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]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of female patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection. Methods: This is a single-centre retrospective study. Consecutive patients diagnosed with Stanford type B aortic dissection in General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from June 2002 to August 2021 were enrolled, and grouped based on sex. According to the general clinical conditions and complications of aortic dissection tear, patients were treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair, surgery, or optimal medication. The clinical characteristics and aortic imaging data of the patients at different stages were collected, adverse events including all-cause deaths, stroke, and occurrence of aortic-related adverse events were obtained during hospitalization and within 30 days and at 1 and 5 years after discharge. According to the time of death, death was classified as in-hospital death, out-of-hospital death, and in-hospital death was divided into preoperative death, intraoperative death and postoperative death. According to the cause of death, death was classified as aortic death, cardiac death and other causes of death. Aortic-related adverse events within 30 days after discharge included new paraplegia, post-luminal repair syndrome, and aortic death; long-term (≥1 year after discharge) aortic-related adverse events included aortic death, recurrent aortic dissection, endoleak and distal ulcer events. The clinical characteristics, short-term and long-term prognosis was compared between the groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between different clinical factors and all-cause mortality within 30 days in female and male groups separately. Results: A total of 1 094 patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection were enrolled, mean age was (53.9±12.1) years, and 861 (78.7%) were male and 233 (21.3%) were female. (1) Clinical characteristics: compared with male patients, female patients were featured with older average age, higher proportion of aged≥60 years old, back pain, anemia, optimal medication treatment, and higher cholesterol level; while lower proportion of smoking and drinking history, body mass index, calcium antagonists use, creatine kinase level, and white blood cell count (all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in dissection tear and clinical stage, history of coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cerebrovascular disease between female and male patients (all P>0.05). (2) Follow-up result: compared with male patients, female patients had a higher rate of 30-day death [6.9% (16/233) vs. 3.8% (33/861), P=0.047], in-hospital death (5.6% (13/233) vs. 2.7% (23/861), P=0.027), preoperative death (3.9% (9/233) vs. 1.5% (12/861), P=0.023) and aorta death (6.0% (14/233) vs. 3.1% (27/861), P=0.041). The 1-year and 5-year follow-up results demonstrated that there were no significant differences in death, cerebrovascular disease, and aorta-related adverse events between the two groups (all P>0.05). (3) Prognostic factors: the results of the univariate logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index>24 kg/m² (HR=1.087, 95%CI 1.029-1.149, P=0.013), history of anemia (HR=2.987, 95%CI 1.054-8.468, P=0.032), hypertension (HR=1.094, 95%CI 1.047-1.143, P=0.040) and troponin-T>0.05 μg/L (HR=5.818, 95%CI 1.611-21.018, P=0.003)were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality within 30 days in female patients. Conclusions: Female patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection have specific clinical characteristics, such as older age at presentation, higher rates of anemia and combined back pain, and higher total cholesterol levels. The risk of death within 1 month is higher in female patients than in male patients, which may be associated with body mass index, hypertension, anemia and troponin-T, but the long-term prognosis for both female and male patients is comparable.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Prognosis ; Hospital Mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Troponin T ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/surgery* ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects* ; Aortic Dissection ; Hypertension/complications* ; Cholesterol ; Risk Factors

Objective: To investigate the influence of blood pressure control after discharge on prognosis of patients with acute aortic syndrome (AAS) complicated with hypertension who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Methods: This is a retrospective case analysis. Patients diagnosed with AAS complicated with hypertension and undergoing TEVAR in Northern Theater Command General Hospital from June 2002 to December 2021 were consecutively enrolled. Average systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the occurrence of endpoint events were recorded at one month, one year and every 2 years after TEVAR. According to the patients' average SBP, patients with average SBP<140 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) or<150 mmHg were divided into the target blood pressure achievement group, and the others were divided into target blood pressure non-achievement group. Endpoint events included all-cause death, aortic death, stroke, renal insufficiency, aortic related adverse events and a composite of these events (overall clinical adverse events), and re-accepting TEVAR. The incidence of endpoint events was compared between the two groups at each follow-up period. Results: A total of 987 patients were included, aged (55.7±11.7) years, including 779 male (78.9%). When the cutoff value was 140 mmHg, the rate of average target SBP achievement was 71.2% (703/987) at one month, 66.7% (618/927) during 1st to 12th month and 65.1% (542/832) from the first year to the third year after TEVAR. The proportion of patients taking≥2 antihypertensive agents was higher in the group of target blood pressure non-achievement group than the target blood pressure achievement group after TEVAR at 1 month (74.3% (211/284) vs.65.9% (463/703), P=0.010) and during 1st to 12th month (71.5% (221/309) vs. 63.6% (393/618), P=0.016). There were no statistical differences in the all-cause deaths, stroke, aortic related adverse events, and repeat TEVAR between the two groups (All P>0.05) during above follow-up periods. When the cutoff value was 150 mmHg, the rate of target SBP achievement was 89.3% (881/987) at one month, 85.2% (790/927) during 1st to 12th month and 85.6%(712/832) from the first year to the third year after TEVAR. The incidence of clinical total adverse events (8.8% (12/137) vs. 4.2% (33/790), P=0.021) and repeat TEVAR (4.4% (6/137) vs. 1.0% (8/790), P=0.003) in target blood pressure non-achievement group were significantly higher than the target blood pressure achievement group during 1st to 12th month after TEVAR. The incidence of all-cause deaths (5.8% (7/120) vs. 2.4% (17/712), P=0.037) in the target blood pressure non-achievement group was significantly higher than the target blood pressure achievement group from the first year to the third year follow-up period, but there were no statistical differences in the incidence of clinical total adverse events between the two group (P>0.05). Conclusion: Among TEVAR treated AAS patients complicated with hypertension, the average SBP more than 150 mmHg post discharge is associated with increased risk of adverse events. Ideal blood pressure control should be encouraged to improve the outcome of these patients.
Humans ; Male ; Blood Pressure ; Acute Aortic Syndrome ; Retrospective Studies ; Aftercare ; Treatment Outcome ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects* ; Aortic Dissection ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/surgery* ; Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects* ; Patient Discharge ; Hypertension ; Prognosis ; Stroke ; Hospitals

Aim To study the effect of Rubus irritans Focke extract on adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and to further explore the potential mechanism of Rubus irritans Focke on adipocyte metabolism, so as to provide a new basis for the prevention and treatment of obesity. Methods Rubus irritans Focke extract was separated and prepared by MCI medium pressure chromatographic column. MTT method was used to detect cell proliferation, and oil red 0 staining and kit test was used to to detect the level of lipid accumulation. Western blot was employed to detect the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ¦y (PPAR7), CCAAT enhancer binding protein a (C/ EBPa), adenosine 5'-monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) protein. Results When the concentration of Rubus irritans Focke extract was less than 100 mg •L

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and establish a nomogram model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted with 613 cases of neonatal asphyxia treated in 20 cooperative hospitals in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from January to December 2019 as the asphyxia group, and 988 randomly selected non-asphyxia neonates born and admitted to the neonatology department of these hospitals during the same period as the control group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for neonatal asphyxia. R software (4.2.2) was used to establish a nomogram model. Receiver operator characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, respectively. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that minority (Tujia), male sex, premature birth, congenital malformations, abnormal fetal position, intrauterine distress, maternal occupation as a farmer, education level below high school, fewer than 9 prenatal check-ups, threatened abortion, abnormal umbilical cord, abnormal amniotic fluid, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, emergency caesarean section, and assisted delivery were independent risk factors for neonatal asphyxia (P<0.05). The area under the curve of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia based on these risk factors was 0.748 (95%CI: 0.723-0.772). The calibration curve indicated high accuracy of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. The decision curve analysis showed that the model could provide a higher net benefit for neonates at risk of asphyxia. CONCLUSIONS The risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture are multifactorial, and the nomogram model based on these factors has good value in predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, which can help clinicians identify neonates at high risk of asphyxia early, and reduce the incidence of neonatal asphyxia.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Nomograms ; Retrospective Studies ; Cesarean Section ; Risk Factors ; Asphyxia Neonatorum/etiology*

Objective: To analyze the course of disease and epidemiological parameters of COVID-19 and provide evidence for making prevention and control strategies. Methods: To display the distribution of course of disease of the infectors who had close contacts with COVID-19 cases from January 1 to March 15, 2020 in Guangdong Provincial, the models of Lognormal, Weibull and gamma distribution were applied. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the basic characteristics and epidemiological parameters of course of disease. Results: In total, 515 of 11 580 close contacts were infected, with an attack rate about 4.4%, including 449 confirmed cases and 66 asymptomatic cases. Lognormal distribution was fitting best for latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period of confirmed cases and infection period of asymptomatic cases; Gamma distribution was fitting best for infectious period and clinical symptom period of confirmed cases; Weibull distribution was fitting best for latent period of asymptomatic cases. The latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period, infectious period and clinical symptoms period of confirmed cases were 4.50 (95%CI:3.86-5.13) days, 5.12 (95%CI:4.63-5.62) days, 0.87 (95%CI:0.67-1.07) days, 11.89 (95%CI:9.81-13.98) days and 22.00 (95%CI:21.24-22.77) days, respectively. The latent period and infectious period of asymptomatic cases were 8.88 (95%CI:6.89-10.86) days and 6.18 (95%CI:1.89-10.47) days, respectively. Conclusion: The estimated course of COVID-19 and related epidemiological parameters are similar to the existing data.
COVID-19 ; Cohort Studies ; Contact Tracing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare the effects of leukapheresis on hemostatic function in patients with hyperleukocytic leukemia. METHODS: A total of 139 patients with AML, ALL and CML who underwent leukapheresis from June 2009 to February 2020 and did coagulation test before and after operation were included in this study. The clearance efficiency of each group and the difference among three groups were evaluated, as well as hemostatic function including platelet counts, coagulation indicators, CDSS score and incidence of adverse events. The difference of hemostatic function caused by leukapheresis in different leukemia patients were compared. RESULTS: After leukapheresis, the WBC counts were decreased significantly in the three groups of patients (P<0.001), and the clearance efficiency was highest in ALL patients. However, the platelet counts also were decreased significantly (AML:P＜0.001, ALL: P＜0.001, CML: P＜0.01) in the three groups of patients, particularly for acute leukemia patients with a positive correlation with WBC clearance efficiency(r=0.284). After leukapheresis, fibrinogen decreased, PT and APTT prolonged. For acute leukemia patients, higher CDSS score was related to an elevated incidence of bleeding events (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Leukapheresis is an effective method to decrease the leukemic burden, but it is necessary to monitor the impact on hemostatic function. It is recommended to assess the CDSS socre for acute leukemia patients, in order to identify the predictive value for bleedings.
Acute Disease ; Blood Coagulation ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostatics ; Humans ; Leukapheresis/methods* ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy*

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of COVID-19 confirmed cases with viral nucleic acid re-positive in anal and/or throat swabs after discharge during the domestic imported epidemic stage in Guangdong Province in early 2020. Methods: The COVID-19 confirmed cases with the onset time before March 1, 2020 in Guangdong Province were collected to analyze the demographic data, epidemiological characteristics, and specimen collection and testing data after discharge. Logistic regression model was used for influencing factors analysis of re-positive cases. Results: A total of 1 286 COVID-19 confirmed cases were included, the M(Q₁,Q₃) of age was 44(32,58)years, 617 cases were male, 224 cases were re-positive in anal and/or throat swabs with the re-positive rate 17.42%. The M(Q₁,Q₃) of age of re-positive cases was 35(23, 50) years, which was younger than that of re-negative cases age was those 46(33, 59) years (P<0.001). With the increase of age, re-positive rate decreased (χ²_trend=52.73, P<0.001). 85.27% (191/224) of re-positive cases were found in 14 d after discharge, the duration time of re-positive status was 13(7, 24) d, and 81.69% (183/224) of re-positive cases were re-tested negative in 28 d after re-positive date. No fever and other symptoms had been observed among re-positive cases during the whole follow-up. No secondary infectious cases had been found among close contacts after 14 d of centralized isolation and sampling screening. Univariate logistic regression model analysis revealed that the influencing factors of the re-positive cases included age, occupation, clusters, clinical types, and admission time. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis revealed that age was an independent risk factor. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleic acid re-positive is found in COVID-19 confirmed cases after discharge in Guangdong Province. Most re-positive cases are confirmed among 14 d after discharge and re-test to negative among 28 d after re-positive date. Age is an risk factor for re-positive cases after discharge.
COVID-19 ; China/epidemiology* ; Epidemics ; Humans ; Male ; Nucleic Acids ; SARS-CoV-2

ObjectiveTo understand the cooperative work and mechanism in the corona virus disease 2019 containment action by the support-to-Hebei epidemiological investigation group formed by five provinces， summarize the existing challenges， and discuss the relevant mechanism， so as to provide evidence for future support actions. MethodsA questionnaire survey was used to investigate the members from five provinces of the support-to-Hebei epidemiological investigation team. The content included basic information， work situation， problems in cooperative work， and suggestions in support mechanisms. ResultsA total of 104 questionnaires were issued， of which 101 valid questionnaires were collected with an effective response rate of 97.12%. The proportions of respondents who participated in the epidemic-related data preparation， case investigation， technical training， supervision of key venues， and specimen collection was 93.07%， 85.15%， 81.19%， 65.35%， and 44.55%， respectively. The respondents believed that information sharing channel of local epidemic situation was blocked （95.05%）， coordination mechanism among local departments was insufficient （84.16%）， communication and coordination mechanism among the dispatch institutions， support team， and local departments was unperfect （84.16%）， management of the dispatch institutions to the support team was relatively loose （79.21%）， dispatch institutions failed to make full use of professional advantages of the support team （72.28%）， and majority of the support team members engaged in a single profession （59.41%）. The respondents suggested that local departments should improve the information sharing mechanism （95.05%）， strengthen communication and coordination among the dispatch institutions， support team， and local departments （92.08%）， and dispatch institutions should clarify the tasks and responsibilities of the support team （91.09%）， formulate cross-regional emergency support plans （87.13%） and evaluation plans of support action （72.28%）. ConclusionIn order to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of future support actions， it is necessary to improve the mechanism of emergency coordination， communication and matching， response procedures， team management， and support evaluation.

ObjectiveTo describe the epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and prognoses of COVID-19 confirmed patients in a single center in Beijing, China. Methods The study retrospectively included 19 patients with nucleic acid-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at our hospital from January 20 to March 5, 2020. The final follow-up date was March 14, 2020. The epidemiologic and clinical information was obtained through direct communication with the patients or their family members. Laboratory results retrieved from medical records and radiological images were analyzed both qualitatively by two senior chest radiologists as well as quantitatively via an artificial intelligence software. Results We identified 5 family clusters (13/19, 68.4%) from the study cohort. All cases had good clinical prognoses and were either mild (3/19) or moderate (16/19) clinical types. Fever (15/19, 78.9%) and dry cough (11/19, 57.9%) were common symptoms. Two patients received negative results for more than three consecutive viral nucleic acid tests. The longest interval between an initial CT abnormal finding and a confirmed diagnosis was 30 days. One patient's nucleic acid test turned positive on the follow-up examination after discharge. The presence of radiological abnormalities was non-specific for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Conclusions COVID-19 patients with mild or no clinical symptoms are common in Beijing, China. Radiological abnormalities are mostly non-specific and massive CT examinations for COVID-19 screening should be avoided. Analyses of the contact histories of diagnosed cases in combination with clinical, radiological and laboratory findings are crucial for the early detection of COVID-19. Close monitoring after discharge is also recommended.
Adult ; COVID-19/diagnostic imaging* ; COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed