OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanism in stable cell strains expressing Mini-hF9 gene with nonsense mutation. METHODS: Mini-hF9 gene and its nonsense mutants were transfected into HeLa cells independently, and stable cell strains were obtained after G418 resistance screening and monoclonal transformation. The altered splicing and protein expression of mRNA in Mini-hF9 gene in stable cell strains were detected by using RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The wild type and nonsense mutated human coagulation factor IX stable cell strains were constructed successfully, which were named HeLa-F9-WT, HeLa-F9-M1 and HeLa-F9-M2. Only normal splicing Norm was detected in the wild-type cell strain HeLa-F9-WT; Norm and Alt-S1 splicing were detected in HeLa-F9-M1; while Norm, Alt-S1 and Alt-S2 splicing were detected in HeLa-F9-M2. CONCLUSION The nonsense associated altered splicing (NAS) pathway, which generated alternately spliced transcripts, might be triggered in coagulation factor IX gene with nonsense mutation.
Codon, Nonsense ; Factor IX/metabolism* ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Mutation ; RNA Splicing ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism*

Objective:To analyze the source of infection， clinical symptoms and epidemiological characteristics of pertussis surveillance cases in Minhang District of Shanghai from 2017 to 2019，so as to provide the basis for pertussis surveillance and immunization strategy. Methods:Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the pertussis surveillance cases. Results:A total of 334 cases were included in the pertussis active surveillance system， 237 cases were confirmed cases. There were 13 towns or streets in Minhang District， except for Pujin Street， all the other 12 towns or streets had cases. The high risk group （131/237， 55.27% of the cases） were the infants under five months old who did not reach the age of immunization or did not complete the basic immunization of diphtheria， tetanus， and acellular pertussis combined vaccine （DTaP）. The cases mainly occurred in March to July， accounting for 71.31% （169/237）. The highest culture-positive rate of Bordetella pertussis was in August （82.76%， 24/29）； the highest positive rate of polymerase chain reaction （PCR） detection was in March （58.82%， 20/34）. All the monitored cases had cough symptoms with an average cough days of 22.05±9.81 in confirmed cases. A total of 64 clustered outbreaks were detected， with an attack rate of 37.45% （94/251）. 32.91% （78/237） of the cases had contact history with coughing patients 21 days before the onset， and 94.87% （74/78） of them were family members. The aggregation of pertussis was mainly transmitted from adults to infants and infants to adults. Conclusion:Children under five months old are the high incidence population of pertussis， and family members are the main source of infection. It is suggested that pertussis monitoring and prevention should be carried out in adolescents and adults.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current status of antibiotic use for very and extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of Hunan Province. METHODS: The use of antibiotics was investigated in multiple level 3 NICUs of Hunan Province for VLBW and ELBW infants born between January, 2017 and December, 2017. RESULTS: The clinical data of 1 442 VLBW/ELBW infants were collected from 24 NICUs in 2017. The median antibiotic use duration was 17 days (range: 0-86 days), accounting for 53.0% of the total length of hospital stay. The highest duration of antibiotic use was up to 91.4% of the total length of hospital stay, with the lowest at 14.6%. In 16 out of 24 NICUs, the antibiotic use duration was accounted for more than 50.0% of the hospitalization days. There were 113 cases with positive bacterial culture grown in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, making the positive rate of overall bacterial culture as 7.84%. The positive rate of bacterial culture in different NICUs was significantly different from 0% to 14.9%. The common isolated bacterial pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae was 29 cases (25.7%); Escherichia coli 12 cases (10.6%); Staphylococcus aureus 3 cases (2.7%). The most commonly used antibiotics were third-generation of cephalosporins, accounting for 41.00% of the total antibiotics, followed by penicillins, accounting for 32.10%, and followed by carbapenems, accounting for 13.15%. The proportion of antibiotic use time was negatively correlated with birth weight Z-score and the change in weight Z-score between birth and hospital discharge (r=-0.095, -0.151 respectively, P<0.01), positively correlated with death/withdrawal of care (r=0.196, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Antibiotics used for VLBW/ELBW infants in NICUs of Hunan Province are obviously prolonged in many NICUs. The proportion of routine use of third-generation of cephalosporins and carbapenems antibiotics is high among the NICUs.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Birth Weight ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) on vascular dementia in rats.Method The rat vascular dementia model was prepared using an improved two-vessel occlusion method,and the common carotid artery was only isolated but not blocked in sham group.Rats were randomly divided into sham group,model group,Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) groups with low,medium and high dose (5,10,20 mg/kg) and Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate Injection group (Cerebrolysin,Positive drug,10 mg/kg).The drug was administered by iv injection of rat tail vein once a day for two weeks,while the same volume of saline was administered in sham and model group.At the end of administration,the plasma was collected through abdominal aorta to separate serum,and rat cortex was isolated to prepare homogenate.The levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) in serum and level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in cortex were detected by ELISA.Level of glutamate (Glu) in cortex of VaD rats was detected by colorimetry.Results Compared with model group,levels of NGF and IGF-2 in the serum of VaD rats and level of GABA in cortex were significantly increased,while level of Glu in cortex was significantly decreased after administration of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ).The increased IGF-2 and GABA levels by Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ) were significantly higher than that of Cerebrolysin at same dose.Conclusion The mechanisms underlying the increased leaming and memory ability of VaD rats by Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for Injection (Ⅰ),are possibly related to the increased levels of NGF and IGF-2 in body and a regulation of the balance between excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for injection (I) on vascular dementia (VaD) in rats.Method The permanent bilateral common carotid artery ligation method was used to prepare a VaD rat model.Suture of rats was performed after separation of the common carotid artery in Sham group.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate Injection (Cerebrolysin,10 mg/kg,positive drug group),Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for injection (I) high,medium and low dose (20,10 and 5 mg/kg) groups.Rats were treated with relative drug by tail iv injection once daily for two weeks,and rats in Sham group were given equal volume of saline.The learning and memory abilities were evaluated by Y maze and step-through tests.Besides,the levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) in VaD rat serum were determined by ELISA method.Results Compared with model group,Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for injection (I) significantly increased the correct number in Y maze test,reduced the step-through latency time,and elevated serum IGF-1 level in VaD rats.The protective effects of Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for injection (I) in VaD rats were equivalent to the same dose of Cerebrolysin.Conclusion Cerebroprotein Hydrolysate for injection (I) could significantly improve the learning and memory abilities of VaD rats,presumably through a mechanism of elevating IGF-1 level,which promotes the repairment and growth of neurons.

AIM:To investigate the regulatory effect of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitor, pyrrolidine di-thiocarbamate (PDTC), on nerve function and neural cell apoptosis in rats after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).METH-ODS:SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 rats in each group: sham group, ICH group, PDTC at low concentration (Plow) group and PDTC at high concentration (Phigh) group.Autologous blood injection was used to establish ICH model.After 2 h of surgery, the rats in Plow group and Phigh group were intraperitoneal injected with PDTC at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively , while rats in sham group and ICH group were injected with the same volume of saline .The neurological function score was classified with modified Longa grading method .TUNEL assay was used to detected the neural cell apoptosis , and the content of malondialdehyde ( MDA) and the activity of superoxide dis-mutase (SOD) were measured.Furthermore, the protein levels of p-P65 and cleaved caspase-3 in brain tissues were deter-mined by Western blot .RESULTS: Compared with sham group , the rats in ICH group had higher neurological function score (P<0.05).After treatment with PDTC, the neurological function score was decreased (P<0.05), but no signifi-cant difference between P low group and P high group was observed .Compared with sham group , the number of apoptotic cells in ICH group was increased ( P<0.05 ) .After treatment with PDTC , the neural cell apoptosis was restrained , and the number of apoptotic cells in Phigh group was lower than that in Plow group (P<0.05).Compared with sham group, the con-tent of MDA was increased and the activity of SOD was decreased in ICH group (P<0.05).After treatment with PDTC, the content of MDA was decreased while the activity of SOD was increased , and the variation trend was more obvious in Phigh group (P<0.05).Compared with sham group, the protein levels of p-P65 and cleaved caspase-3 in ICH group were increased (P<0.05).After treatment with PDTC, the protein levels of p-P65 and cleaved caspase-3 were decreased, and those in Phigh group were lower than those in P low group.CONCLUSION: NF-κB inhibitor PDTC plays a role in the se-condary brain injury after ICH , and the protective effect increases at the higher dose .The mechanism may be related to re-ducing MDA content and increasing SOD activity , and further inhibiting neural cell apoptosis .

BACKGROUND:Internal and external fixation combined with autologous bone graft for treating atrophic nonunion has a long treatment cycle,and moreover,it cannot achieve a 100％ cure rate.Platelet-rich plasma contains a variety of growth factors and a large number of white blood cells,and contributes to tissue healing.However,there is no clinical study on the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma combined with conventional surgery in the treatment of atrophic nonunion.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of atrophic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures.METHODS:We conducted a prospective,open-label,randomized,controlled clinical trial at the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University,China.Ninety-two patients with atrophic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures were equally and randomly divided into control group and experimental group.Patients in the control group received conventional surgery.Patients in the experimental group were injected with autologous platelet-rich plasma on the basis of conventional surgery.The primary outcome was fracture healing rate at postoperative 9 months.The secondary outcomes were visual analogue scale scores in resting state and during passive motion,healing time,treatment costs,and adverse reactions.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University of China (approval number:QHG0223A) on May 20,2014.Written informed consent was provided by each patient and their family members after they fully understood the treatment plan.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Our partial results demonstrated that visual analogue scale scores and complications were similar between the two groups at postoperative 1-3 days.The healing rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group.The healing time was significantly shorter in the experimental group than in the control group.This trial will provide objective data for the clinical use of platelet-rich plasma combined with conventional surgery for the treatment of atrophic nonunion.

Asiaticoside is a compound extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Centella asiatica, and mainly used in wound healing and scar repair in clinical, with notable efficacy. However, its poor transdermal absorption and short action time restrict its wide application. In this experiment, the reserve-phase-extrusion-lyophilization method was conducted to prepare the lyophilized asiaticoside-loaded flexible nanoliposomes (LAFL). Its characteristics including electron microscope structure, particle size, Zeta potential, entrapment rate, drug-loading rate, stability and drug release were determined with the intelligent transdermal absorption instrument. LAFL were white spheroids, with pH, particle size and zeta potential of 7. 03, 70. 14 nm and - 36. 5 mV, respectively. The average entrapment rate of the 3 batch samples were 31. 43% , and the average asiaticoside content in 1 mg lyophilized simple was 0. 134 mg. The results indicated that LAFL have good physicochemical properties and pharmaceutical characteristics, with an improved transdermal performance.
Animals ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effects and immunoregulation mechanism of the traditional Mongolian medicine Wuweifengshi capsule on adjuvant arthritis (AA).

METHODWister rats were divided into several groups: normal group, AA model group, Wuweifengshi capsule groups (with low, moderate, high dose of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) respectively), and Zhonglun-5 group (original dose of 1.68 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)). The edema degree, the level of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, PGE2, NO and MDA and the activity of SOD in serum were detected. Through cell culture, the effects of the medicine on AA rat's splenic cell's multiplication capacity were studied. The influence of celiac macrophage cell culture fluid of AA rats' on C57BL/6J mice thymic cell multiplication capacity under the medicine was evaluated.

RESULTWuweifengshi capsule showed an inhibiting function on the level of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, PGE2, NO and increased the activity of SOD in serum, but showed no significant influence on MDA. It also inhibited the AA rat's splenic cell's multiplication capacity and the influence of celiac macrophage cell culture fluid of AA rat's on C57BL/6J mice thymic cell multiplication capacity.

CONCLUSIONThe anti-AA effect of Wuweifengshi capsule is possibly due to its inhibition of relevant cytokines and its adjustment of corresponding enzyme's activity and immunization organ's cell multiplication capacity.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Capsules ; Dehydroascorbic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Edema ; drug therapy ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Rats ; Spleen ; cytology ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism