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Abnormal expression of miR‐409‐3p has been found in several neurodevelopmental disorders, but whether it is dysregulated in the patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) has not been evaluated. The current study mainly focused on the clinical significance and the underlying mechanism of plasma miR‐409‐3p in the progression of ACI. The level of plasma miR‐409‐3p was determined in ACI patients (n = 80) and healthy controls (n = 30). Pearson correlation assay was performed to evaluate the association and cardiovascular risk factors. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma miR‐409‐3p levels in patients with ACI. Dual luciferase reporter assay and western blot were performed to determine the possible target gene of miR‐409‐3p. Our data showed that the expression of plasma miR‐409‐3p in the ACI group was higher than that in the healthy controls. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between plasma miR‐409‐3p and the NIHSS score. ROC analysis indicated that plasma miR‐409‐3p could differentiate plasma miR‐409‐3p in ACI patients from healthy controls. Then, we explored the possible target genes of miR‐409‐3p. Interestingly, C1q and TNF‐related 3 (CTRP3), a novel adipose tissue‐derived secreted factor, was found to be a target gene of miR‐409‐3p. We found that knockdown of CTRP3 significantly induced PC12 cell apoptosis, even in PC12 cells transfected with miR‐409‐3p inhibitor. These data suggested that miR‐409‐3p induced PC12 cell apoptosis by targeting CTRP3. Altogether, elevated plasma miR‐409‐3p is correlated with disease severity and may be efficient for the early diagnosis of ACI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background At present, little information has been made available in the evaluation of renal volume in pediatric groups of different ages. Purpose The purposes of the study are to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measurements and renal volume measured with three-dimensional ultrasonography in Chinese children who have normal kidneys, and to attempt to develop reliable reference values of renal volume to estimate the renal sizes. Methods A total of 1572 Chinese Han children suffering from stomachache, cryptorchidism and neurogenic enuresis with no history of renal disease or pathological abnormalities that might affect measurements, aged 1 month to 12 years (mean, 5.64 years) were examined bilateral kidneys by ultrasonography. The measurements of renal volume were determined using QLAB software in IU22 units (Philips Medical Systems, Holland). Anthropometric indices including sex, age, height and weight were collected for reviewed analysis. Results A total of 1683 children were included, and renal volume of 1572 cases (93.4%) was accepted. There was no significant difference between renal volumes of male and female separately in left and right kidneys ( P = 0.844 and P = 0.621, respectively), whereas there was a significant difference between mean left and right renal volumes ( P = 0.000). Age, height and weight were all significant correlations with renal volume (R 2 , 0.885 and 0.913 for the left and right kidneys, respectively, both P = 0.000), and age was the strongest correlation with renal volume (r, 0.472 and 0.399 for the left and right kidneys, respectively) among the anthropometric indices. We drew regression equations to estimate renal volume as follows: left renal volume (cm 3 ) = 0.441 × age + 0.156 × height + 0.398 × weight + 6.677 and right renal volume (cm 3 ) = 0.256 × age + 0.195 × height + 0.632 × weight + 1.788, and developed reference values of renal volume separately for the left and right kidneys in different age groups. Conclusions Regression equations have been developed, which define the renal volume from three-dimensional ultrasonography and may assist pediatricians in monitoring renal growth and detecting of unsuspected bilateral increases or decreases in renal size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: At present, the diagnostic criteria of congenital cholangiectasis are still vague. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the diameter references of the common bile duct (CBD) in pediatric population in different age groups with ultrasound. Methods: The diameter of the common bile duct was measured with ultrasound in 343 Chinese Han children aged 1day to 14years (mean: 3.2years, median: 2.8years) who were all free of hepatic and biliary tract disease. The ultrasound records, gender, and age were collected for reviewed analysis. Results: A total of 343 children were included, and the CBD was clearly detected in 322 cases (93.9%). The mean diameter of this population was 1.58±0.70mm. (ranging from 0.4 to 4.4mm). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the diameter of CBD was positively associated with age (r =0.573, P <0.001). The percentile method demonstrated that the diameter references of CBD was as follows: ≤1years: ≤2.26mm; ≤4years: ≤2.99mm; ≤7years: ≤3.03mm; and ≤14years: ≤4.10mm. Conclusions: There was a close correlation between CBD width and the age. The range of CBD widths in each age group will be helpful in the diagnosis of biliary dilatation in childhood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Uninterrupted use of oral anticoagulants before atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can reduce the incidence of perioperative thromboembolic events. However, the effect of new oral anticoagulants on activated clotting time (ACT) in response to heparin during AF ablation in Chinese populations remains unknown. The aim of the present retrospective study was to investigate the value of ACTs in response to intraoperative heparin administration in patients using dabigatran or rivaroxaban., Methods: From January 2018 to December 2021, a total of 173 patients undergoing AF ablation were included in the study, in which 101 patients were treated with dabigatran, 72 patients were treated with rivaroxaban. The intraoperative ACT values were examined in both groups. The incidence of periprocedural complications was evaluated., Results: Initial heparin dosage (88 ± 19 U/kg vs. 78 ± 27 U/kg, P < 0.05), total heparin dosage (137 ± 41 U/kg vs. 106 ± 52 U/kg, P < 0.05) during the ablation procedure were higher in the dabigatran group than those in the rivaroxaban group. Mean ACT (280 ± 36 s vs. 265 ± 30 s, P < 0.05), and the percentage of ACTs within the therapeutic range (250-350 s) (74% ± 26% vs. 60% ± 29%, P < 0.05) were significantly lower in the dabigatran group than those in the rivaroxaban group, particularly in male patients. Furthermore, the average time of achieving the target ACT (250-350 s) was also found longer in the dabigatran group ( P < 0.05) as compared with the rivaroxaban group. No significant difference was found in the incidence of periprocedural complications between the two groups., Conclusions: The anticoagulant effect of uninterrupted rivaroxaban therapy appears to be more stable and efficient than dabigatran administration during catheter ablation in patients with AF., (© 2022 JGC All rights reserved; www.jgc301.com.)

Aim: To investigate the clinical value of ultrasonographic diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA), a retrospective analysis of the sonogram of 20 children with BA was undertaken., Methods: Ultrasonography (US) was performed in 20 neonates and infants with BA, which was confirmed with cholangiography by operation or abdominoscopy. The presence of triangular cord, the size and echo of liver, the changes in empty stomach gallbladder and postprandial gallbladder were observed and recorded., Results: The triangular cord could be observed at the porta hepatis (thickness: 0.3-0.6 cm) in 10 cases. Smaller triangular cord (0.2-0.26 cm) can be observed in 3 cases. The gallbladder was not observed in 2 cases, and 1 case showed a streak gallbladder without capsular space. The gallbladders of 15 cases were flat and small. The gallbladders of 2 cases were of normal size and appearance, however, there was no postprandial contraction. The livers of all cases showed hepatomegaly and hetreogeneous echogenicity. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the hepatomegaly and hetreogeneous echogenicity and the stage of hepatic fibrosis., Conclusion: The presence of the triangular cord at the porta hepatis is specific. However, it is not the only diagnostic criterion, since flat and small gallbladder and poor contraction are also of important diagnostic and differential diagnostic significance. The degree of hepatomegaly and hetreogeneous echogenicity is proportional with liver fibrosis, and able to indicate the duration of course and prognosis.