Alterations of early-life gut microbiome in hospitalized infants with chemical pollutants exposure.

Exposure to chemical pollutants and their effects on the gut microbiome during early life are scarce, especially the effects of mixed exposures. Plasma pollutants levels were measured using gas chromatography -triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-MS/MS) among 304 infants in the neonatal ward at Hunan Children's hospital, China, and gut microbiota was derived from 16S rRNA sequencing. We assessed exposure and alpha diversity using generalized linear models, and variation in beta diversity (Bray-Curtis), taxa abundance (MaAsLin2), and employed Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to investigate the association of pollutants mixture with alpha diversity and taxa.

Association of thallium exposure in early life with gut microbiota in neonates.

Previous research has found a correlation between heavy metals and gut microbiota in humans. However, there are few population-based studies examining the impact of early life thallium (Tl) exposure on neonatal microbiome. 342 newborns were recruited from Hunan Children's Hospital and subsequently divided into three groups (low, medium, and high) based on the 25th and 75th percentiles of serum Tl concentration.

Associations of combined exposure to selected metal mixtures with thyroid hormones in children: a cross-sectional study in China.

Background: Exposure to several metal elements has been found to be associated with thyroid hormone homeostasis. However, evidence for combined exposure is inconclusive, especially for children.

Objective: To examine the individual and joint effects of blood metal elements on thyroid hormones in children.

Effects of antibiotic therapy on the early development of gut microbiota and butyrate-producers in early infants.

Background: Antibiotics, as the most commonly prescribed class of drugs in neonatal intensive care units, have an important impact on the developing neonatal gut microbiota. Therefore, comprehending the effects of commonly used antibiotic therapy on the gut microbiota and butyrate-producers in early infants could provide information for therapeutic decision-making in the NICU.

Objectives: To explore the effects of antibiotic therapy on the early development of gut microbiota and butyrate-producers in early infants.

Gut microbiota in preterm infants with late-onset sepsis and pneumonia: a pilot case-control study.

Background: Late-onset sepsis (LOS) and pneumonia are common infectious diseases, with high morbidity and mortality in neonates. This study aimed to investigate the differences in the gut microbiota among preterm infants with LOS, or pneumonia, and full-term infants. Furthermore, this study aimed to determine whether there is a correlation between intestinal pathogenic colonization and LOS.

Association of metals with early postnatal gut microbiota among infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

The gut microbiota is closely related to infant health. However, the impact of environmental factors on the gut microbiota has not been widely investigated, particularly in vulnerable populations such as infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This study investigated the association between exposure to 12 metals and the composition of the gut microbiota in infants admitted to the NICU.

The association between urinary phthalate metabolites and serum thyroid function in US adolescents.

The aim was to investigate the association between mixed exposure to phthalates and serum thyroid function among US adolescents. The study used 2007-2008 survey data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Data on urinary phthalates metabolites and serum thyroid function indicators were collected.

Effect of lead, calcium, iron, zinc, copper and magnesium on anemia in children with BLLs ≥ 100 μg/L.

Objective: Adverse effects of lead exposure on children's health have been demonstrated. While studies have examined the relationship between iron status and low-level lead exposure in children with blood lead levels (BLLs) < 100 μg/L, few have investigated the association between blood lead and other trace elements and anemia in children with BLLs ≥ 100 μg/L. This study aimed to assess the levels of lead, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium in children aged 0-14 with BLLs≥ 100 μg/L between 2009 and 2021, and to examine the relationship between blood lead, trace elements and anemia.

Association of urine phthalate metabolites levels with kidney function in 1610 US adolescents.

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizer or fragrance ingredients in various consumer products worldwide. However, evidence for the overall effects of mixed exposure to phthalate on kidney function has not been widely investigated. The purpose of this article was to assess the association of urine phthalate metabolite levels and kidney injury parameters in adolescents.

Association of intestinal microbiota and its metabolite markers with excess weight in Chinese children and adolescents.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the intestinal microbiota and faecal metabolic biomarkers associated with excess weight in Chinese children and adolescents.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 163 children aged 6-14 years (including 72 with normal-weight and 91 with overweight/obesity from three Chinese boarding schools). We used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to analyse the diversity and composition of intestinal microbiota.

Changes and significance of gut microbiota in children with focal epilepsy before and after treatment.

Objective: To better understand the alterations in gut microbiota and metabolic pathways in children with focal epilepsy, and to further investigate the changes in the related gut microbiota and metabolic pathways in these children before and after treatment.

Methods: Ten patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy in Hunan Children's Hospital from April, 2020 to October, 2020 were recruited into the case group. The case group was further divided into a pre-treatment subgroup and a post-treatment subgroup.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Inflammation, and Depressive Symptoms in Late Life: A Population-Based Study.

Objectives: This study investigated the association and dose-response relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and depressive symptoms in late life and explored the mediating roles of inflammatory markers in the ACEs-depressive symptom association among Chinese older adults.

Methods: This study was conducted using 2014 life history survey data and 2015 follow-up data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Data on ACEs and depression, inflammatory markers of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell were collected.

Association Between Trajectory Patterns of Body Mass Index Change Up to 10 Months and Early Gut Microbiota in Preterm Infants.

Recent research suggests that gut microbiota plays an important role in the occurrence and development of excessive weight and obesity, and the early-life gut microbiota may be correlated with weight gain and later growth. However, the association between neonatal gut microbiota, particularly in preterm infants, and excessive weight and obesity remains unclear. To evaluate the relationship between gut microbiota and body mass index (BMI) growth trajectories in preterm infants, we examined microbial composition by performing 16S rDNA gene sequencing on the fecal samples from 75 preterm infants within 3 months after birth who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of Hunan Children's Hospital from August 1, 2018 to October 31, 2019.

Urine Phthalate Levels and Liver Function in US Adolescents: Analyses of NHANES 2007-2016.

Background: Phthalates are non-persistent chemicals with endocrine-disrupting abilities widely used in a variety of consumer products. Evidence for the effects of phthalate exposure on liver function in adolescents is lacking.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the combined 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Diagnostic Time Lag of Pediatric Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Patient Characteristics: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The difficulties and challenges of applying the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria to early identification and diagnosis of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis have been fully addressed in previous studies. However, the distribution of the diagnostic time lag of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and related patient characteristics remain unclear. This study investigated the time lags between symptom onset and diagnosis and between hospital admission and diagnosis among pediatric patients with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and identified factors that associated with a shorter or longer diagnostic time lag.

Changes in the age-specific body mass index distribution among urban children between 2002 and 2018 in Changsha, China.

Background: It had been reported that the increase in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in several developed countries over the decade was largely a consequence of changes in the upper end of the body mass index (BMI) distribution. We speculated that the change in BMI distribution among Chinese children is different from that in developed countries. Therefore, we investigated the changes in the BMI distribution among urban children in Changsha, China.

Association between Sleep Duration, Physical Activity, and Mental Health Disorders: A Secondary Analysis of the National Survey of Children's Health 2017-2018.

Background: The purpose of this article was to examine the association of sleep duration and physical activity and their interactions on mental health disorders in American children aged 6-17 years.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the combined 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's health. Ultimately, a total of 36370 children aged 6-17 years were selected as the samples.

The prevalence of reduced visual acuity in children from an urban district in China from 2002 to 2018.

Background: To investigate trends in the prevalence of reduced visual acuity (VA), a proxy measure for myopia, in an urban district in China.

Methods: Data were extracted from the dataset of the 2002 and 2018 Annual Survey on Students' Constitution and Health from Yuhua District, Changsha City, China. Children aged 6-15 years were included in the study.

Association between Physical Activity and Age among Children with Overweight and Obesity: Evidence from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health.

Physical activity participation in children declines with age. It is not clear yet whether the age-related trends vary by weight status. This study is aimed at investigating the association between physical activity participation and age among children with healthy weight, overweight, or obesity, using data from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH).

A novel three-dimensional printed vacuum bell for pectus excavatum treatment: a preliminary study.

Objective: Conservative treatment with a vacuum bell (VB) for pectus excavatum (PE) has now been gradually popularized as an alternative to surgery. We describe our initial experience with a novel three dimensional (3D) printed VB device.

Methods: Prospectively collected data of all patients who started using a 3D printed VB in 2018 at our institution were analyzed.

Clinical profiles and risk factors of 7-day and 30-day mortality among 160 pediatric patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a relatively rare and life-threatening disorder. Early mortality remains significantly high among patients with HLH. Our aim was to investigate clinical features and risk factors associated with 7-day and 30-day mortality among pediatric HLH patients.

[Significance and current development status of pediatric palliative care].

Pediatric palliative care refers to the comprehensive physical, mental, and psychological care provided to the children with life-threatening diseases, as well as support for their families, aiming to provide the best quality of life for children and their families. In the face of the large population of children in China, the increasing demand for palliative care services and the insufficient development of related service resources are existential problems in the field of palliative care for children in China. This article reviews the implementation and current development status of pediatric palliative care in China.

Elevated serum myoglobin levels at hospital admission and the risk of early death among patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: evidence from 155 pediatric patients.

Patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) have high risk of early mortality. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the elevated level of serum myoglobin among patients with HLH is associated with disease severity and increased risk of mortality. We retrospectively investigated the serum myoglobin levels from 155 pediatric patients diagnosed with HLH in the Hunan Children's Hospital, China.