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Objective:To study the short-term clinical outcomes of different courses of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) for preterm twins.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2021, preterm twins with gestational age (GA) 24-34 weeks admitted to the neonatal ward of our hospital and received ACS were retrospectively studied. The infants were assigned into single-course group, partial-course group and multiple-course group according to ACS courses. The short-term clinical outcomes were compared among the groups. SPSS software version 25.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 286 infants were enrolled in this study, including 128 in single-course group, 89 in partial-course group and 69 in multiple-course group. Compared with single-course group, the risks of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in both partial-course group ( OR=2.332, 95% CI 1.028-5.293, P=0.043) and multiple-course group ( OR=3.872, 95% CI 1.104-13.584, P=0.034) were higher. The birth length in multiple-course group ( β=-0.016, 95% CI -0.029 - -0.002, P=0.024) was lower than single-course group. Conclusions:The risks of neonatal RDS in preterm twins are higher in partial-course and multiple-course of ACS. A full course of ACS should be used to prevent neonatal RDS until further evidence of effectiveness is available.
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Its etiology and pathogenesis are poorly understood. Previous studies have suggested potential changes in the complement and coagulation pathways in individuals with ASD. In this study, using multiple reactions monitoring proteomic technology, 16 of the 33 proteins involved in this pathway were identified as differentially-expressed proteins in plasma between children with ASD and controls. Among them, CFHR3, C4BPB, C4BPA, CFH, C9, SERPIND1, C8A, F9, and F11 were found to be altered in the plasma of children with ASD for the first time. SERPIND1 expression was positively correlated with the CARS score. Using the machine learning method, we obtained a panel composed of 12 differentially-expressed proteins with diagnostic potential for ASD. We also reviewed the proteins changed in this pathway in the brain and blood of patients with ASD. The complement and coagulation pathways may be activated in the peripheral blood of children with ASD and play a key role in the pathogenesis of ASD.
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Child , Humans , Autism Spectrum Disorder/metabolism , Proteomics , Brain/metabolismABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of early individualized rehabilitation on patients with severe mechanical ventilation. MethodsA total of 36 patients on mechanical ventilation admitted to the ICU of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from March, 2019 to February, 2020 were randomly divided into control group (n = 18) and rehabilitation group (n = 18). All the patients completed a rehabilitation assessment within 24 hours of admission, including clinical assessment, state of consciousness and muscle strength assessment. The control group was treated with intensive care routine treatment, including symptomatic treatment of primary disease, nutritional support, placement of normal limbs, active and passive movement of limbs. The rehabilitation group received early individualized rehabilitation in addition., including active and passive limb movements, transfer training, physical factor therapy, and respiratory muscle training after the specific evaluation. The mechanical ventilation duration and ICU length of stay, the hospitalization cost, Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS), acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ), and the content of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were compared. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the weaning rate and hospitalization cost between two groups (P > 0.05). The mechanical ventilation duration and ICU length of stay were less in the rehabilitation group than in the control group (t > 2.067, P < 0.05). After treatment, the score of APACHEⅡ and the content of TNF-α and IL-6 decreased in the control group (t > 2.040, P < 0.05); the score of APACHEⅡ and the content of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 decreased in the rehabilitation group (t > 4.141, P < 0.001); the content of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 was less in the rehabilitation group than in the control group (t > 2.217, P < 0.05). The improvement of all the indexes was better in the rehabilitation group than in the control group (|Z| > 2.104, P < 0.05). ConclusionFor patients on mechanical ventilation, early individualized rehabilitation could improve the sedation, relieve the inflammatory reaction, accelerate the process of weaning, and reduce the length of stay with no extra cost.
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@#Objective To demonstrate the changes in flexor digitorum and extensor digitorum tension in the affected hands with shear-wave elastography (SWE) before and after manual digitorum sensory stimulation (MDSS) in hemiplegic patients with stroke. Methods A total of 51 hemiplegic post-stroke inpatients in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from April to June, 2020, underwent MDSS completed by a researcher who used a bare thumb and index finger to squeeze each nail bed as well as the sides of each fingertip in the affected hand. The stimulation intensity was the minimum that could cause finger extension without obvious pain, and the interval between two stimulations was five to ten seconds. Muscular tension of the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and shear-wave velocity (SWV) of SWE on the affected side before and immediately after MDSS. MAS score was -1 as low muscular tension. Results The MAS scores of all the muscles significantly reduced after MDSS (|Z| > 2.843, P < 0.001); while the changes of SWV were not significantly in all the muscles with initially MAS score of 0 or -1 (t < 1.052, P > 0.05), and it reduced in those muscles with initial MAS scores of one to three (t > 2.672, P < 0.05). The SWV were positively correlated with the MAS scores both before and after MDSS (r > 0.334, P < 0.05). Conclusion MDSS can effectively, immediately, and safely relieves muscle spasms of the flexor digitorum and facilitate active finger extension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke. SWE is useful for quantitatively and objectively evaluating muscular tension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke.
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Objective To investigate whether follicular helper T(Tfh) cells were involved in the development of Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura(HSP) and Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura nephritis(HSPN) in chil-dren through affecting CD40/CD40L axis. Methods Fifty-five subjects were enrolled in this study and di-vided into four groups as follows:22 children with HSP but without renal involvement(Group A),11 chil-dren with HSPN presenting with microhematuria(Group B),11 children with HSPN presenting with micro-hematuria and proteinuria (Group C) and 11 healthy children (control group). Flow cytometry was per-formed to detect the percentages of CD19+B cells and their subsets,CD19+B cells and CD19+CD38+B cells secreting different Ig classes,CD19+CD40+B cells and their subsets and Tfh cells expressing CD40 ligand (CD40L). Results Compared with the control group,the percentages of CD19+CD86+B,CD19+CD138+B and CD40L+Tfh cells significantly increased in Group C(P<0.05) and slightly increased in Groups A and B (P>0.05). No significant difference in the percentages of CD19+B cells, CD19+CD27+B cells, CD19+B cells or CD19+CD38+B cells expressing IgG, IgM, IgD, CD19+B cells or CD19+B cell subsets secreting CD40 was found between the control group and Groups A,B and C(P>0.05). Moreover,the percentages of CD19+B and CD19+CD38+B cells secreting IgA and IgE in Groups A,B and C were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). Secretion of IgA by CD19+B and CD19+CD38+B cells were positively correla-ted with the expression of CD40L by Tfh cells(P<0.05). Conclusion Tfh cell-mediated abnormal expres-sion of CD40/CD40L might play an important role in the development of HSP and be related to the clinical severity of renal involvement in HSPN.
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Objective To observe the effect of Tongqiao Huoxue decoction on the changes of motilin (MTL) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its protective effect on gastric mucosa in rats with cerebral infarction at acute stage.Methods According to random number table, 96 Wistar rats were divided into six groups: normal control, sham operation, cerebral infarction model, cimetidine, Tongqiao Huoxue decoction routine dose and low dose groups, eachn = 16. Cerebral infarction model group was established by using a suture to ligate the middle cerebral artery, resulting in its occlusion. The rats of cerebral infarction model group and sham operation group were lavaged with 2 mL of normal saline. Tongqiao Huoxue decoction routine dose group was lavaged with 2 mL of Tongqiao Huoxue decoction (1.3 g/mL), while Tongqiao Huoxue decoction low dose group was lavaged with 1 mL of Tongqiao Huoxue decoction (1.3 g/mL) plus 1 mL of normal saline. Cimetidine group was lavaged with cimetidine (0.1 g/kg), and nothing was done for the normal control group. On the 4th and 7th day after the delivery of treatment, inferior vena venous blood samples were collected to detect the plasma MTL and VIP concentrations. Then the gastric tissues were obtained and examined under an electron microscope.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the normal control group and sham operation group in plasma levels of MTL and VIP (bothP > 0.05). The plasma levels of MTL and VIP at 4 days and 7 days after the delivery of treatment in cerebral infarction model group were higher than those in the normal control group and sham operation group [4 days MTL (ng/L): 189.51±13.48 vs. 117.01±11.38, 117.67±12.73, VIP (ng/L): 94.86±4.14 vs. 60.98±5.42, 62.55±6.60, bothP < 0.05; 7 days: MTL (ng/L): 183.05±14.49 vs. 119.79±10.64, 120.27±11.48, VIP (ng/L): 91.92±3.77 vs. 59.63±4.29, 58.10±4.99, bothP < 0.05]. Plasma levels of MTL and VIP in cimetidine group, Tongqiao Huoxue decoction routine dose group and low dose group were significantly lower than those in cerebral infarction model group. Compared with Tongqiao Huoxue decoction low dose group and cimetidine group, the degrees of descent in plasma levels of MTL and VIP were apparently lower on the 7th day in Tongqiao Huoxue decoction routine dose group [MTL (ng/L): 138.72±8.02 vs. 152.16±12.66, 156.60±11.87, bothP < 0.05; VIP (ng/L):68.18±3.41 vs. 81.12±3.98, 78.89±2.13, bothP < 0.05]. The results of electron microscope: compared with normal control group and sham operation group, obvious pathological changes in gastric mucosa in model group were found. In Tongqiao Huoxue decoction routine group, Tongqiao Huoxue decoction low dose group and cimetidine group, the gastric mucosal lesions were milder, and the curative effects of Tongqiao Huoxue decoction routine group were much better.Conclusions During the acute stage of cerebral infarction, significant damage is seen in gastric mucosa in rats. Tongqiao Huoxue decoction not only can effectively regulate the expression levels of MTL and VIP, but also has certain protective effect on gastric mucosa, and its efficacy being directly proportional to the dosage.