Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children（MIS-C）related to SARS-CoV-2 and analyze the risk factors for hypotension.Methods:The clinical data of children with MIS-C who visited Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2023 to March 2023 were retrospectively collected,and the clinical characteristics and risk factors for hypotension were analyzed.Results:Thirty-six patients were included,the median age was 3.1 (2.3,5.8) years; 61.1% were boys.All cases had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1 and 9 weeks before onset.Clinical symptoms included fever (100.0%); rash (94.4%); bilateral conjunctival congestion (88.8%); lips/oral cavity changes (100.0%); swollen hands and foot (61.1%); cervical lymphadenopathy (88.8%); acute gastrointestinal symptoms (61.1%) of diarrhea,abdominal pain and vomiting; neurologic manifestations (33.3%) of lethargy,headache,and convulsions; respiratory symptoms(41.6%) of cough,sore throat and shortness of breath.Nineteen (52.8%) cases developed hypotension and needed vasoactive drugs support to maintain blood pressure.Mechanical ventilation was required in four(11.1%) cases,and one patient was intubated and treated with continuous renal replacement therapy.The level of ferritin in hypotension group was significantly higher than those in normal blood pressure group( P＜0.05),while the levels of platelet count,serum sodium and potassium in hypotension group were significantly lower than those in normal blood pressure group( P＜0.05).Logistic regression multivariable analysis found the elevated serum ferritin ( OR=20.000,95% CI:2.750-145.481, P=0.003) was an independent risk factor for hypotension. Conclusions:MIS-C may be observed following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Various symptoms and signs,including fever,multiple organ dysfunction,and hypotension,may occur in children with MIS-C.Elevated ferritin is a risk factor for hypotension.

The MADS-box gene family is a very important transcriptional regulator gene, which plays a role in the whole growth and development process of plants. The APETALA1 (AP1) gene is considered to play an important regulatory role in the transformation of plant flowering, but also to control the characteristic development of floral organs. Lonicera macranthoides is used as medicine with dry buds and early flowers. Therefore, studying the potential mechanism of AP1 gene in regulating flower organ development can provide a basis for improving its medicinal value by molecular means. To explore the potential mechanism of the AP1 gene in the regulation of floral organ development in L. macranthoides, the full-length cDNA of the AP1 was cloned by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and named LmMADS4. The results show that the CDS of the LmMADS4 gene is 729 bp and encodes 242 amino acids, and the LmMADS4 protein contains no signal peptide and no transmembrane structure, which is an unstable hydrophilic protein. Through homologous sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, LmMADS4 and L. japonica MADS27 protein cluster into one class and are closely related. Finally, the expression pattern and protein interaction pattern of LmMADS4 were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and yeast two-hybrid technology. The qRT-PCR showed that LmMADS4 gene was differentially expressed in the stems, leaves and flower bud at different developmental stages, including bud type variety Longhua and common variety Baiyun; and LmMADS4 gene was highly expressed in the flower buds, and with the development of flower buds, LmMADS4 gene was continuously up-regulated in the flower bud variety Longhua, however, the expression level of LmMADS4 in the Baiyun terminal flower bud was lower than that in the late flower bud, but the difference was not significant. The yeast two-hybrid results showed that the bait vector pGBKT7-LmMADS4 was not toxic to yeast strains and had no self-activating activity. LmMADS4 protein interacted with LmSVP1, LmSVP3 and LmSOC1s proteins. This study can provide a theoretical basis for exploring the mechanism of long flower bud stage and corolla non-unfolding at the molecular level and variety improvement of L. macranthoides.

MADS-box protein family are important transcriptional regulatory factors in plant growth and development. The AGAMOUS 12 (AGL12) subfamily is believed to play an important regulatory role in the process of plant flowering transition. To explore the potential mechanism of AGL12 subfamily involved in regulating the flower development of Lonicera macranthoides, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), prokaryotic expression and yeast two-hybrid techniques were used to analyze the expression pattern, protein expression, and protein-protein interaction pattern of LmAGL12 based on transcriptome data. The results showed that the LmAGL12 gene contains a 603 bp open reading frame (ORF), encoding 200 amino acids, and the encoded protein was stable and hydrophilic without a transmembrane region and signal peptide. Through homologous sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, it was confirmed that LmAGL12 protein belongs to the MADS-box protein family and is closely related to the AGL12 protein of Heracleum sosnowskyi and Daucus carota subsp. sativus. The LmAGL12 gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a and the recombinant constructs were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), which inducing the target protein successfully. The yeast two-hybrid results showed that LmAGL12 protein interacts with LmSVP protein, LmSOC1 protein and LmAP1 protein, respectively. The qRT-PCR results showed that LmAGL12 gene were differentially expressed in different development stages of flower bud, stem, and leaves of 'Longhua' and 'Baiyun' in L. macranthoides. The LmAGL12 gene showed the highest expression level in the middle stage of the 'Longhua' floral bud; For the 'Baiyun' variety, the relative expression level of LmAGL12 gene is the highest in the stem. This study cloned the LmAGL12 gene in L. macranthoides and analyzed it expression for the first time, enriching the research on flower organ development and providing a research basis for further exploring the molecular mechanisms of long bud stage and non-unfolded corolla in L. macranthoides, as well as for variety improvement.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)is a highly heterogeneous systemic condition and represents the predominant form of heart heart failure(HF)worldwide.Current pharmacotherapies for HFpEF are limited and lack specific targeted drugs.Recent studies suggest that non-pharmacological strategies serve as adjuncts to conventional pharmacological treatment,offering improvements in symptoms,quality of life,and reducing the risk of rehospitalization for HF in patients with HFpEF.These strategies include CD34 stem cell transplantation,the greater splanchnic nerve ablation,atrial septal shunting,atrial pacing,myocardial contractility modulation,left ventricular expander,baroreceptor stimulation,and others.This review comprehensively summarizes the latest clinical evidence on non-pharmacological treatments for HFpEF,with the aim of advancing the understanding of treatment strategies for this condition.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

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 analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with monkeypox.Methods Data of 17 patients with monkeypox hospitalized in a hospital in Nanning City from July to October 2023 were collected retrospectively.The epidemiological history,clinical manifestations,laboratory examinations,treat-ment and prognosis were analyzed and summarized.Results All 17 patients were male,with a median age of 28 years old.Fifteen(88.2％)patients were men who had sex with men(MSM)within 21 days prior to onset.Major clinical manifestations were rash and fever.Rashes distributed mainly in the anus,perineum and genitals(82.4％),followed by the trunk and limbs(52.9％),head and face(35.3％),while soles and palms were rare.Some patients had swollen inguinal lymph nodes.All patients were discharged from hospital after improvement,with an average hospital stay of 7 days.Conclusion The monkeypox epidemic in Nanning area of Guangxi occurs mainly in MSM population,with fever and rashes as the major symptoms.All patients have mild disease and good prognosis.

Hemophagocytic syndrome(HPS),also known as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(HLH),is a rare and highly malignant hematologic disease with a poor prognosis.It can be divided into two categories:primary HLH and secondary HLH.HLH is characterized by a large number of abnormal immune cells that continuously activate and regulate out of control,leading to systemic inflammatory factor storm and multiple organ failure.Clinical manifestations mainly include persistent malignant hyperthermia,pancytopenia,hepatosplenomegaly,and hemophagocytosis in tissues and organs.The pathogenesis of adult HLH is complex,with rapid onset and rapid disease progression,and the fatality rate remains high.The main causes of death in HLH patients are multiple organ failure,abnormal coagulation and septic shock.Due to the specificity of HLH and the lack of effective understanding of the severity and prognosis in clinical practice,some HLH patients are misdiagnosed or overlooked,missing the best opportunity for diagnosis and treatment.Therefore,this review systematically explores and discusses the latest diagnostic and treatment progress of adult HLH,aiming to provide reference for clinical diagnosis,treatment and prognosis assessment of HLH.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and prognosis of severe infant botulism and evaluate the therapeutic effect of botulinum antitoxin in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).Methods:The clinical data of 8 cases diagnosed with infantile botulism were retrospectively analyzed in the PICU of Beijing Children′s Hospital from October 2019 to August 2023. Data of basic demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, treatment and prognosis of each child were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.Results:Eight laboratory-confirmed cases of infant botulism were included in this study, all of which were male infants with an age of 6.0 (3.3,6.8) months. Three of the children were from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 2 of them were from Hebei, and the other 3 were from Beijing, Shandong and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, respectively. All the patients were previously healthy. In 4 of these cases, the possible cause was the ingestion of either honey and its products or sealed pickled food by the mother or child before the onset of the disease. The first symptom was poor milk intake (4 cases), followed by shallow shortness of breath (7 cases), limb weakness (7 cases) and so on. The typical signs were bilateral dilated pupils (8 cases) and decreased limb muscle strength (8 cases). The main subtype was type B (7 cases), and only 1 case was classified as type A. Six of the children were treated with antitoxin therapy for a duration of 24 (19, 49) d. Seven of them had invasive mechanical ventilation. All the patients survived upon discharge with a follow-up period of 29 d to 3 years and 8 months. Six patients had fully recovered, and 2 recently discharged patients were gradually recovering.Conclusions:For infants with suspected contact or ingestion of botulinum and presented with bilateral pupillary paralysis, muscle weakness and clear consciousness, the stool should be collected for diagnostic testing using a mouse bioassay as soon as possible. Type B was the most common type. The antitoxin treatment was effectiveness and the prognosis was well.