Application of magnetic resonance imaging-compatible incubator in cranial magnetic resonance imaging for neonates: a multicenter prospective randomized clinical trial / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the safety and efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible incubator in cranial MRI examination for neonates.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 neonates who were hospitalized in three hospitals and needed to undergo MRI examination were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group, with 60 neonates in each group. The neonates in the experimental group were transferred with MRI-compatible incubator and underwent cranial MRI examination inside the MRI-compatible incubator, and those in the control group were transferred using a conventional neonatal transfer incubator and then underwent MRI examination outside the incubator. The two groups were compared in terms of the primary efficacy index (total examination time), secondary efficacy indices (times of examination, MRI completion rate on the first day of use), and safety indices (incidence rate of adverse events and vital signs).@*RESULTS@#There were no significant differences in total examination time, times of examination, and MRI completion rate on the first day of use between the two groups (@*CONCLUSIONS@#The use of MRI-compatible incubator does not significantly shorten the examination time of cranial MRI, but it does provide a relatively stable environment for examination with acceptable safety. There is a need for further studies with a larger population.

Risk factors for extrauterine growth restriction in preterm infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlated factors contributed to extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in preterm infants with the gestational age less than 34 weeks.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 694 preterm infants with the gestational ages less than 34 weeks were enrolled. They were classified into EUGR and non-EUGR groups by weight on discharge. The perinatal data, growth data, nutritional information and morbidities during hospitalization were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EUGR on discharge occurred in 284 (40.9%) out of the 694 infants. The incidence of EUGR in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) infants was significantly higher than in non-IUGR infants (P<0.01). The very low birth weight (VLBW) infants had a higher incidence of EUGR than non-VLBW infants (P<0.01). The incidence of EUGR increased with the decreases of gestational age at birth and birth weight (P<0.01). Compared with the non-EUGR group, the fasting time, the duration of parenteral nutrition, the time beginning to feed and the age to achieve full enteral feeds were significantly greater in the EUGR group (P<0.01). The cumulative protein deficit and cumulative caloric deficit in the first week of life in the EUGR group were higher than in the non-EUGR group (P<0.05). The incidences of respiratory distress syndrome, apnea, necrotizing enterocolitis and septicemia in the EUGR group were higher than in the non-EUGR group (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that birth weight, gestational age at birth and IUGR were the independent risk factors for EUGR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidence of EUGR in infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks is high, especially in IUGR or VLBW infants. Early and aggressive nutritional strategy and prevention of apnea and septicemia may facilitate to reduce the occurrence of EUGR.</p>

Effects of hyperoxia on lung vascular development and expression of angiopoietin-1 in neonatal rat lungs / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of prolonged 85% oxygen exposure on lung vascular development and the expression of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in the neonatal rat lungs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly exposed to air (control group) and 85% oxygen (experimental group) 6 hrs after birth. The rats were sacrificed 3, 7 and 14 days after exposure and their lungs were sampled. The lung sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological evaluation and analysis of vessel volume density. Expressions of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in lung tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry. Expression of Ang-1 protein and mRNA was detected by Western Blot and Real time-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After being exposed to 85% oxygen for 14 days, lung tissues had pathological changes as "new" bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The RAC on day 7 and day 14 in experimental group decreased significantly as compared with the control group [(10.55 ± 0.13) vs. (11.74 ± 0.19), (12.47 ± 0.05) vs. (15.03 ± 0.16), P < 0.05]. The X-ray showed that the diameter of lung vessel was much smaller and the vessels had less branches in experimental group compared with the control group on day 14. The vessel volume density on day 14 in experimental group decreased significantly as compared with the control group [(3.55 ± 0.09) vs. (6.03 ± 0.16), P < 0.05]. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed that the expressions of Ang-1 protein on day 7 and day 14 in the experimental group decreased significantly as compared with the control group [(4.27 ± 0.34) vs. (3.10 ± 0.29), P < 0.05, (5.65 ± 0.49) vs. (3.21 ± 0.28), P < 0.01], [(0.88 ± 0.31) vs. (0.41 ± 0.12), P < 0.05, (0.90 ± 0.29) vs. (0.21 ± 0.06), P < 0.01]. The expressions of Ang-1 mRNA on day 7 and day 14 in the experimental group also decreased significantly as compared with the control group [(0.85 ± 0.14) vs. (0.44 ± 0.21), P < 0.05, (0.87 ± 0.24) vs. (0.24 ± 0.05), P < 0.01].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Prolonged exposure of high concentration of oxygen may cause impairment of lung vascular development by inhibiting expression of Ang-1 in neonatal rats, which is likely to contribute to pathogenesis of BPD.</p>

Study on effect of sho-saiko-to compound on growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in CNE-bearing nude mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of sho-saiko-to compound (SSTC) on the growth of the well-differentiated squamous cell line 1 of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (CNE-1) and well-differentiated CNE-2 in tumor-bearing nude mouse, and try to supply scientific data for its clinical development.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SSTC were prepared by concentration gradients, and the effect of SSTC on the growth and proliferation of the CNE-1 and CNE-2 were investigated by MT assay and soft-agar colony formation test. After setting up the subcutaneous tumor-bearing nude mouse model at the right lower back (0.2 mL CNE-2 cell suspension, 5 x 10(5)/mL), we randomly divided forty mice into 5 groups and gave high, middle and low concentration groups of SSTC (0.5, 0.25, 0.125 g X mL(-1) by intragastric administration. Positive and negative groups were set up for comparison. After constant administration for 15 days, the volume and weight of the tumor were measured for inhibition rate, so as to investigate the role of SSTC on the CNE-2 bearing tumor.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In vitro, compared with negative control, SSTC at different gradient concentrations were cultured with the CNE-1 and CNE-2 for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. It showed that the growth and proliferation of both cell lines were inhibited to some extent. The inhibition rate was increased as the concentration and culture time increasing. Both MTT assay and soft-agar colony formation test showed that the 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) was about 2.5 g X L(-1). In vivo, compared with negative control, the SSTC could slow down the tumor growth in the SSTC treated groups. The tumor growth of the negative control group (0.76 +/- 0.28) g, (962.88 +/- 245.96) mm3 and the low concentration group of SSTC (0.88 +/- 0.40) g, (1239.66 +/- 421.93) mm3 were obviously faster than those of the high, middle concentration group of SSTC (0.22 +/- 0.14) g, (239.31 +/- 137.07) mm3; (0.20 +/- 0.16) g, (263.42 +/- 166.57) mm3 and CTX positive control group (0.20 +/- 0.10) g, (246.72 +/- 194.6) mm3 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SSTC could efficiently inhibit the growth and proliferation of CNE-1 and CNE-2 in vitro, and slow down the tumor growth of the CNE-2 bearing nude mice. It may be a new compound of Chinese medicine for nasopharyngeal carcinoma therapy.</p>

Effect of inhalation of nebulized NO donor substance on acute hypoxic lung injury in newborn piglets / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Birth asphyxia may result in multiple organ dysfunction such as lung injury. Inhalation of nebulized nitric oxide precursor can selectively reduce pulmonary hypertension. However, it is unknown whether such precursors can alleviate lung injury induced by hypoxia. We evaluated the effect of inhalation of nebulized nitroglycerine and sodium nitroprusside on acute hypoxic lung injury in newborn piglets.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Acute hypoxic lung injury was induced by inspiring 10% O2 for 1 hour. Twenty-four anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated piglets (5-7 days old) were randomly divided into four groups: (1) group S, not hypoxic; (2) group C, nebulized saline after hypoxia; (3) group NTG, nebulized nitroglycerine after hypoxia; (4) group SNP, nebulized sodium nitroprusside after hypoxia. Respiratory dynamic compliance and resistance of respiratory system were recorded at baseline, 0.5 hour and 1 hour of hypoxia; then 0.5 hour, 1 hour, 3 hours and 5 hours following hypoxia. After nebulization, arterial blood was collected for measuring methaemoglobin and nitrate/nitrite levels. Right lung tissue, wet-dry ratio and myeloperoxidase level were determined. White blood cell count (WBC), total surfactant phospholipids (TPL) and disaturated phosphatidyl choline (DSPC) of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were calculated. Left lungs were used for examining pathological changes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference was observed in respiratory dynamic compliance, resistance of respiratory system, wet-dry ratio, levels of methaemoglobin and nitrate/nitrite after nebulization, TPL or DSPC/TPL among four groups. WBC in BALF in groups NTG and SNP significantly decreased as compared with group C: similarly for myeloperoxidase level in lung tissue. Lung histological findings showed infiltration of neutrophils in groups NTG and SNP decreased significantly as compared with group C.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Inhalation of nebulized nitroglycerine or sodium nitroprusside can alleviate the infiltration of neutrophils, while it affects neither the metabolism of phospholipids nor water content in the lungs.</p>