Objective To explore the risk factors for obstetric septic shock.Methods The clinical data of 122 obstetric sepsis patients from Jan.2013 to Apr.2025 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were assigned to shock group(n=26)or non-shock group(n=96)based on whether they progressed to septic shock.Variables including age,body mass index,multiple pregnancy,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score,organ dysfunction status,white blood cell count(WBC),neutrophil count(NEU),neutrophil ratio,platelet count,procalcitonin,C-reactive protein,lactate(Lac),and D-dimer were recorded.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for obstetric septic shock.The predictive efficacy of these factors was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results The proportions of patients aged≥35 years,and those with respiratory,cardiac,or central nervous system dysfunction,were significantly higher in the shock group than in the non-shock group,and the SOFA score,WBC,NEU,neutrophil ratio and Lac level were significantly higher in the shock group(all P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased NEU(odds ratio[OR]=1.093,95%confidence interval[CI]1.022-1.169,P=0.010)and age≥35 years(OR=3.433,95%CI 1.112-10.602,P=0.032)were independent risk factors for obstetric septic shock.ROC curve analysis showed that NEU had predictive value for obstetric septic shock(area under curve=0.741,95%CI 0.634-0.848),with an optimal cut-offvalue of 17.17×109/L.Conclusion Increased NEU and age≥35 years are independent risk factors for obstetric septic shock.NEU has predictive value for the development of obstetric septic shock and may serve as an important indicator for clinical assessment and timely treatment.

Pulpitis is a common infective oral disease in clinical situations. The regulatory mechanisms of immune defense in pulpitis are still being investigated. Osteomodulin (OMD) is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan family member distributed in bones and teeth. It is a bioactive protein that promotes osteogenesis and suppresses the apoptosis of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). In this study, the role of OMD in pulpitis and the OMD-induced regulatory mechanism were investigated. The OMD expression in normal and inflamed human pulp tissues was detected via immunofluorescence staining. Intriguingly, the OMD expression decreased in the inflammatory infiltration area of pulpitis specimens. The cellular experiments demonstrated that recombined human OMD could resist the detrimental effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. A conditional Omd knockout mouse model with pulpal inflammation was established. LPS-induced inflammatory impairment significantly increased in conditional Omd knockout mice, whereas OMD administration exhibited a protective effect against pulpitis. Mechanistically, the transcriptome alterations of OMD overexpression showed significant enrichment in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Interleukin-1 receptor 1 (IL1R1), a vital membrane receptor activating the NF-κB pathway, was significantly downregulated in OMD-overexpressing hDPSCs. Additionally, the interaction between OMD and IL1R1 was verified using co-immunoprecipitation and molecular docking. In vivo, excessive pulpal inflammation in Omd-deficient mice was rescued using an IL1R antagonist. Overall, OMD played a protective role in the inflammatory response via the IL1R1/NF-κB signaling pathway. OMD may optimize the immunomodulatory functions of hDPSCs and can be used for regenerative endodontics.
Pulpitis/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Dental Pulp/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lipopolysaccharides

Objective:To investigate the epileptogenic networks of bilateral asymmetric tonic seizures (BATS) originating from the posterior insula using stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed. Among the epilepsy patients who underwent preoperative assessment and SEEG monitoring in the Epilepsy Department of Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from January 1, 2015 to July 1, 2024, 7 patients with insular epilepsy characterized by BATS originating from the posterior insula were selected based on anatomo-electro-clinical characteristics. The clinical characteristics, neuroimaging features, scalp EEG patterns, and SEEG recordings of the 7 patients were collected and analyzed. Via synchronously analyzing ictal semiology and electroanatomical propagation pathways shown by SEEG, the features of epileptogenic networks were elucidated. Results:Four patients had seizure onset from the dorsal-superior part of the left posterior insula, and 3 patients from the dorsal-superior part of the right posterior insula. The electroencephalographic characteristics of the seizure onset zones showed high consistency in these 7 patients: rhythmic spike or multiple spike discharges at the initial stage, and a low-amplitude rapid rhythm pattern subsequently. Totally, 3-10 seizures were recorded in each patient. Four patients experienced prodromal symptoms, including 3 patients with somatosensory symptoms (1 with chest and abdominal pain, 1 with contralateral facial numbness combined with throat constriction sensation, and 1 with contralateral limb numbness), and 1 patient with non-specific presentation (hugging family member before seizure). The seizure semiological evolution sequence was from prodrome to BATS, and then to secondary symptoms, with 3 patients exhibiting clustered spasms as secondary symptoms, and 4 patients showing eyelids and contralateral upper limb distal tonic-clonic manifestations as secondary symptoms. The epileptogenic networks followed a consistent pattern: the dorsal-superior part of the posterior insula leads to the middle-posterior part of the superior circular sulcus, to the ventral posterior insular and posterior circular sulcus, and then to the supplementary sensorimotor area (SSMA), and finally to the central sulcus, central region-vertex, and inferior parietal lobule. Only 2 patients had the anterior insular-involved epileptic brain networks, while the remaining 5 patients did not involve the anterior insular. During BATS, SEEG electrode contacts corresponding to the posterior insular, superior circular sulcus and SSMA exhibited low-amplitude rapid rhythm patterns.Conclusion:The seizures spread from the dorsal-superior part of the posterior insula to the middle-posterior part of the superior circular sulcus at the early stage of onset, and then connected with SSMA; these structures formed a epileptogenic brain network through abnormal synchronous discharge, which eventually led to BATS.

Objective:To investigate the epileptogenic networks of bilateral asymmetric tonic seizures (BATS) originating from the posterior insula using stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed. Among the epilepsy patients who underwent preoperative assessment and SEEG monitoring in the Epilepsy Department of Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from January 1, 2015 to July 1, 2024, 7 patients with insular epilepsy characterized by BATS originating from the posterior insula were selected based on anatomo-electro-clinical characteristics. The clinical characteristics, neuroimaging features, scalp EEG patterns, and SEEG recordings of the 7 patients were collected and analyzed. Via synchronously analyzing ictal semiology and electroanatomical propagation pathways shown by SEEG, the features of epileptogenic networks were elucidated. Results:Four patients had seizure onset from the dorsal-superior part of the left posterior insula, and 3 patients from the dorsal-superior part of the right posterior insula. The electroencephalographic characteristics of the seizure onset zones showed high consistency in these 7 patients: rhythmic spike or multiple spike discharges at the initial stage, and a low-amplitude rapid rhythm pattern subsequently. Totally, 3-10 seizures were recorded in each patient. Four patients experienced prodromal symptoms, including 3 patients with somatosensory symptoms (1 with chest and abdominal pain, 1 with contralateral facial numbness combined with throat constriction sensation, and 1 with contralateral limb numbness), and 1 patient with non-specific presentation (hugging family member before seizure). The seizure semiological evolution sequence was from prodrome to BATS, and then to secondary symptoms, with 3 patients exhibiting clustered spasms as secondary symptoms, and 4 patients showing eyelids and contralateral upper limb distal tonic-clonic manifestations as secondary symptoms. The epileptogenic networks followed a consistent pattern: the dorsal-superior part of the posterior insula leads to the middle-posterior part of the superior circular sulcus, to the ventral posterior insular and posterior circular sulcus, and then to the supplementary sensorimotor area (SSMA), and finally to the central sulcus, central region-vertex, and inferior parietal lobule. Only 2 patients had the anterior insular-involved epileptic brain networks, while the remaining 5 patients did not involve the anterior insular. During BATS, SEEG electrode contacts corresponding to the posterior insular, superior circular sulcus and SSMA exhibited low-amplitude rapid rhythm patterns.Conclusion:The seizures spread from the dorsal-superior part of the posterior insula to the middle-posterior part of the superior circular sulcus at the early stage of onset, and then connected with SSMA; these structures formed a epileptogenic brain network through abnormal synchronous discharge, which eventually led to BATS.

Objective To analyze the correlation between T lymphocyte subsets,neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR),procalcitonin(PCT)and the severity of sepsis.Methods A prospective research method was adopted.A total of 78 sepsis patients admitted to the department of intensive care medicine of Zibo Central Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects.Patients were divided into a septic shock group(37 cases)and a sepsis group(41 cases)based on the severity of their condition,with 40 healthy examinees from our hospital as the healthy control group.Using flow cytometry to measure the levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes count(CD4+ T)and CD8+ T lymphocytes count(CD8+ T)in three groups of subjects,calculate the CD4+ T/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio(CD4+ T/CD8+ T)and NLR.The levels of PCT and interleukin-6(IL-6)were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay,and the levels of C-reactive protein(CRP)were measured using immunoassay turbidimetry.Acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ)score within 24 hours was recorded for the two groups of patients,and the differences in lymphocyte subsets and various inflammatory indicators were compared between the groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between various indicators and APACHEⅡscore.Results The CD4+ T,CD8+ T,and CD4+T/CD8+T levels in the septic shock and sepsis groups were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group[CD4+ T(×106/L):168.27±76.68,266.08±131.57 vs.789.60±173.78,CD8+ T(×106/L):156.50±68.37,205.81±75.60 vs.636.42±90.59,CD4+ T/CD8+ T:1.09±0.39,1.27±0.34 vs.1.44±0.38,all P<0.01],NLR,PCT,CRP and IL-6 were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group[NLR:25.85±11.62,15.94±8.72 vs.2.68±1.31,PCT(μg/L):21.82±15.28,9.09±4.96 vs.0.13±0.10,CRP(mg/L):158.65±62.33,106.97±51.49 vs.6.48±2.08,IL-6(ng/L):1 344.64±899.21,245.31±176.99 vs.3.25±1.83,all P<0.01].The APACHEⅡscore in the septic shock group was significantly higher than that in the sepsis group(32.00±1.00 vs.22.01±1.09,P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the levels of CD4+ T,CD8+ T,CD4+ T/CD8+ T in two groups of sepsis patients were negatively correlated with the APACHEⅡscore(r values were-0.571,-0.506,and-0.555,respectively,all P<0.01),while the levels of NLR,PCT,CRP,and IL-6 were positively correlated with the APACHEⅡscore(r values were 0.711,0.709,0.777,and 0.707,respectively,all P<0.01).Conclusions As the levels of T lymphocyte subsets decrease,inflammatory indicators like NLR and PCT rise,indicating a more severe sepsis condition.Therefore,T lymphocyte subsets and levels of various inflammatory indicators can serve as markers for evaluating the severity of sepsis.

Objective:To explore the epileptogenic network patterns in 14 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) originating from the amygdala.Methods:A total of 14 patients with mTLE originating from the amygdala underwent preoperative evaluation in Department of Epilepsy, Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023 were selected. A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of these patients. Epileptogenic network patterns were further explored based on stereo-electroencephalogram (SEEG) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT).Results:Craniocerebral MRI indicated 12 patients with unilateral amygdala hypertrophy, and 2 with increased T2-FLAIR signal in the amygdala but no obvious volume change. During interictal period, scalp EEG indicated discharges in one or both temporal regions and distinguished at the lesion side. During ictal period, scalp EEG indicated that the initial side is consistent with the lesion side. Three clinical phenotypes and epileptogenic network patterns were summarized: the first type ( n=5) had clinical manifestations as aura→automotor→autonomic symptoms, with epileptic seizure starting from amygdala→hippocampus→preinsula→temporal pole (by SEEG) and low metabolism in the medial structures of the temporal lobe (by PET-CT); the second type ( n=6) had clinical manifestations as aura→hypermotor/complex motor→autonomic symptoms, with epileptic seizure starting from amygdala→hippocampus→temporal pole→frontal orbital gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex→insula (by SEEG) and low metabolism in the medial structures of the temporal lobe, temporal pole, insula, frontal-orbital gyrus, and inner frontal lobe (by PET-CT); the third type ( n=3) had clinical manifestations as aura→bilateral symmetrical dystonia→autonomic symptoms (with or without oral-alimentary automotor), with epileptic seizure starting from amygdala→hippocampus and insula→temporal pole and adjacent temporal neocortex (by SEEG) and low metabolism in the mesial structures of the temporal lobe and the insula (by PET-CT). Conclusion:The different clinical phenotypes of patients with mTLE originating from the amygdala may have equivalent epileptogenic network patterns.

Objective:To establish a mortality risk prediction model of severe bacterial infection in children and compare it with the pediatric early warning score (PEWS), pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) and pediatric risk of mortality score Ⅲ (PRISM Ⅲ).Methods:A total of 178 critically ill children were selected from the PICU of the Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2017 to June 2022. After obtaining the informed consent of the parents/guardians, basic information such as sex, age, height and weight, as well as indicators such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure and respiratory rate were collected from all children. A standard questionnaire was used to score the child 24 h after admission to the PICU. The children were divided into the survival and death groups according to their survival status at 28 d after admission. A mortality risk prediction model was constructed and nomogram was drawn. The value of the mortality risk prediction model, PEWS, PCIS and PRISM in predicting the risk of death was assessed and compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the ROC curve (AUC).Results:Among the 178 critically ill children, 11 cases were excluded due to severe data deficiencies and hospitalization not exceeding 24 h. A total of 167 children were included in the analysis, including 134 in the survival group and 33 in the death group. A mortality risk prediction model for children with severe bacterial infection was constructed using pupillary changes, state of consciousness, skin color, mechanical ventilation, total cholesterol and prothrombin time. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUCs of mortality risk prediction model was 0.888 ( P<0.05). The AUCs of PEWS, PCIS and PRISM Ⅲ in predicting death in children with severe bacterial infection were 0.769 ( P< 0.05), 0.575 ( P< 0.05) and 0.759 ( P< 0.05), respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed the best agreement between risk of death and PEWS predicted morbidity and mortality and actual morbidity and mortality (χ 2 = 5.180, P = 0.738; χ 2 = 4.939, P = 0.764), and the PCIS and PRISM Ⅲ predicted mortality rates fitted reasonably well with actual mortality rates (χ 2= 9.110, P= 0333; χ 2 = 8.943, P= 0.347). Conclusions:The mortality risk prediction model for predicting the death risk has better prognostic value than PEWS, PCIS and PRISM Ⅲ for children with severe bacterial infection.

Objective:To analyze the research progress and hotspots on drug resistance of helicobacter pylori in China and abroad since 2000, in order to provide theoretical reference and basis for the study of digestive system diseases.Methods:The Chinese and English literature related to helicobacter pylori resistance, which were included in the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database and the Web of Science database, were searched from 2000 to 2021. We imported the retrieved literature into Citespace6.1.R2 software, performed visual analysis on authors, countries and institutions, keywords, cited literature, and drew visual graphs.Results:A total of 2 824 Chinese literature and 1 885 English literature were included. The authors with the highest volume of publications in Chinese and English literature are Hu Fulian and Gisbert JP, respectively. The institutions with the highest volume of publications are the First School of Medicine, Beijing University and the Baylor School of Medicine in the United States. The keywords with high centrality in Chinese literature include clarithromycin, eradication rate, drug resistance, amoxicillin, metronidazole, etc. In the analysis of cited literature, it was observed that the Maastricht Consensus report holds an important position in this field.Conclusions:The use of Citespace visualization analysis has intuitively elucidated the research hotspots on the drug resistance of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Peanut allergy is an increasing problem in Singapore and strict avoidance is difficult as peanut is ubiquitous in Asian cuisine. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) in children with obvious peanut allergy in Singapore. METHODS: This was an open-label study of peanut OIT in children living in Singapore, with 2 weekly dose escalation until final maintenance dose of 3,000 mg of peanut protein and a maintenance phase of 12 months. An oral food challenge was performed at 6 months to assess for desensitisation and at 4 weeks after discontinuation of OIT having completed 12 months of maintenance therapy to assess for possible sustained unresponsiveness. The adverse events were monitored using the symptom diaries. RESULTS: Nine subjects were started on OIT, with 7 managing to complete maintenance phase of therapy. Of these 7, all were able to tolerate at least 3,000 mg of peanut protein by 6 months of maintenance therapy, showing that the OIT was effective. Of these 7, 3 patients complied with the 4-week abstinence period after completion of OIT before another peanut challenge; 2 of the 3 subjects showed a significant decrease from the initial ability to tolerate 3,000 mg of peanut protein. Side effects were mainly gastrointestinal in nature and were more common during the updosing phase than the maintenance phase. No episodes of anaphylaxis were observed in this study. CONCLUSION: Peanut OIT seemed to be effective and safe in our cohort of Singaporean children.
Anaphylaxis ; Arachis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunotherapy ; Peanut Hypersensitivity ; Pilot Projects ; Probiotics ; Singapore

Objective To evaluate an effective and feasible quantitative evaluation table of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation, and to observe the effect of combination of TCM syndrome differentiation and standard bundle therapy in patients with septic shock. Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. The septic shock patients with acute deficiency syndrome admitted to department of critical care medicine of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2017 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into control group and Shenfu group. The patients in both groups received early application of standardized bundle therapy; those in Shenfu group received 60 mL Shenfu injection infusion in addition for 7 days. The TCM syndrome score was evaluated by classification and scoring method of TCM symptoms. The circulation and tissue perfusion, severity of disease, organ function, inflammation response, adjuvant treatment and 28-day mortality were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 50 patients with septic shock were enrolled in the analysis, 25 in control group and 25 in Shenfu group. The markedly effective rate of TCM symptoms score in Shenfu group was significantly higher than that in control group [60.0% (15/25) vs. 16.0% (4/25), P < 0.01]. There was no significant difference in all parameters before treatment between the two groups. After treatment, the observation indexes of both groups were improved. Compared with control group, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in Shenfu group increased more significantly [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 13.0 (2.5, 28.5) vs. 6.0 (0, 13.5)], the lactate (Lac) and procalcitonin (PCT) decreased more significantly [Lac (mmol/L): 0.8 (0.1, 3.7) vs. 0.5 (-0.6, 1.7), PCT (μg/L): 2.0 (0.7, 32.3) vs. 0 (-1.8, 3.8)], activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was shortened more significantly [s: 8.5 (0, 12.9) vs. 0 (-7.2, 10.0)], and interleukins (IL-2 receptor and IL-6) levels decreased more significantly [IL-2 receptor (ng/L):1 031.0 (533.0, 1 840.0) vs. 525.5 (186.0, 1 166.8), IL-6 (ng/L): 153.1 (21.4, 406.8) vs. 35.1 (16.3, 110.1)] with significant differences (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the use time of vasoactive drugs, duration of mechanical ventilation, severity of the disease or 28-day mortality between the two groups. However, the use time of vasoactive drugs in Shenfu group was shorter than that in control group (days: 5.48±4.81 vs. 8.28±7.83), and the 28-day mortality was decreased [8.0% (2/25) vs. 20.0% (5/25)]. Conclusions TCM syndrome score is helpful to evaluate the effect of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment, and it is effective and feasible in clinical application. Septic shock patients treated with TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment combined with standard bundle therapy were significantly improved in circulation, tissue perfusion, coagulation function and inflammation reaction.