Liver fibrosis is a key pathological stage in the progression of chronic liver diseases to liver cirrhosis， and effective etiological control or therapeutic interventions can help to achieve varying degrees of liver fibrosis regression in some patients. Accordingly， accurate assessment of the degree of liver fibrosis regression has gradually become an important concern in clinical management and the development of novel therapeutic agents. Conventional assessment methods mainly focus on fibrosis staging and have certain limitations in reflecting structural remodeling and dynamic changes of the liver. This article systematically reviews the recent research advances in the assessment of liver fibrosis regression from various aspects such as histological and digital pathology， serological and multi-omics biomarkers， and functional and molecular imaging modalities and discusses their respective advantages and limitations in assessing liver fibrosis regression. On this basis， this article discusses a multimodal integrated evaluation strategy based on artificial intelligence， in order to provide new ideas for accurate assessment of liver fibrosis regression， individualized therapeutic monitoring， and optimization of clinical trial endpoints.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA)for the incidence and mortality of neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage(NPH)in infants with a gestational age(GA)of≤32 weeks.Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical data from premature infants with GA≤32 weeks consecutively admitted between January 2021 and June 2024.The analyzed clinical characteristics included GA,birth weight(WT),mode of delivery,diseases experienced by the infants,and maternal perinatal factors.Infants were categorized based on the presence or absence of NPH,and the clinical features of both groups were compared.Furthermore,infants with NPH and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus(hsPDA)were subdivided according to in-hospital mortality for additional analysis.Results The study included a total of 511 pediatric patients,of whom 92 cases were diagnosed with NPH.NPH was strongly correlated with mechanical ventilation(MV),high-frequency oscil-lation(HFO),hsPDA,disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),and intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH)(r=0.443,0.407,0.352,0.325,0.310,respectively;all P<0.001).Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS)(grades 3-4),IVH,MV,HFO,DIC,and hsPDA were identified as independent risk factors for NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA(OR=2.641,2.097,1.065,2.298,5.550,3.820,respectively;all P<0.05).GA,WT,PDA diameter,PDA velocity,left ventricular output(LVO),velocity of the late diastolic a'wave in the left ventricle(LV a'),and neonatal asphyxia(NA)were significant factors influencing NPH combined with hsPDA(all P<0.05).The PDA severity score(PDAsc)was determined to be a risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA with NPH and hsPDA(OR=1.265,95%CI 1.031-1.553,P=0.024).A strong correlation was observed between the predicted probability of death in infants with NPH and PDA and PDAsc(r=0.901,P=0.001).The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that PDAsc served as an ideal predictor of mortality in infants with NPH and PDA(AUC=0.687,P=0.002).Conclusions hsPDA is an independent risk factor for the development of NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA.Additionally,PDAsc serves as a significant risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA who have both NPH and PDA,indicating a strong correlation and potential predictive value.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA)for the incidence and mortality of neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage(NPH)in infants with a gestational age(GA)of≤32 weeks.Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical data from premature infants with GA≤32 weeks consecutively admitted between January 2021 and June 2024.The analyzed clinical characteristics included GA,birth weight(WT),mode of delivery,diseases experienced by the infants,and maternal perinatal factors.Infants were categorized based on the presence or absence of NPH,and the clinical features of both groups were compared.Furthermore,infants with NPH and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus(hsPDA)were subdivided according to in-hospital mortality for additional analysis.Results The study included a total of 511 pediatric patients,of whom 92 cases were diagnosed with NPH.NPH was strongly correlated with mechanical ventilation(MV),high-frequency oscil-lation(HFO),hsPDA,disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),and intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH)(r=0.443,0.407,0.352,0.325,0.310,respectively;all P<0.001).Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS)(grades 3-4),IVH,MV,HFO,DIC,and hsPDA were identified as independent risk factors for NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA(OR=2.641,2.097,1.065,2.298,5.550,3.820,respectively;all P<0.05).GA,WT,PDA diameter,PDA velocity,left ventricular output(LVO),velocity of the late diastolic a'wave in the left ventricle(LV a'),and neonatal asphyxia(NA)were significant factors influencing NPH combined with hsPDA(all P<0.05).The PDA severity score(PDAsc)was determined to be a risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA with NPH and hsPDA(OR=1.265,95%CI 1.031-1.553,P=0.024).A strong correlation was observed between the predicted probability of death in infants with NPH and PDA and PDAsc(r=0.901,P=0.001).The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that PDAsc served as an ideal predictor of mortality in infants with NPH and PDA(AUC=0.687,P=0.002).Conclusions hsPDA is an independent risk factor for the development of NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA.Additionally,PDAsc serves as a significant risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA who have both NPH and PDA,indicating a strong correlation and potential predictive value.

AIM:To investigate whether total alkaloids of Cocculus orbiculatus(COTA)attenuate ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice via PINK1/parkin mitophagy pathway.METHODS:Sixty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,positive drug mesalazine group,and low-,medium-and high-dose(0.162,0.324 and 0.486 g/kg)COTA groups,with 10 mice in each group.Except for normal control group,the mice in all groups were given free access to 3%dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)solution for 7 consecutive days to establish a UC model in mice,and were then treated with COTA or mesalazine via oral gavage.The general condition of the mice was observed,and the colon length and disease activity index(DAI)score were determined.Colon histopathological damage was observed by HE staining.The serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by ELISA.The pro-tein levels of PINK1,parkin,microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3),P62 and beclin-1 in colon tissues were determined by Western blot.The protein expression of LC3 and parkin was detected by immunofluorescence.RE-SULTS:Compared with normal control group,the mice in model group showed varying degrees of soft stools or bloody stools,decreased body weight(P<0.05),increased DAI score,shortened colon length(P<0.05),and obvious pathologi-cal damage in the colon tissue.The serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were elevated(P<0.05).The protein levels of parkin,PINK1,LC3-II and beclin-1 were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while P62 protein expression was in-creased(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence showed a small number of autophagosomes in the colon tissue.In contrast,com-pared with model group,the mice in total alkaloids of Cocculus orbiculatus groups exhibited increased body weight(P<0.05),decreased DAI score,increased colon length(P<0.05),and reduced levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05).The protein levels of parkin,PINK1,LC3 and beclin-1 were elevated(P<0.05),while P62 expression was re-duced(P<0.05),with numerous autophagosomes visible in the colon tissue via immunofluorescence.CONCLUSION:Total alkaloids of Cocculus orbiculatus can enhance the expression of mitophagy-related proteins PINK1,parkin,LC3 and beclin-1,activate mitophagy,and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors,thereby attenuating the inflammatory re-sponse in the colon mucosa of DSS-induced UC mice.

AIM:To investigate whether total alkaloids of Cocculus orbiculatus(COTA)attenuate ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice via PINK1/parkin mitophagy pathway.METHODS:Sixty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,positive drug mesalazine group,and low-,medium-and high-dose(0.162,0.324 and 0.486 g/kg)COTA groups,with 10 mice in each group.Except for normal control group,the mice in all groups were given free access to 3%dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)solution for 7 consecutive days to establish a UC model in mice,and were then treated with COTA or mesalazine via oral gavage.The general condition of the mice was observed,and the colon length and disease activity index(DAI)score were determined.Colon histopathological damage was observed by HE staining.The serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by ELISA.The pro-tein levels of PINK1,parkin,microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3),P62 and beclin-1 in colon tissues were determined by Western blot.The protein expression of LC3 and parkin was detected by immunofluorescence.RE-SULTS:Compared with normal control group,the mice in model group showed varying degrees of soft stools or bloody stools,decreased body weight(P<0.05),increased DAI score,shortened colon length(P<0.05),and obvious pathologi-cal damage in the colon tissue.The serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were elevated(P<0.05).The protein levels of parkin,PINK1,LC3-II and beclin-1 were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while P62 protein expression was in-creased(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence showed a small number of autophagosomes in the colon tissue.In contrast,com-pared with model group,the mice in total alkaloids of Cocculus orbiculatus groups exhibited increased body weight(P<0.05),decreased DAI score,increased colon length(P<0.05),and reduced levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05).The protein levels of parkin,PINK1,LC3 and beclin-1 were elevated(P<0.05),while P62 expression was re-duced(P<0.05),with numerous autophagosomes visible in the colon tissue via immunofluorescence.CONCLUSION:Total alkaloids of Cocculus orbiculatus can enhance the expression of mitophagy-related proteins PINK1,parkin,LC3 and beclin-1,activate mitophagy,and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors,thereby attenuating the inflammatory re-sponse in the colon mucosa of DSS-induced UC mice.

Objective To explore the effect of histologic chorioamnionitis(HCA)on clinical outcomes of preterm infants with a gestational age<34 weeks.Methods This retrospective study enrolled 497 cases of premature infants with a gestational age<34 weeks and their mothers who were hospitalized in the Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022.According to whether the pathology of placenta was diagnosed as HCA or not,patients were divided into the HCA group(257 cases)and the control group(240 cases).The propensity score matching analysis was performed at a ratio of 1︰1.Ten items were matched,including gestational age,birth weight,gender,cesarean section,gestational diabetes mellitus,gestational hypertension,placental abruption,premature rupture of membranes,use of antenatal glucocorticoids and assisted reproductive technology.The differences of major complications and survival rate were compared between the two groups.Results A total of 156 pairs premature infants were successfully matched.Before matching,the incidences of early-onset sepsis(EOS)and bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)were higher in the HCA group than those of the control group(26.1%vs.7.5%,45.1%vs.25.8%,P＜0.01).The incidence of EOS was higher in the HCA group than that of the control group after matching(24.4%vs.7.7%,P＜0.01),and the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS)was significantly lower in the HCA group than that in the control group after matching(34.0%vs.46.8%,P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in survival rate and the incidences of other complications between the two groups before and after matching(P>0.05).Conclusion Preterm infants exposed to HCA have a higher risk of EOS and a lower risk of NRDS after propensity score matching.HCA has no significant effect on survival rate and other complications of premature infants.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and outcomes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) in neonates without structural heart disease.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on PSVT neonates without structural heart disease who were treated and followed up at the Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, from January 2019 to June 2022. Clinical data, including the prenatal history of PSVT, the time at first onset of PSVT after birth, anti-arrhythmic treatment, and follow-up outcomes, were collected and analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups based on the presence and absence of fetal PSVT history. Differences in the clinical data between the two groups were compared, including the time at first onset of PSVT, the proportion of patients with persistent tachycardia at initial diagnosis, and hospitalization frequency. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Pearson's Chi-square test. Results:A total of 72 neonates with PSVT were included, with an average gestational age at delivery of (38.8±1.8) weeks and an average birth weight of (3 260±330) g. There were 26 (36.1%) cases with a prenatal history of PSVT, while 46 (63.9%) cases without. The median time at the first onset of PSVT after birth was 2.1 (0.3-13.7) d. Anti-arrhythmic drugs used for the patients included propafenone (44 cases, 61.1%), amiodarone (28 cases, 38.9%), and cedilanid (14 cases, 19.4%). There were 44 cases (61.1%) received single drug therapy, 26 (36.1%) receiving dual therapy, and only two (2.8%) receiving triple therapy. Prophylactic drugs were administered to 38 patients (52.8%) for six months, and 20 (27.8%) for 12 months. Fourteen cases (19.4%) still exhibited tachycardia during follow-up and continued their drug therapy. No major illnesses or deaths occurred in the 72 patients during a 12-month follow-up. Compared with the patients without a history of fetal PSVT, those with a history of fetal PSVT had an earlier onset of PSVT after birth [0.2 d (0.0-0.7 d) vs. 12.0 d (2.2-15.0 d), Z=－4.83, P<0.001], a high rate of persistent tachycardia at first diagnosis [76.9% (20/26) vs. 39.1% (18/46), χ2=4.76, P=0.029], more hospitalizations [4.0 times(3.0-7.0 times) vs. 1.0 times (1.0-1.0 times), Z=－3.52, P<0.001], and longer duration of preventive anti-arrhythmic treatment [12.0 months (10.5-21.0 months) vs. 6.0 months (3.0-6.0 months), Z=－4.17, P<0.001]. Conclusion:Attention should be given to PSVT screening in neonates without structural heart disease, particularly for those with a history of fetal PSVT, who tend to have an early onset of PSVT after birth, persistent tachycardia at first diagnosis with high rates of recurrence and require longer preventive anti-arrhythmic treatment.

Objective:To investigate the perinatal risk factors and correlation between bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 173 preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks' gestation with BPD who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Women and Children's Hospital of Qingdao University from June 2017 to July 2022. According to the diagnostic criteria for ROP, these preterm infants were divided into the ROP group ( n=64) and the non-ROP group ( n=109). Chi-square test, two independent samples t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the general data, treatment, and the incidence of complications between the two groups. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors of ROP in preterm infants with BPD and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of independent risk factors on ROP. The correlation between the severity of BPD and the incidence of ROP was analyzed. Results:The gestational age at birth [(28.0±1.1) vs. (28.8±1.2) weeks, t=4.01], the birth weight [(1 075.9±141.4) vs. (1 143.2±168.6) g, t=2.68], the partial pressure of carbon dioxide [42.5 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) (34.0-51.0 mmHg) vs. 47.0 mmHg (39.0-54.0 mmHg), Z=－2.31], and the total fluid intake on the first day of birth [80.0 ml (72.3-88.7 ml) vs. 83.6 ml (76.6-92.8 ml), Z=－2.28] in the ROP group were all lower than those in the non-ROP group (all P<0.05). While the prothrombin time [15.7 s (14.1-17.7 s) vs. 14.6 s (13.1-16.7 s), Z=－2.17], activated partial thromboplastin time [64.7 s (52.9-77.9 s) vs. 55.8 s (48.4-68.9 s), Z=－2.12], the proportion of patients treated with pulmonary surfactant [71.9% (46/64) vs. 49.5% (54/109), χ 2=8.25], the total duration of oxygen supplementation [50.5 d (40.0-64.0 d) vs. 45.0 d (37.0-52.0 d), Z=－2.77], the duration of invasive ventilation [5.0 d (1.0-11.0 d) vs. 1.0 d (0.0-5.0 d), Z=－4.03], the duration of noninvasive ventilation or high-flow oxygen therapy [(31.7±12.7) vs. (26.4±13.1) d, t=－2.59], and the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome [76.6% (49/64) vs. 57.8% (63/109), χ 2=6.22] were increased in the ROP group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the proportion of BPD treated with corticosteroids between the ROP and non-ROP groups [60.3% (38/63) vs. 74.3% (81/109), χ 2=3.67, P=0.055]. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that smaller gestational age ( OR=1.599, 95% CI: 1.126-2.272, P=0.009), less fluid intake on the first day ( OR=1.033, 95% CI: 1.004-1.062, P=0.024), and longer duration of invasive ventilation ( OR=1.076, 95% CI:1.017-1.138, P=0.011) were independent risk factors for ROP in BPD infants, while glucocorticoid treatment was an independent protective factor ( OR=0.378, 95% CI:0.173-0.827, P=0.015). Most patients with mild or moderate BPD did not develop ROP [64.6% (73/113) and 66.7% (34/51)], while those with severe BPD were more likely to be complicated by ROP (7/9) ( χ 2=6.84, P=0.033). Conclusions:BPD infants with smaller gestational age, longer duration of invasive ventilation, and less fluid intake on the first day of birth are more likely to develop ROP, while glucocorticoid therapy can reduce the incidence of ROP in this population. Severe BPD may increase the risk of ROP in infants.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive values of the Status Epilepticus in Pediatric Patients Severity Score (STEPSS) and END-IT score in the short-term prognosis of children with status epilepticus (SE).Methods:It was a retrospective study involving 103 children with SE who were admitted to the Qingdao Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2022.Glasgow Outcome Scale was used to evaluate the prognosis at discharge, and the children were divided into good prognosis group ( n=78) and poor prognosis group ( n=25). Risk factors for poor prognosis of SE in children were analyzed by Logistic regression.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the prognostic values of STEPSS and END-IT score in children with SE. Results:Compared with those of the good prognosis group, significantly younger age [16 (9, 58) months vs.56 (21, 84) months, Z=-3.068, P=0.002], higher blood lactic acid levels [3.16 (2.43, 4.01) mmol/L vs.1.67 (1.32, 2.10) mmol/L, Z=-6.085, P<0.001], STEPSS scores [3.0(3.0, 4.0) points vs.1.0(1.0, 2.0) points, Z=-6.956, P<0.001], END-IT scores [3.0(1.5, 4.0) points vs.1.0(0, 1.0) points, Z=-5.502, P<0.001], proportion of developmental delay ( χ2=16.756, P<0.001), abnormal brain magnetic resonance imagine examination ( χ2=5.860, P=0.015), use of ventilator and multiple drugs (all P<0.001), and longer duration of anti-SE therapy time( Z=1.488, P=0.024) were detected in the poor prognosis group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that increased blood lactic acid ( OR=7.975, 95% CI: 2.705-23.518), increased drug types ( OR=14.562, 95% CI: 2.035-104.173), STEPSS scores( OR=8.914, 95% CI: 2.824-28.140) and END-IT scores ( OR=2.209, 95% CI: 1.046-4.667) were risk factors for the poor prognosis of SE in children.The area under the curve (AUC) of STEPSS in predicting the poor prognosis of SE in children was 0.939, with the cut-off value, sensitivity, specificity and Youden index of 2.5 points, 96.0%, 85.9% and 0.82, respectively.AUC of END-IT scores in predicting the poor prognosis of SE in children was 0.853, with the cut-off value, sensitivity, specificity and Youden index of 1.5 points, 76.0%, 75.6% and 0.52, respectively.AUC of STEPSS in predicting the poor prognosis of SE in children was significantly higher than that of END-IT scores ( U=36.91, P<0.05). The predictive value of STEPSS combined with END-IT was higher, and the sensitivity and negative predictive value of parallel test were 100.0%, while the specificity and positive predictive value of series test were 94.9% and 81.8%, respectively. Conclusions:STEPSS and END-IT scores may be used as predictors for the poor prognosis of SE in children.Their combination provides a better prediction.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of pulmonary hemorrhage in very low and extremely low birth weight, and to provide reference for the treatment of pulmonary hemorrhage.Methods:The clinical data of very low and extremely low birth weight infants hospitalized in Qingdao Women and Children′s Hospital NICU from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Eighty-six infants who were diagnosed with pulmonary hemorrhage were selected as the pulmonary hemorrhage group, and two hundred and two infants without pulmonary hemorrhage were selected as the control group.The differences of the survival rates, complications and parameters of platelet between the two groups were compared, and the risk factors of pulmonary hemorrhage by multivariate Logistic regression were analyzed.Results:The survival rate of pulmonary hemorrhage group and control group were 65.1%(56/86) and 90.1%(182/202), respectively.The survival rate of control group was significantly higher than that in the pulmonary hemorrhage group( χ2=26.241, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in fluid intake between the two groups within three days after birth( t=0.936, 1.811, 1.840, P=0.350, 0.073, 0.069). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus( OR=2.304, 95% CI: 0.213~1.564, P=0.010), disseminated intravascular coagulation( OR=3.143, 95% CI: 0.061~2.521, P=0.028), thrombocytopenia( OR=0.991, 95% CI: -0.015~-0.005, P=0.001) and low mean platelet volume( OR=0.337, 95% CI: -1.657~-0.739, P=0.001) were the risk factors of pulmonary hemorrhage. Conclusion:Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus, disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombocytopenia and low mean platelet volume were associated with increased risks for pulmonary hemorrhage in very low and extremely low birth weight.These risk factors should be actively monitored and treated, which is helpful to early identify and prevent pulmonary hemorrhage.