Improvement effects of azithromycin on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonatal rats and its mechanism / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects of azithromycin on bronchopulmonary dysplasia （BPD） in neonatal rats based on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α（HIF-1α）/HIF-2α/vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） pathway. METHODS Sixty newborn SD rats were randomly divided into negative control group （NC）， BPD group， azithromycin group and budesonide group （positive control）， with 15 rats in each group. Rats in NC group were given normal breathing air， while rats in other three groups were exposed to high-concentration oxygen for 14 days to establish BPD rat models. After successful modeling， rats in azithromycin group were intraperitoneally injected with azithromycin 200 mg/kg， and rats in budesonide group were atomized with budesonide 1.5 mg/kg once a day for 14 consecutive days， while rats in BPD group and NC group were not treated. Pathological changes of lung tissue， radial alveolar count and mean alveolar intercept of rats were observed in each group. The white blood cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were detected； mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF， HIF-1α， HIF-2α were also detected. RESULTS Compared with NC group， the lung tissue in BPD group was obviously damaged； the white blood cell count， average alveolar intercept and the levels of TNF-α， IL-6， IL-1β and MDA were significantly increased； the radial alveolar count， SOD and CAT levels， the relative expressions of VEGF， HIF-1α， HIF-2α mRNA and protein were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with BPD group， the changes of the above indexes in azithromycin group and budesonide group were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Azithromycin can obviously improve the symptoms of BPD in rats， reduce inflammation and oxidative stress， and exert lung protection， the mechanism of which may be realized by activating HIF-1α/HIF-2α/VEGF pathway.

Association between ureaplasma urealyticum colonization in respiratory tract and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight infants / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the association between ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) colonization in the respiratory tract and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight infants.Methods:This was a retrospective study involving preterm infants with gestational age <28 weeks or birth weight <1 000 g who was hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital from June 2019 to March 2022. Respiratory tract secretion was collected for UU DNA detection within 24 h after admission. All the participants were divided into the UU-positive or negative groups based on the detection results. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U, t-, or Chi-square tests (Fisher exact test). Results:A total of 82 infants were enrolled, including 31 cases (37.8%) in the UU-positive group and 51 patients (62.2%) in the negative group. Among the 30 cases treated with azithromycin in the positive group, 27 (90.0%, 27/30) turned negative after two courses of treatment. The rates of premature rupture of membranes [51.6% (16/31) vs 17.6% (9/51), χ2=10.50] and prenatal antibiotic exposure [71.0% (22/31) vs 47.1% (24/51), χ2=4.47] in the UU-positive group were both higher than those in the UU-negative group (both P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that premature rupture of membranes ( OR=5.893, 95% CI: 2.016-17.228) and gestational age ( OR=0.663, 95% CI: 0.441-0.999) were independent risk factors for UU colonization (both P<0.05). UU-positive group had a longer duration of oxygen use [ M ( P25- P75), 1 756 h (1 385-2 088 h) vs 1 357 h (1 128-1 656 h), Z=2.98], a longer length of hospital stay [81 d (70-105 d) vs 68 d (59-84 d), Z=3.05], and higher hospitalization costs [(201 574±70 326) yuan vs (161 288±53 412) yuan, t=－2.74] compared to the UU negative group (all P<0.05). The incidence of BPD [74.2% (23/31) vs 47.1% (24/51), χ2=5.80] and retinopathy of prematurity [93.4% (29/31) vs 74.5% (38/51), χ2=4.68] in the UU positive group was higher than those in the UU-negative group (both P<0.05). No significant correlation was found between UU colonization and the severity of BPD ( P>0.05). Conclusion:UU colonization may increase the incidence of BPD, but there was no clear correlation with the severity of BPD.

Interpretation of the clinical guideline for point-of-care ultrasonography in the neonatal intensive care unit in the United States / 中国当代儿科杂志

In December 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a clinical guideline for point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The guideline outlined the development and current status of POCUS in the NICU, and summarized the key elements and implementation guidelines for successful implementation of POCUS in the NICU. This article provides an overview of the key points of the clinical guideline and analyzes the current status of POCUS in China, providing a reference for the implementation of POCUS in neonatal care in China.

Incidence of extrauterine growth retardation and its risk factors in very preterm infants during hospitalization: a multicenter prospective study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China.@*METHODS@#A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined.@*RESULTS@#The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the treatment of neonatal refractory respiratory failure: experience of a single center in Southwest China / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To summarize the clinical experience of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for neonatal refractory respiratory failure in a single medical center of Southwest China.Methods:From June 2020 to November 2021, the clinical data of neonates with refractory respiratory failure who received ECMO in the neonatal department of our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The neonates were assigned into the survival group and the deceased group.Their general profile, clinical diagnosis, laboratory tests, ECMO operation, complications and prognosis were compared.Results:Eight neonates were included with five successfully withdrawal of ECMO and survived (5/8). For the three deceased neonates, two discontinued treatment because of intraventricular hemorrhage (grade Ⅲ~Ⅳ) and one confirmed congenital adrenal hyperplasia. No significant differences existed between the survival and the deceased groups in oxygenation index (OI), ECMO preparation and operation duration, usage of heparin, red blood cell suspension, platelet and sedative/analgesic drugs, therapeutic hypothermia and ECMO-associated complications. However, the deceased group had high OI values ( P=0.001), low lactate clearance ( P=0.005), more urine output during the first 24 h after ECMO ( P=0.046) and more fresh frozen plasma usage ( P=0.038). None of the five surviving children had significant developmental delay and neurological abnormalities during the 1-year follow-up. Conclusions:ECMO is effective treating neonatal refractory respiratory failure. Reducing the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage during ECMO may improve the survival rate.

The alleviating effects of endothelial progenitor cells-derived exosomes on hyperoxia-induced injury of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells in neonatal rats / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the effects of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC)-derived exosomes on hyperoxia-induced injury in type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell (AECⅡ) in neonatal rats.Methods:EPCs of rats were cultured and exosomes were collected using Total Exosome Isolation kit. Primary cultured AECⅡof neonatal rats were randomly assigned into three groups: the control group, the hyperoxia group and the exosome group. The control group was cultured in room air with 5%CO 2, the hyperoxia group was cultured in 95%O 2 with 5%CO 2 and the exosome group was cultured with 0.1 mg/ml EPC-derived exosomes in 95%O 2 with 5%CO 2. Cell viability was detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry on d2, d4, and d6. Results:EPC-derived exosomes isolated from EPC culture supernatant were confirmed morphologically using transmission electron microscopy. After co-incubation of Dil-labeled EPC-derived exosomes with AEC Ⅱ for 24 h, Dil fluorescence was detected in the cytoplasm of AEC Ⅱ, indicating exosomes were uptaken by AEC Ⅱ. Compared with the control group, hyperoxia decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis of AEC Ⅱ and the injury was aggravated with the prolongation of hyperoxia duration ( P<0.001). Cell injury in the exosome group was milder than the hyperoxia group ( P<0.001). Compared with the control group, cell viability on d4 and d6 of hyperoxia was lower ( P=0.029 and 0.005 respectively) and cell apoptosis at d6 of hyperoxia was higher in the exosome group ( P=0.007). Conclusions:EPC-derived exosomes may partially attenuate hyperoxia-induced cell injury in neonatal rat AEC Ⅱ.

Risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants: a national multicenter study / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in very preterm infants(VPI), and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of BPD in VPI.Methods:A prospective multicenter study was designed to collect the clinical data of VPI in department of neonatology of 28 hospitals in 7 regions from September 2019 to December 2020.According to the continuous oxygen dependence at 28 days after birth, VPI were divided into non BPD group and BPD group, and the risk factors of BPD in VPI were analyzed.Results:A total of 2 514 cases of VPI including 1 364 cases without BPD and 1 150 cases with BPD were enrolled.The incidence of BPD was 45.7%.The smaller the gestational age and weight, the higher the incidence of BPD( P<0.001). Compared with non BPD group, the average birth age, weight and cesarean section rate in BPD group were lower, and the incidence of male infants, small for gestational age and 5-minute apgar score≤7 were higher( P<0.01). In BPD group, the incidences of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS), hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus, retinopathy of prematurity, feeding intolerance, extrauterine growth restriction, grade Ⅲ~Ⅳ intracranial hemorrhage, anemia, early-onset and late-onset sepsis, nosocomial infection, parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis were higher( P<0.05), the use of pulmonary surfactant(PS), postnatal hormone exposure, anemia and blood transfusion were also higher, and the time of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, oxygen use and total hospital stay were longer( P<0.001). The time of starting enteral nutrition, cumulative fasting days, days of reaching total enteral nutrition, days of continuous parenteral nutrition, days of reaching 110 kcal/(kg·d) total calorie, days of reaching 110 kcal/(kg·d) oral calorie were longer and the breastfeeding rate was lower in BPD group than those in non BPD group( P<0.001). The cumulative doses of amino acid and fat emulsion during the first week of hospitalization were higher in BPD group( P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NRDS, invasive mechanical ventilation, age of reaching total enteral nutrition, anemia and blood transfusion were the independent risk factors for BPD in VPI, and older gestational age was the protective factor for BPD. Conclusion:Strengthening perinatal management, avoiding premature delivery and severe NRDS, shortening the time of invasive mechanical ventilation, paying attention to enteral nutrition management, reaching whole intestinal feeding as soon as possible, and strictly mastering the indications of blood transfusion are very important to reduce the incidence of BPD in VPI.

Progress in fecal microbiota transplantation in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis / 中华围产医学杂志

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns, especially in premature infants. The pathogenesis of NEC is closely related to intestinal microbiota disorders. In recent years, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and extra-gastrointestinal diseases in adults and children. A large number of studies have also been conducted in NEC animal models. This article reviews the possible mechanism of FMT in the treatment of NEC and the progress in this respect.

Application of bronchoscopy for differential diagnosis of dyspnea after withdrawal of ventilation in neonates / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical application of bronchoscopy finding causes of neonatal dyspnea after withdrawal of ventilation and determining intervention strategy.Methods:From November 2018 to August 2021, fiberoptic bronchoscopy results and further treatments of neonates with dyspnea after withdrawal of ventilation in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 45 patients experienced dyspnea after withdrawal of ventilation, including 16 cases of bronchial mucositis (35.6%) and 29 cases of extrapulmonary airway obstruction (64.4%). The 29 extrapulmonary airway obstruction cases included 15 cases of subglottic stenosis (11 caused by hyperplastic scar and 4 caused by sputum scab), 6 cases of simple laryngomalacia, 2 cases of nasal stenosis, 2 cases of laryngeal web, 1 case of laryngeal edema, 1 case of vocal cord paralysis, 1 case of vocal cord excrescence and 1 case of airway spasm. 16 patients with bronchial mucositis were cured after airway lavage and oxygen therapy or noninvasive respiratory support. For 11 patients of subglottic stenosis caused by hyperplastic scar, 9 cases were cured using tracheal tube expansion technique and 2 cases were cured with endoscopic intervention. One patient of nasal cavity stenosis, two patients of laryngeal web and one patient of vocal cord excrescence were cured after surgical treatment. The other 14 patients were cured and discharged after conservative treatment.Conclusions:For neonates with dyspnea after withdrawal of ventilation in neonatal intensive care unit (following proper withdrawal process), extrapulmonary airway obstruction should be considered, especially subglottic stenosis after intubation.

The predictive value of NTproBNP for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very/extremely low birth weight infants / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical value of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) predicting the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very/extremely low birth weight infants (VLBWI/ELBWI).Methods:From June 2017 to December 2019, VLBWI/ELBWI admitted to neonatal department in our hospital were enrolled in this non-interventional prospective study. According to the occurrence of BPD, the infants were assigned into BPD group and non-BPD group. Infants in BPD group were further assigned into mild, moderate and severe BPD groups. Plasma NTproBNP were measured on 14 d, 21 d, 28 d, 35 d, 42 d and 49 d after birth. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to determine the differences of NTproBNP at different time points in each group.Results:A total of 190 infants were enrolled, including 36 cases in BPD group (18, 13 and 5 cases in mild, moderate and severe BPD group, respectively) and 154 cases in non-BPD group. The gestational age, birth weight and 5-min Apgar score in BPD group were lower than non-BPD group. BPD group had significantly higher incidences of retinopathy of prematurity, patent ductus arteriosus and necrotizing enterocolitis and significantly longer duration of invasive mechanical ventilation and noninvasive ventilation than non-BPD group ( P<0.05).No significant differences existed in NTproBNP levels between BPD group and non-BPD group on 42 d and 49 d ( P>0.05). At other time points, NTproBNP levels in BPD group were significantly higher than non-BPD group ( P<0.05). NTproBNP level in severe BPD group was the highest on 14 d. No significant differences existed in NTproBNP levels between mild and moderate groups on 28 d ( P>0.05). At other time points, NTproBNP in severe BPD group was higher than mild and moderate BPD groups ( P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the best cut-off value of NTproBNP was 982 pg/ml on 14 d (AUC=0.907, 95% CI 0.831~0.983). Conclusions:VLBWI/ELBWI with BPD have higher levels of NTproBNP. And the more severe of BPD, the higher the NTproBNP level. NTproBNP has certain predictive values for BPD in VLBWI/ELBWI.

Protective effects of endothelial progenitor cells-derived microvesicles on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in newborn rats / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective To study the protective effects and preliminary mechanisms of endothelial progenitor cells-derived microvesicles (EPC-MVs) on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in newborn rats by using the HIBD model.Method Rat endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were cultured and microvesicles were extracted from EPCs culture medium by ultracentrifugation.A total of 60 neonatal SD rats were randomly assigned into control group,HIBD group,saline group and EPC-MVs group.The HIBD model was prepared in HIBD group,saline group and EPC-MVs group.After the preparation of the HIBD model,rats in saline group and EPC-MVs group received intraventricular injection with saline and EPC-MVs,respectively.After 72 hours,the rats were sacrificed for brain tissue,cerebral infarction was detected by TTC staining,vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA was tested by real-time PCR,protein western blot was used to detect changes in VEGF protein expression.Result Cells extracted and cultured from the spleen of 12-week-old SD rats were confirmed as EPCs by morphology and flow cytometry.EPC-MVs isolated by high-speed centrifugation from EPCs culture supernatant met the morphological characteristics of microvesicles by transmission electron microscopy.The infarcted brain tissue was not detected in the control group.The cerebral infarction volume ratios of HIBD group,saline group and EPC-MVs group were (80.3 ± 6.3) ％,(77.9 ± 8.9) ％,(35.2 ± 7.7) ％,respectively.The infarct volume of EPC-MVs group was significantly lower than that of HIBD group and saline group (P ＜ 0.001).The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in HIBD group,saline group and EPC-MVs group were higher than those in control group (P ＜0.001).Among them,EPC-MVs group had the most significant increase,compared with the other three experimental groups,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.001).There was no significant difference between saline group and HIBD group in the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Intraventricular injection of EPC-MVs can attenuate HIBD in neonatal rats,and the mechanism may be related to up-regulation of VEGF expression.

Impact of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy on neonatal mortality and major complications in preterm infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (HDCP) on the mortality and early complications of premature infants.@*Methods@#The general clinical data of preterm infants with gestational age 24-36+ 6 weeks were collected from the cooperative units in the task group from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014.According to the severity of HDCP, the infants were divided into 4 groups: HDCP group, preeclampsia group, eclampsia group and non HDCP group, the mortality and major complications of preterm infants were compared, and the influencing factors were analyzed.@*Results@#The mortality rate of preterm in the HDCP group was significantly higher than that of non HDCP group, and there was statistical significance (χ2=9.970, P=0.019). Eclampsia had a highest fatality rate (4.8%) in the early stage, compared with non HDCP group (2.2%), and the difference was statistically significant.Comparison of HDCP group (1.8%) and eclampsia group (3.2%) suggested that there was no statistically significant difference.The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm in HDCP group was significantly higher than that of non HDCP group, and there was statistical significance (χ2=13.241, P=0.004). Eclampsia group showed the highest incidence (35.4%), compared with non HDCP group (16.2%), the difference was statistically significant, but compared with HDCP group (19.9%), preeclampsia group (17.1%), there was no significant diffe-rence.The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm in HDCP group was significantly higher than that of non HDCP group (χ2=9.592, P=0.022), the highest incidence showed up in eclampsia group (9.7%), compared with non HDCP group (2.0%) and HDCP group (1.7%), the difference was statistically significant.But there was no statistically significant difference, compared with preeclampsia group.As the degree of HDCP aggravated, the incidence of BPD gradually rose.There was no significant impact on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and sepsis of HDCP (χ2=7.054, 7.214, 0.358, 3.852; P=0.070, 0.065, 0.949, 0.278). Considering the overall outcome of the child, that was, whether the child died or survived, he had at least one complication, and HDCP had an effect on it (χ2=15.697, P=0.001), so the incidence increased while the degree of HDCP rose gradually.After adjusting gestational age, birth weight, sex, way of delivery, placental abruption and front placenta, prenatal hormonal, gestational diabetes, neonatal asphyxia and other factors, the results displayed that HDCP was the factor leading to the death of premature baby (OR=2.159, 95%CI: 1.093-4.266), and comparison between preeclampsia and eclampsia showed no statistical difference (P=0.714, 0.389); HDCP had no significant influence on RDS, BDP, ICH, NEC, ROP and sepsis.@*Conclusions@#HDCP leads to increased risk of premature death, but also leads to the increased incidence of RDS and BPD, but it had no obvious effect on NEC, ROP, IVH, sepsis and other complications.

Value of bedside lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the value of bedside lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 49 neonates who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Chengdu Women and Children's Central Hospital in March 2017 with respiratory symptoms as the chief complaint were enrolled. Bedside lung ultrasound was performed within 24 hours after admission. A retrospective analysis was performed for their clinical data and lung ultrasound findings. The value of bedside lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to the gold standard for the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia, of all 49 neonates, 44 were diagnosed with pneumonia. According to the criteria for the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia based on lung ultrasound findings, 38 neonates were diagnosed with pneumonia. In the neonates with respiratory symptoms, lung ultrasound had a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 45% in the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia. Among the 44 cases of neonatal pneumonia diagnosed by the gold standard, the lung ultrasonic images showed B-lines in all 44 neonates (100%), 75% had pleural line abnormalities, 36% had patchy or local hypoechoic area in the lung, 27% had alveolar-interstitial syndrome, and 20% had air bronchogram.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>As a new diagnostic technique in clinical practice, bedside lung ultrasound has a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia and can thus be used as a tool for the diagnosis of this disease.</p>

Multicenter prospective epidemiological studies and case-control study on Haemophilus influenza ;infection in hospitalized neonates / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To explore the status of infection, biotype and resistant background of epi-demic strains of Haemophilus influenza ( Hi ) in neonates, and the clinical features of neonatal pneumonia caused by Hi. Methods The multicenter prospective epidemiological cross-sectional design was used; four hospitals in west Sichuan China were chosen as research field,sputum bacterial culture was done and biologi-cal typing,PCR identification and drug sensitivity test of Hi epidemic strains were carried out among 0 to 28 days hospitalized neonates with infectious pneumonia in four hospitals located in west Sichuan China. The ca-ses with discharge diagnosis of neonatal infectious pneumonia with Hi positive separation were assumed as case group,and the same number of cases with Hi negative separation were assumed as control group accord-ing to 1∶1 extraction at the same time. Results Totally 757 cases with admitting diagnosis of neonatal infec-tious pneumonia in four hospitals were investigated in west Sichuan from November 2014 to October 2015, and the rate of sputum culture was 95. 51%(723/757). The total pathogenic bacteria positive rate of sputum culture was 15. 63%(113/723),and Hi positive rate was 1. 94%(14/723),Hi accounting for 12. 39%(14/113) of the pathogenic bacteria in respiratory system. All the Hi strains(100%) were non-typeable Hae-mophilus influenzae( NTHi) indentified by PCR. The main biotypes of 14 Hi strains were typeⅠwith 57. 1%(8/14),type Ⅲ with 14. 3%(2/14) and type Ⅳ with 28. 6%(4/14). The total of 35. 7%(5/14) bacterial strains of β-lactamase distributed in four hospitals,7. 1%(1/14) bacterial strains of β-lactamase-nonproduc-ing-ampicillin-resistant,and 35. 7%(5/14) bacterial strains of β-lactamase-positive-ampicillin-resistant were found in four hospitals. The rate of resistance and mediation to cefuroxime were 14. 2%(2/14) respectively, the resistance rate to cefaclor was 35. 7%( 5/14 ) , and 21. 4%( 3/14 ) to ofloxacin. None of the 14 strains was resistant to amoxicillin clavulanic acid and cefotaxime. The 1∶1 matching analysis had been done for 10 cases with discharge diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia caused by Hi. There were no statistical differences in general conditions,main symptoms, lung signs, X-ray appearance, classification of leukocyte and C-reactive protein levels between case group and control group(P>0. 05). Conclusion All the Hi isolated from spu-tum were NTHi among 0 to 28 days inpatients with neonatal pneumonia and the main biotype were typeⅠ, type Ⅲand typeⅣin west Sichuan China. There were no significant differences in the clinical manifestations of neonatal pneumonia with NTHi infection and other infectious pneumonia.

Impact of premature rupture of membranes on neonatal complications in preterm infants with gestational age <37 weeks / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of premature rupture of the membrane (PROM) on neonatal complications in premature infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The registration information of 7684 preterm infants with gestational age <37 weeks were collected from the cooperative units in the task group between January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Specially trained personnel from each cooperative units filled in the unified form in a standardized format to record the gender, gestational age, birth weight, PROM, placental abruption, antenatal corticosteroid, Apgar score, amniotic fluid pollution, and complications of the infants. The data were analyzed comparatively between the cases with PROM and those without (control).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The preterm mortality rate was significantly lower but the incidences of ICH, NEC, ROP and BPD were significantly higher in PROM group than in the control group (P<0.05). The 95% confidence interval of the OR value was <1 for mortality, and was >1 for ICH, NEC, ROP and BPD. After adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, gender, mode of delivery, placental abruption, placenta previa, prenatal hormones, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational period hypertension and 5-min Apgar score <7, the incidences of NEC, ROP and BPD were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05) with 95% confidence interval of OR value >1, but the mortality rate and incidence of ICH were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PROM is a risk factor for NEC, ROP and BPD in preterm infants, and adequate intervention of PROM can reduce the incidences of such complications as NEC, ROP and BPD in the infants.</p>

Effectiveness of high frequency oscillation ventilation combined with Sildenafil treatment on newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the effectiveness and adverse effect of high frequency oscillation ventilation (HFOV) combined with Sildenafil (SIL) treatment on newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN).Methods A total of 89 cases of PPHN infants collected from Chengdu Women and Children's Central Hospital from Sep.2010 to Sep.2012 were randomly divided into HFOV group,constant mechanical ventilation (CMV) group,HFOV combined SIL group (HFOV + SIL group) and CMV combined with SIL group (CMV + SIL group).The arterial blood gas,pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and adverse reactions were monitored before and 3 days after treatment.SNK multiple comparison method andx2 test were performed for data before and after treatment among groups for continuous variables and categorical variables,respectively.Results The levels of pa (O2) [(79.1 ± 13.7) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa),(77.9 ±14.6) mmHg,(85.4 ±15.2) mmHg],Sa(O2) [(87.8 ±13.4)％,(88.4±15.6)％,(96.1±15.9)％],pa(CO2)[(42.5±11.3) mmHg,(40.2 ±10.5) mmHg,(35.6 ±8.7) mmHg] and PAP [(31.1 ± 8.1) mmHg,(30.4 ± 9.5) mmHg,(25.8 ± 7.3) mmHg] were all improved significantly in CMV + SIL group,HFOV group and HFOV + SIL group compared with those in CMV group[(69.9 ± 12.3) mmHg,(81.1 ± 14.9)％,(48.1 ±9.5) mmHg,(35.6 ±8.9) mmHg] (F =4.629 3,3.673 2,5.865 3,4.849 5,P ＜0.05),especially for HFOV + SIL group(P ＜ 0.05).No significant difference in such indicators was observed between CMV + SIL group and HFOV group (P ＞ 0.05).The effective rate in HFOV + SIL group (90％) was the highest among the 4 groups (x2 =7.938,P ＜ 0.05).During the treatment,all neonates have no adverse reaction.Conclusion The combined use of SIL and HFOV might be a more effective and safer method in the treatment of PPHN of neonate.

Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonatal intensive care unit / 临床儿科杂志

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common hospital acquired infection in neonatal intensive care unit with high incidence in China. There is no diagnostic gold standard of VAP. The risk factors include premature birth, low birth weight, dura-tion of mechanical ventilation, episodes of intubation, blood stream infections. The recommended precautions include rising head of bed, closed tracheal suction, sucralfate, selective decontamination in digestive tract, improvement of mechanical ventilation, oral and skin care, hand hygiene. However, it is controversial that sucralfate, selective decontamination in digestive tract, passive humidifiers, oral and skin care can reduce the incidence of VAP.

Regulation of proliferation and apoptosis of human vascular endothelial cell by Acheron / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate regulatory effect of Acheron (Achn) on proliferation and apoptosis of human vascular endothelial cell.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(1) Eahy926 cells were cultured in serum-free DMEM medium (96-well plates) and were divided into Achn inhibition group (transfected with plasmid psi-Achn), psi4.1 group (transfected with psi4.1 empty vector), Achn induction group (transfected with pcDNA-Achn), pcDNA3.1 group (transfected with pcDNA3.1 empty vector), cotransfection group [cotransfected with pcDNA-Achn + psi-calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK)], blank control group (treated with PBS) according to the random number table (the same method below). The cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay at post transfection hour (PTH) 1, 24, 48, 72, with expression of absorbance value. (2) Total protein of Eahy926 cells were extracted and quantitated by BCA assay, and then they were divided into Achn antibody precipitation group (100 µg protein), CASK antibody precipitation group (100 µg protein), IgG antibody group (100 µg protein), Western blot group (20 µg protein). Achn and CASK protein levels were determined by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. (3) Synchronously cultured Eahy926 cells were divided into LPS induction group (treated with 5 mol/L LPS), Achn transfection group (transfected with pcDNA-Achn), cotransfection group (cotransfected with psi-CASK and pcDNA-Achn), KCl group (treated with 5 mol/L KCl), and blank control group (treated with 5 mol/L PBS). Cells in transfection groups were stimulated by LPS for 12 hours after PTH 24. Caspase-3 protein level was detected by immunohistochemistry. (4) Synchronously cultured Eahy926 cells were divided into Achn inhibition group (transfected with psi-Achn vector), Achn induction group (transfected with pcDNA-Achn vector), and blank control group (treated with PBS). Apoptosis rate was determined by FITC/PI with flow cytometry. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The cell proliferation in Achn inhibition group was lower than that in psi4.1 group from PTH 24, and the differences were statistically significant at PTH 48, 72 (with t value respectively 10.777, 6.112, P values all below 0.05). The cell proliferation in Achn induction group during PTH 24-72 were higher that in pcDNA3.1 group (with t value respectively 5.367, 6.053, 9.831, P values all below 0.05). The cell proliferation in cotransfection group at PTH 48, 72 were significantly lower than that in Achn induction group (with t value respectively 5.481, 9.517, P values all below 0.05). (2) Achn protein was detected in CASK antibody precipitation group while CASK protein was also detected in Achn antibody precipitation group. (3) Caspase-3 level in Achn transfection group was lower [(15.6 ± 0.5)%] as compared with that in LPS induction group [(32.8 ± 2.6)%, t = 10.083, P < 0.05], and that in cotransfection group showed further inhibition [(7.0 ± 2.0)%, t = 9.827, P < 0.01]. (4) Apoptosis rate in Achn inhibition group [(45.6 ± 10.9)%] was higher than that in blank control group [(13.2 ± 4.3) %, t = 7.043, P < 0.05]; while that in Achn induction group [(5.3 ± 2.9)%] was lower than that in blank control group (t = 6.499, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Achn can promote human vascular endothelial cell proliferation, and inhibit its apoptosis induced by LPS or burn serum, and the effect is related to CASK.</p>

Quadriceps strength assessed by magnetic stimulation of femoral nerve in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Skeletal muscle dysfunction is one of important systemic manifestations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with mortality in patients with COPD, thus quantifying its strength is of great clinical interest and of particular value. Quadriceps maximal volitional contraction (MVC) is often used for the routine measurements of this muscle's strength; while twitch tension (TwQ) evoked by magnetic stimulation of the femoral nerve has been employed for measurement of quadriceps strength non-volitionally. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD patients by measurement of quadriceps strength with volitional and non-volitional techniques, and to probe into some methodological issues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We recruited 71 COPD patients and 60 control subjects. Quadriceps strength was measured with both maximality of TwQ and MVC force. The reproducibility for TwQ and MVC was investigated using within-occasion variability from three repeated maneuvers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Maximal TwQ was achieved in 121 participants at a mean of 90% of the stimulator's maximum output. The mean maximality of TwQ was decrease by about 44% - 47% in COPD patients as compared with controls (P < 0.05), so was MVC. There was a significant correlation between quadriceps TwQ and MVC, and the mean ratio of TwQ/MVC was 0.29 in controls and 0.33 in patients. The coefficient of variation showed that TwQ yielded lower within-occasion variability than MVC in both groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Quadriceps strength is commonly and substantially impaired in patients with COPD, in terms of MVC as well as TwQ. The magnetic stimulation of the femoral nerve presents a higher reproducibility and is a better technique for measurement of quadriceps strength for the general population, especially for those who are too unwell to perform a full MVC; while it may not be applied to subjects who are over-weighted.</p>

GammaH2AX-mediated repair of DNA damaged sperm in the zygote / 中华男科学杂志

Male germ cells are particularly susceptible to DNA damage by genotoxic agents during spermiogenesis and spermatozoal maturation, and meanwhile lack an effective repair system to eliminate the lesions. Because the DNA damaged sperm still has fertilizability and developmental potentiality, damage repair may occur after fertilization, but its mechanism remains unknown. Histone H2AX phosphorylation (gammaH2AX) is reportedly involved in the repair of damaged sperm DNA after fertilization. This review aims to summarize the present knowledge on the mechanism of gammaH2AX-mediated repair of DNA damaged sperm in the zygote.