Objective·To analyze the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children after end-to-side anastomosis for coarctation of the aorta(CoA).Methods·The surgical and neurological follow-up data were collected from children who underwent end-to-side anastomosis for CoA at Shanghai Children's Medical Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 1,2017 to December 31,2021.Neurological assessments included magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and Griffiths Mental Development Scale assessments.Neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated using Griffiths Mental Development Scale.Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with normal and abnormal MRI and Griffiths Mental Development Scale results to assess the correlation between the two assessments and their association with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)use and CPB modality.Results·Twenty-seven children with isolated CoA or CoA combined with simple intracardiac anomalies were included.MRI results were available for 25 cases,with 5 showing abnormalities(20.0%).Griffiths Mental Development Scale results were available for 26 cases,with 21(80.77%)showing abnormal scores,including 18 in hearing and language,and 12 in performance.No significant correlation was found between abnormal MRI or Griffiths Mental Development Scale results and the use of CPB(P=0.341,P=1.000).Among patients who underwent CPB,those in the moderate hypothermia group accounted for the majority of cases without neurological abnormalities,with proportions of 80.00%(MRI)and 100.00%(Griffiths Mental Development Scale).Conclusion·Children undergone end-to-side anastomosis for CoA are at relatively high risk for neurodevelopmental abnormalities,particularly in hearing-language and performance domains.CPB may not be a direct risk factor for poor neurodevelopmental outcome,and moderate hypothermia during CPB may be neuroprotective.

This study aims to evaluate the preventive effect of the exogenous protein chIFN-γ-chCD154 against Salmonella typhimurium(S.typhimurium)infection in White Leghorn chick-ens,and the potential mechanism.In this study,Escherichia coli was used to express the proteins chIFN-γ,chCD154 and chIFN-γ-chCD154.Before S.typhimurium infection,the White Leghorn chickens were pre-immunized via drinking water for three consecutive days,and infected with S.typhimurium by gavage.The results from Western blot,quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)analysis and histopathology analysis showed that compared to chIFN-γ and chCD154,chIFN-γ-chCD154 pre-treatment could synergistically increase the survival rate of infected chickens,reduce the bacterial load in the liver and cecum,and attenuate the pathological damage of liver and cecum.Moreover,chIFN-γ-chCD154 significantly decreased the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor-4(TLR-4)and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88(MyD88)in the cecum,and then inhibited the mRNA expression of NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α and IL-6),and maintained the integrity of the intestinal tight junction proteins(zo-1,claudin-1,occlu-din).Compared with single protein pretreatment,chIFN-γ-chCD154 pretreatment significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of the genes related to the vitamin D(VD)pathway(cyp27b1,VD receptor VDR,antimicrobial peptide AvBD7 and cathelicidin-b1)in S.typhimurium-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs).The results of colony counting showed that the num-ber of S.typhimurium in the chIFN-γ-chCD154 group were the lowest.Also,chIFN-γ-chCD154 could up-regulate the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Blautia,Ruminococcus,En-terococcus and Faecalibacterium,while down-regulate the relative abundance of harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcaceae in the cecum and improve the intestinal dysbiosis.In conclusion,chIFN-γ-chCD154 could activate the VD-antimicrobial peptide pathway and inhibit the TLR-4/MyD88/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway in S.typhimurium-infected chickens,which significantly improve the intestinal barrier function,reduce the inflammatory damage of liver and cecum,im-prove the structure of cecum microbial,promote the health of intestinal tract,and provide theoreti-cal basis for the development of chIFN-γ-chCD154 as a safe and effective alternative antibiotic.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of hypomineralized second primary molars (HSPM) and deciduous teeth caries in school-aged children of Kaifeng City, and to discuss the association between HSPM and deciduous teeth caries, providing scientific guidance for clinical prevention and treatment.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out on first-grade children aged 6-7 years in five primary schools chosen from the eastern, western, southern, northern, and central areas of Kaifeng City by cluster random sampling method. The European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria was used for scoring HSPM. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-Ⅱ) was used to evaluate caries status.Results:This cross-sectional study was with a sample of 913 children. The prevalence of HSPM was 8.76% (80/913), with 39 boys and 41 girls, the most common type of which was atypical caries [35.00% (28/80)]. Regarding the distribution of HSPM, the incidence in maxilla [6.13% (56/913)] showed no statistically significant difference with that in the mandible [5.70% (52/913)] (χ2=0.16, P=0.692). In terms of severity, 56 cases were severe and 24 cases were mild. The association between HSPM and deciduous teeth caries was analyzed. The results showed that 56 had caries on their second primary molars among the 80 HSPM children. Children with HSPM had an increased risk of second deciduous molar decay compared to non-HSPM children ( OR=1.94, 95 %CI: 1.18-3.19, P<0.05); meanwhile, the deciduous teeth of HSPM children were more prone to suffer caries than those of non-HSPM children ( OR=2.33, 95 %CI: 1.26-4.29, P<0.05). Conclusions:The HSPM prevalence in school-aged children of Kaifeng City was 8.76%. Child with HSPM was more likely to have deciduous teeth caries than non-HSPM child. Special attention should be paid to children with HSPM after the eruption of affected molars.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of hypomineralized second primary molars (HSPM) and deciduous teeth caries in school-aged children of Kaifeng City, and to discuss the association between HSPM and deciduous teeth caries, providing scientific guidance for clinical prevention and treatment.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out on first-grade children aged 6-7 years in five primary schools chosen from the eastern, western, southern, northern, and central areas of Kaifeng City by cluster random sampling method. The European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria was used for scoring HSPM. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-Ⅱ) was used to evaluate caries status.Results:This cross-sectional study was with a sample of 913 children. The prevalence of HSPM was 8.76% (80/913), with 39 boys and 41 girls, the most common type of which was atypical caries [35.00% (28/80)]. Regarding the distribution of HSPM, the incidence in maxilla [6.13% (56/913)] showed no statistically significant difference with that in the mandible [5.70% (52/913)] (χ2=0.16, P=0.692). In terms of severity, 56 cases were severe and 24 cases were mild. The association between HSPM and deciduous teeth caries was analyzed. The results showed that 56 had caries on their second primary molars among the 80 HSPM children. Children with HSPM had an increased risk of second deciduous molar decay compared to non-HSPM children ( OR=1.94, 95 %CI: 1.18-3.19, P<0.05); meanwhile, the deciduous teeth of HSPM children were more prone to suffer caries than those of non-HSPM children ( OR=2.33, 95 %CI: 1.26-4.29, P<0.05). Conclusions:The HSPM prevalence in school-aged children of Kaifeng City was 8.76%. Child with HSPM was more likely to have deciduous teeth caries than non-HSPM child. Special attention should be paid to children with HSPM after the eruption of affected molars.

This study aims to evaluate the preventive effect of the exogenous protein chIFN-γ-chCD154 against Salmonella typhimurium(S.typhimurium)infection in White Leghorn chick-ens,and the potential mechanism.In this study,Escherichia coli was used to express the proteins chIFN-γ,chCD154 and chIFN-γ-chCD154.Before S.typhimurium infection,the White Leghorn chickens were pre-immunized via drinking water for three consecutive days,and infected with S.typhimurium by gavage.The results from Western blot,quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)analysis and histopathology analysis showed that compared to chIFN-γ and chCD154,chIFN-γ-chCD154 pre-treatment could synergistically increase the survival rate of infected chickens,reduce the bacterial load in the liver and cecum,and attenuate the pathological damage of liver and cecum.Moreover,chIFN-γ-chCD154 significantly decreased the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor-4(TLR-4)and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88(MyD88)in the cecum,and then inhibited the mRNA expression of NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α and IL-6),and maintained the integrity of the intestinal tight junction proteins(zo-1,claudin-1,occlu-din).Compared with single protein pretreatment,chIFN-γ-chCD154 pretreatment significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of the genes related to the vitamin D(VD)pathway(cyp27b1,VD receptor VDR,antimicrobial peptide AvBD7 and cathelicidin-b1)in S.typhimurium-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs).The results of colony counting showed that the num-ber of S.typhimurium in the chIFN-γ-chCD154 group were the lowest.Also,chIFN-γ-chCD154 could up-regulate the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Blautia,Ruminococcus,En-terococcus and Faecalibacterium,while down-regulate the relative abundance of harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcaceae in the cecum and improve the intestinal dysbiosis.In conclusion,chIFN-γ-chCD154 could activate the VD-antimicrobial peptide pathway and inhibit the TLR-4/MyD88/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway in S.typhimurium-infected chickens,which significantly improve the intestinal barrier function,reduce the inflammatory damage of liver and cecum,im-prove the structure of cecum microbial,promote the health of intestinal tract,and provide theoreti-cal basis for the development of chIFN-γ-chCD154 as a safe and effective alternative antibiotic.

Objective·To analyze the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children after end-to-side anastomosis for coarctation of the aorta(CoA).Methods·The surgical and neurological follow-up data were collected from children who underwent end-to-side anastomosis for CoA at Shanghai Children's Medical Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 1,2017 to December 31,2021.Neurological assessments included magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and Griffiths Mental Development Scale assessments.Neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated using Griffiths Mental Development Scale.Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with normal and abnormal MRI and Griffiths Mental Development Scale results to assess the correlation between the two assessments and their association with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)use and CPB modality.Results·Twenty-seven children with isolated CoA or CoA combined with simple intracardiac anomalies were included.MRI results were available for 25 cases,with 5 showing abnormalities(20.0%).Griffiths Mental Development Scale results were available for 26 cases,with 21(80.77%)showing abnormal scores,including 18 in hearing and language,and 12 in performance.No significant correlation was found between abnormal MRI or Griffiths Mental Development Scale results and the use of CPB(P=0.341,P=1.000).Among patients who underwent CPB,those in the moderate hypothermia group accounted for the majority of cases without neurological abnormalities,with proportions of 80.00%(MRI)and 100.00%(Griffiths Mental Development Scale).Conclusion·Children undergone end-to-side anastomosis for CoA are at relatively high risk for neurodevelopmental abnormalities,particularly in hearing-language and performance domains.CPB may not be a direct risk factor for poor neurodevelopmental outcome,and moderate hypothermia during CPB may be neuroprotective.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that there is a close association between spinal cord injury and ferroptosis,and that tetramethylpyrazine has the function of regulating redox reactions. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory effect of tetramethylpyrazine on ferroptosis in rats with spinal cord injury and its mechanism. METHODS:Thirty-six female specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group,model group and tetramethylpyrazine group,with 12 rats in each group.Animal models of spinal cord injury were established using the modified Allen's method in the latter two groups.No treatment was given in the sham-operated group,while rats in the model and tetramethylpyrazine groups were given intraperitoneal injection of normal saline and tetramethylpyrazine solution,once a day,for 28 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Basso,Beattie&Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale score in the tetramethylpyrazine group was lower than that in the sham-operated group but higher than that in the model group after 14,21,and 28 days of treatment(P＜0.05).After 28 days of treatment,hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that in the model group,the spinal cord tissue of rats showed cavity formation,necrotic tissue and inflammatory infiltration with fibrous tissue formation;in the tetramethylpyrazine group,the area of spinal cord tissue defects was smaller,and inflammatory infiltration and fibrous tissue formation were less than those in the model group.After 28 days of treatment,Prussian blue staining showed that a large amount of iron deposition was seen in the spinal cord tissue of rats in the model group,and less iron deposition was seen in the spinal cord tissue of rats in the tetramethylpyrazine group than in the model group.After 28 days of treatment,the levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the rat spinal cord tissue were decreased(P＜0.05)and the level of malondialdehyde was increased in the model group compared with the sham-operated group(P＜0.05);the levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the rat spinal cord tissue were increased(P＜0.05)and the level of malondialdehyde was decreased in the tetramethylpyrazine group compared with the model group(P＜0.05).After 28 days of treatment,qRT-PCR and western blot assay showed that the mRNA and protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4,ferritin heavy chain,and ferroportin in the rat spinal cord tissue in the model group were decreased compared with those in the sham-operated group(P＜0.05),while the mRNA and protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4,ferritin heavy chain,and ferroportin in the rat spinal cord tissue in the tetramethylpyrazine group were increased compared with those in the model group(P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed that after 28 days of treatment,the neuronal nuclei positive staining in the spinal cord of rats was the most in the sham-operated group and the least in the model group.To conclude,tetramethylpyrazine can improve motor function and play a neuroprotective role in rats with spinal cord injury by regulating ferroptosis.

Objective: To explore the value of MRI quantitative brain volume in evaluating fetal brain development. Methods: A total of 60 single pregnant women with 21-37 weeks of gestation without central system lesion or dysplasia underwent fetal single-shot turbo spin echo (SSTSE) sequence MR scanning. The fetal brain images were post-processed, and then fetal three-dimensional brain volume indicators, including intracranial cavity volume (ICV), total brain volume (TBV) and cerebrospinal fluid volume (CFV) were manually measured. Meanwhile, two-dimensional diameter indexes of brain,i.e. brain biparietal diameter (BPD), skull biparietal diameter (SBD), skull fronto-occipitoal diameter (SOD) and head circumference (HC) were measured and calculated. The correlation of two-dimensional diameter indexes and three-dimensional brain volume indicators with gestational age (GA) were analyzed, and the corresponding regression analysis was carried out, respectively. The relationships between three-dimensional brain volume indicators and two-dimensional diametric indexes were analyzed. Results: TBV (r=0.98), ICV (r=0.97), CFV (r=0.89), BPD (r=0.96), SBD (r=0.94), SOD (r=0.96) and HC (r=0.96) were all highly positively correlated with GA (all P<0.01), and the corresponding regression equations were obtained. There were high positive correlation among TBV, ICV and two-dimensional diametric indexes (all P<0.01)and strong correlation between HC and CFV (P<0.01). Conclusion: MRI three-dimensional quantitative brain volume can be used to evaluate fetal brain development at 21-37 weeks of gestation, providing a new imaging method for prenatal diagnosis of fetal brain disease and study of pathogenesis.

Objective: To explore the value of prenatal MRI in quantification of two-dimensional diameter of fetal brain. Methods: A total of 150 pregnant women (150 fetuses) with gestational age (GA) 21 -39 weeks were collected for prenatal MRI. Fifty fetuses were found with congenital heart diseases (CHD group),the mean GA was (28.05±4.50)weeks, <28 weeks in 27 fetuses and ≥28 weeks in 23 fetuses. One hundred fetuses were found with normal brain development (control group), with the mean GA of (27.85±4.40)weeks, 48 fetuses <28 weeks and 52 fetuses ≥28 weeks. Single-shot turbo spin echo (SSTSE) sequence MR scanning was performed to examine and measure the brain biparietal diameter (BBD), brain fronto-occipital length (BFOL), skull biparietal diameter (SBD), skull fronto-occipitoal diameter (SOD) and head circumference (HC), while parallel balanced fast field echo (B-FFE) sequence scanning was performed to reveal fetal cardiovascular structures. Correlation of the major two-dimensional diameter lines of fetal brain and GA was analyzed, and the fitting line was obtained. The related indexes of fetuses were compared between 2 groups. Results: BBD, BFOL, SBD, SOD, HC of the fetus in both groups were highly linear with GA (CHD group: r=0.96, 0.89, 0.94, 0.90, 0.93, all P<0.01; control group: r=0.97, 0.96, 0.94, 0.95, 0.95, all P<0.01). For fetuses with GA <28 weeks, no statistically significant difference of diameter indexes was found between groups (all P>0.05), whereas for fetuses with GA ≥28 weeks, BBD, BFOL, SOD and HC in CHD group were all smaller than those in control group (all P<0.05). No statistically significant difference of SBD was found between groups (P=0.10). Conclusion: MRI quantitative evaluation of fetal brain biological indicators could provide new references for intrauterine observation on fetal brain growth and development. CHD could affect fetal brain development in utero, and BBD, BFOL, SOD and HC of fetus in mid- and late-pregnancy reduced relatively.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients under community management programs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on T2DM patients in eight communities in Wuhan and Changshu cities. Data would included questionnaire, body measurement, blood testing and clinical examination. The criterion of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was under the combination of symptoms with five physical examinations. Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the influential factors. Results: The overall prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 71.2% among the diabetic patients who were managed in primary care health services in the two cities. The binary logistic regression method identified older age (≥60 years, OR=2.39, 95%CI:1.95-2.94), longer diabetic duration (≥10 years, OR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.02-1.54), and worse postprandial glucose control (2 h postprandial plasma glucose >10.0 mmol/L: OR=1.65, 95%CI:1.33-2.04) (all P<0.05) as risk factors for the presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, while higher education level was protective factor (compared to patients with education levels of primary school or below, OR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.41-0.66; OR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.44-0.79; OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.44-0.94 for those with education levels of junior high school, senior high school, and college, respectively). Conclusions High rates of diabetic peripheral neuropathy among T2DM patients suggested the urgent need for early screening and standardized management at the community levels. It is necessary to promote appropriate screening techniques and methods to identify the peripheral neuropathy, in the primary health service institutions.