Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

This paper summarized the experience of fire needling combined with black cloth ointment in the treatment of keloid. In terms of the pathogenesis of keloid， it is believed that "phlegm causes stasis， and then stasis accumulates into tumors" is the key； the internal obstruction of phlegm and stasis caused by insufficient endowment and invasion of external pathogens is the root of the disease， while the endogenous generation of phlegm and dampness is the branch. It is therefore proposed to explore the etiology and pathogenesis of keloid from the perspective of "phlegm-stasis-tumor"， and the treatment principle is mainly to eliminate phlegm， dispel stasis and dissolve tumors， supplemented with heat-clearing and toxin-resolving. Treatment methods include oral administration of Chinese herbal medicinals and external treatment. Self-made formula for keloid is taken orally， with the main functions of dissolving phlegm， dispelling stasis and clearing heat， to finally dissolve the tumors. For external treatment， fire needling is used to pierce the skin and to open the striae and interstices， and force out the toxin pathogens such as phlegm-heat and stasis-heat with fire power， thereby clearing heat， dissolving phlegm， dispelling stasis and resolving toxins. Black cloth ointment can be used to the affected area to unblock meridians and collaterals， clear heat-toxin and dissolve phlegm-stasis， thereby softening hardness and dissipating masses.

Objective:To explore the predictive ability of systemic immune-inflammation index（SII）and prognostic nutrition index（PNI）for early-onset sepsis in preterm infants.Methods:Seventy preterm infants of 28 to 32 weeks，who were born in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2019 to December 2022, and transferred to neonatal intensive care unit within 1 h conforming to EOS diagnostic criteria were selected as the EOS group，and 1∶1 matched non-infected preterm infants hospitalized during the same period were selected as control group.Relevant data were collected to compare the differences regarding clinical data，blood routine indicators，C-reactive protein（CRP），serum albumin levels（ALB），SII and PNI between two groups.The ability of SII and PNI to predict EOS was evaluated by Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curve.Results:Compared with control group,the EOS group had lower 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores,higher rates of cesarean section delivery and tracheal intubation,as well as higher rates of suppurative meningitis,bronchopulmonary dysplasia,retinopathy of prematurity and intracranial hemorrhage.The levels of blood routine parameters,ALB,SII and PNI in the EOS group were lower than those in control group,while CRP was increased.The differences were all statistically significant（ P<0.05）.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that tracheal intubation，CRP，SII and PNI were independently influential factors of EOS（ P<0.05）.ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under curve of SII，PNI，CRP and SII combined with PNI were 0.808（95% CI 0.730-0.886），0.792（95% CI 0.718-0.865），0.633（95% CI 0.541-0.725）and 0.866（95% CI 0.803-0.929），the sensitivity were 74.3%，64.3%，42.9%，78.6%，and the specificity were 88.6%，82.9%，81.4%，90.0%,respectively.The cut-off values of SII，PNI and CRP were 221.36，38.65 and 0.80 mg/L,respectively. Conclusion:SII and PNI have a certain predictive value for EOS in preterm infants，and their combined diagnosis efficiency is more stronger.

Objective:To screen the differentially expressed immune-related genes(DEIRGs)in in-stent restenosis(ISR),and to analyze the immune cell infiltration in ISR,and to clarify the mechanism of occurrence and development of ISR.Methods:The mRNA gene expression data of GSE46560 dataset samples were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO),and divided into ISR group and non-ISR group.The"Limma"package in R software was used to identify the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)which were then intersected with immune-related genes(IRGs)to identify the DEIRGs in ISR;R software was used for Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment andalysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analysis on DEIRGs;the STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,which was visualized and analyzed for Hub genes by Cytoscape software;the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of the Hub genes were plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated and the diagnostic value was evaluated;CIBERSORT software was used to analyze the immune cell infiltration in ISR;Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationships between the immune cells and the relationships between the immune cells and key genes.Results:A total of 331 DEGs were identified(P<0.05,|log2FC|>1),including 176 upregulated genes and 155 downregulated genes,and 38 DEIRGs were obstained.The GO functional enrichment analysis results showed that the DEIRGs were mainly enriched in biological processes(BP)such as defense response,immune response,and immune system;in cellular components(CC),the DEIRGs were located primarily in the extracellular region and cytoplasmic membrane;and in molecular functions(MF),the DEIRGs were mainly involved in regulating signaling receptor binding and cytokine receptor activity.The KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis results indicated that the DEIRGs in ISR were primarily enriched in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K-AKT)and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)signaling pathways.In the PPI network,CD19 had the highest node among the top 10 Hub genes.Compared with non-ISR group,the expression level of the CD19 gene in the samples in ISR group was increased(P<0.05).The AUC value in the ROC curve of CD19 gene expression was 0.92(P<0.05).The immune cell infiltration analysis results showed that compared with non-ISR group,the infiltration level of T lymphocyte follicular helper(Tfh)cells in the patients in ISR group were increased(P<0.05),the infiltration levels of immature B lymphocytes,CD8+T lymphocytes,naive CD4+T lymphocytes,and M0 macrophages were increased,but the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05),while the infiltration levels of memory B lymphocytes,activated memory CD4+T lymphocytes,regulatory T cells,resting natural killer(NK)cells,activated NK cells,monocytes,resting mast cells,and neutrophils were decreased,but the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05).There were positive correlations between Tfh cells and M0 macrophages and resting mast cells(r=0.88,P<0.05;r=0.68,P<0.05),and there were negative correlations between Tfh cells and monocytes and neutrophils(r=-0.49,P<0.05;r=-0.42,P<0.05).Conclusion:CD19 may influence the occurrence and development of ISR by regulating the activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway to affect the Tfh and B lymphocytes.CD19 can serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis of ISR.

Objective:To investigate the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) on thyroid function in adult patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS).Methods:A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on 1 276 AIDS patients hospitalized in the Department of Infection, Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital from June 2017 to May 2020. General data, the first laboratory examination on admission, thyroid function, and related antibodies were collected and analyzed. A total of 176 patients were included in the study and divided into HAART group( n=83) and no-HAART group( n=93) according to whether they received HAART treatment. Results:Among 176 AIDS patients, the rate of thyroid dysfunction was 53.98%. It was significantly lower in the HAART group, compared with no-HAART group(40.96% vs 65.59%), with a statistically significant difference ( P=0.001). The course of AIDS, body mass index, CD4 + T lymphocyte count, free triiodothyronine, and serum creatinine in HAART group were significantly higher than those in no-HAART group, and aspartate aminotransferase was significantly lower than those in no-HAART group, with statistical significance(all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in age, sex, smoking history, free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroid peroxidase antibody, thyroglobulin antibodies, and alanine aminotransferase between HAART group and no-HAART group(all P>0.05). The prevalence of low T 3 syndrome in HAART group was significantly lower than that in no-HAART group(14.46% vs 39.78%), and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and isolated low T 4 between HAART group and No-HAART group(all P>0.05). Multivariate logistics regression analysis showed that HAART was an independent protective factor for thyroid dysfunction and isolated low T 4 in AIDS patients. Conclusions:Thyroid dysfunction is a common endocrine disorder in AIDS patients that requires attention from infectious disease specialists. HAART therapy serves as a protective factor against thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction mainly manifests as low T3 syndrome and requires continuous monitoring of thyroid function changes.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Nuanxinkang on plaque formation in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)comorbid with atherosclerosis(AS)mice by inhibiting endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EndMT).Methods Male ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into six groups:control group,model group,atorvastatin group(2.6 mg·kg-1)and Nuanxinkang low-,medium-and high-dose groups(crude drug 3.5,7.0,14.0 g·kg-1),with eight mice in each group.The mice were exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)environment during sleep for a long time,and fed with high-fat diet to replicate OSAHS comorbid with AS mouse model.Oil red O staining was used to observe the formation of plaque on aortic intima in mice.Masson trichrome staining was used to evaluate the collagen content of atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root of mice.The expressions of endothelial cell marker CD31 and EndMT marker Vimentin in aortic plaque were detected by immunofluorescence.Blood lipid levels were determined by ELISA;the mRNA expression levels of EndMT markers α-SMA and Cdh2 in aortic tissue were detected by qPCR.Results Compared with the control group,the area of aortic atherosclerotic plaque in the model group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the area of collagen deposition in the aortic root plaque was significantly increased(P＜0.01).The number of CD31 positive cells in the plaque were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the number of Vimentin positive cells were significantly increased(P＜0.01).Serum TG,T-CHO and LDL-C levels were significantly increased(P＜0.01),and HDL-C level was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and Cdh2 in aortic tissue were significantly increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the area of aortic atherosclerotic plaque in Nuanxinkang groups were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the collagen deposition area of aortic root atherosclerotic plaque were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The number of CD31 positive expression cells in the plaque of Nuanxinkang high-dose group were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the number of Vimentin positive expression cells in the plaque of Nuanxinkang medium-and high-dose groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The serum TG level of mice in the high-dose group of Nuanxinkang was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The serum T-CHO and LDL-C levels of mice in each Nuanxinkang administration group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The serum HDL-C levels of mice in the medium-and high-dose groups of Nuanxinkang were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and Cdh2 in aortic tissue of mice in each treatment group were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusion Nuanxinkang can effectively reduce the plaque formation in OSAHS comorbid with atherosclerosis mice,which may be related to its inhibition of EndMT and reduction of collagen fiber formation.

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a sleep breathing disorder caused by obstruction of the upper airway during sleep from various causes. At present, the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS are insufficient. OSAHS causes cognitive decline due to excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory response caused by sleep breathing disorder, and its alteration of the brain gray matter area may be related to cognitive dysfunction. This review investigates the correlation between cognitive dysfunction and brain gray matter areas changes in OSAHS, and elucidates the underlying mechanisms, which provide a theoretical basis for early clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. It is urgent to develop new drugs to improve the prognosis of ESCC patients. Here, we found benzydamine, a locally acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, had potent cytotoxic effect on ESCC cells. Benzydamine could suppress ESCC proliferation in vivo and in vitro. In terms of mechanism, CDK2 was identified as a target of benzydamine by molecular docking, pull-down assay and in vitro kinase assay. Specifically, benzydamine inhibited the growth of ESCC cells by inhibiting CDK2 activity and affecting downstream phosphorylation of MCM2, c-Myc and Rb, resulting in cell cycle arrest. Our study illustrates that benzydamine inhibits the growth of ESCC cells by downregulating the CDK2 pathway.
Humans ; Benzydamine ; Esophageal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/drug therapy* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Phosphorylation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2

Based on the theory of ascending and descending of center qi， it is believed that yang deficiency and water dampness， as well as abnormal circulation of center qi， are the core pathogenesis of psoriasis. The common pathogenic evolution of psoriasis includes wood constraint and blood stagnation， lung metal fluid exhaustion. In the later stage of psoriasis， a mixture of deficiency and excess patterns， as well as cold and heat in complexity， are often observed. Treatment focuses on warming yang and resolving dampness to restore proper qi ascending and descending， and the therapeutic formulas such as Ganjiang Lingzhu Decoction （甘姜苓术汤）， Zexie Decoction （泽泻汤）， Zhenwu Decoction （真武汤）， and Linggui Zhugan Decoction （苓桂术甘汤） are suggested based on the nature and location of the disease. To unblock the qi movement through discharging the liver and rectifying the lung， Xiaochaihu Decoction （小柴胡汤） and Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder （丹栀逍遥散） are commonly used as the foundation with modifications. To balance yin and yang through clearing the heart and nourishing the kidneys， a self-designed Changzhong Decoction （畅中汤） is utilized. Following the theory of ascending and descending of center qi， it is suggested to combine cold and warm medicinals and mediate the center earth， so as to promote the circulation of the center qi， restore the clear and the turbid， and keep four-dimensional smooth flow of qi， providing a reference for traditional Chinese medicine treatment for psoriasis.

【Objective】 To investigate the effects of different anticoagulants on platelet-rich plasma(PRP) release content of growth factor and injection pain. 【Methods】 A total of 15 voluntary blood donors were selected, with each blood donor using four kinds of anticoagulant tubes with EDTA-K2 anticoagulation, EDTA-NA2 anticoagulation, citrate anticoagulation, ACD-A anticoagulation respectively as group A, B, C and D. PRP was isolated and prepared by the rich plasma method, and the contents of PDGF-AA, TGF-β, IGF-1, VEGF, and PF-4 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Meanwhile, SD rats (20, 4 / group) were injected subcutaneously or intradermally with the supernatant of PRP and PG gel prepared in the 4 groups and normal saline in the control group. The pain status of SD rats during the injection was observed and recorded. The pain status of the 5 groups of experimental animals was evaluated according to the American Laboratory Animal Pain Guide. 【Results】 The platelet counts in PRP in group D was the highest [(1 294.53±277.37) × 10⁹/L], which was significantly higher than that in group A [ (789.13±377.13) ×10⁹/L] and group C [ (990.94±493.12) ×10⁹/L] (P<0.05). The OD value of PDGF-AA in group A, B, C, and D were 1.51± 0.18, 1.69±0.21, 0.66±0.19and 1.72±0.13, respectively, with statistically significant difference between groups (P<0.05 ) and group D better than the other three groups. The OD value of PF-4 was 1.18±0.24, 1.61±0.14, 0.65±0.26 and 1.72±0.10 respectively, with statistically significant difference between groups (P<0.05) and group D better than other three groups. The OD value of IGF-1 was 1.02±0.08, 0.98±0.11, 1.06±0.11 and 1.32±0.65 respectively, with no significant difference between groups (P>0.05). The OD value of VEGF was 0.13±0.04, 0.21±0.14, 0.08±0.02 and 0.13±0.04 respectively, with statistically significant difference between group B and C (P<0.05). The OD value of TGF-β was 0.14±0.01, 0.15±0.01, 0.28±0.17 and 1.10±0.37 respectively, with statistically significant difference between groups (P<0.05) and group D better than other three groups. Comparison of injection pain: when the supernatant of PRP and PG gel was injected, there were significant differences between group A, B, C and D, and the control group (P<0.05) . The median pain scores of PRP injection of group A, B, C, and D were 6 (1.5), 5 (0.75), 4.5 (2.5), and 3(3) respectively, with group D lower than other three groups, and no statistically significant difference was noticed (P>0.05) . The median pain scores of the PG supernatant injection of group A, B, C, and D were 4 (2.25), 3 (2.75), 4 (3), 1 (1.5), and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the PRP injection group and the PG supernatant group (P> 0.05). 【Conclusion】 PRP prepared by two-step centrifugation with ACD-A anticoagulant can obtain the higher platelet counts and the maximum release of PDGF-AA, PF-4, IGF-1, and TGF-β. In terms of pain, ACD-A anticoagulant injection has the lowest pain with the animals.