Objective To explore the changes in gut microbiota and levels of short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)in infants with cow's milk protein allergy(CMPA),and to clarify their role in CMPA.Methods A total of 25 infants diagnosed with CMPA at Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from August 2019 to August 2020 were enrolled as the CMPA group,and 25 healthy infants were selected as the control group.Fecal samples(200 mg)were collected from both groups and subjected to 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze the changes in gut microbial composition and metabolites.Microbial diversity was analyzed in conjunction with metabolites.Results Compared to the control group,the CMPA group showed altered gut microbial structure and significantly increased α-diversity(P＜0.001).The abundance of Firmicutes,Clostridiales and Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased,while the abundance of Sphingomonadaceae,Clostridiaceae_l and Mycoplasmataceae was significantly increased in the CMPA group compared to the control group(P＜0.001).Metabolomic analysis revealed reduced levels of acetic acid,butyric acid,and isovaleric acid in the CMPA group compared to the control group,and the levels of the metabolites were positively correlated with the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium and Roseburia(P＜0.05).Conclusions CMPA infants have alterations in gut microbial structure,increased microbial diversity,and decreased levels of SCFA,which may contribute to increased intestinal inflammation.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(3):236-243]

Objective To study the risk factors for embolism in children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(RMPP)and to construct a nomogram model for prediction of embolism.Methods This retrospective study included 175 children diagnosed with RMPP at Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to October 2023.They were divided into two groups based on the presence of embolism:the embolism group(n=62)and the non-embolism group(n=113).Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen for risk factors of embolism in children with RMPP,and the R software was applied to construct the nomogram model for prediction of embolism.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that higher levels of D-dimer,interleukin-6(IL-6)and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),lung necrosis,and pleural effusion were risk factors for embolism in children with RMPP(P＜0.05).The area under the curve of the nomogram model for prediction of embolism constructed based on the aforementioned risk factors was 0.912(95％CI:0.871-0.952,P＜0.05).The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that the model had a good fit with the actual situation(P＜0.05).Calibration and decision curve analysis indicated that the model had high predictive efficacy and clinical applicability.Conclusions Higher levels of D-dimer,IL-6 and NLR,lung necrosis,and pleural effusion are risk factors for embolism in children with RMPP.The nomogram model based on these risk factors has high clinical value for predicting embolism in children with RMPP.

Aim To explore the protective effect of proanthocyanidin B2 (PC-B2) on oxidative damage of PC 12 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H

Objective To explore the clinicopathological features and prognosis of the patients newly diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma with both EGFR mutation and C-MET amplification.Methods The pathological sections were reviewed.EGFR mutation was detected by amplification refractory mutation system-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,and C-MET amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization.The clinicopathological features and survival data of the patients newly diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma with both EGFR mutation and C-MET amplification were analyzed retrospectively.Results In 11 cases of EGFR mutation combined with C-MET amplification,complex glands and solid high-grade components were observed under a microscope in 10 cases except for one case with a cell block,the tissue structure of which was difficult to be evaluated.The incidence of lung adenocarcinoma in the patients with EGFR mutation combined with C-MET amplification at clinical stage Ⅳ was higher than that in the EGFR mutation or C-MET amplification group (all P<0.001),whereas the difference was not statistically significant between the EGFR mutation group and C-MET amplification group at each clinical stage (all P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the trend of survival rate between EGFR gene group and C-MET amplification group (χ²=0.042,P=0.838),while the survival of the patients with EGFR mutation combined with C-MET amplification was worse than that of the patients with EGFR mutation (χ²=246.72,P<0.001) or C-MET amplification (χ²=236.41,P<0.001).Conclusions The patients newly diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutation plus C-MET amplification demonstrate poor histological differentiation,rapid progress,and poor prognosis.The patients are often in the advanced stage when being diagnosed with cancer.Attention should be paid to this concurrent adverse driving molecular event in clinical work.With increasing availability,the inhibitors targeting C-MET may serve as an option to benefit these patients in the near future.
Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/genetics* ; Mutation ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics*

The immune checkpoint programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)-mediated immunosuppression is among the important features of tumor. PD-L1, an immunosuppressant, can induce T cell failure by binding to programmed cell death-1(PD-1). Thus, the key to restoring the function of T cells is inhibiting the expression of PD-L1. The Chinese medicinal Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(AMR) has the anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic activities, and the polysaccharide in AMR(PAMR) plays a crucial role in immunoregulation, but the influence on the immune checkpoints which are closely related to immunosuppression has not been reported. MicroRNA-34 a(miR-34 a) expression in esophageal carcinoma tissue is significantly lower than that in normal tissue. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of PAMR on esophageal carcinoma cells, and the relationship between its inhibitory effect on PD-L1 expression and miR-34 a, which is expected to clarify the anti-tumor mechanism of PAMR. Firstly, different human esophageal carcinoma cell lines(EC9706, EC-1, TE-1, EC109 cells) were screend out, and expression of PD-L1 was determined. Then, EC109 cells, with high expression of PD-L1, were selected for further experiment. The result showed that PAMR suppressed EC109 cell growth. According to the real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR) and Western blot, it significantly suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of PD-L1, while promoting the expression of tumor suppressor miR-34 a. The confocal microscopy and luci-ferase assay proved that PAMR alleviated the inhibitory effect of PD-L1 while blocked miR-34 a. Additionally, the expression of PD-L1 was controlled by miR-34 a, and the combination of miR-34 a inhibitor with high-dose PAMR reversed the inhibitory effect of PAMR on PD-L1 protein expression. Thus, the PAMR may inhibit PD-L1 by increasing the expression of miR-34 a and regulating its downstream target genes. In conclusion, PAMR inhibits the expression of PD-L1 mainly by inducing miR-34 a.
B7-H1 Antigen/pharmacology* ; Carcinoma ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology*

This study aimed to explore the triterpenic acid components in leaves of Ilex hainanensis. Alkaline water extraction, macroporous resin adsorption, and high performance liquid chromatography were used to separate and purify the triterpenic acid components in leaves of I. hainanensis. The physical and chemical property analysis, MS, NMR spectroscopy, and literature comparison were performed to identify the structures, and a new triterpene acid compound was discovered:(3S, 4R, 5R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 14S, 17S, 18S, 19R)-3,19-dihydroxyursa-12,20(30)-diene-24,28-dioic-acid, and named ilexhainanin F. In addition, according to its structural characteristics, the ~(19)F-NMR Mosher method was further employed to study its absolute configuration. By comparison of the ~(19)F-NMR chemical shifts of Mosher esters, it was determined that the absolute configuration of the 3-position chiral center of the compound was the S configuration.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Ilex/chemistry* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Triterpenes/analysis*

Objective:To present briefly introductions and evaluations on the constructs, psychometric properties (reliability, validity, reactivity etc.) and applications of the system of Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients QLICP(V1.0) including 12 kinds of scales for patients with head and neck cancer, brain cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia and lymphoma.Methods:Based on our measuring data from relevant patients at hospitals, the constructs, characteristics and psychometrics of the system above were analyzed and presented. Internal consistency reliability for each domain and the overall scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and test-retest reliability through calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient between the first and second assessments. The criterion-related validity was evaluated by correlating corresponding domains of two instruments. Responsiveness was assessed through comparing the mean difference between the pre-treatment and post-treatments with standardized response mean (SRM). The use agreements and literature reviews of this system were used to understand the applications of 12 kinds measurement scales.Results:The quality of life scales for 12 kinds of cancer patients of the system QLICP(V1.0) have good construct( 5 domains, 11-15 facets), reliability, validity and a certain degree of responsiveness. The internal consistency reliability Cronbach's α coefficients for the overall scale of QLICP in different cancers was from 0.67 to 0.92, and the test-retest reliability (correlation coefficient) was from 0.61 to 0.99. The criterion-related validity (correlation coefficient) was for the overall scale of QLICP in different cancers was from 0.28 to 0.89, and the responsiveness SRM was from 0.25 to 1.28. And also they were widely used in clinical practice and relevant studies for the corresponding cancers.Conclusion:The system QLICP(V1.0) is of outstanding characteristics with all psychometrics meeting requirements and better construct (clear hierarchical structure with items→ facets→ domains→ overall ), and can be used widely in clinical practice further.

Objective To investigate the clinical short-term efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) by using CalliSpheres drug-eluting beads combined with blank microspheres (8 Spheres) in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) . Methods The clinical data of 98 HCC patients, who were treated at authors′ hospital during the period from July 2016 to November 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into DEB-TACE group (receiving TACE by using CalliSpheres drug-eluting beads combined with 8 Spheres embolic microspheres, n =50) and cTACE group (receiving TACE by using opium poppy ethyl iodized oil together with 8 Spheres embolic microspheres, n =48) . The disease remission rate, control rate and incidence of complications as well as preoperative and 3-day postoperative hepatic function indexes were collected, and the results were compared between the two groups. Results No statistically significant differences in baseline data existed between the two groups (P>0.05) . Both the 3-month and the 6-month disease remission rates in DEB-TACE group were remarkably higher than those in cTACE group (P<0.05), besides, the 6-month disease progression rate and the incidence of elevated serum AFP in DEB-TACE group were lower than those in cTACE group, the short-term efficacy of DEB-TACE group was better than that of cTACE group (P<0.05) . Three days after treatment, the levels of ALT and AST in cTACE group were strikingly higher than those in DEB-TACE group (P<0.05) . No serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. Conclusion In treating advanced HCC with TACE, the short-term efficacy and safety of CalliSpheres drug-eluting beads combined with 8 Spheres embolic microspheres are superior to those of opium poppy ethyl iodized oil together with 8 Spheres embolic microspheres.

Objective: To compare the differences and similarities among the system of quality of life instruments for cancer patients (QLICP) V1.0, the quality of life questionnaire (QLQ) from European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) from Center on Outcomes, Research and Education (CORE) of America. Methods: Based on literatures and our measuring data from patients at hospitals, the constructs, characteristics and psychometrics of the systems above were analyzed and compared. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach α coefficient for each domain, and test-retest reliability through calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient r between the first and second assessments as well as intra-class correlation (ICC). Construct validity was evaluated by Pearson correlation coefficient r (item-domains correlations) and factor analysis. The criterion-related validity was evaluated by correlating corresponding domains of two instruments. Responsiveness was assessed through comparing the mean difference between the pre-treatment and post-treatment with standardized response mean (SRM). Results: The instruments of three systems were of different outstanding characteristics with all psychometrics meeting requirements. Measurements for 12 types of cancers showed that the internal consistency reliability Cronbach α coefficient for the overall scale of QLICP (V1.0) was 0.67-0.92, and for FACT was 0.79-0.98. The test-retest reliability (r or ICC) for the overall scale of QLICP (V1.0) was 0.61-0.99, and for FACT was 0.60-0.98. The SRM for the overall scale of QLICP (V1.0) was 0.25-1.28, and for FACT was 0.11-0.83. However, the QLICP was of better construct (clear hierarchical structure with items→facets→domains→overall) and Chinese culture. Conclusion The instruments of three systems can be used as the instruments to assess quality of life for patients with cancer with selections basing on different settings.

Objective　No studies have been reported on the comparison of ultracentrifugation, ExoPerfectTM-MU and PEG6000 in extracting seminal plasma exosomes. This article aimed to compare the three methods for the extraction and identification of seminal plasma exosomes. Methods　Semen samples were obtained from 30 healthy donors and randomly divided into three portions, followed by extraction of exosomes from the seminal plasma by ultracentrifugation, ExoPerfectTM-MU, and 8%PEG6000, respectively. The size of the extracted exosomes was measured with the nanoparticle tracking analyzer (NTA), their morphology observed under the transmission electron microscope (TEM), and their protein biomarkers detected by Western blot.　Results　Significantly higher expressions of CD63 and TSG101 were found in the exosomes extracted by ultracentrifugation than in those extracted by ExoPerfectTM-MU and 8%PEG6000 (P<0.05). NTA revealed a perfect linearity of the MODE curve and insignificant difference in the diameter of the exosomes in the ultracentrifugation, ExoPerfectTM-MU and 8%PEG6000 groups (105 vs 102 vs 115 nm, P>0.05). Compared with the 8%PEG6000 group, the ultracentrifugation and ExoPerfectTM-MU groups showed significantly higher concentrations ([11.90±1.78] vs [21.20±0.98] and [19.74±1.45]×108/mL, P<0.01) and numbers of seminal plasma exosomes under TEM (4.7±1.7 vs 7.0±1.6 and 6.0±1.6, P< 0.01).　Conclusion　Ultracentrifugation, ExoPerfectTM-MU and 8%PEG6000 are all capable of successful extraction and identification of seminal plasma exosomes, but the former two yield more exosomes, the latter one gives a higher purity, and ExoPerfectTM-MU is simple and convenient in operation.