Delivery room resuscitation and short-term outcomes of extremely preterm and extremely low birth weight infants: a multicenter survey in North China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Delivery room resuscitation assists preterm infants, especially extremely preterm infants (EPI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), in breathing support, while it potentially exerts a negative impact on the lungs and outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to assess delivery room resuscitation and discharge outcomes of EPI and ELBWI in China.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of EPI (gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) and ELBWI (birth weight [BW] <1000 g), admitted within 72 h of birth in 33 neonatal intensive care units from five provinces and cities in North China between 2017 and 2018, were analyzed. The primary outcomes were delivery room resuscitation and risk factors for delivery room intubation (DRI). The secondary outcomes were survival rates, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and risk factors for BPD.@*RESULTS@#A cohort of 952 preterm infants were enrolled. The incidence of DRI, chest compressions, and administration of epinephrine was 55.9% (532/952), 12.5% (119/952), and 7.0% (67/952), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for DRI were GA <28 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 3.147; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.082-4.755), BW <1000 g (OR, 2.240; 95% CI, 1.606-3.125), and antepartum infection (OR, 1.429; 95% CI, 1.044-1.956). The survival rate was 65.9% (627/952) and was dependent on GA. The rate of BPD was 29.3% (181/627). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for BPD were male (OR, 1.603; 95% CI, 1.061-2.424), DRI (OR, 2.094; 95% CI, 1.328-3.303), respiratory distress syndrome exposed to ≥2 doses of pulmonary surfactants (PS; OR, 2.700; 95% CI, 1.679-4.343), and mechanical ventilation ≥7 days (OR, 4.358; 95% CI, 2.777-6.837). However, a larger BW (OR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.996-0.999), antenatal steroid (OR, 0.577; 95% CI, 0.379-0.880), and PS use in the delivery room (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.160-0.467) were preventive factors for BPD (all P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Improving delivery room resuscitation and management of respiratory complications are imperative during early management of the health of EPI and ELBWI.

Chloroplast Genome Analysis of Liriope spicata var. prolifera, Ophiopogon japonicus in Sichuan and Zhejiang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To determine the chloroplast genomes of Liriope spicata var. prolifera, Ophiopogon japonicus in Sichuan and Zhejiang, analyze their sequence characteristics and complete the screening of specific DNA barcodes. Method::The chloroplast genomes of L. spicata var. prolifera, O. japonicus in Sichuan and Zhejiang were sequenced, spliced and annotated through high-throughtput sequencing technology, and the structural characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of chloroplast genomes were analyzed by bioinformatics. Result::The total length of chloroplast genome of L. spicata var. prolifera was 155 998 bp, the total content of guanine and cytosine (GC) was 37.7%, and 85 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes were successfully annotated, a total of 274 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were detected, the number of codons encoding leucine was the most, while the number of codons encoding tryptophan was the least. The total length of chloroplast genome of O. japonicus in Sichuan province was 156 078 bp, the total content of GC was 37.8%, and 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes were successfully annotated, a total of 265 SSRs were detected, the number of codons encoding leucine was the most, while the number of codons encoding tryptophan was the least. The total length of chloroplast genome of O. japonicus in Zhejiang province was 156 207 bp, the total content of GC was 37.7%, and 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes were successfully annotated, a total of 274 SSRs were detected with the highest number of codons encoding leucine and the lowest number of codons encoding tryptophan. Conclusion::The phylogenetic trees show that compared with O. japonicus in Sichuan province, L. spicata var. prolifera is more closely related to O. japonicus in Zhejiang province. The variation of non-coding regions of L. spicata var. prolifera, O. japonicus in Zhejiang and Sichuan is greater than that in the coding region. The entire chloroplast genome can be used as a super barcode for identifying species of Ophiopogon and Liriope.

DNA barcoding and rapid identification of the precious herb Herba Anoectochili / 中国天然药物

Herba Anoectochili is a commonly used medicinal material. However, its adulteration is a serious concern. Due to the similar morphological characteristics of Herba Anoectochili and its adulterants, traditional identification techniques often fail to distinguish between them accurately, which is not conducive to the circulation management and safety of the medicinal materials. To improve the distinction between Herba Anoectochili and its adulterants accurately, this study identified 41 Herba Anoectochili and its adulterant samples based on the ITS2 sequence. Sequence characteristics, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) application, genetic distance, construction of phylogenetic tree, secondary structure prediction, and other methods showed the ITS2 sequence to accurately identify Herba Anoectochili from its adulterants. Furthermore, in this study, we designed a specific primer, based on the ITS2 sequence, and established a real-time PCR detection system for the rapid, sensitive, and specific identification of the original plant of Herba Anoectochili. Compared to DNA barcoding technology, this method has shorter detection time, stronger specificity, and higher sensitivity, which lays the foundation for the rapid identification of Herba Anoectochili.

Cochlear implant in patients with congenital malformation of the inner ear / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical experience with multi-channel cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear malformations and evaluate and the outcomes of speech rehabilitation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was conducted in 295 patients receiving cochlear implantation from 1998 to 2007, including 25 patients with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS), 9 with Modini malformation, and 5 with common cavity deformity. All the patients received the Nucleus24 cochlear implants. In LVAS cases, 4 had Nucleus 24R (ST) implants, 8 had Contuor implants, 10 had Contuor Advance, and the remaining cases used Nucleus24(M) straight-electrode implants.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Severe gusher appeared in 3 cases of LVAS, and perilymph fluctuation were seen in other 15 cases. Four patients with Mondini malformation and 2 with common cavity malformation also experienced severe gusher, but the electrodes were inserted smoothly in all the patients without postoperative facial paralysis or cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The hearing threshold in these patients was similar to that in patients with normal cochlear structure. After speech rehabilitation for over 6 months, the abilities of speech discrimination and spoken language improved in all the cases in comparison with the preoperative lingual functions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multi-channel cochlear implantation can be performed in patients with inner ear malformation, but should not be attempted in patients with poor cochlear and cochlear nerve development. A comprehensive pre-operative radiographic and audiological evaluation is essential.</p>

Cochlear implantation in patients with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the hearing and speech recognition in patients with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome undergoing multi-channel cochlear implantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2005 to 2008, multi-channel cochlear implantation surgeries were performed in 22 patients with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. All the patients received multi-channel cochlear implantation through transmastoid facial recess approach. The postoperative outcomes of the patients were compared with those of 22 patients with non-malformed cochlear.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Severe gusher occurred in 3 cases during the implantation, and perilymph fluctuation was found in another 15 cases, with a rate of anomalies of 81.8%. All the electrodes were totally inserted into the cochlear, and no facial paralysis or cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred after the operation. The hearing threshold in these patients was similar to that in patients with normal cochlear receiving the implantation. After speech rehabilitation for over 6 months, all the patients showed improved hearing and verbal ability.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multi-channel cochlear implantation can be performed in patients with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome, but preoperative hearing assessment and radiographic examinations should be performed.</p>

Effect of surgical reconstruction of congenital aural atresia via the mastoid antrum approach: analysis of 48 cases / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effect of surgical reconstruction of congenital aural atresia via the mastoid antrum approach and investigate method for preventing postoperative atresia of the reconstructed aural canal.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2000 to 2008, aural canal reconstruction and tympanoplasty was performed via the mastoid antrum approach. In 48 patients with congenital aural atresia (54 ears, including 45 ears of type II, 9 ears of type III). All the patients were followed-up for 18 months to assess the therapeutic effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mastoid antrum was located uneventfully for all the 54 ears, all showing ossicular chain anomalies involving most frequently the malleus and the incus followed by the upper structures of the stapes. Facial nerve abnormalities were seen in 23 ears (42.6%). Hearing improvement to over 20 dB was achieved in 45 ears (83.3%) and to over 25 dB in 25 ears (46.2%) one year later.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mastoid antrum approach for surgical reconstruction of congenital aural atresia is safe and reliable. Maintenance of the width of the aural canal and prevention of lateral healing of the transplanted tympanic membrane are crucial in the treatment of congenital aural atresia.</p>

Typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Opa and NG-MAST Gene of 12 Pairs of Sexual Contact Gonorrhea Patients in China / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To identify the genomic species of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, evaluate the difference between two molecular epidemiological methods and examine the relationship between sex partners and genotypes of bacteria, 24 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated from the outpatients with gonorrhea were identified by using the Opa genotyping and NG-MAST genotyping and the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes was studied. Twenty-four strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae fell into 10 ST genotypes by NG-MAST genotyping, whereas these strains were classified into 12 OT Opa genotypes by Opa genotyping. A new epidemic strain of ST genotype (217-86% homologisation 178) in China was identified. It is concluded that genotypes of each pair of strains from a pair of patient/sex partner besides 45/46 are the same, indicating that contagious infection take place between patient and the sex partner. Opa genotyping was more effective than NG-MAST genotyping in identifying the genomic species of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. ST genotype could be further classified into different Opa-types.