BACKGROUND: Children's respiratory health demonstrates particular sensitivity to air pollution. Existing evidence investigating the association between short-term ozone (O₃) exposure and childhood pneumonia remains insufficient and inconsistent, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHOD: To provide more reliable and persuasive evidence, we implemented a multi-city, time-stratified case-crossover design with a large sample size, using data from seven representative children's hospitals across major geographical regions in China. To avoid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, individual-level medical records of inpatient children under 6 years of age diagnosed with pneumonia during 2016-2019 were collected. Conditional logistic regression models were fitted for each city, and city-specific estimates were pooled through a meta-analysis using a random-effects model. RESULTS: In total, the study included 137,470 pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions. The highest pooled estimate for O₃ occurred at lag0-1, with a 10 µg/m³ increase in O₃ associated with a 1.57% (95% CI: 0.67%-2.48%) higher risk of pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions. Stratified analyses indicated that the effects of O₃ were robust across different sexes, age groups, and admission seasons. We also observed a statistically significant increase in risk associated with O₃ concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines (WHO-AQGs). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a significant positive association between O₃ and pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions. Our findings substantially strengthen the evidence base for the adverse health impacts of O₃, underscoring the importance of O₃ pollution control and management in reducing the public health burden of pediatric pneumonia.
Humans ; Ozone/analysis* ; China/epidemiology* ; Pneumonia/chemically induced* ; Child, Preschool ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Cross-Over Studies ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data* ; Child ; Cities/epidemiology* ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Infant, Newborn ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*

Objective:To improve the risk management process for clinical trial projects using healthcare failure mode and effect analysis(HFMEA), for references for enhancing the risk identification and preventing capabilities of drug clinical trial institutions.Methods:From June to December 2022, this study focused on the project management process of a clinical trial centre in a tertiary public hospital. Following HFMEA procedures, a research team was established. Core processes prone to failure modes in the drug clinical trial project management and their potential failure modes were identified through group discussions, literature analysis, the Delphi method, and decision tree analysis. High-risk failure modes were screened via risk assessment, corresponding improvement measures were formulated and performed, and their effectiveness was validated.Results:The study identified 6 main processes, 17 sub-processes, and 102 potential failure modes. Delphi analysis confirmed 88 failure modes, with 19 having a failure risk priority number(RPN)≥8.00. Decision tree analysis identified 16 high-risk failure modes, involving 5 main processes and 10 sub-processes. Targeted improvements, such as adopting standardized hospital contract templates and setting deadlines for final payment settlement, etc., were implemented. One year post-implementation(January 2024), the RPN for all 16 high-risk failure modes were<8.00.Conclusions:HFMEA could help hospital clinical trial institutions comprehensively and systematically identify high-risk failure modes in the project management process, develop targeted improvement measures, and improve the level of drug clinical trial project management.

Objective A new occipital bone removal technology was applied to improve the success rate of brain removal.Methods The skull was sawed based on the traditional brain removal technology,and part of the occipital bone was removed downward centered in external occipital protuberance to the foramen magnum,then exposed the telencephalon,cerebellum and posterior medulla oblongata.After that,removed the tentorium cerebelli and cut down the medulla oblongata and the related cranial nerves at the skull base,then removed the brain tissues.Results The removed brain tissues had structurally intact telencephalon,cerebellum and brain stem,clear vessels in the cerebral sulci,and relatively intact optic chiasm,olfactory tracts and vertebro-basilar arteries.Conclusion Brain removal through a fenestration on the external occipital protuberance can effectively preserve the integrity of brain specimens,and improve the success rate of brain removal,which is of great significance for central nervous system teaching and improvement of human brain tissue repositories.

Objective A new occipital bone removal technology was applied to improve the success rate of brain removal.Methods The skull was sawed based on the traditional brain removal technology,and part of the occipital bone was removed downward centered in external occipital protuberance to the foramen magnum,then exposed the telencephalon,cerebellum and posterior medulla oblongata.After that,removed the tentorium cerebelli and cut down the medulla oblongata and the related cranial nerves at the skull base,then removed the brain tissues.Results The removed brain tissues had structurally intact telencephalon,cerebellum and brain stem,clear vessels in the cerebral sulci,and relatively intact optic chiasm,olfactory tracts and vertebro-basilar arteries.Conclusion Brain removal through a fenestration on the external occipital protuberance can effectively preserve the integrity of brain specimens,and improve the success rate of brain removal,which is of great significance for central nervous system teaching and improvement of human brain tissue repositories.

Objective:To improve the risk management process for clinical trial projects using healthcare failure mode and effect analysis(HFMEA), for references for enhancing the risk identification and preventing capabilities of drug clinical trial institutions.Methods:From June to December 2022, this study focused on the project management process of a clinical trial centre in a tertiary public hospital. Following HFMEA procedures, a research team was established. Core processes prone to failure modes in the drug clinical trial project management and their potential failure modes were identified through group discussions, literature analysis, the Delphi method, and decision tree analysis. High-risk failure modes were screened via risk assessment, corresponding improvement measures were formulated and performed, and their effectiveness was validated.Results:The study identified 6 main processes, 17 sub-processes, and 102 potential failure modes. Delphi analysis confirmed 88 failure modes, with 19 having a failure risk priority number(RPN)≥8.00. Decision tree analysis identified 16 high-risk failure modes, involving 5 main processes and 10 sub-processes. Targeted improvements, such as adopting standardized hospital contract templates and setting deadlines for final payment settlement, etc., were implemented. One year post-implementation(January 2024), the RPN for all 16 high-risk failure modes were<8.00.Conclusions:HFMEA could help hospital clinical trial institutions comprehensively and systematically identify high-risk failure modes in the project management process, develop targeted improvement measures, and improve the level of drug clinical trial project management.

AIM: To compare the difference and consistency of corneal refractive power and astigmatism measured by CASIA2 and IOL Master 700 in patients with age-related cataract.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 153 patients(232 eyes)with age-related cataract admitted to Daping hospital from November to December 2021 were selected. The flat keratometry(Kf), steep keratometry(Ks), mean keratometry(Km), degree and axis of astigmatism(vector representation J0 and J45)of the anterior, posterior surfaces together with the total cornea from cataract patients were measured by CASIA2 and IOL Master 700, respectively. The difference, correlation and consistency of the two instruments were analyzed.RESULTS:There was no significant difference in J45 values of posterior corneal surface measured by CASIA2 and IOL Master 700(-0.006±0.038D vs. -0.005±0.044D, P>0.05), but there were significant differences in other parameters(all P<0.05). All parameters measured by the two instruments were significantly positive correlated(all r/rs>0.7, P<0.001); Bland-Altman analysis showed that the refractive power and astigmatism of the anterior cornea surface measured by the two facilities were in good consistency, while the refractive power of the posterior surface and the whole cornea showed poor consistency.CONCLUSION: CASIA2 and IOL Master 700 showed little differences and good consistency in the refractive power and astigmatism of the anterior, posterior and total corneal surface in cataract patients, which seems interchangeable. However, the refractive power of the posterior surface and the whole cornea has significant differences and poor consistency, which should not be interchange casually.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of children with allergic diseases suffering from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant strains. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 43 pediatric patients with allergic diseases infected by SARS-CoV-2 from April 25, 2022 to June 8, 2022 in Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were selected as the allergic disease group, while 114 cases without underlying diseases and 16 cases with other underlying diseases were selected as control groups diagnosed at the same period. Clinical data including clinical features, laboratory tests, duration of hospitalization, and the time to negative turn of novel coronavirus nucleic acid were collected and analysed. Kruskal-Wallis H test, chi-square test or Fisher exact test were used for comparison among three groups. Results: Among the 43 patients with allergic diseases, 28 were males and 15 were females, with an age of 4.4 (2.1, 8.2) years on admission, including 32 mild cases and 11 common cases. The allergic disease group included 20 cases (46.5%) of atopic dermatitis and eczema, followed by 14 cases (32.6%) of rhinitis, 8 cases (18.6%) of food allergies, 7 cases (16.3%) of asthma, 4 cases (9.3%) of allergic conjunctivitis and 2 cases (4.7%) of drug allergy. Among the 114 cases without underlying diseases, 57 were males and 57 were females, with an age of 2.8 (1.2, 5.6) years on admission, including 93 mild cases and 21 common cases. Among the 16 cases with other underlying diseases, 9 were males and 7 were females, with an age of 3.0 (2.6, 10.8) years on admission, including 13 cases mild and 3 cases common cases. Children with allergic diseases had higher frequency of sore throat and vomiting than those without underlying diseases (10 cases (23.3%) vs.9 cases (7.9%), 14 cases (32.6%) vs. 11 cases (9.6%), χ²=6.93, 12.24, both P<0.05). The lymphocyte count of patients with allergic disease was lower than those without underlying disease (1.1 (0.7,1.7)×10⁹ vs. 1.6 (1.1,2.7)×10⁹/L, H=-28.00,P=0.005). There were no significant differences in age, gender, typing of SARS-CoV-2, the duration of hospitalization, cycle threshold values of SARS-CoV-2 and the time to negative turn of novel coronavirus nucleic acid among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Children with allergic diseases may suffer from sore throat and vomiting more frequently when infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. The combination of allergic diseases hardly influenced the disease course of SARS-CoV-2 in children.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 ; China/epidemiology* ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Pharyngitis

Objective: To summarize the application experience and the therapeutic effect of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir (trade name: Paxlovid) for COVID-19 in children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data, including collecting the clinical manifestations and clinical outcomes, dynamically monitoring the blood routine, hepatic and renal function and SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid results, and observing the related side effects during the treatment, etc, of 3 cases with COVID-19 treated with Paxlovid admitted to Shanghai Children's Hospital (designated referral hospital for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Shanghai) from May 1^st to June 1^st, 2022. Results: The 3 cases were 12, 14, 17 years of age, among which 2 cases were males, 1 case was female. All 3 cases were mild cases with underlying diseases and risk of developing into severe COVID-19, with symptoms of high fever, sore throat and dry cough. The treatment of Paxlovid at 3^rd day of symptom onset contributed to the symptom-free after 1-2 days and negative results of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid after 2-4 days. All patients had no adverse manifestations of gastrointestinal tract and nervous system but a case had little skin rashes, which recovered after the withdrawal of Paxlovid. Three cases had normal hepatic and renal function during the Paxlovid treatment. At 3 months after discharge, no clinical manifestations of post-COVID syndrome were found in all 3 cases. Conclusion: Paxlovid was effective and relatively safe in the treatment of 3 children with COVID-19.
Child ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Ritonavir/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; China ; Nucleic Acids ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment

Objective: To understand the characteristics and associated factors of viral nucleic acid conversion in children infected with Omicron variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 in Shanghai. Methods: The clinical symptoms, laboratory results and other data of 177 children infected with SARS-CoV-2 who were hospitalized in Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (designated hospital for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Shanghai) from April 25 to June 8, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the chest imaging findings, the children were divided into mild and common type groups. According to their age, the unvaccinated children were divided into<3 years old group and 3-<18 years old group. According to the vaccination status, the children aged 3-<18 year were divided into non-vaccination group, 1-dose vaccination group and 2-dose vaccination group. Comparison between groups was performed by independent sample t-test and analysis of variance, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. Results: Among the 177 children infected with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, 96 were males and 81 were females, aged 3 (1, 6) years. The time of viral nucleic acid negative conversion was (10.3±3.1) days. The 177 children were 138 cases of mild type and 39 cases of common type. Among the children aged 3-<18 years old, 55 cases were not vaccinated, 5 cases received 1-dose and 36 cases received 2-dose vaccination. Among the 36 children who received 2 doses of vaccination, the time of viral nucleic acid negative conversion was shorter in those vaccinated within 6 months than those over 6 months ((7.1±1.9) vs. (10.8±3.0) d, t=-3.23, P=0.004). Univariate analysis showed that the time of nucleic acid negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 was associated with age, underlying diseases, gastrointestinal symptoms, white blood cell count, proportion of neutrophils, proportion of lymphocytes, and the number of doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (t=3.87, 2.55, 2.04, 4.24, 3.51, 2.92, F=16.27, all P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that older age (β=-0.33, 95% CI -0.485--0.182, P<0.001) and more doses of vaccination (β=-0.79, 95% CI -1.463--0.120, P=0.021) were associated with shortened nucleic acid negative conversion time in children, while lower lymphocyte proportion (β=-0.02, 95% CI -0.044--0.002, P=0.031) and underlying diseases (β=1.52, 95% CI 0.363-2.672, P=0.010) were associated with prolonged nucleic acid negative conversion time in children. Conclusion: The children infected with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 with reduced lymphocyte proportion and underlying diseases may have longer time of viral nucleic acid negative conversion,while children with older age and more doses of vaccination may have shorter time of viral nucleic acid negative conversion.
Child ; Female ; Male ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Nucleic Acids ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Translocation, Genetic ; Hospitals, Pediatric

Objective To study the effect of velvet antler polypeptides (VAP) on antioxidant in Alzheimer' s disease model mice. Methods Eight months old male amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin-l (PS1) double transgenic mice were selected as Alzheimer' s disease (AD) model and divided into the model group and the VAP intervention group, 12 in each group. Besides, normal mice of the same brood (with no transgene) were recruited as a control group (n= 12).After 6 months of intragastric administration, behavior, morphology and oxidative stress related indicators were detected.SH-SY5 cells were used to establish AD model of damaged by Ap2535. The expression levels of APP and p-secreatase-l(BACE1) protein in mouse hippocampus were detected by Western blotting. VAP intervention group SH-SY5Y cells was cultured with VAP (500 g/L) and amyloid P(Ap) 2535(25 ixmol/L) for 24 hours. Control group cells were normally cultured by DMEM medium. Cell apoptosis, membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and oxidative stress related indexes were detected. Results In animal models, compared with the model group, the escape latency of mice in the VAP intervention group was shortened (P<0. 05). The neuronal cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of the model group were reduced and arranged disorderly. The arrangement of the VAP intervention group was relatively regular, and the morphology was significantly improved. Compared with the model group, senile plaques were decreased in the VAP intervention group. Compared with the model group, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content ol the VAP intervention group increased, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) content increased, the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the control group, the APP and BACE1 content in the model group increased. Compared with the model group, the contents of APP and BACE1 in the VAP intervention group decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 05). In the cell model, the apoptosis rates of the VAP intervention group decreased. Compared with the model group, the mitochondrial membrane potential of the VAP intervention group increased, the content ol ROS decreased, the content of MDA decreased, and the content of SOD and GSH-Px increased. The difference were statistically significant (P<0. 05). Conclusion VAP has a protective effect on oxidative stress damage caused by Alzheimer' s disease model animals and cells, which may be achieved by reducing ROS production and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes to reduce Ap deposition.