Correction: Accelerated weight gain, prematurity, and the risk of childhood obesity: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232238.].

Mapping land-use and land-cover changes through the integration of satellite and airborne remote sensing data.

An integrated, remotely sensed approach to assess land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) dynamics plays an important role in environmental monitoring, management, and policy development. In this study, we utilized the advantage of land-cover seasonality, canopy height, and spectral characteristics to develop a phenology-based classification model (PCM) for mapping the annual LULCC in our study areas. Monthly analysis of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and near-infrared (NIR) values derived from SPOT images enabled the detection of temporal characteristics of each land type, serving as crucial indices for land type classification. The integration of normalized difference built-up index (NDBI) derived from Landsat images and airborne LiDAR canopy height into the PCM resulted in an overall performance of 0.85, slightly surpassing that of random forest analysis or principal component analysis. The development of PCM can reduce the time and effort required for manual classification and capture annual LULCC changes among five major land types: forests, built-up land, inland water, agriculture land, and grassland/shrubs. The gross change LULCC analysis for the Taoyuan Tableland demonstrated fluctuations in land types over the study period (2013 to 2022). A negative correlation (r = - 0.79) in area changes between grassland/shrubs and agricultural land and a positive correlation (r = 0.47) between irrigation ponds and agricultural land were found. Event-based LULCC analysis for Taipei City demonstrated a balance between urbanization and urban greening, with the number of urbanization events becoming comparable to urban greening events when the spatial extent of LULCC events exceeds 1000 m2. Besides, small-scale urban greening events are frequently discovered and distributed throughout the metropolitan area of Taipei City, emphasizing the localized nature of urban greening events.

Biotransformation-guided purification of a novel glycoside derived from the extracts of Chinese herb Baizhi.

Our pursuit of new compounds with enhanced bioavailability and bioactivity prompted us to employ the biotransformation-guided purification (BGP) approach which leverages proficient in vitro biotransformation techniques. Angelica dahurica roots, also called Baizhi in Chinese traditional medicine, are famous for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Herein, we applied the BGP methodology to Baizhi extracts, employing Deinococcus geothermalis amylosucrase (DgAS), an enzyme demonstrating catalytic competence across diverse substrates, for biotransformation. Initiating with a 70 % methanol extraction, we obtained the crude extract of commercial Baizhi powder, followed by an additional extraction using ethyl acetate. Notably, reactions performed on this extract yielded limited quantities of novel compounds. Subsequently, the extract underwent partitioning into four fractions based on HPLC profiling, leading to the successful isolation of a compound with significant yield from fraction 2 mixtures upon reaction with DgAS. Structural elucidation confirmed the compound as byakangelicin-7″-O-α-glucopyranoside (BG-G), a new alpha glycoside derivative of byakangelicin. Furthermore, validation experiments verified the capacity of DgAS to glycosylate pure byakangelicin, yielding BG-G. Remarkably, the aqueous solubility of BG-G exceeded that of byakangelicin by over 29,000-fold. In conclusion, BGP emerges as a potent strategy combining traditional medicinal insights with robust enzymatic tools for generating new compounds.

Analysis of related factors of restlessness during the anesthesia recovery period in children with patent ductus arteriosus after interventional surgery / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the related factors of restlessness during the anesthesia recovery period in children with patent ductus arteriosus after interventional surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 92 pediatric patients with patent ductus arteriosus who underwent cardiac catheterization at Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from November 2019 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of restlessness during the anesthesia recovery period: a control group ( n = 67, without restlessness) and an observation group ( n = 25, with restlessness). Clinical data from both groups were collected and compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for restlessness during the anesthesia recovery period among pediatric patients with patent ductus arteriosus after interventional surgery. Results:Univariate analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in gender, age, temperament type, surgical duration, resuscitation room stay time, as well as blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation during the anesthesia recovery period between the two groups (all P > 0.05). However, the use of dexmedetomidine during surgery, preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and the use of antagonists were identified as risk factors for postoperative restlessness among pediatric patients with patent ductus arteriosus after interventional surgery χ2 = 9.03, 4.95, 5.84, 11.49, all P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis results further revealed that preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and the use of antagonists were independent risk factors for postoperative restlessness ( OR = 2.870, 4.083, 6.975, P = 0.029, 0.004, 0.002, 95% CI = 1.114-7.389, 1.555-10.722, 2.052-23.711), while intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine served as a protective factor ( OR = 0.318, P = 0.021, 95% CI = 0.120-0.839, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:The intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine, preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and the use of antagonists are identified as independent risk factors for postoperative restlessness in pediatric patients with patent ductus arteriosus after interventional surgery. It is crucial for clinicians to be aware of these factors and take preventive measures during the anesthesia recovery period to minimize the potential for harm resulting from postoperative restlessness.

Construction of prediction model of severe acute pancreatitis based on serum soluble T cell immunogloblulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of the model based on soluble T cell immunogloblulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (sTIM3) for the progression of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The AP patients admitted to Changzhou First People's Hospital and Changzhou Second People's Hospital from June 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022 were enrolled. Mild AP (MAP) and moderately severe AP (MSAP) patients were classified as non-SAP group, and SAP patients were classified as SAP group according to the progression of AP patients during hospitalization. The basic data, blood biological indicators, serum sTIM3 level, bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI) score within 48 hours of admission, and prognosis indicators were collected. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the risk factors of the progression of SAP in patients with AP during hospitalization. Based on the results of multivariate analysis and the best parameters selected based on the minimal Akaike information criterion (AIC), the SAP prediction model based on sTIM3 was constructed. The receive operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to analyze the predictive efficacy of the model.Results:A total of 99 AP patients were enrolled, 80 patients in the non-SAP group and 19 patients in the SAP group. Compared with the non-SAP group, body mass index (BMI), drinking history ratio, heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum creatinine (SCr), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), sTIM3, BISAP score, APACHEⅡ score and MCTSI score were significantly increased, and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2), direct bilirubin (DBil) and IL-10 were significantly decreased. The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and total length of hospital stay of patients in the SAP group were significantly longer than those in the non-SAP group [length of ICU stay (days): 1.0 (0, 1.5) vs. 0 (0, 0), total length of hospital stay (days): 17.11±9.39 vs. 8.40±3.08, both P < 0.01]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that HR [odds ratio ( OR) = 1.059, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.010-1.110, P = 0.017], DBil ( OR = 0.981, 95% CI was 0.950-0.997, P = 0.043), and sTIM3 ( OR = 1.002, 95% CI was 1.001-1.003, P = 0.027) were independent risk factors for predicting the progression of SAP in patients with AP, and the SAP prediction model based on sTIM3 was constructed: Logit( P) = -14.602+0.187×BMI+0.057×HR+0.006×CRP-0.020×DBil+0.002×sTIM3. ROC curve analysis showed that among the aforementioned single factor quantitative indicators, IL-6 was the most effective in predicting the progression of AP patients to SAP during hospitalization, but the predictive performance of prediction model based on the sTIM3 was significantly better than IL-6 [area under the ROC curve (AUC) and 95% CI: 0.957 (0.913-1.000) vs. 0.902 (0.845-0.958), P < 0.05]. Conclusion:The model based on serum sTIM3 demonstrated good predictive value for the progression of SAP in patients with AP.

Impact of the Policy of Centralized Purchase of Coronary Stents in Zhejiang Province on the Cost of Inpa-tients / 中国医院管理

Objective To analyze the changes of the cost and structure of coronary intervention patients before and after the centralized procurement of coronary stents in Zhejiang Province.Methods It was conducted on the medical expenses of patients in the FM1 group(percutaneous coronary stent implantation)of a Class A tertiary hospital in Zhejiang Province from February to December in each 2020 and 2021.The number of cases was 1 403 and 1 698,re-spectively.A nonparametric test was conducted on the patient expenses before and after the reform.Results There are significant differences in total medical expenses,material expenses,treatment expenses,operation expenses and drug expenses before and after centralized purchase(P＜0.01);After the implementation of centralized procure-ment,material cost of patients decreased significantly,while the treatment cost increased;At the same time,the more coronary stents were placed,the greater the decrease in the total medical expenses and material expenses.Conclusion The centralized procurement of coronary stents can reduce the medical burden of patients,improve the structure of medical expenses,enhance the value of technical labor services of medical personnel,and promote DRG cost control.

Regulatory considerations for generic products of non-biological complex drugs.

The Non-Biological Complex Drug (NBCD) Working Group defines an NBCD as "a medicinal product, not being a biological medicine, where the active substance is not a homo-molecular structure, but consists of different (closely related and often nanoparticulate) structures that cannot be isolated and fully quantitated, characterized and/or described by physicochemical analytical means". There are concerns about the potential clinical differences between the follow-on versions and the originator products and within the individual follow-on versions. In the present study, we compare the regulatory requirements for developing generic products of NBCDs in the European Union (EU) and the United States (US). The NBCDs investigated included nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) injections, liposomal injections, glatiramer acetate injections, iron carbohydrate complexes, and sevelamer oral dosage forms. The demonstration of pharmaceutical comparability between the generic products and the reference products through comprehensive characterization is emphasized for all product categories investigated. However, the approval pathways and detailed requirements in terms of non-clinical and clinical aspects may differ. The general guidelines in combination with product-specific guidelines are considered effective in conveying regulatory considerations. While regulatory uncertainties still prevail, it is anticipated that through the pilot program established by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the FDA, harmonization of the regulatory requirements will be achieved, thereby facilitating the development of follow-on versions of NBCDs.

Screening and characterisation of a novel efficient tumour cell-targeting peptide derived from insulin-like growth factor binding proteins.

Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs is particularly important in tumour treatment. Tumour-targeted peptide is a very effective drug carrier for tumour therapy. Here, we screened and characterised a highly efficient targeted peptide named IHP5, which was derived from insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). IHP5 exhibited preferential binding to the tested tumour cell lines. The delivery efficiency of IHP5 was higher in various tested tumour cells than in normal cells, especially in the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa, which was 11.7-fold higher than in normal human embryonic kidney cells HEK293. Moreover, the penetration efficiency of IHP5 was 13 times higher than that of the classical cell penetrating peptide TAT in HeLa cells. Detail analysis revealed that IHP5 endocytosis was possibly correlated with acetylated heparan sulphate proteoglycans including phosphatidylinositol proteoglycan 3 (GPC3), phosphatidylinositol proteoglycan 5 (GPC5) and syndecan 2 (SDC2). Subsequently, the introduction of IHP5 enhanced the inhibitory effect of trichosanthin (TCS) on tumour cells, resulting in at least 19-fold increase in tumour cells without enhanced cytotoxicity in normal cells HEK293. These results suggested that IHP5, as a novel tumour cell-targeting penetrating peptide with the ability to target tumour cells, has great potential in drug delivery applications.

Bile Duct Stone Size May Influence the Efficacy of Endoscopic Sphincterotomy With or Without Large-Balloon Dilation: A Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EPT) combined with endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation (EPBD) are used to remove large common bile duct (CBD) stones. This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of EPT+EPBD versus EPT alone in the removal of stones based on stone size. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two studies (11 randomized control trials [RCTs] and 11 non-RCTs) were identified and reviewed based on searches of Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science. CBD stone's size was measured with reference to diameter of the duodenoscope (13 mm) and size of the large dilatation balloon (17 mm) seen on cholangiogram. The stone clearance rate, required mechanical lithotripsy (ML), procedure time, and pancreatitis were compared according to the mean stone size, and further divided into Groups A (small) 10-13 mm, B (medium) 13-17 mm, and C (large) >17 mm. Results: Subgroup analysis according to CBD stone size showed EPT + EPBD had a significantly better initial stone clearance rate than EPT in Groups B (odds ratio [OR] = 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-4.77) and C (OR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.86-5.03), but not for Group A (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.90-2.21). EPT+EPBD also required significantly less ML than EPT in Groups B (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15-0.77) and C (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.13-0.73). EPT+EPBD had significantly shorter procedure time than EPT in Group B (standardized mean difference = -1.20, 95% CI: -2.08 to 0.32). In meta-regression analysis, Group B had a better OR in initial stone clearance rate and less ML usage rate correlation with the size of CBD stone, but not for Group C with larger stones. Conclusions: EPT+EPBD had a significantly better initial stone clearance rate, and required less ML with shorter procedure time than EPT for removing medium-sized CBD stones, but the efficacy was limited to large CBD stones. The study protocol and trial registration had been registered in PROSPERO (Registration No. CRD42020171689).

Efficacy and Safety of Pulse Magnetic Therapy System in Insomnia Disorder: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective@#This study’s objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of Pulsed Magnetic Therapy System (PMTS) in improving insomnia disorder. @*Methods@#Participants with insomnia disorder were randomly assigned to receive either PMTS or sham treatment for four weeks (n= 153; PMTS: 76, sham: 77). Primary outcomes are the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores at week 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3, 4 (treatment), and 5 (follow-up). Secondary outcomes are the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at baseline and week 4, and weekly sleep diary-derived values for sleep latency, sleep efficiency, real sleep time, waking after sleep onset, and sleep duration. @*Results@#The ISI scores of the PMTS group and the sham group were 7.13±0.50, 11.07±0.51 at week 4, respectively. There was a significant group×time interaction for ISI (F3.214, 485.271=24.25, p<0.001, ηp 2=0.138). Only the PMTS group experienced continuous improvement throughout the study; in contrast, the sham group only experienced a modest improvement after the first week of therapy. At the end of the treatment and one week after it, the response of the PMTS group were 69.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58.6%–79.0%), 75.0% (95% CI: 64.1%–83.4%), respectively, which were higher than the response of the sham group (p<0.001). For each of the secondary outcomes, similar group×time interactions were discovered. The effects of the treatment persisted for at least a week. @*Conclusion@#PMTS is safe and effective in improving insomnia disorders.

A hnRNPA2B1 agonist effectively inhibits HBV and SARS-CoV-2 omicron in vivo

The twenty-first century has already recorded more than ten major epidemics or pandemics of viral disease, including the devastating COVID-19. Novel effective antivirals with broad-spectrum coverage are urgently needed. Herein, we reported a novel broad-spectrum antiviral compound PAC5. Oral administration of PAC5 eliminated HBV cccDNA and reduced the large antigen load in distinct mouse models of HBV infection. Strikingly, oral administration of PAC5 in a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 omicron (BA.1) infection significantly decreases viral loads and attenuates lung inflammation. Mechanistically, PAC5 binds to a pocket near Asp49 in the RNA recognition motif of hnRNPA2B1. PAC5-bound hnRNPA2B1 is extensively activated and translocated to the cytoplasm where it initiates the TBK1-IRF3 pathway, leading to the production of type I IFNs with antiviral activity. Our results indicate that PAC5 is a novel small-molecule agonist of hnRNPA2B1, which may have a role in dealing with emerging infectious diseases now and in the future.

Influence of sleep fragmentation in infancy and toddler period on emotional and behavioral problem at the age of 6 years: a birth cohort study / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the influence of sleep fragmentation in infancy and toddler period on emotional and behavioral problems at the age of 6 years. Methods: Using a prospective cohort design, 262 children were extracted from mother-child birth cohort recruited from May 2012 to July 2013 in Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Children's sleep and physical activities were assessed using actigraphy at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months of age, from which the sleep fragmentation index (FI) at each follow-up point was calculated. Children's emotional and behavioral problems at 6 years of age were assessed using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire. Group-based trajectory model was applied to determine sleep FI in infancy and toddler period trajectory groups with Bayesian information criteria being used to determine the best fitting model. Children's emotional and behavioral problems between groups were examined with independent t test and linear regression models, etc. Results: A total of 177 children, with 91 boys and 86 girls, were included in the final analysis and were divided into 2 groups: high FI group (n=30) and low FI group (n=147). Compared with children in the low FI group, those in the high FI group presents with higher total difficulties score and higher hyperactivity or inattention score ((11.0±4.9) vs. (8.9±4.1), (4.9±2.7) vs. (3.7±2.3) scores, t=2.17, 2.23, both P<0.05, respectively), with the differences remaining significant after adjusting for covariates (t=2.08, 2.09, both P<0.05 respectively). Conclusion: High sleep fragmentation in infancy and toddler period is associated with more emotional and behavioral problems, especially hyperactivity or inattention problems, at 6 years of age.

Investigation on health status of workers exposed to glyphosate / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To analyze the concentrations of glyphosate and its metabolites in occupational exposed workers and their possible effects on human health, so as to provide a reference for improving the safe use of glyphosate and toxicity research. Methods: From April to December 2020, 247 workers directly exposed to glyphosate in 5 enterprises were selected as the contact group, and 237 workers who were not exposed to glyphosate and other pesticides in the same enterprise were selected as the control group. Questionnaire survey and occupational health examination were conducted on objects, and the concentrations of glyphosate and its metabolites in the air of workplaces and biological samples were detected. The correlation between the concentrations and the difference of health examination between the two groups were analyzed. Results: The urine glyphosate concentration (0.022-47.668 mg/L), the rate of exceeding the standard (60.32%, 149/247) and the urine aminomethyl phosphonic acid concentration (<0.010-1.624 mg/L) in the contact group were higher than those in the control group [urine glyphosate concentration (<0.020-4.482 mg/L), the rate of exceeding the standard (2.53%, 6/237) and the urine aminomethyl phosphonic acid concentration (<0.010-0.524 mg/L) ], respectively (P<0.001). The exceeding standard rate of glyphosate concentration in the workplace was 33.67% (33/98). The concentration of glyphosate in the workplace was positively correlated with the concentrations of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in urine (r(s)=0.804, 0.238, P<0.001), and the concentration of glyphosate in urine was positively correlated with the concentration of aminomethylphosphonic acid in urine (r(s)=0.549, P<0.001). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), white cell ratio, creatinine, uric acid, the abnormal rates of ALT and total protein (TP) in the contact group were higher than those in the control group, and TP was lower than that in the control group, the differences were statistically different (P<0.05). The abnormal rates of overall liver function, overall renal function, blood routine test, urine routine test, electrocardiogram, liver B ultrasound and blood lipid in the contact group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The concentration of glyphosate in the workplace is related to the concentrations of glyphosate and aminomethyl phosphonic acid in the urine of workers, and exposure to glyphosate may have some harmful effects on human health.

Mechanisms mediating the inhibitory effects of quercetin against phthalates-induced testicular oxidative damage in rats / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of quercetin against testicular oxidative damage induced by a mixture of 3 commonly used phthalates (MPEs) in rats.@*METHODS@#Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, MPEs exposure group, and MPEs with low-, median- and high-dose quercetin treatment groups. For MPEs exposure, the rats were subjected to intragastric administration of MPEs at the daily dose of 900 mg/kg for 30 consecutive days; Quercetin treatments were administered in the same manner at the daily dose of 10, 30, and 90 mg/kg. After the treatments, serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testicular malondialdeyhde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected, and testicular pathologies of the rats were observed with HE staining. The expressions of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH2 associated protein 1 (Keap1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the testis were detected using immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the rats with MPEs exposure showed significant reductions of the anogenital distance, weight of the testis and epididymis, and the coefficients of the testis and epididymis with lowered serum testosterone, LH and FSH levels (P < 0.05). Testicular histological examination revealed atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic arrest, and hyperplasia of the Leydig cells in MPEs-exposed rats. MPEs exposure also caused significant increments of testicular Nrf2, MDA, SOD, CAT and HO-1 expressions and lowered testicular Keap1 expression (P < 0.05). Treatment with quercetin at the median and high doses significantly ameliorated the pathological changes induced by MPEs exposure (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Quercetin treatment inhibits MPEs-induced oxidative testicular damage in rats possibly by direct scavenging of free radicals to lower testicular oxidative stress and restore the regulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Dynamic changes and clinical value of serum angiopoietin-2 and surfactant protein D in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To study the relationship between the dynamic changes of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (pARDS) and the severity and prognosis of the disease.Methods:Using nested case-control study method, 80 children with pneumonia complicated with pARDS admitted to PICU at Fujian Maternal and Child Health Hospital from June 2018 to May 2021 were selected as pARDS group, and 19 healthy children with corresponding age were selected as control group.According to the oxygenation, the children in pARDS group were divided into three subgroups: mild group (23 cases), moderate group (32 cases) and severe group (25 cases). According to the prognosis at discharge, the children in pARDS group were divided into survival group (67 cases) and death group (13 cases). Ang-2 and SP-D were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The levels of Ang-2 and SP-D in children with pARDS of different severity on the first day were compared; The changes of Ang-2 and SP-D levels on the 1st, 3rd and 8th day of children in survival group and death group were compared, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to compare the predictive value of Ang-2 and SP-D for pARDS prognosis.Results:(1) The levels of Ang-2 and SP-D on the first day in pARDS group were significantly higher than those in control group( P<0.001). (2) The levels of Ang-2 and SP-D on the first day in children with pARDS of different severity levels were significantly different ( P<0.001), and the levels of Ang-2 and SP-D increased gradually with the increase of disease severity.(3) The levels of Ang-2 and SP-D in death group were significantly higher than those in survival group on the 1st, 3rd and 8th day ( P<0.05). (4) Prognostic efficacy of Ang-2 and SP-D levels in pARDS group at different time points: when the areas under the ROC curve predicted by Ang-2 on the 1st, 3rd and 8th day for inpatient mortality in children with pARDS were 0.808, 0.981 and 0.989, respectively; the optimal cut-off values were 6 000 pg/mL, 6 971 pg/mL and 4 171 pg/mL, respectively; the sensitivity was 84.6%, 92.3% and 92.3%, respectively; and the specificity was 76.1%, 97.0% and 98.5%, respectively.The areas under the ROC curve predicted by SP-D on the 1st, 3rd and 8th day for inpatient mortality in children with pARDS were 0.689, 0.993 and 0.983, respectively; the optimal cut-off values were 13544 pg/mL, 16003 pg/mL and 12294 pg/mL, respectively; the sensitivity was 84.6%, 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively; and the specificity was 46.3%, 98.5% and 97.0%, respectively. Conclusion:Serum Ang-2 and SP-D levels in children with pARDS increase with the aggravation of the disease.The dynamic changes of Ang-2 and SP-D in children with pARDS with different prognosis are different during the course of disease, and monitoring serum Ang-2 and SP-D during the course of disease has a certain predictive value for clinical outcome.

A case of BMP2 gene variation-caused short stature, facial dysmorphism and skeletal anomalies with or without cardiac anomaly syndrome / 中华围产医学杂志

This article reported the genetic analysis of a case diagnosed with fetal micrognathia and cleft palate by mid-trimester ultrasound in two consecutive pregnancies. In the first pregnancy, the pregnant woman delivered a full-term boy transvaginally, who died two weeks after birth and was diagnosed with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). Chromosome karyotype and genomic copy number variation. In the second pregnancy, the woman underwent amniocentesis due to suspected PRS presenting by fetal cleft palate, micrognathism, and additional ultrasound anomalies. No abnormalities were detected in fetal karyotype or genomic copy number variation. Whole-exome sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and Sanger sequencing suggested that both the fetus and the firstborn boy inherited a possible pathogenic variant of c.79delG p.E27Sfs*24 in the BMP2 gene from the mother. The pregnancy was terminated after the genetic consultation. Fetal phenotypes in the two fetuses were similar, indicating that short stature, facial dysmorphism, and skeletal anomalies with or without cardiac anomaly in the pedigree were caused by the heterozygous variant of c.79delG p.E27Sfs*24 in the BMP2 gene.

Comparative study of rapid on-site evaluation performed by cytopathologists and trained endoscopists during endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for pancreatic solid lesions / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To evaluate rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for pancreatic solid lesions, and to compare the difference in ROSE performance between cytopathologists and trained endoscopists.Methods:A total of 168 consecutive patients with pancreatic solid lesions who underwent EUS-FNA from January 2014 to December 2020 at Fuding Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were recruited. The patients who did not receive ROSE from January 2014 to November 2017 were included in N-ROSE group ( n=67). Since December 2017, the patients who intended to receive EUS-FNA were divided into E-ROSE group ( n=59, patients who received EUS-FNA and ROSE by endoscopists trained with cytopathology) and C-ROSE group ( n=42,patients who received EUS-FNA by untrained endoscopists and ROSE by cytopathologists) according to random number table. The number of punctures, sample adequacy, cytological diagnosis, final diagnosis and diagnostic efficiency (including the sensitivity, the specificity, the positive predictive value, the negative predictive value and the accuracy) in 3 groups were compared. Results:(1) The puncture number in N-ROSE group (4.22±0.76) was significantly more than E-ROSE group (3.12±0.79, P<0.001) and C-ROSE group (3.24±0.91, P<0.001). (2) The proportions of adequate samples in N-ROSE group [82.09% (55/67)] was significantly lower than those of E-ROSE group [96.61% (57/59), χ2=5.308, P=0.021] and C-ROSE group [97.62% (41/42), χ2=4.541, P=0.033]. The proportion of negative cytological diagnosis in N-ROSE group [40.30% (27/67)] was significantly higher than those of E-ROSE group [20.34% (12/59), χ2=5.848, P=0.016] and C-ROSE group [19.05% (8/42), χ2=5.348, P=0.021]. (3) The sensitivity of N-ROSE group [74.07% (40/54)] was significantly lower than those of E-ROSE group [94.00% (47/50), χ2=6.151, P=0.013] and C-ROSE group [94.44% (34/36), χ2=4.817, P=0.028]. The accuracy in N-ROSE group [79.10% (53/67)] was significantly lower than those of E-ROSE group [94.92% (56/59), χ2=5.433, P=0.020] and C-ROSE group [95.24% (40/42), χ2=4.155, P=0.042]. (4) There was no significant difference in any observational index between E-ROSE group and C-ROSE group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:ROSE in EUS-FNA can improve sample adequacy, the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy, and reduce the number of punctures. The sample adequacy and diagnostic efficiency of endoscopists trained with cytopathology are comparable to those of cytopathologists.

Single - nucleotide polymorphisms of artemisinin resistance - related Pfubp1 and Pfap2mu genes in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea from 2018 to 2020 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of artemisinin resistance-related Pfubp1 and Pfap2mu genes in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, so as to to provide baseline data for the formulation of malaria control strategies in Bioko Island. Methods A total of 184 clinical blood samples were collected from patients with P. falciparum malaria in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea from 2018 to 2020, and genomic DNA was extracted. The Pfubp1 and Pfap2mu gene SNPs of P. falciparum were determined using a nested PCR assay and Sanger sequencing, and the gene sequences were aligned. Results There were 159 wild-type P. falciparum isolates (88.83%) from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, and 6 SNPs were identified in 20 Pfubp1-mutant P. falciparum isolates (11.17%), in which 4 non-synonymous mutations were detected, including E1516G, K1520E, D1525E, E1528D. There was only one Pfubp1gene mutation site in 19 Pfubp1-mutant P. falciparum isolates (95.00%), in which non-synonymous mutations accounted for 68.42% (13/19). D1525E and E1528D were identified as major known epidemic mutation sites in the Pfubp1 gene associated with resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). At amino acid position 1525, there were 178 wild-type P. falciparum isolates (99.44%) and 1 mutant isolate (0.56%), with such a mutation site identified in blood samples in 2018, and at amino acid position 1528, there were 167 wild-type P. falciparum isolates (93.30%) and 12 mutant isolates (6.70%). The proportions of wild-type P. falciparum isolates were 95.72% (134/140), 79.25% (126/159) and 95.83% (161/168) in the target amplification fragments of the three regions in the Pfap2mu gene (Pfap2mu-inner1, Pfap2mu-inner2, Pfap2mu-inner3), respectively. There were 16 different SNPs identified in all successfully sequenced P. falciparum isolates, in which 7 non-synonymous mutations were detected, including S160N, K199T, A475V, S508G, I511M, L595F, and Y603H. There were 7 out of 43 Pfap2mu-mutant P. falciparum isolates (16.28%) that harbored only one gene mutation site, in which non-synonymous mutations accounted for 28.57% (2/7). For the known delayed clearance locus S160N associated with ACTs, there were 143 wild-type (89.94%) and 16 Pfap2mu-mutant P. falciparum isolates (10.06%). Conclusions Both Pfubp1 and Pfap2mu gene mutations were detected in P. falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea from 2018 to 2020, with a low prevalence rate of Pfubp1 gene mutation and a high prevalence rate of Pfap2mu gene mutation. In addition, new mutation sites were identified in the Pfubp1 (E1504E and K1520E) and Pfap2mu genes (A475V and S508G).

Establishment and preliminary evaluation of a fluorescent recombinase-aided amplification/CRISPR-Cas12a system for rapid detection of Plasmodium falciparum / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To establish a fluorescent assay for rapid detection of Plasmodium falciparum based on recombinaseaided amplification (RAA) and CRISPR-Cas12a system,and to preliminarily evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of this system.. Methods The 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of P. falciparum was selected as the target sequence, and three pairs of RAA primers and CRISPR-derived RNA (crRNA) were designed and synthesized. The optimal combination of RAA primers and crRNA was screened and the reaction conditions of the system were optimized to create a fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system. The plasmid containing 18S rRNA gene of the P. falciparum strain 3D7 was generated, and diluted into concentrations of 1 000, 100, 10, 1 copy/μL for the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a assay, and its sensitivity was evaluated. The genomic DNA from P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovum, hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus and Treponema pallidum was employed as templates for the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a assay, and its specificity was evaluated. Fifty malaria clinical samples were subjected to the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a assay and nested PCR assay, and the consistency between two assays was compared. In addition, P. falciparum strain 3D7 was cultured in vitro. Then, the culture was diluted into blood samples with parasite densities of 1 000, 500, 200, 50, 10 parasites/μL with healthy volunteers’ O-positive red blood cells for the RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a assay, and the detection efficiency was tested. Results The Pf-F3/Pf-R3/crRNA2 combination, 2.5 μL as the addition amount of B buffer, 40 min as the RAA reaction time, 37 °C as the reaction temperature of the CRISPR-Cas12a system were employed to establish the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system. Such a system was effective to detect the plasmid containing 18S rRNA gene of the P. falciparum strain 3D7 at a concentration of 1 copy/μL, and presented fluorescent signals for detection of P. falciparum, but failed to detect P. ovum, P. malariae, P. vivax, T. pallidum, hepatitis B virus or human immunodeficiency virus. The fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system and nested PCR assay showed completely consistent results for detection of 50 malaria clinical samples (kappa = 1.0, P < 0.001). Following 6-day in vitro culture of the P. falciparum strain 3D7, 10 mL cultures were generated and the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system showed the minimal detection limit of 50 parasites/μL. Conclusion The fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system is rapid, sensitive and specific for detection of P. falciparum, which shows promising value for rapid detection and risk monitoring of P. falciparum.

Visual quality observation of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy and femtosecond small incision lenticule extraction for the correction of low myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To observe the changes in corneal aberrations and the characteristics of visual quality after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy(T-PRK)and femtosecond small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)in the correction of low myopia.METHODS: Prospective cohort study. A total of 32 cases(32 eyes)with low myopia who underwent T-PRK surgery and 45 cases(45 eyes)of SMILE surgery at Weifang Eye Hospital from April 2021 to April 2022 were selected. The uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), spherical equivalent(SE), corneal higher-order aberrations(HOAs)and objective visual quality were compared between the two groups.RESULTS:All patients completed the surgery successfully without complications such as infection. At 3mo postoperatively, the safety index was 1.13±0.16 and 1.16±0.17(P=0.48)and the efficacy index was 1.10±0.20 and 1.15±0.18(P=0.27)in the T-PRK and SMILE groups, respectively. The percentage of UCVA(LogMAR)≤0 in the T-PRK and SMILE groups was 94% and 98%, respectively. The percentage of the residual SE within ±0.5D was 88% and 87% in the two groups, respectively. The HOAs and spherical aberration in both groups were significantly increased(P≤0.01), and the increase was not statistically significant between the two groups(P=0.31, 0.89). There was no significant change in horizontal coma, horizontal trefoil and vertical trefoil in both groups(P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05). The vertical coma in SMILE group was significantly increased(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.001), while there was no significant change in T-PRK group(P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05), and the increase was significantly greater in SMILE group than in T-PRK group(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.001). There was no significant difference in objective scattering index(OSI), modulation transfer function cut off frequency(MTFcut off), Strehl ratio(SR), visual acuity(VA)100%, VA20% and VA9% between the two groups(P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05).CONCLUSION:Both T-PRK and SMILE showed good safety, efficacy, and visual quality in correcting low myopia, while SMILE induced more vertical coma than T-PRK.