The association between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its subtypes in the U.S. population remains unclear. This study aims to investigate this relationship. This study involved individuals aged 20 years or older who were not pregnant from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between the years 2017 and 2020. MAFLD diagnosis was established by identifying the occurrence of liver steatosis through ultrasound transient elastography, along with the presence of one or more of the following disorders: diabetes mellitus (DM), overweight or obesity, or metabolic disorders. We evaluated the association between TyG index and MAFLD using multivariable regression analysis. Our study included 2966 participants with a mean age of 46.9 ± 16.5 years. As TyG quartiles increased, MAFLD incidence increased (P < 0.001). Full model adjustment indicated that TyG was independently connected with MAFLD (OR = 2.53; 95% CI = 2.13-3.00]), with the maximum quartile exhibiting the highest risk. In men, the TyG index and MAFLD exhibit a nonlinear J-shaped relationship (P = 0.042), whereas in women, the relationship was linear and positive (P = 0.204). This association was found to be more pronounced in Mexican Americans, those who were not overweight or obese, and among individuals without chronic kidney disease (CKD) (all P for interaction < 0.05). The TyG index was an independent risk factor for MAFLD. Individuals with various MAFLD components require individualized management.

In this study, we aim to develop a model for predicting gastroesophageal varices (GEV) bleeding in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) by utilizing hemodynamic parameters obtained through four-dimensional flow MRI (4D flow MRI). This study conducted a prospective enrollment of CHB patients suspected of GEV from October 2021 to May 2022. The severity of varices and bleeding risk were evaluated using clinical findings and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and patients were classified into high-risk and non-high-risk groups. The study utilized serological examination, ultrasonographic examination, and 4D flow MRI. Relevant parameters were selected through univariate and multivariate analyses, and a prediction model was established using binary logistic regression analysis. The model was combined with the Baveno Ⅵ/Ⅶ and Expanded Baveno Ⅵ/Ⅶ criteria to evaluate diagnostic efficacy and the risk of avoiding endoscopic examination. A total of 40 CHB patients were enrolled and categorized into the high-risk group (n = 15) and the non-high-risk group (n = 25). The spleen diameter and regurgitant fraction (R%) were independent predictors of variceal bleeding and a predictive model was established. The combination of this prediction model and the Baveno Ⅵ/Ⅶ criteria achieved high diagnostic efficiency, enabling 45.00% (18/40) of patients to be exempted from the unnecessary endoscopic procedure and the high-risk misclassification rate (0%) was less than 5%. The prediction model generated by 4D flow MRI has the potential to assess the likelihood of varices and can be supplemented by the Baveno VI/VII criteria to improve diagnostic accuracy in CHB patients.

Aim:: To identify age-matched healthy volunteers, non-cirrhotic chronic liver disease (CLD) and cirrhotic patients based on portal hemodynamic parameters using 4D flow MRI. Methods:: A total of 10 age-matched healthy volunteers and 69 CLD patients were enrolled and underwent 4D flow MRI prospectively. 4D flow MR images were processed by an MD in biomedical engineering working on the GTFlow platform. Portal hemodynamic parameters include net flow (mL/cycle), flow volume per second through the lumen (mL/sec), average flow velocity (cm/sec), and maximum flow velocity (cm/sec). The difference in portal hemodynamic parameters of 4D flow MRI was compared among healthy volunteers, non-cirrhotic CLD patients and patients with cirrhosis by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test and post hoc tests. Results:: 10 CLD patients without cirrhosis and 56 patients with cirrhosis were eventually included, along with 10 healthy volunteers who were divided into three groups. 3 patients with cirrhosis whose image quality did not meet the requirements were excluded. There were no significant differences in portal hemodynamic parameters among the three groups except portal average velocity (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in all portal hemodynamic parameters of 4D flow MRI between healthy volunteers and patients with cirrhosis (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in portal average velocity between non-cirrhotic CLD patients, healthy volunteers and patients with cirrhosis, respectively (11.44±3.93 vs 8.10±2.66, P=0.013; 11.44±3.93 vs 8.60±2.22, P=0.007). Conclusion:: Portal average velocity obtained by 4D flow MRI can be an auxiliary means to identify cirrhosis in patients with CLD.

: Arthritis is a prevalent condition posing a significant threat to human health. The lactate dehydrogenase to albumin ratio (LAR) has been recognized as a key indicator for the onset and progression of various diseases. However, its association with arthritis remains incompletely investigated. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2010). Arthritis identification was based on self-reported information. We employed weighted logistic regression analysis to assess the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between log ₂ -transformed LAR (log ₂ (LAR)) and arthritis. We also employed subgroup and sensitivity analyses to evaluate the robustness of results. Among 8616 participants, 2229 had arthritis. After full covariate adjustment, log ₂ (LAR) was significantly associated with arthritis (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.16–2.01; P = .003). Participants in the highest log ₂ (LAR) quartile had a 37% higher arthritis risk versus the lowest quartile (adjusted OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.07–1.74; P = .013). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed result stability. Elevated log ₂ (LAR) levels were associated with increased risk of arthritis (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.16–2.01; P = .003).