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Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is known to be a common pathogen causing human respiratory infections. On December 7, 2022, the Chinese government announced 10 new measures of Prevention and Control of COVID-19, marking the onset of the post-COVID-19 era. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of MP infections among children from January 2021 to June 2023.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) plays a main role in maintaining the homeostasis of fluid balance and vascular tone and in regulating the endocrine stress response in response to osmotic, hemodynamic and stress stimuli. However, the difficulty in measuring AVP limits its clinical application. Copeptin, the C-terminal part of the AVP precursor, is released in an equimolar concentration mode with AVP from the pituitary but is more stable and simple to measure. Therefore, copeptin has emerged as a promising surrogate marker of AVP with excellent potential for the diagnosis, differentiation and prognosis of various diseases in recent decades. However, its application requires further validation, especially in the pediatric population. This review focuses on the clinical value of copeptin in different pediatric diseases and the prospects for its application as a potential biomarker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimeric receptor antigen T cell (CAR‐T cell) therapy has demonstrated effectiveness and therapeutic potential in the immunotherapy of hematological malignancies, representing a promising breakthrough in cancer treatment. Despite the efficacy of CAR‐T cell therapy in B‐cell lymphoma, response variability, resistance, and side effects remain persistent challenges. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an intricate role in CAR‐T cell therapy of B‐cell lymphoma. The TME is a complex and dynamic environment that includes various cell types, cytokines, and extracellular matrix components, all of which can influence CAR‐T cell function and behavior. This review discusses the design principles of CAR‐T cells, TME in B‐cell lymphoma, and the mechanisms by which TME influences CAR‐T cell function. We discuss emerging strategies aimed at modulating the TME, targeting immunosuppressive cells, overcoming inhibitory signaling, and improving CAR‐T cell infiltration and persistence. Therefore, these processes enhance the efficacy of CAR‐T cell therapy and improve patient outcomes in B‐cell lymphoma. Further research will be needed to investigate the molecular and cellular events that occur post‐infusion, including changes in TME composition, immune cell interactions, cytokine signaling, and potential resistance mechanisms. Understanding these processes will contribute to the development of more effective CAR‐T cell therapies and strategies to mitigate treatment‐related toxicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has been regarded as a permeability factor in proteinuria, though its role in primary nephrotic syndrome remains to be elucidated further. Methods Plasma samples and clinical information from 176 children with primary nephrotic syndrome were collected and concentrations of suPAR were measured. We evaluated the correlation between suPAR concentrations and clinical features, and the value of the plasma suPAR level in predicting steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Results There is a significant difference in plasma suPAR concentration between SRNS and steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) groups (44.1 [+ or -] 26.0 vs. 53.5 [+ or -] 67.0, p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.80, with p < 0.001 for the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis using suPAR to predict SRNS. The suspicious range for predicting SRNS was estimated to be 07.0 pg/ml to 43.5 pg/ml ([chi square] = 14.775, p = 0.001). Conclusions From ROC curve analysis, we demonstrated the significance of the suPAR level in predicting SRNS with a high specificity but low sensitivity. However, the clinical value of suPAR to predict steroid resistance and guide therapy remains to be investigated further. Keywords suPAR * Steroid resistance * Primary nephrotic syndrome, Introduction Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is the soluble form of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). As a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein on the cell membrane, uPAR can bind [...]

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, a series of preventive and control measures in China have been used to effectively curb the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: MP IgM antibody and CP IgM antibody were detected in all hospitalized children due to acute respiratory tract infection in the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University from January 2019 to December 2020. These data were compared between 2019 and 2020 based on age and month. Results: The overall detection rate of MP and CP in 2020 was significantly lower than that in 2019 (MP : 21.5% vs 32.9%, P <0.001; CP : 0.3% vs 0.9%, P <0.001). This study found a 4-fold reduction in the number of children positive for MP and a 7.5-fold reduction in the number of children positive for CP from 2019 to 2020. The positive cases were concentrated in children aged >1 year old. In 2019, the positive rate of MP was detected more commonly in children 3 years of age or older than in younger children. In 2020, the higher positive rate of MP reached a peak in the 3- to 6-year age group (35.3%). CP was detected predominantly in children aged 6 years older in 2019 and 2020, with positive rates of 4.8% and 2.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the positive rates of MP in 2019 were detected more commonly in July, August and September, with 47.2%, 46.7% and 46.3%, respectively. Nevertheless, the positive rates of MP from February to December 2020 apparently decreased compared to those in 2019. The positive rates of CP were evenly distributed throughout the year, with 0.5%-1.6% in 2019 and 0.0%-2.1% in 2020. Conclusions: A series of preventive and control measures for SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic can not only contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 but also sharply improve the infection of other atypical pathogens, including MP and CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between the levels of serum creatinine (SCr), the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the degree of tubulointerstitial injury. Methods: A total of 511 patients of Zhongshan hospital in China were hospitalized due to physical abnormalities and diagnosed with kidney disease by renal biopsy. The clinical and pathological data were retrospectively analyzed. The level of SCr was determined in all patients, and the eGFR was calculated with modification of diet in renal disease and Cockcroft-Gault formulae, whereas the renal histopathology was quantified according to the Katafuchi semi-quantitative standards. Results: With the aggravation of tubulointerstitial injury, SCr level increased and eGFR decreased gradually. The degree of tubulointerstitial lesion showed a positive correlation with SCr level and negative correlation with Cockcroft-Gault formula and modification of diet in renal disease ( r == 0.627, −0.649, −0.626; p < 0.001). When the SCr was in the normal range, above 90%% of the patients had various degrees of tubulointerstitial damage and 12.2%% of the patients had moderate-to-severe tubulointerstitial lesions. The correlation between SCr level and tubulointerstitial damage became weak. Conclusions: The morphologic changes of tubulointerstitium are closely linked with renal function, but incompletely parallel. SCr in the abnormal range could be used to diagnose tubulointerstitial injury well. However, when the level of SCr was in the so-called normal range, eGFR by the modification of diet in renal disease or Cockcroft-Gault formula may be preferred to assess renal tubulointerstitial injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]