Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestation, therapy, and prognosis of Susac syndrome and enhance the understanding of this disease.Methods:A case summary was made.The clinical data of two siblings with Susac syndrome treated at Children′s Medical Center, Peking University First Hospital in January 2024 were summarized.Reported cases of pediatric Susac syndrome were reviewed.Results:The onset of the disease in the two siblings was at the age of 3.00 and 6.75 years, with recurrent headaches, tinnitus, hearing loss and encephalopathy symptoms.Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple cerebral microbleeding and microinfarction lesions, " snowball like" in the corpus callosum and diffuse white matter edema in the brain.Audiometry revealed sensorineural hearing loss.In one case, ophthalmic fluorescein angiography revealed ischemic changes due to branch retinal artery occlusions.No pathogenic variants were detected in gene testing.This child was diagnosed with Susac syndrome, and the symptoms were improved after treatment with Corticosteroids and Rituximab.No relapse was observed during the 9-month follow-up.A total of 20 pediatric cases of Susac syndrome were retrieved, including 18 reported previously and 2 cases from this study.There were 2 boys and 18 girls, with the age of onset ranging from 2.5 to 17.0 years.The common initial symptoms included headache (19 cases), vertigo and tinnitus or hearing loss (9 cases), and vision impairment or visual field defect (4 cases). The symptoms were improved after immunotherapy.Conclusions:With a low incidence, Susac syndrome is rare in children and difficult to diagnose.There may be a genetic predisposition in such disease.Early diagnosis and immunotherapy can low the relapse and improve the prognosis.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 years or older.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 pediatric patients aged 2 - 17 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled from departments of dermatology of 8 hospitals in China between March 2022 and February 2023. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the crisaborole group and the pimecrolimus group, and received the treatment with crisaborole ointment 2% and pimecrolimus cream 1% respectively, twice a day for 4 weeks. Visits were scheduled at baseline/on day 1, as well as on days 8, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients achieving the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) success (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale, combined with ≥ 2‐grade improvement from baseline) on day 29. The secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total scores from baseline to day 29, percentages of patients achieving ISGA improvement (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale), as well as changes in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) /Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index (IDLQI) /Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores, and in the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores. Drug safety was evaluated according to the incidence of adverse events. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Since measurement data did not follow a normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for comparisons of measurement data between groups.Results:A total of 106 children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were included in the per-protocol analysis set, with 52 in the crisaborole group (26 males and 26 females) and 54 in the pimecrolimus group (27 males and 27 females). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, ISGA and EASI scores at baseline between the two groups (all P > 0.05). On day 29, 22 patients (42.31%) in the crisaborole group and 25 (46.30%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA success, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.17, P = 0.68) ; 35 patients (67.31%) in the crisaborole group and 45 (83.33%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA improvement, also with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 3.68, P = 0.06) ; additionally, there were no significant differences in the EASI, pruritus NRS, DLQI/IDLQI/CDLQI, or DFI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Adverse reactions to the two topical agents were mainly local reactions such as mild to moderate pain, itching, or worsening of itching, and no obvious systemic adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was 46.15% (24 cases) in the crisaborole group and 37.04% (20 cases) in the pimecrolimus group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.34) . Conclusion:The efficacy of crisaborole ointment 2% was comparable to that of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged ≥ 2 years, and it yielded early and rapid improvement in the quality of life of patients and their families, with good safety and tolerability profiles.

STC is a kind of clinically common functional gastrointestinal disease.Its pathogenesis hasn't been completely clarified,and current diagnosis and treatment norms are certainly limited.In recent years,"Brain-Gut Axis"theory has unveiled the complex bidirectional regulation mechanism between brain and intestinal tract,rendering new perspective for the research and treatment of STC.TCM theory demonstrates that there is close connection between brain and gut,has formed abundant experience in discrimination and treatment of STC and formed unique diagnosis and treatment ideas.Based on the theory of"Brain-Gut Axis"and"excess syndrome is corresponding to Zhanyu,deficiency syndrome is corresponding to Zhengsheng"in the chapter on Yangming diseases in"Treatise on Febrile Diseases",this paper elaborates on the relationship between the"Brain-Gut Axis"and STC.Meanwhile,by combining the theory of"excess syndrome is corresponding to Zhanyu,deficiency syndrome is corresponding to Zhengsheng"with the"Brain-Gut Axis"theory,it analyzes the influence of the excess and deficiency of the Yangming meridian on the mental state as well as the regulatory mechanism of the"Brain-Gut Axis",and puts forward corresponding treatment methods according to different syndromes.By integrating the relevant provisions in"Treatise on Febrile Diseases"with the"Brain-Gut Axis"theory of modern medicine,this paper makes a preliminary exploration of the laws of differentiating and treating STC,aiming to provide a theoretical basis for promoting a more comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of STC and developing more effective treatment strategies.

Objective:To describe the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in people living with HIV in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, and identify the factors associated with NAFLD in this population.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2021 to 2023. Based on the routine follow-up management of people living with HIV, liver ultrasound examination, physical examination and laboratory test were conducted to collect the information about the diagnosis of NAFLD and biochemical indicators in this population. Logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with the prevalence of NAFLD.Results:In the 2 550 study participants, the prevalence of NAFLD was 21.5% (548/2 550), abnormal liver function was found in 23.7% (604/2 550) of the study participants, and liver fibrosis was found in 45.2% (1 152/2 550) of the study participants. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that being women (a OR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.42-0.73), being overweight or obese (a OR=3.22, 95% CI: 2.59-4.01), having diabetes (a OR=3.37, 95% CI: 2.15-5.29), having dyslipidemia (a OR=2.96, 95% CI: 2.25-3.89), CD4 + T lymphocyte (CD4) counts <200 cells/μl (a OR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.42-0.88), and receiving Efavirenz (EFV) + Lamivudine (3TC) + Zidovudine (AZT) for antiretroviral therapy (ART)(a OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.17-1.98) were associated with NAFLD. NAFLD was positively associated with abnormal liver function (a OR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.60-2.52) and inversely associated with liver fibrosis (a OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.98). The 45-59 age group (a OR=7.05, 95% CI: 5.65-8.80), CD4 counts <200 cells/μl (a OR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.06-1.97) and receiving Nevirapine (NVP)+3TC+AZT of ART (a OR=1.87,95% CI: 1.44-2.43) were the main factors associated with liver fibrosis. Conclusions:The prevalence of NAFLD in people living with HIV Taizhou was more than 20.0%, with a significant proportion of them having abnormal liver function and liver fibrosis. Being overweight or obese, suffering from diabetes, having dyslipidemia, low CD4 counts, and receiving specific ART were associated with NAFLD. NAFLD, CD4 counts and specific ART were the main factors associated with abnormal liver function and liver fibrosis.

Hypercholesterolemia is pathologically characterized by abnormal accumulation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,which is closely associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and increased cardiovascular risks.Hepatocytes maintain cholesterol homeostasis through LDL receptor-mediated uptake and esterification storage mechanisms.However,chronic cholesterol overload induces mitochondrial dysfunction,reactive oxygen species accumulation,and endoplasmic reticulum stress,leading to hepatocyte injury.Moreover,systemic hypercholesterolemia disrupts gut microbiota balance and impairs short-chain fatty acid and ketone metabolism,exacerbating metabolic disturbances and aggravating hepatic injury through enhanced metabolic stress.In this article,we review the advance of studies on hypercholesterolemia in recent years and summary its association with hepatic injury,which can provide theoretical support for further research.

Objective:To investigate the effects of different doses of ionizing radiation on the changes in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the intestines of mice.Methods:C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly assigned to four groups (0 Gy, 0.1 Gy, 0.2 Gy, and 0.5 Gy; n=10/group) and subjected to single whole-body irradiation using a 60Co γ-ray source at a dose rate of 13 mGy/min. At 20 weeks post-irradiation, jejunal, ileal, and colonic tissues were collected. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were employed to assess mRNA and protein expression of NADPH oxidase components. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) levels and the expression of Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB), a transcriptional regulator of Dual Oxidase 2 (DUOX2), were also measured. Results:Compared with the 0 Gy group, mice in the 0.5 Gy group exhibited shortened villus length in the jejunum, villus fusion in the ileum, and increased crypt spacing in the colon, with statistically significant differences ( t=2.48, P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in other dose groups compared to the 0 Gy group ( P > 0.05).The expression of H 2O 2 in the jejunum, ileum, and colon of the 0.1 Gy group was significantly elevated compared to the 0 Gy group ( t=4.12, 3.12, 3.12; P < 0.05). In the 0.5 Gy group, H 2O 2 expression in the jejunum and colon increased nearly twofold relative to the 0 Gy group ( t=8.67, 8.69; P < 0.05).At 20 weeks post-irradiation, DUOX2 protein expression levels in the jejunum, ileum, and colon were markedly higher in irradiated mice than in the 0 Gy group ( t=3.03, 10.29, 2.74; P < 0.05). DUOX2 mRNA levels in the jejunum, ileum, and colon of the 0.1 Gy group were significantly upregulated compared to the 0 Gy group ( t=12.75, 4.12, 11.14; P < 0.05). Additionally, NOX4 mRNA expression increased in the jejunum of the 0.2 Gy group ( t=4.54, P < 0.05) and in the ileum of the 0.1 Gy group ( t=4.13, P < 0.05).The nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), a transcriptional regulator of DUOX2, showed an upward trend in expression in the jejunum, ileum, and colon of the 0.1 Gy group compared to the 0 Gy group, with statistically significant differences ( t=8.73, 8.18, 7.02; P < 0.05). Conclusion:Low-dose radiation induces long-term effects on the intestinal tract. Specifically, 0.5 Gy irradiation causes mild morphological alterations in the jejunum, ileum, and colon, while 0.1 Gy irradiation promotes the upregulation of DUOX2, a NADPH oxidase, in intestinal tissues.

AIM:To investigate how the stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1(SCD1)inhibitor CAY-10566 induc-es ferroptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OS-CC)cells and enhances their sensitivity to cisplatin,with preliminary exploration of the underlying mo-lecular mechanisms.METHODS:Bioinformatics analysis and clinical specimens were used to evalu-ate SCD1 expression in OSCC tissues.OSCC cell lines(Cal27 and HSC3)were treated with CAY-10566,cis-platin,the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),or their combinations.Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay,while reactive oxygen spe-cies(ROS)and lipid ROS levels were measured by flow cytometry.Malondialdehyde(MDA)and re-duced glutathione(GSH)levels were quantified us-ing commercial assay kits.Western blotting was performed to analyze the protein expression of glu-tathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),mechanistic target of rapamycin(mTOR),mature sterol regulatory ele-ment-binding protein 1(m-SREBP1),SCD1,and heme oxygenase 1(HMOX1).RESULTS:SCD1 was significantly overexpressed in OSCC tissues(P＜0.01).Combined treatment with CAY-10566 and cis-platin markedly reduced OSCC cell viability(P＜0.01)and increased lipid peroxidation(P＜0.001),while suppressing GPX4 expression-effects that were re-versed by Fer-1(P＜0.001).CAY-10566 upregulated HMOX1 expression and inhibited mTOR,m-SREBP1,and SCD1 protein levels(P＜0.001).CONCLUSION:CAY-10566 promotes ferroptosis and cisplatin sensi-tivity in OSCC cells,potentially through HMOX1 up-regulation and suppression of the mTOR/SREBP1/SCD1 axis.

Immunoinflammation mediates the development of hypertensive nephropathy,and aberrant activation of the complement system,an important component of the innate immune system,plays an important role in the development of hypertensive nephropathy.Complement inhibition is expected to be a potential strategy for the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy.In this article,we summarized and reviewed relevant studies on the complement system in the development of hypertensive nephropathy,and complement-targeted drug therapy,aiming to provide new ideas for clinicians on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive nephropathy.

A sandglass ladder residual network(SLRN)is proposed for multi-label chest X-ray classification,thereby improving the accuracy of clinical diagnosis.SLRN consists of 3 key modules:(1)a sandglass convolutional module to simultaneously extract inter-channel and spatial information;(2)a ladder self attention block to achieve different window divisions through shift operations,expand the receptive field,and realize multi-scale feature extraction and fusion;(3)class specific residual attention in the multi-label classification stage to capture the correlation between different labels and the importance of features for accomplishing more accurate classification by adjusting the weights of different features.The proposed model is validated using the IU X-Ray dataset collected by Indiana University and the publicly available Chest X-Ray14 dataset collected by the National Institutes of Health in the United States;and the results demonstrate that SLRN which combines the advantages of convolutional neural network and vision transformer enables the capture of local features and global correlations in images,better handles long-distance dependencies,and assists doctors in clinical diagnosis.