OBJECTIVE To investigate ameliorative effects and mechanisms of two probiotics （Bacillus subtilis， Lactobacillus acidophilus） combined with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus （AFI） on functional dyspepsia （FD） in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， positive control group （domperidone group， 2.7 mg/kg）， AFI group （9 g/kg）， L. acidophilus group （5×107 cfu/kg）， B. subtilis group （5×107 cfu/kg）， L. acidophilus+ AFI group （L. acidophilus 5×107 cfu/kg+ AFI 9 g/kg）， and B. subtilis+AFI group （B. subtilis 5×107 cfu/kg+AFI 9 g/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， FD model was established by tail-clamping stimulation+hunger and satiety disorder+swimming exhaustion in other groups. After modeling， each group was given the corresponding drug/probiotic suspensions/physiological saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last medication， gastric emptying rate and the rate of propulsion of the small intestine in rats were measured； the levels of brain-gut peptide-related indicators [gastrin （GAS）， substance P （SP）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， somatostatin （SS） and cholecystokinin （CCK）] in the serum of rats were measured. The pathological morphology of the gastric antrum tissue and duodenal tissue was observed. Cecal contents from the rats were collected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis. The protein expression levels of tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit and stem cell factor （SCF） in the gastric antrum tissue， as well as Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， and nuclear factor κB （NF-κB） in the duodenal tissue of the rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， model group showed significantly lower gastric emptying rate， small intestinal propulsion rate， serum levels of GAS and SP， relative abundance of Firmicutes， Ace， Chao and Sobs indexes of the gut microbiota， and protein levels of SCF and c-Kit in gastric antrum （P＜0.05）， while serum levels of VIP， SS and CCK， relative abundance of Bacteroidetes， as well as protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB， were significantly higher （P＜0.05）. The histological structure JZYC23S53） of the gastric antrum tissue appeared basically normal； however， abnormalities were observed in the duodenal structure， with a significant infiltration of inflammatory cells visible. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups significantly modulated most of the above indexes （P＜0.05）. The histological structure of the gastric antrum tissue was normal. Except for the B. subtilis group and the B. subtilis+AFI group， the pathological states of the duodenum in the remaining rats gradually recovered. Compared with each single drug group， most of above indexes in rats from each combination group showed further improvement （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The combination of AFI with two probiotics can improve gastrointestinal motility in FD rats， and the effect is superior to that of using the drugs alone. The specific underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway and the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Humans ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/pathology* ; Genetic Markers ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Urothelium/pathology*

Objective: To investigate the incidence trend of diabetes among children and adolescents in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province from 2011 to 2021, so as to provide the basis for the prevention and control of diabetes among children and adolescents. Methods: Data on diabetes incidence among children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years in Ningbo City were collected through the Diabetes Monitoring Platform of the Ningbo Chronic Disease Collaborative Management System from 2011 to 2021. Crude incidence rates were calculated and standardized using data from the Sixth National Population Census in 2010. The trend of incidence rates were analyzed by average annual percent change (AAPC). Results: A total of 701 cases of diabetes among children and adolescents were reported in Ningbo City from 2011 to 2021. The crude and standardized incidence rates were 6.86/105 and 7.27/105, respectively, showing upward trends (AAPC=5.886%, 7.147%, both P<0.05). The crude and standardized incidence rates of type 1 diabetes mellitus were 3.36/105 and 3.35/105, respectively, with no significant trend observed (AAPC=1.229%, 1.449%, both P>0.05). The crude incidence rate was higher in children and adolescents aged 10 to <15 years (4.56/105) than in other age groups (all P<0.05). The standardized incidence rate was higher in females than in males (3.49/105 vs. 3.04/105, P<0.05). The standardized incidence rate was higher in urban areas than in rural areas (3.60/105 vs. 3.15/105, P<0.05). The crude and standardized incidence rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus were 3.43/105 and 3.87/105, respectively, showing upward trends (AAPC=4.904%, 7.579%, both P<0.05). The crude incidence rate was higher in children and adolescents aged 15 to 18 years (10.53/105) than in other groups (all P<0.05). The crude incidence rates in children and adolescents who aged 10 to <15 years and 15 to 18 years showed upward trends (AAPC=15.030%, 6.637%, both P<0.05). The standardized incidence rate was higher in males than in females (4.01/105 vs. 3.57/105, P<0.05). The standardized incidence rate was higher in urban areas than in rural areas (4.57/105 vs. 3.34/105, P<0.05). Conclusions From 2011 to 2021, the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus showed an upward trend, with cases mainly concentrated in children and adolescents aged 15 to 18 years, males, and those living in urban areas. The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus remained stable, with cases mainly concentrated in children and adolescents aged 10 to <15 years, females, and those living in urban areas.

Objective To explore the clinical application of ultrasound-guided transabdominal villus and amniocentesis in the prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia,and to find a suitable method for the prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia in Qinzhou.Methods A total of 531 high-risk pregnant women with severe or intermediate thalassemia during single pregnancy who were treated in the Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis,Qinzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from March 2021 to April 2022 were selected for the study.According to different sampling methods,they were divided into control group(amniocentesis,n=415)and study group(transabdominal villus puncture,n=116).The success rate,complication rate of the two groups were compared.Results The success rate of puncture in the control group was 100％,2 cases were aborted within 2 weeks after surgery,17 cases were diagnosed with severe alpha-thalassemia,10 cases with severe β-thalassemia and 64 cases with intermediate thalassemia,48 cases with moderate and severe thalassemia induced labor.The success rate of puncture in the research group was 100％,10 cases were diagnosed with severe alpha-thalassemia,4 cases with severe β-thalassemia and 17 cases with intermediate thalassemia,and 26 cases with moderate severe thalassemia were induced labor.There was no significant difference in puncture success rate and abortion rate between the two methods(P>0.05).Conclusion Both methods are safe and effective.Transabdominal villus sampling can detect fetal thalassemia in early pregnancy,and it is worth promoting and applying in clinical practice.

Objective:To explore effect of polydatin on ocular surface dysfunction and pathology in dry eye disease(DED)rats and its protective mechanism.Methods:Eighteen from 90 SD rats were randomly chosen as control group,and other rats were injected subcutaneously with scopolamine hydrobromide to establish DED model.After modeling,rats were separated into model group,0.05%polydatin group,0.5%polydatin group,0.5%polydatin+U0126[mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK)inhibi-tor]group,with 18 rats in each group;each administration group was given corresponding doses of drugs for intervention,and rats in control group and model group were given same amount of normal saline.On the 7th,14th,21st,and 28th day of intervention,Schirmer test was performed to measure tear secretion amount of rats in each group,fluorescein staining was performed to measure tear film breakup time(BUT)and corneal damage of rats in each group;RT-qPCR was performed to measure mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α,IFN-γ and IL-1β in cornea and conjunctival tissues;HE staining was performed to observe histopatho-logical changes of cornea;PAS staining was performed to evaluate number of conjunctival goblet cells;Western blot was performed to detect expressions of MEK/extracellular regulatory protein kinase(ERK)pathway related proteins.Results:Compared with control group,tear secretion amount BUT and number of conjunctival goblet cells in model group were obviously reduced(P<0.05),corneal injury score,TNF-α,IFN-γ and IL-1β mRNA levels were obviously increased(P<0.05),corneal epithelial layer was thinned,a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration and new capillaries could be seen;compared with model group,tear secretion amount,BUT,number of conjunctival goblet cells,p-MEK1/2/MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 in 0.05%polydatin group and 0.5%polydatin group were obviously increased(P<0.05),corneal injury score,TNF-α,IFN-γ and IL-1β mRNA levels were obviously reduced(P<0.05),pathological damage of corneal tissue was obviously relieved;U0126 could significantly attenuate protective effects of polydatin on ocular surface dysfunction and pathological changes in DED rats.Conclusion:Polydatin may improve ocular surface dysfunction and pathology of DED rats induced by scopolamine by activating MEK/ERK pathway.

Humans ; Erythema Infectiosum ; Lymphadenopathy

Purpose: The present international survey among healthcare providers aimed to collect data on theoretical knowledge and clinical practices in the diagnosis and management of cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) and lactose intolerance (LI) in infants. Methods: A global survey was conducted in several countries with diverse health care settings. The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions in 3 main domains: (1) understanding and clinical practices around CMPA and LI; (2) case scenarios; and (3) diseasespecific knowledge and potential educational needs. Results: Responses were available from 1,663 participants. About 62% of respondents were general practitioners or general pediatricians, and the remainder were pediatric allergists/ gastroenterologists (18%) or other health practitioners (20%). The survey identified knowledge gaps regarding the types of CMPA (IgE-mediated vs. non-IgE-mediated) and the clinical overlap with LI. The survey suggested diverse clinical practices regarding the use of hypoallergenic formulas, as well as misconceptions about the prebiotic benefits of lactose in extensively hydrolyzed formulas in non-breastfed infants with CMPA. Responses to the two case scenarios highlighted varying levels of awareness of the relevant clinical practice guidelines. While respondents generally felt confident in managing infants with CMPA and LI, about 80% expressed an interest for further training in this area. Conclusion The current survey identified some knowledge gaps and regional differences in the management of infants with CMPA or LI. Local educational activities among general and pediatric healthcare providers may increase the awareness of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of both conditions and help improve clinical outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the gastrointestinal characteristics of children with glycogen storage disease (GSD) type Ⅰ.Methods:From June to December 2020, clinical data of children aged 0-18 years with GSD type Ⅰ diagnosed by genetic testing from all provinces and cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Henan, Hebei, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Anhui and Heilongjiang, were collected.A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was used for data analysis.Results:A total of 52 questionnaires were obtained, and 43 eligible patients aged 1-18 years were recruited, involving 30 males (69.8%) and 13 females (30.2%). Among them, 9 patients were GSD type Ⅰa and 34 patients were type Ⅰb.Seven patients (16.3%) had siblings who were also diagnosed as GSD type Ⅰb.The gastrointestinal manifestations included recurrent diarrhea in 26 patients (60.5%), perianal lesions (erythema, ulcer, abscess) in 25 patients (58.1%), abdominal pain/distension in 24 patients (55.8%), nausea/vomiting in 22 patients (51.1%), mucus/bloody stool in 14 patients (32.6%). Thirty-three patients (76.7%) had recurrent stomatitis and oral ulcer, and 38 patients (88.0%) had at least two gastrointestinal symptoms.White blood cell (WBC) count was <4.0×10 9/L in 24 patients (55.8%), and absolute neutrophils count was <1.5×10 9/L in 19 patients (44.2%), which was <0.5×10 9/L in 10 patients (23.3%). WBC count and absolute neutrophils count both decreased in children with GSD type Ⅰb.Platelets were >300×10 9/L in 30 patients (69.8%). Eighteen patients with GSD type Ⅰb underwent gastroscopy and colonoscopy, and 16 patients were diagnosed with GSD-related inflammatory bowel disease.Thirty-nine patients (90.7%) were fed with raw corn starch, 3 patients (6.9%) with maltodextrin and 19 patients (44.2%) with special enteral formula.Twenty patients with type Ⅰb GSD needed repeated antibiotic treatment due to neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction.Fifteen patients were treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Among them, 11 patients were diagnosed as GSD-related bowel disease. Conclusions:Children with GSD type Ⅰ commonly have gastrointestinal symptoms, especially those with GSD type Ⅰb.The incidence of GSD-related inflammatory bowel disease is high in those children.G-CSF treatment cannot prevent the development of GSD-associated inflammatory bowel disease and its pathogenesis needs further research.Diet therapy is the first-line treatment of GSD type Ⅰ.Multidisciplinary management is helpful to reduce the complications and improve the quality of life in children with GSD type Ⅰ.

Objective:To discover the epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of Nontyphoidal Salmonella(NTS) infection in children suffering from diarrhea in Guangzhou, and to provide references for the prevention and treatment of salmonella infection. Methods:A total of 570 diarrhea children and 296 non-diarrhea controls were collected with stratified sampling from three districts of Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from January 2019 to December 2019. Through bacterial culture, corresponding colonies were selected and Salmonella diagnostic serum was applied for preliminary serum diagnosis, and then systemic biochemical method was adopted for diagnosis. A structured questionnaire was conducted to record the demographic information and clinical symptoms from each subject. Results:The detection rate of NTS was 6.67% (38/570 cases, 95% CI: 4.90%-9.02%) in children with diarrhea, and 1.01% (3/296 cases, 95% CI: 0.34%-2.93%) in children without diarrhea. There were statistically differences in NTS detection rate between children with diarrhea and the control ( χ2=13.805, P<0.05, OR=6.976, 95% CI: 2.135-22.796). There were no significant differences in NTS detection rate between male and female children with diarrhea ( χ2=0.395, P>0.05, OR=1.254, 95% CI: 0.619-2.541). The detection rate of NTS was 5.30% (22/416 cases, 95% CI: 3.52%-7.88%) in children younger than 2 years old, and was 10.40% (16/154 cases, 95% CI: 6.50%-15.21%) in children over 2 years old. There were statistically differences ( χ2=4.700, P<0.05, OR=2.076, 95% CI: 1.060-4.068) between the younger and the older groups.The detection rate of NTS was 5.40% (25/460 cases, 95% CI: 3.70%-7.89%) for children with diarrhea in outpatient department and 11.80% (13/110 cases, 95% CI: 7.04 %-19.18%) for children with diarrhea in inpatient department, with statistically significant differences ( χ2=5.813, P<0.05, OR=2.332, 95% CI: 1.152-4.721). The detection rate of NTS diarrhea in children was 4.60% (10/217 cases, 95% CI: 2.52%-8.28%) in spring, 8.50% (12/141 cases, 95% CI: 4.93%-14.29%) in summer, 9.60% (15/144 cases, 95% CI: 6.41%-16.48%) in autumn and 1.50% (1/168 cases, 95% CI: 0.11%-3.30%) in winter, respectively, with statistically differences among the four seasons( χ2=9.404, P<0.05). There were significant differences in most common clinical symptoms of fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody stool and pasty stool between NTS positive and negative children(all P<0.05). Salmonella enteritis is the main type, and Salmonella typhimurium is the second type. Conclusions:NTS is one of the most important bacterial pathogens and leads to diarrhea in children in Guangzhou city, without differences in gender.Children over 2 years old are more likely to suffer from NTS infection.High incidence is in autumn.The most common clinical symptoms include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody stool and pasty stool. Salmonella enteritis is the main type, and Salmonella typhimurium is the second type.Laboratory tests can provide references for the diagnosis and treatment of NTS-related diarrhea.