BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have indicated that Angong Niuhuang Pills (ANP) reduce cerebral infarct and edema volumes. This study aimed to investigate whether ANP safely reduces cerebral infarct and edema volumes in patients with moderate to severe acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial included patients with acute ischemic stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranging from 10 to 20 in 17 centers in China between April 2021 and July 2022. Patients were allocated within 36 h after onset via block randomization to receive ANP or placebo (3 g/day for 5 days). The primary outcomes were changes in cerebral infarct and edema volumes after 14 days of treatment. The primary safety outcome was severe adverse events (SAEs) for 90 days. RESULTS: There were 57 and 60 patients finally included in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively for modified intention-to-treat analysis. The median age was 66.0 years, and the median NIHSS score at baseline was 12.0. The changes in cerebral infarct volume at day 14 were 0.3 mL and 0.4 mL in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively (median difference: -7.1 mL; interquartile range [IQR]: -18.3 to 2.3 mL, P = 0.30). The changes in cerebral edema volume of the ANP and placebo groups on day 14 were 11.4 mL and 4.0 mL, respectively ( median difference: 3.0 mL, IQR: -1.3 to 9.9 mL, P = 0.15). The rates of SAE within 90 days were similar in the ANP (3/57, 5%) and placebo (7/60, 12%) groups ( P = 0.36). Changes in serum mercury and arsenic concentrations were comparable. In patients with large artery atherosclerosis, ANP reduced the cerebral infarct volume at 14 days (median difference: -12.3 mL; IQR: -27.7 to -0.3 mL, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: ANP showed a similar safety profile to placebo and non-significant tendency to reduce cerebral infarct volume in patients with moderate-to-severe stroke. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of ANP in reducing cerebral infarcts and improving clinical prognosis. TRAIL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov , No. NCT04475328.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy* ; Pilot Projects ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE To establish characteristic chromatogram of Yao medicine Kadsura longipedunculata and the method for the content determination of its main component anwulignan， and evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of anwulignan. METHODS HPLC method was performed with acetonitrile-0.5% phosphoric acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The characteristic chromatogram of K. longipedunculata was established and similarity was evaluated by Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM （2012 edition）. The content of anwulignan in K. longipedunculata was determined. Lipopolysaccharide induced RAW264.7 macrophages were selected as inflammatory cell model to investigate the effects of anwulignan on the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-6. RESULTS The similarities of characteristic chromatogram for 10 batches of K. longipedunculata ranged 0.901-0.994， and 9 common peaks were determined； 3 components were identified， such as changnan schisantherin E， kadsulactone A， anwulignan. The contents of anwulignan were （0.72±0.05）-（1.21±0.03） mg/g（n＝3）. Anwulignan of 0.125-0.5 μg/mL greatly decreased the levels of TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-6 in the supernatant of inflammatory model cells （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS HPLC characteristic chromatogram of K. longipedunculata and the method for the content determination of anwulignan are all established， and anwulignan may be the active ingredient of anti-inflammatory effect in K. longipedunculata.

Pien Tze Huang(PZH),a class-1 nationally protected traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),has been used to treat liver diseases such as hepatitis;however,the effect of PZH on the progression of sepsis is un-known.Here,we reported that PZH attenuated lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced sepsis in mice and reduced LPS-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages by inhibiting the acti-vation of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)signalling.Mechanistically,PZH stimulated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)phosphory-lation to induce the expression of A20,which could inhibit the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signalling.Knockdown of the bile acid(BA)receptor G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1(TGR5)in macrophages abolished the effects of PZH on STAT3 phosphorylation and A20 induction,as well as the LPS-induced inflammatory response,suggesting that BAs in PZH may mediate its anti-inflammatory effects by acti-vating TGR5.Consistently,deprivation of BAs in PZH by cholestyramine resin reduced the effects of PZH on the expression of phosphorylated-STAT3 and A20,the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signalling,and the production of proinflammatory cytokines,whereas the addition of BAs to cholestyramine resin-treated PZH partially restored the inhibitory effects on the production of proinflammatory cytokines.Overall,our study identifies BAs as the effective components in PZH that activate TGR5-STAT3-A20 signalling to ameliorate LPS-induced sepsis.

The comparison between traditional Chinese medicine Jinzhen oral liquid (JZOL) and Western medicine in treating children with acute bronchitis (AB) showed encouraging outcomes. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the JZOL for improving cough and expectoration in children with AB. 480 children were randomly assigned to take JZOL or ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride oral solution for 7 days. The primary outcome was time-to-cough resolution. The median time-to-cough resolution in both groups was 5.0 days and the antitussive onset median time was only 1 day. This randomized controlled trial showed that JZOL was not inferior to cough suppressant and phlegm resolving western medicine in treating cough and sputum and could comprehensively treat respiratory and systemic discomfort symptoms. Combined with clinical trials, the mechanism of JZOL against AB was uncovered by network target analysis, it was found that the pathways in TRP channels like IL-1β/IL1R/TRPV1/TRPA1, NGF/TrkA/TRPV1/TRPA1, and PGE2/EP/PKA/TRPV1/TRPA1 might play important roles. Animal experiments further confirmed that inflammation and the immune regulatory effect of JZOL in the treatment of AB were of vital importance and TRP channels were the key mechanism of action.

Objective:To construct medical students' employment quality evaluation index system based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP), for providing basis to scientific and objective evaluation of medical students' employment quality.Methods:Two rounds of consultation with 21 experts were conducted to construct medical students' employment quality index and evaluation standard by Delphi method, and the weight of each index and evaluation standard determined by AHP. Excel 2007 and SPSS 21.0 were used to analyze the results of expert consultation. The enumeration data were expressed as frequency and percentage. The mean and coefficient of variation were used to describe the importance scores of experts on indicators at all levels. The positive coefficient, authority coefficient and coordination degree of experts were calculated, and the Kendall coordination coefficient ( W) test was carried out. Yaahp 6.0 is used to analyze the pairwise comparison matrix in the analytic hierarchy process to calculate the weight of the indicator. Results:The authority of expert consultation was ranged from 0.77 to 0.94, and the positive coefficient of experts was 100.00%. The evaluation system of medical students' employment quality was determined, which involved 3 first-class indexes, 9 second-class indexes and 35 third-class indexes, and the weight coefficients of each index were calculated by AHP.Conclusion:The evaluation index system of medical students' employment quality is reasonable, which can be used to provide reference standard for medical students' employment quality evaluation, and has certain application value.

OBJECTIVE To explore dianhydrogalactitol(DAG)-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity and mechanisms in zebrafish embryos and larvae. METHODS On the basis of general toxicity evaluation, zebrafish embryos were exposed to DAG in groups, and the effects of DAG on zebrafish nerves and behaviors were observed by means of autonomic locomotor response and light stimulation response of juvenile fish; the effects of DAG on zebrafish brain tissues were observed by means of histopathological examination of brain and acridine orange staining. The relative expression of dopamine neuron-related genes(DAT, TH, GCH1) and neural inhibition/promotion of apoptosis-related genes(Bax, Bcl-2) was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in zebrafish larvae. RESULTS DAG inhibited the voluntary movement of zebrafish under the 20, 40, 75 mg·L-1, and the inhibition rate of voluntary movement showed obvious concentration correlation; DAG inhibited the reaction speed of zebrafish under the 20, 40, 75 mg·L-1, and the rate of decrease of reaction ability showed concentration correlation; the brain tissue became smaller, but the tissue structure of zebrafish did not show any significant abnormality in the various concentration groups of DAG; acridine orange staining was used to detect the apoptosis of the overall embryonic cells of zebrafish, and it was found that the administration of DAG inhibited the apoptosis of zebrafish. Acridine orange staining was used to detect apoptosis in the whole embryonic cells of zebrafish, and it was found that the green fluorescence in the head of the administered group was more obvious than that in the control group, indicating that apoptosis increased, and apoptosis increased in a dose-dependent manner, which was in accordance with the apparent observation; DAG in 75, 150, 300, 425, 600 mg·L-1 of the experimental condition could lead to a downward regulation of the relative expression of mRNA of the genes related to the zebrafish juvenile dopaminergic neuron, DAT, TH and GCH1. The Bax/Bcl-2 relative mRNA expression was up-regulated with increasing drug concentration. CONCLUSION The neurodevelopmental toxicity of DAG in zebrafish embryos and juveniles may be related to the inhibition of dopaminergic neurons.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical and genetic features of young Chinese patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) .Methods:In this cross-sectional study, anonymous questionnaires were distributed to patients with MPN patients nationwide. The respondents were divided into 3 groups based on their age at diagnosis: young (≤40 years) , middle-aged (41-60 years) , and elderly (>60 years) . We compared the clinical and genetic characteristics of three groups of MPN patients.Results:1727 assessable questionnaires were collected. There were 453 (26.2%) young respondents with MPNs, including 274 with essential thrombocythemia (ET) , 80 with polycythemia vera (PV) , and 99 with myelofibrosis. Among the young group, 178 (39.3%) were male, and the median age was 31 (18-40) years. In comparison to middle-aged and elderly respondents, young respondents with MPN were more likely to present with a higher proportion of unmarried status (all P<0.001) , a higher education level (all P<0.001) , less comorbidity (ies) , fewer medications (all P<0.001) , and low-risk stratification (all P<0.001) . Younger respondents experienced headache (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.007; MF, P=0.001) at diagnosis, had splenomegaly at diagnosis (PV, P<0.001) , and survey (ET, P=0.052; PV, P=0.063) . Younger respondents had fewer thrombotic events at diagnosis (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.011) and during the survey (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.003) . JAK2 mutations were found in fewer young people (ET, P<0.001; PV, P<0.001; MF, P=0.013) ; however, CALR mutations were found in more young people (ET, P<0.001; MF, P=0.015) . Furthermore, mutations in non-driver genes (ET, P=0.042; PV, P=0.043; MF, P=0.004) and high-molecular risk mutations (ET, P=0.024; PV, P=0.023; MF, P=0.001) were found in fewer young respondents. Conclusion:Compared with middle-aged and elderly patients, young patients with MPN had unique clinical and genetic characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genomic abnorm ality of a fetus enlarged multicystic dysplastic kidneys with oligohydramnios caused by NPHP3 gene mutation. METHODS: The fetuse was found to have multicystic dysplastic kidneys with oligohydramnios upon ultrasonography during the second trimester. Following induced abortion, fetal tissue was collected for the extraction of DNA, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and whole exome sequencing (WES). Sanger sequencing was used to verify the suspected variants in the family. RESULTS: Antenatal ultrasound examination at 19 weeks showed "polycystic" kidneys with Oligohydramnios. Delivery was by induced labour because of the critically low amniotic fluid volume. Testing of CMA was normal. WES showed a compound heterozygous mutation of c.1817G>A, p.W606X; c.432dupA, p.E145Rfs*18 mutations are novel mutations in this study. CONCLUSION The research may further expand the NPHP3 gene mutation spectrum. Enlarged multicystic dysplastic kidneys with oligohydramnios caused by NPHP3 gene mutation at least include one or two splice site mutation, frameshift mutation or nonsense mutation foetal poor prognosis.
Amniotic Fluid ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney/genetics* ; Mutation ; Oligohydramnios/genetics* ; Polycystic Kidney Diseases ; Pregnancy ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic basis for a fetus suspected for Coffin-Siris syndrome. METHODS: Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and whole exome sequencing (WES) were carried out for the fetus. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Prenatal ultrasound at 23rd gestational week has revealed fetal ventriculomegaly. No abnormality was found by CMA, while WES revealed that the fetus has harbored a de novo heterozygous c.2851G>A (p.G951R) variant of the SMARCA4 gene, which was predicted to be pathogenic. CONCLUSION Genetic testing should be considered for fetuses featuring progressive widening of lateral cerebral ventricles.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; DNA Helicases/genetics* ; Fetus ; Genetic Testing ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing

Objective To investigate the effect of enteral nutritional support beginning at different time on aspiration events and immune function in the early post-traumatic (within 14 days) period in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.Methods From June, 2018, to February, 2021, 75 patients with acute traumatic brain injury admitted in the Department of Neurosurgery of the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang were randomly divided into early feeding group (24 to 48 hours, n=35) and delayed feeding group (48 to 120 hours, n=40). The 14-day reflux rate, aspiration rate, incidence of aspiration pneumonia, immune indexes and complications were compared between two groups.Results There was no significant difference in the reflux rate, aspiration rate and the incidence of aspiration pneumonia between the two groups (P > 0.05). The levels of IgG, IgA, and complements C3 and C4 were significantly higher in the early feeding group than in the delayed feeding group (|t| > 1.720, P<0.001). The incidence of non-aspiratory lung infections was significantly lower in the early feeding group than in the delayed feeding group (χ2=4.728, P<0.05).Conclusion Initiating enteral nutrition within 24 to 48 hours after injury may preserve immune function and reduce the incidence of non-aspiratory lung infections in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.