Azvudine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) are recommended for COVID-19 treatment in China, but their safety and efficacy in the elderly population are not fully known. In this multicenter, retrospective, cohort study, we identified 5131 elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 32,864 COVID-19 patients admitted to nine hospitals in Henan Province, China, from December 5, 2022, to January 31, 2023. The primary outcome was all-cause death, and the secondary outcome was composite disease progression. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control for confounding factors, including demographics, vaccination status, comorbidities, and laboratory tests. After 2:1 PSM, 1786 elderly patients receiving azvudine and 893 elderly patients receiving Paxlovid were included. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses revealed that compared with Paxlovid group, azvudine could significantly reduce the risk of all-cause death (log-rank P = 0.002; HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.573-0.883, P = 0.002), but there was no difference in composite disease progression (log-rank P = 0.52; HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.877-1.260, P = 0.588). Four sensitivity analyses verified the robustness of above results. Subgroup analysis suggested that a greater benefit of azvudine over Paxlovid was observed in elderly patients with primary malignant tumors (P for interaction = 0.005, HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18-0.57) compared to patients without primary malignant tumors. Safety analysis revealed that azvudine treatment had a lower incidence of adverse events and higher lymphocyte levels than Paxlovid treatment. In conclusion, azvudine treatment is not inferior to Paxlovid treatment in terms of all-cause death, composite disease progression and adverse events in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Objective To construct nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)knockout mice in order to investigate the effects of NLRP3 knockout on radiation-induced acute pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis.Methods Nlrp3+/+and Nlrp3-/-mice were randomly divided into the control group and irradiation group.To induce radiation-caused acute pneumonitis,the control group was exposed to sham irradiation while the irradiation group was exposed to 60Co γ-rays at a dose of 22 Gy at a dose rate of 184.30 R/min.At 14 days post-irradiation,the body weight of each mouse and the wet weight of its lung tissue were measured separately using an analytical balance to calculate the lung coefficient.Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)and cytometric bead array(CBA)were used to detect inflammatory responses in lung tissues and serum.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and F4/80 immunohistochemical staining were used to assess pathological changes and inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues.Cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1)activation was analyzed by Western blotting.To establish a model of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis,mice were irradiated with 60Co γ-rays at a dose of 18 Gy at a dose rate of 174.67 R/min.At 24 weeks post-irradiation,HE staining and Masson staining were performed to evaluate pulmonary fibrosis.Results NLRP3 knockout inhibited caspase-1 activation,reduced inflammatory responses in lung tissues and serum,suppressed macrophage infiltration,alleviated pulmonary edema,and thereby protected against acute radiation-induced lung injury.Additionally,NLRP3 knockout significantly ameliorated late-stage radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis.Conclusion NLRP3 knockout can mitigate both early radiation-induced pneumonia and lateradiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective To explore the role of dapansutrile(OLT1177)in radiation-induced intestinal injury and the mechanism.Methods C57BL/6J mice were locally irradiated in the abdomen with 60Co to induce a model of radiation-induced intestinal injury.OLT1177 was intraperitoneally injected at a dose of 100 mg/kg 2 hours before irradiation and 6 hours after irradiation before the drug was administered once a day.At 12 hours after irradiation,intestinal tissues were taken for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL)staining to detect apoptosis in intestinal tissues.At 4 days after irradiation,mouse serum was collected to detect the levels of inflammatory factors in the serum.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)stainingwas used for the evaluation of the damage to the intestinal villus structure.Immunohistochemical staining was adopted to detect the changes in crypt proliferation in intestinal tissues.Finally,proteins were isolated from intestinal tissues,and Western blotting was employed to evaluate the activation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome.Results After irradiation,the intestinal villi in mice were shortened.Meanwhile,there was a notable declinein the number of cells that were proliferating in the crypts,a surge in the number of apoptotic cells,and a significant spike in the overall inflammatory level.However,administration of OLT1177 inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome,reduced apoptosis and pyroptosis,decreased the inflammatory level,and thus improved radiation-induced intestinal injury.Conclusion Administration of OLT1177 can significantly mitigate radiation-induced intestinal injury.

Objective To investigate the utility of dual-energy computed tomography(DECT)virtual non-contrast(VNC)images instead of true non-contrast(TNC)images in the quantitative analysis of emphysema.Methods A retrospective selection was con-ducted on 59 patients who underwent chest CT plain scan plus dual-phase enhanced scan on APEX-CT.VNC images of arterial phase(VNCart)and venous phase(VNCven)were generated on AW4.7 workstation.Volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose length product(DLP)were recorded respectively.In a double-blind manner,two physicians graded the severity of each patient's emphysema according to the Fleischner Society's emphysema visual classification system.The"digital lung"detection and analysis platform was used to quantitatively measure emphysema at three thresholds(-950 HU,-930 HU and-910 HU),and the difference in meas-urement results between VNC images and TNC images was compared.Quantitative differences in low attenuation volume(LAV),percentage of low attenuation area(LAA%)and mean lung density(MLD)at the-950 HU threshold were compared using Bland-Altman plots.Results Using TNC images as the standard,there was no significant difference in the results of the visual classifica-tion evaluation of emphysema between TNC and VNC images(χ2=2.80,P=0.247).In quantitative measurement,there was no significant difference in total lung volume(TLV)(χ2=3.26,P=0.196)between the three groups images.Compared to TNC ima-ges,there were no statistically significant differences in LAV,LAA%and MLD of VNCven images at 15th percentile lung density(Perc 15%)and different thresholds(P>0.05).Compared to the TNC mode,the VNC mode could reduce the effective dose(ED)by approximately 32.6%.Conclusion The use of DECT VNCven images on chest has the potential to replace TNC for the quantitative analysis of emphysema,thereby streamlining scans and reducing radiation dose.

Objective To investigate the utility of dual-energy computed tomography(DECT)virtual non-contrast(VNC)images instead of true non-contrast(TNC)images in the quantitative analysis of emphysema.Methods A retrospective selection was con-ducted on 59 patients who underwent chest CT plain scan plus dual-phase enhanced scan on APEX-CT.VNC images of arterial phase(VNCart)and venous phase(VNCven)were generated on AW4.7 workstation.Volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose length product(DLP)were recorded respectively.In a double-blind manner,two physicians graded the severity of each patient's emphysema according to the Fleischner Society's emphysema visual classification system.The"digital lung"detection and analysis platform was used to quantitatively measure emphysema at three thresholds(-950 HU,-930 HU and-910 HU),and the difference in meas-urement results between VNC images and TNC images was compared.Quantitative differences in low attenuation volume(LAV),percentage of low attenuation area(LAA%)and mean lung density(MLD)at the-950 HU threshold were compared using Bland-Altman plots.Results Using TNC images as the standard,there was no significant difference in the results of the visual classifica-tion evaluation of emphysema between TNC and VNC images(χ2=2.80,P=0.247).In quantitative measurement,there was no significant difference in total lung volume(TLV)(χ2=3.26,P=0.196)between the three groups images.Compared to TNC ima-ges,there were no statistically significant differences in LAV,LAA%and MLD of VNCven images at 15th percentile lung density(Perc 15%)and different thresholds(P>0.05).Compared to the TNC mode,the VNC mode could reduce the effective dose(ED)by approximately 32.6%.Conclusion The use of DECT VNCven images on chest has the potential to replace TNC for the quantitative analysis of emphysema,thereby streamlining scans and reducing radiation dose.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor-dapansutrile(OLT1177)-against acute radiation lung injury.Methods Mice were divided into the control group,OLT1177 injection group,irradiation group,and irradiation+OLT1177 injection group.A single dose of 22 Gy whole-lung 60Co radiation was used to establish a model of acute radiation lung injury.After 6 h of radiation,OLT1177(100mg/kg,once daily)was administered intraperitoneally.After 14 consecutive days of administration,lung tissues were collected and weighed while the lung coefficient was calculated.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and F4/80 immuno-histochemical staining were used to observe the pathological changes and inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)was used to detect the transcription levels of NLRP3,IL-1β,and other mRNAs in lung tissues.Serum cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 were measured by cytometric bead array(CBA).The activation of Caspase-1 and IL-18 was detected by Western blotting.Results Radiation caused acute inflammation in the lung tissues of mice,manifested as edema in the lung tissues and destruction of the alveolar structure,increased macrophage infiltration,and elevated expressions of inflammatory genes NLRP3,IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 in the lung tissues and higher serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6.Treatment with OLT1177 significantly improved the above symptoms induced by radiation.OLT1177 inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome downstream Caspase-1 and IL-18 induced by radiation.Conclusion OLT1177 can significantly alleviate acute radiation lung injury in mice,which may be due to its inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by radiation.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of suramin(Sur)in acetaminophen(APAP)-induced acute liver injury in mice.Methods 8-10 weeks old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the APAP group and APAP+Sur group(20 mg/kg suramin was injected 1 h before).After 18 hrs of fasting,400 mg/kg APAP was injected intraperitoneally to establish a mouse model of acute liver failure and the survival rate was recorded.An acute liver injury model of mice was established via intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg APAP(other conditions remained unchanged).A control group was also established,with liver tissues and serum collected at 0,2,and 12 hours post-APAP treatment.ELISA and CBA techniques were adopted to detect the release of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in serum and the secretion of inflammatory factors.H&E staining and immunohistochemistry were used to detect liver tissue necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration.DCFA-DH and ELISA techniques were used to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)in liver tissues.Western blotting was employed to assess the activation of the JNK signaling pathway in liver tissues.Results Suramin treatment improved the survival rate of APAP-induced mice,reduced the release of transaminases and inflammatory factors in serum,and alleviated APAP-induced liver cell necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver.Suramin treatment delayed APAP-induced GSH depletion in the liver,reduced MDA and ROS levels,and inhibited JNK pathway activation.Conclusion This study has confirmed the protective effect of suramin against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice.The mechanism is potentially related to oxidative stress and inflammation.

The pathological position of hypersecretion of airway mucus is in airway mucosa. Modern TCM theory believes that the airway mucosa belongs to the triple energizer membranous system of TCM, and the airway mucus is a part of TCM water-liquid system. Based on the TCM physiological characteristics of children, this article explored the pathogenesis of airway mucus hypersecretion in children, and believed that the airway mucus hypersecretion was the result of the disorder of water-liquid metabolism in TCM, which was closely related to the function of qi transformation of triple energizer membranous system. Failure of qi transformation in triple energizer is the core pathogenesis of hypersecretion of airway mucus in children. The deficiency of yang qi in children leads to the disorganization of vaporization in triple energizer, which leads to the insufficiency of movement and transformation function, the failure of water and qi in water, the stop of water and water accumulation, the abnormity of water and grain. The disorder of water-liquid metabolism leads to the occurrence of high airway mucus secretion in children.

Objective:To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of BRCC3 knockout on acute GVHD(aGVHD) of mice.Methods:A total of 12 recipient C57BL/6J mice were divided into two groups, including 6 wild type(WT) and BRCC3 -/-(KO). The recipients were exposed to 4.5 Gy + 4.5 Gy 60Co γ-rays in total body irradiation (TBI) at 30 min intervals. At 6 h post-irradiation, 1×10 7bone marrow cells and 8×10 6 splenocytes from BALB/c mice were infused into C57BL/6J mouse via tail vein to develop aGVHD mouse model. BRCC3 was specifically knocked out in aGVHD mouse model. The organ damage was examined through histopathology. The levels of serum cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and cytometric bead array (CBA), respectively. Spleen, liver and small intestine lymphocytes were isolated at 9 d post-transplantation, and the infiltration and activation of T cells in the target organs were assayed using flow cytometry. Results:The absence of BRCC3 in recipient mice significantly shortened survival ( P<0.05) with increased liver injury of aGVHD mice. In BRCC3 -/-recipient mice, the proportions of CD8+ T cells and CD8+ CD25+ T cells were significantly higher than those in the spleen( t=6.53, 5.52, P<0.05), and the proportions of CD8+ T cells and CD8+ CD25+ T cells were significantly increased in the liver ( t=3.74, 3.19, P<0.05). Similarly, the proportions of CD8+ T cells, CD8+ CD25+ T cells and CD8+ CD69+ T cells were significantly elevated in the small intestine ( t=3.52, 4.06, 3.29, P<0.05). Conclusions:BRCC3 deletion increased the proliferation and activation of donor CD8+ T cells and aggravated aGVHD, which might provide a new prevention and treatment target for aGVHD.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out G-banded chromosomal karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for a fetus featuring multiple malformations. METHODS: The fetus was found to have increased nuchal thickness, generalized edema, asymmetric lower limbs, tetralogy of Fallot, nasal bone anomaly and cleft palate. Following amniocentesis, G-band karyotyping and CMA were carried out. RESULTS: The fetus had a karyotype of 47,XX,+i(12)(p10) [14]/46,XX[6]. CMA has identified a 33.9 Mb duplication at 12p13.33-p11.1, which was suggestive of tetrasomy 12p. CONCLUSION Combined chromosomal karyotyping and CMA can delineate the origin of abnormal chromosomal fragments during prenatal diagnosis. The fetus was diagnosed with Pallister-Killian syndrome.