Objective To investigate the application value of bedside ultrasound monitoring of quadriceps muscle changes in mechanically ventilated children in the early treatment of ICU-acquired muscle weakness (ICU-AW). Methods Eighty-two pediatric ICU patients with mechanical ventilation for>48 hours were selected. On the day of admission (D₀) and on day 7 (D₇), bedside ultrasound was performed to measure the thickness and cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris and vastus intermedius muscles. Patients were classified using Medical Research Council scores into control group (n = 63) and muscle weakness group (n = 19). Muscle parameters and atrophy rates were compared between groups. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results The incidence of ICU-AW was 23.17%. At both D₀ and D₇, the average thickness of the rectus femoris, the average thickness of the vastus intermedius, the average area of the rectus femoris, and the average area of the vastus intermedius were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). The atrophy rates of the thickness of the rectus femoris and the area of the vastus intermedius were lower in the control group than in the muscle weakness group at both D₀ and D₇ (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for quadriceps parameters in diagnosing ICU-AW was 0.871, with a sensitivity of 89.47% and a specificity of 79.37%. Conclusion Bedside ultrasound dynamic monitoring of quadriceps changes enables early identification of ICU-AW and provides a basis for clinical intervention.

Objective To investigate the correlations of serum stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1),chemokine receptor 7(CXCR7)and vascular density in the optic disc area with clinical stages in patients with normal-tension glaucoma(NTG).Methods A total of 157 patients with NTG were included in the NTG group and divided into stage Ⅰ group(n=29),stage Ⅱ group(n=88),and stage Ⅲ group(n=40)based on different clinical stages;additionally,56 healthy individuals with physical examinations in the same period were selected as control group.Serum SDF-1 and CXCR7 levels were compared between the NTG group and the control group;changes in vascular den-sity in the optic disc area among patients with different clinical stages were analyzed;the multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the risk factors for NTG.Results Compared with the control group,the NTG group had significantly increased serum levels of SDF-1 and CXCR7(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,patients in the NTG group showed significantly decreased densities of large vessels,capillaries,and the entire area,as well as significantly increased density of avascular areas(P＜0.05).The densities of capillaries and the entire area were significantly lower in the stage Ⅱ group and stage Ⅲ group than the stage Ⅰ group,while the density of avascu-lar areas was significantly higher(P＜0.05).The densities of large vessels(r=-0.503,P=0.006),capillaries(r=-0.546,P＜0.001),and the entire area(r=-0.553,P＜0.001)were negatively significantly correlated with clinical stages,while the density of avascular area was positively significantly correlated with clinical stages(r=0.521,P=0.002).The proportions of patients with hypertension,history of alcohol consumption,family history of glaucoma,and high ser-um levels of SDF-1 and CXCR7 in the NTG group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension,family histo-ry of glaucoma,history of alcohol consumption,and high serum levels of SDF-1 and CXCR7 were risk factors for NTG(P＜0.05).Conclusion Patients with NTG have significantly increased ser-um levels of SDF-1 and CXCR7.The densities of large vessels,capillaries,and the entire area are negatively correlated with clinical stages,while the density of avascular areas is positively correlated with clinical stages.Serum levels of SDF-1 and CXCR7 can serve as effective reference indicators for the diagnosis and clinical staging of NTG.

AIM: To analyze and compare the efficacy of binocular visual perception training and suspended vision trainer in postoperative rehabilitation of strabismus.METHODS: A total of 96 children who received surgical treatment from July 2022 to September 2023 were included in the study subjects, and they were group A(n=32), group B(n=32)and group C(n=32). After operation, binocular visual training, visual perception training and suspension vision trainer were used to compare the efficacy among groups.RESULTS: The changes of simultaneous visual function, fusion visual function, stereoscopic visual function, perceptual eye position(horizontal and vertical)and CIXTQ of the three groups of children were observed before training and at 3 mo after training, and the study found that the simultaneous visual function recovered differently at 3 mo after training, with the best recovery in the group B(all P<0.05); there were no significant differences in fusion visual function of the groups A and B(P>0.05), but there were statistical significance in fusion visual function among the three groups(all P<0.05); and there were no significant differences in recovery rate of stereoscopic visual function among the three groups(P>0.05). The improvement of perceptual eye position of the group B, either horizontally or vertically, was better than that of both the group A and group C(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Visual perception training has a higher value in the simultaneous visual function, fusion function, stereoscopic visual function, perceptual eye position and quality of life in children with strabismus.

ObjectiveTo provide a new idea for exploring the molecular genetic approach to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia via construction of microRNA-messenger RNA （miRNA-mRNA） regulatory network in schizophrenia. MethodsThe microarray datasets of GSE54578 miRNA expression profiles in peripheral blood and GSE145554 mRNA expression in the anterior cingulate in postmortem brain of schizophrenic subjects were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO） database since July 2021. The GEO2R was used to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs， screen the miRNA with target differentially expressed mRNA， and predict their potential upstream transcription factors. The overlapping genes from the mRNA targeted by the differentially expressed miRNA and the mRNA differentially expressed in GSE145554 dataset were collected. Then the biological features of hub genes were analyzed via Gene Ontology （GO） analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis， and the protein-protein interaction （PPI） network and miRNA-mRNA regulatory network of hub genes were constructed. ResultsA total of 8 up-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs with targeted mRNA were screened out in GSE54578 datasets regarding schizophrenia， which involved in the regulation of 10 transcription factors， 247 down-regulated differentially expressed mRNAs were screened out in GSE145554 datasets， and 17 overlapping mRNAs were obtained. GO analysis showed that the target mRNAs were mainly involved in astrocyte differentiation and development. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the target mRNAs were mainly involved in Rap1 and Ras signaling pathways. PPI network analysis showed that the mRNAs （KRAS and CD28） might be key genes in schizophrenia. ConclusionThe integrated bioinformatics analysis based on GEO database can identify potential susceptibility genes in schizophrenia， and it also contributes to the construction of miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in schizophrenia.

A total of 207 general practitioners who participated in the "Beijing-Hong Kong Community Health Service Training Demonstration Center Project" training from 2013 to 2017 were selected for this questionnaire survey. A self-designed questionnaire was used, which contained the basic information of the trainees, the training purpose, the shortcomings of training, the satisfaction and suggestions for training. Total 192 valid questionnaires were retrieved with a recovery rate of 92.8%. The in-depth personal interviews were conducted among 8 trainees who served as key trainers in community health service centers and 4 managers from their institutions, to investigate the subsequent application of the learning results after they returning to work. The survey showed that the reasons of participating in training were knowledge updates (165, 85.94%), competence requirements (128, 66.67%), and due to administration decision (127, 66.15%). The highest comprehensive scores of training needs were improvement of general practice thinking ability (4.63), followed by clinical diagnosis and treatment ability (4.44), and general practice skills (3.97). For teaching contents, participants were most interested in diagnosis ability (4.03) and clinical operative techniques (3.20). For the training form, the participants more favored the case discussion method (80.73%, 155/192), clinical practice (52.08%, 100/192) and community practice (38.02%,73/192). The trainees were highly satisfied with the overall training organization, training time, training form, and training teachers of the Beijing-Hong Kong training project, and had a good grasp of the training content. Half of trainees (97, 50.52%) thought that the main shortcomings of training was the discrepancy between training content and practical work. Interviewees showed that after the training, the team management, communication skills and disease management ability for some minor specialties had been significantly improved; the enthusiasm for scientific research had been stimulated; they had a certain managerial thinking; and were able to apply what they leant in community health service. In summary, the training project has reached the initial training goals to promote the comprehensive ability of trainees.

Objective:To compare epidemic characteristics between severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:The general information, including epidemiological and clinical data of the confirmed cases during the epidemic period of the two infectious diseases was collected. The data of SARS in Guangzhou was derived from the technical files of Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (GZCDC), including the statistical report and brief report of the epidemic situation (from January 2 to May 11, 2003);The data of COVID-19 in Wuhan was derived from the epidemic data published by Wuhan health and Health Committee's official website and other publicly reported documents (from December 9, 2019 to March 11, 2020). Descriptive analysis was used for a comparativeanalysis of the time and age characteristics, the number of cases, basic reproduction number (R0), proportion of medical staff in confirmed cases (%), crude mortality, etc.Results:A total of 1 072 cases of SARS in Guangzhou were included in the study. The incidence ratio of male to female was 1∶1.26. 43 cases of death were reported with a mortality rate of 4.01%. The median age was 36 years old. The proportion of medical staff in the early stage of the epidemic was 29.04% (88 cases). As to COVID-19 in Wuhan, a total of 49 978 cases were included, The incidence ratio of male to female was 1.04∶1. The 2 423 cases of death were reported with a mortality rate of 4.85%. The median age was 56 years old. The proportion of medical staff in the early stage of the epidemic was 30.43% (42 cases).Conclusion:The COVID-19 in Wuhan has the characteristics of high incidence and wide population. However, the epidemic situation is falling rapidly, and the prevention and control strategy needs to be adjusted timely. The prevention and control of nosocomial infection should be addressed in future.

Objective:To compare epidemic characteristics between severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:The general information, including epidemiological and clinical data of the confirmed cases during the epidemic period of the two infectious diseases was collected. The data of SARS in Guangzhou was derived from the technical files of Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (GZCDC), including the statistical report and brief report of the epidemic situation (from January 2 to May 11, 2003);The data of COVID-19 in Wuhan was derived from the epidemic data published by Wuhan health and Health Committee's official website and other publicly reported documents (from December 9, 2019 to March 11, 2020). Descriptive analysis was used for a comparativeanalysis of the time and age characteristics, the number of cases, basic reproduction number (R0), proportion of medical staff in confirmed cases (%), crude mortality, etc.Results:A total of 1 072 cases of SARS in Guangzhou were included in the study. The incidence ratio of male to female was 1∶1.26. 43 cases of death were reported with a mortality rate of 4.01%. The median age was 36 years old. The proportion of medical staff in the early stage of the epidemic was 29.04% (88 cases). As to COVID-19 in Wuhan, a total of 49 978 cases were included, The incidence ratio of male to female was 1.04∶1. The 2 423 cases of death were reported with a mortality rate of 4.85%. The median age was 56 years old. The proportion of medical staff in the early stage of the epidemic was 30.43% (42 cases).Conclusion:The COVID-19 in Wuhan has the characteristics of high incidence and wide population. However, the epidemic situation is falling rapidly, and the prevention and control strategy needs to be adjusted timely. The prevention and control of nosocomial infection should be addressed in future.

Objective To analyze the differences of clinical manifestations and organ damage between patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)and patients with tsutsugamushi disease,and to investigate the prognostic factors of SFTS.Methods The research was performed on 49 patients with SFTS and 16 patients with tsutsugamushi disease who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from October 2014 to June 2017.The general information of patients including region,age,gender and clinical manifestations were evaluated.Blood routine,liver and kidney function,myocardial enzyme levels,lipase,amylase,electrolytes,C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,prothrombin time(PT)and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)were continuously monitored during the course of disease.T test was used for continuous variables of normal distribution,and non-parametric test was used for variables of non-normal distribution.Chi-square test was used for categorical variables.Results The mean age of SFTS patients was 62.1±15.5(ranging from 17 to 87 years)and the mean age of tsutsugamushi patients was 56.1±9.2(ranging from 47 to 73 years).There was no significant difference between the two groups(t=1.47,P=0.147).There were 25 males(51%)in SFTS patients and 8 males(50%)in tsutsugamushi disease patients.There was no significant difference between the two groups(x2=0.005,P=0.943).The incidences of headache,vomiting,superficial lymphadenectasis,disturbance of consciousness,proteinuria,hematuria,pulmonary infection,multiple organ dysfunction and acute pancreatitis in SFTS patients were all significantly higher than those in tsutsugamushi disease patients(x2=8.82,4.38,8.71,11.17,7.88,5.56,4.35,9.43,and 8.13,respectively,P <0.05 or 0.01).The counts of leukocytes(Z=2.73),neutrophils(Z=2.46),lymphocytes(Z=3.15),platelets(Z=4.25),albumin(Z=2.65)and sodium ion(t=2.10)in SFTS patients were all significantly lower than those in patients with tsutsugamushi disease(P <0.05 or 0.01).The levels of aspartate aminotransferase(Z=2.94),lactate dehydrogenase(Z=3.42),creatine kinase(CK)(Z=2.88),amylase(Z=2.11),lipase(Z=2.82),creatinine(Z=2.07)and urea nitrogen(Z=2.50)in fatal SFTS patients were all significantly higher than those in patients with tsutsugamushi disease(P <0.05 or 0.01).Among 49 SFTS patients,16 patients died and 33 patients recovered finally.The age(t=3.33),platelet count(Z=2.55),alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(Z=2.10),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(Z=2.22),lactate dehydrogenase(Z=2.26),CK(Z=3.50),CK-MB(Z=3.10),creatinine(Z=2.17),urea nitrogen(Z=2.36),and sodium(t=2.65)between the two subgroups had significant differences(P <0.05 or 0.01).Conclusions SFTS is more severe and has high mortality,while tsutsugamushi disease has a better prognosis.Early differential diagnosis and early rational treatment are important to reduce the mortality of patients with SFTS.

BACKGROUNDMany studies have shown that continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) could clean lactate and treat the hyper-lactatemia. On the contrary, some other studies found that filter lactate clearance only accounted for a very small part of total lactate clearance and the hemofilter's contribution to the overall lactate clearance was negligible. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various doses of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) on plasma lactate elimination in critically ill patients.

METHODSPatients were divided into three groups according to their incipient plasma lactate concentration. Group A: lactate ≤ 2 mmol/L, group B: lactate 2-5 mmol/L, group C: lactate ≥ 5 mmol/L. Three different doses (20 ml × kg(-1)× h(-1), 35 ml × kg(-1)× h(-1) and 45 ml × kg(-1)× h(-1)) of CVVH were applied to critically ill patients who experiencing CVVH. The concentrations of plasma lactate in pre-(A), post-dialyzer (V) sites and ultrafiltrate were measured after each dosage of CVVH was carried out for 30 minutes. Rate of lactate clearance by the filter (RLC) and filter lactate clearance (FLC) and Lactate-Sieving Coefficient (LSC) were calculated under different circumstances, including different doses of CVVH and different incipient lactate levels.

RESULTSFifteen patients were enrolled and 104 blood samples were drawn and lactate concentrations were measured in this study. RLC was found increased ((9.36 ± 9.73) mmol/h, (13.92 ± 12.56) mmol/h and (16.52 ± 12.71) mmol/h, P < 0.05 respectively) with the dose of CVVH increased. RLC was also increased ((3.46 ± 1.46), (10.38 ± 5.50) and (24.53 ± 14.69) mmol/h, P < 0.05 respectively) with the incipient lactate increased. FLC was increased ((1.95 ± 0.63), (2.95 ± 0.74) and (3.45 ± 0.54) L/h, P < 0.05 respectively) with the dose of CVVH increased. There was no significant difference of LSC in different doses of CVVH and different incipient lactate levels.

CONCLUSIONSPlasma lactate can be eliminated by CVVH and different doses of CVVH affect the rate of lactate clearance in critically ill patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Critical Illness ; Female ; Hemofiltration ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To construct eukaryotic expression vector of small hairpin RNA vector targeting hepatitis B virus core protein in HepG2.2.15 cells,and to verify the interfering effect.Methods To design and synthesize small interfering RNA sequence against HBc gene (ayw subtype) which locates between 2147 bp to 2165 bp in the HBV genome.The siRNA fragment were inserted into pSilencer3.1-H1 neo vector.The recombinants were transformed into E.coli DHSα successfully.The recombinant plasmids were identified by Eco RI enzyme digestion and sequenced.Finally,The HepG2.2.15 cells were transfected with the vector by using lipofectamine method to identify its interfering effect.Results The eukaryotic expression vector containing small hairpin RNA targeting HBV core protein was constructed successfully and named as pshRNA-HBc.The recombinant plasmids were identified by SalI or EcoRI enzyme digestion and sequenced.The silencing effect was detected by using revere transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) and the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatant of HepG2.2.15 cells.The result showed that the interfering effect was specific and efficient.Conclusion The small interfering RNA targeting HBV core protein in HepG2.2.15 cells was constructed successfully,which may be useful for studying the biological functions of HBc in the future.