Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an opportunistic pulmonary infection that commonly occurs in immunocompromised children. We report a case of infantile leukemia complicated by PJP and review the relevant literature. A summary and analysis of 10 infantile leukemia patients with PJP infection (9 cases reported in the literature and 1 case from our center) showed that PJP mostly occurred in the early stages of chemotherapy (80%, 8/10). The main clinical manifestations were dyspnea (100%, 10/10) and hypoxemia (50%, 5/10), while pulmonary imaging findings lacked specificity. In most cases (50%, 5/10), diagnosis was established by identifying pathogens in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid under microscopy. In our case, diagnosis was confirmed using targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Treatment with intravenous sulfamethoxazole complex was administered in 8 patients, all of whom eventually recovered. PJP may occur in the early stages of chemotherapy for infantile leukemia, thus early prevention is necessary. tNGS facilitates early diagnosis of PJP, and sulfamethoxazole complex remains an effective therapeutic option.
Humans ; Infant ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/microbiology* ; Immunocompromised Host ; Leukemia/complications* ; Pneumocystis carinii/isolation & purification* ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/diagnosis* ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination/therapeutic use*

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy in children with steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS)/frequently relapsed nephrotic syndrome (FRNS).Methods:The clinical data of children with SDNS/FRNS who received treatment with prednisone acetate tablets were retrospectively collected from June 2019 to June 2023 in the Nephrology Department of Xi′an Children′s Hospital. The children were divided into glucocorticoid+ACTH group and glucocorticoid group, according to whether ACTH was used or not. The differences in cortisol, total cholesterol and 24 hour urinary protein quantity between 2 groups of children at baseline and follow-up endpoints were compared, and the effectiveness (the proportion of no recurrence and discontinuation of glucocorticoid) and occurrence of adverse reactions were evaluated.Results:A total of 39 patients with SDNS/FRNS were included in this study, with 21 cases in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group and 18 cases in the glucocorticoid group. Among the 39 children, there were 33 cases of SDNS and 6 cases of FRNS, respectively. The proportion of baseline low cortisol levels was 76.9% (30/39). The proportion of cortisol levels returning to normal after ACTH treatment in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group was 76.2% (16/21). The baseline and follow-up endpoint for cortisol levels in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group were 28.0(19.8, 51.5) μg/L and 79.9(58.9, 113.0) μg/L, respectively. The baseline and follow-up endpoint for cortisol levels in the glucocorticoid group were 21.0(15.8, 37.4) μg/L and 25.3(18.2, 51.4) μg/L, respectively. In the 2 groups of cortisol levels, there was statistically significant difference in the interaction effect between time and group ( Wald χ2=11.595, P=0.001), there was a statistically significant difference at the follow-up endpoint between the 2 groups ( Wald χ2=19.462, P<0.001), and the difference was statistically significant in the time effect of the glucocorticoid+ACTH group ( Wald χ2=21.100, P<0.001). The baseline and follow-up endpoint for total cholesterol in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group were 4.95(4.23, 5.26) mmol/L and 4.38(4.04, 5.24) mmol/L, respectively. The baseline and follow-up endpoint for total cholesterol in the glucocorticoid group were 4.80 (4.17, 5.28) mmol/L and 5.74 (5.04, 6.88) mmol/L, respectively. In the 2 groups of total cholesterol, there was statistically significant difference in the interaction effect between time and group ( Wald χ 2=9.842, P=0.002), there was statistically significant difference at the follow-up endpoint between the 2 groups ( Wald χ 2=12.187, P<0.001), the difference was statistically significant between the 2 groups in the time effect at baseline and the follow-up endpoint (glucocorticoid+ACTH group: Wald χ 2=6.488, glucocorticoid group: Wald χ2=7.112; all P<0.05). The baseline and follow-up endpoint for 24 hour urinary protein quantity in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group were 115 (105, 128) mg/d and 121 (113, 128) mg/d, respectively. The baseline and follow-up endpoint for 24 hour urinary protein quantity in the glucocorticoid group were 118 (113, 125) mg/d and 138 (119, 2 100) mg/d, respectively. In the 2 groups of 24 hour urinary protein quantity, there was statistically significant difference in the interaction effect between time and group ( Wald χ2=7.743, P=0.005), there was statistically significant difference at the follow-up endpoint between the 2 groups ( Wald χ2=7.779, P=0.005), and the difference was statistically significant in the time effect of the glucocorticoid group ( Wald χ2=13.331, P<0.001). The proportion of no recurrence (17/21) and discontinuation of oral glucocorticoid (16/21) in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group were higher than those in the glucocorticoid group (the proportion were both 6/18), and the differences between the 2 groups were statistically significant (the chi square values were 9.084 and 7.240, respectively; all P<0.01). No adverse reactions occurred in the glucocorticoid group. The incidence of adverse reactions in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group was 14.3% (3/21), of which 2 cases developed generalized urticaria and 1 case developed hypertension. Conclusions:ACTH has a good efficacy and safety in children with SDNS/FRNS. The results of this study need to be further validated by increasing the sample size and conducting multicenter studies.

Objective To explore the mechanism of the modified Erchen Decoction in preventing and treating hyperlipidemia with phlegm-dampness syndrome based on network pharmacology and animal experiment.Methods Active components and potential targets of modified Erchen Decoction were screened using TCMSP database.Hyperlipidemia disease targets were retrieved from GeneCards,DrugBank,DisGeNET,OMIM and TTD databases,and the intersection of drugs and disease targets was taken.A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING database,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on intersecting targets was conducted using DAVID database.Cytoscape 3.9.1 software constructed a component-target-pathway network to analyze key pathways.The molecular docking between main active components and key targets was performed.A rat model of hyperlipidemia with phlegm dampness syndrome was prepared,and was intervened with modified Erchen Decoction.Liver index was calculated,lipid levels were detected,liver tissue morphology was observed by HE staining,and related protein expressions in liver tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Network pharmacology analysis showed that there were 41 targets of modified Erchen Decoction in preventing and treating hyperlipidemia,including HMGCR,SREBF1,FASN,etc.,involved in AMPK signaling pathway,lipid and atherosclerosis,chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation,etc.The animal experiment results showed that modified Erchen Decoction could effectively regulate the blood lipid levels of model rats,reduce liver fat accumulation,significantly increase p-AMPK protein expression in liver tissue(P<0.05),and reduce HMGCR,SREBP1c and FAS protein expressions(P<0.05).Conclusion Modified Erchen Decoction may inhibit the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol and fatty acids by activating AMPK/SREBP1c signaling pathway,so as to improve hyperlipidemia.

Objective To explore the mechanism of the modified Erchen Decoction in preventing and treating hyperlipidemia with phlegm-dampness syndrome based on network pharmacology and animal experiment.Methods Active components and potential targets of modified Erchen Decoction were screened using TCMSP database.Hyperlipidemia disease targets were retrieved from GeneCards,DrugBank,DisGeNET,OMIM and TTD databases,and the intersection of drugs and disease targets was taken.A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING database,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on intersecting targets was conducted using DAVID database.Cytoscape 3.9.1 software constructed a component-target-pathway network to analyze key pathways.The molecular docking between main active components and key targets was performed.A rat model of hyperlipidemia with phlegm dampness syndrome was prepared,and was intervened with modified Erchen Decoction.Liver index was calculated,lipid levels were detected,liver tissue morphology was observed by HE staining,and related protein expressions in liver tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Network pharmacology analysis showed that there were 41 targets of modified Erchen Decoction in preventing and treating hyperlipidemia,including HMGCR,SREBF1,FASN,etc.,involved in AMPK signaling pathway,lipid and atherosclerosis,chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation,etc.The animal experiment results showed that modified Erchen Decoction could effectively regulate the blood lipid levels of model rats,reduce liver fat accumulation,significantly increase p-AMPK protein expression in liver tissue(P<0.05),and reduce HMGCR,SREBP1c and FAS protein expressions(P<0.05).Conclusion Modified Erchen Decoction may inhibit the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol and fatty acids by activating AMPK/SREBP1c signaling pathway,so as to improve hyperlipidemia.

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy in children with steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS)/frequently relapsed nephrotic syndrome (FRNS).Methods:The clinical data of children with SDNS/FRNS who received treatment with prednisone acetate tablets were retrospectively collected from June 2019 to June 2023 in the Nephrology Department of Xi′an Children′s Hospital. The children were divided into glucocorticoid+ACTH group and glucocorticoid group, according to whether ACTH was used or not. The differences in cortisol, total cholesterol and 24 hour urinary protein quantity between 2 groups of children at baseline and follow-up endpoints were compared, and the effectiveness (the proportion of no recurrence and discontinuation of glucocorticoid) and occurrence of adverse reactions were evaluated.Results:A total of 39 patients with SDNS/FRNS were included in this study, with 21 cases in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group and 18 cases in the glucocorticoid group. Among the 39 children, there were 33 cases of SDNS and 6 cases of FRNS, respectively. The proportion of baseline low cortisol levels was 76.9% (30/39). The proportion of cortisol levels returning to normal after ACTH treatment in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group was 76.2% (16/21). The baseline and follow-up endpoint for cortisol levels in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group were 28.0(19.8, 51.5) μg/L and 79.9(58.9, 113.0) μg/L, respectively. The baseline and follow-up endpoint for cortisol levels in the glucocorticoid group were 21.0(15.8, 37.4) μg/L and 25.3(18.2, 51.4) μg/L, respectively. In the 2 groups of cortisol levels, there was statistically significant difference in the interaction effect between time and group ( Wald χ2=11.595, P=0.001), there was a statistically significant difference at the follow-up endpoint between the 2 groups ( Wald χ2=19.462, P<0.001), and the difference was statistically significant in the time effect of the glucocorticoid+ACTH group ( Wald χ2=21.100, P<0.001). The baseline and follow-up endpoint for total cholesterol in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group were 4.95(4.23, 5.26) mmol/L and 4.38(4.04, 5.24) mmol/L, respectively. The baseline and follow-up endpoint for total cholesterol in the glucocorticoid group were 4.80 (4.17, 5.28) mmol/L and 5.74 (5.04, 6.88) mmol/L, respectively. In the 2 groups of total cholesterol, there was statistically significant difference in the interaction effect between time and group ( Wald χ 2=9.842, P=0.002), there was statistically significant difference at the follow-up endpoint between the 2 groups ( Wald χ 2=12.187, P<0.001), the difference was statistically significant between the 2 groups in the time effect at baseline and the follow-up endpoint (glucocorticoid+ACTH group: Wald χ 2=6.488, glucocorticoid group: Wald χ2=7.112; all P<0.05). The baseline and follow-up endpoint for 24 hour urinary protein quantity in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group were 115 (105, 128) mg/d and 121 (113, 128) mg/d, respectively. The baseline and follow-up endpoint for 24 hour urinary protein quantity in the glucocorticoid group were 118 (113, 125) mg/d and 138 (119, 2 100) mg/d, respectively. In the 2 groups of 24 hour urinary protein quantity, there was statistically significant difference in the interaction effect between time and group ( Wald χ2=7.743, P=0.005), there was statistically significant difference at the follow-up endpoint between the 2 groups ( Wald χ2=7.779, P=0.005), and the difference was statistically significant in the time effect of the glucocorticoid group ( Wald χ2=13.331, P<0.001). The proportion of no recurrence (17/21) and discontinuation of oral glucocorticoid (16/21) in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group were higher than those in the glucocorticoid group (the proportion were both 6/18), and the differences between the 2 groups were statistically significant (the chi square values were 9.084 and 7.240, respectively; all P<0.01). No adverse reactions occurred in the glucocorticoid group. The incidence of adverse reactions in the glucocorticoid+ACTH group was 14.3% (3/21), of which 2 cases developed generalized urticaria and 1 case developed hypertension. Conclusions:ACTH has a good efficacy and safety in children with SDNS/FRNS. The results of this study need to be further validated by increasing the sample size and conducting multicenter studies.

Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway regulates multiple processes in neurons,including growth,development,proliferation and differentiation,and is closely associated with the onset,progression and treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI).This article provides an overview of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and its relationship with CIRI,followed by a comprehensive review of the current research status on the regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)to ameliorate CIRI.Among them,TCM monomers and compound prescriptions such as glycyrrhetinic acid,triptolide,and Taohong siwu decoction can inhibit inflammatory responses,enhance cellular autophagy,and suppress apoptosis by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway,thereby alleviating CIRI.In addition,TCM monomers and compound prescriptions like astragaloside Ⅳ,ginkgolide K,and Qingnao dripping pills can mitigate CIRI by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress,promote angiogenesis,and enhance neuronal survival rates.

As a real-time,rapid and non-invasive method for monitoring the occurrence and development of various diseases and evaluating the health status of the body,breath detection has attracted wide attention in the application of early lung cancer screening.However,there is significant variability in the reported specific biomarkers of lung cancer,making it difficult to reach a unified consensus.Meanwhile,the pathways for the generation of volatile organic compounds(VOCs)in exhaled breath of lung cancer patients remain unclear,and further research on the detailed metabolic mechanisms is required.Therefore,this review comprehensively summarizes the VOCs detected in the exhaled breath of lung cancer patients from relevant literature in the past five years,deeply analyzes the production mechanism of these VOCs and the internal correlation with the disease,and evaluates the performance of the lung cancer prediction models constructed based on these VOCs,in order to provide reference for clinical and subsequent researches.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a relatively common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphomain in China. PTCL is clinically highly aggressive, and it progresses rapidly. The current treatment methods are ineffective and the overall prognosis is poor, especially in patients with relapsed and/or refractory. In recent years, the treatment of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors has developed rapidly, which can effectively improve the prognosis of patients with relapsed and/or refractory PTCL. This article reviews the therapeutic mechanism, effectiveness and safety of PI3K inhibitors in the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory PTCL.

Objective:To compare the short-term efficacy of drug-coated balloon and common balloon in the treatment of with below-the-ankle arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO).Methods:The clinical and follow-up data of 115 patients (118 limbs) with lower extremity ASO of Rutherford 4-6 admitted to the Department of Peripheral Vascular Diseases, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from Jun 2021 to Jun 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Patients were divided into group of 52 limbs using paclitaxel-coated balloon and group of 66 limbs using common balloon. During the 6-month follow-up period, The total effective rate of wound surface was 98.1% in the drug-coated balloon group and 92.4% in the common balloon group. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05); the increase of ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe-brachial index (TBI) in the drug-coated balloon group were significantly better than common balloon group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). No major adverse events occurred in the two groups during the 6-month follow-up period. Compared with the common balloon group, the drug-coated balloon group had a higher limb salvage rate (100.0% vs. 98.5% ) and a lower target vessel reconstruction rate (7.7% vs.18.2%), though the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with the common balloon, the drug-coated balloon is more effective in the treatment of patients with wound healing rate and vascular patency rate in Rutherford 4-6 grade below-the-ankle artery lesions.

Objective:To discuss the effects of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)on the migration and invasion of lung cancer A549 cells,and to clarify the mechanisms.Methods:Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression of MCP-1 protein in 80 cases of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and adjacent normal lung tissues.The human lung cancer A549 cells were cultured in vitro.The MCP-1-small interfering RNA(siRNA)experiment was divided into blank group,negative control group(si-NC group),MCP-1-siRNA-1 group,and MCP-1-siRNA-2 group.The MCP-1 over-expression experiment was divided into control group,empty vector control group(OE-NC,transfected with MCP-1 over-expression empty vector),over-expression MCP-1 group(OE-MCP-1 group,transfected with MCP-1 over-expression plasmid),over-expression MCP-1+extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK)pathway inhibitor PD98059 group(OE-MCP-1+PD98059 group,co-transfected with MCP-1 over-expression plasmid and PD98059),and PD98059 group(transfected with PD98059).The MCP-1 siRNA and plasmids were transfected into the lung cancer A549 cells;Western blotting method was used to verify the transfection efficiencies of the cells in various groups;the migration rate and the number of invasion cells in various groups were observed by wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay,respectively;Western blotting method was also used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated ERK(p-ERK),total ERK(t-ERK),and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related proteins in the A549 cells in various groups.Results:Compared with adjacent tissue,the positive expression rate of MCP-1 protein in NSCLC tissue was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression level of MCP-1 protein was related to TNM stage and lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).Compared with si-NC group,the expression level of MCP-1 protein in the cells in MCP-1-siRNA-1 and MCP-1-siRNA-2 groups was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with control group and OE-NC group,the expression level of MCP-1 protein in the cells in OE-MCP-1 group was significantly increased(P<0.01).The wound healing assay results showed that compared with si-NC group,the migration rate of the cells in MCP-1-siRNA-1 and MCP-1-siRNA-2 groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with OE-NC group,the migration rate of the cells in OE-MCP-1 group was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with OE-MCP-1 group,the migration rate of the cells in OE-MCP-1+PD98059 group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with OE-MCP-1+PD98059 group,the migration rate of the cells in PD98059 group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).The Transwell chamber assay results showed that compared with si-NC group,the number of invasion cells in MCP-1-siRNA-1 and MCP-1-siRNA-2 groups was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with OE-NC group,the number of invasion cells in OE-MCP-1 group was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with OE-MCP-1 group,the number of invasion cells in OE-MCP-1+PD98059 group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with OE-MCP-1+PD98059 group,the number of invasion cells in PD98059 group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with si-NC group,the expression levels of p-ERK,Vimentin,and N-cadherin protein in the cells in MCP-1-siRNA-1 and MCP-1-siRNA-2 groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the expression level of E-cadherin proteins was significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with OE-NC group,the expression levels of p-ERK,Vimentin,and N-cadherin proteins in the cells in OE-MCP-1 group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with OE-MCP-1 group,the expression levels of p-ERK,Vimentin,and N-cadherins proteins in the OE-MCP-1+PD98059 group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with OE-MCP-1+PD98059 group,the expression levels of p-ERK,Vimentin,and N-cadherin proteins in the cells in PD98059 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the expression level of E-cadherin protein was increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:MCP-1 protein can upregulate the expression of EMT-related proteins in the lung cancer A549 cells,and promote the migration and invasion of the lung cancer A549 cells;its mechanism may be related to the activation of the ERK signaling pathway.