Syndecan-1 as a prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study of a Japanese cohort.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has had a profound global impact, with millions of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide. While most cases are mild, a subset progresses to severe respiratory complications and death, with factors such as thromboembolism, age, and underlying health conditions increasing the risk. Vascular endothelial damage has been implicated in severe outcomes, but specific biomarkers remain elusive. This study investigated syndecan-1 (SDC-1), a marker of endothelial damage, as a potential prognostic factor for COVID-19, focusing on the Japanese population, which is known for its aging demographics and high prevalence of comorbidities. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study of COVID-19 patients in Fukushima Prefecture in Japan who were admitted between February 2020 and August 2021 was conducted. SDC-1 levels were measured along with other clinical and laboratory parameters. Outcomes including thrombosis, 28-day survival, and disease severity were assessed, and disease severity was categorized according to established guidelines. RESULTS: SDC-1 levels were correlated with disease severity. Patients who died from COVID-19 had greater SDC-1 levels than survivors, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis suggested the potential of the SDC-1 level as a predictor of mortality (AUC 0.714). K‒M analysis also revealed a significant difference in survival based on an SDC-1 cutoff of 10.65 ng/mL. DISCUSSION: This study suggested that SDC-1 may serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing COVID-19 severity and predicting mortality within 28 days of hospitalization, particularly in the Japanese population. However, further investigations are required to assess longitudinal changes in SDC-1 levels, validate its predictive value for long-term survival, and consider its applicability to new viral variants. CONCLUSIONS: SDC-1 is emerging as a potential biomarker for assessing the severity and life expectancy of COVID-19 in the Japanese population, offering promise for improved risk stratification and patient management in the ongoing fight against the virus.

Optical coherence tomography findings of balloon angioplasty/stenting for in-stent restenosis after carotid artery stenting.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal therapeutic methods for in-stent restenosis (ISR) after carotid artery stenting (CAS) remains controversial. This study aimed to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate the in-stent architectures during endovascular angioplasty/stenting for ISR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six lesions of ISR after CAS were evaluated by OCT during endovascular angioplasty/stenting. RESULTS: In one lesion, the OCT system could not be crossed because of elongation distal to the ISR lesion. In five lesions, pre-procedural OCT clearly revealed neointimal hyperplasia or neoatherosclerosis. The mean in-stent area stenosis was 84%. After regular balloon angioplasty, tissue compression and dissection of various sizes and layers were detected. After balloon angioplasty (with a mean balloon size of 5.4 mm), the minimum lumen area (from 1.7 ± 0.6 to 11.4 ± 5.3 mm2, p < 0.01) and the minimum in-stent area (12.7 ± 2.6 to 21.8 ± 5.0 mm2, p < 0.01) showed a significant increase. Additional stent was placed in one lesion that developed into a flap by dissection after balloon angioplasty. In another lesion in which sufficient dilatation was not achieved by balloon angioplasty, a major stroke occurred by acute occlusion of the ISR lesion 10 months later. CONCLUSIONS: OCT can detect the in-stent architecture of ISR lesions after balloon angioplasty and additional stent placement. However, which dissection should be treated by additional stent remain problematic.

Damage-associated molecular patterns and fibrinolysis perturbation are associated with lethal outcomes in traumatic injury.

BACKGROUND: Upon cellular injury, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are released into the extracellular space and evoke proinflammatory and prothrombotic responses in animal models of sterile inflammation. However, in clinical settings, the dynamics of DAMP levels after trauma and links between DAMPs and trauma-associated coagulopathy remain largely undetermined. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with severe trauma, who were transferred to Kagoshima City Hospital between June 2018 and December 2019, were consecutively enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken at the time of delivery, and 6 and 12 h after the injury, and once daily thereafter. The time-dependent changes of coagulation/fibrinolysis markers, including thrombin-antithrombin complex, α2-plasmin inhibitor (α2-PI), plasmin-α2-PI complex, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and DAMPs, including high mobility group box 1 and histone H3, were analyzed. The relationship between coagulation/fibrinolysis markers, DAMPs, Injury Severity Score, in-hospital death, and amount of blood transfusion were analyzed. RESULTS: The activation of coagulation/fibrinolysis pathways was evident at the time of delivery. In contrast, PAI-1 levels remained low at the time of delivery, and then were elevated at 6-12 h after traumatic injury. Histone H3 and high mobility group box 1 levels were elevated at admission, and gradually subsided over time. PAI-1 levels at 6 h were associated with serum histone H3 levels at admission. Increased histone H3 levels and plasmin-α2-PI complex levels were associated with in-hospital mortality. α2-PI levels at admission showed the strongest negative correlation with the amount of blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: The elevation of histone H3 levels and fibrinolysis perturbation are associated with fatal outcomes in patients with traumatic injury. Patients with low α2-PI levels at admission tend to require blood transfusion.

Urinary and serum levels of high mobility group box 1.

Background: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) has been extensively studied in adults and to a certain extent in neonates as well. Clinical examination of neonates, especially unwell neonates soon after birth, should be minimally invasive. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether the urinary HMGB-1 level is comparable to the serum HMGB-1 level in neonates. Methods: In all, 87 neonates (37.5 ± 2.9 weeks of gestation and a mean birth weight of 2588 ± 649 g) were enrolled. Of these, 53 were males and 34 were females. The umbilical cord blood and the first or second spontaneous voiding urine samples were stored, and the HMGB-1 level in the samples was measured. Results: HMGB-1 was detected in all urinary samples. In these samples, we found acetylated HMGB-1 and may be devoid of nine residues at the N-terminal amino acid sequence. There was a significant correlation between the serum HMGB-1 level and urinary HMGB-1 level (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). Urinary HMGB1 levels in fetal neonatal asphyxia were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p = 0.09). Conclusion: Urinary excretion may be one of the metabolic pathways of HMGB-1. The urinary HMGB-1 level may be comparable to the serum HMGB-1 level in the early neonatal period.

VEGF-A165 is the predominant VEGF-A isoform in platelets, while VEGF-A121 is abundant in serum and plasma from healthy individuals.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) plays pivotal roles in regulating tumor angiogenesis as well as physiological vascular function. The major VEGF-A isoforms, VEGF-A121 and VEGF-A165, in serum, plasma, and platelets have not been exactly evaluated due to the lack of the appropriate assay system. Antibodies against human VEGF-A121 and VEGF-A165 (hVEGF-A121 and hVEGF-A165) were successfully produced and Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) for hVEGF-A121 and hVEGF-A165 were separately created by these monoclonal antibodies. The measurement of recombinant hVEGF-A121 and hVEGF-A165 by the created ELISA showed no cross-reaction between hVEGF-A121 and hVEGF-A165 in conditioned media from HEK293 cells transfected with either hVEGF-A121 or hVEGF-A165 expression vector. The levels of VEGF-A121 and VEGF-A165 in serum, plasma, and platelets from 59 healthy volunteers proved that VEGF-A121 level was higher than VEGF-A165 in both plasma and serum in all the cases. VEGF-A121 or VEGF-A165 in serum represented higher level than that in plasma. In contrast, the level of VEGF-A165 was higher than VEGF-A121 in platelets. The newly developed ELISAs for hVEGF-A121 and hVEGF-A165 revealed different ratios of VEGF isoforms in serum, plasma, and platelets. Measuring these isoforms in combination provides useful information as biomarkers for diseases involving VEGF-A121 and VEGF-A165.

Intake of allergenic foods at 1.5 years and 3 years of age in a general child population in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that the timing of introduction of potentially allergenic food is crucial for the development of food allergy in children. This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the reality of allergen food intake in a general population of young children in Japan. METHODS: A questionnaire survey of caregivers was conducted at health checkups for 1.5-year (18-month)-old and 3-year-old children in the fall of 2020. The caregivers were asked about (1) the presence/absence of allergic disease symptoms based on the ISAAC questionnaire, and (2) foods that caregivers avoided giving their children. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were periformed to determine factors associated with food avoidance. RESULTS: Questionnaires were distributed to 1720 caregivers, and 1603 (93%) responded. The responders consisted of 771 and 832 caregivers who participated in 1.5-year-old and 3-year-old checkups, respectively. The prevalence of allergic diseases was comparable to recent epidemiological studies in Japan, indicating that the population may be representative. At 1.5 years old, more than 50% of the children were not exposed to peanuts, tree nuts, fish eggs, shellfish, and buckwheat. At 3 years old, the avoidance rates of the foods had decreased but were still between 18.8% and 32.0%. On the other hand, the avoidance rates of chicken egg and cow's milk, the top 2 common allergenic foods in Japan, were much lower at 2.8% and 1.5% at 1.5 years, and they decreased to 1.4% and 0.7% at 3 years old, respectively. Ordinal logistic analysis showed that avoidance of chicken egg, cow's milk, and wheat was associated with food allergy diagnosis and chicken egg avoidance with eczema, but avoidance of other foods showed no associations with any risk factors for food allergy. CONCLUSION: Caregivers avoided giving various foods, independent of allergy risk factors, to their young children. Since delayed introduction of an allergenic food has been reported to increase the risk of developing an allergy to the food, the results warrant future investigation of the development of food allergies in relation to current eating habits and recommendations.

Investigation of biomarkers in a rare case of fulminant necrotizing enterocolitis in a preterm infant.

We encountered a very rare case of fulminant necrotizing enterocolitis (F-NEC) in a preterm male baby. The course of NEC and sepsis in this case was clearly different from the usual course. After onset at 14 days of life, catheter-related bloodstream infection was first assumed, and antibiotics and γ-globulin administration were started. However, 12 hours after onset, the baby's abdominal distension increased remarkably, and his entire abdominal wall turned red to purple. Escherichia coli were isolated from the blood culture, but the catheter tip culture was negative. Exchange transfusion was performed 32 hours after onset, but no significant changes were observed in the baby's general condition, and he died 46 hours after onset. The acute phase reactants of CRP and α1-acid glycoprotein increased, but haptoglobin did not. Although IL-1ß and TNFα increased as expected with sepsis, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and G-CSF however increased to a greater extent than expected. From the above, we diagnosed the development of intestinal necrosis as a result of widespread intestinal ischemia, and that sepsis was associated with this poor condition.

Risk Factors for Lung Function Decline in Pediatric Asthma under Treatment: A Retrospective, Multicenter, Observational Study.

Background: Childhood asthma is a major risk for low lung function in later adulthood, but what factors in asthma are associated with the poor lung function during childhood is not known. Objective: To identify clinical factors in children with asthma associated with low or declining lung function during the treatment. Methods: We enrolled children with asthma who had been treated throughout three age periods, i.e., 6−9, 10−12, and 13−15 years old, at seven specialized hospitals in Japan. Clinical information and lung function measurements were retrieved from the electronic chart systems. To characterize the lung function trajectories during each age period, we evaluated the forced expiratory volume 1 (FEV1) with % predicted values and individual changes by the slope (S) from linear regression. We defined four trajectory patterns: normal (Group N) and low (Group L), showing %FEV1 ≥80% or <80% throughout all three periods; upward (Group U) and downward (Group D), showing S ≥ 0 or S < 0%. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare factors associated with the unfavorable (D/L) versus favorable (N/U) groups. Results: Among 273 eligible patients, 197 (72%) were classified into Group N (n = 150)/U (n = 47), while 76 (28%) were in Group D (n = 66)/L (n = 10). A history of poor asthma control, long-acting beta2 agonist use, and a lower height Z-score during 13−15 years were associated with an unfavorable outcome (Group D/L). Conversely, inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use during 10−12 years and high-dose ICS use during 13−15 years were associated with a favorable outcome (Group N/U). Conclusion: We identified several factors that are associated with unfavorable lung function changes in pediatric asthma. Attention should be paid to the possible relationship between yearly changes in lung function and poor asthma control, use of ICS (and its dose) and use of LABA.

Prognostic value of serum high mobility group box 1 protein and histone H3 levels in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We compared the prognostic value of serum high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and histone H3 levels with the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) scores for 28-day in-hospital mortality in patients with DIC caused by various underlying diseases. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study including two hematology departments, four emergency departments, and one general medicine department in Japan, between August 2017 and July 2021. We included patients diagnosed with DIC by the ISTH DIC scoring system. RESULTS: Overall, 104 patients were included: 50 with hematopoietic disorders, 41 with infections, and 13 with the other diseases. The 28-day in-hospital mortality rate was 21%. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve showed that a DIC score of 6 points, serum HMGB1 level of 8 ng/mL, and serum histone H3 level of 2 ng/mL were the optimal cutoff points. The odds ratios of more than these optimal cutoff points of the DIC score, serum HMGB1, and histone H3 levels were 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60 to 4.17, p = 0.36), 5.47 (95% CI: 1.70 to 17.6, p = 0.004), and 9.07 (95% CI: 2.00 to 41.3, p = 0.004), respectively. The area under the ROC curve of HMGB1 (0.74, 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.85) was better than that of the ISTH DIC scores (0.55, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.67, p = 0.03), whereas that of histone H3 was not (0.71, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.82, p = 0.07). Calibration and net reclassification plots of HMGB1 identified some high-risk patients, whereas the ISTH DIC scores and histone H3 did not. The category-free net reclassification improvement of HMGB1 was 0.45 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.90, p = 0.04) and that of histone H3 was 0.37 (95% CI: - 0.05 to 0.78, p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Serum HMGB1 levels have a prognostic value for mortality in patients with DIC. This finding may help physicians develop treatment strategies.

House Dust Mite Subcutaneous Immunotherapy and Lung Function Trajectory in Children and Adolescents with Asthma.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is currently the only disease-modifying treatment for allergic asthma, and it has been shown to improve control of asthma while reducing both drug use and asthma exacerbations. However, its effects on lung function­especially its long-term effects­remain controversial. We aimed to identify factors associated with a possible beneficial effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy on lung function in asthma by retrospectively evaluating the long-term changes in lung function in children with asthma who received house dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy (HDM-SCIT). Methods: We enrolled children with asthma who had undergone HDM-SCIT for more than 1 year. Clinical information and lung function measurements were retrieved from the electronic chart system. To characterize the trajectory of lung function change, we performed linear regression analysis to evaluate the maximal expiratory flow at 50% of the forced vital capacity during two periods: before and during HDM-SCIT. Slopes from a least-squares regression line for the two periods, i.e., S1 before HDM-SCIT and S2 during HDM-SCIT, were compared. The subjects were then classified into two groups: an improving group (Group I) defined as S2 − S1 > 0, and a declining group (Group D) defined as S2 − S1 < 0. The clinical factors at the start of HDM-SCIT were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 16 patients were analyzed. Eight patients were classified into each of Group I and Group D. The mean ages were 10.5 and 11.8 years, and the mean treatment periods were 4.1 and 3.9 years. Group I had a significantly lower blood eosinophil count and a significantly higher HDM-specific IgE level than Group D. Logistic regression showed a strong relationship between those two markers and the lung function trajectory. Conclusion: Control of the blood eosinophil count in highly HDM-sensitized patients may increase the beneficial effect of HDM-SCIT on lung function.

Efficacy of Post-Dilatation during Carotid Artery Stenting for Unstable Plaque Using a Double-Layer Stent Evaluated by OFDI.

Objective: This study aimed to use optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) to evaluate the efficacy of post-dilatation (PD) after stent placement for unstable plaques during carotid artery stenting (CAS) using a double-layer stent. Methods: Twelve unstable carotid plaque lesions diagnosed by MRI were evaluated using OFDI during CAS. The pre-procedural minimum lumen diameter was 1.6 ± 0.7 mm. Each lesion was pre-dilated with balloon catheters (diameter, 5.3 ± 0.5 mm), and a double-layer stent was deployed. PD was performed with balloon catheters of the same size as those used for pre-dilatation. Cross-sectional OFDI images within the stented segment were evaluated at 1-mm intervals for a 20-mm segment, including the most stenotic lesion. Slice rates for the presence of in-stent plaque protrusion (PP) and plaque between the double-layer lumen were calculated. Results: No procedural complications occurred with the use of an embolic protection device. Compared to after stent placement, slice rates for any PP (44 ± 19% to 62 ± 22%, P <0.05) and plaque between the double-layer lumen (79 ± 16% to 91 ± 34%, P <0.05) were significantly increased after PD; slice rates for >500 µm PP (7.5 ± 14% to 0%, P <0.05) were significantly decreased. Visible debris were captured in 50% of lesions. Conclusion: PD after double-layer carotid stent placement decreases in-stent large PP. Double-layer construction contributed to the prevention of large PP, as the PP may have been crushed into debris by PD.

Circulating Syndecan-1 as a Predictor of Persistent Thrombocytopenia and Lethal Outcome: A Population Study of Patients With Suspected Sepsis Requiring Intensive Care.

Background: Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host responses to infection. Recent studies have suggested that endotheliopathy may be the common basis for multiple organ failure in sepsis. Under septic conditions, accumulation of proteases accelerates shedding of proteoglycans, such as syndecan-1, from the endothelial surface, resulting in augmented leukocyte adhesion to the vascular wall, enhanced vascular permeability, and intravascular coagulation. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential utility of syndecan-1 as a biomarker linking endotheliopathy to organ failure. Methods: One hundred patients with suspected infections who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Kagoshima University Hospital were consecutively enrolled in the study. Serum syndecan-1 levels were measured using an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The difference between serum syndecan-1 levels in 28-day survivors and non-survivors was analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U-test. Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis with area under the curve calculation was used to quantify the predictive performance of serum syndecan-1 for 28-day mortality. The correlations between serum syndecan-1 and coagulation markers were analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation test. Results: Serum syndecan-1 levels in non-survivors were significantly higher than those in survivors on Day 1 and Day 3 (P < 0.01). Among multiple organ failures, coagulation failure and renal failure were significantly correlated with serum syndecan-1. Spearman's rank correlation test indicated that serum syndecan-1 was weakly but significantly correlated with disseminated intravascular coagulation score (rho = 0.33, P < 0.01). Patients with serum syndecan-1 ≥21.4 ng/mL showed delayed recovery from thrombocytopenia relative to patients with serum syndecan-1 <21.4 ng/mL. Conclusions: Elevated circulating syndecan-1 on the first day of ICU admission was associated with persistent thrombocytopenia and lethal outcome in patients with suspected sepsis.

Differential Regulation of Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern Release in a Mouse Model of Skeletal Muscle Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

Background: Skeletal muscle ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is an important clinical issue that can cause remote organ injury. Although its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, recent studies have suggested that damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are mediators of remote organ injury in sterile inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible involvement of DAMPs, including the nuclear proteins high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and histone H3, in the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle I/R injury in mice. Methods: Hindlimb ischemia was induced in mice through bilateral ligation of inguinal regions using rubber grommets. Reperfusion was induced by cutting the rubber grommets after 2-12 h of ischemic period. Survival rates, localization of HMGB1 and histone H3 in the gastrocnemius muscle, and circulating HMGB1 and histone H3 levels were analyzed. The effect of anti-HMGB1 and anti-histone H3 antibodies on survival was analyzed in mice with I/R injury. Results: All mice with hindlimb ischemia survived for at least 36 h, while all mice died within 24 h if the hindlimbs were reperfused after ischemia for 4-12 h. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that HMGB1 translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in the ischemic gastrocnemius muscle, while histone H3 was confined to the nucleus. Accordingly, serum HMGB1 levels were significantly elevated in mice with hindlimb I/R compared with normal mice or mice with hindlimb ischemia (P < 0.05). Serum histone H3 levels were not elevated after I/R. Treatment with anti-HMGB1 antibodies significantly improved survival of mice with hindlimb I/R injury compared with control antibodies (P < 0.05). Conclusions: HMGB1, but not histone H3, translocated to the cytoplasm during skeletal muscle ischemia, and was released into the systemic circulation after reperfusion in mice with I/R injury. Treatment with anti-HMGB1 antibodies partially improved survival.

Specific detection of high mobility group box 1 degradation product with a novel ELISA.

BACKGROUND: During sepsis or sterile tissue injury, the nuclear protein high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) can be released to the extracellular space and ultimately into systemic circulation, where it mediates systemic inflammation and remote organ failure. The proinflammatory effects of HMGB1 can be suppressed by recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM), in part through a mechanism involving thrombin-rTM-mediated degradation of HMGB1. Given that HMGB1 is proinflammatory but the HMGB1 degradation product (desHMGB1) is not, an analytical method that discriminates between these two molecules may provide a more in-depth understanding of HMGB1-induced pathogenicity as well as rTM-mediated therapeutic efficiency. METHODS: A peptide that has a shared amino-terminal structure with desHMGB1 was synthesized. C3H/lpr mice were immunized with the desHMGB1 peptide conjugate, and antibody-secreting hybridoma cells were developed using conventional methods. The reactivity and specificity of the antibodies were then analyzed using antigen-coated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as antibody-coated ELISA. Next, plasma desHMGB1 levels were examined in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic mouse model treated with rTM. RESULTS: Through a series of screening steps, we obtained a monoclonal antibody that recognized desHMGB1 but did not recognize intact HMGB1. ELISA using this antibody specifically detected desHMGB1, which was significantly increased in CLP-induced septic mice treated with rTM compared with those treated with saline. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we obtained a desHMGB1-specific monoclonal antibody. ELISA using the novel monoclonal antibody may be an option for the in-depth analysis of HMGB1-induced pathogenicity as well as rTM-mediated therapeutic efficiency.

Factors associated with outcome of egg allergy 1 year after oral food challenge: A good baseline quality of life may be beneficial.

BACKGROUND: Safely liberalizing the diet to include an allergenic food may accelerate resolution of food allergy. The outcome of liberalization, however, varies among patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study to identify factors associated with outcome for egg allergy 1 year after oral food challenge (OFC). We enrolled children <72 months old who had egg allergy and underwent OFC for determination of the safe intake quantity of egg allergen. Each child's baseline clinical background was recorded. Caregivers used the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF) to assess their children's QoL. Dietary advice based on the OFC result was provided to support safe egg consumption. At 1 year after OFC, the quantity of egg each child safely consumed in daily life was surveyed. We classified the outcome as Successful (Group S) if the quantity increased during the 1 year, or as Unsuccessful (Group U) if it did not. Factors associated with the outcome were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 93 children were enrolled, and after 1 year, 57 finished in Group S and 36 in Group U. The mean FAQLQ-PF score at baseline was significantly lower (ie, a better QoL) in Group S than in Group U. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a good QoL and absence of comorbid asthma or atopic dermatitis as factors predicting a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: QoL may affect food allergy outcome. Intervention focusing on the QoL may promote outgrowing of food allergies.

Adsorption kinetics of high mobility group box 1 protein in a polyacrylonitrile hemofiltration membrane.

The high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is recognized as a prototypical endogenous danger cytokine in sepsis. We previously reported that a polyacrylonitrile (AN69ST) membrane rapidly adsorbed HMGB1. Herein, an in vitro hemofiltration system was designed to assess the HMGB1 adsorption capacity, adsorption sites, and adsorption mechanism of the AN69ST membrane. HMGB1 was repeatedly added seven times during hemofiltration. A rapid decrease in circulating HMGB1 was observed after every addition with no sign of saturation. Presence of HMGB1 on the filter membrane was observed on both membrane surfaces and within the bulk layer using a high concentration of HMGB1 by immunoelectron microscopy. We hypothesized that the addition of heparin to the membrane surface or filtration rate would contribute to the adsorption mechanism. We could not measure the influence of heparin and filtration. Although the membrane was too large to saturate under the µg/mL HMGB1 conditions, our results show that the AN69ST membrane has a robust absorption capacity that could be used to treat sepsis.

YAP-dependent necrosis occurs in early stages of Alzheimer's disease and regulates mouse model pathology.

The timing and characteristics of neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain largely unknown. Here we examine AD mouse models with an original marker, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate phosphorylated at serine 46 (pSer46-MARCKS), and reveal an increase of neuronal necrosis during pre-symptomatic phase and a subsequent decrease during symptomatic phase. Postmortem brains of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) rather than symptomatic AD patients reveal a remarkable increase of necrosis. In vivo imaging reveals instability of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in mouse AD models and genome-edited human AD iPS cell-derived neurons. The level of nuclear Yes-associated protein (YAP) is remarkably decreased in such neurons under AD pathology due to the sequestration into cytoplasmic amyloid beta (Aß) aggregates, supporting the feature of YAP-dependent necrosis. Suppression of early-stage neuronal death by AAV-YAPdeltaC reduces the later-stage extracellular Aß burden and cognitive impairment, suggesting that preclinical/prodromal YAP-dependent neuronal necrosis represents a target for AD therapeutics.

Circulating intranuclear proteins may play a role in development of disseminated intravascular coagulation in individuals with acute leukemia.

Intranuclear proteins, including high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and histone H3, released from inflammatory cells activate platelets and the coagulation systems, leading to development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in individuals with sepsis. These observations prompted us to hypothesize that HMGB1 and histone H3 liberated from leukemia cells undergoing apoptosis after chemotherapy might play a role in development of DIC. To test this hypothesis, we prospectively measured plasma levels of coagulation markers and intranuclear proteins in patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia (n = 17) before and after chemotherapy. Ten of 17 patients were diagnosed with DIC at the time of diagnosis of leukemia. Serum levels of HMGB1 and histone H3 were significantly higher in patients with DIC than in non-DIC patients. Of note, seven patients developed DIC or experienced exacerbation of coagulopathy after administration of anti-leukemic agents. Intriguingly, an increase in levels of HMGB1 and histone H3 were detected in five of seven patients. These findings suggest that intranuclear proteins spontaneously released from leukemia cells may play a role in development of leukemia-related DIC. Additionally, remission induction chemotherapy causes apoptosis of leukemia cells, leading to forced release of intranuclear proteins, which may exacerbate coagulopathy.