Correlation between levels of hs-CRP and PCT in serum and alveolar fluid and disease severity in children with lobar pneumonia / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To explore the correlation between levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in serum and alveolar fluid and severity of disease in children with lobar pneumonia. Methods　A total of 112 children diagnosed with lobar pneumonia from September 2020 to September 2021 were selected as the research subjects. The levels of hs-CRP and PCT in serum and alveolar fluid were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The children were divided into severe group (clinical pulmonary infection score, CPIS≥6 points) and mild group (CPIS<6 points) according to the severity of disease, and further classified into good prognosis group (cured, improved) and poor prognosis group (uncured) according to their treatment outcomes. The correlation of levels of hs-CRP and PCT in serum and alveolar fluid with disease severity in children and their predictive value on prognosis were analyzed. Results　The levels of serum hs-CRP and PCT in severe group were (17.73±3.26) μg/L and (8.59±1.84) μg/L, which were significantly higher than corresponding (12.58±3.09) μg/L, and (5.62±1.59) μg/L in mild group (P<0.05); the levels of hs-CRP and PCT in alveolar fluid in severe group were (21.25±4.18) μg/L and (8.71±1.54) μg/L, which were significantly higher than corresponding (13.79±2.76) μg/L and (5.38±1.69) μg/L in mild group (P<0.05). The levels of hs-CRP and PCT in serum and alveolar fluid were positively correlated with CPIS scores (r=0.398, 0.441; 0.475, 0.586, P<0.05). The levels of hs-CRP and PCT in serum in poor prognosis group were (20.09±4.20) μg/L and (13.35±2.91) μg/L, which were significantly higher corresponding (8.75±2.19) μg/L and (6.28±1.31) μg/L in good prognosis group (P<0.05). The levels of hs-CRP and PCT in alveolar fluid were (23.70±4.29) μg/L and (10.73±2.04) μg/L, which were higher than corresponding (15.08±3.56) μg/L and (5.79±1.10) μg/L in poor prognosis group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in AUC between combined detection of serum indicators and combined detection of alveolar perfusion fluid indicators in predicting the prognosis of children with lobar pneumonia (P>0.05). Conclusions　The levels of hs-CRP and PCT in serum and alveolar fluid of children with lobar pneumonia are significantly increased and positively correlated with the severity of disease. However, the predictive value of the combined detection of serum indicators and combined detection of alveolar perfusion fluid indicators for the prognosis of children with lobar pneumonia is comparable.

PAK4 confers the malignance of cervical cancers and contributes to the cisplatin-resistance in cervical cancer cells via PI3K/AKT pathway.

BACKGROUND: Multiple protein or microRNA markers have been recognized to contribute to the progression and recurrence of cervical cancers. Particular those, which are associated with the chemo- or radio-resistance of cervical cancers, have been proposed to be promising and to facilitate the definition for cervical cancer treatment options. METHODS: This study was designed to explore the potential prognosis value of p21-activated kinase (PAK)-4 in cervical cancer, via the Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test and Cox regression analysis, and then to investigate the regulatory role of PAK4 in the cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer cells, via the strategies of both PAK4 overexpression and PAK4 knockout. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that PAK4 was upregulated in cervical cancer tissues, in an association with the cancer's malignance variables such as FIGO stage, lymph node or distant metastasis and the poor histological grade. The high PAK4 expression was also independently associated with poor prognosis to cervical cancer patients. Moreover, PAK4 confers cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer Hela or Caski cells. In addition, the PI3K/Akt pathway has been implicated in the PAK4-confered cisplatin resistance. And the PI3K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002, markedly deteriorated the cisplatin-mediated viability reduction of Hela or Caski cells, indicating the involvement of PI3K/Akt pathway in the cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer cells. CONCLUSION: This study has confirmed the significant prognostic role of PAK4 level in cervical cancer patients and has recognized the regulatory role in cervical cancer progression. Moreover, our study has indicated that PAK4 also confers the chemoresistance of cervical cancer cells in a PI3K/Akt-dependent way. Thus, our study indicates PAK4 as a promising marker for cervical cancer treatment.

Cardamonin exerts potent activity against multiple myeloma through blockade of NF-κB pathway in vitro.

NF-κB plays a major role in the pathology of multiple myeloma. Here, we intended to investigate the regulating effect of cardamonin on NF-κB in myeloma cells. We found for the first time that cardamonin suppressed viability and induced apoptosis of myeloma cells. Cardamonin activated caspase-3 and PARP and suppressed the expression of various anti-apoptotic proteins. We discovered that NF-κB was repressed by cardamonin through suppression of IKK expression and IκBα phosphorylation. Furthermore, the expression of NF-κB-regulated gene products ICAM-1, COX-2 and VEGF was down-regulated by cardamonin. These results suggest that cardamonin blocks NF-κB pathway in human multiple myeloma cells.

[Fusarium solani infection in a patient after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: case report and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To study Fusarium solani infection as a complication in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to discuss the diagnosis and appropriate therapy. METHODS: Symptoms, physical examination, laboratory tests, computed tomographic (CT) scans, treatments and outcomes of Fusarium solani infection in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were retrospectively analyzed, and related literatures reviewed. RESULTS: The patient developed pulmonary infiltration and systemic multiple subcutaneous masses after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Tissue biopsy smear showed a large number of hyphae and spores, and fungal culture grew Fusarium solani. The subcutaneous masses were incised and drained, while amphotericin B and voriconazole were administered, with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for hematopoietic recovery. The patient was discharge after full recovery. CONCLUSION: Fusarium solani infection is a rare but fatal complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Once the skin lesions or subcutaneous masses developed, tissue smear and culture should be done as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and effective treatment to recovery of the patient after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Moreover, the recovery of adequate neutrophil levels is the most important factor in the resolution of fusarial infection.