ObjectiveTo investigate vitamin D level in children with cholestatic liver disease， and to provide a theoretical basis for vitamin D supplementation therapy in children with this disease. MethodsA total of 116 children with cholestatic liver disease who attended Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine， Beijing Children’s Hospital， Capital Medical University， for the first time from January 2022 to January 2024 were enrolled and divided into groups for comparison based on sex， age， vitamin D supplementation dose， course of the disease， and etiology. The data on the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D （25-OH-D） and related biochemical parameters were collected to assess the correlation between vitamin D level and biochemical parameters. The chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups， and the Spearman rank correlation test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsAmong the 116 children， 76 （65.5%） had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. The children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency accounted for 65.7% （46/70） among boys and 65.2% （30/46） among girls， with no significant difference between boys and girls （χ²=0.003， P=0.956）. The children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency accounted for 83.3% （25/30） among the children who had never received vitamin D supplementation， 58.7% （27/46） among the children with a daily supplementation dose of 500 IU， 64.3% （18/28） among the children with a daily supplementation dose of 700 IU， and 50.0% （6/12） among the children with a daily supplementation dose of>700 IU， and there was no significant difference between these groups （χ²=6.460， P=0.091）. Comparison between the groups with different etiologies showed that the children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency accounted for 57.7% （15/26） in the infectious disease group， 66.7% （10/15） in the inherited metabolic disease group， 66.7% （6/9） in the drug-induced liver injury group， 100.0% （8/8） in the group with abnormal structure of the biliary system， and 63.8% （37/58） in the group with unknown etiology， and there was no significant difference between these groups （χ²=5.304， P=0.252）. Comparison between the groups with different courses of the disease showed that the children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency accounted for 78.4% （29/37） in the<1 month group， 54.3% （25/46） in the 1‍ — ‍3 months group， 53.3% （8/15） in the 3‍ — ‍6 months group， and 77.8% （14/18） in the>6 months group， with no significant difference between these groups （χ²=7.432， P=0.059）. Comparison between different age groups showed that compared with the infant group， the children group had a significantly higher proportion of children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency （χ²=9.504， P=0.018）. The correlation analysis showed that serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase had no significant correlation with 25-OH-D （P>0.05）； serum alkaline phosphatase （ALP） （r=-0.286， P=0.002）， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase （GGT） （r=-0.248， P=0.007）， total bilirubin （TBil） （r=-0.353， P<0.001）， direct bilirubin （DBil） （r=-0.299， P=0.001）， and total bile acid （r=-0.236， P=0.011） were negatively correlated with 25-OH-D， while serum calcium （r=0.263， P=0.004） and phosphorus （r=0.385， P<0.001） were positively correlated with 25-OH-D. ConclusionMost children with cholestatic liver disease have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency， and the increase in serum ALP， GGT， TBil， DBil or total bile acid and the reduction in calcium or phosphorus may suggest vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.

Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, and its diagnosis heavily relies on imaging biomarkers. This paper integrates core pathological markers, such as amyloid β (Aβ)-positron emission tomography (PET), tau-PET, structural magnetic resonance imaging, and fluorodeoxyglucose-PET, with the latest advancements in novel imaging biomarkers, including inflammation, synaptic imaging, and cerebrovascular injury-related markers, based on the Aβ proteinopathy, tau proteinopathy, neurodegeneration, inflammation, α-synuclein and vascular brain injury biomarkers (AT 1T 2NISV) framework proposed by the 2024 Alzheimer′s Association diagnostic guidelines. With the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, future research should focus on enhancing the specificity of imaging biomarkers and developing precise diagnostic models for comorbidities to better address the heterogeneity and complex pathological features of AD.

Combined with elastic network model (ENM), the perturbation response scanning (PRS) has emerged as a robust technique for pinpointing allosteric interactions within proteins. Here, we proposed the PRS analysis of drug-target networks (DTNs), which could provide a promising avenue in network medicine. We demonstrated the utility of the method by introducing a deep learning and network perturbation-based framework, for drug repurposing of multiple sclerosis (MS). First, the MS comorbidity network was constructed by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on shared genes between MS and other diseases as seed nodes. Then, based on topological analysis and functional annotation, the neurotransmission module was identified as the "therapeutic module" of MS. Further, perturbation scores of drugs on the module were calculated by constructing the DTN and introducing the PRS analysis, giving a list of repurposable drugs for MS. Mechanism of action analysis both at pathway and structural levels screened dihydroergocristine as a candidate drug of MS by targeting a serotonin receptor of serotonin 2B receptor (HTR2B). Finally, we established a cuprizone-induced chronic mouse model to evaluate the alteration of HTR2B in mouse brain regions and observed that HTR2B was significantly reduced in the cuprizone-induced mouse cortex. These findings proved that the network perturbation modeling is a promising avenue for drug repurposing of MS. As a useful systematic method, our approach can also be used to discover the new molecular mechanism and provide effective candidate drugs for other complex diseases.

Combined with elastic network model(ENM),the perturbation response scanning(PRS)has emerged as a robust technique for pinpointing allosteric interactions within proteins.Here,we proposed the PRS analysis of drug-target networks(DTNs),which could provide a promising avenue in network medicine.We demonstrated the utility of the method by introducing a deep learning and network perturbation-based framework,for drug repurposing of multiple sclerosis(MS).First,the MS comorbidity network was constructed by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on shared genes between MS and other diseases as seed nodes.Then,based on topological analysis and functional annotation,the neurotransmission module was identified as the"therapeutic module"of MS.Further,perturbation scores of drugs on the module were calculated by constructing the DTN and introducing the PRS analysis,giving a list of repurposable drugs for MS.Mechanism of action analysis both at pathway and structural levels screened dihydroergocristine as a candidate drug of MS by targeting a serotonin receptor of se-rotonin 2B receptor(HTR2B).Finally,we established a cuprizone-induced chronic mouse model to evaluate the alteration of HTR2B in mouse brain regions and observed that HTR2B was significantly reduced in the cuprizone-induced mouse cortex.These findings proved that the network perturbation modeling is a promising avenue for drug repurposing of MS.As a useful systematic method,our approach can also be used to discover the new molecular mechanism and provide effective candidate drugs for other complex diseases.

Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, and its diagnosis heavily relies on imaging biomarkers. This paper integrates core pathological markers, such as amyloid β (Aβ)-positron emission tomography (PET), tau-PET, structural magnetic resonance imaging, and fluorodeoxyglucose-PET, with the latest advancements in novel imaging biomarkers, including inflammation, synaptic imaging, and cerebrovascular injury-related markers, based on the Aβ proteinopathy, tau proteinopathy, neurodegeneration, inflammation, α-synuclein and vascular brain injury biomarkers (AT 1T 2NISV) framework proposed by the 2024 Alzheimer′s Association diagnostic guidelines. With the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, future research should focus on enhancing the specificity of imaging biomarkers and developing precise diagnostic models for comorbidities to better address the heterogeneity and complex pathological features of AD.

AIM:To study whether glycyrrhizic acid(GL)can resist the ototoxicity of cisplatin(CDDP)in mice and its molecular mechanism.METHODS:Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 5 groups:control group,DMSO(5%)group,CDDP(4 mg/kg)group,CDDP+low-dose(50 mg/kg)GL group,and CDDP+high-dose(100 mg/kg)GL group(n=14).Auditory brainstem response(ABR)was used to detect hearing changes of mice.HE staining was used to observe the morphological change of cochlear stria vascular in mice.Evans blue(EB)staining was used to observe the per-meability change of the blood-labyrinth barrier(BLB).Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression and distribution of adhesion protein VE-cadherin and tight junction protein ZO-1 on the cochlear stria.ELISA assay and immunofluorescence technology were employed to detect the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleu-kin-1β(1L-1β).RESULTS:In CDDP group,ABR waveforms of all frequencies were disturbed,the hearing threshold was significantly increased,and I wave latency was prolonged(P＜0.05).In CDDP+GL group,ABR waveforms of various frequencies were well differentiated,the hearing threshold was significantly decreased,and the latency of I-wave was shortened(P＜0.01).The disordered morphology and more vacuoles in the stria vascularis were observed by HE staining in CDDP group.The GL alleviated CDDP-induced damage in the stria vascularis.In EB staining,CDDP caused an increase in per-meability of BLB(P＜0.01),which was improved by GL treatment(P＜0.01).Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of VE-cadherin and ZO-1 in CDDP group were decreased(P＜0.01),which was restored in CDDP+GL group(P＜0.01).The ELISA and immunofluorescence results showed that the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α was in-creased after CDDP treatment(P＜0.01),which was restored in CDDP+GL group(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:The GL alleviates CDDP-induced hearing loss in mice by inhibiting CDDP-induced inflammation and reducing the permeability of BLB.

Apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter （ASBT） is a key transporter responsible for intestinal reabsorption of bile acid and plays an important role in maintaining bile acid and cholesterol homeostasis， and its expression is regulated by various factors including transcription factors， nuclear receptors， and intestinal microflora. The abnormal expression and function of ASBT can lead to disorders in the metabolism of bile acid and cholesterol， causing a variety of hepatobiliary diseases. At present， ASBT has attracted wide attention as a therapeutic target. This article elaborates on the biological characteristics and expression regulation mechanism of ASBT and reviews the role of ASBT in hepatobiliary diseases， in order to provide a new direction for the treatment of related diseases.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of different doses of aspirin on clinical efficacy in acute stage of Kawasaki’s disease, and to explore the optimal dose of aspirin. METHODS A total of 150 patients suffered from Kawasaki’s disease were randomly selected by hospital information system from March to May 2022 for retrospective analysis. According to different doses of aspirin, they were divided into three groups: high dose group(>50 mg·kg−1·d−1), medium dose group(30−50 mg·kg−1·d−1) and low dose group(<30 mg·kg−1·d−1). The antipyretic time, the incidence of non-response to intravenous human immunoglobulin, the improvement of laboratory indexes and prevalence of adverse drug reaction were compared among the three groups. RESULTS There was no significant difference in body temperature recovery among the three groups under different doses of aspirin. There was no significant difference in patients with non-response to intravenous human immunoglobulin among the three groups. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in white blood cell(WBC) count, blood platelet(PLT) count and C-reactive protein(CRP) concentration among the three groups. After treatment, the count of WBC, PLT and CRP in the three groups was significantly improved compared with that before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the above indexes among the three groups after treatment. There was a higher incidence of adverse reactions in children treated with medium or high dose aspirin. CONCLUSION Different doses of aspirin combined with intravenous human immunoglobulin have good therapeutic effect on Kawasaki’s disease, but considering the safety and economy of aspirin, low dose administration is recommended.

Objective:A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to determine the enzymatic activity of CD38 in blood, which was the major enzyme responsible for consuming nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). Additionally, the study aimed to detect the differences in CD38 enzymatic activity among individuals of varying ages and health statuses.Methods:A 50 μl whole blood matrix and enzyme reaction substrate of 150 μl β-NAD at a concentration of 500 μmol/L were selected for the analysis. To eliminate the impact of endogenous β-NAD, the whole blood sample was pre-incubated at 37 ℃ for 20 minutes before adding the substrate. The reaction was terminated by perchloric acid (PCA) after incubation at 37 ℃ for 40 min. The change in product nicotinamide (NAM) before and after the enzymatic reaction was measured by HPLC to calculate the CD38 activity. The linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, and stability of the method were evaluated. The CD38 enzymatic activities in 60 healthy volunteers and 30 colorectal cancer patients in blood were determined by the developed method.Results:Pre-incubation at 37 ℃ for 20 minutes eliminated the effect of endogenous β-NAD. The correlation coefficient of NAM was 0.999 in the concentration range of 0.1-3.2 μmol/L, with limit of detection of 0.5 nmol/L and limit of quantification of 2.1 nmol/L. The average within-run imprecision ( CV) and total CV were 3.22%-4.03% and 2.91%-4.70%, respectively. The recovery rate ranged from 94.82% to 96.81%. The CD38 activity of whole blood was stable by storage at 4 ℃ for 48 hours, storage at room temperature for 8 hours, thawing of frozen whole blood at room temperature for 2 hours, or repeated freeze-thawing three times. NAM, NAD standards, and pre-treatment samples were stable after 48 hours at 4 ℃ and 8 hours at room temperature. CD38 activity gradually decreased with increasing concentration of the added CD38 inhibitor 4-aminoquinoline derivative (78c). Measurement of 60 healthy physical examination population samples showed significantly higher CD38 enzyme activity in the elderly group than that in the young group ( t=-2.776, P=0.007) and measurement of 30 colorectal cancer patients showed significantly higher CD38 enzyme activity than that in healthy people ( t=-2.572, P=0.012). Conclusion:The established HPLC method for determining CD38 enzymatic activity is characterized by its simplicity, efficiency, accuracy, and reproducibility. This technique serves as a valuable tool for investigating aging and aging-related diseases.

Objective To determine risk factors of postoperative pulmonary complications within 1 month in patients undergoing thoracic surgery in Day Care Unit.Methods The total of 200 patients routinely scheduled for VATS under centralized management were enrolled in this study.On the postoperative day 1,lung ultrasound(LUS)was conducted by one physician in the ward.The patients received at least once Chest X-ray or CT in outpatient department within 30 days after discharge.The composite of out-of-hospital PPCs,and the value of LUSS in predicting the PPCs was appraised.Furthermore,we identified the perioperative risk factors associated with PPCs in VATS patients.Results Of 200 recruited VATS patients eligible in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,188 participants received LUS examination and finally completed the 30 days follow-up.Of whom,68 patients developed the varied types of PPCs.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis indicated that comorbidity of immune system disease(P = 0.021),lobar resection(P = 0.031)and the postoperative 24 hours LUSS(P = 0.002)were independent risk factors for PPCs within 30 days after VATS.Conclusion Comorbidity of immune system disease,lobar resection and the postoperative 24 h LUSS were independent risk factors for PPCs within 30 days after VATS.