OBJECTIVE To study the pharmacokinetic changes in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of bronchial asthma model rats after the complication of Ephedra sinica and Prunus armeniaca. METHODS SD male rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， E. sinica group （12 g/kg， calculated by raw drug， similarly hereinafter）， P. armeniaca group （6 g/kg） and E. sinica-P. armeniaca drug-pair group （12 g/kg of E. sinica+6 g/kg of P. armeniaca）， with 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， the bronchial asthma model was induced by spraying rats in each group with an equal volume mixture of 2% acetylcholine chloride and 0.4% histamine phosphate， once a day， for 7 d. One hour before modeling every time， rats in each group were gavaged with the corresponding drug/normal saline， once a day， for 7 d. After the final administration and provocation of asthma， blood and cerebrospinal fluid collection were performed at different time points. The plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples were pre-treated （with geranylgeranyl as the internal standard）， and the mass concentrations of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine， methyl ephedrine and amygdalin in both samples were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. DAS 2.0 pharmacokinetic software was used to determine the main pharmacokinetic parameters through the non-atrial chamber model and to compare the changes of the pharmacokinetic parameters before and after the combination of the two drugs. RESULTS Compared with E. sinica group， cmax and AUC0-21.33 h （or AUC0-10.67 h） of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine and methyl ephedrine in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of rats were significantly reduced in E. sinica-P. armeniaca drug-pair group， while CLZ/F and VZ/F were significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； tmax of methyl ephedrine in the cerebrospinal fluid was significantly shortened （P＜ 0.05）.Compared with P. armeniaca group， the t1/2 of amygdalin in the plasma of rats in E. sinica-P. armeniaca drug-pair group was significantly shortened， and CLZ/F was significantly increased （P＜0.01）； the tmax of bitter amygdalin in the cerebrospinal fluid was significantly shortened， and the AUC0-10.67 h， CLZ/F， and VZ/F were significantly increased （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS The combination of E. sinica and P. armeniaca accelerates the absorption and elimination of ephedra alkaloids， thus reducing the accumulation of ephedra alkaloids in the bronchial asthma model rats.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (Tim-3) on the surface of T cells in patients with brucellosis (Bm), as well as the expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in serum, and to analyze the differential expression of these indicators in patients with acute and chronic brucellosis, in order to provide new approaches for the differential diagnosis of acute and chronic brucellosis. Methods A total of 56 patients diagnosed with brucellosis at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from April 2023 to September 2023 were selected, including 31 patients in the acute phase and 25 patients in the chronic phase. Additionally, 35 healthy individuals underwent routine physical examinations within the same period served as healthy controls. Flow cytometry was used to detect and compare Tim-3 levels on the CD4+ T cells' surface among the groups. Levels of serum IL-10 and TGF-β were measured and compared using CBA and ELISA, respectively, and the relationship of these factors with the staging of brucellosis patients was analyzed. Results The proportions of Tim-3+CD3+CD4+T cells in the control group, acute group, and chronic group were (2.56±1.25)%, (5.14±1.98)%, and (13.66±2.66)%, respectively. The Tim-3 levels in the patients with brucellosis were higher than those in the healthy control group, with the chronic group showing even higher levels, and these differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of IL-10 and TGF in the patient group were higher than those in the healthy control group, with the chronic group exhibiting significantly higher levels of IL-10 and TGF-β than the acute group, also presenting statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The areas under the ROC curve for predicting chronic brucellosis with Tim-3, IL-10, and TGF-β scores were 0.876, 0.865, and 0.663, respectively. Conclusions There are certain differences in the expression of Tim-3, serum IL-10, and TGF-β among patients with brucellosis, with high expression indicating a potential transition to the chronic phase of the disease. Tim-3 has shown the best diagnostic performance. Therefore, as a diagnostic indicator, Tim-3 may provide new ideas and strategies for the treatment and differential diagnosis of brucellosis.

Background/Aims: Four-week treatment of linvencorvir (RO7049389) was generally safe and well tolerated, and showed anti-viral activity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. This study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of 48-week treatment with linvencorvir plus standard of care (SoC) in CHB patients. Methods: This was a multicentre, non-randomized, non-controlled, open-label phase 2 study enrolling three cohorts: nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC)-suppressed patients received linvencorvir plus NUC (Cohort A, n=32); treatment-naïve patients received linvencorvir plus NUC without (Cohort B, n=10) or with (Cohort C, n=30) pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFN-α). Treatment duration was 48 weeks, followed by NUC alone for 24 weeks. Results: 68 patients completed the study. No patient achieved functional cure (sustained HBsAg loss and unquantifiable HBV DNA). By Week 48, 89% of treatment-naïve patients (10/10 Cohort B; 24/28 Cohort C) reached unquantifiable HBV DNA. Unquantifiable HBV RNA was achieved in 92% of patients with quantifiable baseline HBV RNA (14/15 Cohort A, 8/8 Cohort B, 22/25 Cohort C) at Week 48 along with partially sustained HBV RNA responses in treatment-naïve patients during follow-up period. Pronounced reductions in HBeAg and HBcrAg were observed in treatment-naïve patients, while HBsAg decline was only observed in Cohort C. Most adverse events were grade 1–2, and no linvencorvir-related serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions 48-week linvencorvir plus SoC was generally safe and well tolerated, and resulted in potent HBV DNA and RNA suppression. However, 48-week linvencorvir plus NUC with or without Peg-IFN did not result in the achievement of functional cure in any patient.

Objective     To investigate the risk factors for postoperative complications Clavien-Dindo classification≥grade Ⅱ after lung cancer surgery. Methods     The patients who underwent lung cancer surgery in a multicenter observational study from November 2017 to January 2020 were included. The Clavien-Dindo classification of postoperative complications was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for complications≥ gradeⅡ. Results     A total of 388 patients were enrolled, including 203 males and 185 females with a mean age of 56.14±10.36 years. The incidence of postoperative complications was 25.52% (99/388) after lung cancer surgery and the incidence of complications≥gradeⅡ was 20.10% (78/388). The five most common postoperative complications were pneumonia (6.96%), prolonged pulmonary air leak (>7 days, 5.67%), incision dehiscence (4.64%), arrhythmia (3.87%), and postoperative pleural effusion (3.35%). Multivariate analysis showed that open surgery [reference: uniportal thoracoscopic surgery, OR=2.18, 95%CI (1.01, 4.70), P=0.047], extended resection [reference: sublobar resection, OR=2.86, 95%CI (1.11, 7.19), P=0.030; reference: lobectomy, OR=2.20, 95%CI (1.10, 4.40), P=0.026] and operative time≥3 h [OR=2.07, 95%CI (1.12, 3.85), P=0.021] were independent risk factors for postoperative complications≥gradeⅡ after lung cancer surgery. Conclusion     Surgical approach, extent of resection and operative time are independent influencing factors for postoperative complications≥gradeⅡ after lung cancer surgery.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of peripheral monocyte and neutrophil count in predicting the response of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) to immunosuppressive checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).Methods:The clinical data of 34 adult mNSCLC patients who received nafulizumab or pabolizumab in Danzhou People's Hospital of Hainan Province from January 2017 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation of the demographic characteristics, clinical data, hematological examination results in the first two weeks before the treatment and two weeks after ICI treatment with prognosis was recorded and observed.Results:The baseline mean monocyte count [(0.52±0.09)×10 9/L vs. (0.60±0.12)×10 9/L] and neutrophil count [(4.27±0.87)×10 9/L vs.(5.39±1.02)×10 9/L] of patients with ICI reaction were lower than those of patients without ICI reaction, and the differences were statistically different ( t = -2.572, -2.727, all P < 0.05). However, there was a negative correlation between the monocyte count of the patients who responded to ICI and the reaction time ( r = -0.507, P < 0.05). The median reaction time in patients with monocyte count >0.70×10 9/L was shorter than that in patients with monocyte count ≤0.70×10 9/L (8 weeks vs. 12 weeks, χ2=4.162, P = 0.041). There was no correlation between monocyte count and time of reaction duration, progression of free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) ( r = -0.214, 0.182, 0.232, all P > 0.05). The decrease rate of neutrophil count in response group was higher than that in non-response group (22% vs. 2%, P < 0.05). After the first administration, cutoff value of neutrophil count was 4.2×10 9/L; the response rate of patients with neutrophil count ≤ 4.2×10 9/L was higher than that of patients with neutrophil count > 4.2×10 9/L [86.7% (13/15) vs. 36.8% (7/19), χ2=6.657, P < 0.05]. Conclusion:Peripheral blood monocyte and neutrophil count can predict the response to ICI therapy in patients with mNSCLC.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the patients with nocardiosis.Methods:From January 2013 to July 2019, 44 patients with nocardiosis in Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University in Shanghai were enrolled, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, including baseline characteristics, clinical manifestations, underlying diseases history of glucocorticoid therapy, laboratory data (blood routine examination, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, lymphocytes subsets, etc.), imaging changes, bacterial strain identification, treatment regimens and outcomes. According to the locations of infection, patients were divided into pulmonary nocardiosis, extrapulmonary single-organ nocardiosis and disseminated nocardiosis. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison among multiple groups. Results:Among the 44 cases of nocardiosis, 14 cases were pulmonary nocardiosis, 17 cases were extrapulmonary single-organ nocardiosis (including nine cases with central nervous system infection, six cases with skin and soft tissue infection, one case with abdominal abscess and one case with urinary tract infection) and 13 cases were disseminated nocardiosis (including four cases with bloodstream infection, six cases with central nervous system and lung or skin and soft tissue infection, three cases of lung and skin and soft tissue infection). Thirty-four cases had underlying diseases, and 27 cases received glucocorticoid or immunosuppressant treatment. The main symptom of 11 patients in pulmonary nocardiosis group was productive cough, while that of the patients in other two groups was fever. Nocardia species were mainly Nocardia brasiliensis, Nocardia nova and Nocardia farcinicaia. The white blood cell counts and neutrophils proportion were normal or slightly increased in 42 cases, and the platelets were normal or slightly decreased in 41 cases. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate increased in 19 cases, procalcitonin increased in 21 cases, C-reactive protein increased in 34 cases, and ferritin increased in 18 cases. A total of 34 patients were tested for lymphocyte subsets, of which 15 had CD4 + T lymphocytes decreased, 14 had CD8 + T lymphocytes increased, seven had B lymphocytes increased, seven had B lymphocytes decreased, and eight had natural killer cells decreased. The hemoglobin of patients with pulmonary nocardiosis was higher than that of patients with extrapulmonary infection, and the difference was statistically significant ( U=0.095, P=0.025). The imaging manifestations were mainly abscess and inflammatory exudation. Forty cases were cured or improved, one case was still on treatment, and three cases died. Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of nocardiosis involving various organs are non-specific. Standardized treatment could reduce the mortality of nocardiosis.

Objective:To investigate high mobility group protein 1(HMGB1), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels and their clinical significance in elderly patients with viral pneumonia.Methods:One hundred and sixty elderly patients with viral pneumonia admitted to the Sixth Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University were enrolled as research subjects.In addition, 40 elderly people who underwent regular physical examination were considered as the control group.Patients with viral pneumonia were divided into the low-risk group, middle-risk group and high-risk group according to CURB-65 scores and pneumonia severity index(PSI)scores.HMGB1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were compared between different groups.The correlations of CURB-65 scores and PSI scores with HMGB1, TNF-α, IL-6 levels were analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to examine influencing factors for the severity of viral pneumonia in elderly patients.Results:HMGB1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were higher in research subjects than in the control group.As the severity of viral pneumonia increased, so did HMGB1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels(all P<0.05). HMGB1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the severe viral pneumonia group were significantly higher than those in the non-severe viral pneumonia group( P<0.05). HMGB1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were positively correlated with CURB-65 scores and PSI scores(CURB-65 score: r=0.463, 0.392 and 0.497, P=0.015, 0.003 and 0.025; PSI score: r=0.596, 0.515 and 0.381, P=0.007, 0.011 and 0.009). HMGB1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were influencing factors for the severity of viral pneumonia in elderly patients( OR=1.344, 1.422 and 1.351, P=0.006, 0.015 and 0.009). Conclusions:HMGB1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels are closely correlated with the severity of viral pneumonia and are helpful for early assessment of viral pneumonia.

Objective:This paper aims to analyze the status of academic loyalty for authors of the nursing Sci-Tech periodicals, and to explore the corresponding training strategies.Methods:Academic loyalty for authors of the nursing Sci-Tech periodicals was surveyed by general information questionnaire and academic loyalty scale.The survey was conducted both online and onsite.Results:The score index of academic loyalty for authors of the nursing Sci-Tech periodicals is 79.43%, and the total score is 43.13±7.47.The scoring indicators of academic loyalty scale from low to high are academic ideal, academic effort and academic identity.Conclusions:The academic loyalty for authors of the nursing Sci-Tech periodicals is at a higher medium level. In order to improve the academic loyalty, we should establish scientific academic core values, respect academic ethics and norms, actively participate in academic activities, strengthen on-going professional knowledge learning, being accountable and responsible, nurture and cultivate academic spirit.

Objective: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is seldom achieved with nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients but may be enhanced by switching to finite pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN) alfa-2a. We assessed HBsAg loss with 48- and 96-week Peg-IFN alfa-2a in chronic hepatitis B patients with partial response to a previous NA. Methods: Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients who achieved HBeAg loss and hepatitis B virus DNA < 200 IU/mL with previous adefovir, lamivudine or entecavir treatment were randomized 1:1 to receive Peg-IFN alfa-2a for 48 (n = 153) or 96 weeks (n = 150). The primary endpoint of this study was HBsAg loss at end of treatment. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT01464281. Results: At the end of 48 and 96 weeks' treatment, 14.4% (22/153) and 20.7% (31/150) of patients, respectively, who switched from NA to Peg-IFN alfa-2a cleared HBsAg. Rates were similar irrespective of prior NA or baseline HBeAg seroconversion. Among those who cleared HBsAg by the end of 48 and 96 weeks' treatment, 77.8% (14/18) and 71.4% (20/28), respectively, sustained HBsAg loss for a further 48 weeks. Baseline HBsAg < 1 500 IU/mL and week 24 HBsAg < 200 IU/mL were associated with the highest rates of HBsAg loss at the end of both 48- and 96-week treatment (51.4% and 58.7%, respectively). Importantly, extending treatment from 48 to 96 weeks enabled 48.3% (14/29) more patients to achieve HBsAg loss. Conclusion Patients on long-term NA who are unlikely to meet therapeutic goals can achieve high rates of HBsAg loss by switching to Peg-IFN alfa-2a. HBsAg loss rates may be improved for some patients by extending treatment from 48 to 96 weeks, although the differences in our study cohort were not statistically significant. Baseline and on-treatment HBsAg may predict HBsAg loss with Peg-IFN alfa-2a.

Objective To compare the detection performance of the modified serum test (TRUST) method and the traditional method in syphilis screening.Methods A series of TRUST high titer syphilis serum was diluted,and the positive rate of each method was calculated by using the improved method and the traditional method.Comparison of two detection methods of C50,C5 ～ C95 interval,as well as the accuracy of the density curve,and the consistency of the two methods were compared,and diagnostic performance were compared.Results The improved method of C50 was less than the traditional method of C50,and the improved method of C5 ～ C95 range was narrower than the traditional method,compared with the traditional method.The improved method of the non precision density curve was steeper than the traditional method,and the two confidence interval of the consistency degree of the 95％ methods was 73.4％ to 95.8％.The diagnostic sensitivity (SEN),diagnostic specificity (SPE),positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic efficiency(DF) of the improved method were 64.29 ％,99.1％,85.71％,97.05 ％ and 96.39 ％,respectively.The SEN,SPE,PPV,NPV and DF of the traditional methods were 3.75 ％,98.49 ％,75 ％,96.18 ％ and 95 ％,respectively.The improved method was superior to the traditional methods in the two aspects of SEN and PPV (x2 =8.25,10.03,all P＜0.05),with the statistically significant difference.The improved method was slightly higher than the traditional method in SPE,NPV and DF (x2 =2.39,3.45,4.03,all P＞0.05),with the no statistically significant difference.Conclusion The precision,diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity of the improved method was higher than that of the traditional method,and it can be applied to the detection of large batch samples with the aid of the full automatic enzyme immunoassay instrument.The improved method can be used to replace the traditional method for syphilis screening.