Chronic cough in children is an increasingly important public health issue. It typically involves diseases related to the upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, and reflux. Due to its often multifactorial nature, the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough present significant challenges, necessitating multidisciplinary collaboration among otolaryngology, pulmonology, and gastroenterology. This article aims to review the unique role of otolaryngology in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with chronic cough in children.
Humans ; Cough/therapy* ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; Otolaryngology ; Chronic Cough

Objective:To obtain a prevalent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) clinical isolate in Beijing and analyze the genotype and biological characteristics of the strain.Methods:A nasopharyngeal secretion specimen was collected from a child with RSV infection in Beijing in 2023 and used for viral isolation. Viral nucleic acid was amplified using qRT-PCR. The isolated virus was identified by transmission electron microscopy, indirect immunofluorescence assay, and plaque formation assay. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on the whole-genome sequencing results. Virus titers were determined, and replication characteristics were analyzed. The efficacy of the isolated strain for in vitro screening of antiviral drugs was validated. Results:A clinical RSV isolate, named hRSV/C-Tan/BJ 202301, was successfully isolated, which could form syncytia in Hep-2 cells. Spherical, filamentous, and irregular virus particles were observed by electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence detection showed green fluorescence in Hep-2 cells, and plaque assay showed round plaques, which were similar to the Long strain in morphology. Genomic sequence analysis showed that it belonged to ON1 genotype. It exhibited similar cell growth kinetics characteristics with the Long strain and could be used for antiviral drug screening in vitro. Conclusions:In this study, one RSV strain is successfully isolated and identified. The biological characteristics and the phylogenetic relationship of this strain reflect the characteristics of the circulating strains in Beijing, which provides experimental material for RSV vaccine development and antiviral drug screening in China.

Objective To compare the postoperative enhanced recovery outcomes of lobectomy performed under non-intubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (NIVATS) versus intubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (IVATS). Methods Computerized searches were performed in the following databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP Information, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBMdisc), Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, and PubMed. We collected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing NIVATS and IVATS. The search period extended from the inception of each database to April 1, 2023. Two independent researchers screened the literature and assessed study quality. Results A total of 14 studies were included, comprising 4 RCTs, 7 retrospective cohort studies, and 3 propensity score matching studies, involving 1 840 patients. Meta-analysis results indicated that, compared to IVATS, NIVATS was associated with significantly shorter operative time [MD=–13.39, 95%CI (–20.16, –6.62), P<0.001], shorter length of hospital stay [MD=–0.81, 95%CI (–1.39, –0.22), P=0.005], shorter chest tube duration [MD=–0.73, 95%CI (–1.36, –0.10), P=0.02], shorter postoperative anesthesia recovery time [MD=–20.34, 95%CI (–26.83, –13.84), P<0.001], and shorter time to oral intake after surgery [MD=–5.68, 95%CI (–7.63, –3.73), P<0.001]. Furthermore, NIVATS showed a lower incidence of postoperative airway complications [OR=0.49, 95%CI (0.34, 0.71), P<0.001] and less total chest tube drainage volume [MD=–251.11, 95%CI (–398.25, –103.98), P<0.001], all contributing to significantly accelerated postoperative enhanced recovery for patients. Conclusion NIVATS is a safe and technically feasible anesthesia method in thoracoscopic lobectomy, which can to some extent replace IVATS.

Objective: To explore the relationship of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among middle schoold students in Tibet, so as to provide empirical references for improving the cardiorespiratory fitness and health levels of adolescents in Tibet. Methods: From August to December 2020, 1 225 junior and senior high school students were selected from 2 middle schools in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, using the stratified cluster random sampling method. Triaxial accelerometers were used to evaluate PA and SB behaviors, and the 20 meter shuttle run was employed to assess CRF among the middle school students. Isochronous substitution modeling was used to analyze the associations of SB, low intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with CRF, and the saturation threshold effect in the dose response relationship between MVPA and CRF was analyzed through restricted cubic spline and two stage linear regression. Results: After adjusting for covariates such as gender, body mass index and sleep quality score, isotemporal substitution analysis showed that among junior high school students aged 13-15, replacing 30 minutes of SB ( B =1.73) or LPA ( B =2.38) with MVPA were positively associated with CRF (both P <0.05). Among senior high school students aged 16-18, replacing SB ( B =0.99) or LPA ( B =1.38) with MVPA were also positively associated with CRF (both P <0.05). Restricted cubic spline and two piecewise linear regression analyses indicated that only middle school girls aged 13-18 exhibited a saturation threshold effect between MVPA and CRF (logarithmic likelihood ratio test=0.03), with the optimal CRF improvement observed at 60 minutes of MVPA per day ( B=0.13, P ＜ 0.01). Conclusions Reducing SB and LPA while increasing MVPA can improve CRF in Tibetan middle school students. To maximize CRF improvement, middle school girls should engage in at least 60 minutes of MVPA daily.

Objective:To analyze the influencing factors of extremely high cost cases under disease diagnosis related grouping (DRG) payment, for references for further improving China′s medical insurance payment system.Methods:The inpatient medical record homepage and medical insurance settlement list data of medical insurance settlement cases in a tertiary hospital in 2022 were Collected; 19 potential influencing factors such as gender, age, and hospitalization status were used as independent variables, and extremely high cost cases as dependent variables. Single factor analysis and directed acyclic graphs were used to screen for independent variables; Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of extremely high cost cases.Results:A total of 17 028 hospitalized patients were contained, including 815 cases with extremely high costs. After analysis, the older the age, the greater the positive impact on cases with extremely high costs ( P<0.001); Third/fourth level surgery had a positive impact on these cases ( P<0.05); Emergency/critical hospitalization negative impact on extremely high cost cases ( P<0.001); Coding downgrade, surgical, intensive care unit discharge, and death positive impact cases with extremely high costs ( P<0.001); The higher the proportion of drugs, the greater the positive impact on cases with extremely high costs ( P<0.001); Compared with treatment costs accounting for ≤10%, treatment costs accounting for (10%, 30%] had a positive impact on cases with extremely high costs ( P<0.001), while treatment costs accounting for >30% had a negative impact ( P=0.007); Complications and/or comorbidities negative impact on thses cases ( P<0.001); The higher the weight of the disease group, the greater the negative impact on cases with extremely high costs ( P<0.001). Conclusions:There were many influencing factors for extremely high cost cases, among which factors such as advanced age, emergency/critical hospital admission, third/fourth level surgery, code downgrade, and high drug proportion would increase the number of extremely high cost cases, accompanied by complications and/or comorbidities, and the high weight of disease group reduce the number of extremely high cost cases. Medical institutions should strengthen internal management by standardizing admission management and optimizing the structure of hospitalization expenses; The medical insurance management department should focus on improving the DRG grouping scheme, scientifically setting the weight of disease groups, and jointly promoting the reform of China′s medical insurance payment system.

Objective To compare the diagnostic performance of three breast MRI measurement methods—RECIST 1.1,the optimal method,and three-dimensional(3D)volumetric assessment—in assessing the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)in breast cancer patients,with the objective of identifying the most clinically practical approach.Methods A total of 110 breast cancer patients who underwent NAC followed by surgical treatment between 2019 and 2023 were included in the study.Breast magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)was conducted within one week before and after the completion of NAC.Tumor response was evaluated using RECIST 1.1 criteria,widely recognized as the optimal method,as well as 3D volume measurement.Pathological response was determined according to the Miller-Payne grading system.Sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)were computed and compared using the DeLong test.Results The AUC values for RECIST 1.1,the optimal method,and 3D volumetric assessment were 0.768,0.795,and 0.883,respectively.The 3D volumetric assessment exhibited significantly better discriminative performance(P＜0.05),with the highest sensitivity(98.9％),specificity(77.8％),and accuracy(95.5％).Additionally,the optimal method demonstrated superior performance over RECIST 1.1 across multiple parameters.Conclusions 3D volumetric mea-surement demonstrates superior performance compared to RECIST 1.1 and the optimal method in evaluating the response to NAC,offering a more accurate and comprehensive assessment tool.Additionally,the optimal method shows advantages over RECIST 1.1 and may serve as a practical alternative in settings where 3D software is not available.

Objective:To compare the changes in spherical equivalent (SE) and axial length (AL) between children with axial myopia and refractive myopia.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted.A total of 1 738 students from grades 1 to 6 were recruited from two consistent 9-year schools in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin using cluster random sampling.Visual acuity, refractive status, and ocular biological parameters were measured from February to May in 2018 and 2021.Participants were categorized into subgroups as follows: low, moderate, and high myopia based on SE; longer AL group and shorter AL groups based on AL; and steeper cornea and flatter cornea groups based on corneal curvature radius (CCR). Myopic children were further classified into the following groups: axial myopia (longer AL and flatter cornea), refractive myopia (shorter AL and steeper cornea), mixed myopia (longer AL and steeper cornea), and non-axial non-refractive myopia (shorter AL and flatter cornea). Changes in SE (ΔSE) and AL (ΔAL) at the end of the follow-up period were compared among the different classification groups.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (No.2020KY-39). Written informed consent was obtained from the guardians of all participants.Results:The ΔSE in the longer AL group was (-1.57±1.52)D, which was significantly greater than (-1.17±1.47)D in the shorter AL group ( t=3.99, P<0.01). The ΔAL in the steeper cornea group was (0.92±0.50)mm, which was significantly greater than (0.86±0.54)mm in the flatter cornea group ( t=-2.12, P=0.04). Among children aged 10-12 years, males, and the low myopia, SE progression was faster in those with longer AL compared to shorter AL, with statistically significant differences ( t=2.66, 3.31, 3.90; all P<0.05). In children aged 10-12 years, AL growth was faster in the longer AL group than in the shorter AL group, with a statistically significant difference ( t=-1.29, P=0.04). Among females and the low myopia, AL growth was faster in those with steeper corneas than in those with flatter corneas, with statistically significant differences ( t=-3.22, -2.43; both P<0.05). Refractive myopia had a smaller ΔSE than axial myopia and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Within the low myopia, SE progression was greater in axial myopia than in refractive myopia, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Among myopic children, those with longer axial lengths exhibit faster SE progression, while those with steeper corneas show faster axial elongation.Among children with low myopia, axial myopia is associated with a greater risk of SE progression than refractive myopia.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of thermosensitive moxibustion in treating headache and dizziness in patients with sympathetic type of cervical spondylosis(SCS).Methods A total of 80 patients with SCS treated in Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine from June 2023 to June 2024 were selected and divided into observation group and control group according to random number table method,with 40 patients in each group.The patients in control group were treated with regular moxibustion,while the patients in observation group were treated with thermosensitive moxibustion.The clinical efficacy,pain,quality of life,cervical spine function,cervical sympathetic symptoms,and adverse reactions between two groups were compared.Results The total effective rate of observation group was significantly higher than that of control group(x2=4.501,P=0.034).After treatment,visual analogue scale(VAS),Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire(NPQ)and cervical sympathetic nerve symptom scores of patients in two groups were significantly lower than before treatment,and clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis(CASCS)scores were significantly higher than before treatment(P＜0.05).VAS,NPQ and cervical sympathetic nerve symptom scores of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group,and CASCS score was significantly higher than that of control group(P＜0.05).No adverse reactions such as fainting and scalding occurred in both groups during treatment.Conclusion Thermosensitive moxibustion for SCS can reduce cervical sympathetic nerve symptoms and pain,improve cervical spine function,and improve patients'quality of life,and is relatively safe.

Objective:To compare the changes in spherical equivalent (SE) and axial length (AL) between children with axial myopia and refractive myopia.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted.A total of 1 738 students from grades 1 to 6 were recruited from two consistent 9-year schools in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin using cluster random sampling.Visual acuity, refractive status, and ocular biological parameters were measured from February to May in 2018 and 2021.Participants were categorized into subgroups as follows: low, moderate, and high myopia based on SE; longer AL group and shorter AL groups based on AL; and steeper cornea and flatter cornea groups based on corneal curvature radius (CCR). Myopic children were further classified into the following groups: axial myopia (longer AL and flatter cornea), refractive myopia (shorter AL and steeper cornea), mixed myopia (longer AL and steeper cornea), and non-axial non-refractive myopia (shorter AL and flatter cornea). Changes in SE (ΔSE) and AL (ΔAL) at the end of the follow-up period were compared among the different classification groups.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (No.2020KY-39). Written informed consent was obtained from the guardians of all participants.Results:The ΔSE in the longer AL group was (-1.57±1.52)D, which was significantly greater than (-1.17±1.47)D in the shorter AL group ( t=3.99, P<0.01). The ΔAL in the steeper cornea group was (0.92±0.50)mm, which was significantly greater than (0.86±0.54)mm in the flatter cornea group ( t=-2.12, P=0.04). Among children aged 10-12 years, males, and the low myopia, SE progression was faster in those with longer AL compared to shorter AL, with statistically significant differences ( t=2.66, 3.31, 3.90; all P<0.05). In children aged 10-12 years, AL growth was faster in the longer AL group than in the shorter AL group, with a statistically significant difference ( t=-1.29, P=0.04). Among females and the low myopia, AL growth was faster in those with steeper corneas than in those with flatter corneas, with statistically significant differences ( t=-3.22, -2.43; both P<0.05). Refractive myopia had a smaller ΔSE than axial myopia and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Within the low myopia, SE progression was greater in axial myopia than in refractive myopia, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Among myopic children, those with longer axial lengths exhibit faster SE progression, while those with steeper corneas show faster axial elongation.Among children with low myopia, axial myopia is associated with a greater risk of SE progression than refractive myopia.

Objective To compare the diagnostic performance of three breast MRI measurement methods—RECIST 1.1,the optimal method,and three-dimensional(3D)volumetric assessment—in assessing the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)in breast cancer patients,with the objective of identifying the most clinically practical approach.Methods A total of 110 breast cancer patients who underwent NAC followed by surgical treatment between 2019 and 2023 were included in the study.Breast magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)was conducted within one week before and after the completion of NAC.Tumor response was evaluated using RECIST 1.1 criteria,widely recognized as the optimal method,as well as 3D volume measurement.Pathological response was determined according to the Miller-Payne grading system.Sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)were computed and compared using the DeLong test.Results The AUC values for RECIST 1.1,the optimal method,and 3D volumetric assessment were 0.768,0.795,and 0.883,respectively.The 3D volumetric assessment exhibited significantly better discriminative performance(P＜0.05),with the highest sensitivity(98.9％),specificity(77.8％),and accuracy(95.5％).Additionally,the optimal method demonstrated superior performance over RECIST 1.1 across multiple parameters.Conclusions 3D volumetric mea-surement demonstrates superior performance compared to RECIST 1.1 and the optimal method in evaluating the response to NAC,offering a more accurate and comprehensive assessment tool.Additionally,the optimal method shows advantages over RECIST 1.1 and may serve as a practical alternative in settings where 3D software is not available.