Objectives To detect the cord blood vitamin D level in neonates and to determine the association between the cord blood vitamin D level and neonatal outcomes. Methods A total of 223 eligible mother-and-singleton-offspring pairs were recruited. The information of mothers' pregnancy was collected by questionnaires. The weight, length, and head circumference of neonates were measured. The levels of 25(OH)D in cord blood of neonates and in blood of late pregnancy mothers were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results The median concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was 20.7 nmol/L, and 82.1% of neonate had vitamin D deficiency, and 12.1% had severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 nmol/L). The concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was consistent with that in blood of late pregnancy mother. The distribution of concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was significantly different in neonates in different seasons of birth (P<0.05). There were more cases <10 nmol/L in winter and spring. The concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood had no significant associations with the incidences of low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) (P>0.05). After the variables of sex, gestational age and birth season are controlled, the birth weight and head circumference were significantly different in neonates with different concentrations of 25(OH)D in cord blood (P<0.05). Conclusions The concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood in term neonates was generally lower. The vitamin D status in neonates was consistet with that in their late pregnancy mothers. Cord blood 25(OH) D levels were associated with neonates' birth weight and head circumference, but it should be confirmed by larger sample size in the future.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Guangdong Shenqu (GSQ) on intestinal flora structure in mice with food stagnation through 16S rDNA sequencing. Methods: Mice were randomly assigned to control, model, GSQ low-dose (GSQL), GSQ medium-dose (GSQM), GSQ high-dose (GSQH), and lacidophilin tablets (LAB) groups, with each group containing 10 mice. A food stagnation and internal heat mouse model was established through intragastric administration of a mixture of beeswax and olive oil (1:15). The control group was administered normal saline, and the model group was administered beeswax and olive oil to maintain a state. The GSQL (2 g/kg), GSQM (4 g/kg), GSQH (8 g/kg), and LAB groups (0.625 g/kg) were administered corresponding drugs for 5 d. After administration, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to assess gut microbiota in mouse fecal samples. Results: The model group exhibited significant intestinal flora changes. Following GSQ administration, the abundance and diversity index of the intestinal flora increased significantly, the number of bacterial species was regulated, and α and β diversity were improved. GSQ administration increased the abundance of probiotics, including Clostridia, Lachnospirales, and Lactobacillus, whereas the abundance of conditional pathogenic bacteria, such as Allobaculum, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Bacteroides decreased. Functional prediction analysis indicated that the pathogenesis of food stagnation and GSQ intervention were primarily associated with carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, among other metabolic pathways. Conclusion The digestive mechanism of GSQ may be attributed to its role in restoring diversity and abundance within the intestinal flora, thereby improving the composition and structure of the intestinal flora in mice and subsequently influencing the regulation of metabolic pathways.

Objective To explore the role of night waking in the cognitive development of infants and young toddlers. Method A total of 116 infants aged 2 to 30 months were randomly selected in Yiwu, Zhejiang from December 2011 to February 2013. Social-demographic factors were investigated through questionnaire;sleep information were collected via the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ);Cognitive development was assessed in all infants using Baley development scale. Results The mean age was 12.99 month-old. 50.86%(59/116) were males. Ocassional night waking was reported in 5.26%, one night waking in 29.82%, multiple night waking accounted in 64.91%of children under one year old. Ocassional night waking was reported in 32.20%, one night waking in 45.76%, multiple night waking in 22.03%of children over one year old. The frequency of night waking was signiifcantly different between children under one year old and children over one year old (P<0.01). The average duration of waking was 0.49±0.31 h in children under one year old, and 0.31±0.48 h in children older than one year old, and the difference was signiifcantly different (Z=4.35, P<0.001). In children over one year old, the more frequent night waking, the lowered MDI scores (F=3.98, P=0.024). The waking duration was negatively correlated with MDI scores in children over one year old (r=-0.26, P=0.035). Neither night waking duration nor night waking frequency had signiifcant correlation with MDI scores in children under one year old. Multivariable linear regression conifrmed that night waking was an independent inlfuential factor of MDI and PDI scores in children over one year old. Conclusions Persistent night waking should warrant attention.

OBJECTIVEThe term "premature thelarche" refers to isolated breast development before 8 years of age in female, without any other signs of sexual maturation, while "gynecomastia" is the presence of breast tissue in males. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of premature thelarche and gynecomastia in Chinese infants and toddlers, identify the potential risk factors, and explore the influence of early breast development on physical growth, mental development and psychomotor development.

METHODA total of 1 510 full term and healthy children at the age of 0-48 months were sampled by stratified cluster random sampling method from 8 provinces from 2011-2012. Weight, height and breast development were assessed by senior primary pediatricians, while Bayley Scale of Infant Development-I (BSID-I) was used to measure the mental developmental index (MDI) and psychomotor developmental index (PDI) for children aged 2-30 months. Social-demographic Questionnaires were completed by the caregivers.

RESULTThe combined prevalence of premature thelarche and gynecomastia was 1.6% (23/1 475), girls 2.2% (15/695), boys 1.0% (8/780), all within 2 years of age. The birth weight, feeding patterns in first 4 months, delivery mode, weaning time and social economic status were not significantly associated with the breast development. However, lower father's education level (OR = 3.632, 95%CI = 1.565-8.432) as well as smoking mother (OR = 18.960, 95%CI = 1.590-226.304) were significantly related to breast development even after adjusting for potential confounders. Lower weight (-0.479 ± 0.648 vs. 0.005 ± 0.987, P < 0.05) and height (-0.602 ± 1.042 vs. 0.008 ± 0.986, P < 0.05) Z score were found in breast development group, even after adjusting for age, gender and father' education level. Neither mental development (t = -0.082, P > 0.05) nor psychomotor development (t = 1.054, P > 0.05) was associated with breast development.

CONCLUSIONWe showed a similar prevalence of premature thelarche with the data reported in similar studies reported from other countries. Among the 0-48 months old infants and toddlers, Father's education level and smoking mother were both related to breast development. Breast development was significantly associated with physical growth, but had no correlation with the mental or psychomotor development.

African Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Breast ; growth & development ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Gynecomastia ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Puberty, Precocious ; epidemiology ; etiology

Objective: To investigate the current bedtime routine among Chinese children less than 3 years of age and explore its dose-dependent association with sleep duration and sleep quality. Method: Healthy full-term born children aged 0-35 months were selected by stratified cluster random sampling method from 8 provinces in China following the "Hospital of Province-City-County" sampling technical route during 2012-2013.Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire(BISQ) was used to assess sleep conditions of these children.Children′s personal and family information was obtained by Shanghai Children′s Medical Center Socio-demographic Questionnaire.Both of these questionnaires were filled in by parents. The effects of bedtime routine on children′s sleep duration and quality were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance. Result: The children′s average age was(12±10) months(n=1 304), of whom 689 were males (52.8%, 689/1 304). There were 48.5%(632/1 304)of the parents reported that their children had not established regular sleep routines. There was a consistent dose-dependent association between bedtime routine and sleep duration, as well as other indicators for sleep quality (all P<0.05). The more regular the sleep routines, the longer the sleep duration, the earlier the children went to sleep, the shorter the sleep onset latency, the fewer the nighttime wakeup and the shorter the nighttime waking.The nighttime sleep duration was significantly longer for those with a bedtime routine 'every night’ than those who 'never’ had a bedtime routine (9.5(95%CI: 9.4-9.6)vs. 8.9(95%CI: 8.6-9.3)h, t=3.345, P=0.001). Compared with children who never had bedtime routines, children with regular bedtime routines had fewer night wakeup (1.3(95%CI: 1.2-1.4) vs. 2.4( 95%CI: 2.0-2.9), t=3.182, P=0.001) and shorter night waking duration(16.6(95%CI: 14.6-18.8) vs. 59.2 (95%CI: 47.0-72.7)min, t=6.383, P<0.01). Conclusion The percentage of children who have established regular bedtime routine is low in China. There is significant dose-dependent association between regular bedtime routine and sleep outcomes, especially sleep quality. The more regular the sleep routines, the better the sleep quality.

Good sleep is essential for children′s physical and mental health, growth, and development.Adequate and high-quality sleep positively impacts children′s quality of life, memory, learning, attention, mood, and behavior.Children of different ages have different sleep needs.Children have various sleep problems in different cultures.Therefore, it is significant to guide children to get healthy sleep by popularizing the sleep problems of Chinese children of all ages and in all dimensions.Based on China′s social and cultural background, this paper summarizes the contents related to children′s sleep physiology, good sleep habits, common sleep problems, sleep apnea disorders, hypnagogic sleep, narcolepsy, insomnia, and other issues that interfere with children′s sleep.Chinese sleep experts summarize and interpret the 100 sleep health problems of children that medical workers and parents are most concerned about.To promote children′s sleep health and popularize solutions to sleep problems.

Objective To investigate the current prevalence of pubertal development in healthy Shanghai schoolchildren.Methods This study was a cross-sectional investigation focused on current pubertal development conducted in healthy Shanghai schoolchildren by multi-stage cluster sampling.The sample included 17 571 children in grades 1-5 investigated in June 2014.The data were weighted by inverse probability weighting (IPW) to make them more representative.At examination,stages of breast and pubic hair development were rated according to the Tanner method.Testicular volume was determined.Data on menarche and spermatorrhea were collected by the status quo method.The rates of precocious puberty,breast,and pubic hair development of Tanner stage ≥ Ⅱ in girls aged 6-7 years,menarche in girls aged 6-9 years,and testicular volume ≥4 ml and pubic hair development of Tanner stage ≥ Ⅱ in boys aged 6-8 years were calculated.All the data were weighted by IPW.Results After data processing,16 197 children's data were analyzed.In girls aged 6-7 years,17.2％ and 2.5％ showed evidence of breast and pubic hair development at Tanner stage ≥ Ⅱ,respectively.In girls aged 6-9 years,0.3％ had experienced menarche.Schoolgirls' rate of menarche was 4.7％.In girls aged 6-7 years,19.0％ were diagnosed with precocious puberty according to the classic criteria.In boys aged 6-8 years,1.7％ had testicular volume ≥4 ml,and 0.6％ showed evidence of pubic hair development at Tanner stage ≥ Ⅱ.Schoolboys' incidence rate of spermatorrhea was 0.1％.In boys aged 6-8 years,2.3％ were diagnosed with precocious puberty according to the classic criteria.All the numbers above were weighted.Conclusion Proper education on adolescence and sex is essential for Shanghai schoolchildren.

Objective To investigate the current prevalence of pubertal development in healthy Shanghai schoolchildren.Methods This study was a cross-sectional investigation focused on current pubertal development conducted in healthy Shanghai schoolchildren by multi-stage cluster sampling.The sample included 17 571 children in grades 1-5 investigated in June 2014.The data were weighted by inverse probability weighting (IPW) to make them more representative.At examination,stages of breast and pubic hair development were rated according to the Tanner method.Testicular volume was determined.Data on menarche and spermatorrhea were collected by the status quo method.The rates of precocious puberty,breast,and pubic hair development of Tanner stage ≥ Ⅱ in girls aged 6-7 years,menarche in girls aged 6-9 years,and testicular volume ≥4 ml and pubic hair development of Tanner stage ≥ Ⅱ in boys aged 6-8 years were calculated.All the data were weighted by IPW.Results After data processing,16 197 children's data were analyzed.In girls aged 6-7 years,17.2％ and 2.5％ showed evidence of breast and pubic hair development at Tanner stage ≥ Ⅱ,respectively.In girls aged 6-9 years,0.3％ had experienced menarche.Schoolgirls' rate of menarche was 4.7％.In girls aged 6-7 years,19.0％ were diagnosed with precocious puberty according to the classic criteria.In boys aged 6-8 years,1.7％ had testicular volume ≥4 ml,and 0.6％ showed evidence of pubic hair development at Tanner stage ≥ Ⅱ.Schoolboys' incidence rate of spermatorrhea was 0.1％.In boys aged 6-8 years,2.3％ were diagnosed with precocious puberty according to the classic criteria.All the numbers above were weighted.Conclusion Proper education on adolescence and sex is essential for Shanghai schoolchildren.

Objective:To examine the impact of varied surgical treatment strategies on the prognosis of patients with initial resectable gastric cancer liver metastases (IR-GCLM).Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. Employing a retrospective cohort design, the study selected clinicopathological data from the national multi-center retrospective cohort study database, focusing on 282 patients with IR-GCLM who underwent surgical intervention between January 2010 and December 2019. There were 231 males and 51 males, aging ( M(IQR)) 61 (14) years (range: 27 to 80 years). These patients were stratified into radical and palliative treatment groups based on treatment decisions. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and distinctions in survival rates were assessed using the Log-rank test. The Cox risk regression model evaluated HR for various factors, controlling for confounders through multivariate analysis to comprehensively evaluate the influence of surgery on the prognosis of IR-GCLM patients. A restricted cubic spline Cox proportional hazard model assessed and delineated intricate associations between measured variables and prognosis. At the same time, the X-tile served as an auxiliary tool to identify critical thresholds in the survival analysis for IR-GCLM patients. Subgroup analysis was then conducted to identify potential beneficiary populations in different surgical treatments. Results:(1) The radical group comprised 118 patients, all undergoing R0 resection or local physical therapy of primary and metastatic lesions. The palliative group comprised 164 patients, with 52 cases undergoing palliative resections for gastric primary tumors and liver metastases, 56 cases undergoing radical resections for gastric primary tumors only, 45 cases undergoing palliative resections for gastric primary tumors, and 11 cases receiving palliative treatments for liver metastases. A statistically significant distinction was observed between the groups regarding the site and the number of liver metastases (both P<0.05). (2) The median overall survival (OS) of the 282 patients was 22.7 months (95% CI: 17.8 to 27.6 months), with 1-year and 3-year OS rates were 65.4% and 35.6%, respectively. The 1-year OS rates for patients in the radical surgical group and palliative surgical group were 68.3% and 63.1%, while the corresponding 3-year OS rates were 42.2% and 29.9%, respectively. A comparison of OS between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference ( P=0.254). Further analysis indicated that patients undergoing palliative gastric cancer resection alone had a significantly worse prognosis compared to other surgical options ( HR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.21 to 3.24, P=0.006). (3) The size of the primary gastric tumor significantly influenced the patients′ prognosis ( HR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.45 to 2.79, P<0.01), with HR showing a progressively increasing trend as tumor size increased. (4) Subgroup analysis indicates that radical treatment may be more effective compared to palliative treatment in the following specific cases: well/moderately differentiated tumors ( HR=2.84, 95% CI 1.49 to 5.41, P=0.001), and patients with liver metastases located in the left lobe of the liver ( HR=2.06, 95% CI 1.19 to 3.57, P=0.010). Conclusions:In patients with IR-GCLM, radical surgery did not produce a significant improvement in the overall prognosis compared to palliative surgery. However, within specific patient subgroups (well/moderately differentiated tumors, and patients with liver metastases located in the left lobe of the liver), radical treatment can significantly improve prognosis compared to palliative approaches.