OBJECTIVE To provide reference for relevant departments to improve the drug provision in children’s hospitals and further implement clinical management practices for rational drug use in pediatric patients. METHODS According to the drug purchasing statistics of four sample class A tertiary children’s hospitals in Jiangsu province from 2012 to 2023， this study systematically reviewed and analyzed the drug provision and utilization in children’s hospitals， including the number of pharmaceuticals procured and used in hospitals， the concentration of drug usage among different hospitals， the situation of drugs recommended by the National Essential Medicine List and children’s clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines， and the standardization of clinical medication. RESULTS In 2023， the number of commonly used drugs in 4 tertiary children’s hospitals was 922 varieties and 1 401 specifications， which was significantly lower than the total number of currently marketed children’s drugs. However， the concentration of drug usage among different hospitals was not high， with the proportion of drugs supplied and used in only one hospital accounting for approximately 40% and 50% respectively in terms of drug variety and specification. At present， among the drugs procured and used in sample children’s hospitals， the proportion of national essential medicines basically maintained between 30% and 40%， while drugs which could be safely and effectively used for children was about 60%. In addition， around 40% of the drug varieties recommended in pediatric clinical practice guidelines had also been applied in clinical treatment. Nevertheless， about 30% to 40% of prescription behavior was dependent on doctors’ personal experience and the phenomena of drugs prohibited and unsuitable use for children still existed. CONCLUSIONS Although the number of clinical medications for children in China is limited， there are significant differences in the overall medication choices made by hospitals. The scientific， rational and standardized use of clinical medications also needs to be further strengthened.

Objective:To investigate the X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) patterns and origin in four children with Rett syndrome (RTT), and to explore the genetic basis of their phenotypic variability.Methods:Four pediatric RTT cases diagnosed at Northwest Women′s and Children′s Hospital between August 1, 2022 and October 31, 2024 were enrolled. Clinical data were collected, and whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed on the children and their parents to identify pathogenic variants. XCI analysis and linkage studies were conducted to determine the origin of variants and assess skewed XCI. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Northwest Women′s and Children′s Hospital (Ethics No. 21-036).Results:① WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that the four children carried the following MECP2 (NM_001110792.2) variants: c. 916C>T (p.Arg306Cys), c. 842delG (p.G281Afs*20), c. 763C>T (p.R255X), and c. 686C>T (p.Pro229Leu). The c. 916C>T variant was maternally inherited, while the other three were de novo. ② All four variants have been previously reported. c. 916C>T, c. 842delG, and c. 763C>T were classified as pathogenic, whereas c. 686C>T was deemed likely pathogenic. ③ XCI analysis demonstrated skewed inactivation in child 2 and 3 and their mothers, with maternal X-chromosome recombination during gametogenesis observed in child 3. All variants were located on the maternal X chromosome. Conclusion:Skewed XCI is a common pathogenic mechanism in MECP2-related RTT, and MECP2 variants may exhibit a maternal origin bias. Clinical evaluation should incorporate XCI status for comprehensive genetic analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) patterns and origin in four children with Rett syndrome (RTT), and to explore the genetic basis of their phenotypic variability. METHODS: Four pediatric RTT cases diagnosed at Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital between August 1, 2022 and October 31, 2024 were enrolled. Clinical data were collected, and whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed on the children and their parents to identify pathogenic variants. XCI analysis and linkage studies were conducted to determine the origin of variants and assess skewed XCI. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital (Ethics No. 21-036). RESULTS: WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that the four children carried the following MECP2 (NM_001110792.2) variants. c.916C>T (p.Arg306Cys), c.842delG (p.G281Afs*20), c.763C>T (p.R255X), and c.686C>T (p.Pro229Leu). The c.916C>T variant was maternally inherited, while the other three were de novo. All four variants have been previously reported: c.916C>T, c.842delG, and c.763C>T were classified as pathogenic, whereas c.686C>T was deemed likely pathogenic. XCI analysis demonstrated skewed inactivation in child 2 and 3 and their mothers, with maternal X-chromosome recombination during gametogenesis observed in child 3. All variants were located on the maternal X chromosome. CONCLUSION Skewed XCI is a common pathogenic mechanism in MECP2-related RTT, and MECP2 variants may exhibit a maternal origin bias. Clinical evaluation should incorporate XCI status for comprehensive genetic analysis.
Child ; Humans ; Chromosomes, Human, X/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2/genetics* ; Mutation ; Rett Syndrome/genetics* ; X Chromosome Inactivation/genetics*

Background The decline of physical activity in the elderly due to aging may increase the risk of sarcopenia. Currently, there is a lack of evidence from large natural populations on the relationship between PA and sarcopenia. Objective To explore the relationship between PA and sarcopenia in the elderly aged 60 years and above in 10 provinces (autonomous regions) of China. Methods Data were retrieved from the 2022—2023 round of the China Development and Nutrition Health Impact Cohort. Personal basic information and PA data were collected by questionnaire survey. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bio-electrical impedance analysis, muscle strength was measured using a grip dynamometer, and physical performance was reflected by 6-meter walk speed. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria were used to diagnose sarcopenia. Light physical activity (LPA) duration, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) duration, and total physical activity volume were calculated. A total of 3326 residents aged ≥60 years with complete data were selected as the survey participants. Multiple logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to assess the association between PA duration/volume and sarcopenia. Results In 10 provinces (autonomous regions) of China, the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly aged 60 years and above was 5.5% (95%CI: 4.7%, 6.2%). The logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the elderly reporting 0-7.0 h·week⁻¹ in LPA duration, the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly with LPA duration of >14.0-21.0 h·week⁻¹ was reduced by 51% (OR=0.49, 95%CI: 0.26, 0.96). Compared with the elderly with total physical activity ≥15.0 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h·week⁻¹, those with <7.5 MET-h·week⁻¹ had a 2.24-fold increased risk of sarcopenia (OR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.17, 4.29). The RCS results found that LPA duration and total physical activity volume each showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship with the risk of sarcopenia (P_overall<0.05, P_non-linear<0.05). Compared with the elderly with an LPA duration of 0 h· week⁻¹, the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly with an LPA duration of 12.6 h· week⁻¹ was the lowest (OR=0.42, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.83). Compared with the elderly with a total physical activity volume of 15.0 MET-h· week⁻¹, the elderly with a total physical activity volume of 46.0 MET-h· week⁻¹ had the lowest risk of sarcopenia (OR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.38, 0.84). There was no statistically significant association between weekly MVPA duration and the risk of sarcopenia (P>0.05). Conclusion Increasing weekly LPA duration and total physical activity volume would help to reduce the risk of sarcopenia.

Objective:To investigate the X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) patterns and origin in four children with Rett syndrome (RTT), and to explore the genetic basis of their phenotypic variability.Methods:Four pediatric RTT cases diagnosed at Northwest Women′s and Children′s Hospital between August 1, 2022 and October 31, 2024 were enrolled. Clinical data were collected, and whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed on the children and their parents to identify pathogenic variants. XCI analysis and linkage studies were conducted to determine the origin of variants and assess skewed XCI. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Northwest Women′s and Children′s Hospital (Ethics No. 21-036).Results:① WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that the four children carried the following MECP2 (NM_001110792.2) variants: c. 916C>T (p.Arg306Cys), c. 842delG (p.G281Afs*20), c. 763C>T (p.R255X), and c. 686C>T (p.Pro229Leu). The c. 916C>T variant was maternally inherited, while the other three were de novo. ② All four variants have been previously reported. c. 916C>T, c. 842delG, and c. 763C>T were classified as pathogenic, whereas c. 686C>T was deemed likely pathogenic. ③ XCI analysis demonstrated skewed inactivation in child 2 and 3 and their mothers, with maternal X-chromosome recombination during gametogenesis observed in child 3. All variants were located on the maternal X chromosome. Conclusion:Skewed XCI is a common pathogenic mechanism in MECP2-related RTT, and MECP2 variants may exhibit a maternal origin bias. Clinical evaluation should incorporate XCI status for comprehensive genetic analysis.

Objective:To analyze the safety profile of blinatumomab in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Demographic and clinical data of 33 pediatric B-cell ALL patients treated with blinatumomab in the Women and Children′s Hospital, Qingdao University from January 2022 to November 2024 were retrospectively collected. Demographic data included gender and age, while clinical data comprised leukemia risk stratification, minimal residual disease (MRD) status before blinatumomab use, treatment duration (14-day or 28-day courses), and safety outcomes included drug-related fever, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), tachycardia, blood pressure abnormalities, elevated transaminases, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), oral mucositis, rash, and infections. Patients were stratified by CRS occurrence and transaminase elevation for comparative analysis of demographic/clinical characteristics.Results:A total of 33 children with B-cell type ALL who received blinatumomab treatment were included. Among them, 21 were male and 12 were female; the age was 5.2 (4.7, 7.0) years, ranging from 1.7 to 10.0 years. Risk stratification included low (2 cases), intermediate (23 cases), and high (8 cases) risk. Pre-treatment MRD was negative in 16 and positive in 17 patients. Eight patients received a 14-day blinatumomab course, while 25 cases received a 28-day course. The overall adverse events (AEs) rate was 81.8% (27/33). Among the 27 patients who experienced AEs, there were 5 cases (18.5%) of severe adverse events (all grade 3). The specific adverse events that occurred in the 33 patients included drug-related fever in 21 cases (63.6%) [including 16 cases (48.5%) of CRS], elevated transaminases in 10 cases (30.3%), infectious symptoms in 5 cases (15.2%), rash in 4 cases (12.1%), tachycardia in 3 cases (9.1%), ICANS in 2 cases (6.1%), and oral mucositis in 1 case (3.0%). No statistically significant differences were observed in gender, age, risk stratification, pretreatment MRD status, and treatment duration between the CRS and non-CRS groups, transaminase-elevated and normal groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In pediatric B-cell ALL, the most common AEs related to blinatumomab are CRS and elevated transaminases, but most reactions are mild, with rapid recovery and favorable tolerability.

Objective:To analyze the safety profile of blinatumomab in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Demographic and clinical data of 33 pediatric B-cell ALL patients treated with blinatumomab in the Women and Children′s Hospital, Qingdao University from January 2022 to November 2024 were retrospectively collected. Demographic data included gender and age, while clinical data comprised leukemia risk stratification, minimal residual disease (MRD) status before blinatumomab use, treatment duration (14-day or 28-day courses), and safety outcomes included drug-related fever, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), tachycardia, blood pressure abnormalities, elevated transaminases, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), oral mucositis, rash, and infections. Patients were stratified by CRS occurrence and transaminase elevation for comparative analysis of demographic/clinical characteristics.Results:A total of 33 children with B-cell type ALL who received blinatumomab treatment were included. Among them, 21 were male and 12 were female; the age was 5.2 (4.7, 7.0) years, ranging from 1.7 to 10.0 years. Risk stratification included low (2 cases), intermediate (23 cases), and high (8 cases) risk. Pre-treatment MRD was negative in 16 and positive in 17 patients. Eight patients received a 14-day blinatumomab course, while 25 cases received a 28-day course. The overall adverse events (AEs) rate was 81.8% (27/33). Among the 27 patients who experienced AEs, there were 5 cases (18.5%) of severe adverse events (all grade 3). The specific adverse events that occurred in the 33 patients included drug-related fever in 21 cases (63.6%) [including 16 cases (48.5%) of CRS], elevated transaminases in 10 cases (30.3%), infectious symptoms in 5 cases (15.2%), rash in 4 cases (12.1%), tachycardia in 3 cases (9.1%), ICANS in 2 cases (6.1%), and oral mucositis in 1 case (3.0%). No statistically significant differences were observed in gender, age, risk stratification, pretreatment MRD status, and treatment duration between the CRS and non-CRS groups, transaminase-elevated and normal groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In pediatric B-cell ALL, the most common AEs related to blinatumomab are CRS and elevated transaminases, but most reactions are mild, with rapid recovery and favorable tolerability.

Urothelial carcinoma (UC), including bladder urothelial carcinoma and upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), is the most common malignant tumor in the urinary system. Traditional cell line models fall short in simulating its tumor microenvironment and in vivo behavior. Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models offer a new way to overcome these shortcomings. This paper reviews the construction techniques of PDO models in UC, their biological simulation capabilities, and their applications in preclinical research. It also analyzes the technical limitations of these models. PDO models can retain the histological, genomic, and transcriptomic features of the parent tumor and accurately simulate the tumor microenvironment and biological behavior. They have been widely used in bladder cancer research, providing a precise platform for drug screening, personalized treatment, and immunotherapy evaluation. However, their use in UTUC research is still in its infancy. In the future, through technological optimization, PDO models are expected to enhance their value in UC research, advancing precision medicine research and clinical translation.

Objective:To investigate the dosimetric impact of dwell position spacing in the design of three-dimensional (3D) interstitial brachytherapy plans for cervical cancer, and to provide a reference for selecting dwell spacing in clinical planning.Methods:A total of 15 patients with cervical cancer who underwent 3D interstitial brachytherapy at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital between March 2022 and March 2024 were selected using simple random sampling. For each patient, 10 brachytherapy plans were generated with different dwell position spacings set at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 mm, respectively. Key parameters among different dwell spacings compared included D 90%, V 100%, V 200%, and V 300% for the high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV); D 90% for the intermediate-risk clinical target volume (IRCTV); D 2 cm3 for organs at risk (OARs) (bladder, small intestine, colon, and rectum); and the total dwell time. Statistical analyses were performed using repeated measurement ANOVA or the Friedman test. Results:Among different dwell spacings, there were no statistically significant differences in HRCTV D 90%, HRCTV V 100%, bladder D 2 cm3, and rectum D 2 cm3 among different dwell spacings ( P=0.075, 0.061, 0.480, 0.639). All plans with dwell spacings ≤ 3 mm met clinical dose requirements. When the dwell spacing was set to 1 mm, HRCTV V 200% and V 300% had the smallest mean values, while IRCTV D 90% and total dwell time had the largest mean values; all differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). When the dwell spacing was ≥6 mm, an increase in spacing led to a decrease in mean small intestine D 2 cm3, and total dwell time, but an increase in HRCTV V 200% and a decrease in IRCTV D 90%, with statistically significant differences compared to spacings of 1-4 mm ( P<0.05). When the dwell spacing was ≥8 mm, the median colon D 2 cm3 decreased, with statistically significant differences compared to spacings of 1-3 mm ( P<0.05). Conclusions:For 3D interstitial brachytherapy planning in cervical cancer, dwell position spacings ≤ 3 mm can meet clinical dose requirements, with 1 mm providing optimal target coverage. Spacings ≥6 mm / ≥8 mm can reduce radiation dose to the small intestine and colon, respectively, while also shortening dwell time.

Urothelial carcinoma (UC), including bladder urothelial carcinoma and upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), is the most common malignant tumor in the urinary system. Traditional cell line models fall short in simulating its tumor microenvironment and in vivo behavior. Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models offer a new way to overcome these shortcomings. This paper reviews the construction techniques of PDO models in UC, their biological simulation capabilities, and their applications in preclinical research. It also analyzes the technical limitations of these models. PDO models can retain the histological, genomic, and transcriptomic features of the parent tumor and accurately simulate the tumor microenvironment and biological behavior. They have been widely used in bladder cancer research, providing a precise platform for drug screening, personalized treatment, and immunotherapy evaluation. However, their use in UTUC research is still in its infancy. In the future, through technological optimization, PDO models are expected to enhance their value in UC research, advancing precision medicine research and clinical translation.