ABSTRACT
Objective:To analyse the clinical features and prognosis of pertussis in neonates and infants.Methods:The clinical data of neonates and infants with pertussis hospitalized in Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from September 2021 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed and grouped in terms of age, the severity of the disease, and whether a mixed infection, respectively.Results:A total of 40 infants with pertussis were analyzed.All cases showed improvement and were discharged after receiving active anti-infective treatment.In the neonatal group, higher rates of apnea and hyponatremia were observed compared to the non-neonatal group(all P<0.05).Additionally, peripheral blood leukocyte counts[20.9(15.0, 28.7)×10 9/L vs.16.6(11.3, 21.2)×10 9/L], neutrophil counts[4.6(3.7, 7.9)×10 9/L vs.3.2(2.1, 5.3)×10 9/L], γ-glutamyltransferase levels[78.0( 50.2, 109.4)U/L vs.22.5(15.1, 38.9)U/L], duration of hospitalization[21.5(16.8, 25.0)d vs.11.5(9.0, 19.8)d], and duration of oxygen use[7.0(0, 21.0)d vs.0(0, 2.3)d]were higher in the neonatal group than in the non-neonatal group(all P<0.05).However, the IgA level[0.02(0.02, 0.04)g/L vs.0.05(0.03, 0.09)g/L]was significantly lower in the neonatal group than in the non-neonatal group( P<0.05).In the severe group, the proportion of onset age of less than 3 months, fever, wheezing, shortness of breath, cyanosis after rough cough, apnea, decreased heart rate, wet rales on lung auscultation, respiratory failure, cardiac insufficiency, hyponatremia, CRP>8 mg/L, spotty/patchy shadows in the lungs, as well as the use of gammaglobulin, cardioactive drug and invasive ventilation, were higher than those in the non-severe group(all P<0.05).Furthermore, peripheral blood leukocyte counts[21.0(15.4, 37.4)×10 9/L vs.17.5(11.8, 21.2)×10 9/L], neutrophil counts[5.6(4.0, 10.7)×10 9/L vs.3.2(2.3, 4.6)×10 9/L], neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio[(0.6±0.4) vs.( 0.3±0.2)], systemic immune-inflammation index[237.5(109.5, 424.9) vs.135.9(75.4, 190.5)], γ-glutamyltransferase level[53.2(31.6, 87.4)U/L vs.29.5(15.2, 65.0)U/L], duration of oxygen use[18.0(12.8, 22.5)d vs.0(0, 0)d], and duration of hospitalization[24.5(21.8, 31.2)d vs.12.0(9.0, 16.8)d]were higher in the severe group than those in the non-severe group(all P<0.05).However, the IgA level[0.03(0.02, 0.04)g/L vs.0.05(0.03, 0.09)g/L]was significantly lower in the severe group than in the non-severe group( P<0.05).The mixed infection group had a longer duration of hospitalization and a higher proportion of fever than the single infection group(all P<0.05). Conclusion:Early detection of infantile pertussis can be challenging.Neonates with pertussis tend to experience severe symptoms, such as apnea, hyponatremia, elevated white blood cell count, and longer duration of oxygen use.Symptoms such as fever, wheezing, shortness of breath, decreased heart rate, wet lung rales, and spotty/patchy shadows in the lungs, as well as early elevated CRP, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, and decreased IgA levels are indicators of disease exacerbation.In mixed infections group, there is a higher proportion of fever.
ABSTRACT
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)is a severe complication in premature infants, and the pathogenesis remains complex, potentially involving pulmonary inflammatory injury and faulty reparative response.T-cell immaturity in preterm neonates and the upregulation of related harmful regulatory genes, as well as the imbalance of T-cell homeostasis, have been reported to contribute significantly to the development of inflammatory diseases.Growing evidence suggests that alterations in the levels and functions of T cell subsets may participate in the development of BPD, serving as a new avenue for BPD prevention and treatment.Herein, we summarize recent advancements in understanding the role of T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of BPD.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of Halo-Vest on the dose distribution of different radiotherapy techniques for primary cervical spine malignant tumors.Methods:Ten patients with primary cervical spine malignancies who underwent radiotherapy after Halo-Vest surgery were retrospectively studied. The IMRT and VMAT plans were designed on the contoured CT images including Halo-Vest delineations using Monaco planning system. The IMRT and VMAT plans with the same field parameters were duplicated to the CT images without the Halo-Vest delineations, and the dose distribution was recalculated. The dose distribution of the target, organs at risk and normal tissues was analyzed and compared for the plans with and without the Halo-Vest delineation.Results:For most dosimetric parameters of VMAT plans, the mean deviations induced by the Halo-Vest were less than 1%, except for PGTV 107%. Without Halo-Vest delineation, the mean maximum dose of spinal cord and spinal cord-PRV increased by 0.38 Gy and 0.42 Gy ( Z=-2.803, -2.803, P<0.05), respectively. The mean Dmean of spinal cord and spinal cord PRV increased by 0.35 Gy and 0.37 Gy, respectively ( Z=-2.703, -2.701, P<0.05). The maximum deviation observed in the mean V5, V30, and Dmean of mucosa, thyroid, parotid gland, mandible, mandibular joint, and normal tissues was 0.74%. For IMRT plans, larger dosimetric deviations than VMAT plans were observed in PTV and PGTV, most of which were more than 1.0% and the maximum deviation was 4.55%. The absence of Halo-Vest delineation increased the mean maximum dose of spinal cord and spinal cord-PRV by 0.48 Gy and 0.59 Gy ( P>0.05), respectively. The mean Dmean of spinal cord and spinal cord PRV increased by 0.57 Gy and 0.59 Gy, respectively ( Z=-2.293, -2.293, P<0.05). The maximum deviation of other organs at risk was 1.98%. Conclusions:There are no clinically significant dose differences for VMAT planning with or without Halo-Vest delineation on the CT images. But the dosimetric impact of absent or partial Halo-Vest delineation on IMRT planning is relatively large and should be considered.
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Objective To evaluate four detectors for the off-axis ratio profile measurements of a CyberKnife system, and provide reference and suggestions for selecting and using the correct detectors. Methods Profiles were acquired by using four detectors, PTW-60017, PTW-60018, PTW-60019 and IBA-SFD, at different depths for different collimator sizes, with the detector stem being oriented both perpendicular and parallel to the central beam axis. The differences of profiles and the influence of detector orientation on measurement result were analyzed. Results All full width at half maximum ( FWHM) of field measured by four detectors in parallel orientation was larger than that in actual field size. The deviation was increased with the size of collimator and measurement depth, with the maximum deviation of 1. 9 mm. The maximum deviation of FWHM among four detectors was 0. 2 mm. The penumbra was the smallest for IBA-SFD, and the largest for PTW-60019. The maximum deviation of penumbra was 0. 3 mm. The IBA-SFD tended to over-respond in the out-of-field region when the collimator size was larger than 30 mm. Both FWHM and penumbra in perpendicular orientation were smaller than those in parallel orientation for PTW-60017, PTW-60018 and PTW-60019, especially at 5 mm collimator. However, the trend was opposite for IBA-SFD. With the increase of collimator aperture, the difference between the right and left penumbra acquired by four detectors was increased, with more obvious stem effects. Conclusions Similar profiles were acquired by four detectors, but the detector characteristics and effects of detector orientations should be considered.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate four detectors for the off-axis ratio profile measurements of a CyberKnife system, and provide reference and suggestions for selecting and using the correct detectors. Methods Profiles were acquired by using four detectors, PTW-60017, PTW-60018, PTW-60019 and IBA-SFD, at different depths for different collimator sizes, with the detector stem being oriented both perpendicular and parallel to the central beam axis. The differences of profiles and the influence of detector orientation on measurement result were analyzed. Results All full width at half maximum ( FWHM) of field measured by four detectors in parallel orientation was larger than that in actual field size. The deviation was increased with the size of collimator and measurement depth, with the maximum deviation of 1. 9 mm. The maximum deviation of FWHM among four detectors was 0. 2 mm. The penumbra was the smallest for IBA-SFD, and the largest for PTW-60019. The maximum deviation of penumbra was 0. 3 mm. The IBA-SFD tended to over-respond in the out-of-field region when the collimator size was larger than 30 mm. Both FWHM and penumbra in perpendicular orientation were smaller than those in parallel orientation for PTW-60017, PTW-60018 and PTW-60019, especially at 5 mm collimator. However, the trend was opposite for IBA-SFD. With the increase of collimator aperture, the difference between the right and left penumbra acquired by four detectors was increased, with more obvious stem effects. Conclusions Similar profiles were acquired by four detectors, but the detector characteristics and effects of detector orientations should be considered.