Specific convulsions and brain damage in children hospitalized for Omicron BA.5 infection:an observational study using two cohorts

Background SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate over time,and reports on children infected with Omicron BA.5 are limited.We aimed to analyze the specific symptoms of Omicron-infected children and to improve patient care.Methods We selected 315 consecutively hospitalized children with Omicron BA.5 and 16,744 non-Omicron-infected febrile children visiting the fever clinic at our hospital between December 8 and 30,2022.Specific convulsions and body temperatures were compared between the two cohorts.We analyzed potential associations between convulsions and vaccination,and additionally evaluated the brain damage among severe Omicron-infected children.Results Convulsion rates(97.5%vs.4.3%,P<0.001)and frequencies(median:2.0 vs.1.6,P<0.001)significantly differed between Omicron-infected and non-Omicron-infected febrile children.The body temperatures of Omicron-infected children were significantly higher during convulsions than when they were not convulsing and those of non-Omicron-infected febrile children during convulsions(median:39.5 vs.38.2 and 38.6℃,both P<0.001).In the three Omicron-subgroups,the temperature during convulsions was proportional to the percentage of patients and significantly differed(P<0.001),while not in the three non-Omicron-subgroups(P=0.244).The convulsion frequency was lower in the 55 vaccinated children compared to the 260 non-vaccinated children(average:1.8 vs.2.1,P<0.001).The vaccination dose and convulsion frequency in Omicron-infected children were significantly correlated(P<0.001).Fifteen of the 112 severe Omicron cases had brain damage.Conclusions Omicron-infected children experience higher body temperatures and frequencies during convulsions than those of non-Omicron-infected febrile children.We additionally found evidence of brain damage caused by infection with omicron BA.5.Vaccination and prompt fever reduction may relieve symptoms.

The Effects of Ground and Treadmill Running on Energy Metabolism and Muscle Contractile Properties:A Randomized Cross-Over Study

Purpose This study aimed to compare the effects of ground and treadmill running on energy metabolism and muscle con-tractile properties,providing a basis for the general public to choose running venues.Methods Ten male college students(age,20.10±1.53 years;height,176.20±5.49 cm;weight,72.14±8.25 kg;body fat percent,12.41%±4.65%)were recruited in this study.Energy expenditure(EE)was measured using the accelerometer(GT9X)combined with specific estimation equations.Average heart rate(HR)was measured using a heart rate band(Polar).Muscle contractile properties were assessed by measuring muscle displacement(Dm)and contraction velocity(Vc)using tensiomyography(TMG-S1).Blood glucose(Glu)and lactate(Lac)were measured by portable devices(eB-G and Lactate Scout).The running speed was 9 km/h and the duration was 25 min.Two-way ANOVA(protocol×time)was used to analyze the effect of running protocols on energy metabolism and muscle contractile properties.Results EE of treadmill running was significantly higher than EE of ground running(protocol main effect,P<0.001),and HR of treadmill running was significantly higher than that of ground running in the first testing time(protocol simple effect,P=0.026;protocol×time interaction P=0.043).The decrease in Dm of the rectus femoris after treadmill running was significantly higher than that of ground running(protocol main effect,P=0.009).The interaction of different running protocols and testing times on Lac was significant(P=0.025),but all results of the simple effects analysis were not statisti-cally significant(P>0.05).Conclusion Our study found a difference in energy expenditure between treadmill and ground running at 9 km/h with duration of 25 min.In addition,treadmills are more likely to cause a decrease in muscle displacement distance of the rectus femoris measured after exercise than ground running.Future studies are needed to further investigate whether the differences are induced by internal metabolism or the environmental conditions of running.