Fluorescence-guided thoracoscopic surgery for postoperative chylothorax: A technical note with video vignette.

TECHNIQUE: The surgical management for high-output postoperative chylothorax typically necessitates ligation of the thoracic duct (TD) above the leak site and/or sealing the leak with a clip. However, pinpointing these structures during subsequent surgeries can be challenging due to their variable course and the presence of traumatized tissues surrounding the leak area. In response to this, we have developed a novel, fluorescence-guided technique that significantly enhances intraoperative identification of the leak point and the TD. This method was applied in the case of a 52-year-old man suffering from refractory chylothorax following a previous lung cancer surgery. This study documents the surgical procedure and includes a video vignette for a comprehensive understanding. RESULTS: A bilateral inguinal lymph node injection of saline (10 mL), guided by ultrasound and containing 2.5 mg/mL indocyanine green (ICG), was administered 20 min prior to surgery. During thoracoscopic exploration, the leak point was precisely pinpointed in the right paratracheal area by transitioning from bright light to fluorescent mode. The TD was clearly identified, and upon ligation, there was no further leakage of fluorescent lymph, indicating a successful closure of the lymphatic structure. The surgery proceeded uneventfully, and the patient was able to resume oral intake on the third postoperative day. There was no evidence of recurring symptoms, leading to his discharge. CONCLUSION: The intralymphatic injection of ICG offers a rapid visualization of the TD's anatomy and can effectively pinpoint the leak point, even amidst traumatized tissues. Moreover, it provides prompt feedback on the efficacy of ligation.

Effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on Th17/Treg Immune Imbalance and Notch1 Signaling Pathway in AIT Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on the immune imbalance of helper T cell 17 （Th17）/regulatory T cell （Treg） and Notch1 signaling pathway in mice with autoimmune thyroiditis （AIT）. MethodA total of 60 8-week-old NOD.H-2h4 mice were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， western medicine group （selenium yeast tablet， 32.5 mg·kg-1）， and low-dose （4.78 g·kg-1·d-1）， middle-dose （9.56 g·kg-1·d-1）， and high-dose （19 g·kg-1·d-1） Buzhong Yiqitang groups， with 10 mice in each group. The normal group was fed with distilled water， and the other groups were fed with water containing 0.05% sodium iodide for eight weeks. After the animal model of AIT was formed spontaneously， the mice were killed under anesthesia after intragastric administration for eight weeks. Serum anti-thyroglobulin antibodies （TGAb）， thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）， free triiodothyronine （FT3）， and free thyroid hormone （FT4） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and thyroid tissue changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of retinoid-related orphan receptor-γt （RORγt）， interleukin （IL）-17， forkhead box P3 （FoxP3）， IL-10， Notch1， and hair division-related enhancer 1 （Hes1） in thyroid tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group， the thyroid structure of the model group was severely damaged， and lymphocytes were infiltrated obviously. The levels of serum TGAb， FT3， and FT4 contents were significantly increased， and TSH content was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt， IL-17， Notch1， and Hes1 were significantly increased， while those of FoxP3 and IL10 were significantly decreased in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， thyroid structural damage and lymphocyte infiltration were improved in the treatment groups， and serum TGAb， FT3， and FT4 contents were significantly decreased. TSH content was increased， and mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt， IL-17， Notch1， and Hes1 were decreased. mRNA and protein expression levels of FoxP3 and IL-10 were increased to different degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the middle-dose Buzhong Yiqitang group had the most significant intervention effect. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can alleviate the thyroid structural damage in AIT mice， and its mechanism may be related to improving the abnormal differentiation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inhibiting the activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway.

The impact of surgical learning curve on short-term outcomes after bilateral lung transplantation: results from a multidisciplinary surgical team.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of surgical learning curve on short-term clinical outcomes of patients after bilateral lung transplantation (LTx) performed by a surgical multidisciplinary team (MDT). METHODS: Forty-two patients underwent double LTx from December 2016 to October 2021. All procedures were performed by a surgical MDT in a newly established LTx program. The time required for bronchial, left atrial cuff and pulmonary artery anastomoses was the main end point to assess surgical proficiency. The associations between the surgeon's experience and procedural duration were examined by linear regression analysis. We employed the simple moving average technique to generate learning curves and evaluated short-term outcomes before and after achieving surgical proficiency. RESULTS: Both total operating time and total anastomosis time were inversely associated with the surgeon's experience. On analysing the learning curve for bronchial, left atrial cuff and pulmonary artery anastomoses using moving averages, the inflection points occurred at 20, 15 and 10 cases, respectively. To assess the learning curve effect, the study cohort was divided into early (cases 1-20) and late (cases 21-42) groups. Short-term outcomes-including intensive care unit stay, in-hospital stay and severe complications-were significantly more favourable in the late group. Furthermore, there was a notable tendency for patients in the late group to experience a decreased duration of mechanical ventilation along with reduced instances of grade 3 primary graft dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: A surgical MDT can perform double LTx safely after 20 procedures.

Comparison of modified "double flaps" pyeloplasty and traditional pyeloplasty in the treatment of special types of hydronephrosis in children / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To compare the efficacy of modified "double flaps" pyeloplasty and traditional dismembered pyeloplasty in the treatment of special types of hydronephrosis with small pelvis and long proximal ureteral stricture in children.Methods:The data of 39 children with special types of hydronephrosis treated in Seventh Medical Center, General Hospital of PLA from June 2018 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 33 were boys and 6 were girls. The median age of the patients was 12.0(4.5, 63.5) months. Nine of them had left hydronephrosis and four children had right hydronephrosis. These patients with small pelvis existed the characteristics that the anteroposterior diameter of pelvis was smaller than 2.5 cm and these patients existed the symptom of hematuria, flank pain or recurrent urinary tract infection with the imaging revealing ureteral obstruction. The length of proximal ureteral stenosis ranged from 2.0 to 4.0 cm. Among 39 cases, 19 cases were operated with modified "double flaps" pyeloplasty, which was the modified "double flaps" pyeloplasty group. 20 cases were operated with traditional Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty, which was traditional pyeloplasty group. The technique of modified "double flaps" pyeloplasty mainly included that the renal pelvis was cut into double flaps, the inferior flap was anastomosed with the spatulated ureter and the superior was covered, so that the length and caliber of the ureter were partial extended. The median age of two groups were 12.0 (6.0, 44.0) months and 12.0 (4.8, 62.8) months respectively, the anterior and posterior diameter of renal pelvis were (2.8±0.8)cm and (2.6±0.6)cm respectively, and split renal function were (36.7±5.1)% and (36.0±6.8)% respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in above parameters between the two groups( P>0.05). The clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared by collecting and comparing the operation related data and postoperative follow-up data. Results:The operation of 39 children in this study was successfully completed without conversion to open surgery.The operation time of "double flap" pyeloplasty group and traditional pyeloplasty group were (142.6±9.6) min and (124.5±8.6) min respectively, and the intraoperative anastomosis time were (56.1±7.2) min and (47.6±4.8) min respectively. There were significant difference in operation time and intraoperative anastomosis time between the two groups( P<0.05). Thirty-nine children were followed up normally without loss. The mean follow-up time was (27.7±2.5) months after surgery. In the "double flaps" pyeloplasty group, 2 cases suffered with fever who were diagnosed as urinary tract infection and improved after antibiotic treatment. In the traditional pyeloplasty group, 2 cases suffered with fever who were diagnosed as urinary tract infection and improved after antibiotic treatment. Two children had flank pain during follow-up to more than one year and the examination revealed that the anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis gradually increased. So surgery were performed again and the two children recovered. There were no significant differences in complication rate (2/19 and 4/20) and short-term surgical success rate(19/19 and 18/20) between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The operation time and anastomosis time of the modified "double flap" technique for treating hydronephrosis are longer than those of the traditional method. But in the treatment of special types of hydronephrosis with small renal pelvis or long proximal ureteral stricture, it may have application prospects in reducing complications.

Clinical characteristics of epileptic seizure in neurofibromatosis type 1 in 15 cases / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of epileptic seizure associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Methods: From January 2017 to July 2023 at Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics, medical records of patients with both NF1 and epileptic seizure were reviewed in this case series study. The clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis were analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of 15 patients(12 boys and 3 girls) were collected. Café-au-lait macules were observed in all 15 patients. There were 6 patients with neurodevelopmental disorders and the main manifestations were intellectual disability or developmental delay. The age at the first epileptic seizure was 2.5 (1.2, 5.5) years. There were various seizure types, including generalized tonic-clonic seizures in 8 patients, focal motor seizures in 6 patients, epileptic spasm in 4 patients, tonic seizures in 1 patient, absence in 1 patient, generalized myoclonic seizure in 1 patient and focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure in 1 patient. Among 14 patients whose brain magnetic resonance imaging results were available, there were abnormal signals in corpus callosum, basal ganglia, thalamus or cerebellum in 6 patients, dilated ventricles of different degrees in 3 patients, blurred gray and white matter boundary in 2 patients, agenesis of corpus callosum in 1 patient and no obvious abnormalities in the other patients. Among 13 epilepsy patients, 8 were seizure-free with 1 or 2 antiseizure medications(ASM), 1 with drug resistant epilepsy was seizure-free after left temporal lobectomy, and the other 4 patients who have received 2 to 9 ASM had persistent seizures. One patient with complex febrile convulsion achieved seizure freedom after oral administration of diazepam on demand. One patient had only 1 unprovoked epileptic seizure and did not have another seizure without taking any ASM. Conclusions: The first epileptic seizure in NF1 patients usually occurs in infancy and early childhood, with the main seizure type of generalized tonic-clonic seizure and focal motor seizure. Some patients have intellectual disability or developmental delay. Most epilepsy patients achieve seizure freedom with ASM.

A case of intellectual developmental disorder with behavioral abnormalities and craniofacial dysmorphism with or without seizures caused by PHF21A gene variation and review of literature / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To discuss the clinical and genetic features of intellectual developmental disorder with behavioral abnormalities and craniofacial dysmorphism with or without seizures (IDDBCS). Methods: The clinical and genetic records of a patient who was diagnosed with IDDBCS caused by PHF21A gene variation at Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics in 2021 were collected retrospectively. Using " PHF21A gene" as the keyword, relevant articles were searched at CNKI, Wanfang Data and PubMed from establishment of databases to February 2023. Clinical and genetic features of IDDBCS were summarized in the combination of this case. Results: An 8 months of age boy showed overgrowth (height, weight and head circumference were all higher than the 97th percentile of children of the same age and sex) and language and motor developmental delay after birth, and gradually showed autism-like symptoms like stereotyped behavior and poor eye contact. At 8 months of age, he began to show epileptic seizures, which were in the form of a series of spastic seizures with no reaction to adrenocorticotropic hormone but a good response to vigabatrin. Physical examination showed special craniofacial appearances including a prominent high forehead, sparse eyebrows, broad nasal bridge, and downturned mouth with a tent-shaped upper lip. The patient also manifested hypotonia. Whole exome sequencing showed a de novo heterogeneous variant, PHF21A (NM_001101802.1): c.54+1G>A, and IDDBCS was diagnosed. A total of 6 articles (all English articles) were collected, involving this case and other 14 patients of IDDBCS caused by PHF21A gene variation. Clinical manifestations were intellectual disability or developmental delay (15 patients), craniofacial anomalies (15 patients), behavioral abnormalities (12 patients), seizures (9 patients), and overgrowth (8 patients). The main pathogenic variations were frameshift variations (8 patients). Conclusions: IDDBCS should be considered when patients show nervous developmental abnormalities, craniofacial anomalies, seizures and overgrowth. PHF21A gene variation detection helps to make a definite diagnosis.

[The Application of RNA-Sequencing in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular genetic characteristics of children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and the application value of RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). METHODS: The clinical and laboratory examination data of newly diagnosed B-ALL children who were given treatment in the Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from May 2015 to April 2020 were collected and analyzed. All children were confirmed by bone marrow morphology, histochemical staining and flow cytometry, and the karyotype analysis, FISH, RT-PCR and RNA-seq detection were conducted. RESULTS: There were 71 males and 58 females with a median age of 50(8-190) months in 129 newly diagnosed children with B-ALL. The fusion gene was positive in 99 children (76.7%). A total of 86 leukemia related or possibly related gene mutations were detected, with a positive rate of 66.7%. There was no significant difference in the detection rates of ETV6-RUNX1, BCR-ABL1, TCF3-PBX1 and KMT2A rearrangements among FISH, RT-PCR and RNA-seq. Rare fusion genes were detected by RNA-seq, including 1 case of KMT2A-USP2, 4 cases of Ph-like related fusion genes, 5 cases of MEF2D rearrangement, 5 cases of PAX5 rearrangement, 3 cases of ZNF384 rearrangement, as well as several fusion genes whose significance were not clear or had not been reported in children with leukemia. Besides, children with ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene had good response to induction of remission, while children with BCR-ABL1 and ZNF384 rearrangement had poor response, the remission rate of minimal residual disease was statistically significant compared with other types (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: RNA-seq can not only detect known fusion genes, but also discover new or rare fusion genes and gene mutations. The application of RNA-seq has important guiding significance for risk classification and precise targeted therapy of pediatric B-ALL.

The incidence of non-thyroidal illness syndrome in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and correlated factors analysis / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To explore the incidence of non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and the correlation between triiodothyronine level and the severity of T1DM, thus providing evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A total of 125 children initially diagnosed as T1DM at the Department of Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism of Children′s Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University from January 2015 to December 2019 were recruited.The data were retrospectively analyzed.The incidence of NTIS in T1DM children was explored.T1DM children were classified into euthyroid group and NTIS group, two independent sample t-test were used to compare the differences in multiple factors between euthyroid group and NTIS group in children with T1DM, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to further analyze the correlation between the levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), total triiodothyronine (TT3) and the severity of children with primary T1DM. Results:The incidence of NTIS in 125 T1DM children was 26.4%(33/125 cases). FT3, TT3, total thyroxine (TT4), thyrotropin (TSH), pH value, HCO 3- and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in NTIS group were significantly lower than those of euthyroid group [(3.10±0.45) pmol/L vs.(4.85±0.75) pmol/L, (0.60±0.28) nmol/L vs.(1.05±0.38) nmol/L, (65.77±23.41) nmol/L vs.(89.57±18.23) nmol/L, (0.91±0.89) mIU/L vs.(2.05±0.76) mIU/L, 7.21±0.17 vs.7.31±0.18, (11.49±7.54) mmol/L vs.(16.80±8.38) mmol/L, (1.08±0.49) mmol/L vs.(1.28±0.44) mmol/L]( t=4.56, 5.67, 4.48, 5.61, 2.82, 2.68, and 2.53, all P<0.05). Moreover, the anion gap (AG) level, blood glucose (BG) and triglyceride in NTIS group were significantly higher than those of euthyroid group [(22.53±8.33) mmol/L vs.(16.94±7.52) mmol/L, (24.85±4.71) mmol/L vs.(21.46±6.64) mmol/L, (2.72±2.05) mmol/L vs.(2.33±3.05) mmol/L]( t=3.22, 2.67 and 2.04, all P<0.05). The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was statistically significant in euthyroid group, NTIS group and abnormal thyroid disease group (33.3% vs.63.6% vs.35.7%)( χ2=8.990, P<0.05). In T1DM children, FT3 was positively correlated with pH value and HCO 3-, and negatively correlated with AG level ( r=0.376 9, 0.439 7 and -0.411 9, all P<0.05). In addition, TT3 was positively correlated with pH value and HCO 3-, and negatively correlated with AG and BG ( r=0.513 2, 0.539 8, -0.482 4 and -0.211 5, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Children with T1DM are prone to have abnormal thyroid hormone levels, and the incidence of NTIS was 26.4%.The incidence of DKA differed in T1DM children with different thyroid functions.FT3 or TT3 level may contribute to evaluate the disease severity of T1DM children.

Application of ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy in children with appendix-related chronic abdominal pain / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy in children with appendix-related chronic abdominal pain.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 30 children with the chief complaint of chronic abdominal pain who were admitted from August 2019 to May 2021. All the children were found to have inflammation of the appendix or intracavitary stool and fecalith by ultrasound and underwent ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy. The medical data for analysis included clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings, white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, length of hospital stay, and cure rate.@*RESULTS@#Among the 30 children with chronic abdominal pain, there were 13 boys (43%) and 17 girls (57%), with a mean age of (9±3) years (range 3-15 years) at diagnosis. The median duration of the disease was 12 months, and the median length of hospital stay was 3 days. The children had a median white blood cell count of 6.7×109/L and a neutrophil percentage of 50%±13%. Fecalith and a large amount of feces were flushed out of the appendix cavity for 21 children (70%) during surgery. The follow-up rate was 97% (29/30), and the median follow-up time was 11 months (range 5-26 months). Of the 29 children, abdominal pain completely disappeared in 27 children (93%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy is effective in children with chronic abdominal pain caused by feces or fecalith in the appendix cavity.

Relationship between body mass index and sexual development in Chinese children / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sexual development in Chinese children. Methods: A nationwide multicenter and population-based large cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China from January 2017 to December 2018. Data on sex, age, height, weight were collected, BMI was calculated and sexual characteristics were analyzed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on age, including ages 3-<6 years, 6-<10 years, 10-<15 years and 15-<18 years. Multiple Logistic regression models were used for evaluating the associations of BMI with sexual development in children. Dichotomous Logistic regression was used to compare the differences in the distribution of early and non-early puberty among normal weight, overweight and obese groups. Curves were drawn to analyze the relationship between the percentage of early puberty and BMI distribution in girls and boys at different Tanner stages. Results: A total of 208 179 healthy children (96 471 girls and 111 708 boys) were enrolled in this study. The OR values of B2, B3 and B4+ in overweight girls were 1.72 (95%CI: 1.56-1.89), 3.19 (95%CI: 2.86-3.57), 7.14 (95%CI: 6.33-8.05) and in obese girls were 2.05 (95%CI: 1.88-2.24), 4.98 (95%CI: 4.49-5.53), 11.21 (95%CI: 9.98-12.59), respectively; while the OR values of G2, G3, G4+ in overweight boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.38), 1.52 (95%CI: 1.36-1.70), 1.88 (95%CI: 1.66-2.14) and in obese boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.37), 1.59 (95%CI: 1.43-1.78), and 1.93 (95%CI: 1.70-2.18) (compared with normal weight Tanner 1 group,all P<0.01). Analysis in different age groups found that OR values of obese girls at B2 stage and boys at G2 stage were 2.02 (95%CI: 1.06-3.86) and 2.32 (95%CI:1.05-5.12) in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, respectively (both P<0.05). And in the age group of 6-10 years, overweight girls had a 5.45-fold risk and obese girls had a 12.54-fold risk of B3 stage compared to girls with normal BMI. Compared with normal weight children, the risk of early puberty was 2.67 times higher in overweight girls, 3.63 times higher in obese girls, and 1.22 times higher in overweight boys, 1.35 times higher in obese boys (all P<0.01). Among the children at each Tanner stages, the percentage of early puberty increased with the increase of BMI, from 5.7% (80/1 397), 16.1% (48/299), 13.8% (27/195) to 25.7% (198/769), 65.1% (209/321), 65.4% (157/240) in girls aged 8-<9, 10-<11 and 11-<12 years, and 6.6% (34/513), 18.7% (51/273), 21.6% (57/264) to 13.3% (96/722), 46.4% (140/302), 47.5% (105/221) in boys aged 9-<10, 12-<13 and 13-<14 years, respectively. Conclusions: BMI is positively correlated with sexual development in both Chinese boys and girls, and the correlation is stronger in girls. Obesity is a risk factor for precocious puberty in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, and 6-<10 years of age is a high risk period for early development in obese girls.

Species Differences of Bakuchiol-induced Liver Injury in Mice Based on Transcriptomics / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the differences in response to bakuchiol-induced hepatotoxicity between Institute of Cancer Research （ICR） mice and Kunming （KM） mice. MethodThe objective manifestations of bakuchiol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice were confirmed by acute and subacute toxicity animal experiments， and enrichment pathways of differential genes between normal ICR mice and KM mice were compared by transcriptomics. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （real-time qPCR） assay was used to verify the mRNA expression of key genes in the related pathways to confirm the species differences of bakuchiol-induced liver injury. ResultIn the subacute toxicity experiment， compared with the normal mice， the ICR mice showed increased serum content of alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， and 5′-nucleotidase （5′-NT）， without significant difference， and no manifest change was observed in KM mice. Pathological results showed that hepatocyte hypertrophy was the main pathological feature in ICR mice and hepatocyte steatosis in KM mice. In the acute toxicity experiment， KM mice showed erect hair， mental malaise， and near-death 3 days after administration. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in KM mice （400 mg·kg-1） significantly increased（P<0.01）， and the activity of total reactive oxygen species （SOD） in liver significantly decreased（P<0.01）compared with those in normal mice， while the serum content of 5′-NT and cholinesterase （CHE） in ICR mice （400 mg·kg-1） were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The liver/brain ratio in ICR mice increased by 20.34% and that in KM mice increased by 29.14% （P<0.01）. The main pathological manifestation of the liver in ICR mice was hepatocyte hypertrophy， while those in KM mice were focal inflammation， hepatocyte hypertrophy， and hepatocyte steatosis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）and Reactome pathway enrichment analyses showed that the differential gene expression between ICR mice and KM mice was mainly involved in oxidative phosphorylation， bile secretion， bile acid and bile salts synthesis， and metabolism pathway. CYP7A1 was up-regulated in all groups with drug intervention （P<0.01） and MRP2 was reduced in all groups with drug intervention of KM mice （P<0.01） and elevated in all groups with drug intervention of ICR mice （P<0.01） compared with those in the normal group. The expression of BSEP was lowered in ICR mice with acute liver injury （400 mg·kg-1） （P<0.05）. SHP1 was highly expressed in KM mice with acute liver injury （400 mg·kg-1）. The expression of FXR was diminished in ICR mice with subacute liver injury （200 mg·kg-1） （P<0.01）. SOD1， CAT， and NFR2 significantly decreased in KM mice with acute liver injury （400 mg·kg-1）， and CAT dwindled in KM mice with subacute liver injury （200 mg·kg-1） （P<0.01）. GSTA1 and GPX1 significantly increased in KM mice with acute liver injury （400 mg·kg-1） （P<0.01） and SOD1， CAT， NRF2， and GSTA1 significantly increased in ICR mice with subacute liver injury （200 mg·kg-1） （P<0.01）. CAT and NRF2 significantly increased in ICR mice with acute liver injury （400 mg·kg-1） （P<0.01）. ConclusionWith the increase in the dosage of bakuchiol， the liver injury induced by oxidative stress in KM mice was gradually aggravated， and ICR mice showed stronger antioxidant capacity. The comparison of responses to bakuchiol-induced hepatotoxicity between ICR mice and KM mice reveals that ICR mice are more suitable for the investigation of the mechanisms related to bile secretion and bile acid metabolism in the research on bakuchiol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. KM mice are more prone to liver injury caused by oxidative stress.

Scanning electron microscopic observation of the external morphology of Dermatophagoides farinae at different developmental stages / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the morphological characteristics of Dermatophagoides farinae at different developmental stages. Methods The cultured D. farinae was isolated, and the external morphological features of mites at various developmental stages were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), including egg, larva, nymph and adult stages. Results The D. farinae egg appeared a long oval shape, and the larval mites had three pairs of legs. The nymph had four pairs of legs and underdeveloped genital pores containing genital setae and anal setae, and adult mites appeared long and oval in shape, with decorative patterns on epidermis, and had four pairs of legs. In male adult mites, remarkable thickening of the leg I and thicker and longer leg III than the leg IV were seen, and ventral genital regions were found between the basal segments of legs III and IV; the anus was surrounded by a circular peri-anal ring, with a pair of anal suckers and anal setae within the ring. In the female adult mites, slender legs III and IV with an equal length were seen, and a “λ-shape” genital hole was observed on the ventral surface, with a crescent-like genital plate in the anterior part, and the anus appeared a longitudinal slit. Conclusions An SEM observation of the external morphology of D. farinae provides understandings of the morphological characteristics of D. farinae, which is of great significance for the classification and identification.

A follow-up study on the introduction of vegetables and fruits during infants aged 4-8 months in Beijing and Chenzhou City of Hunan Province / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the introduction of vegetables and fruits in 4-8 months old infants, and to describe the maternal and infants' characteristics associated with the introduction of vegetables and fruits.@*METHODS@#Mother-infant dyads (n=228) were recruited from 12 to 16 weeks postpartum and formally entered the study at 4 months of age. Data collected via face to face interview at 4-8 months postpartum, including the timing and types of added vegetables and fruits, as well as a variety of maternal and infant characteristics (n=204). Rank sum test and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the maternal and infant characteristics related to the introduction of vegetables and fruits.@*RESULTS@#The time of introducing vegetables was concentrated at the age of 7 months, and the time of adding fruits was mainly at 6 months. Fruits were added earlier than vegetables (P < 0.001), and the variety of the added fruits was higher than that of vegetables (P=0.045). 48% (n=98) of infants had no more than three types of fruits and vegetables at 8 months. Only 9.8% (n=20) had added more than 10 kinds of fruits and vegetables at 8 months. Green leafy vegetables were the most commonly added vegetable, and apple was the most popular fruit. Compared with women who were 35 years of age or younger, women beyond 35 years old introduced vegetables to their babies 0.6 months later. 4-month-old exclusively breastfed infants had vegetables 0.4 months later than mixed-fed infants. Women with a bachelor's degree or above added 2-3 more types of fruits and vegetables to their babies than those with junior high school education and below.@*CONCLUSION@#The adding time of fruits was earlier than that of vegetable. Apples and green leafy vegetables are commonly added. Women with lower educational backgrounds add fewer types of fruits and vegetables to their babies. Mothers who choose exclusive breastfeeding and those over 35 years of age at childbirth add vegetables to their babies later than others. They should be targeted for health promotion programs that aim to improve the intake of fruits and vegetables among infants.

Mental Health Concerns Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Twitter in the UK

BackgroundAmid the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health-related symptoms (such as depression and anxiety) have been actively mentioned on social media. ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to monitor mental health concerns on Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom (UK), and assess the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health concerns of Twitter users. MethodsWe collected COVID-19 and mental health-related tweets from the UK between March 5, 2020 and January 31, 2021 through the Twitter Streaming API. We conducted topic modeling using Latent Dirichlet Allocation model to examine discussions about mental health concerns. Deep learning algorithms including Face++ were used to infer the demographic characteristics (age and gender) of Twitter users who expressed mental health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. ResultsWe showed a positive correlation between COVID-19-related mental health concerns on Twitter and the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Geographic analysis showed that populated urban areas have a higher proportion of Twitter users with mental health concerns compared to England as a whole. Topic modeling showed that general concerns, COVID-19 skeptics, and Death toll were the top topics discussed in mental health-related tweets. Demographic analysis showed that middle-aged and older adults might be more likely to suffer from mental health issues or express their mental health concerns on Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic. ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has noticeable effects on mental health concerns on Twitter in the UK, which varied among demographic and geographic groups.

[Second-generation Sequencing Analysis of Ph+ and Ph-like Childhood T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To screen the core genes of Philadelphia chromosome positive/Ph like T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+/Ph like T-ALL) using bioinformatics methods, and analyze the core sub-networks for exploration of the development process of Ph+/Ph like T-ALL, so as to find the molecular targets that may be used in clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: The WES/RNA-seq examination results of Ph+/Ph-like T-ALL children had be collected in our hospital, the genetic data that met the requirements had be downloaded from GEO database, then GRO2R online differentially expressed gene screening program was used to screen differentially expressed genes, finally, GO function enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed to compare differentially expressed genes. At the same time, STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to build protein interaction network and screen hub genes and core sub-networks. RESULTS: For Ph+/Ph like T-ALL, a total of 84 differentially expressed genes had been found, for Ph+ ALL a total of 249 differentially expressed genes, and for T-ALL a total of 175 differentially expressed genes. Based on the results of GO function enrichment, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and protein interaction network, RPA1, POLD1, POLE and SOCS1 were selected as hub genes. DNA damage repair and JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway were the main functional sub-networks. CONCLUSION: There are obviously abnormal DNA damage repair pathways in children with Ph+/Ph like T-ALL. RPA1, POLD1 and POLE may be important relevant biomarkers for the occurrence and development of Ph+/Ph like T-ALL, which can provide a basis for further research.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health Concerns on Twitter in the United States

BackgroundMental health illness is a growing problem in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health concerns (such as fear and loneliness) have been actively discussed on social media. ObjectiveIn this study, we aim to examine mental health discussions on Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and infer the demographic composition of Twitter users who had mental health concerns. MethodsCOVID-19 related tweets from March 5th, 2020 to January 31st, 2021 were collected through Twitter streaming API using COVID-19 related keywords (e.g., "corona", "covid19", "covid"). By further filtering using mental health keywords (e.g., "depress", "failure", "hopeless"), we extracted mental health-related tweets from the US. Topic modeling using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation model was conducted to monitor users discussions surrounding mental health concerns. Demographic inference using deep learning algorithms (including Face++ and Ethnicolr) was performed to infer the demographic composition of Twitter users who had mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. ResultsWe observed a positive correlation between mental health concerns on Twitter and the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Topic modeling showed that "stay-at-home", "death poll" and "politics and policy" were the most popular topics in COVID-19 mental health tweets. Among Twitter users who had mental health concerns during the pandemic, Males, White, and 30-49 age group people were more likely to express mental health concerns. In addition, Twitter users from the east and west coast had more mental health concerns. ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on mental health concerns on Twitter in the US. Certain groups of people (such as Males, White) were more likely to have mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Single-step localization and excision of small pulmonary nodules using a mobile 3D C-arm.

OBJECTIVES: The use of a hybrid operating room equipped with robotic C-arm cone-beam computed tomography for single-step localization and excision of small pulmonary nodules finds high cost barriers. The new generation of 3D C-arm system not only depicts soft tissues with high contrast but also offers a more affordable and sustainable solution. This approach has been chiefly applied in the field of orthopedic surgery. In this case series, we describe the use of a mobile 3D C-arm system for localizing and removing small pulmonary nodules. METHODS: Between July and September 2020, we identified 14 patients who underwent localization and removal of small pulmonary nodules with a 3D C-arm system. We retrospectively reviewed clinical records to document the feasibility and safety of the procedure. RESULTS: The median tumour size was 7.5 mm [interquartile range (IQR): 5 - 9.75 mm], with a median distance from the pleural surface of 4.2 mm (IQR: 0.5 - 6.45 mm). We successfully visualized all of the pulmonary lesions by intraoperative CT imaging. Localization was achieved in 13 patients, who subsequently underwent complete thoracoscopic resection. The median time required to localize lesions was 41.5 min (IQR: 33.75 - 53.25 min), with a median radiation exposure (expressed through the skin absorbed dose) of 143.45 mGy (IQR: 86.1 - 194.6 mGy). Failure to localize occurred in 1 patient because of pneumothorax caused by repeated needle puncture. All patients were successfully discharged and the median length of stay was 2.5 days (IQR: 2 - 3 days). CONCLUSIONS: This case series demonstrates the feasibility of single-step localization and excision of small pulmonary nodules using a mobile 3D C-arm.

SAA1 regulates pro-labour mediators in term labour by activating YAP pathway.

Term labour is associated with activation of inflammation which results in myometrial contractility, cervical ripening and decidual/membrane rupture. Serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) is an acute response protein, whose role and underlying regulatory mechanisms in human labour remain unknown. In this study, we found that the mRNA and protein expression of SAA1 in human myometrium at term was increased in labouring tissues compared to non-labouring tissues. In addition, the expression of SAA1 was significantly increased in human primary myometrial cells treated with the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Knockdown of SAA1 using siRNA (siSAA1) resulted in a significant reduction in the expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL8, IL6), chemokines (CXCL5, CCL2), adhesion molecules (ICAM1, ICAM5) and contraction-associated factors (COX2, PGE2). Mechanistically, the effects of SAA1 were mediated through activation of the Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway. There was a decrease in the protein expression of phosphorylated YAP (pYAP) after treatment of siSAA1-transfected human primary myometrial cells with IL-1ß or TNF-α. Moreover, enhanced expression of YAP reversed the effect of siSAA1 on pro-labour mediators. In conclusion, these experiments demonstrated that SAA1 accelerates the inflammatory response associated with parturition by activating YAP pathway, which may be a novel understanding of the molecular mechanism of labour onset.