Present and future of new systemic therapies for early and intermediate stages of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a high mortality neoplasm which usually appears on a cirrhotic liver.The therapeutic arsenal and subsequent prognostic outlook are intrinsically linked to the HCC stage at diagnosis.Notwithstanding the current deployment of treatments with curative intent(liver resection/local ablation and liver transplantation)in early and intermediate stages,a high rate of HCC recurrence persists,underscoring a pivotal clinical challenge.Emergent systemic therapies(ST),particularly immunotherapy,have demonstrate promising outcomes in terms of increase overall survival,but they are currently bound to the advanced stage of HCC.This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the literature,encompassing studies up to March 10,2024,evaluating the impact of novel ST in the early and intermediate HCC stages,specially focusing on the findings of neoadjuvant and adjuvant regimens,aimed at increasing significantly overall survival and recurrence-free survival after a treatment with curative intent.We also investigate the potential role of ST in enhancing the downstaging rate for the intermediate-stage HCC initially deemed ineligible for treatment with curative intent.Finally,we critically discuss about the current relevance of the results of these studies and the encouraging future implications of ST in the treatment schedules of early and intermediate HCC stages.

Single-cell profiling of the pig cecum at various developmental stages

The gastrointestinal tract is essential for food digestion,nutrient absorption,waste elimination,and microbial defense.Single-cell transcriptome profiling of the intestinal tract has greatly enriched our understanding of cellular diversity,functional heterogeneity,and their importance in intestinal tract development and disease.Although such profiling has been extensively conducted in humans and mice,the single-cell gene expression landscape of the pig cecum remains unexplored.Here,single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 45572 cells obtained from seven cecal samples in pigs at four different developmental stages(days(D)30,42,150,and 730).Analysis revealed 12 major cell types and 38 subtypes,as well as their distinctive genes,transcription factors,and regulons,many of which were conserved in humans.An increase in the relative proportions of CD8^(+)T and Granzyme A(low expression)natural killer T cells(GZMA^(low)NKT)cells and a decrease in the relative proportions of epithelial stem cells,Tregs,RHEX^(+)T cells,and plasmacytoid dendritic cells(pDCs)were noted across the developmental stages.Moreover,the post-weaning period exhibited an up-regulation in mitochondrial genes,COX2 and ND2,as well as genes involved in immune activation in multiple cell types.Cell-cell crosstalk analysis indicated that IBP6^(+)fibroblasts were the main signal senders at D30,whereas IBP6^(−)fibroblasts assumed this role at the other stages.NKT cells established interactions with epithelial cells and IBP6^(+)fibroblasts in the D730 cecum through mediation of GZMA-F2RL1/F2RL2 pairs.This study provides valuable insights into cellular heterogeneity and function in the pig cecum at different development stages.

Novel method for identifying the stages of discharge underwater based on impedance change characteristic

It is difficult to determine the discharge stages in a fixed time of repetitive discharge underwater due to the arc formation process being susceptible to external environmental influences. This paper proposes a novel underwater discharge stage identification method based on the Strong Tracking Filter(STF) and impedance change characteristics. The time-varying equivalent circuit model of the discharge underwater is established based on the plasma theory analysis of the impedance change characteristics and mechanism of the discharge process. The STF is used to reduce the randomness of the impedance of repeated discharges underwater, and then the universal identification resistance data is obtained. Based on the resistance variation characteristics of the discriminating resistance of the pre-breakdown, main, and oscillatory discharge stages, the threshold values for determining the discharge stage are obtained. These include the threshold values for the resistance variation rate(K) and the moment(t).Experimental and error analysis results demonstrate the efficacy of this innovative method in discharge stage determination, with a maximum mean square deviation of Scrless than 1.761.

Nutritional Composition and Distribution of Heracleum dissectum Ledeb.at Different Growth Stages

Heracleum dissectum Ledeb.(HD)with high edible and medicinal values is distributed in Northeast Asia.To provide a reference for selecting appropriate parts and periods to harvest HD,the nutrient contents in different parts of HD at three growth stages were determined.The nutrients being determined are essential nutrients closely related to human needs,and the crude protein content of HD was 3.58‒28.43 g•100 g^(-1)DW(dry weight),sugar content was 2.33‒30.92 g•100 g^(-1)DW,and soluble dietary fiber content was 9.71‒26.09 g•100 g^(-1)DW.Crude protein was mainly distributed in leaf blades and inflorescences,sugar was primarily found in roots,and dietary fiber was predominantly located in leaves.From the leaf development stage to the flowering stage and then to the late seed harvest stage,the content of moisture,crude protein and soluble sugar first decreased and then increased.In contrast,the content of dietary fiber and crude fat first increased and then decreased.

Autophagy-dependent ferroptosis may play a critical role in early stages of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy(DR),as one of the most common and significant microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus(DM),continues to elude effective targeted treatment for vision loss despite ongoing enrichment of the understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms from perspectives such as inflammation and oxidative stress.Recent studies have indicated that characteristic neuroglial degeneration induced by DM occurs before the onset of apparent microvascular lesions.In order to comprehensively grasp the early-stage pathological changes of DR,the retinal neurovascular unit(NVU)will become a crucial focal point for future research into the occurrence and progression of DR.Based on existing evidence,ferroptosis,a form of cell death regulated by processes like ferritinophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy,mediates apoptosis in retinal NVU components,including pericytes and ganglion cells.Autophagy-dependent ferroptosis-related factors,including BECN1 and FABP4,may serve as both biomarkers for DR occurrence and development and potentially crucial targets for future effective DR treatments.The aforementioned findings present novel perspectives for comprehending the mechanisms underlying the early-stage pathological alterations in DR and open up innovative avenues for investigating supplementary therapeutic strategies.

Lymph node dissection does not affect the survival of patients with tumor node metastasis stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND The effect of the number of lymph node dissections(LNDs)during radical resection for colorectal cancer(CRC)on overall survival(OS)remains controver-sial.AIM To investigate the association between the number of LNDs and OS in patients with tumor node metastasis(TNM)stage Ⅰ–Ⅱ CRC undergoing radical resection.METHODS Patients who underwent radical resection for CRC at a single-center hospital between January 2011 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the independent predictors of OS at different T stages.RESULTS A total of 2850 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection for CRC were enrolled.At stage T1,age[P<0.01,hazard ratio(HR)=1.075,95%confidence interval(CI):1.019-1.134]and tumour size(P=0.021,HR=3.635,95%CI:1.210-10.917)were independent risk factors for OS.At stage T2,age(P<0.01,HR=1.064,95%CI:1.032-1.098)and overall complications(P=0.012,HR=2.297,95%CI:1.200-4.397)were independent risk factors for OS.At stage T3,only age(P<0.01,HR=1.047,95%CI:1.027-1.066)was an independent risk factor for OS.At stage T4,age(P<0.01,HR=1.057,95%CI:1.039-1.075)and body mass index(P=0.034,HR=0.941,95%CI:0.890-0.995)were independent risk factors for OS.However,there was no association between LNDs and OS in stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ.CONCLUSION The number of LDNs did not affect the survival of patients with TNM stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ CRC.Therefore,insufficient LNDs should not be a cause for alarm during the surgery.

Research on the Relationship between the School-Running Characteristics of Private Colleges and Universities and the Development Objectives of the Government

The development objectives of the Chinese government have a guiding effect on the school-running characteristics of private colleges and universities.This paper explores the relationship between the characteristics of private colleges and universities and the development objectives of the provincial government,using Jiangsu Province as a case study.All the schools have the consciousness of fully considering the development objectives of Jiangsu Province when formulating the school-running characteristics.Their characteristics all contain some training methods,training courses,or institutional construction aiming at the development objectives.Most universities can support the government’s objectives on employment and innovation.Only a third of the schools provide government support for science research.Private colleges and universities should make full use of the free and flexible advantages of private education,combine them with the continuous changes of policies and markets,and create clear,scientific,and dynamic school-running characteristics,in order to achieve long-term development.

Stage at diagnosis of colorectal cancer through diagnostic route:Who should be screened?

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a global health concern,with advanced-stage diagnoses contributing to poor prognoses.The efficacy of CRC screening has been well-established;nevertheless,a significant proportion of patients remain unscreened,with>70%of cases diagnosed outside screening.Although identifying specific subgroups for whom CRC screening should be particularly recommended is crucial owing to limited resources,the association between the diagnostic routes and identification of these subgroups has been less appreciated.In the Japanese cancer registry,the diagnostic routes for groups discovered outside of screening are primarily categorized into those with comorbidities found during hospital visits and those with CRC-related symptoms.AIM To clarify the stage at CRC diagnosis based on diagnostic routes.METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational study using a cancer registry of patients with CRC between January 2016 and December 2019 at two hospitals.The diagnostic routes were primarily classified into three groups:Cancer screening,follow-up,and symptomatic.The early-stage was defined as Stages 0 or I.Multivariate and univariate logistic regressions were exploited to determine the odds of early-stage diagnosis in the symptomatic and cancer screening groups,referencing the follow-up group.The adjusted covariates were age,sex,and tumor location.RESULTS Of the 2083 patients,715(34.4%),1064(51.1%),and 304(14.6%)belonged to the follow-up,symptomatic,and cancer screening groups,respectively.Among the 2083 patients,CRCs diagnosed at an early stage were 57.3%(410 of 715),23.9%(254 of 1064),and 59.5%(181 of 304)in the follow-up,symptomatic,and cancer screening groups,respectively.The symptomatic group exhibited a lower likelihood of early-stage diagnosis than the follow-up group[P<0.001,adjusted odds ratio(aOR),0.23;95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.19-0.29].The likelihood of diagnosis at an early stage was similar between the follow-up and cancer screening groups(P=0.493,aOR for early-stage diagnosis in the cancer screening group vs follow-up group=1.11;95%CI=0.82-1.49).CONCLUSION CRCs detected during hospital visits for comorbidities were diagnosed earlier,similar to cancer screening.CRC screening should be recommended,particularly for patients without periodical hospital visits for comorbidities.

Understanding changes in volatile compounds and fatty acids of Jincheng orange peel oil at different growth stages using GC-MS

Jincheng orange(Citrus sinensis Osbeck)is widely grown in Chongqing,China,and is commonly consumed because of its characteristic aroma contributed by the presence of diverse volatile compounds.The changes in aroma during the development and maturation of fruit are indicators for ripening and harvest time.However,the influence of growth stages on the volatile compounds in Jincheng orange remains unclear.In addition,volatiles originate from fatty acids,most of which are the precursors of volatile substances.On this basis,gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)was performed to elaborate the changes in volatile constituents and fatty acids as precursors.This study tested proximately 60 volatiles and 8 fatty acids at 9 growth and development stages(AF1-AF9).Of those compounds,more than 92.00%of total volatiles and 87.50%of fatty acids were terpenoid and saturated fatty acids,respectively.As shown in the PCA plot,the AF5,AF6,and AF9 stages were confirmed as completely segregated and appeared different.In addition,most of the volatiles and fatty acids first increased at the beginning of the development stage,then decreased from the AF6 development stage,and finally increased at the AF9 maturity stage.Moreover,the highest contents of terpenoid,alcohols,aldehydes,ketones,and saturated fatty acids in Jincheng orange peel oil were d-limonene,linalool,octanal,cyclohexanone,and stearic acid during development stages,respectively.Our results found that the growth stages significantly affected the volatile constituents and precursors in Jincheng orange peel oil.

Mid-term results of sub-trochanteric valgus osteotomy for symptomatic late stages Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

BACKGROUND The treatment of late stages of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease(LCPD)is controversial.Although the concept of femoral head containment is a well-established technique of treatment,its use remains debatable in the late stages of the disease,as it does not improve symptoms in terms of limb length discrepancy and gait.AIM To assess the results of subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy in symptomatic patients with late-stage Perthes disease.METHODS From 2000 to 2007,36 symptomatic patients with late stage of Perthes disease were surgically treated with subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy and followed-up for 8 to 11 years using the IOWA score and range of motion(ROM)variables.The Mose classification was also assessed at the last follow-up to reflect possible remodeling.The patients were 8 years old or older at the time of surgery,in the post-fragmentation stage,and complaining of pain,limited ROM,Trendelenburg gait,and/or abductor weakness.RESULTS The preoperative IOWA score(average:53.3)markedly improved at the 1-year post follow-up period(average:85.41)and then slightly improved at the last follow-up(average:89.4)(P value<0.05).ROM improved,with internal rotation increased on average by 22°(from 10°preoperatively to 32°postoperatively)and abduction increased on average by 15.9°(from 25°preoperatively to 41°postoperatively).The mean Mose deviation of femoral heads was 4.1 mm at the end of the follow-up period.The tests used were the paired t-test and Pearson correlation test,where the level of significance was a P value less than 0.05.CONCLUSION Subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy can be a good option for symptomatic relief in patients with late-stage of LCPD.

Rectal Cancer Stages T2 and T3 Identification Based on Asymptotic Hybrid Feature Maps

Many existing intelligent recognition technologies require huge datasets for model learning.However,it is not easy to collect rectal cancer images,so the performance is usually low with limited training samples.In addition,traditional rectal cancer staging is time-consuming,error-prone,and susceptible to physicians’subjective awareness as well as professional expertise.To settle these deficiencies,we propose a novel deep-learning model to classify the rectal cancer stages of T2 and T3.First,a novel deep learning model(RectalNet)is constructed based on residual learning,which combines the squeeze-excitation with the asymptotic output layer and new cross-convolution layer links in the residual block group.Furthermore,a two-stage data augmentation is designed to increase the number of images and reduce deep learning’s dependence on the volume of data.The experiment results demonstrate that the proposed method is superior to many existing ones,with an overall accuracy of 0.8583.Oppositely,other traditional techniques,such as VGG16,DenseNet121,EL,and DERNet,have an average accuracy of 0.6981,0.7032,0.7500,and 0.7685,respectively.

RT-qPCR normalization of reference genes in different lifehistory stages of Gracilaria vermiculophylla(Rhodophyta)

The quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)is a powerful and sensitive method to measure expression of targeted gene but it highly relies on the use of suitable reference genes for data normalization.We evaluated the expressions of 8 housekeeping genes:18S ribosomal rDNA(18S rDNA),28S ribosomal r DNA(28S rDNA),rubisco large subunit(rbc-L),β-actin(ACT),glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH),elongation factor 1(EF1),β-tubulin(Tub B),and P-phycoerythrin B(PEB),to select the suitable reference genes for different life-history stages(tetrasporophyte,carposporophyte,and male/female gametophyte)of Gracilaria vermiculophylla by absolute quantitative method.Softwares geNorm and BestKeeper were used to verify the results acquired from copy number analysis.Results show that the expression of identified reference genes varied in comparing groups composed of different type of life stages.It is suggested that 18S rDNA and TubB could be used for highly complex samples composed of mixed ploidy and phases.18S rDNA and 28S rDNA were also preferred for using among the matured isomorphic samples.But for samples with different maturities,TubB and ACT were recommended for tetrasporophytes and gametophytes respectively.

Deformation Mechanism of Bimodal Structured 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel in Two Yield Stages

A kind of micro/nanostructured 2205 duplex stainless steel(DSS)with uniform distribution of nanocrystals was prepared via aluminothermic reaction method.The analysis of stress-strain curve showed that the fracture strength and elongation of the specimen were 946 MPa and 24.7%,respectively.At present,the research on microstructure of bimodal 2205 DSS at room temperature(RT)mainly depended on scanning electron microscope(SEM)observation after loading experiments.The test result indicates that there are two different yield stages in stress-strain curve of specimen during tensile process.The microstructure of duplex bimodal structured stainless steel consists of two pairs of soft hard regions and phases.By studying deformation mechanism of bimodal structured stainless steel,the interaction between soft phase and hard phase are discussed.The principle of composition design and microstructure control of typical duplex stainless steel is obtained,which provides an important research basis for designing of advanced duplex stainless steel.

Ecological network analysis reveals complex responses of tree species life stage interactions to stand variables

Tree interactions are essential for the structure,dynamics,and function of forest ecosystems,but variations in the architecture of life-stage interaction networks(LSINs)across forests is unclear.Here,we constructed 16 LSINs in the mountainous forests of northwest Hebei,China based on crown overlap from four mixed forests with two dominant tree species.Our results show that LSINs decrease the complexity of stand densities and basal areas due to the interaction cluster differentiation.In addition,we found that mature trees and saplings play different roles,the first acting as“hub”life stages with high connectivity and the second,as“bridges”controlling information flow with high centrality.Across the forests,life stages with higher importance showed better parameter stability within LSINs.These results reveal that the structure of tree interactions among life stages is highly related to stand variables.Our efforts contribute to the understanding of LSIN complexity and provide a basis for further research on tree interactions in complex forest communities.

Feedback linearization and equivalent-disturbance compensation control strategy for piezoelectric stage

Piezoelectric stages use piezoelectric actuators and flexure hinges as driving and amplifying mechanisms,respectively.These systems have high positioning accuracy and high-frequency responses,and they are widely used in various precision/ultra-precision positioning fields.However,the main challenge with these devices is the inherent hysteresis nonlinearity of piezoelectric actuators,which seriously affects the tracking accuracy of a piezoelectric stage.Inspired by this challenge,in this work,we developed a Hammerstein model to describe the hysteresis nonlinearity of a piezoelectric stage.In particular,in our proposed scheme,a feedback-linearization algorithm is used to eliminate the static hysteresis nonlinearity.In addition,a composite controller based on equivalent-disturbance compensation was designed to counteract model uncertainties and external disturbances.An analysis of the stability of a closed-loop system based on this feedback-linearization algorithm and composite controller was performed,and this was followed by extensive comparative experiments using a piezoelectric stage developed in the laboratory.The experimental results confirmed that the feedback-linearization algorithm and the composite controller offer improved linearization and trajectory-tracking performance.

An Elite-Class Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization for Reentrant Hybrid Flow Shop Scheduling with Bottleneck Stage

Bottleneck stage and reentrance often exist in real-life manufacturing processes;however,the previous research rarely addresses these two processing conditions in a scheduling problem.In this study,a reentrant hybrid flow shop scheduling problem(RHFSP)with a bottleneck stage is considered,and an elite-class teaching-learning-based optimization(ETLBO)algorithm is proposed to minimize maximum completion time.To produce high-quality solutions,teachers are divided into formal ones and substitute ones,and multiple classes are formed.The teacher phase is composed of teacher competition and teacher teaching.The learner phase is replaced with a reinforcement search of the elite class.Adaptive adjustment on teachers and classes is established based on class quality,which is determined by the number of elite solutions in class.Numerous experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of new strategies,and ETLBO has a significant advantage in solving the considered RHFSP.

Dry eye rate and its relationship with disease stage in patients with primary hypertension:a cross-sectional study in Vietnam

AIM:To determine the dry eye(DE)rate and its relationship with disease stage in patients with primary hypertension.METHODS:A cross-sectional study included 432 patients with primary hypertension(with an equal number of patients in each group:144 in stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ hypertension)and 144 healthy subjects as a control group.The Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)and Schirmer Ⅰ test without anesthetics were conducted on all 576 subjects.Subjects with OSDI scores<13 and Schirmer Ⅰ values equal to or under 10 mm were diagnosed with DE.RESULTS:The ratio of DE in hypertension patients was higher than in the control group(41.7%versus 18.8%;P<0.001).The proportion of patients with DE increased gradually according to the hypertension stage:27.1% in stage Ⅰ,40.3% in stage Ⅱ,and 57.6% in stage Ⅲ,P<0.001.Age,duration of hypertension,plasma urea,creatinine,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(CRP-hs)levels in hypertension patients with DE were higher than those without DE,P<0.001.Advanced age,a long duration of hypertension,diabetes mellitus,elevated plasma creatinine,and CRP-hs levels were independent factors associated with DE in primary hypertension patients,P<0.001.CONCLUSION:DE is a common disorder associated with advanced age,a long duration of hypertension,diabetes mellitus,elevated plasma CRP-hs,and creatinine levels in patients with primary hypertension.

CmMYB3-like negatively regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis and flower color formation during the post-flowering stage in Chrysanthemum morifolium

Color fading caused by a decrease in anthocyanin accumulation during the post-flowering stage significantly affects postharvest quality of chrysanthemum.However,the underlying mechanism by which anthocyanin accumulation decreases during the post-flowering stage still unclear,which greatly restricts design of molecular breeding in chrysanthemum.Here,a chrysanthemum SG7 R2R3 MYB transcription factor(TF),CmMYB3-like,was identified to have a function in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis during the post-flowering stage.Quantitative real time PCR(qRT-PCR)assays showed that the expression of CmMYB3-like was gradually downregulated when anthocyanin content increased during the flowering stage and was significantly upregulated during the post-flowering stage.Genetic transformation of chrysanthemum and dual-luciferase assays in N.benthamiana leaves showed that CmMYB3-like suppressed anthocyanin accumulation by inhibiting the transcription of CmCHS and CmANS directly and that of CmF3H indirectly.However,overexpression or suppression of CmMYB3-like did not affect the biosynthesis of flavones or flavonols.Genetic transformation of chrysanthemum revealed that the overexpression of CmMYB3-like inhibited anthocyanin accumulation,but its suppression prevented the decrease in anthocyanin accumulation during the post-flowering stage.Our results revealed a crucial role of CmMYB3-like in regulating the color of petals during the post-flowering stage and provided a target gene for molecular design breeding to improve the postharvest quality of chrysanthemum.

Prediction of Lung Cancer Stage Using Tumor Gene Expression Data

Lung cancer remains a significant global health challenge and identifying lung cancer at an early stage is essential for enhancing patient outcomes. The study focuses on developing and optimizing gene expression-based models for classifying cancer types using machine learning techniques. By applying Log2 normalization to gene expression data and conducting Wilcoxon rank sum tests, the researchers employed various classifiers and Incremental Feature Selection (IFS) strategies. The study culminated in two optimized models using the XGBoost classifier, comprising 10 and 74 genes respectively. The 10-gene model, due to its simplicity, is proposed for easier clinical implementation, whereas the 74-gene model exhibited superior performance in terms of Specificity, AUC (Area Under the Curve), and Precision. These models were evaluated based on their sensitivity, AUC, and specificity, aiming to achieve high sensitivity and AUC while maintaining reasonable specificity.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in end-stage liver disease:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)is commonly utilized as a prognostic indicator in end-stage liver disease(ESLD),encompassing conditions like liver failure and decompensated cirrhosis.Nevertheless,some studies have contested the prognostic value of NLR in ESLD.AIM To investigate the ability of NLR to predict ESLD.METHODS Databases,such as Embase,PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Weipu,and Wanfang,were comprehensively searched to identify studies published before October 2022 assessing the prognostic ability of NLR to predict mortality in patients with ESLD.Effect sizes were calculated using comprehensive meta-analysis software and SATAT 15.1.RESULTS A total of thirty studies involving patients with end-stage liver disease(ESLD)were included in the evaluation.Among the pooled results of eight studies,it was observed that the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio(NLR)was significantly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors(random-effects model:standardized mean difference=1.02,95%confidence interval=0.67-1.37).Additionally,twenty-seven studies examined the associations between NLR and mortality in ESLD patients,reporting either hazard ratios(HR)or odds ratios(OR).The combined findings indicated a link between NLR and ESLD mortality(randomeffects model;univariate HR=1.07,95%CI=1.05-1.09;multivariate HR=1.07,95%CI=1.07-1.09;univariate OR=1.29,95%CI=1.18-1.39;multivariate OR=1.29,95%CI=1.09-1.49).Furthermore,subgroup and meta-regression analyses revealed regional variations in the impact of NLR on ESLD mortality,with Asian studies demonstrating a more pronounced effect.CONCLUSION Increased NLR in patients with ESLD is associated with a higher risk of mortality,particularly in Asian patients.NLR is a useful prognostic biomarker in patients with ESLD.