Objective To investigate the contents of IL-1β and IL-1ra in cerebrospinal fluid of children with Japanese encephalitis, and their clinical significance. Methods Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect IL-lβ and IL-lra contents in 50 children with Japanese encephalitis and 20 children without nervous system disease (controls). Results IL-1β contents in climax stage, convalescent stage and the controls were (49. 43±14. 59) , (24. 73±14. 50) and (8. 98± 1.26)μg/L (F = 79.88, P<0.01); IL-lra contents in climax stage, convalescent stage and the controls were (177. 39±60. 19), (78. 24±44. 63) and (21. 09±3. 10) μg/L (F = 91. 53, P <0. 01). There were significant differences on IL-lβ and IL-lra contents among children with mild, moderate and severe encephalitis (climax: F = 82.36 and 66.50, P<0.01; convalescence; F = 55. 17 and 79.50, P<0.01). IL-1β content was positively correlated with IL-lra in both climax and convalescent stages (climax; r = 0. 815, P < 0.01; convalescent; r= 0.728, P < 0.01). Conclusions IL-lβ and IL-lra contents in cerebrospinal fluid are significantly increased in children with Japanese encephalitis in climax stage, which are closely correlated with the disease severity. The two indicators may participate in the pathological process of brain damages with Japaness encephalitis.

Objective To investigate the value of combined detection of group B streptococcus (GBS) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) for predicting preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Methods A total of 227 pregnant women with PPROM who were hospitalized from August 2016 to August 2017 were selected as observation group. Immediately after admission, patients were given GBS culture and detection of Candida vaginalis. 743 cases of pregnant women with term delivery in the same period were randomly selected as the control group, and were given GBS culture and detection of Candida vaginalis at 35-37 th week of pregnancy. General data such as age, gestational weeks, body mass index, pregnancy time, and parity of the two groups were recorded. The positive rates of GBS and VVC and the relationship between them were observed. Results There was no significant difference in the basic data between the two groups (P>0.05). Among the 227 pregnant women with PPROM, the positive rate of GBS was 9.69％, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (5.11％), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The positive rate of VVC in the observation group was 25.11％, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (18.71％), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The positive rate of GBS in pregnant women with positive VVC was 9.69％, higher than that in those with negative VVC, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Positive GBS or VVC can increase the risk of PPROM. It is necessary to routinely perform GBS screening and VVC testing before 35 weeks of gestation to predict the risk of PPROM and treat the patients with positive results.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) on prognosis of patients with type 2 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS).

METHODSA total of 54 patients with type 2 HRS were included in the study, and stratified for analysis according to survival status at 6-month followup:survival group, n=25; death group, n=29. Single factor analysis was used to compare the betweengroup differences for levels of plasma NGAL, urine NGAL, renin, aldosterone, and blood biochemical indicators. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to assess the prognosis of patients with type 2 HRS. The F-test, t-test, chi-square test, Pearson's correlation analysis, and Cox regression model were used for the statistical analyses.

RESULTSThe HRS patients with liver cirrhosis showed significantly lower levels of hemoglobin, platelets and albumin (all P < 0.05), but significantly higher international normalized ratio and levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine arninotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, serum creatinine, plasma NGAL, urine NGAL, renin and aldosterone (all P < 0.05). Plasma NGAL and urine NGAL were positively correlated with renin, aldosterone, blood creatinine, MELD score, Child-Pugh score and ascites (P < 0.05). The patients in the 6-month survival group showed significantly lower levels of albumin, serum sodium, serum creatinine, plasma NGAL, urine NGAL, renin, and aldosterone than those in the death group (P < 0.05), but significantly higher glomerular filtration rate (vs. death group, P < 0.05). The Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that MELD, plasma NGAL, total bilirubin and creatinine were influencing factors of 6-month prognosis for patients with type 2 HRS (relative risk: 1.214, 1.157, 1.098 and 1.016 respectively).

CONCLUSIONPlasma NGAL is high in patients with type 2 FHRS, and is associated with risk of death.

Acute-Phase Proteins ; Bilirubin ; Biomarkers ; Creatinine ; Gelatinases ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Hepatorenal Syndrome ; Humans ; Kidney Function Tests ; Lipocalin-2 ; Lipocalins ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Neutrophils ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of vaginal delivery with scarred uterus after cesarean section.Methods Sixty two parturients after cesarean section undergoing trial vaginal delivery in our department from October 2016 to October 2017 were enrolled in study (study group);60 primiparous women admitted at the same period were taken as the control group.The successful rate of vaginal delivery,the duration of labor and the incidence of postpartum complications were analyzed.The postpartum depression was assessed with Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale 6 weeks after delivery and compared between two groups.Results The vaginal delivery was successful in 49 parturients of each group with a successful rate of 79.0％ (49/62) and 81.7％ (49/60) respectively (x2=0.13,P=0.71).The first and the second stages of labor in the study group were (364± 105)min and (54±31)min,respectively,which were shorter than those of the control group [(388±93)min and (63± 18)min,t=2.325,P=0.03;t=2.145,P=0.04].The incidence rates of postpartum hemorrhage,infection and urinary retention were 3.2％ (2/62) and 1.7％ (1/60),1.6％ (1/62) and 1.7％ (1/60),4.8％ (3/62) and 3.3％ (2/60) in study group and control group,respectively (x2=0.309,0.001 and 0.176,P＞0.05).The Apgar scores of the newborns in two groups were 8.7± 2.1 and 8.5± 1.8 (t=1.415,P=0.14) and the postpartum depression scores of the mothers were 13.7±4.3 and 12.4±3.2 (t=1.203,P=0.33),respectively.Conclusion Vaginal delivery can be chosen in parturients with scarred uterus after cesarean section,if preparations are adequate,indications of vaginal delivery are sufficient and the course of labor is closely monitored.

Objective:To assess the efficacy of the newly constructed system for screening, managing and monitoring congenital heart disease (CHD) in neonates of Hainan Province, thus providing references for a further promotion.Methods:Clinical data of neonatal CHD in Hainan Province from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including screening, diagnosis and treatment, prognosis and follow-up.Relying on Hainan Women and Children′s Medical Center as the leading unit, a neonatal CHD screening, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring system was established.A dual-indicator method was adopted, that was, screening staffs in Hainan Province performed CHD screening in living neonates by cardiac auscultation and pulse oximetry (POX) within 6-72 h after birth.Echocardiographic examinations for the screened living neonates were performed in the 31 authorized diagnosis institutions.Evaluations, interventions and treatment of living neonates with CHD were performed in 6 authorized tertiary hospitals.Data of screening, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment were filled in, uploaded and managed online through the neonatal CHD screening information management system.The research team of our hospital was responsible for the data management and monitoring.Results:From January 1 st, 2019 to December 31 st, 2021, there were 329 387 living neonates in Hainan Province, and 321 447 (97.59%) were screened for CHD, and the annual screening rate increased year by year.The positive rate of CHD screening was 2.50%(8 032/321 447). The rate of cardiac ultrasound examination within 1 week of CHD positive screening was 94.66%(7 603/8 032). The referral rate of severe CHD was 100.00%(154/154). The overall prevalence of CHD in neonates of Hainan Province was 3.419‰ (1 099/321 447). Atrial septal defect was the most common CHD lesion, with a proportion of 38.40%(422/1 099). The sensitivity of cardiac auscultation, POX and their combination for CHD detection were 69.15%, 33.49% and 91.90%, respectively, and the specificity were 98.36%, 99.43% and 97.81%, respectively.At the initial screening, the ratio of dual-positive of cardiac auscultation and POX in neonates with severe CHD (serious and critical CHD) was significantly higher than that of a single positive indicator ( χ2=36.502, 46.214, respectively; all P<0.001). All neonates with CHD were evaluated.Fifteen neonates with severe CHD died.From 2019 to 2021, the standardized mortality rate of children aged 0-1 years with CHD in Hainan province was 4.67/100 000 (15/321 447). Conclusions:Dual-indicator screening for CHD (cardiac auscultation plus POX) is reliable, non-invasive, and simple, which is conducive to be clinically promoted.Introducing and promoting an appropriate technology for screening, diagnosis, and evaluation of neonatal CHD are extremely significant since they may have contributed to the timely diagnosis and treatment of CHD, especially severe CHD, thus lowering the mortality.

Objective To optimize the method of combining azomethane oxide(AOM)and dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)to create a colitis-associated colon cancer(CAC)model,and to explore the pathogenesis of the intestinal flora in CAC.Methods Model groups A and B were established by one and two injections of AOM,respectively,combined with free drinking of DSS,and a normal control group was injected intraperitoneally with normal saline combined with purified water(n=10 mice per group).The better modeling scheme was selected by comprehensive evaluation of the disease activity index score,colon length,tumor rate,and mortality.Serum levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and tumor markers CA199,CEA,and CA724 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Colon lesions were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Changes in the intestinal microbiota in CAC mice were detected by 16S rDNA high-throughput gene sequencing analysis of mouse feces.Results Both single and enhanced AOM injections combined with DSS induced CAC mice;however,colon growths were larger,more closely arranged,and their morphological size was more consistent in group B compared with group A,with a tumor-formation rate of 100％.IL-6 levels were increased in the model group compared with the normal group(P＜0.05).TNF-α levels were increased in the model group compared with the normal group(P＞0.05).The CA199 and CEA levels were also significantly increased(P＜0.05),but CA724 levels were not.Infiltration of inflammatory cells in the colon detected by HE pathology was accompanied by high-grade intraepithelial tumor-like changes on the surface of the lumen.The diversity and abundance of intestinal bacteria were decreased in CAC mice compared with normal mice:phyla Verrucomicrobiota and Actinobacteriota were significantly increased(P＜0.05),Bacteroidota and Campilobacterota were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Akkermansia,Prevotellaceae,Ruminococcus,and Bifidobacterium were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and Roseburia,Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group,Anaeroplasma,and Muribaculaceae were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Two injections of AOM combined with 1.5％(1.5 g/100 mL)DSS induced CAC model mice with a high colon-tumorigenesis rate,uniform tumor morphology,and low mortality,and may thus be the preferred modeling scheme for pharmacodynamic experiments.Disorders or dysfunction of the intestinal flora may lead to increased permeability,loss of intestinal mucosal barrier function,and the release of enterogenic endotoxins,Resultsing in a sustained inflammatory response,as an indirect or direct cause of CAC pathogenesis.

ObjectiveTo induce the rat model of ulcerative colitis （UC） with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency and liver depression， and explore the efficacy and mechanism of Sishenwan combined with Tongxie Yaofang （SSW&TXYF） based on the therapeutic principles of tonifying spleen， soothing liver， warming kidney， and astringing intestine. MethodSixty male SD rats were randomized into normal， model， mesalazine， and high-， medium-， and low-dose SSW&TXYF groups. The rats in other groups except the normal group were administrated with Sennae Folium decoction and hydrocortisone and received tail clamping for 14 days. On day 14， rats received enema with TNBS-ethanol solution to induce UC. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs from day 15 of modeling， and the body weight and mental state were observed and recorded. The sucrose preference test was performed from day 25. On day 28， the rectal temperature was measured， and the rats were administrated with 3% D-xylose solution at a dose of 10 mL·kg^-1 by gavage. Blood was sampled 1 h later， from which the serum was collected for measurement of the D-xylose content. The serum， hippocampus， and colorectum samples of rats were collected on day 29. The levels of gastrin （GAS）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， corticosterone （CORT）， cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）， cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）， interleukin （IL）-4， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and interferon （IFN）-γ in the serum and 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in the hippocampus were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to reveal the colonic lesions. The mRNA and protein levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）， and c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） in the colon tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased body weight， anal temperature， and D-xylose content in the serum and increased GAS content （P<0.01）. The modeling led to cAMP/cGMP unbalance and decreased the ACTH and CORT content in the serum （P<0.01）， the preference for sucrose water， and the 5-HT content in the hippocampus （P<0.01）. Moreover， it shortened the colorectal length and caused massive infiltration of inflammatory cells and severe structural damage in the colon tissue. High， medium， and low doses of SSW&TXYF improved above indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced inflammatory infiltration， and repaired the pathological damage of the tissue. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed lowered IL-4 level （P<0.01） and elevated TNF-α and IFN-γ levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the serum， as well as up-regulated expression of p38 MAPK， ERK， and JNK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， SSW&TXYF elevated the IL-4 level （P<0.01）， lowered the TNF-α and IFN-γ levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p38 MAPK， ERK， and JNK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionA rat model of UC with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency and liver depression was successfully established. SSW&TXYF can significantly mitigate this syndrome by reducing the inflammatory response in the colon and inhibiting the MAPK pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Huangqintang on mouse models of colitis-associated colon cancer （CAC） and explore the mechanism of Huangqintang in regulating immune function and inflammatory response， inhibiting abnormal cell proliferation， and delaying or inhibiting CAC formation in CAC. MethodC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， mesalazine group， and high- and low-dose Huangqintang groups according to body weight， with 12 mice in each group. Except for the normal group， the rest of the mice were given two intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg·kg^-1 azomethane （AOM） and allowed to drink 1.5% dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） freely for seven days and water normally for two weeks. Then， two cycles of ''DSS-drinking water'' were repeated. During the administration of DSS， mice in the normal group and model group were given gavage in equal doses of pure water. Mice in the mesalazine group were given 150 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 mesalamine suspension for gavage， and mice in the high- and low-dose Huangqintang groups were given 18 and 9 g·kg^-1·d^-1 Huangqintang for gavage， respectively. Each group was given one dose daily until the end of three cycles. After the intervention， the body weight， colon length， and number of colon tumors in each group were measured， and disease activity index （DAI） scores were performed. The serum contents of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and gastrointestinal tumor marker carbohydrate antigen-199 （CA199） were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The colonic lesions were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The expression of proliferative cell-associated antigen （Ki67） was observed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of T lymphocyte subsets （CD3⁺， CD4⁺， CD8⁺， and CD49b⁺） in mouse plasma was detected by flow cytometry. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-D （FITC-D） content in mouse serum was detected by fluorescent labeling method. The Western blot method was used to detect the expression of Cyclin D₁， cyclin-dependent kinase 2 （CDK2）， cyclin-dependent kinase 4 （CDK4）， and tightly junction-related Occludin and Claudin-1. ResultCompared with the normal group， the body weight of mice in the model group decreased. DAI score increased significantly， and the colon became shorter. Pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β increased， and IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased （P<0.05）. The inflammatory factor IL-4 （P<0.05） and IL-10 were significantly reduced， and the tumor marker CA199 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. HE staining showed that colon lesions， intestinal mucosal epithelial defects with a large number of inflammatory infiltrates， serious crypt structure damage， and glandular arrangement disorder were observed in the model group. Ki67 positive granules were expressed in large areas of colonic tissue. The serum CD4⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ of mice in the model group decreased significantly （P<0.05）， and CD8⁺ increased significantly （P<0.05）. The plasma content of FITC-D in the model group was significantly increased （P<0.05）， and the expression of Cyclin D₁， CDK2， and CDK4 proteins in colon tissue was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the expression of Occludin and Claudin-1 was significantly decreased. Compared with the model group， the body weight of mice in the mesalazine group and the high- and low-dose Huangqintang groups increased. DAI score decreased， and the colon became longer. IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β expression decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， but there was no significant change in IL-4 and IL-10. The content of CA199 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the colomatoid lesions and inflammatory infiltrates were reduced in the mesalazine group and the Huangqintang group. The crypt structure damage was lighter， and the positive expression of Ki67 was reduced. CD4⁺， CD4⁺/CD8⁺， and CD49b⁺ increased， and the difference was not statistically significant. FITC-D content decreased （P<0.05）. The expression of Cyclin D₁， CDK2， and CDK4 decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and Claudin-1 and Occludin protein expression increased in the high-dose Huangqintang group （P<0.05）. ConclusionHuangqintang has a certain delay and inhibitory effect on AOM/DSS-induced inflammatory cancer transformation， and its mechanism of action may be related to regulating immune function and inflammatory response， inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory factors， repairing damaged intestinal barriers， inhibiting abnormal proliferation of colon cells， and intervening in the formation and development of CAC colon tumors.

ObjectiveTo construct a mouse model of inflammation-associated colorectal cancer （CAC） by using azoxymethane （AOM）/dextran sulfate sodium （DSS） and investigate the effect of Huangqintang on the gut microbiota structure of mice during the occurrence and development of CAC by 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. MethodA total of 225 C57BL/6J mice were randomized into 5 groups （n=45）： Normal， model， positive drug （mesalazine）， and high （18 g·kg^-1） and low （9 g·kg^-1）-dose Huangqintang. Except those in the normal group， each mouse was injected with 10 mg·kg^-1 AOM on day 1 and day 5 within 1 week and then given 1.5% DSS solution for 7 days， which was then changed to sterile water for 14 days. This process referred to as one cycle， and mice were treated for a total of 3 cycles. On the first day of DSS treatment， mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage， and the normal group and the model group were administrated with pure water by gavage， once a day until the end of the third cycle. The progression of CAC was divided into inflammation， proliferation， and tumorigenesis stages. At the end of each cycle， the body weight and colon length were measured for mice in each group， and the number of colon tumors in mice was recorded. Meanwhile， the disease activity index （DAI） was determined. The serum levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and carbohydrate antigen-199 （CA199）， a tumor marker in the gastrointestinal tract of mice， were measured by ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe colon lesions. At the same time， 3-5 pellets of fresh feces of mice in the normal group， model group， and high-dose Huangqintang group were collected， from which the fecal DNA of mice was extracted for 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased body weight （P<0.01）， increased DAI， and shortened colon length （P<0.05） at the three stages. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.05） at the proliferation stage and elevated levels of CA199 at the inflammation， proliferation， and tumorigenesis （P<0.01） stages. Compared with the normal group， the model group presented obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells at the inflammation stage， thickening of the muscle layer and abnormal proliferation of mucosal layer cells at the proliferation and tumorigenesis stages， and final formation of advanced intraepithelial tumor lesions. Compared with the model group， the Huangqintang groups showed no significant improvement in the body weight， decreased DAI score， and increased colon length at the three stages， and the increase of colon length in the tumorigenesis stage was significant （P<0.01）. At the tumorigenesis stage， the administration of Huangqintang inhibited tumor formation and growth， reduced the number of tumors （P<0.01）， lowered the levels of IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and IL-1β at the three stages， and decreased CA199 at the inflammation stage as well as at the proliferation and tumorigenesis stages （P<0.01， P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the administration of Huangqintang reduced inflammation and abnormal cell proliferation， delaying the occurrence of tumors. Compared with the normal group， the model group showcased decreased alpha and beta diversity and altered structure of gut microbiota at the inflammation， proliferation， and tumorigenesis stages. The administration of Huangqintang adjusted the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota to the normal levels. At the inflammation stage， Huangqintang positively regulated two differential phyla （Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes） and three differential genera （Muribaculaceae， Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group， and Flavonifractor） in mice. At the proliferation stage， Huangqintang positively regulated two differential phyla （Bacteroidetes and Patescibacteria） and five differential genera （Muribaculaceae， Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group， Candidatus_Saccharimonas， norank_f__UCG-010， and Allobaculum）. At the tumorigenesis stage， Huangqintang positively regulated two differential phyla （Proteobacteria and Patescibacteria） and eight differential genera （Muribaculaceae， Candidatus_Saccharimonas， norank_f_UCG-010， Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006， Allobaculum， Bacteroides， Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group， and Flavonifractor） in mice. ConclusionHuangqintang can intervene in the AOM/DSS-induced transformation of inflammation to CAC in mice by correcting inflammation and short-chain fatty acid-related microbiota disorders.