Diagnostic values of CD27, CD20 and MPO in pediatric ulcerative colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a rising incidence in pediatric populations. Immune factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of UC. This study aimed to explore the relationships of intestinal immune molecules CD27, CD20 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) with pediatric UC and their diagnostic values.

Clinical analysis and identification of pediatric patients with colonic ulceration.

Background: A wide variety of diseases mimic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to reduce the misdiagnosis among children with colonic ulcers.

Methods: Eighty-six pediatric patients with colonic ulcers detected by colonoscopy were enrolled in the retrospective study.

Using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging-derived radiomics to classify cervical lymphadenopathy in children.

Background: Cervical lymphadenopathy is common in children and has diverse causes varying from benign to malignant, their similar manifestations making differential diagnosis difficult.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether radiomic models using conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could classify pediatric cervical lymphadenopathy.

Methods: A total of 419 cervical lymph nodes from 146 patients, and encompassing four common etiologies (Kikuchi disease, reactive hyperplasia, suppurative lymphadenitis and malignancy), were randomly divided into training and testing sets in a ratio of 7:3.

Reg4 deficiency aggravates pancreatitis by increasing mitochondrial cell death and fibrosis.

Regenerating gene family member 4 (Reg4) has been implicated in acute pancreatitis, but its precise functions and involved mechanisms have remained unclear. Herein, we sought to investigate the contribution of Reg4 to the pathogenesis of pancreatitis and evaluate its therapeutic effects in experimental pancreatitis. In acute pancreatitis, Reg4 deletion increases inflammatory infiltrates and mitochondrial cell death and decreases autophagy recovery, which are rescued by the administration of recombinant Reg4 (rReg4) protein.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children with refractory diarrhoea and hypoalbuminaemia as the initial presentation: two case reports and a literature review.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) involving the gastrointestinal tract is a rare condition for which clinical experience is limited. We describe the cases of two patients who initially presented with chronic diarrhoea, hypoproteinaemia, and intermittent fever. These findings suggest that in cases of refractory diarrhoea accompanied by recurrent hypoalbuminaemia, especially with abdominal rash, LCH should be considered.

Loss of Mptx2 alters bacteria composition and intestinal homeostasis potentially by impairing autophagy.

A recent single-cell survey of the small-intestinal epithelium suggests that mucosal pentraxin 2 (Mptx2) is a new Paneth cell marker, but its function and involved mechanism in the Paneth cell are still unknown. Therefore, we create Mptx2 knockout (Mptx2) mice to investigate its precise effects on intestinal homeostasis using models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) peritoneal infection, and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced intestinal injury and inflammation. We here find that Mptx2 is selectively expressed in Paneth cells in the small intestines of mice.

Conserved Covarying Gut Microbial Network in Preterm Infants and Childhood Growth During the First 5 Years of Life: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Longitudinally conserved microbe-microbe interactions may provide insights to understand the complex dynamic system of early-life gut microbiota among preterm infants.

Objectives: We aimed to profile the covarying network of gut microbiota among preterm infants and investigate its potential influence on host growth (2-5 y).

Methods: We collected time-series stool samples (n = 717 from children and n = 116 from mothers) among 51 preterm and 51 full-term infants from birth up to 5 y of age and among 53 mothers.

Intestinal Reg4 deficiency confers susceptibility to high-fat diet-induced liver steatosis by increasing intestinal fat absorption in mice.

Background & Aims: Regenerating gene family member 4 (REG4) is a novel marker for enteroendocrine cells and is selectively expressed in specialised enteroendocrine cells of the small intestine. However, the exact roles of REG4 are largely unknown. In this study we investigate the effects of REG4 on the development of dietary fat-dependent liver steatosis and the mechanisms involved.

Evaluation of a new digital pediatric malnutrition risk screening tool for hospitalized children with congenital heart disease.

Background: In a cohort of hospitalized children with congenital heart disease (CHD), a new digital pediatric malnutrition screening tool as a mobile application was validated, and its effectiveness and clinical value were determined as a prospective study.

Methods And Results: Children with CHD (n = 1125) were screened for malnutrition risk. The incidence of risk and the differences among various age groups and types of CHD were characterized.

Postbiotic muramyl dipeptide alleviates colitis activating autophagy in intestinal epithelial cells.

The pathogenesis of IBD is complicated and still unclear. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) plays a significant role in regulating gut inflammation under the activation of muramyl dipeptide (MDP), which is used as a postbiotic. The study aimed to investigate the effect of MDP on the intestinal barrier in colitis and the mechanism involved.

Long-term follow-up for pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction patients in China.

Background: Pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (PIPO) is a heterogeneous and severe group of disorders with a high mortality rate. Patients with PIPO often develop malnutrition and need long-term nutrition support. This study aimed to determine the nutrition status, particularly micronutrients, during the long-term follow-up of patients with PIPO.

Distribution of health problems at the general outpatients' clinic of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: The study aimed to understand the distribution of health problems of a general practice clinic to provide guidance on how to develop primary care in Shenzhen, China.

Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study.

Methods: Patients' sociodemographic data and diagnoses were recorded from the electronic medical record system of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital from Jan 2014 to Dec 2020 and coded using the International Classification of Primary Care-2.

A randomized controlled trial enhancing viral hepatitis testing in primary care via digital crowdsourced intervention.

Despite the availability of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing in primary care, testing rates in China remain low. Social media is an inexpensive means of disseminating information and could facilitate hepatitis testing promotion. We evaluated the capacity of digitally crowdsourced materials to promote HBV/HCV testing uptake via a randomized controlled trial (identifier: ChiCTR1900025771), which enrolled 750 Chinese primary care patients.

Efficacy and safety of parenteral nutrition with iron sucrose for anemia prevention in preterm infants: A randomized, double-blind controlled study.

Background And Objectives: Our objective is to study the efficacy and safety of parenteral nutrition (PN) with iron sucrose to prevent anemia in preterm infants.

Methods And Study Design: We performed a randomized, double-blind controlled trial in which preterm infants were divided into five groups randomly: a control group (PN without iron sucrose, namely group Iron-0), and intervention groups (PN with iron sucrose 100 μg/kg/d, 200 μg/kg/d, 300 μg/kg/d and 400 μg/kg/d, namely group Iron-1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). The indicators were red blood cell (RBC) parameters, iron storage and oxidant stress.

Intestinal Continuity Alleviates Pediatric Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease.

Background: Type I short bowel syndrome (SBS) occurs after a critical reduction in the functional gut mass and resection of intestinal continuity after ileostomy or jejunostomy for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intestinal atresia or other causes. SBS is often accompanied with intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) who requires long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). Our study aimed to observe the effect of intestinal continuity on the hepatic function of pediatric intestinal failure (IF) patients with type I SBS.

What facilitates hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing and the role of stigma among primary care patients in China?

Approximately 80% of primary healthcare facilities in China were ready to deliver hepatitis care services by 2021. This study aimed to assess hepatitis B and C test uptake, identify the factors associated with testing and determine the predictors of hepatitis stigma among primary care patients. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among patients seeking care in the family medicine and primary care unit of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, China.

Catheter-related bloodstream infections in children with intestinal failure: a 6-year review from an intestinal rehabilitation center in China.

Background: Children with intestinal failure (IF) have frequent catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). This study aimed to analyze the clinical presentation and laboratory parameters of CRBSIs in children with IF.

Methods: This 6-year retrospective study was conducted among IF children with CRBSIs at an intestinal rehabilitation center in China.

Full-Length Transcriptome of Red Swamp Crayfish Hepatopancreas Reveals Candidate Genes in Hif-1 and Antioxidant Pathways in Response to Hypoxia-Reoxygenation.

Red swamp crayfish is particularly prone to exposure to hypoxia-reoxygenation stress on account of the respiration and rhythmic, light-dependent photosynthetic activity of the algae and aquatic grass. Up to now, the regulation mechanisms of the adverse effects of hypoxia-reoxygenation for this species were still unknown, especially the roles of the antioxidant enzymes in reducing oxidative damage during reoxygenation. To screen for vital genes or pathways upon hypoxic-reoxygenation stress, hepatopancreas gene expression profiles were investigated by using a strategy combining second and third generation sequencing.

Monogenic mutations in four cases of neonatal-onset watery diarrhea and a mutation review in East Asia.

Background: Infants with neonatal-onset diarrhea present with intractable diarrhea in the first few weeks of life. A monogenic mutation is one of the disease etiologies and the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has made it possible to screen patients for their mutations.

Main Body: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of four children from unrelated families, who presented with neonatal-onset, chronic, watery, non-bloody diarrhea.

A chromosome-level reference genome of red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii provides insights into the gene families regarding growth or development in crustaceans.

Red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is an ecologically and economically important crustacean species. Here, based on a de novo assembly strategy combining PacBio with Hi-C sequencing, we presented a high quality chromosome-level P. clarkii genome.

Congenital Short-Bowel Syndrome: Clinical and Genetic Presentation in China.

Background: Congenital short-bowel syndrome (CSBS) is a rare disorder characterized by retardation of intestinal development. However, it is still not well recognized at present. In this study, the etiological, clinical, and genetic characteristics of CSBS in China were analyzed.

The multidisciplinary management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula after esophageal atresia: Experience with 135 cases from a tertiary center.

Background & Aims: Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (rTEF) after esophageal atresia requires complex management across different specialties. This study reviews our experience and discusses a multidisciplinary (MDT) approach adopted in the past 4 years.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 100 patients with rTEF managed by an MDT approach (post-MDT group) from 2016 to 2019.

Long-term outcomes of various pediatric short bowel syndrome in China.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to analyze long-term outcome of various pediatric short bowel syndrome (SBS) at an intestinal rehabilitation center in China.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-seven children with SBS were enrolled in this study from October 1988 to July 2019. Their long-term follow-up outcome was analyzed according to the age of disease onset, parenteral nutrition (PN) duration, and anatomic types of short bowel, respectively.