Characteristics of amino acid metabolism in preterm infants in Guangxi, China / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the characteristics of amino acid metabolism in preterm infants in Guangxi, China.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 30 757 neonates who underwent the screening for inherited metabolic diseases and had negative results in Guangxi Neonatal Disease Screening Center from 2018 to 2020. Among these neonates, there were 28 611 normal full-term infants (control group) and 2 146 preterm infants (preterm birth group). According to gestational age, the preterm infants were further divided into four groups: very preterm (n=209), moderately preterm (n=307), and late preterm group (n=1 630). According to birth weight, they were divided into three groups: very low birth weight group (n=161), low birth weight group (n=1 085), and normal birth weight group (n=900). According to blood collection time, they were divided into three groups: 3-7 days group (n=1 664), 8-14 days group (n=314) and 15-28 days group (n=168). Tandem mass spectrometry was performed to measure the levels of 11 amino acids in dried blood spots, which were then compared between groups.@*RESULTS@#After adjustment for confounding factors, there were significant differences in the levels of 11 amino acids among different gestational age groups (P<0.05), and significant differences were observed in the levels of the 11 amino acids between the control group and the various preterm groups (except for citrulline and methionine in the late preterm group). There were significant differences in the levels of 11 amino acids among different birth weight groups (P<0.05). Except for ornithine, there were significant differences in the levels of other amino acids among the different blood collection time groups (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Gestational age, birth weight and blood collection time all affect amino acid metabolism in preterm infants in Guangxi, China. This provides a basis for the laboratory to establish the reference standard and clinical interpretation of blood amino acid levels in preterm infants, and to improve the nutritional metabolism of preterm infants.

Electroacupuncture combined with lifestyle control on obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with lifestyle control on hepatic fat status, hepatic enzymology, glycolipid metabolism and anthropological parameters in patients with obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients with obese NAFLD were randomized into an observation group (45 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a control group (45 cases, 1 case dropped off). Lifestyle control was implemented in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, acupuncture was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Quchi (LI 11), Shuifen (CV 9), Huaroumen (ST 24), Daheng (SP 15), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), etc. EA was provided at Huaroumen (ST 24) and Daheng (SP 15) with dilatational wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency, 30 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week. The treatment for 12 weeks was required in both of the two groups. Hepatic fat status [controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM)], hepatic enzymology [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)], glycolipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity [fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting serum lisulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and anthropological parameters [body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), fat percentage (FP), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)] in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#①Compared before treatment, hepatic CAP, LSM, serum ALT, AST and GGT after treatment were obviously reduced in the two groups (<0.05, <0.01). After treatment, CAP and ALT in the observation group were lower than the control group (<0.05). ②Compared before treatment, FINS, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, TC and TG after treatment were obviously reduced in the two groups (<0.05, <0.01),while the levels of HDL-C were increased (<0.05). Compared before treatment, FPG after treatment in the observation group was reduced (<0.05). Compared with the control group, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC and TG in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment (<0.05). ③Compared before treatment, BW BMI, FP, WC, HC, WHR after treatment were obviously reduced in the two groups (<0.01). After treatment, WC and WHR in the observation group were lower than the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture combined with lifestyle control can effectively treat obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and present better therapeutic effect on hepatic fat status, glycolipid metabolism, insulin resistance, WC and WHR.

Analysis of chromosomal abnormalities and a report of eight new karyotypes among children in genetic counseling / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between abnormal karyotypes and clinical phenotypes among children in genetic counseling in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We studied 601 children who visited Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Women and Children Care Hospital for genetic counseling between January 2009 and July 2012. Blood samples were cultured routinely for karyotype analysis with G banding as well as clinical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Out of 601 patients, 329 (54.7%) had chromosomal abnormalities, and 8 new abnormal human karyotypes were found. Among 329 children with abnormal karyotypes, 317 (96.4%) had an abnormal number of chromosomes, and 12 (3.6%) had abnormal chromosomal structure. Abnormal karyotypes were clinically manifested by Down's syndrome (74.5%), growth retardation (10.9%), and mental retardation (3.0%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Eight rare abnormal karyotypes were found in the study, providing new resources for the genetic studies and etiological analysis of growth retardation, mental retardation, gonadal dysgenesis, and multiple congenital anomalies in children.</p>