Objective:To study the clinical features and treatment strategy of neonatal ureaplasma meningitis.Methods:During 2021, the clinical data of 2 neonates with ureaplasma meningitis treated in Children's Hospital of Hunan Province were retrospectively analyzed. Literature on this subject were searched in the following databases: CNKI, Wanfang Database, Chinese Medical Journal Full-Text Database, CQVIP database, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science (up to March 2022). The key words included “infant”, “neonate”, “newborn”, “ureaplasma”, “mycoplasma urealytium”, “meningitis”, “central nervous system infection”, “brain”. The clinical data, treatment and prognosis of patients from the literature were summarized.Results:Case 1, female, gestational age(GA) 33 +3 weeks, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and ventricular dilatation were found on 2 d after birth. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) routine and biochemistry tests indicated meningitis, but the CSF culture was negative. No improvement after antibiotic treatment. CSF metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and 23S rRNA showed Ureaplasma urealyticum on 30 d after birth. The patient was treated with doxycycline (DOX) for 21 d until mNGS turned negative and DOX was discontinued. However, the disease recurred 23 d later and erythromycin was added with DOX as combined therapy. The patient was followed up until 6 months without neurodevelopmental disabilities. Case 2, male, GA 26 weeks, ICH and ventricular dilatation were found on 10 d after birth. The CSF routine and biochemistry tests indicated meningitis, but the CSF culture was negative. No improvement after antibiotic treatment. CSF mNGS and 23S rRNA showed Ureaplasma parvum. The patient received erythromycin therapy for 32 d and had normal neurodevelopment at 5 months. According to the literature, 43 cases were reported including the 2 cases descirbed above, 17 cases were full-term infants and 26 cases were preterm infants. The median CSF leukocytes, glucose and proteins were 566 cells/mm 3, 0.2 mmol/L and 2.2 g/L. 27 cases were diagnosed based on CSF culture, 6 cases using mNGS, 4 cases with both CSF culture and PCR method and 6 cases with other methods. Macrolides alone were used in 14 cases, macrolides combined with another antibiotic were used in 8 cases, non-macrolide antibiotics were used in 9 cases and 12 cases didn't receive any anti-ureaplasma therapy. All 17 term infants survived, however, 8 cases with hydrocephalus. Among the 26 preterm infants, 8 patients died, 18 patients had periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage and 15 patients had hydrocephalus. Conclusions:Neonatal ureaplasma meningitis has significantly lower CSF glucose level with hydrocephalus as the common complication. For intracranial infections of unknown etiology and no response to treatment, mNGS is helpful in determining the pathogen.Neonatal ureaplasma meningitis should be treated with macrolides alone or as add-on therapy.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of intravenous infusion of lidocaine on the efficacy of conventional treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:Forty-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis of either sex, aged 32-85 yr, weighing 40-76 kg, who were admitted to the Department of Pain and Nephrology in our hospital from September 2019 to September 2020, were divided into 2 groups ( n=22 each) according to the random number table method: control group (C group) and lidocaine group (L group). Both groups received conventional treatment.When visual analogue scale (VAS) score ≥5, glucocorticoid (GC) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were taken orally to maintain the VAS score ≤4.In group L, 0.2% lidocaine hydrochloride injection 3 mg/kg (diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride injection 500 ml) was intravenously infused at a rate of 25 ml/h for 2 h, once a day, for 5 consecutive days, based on the conventional treatment.The VAS score, 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28 score), simplified disease activity index score (SDAI score), consumption of GC and NSAIDs and adverse reactions were recorded before treatment (T 1) and at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment (T 2-4). The temperature of the pain area of the affected joint was evaluated through infrared thermal imaging at T 1 and T 2. Results:Compared with the baseline at T 1, VAS score, DAS28 score and SDAI score were significantly decreased at each time point, and the temperature of the pain area of the affected joint at T 2 was decreased in the two groups ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in VAS score, DAS28 score and SDAI score at each time point between two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the consumption of GC and NSAIDs was significantly decreased, and the temperature of the pain area of the dorsum of both hands and the dorsum of right foot at T 2 and incidence of adverse reactions were decreased in group L ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Intravenous infusion of lidocaine can optimize the efficacy of conventional treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective:To develop a self-made plasma quality control material for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and evaluate its performance.Methods:139 NIPT-negative maternal plasmas stored in the genetic department of Shaoxing maternal and child health hospital from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021 were divided into male groups (19 cases) and female groups (120 cases) according to the neonatal gender. 9360 cases from September 2020 to September 2021 were enrolled as clinical validation cases.First step, 200 μl plasma from a 47 years-old non-pregnant healthy women was used as a matrix. Different amounts (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 2.5, and 5 μl) of positive DNA from fetal chromosome aneuploidy (T21, T18, T13) detection kit were added. The appropriate volume of positive DNA was 0.5 μl according to the test results. Second step,Plasma in male and female group was treated as matrix. 0.5 μl positive DNA was added per 205 μl. Plasma matrix from female group showed good repeatability and the sensitivity was 100%.Third step, evaluate the self-made plasma quality control material, including storage stability, matrix uniformity and repeatability, and the effect of different batch numbers of positive DNA, by calculating Z score and the CV of fetal DNA concentration (FF).Results:Plasma matrix from female group showed good repeatability and the sensitivity was 100%, while the sensitivity of male group was only 84%. The CV of FF in female matrix was 3.9% in the repetitive experiments. After adding 0.5 μl positive DNA, the mean FF of self-made positive plasma quality control was 5.63%±0.42%, Z values>6, and the CV was 7% after storage of three months. Considering the concentration variation of positive DNA in different lots, 1 μl of positive DNA should be added when the FF of positive DNA is lower than 10%.Used in 9360 clinical cases from September 2020 to September 2021, all positive plasma quality control materials showed positive results, and the positive predictive value of trisomy 21 was 100%.Conclusions:The NIPT self-made positive plasma quality control material has been successfully developed in this study. The preliminary experimental results show that it has good repeatability and stability, which is suitable for clinical application.

Objective:To investigate the clinical practice of Chinese respiratory therapists (RTs) participating in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and summarize the experience and role of RTs in the treatment of pandemic infectious diseases.Methods:A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the RTs who treated COVID-19 patients in 31 provinces, cities and autonomous regions in China. The survey questionnaire included the basic work of RTs, the specific work of the treatment for COVID-19 patients and problems encountered at work.Results:A total of 126 questionnaires were issued and 40 valid questionnaires were collected from RTs who treated COVID-19 patients at 22 COVID-19 designated hospitals in 8 provinces and municipalities. This included 7 hospitals in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic. In their medical team, RTs accounted for 2.9% (1.5%, 6.7%) of medical staff, the working experience of the RTs was about (6.2±5.4) years, the ratio of RTs to beds was about 1∶11 (1∶5, 1∶26), and 85.0% (34/40) of RTs were transferred from other hospitals. 97.5% (39/40) of RTs were involved in formulating individual respiratory care strategies in their medical teams, and they were all involved in the evaluation of respiratory care and decision-making as well as the early identification of deterioration of respiratory function. All RTs [100% (40/40)] indicated that they would actively monitor patients' respiratory status, increase the means and frequency of the monitoring, implement standardized oxygen therapy, prevent ventilator-associated lung injury (VALI), and standardize the management of artificial airway. However, less than 50% of RTs had carried out stress and strain, transpulmonary pressure, partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO 2), end-expiratory lung volume, electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and other respiratory function monitoring. 85% of RTs conducted training and education related to respiratory care and formulated relevant standard operating procedures for their medical teams. More than 90% of RTs led the implementation of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC), pulmonary protective mechanical ventilation, prone ventilation, pulmonary rehabilitation, airway management, transfer of critical patients, and other respiratory treatment. Conclusions:RTs performed their professional role fully in the assessment, decision-making, and clinical practice in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. However, the manpower shortage of RTs is extremely prominent, the practical experience has provided the basis for the future treatment of infectious respiratory diseases and effectively promoted the development of respiratory care in China.

Objective:To analyze the application of Cho peak value and color doppler ultrasound blood flow score in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, and to evaluate the relationship between Cho peak value, blood flow score, TNM stage and prognosis quality.Methods:A total of 82 patients with breast cyst admitted from Jan. 2015 and Dec. 2019 were selected as subjects for the study. ROC curve was used to compare the ability of color doppler flow score and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fmri) in the diagnosis of breast cancer when used alone or in combination. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis quality and TNM staging of patients.Results:The breast cancer group’s Cho value and blood flow signal score were significantly higher than the benign breast lesion group, and the difference was statistically significant (Cho value: t=43.977, P<0.001; blood flow signal score: t=22.071, P<0.001) ; The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of MRS combined with Doppler ultrasound for differential diagnosis of breast cancer are significantly higher than MRS or Doppler ultrasound alone, and the difference was statistically significant (sensitivity: χ2=4.514, P=0.016; specificity: χ2=4.858, P=0.013; AUC: Z=5.251, P<0.001) ; Cho value of patients with good prognosis group ( t=3.984, P<0.001) and blood flow signal score ( t=4.213, P<0.001) were significantly lower than those in the poor prognosis group; Cho value ( t=3.612, P<0.001) and blood flow signal score ( t=3.835, P<0.001) of TNM stage 0-Ⅱ patients were significantly lower than those of stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ group, the difference was statistically significant; the Cho value of the MRS scan and the patient’s prognosis quality ( OR=1.837, 95% CI=1.210-2.788, P=0.004) and TNM stage ( OR=1.818, 95% CI=1.224~2.702, P=0.003) was significantly positively correlated. The blood flow signal and the patient’s prognostic quality ( OR=1.906, 95% CI=1.105~3.287, P=0.020) and TNM stages ( OR=1.799, 95% CI=1.232-2.626, P=0.002) also showed a significantly positive correlation. Conclusion:The combination of Cho peak value and color doppler ultrasound blood flow score can significantly improve the early diagnosis efficiency of breast cancer, and Cho peak value and blood flow score are independent factors affecting TNM staging and prognosis.

Objective To analyze the ultrasonic and clinical features of fetal gastric duplication. Methods Ultrasonographic apperance of 12 fetal stomach duplication cases were reviewed and followed up. Results The age of 12 fetal gestational duplication cases ranged from 19 weeks to 36 weeks. All cases were cystic-type,and 11 cases of gastric duplication were diagnosed by antenatal ultrasonography. Eleven cases were normal labored,2 patients were cured after surgical management. One case was misdiagnosed to be bile duct cyst, and was induced in 1 week after diagnosis because of simultaneous combination of hydrocephalus in bilateral ventricle. Stomach duplication prenatal sonographic findings were cysts near the stomach with thickened wall in local enlarged images. The cystic wall included 3 layers of strong-weak-strong hierarchical structure as normal stomach wall. Conclusions Fetal stomach duplication has characteristic ultrasound features,and can be definitively diagnosed prenatally. Early diagnosis is of great importance for prenatal consultation and timely treatment after birth.

Objective To study the transport risk and factors that influence deaths of very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.Method All infants transferred to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by our hospital transport team or local hospital transport team from January 2014 to December 2015 were included in our study.Their clinical data were retrospectively studied.The risks of transport between hospitals were analyzed.The risk factors of deaths within and after 7 days of admission were further analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis.The receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of mortality index for neonatal transportation (MINT),transport related mortality score (TREMS),transport risk index of physiologic stability (TRIPS) for predicting mortality of preterm infants.Result (1) A total of 527 cases of ELBW/VLBW infants were included in our study.There were no deaths during transport.There were 10.2％ (54/527) died within and 8.9％ (42/473) died after 7 days of hospitalization.(2) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that scleredema of newborn,secondary transport,gastrointestinal malformations,metabolic acidosis,high TREMS score,and high MINT score were risk factors of mortality within 7 days of admission for ELBW/VLBW infants;necrotizing enterocolitis,intraventricular hemorrhage ≥ three degree,high MINT score and low admission weight were risk factors of mortality after 7 days of admission.(3) The area under the ROC curve for MINT,TREMS,and TRIPS score were 0.672,0.655 and 0.665,respectively.The cut-off values for MINT score (cut-off 8,sensitivity 0.444,specificity 0.829),for TREMS score (cut-off 2,sensitivity 0.500,specificity 0.757,for TRIPS score (cut-off 20,sensitivity 0.444,specificity O.829) were selected to predict mortality within 7 days of admission.Conclusion (1) Secondary transport is the transport-related risk factor of mortality within 7 days of admission for ELBW/VLBW infants.(2) High MINT score is the risk factor of mortality within and after 7 days of admission.(3) If MINT ≥ 8,TREMS ≥2,or TRIPS ≥20,it might significantly increase the risk of mortality of ELBW/ VLBW infants within 7 days of admission after transport.

Objective To study the occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants and to determine the risk factors of severe BPD.Method From January 2007 to January 2017,ELBW infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Hunan Children's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.They were assigned into severe and mild/moderate groups based on the severity of BPD.The general condition,maternal status,prenatal and delivery room treatment,transportation,clinical courses,therapy and outcome in NICU of the two groups were compared,and the risk factors of severe BPD were analyzed.Result A total of 367 cases were hospitalized during the 10 years.281 ELBW infants with complete medical records survived longer than 28 days were enrolled in this study.Among them,233 had BPD.Among BPD infants,116 cases were in the severe BPD group,47 cases (40.5％) died.117 cases were in the mild/moderate BPD group and 1 case (0.9％) died.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of severe BPD were duration of mechanical ventilation ≥ 7 days (OR =7.518,95 ％ CI 3.197 ～ 17.676),ventilator-associated pneumonia (OR =3.047,95 ％ CI 1.436 ～ 6.464),1 min Apgar score ≤7 (OR =2.341,95 ％ CI 1.142 ～ 4.796) and patent ductus arteriosus (OR =2.223,95 ％ CI 1.079 ～4.582).Conclusion The incidence and mortality of BPD,especially severe BPD,are high in ELBW infants.Avoiding asphyxia,shortening the time of mechanical ventilation,preventing infection and closing ductus arteriosus are important measures to reduce the severity of BPD.

Objective To analysis the clinical outcome at discharge and its risk factors of extremely preterm infants.Method To retrospectively analysis the clinical outcome at discharge and it's risk factors of extremely preterm infants (less than 28 weeks gestation) admitted from September 2008 to August 2014 in our Hospital.Result A total of 179 cases were enrolled.Survival rate was 59.2％ (106/179).Unfavorable outcome rate was 74.3％ (133/179),among them 73 cases died.The top five causes of death were severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (28 cases),Ⅲ ～ Ⅳ o intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (19 cases),sepsis (16 cases) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (6 cases).Among the 60 survivals with unfavorable outcomes,35 cases had either severe neurologic or ophthalmological sequela,and 25 cases had severe pulmonary sequela.Univariate analysis showed that,comparing with improved group,unfavorable outcome group had higher rates of not receiving prenatal steroids,placental abruption,male,small for gestation age,resuscitation with chest compression,admission age older than 72 hour,severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS),without pulmonary surfactant (PS) usage,mechanical ventilation beyond 2 weeks and sepsis (P ＜ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that those without prenatal steroids (OR =9.402,P =0.002),small for gestational age (OR =8.271,P =0.018),resuscitation with chest compression (OR =6.325,P =0.023),admission age older than 72 hour (OR =4.174,P =0.028) were independent risk factors for unfavorable outcome of extremely premature at discharge.Conclusion Extremely preterm infants have a higher rate of unfavorable outcome at discharge.Avoid small for gestational age,transfer properly and in time both in utero and after birth,and conduct prenatal steroids could improve their clinical outcome at discharge.

Objective To evaluate the levels of plasma coupling factor 6(CF6) and cytochrome C(Cyt-c) in neonatal sepsis,and to explore the clinical significance in neonatal sepsis.Methods A total of 88 neonates admitted to Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2015 to April 2015 were collected.Neonates were divided into non-sepsis group(n=42) and sepsis group(n=46).According to the severity of infection,the non-sepsis group was further divided into non-infection group(n=20) and common infection group(n=22);the sepsis group was further divided into general sepsis group (31 cases,no organ failure) and severe sepsis group (15 cases,combined with multiple organ failure).Femoral venous blood was collected in all patients before the use of antibiotics after admission.The levels of Cyt-c and CF6 in plasma were measured by ELISA,and the levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin (PCT) were measured.The changes of CF6 and Cyt-c between these groups were compared,and the sensitivity and specificity with the traditional sepsis index (CRP,PCT) were analyzed.The correlation between the levels of CF6,Cyt-c and neonatal critical illness score was analyzed.Results (1)In sepsis group,the levels of CF6 and Cyt-c[(109.7±8.9)pg/ml and (44.5±4.9)ng/ml] were significantly higher than those in the non-sepsis group[(46.3±6.0)pg/ml,(31.8±6.7)ng/ml,P<0.01,respectively].(2) In the non-infection group,common infection group,general sepsis group and severe sepsis group,the levels of CF6 were (32.1±8.9)pg/ml,(59.3±7.2)pg/ml,(79.3±5.9)pg/ml,and (172.6±6.1)pg/ml,respectively;the levels of Cyt-c were (29.3±8.6)ng/ml,(35.4±4.1) ng/ml,(43.1±5.9) ng/ml,and (44.5±5.9)ng/ml,respectively.The differences between these groups were significant(P<0.01).(3)The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the sensitivity and specificity of CF6 were 0.761,0.732,and the Cyt-c were 0.739,0.714.(4)Cyt-C and CF6 were negatively correlated with the neonatal critical illness score(r=-0.599,P<0.001;r=-0.337,P<0.01).Conclusion The levels of CF6 and Cyt-c increase in neonatal sepsis.The damage of mitochondria may be one of the pathological mechanisms in neonatal sepsis.The levels of CF6 and Cyt-c were closely related to the severity of neonatal sepsis.