OBJECTIVETo study the value of combined measurement of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) and fecal calprotectin (FC) in the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in full-term neonates.

METHODSA total of 36 full-term neonates with NEC (case group) and 39 neonates without digestive system diseases (control group) were enrolled as study subjects. ELISA was used to measure the serum I-FABP level and fecal FC level, and the clinical value of I-FABP combined with FC in the diagnosis of NEC was evaluated.

RESULTSThe case group had significantly higher I-FABP and FC levels than the control group (P<0.05). In the case group, serum I-FABP level was positively correlated with fecal FC level (r=0.71, P<0.05). In the diagnosis of NEC, I-FABP alone, FC alone, and I-FABP/FC combination had sensitivities of 83.3%, 81.5%, and 79.5%, specificities of 72.5%, 75.8%, and 86.3%, and areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) of 0.82, 0.81, and 0.88. The combined measurement showed significantly higher specificity and AUC than single measurement (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChildren with NEC have significant increases in I-FABP and FC levels, and there is a correlation between them. Combined measurement of I-FABP and FC can increase the specificity of the diagnosis of NEC.

Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; diagnosis ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; blood ; Feces ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex ; analysis ; Male

Objective:To observe effect of Zeqi Tang in intervening mice with orthotopic lung cancer model, in order to observe its anti-tumor mechanism. Method:An in situ mouse model of non-small cell lung cancer was established through intrapulmonary injection with 1×10⁵ LLC-luc cells. The model mice were intragastrically administered with Zeqi Tang(0.171 g·mL^-1) or normal saline for 35 days. Appearance (spirit, hair, appetite, sleep), survival period and Zeqi Tang anti-tumor effect were observed, weekly vital imaging was performed to detect the fluorescence signal in the lungs of mice. Flow cytometry was used to detect the NK cell content in the spleen of the model mice. CD107α was used to detect the degranulation of NK cells in the spleen of mice after administration of Zeqi Tang. Kromasil 100 5 C₁₈ column was used and eluted with acetonitrile-0.025%phosphoric acid in a gradient mode, with flow rate at 1.0 mL·min^-1, column temperature at 35℃ and detection wavelength of 265 nm, as to establish the fingerprint of Zeqi Tang. The fingerprints of 10 batches of samples was evaluated by using the Chinese Medicine Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System Software (2012 Edition) recommended by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, in order to complete the quality control of Zeqi Tang. Result:Zeqi Tang could significantly inhibit the lung fluorescence signal of lung cancer in situ model mice and prolong the survival of mice(P<0.05, P<0.01). After the intervention with Zeqi Tang, the NK cells in the tumors increased significantly(P<0.01), and the degranulation of CD107α also increased significantly(P<0.01). Moreover, the HPLC-DAD fingerprint of Zeqi Tang showed a significant increase in the fingerprint similarity of 10 batches of lacquer soup aqueous extract. Moreover, the HPLC-DAD fingerprint of Zeqi Tang showed that the fingerprint similarity of 10 batches of lacquer soup aqueous extract was ≥ 0.9, indicating that small differences between the batches. Conclusion:Zeqi Tang may enhance the tumor growth and prolong the survival period of mice by up-regulating the number of NK cells in mice and enhancing their degranulation function. The evaluation of similarity of HPLC fingerprint of Zeqi Tang reflects the quality of lacquer soup to a certain extent, and can provide reference for further study.