Objective:To construct a risk prediction model for the inter-hospital transfer of critically ill children using machine learning methods, identify key medical features affecting transfer outcomes, and improve the success rate of transfers.Methods:A prospective study was conducted on critically ill children admitted to the pediatric transfer center of Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021. Medical data on critical care features and relevant data from the Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISMⅢ) scoring system were collected and processed. Three machine learning models, including logistic regression, decision tree, and Relief algorithm, were used to construct the risk prediction model. A back propagation neural network was employed to build a referral outcome prediction model to verify and analyze the selected medical features from the risk prediction model, exploring the key medical features influencing inter-hospital transfer risk.Results:Among the 549 transferred children included in the study, 222 were neonates (40.44%) and 327 were non-neonates (59.56%). There were 50 children in-hospital deaths, resulting in a mortality rate of 9.11%. After processing 151 critical care medical feature data points, each model selected the top 15 important features influencing transfer outcomes, with a total of 34 selected features. The decision tree model had an overlap of 72.7% with PRISMⅢ indicators, higher than logistic regression (36.4%) and Relief algorithm (27.3%). The training prediction accuracy of the decision tree model was 0.94, higher than the accuracy of 0.90 when including all features, indicating its clinical utility. Among the top 15 important features selected by the decision tree model, the impact on transfer outcomes was ranked as follows based on quantitative feature violin plots: base excess, total bilirubin, ionized calcium, total time, arterial oxygen pressure, blood parameters (including white blood cells, platelets, prothrombin time/activated partial thromboplastin time), carbon dioxide pressure, blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, organ failure, lactate, capillary refill time, temperature, and cyanosis. Eight of these important features overlapped with PRISMⅢ indicators, including systolic blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, pupillary reflex, consciousness, acidosis, arterial oxygen pressure, carbon dioxide pressure, blood parameters, and blood glucose. The decision tree was used to select the top 15 medical features with high impact on the neonatal and non-neonatal datasets, respectively. A total of 19 features were selected, among which there were 8 differences and 11 overlap terms between the important features of the neonatal and non-neonatal.Conclusions:Machine learning models could serve as reliable tools for predicting the risk of inter-hospital transfer of critically ill children. The decision tree model exhibits superior performance and helps identify key medical features affecting inter-hospital transfer risk, thereby improving the success rate of inter-hospital transfers for critically ill children.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of serum insulin combined with cardiac-related markers in evaluating the severity of sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE).Methods:The clinical data of 130 children with sepsis who admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively, and the differences of serum insulin and cardiac-related markers in children with sepsis and SAE were compared.Results:The levels of serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, and N-terminal cerebral urine peptide in the SAE group were significantly higher than those in the non-SAE group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in heart rate and lactic acid ( P>0.05). The levels of serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, N-terminal cerebral urine peptide and lactic acid in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group ( P<0.05), while the heart rate was not significantly different ( P>0.05). The area under ROC curve of serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, and N-terminal cerebral urine peptide in predicting SAE were 0.841, 0.599, 0.700, and 0.667, respectively; in terms of judging the prognosis of sepsis, the area under ROC curve were 0.647, 0.669, 0.645, and 0.683, respectively; and in terms of judging the prognosis of children with SAE, the areas under the ROC curve were 0.509, 0.682, 0.666 and 0.555, respectively. Binary logistic regression equation was established with serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, and N-terminal cerebral urine peptide: Y=8.153×NT-proBNP+1.704×CTnT-hs+27.121×insulin+0.946×CK-MB+1.573. The area under the ROC curve of the new variable Y in predicting sepsis SAE, evaluating the prognosis of sepsis, and predicting the prognosis of children with sepsis and SAE was 0.890, 0.756, and 0.729, respectively. Conclusions:Serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, and N-terminal cerebral urine peptide can be used alone to determine the severity of sepsis and sepsis in children with SAE. The combined value of the four indicators is obviously better than that of the single indicator. The combined application of the four indicators may better evaluate the severity of sepsis and SAE.

Objective:To develop a questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practice of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection among physical examination population, and to verify its reliability and validity.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional survey. Based on the theory of knowledge, attitude and practice, the first draft of the questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practice of Hp infection in physical examination population was designed by means of retrospective literature research, qualitative interview, discussion in the research group. The structure and items of the questionnaire were consulted and revised by the expert consultation method (Delphi method). Through pre investigation of 186 physical examination personnel from May to June in 2021, the final version of the "knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire on Helicobacter pylori infection among physical examination population" was formed after adjustment and verification of the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.Results:The questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and practice of Hp infection in physical examination population included 3 dimensions and 28 items, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 56.271%. The content validity index of each item level of the questionnaire was 0.75-1.00, and the content validity index of the total questionnaire was 0.94. The Cronbach alpha of knowledge, attitude and practice dimensions in this questionnaire were 0.862, 0.901 and 0.798 respectively. The overall Cronbach alpha of the questionnaire was 0.890, and the half reliability was 0.698. The test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was 0.919, and the test-retest reliability of each dimension was 0.924, 0.917 and 0.845.Conclusions:The questionnaire has good reliability and validity, and can be used to measure the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of Hp infection in physical examination population.

Objective: To compare and investigate the physicochemical characteristics and antibacterial effect of ZnO nanofilms prepared by atomic layer deposition(ALD) at different deposition cycles. Methods: According to different ALD cycles, four groups were set up (control group, 300, 600 and 1 200 cycles group). Using DEZn and water as precursors, ZnO nanofilms were prepared by ALD on the surface of pure titanium specimens. Surface morphology of the films was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM); the element composition and crystal type of the films were observed by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD); the hydrophilicity and thickness of the films were detected by water contact angle detector and ellipsometer. The cytotoxicity of the films was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The antibacterial effect against S. aureus in vitro of the films was evaluated by optical density method. Results: The surface morphology of the films was uniform and compact as shown through SEM. The grain size increased with the increase of the number of ALD cycles. EDS results showed that the films were mainly composed of Zn and O elements. XRD results confirmed that the composition of the films was ZnO. Results of water contact angle showed that the films were hydrophobic. The thickness of the films was nanoscale and there was a linear relationship between the thickness and ALD cycles. All experimental groups showed no cytotoxicity. The 1 200 cycles group showed the highest antibacterial rate of 65.9% and 52.3% at 24 and 48 hours respectively, which was the best among all experimental groups. Conclusion The ZnO nanofilms prepared by ALD at different cycles on pure titanium surface are uniform and compact. Thickness of the films increases with the increase of ALD cycles. The films have good biocompatibility and anti-S. aureus effect in vitro. The 1 200 cycles group has the best antibacterial effect.

Objective:To assess the clinical efficacy of low-level laser therapy(LLLT)for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome(BMS)in elderly patients.Methods:As a randomized controlled study, 60 elderly BMS patients treated in the department of stomatology of Beijing Hospital from September 2018 to August 2021 were randomly divided into a laser group and a control group, including 7 man and 53 women, with an average age of(68.27±6.38)years.Patients in the laser group were treated with LLLT, and patients in the control group were treated with non-energy red light and oryzanol.The visual analogue scale and self-rating anxiety and depression scale were used to evaluate the two groups of patients.Results:After LLLT, the effectiveness rate of the laser group was 86.67%(26/30)on the 28th and 90th day, which was significantly higher than 63.33%(19/30)of the control group( χ2=4.356, P=0.037). When data for pre-treatment, the 28th day after treatment and the 90th day after treatment for the laser group were compared, results showed that after LLLT, pain symptoms of BMS patients were relieved and it lasted for some time, and anxiety and depression also improved, but there were episodes of relapse as time went on.Visual analogue scale and self-rating anxiety scores and depression scale scores of BMS patients for pre-treatment, the 28th and 90th days after treatment in the two groups were compared.Only self-rating anxiety scale scores of the laser group was lower than those of the control group on the 28th day, with statistical significance( t=2.622, P=0.011), indicating that LLLT could alleviate anxiety for BMS patients in the short term, but had no significant effect on patient depression.However, in the long term, LLLT had no significant effect on relieving anxiety and depression. Conclusions:LLLT has a certain effect on improving pain symptoms and anxiety in elderly BMS patients.

Objective To investigate the impact of tooth structure and fatigue cycles on the fracture strength of glass-ceramic onlays for molar restoration in the elderly.Methods A total of 72 extracted molars due to periodontitis from people aged 60 years or over were selected and flattened to different levels of the occlusal surface.The percentage of enamel was calculated.Two groups with different percentages of enamel were selected from 72 molars,one group with(80±10)％ enamel or the E group and the other group with (20±10)％ enamel or the D group,with 12 samples in each group.IPS e.max CAD discs(diameter=9 mm,thickness=1.3 mm)were cemented to the prepared sample surface by using Variolink N resin cement system.Furthermore,three subgroups were formed randomly from each group(n=4,in each group).Subgroups were treated with 5,100 000 and 1000 000 fatigue cycles,respectively,with the same load(180 N,1.5 Hz)in water,following thermal cycling(5～55 ℃ for 1 500 cycles),and then fracture strength was tested.Results The fracture strength was(2 761.8±477.2)N in the E group and(1 100.1±216.9)N in the D group.The two-factor analysis of variance indicated that tooth structure had a significant influence on fracture strength(F =98.51,P＜0.05),while the influence of fatigue cycles on fracture strength was not significant (F =0.22,P ＞0.05).Enamel percentage had a positive linear correlation with fracture strength(r=0.915,=10.66,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Enamel percentage has a positive correlation with fracture strength of glass-ceramic onlays.For elderly people who have severe tooth wear,preserving more enamel within the adhesive area can increase the fracture strength of ceramic onlays for an extended period of time.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of photodynamic therapy on oral leukoplakia in elderly patients. Methods: In this prospective study, fifteen elderly patients with oral leukoplakia were treated with 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy(ALA-PDT). After 2 hours of dressing, patients were irradiated using a 635nm semiconductor laser with the power density of 300mW/cm².Each lesion was irradiated for 6 minutes with energy density of 100J/cm².The curative effect was evaluated and the adverse reactions were recorded based on the observation of lesion changes. Results: Of the 15 lesions in 15 patients, 4 lesions were treated once, 3 lesions were treated twice.And 6 lesions were cured after three treatments, and 2 patients were cured after four treatments.The average treatment frequency was(2.4±1.1)treatment.The postoperative adverse reaction was pain.The average visual analogue scale was(2.2±0.8)scores after operation, and the duration of pain was(2.6±1.1)days after operation.There was no recurrence for 3 to 9 months after operation.No abnormalities of oral sensation and function were found in patients. Conclusions ALA-PDT is an effective method for the treatment of oral leukoplakia in elderly patients.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of oral mucosal diseases (OMD) in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: A total of 182 patients with cerebrovascular disease and 166 controls were examined for OMD to compare the differences of prevalence rates. Results: The prevalence of OMD in patients with cerebrovascular disease appeared higher than that in the control group. Oral candidiasis was most commonly seen (11.1%, 20/182), followed by fissured tongue (5.0%, 9/182), traumatic ulcer (2.8%, 5/182), herpes labialis (2.2%, 4/182), recurrent oral ulcer (1.6%, 3/182), chronic cheilitis (1.6%, 3/182) and oral leukokeratosis (1.6%, 3/182). Conclusion Patients with cerebrovascular diseases were susceptible to OMDs, especially to oral candidiasis that called for more attention.

Objectives To determine the risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the pediatric intensive care unit and to explore effective strategies to reduce the morbidity of VAP. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 455 children admitted into the PICU of Hunan Children's Hospital from June 2014 to June 2017. The 455 children were divided into VAP group (n=43) and non-VAP group (n=412). The incidence of VAP was identified and risk factors were compared using the logistic regression analysis via SPSS 19.0 software.Results There were 311 males and 144 females with a median age of 11 months old (29 days to 9 years and 4 months). The incidence of VAP was 9.45% (43/455). Congenital laryngeal and trachea malformation with pulmonary infection was the first reason for the occurrence of VAP (23.3%), followed by congenital heart diseases with pulmonary infection (18.6%). Via univariate analysis, types of endotracheal intubation (χ2=45.33, P<0.001), duration of mechanical ventilation (Z=1.21, P=0.034), re-intubation (χ2=20.22, P=0.004), early usage of antibiotics (χ2=4.98, P=0.026),and methods of nutritional support(χ2=10.15,P=0.006)were identified as risk factors of VAP in the pediatric intensive care unit patients (P<0.05). Based on the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the followings were all independent predictor for VAP:types of endotracheal intubation(OR=1.87,95%CI:1.48~9.75),duration of mechanical ventilation(OR=1.14, 95%CI:1.08~2.35), re-intubation (OR=3.42, 95%CI:1.26~5.57), early usage of antibiotics (OR=4.55, 95%CI:2.21~8.77). Conclusions Many risk factors were found related with the occurrence of VAP. A comprehensive analysis of the host factors and iatrogenic factors should be conducted. Rational use of antibiotics and daily assessment of extubation might help reduce the incidence of VAP.

We tried to explore the value of contrast echocardiography (CEcho) on evaluating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with the inferior wall hypertrophy. A total of 114 patients with HCM were investigated. All the patients received CEcho and routine echocardiography (Echo), and 45 of them received cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and 47 of them received Holter. The frequency and percentage of inferior wall hypertrophy were analyzed in HCM patients, as well as the structure and function. The results showed that: (1) Inferior wall hypertrophy was detected in 55 patients (48%) by Echo, while 68 patients (60%) by CEcho. (2) There was no significant difference between CMR and CEcho in the measurement of inferior wall at end-diastole and end-systole. Thickness of inferior wall by CEcho tended to be higher than CMR. However, the inferior wall thickness measured by Echo was obviously lower than that by CMR ( < 0.05) and CEcho ( < 0.05). (3) Bland-Altman plot suggested good consistency between CEcho and CMR in measuring inferior wall thickness. 95% CI of mean differences in inferior wall thickness between CEcho and CMR were smaller in HCM patients as compared with that between Echo and CMR. Unary linear regression analysis showed good degree of fitting between CEcho and CMR. (4) Holter showed that HCM patients with inferior wall hypertrophy were likely to have higher incidence of premature ventricular complexes (PVC) ≥ 500/24 h. We demonstrate that CEcho is rather sensitive in detecting inferior wall hypertrophy. Echo may underestimate the inferior wall thickness. The risk of ventricular premature beats may increase in HCM patients with inferior hypertrophy.