Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To investigate the neurodevelopmental characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD),analyze the correlation between neurodevelopmental indicators and cerebral blood flow(CBF),and explore the potential mechanisms of neurodevelopment in ASD children.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 145 children aged 2-6 years with newly-diagnosed ASD.Scores from the Gesell Developmental Diagnosis Scale and the Autism Behavior Checklist(ABC)and CBF results were collected to compare gender differences in the development of children with ASD and analyze the correlation between CBF and neurodevelopmental indicators.Results Fine motor and personal-social development quotient in boys with ASD were lower than those in girls with ASD(P<0.05).Gross motor development quotient in ASD children was negatively correlated with CBF in the left frontal lobe(r=-0.200,P=0.016),right frontal lobe(r=-0.279,P=0.001),left parietal lobe(r=-0.208,P=0.012),and right parietal lobe(r=-0.187,P=0.025).The total ABC score was positively correlated with CBF in the left amygdala(r=0.295,P<0.001).Conclusions Early intervention training should pay attention to gender and developmental structural characteristics for precise intervention in ASD children.CBF has the potential to become a biological marker for assessing the severity of ASD.

Aim To investigate the effect of benzyl iso-thiocyanate (BITC) on the proliferation of mouse U14 cervical cancer cells and to explore the mechanism of cytotoxicity based on transcriptomic data analysis. Methods The effect of BITC on U14 cell activity was detected by MTT, nuclear morphological changes were observed by Hochest 33258 and fluorescent inverted microscope, cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry, and the transcriptome database of U14 cells before and after BITC (20 μmol · L

With the increasing application of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICI)in anti-tumor therapy,ICI related infections are often neglected.Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)is also a common pathogen.We reported a case of ICI related pulmonary tuberculosis from Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University.Meanwhile,18 cases of ICI related tuberculosis infection were collected through literature search,and the characteristics of ICI related tuberculosis were analyzed to improve the understanding in clinic practice.All the cases were confirmed TB including 15 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis(1 case with complication of intestinal tuberculosis)and 4 cases of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis(1 case of disseminated tuberculosis,bone tuberculosis,tuberculous pericarditis and tuberculous pleurisy,respectively).The chest CT characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis mainly included centrilobular nodules,ground glass nodules,empty lesions,patchy shadows,consolidation and large infiltration.Eighteen cases started anti-tuberculosis treatment,while 4 cases continued ICI treatment.Three cases suspended ICI(2 cases had remission after reuse)and 11 cases stopped ICI,and 1 case was not mentioned.ICI related tuberculosis may be a direct complication of tumor immunotherapy.It is necessary to screen tuberculosis infection and exclude active tuberculosis before immunotherapy.If there are suspected symptoms such as fever,cough and sputum during ICI treatment,active tuberculosis should be taken into account.

Objective To explore whether the cognitive function of central obese mice is decreased by affecting the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in hippocampus.Methods Healthy mice at the neonatal stage were divided into normal group and model group at random.To obtain the obese models,model group mice were injected at cervical subcutaneous with 10％L-monosodium glutamate(MSG;3 mg·g-1·d-1)for 5 days.The normal group was injected with the same dose of 0.9％NaCl.In addition,mice were removed according to the requirements.Finally,we got 8 mice in each group.The following parameters were compared:body weight,Lee's index and levels of the serum lipid.The BDNF expression levels in hippocampal tissue were measured using western blotting.Results At the 8th weekend,the body weight of the model and normal groups was(49.01±2.47)and(41.27±3.28)g;the Lee's indexes were(357.14±9.24)and(330.15±7.37)g1/3·cm-1;triglyceride levels were(1.37±0.52)and(0.73±0.31)mmol·L-1;total cholesterol levels were(2.98±0.18)and(1.98±0.30)mmol·L-1;low-density lipoprotein levels were(0.31±0.03)and(0.24±0.02)mmol·L-1;high-density lipoprotein levels were(2.70±0.15)and(1.98±0.40)mmol·L-1;the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),which were consistent with the characteristics of the central obesity model.The BDNF protein expression levels in the hippocampus of the model and normal groups were 6.02 x 104±626.53 and 7.04 x 104±1 440.81,which has statistically significant(P＜0.01).Conclusion The cognitive function of central obese mice may be decreased by down-regulating the expression of BDNF in hippocampus.

Objective To deeply explore the principles of drug combinations in the treatment of vitiligo by traditional Chinese medicine master XUAN Guo-Wei by data mining technology,and to analyze the potential mechanism of action of the core drug pairs by network pharmacology.Methods The original case records of Professor XUAN Guo-Wei in treating vitiligo were compiled,and then TCM inheritance Computing Platform was used to analyze the frequency of drugs in the prescriptions,the association rules between drugs,and the core combinations of drugs by the association rule method,and the core drug pairs of Professor XUAN Guo-Wei's treatment of vitiligo were obtained based on the results of the data mining,additionally,the mechanism of the core pairs of drugs was analyzed by using the method of network pharmacology.Results A total of 243 prescriptions were collected,among which the high-frequency drugs were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Tribuli Fructus,Ecliptae Herba,Cuscutae Semen,Scrophulariae Radix,Angelicae Dahuricae Radix,etc.,and the core pair was Tribuli Fructus-Ecliptae Herba.The main components of Tribuli Fructus-Ecliptae Herba for the treatment of vitiligo were quercetin,kaempferol,etc.,there were 47 targets for the intersection of the active ingredients with the disease,among which TP53,TNF,IL-1β,CASP3,VEGFA,PTGS2,IL10,IL2,IFNG,and IL4 may be the core targets for the treatment of vitiligo by Tribuli Fructus-Ecliptae Herba.The main pathways of Tribuli Fructus-Ecliptae Herba drug pairs against the disease were PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,NF-κB signaling pathway,JAK-STAT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway.Conclusion The core drug pair of Professor XUAN Guo-Wei in the treatment of vitiligo is Tribuli Fructus-Ecliptae Herba,which involves targets such as TP53,TNF,IL-1β,CASP3,VEGFA,PTGS2,IL10,IL2,IFNG,IL4,etc.,Tribuli Fructus-Ecliptae Herba drug pair maybe exert an effect in the treatment of vitiligo through PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,NF-κB signaling pathway,JAK-STAT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the incidence and mortality of malignant tumors among the middle-aged and elderly population in Chengguan district of Lanzhou from 2011 to 2021,and to discuss the related risk factors.Methods Using the research data of REACTION in Lanzhou,an epidemiological survey was conducted through cluster sampling in three communities in Chengguan district of Lanzhou since April 2011.The target population was middle-aged and elderly residents over 40 years old.Two follow-up surveys were carried out in 2014-2016 and 2021 successively,and 6543 people with complete follow-up data were finally included.The incidence and mortality rates of malignant tumors were calculated,as well as their age standardized rates with reference to the age composition of Segi's world standard population.Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors affecting the incidence and mortality of malignant tumors.Results After an average follow-up of 10.6 years,314 new cases of malignant tumors were found in middle-aged and elderly residents in Chengguan district of Lanzhou,with an incidence rate and age standardized incidence rate of 454.30/100 000 and 128.93/100 000,respectively.A total of 158 deaths were attributed to malignant tumors,with a mortality rate and age standardized rate of 228.41/100 000 and 607.9/100 000,respectively;The age standardized incidence rate and mortality rate of malignant tumors males were both higher than those females(P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,the age standardized incidence rate of malignant tumors in the general population showed an significant upward trend(P＜0.05),whereas the age standardized mortality rate gradually decreased after a brief increase(P＜0.05).Lung cancer,colorectal cancer,gastric cancer,and liver cancer were the main types of malignant tumors ranking in the top five in terms of incidence and mortality by gender.Multivariate Cox regression results indicate that male,age≥60 years old,college education level or above,smoking history,drinking history,having been hit by major stressful events,central obesity,hypertension,and coronary heart disease are risk factors for the onset or death of malignant tumors(HR＞1).Married,with family size≥4,frequent consumption of fresh fruit,frequent consumption of fresh vegetables,frequent consumption of grains and tubers are protective factors for the onset or death of malignant tumors(HR＜1).Conclusion The incidence of malignant tumors among middle-aged and elderly people in Chengguan district of Lanzhou from 2011 to 2021 showed an increasing trend,while the overall mortality was decreasing.Our study indicates early cancer screening in elderly populations,maintaining a healthy lifestyle and strengthening the management of chronic diseases are crucial for the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the impact of iodine-rich processed foods and dining places on the iodine nutritional status of children. METHODS: School-aged children (SAC) in seven provinces in China were selected by school-based multi-stage sampling. Urinary iodine, salt iodine, and thyroid volume (TVOL) were determined. Questionnaires were used to investigate dining places and iodine-rich processed foods. The water iodine was from the 2017 national survey. Multi-factor regression analysis was used to find correlations between variables. RESULTS: Children ate 78.7% of their meals at home, 15.1% at school canteens, and 6.1% at other places. The percentage of daily iodine intake from water, iodized salt, iodine-rich processed foods, and cooked food were 1.0%, 79.2%, 1.5%, and 18.4%, respectively. The salt iodine was correlated with the urinary iodine and TVOL, respectively (r = 0.999 and -0.997, P < 0.05). The iodine intake in processed foods was weakly correlated with the TVOL (r = 0.080, P < 0.01). Non-iodized salt used in processed foods or diets when eating out had less effect on children's iodine nutrition status. CONCLUSION Iodized salt remains the primary source of daily iodine intake of SAC, and processed food has less effect on iodine nutrition. Therefore, for children, iodized salt should be a compulsory supplement in their routine diet.
Humans ; Child ; Nutritional Status ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Iodine ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary/analysis* ; China ; Water

By investigating the contamination status and predicting the exposure risk of mycotoxin in Coicis Semen, we aim to provide guidance for the safety supervision of Chinese medicinal materials and the formulation(revision) of mycotoxin limit standards. The content of 14 mycotoxins in the 100 Coicis Semen samples collected from five major markets of Chinese medicinal materials in China was determined by UPLC-MS/MS. The probability evaluation model based on Monte Carlo simulation method was established after Chi-square test and One-way ANOVA of the sample contamination data. Health risk assessment was performed on the basis of margin of exposure(MOE) and margin of safety(MOS). The results showed that zearalenone(ZEN), aflatoxin B_1(AFB_1), deoxynivalenol(DON), sterigmatocystin(ST), and aflatoxin B_2(AFB_2) in the Coicis Semen samples had the detection rates of 84%, 75%, 36%, 19%, and 18%, and the mean contamination levels of 117.42, 4.78, 61.16, 6.61, and 2.13 μg·kg~(-1), respectively. According to the limit standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), AFB_1, AFs and ZEN exceeded the standards to certain extents, with the over-standard rates of 12.0%, 9.0%, and 6.0%, respectively. The exposure risks of Coicis Semen to AFB_1, AFB2, ST, DON, and ZEN were low, while 86% of the samples were contaminated with two or more toxins, which needs more attention. It is suggested that the research on the combined toxicity of different mycotoxins should be strengthened to accelerate the cumulative exposure assessment of mixed contaminations and the formulation(revision) of toxin limit standards.
Humans ; Mycotoxins/analysis* ; Coix ; Aflatoxin B1/analysis* ; Chromatography, Liquid/methods* ; Food Contamination/analysis* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution and drug resistance of pathogens in oral mucositis associated with chemotherapy in hospitalized patients with malignant hematopathy, so as to provide scientific evidences for rational selection of antibiotics and infection prevention and control. METHODS: From July 2020 to June 2022, 167 patients with malignant hematopathy were treated with chemical drugs in the Department of Hematology, Hainan Hospital, and secretions from oral mucosal infected wounds were collected. VITEK2 COMPECT automatic microbial identification system (BioMerieux, France) and bacterial susceptibility card (BioMerieux) were used for bacterial identification and drug susceptibility tests. RESULTS: A total of 352 strains of pathogens were isolated from 167 patients, among which 220 strains of Gram-positive bacteria, 118 strains of Gram-negative bacteria and 14 strains of fungi, accounted for 62.50%, 33.52% and 3.98%, respectively. The Gram-positive bacteria was mainly Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, while Gram-negative bacteria was mainly Klebsiella and Proteus. The resistance of main Gram-positive bacteria to vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin was low, and the resistance to penicillin, cefuroxime, ampicillin, cefotaxime, erythromycin and levofloxacin was high. The main Gram-negative bacteria had low resistance to gentamicin, imipenem and penicillin, but high resistance to levofloxacin, cefotaxime, cefuroxime, ampicillin and vancomycin. The clinical data of oral mucositis patients with oral ulcer (severe) and without oral ulcer (mild) were compared, and it was found that there were statistically significant differences in poor oral hygiene, diabetes, sleep duration less than 8 hours per night between two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Gram-positive bacteria is the main pathogen of oral mucositis in patients with malignant hematopathy after chemotherapy. It is sensitive to glycopeptide antibiotics and aminoglycosides antibiotics. Poor oral hygiene, diabetes and sleep duration less than 8 hours per night are risk factors for oral mucositis with oral ulcer (severe).
Humans ; Vancomycin/therapeutic use* ; Cefuroxime ; Levofloxacin ; Oral Ulcer/drug therapy* ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Ampicillin ; Penicillins ; Cefotaxime ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Gentamicins ; Stomatitis/drug therapy*