Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of amino acids in PAH-induced MS remains unclear. Objective To explore the impact of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS among coking workers, and to determine potential modifying effect of amino acid on this relationship. Methods Unmatched nested case-control design was adopted and the baseline surveys of coking workers were conducted in two plants in Taiyuan in 2017 and 2019, followed by a 4-year follow-up. The cohort comprised 667 coking workers. A total of 362 participants were included in the study, with 84 newly diagnosed cases of MS identified as the case group and 278 as the control group. Urinary levels of 11 PAH metabolites and plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured by ultrasensitive performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between individual PAH metabolites and MS. Stratified by the median concentration of amino acids, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was employed to assess the mixed effects of PAHs on MS. Due to the skewed data distribution, all PAH metabolites and amino acids in the analysis were converted by natural logarithm ln (expressed as lnv). Results The median age of the 362 participants was 37 years, and 83.2% were male. Compared to the control group, the case group exhibited higher concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe), and hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) (P=0.005, P=0.049, and P=0.004, respectively), as well as elevated levels of plasma branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid (AAA) (P<0.05). After being adjusted for confounding factors, for every unit increase in lnv_2-OHPhe in urine, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.57 (1.11, 2.26), and for every unit increase in lnv_OHPhe, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.82 (1.16, 2.90). Tyrosine, leucine, and AAA all presented a significant nonlinear correlation with MS. At low levels, tyrosine, leucine, and AAA did not significantly increase the risk of MS, but at high levels, they increased the risk of MS. In the low amino acid concentration group, as well as in the low BCAA and low AAA concentration groups, it was found that compared to the PAH metabolite levels at the 50th percentile (P₅₀), the log-odds of MS when the PAH metabolite levels was at the 75th percentile (P₇₅) were 0.158 (95%CI: 0.150, 0.166), 0.218 (95%CI: 0.209, 0.227), and 0.262 (95% CI: 0.241, 0.282), respectively, However, no correlation between PAHs and MS was found in the high amino acid concentration group. Conclusion Amino acids modify the effect of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS. In individuals with low plasma amino acid levels, the risk of developing MS increases with higher concentrations of mixed PAH exposure. This effect is partly due to the low concentrations of BCAA and AAA.

Objective:To analyze the current preparation and usage situation of first-aid drugs in the rescue vehicles in children's medical institutions, and provide references for optimizing the list of emergency drugs.Methods:First-aid drug lists in the rescue vehicles of 12 children's medical institutions from 11 provinces and municipalities in China were collected through questionnaire surveys, and the drugs as well as their quantities were compared. The existing problems in the use of first-aid drugs in the 12 medical institutions were investigated by on-site interviews. The usage information of first-aid drugs in the rescue vehicles of the General Surgery and Cardiology Department of Shanxi Children's Hospital from May 2022 to April 2023 was collected through the hospital information center, and usage frequency and dosage per patient of the drugs were calculated. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the collected data.Results:The first-aid drug lists in 12 hospitals were various, including 7 to 22 kinds of drugs and involving a total of 23 drugs. These mainly included vasoactive drugs, cardiotonic drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, antiangina and anti-ischemic drugs for the heart, antispasmodic drugs, diuretics, dehydrating drugs, sedative-hypnotic drugs, and glucocorticoids, all of which were injections. The drugs that were included in all the lists of 12 hospitals were epinephrine, dopamine, dexamethasone, furosemide, and atropine. The drug lists of different rescue vehicles throughout the hospital were the same in 4 hospitals, while the lists varied among departments based on their specific clinical needs in the other 8 hospitals. None of the 12 hospitals had a first-aid drug usage manual. The on-site interview results showed that, the existing problems about drug preparation and use in rescue vehicles mainly involved the following 6 aspects: drug types, quantities, labels, storage, procurement, and usage. In Shanxi Children's Hospital, the types and quantities of first-aid drugs in rescue vehicles of General Surgery Department and Cardiology Department were the same. There were 6 and 9 kinds of drugs were used in the 2 departments during rescue operations, respectively. The drugs that were never used in either department included promethazine, lidocaine, diazepam, phenobarbital, raceanisodamine, sodium bicarbonate, atropine, glucose, and calcium gluconate.Conclusions:The phenomenon of unreasonable kinds and quantities of first-aid drugs in the rescue vehicles existed in the children's medical institutions, and the drugs provided did not fully match the actual clinical needs. There was an urgent need for preparation guidelines and usage manuals of first-aid drugs that were suitable for children's medical institutions to enhance the scientificity of drug supply and the correctness of usage.

Objective:To analyze the current preparation and usage situation of first-aid drugs in the rescue vehicles in children's medical institutions, and provide references for optimizing the list of emergency drugs.Methods:First-aid drug lists in the rescue vehicles of 12 children's medical institutions from 11 provinces and municipalities in China were collected through questionnaire surveys, and the drugs as well as their quantities were compared. The existing problems in the use of first-aid drugs in the 12 medical institutions were investigated by on-site interviews. The usage information of first-aid drugs in the rescue vehicles of the General Surgery and Cardiology Department of Shanxi Children's Hospital from May 2022 to April 2023 was collected through the hospital information center, and usage frequency and dosage per patient of the drugs were calculated. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the collected data.Results:The first-aid drug lists in 12 hospitals were various, including 7 to 22 kinds of drugs and involving a total of 23 drugs. These mainly included vasoactive drugs, cardiotonic drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, antiangina and anti-ischemic drugs for the heart, antispasmodic drugs, diuretics, dehydrating drugs, sedative-hypnotic drugs, and glucocorticoids, all of which were injections. The drugs that were included in all the lists of 12 hospitals were epinephrine, dopamine, dexamethasone, furosemide, and atropine. The drug lists of different rescue vehicles throughout the hospital were the same in 4 hospitals, while the lists varied among departments based on their specific clinical needs in the other 8 hospitals. None of the 12 hospitals had a first-aid drug usage manual. The on-site interview results showed that, the existing problems about drug preparation and use in rescue vehicles mainly involved the following 6 aspects: drug types, quantities, labels, storage, procurement, and usage. In Shanxi Children's Hospital, the types and quantities of first-aid drugs in rescue vehicles of General Surgery Department and Cardiology Department were the same. There were 6 and 9 kinds of drugs were used in the 2 departments during rescue operations, respectively. The drugs that were never used in either department included promethazine, lidocaine, diazepam, phenobarbital, raceanisodamine, sodium bicarbonate, atropine, glucose, and calcium gluconate.Conclusions:The phenomenon of unreasonable kinds and quantities of first-aid drugs in the rescue vehicles existed in the children's medical institutions, and the drugs provided did not fully match the actual clinical needs. There was an urgent need for preparation guidelines and usage manuals of first-aid drugs that were suitable for children's medical institutions to enhance the scientificity of drug supply and the correctness of usage.

Objective:To summarize the features of stenosis or premature closure of fetal ductus arteriosus and to investigate the perinatal management strategies.Methods:Three cases diagnosed with stenosis or premature closure of fetal ductus arteriosus in Peking University First Hospital between January 2022 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical features and perinatal management strategies were summarized.Results:Fetal cardiac abnormalities (right heart enlargement and tricuspid regurgitation) were detected in the three cases by routine prenatal ultrasound at the gestational weeks of 24, 30 and 23, respectively. Fetal echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of stenosis or premature closure of fetal ductus arteriosus and no other structural anomalies were detected. All three pregnant women denied taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Case 1 and case 2 underwent emergency cesarean section due to suspected fetal cardiac dysfunction with a cardiovascular profile score of 6 and 5. The two neonates were transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit and discharged with good prognosis (normal cardiac function) on the 56th and 42nd day after birth. During a close monitoring, the stenosis of fetal ductus arteriosus improved in case 3 and a full-term neonate was delivered at 38 weeks by elective cesarean section because of a history of cesarean section.Conclusions:In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, attention should be drawn to the fetal ductus arteriosus during ultrasound imaging, especially when right heart enlargement and tricuspid regurgitation were detected. For fetuses with suspected ductus arteriosus stenosis, a close monitor of the ductus arteriosus and the ultrasound findings indicating cardiac dysfunction is needed and the cardiovascular profile score should also be involved. Fetuses with premature closure of the ductus arteriosus should be delivered promptly and the postnatal cardiac outcomes are good.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and explore the underlying mechanisms of Longxue Tongluo Capsule (LTC) on ischemic stroke rats. METHODS: Twenty-six rats were randomly divided into four groups, including sham group, sham + LTC group, MCAO group, and MCAO + LTC group. Ischemic stroke rats were simulated by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and LTC treatment group were orally administrated with 300 mg/kg of LTC once daily for seven consecutive days. LTC therapy was validated in terms of neurobehavioral abnormality evaluation, cerebral infarct area, and histological assessments. The plasma metabolome comparisons amongst different groups were conducted by UHPLC-Q Exactive MS in combination with subsequent multivariate statistical analysis, aiming to finding the molecules in respond to the surgery or LTC treatment. RESULTS: Intragastric administration of LTC significantly decreased not only the neurobehavioral abnormality scores but also the cerebral infarct area of MCAO rats. The interstitial edema, atrophy, and pyknosis of glial and neuronal cells occurred in the infarcted area, core area, and marginal area of cerebral cortex were improved after LTC treatment. A total of 13 potential biomarkers were observed, and Youden index of 11 biomarkers such as LysoPC, SM, and PE were more than 0.7, which were involved in neuroprotective process. The correlation and pathway analysis showed that LTC was beneficial to ischemic stroke rats via regulating glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, together with nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism. Heatmap and ternary analysis indicated the synergistic effect of carbohydrates and lipids may be induced by flavonoid intake from LTC. CONCLUSION The present study could provide evidence that metabolomics, as systematic approach, revealed its capacity to evaluate the holistic efficacy of TCM, and investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the clinical treatment of LTC on ischemic stroke.

With the advances in fetal medicine, there will be more cases of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) diagnosed in the fetal period. However, there is no consensus on the management protocol. We present a successful case of conservatively managed fetal goitrous hypothyroidism due to compound heterozygous TG mutations. Goiter was observed in a fetus at 23 weeks of gestation. Because there was no evidence of transplacental passage of antithyroid antibody and drugs, iodine overload, and iodine deficiency, the fetus was highly suspected to have CH. Considering the potential risks of amniocentesis/cordocentesis, and lack of available parenteral levothyroxine in China, the fetus was closely monitored thereafter. A male neonate was delivered vaginally without complications at 39 weeks of gestation. We verified severe hypothyroidism in the infant and immediately initiated levothyroxine therapy. His growth and mental development were normal at the age of 8 month. Whole-exome sequencing showed that the neonate had two compound heterozygous mutations in the TG gene. We also performed a literature review of the prognosis of postnatal treatment of CH due to TG mutations and the result showed that postnatal treatment of CH due to TG mutations has a favorable prognosis. However, further prospective studies are warranted to verify this conclusion.

With the advances in fetal medicine, there will be more cases of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) diagnosed in the fetal period. However, there is no consensus on the management protocol. We present a successful case of conservatively managed fetal goitrous hypothyroidism due to compound heterozygous TG mutations. Goiter was observed in a fetus at 23 weeks of gestation. Because there was no evidence of transplacental passage of antithyroid antibody and drugs, iodine overload, and iodine deficiency, the fetus was highly suspected to have CH. Considering the potential risks of amniocentesis/cordocentesis, and lack of available parenteral levothyroxine in China, the fetus was closely monitored thereafter. A male neonate was delivered vaginally without complications at 39 weeks of gestation. We verified severe hypothyroidism in the infant and immediately initiated levothyroxine therapy. His growth and mental development were normal at the age of 8 month. Whole-exome sequencing showed that the neonate had two compound heterozygous mutations in the TG gene. We also performed a literature review of the prognosis of postnatal treatment of CH due to TG mutations and the result showed that postnatal treatment of CH due to TG mutations has a favorable prognosis. However, further prospective studies are warranted to verify this conclusion.

BACKGROUND: Massive bleeding is the main concern for the management of placenta percreta (PP). Intra-abdominal aortic balloon occlusion (IABO) is one method for pelvic devascularization, but the efficacy of IABO is uncertain. This study aims to investigate the outcomes of IABO in PP patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of PP cases from six tertiary centers in China between January 2011 and December 2015. PP cases with/without the use of IABO were analyzed. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to reduce the effect of selection bias. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and the rate of hysterectomy, as well as neonatal outcomes, were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two matched pairs of patients were included in the final analysis. Compared with the control group, maternal outcomes, including PPH (68.9% vs. 87.9%, χ2 = 13.984, P < 0.001), hysterectomy (8.3% vs. 65.2%, χ2 = 91.672, P < 0.001), and repeated surgery (1.5% vs. 12.1%, χ2 = 11.686, P = 0.001) were significantly reduced in the IABO group. For neonatal outcomes, Apgar scores at 1 minute (8.67 ± 1.79 vs. 8.53 ± 1.68, t = -0.638, P = 0.947) and 5 minutes (9.43 ± 1.55 vs. 9.53 ± 1.26, t = 0.566, P = 0.293) were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS IABO can significantly reduce blood loss, hysterectomies, and repeated surgeries. This procedure has not shown harmful effects on neonatal outcomes.
Aorta ; Balloon Occlusion/methods* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Infant, Newborn ; Placenta Accreta/surgery* ; Placenta Previa/surgery* ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) brings health issues for both mothers and offspring, and GDM prevention is as important as GDM management. It was shown that a history of GDM was significantly associated with a higher maternal risk for GDM recurrence. The incidence of GDM recurrence was unclear because of the incidence of second-child was low before 2016 in China. We aim to investigate the prevalence of GDM recurrence and its associated high-risk factors which may be useful for the prediction of GDM recurrence in China. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted which enrolled participants who underwent regular prenatal examination and delivered twice in the same hospital of 18 research centers. All participants were enrolled from January 2018 to October 2018, where they delivered the second baby during this period. A total of 6204 women were enrolled in this study, and 1002 women with a history of GDM were analyzed further. All participants enrolled in the study had an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) result at 24 to 28 weeks and were diagnosed as GDM in the first pregnancy according to the OGTT value (when any one of the following values is met or exceeded to the 75-g OGTT: 0 h [fasting], ≥5.10 mmol/L; 1 h, ≥10.00 mmol/L; and 2 h, ≥8.50 mmol/L). The prevalence of GDM recurrence and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus were calculated, and its related risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: In 6204 participants, there are 1002 women (1002/6204,16.15%) with a history of GDM and 5202 women (5202/6204, 83.85%) without a history of GDM. There are significant differences in age (32.43 ± 4.03 years vs. 33.00 ± 3.34 years vs. 32.19 ± 3.37 years, P  < 0.001), pregnancy interval (4.06 ± 1.44 years vs. 3.52 ± 1.43 years vs. 3.38 ± 1.35 years, P  = 0.004), prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) (27.40 ± 4.62 kg/m2vs. 23.50 ± 3.52 kg/m2vs. 22.55 ± 3.47 kg/m2, P < 0.001), history of delivered macrosomia (22.7% vs. 11.0% vs. 6.2%, P < 0.001) among the development of diabetes mellitus (DM), recurrence of GDM, and normal women. Moreover, it seems so important in the degree of abnormal glucose metabolism in the first pregnancy to the recurrence of GDM and the development of DM. There are significant differences in OGTT levels of the first pregnancy such as area under the curve of OGTT value (18.31 ± 1.90 mmol/L vs. 16.27 ± 1.93 mmol/L vs. 15.55 ± 1.92 mmol/L, P < 0.001), OGTT fasting value (5.43 ± 0.48 mmol/L vs. 5.16 ± 0.49 mmol/L vs. 5.02 ± 0.47 mmol/L, P < 0.001), OGTT 1-hour value (10.93 ± 1.34 mmol/L vs. 9.69 ± 1.53 mmol/L vs. 9.15 ± 1.58 mmol/L, P < 0.001), OGTT 2-hour value (9.30 ± 1.66 mmol/L vs. 8.01 ± 1.32 mmol/L vs. 7.79 ± 1.38 mmol/L, P < 0.001), incidence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (fasting plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L) (31.3% vs. 14.6% vs. 8.8%, P < 0.001), and incidence of two or more abnormal OGTT values (68.8% vs. 39.7% vs. 23.9%, P < 0.001) among the three groups. Using multivariate analysis, the factors, such as age (1.07 [1.02-1.12], P = 0.006), prepregnancy BMI (1.07 [1.02, 1.12], P  = 0.003), and area under the curve of OGTT in the first pregnancy (1.14 [1.02, 1.26], P  = 0.02), have an effect on maternal GDM recurrence; the factors, such as age (1.28 [1.01-1.61], P  = 0.04), pre-pregnancy BMI (1.26 [1.04, 1.53], P = 0.02), and area under the curve of OGTT in the first pregnancy (1.65 [1.04, 2.62], P = 0.03), have an effect on maternal DM developed further. CONCLUSIONS The history of GDM was significantly associated with a higher maternal risk for GDM recurrence during follow-up after the first pregnancy. The associated risk factors for GDM recurrence or development of DM include age, high pre-pregnancy BMI, history of delivered macrosomia, the OGTT level in the first pregnancy, such as the high area under the curve of OGTT, IFG, and two or more abnormal OGTT values. To prevent GDM recurrence, women with a history of GDM should do the preconception counseling before preparing next pregnancy.
Adult ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; China/epidemiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology* ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Female ; Fetal Macrosomia ; Glucose Intolerance ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies