Objectives To explore the humoral immunologic mechanisms of the susceptibility to invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) in asthmatic children. Methods Plasma samples were collected from 43 asthmatic and 20 non-asthmatic chil-dren. Anit-pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PPS)-IgG concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results The mean concentrations of anti-PPS 14, 19A and 23F-IgG were signiifcantly higher in asthmatic children than in non-asthmatic children (P<0.05). The ratios of the asthmatic children who had anti-PPS 14, 19A and 23F-IgG concentrations higher than the protective antibody level (≥0.2 μg/ml ) were 100%for all the serotypes. Conclusions The immune responses of producing anti-PPS IgG to defense IPD were normal in asthmatic children. Asthmatic children may be more susceptive to pneumococcal infection or colonization than non-asthmatic children.

To explore the associations between the presence of bacteria and virus in the nasopharyngeal secretions, and wheezing, condition and hospitalization period in infants with community acquired pneumonia. Methods Clinical data, inclu-ding detection of bacteria and viruses, conditions and hospitalization period, of 1106 hospitalized infants with community ac-quired pneumonia from March 2009 to February 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The infants were classiifed into wheezing (697 cases) and non-wheezing (409 cases) groups. Results Viruses were detected in 540 infants (48.8%), and the total detection rate of viruses and detection rate of respiratory syncytial virus in wheezing group were signiifcantly higher than those of non-wheezing group (P=0.000). Bacteria were detected in 590 cases (53.3%) and no signiifcance was found between two groups (P=0.821). The detection rate of Streptococcus pneumonia was higher in wheezing group than that of non-wheezing group (P=0.038). Comparing to the infants detected with both viruses and bacteria, no signiifcances were found in the occurrence of severe pneumonia and hos-pitalization period in those infants detected with viruses only (P>0.05), as well as in the wheezing time of period (P>0.05). Con-clusions Wheezing in infants with community acquired pneumonia is related to the infection of viruses, especially to respiratory syncytial viruses. Virus infection accompanying bacterial infection has no impact on duration of hospitalization and wheezing. The infection of Streptococcus pneumonia may relate to wheezing in infants.

Objective To detect the levels of insulin-like growth factors in children with acute leukemia (AL). Methods A total of 50 previously untreated AL patients were selected, meanwhile 30 healthy children were selected as normal controls. AL children were given regular chemotherapy. All cases were not given the brain radiotherapy. The levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), free insulin-like growth factor-1 (fIGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in AL patients before treatment and 6 months after complete remission were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and were compared with those in normal controls. Results Before treatment, compared with normal controls, the serum levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-3 in AL patients were lower while the level of fIGF-1 was higher, and the differences were signiifcant (P<0.01). At six months after complete remission, the levels of IGF-1 and fIGF-1 in AL patients were similar to those before treatment, but were signiifcantly different from those in control group (P<0.05);the level of IGFBP-3 was signiifcantly higher than that before treatment (P<0.01), but was similar to that in control group. Before treatment, the level of IGFBP-3 in AL patients was positively correlated with the level of IGF-1 (r=0.777, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with the level of fIGF-1 (r=-0.714, P<0.01). Conclusion Insuline-like growth factors were involved in the pathophysiological process in children with AL.

Objective To discuss the etiology, clinical features and prognosis of non benign neonatal arrhythmias. Method Clinical data of 27 cases of non benign neonatal arrhythmias diagnosed from January 2005 to January 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among 27 neonats, there were 15 male and 12 female. Fourteen cases were early neonatal and 13 were late neonatal. Gestational age was less than 32 weeks in 6 cases, and more than 32 weeks in 21 cases. In 19 cases with tachyarrhythmia, 14 cases were induced by respiratory infection. The causes of 8 newborns with bradycardia arrhythmia were congenital heart disease (3 cases), electrolyte disturbance (2 cases), severe asphyxia with sepsis (2 cases), and severe asphyxia (1 case). The onset age and gestational age were lower in cases with bradycardia arrhythma that those in cases with tachyarrhythmia (P<0.005). The cure rate and effective rate of tachyarrhythmia was 89.5%and 100%, of bradycardia arrhythmia was 0%and 12.5%, respectively, and the differences were signiifcant (P<0.005). Conclusion Clinical characteristics, pathogenesis and prognosis were different between tachyarrhythmia and bradycardia arrhythmia in neonates.

Objective To understand the birth conditions of newborns in four cities of China and its trend. Methods The physical development data of single live newborns in 4 cities of Beijing, Harbin, Changsha and Guangzhou were investi-gated by random cluster sampling method, and was compared with the national neonatal growth standard developed from the investigation in 15 cities from 1986 to 1987. Results The study investigated a total of 5 539 newborns:1 412 in Beijing, 1 410 in Harbin, 1 274 in Changsha and 1 443 in Guangzhou. Except for the head circumference of male newborns, the weight, height and head circumference of full-term newborns in four cities in 2012 were all more than the national neonatal growth standard of 1986-1987 (P<0.05). Compared with the data obtained from 1986-1987, the sex ratio and the prevalence of macrosomia and premature were higher, but the rates of post-term delivery and low birth weight were lower (P<0.01). Conclusions The new-borns in four cities of China are in good condition during recent 25 years. More attention should be paid to improve the birth sex ratio and to decrease rates of macrosomia and premature.

Objectives To investigate the bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic resistance in children with pneumonia in Suzhou area. Methods Sputum specimens of 8179 hospitalized children with pneumonia from October 2005 to September 2011 were collected by sterile negative pressure aspirator and then cultured. The incidence of positive bacteria was tested by Kirby-Bauer method and broth dilution method, and their antibiotics resistances were analyzed. Results A total of 2391 of 8179 children were infected with positive rate of 29.23%. A total of 2552 strains of bacteria were detected with Streptococcus pneumoniae (42.40%), Haemophilus inlfuenzae (14.81%), Moraxelle catarrhalis (11.01%), Staphylococcus aureus (8.50%) and Escherichia coli (5.02%) as the most common strains. The infection rate of different bacterium was related to age, season and the type of pneumonia (all P<0.001). The tendency of antibiotic resistances in 2 140 bacterial isolates was found increased by the susceptibility test. Conclusions Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus inlfuenzae are the most common bacterial pathogens in children with pneumonia in Suzhou area. The positive rate of different bacterium was related to age, season and the type of pneumonia. Attention must be paid to the rational use of antibiotics to reduce drug resistance.

Objective To investigate the inlfuence of overexpression of miR-26b on the secretion of adipokines dur-ing human adipocyte differentiation. Methods Human preadipocytes were infected with the hsa-miR-26b over-expressing lentivirus and were induced to differentiate, and then the levels of adipokines (IL-6, leptin, resistin, TNF-α) at different time points during differentiation were measured by ELISA. Results Compared with control group, decreased secretions of both IL-6 and leptin, and increased secretion of resistin were found during the differentiation of human adipocytes in miR-26b overexpressed group. However, the secretion of TNF-αwas not measured in both groups. Conclusion The miR-26b can improve the inlfammation and insulin resistance of human adipocytes, which will provide potential targets for obesity treat-ment.

Objectives To investigate the clinical characteristics of hypoglycemic brain damage, and to assess the ifndings of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) and its predictive value in hypoglycemic brain damage. Methods Twenty-four neonates diagnosed with hypoglycaemia were selected. 12-hour continuous aEEG recordings were performed on the day when hypoglycaemia was diagnosed and second aEEG tracings was performed on the same day or the day after. The variability of aEEG background, appearance of sleep-wake cycling, bandwidth span and amplitude of lower border were analysed and compared with the results of brain MRI. Results Different degrees of epileptic seizures were found in neonates with severe hypoglycemic brain damage and were persisted after the blood sugar was corrected. aEEG in hypoglycemic brain damage was characterized by calyptriform or jagged epileptiform activity, disappearance of the sleep-wake cycle, but little impact on amplitude of lower border and bandwidth span. The recovery of sleep-wake cycle was a sign of brain function recovery. The aEEG and MRI had a good consistency in monitoring the hypoglycemic brain damage. Conclusions aEEG have signiifcant changes in hypoglycemic brain damage and can be used to monitor dynamically hypo-glycemic brain damage.

Objectives To investigate etiology, clinical characteristics and outcome in children with epilepsia partialis continua (EPC). Methods Sixty-three pediatric patients with EPC were retrospectively analysed. The patients aged (5.53±3.65) years old, with brain CT scans or MRIs after diagnosis, basic laboratory tests, cerebrospinal lfuid analysis and electroencephalog-raphy. The average follow-up time was (22.19±21.19) months (6-72 months). Results The median duration of EPC was 11 days (1-180 days). The causes of EPC were inlfammatory and immune-mediation (36 cases, 57.14%, Rasmussen’s encephalitis included), metabolic disorders (8 cases, 12.70%), brain structure abnormalities (5 cases, 7.94%), vascular malformation (5 cases, 7.94%), dual causes (3 cases, 4.76%), post brain surgery (2 cases, 3.17%) and cryptogenic pathogenesis (4 cases, 6.35%). Neurological dysfunc-tions were observed in 44 cases (69.84%). Age, routine cerebrospinal lfuid abnormalities, the presence of inlfammation and im-mune mediated, EPC long duration, involving the right upper extremity were the risk factors of poor prognosis. Conclusions The most common causes of childhood EPC are inlfammation and immune-mediated central nervous system diseases. Patients with early age of onset, a great tendency of longer duration of EPC and cerebrospinal lfuid abnormalities, involving the right upper ex-tremity have a poor prognosis.

Objectives To investigate the value of hepatobiliary scintigraphy in evaluation of the hepatic uptake and excre-tion function in neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deifciency (NICCD). Methods Hepatobiliary scintigraphy with SPECT was used to detect the hepatic uptake and excretion function of 12 patients with NICCD conifrmed by SLC25A13 gene analysis, and the results were compared with the results of blood biochemical tests. Results The hepatic uptake and excretion function were obviously impaired in all of 12 NICCD patients in the initial scintigraphy. The scintigraphy were performed again in 5 patients in the follow-up after treatment, and showed that the hepatic uptake and excretion function was recovered. It was sug-gested that the hepatic uptake and excretion function was consistent with the level of liver enzymes and the degree of cholestasis. Conclusions Hepatobiliary scintigraphy is of value in evaluation of the hepatic uptake and excretion function in NICCD patients.