Clinical characteristics and prognosis in 12 children with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the clinical characteristics and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) in children .@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical data of 12 children with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection-associated ANE who were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital from December 18 to 29, 2022. The children were divided into two groups based on outcomes: death group (7 cases) and survival group (5 cases). The clinical manifestations and auxiliary examination results were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The median age of the 12 patients was 30 months, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1. All patients presented with persistent high fever, with a median highest body temperature of 41℃. The median time from fever onset to seizure or consciousness disturbance was 18 hours. The death group had a higher proportion of neurogenic shock, coagulation dysfunction, as well as elevated lactate, D-dimer, interleukin-6, interleukin--8, and interleukin-10 levels compared to the survival group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Children with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection-associated with ANE commonly present with persistent high fever, rapidly progressing disease, and have a high likelihood of developing consciousness disorders and multiorgan dysfunction within a short period. The occurrence of neurogenic shock, coagulation dysfunction, and significantly elevated cytokine levels suggests an increased risk of mortality.

Influence of Sargassum pallidum and the synergistic interaction mechanism of 6-gingerol and poricoic acid A on inhibiting ovalbumin glycation.

This study aimed to investigate the antiglycation capacity of Sargassum pallidum extract on ovalbumin (OVA) glycation, and the interaction mechanism of its active compounds, including 6-gingerol (6G) and poricoic acid A (PA). The results showed that Sargassum pallidum extract, PA and 6G had excellent suppression on the formation of fructosamine, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), acrylamide and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which was higher than aminoguanidine (AG). The combination of PA and 6G showed good synergistic effect on inhibiting the formation of AGEs. PA exhibited the strongest inhibition activity for protein glycation products, and the content of 5-HMF and acrylamide decreased from 277.44 and 10.60 µg mL-1 to 208.37 and 5.46 µg mL-1, respectively, at 30.08 × 10-5 M compared with the control group. 6G and PA quenched the fluorescence of OVA with a static mechanism, and enhanced the hydrophilic microenvironment of the tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp) residues. The binding of 6G and PA with OVA was spontaneous and driven by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. Molecular docking indicated that 6G and PA entered the hydrophobic cavity of OVA, and formed hydrogen bonds with Ser103, Leu101 and Thr 91. These findings suggested that Sargassum pallidum extract, PA and 6G have great potential as antiglycation inhibitors to treat diabetes complications in healthy food.

Study on the pharmacokinetics of mulberry fruit polysaccharides through fluorescence labeling.

A sensitive and efficient fluorescence labeling method was developed and validated for the microanalysis and detection of polysaccharides. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was successfully labeled on mulberry fruit polysaccharides (MFP) through a reductive amination reaction with the assistant of tyramine. The fluorescent labeled polysaccharides (FMFP) was identified by fluorescence, UV-visible, flourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and 1H NMR spectrum. Results demonstrated that the labeling efficiency of FMFP was 0.32%, and the FMFP was stable in simulated digestion fluid without cytotoxicity. The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution after administration were analyzed in rats, which indicated that the FMFP obtained could be absorbed in a short time (tmax 0.50 h) but eliminated slowly (t1/2 8.77 ± 1.38 h). At 24 h after administration, the polysaccharide could be tested mainly in intestine, stomach, liver and kidney. The FITC labeling method lays a foundation for investigating the absorption and metabolism of MFP, and provides references for the microanalysis research of bioactive polysaccharides.

Investigation into the mechanisms of quercetin-3-O-glucuronide inhibiting α-glucosidase activity and non-enzymatic glycation by spectroscopy and molecular docking.

The inhibition of α-glucosidase and glycation is closely related to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. In this study, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Q3GA) showed reversible and mixed-mode inhibition of α-glucosidase activity, with an IC50 value of 108.11 ± 4.61 µM. This was mainly due to the spontaneous formation of Q3GA-α-glucosidase driven by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, which could change the microenvironments and conformation of α-glucosidase. In addition, Q3GA showed strong suppression of the formation of glycation products, including fructosamine, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that Q3GA entered the hydrophobic pocket of ovalbumin to form six hydrogen bonds with amino acid residues, which affected the glycation process. These findings indicate that Q3GA is an excellent inhibitor of α-glucosidase and glycation, and promote its development as a drug or dietary supplement for DM.

Effect of Fructus Mori. bioactive polysaccharide conjugation on improving functional and antioxidant activity of whey protein.

Whey protein with high biological and technological values is an excellent source of nutrition. However, the limited functional properties prevent its widespread applications in food industry. In this study, the whey protein functionality was improved via glycation with mulberry fruit polysaccharide by Maillard reaction. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profile and free amino groups determination confirmed the glycation occurred between whey protein and mulberry fruit polysaccharide. The emulsion capacity and stability of the conjugates were 1.40-fold and 1.52-fold higher than that of whey protein. The conjugates also exhibited remarkably improved antioxidant activity. The fish oil emulsion coated by conjugates demonstrated smaller droplet size, better storage and oxidative stability than that stabilized by whey protein. The findings would be of vital importance for updated understanding of the modification in emulsifying properties of proteins by glycation with natural bioactive polysaccharides as well as for the development of healthy foods.

Clinical features of children with Epstein-Barr virus-related acute liver failure: an analysis of four cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of four children with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related acute liver failure. There were two boys and two girls with a median age of 10 months (range 8.5-44 months). Of the four children, three were diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis (IM), among whom two met the diagnostic criteria of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and one was diagnosed with past EBV infection. All the children had positive EBV DNA in blood and all had pyrexia, hepatomegaly, and jaundice on admission. Three children had the symptom of splenomegaly, ascites, or vomiting. Two children had enlargement of cervical lymph nodes, skin rash, or pleural effusion. One child had gastrointestinal bleeding or stage 2 hepatic encephalopathy. All the children had an abnormal lymphocyte count of <10%, and only one child had leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Among the four children, alanine aminotransferase level increased by 10-100 times; total bilirubin level increased by 3-5 times; lactate dehydrogenase level increased by many 10 times; prothrombin time prolonged significantly. All the children were given antiviral therapy with intravenously injected acyclovir or ganciclovir, as well as hepatocyte growth factor to promote hepatocyte growth and hormone to alleviate inflammatory response. Two children were given plasma exchange in addition, among whom one was given the combination of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. Two children with HLH were given chemotherapy according to the HLH-2004 regimen. Three children survived, and one child with HLH died of multiple organ failure. It is concluded that EBV infection can cause acute liver failure and that early use of multimodality therapy including blood purification may be beneficial for prognosis in these children.

Value of serum S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase levels in predicting the severity of hand, foot and mouth disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the value of serum S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels in predicting the severity of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety children with HFMD were classified into three groups: common type, severe type, and critical type (n=30 each). Thirty healthy children were randomly selected as the control group. ELISA was used to measure serum levels of S100B protein and NSE before and at 7 days after treatment. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the prediction efficiency of S100B protein and NSE for the severity of HFMD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The critical type group had significant increases in the serum levels of S100B protein and NSE compared with the other three groups (P<0.01). The severe type group had significant increases in serum levels of S100B protein and NSE compared with the common type and control groups (P<0.01). The critical type and severe type groups had significant reductions in serum levels of S100B protein and NSE after treatment (P<0.05). Serum S100B protein had the highest Youden value of 0.611 at the cut-off value of 0.445 μg/L, with a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 100%, in the prediction of serious HFMD (including severe type and critical type HFMD). Serum NSE had the highest Youden value of 0.533 at the cut-off value of 5.905 μg/L, with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 73%, in the prediction of serious HFMD. Combined measurements of these two parameters had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 73% and had the highest predictive value for serious HFMD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The serum levels of S100B protein and NSE help to predict the severity and treatment outcomes of HFMD. Combined measurements of these two parameters has a higher predictive value for serious HFMD.</p>

Association between S100B gene polymorphisms and hand, foot and mouth disease caused by enterovirus 71 infection / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between rs9722 polymorphisms in the S100B gene and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus 71.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 124 HFMD children with enterovirus 71 infection were enrolled as subjects, and 56 healthy children were enrolled as control group. The rs9722 polymorphisms in the S100B gene were detected for both groups, and the serum level of S100B protein was measured for 74 HFMD children.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rs9722 locus of the S100B gene had three genotypes, CC, CT, and TT, and the genotype frequencies were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Compared with the control group, the HFMD group had significant increases in the frequencies of TT genotype and T allele (P<0.01). Children with severe HFMD caused by enterovirus 71 infection had significantly higher frequencies of TT genotype and T allele than those with moderate or mild HFMD (P<0.05). Compared with the cured patients, the patients with poor prognosis had significant increases in the frequencies of TT genotype and T allele in the rs9722 locus of the S100B gene (P<0.05). Among the 74 children with HFMD, the children with TT genotype had the highest serum level of S100B protein, and those with CC genotype had the lowest level (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>T allele in the rs9722 locus of the S100B gene might be a risk factor for severe HFMD caused by enterovirus 71 infection.</p>

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of children with critical hand-foot-mouth disease treated with mechanical ventilation / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics of children with critical hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) who were treated with mechanical ventilation and to explore the risk factors for poor prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 63 children with critical HFMD who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit between April 2012 and September 2013 and needed mechanical ventilation were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 63 children, 43 were boys and 20 were girls, and their mean age was 25 ± 18 months, with 81% under 3 years old. The four death cases were all under three years old. Compared with the cured cases, the death cases had a significantly lower mean age (8 ± 3 months vs 25 ± 18 months; P<0.05). Poor peripheral circulation above the elbow or knee joint, pulmonary edema involving at least two thirds of the lung field, and pulmonary hemorrhage were all closely related to death (P<0.01). The death cases and cured cases had significantly different peripheral white blood cell counts, blood lactic acid, and blood glucose (24 ± 11× 10⁹/L vs 12 ± 5×10⁹/L; 6.6 ± 1.8 mmol/L vs 3.6 ± 1.7 mmol/L; 16.4 ± 2.5 mmol/L vs 10.0 ± 3.0 mmol/L). The cases with critical illness score <90 had a significantly higher death risk (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Children with critical HFMD are mainly under 3 years old. The children face extremely high risk of death when they suffer from poor peripheral circulation above the elbow or knee joint, pulmonary edema involving at least two thirds of the lung field, and pulmonary hemorrhage. Significant increases in peripheral white blood cell counts, blood lactic acid, and blood glucose are risk factors for poor prognosis. Critical illness score is also related to poor prognosis.</p>

The effects of conjugated linoleic acid on the expression of invasiveness and metastasis-associated gene of human gastric carcinoma cell line / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the effects of c9,t11-conjugated linoleic acid (c9,t11-CLA) on invasive ability of human gastric carcinoma cell line (SGC-7901) and to explore its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Reconstituted basement membrane invasion assay was used to evaluate invasive ability of cancer cells. Expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and nm23-H(1) mRNA was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in SGC-7901 cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the concentrations of 200 micromol/L, 100 micromol/L and 50 micromol/L, c9,t11-CLA suppressed their reconstituted basement membrane invasion of SGC-7901 by 53.7%, 40.9% and 29.3%, respectively. c9,t11-CLA could induce the expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and nm23-H(1) mRNA in SGC-7901 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The invasion of SGC-7901 cells could be inhibited by c9,t11-CLA through reconstituted basement membrane. Anti-invasion action of c9,t11-CLA might be associated with induction of expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and nm23-H(1) mRNA in tumor cells.</p>

Effects ofcis-9,trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid on cancer cell cycle

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To determine the effect of cis-9, trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid on the cell cycle of mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) and its possible mechanism of inhibition cancer growth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using cell culture and immunocytochemical techniques, we examined the cell growth, DNA synthesis, expression of PCNA, cyclin A, B(1), D(1), p16(ink4a) and p21(cip/wafl) of MCF-7 cells which were treated with various c9, t11-CLA concentrations (25 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM and 200 mM) of c9, t11-CLA for 24 and 48 h, with negative controls (0.1% ethanol).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cell growth and DNA synthesis of MCF-7 cells were inhibited by c9, t11-CLA. MCF-7 cells, after treatment with various c9, t11-CLA doses mentioned above for 8 days, the inhibition frequency was 27.18%, 35.43%, 91.05%, and 92.86%, respectively and the inhibitory effect of c9, t11-CLA on DNA synthesis (except for 25 mM, 24 h) incorporated significantly less(3)H-TdR than did the negative control (P<0.05 andP<0.01). To further investigate the influence on the cell cycle progression, we found that c9, t11-CLA may arrest the cell cycle of MCF-7 cells. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that MCF-7 cells preincubated in media supplemented with different c9, t11-CLA concentrations at various times significantly decreased the expressions of PCNA, and Cyclin, A, B(1), D(1) compared with the negative controls (P<0.01), whereas the expressions of p16(ink4a) and p21(cip/wafl), cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors (CDKI), were increased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The cell growth and proliferation of MCF-7 cells is inhibited by c9, t11-CLA by blocking the cell cycle, which reduces expressions of cyclin A, B(1), D(1) and enhances expressions of CDKI (p16(ink4a) and p21(cip/wafl)).</p>