Isofebrifuzine regulates energy metabolism of EC9706 cells based on AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of isofebrifuzine in the treatment of esophageal cancer by observing the effects of isofebrifuzine on proliferation, apoptosis, cycle, energy metabolism and protein expression related to energy metabolism pathway in EC9706 cells. Methods: ECC9706 cells were routinely cultured, cell activity was detected by MTT method, drug concentration was screened, and two concentrations of 1 μg/mL and 2 μg/mL were selected, the effect of isofebrifuzine on apoptosis and cycle of esophageal cancer cells EC9706 was detected by flow cytometry. The effect of isofebrifuzine on energy metabolism of EC9706 cells was detected by energy metabolism detection system, and the protein expressions of mTOR, p-mTOR, p-ACC and AMPK in cells were detected by Western blotting. Results: The proliferation of EC9706 cells was effectively inhibited in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01) after 48 h of treatment with different concentrations of isofebrifuzine, which could arrest EC9706 cells in S phase and G2/M phase (P < 0.05), effectively promote cell apoptosis (P < 0.05), and significantly inhibit cell glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, AMPK expression was increased and mTOR, p-mTOR, p-ACC expression was decreased in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that isofebrifuzine may regulate the cycle and apoptosis of EC9706 cells and inhibit the proliferation of EC9706 cells in esophageal cancer through energy metabolism.

Influencing factors for severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the influencing factors for the severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 110 preterm infants who were diagnosed with BPD and had a hospital stay of over 28 days between January 2011 and December 2013 were analyzed. These BPD infants were divided into 3 groups according to the clinical criteria: mild group (n=52), moderate group (n=44), and severe group (n=14). The relationship between the severity of BPD and the gestational age, birth weight, asphyxia, oxygen therapy, pregnancy complications, intrauterine pneumonia and mechanical ventilation was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The severity of BPD was correlated with the following factors: gestational age, birth weight, prenatal infection, duration of oxygen inhalation with a concentration of >40%, use of mechanical ventilation, parameters and duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of continuous positive airway pressure, adoption of intubation surfactant extubation (INSURE) approach, Ureaplasma urealyticum infection, intrauterine pneumonia and patent ductus arteriosus. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the mechanical ventilator parameter peak inspiratory pressure (OR=1.260, 95%CI: 1.096-1.448) and duration of mechanical ventilation (OR=1.010, 95%CI: 1.005-1.016) were independent risk factors for the severity of BPD, while the INSURE approach was a protective factor (OR=0.208, 95%CI: 0.060-0.923).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The severity of BPD is associated with various factors in preterm infants. The important measures for preventing BPD include avoiding the birth of preterm infants with a very low birth weight, shortening the duration of mechanical ventilation, preventing and reducing pulmonary infections, and applying the INSURE approach.</p>

Cellular and humoral immunity in preterm infants of different gestational ages / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the characteristics of immune function in newborn infants of different gestational ages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 115 premature infants free of infection between June 1, 2012 and June 1, 2013 were divided into two groups according to their gestational age at birth: early preterm infant group (28-33+6 weeks, n=57) and late preterm infant group (34-36+6 weeks, n=58). Meanwhile, 88 full-term infants (37-41+6 week) were recruited to the control group. Venous blood samples were collected within 24 hours after birth. The percentages of lymphocyte subsets, such as CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells were measured by flow cytometry, and the absolute count of each population was calculated using the results from routine blood work. Concentrations of serum IgG, IgA, and IgM were measured by immunoturbidimetry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both preterm infant groups had significantly higher percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (P<0.05) and significantly lower percentages of CD8+ and CD19+ T cells and NK cells (P<0.05), as compared with the full-term infant group. The absolute counts of total lymphocytes, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ T cells, and NK cells in both preterm infant groups were significantly lower than those in the full-term infant group (P<0.05), and the above parameters in the late preterm infant group were significantly higher than those in the early preterm infant group (P<0.05). Both preterm infant groups showed significantly lower concentrations of serum IgG than the full-term infant group (P<0.05), while no significant differences in concentrations of serum IgA and IgM were observed between the three groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Neonatal gestational age has an effect on cellular and humoral immunity. The immune function gradually improves with increasing gestational age.</p>

Efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide in premature infants with hypoxic respiratory failure / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the safety and efficacy of low-concentration inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in the treatment of hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF) among premature infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty premature infants (gestational age ≤ 34 weeks) with HRF were randomized into NO and control groups between 2012 and 2013, with 30 cases in each group. Both groups received nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or mechanical ventilation. NO inhalation was continued for at least 7 days or until weaning in the NO group. The general conditions, blood gas results, complications, and clinical outcomes of the two groups were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The NO group showed significantly more improvement in blood gas results than the control group after 12 hours of treatment (P<0.05). After that, the change in oxygenation status over time showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in total time of assisted ventilation and duration of oxygen therapy between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, and pneumothorax in infants showed no significant differences between the NO and control groups (P>0.05), but the incidence of IVH and mortality were significantly lower in the NO group than in the control group (7% vs 17%, P<0.05; 3% vs 13%, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NO inhalation may improve oxygenation status and reduce the mortality in premature infants with HRF, but it cannot reduce the incidence of BPD and the total time of mechanical ventilation or nCPAP and duration of oxygen therapy. NO therapy may have a brain-protective effect for premature infants with HRF and does not increase clinical complications.</p>