Objective To determine the vitamin D status in children with sepsis/severe sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in order to explor the association between vitamin D status and clinical outcomes,in turn to provide evidence for optimizing nutrition support.Methods It was a prospective,observational,multi-center study,carried out in patients with sepsis/severe sepsis from March 1,2013,to March 30,2014,in the PICUs of three tertiary-care children's hospitals.Total serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25 (OH) D] was measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at admission.The association of vitamin D status at admission with length of PICU length of stay,total hospital stay,in-hospital mortality,28-days mortality and costs were analyzed.Results A total of 194 patients includng 117 boys (60.3％)and 77 girls (39.7％) were enrolled.There were 96 patients with sepsis and 98 with severe sepsis.The mortality on discharge and 28 days were 6.7％ and 24.2％ respectively.The median vitamin D level was 9.79 ng/mL (5.32,18.46) at admission.Of them 77.8％ (151/194) had vitamin D deficiency and 50.5％ (98/194) had severe vitamin D deficiency.Patients with severe vitamin D deficiency,had higher mortality on discharge (P =0.011).Vitamin D status had no significant correlations with 28 days mortality,length of PICU stay,total hospital stay and costs.Conclusions More than three-quarters (77.8％) of children with sepsis/severe sepsis in PICUs had Vitamin D deficiency.Patients with severe vitamin D deficiency at admission had higher risk of mortality at discharge.

Objective To develop a rapid, sensitive and specific assay based on multiplex real-time PCR for detecting and identifying Escherichia coli O157: H7. Methods The lipopolysaccharide gene (rJbE) and H7 flagellar antigen gene(fliC) of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was chosen as targets, and then the primers and TaqMan-MGB probe were designed. The 5'end of probes was labeled with FAM and HEX fluo-resceins respectively; the 3'end of probes was labeled with MGB. The PCR reaction was optimized systemati-cally. Then the specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of multiplex real-time PCR were estimated. Final-ly, multiplex real-time PCR was applied to detected clinical specimens. Results Escherichia coil O157:H7 were detected by multiplex real-time PCR accurately and quickly, which could distinguish Escherichia coli O157:H7 from O157: non-H7. Meanwhile, none of other bacteria could be identified. The sensitivity was 10 CFU/ml in pure culture. The coefficient of variation of intra-assay and inter-assay was less than 5%. When this assay was applied directly to identify 66 clinical specimens, the results showed that t5 were positive to Escherichia coil O157:H7 and 2 were positive to Escherichia coil O157: non-H7, in which 16 was the same to the results obtained from the conventional assays. The coincidence was 98.49%. Conclusion It is showed that multiplex real-time PCR is a reliable, accurate and feasible assay for detecting and identifying Escherich-ia coli Oi57: H7, The assay reported here provided a tool for analysis and diagnosis in the field of detecting clinical pathogens, epidemiologic survey and food safety monitoring.

Objective: By studying the efficacy of interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antagonist (tocilizumab) on acute inflammation of systemin juvenile id-iopathic arthritis (sJIA) and its effect on the downstream signaling pathways and inflammatory factors of IL-6 to further reveal the role of tocilizumab in sJIA. Methods: From December 2015 to December 2018, 64 sJIA children were randomly divided into two groups: 31 cases who were treated with tocilizumab+ glucocorticoid+disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) as the tocilizumab group, 33 cases who were treated with placebo (vitamin C) + glucocorticoid+DMARDs as the control group. They were treated for one year. The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of p65 and receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expressions of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3)/phosphates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3)/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) before and after treatment were detected by Western blotting. The differences between groups were analyzed by variance analysis. Normal distributed data was tested by K-W test. Twenty normal control subjects came from the pediatric clinic in our hospital. Results: There was no significant difference in the demographic data between the two groups (P>0.05). Among them, 2 children who were treated with tocilizumab dropped out after one month treatment and three months due to un-affordability respectively. The C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin (FER), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the tocilizumab treatment group decreased significantly after 6 months and 1 year when compared with the disease control group. The concentration of IL-6 in the tocilizumab group (77±46) pg/ml, control group (82±40) pg/ml were higher than that in the healthy control group (10±3) pg/ml (F=4.683, P=0.001; F=2.581, P=0.03). After one year, the concentration of IL-6 (316±42) pg/ml in the tocilizumab group was higher than that in the disease control group (62±40) pg/ml (F=11.2, P=0.001). The expression of RANKL and p65 mRNA in treatment group was significantly higher than that in healthy control group (K-W=10.03, P<0.01; K-W=9.42, P<0.01). After one year, the expression of RANKL and p65 mRNA in treatment group was lower than that in disease control group (K-W=9.964, P<0.01; K-W=10.75, P<0.01). The expression of STAT3/p-STAT3/SOCS3 in disease control group before medication was significantly higher than that in healthy control group, while the expression of p-STAT3/SOCS3 in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in healthy control group. The expression of STAT3/p-STAT3 in the tocilizumab group was significantly lower than that in the disease control group (K-W=12.54, P<0.01; K-W=10.52, P<0.01). Conclusion Tocilizumab can effectively alleviate the symptoms of sJIA in active phase, down-regulate the expression of STAT3/p-STAT3 protein, thereby reducing the transcription of downstream nuclear factor (p65, RANKL) mRNA, thereby affecting the proliferation of synovial cells and reducing bone destruction, but has no significant effect on the secretion of IL-6.

Intracranial hypertension crisis is a critical condition of intracranial hypertension in children.It often occurs in acute intracranial hypertension and is a precursor to cerebral hernia.It needs to be identified and treated urgently.The treatment and prognosis of acute intracranial hypertension and intracranial hypertension crisis are important to the long-term development of children.In this review, we reviewed the etiology, pathogenesis, early identification, monitoring and intervention of acute intracranial hypertension/intracranial hypertension crisis, hoping to be helpful to clinicians.

Objective To determine the effect of rapamycin(Rapa) on JAK2, ABCA3, and the immune checkpoint PD-1/PD-L1 in exosomes derived from JAK2 V617F positive HEL cells. Methods Human erythroleukemia HEL cells (JAK2 V617F mutation-positive) were cultured in vitro, and rapamycin was added at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 nmol/L. The control group was established and cell proliferation inhibition rate was detected by CCK-8. Based on the inhibition rate of cell proliferation, cells intervened with 10 and 50 nmol/L Rapa were selected. Exosomes were extracted using a kit and identified by Western blot and flow cytometry. JAK2, ABCA3, and PD-1/PD-L1 mRNA changes in exosomes were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR. The expression of exosome PD-1/PD-L1 protein was determined by flow cytometry. Results The exosomes extracted with the exosome kit all expressed characteristic CD9, CD63, and CD81 proteins, which were consistent with the general characteristics of exosomes. JAK2 mRNA can be detected in exosomes from HEL cells; Rapa reduced exosome production by HEL cells, and dose-dependently decreased gene expression of JAK2, ABCA3, and PD-L1 in exosomes. In addition, Rapa inhibited exosomal PD-L1 protein expression and had no significant effect on PD-1 protein expression. Conclusion HEL cells may transmit JAK2 mutant gene signals via exosomes. Rapa can reduce the production of exosomes and inhibits JAK2 mutated signals delivered by exosomes and suppresses PD-L1 protein expression.

Objective To explore the expression of inflammasomes (NLRP3,NLRP12) and related signal proteins in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods Samples of children with definite diagnosis of active JIA in Guangzhou Women and Childrens' Medical Center were collected retrospectively.Fifty-five cases were included,among whom 30 were systemic type and 25 were joint type.Blood samples of 22 healthy controls were collected at the same time.Peripheral blood single nuclear cell (PBMCs) were separated and DNA were extracted and reverse transcription (RT) to cDNA.Fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect NLRP3,NLRP12,ASC,and capase-1 in groups and the difference in their expression between groups were analyzed.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to test plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 IL-1,IL-4,IL-10,and their correlation were analyzed.Results The expression of NLRP3,NLRP12,ASC,Capase-1 in the case group (general-group and joint-group) were higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference in the expression levels between groups (P＞0.05).The IL-1 concentration of the case group (body-type group,joint-group) was higher than the control group (P=0.001,U=l) (P=0.001,U=14),however,the level of IL-4 of the case group (body-type group,joint-group) was not significantly different from the control group (U=662,P=0.13) (U=823,P=0.535),IL-I0 of the systemic group was higher than that of the control group (U=750,P=0.023),while there was no difference between groups (U=672,P=0.212).There were no significant difference in the levels of IL-1 (U=658,P=0.408),IL-4 (U=475,P=0.068),IL-10 (U=475,P=0.195) between groups.The NLRP3 mRNA relative expression levels of the case group and the ASC (r=0.44,P=0.013 4) was significant,in addition,IL-1 (P=0.001,R=0.58),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r=0.415,P=0.039),C reactive protein (CRP) (r=0.438,P=0.046) were positively correlated with NLRP12 relative mRNA expression level and ASC (r=0.583 7,P=0.007),CRP (r=0.46,P=0.031 6),ESR (r=0.003,P=0.56),CD8+ T (r=0.414,P=0.036).Conclusion The abnormal expression of JIA inflammasomes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (NLRP3,NLRP12) may be associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective Myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) have the potential to suppress autoimmune T cell response, while the levels and function of it had not been studied in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Therefore, we used flow cytometry to detect MDSC in peripheral blood of JIA and analyzed its correlation with cytokines, providing clinical basis for the generation and function of MDSCs in JIA. Methods A total of 34 patients with JIA were included. The disease activity was evaluated by calculating the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28)based on clinical information. JIA patients were divided into the active disease group and inactive disease group according to the DAS28 score. Twenty healthy controls were recruited from the Health Care Section of our hospital.The frequency of MDSC in peripheral blood from JIA patients and healthy controls were determinedby flow cytometry; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect plasma Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17A of JIA patients and healthy controls; RT-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to detect the expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3),IL-17A gene in patients with JIA and control subjects,and Spearman correlation was used to investigate the association between MDSC and DAS28 score, cytokines;non-parametric test and Spearman test were used for two group comparisons and correlation analysis, respectively.Results The frequency of MDSC [(6.2±4.2)% vs (1.2±1.6)%, Z=-5.258, P<0.01], and the levels of plasma cytokines IL-1β [(175±306) pg/ml vs (66±29) pg/ml, Z=-2.246, P=0.034], IL-6 [(86.6±257.2) pg/ml vs (14.0± 2.6)pg/ml,Z=-3.123,P=0.002),IL-10[(44±36)pg/ml vs(24±6)pg/ml,Z=-2.166,P=0.03],IL-17A[(9.1±17.6) pg/ml vs (2.7±0.4) pg/ml, Z=-3.965, P<0.01] incre-ased significantly in JIA patients compared with healthy control group, while STAT3 had no differences (P>0.05). The frequency of MDSC correlated positively with DAS28 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) disease activity (r=0.447, P=0.037; r=0.456, P=0.033), IL-1β (r=0.496, P=0.044), IL-10 (r=0.498, P=0.035); negatively cor-related with the STAT3 mRNA (r=-0.522, P=0.041); but not correlated with the IL-6, IL-17A by Spearman's test. Conclusion We have found that the frequency of MDSC in JIA increases and is associated disease activity, closely associated with inflammatory cytokines. The frequency of MDSC can be used as a clinical indicator to reflect inflammatory activity in JIA, However,the current knowledge of MDSC is incomplete and further experiment is required.

Objective:To understand the early clinical characteristics and drug sensitivity results of children died of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) so as to guide the early clinical identification and treatment.Methods:The early clinical data and drug sensitivity result of children died of IPD in PICU of the Children′s Hospital, Zhengzhou University and Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from May 2015 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 18 children meeting the criteria were enrolled, including 6 males and 12 females.The median age was 1 year and 9 months (ranged from 2 months and 20 days to 6 years and 7 months), there were 2 cases(11.1%) > 5 years old, and 16 cases(88.9%)≤ 5 years old.There were 17(94.4%) children related to community acquired infection.Among 18 cases, the first symptom was intracranial infection in 10 cases (55.6%), bloodstream infection in 4 cases (22.2%), and pulmonary infection in 3 cases (16.7%). There were 5 cases complicated with virus infection at the same time.Auxiliary examination: all of the 18 cases had anemia and hypoalbuminemia, and 15 cases(93.8%) had HCO 3- reduction.White blood cells(WBC), platelets(PLT) and natural killer (NK) cell decreased in 7 cases (7/18 cases), 12 cases (12/18 cases) and 6 cases (5/16 cases), respectively, but C-reactive protein(CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), lactic acid concentration(LAC), D-dimer (D-Di), international normalized ratio (INR) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were increased in 12 cases (12/18 cases), 14 cases (14/18 cases), 7 cases (7/17 cases), 14 cases (14/17 cases) and 9 cases (9/9 cases), respectively.Six children(33.3%) did not receive the treatment of sensitive antibiotics before admission.According to the drug sensitivity results: all the 18 strains had multiple-drug resistance(MDR), and the resistance rates of Penicillin, Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Clindamycin and Sulfamethoxazole were 22.2%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 100.0% and 94.4%, respectively, all the strains were sensitive to Vancomycin, Linezolid and Levofloxacin. Conclusions:Most of the children died of IPD in PICU are of community-acquired infection and less than 5 years old.Anemia and hypoalbuminemia are common in the dead children.The decreased in HCO 3- and increased PCT, LAC and D-Di in the early stage might be related to poor prognosis of patients.Most of the children died of IPD are infected with MDR strains.

A case with mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase deficiency(HMGCSD)was related and foreign and domestic reported cases were reviewed.The female proband was 7 months and 16 days old, and admitted to the hospital due to acute onset of " fever for 4 days, wheezing for 3 hours, dyspnea and moaning for 2 hours" . She was mainly manifested as encephalopathy, hepatomegaly, liver function damage, low ketone hypoglycemia, and hyperlipidemia.She died of respiratory and circulatory failure on the third day of hospitalization.Two compound he-terozygous variants in HMGCS2 gene were found by total exome sequencing, namely, c.1061+ 1 G> C and c. 476 G> T. HMGCSD could be diagnosed by gene detection in combination with clinical features of the patient. Thirteen literatures related to HMGCSD were collected, including 26 patients in total, with the age of onset ranging from 3 months to 6 years. The main cause of the disease was insufficient intake, mainly manifested as hypoglycemia accompanied by low ketone, hepatomegaly, liver damage, etc. A high level of urinary 4- hydroxy-6- methyl-2- pyrone might be a strong indicator of HMGCSD. Three died during the acute attack. Up to now, there were 32 mutations in HMGCS2 reported in 26 patients, and the main type was missense mutation. In this article, the second case of HMGCSD in China was identified, and 2 novel variants of HMGCS2 were found, which extended the clinical phenotype and mutation spectrum of HMGCSD.