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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]

Objective To explore the value of serum neuron-specific enclose (NSE) before treatment in predicting brain metastases and prognosis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A total of 128 hospitalized patients with advanced NSCLC from Jan 2012 to Mar 2012 were followed up, and their clinicopathological data, serum NSE, carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin 21-1 (cyfra21-l) levels, albumin ( ALB), white blood cell ( WBC ) before treatment were analyzed retrospectively to determine the factors affecting brain metastasis and prognosis of advanced NSCLC. Results Among the 128 NSCLC patients, 90 cases were of adenocarcinoma, 30 cases were of squamous cell carcinoma, and 8 eases were of large cell carcinoma. The median levels of pre-treatment NSE, CEA and cyfra21-l were 13.6 ng/ml, 7.8 ng/ml and 6.1 ng/ml, respectively. The average levels of ALB and WBC were(35.41±5.60) g/L and (8.16±2.53) × 109/ml, respectively. Multi-variate logistic regression analysis showed that serum NSE before treatment was associated with brain metastasis of advanced NSCLC (P = 0.030). Pre-treatment NSE levels were (34.18±28.48) ng/ml in 28 patients with brain metastasis and (13.87±4.49) ng/ml in 98 patients without brain metastasis (P<0.05). The median survival time were 3.5 months in patients with normal levels of NSE, and 10.7 months in patients with elevated levels of NSE pre-treatment (P< 0.05). Conclusions A higher pre-treatment level of NSE is closely correlated with brain metastasis of advanced NSCLC, and can be used as a predictor of brain metastases in advanced NSCLC. High pre-treatment levels of NSE indicate a pool prognosis in advanced NSCLC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]