OBJECTIVEEnergy metabolism of critically ill children has its own characteristics, especially for those undergoing mechanical ventilation. We tried to assess the energy expenditure status and evaluate the use of predictive equations in such children. Moreover, the characteristics of the energy metabolism among various situation were explored.

METHODFifty critically ill children undergoing mechanical ventilation were selected in this study. Data produced during the 24 hours of mechanical ventilation were collected for computation of severity of illness. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was determined at 24 hours after mechanical ventilation (MREE). Predictive resting energy expenditure (PREE) was calculated for each subject using age-appropriate equations (Schofield-HTWT, White). The study was approved by the hospital medical ethics committee and obtained parental written informed consent.

RESULTThe pediatric risk of mortality score 3 (PRISM3) and pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) were (7 ± 3) and (82 ± 4), respectively. MREE, Schofield-HTWT equation PREE and White equation PREE were (404.80 ± 178.28), (462.82 ± 160.38) and (427.97 ± 152.30) kcal/d, respectively; 70% were hypometabolic and 10% were hypermetabolic. MREE and PREE which were calculated using Schofield-HTWT equation and White equation, both were higher than MREE (P = 0.029). Correlation analysis was performed between PRISM3 and PCIS with MREE. There were no statistically significant correlation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe hypometabolic response is apparent in critically ill children with mechanical ventilation; Schofield-HTWT equation and White equation could not predict energy requirements within acceptable clinical accuracy. In critically ill children undergoing mechanical ventilation, the energy expenditure is not correlated with the severity of illness.

Basal Metabolism ; physiology ; Body Weight ; Calorimetry, Indirect ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; Energy Metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Male ; Nutritional Requirements ; Oxygen Consumption ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Respiration, Artificial ; Rest ; physiology ; Severity of Illness Index

Background: The shelf life policies for central supply department (CSD) sterilized items and other devices should be determined by the healthcare facility's infection control program. We investigated effect of the sterility integrity of the CSD sterilized packs by wrapping-materials, storage period and environment to modify and extend current shelf-life. Methods: The first phase study was from May to October in 2000 and the second phase study was planned to extend further the shelf-life of the sterile packs from April 2001 to June 2002. Six hundred and fourty packs containing small gauze with four wrapping materials(100 times and 50 times washed two-ply reusable cotton, disposable craft paper, and disposable new pouch bag) and the 104 returned set after their shelf-life were stored on the top or middle of shelves or closed cabinets and storage durations from 1 to 20 weeks in the first phase study. The test packs were collected weekly and cultured in the laboratory. Five hundred seventy-six test packs were prepared with three wrapping materials (except 50 times washed cotton and returned set) and stored in the same location as the First phase study and collected and cultured monthly after three months storage (from July 2001) for one year in the second phase study. The temperature and relative humidity was monitored whenever the test pack was collected. Results: The gauze in the test packs were not contaminated until 154 days in the first study phase and until 423 days in the second phase study. The temperature and relative humidity of storage locations were 25.9degrees C and 55.2% in the first phase study and 26.0degrees C and 45.9% in the second phase study, respectively. Conclusions: There was no difference in the sterility integrity of the test packs with different wrapping materials. storage locations and environments. and storage durations. It was possible to extend shelf-life from two weeks to three and six months in the study hospital.
Delivery of Health Care ; Humidity ; Infection Control ; Infertility

OBJECTIVETo study the role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) load and antibody measurements in the diagnosis of MP pneumonia.

METHODSA total of 115 children with MP pneumonia and 400 healthy children were enrolled. The MP load and total antibody level were measured at different stages, and the MP load index (MPLI) was calculated.

RESULTSThe cut-off value of MPLI for MP infection was 6.12. MPLI and total antibody titer increased during the course of the disease, while MP-DNA decreased rapidly. Within the same time of blood collection, the group with a higher MP load had a significantly higher total antibody titer than the group with a lower MP load (P<0.05). Within 2 weeks of the course of the disease, the negative antibody group had a significantly higher MPLI than the positive antibody group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMPLI provides a standardized quantitative value of MP-DNA and plays an important role in the early diagnosis of MP infection.

Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; diagnosis ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of biological dressing containing calcium and magnesia (sheep dermis absorbing calcium and magnesia and cross-link with glutaraldehyde) on the management of hydrofluoric acid burns in rats and patients.

METHODSWistar rats were randomly divided into A ( n = 24, normal control, with isotonic saline dressing after burns), B ( n = 32, with isotonic saline dressing treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns), C ( n = 32, with wet-dressing treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns), and D ( n = 32, with biological dressing treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns) groups. The rats in the latter 3 groups were inflicted with 3 cm x 3 cm TBSA full-thickness burns, and mortality, concentration of blood calcium , histopathological observation were carried out at 4,8,24 and 72 postburn hours (PBH), with 8 rats at each time-points. In addition, 46 patients with hydrofluoric acid burns were divided into E (with wet-dressing treatment) and F (with biological dressing treatment) groups to compare the curative effect.

RESULTSThe mortality in A,B,C,D groups were 0,31.2% ,15. 6% ,6. 2% , respectively. The wound in B group was deepened gradually after burns, but that in D group was slighter when compared with that in C group. The concentration of blood calcium in A group was higher than that in B, C and D groups at each time-points, and that in D groups was higher than that in B and C groups. The concentration of blood calcium in D group at 8 and 24 PBH were [(2.215 +/-0.008) ,(2.216 +/-0.008) mmol/L], which were obviously higher than those in B [(1.813 +/-0.017),(1.912 +/-0.013)mmol/L l] and C [(2.015 +/-0.006), (2.018 +/-0. 010)mmol/L] groups, (P <0. 01). The clinical outcome in E group was much better than that in F group.

CONCLUSIONBiological dressing containing calcium and magnesium can be applied in the emergency management and following treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns.

Adult ; Animals ; Biological Dressings ; Burns, Chemical ; therapy ; Calcium ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrofluoric Acid ; Magnesium ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rats

BACKGROUND: According to the amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration research framework classification, amyloid and tau positive (A+T+) mild cognitive impairment (MCI) individuals are defined as prodromal Alzheimer disease. This study was designed to compare the clinical and biomarker features between A+T+MCI individuals who progressed to progressive MCI (pMCI) and those who remained stable MCI (sMCI), and to identify relevant baseline clinical biomarker and features that could be used to predict progression to dementia within 2 years. METHODS: We stratified 197 A+T+MCI individuals into pMCI (n = 64) and sMCI (n = 133) over 2 years. Demographics and cognitive assessment scores, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and neuroimaging biomarkers (18F-florbetapir positron emission tomography mean standardized uptake value ratios [SUVR] and structural magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) were compared between pMCI and sMCI at baseline, 12- and 24-month follow-up. Logistic regression models then were used to evaluate clinical baseline and biomarker features that predicted dementia progression in A+T+MCI. RESULTS: pMCI individuals had higher mean 18F-florbetapir SUVR, CSF total-tau (t-tau), and p-tau181P than those in sMCI individuals. pMCI individuals performed poorer in cognitive assessments, both global and domain specific (memory, executive, language, attention, and visuospatial skills) than sMCI. At baseline, there were significant differences in regions of interest of structural MRI between the two groups, including bilateral amygdala, hippocampus and entorhinal, bilateral inferior lateral ventricle, left superior and middle temporal, left posterior and caudal anterior cingulate (P < 0.05). Baseline CSF t-tau levels and cognitive scores of Montreal cognitive assessment, functional assessment questionnaire, and everyday cognition by the patient's study partner language domain could predict progression to dementia in A+T+MCI within 2 years. CONCLUSIONS In future clinical trials, specific CSF and cognitive measures that predict dementia progression in A+T+MCI might be useful risk factors for assessing the risk of dementia progression.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Biomarkers ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Peptide Fragments ; Positron-Emission Tomography

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Humans ; Consensus ; Hypersensitivity ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Immunotherapy/adverse effects* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Allergens