Knowledge Domain and Emerging Trends of Chinese Medicine in Management of Pediatric Asthma: A Scientometric Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the intellectual landscape and emerging research trends of Chinese medicine (CM) in the management of pediatric asthma through a scientometric study.@*METHODS@#Publications related to CM in the management of pediatric asthma were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using relevant keywords. A scientometric study was performed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1,673 original articles and reviews from 1991 to 2019 were included in the analysis. The amount of annual publications had a gradual increase with time. USA was the major contributor both in country and institution analyses. Based on the co-citation, the published journals were grouped into 4 clusters. Keyword analysis indicated that the main hotspots were: (1) comprehensive management; (2) risk factors, mechanism, and prevalence; (3) prevention and treatment; (4) inflammation; and (5) environmental research. Lastly, we predicted that three emerging trends were quality of life promotion, immune response, and combination therapy.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CM research in the management of pediatric asthma will maintain the current trend of steady growth. This scientometric analysis may help scientists to identify the areas of interests and future directions in the field.

A vimentin-targeting oral compound with host-directed antiviral and anti-inflammatory actions addresses multiple features of COVID-19 and related diseases

Damage in COVID-19 results from both the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its triggered overreactive host immune responses. Therapeutic agents that focus solely on reducing viral load or hyperinflammation fail to provide satisfying outcomes in all cases. Although viral and cellular factors have been extensively profiled to identify potential anti-COVID targets, new drugs with significant efficacy remain to be developed. Here, we report the potent preclinical efficacy of ALD-R491, a vimentin-targeting small molecule compound, in treating COVID-19 through its host-directed antiviral and anti-inflammatory actions. We found that by altering the physical properties of vimentin filaments, ALD-491 affected general cellular processes as well as specific cellular functions relevant to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Specifically, ALD-R491 reduced endocytosis, endosomal trafficking, and exosomal release, thus impeding the entry and egress of the virus; increased the microcidal capacity of macrophages, thus facilitating the pathogen clearance; and enhanced the activity of regulatory T cells, therefore suppressing the overreactive immune responses. In cultured cells, ALD-R491 potently inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and human ACE2-mediated pseudoviral infection. In aged mice with ongoing, productive SARS-CoV-2 infection, ALD-R491 reduced disease symptoms as well as lung damage. In rats, ALD-R491 also reduced bleomycin-induced lung injury and fibrosis. Our results indicate a unique mechanism and significant therapeutic potential for ALD-R491 against COVID-19. We anticipate that ALD-R491, an oral, fast-acting, and non-toxic agent targeting the cellular protein with multipart actions, will be convenient, safe, and broadly effective, regardless of viral mutations, for patients with early- or late-stage disease, post-COVID complications and other related diseases. IMPORTANCEWith the Delta variant currently fueling a resurgence of new infections in the fully-vaccinated population, developing an effective therapeutic drug is especially critical and urgent in fighting COVID-19. In contrast to the many efforts to repurpose existing drugs or address only one aspect of COVID-19, we are developing a novel agent with first-in-class mechanism-of-actions that address both the viral infection and the overactive immune system in the pathogenesis of the disease. Unlike virus-directed therapeutics that may lose efficacy due to viral mutations and immunosuppressants that require ideal timing to be effective, this agent, with its unique host-directed antiviral and anti-inflammatory actions, can work against all variants of the virus, be effective during all stages of the disease, and even resolve post-disease damage and complications. A further development of the compound will provide an important tool in the fight against COVID-19, its complications, as well as future outbreaks of new viruses.

The Audiological Characteristics of Neonate with Severe Hyperbilirubinemia Need to be Exchanged Transfusion / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To study the change of audiological characteristics of neonate with severe hyperbilirubi‐nemia need to be exchanged transfusion ,and to explore the correlation between the peak concentrations of serum to‐tal bilirubin and hearing loss .Methods A total of 130 cases of neonate diagnosed with severe hyperbilirubinemia need to be exchanged transfusion were included in this study .Hearing tests of auditory brainstem response (ABR) , distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and acoustic immittance were administered to these neonates and they were followed up three months old .They were divided into the normal group ,the mild - moderate group and the severe - extreme group according to the hearing tests results of three months .The peak concentrations of ser‐um total bilirubin and hearing condition among the three groups were analyzed .Results There were 85 neonates with normal hearing (65 .38% ,85/130) ,45 with hearing loss (33 .85% ,45/130 .For 88 ears ,there were 2 cases of single ear and 43 cases of both ears) ,including 11 cases of mild - moderate group (22 ears ,24 .44% ,11/45) and 34 cases with severe - extreme group (66 ears ,75 .56% ,34/45) .There were 16 neonates (32 ears) met the crite‐rion of auditory neuropathy (12 .31% ,16/130) .The difference of the peak concentrations of serum total bilirubin a‐mong the three groups was statistically significant (F=16 .525 ,P=16 .525) .And positive correlation was observed between ABR threshold and peak serum total bilirubin concentration (r=0 .584 ,P<0 .001) .Conclusion The ma‐jor feature of the neonate with severe hyperbilirubinemia need to be exchanged transfusion was extremely severe sen‐sorineural hearing loss in both ears ;and the higher probability of serious hearing loss with the higher peak concen‐trations of serum total bilirubin .