Clinical features of asymptomatic or subclinical COVID-19 in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical features of asymptomatic or subclinical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 53 children who were confirmed with asymptomatic or subclinical COVID-19, including epidemiological history, clinical typing, co-infection, time to clearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acid in nasopharyngeal swabs, laboratory examination results, length of hospital stay, and treatment outcome.@*RESULTS@#The children with asymptomatic or subclinical COVID-19 accounted for 30.5% (53/174) in children with COVID-19 hospitalized in the COVID-19 ward of Wuhan Children's Hospital. All cases occurred with familial aggregation. Among the 53 children, 35 (66%) had asymptomatic infection and 18 (34%) had subclinical infection. Mycoplasma infection was found in 17 children (32%). For the 53 children, the mean time to clearance of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in nasopharyngeal swabs was 9±4 days. Most laboratory markers were maintained within the normal range. The mean hospital stay was 11±4 days. Lung CT of 18 children with subclinical COVID-19 showed ground-glass opacities, linear opacities, and patchy opacities, with relatively limited lesions.@*CONCLUSIONS@#There is a high proportion of children with asymptomatic or subclinical COVID-19 among the children with COVID-19 hospitalized in the COVID-19 ward. The transmission risk of asymptomatic or subclinical COVID-19 should be taken seriously.

Dexamethasone reduces IL-17 and Tim-3 expression in BALF of asthmatic mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study investigated the expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and T cell immunoglobulin mucin and domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic mice and the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on these factors. Thirty-six mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal group, asthmatic group and DEX group. The mouse model of asthma was established by sensitization with ovalbumin in both the asthmatic and DEX groups. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-β were measured in BALF by enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression level of Tim-3 was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The ratio of Tim-3+CD4+ cells to total CD4+ cells in BALF was determined by flow cytometry. Differential inflammatory cells in BALF were detected. The correlations among IL-17, IL-6, IL-10, Tim-3 and inflammatory cells were analyzed. The results showed that the levels of IL-17, IL-6 and Tim-3 were substantially increased and the IL-10 level decreased in BALF in the asthmatic mice, which was significantly reversed by DEX treatment. IL-17 expression was positively correlated with IL-6 and Tim-3 expression and the number of inflammatory cells but negatively with IL-10 expression. These results indicate that the increased expression of IL-17 and Tim-3 in BALF may be implicated in the occurrence and development of asthmatic inflammation; the mechanism by which DEX suppresses asthmatic airway inflammation involves down-regulation of IL-17 and Tim-3 levels.

A randomized controlled study of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical effects of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective, randomized, controlled, single-center study was performed on 67 premature infants with NRDS between March 2011 and May 2012 and selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These premature infants were randomly assigned to receive NIPPV and NCPAP. Oxygenation index (OI), pH, PaCO2, duration of respiratory support, complications, success rate, hospital mortality, and incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty-two patients were finally enrolled in the study, including 32 cases in the NIPPV group and 30 cases in the NCPAP group. After one hour of non-invasive ventilation, OI in the NIPPV group was higher than the NCPAP group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in pH and PaCO2 between the two groups (P>0.05 for both). A significantly lower proportion of infants needed mechanical ventilation via endotracheal tube (MVET) when they were treated initially with NIPPV than when they were treated initially with NCPAP (P<0.05). The NIPPV group had a significant higher success rate than the NCPAP group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in duration of respiratory support between the two groups (P>0.05). In addition, no significant differences in incidence of pneumothorax, hospital mortality and incidence of BPD were seen between the two groups (P>0.05 for all).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with NCPAP, NIPPV can significantly decrease the proportion of premature infants with NRDS in need of MVET. However, there is no evidence that NIPPV can significantly reduce hospital mortality and incidence of BPD in premature infants with NRDS.</p>

Small hairpin RNA silencing Tim-3 affects peripheral blood Th1 and Th17 cells differentiation in asthmatic mice / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of down-regulating Tim-3 gene in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of an asthmatic mouse model by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and to explore the effect of Tim-3 on Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An asthmatic murine model was established by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge. PBMCs were isolated from asthmatic mice and transfected by shRNA targeting Tim-3 gene. The mRNA and protein expressions of Tim-3 were detected by quantitative PCR and Western blot. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to determine the levels of Th1 and Th17, and ELISA was performed to determine concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17 in the supernatant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tim-3 mRNA expression in PBMCs was significantly increased in asthmatic mice. The mRNA and protein expression of Tim-3 decreased significantly in the shRNA group. Compared with the negative groups, Th1 cell levels increased and Th17 cell levels decreased significantly in the asthmatic groups after Tim-3 shRNA interference. In the Tim-3 shRNA interference groups concentrations of IFN-γ increased significantly while IL-17 decreased significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Specific Tim-3 shRNA effectively silences the expression of Tim-3 and change in Tim-3 expression could affect T cell differentiation.</p>

Dexamethasone reduces IL-17 and Tim-3 expression in BALF of asthmatic mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study investigated the expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and T cell immunoglobulin mucin and domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic mice and the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on these factors. Thirty-six mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal group, asthmatic group and DEX group. The mouse model of asthma was established by sensitization with ovalbumin in both the asthmatic and DEX groups. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-β were measured in BALF by enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression level of Tim-3 was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The ratio of Tim-3+CD4+ cells to total CD4+ cells in BALF was determined by flow cytometry. Differential inflammatory cells in BALF were detected. The correlations among IL-17, IL-6, IL-10, Tim-3 and inflammatory cells were analyzed. The results showed that the levels of IL-17, IL-6 and Tim-3 were substantially increased and the IL-10 level decreased in BALF in the asthmatic mice, which was significantly reversed by DEX treatment. IL-17 expression was positively correlated with IL-6 and Tim-3 expression and the number of inflammatory cells but negatively with IL-10 expression. These results indicate that the increased expression of IL-17 and Tim-3 in BALF may be implicated in the occurrence and development of asthmatic inflammation; the mechanism by which DEX suppresses asthmatic airway inflammation involves down-regulation of IL-17 and Tim-3 levels.

Interleukin-6-597G/A and -572C/G polymorphisms and risk of coronary heart disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene polymorphisms and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>IL-6/-597G/A and -572C/G polymorphisms were genotyped in 245 CHD patients and 260 healthy adults by PCR-RFLP. Serum IL-6 level was examined by ELISA. Logistic regression was performed to observe the relationship between IL-6/-572C/G polymorphism and other risk factors of CHD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IL-6/-597G/A genotype was similar between the two groups. The frequencies of IL-6/-572C/G genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients with CHD than that in controls (P < 0.01). Compared with CC genotype, the relative risk for CHD in people with CG and GG genotypes was 1.46 (95% CI: 1.01 - 2.10, P < 0.05) and 5.19 (95% CI: 1.69 - 15.89, P < 0.01), respectively. The serum levels of IL-6 were similar between carriers of the IL-6/-572G allele and patients with CC genotype (P > 0.05). IL-6/-572 C/G is related to total cholesterol (OR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.05 - 3.16, P < 0.05) and triglyceride (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.04 - 6.45, P < 0.05), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-6/-597G/A polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to CHD, but IL-6-572C/G polymorphism may be a possible genetic susceptibility factor for CHD in Chinese Hans population.</p>

Study on linkage between polymorphism of interleukin 6 gene -572C/G and susceptibility to myocardial infarction / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the polymorphism and gene frequency of interleukin 6 (IL6) gene -572C/G in Chinese Han nationality population, that associating with susceptibility to myocardial infarction(MI) and impacting on the extent of coronary artery lesions; to analyze the function of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With PCR-RFLP method, IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was genotyped to 232 MI patients and 260 healthy adults. The effect of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was observed to the extent of coronary artery lesions and the ability of IL6 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism in Chinese Hans. -572CG+GG genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients than in controls (P< 0.01). The relative risk for G allele carrier to suffer from MI was 1.68 times of CC genotype individual (95%CI 1.17-2.41, P< 0.01). However, the distribution of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was no significant difference among patients with single-vessel, two-vessel and three-vessel lesions (P> 0.05). After PBMC cultured for 24 hours, the IL6 concentration in supernatant was significantly higher in subjects with CG genotype than those with CC genotype (P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL6 gene -572G allele may be a genetic susceptibility factor to MI attack of Chinese Hans population, and related to the high expression of IL6.</p>

Advances Research of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Pediatric Heart Failure / 实用儿科临床杂志

Heart failure is one of the most common acute and critical disease in pediatric,early diagnosis of diseases is an important cli-nical value.The current study found that brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)is a peptide hormone,which is secreted mainly by ventricle and may reflect the state of cardiac function;BNP level of detection is contributive to the diagnosis,treatment of heart failure,etc.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2009,24(1):64-66