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Background: Feeding difficulties frequently co‐occur with multisystem disorders attributed to rare genetic diseases. In this study, we aimed to describe the genetic manifestations and phenotype spectrum in infants experiencing feeding difficulties. Methods: This case series included infants under 6 months old with feeding difficulties admitted to the neonatal department of Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from October 2018 to May 2022. All infants underwent whole‐exome sequencing (WES) during hospitalisation, and their clinical phenotypes and genetic results were analyzed. Results: Among 28 infants studied, nine were preterm and 19 were full‐term. Median admission age was 13.5 days (IQR 6.5, 35), with a median hospital stay of 16 days (IQR 10.5, 30). Overall, 12 (42.9%) cases were complicated with multiple malformations. Abnormal muscle tone (53.6%) and neurological issues (42.9%) were notable prevalent in these infants. Cranial MR abnormalities were noted in 96.2% of cases. Based on the combined analysis of WES results and clinical phenotypes, a total of 22 (78.3%) patients displayed disease‐related genetic variation identified through WES; among them, 15 (53.6%) patients received genetic diagnoses, while 7 (25%) patients were suspected diagnoses. Positive findings were more frequent in full‐term (89.5%) than preterm infants (55.6%). Ultimately, 24 (85.7%) patients were discharged alive, with 75% requiring post‐discharge tube feeding. Following discharge, five patients developed new symptoms linked to genetic variants, and two patients died. Conclusions: Feeding difficulty may constitute a facet of the phenotypic spectrum of rare genetic diseases. Whole‐exome sequencing can enhance molecular diagnosis accuracy for infants with feeding difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the requirements of Al foil surface modification, the surface of Al foil is baked, corona and coated with carbon, and 6 Ah pouch type lithium iron batteries is made. The effects of surface modification methods on the performance of Al foil, electrode plate and battery are evaluated through the tests of Al foil surface roughness, electrode plate rolling adhesion, electrochemical impedance, storage, cycle, etc. The results show that the surface roughness of Al foil is increased by 41% after corona, and the adhesion of the electrode sheet is thus increased by 3.166 times as much as that of the base foil. After corona and carbon coating treatment, the impedance of the battery is reduced by one capacitance arc between the aluminum foil and the active substance. The alter-nating current resistance(ACR) of the battery is reduced to 5.59 mΩ, and the consistency of the internal resistance of the battery is improved. Corona and carbon coating can improve the high current discharge performance of the battery, reduce polarization, and improve the discharge platform, but carbon coating is more significant than corona. At the same time, the coated carbon significantly improves the high temperature cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the hasten development of the new energy industry, the recycle of power and energy storage lithium-ion batteries began to be gradually valued. In order to ensure the cleanliness and environmental protection of the whole life cycle of lithium-ion batteries, the feasibility of recycling the positive and negative core materials in lithium-ion batteries needs to be further evaluated, so as to achieve the closed loop of the new energy industry chain with lithium-ion batteries as the core. The properties of a recycled LiFePO4 cathode material are verified, and the effect of changes in physical and chemical indexes of the material on the processing performance and the impact of the electrical performance after processing into a battery are evaluated. The results show that the main physical properties of recycled LiFePO4 obtained by physical drying method can meet the requirements of battery manufacturing grade. ICP test results show that the Al content is high, magnetic impurities, gram capacity and recovery powder particle size distribution and other physical and chemical indicators are not significantly abnormal, but there is still a large room for improvement, by following the process processing performance of the recovery of LiFePO4, the direct current resistance of the pole is fluctuates. The results of charge storage at room temperature test show that the capacity retention rate of the cell after 28 days has reached more than 92%, recovery rate more than 93%, which meets the requirements of the national standard, indicating that the necessary demagnetization operation to increase the powder and slurry plays a certain role in reducing the risk of self-discharge of the final finished battery. The cell cycle test results show that the capacity retention rate of 0.2 C for 100 cycles is more than 95%, which is comparable to the normal LiFePO4 processing of the cell cycle performance level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intrauterine infection/inflammation can result in fetal and neonatal lung injury. However, the biological mechanisms of intrauterine infection/inflammation on fetal and neonatal lung injury and development are poorly known. To date, there are no reliable biomarkers for improving intrauterine infection/inflammation-induced lung injury. Methods: An animal model of intrauterine infection/inflammation-induced lung injury was established with pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats inoculated with Escherichia coli suspension. The intrauterine inflammatory status was assessed through the histological examination of the placenta and uterus. A serial of histological examinations of the fetal and neonatal rats lung tissues were performed. The fetal and neonatal rat lung tissues were harvested for next generation sequencing at embryonic day 17 and postnatal day 3, respectively. Differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs were identified by conducting high-throughput sequencing technique. The target genes of identified differentially expressed lncRNAs were analyzed. Homology analyses for important differentially expressed lncRNAs were performed. Results: The histopathological results showed inflammatory infiltration, impaired alveolar vesicular structure, less alveolar numbers, and thickened alveolar septa in fetal and neonatal rat lung tissues. Transmission electron micrographs revealed inflammatory cellular swelling associated with diffuse alveolar damage and less surfactant-storing lamellar bodies in alveolar epithelial type II cells. As compared with the control group, there were 432 differentially expressed lncRNAs at embryonic day 17 and 125 differentially expressed lncRNAs at postnatal day 3 in the intrauterine infection group. The distribution, expression level, and function of these lncRNAs were shown in the rat genome. LncRNA TCONS_00009865, lncRNA TCONS_00030049, lncRNA TCONS_00081686, lncRNA TCONS_00091647, lncRNA TCONS_00175309, lncRNA TCONS_00255085, lncRNA TCONS_00277162, and lncRNA TCONS_00157962 may play an important role in intrauterine infection/inflammation-induced lung injury. Fifty homologous sequences in Homo sapiens were also identified. Conclusions: This study provides genome-wide identification of novel lncRNAs which may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for intrauterine infection/inflammation-induced lung injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) is a rare but sometimes life-threatening event, and surviving neonates may suffer major neurological complications. Severe neonatal anemia (SNA) affected by massive FMH is less reported in the literature. This study aims to explore the clinical characteristics, laboratory diagnoses, treatments and outcomes of SNA affected by massive FMH.Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from the hospital's electronic medical record system. All neonates born in the hospital and admitted to the neonatal unit diagnosed as SNA affected by massive FMH from 1 January 2013 to 31 June 2017 were included.Results: A total of 8 cases of SNA affected by FMH were identified among 6825 neonates admitted to the neonatal unit. They all presented with pallor but without hydrops at birth. Median gestational age and birthweight were 375/7 (360/7‒401/7) weeks and 2,625 (2300‒3050) g, respectively. Median hemoglobin level was 39.5 (25‒53) g/L at birth and 109.5 (94-127) g/L at discharge. Median maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was 3958.5 (1606‒14,330) ng/mL, which was significantly increased. Three out of eight cases manifested as antenatal decreased fetal movement. Only 1 with the lowest initial hemoglobin 25 g/L manifested as characteristic sinusoidal fetal heart rate tracing and suffered severe neonatal asphyxia and hypovolemic shock. Having experienced resuscitation, he was admitted to the neonatal unit and received twice transfusion of cross-matched red blood cells there. Another case with the initial hemoglobin 45 g/L received positive pressure ventilation and once transfusion. All cases were successfully discharged with a median hospital stay of 8 (5-12) days. Follow-up was available for 6 (75%) of 8 neonates (age range 13 months to 50 months), and all infants were observed to be in good condition with normal neurological status. In our series of eight cases, there were no neonatal deaths.Conclusion: This study strengthens the idea that maternal AFP testing is valuable to confirm massive fetomaternal hemorrhage. Surviving neonates of massive FMH might have a good outcome despite severe anemia at birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Preterm infants are especially vulnerable to intrauterine infection-induced brain injury, which is closely relevant with cognitive deficits and cerebral palsy. Rolipram, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, can improve cognition in rodents. However, the underlying roles and mechanisms are not well investigated.Methods: In the present study, we used intrauterine Escherichia coli (E. coli) infected model. Escherichia coli was inoculated into pregnant rats' uterine cervix at embryonic day 15 (E15) while the control group was given normal saline. Rolipram was administered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection once daily from postnatal day (P) 1-7. Morris water maze test was used for cognitive behavior test. Hippocampal neural stem/precursor cells (NSPCs) proliferation and neuronal differentiation were studied by immunofluorescent staining. The expressions of p-CREB, p-Akt, TrkB and BDNF were estimated by western-blot analysis.Results: The data showed that Rolipram could ameliorate cognitive deficits and enhance NSPCs proliferation and neuronal differentiation in intrauterine infected offspring. Additionally, Rolipram could significantly increase p-CREB/CREB, p-Akt/Akt, TrkB and BDNF levels.Conclusions: These results suggested that Rolipram might play a neuroprotective role to promote cognitive function recovery after intrauterine infection. And hippocampal NSPCs proliferation and neuronal differentiation might be enhanced via CREB/Akt/BDNF signal transduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infantile colic is common in pediatric patients, yet few probiotics effectively treat this condition. The efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in managing colic remains unclear. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LGG in treating infantile colic., Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science databases from their inception until January 2024. We used Version 2 of the Cochrane tool (ROB 2) to assess the risk of bias in randomized trials. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. The inclusion criteria followed the PICOS framework: (I) participants: infants with colic; (II) intervention: LGG administration at any dose; (III) control: placebo or no treatment; (IV) outcomes: primary outcome was crying or fussing time (minutes/day) at the end of the intervention, secondary outcomes included fecal calprotectin content (µg/g) and adverse events; (V) Study type: randomized controlled trials., Results: Four studies involving 168 infants with colic were included. The meta-analysis indicated that LGG significantly reduced daily crying time [mean difference (MD) =-32.59 minutes; 95% confidence interval (CI): -43.23 to -21.96; P<0.001] and fecal calprotectin content (MD =-103.28 µg/g; 95% CI: -149.30 to -7.26; P<0.001). Only one study reported adverse events., Conclusions: LGG is effective in treating infantile colic. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of different doses, administration schedules, and durations of LGG treatment in infants with varying feeding methods., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tp.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tp-24-112/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2024 Translational Pediatrics. All rights reserved.)

Although the prevalence of brain injury and related neurodevelopmental disabilities resulting from preterm birth are major public health concerns, there are no definite neuroprotective strategies to prevent or reduce brain injury. The pattern of brain injury seen in preterm infants has evolved into more subtle lesions that are still essential to diagnose regarding neurodevelopmental outcomes. There is no specific effective method for the treatment of premature infant brain injury, and the focus of clinical treatment is still on prevention. Prevention of this injury requires insight into the pathogenesis, but many gaps exist in our understanding of how neonatal treatment procedures and medications impact cerebral hemodynamics and preterm brain injury. Many studies provide evidence about the prevention of premature infant brain injury, which is related to some drugs (such as erythropoietin, melatonin, mesenchymal stem cells, etc.). However, there are still some controversies about the quality of research and the effectiveness of therapy. This review aims to recapitulate the results of preclinical studies and provide an update on the latest developments around etiological pathways, prevention, and treatment., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Hyperbilirubinemia accounts for about 60% of full-term and 80% of preterm neonates globally, which is characterized by physiologically elevated unconjugated bilirubin in serum, but abnormally high levels of bilirubin have potential neurotoxic effects. Several factors contribute to the development of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, including isoimmunization, dysregulated gut flora, genetic alteration and environmental factors. Animal studies have pinpointed the causal roles of several bacteria in bilirubin metabolism. Human studies have revealed microbiota composition in hyperbilirubinemia and found that gut microbiota affect newborns with different severity of hyperbilirubinemia. However, dysbiosis and subsequent changes in microbiota-related metabolic processes are not always considered. This review aims to describe the critical microbiota signatures for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and focus on the underlying pathogenetic mechanism. These scientific bases give a new and accurate therapeutic strategy for the application of gut microbiota., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2020.)

Objective: To explore the effects of intrauterine infection on early growth and neurobehavioral development in neonatal rats. Methods: Escherichia coli (E. coli) was inoculated into uterine cervix of pregnant rats with gestation of 15 d to establish the intrauterine infection model, and the effect on the delivery of pregnant rats was observed. The neonatal rat brain tissue was stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and the cerebral white matter damage was assessed. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis were performed to evaluate the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and neurofilament (NF) in pup brains. Birth weight and early growth development indices were monitored,and neurobehavioral tests were performed to access the change of neurobehavioral development in neonatal rats. Results: The white blood cell count increased significantly in the uterus and placenta of the pregnant rats after intrauterine E. coli infection and no significant impact was observed on the delivery of pregnant rats. Weak staining and focal rarefaction of cerebral white matter from rats at P7 in intrauterine infection group were observed. The expression of GFAP markedly increased ( P <0.05) in infection group, while the level of CNPase and NF in pup brains at P7 significantly decreased ( P <0.05 or P <0.01). Compared with control group, the neonatal rats in infection group had lower birth weight and slower weight gain during the suckling period ( P <0.05 or P <0.01), and the completion times of ear opening, eye opening, surface righting, negative geotaxis, acoustic startle and swimming test in infection group were significantly delayed ( P <0.05 or P <0.01). Conclussion: Intrauterine infection in pregnant rats can induce cerebral white matter damage and retardation of early growth and neurobehavioral development in neonatal rats.