Objective: To analyze the trajectories of body mass index for age z-score (BAZ) and its influencing factors among children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) based on latent class growth modeling (LCGM), so as to provide the evidence for improving treatment measures and optimizing growth management among children with CH. Methods Children with CH aged 0 to 3 years from the Newborn Disease Screening Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Basic information, height and weight data from 3 to 36 months of age, age at treatment initiation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at diagnosis, and family information were retrospectively collected. BAZ for children with CH at each month of age was calculated based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. The trajectories of BAZ were analyzed using LCGM, and factors affecting the trajectories of BAZ among children with CH were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Methods: Children with CH aged 0 to 3 years from the Newborn Disease Screening Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Basic information, height and weight data from 3 to 36 months of age, age at treatment initiation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at diagnosis, and family information were retrospectively collected. BAZ for children with CH at each month of age was calculated based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. The trajectories of BAZ were analyzed using LCGM, and factors affecting the trajectories of BAZ among children with CH were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Results: A total of 299 children with CH were included. There were 140 boys (46.82%) and 159 girls (53.18%). The median of BAZ was 0.50 (interquartile range, 1.68). The LCGM analysis categorized the subjects into three groups: the persistent high-growth pattern group with 24 cases (8.03%), the slow-growth pattern group with 39 cases (13.04%), and the appropriate-growth pattern group with 236 cases (78.93%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that compared to the children with CH in the appropriate-growth pattern group, those who started treatment at the age of 30 to 60 days (OR=0.109, 95%CI: 0.016-0.732; OR=0.166, 95%CI: 0.032-0.852) had a lower risk of persistent high-growth and slow-growth patterns; CH children with TSH levels of 50 to 150 mIU/L at diagnosis (OR=3.554, 95%CI: 1.201-10.514) and those whose paternal had a senior high school/technical secondary school education (OR=2.975, 95%CI: 1.003-8.823) exhibited a higher risk of the persistent high-growth pattern. Conversely, CH children whose paternal reproductive age was 30 to 35 years (OR=0.166, 95%CI: 0.034-0.806) had a lower risk of the persistent high-growth pattern. Conclusions The BAZ trajectory of children with CH aged 0 to 3 years exhibited three patterns: persistent high-growth, slow-growth, and appropriate-growth. The persistent high-growth and slow-growth patterns were associated with treatment timing, TSH levels at diagnosis, paternal reproductive age, and paternal education level. It is recommended to strengthen early treatment interventions and provide family follow-up guidance.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of different daily doses of aspirin in the prevention of preeclampsia （PE）. METHODS The case-control studies and prospective randomized controlled trials on aspirin with daily dose ≥ 100 mg （trial group） vs. ＜100 mg （control group） in the prevention of PE were retrieved from PubMed， Medline， Embase， the Cochrane Library， CNKI， China Biomedical Literatue Database and Wanfang Data from base-building to January 2025. After literature screening， data extraction and quality evaluation， meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS A total of 11 literatures were included， involving 3 052 pregnant women. Meta-analysis showed the incidence of PE [RR＝0.63， 95%CI （0.53，0.76）， P＜0.000 01]， gestational hypertension [RR＝0.69， 95%CI （0.50，0.94），P＝0.02]， preterm birth [RR＝0.56， 95%CI （0.47，0.66）， P＜0.000 01]， and intrauterine growth retardation [RR＝0.73，95%CI （0.61，0.87），P＝0.000 5] in trial groups were significantly lower than control group. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage between the two groups had no statistically significant difference [RR＝1.17， 95%CI （0.90，1.53），P＝0.25]. Subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of PE in Chinese pregnant women taking 150 mg of aspirin was significantly higher than taking 100 mg of aspirin [RR＝3.40， 95%CI （1.29， 8.93）， P＝0.01]； but there was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidences of postpartum hemorrhage， preterm birth （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Aspirin with daily dose ≥100 mg is more effective in preventing PE than daily dose ＜100 mg， with lower rates of gestational hypertension， preterm birth， and intrauterine growth retardation. It does not increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. For pregnant women in China， daily dose 100 mg of aspirin may be more effective in preventing PE than 150 mg.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of chronic hepatitis C(CHC)patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3(HCV GT3)infection and the risk factors for disease progression.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1 002 CHC patients from 11 clinical centers in Northwest China from December 2017 to November 2023,and according to their genotype,they were divided into GT1,GT2,GT3,and GT6 groups.Clinical features were compared between the patients with different genotypes.The one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the Scheffe test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of data with skewed distribution between groups;the chi-square test or Fisher test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for the progression of CHC to liver cirrhosis.Results In terms of the genotype,there were 427 patients with GT1 infection,242 with GT2 infection,299 with GT3 infection(210 patients with GT3a infection,87 with GT3b infection,and 2 with unclassified genotype),and 34 with GT6 infection.The patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.2±0.6 years,P<0.05)or GT2 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.7±0.8 years,P<0.05),and for the patients with liver cirrhosis,the patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 59.4±0.9 years,P<0.001)or GT2 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 58.1±1.1 years,P<0.001).Among the patients with GT3 infection,male patients accounted for 77.9%and the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 46.2%,which were significantly higher than those among the patients with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection(all P<0.001).At baseline,the patients with GT3 infection had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)than those with GT1 or GT2 infection,significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI)and fibrosis-4(FIB4)than those with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly lower platelet count(PLT)than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly higher level of alpha-fetoprotein than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,and a significantly lower level of albumin(Alb)than those with GT6 infection(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the patients with GT3a infection and those with GT3b infection in age,sex,the proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis,comorbidities,HCV RNA quantification,PLT,ALT,AST,alkaline phosphatase,Alb,APRI,and FIB-4(all P>0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PLT≤150×109/L(odds ratio[OR]=10.72,95%confidence interval[CI]:5.76-35.86,P<0.001)and Alb≤35 g/L(OR=3.74,95%CI:1.22-11.45,P=0.021)were risk factors for liver cirrhosis.Conclusion Most CHC patients with GT3 infection are male in Northwest China,and compared with the patients with other genotypes,such patients tend to have a younger age of onset and higher degrees of liver inflammation activity and fibrosis.Low PLT and a low level of Alb are risk factors for progression to liver cirrhosis in CHC patients with GT3 infection.

The pathogenesis of immune-mediated liver injury is related to immune regulation disorders. In recent years, researchers have focused on the unique role of invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) in immune-mediated liver injury. iNKT cells, a special subset of lymphocytes, are crucial for immune regulation by bridging innate and adaptive immunity. iNKT cells interact with various immune cells and possess strong immune regulatory capabilities, but their role is complex, potentially promoting liver injury or protecting the liver from damage. This article reviews the latest research progress on iNKT cells in immune-mediated liver injury and describes some factors that regulate immune liver injury by altering the expression of glycosphingolipids, such as liver X receptor and tumor progression site2. In addition, the research results are explored to assist in deepening the understanding of the mechanism of immune-mediated liver injury so as to provide new directions for the development of related treatment strategies.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of chronic hepatitis C(CHC)patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3(HCV GT3)infection and the risk factors for disease progression.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1 002 CHC patients from 11 clinical centers in Northwest China from December 2017 to November 2023,and according to their genotype,they were divided into GT1,GT2,GT3,and GT6 groups.Clinical features were compared between the patients with different genotypes.The one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the Scheffe test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of data with skewed distribution between groups;the chi-square test or Fisher test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for the progression of CHC to liver cirrhosis.Results In terms of the genotype,there were 427 patients with GT1 infection,242 with GT2 infection,299 with GT3 infection(210 patients with GT3a infection,87 with GT3b infection,and 2 with unclassified genotype),and 34 with GT6 infection.The patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.2±0.6 years,P<0.05)or GT2 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.7±0.8 years,P<0.05),and for the patients with liver cirrhosis,the patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 59.4±0.9 years,P<0.001)or GT2 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 58.1±1.1 years,P<0.001).Among the patients with GT3 infection,male patients accounted for 77.9%and the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 46.2%,which were significantly higher than those among the patients with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection(all P<0.001).At baseline,the patients with GT3 infection had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)than those with GT1 or GT2 infection,significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI)and fibrosis-4(FIB4)than those with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly lower platelet count(PLT)than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly higher level of alpha-fetoprotein than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,and a significantly lower level of albumin(Alb)than those with GT6 infection(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the patients with GT3a infection and those with GT3b infection in age,sex,the proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis,comorbidities,HCV RNA quantification,PLT,ALT,AST,alkaline phosphatase,Alb,APRI,and FIB-4(all P>0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PLT≤150×109/L(odds ratio[OR]=10.72,95%confidence interval[CI]:5.76-35.86,P<0.001)and Alb≤35 g/L(OR=3.74,95%CI:1.22-11.45,P=0.021)were risk factors for liver cirrhosis.Conclusion Most CHC patients with GT3 infection are male in Northwest China,and compared with the patients with other genotypes,such patients tend to have a younger age of onset and higher degrees of liver inflammation activity and fibrosis.Low PLT and a low level of Alb are risk factors for progression to liver cirrhosis in CHC patients with GT3 infection.

The pathogenesis of immune-mediated liver injury is related to immune regulation disorders. In recent years, researchers have focused on the unique role of invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) in immune-mediated liver injury. iNKT cells, a special subset of lymphocytes, are crucial for immune regulation by bridging innate and adaptive immunity. iNKT cells interact with various immune cells and possess strong immune regulatory capabilities, but their role is complex, potentially promoting liver injury or protecting the liver from damage. This article reviews the latest research progress on iNKT cells in immune-mediated liver injury and describes some factors that regulate immune liver injury by altering the expression of glycosphingolipids, such as liver X receptor and tumor progression site2. In addition, the research results are explored to assist in deepening the understanding of the mechanism of immune-mediated liver injury so as to provide new directions for the development of related treatment strategies.

Introduction::Observational studies have revealed an association between waist circumference (WC) and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is difficult to infer a causal relationship from observational studies because the observed associations could be confounded by unknown risk factors. Therefore, the causal role of WC in AF is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the causal association between WC and AF using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.Methods::In our two-sample MR analysis, the genetic variation used as an instrumental variable for MR was acquired from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of WC (42 single nucleotide polymorphisms with a genetic significance of P <5 × 10 –8). The data of WC (from the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits consortium, containing 232,101 participants) and the data of AF (from the European Bioinformatics Institute database, containing 55,114 AF cases and 482,295 controls) were used to assess the causal role of WC on AF. Three different approaches (inverse variance weighted [IVW], MR–Egger, and weighted median regression) were used to ensure that our results more reliable. Results::All three MR analyses provided evidence of a positive causal association between high WC and AF. High WC was suggested to increase the risk of AF based on the IVW method (odds ratio [OR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–1.58, P = 2.51 × 10 -13). The results of MR–Egger and weighted median regression exhibited similar trends (MR–Egger OR = 1.40 [95% CI, 1.08–1.81], P = 1.61 × 10 -2; weighted median OR = 1.39 [95% CI, 1.21–1.61], P = 1.62 × 10 -6). MR–Egger intercepts and funnel plots showed no directional pleiotropic effects between high WC and AF. Conclusions::Our findings suggest that greater WC is associated with an increased risk of AF. Taking measures to reduce WC may help prevent the occurrence of AF.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of the serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration for postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery.Methods:Perioperative data of 110 consecutive neonates (≤28 days) who underwent cardiac surgery in our hospital from October 2017 to May 2021, were collected retrospectively.According to pROCK criteria, the patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group.Demographics, predominant diagnosis, laboratory examination, perioperative management and postoperative outcomes were compared between two groups.The concentration of serum NT-proBNP was routinely measured within 12 h after operation.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for the association between serum NT-proBNP and postoperative AKI.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn, and the predictive value of serum NT-proBNP for postoperative AKI was determined according to the area under the curve.Results:A total of 106 neonates were enrolled, and the incidence of postoperative AKI was 54.7%.There were significant difference in the baseline hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and serum creatinine and serum NT-proBNP concentration between AKI group and non-AKI group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that NT-proBNP level was an independent risk factor for AKI after cardiac surgery in neonates ( odds ratio 2.49, 95% confidence interval 1.183-5.23, P=0.016). The area under the curve of NT-proBNP predicting AKI after cardiac surgery was 0.66 (95% confidence interval 0.56-0.76, P=0.007). Conclusions:Elevated serum NT-proBNP concentration is an independent risk factor for AKI after cardiac surgery in neonates and has a certain predictive value for AKI, and close monitoring of perioperative NT-proBNP level is helpful for early identification of high-risk neonates.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation for adult patients with atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 76 patients with AVSD aged more than 18 years in our hospital from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017. The patients ventilated longer than 24 hours were described as a prolonged ventilation group (n=27) and the others as a normal group (n=49). There were 9 males and 18 females aged 32.22±9.64 years in the prolonged ventilation group, and 16 males and 33 females aged 35.98±11.34 years in the normal group. Perioperative variables between the two groups were compared and selected, and then analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results The result of univariate analysis showed that there was a statistical difference in weight, preoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, the level of postoperative platelet, hemoglobin, blood glucose, lactic acid and serum creatinine, postoperative maximum heart rate and postoperative infection rate between the prolonged ventilated group and the normal group. Multivarable logistic regression showed that preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension (OR=1.056, 95%CI 1.005 to 1.110, P=0.030), prolonged duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (OR=1.036, 95%CI 1.007 to 1.066, P=0.016) and the low postoperative hemoglobin level (OR=0.874, 95%CI 0.786 to 0.973, P=0.014) were the risk factors of prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation. Conclusion Preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension, long duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative anaemia are the risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation.