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Shuiping Dai,1,&ast; Bennan Zhao,2,&ast; Dafeng Liu,2 Yongzhao Zhou,3 Yaling Liu,2 Lijuan Lan,2 Yalun Li,3 Wenxin Luo,3 Yilan Zeng,2 Weimin Li3 1Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, The Public and Health Clinical Center of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Weimin Li; Yilan Zeng Email weimin003@163.com; 2499081791@qq.comPurpose: Some studies have shown that patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still have sequelae after discharge. However, little is known about the long-term physical and psychological sequelae of patients, especially factors that influenced the prognosis.Patients and Methods: Patients with COVID-19 were followed up for 6 months. The psychological status of patients was evaluated by DASS-21 questionnaire, while physical functions were determined using medical history, laboratory examination, thoracic computed tomography (CT), and echocardiography.Results: Fifty patients infected with COVID-19 were enrolled, and 11 (22%) patients still showed symptoms related to COVID-19. The mean contents (cells/ul) of CD3+ cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T, B lymphocytes and NK cells of the survivors elevated significantly after 6-month discharge (P < 0.001). The frequency of ground-glass opacities and consolidations decreased from 90% to 42% (P < 0.001), and 54% to 20%, (P = 0.001), respectively, while the changes of reticulation and bronchiectasis were insignificant (P > 0.05). The frequency of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction decreased from 40% to 15% (P = 0.002). Depression was observed in 5 (12.5%) participants, stress in 3 (7.5%), anxiety in 6 (15%), and among them 1 (2.5%) showed extremely severe anxiety. Covariation analysis elucidated age might be a risk factor (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01– 1.18, P = 0.038), while NK cell was a good prognostic factor for pulmonary recovery. The comorbidities were significantly positive correlated with persist pulmonary damage (r = 0.33, P = 0.020). Compared with patients with antiviral therapy, patients without antiviral therapy had higher anxiety score (3 vs 0, P = 0.033).Conclusion: After 6-month discharge, the persisting cardiopulmonary damage was observed in recovery patients, and psychological implications should not be ignored. Age, comorbidities, NK cell and antiviral therapy might be associated with the prognosis of COVID-19.Keywords: COVID-19, follow-up, cardiopulmonary, psychology, influence factors

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between nutritional risk and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) score with disease progression and prognosis in patients with COVID-19. Methods: The NRS2002 score of 1228 COVID-19 patients were retrospective analyzed, they were divided into with-nutritional risk group (NRS2002 score≥3) and without-nutritional risk group (NRS2002 scoreResults: Of 1228 COVID-19 patients, the nutritional risk rate was 7.90%. Compared with those in without-nutritional risk group, patients in with-nutritional risk group had significantly longer the coronavirus negative conversion time, obviously lower albumin (ALB), total protein (TP) and hemoglobin (HGB), obviously greater proportion with 3 or more comorbidities, and significantly higher rate of critical illness and mortality (PConclusions: With nutritional risk and high NRS2002 score are closely related to disease progression and poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients. For patients with NRS2002 score >0.5, early intervention of malnutrition is needed to reduce the occurrence of critical disease. And for patients with NRS2002 score >5.5, continuous nutritional support therapy is needs to reduce mortality and improve prognosis. Clinical Trial Registry: Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2000034563

The antigen and antibody kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients remains unclear, and the clinical values of the serological test have not been completely elucidated. A total of 154 serum samples from 13 patients with COVID-19 infection were collected at about three-day intervals during hospitalization. Samples were screened for SARS-CoV-2-specific total antibodies (TAb), IgA, IgM, IgG, and antigen (Ag) using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays (CMIA). The overall seroconversion and/or four-fold increase rates of TAb, IgA, IgM, and IgG during hospitalization were 92.31%, 92.31%, 84.62%, and 92.31%, respectively. However, within a week of onset, antibodies were present in

Introduction: The dynamic characteristics of glucose metabolism and its risk factors in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) accepted primary treatment with the efavirenz (EFV) plus lamivudine (3TC) plus tenofovir (TDF) (EFV+3TC+TDF) regimen are unclear and warrant investigation.Methods: This study was designed using follow-up study. Sixty-one male treatment-naive PLWH were treated with EFV+3TC+TDF regimen for 156 weeks. The glucose metabolism dynamic characteristics, the main risk factors and the differences among the three CD4+ count groups were analyzed.Result: In treatment-naive male PLWH who accepted treatment with the EFV+3TC+TDF regimen for 156 weeks, a continuous increase in the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, the rate of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level were found. These changes were not due to insulin resistance but rather to significantly reduced islet β cell function, according to the homeostasis model assessment of β cell function (HOMA-β). Moreover, the lower the baseline CD4+ T cell count was, the higher the FPG level and the lower the HOMA-β value. Furthermore the main risk factors for the FPG levels were the CD3+CD8+ cell count and viral load (VL), and the factors contributing to the HOMA-β values were the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, VL and CD3+CD8+ cell count.Conclusions: These findings provide guidance to clinicians who are monitoring FPG levels closely and are concerned about IFG and decreased islet β cell function during ART with the EFV+3TC+TDF regimen for long-term application.

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency (VDD) is overwhelmingly prevalent worldwide in association with metabolic syndrome (MetS), type-2 diabetes (T2D), and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Whether vitamin D supplement or treatment can improve these metabolic diseases is controversial, due in part to absence of large-scale trials. On the other hand, unbalanced gut microbiome, dysbiosis, plays key roles in these metabolic diseases. Moreover, whether sunlight exposure or vitamin D can determine the gut microbiome is elusive. The present study aims to investigate whether intramuscular administration of high dose of vitamin D2 can improve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) through balancing of gut microbiome. Methods/designIn a randomized, open-labeled, and parallel-group trial, NASH subjects will be enrolled and randomly allocated to receive ergocalciferol (VD2) treatment or not, n=80 for each group. The NASH patients, diagnosed according to the guideline for NAFLD treatment of China, will be given an initial dose of VD2 at 600,000IU by intramuscular injection followed by additional three administration every other 30 days with total of four injections in 120 days. Anthropometry, liver functions, the metabolic panel will be measured. Fatty liver index will be determined by topological analysis of ultrasound data. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and fecal microbiome will be measured. Discussion: This study will determine the efficacy of high dose of VD2 to relieve NASH symptoms and on gut microbiota. Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017879, registered on Aguste 20th, 2018.

Aim: This study evaluated the use of initial Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (HBcAg) distribution in hepatocytes to predict chronic infection with HBV patients with minimally elevated ALT who can achieve viral response to PEG-IFNα therapy. Materials & methods: HBeAg-positive chronic infection with HBV patients with minimally elevated ALT who were treated with PEG-IFNα were enrolled. Predictive values of initial HBcAg distribution in hepatocytes were evaluated. Results: HBcAg of no-end-of-treatment viral response group was more likely to be distributed in hepatocyte nuclei (p = 0.02) and exhibited a higher degree of HBcAg expression in nuclei (p < 0.0001) before treatment. The degree of HBcAg expression in nuclei might be a better predictor of end-of-treatment viral response (area under the curve: 0.88). Conclusion: Lower HBcAg expressions in nuclei correspond to higher possibilities of patients benefiting from PEG-IFNα treatment.

Background— Some patients with comorbidities and rapid disease progression have a poor prognosis.Aim—In this study, we aimed to investigate the distribution characteristics of comorbidities and their relationship with disease progression and outcomes of COVID-19 patients.Methods— A total of 718 COVID-19 patients were divided into five clinical type groups and eight age-interval groups. The distribution characteristics of comorbidities were compared between the different clinical type groups and between the different age-interval groups, and their relationships with disease progression and outcomes of COVID-19 patients were assessed.Results—Approximately 88.62% (637/718) of the COVID-19 patients were twenty to fifty-nine years old. Approximately 65.73% (554/718) had one or more comorbidities, and common comorbidities included non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic hepatitis B (CHB), hyperuricaemia and gout. COVID-19 patients with comorbidities were older, especially those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension, DM, COPD, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CVD were mainly found in severe COVID-19 patients. According to spearman and partial correlation analysis the number of comorbidities was correlated positively with disease severity, the number of comorbidities and NAFLD were correlated positively with virus negative conversion time, hypertension, CKD and CVD were primarily associated with those who died, and the above-mentioned correlation existed independently of age. Risk factors included the number of comorbidities and hyperlipidaemia for disease severity, age, the number of comorbidities, hyperlipidaemia, NAFLD and COPD for the virus negative conversion time, and the number of comorbidities and CKD for prognosis. Number of comorbidities played a predictive role in disease progression and outcomes.Conclusions—High number and specific comorbidities independently of age are closely related to progression and poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. These findings provide a reference for clinicians to focus on the number and specific comorbidities in COVID-19 patients to predict disease progression and prognosis.Clinical Trial Registry: Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2000034563A statement about the manuscript in research square This manuscript has been presented as preprint in the research sqaure according to the following link: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/ rs-576949/v2.

Introduction: Since the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) with TDF plus 3TC plus EFV, this specific regimen has not been studied enough with long-term lipid and uric acid monitoring.Methods: A prospective follow-up cohort study was performed. Sixty-one treatment-naive male patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were divided into three groups based on their baseline CD4+ cell count (26, 12, and 23 patients in the 350 groups, respectively). The lipid and purine metabolism parameters of the patients over 144 weeks were analyzed.Result: Within 144 weeks, TG, LDL-c, TC and HDL-c gradually increased, especially the latter two (P=0.001, 0.000, respectively). Moreover, the percentages of hypercholesterolemia, hyper LDL cholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL cholesterolemia also gradually increased, especially the latter (P=0.0007). The lower the baseline CD4+ cell counts were, the higher the TG levels were and the lower the TC, LDL-c and HDL-c levels were. But there was significant difference of only baseline LDL-c levels between the three groups (P=0.0457). No significant difference of the UA level and the percentages of hyperuricemia was found between the different follow-up time point groups or between the three groups (all P>0.05). The risk factors for dyslipidemia included age, anthropometric parameters and follow-up weeks, and for hyperuricemia was virus load.Conclusions: Gradual increasing dyslipidemia was found in male patients with human immunodeficiency virus primarily treated with tenofovir plus lamivudine plus efavirenz for three years. There-fore lipid metabolism parameters should be closely monitored during long-term ART with the TDF plus 3TC plus EFV regimen.

Background— Some patients with comorbidities and rapid disease progression have a poor prognosis.Aim—In this study, we aimed to investigate the distribution characteristics of comorbidities and their relationship with disease progression and outcomes of COVID-19 patients.Methods— A total of 718 COVID-19 patients were divided into five clinical type groups and eight age-interval groups. The distribution characteristics of comorbidities were compared between the different clinical type groups and between the different age-interval groups, and their relationships with disease progression and outcomes of COVID-19 patients were assessed.Results—Approximately 88.62% (637/718) of the COVID-19 patients were twenty to fifty-nine years old. Approximately 65.73% (554/718) had one or more comorbidities, and common comorbidities included non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic hepatitis B (CHB), hyperuricaemia and gout. COVID-19 patients with comorbidities were older, especially those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension, DM, COPD, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CVD were mainly found in severe COVID-19 patients, and hypertension, CKD and CVD were primarily associated with those who died. Risk factors included the number of comorbidities and hyperlipidaemia for disease severity, age, the number of comorbidities, hyperlipidaemia, NAFLD and COPD for the virus negative conversion time, and the number of comorbidities and CKD for prognosis. Number of comorbidities played a predictive role in disease progression and outcomes.Conclusions—These findings provide a reference for clinicians to focus on the number and specific comorbidities in COVID-19 patients to predict disease progression and prognosis.Clinical Trial Registry: Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2000034563

Aim This study is aimed at the characteristics of glucose metabolism and islet β cell function evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment of β cell function (HOMA-β) value and its risk factors in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Method This cross-sectional study recruited 110 CHB patients (CHB group) and 110 patients without hepatitis B virus (non-HBV group); the groups were matched according to sex, age, and body mass index under the same glucose metabolism status. The risk factors, characteristics, and differences in glucose metabolism and HOMA-β values between the two groups were analyzed. Results The abnormal glucose metabolism rate was higher in CHB patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) or hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) (−) status. In addition, under the same glucose metabolism status, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2h-PG) levels in the CHB group were higher, while the HOMA-β values were significantly lower and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value was not higher than that in the non-HBV group (all P < 0.0001). Further analyses revealed that the main risk factors for abnormal glucose metabolism were HBeAg (−) status and hepatitis B envelope antibody levels. But HBV serological and virological indicators had no effects on the HOMA-β values. Conclusion Islet β cell function in patients with CHB was compromised, which is closely associated with fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia in chronic hepatitis B patients. Further research should be done to verify the compromised islet β cell function and then to investigate the mechanisms behind the effect of hepatitis B virus infection on islet β cell function in CHB patients.

Background: The contributing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism and the characteristics of the homeostasis model assessment of β cell function (HOMA-β) value in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients are unclear and worth studying.Method: This cross-sectional study recruited 110 CHB patients (CHB group) and 110 patients without hepatitis B virus (non-HBV group); the groups were matched according to sex, age, and body mass index. The contributing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism and the characteristics and differences in glucose metabolism parameters between the two groups were analyzed. Results: The abnormal glucose metabolism rate was higher in CHB patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and patients with hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) (-) status. In addition, under the same glucose metabolism conditions, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels of the CHB group was higher than that of the non-HBV group, especially in those with LC that had higher FPG levels (all p=0.000), while the HOMA-β values was significantly lower in the CHB group than in the non-HBV group, especially under normal glucose tolerance conditions (all p=0.000). Further analyses revealed that the main contributing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism were HBeAg (-) status and hepatitis B envelope antibody levels, but HBV serological and virological indicators had no direct effect on the HOMA-β value.Conclusion: These findings provide a reference that will allow clinicians to monitor abnormal glucose metabolism in CHB patients, especially those with LC or HBeAg (-) status, focus on the protection of islet β-cell function, and avoid the application of insulin secretagogues in CHB patients with abnormal glucose metabolism.

Introduction: Since the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) with TDF plus 3TC plus EFV, this specific regimen has not been studied enough with long-term lipid and uric monitoring.Methods: A prospective follow-up cohort study was performed. Sixty-one treatment-naive male patients with HIV were divided into three groups based on their baseline CD4+ T cell count (26, 12, and 23 patients in the 350 groups, respectively). The lipid and purine metabolism parameters of the patients over 144 weeks were analyzed.Result: TG, TC, LDL-c and HDL-c levels all gradually increased over 144 weeks, but the increases in TC levels and HDL-c levels were significant (P=0.001, 0.000, respectively). Moreover, the percentages of hypercholesterolemia, hyper LDL cholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia all showed gradual and nonsignificant increases; the percentage of low HDL cholesterolemia showed a gradual and significant decrease (P=0.0007). Furthermore, the lower the baseline CD4+ T lymphocyte counts were, the higher the TG levels were and the lower the TC, LDL-c and HDL-c levels were. However, only baseline LDL-c levels differed significantly between the three groups (P=0.0457). Although the UA level and the percentages of hyperuricemia gradually increased over 144 weeks, there was no significant difference between the different follow-up time point groups or between the three CD4+ T cell count groups (all P>0.05). Further analyses revealed that the main factors contributing to lipid metabolism were age, anthropometric parameters and follow-up weeks, and virus load was the main factor contributing to uric acid levels.Conclusions: These findings provide a reference for clinicians to monitor lipid metabolism parameters closely during long-term ART with the TDF plus 3TC plus EFV regimen.

Aim. This study is aimed at the characteristics of glucose metabolism and islet β cell function evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment of β cell function (HOMA-β) value and its risk factors in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Method. This cross-sectional study recruited 110 CHB patients (CHB group) and 110 patients without hepatitis B virus (non-HBV group); the groups were matched according to sex, age, and body mass index under the same glucose metabolism status. The risk factors, characteristics, and differences in glucose metabolism and HOMA-β values between the two groups were analyzed. Results. The abnormal glucose metabolism rate was higher in CHB patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) or hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) (−) status. In addition, under the same glucose metabolism status, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2h-PG) levels in the CHB group were higher, while the HOMA-β values were significantly lower and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value was not higher than that in the non-HBV group (all P < 0.0001 ). Further analyses revealed that the main risk factors for abnormal glucose metabolism were HBeAg (−) status and hepatitis B envelope antibody levels. But HBV serological and virological indicators had no effects on the HOMA-β values. Conclusion. Islet β cell function in patients with CHB was compromised, which is closely associated with fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia in chronic hepatitis B patients. Further research should be done to verify the compromised islet β cell function and then to investigate the mechanisms behind the effect of hepatitis B virus infection on islet β cell function in CHB patients.

IntroductionDysregulated host immune response was common in COVID-19. In this study we aimed at the characteristics of lymphocyte subsets and its relationship with the disease progression in COVID-19 patients with or without DM.MethodsThe baseline peripheral lymphocyte and subsets were compared between 55 healthy cases (control group) and 95 confirmed cases with COVID-19 (COVID-19 group), and between COVID-19 patients with and without DM.ResultsThe prevalence of DM in COVID-19 group was 20%, and severe cases had higher the prevalence of DM than non-severe cases (P=0.006), moreover significantly poor prognosis and higher severe rate were found in those with DM relative to those without DM (P=0.001,0.003, respectively). In COVID-19 group overall and significant reduced lymphocyte and subsets, especially B and T lymphocytes were found, especially in those with DM. Partial decreased lymphocyte subsets, age and DM closely related with the disease progression and the prognosis.ConclusionsThese findings provide a reference for clinicians that immunomodulatory treatment maybe improve disease progression and prognosis of COVID-19 patients, especially those with DM.

IntroductionSince the start of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with TDF plus 3TC plus EFV, the long-term dynamic characteristics of lipid and purine metabolism in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was unclear and worth studying.MethodsA prospective follow-up cohort study was the way. Sixty-one treatment-naive HIV infected male patients were divided into three groups based on the baseline CD4 + T cell count (26, 12, 23cases in 350 three groups, respectively). Lipid and purine metabolism parameters of those patients within 144 weeks were analyzed.ResultTG, TC, LDL-c and HDL-c level all gradually increased within 144 weeks, but statistical significances of TC level and HDL-c level were only found (F = 4.214, 5.518, P = 0.001, 0.000 ,respectively). Moreover the percentage of hypercholesterolemia, hyper LDL cholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia all gradually increased, low HDL cholesterolemia gradually decreased, but there was only obvious difference of the latter (χ2 = 16.105, P = 0.0007).Furthermore the lower the baseline CD4 + T lymphocyte counts, the higher TG level, the lower TC level, LDL-c level and HDL-c level, but only significant difference of LDL-c level between three groups at baseline was found (F = 3.256,P = 0.0457).Although UA level and the percentages of hyperuricemia gradually increased within 144 weeks, but there was no significant difference between different follow-up time points groups and between three CD4 + T cell count groups (all P༞0.05).ConclusionsThese findings provide a reference for clinicians to monitor lipid metabolism parameters closely during long-term HAART with TDF plus 3TC plus EFV regimen.

Background The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is widespread throughout China and the world. Methods Demographic, clinical data of 95 confirmed cases with COVID-19 on admission at the Public and Health Clinic Centre of Chengdu from January 16 to March 16, 2020, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Of them 76, 19 cases were enrolled in non-DM group (without DM), DM group (with DM), respectively; according to the disease severity 57, 19, 8, 11 cases were further divided into non-severe non-DM subgroup (light and common type and without DM), severe non-DM subgroup (severe and critical illness type and without DM), non-severe DM subgroup (light and common type and with DM), severe DM subgroup (severe and critical illness type and with DM), respectively. The severe rate and the prognosis was compared between two groups. The data of peripheral lymphocyte and subsets, age, glucose metabolism parameters were compared between four subgroups, and its relationship to the disease severity, the viral negative conversion time, and the prognosis were analyzed.Results In this COVID-19 cohort the proportion of DM was 20%. Patients with DM had significantly higher severe rate and worse prognosis than those without DM, the difference was significant (severe rate ,cured, unhealed and death in DM and non-DM groups:61.11%vs.25.00%,26.32%,68.42%;5.26%vs.71.05%,26.32%,2.68%,х2=2.940, 3.394,P=0.003,0.001,respectively),simultaneously the proportion of DM in severe cases was higher than that in non-severe cases, the obvious difference was found (36.67% vs.12.31%,х2=2.744,P=0.006).Severe cases with DM tended to have the lowest lymphocytes count levels and percentage values, as well as the lowest T cells count levels and percentage values, helper T cells count levels and percentage values, suppressor T cells count levels, B cells count levels and percentage values compared with those severe cases without DM and non-severe cases with or without DM. The important influencing factors were that age, DM, lymphocyte percentage values and helper T cells percentage values for the disease severity, lymphocyte percentage values and B cell percentage values for the viral negative conversion time, and age, the disease severity and the viral negative conversion time for the prognosis.Conclusions The COVID-19 severe cases with DM had the lowest lymphocytes count level and percentage value, especially T and B lymphocytes count levels and percentage value. Overall decreased lymphocytes subsets and DM maybe worsen prognosis by worsening the disease severity and prolonging the viral negative conversion time. Combination immunomodulatory therapy based on comprehensive treatment might improve prognosis of the COVID-19 severe cases with DM.

Background Host dysregulation of immune response was highly involved in the pathological process of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially COVID-19 severe cases with DM. Aim In this study we aimed at the dynamic change of peripheral lymphocyte and subsets during COVID-19 covery. Methods The peripheral lymphocyte and subsets of 95 confirmed cases with COVID-19 from baseline to four weeks were compared between critical illness and non-critical illness cases with or without DM. Results The dynamic characteristics of lymphocyte and subsets in COVID-19 patients was that it reduced significantly at one week, rapidly elevated to the peak at two weeks after onset, then gradually declined during recovery. The COVID-19 critical illness patients with DM had the lowest decline at one week and the slow lowest rise at two weeks after onset, while COVID-19 non-critical illness patients with DM had the rapid highest rise at two weeks after onset, both of them had similar lymphocyte and subsets at five weeks after onset and lower than those patients without DM. Conclusions These findings provide a reference for clinicians that for COVID-19 patients with DM and the lowest decline of lymphocyte and subsets, immunomodulatory therapy as soon as possible might avoid or slow down disease progression; moreover for COVID-19 critical illness patients with or without DM and non-critical illness patients with DM, continuous immunomodulatory therapy in later stages of disease might speed up virus clearance, shorten hospital stay, improve disease prognosis in COVID-19 critical illness patients with DM.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an effective mean for killing bacteria in this era of increasing multi-antibiotic resistance, and possesses a number of unique advantages. Much effort has been devoted to the development a key component of aPDT photosensitizers (PSs). We synthesized a series of PSs with different positive charges (ZnPc(Lys)[Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] 3, 5, 7, and studied their antibacterial activities and mechanisms against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Interestingly, the ZnPc(Lys)[Formula: see text] derivative showed stronger antibacterial effect (MIC = 25.3 [Formula: see text]M) than the other two PSs (MICs = 50.6 [Formula: see text]M), even though this PS did not have the highest uptake on bacteria among these PSs. It was ZnPc(Lys)[Formula: see text] that possessed the highest bacterial uptake. ZnPc(Lys)[Formula: see text] was found to have the highest monomeric fractions (62.0%) on bacteria surface than the other two PSs (37.9% for [Formula: see text] 3 and 33.9% [Formula: see text] = 7). These results clearly demonstrate that PS conformation on bacterial surface as a key parameter determining antibacterial efficacy of PSs. Other mechanistic aspects of photodynamic effects, including PS binding kinetics, bacterial surface hydrophobicity, zeta potential of bacteria, membrane permeability and bacterial signaling pathways were also studied.

Background Dysglycometabolism is often accompanied with decreased islet β cell function based on the homeostasis model assessment of β cell function (HOMA-β). In this study, we aimed to identify the difference in HOMA-β values between Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and non-hepatitis B virus (non-HBV) patients.Methods The study included 110 CHB and 110 non-HBV patients matched according to gender, age, and body mass index. HOMA-β values were evaluated.Results Under the normal glucose tolerance(NGT) condition, the HOMA-β value of the CHB group was in the decompensated stage, and HOMA-β value of CHB was always lower than non-HBV patients (NGT, impaired glucose regulation, and diabetes mellitus: 47.53vs.124.19, 41.59vs.80.17, and 36.46vs.62.92mIU/mmol; t =−4.709, −2.042, and −2.091; P=0.000, 0.047, and 0.046, respectively).Conclusion Clinicians should focus on dysglycometabolism of patients with CHB.

With the continuous development of construction machinery technology, great breakthroughs have been made in the application of electronic information technology. The control and operation system of construction machinery vehicles refers to the system that applies and receives certain instructions and makes the construction machinery produce specified actions according to the requirements of operators through its power transmission device. Compared with the previous construction machinery, the developing construction machinery has made good achievements in high efficiency, intensification, cost saving and environmental protection. The traditional speed measuring method can not meet the requirement of measuring accuracy of actual walking speed of construction machinery, and can not accurately reflect the actual walking speed and instantaneous motion state of construction machinery. This paper analyzes a kind of construction machinery vehicle using machine vision. It obtains important information through image processing, adopts intelligent control technology based on machine vision as an important control means of power drive, and can judge and control driving according to road conditions, thus improving the accuracy and stability of industrial autonomous transportation..