OBJECTIVES: To investigate the positive rate of enterovirus (EV) nucleic acid in throat swabs of term late neonates hospitalized during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic and the clinical characteristics of the neonates. METHODS: A single-center cross-sectional study was performed on 611 term late infants who were hospitalized in the neonatal center from October 2020 to September 2021. Throat swabs were collected on admission for coxsackie A16 virus/EV71/EV universal nucleic acid testing. According to the results of EV nucleic acid test, the infants were divided into a positive EV nucleic acid group (8 infants) and a negative EV nucleic acid group (603 infants). Clinical features were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among the 611 neonates, 8 tested positive for EV nucleic acid, with a positive rate of 13.1‰, among whom 7 were admitted from May to October. There was a significant difference in the proportion of infants contacting family members with respiratory infection symptoms before disease onset between the positive and negative EV nucleic acid groups (75.0% vs 10.9%, P<0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in demographic data, clinical symptoms, and laboratory test results (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a certain proportion of term late infants testing positive for EV nucleic acid in throat swabs during the COVID-19 epidemic, but the proportion is low. The clinical manifestations and laboratory test results of these infants are non-specific. Transmission among family members might be an important cause of neonatal EV infection.
Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Enterovirus ; COVID-19/diagnosis* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Pharynx ; Nucleic Acids ; Enterovirus Infections

MicroRNA-21(miRNA-21)is highly expressed in various tumors.Small-molecule inhibition of miRNA-21 is considered to be an attractive novel cancer therapeutic strategy.In this study,fluoroquinolone de-rivatives Al-A43 were synthesized and used as miRNA-21 inhibitors.Compound A36 showed the most potent inhibitory activity and specificity for miRNA-21 in a dual-luciferase reporter assay in HeLa cells.Compound A36 significantly reduced the expression of mature miRNA-21 and increased the protein expression of miRNA-21 target genes,including programmed cell death protein 4(PDCD4)and phos-phatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN),at 10 uM in HeLa cells.The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay(CCK-8)was used to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of A36;the results showed that the IC50 value range of A36 against six tumor cell lines was between 1.76 and 13.0 μM.Meanwhile,A36 did not display cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B cells(lung epithelial cells from a healthy human donor).Furthermore,A36 significantly induced apoptosis,arrested cells at the G0/G1 phase,and inhibited cell-colony formation in HeLa cells.In addition,mRNA deep sequencing showed that treatment with A36 could generate 171 dysregulated mRNAs in HeLa cells,while the expression of miRNA-21 target gene dual-specificity phosphatase 5(DUSP5)was significantly upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels.Collectively,these findings demonstrated that A36 is a novel miRNA-21 inhibitor.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience in the application of muscle relaxants in the perioperative period in neonates with congenital esophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 58 previously untreated neonates with EA-TEF who were treated in the Neonatal Center of Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2017 to 2019. The incidence rate of anastomotic leak was compared between the neonates receiving muscle relaxants for different durations after surgery (≤ 5 days and > 5 days). The correlation between the duration of postoperative use of muscle relaxants and the duration of mechanical ventilation was evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 58 neonates with EA-TEF, 44 underwent surgery, among whom 35 with type III EA-TEF underwent thoracoscopic surgery. Among these 35 neonates, 30 (86%) received muscle relaxants after surgery, with a median duration of 4.75 days, and 6 (18%) experienced anastomotic leak. There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of anastomosis leak between the ≤ 5 days and > 5 days groups ( CONCLUSIONS Prolonged use of muscle relaxants after surgery cannot significantly reduce the incidence of anastomotic leak, but can prolong the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation in neonates with EA-TEF. Therefore, prolonged use of muscle relaxants is not recommended after surgery.
Child ; Esophageal Atresia/surgery* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Muscles ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

This study was performed to determine the metabolic profile of a new illicit drug, PX-2, in human liver microsomes. Q Exactive™ HF Quadrupole-Orbitrap LC-MS (LC-QE-HF-Orbitrap-MS) was employed to determine the metabolic sites and pathways of phase Ⅰ and phase II metabolism. PX-2 was added to a microsomal incubation model to simulate human hepatic metabolism. The results showed that a total of 18 phase Ⅰ metabolites and 3 glucuronidated phase II metabolites were generated, with the main metabolic pathways of phase Ⅰ metabolism including amide hydrolysis, fluoropentyl oxidative defluorination, benzyl hydroxylation, and carbazole ring hydroxylation. Based on the type and sites of metabolism, phase Ⅰ metabolites M1.1 (amide hydrolysis), M4.1 (carbazole cyclic hydroxylation), and M3.1 (oxidative defluorinative hydroxylation) are proposed to be potential poisoning markers. The results of this study provide a basis for identification of related drugs and establishment of testing methods in biological samples.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus ; immunology ; Coronavirus Infections ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; immunology

BACKGROUND: Previous Caucasian studies have described venous thromboembolism in pregnancy; however, little is known about its incidence during pregnancy and early postpartum period in the Chinese population. We investigated the risk of venous thromboembolism in a “real-world” cohort of pregnant Chinese women with no prior history of venous thromboembolism. METHODS: In this observational study, 15,325 pregnancies were identified in 14,162 Chinese women at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong between January 2004 and September 2016. Demographic data, obstetric information, and laboratory and imaging data were retrieved and reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age at pregnancy was 32.4±5.3 years, and the median age was 33 years (interquartile range, 29–36 yr). Pre-existing or newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus was present in 627 women (4.1%); 359 (0.7%) women had pre-existing or newly detected hypertension. There was a small number of women with pre-existing heart disease and/or rheumatic conditions. Most deliveries (86.0%) were normal vaginal; the remaining were Cesarean section 2,146 (14.0%). The incidence of venous thromboembolism was 0.4 per 1,000 pregnancies, of which 83.3% were deep vein thrombosis and 16.7% were pulmonary embolism. In contrast to previous studies, 66.7% of venous thrombosis occurred in the first trimester. CONCLUSION: Chinese women had a substantially lower risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and the postpartum period compared to that of Caucasians. The occurrence of pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism was largely confined to the early pregnancy period, probably related to the adoption of thromboprophylaxis, a lower rate of Cesarean section, and early mobilization.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cesarean Section ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Early Ambulation ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Observational Study ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnant Women ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Venous Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: It is quite difficult to produce a decellularized lung scaffold, in which cells are removed and the extracellular matrix components (ECM) are preserved effectively. Perfusion of detergent-enzymes is an effective method with wide applications for decellularized lung scaffolds. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of two detergents (sodium deoxycholate, SDC and sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) on the preparation of decellularized lung scaffolds. METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: control group with no intervention, SDC group and SDS group. Decellularized lung scaffolds were prepared by perfusion of SDC or SDS combined with enzymes. The rat lung tissues in the three groups were taken for histological staining, immunofluorescent staining and DNA quantification. A549 cells were cultured and seeded onto the decellularized lung scaffolds for 7 days followed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The decellularized lung scaffolds prepared by perfusion of SDC or SDS were subcutaneously implanted into the rat back, and the implants were retrieved and assessed by Masson staining after 2 weeks. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the control group, there were abundant cells in the lung tissues. In the other two groups, the decellularized lung scaffolds were nearly transparent, and the morphology of the SDC scaffold was more close to the native lung. There were no residual cells and nuclei on the two scaffolds, and the DNA content in the SDS and SDC groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (P＜ 0.01). At 7 days of culture, A549 cells cultured on the SDS and SDC scaffolds migrated from the edge to the center of the scaffold. Comparatively speaking, the migration ability of A549 cells on the SDC scaffolds was stronger, and there was obvious cell invasion and growth in the middle part of the lung. After 2 weeks of scaffold transplantation, the SDC implants poorly fused with the surrounding tissues, with a clear boundary, a large number of infiltrating cells distributed evenly, and intravascular blood cells were clearly visible; the number of new blood vessels with larger diameter in the SDC scaffold was significantly higher than that in the SDS scaffold. These findings indicate that the SDC scaffold has better biocompatibility than the SDS scaffold, which can fuse with the surrounding tissues faster and produce more infiltrating cells and new blood vessels.

BACKGROUNDThe occurrence and development of aortic aneurysm (AA) are associated with infection. Some researchers have detected the DNA of periodontal pathogens in AA samples in certain populations. However, it has not been done in Chinese population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of periodontal pathogens in oral tissue samples and aneurysm samples of AA patients.

METHODSEighty-nine subjects with AA and 59 subjects without AA were examined. Periodontal clinical parameters were evaluated. Unstimulated saliva and subgingival plaque samples were collected from all subjects. Twenty-six dissected AA samples were obtained. Evidence of eight periodontal pathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Tannerella forsythensis (Tf), Treponema denticola (Td), Campylobacter rectus (Cr), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), and Prevotella nigrescens (Pn) was ascertained in all samples by 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

RESULTSThe periodontal indexes including plaque index (PLI), probing depth (PD), bleeding index (BI), and clinical attachment loss (CAL), of the six Ramfjord index teeth were significantly higher in the AA group than those in the control group (P < 0.01). Eight periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque samples were more frequently detected in the AA group than in control group. The difference in prevalence between the groups was significant for six (out of eight) periodontal pathogens assayed (Pg, Pi, Fn, Pn, Tf, and Td, P < 0.01). Additionally, all eight periodontal pathogens were more frequently detected in saliva samples of the AA group than in those of the control group, again with six (out of eight) (Pg, Pi, Fn, Cr, Tf, and Td) displaying significant differences in prevalence between the two groups (P < 0.01). Out of 26 aneurysm samples examined, Pg, Pi, Fn, Cr and Tf were detected in 6 (23.1%), 2 (7.7%), 3 (11.5%), 1 (3.8%), 2 (7.7%), respectively, and Aa, Pn, and Td were not detected in dissected aneurysm samples.

CONCLUSIONResults of this study suggested that periodontal infection is associated with the occurrence of AA.

Aged ; Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Aortic Aneurysm ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periodontitis ; microbiology ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Prevotella intermedia ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Treponema denticola ; genetics ; pathogenicity

Background The occurrence and development of aortic aneurysm (AA) are associated with infection.Some researchers have detected the DNA of periodontal pathogens in AA samples in certain populations.However,it has not been done in Chinese population.The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of periodontal pathogens in oral tissue samples and aneurysm samples of AA patients.Methods Eighty-nine subjects with AA and 59 subjects without AA were examined.Periodontal clinical parameters were evaluated.Unstimulated saliva and subgingival plaque somples were collected from all subjects.Twenty-six dissected AA samples were obtained.Evidence of eight periodontal pathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg),Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa),Prevotella intermedia (Pi),Tannerella forsythensis (Tf),Treponema denticola (Td),Campylobacter rectus (Cr),Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn),and Prevotella nigrescens (Pn) was ascertained in all samples by 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.Results The periodontal indexes including plaque index (PLI),probing depth (PD),bleeding index (BI),and clinical attachment loss (CAL),of the six Ramfjord index teeth were significantly higher in the AA group than those in the control group (P ＜0.01).Eight periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque samples were more frequently detected in the AA group than in control group.The difference in prevalence between the groups was significant for six (out of eight) periodontal pathogens assayed (Pg,Pi,Fn,Pn,Tf,and Td,P ＜0.01).Additionally,all eight periodontal pathogens were more frequently detected in saliva samples of the AA group than in those of the control group,again with six (out of eight) (Pg,Pi,Fn,Cr,Tf,and Td) displaying significant differences in prevalence between the two groups (P ＜0.01).Out of 26 aneurysm samples examined,Pg,Pi,Fn,Crand Tfwere detected in 6 (23.1％),2 (7.7％),3 (11.5％),1 (3.8％),2 (7.7％),respectively,and Aa,Pn,and Td were not detected in dissected aneurysm samples.Conclusion Results of this study suggested that periodontal infection is associated with the occurrence of AA.

OBJECTIVETo study whether plasma viral load testing is helpful to exclude ones free from Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections from suspects in HIV antibody detections.

METHODS19 Specimens, which showed disconcordant results of the two HIV EIA testing (S/CO < 6) and indeterminated results of Western blot (WB) test, were selected. Viral load of the specimens were detected. A six-month follow up survey in detecting HIV antibody was conducted in these subjects.

RESULTSNone of these 19 cases was observed to be positive HIV viral loads and there was no any progress in WB bands development during the follow-up period. The possibility of HIV infection could be excluded.

CONCLUSIONWhen the specimens react with very low intensity in both EIA and WB, negative viral load result is conducive to exclude negative subjects from suspects in HIV antibody detections.

AIDS Serodiagnosis ; HIV Antibodies ; blood ; HIV Infections ; blood ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Viral Load