Background and objective: Asthma is a global problem and complex disease suited for metabolomic profiling. This study explored the candidate biomarkers specific to paediatric asthma and provided insights into asthmatic pathophysiology. Methods: Children (aged 6-11 years) meeting the criteria for healthy control (n = 29), uncontrolled asthma (n = 37) or controlled asthma (n = 43) were enrolled. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed on urine samples of the patients to explore the different types of metabolite profile in paediatric asthma. Additionally, we employed a comprehensive strategy to elucidate the relationship between significant metabolites and asthma-related genes. Results: We identified 51 differential metabolites mainly related to dysfunctional amino acid, carbohydrate and purine metabolism. A combination of eight candidate metabolites, including uric acid, stearic acid, threitol, acetylgalactosamine, heptadecanoic acid, aspartic acid, xanthosine and hypoxanthine (adjusted P < 0.05 and fold-change >1.5 or <0.67), showed excellent discriminatory performance for the presence of asthma and the differentiation of poor-controlled or well-controlled asthma, and area under the curve values were >0.97 across groups. Enrichment analysis based on these targets revealed that the Fc receptor, intracellular steroid hormone receptor signalling pathway, DNA damage and fibroblast proliferation were involved in inflammation, immunity and stress-related biological progression of paediatric asthma. Conclusion: Metabolomic analysis of patient urine combined with network-biology approaches allowed discrimination of asthma profiles and subtypes according to the metabolic patterns. The results provided insight into the potential mechanism of paediatric asthma.We investigated metabolic profiles of paediatric asthma patients to identify asthma-specific biomarkers in urine. A combination of eight metabolites showed excellent discrimination across groups. Enrichment analysis identified complex biological processes associated with immunity, inflammation, oxidative stress and DNA damage. These approaches enabled discrimination between asthma stages and elucidate its mechanisms.

indicated that Rhein may inhibit RSV-induced pulmonary inflammatory response effectively; meanwhile, it is emphasized that Rhein therapy is likely to be a promising treatment on the RSV-infected lung inflammation and avoidance of lung tissue damage.

No abstract

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus infection pneumonia in Wuhan City, China, in late 2019, such cases have been gradually reported in other parts of China and abroad. Children have become susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) because of their immature immune function. As the outbreak has progressed, more cases of novel coronavirus infection/pneumonia in children have been reported. Compared with adults, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is less severe, with a lower incidence and susceptibility in children, which results in fewer children being tested, thereby underestimating the actual number of infections. Therefore, strengthening the diagnosis of the disease is particularly important for children, and early and clear diagnosis can determine treatment strategies and reduce the harm caused by the disease to children. According to the Novel Coronavirus Infection Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Standards (trial version 7) issued by National Health Committee and the latest diagnosis and treatment strategies for novel coronavirus infection pneumonia in children, this review summarizes current strategies on diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children.

Nowadays, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been reported to provide reliable therapies for viral pneumonia, but the therapeutic mechanism remains unknown. As a systemic approach, metabolomics provides an opportunity to clarify the action mechanism of TCMs, TCM syndromes or after TCM treatment. This review aims to provide the metabolomics evidence available on TCM-based therapeutic measures against viral pneumonia. Metabolomics has been gradually applied to the efficacy evaluation of TCMs in treatment of viral pneumonia and the metabolomics analysis exhibits a systemic metabolic shift in lipid, amino acids, and energy metabolism. Currently, most studies of TCM in treatment of viral pneumonia are untargeted metabolomics and further validations on targeted metabolomics should be carried out together with molecular biology technologies.

The oral bioavailabilities of phenolic acids in Flos Lonicerae Japonicae beverage were low. The observation from an in vitro Caco-2 cell model showed that the absorptions of phenolic acids were mainly permeated via paracellular diffusion, and influenced by P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). Besides, the Papp (AP→BL) values in Flos Lonicerae Japonicae were significantly higher than those of monomers, which was attributed to the decrease of efflux ratios (<1.0) influenced by flavones (luteoloside and luteolin) on the P-gp, but they were still poorly absorbed. The results indicated that the absorptions in Flos Lonicerae Japonicae as well as those of monomers were mainly restricted by the tight junctions (TJs). Food supplements (honey and propolis) or edible excipient (chitooligosaccharide) as TJ enhancers will be investigated to improve the functions of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae healthy beverages.

No abstract

No abstract