Further evidence is needed to explore the impact of high-altitude environments on the neurologic function of neonates.Non-invasive techniques such as cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography can provide data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity.This study will conduct multiple cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography monitoring sessions at various time points within the first 3 days postpartum for healthy full-term neonates at different altitudes.The obtained data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity will be compared between different altitudes,and corresponding reference ranges will be established.The study involves 6 participating centers in the Chinese High Altitude Neonatal Medicine Alliance,with altitude gradients divided into 4 categories:800 m,1 900 m,2 400 m,and 3 500 m,with an anticipated sample size of 170 neonates per altitude gradient.This multicenter prospective cohort study aims to provide evidence supporting the impact of high-altitude environments on early brain function and metabolism in neonates.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(4):403-409]

Three 2,3-diketoquinoxaline alkaloids were isolated from Heterosmilax yunnanensis Gagnep. Their structures were determined through 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV, and IR as 1-[5′-(3″-hydroxy-3″-methyl) glutaryl] ribityl-2,3-diketo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethylquinoxaline (1), 1-[2′-(3″-hydroxy-3″-methyl) glutaryl]ribityl-2,3-diketo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethylquinoxaline (2), and 1-ribityl-2,3-diketo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethylquinoxaline (3). Compounds 1 and 2 are novel compounds, and 3 was isolated from H. yunnanensis for the first time. The hepatoprotective activity of these three compounds was evaluated, with compound 3 showing promising hepatoprotective activity.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with esophageal cancer (EC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 8 458 EC patients who were admitted to Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were collected. There were 6 923 males and 1 535 females, aged (64±9)years. There were 3 187 patients undergoing surgical treatment, and 5 271 cases undergoing non-surgical treatment. Observation indicators: (1) incidence of VTE in EC patients; (2) treatment and outcomes of patients with VTE. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the nonparameter rank sum test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the nonparameter rank sum test. Results:(1) Incidence of VTE in EC patients. Of 8 458 EC patients, 175 cases developed VTE, with an incidence rate of 2.069%(175/8 458). Among 175 VTE patients, there were 164 cases of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), 4 cases of pulmonary embolism (PE), 7 cases of DVT and PE. There were 59 surgical patients and 116 non-surgical patients. There was no significant difference in thrombus type between surgical and non-surgical EC patients with VTE ( χ2=1.95, P>0.05). Of 3 187 surgical patients, the incidence of VTE was 1.851%(59/3 187), including an incidence of 0.157%(5/3 187) of PE. PE accounted for 8.475%(5/59) of surgical patients with VTE. Of 5 271 non-surgical patients, the incidence of VTE was 2.201%(116/5 271), including an incidence of 0.114%(6/5 271) of PE. PE accounted for 5.172%(6/116) of non-surgical patients with VTE. There was no significant difference in the incidence of VTE or PE between surgical patients and non-surgical patients ( χ2=1.20, 0.05, P>0.05). (2) Treatment and outcomes of patients with VTE. Among 175 EC patients with VTE, 163 cases underwent drug treatment, and 12 cases did not receive treatment. Among 163 cases with drug therapy, 158 cases underwent anticoagulant therapy, 5 cases were treated with thrombolysis. All the 163 patients were improved and discharged from hospital. Conclusions:The incidence of VTE in patients with EC is relatively low, as 2.069%. There is no significant difference in the incidence of VTE or thrombus type between surgical EC patients and non-surgical EC patients.

This study aims to enhance the activation level and efficiency of second-generation chimeric antigen receptor-T(CAR-T)cells in killing tumor cells by modifying the lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase(LCK)structure of second-generation CAR,so as to lay the foundation for the preparation of novel second-generation CAR-T cells.Using genetic engineering techniques,lentiviral vectors for CD137-LCK2 CAR and CD137-PYAP2 CAR targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)were constructed,and CD137-LCK2 and CD137-PYAP2 CAR-T cells were prepared by lentiviral packaging and infection of activated T cells.The differences between them in terms of CAR expression level,activating molecule CD 137 expression,phenotypic distribution,cytokines secretion,and killing effect on HER2-expressing tumor cells were detected and compared using flow cytometry,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and cytotoxicity assay,respectively.Compared with the second-generation CD137 CAR-T cells,the structurally modified CD137-LCK2 and CD137-PYAP2 CAR-T cells targeting HER2 can increase the expression of activating molecule CD 137,increase the secretion of cytokine IFN-γ,and enhance the killing ability of target antigens;at the same time,these cells can be maintained in the memory state and can rapidly activate proliferation and differentiation after stimulation by antigen.In conclusion,CD137-LCK2 and CD137-PYAP2 CAR-T cells targeting HER2 are expected to activate and exert anti-tumor effects more effectively than second-generation CD 137 CAR-T cells.

Objective:To summarize and analyze the modalities and experience of retrograde distal perfusion with distal perfusion catheter (DPC) via cannulation of the posterior tibial artery in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(V-A ECMO).Methods:The clinical data of 15 patients who were treated with V-A ECMO and underwent DPC placement via the posterior tibial artery in our hospital from January 2022 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The V-A ECMO catheterization method in 15 patients was percutaneous puncture catheterization, and all of them underwent surgical incision to indwelling retrograde DPC through the posterior tibial artery: 6 cases of preventive catheterization, 9 cases of remedial catheterization, the success rate of one-time catheterization was 93.33%, and the type of catheter was mainly 6 F sheath (66.67%). There was no ALI in preventive catheterization, and one case of osteofascial compartment syndrome occurred in remedial catheterization, and the catheterization time was (20.73 ± 3.47) min.Conclusions:In V-A ECMO, placement of DPC via the posterior tibial artery for retrograde distal perfusion is perfectly feasible, and has a high success rate, which can prevent or treat lower extremity ischemia.

Salvianolic acid B(Sal B) is the main water-soluble component of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Studies have found that Sal B has a good protective effect on blood vessels. Sal B can protect endothelial cells by anti-oxidative stress, inducing autophagy, inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS), inhibiting endothelial inflammation and adhesion molecule expression, inhibiting endothelial cell permeability, anti-thrombosis, and other ways. In addition, Sal B can alleviate endothelial cell damage caused by high glucose(HG). For vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC), Sal B can reduce the synthesis and secretion of inflammatory factors by inhibiting cyclooxygenase. It can also play a vasodilatory role by inhibiting Ca~(2+) influx. In addition, Sal B can inhibit VSMC proliferation and migration, thereby alleviating vascular stenosis. Sal B also inhibits lipid deposition in the subendothelium, inhibits macrophage conversion to foam cells, and reduces macrophage apoptosis, thereby reducing the volume of subendothelial lipid plaques. For some atherosclerosis(AS) complications, such as peripheral artery disease(PAD), Sal B can promote angiogenesis, thereby improving ischemia. It should be pointed out that the conclusions obtained from different experiments are not completely consistent, which needs further research. In addition, previous pharmacokinetics showed that Sal B was poorly absorbed by oral administration, and it was unstable in the stomach, with a large first-pass effect in the liver. Sal B had fast distribution and metabolism in vivo and short drug action time. These affect the bioavailability and biological effects of Sal B, and the development of clinically valuable Sal B non-injectable delivery systems remains a great challenge.
Endothelial Cells ; Oxidative Stress ; Benzofurans/pharmacology* ; Lipids

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of enterovirus infection and its clinical characteristics in neonatal febrile cases.Methods:A total of 308 neonates in the neonatal ward of Kunming Children′s Hospital with febrile symptoms from March 2018 to February 2019 were selected for the study.Fecal specimens and some (271) cerebrospinal fluid specimens were collected from all neonates.Enterovirus was respectively detected in feces and cerebrospinal fluid by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.The rate of enterovirus infection in febrile neonates was clarified.They were divided into enterovirus infection group ( n=91) and no enterovirus infection group ( n=217). The clinical data of the subjected neonates in the two groups were analyzed and the clinical manifestations of the neonates and their laboratory findings were compared statistically. Results:Ninety-one enteroviruses (90 enterovirus were general type, and 1 was coxsackievirus A16 type) were detected in 308 children, accounting for 29.55% of all neonates.Viral RNA was detected in only 1 case [0.37% (1/271)]of all examined cerebrospinal fluid specimens, which was significantly lower than the detection rate of 29.55% (91/308) in fecal specimens.There were no fatal cases, but there was one severe case in enterovirus infection group.Except for the severe case which was discharged automatically, all of them improved or healed and discharged from hospital.The clinical manifestations of the enterovirus infection group were non-specific statistically compared with the non-enterovirus infection group(all P>0.05), except for respiratory symptoms and skin rash(all P<0.05). The incidence of enterovirus infection was significantly seasonal[83.52%(76/91)in summer and autumn]. Conclusion:In the epidemic season of enterovirus, it is recommended to list fecal enterovirus as a routine test item to improve the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis and treatment, and avoid the application of unnecessary antibiotics and the outbreak of enterovirus in the neonatal ward.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of acute shortening-lengthening technique with antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded bone transport technique for the treatment of segmental tibial defects after trauma.Methods:The clinical data of 58 patients with large tibial defects treated by Ilizarov technique in Xi′an Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University from May 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty patients were treated by acute shortening-lengthening (group A), and they were divided into those who were successful in one-time shortening during operation (group A1) and those who needed gradual shortening after operation (group A2) according to different shortening conditions. And 28 patients by antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded bone transport (group B). The external fixation time (EFT) and external fixation index (EFI) of the two groups were compared. Bone defect healing and limb functions were evaluated according to the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) criteria. Complications were compared by Paley classification. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as ± s, and t-test was used for comparison between groups; the count data were expressed as n(%), and the chi-square test, Fisher exact probability method or Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparison between groups. Results:Patients were followed for(27.5±5.1)months. There was no significant difference in EFT, EFI, bone defect healing and limb functions between the two groups( P>0.05). The incidence of Grade-Ⅱ[41.2% (7/17)], Grade-Ⅲ [47.1% (8/17)] pin-tract infection in group A1 and Grade-Ⅱ[46.2% (6/13)], Grade-Ⅲ pin-tract [53.8% (7/13)] in group A2 was significantly higher than those in group B[14.3% (4/28)], [17.9% (5/28)] ( P<0.05). The number of complications per capita in group A1 [(1.4±0.3) times/case] and in group A2 [(1.5±0.3) times/case]was significantly higher than that in group B [(1.1±0.5) times/case]. Conclusions:Patients can be cured successfully by both acute shortening-lengthening and bone transport techniques. Compared with acute shortening-lengthening group, the complication incidence in antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded bone transport group was lower, especially, the infection-related complications. Therefore, antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded bone transport technique has a greater application prospect in patients with large segmental bone defects caused by infection or osteomyelitis.

Objective:To analyze the therapeutic effect of sural neurocutaneous flap combined with antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous iliac bone graft of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was peformed in 29 patients with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis treated with sural neurocutaneous flap combined with antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous iliac bone graft in the Xi′an Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University from April 2013 to January 2020. There were 19 males and 10 females, with the age of (45.38±12.85) years, ranged from 22 to 67 years. The course of disease was (16.00±6.96) months, ranged from 6 to 36 months. The skin defect area was (41.9±15.9) cm 2, ranged from 11.8 to 86.8 cm 2. The causes of injury: 18 cases of high fall, 6 cases of traffic accidents, 3 cases of heavy rolling, the remaining 2 cases were machine strangulation and sharp stab wounds. The inflammatory markers [white blood cell (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), C reactive protein (CRP)] and bone healing time were recorded before operation, 2, 4, 8 weeks and 6 months after operation. During the follow-up period, the flap texture, survival were observed, and the ankle-posterior foot function recovery was evaluated by the American Association of Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS) score were observed before and after the operation, and the incidence of complications were recorded. The measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and the t-test was used for inter-group comparison; the levels of WBC, ESR, PCT and CRP at different time points before and after operation were compared by repeated measurement ANOVA, and the LSD t-test was used for pairwise comparison. Results:All the 29 patients were followed up for (14.51±6.10) months, ranged from 6 to 30 months. All the flaps survived without abrasion, ulceration, or skin protrusion, and all patients could walk normally with shoes. There were 28 cases of stage I bone healing, with an average of (5.87±2.07) months, ranged from 3 to 12 months. The inflammatory indexes was significantly decreased at different time points after operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between 6 months and 8 weeks after operation ( P>0.05), while there was significant difference at other time points ( P<0.05). The ankle-posterior foot score of AOFAS at 6 months after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment (83.44±7.93 vs 55.37±8.07), the differences was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The clinical efficacy of foot function recovery was excellent in 12 cases, good in 15 cases and fair in 2 cases among 29 patients .The excellent and good rate was 93.1% (27/29). One patient recurred 1 month after operation and was re-implanted with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate mixed autogenous iliac bone after debridement, no recurrence was found. The total complication rate was 31.0%, but there was no significant impact on the patient's life in the later period. All patients returned to daily life and work. Conclusion:The treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with sural neurocutaneous flap combined with antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous iliac bone graft can effectively control infection, reconstruct calcaneal and soft tissue structure, promote functional recovery of affected limb, and ultimately improve the patient′s quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate-autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap in the one-stage treatment of chronic calcaneus osteomyelitis plus skin and soft tissue defects.Methods:From January 2013 to September 2019, 48 patients were admitted to Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Xi'an Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University for chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis complicated with skin and soft tissue defects. They were divided into 2 groups according to different bone grafts. In group A of 26 patients treated at one stage by antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate-autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap, there were 16 males and 10 females with an age of (45.0±11.7) years and an area of skin defect of (56.0±16.7) cm 2. In group B of 22 patients treated at one stage by simple autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap, there were 13 males and 9 females with an age of (43.6±9.6) years and an area of skin defect of (53.8±16.2) cm 2. The volume of the ilium harvested, fracture healing time, infection control, donor site complications, pain score of visual analogue scale (VAS) and function recovery of the ankle were compared between the 2 groups. Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing comparability ( P>0.05). The 48 patients were followed up for (15.3±6.0) months. Group A had a significantly smaller volume of the ilium harvested [(67.3±14.1) cm 3] than group B [(90.7±23.5) cm 3], a significantly lower rate of donor site complications [3.8% (1/26)] than group B [31.8% (7/22)], significantly lower VAS pain scores at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours than group B, and significantly lower WBC count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein at 2, 4, 8 weeks after operation than group B (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the infection control rate [96.2% (25/26) versus 77.3% (17/22)], the fracture healing time [(6.2±1.9) months versus (6.4±2.1) months], or the ankle-hindfoot score of AOFAS (The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) (83.9±7.2 versus 82.5±8.7) at 6 months after operation (all P>0.05). Conclusion:In one-stage treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis complicated with skin and soft tissue defects, compared with simple autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap, antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate-autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap can reduce the volume of the ilium harvested, pain score of VAS, and incidence of donor site complications, and improve the recovery of inflammatory indicators, leading to fine clinical effects.