Objective To study the characteristics of the colonization of 8 species of bifidobacteria by systematically profiling fecal bifidobacterial community in the early life of infants. Methods Fresh fecal samples including meconium samples were collected for culture and isolation of fecal bifidobacteria from 16 cases of full-term newborn infants born between March and April 2013 at their life of 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 28, and 90 days. The isolated fecal bifidobacteria were taxonomically identified to genus and 8 species with PCR analysis. Results One hundred and fiftytwo predominant bifidobacteria strains were detected in the fecal samples, the detection rate of B. breve (22.4%) were the highest. Bifidobacteria were found in the feces of 8% infants 4 days after birth. The colonization rates increased to 54% and 60% at 28 days and 3 months respectively, significantly exceeding the colonization rate at 4 days after birth (P<0.05). Adult-type bifidobacteria B. catenulatum were found in the infants 10 days after birth, and infant-type bifidobacteria B. infantis were found at 14 days after birth, but infant-type bifidobacteria B. infantis were detected at a high level until 3 months after birth. The most tested infants had 2 species or less of bifidobacteria. Conclusions Intestinal bifidobacteria in infants might have less diversity in early infancy. Infant-type bifidobacteria appear late, while adult-type bifidobacteria colonize earlier.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of preferred use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in the treatment of neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage. Methods The clinical efficacy of preferred use of HFOV (preferred use group) and rescue use of HFOV after conventional mechanical ventilation proved ineffective (rescue use group) in the treatment of 26 cases of neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage was retrospectively analyzed. The oxygenation index (OI), pulmonary hemorrhage time, hospitalization time, ventilation time, oxygen therapy time, complications, and outcome of the two groups were compared. Results Compared with the rescue use group, the preferred use group had significantly lower IO values at 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the rescue use group, the preferred use group had a significantly lower incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) (P<0.05) and a significantly higher cure rate (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of pneumothorax, intracranial hemorrhage, and digestive tract hemorrhage beween the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with those in the rescue use group, children who survived in the preferred use group had significantly shorter pulmonary hemorrhage time, hospitalization time, ventilation time, and oxygen therapy time (P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with the rescue use of HFOV, preferred use of HFOV can better improve oxygenation function, reduce the incidence of VAP, shorten the course of disease, and increase cure rate while not increasing the incidence of adverse effects.

Objective To explore the relationship between histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) and fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) and brain injury in preterm infants. Methods One hundred and three singleton infants with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (gestation ages of less than 34 weeks) were enrolled. All the placentas were submitted for pathological evaluation. Umbilical cord blood interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels were measured with liquid chip. All preterm infants accepted brain imaging examinations. Based on the placental pathological examination and umbilical cord blood level of IL-6, the 103 infants were classified into HCA^- FIRS^-, HCA⁺ FIRS^-, and HCA⁺ FIRS⁺ groups. Results The incidences of HCA, FIRS, and brain injury were 53.4%, 20.4% and 38.8% respectively. The prevalence of brain injury in HCA^- FIRS^-, HCA⁺ FIRS^-, and HCA⁺ FIRS⁺ cases was 21%, 41%, and 76% respectively (P<0.01). The grade 2 and grade 3 of placental inflammation and the inflammation at stage 2 and stage 3 increased the risk of brain injury. The cord blood levels of IL-8, TNF-α, and G-CSF in the HCA⁺ FIRS⁺ group were significantly higher than in the other two groups, and the levels of the above parameters in the HCA⁺ FIRS^- were higher than in the HCAFIRS^- group (P<0.05). Conclusions Placental inflammation and FIRS are associated with brain injury in preterm infants. Preterm infants exposed to severe placental inflammation have an increased risk of brain injury. Cord blood IL- 8, TNF-α and G-CSF may be involved in the process of brain injury in preterm infants with placental inflammation and FIRS.

Objective To study the value of the determination of serum and urine haptoglobin (HP) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) in predicting the response to glucocorticoid therapy in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS). Methods A total of 84 children with PNS were classified to steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) (n=58) and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) groups (n=26). Forty healthy children were randomly selected for the control group. HP and AAT levels in blood and urinary samples were determined using ELISA. The efficiency of HP and AAT in predicting the response to glucocorticoid treatment of PNS was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results Compared with the control group, both the SSNS and SRNS groups had significantly higher serum HP concentrations and urine AAT/Cr ratio before treatment (P<0.05); compared with the SSNS group, the SRNS group had significantly higher serum HP concentrations and urine AAT/Cr ratio before treatment and after one week and four weeks of treatment (P<0.05). Serum HP had the highest efficiency in predicting the response to glucocorticoid treatment of PNS at the concentration of 37.935 mg/mL, with the sensitivity and specificity being 92.3% and 86.2% respectively. Urine AAT/Cr ratio had the highest prediction efficiency at 0.0696, with the sensitivity and specificity being 100% and 79.3% respectively. ROC curve analysis of serum HP combined with urine AAT/Cr ratio showed a better prediction efficiency, with the sensitivity and specificity being 92.3% and 96.6% respectively. Conclusions The increase in serum HP level or urine AAT/Cr ratio may indicate glucocorticoid resistance in the early stage of PNS. A combination of the two can achieve better efficiency in the prediction of SRNS.

Objective Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene polymorphisms have been shown to be implicated in hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and other diseases. However, it remains unclear whether ACE2 gene polymorphisms are involved in the development of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) in children. The aim of this study was to assess the association between A9570G polymorphisms of ACE2 gene and PNS in a group of Han children in Guangdong Province, China. Methods The genotype distribution and allele frequency of ACE2 gene A9570G in 66 children with PNS and 60 healthy subjects (control group) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results Allele frequency and genotype distribution showed no significant difference between the PNS and control groups whether in female or in male children (P>0.05). The PNS group was classified into the glucocorticoid-sensitive and glucocorticoid-resistant subgroups according to glucocorticoid treatment response. Subgroup analysis revealed that in female children, the frequency of GG genotype was 17% in the glucocorticoidsensitive group vs 45% in the glucocorticoid-sensitive group (P=0.018); the frequency of G allele was 31% in the glucocorticoid-sensitive group vs 61% in the glucocorticoid-resistant group (P=0.023). In male children, the frequency of G genotype/G allele was 36% in the glucocorticoid-sensitive group vs 64% in the glucocorticoid-resistant group (P=0.017). Conclusions There is no clear association between ACE2 gene A9570G polymorphisms and childhood PNS, but ACE2 gene A9570G polymorphisms might be associated with glucocorticoid treatment response in children with PNS. The G allele might be a genetic susceptibility factor of glucocorticoid resistance in children with PNS.

Objective To observe the efficacy of regular or intermittent inhalation of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (SM/FP) in the treatment of bronchial asthma and its effects on growth and development in children. Methods A total of 112 children diagnosed with bronchial asthma between September 2012 and October 2013 were assigned to standardized treatment (standard group, n=56) and non-standardized treatment (intermittent group, n=56). Comparisons of clinical symptom scores and main pulmonary function indicators between the two groups were carried out before treatment and at 6 and 12 months after treatment. The growth velocity and changes in body mass index (BMI) were observed in the two groups. Results At 6 and 12 months after the treatment, the standard group had significantly reduced clinical symptom scores and significantly increased pulmonary function indicators (percentage of predicted peak expiratory flow, PEF%; percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second, FEV1%) (P<0.05); the intermittent group had significantly reduced clinical symptom scores and significantly increased FEV1% (P<0.05), but PEF% was significantly increased only at 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). At 12 months after treatment, the standard group had significantly lower clinical symptom scores and significantly higher PEF% and FEV1% when compared with the intermittent group (P<0.05). The growth velocity and BMI showed no significant differences between the two groups at 6 and 12 months after treatment (P>0.05). Conclusions Compared with intermittent inhalation, long-term regular inhalation of SM/FP performs better in controlling clinical symptoms and enhancing pulmonary function in children with asthma. Inhalation of SM/FP for one year reveals no apparent effect on the growth and development of these children.

Objective To study the association of ORMDL3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) levels. Methods A total of 300 children diagnosed with bronchial asthma between January 2010 and December 2012 were selected for the asthma group, and 298 children diagnosed with upper respiratory tract infection in the same period were selected for the control group. Serum LysoPC and apoB levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Genotype analysis was performed using the TaqMan probe. Results LysoPC and apoB levels were significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group (P<0.01). Among children with various genotypes of ORMDL3 gene at locus rs12603332, the asthma group had significantly higher LysoPC and apoB levels than the control group (P<0.01). Among the children with asthma, those with CC genotype had significantly higher LysoPC and apoB levels than those with CT and TT genotypes (P<0.01). Conclusions LysoPC and apoB may intervene in the pathological process of asthma. Pro-inflammatory gene ORMDL3 SNP rs12603332 may be associated with high LysoPC and apoB levels, which leads to the occurrence of childhood asthma.

Objective To study the risk factors for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in children with measles. Methods The clinical data of 55 children with measles were retrospectively studied. Of the 55 children, 11 were complicated by ARDS. The risk factors for the development of ARDS were investigated by univariate analysis and multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Results The univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the oxygen inhalation mode (nasal catheter/mask), the rate of sepsis, blood C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and lymphocyte counts at admission between the ARDS and non-ARDS groups (P<0.05). The presence of sepsis and higher blood CRP levels were identified as the major risk factors for the development of ARDS by the multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR=116.444, 1.050 respectively; P<0.05). Conclusions The children with measles who have sepsis and higher blood CRP levels are at risk of ARDS.

Objective To explore the abnormal expression of plasma proteins by analysis of proteomic expression profile in children with infectious mononucleosis (IM). Methods Two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by the mass spectrometry was used to examine important protein spots with different expression levels between children with IM and normal controls. Results Seven differential proteins were obtained: hemopexin, vitamin D binding protein, fetuin A, C-reactive protein, apolipoprotein A, haptoglobin and transthyretin. Compared with the control group, haptoglobin showed a higher expression level in children with IM, and the expression levels of the other proteins were obviously down-regulated. Conclusions The expression changes of differential proteins identified in this study are all related with the liver acute injury, suggesting that children with IM are associated with acute liver injury. Further studies on the characteristics of above proteins will contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric IM.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the WT-2009 chemotherapy protocol for Wilms' tumor (WT) in children. Methods The clinical data of 34 children with newly-diagnosed WT between July 2009 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Among the 34 children, 2 died before treatment, 6 children did not accept therapy and 26 accepted the chemotherapy based on the WT-2009 chemotherapy protocol. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the 2-year survival rate. Results The pathological analysis revealed the favorable histology WT was common (88%, 30/34). The most common first manifestation was abdominal masses (56%, 19/34). Among the 26 patients who accepted the chemotherapy based on the WT-2009 protocol, complete remission was achieved in 24 cases (92%), partial remission was achieved in 1 case (4%), and disease relapse was found in 1 case (4%). Severe pulmonary infection occurred in 1 case in the course of treatment. The 2-year overall survival rate and event-free survival rate were 100% and 89.7% respectively. Conclusions Favorable histology is most common pathological type in children with WT. The chemotherapy based on the WT-2009 protocol for WT can produce a favorable prognosis and a high tolerance.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for type 1 diabetes among Uygur children in Xinjiang, China, in order to provide a basis for the prevention of this disease among Uygur children in Xinjiang. Methods The clinical data of 94 Uygur children with type 1 diabetes (case group) and 96 Uygur children without diabetes (control group) between January, 2003 and December, 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors for type 1 diabetes among Uyghur children in Xinjiang were explored using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results According to the result of univariate analysis, there were significant differences in age, prodromal infection, residence, feeding method, time for intake of starchy foods, time for intake of high-fat foods, family history, islet-cell antibodies (ICA), insulin autoantibodies (IAA), and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies between the case and the control groups (P<0.05). According to the result of multivariate logistic analysis, older age, early intake of starchy foods, early intake of high-fat foods, prodromal infection, positive ICA, and positive IAA were major risk factors for type 1 diabetes, and breastfeeding was a protective factor. Conclusions Type 1 diabetes among Uyghur children in Xinjiang is caused by multiple factors. Prevention and reduction of prodromal infection, reasonable diet, and promotion of breastfeeding can reduce the risk of disease.

Objective To study the association between rs1079595 polymorphisms in the DRD2 gene and the distractibility in school-age children. Methods The genotyping at rs1079595 was performed and the distractibility was measured based on the temperament questionnaire in 120 8-12 years old school-age children in order to analyze the effects of the rs1079595 polymorphism and its interaction with the gender, age and delivery mode on the distractibility. Results There was an association between the distractibility and rs1079595 polymorphisms. The distractibility score in children with GG/GT genotypes was significantly higher than in children with the TT genotype (4.3±0.6 vs 4.0±0.7; P<0.05). The interaction between rs1079595 polymorphisms and the delivery mode produced an effect on the distractibility. The normal delivery children with T alleles were associated with a low distractibility (OR=0.037, P<0.01). Conclusions The distractibility based the temperament might be influenced by the rs1079595 polymorphism and its interaction with the delivery mode in school-age children.

Objective To explore the roles of PKCβ/P66Shc oxidative stress signal pathway in mediating hyperoxia-induced reactive oxgen species (ROS) production in alveolar epithelial cells (A549) and the protective effects of PKCβ inhibitor on hyperoxia-induced injuries of alveolar epithelial cells. Methods A549 cells were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into three groups: control, hyperoxia and PKCβ inhibitor LY333531 treatment. The hyperoxia group was exposed to a mixture of O₂ (950 mL/L) and CO₂ (50 mL/L) for 10 minutes and then cultured in a closed environment. The LY333531 group was treated with PKCβ inhibitor LY333531 of 10 μmol/L for 24 hours before hyperoxia induction. Cells were collected 24 hours after culture and the levels of PKCβ, Pin1, P66Shc and P66Shc- Ser36 were detected by Western blot. The intracellular translocation of P66Shc, the production of ROS and cellular mitochondria membrane potential were measured using the confocal microscopy. Results Compared with the control group, the levels of PKCβ, Pin1, P66Shc and P-P66Shc-Ser36 in A549 cells 24 hours after culture increased significantly in the hyperoxia group. These changes in the hyperoxia group were accompanied with an increased translocation rate of P66Shc from cytoplasm into mitochondria, an increased production of mitochondrial ROS, and a reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Compared with the hyperoxia group, the levels of Pin1, P66Shc and P66Shc-Ser36 in A549 cells, the translocation rate of P66Shc from cytoplasm into mitochondria and the production of mitochondrial ROS decreased significantly, while the mitochondrial membrane potential increased significantly in the LY333531 treatment group. However, there were significant differences in the above mentioned measurements between the LY333531 treatment and control groups. Conclusions Hyperoxia can increase the expression of PKCβ in alveolar epithelial cells and production of mitochondrial ROS and decrease mitochondrial membrane potential. PKCβ inhibitor LY333531 can partially disrupt these changes and thus alleviate the hyperoxia-induced alveolar epithelial cell injury.

Objective To examine the expression of calreticulin (CRT) and the changes of intracellular free calcium and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD), and to investigate the intervention effects of Shenfu injection. Methods Seven-day-old rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control, hypoxic-ischemia (HI) and Shenfu-treated. Each group (n=50) was subdivided into 5 groups sacrificed at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours. Rat models of HIBD were prepared according to the Rice's method. Rats in the control group only underwent the separation of right common carotidartery. Shenfu injection was administered by intraperitoneal injections right after HI insults and then once daily at a dosage of 10 mL/kg for 3 days in the Shenfu-treated group. The expression of CRT in the cerebral cortex was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The free calcium concentrations were determined under a fluorescent microscope. The apoptosis rate was measured by the flow cytometry. Results Compared with the control group, the expression levels of CRT in the HI and the Shenfu-treated groups were obviously up-regulated (P<0.05), and the expression levels of CRT in the Shenfu-treated group were notably higher than those in the HI group (P<0.05) at all time points. The concentrations of intracellular free calcium and the apoptosis rate of neurons in the cerebral cortex in the Shenfu-treated group were significantly reduced compared with those in the HI group (P<0.05), but increased significantly compared with those in the control group at all time points (P<0.05). Conclusions Shenfu injection may have neuroprotective effects against HIBD by up-regulation of CRT expression and relief of calcium overload.

No abstract available