1.Development and evaluation of a mortality risk prediction model for severe bacterial infections in children
Haoyu ZHA ; Rui TAN ; Haonan WANG ; Xuejian MEI ; Mingxing FAN ; Meiling PAN ; Tingting CHEN ; Jun CHEN ; Yao LIU ; Shaodong ZHAO ; Zhuo LI ; Hongjun MIAO
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2023;32(4):489-496
Objective:To establish a mortality risk prediction model of severe bacterial infection in children and compare it with the pediatric early warning score (PEWS), pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) and pediatric risk of mortality score Ⅲ (PRISM Ⅲ).Methods:A total of 178 critically ill children were selected from the PICU of the Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2017 to June 2022. After obtaining the informed consent of the parents/guardians, basic information such as sex, age, height and weight, as well as indicators such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure and respiratory rate were collected from all children. A standard questionnaire was used to score the child 24 h after admission to the PICU. The children were divided into the survival and death groups according to their survival status at 28 d after admission. A mortality risk prediction model was constructed and nomogram was drawn. The value of the mortality risk prediction model, PEWS, PCIS and PRISM in predicting the risk of death was assessed and compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the ROC curve (AUC).Results:Among the 178 critically ill children, 11 cases were excluded due to severe data deficiencies and hospitalization not exceeding 24 h. A total of 167 children were included in the analysis, including 134 in the survival group and 33 in the death group. A mortality risk prediction model for children with severe bacterial infection was constructed using pupillary changes, state of consciousness, skin color, mechanical ventilation, total cholesterol and prothrombin time. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUCs of mortality risk prediction model was 0.888 ( P<0.05). The AUCs of PEWS, PCIS and PRISM Ⅲ in predicting death in children with severe bacterial infection were 0.769 ( P< 0.05), 0.575 ( P< 0.05) and 0.759 ( P< 0.05), respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed the best agreement between risk of death and PEWS predicted morbidity and mortality and actual morbidity and mortality (χ 2 = 5.180, P = 0.738; χ 2 = 4.939, P = 0.764), and the PCIS and PRISM Ⅲ predicted mortality rates fitted reasonably well with actual mortality rates (χ 2= 9.110, P= 0333; χ 2 = 8.943, P= 0.347). Conclusions:The mortality risk prediction model for predicting the death risk has better prognostic value than PEWS, PCIS and PRISM Ⅲ for children with severe bacterial infection.
2.Clinical characteristics and prognosis of high-risk neuroblastoma patients with skeletal metastases at different sites
Hongjun FAN ; Cheng HUANG ; Yuchen ZHOU ; Shuai ZHU ; Chao DUAN ; Wen ZHAO ; Qian ZHAO ; Xisi WANG ; Dawei ZHANG ; Mei JIN ; Xiaoli MA ; Yan SU
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2023;38(5):331-338
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) patients with skeletal metastasis.Methods:The clinical features of 336 newly treated HR-NB patients with skeletal metastases admitted to the Department of Medical Oncology of Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2007 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.Kaplan-Meier method was used for the survival analysis, and Log- Rank test was used for univariate prognosis analysis.The Cox model was used to analyze the multifactorial prognostic analysis. Results:A total of 336 HR-NB patients were recruited, involving 188 males and 148 females with the median age of onset of at 43 (4-148) months.Skeletal metastases affected the viscerocranium (89 cases, 26.5%), neurocranium (193 cases, 57.4%), vertebrae (298 cases, 88.7%), sternum and ribs (183 cases, 54.5%), pelvis (270 cases, 80.4%), upper limbs (182 cases, 54.2%) and lower limbs (240 cases, 71.4%). The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate were (30.4±2.7)% and (41.3±2.9)%, respectively.Univariate analysis showed a significantly lower 5-year OS rate in skeletal metastatic HR-NB patients with poor prognostic classification, the morphology of neuroblastoma (stroma-poor) and ganglioneuroblastoma (intermixed), high index of mitosis-karyorrhexis index, lactate dehydrogenase≥587 U/L, serum ferritin≥92 μg/L, MYCN amplification and 1p loss of heterozygosity, and metastases in the viscerocranium, neurocranium, vertebrae, sternum and ribs, pelvis, upper limbs and lower limbs (all P<0.05). The 5-year OS rate of HR-NB patients with all 7 regions of skeletal metastases was only (14.2±5.9)%, which was significantly lower than that in patients with a single region metastasis or multi-region metastases[(66.0±10.2)% vs.(43.6±3.4)%, χ2=45.722, P<0.05]. Cox multifactorial analysis showed that MYCN amplification ( HR=4.165, 95% CI: 2.356-7.363) and the viscerocranium metastasis ( HR=2.560, 95% CI: 1.519-4.315) were the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of HR-NB patients with skeletal metastases (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The prognosis is extremely poor in HR-NB patients with multiple skeletal metastases at the initial diagnosis.The amplification of MYCN and the viscerocranium metastasis are the poor prognostic factors for HR-NB patients with skeletal metastases.
3.Analysis of clinical phenotype and gene variation of pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy caused by ALDH7A1 gene mutation
Wenjing HU ; Xiuxin LING ; Hongjun FANG ; Zeshu NING ; Mei CHEN ; Liwen WU
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2023;56(4):404-411
Objective:To analyze the clinical phenotype and genotype characteristics of children with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) and provide evidence for diagnosis.Methods:Clinical data of 3 children with PDE enrolled in the Department of Neurology of Hunan Children′s Hospital from July 2016 to December 2020 were collected, and whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used for analysis. Pathogenic variants were analyzed and screened using bioinformatics tools combined with clinical phenotype. Sanger sequencing was used to analyze the source of mutations in children′s core family members.Results:Cases 1 (female) and 2 (male) were siblings, both of whom had convulsions within 24 hours after birth. WES results showed that the siblings carried compound heterozygous mutations of c.796C>T (p.R266 *) and c.1553G>C (p.R518T) in the ALDH7A1 gene, coming from the father and mother of the siblings respectively. Both of the mutations have been reported as pathogenic. Case 3, female, developed convulsions at the age of 1. WES results revealed that she carried compound heterozygous mutations of c.1094-109T>A and c.7C>T (p.R3C) in the ALDH7A1 gene, coming from her father and mother respectively. After searching HGMDPro, PubMed, 1000 Genomes, and dbSNP databases, both of the 2 mutations of c.1094-109T>A and c.7C>T (p.R3C) were not reported. The pathogenicity predictions of the 2 mutations were carried out by different biological information analysis software. The results showed that both of the mutations were harmful. All the 3 children had no epileptic seizures after treatment with increased doses of vitamin B6. Conclusions:When infants have unexplained convulsions, especially in the neonatal stage, PDE caused by ALDH7A1 gene mutation should be considered. Pyridoxine precision treatment has a good effect. The 2 de novo mutations of c.1094-109T>A and c.7C>T (p.R3C) enrich the mutation spectrum in the ALDH7A1 gene. WES has the auxiliary significance in the diagnosis of epilepsy.
4.Annual financial expenditure in 24 domestic blood stations: a comparative analysis
Huixia ZHAO ; Pengkun WANG ; Hongjun CAI ; Lina HE ; Qizhong LIU ; Feng YAN ; Jianhua LI ; Jiankun MA ; Jianling ZHONG ; Chaochao LV ; Yu JIANG ; Qingpei LIU ; Li LI ; Jian ZHANG ; Weitao YANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Zhenxing WANG ; Peng WANG ; Wenjie HUANG ; Qingjie MA ; Youhua SHEN ; Zhibin TIAN ; Meihua LUN ; Mei YU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2022;35(9):947-949
【Objective】 To study the annual financial expenditure in blood stations with different scales, and to establish the regression equation between blood collection units and total expenditure. 【Methods】 The annual total expenditure, the per capita cost of serving population, as well as the collection units of whole blood and apheresis platelet of 24 blood stations were collected. The financial expenditure required for collecting 10 000U blood was calculated.The statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS statistical software. 【Results】 From 2017 to 2020, the total annual financial expenditure of 24 blood stations showed an upward trend. The total expenditure among blood stations was different. The per capita cost of servicing population in the areas where the 24 blood stations were located had been increasing year by year. The 24 blood stations were divided into two grades according to the blood collection volume as 50 000 U, and the relationship equation between the blood collection volume and the annual total expenditure had been established. After testing, each equation was effective(P<0.05); There was no difference in the financial expenditure required for collecting 10 000U blood among blood stations with different scales. 【Conclusion】 From 2017 to 2020, the blood stations with an annual collection volume more than 50 000 U demonstrated a higher financial expenditure and the per capita cost of serving population than those <50 000 U. The blood collection volume of blood stations is significantly correlated with the annual total expenditure and the per capita cost of serving population.
5.Oxidative phosphorylation in septic organ injury
International Journal of Pediatrics 2022;49(6):385-388
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by pathogenic microorganisms that infect the host.If treated improperly, it can progress to severe sepsis or even septic shock.As such, it′s one of the main reasons for the death of children in PICU.The inflammatory response of sepsis exerts great influence on a series of basic physiological functions of cells, including the oxidative phosphorylation of the mitochondria.Oxidative phosphorylation is a process during which oxygen is reduced to generate high-energy phosphate bonds in the form of adenosine triphosphate(ATP), which supplies energy for cells and produces a series of functional by-products.During sepsis, the process of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria undergoes a series of complex alterations, which in turn can further promote the development of septic organ injury.The present review aims to clarify the relationship between changes in oxidative phosphorylation and the impairment of various organs in sepsis.
6.A case report of paroxysmal extreme pain disorder caused by SCN9A gene mutation
Hua LI ; Mei OUYANG ; Yang JIN ; Peiqi ZHANG ; Jing GUO ; Hongjun YAN ; Liming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2021;36(9):702-705
The clinical data of a case of paroxysmal extreme pain disorder(PEPD) in Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.The male patient, age of first examination was 7 months, began to have recurrent tonic accompanied by facial redness or cyanosis at 5 months after birth.The patient was diagnosed with epilepsy.The oral solution of sodium valproate and Levetiracetam were not effective.The video electroencephalogram examination displayed that, when the patient had tonic and bradycardia, the synchro electroencephalogram did not show epileptic discharge, so the patient was considered to have non-epileptic tonic.Genetic examination suggested that SCN9A gene mutation of c. 5240T >C resulted in amino acid changes: Val1747Ala.Combined with the skin changes, the patient was diagnosed as PEPD caused by SCN9A gene mutation.After the treatment with Carbamazepine, the patient′s abnormal skin changed and his-epileptic tonic disappeared, and his condition improved significantly.The early stage of PEPD can be mainly manifested as non-epileptic tonic.It is easy to be misdiagnosed as epilepsy, so the patient′s characteristic skin changes should be noticed, and genetic examination is also helpful in the diagnosis of the disease.
7.Research on the role of miR-125b-1-3p in rotavirus replication
Lu NA ; Panpan GENG ; Yan ZHOU ; Shibao YAO ; Mei GUO ; Hongjun LI
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2021;41(6):433-439
Objective:To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of miR-125b-1-3p in rotavirus replication.Methods:MA104 cells were infected with rotavirus after upregulation and down-regulation of miR-125b-1-3p, respectively. The expression of miR-125b-1-3p and the copy number of rotavirus were analyzed by RT-PCR. The effect of miR-125b-1-3p on the protein expression of rotavirus was analyzed by immunofluorescence. The expression of related proteins involved in the regulation of miR-125b-1-3p was analyzed by Western blot analysis.Results:After rotavirus infection, the expression level of miR-125b-1-3p was significantly up-regulated, the copy number of VP7 and NSP3 gene of rotavirus decreased after up-regulation of miR-125b-1-3p, and the copy number of VP7 and NSP3 gene of rotavirus was significantly increased after down-regulation of miR-125b-1-3p.The fluorescence number of rotavirus protein decreased after upregulation of miR-125b-1-3p expression level, and increased after down-regulation of miR-125b-1-3p expression level. The activity of PI3K/Akt pathway was inhibited 16 h after rotavirus infection, and the up-regulation of miR-125b-1-3p could inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway.Conclusions:MiR-125b-1-3p inhibits rotavirus replication by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. These results provide an experimental basis for exploring the specific regulatory mechanism between miR-125b-1-3p and PI3K/Akt pathway, and provide a target for anti-infection therapy of rotavirus.
8.Novel Autoantibodies Related to Cell Death and DNA Repair Pathways in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Hui LUO ; Ling WANG ; Ding BAO ; Li WANG ; Hongjun ZHAO ; Yun LIAN ; Mei YAN ; Chandra MOHAN ; Quan-Zhen LI
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics 2019;17(3):248-259
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune syndrome characterized by various co-existing autoantibodies (autoAbs) in patients' blood. However, the full spectrum of autoAbs in SLE has not been comprehensively elucidated. In this study, a commercial platform bearing 9400 antigens (ProtoArray) was used to identify autoAbs that were significantly elevated in the sera of SLE patients. By comparing the autoAb profiles of SLE patients with those of healthy controls, we identified 437 IgG and 1213 IgM autoAbs that the expression levels were significantly increased in SLE (P < 0.05). Use of the ProtoArray platform uncovered over 300 novel autoAbs targeting a broad range of nuclear, cytoplasmic, and membrane antigens. Molecular interaction network analysis revealed that the antigens targeted by the autoAbs were most significantly enriched in cell death, cell cycle, and DNA repair pathways. A group of autoAbs associated with cell apoptosis and DNA repair function, including those targeting APEX1, AURKA, POLB, AGO1, HMGB1, IFIT5, MAPKAPK3, PADI4, RGS3, SRP19, UBE2S, and VRK1, were further validated by ELISA and Western blot in a larger cohort. In addition, the levels of autoAbs against APEX1, HMGB1, VRK1, AURKA, PADI4, and SRP19 were positively correlated with the level of anti-dsDNA in SLE patients. Comprehensive autoAb screening has identified novel autoAbs, which may shed light on potential pathogenic pathways leading to lupus.
9. Relations between high risk sexual behavior and HIV infection among men who have sex with men in ways of meeting male partners
Hang HONG ; Hongbo SHI ; Haibo JIANG ; Xiaomin GU ; Fuyan SUN ; Hongjun DONG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2019;40(12):1612-1617
Objective:
To understand the relations between high risk sexual behavior and HIV infection among MSM in ways of finding male partners in Ningbo.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ningbo between April and November in 2018. Data related to socio-demographics, ways of finding male partners, adoption of gay apps and sexual behaviors were collected by snowball method. Blood samples were drawn for HIV antibody testing. Classified data was evaluated by chi-square test. Related factors on HIV infection were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.
Results:
A total of 735 participants were included in this study. Ways of finding male partners would through gay apps (60.8
10. Clinical characteristics and prognosis of high-risk neuroblastoma with bone marrow metastasis in children
Hongjun FAN ; Cheng HUANG ; Yan SU ; Xindi WANG ; Yuchen ZHOU ; Chao DUAN ; Wen ZHAO ; Qian ZHAO ; Mei JIN ; Xiaoli MA
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2019;57(11):863-869
Objective:
To analyze the clinical characteristics of newly treated high-risk group neuroblastoma (NB) patients with bone marrow metastasis and to explore the prognostic factors.
Methods:
The clinical features (sex, age, stage, risk group, pathological type, metastatic site, etc.) of 203 newly treated high-risk NB patients with bone marrow metastasis admitted to Hematology Oncology Center, Beijing Children′s Hospital from January 2007 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 118 males (58.1%) and 85 females (41.9%). Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and Cox regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors.
Results:
The age at onset of the 203 patients was 41 months (9-147 months). The metastatic sites at diagnosis were as follows: bone in 195 cases (96.1%), distant lymph nodes in 104 cases (51.2%), skull and endomeninx in 61 cases (30.0%), orbit in 30 cases (14.8%), pleura in 16 cases (7.9%), liver in 13 cases(6.4%), canalis spinalis in 13 cases (6.4%), other sites in 11 cases (5.4%) and skin and soft tissue in 10 cases (4.9%). In all, 194 cases were enrolled for prognostic analysis. The follow-up time was 36 months (1 day-138 months) , and the 5-years event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 36.1% and 39.7%, respectively. A total of 118 patients (60.8%) had events (first relapse or death) with the time to event occurrence was 15 months (1 day-72 months), whereas 112 patients (57.7%) died with the event occurrence to death time was 3 months (1 day-21 months). There was no significant difference in 5-years OS between radiotherapy group and non-radiotherapy group (42.3%

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