Association between childhood obesity and gut microbiota:16S rRNA gene sequencing-based cohort study

BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children(8-12 years old)using 16S rDNA sequencing.The research aimed to provide insights for mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity.Thirty normal-weight and thirty age-and sex-matched obese children were included.Questionnaires and body measurements were collected,and fecal samples underwent 16S rDNA sequencing.Significant differences in body mass index(BMI)and body-fat percentage were observed between the groups.Analysis of gut microbiota diversity revealed lowerα-diversity in obese children.Differences in gut microbiota composition were found between the two groups.Prevotella and Firmicutes were more abundant in the obese group,while Bacteroides and Sanguibacteroides were more prevalent in the control group.AIM To identify the characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children(8-12-year-old)using 16S rDNA sequencing,and provide a basis for subsequent mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity.METHODS Thirty each normal-weight,1:1 matched for age and sex,and obese children,with an obese status from 2020 to 2022,were included in the control and obese groups,respectively.Basic information was collected through questionnaires and body measurements were obtained from both obese and normal-weight children.Fecal samples were collected from both groups and subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing using an Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform for gut microbiota diversity analysis.RESULTS Significant differences in BMI and body-fat percentage were observed between the two groups.The Ace and Chao1 indices were significantly lower in the obese group than those in the control group,whereas differences were not significant in the Shannon and Simpson indices.Kruskal-Wallis tests indicated significant differences in unweighted and weighted UniFrac distances between the gut microbiota of normal-weight and obese children(P<0.01),suggesting substantial disparities in both the species and quantity of gut microbiota between the two groups.Prevotella,Firmicutes,Bacteroides,and Sanguibacteroides were more abundant in the obese and control groups,respectively.Heatmap results demonstrated significant differences in the gut microbiota composition between obese and normal-weight children.CONCLUSION Obese children exhibited lowerα-diversity in their gut microbiota than did the normal-weight children.Significant differences were observed in the composition of gut microbiota between obese and normal-weight children.

Relationship between postoperative rehabilitation style, gastrointestinal function, and inflammatory factor levels in children with intussusception

BACKGROUND Intussusception occurs in children and progresses rapidly.If not treated in time,it may lead to secondary complications such as intestinal perforation,which affect the quality of life and health of children.Surgery is the most common clinical treatment and has a good effect.However,the postoperative prognosis of children with intussusception has a correlation with the postoperative rehabilitation method.Therefore,in this study,we explored the relationship between postopera-tive rehabilitation,gastrointestinal function,and the expression of inflammatory factors in children with intussusception.The medical records of 18 children who were admitted to our hospital for intussusception surgery between October 2022 and May 2024 were retrospectively reviewed.The patients were divided into the routine nursing group(n=6)and rehabilitation training group(n=12)according to the postoperative rehabilitation method.The general data,gastrointestinal function,and inflammatory factor levels of the two groups were statistically analyzed.Pearson correlation analysis of gastrointestinal function,inflammatory factors,and postoperative rehabil-itation was performed.RESULTS We found no significant intergroup differences in sex,age,or disease course(P>0.05).The times to first defecation,bowel sound recovery,and anal exhaust were shorter and inflammatory factor levels were lower in the rehabilitation training group than in the routine nursing group(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that gastrin and motilin levels were positively correlated with postoperative rehabilitation(P<0.05).Interleukin(IL)-2,IL-4,IL-6,IL-10,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,and tumor necrosis factor-αlevels were negatively correlated with postoperative rehabilitation(P<0.05).Gastrointestinal function was positively correlated(P<0.05),and levels of inflammatory factors were negatively correlated with postoperative recovery time(P<0.05).CONCLUSION We found a positive correlation between gastrointestinal function and postoperative rehabilitation training,and a negative correlation between inflammatory factor levels and rehabilitation training in children with intussus-ception.

A Comparative Study of Myocardial Damage Caused by Novel Coronavirus Infection and Influenza A Virus Infection in Children during the COVID-19 Epidemic Period

Objective: To explore the comparative study of myocardial damage in children infected with COVID-19 and influenza A virus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Retrospective analysis of myocardial injury caused by COVID-19 infection and influenza A virus infection in children during the COVID-19 from October 2022 to May 2023, including 106 cases of COVID-19 infection, that is, the COVID-19 group;And 164 cases of influenza A virus infection, namely, H1N1 group;Two groups were tested for various indicators of myocardial enzyme spectrum, and the situation of myocardial injury was compared between the two groups. Result: In the enrolled cases, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of men and women in the COVID-19 group (P > 0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the average age between men and women (P > 0.05);The comparison of the incidence rates between males and females in the H1N1 group showed a statistically significant difference (P 0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the average age between the two groups of girls (P > 0.05). A comparison between two groups of various indicators of myocardial enzyme spectra showed that the results of AST, -HBDH and LDH were statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Both COVID-19 infection and influenza A virus infection in children have different degrees of myocardial damage, but COVID-19 infection causes more myocardial damage than influenza A virus infection, and influenza A virus is more prone to myocardial infarction, which deserves our attention.

Application of Echocardiography Combined with Blood SAA, IL-6, PCT, and CRP Detection in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Kawasaki Disease in Children

Objective: To understand the application of echocardiography combined with blood SAA, IL-6, PCT, and CRP detection in the diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease in children. Methods: 56 children with Kawasaki disease were selected as the study subjects as the treatment group, and 54 children with other diseases during the same period were selected as the control group. Echocardiography, blood SAA, IL-6, PCT and CRP were detected before and after treatment to observe the results of the two groups. A database was established to compare the changes of various indicators between the two groups, as well as the application value of each indicator in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease, and the pros and cons of the application of each indicator in the diagnosis and treatment of children with Kawasaki disease were analyzed, so as to provide a clearer early warning mechanism for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of children with Kawasaki disease. Results: There was no significant difference in the results of related imaging indexes in the control group before and after treatment (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the results of relevant imaging indicators in the treatment group before and after treatment (P > 0.05), except for LMCA (P < 0.05). The comparison of imaging related indicators before and after treatment between the two groups showed that except for no statistically significant difference in LMCA and RMCA before treatment (P > 0.05), all other indicators had statistical significance (P < 0.05). The results of relevant laboratory indexes in control group before and after treatment were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of relevant laboratory indexes before and after treatment in the treatment group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of relevant laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups, except for the results of SAA, IL-6 and PCT before treatment, which were not statistically significant (P > 0.05), the differences in all other indicators were statistically significant (P Conclusion: The combination of echocardiography with blood SAA, IL-6, PCT, and CRP detection can establish the optimal evaluation plan for accurate and effective diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Kawasaki disease in children, providing more accurate and reliable diagnostic and treatment methods and laboratory data for clinical practice, and thus providing strong protection for children’s health.

Drosophila models used to simulate human ATP1A1 gene mutations that cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 disease and refractory seizures

Certain amino acids changes in the human Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase pump,ATPase Na^(+)/K^(+)transporting subunit alpha 1(ATP1A1),cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2(CMT2)disease and refractory seizures.To develop in vivo models to study the role of Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase in these diseases,we modified the Drosophila gene homolog,Atpα,to mimic the human ATP1A1 gene mutations that cause CMT2.Mutations located within the helical linker region of human ATP1A1(I592T,A597T,P600T,and D601F)were simultaneously introduced into endogenous Drosophila Atpαby CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing,generating the Atpα^(TTTF)model.In addition,the same strategy was used to generate the corresponding single point mutations in flies(Atpα^(I571T),Atpα^(A576T),Atpα^(P579T),and Atpα^(D580F)).Moreover,a deletion mutation(Atpα^(mut))that causes premature termination of translation was generated as a positive control.Of these alleles,we found two that could be maintained as homozygotes(Atpα^(I571T)and Atpα^(P579T)).Three alleles(Atpα^(A576T),Atpα^(P579)and Atpα^(D580F))can form heterozygotes with the Atpαmut allele.We found that the Atpαallele carrying these CMT2-associated mutations showed differential phenotypes in Drosophila.Flies heterozygous for Atpα^(TTTF)mutations have motor performance defects,a reduced lifespan,seizures,and an abnormal neuronal morphology.These Drosophila models will provide a new platform for studying the function and regulation of the sodium-potassium pump.

C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 pathway as a therapeutic target and regulatory mechanism for spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury involves non-reversible damage to the central nervous system that is characterized by limited regenerative capacity and secondary inflammatory damage.The expression of the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis exhibits significant differences before and after injury.Recent studies have revealed that the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis is closely associated with secondary inflammatory responses and the recruitment of immune cells following spinal cord injury,suggesting that this axis is a novel target and regulatory control point for treatment.This review comprehensively examines the therapeutic strategies targeting the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis,along with the regenerative and repair mechanisms linking the axis to spinal cord injury.Additionally,we summarize the upstream and downstream inflammatory signaling pathways associated with spinal cord injury and the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis.This review primarily elaborates on therapeutic strategies that target the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis and the latest progress of research on antagonistic drugs,along with the approaches used to exploit new therapeutic targets within the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis and the development of targeted drugs.Nevertheless,there are presently no clinical studies relating to spinal cord injury that are focusing on the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis.This review aims to provide new ideas and therapeutic strategies for the future treatment of spinal cord injury.

Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 regulates heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression and is a potential target for the treatment of neuropathic pain

Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions,particularly RNA processing,transcription,chromatin remodeling,and endosomal trafficking.However,it remains unclear whether protein arginine methyl transferase-6 modifies neuropathic pain and,if so,what the mechanisms of this effect.In this study,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression levels and its effect on neuropathic pain were investigated in the spared nerve injury model,chronic constriction injury model and bone cancer pain model,using immunohistochemistry,western blotting,immunoprecipitation,and label-free proteomic analysis.The results showed that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 mostly co-localized withβ-tubulinⅢin the dorsal root ganglion,and that its expression decreased following spared nerve injury,chronic constriction injury and bone cancer pain.In addition,PRMT6 knockout(Prmt6~(-/-))mice exhibited pain hypersensitivity.Furthermore,the development of spared nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical pain was attenuated by blocking the decrease in protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression.Moreover,when protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression was downregulated in the dorsal root ganglion in mice without spared nerve injury,increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases were observed in the ipsilateral dorsal horn,and the response to mechanical stimuli was enhanced.Mechanistically,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 appeared to contribute to spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain by regulating the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F.Additionally,protein arginine methyltransfe rase-6-mediated modulation of hete rogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression required amino atids 319 to 388,but not classical H3R2 methylation.These findings indicated that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 is a potential therapeutic target fo r the treatment of peripheral neuro pathic pain.

Benefits of Mindfulness Training on the Mental Health of Women During Pregnancy and Early Motherhood:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness-based psychosomatic intervention on depression,anxiety,fear of childbirth(FOC),and life satisfaction of pregnant women in China.Methods Women experiencing first-time pregnancy(n=104)were randomly allocated to the intervention group or a parallel active control group.We collected data at baseline(T0),postintervention(T1),3 days after delivery(T2),and 42 days after delivery(T3).The participants completed questionnaires for the assessment of the levels of depression,anxiety,FOC,life satisfaction,and mindfulness.Differences between the two groups and changes within the same group were analyzed at four time points using repeated-measures analysis of variance.Results Compared with the active control group,the intervention group reported lower depression levels at T2(P=0.038)and T3(P=0.013);reduced anxiety at T1(P=0.001)and T2(P=0.003);reduced FOC at T1(P<0.001)and T2(P=0.04);increased life satisfaction at T1(P<0.001)and T3(P=0.015);and increased mindfulness at T1(P=0.01)and T2(P=0.006).Conclusion The mindfulness-based psychosomatic intervention effectively increased life satisfaction and reduced perinatal depression,anxiety,and FOC.

Relationship between catecholamine level and gene polymorphism of β1 adrenergic receptor G1165C in children with EV71 infection in hand foot and mouth disease

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the levels of plasma adrenaline and norepinephrine and gene polymorphism of β1 adrenergic receptor G1165 C in children with enterovirus 71(EV71) infection in hand foot and mouth disease(HFMD). Methods:The polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was used to detect the expression of gene polymorphism of β1 adrenergic receptor G1165 C in vitro. The levels of plasma adrenaline and norepinephrine were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results:The plasma norepinephrine level of severe group was significantly higher than the mild group in children with EV71 infection in HFMD(P<0.05); however,the levels of plasma adrenalinein in two groups had no statistical differences(P>0.05); There was no significant difference in the distribution of β1 adrenergic receptor G1165 C genotype and allele between EV71 infection group and healthy control group(P> 0.05). Further analysis of EV71 infection group by dividing it into mild and severe groups showed that there was no significant difference in the distribution of genotype and allele between these two groups as well(P> 0.05). There was no significant difference in the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in different genotypes of EV71 infection group(P> 0.05),and in the levels of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine in the mild and severe groups(P> 0.05). Conclusions:As the disease gets worse,the plasma norepinephrine level has a rising trend in children with EV71 infection in HFMD,which is an important indicator to evaluate the progress of the disease. However,the gene polymorphism of eptor G1165 C have no significant correlation,not only with the susceptibility and severit β1 adrenergic recy of EV71 infection in hand,foot and mouth disease,but also with the levels of catecholamine.

Comparison of acute pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in children:a retrospective multi-center cohort study during COVID-19 outbreak

Background:Until January 18,2021,coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)has infected more than 93 million individuals and has caused a certain degree of panic.Viral pneumonia caused by common viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus,rhinovirus,human metapneumovirus,human bocavirus,and parainfluenza viruses have been more common in children.However,the incidence of COVID-19 in children was significantly lower than that in adults.The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical manifestations,treatment and outcomes of COVID-19 in children compared with those of other sources of viral pneumonia diagnosed during the COVID-19 outbreak.Methods:Children with COVID-19 and viral pneumonia admitted to 20 hospitals were enrolled in this retrospective multi-center cohort study.A total of 64 children with COVID-19 were defined as the COVID-19 cohort,of which 40 children who developed pneumonia were defined as the COVID-19 pneumonia cohort.Another 284 children with pneumonia caused by other viruses were defined as the viral pneumonia cohort.The epidemiologic,clinical,and laboratory findings were compared by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test,t-test,Mann-Whitney U test and Contingency table method.Drug usage,immunotherapy,blood transfusion,and need for oxygen support were collected as the treatment indexes.Mortality,intensive care needs and symptomatic duration were collected as the outcome indicators.Results:Compared with the viral pneumonia cohort,children in the COVID-19 cohort were mostly exposed to family members confirmed to have COVID-19(53/64 vs.23/284),were of older median age(6.3 years vs.3.2 years),and had a higher proportion of ground-glass opacity(GGO)on computed tomography(18/40 vs.0/38,P<0.001).Children in the COVID-19 pneumonia cohort had a lower proportion of severe cases(1/40 vs.38/284,P=0.048),and lower cases with high fever(3/40 vs.167/284,P<0.001),requiring intensive care(1/40 vs.32/284,P<0.047)and with shorter symptomatic duration(median 5d vs.8d,P<0.001).The proportion of cases with evaluated inflammatory indicators,biochemical indicators related to organ or tissue damage,D-dimer and secondary bacterial infection were lower in the COVID-19 pneumonia cohort than those in the viral pneumonia cohort(P<0.05).No statistical differences were found in the duration of positive PCR results from pharyngeal swabs in 25 children with COVID-19 who received antiviral drugs(lopinavir-ritonavir,ribavirin,and arbidol)as compared with duration in 39 children without antiviral therapy(median 10d vs.9d,P=0.885).Conclusions:The symptoms and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia in children were no more severe than those in children with other viral pneumonia.Lopinavir-ritonavir,ribavirin and arbidol do not shorten the duration of positive PCR results from pharyngeal swabs in children with COVID-19.During the COVID-19 outbreak,attention also must be given to children with infection by other pathogens infection.

Growth hormone therapy for children with KBG syndrome:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND The incidence of short stature in KBG syndrome is relatively high.Data on the therapeutic effects of growth hormone(GH)on children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature in the previous literature has not been summarized.CASE SUMMARY Here we studied a girl with KBG syndrome and collected the data of children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature from previous studies before and after GH therapy.The girl was referred to our department because of short stature.Physical examination revealed mild dysmorphic features.The peak GH responses to arginine and clonidine were 6.22 and 5.40 ng/mL,respectively.The level of insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1)was 42.0 ng/mL.Genetic analysis showed a c.2635 dupG(p.Glu879fs)mutation in the ANKRD11 gene.She received GH therapy.During the first year of GH therapy,her height increased by 0.92 standard deviation score(SDS).Her height increased from-1.95 SDS to-0.70 SDS after two years of GH therapy.There were ten children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature who received GH therapy in reported cases.Height SDS was improved in nine(9/10)of them.The mean height SDS in five children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature increased from-2.72±0.44 to-1.95±0.57 after the first year of GH therapy(P=0.001).There were no adverse reactions reported after GH treatment.CONCLUSION GH treatment is effective in our girl and most children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature during the first year of therapy.

Effects of propofol combined with lidocaine on hemodynamics, serum adrenocorticotropic hormone, interleukin-6, and cortisol in children

BACKGROUND Children are a unique patient population.Anesthesia for pediatric abdominal surgery has long been achieved mainly with intravenous amiodarone and propofol alone or combined with other anesthetics.The incidence of complications and postoperative adverse reactions is relatively high owing to the imperfect development of various protocols for children.Choosing the most appropriate anesthesia program is an important means of reducing adverse reactions.AIM To explore the clinical value of propofol combined with lidocaine-assisted anesthesia in pediatric surgery.METHODS A total of 120 children who underwent abdominal surgery at our hospital from January 2016 to March 2018 were selected and divided into groups A and B using the random number table method,with 60 patients in each group.Group B received ketamine for anesthesia,while group A received ketamine,propofol,and lidocaine.The pre-and postoperative heart rate(HR);mean arterial pressure(MAP);arterial oxygen saturation(SpO_(2));serum adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),interleukin-6(IL-6),and cortisol(Cor)levels;restlessness score during the recovery period[Paediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium Scale(PAED)];and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The HR,MAP,and SpO_(2) Level at five minutes before initiating anesthesia were compared between groups A and B,and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).At 10 and 20 minutes after anesthesia initiation,the HR and MAP were lower in group A compared with group B(P<0.05).The differences in preoperative serum ACTH,IL-6,and Cor levels between groups A and B were not statistically significant(P>0.05);however,the postoperative serum ACTH,IL-6,and Cor levels in group A were lower compared with group B(P<0.05).Furthermore,the visual analog scale scores of group A at 2 h and 8 h postoperative were lower than those in group B,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The mean PAED score in group A was lower than that in group B(P<0.05),and the incidence of restlessness in group A was 23.33%lower than that in group B(36.67%)(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions was lower in group A than in group B(6.25%vs 16.25%).CONCLUSION The anesthetic effect of propofol combined with lidocaine and ketamine in pediatric surgery was better than that of ketamine alone,and had less influence on hemodynamics and pediatric stress response indices,lower incidence of restlessness in the recovery period,and lower incidence of adverse reactions.

Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Characteristics of Acute Respiratory Infections in Children and New Developments in Laboratory Testing

Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) in children is the most common infectious disease in childhood, and its pathogens include viruses, bacteria and fungi, mycoplasma, chlamydia and rickettsia. In recent years, with the continuous development of pathogen detection methods, the diagnosis and treatment of acute respiratory infections has received more and more clinical attention. The clinical diagnosis and treatment characteristics of acute respiratory infections in children and the research of clinical laboratory detection methods have also been continuously developed. The author collected references to review the clinical features and new developments in laboratory testing of acute respiratory tract infection in children.

Dietary Behaviors and Influencing Factors among Rural Left-behind Children Aged below 7 Years in China

Left-behind children comprise a special population inChinese rural areas. According to the 2007 China Census,the number ofleft-behind children aged≤14 years was estimated at 58 million which suggested that these childrencon stituted a

Application and Experience of Putting People First in Hospital Human Resource Management

The recent years have witnessed the rapid economic growth of our country.The medical industry has also come to a new era.The number of hospital staff continues to increase,while some problems of managing human resource have gradually emerged.These problems have a bad impact on the functions of the hospital.We must attach great importance to solve them.In the process of managing the human resources of hospital,we must insist to put people first.That is how we can better boost the working initiative of medical staff,setting the foundation for the development of hospital in a long run.This article has conducted deepening research on this issue.First of all,it briefly introduced the theory of putting people first.And then it stated the connotation of the theory of putting people first applied in managing human resources of hospital.At last,it explored the strategies on applying the theory of putting people first in managing human resources of hospital in accordance to the concrete conditions.

Serum proteins differentially expressed in gestational diabetes mellitus assessed using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation proteomics

BACKGROUND As a well-known fact to the public,gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)could bring serious risks for both pregnant women and infants.During this important investigation into the linkage between GDM patients and their altered expression in the serum,proteomics techniques were deployed to detect the differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)of in the serum of GDM patients to further explore its pathogenesis,and find out possible biomarkers to forecast GDM occurrence.METHODS Subjects were divided into GDM and normal control groups according to the IADPSG diagnostic criteria.Serum samples were randomly selected from four cases in each group at 24-28 wk of gestation,and the blood samples were identified by applying iTRAQ technology combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Key proteins and signaling pathways associated with GDM were identified by bioinformatics analysis,and the expression of key proteins in serum from 12 wk to 16 wk of gestation was further verified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS Forty-seven proteins were significantly differentially expressed by analyzing the serum samples between the GDMgravidas as well as the healthy ones. Among them, 31 proteins were found to be upregulated notably and the rest16 proteins were downregulated remarkably. Bioinformatic data report revealed abnormal expression of proteinsassociated with lipid metabolism, coagulation cascade activation, complement system and inflammatory responsein the GDM group. ELISA results showed that the contents of RBP4, as well as ANGPTL8, increased in the serumof GDM gravidas compared with the healthy ones, and this change was found to initiate from 12 wk to 16 wk ofgestation.CONCLUSION GDM symptoms may involve abnormalities in lipid metabolism, coagulation cascade activation, complementsystem and inflammatory response. RBP4 and ANGPTL8 are expected to be early predictors of GDM.

Endoscopic polidocanol foam sclerobanding for the treatment of grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ internal hemorrhoids:A prospective,multi-center,randomized study

BACKGROUND Endoscopic rubber band ligation(ERBL)is a nonsurgical technique for the treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids but is limited by recurrence and post-procedural pain.AIM To evaluate satisfaction,long-term recurrence,and post-procedural pain in managing internal hemorrhoids using a combination of polidocanol foam sclerotherapy and ERBL.METHODS This was a prospective,multicenter,randomized study.A total of 195 consecutive patients diagnosed with grade II-III internal hemorrhoids were enrolled from four tertiary hospitals and randomly divided into a cap-assisted endoscopic polidocanol foam sclerobanding(EFSB)or an ERBL group.All patients were followed-up for 12 months.Symptom-based severity and post-procedural pain were assessed using a hemorrhoid severity score(HSS)and a visual analog scale(VAS).Continuous variables were reported as medians and interquartile range.RESULTS One hundred and ninety-five patients were enrolled,with 98 in the EFSB group.HSS was lower in the EFSB group than in the ERBL group at 8 weeks[4.0(3.0-5.0)vs 5.0(4.0-6.0),P=0.003]and 12-month[2.0(1.0-3.0)vs 3.0(2.0-3.0),P<0.001]of follow-up.The prolapse recurrence rate was lower in the EFSB group at 12 months(11.2%vs 21.6%,P=0.038).Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that EFSB treatment[B=-0.915,95%confidence interval(CI):−1.301 to−0.530,P=0.001]and rubber band number(B=0.843,95%CI:0.595-1.092,P<0.001)were negatively and independently associated with the VAS score 24 hours post-procedure.The median VAS was lower in the EFSB group than in the ERBL[2.0(1.0-3.0)vs 3.0(2.0-4.0),P<0.001].CONCLUSION Cap-assisted EFSB provided long-term satisfaction and effective relief from the recurrence of prolapse and pain 24 hours post-procedure.

3'-Deoxyadenosin alleviates methamphetamine-induced aberrant synaptic plasticity and seeking behavior by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome

Methamphetamine addiction is a brain disorder characterized by persistent drug-seeking behavior, which has been linked with aberrant synaptic plasticity. An increasing body of evidence suggests that aberrant synaptic plasticity is associated with the activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing-3(NLRP3) inflammasome. 3′-Deoxyadenosin, an active component of the Chinese fungus Cordyceps militaris, has strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, whether 3′-deoxyadenosin attenuates methamphetamine-induced aberrant synaptic plasticity via an NLRP3-mediated inflammatory mechanism remains unclear. We first observed that 3′-deoxyadenosin attenuated conditioned place preference scores in methamphetamine-treated mice and decreased the expression of c-fos in hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, we found that 3′-deoxyadenosin reduced the aberrant potentiation of glutamatergic transmission and restored the methamphetamine-induced impairment of synaptic plasticity. We also found that 3′-deoxyadenosin decreased the expression of NLRP3 and neuronal injury. Importantly, a direct NLRP3 deficiency reduced methamphetamine-induced seeking behavior, attenuated the impaired synaptic plasticity, and prevented neuronal damage. Finally, NLRP3 activation reversed the effect of 3′-deoxyadenosin on behavior and synaptic plasticity, suggesting that the anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism of 3′-deoxyadenosin on aberrant synaptic plasticity reduces methamphetamine-induced seeking behavior. Taken together, 3′-deoxyadenosin alleviates methamphetamine-induced aberrant synaptic plasticity and seeking behavior by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Classification of Hemifacial Microsomia Based on Bone Volume Ratio of the Healthy and Affected Sides of the Mandible:A Retrospective Self-control Experiment

Objective Hemifacial microsomia(HFM),a congenital craniofacial malformation,is characterized by unilateral mandibular dysplasia.At present,the Pruzansky classification is the most common descriptive classification used clinically,which involves mandibular deformities.Although multiple classification systems have been proposed for HFM,a quantitative classification has not yet been proposed.This study intended to propose a quantitative classification for HFMaccording to the mandibular volume on the affected side.Methods Patients with HFM from January 2017 to January 2018 were included,and the A/U ratio(volume of the affected side/volume of the unaffected side)was measured.This study proposed a classification for HFM(mandibular-volume classification,MVC)according to the A/U ratio and compared the new classification system with the Pruzansky classification using consistency and correlation tests.Results A total of 48 patients were included.The results of MVC based on the A/U ratio were as follows:A/U>0.85,classified asmild;0.73-0.85,as moderate;and<0.73 assevere;the weighted kappa value of the Pruzansky and MVC classifications was 0.616(P<0.01).Conclusion The quantitative classification of HFMbased on the A/U ratio can serve asa viable evaluation index for patients withHFM and can provide a new reference index for determiningthe treatment plan.

Clinical and electroencephalogram characteristics and treatment outcomes in children with benign epilepsy and centrotemporal spikes

BACKGROUND Epilepsy is a syndrome characterized by transient,rigid,paroxysmal,and repetitive central nervous system dysfunction.Prevention,control,and improvement of cognitive and behavioral dysfunction are of great significance for improving the patients’intellectual development and quality of life.Electroencephalograms(EEG)can predict an accelerated decline in cognitive function.AIM To determine the clinical and EEG characteristics and treatment results of benign epilepsy in spiking children.METHODS A total of 106 cases of benign epilepsy in children with myocardial spines treated at our hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were selected.Differences in clinical data and EGG characteristics between treatment-effective/-ineffective patients were analyzed,and children’s intellectual development before and after treatment evaluated using the Gesell Development Diagnostic Scale.RESULTS EEG showed that the discharge proportion in the awake and sleep periods was 66.04%,and the peak/peak discharge was mainly single-sided,accounting for 81.13%,while the discharge generalization accounted for 31.13%.There was no significant difference in any of these variables between sexes and ages(P>0.05).The proportion of patients with early onset(<5 years old)and seizure frequency>3 times/half a year was 40.00%and 60.00%,respectively;the incidence rate and seizure frequency in the younger age group(<5 years old)were significantly higher than those in the treatment-effective group(P<0.05),while the discharge index was significantly lower than that in the treatment-effective group(P<0.05).The discharge index was negatively correlated with fine motor skill and language development(r=-0.274 and-0.247,respectively;P<0.05),but not with the rest(P>0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that low age onset(<5 years old)and seizure frequency were the factors affecting ineffective-treatment of benign epilepsy in children(odds ratio=11.304 and 5.784,respectively;P<0.05).The discharge index of the responsive group after treatment was significantly lower than that of the unresponsive group(P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference between groups after treatment in gross and fine motor skills,adaptability,language,and personal social development(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The EEG of children with benign epilepsy due to spinal wave in central time zone has characteristic changes,and the therapeutic effect is influenced by age of onset and attack frequency.