ObjectiveAn out-thoracic paraaortic counterpulsation device(PACD) developed in the Reseach Center of our hospital was evaluated for its hemodynamic effects in an animal model with induced acute heart failure.MethodsEight healthy adult sheep with a weight of 38.5 to 54.5 kg were used as models for acute heart failure by snaring branches of coronary arteries.Thoracotomy was performed through the space under the left 4th rib.A Satinski clamp was used for partially clamping the descending aorta, and the Dacron vascular graft of out-thoracic PACD was sutured end-to-side to the descending aorta.The out-thoracic PACD used in this study had a blood chamber that was separated from the gas chamber by a movable polyurethane membrane .A stroke volume of 60 ml could be pumped when it was fully inflated.A 4F multipurpose catheter was inserted through the left ventricular apex for measuring and recording left ventricular pressures.A standard 40-ml intraaortic balloon was inserted into the descending aorta via the surgically exposed left femoral artery.Baseline hemodynamic data were collected after the model for acute heart failure was created without mechanical support.Mechanical support was randomly initiated either by the IABP or by the out-thoracic PACD in each experimental phase.Both devices were driven by the same console and synchronization with electrocardiogram was performed.Hemodynamic indexes and left carotid artery flow were calculated at baseline (device off) and during the period of 1 : 2 support for the 60-ml out-thoracic PACD and 40-ml IABP in the same animal.Baseline and support modes for devices were maintained for 15 minutes individually to ensure that a steady-state was achieved.ResultsBoth out-thoracic PACD and IABP resulted in a increase in the cardiac output (17.79％ with out-thoracic PACD vs.13.46％ with IABP, P =0.803) and the mean diastolic aortic pressure (29.48％ with out-thoracic PACD vs.15.01％ with IABP, P = 0.001).The use of out-thoracic PACD also led to a greater reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (35.09％ with out-thoracic PACD vs.15.79％ with IABP, P = 0.004).Meanwhile the out-thoracic PACD increased left carotid artery flow (14.52％ with out-thoracic PACD vs.6.70％ with IABP, P =0.006).No evidence of hemolysis, thrombus formation or major organ injury was identified during the experiment.ConclusionThe study indicated that a 60-ml out-thoracic PACD, which providing an improved mechanical circulatory support, was superior to a 40-ml IABP in the setting of experimental acute heart failure.This device may be used as a desirable alternative for the long-term mechanical support in patients with severe heart failure or those waiting for a heart transplantation, owing to its properties of low cost,easily to be implanted and removed, as well as a high biocompatibility.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To analyze the characteristics of drug poisoning in children, and to explore the diverse pharmaceutical services that pharmacists can provide in the process of prevention and treatment. METHODS The 47 children diagnosed as drug poisoning in Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. Combined with the actual situation of Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital, pharmaceutical services were discussed. RESULTS The majority of children with drug poisoning were adolescent girls. The main cause of poisoning was intentional drug ingestion for suicide, accounting for 33 cases(70.21%). Additionally, 12 cases(25.53%) were accidental ingestion by children and 2 cases(4.26%) of drug overdose were caused by parents misreading the dosage of drugs. The clinical symptoms included drowsiness and/or lethargy(28 cases), dizziness(16 cases), nausea and/or vomiting(14 cases), and abdominal pain(11 cases). The majority of toxic substances were psychiatric drugs, accounting for 39 cases(82.98%). After hospitalization, 40 patients(85.11%) were treated with gastric lavage, and 11 patients(23.40%) were treated with blood purification. Diuresis and catharsis were also applied to remove poison. In addition, specific drug antidotes were selected according to the type of poisons. Meanwhile, symptomatic and supportive therapies were used. Finally, all 47 patients improved or cured after hospitalization. CONCLUSION Based on the characteristics of drug poisoning in children, pharmacists can actively participate in prevention and treatment, in order to reduce the occurrence of drug poisoning and improve the prognosis of poisoned children. In terms of prevention, pharmacists should provide medication instructions and education when dispensing drugs, especially for psychotropic drugs and drugs with easily confused dosage. In the treatment, clinical pharmacists can provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care for poisoned children from various aspects such as drug detection and analysis, removal of toxics, selection of specific antidotes, and inquiry of drug dosage for children.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of doxycycline in the treatment of macrolide-unresponsive Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia （MUMPP） in children under 8 years of age. METHODS The medical records of children with MUMPP admitted to the Women and Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University were collected from January 1st， 2023 to December 31st， 2023. They were divided into doxycycline group （44 cases）， doxycycline combined with methylprednisolone group （35 cases）， and azithromycin combined with methylprednisolone group （35 cases） according to the treatment methods. Doxycycline group was given Doxycycline hyclate enteric-coated capsules； doxycycline combined with methylprednisolone group was given Doxycycline hyclate enteric-coated capsules and Methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection； azithromycin combined with methylprednisolone group was given Azithromycin for injection and Methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection. Treatment courses of 3 groups lasted for 10 d. The fever reduction rate， the time of fever reduction and improvement rate of lung infection absorption were compared among the three groups. The occurrence of adverse drug reactions was recorded during their hospitalization and followed up within 5 months after discharge. RESULTS The fever reduction rats 48， 72 h after treatment and improvement rate of lung infection absorption in doxycycline group and doxycycline combined with methylprednisolone group were significantly higher than azithromycin combined with methylprednisolone group； the time of fever reduction was significantly shorter than azithromycin combined with methylprednisolone group （P＜0.05）； there was no statistical significance in the difference between the doxycycline group and the doxycycline combined with methylprednisolone group （P＞0.05）. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of rash， vomiting， abdominal pain， diarrhea， and elevated transaminases among the three groups during hospitalization and within 5 months after discharge （P＞0.05）. None of the children treated with doxycycline suffered from tooth discoloration or enamel hypoplasia. CONCLUSIONS Doxycycline has good efficacy and safety in therapy of MUMPP in children under 8 years of age； adjunctive coadministration of low-dose glucocorticoids does not necessarily result in significant additional efficacy.