Research advance and challenges of the application of machine learning in laboratory medicine / 中华检验医学杂志

The application of machine learning has become an important direction for the development of intelligent laboratory medicine. Recently, the rapid development of open-source software and publicly available data sources made the application of machine learning highly accessible. It reduced the requirement for developers to have necessary matter knowledge and also facilitated a surge in interest and publications. However, the practicality and reproducibility of machine learning models still remain unclear. In the face of these challenges, some countermeasures were proposed, including strict control of data quality, improvemrnt of model applicability, establishment of model selction and validation strategies, enhancement of model interpretability and reproducibility. Machine learning helps to break through the bottleneck of clinical translation of laboratory big data and improve the quality of diagnostic services in the laboratory medicine.

Effect of placenta previa attached to cesarean scar for adverse pregnant outcomes in patients with placenta accreta spectrum disorders / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of placenta previa attached to cesarean scar for adverse pregnant outcomes in patients with or without placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS).Methods:The clinical information of patients with cesarean section history and placenta previa during the perioperative period at Peking University First Hospital from January 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2020 were collected retrospectively. There were 53 cases without PAS and 172 cases with PAS, 153 cases with abnormally invasive placenta (containing placenta increta and placenta percreta) and 72 cases without PAS or with placenta accreta. The pregnant outcomes including rate of postpartum hemorrhage, transfusion, hysterectomy between the above groups were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed to study the factors significantly associated with PAS.Results:Pregnant women with PAS were at higher risk of adverse pregnant outcomes than those without PAS. Patients with PAS had higher incidences of hysterectomy [12.2% (21/172) vs 0(0/53); P=0.005], postpartum hemorrhage [60.5% (104/172) vs 5.7% (3/53); P<0.01] and blood transfusion [66.9% (115/172) vs 7.5% (4/53); P<0.01]. In the subgroup analysis stratified by the type of PAS, patients with abnormally invasive placenta were at higher risk of hysterectomy [13.7% (21/153) vs 0 (0/72); P<0.01], postpartum hemorrhage [66.7% (102/153) vs 6.9% (5/72); χ2 =70.873, P<0.01] and blood transfusion [74.5% (114/153) vs 6.9% (5/72); χ2 =90.869, P<0.01]. After multiple logistic regression, the type of creta had the positive relation with postpartum hemorrhage ( OR=27.622, 95% CI:9.873~77.280; P<0.01) and blood transfusion ( OR=36.912, 95% CI:13.239~102.922; P<0.01). There were no significant correlations between adverse pregnant outcomes and the type of placenta previa or the times of cesarean section (all P>0.01). Conclusions:Placenta previa attached to cesarean scar without PAS or with placenta accreta could not act as the factor of predicting adverse pregnant outcomes in clinic. Placenta previa attached to cesarean scar with placenta increta or placenta percreta could increase the risk of adverse pregnant outcomes.

Effect of Valeriana jatamansi extract on fecal UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics in rats with diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome / 中国中药杂志

The purpose of this study was to understand the pharmacodynamic effect of Valeriana jatamansi extract in diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D) rat model induced by maternal separation combined with three kinds of stress, and observe the changes of endogenous metabolites in feces after intervention to find potential biomarkers and related metabolic pathways. The animal model of IBS-D was established by maternal separation combined with restraint, ice swimming and tail clamping. The therapeutic effect of each dose group of V. jatamansi extract was evaluated in terms of abdominal withdrawal reflex pressure threshold, fecal water content and immobility time of forced swimming test. In addition, rat feces were collected for detection of metabolic profiles of small molecular metabolites with UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS platform, so as to find the biomarkers of differential metabolism with multivariate statistical analysis methods such as principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogon partial least squares discrimination analysis(OPLS-DA). The results showed that as compared with the normal group, the threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex pressure was decreased, the fecal water content was increased, and the immobility time of forced swimming test was prolonged in the model group. The results of fecal metabonomics showed that the levels of 39 metabolites were down-regulated and those of 37 metabolites were up-re-gulated. Further analysis showed that these metabolites were related to bile acid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, ceramide metabolism and other metabolic pathways. This study proved that the extract of V. jatamansi had definite pharmacodynamic effect on IBS-D model rats, and the mechanism was discussed from the perspective of fecal metabonomics.

Safety and efficacy of regional transport combined with PCI model in patients with STEMI after thrombolysis in northwest China / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of regional transport to percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) hospitals from non-PCI hospitals after thrombolysis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) in northwest China. Methods: In this retrospective study, 1 062 STEMI patients who were transferred from non-PCI hospitals within 24 hours from symptom onset, during January 2015 and January 2019 in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, were included. According to the treatment strategy, they were divided into two groups, namely intravenous thrombolysis combined with PCI group(n=240), and primary PCI group(n=822). Observation endpoint were in-hospital adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and bleeding events, Including all-cause death, ischemic stroke, malignant arrhythmia, intracranial hemorrhage and hemorrhage with hemoglobin decrease≥50 g/L. Results: A total of 1 062 STEMI patients were included(age was (61±12) years old), with 905 males (85.2%). The proportion of grade 0 TIMI blood flow in the primary PCI group before operation was significantly higher than that in the thrombolysis combined with PCI group(63.0%(518/822) vs. 36.3%(87/240)， P<0.001). Compared with primary PCI group, the time from symptom onset to first medical contact(2.11(1.00, 4.00)hours vs.3.00(1.13, 7.07)hours, P<0.001) and reperfusion in thrombolysis combined with PCI group(3.07(1.83, 4.87)hours vs. 6.92(4.07, 11.15) hours, P<0.001) were significantly shorter. The proportion of all-cause death was significantly higher in the primary PCI group than that in the thrombolysis combined with PCI group (1.8%(15/822) vs. 0, P=0.03). There was no significant difference in hemorrhage, ischemic stroke and malignant arrhythmia between the two groups(all P>0.05). Conclusions: For STEMI patients initially hospitalized in non-PCI hospitals, regional transport combined with PCI is feasible and effective. It does not significantly increase the risk of bleeding and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, with shorter time from symptom onset to myocardial reperfusion.

Biomechanical comparison study of two ultra-strong sutures in repair of Achilles tendon via panda rope bridge technique / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To compare the biomechanical properties of two ultra-strong sutures and suturing methods in panda rope bridge technique (PRBT) application, and provide guidance for clinical selection of suture threads and suture methods. Methods: Forty Achilles tendons from bulls were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=10) and transected at the 4 cm proximal to the tendon insertion. Groups A and B used Ethibond sutures (USP 5), the proximal end was fixed at the myotendious junction with Krackow sutures and the distal end was fixed through a calcaneus canal. Groups A and B had 4 and 8 threads through the stump plane, respectively. Groups C and D used Ultrabraid sutures (USP 2), the proximal end was fixed at the myotendious junction with Krackow sutures and the distal end was fixed in the calcaneus with two anchors. Groups C and D had 4 and 8 threads through the stump plane, respectively. The dynamic tensile forces of 20-100, 20-200, 20-300, and 20-400 N were tested respectively by using a dynamic tensile testing machine at 0.5 Hz for 250 cycles. After each stage of testing, the gap between stumps was measured with a caliper and the type of suture failure was recorded. Results: After dynamic tensile forces of 20-100 N and 20-200 N, the gaps of the four groups arranged from small to large were groups D, B, C, and A. The differences between groups A and B and groups C and D were significant ( P0.05). After dynamic tensile forces of 20-400 N, the suture retention rates of groups A, B, C, and D were 0, 50%, 0, and 70%, respectively. There were significant differences between groups A and B and groups C and D ( P<0.05). Conclusion: Repairing Achilles tendon rupture via PRBT with 8 ultra-strong sutures through the stump plane can meet the mechanical requirements for walking by using ankle boots and heel pads in the early accelerated rehabilitation after operation.

Machine learning empowering laboratory medicine / 中华检验医学杂志

Traditional data storage strategy has not capacity to meet analytical needs of medical big data possessing with mixed structure and high-dimensional features. Machine learning based on algorithms that generate models in the data is becoming an innovative source of intelligent data analysis technology in computer simulation of human learning. This paper gives an introduction to the development of machine learning and its current background of medical big data. Emphases are placed on applications of machine learning in the medical image recognition, automated validation for test reports, Chinese medical language processing and computer-aided diagnosis. The opportunities and challenges to the development of laboratory medicine which taken from machine learning worth focusing.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 627-630)

Wet Cupping Therapy Improves Local Blood Perfusion and Analgesic Effects in Patients with Nerve-Root Type Cervical Spondylosis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe wet cupping therapy (WCT) on local blood perfusion and analgesic effects in patients with nerve-root type cervical spondylosis (NT-CS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-seven NT-CS patients were randomly divided into WCT group and Jiaji acupoint-acupuncture (JA) group according a random number table. WCT group (30 cases) was treated with WCT for 10 min, and JA group (27 cases) was treated with acupuncture for 10 min. The treatment efficacies were evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Blood perfusion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Jianjing (GB 21) acupoints (affected side) was observed with a laser speckle flowmetry, and its variations before and after treatment in both groups were compared as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In both groups, the VAS scores significantly decreased after the intervention (P<0.01), while the blood perfusion at the two acupoints significantly increased after intervention (P<0.05); however, the increasement magnitude caused by WCT was obvious compared with JA (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>WCT could improve analgesic effects in patients with NT-CS, which might be related to increasing local blood perfusion of acupunct points.</p>

Curative effect of Ganciclovir combined with interferon-α1b inhalation in treating children with infectious mononucleosis / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Ganciclovir combined with interferon-α1 b inhalation for children with infectious mononucleosis(IM).Methods A total of 177 childhood cases of IM were selected,and they were divided into 3 groups,59 cases in each group according to the random number table.Three therapeutic methods were applied in different groups for 5-7 days in different groups:Ganciclovir (group A),Ganciclovir + interferon-α1 b inhalation (group B) and Ganciclovir + interferon-α1b intramuscularly (group C).The time of post-drug recovery from isthmitis,less than 0.05 of heterotypic lymphocytes,shrink of cervical lymph nodes shrink,liver retraction,spleen retraction among groups were compared.The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA copy number and T lymphocyte subsets were compared before and after treatment.Adverse reactions were observed in each group.Results Compared with group A,the time to defervescence [(3.20 ± 1.81) d,(3.17 ± 1.76) d vs.(4.01 ± 2.34) d],duration of isthmitis was [(3.15 ± 1.33) d,(3.09 ± 1.37) d vs.(3.98 ± 1.31) d],and the time of heterotypic lymphocytes less than 0.05 [(3.12 ± 1.55) d,(3.10 ± 1.33) d vs.(3.95 ± 1.26) d] in group B and group C,were obvious shorter,and there were significant differences(F =4.150,4.580,4.060,all P ＜ 0.05).EBV-DNA negative conversion rate of group B and group C were higher than that of group A [53 cases(89.8％),52 cases (88.1％) vs.41 cases (69.5％),x2 =10.403,P ＜ 0.05],and the cellular immune function was improved significantly than that of group A after treatment for 7 days [CD3 +:(63.00 ±4.39)％,(62.75 ±4.84)％ vs.(68.70 ± 7.70)％;CD4+:34.08(30.21,41.70)％,33.94(29.17,45.17)％ vs.32.34(28.16,43.53)％;CD8+:30.59 (27.14,40.22)％,30.09(27.54,40.48)％ vs.32.57(28.68,41.17)％;CD4+/CD8+:1.12(1.03,1.31),1.11 (0.99,1.64) vs.0.94 (0.87,1.59),F/x2 =11.020,1.217,1.121,6.728,all P ＜ 0.05].The differences in indexes between B group and C group were not significant,and there was no statistical significance (all P ＞ 0.05).There were 2 cases with fever in the group C,and 2 cases of granulocytopenia in all group.Conclusions Ganciclovir combined with interferon-α1 b inhalation or intramuscular injection is effective and safe in treating children with IM.It can improve clinical symptoms,cellular immune function and EBV-DNA negative conversion rate.Since inhalation is of less side effects and no pain,it can be accepted by children and their parents easily.Therefore,it is recommended that Ganciclovir be used together with interferon-α1 b inhalation in the treatment of children with IM.

Effects of baldrinal of Valeriana jatamansi on expression of CRF, TPH1 mRNA and 5-HT in rats with irritable bowel syndrome / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the effects of baldrinal of Valeriana jatamansi on the expression of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) mRNA and levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in colon of rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to explain its therapeutic mechanism on IBS through 5-HT pathway. Fifty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank group, model group, baldrinal high, medium and low dose groups, and pinaverium bromide group, n=9 in each group. The IBS rat models were established by using unpredictable chronic stress for 3 weeks followed by 1-hour acute restraint stress (CAS) after 7 days of rest and independent feeding. CRF expression was detected by IHC-P; TPH1 mRNA expression was detected by using RT-PCR and the 5-HT level was measured by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The results indicated that the method of chronic stress with acute restrain stress method and independent feeding could lead to the increase in expressions of CRF and TPH1 mRNA and levels of 5-HT in IBS rats(P<0.05). The expressions of CRF, TPH1 mRNA and 5-HT in baldrinal groups were significantly lower than those in model group(P<0.05). The experimental results showed that IBS could result in increase in the expressions of CRF, TPH1 mRNA and levels of 5-HT, and the baldrinal of V. jatamansi could improve the symptoms of IBS by reducing the expressions of CRF, TPH1 mRNA and levels of 5-HT in colon of rats.

Applying a discriminant model based on combination of pediatric critical illness score,D - dimer and procalci-tonin in early predicting the severity of pediatric infection / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To establish a discriminant method based on clinical and laboratory data and common examinations for early predicting the severity of pediatric infection. Methods Consecutive hospitalized patients diag-nosed as septic shock were included who were admitted between June 2014 and May 2015 retrospectively. Gender (male - female ratio:1. 25∶ 1. 00)and age(1 month to 6 years old)were matched in all of 18 patients with septic shock,and 27 patients diagnosed as systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS),sepsis and severe sepsis on ad-mission were included respectively in order of sequential admission number during the same period. Additional 36 gen-der - and age - matched children with common infection(non - SIRS)were enrolled as controls. The clinical and labo-ratory examination data of all the included patients were collected and then the pediatric critical illness scores(PCIS) were made according to the worst condition within 24 hours of hospitalization. The parameters correlated with the severi-ty of infection were evaluated by rank correlation and Logistic regression analysis. The discriminant models were estab-lished based on κth - nearest - neighbor analysis and evaluated with clinical diagnosis by interrater agreement test. Results Except for platelet count,the other indexes including PCIS,neutrophil count,C - reactive protein,procalcito-nin(PCT),international normalized ratio of prothrombin time,activated partial thromboplastin time,thrombin time,fi-brinogen,fibrin/ fibrinogen degradation product(FDP)and D - dimer(D - D)all had differences among groups with varying infection severity(all P ﹤ 0. 001). The Spearman's coefficient ρ of PCIS,PCT,D - D and FDP correlated to in-fection severity were - 0. 837,0. 680,0. 679 and 0. 648,respectively(all P ﹤ 0. 001). Multivariate cumulative odds Lo-gistic regression analysis showed PCIS,D - D and PCT were related to infection severity(all P ﹤ 0. 05). The total error rate of discriminant models based on 3 - index combination(Mahalanobis transformation,k = 2)was 0. 091 that was lower than any models based on 2 - index combination or single - index. Using the discriminant model based on three -index combination,the infection severity of 26 patients admitted during June 2015 were predicted with a high interrater a-greement(weighted Kappa coefficient:0. 670,P ﹤ 0. 001)compared to clinical diagnosis. Conclusion The discriminant model based on combination of PCIS,D - D and PCT could assist predicting the severity of pediatric infection earlier.

Clinical characteristics of children with meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical characteristics of children with meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) and the drug sensitivity of SP strains.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 14 children with SP-infected meningitis between September 2008 and March 2014.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 14 cases, 8 cases (57%) aged under 2 years. 13 cases (93%) had fever, 9 cases (64%) had convulsions, and 7 cases (50%) were complicated by septicemia. Eleven cases (79%) had elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts and 10 cases (71%) had elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. All 14 children had an elevated nucleated cell count and neutrophils were identified as the predominant cell type. CSF protein>1000 mg/dL was noted in 9 cases (64%). Ten cases (71%) were cured, 2 cases (14.2%) with sequelae and 2 cases (14.2%) died. The drug sensitivity analysis showed that SP had resistance rates of more than 60% to penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline and sulfa, but it was sensitive to amoxicillin (93%), vancomycin (100%), chloramphenicol (100%) and levofloxacin (100%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinical characteristics of children with meningitis caused by SP are not different from those with meningitis caused by other bacteria. SP strains are resistant to common antibiotics used in clinical practice, so it is important to monitor the drug resistance of the strains.</p>

Species and drug resistance of pathogens in blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the species and percentage changes of pathogens in blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward, and to analyze the drug resistance of main pathogens and the risk factors for positive blood culture (sepsis).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed to analyze the species and drug sensitivity of the pathogens isolated from 2358 blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward of the West China Second University Hospital between 2008 and 2011, as well as the related clinical data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 110 strains of pathogens were isolated, with Escherichia coli (16 strains), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12 strains) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (8 strains) being the most common ones. From 2008 to 2011, the percentage of Gram-positive bacteria decreased, while the percentage of Gram-negative bacteria increased. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were 69% and 43% respectively, but both were sensitive to vancomycin. The detection rates of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae were 69% and 62% respectively, but both were sensitive to imipenem and meropenem. Malignant tumor was a risk factor for positive blood culture (OR=3.564, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A wide range of pathogens are responsible for bloodstream infection in the pediatric hematology ward and the percentages of bacteria are changing; these pathogens have a high drug resistance rate. Malignant tumor is a risk factor for positive blood culture in the pediatric hematology ward.</p>

Inhibitory effects of fluvastatin on activation of THP-1 cells induced by anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex / 药学学报

This study is to explore the interventional effects of fluvastatin on anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI-induced activation in THP-1 mononuclear cells. In vitro, human mononuclear cells THP-1 were treated with fluvastatin, LPS and anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI, then the TF expression on THP-1 cells was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) or TF activity was detected by kit. TNF-alpha mRNA and its protein expression were investigated by RT-PCR and ELISA kit. The expression of phospho-NF-kappaB p65 and inhibitory protein of NF-kappaB (IkappaB-alpha) were measured by Western blotting. The results suggested that the expression of TF and TNF-alpha on THP-1 cells was significantly up-regulated with treatment of anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex (100 mg x L(-1)), compared with that of untreated cells (P < 0.05). Fluvastatin (50 mg x L(-1)) could decrease TF (mRNA and activity) expression and the level of TNF-alpha (mRNA and protein) in THP-1 cells with anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex. The expression of TF and TNF-alpha was shown in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex could downregulate IkappaB-alpha levels and increase the levels of phospho-NF-kappaB p65. And these effects of anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex could be blocked by fluvastatin. In conclusion, fluvastatin may interfere the expression and regulation of NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway, thereby inhibit the effects of anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI on activation of THP-1 cells, by decreasing the expression of TF and TNF-alpha.

Inhibitory effects of fluvastatin on activation of THP-1 cells induced by anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex / 药学学报

This study is to explore the interventional effects of fluvastatin on anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI-induced activation in THP-1 mononuclear cells. In vitro, human mononuclear cells THP-1 were treated with fluvastatin, LPS and anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI, then the TF expression on THP-1 cells was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) or TF activity was detected by kit. TNF-alpha mRNA and its protein expression were investigated by RT-PCR and ELISA kit. The expression of phospho-NF-kappaB p65 and inhibitory protein of NF-kappaB (IkappaB-alpha) were measured by Western blotting. The results suggested that the expression of TF and TNF-alpha on THP-1 cells was significantly up-regulated with treatment of anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex (100 mg x L(-1)), compared with that of untreated cells (P < 0.05). Fluvastatin (50 mg x L(-1)) could decrease TF (mRNA and activity) expression and the level of TNF-alpha (mRNA and protein) in THP-1 cells with anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex. The expression of TF and TNF-alpha was shown in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex could downregulate IkappaB-alpha levels and increase the levels of phospho-NF-kappaB p65. And these effects of anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI complex could be blocked by fluvastatin. In conclusion, fluvastatin may interfere the expression and regulation of NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway, thereby inhibit the effects of anti-beta2GPI/beta2GPI on activation of THP-1 cells, by decreasing the expression of TF and TNF-alpha.

Common pathogens and clinical characteristics of neonatal pneumonia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study common pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility as well as clinical characteristics of neonatal pneumonia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study on neonatal pneumonia was performed. The study investigated antibiotic susceptibility of four common pathogens (339 strains) that caused neonatal pneumonia. Clinical characteristics of the newborns with pneumonia were analyzed. Of the 339 strains, 185 were isolated from bronchial secretions, 72 from blood samples, and 82 with positive results of both samples.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four hundred and seventy-four neonates with pneumonia presented positive results of bacterial culture. the most common pathogens Staphylococcus aureus (21.9%), Escherichia coli (19.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.0%) and Enterobacter cloacae (11.4%). The birth weight of newborns infected with Staphylococcus aureus was generally normal, and the time of hospital admission was later (after 24 hours of life). In contrast, the newborns with gram-negative bacterial infection, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, had lower birth weights and early time of hospital admission (within 24 hours of life). Nearly more than 50% gram-negative bacteria were resistant to second, third and forth generation cephaloporins.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gram-negative bacteria are predominant pathogens of neonatal pneumonia. Neonatal pneumonia caused by gram-negative bacteria is common in newborns with low birth weight and its onset time is relatively earlier. Gram-negative bacteria that cause neonatal pneumonia are highly resistant to cephaloporins.</p>

Clinical characteristics and pathogens of invasive fungal infections in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical characteristics and pathogens of invasive fungal infection in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 104 children who suffered from invasive fungal infections between 2008 and 2012 was retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 104 cases, 20 occurred in neonates, 48 in infants and 36 in preschool and school-aged children (old-aged children). Prematurity (70%), hyaline membrane disease (45%) and pneumonia (30%) were commonly comorbid in the neonate group. In addition, the percentage of cases receiving total parenteral nutrition was higher in the neonate group than in the other two age groups (P<0.01). Mechanical ventilation was more frequent in neonate and infant groups than in the old-aged children (P<0.01). Hematological malignancy was the most common underlying disease, and the percentage of children who had neutropenia and accepted chemotherapy was higher in the old-aged children than in the other two age groups (P<0.05). Lung infection was the most common (61.5%), followed by sepsis (14.4%) and intestinal tract infection (12.5%), while nervous system infections were found only in old-aged children. A total of 105 strains of fungi were isolated from the 104 patients, including Candida (n=90, 85.7%), Cryptococcus (n=6) and others (n=9). The most commonly isolated species was Candida albicans (n=52, 49.5%). Non-Candida albicans Candida accounted for 36.2% (n=38). The rate of susceptibility of Candida species to 5-fluorocytosine and amphotericin B was higher than fluconazole.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Invasive fungal infections can occur in children at various ages. There are differences in the risk factors for invasive fungal infections between age groups. Candida species are the main pathogens of childhood invasive fungal infections, and both Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans Candida are common. Fluorocytosine and amphotericin B are sensitive antifungal agents for infections caused by Candida species.</p>

Metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease events in patients with ischemic stroke / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and risk of cardiovascular disease events (CVD) in patients with ischemic stroke.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 1087 patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled from 5 community-based medical centres and underwent baseline evaluation on risk factors of stroke during the period of Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2006. After baseline survey, all patients were followed up until Dec 31, 2008 and new CVD events were recorded. MS was defined using CDS criteria. Proportional hazard models were used to assess the HRs and 95% CI of CVD events associated with MS and other components.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of MS was 40.4% at baseline. During an average follow-up of 3.5 years, 178 patients developed new CVD events. After adjusted for age, gender, smoking, drinking, marriage status, education level, hospitalization, recurrence of stroke, stroke duration, depression, cognition impairment and ADL, MS remains the independent predictor for the risk of CVD events. Compared with patients with non-MS, the risk of CVD events increased by 44% (HR: 1.44, 95%CI: 1.06 - 1.95). The risk of CVD also increased with the number of MS components. Compared with patients with 1 or less than 1 components of MS, the risk of CVD events increased by 30% (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.83 - 2.04) in those with 2 components and by 69% (HR: 1.69, 95%CI: 1.11 - 2.56) in those with 3 or more components of MS. Hypertension and hyperglycemia and impaired fasting glucose also served as independent risk factors for CVD event (all P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MS was independently associated with increased risk of CVD events in patients with ischemic stroke. There was a dose-response relationship between the numbers of MS components and the risk of CVD event.</p>

Research and development of medical case database: a novel medical case information system integrating with biospecimen management / 生物医学工程学杂志

To meet the needs of management of medical case information and biospecimen simultaneously, we developed a novel medical case information system integrating with biospecimen management. The database established by MS SQL Server 2000 covered, basic information, clinical diagnosis, imaging diagnosis, pathological diagnosis and clinical treatment of patient; physicochemical property, inventory management and laboratory analysis of biospecimen; users log and data maintenance. The client application developed by Visual C++ 6.0 was used to implement medical case and biospecimen management, which was based on Client/Server model. This system can perform input, browse, inquest, summary of case and related biospecimen information, and can automatically synthesize case-records based on the database. Management of not only a long-term follow-up on individual, but also of grouped cases organized according to the aim of research can be achieved by the system. This system can improve the efficiency and quality of clinical researches while biospecimens are used coordinately. It realizes synthesized and dynamic management of medical case and biospecimen, which may be considered as a new management platform.