Objective:To explore the high-risk factors affecting the severity of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Methods:This study involved 153 NEC patients admitted to the Neonatology Department of the Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2017, to December 30, 2023. Based on the severity of NEC determined by Bell's criteria, these patients were divided into two groups: mild group (Bell stage Ⅱ, n=70) and severe group (Bell stage Ⅲ, n=83). Clinical data including general conditions, clinical treatment and disease status before the onset of NEC, laboratory test results, and perinatal conditions of the mothers were retrospectively collected. Univariate analysis (rank-sum test and Chi-square test) and multivariate analysis (logistic regression analysis) were used to explore the risk factors affecting the severity of NEC. Results:The proportion of infants with gestational age<37 weeks or birth weight<1 500 g, the rate of antibiotic usage, sepsis or shock were higher in the severe group than in the mild group [91.6% (76/83) vs. 75.7% (53/70); 55.4% (46/83) vs. 34.3% (24/70); 85.5% (71/83) vs. 71.4% (50/70); 55.4% (46/83) vs. 17.1% (12/70); 30.1% (25/83) vs. 8.6% (6/70); with χ 2 values of 7.22, 6.84, 4.57, 23.64, and 10.91, respectively, all P<0.05]. Furthermore, the severe group had a late initiation of breastfeeding and longer durations of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement and parenteral nutrition [2.00 d (1.00-2.00 d) vs. 1.00 d (1.00-2.00 d); 0.00 d (0.00-18.00 d) vs. 0.00 d (0.00-7.50 d); 14.00 d (5.00-21.00 d) vs. 10.50 d (0.00-18.25 d), with Z values of -2.90, -1.98, and -2.09, respectively, all P<0.05]. (2) Within 48 h before the onset, the severe group had higher proportions of infants with decreased white blood cell count, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis than the mild group [53.0% (44/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70); 49.4% (41/83) vs. 10.0% (7/70); 38.6% (32/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70); 37.3% (31/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70), with χ2 values of 24.94, 27.38, 11.23, and 10.30, respectively, all P<0.05]. Besides, the levels of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein were higher in the severe group than in the mild group [2.31 ng/ml (0.26-11.71 ng/ml) vs. 0.22 ng/ml (0.00-2.19 ng/ml); 58.50 mg/L (14.34-125.25 mg/L) vs. 8.20 mg/L (0.23-34.56 mg/L), with Z values of -3.88 and -5.02, respectively, both P<0.05]. (3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged duration of PICC placement, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis, and concurrent sepsis were independent risk factors affecting the severity of NEC [ OR (95% CI) values were 1.104 (1.020-1.196), 5.364 (1.667-17.253), 4.047 (1.171-13.986), 4.333 (1.290-14.556), and 3.290 (1.005-10.774), respectively, with all P<0.05]. Conclusions:Prolonged duration of PICC placement, concurrent sepsis, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis in NEC patients are more likely to lead to severe cases. In clinical practice, attention should be paid to relevant indicators, and abnormal changes should be identified and intervened in a timely manner to reduce the occurrence of severe NEC.

Objective:To explore the high-risk factors affecting the severity of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Methods:This study involved 153 NEC patients admitted to the Neonatology Department of the Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2017, to December 30, 2023. Based on the severity of NEC determined by Bell's criteria, these patients were divided into two groups: mild group (Bell stage Ⅱ, n=70) and severe group (Bell stage Ⅲ, n=83). Clinical data including general conditions, clinical treatment and disease status before the onset of NEC, laboratory test results, and perinatal conditions of the mothers were retrospectively collected. Univariate analysis (rank-sum test and Chi-square test) and multivariate analysis (logistic regression analysis) were used to explore the risk factors affecting the severity of NEC. Results:The proportion of infants with gestational age<37 weeks or birth weight<1 500 g, the rate of antibiotic usage, sepsis or shock were higher in the severe group than in the mild group [91.6% (76/83) vs. 75.7% (53/70); 55.4% (46/83) vs. 34.3% (24/70); 85.5% (71/83) vs. 71.4% (50/70); 55.4% (46/83) vs. 17.1% (12/70); 30.1% (25/83) vs. 8.6% (6/70); with χ 2 values of 7.22, 6.84, 4.57, 23.64, and 10.91, respectively, all P<0.05]. Furthermore, the severe group had a late initiation of breastfeeding and longer durations of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement and parenteral nutrition [2.00 d (1.00-2.00 d) vs. 1.00 d (1.00-2.00 d); 0.00 d (0.00-18.00 d) vs. 0.00 d (0.00-7.50 d); 14.00 d (5.00-21.00 d) vs. 10.50 d (0.00-18.25 d), with Z values of -2.90, -1.98, and -2.09, respectively, all P<0.05]. (2) Within 48 h before the onset, the severe group had higher proportions of infants with decreased white blood cell count, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis than the mild group [53.0% (44/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70); 49.4% (41/83) vs. 10.0% (7/70); 38.6% (32/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70); 37.3% (31/83) vs. 14.3% (10/70), with χ2 values of 24.94, 27.38, 11.23, and 10.30, respectively, all P<0.05]. Besides, the levels of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein were higher in the severe group than in the mild group [2.31 ng/ml (0.26-11.71 ng/ml) vs. 0.22 ng/ml (0.00-2.19 ng/ml); 58.50 mg/L (14.34-125.25 mg/L) vs. 8.20 mg/L (0.23-34.56 mg/L), with Z values of -3.88 and -5.02, respectively, both P<0.05]. (3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged duration of PICC placement, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis, and concurrent sepsis were independent risk factors affecting the severity of NEC [ OR (95% CI) values were 1.104 (1.020-1.196), 5.364 (1.667-17.253), 4.047 (1.171-13.986), 4.333 (1.290-14.556), and 3.290 (1.005-10.774), respectively, with all P<0.05]. Conclusions:Prolonged duration of PICC placement, concurrent sepsis, decreased platelet count, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis in NEC patients are more likely to lead to severe cases. In clinical practice, attention should be paid to relevant indicators, and abnormal changes should be identified and intervened in a timely manner to reduce the occurrence of severe NEC.

Objective:To isolate and identify SARS-CoV-2 epidemic strains and analyze the sequence characteristics of the virus strains following serial passages.Methods:Eleven nasopharyngeal swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2 antigen were collected from December 2022. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid, and positive specimens were inoculated onto Vero cells for virus isolation. The isolated strains were identified by Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay. The morphology of the isolated strains was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Nucleic acid was extracted from the isolates and passaged viruses for further sequencing and analysis.Results:All 11 specimens tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using quantitative real-time PCR. SARS-CoV-2 strains were successfully isolated from seven specimens, and could be adaptively cultured, passaged, and expanded on Vero cells, achieving a peak titer exceeding 10 6.25 50% cell culture infectious dose (CCID 50)/ml. Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence results showed that the isolates could be specifically recognized by monoclonal antibodies and convalescent serum against SARS-CoV-2. Transmission electron microscopy revealed oval-shaped viral particles with diameters of approximately 100 nm. Next-generation sequencing of the viral isolates demonstrated a sequence homology greater than 99.50% with the Wuhan-Hu-1 reference strain (NC_045512) and 99.98% among the seven isolated strains, and all of the isolates belonged to the Omicron BF.7 variant. Sequence analysis after continuous passage and plaque purification of the BJ-NVSI-20230005 isolate showed that compared with passages 1-3, passages 4-6 had one nucleotide site mutation (C→T) in the ORF1ab gene and a deletion of 3 bp in the E gene, which resulted in a change from leucine to phenylalanine and the deletion of valine, respectively. Polymorphisms were observed in the sequences of plaque-purified clones. Conclusions:The seven successfully isolated SARS-CoV-2 strains all belong to the SARS-CoV-2 BF.7 variant, which is consistent with the prevalence trend in mainland China in December 2022.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic pathogenesis of X-linked agammaglobulinemia in two patients for clinical diagnosis and family counseling. METHODS: Data was collected from the patients' family including clinical information, blood immunoglobulin level, as well as classification and subgrouping of B lymphocytes. Gene mutations were screened by whole exome sequencing (WES) through next-generation sequencing (NGS), the result was verified with Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: A BTK c.1627T>C (p.Ser543Pro) variant was found in the pedigree. The phenotype and variant have co-segregated in the pedigree. The variant was not found in population database. The variant has affected in the kinase domain which contained no benign variants and is harmful as predicted through bioinformatic analysis. CONCLUSION BTK c.1627T>C (p.Ser543Pro) is a pathogenic variant contributing to X-linked agammaglobulinemia in this pedigree. Above finding has provided reproduction guidance for this family.
Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase/genetics* ; Agammaglobulinemia/genetics* ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree

Objective:To investigate the application value of Jinfeng pill combined with long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).Methods:A retrospective analysis of 220 cases of FET in the Department of Reproductive Medicine, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University during January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 was performed. All cases were divided into Jinfeng pill combined with long-acting GnRH-a group (experimental group, n=102) and long-acting GnRH-a group (control group, n=118) according to whether the endometrium was prepared in combination with Jinfeng pill or not. The general data, embryo resuscitation rate, number of transplanted embryos, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, endometrial proliferation time, serum estradiol level on the day of endometrial transformation and endometrial thickness on the day of endometrial transformation were compared between the two groups. Results:Compared with control group, the experimental group had a shorter endometrial proliferation time [(14.03±3.39) d vs. (16.40±1.45) d, P<0.001], and the serum estradiol level was higher [(347.67±26.78) ng/L vs. (259.57±24.78) ng/L, P<0.001]. The endometrium on the endometrial transformation was thicker [(11.89±1.57) mm vs. (9.69±0.85) mm, P<0.001], the difference was statistically significant. The embryo implantation rate and the clinical pregnancy rate in experimental group were higher than those in control group (32.66% vs. 31.70%; 53.92% vs. 50.85%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in age, infertility duration, primary infertility ratio, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), body mass index (BMI), number of thawing, embryo resuscitation rate, number of transplanted embryos, and multiple pregnancy rates between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Jinfeng pill combined with long-effect GnRH-a can improve the pregnancy outcome of FET.

Objective:To investigate the application value of Jinfeng pill combined with long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).Methods:A retrospective analysis of 220 cases of FET in the Department of Reproductive Medicine, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University during January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 was performed. All cases were divided into Jinfeng pill combined with long-acting GnRH-a group (experimental group, n=102) and long-acting GnRH-a group (control group, n=118) according to whether the endometrium was prepared in combination with Jinfeng pill or not. The general data, embryo resuscitation rate, number of transplanted embryos, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, endometrial proliferation time, serum estradiol level on the day of endometrial transformation and endometrial thickness on the day of endometrial transformation were compared between the two groups. Results:Compared with control group, the experimental group had a shorter endometrial proliferation time [(14.03±3.39) d vs. (16.40±1.45) d, P<0.001], and the serum estradiol level was higher [(347.67±26.78) ng/L vs. (259.57±24.78) ng/L, P<0.001]. The endometrium on the endometrial transformation was thicker [(11.89±1.57) mm vs. (9.69±0.85) mm, P<0.001], the difference was statistically significant. The embryo implantation rate and the clinical pregnancy rate in experimental group were higher than those in control group (32.66% vs. 31.70%; 53.92% vs. 50.85%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in age, infertility duration, primary infertility ratio, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), body mass index (BMI), number of thawing, embryo resuscitation rate, number of transplanted embryos, and multiple pregnancy rates between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Jinfeng pill combined with long-effect GnRH-a can improve the pregnancy outcome of FET.

Objective ToexploretheMRIfeaturesofgrowthhormonedeficiency(GHD)inchildrenwithshortstaturecausedby pituitarylesions,inordertoimprovethediagnosticlevelofthesediseases.Methods MRIandclinicaldataof624patientsofGHD withshortstaturecausedbypituitarylesionswereretrospectivelyanalyzed.Results Inshortstaturecausedbypituitarylesions,there were383caseswithanteriorpituitarydysplasia(61.4%);49casesofpituitarystalkinterruptionsyndrome(PSIS)(7.9%);16cases ofpituitaryhyperplasiaduetoprimaryhypothyroidism (2.6%);41casesofRathkecleftcyst(6.6%);74casesofemptysellasyndrome(11.9%);17 casesofpituitaryinvasionbyLangerhanscellhistiocytosis(2.7%);2casesofsellarregionalarachnoidcyst(0.3%);and42casesof craniopharyngioma(6.7%).MRIshowedtheheightofanteriorpituitarywaslessthannormal,andthelocation,sizeandsignalsof posteriorpituitaryandpituitarystalkwerenormalinanteriorpituitarydysplasia.Noorthinpituitarystalk,anteriorpituitaryhypoplasiawith ectopicposteriorpituitarywereseeninPSIS.Allofthepituitaryhyperplasiawerecausedbyhypothyroidism,inwhich MRIshowed anteriorpituitaryenlargement,upwardapophysis,obvioushomogeneousenhancement,nopituitarystalkinterruptionandabnormal signal,andthepituitaryglandreducinginsizeafterreplacementtherapy.Stalkhypophysialwasthickeningtogetherwithadisappearanceof hyperintenseoftheposteriorlobeofpituitaryglandonT1,andthesizeandsignalsofanteriorpituitarywerenormalinpituitarybeing invadedbyLangerhanscellhistiocytosis.AtrophyofanteriorpituitarywasseeninRathkecleftcyst,emptysellasyndrome,sellarregionalarachnoid cystandcraniopharyngioma.Conclusion MRIcanclearlyshowtheanatomyofpituitaryandsellarregion,whichcanprovideamorphological referencefortheearlydiagnosisanddifferentialdiagnosisofGHDinchildrenwithshortstaturecausedbypituitarylesions,andisof clinicallyimportantfortreatmentandprognosis.

One severely burned patient, caused by heat lead slag and combined with shock, was hospitalized in our burn unit on 2nd June, 2016. The patient received treatments including anti-shock, intensive care, anti-infection, and organ protection. On post injury day 16, the patient suffered outbreak of acute hemorrhagic necrotizing enteritis after eating dumplings. Plasma and albumin were given, octreotide was intravenously infused to inhibit the secretion of intestinal fluid, the broad-spectrum antibiotics were used for anti-infection, abdominal puncture and drainage were performed, sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate was applied to improve the intestinal microcirculation, ulinastatin was applied to alleviate inflammatory reaction, somatostatin was given to reduce intestinal bleeding, and voriconazole was given for antifungal treatment. The patient gradually recovered and was finally cured and discharged. Among critically ill patients, gastrointestinal tract is not only the initiating organ of sepsis, but also one of the target organs which can be easily damaged during sepsis. This case reminds us the importance of gastrointestinal management in severely burned patients.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect and advantage of endovascular sclerotherapy of venous malformations in oral region using absolute ethanol under the guide of DSA.Methods The clinical data of 78 patients with venous malformation in oral region, who were indicated for ethanol sclerotherapy under DSA was retrospectively reviewed.Type classification of venous malformations was confirmed by using DSA subtraction technique during intraoperative puncture.Under general anesthesia,the malformations were punctured and then sclerosed with absolute ethanol by DSA guidance.The treatment was gone every other month,2 -6 times as a course.The length of the course of treatment depended on the type of venous malformations.Complications were also reported and analyzed. The duration of follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months.Results Postoperative MRI showed,32 cases were cured,35 cases were significantly improved,8 cases were improved and 3 cases were invalid.There were no serious systemic complications in all cases,only 4 cases with reversible local necrosis and vesiculation.Conclusion Sclerotherapy of oral venous malformations using absolute ethanol,for its less trauma,no scar after operation,strong repeatability and exact effect,which is worthy of clinical popularization and application.

Objective To explore the clinical value of sagittal CT scan in the diagnosis of congenital esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula(CEA-TEF).Methods Sagittal CT scanning was performed in 1 7 neonates with clinically suspected CEA-TEF preoperatively. Post-processing methods included multiple planar reconstruction(MPR)and volume rendering(VR).The CT manifestations were compared with the surgical findings.Paired-samples t test and Kappa identity analysis were used to analyze the consistency between two esophageal pouches and position of fistula.Results Among 1 7 cases,sagittal CT images clearly showed the distance between two esophageal pouches and position of fistula.Based on Gross classification,2 cases were included in type ⅢA(11.8%),and 15 cases in type ⅢB(88.2%).The results were satisfactory with the surgical findings with 100% accuracy.The distance between two esophageal pouches determined by VR and MPR had no remarkable differences(t=0.991,P>0.05).The position of fistula determined by VR and MPR had high consistency with the surgical findings (Kappa≥0.75).Conclusion Sagittal CT scanning can significantly limit scanning range and reduce the radiation dose as well as improve image quality,and accurately display and assess the distance between two esophageal pouches and position of fistula in CEA-TEF.It has important application value in diagnosing CEA-TEF in neonates.