1.Research progress on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor prognostic biomarkers for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion
Dan WANG ; Xiaofeng HAO ; Like XIE ; Xiangdong CHEN ; Jing XU ; Mei SUN ; Mengjiao ZHANG ; Xiaoduo GUAN
International Eye Science 2025;25(12):1938-1942
Retinal vein occlusion(RVO)is the second most common blinding retinal vascular disease, and its secondary macular edema(ME)is an important cause of visual function impairment in patients. Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)drugs serves as the first-line treatment, yet it is confronted with such issues as the need for repeated injections and non-response in some patients. Imaging and laboratory biomarkers play a crucial role in the early accurate diagnosis, prediction of disease progression, and evaluation of visual prognosis of RVO-ME. This study systematically reviews the research progress of imaging and laboratory biomarkers related to the prognosis of RVO-ME after anti-VEGF treatment in recent years, covering imaging biomarkers like central retinal thickness and ellipsoid zone integrity, as well as laboratory biomarkers such as serum APLN and aqueous humor IL-6. It summarizes the associations between different biomarkers and the prognosis of anti-VEGF therapy, aiming to provide a basis for the early accurate assessment and optimization of individualized treatment for RVO-ME patients, which holds significant clinical reference value.
2.Effect of Eucommiae Cortex extract mediated by ERβ/JNK pathway on learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice.
Yue LI ; Li-Li ZHANG ; Can ZHAO ; Hong-Mei ZHAO ; Yan WANG ; Jin-Lei FU ; Jie ZHANG ; Ning ZHANG ; Hong-Dan XU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):285-293
To study the ameliorative effect of Eucommiae Cortex extract on spatial learning disabilities in APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice and explore its relationship with estrogen receptor β(ERβ)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) signaling pathway, sixty 3-month-old male APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into a model group, an anti-brain failure capsule group(0.585 g·kg~(-1)), a donepezil hydrochloride group(0.65 mg·kg~(-1)), and a Eucommiae Cortex extract group(1.3 g·kg~(-1)), and 15 C57BL/6 mice of the same genetic background were set as WT control group. The learning and memory ability of mice was assessed by the Morris water maze test(MWM), the passive avoidance test(PAT), and the novel object recognition test(NOR). The histomorphological and cellular ultrastructural features of the hippocampal region of the mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy(TEM); the molecular docking validation of the key active ingredients and the key targets was performed by using AutoDock Vina software, and the immunohistochemical method(IHC) was used to detect the ERβ expression in the dentate gyrus(DG) area of mouse hippocampus. Western blot(WB) was utilized to detect the expression of ERβ, p-JNK, and JNK in mouse hippocampal area. Compared with those in the WT control group, the results of behavioral experiments showed that the latency of the mice in the model group was significantly increased, the number of platform traversals, and the target quadrant residence time were significantly decreased in the MWM. The evasion latency was significantly reduced, and the number of errors was significantly increased in the PAT. The index of recognition of novel objects was significantly reduced in the NOR. The results of HE staining indicated that the hippocampal area of mice in the model group showed a decrease in the number of neurons, disorganization of pyramidal cell arrangement, nucleus consolidation, and other changes. TEM results showed that some neuronal nuclei in the hippocampal area had a consolidated state, slightly thickened and aberrant nuclear membranes, and fewer intracytoplasmic nidus bodies; the IHC results showed that the expression of ERβ in the hippocampal DG area of the mice was reduced. The WB results showed that the ERβ expression in the hippocampal tissue was decreased, and the p-JNK/JNK level was elevated. Compared with the model group, the Eucommiae Cortex extract group showed a significant decrease in latency, and increase in number of platform traversals and target quadrant residence time in the MWM, a significant increase in evasion latency and decrease in number of errors in the PAT, and a significant increase in the index of recognition of novel objects in the NOR. In addition, there was an increase in the number of neurons in the hippocampal area of mice. The pyramidal cells tended to be arranged in an orderly manner; the nuclei of neurons in the hippocampal area were in a better state; the expression of ERβ in the hippocampal DG area of the mice was elevated; the expression of ERβ in the hippocampal tissue was elevated, and the level of p-JNK/JNK was reduced. The effects of donepezil hydrochloride group and anti-brain failure capsule on APP/PS1 mice in terms of behavioral, HE, and TEM indexes were similar to those of Eucommiae Cortex extract, and there was no significant difference between donepezil hydrochloride group and the model group in IHC and WB experiments, and the results of molecular docking indicated that the estrogen-like components in Eucommiae Cortex extract were tightly bound to ERβ. In conclusion, the binding of Eucommiae Cortex extract to estrogen receptors, regulation of ERβ expression, and activation of ERβ/JNK signaling pathway may be one of the key mechanisms by which it improves the learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 mice.
Animals
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Male
;
Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Memory/drug effects*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Estrogen Receptor beta/genetics*
;
Eucommiaceae/chemistry*
;
Alzheimer Disease/psychology*
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Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism*
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Presenilin-1/metabolism*
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Humans
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MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Hippocampus/metabolism*
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Maze Learning/drug effects*
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Learning/drug effects*
3.Identification and expression analysis of AP2/ERF family members in Lonicera macranthoides.
Si-Min ZHOU ; Mei-Ling QU ; Juan ZENG ; Jia-Wei HE ; Jing-Yu ZHANG ; Zhi-Hui WANG ; Qiao-Zhen TONG ; Ri-Bao ZHOU ; Xiang-Dan LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4248-4262
The AP2/ERF transcription factor family is a class of transcription factors widely present in plants, playing a crucial role in regulating flowering, flower development, flower opening, and flower senescence. Based on transcriptome data from flower, leaf, and stem samples of two Lonicera macranthoides varieties, 117 L. macranthoides AP2/ERF family members were identified, including 14 AP2 subfamily members, 61 ERF subfamily members, 40 DREB subfamily members, and 2 RAV subfamily members. Bioinformatics and differential gene expression analyses were performed using NCBI, ExPASy, SOMPA, and other platforms, and the expression patterns of L. macranthoides AP2/ERF transcription factors were validated via qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the 117 LmAP2/ERF members exhibited both similarities and variations in protein physicochemical properties, AP2 domains, family evolution, and protein functions. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that AP2/ERF transcription factors were primarily differentially expressed in the flowers of the two L. macranthoides varieties, with the differentially expressed genes mainly belonging to the ERF and DREB subfamilies. Further analysis identified three AP2 subfamily genes and two ERF subfamily genes as potential regulators of flower development, two ERF subfamily genes involved in flower opening, and two ERF subfamily genes along with one DREB subfamily gene involved in flower senescence. Based on family evolution and expression analyses, it is speculated that AP2/ERF transcription factors can regulate flower development, opening, and senescence in L. macranthoides, with ERF subfamily genes potentially serving as key regulators of flowering duration. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research into the specific functions of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in L. macranthoides and offer important theoretical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying floral phenotypic differences among its varieties.
Plant Proteins/chemistry*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Transcription Factors/chemistry*
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Lonicera/classification*
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Flowers/metabolism*
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Phylogeny
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Gene Expression Profiling
;
Multigene Family
4.Correction to: Scorpion Venom Heat-Resistant Peptide is Neuroprotective Against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Association with the NMDA-MAPK Pathway.
Xu-Gang WANG ; Dan-Dan ZHU ; Na LI ; Yue-Lin HUANG ; Ying-Zi WANG ; Ting ZHANG ; Chen-Mei WANG ; Bin WANG ; Yan PENG ; Bi-Ying GE ; Shao LI ; Jie ZHAO
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(3):549-550
5.Endoplasmic reticulum membrane remodeling by targeting reticulon-4 induces pyroptosis to facilitate antitumor immune.
Mei-Mei ZHAO ; Ting-Ting REN ; Jing-Kang WANG ; Lu YAO ; Ting-Ting LIU ; Ji-Chao ZHANG ; Yang LIU ; Lan YUAN ; Dan LIU ; Jiu-Hui XU ; Peng-Fei TU ; Xiao-Dong TANG ; Ke-Wu ZENG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(2):121-135
Pyroptosis is an identified programmed cell death that has been highly linked to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dynamics. However, the crucial proteins for modulating dynamic ER membrane curvature change that trigger pyroptosis are currently not well understood. In this study, a biotin-labeled chemical probe of potent pyroptosis inducer α-mangostin (α-MG) was synthesized. Through protein microarray analysis, reticulon-4 (RTN4/Nogo), a crucial regulator of ER membrane curvature, was identified as a target of α-MG. We observed that chemically induced proteasome degradation of RTN4 by α-MG through recruiting E3 ligase UBR5 significantly enhances the pyroptosis phenotype in cancer cells. Interestingly, the downregulation of RTN4 expression significantly facilitated a dynamic remodeling of ER membrane curvature through a transition from tubules to sheets, consequently leading to rapid fusion of the ER with the cell plasma membrane. In particular, the ER-to-plasma membrane fusion process is supported by the observed translocation of several crucial ER markers to the "bubble" structures of pyroptotic cells. Furthermore, α-MG-induced RTN4 knockdown leads to pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-dependent conventional caspase-3/gasdermin E (GSDME) cleavages for pyroptosis progression. In vivo, we observed that chemical or genetic RTN4 knockdown significantly inhibited cancer cells growth, which further exhibited an antitumor immune response with anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1). In translational research, RTN4 high expression was closely correlated with the tumor metastasis and death of patients. Taken together, RTN4 plays a fundamental role in inducing pyroptosis through the modulation of ER membrane curvature remodeling, thus representing a prospective druggable target for anticancer immunotherapy.
Pyroptosis/immunology*
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Humans
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Endoplasmic Reticulum/immunology*
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Animals
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Nogo Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors*
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Mice
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Cell Line, Tumor
;
Xanthones/pharmacology*
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Neoplasms/pathology*
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Mice, Nude
6.Associations of Genetic Risk and Physical Activity with Incident Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Large Prospective Cohort Study.
Jin YANG ; Xiao Lin WANG ; Wen Fang ZHONG ; Jian GAO ; Huan CHEN ; Pei Liang CHEN ; Qing Mei HUANG ; Yi Xin ZHANG ; Fang Fei YOU ; Chuan LI ; Wei Qi SONG ; Dong SHEN ; Jiao Jiao REN ; Dan LIU ; Zhi Hao LI ; Chen MAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1194-1204
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the relationship between physical activity and genetic risk and their combined effects on the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
METHODS:
This prospective cohort study included 318,085 biobank participants from the UK. Physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The participants were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-genetic-risk groups based on their polygenic risk scores. Multivariate Cox regression models and multiplicative interaction analyses were used.
RESULTS:
During a median follow-up period of 13 years, 9,209 participants were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For low genetic risk, compared to low physical activity, the hazard ratios ( HRs) for moderate and high physical activity were 0.853 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.748-0.972) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.727-0.950), respectively. For intermediate genetic risk, the HRs were 0.829 (95% CI: 0.758-0.905) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.764-0.914), respectively. For participants with high genetic risk, the HRs were 0.809 (95% CI: 0.746-0.877) and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.754-0.888), respectively. A significant interaction was observed between genetic risk and physical activity.
CONCLUSION
Moderate or high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease across all genetic risk groups, highlighting the need to tailor activity interventions for genetically susceptible individuals.
Humans
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology*
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Exercise
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Prospective Studies
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Aged
;
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
;
Risk Factors
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United Kingdom/epidemiology*
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Incidence
;
Adult
7.Development of the robotic digestive endoscope system and an experimental study on mechanistic model and living animals (with video)
Bingrong LIU ; Yili FU ; Kaipeng LIU ; Deliang LI ; Bo PAN ; Dan LIU ; Hao QIU ; Xiaocan JIA ; Jianping CHEN ; Jiyu ZHANG ; Mei WANG ; Fengdong LI ; Xiaopeng ZHANG ; Zongling KAN ; Jinghao LI ; Yuan GAO ; Min SU ; Quanqin XIE ; Jun YANG ; Yu LIU ; Lixia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(1):35-42
Objective:To develop a robotic digestive endoscope system (RDES) and to evaluate its feasibility, safety and control performance by experiments.Methods:The RDES was designed based on the master-slave control system, which consisted of 3 parts: the integrated endoscope, including a knob and button robotic control system integrated with a gastroscope; the robotic mechanical arm system, including the base and arm, as well as the endoscopic advance-retreat control device (force-feedback function was designed) and the endoscopic axial rotation control device; the control console, including a master manipulator and an image monitor. The operator sit far away from the endoscope and controlled the master manipulator to bend the end of the endoscope and to control advance, retract and rotation of the endoscope. The air supply, water supply, suction, figure fixing and motion scaling switching was realized by pressing buttons on the master manipulator. In the endoscopy experiments performed on live pigs, 5 physicians each were in the beginner and advanced groups. Each operator operated RDES and traditional endoscope (2 weeks interval) to perform porcine gastroscopy 6 times, comparing the examination time. In the experiment of endoscopic circle drawing on the inner wall of the simulated stomach model, each operator in the two groups operated RDES 1∶1 motion scaling, 5∶1 motion scaling and ordinary endoscope to complete endoscopic circle drawing 6 times, comparing the completion time, accuracy (i.e. trajectory deviation) and workload.Results:RDES was operated normally with good force feedback function. All porcine in vivo gastroscopies were successful, without mucosal injury, bleeding or perforation. In beginner and advanced groups, the examination time of both RDES and ordinary endoscopy tended to decrease as the number of operations increased, but the decrease in time was greater for operating RDES than for operating ordinary endoscope (beginner group P=0.033; advanced group P=0.023). In the beginner group, the operators operating RDES with 1∶1 motion scaling or 5∶1 motion scaling to complete endoscopic circle drawing had shorter completion time [1.68 (1.40, 2.17) min, 1.73 (1.47, 2.37) min VS 4.13 (2.27, 5.16) min, H=32.506, P<0.001], better trajectory deviation (0.50±0.11 mm, 0.46±0.11 mm VS 0.82±0.26 mm, F=38.999, P<0.001], and less workload [42.00 (30.00, 50.33) points, 43.33 (35.33, 54.00) points VS 52.67 (48.67, 63.33) points, H=20.056, P<0.001] than operating ordinary endoscope. In the advanced group, the operators operating RDES with 1∶1 or 5∶1 motion scaling to complete endoscopic circle drawing had longer completion time than operating ordinary endoscope [1.72 (1.37, 2.53) min, 1.57 (1.25, 2.58) min VS 1.15 (0.86, 1.58) min, H=13.233, P=0.001], but trajectory deviation [0.47 (0.13, 0.57) mm, 0.44 (0.39, 0.58) mm VS 0.52 (0.42, 0.59) mm, H=3.202, P=0.202] and workload (44.62±21.77 points, 41.24±12.57 points VS 44.71±17.92 points, F=0.369, P=0.693) were not different from those of the ordinary endoscope. Conclusion:The RDES enables remote control, greatly reducing the endoscopists' workload. Additionally, it gives full play to the cooperative motion function of the large and small endoscopic knobs, making the control more flexible. Finally, it increases motion scaling switching function to make the control of endoscope more flexible and more accurate. It is also easy for beginners to learn and master, and can shorten the training period. So it can provide the possibility of remote endoscopic control and fully automated robotic endoscope.
8.Investigation on the current status of medication education in medical institutions in China
ZHANG YIZHOU ; DU LIPING ; ZHANG YUQING ; LIU SITONG ; MEI DAN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(11):1380-1385
OBJECTIVE To investigate the development and current status of medication education in domestic medical institutions, aiming to provide reference and suggestions for better development of medication education. METHODS The online questionnaire survey was conducted in March 2023 to investigate the implementation of medication education in medical institutions at all levels nationwide; descriptive analysis and influencing factors analysis were conducted. RESULTS A total of 1 368 questionnaires were recycled, 1 304 of which were effective questionnaires, with the effective rate of 95.32%. The average rate of providing medication education was 73.62% in medical institutions nationwide, 76.05%, 67.68% and 73.76% respectively in Eastern, Central and Western regions, 87.11%, 60.57% and 46.32% respectively in tertiary, secondary and primary medical institutions. The commonest place and way of carrying out medication education were dispensing window and oral instructions, and both were more diverse in tertiary medical institutions, compared with second and primary medical institutions. The median annual service volume of medication education in medical institutions PUMCH-A- at all levels was 500 people; the higher the level of medical institutions, the larger the annual service volume of medication education (P=0.023). More than half of medical institutions didn’t have any form of compensation for medication education, which was mostly reflected in the workload of medical institutions with compensation. Grade of medical institutions, degree of information and automation were the major influencing factors of carrying out medication education. CONCLUSIONS The ratio of carrying out medication education is improved in the central region in China in recent years, compared with 2019; while that of primary institutions in all regions is at a low level and should be improved. The place of carrying out medication education should be set according to the characteristics of medical institutions, and medication education forms should be enriched as much as possible. The quantity and quality of medication education talents still need to be improved. Compensation for pharmaceutical care should be continually explored and implemented to prompt high-quality and sustainable development of medication education.
9.Investigation on the current status of medication education in medical institutions in China
ZHANG YIZHOU ; DU LIPING ; ZHANG YUQING ; LIU SITONG ; MEI DAN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(11):1380-1385
OBJECTIVE To investigate the development and current status of medication education in domestic medical institutions, aiming to provide reference and suggestions for better development of medication education. METHODS The online questionnaire survey was conducted in March 2023 to investigate the implementation of medication education in medical institutions at all levels nationwide; descriptive analysis and influencing factors analysis were conducted. RESULTS A total of 1 368 questionnaires were recycled, 1 304 of which were effective questionnaires, with the effective rate of 95.32%. The average rate of providing medication education was 73.62% in medical institutions nationwide, 76.05%, 67.68% and 73.76% respectively in Eastern, Central and Western regions, 87.11%, 60.57% and 46.32% respectively in tertiary, secondary and primary medical institutions. The commonest place and way of carrying out medication education were dispensing window and oral instructions, and both were more diverse in tertiary medical institutions, compared with second and primary medical institutions. The median annual service volume of medication education in medical institutions PUMCH-A- at all levels was 500 people; the higher the level of medical institutions, the larger the annual service volume of medication education (P=0.023). More than half of medical institutions didn’t have any form of compensation for medication education, which was mostly reflected in the workload of medical institutions with compensation. Grade of medical institutions, degree of information and automation were the major influencing factors of carrying out medication education. CONCLUSIONS The ratio of carrying out medication education is improved in the central region in China in recent years, compared with 2019; while that of primary institutions in all regions is at a low level and should be improved. The place of carrying out medication education should be set according to the characteristics of medical institutions, and medication education forms should be enriched as much as possible. The quantity and quality of medication education talents still need to be improved. Compensation for pharmaceutical care should be continually explored and implemented to prompt high-quality and sustainable development of medication education.
10.A multicenter prospective study on early identification of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children
Dan XU ; Ailian ZHANG ; Jishan ZHENG ; Mingwei YE ; Fan LI ; Gencai QIAN ; Hongbo SHI ; Xiaohong JIN ; Lieping HUANG ; Jiangang MEI ; Guohua MEI ; Zhen XU ; Hong FU ; Jianjun LIN ; Hongzhou YE ; Yan ZHENG ; Lingling HUA ; Min YANG ; Jiangmin TONG ; Lingling CHEN ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Dehua YANG ; Yunlian ZHOU ; Huiwen LI ; Yinle LAN ; Yulan XU ; Jinyan FENG ; Xing CHEN ; Min GONG ; Zhimin CHEN ; Yingshuo WANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(4):317-322
Objective:To explore potential predictors of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in early stage. Methods:The prospective multicenter study was conducted in Zhejiang, China from May 1 st, 2019 to January 31 st, 2020. A total of 1 428 patients with fever >48 hours to <120 hours were studied. Their clinical data and oral pharyngeal swab samples were collected; Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA in pharyngeal swab specimens was detected. Patients with positive Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA results underwent a series of tests, including chest X-ray, complete blood count, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and procalcitonin. According to the occurrence of RMPP, the patients were divided into two groups, RMPP group and general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP) group. Measurement data between the 2 groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between clinical data and RMPP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyse the power of the markers for predicting RMPP. Results:A total of 1 428 patients finished the study, with 801 boys and 627 girls, aged 4.3 (2.7, 6.3) years. Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA was positive in 534 cases (37.4%), of whom 446 cases (83.5%) were diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, including 251 boys and 195 girls, aged 5.2 (3.3, 6.9) years. Macrolides-resistant variation was positive in 410 cases (91.9%). Fifty-five cases were with RMPP, 391 cases with GMPP. The peak body temperature before the first visit and LDH levels in RMPP patients were higher than that in GMPP patients (39.6 (39.1, 40.0) vs. 39.2 (38.9, 39.7) ℃, 333 (279, 392) vs. 311 (259, 359) U/L, both P<0.05). Logistic regression showed the prediction probability π=exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004×LDH (U/L))/(1+exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004 × LDH (U/L))), the cut-off value to predict RMPP was 0.12, with a consensus of probability forecast of 0.89, sensitivity of 0.89, and specificity of 0.67; and the area under ROC curve was 0.682 (95% CI 0.593-0.771, P<0.01). Conclusion:In MPP patients with fever over 48 to <120 hours, a prediction probability π of RMPP can be calculated based on the peak body temperature and LDH level before the first visit, which can facilitate early identification of RMPP.

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