ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4⁺ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4⁺ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.

Objective To systematically evaluate the risk factors for persistent cough after lung resection, providing a theoretical basis for preventing persistent postoperative cough. Methods The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang, CNKI, and VIP databases were searched for studies related to risk factors for persistent cough after lung resection. The search period was from database inception to March 30, 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and performed quality assessment. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 17 articles with 3 698 patients were included. Meta-analysis results showed that females [OR=3.10, 95%CI (1.99, 4.81), P<0.001], age [OR=1.72, 95%CI (1.33, 2.21), P<0.001], right-sided lung surgery [OR=2.36, 95%CI (1.80, 3.10), P<0.001], lobectomy [OR=3.40, 95%CI (2.47, 4.68), P<0.001], upper lobectomy [OR=8.19, 95%CI (3.87, 17.36), P<0.001], lymph node dissection [OR=3.59, 95%CI (2.72, 4.72), P<0.001], bronchial stump closure method [OR=5.19, 95%CI (1.79, 16.07), P=0.002], and postoperative gastric acid reflux [OR=6.24, 95%CI (3.27, 11.91), P<0.001] were risk factors for persistent cough after lung resection, while smoking history was a protective factor against postoperative cough [OR=0.59, 95%CI (0.45, 0.77), P<0.001]. In addition, the quality of life score of patients with postoperative cough decreased compared with that before surgery [MD=1.50, 95%CI (0.14, 2.86), P=0.03]. Conclusion Current evidence suggests that females, age, right-sided lung surgery, lobectomy, upper lobectomy, lymph node dissection, bronchial stump closure method (stapler closure), and postoperative gastric acid reflux are independent risk factors for persistent postoperative cough in lung resection patients, while smoking history may be a protective factor against postoperative cough. This provides evidence-based information for clinical medical staff on how to prevent and reduce persistent postoperative cough in patients and improve their quality of life in the future.

Alzheimer' s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder histologically characterized by the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) found in and around pyramidal neurons in cortical tissue. Mounting evidence suggests regional increased iron load and dyshomeostasis have been associated with oxidative stress, oxidation of proteins and lipids, and cell death, and appears to be a risk factor for more rapid cognitive decline, thereby involved in multiple aspects of the pathophysiology of AD. Ferroptosis is a newly identified iron-dependent lipid peroxidation-driven cell death and emerging evidences have demonstrated the involvement of ferroptosis in the pathological process of AD. Notably, some novel compounds targeting ferroptosis can relieve AD-related pathological symptoms in AD cells and animal model and exhibit potential clinical benefits in AD patients. This review systematically summarizes the growing molecular and clinical evidence implicating ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of AD, and then reviews the application of ferroptosis inhibitors in mouse/cell models to provide valuable information for future treatment and prevention of AD.

ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention mechanism of Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid in mice with alcoholic hepatitis. MethodsA total of 70 healthy male C57BL/6J mice， aged 6-8 weeks， were randomly divided into normal group， model group， liquid feed control group， silybin group， and low-， middle-， and high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid groups， with 10 mice in each group. The mice in the normal group were given normal diet， and those in the other groups were given Lieber-DeCarli classic liquid diet for 8 weeks to induce alcoholic hepatitis. During modeling， the mice in the low-， middle-， and high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid groups were given Dendrobium liquid manufactured by Warmen Pharmaceutical， and the mice in all the other groups were given pure water； the mice in the normal group， the model group， and the liquid feed control group were given normal saline by gavage， those in the silybin group were given silybin 0.25 mL/10 g by gavage， and those in the low-， middle-， and high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid groups were given Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid at a dose of 0.125 mL/10 g， 0.250 mL/10 g， and 0.375 mL/10 g， respectively， by gavage， once a day. At week 8， chloral hydrate was injected intraperitoneally for anesthesia， and blood samples were collected from the eyeball. After serum was separated， the biochemical method was used to measure the levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT）； HE staining and oil red staining were used to observe liver histopathology and lipid accumulation in mice； multiplex Luminex assay was used to measure the serum levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and CCL2； quantitative real-time PCR， Western blot， and immunofluorescence assay were used to measure the protein expression levels of NLRP3， caspase-1， caspase-11， gasdermin D （GSDMD）， N-terminal gasdermin D （GSDMD-N） in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group had significant increases in the serum levels of AST， ALT， IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， and CCL2 （all P<0.05）， and compared with the model group， the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had significant reductions in the serum levels of AST， ALT， IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， and CCL2 （all P<0.05）. HE staining showed that the model group had disordered structure of hepatic lobules， with a large number of steatosis vacuoles and massive cell necrosis， and compared with the model group， the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had alleviation of liver histopathological injury， intact structure of most hepatic lobules， and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Oil red staining showed that the model group had accumulation of large and small lipid droplets in the liver and a significant increase in liver fat content， and compared with the model group， the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had significant alleviation of hepatic steatosis， with the presence of sporadic small lipid droplets. Immunofluorescence assay of liver tissue showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had a significant increase in the ratio of GSDMD-positive staining area in hepatocyte cytoplasm （P<0.001）， and compared with the model group， the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had a significant reduction in such ratio in hepatocyte cytoplasm （P<0.001）. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of NLRP3， caspase-1， caspase-11， GSDMD， GSDMD-N， interleukin-18 （IL-18）， and IL-1β in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， and compared with the model group， the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of NLRP3， caspase-1， caspase-11， GSDMD， GSDMD-N， IL-18， and IL-1 （all P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of caspase-1 and caspase-11 （both P<0.05）， with a relative expression level of caspase-1 of 1.757 （reduced by 26.6% compared with the model group） and a relative expression level of caspase-11 of 0.455 （reduced by 70.3% compared with the model group）， suggesting that caspase-11 showed a greater reduction than caspase-1. ConclusionDendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid can alleviate alcoholic hepatitis in mice， possibly by inhibiting the non-classical cell pyroptosis pathway mediated by caspase-11.

Objective To compare the clinical curative effect of retroauricular and tympanic injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate combined with hyperbaric oxygen in nerve deafness.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the case data with nerve deafness.According to cohort method,they were divided into retroauricular injection group(retroauricular injection of 40 mg methylprednisolone sodium succinate+hyperbaric oxygen therapy)and tympanic injection group(tympanic injection of 40 mg methylprednisolone sodium succinate+hyperbaric oxygen therapy).Both groups were treated for 7 times(once every other day).The curative effect,pure tone hearing threshold,oxidative stress and inflammatory response indexes were compared between the two groups,and adverse reactions were statistically analyzed.Results There were 56 cases in retroauricular injection group and 60 cases in tympanic injection group.There was no significant difference in total response rate between retroauricular injection group and tympanic injection group(92.86％vs 88.33％,P＞0.05).After treatment,average pure tone hearing thresholds in retroauricular injection group and tympanic injection group were(38.49±5.71)and(40.35±6.23)dB;high-frequency hearing thresholds were(61.36±6.52)and(63.42±7.09)dB;low-frequency hearing thresholds were(59.72±6.85)and(60.81±7.26)dB;levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)were(112.38±10.72)and(110.43±10.29)U·mL-1;levels of lipid peroxide(LPO)were(4.69±1.08)and(5.03±1.12)nmol·mL-1;endothelin(ET)levels were(2.11±0.76)and(2.34±0.81)ng·L-1;interleukin-6(IL-6)levels were(31.79±4.27)and(33.18±4.98)pg·mL-1;levels of C-reactive protein(CRP)were(5.25±1.48)and(5.72±1.62)mg·L-1;levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were(45.33±4.61)and(46.95±5.24)ng·L-;the difference was not statistically significant(all P＞0.05).During treatment,there were significant differences in total incidence of adverse reactions between retroauricular injection group and tympanic injection group(23.21％vs 51.67％,P＜0.05).There were 11 case times of local pain and 4 case times of vertigo in retroauricular injection group,while there were 30 case times of local pain and 15 case times of vertigo in tympanic injection group.Conclusion Retroauricular injection or tympanic injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy has the comparable curative effect in patients with nerve deafness;the two administration modes both can promote hearing recovery,relieve reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response.However,retroauricular injection has lower incidence of local pain and vertigo.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the number of positive preoperative serological tumor markers on the surgical approach and prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This is a retrospective case-series study. Data from 548 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after radical resection from October 2010 to April 2019 were retrospectively collected in 10 hospitals of China. There were 277 males and 271 females with an age of (57.8±10.2)years(range:23 to 84 years). Four hundred and twenty-six patients(77.7%) had at least one positive preoperative serum tumor marker. The data collection included the results of 4 preoperative serological tumor markers,other preoperative indicators(5 prodromal symptoms, 6 medical history,8 preoperative serological indicators,5 preoperative imaging indicators,and 14 preoperative pathological examination indicators),baseline data (gender and age),surgical methods,and prognostic follow-up data. Four preoperative results of serologic tumor marker and surgical procedure were converted into categorical variables. The number of positive preoperative serum tumor markers was used as the treatment variable,the surgical method was used as the mediating variable,and the survival time was used as the outcome variable. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to screen for other preoperative indicators which were independent factors that influenced the surgical procedure and the prognosis of patients as covariates to analyze the mediating effect.Results:Of the 548 patients included in the study, 176 patients (32.1%) underwent partial hepatectomy,151 patients(27.5%) underwent hemihepatectomy, and 221 patients(40.3%) underwent partial hepatectomy or hemihepatectomy combined with other treatments. The results of the univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the number of positive serum tumor markers,intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,portal vein invasion,pathological differentiation,pathological type,vascular invasion,T stage,N stage and maximum tumor diameter were independent factors influencing the surgical procedure(all P<0.05). Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,pathological differentiation and T stage were independent prognostic factors for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(all P<0.05). Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,differentiation and T stage were included as covariates in the mediation effect model. The results showed that the number of positive serum tumor markers before surgery had a negative predictive effect on the survival time of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma ( β=-0.092, P=0.039),and had a positive predictive effect on the surgical method ( β=0.244, P<0.01). The number of positive serum tumor markers had a negative predictive effect on the survival time of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma ( β=-0.151, P=0.002). Direct and indirect effects accounted for 71.3% and 28.7% of total effects,respectively. Conclusions:The higher the positive number of preoperative tumor markers,the worse the prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The number of positive cells not only directly affects the prognosis of patients,but also indirectly affects the prognosis of patients by affecting the surgical method.

Objective To investigate the effects of circDNMT1 on the proliferation,apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)cells by regulating miR-377-3p/PUM1 axis.Methods The TNBC tissues and adjacent normal tissues of 24 patients with TNBC treated in Danzhou People's Hospital from 2018 to 2021 were collected.qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of circDNMT1,miR-377-3p,and PUM1 protein in tissue and mouse normal breast epithelial cell line HC11 and TNBC cell lines 4T1,Eph41424,and JC.4T1 cells were divided into the 4T1 group(untransfected),the si-NC group(transfected with si-NC),the si-DNMT1 group(transfected with si-DNMT1),the si-DNMT1+anti-NC group(simultaneously transfected with si-DNMT1 and anti-NC),and the si-DNMT1+anti-miR-377-3p group(simultaneously transfected with si-DNMT1 and anti-miR-377-3p).qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of circDNMT1 and miR-377-3p of 4T1 cells in each group;CCK-8 was used to detect the proliferation of 4T1 cells in each group;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of 4T1 cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the expression of PUM1,EMT-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins of 4T1 cells in each group;TargetScan website was used to predict the binding sites of miR-377-3p with circDNMT1 and PUM1;dual luciferase report was used to verify the targeting relationships of miR-377-3p with circDNMT1 and PUM1.After inoculation with 4T1 cells,BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank control group(injected with equal amount of normal saline),the negative control group(injected with si-NC via tail vein),the DNMT1 silencing group(injected with si-DNMT1 via tail vein),the combined control group(injected with si-DNMT1 and anti-NC via tail vein),and the combined silencing group(injected with si-DNMT1 and anti-miR-377-3p via tail vein),the tumor massess of mice were recorded and the morphological changes of tumors were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Results circDNMT1 and PUM1 were up-regulated in TNBC tissues and cells,and miR-377-3p was down-regulated.The expression difference was most obvious in 4T1 cells,so 4T1 cells were selected for subsequent experiments.Compared with the 4T1 group and the si-NC group,the expression of miR-377-3p,the apoptosis rate of 4T1 cells,the expression levels of Bax,cleaved caspase-3 and E-cadherin protein of 4T1 cells in the si-DNMT1 group were significantly increased(P<0.05),the circ-DNMT1 level,the expression level of PUM1 protein,OD values at 24 hours and 48 hours,the expression level of Bcl-2,N-cadherin,Vimentin protein were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the si-DNMT1 group and the si-DNMT1+anti-NC group,the expression of miR-377-3p,the apoptosis rate of 4T1 cells,the expression levels of Bax,cleaved caspase-3 and E-cadherin proteins of 4T1 cells in the si-DNMT1+anti-miR-377-3p group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expression level of PUM1 protein,OD values at 24 hours and 48 hours,the expression levels of Bcl-2,N-cadherin,Vimentin proteins were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the miR-NC+WT-circDNMT1 group,the cell luciferase activity in the miR-377-3p mimic+WT-circDNMT1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with the miR-NC+WT-PUM1 group,the cell luciferase activity in the miR-377-3p mimic+WT-PUM1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The tumor cells in the blank control group and the negative control group were densely arranged with clear boundary;the tumor cells in the DNMT1 silencing group and the combined control group were loosely arranged,the nuclei were pyknotic,and the cell fragments were increased;the tumor cells in the combined silencing group were densely arranged and the boundaries tended to be clear.Compared with the blank control group and the negative control group,the tumor mass of mice in the DNMT1 silencing group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the DNMT1 silencing group and the combined control group,the tumor mass of mice in the combined silencing group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Silencing circDNMT1 may inhibit the expression of PUM1 by up-regulating miR-377-3p,thereby inhibiting the proliferation and EMT of TNBC cells,and promoting cell apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the specimen quality of intersphincteric resection with transabdominal transanal mixed approach for rectal cancer in the Chinese Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision Registry Collaborative (CTRC) database.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. Based on the concept of real-world research, the clinicopathological data of 281 pati-ents with rectal cancer in the CTRC database who underwent intersphincteric resection with trans-abdominal transanal mixed approach in 19 medical centers, including the Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University et al, from November 15,2017 to December 31,2023 were collected. There were 196 males and 85 females, aged 61(range, 27-87)years. Observation indicators: (1) preoperative examinations; (2) neoadjuvant therapy; (3) postoperative examinations; (4) analysis of influencing factors for positive circumferential margin in surgical specimen of intersphincteric resec-tion for rectal cancer. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. The chi-square test was used for univariate analysis. Logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results:(1) Preoperative examinations. Of the 281 patients, 234 cases underwent preoperative pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examina-tion. There were 2 cases in clinical stage T0, 3 cases in clinical stage T1, 58 cases in clinical stage T2, 137 cases in clinical stage T3, 24 cases in clinical stage T4, 3 cases in clinical stage Tx, 7 cases missing clinical T staging data. There were 87 cases in clinical stage N0, 68 cases in clinical stage N1, 60 cases in clinical stage N2, 9 cases in clinical stage Nx, 10 cases missing clinical N staging data. There were 30 cases with mesorectal fascia invasion, 53 cases with extramural venous invasion. The distance from lower margin of tumor to anal margin was 41.9(range, 1.0-80.0)mm. (2) Neoadjuvant therapy. Of the 281 patients, 125 cases underwent neoadjuvant therapy, including 39 cases receiving chemo-therapy alone, 6 cases receiving short-course simultaneous chemoradiotherapy, 5 cases receiving short-course simultaneous chemoradiotherapy and delayed surgery, 48 cases receiving long-course simultaneous chemoradiotherapy, 2 cases receiving other treatments, and 25 cases missing neoadju-vant therapy data. (3) Postoperative examinations. Of the 281 patients, 249 cases achieved R 0 resection, 9 cases achieved R 1 resection, and there were 23 cases missing surgical margin data. The maximum tumor diameter, the number of lymph nodes harvested and positive rate of vessel carcinoma embolus were 30.0(range, 0.5-200.0)mm, 13(range, 0-70) and 27.55%(73/265) in 281 patients. There were 252 patients with circumferential margin records, showing positive in 15 cases, with a positive rate as 5.95%(15/252). The minimum distance from deep part of tumor to circumferential margin was 7.0(range, 0-150.0)mm in 252 patients. There were 85 cases with distal margin records, showing positive in 1 case, and the distance from lower margin of tumor to distal margin was 10.0(range, 0-202.0)mm. There were 273 patients with specimen integrity records, which showed intact specimen in 208 cases, fair specimen in 58 cases, poor specimen in 4 cases, unevaluated specimen in 3 cases. There were 7 cases with rectal perforation. Of the 281 patients, cases in pathological stage T0, Tis, T1, T2, T3, T4 were 14, 5, 22, 107, 113, 12, respectively, and there were 8 cases missing pathological T staging data. Of the 281 patients, cases in pathological stage N0, N1a, N1b, N1c, N2a, N2b were 176, 27, 27, 11,20, 12, respectively, and there were 8 cases missing pathological N staging data. Of the 281 patients, there were 4 cases with distant metastasis, 262 cases without distant metastasis, 5 cases not evaluated, and 10 cases missing tumor metastasis data. Of the 125 patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy, there were 85 cases with tumor regression grade records, including 16 cases as grade 1, 27 cases as grade 2, 19 cases as grade 3, 15 cases as grade 4, 8 cases as grade 5. (4) Analysis of influencing factors for positive circumferential margin in surgical specimen of intersphincteric resection for rectal cancer. Results of univariate analysis showed that preoperative T staging on preoperative pelvic MRI, mesorectal fascia invasion, extramural venous invasion, pathological T staging, and pathological N staging were related factors for positive circumferential margin in surgical specimen of intersphincteric resection for rectal cancer ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Intersph-incteric resection with transabdominal transanal mixed approach has good specimen quality and low positive rate of surgical margin. T staging on preoperative pelvic MRI may be related to positive circumferential margin after intersphincteric resection for rectal cancer.

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 develop effective measures to reduce antibiotic use duration in very low birth weight(VLBW)preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit through quality improvement methods.Methods The study population consisted of hospitalized VLBW preterm infants,with the percentage of hospitalization time during which antibiotics were used from November 2020 to June 2021 serving as the baseline.The specific quality improvement goal was to reduce the duration of antibiotic use.Factors affecting antibiotic use duration in preterm infants were analyzed using Pareto charts.Key drivers were identified,and specific interventions were formulated based on the stages of antibiotic use.Changes in the percentage of antibiotic use duration were monitored with run charts until the quality improvement target was achieved.Results From November 2020 to June 2021,the baseline antibiotic use duration percentage was 49%,with a quality improvement target to reduce this by 10%within 12 months.The Pareto analysis indicated that major factors influencing antibiotic duration included non-standard antibiotic use;delayed cessation of antibiotics when no infection evidence was present;prolonged central venous catheter placement;insufficient application of kangaroo care;and delayed progress in enteral nutrition.The interventions implemented included:(1)establishing sepsis evaluation and management standards;(2)educating medical staff on the rational use of antibiotics for preterm infants;(3)supervising the enforcement of antibiotic use standards during ward rounds;(4)for those without clear signs of infection and with negative blood cultures,discontinued the use of antibiotics 36 hours after initiation;(5)reducing the duration of central venous catheterization and parenteral nutrition to lower the risk of infection in preterm infants.The control chart showed that with continuous implementation of interventions,the percentage of antibiotic use duration was reduced from 49%to 32%,a statistically significant decrease.Conclusions The application of quality improvement tools based on statistical principles and process control may significantly reduce the antibiotic use duration in VLBW preterm infants.