Acute liver injury (ALI) serves as a critical precursor and major etiological factor in the progression and ultimate manifestation of various hepatic disorders. The prevention and treatment of ALI is still a serious global challenge. Given the limited therapeutic options for ALI, exploring novel targeted therapeutic agents becomes imperative. The potential therapeutic efficacy of inhibiting RIPK2 is highlighted, as it may provide significant benefits by attenuating the MAPK pathway and NF-κB signaling. Herein, we propose a CMD-OPT model, a two-stage molecular optimization tool for the rapid discovery of RIPK2 inhibitors with optimal properties. Compound RP20, which targets the ATP binding site, demonstrated excellent kinase specificity, ideal oral pharmacokinetics, and superior therapeutic effects in a model of APAP-induced ALI, positioning RP20 as a promising preclinical candidate. This marks the first application of RIPK2 inhibitors in ALI treatment, opening a novel therapeutic pathway for clinical applications. These results highlight the efficacy of the CMD-OPT model in producing lead compounds from known active molecules, showcasing its significant potential in drug discovery.

Objective To investigate the value of prone-position MRI of lumbar spine for diagnosing pediatric occult tethered cord syndrome(OTCS).Methods A total of 67 children with suspected tethered cord syndrome(TCS)and confirmed OTCS by surgery were prospectively enrolled as OTCS group,while 73 healthy subjects were recruited as control group.Supine-and prone-position lumbar MR examinations were performed in both groups.The position of filum terminale on prone axial T2WI and the presence or absence of"sunset sign"(i.e.filum terminale located within the dorsal 1/2 of spinal canal on prone axial T2WI)were observed,spinal cord conus mobility was calculated.The efficacy of"sunset sign"for diagnosing OTCS in children was calculated through comparison between groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of spinal cord conus mobility.Results On prone-position axial T2WI,"sunset sign"was found in 58 cases(58/67,86.57％)but not in 9 cases(9/67,13.43％)in OTCS group,which was not even observed in control group.The sensitivity of"sunset sign"for diagnosing pediatric OTCS was 86.57％(58/67),with specificity of 100％(73/73),positive predictive value of 100％(58/58)and negative predictive value of 89.02％(73/82).The spinal cord conus mobility was(19.30±5.89)％in OTCS group and(31.71±6.58)％in control group,being statistically different between groups(t=-11.722,P＜0.001).The sensitivity,specificity and AUC of spinal cord conus mobility for diagnosing pediatric OTCS was 80.60％,90.41％and 0.920,respectively.Conclusion Prone-position MRI of lumbar spine could be used in diagnosing pediatric OTCS.

Alzheimer's disease(AD), a neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging, is the most prevalent form of dementia.As the aging population continues to expand, AD presents significant health and caregiving challenges for families and society, making it a pressing international public health concern.In recent years, numerous countries have implemented dementia prevention and treatment strategies that emphasize community-based comprehensive approaches.Currently, the community-based AD prevention and treatment model in China is still in the exploratory phase, with community efforts lacking organization.In alignment with China's action plan for advancing dementia prevention and treatment, and to achieve the strategic objective of "healthy aging, " this consensus is based on the principle of three-level prevention and is tailored to the characteristics of AD disease progression.It aims to develop a comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy for AD that is suitable for communities in China, providing technical guidance and support to establish a scientific basis for formulating community AD prevention and treatment models.

Background: The function of CD69 expressed on T cells in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the roles of CD69 on T cells in the disease process and in antiviral therapy for CHB. Methods: We enrolled 335 treatment-naive patients with CHB and 93 patients with CHB on antiviral therapy. CD69, antiviral cytokine production by T cells, T-helper (Th) cells, and inhibitory molecules of T cells were measured using flow cytometry, and clinical-virological characteristics were examined dynamically during antiviral therapy. Results: CD69 expression on CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells was the lowest in the immune-active phase and was negatively correlated with liver transaminase activity, fibrosis features, inflammatory cytokine production by T cells, and Th-cell frequencies but positively with inhibitory molecules on T cells. CD69 expression on CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells decreased after 48 weeks of antiviral therapy, and patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in week 48 showed lower CD69 expression on T cells at baseline and week 48. The area under the ROC curve of CD69 expression on T cells at baseline for predicting HBeAg seroconversion in week 48 was 0.870, the sensitivity was 0.909, and the specificity was 0.714 (P = 0.002). Conclusions CD69 negatively regulates T-cell immunity during CHB, and its expression decreases with antiviral therapy. CD69 expression predicts HBeAg seroconversion in week 48. CD69 may play an important negative role in regulating T cells and affect the efficacy of antiviral therapy.

his cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to enroll 1 994 community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥65 years) undergoing health examinations at a Guangzhou community hospital between January and December 2024, aiming to investigate associations between blood lipid profiles and cognitive impairment. Cognitive function was assessed using the AD8 scale, with demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, occupation), health status (hypertension, diabetes mellitus), and lifestyle factors (smoking/alcohol use) collected via questionnaires. Fasting blood samples quantified triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Propensity score matching (PSM) balanced baseline characteristics between lipid-level groups. Pre-PSM analyses revealed significant intergroup differences: TG groups differed in sex, BMI, alcohol use, hypertension, and self-rated health ( P<0.05); TC groups in sex, age, occupation, diabetes, and hypertension; LDL-C groups in sex, age, occupation, diabetes, hypertension, and daily living ability; HDL-C groups in sex, age, education, occupation, BMI, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension. Post-PSM adjustment eliminated baseline differences ( P>0.05). Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors demonstrated that elevated TG levels conferred a 48% reduced risk of cognitive dysfunction [ OR (95% CI): 0.52 (0.29-0.94)], whereas TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C showed no significant associations (all P>0.05). These findings suggest an inverse association between higher triglyceride levels and cognitive dysfunction risk in older adults, highlighting TG′s potential protective role in cognitive health.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, auxiliary examinations, and genetic mutations of a patient with myotonia congenita (MC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and whole exome sequencing results of a patient who visited the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University on April 13, 2023, and her family members. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:The patient was a 30-year-old female who presented with muscle stiffness and transient weakness during the transition from rest to movement since childhood, which improved after repeated limb movements. With age, involvement of upper limb skeletal muscles, extraocular muscles, and masticatory muscles was noted. Electromyography (EMG) showed abundant myotonic potentials in the muscles of the limbs, and serum creatine kinase levels (586.80 IU/L) were elevated. Genetic testing revealed that the patient carried 2 mutations in the CLCN1 gene: a newly discovered single nucleotide deletion mutation c.1388del (p.Phe463SerfsTer4), and a known missense mutation c.1679T>C (p.Met560Thr). These mutations were present in a compound heterozygous state. The patient′s father carried the c.1388del single heterozygous mutation, while her mother, son, aunt, younger uncle, and grandmother carried the c.1679T>C single heterozygous mutation. Conclusions:MC is primarily characterized by muscle stiffness and transient weakness at the onset of movement, which improves after "warm-up". The proband in this pedigree exhibits typical MC symptoms, with significantly elevated creatine kinase levels and EMG revealing abundant myotonic potentials in the muscles of the limbs indicating myopathic damages. The new mutation c.1388del (p.Phe463SerfsTer4) in the CLCN1 gene further expands the spectrum of pathogenic mutations in the CLCN1 gene.

Objective:To investigate the association of skeletal muscle function(including muscle strength and physical performance) and insulin resistance as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:The retrospective study included 942 patients who visited the Department of Geriatrics at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, between October 2020 and July 2024. Low skeletal muscle function was defined as either reduced muscle strength or impaired physical performance. Muscle strength was assessed by grip strength, while physical performance was evaluated using the 5-time chair stand test. The associations between muscle function, insulin resistance, and T2DM were analyzed.Results:A significant association was observed between decreased skeletal muscle function and a higher prevalence of T2DM( P=0.001). Further analysis revealed that decreased physical performance was significantly associated with increased T2DM prevalence( P<0.001), whereas reduced muscle strength showed no significant association with T2DM prevalence( P=0.331). Linear regression analysis indicated that both the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA2-IR) and fasting blood glucose levels increased significantly with longer chair stand times( P<0.05). Restrictive cubic spline(RCS) analysis demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between chair-rising time and HOMA2-IR. Notably, when the cumulative chair-rising time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increased significantly with prolonged chair stand time. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with patients with normal physical performance, those with decreased physical performance had significantly higher odds of T2DM( OR=2.64, P<0.001) and insulin resistance( OR=2.34, P=0.002). Conclusion:Decline in physical performance is significantly positively associated with insulin resistance and the risk of T2DM. Morever, when the cumulative chair stand time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increases progressively with further prolongation of chair stand time.

his cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to enroll 1 994 community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥65 years) undergoing health examinations at a Guangzhou community hospital between January and December 2024, aiming to investigate associations between blood lipid profiles and cognitive impairment. Cognitive function was assessed using the AD8 scale, with demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, occupation), health status (hypertension, diabetes mellitus), and lifestyle factors (smoking/alcohol use) collected via questionnaires. Fasting blood samples quantified triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Propensity score matching (PSM) balanced baseline characteristics between lipid-level groups. Pre-PSM analyses revealed significant intergroup differences: TG groups differed in sex, BMI, alcohol use, hypertension, and self-rated health ( P<0.05); TC groups in sex, age, occupation, diabetes, and hypertension; LDL-C groups in sex, age, occupation, diabetes, hypertension, and daily living ability; HDL-C groups in sex, age, education, occupation, BMI, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension. Post-PSM adjustment eliminated baseline differences ( P>0.05). Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors demonstrated that elevated TG levels conferred a 48% reduced risk of cognitive dysfunction [ OR (95% CI): 0.52 (0.29-0.94)], whereas TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C showed no significant associations (all P>0.05). These findings suggest an inverse association between higher triglyceride levels and cognitive dysfunction risk in older adults, highlighting TG′s potential protective role in cognitive health.

Objective:To investigate the association of skeletal muscle function(including muscle strength and physical performance) and insulin resistance as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:The retrospective study included 942 patients who visited the Department of Geriatrics at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, between October 2020 and July 2024. Low skeletal muscle function was defined as either reduced muscle strength or impaired physical performance. Muscle strength was assessed by grip strength, while physical performance was evaluated using the 5-time chair stand test. The associations between muscle function, insulin resistance, and T2DM were analyzed.Results:A significant association was observed between decreased skeletal muscle function and a higher prevalence of T2DM( P=0.001). Further analysis revealed that decreased physical performance was significantly associated with increased T2DM prevalence( P<0.001), whereas reduced muscle strength showed no significant association with T2DM prevalence( P=0.331). Linear regression analysis indicated that both the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA2-IR) and fasting blood glucose levels increased significantly with longer chair stand times( P<0.05). Restrictive cubic spline(RCS) analysis demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between chair-rising time and HOMA2-IR. Notably, when the cumulative chair-rising time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increased significantly with prolonged chair stand time. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with patients with normal physical performance, those with decreased physical performance had significantly higher odds of T2DM( OR=2.64, P<0.001) and insulin resistance( OR=2.34, P=0.002). Conclusion:Decline in physical performance is significantly positively associated with insulin resistance and the risk of T2DM. Morever, when the cumulative chair stand time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increases progressively with further prolongation of chair stand time.

Objective To investigate the value of prone-position MRI of lumbar spine for diagnosing pediatric occult tethered cord syndrome(OTCS).Methods A total of 67 children with suspected tethered cord syndrome(TCS)and confirmed OTCS by surgery were prospectively enrolled as OTCS group,while 73 healthy subjects were recruited as control group.Supine-and prone-position lumbar MR examinations were performed in both groups.The position of filum terminale on prone axial T2WI and the presence or absence of"sunset sign"(i.e.filum terminale located within the dorsal 1/2 of spinal canal on prone axial T2WI)were observed,spinal cord conus mobility was calculated.The efficacy of"sunset sign"for diagnosing OTCS in children was calculated through comparison between groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of spinal cord conus mobility.Results On prone-position axial T2WI,"sunset sign"was found in 58 cases(58/67,86.57％)but not in 9 cases(9/67,13.43％)in OTCS group,which was not even observed in control group.The sensitivity of"sunset sign"for diagnosing pediatric OTCS was 86.57％(58/67),with specificity of 100％(73/73),positive predictive value of 100％(58/58)and negative predictive value of 89.02％(73/82).The spinal cord conus mobility was(19.30±5.89)％in OTCS group and(31.71±6.58)％in control group,being statistically different between groups(t=-11.722,P＜0.001).The sensitivity,specificity and AUC of spinal cord conus mobility for diagnosing pediatric OTCS was 80.60％,90.41％and 0.920,respectively.Conclusion Prone-position MRI of lumbar spine could be used in diagnosing pediatric OTCS.