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]

AIM: To compare the thickness of retina in macular area and retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)around optic disc between the eyes of monocular anisometropic amblyopia children and normal eyes.METHODS: A total of 62 children(124 eyes)with monocular anisometropic amblyopia who were treated in Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital from January 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the experimental group, and 60 children(60 eyes; right eye)with normal vision who were treated in the same period were selected as the control group. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)was used to detect the retinal thickness in macular region and the RNFL thickness around optic disc in the two groups, and comparative analysis was performed.RESULTS: The retinal thickness and perioptic RNFL thickness of amblyopic children in experimental group were thicker than those in control group, and most of them had significant differences(P<0.05). The retinal thickness and perioptic RNFL thickness of contralateral non-amblyopic children in experimental group were thinner than those in control group, but there were no significant differences in most of them(P>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in the retinal thickness of the macula and perioptic RNFL in the amblyopic eye and the contralateral non-amblyopic eye of monocular anisometropic amblyopic children compared with normal eyes, and the contralateral non-amblyopic eye is not completely equal to the normal eye.

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases

AIM: To study the correlation between the selection of surgical methods for children with basic exotropia and the incidence of lateral incomitance and correction effect.METHODS: Retrospective study. Clinical data of 180 children with basic exotropia who received treatment in the ophthalmology department of our hospital from June 2018 to December 2020 were selected. The patients were divided into 104 cases in monocular recess-resection group(R & R group)and 76 cases in binocular lateral rectus recession group(BLR-rec group)according to the surgical method. The general information, correction effect, the degree of surgical strabismus and the lateral incomitance were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: There were no differences in the degree of near and far strabismus between 2 groups at 3d, 1 and 6mo after surgery(all P>0.05). The correction rate of the R& R group at different time after surgery was higher than that of the BLR-rec group(P<0.05). R & R group had lower risk of lateral incomitance than that of BLR-rec group(OR=0.524, Wald χ2=4.260, P=0.039). After 6mo of operation, the patients in two groups mainly showed eye abduction fixation in the horizontal rectus muscle operation, but there was no difference in the incidence of near and distant lateral incomitance between the two groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: R & R is better than BLR-rec in correcting children's basic exotropia, and it can reduce the incidence of lateral incomitance.

This article aims to comprehensively review the concept, etiology, classification, classical cortical mapping, assessment, a proposed flowchart for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, mechanisms of development and recovery, prognosis, and influencing factors for post-stroke aphasia(PSA)types in the Chinese language.We emphasize the necessity and significance of neuroimaging assessment of the brain and blood vessels and neuropsychological assessment in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PSA in Chinese.We also recommend and encourage the use of the dichotomies of internal vs.external and anterior vs.posterior as a starting point, based on the association of anatomical locations of the brain and blood vessels with brain language areas and language disorders.A classification system of PSA in Chinese developed from this approach in the form of a flowchart is well-suited for guiding the clinical treatment of cerebral stroke.Incorporating the "four elements" , the flowchart enables convenient diagnosis, classification and differential diagnosis of PSA in Chinese and facilitates targeted and personalized rehabilitation planning to benefit the patient.This article introduces the use of memantine, piracetam, donepezil and other drugs for PSA treatment, evaluates clinical trials on memantine conducted in China and abroad and its mechanisms of action for the treatment of PSA, and discusses how rehabilitation therapy achieves therapeutic effects.For the treatment of PSA, clinical research and practice using drugs such as memantine, piracetam and donepezil in combination with non-pharmacotherapy and rehabilitation training should be promoted.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of disability among the older adults. Few treatments are safe and effective. Moxibustion is commonly used in treating knee OA in Chinese medicine (CM). CO Laser moxibustion device is a substitute for traditional moxibustion, which mimics the effects of traditional moxibustion. More data are needed to support its application in knee OA. OBJECTIVE: ObjectiveThe trial aims to assess the effect and safety of CO laser moxibustion in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared with a sham control. METHODS: This is a protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 392 participants were recruited and assigned to the CO laser moxibustion group and sham laser moxibustion group with a 1:1 ratio at 6 outpatient clinics in Shanghai, China. Participants in both groups received treatment at the affected knee(s) at the acupuncture point Dubi (ST 35) and an Ashi point. There were 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and an additional 20-week follow-up. Primary outcomes were changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scores at week 4. Secondary outcomes were WOMAC function score, stiffness score and overall score, VAS pain, Short-Form heath survey (SF-36), and patients' global assessment. The serum levels of cytokines involved in progress of knee OA were explored. Safety was assessed during the whole trial. Masking effectiveness was assessed by both participants and treatment providers.This is a protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 392 participants were recruited and assigned to the CO laser moxibustion group and sham laser moxibustion group with a 1:1 ratio at 6 outpatient clinics in Shanghai, China. Participants in both groups received treatment at the affected knee(s) at the acupuncture point Dubi (ST 35) and an Ashi point. There were 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and an additional 20-week follow-up. Primary outcomes were changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scores at week 4. Secondary outcomes were WOMAC function score, stiffness score and overall score, VAS pain, Short-Form heath survey (SF-36), and patients' global assessment. The serum levels of cytokines involved in progress of knee OA were explored. Safety was assessed during the whole trial. Masking effectiveness was assessed by both participants and treatment providers. DISCUSSION CO laser moxibustion device, designed as a substitute for CM moxibustion, is easy to use and control with no choking smoke and smell, and is a plausible method for double-blind research. This study would provide rigorous evidence for the effect and safety of CO laser moxibustion in treating knee OA (Trial registration No.: ISRCTN15030019).

Objective To explore the changes of Beclin-1,P62/SQSTM1,microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)and unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK-1)in the brains of the rats in the deve-lopmental stage with epilepsy. Methods Seventy-two male Sprague Dawley (SD)rats aged 21 days were randomly divided into the control group and the epilepsy group. The rats in 2 groups were randomly subdivided into 4 groups according to the time intervals (3 h,6 h,12 h and 48 h),respectively,with 9 rats in each group. The rats in the epilep-sy group were injected with kainic acid (12 mg/kg)to induce epilepsy,and the rats in the control group were injected with equal volume of saline. The rats in 2 groups were anaesthetized and sacrificed. Then,the brain tissues of the rats were quickly removed according to the time intervals. The brain damages were determined by adopting Nissl staining method. The apoptotic cells were detected by Terminal - deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL)assays. The expressions of Beclin-1,P62/SQSTM1,LC3 and ULK-1 mRNA levels in cortex were mea-sured by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)analysis. Results Nissl staining indicated that many neurons were damaged performing vague outline,irregularly aligned,pyknotic nuclei and shrunken somata in the epilepsy 48 h group. In addition,there was a huge loss of neurons in cortex in the epilepsy 48 h group [(82 ± 8)num-bers],compared with the control group [(122 ± 8)numbers],and the difference was statistically significant (F＝3. 768, P＝0. 01). The apoptotic cells tremendously increased in the epilepsy 48 h group [(13 ± 7)numbers],compared with the control group [(2 ± 1)numbers]by TUNEL analysis,and the diffe-rence was statistically significant (t＝ -3. 821, P＝0. 003). qPCR showed the mRNA levels of Beclin-1,P62/SQSTM1,LC3 and ULK-1 were upregulated in the epi-lepsy 12 h group (1. 70 ± 0. 75,1. 75 ± 0. 77,1. 52 ± 0. 43,7. 48 ± 6. 12)and the epilepsy 48 h group (1. 63 ± 0. 43, 1. 48 ± 0. 74,1. 74 ± 0. 55,7. 69 ± 5. 65),compared with the control group (1. 00,1. 00,1. 00,1. 00),and the differences were statistically significant (F＝2. 820,3. 452,5. 811,5. 002,all P＜0. 05). Conclusion The autophagy activates be-fore apoptosis occurs,and autophagy-related genes probably are involved in epilepsy-induced brain damage.

Objective To investigate the effect of lumboperitoneal (L-P) shunt and ventriculoperitoneal(V-P) shunt for trea-ting the patients with communicating hydrocephalus .Methods The databases of PubMed ,Web of Science ,Scopuss ,Karge , EBSCO+MEDLINE ,OVID ,EMBASE ,CNKI ,CBM disc databases ,Wanfang databases ,Weipu databases were retrieved by com-puter .The relevant literatures about L-P shunt and V-P shunt for treating communicating hydrocephalus included in these databases during 1990-2016 were collected and performed the meta analysis by using the STATA 12 .0 software .Results The success rate of L-P shunt in treating communicating hydrocephalus was apparently higher than that of V-P shunt(P<0 .05) .Moreover ,postopera-tive infection rate ,obstruction rate of shunt system and total postoperative complications rate in L-P shunt were apparently lower than those of V-P shunt(P<0 .05) ,However ,there was no statistical difference in shunt poor rate between L-P shunt and V-P shunt(P>0 .05) .Conclusion L-P shunt is worth recommending .But due to lower quality of the evidences ,it is needed more high quality primary studies to remedy the insufficiency of the study .

Study of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway has been becoming more and more popular.This pathway widely exists in kinds of cells of human being.As one main anti-apoptic and enhancing survival pathway in cells, it plays an important role in cellular growth (increased cell size), proliferation (increased cell number), apoptosis, cell survival and migration.At the same time,the pathway regulates many major cellular processes and is implicated in an increasing number of pathological conditions, including cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegeneration disease, epilepsy.In recent years,many studies have shown that the dysfunction of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway can lead to neurodevelopmental disease.Loss of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)1/2 or phosphatase ad tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), or environmental stimuli such as inflammation, epilepsy, or hypoxia may stimulate mTOR-dependent protein synthesis,resulting in a host of cellular, structural, and physiological responses that culminate in clinical symptoms.Study the role of mTOR signaling pathway in early-onset epileptic encephalopathy, discuss the intervention and therapy in early-onset epileptic encephalopathy have important clinical meanings.In this article, the components, physiological functions,information were elucidated relative to the PI3 K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and the interaction of the signaling pathway and epilepsy was discussed.

Objective To investigate the association of rs1412125 at high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) gene with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Chinese Han population. Methods 396 patients with AF and 726 control subjects were recruited to this study. A case-control association analysis was applied to assess the as-sociation between rs1412125 in HMGB1 and AF. Results There were no significant differences in rs1412125 and the frequency of genotype distribution between the study group and the control group (allelic association:object P value was 1.05E-06, adjust P value was 0.176; genotypic association: additive P value was 0.146, dominant P value was 0.162, and recessive P value was 0.998). The interactions analysis showed that rs1412125 allele C increased the risk of AF in male subjects with rheumatic heart disease (adjust P value was 2.07E-04, rectify OR = 8.20, and 95%CI: 2.70-25.0). Conclusions There is no independent genetic association between rs1412125 at HMGB1 and atrial fibrillation. However , the interactions between rs1412125 and both gender and rheumatic heart disease might increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.