COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.

This study aimed to provide scientific evidence for predicting quality markers(Q-markers) of Elephantopus scaber by establishing UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber from different geographical origins and determining the content of 13 major components, as well as conducting in vitro anti-cancer activity investigation of the main components. The chromatographic column used was Waters CORTECS UPLC C_(18)(2.1 mm×150 mm, 1.6 μm), and the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid solution(gradient elution). The column temperature was set at 30 ℃, and the flow rate was 0.2 mL·min~(-1). The injection volume was 1 μL, and the detection wavelength was 240 nm. The UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber was fitted using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine(2012 edition) to determine common peaks, evaluate similarity, identify and determine the content of major components. The CCK-8 assay was used to explore the inhibitory effect of the main components on the proliferation of lung cancer cells. The results showed that in the established UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber, 35 common peaks were identified. Thirteen major components, including neochlorogenic acid(peak 1), chlorogenic acid(peak 2), cryptochlorogenic acid(peak 3), caffeic acid(peak 4), schaftoside(peak 6), galuteolin(peak 9), isochlorogenic acid B(peak 10), isochlorogenic acid A(peak 12), isochlorogenic acid C(peak 18), deoxyelephantopin(peak 28), isodeoxyelephantopin(peak 29), isoscabertopin(peak 31), and scabertopin(peak 32) were identified and quantified, and a quantitative analysis method was established. The results of the in vitro anti-cancer activity study showed that deoxyelephantopin, isodeoxyelephantopin, isoscabertopin, and scabertopin in E. scaber exhibited inhibition rates of lung cancer cell proliferation exceeding 80% at a concentration of 10 μmol·L~(-1), higher than the positive drug paclitaxel. These results indicate that the fingerprint of E. scaber is highly characteristic, and the quantitative analysis method is accurate and stable, providing references for the research on quality standards of E. scaber. Four sesquiterpene lactones in E. scaber show significant anti-cancer activity and can serve as Q-markers for E. scaber.
Humans ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Asteraceae/chemistry* ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy*

Objective To analyze the genetic subtypes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the prevalence of pretreatment drug resistance in the newly reported HIV-infected men in Guangxi. Methods The stratified random sampling method was employed to select the newly reported HIV-infected men aged≥50 years old in 14 cities of Guangxi from January to June in 2020.The pol gene of HIV-1 was amplified by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and then sequenced.The mutation sites associated with drug resistance and the degree of drug resistance were then analyzed. Results A total of 615 HIV-infected men were included in the study.The genetic subtypes of CRF01_AE,CRF07_BC,and CRF08_BC accounted for 57.4% (353/615),17.1% (105/615),and 22.4% (138/615),respectively.The mutations associated with the resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI),non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI),and protease inhibitors occurred in 8 (1.3%),18 (2.9%),and 0 patients,respectively.M184V (0.7%) and K103N (1.8%) were the mutations with the highest occurrence rates for the resistance to NRTIs and NNRTIs,respectively.Twenty-two (3.6%) patients were resistant to at least one type of inhibitors.Specifically,4 (0.7%),14 (2.3%),4 (0.7%),and 0 patients were resistant to NRTIs,NNRTIs,both NRTIs and NNRTIs,and protease inhibitors,respectively.The pretreatment resistance to NNRTIs had much higher frequency than that to NRTIs (2.9% vs.1.3%;χ²=3.929,P=0.047).The prevalence of pretreatment resistance to lamivudine,zidovudine,tenofovir,abacavir,rilpivirine,efavirenz,nevirapine,and lopinavir/ritonavir was 0.8%, 0.3%, 0.7%, 1.0%, 1.3%, 2.8%, 2.9%, and 0, respectively. Conclusions CRF01_AE,CRF07_BC,and CRF08_BC are the three major strains of HIV-infected men≥50 years old newly reported in Guangxi,2020,and the pretreatment drug resistance demonstrates low prevalence.
Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; Mutation ; HIV-1/genetics* ; Protease Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Genotype

OBJECTIVE: To investigate early clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy technique for the treatment of lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases. METHODS: Fourteen patients with lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases were treated with unilateral biportal endoscopy technique from June 2019 to June 2020. Among them, there were 9 males and 5 females, aged from 52 to 73 years old, and the interval between primary and revision operations ranged from 19 to 64 months. Adjacent segmental degeneration occurred after lumbar fusion in 10 patients and after lumbar nonfusion fixation in 4 patients. All the patients received unilateral biportal endoscopy assisted posterior unilateral lamina decompression or unilateral approach to the contralateral decompression. The operation time, postoperative hospital stay and complications were observed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of low back pain and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score were recorded before operation and at 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months after operation. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed. Surgical duration ranged from 32 to 151 min. Postoperative CT showed adequate decompression and preservation of most joints. Out of bed walking 1 to 3 days after surgery, postoperative hospital stay was 1 to 8 days, and postoperative follow-up was 6 to 11 months. All 14 patients returned to normal life within 3 weeks after surgery, and VAS, ODI, and mJOA scores improved significantly at 3 days and 3, 6 months after surgery. One patient occurred cerebrospinal fluid leak after operation, received local compression suture, and the wound healed after conservative treatment. One patient occurred postoperative cauda equina neurologic deficit, which was gradually recovered about 1 month after rehabilitation therapy. One patients advented transient pain of lower limbs after surgery, and the symptoms were relieved after 7 days of treatment with hormones, dehydration drugs and symptomatic management. CONCLUSION Unilateral biportal endoscopy technique has a good early clinical efficacy in the treatment of lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases, which may provide a new minimally invasive, non-fixation option for the treatment of adjacent segment disease.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Retrospective Studies

Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Transplantation, Autologous

Objective: To analyze HIV transmission hotspots and characteristics of cross-regional transmission in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region (Guangxi) based on the molecular network analysis, and provide evidence for optimization of precise AIDS prevention and control strategies. Methods: A total of 5 996 HIV pol sequences sampled from Guangxi between 1997 and 2020 were analyzed together with 165 534 published HIV pol sequences sampled from other regions. HIV-TRACE was used to construct molecular network in a pairwise genetic distance threshold of 0.5%. Results: The proportion of HIV sequences entering the molecular network of HIV transmission hotspots in Guangxi was 31.5% (1 886/5 996). In the molecular network of HIV cross-regional transmission, the links within Guangxi accounted for 51.6% (2 613/5 062), the links between Guangxi and other provinces in China accounted for 48.0% (2 430/5 062), and the links between Guangxi and other countries accounted for 0.4% (19/5 062). The main regions which had cross-regional linked with Guangxi were Guangdong (49.5%, 1 212/2 449), Beijing (17.5%, 430/2 449), Shanghai (6.9%, 168/2 449), Sichuan (5.7%, 140/2 449), Yunnan (4.2%, 102/2 449), Shaanxi (3.8%, 93/2 449), Zhejiang (2.8%, 69/2 449), Hainan (2.0%, 49/2 449), Anhui (1.5%, 37/2 449), Jiangsu (1.3%, 33/2 449), and other regions (each one <1.0%), respectively. The risk factors of entering the molecular network of HIV transmission hotspots in Guangxi included being aged ≥50 years (compared with being aged 25-49 years, aOR=1.68,95%CI:1.46-1.95), males (compared with females, aOR=1.21,95%CI:1.05-1.40), being single (compared with being married, aOR=1.18,95%CI:1.00-1.39), having education level of high school or above (compared with having education level of junior high school or below, aOR=1.21,95%CI:1.04-1.42), acquired HIV through homosexual intercourse (compared with acquired with HIV through heterosexual intercourse, aOR=1.77, 95%CI:1.48-2.12). The risk factors of cross-regional transmission included males (compared with females, aOR=1.74,95%CI:1.13-2.75), having education level of high school or above (compared with having education level of junior high school or below, aOR=1.96,95%CI:1.43-2.69), being freelancer/unemployed/retired (compared with being farmers, aOR=1.50,95%CI:1.07-2.11), acquired HIV through homosexual intercourse (compared with acquired with HIV through heterosexual intercourse, aOR=3.28,95%CI:2.30-4.72). Conclusion: There are HIV transmission hotspots in Guangxi. Guangxi and other provinces in China form a complex cross-regional transmission network. Future studies should carry out social network surveys in high-risk populations inferred from the molecular network analysis for the timely identification of hidden transmission chains and reduction of the second-generation transmission of HIV.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Hotspot ; Female ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; Heterosexuality ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK Ⅱ) in pancreatic tissues of mice with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and explore the protective effect of KN93, a CaMK Ⅱ inhibitor, against pancreatic injury in SAP and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-six healthy male C57 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, SAP group, KN93 group and SAP + KN93 group (n=9). Serum and pancreatic tissue samples were collected 24 h after modeling. The pathological changes in the pancreatic tissues were observed using HE staining. Serum lipase and amylase activities and the levels of inflammatory factors were detected using ELISA. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of CaMK Ⅱ, p-CaMK Ⅱ, p-NF-κB, MAPK and p-MAPK in mouse pancreas. RESULTS: Compared with those in sham operation group, the expressions of p-CaMK Ⅱ, p-NF-κB and p-MAPK were significantly increased in SAP group (P < 0.05). KN93 treatment obviously alleviated pathological injuries of the pancreas in SAP mice, and significantly lowered serum levels of lipase, amylase and inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) and phosphorylation levels of NF-κB, ERK and MAPK proteins (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The activity of CaMK Ⅱ is significantly increased in the pancreatic tissue of SAP mice. KN93 can alleviate pancreatic injury and inflammation in SAP mice possibly through the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.
Acute Disease ; Animals ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Pancreas/pathology* ; Pancreatitis/pathology*

Objective: The relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and glycemic indices, including plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postload glucose (2h-PG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), remains inconclusive. We aimed to explore the associations between glycemic indices and SUA levels in the general Chinese population. Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional analysis using the first follow-up survey data from The China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort Study. A total of 105,922 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 40 years underwent the oral glucose tolerance test and uric acid assessment. The nonlinear relationships between glycemic indices and SUA levels were explored using generalized additive models. Results: A total of 30,941 men and 62,361 women were eligible for the current analysis. Generalized additive models verified the inverted U-shaped association between glycemic indices and SUA levels, but with different inflection points in men and women. The thresholds for FPG, 2h-PG, and HbA1c for men and women were 6.5/8.0 mmol/L, 11.0/14.0 mmol/L, and 6.1/6.5, respectively (SUA levels increased with increasing glycemic indices before the inflection points and then eventually decreased with further increases in the glycemic indices). Conclusion An inverted U-shaped association was observed between major glycemic indices and uric acid levels in both sexes, while the inflection points were reached earlier in men than in women.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Glucose/analysis* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus/blood* ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glycated Hemoglobin A/analysis* ; Glycemic Index ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Uric Acid/blood*

Objective:To observe the effect of Jianpi Xiaoai prescription on long non-coding RNA Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA （lncRNA HOTAIR）/Janus kinase 2 （JAK2） /signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway and to explore the potential mechanism of Jianpi Xiaoai prescription in suppressing the metastasis of colon cancer. Method:The expression of lncRNA HOTAIR in different cells was analyzed. Following the treatment of HCT116 cells with 10%，15%，and 20% Jianpi Xiaoai prescription -containing serum， the invasive ability of Jianpi Xiaoai prescription on HCT116 cells was assessed by transwell assay. The mRNA expression levels of lncRNA HOTAIR，JAK2，and STAT3 were measured by Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the protein expression levels of JAK2， phosphorylated STAT3 （p-STAT3） and STAT3 by Western blot. Result:The highest expression of lncRNA HOTAIR was detected in HCT116 cells. Compared with the blank group， each Jianpi Xiaoai prescription group exhibited a decreased number of invasive cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The relative JAK2 mRNA expression in the middle-dose Jianpi Xiaoai prescription group was down-regulated （P<0.05）， and the relative lncRNA HOTAIR mRNA expression in the middle- and high-dose Jianpi Xiaoai prescription groups and the relative JAK2 mRNA expression in the high-dose Jianpi Xiaoai prescription group were remarkably down-regulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group，the relative p-STAT3 protein expression was down-regulated in the middle-dose Jianpi Xiaoai prescription group （P<0.05）， and the relative JAK2 protein expression in the middle- and high-dose Jianpi Xiaoai prescription groups and the relative p-STAT3 protein expression in the high-dose Jianpi Xiaoai prescription group were remarkably down-regulated （P<0.01）. Conclusion:Jianpi Xiaoai prescription effectively inhibits the metastasis of colon cancer cells， which may be related to the inhibition of lncRNA HOTAIR/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a preoperative evaluation system for partial nephrectomy using CT three-dimensional visualization technology and to explore its practical value. METHODS: The clinical data of the patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for renal tumors in Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital were collected retrospectively. At the same time, the homogenized standard data of patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for renal tumors were collected in 16 clinical centers in China. The CT three-dimensional visualization system was applied (IPS system, Yorktal) to evaluate tumor anatomy, blood supply, perirenal fat and other information. The parameters were summarized to build a three-dimensional nephrometry system, on the basis of which virtual surgery design and intraoperative navigation were completed. RESULTS: A three-dimensional visualization image was established based on the enhanced CT urography. The nephrometry system included the longest diameter and volume of the tumor, proportion volume of tumor invading the parenchyma, maximum depth of the tumor invading the parenchyma, contact surface area, flatness of the tumor surface, renal segment where the tumor was located, vascular variation, and perirenal fat. The average two-dimensional diameter of the tumor was (2.78±1.43) cm, the average three-dimensional maximum diameter was (3.09±1.35) cm, and the average postoperative pathological size was (3.01±1.38) cm. The maximum tumor diameter in the three-dimensional image was significantly related to the prolonged renal artery clamping time and intra-operative blood loss (r=0.502, P=0.020; r=0.403, P=0.046). The three-dimensional and pathological tumor volume were (25.7±48.4) cm³ and (33.0±36.4) cm³, respectively (P=0.229). The tumor volume was significantly related to the intraoperative blood loss (r=0.660, P < 0.001). The proportion volume of the tumor invading into renal parenchyma was significantly related to the prolongation of renal artery clamping and the occurrence of postoperative complications (r=0.410, P=0.041; r=0.587, P=0.005). The tumor contact surface area and the presence of vascular variation did not show correlation with the perioperative data and postoperative complications. While the preoperative evaluation was completed, the reconstructed three-dimensional image could be zoomed, rotated, combined display, color adjustment, transparency, and simulated cutting on the Touch Viewer system. The process generally consisted of showing or hiding the tissue, adjusting the transparency of the interested area, rotating and zooming the image to match the position of the surgical patient. Together, these functions met the requirements of preoperative virtual surgery plan and intraoperative auxiliary navigation. CONCLUSION Three-dimensional images can provide a more intuitive anatomical structure. The CT three-dimensional visua-lization system clearly displays tumor anatomical parameters, blood supply and perirenal fat. The three-dimensional nephrometry system for renal tumors can help predict the difficulty of partial nephrectomy and perioperative complications. Importing the reconstructed three-dimensional visualization image into the specified program or robot operating system can complete virtual surgery and intraoperative navigation, helping the surgeon to better grasp the surgical process. The indexes included in the nephrometry system and the score weights of each index need to be confirmed and perfected by multi-center study with large samples.
China ; Humans ; Kidney/surgery* ; Kidney Neoplasms/surgery* ; Laparoscopy ; Nephrectomy ; Retrospective Studies