Objective: To examine the relationship between interpregnancy interval (IPI) and neurodevelopment among 6-month-old infants, so as to provide insights into the prevention of neurodevelopmental abnormalities among infants. Methods: Puerparas with full-term delivery at Anhui Province Maternity and Child Health Hospital from April 2017 to July 2018 and their babies were recruited. The demographic features, behaviors during pregnancy, IPI and birth outcomes were collected through questionnaires and medical records. The neurodevelopment was evaluated using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (third edition) among infants at 6 months of age. The association between IPI and neurodevelopment was examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results : Totally 485 maternal-newborn pairs were investigated, and the puerparas had a mean age of ( 29.43±4.40 ) years. There were 330 puerparas ( 68.04% ) with normal pre-pregnancy body mass index, 325 puerparas ( 67.01% ) with eutocia, 233 puerparas (48.04%) with the first delivery, 44 puerparas ( 9.07% ) with IPI of less than one year and 208 puerparas ( 42.89% ) with IPI of one year and greater. There were 246 male babies ( 50.72% ) and 437 babies ( 90.10% ) with normal birth weight. A total of 148 newborns were diagnosed with neurodevelopmental abnormalities, with a detection rate of 30.52%. Of all newborns with neurodevelopmental abnormalities, there were 45 babies with communication abnormalities ( 9.28% ), 87 babies with gross motor abnormalities ( 17.94% ), 73 babies with fine motor abnormalities ( 15.05% ), 68 babies with abnormalities of solving problems ( 14.02% ) and 60 babies with personal-social abnormalities ( 12.37% ). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a reduced risk of infant's communication abnormalities ( OR=0.273, 95%CI: 0.090-0.833 ), gross motor abnormalities ( OR=0.340, 95%CI: 0.150-0.770 ), fine motor abnormalities ( OR=0.266, 95%CI: 0.106-0.670 ), personal-social abnormalities ( OR=0.321, 95%CI: 0.121-0.851 ) and neurodevelopmental abnormalities ( OR=0.353, 95%CI: 0.171-0.730 ) among puerparas with IPI of one year and greater as compared to those with IPI of less than one year, and no significant difference was seen in infant's neurodevelopmental abnormalities between puerparas with the first delivery and with IPI of less than one year. Conclusion IPI is associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities among 6-month-old infants.

Objective: To investigate the serum uric acid levels among residents living in Balikun County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2018 to 2021, so as to provide insights into local hyperuricemia control. Methods: The residents at ages of 20 to 69 years undergoing physical examinations in Balikun County Hospital during the period from 2018 to 2021 were enrolled. Their age, gender, and history of medication and disease were collected, and serum uric acid levels were measured. The gender- and age-specific prevalence of hyperuricemia and hypouricemia was descriptively analyzed. Results: A total of 3 097 subjects were enrolled, which included 1 210 males ( 39.07% ) and 1 887 females ( 60.93% ) and had a mean age of ( 46.12±12.84 ) years. The overall mean serum uric acid was ( 260.41±71.99 ) μmol/L, and the mean serum uric acid was ( 298.22±69.57 ) μmol/L in men and ( 236.17±62.44 ) μmol/L in women. The serum uric acid level appeared a tendency towards a rise with ages both in whole study subjects and in women ( P<0.05 ). The overall prevalence of hyperuricemia was 4.26%, with 4.63% prevalence in men and 4.03% in women. The prevalence of hyperuricemia appeared a tendency towards a rise with ages both in whole study subjects and in women ( P<0.05 ). The overall prevalence of hypouricemia was 0.71%, with 0.25% prevalence in men and 1.01% in women; the prevalence of moderate hypouricemia was 11.11%, with 2.56% prevalence in men and 16.59% in women. Conclusions Low level of serum uric acid and prevalence of hyperuricemia is detected among residents living in Balikun County. Monitoring of serum uric acid is recommended to be intensified among men.

Objective To investigate the expressions of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) and nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the heart tissue in SD rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy, and to explore the relationship between Syk, JNK and NLRP3. Methods Clean male SD rats were randomly divided into the control (Ctrl) group and diabetic cardiomyopathy model (DCM) group. Rats of DCM group were treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), while rats of Ctrl group were injected with the same dose of citrate buffer. The random blood glucose level and body weight were monitored every week until 20 weeks after STZ or citrate buffer injection, then all the rats were killed and their hearts were obtained. Rat H 9c2 cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into normal glucose treatment (NG) group, high glucose treatment (HG) group, Syk inhibitor control (BAY) group and Syk inhibitor high glucose (HG+BAY) group. The Syk and JNK phosphorylations and NLRP3 protein expression were detected by Western blot assay in the heart tissue of SD rats and H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The NLRP3, cysteine-containing aspartate specific protease 1(caspase-1) and interleukin (IL)-1β expressions at mRNA level were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The random blood glucose level was significantly increased (P<0.05) and the body weight was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in DCM group compared with those of Ctrl group. The expressions of cardiac p-Syk, p-JNK and NLRP3 at protein level were significantly increased in DCM group compared with those of Ctrl group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). BAY treatment significantly inhibited the high glucose-induced NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β mRNA expressions and p-JNK, NLRP3 protein expressions in H9c2 cardiomyocytes (P < 0.05). Conclusion JNK phosphorylation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by Syk play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Objective:To analyze the sepsis related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNA expression profiles based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and bioinformatic analysis, and to analyze the sepsis-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network based on microRNA (miRNA) database.Methods:The sepsis-related lncRNA dataset was downloaded from the GEO database, and the differential expression analysis was conducted by Bioconductor on the sepsis dataset to obtain differentially expressed lncRNA (DElncRNA) and differentially expressed mRNA (DEmRNA), and cluster heat map was drawn. miRNA combined with DElncRNA were predicted by miRcode. mRNA targeted by miRNA was simultaneously met by three databases: TargetScan, miRDB, and mirTarBase. The interaction relationship of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA was obtained. The regulatory network visualization software CytoScape was used to draw ceRNA networks. DEmRNA in the ceRNA networks were imported into the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes Database (STRING) online database to draw the protein-protein interaction (PPI) map. The gene ontology (GO) function annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of DEmRNA were performed.Results:Dataset GSE89376 and GSE145227 were found from GEO database. Difference analysis showed there were 14 DElncRNA and 359 DEmRNA in the elderly group of GSE89376; 8 DElncRNA and 153 DEmRNA in the adult group of GSE89376; 1 232 DElncRNA and 1 224 DEmRNA in the children group of GSE145227. Clustering heatmap showed that there were significant differences in the expression of lncRNA and mRNA between the sepsis group and the control group. The ceRNA networks were constructed with miRNA. Several DElncRNA and multiple DEmRNA participated in the ceRNA network of sepsis. The PPI diagram demonstrated that several genes encoding proteins interacted with each other and form a multi-node interaction network with multiple genes encoding proteins. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis demonstrated that there might be a crosstalk mechanism on functionally related genes such as nuclear receptor activity, ligand-activated transcription factor activity, and steroid hormone receptor activity, and played a role in the occurrence and development of diseases through forkhead box transcription factor O (FoxO) signaling pathway, Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, and phosphateidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway.Conclusion:Through sepsis-related lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network and combining with KEGG pathway analysis, there were several lncRNA and mRNA participating in the ceRNA network related sepsis, which played an important role in several signal pathways.

This experimental study was designed to explore the possible mechanisms of Cariporide, a kind of Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor, for protecting the lung from warm ischemia/reperfusion injury (WI/RI) of isolated rat lung model. Thirty isolated rat lungs were established on the Langendorff apparatus and randomly divided to three groups (n = 10, each): control group (C group), ischemia/reperfusion group (IR group) and Cariporide group (CP group). Mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) and peak airway pressure (pAwP) were monitored continuously. At the end of reperfusion, right bronchoalveolar lavage was performed, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) recovery rate (BALFRR) was recorded, and protein content in BALF was measured. Lung water content (LWC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)of left lung tissue were measured; histomorphology evaluation was performed under light microscope and transmission electron microscope. In comparison with the data from IR group, BALF protein concentration, LWC, MDA content and MPAP content of reperfusion were significantly decreased, but SOD activity was increased in CP group. Histomorphologic feature also showed that pathological change significantly reduced in CP group. In this rat WI/RI model, the mechanism by which the selective Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor (Cariporide) attenuates lipid peroxidation induced by WI/IR may be: preventing Ca2+ overload via inhibiting the transport of Na+/H2 exchanger-1 (NHE1) in the context of the coupled exchanger, thereby reducing the activation of xanthine oxidase pathway and oxygen free radical liberation which is dependent on certain intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and lastly promoting the endogenous antioxidative mechanism.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Guanidines ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Sulfones ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Warm Ischemia

Objective: To explore the clinical features of atrial flutter (AFL) and evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for AFL in children. Method: Data were collected and analyzed on 50 consecutive pediatric AFL patients (male 37/female 13) who underwent electrophysiology study and RFCA from February 2009 to November 2016 in a case observational study. The average age was (6.2±3.5) years and body weight was (23.7±13.5) kg. Heart structure was normal in 26 patients. Twenty-four patients had congenital heart disease (CHD) and among them 22 patients underwent repaired surgery before. Patients were followed-up for 1 month to 7 years after RFCA. Clinical features and the outcomes of RFCA in AFL patients were analyzed. Result: The average onset age was (4.2±3.3) years. Of these patients, 84% had persistent AFL and 16% paroxysmal AFL. AFL with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) occurred in 36% patients without statistically significant difference between the groups with and without CHD (38.9%(7/18) vs. 61.1%(11/18), respectively, P=0.239 5); 49 patients underwent RFCA except one case with atrial standstill during the procedure. The total acute success rate was 96%. The follow-up recurrence rate was 8%.No complication of the procedures was observed. The cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent AFL occurred in all patients without CHD. However, in the children with CHD after the repair surgery 10 (45%) cases were with cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent AFL, 4 (8%) with atrial scars-dependent AFL, and 8(16%) with both cavotricuspid isthmus and atrial scars-dependent AFL. Conclusion RFCA was effective and safe for pediatric AFL. There is no difference on the acute success rate, the follow-up AFL recurrence rate, as well as occurrence of SSS between the groups with and without CHD. AFL patients with CHD included the cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent AFL, atrial scars-dependent AFL or both.

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) guided by 3D electronic-anatomy mapping system (CARTO3 System) in children with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). Methods: This was a retrospective case-controlled study. Data were collected from 95 children with AVNRT who underwent RFCA using CARTO3 System in the first hospital of Tsinghua University from January 2014 to December 2017. The onset age, characteristic of electrophysiology and anatomy feature of Koch triangle were analyzed. The efficacy and safety of ablation and X-ray fluoroscopy were compared with control 135 children with AVNRT who underwent RFCA without using CARTO3 System. The t test or the chi-square test was used for group comparison. Linear regression equation was established for correlation analysis. Results: The onset age of the 95 children (male 55, female 40; the average age (8.0±3.6) years) with AVNRT was (0.2-17.0) years and 23(24.2%) children were less than 3 years old. Electrophysiologic study showed that 84.2% (80 cases) was AVNRT-slow fast (SF), 11.6% (11 cases) AVNRT-slowslow and 4.2%(4 cases) AVNRT-fast slow. The phenomena of atrio-Hisian(AH) jump occurred in 65.3% and the interval of AH jump was (73.0±10.6) ms. The height of Koch triangle (CSo-His) was (22.3±5.8) mm and related with the weight of children (Y=0.171X+ 16.660, r²=0.224, P<0.001).The distance between the successful ablation target and the lowest point of His zone (ABL-His) was (11.7±2.6) mm. And there was no relation with the body weight(Y=-0.005X + 11.650, r²=0.001, P=0.780) and CSo-His (Y=0.072X+9.914, r²=0.030, P=0.171). The acute success rate was 97.9% (93/95) and recurrent rate was 5.4% (5/93) during follow-up. No obvious complication was reported. Compared with control group, the fluoroscopy time ((3.3±2.5) vs. (10.7±5.8) min, t=13.190, P<0.05), radiation dose ((5.4±4.9) vs. (15.5±6.3) mGy, t=13.660, P<0.05), and dose area product (514±445) vs. (2 478±415) mGy·cm², t=33.850, P<0.05) were decreased significantly. Conclusions AVNRT-SF was the most common type of AVNRT. AVNRT incidence in infant and toddlers is lower than that in elder children. CSo-His is correlated with the body weight. ABL-His is relatively fixed. There is no correlation between ABL-His and the body weight and also no correlation between ABL-His and CSo-His. RFCA of AVNRT in children using the CARTO3 system is safe, effective and minimizes X-ray fluoroscopy.

Objective: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) accounts for up to 10%-15% sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the children and young population. This study aimed to assess the current situation and challenges in CPVT clinical diagnosis. Method: A retrospective review included 11 children (7 male patients) at the First Hospital of Tsinghua University clinically diagnosed with CPVT from June 2014 to July 2017. Each patient was evaluated with detailed history, physical examination, resting 12-lead electrocardiogram(ECG), 24-h Holter, exercise stress test, Doppler echocardiography and genetic test. Result: During physical activity and/or emotional stress, ten children presented with recurrent syncope and one child presented with palpitation and chest distress. The mean age of symptom onset was 8.4 (4.0-13.7) years with a delayed diagnosis of 2.4 (0.04-5.00) years. Two children had a familial history of syncope or sudden death. Nine children were initially misdiagnosed as complex arrhythmic conditions (n=4), syncope of unknown origin (n=3), and drug-resistant epilepsy (n=2) treated with antiepileptic medication for several years. Bidirectional VT and (or) polymorphic VT were detected using Holter recording or exercise test ECG in all patients. Genetic test revealed CPVT-associated pathologic or possible pathologic mutations in nine patients. All patients were treated with beta-blockers. Six patients were asymptomatic, four patients reported infrequent syncope, and one sudden death occurred during a mean follow-up of 0.97 years. Conclusion CPVT mainly occurs in children and adolescents with recurrent syncope during physical activities and/or emotional stress. Early diagnosis of CPVT remains challenging due to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Detailed clinical history and exercise stress test improve the early diagnosis and intervention for CPVT patients.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for cardiac events like recurrent syncope and fatal events in children with long QT syndrome (LQTS).Methods:A retrospective review involving 69 children with LQTS with the age of (7.6±4.2) years (43 male patients, 26 female patients) admitted in the Heart Center, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, First Hospital of Tsinghua University from August 2013 to March 2019 was conducted.Medical history, surface electrocardiogram, Doppler echocardiography and screening results of pathogenic genes of each patient were analyzed.Patients were divided into cardiac event group (32 cases) and non-cardiac event group (37 cases) according to the presence or absence of cardiac events like syncope or sudden death.Differences between 2 groups were compared using the independent sample Student′s t test and Chi- square test. Results:There were 32 cases among 69 children (46.4%) had recurrent syncope, involving 2 deaths, 14 cases among 69 children (20.3%) had a positive family history and 8 cases among 69 children (11.6%) had family history of sudden death.There were 52 cases among 69 children (75.4%) had arrhythmias.Among them, 32 patients (46.4%) with ventricular arrhythmia, including 11 cases (15.9%) with torsades de pointes (TdP). Ten LQTS-associated pathogenic or pathogenic pathologic mutations were found in 53 cases among 69 children (76.8%). Children with cardiac events had a younger mean age of onset [(4.7±4.1) years vs.(7.4±3.7) years, t=-2.856, P=0.006], a longer mean corrected QT (QTc) [(529±66) ms vs.(478±52) ms, t=3.537, P=0.001] and a higher incidence of TdP (34.4% vs.0%, P<0.001) compared with those who did not have cardiac events.Pathogenic mutations of KCNQ1 and KCNH2 were more frequent in children with cardiac events (62.5% vs.18.9%, χ2=14.178, P=0.001). Conclusions:Children with LQTS are prone to cardiac events.Children with a younger onset age, a longer QTc duration, malignant ventricular tachycardia and mutations of the KCNQ1 and KCNH2 genes are more frequently complicated by cardiac events.