Objective To explore predictive factors of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) complicated with respiratory failure (RF) and to develop and internally validate a clinical prediction model. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 350 patients with severe CAP admitted to Tianyou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology from September 2022 to December 2024. Patients were randomly divided into a training set (n＝245) and a validation set (n＝105) in a 7∶3 ratio, and further categorized into RF and non-RF groups. LASSO regression was applied to optimize variable selection. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to construct the prediction model, followed by internal validation. Results Univariate regression analysis identified male, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, age, CURB-65 score, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A, procalcitonin, and hospital stay as risk factors for RF in severe CAP, while albumin level was a protective factor. LASSO regression selected CURB-65 score, albumin level, and CRP for inclusion in the final model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.903 in the training set and 0.919 in the validation set. Calibration curve analysis demonstrated excellent agreement between predicted and observed probabilities in both sets, and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit tests indicated no significant deviations. Threshold probabilities ranged from 0.01 to 0.99 in both training and validation sets. Conclusions CURB-65 score, albumin level, and CRP are independent predictors of RF in severe CAP. The clinical prediction model based on these factors exhibits strong discrimination, calibration, goodness-of-fit, and clinical utility.

Objective : To explore the effect and mechanism of CD151 on vascular permeability by regulating vesicle internalization and recycling. Methods: Wild-type mice and CD151 knockout mice were divided into WT-con group, WT-model group, KO-con group and KO-model group, with 6 mice in each group. WT-model group and KO-model group were intraperitoneally injected with LPS to prepare sepsis ALI model, and WT-con group and KO-con group were intraperitoneally injected with phosphate buffer saline(PBS) as a control. 24 h after modeling, pulmonary vascular permeability was measured by Miles test. The siRNA silencing CD151 expression(si-CD151) and negative control si-NC were transfected into EA.hy 926 cells. The permeability of endothelial cell layer to FITC-dextran at different time points was observed under basic conditions and vascular endothelial growth factor-A(VEGF-A) stimulation conditions. Transcriptome sequencing of endothelial cells in si-CD151 group and si-NC group; the distribution and internalization of CD151 in each group were measured using immunofluorescence. Western blot and real-time quantitative RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of VE-cadherin in si-CD151 groupand other groups. The distribution and internalization of VE-cadherin in each group were measured using immunofluorescence. Results : Miles experiment results indicated that dye exudation in lung tissue of WT-model group was significantly higher than that of WT-con group(P<0.01). The dye exudation in the lung tissue of KO-model group increased compared with WT-model group(P<0.05). The results of endothelial cell layer permeability test showed that the permeability of FITC-dextran in si-CD151 group was significantly higher than that in control group after VEGF-A stimulation for 30, 60 and 120 min(P<0.05). Transcriptome sequencing results suggested that CD151 in endothelial cells was closely related to vesicle-mediated transport. Compared with other groups, protein and mRNA levels of VE-cadherin in CD151 knockdown endothelial cells was significantly lower(allP<0.01). The immunofluorescence assay demonstrated that after VEGF-A stimulation, the decrease of CD151 expression significantly impaired the expression of VE-cadherin at cell-cell contacts and reduced the CD151-VE-cadherin colocalization in the perinuclear region compared with other groups. Conclusion The absence of CD151 affects the internalization and recycling of endothelial cell vesicles, affects the expression and internalization of VE-cadherin, and then influences vascular permeability.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features,treatment and prognosis of drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (DIHS-HLH).Methods:This was a retrospective case study. Clinical characteristics, laboratory results, treatment and prognosis of 9 patients diagnosed with DIHS-HLH in Beijing Children′s hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were summarized. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate the overall survival rate.Results:Among all 9 cases, there were 6 males and 3 females, with the age ranged from 0.8 to 3.1 years. All patients had fever, rash, hepatomegaly and multiple lymph node enlargement. Other manifestations included splenomegaly (4 cases), pulmonary imaging abnormalities (6 cases), central nervous system symptoms (3 cases), and watery diarrhea (3 cases). Most patients showed high levels of soluble-CD25 (8 cases), hepatic dysfunction (7 cases) and hyperferritinemia (7 cases). Other laboratory abnormalities included hemophagocytosis in bone marrow (5 cases), hypofibrinogenemia (3 cases) and hypertriglyceridemia (2 cases). Ascending levels of interleukin (IL) 5, IL-8 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were detected in more than 6 patients. All patients received high dose intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroid and ruxolitinib, among which 4 patients were also treated with high dose methylprednisolone, 2 patients with etoposide and 2 patients with cyclosporin A. After following up for 0.2-38.6 months, 7 patients survived, and the 1-year overall survival rate was (78±14)%. Two patients who had no response to high dose immunoglobulin, methylprednisolone 2 mg/(kg·d) and ruxolitinib died. Watery diarrhea, increased levels of IL-5 and IL-8 and decreased IgM were more frequently in patients who did not survive.Conclusions:For children with fever, rash and a suspicious medication history, when complicated with hepatomegaly, impaired liver function and high levels of IL-5 and IL-8, DIHS-HLH should be considered. Once diagnosed with DIHS-HLH, suspicious drugs should be stopped immediately, and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroid and ruxolitinib could be used to control disease.

Objective:To analyze the treatment efficacy, safety and dose parameters of optimized hippocampus-avoidance prophylactic cranial irradiation (HA-PCI) in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) and explore the corresponding dosimetric parameters under the condition of narrowing the hippocampus avoidance region as hippocampus region plus 2 mm in three dimensions.Methods:Clinical data of patients with LS-SCLC receiving HA-PCI (hippocampus avoidance region defined as hippocampus region plus 2 mm in three dimensions) in Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from August 2014 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Dose parameters of HA-PCI and adverse events were analyzed using descriptive statistics analysis. Changes of neurocognitive function, such as mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Hopkins verbal learning test-revised (HVLT-R) scores, were evaluated by analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and intracranial PFS (iPFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. The cumulative incidence of local-regional recurrence (LRR), extracranial distant metastases (EDM), and locoregional recurrence (LR) were investigated under competing risk analysis. Results:A total of 112 patients were included, the median follow-up time was 50 months (95% CI: 45.61-54.38). The median volume of hippocampus was 4.85 ml (range: 2.65-8.34 ml), with the average dose ≤9 Gy in 106 patients (94.6%), ≤8 Gy in 92 patients (82.1%). The median volume of hippocampus avoidance area was 15.00 ml (range: 8.61-28.06 ml), with the average dose ≤12 Gy in 109 patients (97.3%), ≤10 Gy in 101 patients (90.2%). The 2-year cumulative LRR, EDM, LR rates were 16.9%, 23.2% and 28.5%, respectively. The 5-year cumulative LRR, EDM, LR rates were 23.2%, 26.9% and 33.3%, respectively. The 2-year iPFS, PFS and OS rates were 66.1% (95% CI: 57.9%-75.4%), 53.6% (95% CI: 45.1%-63.7%) and 80.4% (95% CI: 73.3%-88.1%), respectively. The most common grade I-Ⅱ adverse events were nausea (33.9%) and dizziness (31.3%), and only 1 patient developed grade Ⅲ nausea and dizziness. MMSE ( n=57) and HVLT-R tests ( n=56) showed no significant decline. Conclusions:Optimized HA-PCI can achieve similar dose limitation with favorable efficacy and light toxicity. No significant decline is observed in short-term neurocognitive function in evaluable patients.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of the L-DEP regimen (asparaginase, liposome doxorubicin, etoposide and methylprednisolone) as a salvage therapy for the refractory primary hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis triggered by Epstein-Barr virus infection (EBV-pHLH) in children.Methods:In this retrospective case study, clinical and laboratory data before and after L-DEP regimen of 4 children diagnosed with EBV-pHLH in Beijing Children′s hospital between January 2016 and June 2022 were collected, and the efficacy and safety of L-DEP regimen for the treatment of EBV-pHLH were analyzed.Results:Among 4 patients, there were 3 females and 1 male with the age ranged from 0.8 to 7.0 years. Two of them showed compound heterozygous mutations of PRF1, one with a heterozygous mutation of UNC13D, one homozygous mutation of ITK. Before the L-DEP therapy, all of them had anemia and a soaring level of soluble CD25, 3 patients had neutropenia and thrombopenia, 3 patients had a high level of ferritin, 3 patients had hypofibrinogenemia and 1 patient had hypertriglyceridemia. After receiving 1 or 2 cycles of L-DEP treatment, three achieved remission, including complete remission (1 case) and partial remission (2 cases), and the other one had no remission. The levels of blood cell counts, soluble CD25, triglyceride, fibrinogen and albumin were recovered gradually in 3 patients who got remission. All four patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after L-DEP regimen, and three survived. All patients had no severe chemotherapy related complications. The main side effects were bone marrow suppression, infection and pancreatitis, which recovered after appropriate treatments, apart from one who died from severe infection after urgent HSCT.Conclusion:L-DEP regimen could be served as an effective and safe salvage treatment for refractory pediatric EBV-pHLH, and also provide an opportunity for patients to receive HSCT.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin (BV) combined with rituximab and attenuated chemotherapy in the treatment of children with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).Methods:A prospective, non-randomized, risk-assigned study. Clinical data (including age, gender, B symptoms, bulky disease, CD30 and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA(EBER) expression, clinical stage, risk stratification, etc.) of 28 intermediate to high-risk cHL children diagnosed and treated at Beijing Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from October 2022 to May 2024 were collected. Immuno-targeted combined with attenuated chemotherapy was administered based on risk stratification and early treatment response. The patients were followed up until May 1st, 2024. The infusion reactions and adverse reactions after treatment were recorded.Results:In all 28 patients, there were 22 males and 6 females, the age was 12 (5,16) years, 16 cases (57%) presented with bulky disease and 10 cases (36%) with B symptoms. The most common pathological type was nodular sclerosis (14 cases, 50%). There were 7 cases of stage Ⅱ, 14 cases of stage Ⅲ and 7 cases of stage Ⅳ according to the Ann Arbor staging system. There were 5 cases in the intermediate-risk group and 23 cases in the high-risk group. EBER was positive in 20 cases (71%) and negative in 6 cases (21%), and CD30 antigen was expressed in tumor cells of all enrolled children. Treatment duration: 5 cases (18%) received 4 courses of treatment, 21 cases (75%) received 6 courses of treatment, and 2 cases (7%) received 8 courses of treatment, 25 cases (89%) achieved complete metabolism response (CMR) through early assessment after 2 courses of chemotherapy. The CMR rates were 100% in intermediate-risk group and 87% (20/23) in high-risk group, respectively. Four patients (14%) finally received residual field radiotherapy. Toxicities included grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ myelosuppression, early infusion reaction and mild peripheral neuropathy, only one case of grade 3 adverse events was recorded and did not affect sequential treatment. At the end of treatment and 3 months of follow-up, the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were all decreased compared with the baseline before chemotherapy, and the total B cell count began to be lower than the level before chemotherapy at the early stage of treatment (after 2 courses). The total B cell count monitored during treatment was 50 (0, 101)×10 6/L and was 12 (0, 25)×10 6/L at the end of treatment. The follow-up time was 6 (3, 13) months, all 28 children had event-free survival and all achieved complete remission. At 6 and 9 months of follow-up, IgA, IgG, IgM and total B cell counts returned to pre-chemotherapy baseline levels, respectively. Conclusion:BV combined with rituximab attenuated chemotherapy has demonstrated efficacy and a tolerable safety profile in the treatment of cHL in children, and significantly reduce radiation rate.

Cell therapy based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been a hot research topic in recent years, including the traditional cell therapy strategy based on living cells and the new cell-free therapy strategy based on soluble proteins or bioactive molecules such as extracellular vesicles (EVs). At present, MSC-induced cells have mature functions and specific structures, and insitu transplantation combined with biomaterials or organic technology has greatly improved the settlement rate and function. On the other hand, as the large-scale culture technique and EVs separation technique evolve, it is possible to obtain a large number of pure EVs, and EVs are gradually becoming a hot spot of current research. An increasing number of studies have shown that the therapeutic effect of MSCs not only occurs by implantation and differentiation but also manifests as the paracrine effect of MSCs. In this review, we discuss the emerging outcomes of cell therapies and acellular therapies to alleviate these pathological conditions.

Objective:To explore the effect and underlying mechanism of casein kinase 2 interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) on hepatocyte apoptosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods:Experimental study. An NAFLD cell model was established by inducing human hepatoma cell line, HepG 2 cells, with oleic acid (OA). Flag-CKIP-1 expression vector and shRNA-CKIP-1 were transfected into HepG 2 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of CKIP-1 on the activity and apoptosis of NAFLD hepatocytes. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot. CKIP-1 knockout mice in C57BL/6 back-ground were fed with either standard or high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Apoptosis-related signal proteins in NAFLD hepatocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results:After CKIP-1 was transfected into HepG 2 cells, the degree of OA induced cell liposis was significantly reduced ( P<0.05). Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry showed that CKIP-1 reduced the apoptosis of steatotic hepatocytes. Overexpression of CKIP-1 could significantly inhibit the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and increase the expression of Bcl-2/Bax ( P<0.05). Knockdown of CKIP-1 could increase the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 ( P<0.05). CKIP-1 knockout could further increase the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in NAFLD mice ( P<0.01, P<0.05), and further decrease the expression of Bcl-2/Bax ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CKIP-1 inhibited the apoptosis of steatotic hepatocytes by up-regulating the expression of apoptosis inhibitor gene, Bcl-2/Bax, and affecting the proteases, caspase-3 and caspase-9.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(HLH)is a systemic hyperinflammation syndrome.XIAP deficiency is an innate immunodeficiency disorder, often combined with HLH, with increased susceptibility to EB virus, mostly in childhood.XIAP deficiency leads to innate immune deficiency, increased apoptosis, and excessive activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which together lead to impaired clearance of pathogens and excessive release of cytokines, resulting in HLH.The course of HLH in patients with XIAP deficiency is generally mild and the mortality rate is low, but it frequently relapses.In addition to HLH, XIAP deficiency can be combined with some auto-inflammatory disease.Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curable method and reduced-intensity conditioning is recommended.Some new targeted therapies, such as IFN-γ monoclonal antibodies, IL-18 and IL-6 antagonists may be effective, but the specific efficacy needs more study.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare immune-mediated disorder characterized by hyperactivation of antigen-presenting cells and T cells, massive secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and impaired function of natural killer cells and CD8 + T cells.Ruxolitinib is a Januse kinase(JAK)inhibitor that reduces cytokine release and retards the inflammatory response by competitive binding to the JAK catalytic site, to achieve the goal of curing HLH.In recent years, ruxolitinib has been gradually applied in the treatment of HLH, and its effectiveness has also been verified.However, studies have also found that there are efficacy differences in the treatment of HLH caused by different etiologies.This article reviews the mechanism of ruxolitinib in the treatment of HLH and the differences in the efficacy of ruxolitinib in the treatment of HLH of different etiologies.