Objective To identify the risk factors for severe acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children and to provide scientific basis for prevention and treatment of ALRI. Methods Several databases including Pubmed, Databases-Medline (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL and Global Health Library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Date were searched (1990.1-2014.12) for references. All selected studies were about risk factors of ALRI in children. The screening and quality evalua? tion of the literature data was conducted independently by two reviewers according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Stata 11.0 software was used for Meta-analysis. Results Meta-analysis of 27 included literature showed that seven risk fac?tors were significantly associated with severe ALRI:low birth weight, lack of exclusive breastfeeding, crowded household, ex?posure to indoor air pollution, malnutrition, living in a house with smokers or smoking in pregnant and HIV-exposed unin?fected condition. Conclusion The above seven risk factors play the important role in the development of ALRI in children. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for further studies investigating other potential risk factors to decrease the possibility of childhood ALRI.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of year-round respiratory viral infection in children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), and the relationship between respiratory viral infection and allergen sensitization in exacerbating asthma. Methods A total of 231 hospitalized children with acute LRTI were investigated from May 2013 to April 2014. The 5 most common respiratory viruses were isolated from nasopharyngeal aspirate using multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (AV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), influenza virus (IFV) and rhinovirus (RV). Atopic sensitization was defined if more than 1 serum specific immunoglobulin E level measured using immunofluorescence experiment was over 0.35 IU/mL. Results RSV was the most common pathogen of bronchiolitis in hospitalized children through the year. RV or IFV infections were more prevalent in asthma exacerbations compared to other LRTIs. AV was more likely to cause pneumonia. RV and IFV were associated with asthma exacerbations in children with atopic sensitization, but not in nonatopic children. Conclusion RV and IFV are associated with hospitalization for asthma exacerbation in children with atopic sensitization.

Objective: To investigate the secondary metabolites from Chinese marine Sponge Cinachyrella australiensis. Methods: Column chromatography techniques including HPLC were used for the separation and purification of the compounds, and extensive spectral analyses including various 2D NMR spectra were employed for structure elucidation. Results: Nineteen compounds were obtained ,including 2 methyoxy 6,12,15 trien 8 yne octadecanoic acid(1), 2 benzenedicarboxylic acid dibutyl ester(2), 1,2 benzenedicarboxylic acid bis(2 ethylhexyl)ester(3), ( ) (3S) 1,2,3,4 tetrahydro ? carboline 3 carboxylic acid(4), L Tryptophan (5), p hydroxylbenzaldehyde (6), p hydroxyl benzylethanol(7), p hydroxyl benzyl propanol(8), cholesta 4 en 3 ol(9), 2 methyl 6 amino 9 (2 deoxy ? D ribofuranosyl purine(10), 2' Deoxyadenosine (11), 6 amino 9 ? D ribofuranosyl 9H purine (12),uracil(13), thymine(14), thymidine(15), 1 (2 deoxy ? D Ribofuranosyl)uracil(16), 1 ethyl ? (2 deoxy) ? D ribofuranos(17),isolumichrome(18),and zarzissine(19).Conclusion:Compounds 1 and 18 are new natural products,and compounds 2 to 17 as well as 19 are isolated from this species for the first time.

ABSTRACT:Objective To explore the expression of chemokine receptor CX3CR1 in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)rats model and to estimate whether it can be a potential predictor of SAP.Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation (SO)group (n =20)and SAP group (n =20).Rats were killed at 6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h after model induction.The serum level of CX3CR1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The expression of CX3CR1 protein in the pancreas,lung and kidney were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The serum level of CX3CR1 in SAP rats increased gradually after model induction and reached the peak at 24 h (542.4 pg/mL),which were significantly higher than those in SO group (P <0.05).The expression of CX3CR1 was found in the pancreas,lung and kidney tissues of SAP rats and higher than that in SO group.Meanwhile,the expression of CX3CR1 reached the peak at 24 h in the pancreas and lung and at 48 h in the kidney.Conclusion This study suggests that the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 may be one effective index for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis and deserves further research.

Objective To investigate the distribution, clinical diagnosis and treatment methods of the extrapulmo-nary complications in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). Methods The clinical data of 1 100 patients confirmed the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia and with the positive serum MP-IgM test were collected in this study. The distribu-tion and clinical characteristics and MP-DNA detection rates were compared between 417 patients with extrapulmonary com-plications and 683 cases without complications. The occurrence of various complications in a four-year period was analyzed. Clinical data were compared between fiberoptic bronchoscopy lavage group and non-surgical group. Results The MP-DNA detection rate and the length of hospital stay were higher in patients with pulmonary complications than those of patients without complications. The most common types of extrapulmonary complications were liver damage, skin rashes and gastrointestinal reactions , but less severe. Encephalitis, nephritis and myocarditis were rare complications, but severe and occult. The fatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) was also visible in patients. Bronchoscopy lavage was conducive to the recovery of the disease. Conclusion MP pneumonia showed high incidence and risks of extrapulmonary complica-tions, which required careful clinical observation and inspection, the dynamic monitoring laboratory markers and comprehen-sive treatment as well.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions.Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans.MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry.Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C).Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression. RESULTS: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT’s effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT. CONCLUSION CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions.Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans.MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry.Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C).Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression. RESULTS: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT’s effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT. CONCLUSION CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions.Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans.MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry.Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C).Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression. RESULTS: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT’s effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT. CONCLUSION CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions.Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans.MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry.Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C).Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression. RESULTS: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT’s effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT. CONCLUSION CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

Objective To investigate the association of serum ghrelin level with cognition, hippocampal volume, and proton magnetic resonance spectrum ( [ 1 H ]-MRS ) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM) . Methods The T2DM patients cared at the Wuhan Fourth Hospital were recruited. Data on demographic characteristics and clinical parameters were collected. Ghrelin was measured by ELISA assay. Cognitive performance was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment ( MoCA ) and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The changes of metabolites in hippocampus were detected by [1 H]-MRS, including N-acetyl asparate ( NAA) , choline ( Cho) , myo-inositol ( MI) , creatine ( Cr) . All patients were divided into 2 groups[cognitive impairment (CI) and non-cognitive impairment (NCI) groups] by MoCA. Results (1) Compared with patients in NCI group, the serum ghrelin level, bilateral hippocampal volume, and NAA/Cr ratio of [1H]-MRS metabolites in CI group were decreased, but MI/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were increased(all P<0.05). (2) Serum ghrelin was positively correlated with a variety of RBANS scores ( including immediate memory, attention, delayed memory, and total scores) , bilateral hippocampal volume, and NAA/Cr ratio of [ 1 H]-MRS metabolites in T2DM patients, but it was negatively correlated with MI/Cr ratio and Cho/Cr ratio ( all P<0. 05 ) . ( 3 ) Logistic regression analysis showed that ghrelin was a protective factor of cognition in T2DM patients. Conclusions T2DM patients with cognitive impairment had lower levels of ghrelin, and serum ghrelin was postively correlated with their cognitive performance, hippocampal volume, and [1 H]-MRS metabolites, suggesting that serum ghrelin may be involved in the occurrence and development of cognitive dysfunction in patients with T2DM.