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Objective To analyze the predictive value of serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and cytokines on the prognosis of patients with COVID-19 at admission. Methods From November 2022 to February 2023, patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were admitted to Beijing Chest Hospital were enrolled. Chemiluminescence was used to detect serum PCT levels, and flow microsphere array was used to detect serum cytokines IL- 1P, IL -2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, TNF-a, TNF- P, IFN-y level. ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death were defined as poor prognosis. After excluding patients with bacterial infection, the relationship between serum PCT and cytokine levels at admission and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients was analyzed. After excluding patients with bacterial infection, the relationship between serum PCT and cytokine levels at admission and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients was analyzed. Results A total of 176 patients with complete data were included, including 134 in the PCT-normal group and 42 in the PCT-elevated group, with a median age of 71.50 years and 71.59% males. Patients in the PCT elevated-group had significantly higher rates of ICU admission (38.41% vs. 13.11%, P < 0.05), mechanical ventilation (76.92% vs. 24.59%, P < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (38.46% vs. 6.56%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher than those in the PCT-normal group. Serum levels of cytokines IL-6 (7.40 pg/mL vs. 4.78 pg/mL, P = 0.033 4) and IL-8 (10.97 pg/mL vs. 5.92 pg/mL, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with poor prognosis than in those with good prognosis. The area under the curve for PCT, IL-6, and IL-8 to predict poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients was 0.687, 0.660, and 0.746, respectively; sensitivity was 52.78%, 55.17%, and 72.41%, respectively; and specificity was 81.58%, 74.19%, and 74.19%, respectively, as calculated from the ROC curve. When PCT, IL-6 and IL-8 jointly predict the prognosis of COVID-19 patients, the area under the curve is 0.764, the sensitivity is 70.00%, and the specificity is 80.00%. Conclusion Serum PCT and cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 could be used as predictive markers for poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Box-Behnken design response surface methodology was used to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted aqueous twophase extraction of loquat leaves polysaccharide. The effects of ultrasonic time, ultrasonic power, ultrasonic temperature, and liquid-material ratio on the extraction rate of loquat leaves polysaccharide and the antioxidant activity of loquat leaves polysaccharide were studied. The results showed that the optimum conditions for extracting polysaccharide from loquat leaves by ultrasonic-assisted aqueous two-phase method were ultrasonic time 60 min, ultrasonic power 180 W, ultrasonic temperature 60 °C, liquid-material ratio 70 mL/g, and the yield of polysaccharide from loquat leaves reached 4.222%. The antioxidant activity test showed that the DPPH radical scavenging rate was 73.90% and the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate was 58.45% when the concentration of loquat leaves polysaccharide was 1.2 g/L. The study indicates that the extraction technology of loquat leaves polysaccharide is environmentally friendly and feasible, and loquat leaves polysaccharide have good antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]