The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has stimulated tremendous efforts to develop therapeutic agents that target severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 to control viral infection. So far, a few small-molecule antiviral drugs, including nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid), remdesivir, and molnupiravir have been marketed for the treatment of COVID-19. Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir has been recommended by the World Health Organization as an early treatment for outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. However, the existing treatment options have limitations, and effective treatment strategies that are cost-effective and convenient for tackling COVID-19 are still needed. To date, four domestically developed oral anti-COVID-19 drugs have been granted conditional market approval in China. These drugs include azvudine, simnotrelvir-ritonavir (Xiannuoxin), leritrelvir, and mindeudesivir (VV116). Preclinical and clinical studies have explored the efficacy and tolerability of mindeudesivir and supported its early use in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases at high risk for progression. In this review, we discuss the most recent findings regarding the pharmacological mechanism and therapeutic effects focusing on mindeudesivir and other small-molecule antiviral agents for COVID-19. These findings will expand our understanding and highlight the potential widespread application of China's homegrown anti-COVID-19 drugs.
Humans ; Ritonavir/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19 ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; China ; Nitriles ; Lactams ; Proline ; Adenosine/analogs & derivatives* ; Leucine

Objective:To analyze the diagnostic and prognostic value of routine bone marrow examination in patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) based on PET-CT staging.Methods:Clinical data of 186 patients who received bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from 2013 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into bone marrow biopsy + bone marrow aspiration group ( n=186) and PET-CT + bone marrow biopsy group ( n=139). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were compared between two groups. The data were analyzed and plotted. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results:In the whole cohort, 45 patients were positive for bone marrow biopsy, and 30 of them were positive for bone marrow aspiration. A total of 141 patients who were negative for bone marrow biopsy also achieved negative results for bone marrow aspiration. A total of 139 patients completed PET-CT staging and bone marrow biopsy. And 30 patients were diagnosed with positive bone marrow by PET-CT, in which 22 of them were confirmed positive by bone marrow biopsy. Among 109 patients diagnosed with negative bone marrow by PET-CT, 5 of them were confirmed positive by bone marrow biopsy. All these cases were classified as stage Ⅳ due to distant metastases. PET-CT had a diagnostic sensitivity of 81.5%, a specificity of 92.9%, a positive predictive value of 73.3%, and a negative predictive value of 95.4%. Among early stage (Ⅰ-Ⅱ stage) patients diagnosed with PET-CT, all of them were negative for bone marrow biopsy (the negative predictive value was 100%). In stage Ⅳ patients ( n=55), the 1-year overall survival of patients with bone marrow involvement by bone marrow biopsy or PET-CT ( n=35) compared with their counterparts with the involvement of other organs ( n=20) was 28.7% vs.42.0% ( P=0.13), and 1-year progression free survival rates was 23.2% vs. 23.3% in ( P=0.94). Conclusions:Routine bone marrow biopsy does not change the original staging of patients with early stage ENKTCL based on PET-CT staging. Advanced stage patients with positive bone marrow biopsy tend to obtain worse prognosis, indicating that bone marrow biopsy still has certain value.

Background: and Purpose We investigated the causal relationships between the gut microbiota (GM), stroke, and potential metabolite mediators using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: We leveraged the summary statistics of GM (n=18,340 in the MiBioGen consortium), blood metabolites (n=115,078 in the UK Biobank), and stroke (cases n=60,176 and controls n=1,310,725 in the Global Biobank Meta-Analysis Initiative) from the largest genome-wide association studies to date. We performed bidirectional MR analyses to explore the causal relationships between the GM and stroke, and two mediation analyses, two-step MR and multivariable MR, to discover potential mediating metabolites. Results: Ten taxa were causally associated with stroke, and stroke led to changes in 27 taxa. In the two-step MR, Bifidobacteriales order, Bifidobacteriaceae family, Desulfovibrio genus, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), phospholipids in high-density lipoprotein (HDL_PL), and the ratio of apolipoprotein B to ApoA1 (ApoB/ApoA1) were causally associated with stroke (all P<0.044). The causal associations between Bifidobacteriales order, Bifidobacteriaceae family and stroke were validated using the weighted median method in an independent cohort. The three GM taxa were all positively associated with ApoA1 and HDL_PL, whereas Desulfovibrio genus was negatively associated with ApoB/ApoA1 (all P<0.010). Additionally, the causal associations between the three GM taxa and ApoA1 remained significant after correcting for the false discovery rate (all q-values <0.027). Multivariable MR showed that the associations between Bifidobacteriales order, Bifidobacteriaceae family and stroke were mediated by ApoA1 and HDL_PL, each accounting for 6.5% (P=0.028) and 4.6% (P=0.033); the association between Desulfovibrio genus and stroke was mediated by ApoA1, HDL_PL, and ApoB/ApoA1, with mediated proportions of 7.6% (P=0.019), 4.2% (P=0.035), and 9.1% (P=0.013), respectively. Conclusion The current MR study provides evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific GM taxa and stroke and potential mediating metabolites.

A new definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has recently been proposed. We aim to examine the associations of MAFLD, particularly its discordance from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with the progression of elevated brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and albuminuria in a community-based study sample in Shanghai, China. After 4.3 years of follow-up, 778 participants developed elevated baPWV and 499 developed albuminuria. In comparison with the non-MAFLD group, the multivariable adjusted odds ratio (OR) of MAFLD group for new-onset elevated baPWV was 1.25 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.55) and 1.35 (95% CI 1.07-1.70) for albuminuria. Participants without NAFLD but diagnosed according to MAFLD definition were associated with higher risk of incident albuminuria (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.07-2.94). Patients with MAFLD with high value of hepamet fibrosis score or poor-controlled diabetes had higher risk of elevated baPWV or albuminuria. In conclusion, MAFLD was associated with new-onset elevated baPWV and albuminuria independently of body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Individuals without NAFLD but diagnosed as MAFLD had high risk of albuminuria, supporting that MAFLD criteria would be practical for the evaluation of long-term risk of subclinical atherosclerosis among fatty liver patients.
Humans ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Albuminuria ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnosis* ; Vascular Stiffness ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVE: To report on the clinical characteristics of a family of short-rib polydactyly syndrome type III and its pathogenic variants. METHODS: Muscle samples from the the third fetus was collected after the induction of labor, and peripheral blood samples of its parents and grandparents were also collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the pedigree. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing of the family. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor a c.9819+1G>A variant and a c.4625C>A variant of the DYNC2H1 gene, which were respectively inherited from its mother and father. Sanger sequencing verified that the family has fit the autosomal recessive inheritance. CONCLUSION The c.9819+1G>A and c.4625C>A variants of the DYNC2H1 gene probably underlay the short-rib polydactyly syndrome type 3 in the proband.
Child ; Cytoplasmic Dyneins/genetics* ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Ribs ; Short Rib-Polydactyly Syndrome/genetics*

Objective:To evaluate the post-marketing safety and immunogenicity of a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23).Methods:From September 2020 to June 2021, a clinical trial of single-dose PPV23 was conducted in people ≥3 years old in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Guizhou, Hunan and Fujian provinces. Blood samples were collects from the subjects before and 30 d after vaccination. ELISA was used to quantitatively detect IgG antibodies against capsular polysaccharides of 23 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in serum samples. The adverse events (AEs) were monitored within 7 d after vaccination. Results:A total of 409 subjects were enrolled and included in safety analysis. Except for one with antibody level inversion, the other 408 participants were included in immunogenicity analysis. The levels of antibodies against the 23 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes were all increased after vaccination by an average of 4.24 folds. The two-fold growth rates of the antibodies ranged from 51.72% to 96.81% with a total two-fold growth rate of 78.59%. The overall rate of AEs was 27.14% (111/409). Local AEs were mainly pain, induration, redness and swollen. No serious adverse events related to vaccination occurred. Conclusions:This study preliminarily demonstrated the good immunogenicity and safety of PPV23 vaccine.

OBJECTIVE：To establish th e fingerp rint and c onduct cluster analysis of Hefu zhiyang decoction （HFZYD），and establish the method for content determination of 8 components，so as to provide reference for the quality control of HFZYD. METHODS：UPLC method was adopted. The determination was performed on ACQUITY UPLC BEH C 18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile- 0.1％ glacial acetic acid solution （gradient elution ）at the flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The column temperature maintained at 30 ℃，and detection wavelength was 236 nm. The sample size was 5 μL. The fingerprint of 10 batches of HFZYD was established with Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Chromatographic Fingerprints （2012 edition）. Compared with substance control ，the common peaks were identified. The similarity evaluation was conducted. SPSS 21.0 software was used to conduct cluster analysis of 10 batches of samples. The contents of 8 components such as gallic acid in 10 batches of samples were determined by above UPLC. RESULTS ：There were 34 common peaks in the UPLC fingerprint of 10 batches of HFZYD ， identified as peak 1 was gallic acid ，peak 10 was ferulic acid ，peak 13 was astilbin ，peak 23 was paeonol ，peak 28 was dictamnine，peak 31 was obacunone ，peak 32 was fraxinellone ，and peak 34 was osthole. Its similarity with the control fingerprint was 0.923-0.979. Among 10 batches of samples ，S1，S2，S5，S6，S7，S8 and S 10 were clustered into one category ，and S 3，S4 and S 9 were clustered into one category. The average contents of above 8 components were 0.596-0.714，0.262-0.321，7.647-9.859， 0.113-0.644，0.170-0.202，0.854-1.281，0.631-0.857，3.243-3.548 mg/g，respectively. CONCLUSIONS ：UPLC fingerprint and the method for content determination of 8 components in HFZYD are established successfully.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of radiotherapy in the treatment of extracranial metastatic breast cancer, and to investigate the significance and prognostic factors of whole-lesion radiotherapy (WLRT).Methods:Clinical data of 85 patients with extracranial metastatic breast cancer treated with radiotherapy between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-six patients were assigned into the WLRT group and 49 in the non-WLRT group. The local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan- Meier method, log-rank test and univariate prognostic analysis. Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis. Results:The median follow-up time was 26.7 months. The 2-year LC, PFS, OS rates were 77%, 26%, 77%, respectively. The 2-year LC (91% vs. 67%, P=0.001), PFS (47% vs. 8%, P<0.001), OS rates (84% vs. 71%, P=0.010) in the WLRT group were significantly higher than those in the non-WLRT group, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that WLRT was an independent favorable prognostic factor for the LC, PFS and OS. Furthermore, bone metastasis alone was associated with improved LC and positive hormone receptor status was correlated with improved OS. Conclusions:WLRT has the potential to prolong the survival of patients with extracranial metastatic breast cancer. The patients with bone metastases alone obtain better LC, whereas those with negative hormone receptor status has worse OS.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated radiotherapy for lung metastases (LMs).Methods:From March 2007 to April 2019, 193 patients with 317 LMs including 124 male and 69 female admitted to our hospital were enrolled. The median age was 58 years old and the median KPS was 80. The primary tumors were mainly distributed in the lung (33.7%), colorectum (21.2%), head and neck (13.5%) and breast (10.9%), respectively. The clinical efficacy and side effects of hypofractionated radiotherapy for LMs were evaluated.Results:The median follow-up time was 59.9 months (95% CI: 55.1-64.6 months). Among 193 patients with 317 LMs, 90.7% of them were treated with 4D-CT, 69.4% for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), 28.0% for volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and 2.6% for tomotherapy (TOMO), respectively. The median gross tumor volume (GTV) and planning target volume (PTV) were 5.0 cm 3(0.2-142.3 cm 3) and 12.0 cm 3(1.0-200.1 cm 3). The prescription dose regimen was 60 Gy in 4 to 15 fractions. The median dose for PTV was 60 Gy (45-70 Gy) and biological effective dose was 96 Gy (60-150 Gy), respectively. The 1-, 3-and 5-year local control rates (LCR) were 95.7%, 91.3% and 89.9%, respectively. The median time from primary cancer diagnosis to lung metastases was a prognostic factor for LCR ( P=0.027). The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 90.1%, 60.8%, 46.2%, and 54.3%, 30.3%, 19.9%, respectively. The median time from primary cancer diagnosis to lung metastases and extrapulmonary metastases was the prognostic factor for OS and PFS. No Grade 3 toxicities were seen. Conclusion:Image-guided hypofractionated precision radiotherapy is an efficacious and safe treatment for LMs.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of comprehensive treatment based on radiotherapy for patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM) in this prospective study.Methods:A total of 93 patients diagnosed with LM admitted to our hospital undergoing whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or craniospinal irradiation (CSI) with or without simultaneous boost from 2014 to 2017 were enrolled. The dynamic changes of clinical signs and symptoms, enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid cytology and liquid biopsy detection were recorded. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), the secondary endpoints were local control (LC), intracranial progress-free survival (IPFS), brain metastasis specific survival (BMSS) and toxicity.Results:The major primary disease was non-small cell lung cancer. The whole cohort received WBRT with boost (40 Gy in 20 fractions (f) for WBRT and 60 Gy in 20 f for boost), focal radiation to LM, WBRT and CSI (40 Gy in 20 f or 50 Gy in 25 f for WBRT and 36 Gy in 20 f for CSI). For 20 patients, tumor cells were identified and intrathecal chemotherapy was performed. Sixty-three patients received target therapy. The median follow-up time was 33.8 months. The 1-year OS, LC and IPFS was 62.4%, 77.2% and 52.6%, respectively. The median survival time was 15.9 months, and the median BMSS was 42.2 months. Treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events were rare and only 8 cases was observed to have grade 3 hematological toxicity.Conclusion:Reasonable comprehensive treatment including precise radiotherapy, intrathecal chemotherapy and targeted therapy can be well tolerated and prolong the survival time of LM patients.