Highlights: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had altered inflammatory markers. High sensitivity C-reactive protein-(pre)albumin ratios positively correlated with severe COVID-19. Prognostic nutritional index negatively correlated with risk of severe COVID-19. Nomogram combining the three factors reliably predicted the progression of COVID-19. High sensitivity C-reactive protein-prealbumin and -albumin ratios helped estimate duration of hospitalization.

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Background Interleukin 36 (IL-36) cytokines belong to the IL-1 family and play an important role in some autoimmune diseases. However, the relationship between IL-36 and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) remains unclear. Methods We determined serum IL-36α, IL-36β and IL-36γ levels and assessed correlations with clinical characteristics in 50 NMOSD patients and 30 healthy controls (HC). Results The concentrations of serum IL-36β and IL-36γ were significantly higher in patients with NMOSD than in HCs and decreased during remission. Serum IL-36β levels were positively correlated with the annual relapse rate (ARR), spinal cord lesion length and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. Conclusions Serum IL-36β and IL-36γ levels were related to disease activity in NMOSD patients and may be important biomarkers of NMOSD.

Hederasaponin C (HSC), one of the main components of Pulsatilla chinensis, is considered as a potential drug for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. In the present research, we developed a pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamics model to describe the concentration–effect course of drug action following the intraperitoneal injection of HSC in colitis rats. A sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method was established for the the determination of HSC in rat plasma to explore the pharmacokinetics properties. The separation was performed on an Accucore C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 2.6 μm) with a flow phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid water. The assay method was validated and demonstrated good adaptability for application in the pharmacokinetics study. Then the levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in colon tissues were measured using an ELISA assay. The levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 were decreased after HSC administration, suggesting that HSC can significantly improve the level of inflammatory syndrome factor. The pharmacokinetics study showed that the time to peak concentration of HSC was 1 h. The concentration–effect curves showed a hysteresis loop. There was also a hysteresis between the peaked concentration and the maximum effect of HSC. The present study established in vivo pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamics models and the results showed a great potential of HSC for treating ulcerative colitis.