Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) plays an essential role in regulating the necroptosis and apoptosis in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the regulation of RIPK1 kinase activity after cerebral I/R injury remains largely unknown. In this study, we found the downregulation of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) was induced by cerebral I/R injury, which negatively correlated with the activation of RIPK1. Mechanistically, we proved that PRMT1 directly interacted with RIPK1 and catalyzed its asymmetric dimethylarginine, which then blocked RIPK1 homodimerization and suppressed its kinase activity. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition or genetic ablation of PRMT1 aggravated I/R injury by promoting RIPK1-mediated necroptosis and apoptosis, while PRMT1 overexpression protected against I/R injury by suppressing RIPK1 activation. Our findings revealed the molecular regulation of RIPK1 activation and demonstrated PRMT1 would be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Disease-modifying therapies have been approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The present study aims to examine the safety of teriflunomide in Chinese patients with RMS. METHODS: This non-randomized, multi-center, 24-week, prospective study enrolled RMS patients with variant (c.421C>A) or wild type ABCG2 who received once-daily oral teriflunomide 14 mg. The primary endpoint was the relationship between ABCG2 polymorphisms and teriflunomide exposure over 24 weeks. Safety was assessed over the 24-week treatment with teriflunomide. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were assigned to variant ( n  = 42) and wild type groups ( n  = 40), respectively. Geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (SD) of pre-dose concentration (variant, 54.9 [38.0] μg/mL; wild type, 49.1 [32.0] μg/mL) and area under plasma concentration-time curve over a dosing interval (AUC tau ) (variant, 1731.3 [769.0] μg∙h/mL; wild type, 1564.5 [1053.0] μg∙h/mL) values at steady state were approximately similar between the two groups. Safety profile was similar and well tolerated across variant and wild type groups in terms of rates of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE), treatment-related TEAE, grade ≥3 TEAE, and serious adverse events (AEs). No new specific safety concerns or deaths were reported in the study. CONCLUSION: ABCG2 polymorphisms did not affect the steady-state exposure of teriflunomide, suggesting a similar efficacy and safety profile between variant and wild type RMS patients. REGISTRATION NCT04410965, https://clinicaltrials.gov .
Humans ; Crotonates/adverse effects* ; Toluidines/adverse effects* ; Nitriles ; Hydroxybutyrates ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/genetics* ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/genetics* ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult ; Neoplasm Proteins/genetics* ; East Asian People

The accurate and timely detection of biochemical coagulation indicators is pivotal in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Despite their reliability, traditional laboratories often lag in terms of rapid diagnosis. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has emerged as a promising alternative, which is awaiting rigorous validation. We assessed 226 samples from patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University using a Beckman Coulter AU5821 and a PUSHKANG POCT Biochemistry Analyzer MS100. Furthermore, 350 samples were evaluated with a Stago coagulation analyzer STAR MAX and a PUSHKANG POCT Coagulation Analyzer MC100. Metrics included thirteen biochemical indexes, such as albumin, and five coagulation indices, such as prothrombin time. Comparisons were drawn against the PUSHKANG POCT analyzer. Bland-Altman plots (MS100: 0.8206‒0.9995; MC100: 0.8318‒0.9911) evinced significant consistency between methodologies. Spearman correlation pinpointed a potent linear association between conventional devices and the PUSHKANG POCT analyzer, further underscored by a robust correlation coefficient (MS100: 0.713‒0.949; MC100: 0.593‒0.950). The PUSHKANG POCT was validated as a dependable tool for serum and whole blood biochemical and coagulation diagnostics. This emphasizes its prospective clinical efficacy, offering clinicians a swift diagnostic tool and heralding a new era of enhanced patient care outcomes.
Humans ; Point-of-Care Testing ; Critical Care ; Blood Coagulation Tests/methods* ; Male ; Blood Coagulation ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Prothrombin Time ; Aged ; Adult ; Point-of-Care Systems

The elevated polyamines, amine-rich molecules with diverse functions in pathophysiology processes, are implicated in contributing to tumorigenesis and progression. Whether and how they affect the efficacy of chemotherapy is incompletely understood. Our screening assays reveal that the supplement with a low dose of spermidine (Spd), one of the polyamines, enhances ferroptosis in prostate cancer cells as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and intracellular Fe²⁺ levels in vitro. Combination treatment with Spd and a low dose of ferroptosis inducer erastin synergistically augments anti-tumor efficacy with undetectable toxicity in mice. Analysis of RNA-seq data indicates that heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), an enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of heme to release Fe²⁺, is significantly upregulated in response to Spd and erastin cotreatment. Spd mediated the hypusine modification of the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (EIF5A) promotes the translation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), subsequently leading to elevation of HMOX1. Moreover, Spd and erastin significantly inhibit proteasome activity which results in a decrease in proteasomal degradation of NRF2, although many proteasome-related genes are induced either by Spd or Spd plus erastin. Thus, in addition to its pro-oncogenic activity, the supplement of Spd improves antitumor activity in combination with ferroptosis inducers and offers an optional approach to cancer treatment.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of bloodstream infection caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) in preterm infants, and to provide basis for early clinical diagnosis and infection control. Methods:The clinical data of infants with CRKP bloodstream infection admitted to the Preterm Infants Ward of Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors for death in preterm infants caused by CRKP bloodstream infection were explored through multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the clinical value of each factor on evaluating prognosis. The area under curves (AUC) of each factor in different ROC curve were compared by Delong′s test.Results:A total of 96 preterm infants with CRKP bloodstream infection were included, including 70 in the survival group and 26 in the death group. The first onset symptoms of CRKP bloodstream infection in preterm infants were persistent tachycardia (heart rate>180 per minute) (69 cases, 71.9%), fever (61 cases, 63.5%), and apnea (59 cases, 61.5%). There were 88(91.7%) cases of infection combined with septic shock, and 91(94.8%) cases required vasoactive drug support. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) within 48 hours of onset (odds ratio ( OR)=1.058, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.022 to 1.095, P=0.001), concurrent purulent meningitis ( OR=8.029, 95% CI 1.344 to 47.972, P=0.022), and concurrent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) ( OR=10.881, 95% CI 1.566 to 75.580, P=0.016) were independent risk factors for death in preterm infants with CRKP bloodstream infection. The ROC curve showed that the AUCs for evaluating the prognosis of preterm infants with NEC and purulent meningitis were 0.784 and 0.711, respectively. The AUC for evaluating the prognosis of preterm infants with a maximum VIS ≥52.5 points within 48 hours of onset was 0.840, and the AUC for combining the three factors was 0.931. Compared with NEC and purulent meningitis, the AUC for combining factors was higher, the differences were statistically significant ( P=0.002, P<0.001). Conclusions:Preterm infants with CRKP bloodstream infection who have a maximum VIS ≥52.5 points within 48 hours of onset, with NEC and purulent meningitis have a higher risk of death.

Objective:To observe the effect of assisted reproductive technology (ART) on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants.Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From January 2016 to January 2020, 639 preterm infants who were hospitalized at Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and underwent fundus screening at a gestational age ≤32 weeks were included in the study. There were 366 males and 273 females. Gestational age at birth were (28.3±1.4) weeks; birth weight were (1 153.8±228.8) g. Severe ROP was detected in 60 cases (9.4%, 60/639); 120 were ART recipients, and 519 were naturally conceived, and were divided into the ART group and the control group accordingly. The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus ( χ2=21.675), pulmonary surfactant application ( χ2=13.558), and twin births (yes) ( χ2=145.568) in mothers of the children examined in both groups were significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference were statistically significant in all cases ( P<0.001). Comparison of quantitative data between groups was performed by t-test, and comparison of count data was performed by χ2 test; logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of ART on the incidence of ROP. Results:Of the 60 cases of severe ROP, 18 (15.0%, 18/120) and 42 (8.1%, 42/519) cases were in the ART group and control group, respectively. The incidence of severe ROP was significantly higher in the ART group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.680, P=0.024). Compared with the control group, the incidence of severe ROP was significantly higher in the ART group for gestational age at birth <28 weeks and birth weight <1 000 g, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=10.116, 3.785; P=0.002, 0.037). Logistic regression analysis showed that ART was a non-independent risk factor for the occurrence of ROP ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Assisted reproductive technology may have a certain influence on the occurrence of ROP, which is not an independent factor.

Objective:To observe and analyze the correlation between erythrocyte count and hemoglobin level in early life and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:A clinical retrospective study. From January 2020 to December 2022, a total of 303 premature infants, who underwent fundus screening in Children's Hospital of Henan Province were included. There were 219 males and 84 females, with the average gestational age of (30.36±1.52) weeks and the average birth weight of (1 368.43±171.37) g. Early life was defined as 14 days after birth. According to the screening results, patients were divided into ROP group and no ROP group (control group). The results of red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration of the two groups were compared and observed on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after birth. The measurement data were compared by t-test, and the count data were compared by χ2 test. The risk factors of ROP were analyzed by logistic regression. The correlation between red blood cell count as well as hemoglobin concentration in early life and ROP was analyzed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results:Among the 303 premature infants screened, a total of 101 preterm infants were included in the ROP group, with the average gestational age of (30.39±1.48) weeks. And a total of 202 preterm infants were included in the control group, with the average gestational age of (30.35±1.55) weeks. There was no significant difference between the two groups in sex composition ratio ( χ2=0.296) and gestational age ( t=0.251) ( P>0.05). There were significant differences in birth weight ( t=-2.024), blood transfusion times ( U=-4.957), invasive mechanical ventilation duration ( U=-2.215) and continuous positive airway pressure ventilation time ( U=-5.224) between the two groups ( P<0.05). The incidence of periventricular leukomalacia ( χ2=5.069), bronchopulmonary dysplasia ( χ2=9.794) and sepsis ( χ2=8.041) were significantly different ( P<0.05). The average hemoglobin level of patients in the ROP group on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after birth were lower than those in the control group ( t=-3.813, -2.753, -2.847; P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that low frequency of blood transfusion [odds ratio ( OR)=1.241, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.016-1.517] and short duration of continuous positive airway pressure ( OR=1.128, 95% CI 1.031-1.234) were protective factors for ROP. The ROC curve analysis indicated that the abnormal threshold values of hematocrit and hemoglobin were the highest on the 14th day after birth, which were 115.5 g/L and 36.25% respectively. The sensitivities were 88.1% and 83.2%, respectively. Conclusion:Red blood cell count and hemoglobin level in early life of preterm infants may have a certain correlation with the occurrence and development of ROP.

Furry animal allergens, particularly cat and dog hair and dander, are common allergens in indoor environments, affecting the health of people world widely. Key sensitizing components such as Fel d 1 from cats and Can f 1 from dogs have been extensively studied and identified by the scientific community. Component resolved diagnosis (CRD) technology in modern diagnostic methods provides an accurate way to identify and distinguish these components, which is extremely important for the prevention of furry animal allergies and the formulation of personalized treatment strategies. To enhance the understanding of furry animal component diagnosis and promote the alignment of the Chinese discipline of allergology with international standards, this article interprets and explains the content of the "Molecular Allergology User′s Guide 2.0" recently released by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. It focuses on the epidemiological characteristics of furry animal components, the diversity of allergen protein families, and their clinical diagnosis and management.

Furry animal allergens, particularly cat and dog hair and dander, are common allergens in indoor environments, affecting the health of people world widely. Key sensitizing components such as Fel d 1 from cats and Can f 1 from dogs have been extensively studied and identified by the scientific community. Component resolved diagnosis (CRD) technology in modern diagnostic methods provides an accurate way to identify and distinguish these components, which is extremely important for the prevention of furry animal allergies and the formulation of personalized treatment strategies. To enhance the understanding of furry animal component diagnosis and promote the alignment of the Chinese discipline of allergology with international standards, this article interprets and explains the content of the "Molecular Allergology User′s Guide 2.0" recently released by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. It focuses on the epidemiological characteristics of furry animal components, the diversity of allergen protein families, and their clinical diagnosis and management.

Objective:To investigate the postnatal changes in urinary metabolic amino acid levels in infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and their effect on ROP, and to analyze the amino acid metabolic pathways that may be involved in the development of ROP.Methods:A retrospective cohort study. From January 2020 to December 2023, 65 premature infants with severe ROP (ROP group) who were hospitalized, born with gestational age <32 weeks in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University were included in the study. Fifty premature infants with matched sex and gestational age and no ROP were selected as the control group. Urine amino acids and their derivatives were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The two groups were compared by independent sample t test. The metabonomics of urinary amino acids was analyzed by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model. The variable projection importance (VIP) score >1 suggested that the substance was two groups of differentially expressed amino acids. The predictive value of urinary amino acids for severe ROP was compared by using the receiver's operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve. After t test and metabolomics analysis, the two groups of amino acids with large differences were normalized and compared by Pearson correlation analysis. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database was used to analyze the metabolic pathways of differentially expressed amino acids involved in ROP. Results:Compared with the control group, the concentrations of oxalic acid -2 and thiodiacetic acid-2 in urine metabolites of children in ROP group were significantly decreased, while the concentrations of 4-hydroxybutyric acid-2, 3-methylpentadienoic acid-2(1), 2-ketoglutarate-ox-2(2) and 3, 6-epoxy-dodecanedioic acid-2 were significantly increased, with statistical differences ( t=0.036, 0.005, 0.038, 0.032, 0.022, 0.011; P<0.05). The results of OPLS-DA analysis showed that amino acids of urinary metabolites in ROP group and control group were distributed in the left and right regions of the scatter plot, and there was a satisfactory separation trend between the two groups (R 2Ycum=0.057 4, Q2cum=0.025 7, P<0.05). As shown in the S-Plot, the amino acids biased towards two stages are glycolic acid-2, phosphoric acid-3, oxalic acid-2, thiodiacetic acid-2, 4-hydroxybutyric acid-2, 3-methylcrotonylglycine-1, 3-methylpentadienoic acid-2(1), 2-ketoglutarate-ox-2(2) and 3, 6-epoxy- dodecanedioic acid-2, respectively. Eleven differentially expressed amino acids with VIP score >1 were screened, among which the highest VIP score was oxalate-2, glycerate-3, phosphoric acid-3, 3-methylcrotonylglycine-1, uranoic acid -3 and thiodiacetic acid-2. The difference of amino acid concentration between the two groups was the highest in 4-hydroxybutyric acid-2 and thiodiacetic acid-2. The correlation between oxalic acid-2 and glycerate-3 was the highest ( r=0.830, P<0.001), and most amino acids were positive correlated. ROC curve fitting analysis showed that the combined prediction of 11 differenly-expressed amino groups had the largest area under the curve (0.816), the cutoff value was 0.531, and the sensitivity and specificity were 83.1% and 70.0%, respectively. The enrichment analysis of these 11 amino acids with significant differences suggested that the main pathways involved included butyrate metabolism, glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid metabolism and lipoic acid metabolism. Conclusion:Abnormal amino acid metabolism of 4-hydroxybutyrate-2, 3-methylpentadienoic acid-2(1), thiodiacetic acid-2, 2-ketoglutarate-ox-2(2), 3, 6-epoxy-dodecanedioic acid-2 may have a certain effect on the occurrence of ROP.