Objective: To investigate the incidence and trend of short-term outcomes among preterm infants born <34 weeks' gestation. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from the standardized database established by a multicenter cluster-randomized controlled study "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) using the evidence-based practice for improving quality (REIN-EPIQ) study". This study was conducted in 25 tertiary NICU. A total of 27 192 infants with gestational age <34 weeks at birth and admitted to NICU within the first 7 days of life from May 2015 to April 2018 were enrolled. Infants with severe congenital malformation were excluded. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the mortality and major morbidities of preterm infants by gestational age groups and different admission year groups. Cochran-Armitage test and Jonckheere-Terpstra test were used to analyze the trend of incidences of mortality and morbidities in 3 study-years. Multiple Logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the differences of outcomes in 3 study-years adjusting for confounders. Results: A total of 27 192 preterm infants were enrolled with gestational age of (31.3±2.0) weeks at birth and weight of (1 617±415) g at birth. Overall, 9.5% (2 594/27 192) of infants were discharged against medical advice, and the overall mortality rate was 10.7% (2 907/27 192). Mortality for infants who received complete care was 4.7% (1 147/24 598), and mortality or any major morbidity was 26.2% (6 452/24 598). The incidences of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, severe intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, proven necrotizing enterocolitis, and severe retinopathy of prematurity were 16.0% (4 342/27 192), 11.9% (3 225/27 192), 6.8% (1 641/24 206), 3.6% (939/25 762) and 1.5% (214/13 868), respectively. There was a decreasing of the overall mortality (P<0.001) during the 3 years. Also, the incidences for sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity both decreased (both P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the major morbidity in preterm infants who received complete care during the 3-year study period (P=0.230). After adjusting for confounders, infants admitted during the third study year showed significantly lower risk of overall mortality (adjust OR=0.62, 95%CI 0.55-0.69, P<0.001), mortality or major morbidity, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity, compared to those admitted in the first study year (all P<0.05). Conclusions: From 2015 to 2018, the mortality and major morbidities among preterm infants in Chinese NICU decreased, but there is still space for further efforts. Further targeted quality improvement is needed to improve the overall outcome of preterm infants.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality/trends* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases/epidemiology* ; Patient Discharge ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Sepsis/epidemiology*

Humans ; Mississippi/epidemiology* ; Influenza, Human/epidemiology* ; Meteorological Concepts ; Virus Diseases

ObjectiveTo establish blood stasis models in zebrafish using three inducers and select the optimal model for evaluating the activity of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in promoting blood circulation. MethodArachidonic acid （AA）， ponatinib， and isoprenaline （ISO） were used to induce blood stasis models in zebrafish. A normal group， a model group， a positive drug group， and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma water extract freeze-dried powder groups at different concentrations were set up. The staining intensity of cardiac erythrocytes and the fluorescence intensity of cardiac apoptotic cells were calculated， the anti-thrombotic effect and anti-myocardial hypoxia activity of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were evaluated. The activities of water extract and 70% methanol extract of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were compared based on the preferred AA- and ISO-induced blood stasis models in zebrafish and the difference in the chemical composition was analyzed by UHPLC LTQ-Orbitrap MS/MS. ResultAfter induction by AA and ponatinib， the staining intensity of cardiac erythrocytes was reduced （P<0.01）， and the fluorescence intensity of cardiac apoptotic cells increased after the induction by ISO （P<0.01）. The freeze-dried powder of the water extract of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma could antagonize the thrombosis in the AA-induced model （P<0.01） and the myocardial apoptosis in the ISO-induced model （P<0.05）， while no significant improvement in the thrombosis was observed in the ponatinib-induced model. The freeze-dried powder of 70% methanol extract of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma could inhibit myocardial apoptosis in the ISO-induced blood stasis model （P<0.01）， and the effect was stronger than that of the freeze-dried powder of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma water extract. The difference in chemical composition lay in some saponins （such as ginsenoside Re）， amino acids， and acetylenic alcohols. ConclusionAA， ponatinib， and ISO all can serve as inducers for the blood stasis model in zebrafish. AA- and ISO-induced models can be used to evaluate the activity of freeze-dried powder of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma water extract in promoting blood circulation. The chemical compositions of the freeze-dried powders of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma extracted with water and 70% methanol are quite different. For the ISO-induced blood stasis model， the freeze-dried powder of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma extracted with 70% methanol has a stronger ability against myocardial hypoxia. Saponins and acetylenic alcohols may be closely related to the effects of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism underlying the intervention of Gegen Qinliantang （GQL） in vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis （AS） of ApoE^-/- mice by regulating the polarization of macrophages. MethodTwelve normal C57BL/6CNC mice were used as the control group， and 60 ApoE^-/- mice of the same line were randomized into 5 groups： model group， low-dose， middle-dose， and high-dose GQL groups （GQL-D， GQL-Z， and GQL-G groups， respectively）， and atorvastatin group （western medicine group）. High-fat diet was used for modeling. The control group and the model group were given （ig） equal volume of sterile distilled water， and GQL-D， GQL-Z， GQL-G， and western medicine groups received （ig） corresponding concentration of drugs for 8 weeks. The levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） were detected with biochemical methods. The distribution of plaques in the aortic region was observed based on oil red O staining and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum levels of M1 pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and interleukin （IL）-6 and M2 anti-inflammatory factors IL-13 and transforming growth factor （TGF）-β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Protein expression of macrophage mannose receptor CD206/arginase-1 （Arg-1） and CD206/inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） was determined by double-labeling immunofluorescence， and mRNA expression of aortic Arg-1 and iNOS by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. ResultLevels of TG， TC， and LDL-C were significantly lower and HDL-C level was significantly higher in the GQL-Z， GQL-G， and western medicine groups than in the model group. As the concentration of GQL rose， the area with plaques gradually shrunk and the color became lighter. The staining areas of the GQL-G group and the western medicine group were the most scattered. The administration groups showed significant increase in the protein levels of Arg-1 and CD206， significant decrease in the protein level of iNOS， significant rise of Arg-1 mRNA level， and significant drop of iNOS mRNA level （P<0.05）. ConclusionGQL intervenes in the vulnerable plaques in AS by improving lipid metabolism， inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization， promoting macrophage M2 polarization， and further improving the inflammatory microenvironment.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Gegen Qinliantang （GQL） on vulnerable plaque of atherosclerosis based on the macrophage pyroptosis mediated by nuclear factor （NF）-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteine-aspartic acid protease （Caspase）-1 pathway. MethodA total of 12 normal C57BL/6CNC mice were used as the control group， and 60 ApoE^-/- mice of the same line were randomized into 5 groups： model group， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose GQL groups （GQL-D， GQL-Z， GQL-G groups， respectively）， and western medicine group. The control group and model group were given （ig） equal volume sterile distilled， and GQL-D， GQL-Z， GQL-G and western medicine groups received （ig） corresponding concentration of drugs for 8 weeks. Aortic plaques were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. Serum levels of interleukin （IL）-1β and IL-18 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， protein levels of macrophage mannose receptor （CD206）/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC） and CD206/NLRP3 by double-labeling immunofluorescence， and C-terminal gasdermin D （GSDMD）， N-terminal GSDMD， NLRP3， pro-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 （pro-Caspase-1） and NF-κB p65 by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， model group demonstrated serious pathological changes， rise of the levels of serum IL-1β and IL-18 and tissue ASC， NLRP3， C-terminal GSDMD， N-terminal GSDMD， pro-Caspase-1， and NF-κB p65， and decrease of CD206 level （P<0.05）. As compared with model group， the administration groups showed alleviation of the lesions in aortic wall， decrease in levels of serum IL-1β and IL-18 and tissue ASC， NLRP3， C-terminal GSDMD， N-terminal GSDMD， pro-Caspase-1， and NF-κB p65， and rise of CD206 level， with significant difference between some groups （P<0.05）. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang alleviates vulnerable plaque of atherosclerosis by regulating NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway and further relieving macrophage pyroptosis.

Objective:The investigation and research on the application status of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) is very important to understand the real situation and future development of this technology in China.Methods:This study comprehensively investigated the basic situation of HVPG technology in China, including hospital distribution, hospital level, annual number of cases, catheters used, average cost, indications and existing problems.Results:According to the survey, there were 70 hospitals in China carrying out HVPG technology in 2021, distributed in 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central Government). A total of 4 398 cases of HVPG were performed in all the surveyed hospitals in 2021, of which 2 291 cases (52.1%) were tested by HVPG alone. The average cost of HVPG detection was (5 617.2±2 079.4) yuan. 96.3% of the teams completed HVPG detection with balloon method, and most of the teams used thrombectomy balloon catheter (80.3%).Conclusion:Through this investigation, the status of domestic clinical application of HVPG has been clarified, and it has been confirmed that many domestic medical institutions have mastered this technology, but it still needs to continue to promote and popularize HVPG technology in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and outcome of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in southwest Hubei, China. METHODS: According to the Montreux definition of neonatal ARDS, a retrospective clinical epidemiological investigation was performed on the medical data of neonates with ARDS who were admitted to Department of Neonatology/Pediatrics in 17 level 2 or level 3 hospitals in southwest Hubei from January to December, 2017. RESULTS: A total of 7 150 neonates were admitted to the 17 hospitals in southwest Hubei during 2017 and 66 (0.92%) were diagnosed with ARDS. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 23 (35%) had mild ARDS, 28 (42%) had moderate ARDS, and 15 (23%) had severe ARDS. The main primary diseases for neonatal ARDS were perinatal asphyxia in 23 neonates (35%), pneumonia in 18 neonates (27%), sepsis in 12 neonates (18%), and meconium aspiration syndrome in 10 neonates (15%). Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 neonates (15%) were born to the mothers with an age of ≥35 years, 30 neonates (45%) suffered from intrauterine distress, 32 neonates (49%) had a 1-minute Apgar score of 0 to 7 points, 24 neonates (36%) had abnormal fetal heart monitoring results, and 21 neonates (32%) experienced meconium staining of amniotic fluid. Intraventricular hemorrhage was the most common comorbidity (12 neonates), followed by neonatal shock (9 neonates) and patent ductus arteriosus (8 neonates). All 66 neonates with ARDS were treated with mechanical ventilation in addition to the treatment for primary diseases. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 died, with a mortality rate of 15% (10/66), and 56 neonates were improved or cured, with a survival rate of 85% (56/66). CONCLUSIONS Neonatal ARDS in southwest Hubei is mostly mild or moderate. Perinatal asphyxia and infection may be the main causes of neonatal ARDS in this area. Intraventricular hemorrhage is the most common comorbidity. Neonates with ARDS tend to have a high survival rate after multimodality treatment.
China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; Retrospective Studies

Objective::To investigate the distribution status of medicinal plants in the wild areas of Russian Caucasus and Altai, and clarify the types and efficacy information of medicinal plants in the area, so as to dig deep into new resources and new functions of medicinal plants in the countries along the Belt and Road. Method::Medicinal plants in the wild were searched and collected to make waxy specimens, and sent back to the country to extract the total DNA of the leaves of the leaves. Internal Transcribed Spacer(ITS)sequence universal primers were used for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)amplification. The PCR products were sent for the two-way sequencing, and the sequencing results are spliced by software according to National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI). The same ITS sequence of the highest similarity species obtained by database BLAST was analyzed by DNAman software to identify the ITS sequence of the species and the ITS sequence of the same species. The MEGA 7 software was used as the phylogenetic tree, and the Kimura-2 parameter genetic distance was used to construct the neighbor joining(NJ) phylogenetic tree by the neighbor-joining method. The confidence of each branch of the development tree was tested by the bootstrap test method. A total of 2 000 cycles were performed, and the results were identified based on the clustering results. On this basis, the key medicinal plants in the Russian Caucasus and Altay wild areas were summarized and analyzed. Result::After BLAST alignment in NCBI database, the ITS sequences of each specimen were clustered with the login sequences on the NCBI database, which were separated from the outer group. The species classification of the specimens to be identified was determined by combining the characteristics of the specimens. A total of 51 plants were identified from the specimens collected in the field, covering 44 genera of 17 families, and 29 plants had clear efficacy records. The National Drug List of the Russian Federation and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia were retrieved to summarize commonly used medicinal plants in China and conclude that 20 kinds of Chinese and Russian common medicinal materials have different medicinal effects in local areas. This study has a reference significance for expanding the scope and clinical experience of traditional Chinese medicines, and provides a basis for strengthened local species conservation, development and utilization of wild medicinal plant resources.