2 (-)] ( OR: 4.059, P=0.007). Conclusions:The findings delineate the clinical relevance of α-PAD2 and α-PAD4 in RA and suggest that the combined testing for α-PAD2 and α-PAD4 may provide additional diagnostic value to the current clinically available assays in RA, in particular in identifying patients at risk of RA-ILD.