Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nebulized inhalation of recombinant human interferon (IFN) α1b injection in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia and bronchiolitis) in children.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled add-on design was used.Children with pneumonia or bronchiolitis aged 2 months to 5 years who tested positive for RSV antigen within 72 hours of onset from 30 clinical trial sites including Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University between February 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study and randomly divided into 2 groups at a ratio of 1∶1 based on a stratified-block method.Both groups received basic treatments such as cough control, asthma relieving, expectorant treatment, fever reduction, oxygen therapy, etc.The experimental group received additional nebulized inhalation of IFN α1b injection at a dose of 2.0 μg/(kg·time), twice a day.The control group received nebulized inhalation of placebo twice a day.Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on indicators such as the duration of clinical symptoms and signs, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median and 95% CI of the duration of clinical symptoms and signs.The Log-rank test was used to compared data between groups.Safety was assessed through the incidence of adverse reactions and laboratory tests, and the Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference between groups. Results:There were 123 children in the experimental group and 122 children in the control group.The median durations of all the 5 clinical symptoms and signs [including shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea (visible retractions), decreased transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and abnormal mental state] in the experimental group after treatment were slightly shortened than those in the control group [2.7 d(95% CI: 1.9-3.0 d)] vs.[2.9 d(95% CI: 2.6-3.6 d), P=0.027].The improvement in dyspnea (retractions) was especially pronounced in the experimental group, with a relief rate of 50.0% (0, 100%) on the first day of administration[compared with 0 (0, 50.0%) in the control group ( Z=2.002, P=0.025)].The median duration of dyspnea in the experimental group was nearly 1 day shorter than that in the control group [1.0 d(95% CI: 0.7-1.7 d) vs.1.8 d(95% CI: 1.0-2.5 d), P=0.046].There were no significant difference in hospital stay [6.0(5.0, 8.0) d vs.6.5(5.0, 8.0) d, Z=0.675, P=0.500], oxygen therapy duration [32.0(14.0, 96.3) h vs.39.0 (24.0, 83.2) h, Z=0.094, P=0.925], the recovery rate from clinical symptoms during treatment [(105/106, 99.1%) vs.(96/101, 95.0%)], and recurrence rate [(0/106, 0) vs.(2/101, 2.0%)] between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).However, the above-mentioned four indicators in the experimental group showed a trend of clinical benefits.The quantitative virus detection results showed that the RSV viral load in both groups decreased after treatment compared to before treatment.After 2 days of treatment, the decline rate of RSV viral load from the baseline was 0.90 lg copies/(mL·d) in the experimental group and 0.25 lg copies/(mL·d)in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05).Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups ( P>0.05).Importantly, no drug-related serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. Conclusions:The nebulized inhalation therapy of IFN α1b demonstrates efficacy and safety in treating pediatric RSV associated lower respiratory tract infections.It particularly offers outstanding clinical therapeutic value for severe children.

BACKGROUND: Asthma, one of the most widespread chronic respiratory diseases, has placed a considerable economic and social stress on China. This study examines the burden of asthma in China from 1990 to 2021 and forecasts future trends, providing guidance for establishing focused preventive and regulatory strategies. METHODS: Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Database 2021, the analysis of trends in asthma burden was conducted for China from 1990 to 2021. Key indicators such as incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were analysed. The investigation applied the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), average annual percentage change (AAPC), and age-period-cohort model (APCM) to evaluate these trends. Furthermore, predictions for incidence and mortality in 2035 were generated using the Bayesian APCM and the Nordpred model. RESULTS: In 2021, there were 25,015,668 prevalent asthma cases in China, alongside 3,934,875 new cases and 26,233 deaths. The age-standardized incidence rate and age-standardized death rate for 2021 were 364.17 (95% uncertainty interval [95% UI]: 283.22-494.1) per 100,000 population and 1.47 (95% UI: 1.15-1.79) per 100,000 population, respectively. The age-standardized rates (ASRs) for incidence were detected to be elevated in the 0-4 years age group, and the prevalence was significantly higher in the 5-9 years age group compared to other cohorts. ASR for incidence and prevalence of asthma in China were lower than that in the global average. Between 1990 and 2021, the ASR of incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs demonstrated a downward trajectory, with EAPC values of -1.17, -1.57, -4.69, and -2.98, respectively. People aged 0-9 years and over 60 years experienced a disproportionately higher disease burden. Projections indicate that the ASRs for incidence will continue to rise, whereas the death will continue to decline by 2035. CONCLUSIONS Between 1990 and 2021, a general reduction in the asthma burden in China was observed. However, the burden remains particularly high among people aged 0-9 years and over 60 years, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and policies to address the ongoing challenges of asthma.
Humans ; Asthma/mortality* ; China/epidemiology* ; Global Burden of Disease ; Incidence ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Child ; Adolescent ; Female ; Prevalence ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Infant, Newborn ; Bayes Theorem

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are proposed to account for the progression, metastasis, and recurrence of diverse malignancies. However, the disorganized vasculars in tumors hinder the accumulation and penetration of nanomedicines, posing a challenge in eliminating CSCs located distantly from blood vessels. Herein, a pair of twin-like small-sized nanoparticles, sunitinib (St)-loaded ROS responsive micelles (RM@St) and salinomycin (SAL)-loaded GSH responsive micelles (GM@SAL), are developed to normalize disordered tumor vessels and eradicate CSCs. RM@St releases sunitinib in response to the abundant ROS in the tumor extracellular microenvironment for tumor vessel normalization, which improved intratumor accumulation and homogeneous distribution of small-sized GM@SAL. Sequentially, GM@SAL effectively accesses CSCs and achieves reduction-responsive drug release at high GSH concentrations within CSCs. More importantly, RM@St significantly extends the window of vessel normalization and enhances vessel integrity compared to free sunitinib, thus further amplifying the anti-tumor effect of GM@SAL. The combination therapy of RM@St plus GM@SAL produces considerable depression of tumor growth, drastically reducing CSCs fractions to 5.6% and resulting in 78.4% inhibition of lung metastasis. This study offers novel insights into rational nanomedicines designed for superior therapeutic effects by vascular normalization and anti-CSCs therapy.

Deflazacort,as a glucocorticoid medication,is conductive to improving motor function and muscle strength,delaying the loss of ambulation,enhancing pulmonary function,reducing the risk of scoliosis,slowing the progression of cardiomyopathy,and increasing survival rates in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD).In February 2017,the U.S.Food and Drug Administration(FDA)approved deflazacort for the treatment of DMD.In May 2024,deflazacort entered Peking Union Medical College Hospital for desig-nated use through the ＂ temporary import＂ pathway.This article provides an overview of deflazacort from the perspectives of its mechanism of action,pharmacokinetics,clinical efficacy,and adverse effects,aiming to offer a reference for its rational and safe application in clinical practice.

Deflazacort,as a glucocorticoid medication,is conductive to improving motor function and muscle strength,delaying the loss of ambulation,enhancing pulmonary function,reducing the risk of scoliosis,slowing the progression of cardiomyopathy,and increasing survival rates in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD).In February 2017,the U.S.Food and Drug Administration(FDA)approved deflazacort for the treatment of DMD.In May 2024,deflazacort entered Peking Union Medical College Hospital for desig-nated use through the ＂ temporary import＂ pathway.This article provides an overview of deflazacort from the perspectives of its mechanism of action,pharmacokinetics,clinical efficacy,and adverse effects,aiming to offer a reference for its rational and safe application in clinical practice.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nebulized inhalation of recombinant human interferon (IFN) α1b injection in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia and bronchiolitis) in children.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled add-on design was used.Children with pneumonia or bronchiolitis aged 2 months to 5 years who tested positive for RSV antigen within 72 hours of onset from 30 clinical trial sites including Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University between February 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study and randomly divided into 2 groups at a ratio of 1∶1 based on a stratified-block method.Both groups received basic treatments such as cough control, asthma relieving, expectorant treatment, fever reduction, oxygen therapy, etc.The experimental group received additional nebulized inhalation of IFN α1b injection at a dose of 2.0 μg/(kg·time), twice a day.The control group received nebulized inhalation of placebo twice a day.Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on indicators such as the duration of clinical symptoms and signs, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median and 95% CI of the duration of clinical symptoms and signs.The Log-rank test was used to compared data between groups.Safety was assessed through the incidence of adverse reactions and laboratory tests, and the Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference between groups. Results:There were 123 children in the experimental group and 122 children in the control group.The median durations of all the 5 clinical symptoms and signs [including shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea (visible retractions), decreased transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and abnormal mental state] in the experimental group after treatment were slightly shortened than those in the control group [2.7 d(95% CI: 1.9-3.0 d)] vs.[2.9 d(95% CI: 2.6-3.6 d), P=0.027].The improvement in dyspnea (retractions) was especially pronounced in the experimental group, with a relief rate of 50.0% (0, 100%) on the first day of administration[compared with 0 (0, 50.0%) in the control group ( Z=2.002, P=0.025)].The median duration of dyspnea in the experimental group was nearly 1 day shorter than that in the control group [1.0 d(95% CI: 0.7-1.7 d) vs.1.8 d(95% CI: 1.0-2.5 d), P=0.046].There were no significant difference in hospital stay [6.0(5.0, 8.0) d vs.6.5(5.0, 8.0) d, Z=0.675, P=0.500], oxygen therapy duration [32.0(14.0, 96.3) h vs.39.0 (24.0, 83.2) h, Z=0.094, P=0.925], the recovery rate from clinical symptoms during treatment [(105/106, 99.1%) vs.(96/101, 95.0%)], and recurrence rate [(0/106, 0) vs.(2/101, 2.0%)] between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).However, the above-mentioned four indicators in the experimental group showed a trend of clinical benefits.The quantitative virus detection results showed that the RSV viral load in both groups decreased after treatment compared to before treatment.After 2 days of treatment, the decline rate of RSV viral load from the baseline was 0.90 lg copies/(mL·d) in the experimental group and 0.25 lg copies/(mL·d)in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05).Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups ( P>0.05).Importantly, no drug-related serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. Conclusions:The nebulized inhalation therapy of IFN α1b demonstrates efficacy and safety in treating pediatric RSV associated lower respiratory tract infections.It particularly offers outstanding clinical therapeutic value for severe children.

Objective:To explore the expression levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) in follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its correlation with ovarian function and inflammation.Methods:To conduct a cohort study, the data on infertile couples who received an antagonistic regimen of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to promote ovulation from March to December 2023 at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) were collected. PCOS patients were selected as the PCOS group, and patients who underwent IVF/ICSI assisted pregnancy solely due to tubal and/or male factors during the same period were selected as control group. The general clinical data of two groups of patients were analyzed, and the expression of ADM, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-18, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in the follicular fluid were compared between the two groups of patients. And taking the concentration of ADM in follicular fluid as the main research indicator, correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted with other indicators. Simultaneously the ADM mRNA expression, cell cycle and cell apoptosis of granulosa cells were compared between the two groups. Results:This study included 20 cases in the PCOS group and 20 cases in control group. Compared with control group, the expression of ADM in follicular fluid and granulosa cells of patients with PCOS were significantly lower (both P<0.001), while its testosterone, the ratio of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, antral follicle count (AFC), number of retrieved eggs, ovarian sensitivity index, as well as IL-1β, IL-18 and TGF-β in follicular fluid were higher and negatively correlated with ADM ( r=-0.37, P=0.019; r=-0.32, P=0.047; r=-0.50, P<0.001; r=-0.38, P=0.017; r=-0.38, P=0.016; r=-0.44, P=0.005; r=-0.37, P=0.018; r=-0.54, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that AFC, gonadotropin initiation dose, IL-1β and TGF-β were the independent related factors that affect local ADM levels ( r=-0.37, P=0.008; r=-0.27, P=0.035; r=-0.28, P=0.028; r=-0.45, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the cell cycle of granulocytes between the two groups ( P>0.05), but the apoptosis rate (AR) of granulocytes was higher in the PCOS group than in control group (median AR in the PCOS group was 46.07%, median AR in control group was 28.57%, n=10, P=0.036). Conclusion:The decreased expression of ADM in follicles of PCOS patients is related to ovarian endocrine disorders, multiple vesicles, high ovarian responsiveness and local inflammatory status.

Objective:To explore the expression levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) in follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its correlation with ovarian function and inflammation.Methods:To conduct a cohort study, the data on infertile couples who received an antagonistic regimen of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to promote ovulation from March to December 2023 at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) were collected. PCOS patients were selected as the PCOS group, and patients who underwent IVF/ICSI assisted pregnancy solely due to tubal and/or male factors during the same period were selected as control group. The general clinical data of two groups of patients were analyzed, and the expression of ADM, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-18, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in the follicular fluid were compared between the two groups of patients. And taking the concentration of ADM in follicular fluid as the main research indicator, correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted with other indicators. Simultaneously the ADM mRNA expression, cell cycle and cell apoptosis of granulosa cells were compared between the two groups. Results:This study included 20 cases in the PCOS group and 20 cases in control group. Compared with control group, the expression of ADM in follicular fluid and granulosa cells of patients with PCOS were significantly lower (both P<0.001), while its testosterone, the ratio of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, antral follicle count (AFC), number of retrieved eggs, ovarian sensitivity index, as well as IL-1β, IL-18 and TGF-β in follicular fluid were higher and negatively correlated with ADM ( r=-0.37, P=0.019; r=-0.32, P=0.047; r=-0.50, P<0.001; r=-0.38, P=0.017; r=-0.38, P=0.016; r=-0.44, P=0.005; r=-0.37, P=0.018; r=-0.54, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that AFC, gonadotropin initiation dose, IL-1β and TGF-β were the independent related factors that affect local ADM levels ( r=-0.37, P=0.008; r=-0.27, P=0.035; r=-0.28, P=0.028; r=-0.45, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the cell cycle of granulocytes between the two groups ( P>0.05), but the apoptosis rate (AR) of granulocytes was higher in the PCOS group than in control group (median AR in the PCOS group was 46.07%, median AR in control group was 28.57%, n=10, P=0.036). Conclusion:The decreased expression of ADM in follicles of PCOS patients is related to ovarian endocrine disorders, multiple vesicles, high ovarian responsiveness and local inflammatory status.

Objective:To analyse the influence of endometrial polyps (EPs) treatment on the frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) pregnancy outcome.Methods:Using a retrospective case-control study, the data of patients were collected who received in vitro fertilization (IVF) and hysteroscopy in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi from June 2021 to December 2022. Patients undergoing hysteroscopy were studied. According to the diagnosis results of hysteroscopy and pathology, they were selected as the EPs group or the non-endometrial polyps (NEPs) group. Then analysis of EPs risk factors was made, and the pregnancy outcome of FET after the EPs treatment was compared. Results:A total of 3 413 patients underwent hysteroscopy in this study. The EPs group included 444 patients and the NEPs group included 1 501 patients respectively. The prevalence of EPs was 13.01% (444/3 413). There were significant differences between EPs group and NEPs group in gravidity, parity, spontaneous abortion times, induced abortions times, basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH), basal luteinizing hormone (bLH), infertility duration, infertility types, the prevalence of chronic endometritis, the history of polyps removal and endometriosis (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors associated with EPs showed that infertility duration ( OR=1.068, 95% CI: 1.029-1.109, P<0.001), chronic endometritis ( OR=1.925, 95% CI: 1.481-2.502, P<0.001), primary infertility ( OR=1.803, 95% CI: 1.408-2.308, P<0.001), history of polyps removal ( OR=9.424, 95% CI: 5.586-15.897, P<0.001), endometriosis ( OR=2.432, 95% CI: 1.344-4.401, P=0.003) were independent risk factors for EPs, and bLH ( OR=0.954, 95% CI: 0.916-0.993, P=0.022) was an independent protective factor for EPs. Compared with NEPs transplantation group, there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate, on-going pregnancy rate and none implantation rate in the EPs treatment transplantation group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Infertility duration, chronic endometritis, primary infertility, history of polyps removal, endometriosis were independent risk factors, and bLH was an independent protective factor. Patients in EPs treatment transplantation group could achieve the similar pregnancy outcome as NEPs transplantation group.

Objective:To analyse the influence of endometrial polyps (EPs) treatment on the frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) pregnancy outcome.Methods:Using a retrospective case-control study, the data of patients were collected who received in vitro fertilization (IVF) and hysteroscopy in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi from June 2021 to December 2022. Patients undergoing hysteroscopy were studied. According to the diagnosis results of hysteroscopy and pathology, they were selected as the EPs group or the non-endometrial polyps (NEPs) group. Then analysis of EPs risk factors was made, and the pregnancy outcome of FET after the EPs treatment was compared. Results:A total of 3 413 patients underwent hysteroscopy in this study. The EPs group included 444 patients and the NEPs group included 1 501 patients respectively. The prevalence of EPs was 13.01% (444/3 413). There were significant differences between EPs group and NEPs group in gravidity, parity, spontaneous abortion times, induced abortions times, basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH), basal luteinizing hormone (bLH), infertility duration, infertility types, the prevalence of chronic endometritis, the history of polyps removal and endometriosis (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors associated with EPs showed that infertility duration ( OR=1.068, 95% CI: 1.029-1.109, P<0.001), chronic endometritis ( OR=1.925, 95% CI: 1.481-2.502, P<0.001), primary infertility ( OR=1.803, 95% CI: 1.408-2.308, P<0.001), history of polyps removal ( OR=9.424, 95% CI: 5.586-15.897, P<0.001), endometriosis ( OR=2.432, 95% CI: 1.344-4.401, P=0.003) were independent risk factors for EPs, and bLH ( OR=0.954, 95% CI: 0.916-0.993, P=0.022) was an independent protective factor for EPs. Compared with NEPs transplantation group, there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate, on-going pregnancy rate and none implantation rate in the EPs treatment transplantation group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Infertility duration, chronic endometritis, primary infertility, history of polyps removal, endometriosis were independent risk factors, and bLH was an independent protective factor. Patients in EPs treatment transplantation group could achieve the similar pregnancy outcome as NEPs transplantation group.