A comprehensive scoring system for the better prediction of bowel resection in pediatric intussusception.

BACKGROUND: Intussusception presents a significant emergency that often necessitates bowel resection, leading to severe complications and management challenges. This study aims to investigate and establish a scoring system to enhance the prediction of bowel resection necessity in pediatric intussusception patients. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 660 hospitalized patients with intussusception who underwent surgical management at a pediatric hospital in Southwest China from April 2008 to December 2020. The necessity of bowel resection was assessed and categorized in this cohort. Variables associated with bowel resection were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Based on these analyses, a scoring system was developed, grounded on the summation of the coefficients (ß). RESULTS: Among the 660 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 218 required bowel resection during surgery. Bowel resection occurrence was linked to an extended duration of symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.14; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.03-5.23; P = 0.0015), the presence of gross bloody stool (OR = 8.98; 95% CI, 1.76-48.75, P < 0.001), elevated C-reactive protein levels (OR = 4.79; 95% CI, 1.12-28.31, P = 0.0072), lactate clearance rate (LCR) (OR = 17.25; 95% CI, 2.36-80.35; P < 0.001), and the intussusception location (OR = 12.65; 95% CI, 1.46-62.67, P < 0.001), as determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. A scoring system (totaling 14.02 points) was developed from the cumulative ß coefficients, with a threshold of 5.22 effectively differentiating infants requiring surgical intervention from others with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), exhibiting a sensitivity of 78.3% and a specificity of 71.9%. CONCLUSIONS: This study successfully identified multiple risk factors for bowel resection and effectively used a scoring system to identify patients for optimal clinical management.

Potential and Limitations of ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 as a Source of COVID-19 Information: Comprehensive Comparative Analysis of Generative and Authoritative Information.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has necessitated reliable and authoritative information for public guidance. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been a primary source of such information, disseminating it through a question and answer format on its official website. Concurrently, ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0, a deep learning-based natural language generation system, has shown potential in generating diverse text types based on user input. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the accuracy of COVID-19 information generated by ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0, assessing its potential as a supplementary public information source during the pandemic. METHODS: We extracted 487 COVID-19-related questions from the WHO's official website and used ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 to generate corresponding answers. These generated answers were then compared against the official WHO responses for evaluation. Two clinical experts scored the generated answers on a scale of 0-5 across 4 dimensions-accuracy, comprehensiveness, relevance, and clarity-with higher scores indicating better performance in each dimension. The WHO responses served as the reference for this assessment. Additionally, we used the BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) model to generate similarity scores (0-1) between the generated and official answers, providing a dual validation mechanism. RESULTS: The mean (SD) scores for ChatGPT 3.5-generated answers were 3.47 (0.725) for accuracy, 3.89 (0.719) for comprehensiveness, 4.09 (0.787) for relevance, and 3.49 (0.809) for clarity. For ChatGPT 4.0, the mean (SD) scores were 4.15 (0.780), 4.47 (0.641), 4.56 (0.600), and 4.09 (0.698), respectively. All differences were statistically significant (P<.001), with ChatGPT 4.0 outperforming ChatGPT 3.5. The BERT model verification showed mean (SD) similarity scores of 0.83 (0.07) for ChatGPT 3.5 and 0.85 (0.07) for ChatGPT 4.0 compared with the official WHO answers. CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 can generate accurate and relevant COVID-19 information to a certain extent. However, compared with official WHO responses, gaps and deficiencies exist. Thus, users of ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 should also reference other reliable information sources to mitigate potential misinformation risks. Notably, ChatGPT 4.0 outperformed ChatGPT 3.5 across all evaluated dimensions, a finding corroborated by BERT model validation.

Glutaredoxin-1 modulates the NF-κB signaling pathway to activate inducible nitric oxide synthase in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), regulated by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), is crucial for intestinal inflammation and barrier injury in the progression of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The NF-κB pathway is inhibited by S-glutathionylation of inhibitory κB kinase ß (IKKß), which can be restored by glutaredoxin-1 (Grx1). Thus, we aim to explore the role of Grx1 in experimental NEC. Wild-type (WT) and Grx1-knockout (Grx1-/-) mice were treated with an NEC-inducing regimen. Primary intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) were subjected to LPS treatment. The production of iNOS, NO, and inflammation injuries were assessed. NF-κB and involved signaling pathways were also explored. The severity of NEC was attenuated in Grx1-/- mice. Grx1 ablation promoted IKKß glutathionylation, NF-κB inactivation, and decreased iNOS, NO, and O2·- production in NEC mice. Furthermore, Grx1 ablation restrained proinflammatory cytokines and cell apoptosis, ameliorated intestinal barrier damage, and promoted proliferation in NEC mice. Grx1 ablation protected NEC through iNOS and NO inhibition, which related to S-glutathionylation of IKKß to inhibit NF-κB signaling. Grx1-related signaling pathways provide a new therapeutic target for NEC.

Liberal surgical laparoscopy reduction for acute intussusception: experience from a tertiary pediatric institute.

The optimal treatment for acute intussusception has not yet been defined. In this study, we explored whether employing a liberal laparoscopic intervention for intussusception could lead to favorable outcomes. We performed a historical control analysis to evaluate the outcomes associated with this liberal surgical management protocol. This liberal surgical management protocol were revised to incorporate a new protocol centered around the laparoscopic approach. In some cases of acute intussusception, liberal laparoscopic exploration and intervention were undertaken without initial hydrostatic or pneumatic reduction. During the study interval, a retrospective review was conducted on a total of 3086 patients. These were categorized into two groups: 1338 cases before May 2019 (pre-protocol group) and 1748 cases after May 2019 (post-protocol group). Surgical intervention rates in the pre-protoco and post-protocol period were 10.2% and 27.4% respectively (odds ratio [OR] = 0.30 [95% CI 0.25-0.37]; p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in baseline clinical characteristics or demographic features between the two groups. The duration from admission to operation was longer for the pre-protocol group (p = 0.008) than for the post-protocol group. The post-protocol group demonstrated decreases in both intestinal resection (OR = 1.50 [95% CI 0.96-2.35]; p = 0.048) and total recurrent events (OR = 1.27 [95% CI 1.04-1.55]; p = 0.012) compared to the pre-protocol group. Liberal laparoscopic intervention for intussusception may effectively reduce the risk of intestinal resection and total recurrent events, thereby exhibiting promising outcomes for patients with intussusception.

Risk Factors to Predict Post-Operative Organ/Space Infection After Appendectomy in the Pediatric Population: A Retrospective Case Control Analysis.

Background: Post-operative organ/space infection (OSI) is associated with prolonged hospital stay or re-admission. Here, we explore the predictors for OSI in pediatric patients after appendectomy. Patients and Methods: Among post-appendectomy pateints, the OSI was reviewed. A multicenter case control study was conducted to explore the risk factors for OSI among pediatric patients with appendicitis after appendectomy between January 2009 and December 2019. The potential risk factors associated with OSI were explored using multivariable logistic regression methods. Results: In the current cohort, 723 patients fulfilled the OSI criteria. According to multivariable logistic regression analysis, the occurrence of OSI was associated with complicated appendicitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-3.686; p = 0.016), the lower the level of pre-operative lymphocyte-C-reactive protein (LCR; OR, 14.42; 95% CI, 1.57-73.26; p < 0.001), pan-peritonitis (OR, 4.36; 95% CI, 1.34-21.66; p = 0.006), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS; OR, 8.22; 95% CI, 1.84-49.63; p < 0.001), and abscess presentation (OR, 11.32; 95% CI, 2.03-61.86; p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve evaluation further confirmed the relatively high accuracy of the above factors to predict OSI. Conclusions: The identified potential risk factors in the current research can be used for OSI identification in patients after appendectomy. Recognition of the risk factors may allow the choice of the treatment process more reasonably.

Remote Ischemic Conditioning Relieves Necrotizing Enterocolitis Through Regulation of Redox and Inflammation.

In neonates, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious condition involving oxidative stress and inflammation. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a potentially useful technique to protect distant organs from the damage induced by ischemia. RIC has been verified as effective to protect against NEC; however, its mechanism is unclear. This study aimed to assess the mechanism and efficacy of RIC to treat experimental NEC in mice. Between postnatal day (P) 5 and P9, we induced NEC in C57BL/6 mice and Grx1-/- mice. Intermittent occlusion of the blood flow to the right hind limb for 4 cycles of 5 min ischemia followed by 5 min reperfusion during NEC induction on P6 and P8 was used to apply RIC. We sacrificed the mice on p9 and evaluated oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, proliferation, apoptosis, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway in mice ileal tissue. RIC decreased intestinal injury and prolonged survival in NEC pups. RIC significantly inhibited inflammatory, attenuated oxidative stress, reduced apoptosis, promoted proliferation, and activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR in vivo. RIC activates the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to control oxidative stress and inflammation. RIC might provide a new therapeutic strategy for NEC.

NAMPT inhibition relieves intestinal inflammation by regulating macrophage activation in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis.

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) is associated with various NAD+ -consuming enzymatic reactions. The precise role in intestinal mucosal immunity in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is not well defined. Here, we examined whether NAMPT inhibition by the highly specific inhibitor FK866 could alleviate intestinal inflammation during the pathogenesis of NEC. In the present study, we showed that NAMPT expression was upregulated in the human terminal ileum of human infants with NEC. FK866 administration attenuated M1 macrophage polarization and relieved the symptoms of experimental NEC pups. FK866 inhibited intercellular NAD+ levels, macrophage M1 polarization, and the expression of NAD+ -dependent enzymes, such as poly (ADP ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) and Sirt6. Consistently, the capacity of macrophages to phagocytose zymosan particles, as well as antibacterial activity, were impaired by FK866, whereas NMN supplementation to restore NAD+ levels reversed the changes in phagocytosis and antibacterial activity. In conclusion, FK866 reduced intestinal macrophage infiltration and skewed macrophage polarization, which is implicated in intestinal mucosal immunity, thereby promoting the survival of NEC pups.

[Optimization of a fluorescent qPCR detection for RNA of SARS-CoV-2].

We optimized a fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay system for rapid and real time detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The results show that the lowest dilution of RNA samples used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA could reach 1/10 000 (the initial value is set as 10 ng/µL). Moreover, the cycle threshold (Ct) for samples of clinically diagnosed COVID-19 was lower than 35 or 40. The sensitivity of this method was satisfactory. The results were consistent with those of the COVID-19 detection kit on the market under the same conditions, but the number of cycles required was shortened by about 2. Therefore, the optimized assay developed in this study can be used in screening and early clinical diagnosis. Our work provides a tool to facilitate rapid clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.

Multi-Center Prospective Study of Restrictive Post-Operative Antibiotic Treatment of Children with Complicated Appendicitis.

Background: No consensus has been reached regarding the most advantageous duration of antibiotic prophylaxis to decrease post-operative infection complications of appendectomy for acute complex appendicitis. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of short-term antibiotic treatment on post-operative complications in children with complex appendicitis. Methods: A multi-center, parallel group, randomized study was conducted in patients younger than 14 years of age with complicated appendicitis at three hospitals in China. The qualified patients were randomized prospectively to either the restrictive 72-hour short-term antibiotic strategy or the standard antibiotic usage. A comparison of the complications within 24 months, including infectious complications and long-term results, were conducted between the two groups. This trial is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), number ChiCTR1900023941 and is complete. Results: A shorter duration of antibiotic treatment had no effect on intestinal function recovery, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and health-care-associated Clostridium difficile infection and infectious complication, including intra-abdominal abscess development (17.9% vs. 18.0%, p = 0.52). Furthermore, no substantial difference for re-admission requirement and re-operation were found between the two treatment strategies. A sizeable decrease in total duration of hospitalization (p < 0.001) and average total antibiotic duration (p < 0.001) were observed for the restrictive antibiotic strategy group. Conclusion: In complicated appendicitis, the restrictive antibiotic usage was equivalent to standard antibiotic usage in terms of short- and long-term outcomes, but with shorter hospital stays and fewer antibiotic agents.