Correlation of iron deficiency indexes with Eradication and Recurrence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Children.

Objective: To explore the correlation of iron deficiency (ID) indexes with eradication and recurrence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in children. Methods: This is a clinical comparative study. One hundred and twenty-six children who were first diagnosed as Hp infection in Baoding Children's Hospital (Hp infection group); and the control group included 200 children without Helicobacter Pylori infection (negative stool Hp antigen test and/or 13C-urea breath test) in local region at the same time from January 2020 to January 2022. Enrolled children were subjected to routine blood test, serum ferritin (SF), serum iron (SI) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) detection. Meanwhile, children with Hp infection were given triple therapy for eradication and followed up for one year. Results: The levels of SI, SF and Hb in non-eradication group were lower than those in eradication group (P<0.05); while TIBC level in the former group was higher than that in the latter group (P<0.05). Furthermore, SF level in the recurrence group was lower than that in the non-recurrence group (P<0.05). While there was no significant difference in Hb, SI and TIBC levels between the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group (P>0.05). Conclusion: Low level of SF may be a risk factor for difficulty in eradication and recurrence after eradication in children with Hp infection. Meanwhile, low levels of Hb and SI are influential factors for difficulty in eradication in children with Hp infection.

Role of METTL3 in Aerobic Glycolysis of Glioma by Regulating m6A/miR-27b-3p/PDK1.

Methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3) has been reported to be dysregulated in glioma. However, its role in aerobic glycolysis of glioma remains unknown. This study was conducted to explore the molecular mechanism by which METTL3 regulates aerobic glycolysis of glioma and provide novel targets for the treatment of glioma. The expression levels of METTL3, microRNA (miR)-27b-3p, and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) were determined in glioma cell lines and normal human astrocytes. Cell proliferation and aerobic glycolysis were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays and measurements of glucose uptake, lactate production, adenosine triphosphate, Hexokinase activity, oxygen consumption rate, and extracellular acidification rate. After m6A quantification analysis, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation, and the dual-luciferase assay, the rescue experiments were performed using miR-27b-3p inhibitor or pcDNA3.1-PDK1 with pcDNA3.1-METTL3. METTL3 was lower in glioma cells and METTL3 overexpression reduced aerobic glycolysis. METTL3 increased m6A modification to promote the processing of pri-miR-27b by DGCR8 and the expression of mature miR-27b-3p, and miR-27b-3p targeted and inhibited PDK1 expression. miR-27b-3p inhibition or PDK1 overexpression both neutralized the inhibitory role of METTL3 overexpression in aerobic glycolysis. Overall, METTL3 overexpression increased the expression of mature miR-27b-3p via m6A modification and inhibited PDK1 expression, thus suppressing aerobic glycolysis of glioma.

Netrin-1 upregulates GPX4 and prevents ferroptosis after traumatic brain injury via the UNC5B/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

AIM: We aimed to investigate the regulatory role of Netrin-1 (NTN1) in ferroptosis after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice. METHODS: We assessed the expression pattern of NTN1 by RT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence after establishing the TBI model in mice. After treatment with NTN1 shRNA or recombinant NTN1, we determined the biochemical and morphological changes associated with ferroptosis and netrin-1-related pathways. We used Nissl staining to assess lesion volume and Morris water maze and beam-walking test to evaluate ethological manifestation. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein levels of NTN1 were upregulated after TBI. The application of NTN1 shRNA increased the number of FJB positive cells, malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROSs) levels. However, the application of NTN1 recombinant had the opposite effect. Furthermore, knockdown or inhibition of GPX4, Nrf2, and UNC5B counteracted the effects of NTN1 recombinant. Intravenous injection of NTN1 recombinant reduced neuronal loss after CCI and improved motor and cognitive function. CONCLUSION: NTN1 had a neuroprotective effect after TBI and inhibited ferroptosis via activating the UNC5B/Nrf2 pathway. These findings may provide potential therapeutic strategies for TBI.

Highly precise timing alignment of multi-wavelength interleaved cavity-less pulse sources with FROG.

Strictly uniform time interval between adjacent channels is a crucial requirement for the multi-wavelength interleaved (MWI) pulse sources, which difficult alignment can be easily solved by what we believe to be our novel method based on frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG). By utilizing highly precise measurements from FROG, which provide fully two-dimensional information of the pulses in time and frequency domain, we can intuitively identify the time mismatches between different channels in the MWI pulse sources. This enables us to directly align the timing of each channel with sub-picosecond resolution at the first time. MWI pulse sources with total repetition rate of 20.8 GHz (four wavelengths) and 41.6 GHz (eight wavelengths) are precisely aligned by the proposed method, this achievement will pave the way for advancements in photonic analog-digital converters (PADC), high-speed optical communications and so on.

Effects of inflammatory cytokines on eradication and recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children.

Objectives: To study the correlation of eradication and recurrence with IL-1 ß, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in children with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. Methods: Children confirmed with Hp infection (n = 153) in our hospital from January to June 2019 and successfully followed up for one year were selected as the study subjects, and 73 healthy children of the same period were selected as the control group. The levels of IL-1 ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in children confirmed with Hp infection and healthy children were detected, respectively. Results: Results of triple therapy: 113 cases (73.9%) reexamined with negative 13C-urea breath test were included in Group-A; and 40 cases (26.1%) reexamined with positive 13C-urea breath test were included in Group-B. Follow up results: 23 cases (20.4%) positive in 13C-urea breath test in one year follow-up were included in Group-C; and 90 cases (79.6%) negative in 13C-urea breath test in one year follow-up were included in Group-D. Group-B showed significantly higher levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α when compared with the Group-A and the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). Obviously higher levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α were observed in Group-C and Group-D in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in IL-1 ß level between Group-C and Group-D (P > 0.05). IL-6 and TNF-α levels in Group-C were remarkably higher than those in Group-D (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Higher levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α may affect the eradication effect of triple therapy in Children with Hp infection, and increased levels of IL-6 and TNF-α may affect the recurrence rate of Hp infection in children.

The Prognostic Value of Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC) Receptor and Serum Netrin-1 in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common neurological disease. Netrin-1 and deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) receptor are potential biomarkers associated with nerve regeneration and immune regulation. We aimed to investigate the ability of the DCC receptor and Netrin-1 to predict a high ICP level after operation in severe traumatic brain injury and their prognostic significance. This study is a prospective observational study. We selected 23 patients with traumatic brain injury who had undergone surgical operations as subjects. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on the contusion tissue that was removed by the operation to determine the expression of DCC receptor. At the same time, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect the serum Netrin-1 content. Determination of intracranial pressure (ICP) value was measured by intraventricular catheter. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at six months after trauma was defined as the main study endpoint. The results showed that serum Netrin-1 concentrations of patients in the critical TBI group (GCS 3-5 points) was significantly lower than that in the severe TBI group (GCS 6-8 points). The ICP peak and average mannitol consumption in the high Netrin-1 group were significantly lower than those in the low Netrin-1 group. DCC receptor-positive patients had a significantly lower ICP peak. There was no significant difference in six month-GOS scores between patients in the high and low Netrin-1 groups, while DCC receptor concentrations below 3.82 ng/mL predicted poor prognosis (GOS 1-3 points). In conclusion, the expression level of the DCC receptor can better evaluate the postoperative high ICP level and prognosis than the level of serum Netrin-1 in severe traumatic brain injury.

Correlation between helicobacter pylori infection and iron deficiency in children.

Objectives: To investigate the correlation between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and Iron deficiency (ID) in children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Baoding Children's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2019. A total of one thousand children who came to our hospital for physical examination and met the inclusion criteria were continuously included in this study. All the children were given questionnaires (personal and family social and economic status), a stool Hp antigen test and/or a 13C-urea breath test, as well as measurements of hemoglobin (Hb), mean red blood cell volume (MCV), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), serum ferritin (SF), serum iron (SI), and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Children who tested positive for Hp were divided into the Hp group and children who tested negative for Hp were divided into the control group. ID or IDA was diagnosed based on the child's blood test results. Results: A total of 902 children met the inclusion criteria, including 194 (21.5%) in the Hp group and 708 (78.5%) in the control group. The incidence of ID and IDA in Hp group was higher than that in control group (2=9.112, 2=4.478; All P < 0.05); The levels of MCV, SI, SF and Hb in Hp group were lower than those in control group (t=5.288; T = 3.864; T = 6.751; T =11.841, all P < 0.05), TIBC level was higher than that of control group (T =7.630, P < 0.05); The levels of MCHC and RDW in THE Hp group were not statistically significant compared with the control group. Logistic regression showed that Hp infection was not a combined risk factor for ID. Older age, higher educational background of the mother, living in the city, and higher family income were the combined protective factors to prevent the occurrence of ID in children. Conclusion: Hp infection is not a combined risk factor for the development of ID in children. The influence of family social and economic factors should be taken into consideration when analyzing the correlation between Hp infection and ID.

Effects of lymphocyte, C-reactive protein and prealbumin levels on clinical typing and course of disease in children infected with novel coronavirus.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of lymphocyte (LY), C-reactive protein (CRP) and prealbumin (PA) levels on the clinical typing and course of disease in children infected with novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) at the early stage. Methods: A total of 140 children with 2019-nCoV infection diagnosed in Shijiazhuang People's Hospital and Hebei Provincial Chest Hospital from January 2021 to February 2021 were selected for this study. According to the clinical symptoms, laboratory results and imaging examination, the children were divided into asymptomatic infection group, mild infection group and common infection group. The levels of white blood cell (WBC), LY, CRP, PA, albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CKMB) in the children were recorded on the 2nd d after the positive detection of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. Results: There were 73(52.1%) children in the asymptomatic infection group, 35(25.0%) children in the mild infection group and 32(22.9%) children in the common infection group. LY level in the common infection group was lower than that in the asymptomatic infection group and the mild infection group (F= 3.152, both p< 0.05). CRP level in the common infection group was higher than that in the asymptomatic infection group and the mild infection group (F= 6.343, both p< 0.05). CRP level in the mild infection group was higher than that in the asymptomatic infection group (t= 2.052, p< 0.05). PA level in the common infection group and the mild infection group was lower compared with the asymptomatic infection group (F= 5.229, both p< 0.05). WBC, ALB, AST, ALT, CK and CKMB levels in the three groups showed no statistical significance (F= 1.803, F= 1.208, F= 2.391, F= 1.973, F= 0.401, F= 1.332, respectively, all p> 0.05). Correlation analysis demonstrated that LY and PA levels were negatively correlated with hospital stay (r= -0.265, r= -0.325, both p< 0.050), but CRP level was not correlated with hospital stay (r= -0.039, p> 0.05). Conclusion: CRP is correlated with the clinical typing of children with 2019-nCoV infection, while LY and PA levels may be closely correlated with the clinical typing and course of treatment of children with 2019-nCoV infection.

Effect of Anti-Hp treatment on nutritional status of children with Helicobacter Pylori-Positive Gastritis and its clinical significance.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of anti-HP treatment on the nutritional status of children with Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis. METHODS: Sixty children with Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis admitted to our hospital from June 2018 to June 2020 were selected as the experimental group, and 60 healthy normal people (Hp negative) were selected as the control group. The experimental group were given anti-HP treatment, and the improvement of their clinical symptoms after treatment and the changes of nutritional indexes such as hemoglobin and serum ferritin were observed one year after treatment. Gastroscopy was performed before treatment and four weeks after treatment, and the improvement of gastric inflammation and the positive rate of Hp were compared and analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: The nutritional indicators of the children in experimental group were inferior compared with those in the control group (p<0.05). The clinical symptoms and signs of the experimental group were significantly alleviated after anti-Hp treatment, and the biochemical indicators were significantly improved after one Year of follow-up compared with those before treatment (p<0.05). The incidence of moderate and severe gastric mucosal inflammation in the experimental group decreased from 70% before treatment to 17% (p<0.05). The HP infection decreased from 100% before treatment to 13% (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori infection has a negative impact on the nutritional status of children. Anti-HP therapy can improve the gastrointestinal symptoms and nutritional status of children, which plays an important role in the growth and development of children.

Mutation and Copy Number Alterations Analysis of KIF23 in Glioma.

In glioma, kinesin family member 23 (KIF23) is up-regulated and plays a vital role in oncogenesis. However, the mechanism underlying KIF23 overexpression in malignant glioma remains to be elucidated. This study aims to find potential causes of KIF23 high expression at genome level. To clarify this issue, we obtained point mutation and copy number alterations (CNAs) of KIF23 in 319 gliomas using whole-exome sequencing. Only two glioma samples with missense mutations in KIF23 coding region were identified, while 7 patients were detected with amplification of KIF23. Additional analysis showed that KIF23 amplification was significantly associated with higher expression of KIF23. Gene ontology analysis indicated that higher copy number of KIF23 was associated TNF-α signaling pathway and mitotic cell circle checkpoint, which probably caused by subsequent upregulated expression of KIF23. Moreover, pan-cancer analysis showed that gaining of copy number was significantly associated with higher expression of KIF23, consolidating our findings in glioma. Thus, it was deduced that elevated KIF23 expression in glioma tended to be caused by DNA copy number amplification, instead of mutation.

Curative effect of Omeprazole under different treatment courses in treatment of children with PU and HP infection and its influence on inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVE: To compare curative effect and safety of omeprazole under different treatment courses in treatment of children with peptic ulcer (PU, diameter≤1.0cm) and helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and its influence on inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: The study was a randomized controlled study and conducted at Baoding children's hospital from June 2015 to June 2018. In this study 100 PU children with positive HP were chosen and classified into two groups at random. The 58 cases in the observation group were given omeprazole + amoxicillin + clarithromycin, and the antibiotics were not used two weeks later. Then, omeprazole was used to treat for two weeks. 42 cases in the control group were given omeprazole + amoxicillin + clarithromycin for two weeks. Curative effect, HP eradication rate, clinical symptoms, incidence of adverse reactions, level of serum inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and level of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in two groups were compared. RESULTS: Total effective rate, HP eradication rate and clinical symptom relief of observation group were better than those of control group, and the differences showed statistical significance (P>0.05). The differences of two groups in the incidence of adverse reactions had no statistical significance (P>0.05). Serum IL-6 level and TNF-a level of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group and before the treatment, and the differences had statistical significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of omeprazole in treatment of PU patients with positive HP for four weeks can significantly improve PU cure rate and HP eradication rate, relieve clinical symptoms and reduce inflammatory response, so it deserves to be promoted clinically.

Relationship between myocardial enzyme levels, hepatic function and metabolic acidosis in children with rotavirus infection diarrhea.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between myocardial enzymes, liver function and metabolic acidosis in children with rotavirus infection diarrhea. METHODS: The data of 70 children with infectious diarrhea treated in Baoding Children's Hospital, China, from October 2017 to April 2018 were retrospectively studied. The antigen of rotavirus in feces was positive by colloidal gold method. According to the clinical features of biochemical indicators and mental status, the patients were divided into four groups, an acidosis-free group, a mild acidosis group, a moderate acidosis group and a severe acidosis group, in line with acidosis severity. In addition to detecting the hepatic functions of the pediatric patients in the four groups, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransfer (ALT) levels, and myocardial enzyme levels (e.g., creatine kinase, or CK, and creatine kinase isoenzyme, or CK-MB), the relationships of hepatic function, myocardial enzyme levels and acidosis severity of the patients with infectious diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection were also analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in sex and age among the four groups (P>0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the frequency of diarrhea and vomiting (p<0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in creatine kinase, CK-MB, AST and ALT levels in children with metabolic acidosis of different severities. CONCLUSION: With the aggravation of metabolic acidosis, infectious diarrhea caused by rotavirus is characterized by the aggravation of hepatic function and myocardial cells.

Analysis of Eradication, Recurrence and Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and Interleukin-1ß in paediatric patients with Helicobacter Pylori Infection-related Gastritis.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-(OH)D3) and Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) are correlated to the eradication and recurrence of helicobacter pylori (Hp) in paediatric patients with Hp infection-related gastritis. METHODS: A total of 142 paediatric patients with Hp infection-related gastritis from November 2017 to March 2018 in Baoding Children's Hospital were selected as study subjectswere selected as study subjects and were followed up for one year. Paediatric patients were grouped and analyzed according to the effect of follow-up treatment and recurrence. RESULTS: The levels of 25-(OH) D3 in the non-eradication group were lower than those in the eradication group and the control group (F=27.087, P<0.05); the levels of IL-1ß were higher than those in the eradication group and the control group (F=16.610, P<0.05). Recurrence during follow-up visits: The levels of 25-(OH) D3 in the recurrence group were lower than those in the non-recurrence group and the control group (F=33.837, P<0.05); the levels of IL-1ß in the recurrence group were higher than those in the non-recurrence group and the control group (F=7.896, P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed the levels of 25-(OH) D3 and IL-1ß in the eradication group and the non-eradication group were negatively correlated (r=-0.232, P<0.05); the levels of 25-(OH) D3 and IL-1ß in the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group were negatively correlated (r=-0.225, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Relatively high levels of IL-1ß may be correlated to the difficulty in eradicating the Hp infection in paediatric patients. Relatively low levels of 25-(OH) D3 may be correlated to the difficulty in eradicating the Hp infection and recurrence in paediatric patients.

Risk factors for recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection after successful eradication in Chinese children: A prospective, nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Limited research has been published on the recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection and risk factors in Chinese children. Our study aimed to identify risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence after successful eradication in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, nested case-control study was performed. A cohort of 230 children with successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Baoding (China) was selected from January 2018 to February 2019. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain socioeconomic details. Eradication regimens and Helicobacter pylori antibiotic susceptibility testing results were also recorded. Interleukin-1ß level, interferon-γ level, and genetic susceptibility (IFNGR1 and PTPRZ1 gene polymorphisms) were analyzed. All children were followed for 1 year. RESULTS: Among 218 (94.8%) children who were successfully followed, 41 children (18.8%) had a Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence. The recurrence rate was higher in children ≤10 years old than >10 years old (22.8% vs 7.1%, P = .01). There was no significant difference between the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group in terms of types of therapy and antibiotic sensitivity (P > .05). Multivariable regression results indicated that residence in urban areas, higher household income, and having lunch at home were significantly protective against recurrence (OR 0.155, 0.408, and 0.351 respectively), whereas Helicobacter pylori infection in family members increased the risk of recurrence (OR 2.283). The levels of IL-1ß and IFN-γ exhibited no significant difference between the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group. The allele frequency of G in the IFNGR1-56 site, A in the IFNGR1-600 site, and T in the IFNGR1-565 site was significantly higher in the recurrence group when compared to the non-recurrence group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence rate is high in children in Baoding region and is closely correlated to socioeconomic factors. The IFNGR1 gene polymorphism may be an independent risk factor for Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence.

Significance of Serum NT-proBNP and Endogenous H2S for Predicting Coronary Artery Lesions in Pediatric Kawasaki Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression levels and clinical significance of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Pediatric Medicine, Baoding Children's Hospital, from July 2017 to July 2018. METHODOLOGY: Ninety-five KD children were chosen as the case group, and were classified into CAL group (23 patients) and NCAL group (72 patients, according to the presence of a coronary artery lesion (CAL). Forty-six non-KD children with an upper respiratory infection in the same time period were chosen as the control group. Electrochemiluminescence method was used to detect serum NT-proBNP levels. The spectrophotometer method was used to test H2S levels, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test serum IL-6 levels and to analyse the correlation. RESULTS: In the acute phase and recovery phase, serum NT-proBNP and IL-6 levels were higher in the case group than the control group, while H2S levels were lower than those in the control group (p<0.001). In both the acute and recovery phases, serum NT-proBNP and IL-6 levels were higher in the CAL group than in the NCAL group, while H2S levels were lower than those in the NCAL group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP and IL-6 levels rise and the H2S level decreases in the blood of KD children, indicating that these indicators may participate in the pathogenesis of KD and that their levels are related to CAL occurrence and the vascular inflammatory response.

[Changes in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the changes in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25-(OH)D3] level in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and its clinical significance. METHODS: A total of 92 HSP children were included in this study, and were divided into HSP nephritis (HSPN) group (31 cases) and HSP group (61 cases) based on the presence or absence of HSPN. Alternatively, the patients were divided into purpura alone group (22 cases), purpura with joint symptoms group (joint symptom group, 24 cases), purpura with gastrointestinal symptoms group (gastrointestinal symptom group, 20 cases), and purpura with joint and gastrointestinal symptoms (mixed group, 26 cases) based on their clinical symptoms. In addition, 42 healthy children were selected as healthy control group. The level of 25-(OH)D3 in each group was measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: The 25-(OH)D3 level in the HSP and HSPN groups was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group (P<0.05), and the 25-(OH)D3 level in the HSPN group was significantly lower than that in the HSP group (P<0.05). Although there was no significant difference in the 25-(OH)D3 level between the joint symptom, gastrointestinal symptom, and mixed groups (P=0.22), the 25-(OH)D3 level in the three groups was all significantly lower than that in the purpura alone group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The level of 25-(OH)D3 is reduced in children with HSP, particularly those with HSPN or with joint and gastrointestinal symptoms. Therefore, the reduction in 25-(OH)D3 level may serve as a predictor of whether HSP is associated with other impairments.

Effects of early enteral nutrition on the gastrointestinal motility and intestinal mucosal barrier of patients with burn-induced invasive fungal infection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of early enteral nutrition on the gastrointestinal motility and intestinal mucosal barrier of patients with burn-induced invasive fungal infection. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with burn-induced invasive fungal infection were randomly divided into an early enteral nutrition (EN) group and a parenteral nutrition (PN) group (n=60). The patients were given nutritional support intervention for 14 days, and the expression levels of serum transferrin, albumin, total protein, endotoxin, D-lactic acid and inflammatory cytokines were detected on the 1st, 7th and 14th days respectively. RESULTS: As the treatment progressed, the levels of serum transferrin, albumin and total protein of the EN group were significantly higher than those of the PN group (P<0.05), while the levels of serum endotoxin and D-lactic acid of the form group were significantly lower (P<0.05). After treatment, the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased in the EN group, which were significantly different from those of the PN group (P<0.05). During treatment, the incidence rates of complications such as abdominal distension, diarrhea, sepsis, nausea, vomiting and gastric retention were similar. The mean healing time of wound surface was 9.34±0.78 days in the EN group and 12.46±2.19 days in the PN group, i.e. such time of the former was significantly shorter than that of the latter (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Treating patients having burn-induced invasive fungal infection by early enteral nutrition support with arginine can safely alleviate malnutrition and stress reaction, strengthen cellular immune function and promote wound healing, thereby facilitating the recovery of gastrointestinal motility and the function of intestinal mucosal barrier.

Finely engineered slow light photonic crystal waveguides for efficient wideband wavelength-independent higher-order temporal solitons.

By orthogonally dual-shifting the air-hole rows in the triangular photonic crystal waveguide, a novel finely engineered slow light silicon photonic crystal waveguide is designed for higher-order temporal solitons and ultrashort temporal pulse compression with a large fabrication tolerance. The engineering of dispersion provides the waveguide with a wide wavelength range with only low anomalous dispersion covering, which makes the compression ratio wavelength-independent and stable even under ultralow input pulse energy. The simulation results are based on nonlinear Schrödinger equation modeling, which demonstrates that the input picosecond pulses in the broad wavelength range with ultralow pJ pulse energy can be stably compressed by a factor of 6 to higher-order temporal solitons in a 250 µm short waveguide.

[Changes in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level and its significance in children with Kawasaki disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25-(OH)D3] and its significance in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: The clinical data of 242 KD children were collected. According to the presence or absence of coronary artery lesion (CAL), these children were classified into CAL group (63 children) and non-CAL (NCAL) group (179 children). According to the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), these children were classified into IVIG-sensitive group (219 children) and no-IVIG-response group (23 children). A total of 40 healthy children (control group) and 40 children with acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURI group) were enrolled as controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to measure the serum level of 25-(OH)D3. RESULTS: Before IVIG treatment, the AURI, NCAL, and CAL groups had significantly lower serum levels of 25-(OH)D3 than the control group (P<0.05); the CAL group had a significantly lower serum level of 25-(OH)D3 than the AURI and NCAL groups (P<0.05); the AURI, IVIG-sensitive, and no-IVIG-response groups had significantly lower serum levels of 25-(OH)D3 than the control group (P<0.05); the no-IVIG-response group had a significantly lower serum level of 25-(OH)D3 than the AURI and IVIG-sensitive groups (P<0.05). After IVIG treatment, the CAL group had a significantly lower serum level of 25-(OH)D3 than the NCAL and control groups (P<0.05); the no-IVIG-response group had a significantly lower serum level of 25-(OH)D3 than the IVIG-sensitive and control groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: KD children may experience a reduction in the serum level of 25-(OH)D3. With a greater reduction in the serum level of 25-(OH)D3, the possibility of CAL and KD with no response to treatment increases.

[Serum hydrogen sulfide levels in children with benign infantile convulsions associated with mild gastroenteritis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes and significance of serum hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels in children with benign infantile convulsions associated with mild gastroenteritis (BICE). METHODS: Forty-two hospitalized children diagnosed with BICE were recruited to the observation group, and 46 children admitted due to acute gastroenteritis alone were recruited to the control group. Serum H2S levels were measured by a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The serum H2S level in the observation group was significantly lower than in the control group (28±12 µmol/L vs 45±10 µmol/L; P<0.01). The patients with a number of convulsions greater than or equal to two had significantly lower serum H2S levels than those with a number less than two (P<0.05). The number of convulsions was negatively correlated with serum H2S level in BICE patients (r=-0.485, P=0.001). When a convulsion exceeded 5 minues in duration, the duration was negatively correlated with serum H2S level (r=-0.736, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in endogenous H2S level might be one of the causes of convulsions in BICE patients. The degree of reduction in H2S level is associated with the number of convulsions and the duration of convulsion (when it exceeds 5 minues). Further investigation is needed to determine the clinical significance of these results.