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.

Background: Medicinal plants rich in endophytic fungi are a significant source of natural lead compounds. Meroterpenoids, which are hybrid natural products originating from partially terpenoid pathways, exhibit impressive structural complexity and substantial potential as drug candidates. The structural diversity of meroterpenoids is largely attributed to the functional diversity of terpenoid cyclases, which generate a variety of terpenoid compounds with different ring systems. This enzymatic versatility underscores the biochemical potential of endophytic fungi and their invaluable role in drug discovery. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of endophytic fungi from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis in facilitating diverse cyclization modifications of meroditerpenoids through four terpene cyclases (TCs) from the Pyr4 family. Methods: This study utilized a recombinant strategy to successfully reconstruct four distinct TCs from endophytic fungi in the heterologous host, Aspergillus oryzae NSAR1. The structural characterization of the resulting secondary metabolites was performed using mass spectrometry and NMR techniques. Results: The substitution of TCs from the endophytes Aspergillus felis 0260 and Fusarium graminearum 1962 in Aspergillus oryzae through hydrophobic intermediates 1 and 2, led to the production of meroditerpenoids sartorypyrone C (3) and a new compound, 4′-methylchevalone E (4), respectively. This study demonstrates the critical role of endophytic fungi in enhancing structural diversity. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights into the compatibility of pathway combinations and the interchangeability of terpene cyclases derived from endophytic fungi in medicinal plants, which advanced the understanding of meroditerpenoid biosynthesis and highlighted the importance of endophytic fungi in drug discovery.

Background: Medicinal plants rich in endophytic fungi are a significant source of natural lead compounds. Meroterpenoids, which are hybrid natural products originating from partially terpenoid pathways, exhibit impressive structural complexity and substantial potential as drug candidates. The structural diversity of meroterpenoids is largely attributed to the functional diversity of terpenoid cyclases, which generate a variety of terpenoid compounds with different ring systems. This enzymatic versatility underscores the biochemical potential of endophytic fungi and their invaluable role in drug discovery. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of endophytic fungi from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis in facilitating diverse cyclization modifications of meroditerpenoids through four terpene cyclases (TCs) from the Pyr4 family. Methods: This study utilized a recombinant strategy to successfully reconstruct four distinct TCs from endophytic fungi in the heterologous host, Aspergillus oryzae NSAR1. The structural characterization of the resulting secondary metabolites was performed using mass spectrometry and NMR techniques. Results: The substitution of TCs from the endophytes Aspergillus felis 0260 and Fusarium graminearum 1962 in Aspergillus oryzae through hydrophobic intermediates 1 and 2, led to the production of meroditerpenoids sartorypyrone C (3) and a new compound, 4′-methylchevalone E (4), respectively. This study demonstrates the critical role of endophytic fungi in enhancing structural diversity. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights into the compatibility of pathway combinations and the interchangeability of terpene cyclases derived from endophytic fungi in medicinal plants, which advanced the understanding of meroditerpenoid biosynthesis and highlighted the importance of endophytic fungi in drug discovery.

Background: Medicinal plants rich in endophytic fungi are a significant source of natural lead compounds. Meroterpenoids, which are hybrid natural products originating from partially terpenoid pathways, exhibit impressive structural complexity and substantial potential as drug candidates. The structural diversity of meroterpenoids is largely attributed to the functional diversity of terpenoid cyclases, which generate a variety of terpenoid compounds with different ring systems. This enzymatic versatility underscores the biochemical potential of endophytic fungi and their invaluable role in drug discovery. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of endophytic fungi from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis in facilitating diverse cyclization modifications of meroditerpenoids through four terpene cyclases (TCs) from the Pyr4 family. Methods: This study utilized a recombinant strategy to successfully reconstruct four distinct TCs from endophytic fungi in the heterologous host, Aspergillus oryzae NSAR1. The structural characterization of the resulting secondary metabolites was performed using mass spectrometry and NMR techniques. Results: The substitution of TCs from the endophytes Aspergillus felis 0260 and Fusarium graminearum 1962 in Aspergillus oryzae through hydrophobic intermediates 1 and 2, led to the production of meroditerpenoids sartorypyrone C (3) and a new compound, 4′-methylchevalone E (4), respectively. This study demonstrates the critical role of endophytic fungi in enhancing structural diversity. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights into the compatibility of pathway combinations and the interchangeability of terpene cyclases derived from endophytic fungi in medicinal plants, which advanced the understanding of meroditerpenoid biosynthesis and highlighted the importance of endophytic fungi in drug discovery.

Objective To establish HPLC fingerprints of soaking Euodiae fructus with water decoction of Radix glycyrrhizae by Zhangbang method(hereinafter referred to as"soaking Euodiae fructus"),and to determine the content of evodiamine,rutaecarpine and evocarpine,so as to provide the basis for the quality control and standard improvement of soaking Euodiae fructus.Methods The fingerprint of soaking Euodiae fructus was established based on wavelength switching technology,and the similarity evaluation was conducted.Taking the rutaecarpine as the internal reference,the relative correction factors of evodiamine and evocarpine were calculated by slope correction method,and the differences in measurement results between quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker(QAMS)method and external standard method were compared.Results The established fingerprint of soaking Euodiae fructus had a total of 20 common peaks,the similarity between it and the control fingerprint spectrum was 0.970 to 0.998,and 7 common peaks of them were identified.The contents of evodiamine and evocarpine determined by QAMS method were 1.754-7.542 mg/g and 1.281-2.455 mg/g in 10 batches of samples,and the results obtained by QAMS method and external standard method were similar.Conclusion The established HPLC method is simple,reliable,with good separation and repeatability,and can be used for quality evaluation of processed Euodiae fructus.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of vitamin D receptor(VDR) genetic polymorphism on the concentration of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients at early stage after transplantation.METHODS The 360 cases of renal transplant recipients who received tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, and glucocorticoid were recruited. CYP3A5(rs776746) and VDR(VDR ApaI rs7975232, VDR BsmI rs1544410, VDR FokI rs2228570 and VDR TaqI rs731236) genotypes were determined. The differences of concentration(C), dose(D) and the ratio of concentration to dose(C/D) of tacrolimus were compared among all of the genotype groups at the seventh day after renal transplantation. RESULTS The C and C/D of tacrolimus in CYP3A5 non-expresser(GG genotype) were all significantly higher than CYP3A5 expresser(AA and AG genotype)(P<0.05). When taking the different CYP3A5 genotypes in consideration, it was found that the C/D in patients with VDR ApaI rs7975232 AA genotype was significantly lower than those with AC and CC genotypes for CYP3A5 non-expresser(P<0.05). However, VDR ApaI rs7975232 gene polymorphism had no influence on C and C/D of tacrolimus in CYP3A5 expresser. Besides, no matter in CYP3A5 expresser or in non-expresser, VDR BsmI rs1544410, VDR TaqI rs731236 and VDR FokI rs2228570 had no effect on C, D and C/D of tacrolimus. CONCLUSION During the early stage of renal transplantation, the polymorphism of VDR ApaI rs7975232 show significant relevance with tacrolimus concentration in CYP3A5 non-expresser. The detection of the genotype might be helpful to guide individual therapy.

Objective: To explore the effect of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) on the balance of Th17/Treg in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Methods: A total of 30 patients who were first diagnosed as ITP in the Fifth People's Hospital of Datong from July 2017 to April 2018 were selected as the case group, and another 30 healthy volunteers in the corresponding period were taken as the control group. The proportion of Th17 and Treg cells was detected by using flow cytometry, and the concentration of HMGB1, interleukin (IL)-17 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in plasma was tested by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured in vitro. After the treatment with recombinant human HMGB1 (rhHMGB1), real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to detect the mRNA expression changes in Treg cell transcription factor intracellular forkhead helix transcription factor 3 (Foxp3) and Th17 cell transcription factor retinoid related orphan receptor γt (RORγt). The differences of indicators in Treg cell transcription factor peripheral blood between the case group and the control group were compared, and the balance correlation between HMGB1 and Th17/Treg was analyzed. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, the proportion of Th17 cells and the expression level of HMGB1 and IL-17 in peripheral blood of ITP patients were increased (all P < 0.01), while the proportion of Treg cells and the level of TGF-β were decreased (all P < 0.01). The proportion of Th17 cells and the expression level of IL-17 and HMGB1 in peripheral blood of ITP patients were positively correlated with the concentration of HMGB1 (all P < 0.01); the proportion of Treg cells and the level of TGF-β were negatively correlated with the expression level of HMGB1 (all P < 0.01). In vitro experiments, the expression of intracellular RORγt mRNA was increased compared with the negative control group (1.50±0.24 vs. 0.93±0.22, t = 9.612, P < 0.01), and the expression of Foxp3 mRNA was decreased compared with the negative control group after the stimulation of PBMC by rhHMGB1 (0.72±0.19 vs. 1.08±0.18, t = 7.387, P < 0.01). Conclusion The high level of HMGB1 in the peripheral blood of ITP patients induces Th17/Treg imbalance and aggravates inflammatory reactions, which may be an important cause of ITP.

Objective: To study the incidence and clinicopathological features of intermediate fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumors(IF/MFT) in infants and the young children. Methods: All available cases with soft tissue tumors in infants and children were retrieved from the files of Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, from January 2012 to December 2017.The incidence rate of IF/MFT was observed.Cases of IF/MFT were identified and investigated by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry by reviewing the related literature. Results: Among 290 soft tissue tumors, 15 cases(5.2%) were IF/MFT, accounted for 88.2%(15/17 cases) of borderline soft tissue tumors.Twelve cases were male, 3 cases were female, the median age was 8 months, and 4 cases were congenital.Clinically, 11 cases were presented with slow-growing painless masses located in the trunk or extremities.According to histopathology, 9 cases(60.0%) were categorized as infantile fibromatosis(IFM), including 5 cases(33.3%) desmoid-type and 4 cases(26.7%) diffuse-type; 3 cases(20.0%) as lipofibromatosis(LFM); 2 cases(13.3%) as infantile fibrosarcoma(IFS) and 1 case(6.7%) as giant cell fibroblastoma(GCF). All 15 tumors were characterized by the presence of spindle fibroblasts and myofibroblasts with infiltration of the surrounding structures.Immunohistochemically, all the 15 cases were diffusely positive for Vimentin(Vim), but negative for Myogenin, MyoD1, Desmin and S-100.Smooth muscle actin(SMA), β-catenin and Bcl-2 were positive in some cases to a certain degree.The Ki-67 proliferation index was higher in diffuse-type IFM and IFS, the former was 5.0%-20.0%, and the latter was about 20.0%, however, the other cases showed Ki-67 <5.0%.The main clinical treatment was complete or extensive excision. Conclusions IF/MFT accounts for a high proportion of intermediate soft tissue tumors in infants and young children, mostly seen in male children, and IFM and LFM are the main types.The clinical signs and symptoms associated with these tumors are often nonspecific, and their histopathologic manifestations may overlap.The final diagnosis of IF/MFT must depend on the characteristics of age, location, histopathologic changes and immunohistoche-mical findings.

Research based learning (RBL) is a brand new teaching mode implicated by Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine specifically designed for clinical undergraduates.The nature of RBL is about exploring unknown knowledge and designing and executing comprehensive experiments.RBL aims at creating an open,active student participation,and close student-mentor interaction teaching mode.IBL includes literature study,research aim selection,experiment design and implementation,statistical analysis,results and conclusions,final report writing and defense of the report.Our experience indicates that RBL can substantially improve students' scientific logic and critical thinking and experimental skills,and develop the spirit of a team-player.This scientific training enables students to receive more comprehensive scientific training,facilitate their subsequent clinical research and practice,and assist them to participate in more international scientific exchanges.We propose that the RBL mode should be adopted for clinical student education in other universities.

Objective To investigate the expression of PES1 in ovarian cancer and its relationship with the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) expression .Methods The expression of PES1 in ovarian cancer tissues and corresponding pericancerous tis-sues was detected with Western blot .Results The expression of PES1 in ovarian cancer tissues was obviously higher than that in the pericancerous tissues .The secretion amounts of VEGF in cell culture fluid of CAOV-3 and ES-2 with transfection of FLAG-PES1 were elevated from (178 .0 ± 11 .8) pg/mL and (309 .5 ± 18 .5) pg/mL to (375 .0 ± 18 .3) pg/mL and (633 .2 ± 25 .7)pg/mL respectively (P<0 .01) ,the secretion amounts of VEGF were also increased(P<0 .01) .The relative VEGF mRNA levels were also raised by 1 .8 times and 2 times respectively (P< 0 .01);Western blot simultaneously showed that the over expression of PES1 could increase the expression of HIF-1αin these two kinds of cells .The luciferase report gene transcriptional activation activity de-tection reveald that PES1 had no direct effect on the VEGF transcription .After cotransfecting HIF-1αSiRNA and FLAG-PES1 to CAOV-3 and ES-2 cells ,Western blot demonstrated that HIF-1αSiRNA could obviously inhibit the increase of HIF-1αexpression induced by PES1 ,at the same time the secretion amounts of VEGF and mRNA level were also supressed .Conclusion The expres-sion of PES1 is obviously up-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues .