ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aims to analyze factors contributing to recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) in pediatric patients and evaluate the efficacy of pidotimod (PI) treatment. Methods: This study utilized a retrospective cohort design, enrolling a total of 85 children diagnosed with RRTIs between September 2020 and September 2022, alongside 54 healthy children. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors contributing to RRTI occurrence. Among the participants, 40 children underwent conventional treatment (control group), while 45 received PI treatment (research group). Comparative analyses were conducted to assess clinical efficacy and adverse effects between the two treatment groups. Results: The history of family members' smoking and parental allergy emerged as independent risk factors for RRTIs (P < .05, OR>1), whereas parental education level, outdoor activity, and micronutrient intake were identified as independent protective factors for RRTIs (P < .05, OR<1). Symptoms such as cough, fever, rhonchi, moist rales, and tonsillar enlargement resolved significantly faster in the research group compared to the control group (P < .05). Additionally, the research group exhibited reduced infection duration and fewer recurrent infections (P < .05). Following treatment, the overall treatment efficacy was superior in the research group compared to the control group (P < .05), with no significant difference in the incidence of adverse effects (P > .05). Post-treatment, levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ were elevated in the research group compared to the control group, while CD8+ levels were lower (P < .05). Conclusions: Daily outdoor activity among children, family members' history of smoking, parental allergy history, education level, and micronutrient intake emerged as independent factors influencing pediatric RRTIs. Furthermore, PI was identified as a significant treatment option for RRTIs.
ABSTRACT
The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) exerts important functions in controlling glucose and energy homeostasis. Endogenous GLP-1 has a very short half-life due to DPP-IV-mediated degradation and renal clearance, which limits the therapeutic use of native GLP-1. We have shown previously that immunoglobulin fragment-fused GLP-1 (GLP-1/Fc) is a structurally stable GLP-1 analog. Here, we report a non-viral GLP-1/Fc gene therapy strategy utilizing a REP78-in-trans and REB-in-cis element system to achieve a site-specific genomic integration. For this purpose, the GLP-1/Fc expression cassette, which is fused with the RBE element, was co-injected with the Rep78 plasmid into the muscles of transgenic mice carrying the AAVS1 locus of human chromosome 19. The Rep protein-mediated site-specific integration was demonstrated by nested PCR, dot-blot, and Southern blotting. We found that this approach reduced weight gain and improved lipid profiles in the AAVS1-mice on high-fat diet challenge. Our observations reveal a new GLP-1 therapeutic strategy with an apparent absence of side effects, which may find applications in diabetes treatment and obesity prevention.
