Intratracheal instillation of budesonide suspension versus normal saline on oxidative stress in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Presently, the efficacy of neonatal resuscitation techniques via interventions such as oral, nasal, and endotracheal suction for preventing meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) after delivery has not been satisfactory. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the role of intratracheal instillation of budesonide on oxidative stress in MAS. METHODS: Sixty-two neonates with MAS admitted to Huai'an Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were divided into a study group (intratracheal instillation of 2 ml budesonide suspension; n = 31) and a control group (intratracheal instillation of 2 ml normal saline; n = 31). Collect data from two groups of patients and evaluate clinical outcomes, including oxygenation index (OI), as well as serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI) and 8-Isoprostane before treatment and 72h after admission. RESULTS: We found no statistical differences in mortality, complication rate, total oxygen inhalation time, OI before treatment and 72h after admission between the two groups of neonates with MAS, while the duration of invasive respiratory support in the study group was significantly shorter than in the control group. Also, serum TAC, TOS, OSI and 8-isoprostane levels were not statistically different before treatment between the two groups. After 72h of admission, OSI and 8-Isoprostane in neonates with MAS in the study group were much lower than those in the control group. TOS, OSI, 8-Isoprostane in the control group and 8-Isoprostane in the study group were significantly higher than those before treatment. As for TAC and TOS, no significant differences were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Intratracheal instillation of budesonide was shown to alleviate oxidative stress and shorten invasive ventilation time in neonates with MAS.

The current clinical landscape of neonatal respiratory failure in Jiangsu Province of China: patient demographics, NICU treatment interventions, and patient outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal respiratory failure (NRF) is a serious condition that often has high mortality and morbidity, effective interventions can be delivered in the future by identifying the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality. However, recent advances in respiratory support have improved neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) care in China. We aimed to provide an updated review of the clinical profile and outcomes of NRF in the Jiangsu province. METHODS: Infants treated for NRF in the NICUs of 28 hospitals between March 2019 and March 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included baseline perinatal and neonatal parameters, NICU admission- and treatment-related data, and patient outcomes in terms of mortality, major morbidity, and survival without major morbidities. RESULTS: A total of 5548 infants with NRF were included in the study. The most common primary respiratory disorder was respiratory distress syndrome (78.5%). NRF was managed with non-invasive and invasive respiratory support in 59.8% and 14.5% of patients, respectively. The application rate of surfactant therapy was 38.5%, while that of neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy was 0.2%. Mortality and major morbidity rates of 8.5% and 23.2% were observed, respectively. Congenital anomalies, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, invasive respiratory support only and inhaled nitric oxide therapy were found to be significantly associated with the risk of death. Among surviving infants born at < 32 weeks of gestation or with a birth weight < 1500 g, caffeine therapy and repeat mechanical ventilation were demonstrated to significantly associate with increased major morbidity risk. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the current clinical landscape of infants with NRF treated in the NICU, and, by proxy, highlights the ongoing advancements in the field of perinatal and neonatal intensive care in China.

Dual regulation of cytochrome P450 gene expression by two distinct small RNAs, a novel tasiRNA and miRNA, in Marchantia polymorpha.

The miR390-derived TAS3 trans-acting short-interfering RNAs (tasiRNAs) module represents a conserved RNA silencing pathway in the plant kingdom; however, its characterization in the bryophyte Marchantia polymorpha is limited. This study elucidated that MpDCL4 processes MpTAS3 double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to generate tasiRNAs, primarily from the 5'- and 3'-ends of dsRNA. Notably, we discovered a novel tasiRNA, tasi78A, can negatively regulate a cytochrome P450 gene, MpCYP78A101. Additionally, tasi78A was abundant in MpAGO1, and transient expression assays underscored the role of tasi78A in repressing MpCYP78A101. A microRNA, miR11700, also regulates MpCYP78A101 expression. This coordinate regulation suggests a role in modulating auxin signaling at apical notches of gemma, influencing the growth and sexual organ development of M. polymorpha and emphasizing the significance of RNA silencing in MpCYP78A101 regulation. However, phylogenetic analysis identified another paralog of the CYP78 family, Mp1g14150, which may have a redundant role with MpCYP78A101, explaining the absence of noticeable morphological changes in loss-of-function plants. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the combined regulatory roles of miR390/MpTAS3/miR11700 in controlling MpCYP78A101 and expand our knowledge about the biogenesis and regulation of tasiRNAs in M. polymorpha.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Identifying and Evaluating TRAF6 and IL-8 as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers in Neonatal Patients with Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common gastrointestinal complication in premature infants, resulting in high morbidity and mortality, and its early detection is crucial for accurate treatment and outcome prediction. Extensive research has demonstrated a clear correlation between NEC and extremely low birth weight, degree of preterm, formula feeding, infection, hypoxic/ischemic damage, and intestinal dysbiosis. The development of noninvasive biomarkers of NEC from stool, urine, and serum has attracted a great deal of interest because to these clinical connections and the quest for a deeper knowledge of disease pathophysiology. Therefore, this study aims to identify protein expression patterns in NEC and discover innovative diagnostic biomarkers. In this study, we recruited five patients diagnosed with NEC and paired necrotic segments of intestinal tissue with adjacent normal segments of intestine to form experimental and control groups. Quantitative proteomics tandem mass tagging (TMT) labeling technique was used to detect and quantify the proteins, and the expression levels of the candidate biomarkers in the intestinal tissues were further determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot analysis, Immunofluorescence methods and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 6880 proteins were identified and quantified in patients with NEC. A significant disparity in protein expression was observed between necrotic and normal segments of intestinal tissue in NEC patients. A total of 55 proteins were found to be upregulated, and 40 proteins were found to be downregulated in NEC patients when using a p-value of < 0.05, and an absolute fold change of > 1.2 for analysis. GO function enrichment analysis showed the positive regulation of significant biological processes such as mitochondrial organization, vasoconstriction, rRNA catabolism, fluid shear stress response, and glycerol ether biosynthesis processes. Enrichment analysis also revealed essential functions such as ligand-gated ion channel activity, potassium channel activity, ligand-gated cation channel activity, ligand-gated ion channel activity, and ligand-gated channel activity, including molecular functions such as ligand-gated ion channel activity and mitotic events in this comparative group. Significant changes were found in endomembrane protein complex, membrane fraction, mitochondrial membrane fraction, membrane components, membrane intrinsic components, and other localized proteins. Additional validation of intestinal tissue and serum revealed a substantial increase in TRAF6 (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6) and IL-8(Interleukin-8, CXCL8). The quantitative proteomic TMT method can effectively detect proteins with differential expression in the intestinal tissues of NEC patients. Proteins TRAF6 and CXCL8/IL-8 are significantly upregulated in the intestinal tissues and serum samples of patients and may serve as valuable predictor factors for NEC's early diagnosis.

Serine/threonine kinase 36 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition promotes docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer.

To investigate the role and potential mechanism of serine/threonine kinase 36 (STK36) in docetaxel resistance-prostate cancer (PCa). The expression of STK36 in PCa and the correlation with clinicopathological characteristics of PCa patients were analyzed using the data from different databases and tissue microarrays. To investigate the role of STK36 on cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, STK36 was overexpressed and silenced in DU-145 and PC-3 cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to test cell proliferation. Cell invasion and migration were detected by cell wound scratch assay and trans well, respectively. The expression profile of STK36, E-Cadherin, and Vimentin was analyzed by Western blot. Cell apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL assay. STK36 expression was upregulated in PCa tissue compared with adjacent benign PCa tissue; it was higher in patients with advanced stages compared with lower stages and was significantly correlated with decreased overall survival. Up-regulation of STK36 significantly promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of DU-145 and PC-3 cells and compensated for the suppression caused by docetaxel treatment in vitro. A striking apoptosis inhibition could be observed when dealing with docetaxel, although the apoptosis of DU-145 and PC-3 cells was not affected by the STK36 exclusive overexpression. Besides, E-Cadherin expression was restrained while the expression levels of vimentin were all enhanced. The knockdown of STK36 reversed the above process. STK36 up-regulation could accelerate the biological behavior and docetaxel resistance of PCa by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation. STK36 may be potentially used as a target in PCa resolvent with docetaxel.

METTL3 promotes hyperoxia-induced pyroptosis in neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia by inhibiting ATG8-mediated autophagy.

OBJECTIVES: N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a vital role in lung disorders. However, the potential of m6A in neonatal Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the roles of METTL3 in BPD. METHODS: BPD models were established by hyperoxia in vivo and in vitro. Histological analysis was determined using HE staining. Gene expression was determined using Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. The release of IL-1ß and IL-18 was detected using ELISA. The m6A sites of ATG8 were predicted by SCRAPM and verified by MeRIP assay. The location of GSDMD and ATG8 was determined by FISH assay. The interaction between ATG8 and GSDMD was detected using Coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Cell pyroptosis was determined using flow cytometry and TUNEL assays. RESULTS: METTL3 was overexpressed in BPD, which was accompanied by an increase in m6A levels. Interestingly, METTL3 suppressed hyperoxia-mediated damage and pyroptosis in BEAS-2B cells and promoted cell autophagy. METTL3-mediated m6A modification of ATG8 suppressed its expression and disrupted the interaction between ATG8 and GSDMD. However, autophagy inhibition induced pyroptosis in BEAS-2B cells. In vivo assays showed that METTL3-mediated autophagy inhibition induced a decrease in the radial alveolar count and an increase in the mean linear intercept and promoted cell pyroptosis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, METTL3-mediated cell pyroptosis promotes BPD by regulating the m6A modification of ATG8. This may provide new insight into the development of BPD.

Short-time mortality and severe complications of very premature infants-a multicenter retrospective cohort study from Jiangsu Province during 2019-2021.

Background: The short-term and long-term severe complications of preterm infants have brought serious psychological and economic burdens to the society and family. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the risk factors for the mortality and serious complications in very premature infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age (GA), so as to guide the antenatal and postnatal care of very premature. Methods: The very premature infants from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021 from 15 member hospitals of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Multi-center Clinical Research Collaboration Group in Jiangsu Province were recruited. In accordance with the plan of the intensive care unit for unified management, recruitment of premature infants is carried out on the day of admission, and discharge or death is the outcome indicator in 1-2 months by telephone follow-up. The research content mainly includes three aspects: clinical information of mother and infant, outcomes and complications. According to the final outcomes, very premature infants were divided into two categories: survival without severe complications, survival with severe complications and death. Then, univariate and multivariate logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to analyze the independent risk factors. Results: A total of 3,200 very premature infants with GA less than 32 weeks were recruited. The median GA is 30.00 (28.57, 31.14) weeks, the average birth weight is 1,350 (1,110, 1,590) g, among whom 375 premature infants survived with severe complications, and 2,391 premature infants survived without severe complications. Then, it was found that GA at birth was a protective factor for death and severe complications, whereas severe neonatal asphyxia and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) were independent risk factors for death and severe complications in very premature infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation. Conclusions: The prognosis of very premature infants in NICU treatment depends not only on GA, but also on various perinatal factors and their clinical management, such as preterm asphyxia and PPHN occurrence, so the next step is necessary for multicenter continuous quality improvement to improve outcomes in very preterm infants.

Hsa_circ_0063329 inhibits prostate cancer growth and metastasis by modulating the miR-605-5p/tgif2 axis.

Circular RNAs play crucial regulatory roles in the progression of various cancers. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of circRNAs in prostate cancer (PCa) proliferation and metastasis remain largely uncertain. Here, we performed circRNA microarray analyses to identify differentially expressed circRNAs in a normal prostate epithelial cell line and PCa cell lines. We found that hsa_circ_0063329 was significantly downregulated in PCa. A series of in vitro and in vivo functional assays showed that overexpression of hsa_circ_0063329 inhibits PCa cell progression, while silencing of hsa_circ_0063329 achieved the opposite effects. Mechanistically, bioinformatics analysis, RNA pulldown, RNA-seq and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that hsa_circ_0063329 exerts its effect by sponging miR-605-5p to derepress TG-interacting factor 2 (TGIF2) and inactivate the TGF-ß pathway. In conclusion, hsa_circ_0063329 inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of PCa via modulation of the miR-605-5p/TGIF2 axis, and targeting hsa_circ_0063329 may provide a promising treatment strategy for aggressive PCa.

Development of an assay system for the analysis of host RISC activity in the presence of a potyvirus RNA silencing suppressor, HC-Pro.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the mechanism of RNA silencing suppression, the genetic transformation of viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs) in Arabidopsis integrates ectopic VSR expression at steady state, which overcomes the VSR variations caused by different virus infections or limitations of host range. Moreover, identifying the insertion of the transgenic VSR gene is necessary to establish a model transgenic plant for the functional study of VSR. METHODS: Developing an endogenous AGO1-based in vitro RNA-inducing silencing complex (RISC) assay prompts further investigation into VSR-mediated suppression. Three P1/HC-Pro plants from turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) (P1/HC-ProTu), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) (P1/HC-ProZy), and tobacco etch virus (TEV) (P1/HC-ProTe) were identified by T-DNA Finder and used as materials for investigations of the RISC cleavage efficiency. RESULTS: Our results indicated that the P1/HC-ProTu plant has slightly lower RISC activity than P1/HC-ProZy plants. In addition, the phenomena are consistent with those observed in TuMV-infected Arabidopsis plants, which implies that HC-ProTu could directly interfere with RISC activity. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrated the application of various plant materials in an in vitro RISC assay of VSR-mediated RNA silencing suppression.

Reuse of osimertinib after small cell lung cancer transformation in lung adenocarcinoma with de-novo epidermal growth factor receptor T790M mutation: case report.

Osimertinib is a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-sensitizing mutations and acquired drug-resistant mutation T790M. Despite promising treatment benefits of osimertinib in first- and second-line settings, drug resistance has been an inevitable clinical issue. The resistance to osimertinib is heterogeneous, which may involve EGFR-dependent and independent mechanisms as well as histological transformation from NSCLC to small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Current clinical studies of NSCLC were mainly focused on patients with EGFR-sensitizing mutations or acquired T790M mutation or both. The treatments and drug-resistant mechanisms in patients with de-novo T790M mutation remain undefined. Herein, we reported the presence of the less common de-novo EGFR T790M mutation in a stage IV NSCLC patient. The patient received osimertinib as first-line treatment and achieved durable progression-free survival (PFS) for 24 months. After osimertinib resistance, tumor biopsy indicated histologic transformation from NSCLC to SCLC. Given persistent presence of de-novo T790M mutation, osimertinib was used in combination with etoposide and cisplatin as second-line treatment and the patient achieved partial response with PFS of 7 months. Our study suggested that NSCLC patients with de-novo T790M mutation could also benefit from osimertinib and the SCLC transformation may be a potential resistance mechanism that could be targeted through the combination of targeted therapy and chemotherapy.

METTL3 promotes hyperoxia-induced pyroptosis in neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia by inhibiting ATG8-mediated autophagy

Abstract Objectives N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a vital role in lung disorders. However, the potential of m6A in neonatal Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the roles of METTL3 in BPD. Methods BPD models were established by hyperoxia in vivo and in vitro. Histological analysis was determined using HE staining. Gene expression was determined using Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. The release of IL-1β and IL-18 was detected using ELISA. The m6A sites of ATG8 were predicted by SCRAPM and verified by MeRIP assay. The location of GSDMD and ATG8 was determined by FISH assay. The interaction between ATG8 and GSDMD was detected using Coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Cell pyroptosis was determined using flow cytometry and TUNEL assays. Results METTL3 was overexpressed in BPD, which was accompanied by an increase in m6A levels. Interestingly, METTL3 suppressed hyperoxia-mediated damage and pyroptosis in BEAS-2B cells and promoted cell autophagy. METTL3-mediated m6A modification of ATG8 suppressed its expression and disrupted the interaction between ATG8 and GSDMD. However, autophagy inhibition induced pyroptosis in BEAS-2B cells. In vivo assays showed that METTL3-mediated autophagy inhibition induced a decrease in the radial alveolar count and an increase in the mean linear intercept and promoted cell pyroptosis. Conclusion In conclusion, METTL3-mediated cell pyroptosis promotes BPD by regulating the m6A modification of ATG8. This may provide new insight into the development of BPD.

Outcome of neonatal hypoxemic respiratory failure: a livebirth population-based retrospective survey.

BACKGROUND: To explore the prevalence, outcome and perinatal risks of neonatal hypoxemic respiratory failure (NRF) in a survey of all livebirths from a regional network of perinatal-neonatal care during the transition period after 5-year universal health insurance implemented in China. METHODS: Clinical data of all neonatal respiratory morbidities in Huai'an were retrospectively collected in the regional perinatal network database of all livebirths as vital statistics in 2015. NRF was defined as hypoxemia requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and/or mechanical ventilation (MV) for at least 24 h. Mortality risks of antenatal and perinatal morbidities, major respiratory therapies and complications were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: There were 788 NRF cases identified in 9.9% (7960) hospitalized, or 13.3‰ (59056) livebirths, in which 6.7% received intensive care and 93.0% critical care. The major underlying morbidities were respiratory distress syndrome (RDS, 36.4%) and pneumonia/sepsis (35.3%), treated mainly by CPAP, MV and surfactant. Significantly improved outcomes by surfactant in RDS were in patients with birthweight (BW) < 1500 g or gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks. The overall mortality rate in NRF was 18.4% whereas for those of BW < 1000 g and GA < 28 weeks, 70% and 54%, respectively. The multivariable regression analysis showed the highest odds for NRF death among meconium aspiration syndrome, congenital anomalies, BW < 1500 g and necrotizing enterocolitis, whereas born in level III hospitals, cesarean delivery, CPAP and MV were associated with markedly reduced death odds. CONCLUSIONS: The salient findings with associated risk estimates reflected efficiency of respiratory support as critical care in a prefectural regional network infrastructure for annual livebirths in 5.6 million inhabitants. It implicated the representativeness of contemporaneous perinatal-neonatal care standard at medium to medium-high level, in one/fourth of the population of China, aiming at saving more life of very critical and preterm infants for better survival.

Development of a petal protoplast transfection system for Sinningia speciosa.

Premise: Transient gene expression systems are powerful tools for studying gene interactions in plant species without available or stable genetic transformation protocols. We optimized a petal protoplast transformation protocol for Sinningia speciosa, a model plant, to study the development of floral symmetry. Methods and Results: A high yield of petal protoplasts was obtained using a 6-h enzyme digestion in a solution of 1.5% cellulase and 0.4% macerozyme. Modest transfection efficiency (average 41.4%) was achieved. The viability of the transfected protoplasts remained at more than 90%. A fusion of green fluorescent protein and CYCLOIDEA (SsCYC), the Teosinte branched 1/Cincinnata/Proliferating cell factor transcription factor responsible for floral symmetry, was subcellularly localized inside the nuclei of the protoplasts. Transiently overexpressing SsCYC indicates the success of this system, which resulted in the predicted increased (but nonsignificant) expression of its known target RADIALIS (SsRAD1), consistent with gene network expectations. Conclusions: The transient transfection system presented herein can be effectively used to study gene-regulatory interactions in Gesneriaceae species.

[Preadmission follow-up condition of neonates hospitalized due to severe hyperbilirubinemia after discharge from the department of obstetrics and influencing factors for follow-up compliance: a multicenter investigation]. / äº§ç§‘å‡ºé™¢åŽå› ä¸¥é‡é«˜èƒ†çº¢ç´ è¡€ç—‡ä½é™¢æ–°ç”Ÿå„¿å ¥é™¢å‰éšè®¿æƒ å†µåŠéšè®¿ä¾ä»Žæ€§å½±å“å› ç´ çš„å¤šä¸­å¿ƒè°ƒæŸ¥.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the preadmission follow-up condition of neonates hospitalized due to severe hyperbilirubinemia after discharge from the department of obstetrics and the influencing factors for follow-up compliance. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective case-control study was performed for the cases from the multicenter clinical database of 12 units in the Quality Improvement Clinical Research Cooperative Group of Neonatal Severe Hyperbilirubinemia in Jiangsu Province of China from January 2019 to April 2021. According to whether the follow-up of neonatal jaundice was conducted on time after discharge from the department of obstetrics, the neonates were divided into two groups: good follow-up compliance and poor follow-up compliance. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the influencing factors for follow-up compliance of the neonates before admission. RESULTS: A total of 545 neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia were included in the study, with 156 neonates (28.6%) in the good follow-up compliance group and 389 (71.4%) in the poor follow-up compliance group. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low gestational age at birth, ≥10% reduction in body weight on admission compared with birth weight, history of phototherapy of siblings, history of exchange transfusion of siblings, Rh(-) blood type of the mother, a higher educational level of the mother, the use of WeChat official account by medical staff to remind of follow-up before discharge from the department of obstetrics, and the method of telephone notification to remind of follow-up after discharge were associated with the increase in follow-up compliance (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Poor follow-up compliance is observed for the neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia after discharge from the department of obstetrics, which suggests that it is necessary to further strengthen the education of jaundice to parents before discharge and improve the awareness of jaundice follow-up. It is recommended to remind parents to follow up on time by phone or WeChat official account.

Perinatal Risks of Neonatal and Infant Mortalities in a Sub-provincial Region of China: A Livebirth Population-based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Current vital statistics of birth population and neonatal outcome in China lacked information and definition of deaths at delivery and during hospitalization, especially for extreme preterm (EPT) birth. This study aims to delineate the prevalence of neonatal hospitalization, neonatal and infant mortality rates (NMR, IMR) and associated perinatal risks based on all livebirths in Huai'an, an evolving sub-provincial region in eastern China. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study established a comprehensive database linking information of whole regional livebirths and neonatal hospitalization in 2015, including deaths at delivery and EPT livebirths. The primary outcomes were NMR and IMR stratified by gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) with 95% confidence intervals. Causes of the neonatal and infant deaths were categorized according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases 10th version, and population attributable fractions of GA and BW strata were analyzed. Perinatal risks of infant mortalities in continuum periods were estimated by Cox regression models. RESULTS: Among the whole livebirth population (59056), 7960 were hospitalized (prevalence 13.5%), with 168 (2.8‰) in-hospital deaths. The NMR was 3.6 (3.2, 4.1)‰ and IMR 4.9 (1.4, 4.5)‰, with additionally 35 (0.6‰) deaths at delivery. The major causes of infant deaths were perinatal conditions (2.6‰, mainly preterm-related), congenital anomalies (1.5‰), sudden unexpected death in infancy (0.6‰) and other causes (0.2‰). The deaths caused by preterm and low BW (LBW) accounted for 50% and 40% of NMR and IMR, with 20-30% contributed by EPT or extremely LBW, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that peripartum factors and LBW strata had strong association with early- and late-neonatal deaths, whereas those of GA < 28 weeks were highly associated with postneonatal deaths. Congenital anomalies and neonatal hospitalization remained high death risks over the entire infancy, whereas maternal co-morbidities/complications were modestly associated with neonatal but not postneonatal infant mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The NMR, IMR, major causes of deaths and associated perinatal risks in continuum periods of infancy, denote the status and quality improvement of the regional perinatal-neonatal care associated with socioeconomic development. The study concept, applicability and representativeness may be validated in other evolving regions or countries for genuine comparison and better maternal-infant healthcare.

Successful treatment of an infant with congenital bile acid synthesis disorder type 3 by ursodeoxycholic acid: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital bile acid synthesis disorder type 3 caused by oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase deficiency is an extremely rare genetic liver disease. As it may cause rapid progression to end-stage liver disease, a high cautiousness in diagnosis and early treatment are required. Here we describe the first case of congenital bile acid synthesis disorder type 3 in China that was confirmed by genetic analysis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 5-month-old Chinese male infant suffered skin yellowing since birth. The patient showed significantly increased alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and total and direct bilirubin levels, and enlarged liver at admission. Whole-exome sequencing confirmed homozygous mutation in the CYB7B1 gene that encodes oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase. Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment significantly mitigated the condition of the patient and lowered biochemical indicators. Unfortunately, the patient developed septicemia and gave up treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The patient was successfully treated with ursodeoxycholic acid, which has not been reported previously. Ursodeoxycholic acid replacement therapy is an effective and affordable treatment for congenital bile acid synthesis disorder type 3 caused by oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase deficiency.

Clinical effect of different maintenance doses of caffeine citrate in the treatment of preterm infants requiring assisted ventilation: a pilot multicenter study. / ä¸åŒç»´æŒå‰‚é‡æž¸æ©¼é ¸å’–å•¡å› å¯¹è¾ åŠ©é€šæ°”æ—©äº§å„¿çš„ç–—æ•ˆè¯„ä¼°ï¼šä¸€é¡¹åˆæ­¥å¤šä¸­å¿ƒç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the optimal maintenance dose of caffeine citrate for preterm infants requiring assisted ventilation and caffeine citrate treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 566 preterm infants (gestational age ≤34 weeks) who were treated and required assisted ventilation and caffeine citrate treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit of 30 tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province of China between January 1 and December 31, 2019. The 405 preterm infants receiving high-dose (10 mg/kg per day) caffeine citrate after a loading dose of 20 mg/kg within 24 hours after birth were enrolled as the high-dose group. The 161 preterm infants receiving low-dose (5 mg/kg per day) caffeine citrate were enrolled as the low-dose group. RESULTS: Compared with the low-dose group, the high-dose group had significant reductions in the need for high-concentration oxygen during assisted ventilation (P=0.044), the duration of oxygen inhalation after weaning from noninvasive ventilation (P<0.01), total oxygen inhalation time during hospitalization (P<0.01), the proportion of preterm infants requiring noninvasive ventilation again (P<0.01), the rate of use of pulmonary surfactant and budesonide (P<0.05), and the incidence rates of apnea and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P<0.01), but the high-dose group had a significantly increased incidence rate of feeding intolerance (P=0.032). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the body weight change, the incidence rates of retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage or necrotizing enterocolitis, the mortality rate, and the duration of caffeine use (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot multicenter study shows that the high maintenance dose (10 mg/kg per day) is generally beneficial to preterm infants in China and does not increase the incidence rate of common adverse reactions. For the risk of feeding intolerance, further research is needed to eliminate the interference of confounding factors as far as possible.

Prevalence of major morbidities and outcome of all hospitalized neonates. A retrospective cohort study of Huai'an neonatal survivals.

BACKGROUND: Reliable data for causal implication of neonatal survival in China are lacking. We assumed that by analyzing surviving data of in-hospital neonatal care based on all livebirths in Huai'an, prevalence of neonatal morbidity, mortality and causal relations may be derived comprehensively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of all regionally hospitalized neonates were retrospectively linked with corresponding whole livebirths (59,056) in 2015 as a cohort. Diagnoses of diseases and causes of deaths were redefined and categorized. Disease patterns, prevalence of morbidities, case-fatality rate (CFR), and cause-specific mortality rate (CSMR) referring to livebirths were presented. Perinatal and disease-specific risks of death were estimated by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: In 7,960 (134.8‰) hospitalized patients, 168 (2.1%) died in hospital (2.85‰ of livebirths). Prevalence of major morbidities were 76.8‰ hyperbilirubinemia, 57.4‰ pneumonia, 32.7‰ intraventricular hemorrhage, 20.7‰ sepsis, 20.2‰ birth asphyxia, 9.69‰ congenital anomalies (CA), and 5.30‰ respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The CFR (CSMR) of major diseases were 30.4% (0.12‰) meconium aspiration syndrome, 17.6% (0.22‰) necrotizing enterocolitis, 14.1% (0.75‰) RDS, 9.09% (0.88‰) CA, 5.26% (0.07‰) bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 1.71% (0.36‰) sepsis and 1.51% (0.31‰) asphyxia. Overall mortality rates were 4.6% and 6.8% in the preterm and low birthweight, and >50% in those of <28 week gestation or <1000 g birthweight, respectively. Mortality risks associated with the perinatal and neonatal morbidities were markedly declined with variable magnitude by multivariable regression models. CONCLUSIONS: The in-hospital neonatal survival datafile, depicted as the prevalence of major morbidities and CSMR of livebirth population in Huai'an, denoted overall and specific quality and efficiency of the perinatal-neonatal care system. Its concept and methodology should be relevant, and outcome extrapolated, to other countries or domestic regions, with similar socioeconomic development.

Transcriptomic Analysis Suggests Auxin Regulation in Dorsal-Ventral Petal Asymmetry of Wild Progenitor Sinningia speciosa.

The establishment of dorsal-ventral (DV) petal asymmetry is accompanied by differential growth of DV petal size, shape, and color differences, which enhance ornamental values. Genes involved in flower symmetry in Sinningia speciosa have been identified as CYCLOIDEA (SsCYC), but which gene regulatory network (GRN) is associated with SsCYC to establish DV petal asymmetry is still unknown. To uncover the GRN of DV petal asymmetry, we identified 630 DV differentially expressed genes (DV-DEGs) from the RNA-Seq of dorsal and ventral petals in the wild progenitor, S. speciosa 'ES'. Validated by qRT-PCR, genes in the auxin signaling transduction pathway, SsCYC, and a major regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis were upregulated in dorsal petals. These genes correlated with a higher endogenous auxin level in dorsal petals, with longer tube length growth through cell expansion and a purple dorsal color. Over-expression of SsCYC in Nicotiana reduced petal size by regulating cell growth, suggesting that SsCYC also controls cell expansion. This suggests that auxin and SsCYC both regulate DV petal asymmetry. Transiently over-expressed SsCYC, however, could not activate most major auxin signaling genes, suggesting that SsCYC may not trigger auxin regulation. Whether auxin can activate SsCYC or whether they act independently to regulate DV petal asymmetry remains to be explored in the future.

Preliminary Clinical Validation of a Filtration-Based CTC Assay for Tumor Burden and HER2 Status Monitoring in Metastatic Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Bearing multidimensional tumor-relevant information ranging from genomic alterations to proteomic makeup, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) constitute a promising material for liquid biopsy. The clinical validity of CTCs has been most extensively studied in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The Cellsearch assay is currently the most widely used, while alternative strategies are pursued. A filtration-based microfluidic device has been described for CTC enrichment, but its clinical relevance remains unknown. METHODS: In this preliminary study, we prospectively enrolled 47 MBC patients and evaluated the performance of the abovementioned CTC assay for tumor burden monitoring and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status determination. RESULTS: At baseline, 51.1% patients (24/47) were CTC positive. CTC count and positivity were also significantly higher in samples that accompanied poorer radiographic response evaluations. Serial blood draws suggested that CTC count enabled more accurate monitoring of tumor burden than serum markers carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 15-3. Also, in contrast to previous reports, CTC-HER2 status was moderately consistent with tumor-HER2 status. CTC-HER2 status assessment was further supported by HER2 copy number measurements in select samples. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results from this study suggest promise for the interrogated CDC assay in several aspects, including sensitive CTC detection, accurate disease status reflection, and HER2 status determination. More studies are warranted to validate these findings and further characterize the value of CTC assay.