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.

Most cancers are currently incurable, partly due to abnormal post-translational modifications (PTMs). In this study, we initially used multiple myeloma (MM) as a working model and found that SUMOylation activating enzyme subunit 1 (SAE1) promotes the malignancy of MM. Through proteome microarray analysis, SAE1 was identified as a potential target for bioactive colcemid or its derivative colchicine. Elevated levels of SAE1 were associated with poor clinical survival and increased MM proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, SAE1 directly SUMOylated and upregulated the total protein expression of p27, leading to LLPS-mediated nuclear export of p27. Our study also demonstrated the involvement of SAE1 in other types of cancer cells, and provided the first monomer crystal structure of SAE1 and its key binding model with colchicine. Colchicine also showed promising results in the Patient-Derived Tumor Xenograft (PDX) model. Furthermore, a controlled clinical trial with 56 MM patients demonstrated the clinical efficacy of colchicine. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which tumor cells evade p27-induced cellular growth arrest through p27 SUMOylation-mediated nuclear export. SAE1 may serve as a promising therapeutic target, and colchicine may be a potential treatment option for multiple types of cancer in clinical settings.

Quality marker (Q-Marker) is an innovative concept and model for quality control of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which will navigate the new direction of quality development of TCMs. Yet, how to characterize the overall quality attributes of TCMs and their biological effects is still debating. In view of this key scientific issue, this paper proposes a research method based on mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technology for the discovery and confirmation of TCMs Q-Marker. MSI is powerful in investigating the spatial distribution of molecules in a variety of samples, and visualizing the information obtained from MS. On this basis, combine with the five principles of TCMs Q-Marker validation, i.e., specificity, transmission and traceability, testability, prescription compatibility, and validity, were applied to confirm the finalized Q-Marker. It will lead the new direction of quality development of TCMs.

Objective:To explore the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the pathogenesis of dermatomyositis (DM) associated with positive anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibodies(MDA5-DM).Methods:Twenty-eight cases of MDA5-DM in the department of rheumatology and immunology, the first hospital of Nanjing medical university and the first affiliated hospital od Wannan medical colledge from August 2018 to December 2011 were included in this study, comprising 15 cases with combined rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia (RPILD) and 13 cases without RPILD (nonRPILD). Additionally, 28 cases of antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) and 28 healthy volunteers (HC) were included for comparison. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected for both the DM and ASS groups. Serum IL-18 levels were measured using ELISA. Independent t test, Mann-whitney U test, χ2 test and Fisher′s exact probability method were used for analysis. Results:Significant differences were observed in LDH, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), ESR, CRP, serum ferritin (SFE), and IL-18 levels between the MDA5-DM group, the ASS group and the HC group ( F=46.65, 43.19, 31.28, 23.94, 30.94, 49.44, all P<0.001). Additionally, lymphocyte counts and hemoglobin levels differed significantly among the three groups( F=35.26, P<0.001; F=18.59, P<0.001). MDA5-DM patients exhibited higher incidences of Gottron′s sign, helitrope rash, periungual erythema, skin ulcers, and RPILD compared to ASS patients ( χ2=20.96, P<0.001; χ2=5.85, P=0.016; χ2=13.69, P<0.001; χ2=9.16, P=0.002; χ2=4.79, P=0.029). However, the incidence of mechanic′s hand was lower in MDA5-DM patients ( χ2=3.90, P=0.048). The level of IL-18 significantly decreased in MDA5-DM after treatment[(104.28(71.96,151.10)pg/ml vs. 78.30(56.20, 94.80)pg/ml, =2.27, P=0.023)]. Similar reductions were observed in the ASS group[(72.30(61.39, 95.94)pg/ml vs. 45.30(29.00,84.10)pg/ml, Z=2.691, P=0.007]. The IL-18 level changes in the MDA5-DM combined with RPILD group were not statistically significant [99.49 (77.65, 130.87)pg/ml vs. 89.40(54.80, 120.20)pg/ml, Z=0.65, P=0.515]. In the MDA5-DM survival group, IL-18 levels decreased significantly after treatment [59.45(53.58, 81.63)pg/ml vs. 106.37(83.62, 152.07)pg/ml, Z=2.80, P=0.005], while the changes in the IL-18 levels of patients in the MDA5-DM death group were not statistically significant [99.49(56.70, 140.15)pg/ml vs. 94.80(71.40, 155.45)pg/ml, Z=1.75, P=0.080]. Conclusion:MDA5-DM patients are different from the ASS patients in clinical manifestations and indicators involved in laboratory tests. The expression level of IL-18 tends to increase during the active phase of MDA5-DM and ASS, and decrease with remission of the disease. MDA5-DM may play an important role in the pathogenesis, and persistent high level of IL-18 is responsible for RPILD and death of MDA5-DM. Sustained high level of IL-18 can be used as a potential biomarker for the estimating development of MDA5-DM into RPILD.

BACKGROUND: Benvitimod cream, a novel synthetic small molecule, was effective in treating mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. We conducted a phase III clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of benvitimod cream in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. METHODS: We randomly assigned 686 patients (2:1:1) to receive 1% benvitimod cream, 0.005% calcipotriol ointment or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end points were the percentage of patients with a 75% or greater reduction from baseline in the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI 75) score and with a score of 0 or 1 in static physician's global assessment (sPGA) at week 12. RESULTS: The results showed that 50.4% of patients in the benvitimod group achieved PASI 75, which was significantly higher than that in the calcipotriol (38.5%, P < 0.05) and placebo (13.9%, P < 0.05) groups. The proportion of patients achieving an sPGA score 0 or 1 was 66.3% in the benvitimod group and 63.9% in the calcipotriol group, which were both significantly higher than that in the placebo group (34%, P < 0.05). In the long-term follow-up study, 50.8% of patients experienced recurrence. After retreatment with 1% benvitimod, 73.3% of patients achieved an sPGA score of 0 or 1 again at week 52. Adverse events included application site irritation, follicular papules, and contact dermatitis. No systemic adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: During this 12-week study, benvitimod cream was demonstrated with high effectiveness and safety in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR-TRC-13003259; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=6300.
Double-Blind Method ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ointments ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Resorcinols ; Severity of Illness Index ; Stilbenes ; Treatment Outcome

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark that plays a vital role in gene expression and cell differentiation. The average DNA methylation level among a group of cells has been extensively documented. However, the cell-to-cell heterogeneity in DNA methylation, which reflects the differentiation of epigenetic status among cells, remains less investigated. Here we established a gold standard of the cell-to-cell heterogeneity in DNA methylation based on single-cell bisulfite sequencing (BS-seq) data. With that, we optimized a computational pipeline for estimating the heterogeneity in DNA methylation from bulk BS-seq data. We further built HeteroMeth, a database for searching, browsing, visualizing, and downloading the data for heterogeneity in DNA methylation for a total of 141 samples in humans, mice, Arabidopsis, and rice. Three genes are used as examples to illustrate the power of HeteroMeth in the identification of unique features in DNA methylation. The optimization of the computational strategy and the construction of the database in this study complement the recent experimental attempts on single-cell DNA methylomes and will facilitate the understanding of epigenetic mechanisms underlying cell differentiation and embryonic development. HeteroMeth is publicly available at http://qianlab.genetics.ac.cn/HeteroMeth.
Animals ; Arabidopsis ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Computer Simulation ; DNA Methylation ; genetics ; Databases, Genetic ; Entropy ; Genetic Heterogeneity ; Genome ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Mice ; Oryza ; genetics ; Reference Standards ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Single-Cell Analysis ; User-Computer Interface

The service capabilities and sustainable development of community doctors' first contact are undoubtedly the critical factors to promote the construction of grassroots clinics and tiered health care system.Based on the review of motivation-related concepts and its development, as well as the analysis of the current conditions of community first contact and characteristics of community doctors in China, this paper puts forward and defines the concept and connotation of service motivation for community doctors' first contact by logically summarizing the concept of force in physical sciences ,motivation in service science, Based on analyzing the extrinsic motivations to form community doctors' first contact such as attraction, support, constraint, and stress the intrinsic motivations produced by professional identity, self-efficacy and achievement,as well as the interactions and relationships between them, this paper contructs a formation mechanism of the service motivation for community doctors' first contact, which is visual and intuitive.This paper provides a logical path and basis for scientific governance and upgrade of the service motivation for community doctors's first contact to effectively promote community first contact system in China.

Objective:This study aimed to analyze and compare the prognosis and the prognostic factors of combined small cell lung cancer (CSCLC) and pure small cell lung cancer (PSCLC) retrospectively. Methods:The clinicopathological characteristics of the 343 small cell lung cancer patients who were diagnosed in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between January 2006 and December 2012 were collected and reviewed. Survival analysis was performed and prognostic factors were assessed. Results:The median OS (overall survival) and PFS (progression free survival) of CSCLC were 31 and 21 months, respectively, and the median OS and PFS of PSCLC were 15 and 9 months, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that the prognosis of CSCLC was significantly better compared with that of PSCLC. COX analysis showed that disease stage, pathology, and therapy were indepen-dent prognostic factors of small cell lung cancer. Univariate analysis indicated that the small cell lung cancer group benefited from the surgery, particularly the CSCLC. NLR , therapy, and disease stage influenced the prognosis of PSCLC, and disease stage and therapy in-fluenced the prognosis of CSCLC. Multivariate analysis revealed that disease stage and therapy were independent risk factors of CSCLC in regard to OS. Conclusion:The prognosis of CSCLC was better compared with that of PSCLC. Limited-stage small cell lung cancer should undergo surgery, particularly the CSCLC.

ObjectiveTo investigate distingwished clinical and experimental characteristics of the four main subtypes in myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPNs).MethodsMDS/MPNs 53 cases from Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University,including 24 cases CMML,13 cases aCML,12 cases JMML,4 cases MDS/MPN-U,were analyzed regarding to 2001 WHO classification.Morphology (M) of peripheral and bone marrow blood cells were observed under microscope.FCM was used in immunological(Ⅰ) analyse on blasts and myelomonocytes in peripheral blood and bone marrow.G-banding technique was used in cytogenetic (C)examination.PCR was used in molecular genetic (M) mutation detection.Numeric data,such as mean Hb,WBC,PLT et al,among several groups,were compared using Single-factor analysisof variance.Student-Newman-Keulstestwasuseincomparingmeansof two groups.Proportions,such as percentage of clinical features,immunological and cytogenetic abnormal cases among different groups,were compared using Chi-square test or Fisher exact test.Results( 1 ) In the course of MDS/MPNs,there were 46 cases (86.8％ ) had paleness and fatigue 33 cases (62.5％ ) had palpable spleen.JMML had most fever and enlargement of lymph node (75.0％,75.0％ ),statistically distinguished from CMML ( 12.5％,12.5％ ) (x2 =14.89,17.98,P ＜ 0.05 ).(2) The hemoglobin was ( 83.1 ± 24.6 ) g/L.WBC counts were ( 19.8 ± 8.1 ) × 109/L.PLT counts were ( 158.7 ± 108.2) x 109/L.Immature neutrophils and blasts were found in peripheral blood.(3)JMML and CMML had most monocytes absolute counts among the subtypes (4.25 ±0.76) (3.62 ±0.76).(4) Almost 100％ JMML had monocytes abnormalities.(5)For 15 cases were detected immunological characteres by FCM,13 cases showed abnormalities.(6)For 29 cases of MDS/MPNs had been analyzed chromosome karyotypes and 12 out of them (41.4％) were abnormal,Ph chromosomes and those AML-defining translocations were all negative,+ 8 and 7-involved- karyotypes were more frequent.(7)23 cases were detected molecular genetic features,in which were all negative.BCR/ABL1 and JAK2 V617F mutation were all negative in the 13 cases of aCML.JAK2 V617F mutation was positive in 1 case of MDS/MPN-U.ConclusionsMost MDS/MPNs had paleness and fatigue,light to mild anemia,cytosis,monocytes low grade of blast and immature neutrophils in peripheral blood with dysplasia in bone marrow.JMML seems has more severe clinical features and more distinguishing laboratory characters.Immunological abnormalities and abnormalkaryotypes are found frequently in MDS/MPNs with no statistical differences among the four subtypes.There is no specific molecular abnormals in MDS/MPNs.( Chin J Lab Med,2012,35:832-837)

Trichinella spiralis infection in rodents is a well-known model of intestinal inflammation associated with hypermotility. The aim of the study was to use this experimental model to elucidate if Th17 cells are involved in the development of gastrointestinal hypermotility. Colonic smooth muscle contractility was investigated in response to acetylcholine. The levels of IL-17, IL-23 and TGF-beta1 in colon were measured by Western blotting. Flow cytometric detection of intracellular IFN-gamma/IL-4/IL-17 cytokine production was used to analyze the proportions of CD4+ T cells subsets in colon. Our results showed that colonic muscle contractility was increased 2 weeks post infection (PI) and stayed high 12 weeks PI when no discernible inflammation was present in the gut. The proportion of Th17 cells and the expression of IL-17 were up-regulated in colon 2 weeks PI and returned to normal 8 weeks PI. The content of IL-17 was correlated with the colonic smooth muscle hypercontracility 2 weeks PI. Meanwhile, TGF-beta1 was increased 2 weeks PI, while IL-23 was normal. Our results suggest that Th17 cells affect the colonic muscle contractility in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis at intestine stage but not at muscle stage and the effect of Th17 cells on muscle contractility might be induced by TGF-beta1. Other cytokines might be involved in the hypercontracility of colonic smooth muscle at muscle stage.