Hsa_circ_0001359 in Serum Exosomes: A Promising Marker to Predict Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Premature Infants.

Objective: This prospective study is to explore the role of specific circRNAs in predicting the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods: From July 1, 2021 to December 1, 2021, peripheral blood samples were collected from 62 premature infants with gestational age (GA) ≤32 weeks on the 7th, 14th, and 28th day after birth. Then, on the 28th day, the included infants were divided into the BPD group and the non-BPD group according to the definition of BPD. Serum exosomal circRNAs from peripheral blood were identified, sequenced, and compared between the BPD and non-BPD groups at different time points. Specific differentially expressed circRNAs were further verified from another 42 enrolled premature infants (GA ≤32 weeks). The classical lung biological markers in serum were also measured simultaneously. Results: Hsa_circ_0001359 in serum exosomes showed continuous differential expression between the BPD group and the non-BPD group on the 7th, 14th, and 28th day. Compared with that, classical lung biological markers like IL-6, IL-33, KL-6, and ET-1 did not exhibit continuous differences. Moreover, the expression of hsa_circ_0001359 on day 7 had a higher predictive value in predicting BPD (area under curve:0.853, 95% CI:0.738-0.968; adjusted odds ratio:6.033, 95% CI:2.373-13.326). The calibration curve further showed the mean absolute error = 0.033, mean squared error = 0.00231, and quantile of absolute error = 0.058. Conclusion: Hsa_circ_0001359 in serum exosomes is a promising marker for predicting BPD in preterm infants with gestational age ≤32 weeks.

[Preventive early intervention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders of high-risk infants]. / é«˜å±å„¿ç¥žç»å‘è‚²éšœç¢é¢„é˜²æ€§æ—©æœŸå¹²é¢„ç ”ç©¶è¿›å±•.

Neurodevelopmental disorders in children have become a significant global public health concern, impacting child health worldwide. In China, the current intervention model for high-risk infants involves early diagnosis and early treatment. However, in recent years, overseas studies have explored novel preventive early intervention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders in high-risk infants, achieving promising results. This article provides a comprehensive review of the optimal timing, methods, and intervention models of the preventive early intervention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders in high-risk infants. The aim is to enhance the awareness and knowledge of healthcare professionals regarding preventive early intervention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders in high-risk infants, facilitate clinical research and application of such interventions in China, and ultimately reduce the incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders in this high-risk population.

The application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing technology in the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal infectious meningitis - a single center retrospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the application value of metagenomics next generation sequencing (mNGS) technology in the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal infectious meningitis. METHODS: From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022, 73 newborns suspected of infectious meningitis were hospitalized. After screening by inclusion and exclusion criteria, 69 newborns were subsequently included in the study, containing 27 cases with positive mNGS result and 42 cases with negative mNGS result. Furthermore, according to the diagnosis of meningitis, mNGS positive group and mNGS negative group were further divided into infectious meningitis with mNGS (+) group (n = 27) and infectious meningitis with mNGS (-) group (n = 26), respectively. RESULTS: (1) Compared with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture, mNGS has better diagnostic value [positive predictive value (PPV) = 100.00% (27/27), negative predictive value (NPV) = 38.10% (16/42), agreement rate = 62.32% (43/69), area under the curve (AUC) = 0.750, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.636-0.864]. (2) There were significant differences in the onset age, age at first CSF test, CSF leukocyte count, CSF glucose, positive rate of CSF culture, blood leukocyte count, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reaction protein (CRP), age at first mNGS test and adjusting anti-infective medication in the comparison between infectious meningitis with mNGS (+) group and infectious meningitis with mNGS (-) group (p < 0.05). (3) mNGS could help improve the cure rate [crude odds ratio (OR) = 3.393, 95%CI: 1.072-10.737; adjusted OR = 15.580, 95%CI: 2.114-114.798]. CONCLUSION: Compared with classic meningitis detection methods, mNGS has better PPV, NPV, agreement rate, and AUC. mNGS could help improve the cure rate.

Effectiveness and safety of rectal dexibuprofen versus oral ibuprofen for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants with gestational age<34 weeks: A pilot study.

This pilot study aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of dexibuprofen suppository in the treatment of PDA in preterm infants. Preterm infants with gestational age <34 weeks and color Doppler echocardiographic evidence of hemodynamically significant PDA (hs PDA) with systemic hypoperfusion was intended to be included into this study since January 2020. As of January 1, 2021, this trial had recruited 87 preterm infants who met the inclusion criteria. Neonates were admitted into hospital within 1 hour after birth and were randomly assigned into two groups. Group one included 44 preterm newborns administered with oral ibuprofen. Group two included 43 preterm newborns administered with dexibuprofen suppository. This preliminary study showed that rectal dexibuprofen and oral ibuprofen were both effective for the closure of PDA, and the closure rate of dexibuprofen suppository was comparable to that of oral ibuprofen after the 1st and 2nd courses of treatment. In addition, rectal dexibuprofen did not increase the incidence of adverse outcomes, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, and necrotising enterocolitis. This pilot study showed dexibuprofen suppository is as effective and safe as oral ibuprofen; yet, better designed, muticenter controlled studies are still needed.

RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of circular RNAs in asphyxial newborns with acute kidney injury.

As one kind of novel noncoding RNA, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in different biological processes. Although growing evidences have supported the important role of circRNAs in renal diseases, the mechanism remains unclear in neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI). High-throughput sequencing analysis was used to investigate the expression of circRNAs between hypoxia-induced AKI neonates and controls. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to predict the function of differentially expressed circRNAs. Finally, the differentially expressed circRNAs were screened and determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). (1) A total of 296 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified (Fold change >2 and p < 0.05). Of them, 184 circRNAs were markedly upregulated, and 112 were significantly downregulated in the AKI group. (2) The pathway analysis showed that ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, renal cell carcinoma, Jak-STAT, and HIF-1 signaling pathways participated in AKI. (3) Top five upregulated and five downregulated circRNAs with higher fold changes were selected for qPCR validation. Hsa_circ_0008898 (Fold Change = 5.48, p = 0.0376) and hsa_circ_0005519 (Fold Change = 4.65, p = 0.0071) were significantly upregulated, while hsa_circ_0132279 (Fold Change = -4.47, p = 0.0008), hsa_circ_0112327 (Fold Change = -4.26, p = 0.0048), and hsa_circ_0017647 (Fold Change = -4.15, p = 0.0313) were significantly downregulated in asphyxia-induced AKI group compared with the control group. This study could contribute to future research on neonatal AKI and facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets.

[Oxygen reserve index: a new parameter for oxygen therapy]. / 氧储备指数：氧疗监测的新方法.

Oxygen reserve index (ORI) is a novel dimensionless index used for noninvasive, real-time, and continuous monitoring of oxygenation, and ORI value ranges from 0 to 1, which reflects the range of 100-200 mmHg for arterial partial pressure of oxygen. ORI combined with pulse oximetry may help to accurately adjust the concentration of inspired oxygen and prevent hyperoxemia and hypoxemia. ORI is suitable for various clinical situations, and the medical staff should master this novel parameter and use it properly to assess the oxygenation of patients. In addition, several limitations of ORI should be noticed during clinical application.

[The role and mechanism of autophagy in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response of A549 cells]. / 自噬在脂多糖诱导的A549ç»†èƒžç‚Žç—‡ååº”ä¸­çš„ä½œç”¨åŠæœºåˆ¶ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To study the role and mechanism of autophagy in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response of human alveolar epithelial A549 cells. METHODS: A549 cells were stimulated with LPS to establish a cell model of inflammatory response, and were then grouped (n=3 each) by concentration (0, 1, 5, and 10 µg/mL) and time (0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours). The A549 cells were treated with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) to be divided into four groups (n=3 each): control, LPS, 3-MA, and 3-MA+LPS. The A549 cells were treated with autophagy agonist rapamycin (RAPA) to be divided into four groups (n=3 each): control, LPS, RAPA, and RAPA+LPS. The A549 cells were transfected with the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) overexpression plasmid to be divided into four groups (n=3 each): TLR4 overexpression control, TLR4 overexpression, TLR4 overexpression control+LPS, and TLR4 overexpression+LPS. The A549 cells were transfected with TLR4 siRNA to be divided into four groups (n=3 each): TLR4 silencing control,TLR4 silencing, TLR4 silencing control+LPS, and TLR4 silencing+LPS. CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell viability. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of inflammatory indicators (NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC), autophagic indicators (LC3B, Beclin-1, and P62), and TLR4. RESULTS: After stimulation with 1 µg/mL LPS for 12 hours, the levels of inflammatory indicators (NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC), autophagic indicators (LC3B, Beclin-1, and P62), and TLR4 increased and reached the peak (P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the 3-MA+LPS group had reduced expression of autophagy-related proteins and increased expression of inflammation-related proteins and TLR4, while the RAPA+LPS group had increased expression of autophagy-related proteins and reduced inflammation-related proteins and TLR4 (P<0.05). The TLR4 overexpression+LPS group had reduced autophagy-related proteins and increased inflammation-related proteins compared with the TLR4 overexpression control+LPS group, and the TLR4 silencing+LPS group had increased autophagy-related proteins and reduced inflammation-related proteins compared with the TLR4 silencing control+LPS group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the LPS-induced inflammatory response of human alveolar epithelial A549 cells, autophagic flux has a certain protective effect on A549 cells. TLR4-mediated autophagic flux negatively regulates the LPS-induced inflammatory response of A549 cells.

[Acetabular plasty assisted by 3D printing for the treatment of dislocation of hip joint in children with cerebral palsy].

OBJECTIVE: To identify types of acetabular dysplasia, select the most suitable acetabular plasty, and analyze indications and efficacy of three types of acetabular plasty in treating dislocation of hip joint in children with cerebral palsy by 3D printing technology. METHODS: From July 2019 to December 2019, 7 children with cerebral palsy with hip dislocation were treated with acetabular plasty assisted by 3D printing technology, including 3 males and 4 females, aged from 3 from 8 years old;3 patients on the left side, 2 patients on the right side, and 2 patients on both sides. Subluxation of hip joint occurred in 2 patients and dislocation of hip joint occurred in 5 patients. Preoperative full-length CT scan of pelvis and femur was performed in all children. The types of acetabular dysplasia were determined by 3D printing reconstruction technology, and the results were presented as follows:2 anterior hips, 2 anterior outer hips, 1 outer upper hip, 2 posterior hips, 1 posterior outer hip, and 1 hip without dysplasia(with no acetabular plasty). Pemberton, Dega and San Diego surgery simulations were performed on the 8 hips respectively to find the most suitable and the suitable operations were then conducted. Migration percentage (MP), acetabular index (AI) and cenal-edge angle (CEA), Shenton line, and gross motor function classification system(GMFCS) between preoperative and last follow-up were compared and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The wound healed well after operation and no complication occurred. Seven patients were followed up for 18 to 24 months. The 8 hips were underwent soft tissue release for the first stage+proximal femoral varus and rotation reduction osteotomy+hip reduction+acetabular plasty;1 hip was underwent soft tissue release for the first stage+proximal femoral varus removal and rotation reduction osteotomy +hip reduction. MP decreased from 58% to 100% preoperatively to 0 to 17.9% at the latest follow-up. AI decreased from 25.0° to 47.6° preoperatively to 11.1° to 25.3° at the latest follow-up. CEA increased from 0° preoperatively to 21.1° to 48.5° at the latest follow-up. Shenton's lines changed from interrupted ones to continuous ones. The GMFCS grade of 5 cases decreased by 1 grade, and 2 cases showed no change. CONCLUSION: There is diversity for the hip dislocation of hip in children with cerebral palsy of acetabular dysplasia present type. Accurate judgments could be made with the help of 3D printing reconstruction techniques. There are differences between scopes of applications for three kinds of acetabulum keratoplasty. 3D printing technology could be helpful to choose the most suitable operation method and estimate the treatment effect. Thus the individualized and accurate treatment for hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy can be gained with 3D printing technology.

Specification and guideline for technical aspects and scanning parameter settings of neonatal lung ultrasound examination.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is now widely used in the diagnosis and monitor of neonatal lung diseases. Nevertheless, in the published literatures, the LUS images may display a significant variation in technical execution, while scanning parameters may influence diagnostic accuracy. The inter- and intra-observer reliabilities of ultrasound exam have been extensively studied in general and in LUS. As expected, the reliability declines in the hands of novices when they perform the point-of-care ultrasound (POC US). Consequently, having appropriate guidelines regarding to technical aspects of neonatal LUS exam is very important especially because diagnosis is mainly based on interpretation of artifacts produced by the pleural line and the lungs. The present work aimed to create an instrument operation specification and parameter setting guidelines for neonatal LUS. Technical aspects and scanning parameter settings that allow for standardization in obtaining LUS images include (1) select a high-end equipment with high-frequency linear array transducer (12-14 MHz). (2) Choose preset suitable for lung examination or small organs. (3) Keep the probe perpendicular to the ribs or parallel to the intercostal space. (4) Set the scanning depth at 4-5 cm. (5) Set 1-2 focal zones and adjust them close to the pleural line. (6) Use fundamental frequency with speckle reduction 2-3 or similar techniques. (7) Turn off spatial compounding imaging. (8) Adjust the time-gain compensation to get uniform image from the near-to far-field.

[Clinical evaluation of Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel for postoperative hypospadias in children].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel for postoperative hypospadias in children. METHODS: From January to December 2020, we treated 116 children with distal hypospadias in the Department of Urology, Department of Pediatrics and the Seventh Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, 58 by primary Snodgrass urethroplasty only (the control group) and the other 58 with Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel smeared on the penis postoperatively in addition (the trial group). We compared the operation time and postoperative pain score, edema regression and incidence of infection between the two groups, followed by statistical analysis using T test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: All the operations were successfully completed by the same surgeon under general anesthesia. There were no statistically significant differences between the trial and control groups in age (ï¼»2.5 ± 0.8ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.4 ± 0.6ï¼½ yr, P > 0.05) or operation time (ï¼»95.6 ± 14.5ï¼½ vs ï¼»97.1 ± 15.2ï¼½ min, P > 0.05). No incision infection occurred in any of the cases. The pain scores at dressing removal were remarkably lower in the trial than in the control group at 2 hours (1.4 ± 1.0 vs 2.6 ± 1.3, P < 0.05), 24 hours (2.2 ± 1.3 vs 3.9 ± 1.6, P < 0.05), 48 hours (1.2 ± 0.7 vs 1.6 ± 0.9, P < 0.05) and 72 hours after surgery (2.5 ± 0.8 vs 3.7 ± 1.8, P < 0.05). Significantly more cases of edema regression were achieved in the trial than in the control group at 2 weeks postoperatively (35 vs 19, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel can effectively relieve pain, reduce edema and accelerate edema regression after surgery in children with hypospadias, and therefore deserves wide clinical application.、.

[Sudden unexpected postnatal collapse in a neonate].

A healthy full-term female neonate, aged 3 days and born by vaginal delivery (with a 1-minute Apgar score of 10 and a 5-minute Apgar score of 10), had unexpected cardiac and respiratory arrests in the early morning on day 3 after birth and recovered to spontaneous breathing and heartbeat after a 10-minute resuscitation. The child had poor response and convulsion after resuscitation. Blood gas analysis showed metabolic acidosis, and amplitude-integrated EEG showed a burst-suppression pattern. She was diagnosed with sudden unexpected postnatal collapse but improved after hypothermia and symptomatic/supportive treatment. This article reports the first case of sudden unexpected postnatal collapse in China and summarizes related risk factors, pathophysiological mechanisms, and preventive and treatment measures of this disorder.

Expression profiles of long non-coding RNAs during fetal lung development.

With advances in neonatology, a greater percentage of premature infants now survive and consequently, diseases of lung development, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, have become more common. However, few studies have addressed the association between fetal lung development and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). In the present study, right lung tissue samples of fetuses at different gestational ages were collected within 2 h of the induction of labor in order to observe morphological discrepancies. An Affymetrix Human GeneChip was used to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed. A total of 687 lncRNAs were identified to be differentially expressed among three groups of fetal lung tissue samples corresponding to the three embryonic periods. A total of 34 significantly upregulated and 12 significantly downregulated lncRNAs (fold-change, ≥1.5; P<0.05) were detected at different time points (embryonic weeks 7-16, 16-25 and 25-28) of fetal lung development and compared with healthy tissues Expression changes in lncRNAs n340848, n387037, n336823 and ENST00000445168 were validated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and the results were consistent with the GeneChip results. These novel identified lncRNAs may have roles in fetal lung development and the results of the present study may lay the foundation for subsequent in-depth studies into lncRNAs in fetal lung development and subsequent clarification of the pathogenesis of neonatal pulmonary diseases.

[Continuous expression and functional prediction of circular RNA in mouse lung development].

OBJECTIVE: To study the continuous expression and potential function of circular RNA (circRNA), circ4:150439343|150477468 and circ15:73330849|73343359, in mouse lung development. METHODS: According to the stage of lung development, lung tissue samples were collected from mice on embryonic day 16.5 (E16.5), embryonic day 18.5 (E18.5), and postnatal day 2 (P2). Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe the morphology of lung tissue. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression of circ4:150439343|150477468 and circ15:73330849|73343359 during late lung development; miRanda and TargetScan were used to predict the target miRNAs of circRNAs, and then GO and KEGG analysis was performed for the target genes to predict the potential function of circRNAs. RESULTS: Type II alveolar epithelial cells were observed in the lung slices of E16.5 mice, with a gradual increase in number. On P2, the pulmonary alveoli expanded rapidly, the pulmonary interstitium became thinner, and the alveolar structure gradually became mature. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression of circ4:150439343|150477468 was continuously upregulated over time and the relative expression of circ15:73330849|73343359 was first downregulated and then upregulated (P<0.05). The KEGG and GO analysis showed that circRNAs were involved in the Notch, PI3K-Akt, and NF-κB signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Circ4:150439343|150477468 and circ15:73330849|73343359 can participate in lung development through the Notch signaling pathway.

[A clinical epidemiological investigation of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome in southwest Hubei, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and outcome of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in southwest Hubei, China. METHODS: According to the Montreux definition of neonatal ARDS, a retrospective clinical epidemiological investigation was performed on the medical data of neonates with ARDS who were admitted to Department of Neonatology/Pediatrics in 17 level 2 or level 3 hospitals in southwest Hubei from January to December, 2017. RESULTS: A total of 7 150 neonates were admitted to the 17 hospitals in southwest Hubei during 2017 and 66 (0.92%) were diagnosed with ARDS. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 23 (35%) had mild ARDS, 28 (42%) had moderate ARDS, and 15 (23%) had severe ARDS. The main primary diseases for neonatal ARDS were perinatal asphyxia in 23 neonates (35%), pneumonia in 18 neonates (27%), sepsis in 12 neonates (18%), and meconium aspiration syndrome in 10 neonates (15%). Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 neonates (15%) were born to the mothers with an age of ≥35 years, 30 neonates (45%) suffered from intrauterine distress, 32 neonates (49%) had a 1-minute Apgar score of 0 to 7 points, 24 neonates (36%) had abnormal fetal heart monitoring results, and 21 neonates (32%) experienced meconium staining of amniotic fluid. Intraventricular hemorrhage was the most common comorbidity (12 neonates), followed by neonatal shock (9 neonates) and patent ductus arteriosus (8 neonates). All 66 neonates with ARDS were treated with mechanical ventilation in addition to the treatment for primary diseases. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 died, with a mortality rate of 15% (10/66), and 56 neonates were improved or cured, with a survival rate of 85% (56/66). CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal ARDS in southwest Hubei is mostly mild or moderate. Perinatal asphyxia and infection may be the main causes of neonatal ARDS in this area. Intraventricular hemorrhage is the most common comorbidity. Neonates with ARDS tend to have a high survival rate after multimodality treatment.

MicroRNA­431 inhibits the expression of surfactant proteins through the BMP4/activin/TGF­ß signaling pathway by targeting SMAD4.

The synthesis and secretion of surfactant proteins (SPs) is an important sign of lung maturation. Furthermore, the morbidity of lung developmental diseases, including respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia which are mainly caused by immature lung development and lack of SPs, is increasing. As is well known, multiple microRNAs (miRs/miRNAs) are able to influence lung development via numerous different signaling pathways. However, few studies examine the association between the miRNAs and lung developmental diseases. A previous study has demonstrated that miR­431 was significantly (F=33.49; P<0.001) downregulated in the lung tissues of Sprague­Dawley rats at 3 time points, embryonic day 19, embryonic day 21 and postnatal day 3. The present study reported that the regulation of miR­431 may influence the expression of SPs. Thus, the further potential mechanisms of miR­431 in negatively regulating lung development were examined in the present study. Stable A549 cell lines overexpressing or knocking down SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4) transfected with miR­431 overexpressed or knocked down, and their control groups were established. Subsequently, the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), SMAD4 and SPs (SP­A, SP­B and SP­C) at the RNA and protein levels were validated respectively by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blotting. miR­431 exhibited a decreased expression, while BMP4 and SPs exhibited increased expression at the mRNA and protein levels in the SMAD4 knockdown group. Meanwhile, the expression of SPs were reduced in the SMAD4­knockdown group via overexpressing miR­431 and increased in the SMAD4­overexpression group via inhibiting miR­431. The present results indicate that SMAD4 negatively regulates the expression of SPs, and that miR­431 negatively regulates the expression of SPs through inhibiting the BMP4/activin/transforming growth factor­ß signaling pathway by targeting SMAD4.

Less invasive surfactant administration in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome-an updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) seems to have a good application prospect both in experimental models and patients with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Data regarding the effect of LISA procedure on RDS are conflicting. METHODS: A search was conducted by two investigators involved in this research in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for studies in English and in Wanfang, VIP, and Cnki databases for Chinese studies (all last launched on December 18, 2018). Odds ratio and weighted mean difference were calculated using a random-effects or fixed-effects model, depending on the data type and heterogeneity of the included studies. RESULTS: The comparison of effectiveness on RDS: (1) with respect to mechanical ventilation (<72 hours) and mechanical ventilation (all time periods). Data showed significant differences between LISA/control groups. (2) With respect to days of mechanical ventilation, data showed no significant differences between LISA/control groups. (3) With respect to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the analysis showed that there was significant difference between LISA group and control group. (4) Regarding days of supplementary oxygen therapy and hospital stay, no significant differences were found. The comparison of possible complications of RDS: (1) data for mortality, pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage showed no differences in the two groups. (2) Data for retinopathy of preterm comparison showed significant difference between the two groups. (3) Regarding intraventricular hemorrhage/periventricular leukomalacia, significant differences were found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Based on the above evidences, LISA is an effective and safe treatment for preterm infants with RDS.

Differential expression of circRNAs during rat lung development.

At present, thousands of circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found in cancer and various tissues from different species. However, the expression of circRNAs during rat lung development remains largely unknown. In the present study, circRNA expression profiles were screened in three mixed rat lung tissues at 3 time­points [embryonic day (E) 19, E21 and post­natal (P) day 3] during fetal rat development with circRNA high­throughput sequencing. Preliminary results were verified by reverse transcription­PCR (RT­PCR) at 4 time­points (E16, E19, E21 and P3). A total of 375 circRNAs were differently expressed in E19 vs. E21 (fold change ≥1.5; P<0.05). At the same time, a total of 358 circRNAs were differently expressed in E21 vs. P3 (fold change ≥1.5; P<0.05). A total of 3 circRNAs (rno_circ:chr7:24777879­24784993, rno_circ:chr14:14620910­14624933 and rno_circ:chr3:1988750­â€‹1998592) were characterized by having consistent fold changes (≥1.5) between 3 time­points (E19, E21 and P3) and were selected for RT­PCR at 4 time­points (E16, E19, E21 and P3). Subsequently, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis of parent genes of the differentially expressed circRNAs revealed that these circRNAs may serve important roles in lung development. The present results support that these new found circRNAs participate in lung development. Furthermore, these findings may help to clarify the physiopathological mechanism of normal rat lung development, and may further provide a physiopathological basis of lung developmental diseases.

Differentially expressed miRNAs in premature infants with retinopathy-a bioinformatics analysis.

AIM: To reveal the role of miRNAs in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by bioinformatics analysis. METHODS: The raw data of this study came from the researches of Wang et al and Zhao et al who analyzed the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile between ROP and controls. Based on the identified differentially expressed miRNAs, the related target genes, lncRNA and circRNA were predicted. Then we performed functional enrichment analysis to further analyze the functions of target genes. RESULTS: Hsa-miRNA-128-3p and hsa-miRNA-9-5p showed significantly different expression in both studies. LncRNA of POLDIP2, GAS5, NEFL and UHRF1, circRNA of ZNF280C_hsa_circ_001211 and SIAE_hsa_circ_002083, tar-get gene of QKI showed meaningful differential expression in ROP. Enrichment analysis showed that TGF-ß signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway might play important roles in the prog-ress of ROP. CONCLUSION: This research may provide a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs which are possibly involved in ROP.

Novel penile circumcision suturing devices versus the shang ring for adult male circumcision: a prospective study

ABSTRACT Introduction To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel penile circumcision suturing devices PCSD and Shang ring (SR) for circumcision in an adult population. Materials and Methods A total of 124 outpatients were randomly assigned to receive PCSD (n=62) or SR (n=62). Patient characteristics, operative time, blood loss, return to normal activities time (RNAT), visual analogue scale (VAS), scar width, wound healing time, cosmetic result, and complications were recorded. Results There were no significant differences in blood loss, RNAT, or complications between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the VAS scores at the operation, at 6 or 24 hours after surgery (P>0.05). The wound scar width was wider in the SR group than in the PCSD group (P<0.01). Patients in the SR group had significantly longer wound healing time compared with those in the PCSD group (P<0.01). Patients who underwent PCSD were significantly more satisfied with the cosmetic results (P<0.01). Conclusions SR and PCSD are safe and effective minimally invasive techniques for adult male circumcision. Compared with SRs, PCSDs have the advantages of faster postoperative incision healing and a good effect on wound cosmetics.