Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the systemic inflammation response in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to explore HBO therapy mechanisms. Methods Seventy patients with severe TBI were randomly divided into a routine treatment group ( RT group, n = 35 ) and an HBO group (n=35). All patients received conventional treatment, but the HBO group received additional early HBO therapy. Twenty age-and sex-matched normal subjects were recruited and served as normal controls. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by ELISA, and C reactive protein (CRP) was also measured on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 after injury. Sequential organ failure assessments (SOFAs) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores were evaluated at the same time points. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was assessed daily. Results The concentrations of serum IL-6 and CRP increased obviously following TBI, but patients in the HBO group exhibited significantly lower levels at each time point than those in the RT group. In the HBO group fewer cases of SIRS developed,and they had a significantly shorter average duration than those in the RT group. The average SOFA score in the HBO group was significantly lower than that of the RT group at days 14 and 21 after injury, and the GCS scores had improved significantly more by day 21. Compared with the patients who were free of SIRS, the patients with SIRS showed higher levels of IL-6 and CRP, higher SOFA scores as well as lower GCS scores ( all differences statistically significant). Conclusions HBO therapy can attenuate systemic inflammation after TBI, protect the functions of important organs and improve clinical outcomes. Decreasing the level of IL-6 may contribute to the effectiveness of HBO.

Seven meroterpenoids and five small-molecular precursors were isolated from Penicillium sp., an endophytic fungus from Dysosma versipellis. The structures of new compounds, 11beta-acetoxyisoaustinone (1) and isoberkedienolactone (2) were elucidated based on analysis of the spectral data, and the absolute configuration of 2 was established by TDDFT ECD calculation with satisfactory match to its experimental ECD data. Meroterpenoids originated tetraketide and pentaketide precursors, resepectively, were found to be simultaneously produced in specific fungus of Penicillium species. These compounds showed weak cytotoxicity in vitro against HCT-116, HepG2, BGC-823, NCI-H1650, and A2780 cell lines with IC 50 > 10 micromol x L(-1).

Objective:To express and purify hemoglobin receptor(HgbA) and its partial fragment(HgbAF) from Haemophilus ducreyi and to develop a sandwich ELISA for the detection of H.ducreyi infection.Methods:The HgbA,a hemoglobin-binding outer membrane protein of H.ducreyi and its partial fragment(HgbAF) were expressed by cloning the genes of hgbA and its 705bp fragment into pET30a and pET28a respectively,and the expressing products were purified from E.coli BL21 with Ni-NTA-His affinity chromatography.The polyclonal antibodies were developed by immunizing rabbits with the rHgbA and rHgbAF.The anti-rHgbA IgG and anti-rHgbAF IgG were purified respectively by saturated amine sulphate precipitation,and their immunoactivity with rHgbA and rHgbAF was tested by Westen blot and ELISA analysis.A Sandwich ELISA was developed for the detection of chinical infection of H.ducreyi using the specific polyclonal antibodies.Results:The HgbA and its partial fragment,HgbAF of H.ducreyi,were expressed and purified successfully by cloning their genes respectively.The results obtained by Western blot analysis showed that each of the antibodies could react with both antigens,rHgbA and rHgbAF.The results of the ELISA analysis showed that H.ducreyi strain was strongly positive,and all other bacteria,including H.influenzae and the bacteria known to relate to genital ulcers were negative.The results of the ELISA analysis showed that the minimum amount of rHgbA detected was 1.56 ng/ml and the minimum number of CFU of H.ducreyi detected was 2?105 cfu/ml in buffer and 1?106 cfu/ml in pus.Conclusion:HgbA and its partial fragment,HgbAF of H.ducreyi are expressed and purified successfully.The polyclonal antibodies developed by immunizing rabbits using rHgbA and rHgbAF could react not only with rHgbA and rHgbAF,but also with H.ducreyi specifically.They do not react with other bacteria,including H.influenzae and the bacteria known to relate to genital ulcers.So the ELISA based on the polyclonal antibodies was specific for the detection of H.ducreyi.Although the level of sensitivity of the ELISA may not be sufficient to detect H.ducreyi in all clinical specimens,further work to increase the sensitivity could potentially make this assay a valuable tool in areas where chancroid is endemic.

Objective To investigate the effect of early enteral nutrition combined with probiotics on the nutritional status of patients with severe head injury. Methods Thirty-five patients with severe head injury were randomized into early enteral nutrition group ( control group, n = 18 ) and early enteral nutrition combined with probiotics group (observational group, n = 17). All the patients received enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube within 24-48 hours following admission. Hemoglobin, lymphocyte count,plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, prealbumin, cholinesterase, and fasting blood glucose were determined before enteral nutrition and at days 8, 15, 21 after enteral nutrition. Arm circumference (AC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) and ann muscle circumference ( AMC ) were measured at the same time points. Gastrointestinal reactions as well as the time to first defecation were recorded. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was assessed. Results There was no difference in terms of hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, plasma concentrations of total protein, prealbumin, and GCS score at each time point between the two groups ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). At day 8 after enteral nutrition, the patients in the observational group exhibited significantly lower level of fasting blood glucose than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05 ). At day 15,the concentration of plasma cholinesterase in the observational group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). At day 21, the observational group showed a tendency in increase of plasma albumin level in comparison with the control group( P = 0. 054), and the decrease of AC and AMC was obviously lower than that in the control group ( P ＜0. 05 ) compared with pre-enteral nutrition. The observational group showed less gastro-oesophageal reflux and constipation as well as earlier time to first defecation compared with the control group ( P ＜ 0. 05,0. 01 ). Conclusion Compared with the ordinary enteral nutrition, the enteral nutrition combined with probiotics can attenuate metabolic disorders and improve the nutritional status of the patients with severe head injury.

Objective: To explore differences in the detection rate of elevated blood pressure (BP) in children aged 6-8 years old, and to verify the apparent existence of white-coat hypertension (BP) in children. Methods: Based on census data(PROC), and three subsequent BP readings were taken during follow-ups which were carried out from October 2018 to June 2019. A total of 1 785 children were included in the present study. Using updating blood pressure reference for Chinese children aged 3-17 years, compared the BP detection rate at baseline, at the first follow-up, and the average value of the last two BP readings. Fluctuations in the detection rate of elevated BP in children at different time-points were analyzed. Results: The detection rates of the three elevated BP measurements of 6-8-year-old children were 57.65%, 25.88% and 15.46%, respectively, and the detection rate was higher among boys than girls. The detection rate of baseline BP was higher than that of the first follow-up BP measurements and the average of the last two BP measurements(P<0.01). Given the agreement in the diagnosis of high SBP, high DBP, high BP at baseline, and the average of the last two follow-up BP measurements, elevated BP at baseline was the lowest among the three groups and SBP was higher than DBP. Conclusion Blood Pressure fluctuations might be caused by transient tension that was experienced during the baseline BP measurement and during the first of the three follow-ups. Therefore, the average value of last two BP measurements may better reflect the real BP level in children.

Objective: To examine the association between the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the pediatric population in order to improve risk stratification and prevention systems for chronic liver disease. Methods: A total of 510 overweight/obese children aged 6-8 years old were enrolled from the child cohort which was designed to study puberty, obesity, and cardiovascular risk (PROC), and complete data from liver ultrasounds and the VAI were obtained. Used Spearman s rank correlation coefficient, Chi-square tests, and Logistic regression analyses to explore the association between the VAI and NAFLD. Results: The detection rates of NAFLD for boys and girls were 25.9% and 11.1%, respectively. VAI for normal group and the NAFLD group were 0.43(0.31, 0.61) and 0.61(0.44, 0.87) in boys, and 0.74(0.56, 1.07) and 1.08(0.67, 1.51) in girls, respectively. Spearman s correlation coefficient analysis showed that triglycerides(TG), VAI, and the third quintile VAI group were positively correlated with NAFLD in both boys and girls(r=0.19,0.26,0.29;0.16,0.16,1.18,P<0.05), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) was negatively correlated with NAFLD in boys (r=-0.21, P<0.05). With advancing tertiles of VAI, the increasing trend in the NAFLD detection rate was statistically significant in boys and girls(Chi-square for trend were 21.77,7.66, P<0.01). The results of univariate and multivariable Logistic regression showed that, by taking the first tertile of VAI as a reference, the risk of NAFLD among boys was higher in the second tertile (cOR=2.59, 95%CI=1.15-5.86; aOR=2.33, 95%CI=1.01-5.36) and in the third tertile(cOR=5.73, 95%CI=2.62-12.53; aOR=4.87, 95%CI=2.15-11.03), where as the risk among girls was higher in the third tertile(cOR=4.43, 95%CI=1.40-14.00). Conclusion VAI is positively correlated with pediatric NAFLD. Higher tertiles of VAI were associated with an increased risk of NAFLD in overweight and obese children, which indicates that VAI can be used as an early predictor of NAFLD.

Objective: The study aimed to explore sex differences in the growth and physical development of Beijing school-aged children and adolescents. Methods: Data obtained from regular health examinations of 94 122 school-aged children and adolescents aged 6-18 years old were collected from primary and high schools in Shunyi District from 2009 to 2018, and a longitudinal dataset was compiled with complete anthropometric parameters including height, weight, and BMI levels after linkage of individuallevel information. The age-specific growth rate was calculated and a linear mixed-effects model was used to identify sex differences according to chronological or relative age to peak height velocity (PHA). Results: Height, weight, and BMI levels increased with age in both boys and girls. Girls were taller than boys in the 10-11 year-old age group, catch-up growth in height was observed in boys at age 12, whose height surpassed that of girls thereafter. Boys had a higher weight and BMI than girls in all age groups (P<0.01). Sex differences were found in the growth rates of height, weight, and BMI levels(t=-67.56，-47.46，3.22，P<0.01), which was demonstrated by the interaction effect of sex and age in the linear mixed-effects model. The PHA in boys was 12 years old, which was two years later than the PHA in girls. Boys reached peak weight velocity at 12 years old, lagging one year behind girls who reached their peak at 11 years old. The curves of the BMI growth rate with age showed double peaks in boys and the first peak appeared at 10 years, which was one year earlier than girls. The change in weight was highly synchronized in time with the increase in height, after adjusting for the growth rate of weight by PHA. Weight velocity increased with age before the onset of puberty until PHA, and then it declined; boys presented with obvious fat accumulation before the onset of puberty. Conclusion Sex differences in the growth and physical development of school-aged children and adolescents were persistent and apparent, and the change in weight was highly synchronized in time with the increase in height.

Objective: To explore sex differences between weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) changes among school-age children and adolescents in Beijing, and to provide a basis for priority intervention to control the rapid growth of body weight and blood pressure. Methods: Anthropometric measurement data of 70 288 children and adolescents from primary and high schools in Shunyi District were collected from 2009 to 2018, and a longitudinal dataset with complete data related to weight and BP after individual data linkage was compiled. The age-specific weight and SBP growth rates were calculated, and a linear mixed-effects model was used to identify sex differences in chronological growth rates. Results: Weight and SBP increased with age in both boys and girls, and the mean weight and SBP were higher in boys than in girls across all age groups. The result of the linear mixed-effects model indicated apparent sex differences in weight and SBP growth rates, with an age and sex interaction term(β=-0.35, -0.40, P<0.01). The age at peak weight velocity (PWA) was 12 years old and the age at peak SBP velocity was 13 years old in boys, which occurred one and three years later than for girls, respectively. In addition, the peak weight and SBP velocity were higher in boys than in girls. The curves of the SBP growth rate adjusted for the PWA, showed that the peak SBP velocity occurred two years before PWA and the second peak SBP velocity occurred at the PWA, which indicated "double peaks" in both boys and girls. The SBP growth rate was always higher in boys than in girls, and the rates declined after PWA. Conclusion Sex differences in weight and SBP growth rates were persistent and obvious in school-age children and adolescents in Beijing and the change in SBP was highly time synchronized with the increase in weight.

Objective: To identify the association of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and visceral fat area (VFA) to inform prevention of cardiovascular disease in later life. Methods: All the grade one students of six non-boarding primary schools in Shunyi District, Beijing were enrolled, based on population-based survey design, to establish the child cohort on sensitization, puberty, obesity and cardiovascular risk (PROC). Socio-demographic information survey and anthropometric measure, blood and urine test were carried out. Robust linear regression was used to determine the relationship between cIMT and other factors. Results: Among 1 711 participants, a significant difference were observed between normal, overweight and obesity children on cIMT [(0.35±0.02)(0.36±0.02)(0.37±0.03)mm] (F=41.4, P<0.01) and VFA [16.2(13.6-19.3), 22.7(18.6-27.3), 51.5(33.9-73.0)cm2] (χ2=854.5, P<0.01). After adjusting age and sex, univariate robust linear regression showed that cIMT was associated with height, SBP, DBP, HDL-C, VFA (P<0.05) and TG (P=0.055). Multivariable robust linear regression indicated that in total and boys only included models, cIMT was associated with VFA and SBP(β=0.000 2, 0.000 2, 0.000 2, 0.000 2, P<0.05); while in girls only included model cIMT was associated with VFA and TG (β=0.000 2, 0.006 2, P<0.05). Conclusion VFA is stable to predict the increase of cIMT in children. We can use VFA to simplify the classification management of children and inform targeted early prevention of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

Objective To explore the clinical features,diagnoses,differential diagnoses and treatments of superior cerebellar artery aneurysms.Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with superior cerebellar artery aneurysms,admitted to our hospital from January 2013 to March 2018,were retrospectively collected.Their clinical manifestations,imaging features,surgical effects and related problems in the process of diagnoses and treatments were analyzed.Results Among the 16 patients,11 were caused by aneurysm rupture;8 had subarachnoid hemorrhage alone,and three had subarachnoid hemorrhage accompanied by ventricular hemorrhage;CT and CTA confirmed that 8 were superior cerebellar artery aneurysms,two were posterior cerebral artery aneurysms,and one was with unclear diagnosis.In the other 5 patients,three had eyelid ptosis and two had abducent nerve palsy;CT,CTA or MR imaging showed that two were considered as ventral brainstem occupying lesions,and three did not have clear diagnosis.Finally,all patients were diagnosed as having superior cerebellar artery aneurysms by three-dimensional DSA.Five patients were treated with interventional embolization first,and one was treated with surgical clipping because of vertebral artery stenosis and difficulty of catheter access;two patients were transferred to our department for surgical clipping due to aneurysm rupture after embolization treatment in other hospitals;and 9 patients were treated by surgical clipping directly.After treatments,one patient was in bed for a long time due to cerebellar infarction and systemic complications,and the other 15 patients recovered well;two of them underwent ventricular peritoneal shunt due to hydrocephalus.Conclusions Superior cerebellar artery aneurysm has onset of subarachnoid hemorrhage mostly,and oculomotor and abductor nerve paralysis,and space occupying manifestation around the brainstem sometimes.For patients with suspicious posterior circulation aneurysms whose diagnosis or location are unclear,three-dimensional DSA examination should be performed early to confirm the diagnosis.Treatment should be taken as soon as possible once the superior cerebellar artery aneurysm is defined.Interventional embolization may be the first choice,but it is necessary to master the methods of surgical clipping in order to treat the disease timely.